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☆ Democrats aren't shying away from abortion talk this election — they're capitalizing on it
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewDemocrats are putting abortion — a topic they've historically downplayed — front and center this election. The debate is no longer just about abortion — it's become about pregnancy itself and access to life-saving medical care. AdvertisementDemocrats know the issue could be a turning point for independent voters and even some Republicans, and they're using it to their advantage. He's hoping that the issue of abortion can turn Florida blue this fall, and he's repeatedly promised to restore Roe.

Persons: —, Roe, Wade, Annie Lentz, " Lentz, — it's, Dobbs, Joe Biden, He's, he's Organizations: Service, Democratic Senatorial, Republican, Business, Democratic, Republicans, Senate Democrats, Pew Research Center, Gallup, —, New York Times, Democrats Locations: Arizona, Florida , Maryland , Michigan, Montana , Nevada , Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida

☆ The GOP fires up its vengeance 2024 tour
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Tom Foreman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —In the wake of former President Donald Trump’s felony conviction, the “R” in the Republican brand might just as well stand for revenge. Trump nodded to the idea when asked about his conviction, which he has persistently, and with no evidence, blamed on President Joe Biden’s administration. Much of it is aimed at Biden, but there is plenty of anger to go around. Is every House committee controlled by Republicans using its subpoena power in every way it needs to, right now? “It’s bigger than just President Trump.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Trump, Joe Biden’s, “, ” Trump, ”, Ronny Jackson, Newsmax, Biden, ” Jackson, Joe Biden … I’m, Biden’s, Hunter, ’, Joe Biden, Steve Bannon, Attorney Alvin Bragg, ” Bannon, Bannon, Bragg, Stephen Miller, ” Miller, Mike Johnson, Johnson, –, Liz Cheney Organizations: CNN, Republican, Trump, GOP, House, ” Texas Republican, Attorney, New York Times, Fox News, Republican AG, Republicans, Republican DA, US Department of Justice, Heritage Foundation, Department of Justice, DOJ Locations: ”, USA, York, Manhattan, reining, Jail

☆ How the House GOP’s Biden impeachment effort fell apart
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“To me, success is impeachment from the House,” GOP Rep. Brian Mast said. Comer’s co-leads, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, are also fully behind the work. I don’t think that’s an impeachable offense,” GOP Rep. Jodey Arrington said. Even GOP Rep. Darrell Issa remarked after the first hour of questioning that Hunter Biden was prepared for the interview. There’s an election in seven months from now,” GOP Rep. Nick LaLota, who represents a New York district Biden won in 2020, told CNN.

Persons: James Comer, Joe Biden, –, Comer, Biden, “ Comer, Jesus, Alejandro Mayorkas, Comer –, “, Anna Paulina Luna –, Hunter Biden, it’s, ” Luna, ”, missteps, Brian Mast, Mike Johnson, Comer’s, Jim Jordan, Jason Smith, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, ” Bruce Dubinsky, McCarthy, Samuel Corum, Johnson, Jodey Arrington, Darrell Issa, …, Doug LaMalfa, Mayorkas, Tony Gonzales, Austin Scott, ” Comer, Donald Trump, Jordan, doesn’t, There’s, Nick LaLota, Jamie Raskin, Raskin Organizations: Washington CNN —, Republican, CNN, Kentucky Republican, Homeland, Biden, GOP, Republicans, Getty, White, Democratic, ”, Department of Justice Locations: Kentucky, ”, Washington , DC, –, Texas, New York

