[New-York-News] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert - May 17, 2021
Justin Young
jty727 at gmail.com
Wed May 26 20:16:01 UTC 2021
Hi All,
The following message was sent earlier this week from John Pare,
Executive Director of Advocacy & Policy at the National office of the
NFB. The below alert asks us to contact our United States Senators to
urge them to support the below mentioned amendment. Today, another
email was sent to a mailing list for Affiliate Legislative Directors
indicating Senator Thune plans to introduce the mentioned amendment to
the United States Innovation & Competition Act sometime on the floor
tomorrow. So it's important to contact both Senate Majority Leader
Schumer & Senator Gillibrand's office.
The contacts for the respective offices are the following:
Meghan Taira, Senate Majority Leader Schumer's office)
Email: meghan_taira at schumer.senate.gov
Phone: (202) 224-6542
Jessica Hernandez (Senator Gillibrand's office)
Email: jessica_hernandez at gillibrand.senate.gov
Phone: (202) 224-4451
The below is a proposed script for emails/phone calls:
"Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I am a constituent of [SENATOR
NAME]. I live in [CITY, STATE]. I would like to urge [SENATOR NAME] to
support Senator Thune's automated vehicles amendment to the Endless
Frontier Act. The amendment contains two provisions that would
benefit blind people. The first would create an exemption
classification for manufacturers who provide transportation access for
individuals with disabilities as long as the vehicle was equivalently
safe to a non-exempt vehicle. The second would prohibit a state from
issuing an operator's license for the use of a highly automated
vehicle in a manner that discriminates on the basis of disability.
Together, these two amendments will ensure that blind Americans are
able to reap the rewards of highly automated vehicles.
Thank you for your time"
For emails, please copy into them Jeff Kaloc jkaloc at nfb.org from the
National Government Affairs Team.
Thanks,
Justin
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Pare, John via NFBNet-Members-List" <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2021 19:24:36 +0000
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert - May 17, 2021
To: "nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org" <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
Dear Federation Family:
The National Federation of the Blind has been working with Senator
John Thune on an amendment to the Endless Frontier Act. This amendment
relates to fully automated vehicles and contains two provisions that
would benefit blind people.
The first provision would create an exemption classification for
manufacturers who "provide transportation access for individuals with
disabilities (as defined in section 3 of the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)), including non-visual
access for individuals who are blind or visually impaired," as long as
the vehicle was equivalently safe to a non-exempt vehicle. The second
would prohibit a state from issuing a "motor vehicle operator's
license for the operation or use of a highly automated vehicle in a
manner that discriminates on the basis of disability."
Despite support from both automobile manufacturers and disability
advocates, Senator Thune reluctantly withdrew his amendment on May 12
due to a lack of support from other senators on the Commerce, Science,
and Transportation Committee over safety and liability concerns.
President Riccobono wrote a letter to Chair Cantwell and Ranking
Member Wicker<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-chair-cantwell-thune-amendment-endless-frontier-act>
regarding this topic expressing our support and endorsement of the
Thune amendment on May 11.
The Endless Frontier Act has been moved to the Senate floor for debate
this week and Senator Thune plans to bring his amendment forward for a
full Senate vote.
Please contact your senators and ask them to support this important
amendment. When you call or email your senators, you might say
something like:
"Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I am a constituent of [SENATOR
NAME]. I live in [CITY, STATE]. I would like to urge [SENATOR NAME] to
support Senator Thune's automated vehicles amendment to the Endless
Frontier Act. The amendment contains two provisions that would
benefit blind people. The first would create an exemption
classification for manufacturers who provide transportation access for
individuals with disabilities as long as the vehicle was equivalently
safe to a non-exempt vehicle. The second would prohibit a state from
issuing an operator's license for the use of a highly automated
vehicle in a manner that discriminates on the basis of disability.
Together, these two amendments will ensure that blind Americans are
able to reap the rewards of highly automated vehicles.
Thanks."
You can contact your senators by calling the Capitol Switchboard and
asking for the office in question. The number is 202-224-3121. If you
email your senators, please copy Jeff Kaloc at
jkaloc at nfb.org<mailto:jkaloc at nfb.org>. Your calls and emails do make a
difference.
Pasted below are the 87 Senate offices (listed alphabetically by
state) that have a specific staff member dedicated to transportation.
If your senator is not listed, please email Jesa Medders at
jmedders at nfb.org<mailto:jmedders at nfb.org> and she will research
another appropriate staff member to contact.
