shareblue--2020-07-09--Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds GOP laws that strip power from elected Democrats

The conservative-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday upheld Republican-authored lame-duck laws that stripped power from the incoming Democratic attorney general just before he took office in 2019 .
The court rejected arguments that the laws were unconstitutional , handing another win to Republicans who have scored multiple high-profile victories before the conservative court in recent years .
The ruling marks the second time that the court has upheld the lame-duck laws passed in December 2018 , just weeks before Gov .
Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul , both Democrats , took office .
The actions in Wisconsin mirrored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor 's offices in Michigan in November 2018 and in North Carolina in 2016 .
Democrats decried the tactics as brazen attempts to hold onto power after losing elections .
The Wisconsin laws curtailed powers of both the governor and attorney general , but the case ruled on Thursday dealt primarily with powers taken away from Kaul .
The Supreme Court previously rejected a lawsuit that challenged the legality of the lame-duck session itself .
Thursday 's ruling involved a case filed by a coalition of labor unions led by the State Employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the laws give the Legislature power over the attorney general 's office , a violation of the separation of powers doctrine in the state constitution .
The doctrine grants each branch of government core powers : the Legislature writes laws , the executive branch enforces them and the judicial branch interprets them .
The laws at issue prohibit Evers from ordering Kaul to withdraw from lawsuits ; let legislators intervene in lawsuits using their own attorneys rather than Kaul 's state Department of Justice lawyers ; and force Kaul to get permission from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting lawsuits .
That last provision has proven the most divisive .
Kaul has said settlement discussions are confidential and has refused to share details of cases with the committee , putting tens of millions of dollars in potential settlement revenue in jeopardy .
In recent months the committee has signed off on a handful of settlements after the litigants allowed Kaul to share details of the deals , however .
The court ruled 5-2 that the attorney general derives his powers from state statutes , not the constitution , and his role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive branch .
The Legislature clearly has an interest in joining lawsuits independently and signing off on settlements because it 's responsible for spending the state 's money , Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote for the majority .
`` While representing the State in litigation is predominately an executive function , it is within those borderlands of shared powers , most notably in cases that implicate an institutional interest of the legislature , '' Hagedorn wrote .
The court 's two liberal justices , Rebecca Dallet and Ann Walsh Bradley , dissented .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evers , throwing out some of the rules the Legislature put in place that required his administration to rewrite thousands of government `` guidance documents '' and websites .
The law also gave the Legislature more power to block rules written by the Evers administration .
The court found the rules written by the Legislature were overly broad and unconstitutional .
Evers had argued that the new requirements to rewrite documents were so extensive it would make it impossible for the executive branch to get information to the public .
Democrats and liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the laws since they were passed but have had little success .
Liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now persuaded a federal judge in January 2019 to block language in the law that restricted in-person early voting to the two weeks before an election .
The League of Women Voters and other groups filed a state lawsuit arguing the laws as a whole were invalid because Republican lawmakers passed them after the Legislature 's regular session had ended months earlier .
The justices ruled last year that lawmakers can meet whenever they wish @

The conservative-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court on Thursday upheld Republican-authored lame-duck laws that stripped power from the incoming Democratic attorney general just before he took office in 2019.
The court rejected arguments that the laws were unconstitutional, handing another win to Republicans who have scored multiple high-profile victories before the conservative court in recent years.
The ruling marks the second time that the court has upheld the lame-duck laws passed in December 2018, just weeks before Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul, both Democrats, took office.
The actions in Wisconsin mirrored Republican moves after losing control of the governor’s offices in Michigan in November 2018 and in North Carolina in 2016. Democrats decried the tactics as brazen attempts to hold onto power after losing elections.
The Wisconsin laws curtailed powers of both the governor and attorney general, but the case ruled on Thursday dealt primarily with powers taken away from Kaul. The Supreme Court previously rejected a lawsuit that challenged the legality of the lame-duck session itself.
Thursday’s ruling involved a case filed by a coalition of labor unions led by the State Employees International Union. The coalition argued that the laws give the Legislature power over the attorney general’s office, a violation of the separation of powers doctrine in the state constitution. The doctrine grants each branch of government core powers: the Legislature writes laws, the executive branch enforces them and the judicial branch interprets them.
The laws at issue prohibit Evers from ordering Kaul to withdraw from lawsuits; let legislators intervene in lawsuits using their own attorneys rather than Kaul’s state Department of Justice lawyers; and force Kaul to get permission from the Legislature’s Republican-controlled budget committee before setting lawsuits.
That last provision has proven the most divisive. Kaul has said settlement discussions are confidential and has refused to share details of cases with the committee, putting tens of millions of dollars in potential settlement revenue in jeopardy. In recent months the committee has signed off on a handful of settlements after the litigants allowed Kaul to share details of the deals, however.
The court ruled 5-2 that the attorney general derives his powers from state statutes, not the constitution, and his role is not a core function of the executive branch. The Legislature clearly has an interest in joining lawsuits independently and signing off on settlements because it’s responsible for spending the state’s money, Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote for the majority.
“While representing the State in litigation is predominately an executive function, it is within those borderlands of shared powers, most notably in cases that implicate an institutional interest of the legislature,” Hagedorn wrote.
The court’s two liberal justices, Rebecca Dallet and Ann Walsh Bradley, dissented.
The court did deliver a partial win for Evers, throwing out some of the rules the Legislature put in place that required his administration to rewrite thousands of government “guidance documents” and websites. The law also gave the Legislature more power to block rules written by the Evers administration.
The court found the rules written by the Legislature were overly broad and unconstitutional. Evers had argued that the new requirements to rewrite documents were so extensive it would make it impossible for the executive branch to get information to the public.
Democrats and liberal groups have been trying to push back against the laws since they were passed but have had little success.
Liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now persuaded a federal judge in January 2019 to block language in the law that restricted in-person early voting to the two weeks before an election.
The League of Women Voters and other groups filed a state lawsuit arguing the laws as a whole were invalid because Republican lawmakers passed them after the Legislature’s regular session had ended months earlier. The justices ruled last year that lawmakers can meet whenever they wish.


shareblue--2020-07-11--Trump commutes pal Roger Stone's sentence days before he was to report to prison

Donald Trump called Roger Stone to inform his longtime political confidant that he would commute his sentence for crimes related to the Russia investigation , Stone told The Associated Press on Friday , just days before he was set to report to prison .
The White House later confirmed the commuting of the sentence in a statement , saying Stone was a victim of the Russia `` hoax . ''
The move , though short of a full pardon , is sure to alarm critics who have long railed against the president ’ s repeated interventions in the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told me he thought my trial has been unfair , '' Stone told the AP in a phone call from Fort Lauderdale , Florida .
Stone said he expressed his gratitude and was popping Champagne .
Stone had been sentenced in February to three years and four months in prison for lying to Congress , witness tampering , and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election .
He was set to report to prison by Tuesday .
A commutation would not erase Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way a pardon would , but it would protect him from serving prison time as a result .
The action , which Trump had foreshadowed in recent days , reflects his lingering rage over the Russia investigation and is a testament to his conviction that he and his associates were mistreated by agents and prosecutors .
His administration has been eager to rewrite the narrative of special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation , with Trump ’ s own Justice Department moving in May to dismiss the criminal case against former national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his part , had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation , appealing for the president ’ s help in a series of Instagram posts in which he maintained that his life could be in jeopardy if imprisoned during a pandemic .
He had recently sought to postpone his surrender date by months after getting a brief extension from the judge .
Trump had repeatedly publicly inserted himself into Stone ’ s case , including just before Stone ’ s sentencing , when he suggested in a tweet that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard than several prominent Democrats .
He railed that the conviction `` should be thrown out '' and called the Justice Department ’ s initial sentencing recommendation `` horrible and very unfair . ''
`` Can not allow this miscarriage of justice ! ''
he wrote .
Stone , a larger-than-life political character who embraced his reputation as a dirty trickster , was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to have been convicted of charges brought as part of Mueller ’ s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
A longtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had boasted during the campaign that he was in contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange through a trusted intermediary and hinted at inside knowledge of WikiLeaks ’ plans to release more than 19,000 emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee .
But Stone denied any wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated .
He did not take the stand during his trial , did not speak at his sentencing , and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defense .
Trump also targeted those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comment by Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitano that the jury appeared to have been biased against Trump , and called out Judge Amy Berman Jackson by name , saying `` almost any judge in the country '' would throw out the conviction .
The tweets continued even after Trump earned a public rebuke from his own attorney general , William Barr , who said the president ’ s comments were `` making it impossible '' for him to do his job .
Barr was so incensed that he told people he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had originally recommended Stone serve seven to nine years in federal prison .
But , in a highly unusual move , Barr reversed that decision after a Trump tweet and recommended a more lenient punishment , prompting a mini-revolt inside the Justice Department , with the entire prosecution team resigning from the case .
Department officials have vehemently denied Barr was responding to Trump ’ s criticism and have insisted there was no contact with the White House over the decision .
Barr has also pointed out that the judge , in imposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him that the original sentencing recommendation was excessive .
Barr , who was attorney general during Stone ’ s trial last fall , has said the prosecution was justified , and the Justice Department did not support Stone ’ s more recent effort to put off his surrender date .
Though the Justice Department raised concerns about the handling of Flynn ’ s case , including what it said were irregularities about his FBI interview , prosecutors did not point to any similar issues or problems with the Stone prosecution .
Even so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the portrait of a president determined — particularly in an election year — to undo the effects of a Russia investigation that has shadowed his administration from the outset , and to intervene on behalf of political allies .
Trump , meanwhile , had long kept the door open to a reprieve .
`` You ’ re going to see what happens .
Let ’ s see what happens , '' he said when asked in February whether Stone deserved prison time , adding , `` Somebody has to stick up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hannity in an interview Thursday night that it was a `` disgrace they didn ’ t give him a retrial . ''
Asked if he was considering a pardon , he added : `` I am always thinking . ''
That language prompted preemptive rebuke from House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff , who tweeted after the sentencing that `` to pardon Stone when his crimes were committed to protect Trump would be a breathtaking act of corruption . ''
The commutation was the latest example of Trump using his unlimited clemency power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been mistreated by the justice system .
Trump went on a clemency spree in February commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich , a Democrat , and pardoning former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik , financier Michael Milken and several others .
Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies , including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio , who was awaiting sentencing at the time , conservative commentator Dinesh D ’ Souza , who had been convicted on campaign finance violations , and Conrad Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had written a flattering book about the president .
Trump , however , has spent much more time trumpeting his decision to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson , who was serving life in prison for nonviolent drug offenses and who came to Trump ’ s attention after reality star Kim Kardashian West took up her cause .
Her story was featured in a Trump campaign Super Bowl ad .

