Vulnerable Republicans didn’t have much to be thankful for this holiday as voters continued to hold their feet to the fire for covering up for President Trump’s abuses of power. Calls to “do their job” followed several embattled Republicans around their districts, while increasingly vulnerable establishment Republicans like Congressman Fred Upton dodged questions as his long record in Washington came under greater scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Frontline Democrats highlighted their work to bring down prescription drug costs, make childcare affordable for working families, and protect Dreamers.
DCCC Spokesperson Robyn Patterson released the following statement:
“This last week was a split screen between vulnerable Republicans, who received harsh receptions at home in response to their refusal in Washington to uphold the rule of law, and Democrats, whose work in Washington on kitchen table issues continues to earn them the trust of their communities. Voters can tell where your priorities lie, and it’s clear that Republicans continue to put loyalty to their political party ahead of the responsibility to work for the communities they serve.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED REPUBLICANS’ HARSH RECEPTION
Billboards calling on House Republicans to ‘do their job’ follow members home for Thanksgiving
The Hill | Rebecca Klar
Activist groups are sending mobile billboard trucks to follow a handful of House Republicans home for Thanksgiving with a message: “Defend democracy.”
Progressive groups MoveOn and Need to Impeach commissioned the billboard trucks to visit eight districts across seven states from Monday through Wednesday. The eight targeted Republicans include either retiring members, members who have split from President Trump in the past, or vulnerable members in more moderate districts.
[…]
A truck targeting Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who emerged as a staunch Trump defender during the public impeachment hearings, kicked off its tour of the upstate New York district Monday in Glenn Falls.
[…]
Other targeted Republicans are Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Scott Perry (Pa.), Mark Amodei (Nev.), Francis Rooney (Fla.), Will Hurd (Texas) and Chip Roy (Texas).
CA-22: DCCC hitting Devin Nunes over alleged Ukrainian meeting
Politico | Jeremy White
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is turning up the heat on Rep. Devin Nunes as the California Republican faces scrutiny over his alleged contact with a former Ukrainian official.
A new wave of digital ads amplifies the charge that Nunes met with a Ukrainian ex-official linked to impeachment proceedings to seek political ammunition. While Nunes has rejected that as “demonstrably false,” Democrats have argued Nunes should face an ethics investigation.
The online spots will assail Nunes for using taxpayer money on “political dirty work” — a reference to a trip to Europe during which an indicted former associate of Rudy Giuliani maintains Nunes met with former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin.
CA-22: DCCC releases ads hitting Nunes over alleged meeting with former Ukrainian official
The Hill | Tal Axelrod
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) on Tuesday unveiled an ad campaign against Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) over allegations he met with a former Ukrainian official to dig up dirt on former Vice President Joe Biden.
“When Rep. Devin Nunes isn’t palling around with the soon-to-be criminally indicted, he’s traveling to Europe trying to pressure foreign governments to dig up dirt on President Trump’s political rivals while wasting thousands in taxpayer funds,” DCCC spokesman Andy Orellana said in a statement.
“It’s become abundantly clear that Nunes is doing the absolute most to make himself more and more vulnerable while he ignores the hardworking folks of the Central Valley in order to do Trump’s political bidding,” he added.
The DCCC specifically cited new reporting that Nunes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, met with former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin in December to discuss Biden, one of Trump’s chief political rival.
CA-22: NUNES In Hot Seat
As that unfolds, Rep. Devin Nunes continues to absorb Democratic attacks over his role as a vital ally and defender of Trump. We got another plot twist last week as an indicted associate of Rudy Giuliani conveyed an allegation that Nunes used a Europe trip to seek political ammunition for Trump from a Ukrainian ex-official.
Nunes has strenuously denied that happened, but his rejection hasn’t stopped Democrats from demanding an ethics investigation and the DCCC from amplifying the allegation in a new round of ad buys — another indication that Nunes’ impeachment prominence has emboldened his Democratic opponents, seven-point GOP margin be damned.
MI-06: Impeachment may complicate 2020 for lonely Michigan moderate
AP | Sara Burnett
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John Gregory, an Air Force veteran who works in the aerospace industry, said that for most of his career, Upton has been in touch with the district, but that he’s seemed to shift toward the right. He said he knows others – veterans and non-veterans – who are concerned about what they’re hearing during impeachment proceedings and want Upton to “put his oath of office above arty politics.”
