Author: DNC Press

MAGA Republicans stooped to new lows this week with their extremism, hypocrisy, chaos, and — as President Biden would call it — malarkey. In case you missed it: Donald Trump’s extreme tariff plan would crush hardworking, middle-class Americans; Trump continued his disastrous outreach to Black voters; Trump ally Roger Stone plans to challenge the results of November’s election if Trump loses; one of Trump’s VP contenders railed against commonsense gun safety efforts to ban bump stocks; Trump’s Project 2025 allies once again went after Social Security; Trump met with his MAGA minions in the House at Mar-a-Lago; and Trump was avoiding staying in Milwaukee during the RNC convention until he was confronted on his plans.; and one of Trump’s MAGA minions called Juneteenth a “ratchet” holiday and told Black people to leave the country.

Donald Trump continued to push his disastrous tariff plan, which would raise costs for working families while cutting taxes for his ultra-wealthy friends.

Bloomberg: “Trump’s Planned Tariffs Would Tax US Households, Economists Warn

“A recent report from the Peterson Institute for International Economics pegged the annual cost for the average middle-income family at $1,700, likening it to a sales tax. The Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank, crunched the numbers on the minimum 10% tariff and came up with about $1,500 per household per year, including a $90 increase in the cost of food, $90 for prescription drugs and $220 for autos.”

New York Magazine: “Trump’s Tariff Is a Scheme to Shift the Tax Burden to the Non-Rich”

CBS News: “Trump is proposing a 10% tariff. Economists say that amounts to a $1,700 tax on Americans.”

MSNBC: “Lawrence: Donald Trump is proposing the ‘worst economic policy in U.S. history’”

Trump spewed more racist rhetoric during his latest attempt at outreach to Black voters, making a pitiful pitch to a (mostly white) audience at a Black church in Detroit.

The Root: “A Disaster! Trump Went To A Detroit Church To Get Black Votes, But All He Did Was Put His Foot In Mouth”

“Trump conducted a roundtable meeting at 180 Church in Detroit on Saturday. Despite it being a Black institution, at least half of the attendees were white. In addition, Trump perpetuated dangerous stereotypes about the city.

“‘Look, the crime is most rampant right here and in African American communities,’ Trump said. ‘More people see me and they say, ‘Sir, we want protection. We want police to protect us. We don’t want to get robbed and mugged and beat up or killed because we want to walk across the street to buy a loaf of bread.’ […]

“Trump stated that Black people are ‘being hurt’ by illegal immigrants and that ‘They’re invading your jobs.’ In addition to the lack of Black people at the church, there appeared to not really be a lot of people in attendance at all. Trump advocate Kellyanne Conway stated there were over 8,000 participants.”

Daily Beast: “White Crowds Fill the Pews for Trump’s Visit to Black Church”

“Donald Trump visited Detroit on Saturday, a city he once called a ‘living hell,’ and staged a surprise ‘roundtable’ at 180 Church, a predominately Black congregation on the city’s outskirts. While the event was ostensibly about issues facing Black voters, and some Black pro-Trump personalities like Peezy and Icewear Vezzo showed up, social media lit up at footage showing the pews packed with white crowds. ‘It’s all lies, smoke, and mirrors,’ Jeff Timmer, a senior adviser for the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, wrote on X.”

Trump MAGA ally Roger Stone was caught describing plans to challenge the results of November’s election if Trump loses.

HuffPost: “Roger Stone Spells Out Trump’s Plans To Challenge 2024 Loss In Secretly Recorded Audio”

“Longtime GOP operative and Donald Trump confidant Roger Stone was caught on tape detailing the steps that Republicans are taking in order to successfully challenge the 2024 election result should the former president lose to President Joe Biden again.”

Rolling Stone: “Stone — a self-described ‘dirty trickster’ — was a critical figure in the 2020 “Stop the Steal” movement… Last year, a video obtained by MSNBC showed Stone explaining plans to undermine the Electoral College days before President Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 election, as several states continued to count votes. […]

“The efforts to replace votes in the Electoral College and undermine the certification of the election culminated in the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. On the day of the attempted insurrection, Stone was spotted in Washington, D.C., with a contingent of Oath Keepers acting as a personal security detail. Several members of the group were later convicted of seditious conspiracy against the United States.”

Trump VP contender J.D. Vance called gun violence “fake problems” and said efforts to address it were a “huge distraction” — all while dismissing the impact a bump stock ban would have had on the Las Vegas shooting in 2017, which involved a bump stock.

The Hill: “‘I think it’s a huge distraction,’ said Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), who is believed to be on Trump’s shortlist to be his running mate. ‘This is week three of Chuck Schumer focusing on fake problems instead of real problems.’”

NBC News: “‘I think that we have to ask ourselves: What is the real gun violence problem in this country, and are we legislating in a way that solves fake problems? Or solves real problems?’ Vance told reporters. […]

“Vance also said he was concerned the bill could ‘end up just inhibiting the rights of law-abiding Americans.’ Pressed about the 58 people who were killed in a mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, he said: ‘The question is: How many people would have been shot alternatively? And you have to ask yourself the question: Will anyone actually not choose a bump stock because Chuck Schumer passes a piece of legislation?’”

