#Federal Programs / State Programs

[cleverclovers]

Hey, if you're on the ACP (Affordable connectivity program) in the USA, please read this

I received an email this evening from my broadband provider. Here's screenshots, and I'll copy paste the text, as well. TL;DR at the end of the post.

"Important ACP Update

Dear Valued Astound Broadband Customer: On January 11, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will end in a few months unless the US federal government provides additional funds for the program. The FCC is requiring ACP providers like Astound Broadband (Astound) to inform ACP participants about the potential end of the ACP.¹

What Happens Now

You should begin to review your options.

•  If you are an Astound ACP customer on or before February 7, 2024, you will continue to receive the up-to $30 ACP benefit to your ACP-supported internet services until the end of the ACP so long as you continue to be eligible to participate in ACP and remain an Astound customer.²

•  After February 7, 2024, the ACP will not accept new or re-enrolled ACP participants and you may not be able to transfer your ACP benefit to another ACP provider.³

What Happens if the ACP Ends

If the ACP ends, you will no longer receive the up-to $30 per month ACP benefit and other Astound promotional credits for your internet services and, in the final month of the ACP, you may not receive the full up-to $30 per month ACP benefit and other Astound promotional credits for your internet services. If you continue to receive Astound internet services after the ACP ends, the full undiscounted rate for your service will apply or there may be the option to select an alternate package. Additional information will be coming soon regarding your future package options.

The FCC will provide more information on the status of the ACP in the coming weeks, and Astound will provide you with further updates.

If you have questions about the ACP, please contact the Universal Service Administrative Company ACP Support Center at [phone] or visit www.fcc.gov/acp or https://affordableconnectivity.gov/ for more information. In the meantime, thank you for being a valued customer. We look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,

Astound Broadband Team"

the footnotes I forgot to screen cap are thus:

"¹Astound Broadband refers to the following ACP participating entities operating in separate service areas throughout the US: RCN Telecom Services, LLC; RCN Telecom Services (Lehigh) LLC; RCN Telecom Services of Philadelphia, LLC; RCN Telecom Services of Massachusetts, LLC; ETS Telephone Company, Inc.; Grande Communications Networks, LLC; and WaveDivision Holdings, LLC.

²The ACP is a US federal government benefit program operated by the FCC that reduces one eligible household’s broadband Internet service bill by up to $30 per month. Without incurring a termination fee, at any time, a household may apply the ACP benefit to any broadband Internet service plan available in the area, at the same terms available to households not eligible for ACP, or a household may transfer the ACP benefit to another provider or opt-out of the program. If the ACP benefit does not completely cover the cost of your home and/or mobile internet services, you must make monthly payments to your ACP-supported broadband Internet services. If the ACP benefit covers the full retail rate of your home and/or mobile internet services, you must use your Internet services at least once every 30 days. If the ACP ends, if the household transfers its ACP benefit to another provider but continues to receive Astound Broadband Internet service, or if de-enrolled from the ACP, the full, undiscounted retail rate and general terms and conditions of service apply.

³If the ACP does not receive additional funds, after February 7, 2024, ACP providers are not required to allow ACP households to transfer their ACP benefit from other ACP providers."

This is a link to the PDF fact sheet from the FCC regarding the ACP wind down

TL;DR:

In April, 2024, it's expected that the fund that makes low cost or free access to the internet possible for low income families and individuals, and college students on pell grants, will run out, without federal intervention. People on the program will loose that financial support, and internet may no longer be a thing people with restricted incomes can afford. Pressure needs to be put on the federal government so that people who rely on the internet for work and education, or even just access to friends and family, can continue to have that access.

The pandemic taught us that the internet is a vital resource that people need access to. A lot of us disabled people already knew that, having fought for work from home/school from home options for years, only receiving them finally during lockdown. Access to the internet has greatly improved most of our lives, and we can't lose that now.

If you know you need the financial support to have cheaper internet, you have until the 7th of February to get your application approved by the FCC, and your provider set up with that information, to give you a little relief until April. Take. that. opportunity.

I have not, as yet, received any indication from other low income support programs, like Social Security, utility discount programs, or food stamps, being cut. I'm keeping an eye out.

I'll update this post in reblogs as I get more information going forward.

#affordable connectivity program #internet service #low income #disability #accessibility #poverty #united states federal low income support #united states politics #united states #federal government

[comergpure5]

Join the discussion on cannabis legalization with our comprehensive article, complete with a detailed list of where cannabis is legal in the U.S. Explore the nuances of state laws and share your insights with the community. Don't miss out on this valuable resource. #CannabisDiscussion #LegalizationGuide #JoinTheConversation 🌿🗣️

#cannabis legalization #state regulations #taxation systems #social equity programs #cannabis industry #marijuana laws #federal vs. state conflict #public health initiatives #employment laws #labor regulations #advocacy groups #industry associations #legal status #state-by-state guide #PURE5™ #cannabis processing equipment

