Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for Monday, October 6, 2025

Fall may be settling in, but things are heating up in Washington, and not in a good way. We’re now on day six of the federal government shutdown, and Republicans are still refusing to do their jobs. Instead of putting people first, they’re obsessing over “winning the standoff,” as President Trump called it this weekend, while thousands of workers go without pay and families brace for the fallout.

At the center of this crisis is the GOP’s rejection of extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, support that millions of Americans rely on to keep health care within reach. Democrats have made it clear: reopening the government and protecting access to affordable coverage must go hand in hand. But rather than negotiate, Republican leaders are mocking the situation. Senator Kennedy even sneered that Democrats would get their healthcare funding “when donkeys fly.” Comments like that show exactly how out of touch they are, ignoring the real-world consequences for everyday Americans whose premiums are set to rise without these critical subsidies.

Trump’s administration is calling this shutdown a “win,” but here in Maryland, working families are already feeling the losses. Federal employees and contractors are going without pay, local businesses are hurting, and communities are left wondering when help will come.

We’re calling on Democrats to stand their ground and keep fighting for affordable healthcare and a government that works for all of us. The longer Republicans refuse to negotiate, the worse this shutdown’s impact will be on our communities, our families, and our state.

Read on for important updates, upcoming events, and the latest in state and national news you can use.

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

PMD Events
Campaign Updates
Local Chapter Updates
Ally Events
State & National News

PMD Events:

PMD Annual Gala

Our 25th Anniversary Gala is shaping up to be an unforgettable night — and tickets are going fast! Secure your spot now to celebrate 25 years of organizing, impact, and progress with fellow members, activists from across the state, and elected officials. Join us for a powerful evening of connection and celebration as we chart our course forward into a pivotal election year with great food, an open bar, a live DJ, and an incredible keynote speaker to be announced soon. Don’t miss out on this milestone moment in our movement

Grab Your Tickets Now

Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates:

Healthcare Task Force

Take Action Now, Stop the GOP attack on our healthcare!

Trump and Congressional Republicans are lying about the huge impact that the cuts to Medicaid & Medicare funding, along with ending the Affordable Care Act Tax Credits will have. They pushed for policies that will throw millions of Americans off of healthcare. In January, approximately 4 million Americans, including up to 190,000 Marylanders, who purchase health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces/exchanges will lose their coverage unless Congress takes action.

Please call Speaker Mike Johnson at the Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121.
Tell us how you’ll be impacted or why you care about protecting healthcare coverage. Click this link to take our survey.
And to join our campaigns, click here.

For more information contact Patty.

Local Chapter Updates:

Brooklyn Neighborhood Union

Brooklyn Rally: No Needles Near Our Children

On Saturday, September 20th, residents of Brooklyn launched the Brooklyn Neighborhood Union, followed by a rally on September 26th that drew twelve attendees. Sharon McGuire, a new member of Progressive Maryland, told WBALTV "we're on this little point, and they just forgot us." This sentiment highlights the ongoing alienation Brooklyn faces compared to other neighborhoods in South Baltimore.

Community members voiced their concerns about the need for more frequent services from the Baltimore City Health Department, specifically regarding the collection of discarded needles. Additionally, they called for the Department of Public Works to increase the frequency of trash pickups in the alleyways. These issues underscore the unsanitary conditions that have persisted in the area, prompting the Brooklyn Neighborhood Union to seek greater attention from city officials.

With the goal of addressing these pressing concerns, the Brooklyn Neighborhood Union plans to expand its membership and strategize on next steps to ensure the city takes comprehensive action. The community is determined to advocate for improvements, and residents are encouraged to stay engaged as they work towards a cleaner and safer Brooklyn.

EVENTS FROM ALLIES:

Ahead of the national No Kings Day of Action on October 18, the ACLU is hosting a vital pre-action training to help communities take to the streets safely, confidently, and powerfully. Join them on Monday, October 6 at 8 p.m. ET for No Kings: Protest Safety, Know Your Rights & De-Escalation Training — a virtual event designed to equip participants with the tools to protect themselves and others during demonstrations. The training will cover your rights during protests, practical safety and de-escalation strategies, and how to support others on the ground. Spanish translation and ASL interpretation will be available. RSVP here to join the training.

Banned Book Week - An Evening with "Flamer" author Mike Curato

UCBPride and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Harford County Branch are partnering to host a Banned Book Week event.

On Tuesday, October 7, we'll host Mike Curato, author of "Flamer" at Towson University in Northeastern Maryland. We are in the early stages of planning and will share specific information (time, VIP ticket opportunities, etc.) closer to the date.

This fundraiser is to cover Mike's appearance fee and travel expenses.

Date: Oct. 7

Time: TBD

Location: Towson University in Northeastern Maryland

Community Art Build — Thursday, October 6, 6–8:30 PM at Red Emma’s
Join the With Us For Us (WUFU) Coalition and partners for an Art Build ahead of the big October 15 rally! Together with the Baltimore Abolition Movement, Bmore Against DSAI, and JHU-Labor Roundtable, we’ll create powerful signs and posters demanding justice, accountability, and democracy from Johns Hopkins University and Hospital System. All materials are provided—just bring your creativity and passion for a fairer Baltimore. Sign up here.

Save the Date — Hopkins Accountability Rally, Tuesday, October 15 at 5:30 PM
Mark your calendars! Baltimore is coming together to demand that Johns Hopkins pay its fair share, end its private police, protect green spaces, and respect workers’ rights. Join us at 5:30 PM on October 15 for a powerful evening of community action and solidarity as we stand up for justice and democracy in our city.

News You Can Use: Maryland, US struggle to cope with shutdown effects, Trump unleashing troops on cities

Trump is apparently trying to do a demo on his suggestion to military leaders that the US military practice their lethal skills on US cities run by Democrats. The generals, knowing an illegal order when they see one, kept stone faces throughout Trump's wandering and (as usual) self-pitying bleat. But National Guard members are the victims, so far, and judges are doing a great job of keeping the hapless Guardspersons out of trouble by keeping them out of the cities despite Trump's illegal orders.

Meanwhile, the shutdown goes on this week, with the House deliberately kept out of action by Speaker johnson to put pressure on the Senate (and avoid an embarrassing vote on Epstein files release, which he would lose if he swears in the most recently elected Democratic House member). Democrats are holding out for changes to the proposed short-term CR to restore Obamacare subsidies, a hugely popular idea among even Republicans in the polls. If the Senate makes changes to the bill the House will have to agree with the changes, so the Speaker (and the Senate Leader) want to keep the lower chamber's members sidelined. Meanwhile the need to actually pass a budget bill -- which the CR was intended to buy time for) creeps ever closer. We'll see if Hallowe'en winds up having a role in this Trifecta horror show.

It's News You Can Use, even with the national brakes jammed to the floorboards.

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