Trump-aligned Project 2025 called to raise the Social Security retirement age and rip away hard-earned benefits from millions of Americans. 

Heritage Foundation: “Should the Social Security Retirement Age Be Raised? Yes.”

Newsweek: “Social Security Could Be Upended Under New Proposal”

“A conservative think tank has called for raising the U.S. retirement age to 70.

“Rachel Greszler, senior research fellow at the Roe Institute, wrote in an article for the right-wing Heritage Foundation that the normal eligibility age for collecting Social Security retirement benefits should be raised to 70 to help address the impending funding cliff faced by the Social Security Administration (SSA).”

Trump continues to coordinate with his extremist allies on a MAGA blueprint for 2025 — this week meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson.

Axios: “House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) are slated to meet with former President Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort on June 17.”

Semafor: “Speaker Mike Johnson promises a Republican mega-bill that would define Donald Trump’s second term”

“Speaker Mike Johnson is preparing Republicans for quick, large-scale action if they win unified control of government in November, telling Semafor he’ll pursue a far-reaching bill aimed at addressing a wide range of issues at once. Johnson said he’s been in frequent communication with Donald Trump, discussing the potential for a legacy-defining legislative package early in his presidency.”

Axios: “House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) has been discussing 2025 plans with former President Trump and House conservatives to tackle GOP priorities … The Louisiana Republican huddled with the Republican Study Committee — the largest conservative caucus in Congress — on Wednesday to discuss strategy for next year.”

Politico: “…the Trump campaign sent a letter to pro-Trump, external organizations asking them to attend an ‘entirely off-the-record, private,’ and ‘invite-only’ meeting with senior campaign officials, according to a copy of the letter obtained by POLITICO. The sit-down, which the letter describes as a ‘meeting of the political minds,’ is aimed at discussing ‘collaborat[ion]’ and ‘priorities and plans’ for the general election. […]

“By holding the meeting, the Trump operation and the third-party entities could conceivably get on the same page about their plans. Two people familiar with the planning for the event said Heritage Action and Turning Point Action were among the pro-Trump groups invited.”

New reporting uncovered how Trump was not even planning to stay in Milwaukee — the city he called “horrible” — for the GOP convention.

New York Times: “Trump Wasn’t Going to Stay in Milwaukee. Then Reporters Asked.”

“When Republicans gather in Milwaukee next month to nominate him for president, Donald J. Trump planned to stay not in the convention’s host city but at a Trump hotel in Chicago, some 90 miles away, according to three people briefed on the former president’s logistics. […]

“Mr. Trump has been on the defensive about his views on Milwaukee since news outlets reported last week that he had called it a ‘horrible’ city in a private meeting with House Republicans in Washington. The change in his convention plans avoids a perceived slight to the largest city in Wisconsin, a vital battleground state.”

The post MAGA Malarkey: The Extremism You Missed From Republicans This Week appeared first on Democrats.

DNC Director of Outreach Communications Tracy King released the following statement: 

“While President Biden and Vice President Harris celebrated Juneteenth as a federal holiday, Trump spent his day yelling into the void on Truth Social about Fox News’ editorial board. Moreover, his campaign issued a Juneteenth statement claiming that ‘light’ will triumph over ‘darkness,’ once again solidifying his record of being completely tone-deaf about Juneteenth. 

“Predictably, many of the MAGA Republicans who voted against recognizing Juneteenth didn’t release statements to celebrate the holiday, even though they did have ample time to do so during their day off (this is unsurprising, considering this is the do-nothing House majority.) Instead, several of them spent their day off talking about how to correctly pronounce the name of their constituencies, and disparaging one of the ways to help reduce the racial wealth gap for Black Americans. From making Juneteenth a federal holiday to removing Confederate monuments that honor enslavers, it’s pretty clear that President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats are working to promote Black history while respecting the culture.”

Trump’s Juneteenth statement claiming that “light” will triumph over “darkness” was an extremely tone-deaf display of how out of touch he and his campaign are. 

NewsOne: “It also can’t be ignored that the statement didn’t come from Trump himself and instead was attributed to the ‘Team Trump Black Media Director.’

“It was in that context that Janiyah Thomas suggested that Juneteenth is a day that should be used in part to ‘remember that light will always triumph over darkness.’

“Thomas’s full statement, which never actually mentions ‘Juneteenth’ by name once, follows below:

“‘All slaves are free!’ This was the cry that rang out on June 19th, 1865. The principle of freedom has always been at the foundation of the Republican party. Today, we reflect on how far we have come as a nation and remember that light will always triumph over darkness. With President Trump’s leadership, our party will continue to advance the American dream for all people.’

“The decision to contrast the words ‘light’ and ‘darkness’ in a statement about a federal holiday that’s also referred to as Black Freedom Day and marks the abolition of slavery in the state of Texas could easily be interpreted as the latest example of racist dog-whistling coming from Trump’s camp, what with its track record of racial rhetoric.”

Several of the House Republicans who voted against making Juneteenth a federal holiday spent their day off ignoring the holiday and instead were found talking about how to correctly pronounce the name of their constituencies and disparaging a policy that would help reduce the racial wealth gap for Black Americans. 

Rep. Andy Biggs went on a tweeting spree that didn’t once mention Juneteenth. Instead, he railed against security clearances and defended Steve Bannon’s criminal case.

