{"issues":[{"id":"legislation","name":"Legislation","slug":"legislation","description":null,"page_title":null,"icons":{"black":"/assets/images/icons/default-black-issue-icon.svg","grey":"/assets/images/icons/default-grey-issue-icon.svg","white":"/assets/images/icons/default-white-issue-icon.svg"},"cover_image_url":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/m8q3wkaM/66e6ac/explore.jpg","is_following":false},{"id":"news","name":"News","slug":"news","description":null,"page_title":null,"icons":{"black":"/assets/images/icons/default-black-issue-icon.svg","grey":"/assets/images/icons/default-grey-issue-icon.svg","white":"/assets/images/icons/default-white-issue-icon.svg"},"cover_image_url":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/m8q3wkaM/66e6ac/explore.jpg","is_following":false},{"id":"short-video","name":"Short Video","slug":"short-video","description":null,"page_title":null,"icons":{"black":"/assets/images/icons/default-black-issue-icon.svg","grey":"/assets/images/icons/default-grey-issue-icon.svg","white":"/assets/images/icons/default-white-issue-icon.svg"},"cover_image_url":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/m8q3wkaM/66e6ac/explore.jpg","is_following":false}],"legislators":[{"id":3,"chamber":"house","first_name":"Pete","last_name":"Aguilar","nickname":null,"party":"D","gender":"M","district":"31","state":"CA","state_name":"California","state_rank":"","birthday":"1979-06-19","senate_class":null,"term_start":"2021-01-03","term_end":"2023-01-03","title":"Rep","twitter_id":"reppeteaguilar","facebook_id":"reppeteaguilar","youtube_id":null,"website":"https://aguilar.house.gov","phone":"+1-202-225-3201","fax":null,"photos":{"small":"https://assets.weholdthesetruths.org/legislator/photo/A000371/small_rep_aguilar_1558565219.jpg","medium":"https://assets.weholdthesetruths.org/legislator/photo/A000371/medium_rep_aguilar_1558565219.jpg"},"represented_district_name":"California 31st Congressional District","ocd_id":"ocd-division/country:us/state:ca/cd:31","upper":false,"lower":true,"legislative_body_id":3}],"legislative_bodies":[{"name":"United States House","id":3,"district_id":"us"}],"districts":[{"name":"United States","ocd_id":"ocd-division/country:us","state":null,"cover_images":{"large":"https://countable-us.s3.amazonaws.com/district/cover_image/default.png"},"released":false,"id":"us"}],"articles":[{"title":"One Big Thing: Are you concerned about political violence in the United States?","id":446,"slug":"446-big-thing-concerned-political-violence-united-states","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/446-big-thing-concerned-political-violence-united-states","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=446","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/446/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and take our poll","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"6.17.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/00c296/00c296-Joint-funder-statement-image-2082x1171.jpeg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/00c296/00c296-Joint-funder-statement-image-2082x1171.jpeg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/00c296/00c296-Joint-funder-statement-image-2082x1171.jpeg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/00c296/00c296-Joint-funder-statement-image-2082x1171.jpeg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/00c296/00c296-Joint-funder-statement-image-2082x1171.jpeg"},"profile_id":4,"action_count":83,"html_content":"

Recently, politically motivated violence against elected officials and US election officials has been on the rise. Politico reported that Anna Paulina Luna, a GOP candidate from Tampa Bay, FL received death threats from a political rival. William Braddock was recorded saying that he could order a Russian-Ukrainian hit squad to go after Luna. This has been just one of many instances by which political violence has become a normalized political tactic – a significant shift since Donald Trump’s electoral defeat in November 2020. His relentless false claims that the election was “rigged” against him has sparked a campaign to terrorize election officials and political opponents nationwide. Countless election officials, particularly in battleground states, have reported threats to themselves and their families since the 2020 election campaign.

Despite the recent uptick, political violence is not new to this country. In 2011, Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Gifford survived a mass shooting in which she was the primary target. As recently as last year, an armed militia planned to assault Michigan’s State Capital Building. Before this, the FBI foiled a plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan, and otherwise violently overthrow the state government.

Each example of political violence demonstrates the destructive effect that intimidation and bullying can have on our electoral system. If continued, the current trend of increased threats of violence will cause irreversible damage to American democracy.

Share your thoughts by commenting below:

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Share your thoughts by commenting below:

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What’s the story?

The Senate on Tuesday approved a broad package aimed at improving America’s technological competitiveness and checking China’s geopolitical ambitions, which drew a swift rebuke from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act cleared the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 68-32 and contains about $250 billion in funding for technological research and incentives for the domestic production of semiconductors, in addition to provisions aimed at boosting America’s geopolitical standing relative to China.
In response to the Senate’s passage of the bill, the foreign affairs committee of the National People’s Congress ― China’s ceremonial legislature that is controlled by the CCP ― criticized the bill.
The CCP committee said provisions in the bill that aim to punish China’s human rights abuses against Uyghur minorities, support democracy in Hong Kong, and support Taiwan’s autonomy amid threats by China are “purely China’s internal affairs and absolutely no foreign interference will be tolerated.” It added:

“This bill seeks to exaggerate and spread the so-called ‘China threat’ to maintain global American hegemony, using human rights and religion as excuses to interfere in China’s domestic politics, and deprive China of its legitimate development rights… No force should expect that China will swallow any bitter fruit that harms China’s sovereignty, security or development interests.”

While neither party in the U.S. Senate was completely satisfied with the version of the bill that advanced from the chamber on Tuesday, the chamber’s Democratic and Republican leaders each spoke to the significance of the package and the bipartisan work that went into it.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) remarked that the margin of the vote was “an overwhelming display of bipartisan support”, which he noted is a “rarity on a major bill in this Senate.” He also emphasized the importance of the package, adding:

“I believe that future generations will look back on this competition bill as the turning point for American leadership in the 21st Century.”

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that the bill in its current form is an “imperfect approach to an extremely consequential challenge” and added:

“One thing this legislation did demonstrate extremely well, however, was that the rules of the Senate don’t stand in the way of bipartisan legislating… Needless to say, final passage of this legislation cannot be the Senate’s final word on our competition with China. It certainly won’t be mine.”

What’s next for the bill?

