shareblue--2020-09-19--GOP senators are outraged over a movie criticizing sexualization of girls

The backlash to the French independent film `` Mignonnes , '' or `` Cuties , '' started before it had even been released because of a poster that went viral for its provocative depiction of its young female actors .
But the spotlight has only intensified since the film became available on Netflix last week and it has become the target of heightened politicized outrage from members of Congress , including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas , and others online calling for subscribers to # CancelNetflix .
At the heart of the backlash is the idea that `` Cuties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls , which , ironically , is what the movie itself is criticizing too .
The campaign against the film , which includes calls for the Department of Justice to investigate it and hundreds of thousands calling for subscribers to cancel their Netflix accounts , is riddled with inaccuracies due in part to the fact that some critics have not seen the film ( one claims that there is child nudity when there is not ) .
Netflix said in a statement that it is a `` social commentary against the sexualization of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Maïmouna Doucouré , `` Cuties '' is about an 11-year-old Senegalese immigrant named Amy ( Fathia Youssouf ) who is living in an impoverished Paris suburb with her observant Muslim family .
She becomes fascinated with a clique of rebellious girls at her middle school who choreograph dance routines and wear crop tops and heels .
They talk about Kim Kardashian and diets , practice `` twerking , '' and giggle about boys and sex-related things that they do n't yet understand .
Netflix acquired `` Cuties '' out of the Sundance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was favorably reviewed and won an award for its direction .
It is the kind of film ( foreign-language and with no stars from a first-time director ) that would otherwise have gone under the radar .
But because Netflix 's promotional materials caught the attention of the internet and even led to an apology from the streaming giant and the removal of the posters , `` Cuties '' was thrust onto the national stage .
Late last week , Republicans Cruz and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production and distribution .
Cruz in his letter to Attorney General William Barr asked that they `` determine whether Netflix , its executives , or the individuals involved in the filming and production of 'Cuties ' violated any federal laws against the production and distribution of child pornography . ''
On Sunday in an interview on the Fox News Channel , Cruz elaborated that Netflix is `` making money by selling the sexual exploitation of young kids . ''
Cruz and others have made it a sticking point that Netflix has a production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Obama , although neither have any association with `` Cuties . ''
Congressman Ken Buck of Colorado tweeted that he and Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona also want DOJ to investigate .
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley , a Republican , also sent a letter to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings asking for the film to be removed from the platform while he awaits answers about how the film was made and marketed .
The criticism is not just from Republicans .
Democratic Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii , in a Twitter post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and included a photo of the recalled poster and wrote that it will `` certainly whet the appetite of pedophiles & help fuel the child sex trafficking trade . ''
`` Netflix , you are now complicit , '' Gabbard continued .
Melissa Henson , program director for the Parents Television Council , said that it `` normalizes the sexualization of little girls , '' and over 640,000 accounts have signed a Change.org petition calling on users to cancel their Netflix accounts over the film .
But this time Netflix is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up — and we 'd encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie , '' a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement .
Some film critics have also weighed in on the controversy and highlighted the merits of the film .
`` It would have been easy for Doucouré to use a broad brush to paint the different extremes of Amy 's experience ( 'stifling tradition bad , dancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not exactly making 'Footloose ' here , '' New York Magazine film critic Bilge Ebiri wrote .
`` 'Cuties ' is not a blunt screed or a finger-wagging cautionary tale in either direction — which is one reason why anyone watching the film looking for clear messages about right and wrong is bound to be disappointed , maybe even outraged . ''
Doucouré was inspired to make the film partly because she observed some 11-year-old girls dancing `` like we 're used to seeing in video clips '' at a gathering in Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls were mimicking such adult behavior .
`` Our girls see that the more a woman is overly sexualized on social media , the more she is successful .
Children just imitate what they see , trying to achieve the same result without understanding the meaning , '' Doucouré said .
`` It is dangerous . ''
Her protagonist , Amy , is at the crossroads of conflicting messaging from her family , French Western culture , and the `` hyper-real fiction of social media , '' she said .
Doucouré encouraged audiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this child . ''
According to Lauren Aronson , a representative for Cruz who said he has not seen the film , the intent of the filmmaker is not the point .
`` There should be absolutely no place for the filming and distribution of these scenes , '' Aronson wrote .
But Doucouré believes that her film is a worthy call to action .
And her messaging seems to have the same goal as those bemoaning its existence .
`` We must all come together to figure out what is best for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an artist , I am doing my part with this film , '' she said .
`` Politicians , the education system , parents and children must come together to fix what 's gone wrong . ''

The backlash to the French independent film “Mignonnes,” or “Cuties,” started before it had even been released because of a poster that went viral for its provocative depiction of its young female actors. But the spotlight has only intensified since the film became available on Netflix last week and it has become the target of heightened politicized outrage from members of Congress, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, and others online calling for subscribers to #CancelNetflix.
At the heart of the backlash is the idea that “Cuties” is dangerously and irresponsibly sexualizing pre-teen girls, which, ironically, is what the movie itself is criticizing too. The campaign against the film, which includes calls for the Department of Justice to investigate it and hundreds of thousands calling for subscribers to cancel their Netflix accounts, is riddled with inaccuracies due in part to the fact that some critics have not seen the film (one claims that there is child nudity when there is not).
Netflix said in a statement that it is a “social commentary against the sexualization of young children.”
Written and directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, “Cuties” is about an 11-year-old Senegalese immigrant named Amy (Fathia Youssouf) who is living in an impoverished Paris suburb with her observant Muslim family. She becomes fascinated with a clique of rebellious girls at her middle school who choreograph dance routines and wear crop tops and heels. They talk about Kim Kardashian and diets, practice “twerking,” and giggle about boys and sex-related things that they don’t yet understand.
Netflix acquired “Cuties” out of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year where it was favorably reviewed and won an award for its direction. It is the kind of film (foreign-language and with no stars from a first-time director) that would otherwise have gone under the radar. But because Netflix’s promotional materials caught the attention of the internet and even led to an apology from the streaming giant and the removal of the posters, “Cuties” was thrust onto the national stage.
Late last week, Republicans Cruz and U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas called on the Department of Justice to investigate the film’s production and distribution. Cruz in his letter to Attorney General William Barr asked that they “determine whether Netflix, its executives, or the individuals involved in the filming and production of ‘Cuties’ violated any federal laws against the production and distribution of child pornography.”
On Sunday in an interview on the Fox News Channel, Cruz elaborated that Netflix is “making money by selling the sexual exploitation of young kids.” Cruz and others have made it a sticking point that Netflix has a production deal with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, although neither have any association with “Cuties.”
Congressman Ken Buck of Colorado tweeted that he and Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona also want DOJ to investigate.
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican, also sent a letter to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings asking for the film to be removed from the platform while he awaits answers about how the film was made and marketed.
The criticism is not just from Republicans. Democratic Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, in a Twitter post called “Cuties” “child porn” and included a photo of the recalled poster and wrote that it will “certainly whet the appetite of pedophiles & help fuel the child sex trafficking trade.”
“Netflix, you are now complicit,” Gabbard continued.
Melissa Henson, program director for the Parents Television Council, said that it “normalizes the sexualization of little girls,” and over 640,000 accounts have signed a Change.org petition calling on users to cancel their Netflix accounts over the film.
But this time Netflix is not apologizing.
“It’s an award-winning film and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up — and we’d encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie,” a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement.
Some film critics have also weighed in on the controversy and highlighted the merits of the film.
“It would have been easy for Doucouré to use a broad brush to paint the different extremes of Amy’s experience (‘stifling tradition bad, dancing good’), but she’s not exactly making ‘Footloose’ here,” New York Magazine film critic Bilge Ebiri wrote. “‘Cuties’ is not a blunt screed or a finger-wagging cautionary tale in either direction — which is one reason why anyone watching the film looking for clear messages about right and wrong is bound to be disappointed, maybe even outraged.”
Doucouré was inspired to make the film partly because she observed some 11-year-old girls dancing “like we’re used to seeing in video clips” at a gathering in Paris and wanted to investigate why such young girls were mimicking such adult behavior.
“Our girls see that the more a woman is overly sexualized on social media, the more she is successful. Children just imitate what they see, trying to achieve the same result without understanding the meaning,” Doucouré said. “It is dangerous.”
Her protagonist, Amy, is at the crossroads of conflicting messaging from her family, French Western culture, and the “hyper-real fiction of social media,” she said.
Doucouré encouraged audiences to watch the film “without judging this child.”
According to Lauren Aronson, a representative for Cruz who said he has not seen the film, the intent of the filmmaker is not the point.
“There should be absolutely no place for the filming and distribution of these scenes,” Aronson wrote.
But Doucouré believes that her film is a worthy call to action. And her messaging seems to have the same goal as those bemoaning its existence.
“We must all come together to figure out what is best for our children. As a director, as an artist, I am doing my part with this film,” she said. “Politicians, the education system, parents and children must come together to fix what’s gone wrong.”


