A Head Start on Vaccine Injury – SPEAK UP ABOUT FEDERAL VAX MANDATES!

Lately, it seems that we are getting hit from all directions. There are currently over a dozen states with proposed legislation intended to restrict parents’ right to refuse vaccines for their children, whether they attend public school or not. People are rightfully scared and very intimidated. More than a few people have expressed that they have been discussing with their partners plans to leave the country if these bills are passed. These bills are indeed alarming, but the most worrisome are the bills that have been introduced at the federal level, which are in various stages of the process toward a vote. It is so important for us to speak up about these bills, to let our legislators know that we disagree with them and why. There has never been a more important time for you to turn your anger and fear into action.

First is Senate Bill 486, authored by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and co-sponsored by Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA). As of this writing, there was no text available at www.congress.gov for this bill. However, it is summarized as “a bill to amend the Head Start Act to ensure that all children in Head Start and Early Head Start programs are vaccinated, and allow exemptions only for children with underlying medical conditions, for whom vaccines are therefore medically contraindicated.” The House version of this bill is H.R. 933 authored by Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18) and co-sponsored by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA-27), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA-28), Jackie Speier (D-CA-14), Diana DeGette (D-CO-1), Doris Matsui (D-CA-6), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT-3), Michael M. Honda (D-CA-17), and Jared Huffman (D-CA-2). The text of the House bill can be found here.

Head Start and Early Head Start are run by the Department of Health and Human Services [the federal agency which oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (including the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices), as well the Health Resources and Services Administration (which handles the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program), the National Institutes of Health, and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee]. The goal of both programs is to instill school readiness in low-income children under the age of five. Pregnant women are also served by the program. What makes this bill so alarming is not just that it is an effort to seize control over children’s healthcare choices, but also that we now know, thanks to the admissions of senior CDC scientist Dr. William Thompson, that “on-time” vaccination of African-American males and children who develop “isolated autism” (i.e., no pre-existing genetic disorders, birth defects, or medical conditions) can have disastrous consequences. Dr. Thompson, commonly known as the “CDC whistleblower,” also voiced concerns about vaccinating pregnant women due to data he found linking flu shots in utero with onset of tics and other autistic behaviors after birth.

There are nearly a million children and pregnant women currently enrolled in Head Start programs throughout the nation, and almost 30% of those children are African-American. It is chilling to think of the catastrophic consequences of this bill. Enrolled children and women are low-income, meaning they are more than likely relying on state assistance for basic needs as well as health insurance. Knowledge of what to do in the event of an adverse reaction is scarce amongst practitioners in general, let alone those accepting Medicaid or CHIP. Access to organic, non-GMO foods and personal care products is limited in low income areas. Programs like WIC promote (overtly and otherwise) formula, skim milk, and sugary cereals. In short, you take 37 doses of eleven vaccines (including a flu and TDaP during pregnancy) before the age of five, add in nutritional deficiencies, toss in practitioner ignorance (of the testing required to determine underlying medical conditions that would exempt a child from vaccination and of the recognition of vaccine injury) and top it off with general toxin exposure, and you have yourself a recipe for disaster. Beyond that, it is disturbing to know that Senators Boxer and Feinstein, and the numerous Representatives who stand behind this bill, think so little of low-income children that they feel completely comfortable stripping them and their parents of the right to informed consent and refusal. They are essentially dangling a very valuable carrot on a stick – that of childcare and the hope of better future academic performance – in exchange for allowing the federal government to usurp personal liberties. It’s downright appalling.

The Senate bill has been referred to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. You might remember the recent horrific HELP Committee hearing on vaccines during which a CDC expert, a pediatrician, and state health agency heads were paraded out to frighten the general public into vaccinating by the CDC recommended schedule by falsely accusing those who opt out of spreading infectious diseases and guaranteeing viewers that vaccines are 100% safe and effective. If you watched that, then you can understand how important it is that you contact committee members, whether you are their district constituent or not, in order to detail your concerns.  Meanwhile, the House bill was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Below are the authors, sponsors, committee staff, and members of each committee, along with key points of contact and their email addresses. Please refer to this pdf if you are in need of talking points ideas.