The bill now heads to the House, where it’s unclear whether the package will be considered as one bill or as several through a more piecemeal approach.
\nPolitico reported that the bipartisan leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee have been negotiating about the text of the proposal, and a markup hearing could occur in the next few weeks.
Whenever the House finishes its work on its version of the bill, it would then either head back to the Senate for renewed consideration or go to a bicameral conference committee composed of bipartisan lawmakers who would be tasked with hashing out the differences between the two bills before the package receives its final votes in both chambers.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Dong Fang - Voice of America via Wikimedia / Public Domain)

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["legislation","news"],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-06-14T18:49:40.851Z","status":"published","snippet":"What’s the story? The Senate on Tuesday approved a broad package aimed at improving America’s technological competitiveness and","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Support","color":"#333373","stance":"support"},{"text":"Oppose","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"oppose"}],"reaction_config_id":7,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-06-14T18:49:40.825Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Senate Passes Bipartisan China Competition Bill, Draws Criticism From Chinese Communist Party","cta_prompt":"Do you support or oppose the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act?","html_content":"

What’s the story?

The Senate on Tuesday approved a broad package aimed at improving America’s technological competitiveness and checking China’s geopolitical ambitions, which drew a swift rebuke from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act cleared the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 68-32 and contains about $250 billion in funding for technological research and incentives for the domestic production of semiconductors, in addition to provisions aimed at boosting America’s geopolitical standing relative to China.
In response to the Senate’s passage of the bill, the foreign affairs committee of the National People’s Congress ― China’s ceremonial legislature that is controlled by the CCP ― criticized the bill.
The CCP committee said provisions in the bill that aim to punish China’s human rights abuses against Uyghur minorities, support democracy in Hong Kong, and support Taiwan’s autonomy amid threats by China are “purely China’s internal affairs and absolutely no foreign interference will be tolerated.” It added:

“This bill seeks to exaggerate and spread the so-called ‘China threat’ to maintain global American hegemony, using human rights and religion as excuses to interfere in China’s domestic politics, and deprive China of its legitimate development rights… No force should expect that China will swallow any bitter fruit that harms China’s sovereignty, security or development interests.”

While neither party in the U.S. Senate was completely satisfied with the version of the bill that advanced from the chamber on Tuesday, the chamber’s Democratic and Republican leaders each spoke to the significance of the package and the bipartisan work that went into it.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) remarked that the margin of the vote was “an overwhelming display of bipartisan support”, which he noted is a “rarity on a major bill in this Senate.” He also emphasized the importance of the package, adding:

“I believe that future generations will look back on this competition bill as the turning point for American leadership in the 21st Century.”

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that the bill in its current form is an “imperfect approach to an extremely consequential challenge” and added:

“One thing this legislation did demonstrate extremely well, however, was that the rules of the Senate don’t stand in the way of bipartisan legislating… Needless to say, final passage of this legislation cannot be the Senate’s final word on our competition with China. It certainly won’t be mine.”

What’s next for the bill?

The bill now heads to the House, where it’s unclear whether the package will be considered as one bill or as several through a more piecemeal approach.
\nPolitico reported that the bipartisan leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee have been negotiating about the text of the proposal, and a markup hearing could occur in the next few weeks.
Whenever the House finishes its work on its version of the bill, it would then either head back to the Senate for renewed consideration or go to a bicameral conference committee composed of bipartisan lawmakers who would be tasked with hashing out the differences between the two bills before the package receives its final votes in both chambers.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Dong Fang - Voice of America via Wikimedia / Public Domain)

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":["legislation","news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"How do you plan on practicing Maverick voting?","id":219,"slug":"219-do-plan-practicing-maverick-voting","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/219-do-plan-practicing-maverick-voting","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=219","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/219/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":641,"cta_prompt":"Will your vote challenge the status quo; defend the dignity of all people; and support causes greater than one’s self?","cta_type":"record_video","cta_text":"Record Video","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"5.4.20","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QlNPLoI-F1o/0.jpg"},"profile_id":8,"action_count":19,"html_content":"

Almost two years ago, we made the call for Mavericks – people who challenge the status quo; people who defend the dignity of all; and people who work in service of a cause greater than oneself. Thousands, maybe millions, have answered the call.

As the 2020 Election approaches, we need mavericks more than ever before. Like the original maverick, Senator John McCain, we ask you to use your vote to challenge the status quo, defend the dignity of all people and support causes greater than one’s self.

Watch the video and let us know how you plan on Maverick Voting. Post your responses and videos here and/or on Twitter and Facebook pages and take the pledge if you haven’t already at https://www.mavericksneeded.org/.

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","custom_cta_text":"Record Video","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":3,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Local News Source Guide - Western Region","id":395,"slug":"395-local-news-source-guide-western-region","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/395-local-news-source-guide-western-region","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=395","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/395/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"3.4.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/e0773c/West%20region.jpg"},"profile_id":10,"action_count":2,"html_content":"

Arizona - AZ AZCentral

New Mexico - NM Albuquerque Journal

Oregon - OR The Oregonian

Nevada - NV Las Vegas Review Journal

California – CA Los Angeles Times

Washington - WA The Seattle Times

Utah - UT Deseret News

Colorado - CO The Denver Post

Hawaii - HI Honolulu Star Advertiser

Alaska - AK Anchorage Daily News

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:43.123Z","status":"published","snippet":"Arizona - AZ AZCentral New Mexico - NM Albuquerque Journal Oregon - OR The Oregonian Nevada - NV Las Vegas Review Journal","share_count":1,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:43.121Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Local News Source Guide - Western Region","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

Arizona - AZ AZCentral

New Mexico - NM Albuquerque Journal

Oregon - OR The Oregonian

Nevada - NV Las Vegas Review Journal

California – CA Los Angeles Times

Washington - WA The Seattle Times

Utah - UT Deseret News

Colorado - CO The Denver Post

Hawaii - HI Honolulu Star Advertiser

Alaska - AK Anchorage Daily News

","custom_cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":1,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 6: When can you expect to know the election result?","id":359,"slug":"359-ask-expert-episode-6-expect-know-election-result","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/359-ask-expert-episode-6-expect-know-election-result","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=359","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/359/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.20","image_urls":{"small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg","thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/QPdVFA0dxMg/0.jpg"},"profile_id":9,"action_count":10,"html_content":"

As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center, the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with important voter information and answer all your questions about the upcoming 2020 election. For more, check out Campaign Legal Center's State and Locally Focused Resources for Supporting Voting Rights.

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","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":2,"issue_ids":["short-video"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"People of Hong Kong Receive Leadership Award","id":114,"slug":"114-people-hong-kong-receive-leadership-award","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/114-people-hong-kong-receive-leadership-award","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=114","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/114/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":898,"cta_prompt":"Second annual John McCain Prize for Leadership and Public Service awarded to people of Hong Kong","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"11.25.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/84e01a/Screen%20Shot%202019-11-25%20at%2010.25.39%20AM.png"},"profile_id":5,"action_count":15,"html_content":"

The second annual John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service has been awarded to the people of Hong Kong in recognition of their fight for democracy. The award, which was presented to the people of Lesbos, Greece, last year was presented this year to former lawmaker Emily Lau Wai-hing and activist Figo Chan Ho-wun on Saturday, November 23rd. The two accepted the award from Cindy McCain, the wife of late Senator John McCain, alongside the Halifax Security Forum, on behalf of all protesters in Hong Kong.