Johnson predicted the House will vote Friday evening on the separate bills. “My personal preference is to do it individually, but we’ll let the body decide.”Among the ways GOP leaders plan to address Ukraine aid: a bill to seize Russian assets, a lend-lease program for Ukraine military aid and convertible loans for humanitarian relief. Former President Donald Trump, who recently met with House Speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago, has expressed openness to structuring Ukraine aid as a loan. The Senate passed its bill in February – a $95.3 billion foreign aid bill with assistance for Ukraine, Israel and other priorities. A significant number of House Republicans are opposed to sending further aid to Ukraine.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Greene, “, haven’t, that’s, we’ll, Donald Trump, Kevin Hern, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Jeffries, Greene, ”, “ He’s, he’ll, Marjorie, President Trump, CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Kristin Wilson Organizations: CNN, Louisiana Republican, GOP, Republican, Senate, Republicans, Democratic, Internal Revenue Service, Fox News, White House Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Mar, Oklahoma, Louisiana, East, Eastern Europe

A spokesman for Mr. Rosendale declined to comment. In those seven campaigns over 12 years, Mr. Rosendale has won five contests and lost two. Mr. Rosendale finished three points behind Mr. Tester in that race after narrowly winning the primary with 34 percent of the vote. Mr. Rosendale has been a frequent guest on Mr. Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, which is popular with conservatives. A third super PAC supporting Mr. Sheehy, known as More Jobs, Less Government, has been underwritten by a few wealthy Wall Street executives.

Persons: Matt Rosendale, torching, Jon Tester, Tester, Donald J, Trump, Tim Sheehy, Tester’s, Steve Daines, Sheehy, Daines, John Barrasso of, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Trump’s, hasn’t, Rachel Leathe, Rosendale, Alex Bruesewitz, Chad F, Donald Trump Jr, Bruesewitz, “, Ted Cruz, “ I’ve, he’s, ”, Biden, Caroline Wren, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Greene, Stephen K, Bannon, Bannon’s, Mr, Mitch McConnell, Karl Rove —, Kenneth Griffin, Paul Singer, Stephen A, Schwarzman, Tony Fabrizio, Andy Surabian, Maggie Haberman Organizations: Senate, Montana Republicans, Republican, National Republican Senatorial Committee, Republicans, Trump, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Associated Press, Montana Republican, U.S . House, Montana Senate, Mr, Trump White House, Navy SEAL, Republicans —, Fund, Wall Street, PAC, Democratic Locations: Montana, Rosendale, Helena, Washington, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Georgia, Iowa, Bozeman, MAGA, U.S, Ted Cruz of Texas, Arizona and Ohio

☆ G.O.P. Infighting and Democratic Mischief Animate Montana Senate Race
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Michael C. Bender | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In one of the nation’s top Senate races, the most important candidate might be one who hasn’t actually entered the contest. The scramble to challenge Senator Jon Tester, Democrat of Montana — already a heated battle with profound national implications and the acute intensity of a family drama — has increasingly focused on Representative Matt Rosendale, an anti-abortion, election-denying Republican agitator. Both parties are using him as a pawn in their electoral chess match: Establishment Republicans, who have aligned behind Tim Sheehy, a wealthy businessman, are trying to keep Mr. Rosendale out of the race, while Democrats appear to be helping clear a path for his arrival. Mr. Rosendale’s entry appears imminent. On Thursday, he said on a podcast that he had told Senator Steve Daines, a fellow Montanan who oversees the Republican Senate campaign arm, that he was going to run for Mr. Tester’s seat.

Persons: hasn’t, Jon Tester, —, Matt Rosendale, Tim Sheehy, Steve Daines, Tester’s Organizations: Republican Senate, Mr Locations: Montana, Rosendale

☆ Republican AGs back Texas and Florida social media regulations at US Supreme Court
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —Social media companies should be treated as utilities such as telephone or telegraph companies, a group of states led by Republican attorneys general told the US Supreme Court on Monday. Contested state laws forcing social media companies to carry all online speech are constitutional because tech platforms enjoy “hyperconcentration” of economic power, the group argued. The high-stakes case could determine the future of social media moderation and online political speech and is expected to go to oral argument next month. The case could have implications on the posts that people and institutions make on social media during this presidential election cycle. In their brief, the states noted “striking similarities between social media companies and telegraph and telephones,” and that those similarities justify tough new rules barring discrimination on the basis of political viewpoint.