Rep. Thomas Massie spent Juneteenth polling his followers on the correct way to pronounce Appalachia:

Rep. Tom Tiffany spent Juneteenth railing against Joe Biden’s new protections for immigrants.

Rep. Matt Rosendale spent Juneteenth cheering extreme House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good on, saying “I hope when all the votes are counted @GoodForCongress prevails!”

Rep Chip Roy spent Juneteenth disparaging Biden’s student loan forgiveness plans, which disproportionately help Black Americans:

Reminder: House Republicans had nothing but nonsensical arguments on why they voted against marking the end of enslavement with a federal holiday.  

Vice: “Republicans’ Worst Excuses for Not Wanting a Juneteenth Federal Holiday”

Rep. Ralph Norman: “My statement on Juneteenth vote:

“First of all, our Independence Day is July 4th. Period. Independence Day celebrates the anniversary of our declared independence from Great Britain, and it’s been that way for 245 years.

“If you want to call Juneteenth, for example, Freedom Day or Emancipation Day then fine – that’s certainly worth considering. But calling it Independence Day is WHOLLY INAPPROPIATE…

“So given inflation and the obnoxious growth of the federal government, this means a Juneteenth holiday should easily cost the federal government over a billion dollars Every. Single. Year. in federal payroll & holiday premiums with no offsets!”

Wichita Falls Times Record News: “Rep. Ronny Jackson votes against Juneteenth bill”

Rep. Ronny Jackson: “Juneteenth is an important part of our history, especially in Texas. I support Texas’ Juneteenth holiday and I support all Americans who celebrate it… I do not support more days off for federal employees. Many Americans feel like the federal government is not doing a good job for them as it is. For example, over 60 percent of Americans disapprove of Congress’ job performance. I do not know of any other organization that would reward employees with additional days off with that poor of a job evaluation,’ he said in the statement.”

Rep. Thomas Massie “The official name of the holiday is ‘Juneteenth National Independence Day.’ Bless your heart if you think that name wasn’t chosen to divide this country and diminish the Independence Day we celebrate on July 4.”

Rep. Chip Roy voted against making Juneteenth a federal holiday, but tweeted “Happy Juneteenth!” the year before.”

Vice: “Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said he opposed the bill because it referred to Juneteenth as a day of independence rather than one of emancipation, apparently unaware of who was and wasn’t included in that whole ‘All men are created equal’ part of the Declaration of Independence.”

Rep. Matt Rosendale claimed the holiday is an “effort by the Left to create a day out of whole cloth to celebrate identity politics as part of its larger efforts to make Critical Race Theory the reigning ideology of our country.”

NPR: “14 House Republicans Voted Against Making Juneteenth A Federal Holiday”

“‘I voted no because this proposed holiday does not bring us together, it tears us apart,’ Arizona’s [Rep. Paul] Gosar said in a statement following the vote. ‘I cannot support efforts that furthers racial divisions in this country. We have one Independence Day, and it applies equally to all people of all races.’

“He did not expand on how a federal holiday commemorating the ending of slavery promotes racial divisions.”

About a week before Juneteenth, the federal holiday marking the end of enslavement in America, nearly every House Republican voted to reinstall a Confederate memorial. 

Business Insider: “Nearly 90% of House Republicans voted to restore a Confederate memorial at Arlington National Cemetery”

“House Republicans were unsuccessful in their effort to reinstall a Confederate memorial to Arlington National Cemetery after two dozen members joined Democrats in rejecting the measure.

“The amendment was backed by 192 Republicans — or nearly 90% of the House GOP — while 24 Republican lawmakers rejected the measure.

Supporters of the amendment included Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana, and House Republican Conference chair Elise Stefanik of New York.”

Missouri secretary of state candidate Valentina Gomez marked Juneteenth by telling Black Americans to “GTFO” of the country.

Newsweek: “Gomez said in the video posted on June 18 that ‘black victimization is about to be shoved down our throats’ and that African Americans should instead be ‘celebrating because they were born in the greatest nation to ever exist.’

“‘Here’s a tip; If you don’t like America, kindly, get the f*** out,’ Gomez said.”

The post DNC Statement on Trump’s Tone-Deaf Juneteenth Dog Whistle appeared first on Democrats.

In response to the Texas Medical Board’s new guidance on the state’s extreme abortion ban, DNC Spokesperson Maddy Mundy issued the following statement: 

“The Texas Medical Board’s guidance on the state’s extreme abortion ban still leaves doctors in a perilous position for simply doing their jobs. Because of Donald Trump, health providers in Texas and across the country now second guess and delay providing health-saving care to pregnant women for fear of MAGA extremists’ retribution. Thanks to Donald Trump, extreme politicians have firmly placed themselves between women and their doctors in states with abortion bans. If Trump wins in November, he wants to impose this harrowing reality on all of us through a national abortion ban. As we mark the second anniversary of the fall of Roe, the Texas Medical Board’s guidance and Texas’ extreme, Trump-enabled abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest is all the more reason why we need reproductive champions like President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the White House. To protect reproductive freedoms, voters must reject Donald Trump’s extreme anti-freedom agenda this November.”