shareblue--2020-09-21--McConnell: We can rush SCOTUS pick now because of this other totally different thing

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday cited the nomination process for Justice John Paul Stevens , which occurred 340 days before the 1976 presidential election , as justification for considering a nomination to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg weeks before the 2020 election .
McConnell said in a speech on the Senate floor that it was a `` myth '' that a nomination fewer than 43 days out from an election would not be sufficient time to `` examine and confirm '' a nominee .
`` Justice John Paul Stevens was confirmed by the Senate 19 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nineteen days from start to finish , '' he said .
But Stevens was not nominated in an election year .
He was nominated by President Gerald Ford on Nov. 28 , 1975 .
The presidential election in that cycle did not happen until Nov. 2 , 1976 , when Ford lost to President Jimmy Carter .
By contrast , McConnell refused to allow hearings or a vote for Judge Merrick Garland in 2016 after Garland was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Barack Obama .
Obama nominated Garland on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days prior to Election Day that year .
From the Sept. 21 session of the U.S. Senate : SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL : But today , let 's dispense with a few of the factual misrepresentations , right at the outset .
We 're already hearing incorrect claims that there is not sufficient time to examine and confirm a nominee .
We can debunk this myth in about 30 seconds .
As of today , there are 43 days until November 3rd , and 104 days until the end of this Congress .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stevens was confirmed by the Senate 19 days after this body formally received his nomination .
19 days from start to finish .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday cited the nomination process for Justice John Paul Stevens, which occurred 340 days before the 1976 presidential election, as justification for considering a nomination to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg weeks before the 2020 election.
McConnell said in a speech on the Senate floor that it was a “myth” that a nomination fewer than 43 days out from an election would not be sufficient time to “examine and confirm” a nominee.
“Justice John Paul Stevens was confirmed by the Senate 19 days after this body formally received his nomination. Nineteen days from start to finish,” he said.
But Stevens was not nominated in an election year. He was nominated by President Gerald Ford on Nov. 28, 1975. The presidential election in that cycle did not happen until Nov. 2, 1976, when Ford lost to President Jimmy Carter.
By contrast, McConnell refused to allow hearings or a vote for Judge Merrick Garland in 2016 after Garland was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Barack Obama. Obama nominated Garland on March 16, 2016, which was 237 days prior to Election Day that year.
From the Sept. 21 session of the U.S. Senate:
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL: But today, let’s dispense with a few of the factual misrepresentations, right at the outset. We’re already hearing incorrect claims that there is not sufficient time to examine and confirm a nominee. We can debunk this myth in about 30 seconds. As of today, there are 43 days until November 3rd, and 104 days until the end of this Congress. The late, iconic, Justice John Paul Stevens was confirmed by the Senate 19 days after this body formally received his nomination. 19 days from start to finish.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-21--Kelly Loeffler ad brags about how she's 'more conservative' than a brutal killer

Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) released an ad on Monday bragging that she is so conservative that she is to the right of Attila the Hun , the 5th-century Asian king of a tribal empire whose campaigns resulted in the slaughter of men , women , and children .
And she also depicted the king of the Hunnic Empire , said to have spoken both Latin and Goth , as a mindless , grunting caveman .
The 30-second spot features two people sitting on a sofa discussing Loeffler 's conservatism .
`` Did you know Kelly Loeffler was ranked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' asks one .
`` Yep .
She 's more conservative than Attila the Hun , '' the other answers .
The ad then features , after the sound of a gong , a man grunting to a transcriptionist , who translates that he wants to `` fight China , '' `` attack big government , '' and `` eliminate the liberal scribes . ''
`` More conservative than Attila the Hun , '' the narrator then brags .
`` Kelly Loeffler : 100 % Trump voting record . ''
The ad appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beast story published in August in which a spokesperson for Republican Rep. Doug Collins , who is challenging Loeffler for the Georgia Senate seat , accused her of being a phony conservative .
`` She was a quiet little corporate liberal who was fine with flag protests and diversity slogans until she fell behind in her Senate race , '' he claimed .
`` Now she 's trying to be Attila the Hun . ''
For decades , the expression `` to the right of Attila the Hun '' has been used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ancient History Encyclopedia , his name `` was synonymous with terror among his enemies and the general populace of the territories that his armies swept through . ''
Loeffler is not literally a brutal warlord , but has indeed staked out several far-right positions since Georgian 's Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp appointed her last December to fill the seat left vacant by Sen. Johnny Isakson 's early retirement .
She has pushed for anti-abortion legislation , authoring a proposed law to require all `` women seeking an abortion '' to endure mandatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has repeatedly attacked the Black Lives Matter movement , smearing anti-racism protests as `` Marxist . ''
She has pushed to spend taxpayer money on Donald Trump 's proposed southern border wall .
And she has blamed her own ethics controversies on a `` socialist attack . ''
Loeffler , Collins , and several Democratic candidates will run in a Nov. 3 special election .
If no candidate receives an outright majority , the two top candidates — regardless of party — will advance to a Jan. 5 runoff .
The most recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a majority , with Democrat Raphael Warnock in second , and Collins a close third .
A Collins spokesperson blasted the ad on Monday , telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution : `` Kelly thinks conservatives are grunting , filthy , mass-murdering open borders atheist polygamists .
She lives in a seriously warped palace with an odd view of the peasants . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) released an ad on Monday bragging that she is so conservative that she is to the right of Attila the Hun, the 5th-century Asian king of a tribal empire whose campaigns resulted in the slaughter of men, women, and children.
And she also depicted the king of the Hunnic Empire, said to have spoken both Latin and Goth, as a mindless, grunting caveman.
The 30-second spot features two people sitting on a sofa discussing Loeffler’s conservatism.
“Did you know Kelly Loeffler was ranked the most conservative senator in America?” asks one. “Yep. She’s more conservative than Attila the Hun,” the other answers.
The ad then features, after the sound of a gong, a man grunting to a transcriptionist, who translates that he wants to “fight China,” “attack big government,” and “eliminate the liberal scribes.”
“More conservative than Attila the Hun,” the narrator then brags. “Kelly Loeffler: 100% Trump voting record.”
The ad appears to be a response to an Daily Beast story published in August in which a spokesperson for Republican Rep. Doug Collins, who is challenging Loeffler for the Georgia Senate seat, accused her of being a phony conservative. “She was a quiet little corporate liberal who was fine with flag protests and diversity slogans until she fell behind in her Senate race,” he claimed. “Now she’s trying to be Attila the Hun.”
For decades, the expression “to the right of Attila the Hun” has been used to indicate extreme conservatism. According to the Ancient History Encyclopedia, his name “was synonymous with terror among his enemies and the general populace of the territories that his armies swept through.”
Loeffler is not literally a brutal warlord, but has indeed staked out several far-right positions since Georgian’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp appointed her last December to fill the seat left vacant by Sen. Johnny Isakson’s early retirement.
She has pushed for anti-abortion legislation, authoring a proposed law to require all “women seeking an abortion” to endure mandatory waiting periods and anti-abortion misinformation. She has repeatedly attacked the Black Lives Matter movement, smearing anti-racism protests as “Marxist.” She has pushed to spend taxpayer money on Donald Trump’s proposed southern border wall. And she has blamed her own ethics controversies on a “socialist attack.”
Loeffler, Collins, and several Democratic candidates will run in a Nov. 3 special election. If no candidate receives an outright majority, the two top candidates — regardless of party — will advance to a Jan. 5 runoff.
The most recent polls have shown Loeffler well short of a majority, with Democrat Raphael Warnock in second, and Collins a close third.
A Collins spokesperson blasted the ad on Monday, telling the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “Kelly thinks conservatives are grunting, filthy, mass-murdering open borders atheist polygamists. She lives in a seriously warped palace with an odd view of the peasants.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-21--Trump's campaign is already raising money off Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death

It has been less than three days since Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died , but already Donald Trump 's campaign is trying to make money off of her passing .
In a Sunday night email to supporters , the campaign invited them to pay $ 30 for a `` Fill That Seat '' shirt — a reference to his plan to quickly try to ram her replacement through the Senate before the November elections .
The email falsely claimed that the recipient has `` priority access '' for only `` one hour '' to buy a shirt , after which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give it to the next Patriot in line . ''
More than 16 hours after the email went out , the tee shirts are still available for purchase on the campaign 's website for anyone who wants one .
On Monday morning , Trump admitted in a Fox News interview that he is deciding who to nominate for the seat based on politics .
`` I try not to say so .
I think probably automatically it is .
Even if you 're not wanting to do that , it becomes a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he also lied about Ginsburg 's dying wish that her replacement be determined by the next president .
Trump falsely claimed that it was likely an invented claim by House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff , Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
While Trump 's supporters may like the idea of rushing through a last-minute nomination in the 43 days before the November elections , most Americans do not .
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Sunday found that 62 % of Americans want the vacancy filled by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 % disagreed .
Even among Republicans , half said the Supreme Court nomination should be decided by November 's winner .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