Organizations: Washington CNN — Social, Republican, US, Meta, Facebook, ” Tech Locations: Arizona, Texas, Florida

☆ 17 Trump Cabinet-Level Appointees Criticizing Trump - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Sarah Longwell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

Mr. Trump churned through cabinet-level appointees so fast that at times it seemed like he was still on “The Apprentice” and had to fire one official every week. Not only are they people whom Mr. Trump chose — he claimed he would hire the “best people” — they are people who thought Mr. Trump was worth working for. Judging only by the words of many former high-level appointees, a second Trump term would be catastrophic for the country. BlamedTrump forJan. 6 CriticizedTrump duringhis term CriticizedTrump afterhis term HighlightedTrump’s legalissues Ruled outvoting Trumpin 2024 Moron,” Mr. Tillerson reportedly said of Mr. Trump. He wrote an op-ed published just after the 2020 election claiming that Mr. Trump would “concede gracefully” if he lost.

Persons: them.They, Donald Trump, Trump’s, ’ Said, Donald Trump’s, Trump, didn’t, —, Mr, Richard Nixon, Mark Milley, Milley, ” Richard Spencer, Eddie Gallagher’s, ” H.R, McMaster, ” James Mattis, ” Mark, George Floyd, ” John Kelly White, autocrats, Loyalists Elaine Chao, George W, Bush, ” Alex Azar, Rex Tillerson, “, ” Mr, Tillerson, Dan Coats, ” Betsy DeVos, Mick Mulvaney, ’, William Barr, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, ” John Bolton, Ronald Reagan, …, Mike Pompeo, ” Mike Pence, Mike Pence ”, Pence, ” Organizations: Mr, Republican, Trump, Army, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Jan, Marines, Navy, White House, Defense, Marine, ISIL, ” John Kelly White House, Homeland, Marine Corps, The, Loyalists, Transportation, Labor, Capitol, Health, Human Services, State, ExxonMobil, National Intelligence, Mar, Education, Republican Party of Michigan, Management, ” John Bolton White House, U.S, United Nations, White Locations: Iowa, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Jan, United States, America, Moron, Germany, Mar, South Carolina, George H.W ., Kansas, Indiana

☆ Opinion | Before the DeSantis-Newsom Debate, Let’s Look at Their Economic Records
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Peter Coy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Gavin Newsom of California on Fox News. My contribution to the predebate festivities is the following table, which highlights some differences between Florida and California. While median household incomes in California are nearly a third higher than in Florida, the poverty rate is also higher. Forty-one percent of fourth graders in Florida test at or above the proficiency level in math, versus 35 percent nationally. By eighth grade the states are equally weak, at 23 percent at or above proficiency in math, below the (disappointing) 26 percent national average.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Gavin Newsom, Fox’s Sean Hannity, DeSantis, Newsom, ” Organizations: Gov, Fox News, Republican, Democrat, Yale, Santa Clara University, Times Locations: Florida, California

☆ George Stephanopoulos grilled a GOP congressman on the 2020 election. Here’s why he said it had to be done
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Scalise repeatedly attempted to evade the question, but Stephanopoulos held firm, relentlessly confronting the Republican again and again with the straightforward query. “I asked you a very, very simple question. “You don’t move on from whether an election is stolen,” Stephanopoulos added. And the peaceful transfer of power, up until 2020, was at the heart of our democratic tradition,” Stephanopoulos told me. And the looming 2024 election will surely result in an uptick of 2020 election denialism, given the debunked conspiracy theory’s hold on the Republican Party.