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

During his Tampa visit, the President will contrast his commitment to protecting and strengthening Medicare and Social Security and lowering prescription drug prices, with Congressional Republicans’ plans to cut these programs President Biden has taken action to strengthen Medicare and protect Social Security – bedrock programs that Americans have paid into and that tens of millions of seniors depend on to support their livelihoods. Congressional Republicans, however, have a different record. For years, Republican Members of Congress have repeatedly tried to cut Medicare and Social Security, move toward privatizing one or both programs, and raise the Social Security retirement age and Medicare eligibility age. And just last week, House Republicans introduced legislation to repeal President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which would give tens of billions of dollars in subsidies back to Big Pharma, raise seniors’ prescription drug prices, and raise taxes on an estimated 14.5 million people – all while increasing the deficit. In Tampa, Florida today, President Biden will highlight the work his Administration is doing to protect and strengthen Medicare and Social Security, while Republican Members of Congress continue to push plans that would undermine these programs and the economic security of millions of their constituents. CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS’ LONG RECORD OF WORKING TO CUT MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY:

• Senator Mike Lee said: “One thing that you probably haven’t ever heard from a politician: it will be my objective to phase out Social Security. To pull it up by the roots, and get rid of it.”

• In November, John Thune, the number two Senate Republican in leadership, declared that Social Security and Medicare benefits should be slashed.

• Florida Senator Rick Scott is championing a plan to put Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security on the chopping block every five years, which would put the health and economic security of 63 million Medicare beneficiaries, 69 million Medicaid beneficiaries and 65 million Social Security beneficiaries at risk. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin proposed sunsetting these laws every year.

• The Republican Study Committee – which includes a majority of House Republicans – released a formal budget that, according to Politico, included “raising the eligibility ages for each program, along with withholding payments for individuals who retire early or had a certain income, and privatized funding for Social Security to lower income taxes.”

• And in 2015, most House Republicans, including Speaker McCarthy, Rep. Scalise, and a host of others in current leadership, voted to raise the retirement age to 70, which would cut Social Security benefits for tens of millions of seniors who paid into the system for years.

REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE PROPOSED MAKING HEALTH CARE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS MORE EXPENSIVE: Last week, Republicans in the House proposed repealing the Inflation Reduction Act, including its health care provisions. And, just yesterday, Republicans on the House Budget Committee floated a proposal to repeal the health care provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act. Here’s what that would mean for working families across the country and in Florida: • A 62-year-old in Tampa earning $55,000 would see their premium increase by $7,000 per year.

• 14.5 million Americans nationwide will pay higher health insurance premiums and see a tax increase.

• Everyone with Medicare will see higher drug prices if Medicare cannot negotiate the price of drugs.

• Tens of billions of dollars will go right back to Big Pharma, which will increase the deficit.

• 3.3 million Medicare beneficiaries who use insulin will no longer have the peace of mind of knowing that their insulin is capped at $35.

• Millions of seniors will no longer be able to get recommended vaccines for free.

• Drug companies could go back to increasing drug prices faster than inflation with no accountability, which happened for 1,200 prescription drugs last year.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS CALLED FOR PROTECTING MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY, AND LOWERING HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR WORKING FAMILIES:

In this week’s State of the Union, President Biden vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare and build on the progress we’ve made in lowering health care costs for millions of seniors and American families. Through President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act:

• Seniors are paying no more than $35 per month for an insulin prescription. If this law had been in effect in 2020, over 90,000 Floridians would have saved an average of $476.

• Seniors are able to get recommended vaccines for free, saving many seniors hundreds of dollars.

• Seniors’ out of pocket prescription drug costs will be capped at $2000 per year – benefitting over a million Medicare beneficiaries and cancer patients paying skyrocketing prices for prescription drugs each year.

• An estimated 14.5 million Americans are saving on health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act. Over 3.2 million Floridians signed up for coverage this year.

• Drug companies will have to pay Medicare a rebate if they raise their prices faster than inflation. Today, the Department of Health and Human Services is announcing next steps for implementing this key provision of the President’s prescription drug law, which will lower drug costs for millions of Americans.

And President Biden wants to build on this historic progress. In his State of the Union Address, the President has called on Congress to:

• Commit to taking cuts to Social Security and Medicare off the table.

• Expand the insulin cap in the Inflation Reduction Act, so all Americans can benefit from insulin being capped at $35 for a month’s supply.

• Make permanent the ACA tax credits that – thanks to President Biden’s prescription drug law – are lowering health insurance premiums for an estimated 14.5 million people, and close the Medicaid coverage gap to benefit more than 1 million Floridians.

#us politics #news #the white house #2023 #president joe biden #biden administration #fact sheet #state of the union #118th congress #social security #medicare #raising the retirement age #sunset federal programs #Inflation Reduction Act #us house of representatives #sen. mike lee #sen. john thune #sen. rick scott #sen. ron johnson #Republican Study Committee #rep. steve scalise #rep. kevin mccarthy #House Budget Committee #us healthcare #lower health insurance costs #lower prescription drug prices #Florida #affordable care act

[toaster-boi]

UH

VERY BAD NEWS

a texas republican just introduced a bill to our state legislature that, if passed, would """authorize""" a statewide independence referendum

i gotta get out of here

#toaster thoughts #texas politics #us politics #texas #politics #secession #not only would it be treason #we'd lose medicare #we'd lose FEMA #every federal program #would be forced out of the state

[catboydivorce]