Donald Trump called Roger Stone to inform his longtime political confidant that he would commute his sentence for crimes related to the Russia investigation, Stone told The Associated Press on Friday, just days before he was set to report to prison.
The White House later confirmed the commuting of the sentence in a statement, saying Stone was a victim of the Russia “hoax.”
The move, though short of a full pardon, is sure to alarm critics who have long railed against the president’s repeated interventions in the nation’s justice system.
“The president told me he thought my trial has been unfair,” Stone told the AP in a phone call from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Stone said he expressed his gratitude and was popping Champagne.
Stone had been sentenced in February to three years and four months in prison for lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstructing the House investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election. He was set to report to prison by Tuesday.
A commutation would not erase Stone’s felony convictions in the same way a pardon would, but it would protect him from serving prison time as a result.
The action, which Trump had foreshadowed in recent days, reflects his lingering rage over the Russia investigation and is a testament to his conviction that he and his associates were mistreated by agents and prosecutors. His administration has been eager to rewrite the narrative of special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, with Trump’s own Justice Department moving in May to dismiss the criminal case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Stone, for his part, had been open about his desire for a pardon or commutation, appealing for the president’s help in a series of Instagram posts in which he maintained that his life could be in jeopardy if imprisoned during a pandemic. He had recently sought to postpone his surrender date by months after getting a brief extension from the judge.
Trump had repeatedly publicly inserted himself into Stone’s case, including just before Stone’s sentencing, when he suggested in a tweet that Stone was being subjected to a different standard than several prominent Democrats. He railed that the conviction “should be thrown out” and called the Justice Department’s initial sentencing recommendation “horrible and very unfair.”
“Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!” he wrote.
Stone, a larger-than-life political character who embraced his reputation as a dirty trickster, was the sixth Trump aide or adviser to have been convicted of charges brought as part of Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
A longtime Trump friend and informal adviser, Stone had boasted during the campaign that he was in contact with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange through a trusted intermediary and hinted at inside knowledge of WikiLeaks’ plans to release more than 19,000 emails hacked from the servers of the Democratic National Committee.
But Stone denied any wrongdoing and consistently criticized the case against him as politically motivated. He did not take the stand during his trial, did not speak at his sentencing, and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in his defense.
Trump also targeted those involved in the case. He retweeted a comment by Fox News commentator Andrew Napolitano that the jury appeared to have been biased against Trump, and called out Judge Amy Berman Jackson by name, saying “almost any judge in the country” would throw out the conviction.
The tweets continued even after Trump earned a public rebuke from his own attorney general, William Barr, who said the president’s comments were “making it impossible” for him to do his job. Barr was so incensed that he told people he was considering resigning over the matter.
Prosecutors had originally recommended Stone serve seven to nine years in federal prison. But, in a highly unusual move, Barr reversed that decision after a Trump tweet and recommended a more lenient punishment, prompting a mini-revolt inside the Justice Department, with the entire prosecution team resigning from the case.
Department officials have vehemently denied Barr was responding to Trump’s criticism and have insisted there was no contact with the White House over the decision. Barr has also pointed out that the judge, in imposing a 40-month sentence, had agreed with him that the original sentencing recommendation was excessive.
Barr, who was attorney general during Stone’s trial last fall, has said the prosecution was justified, and the Justice Department did not support Stone’s more recent effort to put off his surrender date. Though the Justice Department raised concerns about the handling of Flynn’s case, including what it said were irregularities about his FBI interview, prosecutors did not point to any similar issues or problems with the Stone prosecution.
Even so, the pardon will almost certainly contribute to the portrait of a president determined — particularly in an election year — to undo the effects of a Russia investigation that has shadowed his administration from the outset, and to intervene on behalf of political allies.
Trump, meanwhile, had long kept the door open to a reprieve.
“You’re going to see what happens. Let’s see what happens,” he said when asked in February whether Stone deserved prison time, adding, “Somebody has to stick up for the people.”
He told Sean Hannity in an interview Thursday night that it was a “disgrace they didn’t give him a retrial.” Asked if he was considering a pardon, he added: “I am always thinking.”
That language prompted preemptive rebuke from House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, who tweeted after the sentencing that “to pardon Stone when his crimes were committed to protect Trump would be a breathtaking act of corruption.”
The commutation was the latest example of Trump using his unlimited clemency power to pardon powerful men he believes have been mistreated by the justice system.
Trump went on a clemency spree in February commuting the 14-year prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, and pardoning former New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik, financier Michael Milken and several others.
Trump has also offered clemency to other political allies, including Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was awaiting sentencing at the time, conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza, who had been convicted on campaign finance violations, and Conrad Black, a newspaper publisher convicted of fraud who had written a flattering book about the president.
Trump, however, has spent much more time trumpeting his decision to commute the sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, who was serving life in prison for nonviolent drug offenses and who came to Trump’s attention after reality star Kim Kardashian West took up her cause. Her story was featured in a Trump campaign Super Bowl ad.


shareblue--2020-07-10--News you might have missed: Massachusetts is 35th state to let everyone vote by mail

This week , Massachusetts made it easier to vote in November , New Mexico required police officers to wear body cameras , and New Yorkers chose a prominent location to paint a Black Lives Matter mural .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
Voting in Massachusetts just became a little bit easier and safer , thanks to a new law signed on Monday by Republican Gov .
Charlie Baker .
Under the law , voters no longer need an excuse to vote by mail , CNN reported .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 1 will be mailed an application for an absentee ballot , and the state added several more early voting days in order to reduce crowds for those who want to vote in person .
Voters can also download an application to vote by mail .
Massachusetts joined 34 other states and Washington , D.C. , in allowing no-excuse absentee voting , according to a tally kept by the National Conference of State Legislatures .
New Mexico police officers now required to wear body cameras Every law enforcement officer in New Mexico will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under a new law signed on Wednesday by Democratic Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham .
The law will be `` a deterrent against unlawful use of force '' by police officers , according to a press release from the governor 's office .
`` Our communities have a right to feel safe in their lives , they deserve to live with respect and dignity , '' Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena , a Democrat from Mesilla , said in support of the bill as it was being debated , according to the Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police departments , sheriff agencies , and state police .
Democratic House members took a step on Monday to ensure a more diverse staff on Capitol Hill , Roll Call reported .
To help identify and interview diverse applicants for open positions , a new rule will require House Democrats , `` to the extent practicable , '' to work with the House Diversity and Inclusion Office and other groups during the hiring process .
`` As Americans continue to educate themselves about systemic injustice and how our nation has failed whole populations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States Congress and the Democratic Party take an honest look at our own shortcomings , '' Rep. Tony Cárdenas ( D-CA ) wrote to his colleagues before the Monday conference call when the rule was adopted .
He added that while members of the Democratic Caucus are more diverse than ever , `` we are failing '' when it comes to recruiting and hiring diverse staffers .
Health professionals in Michigan will soon be required to undergo implicit bias training as part of their licensing process , according to an executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gretchen Whitmer .
`` COVID-19 has had a disparate impact on people of color due to a variety of factors , and we must do everything we can to address this disparity , '' Whitmer said in a press release about the order .
`` The evidence shows that training in implicit bias can make a positive difference , so today we are taking action to help improve racial equity across Michigan 's health care system . ''
The executive order was recommended by Michigan 's Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examine the impact of the coronavirus crisis on communities of color .
Evictions in Pennsylvania put on hold through August Renters and homeowners in Pennsylvania will be given additional protections against eviction and foreclosure through the end of August thanks to an executive order signed on Thursday by Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf .
`` I am taking this action to help families know they will have a roof over their heads and a place to live while all of us fight the COVID-19 pandemic , '' Wolf said in a press release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one more burden off of people who are struggling and ensures that families can remain in their homes so they can protect their health and wellbeing . ''
Renters and homeowners who are able to must continue making their monthly payments , according to the governor 's office , and the order does not apply to issues of property damage and illegal activity .
In a 5-4 decision on Thursday , the Supreme Court ruled that a large portion of eastern Oklahoma is an American Indian reservation .
The ruling affects the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with Native Americans on reservation land .
`` This case did n't change ownership of any land , '' Jonodev Chaudhuri , an ambassador of the Muscogee ( Creek ) Nation , told the AP .
`` All it did was bring clarity to jurisdictional questions regarding the border , and it enhanced the Creek Nation 's ability as a sovereign nation to work with other sovereign interests to protect people and to work in common interests . ''
Justice Neil Gorsuch , a conservative appointed by Donald Trump , authored the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the court .
Watch New Yorkers paint 'Black Lives Matter ' in front of Trump Tower New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio , Rev .
Al Sharpton , and dozens of other New Yorkers gathered together on Thursday to paint `` Black Lives Matter '' in large block letters down Fifth Avenue , directly in front of Trump Tower .
DeBlasio authorized the street mural earlier this month , according to CNN .
New York City 's decision to paint the words on Fifth Avenue followed actions in Washington , D.C. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowser ordered the slogan be painted on a street near the White House .
Bowser also renamed the area Black Lives Matter Plaza .
Other cities have painted similar murals , largely in response to marches and protests against racism and police brutality following the death of George Floyd , a black man killed by a white police officer in Minnesota earlier this year .