It has been less than three days since Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, but already Donald Trump’s campaign is trying to make money off of her passing.
In a Sunday night email to supporters, the campaign invited them to pay $30 for a “Fill That Seat” shirt — a reference to his plan to quickly try to ram her replacement through the Senate before the November elections.
The email falsely claimed that the recipient has “priority access” for only “one hour” to buy a shirt, after which Team Trump will “be forced to give it to the next Patriot in line.” More than 16 hours after the email went out, the tee shirts are still available for purchase on the campaign’s website for anyone who wants one.
On Monday morning, Trump admitted in a Fox News interview that he is deciding who to nominate for the seat based on politics. “I try not to say so. I think probably automatically it is. Even if you’re not wanting to do that, it becomes a little automatic.”
In the same appearance, he also lied about Ginsburg’s dying wish that her replacement be determined by the next president. Trump falsely claimed that it was likely an invented claim by House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
While Trump’s supporters may like the idea of rushing through a last-minute nomination in the 43 days before the November elections, most Americans do not.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Sunday found that 62% of Americans want the vacancy filled by the winner of the upcoming elections. Just 23% disagreed. Even among Republicans, half said the Supreme Court nomination should be decided by November’s winner.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-21--These GOP candidates could go to Congress — and threaten LGBTQ peoples' rights

Three GOP candidates with records of opposing LGBTQ rights as lawmakers , making transphobic or homophobic statements , or receiving the support of anti-LGBTQ groups are eyeing the seats of vulnerable Democrats in Congress .
In New Mexico , state Rep. Yvette Herrell is running against Rep. Xochitl Torres Small for her seat in the state 's 2nd Congressional District .
Tommy Tuberville , a former university football coach , is running against incumbent Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama .
And in Michigan , John James , a businessman , is running against incumbent Sen. Gary Peters .
Experts watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in tight races and could possibly lose their seats without enough voter turnout .
Herrell has a history of voting against protections for LGBTQ children and has been endorsed by an anti-LGBTQ group .
In 2017 , she voted against a bill to ban `` conversion therapy '' for minors in New Mexico .
The discredited practice is intended to change one 's sexual orientation or gender .
The legislation passed over Herrell 's opposition and was signed into law by Republican Gov .
Susana Martinez .
`` Conversion therapy , or so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is tantamount to abuse against minors , and so the fact that she is willing to support that kind of action is deeply concerning , '' said Lucas Acosta , national press secretary of campaigns for the Human Rights Campaign .
In 2017 , Herrell also voted against a bill that allowed transgender people to change their birth certificates without a statement from a doctor that they had had surgeries .
The bill passed , but was pocket vetoed by Martinez .
In an interview in April , Herrell complained about drag queen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ queens read books to children at libraries and schools : `` What kind of message are we sending ?
We 're confusing our kids .
These are conversations that ought to be happening at the dinner table .
...
These kids should not be learning about sexual orientation and LBGT community . ''
She has also been endorsed by the anti-LGBTQ Family Policy Alliance .
Although Jones ' campaign in Alabama had $ 9 million in cash on hand at the end of June , a Morning Consult poll conducted in late July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Tuberville had a sizable lead in the Senate race .
FiveThirtyEight has forecast a high chance of Tuberville beating Jones in November .
Tuberville said in February that he is against transgender athletes playing on teams according to their actual gender , telling a group gathered in Jasper , Alabama : `` But I tell what , on one thing , I am against this transgender , guys turning into women , and winning all these state championships all over the country . ''
After the fast-food restaurant chain Chik-fil-A stopped donating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for anti-LGBTQ views , Tuberville criticized the decision on Facebook : `` Is n't it horrible when liberal activists ruin something good ? ''
He added , `` What a shame it is that our Christianity is under attack . ''
Tuberville has called Trump 's presidency , which has launched at least 174 attacks on LGBTQ rights , `` a gift from God . ''
James has been quieter than Tuberville on LGBTQ issues but has received a lot of support from anti-LGBTQ groups .
David Dulio , a professor of political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the race between Peters and James is `` tight . ''
`` [ James has ] raised a bunch of money , and that has enabled him to keep pace with the Peters campaign .
...
They 're in a tough battle , '' Dulio said .
He added that Republicans were excited about Peters ' low name recognition .
In June , the Michigan Democratic Party released a video of James telling supporters in 2018 : `` I talk about being pro-family , marriage being between one man and one woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act , a Michigan state law that includes protects against `` discriminatory practices , policies , and customs in the exercise of those rights based upon religion , race , color , national origin , age , sex , height , weight , familial status , or marital status '' should be changed to protect gay people from discrimination in the workplace , he said was n't familiar with the specifics of the law and that he would n't take a stance on the issue because it was a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enthusiastically supported James ' bid .
He has been endorsed by the anti-LGBTQ Family Research Council Action PAC .
A super PAC funded by Richard Uihlein , a Republican businessman , has spent nearly $ 1 million in support of James .
The American Principles Project , which has spent money on ads opposing the Democratic incumbent Peters , has said it plans to air anti-trans ads against Joe Biden , the Democratic nominee for president .
`` What we need is a vocal ally .
What we do n't need is someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they 'll tolerate our existence but someone who will actively advocate for our community at every opportunity that they have , '' said Human Rights Campaign 's Acosta .
While Tuberville and Herrell have enthusiastically backed Donald Trump , James has taken a more cautious approach .
Trump has endorsed all three candidates .
All three of the incumbent congressional Democrats these candidates are running to unseat are important supporters of LGBTQ rights and needed in eventually passing the Equality Act , which would provide sweeping nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the act in the House last year ; Peters and Jones are needed if the Equality Act is ever to pass the Senate .
`` Mitch McConnell has been single-handedly blocking the bill from going on an up or down vote , and we know that when we keep Gary Peters and Doug Jones , we have a very short path to get that majority we need to pass the Equality Act , '' Acosta said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Three GOP candidates with records of opposing LGBTQ rights as lawmakers, making transphobic or homophobic statements, or receiving the support of anti-LGBTQ groups are eyeing the seats of vulnerable Democrats in Congress.
In New Mexico, state Rep. Yvette Herrell is running against Rep. Xochitl Torres Small for her seat in the state’s 2nd Congressional District.
Tommy Tuberville, a former university football coach, is running against incumbent Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama.
And in Michigan, John James, a businessman, is running against incumbent Sen. Gary Peters.
Experts watching the campaigns have said these Democrats are in tight races and could possibly lose their seats without enough voter turnout.
Herrell has a history of voting against protections for LGBTQ children and has been endorsed by an anti-LGBTQ group. In 2017, she voted against a bill to ban “conversion therapy” for minors in New Mexico. The discredited practice is intended to change one’s sexual orientation or gender. The legislation passed over Herrell’s opposition and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
“Conversion therapy, or so-called, is an absolutely discredited practice that is tantamount to abuse against minors, and so the fact that she is willing to support that kind of action is deeply concerning,” said Lucas Acosta, national press secretary of campaigns for the Human Rights Campaign.
In 2017, Herrell also voted against a bill that allowed transgender people to change their birth certificates without a statement from a doctor that they had had surgeries. The bill passed, but was pocket vetoed by Martinez.
In an interview in April, Herrell complained about drag queen story hours, events at which drag queens read books to children at libraries and schools: “What kind of message are we sending? We’re confusing our kids. These are conversations that ought to be happening at the dinner table. … These kids should not be learning about sexual orientation and LBGT community.”
She has also been endorsed by the anti-LGBTQ Family Policy Alliance.
Although Jones’ campaign in Alabama had $9 million in cash on hand at the end of June, a Morning Consult poll conducted in late July and early August among likely voters found that Tuberville had a sizable lead in the Senate race. FiveThirtyEight has forecast a high chance of Tuberville beating Jones in November.
Tuberville said in February that he is against transgender athletes playing on teams according to their actual gender, telling a group gathered in Jasper, Alabama: “But I tell what, on one thing, I am against this transgender, guys turning into women, and winning all these state championships all over the country.”
After the fast-food restaurant chain Chik-fil-A stopped donating money last year to some groups known for anti-LGBTQ views, Tuberville criticized the decision on Facebook: “Isn’t it horrible when liberal activists ruin something good?” He added, “What a shame it is that our Christianity is under attack.”
Tuberville has called Trump’s presidency, which has launched at least 174 attacks on LGBTQ rights, “a gift from God.”
James has been quieter than Tuberville on LGBTQ issues but has received a lot of support from anti-LGBTQ groups.
David Dulio, a professor of political science at Oakland University in Michigan, said the race between Peters and James is “tight.”
“[James has] raised a bunch of money, and that has enabled him to keep pace with the Peters campaign. … They’re in a tough battle,” Dulio said. He added that Republicans were excited about Peters’ low name recognition.
In June, the Michigan Democratic Party released a video of James telling supporters in 2018: “I talk about being pro-family, marriage being between one man and one woman.”
Asked in 2018 whether the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, a Michigan state law that includes protects against “discriminatory practices, policies, and customs in the exercise of those rights based upon religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, or marital status” should be changed to protect gay people from discrimination in the workplace, he said wasn’t familiar with the specifics of the law and that he wouldn’t take a stance on the issue because it was a state law.
Anti-LGBTQ groups and individuals have enthusiastically supported James’ bid. He has been endorsed by the anti-LGBTQ Family Research Council Action PAC.
A super PAC funded by Richard Uihlein, a Republican businessman, has spent nearly $1 million in support of James. The American Principles Project, which has spent money on ads opposing the Democratic incumbent Peters, has said it plans to air anti-trans ads against Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for president.
“What we need is a vocal ally. What we don’t need is someone who is going to be there and say they’ll tolerate our existence but someone who will actively advocate for our community at every opportunity that they have,” said Human Rights Campaign’s Acosta.
While Tuberville and Herrell have enthusiastically backed Donald Trump, James has taken a more cautious approach.
Trump has endorsed all three candidates.
All three of the incumbent congressional Democrats these candidates are running to unseat are important supporters of LGBTQ rights and needed in eventually passing the Equality Act, which would provide sweeping nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans, Acosta said. Torres Small voted for the act in the House last year; Peters and Jones are needed if the Equality Act is ever to pass the Senate.
“Mitch McConnell has been single-handedly blocking the bill from going on an up or down vote, and we know that when we keep Gary Peters and Doug Jones, we have a very short path to get that majority we need to pass the Equality Act,” Acosta said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-21--Susan Collins has trailed in every poll for more than 2 months

