The POPVOX Blog

  1. The Week Ahead for Congress: Feb. 11 - 15

    by rachna on February 10, 2013

    Bills before Congress

    From our Hill Sources: On Tuesday, President Obama will deliver the State of the Union Address to a joint-session of Congress. Throughout the week, both chambers will consider a handfull of bills:

    In the House

    Members will also take up four suspension bills, which require a two-thirds majority vote for passage:

    In the Senate

    • S 47 The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act: This bill reauthorizes the VAWA program. Senate leaders reached an agreement last week on amendments, and may be able to finish work on amendments and pass the bill by Tuesday.

      Republicans oppose language allowing native American courts to have jurisdiction over non-Indians in domestic abuse cases. They say it could violate the Constitutional rights of Americans. A GOP proposal to amend the language was rejected. Several other Republican proposals may be considered this week. Last year, the House and Senate approved separate versions of a Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, but were never able to agree on how to reconcile these two versions. House Republicans say they are continuing to work with Democrats in Congress and with the Obama administration to finish this work this year.

    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.

  2. Weekly Bill Roundup: Feb. 7

    by rachna on February 7, 2013

    While firearms and gun control continue to be on the top of POPVOX users' minds, we are beginning to see an uptick in activity around issues related to the debt ceiling and federal budget. Already, more than 20 bills related to guns have been introduced. (See the full list.) And in the coming days, we expect to hear from House Democrats as they unveil their gun-control agenda. So stay tuned!

    Another trending issue is the federal budget. As the March 1 deadline for Sequestration quickly approaches, Congress must decide once again whether to take action on deficit reduction. Congress was unable to reach agreement on spending cuts last year, but agreed to delay Sequestration until March 1 as part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that avoided the full "Fiscal Cliff." Congress needs to hear from their constituents -- and you can weigh in on Sequestration on POPVOX.

    Here are the bills and proposals that POPVOX users weighed in on with Congress in the past week. This week, we're highlighting newcomers on the list. Let us know if this is helpful! Keep in mind that these numbers aren't aggregates of total support, but just what happened in the past seven days.

    Want to be a part of the POPVOXnation conversation? Please join us on Facebook or Twitter. It's a great way to stay connected with the POPVOX team and Congress. Thanks for using POPVOX!

    Top Bills of the Week: Feb. 1 - 7

    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.

    *POPVOX invites organizations to create "sponsored campaigns" on POPVOX, which include policy principles and actionable items directed at Congress. 

  3. POPVOX Daily Digest - February 4, 2013

    by marci on February 4, 2013

    According to our Hill Sources:

    Today in the Senate:

    Today in the House:

  4. PRESS CLIP: In A Reversal, Nation Now Supports Sequestration

    by kentai on February 4, 2013

    In A Reversal, Nation Now Supports Sequestration on WUSA9

  5. The Week Ahead for Congress: Feb. 4 - 8

    by rachna on February 3, 2013

    Bills before Congress

    From our Hill Sources: The House and Senate are in for just part of the week, but each will work on major legislation while they're in.

    In the House

    The House is in from Monday to Wednesday, and will consider:

    In the Senate

    The Senate is in Monday, and will start work on:

    • S 47 The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act: This bill reauthorizes the popular VAWA program but makes several changes that contributed to delays in passing this bill in Congress last year. The Senate bill extends various protections under the law to Indian, LGBT and immigrant communities, which were not included in a bill House Republicans supported last year.

      The Senate will hold a procedural vote on this bill Monday. The Senate breaks Tuesday and Wednesday, but more work on the bill is expected Thursday and Friday.

    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. POPVOX Daily Digest - January 31, 2013

    by marci on January 31, 2013

    From our Hill sources:

    The Senate spent the day passing legislation to suspend the debt ceiling until the middle of May:

    • HR 325 the No Budget, No Pay Act. The bill lets the government off the hook for the debt ceiling through May 18. But the bill also puts pressure on both the House and Senate to approve a budget resolution by April 15 — if either chamber fails, its members will have their salaries withheld.

    Many Members hope that getting a budget out of the Senate for the first time in almost four years will help inform the debate over a longer-term agreement.

