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National Iranian American Council: Democrats Have a Mandate to End Trump's War on Iran, Now They Must Use the Power of the Purse
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The National Iranian American Council issued the following news release:
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Democrats Have a Mandate to End Trump's War on Iran, Now They Must Use the Power of the Purse
November 4, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC - Following the midterm elections, which delivered Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress, National Iranian American Council (NIAC) President Jamal Abdi issued the following statement calling on Democratic leadership to fulfill its mandate to end President Trump's war on Iran by refusing to fund its continuation:
"Donald Trump handed the Democrats the midterms
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The National Iranian American Council issued the following news release:
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Democrats Have a Mandate to End Trump's War on Iran, Now They Must Use the Power of the Purse
November 4, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC - Following the midterm elections, which delivered Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress, National Iranian American Council (NIAC) President Jamal Abdi issued the following statement calling on Democratic leadership to fulfill its mandate to end President Trump's war on Iran by refusing to fund its continuation:
"Donald Trump handed the Democrats the midtermswhen he decided to launch a catastrophic war on Iran in February. Perhaps if the President had extricated the US from his tragic mistake through a negotiated settlement prior to the election, the outcome would have been different. Instead, the US government continues to spend billions in taxpayer dollars to maintain a blockade and war footing, the Strait of Hormuz remains contested and fuel prices continue to drive an affordability crisis for millions of Americans, and the prospect of more escalation, bloodshed and destabilization looms large.
"Voters have granted Democrats majorities in the House and Senate with a clear mandate: end this war. The first test of the Democrats' commitment to that mandate will be when Congress takes up legislation to fund the government before funding runs out on December 11.
"After having won the Congress thanks to a massively unpopular war, the best way to squander this momentum would be for Democrats to turn around and provide funding for the President to continue the conflict. Democrats must make good on their promise to "end the war, decisively" by using the power of the purse to deny any all funding for the continuance of this war.
"This is not a moment for hand wringing. Americans have voted for leadership and accountability and they will be watching closely to learn whether or not the Democrats have what it takes to meet the moment."
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Original text here: https://niacouncil.org/democrats-have-a-mandate-to-end-trumps-war-on-iran-now-they-must-use-the-power-of-the-purse/
[Category: Political]
League of Women Voters Celebrates Historic Voter Participation in 2026 Midterms
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The League of Women Voters issued the following news release:
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League of Women Voters Celebrates Historic Voter Participation in 2026 Midterms
League's nationwide efforts contributed to millions more Americans voting than in 2022 as voters, election workers, and advocates demonstrated the power of civic engagement
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WASHINGTON, DC -- With most election results now known, one thing is clear: Americans turned out in extraordinary numbers to vote in the 2026 midterm elections. According to preliminary estimates from the University of Florida's Election Lab, approximately
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- The League of Women Voters issued the following news release:
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League of Women Voters Celebrates Historic Voter Participation in 2026 Midterms
League's nationwide efforts contributed to millions more Americans voting than in 2022 as voters, election workers, and advocates demonstrated the power of civic engagement
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WASHINGTON, DC -- With most election results now known, one thing is clear: Americans turned out in extraordinary numbers to vote in the 2026 midterm elections. According to preliminary estimates from the University of Florida's Election Lab, approximately124.3 million Americans cast their ballots, up from approximately 112 million in 2022. The League of Women Voters today celebrates the millions of voters who made their voices heard, the election workers and administrators who made our elections possible, and the hundreds of thousands of voting and civil rights advocates who worked tirelessly to educate, protect, and empower voters.
This historic turnout marks a significant milestone for the League's Unite & Rise 8.5 initiative, which set an ambitious goal of engaging and mobilizing 8.5 million more voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. With preliminary estimates showing that the increase in voter participation exceeded that benchmark, the League is proud to have played a role in that extraordinary turnout through its nationwide voter education, mobilization, and voter protection efforts.
"We set an ambitious goal for 2026 midterm voter turnout because the constitutional crisis we declared last year demanded one," said Celina Stewart, Esq., CEO of the League of Women Voters. "And Americans showed up. That achievement belongs first and foremost to voters who refused to let barriers keep them from making their voices heard. From waiting in line for hours, to walking en masse to and from polling locations, to encouraging friends, relatives, colleagues, and even strangers to cast their ballots, Americans showed up for democracy. This is what people power looks like, and the League is incredibly proud of the role we played in helping voters get the information, resources, and support they needed to participate."
