ACSOL Board Members Janice Bellucci and Roger Hunnicutt met today in four Congressional offices to voice ACSOL’s opposition to three bills recently introduced in Congress. Each of those bills, if enacted into law, would significantly harm up to one million registrants and their families.
One of the four meetings was in the office of Rep. Greg Steube (Republican, Florida) regarding HR 7453. If that bill were passed, registrants would be blocked from receiving Medicaid benefits even if they were otherwise qualified recipients.
Another of the four meetings was in the office of Rep. Nancy Mace (Republican, South Carolina) regarding HR 7624 and HR 7702. If HR 7624 became law, it would block registrants from all shelters funded by the federal government. If HR 7702 were enacted into law, registrants convicted of sexual abuse of a child could be sentenced to death.
Yet another of the four meetings was in the office of Rep. Doris Matsui due to the fact that Ms. Bellucci resides in the district that Matsui represents. The ACSOL board members met with senior staff in that office and asked that Rep. Matsui oppose the three bills described above.
Finally, the ACSOL board members met in the office of Rep. Thomas Mc Clintock. That is because Mr. Hunnicutt resides in the district that McClintock represents. The board members met with staff in that office and asked that Rep. McClintock oppose all three bills described above.
“According to the two of the four staffers with whom we met, the three bills are unlikely to become law,” stated Bellucci. “There are no guarantees, however, so ACSOL and its members must continue to monitor and, if necessary, continue lobbying efforts in opposition to those bills.”
They think we’re easy targets. It must be jarring for them to learn that isn’t so and that we actually have lobbyists on our side.
Wow! I thought that talking to the staff of my representative would be a wasted effort due to their law-and-order stance and since they didn’t allow me to schedule a time.
BUT we stopped by anyway, and as soon as I said I was a constituent, those magic words caused a high-level staff person to invite us into his office. True, he was not initially open to what we were saying, but he responded well when we talked in his language.
For example, we brought up the inefficiency of having thousands of uninsured registrants having to go to the expensive emergency room when they had their preventative care removed. We also mentioned preventative measures to prevent minors from ending up on the registry for sexting. He took our package of information, and Janice offered to answer any questions he had later.
Also, did you notice what Janice wrote: “According to the two of the four staffers with whom we met, the three bills are unlikely to become law.” That is the kind of hopeful information we can ONLY get by SHOWING UP. No, it was not a perfect experience. They didn’t all immediately say, “We will do whatever you recommend”. But consider what we DID accomplish: we planted seeds that can grow.
That was an amazing experience, and I felt EMPOWERED, which is exactly what YOU will feel when you SHOW UP to lobby with us in Sacramento. Hey, if a Tier 3 like me can feel that anyone can! Just by showing up (no speeches required by you!) we can put cracks in the hardest of anti-registrant attitudes.
It’s not too late to sign up and help us plant seeds in CA! Click on the Lobby Day signup link at the top of all our web pages.
Get filled with hope and feel empowered! Yes, it’s a sacrifice, but if we don’t do anything things will only get worse. Let’s fight back!
Thank you to you two in sharing your thoughts with them. This is a great example of what can be done when one chances to visit their offices. As one who has lived in the WDC area and visited my elected officials, it is intimidating at first blush, but the staff are people too and will listen if the position is logically presented in polite terms. This example is one for all those in the forum who either visit Sac, WDC, or maybe their own state capital to speak out. Thank you @Janice and @Roger H for being models in what can be done. May others learn from you.
THANK YOU ACSOL AND JANICE FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND TIRELESS DEDICATION!!! We’ve moved far from where we once was in CA because of you guys.
Arrived in DC yesterday, got settled into my hotel (just blocks away from scotus. Headed over to the national museum of art. Absolutely wonderful! I got to see the only Leonardo da Vinci painting that exists In the Western hemisphere! I could only spend a few short hours.
Thank you lobbyists for what you are doing! Especially Janet who organized all of this!
I am just about to leave and walk over to the supreme Court steps before the vigil today. See you there!
I wish I would have been able to attend, but I had to be a loved one’s driver and make sure there were no complications. Hopefully I’ll be there in DC next year, but hopefully seeds are planted and continue to grow that Smith V. Doe needs to go along with the status quo regarding sex crimes.
Safe travels back home.
Thank you so very much for doing this!!
To add a bit of clarity, those photos are not that of Doris Matsui & Tom McClintcok standing in front of their respective offices. Like most politicians, they likely wouldn’t be caught dead taking photos with ACSOL members. 🤭
Janice’s handbag or purse looks like a carry on bag. Hopefully it’s not where she stores potential lawsuits. Be funny bringing those to Washington, DC back off your bill or we’ll see you court.
So to be clear here…. y’all didn’t meet an actual legislator? Just staff?
Rep Matsui and Rep McClintock had a good ear full and from their constituents, the Staff listened, nice photos Janice & Roger btw! Good work was planted inear