A lot went on over the long weekend and we don’t want you to miss any of it. Here’s a quick rundown of google alerts you maybe ignored, but maybe shouldn’t have:
- Democrats in strong generic ballot position: We’re still well over a year away from the 2020 election, but Democrats’ commanding lead in the generic ballot is a reminder that there is one party that’s connecting with the priorities of the American people and another that is a rubber stamp for a reckless and wildly unpopular Presidency. That snapshot of the political environment comes in polling conducted by Economist-YouGov and Morning Consult-POLITICO, showing Democrats with a lead of 9 and 10 points respectively. Before you ask… At a similar point in 2017, Democrats held a (for the time) “historically strong” 7 point lead in the generic ballot test.
- Republicans continue attacks on health care: While Americans say they trust Democrats over Republicans by wide margins when it comes to health care, Washington Republicans are poised to bring their losing issue to center stage tomorrow with their lawsuit to repeal the protections of the Affordable Care Act. Unsurprisingly, Republican strategists are freaking out. One told the Washington Post, “Rehashing the issue that perhaps most largely cost us the House doesn’t make a lot of sense as a political tactic,” and “Even just bringing back the issue would benefit Democrats significantly, [giving] them all kinds of arguments about the president taking insurance away.” Another said “The politics of this are very ugly for the Republicans.”
- Allen West hightails it after Allred’s strong fundraising: After Rep. Colin Allred (TX-32) announced he’s already raised more than $1 million for his re-election campaign, Tea Party darling and former Florida Congressman Allen West announced that he wouldn’t seek a return to Congress after raising speculation from the NRCC and others he’d do just that. Now, as former Congressman Pete Sessions openly mulls a 2018 rematch and Dallas County Republicans trash him, West is out and a dreaded Pete Sessions candidacy still looms.
- Republican Congressman jumps ship on Washington Republican party: Congressman Justin Amash announced he was leaving the GOP and running for re-election in MI-03 as an independent— in the process blasting his old party and prompting handicappers to move the Democratic-trending district to a toss-up.
Fundraising:
IA-02: RITA HART TOPS INITIAL QUARTER FUNDRAISING RECORD IN IA-02
Iowa Starting Line | Elizabeth-Meyer
Rita Hart, a Democratic candidate for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District, already has broken a fundraising record in her bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A farmer, former educator and two-term state senator, Hart announced her candidacy for Rep. Dave Loebsack’s seat May 14. In addition to her fundraising total, she will begin the race with with more than $268,000 cash-on-hand.
“I’m proud of the broad, grassroots efforts of this campaign,” said Hart, whose campaign said 93% of individual contributions came from donors in Iowa. “As I meet with folks across Iowa, now more than ever people want someone who will lean in and listen to them, not those loud and powerful voices that keep us from getting things done. Whether lowering the cost of healthcare, guaranteeing affordable educational opportunities, or creating jobs in rural Iowa, we have to listen to the voices that really matter and put their needs first.”
MI-11: Rep. Haley Stevens raises over $725,000 in Second Quarter
Twitter | Ally Mutnick
Another blockbuster quarter from a swing-seat freshman Dem >> @HaleyLive of #MI11 raised more $725K in Q2.
She currently has more than $1M in the bank & no serious 2020 opponent.
NY-11: Rep. Max Rose raised $800K in Q2
Twitter | Laura Barrón-López
News in Huddle: @MaxRose4NY raised $800K in Q2, has $1M on hand.
Rose flipped a NY Republican seat that went for Trump by more than 6 points in ‘16.
In Q1 Rose raised $600k and Republican @NMalliotakis raised $300k
Local Clips:
CA-10: Rep. Josh Harder’s Fourth of July plans are anything but humdrum
Roll Call | Kathryn Lyons
While many of you brush off your grill grates ahead of Thursday’s Fourth of July celebrations, Rep. Josh Harder will be dusting off the ol’ snare drum. It’s been fifteen years since the freshman Democrat from California played percussion in high school, and he has no problem admitting his skills might need a little fine-tuning. “I’m a little rusty,” Harder laughed, when reached by phone Wednesday.