With 43 days to go before the November elections , it appears that Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) is in major trouble .
She has trailed state House Speaker Sara Gideon , her Democratic opponent , in every major poll since the start of July .
On Monday , Suffolk University and the Boston Globe released a poll that found Gideon leading Collins by 5 points , 46 % to 41 % .
When taking into account Maine 's ranked-choice voting system , Gideon 's lead is even higher .
Among those planning to vote for a candidate other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second choice of 48 % , Collins of just 19 % Sabato 's Crystal Ball , an election forecast done by the University of Virginia 's Center for Politics , announced Monday that it had moved the race from `` toss-up '' to `` leans Democratic . ''
The change , they explained , recognized `` a consistent stream of public polls showing her trailing and the unique electoral structure of her race . ''
According to FiveThirtyEight , Gideon has now been ahead in every poll since a lone National Republican Senatorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , showed Collins leading .
Gideon was favored by voters in surveys by Citizen Data , Colby College , Critical Insights , Data for Progress , Fabrizio Ward/Hart Research Associates , Public Policy Polling , Quinnipiac University , RMG Research , and Siena College/The New York Times Upshot .
An average of polls calculated by RealClear Politics — not including the newest poll — puts Gideon ahead by 6.2 points .
Monday 's Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll also found Biden leading Donald Trump by a 51 % to 39 % margin — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator .
While Collins has refused to state publicly whether she will support Trump 's reelection because of her own `` difficult race , '' she has voted with him more than two-thirds of the time , according to FiveThirtyEight 's tracker .
That included votes to give lifetime appointments to the vast majority of Trump 's more than 200 judicial nominees — including Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh — and to pass Trump 's unpopular tax cuts for rich people and corporations .
The results in the Maine Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 and beyond .
Republicans , when including Collins , currently enjoy a 53-47 majority in the Senate .
That means Democrats need just a net gain of four seats in November ( or three seats and a Joe Biden win ) to regain control of the chamber .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

With 43 days to go before the November elections, it appears that Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is in major trouble. She has trailed state House Speaker Sara Gideon, her Democratic opponent, in every major poll since the start of July.
On Monday, Suffolk University and the Boston Globe released a poll that found Gideon leading Collins by 5 points, 46% to 41%. When taking into account Maine’s ranked-choice voting system, Gideon’s lead is even higher. Among those planning to vote for a candidate other than those two, Gideon was the second choice of 48%, Collins of just 19%
Sabato’s Crystal Ball, an election forecast done by the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, announced Monday that it had moved the race from “toss-up” to “leans Democratic.” The change, they explained, recognized “a consistent stream of public polls showing her trailing and the unique electoral structure of her race.”
According to FiveThirtyEight, Gideon has now been ahead in every poll since a lone National Republican Senatorial Committee internal poll, taken in late June, showed Collins leading.
Gideon was favored by voters in surveys by Citizen Data, Colby College, Critical Insights, Data for Progress, Fabrizio Ward/Hart Research Associates, Public Policy Polling, Quinnipiac University, RMG Research, and Siena College/The New York Times Upshot.
An average of polls calculated by RealClear Politics — not including the newest poll — puts Gideon ahead by 6.2 points.
Monday’s Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll also found Biden leading Donald Trump by a 51% to 39% margin — a huge problem for the Republican incumbent senator.
While Collins has refused to state publicly whether she will support Trump’s reelection because of her own “difficult race,” she has voted with him more than two-thirds of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight’s tracker. That included votes to give lifetime appointments to the vast majority of Trump’s more than 200 judicial nominees — including Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh — and to pass Trump’s unpopular tax cuts for rich people and corporations.
The results in the Maine Senate race could have huge national implications for 2021 and beyond. Republicans, when including Collins, currently enjoy a 53-47 majority in the Senate. That means Democrats need just a net gain of four seats in November (or three seats and a Joe Biden win) to regain control of the chamber.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-21--Trump's top Supreme Court picks want to take away your rights

As the nation grieves the death of women 's rights champion Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , Donald Trump has vowed — in the teeth of public outcry — to choose her replacement .
Trump is likely to choose a woman to fill Ginsburg 's Supreme Court seat , but his two top picks for the vacancy , Judge Amy Coney Barrett and Judge Barbara Lagoa , are under fire for troubling judicial track records .
Barrett , of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit , is a Catholic conservative and mentee of Antonin Scalia with a record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion rights to gun control .
Before her brief stint on the bench , she was a law professor for nearly 20 years at the University of Notre Dame .
Axios reported last year that Trump said of Barrett : `` I 'm saving her for Ginsburg . ''
She is , in many ways , the anti-Ginsburg .
In a 2013 speech given at Notre Dame on abortion jurisprudence in America , Barrett stated her personal conviction that life begins at conception .
While she noted it seemed unlikely that the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ core protections , '' she appeared to express support for subsequent rulings restricting abortion access .
A rigid originalist like Scalia , Barrett has publicly disputed stare decisis — the principle that judges should rule based on precedent cases .
Instead , Barrett has a history of focusing on the original intent of the text as opposed to treating the Constitution as a living , evolving document .
This leaves wide open the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade .
In a 2013 article in the Texas Law Review , Barrett listed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' or cases that no court should ever consider overturning .
Among them was Brown v. Board of Education .
Notable by its absence was Roe .
In 2015 , Barrett signed a letter to Catholic bishops confirming her belief in the `` value of human life from conception to natural death . ''
In her time on the bench , Barrett has ruled on two abortion-rights cases .
The Washington Post reports that in one , the appeals court upheld a judicial bypass clause in Indiana parental consent laws , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the minor demonstrates that they have the emotional maturity to make the decision .
Barrett dissented .
In the second instance , involving the case of a woman seeking abortion of a fetus with Down syndrome and a restrictive Indiana law prohibiting abortions performed for reasons of sex , race , or disability , three other Republican appointees noted that the Indiana law `` clearly violate ( d ) well-established Supreme Court precedent . ''
Though not asked to rule on that particular aspect of the law , Barrett joined a dissent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eugenics statute . ''
Barrett has also attempted to overturn a law prohibiting those convicted of felonies from owning guns and has made clear her opposition to the Affordable Care Act .
She signed a public statement in 2012 opposing Obamacare 's coverage of contraception at religious institutions as an `` assault on religious liberty . ''
She also wrote an appellate decision last year that made it easier for students accused of sexual assault to dispute their university 's handling of the case .
Lagoa , another top Trump pick , sits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Appeals .
Although Lagoa has more time on the bench than Barrett , she has an equally problematic record .
A member of the right-wing Federalist Society , many of whose members openly question the constitutionality of Roe v. Wade , she is also a protege of Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , who has close ties to Trump .
Just last week , Lagoa ruled against individuals convicted of felonies being reinstated with voting rights after serving their time , a move that drew ire from Democrats because , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lagoa participated in the litigation of the original case on voting by those convicted of felonies .
She had sworn under oath to recuse herself from cases in which she had previously participated .
One might reasonably question her promise to uphold the precedent of Roe contained in the answers she submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2019 for her confirmation to the federal bench as well .
Anti-abortion-rights and anti-LGBTQ-rights group the Florida Family Policy Council has called Lagoa an attorney with a `` conservative judicial philosophy '' who is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @

As the nation grieves the death of women’s rights champion Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Donald Trump has vowed — in the teeth of public outcry — to choose her replacement. Trump is likely to choose a woman to fill Ginsburg’s Supreme Court seat, but his two top picks for the vacancy, Judge Amy Coney Barrett and Judge Barbara Lagoa, are under fire for troubling judicial track records.
Barrett, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, is a Catholic conservative and mentee of Antonin Scalia with a record of conservative rulings on cases ranging from abortion rights to gun control. Before her brief stint on the bench, she was a law professor for nearly 20 years at the University of Notre Dame.
Axios reported last year that Trump said of Barrett: “I’m saving her for Ginsburg.”
She is, in many ways, the anti-Ginsburg. In a 2013 speech given at Notre Dame on abortion jurisprudence in America, Barrett stated her personal conviction that life begins at conception. While she noted it seemed unlikely that the court would overturn Roe v. Wade‘s “core protections,” she appeared to express support for subsequent rulings restricting abortion access.
A rigid originalist like Scalia, Barrett has publicly disputed stare decisis — the principle that judges should rule based on precedent cases. Instead, Barrett has a history of focusing on the original intent of the text as opposed to treating the Constitution as a living, evolving document.
This leaves wide open the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade. In a 2013 article in the Texas Law Review, Barrett listed a handful of cases she considered “superprecedents,” or cases that no court should ever consider overturning. Among them was Brown v. Board of Education. Notable by its absence was Roe.
In 2015, Barrett signed a letter to Catholic bishops confirming her belief in the “value of human life from conception to natural death.”
In her time on the bench, Barrett has ruled on two abortion-rights cases. The Washington Post reports that in one, the appeals court upheld a judicial bypass clause in Indiana parental consent laws, which states that parental consent is not required if the minor demonstrates that they have the emotional maturity to make the decision. Barrett dissented.
In the second instance, involving the case of a woman seeking abortion of a fetus with Down syndrome and a restrictive Indiana law prohibiting abortions performed for reasons of sex, race, or disability, three other Republican appointees noted that the Indiana law “clearly violate(d) well-established Supreme Court precedent.”
Though not asked to rule on that particular aspect of the law, Barrett joined a dissent effectively calling the Roe precedent a “eugenics statute.”
Barrett has also attempted to overturn a law prohibiting those convicted of felonies from owning guns and has made clear her opposition to the Affordable Care Act. She signed a public statement in 2012 opposing Obamacare’s coverage of contraception at religious institutions as an “assault on religious liberty.”
She also wrote an appellate decision last year that made it easier for students accused of sexual assault to dispute their university’s handling of the case.
Lagoa, another top Trump pick, sits on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Although Lagoa has more time on the bench than Barrett, she has an equally problematic record.
A member of the right-wing Federalist Society, many of whose members openly question the constitutionality of Roe v. Wade, she is also a protege of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has close ties to Trump.
Just last week, Lagoa ruled against individuals convicted of felonies being reinstated with voting rights after serving their time, a move that drew ire from Democrats because, as a justice on the Florida Supreme Court, Lagoa participated in the litigation of the original case on voting by those convicted of felonies. She had sworn under oath to recuse herself from cases in which she had previously participated.
One might reasonably question her promise to uphold the precedent of Roe contained in the answers she submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2019 for her confirmation to the federal bench as well.
Anti-abortion-rights and anti-LGBTQ-rights group the Florida Family Policy Council has called Lagoa an attorney with a “conservative judicial philosophy” who is “deeply committed to her faith.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has described her as “very pro-life, reliably pro-life” and a “hardcore Catholic” whose “faith guides her perspective on life.” Daniel Goldberg, legal director of the progressive Alliance for Justice, told the Washington Post that he has “no doubt [Lagoa] will meet Donald Trump’s litmus test” of supporting the overturn of Roe and the repeal of Obamacare.


shareblue--2020-09-21--Barr labels NYC an 'anarchist jurisdiction' — which could defund the police

Attorney General William Barr on Monday classified New York City as an `` anarchist jurisdiction '' — a move that could potentially cost the city millions in federal funding , including to the New York Police Department .
The `` anarchy jurisdiction '' label comes from a memo Donald Trump issued on Sept. 2 , which said that cities that `` are permitting anarchy , violence , and destruction '' should lose federal funding .
`` We can not allow federal tax dollars to be wasted when the safety of the citizenry hangs in the balance , '' Barr said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is my hope that the cities identified by the Department of Justice today will reverse course and become serious about performing the basic function of government and start protecting their own citizens . ''
Of course , New York City is not in a state of anarchy , which is defined as , `` a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority . ''
New York City has a government and laws that the public must abide by .
But Trump and Fox News have falsely portrayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other cities with Democratic mayors , like Portland , Oregon , and Seattle — as lawless and under siege by protesters .
Fox News went as far as to digitally alter photos from Seattle to push this false narrative .
Even more , Barr 's decision to give the largely peaceful city an `` anarchist '' designation in order to strip it of federal funding could actually defund the New York Police Department — which Trump and Barr have wrongly accused Democrats of doing .
A report on the 2017 New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.4 % — of New York 's police department budget comes from federal funding .
However , it may not be legal to take away federal funding from the city based on criteria the White House laid out .
Per a 1987 Supreme Court decision , only Congress — not the White House — can condition funds , and it must be clear when those funds are doled out that there are conditions to them .
Per that decision , `` If Congress desires to condition the States ' receipt of federal funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enabl [ ing ] the States to exercise their choice knowingly , cognizant of the consequences of their participation . '
'' This is not the first time Trump has tried to cut federal funding to cities that do n't do what he wants .
Earlier this year , Trump said so-called `` sanctuary cities '' — in which local law enforcement refuse enforce federal immigration law — should not receive federal funds .
Three federal appeals courts have ruled that Trump can not withhold funds to sanctuary cities , while a fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Attorney General William Barr on Monday classified New York City as an “anarchist jurisdiction” — a move that could potentially cost the city millions in federal funding, including to the New York Police Department.
The “anarchy jurisdiction” label comes from a memo Donald Trump issued on Sept. 2, which said that cities that “are permitting anarchy, violence, and destruction” should lose federal funding.
“We cannot allow federal tax dollars to be wasted when the safety of the citizenry hangs in the balance,” Barr said in a news release. “It is my hope that the cities identified by the Department of Justice today will reverse course and become serious about performing the basic function of government and start protecting their own citizens.”
Of course, New York City is not in a state of anarchy, which is defined as, “a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority.” New York City has a government and laws that the public must abide by.
But Trump and Fox News have falsely portrayed New York City — as well as other cities with Democratic mayors, like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle — as lawless and under siege by protesters. Fox News went as far as to digitally alter photos from Seattle to push this false narrative.
Even more, Barr’s decision to give the largely peaceful city an “anarchist” designation in order to strip it of federal funding could actually defund the New York Police Department — which Trump and Barr have wrongly accused Democrats of doing.
A report on the 2017 New York City budget said $185 million — or 3.4% — of New York’s police department budget comes from federal funding.
However, it may not be legal to take away federal funding from the city based on criteria the White House laid out.
Per a 1987 Supreme Court decision, only Congress — not the White House — can condition funds, and it must be clear when those funds are doled out that there are conditions to them.
Per that decision, “If Congress desires to condition the States’ receipt of federal funds, it ‘must do so unambiguously … enabl[ing] the States to exercise their choice knowingly, cognizant of the consequences of their participation.'”
This is not the first time Trump has tried to cut federal funding to cities that don’t do what he wants.
Earlier this year, Trump said so-called “sanctuary cities” — in which local law enforcement refuse enforce federal immigration law — should not receive federal funds.
Three federal appeals courts have ruled that Trump cannot withhold funds to sanctuary cities, while a fourth federal appeals court ruled in favor.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-21--15 Republicans who refused to fill a SCOTUS seat in 2016 but want Trump to do it now

