The POPVOX Blog

PAYROLL TAX CUT EXTENSION: Where Will Congress find the Pay-Fors?

by marci on January 30, 2012

Will the Conference Committee tasked with hammering out an agreement on extending the payroll tax cut end up as a “Super Committee 2.0”?

The question was posed by Felicia Sonmez in the Washington Post’s “2Chambers” blog -- and she has a point. Many of the players are the same (see below) and so is the task: find agreement on hundreds of billions in “pay-fors.”

The Payroll Tax Cut Conference Committee must find savings or cuts to finance extending the payroll tax cut, unemployment benefits and the “doc fix,” to stave off almost 30% automatic cuts to physicians paid by Medicare. The overall package is expected to require approximately $170 billion.

POPVOX users have some ideas on where those savings could come from, based on input on proposals to the original Super Committee (the now-defunct Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction.) The POPVOX tech and design team ran the numbers and created this infographic showing which of proposed deficit reduction measures garnered the greatest bipartisan support from POPVOX users. Consider it a “menu” as conference members return to the table on February 1 and attempt to reach agreement before their February 29 deadline.

The infographic is the result of great work by our design and tech team: CTO Josh Tauberer analyzed the data while William Donnell and Shane Aday of Sodium Halogen made it beautiful and functional.

Members of the Payroll Tax Conference Committee

Senate Democrats: Max Baucus*, Jack Reed, Ben Cardin, Bob Casey

House Republicans: Dave Camp*, Nan Hayworth, Tom Price, Renee Ellmers, Kevin Brady, Fred Upton*, Tom Reed, Greg Walden,

Senate Republicans: Jon Kyl* John Barrasso, Mike Crapo

House Democrats: Xavier Becerra*, Sander Levin, Allyson Schwartz, Chris Van Hollen*, Henry Waxman

*Also served on the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction (Super Committee)
PRESS CLIP: The Download: A cocktail reception where tech policy flows freely

by annalee on January 29, 2012

The Download: A cocktail reception where tech policy flows freely on The Washington Post
What Congress Heard from Florida

by marci on January 28, 2012
As we enter the week of the Florida Primary, we decided to take a look at what people in Florida have been telling Congress through the POPVOX system. Many of the bills that make the Florida list are similar the Top 50 bills overall, though some interesting things stand out:
1. Greater support in Florida for H.R. 2 "Repealing the Job-Killing Health Reform Law," with 69% support in Florida and 59% support overall.
2. A similar division on H.R. 3, the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion" bill at 68% support in Florida compared to 56% support nationwide.
3. An even split on opinion in Florida for H.R. 1116 the Respect for Marriage Act, which has 62% support nationwide but only 50% in Florida.
Input to Congress Turns from SOPA to Exotic Animals

by marci on January 28, 2012

For those wondering what would follow the record-breaking week of internet advocacy around SOPA (the Stop Online Piracy Act): the issue that brought the most activity in messages to Congress this week on POPVOX was the “Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act" H.R. 3359, pitting animal rights advocates against those who work with animals in traveling shows.

While H.R. 3359 moved fewer people than the over 10,000 who weighed in last week on SOPA using POPVOX, its opponents and proponents demonstrated similar passion. From January 20 to January 27, nearly 700 people weighed in on the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, 54% in support, 46% in opposition. While messages came in from constituents in every state and nearly every Congressional district, the most active was that of Vern Buchanan (R, FL-13), with thirty-six people weighing in (14% supported and 86% opposed).

The bill is pending in the House Agriculture Committee, chaired by Representative Frank Lucas (R, OK-3). Three constituents from Mr. Lucas’ district opposed the bill. None weighed in from the district of Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN, 7).

The Top Five Trending Bills on POPVOX for the week of January 20 are:

1. H.R. 3359: Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act from Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8].
       1330 TOTAL, 678 for the week (53% support, 47% oppose)

2. H.R. 3814: To prohibit the Department of Justice from tracking and cataloguing the purchases of multiple rifles and shotguns, from Rep. Justin Amash [R, MI-3].
       595 TOTAL, 571 for the week (75% support, 47% oppose)

3. H.R. 3594: Second Amendment Protection Act of 2011, from Rep. Joe Walsh [R, IL-8].
       611 TOTAL, 596 for the week (89% support, 11% oppose)