That people power was reflected in historic levels of participation and representation across the country. According to data from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, early voting among Black and Latino voters increased 35.8% and 46.3%, respectively, compared with the 2022 midterm elections. The League also provided its most comprehensive Election Day coverage ever on VOTE411.org, featuring information on 56,645 candidates running for 29,012 offices nationwide. The election also marked historic milestones in representation, including the first Black woman governor of a US state in Georgia, the first Black woman governor of the US Virgin Islands, the nation's first Native American woman governor in New Mexico, and Texas's first Latina governor.
Throughout this election cycle, the League worked to reach and empower voters across the country. From providing trusted, nonpartisan information through VOTE411 and mobilizing communities, to consistently combating disinformation, to tirelessly challenging threats to voting rights in court, to reminding voters how to overcome barriers at the polls, the League worked alongside its partners to protect the freedom to vote. That commitment continues beyond Election Day, through the counting of every eligible ballot and certification of election results.
"No political party owns democracy. No elected official owns our votes. Power belongs to the people," Stewart concluded. "This election is a reminder of what happens when Americans exercise that power. We celebrate every voter who made their voice heard, every election worker who made that possible, and every person who stood up to renew our nation's founding principles and commitment to a participatory democracy."
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Original text here: https://www.lwv.org/newsroom/press-releases/league-women-voters-celebrates-historic-voter-participation-2026-midterms
[Category: Political]
Club for Growth PAC Congratulates Sen. Pete Ricketts on NE-SEN Re-Election Victory
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Club for Growth PAC issued the following news release:
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Club for Growth PAC Congratulates Sen. Pete Ricketts on NE-SEN Re-Election Victory
Will Mitola | November 4, 2026
Washington, D.C. - Club for Growth PAC congratulates Sen. Pete Ricketts (CFGF Lifetime Rating: 84%) on winning re-election to the United States Senate in Nebraska. Sen. Ricketts defeated self-described Independent Dan Osborn in the contest, his second Senate loss in two years.
"Sen. Pete Ricketts has built a record of limited government and fiscal responsibility, first as Nebraska's governor and
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Club for Growth PAC issued the following news release:
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Club for Growth PAC Congratulates Sen. Pete Ricketts on NE-SEN Re-Election Victory
Will Mitola | November 4, 2026
Washington, D.C. - Club for Growth PAC congratulates Sen. Pete Ricketts (CFGF Lifetime Rating: 84%) on winning re-election to the United States Senate in Nebraska. Sen. Ricketts defeated self-described Independent Dan Osborn in the contest, his second Senate loss in two years.
"Sen. Pete Ricketts has built a record of limited government and fiscal responsibility, first as Nebraska's governor andnow in the U.S. Senate, that serves every Cornhusker," said Club for Growth PAC President David McIntosh. "Nebraskans were not fooled by a Democrat in disguise, and they chose a senator who holds firm to free-market principles."
Club for Growth Action's affiliated Win It Back PAC invested over $2 million in the race to inform voters that Dan Osborn is a liberal masquerading as an independent. Club for Growth PAC members contributed $75,306 directly to Pete Rickett's campaign.
Click here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcAZRLA_tQQ) to watch Already, a Win It Back PAC ad slamming Dan Osborn's support for providing Social Security benefits and mass amnesty to illegal immigrants.
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Original text here: https://www.clubforgrowth.org/club-for-growth-pac-congratulates-sen-pete-ricketts-on-ne-sen-re-election-victory/
[Category: Political]
Club for Growth PAC Congratulates Chris Gober on TX-10 Victory
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Club for Growth PAC issued the following news release:
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Club for Growth PAC Congratulates Chris Gober on TX-10 Victory
Will Mitola | November 4, 2026
Washington, D.C. - Club for Growth PAC congratulates Chris Gober on winning Texas's 10th Congressional District race, defeating Democrat Caitlin Rourk.
"Chris Gober offers Texas's 10th Congressional District a clear conservative vision built on economic opportunity and limited government principles," said Club for Growth PAC President David McIntosh. "We are eager to see Gober begin his service in Washington and work
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Club for Growth PAC issued the following news release:
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Club for Growth PAC Congratulates Chris Gober on TX-10 Victory
Will Mitola | November 4, 2026
Washington, D.C. - Club for Growth PAC congratulates Chris Gober on winning Texas's 10th Congressional District race, defeating Democrat Caitlin Rourk.
"Chris Gober offers Texas's 10th Congressional District a clear conservative vision built on economic opportunity and limited government principles," said Club for Growth PAC President David McIntosh. "We are eager to see Gober begin his service in Washington and workto expand energy production and keep more money in the hands of working families."
Club for Growth Action invested nearly $230,000 into the primary race to promote Gober's candidacy and conservative record. Club for Growth PAC members contributed $29,621 directly to the Gober campaign.
