Lobby Day 2013An Overview

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Matt Newell-ChingDeputy Director of Organizing

Western Region

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“The reality is that in order to break free from the bondage [of poverty] in this country and the world, we need elected officials

to make good on their words and put love thy neighbor at

the center of our legislative agenda.”

-Derick Dailey

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www.bread.orgToday’s Agenda

• Lobby Day Basics• Issues

– The Farm Bill– Sequestration

• Resources• What Comes Next?

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Lobby Day Basics

14%

19%

20%

46%

50%

53%

72%

69%

70%

51%

1%

1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Form e-mails

Form postalletters

Phone Calls

Individualized e-mails

Individual postalletters

Lobby visits -constituents

A Lot of Influence Some Influence

Source: Congressional Management Foundation, 2011

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Lobby Day

8 am – 12:30 pmMead Center

• Breakfast/Registration• Worship• Issues Briefing• State Caucusing (Lunch)• Depart for Senate

Mead Center

U.S. Capitol

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Lobby Day

1 pm – 5 pmLobby Visits

• 1 – 3 pm (Senate)• 3 – 5 pm (House)

House Buildings

Senate Buildings

Shuttle Dropoff

Mead Center

Transportation alternatives will be provided for people

with limited mobility

U.S. Capitol

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Lobby Day

5:30 – 8 pmCanon House Office Building

• Reception • Closing Worship

House Buildings

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Issue 1: Protect SNAP and Reform Food Aid

in the Farm Bill

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Christine Meléndez AshleyPolicy Analyst

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The Farm Bill

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The Farm Bill Reality

• Governs farm and food policy – including SNAP & international food aid

• Considered every 5 – 6 years

• Must be passed by both the House and Senate

• Unique budget climate means…

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2013 Farm Bill Reality

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Where are we now?

The Senate

• On the Senate floor

• $4 billion cut to SNAP

• Reforms plus increases funding for Local and Regional Procurement program

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Where are we now?

The House

• Will be on the floor in June

• $20 billion cut to SNAP

• $2.5 billion cut to food aid & 78% cut to food aid quality programs

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Our Asks

• Protect & strengthen SNAP

• Protect & improve food aid

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ISSUE 2:Replace “Sequestration”

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Amelia Kegan Senior Policy Analyst

“Sequestration”www.bread.org

• Automatic cuts: half defense, half non-defense

• Tool to force a budget deal

• Purposefully painful

• Cuts began March 1 and last 9 years

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Now is not the problem.

Tomorrow is the problem.

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Replace with a balanced budget plan

• Revenues• Entitlements

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Fuel the fire

Build the pressure

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Stories!!!

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What Comes Next

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Additional Resources:www.bread.org/lobbyday

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I am prepared to take the long, hard road, knowing it may not happen today or tomorrow, but ultimately, eventually, it will happen. That’s what faith is all about. That’s the definition of commitment – patience and persistence.  People who are like fireworks, popping off right and left with lots of sound and sizzle, can capture a crowd, capture a lot of attention for a time, but I always have to ask, where will they be in the end? Some battles are long and hard, and you have to have staying power. Firecrackers go off in a flash, then leave nothing but ashes. I prefer a pilot light – the flame is nothing flashy, but once it is lit, it doesn’t go out. It burns steadily, and it burns forever.

-Rep. John LewisWalking With the Wind

www.bread.orgPossible Next Steps

• Contact House hill staff during Farm Bill debate

• Organize a lobby visit in a local office

• Brainstorm with your regional organizer

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