Persons: George Stephanopoulos, Steve Scalise, Joe Biden, Scalise, Stephanopoulos, “, ”, ” Scalise, ” Stephanopoulos, it’s, newsrooms, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump Organizations: CNN, ABC News, Republican, MSNBC, Fox News, New, Republican Party Locations: New York

☆ Republicans return to Biden impeachment inquiry following 3-week speaker race
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Another unknown factor is how House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan – who spent much of the last three weeks running for speaker – will return to the scene. A source familiar with Johnson’s thinking told CNN, “He believes it’s a fact-finding mission. GOP Rep. Jen Kiggans, who represents a Virginia district Biden won in 2020, told CNN, “We have so much work we need to get done including these appropriations bills. I don’t think so,” GOP Rep. Mike Garcia, who represents a competitive district in California, told CNN of the inquiry. House Republicans have not held an impeachment inquiry hearing since their first one on September 28, where expert witnesses brought in by Republicans acknowledged they did not yet have the evidence to prove the accusations leveled against the president.

Persons: Joe Biden, Hunter, James Biden, Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Johnson, ”, Jason Smith, Jim Jordan –, –, Jordan, Russell Dye, James Comer, Fox News ’ Sean Hannity, ” Johnson, “, it’s, Comer, Smith, Jeff Van Drew, Jen Kiggans, Biden, Mike Garcia, Ralph Norman, Jim Jordan, Austin Scott of, ” Van Drew, Matt Gaetz, Hunter Biden, Tony Bobulinski, McCarthy, Ken Buck, Ken Buck of Colorado, ” Buck, Chip Roy, “ we’re, Martin Estrada, David Weiss, holdouts, Ben Cline, Virginia, ” Gaetz Organizations: CNN, Republican, Republicans, GOP, Kentucky Republican, Judiciary, Fox News, New, New Jersey Republican, ” CNN, White, Democratic, California, Department of Justice Locations: Missouri, Kentucky, Jordan, New Jersey, Virginia, California, South Carolina, Austin Scott of Georgia, Florida, Ken Buck of, ”, Texas

(CNN) - Mike Johnson swiftly ascended to the speakership with unanimous support from his party. It shouldn’t be this way.”“This has not been a good moment,” said Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, reflecting on the last three weeks. “I trust Mike Johnson. New York House Republicans say they plan to introduce a resolution to expel Santos as soon as Thursday. So far, though, Speaker Johnson is treading carefully.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Joe Biden, Mike Kelly, ”, Mario Diaz, that’s, It’s, Johnson’s, George Santos, –, “, We’ll, Mitch McConnell –, Sen, Susan Collins of, Collins, doesn’t, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, Dan Crenshaw, John Duarte of, they’ve, Dusty Johnson of, Kelly Armstrong of, Mike, Santos, ” CNN’s Lauren Fox, Haley Talbot Organizations: CNN, Republican, GOP, Hamas, Rep, George Santos of New, Israel, White, Senate, Republicans, Texas GOP, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, New York House Republicans Locations: Florida, Israel, George Santos of, George Santos of New York, Ukraine, Taiwan, Susan Collins of Maine, Texas, John Duarte of California, Dusty Johnson of South, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota

☆ Opinion | The Speakership Is Yours, Mike Johnson. Good Luck With That.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Gail Collins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

This week, he compared himself to a South African Nobel Peace Prize winner who served time in prison for his battles against apartheid. All that flailing around over selecting a House speaker was due, in part, to the Republicans’ failure to corral their Flimsy Five around any of the original contenders. “I have many wonderful friends wanting to be Speaker of the House, and some are truly great Warriors,” Trump declaimed. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who finally won the speaker’s job, is exactly the kind of guy you’d expect to come up on top. Right-wing anti-abortion activist who gets along with his colleagues and who, crucially, has items in his résumé that won Trump’s heart.