“He was elected because I think a lot of people here feel he’s a good moderate and represents the district, but there are a lot of questions right now,” the 57-year-old said.
[…]
On the campaign trail, Hoadley says he’s talking about climate change, water quality and Upton’s role in the Trump administration’s attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Obama-era health law.
NY-01: Protesters rally outside Rep. Lee Zeldin’s fundraiser featuring Donald Trump Jr.
A crowd in St. James protested Thursday against Rep. Lee Zeldin, who was holding a reelection book-signing fundraiser with special guest Donald Trump Jr.
[…]
Myrna Gordon: I’m out here tonight because I strongly feel that Lee Zeldin isn’t representing many people who live in his district in Congressional district 1. We just want him to start listening to us and stop tying himself to the coattails of Trump. The area of Suffolk County is very very organized and we’re determined, we’re determined to remove him from office.
IN CASE YOU MISSED DEMOCRATS’ LASER FOCUS ON KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES
AZ-01: Rep. O’Halleran: Quality of childcare vital to nation’s development
Arizona Daily Star | Rep. Tom O’Halleran
Arizona is in the midst of a crisis that profoundly affects working parents, the economy, military readiness, and, most importantly, our state’s youngest children.
This crisis — a lack of access to affordable, quality infant-and-toddler child care— does immense damage in Arizona and beyond. A recent report from the business-leader group ReadyNation revealed that this crisis costs a staggering $57 billion each year, nationwide, which comes from $37 billion in diminished productivity, $13 billion in added rehiring and training costs, and $7 billion in lost tax revenue.
[…]
Investing in high-quality child care cultivates long-term educational attainment by laying a foundation that can help young brains develop. These investments can also have lasting, positive effects on entire communities, and, indeed, on our country. High-quality early childhood care and education programs can help set children on a trajectory for success in school and life.
CA-10: Dreamers anxiously await Supreme Court decision
Turlock Journal | Angelina Martin
On Saturday, Stanislaus State Dreamers and other DACA recipients joined Congressman Josh Harder for a Thanksgiving meal. Gatherings like this are difficult in today’s political climate, Tellez said, as many undocumented individuals — Dreamers included — are afraid to make their legal status known publicly.
During his time as an adjunct professor of business at Modesto Junior College, Harder said he taught Dreamers on a regular basis who are “Americans in every way except on paper.”
“One young woman I knew was carried over the border as a little baby but now faces an uncertain future,” Harder said. “The Trump Administration has gone after these kids for no good reason, even after the President himself said they’re ‘good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs.’ The Supreme Court should rule in favor of our Dreamers and stop the rollback of this program.”
CT-05: Congresswoman Jahana Hayes volunteers at annual Waterbury Thanksgiving feast
WTNH.com | LaSalle Blanks News8 Reporter
WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Waterbury’s First Congregational Church was filled with hundreds of people down on their luck Thursday. They came together to seek fellowship and food on Thanksgiving Day.
It’s been an annual meal hosted by Greater Waterbury Ministries (GWIM) for more than ten years. It draws many volunteers hoping to make the day brighter for others.
“It’s about helping those who can’t help themselves at times,” said Manny Pinho, a Waterbury resident spending his holiday scooping mashed potatoes in GWIM’s kitchen. “It’s a warm glow and it’s a great feeling.”
[…]
Fifth District Congresswoman, Rep. Jahana Hayes, was there volunteering. She told News8 the compassion shown at the event is something she’d like to bottle and take back with her to Washington.
“Everything here can be taken back to Washington and I think it starts with basic humanity and an acknowledgment that all people have value,” said Representative Hayes.
[…]
IA-03: Fixing Iowa child care will take money, more regulation, panelists say
Des Moines Register | Jason Clayworth
Alleviating Iowa’s child care crisis requires an influx of money and expanded regulation, multiple attendees at a forum hosted Friday by U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne said.
Solutions to the child care systems problems — accessibility, affordability and safety —are complex. But more financial resources and government and business focus on the issues would help, members of the 26-person panel made up largely of family and child care advocates.
ME-02: Rep. Golden hosts small business roundtable
MI-08, MI-11: Michigan Dems battle Education Secretary Betsy DeVos over student loan forgiveness
Michigan Advance | Allison Winter
A long-simmering feud between U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and congressional Democrats over student loan forgiveness is heating up as hundreds of thousands of borrowers continue to wait for help on loans they claim were fraudulent.