4. S. 1973: A bill to prevent gun trafficking in the United States, from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand [D, NY].
       421 TOTAL, 400 for the week(29% support, 71% oppose)

5. H.R. 3261: Stop Online Piracy Act from Rep. Lamar Smith [R, TX-21]
       14,720 TOTAL, 383 for the week (3% support, 97% oppose)
PRESS CLIP: Tech Firms Target Lawmakers With New Devices

by annalee on January 26, 2012

Tech Firms Target Lawmakers With New Devices in Roll Call
House Agriculture Committee Considers Swaps Bills, Others

by marci on January 25, 2012
Today, the full House Agriculture Committee will consider six bills:
1. H.R. 1840, to improve consideration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders.
2. H.R. 2682, Business Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act of 2011
3. H.R. 2779, to exempt inter-affiliate swaps from certain regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
4. H.R. 2586, Swap Execution Facility (SEF) Clarification Act
5. H.R. 3336, Small Business Credit Availability Act
6. H.R. 3527, Protecting Main Street End-Users from Excessive Regulation
POPVOX Tweets the State of the Union

by marci on January 24, 2012
PRESS CLIP: In Toxic Political Atmosphere, PopVox is Hitting It’s Stride

by annalee on January 24, 2012

In Toxic Political Atmosphere, PopVox is Hitting It’s Stride on InTheCapitol
Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 1/16

by rachna on January 22, 2012
Congress is back in town -- and here's what folks are talking about. Stay connected with POPVOXnation and join the discussion. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

Round Up: Week of 1/16
- HJRes 100 Constitutional Amendment to Publicly Finance Federal Elections proposes a Constitutional amendment regarding the use of public funds to pay for campaigns for election to Federal office. (Just introduced.)
- HR 3782 The Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act (OPEN Act) (and S 2029) addresses unfair trade practices relating to infringement of copyrights and trademarks by certain Internet sites. (Just introduced.)
- HR 3783 The Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act provides for a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran’s growing presence and hostile activity in the Western Hemisphere. (Just introduced.)
- HR 3784 The Gas Price Spike Act imposes a windfall profit tax on oil and natural gas (and products thereof) and to allow an income tax credit for purchases of fuel-efficient passenger vehicles and grants for mass transit. (Just introduced.)
- HR 3785 Repeals section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act, which according to the bill sponsor, codifies into law presidential authority to apprehend terror suspects and indefinitely detain American citizens. (Just introduced.)
- HR 3774 The Citizen Legislator Act reduces the salaries of Members of Congress and the amounts available for the salaries and expenses of offices of Members, committees and leadership of Congress by 50 percent. (Just introduced.)
- HR 3773 The Domestic Alternative Fuels Act allows domestic alternative fuel to be used to satisfy a portion of the required applicable volume of renewable fuel. (Just introduced.)
- HJRes 99 proposes a Constitutional amendment to require that an increase in the Federal debt requires approval from a majority of the legislatures of the several States. (Just introduced.)
- HJRes 98 Relating to the disapproval of the President’s exercise of authority to increase the debt limit, as submitted under section 3101A of title 31, U.S. Code, on Jan. 12, 2012. (House vote Wednesday)
- HR 3770 The Executive Appointments Reform Act (EARA) provides that payment for services may not be made to an individual appointed during a recess of the Senate to fill a vacancy in an existing office, if the vacancy existed while the Senate was in session and was by law required to be filled by and with the advice and consent of the Senate (Just introduced.)
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
Issue Spotlight: Campaign Finance on the Anniversary of Citizens United

by rachna on January 21, 2012
Today marks the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC. The justices voted 5-4 that corporations and unions had First Amendment rights that prohibits government from placing limits on their independent spending for political purposes. We pulled together a list of bills related to campaign financing.

We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share with your friends and networks.
Campaign Finance Bills on the Anniversary of Citizens United
- SJRes 33 The Saving American Democracy Amendment and The OCCUPIED Amendment propose a Constitutional amendment to expressly exclude for-profit corporations from the rights given to natural persons by the Constitution, prohibit corporate spending in all elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the States to regulate corporations and to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures.
- S 750 The Fair Elections Now Act and (HR 1404) reform the financing of Senate elections and establish a Fair Elections Fund.
- HJRes 65 Constitutional Amendment to prohibit candidates for election to Congress from accepting contributions from individuals who do not reside in the State or Congressional district the candidate seeks to represent.
- SJRes 29 Constitutional Amendment to clarify the authority of Congress and the States to regulate corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any state, the United States, or any foreign state.
- HJRes 88 Constitutional Amendment relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.
- HJRes 100 Constitutional Amendment regarding the use of public funds to pay for campaigns for election to Federal Office.
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
Which Advocacy tactic is most effective?

by marci on January 19, 2012

People always ask: "What is the best way to get my message to Congress?".

