March 26, 2024

Another GOP Speaker?, NBC hired an election denier, reproductive rights in MT, and more!

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• By phone: (202) 224-3121

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• REPUBLICANS THREATEN TO TOSS THEIR OWN SPEAKER… AGAIN
  Civil war advocate Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is starting her efforts at a “national divorce” by attempting a separation within her own party, filing a motion to vacate the chair during the House vote to avoid a government shutdown. Taylor Greene says we will not immediately trigger a vote but instead will leave the threat of removal looming over Speaker Johnson’s head for the foreseeable future. With the Republican majority sharply reduced by multiple members resigning in disgust, the margins of such a vote would be as narrow as they can get, and it is highly likely Johnson would need Democrats to hold his position much as he needed Democrats to keep the government open. If we have Democratic representatives, let’s urge them to demand significant and substantive concessions if they are asked to take action to clean up the GOP’s mess. If we’re represented by a Republican, let’s urge them to put country first for a change and cast their ballot for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker, since their party is clearly incapable of running the House.

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• ELECTION DENIER AS NEW NBC HIRE?

  Unfortunately, television news is supported by ads and ads are supported by viewers.  Having to compete with all other kinds of TV programming, news media has had to alter their goal from being deliverers of solid news to a vehicle that increases viewership by whatever means possible.  The result is not what we need or want.  Perhaps in an attempt to increase viewership from the right, NBC has hired Ronna McDaniel as a paid contributor.  McDaniel, the former chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and a defender of the former president  caused a quick rebuke.  Paying someone who openly agrees with the former president about undermining the electoral process does not sit well with most folks.  Let’s let NBC know how we feel about this new hire:  1)  Call NBC at 212-664-4444 and leave a voicemail for NBC News, 2) boycott NBC, 3) write a letter, and 4) tag NBC in your social media posts voicing your opinion.

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• PROTECT AI AND DEEPFAKE VICTIMS

  In a recent New York Times op ed, Nicholas Kristof writes about the problem of deepfake nude videos and photos. “One recent study,” he says, “found that 98 percent of deepfake videos online were pornographic and that 99 percent of those targeted were women or girls.” One of those girls, Francesca Mani, was just 14 when boys in her school made and circulated deepfake nude images of her and several other sophomore girls. She’s now 15, and she has created a website with resources for AI and deepfake victims. Let’s read this Guardian article about Francesca and her activism. And let’s tell our Members of Congress that the law should protect minors and nonconsenting individuals from exploitive deepfakes, which is why they should co-sponsor the Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act, H.R.3106.

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• GOOD NEWS FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS REFERENDUM IN MONTANA
  The Montana Supreme Court has rejected Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s effort to declare an abortion rights initiative legally insufficient, resolving a key obstacle to the referendum going before voters this November. There are however several steps remaining to secure ballot access, and once they are completed organizers will only have until June 21 to collect and submit more than 60,000 verified signatures to county election administrators. Let’s make sure we’re prepared to help. We can sign up to volunteer with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, who are leading the coalition, here and consider a donation if we’re able.

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• BE A VOTER

  Register to vote, check your registration, get election reminders here.  

  Make your plan to vote here.

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STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS

• DE - NO KID SHOULD GO HUNGRY
  Universal free school meals were one of the great pandemic success stories, feeding hungry kids at a time of economic instability and  increasing test scores while providing a boost to America’s farmers for only $11 billion a year more than the pre-COVID school meal programs. Unfortunately, that program came to a halt at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, despite widespread popularity. Eight states have stepped up to make universal free school meals permanent. Delaware could soon join them. The House Appropriations Committee is currently considering HB 125 to do just that. Let’s reach out to our legislators and  Governor Carney and tell them we want this program made law.

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