Buffy, Bad Bills, and Burning Questions with Stacey Abrams

On July 4th, Trump signed the devastating and dangerous Republican "Megabill" into law — a sweeping measure that targets the young and the vulnerable to further enrich the wealthy. But we’re all collateral damage. Among its many cruelties: new Medicaid restrictions that could strip coverage from 11.8 million Americans over the next decade, a cost shift in SNAP that may cut food benefits for 22.3 million families, and a $5 trillion debt ceiling hike. While working and middle class families across the board will suffer, some groups stand to lose even more, like women of color, young millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha. This week, Stacey sits down with Natasha Sarin, Yale professor and founder of the Yale Budget Lab, and Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, Harvard Kennedy School doctoral candidate and author of the upcoming The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid, to unpack how this Republican tax-and-spend bill uniquely harms, displaces, and disenfranchises marginalized Americans. Learn & Do More:BE CURIOUS: Tax policy feels remote and complicated, but remember: that’s intentional. It’s easier for politicians to control your money when you don’t understand the rules. Read Anna's book, The Double Tax, and follow her at @itsafronomics on Tiktok and Instagram.SOLVE PROBLEMS: State and local governments will now have to take on more and more of the costs for federal failures. We must understand how our state legislatures work. Already, states are planning to cut programs or shut down hospitals. Let them know you are watching. Look up your state rep and state senator, then call and introduce yourself. Ask for a meeting with you and your friends to discuss how they plan to protect you from these dangerous decisions. It doesn't matter which party you voted for — if they got elected, they work for you. Remind them. DO GOOD: As this bill accelerates the cost of living crisis, consider getting involved in ways that might help foster your own security and help the most vulnerable in your community. According to the organization Feeding America, SNAP already gives just six dollars and sixteen cents a day to the average person, which they note is barely enough for a basic breakfast. Now these cuts will result in families having even less. If you are most concerned about food insecurity, visit feedingamerica.org/advocate/snap to type in your zip code and learn about how cuts will impact your community. Consider donating if you are able, and seek out food assistance programs where you live to get involved. If you are worried about housing costs, find out if there is a tenants union available to you, or consider creating one. Visit the National Housing Law Project at https://www.nhlp.org/ to read the National Tenants Bill of Rights and learn more. To protect healthcare access, continue supporting Planned Parenthood as their funding remains in jeopardy. Finally, to keep your community informed amidst massive cuts to public media, check out ways to support your local public radio station.

In the very first edition of Assembly Required’s listener mailbag, Stacey Abrams tackles your wide-ranging, urgent questions—from politics to pop culture. She dives into MAGA’s Epstein-fueled outrage, breaks down Trump’s mega-bill, and fully embraces her inner nerd with takes on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek, her all-time favorite romance novels, and much more! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.Learn & Do More:Crooked’s Vote Save America is running a pilot program for the 2026 cycle to recruit you, our listeners, to run for office. Whether it’s school board, city council, state legislature, or anything in between, VSA’s in-state partners have identified the races that need candidates and are ready to help you run for office. Learn more about the program and sign up at votesaveamerica.com/run.

Political humor is more than just a distraction. It’s where punchlines meet headlines and chaos turns into catharsis. It offers us moments of levity amid an overwhelming, anxiety-fueled news cycle. In an America galloping towards autocracy, where the political landscape shifts by the hour and human rights teeter on the edge of policy, humor isn't just helpful…it’s essential. This week, Stacey sits down with someone who knows how to find the funny in the bleakest of times. Amber Ruffin, comedian, writer on Late Night with Seth Meyers and host of Have I Got News for You, joins the show to talk about how we can navigate this relentless moment in history with more laughter and maybe a little less fear.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.Learn & Do More:As Amber said, “a healthy you is a strong you..the solution can't come to a sad mind.” Do something that makes you laugh. Watch one of Amber's shows. Binge your favorite comfort show. Read something light. Spend time with the people who make you feel good. Whatever it is, make sure it puts a genuine smile on your face. You deserve that. Now more than ever.

