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Still Think Democrats Aren't Fighting Back? Introducing Don Beyer. [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-04-21
First, my apologies for failing to post on Friday. I had a migraine Thursday, and Friday made a trip to Calgary to see Sarah Millican in concert.
No offence to anyone here, but laughing uproariously for two hours watching British comedian Sarah Millican was certainly better for my mental health than writing a diary on Daily Kos.
And, I took the “Late Bloomer” button. If you’ve seen Sarah Millican, you know….
But, I’m not here to talk about Sarah Millican (she’s awesome, watch her videos and her Taskmaster appearance).
Today, I’m going to talk about Member of the House Don Beyer.
Every member of the House brings their own personality to the team. In Don Beyer’s case, if you look up unassuming in the dictionary you’re likely to find his picture there. But you can’t mistake that lower key nature of his personality for someone who is not taking up the fight against Donald Trump and his Republican enablers in the House.
Don Beyer is the son of a member of the US military. His mother was a pioneer in workers rights. She worked in the Department of Labour under Francis Perkins.
After graduating from University in 1973, Don Beyer began work in his father’s Volvo dealership. He and his brother bought the company from his father in 1986 and it grew to nine dealerships. Beyer later sold his shares to his brother.
He entered politics in 1989, winning the Lieutenant Governor race in Virginia. He served two terms as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. In 1997, he ran for Governor but lost to Republican Jim Gilmore. Barak Obama appointed him as the US Ambassador to Switzerland, a post he held from 2009 to 2013.
Don Beyer has served as a Member of Congress since 2015, representing Virginia’s 8th District.
He seemed to have started as a Bill Clinton style moderate, including working on welfare reform as Lieutenant Governor, but has moved to the left over the course of his career. In 2004, he served as National Treasurer for Howard Dean’s presidential campaign.
He is a member of the Progressive Caucus, the Climate Solutions Caucus, the Medicare for All Caucus, and the New Democrat Caucus. His most important post is on the Ways and Means Committee and it provides the focus for his actions. That means that he’s focused on tariffs, the Budget, and economic policy.
He has been a strong critic of Trump’s tariff “madness” and introduced legislation to bring control of the imposition of tariffs back to House and Senate. Republican majorities have abdicated their responsibility for tariffs to Trump and their cowardice and failure is damaging the world economy.
In speaking to the urgency of ending the tariffs, Beyer wrote, “The best time to stop punching yourself in the face is right now.”
x Congress must stop the madness. I joined @replindasanchez.bsky.social and @waysmeanscmte.bsky.social colleagues to introduce legislation to repeal Trump’s latest tariffs and bar any future tariffs without congressional approval. Congress must act before Trump causes a recession— time is short. — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-04-11T14:03:29.153Z
x It's good that Trump caved on some of the tariffs he put on our trading partners, but his universal 10% tariffs, trade wars with China and Canada, and auto and other sector tariffs still threaten our economy. He should drop them too. The best time to stop punching yourself in the face is right now. — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-04-09T18:00:32.947Z
Unfortunately, as Democrats are in the minority in both the House and Senate, some Republicans need to step up, demonstrate the presence of a spine, and “reclaim Congress’ constitutional authority”. Not surprisingly, as yet we have not seen any Republicans willing to do so.
x We can stop Trump's tariffs from wrecking the economy if enough members are willing to stand up to Trump and reclaim Congress' constitutional authority. bsky.app/profile/beye... — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-04-03T21:26:54.074Z
The Ways and Means Committee also plays an important role in creating the Budget. Don Beyer and Democrats are, in committee and elsewhere, speaking out against draconian cuts to Medicaid.
x HOUSE REPUBLICANS JUST CLEARED THE WAY FOR THE LARGEST CUT TO MEDICAID IN U.S. HISTORY. — Ways and Means Committee Democrats (@waysmeanscmte.bsky.social) 2025-04-10T16:21:43.771Z
x The Republican budget will balloon our deficits and decimate essential programs like Medicaid that the people we represent depend on. All of this to help billionaires and corporations get tax cuts that they do not need and our country cannot afford. I will vote no. — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-04-09T22:37:06.000Z
Although a lesser known issue, the ending of Direct File is yet another attack on the poor and middle class to save money needed to fund tax cuts for the rich.
x Direct File, a prime example of making government more efficient, gave Americans an easy and free option to file their taxes. But Donald Trump cares more about his wealthy friends than working Americans so he wants to kill the program and make filing taxes harder. apnews.com/article/irs-... — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-04-16T20:39:30.272Z
As I have noted in other posts, the Democrats must fight against Republicans using a multi-pronged approach. That means introducing legislation to highlight Democratic Policy, it means being active in committee hearings, and it also means getting active in Town Hall meetings and at protests.
x Thanks to everyone who came out yesterday to stand up and make their voices heard. Millions of us across the country showed we will not be silent! — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-04-06T14:19:04.579Z
x As the lawless authoritarian in the White House is doing his damnedest to trample the Constitution, Americans across the country are standing in hope and solidarity today - and sending a clear message: We will never stop fighting for our country. — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-04-05T21:35:52.204Z
x Standing with staff at NOAA — we just heard from a scientist who was illegally fired last week. We stand with you, we will fight for you, and we will spread the word about the lifesaving work of NOAA, the National Weather Service, and vital services you provide the country. Hands off NOAA! — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-03-03T15:40:21.049Z
Don Beyer opposed the Continuing Resolution and asked Senators to vote against it.
x This is a bad bill and every Senator should vote NO! bsky.app/profile/beye... — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-03-14T18:26:07.220Z
He has, like virtually all elected Democrats, spoken out against the treatment of Kilmer Abrego Garcia.
x The Trump administration acknowledged it wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the administration must bring him home. All White House efforts to defy this order are contemptuous, anti-Constitutional, and flat out anti-American. — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-04-18T18:25:58.741Z
Finally, although his focus is on economic issues, he continues to press for civil rights for all Americans.
x It's Trans Day of Visibility, a day where we celebrate the trans people in our community and stand with them in solidarity. I see you and I respect you. youtube.com/shorts/t-JfM... — Congressman Don Beyer (@beyer.house.gov) 2025-03-31T18:26:52.849Z
As I noted, Don Beyer is far from being the flashiest Member of Congress. But he is nonetheless taking the up the fight against Trump. He has been especially vocal on tariffs and the budget but recognizes too that Democrats are not just about economic issues, they must fight too for the rule of law, for justice and for equality.
As I have said, it is important for readers of this site to know that the vast majority of Democrats are committed to fighting back against Trump. Diaries from readers and from the Front Page are often click bait designed to foment a rage that does nothing to help this fight. It’s easy to tear down, it’s easy to give in to anger and despair. We often hear that, “only this person is fighting back” when they fact is most Democrats are working hard to push back against Trump’s ongoing descent into fascism.
Americans need to join with those engaged in the fight against Trump. Their actions need to be highlighted, their work recorded, and their courage supported. It is for this reason that I chose to amplify the vast majority of Democrats, especially those like Don Beyer that are unheralded and less well known, who are meeting the moment with strength and resolve every day.
If you want even more information on how Democrats are attacking this illegal and corrupt administration, go seek out Janesaunt’s diaries “Dems Dems and More Dems”, which is published three times a week, and lpeacocks Thursday diaries on the Congressional Black Caucus.
T2 has also just begun a series called the Rainbow Roundup, where focus is placed on LGBTQ lawmakers and journalists. And Billboteach has one focusing on Hispanic elected Democrats.
You can gain easy access to all these diaries by following the Democratic Party Spotlight Group.
My diaries will be appear Monday and Friday.
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