Giving this award to the people of Hong Kong makes the Halifax Security Forum—a network of international experts, academics, military officials, entrepreneurs and authors—the first international organization to recognize the struggles of the city’s people. This certainly comes at a delicate time: last week, the US Congress almost unanimously voted to pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. This act would impose stricter monitoring of Hong Kong and, should any action be taken by the government to erode at the city’s freedoms, sanctions against China. President Trump, who has been in the process of working out a new trade deal with Beijing as a focal point of his re-election campaign, has yet to comment on whether he will sign the act into law or not.

In this context, the Halifax Forum’s recognition of the Hong Kongese could be seen as a challenge to Beijing itself. However, the Forum stands firm in its decision. Cindy McCain, who is also a board member of the Forum, said that she hopes “this tribute to those who are struggling for their rights in Hong Kong will encourage more people around the world to raise their voices in support of their cause, especially in my country’s government. They are fighting for something larger than themselves.”

Article: People of Hong Kong awarded 2019 John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service – an honour that comes at delicate time in US-China relations

","comments_count":3,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["news"],"private":false,"created_at":"2019-11-25T15:26:21.848Z","status":"published","snippet":"The second annual John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service has been awarded to the people of Hong Kong in recognition","share_count":3,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":{"state":"","region":"country","geolocate":true,"select_path":"Contact Reps : Federal : Geolocate","lower_chamber":"house","upper_chamber":"senate","chamber_choice":"all","state_required":false,"default_message":"This issue is important to me.","chosen_legislators":["3"],"lower_chamber_name":"House","upper_chamber_name":"Senate"},"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-11-25T15:26:21.846Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"People of Hong Kong Receive Leadership Award","cta_prompt":"Second annual John McCain Prize for Leadership and Public Service awarded to people of Hong Kong","html_content":"

Article: People of Hong Kong awarded 2019 John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service – an honour that comes at delicate time in US-China relations

","custom_cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":3,"issue_ids":["news"],"legislator_ids":[3]},{"title":"Introducing the Diplomacy Caucus","id":119,"slug":"119-introducing-diplomacy-caucus","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/119-introducing-diplomacy-caucus","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=119","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/119/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":898,"cta_prompt":"A bipartisan group of lawmakers are banding together to support America's diplomats","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/ZBVBgDke/a2c50b/brandon-mowinkel-H2b1a5WNSW0-unsplash.jpg"},"profile_id":6,"action_count":7,"html_content":"

The ongoing impeachment hearings in Washington, DC have had the unintended consequence of dragging down the morale of America’s foreign service as U.S. diplomats have been caught up in the partisan crossfire. To remedy this, four members of congress, two Republicans and two Democrats, have announced the creation of the Diplomacy Caucus. The caucus will bring together lawmakers of both parties in the interest of strengthening the U.S. diplomatic corps through legislation. Do you feel that America’s public servants are being protected enough by Congress, or is the creation of this caucus a necessity?

Article: With State Department Under Fire, Lawmakers Form a Diplomacy Caucus

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-12-04T19:22:29.919Z","status":"published","snippet":"The ongoing impeachment hearings in Washington, DC have had the unintended consequence of dragging down the morale of America’s","share_count":3,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-12-04T19:22:29.917Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Introducing the Diplomacy Caucus","cta_prompt":"A bipartisan group of lawmakers are banding together to support America's diplomats","html_content":"

Article: With State Department Under Fire, Lawmakers Form a Diplomacy Caucus

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":1,"issue_ids":["news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"One Big Thing: Did President Biden meet Putin too soon?","id":445,"slug":"445-big-thing-did-president-biden-meet-putin-soon","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/445-big-thing-did-president-biden-meet-putin-soon","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=445","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/445/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and take our poll","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"6.16.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5ed6b1/5ed6b1-biden-putin-preparation-2.jpeg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5ed6b1/5ed6b1-biden-putin-preparation-2.jpeg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5ed6b1/5ed6b1-biden-putin-preparation-2.jpeg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5ed6b1/5ed6b1-biden-putin-preparation-2.jpeg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5ed6b1/5ed6b1-biden-putin-preparation-2.jpeg"},"profile_id":4,"action_count":71,"html_content":"

Today, President Joe Biden met with Russia President Vladimir Putin at a widely anticipated summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Leading up to the meeting, President Biden has made it clear that human rights will be at the forefront of his administration’s Russia policy, despite rising tensions between the two countries. The Biden administration has also pushed for a more stable and predictable relationship. Until now, recent Presidents including Barrack Obama and Donald Trump have pursued a reset of US-Russian relations, but Biden has made it clear that he will address Putin’s previous wrongful acts.

Recently, the Russian government has led a series of human rights abuses including the wrongful imprisonment and poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, multiple cyber-attacks on the United States’ government and democracy, and sanctioning Taliban attacks on US troops in Afghanistan. Despite this, the expectation in Moscow is that President Biden will be much tougher on Russia than the Trump administration was, so the Kremlin views it as a positive sign that a summit is taking place so early in Biden's term.

Keep up with the Biden-Putin Summit HERE and watch live HERE

Read more about Russia’s human rights record HERE

","comments_count":13,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-06-16T14:51:06.428Z","status":"published","snippet":"Today, President Joe Biden met with Russia President Vladimir Putin at a widely anticipated summit in Geneva, Switzerland.","share_count":2,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#333373","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#9F1962","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":6,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-06-16T14:51:06.412Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"One Big Thing: Did President Biden meet Putin too soon?","cta_prompt":"Join us and take our poll","html_content":"

Keep up with the Biden-Putin Summit HERE and watch live HERE

Read more about Russia’s human rights record HERE

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":12,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Senate’s China Competition Bill Aims to Bolster U.S. Support for Taiwan - Are You in Favor?","id":443,"slug":"443-senate-s-china-competition-bill-aims-bolster-u-s-support-taiwan-favor","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/443-senate-s-china-competition-bill-aims-bolster-u-s-support-taiwan-favor","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=443","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/443/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":2989,"cta_prompt":"Should the U.S. reaffirm commitments to Taiwan’s defense & call for Taiwan’s inclusion in international bodies?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"6.14.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28YdLBe/8f336a/8f336a-ChinaTaiwan.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28YdLBe/8f336a/8f336a-ChinaTaiwan.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28YdLBe/8f336a/8f336a-ChinaTaiwan.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28YdLBe/8f336a/8f336a-ChinaTaiwan.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/W28YdLBe/8f336a/8f336a-ChinaTaiwan.jpg"},"profile_id":11,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

What’s the story?