DeVos narrowly avoided a congressional subpoena earlier this month after a lengthy fight against the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor. Her critics in Congress say they still intend to haul her in for questioning over the Trump administration’s controversial loan forgiveness rule, and some lawmakers are pushing an effort to upend her policy entirely.
U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nevada) has been a leading critic of the Trump administration’s reversal of a former President Obama-era student loan forgiveness policy. In September, she introduced a resolution to overturn DeVos’ rule.
NH-01: Seacoast Democrats push to lower Rx drug prices
Fosters.com | Paul Briand
DOVER — Local Democrats lauded their congressional colleagues in Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon for “working every day” to control and lower prescription drug prices.
[…]
“I’m extremely grateful for leaders of our delegation who are trying to get something done in Washington. Our federal delegation — our Democratic colleagues — are doing an incredible job, fighting to address the growing crisis,” Watters added. “We’ve heard what Senator Shaheen and Senator Hassan and Congressman Pappas are trying to do — they are working every day to lower the costs of prescription drugs.”
[…]
They credited efforts by New Hampshire U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, along with U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, to, among other efforts, stop drug companies from blocking lower priced generic drugs, letting Medicare negotiate drug prices, and limiting the influence of big pharma and insurance companies on the policy making process.
In praising the D.C. delegation, the assembled Democrats chided Republicans — President Donald Trump in particular — for failing to follow through on campaign promises to do something about skyrocketing drug prices.
“Republicans have failed do anything to address this issue despite promises and despite the last campaign that impacts so many thousands of Granite (State) seniors and families,” said Watters.
[…]
NH-01: Pappas helps restore to NH $37.8M in federal transportation money
Union Leader | Jonathan Phelps
MANCHESTER — Congressman Chris Pappas, D-N.H., has fought as part of a bipartisan effort to restore $37.8 million in federal highway infrastructure money for the Granite State.
Now he’s working to make sure the state gets its fair share in the next round to be rolled out next year.
[…]
“It was really important that we settled this issue,” Pappas said at Manchester’s public works headquarters on Valley Street Tuesday morning.
[…]
“It means that things as programmed in our 10-year transportation plan will move forward as expected and designed,” Pappas said. “That’s really important as we think about our role in Washington. It is really helping to create predictability and stability in terms of funding, so that states know how to plan and deal with the backlog of infrastructure projects.”
[…]
Pappas said Congress is now working on the next transportation bill.
“We are hoping to revisit the formula and make sure we put more of a New Hampshire spin on the federal transportation bill,” he said. “Infrastructure is so important, it’s a bipartisan issue, it’s a way we can continue economic growth, create jobs and strengthen our communities.”
NJ-02: A new push for F-35 jets at 177th Fighter Wing
Press of Atlantic City | Michelle Brunetti Post
South Jersey politicians and businessmen are intensifying efforts to convince the Air Force to base the new F-35 fighter jets at the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard at Atlantic City International Airport.
The 177th’s location in the mid-Atlantic is strategically important, as it patrols airspace over major cities from New York to Washington, D.C., supporters of the plan said.
And the facilities are ready to take the latest-generation jets, according to supporters ranging from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, D-2nd, and state legislators to the Greater Atlantic City Chamber.
“The 177th Fighter Wing has the facilities to maintain and operate 21 fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, including covered parking and a runway of well over 8,000 feet,” Van Drew wrote in an Oct. 25 letter to acting Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Donovan.
In the letter, Van Drew asked Donovan to consider the 177th during the strategic basing process for the next National Guard F-35 main operating base.
[…]
Van Drew said there is one technical issue that concerns some about putting the F-35s in Atlantic City: They take longer to prepare for takeoff, and it’s important that the 177th can scramble into the air quickly to respond to threats around New York City and the nation’s capital.
“F-35s can do a lot more and are much more highly computerized, so to — for lack of a better word — warm them up and get off the ground takes longer,” Van Drew said. “The goal and job of our 177th is to monitor and take care of the Washington, D.C., to New York City corridor, so it needs to be fast.”
Van Drew said he is working with 177th Commander Col. Brad Everman on the issue.
