Texas CPC Network Spreads to Louisiana

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** CfA's April 19, 2024 Newsletter
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With your support, Campaign for Accountability is working to expose corruption and hold the powerful accountable.


** This Week's Updates:
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Anti-Abortion Contractor Rejected by Iowa Seeks Funding in Louisiana
Last week, Iowa restructured a program ([link removed]) that directed taxpayer dollars to crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) because it was unable to find a qualified administrator – hardly a surprising outcome, given that CPCs operate outside ofmainstream medicine ([link removed]) and are typically not licensed healthcare facilities ([link removed]) . One of the applicants rejected by the state was the newly-formed Iowa Pregnancy Network ([link removed]) (IPC), which is affiliated with another anti-abortion organization called the Texas Pregnancy Care Network (TPCN). IPC’s application contained serious issues that were “not capable of
correction”— according to documents ([link removed]) obtained by Iowa Public Radio—and omitted information about the nonprofit’s organizational structure and timeline for deliverables.

The faulty application was submitted by John McNamara, who serves as TPCN’s Executive Director and has overseen the distribution of hundreds of millions of dollars ([link removed]) to Texas CPCs with minimal oversight ([link removed]) . In 2021, TPCN gave $1,020,960 to a CPC that redirected the funds ([link removed]) to out-of-state trips, limousines, and a smoke shop. The TPCN-linked Oklahoma Pregnancy Care Network was also audited ([link removed]) in 2022, and was found to be “seriously underperforming.” Meanwhile, in Louisiana, McNamara has just registered the “Louisiana Pregnancy Care Network” with the Secretary of State’s Office and appears to be lobbying
lawmakers ([link removed]) in support of legislation ([link removed]) that would channel state CPC funding through a third-party administrator.
Big Tech Plays Hardball in Vermont
This week, VTDigger’s Sarah Mearhoff reported ([link removed]) that tech companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and AirBnB had contracted over 20 lobbyists in Vermont, as the state inches closer to passing bills concerning data privacy ([link removed]) and children’s online safety ([link removed]) . Those efforts appear to be paying off; both the Vermont Data Privacy Bill and the Vermont Kids Code have been stalled by lawmakers, who say they’re concerned with the burden such legislation could place on small businesses.

Now, some representatives are calling foul. Rep. Monique Priestley, who played a major role in drafting the data protection bill, believes that industry forces have sabotaged the policymaking process. In an interview with Mearhoff, Priestley cited TTP’s 2021 report titled Big Tech’s Go-To Defense: Hiding Behind Small Business ([link removed]) , which highlighted tech-backed nonprofits like the Connected Commerce Council (C3). C3 claims to be a small business organization, but allows itself to be used as a lobbying tool for Big Tech, and has advocated on behalf of ([link removed]) companies like Amazon and Google that are known for ([link removed]) squeezing ([link removed]) small businesses. Mearhoff noted that C3
has retained four contract lobbyists in Vermont, where one of its representatives recently appeared ([link removed]) before state lawmakers to lobby against the data privacy bill.
Monetized Pro-Nazi Content Thriving on X
On Tuesday, NBC news reported ([link removed]) that over 150 pro-Nazi accounts had paid X for premium services and were using their accounts to spread hate speech and conspiracy theories, along with clips of Adolf Hitler. While this content violates X’s policies, the platform neglected to perform enforcement, even when the posts racked up millions of views. X owner Elon Musk has already lost advertisers ([link removed]) due to his own antisemitic comments, and recently intervened ([link removed]) on behalf of a well-known neo-Nazi cartoonist by locking and suspending the accounts of journalists who revealed his identity.

X may not be breaking any laws by hosting neo-Nazi accounts, but its other content moderation failures could bring serious consequences. In February, TTP reported ([link removed]) that X may have violated U.S. law by providing paid, premium services to sanctioned entities. These entities included the leaders of terrorist organizations, like the Lebanon-based Hezbollah, as well as Russian and Iranian state media outlets.
What We're Reading
Consumer health information: Handle with (extreme) care ([link removed])
Emergency rooms refused to treat pregnant women, leaving one to miscarry in a lobby restroom ([link removed])
Whistleblower says Boeing should stop production of 787 Dreamliner due to safety issue ([link removed])


** Follow Our Work:
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We thank you for your continued support. Without people like you, our work would not be possible.

Here is how you can stay involved and help us accomplish our mission:
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Be on the lookout for more updates about our work in the upcoming weeks. Thanks again for signing up to be a part of CfA!

Sincerely,

Michelle Kuppersmith
Executive Director, Campaign for Accountability

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