The Senate is expected to pass a broad bipartisan package aimed at improving U.S. competitiveness with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) this week which includes a number of notable provisions focused on backing Taiwan against increasing efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to undermine the sovereignty of the island nation. The CCP regards Taiwan, an independent democracy, as a rogue province and has threatened to seize it by military force if Taiwan pursues formal independence.
The bill, known as the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, would reaffirm two foundational elements of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship ― the Taiwan Relations Act and the “Six Assurances.” Here’s a look at what those policies mean and other ways the bill would seek to improve U.S. relations with Taiwan:

What is the Taiwan Relations Act?

The bill would reinforce U.S. commitments to Taiwan that were made under the Taiwan Relations Act, a bipartisan law enacted in 1979 after the U.S. broke off official relations with Taiwan due to the Carter administration establishing official diplomatic relations with the PRC.
The Taiwan Relations Act states that efforts to determine Taiwan’s future through non-peaceful means (including boycotts or embargoes) threaten peace and security in the Western Pacific; it’s U.S. policy to maintain a capacity to resist the use of force or coercion to undermine Taiwan’s security; the U.S. will provide defensive military equipment so that Taiwan can have a sufficient self-defense capability; decisions about defending Taiwan will be made by Congress and the president; and references in U.S. law to foreign states and governments also apply to Taiwan.
The Taiwan Relations Act doesn’t require the U.S. to defend Taiwan against an attack by the PRC but leaves open the possibility of doing so to create a policy of “strategic ambiguity,” which is intended to deter the PRC from attacking Taiwan and to deter Taiwan from taking actions that could provoke a PRC attack.

What are the “Six Assurances”?

The Reagan administration made the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan in 1982, which have been a key element of Washington’s diplomatic stance toward Taipei (Taiwan’s capital) and Beijing in the decades since. The recently-declassified presidential memorandum and diplomatic cables stated that the U.S.:

Has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan.
Has not agreed to consult with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan.
Will not play a mediation role between Taipei and Beijing.
Has not agreed to revise the Taiwan Relations Act.
Has not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan.
Will not exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC.

What else would the bill do?

The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act would declare that the U.S.-Taiwan relationship is a vital part of America’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
It would urge Taiwan to increase its defense spending and emphasize a “strong U.S. commitment” to Taiwan’s implementation of its asymmetric defense strategy. The strategy focuses on the use of mobile anti-air and anti-ship missiles, electronic warfare unmanned aerial systems, sea mining capabilities, and other technologies in the event that China attempts an amphibious invasion across the Taiwan Strait.
Additionally, it would call for the inclusion of Taiwan in international bodies such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and others.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: U.S.-Taiwan: iStock.com / avdeev007)

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What’s the story?

The Senate is expected to pass a broad bipartisan package aimed at improving U.S. competitiveness with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) this week which includes a number of notable provisions focused on backing Taiwan against increasing efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to undermine the sovereignty of the island nation. The CCP regards Taiwan, an independent democracy, as a rogue province and has threatened to seize it by military force if Taiwan pursues formal independence.
The bill, known as the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, would reaffirm two foundational elements of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship ― the Taiwan Relations Act and the “Six Assurances.” Here’s a look at what those policies mean and other ways the bill would seek to improve U.S. relations with Taiwan:

What is the Taiwan Relations Act?

The bill would reinforce U.S. commitments to Taiwan that were made under the Taiwan Relations Act, a bipartisan law enacted in 1979 after the U.S. broke off official relations with Taiwan due to the Carter administration establishing official diplomatic relations with the PRC.
The Taiwan Relations Act states that efforts to determine Taiwan’s future through non-peaceful means (including boycotts or embargoes) threaten peace and security in the Western Pacific; it’s U.S. policy to maintain a capacity to resist the use of force or coercion to undermine Taiwan’s security; the U.S. will provide defensive military equipment so that Taiwan can have a sufficient self-defense capability; decisions about defending Taiwan will be made by Congress and the president; and references in U.S. law to foreign states and governments also apply to Taiwan.
The Taiwan Relations Act doesn’t require the U.S. to defend Taiwan against an attack by the PRC but leaves open the possibility of doing so to create a policy of “strategic ambiguity,” which is intended to deter the PRC from attacking Taiwan and to deter Taiwan from taking actions that could provoke a PRC attack.

What are the “Six Assurances”?

The Reagan administration made the “Six Assurances” to Taiwan in 1982, which have been a key element of Washington’s diplomatic stance toward Taipei (Taiwan’s capital) and Beijing in the decades since. The recently-declassified presidential memorandum and diplomatic cables stated that the U.S.:

Has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan.
Has not agreed to consult with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan.
Will not play a mediation role between Taipei and Beijing.
Has not agreed to revise the Taiwan Relations Act.
Has not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan.
Will not exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the PRC.

What else would the bill do?

The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act would declare that the U.S.-Taiwan relationship is a vital part of America’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
It would urge Taiwan to increase its defense spending and emphasize a “strong U.S. commitment” to Taiwan’s implementation of its asymmetric defense strategy. The strategy focuses on the use of mobile anti-air and anti-ship missiles, electronic warfare unmanned aerial systems, sea mining capabilities, and other technologies in the event that China attempts an amphibious invasion across the Taiwan Strait.
Additionally, it would call for the inclusion of Taiwan in international bodies such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and others.

RELATED READING

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: U.S.-Taiwan: iStock.com / avdeev007)

","custom_cta_text":"React","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":["legislation"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Local News Source Guide - Midwest Region","id":394,"slug":"394-local-news-source-guide-midwest-region","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/394-local-news-source-guide-midwest-region","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=394","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/394/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"3.4.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/4c91d0/Midwest%20region.jpg"},"profile_id":10,"action_count":1,"html_content":"

Illinois - IL Chicago Tribune

Idaho - ID Idaho Statesman

Indiana - IN Indianapolis Star

Iowa - IA The Des Moines Register

Kansas - KS Wichita Eagle

Michigan - MI Detroit News

Minnesota - MN Duluth News Tribune

Montana - MT Billings Gazette

Missouri - MO St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nebraska - NE Lincoln Journal Star

Wyoming - WY Casper Star-Tribune

Ohio - OH Cincinnati Enquirer

Wisconsin - WI Wisconsin State Journal

North Dakota - ND Bismarck Tribune

South Dakota - SD Rapid City Journal

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:00.175Z","status":"published","snippet":"Illinois - IL Chicago Tribune Idaho - ID Idaho Statesman Indiana - IN Indianapolis Star Iowa - IA The Des Moines Register Kansas","share_count":1,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-03-04T18:07:00.169Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Local News Source Guide - Midwest Region","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