Since i moved out of my apartment, i had to have a financial review with social security about my benefits, and it looks like I’m going to receive less while I temporarily stay with my parents until i can get all my medical shit handled & find a new place). I was really hoping I’d be able to save a few hundred bucks to cover medical expenses, maybe a little more to help me get back on my feet when I’m ready to move again, finally find work, and be free from the govt prying into my bank account.

but of course they can’t let that happen. the govt can’t possibly spare 900 bucks on one blind bitch, so they have to take more away.  My biggest problem when living in Salem was inaccessibility; no audio walk signals makes it really unsafe for a visually impaired person to cross a street, as you can imagine.

people who work get unemployment and that’s great and all but i’ve been unemployed since 2019, receiving a little over $900 a month with no other source of income, documented or otherwise, except for when i begged for money online to help cover the cost of my root canal...

so many things in my life rn could be solved with a little more money. I could choose to live in a place with safe crosswalks and abundant public transportation. maybe 300 extra bucks per month would let me do that, but the maximum a person can receive through the SSI Blind program per month doesn’t exceed $950 or so.

i feel like i’m drowning. I try to keep my chin up but at this point in my life I can’t help but wonder if it will always be this way.

#rook.txt #the state supplementary program is how i get 900 #the federal deposit is more like $750 or smth #so i'm lucky to live here but it is NOT ENOUGH #PS: as much as this reads like a donation post it isn't one #i'm good for now I'm just a little worried <3

[404-usersnotfound]

Privatized medicaid is of the devil. "Privatized medicaid" say that again slowly. Why am I fighting with a private for-profit corporation to access medical care that I am entitled to by law? To access a government benefit??

#the federal gov shouldn't allow states to do this #they should stop funding states that hand over the program to corps

[minnesotafollower]

Problems in U.S. Asylum System Help Promote Increases in U.S. Immigration

A lengthy Wall Street Journal article provides details on the well-known promotion of increases in U.S. immigration by the many problems in the U.S. asylum system. Here then is a summary of the basic U.S. law of asylum, the current U.S. system for administering such claims and a summary of the current problems with such administration. The Basic Law of Asylum On July 2, 1951, an international…

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#asylum law #Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees #Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees #REAL ID Act of 2005 #refugee law #U.S. asylum officers #U.S. Board of Asylum Appeals #U.S. Congress #U.S. federal courts #U.S. immigration judges #U.S. Office of the Chief Immigration Judge #U.S. Refugee Act of 1980 #U.S. State Department’s U.S. Refugee Admissions Program #U.S.-Mexico border

[twtsc]

School Board Approves New CATE Computers, Power Easements at New High School

By: Jeremy Handel, Staff [email protected] The Career and Technical Education (CATE) program in Woodruff will be getting new computers after the District Four Board of Trustees approved the purchase at their February meeting. The Board also approved an easement for Duke Energy at the new high school site to ease future equipment relocations and repairs. The CATE program…

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#Athletic and Academic Achievements #CATE Program Updates #Community Engagement Activities #Duke Energy Easement Agreement #Federal and State Education Funding #Public School Board Meetings #School Capital Improvements #School Infrastructure Investments #Technology in Education #Woodruff School District

[roseband]

me trying to aggressively google if history of disability determined by a government education agency applies to my decade of services for 55-a civil service cuz literally nothing is clear online???? but it also has "history of disability" and "determined by dept of education" as criteria

and also like there's a city graphic design position open in my neighborhood that has 55-a preference, and if i could snag an interview before other ppl have to take the exam (which... im a multiple choice test qwweeeeeen so i wouldn't be worried about the test but skipping the test line,, hmmmmmm)

#personal #i wish this shit was clearer LMAO i'll just apply normal and if i get an interview i'll ask them LOLOLOL #i mean three government agencies confirmed my dyspraxia and also two non profits #federal when i was a peewee... mass state when i was a peewee and then ny state for most of services #and my evals were done at ucp and yai #I JUST REALLY WANT A CITY JOB I WANT THAT CITY HEALTH INSURANCE #and i want to pay into a pension program instead of a 401k LMAO #like MAN my mom's health insurance was SOOOOOO good i miss it a little #i mean my health insurance is rlly good and my fiance like is super happy to get on it #but it's not city teacher (or city graphic designer) health insurance LOL

[cat-eye-nebula]

I love these videos about Full Disclosure and other topics around ETs, positive earth-alliance, fake Bible gods, advanced technologies, the Deep State/Cabal. These things are connected.

#Full disclosure will transform life on earth into a Star Trek era #video #elena danaan #ET contactee #dr michael salla #full disclosure #deep state #secret space program #anunnaki #exopolitics today #galactic federation #UFOs

[cruisechaser-blassty]

"states' rights" is like, maybe one of the worst things in the US

#faecat.txt #yeah yeah more local government or whatever but #please explain to me why medicaid should be managed by states while being a federal program #same goes for snap too #tell me why moving from one state to another has to mean re-proving your identity and taking a written test to get a driver's license #dipshits love citing chicago as proof that gun laws don't work when indiana is RIGHT NEXT DOOR and has notoriously shitty gun laws #you can buy legal weed an hour from my house but cops try to catch people bringing it into the WEED BIG ILLEGAL state #50 different sets of rules for literally anything you can think of #it makes me feel like an insane person #i'm moving so i'm thinking on it more but like i live close enough to at least 5 different states to visit and return home in a day

[moniquill]

Here is a brief summary of what is happening in Wikipedia right now:

In the last few years (3-4 years) the WikiProject Indigenous peoples of North America, which was originally created to improve the quality and coverage of native issues and native articles on wikipedia, has been hijacked by a small number of users with an extremist agenda. They have been working diligently over the last few years to change the definition of both what it means to be an Indigenous American and even what it means to be state and federally recognized.

