The POPVOX Blog

Articles From February 2012

1. About POPVOX's Organization Directory

   by rachna on February 28, 2012

   POPVOX, the award-winning online advocacy platform, today announced that its Organization Directory -- a robust resource designed to help Congressional staff find advocacy organizations, trade associations and community groups -- has topped 1,500 profiles.

   The POPVOX Organization Directory, which is free and open to the public, lists each organization's mission, legislative agenda, contact information, and Facebook and Twitter pages. Position statements supporting or opposing specific legislation are displayed where available. For Congressional staffers logged into POPVOX, additional information such as contact emails and phone numbers are listed.

   "The POPVOX Organization Directory was created with Congressional staffers, advocacy professionals and members of the media in mind," said POPVOX co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Rachna Choudhry. "Congressional staff looking for experts use the POPVOX Directory to identify niche organizations or groups beyond the 'usual suspects'. Issue organizations are using the directory to build coalitions around advocacy campaigns and to ensure organizational diversity within their efforts."

   Any U.S.-based nonprofit organization, trade association, political action committee or community group can create a profile at http://www.popvox.com/organization. Organizations are individually researched and approved by the POPVOX team to maintain the integrity of the directory.

   About POPVOX

   POPVOX is a neutral, nonpartisan advocacy platform that meshes legislative data with individuals’ personal stories and sentiment. POPVOX delivers public input to Congress in a format tailored to actionable policy decisions and empowers users to leverage their expertise and numbers. For more information, visit: http://www.popvox.com

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2. Issue Spotlight: Firearms

   by rachna on February 26, 2012

   We wanted to highlight bills related to the Second Amendment, guns and firearms. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills and share them with your friends and networks using our new share tools on the bottom of each bill page!

   Issue Spotlight: Firearms

   • HR 4089 The Sportsmen’s Heritage Act protects and enhances opportunities for recreational hunting, fishing and shooting. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 3814 Prohibiting the Justice Dept. from tracking and cataloguing the purchases of multiple rifles and shotguns (and S 570).
   • S 1973 The Gun Trafficking Prevention Act makes it illegal to traffic or assist in the trafficking of a firearm, including straw-purchasers who buy a gun for someone else (according to the bill sponsor). 
   • HR 3594 The Second Amendment Protection Act expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. should not adopt any treaty that poses a threat to the right to keep and bear arms -- and to withhold funding from the United Nations if it restricts or infringes upon the rights of U.S. individuals to keep and bear arms.  
   • S 2066 The Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act recognizes the heritage of recreational fishing, hunting, and shooting on Federal public land and ensure continued opportunities for those activities.
   • HR 822 The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act provides a national standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry concealed firearms in the State. (Passed House on Nov. 16, 2011 and goes to the Senate next for consideration.)
   • HR 308 The Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act prohibits the transfer or possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices.
   • HR 645 The Second Amendment Enforcement Act restores Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia.
   • HR 2615 The Second Amendment Protection Act restores the second amendment rights of all Americans.
   • HR 2613 The Citizens Protection Act repeals the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 and amendments to that Act. 
   • S 35 The Gun Show Background Check Act establishes background check procedures for gun shows. 

   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.

3. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 2/20

   by rachna on February 26, 2012

   Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

   Round Up: Week of 2/20

   • S 2118 The Health Care Bureaucrats Elimination Act removes unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats from seniors’ personal health decisions by repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board.
   • S 2115 The State Water Partnership Act limits the authority of the EPA Administrator with respect to certain numeric nutrient criteria.
   • HR 4070 HR 4070 clarifies certain provisions relating to the interests of Iran in certain assets.
   • HR 4066 The Health Information Technology Reform Act excludes pathologists from incentive payments and penalties under Medicare and Medicaid relating to the meaningful use of electronic health records.
   • S 2117 The Adult Education and Economic Growth Act increases access to adult eduction to provide for economic growth.
   • HConRes 101 H Con Res 101 expresses the sense of the Congress that our current tax incentives for retirement savings provide important benefits to Americans to help plan for a financially secure retirement.
   • S Res 380 S Res 380 expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
   • S 2120 The Prompt Notification of Short Sales Act requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale.
   • S 2111 The Cyber Crime Protection Security Act enhances punishment for identity theft and other violations of data privacy and security. (Just introduced.)
   • S 2105 The Cybersecurity Act enhances the security and resiliency of the cyber and communications infrastructure of the United States.
   • S Res 379 S Res 379 condemns violence by the Government of Syria against the Syrian people.
   • HR 4063 The Gun-Free National Parks Act restores the ban on carrying a loaded gun in a national park or wildlife refuge. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 4054 The Restore Public Trust Act the disclosure of political intelligence activities and enhances the prosecution of public corruption, which were two provisions that were not included in the House-passed STOCK Act, according to the bill sponsors.