Persons: Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, He’s, Abraham Lincoln B, C, George Washington D, Mona Lisa The, Tom Emmer, who’d, “, ” Trump, ” RINO, Trump, Mike Johnson of Organizations: South, Republicans, Republican, Independence Party, Democratic Party Locations: who’s, New York, Manhattan, Mike Johnson of Louisiana

☆ Ex-GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger says House Republicans will be in 'survival mode' after the speaker tumult and the party will 'probably get its backside rightfully handed' to it in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Adam Kinzinger said Friday that the House GOP would be in "survival mode" after resolving their leadership woes. Kinzinger in the past has been a vocal critic of ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California. AdvertisementAdvertisementFormer Rep. Adam Kinzinger has a tough message for his former colleagues now struggling to select a replacement for ousted ex-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy: buckle up. And Kinzinger also blasted McCarthy for what he said was the California Republican's capitulation to the Trump wing of the party. "I used to be great friends with Kevin McCarthy," he said at the time.

Persons: Adam Kinzinger, Kevin McCarthy of California, —, Kevin McCarthy, Geoff Bennett, Kinzinger, Jim Jordan of, Steve Scalise, Donald Trump, McCarthy, Kinzinger —, He's Organizations: GOP, Service, ex, PBS, Republicans, Illinois Republican, Tea, Trump Locations: Jim Jordan of Ohio, Louisiana, United States, Israel, Ukraine, California

Asked what he expected as he entered a closed-door meeting with other Republicans, Jordan said only, "I'm not gonna know until I talk to my colleagues." "I can't believe we're going down this route," Republican Representative Jim Banks said. AFTERNOON VOTE POSSIBLEThe House could vote on that proposal in the afternoon, said Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said she does not support it. "Right now the Republican agenda, conservative agenda, is totally derailed," said Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, a Jordan opponent. 2 House Republican, won his party's endorsement last week but dropped out after he was unable to consolidate support.

Persons: House Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, Jim Jordan, Republican Patrick McHenry, Jordan, McHenry, Kevin McCarthy's, Joe Biden, Jim Banks, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump, Mario Diaz, Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Don Bacon, undercutting, Jordan's, shutdowns, Joe Biden's, Biden, David Morgan, Moira Warburton, Makini Brice, Katharine Jackson, Davide Barbusca, Julio, Cesar Chavez, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Grant McCool, Nick Zieminski Organizations: House Pro Tempore, U.S . Rep, U.S . House, Representatives, Republican, Republicans, Democratic, U.S, White, Democrats, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, Washington, Ukraine, Israel

☆ Opinion: Hunter Biden is hardly the first ne’er-do-well presidential son
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Opinion Alexis Coe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Presidential history is lousy with ne’er-do-well sons. American history tells us a different story: Bad presidential sons are as old as the nation itself, yet political opponents have never thought weaponizing them would win an election. If there is evidence that a sitting president, a former president, a presidential candidate, a presidential heir or anyone else, has committed a crime, he or she should be held accountable. “I never did in my Life know a Youth so exceedingly indolent, or so surprisingly voluptuous,” Jack’s tutor, Reverend Jonathan Boucher, wrote to George Washington. Devoted students of history would object to wasting precious time and resources on a nothingburger scandal about a president’s unelected son.

Persons: Alexis Coe, George Washington, John Quincy Adams, Beau Biden, Alexis Coe Sylvie Rosokoff, Joe Biden’s, Hunter, “, Sisyphus, John, Jacky, Custis, ”, Jonathan Boucher, Jack’s, Wash, — Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Washington, —, John Payne Todd, Brother Madison, ” John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln, Mary, Abraham Lincoln’s, Robert, Mary —, George H.W, Bush, George W, Neil Bush, Mark Reinstein, ’, ” Theodore Roosevelt, Alice Roosevelt, ” Patti Davis, Ronald Reagan’s, It’d, Hunter Biden, Donald Trump, it’ll, Trump, can’t, Biden, Joseph P Organizations: New, CNN, Justice Department, Washington, Silverado Banking, Savings, House Banking, Finance, Urban Affairs, Washington DC, Playboy, Republican, Department, & $ Locations: New America, America’s, America, Washington, Madison, Illinois, Loan, United States