This week, Massachusetts made it easier to vote in November, New Mexico required police officers to wear body cameras, and New Yorkers chose a prominent location to paint a Black Lives Matter mural.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
Voting in Massachusetts just became a little bit easier and safer, thanks to a new law signed on Monday by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.
Under the law, voters no longer need an excuse to vote by mail, CNN reported. In addition, every voter who is registered before July 1 will be mailed an application for an absentee ballot, and the state added several more early voting days in order to reduce crowds for those who want to vote in person.
Voters can also download an application to vote by mail.
Massachusetts joined 34 other states and Washington, D.C., in allowing no-excuse absentee voting, according to a tally kept by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Every law enforcement officer in New Mexico will be required to wear a body camera under a new law signed on Wednesday by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The law will be “a deterrent against unlawful use of force” by police officers, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
“Our communities have a right to feel safe in their lives, they deserve to live with respect and dignity,” Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena, a Democrat from Mesilla, said in support of the bill as it was being debated, according to the Associated Press.
The law applies to all city police departments, sheriff agencies, and state police.
Democratic House members took a step on Monday to ensure a more diverse staff on Capitol Hill, Roll Call reported.
To help identify and interview diverse applicants for open positions, a new rule will require House Democrats, “to the extent practicable,” to work with the House Diversity and Inclusion Office and other groups during the hiring process.
“As Americans continue to educate themselves about systemic injustice and how our nation has failed whole populations of its citizens, it is time the United States Congress and the Democratic Party take an honest look at our own shortcomings,” Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) wrote to his colleagues before the Monday conference call when the rule was adopted.
He added that while members of the Democratic Caucus are more diverse than ever, “we are failing” when it comes to recruiting and hiring diverse staffers.
Health professionals in Michigan will soon be required to undergo implicit bias training as part of their licensing process, according to an executive order signed on Thursday by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“COVID-19 has had a disparate impact on people of color due to a variety of factors, and we must do everything we can to address this disparity,” Whitmer said in a press release about the order. “The evidence shows that training in implicit bias can make a positive difference, so today we are taking action to help improve racial equity across Michigan’s health care system.”
The executive order was recommended by Michigan’s Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, a group created by Whitmer to examine the impact of the coronavirus crisis on communities of color.
Renters and homeowners in Pennsylvania will be given additional protections against eviction and foreclosure through the end of August thanks to an executive order signed on Thursday by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
“I am taking this action to help families know they will have a roof over their heads and a place to live while all of us fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wolf said in a press release about the order. “It takes one more burden off of people who are struggling and ensures that families can remain in their homes so they can protect their health and wellbeing.”
Renters and homeowners who are able to must continue making their monthly payments, according to the governor’s office, and the order does not apply to issues of property damage and illegal activity.
In a 5-4 decision on Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that a large portion of eastern Oklahoma is an American Indian reservation.
The ruling affects the ability of federal prosecutors to handle criminal matters dealing with Native Americans on reservation land.
“This case didn’t change ownership of any land,” Jonodev Chaudhuri, an ambassador of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, told the AP. “All it did was bring clarity to jurisdictional questions regarding the border, and it enhanced the Creek Nation’s ability as a sovereign nation to work with other sovereign interests to protect people and to work in common interests.”
Justice Neil Gorsuch, a conservative appointed by Donald Trump, authored the opinion, joined by the four liberal members of the court.
New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, Rev. Al Sharpton, and dozens of other New Yorkers gathered together on Thursday to paint “Black Lives Matter” in large block letters down Fifth Avenue, directly in front of Trump Tower.
DeBlasio authorized the street mural earlier this month, according to CNN.
New York City’s decision to paint the words on Fifth Avenue followed actions in Washington, D.C., last month, where Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered the slogan be painted on a street near the White House. Bowser also renamed the area Black Lives Matter Plaza.
Other cities have painted similar murals, largely in response to marches and protests against racism and police brutality following the death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white police officer in Minnesota earlier this year.


shareblue--2020-07-10--Pediatrics group Trump keeps citing denounces his threat to cut school funding

A medical association that the White House has cited in its press to reopen schools is pushing back against Donald Trump 's repeated threats to cut federal funding if schools do n't open this fall .
In a joint statement with national education unions and a superintendents group , the American Academy of Pediatrics on Friday said decisions should be made by health experts and local leaders .
The groups argued that schools will need more money to reopen safely during the coronavirus pandemic and that cuts could ultimately harm students .
The statement comes at a time when schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fall as Trump pushes them to reopen .
Millions of parents are still waiting to hear if their children will be returning to school , but some of the nation 's largest districts have said students will be in the classroom only a few days a week .
`` Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence , not politics , '' the groups wrote in the statement .
`` Withholding funding from schools that do not open in person full-time would be a misguided approach , putting already financially strapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten the health of students and teachers . ''
Trump , however , repeated his threat on Friday , saying on Twitter that virtual learning has been `` terrible '' compared with in-person classes .
`` Not even close !
Schools must be open in the Fall .
If not open , why would the Federal Government give Funding ?
It wo n't !
!
! ''
he wrote .
Trump issued a similar warning on Twitter on Wednesday , saying other nations had successfully opened schools and that a fall reopening is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
May cut off funding if not open ! ''
Trump has not said what funding he would withhold or under what authority .
But White House spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany has said Trump wants to use future coronavirus relief funding as leverage .
McEnany said Trump wants to `` substantially bump up money for education '' in the next relief package , but only for schools that reopen .
`` He is looking at potentially redirecting that to make sure it goes to the student , '' McEnany said at a Wednesday press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be `` tied to the student and not to a district where schools are closed . ''
Trump has been insistent that schools reopen despite growing coronavirus outbreaks in parts of the United States .
The White House hosted a summit on the topic on Tuesday , gathering health and education leaders who said students should return to the classroom this fall to continue their academics and to regain access to meal programs and mental health services .
Among those at the event was Dr. Sally Goza , president of the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools to open .
`` Being away from peers , teachers , and school services has lasting effects for children , '' Goza said at the roundtable .
`` Although this will not be easy , pediatricians strongly advocate that we start with the goal of having students physically present in school this fall . ''
Her comments echoed guidelines issued by the group in June , which said time away from school can lead to social isolation and make it harder for schools to identify learning deficits , child abuse , depression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pence , Education Secretary Betsy DeVos , and McEnany have repeatedly , and as recently as Wednesday , cited the American Academy of Pediatrics in defense of Trump 's approach .
But Friday 's statement acknowledged that it may be best for some schools to stay online .
School leaders , health experts , teachers , and parents should be at the center of reopening decisions , the groups said , `` taking into account the spread of COVID-19 in their communities and the capacities of school districts to adapt safety protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` For instance , schools in areas with high levels of COVID-19 community spread should not be compelled to reopen against the judgment of local experts , '' the statement said .
`` A one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate for return to school decisions . ''
New York City 's public school district , the nation 's largest , said students will be in classrooms two or three times a week and learn remotely in between .
DeVos has opposed that kind of approach , saying it fails students and taxpayers @