Illinois - IL Chicago Tribune

Idaho - ID Idaho Statesman

Indiana - IN Indianapolis Star

Iowa - IA The Des Moines Register

Kansas - KS Wichita Eagle

Michigan - MI Detroit News

Minnesota - MN Duluth News Tribune

Montana - MT Billings Gazette

Missouri - MO St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Nebraska - NE Lincoln Journal Star

Wyoming - WY Casper Star-Tribune

Ohio - OH Cincinnati Enquirer

Wisconsin - WI Wisconsin State Journal

North Dakota - ND Bismarck Tribune

South Dakota - SD Rapid City Journal

","custom_cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 5: What is \"Ballot Harvesting\" or \"Ballot Assistance\"?","id":358,"slug":"358-ask-expert-episode-5-ballot-harvesting-ballot-assistance","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/358-ask-expert-episode-5-ballot-harvesting-ballot-assistance","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=358","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/358/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.20","image_urls":{"small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/aajlcjVZyVo/0.jpg"},"profile_id":9,"action_count":4,"html_content":"

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-12-04T20:55:31.252Z","status":"published","snippet":"As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center , the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-12-04T20:55:31.250Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/aajlcjVZyVo","video_dimensions":[480,270],"video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 5: What is \"Ballot Harvesting\" or \"Ballot Assistance\"?","cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","html_content":"

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":1,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Congressman Introduces Bill Requiring Arrested Protesters to Pay for Police Overtime","id":89,"slug":"89-congressman-introduces-bill-requiring-arrested-protesters-pay-police-overtime","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/89-congressman-introduces-bill-requiring-arrested-protesters-pay-police-overtime","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=89","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/89/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Should protesters have to pay for police? Tell your Rep. how you feel.","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.8.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/dc7cc9/WHTT_ArrestedProtestersPayPoliceOvertime_TakeAction_20191007.jpg"},"profile_id":5,"action_count":44,"html_content":"

Republican Representative Jim Banks responded to September’s climate protests by introducing a bill that would force arrested protestors to pay for police overtime.

Rep. Banks (R-Ind.) said \"Hoosier taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for illegal protests — it is a violation of their 1st Amendment rights.”

Despite Banks’ statements, such a bill would erode First Amendment protections and make citizens less likely to protest.

\nArticle: GOP lawmaker to introduce bill requiring arrested DC protesters pay for police overtime\n

Banks claims that this bill would not prohibit other demonstrations or protests, but historically speaking, many of our nation’s most important civil rights victories have come from protests that led to arrests. It seems likely that adding financial responsibility on top of the threat of arrest may prevent would-be-activists from participating in future protests.

Is this an intimidation tactic? If so, is it a violation of our First Amendment rights?

What do you think? Should activists ever be on the hook for police overtime?

","comments_count":4,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["legislation","news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-08T16:57:59.427Z","status":"published","snippet":"Republican Representative Jim Banks responded to September’s climate protests by introducing a bill that would force arrested","share_count":13,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-08T17:09:45.576Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Congressman Introduces Bill Requiring Arrested Protesters to Pay for Police Overtime","cta_prompt":"Should protesters have to pay for police? Tell your Rep. how you feel.","html_content":"

Republican Representative Jim Banks responded to September’s climate protests by introducing a bill that would force arrested protestors to pay for police overtime.

Rep. Banks (R-Ind.) said \"Hoosier taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for illegal protests — it is a violation of their 1st Amendment rights.”

Despite Banks’ statements, such a bill would erode First Amendment protections and make citizens less likely to protest.

\nArticle: GOP lawmaker to introduce bill requiring arrested DC protesters pay for police overtime\n

Is this an intimidation tactic? If so, is it a violation of our First Amendment rights?

What do you think? Should activists ever be on the hook for police overtime?

","custom_cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":4,"issue_ids":["legislation","news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"New California Law Prohibits Political Deepfakes","id":100,"slug":"100-new-california-law-prohibits-political-deepfakes","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/100-new-california-law-prohibits-political-deepfakes","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=100","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/100/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Should deepfake videos be considered protected speech?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.22.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/843872/WHTT_PoliticalDeepFake_Explore_20191021.jpg"},"profile_id":6,"action_count":15,"html_content":"

California recently became the second state to pass a bill restricting the use of “deepfake” technology to spread false information about political candidates.

Specifically, the bill applies to instances where deepfake technology is used to intentionally spread false information about a candidate within 60 days of an election.

The bill includes exceptions for parody and satire, as well as cases where the broadcaster or publisher makes it clear that the media has been manipulated.

Article: California Becomes The Second State To Restrict Political “Deepfakes”

The bill has already drawn harsh criticism from free speech advocates, including the ACLU, who claimed \"this bill will not solve the problem of deceptive political videos; it will only result in voter confusion, malicious litigation, and repression of free speech.”

It’s worth noting that libel and defamation have never been protected by the first amendment, and many deepfake videos could be classified as libel or defamation.

Do you think outlawing deepfake videos is an attack on the first amendment? Can we stop the spread of misinformation without relying on censorship? Let us know in the comments below.

","comments_count":3,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["legislation","news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-22T14:57:04.556Z","status":"published","snippet":"California recently became the second state to pass a bill restricting the use of “deepfake” technology to spread false","share_count":2,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#333373","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#9F1962","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":6,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-22T15:29:37.361Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"New California Law Prohibits Political Deepfakes","cta_prompt":"Should deepfake videos be considered protected speech?","html_content":"

California recently became the second state to pass a bill restricting the use of “deepfake” technology to spread false information about political candidates.

Specifically, the bill applies to instances where deepfake technology is used to intentionally spread false information about a candidate within 60 days of an election.

The bill includes exceptions for parody and satire, as well as cases where the broadcaster or publisher makes it clear that the media has been manipulated.

Article: California Becomes The Second State To Restrict Political “Deepfakes”

It’s worth noting that libel and defamation have never been protected by the first amendment, and many deepfake videos could be classified as libel or defamation.

Do you think outlawing deepfake videos is an attack on the first amendment? Can we stop the spread of misinformation without relying on censorship? Let us know in the comments below.

