5 Things You Can Do This Week

Tips for making phone calls to your Electeds

Remember to use the 5Calls App. Go to wherever you get your apps, find 5Calls, and download it. Here’s more info about 5Calls:

• Sometimes the materials listed in the calls section of IGGR’s weekly report will be the same or similar to what 5Calls suggests. Sometimes it will be other issues that also seem important.

• The 5Calls App gives a well summarized outline about the issue in question and a script you can use when calling senators and representatives.

• Best of all, the App provides a link to your senators’ and representative’s phone numbers so you don’t have to dial them.

• You can make multiple calls about the issues that concern you or you can summarize your concerns and list them in your call. Representative Scholten’s staff has expressed a preference for one call listing multiple issues.

• Whichever way you decide to call, always give your name and street address so the staff will know you are a constituent. Unfortunately, senators and representatives only want to hear from constituents, which seems counter intuitive when the issues in question are national but they want to get reelected, so they only want to hear from constituents.

Reliable and trustworthy sources of information can be found by visiting the websites for the Library of Congress, Congress.gov, and Senate.gov. The Bridge is an online newspaper about Michigan issues which is also a good source.

1) Call Your Senators

Senator Gary Peters: (202) 224-6221 

Senator Elyse Slotkin: (202) 224-4822 

(see Resources for more contact info)

• • Thank you for voting to restore Affordable Care Act tax credits

  • Demand that the video of the second strike on a Venezuelan boat be released to the public. The release would show that the strikes were inhumane and likely illegal. All of the attacks on boats from Venezuela are inhumane and unlawful, it is just that this second strike is a blatant disregard for human life. Hegseth, Bradley and Venezuela Boat Strikes: Who is Legally Responsible

  • Demand an investigation of the seizure of an oil tanker off the shore of Venezuela. This seizure could be construed as an act of war or of piracy. What We Know About US Seizure of Oil Tanker Off Venezuela

  • Oppose a peace plan that favors Russia over Ukraine. Trump raises pressure on Zelensky to accept deal

2) Call Your Representative

Be sure to give them your home address so they know you are a constituent. Scholten’s staff has indicated that one call succinctly listing the multiple issues that concern you is preferable to multiple calls addressing one issue for each call.

Representative Scholten: (202) 225-3831

Representative Moolenaar (202) 225-3561

• • Scholten: Thank you for introducing HR 6228 Unlocking Affordable Housing Act. However, since the bill makes it easier for developers to get loans supposedly to increase supply of new homes, request that there are amendments to the bill which will ensure that the developers really do increase the supply of affordable housing.

  • Please sign the Discharge Petition that would bring a bill to the floor that would extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies by two years.

  • Support HR 5106 - Restore Trust in Congress Act and sign on as a co-sponsor. This act would ban Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependents from trading individual stocks and other securities, preventing insider trading for personal gain and rebuilding public confidence.

  • Demand an investigation of the seizure of an oil tanker off the shore of Venezuela. This seizure could be construed as an act of war or of piracy. What We Know About US Seizure of Oil Tanker Off Venezuela

  • Scholten: Ask why she voted yes on the National Defense Authorization Act on December 10, since it allows bans on military policies supporting equality and diversity and provides extensive financial support to the Israel military. House passes NDAA, $900 billion defense policy bill, in 312-112 vote

3) Enjoy the Holidays

• However you celebrate them.

4) Send Us A Pet Photo

• • IGGR features the Pet of the Week, highlighting the adorable animals who share the homes of our IGGR members. Please send a picture of your pet to indivisibleggr@gmail.com, along with your Pet’s name; we will include your first name and initial.

5) Attend An Event

Friday, December 19 at 4 to 5 pm. Bridge Brigade Takeover Protest. Fuller over I-196. Future dates/locations:

• Dec 26 - Fuller over I-196

• Jan 2 - Hall over US-131 – Hours change starting this week, 4 to 5 pm. (We have been asked to continue here to show our support for the surrounding community--Keep that in mind as you choose your protest signs.)

• Jan 9 - Fuller over I-196

Tuesday, January 13 at 7 pm. IGGR Webinar on the Current Economy. Dr. Paul Isely, noted economist and Assistant Dean of the Seidman College of Business at GVSU, will help us to understand the current economy and how it is affecting and will continue to affect our lives. Get equipped with key facts and other information you can use to discuss this critical issue with friends and family. More info and a link to register coming soon.

Upcoming IGGR Members & Friends meetings in 2026, all at 6:30 pm at Fountain Street Church:

• January 26: This meeting will kick off with a short performance by the Grand Rapids Girls’ Choral Academy. We will be presenting our full campaign for this election year so you can prepare to get involved to help us turn around key seats up and down the ballot.

• February 23: Dr. Kristin Oldenberg, the new Medical Director at the Kent County Health Department, will share information about current health services offered by the County. After overall high living costs, healthcare is the next hottest issue for Kent County residents. This presentation will prepare you with helpful information to support your discussions on this topic with friends and family. We will also have a Volunteer Fair at this meeting so you can sign up to support specific initiatives.

• March 23: “Opposing Tyranny with Nonviolent Civil Resistance.” Professor Gary Stark will talk about the various forms of non-violent resistance that individuals can take