A medical association that the White House has cited in its press to reopen schools is pushing back against Donald Trump’s repeated threats to cut federal funding if schools don’t open this fall.
In a joint statement with national education unions and a superintendents group, the American Academy of Pediatrics on Friday said decisions should be made by health experts and local leaders. The groups argued that schools will need more money to reopen safely during the coronavirus pandemic and that cuts could ultimately harm students.
The statement comes at a time when schools across the nation are weighing decisions for the fall as Trump pushes them to reopen. Millions of parents are still waiting to hear if their children will be returning to school, but some of the nation’s largest districts have said students will be in the classroom only a few days a week.
“Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics,” the groups wrote in the statement. “Withholding funding from schools that do not open in person full-time would be a misguided approach, putting already financially strapped schools in an impossible position that would threaten the health of students and teachers.”
Trump, however, repeated his threat on Friday, saying on Twitter that virtual learning has been “terrible” compared with in-person classes.
“Not even close! Schools must be open in the Fall. If not open, why would the Federal Government give Funding? It won’t!!!” he wrote. Trump issued a similar warning on Twitter on Wednesday, saying other nations had successfully opened schools and that a fall reopening is “important for the children and families. May cut off funding if not open!”
Trump has not said what funding he would withhold or under what authority. But White House spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany has said Trump wants to use future coronavirus relief funding as leverage. McEnany said Trump wants to “substantially bump up money for education” in the next relief package, but only for schools that reopen.
“He is looking at potentially redirecting that to make sure it goes to the student,” McEnany said at a Wednesday press briefing. She added that the funding would be “tied to the student and not to a district where schools are closed.”
Trump has been insistent that schools reopen despite growing coronavirus outbreaks in parts of the United States. The White House hosted a summit on the topic on Tuesday, gathering health and education leaders who said students should return to the classroom this fall to continue their academics and to regain access to meal programs and mental health services.
Among those at the event was Dr. Sally Goza, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who called for schools to open.
“Being away from peers, teachers, and school services has lasting effects for children,” Goza said at the roundtable. “Although this will not be easy, pediatricians strongly advocate that we start with the goal of having students physically present in school this fall.”
Her comments echoed guidelines issued by the group in June, which said time away from school can lead to social isolation and make it harder for schools to identify learning deficits, child abuse, depression, and other problems.
Vice President Mike Pence, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and McEnany have repeatedly, and as recently as Wednesday, cited the American Academy of Pediatrics in defense of Trump’s approach.
But Friday’s statement acknowledged that it may be best for some schools to stay online. School leaders, health experts, teachers, and parents should be at the center of reopening decisions, the groups said, “taking into account the spread of COVID-19 in their communities and the capacities of school districts to adapt safety protocols to make in-person learning safe and feasible.”
“For instance, schools in areas with high levels of COVID-19 community spread should not be compelled to reopen against the judgment of local experts,” the statement said. “A one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate for return to school decisions.”
New York City’s public school district, the nation’s largest, said students will be in classrooms two or three times a week and learn remotely in between. DeVos has opposed that kind of approach, saying it fails students and taxpayers.


shareblue--2020-07-10--Oregon court ruling is another win for nonbinary people

The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled this week that all circuit court judges must grant an X gender marker for nonbinary people who request it in legal documents as long as they take all of the necessary legal steps to register for the change .
The court wrote in its decision that someone 's new sex designation `` must affirm the petitioner 's gender identity whether that is male , female , or nonbinary . ''
Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Amy Holmes Hehn had ruled in 2016 that a resident of Oregon could change their legal gender to nonbinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affirming the choice of nonbinary as a gender in the United States .
However , the new ruling ensures that all nonbinary residents of Oregon can petition courts without worrying that they will be denied .
`` [ The 2016 ] ruling was a big deal .
This ruling is even bigger because now it says all circuit court judges in Oregon are required to grant this as a matter of law , '' said Carl Charles , staff attorney at Lambda Legal , a civil rights organization focused on LGBTQ equality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to wonder and do research and figure out , Oh , did my county circuit court rule on this ? ''
The case involved a nonbinary Oregonian , Jones Hollister , whose petition to change their legal gender to nonbinary was denied last year by Lane County Circuit Judge Charles Carlson .
The ACLU of Oregon , Transgender Law Center , Basic Rights Oregon , Beyond Binary Legal , the Oregon Department of Justice , and a group of Oregon law professors all filed briefs supporting Hollister .
Hollister stated in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I saw that the Court of Appeals had reversed the decision to refuse me a nonbinary marker , I honestly cried .
Until this morning I have n't allowed myself to hope that we would win .
This ruling does not make me nonbinary .
I was nonbinary long before this case .
But this ruling means that I will have court paperwork confirming my identity . ''
Lorena Reynolds , managing attorney at the Reynolds Law Firm and Hollister 's attorney , said that in Lane County there have been at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a nonbinary legal gender marker was not granted .
Nonbinary people have also decided to file in other counties or not to file at all to avoid the kind of experience Hollister had with Carlson .
`` I would estimate that I am familiar with at least another two dozen people who have made this choice , some of who are excited to now be able to file in their home county , '' Reynolds said .
According to the Corvallis Advocate , Hollister told Oregon Public Broadcasting that with the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into institutions that do n't have gender options on official documents besides male and female and point to a court case that backs up their request for other choices .
`` I can be like , 'Look , this is a court case saying this is the fact , and so how do I make it so I am not lying on this paperwork for you ?
How are you going to change your paperwork so it has an option ? '
'' Hollister said .
Caspian Nash , who is on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonprofit founded to provide legal resources to nonbinary people , said they are pleased with the decision .
`` Many folks whose lives do not fit neatly into 'female ' or 'male ' categories encounter a lot of confusion and uncertainty about how they fit into legal or administrative systems , leading to undue stress and frustration when doing something as simple as applying for an ID or filling out a form , '' Nash said .
They added , `` I see Oregon as part of a wave of change that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
It 's exciting to see the progress ! ''
Oregon has been a leader in advancing legal rights for nonbinary people , but in the past few years , nonbinary people have made gains across the country in securing accurate documentation such as driver 's licenses .
Nineteen states now allow nonbinary people to choose an X gender marker on their driver 's license , with Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam ( D ) in April signing a law that requires the state to provide such a marker .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce they provide X gender markers on state IDs , like driver 's licenses , and that has been where the majority of progress has happened , '' Charles said .
`` We 're trying to find places to secure those kinds of court victories because it can be a long haul to wait for state legislatures to take it up on their next session . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Oregon Court of Appeals ruled this week that all circuit court judges must grant an X gender marker for nonbinary people who request it in legal documents as long as they take all of the necessary legal steps to register for the change.
The court wrote in its decision that someone’s new sex designation “must affirm the petitioner’s gender identity whether that is male, female, or nonbinary.”
Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Amy Holmes Hehn had ruled in 2016 that a resident of Oregon could change their legal gender to nonbinary. It was the first legal ruling affirming the choice of nonbinary as a gender in the United States.
However, the new ruling ensures that all nonbinary residents of Oregon can petition courts without worrying that they will be denied.
“[The 2016] ruling was a big deal. This ruling is even bigger because now it says all circuit court judges in Oregon are required to grant this as a matter of law,” said Carl Charles, staff attorney at Lambda Legal, a civil rights organization focused on LGBTQ equality. “Nonbinary people in Oregon don’t have to wonder and do research and figure out, Oh, did my county circuit court rule on this?”
The case involved a nonbinary Oregonian, Jones Hollister, whose petition to change their legal gender to nonbinary was denied last year by Lane County Circuit Judge Charles Carlson. The ACLU of Oregon, Transgender Law Center, Basic Rights Oregon, Beyond Binary Legal, the Oregon Department of Justice, and a group of Oregon law professors all filed briefs supporting Hollister.
Hollister stated in a statement released by the ACLU, “When I saw that the Court of Appeals had reversed the decision to refuse me a nonbinary marker, I honestly cried. Until this morning I haven’t allowed myself to hope that we would win. This ruling does not make me nonbinary. I was nonbinary long before this case. But this ruling means that I will have court paperwork confirming my identity.”
Lorena Reynolds, managing attorney at the Reynolds Law Firm and Hollister’s attorney, said that in Lane County there have been at least 16 cases in which a request for a nonbinary legal gender marker was not granted. Nonbinary people have also decided to file in other counties or not to file at all to avoid the kind of experience Hollister had with Carlson.
“I would estimate that I am familiar with at least another two dozen people who have made this choice, some of who are excited to now be able to file in their home county,” Reynolds said.
According to the Corvallis Advocate, Hollister told Oregon Public Broadcasting that with the decision, nonbinary people are empowered to go into institutions that don’t have gender options on official documents besides male and female and point to a court case that backs up their request for other choices. “I can be like, ‘Look, this is a court case saying this is the fact, and so how do I make it so I am not lying on this paperwork for you? How are you going to change your paperwork so it has an option?'” Hollister said.
Caspian Nash, who is on the board of Beyond Binary Legal, a nonprofit founded to provide legal resources to nonbinary people, said they are pleased with the decision.
“Many folks whose lives do not fit neatly into ‘female’ or ‘male’ categories encounter a lot of confusion and uncertainty about how they fit into legal or administrative systems, leading to undue stress and frustration when doing something as simple as applying for an ID or filling out a form,” Nash said.
They added, “I see Oregon as part of a wave of change that we’ve been seeing in jurisdictions across the country. It’s exciting to see the progress!”
Oregon has been a leader in advancing legal rights for nonbinary people, but in the past few years, nonbinary people have made gains across the country in securing accurate documentation such as driver’s licenses. Nineteen states now allow nonbinary people to choose an X gender marker on their driver’s license, with Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) in April signing a law that requires the state to provide such a marker.
“There have been some very surprising states to announce they provide X gender markers on state IDs, like driver’s licenses, and that has been where the majority of progress has happened,” Charles said. “We’re trying to find places to secure those kinds of court victories because it can be a long haul to wait for state legislatures to take it up on their next session.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-10--Joni Ernst: People investigating Trump are just like cop who killed George Floyd