The four or five key players (Mainly Editor Yuchitown, Bohemian Baltimore, ARoseWolf, (now retired editor CorbieVreccan, Netherzone and Oncamera) who are part of the “Native American Articles Improvement Project” started implementing these changes slowly, but they started pursuing their goals aggressively after November 2023, when state-recognized tribes retained their voting rights in NCAI. Essentially, after the movement to delegitimize state-recognized tribes failed officially, the key players doubled down on altering and controlling the flow of information about Native Americans through Wikipedia.

The talk page of Lily Gladstone’s article has a relevant discussion here. Initially, the leaders of the WikiProject removed any reference to her being a “Native American Actress” and instead had her as “Self-identifying as Blackfoot” and “Self-identifying as Nez Perce” because her blood quantum was too low to be enrolled in either tribe.

You can see some of the discussion here:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Lily_Gladstone

Eventually they relented and changed her category to being “Of Nez Perce Descent” but you can see in the discussion that they are referring to an article that these editors (Yuchitown, Bohemian Baltimore, and CorbieVreccan) themselves appeared to have mostly written and revised:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_identity_in_the_United_States

This statement is very much at odds with even the government’s description, as seen below;

The DOJ Office of Tribal Justice Office on their webpage “Frequently Asked Questions About Native American”, question “Who is an American Indian or Alaskan Native” states:

“As a general principle, an Indian is a person who is of some degree Indian blood and is recognized as an Indian by a Tribe and/or the United States. No single federal or tribal criterion establishes a person's identity as an Indian. Government agencies use differing criteria to determine eligibility for programs and services. Tribes also have varying eligibility criteria for membership.”

In addition, “List” pages have been created on Wikipedia for federally and state recognized tribes. The Wikipedia “List” page for state-recognized tribes is inaccurate in its interpretation of state recognition and not supported by expert reliable sources--(1) Cohen’s Handbook of Federal Indian Law 2012 edition, (2) NCSL.org current stand on state recognition (not the archived list from 2017 which NCSL no longer supports), (3) Koenig & Stein’s paper “Federalism and the State Recognition of Native American Tribes: a survey of state-recognized tribes and state recognition processes across the United States” (both 2008 & updated 2013 in book “ Recognition, sovereignty struggles, and indigenous rights in the United States: A sourcebook”)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State-recognized_tribes_in_the_United_States

State-recognized tribes who have received recognition through less formal but acceptable means have been moved from the Wikipedia list page on state-recognized tribes to the Wikipedia list page of unrecognized or self-identifying organizations.

The Wiki page "List of organizations that self-identify as Native American tribes", in particular, is being used to purposely defame legitimate Native American individuals who are members of the tribes/Native communities that are on this list. 

By the parameters set up on Wikipedia, only the colonizer’s governments can acknowledge who is Native American through either federal recognition or state recognition. If an individual is not a member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, then it is determined that they cannot be Native American and are, instead, considered “self-identifying” or only “a descendant of ...” (example Lily Gladstone). As a result, Native individuals are currently being tagged as “self-identifying” and their names are put on “list” pages that strongly imply they are “pretend” Indians.

These editors have indicated that they would like “self-identification” to be the default setting for any people who they deem do not fit within the parameters that they themselves created within Wikipedia.

Moreof, these editors are admin and senior editors within the Wikiproject Indigenous Peoples of North America, and are being called in specifically to weigh on Native Identity, and any project involving any Indigenous Group.

Any attempt to correct misinformation, add information, or change any of these articles is often met with being blocked, reported for various offenses, or reported for having a Conflict of Interest, whether or not that is actually applicable. They have use this strategically in many different pages for many different individuals and groups within the scope of their Wikiprojects.

While changing things in Wikipedia does not change the truth, it is a way to control how most people take in information, and thus they hope to manipulate the narrative to better suit their goals.

This is quick and messy but:

Here is a link to the google document with the other state recognized tribes (Including yours) that were edited by these editors. This is an incomplete list so far that only goes back to September 2023 but I am going to add to it. If you can add to your own part of this list, and send your complaints and information to the arbitrator committee (the email is below) with the involved editors, this will help our case.

The  more tribes who complain, and the more Wikipedia editors complain, the better our case will be. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YNDEjLTrrZ_mMIRCVxtvt69FwCYpJWKs71lBhWa5a9M/edit?usp=sharing

The place to make complaints on Wikipedia is oversight-en-wpwikipedia.org , and

arbcom-enwikimedia.org . It is most helpful to have an editing account on Wikipedia, because Yuchitown and the others will try to defend themselves using Wikipedia methodology and make anyone who confronts them look like the aggressor (see the other tribes who tried to fight back on Wikipedia I found).