[…]
NY-11: Congressman Max Rose Secures $9 Million For Bus Upgrades in Southern Brooklyn
WCBS | Steve Burns
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New York Congressman Max Rose says he’s secured $9 million in federal funding that will make life a bit easier for people in southern Brooklyn trying to get around.
“It’s going to make traffic run faster and it’s going to make transit riders far more enjoyable,” Rose says.
The grant money will pay for some new infrastructure, including 15 bus bulbs — new platforms extending into the street for riders to get on buses.
[…]
“For too long, south Brooklyn has been ignored and when it’s not getting ignored, it’s getting ripped off,” Rose said.
[…]
NY-22: Brindisi notes signing of federal animal cruelty law
Rome Sentinel | Staff
Congressman Anthony Brindisi, D-22nd Dist. of Utica, announced that President Donald Trump has signed a bill he co-sponsored to outlaw acts of animal abuse that can occur beyond the reach of state cruelty laws.
H.R. 724, referred to as the “Puppy Protection Act of 2019,” makes a federal crime some of the most egregious forms of animal cruelty, specifically crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, or sexual exploitation, in cases where state laws do not apply, according to Brindisi. Trump signed it Monday.
[…]
NY-22: Brindisi introduces bipartisan resolution to recognize addiction as a disease
Oneida Dispatch | Staff
NEW YORK — Congressmen Anthony Brindisi and Republican Congressman Ted Budd (NC-13) recently introduced a bipartisan resolution officially recognizing addiction as a treatable disease.
Brindisi, an advocate for mental health care and ardent fighter of the opioid crisis, worked with medical professionals and advocacy groups to introduce this bipartisan measure.
“Our communities have seen too many families torn apart by addiction through the opioid crisis, fentanyl entering our communities, and other substance abuse,” Brindisi said in a news release. “We need to work together to ensure appropriate treatment for these people who are afflicted with addiction. In order to tackle this crisis, we need to destigmatize treatment, increase science-based approaches, and make sure communities have the [educational] tools necessary to help addicts and their families. This resolution and other bipartisan work I am leading in Congress will help do just that.”
[…]
OK-05: Rep. Horn starts “Holiday Cards for Heroes” program
KFOR | Kaylee Douglas
[…]
Constituents are invited to drop off holiday cards for military service members at Congresswoman Horn’s District Office in Oklahoma City, starting today through Friday, Dec. 13.
“Though the holidays are a special time for families and friends to gather together, many of the brave men and women in our armed forces spend this season far from their loved ones,” Horn said. “A personal, handwritten card is a meaningful way to say thank you, offer words of encouragement, and share holiday cheer with the Americans serving our country. I’m glad we can help out with this program to connect Oklahomans and those serving our country away from home.”
Congresswoman Horn’s office will deliver the cards to the United Service Organizations (USO), who will distribute the cards to our active military members overseas.
PA-07: In One Pennsylvania Swing District, It‘s Not All Impeachment All The Time
Wellston Journal | Staff
Rep. Susan Wild is a freshman Democrat. She represents a labor-heavy district in Pennsylvania, a state President Trump won by a razor-thin margin in 2016.
And now she‘s taking a political risk by declaring support for a House impeachment probe of Trump.
Still, she wants her constituents to know her time remains focused on committee work that has nothing to do with investigating the president.
“You can tell other people who think that all we‘re doing down there is, you know, living, breathing and foaming at the mouth for impeachment,” Wild told a recent gathering of labor leaders at Teamsters Local 773 in Whitehall, Pa. “I get really testy on this when people say that, because I spend 90% of my committee time in education and labor.”
[…]
SC-01: Democrats sue over SC’s Social Security number requirement for voter registration
Charleston Post and Courier | Jamie Lovegrove
The S.C. Democratic Party and two national Democratic campaign organizations filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the state Election Commission over a longstanding state law that requires prospective voters to submit their full Social Security number in order to register.
The groups argue the requirement has an unconstitutional chilling effect on potential voters who are concerned about sharing Social Security numbers, which is only mandated in four states nationwide. Most states only ask for the last four digits of voters’ Social Security numbers or other identifying information.
The lawsuit comes as Democrats are working to sign up some of the estimated 950,000 eligible South Carolina residents who had not registered to vote as of 2018. For comparison, about 1.7 million people in South Carolina voted in the state’s 2018 elections.
