MORE POWER for Dec. 2nd

Written By DSEANTE PARKS

1000 MORE's weekly nonpartisan roundup of the most important happenings in federal government, written in a way that doesn't require a law degree to understand, with tools to take action

December 2, 2022

This week in MORE POWER:
Legislation to avoid a holiday rail strike
Crowdfund advocacy for marriage equality
Update on the 2023 budget bill
Pregnant Women in Custody Act
A feature for old souls
Bills on the Hill this week
FAQ of the week

HAPPENINGS ON THE HILL

Bill to avert a December rail strike

With the holidays rapidly approaching, a rail strike would disrupt the supply chain, creating major shipping delays on goods. Freight rails and their union workers have been locked in bargaining since 2019, operating off month-to-month agreements.

The White House helped draft an agreement in September, but last week the majority of the unions’ memberships voted to reject the agreement in favor of an agreement that would provide more paid sick leave. With a December 9th strike deadline looming, this week President Biden asked Congress to pass a bill to hold the unions to the September agreement.

On Wednesday, the House passed two resolutions, one to keep the September agreement and a second to provide seven paid sick days instead of one. Yesterday, the Senate passed the resolution to enforce the September agreement but voted down the additional sick leave 52-43. Remember, non-budget bills need 60 votes to pass the Senate.

The resolution on the September agreement is on it's way to the President's desk. You can use 1000 MORE to tell him what you want him to do.

Crowdfunding advocacy on the The Respect for Marriage Act

The Senate passed the Respect for Marriage Act on Tuesday with a vote of 61-23. The bill was supported by all members of the Democratic caucus and 12 GOP Senators. While the House already passed the Respect for Marriage Act back in July, the bill now must go back to the House for another vote because the Senate amended it to include language protecting religious liberties. 

Advocacy organizations are working on this bill during the lame duck. You can support organizations working to advance or stop this bill in 1000 MORE.

Avoiding a Government Shutdown

Negotiations are still ongoing for the 2023 budget bill that must pass by December 16th in order to avoid a government shutdown. It seems clear we won’t see a year-long spending package, referred to as an "omnibus bill," pass before the deadline.

Congress and the executive branch are preparing different stop-gap funding measures. Key Democrats on the Hill are preparing a 1-week funding gap bill with hopes they can sway Republican votes on an omnibus bill within that time. Cabinet agencies and the Office of Management and Budget are preparing to operate on a year-long funding gap bill.

Remember, government shutdowns don't only impact federal workers. Everything from on-time air travel, to Social Security and Medicare enrollment and support services, to EPA and FDA health and safety inspections, to SNAP benefits are on the line. Contact your reps now to let them know what action you want to see them take on the budget.

Troops to Haiti?

Biden continues to pressure the international community to send armed forces to Haiti. In October, the Haitian government asked for international military assistance to help manage an ongoing health, energy, and security crisis. The Haitian government made this decision despite a history of botched international military interventions by the US and the United Nations.

It is unclear where Biden hopes to draw these troops from. The US-backed proposal at the United Nations has reportedly stalled out and US military leaders are on the record as not wanting US troops in Haiti. You can contact the President about what you want the US government to do on this issue.

Just heard the Senate hasn't voted on a bill that impacts incarcerated pregnant women.

It's a courtroom.

Pregnant Women in Custody Act

This week the House passed the Pregnant Women in Custody Act. If it passes the Senate and is signed into law by the President, the bill would hold the Federal Bureau of Prisons accountable to ensuring that women in custody are provided with appropriate pregnancy and childbirth services as well as family preparation services. Additionally, it would prohibit restrictive housing practices for pregnant and postpartum women.

You can use 1000 MORE to contact your Senators and let them know how you want them to act on this bill.

A FEATURE FOR THOSE OF Y'ALL WHO PREFER THE PHONE

Congress are you there?

Congress are you there?

Some of y'all wouldn't pick up the phone to save your life. But for those of you who call when you get a text - we see you and we got you! For our old souls, we make it easy to call your elected officials with just a few taps!

Once you are logged into your account, you can either tap on the legislators page, tap to choose who you want to contact, and then tap the phone icon to call them. Or, from a bill summary, you can tap to choose your position - for or against - and then tap the phone icon to make that call.

BILLS ON THE HILL

YOUR WEEKLY FAQ

Mourning a loss, while needing representation

Q: So, your member of Congress died. What happens next?

A: This week, residents of Virginia's 4th Congressional District received news that their Congressman Donald McEachin had passed away. Extending our most sincere condolences to his loved ones and constituents.

When a member of Congress dies, the governor of the state that they represent must start the process to fill the seat by setting a date for a special election. Once a date is set, the state parties can determine a process for selecting nominees for the ballot.

While Virginia already has two special elections coming up on January 10th, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has not yet announced a date for this particular special election.

And that is your weekly roundup...

So, how was it? 

DSEANTE PARKS
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