We discussed this at length yesterday at the "Better Activism Day" Livestream, hosted by Clay Johnson at InformationDiet.com (see former staffers at 1:10:00 discussing this.)

We at POPVOX are working with Congress to ensure that messages sent through the POPVOX system are delivered in the best and most effective way possible. However, we know from our experience working in Congress that even POPVOX is not THE most effecive means of making your point to Congress. THAT is still reserved for in-person direct contact with the Member who represents you. This was borne out in a study conducted in 2010 by the Congressional Management Foundation on "Perceptions of Citizen Advocacy on Capitol Hill." (The study was conducted before POPVOX launched.)

Here's a slide of the CMF findings. (POPVOX would fall into the same category as an "individual email," if someone chooses to leave a comment.)

text updated to correct date of study (it was conducted in 2010.)
House Judiciary SOPA Markup May restart in Feb

by marci on January 17, 2012

Hat tip to Rosalind Wills via Twitter, who highlights the latest press release by House Judiciary Chairman, Lamar Smith, reported in TechDirt, stating that the markup of H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), will ikely resume in February.

Check out the breakdown of Judiciary Committee members that we shared in December when the markup began. We will be updating...
Updated Bill Spotlight: SOPA and "Better Activism Day"

by rachna on January 17, 2012
(Note: I've updated this post since originally posting it this afternoon.)

Everyone's buzzing about SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act (HR 3261), on the Hill and across the Internet. Already, more than 8,000 people have voiced their position on the bill using the POPVOX platform. Here's an update on the bill.
- HR 3261 The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) promotes prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property.
The Latest on SOPA

1/17 UPDATE: SOPA Markup to Resume in February
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith said on Jan. 17 that he expects the Committee to continue its markup of the Stop Online Piracy Act in February: "To enact legislation that protects consumers, businesses and jobs from foreign thieves who steal America's intellectual property, we will continue to bring together industry representatives and Members to find ways to combat online piracy." (Read his full statement.)
1/14 UPDATE: SOPA Not Heading to the House Floor
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa announced on Jan. 14 that SOPA will not be heading to the House floor. "Majority Leader Cantor has assured me that we will continue to work to address outstanding concerns and work to build consensus prior to any anti-piracy legislation coming before the House for a vote," said Chairman Issa. "The voice of the Internet community has been heard." (Read his full statement.)
SOPA Blackout Day, Jan. 18
Many websites are planning to "go dark" tomorrow in protest against SOPA and its related Senate bill, PIPA (S 968). While POPVOX is neutral and doesn't take positions on bills, including SOPA or PIPA, we are 100% on board with any effort to help people understand how Congress works and how to engage with the Congressional process. To that end, we will be participating in "Better Activism Day" on Jan. 18.
Join POPVOX for "Better Activism Day", Jan. 18
Better Activism Day, coordinated by Clay Johnson, author of the Information Diet is geared for activists that want to make Congress listen to citizens better -- through improved advocacy, transparency reforms and a better understanding of how Congress works. POPVOX's CEO, Marci Harris, will be presenting at 4:30pm Eastern. Join us via livestream starting at 10am Eastern. (See the agenda.)

Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill doesn't imply a POPVOX endorsement in any way. Rather, we're simply trying to offer one more way to stay informed of an overwhelmingly complex legislative system.
"Better Activism Day" Jan 18

by marci on January 16, 2012
We're happy to participate in the InformationDiet.com's livestream of "Better Activism Day" on January 18 (which will be available on informationdiet.com/live.)

POPVOX is neutral - we don't take a position on bills, including SOPA or PIPA, but we are 100% on board with any effort to help people understand how Congress works and how to engage with the Congressional process.

