Let's talk Restrict Act
If you haven't already heard, Congress is trying to pass a couple bills under the smokescreen of banning TikTok. The Restrict Act (bill S.686) and the Data Act (bill H.R.1153)
To sum up both of these (very broadly worded) bills, if passed, they will allow Congress to infringe on our freedom of speech and allow them to control access to, as well as censor, the information we can find on the internet.
It would give them the right to ban any device, website, social media- even video games- that they so choose, as long as it has over 1 million users (which is basically everything). They'd only need to claim it was somehow inappropriate or harmful. Sort of how they're trying to ban TikTok now. They're claiming it's for data and privacy concerns, but really it's because they don't like how widely accessible it's made outside information to the 150 million active US American users of the app, and because Zuckerberg also lobbied to get it banned because he couldn't compete with it. The bills do claim to be mostly targeted towards foreign entities, but again, it's also worded broadly enough that it essentially gives them the room to do whatever they like- like ban any platform that starts to offer too much access to outside information and/or makes it a little too easy for people to come together and organize.
So what can you do?
Call and/or email your representatives. Ideally both. If you don't know who they are, it's as easy as simply googling "Who are my representatives" and you'll find links that will help you find them. Tell them to vote no. Also tell them that if they don't vote NO, then you will be voting for their opponent in the next primary.
BUT be polite. I know, I know- but consider- they only care about keeping their power. They only care about winning their primaries. The most horrifying thing to them would be people calmly telling them that they will do whatever they can to vote them out of office in the next primary if they choose to vote for these bills.
Feel free to steal these scripts if you need help with what to say, just fill in the blanks:
"Hi, I'm [Name] and I was just [calling/writing] to let you know I'm a constituent of yours and that if [Senator/Congressman] votes in favor of bill H.R.1153, the Data Privacy Act or bill S.686, the Restrict Act, then I will be voting in favor of [his/her] opponent in the next primary, and will also do whatever I can to campaign for [his/her] opponent as well. Thank you so much and you have a wonderful day."
"Hi, I'm [Name], one of your constituents. I'm [calling/writing] to request [Senator/Congressman] vote NO on H.R.1153, the Data Privacy Act, and vote NO on bill S.686, the Restrict Act. These acts are a violation of the First Amendment, and if [Senator/Congressman] votes in favor of either of these bills I will be voting for their opponent in the next primary. Thank you and have a nice day."