Senate

Authors/Sponsors:

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Washington, DC office  (202) 224-3553 @SenatorBoxer
Emily Katz, Health Policy Advisor, Emily_katz@boxer.senate.gov
Sean Moore, Legislative Directory & Deputy Chief of Staff, sean_moore@boxer.senate.gov
Laura Schiller, Chief of Staff, laura_schiller@boxer.senate.gov

Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) Washington, DC office (202) 224-3841 @SenFeinstein
Jennifer Duck, Chief of Staff                                      Jennifer_duck@feinstein.senate.gov
John Watts, Legislative Director                               john_watts@feinstein.senate.gov

Senate HELP Committee Staff: (202) 224-6770 @HELPCmteDems @GOPHELP

Sarah Arbes, Deputy Health Policy Director
Sarah Chu, Health Research Assistant
Haley Hudley, Education Research Assistant
Andrew LaCasse, Education Policy Advisor
Robert Moran, Deputy Education Policy Director
Diane Tran, Senior Education Research Assistant
Curtis Vann, Health Research Assistant

Senate HELP Committee Members:

Lamar Alexander – Chair (R-TN) Washington, DC office (202) 224-4944 @SenAlexander
Justine Brittain, Constituent Relations Rep            justine_brittain@alexander.senate.gov
David P. Cleary, Chief of Staff                                   david_cleary@alexander.senate.gov
Kayla McMurray, Constituent Relations Rep         kayla_mcmurray@alexander.senate.gov

Michael B. Enzi (R-WY) Washington, DC office(202) 224-3424 @SenatorEnzi
Flip McConnaughey, Chief of Staff                           flip_mcconnaughey@enzi.senate.gov
Kristin Chapman, Staff Director for HELP             kristin_chapman@enzi.senate.gov
Liz Schwartz, Professional Staff Member HELP   liz_schwartz@enzi.senate.gov
Tara Shaw, Legislative Director                               tara_shaw@enzi.senate.gov

Richard Burr (R-NC) Washington, DC office (202) 224-3154 @SenatorBurr
Natasha Hickman, Legislative Director                  Natasha_hickman@burr.senate.gov
Anna Abram, Health Legislative Aide                    anna_abram@burr.senate.gov
Christopher Toppings, Child/Family Issues Legislative Aide,                                         Christopher_toppings@burr.senate.gov

Johnny Isakson (R-GA) Washington, DC office (202) 224-3643 @SenatorIsakson
Joan Kirchner, Chief of Staff                                   joan_kirchner@isakson.senate.gov
Jay Sulzmann, Legislative Director                       jay_sulzmann@isakson.senate.gov
Brett Layson, Child/Family/Education Legislative Aide    brett_layson@isakson.senate.gov
Edward Tate, Deputy Chief of Staff                      Edward_tate@isakson.senate.gov

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) Washington, DC office (202) 224-4343 @SenRandPaul
William Henderson, Chief of Staff                          william_henderson@paul.senate.gov
John Gray, Legislative Director                             john_gray@paul.senate.gov
Natalie Burkhalter, HELP Legislative Aide          natalie_burkhalter@paul.senate.gov

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) Washington, DC office (202) 224-2523 @SenatorCollins
Steve Abbott, Chief of Staff                                    steve_abbott@collins.senate.gov
Betsy McDonnell, Legislative Director                 betsy_mcdonnell@collins.senate.gov
Priscilla Hanley, HELP Legislative Aide               Priscilla_hanley@collins.senate.gov

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Washington, DC office (202) 224-6665 @lisamurkowski
Garrett Boyle, Legislative Aide                             garrett_boyle@murkowski.senate.gov
Phillip Dodd, Legislative Correspondent              phillip_dodd@murkowski.senate.gov
Edward Hild, Chief of Staff                                     Edward_hild@murkowski.senate.gov
Karen McCarthy, Legislative Aide                        Karen_mccarthy@murkowski.senate.gov

Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) Washington, DC office (202) 224-2854 @SenatorKirk
Kate Dickens, Chief of Staff                                   kate_dickens@kirk.senate.gov
Jeannette Windon, Legislative Director              Jeannette_windon@kirk.senate.gov
Cade Clurman, HELP Legislative Aide                cade_clurman@kirk.senate.gov

Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) Washington, DC office (202) 224-6121 @SenatorTimScott
Jennifer DeCasper, Chief of Staff                         Jennifer_decasper@scott.senate.gov
Charles Cogar, Legislative Director                     Charles_cogar@scott.senate.gov
Ja’Ron Smith, HELP Legislative Aide                 jaron_smith@scott.senate.gov
Catherine Phillips, HELP Legislative Aide         Catherine_phillips@scott.senate.gov
Elizabeth Simmons, HELP Legislative Aide       Elizabeth_simmons@scott.senate.gov

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) Washington, DC office (202) 224-5251 @SenOrrinHatch
Rob Porter, Chief of Staff                                     rob_porter@hatch.senate.gov
Jay Khosla, Legislative Director                         jay_khosla@hatch.senate.gov
Katie Neal, HELP Legislative Aide                    Katie_neal@hatch.senate.gov
Katie Meyer Simeon, HELP Legislative Aide  Katie_meyersimeon@hatch.senate.gov

Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) Washington, DC office (202) 224-4774 @SenPatRoberts
Chris Allen, Legislative Assistant                     chris_allen@roberts.senate.gov
Jennifer Boyer, Legislative Assistant              Jennifer_boyer@roberts.senate.gov
Jackie Cottrell, Chief of Staff                             Jackie_cottrell@roberts.senate.gov
Emily Haug, Legislative Assistant                    Emily_haug@roberts.senate.gov
Darin Guries, Legislative Director                   darin_guries@roberts.senate.gov
Amber Sechrist, Legislative Director               amber_sechrist@roberts.senate.gov
Lauren Stockwell, Legislative Assistant          lauren_stockwell@roberts.senate.gov
Wayne Stoskopf, Legislative Assistant            wayne_stoskopf@roberts.senate.gov
Joshua Yurek, Legislative Assistant                Joshua_yurek@roberts.senate.gov

Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) Washington, DC office (202) 224-5824 @SenatorCassidy
James Quinn, Chief of Staff                              james_quinn@cassidy.senate.gov
Christopher Gillott, Legislative Director        Christopher_gillott@cassidy.senate.gov
Christine Lofgren, HELP Legislative Aide     Christine_lofgren@cassidy.senate.gov
Brenda Destro, HELP Legislative Aide          Brenda_destro@cassidy.senate.gov
Robb Walton, HELP Legislative Aide             robb_walton@cassidy.senate.gov
Pam Davidson, HELP Legislative Aide          pam_davidson@cassidy.senate.gov

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) Washington, DC office (202) 224-2621 @PattyMurray
Mike Spahn, Chief of Staff                              mike_spahn@murray.senate.gov
Sarah Bolton, HELP Legislative Aide           sarah_bolton@murray.senate.gov
Nick Bath, HELP Legislative Aide                nick_bath@murray.senate.gov
Shawn Bills, Legislative Director                  shawn_bills@murray.senate.gov
Robyn Hiestand, HELP Legislative Aide     robyn_hiestand@murray.senate.gov

Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) Washington, DC office (202) 224-4654 @SenatorBarb
Shannon Kule, Chief of Staff                         shannon_kula@mikulski.senate.gov
Jean Doyle, Legislative Director                  jean_doyle@mikulski.senate.gov
Christine Evans, HELP Legislative Aide    christine_evans@mikulski.senate.gov
Jessica McNiece, HELP Legislative Aide    jessica_mcniece@mikulski.senate.gov
Brent Palmer, HELP Legislative Aide        brent_palmer@mikulski.senate.gov