National parks and public lands tell us who we are - and remind us of how we fit into the grander scheme of things. They give people the chance to connect with the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, create jobs and fuel economic growth, and preserve vital historical and cultural landmarks. But despite their broad, bipartisan popularity, Republicans appear determined to dismantle our parks and auction off our natural history to the highest bidder. Back in February, the administration began gutting the National Park Service—firing over a thousand employees. And the destruction hasn’t stopped. At the center of this assault is Trump’s barbaric megabill that guts a wide variety of crucial programs. The version that recently passed the Senate further slashes the National Parks Service budget and opens public lands to private development and fossil fuel development… all to help fund tax cuts for billionaires. This week, Stacey sits down with former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who walks us through the rich history of public lands as cultural and historical resources and the devastating impact these proposed cuts could have. Then, conservation activist and Outdoor Afro founder Rue Mapp joins the conversation to share the importance of public lands for all of us, including marginalized communities who do not always have access to the outdoors, how we can protect these lands, and how we fight to keep them public. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.Note: Our interviews this week were recorded before the budget bill was signed into law. Learn & Do More:BE CURIOUS: No matter where you live, you’re probably near a place that is part of our network of public lands. Get curious about what’s in your neighborhood, and look beyond just the National Parks. National Historic Sites, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, and National Monuments are all managed by our federal government in trust for the public. There are city, state and tribal managed lands too. Go visit these places and inform yourself about their history. And stay up to date with local news to inform yourself about what’s happening with public lands near you.SOLVE PROBLEMS: Our local, state, and national representatives are always making decisions about our public spaces. There are often open rounds of public comment when changes are being made, so make your voice heard and let local leaders know what you think. And call your members of Congress to let them know what you think of cuts to the National Parks Service and other land bureaus. Let them know you want to see these places conserved, not exploited.DO GOOD: Donate to organizations doing the work to advocate for the protection of our parks and lands, and who tell an inclusive story about who the public lands are for. You can donate to The Wilderness Society at act.wilderness.org and the National Parks Conservation Association at support.npca.org. Organizations like these advocate for strong environmental policies, fight legal battles to stop destructive development, and work to ensure public lands stay public. You can also support Rue Mapp’s work connecting marginalized people with natural spaces, in this critical time of political upheaval. Find Outdoor Afro at https://outdoorafro.org/donate

Late June marks the end of the Supreme Court term—a moment when some of the most consequential decisions in American life are handed down. At stake are rulings that could reshape democracy and redefine or limit civil rights. Still pending: major cases on the future of birthright citizenship, transgender rights, the Affordable Care Act’s coverage of preventive care services, and more. This week, Stacey sits down with Leah Litman, University of Michigan law professor, co-host of Strict Scrutiny, and New York Times bestselling author of Lawless, to break down SCOTUS’ latest decisions and preview what to expect in these last days — what they mean and why they matter. Then, Stacey is joined by journalist and TransLash Media founder, Imara Jones, for a deep dive into one ruling’s direct impact on the transgender community, how it causes harm, why it’s a proof of concept for the right, and how we fight back. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.Stacey also weighs in on a tragedy close to home in Georgia, three years after the Supreme Court stripped millions of women of their civil rights in the Dobbs decision. Adriana Smith was a nurse and young mother who suddenly fell very ill. After she went untreated for brain clots, she was declared brain dead. But she was also pregnant, and due to Georgia’s inhumane abortion laws, her family was forced to keep her on life support to incubate her pregnancy.  Last week, Adriana was finally taken off life support after her forced birth was delivered via C-section. As states continue to eviscerate abortion rights and put lives at risk, inaction is unacceptable. This week’s tool kit is about how to fight on.Learn & Do More:Be Curious: We must renew our attention to the ever-present issue of abortion rights. There are many excellent resources for keeping up on abortion-related news. Jessica Valenti’s substack, Abortion, Every Day, rigorously covers attacks on reproductive rights across the country. The Center for Reproductive Rights has a useful guide outlining abortion laws by state so that you can better understand your rights.Solve Problems: According to the Mayo Clinic, half of all U.S. states have laws on the books that invalidate a pregnant woman's wishes about her medical care if she becomes incapacitated, and a majority of states don't disclose these restrictions in advance directive forms. Your state legislators are the first line of defense against laws like these, and any laws that threaten abortion access. Call them and ask them to take action.Do Good: Donate to the National Network of Abortion Funds and Planned Parenthood. Abortion funds directly finance abortion care for those in need, and Planned Parenthood has remained a lifeline for people seeking the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare access. You can also research local opportunities to support doulas who provide physical, emotional, and logistical support to women during the abortion process. Depending on where you live, training opportunities may also be available.Outside of the scope of abortion care, we must also support members of the trans community, especially in light of recent attacks. As discussed with Imara, the Trump administration shut down its LGBTQ suicide prevention hotline. Please visit The Trevor Project, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQ young people, to donate and find out more about how you can get involved. And make sure to research opportunities to get involved with local LGBTQ organizations. You can also check out the Transgender Family Handbook by New York Magazine’s The Cut, an excellent resource for parents and others who want to support young trans loved ones. 

