Politics - Parties, Candidates
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties - covering the U.S. political arena including state and national political parties.
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One Year After Signing, Reproductive Health Equity Act More Necessary Than Ever
PORTLAND, Oregon, Aug. 15 -- The Oregon Democratic Party issued the following news release:
With Donald Trump's picks for the Supreme Court endangering Roe v. Wade like never before, Democrats and reproductive rights activists are celebrating the first anniversary of Governor Kate Brown signing HB 3391, otherwise known as the Reproductive Health Equity Act. The law enshrines the protections of Roe v. Wade into Oregon statute and guarantees reproductive health coverage.
"Amid constant attacks on women's reproductive rights coming from Washington, D.C., and from anti-abortion groups and politicians
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PORTLAND, Oregon, Aug. 15 -- The Oregon Democratic Party issued the following news release:
With Donald Trump's picks for the Supreme Court endangering Roe v. Wade like never before, Democrats and reproductive rights activists are celebrating the first anniversary of Governor Kate Brown signing HB 3391, otherwise known as the Reproductive Health Equity Act. The law enshrines the protections of Roe v. Wade into Oregon statute and guarantees reproductive health coverage.
"Amid constant attacks on women's reproductive rights coming from Washington, D.C., and from anti-abortion groups and politicianshere in Oregon, Governor Brown's signature gave Oregon the most progressive reproductive health policy in the nation," said Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. "One year later, I'm proud that we have such a committed women's health champion in Governor Brown."
Over the past two weeks, Governor Brown's Republican opponent, Knute Buehler, has been desperately trying to cast himself as something he is not. Throughout his legislative career, he has voted against and taken positions against women's reproductive rights and health care. Misleading ads ignore his vote against the Reproductive Health Equity Act and attempt to paint him as a champion for women's rights.
"When this bill came the House floor in 2017, Rep. Knute Buehler had the opportunity to vote to protect a woman's right to access safe, legal abortion. Instead, he voted no," said Atkins. "With Donald Trump in office, it's more important than ever that Oregon has a governor who will stand strong against the right-wing agenda. We have that governor in Kate Brown, a proven leader who has spent her entire career advocating for the rights of women and children."
BACKGROUND:
Portland Monthly, 8/18/2017
"The newly signed Reproductive Health Equity Act guarantees copay-free legal abortion (and vasectomies) for all, among other provisions."
Slate, 7/6/2017
"...the Oregon state legislature joined the ranks of states preparing for the worst by passing the Reproductive Health Equity Act. If signed by the very pro-woman Gov. Kate Brown, the bill will enshrine the right to abortion care in state law, a first for Oregon."
The Washington Post, 8/15/2017
"Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) on Tuesday signed into law what advocates called the nation's most progressive reproductive health policy, expanding access to abortion and birth control at a time when the Trump administration and other states are trying to restrict them."
Vice, 8/16/2017
"Oregon Becomes the First State to Make Abortion Accessible to All Women"
Mother Jones, 7/10/2017
"At a time when reproductive rights are under siege at the federal level and in statehouses across the country, a handful of states are pushing back with legislation protecting access to reproductive health services. Oregon, already one of the least restrictive states when it comes to abortion access, added its name to that list last week with the passage of one of the most progressive pieces of reproductive health legislation in the country."
New TV Ad: The Truth About Tester
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The National Republican Senatorial Committee issued the following news release:
The NRSC debuted its first television ad in Montana this morning, blasting Senator Tester for siding with Washington liberals like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to obstruct President Trump's agenda.
Despite the folksy, bipartisan act he puts on in campaign ads, Senator Tester has voted against President Trump more than 60% of the time, voted against tax cuts for Montana families and voted not once, not twice, but three times against cracking down on sanctuary cities.
Click here to watch
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The National Republican Senatorial Committee issued the following news release:
The NRSC debuted its first television ad in Montana this morning, blasting Senator Tester for siding with Washington liberals like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to obstruct President Trump's agenda.
Despite the folksy, bipartisan act he puts on in campaign ads, Senator Tester has voted against President Trump more than 60% of the time, voted against tax cuts for Montana families and voted not once, not twice, but three times against cracking down on sanctuary cities.
Click here to watchthe ad (http://e.nrsc.org/t/j-i-nhrlkuk-l-j/).