Republican senators who blocked confirmation hearings for Judge Merrick Garland , President Barack Obama 's pick to fill an empty Supreme Court seat four years ago , have already indicated they will push to confirm a Supreme Court nominee this year .
At least 15 Republicans who objected to confirming a Democratic president 's nominee in an election year are applying different standards to Donald Trump .
Less than 72 hours after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's death on Friday , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and more than 20 Senate Republicans are already pushing to rush through her replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential election in November .
Most of those same Republicans backed McConnell 's refusal to even allow a confirmation hearing for Garland in 2016 — even though Justice Antonin Scalia died that February and it meant leaving the seat open for more than a year .
`` No one should be surprised that a Republican Senate majority would vote on a Republican President 's Supreme Court nomination , even during a presidential election year , '' Alexander ( TN ) said Sunday in a statement .
`` The Constitution gives senators the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who elected them expect it . ''
`` The president is going to nominate and we 're going to vote this year , '' Barrasso ( WY ) told NBC News on Sunday .
`` If we did something different now we would be breaking with the precedent that has long been established and if the president and the Senate are of the same party , you move along with confirmation . ''
`` Both the White House and the Senate have some obligation to do what they think in the majority in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , '' Blunt ( MO ) told CBS News on Sunday , `` and there is a Senate majority put there by voters for reasons like this . ''
`` The Senate will do its constitutional duty .
We will process the president 's nomination for SCOTUS and conduct thorough and deliberate hearings , '' Cotton ( AR ) tweeted on Sunday .
`` We will move forward without delay . ''
`` I believe that the president should next week nominate a successor to the court , and I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and confirms that successor before Election Day , '' Cruz ( TX ) said Friday .
`` This nomination is why Donald Trump was elected .
This confirmation is why the voters voted for a Republican majority in the Senate . ''
`` We now face a clear choice .
President Trump will nominate a well-qualified justice who will uphold our Constitution and protect our freedoms .
The type of justice Montanans want on the Supreme Court , '' Daines ( MT ) tweeted on Saturday .
`` I believe the Senate should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee . ''
Graham ( SC ) tweeted Saturday : `` I will support President @ realDonaldTrump in any effort to move forward regarding the recent vacancy created by the passing of Justice Ginsburg . ''
`` We had divided government ( in 2016 ) .
That 's a valid argument when you have divided government , ( to say ) 'Let 's let the American people decide . '
Right now , we do n't have divided government , '' Johnson ( WI ) said in an interview with a local newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difference in the world . ''
`` Americans reelected our majority in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because we pledged to work with President Trump and support his agenda , particularly his outstanding appointments to the federal judiciary , '' McConnell ( KY ) said in a statement on Friday .
`` President Trump 's nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate . ''
A spokesperson for Moran ( KS ) told a local paper Moran `` agrees with Leader McConnell 's decision '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee .
`` When the presidency and the Senate are controlled by the same party , the precedent is for the president 's nominees to get confirmed , '' Portman ( OH ) said in a statement on Saturday .
`` I look forward to seeing who President Trump plans to nominate and thoroughly assessing his or her qualifications for this important role . ''
`` In the days ahead , I look forward to a solid conservative candidate being nominated and an expeditious confirmation process , '' Shelby ( AL ) said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe Americans sent a Republican president and a Republican Senate to Washington to ensure we have an impartial judiciary that upholds the Constitution and the rule of law , '' Thune ( SD ) said Friday .
`` We will fulfill our obligation to them .
As Leader McConnell has said , President Trump 's Supreme Court nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the U.S .
Senate . ''
Tillis ( NC ) said in a statement on Saturday : `` Four years ago , a Supreme Court vacancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president as Americans were choosing his successor .
Today , however , President Trump is again facing voters at the ballot box and North Carolinians will ultimately render their judgment on his presidency and how he chooses to fill the vacancy . ''
`` President Trump and Senate Republicans promised to confirm well-qualified , conservative judges and justices to the federal courts , '' Wicker ( MS ) said on Saturday in a statement .
`` We should continue to fulfill this promise and our constitutional duty for all vacancies as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to consideration of the President 's nominee by the full Senate . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republican senators who blocked confirmation hearings for Judge Merrick Garland, President Barack Obama’s pick to fill an empty Supreme Court seat four years ago, have already indicated they will push to confirm a Supreme Court nominee this year.
At least 15 Republicans who objected to confirming a Democratic president’s nominee in an election year are applying different standards to Donald Trump.
Less than 72 hours after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death on Friday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and more than 20 Senate Republicans are already pushing to rush through her replacement rather than waiting to see who wins the presidential election in November.
Most of those same Republicans backed McConnell’s refusal to even allow a confirmation hearing for Garland in 2016 — even though Justice Antonin Scalia died that February and it meant leaving the seat open for more than a year.
The flip-floppers include:
Lamar Alexander
“No one should be surprised that a Republican Senate majority would vote on a Republican President’s Supreme Court nomination, even during a presidential election year,” Alexander (TN) said Sunday in a statement. “The Constitution gives senators the power to do it. The voters who elected them expect it.”
John Barrasso
“The president is going to nominate and we’re going to vote this year,” Barrasso (WY) told NBC News on Sunday. “If we did something different now we would be breaking with the precedent that has long been established and if the president and the Senate are of the same party, you move along with confirmation.”
Roy Blunt
“Both the White House and the Senate have some obligation to do what they think in the majority in the Senate is the right thing to do,” Blunt (MO) told CBS News on Sunday, “and there is a Senate majority put there by voters for reasons like this.”
Tom Cotton
“The Senate will do its constitutional duty. We will process the president’s nomination for SCOTUS and conduct thorough and deliberate hearings,” Cotton (AR) tweeted on Sunday. “We will move forward without delay.”
Ted Cruz
“I believe that the president should next week nominate a successor to the court, and I think it is critical that the Senate takes up and confirms that successor before Election Day,” Cruz (TX) said Friday. “This nomination is why Donald Trump was elected. This confirmation is why the voters voted for a Republican majority in the Senate.”
Steve Daines
“We now face a clear choice. President Trump will nominate a well-qualified justice who will uphold our Constitution and protect our freedoms. The type of justice Montanans want on the Supreme Court,” Daines (MT) tweeted on Saturday. “I believe the Senate should move forward with confirming President Trump’s nominee.”
Lindsey Graham
Graham (SC) tweeted Saturday: “I will support President @realDonaldTrump in any effort to move forward regarding the recent vacancy created by the passing of Justice Ginsburg.”
Ron Johnson
“We had divided government (in 2016). That’s a valid argument when you have divided government, (to say) ‘Let’s let the American people decide.’ Right now, we don’t have divided government,” Johnson (WI) said in an interview with a local newspaper on Saturday. “That makes all the difference in the world.”
Mitch McConnell
“Americans reelected our majority in 2016 and expanded it in 2018 because we pledged to work with President Trump and support his agenda, particularly his outstanding appointments to the federal judiciary,” McConnell (KY) said in a statement on Friday. “President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.”
Jerry Moran
A spokesperson for Moran (KS) told a local paper Moran “agrees with Leader McConnell’s decision” to move forward with confirmation of a Trump nominee.
Rob Portman
“When the presidency and the Senate are controlled by the same party, the precedent is for the president’s nominees to get confirmed,” Portman (OH) said in a statement on Saturday. “I look forward to seeing who President Trump plans to nominate and thoroughly assessing his or her qualifications for this important role.”
Richard Shelby
“In the days ahead, I look forward to a solid conservative candidate being nominated and an expeditious confirmation process,” Shelby (AL) said in a statement on Saturday.
John Thune
“I believe Americans sent a Republican president and a Republican Senate to Washington to ensure we have an impartial judiciary that upholds the Constitution and the rule of law,” Thune (SD) said Friday. “We will fulfill our obligation to them. As Leader McConnell has said, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate.”
Thom Tillis
Tillis (NC) said in a statement on Saturday: “Four years ago, a Supreme Court vacancy arose under divided government and a lame-duck president as Americans were choosing his successor. Today, however, President Trump is again facing voters at the ballot box and North Carolinians will ultimately render their judgment on his presidency and how he chooses to fill the vacancy.”
Roger Wicker
“President Trump and Senate Republicans promised to confirm well-qualified, conservative judges and justices to the federal courts,” Wicker (MS) said on Saturday in a statement. “We should continue to fulfill this promise and our constitutional duty for all vacancies as long as we are in office. I look forward to consideration of the President’s nominee by the full Senate.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-21--Abortion rights seriously at risk with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death