Last week, ICE stormed through Los Angeles, raiding Home Depots, warehouses, and schools in a cruel, targeted crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Those raids sparked a wave of protests as thousands of Angelenos marched through downtown, denouncing the Trump administration’s unjust actions. What began as largely peaceful demonstrations escalated after Trump defied both the California governor and LA mayor by deploying the National Guard and the Marines to the city. It was a deliberate show of force and a warning to other blue states: this is what happens when you resist. But LA didn’t back down. Over the weekend, Angelenos joined millions of other demonstrators in every state for the No King’s protests, while Trump held an underwhelming military parade on the streets of Washington DC. It’s a stark contrast in a  moment when we must continue to stand up to the onslaught anti-Democratic power grabs and strongman tactics. This week, Stacey sits down with MSNBC's senior Washington correspondent and co-host of MSNBC's the Weekend, Eugene Daniels and Immigrant Defenders Law Center (IMMDEF) attorney Yliana Johansen-Méndez to help us unpack what's happening right now and prepare for what's coming next.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: To better understand the current national debate around immigration, our June Assembly Required reading recommendation is “The End of Asylum” by Philip G. Schrag, Andrew I. Schoenholtz, and Jaya Ramji-Nogales. These leading immigration law experts trace the evolution of the U.S. asylum system and expose how the Trump administration dismantled America’s long-standing role as a refuge for the persecuted. And as Eugene mentioned, watch your local news, subscribe to your local paper, and stay plugged into what's happening in your own community. To learn more about how you can support local journalism, visit the American Journalism Project at www.theajp.org.Solve Problems: As the rule of law continues to erode, it’s more important than ever to support those on the front lines—legal aid organizations, researchers, and advocates serving immigrant communities. Find out how you can get involved and make a difference in your own area. If you're in Southern California, connect with our guest Yliana’s organization, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, at www.immdef.org.Do Good: Protest works—but not everyone can take to the streets. Start where you are and use what you have. If you're on social media, amplify the voices and stories of those directly impacted by the Trump administration’s campaign of fear. If you’re able to volunteer, find a local organization supporting immigrants and get involved. If you would like to contribute directly to a detained immigrants bond fund, you can visit Clue Justice at https://www.cluejustice.org/support-the-detained-immigrant-bond-fund/ Every action counts.

Winning elections starts now, and that’s only the beginning. The way we get our news has always evolved, and today we face a fractured media landscape that makes it harder to reach people consistently. The American right has often been at the forefront of navigating these waters by  finding compelling messengers and putting them on new platforms that reach  voters, from the rise of talk radio in the 80s to Fox News, TikTok and YouTube today. That innovation has too often led to domination of these information ecosystems, and we can see the impact in the results of the 2024 election, especially with young voters. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is lagging behind, struggling to connect authentically with the growing number of people who get their information on social platforms.  Instead of copying the right’s strategies, it's time to listen to the people who actually know how to use these platforms. Stacey sits down with two standout voices shaping the future of political content online: journalist and political commentator Aaron Parnas, and Gen Z historian Kahlil Greene. They break down how they stay ahead of the curve, what makes social media truly effective for change, and why understanding people—not just platforms—is the key to being heard. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Getting your news from social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter isn’t wrong—in fact, it can be a fast and convenient way to stay informed throughout your busy day. The key is to follow credible creators you trust, like Aaron and Kahlil, and always take a moment to fact-check what you’re seeing. Stay curious, but stay smart.Solve Problems: Skip the doomscrolling. What starts as “just a few minutes” on TikTok can quickly spiral into hours lost in an endless feed of chaotic news. Break the cycle by sandwiching your screen time with something grounding—take a walk, read a few pages of a book, or unwind with a new show or movie. Give your mind a reset.Do Good: Support your favorite content creators beyond the scroll. Many political commentators have blogs, websites, or Substack pages where they dive deeper into the stories they summarize in under a minute. Following them on these platforms helps you get the full picture—and helps them keep doing what they do best. Follow Stacey’s new Substack, Assembly Notes where she dives into some topics we cover on the show and topics that come up in between episodes.Recommendations:Stacey Abrams recommends the podcast “Landslide” from WFAE and NPR.Kahlil Greene recommends “The Cruel Kids Table”by Brock Colyar at New York Magazine.