"Senator Tester turned his back on Montanans by supporting every dangerous liberal idea in the book from amnesty to sanctuary cities, while fighting President Trump on his biggest priorities, like tax cuts for Montana families," said NRSC Spokesman Calvin Moore. "Senator Tester has made it crystal clear: he's more loyal to Washington Democrats than to President Trump or the hard-working Montana families he's supposed to represent."
TRANSCRIPT
VOICEOVER: Can you pass the Tester Test?
VOICEOVER: Which of these has voted against President Trump more than 60% of the time?
VOICEOVER: Which one voted NO on tax cuts worth $2,200 for Montana families?
VOICEOVER: Supported amnesty and sanctuary cities?
VOICEOVER: The answer: all of them.
VOICEOVER: The more you learn about the real Jon Tester, the more you realize: he may look like Montana, but he votes like them.
VOICEOVER: NRSC is responsible for the content of this advertising.
Democratic Governors Association Issues Statement on Walz's Primary Victory
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following statement by Chair Jay Inslee on Rep. Tim Walz winning the Democratic nomination for Governor of Minnesota:
"Congratulations to Congressman Tim Walz on winning the Democratic nomination for governor in Minnesota.
"Having served alongside Tim in Congress, I know firsthand his dedication to improving the lives of his constituents. Tim Walz has lived a life of service as a veteran, a teacher and a Congressman, and he will serve Minnesota well as its next governor.
"Tim's background as a 24-year veteran of the Army
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following statement by Chair Jay Inslee on Rep. Tim Walz winning the Democratic nomination for Governor of Minnesota:
"Congratulations to Congressman Tim Walz on winning the Democratic nomination for governor in Minnesota.
"Having served alongside Tim in Congress, I know firsthand his dedication to improving the lives of his constituents. Tim Walz has lived a life of service as a veteran, a teacher and a Congressman, and he will serve Minnesota well as its next governor.
"Tim's background as a 24-year veteran of the ArmyNational Guard and as a high school geography teacher and football coach gives him a unique understanding of how to improve the lives of Minnesotans.
"Tim is fighting to fully fund public schools, ensure access to affordable healthcare, and give every Minnesotan an opportunity to succeed. His plans, vision, and leadership skills make him the best person to build on the progress made under Governor Dayton and lead Minnesota into the future."
Democratic Governors Association Issues Statement on Republican Primary in Vermont
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following statement by Executive Director Elisabeth Pearson on Gov. Phil Scott's nomination in Vermont:
"Phil Scott has failed the people of Vermont. Governor Scott has failed to lead on the issues that matter to middle-class families.
"Scott oversaw a destructive budget crisis and has repeatedly vetoed bills that would have directly benefited working Vermonters, including paid family leave and raising the minimum wage.
"Vermont is ready for a change: The state deserves a governor that will represent its values and lead
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following statement by Executive Director Elisabeth Pearson on Gov. Phil Scott's nomination in Vermont:
"Phil Scott has failed the people of Vermont. Governor Scott has failed to lead on the issues that matter to middle-class families.
"Scott oversaw a destructive budget crisis and has repeatedly vetoed bills that would have directly benefited working Vermonters, including paid family leave and raising the minimum wage.
"Vermont is ready for a change: The state deserves a governor that will represent its values and leadwith a positive vision."
Democratic Governors Association Issues Statement on Johnson's Primary Victory in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following statement by Communications Director Jared Leopold on Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson's gubernatorial nomination in Minnesota:
"Tonight, the Republican Party showed how far-right it has become in Minnesota. Minnesota Republicans nominated a candidate whom Tim Pawlenty called unelectable.
"This is a major embarrassment for national Republicans, who shunned Jeff Johnson's candidacy and tried to hand-pick a nominee. Now, they're left with a fringe candidate who is out of step with Minnesota voters.
"Jeff
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following statement by Communications Director Jared Leopold on Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson's gubernatorial nomination in Minnesota:
"Tonight, the Republican Party showed how far-right it has become in Minnesota. Minnesota Republicans nominated a candidate whom Tim Pawlenty called unelectable.
"This is a major embarrassment for national Republicans, who shunned Jeff Johnson's candidacy and tried to hand-pick a nominee. Now, they're left with a fringe candidate who is out of step with Minnesota voters.