Sen. Joni Ernst ( R-IA ) compared the police officer who killed George Floyd to the Justice Department officials investigating Donald Trump , during an interview with a local radio station earlier this month .
`` The example of George Floyd , you know , that was a bad actor , a bad policeman .
We do have bad actors at the FBI and Justice Department as well , '' Ernst told KXEL , an Iowa talk radio station , on July 3 referring to investigations into Trump prior to the 2016 election .
`` And so we 're trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she continued .
`` We want to know how far this goes .
Is it from just some bad actors in a basement somewhere at DOJ and FBI , or does that rise all the way to the top to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden ? ''
Ernst claimed that `` bad actors in these law enforcement agencies '' sought to `` take down political opponents , which is exactly what we saw happening at DOJ and FBI during the race for the White House and President Trump was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a black man , was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis earlier this year after the officer knelt on Floyd ’ s neck for more than eight minutes , ignoring his repeated pleas for air .
The officer has since been charged with second-degree murder .
Ernst compared the actions of that officer with investigations into Trump , who has repeatedly accused law enforcement officers in the federal government of conducting a partisan `` witch hunt '' against him .
Trump has claimed specifically that the initial investigation into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign ’ s ties to Russia , among other things , was an unfounded and unnecessary attempt to undermine his bid for the presidency .
`` My Campaign for President was conclusively spied on , '' Trump tweeted baselessly in May 2019 .
`` Nothing like this has ever happened in American Politics .
A really bad situation .
TREASON means long jail sentences , and this was TREASON ! ''
In fact , the FBI was justified in opening the investigation — which eventually revealed numerous contacts between the Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 10 instances of possible obstruction by Trump — according to a 2019 DOJ Inspector General report .
`` FBI had an authorized purpose when it opened Crossfire Hurricane to obtain information about , or protect against , a national security threat or federal crime , '' the inspector found , referring to the investigation by its codename .
The investigation ultimately uncovered some missteps by the FBI , but did not find evidence that political bias affected the probe in any way .
Trump also repeatedly attacked special counsel Robert Mueller , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidents of both parties , as a partisan actor .
Mueller 's investigation in fact yielded numerous indictments , including successful prosecutions or guilty pleas .
The Russia probe also resulted in several offshoot investigations .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) compared the police officer who killed George Floyd to the Justice Department officials investigating Donald Trump, during an interview with a local radio station earlier this month.
“The example of George Floyd, you know, that was a bad actor, a bad policeman. We do have bad actors at the FBI and Justice Department as well,” Ernst told KXEL, an Iowa talk radio station, on July 3 referring to investigations into Trump prior to the 2016 election.
“And so we’re trying to ferret those people out,” she continued. “We want to know how far this goes. Is it from just some bad actors in a basement somewhere at DOJ and FBI, or does that rise all the way to the top to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden?”
Ernst claimed that “bad actors in these law enforcement agencies” sought to “take down political opponents, which is exactly what we saw happening at DOJ and FBI during the race for the White House and President Trump was the subject of those wrongdoings.”
Floyd, a black man, was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis earlier this year after the officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes, ignoring his repeated pleas for air. The officer has since been charged with second-degree murder.
Ernst compared the actions of that officer with investigations into Trump, who has repeatedly accused law enforcement officers in the federal government of conducting a partisan “witch hunt” against him.
Trump has claimed specifically that the initial investigation into his 2016 campaign, which sought to determine the campaign’s ties to Russia, among other things, was an unfounded and unnecessary attempt to undermine his bid for the presidency.
“My Campaign for President was conclusively spied on,” Trump tweeted baselessly in May 2019. “Nothing like this has ever happened in American Politics. A really bad situation. TREASON means long jail sentences, and this was TREASON!”
In fact, the FBI was justified in opening the investigation — which eventually revealed numerous contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia, as well as at least 10 instances of possible obstruction by Trump — according to a 2019 DOJ Inspector General report.
“FBI had an authorized purpose when it opened Crossfire Hurricane to obtain information about, or protect against, a national security threat or federal crime,” the inspector found, referring to the investigation by its codename.
The investigation ultimately uncovered some missteps by the FBI, but did not find evidence that political bias affected the probe in any way.
Trump also repeatedly attacked special counsel Robert Mueller, a decorated war veteran who served under presidents of both parties, as a partisan actor.
Mueller’s investigation in fact yielded numerous indictments, including successful prosecutions or guilty pleas. The Russia probe also resulted in several offshoot investigations.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-10--Trump's unpopularity is putting these historically Republican House seats in danger

Republicans entered the 2020 cycle as longshots to win control of the House back after the party was unceremoniously swept out of power in the midterm elections .
But the GOP hoped to at least chip away at the Democrats ' majority in November , when Democrats will be defending 31 seats Donald Trump carried in 2016 .
Yet a trio of recent House polls shows Trump 's unpopularity is hampering that effort , dragging down Republicans in districts they 've held for years — and raising the possibility that the party will slip further into the minority once the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an albatross around the neck of these Republican candidates , '' Stu Rothenberg , a political analyst who has been predicting congressional races for decades , said in an interview .
As the country becomes more and more politically polarized , the practice of `` ticket-splitting '' — where people vote for candidates from different parties on the same ballot — has drastically declined .
That means success of the Republican Party is much more dependent on the success of Trump himself .
And with Trump down to Biden across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates to cut into the lead of their opponents , let alone pull out ahead .
So far , polling in Senate races has shown that Trump 's unpopularity is putting the Republican Party 's control of the upper chamber at risk .
And now , internal polling from three historically Republican-held House seats is showing the same trend .
In Indiana 's 5th District , a suburban Indianapolis seat being vacated by retiring GOP Rep. Susan Brooks , the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released a poll showing the Democratic nominee ahead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic nominee Christina Hale leads Republican nominee Victoria Spartz , 51 % -45 % .
That same poll also found Biden leading Trump , 53 % to 43 % .
Four years earlier , Trump carried this same district by 12 points .
Another DCCC poll from Texas ' 6th District , located in the suburbs of Dallas-Forth Worth , showed the Democratic nominee trailing incumbent GOP Rep. Ron Wright by 4 points , 41 % to 45 % .
That same poll also found Trump and Biden tied in the district , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier by 12 points .
And in Pennsylvania 's 1st District , another suburban seat that 's evaded Democrats for years , the Democratic nominee trails GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick by just 1 point , according to a poll from House Majority PAC — a Democratic super PAC aimed at electing Democrats to Congress .
Of course , internal polling should be taken with a grain of salt , as parties often have an agenda when releasing numbers .
However , an analysis by CNN 's Harry Enten found a correlation between parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ odds of that party doing well in an election .
And so far , Democrats have released far more internal polls than Republicans .
`` When one party puts out a lot more internal polls than normal , it is good for their side , '' Enten wrote .
`` Parties tend to release good polling when they have it . ''
Ultimately , Enten wrote that the bevy of internal polls showing Democrats either winning or competitive in seats Trump carried four years earlier is a bad sign for the GOP .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ change or they 're going to get blown out come November , '' Enten wrote .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republicans entered the 2020 cycle as longshots to win control of the House back after the party was unceremoniously swept out of power in the midterm elections.
But the GOP hoped to at least chip away at the Democrats’ majority in November, when Democrats will be defending 31 seats Donald Trump carried in 2016.
Yet a trio of recent House polls shows Trump’s unpopularity is hampering that effort, dragging down Republicans in districts they’ve held for years — and raising the possibility that the party will slip further into the minority once the election is through.
“Overall Trump is an albatross around the neck of these Republican candidates,” Stu Rothenberg, a political analyst who has been predicting congressional races for decades, said in an interview.
As the country becomes more and more politically polarized, the practice of “ticket-splitting” — where people vote for candidates from different parties on the same ballot — has drastically declined. That means success of the Republican Party is much more dependent on the success of Trump himself. And with Trump down to Biden across the country, it makes it harder for Republican candidates to cut into the lead of their opponents, let alone pull out ahead.
So far, polling in Senate races has shown that Trump’s unpopularity is putting the Republican Party’s control of the upper chamber at risk.
And now, internal polling from three historically Republican-held House seats is showing the same trend.
In Indiana’s 5th District, a suburban Indianapolis seat being vacated by retiring GOP Rep. Susan Brooks, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released a poll showing the Democratic nominee ahead.
According to the DCCC’s survey, Democratic nominee Christina Hale leads Republican nominee Victoria Spartz, 51%-45%. That same poll also found Biden leading Trump, 53% to 43%.
Four years earlier, Trump carried this same district by 12 points.
Another DCCC poll from Texas’ 6th District, located in the suburbs of Dallas-Forth Worth, showed the Democratic nominee trailing incumbent GOP Rep. Ron Wright by 4 points, 41% to 45%. That same poll also found Trump and Biden tied in the district, even though Trump carried it four years earlier by 12 points.
And in Pennsylvania’s 1st District, another suburban seat that’s evaded Democrats for years, the Democratic nominee trails GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick by just 1 point, according to a poll from House Majority PAC — a Democratic super PAC aimed at electing Democrats to Congress.
That survey found Biden leading Trump, 52% to 48%.
Of course, internal polling should be taken with a grain of salt, as parties often have an agenda when releasing numbers.
However, an analysis by CNN’s Harry Enten found a correlation between parties that release more internal polls and the odds of that party doing well in an election. And so far, Democrats have released far more internal polls than Republicans.
“When one party puts out a lot more internal polls than normal, it is good for their side,” Enten wrote. “Parties tend to release good polling when they have it.”
Ultimately, Enten wrote that the bevy of internal polls showing Democrats either winning or competitive in seats Trump carried four years earlier is a bad sign for the GOP.
“For Republicans, something needs to change or they’re going to get blown out come November,” Enten wrote.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-10--Trump: 'Thousands of boats' in Florida prove 'we're doing very well'