    The bill effectively launches a three-month period of what is likely to be, at the least, an attempt at cooperation between the two parties on a long-term debt deal. But those talks will likely suffer from the usual disagreements over how to get there: Republicans want spending cuts, and Democrats want tax increases.

    The Senate rejected a handful of Republican amendments to the bill during the day. Republicans wanted a commitment to cut spending as much as any eventual increase in the debt ceiling, and proposed language meant to help guarantee there is no threat of a government shutdown even if no budget deal is reached.

    All amendments failed, allowing the Senate to pass the same bill the House passed earlier this month. Senate passage sends the bill to President Obama for his signature.

     

     

  7. Weekly Bill Roundup: Jan. 31

    by rachna on January 31, 2013

    Once again, firearms and gun control continue to be on the top of POPVOX users' minds. Not surprisingly, Congress keeps introducing new bills related to guns. (See the full list.) And this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on "What Should America Do About Gun Violence."

    Here are the bills and proposals that POPVOX users weighed in on with Congress in the past week. This week, we're highlighting newcomers on the list. Let us know if this is helpful! Keep in mind that these numbers aren't aggregates of total support, but just what happened in the past seven days.

    Want to be a part of the POPVOXnation conversation? Please join us on Facebook or Twitter. It's a great way to stay connected with the POPVOX team and Congress. Thanks for using POPVOX!

    Top Bills of the Week: Jan. 25 - 31, 2013

    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.

    *POPVOX invites organizations to create "sponsored campaigns" on POPVOX, which include policy principles and actionable items directed at Congress. 

  8. PRESS CLIP: The Tech Gender Gap in 2013: Is it Changing?

    by kentai on January 30, 2013

    The Tech Gender Gap in 2013: Is it Changing? on InTheCapital

  9. Constituent Perspectives: Senate Judiciary Hearing on "What Should America Do About Gun Violence?"

    by marci on January 30, 2013

    Today the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing entitled, "What Should America Do About Gun Violence?". Committee Members will hear from expert witnesses, ranging from former Representative Gabby Giffords to the CEO of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre.
    Over the past six weeks, however, Congress has been hearing from real people in their home states. POPVOX has pulled together a slideshow with a sample of what constituents have been writing to Members of the Judiciary Committee -- on both sides of the issue.
    The slideshow is available here:
    As always, highlighting a bill or proposal on POPVOX is not an endorsement.

  10. POPVOX Daily Digest - January 28, 2013

    by marci on January 28, 2013

    From our Hill Sources:

    The Senate passed a major bill on Monday providing relief to people hit by Hurricane Sandy: The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act (H.R. 152).

    The House-passed bill appropriates just over $50 billion for relief efforts, and for longer-term storm mitigation projects.

    The measure was barely approved in a 62-36 vote. Many Republicans opposed its lack of spending cuts to offset the cost of the bill.

    Just before the final vote, the Senate rejected a Republican amendment that would have required spending offsets by spending cuts. It failed in a 35-62 vote.

    Senate passage sends the bill to President Obama, who has said he will sign it.

  11. The Week Ahead for Congress: Jan. 28 - Feb. 1

    by rachna on January 27, 2013

    Bills before Congress

    From our Hill Sources: The House is out, but the Senate is in all week and is expected to pass a bill providing disaster aid for people affected by Hurricane Sandy. Here's what to expect from the Senate:

    In the Senate

    • HR 152 The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act: The House has already passed this bill, and the Senate seems ready to pass it this week. It lets the government spend $50.7 billion on various programs to help New York, New Jersey and Connecticut recover from Sandy. The Senate will vote on an Republican amendment to offset the cost of the bill with spending cuts.

    • HR 325 The No Budget, No Pay Act: This bill suspends the debt ceiling until the middle of May, and also requires the House and Senate to pass a budget by mid-April, under threat of withholding the pay of members of Congress.

      According to our Hill Sources, Senate Democrats seem to favor this bill as a short-term way to avoid a debt ceiling fight. Democrats say they will pass the House bill and the Obama administration has indicated it would sign the bill. The Senate has not set a date for a vote on this bill as of the weekend, but debate and a vote could happen by the end of the week.

      Find bills related to the debt ceiling and federal budget in this Issue Spotlight.