   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.

4. Issue Spotlight: Syria

   by rachna on February 25, 2012

   As violence in Syria continues, we want to highlight some bills related to Syria that have been introduced in Congress. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share with your friends and networks.

   Issue Spotlight: Syria

   • S Res 180 S Res 180 (and H Res 296) express support for peaceful demonstrations and universal freedoms in Syria and condemning the human rights violations by the Assad regime.
   • S 1472 The Syria Sanctions Act imposes sanctions on persons making certain investments that directly and significantly contribute to the enhancement of the ability of Syria to develop its petroleum resources.
   • HR 2106 The Syria Freedom Support Act strengthens sanctions against the Government of Syria, enhances multilateral commitment to address the Government of Syria’s threatening policies, and establishes a program to support a transition to a democratically-elected government in Syria.
   • H Res 549 H Res 549 (and S Res 370) call for democratic change in Syria.
   • S 2034 The Syrian Human Rights Accountability Act imposes sanctions with respect to human rights abuses committed against the people of Syria.

   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.

5. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 2/13

   by rachna on February 19, 2012

   Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

   Round Up: Week of 2/13

   • HR 3630 The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act (HR 3630 with new legislative language as given by the conference report on Feb. 16) extends payroll tax holiday and a reformed unemployment insurance program set to expire at the end of the year, and a two-year freeze on cuts to doctors under Medicare. (Enacted Feb. 22.)
   • S 1813 Moving Ahead for Progress in the Twenty-First Century (MAP-21) reauthorizes Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs. (Senate resumes consideration on Friday.)
   • HR 7 American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act authorizes funds for Federal-aid highway, public transportation, and highway and motor carrier safety programs. (House begins consideration on Wednesday.)
   • HR 3813 The Securing Annuities for Federal Employees Act secures the annuities of Federal civilian employees. (House begins consideration on Wednesday.)
   • HR 3408 The PIONEERS Act sets clear rules for the development of U.S. oil shale resources, promotes shale technology research and development. (Passed in the House on February 16, 2012 and goes to the Senate next for consideration.)
   • S 2105 The Cybersecurity Act enhances the security and resiliency of the cyber and communications infrastructure of the U.S. (Just introduced.)
   • S 2081 The Extended Unemployment Benefits Reform Act requires individuals to complete 20 hours of public service and 20 hours of active job search per week as conditions for receipt of federal extended unemployment benefits. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 4000 The Energizing America Through Employment Act approves the Keystone XL pipeline project. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 3998 HR 3998 amends the tax code to extend the deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers (Just introduced.)
   • HR 3995 The Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act prohibits brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 3991 The Keep Employees’ Emails and Phones Secure Act prohibits the National Labor Relations Board from requiring that employers provide to the Board or to a labor organization the telephone number or email address of any employee. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 4010 The DISCLOSE Act (HR 4010) amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, and other entities. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 4011 The American Anti-Torture Act modifies certain provisions of law relating to torture. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 4003 The Postmark Payment Act provides that the payment of a bill, invoice, or statement of account due, if made by mail, shall be considered to have been made on the date as of which the envelope which is used to transmit such payment is postmarked. (Just introduced.)
   • S 2088 S 2088 amends the tax code to permanently double the amount of start-up expenses entrepreneurs can deduct from their taxes. (Just introduced.)
   • SRes 370 S Res 370: resolution calling for democratic change in Syria. (Just introduced.)
   • HR 306 The U.S. Job Creation and International Tax Reform Act provides a 95% exemption from U.S. tax on foreign earnings already been subject to tax in a foreign country and allows foreign earnings currently overseas to be brought back to America at a reduced tax rate, according to the bill sponsor. (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.

6. PRESS CLIP: How PopVox Gets Congress To Listen

   by annalee on February 17, 2012

   Fast Talk: How PopVox Gets Congress To Listen on Fast Company

7. Issue Spotlight: Elder Care

   by rachna on February 15, 2012

   Nearly one in four households provide care to someone who is aged. With that in mind, we pulled together some bills that are related to elder care. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share with your friends and networks.

   Issue Spotlight: Elder Care

   • S 464 The End Abuse in Later Life Act establishes a grant program to enhance training and services to prevent abuse in later life.
   • HR 577 The Elder Abuse Prevention Act prevents the abuse and exploitation of older individuals.
   • S 1744 The Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act provides funding for State courts to assess and improves the handling of proceedings relating to adult guardianship and conservatorship, authorizes the Attorney General to carry out a pilot program for the conduct of background checks on individuals to be appointed as guardians or conservators, and promotes the widespread adoption of information technology to better monitor, report, and audit conservatorships of protected persons.
   • S 462 The Elder Abuse Victims Act (and HR 2564) better protects, serves, and advances the rights of victims of elder abuse and exploitation by establishing a program to encourage States and other qualified entities to create jobs designed to hold offenders accountable, enhance the capacity of the justice system to investigate, pursue, and prosecute elder abuse cases.
   • S 465 The Senior Financial Empowerment Act prevents mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud targeting seniors in the United States, to promote efforts to increase public awareness of the enormous impact that mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud have on seniors, to educate the public, seniors, and their families, and their caregivers about how to identify and combat fraudulent activity.
   • S 525 The Positive Aging Act amends the Public Health Service Act to provide for integration of mental health services and mental health treatment outreach teams.
   • S 604 The Senior Mental Health Access Improvement Act provides for the coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental health counselor services under part B of the Medicare program.
   • S 1819 The Strengthening Services for America's Seniors Act amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to improve programs and services.