Scott Leathard Sen. Daniel Sullivan AK
scott_leathard at sullivan.senate.gov<mailto:scott_leathard at sullivan.senate.gov>
Anne McInerney Sen. Lisa Murkowski
AK anne_mcinerney at murkowski.senate.gov<mailto:anne_mcinerney at murkowski.senate.gov>
Mike Albares Sen. Thomas Hawley Tuberville AL
michael_albares at tuberville.senate.gov<mailto:michael_albares at tuberville.senate.gov>
Brennan Johnson Sen. Richard Shelby
AL brennan_johnson at shelby.senate.gov<mailto:brennan_johnson at shelby.senate.gov>
Joe Brown Sen. John Boozman AR
joe_brown at boozman.senate.gov<mailto:joe_brown at boozman.senate.gov>
Vu Ritchie Sen. Thomas Cotton AR
vu_ritchie at cotton.senate.gov<mailto:vu_ritchie at cotton.senate.gov>
Joe Russell Sen. Mark Kelly AZ
joe_russell at kelly.senate.gov<mailto:joe_russell at kelly.senate.gov>
Daniel Winkler Sen. Kyrsten Sinema AZ
daniel_winkler at sinema.senate.gov<mailto:daniel_winkler at sinema.senate.gov>
Zac Commins Sen. Alejandro
Padilla CA
zac_commins at padilla.senate.gov<mailto:zac_commins at padilla.senate.gov>
Rishi Sahgal Sen. Dianne Feinstein CA
rishi_sahgal at feinstein.senate.gov<mailto:rishi_sahgal at feinstein.senate.gov>
Grishma Pradhan Sen. Michael Bennet
CO grishma_pradhan at bennet.senate.gov<mailto:grishma_pradhan at bennet.senate.gov>
Edgar Rivas Sen. John Hickenlooper CO
edgar_rivas at hickenlooper.senate.gov<mailto:edgar_rivas at hickenlooper.senate.gov>
Emma Cimino Sen. Christopher Murphy CT
emma_cimino at murphy.senate.gov<mailto:emma_cimino at murphy.senate.gov>
Thomas Story Sen. Richard Blumenthal CT
thomas_story at blumenthal.senate.gov<mailto:thomas_story at blumenthal.senate.gov>
David Brown Sen. Christopher Coons DE
david_brown at coons.senate.gov<mailto:david_brown at coons.senate.gov>
Collin Lomagistro Sen. Richard Scott FL
collin_lomagistro at rickscott.senate.gov<mailto:collin_lomagistro at rickscott.senate.gov>
Mara Stark-Alcala Sen. Raphael Warnock
GA
mara_stark at warnock.senate.gov<mailto:mara_stark at warnock.senate.gov>
Jed D'Ercole Sen. Mazie Hirono HI
jed_dercole at hirono.senate.gov<mailto:jed_dercole at hirono.senate.gov>
Trey Reffett Sen. Brian Schatz HI
trey_reffett at schatz.senate.gov<mailto:trey_reffett at schatz.senate.gov>
Sherry Kuntz Sen. Chuck Grassley IA
sherry_kuntz at grassley.senate.gov<mailto:sherry_kuntz at grassley.senate.gov>
Mary Kate Munro Sen. Joni Ernst IA
marykate_munro at ernst.senate.gov<mailto:marykate_munro at ernst.senate.gov>
Charles Adams Sen. James Risch ID
charles_adams at risch.senate.gov<mailto:charles_adams at risch.senate.gov>
Kristen Siegele Sen. Michael Crapo ID
kristen_siegele at crapo.senate.gov<mailto:kristen_siegele at crapo.senate.gov>
Mark Copeland Sen. Ladda Duckworth
IL mark_copeland at duckworth.senate.gov<mailto:mark_copeland at duckworth.senate.gov>
Kevin Lefeber Sen. Richard Durbin IL
kevin_lefeber at durbin.senate.gov<mailto:kevin_lefeber at durbin.senate.gov>
Dan Cheever Sen. Todd Young IN
dan_cheever at young.senate.gov<mailto:dan_cheever at young.senate.gov>
Payne Griffin Sen. Mike Braun IN
payne_griffin at braun.senate.gov<mailto:payne_griffin at braun.senate.gov>
Tom Bush Sen. Jerry Moran KS
tom_bush at moran.senate.gov<mailto:tom_bush at moran.senate.gov>
Katie Moore Sen. Roger Marshall KS
katie_moore at marshall.senate.gov<mailto:katie_moore at marshall.senate.gov>
John Maniscalco Sen. Randal Paul KY
john_maniscalco at paul.senate.gov<mailto:john_maniscalco at paul.senate.gov>
