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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Ohio Republicans Keep Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud in Their Ongoing War on Women
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 1 -- The Ohio Democratic Party issued the following news:
After trying and failing twice to rip fundamental rights away from Ohio women this year, Ohio Republicans keep doubling down on their disgusting attacks on women and saying the quiet part out loud. It's more than a pattern, it's a clear indication that these out-of-touch GOP politicians aren't backing down from their ongoing war on women.
"It's clear from their lengthy list of disgusting attacks how Republican politicians view women in this state. These comments are not only disturbing, they're disqualifying for any
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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 1 -- The Ohio Democratic Party issued the following news:
After trying and failing twice to rip fundamental rights away from Ohio women this year, Ohio Republicans keep doubling down on their disgusting attacks on women and saying the quiet part out loud. It's more than a pattern, it's a clear indication that these out-of-touch GOP politicians aren't backing down from their ongoing war on women.
"It's clear from their lengthy list of disgusting attacks how Republican politicians view women in this state. These comments are not only disturbing, they're disqualifying for anyelected official. Regardless of how many times Ohioans stand up and push back, these out-of-touch politicians never learn their lesson. Time and again, the Ohio GOP has shown us exactly who they are, it's past time we believe them," said Matt Keyes, spokesperson for the Ohio Democratic Party.
Republican politicians not only tried to take away abortion rights, they've supported spousal rape, cast doubt on a ten-year-old rape victim, called rape an 'opportunity,' and said they want to 'go as far as we can' to limit reproductive healthcare. It's clear these politicians are disconnected from reality and hold extreme views that are dangerous for the future of our state.
Read more from Republican politicians in their own words:
* Bill Dean on voting 'no' on legislation that would make spousal rape illegal: "I personally don't believe that a man, if he's married and has physical relations with his wife, that can be considered rape. I think this law can be used as a wedge between husband and wife and families and a husband and wife's relationship."
* Dave Yost on a ten-year-old rape victim forced to travel out of state for critical healthcare: "Every day that goes by the more likely that this is a fabrication...What I'm saying to you is there is not a damn scintilla of evidence. And shame on the Indianapolis paper that ran this thing on a single source who has an obvious axe to grind."
* Jean Schmidt calling rape 'an opportunity:' "It is a shame that it happens but there is an opportunity for that woman, no matter how young or old she is, to make a determination about what she's going to do to help that life be a productive human being. Just because you have emotional scars doesn't give you the right to take the life."
* Bernie Moreno doubling down in support of banning abortion while lying about November's Issue 1: "As a dad of two girls, it's about having that girl be able to be raped and having a rapist force her to have an abortion -- all without your consent -- as a minor."
* Frank LaRose admitting he worked with special interests to ban abortion by rewriting the November ballot language to be intentionally misleading: "That [writing 'woman'] was something that the pro-life community felt very strongly should be included in that. And they liked that as well, because the name of the 'no' campaign was Protect Women Ohio, and the yard signs said: 'Protect women.' So they wanted that, they thought that was reasonable and would be helpful to them.
* Mike DeWine: Said he wanted to go "as far as we can" to rip away abortion rights.
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Original text here: https://ohiodems.org/ohio-republicans-keep-saying-the-quiet-part-out-loud-in-their-ongoing-war-on-women/
NEW: Donald Trump's MAGA Minions in Congress Line Up Behind Call to "Terminate" Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release:
In response to MAGA Republicans in Congress supporting Donald Trump's call to "terminate" the Affordable Care Act, DNC National Press Secretary Sarafina Chitika released the following statement:
"It appears Trump's MAGA minions in Congress are falling in line behind his unpopular plan to rip away health care from millions of Americans and jack up health care costs on middle class families. The last time Trump tried to repeal Obamacare, he came up just one vote short in Congress, and his MAGA minions would
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release:
In response to MAGA Republicans in Congress supporting Donald Trump's call to "terminate" the Affordable Care Act, DNC National Press Secretary Sarafina Chitika released the following statement:
"It appears Trump's MAGA minions in Congress are falling in line behind his unpopular plan to rip away health care from millions of Americans and jack up health care costs on middle class families. The last time Trump tried to repeal Obamacare, he came up just one vote short in Congress, and his MAGA minions wouldback him in playing politics with people's essential health care yet again if he takes power. Despite MAGA Republicans' appalling efforts, President Biden and Democrats will always fight to protect every American's right to have accessible and affordable health care -- those are the stakes of next November's election."