But a little rust won’t keep this drummer from partaking in the day’s “Patriotic Spectacular” — an annual Independence Day concert put on by the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County, or, as the locals call it, MoBand. MoBand, made up of one hundred and thirty musicians ranging from ages 14 to 100 sounding trumpets, saxophones and beating drums, is “one of the oldest, continuously performing bands in the United States,” according to its website. Harder, who was once the “head of the percussion ensemble” back in the day is helping the group celebrate its 100th anniversary.
CA-10: Town hall focuses on health care
Tracy Press | Glenn Moore
Rep. Josh Harder led a town hall meeting Tuesday night to discuss some of the health care challenges facing Central Valley residents and hear people’s concerns.
A packed house listened to the presentation at the Guadalupe Center, 126 W. First St., which included updates on legislation in Washington and a firsthand account of health care in Tracy.
It was Harder’s 12th town hall in the first six months of taking office, and he said he wanted to know the needs and concerns of the community about health care.
CA-25: Hill has been busy in Washington
Antelope Valley Press | Allison Gatlin
Six months ago, Rep. Katie Hill began her tenure as the first Democrat elected to represent the Antelope Valley in Congress in more than a half-century, part of a “blue wave” that saw the House change from Republican to Democratic control.
Since then, the House has tackled a number of high-profile topics, from the investigations of the Trump adminstration to the immigration crisis on the border, alongside the quieter work of passing budgets and the everyday business of government.
[…]
The spotlight may fall on the topics of national importance, but Hill has placed a priority on handling the issues much closer to home by serving constituents’ individual needs. During the past six months, her office has opened more than 200 cases for constituents and completed 72 of those, securing more than $330,000 in Veterans Administration and Social Security benefits.
“The work that we’re able to do here at home is honestly the bread and butter when you’re talking about how we can serve people on a day-to-day basis,” she said. “What’s happening in Washington is always going to be a challenge. We need to advocate for our priorities here and try to address the bigger-picture national issues, but if you have something where you can help people in their day-to-day lives, I think that’s absolutely crucial.”
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Hill has been able to look after local needs as part of the $733 billion defense budget, ensuring funding to protect and expand thousands of jobs.
“We got everything that we wanted within the (National Defense Authorization Act),” she said, including an additional $33 million for the U-2 modernization program at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale and the largest order yet of the F-35 fighter.
IA-03: We Are Iowa: Rep. Axne visited 6 counties to talk to Iowans about her work in Washington, like securing much-needed flood relief funding for Iowa.
KS-03: KMBC: Rep. Davids rode along with a UPS delivery crew as part of her “Sharice’s Shift” program, which allows her to shadow people at work throughout KS-03
NY-19: Vets fighting for health care, Delgado says
Hudson Valley 360 | Staff
Catskill – U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado toured the Catskill Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic on Tuesday to see firsthand the services that are now available to local veterans and what their needs are.
[…]
“Veterans deserve access to high-quality health care services wherever they choose to live,” Delgado said. “Our commitment to honoring their service should extend to fighting for the resources at home to ensure availability of mental health services, treatment facilities and excellent primary care.”
During his tour, Delgado asked clinic staff about improvements or changes that have taken place since the VA Mission Act was passed in 2018. The VA Mission Act was legislation designed to strengthen the VA’s ability to deliver care virtually through telehealth, which is health care provided over the phone or by computer. Delgado has been a proponent of telemedicine both in the veterans and the general community, particularly in rural areas of the 19th Congressional District.
Tim Broder, a veterans’ advocate and a trustee with the Northeast USA Vietnam Veterans Reunion Association, held each year in Greenville, said many veterans have been “impressed” with Delgado’s responsiveness to their needs.
[…]
NY-22: WUTR: Rep. Brindisi pushes for 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund
OK-05: KOCO: Rep. Horn held a community town hall to discuss the impact of rising insulin prices on OK-05.
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