From the announcement by Clay Johnson, author of "The Information Diet":

Better Activism Day: January 18

Jan 15, 2012 CLAY JOHNSON

On January 18th, the plan for some sites is to go dark in protest for SOPA/PIPA. The blackout is important -- it raises awareness and helps people get motivated to act on this bill -- and while it's on its last legs, I think the important thing in the long term isn't the particular defeat of this bill, but rather: how do we make Congress listen to citizens better. Now part of that is stuff you've heard before: better advocacy, transparency reforms, even campaign finance and money-in-politics solutions. But another part of that isn't so familiar: getting acquainted with how Congress works, and upping our own expertise to become better advocates. So in honor of the blackouts on the 18th, I'm holding a "Better Activism Day" with my friends at O'Reilly and PopVox. -- a livestream of experts, most of the day, who will talk about how to improve your power in Washington from people who've been successful at moving it. It's time we started getting some of the inside-the-beltway expertise outside of Washington. Here's the tentative agenda so far (all times are Eastern):
1. Intro by Clay Johnson: 15 Minutes (10-10:15)
2. Where SOPA/PIPA Sits in the Legislative Process (Ernesto Falcon - Public Knowledge) (45 Minutes) (10:15-11:00)
3. How A Bill Becomes a Law: Speaker TBD (1 hr.) (11:00-12:00)
4. I am a Lobbyist, Ask Me Anything (Andrew Shore - Jochum Shore & Trossevin) (1 hr.)(12:00-1:00)
5. How to Watch What Congress Does - Jeremy Carbaugh - Sunlight Foundation (2:00-3:00)
6. I Used to Answer the Phones at a Congressional Office - Ask Me Anything (1 hr.) (3:00-4:30)
7. Delivering Effective Messages To Congress - Marci Harris (4:30-5:30)
8. Closing: 5:30-6
I'm doing this because whether or not SOPA passes, one of the most dangerous problems we have in America is the disconnect between how people think Congress works, and how Congress actually works. The best way to prevent things like SOPA from happening is to make online activists smart. And I hope that if you find the program I'm setting up to be useful to you, then you'll consider buying a copy of my book, though that's certainly not required for admission.I'm still ironing out the details, so if you have anything you want to add, or anybody here in DC you'd like to see, please let me know. Mark your calendars -- it will be streamed starting at 10am on the 18th on informationdiet.com/live (which isn't quite live yet), and of course you can have the embeds to put on your own websites as well.
Issa Press Release: "SOPA Not Headed to House Floor, OGR hearing postponed "

by marci on January 14, 2012

We just received the following press release issued by Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Darrell Issa. We can't find the link up yet online, so given the interest in this bill by POPVOX users, we are posting here. See links below to weigh in on the bills mentioned in the release.

Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 01:16 AM

Subject: Press Release -- SOPA Not Headed to House Floor, OGR hearing postponed

Issa: Flawed SOPA Bill Not Headed to House Floor

OGR hearing planned for Wednesday postponed following assurances, removal of DNS provisions

Washington, DC – House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa today announced that a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, which was to examine the impact of Domain Name Service (DNS) and search engine blocking on the Internet, has been postponed following assurances that anti-piracy legislation will not move to the House floor this Congress without a consensus.

"While I remain concerned about Senate action on the Protect IP Act, I am confident that flawed legislation will not be taken up by this House. Majority Leader Cantor has assured me that we will continue to work to address outstanding concerns and work to build consensus prior to anyanti-piracy legislation coming before the House for a vote,” said Chairman Issa. “The voice of the Internet community has been heard. Much more education for Members of Congress about the workings of the Internet is essential if anti-piracy legislation is to be workable and achieve broad appeal.”

"Earlier tonight, Chairman Smith announced that he will remove the DNS blocking provision from his legislation. Although SOPA, despite the removal of this provision, is still a fundamentally flawed bill, I have decided that postponing the scheduled hearing on DNS blocking with technical experts is the best course of action at this time. Right now, the focus of protecting the Internet needs to be on the Senate where Majority Leader Reid has announced his intention to try to move similar legislation in less than two weeks."

Chairman Issa intends to continue to push for Congress to heed the advice of Internet experts on anti-piracy legislation and to push for the consideration and passage of the bipartisan OPEN Act, which provides an alternative means for protecting intellectual property rights without undermining the structure and entrepreneurialism of the Internet. Learn more about Rep. Issa and Sen. Ron Wyden’s alternative the OPEN Act at www.keepthewebopen.com

###

The PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) S. 968: Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011

S. 2029: Online Protection & Enforcement of Digital Trade Act (OPEN Act)
Committee Spotlight: House Judiciary Committee and SOPA

by marci on January 13, 2012
Given that H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act, was the most active bill on POPVOX this week, we decided to crunch some numbers related to the committee of jurisdiction on the bill. The House Judiciary Committee is currently considering the bill in a "mark-up", which began in December and is set to resume next week when Congress returns.