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Washington, DC office (202) 224-5141 @SenSanders
Michaeleen Crowell, Chief of Staff               michaeleen_crowell@sanders.senate.gov
Caryn Compton, Legislative Director          caryn_compton@sanders.senate.gov
Lori Kearns, HELP Legislative Aide            lori_kearns@sanders.senate.gov
David Cohen, HELP Legislative Aide          david_cohen@sanders.senate.gov

Senator Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA) Washington, DC office (202) 224-6324 @SenBobCasey
James Brown, Chief of Staff                         james_brown@casey.senate.gov
Derek Miller, Legislative Director             derek_miller@casey.senate.gov
Sara Mabry, HELP Legislative Aide          sara_mabry@casey.senate.gov
Jared Solomon, HELP Legislative Aide     jared_solomon@casey.senate.gov

Senator Al Franken (D-MN) Washington, DC office (202) 224-5641 @FrankenSenator
Casey Aden-Wansbury, Chief of Staff      casey_aden-wansbury@franken.senate.gov
Jeff Lomonaco, Legislative Director         jeff_lomonaco@franken.senate.gov
Maggie Henderson, HELP Legislative Aide  Maggie_henderson@franken.senate.gov
Erica Cischke, HELP Legislative Aide      Erica_cischke@franken.senate.gov

Senator Michael F. Bennet (D-CO) Washington, DC office (202) 224-5852 @SenBennetCO
Jonathan Davidson, Chief of Staff             jonathan_davidson@bennet.senate.gov
Brian Appel, Acting Legislative Director  brian_appel@bennet.senate.gov
Rohini Kosoglu, HELP Legislative Aide    rohini_kosoglu@bennet.senate.gov
Juliana Herman, HELP Legislative Aide  Juliana_herman@bennet.senate.gov

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) Washington, DC office (202) 224-2921 @SenWhitehouse
Sam Goodstein, Chief of Staff                   sam_goodstein@whitehouse.senate.gov
Joe Gaeta, Legislative Director                joe_gaeta@whitehouse.senate.gov
Jen DeAngelis, HELP Legislative Aide    jen_deangelis@whitehouse.senate.gov
Chris Stavish, HELP Legislative Aide     chris_stavish@whitehouse.senate.gov

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) Washington, DC office (202) 224-5653 @SenBaldwin
Bill Murat, Chief of Staff                           bill_murat@baldwin.senate.gov
Dan McCarthy, Legislative Director       dan_mccarthy@baldwin.senate.gov
Kathleen Laird, HELP Legislative Aide  Kathleen_laird@baldwin.senate.gov
Brian Moulton, HELP Legislative Aide   brian_moulton@baldwin.senate.gov

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) Washington, DC office (202) 224-4041 @ChrisMurphyCT
Allison Herwitt, Chief of Staff                  Allison_herwitt@murphy.senate.gov
David Bonine, Deputy Chief of Staff & HELP Legislative Aide, david_bonine@murphy.senate.gov
Joe Dunn, HELP Legislative Aide           joe_dunn@murphy.senate.gov

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Washington, DC office (202) 224-4543 @SenWarren
Mindy Myers, Chief of Staff                   mindy_myers@warren.senate.gov
Jon Donenberg, Legislative Director     jon_donenberg@warren.senate.gov

House Authors/Sponsors:

Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18) Washington, DC office (202) 225-8104 @RepAnnaEshoo
Erin Katzelniek-Wise, Legislative Director  erin.katzelniek-wise@mail.house.gov

Representative Judy Chu (D-CA-27) Washington, DC office(202) 225-5464 @RepJudyChu
Linda Shim, Chief of Staff, linda.shim@mail.house.gov
Joleen Rivera, Legislative Director               joleen.rivera@mail.house.gov