☆ Florida's Board of Education is forcing state colleges to fire employees who don't use bathrooms of their assigned sex at birth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Florida's State Board of Education approved new bathroom restrictions for college employees on Wednesday. The rule says colleges should fire employees who don't use the bathroom of their assigned sex. AdvertisementAdvertisementFlorida's Board of Education voted to approve the rule during a meeting on Wednesday, which was live streamed on The Florida Channel. The Florida state college system, which includes 28 public community and state schools and serves nearly 650,000 students, is separate from the state university system, which includes the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida. Florida state colleges include Broward College, Gulf Coast State College, and North Florida College.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Bill, DeSantis Organizations: of Education, Service, Florida State, Florida Gov, Education, Florida Channel, University of Florida, University of Central, Broward, Gulf Coast State College, North Florida College . Florida, GOP, Republican Locations: Florida's, Wall, Silicon, Florida, University of Central Florida . Florida, Broward College

☆ Why the Republican defense of Trump points to more turbulence ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Ronald Brownstein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

In the Republican coalition, it is a moment that has culminated decades of change – and one that points to years of turbulence ahead. Overwhelming majorities of Republican voters dismiss the charges against Trump. In Gallup’s latest annual survey of trust in institutions, Republicans expressed less faith in 10 of the 16 measured. Veteran GOP pollster Whit Ayres points to another, more personal, reason so many GOP voters have discounted the charges against Trump. Trump is the Republican most effectively riding that wave now, but it seems unlikely to recede whenever he fades from the political scene.

Persons: Donald Trump, ”, Trump, Tresa Undem, –, Stormy Daniels, “ Trump, …, Ronald Reagan, “ There’s, Amy Fried, Goldwater, Reagan, Fried, Steve Bannon, Eric Plutzer, ” Plutzer, Hillary Clinton, “ Efrem Zimbalist Jr, Plutzer, “, MAGA, Undem, ” Trump, He’s, ” he’s, George Floyd, It’s, ” Robert P, Jones, winks, ’ Trump, ” “ MAGA, ” Jones, Daniel Cox, —, ” Cox, Chris Christie, Asa Hutchinson, Will Hurd, Hunter Biden, Cox, wasn’t Hunter Biden, Whit Ayres, ” Ayres, Donald Trump’s, aspersions, That’s, ’, Long Organizations: CNN, Republican, GOP, Trump, Whites, Bright Line, Republicans, CBS, University of Maine, Government, National Rifle Association, NRA, Penn State University, Institute for Democracy, Department, FBI, ABC, Justice Department, Pew Research Center, Gallup, Black, Religion Research Institute, White, American Enterprise Institute, Trump —, Prestige, Senate, Trump . Veteran GOP, “, Democratic Locations: “, Vietnam, stoke, Russia, Manhattan, Fulton County , Georgia, New York, Undem, America

☆ 7 Republican AGs write to Target, say Pride month campaigns could violate their state’s child protection laws
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Lucy Kafanov | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Republican attorneys general from seven states signed a letter Wednesday to Target (TGT), warning clothes and merchandise sold as part of the retail giant’s Pride month campaigns could violate their state’s child protection laws. Nineteen states have passed laws restricting it. And more than 1 in 5 of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ+ – so we’re also their future. In May, Target said it was removing some products celebrating Pride Month after the company and its employees became the focus of a “volatile” anti-LGBTQ campaign. Target said it removed from shelves “items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior.”Target did not have comment on the letter.

Persons: Theys, Katya ’, It’s, ” Jay Brown, HRC’s, Gen, we’re, Target Organizations: New, New York CNN, AGs, Rights, Training, Research, CNN, Human Locations: New York, Indiana , Arkansas , Idaho , Kentucky , Mississippi , Missouri, South Carolina

☆ Opinion: DeSantis is trying to climb the Trump wall
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Opinion Patrick T. Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The DeSantis plan, rolled out at a press conference at the Texas border Monday, lays out steps that should satisfy most Republican border hawks. His immigration plan showcases a candidate interested in effective policymaking beyond pure sloganeering, even if some major questions surround a few key details. The former President noted the similarities — “His plan is my plan,” Trump told Semafor and ABC News on Tuesday. Then, there are the ideas in DeSantis’ plan that have a harder time standing up to scrutiny. Similarly, cutting federal funding to non-governmental organizations that provide aid to those who cross the southern border would be less effective than it sounds.