Days after Trump doubled down on his call to rip away health care from millions of Americans, his MAGA minions on the Hill are lining up behind his latest salvo against the Affordable Care Act.
Axios: "GOP lawmakers cautiously open to Trump's ACA repeal push"
"Two top Senate Republicans signaled they could be open to a revived effort.
'I think Obamacare has been one of the biggest deceptions on the American people,' said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). 'I mean just look at your health care premiums.'
[...]
"Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), who's in line to run the Finance Committee if the GOP retakes the Senate, said he's open to plans that were similar to the 2017 repeal and replace bills.
[...]
"Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), an ultraconservative, succinctly replied 'yes' on Wednesday when asked if he is still interested in replacing Obamacare.'
"[Rep. Kevin Hern] said of Trump: 'I'd certainly love to look at his plan.'"
When he was in office, Trump came up just one vote short in Congress from achieving his goal of repealing the Affordable Care Act.
Reuters: "The most previous attempt to repeal Obamacare fell one vote short in July, in a humiliating setback for Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell."
The Hill: "On the campaign trail, Trump has doubled down on his promise to repeal the ACA, a feat he fell one vote short of in 2017."
Trump: "I will get health care. I'm one vote short of health care. I'll get health care."
Trump has revived his yearslong effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, saying MAGA Republicans "should never give up" in their efforts to "terminate" the landmark legislation.
Daily Beast: "Trump Revives Plan to Dismantle Obamacare if Elected in 2024"
Mediaite: "'OBAMACARE SUCKS!!!' Trump Rants About New Plan -- Years After He Promised It Was 'Two Weeks' Away"
The Messenger: "Former President Donald Trump said he is 'seriously looking at alternatives' to Obamacare in a new post on his social media platform Truth Social. He also called it a 'low point for the Republican Party' that lawmakers failed to 'terminate' the health insurance program established by the Affordable Care Act. According to the latest figures this year, more than 40 million Americans rely on the program for those who can't afford private plans."
Trump: "The cost of Obamacare is out of control, plus, it's not good Healthcare. I'm seriously looking at alternatives. We had a couple of Republican Senators who campaigned for 6 years against it, and then raised their hands not to terminate it. It was a low point for the Republican Party, but we should never give up!"
If Trump takes power and is successful in repealing the Affordable Care Act, as many as 135 million Americans with preexisting conditions could have their protections ripped away from them.
Center for American Progress: "According to new estimates from the Center for American Progress, 135 million people under age 65, or about half of nonelderly people, have a preexisting condition that an insurer could use to discriminate against them if they ever sought coverage through the individual market in the absence of ACA protections."
KFF Poll: "Majorities of Democrats [88%], Republicans [62%], and independents [73%] say it is 'very important' to continue each of [the Affordable Care Act's] protections for people with pre-existing conditions."
Repealing the Affordable Care Act is dangerous, unpopular, and would be devastating for the millions of Americans who depend on it.
Jon Favreau: "If Trump wins, 40 million people could lose their health care, and insurance companies would get to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. If Biden wins, that...won't happen."
KFF Poll: 64% believe it is "very important" insurance companies continue to be prohibited from charging sick people more -- including 55% of Republicans.
NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll: "Thirteen years after the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, more than eight in ten Americans (83%) either agree or strongly agree that all Americans have a basic right to healthcare coverage."
Bryan Bennett, Navigator Research: "Per our October @NavigatorSurvey research, repealing the ACA (and January 6) remain the top concerns about Trump's first term as president"
Washington Post: "But what's clear is that an effort to 'terminate' Obamacare is not something Americans are pining for. Not only were the GOP's efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare during Trump's term historically unpopular, but the law also appears to have gotten more popular since then. ... And when politicians talk of ending health insurance for tens of millions of Americans, dropping coverage of preexisting conditions and cutting Obamacare's Medicaid funding, things get even dicier."
In addition to Trump, other 2024 Republican candidates have records of railing against and trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Haley: "We have fought Obamacare in South Carolina as much as we possibly could. We said no to the state exchanges. We said no to the Medicaid expansion. ... They just turned around and set every state back with this bill that we know did not work."
Haley: "When it came to Obamacare, we didn't just say 'no,' we said never... And we're going to keep on fighting until we get people like [Senator Tim Scott] and everybody else in Congress to defund Obamacare."
Haley: "We would end a disastrous health care program, and replace it with reforms that lowered costs and actually let you keep your doctor."
DeSantis: "We must repeal ObamaCare... I have no desire to 'improve' or 'reform' ObamaCare. I intend to repeal it."
DeSantis: "Obamacare should never have been passed."
DeSantis: "The full and complete repeal of Obama Care is one of the most critical issues of our time."
Tampa Bay Times: "When he was soliciting Republican votes in the GOP primary, the front page of DeSantis' site highlighted how he 'led efforts' to 'repeal ObamaCare.'"
HuffPost: "As a Republican serving in the U.S. House, [DeSantis] was part of a far-right caucus that voted against the first ACA repeal bill that leadership brought to the floor because, DeSantis and his allies said, it didn't undo enough of the law's protections for people with pre-existing conditions. GOP leaders eventually put forward a more aggressive repeal. DeSantis and his colleagues voted yes on that one, but it failed in the Senate."
Politico: "Despite the fact that millions of people had enrolled in Obamacare, the health law remains a 'failure on a whole number of levels' and should be repealed, Christie said. But, he added, Republicans must also offer a concrete replacement. The conversation, he said 'must start from a position of repeal.'"
Christie: "I'll just tell you my position. [The Affordable Care Act] doesn't work. It's a fiction. It doesn't work and it should be repealed."
Associated Press: "Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy swiped at former President Donald Trump on Thursday for failing to repeal and replace the health care overhaul championed by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama. 'I am never somebody who will make a false promise,' Ramaswamy said at an event in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. 'My friend Donald Trump promised us: repeal and replace Obamacare. Eight years later, did it happen? No, it did not. It is a false promise if it is contingent on Congress.'"
Ramaswamy: "I think Obamacare has been a disaster."
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/new-donald-trumps-maga-minions-in-congress-line-up-behind-call-to-terminate-affordable-care-act/
N.H. Democratic Party: Nikki Haley Opened the Door in NH to Repealing the ACA
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Dec. 1 -- The New Hampshire Democratic Party issued the following news release:
In New Hampshire yesterday, Nikki Haley opened the door to repealing the Affordable Care Act, doubling down on the MAGA agenda to rip away health care access for thousands of Granite Staters.
As South Carolina governor, Haley repeatedly railed against the ACA, even calling to "defund" the program and refusing expansion efforts. But don't just take it from us, here's what Haley herself has proudly said about her anti-ACA record: "We have fought Obamacare in South Carolina as much as we possibly
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, Dec. 1 -- The New Hampshire Democratic Party issued the following news release:
In New Hampshire yesterday, Nikki Haley opened the door to repealing the Affordable Care Act, doubling down on the MAGA agenda to rip away health care access for thousands of Granite Staters.
As South Carolina governor, Haley repeatedly railed against the ACA, even calling to "defund" the program and refusing expansion efforts. But don't just take it from us, here's what Haley herself has proudly said about her anti-ACA record: "We have fought Obamacare in South Carolina as much as we possiblycould. We said no to the state exchanges. We said no to the Medicaid expansion."
NHDP spokesperson Aida Ross released the following statement in response:
"It's beyond shameful that Nikki Haley would open the door to repealing the ACA, a lifeline for Granite Staters, including over 230,000 living with preexisting conditions. If Haley got her way, thousands could be left uninsured, folks with anything from diabetes to asthma could be denied care, and health care costs could skyrocket in New Hampshire. Haley has always been in lockstep with Donald Trump's MAGA agenda to rip away health care from hardworking Granite Staters -- so can we even be surprised that this is where she stands?"
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Original text here: https://www.nhdp.org/post/nikki-haley-opened-the-door-in-nh-to-repealing-the-aca
Michigan Democratic Party: ICYMI - Matt Hall's Past Continues to Haunt Him, Slammed in New Op-Ed Over Ability to Lead
LANSING, Michigan, Dec. 1 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Nov. 30, 2023:
In case you missed it, yesterday, MAGA Matt Hall was once again blasted for his past and ability to lead, this time in an op-ed by the president of the Michigan State University chapter of the National Organization for Women's Campus Action Network. In her op-ed, Raegan Wellman explains how, from her perspective as a young Michigander closely following her state legislature, she simply does not trust Hall and his ability to make impartial decisions around critical and sensitive legislation
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LANSING, Michigan, Dec. 1 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Nov. 30, 2023:
In case you missed it, yesterday, MAGA Matt Hall was once again blasted for his past and ability to lead, this time in an op-ed by the president of the Michigan State University chapter of the National Organization for Women's Campus Action Network. In her op-ed, Raegan Wellman explains how, from her perspective as a young Michigander closely following her state legislature, she simply does not trust Hall and his ability to make impartial decisions around critical and sensitive legislationconcerning domestic violence and assault. As we already saw in this past legislative session, MAGA Matt voted against groundbreaking and common sense legislation championed by Dems to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and make Michiganders safer.
With his history of threatening behavior coupled with his radical votes to continue to allow domestic abusers access to guns, Raegan Wellman says it begs the question of whether MAGA Matt Hall should be allowed to represent Michiganders at all. With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experiencing abuse in their lifetime, how can someone who has threatened violence deserve to sit in the Michigan Legislature?
See our breakdown of the piece and what other Michigan voices are saying on social media below:
Finally, read more from Wellman's criticism of MAGA Matt Hall here:
The Michigan Independent: (https://michiganindependent.com/2023/11/29/opinion-michigan-rep-matt-halls-abusive-past-behavior-should-concern-us-all/) Opinion: Michigan Rep. Matt Hall's abusive past behavior should concern us all
* That's why it was particularly troubling to learn of Republican Michigan state Rep. Matt Hall's threats during his college days to shoot someone who befriended his former girlfriend...Someone who has exhibited this kind of abusive behavior has no place in our highest levels of government...
* Hall emailed a friend of his then-girlfriend that he had "a bullet ... with your name on it," adding, "the South will rise again" -- a longtime slogan of the Ku Klux Klan that was more recently chanted by white nationalists rallying in Charlottesville, Virginia...
* My generation is examining the actions of leaders from across industries, and we are demanding better... Threatening someone with a gun over a romantic matter does not give us faith that they understand the realities of domestic abuse in this state.
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/icymi-matt-halls-past-continues-to-haunt-him-slammed-in-new-op-ed-over-ability-to-lead/
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: Donald Trump and Tom Barrett's MAGA Agenda? Take Away Your Health Care
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following news release on Nov. 29, 2023:
This weekend, Donald Trump loudly proclaimed his promise to rip health care away from millions of Americans, saying Republicans 'should never give up' their goal of repealing Obamacare. It's clear he and Tom Barrett's Republican Party are still hellbent on taking away the essential health care programs that millions of working families rely on.
Repealing the Affordable Care Act would:
* End critical protections for more than 100 million people with pre-existing conditions,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following news release on Nov. 29, 2023:
This weekend, Donald Trump loudly proclaimed his promise to rip health care away from millions of Americans, saying Republicans 'should never give up' their goal of repealing Obamacare. It's clear he and Tom Barrett's Republican Party are still hellbent on taking away the essential health care programs that millions of working families rely on.
Repealing the Affordable Care Act would:
* End critical protections for more than 100 million people with pre-existing conditions,allowing insurance companies to deny them coverage.
* Allow insurance companies to reinstate annual and lifetime spending limits on coverage.
* Put over 40 million people's health insurance at risk.
* Threaten coverage for 69 million people who rely on Medicaid.
* Massively increase costs for seniors and people with disabilities who receive home care.
* Cut access to substance abuse treatment and mental health care.
* Force hundreds of rural hospitals to close.
We know Tom Barrett and House Republicans will follow along: the Republican Study Committee has already put the ACA on the chopping block.
DCCC Spokesperson Aidan Johnson:
"Michiganders deserve to know where Tom Barrett stands: is he all-in on Trump's spectacularly unpopular plan to take health care away from millions of Americans, raising costs and threatening lives? Barrett's MAGA extremism and cruelty will cost Republicans the majority next year."
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/donald-trump-and-tom-barretts-maga-agenda-take-away-your-health-care/
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: Donald Trump and Kevin Kiley's MAGA Agenda? Take Away Your Health Care
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following news release on Nov. 29, 2023:
This weekend, Donald Trump loudly proclaimed his promise to rip health care away from millions of Americans, saying Republicans 'should never give up' their goal of repealing Obamacare. It's clear he and Kevin Kiley's Republican House majority are still hellbent on taking away the essential health care programs that millions of working families rely on.
Repealing the Affordable Care Act would:
* End critical protections for more than 100 million people with pre-existing conditions,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 -- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following news release on Nov. 29, 2023:
This weekend, Donald Trump loudly proclaimed his promise to rip health care away from millions of Americans, saying Republicans 'should never give up' their goal of repealing Obamacare. It's clear he and Kevin Kiley's Republican House majority are still hellbent on taking away the essential health care programs that millions of working families rely on.