Donald Trump claimed on Friday that a pro-Trump boat parade is evidence of his political strength in Florida against the presumptive Democratic nominee for president in 2020 , former Vice President Joe Biden .
As he touted unreleased polls purportedly showing him doing well in the race , Trump said , `` We 're doing great .
You see the boaters out there , thousands and thousands of boats every weekend , and we appreciate it . ''
The Trump reelection campaign recently boasted about a boat parade in South Carolina , tweeting , `` There has NEVER been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National and state polling has shown Trump running behind his previous performance .
Trump won Florida by 1.2 percentage points in 2016 over Secretary Hillary Clinton , but according to FiveThirtyEight 's average of recent polling there , Biden is ahead of him by 6.3 % .
Recent polls published by Fox News and the New York Times show Trump currently losing to Biden in Florida by 9 % and 6 % , respectively .
National polling currently shows Trump behind Biden by nearly 10 % .
From a July 10 Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're actually doing , in the real polls , we ’ re doing very well .
We reviewed polls this morning with different states .
We 're doing very well — by the way , you 'll be happy to know , in the state of Florida , we 're doing great .
You see the boaters out there , thousands and thousands of boats every weekend , and we appreciate it .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump claimed on Friday that a pro-Trump boat parade is evidence of his political strength in Florida against the presumptive Democratic nominee for president in 2020, former Vice President Joe Biden.
As he touted unreleased polls purportedly showing him doing well in the race, Trump said, “We’re doing great. You see the boaters out there, thousands and thousands of boats every weekend, and we appreciate it.”
The Trump reelection campaign recently boasted about a boat parade in South Carolina, tweeting, “There has NEVER been a boat parade for Joe Biden!”
National and state polling has shown Trump running behind his previous performance.
Trump won Florida by 1.2 percentage points in 2016 over Secretary Hillary Clinton, but according to FiveThirtyEight’s average of recent polling there, Biden is ahead of him by 6.3%. Recent polls published by Fox News and the New York Times show Trump currently losing to Biden in Florida by 9% and 6%, respectively.
National polling currently shows Trump behind Biden by nearly 10%.
From a July 10 Trump campaign event in Florida:
DONALD TRUMP: We’re actually doing, in the real polls, we’re doing very well. We reviewed polls this morning with different states. We’re doing very well — by the way, you’ll be happy to know, in the state of Florida, we’re doing great. You see the boaters out there, thousands and thousands of boats every weekend, and we appreciate it.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-10--Later abortion could be new focus of attacks after recent Supreme Court ruling

Last week , another conservative attempt to restrict abortion failed when the Supreme Court struck down Louisiana 's unnecessary admitting privileges law .
It 's a loss that may embolden anti-abortion activists to be even more aggressive about getting abortion bans passed — particularly when it comes to later abortions .
Given the current makeup of the Supreme Court , with hardline anti-abortion Justice Brett Kavanaugh having replaced retired Justice Anthony Kennedy 's swing vote , conservatives expected this case to be a slam dunk victory .
Kavanaugh did deliver , but since Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setback .
It 's a setback they 're furious about .
Live Action President Lila Rose said that the decision was `` a reminder that the lives of an entire people group have been wrongly placed in the hands of nine lawyers , several of whom abuse their power to violate the human right to life . ''
James Bopp , Jr. , the general counsel for National Right to Life , said the decision `` demonstrates how difficult it is to drain the D.C. swamp and how important it is that President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to appoint more pro-life justices . ''
Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) , a former clerk for Roberts , called the decision a `` disaster . ''
That fury is likely to be channeled into a greater devotion to restricting abortion at the legislative level , as anti-abortion activists have expressed they feel the Supreme Court has abandoned them .
Marjorie Dannenfelser , president of anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List , called the decision a `` cruel blow '' and went on to praise `` lawmakers in Tennessee and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for life . ''
The `` bold stride '' in Mississippi that Dannenfelser is referring to is the state 's passage of a `` reason ban '' that limits the reasons for which people can seek abortions .
That bill imposes criminal penalties on doctors who violate the law , one which requires providers to interrogate their patients about their reasons for seeking medical care .
Mississippi also bans abortions later in pregnancy , thanks to an 18-week abortion ban , while Tennessee , the other state praised by Dannenfelser , just passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early as six weeks .
Attempts at imposing gestational age bans may also have another appeal to anti-abortion activists : They have n't yet been struck down by the Supreme Court .
The Louisiana case , June Medical v. Russo , involved a targeted regulation of abortion providers , also known as a TRAP law .
Those are laws that impose what abortion rights advocates say are medically unnecessary regulations on clinics where abortions are performed or on the physicians who provide them .
In Louisiana 's case , this was an admitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform abortions to have an arrangement with a nearby hospital to admit patients if there was a complication .
Since the majority sided with the clinics in Louisiana , it ostensibly bars other states from imposing similar admitting privileges laws .
With those types of restrictions being deemed unconstitutional , anti-abortion activists will need to turn their attention to the passage of other types of laws , such as banning later abortions , imposing mandatory waiting periods , and bans on certain types of methods of abortion .
Indeed , Chief Justice Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's fine with a whole host of restrictions on the right to have an abortion .
Laws against later abortions are already a confusing patchwork , different in nearly every state .
According to the Guttmacher Institute , which tracks laws about abortions , 22 states already have bans at around 22 weeks .
Anti-abortion activists have gone after later abortions with particular zeal , implying , contrary to what available science or the law says , that later abortions are murder and that clinics perform later abortions only because they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activists have also worked to equate abortions later in pregnancy with babies being `` born alive '' after a `` botched '' abortion .
In reality , there are complex and necessary reasons people choose abortion later in pregnancy , from learning that their fetus will be unable to survive outside of the womb , to having experienced delays in getting abortion care thanks to multiple barriers .
Anti-abortion groups lost the recent battle over admitting privileges , but , as Lila Rose framed it , they believe they `` can win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To them , making later abortions more difficult to obtain is just another front in that war .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Last week, another conservative attempt to restrict abortion failed when the Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s unnecessary admitting privileges law. It’s a loss that may embolden anti-abortion activists to be even more aggressive about getting abortion bans passed — particularly when it comes to later abortions.
Given the current makeup of the Supreme Court, with hardline anti-abortion Justice Brett Kavanaugh having replaced retired Justice Anthony Kennedy’s swing vote, conservatives expected this case to be a slam dunk victory. Kavanaugh did deliver, but since Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the liberals, the anti-abortion movement suffered a setback.
It’s a setback they’re furious about. Live Action President Lila Rose said that the decision was “a reminder that the lives of an entire people group have been wrongly placed in the hands of nine lawyers, several of whom abuse their power to violate the human right to life.”
James Bopp, Jr., the general counsel for National Right to Life, said the decision “demonstrates how difficult it is to drain the D.C. swamp and how important it is that President Trump gets re-elected so that he may be able to appoint more pro-life justices.” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), a former clerk for Roberts, called the decision a “disaster.”
That fury is likely to be channeled into a greater devotion to restricting abortion at the legislative level, as anti-abortion activists have expressed they feel the Supreme Court has abandoned them.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List, called the decision a “cruel blow” and went on to praise “lawmakers in Tennessee and Mississippi [who] took bold strides for life.”
The “bold stride” in Mississippi that Dannenfelser is referring to is the state’s passage of a “reason ban” that limits the reasons for which people can seek abortions. That bill imposes criminal penalties on doctors who violate the law, one which requires providers to interrogate their patients about their reasons for seeking medical care.
Mississippi also bans abortions later in pregnancy, thanks to an 18-week abortion ban, while Tennessee, the other state praised by Dannenfelser, just passed a bill that bans abortion at as early as six weeks.
Attempts at imposing gestational age bans may also have another appeal to anti-abortion activists: They haven’t yet been struck down by the Supreme Court.
The Louisiana case, June Medical v. Russo, involved a targeted regulation of abortion providers, also known as a TRAP law. Those are laws that impose what abortion rights advocates say are medically unnecessary regulations on clinics where abortions are performed or on the physicians who provide them.
In Louisiana’s case, this was an admitting privileges law, which required physicians who perform abortions to have an arrangement with a nearby hospital to admit patients if there was a complication.
Since the majority sided with the clinics in Louisiana, it ostensibly bars other states from imposing similar admitting privileges laws.
With those types of restrictions being deemed unconstitutional, anti-abortion activists will need to turn their attention to the passage of other types of laws, such as banning later abortions, imposing mandatory waiting periods, and bans on certain types of methods of abortion.
Indeed, Chief Justice Roberts’ concurrence in June Medical made clear he’s fine with a whole host of restrictions on the right to have an abortion.
Laws against later abortions are already a confusing patchwork, different in nearly every state. According to the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks laws about abortions, 22 states already have bans at around 22 weeks. Anti-abortion activists have gone after later abortions with particular zeal, implying, contrary to what available science or the law says, that later abortions are murder and that clinics perform later abortions only because they are financially invested in doing so.
Anti-abortion activists have also worked to equate abortions later in pregnancy with babies being “born alive” after a “botched” abortion. In reality, there are complex and necessary reasons people choose abortion later in pregnancy, from learning that their fetus will be unable to survive outside of the womb, to having experienced delays in getting abortion care thanks to multiple barriers.
Anti-abortion groups lost the recent battle over admitting privileges, but, as Lila Rose framed it, they believe they “can win the war” and eradicate abortion entirely. To them, making later abortions more difficult to obtain is just another front in that war.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-10--38 times Lindsey Graham appeared on Fox News after skipping Senate hearings

Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) is currently seeking his fourth term and campaigning on his work experience .
`` South Carolina 's Lindsey Graham has earned a reputation as a conservative , a problem-solver , and a leader who gets things done , '' his campaign website claims .
Over that time , however , Graham , who was first elected to the Senate in 2002 , has also been a fixture on the right-leaning Fox News , often appearing several times a week .
An examination of Senate hearing transcripts and Graham 's television appearances reveals that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subcommittees on which he serves — at least 38 — but on those same days appeared on Fox News .
Many of these missed hearings were key discussions of policies , nominations , and appropriations .
In an e-mail , a spokesperson noted that Graham now chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and that Senate hearings often overlap .
`` Confirming Trump nominees to the federal bench has been a top priority of Chairman Graham , '' Graham 's communications director Kevin Bishop wrote .
`` Thus far the Senate Judiciary Committee has confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal bench .
It 's an achievement which Senator Graham is very proud of and looks forward to continuing to confirm nominees more as fillable vacancies arise . ''
Bishop did not respond to a follow-up question about the dozens of hearings Graham missed prior to becoming Judiciary chair last January .
• June 3 , 2009 : Graham missed the Special Committee on Aging 's hearing : `` Boon Or Bane ?
Examining the Value of Long-Term Care Insurance . ''
That evening , he appeared on `` Studio B with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Supreme Court confirmation .
• June 3 , 2009 : Graham also missed a hearing that day of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs : `` Pandemic Flu : Closing the Gaps . ''
• June 3 , 2009 : Graham additionally missed a Judiciary Committee hearing that day : `` The Uniting American Families Act : Addressing Inequality in Federal Immigration Law . ''
• June 10 , 2009 : Graham missed a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing : `` Allegations of Waste , Fraud , and Abuse in Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He joined `` Happening Now '' that day to discuss the Sotomayor confirmation .
• June 10 , 2009 : Graham also missed a Judiciary hearing that day : `` The Continued Importance of the Violence Against Women Act . ''
• June 10 , 2009 : Graham further missed a hearing on the VA 's Construction Process in the Senate Committee on Veterans ' Affairs .
• Sept. 15 , 2009 : Graham missed a Judiciary hearing : `` Human Rights at Home : Mental Illness in U.S .
Prisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van Susteren on `` On the Record '' that evening .
• Nov. 5 , 2009 : Graham missed a Judiciary hearing : `` The First Line of Defense : Reducing Recidivism at the Local Level . ''
The subcommittee chair noted at the beginning that he had `` been informed by Sen. Graham 's staff that we can get started .
Sen. Graham will be joining us , the ranking Republican on the subcommittee . ''
Graham did not join , but did appear on `` The Live Desk '' that afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay , Cuba .
• Feb. 23 , 2010 : Graham missed a Senate Budget Committee hearing on the Defense budget and war costs .
He appeared on `` On the Record '' that evening to discuss the Affordable Care Act .
• Sept. 14 , 2010 : Graham missed a Judiciary hearing : `` Rape in the United States : The Chronic Failure to Report and Investigate Rape Cases . ''
He appeared on `` Happening Now '' that day to discuss the prospects for bipartisan legislation .
• Sept. 22 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Government Affairs hearing : `` Nine Years After 9/11 : Confronting the Terrorist Threat to the Homeland . ''
He appeared on `` On the Record '' that evening to discuss the DREAM Act .
• March 29 , 2011 : Graham missed a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing : `` Department of Defense Efficiencies Initiatives . ''
He appeared on `` On the Record '' that night to discuss Libya .
• June 22 , 2011 : Graham missed a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Defense appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to discuss Afghanistan .
• July 21 , 2011 : Graham missed an Aging hearing : `` A Prescription for Savings : Reducing Drug Costs to Medicare . ''
He appeared on `` On the Record '' that evening to discuss the national debt .
• Sept. 7 , 2011 : Graham missed a Judiciary hearing : `` Cyber Crime : Updating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to Protect Cyber Space and Combat Emerging Threats . ''
He joined `` On the Record '' to discuss Iraq .
• Oct. 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing on forced arbitration .
He appeared on `` Happening Now '' to discuss Iran .
• Feb. 15 , 2012 : Graham missed a Judiciary hearing : `` Protecting Those Who Protect US : The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program . ''
He appeared on `` America 's Newsroom '' that morning to discuss Iran .
• April 9 , 2013 : Graham missed an Armed Services hearing on the `` emerging threats '' section of the 2014 Defense authorization .
He appeared on `` America 's Newsroom '' to discuss the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2013 : Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on the 2014 budget for the Navy and Marine Corps .
He appeared on `` America 's Newsroom '' to discuss the Boston Marathon bombing .
• July 24 , 2013 : Graham missed a Judiciary hearing : `` Closing Guantanamo : The National Security , Fiscal , and Human Rights Implications . ''
He appeared on `` On the Record '' to discuss Egypt .
• July 31 , 2013 : Graham missed a Judiciary hearing on privacy rights and foreign intelligence surveillance programs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that morning to discuss the 2012 attacks in Benghazi , Libya .
• June 4 , 2014 : Graham missed a Budget hearing on student loan debt .
He appeared on `` Your World with Neil Cavuto '' that afternoon to discuss a prisoner swap between the United States and the Taliban .
• March 2 , 2017 : Graham missed an Armed Services hearing on cyber strategy and policy .
That afternoon , he defended then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions on `` Shepard Smith Reporting . ''
• April 11 , 2018 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year 2019 Defense funding .
He appeared on `` The Story with Martha MacCallum '' that afternoon to discuss former FBI Director James Comey .
• April 12 , 2018 : Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 funding for the Departments of Labor , Health and Human Services , and Education .
He appeared on `` The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino '' to discuss then-Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo .
• Nov. 27 , 2018 : Graham missed an Armed Services hearing on the findings and recommendations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He appeared on `` Hannity '' that evening to discuss a migrant caravan seeking asylum in the United States .
• Dec. 11 , 2018 : Graham missed a Judiciary hearing on oversight of U.S. Customs & Border Protection .
He appeared on `` The Story '' that night to discuss border security .
• March 13 , 2019 : Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on Fiscal Year 2020 funding for the Air Force .
He appeared on `` Hannity '' to discuss the origins of the Trump Russia investigation .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on U.S. competition with China .
• March 27 , 2019 : Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on Fiscal Year 2020 funding for the Army .
He appeared on `` The Ingraham Angle '' that evening to discuss alleged FBI bias against Donald Trump .
• March 28 , 2019 : Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on the Fiscal Year 2020 budget for the Education Department .
He appeared on `` Your World '' that same day to discuss the Mueller report .
• May 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Fiscal Year 2020 budget for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission .
He appeared on `` Hannity '' to discuss the Mueller investigation .
• May 1 , 2019 : Graham also missed an Appropriations hearing on the Fiscal Year 2020 budget for the Navy and Marine Corps .
• Nov. 5 , 2019 : Graham missed a Judiciary hearing on data security .
He appeared on `` Hannity '' to discuss the impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump .
• March 5 , 2020 : Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on Fiscal Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Hannity '' that day to discuss border security .
• March 11 , 2020 : Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 budget for the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation .
He appeared on `` Hannity '' to discuss the coronavirus that evening .
• March 11 , 2020 : Graham also missed an Appropriations hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 budget for the Navy and Marine Crops .
Graham is facing a competitive reelection this November against former state Democratic Party chair Jaime Harrison .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of bed every day and show up for their job .
Lindsey should start doing the same as their U.S. senator , '' Harrison wrote in an email this week .
`` Unfortunately for us , he measures his relevance in Washington by how many television appearances he has , not by the problems he 's solving . ''
Harrison campaign spokesperson Guy King added that the missed hearings `` [ paint ] a grim picture of how Lindsey Graham prioritizes his time . ''
`` South Carolina taxpayers expect their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their job , '' he said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is currently seeking his fourth term and campaigning on his work experience.
