The government’s work is on the line
Indivisible SF Newsletter
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Government Shutdown Clock: 24 days remain
45 days ████████████████████████████████████████ 24 days
If Congress does not pass a budget bill or CR by Friday, November 17, the government will shut down.
The House cannot pass anything until it elects a Speaker.
President Biden has submitted a request to Congress for additional funding to address various emergencies going on in the world.
It’s very much a compromise bill that includes things that most of us support and items some of us may not completely approve of. But what we all definitely do need is a full-throated push to get back to getting things done and away from the current paralysis being wrought by a few small-minded MAGA radicals in the House Republican caucus. Most especially, we need to get back on track toward funding the important work of government.
Tell your Members of Congress: Support the Biden Administration’s supplemental funding package! ([link removed])
** Driverless car update: Cruise driverless operations suspended
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We’ve been keeping you abreast of the ongoing effort to roll out thousands of driverless cars (also called “autonomous vehicles” or AVs) across our City despite the concerns of emergency responders ([link removed]) and the Board of Supervisors ([link removed]) .
Yesterday, the Department of Motor Vehicles suspended ([link removed]) its authorization of Cruise, one of the two companies actively operating in the City. According to the DMV’s Order of Suspension (as published ([link removed]) by Vice), the suspension resulted from an incident in which a Cruise car dragged a pedestrian that it had run over while stopping. Cruise provided the DMV with video of the stop (a good reminder that driverless cars are also surveillance cameras!) but kept knowledge of the dragging to itself. The DMV found out from “another government agency” and swiftly kiboshed Cruise’s driverless deployment permit.
Read more on our blog ([link removed]) .
** It’s been a year. What’s happening with student debt relief?
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A lot has happened—and some things haven’t happened—since we published our 2022 student debt relief explainer ([link removed]) . The Department of Education has a page summarizing ([link removed]) the current state of things, and we’ve published an updated blog post ([link removed]) that lays out the options available to you and what’s still coming.
Some of the relief so far has been in the form of automatic forgiveness—i.e., you’d know whether you’ve received it or not. But you must apply for other relief programs, and you should look into these even if you’ve done so before, as eligibility requirements may have changed.
Read more on our blog ([link removed]) and get your student loan relief today!
** Get your 2023 vaccines
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To keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors safe from respiratory illnesses that can cause long-term complications, it's important that we keep up with our annual vaccinations. There are at least two shots you should get this fall: one for COVID-19 and one for flu. If you’re 60 or older, you should also get the new vaccine for RSV ([link removed]) .
After some initial trouble, availability of the new, updated COVID-19 vaccines is gradually improving. If you haven’t gotten vaccinated yet, it might be time to give it another try. In addition to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Costco and Rite Aid have the new third option, Novavax.
The COVID-19 vaccines are still free, but the details have changed. People with insurance will have to present their insurance, and their insurance will be billed. People without insurance can get the new vaccine for free via the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.
For more information on where to get the shot and how to get it for free if you’re uninsured, see our blog post ([link removed]) .
** Get free COVID-19 tests from USPS and also from your insurance provider
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The USPS and the Biden Administration have reopened the ordering site for free COVID-19 home test kits. Use these rapid antigen tests before attending (or hosting) a gathering or other event; if you test positive, cancel—or wear a good (N95) mask and gather outside if possible. Get your tests today! ([link removed])
Also, as a California resident, you can still get your insurance provider to reimburse you for at-home COVID-19 test purchases ([link removed]) , thanks to SB 510, passed in 2021. This provision lasts until November 11, so the window is closing fast—you can get covered for up to eight tests per person this month and eight per person next month.
And feel free to send this information ([link removed]) to anyone else you know who might need COVID-19 home tests.
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If you’re interested in participating in activities like drafting letters to our Members of Congress and developing our strategy for influencing them, the Indivisible SF Federal Working Group ([link removed]) is where it happens.
Indivisible SF Federal Working Group: Thursday, October 26, 7:30–9 PM. Planning meeting where we discuss strategy to influence our Members of Congress and the Biden administration to enact a progressive agenda. Meeting starts promptly at 7:30 PM. All are welcome. Register here ([link removed]) !
TODAY: Swing Left SF Bay Area Coalition Phone Bank: Wednesday, October 25 (and every Wednesday), 2:30–4:30 PM. Join Swing Left SF and the Bay Area Coalition to phone bank for all the key 2023 elections, as we organize swing states for key elections in 2023. RSVP here. ([link removed])
Join or Die Doc Screening & Community Involvement Fair: Thursday, October 26, 6:30–9:00 PM at the City Hope Community Center at 45 Olive St. Join filmmaker, Gentry Wilson, and community partner, City Hope, for a relaxed, welcoming screening of Pete and Rebecca Davis' acclaimed documentary, Join or Die - a film about why you should join a club, and why the fate of America depends on it. Admission is $10 - register here ([link removed]) !
True to Blue IN-PERSON Phone Bank for VA, OH, and CA: Saturday, October 28 (and every Saturday), 10:00–12:00 PM at 541 Castro Street. Join an in-person phone bank with the Bay Area Coalition to make calls to voters in key states for critical elections in 2023 and 2024. RSVP here. ([link removed])
Meet the Candidates: Dave Min for CA-47: Wednesday, Nov 1, 7:00–8:30 PM. The road to the House in 2024 lies through California. Join the SoCal MEET THE CANDIDATES Series to meet Dave Min, candidate for CA-47. RSVP here. ([link removed])
Meet the Candidates: Rudy Salas for CA-13: Monday, Nov 6, 7:00–8:30 PM. The road to the House in 2024 lies through California. Join the NorCal MEET THE CANDIDATES Series to meet Rudy Salas, candidate for CA-13. RSVP here. ([link removed])
** About this week’s photo
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If you’ve seen our newsletter posts on social media, you might have noticed that we include a photo or graphic with each issue.
Today’s graphic is a photo of the empty House Speaker’s chair by Anna Moneymaker for Getty Images ([link removed]) .
Keep Fighting,
The Indivisible SF Team ([link removed])
If you'd like to support our all-volunteer team:
DONATE HERE ([link removed])
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