[…]
UT-04: Utah Congressman Ben McAdams Pushes Bill To Crack Down On Investment Fraud
KUER | Sonja Hutson
Utah Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams is pushing a bipartisan bill that would allow victims of Ponzi schemes and other forms of investment fraud to recoup more of their money.
According to a 2017 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, federal regulators have a 5-year statute of limitations to get money back to victims of illegal investment schemes.
McAdams wants to change that. His bill, which passed the House last week 314-95, extends that to 14 years.
“They need the tools to ensure that when they prevail that innocent victims of that scam have some chance to get back at least some of their hard earned money,” McAdams said.
[…]
VA-02: Rep. Luria, Virginia Beach school leaders vow to work together to address elevated levels of lead in water
WTKR | Brendan Ponton
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Rep. Elaine Luria and Dr. Aaron Spence vowed to work together Thursday to address elevated levels in lead in water at nearly two dozen Virginia Beach schools.
Luria sent a letter to the Virginia Beach City Public Schools superintendent on Wednesday expressing “grave concerns” about the issue and questioning the school system’s response. A few hours after her letter, the school system issued a reply to her defending their response
[…]
Luria said her office has been getting calls from people concerned about the issue and wanted several questions answered. Among them — why the school system didn’t notify parents until early November.
[…]
Luria said she wants to focus on solutions, but still has unanswered questions. “I really don’t understand why there was over a six-week, roughly, delay from the initial identification of the reporting, but at this point, we’re beyond that and our goal should be to find a remedy,” she told News 3 Thursday.
[…]
Luria said she’ll work with Rep. Bobby Scott, the Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, to help provide some of those answers. “I feel that all of the appropriate parties are engaged and the level of attention and the quick response to the letter does give me confidence that we’re all connected on this issue,” she said.
VA-07: Spanberger to visit local clinics during next week’s healthcare tour
Culpeper Star-Exponent | Staff
Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7, will visit Culpeper and Orange next week as part of a two-day, district-wide healthcare tour.
On the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 26 the local congresswoman will stop at the Free Clinic of Culpeper to meet with staff, patients, volunteer physicians and pharmacists, and members of the Culpeper Wellness Foundation, according to news release from Spanberger’s office.
[…]
VA-07: Drug prices, Medicaid coverage dominate Spanberger health-care tour
Culpeper Star-Exponent | Clint Schemmer
U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger heard plenty about health-care issues Tuesday and Monday as she barnstormed across Virginia’s 7th Congressional District to listen and talk to professionals and patients.
There were two big takeaways. First, Virginia’s Medicaid expansion, instituted by the General Assembly last year, is greatly reducing—by about a third—the number of people who are seeking care at the state’s 60-or-so free clinics.
Second, people are expressing great alarm at the skyrocketing price of insulin. Virtually everywhere Spanberger went, constituents mentioned it. The issue arose in Orange, Culpeper, Henrico and Powhatan.
[…]
“We appreciate your coming and becoming more aware, both of the issues and the great work that free clinics do,” Miller told Spanberger. “We don’t want people in Virginia to become complacent and think, you know, Medicaid expansion is perfect. There are still a lot more working families to be served.”
The congresswoman said, for family reasons, she has long been aware of the pressing needs met by free clinics in her district.
Spanberger’s mother is a nurse who used to volunteer at clinics in the Richmond area, and her youngest sister worked at one, she said.
[…]
She began her tour Monday in Blackstone, Powhatan and Chesterfield. Tuesday’s stops included Culpeper, Orange, the Fredericksburg Community-Based Outpatient Clinic and the Pink Ribbon Boutique in Henrico.
Last month, the U.S. House voted 403-0 to pass Spanberger’s bipartisan legislation to help tackle the drug affordability crisis. Recently, she also introduced a bipartisan bill to stop harmful practices that block new generic alternatives from entering the consumer market.
WA-03: Long Beach Protest Condemns Herrera Beutler, ICE Enforcement Policies
Chinook Observer | Luke Whittaker
A gathering of protesters waved signs and criticized U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler and current U.S. immigration policy Tuesday afternoon in Long Beach.
[…]
Herrera Beutler, who represents Pacific County as part of Southwest Washington’s 3rd district, was subject of several of the signs, including one that read “Where’s Jaime?” and “JHB Do Your Job.”
“Our representative has said nothing on subject, so we’re pretty frustrated with the lack of leadership,” O’Neill said.
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