We appreciate House Democrats like Minority Leader Jeffries, representatives Raskin, Ocasio-Cortez, Lieu, and Swalwell using their floor speeches to call out Republican colleagues who have advocated sedition. They are using their time wisely, since Republicans will be blocking almost all legislation that benefits a majority of Americans. In such times, stepping up implementation of crucial executive orders is our most effective means of making progress. It has been two years since President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting, and Indivisible National has joined nearly 100 civil rights and activist groups in writing to the Biden administration to call for more concerted action on its implementation.
We are seeing the results of Republicans’ decades of aggressive gerrymandering and other voter suppression techniques every day. At the federal level, MAGA extremist House Republicans are given key committee leadership positions. At the state level, in states the Republicans have captured, they are implementing further voter suppression aimed at younger voters, seniors, and the poor, making election administration more cumbersome, and intimidating election officials—all to further cement their permanent power against the will of the people.
Urge President Biden to make full implementation of his Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting a top priority in the final two years of this term. As he said in Selma commemorating the 58th anniversary of the “Bloody Sunday” voting rights march: “The right to vote and to have your vote counted is the threshold of democracy and liberty. With it, anything’s possible. Without it, without that right, nothing is possible. And this fundamental right remains under assault.”
Public comment to end penalties on SSI beneficiaries receiving food aid
Currently, around 5 million people who are impoverished, disabled, or seniors rely on the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI) administered by the Social Security Administration. This income amounts to $914 a month, but can be reduced by about a third if a beneficiary is receiving food aid. This is because food aid is considered “in-kind support and maintenance” (ISM).
The Social Security Administration is proposing a rule change that would remove food from ISM, so that SSI beneficiaries are not penalized for getting help with food.
Submit a Public Comment Directly at the Federal Register. Comments are due by April 17, 2023.
Lawyer and advocate Matthew Cortland made a blog post on Patreon explaining the details of this rule change and how to most effectively comment on it. Remember, comments written in your own words are the most effective.
Public comment on privacy rights in California
As required by the California Privacy Rights Act passed in 2020, California will implement and enforce regulations on businesses and organizations regarding the use of consumers’ personal information. Areas of regulation include cybersecurity audits, assessing the risk to consumers’ privacy, potential for algorithmic discrimination, and more. You can participate in the process of regulation by submitting your ideas in a public comment.
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) has issued an invitation for public comment and a description of the areas on which the public is asked to weigh in.
Comments are accepted by mail or email through 5 PM on Monday, March 27, 2023. See the CPPA website for details.
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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 is where it happens.
TODAY: Where does the Money Go w/ City Controller Ben Rosenfield: Wednesday, March 8, 6:30–7:30 PM at Manny’s (3092 16th St). Meet City Controller Ben Rosenfield as he walks constituents through the most recent budget for the city and county of San Francisco. He will spend the first half breaking down the budget and then it will be open for audience Q&A so come ready with your questions! RSVP and purchase a ticket on Eventbrite.
Indivisible SF Federal Working Group: Thursday, March 9, 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!
Swing Left East Bay Virtual Letter Writing Parties for Wisconsin: Saturday, March 11, 2:30 PM–4:30 PM. Vote Forward is launching its letter writing campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court election the week of February 20, so we'll be springing into action. Join Swing Left for a letter writing party, where we'll be writing letters using this award-winning, proven tactic to reach potential voters. RSVP on Mobilize.
Virtual Phone Banks to Flip the Wisconsin Supreme Court with Call 4 Change: Sunday, March 12, 3–5 PM. Phone Bank with Call 4 Change and help us flip the Supreme Court election Wisconsin in April. RSVP on Mobilize.
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If you’ve seen our newsletter posts on Twitter and Facebook, you might have noticed that we include a photo or graphic with each issue.
Today’s image is a graphic posted by The White House Twitter account memorializing the events of Bloody Sunday in Selma in 1965 and calling for the protection of voting rights.
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Keep Fighting,
The Indivisible SF Team
If you'd like to support our all-volunteer team:
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