","custom_cta_text":"React","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":3,"issue_ids":["legislation","news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"One Big Thing: Do You Support a Change in Voting Laws?","id":442,"slug":"442-big-thing-do-support-change-voting-laws","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/442-big-thing-do-support-change-voting-laws","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=442","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/442/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and take our poll","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"6.14.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5e0ed3/5e0ed3-5ef227f546058.image.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5e0ed3/5e0ed3-5ef227f546058.image.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5e0ed3/5e0ed3-5ef227f546058.image.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5e0ed3/5e0ed3-5ef227f546058.image.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/5e0ed3/5e0ed3-5ef227f546058.image.jpg"},"profile_id":4,"action_count":97,"html_content":"

As of May 14th, Republican state legislators have introduced 389 bills across 48 states aimed at further tightening US election laws. Many of the bills target mail-in voting and other policies that became widespread during the 2020 election cycle. They also seek to add stricter voter ID requirements, narrower eligibility for absentee voting, and make it difficult to get on or stay on voter rolls. These bills are particularly controversial in Georgia where razor-thin margins helped Biden carry the state in 2020. According to Republicans, these measures are necessary to make elections more secure and more transparent. After the way in which people voted changed so dramatically in 2020, it is important that trust is restored in our elections by ensuring fraud does not occur. According to Democrats, these current bills are an extension of Trump’s baseless claims of widespread voter fraud during 2020. They say that these bills only seek to silence the voices of Black and brown voters who will be disproportionately affected. Recently, the House passed the For the People Act (H.R. 1) which lays out broad election and anti-corruption measures. Read more about the bill HERE.

Track voting bills as they pass through state legislatures HERE

What's the story?

On May 31, 1921, angry white mobs attacked and burned down the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma—a segregated area of the city so prosperous it was known at the time as Black Wall Street.
For decades, the Tulsa Race Massacre - one of the most shameful historical chapters in American history - was shrouded in shared silence by perpetrators, victims, and their offspring. (Various friends and family members had informed me that they hadn't heard of the massacre before it was dramatized in the recent HBO series Watchmen and Lovecraft Country.)
The state declared the death toll to be only 36 people, including 12 who were white. But according to the 2001 Tulsa Race Riot Commission report - the most comprehensive review of the massacre - over 1,200 homes and buildings were destroyed by the violence, with mobs killing between 100 and 300 Black Americans and displacing 10,000 others.

What Caused the Tulsa Race Massacre?

On May 30, 1921, 19-year-old Dick Rowland, a Black shoeshiner, entered an elevator at the Drexel Building, an office building on Tulsa's South Main Street. Moments later, Sarah Page, the 17-year-old white elevator operator, screamed. Rowland fled the scene.
The following day, police arrested Rowland for sexually assaulting Page. By nightfall, a white mob had surrounded the courthouse, demanding Sheriff Willard McCullough hand over Rowland.
The sheriff refused and ordered his men to barricade the top floor and protect Rowland.
Hearing that a white mob had gathered to lynch Rowland, a group of 75 Black men - some armed, some World War I veterans - arrived at the courthouse and offered to help guard Rowland.
Sheriff McCullough persuaded the group to leave, assuring them he had the situation under control and Rowland would not be lynched.
As the group was leaving, they were met by 1,500 white men, some of whom also carried weapons.
A shot was fired, and then, according to the reports of the sheriff, \"all hell broke loose.\"
Mobs of white residents, many deputized and given weapons by city officials, poured into Greenwood, looting and burning an area of 35 city blocks.
Some survivors have claimed that airplanes flew over the area shooting at Black residents and dropping firebombs on buildings.
This summer marks the 100th anniversary of what has been described as “the single worst incident of racial violence in American history.”

-Josh Herman

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-06-01T22:08:57.663Z","status":"published","snippet":"What's the story? On May 31, 1921, angry white mobs attacked and burned down the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma—a","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#333373","stance":"yes"},{"text":"No","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":4,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-06-01T22:08:57.640Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"100th Anniversary of Tulsa Race Massacre","cta_prompt":"Did you learn about the Tulsa Race Massacre in school?","html_content":"

What's the story?

On May 31, 1921, angry white mobs attacked and burned down the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma—a segregated area of the city so prosperous it was known at the time as Black Wall Street.
For decades, the Tulsa Race Massacre - one of the most shameful historical chapters in American history - was shrouded in shared silence by perpetrators, victims, and their offspring. (Various friends and family members had informed me that they hadn't heard of the massacre before it was dramatized in the recent HBO series Watchmen and Lovecraft Country.)
The state declared the death toll to be only 36 people, including 12 who were white. But according to the 2001 Tulsa Race Riot Commission report - the most comprehensive review of the massacre - over 1,200 homes and buildings were destroyed by the violence, with mobs killing between 100 and 300 Black Americans and displacing 10,000 others.

What Caused the Tulsa Race Massacre?

On May 30, 1921, 19-year-old Dick Rowland, a Black shoeshiner, entered an elevator at the Drexel Building, an office building on Tulsa's South Main Street. Moments later, Sarah Page, the 17-year-old white elevator operator, screamed. Rowland fled the scene.
The following day, police arrested Rowland for sexually assaulting Page. By nightfall, a white mob had surrounded the courthouse, demanding Sheriff Willard McCullough hand over Rowland.
The sheriff refused and ordered his men to barricade the top floor and protect Rowland.
Hearing that a white mob had gathered to lynch Rowland, a group of 75 Black men - some armed, some World War I veterans - arrived at the courthouse and offered to help guard Rowland.
Sheriff McCullough persuaded the group to leave, assuring them he had the situation under control and Rowland would not be lynched.
As the group was leaving, they were met by 1,500 white men, some of whom also carried weapons.
A shot was fired, and then, according to the reports of the sheriff, \"all hell broke loose.\"
Mobs of white residents, many deputized and given weapons by city officials, poured into Greenwood, looting and burning an area of 35 city blocks.
Some survivors have claimed that airplanes flew over the area shooting at Black residents and dropping firebombs on buildings.
This summer marks the 100th anniversary of what has been described as “the single worst incident of racial violence in American history.”

-Josh Herman

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Local News Source Guide - North East Region","id":393,"slug":"393-local-news-source-guide-north-east-region","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/393-local-news-source-guide-north-east-region","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=393","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/393/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"3.4.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/mE5aaeKj/8f6e67/NE%20region.jpg"},"profile_id":10,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

Region: North East

New Hampshire - NH Concord Monitor

New York - NY New York Times

Massachusetts - MA Boston Globe

Connecticut - CT Hartford Courant

Delaware - DE The News Journal

Maine - ME Portland Press Herald

Maryland - MD Maryland Independent

Pennsylvania - PA York Dispatch

Rhode Island - RI The Providence Journal

Vermont - VT Burlington Free Press

West Virginia - WV The Herald-Dispatch

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-03-04T18:06:21.302Z","status":"published","snippet":"Region: North East New Hampshire - NH Concord Monitor New York - NY New York Times Massachusetts - MA Boston Globe Connecticut -","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-03-04T18:06:21.300Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Local News Source Guide - North East Region","cta_prompt":"Join us and spread the word to your community","html_content":"