"JeffJohnson ran one of the most right-wing campaigns in modern Minnesota history. He campaigned on restricting a woman's right to choose, ripping health care away from Minnesotans with pre-existing conditions, and promoting bizarre conspiracy theories of Muslim 'infiltration.'
"Minnesotans can't afford the disastrous policies of Jeff Johnson. His views were outside the mainstream in 2014 when he lost to Governor Dayton, and they are outside the mainstream now. Will the RGA support his candidacy? It seems doubtful based on their excitement about Pawlenty's failed candidacy."
Background
Pawlenty Called Johnson "Unelectable Statewide." According to the Associated Press, "Pawlenty and Johnson ended their primary campaign much the way it began -- with Johnson touting his support among GOP party activists, Pawlenty calling Johnson unelectable statewide after his 2014 loss to Dayton and the pair squabbling over who insulted President Donald Trump worse ahead of the 2016 presidential election."[Associated Press, 8/14/18]
Pawlenty: "Jeff Johnson Can't Win the Primary or the General Election." According to a WCCO interview, Pawlenty said, "Jeff's a good guy but I don't think he's in a position to win either the primary or the general election. We need a strong candidate on the Republican side." [WCCO, 6/5/18]
Minnesota Post Headline: "GOP Governor Primary May Come Down to Who's a Better, Truer, Trump-Ier Conservative." [Minnesota Post, 8/8/18]
Johnson Said "Overall, Policy-Wise, I Have Agreed" with Trump. According to the Pioneer Press, "He said the president is doing well in office, even though he differs with some of Trump's actions, adding, 'I wish he had more self-control.' 'Overall, policy-wise, I have agreed with what he is trying to do,' Johnson said." [Pioneer Press, 5/10/17]
Johnson Defended GOP Lawmakers Who Warned of Muslim-Americans "Infiltrating" Precinct Caucuses. According to the Star Tribune, "Jeff Johnson, a leading Republican candidate for governor, was pressed in a podcast interview this week to defend GOP lawmakers who have warned of Muslim-Americans 'infiltrating' the upcoming precinct caucuses. Reps. Cindy Pugh and Kathy Lohmer were criticized by fellow Republicans and civic groups after they claimed there is a plan to "mobilize Muslims to infiltrate our Republican caucuses on Feb. 6.' Johnson, a Hennepin County commissioner, applauded Pugh on a conservative podcast Wednesday: 'Putting Republicans on notice,' he said, is 'a good thing.' 'I think [Pugh] raises very legitimate issues. I think there's a huge cultural issue we're talking about here.'" [Star Tribune, 2/1/18]
Johnson Said He Would Support a "Heartbeat Bill" as Governor, Severely Restricting a Women's Right to Choose. According to an MPR interview:
Jeff Johnson: So I am pro-life and I believe in exceptions to that for the life of the mother, or rape, or incest. But I am pro-life and would sign a pro-life bill if it came through, should Roe v Wade be overturned. I think realistically in Minnesota, what you would probably see rather than just a full-blown outlawing of abortion, I think you'd probably see some greater restrictions than what we have right now. Certainly on taxpayer-funded abortions which we could do right now. But also on, for example, the Heartbeat bill, that I think we saw pass in Iowa. That said if you can hear and feel a heartbeat, than that is a living child and you shouldn't be able to abort them.
Kerri Miller: And you would support legislation like that?
Johnson: I would." [MPR, 7/23/18]
Johnson Opposed the ACA and Attacked Requirements Under the Law, Which Included Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and Not Charging Women More Than Men for Health Coverage. According to the Echo Journal, "'We are in a considerably worse place than we were before the ACA (Affordable Care Act), before Obamacare.' His answer is twofold, Johnson said--much of the issue being a lack of personal agency by health care recipients across the state, as well as a lack of options for these people when they're given the ability to determine their own care. Rectifying the larger issue of health care means rectifying those discrepancies, he said, which means rolling back unnecessary mandates and creating a free market system driving competition." [Echo Journal, 7/10/18]
Congressman Cramer: Ineffective As Can Be
BISMARCK, North Dakota, Aug. 15 -- The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party issued the following news release:
When it comes to getting results for our state, North Dakotans just can't depend on Congressman Cramer to effectively work on their behalf. Case in point: Cramer met with administration officials and North Dakotans to discuss trade on a Friday and, the very next Monday, the administration announced another $200 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods, sending North Dakota spinning deeper into a trade war. Unless Cramer's goal was to escalate the trade war using North Dakotans as collateral,
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BISMARCK, North Dakota, Aug. 15 -- The North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party issued the following news release:
When it comes to getting results for our state, North Dakotans just can't depend on Congressman Cramer to effectively work on their behalf. Case in point: Cramer met with administration officials and North Dakotans to discuss trade on a Friday and, the very next Monday, the administration announced another $200 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods, sending North Dakota spinning deeper into a trade war. Unless Cramer's goal was to escalate the trade war using North Dakotans as collateral,it sure doesn't seem like an effective meeting.