Click here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtRMYZSIrKo) to watch Great Honor, a Club for Growth Action ad informing voters of President Trump's endorsement of Chris Gober for Congress.
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Original text here: https://www.clubforgrowth.org/club-for-growth-pac-congratulates-chris-gober-on-tx-10-victory/
[Category: Political]
Anti-Defamation League Issues Statement on Midterm Elections
NEW YORK, Nov. 5 -- The Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization that aims to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all, posted the following news release:
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ADL Statement on Midterm Elections
New York, NY, November 4, 2026 ... ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today issued the following statement on the outcome of the 2026 Midterm elections.
Yesterday ushered in a new political chapter in Washington, DC and across the country. This was a historic election, as voters broke longstanding barriers and expanded representation, reflecting
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NEW YORK, Nov. 5 -- The Anti-Defamation League, an anti-hate organization that aims to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all, posted the following news release:
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ADL Statement on Midterm Elections
New York, NY, November 4, 2026 ... ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today issued the following statement on the outcome of the 2026 Midterm elections.
Yesterday ushered in a new political chapter in Washington, DC and across the country. This was a historic election, as voters broke longstanding barriers and expanded representation, reflectingthe growing diversity of American public life.
This election season also underscored the dangers of portraying Jews as dangerous, disloyal or responsible for society's problems, as well as the blatant fixation on and demonization of Israel. Such antisemitic rhetoric and scapegoating fuels hatred and can lead to harassment, threats and violence. In too many places, Jewish Americans' concerns about this were overshadowed by competing priorities or dismissed outright.
As leaders transition from campaign to governance, elected leaders have a responsibility to foster an environment in which Jewish Americans, like all Americans, can fully participate in public and civic life without being subjected to special litmus tests, having their identity questioned, or being made to feel that their connection to Israel is incompatible with their place in American society.
Leaders in both parties must have the courage to confront antisemitism wherever it appears, including within their own ranks. ADL stands ready to work with leaders of both parties at every level of government. We will do so by building partnerships where possible, demanding accountability where necessary and never compromising our commitment to Jewish safety and dignity.
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ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913 to protect the Jewish people, ADL works to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment to all. In the face of rising antisemitism and extremism, we protect, advocate, and educate, through a mix of programs and services using the latest innovations and technology, and seek to create a world without hate. More at adl.org.
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Original text here: https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/adl-statement-midterm-elections
[Category: Political]
Americans for Tax Reform Submits Comments to IRS Opposing Retroactive Taxation on ETF Redemptions
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Americans for Tax Reform issued the following commentary:
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Americans for Tax Reform Submits Comments to IRS Opposing Retroactive Taxation on ETF Redemptions
Andrew Gins
11/03/2026
On October 28th, 2026, Americans for Tax Reform submitted comments in response to IRS Notice 2026-62. The notice warned that certain investment strategies used to defer or reduce taxes may soon lose their tax benefits, and that the IRS may apply future guidance retroactively to transactions completed before it is issued.
ATR opposes the retroactive application of any future rule, which
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Americans for Tax Reform issued the following commentary:
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Americans for Tax Reform Submits Comments to IRS Opposing Retroactive Taxation on ETF Redemptions
Andrew Gins
11/03/2026
On October 28th, 2026, Americans for Tax Reform submitted comments in response to IRS Notice 2026-62. The notice warned that certain investment strategies used to defer or reduce taxes may soon lose their tax benefits, and that the IRS may apply future guidance retroactively to transactions completed before it is issued.
ATR opposes the retroactive application of any future rule, whichwould expose investors to back taxes on transactions they completed in good faith under the law as it stood:
Regardless of the propriety of the "novel investment fund strategies" described in the Notice, and the merits of any forthcoming guidance, one facet of the U.S. legal code is clear: the retroactive application of such guidance would subvert core principles of administrative law, undermine the intent of Congress, and seriously disrupt a marketplace holding trillions of dollars of investor savings.
A rule with retroactive force is an arbitrary tax hike. Every purported fix the notice contemplates would make investors pay more tax, sooner, on transactions that they would otherwise owe only when they sell.
We thus recommend that the Treasury Department and IRS:
1. Apply any regulation, revenue ruling, or guidance arising from the Notice only to transactions entered into after publication of guidance stating, in detail, the operative rule
2. Expressly state that no penalties will be asserted for any activities that occurred in the period before such guidance is published.