    • S 47 The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization: In the last Congress, both the House and Senate approved different versions of this bill, which were never reconciled into something that could pass both Houses and be signed into law by the President. According to our Hill Sources, Democrats have indicated they want to get to this bill in the near future, to ensure VAWA is reauthorized.

    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.

  12. Issue Spotlight: The Debt Ceiling

    by rachna on January 24, 2013

    Issue Spotlight: The Debt Ceiling

    Updated 1/24/13

    On Jan. 23, 2013, the House passed the No Budget, No Pay Act (HR 325) to extend the federal debt limit for three months -- on the condition that the Senate commits to passing a federal budget by the April 15 deadline. As House Majority Leader Eric Cantor explained:

    • Cantor"We must pay our bills and responsibly budget for our future. Next week, we will authorize a three month temporary debt limit increase to give the Senate and House time to pass a budget. Furthermore, if the Senate or House fails to pass a budget in that time, Members of Congress will not be paid by the American people for failing to do their job. No budget, no pay." (Read Majority Leader Cantor's full statement.)

    In anticipation of the debate in Congress about the debt ceiling and federal budget, POPVOX would like to spotlight related legislation. Weigh in and share your views. POPVOX will deliver your message to your Representative or Senators, guaranteed. (Learn more about how POPVOX works.)

    Federal Debt Ceiling Legislation

    • HR 355 : To increase the statutory limit on the public debt only upon the certification by the President of the submission to the States for their ratification of the proposed amendment to the Constitution to balance the Federal Budget or limit Federal spending. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 342 : To prioritize certain Government obligations for continued payment in the event that the statutory debt limit is reached, to appropriate funds for the pay and allowances of all members of the Armed Forces, and for those civilian employees of the Department of Defense and the Coast Guard serving in a combat zone. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 326 : To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish a point of order to prohibit the extension of the public debt limit unless a concurrent resolution on the budget has been agreed to and is in effect. -- Just Introduced! --
    • S 92 : A bill to require that the Government give priority to payment of all obligations on the debt held by the public and payment of Social Security benefits in the event that the debt limit is reached. -- Just Introduced! --
    • S 81 : A bill to provide guidance and priorities for Federal Government obligations in the event that the debt limit is reached. -- Just Introduced! --
    • S 57 : A bill to establish a timely and expeditious process for voting on the statutory debt limit. -- Just Introduced! --
    • S 46 : A bill to protect Social Security benefits and military pay and require that the US Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public in the event that the debt limit is reached. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 325 The No Budget, No Pay Act: To ensure the complete and timely payment of the obligations of the US Government until May 19, 2013.
    • HR 319 To provide for an expedited process for increasing the statutory limit on the public debt.
    • HR 55 SHIELD Act: To prioritize the payment of pay and allowances to members of the Armed Forces and Federal law enforcement officers in the event the debt ceiling is reached or there is a funding gap.
    • HR 233 To provide for an orderly process by which the debt ceiling is increased.
    • HR 149 Prioritize Spending Act: To specify the priority of the obligations of the US Government if the debt ceiling is reached.
    • HR 103 Ending Fiscal Cliffs Act: To provide authority to increase the debt limit when an Act of Congress provides budget authority or reduces revenues.
    • HR 247 Ensuring the Full Faith and Credit of the United States and Protecting America's Soldiers and Seniors Act: To require that the US Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached.
    • HR 290 Full Faith and Credit Act: To eliminate the statutory cap on the public debt and to place limitations on the purposes for which public debt may be issued.
    • HJR 12 Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that any extension of the public debt limit only be considered in a standalone bill.