The U.S. birth rate is falling, and the Trump administration has a solution: Make. More. Babies. But instead of expanding support for families—through childcare, reproductive healthcare access, or paid leave—they’re turning to policies touted by a set of right-wing members of a movement called pronatalism, which includes Christian nationalists and tech-industry eugenicists who see increasing the birth rate as an existential mission, for a select few. Today’s pronatalists include figures like Elon Musk – a father of at least 14 children himself – who only want to encourage white, conservative Americans to have larger families; an idea that has terrifying implications for their vision of America. Stacey sits down with Dr. Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center and professor of sociology at UNC Chapel Hill, and senior writer from New York Magazine Sarah Jones, to unpack the history of pronatalism, how the Trump administration is quietly aligning with it with a hollow policy agenda, and the kinds of proposals that can actually support American families.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: The draconian Republican so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” better named the “Terrible Tyrannical Bill,” just passed the House and is headed to the Senate. It would add $3 trillion to the national debt while handing $1.5 trillion in tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy—paid for by slashing food, job, and healthcare access for millions of working- and middle-class Americans. Most alarmingly, it targets Medicaid, requiring recipients to work 80 hours a month to keep coverage, a move the nonpartisan CBO warns could push 10.3 million people off the program by 2034. So, this week, we’re urging you to take action.Call your members of  Congress, state legislators, city council members, and county commissioners. All of these local elected officials have more power than you can imagine, and they are all going to be impacted by the decisions made at the federal level. Head to commoncause.org  to find your federal, state and local representatives and let them know exactly how you feel about the bill and its attack on Medicaid.You can also support organizations that are in the crosshairs of these proposed cuts and provide vital healthcare to millions of Americans. Planned Parenthood is one of them. Go to planned parenthood.org/getinvolved to donate and take a stand.As SNAP benefits are cut, more families and their children are going to struggle to access food. Consider getting involved with your local food bank or a mutual aid organization that provides food assistance.

Project 2025 is no longer just a blueprint—it is rapidly in motion. Over the past four months, the Republicans have begun implementing its sweeping, 900+ page plan to transform America into a Christian nationalist state. We are  seeing it unfold in real time: attacks on bodily autonomy, the dehumanization and targeting of immigrants, the erasure of history and DEI initiatives, and deep cuts to essential government programs. In this episode, Stacey sits down with Atlantic staff writer and author of “The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America”, David A. Graham, for an in-depth conversation about the ideology behind Project 2025 and how we can prepare for what’s coming next.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.Learn & Do More: Project 2025 is a roadmap that lets us prepare ourselves for what’s to come. By understanding the goals laid out in Project 2025, we can leverage our local governments, our civic organizations and ourselves to push back. And remember to share your knowledge with your resistance community. 

There is nothing more toxic to tyranny than those willing to fight back. Across the country, every day Americans are exercising their First Amendment rights and raising their voice in protest against this dangerous administration and the right-wing autocrats who lead it. Emerging leaders are standing up for their values and running for office in their local communities. In this episode, Stacey talks about real pathways to meet the moment with action with two leaders who walk the walk: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, whose grassroots training, The Resistance Lab, teaches proven strategic tools, used by civil rights leaders of the past, to mount effective resistance; and Amanda Litman, Co-Founder of Run for Something, which helps recruit and support young progressives running for elected office. Learn & Do More:Be Curious: Think about ways you can step up and be a leader even outside the scope of electoral politics. Check out Amanda Litman’s new book, When We’re In Charge. It’s full of practical tips on how to lead with principle and get stuff done, without burning out.Solve problems: Join in-person or virtual efforts like The Resistance Lab or Run For Something that give you practical, actionable tools for activism and running for office. You can also keep an eye on upcoming protests in your city by going to Mobilize.us or googling “State of the People Tour.”Do good: You can’t do this alone, so make sure you’re building your resistance community. You already have people in your circle who want to stand alongside you against the destruction of our national values. As you build out your toolbox, find ways to pass on your knowledge, bring people together, and encourage them to get involved so the movement spreads. And as Congresswoman Jayapal said, make sure to call your representatives, and call your friends (especially those living in Republican districts) and ask them to do the same.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.