ATR urged the Treasury to reconsider potential retroactivity nature of the rule under administrative law norms that have been set by judicial precedent:
The Supreme Court has often emphasized, "[r]etroactivity is not favored in the law." This principle applies in full force to agency regulations, which are promulgated by unelected officials exercising delegated authority. The reason is simple: retroactivity is fundamentally at odds with fair notice and due process--basic tenets enshrined not only in our Constitution but in statute.
The text of the Administrative Procedure Act ("APA") confirms that rulemaking is exclusively a forward-looking exercise. When vesting agencies with the authority to issue rules, Congress took great care to define a "rule" as "an agency statement of general or particular applicability and future effect designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy." It follows that agencies generally may not issue rules that change the law retroactively. Any contrary rule would make a mockery of the notice-and-comment process, the entire point of which is to give potentially regulated parties fair notice before regulations issue. After all, what purpose does a 30-day notice period serve if an agency may, at its own behest, impose rules that reach back in time?
The letter also notes that Congress previously considered and declined to remove the provision in the internal revenue code that exempts mutual funds and ETFs from recognizing capital gains on appreciated security redemptions. If enacted, it would have forced funds to recognize gains on every in-kind redemption. The letter states:
The House Ways and Means Committee's tax title for the 2021 reconciliation bill left the provision untouched, and Congress never enacted a repeal. Congress never intended to undermine or diminish Section 852(b)(6), and as such the Treasury should not attempt to override Congress' decision.
ATR also believes that such a move would lock investors into existing portfolios, since they could not rebalance without triggering capital gains tax. That would distort capital allocation and weigh on growth:
Investors that use these strategies are not liquidating their assets, but are instead staying invested, moving savings to more productive assets, and deferring a tax they will still owe when they eventually sell. Forcing recognition at that moment also reduces a certain amount of new capital that would otherwise remain invested in American companies, leaving less for new businesses and jobs to emerge and grow. A tax regime that punishes diversification and rewards inertia reduces the efficacy of American capital markets, harming economic growth in the long run.
The letter concludes by asking Treasury to not subject investors and investment funds to a surprise tax hike via future rulemaking.
The letter can be read here (https://atr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/ATR-Comment-Letter-IRS-Notice-2026-62-Final.pdf).
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Original text here: https://atr.org/americans-for-tax-reform-submits-comments-to-irs-opposing-retroactive-taxation-on-etf-and-fund-strategies/
[Category: Political]
Americans for Tax Reform Issues Commentary: Taxpayers Strike Back - California's 'Billionaire' Tax Defeated
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Americans for Tax Reform issued the following commentary:
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The Taxpayers Strike Back: California's 'Billionaire' Tax Defeated
Jack Guidi
11/04/2026
On Tuesday, California voters rejected Proposition 40, known as the 'billionaire tax'. The measure would've imposed a 5% retroactive tax on California residents whose net worth was valued at $1 billion or above. To make the tax legally possible, the proposal would've amended the state's constitution and removed California's 0.4% cap on "taxes on intangible personal property". If this constitutional safeguard was removed,
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 -- Americans for Tax Reform issued the following commentary:
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The Taxpayers Strike Back: California's 'Billionaire' Tax Defeated
Jack Guidi
11/04/2026
On Tuesday, California voters rejected Proposition 40, known as the 'billionaire tax'. The measure would've imposed a 5% retroactive tax on California residents whose net worth was valued at $1 billion or above. To make the tax legally possible, the proposal would've amended the state's constitution and removed California's 0.4% cap on "taxes on intangible personal property". If this constitutional safeguard was removed,it would've allowed Sacramento to impose unlimited future taxes on wealth, no matter one's income, without approval from voters.
The Billionaire's tax was flawed from the start. Its proponents used outdated information and poor methodology. In projecting their potential tax base, they included billionaires who already left the state. On top of that, they included the value of billionaire's directly held real estate, a direct contradiction to their proposal which explicitly excluded "real property directly held by the taxpayer" from being taxed.
All of this led to inflated revenue projections (to the tune of ~$70 billion) and a glaring misconception of reality: Taxpayers, especially billionaires, hate paying taxes. So much so, that just the threat of this tax exacerbated the exodus of billionaires from California, which caused the state to lose a projected $29 billion in revenue. That is billions of dollars not being realized, due to the attempt of passing this tax.
Proponents of wealth taxes in the US and across the world should look to California at this moment. The defeat of Proposition 40 is what happens when you push the most economically liberal taxpayers too far. Despite the damage the proposal already did, its defeat is a massive win for the taxpayers of California and a warning to those who want to pursue similar policies in other states and countries.
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Original text here: https://atr.org/the-taxpayers-strike-back-californias-billionaire-tax-defeated/
[Category: Political]