The more people and tribes make complaints the more likely it is that this will work and we can rid ourselves of these monsters.

Some of the tribes I have spoken to are taking legal action against these editors. Any groups affected by their policies should also reach out to the news to make knowledge of this more widespread.

Thank you

- quoted with permission from an email sent by an associate of my tribe. Message me for their email address if you'd like to reach out to them.

#indigenous #intertribal infighting #state recognized tribes #seaconke Wampanoag #our chief and first councilman were at NCAI and there was ver nearly physical violence about this issue #Seaconke Wampanoag is recognized in MA and currently pursuing recognition by RI #like we gave active bills in tge state house

[ctbraininjurysupportservice-blog]

Dear CT DSS and COU,

As a provider of waiver services for the Money Follows the Person (MFP) and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) programs, ABI resources is reaching out to request information regarding the steps consumers must take to officially change their care managers. Your guidance in this matter would be greatly appreciated, as we aim to have a clear understanding of the process.

To help us have a comprehensive understanding of the procedures involved, kindly provide details on the following aspects:

The necessary forms or paperwork to be completed by the consumers, if any.

The appropriate channels or points of contact for consumers to submit the required documentation.

The expected timeframe for processing the change request and the potential impact, if any, on the clients' current services.

Any additional steps or considerations that consumers should be aware of during this process to ensure a seamless transition.

We appreciate your support in providing this information, as it will allow us to better understand the process and ensure that our practices align with the proper procedures. If possible, please provide any resources or guidance materials that could be helpful in understanding and completing the process.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. I look forward to receiving your response and any additional information you can provide.

Sincerely,

ABI Resources

All the best, David Medeiros

waiver services, Money Follows the Person, Acquired Brain Injury, programs, provider, request, information, steps, consumers, change, care managers, guidance, process, understanding, procedures, aspects, forms, paperwork, channels, points of contact, documentation, timeframe, processing, request, impact, clients' services, additional steps, considerations, seamless transition, resources, clarification, email address, phone number, Organization, 4/24/2023

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#Peacemakers #One Vision #Federal Programs / State Programs #Steps for Consumers to Officially Change Care Managers in MFP and ABI Waiver Programs. #This email requests information about the steps consumers must take to change their care managers within the Money Follows the Person (MFP) #MFP PROGRAM #Informed Choice and Its Implications for Connecticut's ABI Waiver and MFP Programs #Explore the importance of informed choice in healthcare and its implications for Connecticut's Acquired Brain Injury Waiver and Money Follo #untitled image #ABI Waiver Program #Brain Injury Day Groups: Beneficial to Healthcare Agencies or Harming Clients? #Explore the benefits and drawbacks of brain injury day groups for healthcare agencies and clients #as we discuss their efficacy #cost-effect #The Importance of Informed Choice in Achieving Free Choice in Healthcare. MFP ABI #Informed choice is essential in achieving free choice in healthcare #allowing patients to make decisions that align with their values #prefe #Conservator #Home-based Healing: Revolutionize Your Care with Home-Based Support Services #Discover the transformative power of home-based healing #offering personalized care #holistic health practices #and stress reduction techniq #Neuro Knowledge #Take a 2-Minute Journey: Experience Sensory Overload. Brain Injury #Can you imagine watching the entire video at full volume #while feeling utterly exhausted and battling a severe headache? Would you like peo #Sensory Overload: The Hidden Obstacle to Brain Injury Recovery #Explore the negative effects of sensory overload on brain injury recovery

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) on Wednesday defended his proposal to sunset all federal legislation after five years and slammed President Biden as “confused” in response to Biden’s claim at the State of the Union address that some Republicans want to sunset Social Security and Medicare.

“In my plan, I suggested the following: All federal legislation sunsets in five years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again,” Scott said in a statement following Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress.

Scott last year rankled Republicans when he rolled out a 12-point policy agenda that included the sunset proposal, which Democrats promptly began using as ammunition in the midterms. “This is clearly and obviously an idea aimed at dealing with all the crazy new laws our Congress has been passing of late,” Scott added, denying Biden’s claim Tuesday evening that Republicans want to end Social Security and Medicare. Biden said that “instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset,” eliciting loud boos from GOP lawmakers in the chamber. Some House Republicans have floated the idea of reforms to "entitlement programs" as part of debt ceiling negotiations, though Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and others insist cuts aren’t on the table. Speaking over the raucous response, the President insisted, “Anybody who doubts it, contact my office, I’ll give you a copy — I’ll give you a copy of the proposal.” “It is being proposed by individuals. I’m politely not naming them, but it’s being proposed by some of you,” Biden said.

That barb infuriated Scott, the former chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who called the claim “a lie” and “a dishonest move … from a very confused President.” “I will not be intimidated by Joe Biden twisting my words,” he declared and pushed back by arguing that Democrats effectively cut Medicare when they gave the federal government power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices in the Inflation Reduction Act.

He says that will lead to less money going to pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs and therapies.