The post Because of Donald Trump, Women and Doctors in Texas Still Suffer Under An Extreme Abortion Ban  appeared first on Democrats.

In response to the Supreme Court of the United States ruling in United States v. Rahimi, DNC National Press Secretary ⁨Emilia Rowland⁩ released the following statement:

“Protecting domestic abuse survivors against gun violence should never be a question – But that’s how extreme MAGA Republicans in the pocket of the gun lobby have become under the leadership of Donald Trump. While President Biden and Democrats have worked tirelessly to pass common sense gun safety legislation that protects survivors of domestic violence, Trump and his MAGA allies are pushing an extreme agenda that puts the interests of the NRA over the safety of our communities. This November, your safety and your family’s safety is on the ballot.”

President Biden is fighting for common sense gun measures, strengthening background checks while working to close loopholes, and investing in violence intervention and mental health services.

Center for American Progress: “Federal protections are vital to the safety of unmarried individuals in dating partnerships, and by expanding federal domestic violence firearm prohibitors to include abusive dating partners with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, the BSCA takes a significant step forward in protecting all victims of domestic abuse from deadly gun violence.”

19th News: “Biden just made it harder for domestic abusers to get guns”

Everytown for Gun Safety: “The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act established an enhanced background check process for buyers under 21. There have been more than 100,000 enhanced background checks for these buyers, which have kept almost 1,000 guns out of the hands of prohibited persons—including more than 200 people that were denied solely because of the changes made in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars have also been invested to help federal, state, and local law enforcement get the right records into the background check system to ensure that checks are complete and thorough.”

White House: “The American Rescue Plan (ARP) has provided over $15 billion to prevent crime and promote public safety, including community violence intervention programs and crisis responders, while Bipartisan Safer Community Act —the most significant gun safety legislation in the last 30 years—provides $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives, in addition to key investments for schools to expand mental health services and violence intervention programs.”

President Biden passed the American Rescue Plan, which included hundreds of billions of dollars to prevent crime and promote public safety.

ABC News: “President Joe Biden will announce Friday that $10 billion from the American Rescue Plan has been committed to police departments and public safety across the U.S. … These funds show what has been reported from cities through the end of 2021. The COVID-19 relief law included $350 billion for state and local governments to reduce violence.”

One hundred and seventy-two House Republicans opposed reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act in 2021, specifically pushing back on a measure that would have kept guns out of the hands of abusers. 

Newsweek: “Full List of 172 Republicans Who Opposed the Violence Against Women Act”

“However, Republicans have taken issue with several new or expanded measures in the bill, including the closure of the so-called “boyfriend loophole.” The closure of the loophole would extend the ban on abusers being allowed to own or buy a firearm.

“At present, the rule applies to those convicted of violence against former or present spouses—but not those in non-marital relationships.”

Donald Trump has vowed to roll back ALL gun legislation and regulations enacted by the Biden administration, putting the gun lobby over American lives. 

Politico: “Donald Trump told National Rifle Association members on Friday that ‘no one will lay a finger on your firearms’ if he wins the presidency, vowing to roll back Biden-era gun restrictions.

“‘Every single Biden attack on gun owners and manufacturers will be terminated on my very first week back in office, perhaps my first day,’ Trump said at the NRA’s Presidential Forum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

“The former president specifically said he would roll back the Biden administration’s ‘Zero-Tolerance’ policy that revokes federal licenses from firearm dealers that violate gun laws. And he said he would undo regulations on pistol braces, or stabilization devices that have also been used in gun massacres.”

MAGA Republicans have been quick to dismiss the families of gun control victims by running to the NRA after mass shootings. 

In Indiana: “A slew of 2024 GOP presidential hopefuls courted gun rights activists Friday at a National Rifle Association convention in Indianapolis that took place in the wake of mass shootings in Kentucky and Tennessee in recent days.”

In Indiana: “Indiana Republican lawmakers honor NRA one day after mass shooting in Louisville”

“Days before the NRA convention descends on Indianapolis and one day after a mass shooting in Louisville, Indiana’s Republican lawmakers passed a resolution honoring the National Rifle Association and its CEO, Wayne LaPierre…

“But the resolution, and especially its timing, is also getting serious scrutiny.

“It comes days after a school shooting killed three adults and three children in Nashville, Tennessee and 24 hours after five lives were lost to gunfire at a bank in Louisville.”

In Michigan: “One day after Uvalde shooting, Michigan GOP Senators reject vote on safe gun storage”

In South Dakota: “South Dakota Public Broadcasting: Noem to speak at NRA convention days after Texas school shooting”

In Texas: “Trump, Cruz, Abbott still set to speak at NRA meeting in Houston days after Uvalde mass shooting”

In Virginia: “WTVR: Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears scheduled to speak at NRA convention in Texas”

“The convention will take place just days after 21 people, including 19 children, were killed at a Texas elementary school by a lone gunman.”

At the 2023 NRA convention: “Holcomb, Pence and Braun appeared as featured speakers for the organization’s Institute for Legislative Action Leadership Forum, the lobbying arm of the NRA, on Friday…

“[Pence] acknowledged the two recent shootings in Kentucky and Tennessee, which together killed over a dozen people, including three 9-year-old children…

“Three other governors, both current and former, addressed the crowd: former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu.”