   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.

8. PRESS CLIP: POPVOX Shines Spotlight on Startups

   by annalee on February 13, 2012

   POPVOX Shines Spotlight on Startups on Entrepeneurship's Policy Forum Blog

9. Issue Spotlight: Startups

   by rachna on February 13, 2012

   The POPVOX team was invited to attend the State of Entrepreneurship briefing last week. In conjunction with this event, the Kauffman Foundation released two reports: "State Startup Act" and "License to Grow." (POPVOX was one of several startups invited to attend the event.)

   Inspired by the event, we pulled together a list of bills relating to startups. We hope you'll weigh in on these bills on POPVOX and share with your friends and networks.

   Issue Spotlight: Startups

   • HR 2941 The Startup Expansion and Investment Act (and S 1962) makes the internal control reporting and assessment requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 optional for certain smaller companies.
   • S 1965 The Startup Act (and HR 3427) jump-starts economic recovery through the formation and growth of new businesses.
   • HR 3571 The Entrepreneur Startup Growth Act directs the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish a self-employment tax initiative grant program.
   • S 565 The Startup Visa Act (and HR 1114) establishes an employment-based immigrant visa for alien entrepreneurs who have received significant capital from investors to establish a business in the U.S.
   • S 2088 The Small Business Startup Support Act amends the tax code to permanently double the amount of start-up expenses entrepreneurs can deduct from their taxes.

   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.

    

10. Weekly Bill Round Up: Week of 2/6

    by rachna on February 13, 2012

    Here are the bills that caught the attention of the POPVOX team and POPVOXnation this past week. Have a bill you'd like spotlighted on POPVOX's Bill Page? Send me an email at rachna@popvox.com

    Round Up: Week of 2/6

    • HR 306 The Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement to provide for management of the free-roaming wild horses in and around the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. (House passed on Feb. 6; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • S 2038 The STOCK Act prohibits Members of Congress and employees of Congress from using nonpublic information derived from their official positions for personal benefit. (This bill passed in the Senate and the House, but the House made changes and sent it back to the Senate on Feb. 9.)
    • HR 3581 The Budget and Accounting Transparency Act increases transparency in Federal budgeting. (House passed on Feb. 7; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 3521 The Expedited Legislative Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act provides for a legislative line-item veto to expedite consideration of rescissions. (House passed on Feb. 8; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • HR 1734 The Civilian Property Realignment Act decreases the deficit by realigning, consolidating, selling, disposing, and improving the efficiency of federal buildings and other civilian real property. (House passed on Feb. 7; now goes to the Senate for consideration.)
    • S 1945 S 1945 permits the televising of Supreme Court proceedings. (Reported by Senate committee on Feb. 9.)
    • HR 3897 The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (S 2043) provides religious conscience protections for individuals and organizations. (Just introduced.)
    • HR 3903 The Paying a Fair Share Act (and S 2059) implements the Buffett Rule and reduces the deficit by imposing a minimum effective tax rate for high-income taxpayers. (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.

11. Feb 13: President Submits Budget to Congress

    by marci on February 12, 2012

    On Monday, the President submits his official Budget request to Congress. The President's Budget is an outline, a proposal, a "this is how I would do it if I didn't have to go through Congress," version.  

    The Budget will be made is available online and literally delivered to the offices on Capitol Hill, where Congressional aides will begin scouring the language in preparation for the Budget hearings of the coming weeks.  

    1. The President's budget is not a bill. It will not be listed on POPVOX. Some Members of Congress may introduce parts of the budget as bills or some parts of the budget may already exist as bills.
    2. Congress likely will not hold a vote on the President's budget.  Usually the Budget Committees of both chambers introduce their own versions for a vote in Congress.
    3. In December 2011, Congress passed an Omnibus spending bill that covers spending through fiscal year 2012. The budget submitted by the President would cover FY 2013, which begins October 1, 2012.

    Updated at 12:05 pm ET to reflect that Budget is now avialable.

12. PRESS CLIP: DC Influencer: Rachna Choudhry, Popvox

    by annalee on February 1, 2012

    DC Influencer: Rachna Choudhry, Popvox on PRWeek