HR 3035:A Textbook Example of Successful Grassroots Advocacy

compiled by POPVOX.com

9/29/11

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

9/22/2011Bill introduced

1. Early awareness & engagement

9/30/11National Assoc of Consumer Advocates issues press release opposing bill

Citizens for Civil Discourse registers opposition on POPVOX.

Coverage in tech press begins.

10/3/11Within one day, over 5,000 people send a message to Congress opposing the bill using POPVOX.

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

2. A call & funnel for action

10/3/11 5,725 people opposed

10/2/11StopPoliticalCalls.org launches POPVOX widget to help people contact Congress, begins social media outreach.

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

3. Local media engagement

Editorials appear in newspapers across the country.

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

4. State “grasstops” engagement

11/2/11Indiana Attorney General holds press conference asking that people contact Congress on HR 3025 using POPVOX.

Rather than deluge the members of Congress with telephone calls, though, Zoeller said he's asking people to instead register their views via the non-partisan website, Popvox, at https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/112/hr3035.

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

5. Broad coalition engagement

11/3/11Consumer & privacy coalition send letter opposing bill.

Americans for Financial ReformCenter for Media and DemocracyCitizens for Civil Discourse (The National Political Do Not Contact Registry)Consumer ActionConsumer Federation of AmericaConsumer Watchdog

National Association of Consumer AdvocatesNational Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low income clients)Privacy ActivismPrivacy Rights Now CoalitionEvan Hendricks, Publisher, Privacy TimesU.S. Public Interest Research Group

Dear Chairman Upton and Ranking Minority Member Waxman:

H.R. 3035 is not only unnecessary, it will effectively gut the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s essential protections against invasion of privacy, nuisance and harassing calls. We urge you to withdraw the bill.

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

6. Growing constituent input

11/3-4/11

11/4/11 8,315 people opposed

In days before hearing an additional 3,000+ people register opposition to the bill on POPVOX.

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

7. Engagement with Congressional process

11/5/11Congressional hearing covered by CSPANState representatives and consumer advocates inlcuded.

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8. Large advocacy organizations join

11/9/11MoveOn, FreePress, DailyKos, Credo Action, launch petitions.

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9. National news coverage

Hearing prompts national news coverage.11/12/11

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

10. Strong showing from all states

12/7/11Attorneys General from 54 states and territories send letter opposing HR 3035.

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11. Congress gets the message. Kills bill.

12/14/11The bill’s sponsor, Lee Terry, pronounces it dead.

“We’re driving a stake through its heart... Dead. Done. Buried.” - Rep. Lee Terry

“We have heard from our constituents. They are concerned about what they believe will happen should this legislation become law.” _ Rep. Lee Terry