Scott argues that his plan anticipates that Congress would quickly renew popular programs such as Medicare and Social Security — as well as defense programs — before they have a chance to sunset. “Does he think I also intend to get rid of the U.S. Navy? Or the Border Patrol? Or air traffic control, maybe? This is the fake, gotcha BS that people hate about Washington. I’ve never advocated cutting Social Security or Medicare and never would,” Scott said.

#us politics #news #the hill #2023 #118th congress #state of the union #sen. rick scott #biden administration #president joe biden #social security #social security cuts #medicare cuts #medicare #national debt #debt ceiling #Inflation Reduction Act #lower prescription drug prices #sunset federal programs #us senate

[batboyblog]

2024 Senate Elections: You'd Better VOTE!

Yes it's election year yet again in America! but not just for President, almost as important will be the US Senate!

I'm not gonna lie this is a rough map for Democrats, we're playing a lot of defense in some pretty red states with even our best hopes for a pick up being pretty long shots. But even with narrow control of the Senate we've managed the biggest climate bill in American History a huge infrastructure bill thats bring high speed rail to America capped the price of insulin changed the law to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices bring savings to everyone, and put over 160 federal judges on the bench, 2/3rds of whom are women and/or people of color the first time white men haven't been the majority of nominees by a President. So let's keep progress going by voting for, supporting, donating, and volunteering for the following candidates in the races that will decide the US Senate this year.

Arizona

Ruben Gallego (Hold)

After frustrating Democrats by repeatedly voting against major Democratic priorities, supporting the filibuster and putting donors over voters, Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema left the Democratic Party to become an independent in 2022. Democratic congressman Ruben Gallego was running to primary Sinema before she left the party and is now the likely Democratic nominee to unseat her and give Arizona the Democratic Senator it deserves. Gallego is a former Marine, combat veteran, Harvard grad, a former state representative, and since 2014 a member of Congress. Gallego is a member of the Progressive Caucus and is known for his blunt and combative style standing up to Republicans. In Congress Gallego has been a strong supporter of native rights advocating for tribes on health care and child welfare issues. Gallego is also the sponsor of a bill to bring about nation wide, free, all-day kindergarten which isn't available in many states. If elected Gallego would be Arizona's first hispanic Senator. Republicans hope that the Democratic vote will split between Sinema and Gallego allowing them to win this important seat. The Republican front runner is conspiracy theorist and Trump super fan, Kari Lake. Lake rose to national fame in 2021 for pushing conspiracy theories about Trump having won the 2020 election, as well as anti-mask and anti-vaccine Covid conspiracies. Lake was the Republican nominee for Arizona governor in 2022. During that campaign she ran on an aggressive anti-LGBT platform, saying she'd ban drag, and was against trans rights. Lake also is against Abortion in all cases. After losing to Democrat Katie Hobbs, Lake refused to concede, and still pushes the conspiracy theory that she's the rightful governor of Arizona. If you live in Arizona please make sure you vote, but more if you have any time between now and November, volunteer to help Gallego! and if you don't live there you can still Donate or buy a pro-choice shirt from his campaign!

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Florida

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (Flip)

Florida's current Republican Senator Rick Scott is a right wing extremist pushing dangerous ideas even by the standards of the Modern GOP. During his first term as Senator Scott has pushed to defund the IRS, and the Department of Education. He's sponsored bills to punish schools that allow students to use preferred pronouns, to ban affirmative action, bans teaching critical race theory, and ban trans people from women's sports. Scott is against abortion in all cases. Most alarming Rick Scott proposed a radical plan that would "sun-set" ANY and all federal laws after 5 years, including Social Security and Medicare, Scott would place all federal programs and agencies on the chopping block every 5 years for a radical Republican minority to block their renewal and leave us without Social Security, or the EPA, to name just two examples. The likely Democratic nominee is former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Born in Ecuador, Mucarsel-Powell immigrated to the US when she was 14 and had work to help support her family. When she was elected to Congress in 2018 she became the first South American born immigrant and first person of Ecuadorian heritage to be elected to Congress. In Congress Mucarsel-Powell was a member of the Progressive caucus, she fought to expand medicare, and secured $200 million for Everglades restoration. After a narrow defeat in 2020 Mucarsel-Powell joined the gun control advocacy group Giffords to fight for gun control a personal issue for her after her father was murdered when she was 24. If you're in Florida please make sure you vote, and Volunteer to help remove on of the most extreme Senators, If you're not in Florida you can help Debbie win by donating.

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Michigan

Elissa Slotkin (hold)

Long time Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow is retiring this election, so there will be a tough fight for control of this important swing state Senate seat. The likely Democratic nominee is Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. Slotkin is a former CIA analyst, after retiring from the CIA she worked in the State and Defense departments during the Obama administration. Slotkin was first elected to Congress in 2018 winning and being re-elected in a tough swing district. In Congress she's fought for common sense gun control, supported the cap on insulin prices and Medicare drug price negotiation, she helped pass a law on drug price transparency, she championed the CHIP act to bring high tech manufacturing jobs back to America, and was a big supporter of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Slotkin is centering a pro-choice message in her campaign as well as gun control and bring down medical costs. Who the Republicans will pick isn't totally clear, it seems like it's between Former Congressman Mike Rogers and former Detroit Police chief James Craig. Craig ran for Michigan governor in 2022 before he was disqualified for fraudulent signatures on his nominating petition. Craig has listed cutting off US support to Ukraine as one of his top priorities, and endorsed Trump's 3rd run for President early in the primaries. Mike Rogers is also trying to win over Trump voters and has attacked the rights of LGBT students in schools calling it "social engineering". If you live in Michigan make sure to get out and vote, and also volunteer! And for everyone outside the state you can donate or buy some merch.