    Balanced Budget Amendment Proposals

    • HJRes 18 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to provide for a balanced budget for the US Government and for greater accountability in the enactment of tax legislation. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 371 : To increase the statutory limit on the public debt by $1,000,000,000 upon the adoption by Congress of a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment and by an additional $1,000,000,000 upon ratification by the States of that Amendment. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HJR 1 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution to (1) require that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts; (2) require that bills to raise revenues pass each House of Congress by a 3/5 majority; (3) establish an annual spending cap such that total federal spending could not exceed 1/5 of the economic output of the US; and (4) require a 3/5 majority vote for any increases in the debt limit.
    • HJR 2 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution to require that Congress not spend more than it receives in revenues; require the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress, and require a 3/5 majority vote to increase the debt limit (except in times of national emergencies).
    • HJR 4 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution to require the President to submit, and Congress to pass, an annual budget that is balanced.
    • HJR 5 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution relative to balancing the budget and requires Congress to pass a balanced budget and requires any new bill that imposes a new tax or increases the statutory rate of any tax or the aggregate amount of revenue pass by a two-thirds majority.
    • HJR 6 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and requires Congress to pass a balanced budget and requires any new bill that imposes a new tax or increases the statutory rate of any tax or the aggregate amount of revenue pass by a majority (except in times of national emergencies).
    • HJR 9 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution prohibiting the US government from increasing its debt except for a specific purpose by law adopted by three-fourths of the membership of each House of Congress.
    • HJR 10 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution requiring that the Federal budget be balanced and that an increase in the Federal debt requires approval from a majority of the legislatures of the several States.
    • HJR 11 Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
    • HJR 17 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution which requires (except during time of war and subject to suspension by Congress) that the total amount of money expended by the US during any fiscal year not exceed the amount of certain revenue received by the US during such fiscal year and not exceed 20 percent of the gross domestic product of the US during the previous calendar year.
    • HJR 18 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to provide for a balanced budget for the US Government and for greater accountability in the enactment of tax legislation.

    Congressional Consequences

    • S 55 : A bill to prohibit Members of Congress and the President from receiving pay during Government shutdowns. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HCRes 9 Prohibiting the House or Senate from adjourning for a period of more than 5 days during a fiscal year unless the House involved has adopted a concurrent resolution on the budget for such fiscal year and has approved legislation to provide funding for the operations of the government for the entire fiscal year. -- Just Introduced! --
    • HR 143 Lead By Example Act: To provide that matching contributions to the Thrift Savings Fund for Members of Congress be made contingent on Congress completing action on a concurrent resolution on the budget, for the fiscal year involved, which reduces the deficit.
    • HR 108Member Pay Freeze Act: To provide that rates of pay for Members of Congress shall not be adjusted under section 601(a)(2) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 in the year following any fiscal year in which outlays of the United States exceed receipts of the United States.
    • HR 310 To provide that Members of Congress may not receive pay after October 1 of any fiscal year in which Congress has not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget and passed the regular appropriations bills.

    Budget Reforms

    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.

  13. Weekly Bill Roundup: Jan. 24

    by rachna on January 24, 2013

    In this week's roundup of bill, firearms and gun control continue to be on the top of POPVOX users' minds. Not surprisingly, Congress keeps introducing new bills related to guns. (See the full list.) 

    Here are the bills and proposals that POPVOX users weighed in on with Congress in the past week. This week, we're highlighting newcomers on the list. Let us know if this is helpful! Keep in mind that these numbers aren't aggregates of total support, but just what happened in the past seven days.

    Want to be a part of the POPVOXnation conversation? Please join us on Facebook or Twitter. It's a great way to stay connected with the POPVOX team and Congress. Thanks for using POPVOX!

    Top Bills of the Week: Jan. 18 - 24, 2013

    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.

    *POPVOX invites organizations to create "sponsored campaigns" on POPVOX, which include policy principles and actionable items directed at Congress. 

     

     

  14. POPVOX Daily Digest - January 23, 2013

    by marci on January 23, 2013

    From our Hill Sources:

    The House met briefly on Wednesday to debate and approve a bill dealing with the debt ceiling: The No Budget, No Pay Act (H.R. 325) suspends the debt ceiling until the middle of May, allowing the government to take on what will likely be several hundred billion dollar in debt without violating the statutory debt limit.

    Republicans agreed to provide this grace period in order to reach a longer-term agreement to raise the debt ceiling, which they hope will include new spending reductions. House Republicans hope to pressure the Senate into passing a budget, which would be the first in nearly four years. H.R. 325 states that if the House or Senate fails to pass a budget by April 15, members of that chamber will have their pay withheld.