It 's been a throwaway line in presidential campaigns for years : Roe v. Wade is on the ballot .
This time it is very real .
The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg so close to a presidential election and the vacancy it creates on the Supreme Court , coupled with Donald Trump 's political imperative to energize social conservatives in key states , urgently provided a new frame for Trump 's case for a second term .
And it has animated supporters of abortion rights at least as much .
If Trump is able to install his nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's a better chance than ever that Roe v. Wade — the 1973 decision that established a nationwide right to abortion — could be overturned or gutted .
`` We have been apprehensive for years , but this is more worrisome — this is a seismic shift , '' said Jennifer Dalven , director of the American Civil Liberties Union 's Reproductive Freedom Project .
During his 2016 campaign , Trump , who had previously expressed unqualified support for abortion rights , won over skeptical anti-abortion leaders with multiple pledges to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open to dismantling Roe v. Wade .
Now , with Trump hoping to fill a vacancy for the third time and give the nine-member court six conservative justices , that pledge has new import .
`` It is at least conceivable for the first time that we have a majority that would overturn Roe , and the battle would return to the states , '' said Andrew Bath , executive vice president of the Thomas More Society , a conservative public interest law firm .
It remains uncertain if the Senate will hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , and how it would respond if Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden before the vacancy is filled .
But Trump has urged the Senate to move quickly , and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) said there will be a vote on Trump 's nominee .
If a Trump nominee is confirmed and a reconfigured high court did eventually overturn Roe , the likely outcome would be a patchwork of laws in various states .
Some states would protect abortion access , others would enact near-total bans , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they might impose .
Planned Parenthood , the nation 's largest abortion provider , says that if Roe were dismantled , sweeping bans could be imposed in 20 states that are home to an estimated 25 million women of reproductive age .
The high court has plenty of options if it wants to reexamine Roe .
Planned Parenthood 's president , Alexis McGill Johnson , says there are 17 cases involving state-level abortion restrictions that are pending in federal courts `` only one step away from the Supreme Court . ''
Julie Burkhart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City and in Wichita , Kansas , already has a sense of the consequences of a Roe v. Wade reversal , based on events this year in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic .
The governors of Texas and some other Republican-led states issued executive orders banning most abortions on grounds they were nonessential medical procedures .
Before those bans were quashed , many Texas women journeyed to out-of-state abortion clinics , including Burkhart 's Wichita clinic , where the patient load quadrupled at one stage .
`` It gave a peek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , which was not a pretty sight , '' Burkhart said .
`` It was devastating and heartbreaking . ''
There are numerous organizations assisting women who need to travel out of state to access abortion , and such efforts are likely to expand if state abortion bans are permitted .
There 's also likely to be an increase in do-it-yourself abortions , according to attorney Jill E. Adams of If/When/How , which seeks to provide accurate information about this option and discourage authorities from criminalizing it .
Already , many abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combination , under the guidance of a health professional .
Advocacy groups say home abortions using one of the drugs — misoprostol — can be done safely without professional oversight .
`` If Roe is overturned or gutted , more people will need this option , '' Adams said .
Last year , at least eight states passed sweeping abortion bans — most of them so-called heartbeat bills that could ban abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy .
Tennessee lawmakers approved such a measure this year .
All the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by judges .
In June , a divided Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law regulating abortion clinics , reasserting a commitment to abortion rights over opposition from dissenting conservative justices in the first big abortion case of Trump 's presidency .
Chief Justice John Roberts and his four more liberal colleagues , including Ginsburg , ruled 5-4 that a law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals violates the rights established by Roe v. Wade .
Were Roberts to side with the three remaining liberals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be potentially outvoted by five conservatives — including the new Trump nominee .
Nancy Northup , president of the Center for Reproductive Rights , noted that most recent abortion cases reaching the Supreme Court were decided by one-vote margins .
`` The fact that the court was so close — with Ruth Bader Ginsburg on it — sends shivers down my spine in terms of how critical this next appointment is , '' she said .
Michael New , an abortion opponent who teaches social research at Catholic University of America , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-abortion state legislators .
`` Some state-level pro-life laws have been specifically drafted in such a way to obtain the vote of John Roberts , '' New said via email .
`` If a Trump nominee is confirmed , it is possible that some states may pursue stronger laws that offer greater protection to the unborn.
`` Among the favorites of many in the anti-abortion movement is Amy Coney Barrett , a devout Roman Catholic who taught law at the University of Notre Dame before taking a seat three years ago on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will nominate a woman and has spoken highly of Barrett .
New said Trump could benefit from making a nomination even if the Senate does n't act on it until after the election .
`` Aggressive criticism of an otherwise qualified Supreme Court nominee may well work to the political advantage of the president and other Republican candidates , '' New said .
There are two abortion-related state ballot measures up for a vote on Nov. 3 — a measure in Louisiana stipulating there is no right to abortion or abortion funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure in Colorado that would ban abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy .
The proposed Colorado ban would allow abortions after that time only if a woman 's life is endangered .
It makes no exceptions for rape , incest , or a severe fetal abnormality .
There is some limited consensus among the rival sides in the abortion debate : It wo n't be ended by a reversal of Roe .
`` The issue of abortion has divided this nation like no issue since slavery , '' said Andrew Bath of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to rage no matter what the Supreme Court decides to do . ''

It’s been a throwaway line in presidential campaigns for years: Roe v. Wade is on the ballot.
This time it is very real.
The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg so close to a presidential election and the vacancy it creates on the Supreme Court, coupled with Donald Trump’s political imperative to energize social conservatives in key states, urgently provided a new frame for Trump’s case for a second term. And it has animated supporters of abortion rights at least as much.
If Trump is able to install his nominee in that seat, both sides agree there’s a better chance than ever that Roe v. Wade — the 1973 decision that established a nationwide right to abortion — could be overturned or gutted.
“We have been apprehensive for years, but this is more worrisome — this is a seismic shift,” said Jennifer Dalven, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Reproductive Freedom Project.
During his 2016 campaign, Trump, who had previously expressed unqualified support for abortion rights, won over skeptical anti-abortion leaders with multiple pledges to combat abortion, including choosing Supreme Court justices open to dismantling Roe v. Wade. Now, with Trump hoping to fill a vacancy for the third time and give the nine-member court six conservative justices, that pledge has new import.
“It is at least conceivable for the first time that we have a majority that would overturn Roe, and the battle would return to the states,” said Andrew Bath, executive vice president of the Thomas More Society, a conservative public interest law firm.
It remains uncertain if the Senate will hold a confirmation vote before the Nov. 3 election, and how it would respond if Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden before the vacancy is filled. But Trump has urged the Senate to move quickly, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said there will be a vote on Trump’s nominee.
If a Trump nominee is confirmed and a reconfigured high court did eventually overturn Roe, the likely outcome would be a patchwork of laws in various states. Some states would protect abortion access, others would enact near-total bans, and many would struggle over what new limits they might impose.
Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, says that if Roe were dismantled, sweeping bans could be imposed in 20 states that are home to an estimated 25 million women of reproductive age.
The high court has plenty of options if it wants to reexamine Roe. Planned Parenthood’s president, Alexis McGill Johnson, says there are 17 cases involving state-level abortion restrictions that are pending in federal courts “only one step away from the Supreme Court.”
Julie Burkhart, who operates abortion clinics in Oklahoma City and in Wichita, Kansas, already has a sense of the consequences of a Roe v. Wade reversal, based on events this year in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic.
The governors of Texas and some other Republican-led states issued executive orders banning most abortions on grounds they were nonessential medical procedures. Before those bans were quashed, many Texas women journeyed to out-of-state abortion clinics, including Burkhart’s Wichita clinic, where the patient load quadrupled at one stage.
“It gave a peek into what a post-Roe world would look like, which was not a pretty sight,” Burkhart said. “It was devastating and heartbreaking.”
There are numerous organizations assisting women who need to travel out of state to access abortion, and such efforts are likely to expand if state abortion bans are permitted.
There’s also likely to be an increase in do-it-yourself abortions, according to attorney Jill E. Adams of If/When/How, which seeks to provide accurate information about this option and discourage authorities from criminalizing it.
Already, many abortions are induced at home with a two-drug combination, under the guidance of a health professional. Advocacy groups say home abortions using one of the drugs — misoprostol — can be done safely without professional oversight.
“If Roe is overturned or gutted, more people will need this option,” Adams said.
Last year, at least eight states passed sweeping abortion bans — most of them so-called heartbeat bills that could ban abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. Tennessee lawmakers approved such a measure this year.
All the new bans have been at least temporarily blocked by judges.
In June, a divided Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law regulating abortion clinics, reasserting a commitment to abortion rights over opposition from dissenting conservative justices in the first big abortion case of Trump’s presidency.
Chief Justice John Roberts and his four more liberal colleagues, including Ginsburg, ruled 5-4 that a law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals violates the rights established by Roe v. Wade.
Were Roberts to side with the three remaining liberals in future abortion cases, that bloc could be potentially outvoted by five conservatives — including the new Trump nominee.
Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, noted that most recent abortion cases reaching the Supreme Court were decided by one-vote margins.
“The fact that the court was so close — with Ruth Bader Ginsburg on it — sends shivers down my spine in terms of how critical this next appointment is,” she said.
Michael New, an abortion opponent who teaches social research at Catholic University of America, said a successful Trump nomination could further embolden anti-abortion state legislators.
“Some state-level pro-life laws have been specifically drafted in such a way to obtain the vote of John Roberts,” New said via email. “If a Trump nominee is confirmed, it is possible that some states may pursue stronger laws that offer greater protection to the unborn. ”
Among the favorites of many in the anti-abortion movement is Amy Coney Barrett, a devout Roman Catholic who taught law at the University of Notre Dame before taking a seat three years ago on a federal appeals court. Trump has said he will nominate a woman and has spoken highly of Barrett.
New said Trump could benefit from making a nomination even if the Senate doesn’t act on it until after the election.
“Aggressive criticism of an otherwise qualified Supreme Court nominee may well work to the political advantage of the president and other Republican candidates,” New said.
There are two abortion-related state ballot measures up for a vote on Nov. 3 — a measure in Louisiana stipulating there is no right to abortion or abortion funding in the state Constitution, and a measure in Colorado that would ban abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy.
The proposed Colorado ban would allow abortions after that time only if a woman’s life is endangered. It makes no exceptions for rape, incest, or a severe fetal abnormality.
There is some limited consensus among the rival sides in the abortion debate: It won’t be ended by a reversal of Roe.
“The issue of abortion has divided this nation like no issue since slavery,” said Andrew Bath of the Thomas More Society. “These battles are going to rage no matter what the Supreme Court decides to do.”