Persons: Patrick T, Brown, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, DeSantis, ” Trump, Semafor, “, ”, —, Trump, parry, isn’t, doesn’t Organizations: Public Policy Center, Economic, Twitter, CNN, Florida Gov, Trump, Republican, Sunshine State, ABC, Republicans, PBS, NPR, Marist, Sun, Group, American, Facebook Locations: Washington , DC, Texas, Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, Mexico

☆ McCarthy, US House hardliners reach deal to allow votes
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., June 8, 2023. If we don't have that, there are going to be fights," Representative Ralph Norman told reporters after he and several other members of the House of Representatives met with McCarthy. "We had a very productive meeting tonight," McCarthy told reporters after the meeting. The House is scheduled to begin voting on delayed Republican bills on Tuesday, starting with a floor rule governing debate and votes on passage. But the hardliners are also looking to expand their influence over the House Republican agenda.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Amanda Andrade, Rhoades, McCarthy, Ralph Norman, Joe Biden, Matt Gaetz, David Morgan, Andy Sullivan, Mary Milliken, Matthew Lewis Organizations: ., Capitol, REUTERS, Republican, Freedom Caucus, Congress, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON, Washington

The majority of those bills specifically affect transgender people, touching on nearly every aspect of a transgender person's public life. And the vulnerability of most Republican state legislators right now is in the primary, if at all," Allen said. The bill he signed on Wednesday also adds obstacles for transgender adults and grants courts jurisdiction in child custody battles in some cases involving gender-affirming care. Demonstrators swarmed the Texas House, leading lawmakers to send a bill banning gender-affirming care back to committee. In Montana, protests contributed to the censure of transgender state Representative Zooey Zephyr, who was banned from the state House floor by Republican legislators.

☆ Vivek Ramaswamy's firm courts GOP officials as he pushes businesses to stay out of politics
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

Scott Olson | Getty ImagesRepublican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy built his White House bid around urging companies to stay out of politics. The messages show Ramaswamy's firm actively engaged with GOP state leaders who have defended the fossil fuel industry and criticized environmentally conscious investment standards. Ramaswamy on Thursday defended the firm's engagement with GOP officials, saying bigger firms BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street have conducted similar practices with state officials across the country. Strive has become one of the more vocal opponents of ESG investing and has gained enough notoriety to challenge the likes of fossil fuel giant ExxonMobil . Ron DeSantis, have often attacked ESG investing standards and corporations that support social causes — an increasingly common refrain within the GOP.

“I hope the Republican Party can muster the courage to oppose late-term abortion like we have done in the past. But after the midterms produced a slimmer-than-expected majority, there now appears to be little appetite inside the House GOP for such a bill. Troy Nehls, a Republican from Texas, told CNN: “it’s up to the states,” when asked about a national ban. The National Right to Life Committee said it is in regular communication with House Republican leadership about possible legislative efforts and educational needs on the issue. “What we’re working on right now is primarily reacquainting members with the abortion issue after the Dobbs decision.

☆ Is Alvin Bragg’s Case Against Trump Constitutional?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( David B. Rivkin Jr. | Kristin A. Shapiro | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg ’s indictment of Donald Trump could mean trouble down the road for Joe Biden. “I think our Republican AGs and DAs”—attorneys general and district attorneys—“should get creative,” Mike Davis , a Republican former Senate staffer, told the New York Post. But under the Trump precedent, what’s to stop an ambitious Republican prosecutor somewhere from bringing dubious state charges against him before a hostile jury after he leaves office? Every four to eight years, prosecutors would order up a presidential ham sandwich. Presidents might end up having to flee the country when they leave office.

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