New Year, New MessI mentioned that things seem to be escalating exponentially during the first week of 2026, and here are three issues that have potential to set the tone for the entire year: #1 Health Care Crisis; #2 U.S. Imperialism; and #3 National Voter Registry. #1 Health Care Crisis: Just as health insurance premiums spiked on New Year’s Day, thanks to Trump and Republicans ending subsidies for millions of people, a super flu is sweeping through 45 states, more than 100,000 people have been hospitalized, and doctor visits have hit a 30 year high. Not to mention, Robert Kennedy Jr. removed flu vaccines from the recommended vaccines that all children should receive. The nation is on a collision course between need, access, and the cost of quality health care. What to Watch: Democrats have every intention of centering this issue in the midterms, but in addition to calling out the crisis perpetuated by Republicans, the people need, and deserve, solutions. Democrats must present an explicit plan to address the health care challenges that people are facing in real time. #2 U.S. Imperialism: Trump has no intention of stopping with this takeover of Venezuela and its oil reserves. He’s already said that US Forces are prepared to re-enter the country if newly sworn in President Delcy Rodriguez doesn’t comply with U.S. demands, and he has named his next targets, including Greenland. To be clear, Greenland possesses minerals that are appealing to tech firms, and the US has been interested in acquiring Greenland since the late 1800’s. While the international response to Trump’s use of force in Venezuela has prompted statements of condemnation across the globe, a take over of Greenland would prompt an international crisis with NATO, an entity Trump has long threatened to dissolve. What to Watch: As members of Congress, especially Democrats, claim that the authority to use force abroad lies with them, will they assert that authority by refusing to approve additional military funding? Keep an eye on how NATO allies align and push back against Trump. #3 National Voter Registry: As of December, the Trump administration has sued 18 states for access to unrestricted voter registration data as the Department of Justice develops a national voter registry full of personal data and information, including driver’s license numbers and social security numbers. The Trump administration claims that this push for voter data is to “protect the integrity of federal elections,” but state investigations and research confirms that voter fraud is not a thing – it’s "virtually nonexistent.” With the midterm elections 10 months away, there are reasonable concerns about how this data could be used in voter intimidation and voter suppression tactics. What to Watch: Keep an eye on how the ACLU and states are fighting the DOJ’s demands for unrestricted voter information on the ACLU court cases tracker (scroll down to all cases), and check to see if your state has turned over your voter data on the Brennan Center Tracker. Have more questions about all of this? Is there another issue you’re concerned with? Respond to this email and tell me what’s on your mind.
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