shareblue--2020-09-21--Trump is disrespecting Justice Ginsburg by lying about her final wish

Donald Trump on Monday morning lied about Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's dying wish that her replacement on the Supreme Court not be nominated until after the 2020 election .
Trump said it was a fabrication by Democratic lawmakers .
`` I do n't know that she said that , or was that written out by Adam Schiff and Schumer and Pelosi ? ''
Trump said in a phone interview with `` Fox & Friends , '' a now-weekly event every Monday morning .
`` I would be more inclined to the second . ''
As Ginsburg 's strength waned in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish to her granddaughter , Clara Spera , NPR reported .
`` My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed , '' Ginsburg said .
Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are not going to fulfill Ginsburg 's wish .
Not even an hour after news of Ginsburg 's death was made public on Friday , McConnell released a statement saying he was going to move forward with Trump 's nominee — whoever that may be .
`` President Trump 's nominee will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States Senate , '' McConnell said .
This is the exact opposite of the position McConnell took in 2016 , when Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died .
McConnell refused to even give President Barack Obama 's nominee , Judge Merrick Garland , a hearing , saying that the next president should get to fill the seat , even though Scalia 's death came nearly a year before a new president was to be sworn in .
Senate Republicans followed that messaging then .
However , in an about-face , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump should get to pick the nominee , even though the election is now just 43 days away .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Monday morning lied about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s dying wish that her replacement on the Supreme Court not be nominated until after the 2020 election. Trump said it was a fabrication by Democratic lawmakers.
“I don’t know that she said that, or was that written out by Adam Schiff and Schumer and Pelosi?” Trump said in a phone interview with “Fox & Friends,” a now-weekly event every Monday morning. “I would be more inclined to the second.”
Trump’s claim is unequivocally false.
As Ginsburg’s strength waned in her final days, she dictated her wish to her granddaughter, Clara Spera, NPR reported.
“My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed,” Ginsburg said.
Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are not going to fulfill Ginsburg’s wish.
Not even an hour after news of Ginsburg’s death was made public on Friday, McConnell released a statement saying he was going to move forward with Trump’s nominee — whoever that may be.
“President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate,” McConnell said.
This is the exact opposite of the position McConnell took in 2016, when Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died.
McConnell refused to even give President Barack Obama’s nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, a hearing, saying that the next president should get to fill the seat, even though Scalia’s death came nearly a year before a new president was to be sworn in.
Senate Republicans followed that messaging then. However, in an about-face, one by one they are now saying that Trump should get to pick the nominee, even though the election is now just 43 days away.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-22--Sen. Joni Ernst claims she's a champion for mental health. Her record says the opposite

Sen. Joni Ernst ( R-IA ) launched a new campaign ad Monday , framing herself as a protector of mental health care .
But over her six years in the Senate , she has backed numerous attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act — commonly known as Obamacare — and its mental health coverage protections .
Her latest spot features an Iowan who lost her brother to suicide .
`` If it was n't for Joni Ernst increasing our telehealth and mental health services , we would n't have the support we need , '' the constituent claims .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of lives . ''
While Ernst and Sen. Tammy Baldwin ( D-WI ) did successfully get mental health provisions for rural farmers and ranchers included in a 2018 farm bill , the first-term Republican senator has hardly been a champion of mental health care .
During her 2014 campaign , Ernst ran ads showing her shooting at a gun range , with the narrator claiming that `` once she sets her sights on Obamacare , Joni 's gon na unload . ''
Since taking office in 2015 , she has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various iterations of the GOP 's Trumpcare plan .
According to a May 2017 Joint Economic Committee analysis by Sen. Martin Heinrich ( D-NM ) , Trumpcare would have ended mental health services for millions and imperiled coverage for more than 19,000 Iowans with mental illnesses and substance use disorders who relied on Medicaid expansion or the state 's health insurance marketplace .
When Trumpcare was being considered by the House in March 2017 , Psychology Today 's Katherine Schreiber wrote that `` the GOP health bill would , beginning in 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ACA that mandated Medicaid to cover basic mental and behavioral ( including substance-related ) health services .
This would threaten the care that over 1.28 million people grappling with mental health issues receive thanks to Medicaid 's expansion . ''
`` Under the guise of flexibility , this bill would allow states and insurance companies to opt out of covering mental health care — not to mention other designated essential health benefits like maternity and emergency care .
Premiums and deductibles would soar as a result .
Any semblance of mental health parity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an opinion piece published by STAT in May 2017 .
`` And current protections for those with preexisting conditions — which is particularly important when it comes to mental illness — would cease to exist . ''
The Senate version of Trumpcare version that Ernst backed would have let states drop mental health treatment requirements for insurance plans if they chose to do so .
Ernst also has repeatedly said mass shootings are a result of `` mental illness . ''
`` Routinely blaming mass shootings on mental illness is unfounded and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned in August 2019 .
`` Research has shown that only a very small percentage of violent acts are committed by people who are diagnosed with , or in treatment for , mental illness . ''
But just days later , Ernst repeated at a town hall that mass gun violence was caused by mental illness .
`` Any time we see these types of incidents , it is a mental health issue .
There is nobody in their right mind that would engage in these types of acts , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to focus more on stability and mental health supports and behavioral health , and hopefully be able to catch those individuals , engage them in a different way . ''
Ernst faces Democratic nominee and businesswoman Theresa Greenfield in the November election .
A Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll conducted last week found Ernst trailing by 3 points , similar to poll results obtained in June .
`` I will admit to some skepticism about the numbers that we saw in June because we were so close to the primary and Theresa Greenfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ann Selzer , president of the firm that conducted the poll , told the Register .
`` But she is holding her own , and I think that says something about Joni Ernst 's vulnerability . ''
An Ernst spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) launched a new campaign ad Monday, framing herself as a protector of mental health care. But over her six years in the Senate, she has backed numerous attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act — commonly known as Obamacare — and its mental health coverage protections.
Her latest spot features an Iowan who lost her brother to suicide. “If it wasn’t for Joni Ernst increasing our telehealth and mental health services, we wouldn’t have the support we need,” the constituent claims. “I think it’s going to save a lot of lives.”
While Ernst and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) did successfully get mental health provisions for rural farmers and ranchers included in a 2018 farm bill, the first-term Republican senator has hardly been a champion of mental health care.
During her 2014 campaign, Ernst ran ads showing her shooting at a gun range, with the narrator claiming that “once she sets her sights on Obamacare, Joni’s gonna unload.”
Since taking office in 2015, she has repeatedly voted to repeal the ACA and for various iterations of the GOP’s Trumpcare plan.
According to a May 2017 Joint Economic Committee analysis by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Trumpcare would have ended mental health services for millions and imperiled coverage for more than 19,000 Iowans with mental illnesses and substance use disorders who relied on Medicaid expansion or the state’s health insurance marketplace.
When Trumpcare was being considered by the House in March 2017, Psychology Today’s Katherine Schreiber wrote that “the GOP health bill would, beginning in 2020, remove a requirement set forth in the ACA that mandated Medicaid to cover basic mental and behavioral (including substance-related) health services. This would threaten the care that over 1.28 million people grappling with mental health issues receive thanks to Medicaid’s expansion.”
Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) called the proposal a “historic attack on mental health care.”
“Under the guise of flexibility, this bill would allow states and insurance companies to opt out of covering mental health care — not to mention other designated essential health benefits like maternity and emergency care. Premiums and deductibles would soar as a result. Any semblance of mental health parity would be extinguished,” Kennedy wrote in an opinion piece published by STAT in May 2017. “And current protections for those with preexisting conditions — which is particularly important when it comes to mental illness — would cease to exist.”
The Senate version of Trumpcare version that Ernst backed would have let states drop mental health treatment requirements for insurance plans if they chose to do so.
Ernst also has repeatedly said mass shootings are a result of “mental illness.”
“Routinely blaming mass shootings on mental illness is unfounded and stigmatizing,” the American Psychological Association warned in August 2019. “Research has shown that only a very small percentage of violent acts are committed by people who are diagnosed with, or in treatment for, mental illness.”
But just days later, Ernst repeated at a town hall that mass gun violence was caused by mental illness.
“Any time we see these types of incidents, it is a mental health issue. There is nobody in their right mind that would engage in these types of acts,” she said. “So, we do have to focus more on stability and mental health supports and behavioral health, and hopefully be able to catch those individuals, engage them in a different way.”
Ernst faces Democratic nominee and businesswoman Theresa Greenfield in the November election. A Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll conducted last week found Ernst trailing by 3 points, similar to poll results obtained in June.
“I will admit to some skepticism about the numbers that we saw in June because we were so close to the primary and Theresa Greenfield was relatively unknown,” pollster J. Ann Selzer, president of the firm that conducted the poll, told the Register. “But she is holding her own, and I think that says something about Joni Ernst’s vulnerability.”
An Ernst spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.