It's not just trade in which Cramer is ineffective at advocating for North Dakotans. Cramer was ranked 145th out of 250 congressional Republicans in effectiveness and sponsored only one "substantive and significant bill" during the last congressional session. In fact, he was ranked the LEAST effective member of the North Dakota Congressional delegation. Even conservative groups are running from Cramer because of his ineffectiveness and inability to lead on negating the trade war.
"If Congressman Cramer can't effectively advocate on an issue as important as trade, what makes him think he'll be able to defend North Dakota's best interests?" asked Courtney Rice, Press Secretary for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. "It's clear Cramer is gunning for a promotion he didn't earn - and doesn't deserve."
Bosma 'disturbed', Holcomb Distracted on DCS?
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Aug. 15 -- The Indiana Democratic Party issued the following news release:
Ahead of Wednesday's Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana meeting, it's not clear what progress is being made to implement recommendations to right the embattled agency. Five previous reports examining the agency went largely ignored, a fact that "disturbed" Speaker Brian Bosma. Governor Eric Holcomb hasn't said much publicly since the report's release. It's a look that doesn't exactly jibe with Holcomb's comments following the report's release, when he described himself as 'excited',
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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Aug. 15 -- The Indiana Democratic Party issued the following news release:
Ahead of Wednesday's Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana meeting, it's not clear what progress is being made to implement recommendations to right the embattled agency. Five previous reports examining the agency went largely ignored, a fact that "disturbed" Speaker Brian Bosma. Governor Eric Holcomb hasn't said much publicly since the report's release. It's a look that doesn't exactly jibe with Holcomb's comments following the report's release, when he described himself as 'excited',felt a "sense of optimism" and "confidence" in the fact that "we have a game plan".
From the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette Doubt in any real change to DCS
"Lawmakers on Monday reviewed the latest report on problems at the Indiana Department of Child Services, but some still aren't sure anything will change.
"How is this different?" asked Rep. John Bartlett, D-Indianapolis.
"That's because DCS has received numerous similar reviews - some with the exact same recommendations - under previous Republican administrations.
"One such analysis came under then-Gov. Mike Pence's tenure about 18 months ago, and Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said he didn't learn about it until this year.
"I am disturbed by that," Bosma said. "I can tell you this governor is laser focused on this issue and he has picked folks that he has confidence in to run the department and I know they aren't going to drop the ball on this one."
The need for reform at the agency remains. In July, an autopsy of an 18-month-old Anderson boy revealed 54 injuries and the county prosecutor, a Republican, said DCS failed to protect the child.
From the Anderson Herald Bulletin After autopsy results, prosecutor, attorney call for changes at DCS
"Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings said that child services, which had been involved with the family in December, failed to protect Harlan Haines, the toddler who died Feb. 23.
"The autopsy released Tuesday documented multiple severe injuries among the 54 that were cataloged.
"It was what I expected," Cummings said of the autopsy results. "It's sickening what that child went through."
"Local attorney Bob Summerfield, representing Harlan's father, Jackie Haines III, and uncle, Michael McKnight, said the autopsy report is a personal invitation to Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to "open his eyes" and make real changes to DCS."
For an agency desperately short on credibility, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody believed Statehouse Republicans need to prove to concerned Hoosiers they are taking action at DCS.
"Republicans lost the benefit of the doubt about the same time they were failing to implement five sets of reforms that would have saved lives," said Zody. "Indiana Republicans from Governor Holcomb on down need to get serious and publicly disclose the steps they are taking to fix DCS. When you fail five times, it's hard to believe the sixth time will be any different."