Representative Adam B. Schiff (D-CA-28) Washington, DC office (202) 225-4176 @RepAdamSchiff
Timothy Bergreen, Chief of Staff                  timothy.bergreen@mail.house.gov
Jeff Lowenstein, Legislative Director           jeff.lowenstein@mail.house.gov
Dao Nguyen,dao.nguyen@mail.house.gov

Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA-14) Washington, DC office (202) 225-3531 @RepSpeier
Cookab Hashemi, Chief of Staff                   cookab.hashemi@mail.house.gov
Josh Connolly, Legislative Director            josh.connolly@mail.house.gov

Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO-1) Washington, DC office (202) 225-4431 @RepDianaDeGette
Lisa B. Cohen, Chief of Staff                       lisa.cohen@mail.house.gov
Elanor Bastian, Legislative Director         elanor.bastian@mail.house.gov

Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA-6) Washington, DC office (202) 225-7163 @DorisMatsui
Julie Eddy, Chief of Staff                           julie.eddy@mail.house.gov
Kyle Victor, Legislative Director             kyle.victor@mail.house.gov

Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT-3) Washington, DC office (202) 225-3661 @rosadelauro
Beverly Pheto, Chief of Staff                   Beverly.pheto@mail.house.gov
Eric Anthony, Legislative Director         eric.anthony@mail.house.gov

Representative Michael M. Honda (D-CA-17) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2631 @RepMikeHonda

Jennifer Van der Heide, Chief of Staff       Jennifer.vanderheide@mail.house.gov
Eric Werwa, Deputy Chief of Staff/Legislative Director  eric.werwa@mail.house.gov

Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA-2) Washington, DC office (202) 225-5161 @RepHuffman
Ben Miller, Chief of Staff                            ben.miller@mail.house.gov
Piper Crowell, Legislative Director           piper.crowell@mail.house.gov

House Committee on Education and the Workforce Staff: (202) 225-6558 @edworkforcedems @edworkforce

Amy Jones, Director of Education and Human Services Policy
Mandy Schaumburg, Education Deputy Director & Senior Counsel
Brad Thomas, Senior Education Policy Advisor
Jenny Prescott, Legislative Assistant
Kathlyn Ehl, Legislative Assistant

House Committee on Education and the Workforce Members:

Representative John Kline (MN-2) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2271 @RepJohnKline
Jean Hinz, Chief of Staff                                jean.hinz@mail.house.gov
Meagan McCanna, Legislative Director      Meagan.mccanna@mail.house.gov

Representative Glenn Thompson (PA-5) Washington, DC office (202) 225-5121 @CongressmanGT
Matthew Brennan, Chief of Staff                 matthew.brennan@mail.house.gov
John Busovsky, Legislative Director           john.busovsky@mail.house.gov

Representative Joe Wilson (SC-2) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2452 @RepJoeWilson
Jonathan Day, Chief of Staff                         jonathan.day@mail.house.gov
Baker Elmore, Legislative Director            baker.elmore@mail.house.gov
Claire Brandewie, Legislative Assisant       Claire.brandewie@mail.house.gov

Representative Dave Brat (VA-7) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2815 @DaveBratVA7th
Erin Siefring, Chief of Staff                          erin.seifring@mail.house.gov
Kurt Couchman, Legislative Director        kurt.couchman@mail.house.gov

Representative Virginia Foxx (NC-5) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2071 @VirginiaFoxx
Brandon Renz, Chief of Staff                      Brandon.renz@mail.house.gov
Leslie Goodman, Legislative Director       leslie.goodman@mail.house.gov

Representative Buddy Carter (GA-1) Washington, DC office (202) 225-5831 @Rep_BuddyCarter
Chris Crawford, Chief of Staff                    chris.crawford@mail.house.gov
Chase Cannon, Legislative Director          chase.cannon@mail.house.gov

Representative Duncan Hunter (CA-50) Washington, DC office (202) 225-5672 @Rep_Hunter
Joe Kasper, Chief of Staff                            joe.kasper@mail.house.gov
Reed Linsk, Legislative Director                reed.linsk@mail.house.gov

