🧵It’s hard to really comprehend the mind boggling amount of money lobbyists spend buying policies on Capitol Hill. Here are what the top lobbyists spent *in just Q2* this year:

1️⃣ U.S. Chamber of Commerce - $11.6M
2️⃣ National Assoc of Realtors - $10.1M
3️⃣ PhRMA - $6.4M

1/
4️⃣ National Assoc of Manufacturers - $5.5M
5️⃣ American Hospital Assoc - $5.1M
6️⃣ The Business Roundtable - $5M
7️⃣ Amazon - $4.9M
8️⃣ Facebook - $4.8M
9️⃣ American Medical Assoc - $4.2
1️⃣0️⃣ Lockheed Martin - $3.6M
1️⃣1️⃣ Biotechnology Innovation Organization - $3.5M

2/
1️⃣2️⃣ Boeing - $3.4M
1️⃣3️⃣ NCTA Internet & Television Assoc - $3.3M
1️⃣4️⃣ Comcast - $3.3M
1️⃣5️⃣ AT&T - $3.1M
1️⃣6️⃣ Koch Companies - $3M
1️⃣7️⃣ General Dynamics - $2.9M
1️⃣8️⃣ Altria - $2.8M
1️⃣9️⃣ Raytheon - $2.8M
2️⃣0️⃣ Verizon - $2.8M
2️⃣1️⃣ AARP - $2.7M

3/
The job of Congress is to make our lives better, not make private companies & billionaires richer.

None of the millions of dollars lobbyists pumped into Capitol Hill in those 3 months was to benefit working class families— it’s solely to benefit the agendas of their clients.

4/
The policies that impact our lives and shape our future shouldn’t be decided by the highest bidder.

From climate, to healthcare, to wages, war, immigration and policing —what the people want and need isn’t even considered when a lobbyist can cuts a check to undermine it.

5/
The people will never have a voice in government as long as those we elect care more about dark money donations than those they represent.

We must end the corrupt pay-to-play that’s broken DC, enact campaign finance reform, and stop electing lobbyist-owned politicians.

6/
I’m rejecting corporate money in my campaign because my policies aren’t for sale— my opponent survives on it, repeatedly prioritizing the agendas of lobbyists over our communities.

Can you chip in $10 today to help us fight back?
secure.actblue.com/donate/peoplev…

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More from @DarrigoMelanie

24 Jul
No one should die or go into debt because they can't afford to see a doctor or get medical treatment.

Insurance, pharma and medical lobbyists disagree— spending billions buying politicians and spreading lies.

Let's cut through their BS with some #MedicareForAll mythbusting:
🧵 Image
Health insurance ≠ healthcare.

Having "access," to purchase health insurance doesn't mean you'll be able to afford it, or the out of pocket costs associated with using it. It also doesn't guarantee your insurance provider will cover your doctor visits or treatments.
1/ Image
If you're on a flight and get upgraded from coach to 1st class, you didn't just get "kicked off of air travel."

#MedicareForAll is a huge upgrade that guarantees high-quality healthcare, saves money, & expands your choices of doctors.

#M4A eliminates barriers to healthcare.
2/ Image
Read 13 tweets
29 Jun
A good portion of our country is melting today, so now is as good of time as ever to bust a few #GreenNewDeal myths.

🧵1/ Let's jump in:
First off, implementing the #GreenNewDeal now will never, ever, be more expensive than the cost of dealing with the repercussions of our climate crisis down the road. 2/
Because the #GreenNewDeal was just a resolution, there was no cost associated with it. The rumor of a $600-700k per household tax burden was created, based on nothing, by a Republican think tank. 3/
Read 9 tweets
16 Jun
There's a lot of lobbyist-funded misinformation out there preventing us from realizing "healthcare as a human right."

Let's bust a few #MedicareForAll myths, shall we?
People ♥️ their doctors, not their insurance companies. #MedicareForAll eliminates the barriers insurance companies put up between you and the doctors you ♥️ and the care you need.
"bUt HOw WiLL wE Pay FOr iT?🙃
#MedicareForAll would save $450 billion per year compared to our current healthcare system and $600 billion per year compared to the Public Option.

#M4A being too expensive isn't an issue.
Read 9 tweets
24 Dec 20
🎶🎄🎅
Twas the night before Christmas 
When all through the White House
All the grifters were stirring
expecting pardons from the louse.
Covid relief
Hung in the balance without care
With hopes of $2000 checks
vanishing into thin air.

1/14
🎶🎄🎅
Children nestled everywhere
Still some with beds
While the realities of eviction 
Danced in parents' heads.
Melania in her kerchief
And Trump in a stupid red cap
Still planning to override
The 2020 electoral map.

2/14
🎶🎄🎅
When out on their roof
There arose such a clatter.
They sprang from their separate beds
To see what was the matter.
Away to the window
Away from their bedding
To see *dozens* of maskless MAGAs
Joyfully super-spreading.

3/14
Read 14 tweets
12 May 20
❓Why do Democrats primary Democrats❓

Short answer:
Because not every Democrat fights for Democratic values.

Long answer:
<thread>⬇️
The battle for the soul of the Democratic party happens in primaries. It comes down to which candidates put #PeopleOverProfits and which do not.

#DownBallotProgressives 🚫corporate💵 and fight for people.

Centrist Dems vote to protect the profits of their corporate donors.

2/
My opponent, @RepTomSuozzi is vice-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of Centrist Democrats & Republicans, funded by GOP billionaires and dark money groups like No Labels, that tout working across the aisle as a way to solve problems.

3/
theintercept.com/2018/11/29/no-…
Read 14 tweets
22 Feb 20
Let's talk #MedicareForAll •vs• Public Option

#M4A:
✅ Covers everyone, no exceptions
✅ Includes vision, dental, hearing aids, mental illness & long-term care
✅ $0 premiums, deductibles and co-pays
✅ You see the doctors and hospitals you choose to see

1
<thread>
Public Option = our current system + option to buy into a Medicare-like plan

The Medicare option would mimic traditional Medicare w/ premiums, deductibles & coinsurance. This is an improvement over our current system, but doesn't come close to the care you'd receive w/ #M4A

2
The Public Option doesn’t reduce costs because it doesn't create enough leveraging power or eliminate the administration overhead to drive down prices—it only gives you access to buy a plan.

If healthcare isn't financially accessible, then it's not accessible.

3
Read 13 tweets

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