Trump repeatedly changed the federal government’s approach to gun control policies to appease the NRA.

Washington Post: “White House softens tone on gun-control measures after Trump meets with NRA”

New York Times: “N.R.A. Gets Results on Gun Laws in One Phone Call With Trump”

“The call ended the way that Mr. LaPierre had hoped it would: with Mr. Trump espousing N.R.A. talking points in the Oval Office and warning of the radical steps he said Democrats wanted to take in violation of the Second Amendment.”

New York Times: “Conceding to N.R.A., Trump Abandons Brief Gun Control Promise”

“After the Florida high school massacre last month, Mr. Trump explicitly called on live television for raising the age limit to purchase rifles and backed 2013 legislation for near-universal background checks. He later told lawmakers that while the N.R.A. has ‘great power over you people, they have less power over me.’

“But on Monday, it was the president who seemed to knuckle under, again dramatizing the sway that the N.R.A. still maintains in Republican circles.”

Vanity Fair: “The Trump Administration Gave the NRA ‘Veto Power’ Over Its Response to the Parkland Massacre, New Book Reveals”

“In the end, of course, he did jack sh*t to get a universal background check bill passed, an about-face that can probably be attributed in part to the fact that Trump was reportedly being advised on gun control by his eldest son, who famously gets his kicks hunting endangered species and posing for photos alongside his victims. Another thing that probably played a part? Trump’s well-known fealty to the National Rifle Association, which spent more than $30 million to help get him elected in 2016. According to a new report, that money effectively bought the organization ‘veto power’ when it came to even the smallest effort to address gun violence.

“According to Taylor, then secretary of education Betsy DeVos initially supported Venable, before beginning to ‘waver’ under pressure from the White House, and eventually fully caving once Trump ‘personally got involved to insist the NRA have a say in the report.’ Venable would ultimately quit before the report was released, and not surprisingly, the whole thing was devoid of any meaningful recommendations.’”

The NRA has spent over $100 million to help elect Republicans in the last decade.  

Fortune: “For instance, in 2020, the NRA alone spent over $12 million campaigning against Biden and another $4.5 million in favor of Donald Trump.”

Yahoo Finance: “The National Rifle Association does spend a lot of money on politics, which makes it seem like a giant right-wing bogeyman. The gun-rights group spent $54 million during the 2016 election cycle, including $30 million to help Donald Trump get elected president. Among outside groups helping fund elections, it ranked 11th, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.”

Federal Election Commission: “MAGA Mike Johnson has received donations from the NRA every election year since 2016.”

The post DNC Statement on United States v. Rahimi  appeared first on Democrats.

This week, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison traveled to Tallahassee, Florida, to celebrate the Florida Democratic Party’s historic success in recruiting candidates to contest every congressional and state legislative race in 2024. This is the first time in 30 years that Democrats have contested this many seats and is yet another example of the growing momentum for Democrats as we approach November.

During the press conference, Chair Harrison emphasized how Democrats in every corner of the Sunshine State will have a reason to head to the polls in November thanks to the record-breaking slate of candidates running this year. Chair Harrison also highlighted how MAGA Republicans’ unpopular extreme agenda is another motivator for voters this November, and already, polls are showing that Democrats are gaining traction in Florida. Finally, Chair Harrison made it clear that Democrats at the national and local levels know that Florida is in play this year, and they are committed to flipping the state this fall. 

PRINT

WFTS Tampa Bay: DNC Chair predicts ‘Florida, Florida, Florida in play’ come November

[6/18/24, Forrest Saunders]

Key Point: “‘Florida is in play,’ said Harrison in an exclusive interview. ‘That’s why I am here right now.’

“Harrison was emphatic that despite what you might think, Dems have a serious shot in Florida. He insisted that the national party was committing to a competitive race and that the beleaguered state party had a shot at success up and down the ballot.” 

Tallahassee Democrat: National, state Democratic leaders say they have a plan to break the GOP lock in 

[6/18/24, James Call]

Key Point: “In June, for the first time since the 1960s, the Democrats became the first Florida political party to field candidates in every legislative race. 

“Harrison, without mentioning any dollar amounts, pledged to assist the state party with a coordinated campaign through 12 Joe Biden-Kamala Harris reelection offices that will open across the state this summer. 

“‘Florida is important to us in in this equation. And so we’re going to try to do what we can to compete and win in this state,’ Harrison said.”  

WPTV West Palm Beach: DNC chair predicts Florida in play come November; Republican Party says think again

[6/19/2024, Forrest Saunders] 

Key Points: “Despite what you might think, Harrison was emphatic that Democrats have a serious shot in Florida. He insisted that the national party was committing to a competitive race and that the beleaguered state party had a shot at success up and down the ballot.” […] 

“His optimism was buoyed by this, last week’s announcement that Florida Democrats had fielded candidates for every legislative seat this year. It’s a first for the state party in at least 30 years. Something the state chair, Nikki Fried, felt could drive turnout.” […]

“‘The stars are aligning, the planets are aligning, and Florida, Florida, Florida is going to be in that mix,’ Harrison said. ‘And it’s going to be one of the states that people all across the country will be watching very closely in November.’