Amy Nabozny Sen. Addison
McConnell KY
amy_nabozny at mcconnell.senate.gov<mailto:amy_nabozny at mcconnell.senate.gov>
Bubba Gesser Sen. John Kennedy LA
herman_gesser at kennedy.senate.gov<mailto:herman_gesser at kennedy.senate.gov>
Owen Morgan Sen. William Cassidy LA
owen_morgan at cassidy.senate.gov<mailto:owen_morgan at cassidy.senate.gov>
Bruno Freitas Sen. Elizabeth Warren MA
bruno_freitas at warren.senate.gov<mailto:bruno_freitas at warren.senate.gov>
Eric Kashdan Sen. Edward Markey MA
eric_kashdan at markey.senate.gov<mailto:eric_kashdan at markey.senate.gov>
Shannon Frede Sen. Benjamin Cardin
MD shannon_frede at cardin.senate.gov<mailto:shannon_frede at cardin.senate.gov>
Deborah Haynie Sen. Christopher Van Hollen
MD
deborah_haynie at vanhollen.senate.gov<mailto:deborah_haynie at vanhollen.senate.gov>
Cameron O'Brien Sen. Susan Collins ME
cameron_o'brien at collins.senate.gov
Nathan Paxton Sen. Angus King ME
nathan_paxton at king.senate.gov<mailto:nathan_paxton at king.senate.gov>
Catherine Barrett Sen. Gary Peters MI
catherine_barrett at peters.senate.gov<mailto:catherine_barrett at peters.senate.gov>
Lot Kwarteng Sen. Deborah
Stabenow MI
lot_kwarteng at stabenow.senate.gov<mailto:lot_kwarteng at stabenow.senate.gov>
Caroline Hunsicker Sen. Tina
Smith MN
caroline_hunsicker at smith.senate.gov<mailto:caroline_hunsicker at smith.senate.gov>
April Jones Sen. Amy Klobuchar MN
april_jones at klobuchar.senate.gov<mailto:april_jones at klobuchar.senate.gov>
Andy Lock Sen. Roy Blunt MO
andrew_lock at blunt.senate.gov<mailto:andrew_lock at blunt.senate.gov>
Josh MacGregor Sen. Joshua Hawley MO
joshua_macgregor at hawley.senate.gov<mailto:joshua_macgregor at hawley.senate.gov>
Chloe Cantor Sen. Roger Wicker MS
chloe_cantor at wicker.senate.gov<mailto:chloe_cantor at wicker.senate.gov>
Shane Waller Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith MS
shane_waller at hydesmith.senate.gov<mailto:shane_waller at hydesmith.senate.gov>
Corey Sellers Sen. Steven Daines MT
corey_sellers at daines.senate.gov<mailto:corey_sellers at daines.senate.gov>
Sam Lupas Sen. Thomas Tillis NC
sam_lupas at tillis.senate.gov<mailto:sam_lupas at tillis.senate.gov>
John McDonald Sen. Richard Burr NC
john_mcdonald at burr.senate.gov<mailto:john_mcdonald at burr.senate.gov>
Micah Chambers Sen. Kevin Cramer ND
micah_chambers at cramer.senate.gov<mailto:micah_chambers at cramer.senate.gov>
Tyler Hardy Sen. John Hoeven ND
tyler_hardy at hoeven.senate.gov<mailto:tyler_hardy at hoeven.senate.gov>
Katherine Duveneck Sen. Benjamin
Sasse NE
katherine_duveneck at sasse.senate.gov<mailto:katherine_duveneck at sasse.senate.gov>
Paul Wasik Sen. Debra Fischer NE
paul_wasik at fischer.senate.gov<mailto:paul_wasik at fischer.senate.gov>
Nick Malatesta Sen. Margaret Hassan
NH nicholas_malatesta at hassan.senate.gov<mailto:nicholas_malatesta at hassan.senate.gov>
Josh Sanders Sen. Robert Menendez NJ
josh_sanders at menendez.senate.gov<mailto:josh_sanders at menendez.senate.gov>
Matt Thomson Sen. Cory Booker NJ
matt_thomson at booker.senate.gov<mailto:matt_thomson at booker.senate.gov>
Jared Henderson Sen. Ben Ray Lujan
NM jared_henderson at lujan.senate.gov<mailto:jared_henderson at lujan.senate.gov>
Dominic Saavedra Sen. Martin
Heinrich NM
dominic_saavedra at heinrich.senate.gov<mailto:dominic_saavedra at heinrich.senate.gov>
Alex De Bianchi Sen. Jacky Rosen NV
