Our best chance to #StopTheShock is now at risk. Some House Representatives are pushing for a bill that would take away the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ability to ban devices like the one used to torture disabled people at the JRC. For years, our community has been advocating to the FDA about the need for a ban — this bill would take away their ability to listen and respond to our advocacy. With the clock ticking, we must convince the House that we won’t allow this torture to continue.

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is supposed to be a tool that tells the FDA and other Federal agencies what their budget is and how they can spend the money. The House is proposing a rider — an add-on to the bill — that says the FDA cannot ban a device that is used by court order. A court has already approved every use of the electric shock devices used by the Judge Rotenberg Center. That means that this bill text would stop the FDA from banning these devices, taking the choice to #StopTheShock out of the public’s hands after more than a decade of advocacy.

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies subcommittee will mark up this bill — including the rider stopping the FDA ban — TONIGHT . They’re trying to sneak this in without us noticing. They think they can avoid listening to the people they represent. Don’t let them.

Flood the lines - if your Representative [[link removed]] is not on the subcommittee (see the list below), call the subcommittee staff leads , Pam Miller (202-225-2638) and Martha Foley (202-225-3481).

You can use our script:

My name is [your full name], and I am from [your city]. I am a constituent of Representative [Name]. I’m calling to oppose Section 722 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This rider takes away the FDA’s ability to ban the use of electric skin shock for behavior modification. Only one institution in the country still uses electric shocks this way, and the UN found the practice to be torture in 2013. The FDA’s proposed rule to ban the devices this year received hundreds of public comments in support of the ban, and this bill would take that decision away. The House must make sure the people they represent are heard. Please do whatever you can to get this rider removed!

If your Representative [[link removed]] is on the subcommittee, call their office directly using the same script.

The members are:

* Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) – Chair: (202) 225-5311

* Rep. David Valadao (R-CA): (202) 225-4695

* Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI): (202) 225-3561

* Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA): (202) 225-5816

* Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA): (202) 225-8490

* Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA): (202) 225-5431

*Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA): (202) 225-2911

* Rep. Jerry Carl (R-AL): (202) 225-4931

* Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL): (202) 225-1252

* Rep. Sanford Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) – Ranking Member: (202) 225-3631

* Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME): (202) 225-6116

* Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL): (202) 225-2976

* Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH): (202) 225-4146

* Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA): (202) 225-2661

* Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL): (202) 225-7931

Use this script to contact your Representative:

My name is [your full name], and I am from [your city]. I am a constituent of Representative [Name]. I’m calling to ask Representative [Name] to oppose Section 722 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This rider takes away the FDA’s ability to ban the use of electric skin shock for behavior modification. Only one institution in the country still uses electric shocks this way, and the UN found the practice to be torture in 2013. The FDA’s proposed rule to ban the devices this year received hundreds of public comments in support of the ban, and this bill would take that decision away. The House must make sure the people they represent are heard. Can I count on Representative [Name] to oppose this rider?

If you need help calling, comment with your name + the person you want contacted here [[link removed]] and ask for someone to call on your behalf. It is vital that we call TODAY.

Once you’re done calling, you can email using our tool here [[link removed]] . If your Representative is on the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration subcommittee, email their office directly! If your Representative is not on this subcommittee, you can email the subcommittee staff leads. Our tool will automatically email the right people for you. Then, get the word out by sharing on social media!

Our community can’t wait — we must push toward ending this torturous practice of shocks as behavioral control. Your advocacy will make sure we #StopTheShock for good. Thank you for taking action today!


Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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