WCJB (ABC): Florida Democrats getting national support after fielding 140 legislative candidates 

[6/18/2024, Cody Butler] 

Key Point: “Democrats across the country are now saying Florida is in play now the party has candidates in every election to make up the next Florida Legislature. This hasn’t happened since the legislature flipped to Republican control nearly 30 years ago.

“Democrats are hoping to chip away at GOP control in November. The party has candidates running in all 140 seats up for grabs between the state House and Senate.” […]

“On the other hand, Republicans don’t have someone in every district which means a Democrat automatically wins some seats. Still, they’re not worried about losing their super-majority at the Florida Capitol.”

“Every House seat and only half the Senate will be on the ballot in November. Right now, of the 160 members of the Florida Legislature, only 48 are Democrats. Republicans left 22 seats unopposed.”

Tampa Bay Creative Loafing: Juneteenth goes unobserved by Florida state government

[6/19/2024,  Michael Moline] 

Key Point: “Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, who insisted the national party wouldn’t ignore Florida.

“‘Florida is not an easy state to win, but we are organizing. We are doing the work. We’re doing the work that’s on the ground that will be needed to break the supermajority to elect Democrats up and down the ballot and take back Florida because when we organize, we win,’ he said.

“Beyond opening field offices, Harrison didn’t describe what the national investment in Florida would look like, despite multiple questions about that from reporters.

“‘Florida is important to us in this equation, so we’re going to try to do what we can to compete and win in the state,’ Harrison said. ‘And so, we’ll look and see what the numbers are, but Nikki knows that we’ve already opened a coordinated campaign office, that is, with Biden-Harris campaign staff. Again, we’re not going to waste resources that we don’t think we can win. We’re going to invest in the state, and we are going to compete to win.’”

Florida Phoenix: FL Democrats hope to use contests in every legislative race to undo GOP supermajority

[6/18/24, Jackie Llanos]

Key Point: “‘Today, we’re putting Republicans on notice. You’re not dealing with the same old Democrats. We’re creating a new era of Florida politics, and we are going to prove it this November and start down that path to taking back our state,’ Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said during a press conference Tuesday.

“Also attending were candidates for seats all over the state plus Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, who insisted the national party wouldn’t ignore Florida.

“‘Florida is not an easy state to win, but we are organizing. We are doing the work. We’re doing the work that’s on the ground that will be needed to break the supermajority to elect Democrats up and down the ballot and take back Florida because when we organize, we win,’ he said.”

WCJB: Florida Democrats getting national support after fielding 140 legislative candidates

[6/18/2024, Cody Butler]

Key Point: Democrats are hoping to chip away at GOP control in November. The party has candidates running in all 140 seats up for grabs between the state House and Senate.

“Folks, Democrats are about to take Florida back,” Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said.

“Harrison was in Tallahassee Tuesday promising support for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in November.

“‘Florida is important to us in this equation. We’re going to try to do what we can to compete and win in this state,’ Harrison said.”

BROADCAST

Scripps News: Florida Democrats believe state is in play ahead of November presidential election

Key point: “‘Florida is in play. That’s why I am here right now… We’re opening offices. I feel good about the direction we’re going and I believe in November of this year, we’re going to be saying ‘Florida, Florida, Florida.’ [Chairman Jaime Harrison said.]”

WECP-TV Channel 7 News: DNC Chair Promising Support for Democratic Candidates Up and Down the Ballot 

Key point: “For nearly 30 years, the Florida legislature has been under Republican control, control Democrats are hoping to chip away at in November. The party has candidates running in all 140 seats up for grabs between the state House and Senate. ‘Well folks, Democrats are about to take Florida back,’ [said Chairman Jamie Harrison.” 

The post ICYMI: DNC Chair Jaime Harrison Celebrates Historic Democratic Candidate Recruitment in Florida appeared first on Democrats.

As Donald Trump’s VP contenders continue to support his record of failing Black communities, DNC Senior Spokesperson Marcus W. Robinson released the following statement: 

“Donald Trump and his potential running mates are desperately trying to cover for his failed record and broken promises to Black Americans, but Black voters see through their lies and desperate spin. Trump’s VP contenders all share the same extreme records of supporting Trump’s out-of-touch MAGA agenda that puts Black communities last, from whitewashing history to rigging the economy for the ultra-wealthy at the expense of working and middle-class Black Americans. In November, Trump and whichever MAGA minion he picks as his running mate will be held accountable for their disastrous agenda that would disproportionately leave behind Black communities.”

Trump’s VP contenders have praised his MAGAnomics tax scam and supported Trump’s push to make it permanent…

Tim Scott: “We make the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act tax cuts permanent.”

Doug Burgum: “I believe in these economic policies, I believe the tax bill is a great thing.”

Marco Rubio: “Overall, the Republican tax-cut bill has been good for Americans. That is why I voted for it.”

Tom Cotton: “Trump’s tax cuts helped deliver the strongest economy in recent history.”

CNBC: “Ben Carson leads prayer for tax cuts at Trump Cabinet meeting”

KOTA: “Republicans are calling President Trump’s tax plan the biggest tax overhaul in history. … Representative Kris[ti] Noem was a big part in pushing this bill.”