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Montana

Jon Tester (re-elect)

In most contexts Montana is a deep red state going for Trump in 2020 57% to 40%. This makes the reelection of Montana's only Democratic member of Congress and only statewide elected Democrat, Jon Tester maybe the toughest election for Democrats this year. A Senator since he was first elected in 2006 Tester has won a series of upset wins in Montana over the years. A 3rd generation farmer Tester has been as strong for small farmers and ranchers in Washington. Tester has always been a champion of accountably and transparency in government pushing ethnics and campaign finance reforms. Tester is rated one of the most effective senators and managed to pass more bills last year than any one else in Congress. He's never been afraid to stand up for the Democratic side even if it'd be an unpopular vote in Red Montana. Tester voted to impeach Trump twice, and he voted against all 3 of Trump's nominees to the Supreme Court. He supported President Obama on The Affordable Care Act and Dodd-Frank, and has supported President Biden on the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Republicans seem likely to nominate right wing influencer and former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy. Sheehy promises to get drag queens out of schools and the Lord's Prayer in to the classroom. He also hopes to repeal Obamacare calling for a "total privatization" of health care and made statements against the very idea of health insurance, insisting people should pay full price at point of use. If you're a Montanan make sure to vote to re-elect a champion of the little guy, and also volunteer! if you're not please think of donating what you can, if you can only give to one campaign this cycle this one, or Ohio are the most important!

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Nevada

Jacky Rosen (re-elect)

First elected to Congress in 2016 Jacky Rosen moved up to the Senate in 2018. In her first term as a Senator Rosen has championed green energy for Nevada. Together with fellow Democratic Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Rosen has gotten millions for solar manufacturing in Nevada as well as millions to replace the state's school buses with electric, and programs to study new groundbreaking green technology. Senator Rosen has been a supporter of gun control, is in favor of banning assault weapons. She sponsored a bill, the Background Check Expansion Act, that would require background checks for all gun sales closing loopholes for on-line sales and gun shows. Rosen is pro-choice and has sponsored a bill to protect doctors from being prosecuted across state lines for providing reproductive care, and is a co-sponsor of a bill to codify Roe V. Wade into federal law. Rosen will likely face Republican celebrity and army veteran Sam Brown. Brown ran and lost a race for the Texas State House in 2014 and ran and lost for Nevada's other Senate seat in 2022. Brown stated he was in favor of getting rid of the Departments of Education, Transportation, and Energy. Brown is against Red Flag gun laws that allow police to temporarily remove fire arms from the home of someone deemed a danger to themselves or others. Brown also has refused to say if he supports a national abortion ban, but does say he's pro-life and wouldn't support any judges that weren't. If you live in Nevada make sure to get out to vote and volunteer to protect the state's green future and the right to reproductive care. If you're not in Nevada consider donating or buying some merch.

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Ohio

Sherrod Brown (re-elect)

Ohio together with Montana represents the toughest re-elect for Democrats this year. The state went for Trump twice, elected a right wing radical, JD Vaince, to the Senate in 2022 and has had a Republican governor since 2010. To complicate thing more Democrat Sherrod Brown is one of the most progressive members of the Senate, regularly scoring along side Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren for the most left wing in the Senate. From the time he was first elected to Congress in 1992 Brown refused to take the Congressional Health Insurance until all Americans could be covered. Brown first supported a Medicare for all bill in 2006 and has supported different efforts to expand Medicare and health coverage. He was a key supporter of the Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Brown is a strong supporter of unions and has struggled his whole career to protect unionized manufacturing jobs in Ohio. He was one of the first Senators out on the picket line during the UAW strike of 2023. Brown's hard work has help make Ohio the center of a new booming lithium battery manufacturing in America, a green manufacturing future for the state. Republicans look likely to nominate former used car dealer and father-in-law of Republican Congressman Max Miller, Bernie Moreno. Moreno's main qualification seems to be having been endorsed by Donald Trump. He lists among his priorities "End Socialism in America" and "End Wokeness and Cancel Culture". If you're in Ohio make sure to vote to re-elect a progressive giant and volunteer too! If you live out of Ohio donate, if you're looking for the race where your dollar will matter the most, this one or Montana guys.