    Senate Democrats indicated they would quickly approve the bill, and welcomed a bill that would not immediately tie an increase in the debt ceiling to spending cuts

  15. POPVOX Daily Digest - January 22, 2013

    by marci on January 22, 2013

    From our Hill Sources:

    The House debated and quickly approved one bill on Tuesday:

    The Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act (H.R. 307), which reauthorizes several federal programs aimed at keeping the U.S. prepared for biological, chemical, radiological or nuclear attacks.

    Members easily passed the bill in a 395-29 vote, sending it to the Senate.

    As of 6:00 PM ET, the Senate had not yet taken up the bill, but may do so later in the evening.

  16. PRESS CLIP: Power to the people: Crowdsourcing in politics

    by kentai on January 21, 2013

    Power to the people: Crowdsourcing in politics on TechHive

  17. PRESS CLIP: The District Dish: PopVox’s Rachna Choudry

    by kentai on January 21, 2013

    The District Dish: PopVox’s Rachna Choudry in K Street Magazine

  18. The Week Ahead for Congress: January 21 - 25

    by rachna on January 20, 2013

    Bills before Congress: January 21 - 25

    From our Hill Sources: The House and Senate are both in for a short work week, due in large part to Monday's inauguration of President Obama.

    Monday's Schedule: Members will arrive at the Capitol as early as 9 a.m. Monday morning, and both President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will be sworn in just before noon. Obama's second inauguration speech is scheduled to start promptly at noon.

    Once the festivities are over, both chambers will start work Tuesday on a handful of bills. In the House, look for work on:

    • HR 325 Debt limit extension legislation: After holding a retreat in Virginia last week, Republicans have decided to move a bill (HR 325) that would raise the statutory debt ceiling for another three months. The House Republican plan is to make a longer-term debt ceiling agreement contingent on Senate passage of a budget — the Senate has not passed one in nearly four years.

      The bill is also expected to withhold the pay of members of Congress in the event that Congress cannot pass a budget. Democrats criticized the GOP plan as a "gimmick", but Republicans see the bill as an opportunity to engage the Senate on an ongoing debate about the budget and spending levels.

      Find bills related to the debt ceiling and federal budget in this Issue Spotlight.

    • HR 273 Eliminating a pending pay increase for federal workers. (This is a House Republican response to President Obama's Executive Order calling for a pay increase for federal workers starting in late March.)
    • HR 307 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act: To reauthorize certain programs under the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to public health security and all-hazards preparedness and response. (This is a bill the House approved late last year to reauthorize various government programs that help keep the US prepared for biological threats. It was easily approved last year, and the House will likely approve it again on Tuesday, sending it onto the Senate.)

    The Senate is expected to consider:

    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.

  19. Weekly Bill Roundup: Jan. 17

    by rachna on January 17, 2013

    In the early weeks of the 113th Congress, it's clear that firearms and gun control policies dominate the minds of POPVOXnation. Here are the bills and proposals that POPVOX users weighed in on with Congress in the past week. Keep in mind that these numbers aren't aggregates of total support, but just what happened in the past seven days.

    Want to be a part of the POPVOXnation conversation? Please join us on Facebook or Twitter. It's a great way to stay connected with the POPVOX team and Congress. Thanks for using POPVOX!

    Top Bills of the Week

    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.

    *POPVOX invites organizations to create "sponsored campaigns" on POPVOX, which include policy principles and actionable items directed at Congress. 

     

     

  20. POPVOX Daily Digest - January 15, 2013

    by marci on January 15, 2013

    From our Hill sources:

    The House spent the day passing H.R. 152, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act. The bill provides $50.7 billion in new funding to help with Hurricane Sandy cleanup.

    The bill passed 241-180 vote, with most Republicans voting against it to protest its size and lack of offsetting spending cuts. Just 49 Republicans supported the bill, while 179 opposed it.

    Several Republicans sought to amend it by requiring a partial offset of the bill, and by cutting back its size, but most of these efforts were turned away. Several votes revealed a Republican party that was split between those who wanted to trim or offset the bill, and the several dozen — including many from New York and New Jersey — who opposed these efforts.

    House passage will allow the Senate to consider the bill as early as next week, when Senators return to Washington.

(For media inquiries, please contact Marci Harris, POPVOX’s CEO, at info@popvox.com.)

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