Fox Business: “Trump’s tax policies have worked out for all of America: Rep. Byron Donalds”

Vivek Ramaswamy on a suggestion to make permanent or expand the Trump tax cuts: “I’d go a little further, Larry, than that, to be honest with you.”

Alabama Political Reporter: “Katie Britt on Monday released a memo with her policy positions … [including] a bill to make permanent the individual tax cuts and extend the expanded standard deduction contained in President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. … a pro-growth tax reform bill reducing business tax rates, repealing the Death Tax, and making the expensing of capital assets permanent. … a bill to repeal the state and local tax deduction.”

Wesley Hunt: “I supported the 2017 Tax Reform bill.”

… even though Trump’s tax giveaways for the ultra-wealthy, attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and pushes to gut affordable housing programs disproportionately left behind and threatened Black communities.

New York Times: “White Americans Gain the Most From Trump’s Tax Cuts, a Report Finds”

“As a result, the average tax cut going to a white American household is more than double one going to a black or Latino one.

“White Americans earn about 77 percent of total income in the United States, but they are getting nearly 80 percent of the benefits of the individual and business tax cuts generated by the new law, the analysis found. African Americans received about 5 percent of the benefits, despite earning 6 percent of the nation’s income.”

KFF: The number of uninsured Black Americans increased by nearly 300,000 during the first two years of Trump’s administration, which marked the first increase in the Black uninsured rate since 2013.  

New York Times: “The Tax Break for Children, Except the Ones Who Need It Most”

“While Republicans say the increase shows concern for ordinary families, 35 percent of children fail to receive the full $2,000 because their parents earn too little, researchers at Columbia University found. A quarter get a partial sum and 10 percent get nothing. Among those excluded from the full credit are half of Latinos, 53 percent of [B]lacks and 70 percent of children with single mothers […]

“By enriching the credit and including the affluent, the Trump expansion itself has brought attention to the poor children it excludes. While the 2017 law made millions of upper-income families eligible for the $2,000 credit (in part to offset the loss of other tax benefits), it gave a boost of just $75 to most full-time workers at the minimum wage.”

The Hill: “Overall, Trump’s budget would cut $8.6 billion from housing programs, a 15 percent reduction. Deeper cuts, to the tune of 43 percent, would hit public housing funds while also eliminating programs such as the National Housing Trust Fund, Home Investment Partnerships, Community Development Block Grant and Choice Neighborhoods.”

Bloomberg: “The Trump administration will introduce a new rule on Monday that may reshape the way the government enforces fair housing law, making it harder for people to bring forward discrimination complaints under the Fair Housing Act.”

Trump worked with VP contender Tim Scott on an Opportunity Zones initiative that gave tax breaks to wealthy real estate developers while largely leaving out to dry the small businesses and low-income communities it was supposed to help. 

PBS Newshour: “Trump-era Opportunity Zones meant to help low-income communities exploited by investors” 

New York Times: “A Trump Tax Break Is Not Spurring Job Creation, Study Finds”

“A new tax break that President Trump frequently touts as a boon to black Americans and hard-hit communities is spurring relatively little job creation while disproportionately helping high-profit real estate projects and not small businesses, an extensive new study by the Urban Institute has found.”

Forbes: “Trump Tax Cuts Helped Billionaires Pay Less Taxes Than The Working Class In 2018”

The Guardian: “Donald Trump’s $1.5tn tax cuts have helped billionaires pay a lower rate than the working class for the first time in history.”

Meanwhile, VP contender Byron Donalds has been tripling down on his suggestion that Black Americans were better off under Jim Crow.

New York Times: “Byron Donalds, Trump V.P. Contender, Suggests Jim Crow Era Had an Upside”

The New Republic: “Byron Donalds Cannot Stop Praising the Jim Crow Era”

NBC News: “Rep. Byron Donalds defends comments about Jim Crow”

Philadelphia Inquirer: “At another point, Donalds said he is starting to see the ‘reinvigoration of Black family,’ which he described as younger people forming nuclear family units and ‘helping to breathe the revival of a Black middle class in America.’ He went on to say that those family values had previously been eroded by Democratic policies that Black voters embraced after becoming loyal to the party due to the Civil Rights Movement.

“‘You see, during Jim Crow, the Black family was together. During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative — Black people have always been conservative-minded — but more Black people voted conservatively,’ he said. ‘And then H.E.W., Lyndon Johnson — you go down that road, and now we are where we are,’ he added, referring to the former U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare.”

The post Trump’s MAGA Veepstakes: VP Contenders Can’t Cover for Trump’s Record of Failing Black Communities appeared first on Democrats.

In honor of Donald Trump learning what Juneteenth is four years after his administration released his first Juneteenth statement, DNC Director of Outreach Communications Tracy King released the following statement: 

“Four years ago on Juneteenth, Donald Trump offended Black Americans in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and across the nation when he tried to hold one of his extreme MAGA rallies in the very city where a white mob burned down a thriving Black business district, without so much as even knowing the history of that hallowed ground where he was slated to speak or the meaning of Juneteenth. Years after taking office, Trump didn’t even know what Juneteenth was, but he still had the audacity to erase the advocates and civil rights leaders who fought for generations to bring awareness to this important day in American history by claiming he was the one who made Juneteenth ‘famous’ and that before him, ‘nobody had ever heard of it’ — as if Black people haven’t been celebrating this holiday across the country for generations. If Trump was confused about the meaning of the holiday, he could’ve asked the administration official who wrote his Juneteenth statement that he didn’t even know his White House published. 

