What Happens After the Passage and Signing of the Big Thievery Budget Bill?
On July 3rd, the GOP House voted on the Senate’s version of what we at Disability Community for Democracy call the Big Thievery Budget Bill. This bill, which represents the largest transfer of wealth from those who can least afford it to the wealthiest among us, was signed into law on July 4th by the Current Occupant of the White House. The bill signed was for FY 2025, highlighting the urgency of the situation—the fight continues against the proposed FY 2026 budget.
Disability Community for Democracy is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and defending liberal democracy and our civil rights, no matter who is in power at the local, state, and federal levels. Since the GOP House and Senate have decided to vote on a budget reconciliation bill that could negatively impact many people, especially the disability community, we need to come together and take a multi-pronged approach to stand against this. Here's what our plan looks like:
1) It's important to recognize that while Home and Community-Based Services covered by Medicaid are considered optional services—meaning states aren't required by federal law to pay for them—these services are definitely not optional for people with disabilities. They help us live full, independent lives within our communities. To support this, we encourage individuals to reach out to their State Representative or Assemblyperson, as well as their State Senator, to help develop a fair state budget that reduces harm. This often involves raising taxes rather than cutting or limiting vital services that enable us to stay in our communities. In states where counties also share in Medicaid costs, we should advocate for them to contribute as well.
2) We want to keep you informed about when the different parts of the bill will start to take effect. We achieve this by examining each aspect in more detail through separate articles, enabling you to understand how this bill will impact the disability community.
3) We warmly invite members of the disability community to share their personal stories about how this bill truly affects them. These heartfelt stories are powerful tools for advocacy, helping others see the real-life impact of this legislation in a more personal and relatable way.
4) It's essential for Congress to pass the FY 2026 budget by September 30th to avoid a government shutdown. Let's encourage everyone to reach out to their House and Senate members to ask them to vote no on the FY 2026 budget. Spreading awareness and engagement on the proposed budget will harm the disability community.
5) In 2026, there will be efforts to replace everyone who voted yes on this bill and is up for election. This includes all House Members, as well as 33 Senators, who are seeking reelection.
However, we really need your help to make this multi-pronged approach work successfully.
If you're interested in improving policies for the disability community nationally, our Legal and Policy Bucket Subcommittee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM Eastern Time via Zoom. If you want to get involved with this subcommittee, you can sign up here. You don't need to be an expert in Legal and Policy to join. We also need a Legal and Policy Co-Lead. If you're interested in learning more about the role of the Co-Lead, please email Bob Fayz, our Legal and Policy Lead, at robert@disabilitycommunityfordemocracy.org.
If you're interested in making a difference by improving policies for the disability community at the state and local levels, rather than at the national level, we're here to support you. We have four Regional Legal and Policy Committees—Midwest, Northeast, Southern, and Western—and your participation in your regional committee is valuable and greatly appreciated as part of our shared efforts.
The Midwest Regional Legal and Policy Committee gathers at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (7:00 PM Central Time) on the first Tuesday of each month via Zoom. You must reside in the Midwest Region of the United States to participate. You can sign up here. The states comprising the Midwest Region are listed on the sign-up form.
The Northeast Regional Legal and Policy Committee meets at 7 PM Eastern Time on the last Tuesday of each month via Zoom. You must live in the Northeastern United States to participate. You can sign up here. The states that make up the Northeast Region are listed on the sign-up form.
The Southern Regional Legal and Policy Committee meets at 4:00 PM Eastern Time (3:00 PM Central Time) on the second Thursday of every month via Zoom. You must live in the Southern United States to participate. You can sign up here. The states that make up the Southern Region are listed on the sign-up form.
The Western Regional Legal and Policy Committee meets at 1:00 PM Pacific Time (noon Mountain Time) on the third Sunday of each month via Zoom. You must reside in the Western United States to participate. You can register here. The states that make up the Western Region are listed on the sign-up form.
We are still seeking Legal and Policy Regional Coordinators for the Northeast, Southern, and Western Regional Legal and Policy Committees. To serve as a Regional Legal and Policy Coordinator, you must reside in the region where you wish to serve. If you're interested in becoming a Regional Legal and Policy Coordinator, please email Bob Fayz, our Legal and Policy Lead, at robert@disabilitycommunityfordemocracy.org.
If you're interested in getting involved in political campaigns and want to flip the House and Senate, the Campaigns Bucket Subcommittee meets on the first Monday of each month at 8 PM Eastern Time via Zoom. If you'd like to volunteer for the Campaigns Bucket Subcommittee, you can sign up here. We are still seeking a Campaigns Lead. Justina Plowden is our Campaigns Co-Lead and can answer any questions about the Campaigns Lead position. You can email Justina at justina@disabilitycommunityfordemocracy.org.
We lost a battle for true liberation for the disability community, but not the war. Ableism, like other isms and phobias, is a cancer on our society. We need to build a vibrant, politically engaged community for people with disabilities alongside our accomplices in order to address the harm caused by the federal government, because we will no longer allow nothing about us without us.
Other Ways to engage with the Disability Community for Democracy, Inc.
If you're interested in joining the Bed-In: STOP RFK Jr.'s Autism Registry event on Zoom this Saturday, July 12th, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern Time, we warmly invite you to register here! This event is a peaceful protest against the implementation of the autism registry, a tool that could be used to target individuals with disabilities, and a call to action to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their disability status. We are also seeking volunteers for the day of the event. If you are interested in serving as tech support and helping to spread the word, please sign up here.
We would be grateful for your financial support in ensuring that Disability Community for Democracy, Inc. remains at the forefront of our advocacy efforts. If you are able to contribute, you may do so in the following ways:
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