Chop Wood, Carry Water 3/13

Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!

I wanted to give you a short update on where things stand with the budget, and also where we’re at with the TikTok “ban” bill, and why I think it matters.

First, the budget (and thanks to the Progressive Caucus Center for their helpful breakdown):

Congress has ten days to wrap up the remaining six spending bills that will fund the government for the rest of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. 

While we got through the first tranche of bills fairly smoothly, the fight could heat up here, as the remaining six bills constitute the bulk of federal spending (around 70 percent). Historically, these bills are also more contentious with things like military spending, immigration, and foreign aid. 

Reporting indicates Congress plans to fashion one package containing all six bills—I believe they call this a minibus.

The primary issue to watch is how much funding various bills and federal programs get—but also whether poison pill riders make it into these bills. To quote the PCC: “Far-right Members are seeking additional policy changes in the remaining bills, including allowing discrimination against LGBTQIA people, blocking the adoption of electric vehicles, restricting access to abortion care and contraception, and much more.”

We’re going to fight to stop all of it. So more on this in the days ahead.

The other thing to watch is the TikTok bill, which passed in the House this morning. I’m worried about this legislation, because I think it’s an enormous—and I mean HUGE—political loser for President Biden and Democrats. I am, furthermore, suspicious of a bill that targets only one source of foreign interference, instead of working to address all of it. Finally, Trump has decided (for deeply cynical reasons) to change his long-standing position on the issue and side with TikTok. We can’t hand him a win on such a popular issue. Strategically it would be a huge blunder.

So I am going to oppose this bill.

Now, I know I’ll receive some pushback on this. “But Jessica,” you’ll say, “there are legitimate security concerns with TikTok. Even Jeff Jackson says so.” And sure, there are. But my top priority this year—for obvious reasons—is winning the election in November. If Biden signs a TikTok ban—even if it never takes effect—I fear we won’t. It’s just not worth it. Not now.

Anyway. I just wanted to give you a bit of background on the calls we’re making today.

One last thing. Last night I did my first Activism 101 of the 2024 election cycle, for about 100 Indivisible members—and some of you!—on Zoom. It was a blast, and I want to remind you that I’m doing another one next week that anyone can attend. It’s on March 19th at 7:30PM ET; you can register here. I’ve managed to combine the original Activism 101 webinar with my newer Strategic Giving workshop and still keep it to 45 minutes! I’m feeling pretty good about it.

I hope some of you will come.

OK. Lots to do and so little time—the noon hour is imminent! (See what I did there, spelling gurus?)

Let’s get to work!

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

I understand that the House just passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a bill that could ban TikTok in the US. I strongly oppose this bill—it violates our free speech. It also wrongly targets one social media company over others that have the exact same issues. A better way to safeguard our data would be to create comprehensive consumer-privacy laws that would require apps like TikTok, as well as American companies like Facebook, to face more restrictions on how they handle user data. Please ask the Senator to oppose this bill. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I know the House is in the process of negotiating the next six budget bills, and I also know that Republicans are trying to insert poison pill provisions in them that would allow discrimination against LGBTQIA people, block the adoption of electric vehicles, restrict access to abortion care and contraception, and more. I oppose these riders and want the Congressmember to refuse to vote for any bill that contains them.

Also, I want the Representative to sign Rep. McGovern’s discharge petition so aid for Ukraine can be voted on in the House. The majority of Americans and members of Congress support Ukraine —this bill deserves an up-or-down vote. Thanks. [H/T Razom]

Get Smart! 📚

So you've been asked to phone bank– amazing! And maybe a little scary??

Fortunately on Thursday, March 14 at 8pm ET, Vote Save America’s Call Crew will be diving into all the important parts of phone banking with a training called So you've been asked to phone bank lol.

And because this event takes place on 3/14 (aka Pi Day), they will set aside 15 minutes at the end of the training to gather virtually around the dining room table and dig into their favorite pies (or math equations, if that’s your type of thing). 

JOIN THEM FOR PI(E) AND PHONE BANK TRAINING!

Give 💰!

Please join Jessica Piper, Trae Crowder, David Pepper, Aftyn Behn, Kate Craig and Allie Phillips to launch Blue Tennessee later today! It’s Every State Blue’s newest state project, aiming to fund and support downballot democrats running in some of the reddest, roughest, toughest districts in TN.

No doubt you’ve seen how diabolical the TN GOP has been in silencing critics and quashing dissent. That’s one reason I’m so proud that we’ll be empowering another grassroots community to crowdsource for democratic nominees.

Join them today at 7:30pm eastern for the kickoff! Register here. No donation required to attend.

Win Races! 🗳

RepresentUs volunteers are getting together Thursday (tomorrow) evening on Zoom at 6pm ET to send 26k texts about the chance to pass Ranked Choice Voting in MA.

From them:

Join a national team of volunteers working together online to win the most urgent anti-corruption campaigns, wherever they are. By focusing the power of the entire movement on the front lines of the fight, we can stand up to special interests, beat political corruption, and fix our broken government.

You can help get the word out by sending texts to voters across the U.S. about opportunities to fight corruption. We'll kick off with training and have text team leaders standing by to support you while you text.

Register here. The signup page doesn’t mention Massachusetts or RCV but I promise that’s what tomorrow’s textbank is focussed on.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: all three reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PPLPMA to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]

I understand that a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers have introduced the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act to upgrade the security of electronic benefit cards and protect families in need. I support this bill!

To date, tens of millions of dollars in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been stolen by criminals exploiting lax security of SNAP electronic benefit cards. Congress has spent years pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to require states to issue cards with secure chips rather than magnetic strips that can be easily cloned by criminals. Despite those requests, USDA has failed to update security regulations for benefit cards. This bill would remedy that.

The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act addresses fraud by directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update its cybersecurity regulations to ensure SNAP benefits cannot be easily stolen by criminals. It’s a no-brainer—Congress must pass this legislation.

Millions of Americans use SNAP to support themselves and their families. With outdated card technology, we are leaving their benefits vulnerable to cybersecurity theft and leaving families at risk of being unable to put food on the table every day. This must change. Thanks.

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OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess