MONTGOMERY, Alabama, March 12 -- The Alabama Republican Party issued the following news release: The Alabama Republican Party has set qualifying dates for the special election in Alabama House District 78. Information on the qualifying process is available on the ALGOP website (www.algop.org). Qualifying will open on-line at www.algop.org on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. CST. It will close on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. CST, per the proclamation issued by Governor Kay Ivey. Pe  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The Alliance for Justice issued the following statement: * * * The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action and Federal Rights is holding a hearing on, "What's Wrong with the Supreme Court: The Big-Money Assault on Our Judiciary." Alliance for Justice has long fought the corporate, conservative effort to take over the courts, including publishing the notable 1993 report Justice for Sale, and lauds Chairman Sheldon Whitehouse for convenin  more

WASHINGTON, March 9 -- The American University's School of Communication issued the following news: Ana Navarro has long served as one of CNN's most prominent conservative commentators. But she's found a new, and perhaps larger, audience as a weekly host on The View, which she called "the best gig in TV" in a conversation with AU students Thursday at an event hosted by the Kennedy Political Union. Navarro, who recently received a 2020 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Informative Talk  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following news: A second race rater has highlighted Maryland as the governor's seat most likely to flip in 2022. Sabato's Crystal Ball has rated Maryland as "lean Democrat" next year, saying Maryland "will be hard for Republicans to hold." As part of their reasoning, Crystal Ball says "there are no shortage of Democrats who could run in this blue state, and we think any competent Democrat would be favored over a generic Re  more

WASHINGTON, March 10 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release: The Republican Party's civil war quickly escalated this week as Trump tries to maintain control of the party and prevent his supporters from donating to the Republican National Committee. Meanwhile, every last Republican in Congress refused to listen to the majority of Republican voters and voted against providing the help they need. Here are three steps to how Trump just escalated the GOP civil war an  more

WASHINGTON, March 10 -- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, issued the following remarks on March 9, 2021 at a news conference today ahead of House passage on the American Rescue Plan: House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke at a press conference today ahead of House passage on the American Rescue Plan. Below is a transcript of his remarks: "So yes, [Congressional Republicans] will be at the ribbon cuttings. They'll be there saying the schools are open, kids are in school, a  more

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, March 13 -- The Indiana Democratic Party issued the following news release on March 12, 2021: The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today once again brought a spotlight to the ongoing intraparty civil war happening within the Indiana Republican Party. This time, there were some "tense exchanges" between the Republican supermajority at the Indiana General Assembly and Governor Eric Holcomb as they debated   more

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, March 11 -- The Indiana Democratic Party issued the following statement on March 10, 2021: * * * The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today released the following statement after Republican Members of Indiana's congressional delegation joined U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Todd Young by voting against the American Rescue Plan and additional relief for struggling Hoosier families during the COVID-19 pandem  more

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, March 9 -- The Indiana Democratic Party issued the following news release: The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today criticized the Indiana Republican Party for having zero understanding of what their school choice bill -- House Bill 1005 -- does and what it means for the future of Indiana's public school system. State Representative Jeff Ellington falsely claimed late last week that parents could use t  more

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, March 11 -- The Indiana Democratic Party issued the following news release on March 10, 2021: The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today once again criticized U.S. Senator Mike Braun for failing to own up to the chaos and mess he helped create leading up to the insurrection against the United States on January 6. Hoosiers all remember Braun flip-flopped six times on whether to accept the results of the 2  more

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, March 12 -- The Indiana Democratic Party issued the following news release on March 11, 2021: The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today condemned Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita for once again diminishing the respect and value of the Office of the Attorney General. In another bombshell report (https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/marion-county/2021/03/10/indiana-attorney-general-rokita-makes-  more

WOBURN, Massachusetts, March 9 -- The Massachusetts Republican Party issued the following news: Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons, along with the party's Elections Review Committee, submitted testimony Monday supporting emergency universal mail-in voting measures related to the commonwealth's COVID-19 response to end as originally scheduled on March 31. "Massachusetts is hitting all of its benchmarks as the state continues to reopen, and the public's faith in our tried-and-true  more

LANSING, Michigan, March 10 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following statement on March 9, 2021: * * * The Michigan Democratic Party released the following statement on behalf of Chair Lavora Barnes. "Governor Whitmer sent a clear message to the GOP-led legislature today, she is not interested in any political games that prevent Michiganders from getting the full allocation of federal dollars for COVID relief. "Forty-eight days ago the Governor proposed a plan for allocating tho  more

LANSING, Michigan, March 9 -- The Michigan Republican Party issued the following news: New York Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo, under fire for disastrous nursing home COVID orders that may have resulted in a spike in deaths at nursing homes, isn't the only high-profile governor to institute such measures. Cuomo's March 25, 2020 advisory stating, "no resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the NH solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19," is coming under intense   more

LANSING, Michigan, March 11 -- The Michigan Republican Party issued the following news on March 10, 2021: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shamelessly threw school children, small businesses, and unemployed Michiganders under the bus by vetoing much needed portions of the COVID Relief funding bill Tuesday. Whitmer's decision to pick winners and losers will hurt Michiganders looking to make it through the pandemic as we work to safely re-open. Whitmer vetoed over $840 million in federal K-12 funding, $40  more

MOUNT CLEMENS, Michigan, March 13 -- The Michigan Republican Party issued the following news: Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido called on the county's medical examiner's office to create a committee to review nursing home deaths related to COVID-19 as pressure mounts on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to release additional information related to COVID-19 deaths inside nursing homes and related facilities. "With the primary concern being the welfare of our most vulnerable and elderly, these questions  more

LANSING, Michigan, March 13 -- The Michigan Republican Party issued the following news: Democrat state lawmakers exposed themselves as nothing more than political pawns to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after they flip flopped on a vote to deliver critical relief to Michigander adversely impacted by the pandemic. After supporting the budget put forth by the state legislature, at least 22 Democrats flip flopped from yes to no at the sole direction of Gov. Whitmer. Even though Whitmer shamelessly threw   more

LANSING, Michigan, March 11 -- The Michigan Republican Party issued the following news: New Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido told WXYZ 7 Action News in Detroit that criminal charges are possible against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer if it is found that there's been "willful neglect" of office. "If we find there's been willful neglect of office if we find there's been reckless endangerment of a person's life by bringing them in then we would move forward with charges against the Governor. Of cours  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 11 -- The North Carolina Republican Party issued the following: The House Republicans filed House Bill 264 to fix the problem exploited by Governor Cooper in the North Carolina Emergency Act. Cooper has exploited the Act to unilaterally enact orders to close schools, deny constitutional rights and crush small businesses across North Carolina. The legislation balances the need of the government to respond in an emergency and sufficiently checks against unbridled e  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 12 -- The North Carolina Republican Party issued the following news on March 11, 2021: Cal Jr. (Jeff Jackson) voted against SB 101 which would require local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE agents working to apprehend violent criminals. The last time the General Assembly took up a similar bill, Cal Jr. was absent for the vote in 2019. In an effort to keep up in the race to the left in the Democrat Primary for US Senate, Cal Jr. made sure he was in the NC Sena  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 12 -- The North Carolina Republican Party issued the following news on March 11, 2021: Nearly a year ago, Governor Cooper shut down North Carolina's public schools via executive order and refused to reopen with an executive order. Yesterday, he announced his intention to finally follow the science on this issue and indicated he will sign legislation that will actually reopen North Carolina schools. That said, Cooper could have matched his rhetoric with his action  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 9 -- The North Carolina Republican Party issued the following news: WRAL's PolitiFact NC confirmed that the North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director lied about trying to change state law when she spoke at the North Carolina House Elections committee. "After lying to a federal court, Brinson Bell lied to the General Assembly. The continued lying by Director Bell will only serve to undermine confidence in North Carolina's elections, that is the ex  more

RALEIGH, North Carolina, March 9 -- The North Carolina Republican Party issued the following news: Last Friday, the National Review published an article highlighting how Democrat Governor Roy Cooper is keeping the lock on the schoolhouse door. "Governor Cooper closed schools almost a year ago and he continues to keep the schoolhouse doors locked," said NCGOP Communications Director Tim Wigginton. "As North Carolina kids suffer in failing virtual schools because of Cooper's policies, Democrats   more

CONCORD, New Hampshire, March 9 -- The New Hampshire Republican Party issued the following news: New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Stephen Stepanek released the following statement regarding Senator Maggie Hassan's vote against an Amendment that would bar convicted felons currently in prison, like cop-killer Michael Addison, from receiving $1400 stimulus checks: "Senator Maggie Hassan is more committed to the financial stability of criminals than her own constituents," said NHG  more

CONCORD, New Hampshire, March 8 -- The New Hampshire Republican Party issued the following statement: * * * New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Stephen Stepanek released the following statement after Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen voted to pass a bloated $1.9 Trillion spending package: "Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, and the Democrat Senate Majority just betrayed the people of New Hampshire in order to support New York, New Jersey, and Californian special interests.   more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The U.S. Department of Defense issued the text of the following transcript: * * * Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby PRESS SECRETARY JOHN F. KIRBY: Afternoon. Q: Afternoon. MR. KIRBY: No opening statement so we'll just get right to it. Lita, I think you're first. Q: Sorry, I was trying to unmute. John, I'm wondering if you can perhaps update us on the Seoul agreement in any way. Do you have any sense when, if that's going to be signed or what, if any costs that   more

WASHINGTON, March 12 -- Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) has been selected by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to serve on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for the 117th Congress. Crenshaw will also continue to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he serves on the Subcommittee on Climate Change. "If we're serious about tackling climate change, we need to get serious about advancing biparti  more

WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, issued the following statement: * * * Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement regarding Missouri Senator Roy Blunt's announcement that he wouldn't be seeking reelection to the United States Senate in 2022: "Senator Roy Blunt is the single most influential political leader in Missouri this century and the father of the modern Republican Party in Missouri. "For 50 years, Roy has been a steadfast and loyal servant to Mi  more

WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, issued the following statement: * * * U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement in response to the Biden Administration announcement that Venezuela would be granted a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation: "The Biden White House's compassionate and bold decision to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Venezuelans living in the U.S. provides the swift relief and security that the Vene  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The Ripon Society issued the following news: Two members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus appeared before a virtual meeting of The Ripon Society and Franklin Center this past Thursday, delivering remarks about their efforts to bridge the political divide in Congress and areas where common ground can be achieved in the coming year. The members were Republican Congressman Dusty Johnson, who was elected in 2018 and represents the At-Large District of South Dakota i  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Susan Collins congratulated Iann Leigh of Bangor High School and Hilton Scott Petersen of Lincoln Academy on being selected as Maine's delegates to the 59th Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, USSYP is hosting Washington Week this year via Zoom. "In addition to their impressive academic and extra-curricular achievements, Iann and Scott each have a commendabl  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, issued the following transcript of an interview on March 10, 2021, on CNBC's Squawk Box: * * * During an interview this morning on CNBC's Squawk Box, Senator Portman discussed the recent passage of the Democrats' $1.9 trillion spending bill. From the beginning of the process, Portman called for the Biden administration and congressional Democrats to work with Republicans in a bipartisan manner to deliver targeted aid to Americans who need it m  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action and Federal Rights issued the following testimony by Lisa Graves, president of the Center for Media and Democracy, at a hearing entitled "What's Wrong with the Supreme Court: The Big-Money Assault on Our Judiciary" on March 10, 2021: * * * Thank you for inviting me to testify today about what's wrong with the U.S. Supreme Court and the big-money assault on our judiciary. Over the past decade,  more

WASHINGTON, March 11 -- The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action and Federal Rights issued the following testimony by Michael Klarman, Kirkland and Ellis professor at Harvard Law School, at a hearing entitled "What's Wrong with the Supreme Court: The Big-Money Assault on Our Judiciary" on March 10, 2021: * * * Democracy, as you know, is under threat around the world. Countries such as Poland, Hungary, Turkey, the Philippines, and Brazil have all experienced  more

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, March 13 -- The Maryland Democratic Party issued the following news on March 12, 2021: Yesterday, March 11th, Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball, one of the top nonpartisan election analysis groups in the country, predicted that Democrats would flip the Maryland Governorship in the 2022 election. It would be "a tough hold for the GOP," said the Crystal Ball, and a "state we see changing hands." The Crystal Ball also noted that while far-right Trump associates like Rep. Andy Harri  more

LAWRENCE, Kansas, March 10 (TNSJou) -- The University of Kansas issued the following news: The prevailing assumption is that U.S. foreign aid is a governmental function. But the reality proves much different. "The majority of foreign aid work is done by private contractors," said Sheyda Jahanbani, associate professor of history at the University of Kansas. "In fact, it's implemented by a web of private contractors so wide that it's known in Washington as 'the development industrial complex.'"  more

MADISON, Wisconsin, March 11 -- The Wisconsin Republican Party issued the following news on March 10, 2021: Yesterday, the Wisconsin Spotlight published a bombshell report revealing that a Mark Zuckerberg-financed grant intended to "bolster democracy during the pandemic" actually resulted in concerning influence from an outside group in Green Bay's election administration in November. According to the report, a left-leaning group led by a former Democrat operative was heavily involved in admini  more