The April House Recess has begun and Wednesday, April 16, 18 members of Indivisible El Dorado went to Representative Tom McClintock’s El Dorado Hills office at 10:30 am to deliver an Easter basket of Greetings from constituents. They were told via the intercom by Greg Holt, the Constituent Services Director, that because they did not have an appointment they would not be able to enter. Thus, the basket could not be delivered as planned.

The basket was filled with various holiday goodies and also notes that constituents had written, many following the April 9th Visiting Congressperson Town Hall, hosted by Indivisible El Dorado and the El Dorado County Democratic Party. Representative John Garamendi attended to answer constituents’ concerns.

Representative Tom McClintock has not attended an in person Town Hall since 2017. Requests for an in person Town Hall have been ignored. Staff used to meet regularly with constituents, but that is no longer the case.

Staff will not see anyone without an appointment. However, according to Gina Abrams and other members of Indivisible El Dorado, staff is not picking up the phone in their El Dorado Hills District Office, they are not returning phone calls and scheduling requests that have been submitted through the website do not receive a reply.

When the staffer was asked how one is to make an appointment he did not reply.

Organizer Gina Abrams asserted, “This is not acceptable representation. This is blocking our voice, thus denying the constituent of CA-05 from participating in our democracy, which happens to be in crisis. You, Representative McClintock, and your fellow Republican Members of Congress are significantly contributing to that crisis by abdicating your power to push back on illegal executive overreach.”

The group hopes to obtain an appointment and deliver the cards at another time.

El Dorado Hills, CA—Motorists on El Dorado Hills Blvd in El Dorado Hills from 3-5 pm on Thursday, March 20, were surprised to see almost 200 people on the normally empty sidewalk holding signs, singing and protesting.

“We are protesting the recent destructive actions of the President Trump/unelected Musk regime, and the failure of Representative Tom McClintock to stand up for his constituents,” stated Indivisible El Dorado member Mary Elliott-Klemm. Organizer Gina Abrams explained the purpose of the “Truth Out Rally” this way: “We are here today because our Congressman Tom McClintock is spreading lies and refusing to see his constituents who are extremely concerned about the chaos and destruction happening in our country under the Trump regime. People in El Dorado County are losing their jobs, their healthcare, their certainty about Social Security and their financial situation. Things people need and care about, from food assistance to our National Parks, are in jeopardy. With this action today, we hope to correctly inform our fellow residents of El Dorado County and let them know how they can fight back through our local Indivisible group. But while what we face is alarming, we're not opposed to having some fun while letting our worried neighbors know they are not alone.”

Inspired by the old Burma Shave signs along the open highways of the 50s, many of the rally signs rhymed and told a story: “Tom McClintock won’t Fight, Democracy destroyed in plain sight, Private data hacked, Essential workers sacked, Government smashed, Rule of law trashed, The people are America’s salvation, We are one nation, Indivisible.org

Passing motorists often honked in support of the protestors. who stretched down the sidewalk from the 76 station to well past the freeway overpasses. A major concern of the group is that Representative McClintock is not available to hear their concerns. Congress has recesses from its work in Washington D.C. so that congressmembers can meet with the constituents whom they represent. Representative McClintock has not met in person for nearly eight years. While over 100 constituents met with his staff on February 21 at his EDH district office during an unannounced visit, further office hours were subsequently cancelled.

Indivisible El Dorado has invited the Representative to meet with his constituents. There has been no reply to the request. Joel Ellinwood, an organizer of Indivisible El Dorado, announced, “We will be providing the opportunity we deserve to hear from a current member of Congress who cares about us, knows our district and will answer our questions truthfully. This event will take place on April 9 in Cameron Park from 5-7:30 pm, with Congressman John Garamendi coming to us via zoom live from DC.”

For further details and to register for the event go to https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/766740/

For more information or to join Indivisible El Dorado, email: IndivisibleElDo@gmail.com.

Placerville, CA—Minority Leader Schumer, as chair of the Democratic Caucus in the Senate, broke with the vast majority of his caucus to allow a GOP funding bill to advance, without any restrictions on the ongoing efforts from Donald Trump and Elon Musk to dismantle the federal government. Indivisible El Dorado’s Leadership Team issued the following statement:

“We are deeply concerned and disappointed that under Senator Chuck Schumer’s Leadership, Senate Democrats just surrendered a rare moment of leverage to rein in the chaos and harm of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Congressional Republicans. By voting to advance the GOP government funding bill, rather than demanding anything in return, Schumer handed more power to the extremists destroying the government. This was not just a strategic mistake - it was once again a demonstration that Schumer is not prepared to lead the Democratic opposition to fascism and protect our democracy.

“Many of our members wrote and called our Senators to remain united in opposition on this vote and feel disrespected, misled, and betrayed by Schumer’s last-minute about-face. We thank our Senators Padilla and Schiff for remaining steadfast in opposition to the House GOP’s dangerous six-month continuing resolution instead of a clean short-term extension to allow both houses of Congress to complete work on a series of budget appropriation (spending) bills on a bi-partisan basis.

“Indivisible El Dorado has diligently sought to convince both 3rd District Congressman Kevin Kiley and 5th District Congressman Tom McClintock to hold in-person town halls with their constituents who wish to personally express their concern over the harm that the Trump/Musk/Project 2025 agenda is causing with cuts to the Forest Service and National Parks; breaches of personal financial and health data held by multiple federal agencies; cuts in Medicaid (MediCal in California) impacting nursing homes, rural hospitals and children’s health care; and cuts to Veterans’ Administration staff and programs.

“Of equal importance is the attack on democracy and the rule of law itself, with Congress abdicating its constitutional authority over spending and government oversight in favor of an unelected campaign mega-donor (Musk) and his inexperienced acolytes. Republicans are unable to successfully bring their anti-government agenda forward for a vote, so they remain passive and allow DOGE to do the dirty work. They won’t vote on the record and take responsibility with their constituents for the pain and disruption in peoples’ lives that Trump and DOGE are causing.

“The nationwide Indivisible organization called on Senator Schumer to step down as minority leader. The nationwide leadership declared, ‘This decision was not taken lightly - for the country, or for our democracy. But the stakes are too high, and we need leaders who are willing to fight as hard as we are. Schumer should step aside as Minority Leader so another Democrat who’s willing to lead the opposition can step up to take his place.

“The House Democrats, but one, remained unified. Our Senators Padilla and Schiff, along with many others, urged the Senate to do the same. Schumer took it upon himself to reverse course without convening the caucus to debate the decision internally. We believe another leader will help restore the unity in the Senate necessary to effectively fight the Trump/Musk/Project 2025 agenda and prevent its ransacking of democracy.

“Local Indivisible groups or individuals may disagree with the decision to demand that Schumer step down. But we are all unified in the understanding that we need the strongest possible coalition to effectively fight the Trump regime. Indivisible El Dorado's plea is for Senate Democrats to immediately and seriously consider who the best Senate Minority Leader is for this time. Americans are under assault by an executive branch wielding destructive and illegal power, while the GOP majority in Congress abandons its role to stop such blatant and dangerous unconstitutionality. They have proven they are no longer working on the people's behalf. We need Senate Democrats to choose a leader and a course of opposition that rises to the extreme threat level we now face.”