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Pennsylvania

Bob Casey Jr. (re-elect)

First elected in 2006 Bob Casey famously beat incumbent Republican homophobe Rick Santorum by 17 points. Since first entering the Senate Casey has moved leftward on a number of issues. First elected as a pro-Gun Democrat since 2012 Casey has sponsored a number of bills to expand background checks, ban assault weapons, ban extended magazines, and well as supporting mental health funds for victims of gun violence. For a number of years Casey was called the last pro-life Democrat in the Senate, however in 2022 he came out in support of Roe V Wade and voted twice on bills that would have codified the right to an abortion into federal law. Casey voted against all 3 of Trump's Supreme Court picks and has long supported Planned Parenthood's contraception efforts with federal funds, seeing easily available birth control as key to reducing the number of abortions. In 2021 Casey published a plan he called "The Five Freedoms for America's Children" modeled after FDR's famous speech. He proposed automatically enrolling all kids in Medicaid, an expanded child tax cut, a federally supported college fund for all kids who's parents make under $100,000, expanded free school meals, more funds for head start and abuse prevention programs. Republicans are rallying behind Mitch McConnell's hand picked candidate, hedge fund CEO David McCormick. McCormick worked for the Bush administration during Bush's second term. McCormick's wife Dina Powell also worked for the George W. Bush administration and was a senior aid to Trump as well. If you're in Pennsylvania make sure to get out and vote for a solid Democrat out to solve child poverty in America and keep the Hedge Fund guy from Connecticut out, and Volunteer if you can. Remember you can donate where ever you are.

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Texas

Colin Allred (flip)

Texas is currently represented by likely the most hated man in Washington, Ted Cruz. Republicans hate him, Democrats hate him more, he has a very punchable face, he might be the zodiac killer (thats a joke and meme). From shutting down the government in 2013 to try to overturn Obamacare, to leading the charge in Congress to overturn the 2020 election on January 6th Ted Cruz is a greatest hits of the worst parts of the Republican Party of the last 10 years. When Texas lost power in the middle of a historic ice storm in 2021 Ted Cruz and family ditched the state to go on vacation in Mexico, classy. Cruz in the Biden years has cast himself as a culture warrior fighting against "woke" publishing a book "Unwoke: How to Defeat Cultural Marxism in America" in 2023 to kick off his re-election campaign. Texas is a traditionally red state but things are starting to shift and in 2018 Cruz narrowly won re-election over Beto O'Rourke. Democrats hope with the right candidate they can turn Texas blue and beat the most hated Senator in America. Democrats think Congressman Colin Allred is the man for the job. Allred is a former NFL Linebacker for the Titans. After the NFL he went on to get his law degree from UC Berkeley, and work in the Obama administration. Allred was first elected to Congress in 2018, unseating a Republican who'd been in office since 1997 and becoming the first Democrat to represent the area in Congress since 1968. In Congress Allred has supported bills to expand voting right and protect abortion rights, as well as gun control. In the Senate he promises to address Texas' shaky power grid and make sure Texas is never left in the dark again with its leaders missing. Lets do this Texas, make blue Texas a reality if you live in Texas remember to vote and volunteer, if you're an American who hates Ted Cruz you can donate to make in unemployed.

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Wisconsin

Tammy Baldwin (re-elect)

When Tammy Baldwin first ran for Congress in 1998 she was the first openly gay person elected to the US House and the first open Lesbian to serve in Congress. In 2012 she became the first openly gay person elected to the US Senate and the first Lesbian to be a Senator, she is still the only openly gay Senator. Through out her time in office Baldwin has been a tireless voice for LGBT rights, in 2022 she helped spear head the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act to help protect gay marriage, she's also a sponsor of the Equality Act to protect all LGBT people from discrimination. Baldwin is a progressive who was a member of the House Progressive caucus, opposed the Iraq War and supported impeaching Dick Cheney. In the House she introduced bills for a single payer healthcare system in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In the Senate Baldwin is regularly listed as one of the most progressive members, voting against tax cuts for the rich, supporting a bill to require companies to have workers on their boards, she sponsored a bill to create a public option in Health Care, and has supported gun control efforts. The Republican field to challenge Senator Baldwin is uncertain, but former Milwaukee sheriff David Clarke dominates the polls if he decides to run. Clarke's sheriff's department is accused a number of human rights violations from his time as sheriff, including allowing a prisoner to die of dehydration after 6 days without water in the Milwaukee County Jail. Clarke is a Trump super fan who has pushed conspiracy theories about mass shootings being fake, attacked Black Lives Matter, called Planned Parenthood "Planned Genocide", and called for the mass detention without trial of Americans because he believed there were a million ISIS supporters in America. If you're in Wisconsin make sure to get out and vote for a trailblazing icon and also volunteer if you can, all Americans can donate and support Baldwin wherever they are.

VOTE VOLUNTEER DONATE SHOP

If you're an American citizen and will be 18 years old (or older) by November 5th 2024, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! make sure you're registered to VOTE please check Vote.Org to find out what you need to do, what deadlines there are and act NOW

If you're an American living outside the US, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE. Please checkout Vote From Aboard they have literally all the information you need to get registered and get your ballot wherever in the world you are, and Check out Democrats Abroad to take part in the global primary

Where ever you live in the US, there is an important life changing election happening! Get off your phone or computer and get involved, There are Events happening all around you right now Volunteer

Finally if you're a US citizen of any age any where on earth you can donate, donate to elect Biden/Harris donate to elect Democrats to the Senate, To the House, to Governorships, to local office

and the smallest thing you can do is reblog this very long post, thank you!

#2024 elections #politics #american politics #us politics #voting #democrats #Joe Biden #Republicans #donald trump #go vote

[evccedu]

#Federal Financial Assistance Programs #evcc #fredericksburg #virginia #united states #education #career #college #medical college