Below is a chart of the input that Judiciary Committee members have received from their constituents through the POPVOX system.

A few observations:
- Every committee Member has received messages from their constituents regarding SOPA using POPVOX.
- Sentiment in every district is majority opposition (of sentiment registered on POPVOX.)
As we always emphasize, POPVOX is not a poll. It is simply a sample of what Congress is hearing from constituents. The messages that are counted on POPVOX have been received by these Members through their official correspondence systems. (See: How We Deliver Messages). POPVOX brings transparency, efficiency, and accountability to that system.
Opponents of SOPA most active this week

by marci on January 13, 2012

FRIDAY UPDATE: The Stop Online Piracy Act (H.R. 3261), better known as “SOPA” brought the most messages to Congress in the second week of 2012 on POPVOX.

From January 7 to January 13, over 850 people sent a message to their Congressperson regarding SOPA, bringing the total on POPVOX to just over 6,000 with 98% opposing the bill. Messages came from users in every Congressional district.
Protesting SOPA? Turn your website into an action center.

by marci on January 12, 2012

Whether you are a SOPA supporter or plan to join the Anti-SOPA blackout on January 18, you can turn your website or blog into an online action center by using free widgets from POPVOX.

The POPVOX Write Congress widget lets your visitors send a message to their member of Congress without leaving your site.

A POPVOX Comment stream widget streams comments directly on your site so you can see what others are saying.

Or just pick up a POPVOX "button" to link to the bill action page and show a real-time POPVOX sentiment tally.

POPVOX widgets are customizable for any bill, any position. So whether it is SOPA, PIPA, NDAA, or any other abbreviation... just pick up the code, and build your movement.

View the widgets in action on the POPVOX Tumblr page.
PRESS CLIP: Stop "raising awareness" and do something

by annalee on January 12, 2012

Here’s how you can really oppose SOPA: Stop “raising awareness” and do something on VentureBeat
What Congress Heard from New Hampshire

by marci on January 8, 2012
As we head into the New Hampshire primary week, here's a look at what New Hampshire constituents shared with their Representatives and Senators in 2011 (and the first week of 2012.)

Notably, the bills that most divided the nation produced a similar split in New Hampshire:
2. 58% of those weighing in from New Hampshire supported the bill to repeal health reform: "H.R. 2: Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law", compared to 59% of those weighing in nationally.
3. 58% of input from New Hampshire supported the President's American Jobs Act (S. 1549), compared to 67% nationally.
New Hampshire closely with tracked the nation on bills that have either been in the news or saw intense grassroots outreach:
1. Just as in the first caucus state of Iowa, New Hampshire were overwhelmingly against allowing robocalls to cell phone, with 100% of those weighing in on POPVOX opposing H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act. (99% opposed nationally.) Due to the outpouring of constituent protests, the bill was pronounced dead by its sponsor on December 17.
2. The "Live free or die"" state is 100% opposed to H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), based on input provided to Congress using POPVOX. (98% oppose nationally.)
3. All weighing in from New Hampshire on H.R. 2306 supported ending the federal prohibition of marijuana. The bill would remove marijuana from the Schedule 1 list of federal controlled substances. (91% support the bill nationally).
4. The fourth most popular bill in New Hampshire is S. 1176, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which ranked #13 on the POPVOX list of top bills of 2011. Ninety-six percent of those weighing in from New Hampshire support the bill, compared to 76% nationally.
5. Ninety-two percent of those weighing in from New Hampshire oppose H.R. 835, the "PUPS" Act, which introduces new regulations on puppy breeders, compared to 76% nationally.
6. The National Right to Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 822), which passed the House on November 16, 2011, received 87.5% support from those weighing in from New Hampshire, compared to 77% nationally.
7. New Hampshire strongly supported ensuring that the military is paid even in case of a government shutdown, with 100% in favor of S. 724 the Ensuring Pay for Our Military Act. (95% support nationally.)
The 10 Million Solar Roofs Act, S. 1108, ranked 16th nationally and #10 in New Hampshire. The bill was supported by 93% of constituents weighing in from New Hampshire, with 76% support nationally.