Region: North East

New Hampshire - NH Concord Monitor

New York - NY New York Times

Massachusetts - MA Boston Globe

Connecticut - CT Hartford Courant

Delaware - DE The News Journal

Maine - ME Portland Press Herald

Maryland - MD Maryland Independent

Pennsylvania - PA York Dispatch

Rhode Island - RI The Providence Journal

Vermont - VT Burlington Free Press

West Virginia - WV The Herald-Dispatch

","custom_cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":0,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 4: How might China, Russia & Iran meddle with our election?","id":357,"slug":"357-ask-expert-episode-4-china-russia-iran-meddle-election","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/357-ask-expert-episode-4-china-russia-iran-meddle-election","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=357","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/357/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":1095,"cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.4.20","image_urls":{"small":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg","medium":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg","large":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg","thumb":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg","xsmall":"https://img.youtube.com/vi/uy1tqtjjSqk/0.jpg"},"profile_id":9,"action_count":2,"html_content":"

","comments_count":2,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["short-video"],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-12-04T20:54:40.156Z","status":"published","snippet":"As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center , the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-12-04T20:54:40.152Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/uy1tqtjjSqk","video_dimensions":[480,270],"video_aspect_ratio":"16x9","og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Ask the Expert - Episode 4: How might China, Russia & Iran meddle with our election?","cta_prompt":"Watch the Video Here","html_content":"

","custom_cta_text":null,"cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":2,"issue_ids":["short-video"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"One Year After Jamal Khashoggi’s Death, Many Questions Remain","id":85,"slug":"85-year-jamal-khashoggi-s-death-questions-remain","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/85-year-jamal-khashoggi-s-death-questions-remain","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=85","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/85/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Do you think Congress Should Reopen an Investigation?","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.2.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/d363a5/WHTT_CountablePetition_20190926.jpg"},"profile_id":5,"action_count":18,"html_content":"

Wednesday, October 2nd marks one year since journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Khashoggi was a known political dissident, and many of his articles were critical of the Saudi government. The exact circumstances of his murder remain suspicious and largely unverified, and one year later, there are still many questions surrounding his death.

Here’s what you need to know about Khashoggi:

Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi was a Saudi born author, journalist and political dissident.
He was assassinated on October 2nd, 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Khashoggi was a legal resident of the United States, and a columnist for the Washington Post at the time of his death.
Saudi Arabia initially denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's death.
Later, the Saudi government claimed his death was the result of rogue actors.
\nBy November, the CIA had concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination.\n
A United Nation’s Report concluded that he was killed and dismembered by Saudi state actors.
His remains have never been found.
\nInitially, President Trump promised “severe punishment” if it became clear that the Saudi government had assassinated Khashoggi. One month later, he backpedaled on this claim, citing his reluctance to “destroy the economy” by straining Saudi-U.S. relations.\n
\nA trial for 11 men accused of killing Khashoggi began in January, 2019 but has taken place in Saudi Arabia, mostly outside of public view.\n
\nLast week, Saudi Crown Prince admitted that Khashoggi’s death “happened under my watch.”\n
\nMohammed bin Salman still denies ordering the killing of Khashoggi.\n

Article: Khashoggi's murder: One year on, here's what we know

Even after multiple investigations and a Saudi trial, the exact details of the murder are still unknown. Khashoggi’s murder is a brutal blow to global press freedoms and an alarming strain to U.S.-Saudi relations. People deserve to know the truth about what happened to Jamal Khashoggi, and as long as the Saudi government and the White House continue to shroud this event in secrecy, people will continue to harbor suspicions about our government’s willingness to pursue justice and our democratic commitment to a free press.

Do you think Congress should demand an investigation into Khashoggi’s death? If so, let your Representative know.

You can also sound off on twitter using the hashtags #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

Or, you can reach out to the 2020 Presidential candidates below using #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-02T15:59:54.482Z","status":"published","snippet":"Wednesday, October 2nd marks one year since journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.","share_count":5,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-02T16:04:51.013Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"One Year After Jamal Khashoggi’s Death, Many Questions Remain","cta_prompt":"Do you think Congress Should Reopen an Investigation?","html_content":"

Here’s what you need to know about Khashoggi:

Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi was a Saudi born author, journalist and political dissident.
He was assassinated on October 2nd, 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Khashoggi was a legal resident of the United States, and a columnist for the Washington Post at the time of his death.
Saudi Arabia initially denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's death.
Later, the Saudi government claimed his death was the result of rogue actors.
\nBy November, the CIA had concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's assassination.\n
A United Nation’s Report concluded that he was killed and dismembered by Saudi state actors.
His remains have never been found.
\nInitially, President Trump promised “severe punishment” if it became clear that the Saudi government had assassinated Khashoggi. One month later, he backpedaled on this claim, citing his reluctance to “destroy the economy” by straining Saudi-U.S. relations.\n
\nA trial for 11 men accused of killing Khashoggi began in January, 2019 but has taken place in Saudi Arabia, mostly outside of public view.\n
\nLast week, Saudi Crown Prince admitted that Khashoggi’s death “happened under my watch.”\n
\nMohammed bin Salman still denies ordering the killing of Khashoggi.\n

Article: Khashoggi's murder: One year on, here's what we know

Do you think Congress should demand an investigation into Khashoggi’s death? If so, let your Representative know.

You can also sound off on twitter using the hashtags #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

Or, you can reach out to the 2020 Presidential candidates below using #JusticeforKhashoggi and #RememberKhashoggi

","custom_cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null}},"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"valid_count":1,"issue_ids":["news"],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Denver Police Agree to First Amendment Training ","id":96,"slug":"96-denver-police-agree-amendment-training","links":{"self":"https://www.weholdthesetruths.org/articles/96-denver-police-agree-amendment-training","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=96","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/96/signatures?include=user"},"user_id":27,"cta_prompt":"Should recording police count as free speech?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.15.19","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg","small":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg","medium":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg","large":"https://ul.weholdthesetruths.org/ul/q_auto/WvoqklEb/f749d3/WHTT_DenverPoliceFirstAmendmentTraining-_Explore_20191014.jpg"},"profile_id":6,"action_count":11,"html_content":"

In July of 2018, investigative reporter Susan Greene filmed an interaction between Denver police and a naked, handcuffed man. Police asked Greene to stop recording, and when she refused, they seized her phone, handcuffed her, and pushed her into a police car. The interaction was captured on police body cam footage.

\nArticle: Denver Police Agree to First Amendment Training After Unlawful Arrest of Journalist\n

The right to record police officers have been repeatedly upheld by the courts as an essential element of free speech and free press.