“South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham has earned a reputation as a conservative, a problem-solver, and a leader who gets things done,” his campaign website claims.
Over that time, however, Graham, who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, has also been a fixture on the right-leaning Fox News, often appearing several times a week.
An examination of Senate hearing transcripts and Graham’s television appearances reveals that he skipped scores of hearings for committees and subcommittees on which he serves — at least 38 — but on those same days appeared on Fox News. Many of these missed hearings were key discussions of policies, nominations, and appropriations.
In an e-mail, a spokesperson noted that Graham now chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and that Senate hearings often overlap.
“Confirming Trump nominees to the federal bench has been a top priority of Chairman Graham,” Graham’s communications director Kevin Bishop wrote. “Thus far the Senate Judiciary Committee has confirmed over 200 judges to lifetime appointments on the federal bench. It’s an achievement which Senator Graham is very proud of and looks forward to continuing to confirm nominees more as fillable vacancies arise.”
Bishop did not respond to a follow-up question about the dozens of hearings Graham missed prior to becoming Judiciary chair last January.
The 38 missed hearings included:
June 3, 2009:
Graham missed the Special Committee on Aging’s hearing: “Boon Or Bane? Examining the Value of Long-Term Care Insurance.” That evening, he appeared on “Studio B with Shepard Smith” to discuss Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court confirmation. June 3, 2009:
Graham also missed a hearing that day of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: “Pandemic Flu: Closing the Gaps.” June 3, 2009:
Graham additionally missed a Judiciary Committee hearing that day: “The Uniting American Families Act: Addressing Inequality in Federal Immigration Law.” June 10, 2009:
Graham missed a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing: “Allegations of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Security Contracts at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.” He joined “Happening Now” that day to discuss the Sotomayor confirmation. June 10, 2009:
Graham also missed a Judiciary hearing that day: “The Continued Importance of the Violence Against Women Act.” June 10, 2009:
Graham further missed a hearing on the VA’s Construction Process in the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Sept. 15, 2009:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing: “Human Rights at Home: Mental Illness in U.S. Prisons and Jails.” He joined Greta Van Susteren on “On the Record” that evening. Nov. 5, 2009:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing: “The First Line of Defense: Reducing Recidivism at the Local Level.” The subcommittee chair noted at the beginning that he had “been informed by Sen. Graham’s staff that we can get started. Sen. Graham will be joining us, the ranking Republican on the subcommittee.” Graham did not join, but did appear on “The Live Desk” that afternoon to discuss prisoners being held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Feb. 23, 2010:
Graham missed a Senate Budget Committee hearing on the Defense budget and war costs. He appeared on “On the Record” that evening to discuss the Affordable Care Act. Sept. 14, 2010:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing: “Rape in the United States: The Chronic Failure to Report and Investigate Rape Cases.” He appeared on “Happening Now” that day to discuss the prospects for bipartisan legislation. Sept. 22, 2010:
Graham missed a Homeland Security and Government Affairs hearing: “Nine Years After 9/11: Confronting the Terrorist Threat to the Homeland.” He appeared on “On the Record” that evening to discuss the DREAM Act. March 29, 2011:
Graham missed a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: “Department of Defense Efficiencies Initiatives.” He appeared on “On the Record” that night to discuss Libya. June 22, 2011:
Graham missed a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Defense appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012. He appeared on “Happening Now” to discuss Afghanistan. July 21, 2011:
Graham missed an Aging hearing: “A Prescription for Savings: Reducing Drug Costs to Medicare.” He appeared on “On the Record” that evening to discuss the national debt. Sept. 7, 2011:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing: “Cyber Crime: Updating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to Protect Cyber Space and Combat Emerging Threats.” He joined “On the Record” to discuss Iraq. Oct. 13, 2011:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing on forced arbitration. He appeared on “Happening Now” to discuss Iran. Feb. 15, 2012:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing: “Protecting Those Who Protect US: The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program.” He appeared on “America’s Newsroom” that morning to discuss Iran. April 9, 2013:
Graham missed an Armed Services hearing on the “emerging threats” section of the 2014 Defense authorization. He appeared on “America’s Newsroom” to discuss the federal budget. April 24, 2013:
Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on the 2014 budget for the Navy and Marine Corps. He appeared on “America’s Newsroom” to discuss the Boston Marathon bombing. July 24, 2013:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing: “Closing Guantanamo: The National Security, Fiscal, and Human Rights Implications.” He appeared on “On the Record” to discuss Egypt. July 31, 2013:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing on privacy rights and foreign intelligence surveillance programs. He joined “Fox & Friends” that morning to discuss the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya. June 4, 2014:
Graham missed a Budget hearing on student loan debt. He appeared on “Your World with Neil Cavuto” that afternoon to discuss a prisoner swap between the United States and the Taliban. June 4, 2014:
Graham also missed a Judiciary confirmation hearing with multiple judicial nominees. March 2, 2017:
Graham missed an Armed Services hearing on cyber strategy and policy. That afternoon, he defended then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions on “Shepard Smith Reporting.” April 11, 2018:
Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 Defense funding. He appeared on “The Story with Martha MacCallum” that afternoon to discuss former FBI Director James Comey. April 12, 2018:
Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on Fiscal Year 2019 funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. He appeared on “The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino” to discuss then-Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo. Nov. 27, 2018:
Graham missed an Armed Services hearing on the findings and recommendations of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy. He appeared on “Hannity” that evening to discuss a migrant caravan seeking asylum in the United States. Dec. 11, 2018:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing on oversight of U.S. Customs & Border Protection. He appeared on “The Story” that night to discuss border security. March 13, 2019:
Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on Fiscal Year 2020 funding for the Air Force. He appeared on “Hannity” to discuss the origins of the Trump Russia investigation. March 13, 2019:
Graham also missed a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on U.S. competition with China. March 27, 2019:
Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on Fiscal Year 2020 funding for the Army. He appeared on “The Ingraham Angle” that evening to discuss alleged FBI bias against Donald Trump. March 28, 2019:
Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on the Fiscal Year 2020 budget for the Education Department. He appeared on “Your World” that same day to discuss the Mueller report. May 1, 2019:
Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on the Fiscal Year 2020 budget for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He appeared on “Hannity” to discuss the Mueller investigation. May 1, 2019:
Graham also missed an Appropriations hearing on the Fiscal Year 2020 budget for the Navy and Marine Corps. Nov. 5, 2019:
Graham missed a Judiciary hearing on data security. He appeared on “Hannity” to discuss the impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump. March 5, 2020:
Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on Fiscal Year 2021 education funding. He appeared on “Hannity” that day to discuss border security. March 11, 2020:
Graham missed an Appropriations hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 budget for the Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation. He appeared on “Hannity” to discuss the coronavirus that evening. March 11, 2020:
Graham also missed an Appropriations hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 budget for the Navy and Marine Crops.
Graham is facing a competitive reelection this November against former state Democratic Party chair Jaime Harrison.
“People in South Carolina have to get out of bed every day and show up for their job. Lindsey should start doing the same as their U.S. senator,” Harrison wrote in an email this week. “Unfortunately for us, he measures his relevance in Washington by how many television appearances he has, not by the problems he’s solving.”
Harrison campaign spokesperson Guy King added that the missed hearings “[paint] a grim picture of how Lindsey Graham prioritizes his time.”
“South Carolina taxpayers expect their representatives to show up and actually do their job,” he said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.