Repealing the Affordable Care Act would:
* End critical protections for more than 100 million people with pre-existing conditions,allowing insurance companies to deny them coverage.
* Allow insurance companies to reinstate annual and lifetime spending limits on coverage.
* Put over 40 million people's health insurance at risk.
* Threaten coverage for 69 million people who rely on Medicaid.
* Massively increase costs for seniors and people with disabilities who receive home care.
* Cut access to substance abuse treatment and mental health care.
* Force hundreds of rural hospitals to close.
We know Kevin Kiley and House Republicans will follow along: Kiley's Republican Study Committee has already put the ACA on the chopping block.
DCCC Spokesperson Dan Gottlieb:
"Californians deserve to know where Kevin Kiley stands: is this vulnerable California Republican all-in on Trump's spectacularly unpopular plan to take health care away from millions of Americans, raising costs and threatening lives? Kiley's MAGA extremism and cruelty will cost Republicans the majority next year."
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Original text here: https://dccc.org/donald-trump-and-kevin-kileys-maga-agenda-take-away-your-health-care/
Arizona Democratic Party: Kari Lake Continues Pushing Election Conspiracies, Loses In Court (Again)
PHOENIX, Arizona, Dec. 1 -- The Arizona Democratic Party issued the following news release on Nov. 30, 2023:
Today, Kari Lake lost yet another court case in her continued efforts to push baseless conspiracy theories about past elections. Lake's request to make 1.3 million ballot envelopes public has been rejected on the basis that it could "create a significant risk of widespread voter fraud where none now exists" and "expose voters to harassment."
Lake's campaign tweeted, and Lake's account retweeted, today that from "a legal perspective, this case is a layup," saying that the judge's decision
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, Dec. 1 -- The Arizona Democratic Party issued the following news release on Nov. 30, 2023:
Today, Kari Lake lost yet another court case in her continued efforts to push baseless conspiracy theories about past elections. Lake's request to make 1.3 million ballot envelopes public has been rejected on the basis that it could "create a significant risk of widespread voter fraud where none now exists" and "expose voters to harassment."
Lake's campaign tweeted, and Lake's account retweeted, today that from "a legal perspective, this case is a layup," saying that the judge's decisionhides ballot signatures "from the public because they will expose just how weak our elections are."
However, the judge disagreed:
"Ms. Lake regards the electoral process much like the villagers in the famous fable regarded the goose that laid the golden egg, except that her goose failed to lay the egg she expected. She insists that something must have gone wrong. If only she could cut open the electoral process and examine each of its 1.3 million pieces, she says, she would be able to figure out what happened and show that the prize has been there waiting for her all along. And even if she doesn't find what she's looking for, she suggests, the act of disassembly will strengthen everyone's confidence that the machinery produces reliable outcomes. We will know it lays the right eggs. This view misses the big picture of democratic self-governance."
Today's ruling and the reaction from Kari Lake and her campaign, are another example of Lake's uninterrupted efforts to re-litigate the results of the 2022 election and push election conspiracy theories.
Read more about Kari Lake's election denialism during her Senate race below:
Arizona Republic's Laurie Roberts: Kari Lake's goose is cooked (again) as yet another judge sends her packing. The judge's 12-page ruling was brutal, noting that Lake, who lost her trial(s) to overturn the election, can't keep inventing new claims as she searches for her fairy tale ending.
* Axios Phoenix: U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake pivots back to stolen election rhetoric (https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/11/21/kari-lake-election-fraud-stolen-claims?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_phoenix&stream=top)
* Arizona Mirror: AZ Supreme Court rejects Kari Lake's bid to speed up the appeal of her 2nd trial loss (https://www.azmirror.com/blog/az-supreme-court-rejects-kari-lakes-bid-to-speed-up-the-appeal-of-her-2nd-trial-loss/)
* Arizona Republic's Laurie Roberts: Kari Lake 2.0 wants a new 2022 election? So much for moving on
* Arizona Agenda on KJZZ: "We've already moved on to Kari Lake 3.0. That 2.0 version where she was kind of making nice with some of the Republicans that she had trashed for the last year or two and not talking about election fraud for that brief window has passed. We're back to the old Kari Lake. You can call it 1.0 or 3.0."
* Arizona Republic: According to a national Republican strategist, who is familiar with Lake's relationships with national Republicans, GOP leaders have urged her not to continue to litigate the 2022 election and would prefer that she focus on her Senate run.
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Original text here: https://azdem.org/lake-loses-again/