After a 7 month internal investigation, the Denver Police Department agreed to provide First Amendment training for their officers, specifically conceding the right to photograph and record in public.

Is this a win for free speech? Let us know in the comments below.

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":["legislation","news"],"private":null,"created_at":"2019-10-15T14:12:16.231Z","status":"published","snippet":"In July of 2018, investigative reporter Susan Greene filmed an interaction between Denver police and a naked, handcuffed man.","share_count":2,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#333373","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#9F1962","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#DB0F06","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":6,"recipient_config":null,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2019-10-15T14:16:52.981Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"translations":{"en":{"status":"published","title":"Denver Police Agree to First Amendment Training ","cta_prompt":"Should recording police count as free speech?","html_content":"

\nArticle: Denver Police Agree to First Amendment Training After Unlawful Arrest of Journalist\n

The right to record police officers have been repeatedly upheld by the courts as an essential element of free speech and free press.

Is this a win for free speech? Let us know in the comments below.

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What’s the story?

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed an election bill into law last week that reforms the Grand Canyon State’s early voting procedures for mail-in ballots. Proponents have called this law a common-sense reform to ensure voter rolls remain accurate and current, while its detractors have said it’s unnecessary and harmful to voters.
Ducey explained the new law in a video message after signing it:

“This bill is simple ― it’s all about election integrity. If an individual is signed up to automatically be mailed an early ballot and then stops voting entirely for a full four years their county recorder will ask them if they still want to automatically be mailed a ballot. If they respond, they’ll continue receiving one. If they don’t respond, here’s what happens: They will remain a registered voter, they can still request an early ballot, and they can also show up at the polls in-person on Election Day.”

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D) wrote a letter explaining her opposition to the bill and encouraging Ducey to veto it:

“This bill would end Arizona’s Permanent Early Voting List, a fixture of Arizona’s elections for over a decade. While some would try to portray this bill as cleaning up the voter rolls, it does no such thing. In fact, Arizona already has a process to ensure that voter registrations are current, a process that prevents truly inactive voters from receiving a ballot in the mail. Our current process works… and the changes proposed in this bill aren’t just unnecessary ― they’re detrimental to voters.”

Here’s a look at what’s in the new law and how it compares to previous policy in Arizona:

What does the new Arizona election law do?

The Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) is renamed the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) under the new law. The PEVL was first established in 2007, and Arizona has had early voting (previously known in the state as “absentee voting”) since 1993.
If a voter who is currently on the AEVL actively votes by mail, they will continue to receive early ballots for elections in their jurisdiction.
If a voter on the AEVL fails to return at least one early ballot by mail over a four year period ― including two consecutive primary and general elections, and any preceding municipal elections (which excludes those for special taxing districts) ― they will be sent a notice by their county recorder asking if they still want to receive an early ballot in future elections.
The county recorder will be required to send such notices by mail on January 15th of each odd-number year to voters on the AEVL who didn’t vote an early ballot for the two previous election cycles as described above. If the county recorder has the voter’s email address and/or telephone number, they can also contact the voter by email, call, or text message.
Notices will inform the voter that if they wish to remain on the AEVL, they must confirm in writing that they want to remain on the AEVL and return the completed notice to the county recorder or other official in charge of elections within 90 days of it being sent to the voter.
No provisions in the new law alter the registration status of a voter who is removed from the AEVL, so if they don’t respond to the notice about their status on the AEVL and are removed from it they can still an early ballot at a later date prior to an election or vote in-person.
The new law doesn’t apply retroactively to past elections, so voters who are on the AEVL (previously known as the PEVL) but don’t use their early ballot will remain on the list for the next two election cycles with statewide general elections. That means the first notices to voters on the AEVL who didn’t vote early in the prior two election cycles won’t be sent until 2025.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Ducey: Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons | iStock.com / Darylann Elmi)

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What’s the story?

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed an election bill into law last week that reforms the Grand Canyon State’s early voting procedures for mail-in ballots. Proponents have called this law a common-sense reform to ensure voter rolls remain accurate and current, while its detractors have said it’s unnecessary and harmful to voters.
Ducey explained the new law in a video message after signing it:

“This bill is simple ― it’s all about election integrity. If an individual is signed up to automatically be mailed an early ballot and then stops voting entirely for a full four years their county recorder will ask them if they still want to automatically be mailed a ballot. If they respond, they’ll continue receiving one. If they don’t respond, here’s what happens: They will remain a registered voter, they can still request an early ballot, and they can also show up at the polls in-person on Election Day.”

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D) wrote a letter explaining her opposition to the bill and encouraging Ducey to veto it:

“This bill would end Arizona’s Permanent Early Voting List, a fixture of Arizona’s elections for over a decade. While some would try to portray this bill as cleaning up the voter rolls, it does no such thing. In fact, Arizona already has a process to ensure that voter registrations are current, a process that prevents truly inactive voters from receiving a ballot in the mail. Our current process works… and the changes proposed in this bill aren’t just unnecessary ― they’re detrimental to voters.”

Here’s a look at what’s in the new law and how it compares to previous policy in Arizona:

What does the new Arizona election law do?

The Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) is renamed the Active Early Voting List (AEVL) under the new law. The PEVL was first established in 2007, and Arizona has had early voting (previously known in the state as “absentee voting”) since 1993.
If a voter who is currently on the AEVL actively votes by mail, they will continue to receive early ballots for elections in their jurisdiction.
If a voter on the AEVL fails to return at least one early ballot by mail over a four year period ― including two consecutive primary and general elections, and any preceding municipal elections (which excludes those for special taxing districts) ― they will be sent a notice by their county recorder asking if they still want to receive an early ballot in future elections.
The county recorder will be required to send such notices by mail on January 15th of each odd-number year to voters on the AEVL who didn’t vote an early ballot for the two previous election cycles as described above. If the county recorder has the voter’s email address and/or telephone number, they can also contact the voter by email, call, or text message.
Notices will inform the voter that if they wish to remain on the AEVL, they must confirm in writing that they want to remain on the AEVL and return the completed notice to the county recorder or other official in charge of elections within 90 days of it being sent to the voter.
No provisions in the new law alter the registration status of a voter who is removed from the AEVL, so if they don’t respond to the notice about their status on the AEVL and are removed from it they can still an early ballot at a later date prior to an election or vote in-person.
The new law doesn’t apply retroactively to past elections, so voters who are on the AEVL (previously known as the PEVL) but don’t use their early ballot will remain on the list for the next two election cycles with statewide general elections. That means the first notices to voters on the AEVL who didn’t vote early in the prior two election cycles won’t be sent until 2025.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Ducey: Gage Skidmore via Flickr / Creative Commons | iStock.com / Darylann Elmi)

Quote of the Week: October 8th, 2019