Representative Mike Bishop (MI-8) Washington, DC office (202) 225-4872 @repmikebishop
Allan Filip, Chief of Staff                               allan.filip@mail.house.gov
Kyle Kiczier, Legislative Director                kyle.kiczier@mail.house.gov

Representative David P. Roe (TN-1) Washington, DC office (202) 225-6356 @drphilpoe
Matt Meyer, Chief of Staff                            matt.meyer@mail.house.gov
John Martin, Legislative Director                john.martin@mail.house.gov

Representative Glenn Grothman (WI-6) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2476 @GrothmanForWI
Tyler Houlton, Chief of Staff                         tyler.houlton@mail.house.gov
Kyle Roskam, Legislative Director               kyle.roskam@mail.house.gov

Representative Tim Walberg (MI-7) Washington, DC office (202) 225-6276 @RepWalberg
RJ Laukitis, Chief of Staff                               rj.laukitis@mail.house.gov
Jonathan Hirte, Legislative Director             jonathan.hirte@mail.house.gov

Representative Steve Russell (OK-5) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2132 @steverussellrep
Dean Fisher, Chief of Staff                              dean.fisher@mail.house.gov
Alex Hutkin, Legislative Director                  alex.hutkin@mail.house.gov

Representative Brett Guthrie (KY-2) Washington, DC office (202) 225-3501 @GuthrieKY02
Eric Bergren, Chief of Staff                             eric.bergren@mail.house.gov
Megan Jackson, Legislative Director            megan.jackson@mail.house.gov

Representative Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2778 @RepCurbelo
Roy Schultheis, Chief of Staff                          roy.schultheis@mail.house.gov
Adam Wolf, Legislative Director                     adam.wolf@mail.house.gov

Representative Todd Rokita (IN-4) Washington, DC office (202) 225-5037(202) 225-5037(202) 225-5037 @toddrokita
Mark Williams, Chief of Staff                           mark.williams@mail.house.gov
Tom Borck, Legislative Director                      tom.borck@mail.house.gov

Representative Elise Stefanik (NY-21) Washington, DC office (202) 225-4611 @RepStefanik
Lindley Kratovil, Chief of Staff                         lindley.kratovil@mail.house.gov
Chris Perry, Legislative Director                     chris.perry@mail.house.gov

Representative Lou Barletta (PA-11) Washington, DC office (202) 225-6511 @RepLouBarletta
Andrea Waldock, Chief of Staff                         andrea.waldock@mail.house.gov
Mira Lezell, Legislative Director                       mira.lezell@mail.house.gov

Representative Rick Allen (GA-12) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2823 @RepRickAllen
Tim Baker, Chief of Staff                                    tim.baker@mail.house.gov
Cameron Bishop, Legislative Director              Cameron.bishop@mail.house.gov

Representative Luke Messer (IN-6) Washington, DC office (202) 225-3021 @RepLukeMesser
Doug Menorca, Chief of Staff                              doug.menorca@mail.house.gov
Jerry White, Legislative Director                       jerry.white@mail.house.gov

Representative Joe Heck (NV-3) Washington, DC office (202) 225-3252 @RepJoeHeck
Greg Facchano, Chief of Staff                             greg.facchano@mail.house.gov
James Langenderfer, Legislative Director       james.langenderfer@mail.house.gov

Representative Bradley Byrne (AL-1) Washington, DC office (202) 225-4931 @RepByrne
Alex Schriver, Chief of Staff                               alex.schriver@mail.house.gov
Matt Weinstein, Legislative Director                matt.weinstein@mail.house.gov

Representative Matt Salmon (AZ-5) Washington, DC office (202) 225-2635 @RepMattSalmon
Adam Deguire, Chief of Staff                               adam.deguire@mail.house.gov
Lorissa Bounds, Legislative Director                  lorissa.bounds@mail.house.gov

~ Lone Star