alexandrine_debianchi at rosen.senate.gov<mailto:alexandrine_debianchi at rosen.senate.gov>
Trevor Dean Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto NV
trevor_dean at cortezmasto.senate.gov<mailto:trevor_dean at cortezmasto.senate.gov>
Jessica Hernandez Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
NY jessica_hernandez at gillibrand.senate.gov<mailto:jessica_hernandez at gillibrand.senate.gov>
Leah Hill Sen. Sherrod Brown OH
leah_hill at brown.senate.gov<mailto:leah_hill at brown.senate.gov>
Avery Pierson Sen. Robert Portman OH
avery_pierson at portman.senate.gov<mailto:avery_pierson at portman.senate.gov>
Victor Sarmiento Sen. James Inhofe OK
victor_sarmiento at inhofe.senate.gov<mailto:victor_sarmiento at inhofe.senate.gov>
Amy Vanderveer Sen. James Lankford
OK amy_vanderveer at lankford.senate.gov<mailto:amy_vanderveer at lankford.senate.gov>
Richard Parker Sen. Jeffrey Merkley OR
richard_parker at merkley.senate.gov<mailto:richard_parker at merkley.senate.gov>
Sara-Paige Silvestro Sen. Robert Casey
PA sara-paige_silvestro at casey.senate.gov<mailto:sara-paige_silvestro at casey.senate.gov>
Steve Keenan Sen. John Reed RI
steve_keenan at reed.senate.gov<mailto:steve_keenan at reed.senate.gov>
Meghan Dorn Sen. Lindsey Graham SC
meghan_dorn at lgraham.senate.gov<mailto:meghan_dorn at lgraham.senate.gov>
Chance Costello Sen. John Thune SD
chance_costello at thune.senate.gov<mailto:chance_costello at thune.senate.gov>
Andrew Hogin Sen. William Hagerty TN
andrew_hogin at hagerty.senate.gov<mailto:andrew_hogin at hagerty.senate.gov>
Jonathan Iwaskiw Sen. Rafael Cruz TX
jonathan_iwaskiw at cruz.senate.gov<mailto:jonathan_iwaskiw at cruz.senate.gov>
Jacob Smith Sen. John Cornyn TX
jacob_smith at cornyn.senate.gov<mailto:jacob_smith at cornyn.senate.gov>
Alex Vargo Sen. Willard Romney UT
alex_vargo at romney.senate.gov<mailto:alex_vargo at romney.senate.gov>
Joel Wellum Sen. Michael Lee UT
joel_wellum at lee.senate.gov<mailto:joel_wellum at lee.senate.gov>
Stephanie Doherty Sen. Mark Warner
VA stephanie_doherty at warner.senate.gov<mailto:stephanie_doherty at warner.senate.gov>
Evan McWalters Sen. Timothy Kaine
VA evan_mcwalters at kaine.senate.gov<mailto:evan_mcwalters at kaine.senate.gov>
Jeff Van Oot Sen. Patrick Leahy VT
jeff_van_oot at leahy.senate.gov<mailto:jeff_van_oot at leahy.senate.gov>
Zach Mallove Sen. Patricia Murray WA
zach_mallove at murray.senate.gov<mailto:zach_mallove at murray.senate.gov>
David Marten Sen. Maria Cantwell WA
david_marten at cantwell.senate.gov<mailto:david_marten at cantwell.senate.gov>
Annie Chestnut Sen. Ronald Johnson
WI annie_chestnut at ronjohnson.senate.gov<mailto:annie_chestnut at ronjohnson.senate.gov>
Meghan Ladwig Sen. Tammy Baldwin WI
meghan_ladwig at baldwin.senate.gov<mailto:meghan_ladwig at baldwin.senate.gov>
Brendan Dailey Sen. Shelley Capito WV
brendan_dailey at capito.senate.gov<mailto:brendan_dailey at capito.senate.gov>
Seth Gainer Sen. Joseph Manchin WV
seth_gainer at manchin.senate.gov<mailto:seth_gainer at manchin.senate.gov>
Holt Edwards Sen. Cynthia Lummis WY
holt_edwards at lummis.senate.gov<mailto:holt_edwards at lummis.senate.gov>
Charles Ziegler Sen. John Barrasso WY
charles_ziegler at barrasso.senate.gov<mailto:charles_ziegler at barrasso.senate.gov>
Warm regards,
John
John G. Paré Jr.
Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy
National Federation of the Blind
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