“For Black Americans, it was just another reminder that our communities and our history are an afterthought — or worse, a target — for Trump at every turn. Trump’s MAGAnomics agenda excluded Black businesses, destroyed jobs for Black workers, and left Black children behind. Trump has been peddling racist stereotypes toward Black people for decades, and selling some wannabe Jordans and mugshot t-shirts isn’t going to make us forget. Much like when he demanded the young, innocent, Black and brown children of the ‘Central Park Five’ — now referred to as the ‘Exonerated Five’ — be executed, Trump is loud and wrong.”

SHOT: Donald Trump claimed he made Juneteenth “famous” despite having never heard of it until he tried to hold a racially insensitive rally on the holiday.

Wall Street Journal: “On race issues, Mr. Trump said a black Secret Service agent told him the meaning of Juneteenth as the president was facing criticism for initially planning to hold his first campaign rally in three months on the day.

“The rally is scheduled to be held in Tulsa, Okla., where, in 1921, a mob of white residents attacked and killed black community members, destroying a thriving black business district.

“Holding a rally on that day, particularly as racial protests continued throughout the country, was insensitive, African-American leaders told Mr. Trump. He eventually pushed the rally back a day to June 20.

“‘I did something good: I made Juneteenth very famous,’ Mr. Trump said, referring to news coverage of the rally date. ‘It’s actually an important event, an important time. But nobody had ever heard of it.’”

CHASER: Trump is so out of touch he was shocked to learn his own administration had put out a statement in celebration of Juneteenth.

Wall Street Journal: “Mr. Trump said he polled many people around him, none of whom had heard of Juneteenth. Mr. Trump paused the interview to ask an aide if she had heard of Juneteenth, and she pointed out that the White House had issued a statement last year commemorating the day. Mr. Trump’s White House has put out statements on Juneteenth during each of his first three years.

“‘Oh really? We put out a statement? The Trump White House put out a statement?’ Mr. Trump said. ‘OK, OK. Good.’”

President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday in his first year in office, making it the first national holiday established since Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

New York Times: “Biden Signs Law Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday” 

“President Biden signed legislation on Thursday to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, enshrining June 19 as the national day to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

“‘All Americans can feel the power of this day, and learn from our history,’ Mr. Biden said at a ceremony at the White House, noting that it was the first national holiday established since Martin Luther King’s Birthday in 1983.

“He said signing the law was one of the greatest honors he will have as president.

“The law went into effect immediately, making Friday the first federal Juneteenth holiday.”

Juneteenth celebrates the end of enslavement in the United States, but Donald Trump repeatedly denounced the removal of confederate statues and has wined and dined white supremacists.  

Axios: “Former President Trump dined and conversed with white nationalist Nick Fuentes and rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Tuesday night, according to two sources familiar with the matter.”

The Guardian: “Donald Trump declined to condemn white supremacists and violent rightwing groups during a contentious first presidential debate, instead urging a far-right group known for street brawling to ‘stand by’ and arguing that ‘somebody’s got to do something’ about the left.”

CNN: “Trump’s defense of the ‘very fine people’ at Charlottesville white nationalist march has David Duke gushing”

CNN: “President Donald Trump on Thursday denounced the removal of monuments to Confederate figures as ‘sad’ and ‘so foolish,’ days after white supremacists and neo-Nazis took to Charlottesville, Virginia, to violently protest the planned removal of a statue of the Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.”

TIME: “Donald Trump Refuses to Condemn KKK, Disavow David Duke Endorsement”

The Hill: “President Trump said Wednesday he ‘will not even consider’ renaming Army bases that were named for Confederate military leaders after top Pentagon officials indicated recently they are open to the idea. In a series of tweets, Trump argued the bases have become part of U.S. history and should not be ‘tampered with.’”

Trump said the quiet part out loud when he insisted that Black people like him more for being a convicted criminal, blatantly peddling racial stereotypes. 

Trump, claiming the Black community “embraced” him because he was indicted on criminal charges: “You see Black people walking around with my mugshot.”

Trump: “Would you rather have the Black president or the white president? … I think they want the white guy.”

Trump claimed he knows Black people because they built his buildings.

Trump: “These lights are so bright in my eyes that I can’t see too many people out there. … I can only see the Black ones. I can’t see any white ones, you see. That’s how far I’ve come. … That’s a long way, isn’t it?”

Trump said Black people like him because he is “being discriminated against.”

Let’s not forget that Trump’s MAGAnomics agenda drove up Black unemployment rates, made college more expensive while attempting to slash funding for HBCUs, and his tax scam excluded people of color and those who needed the funding the most.

Associated Press: “President Donald Trump is exaggerating his role in bringing economic gains to black Americans.

“THE FACTS: Trump is seeking credit he doesn’t deserve for black job growth. He’s also wrong to assert that Democrats haven’t done anything to improve the economic situation for African Americans.”

New York Times: “The Tax Break for Children, Except the Ones Who Need It Most” 

“But children with the greatest economic needs are least likely to benefit.”

“While Republicans say the increase shows concern for ordinary families, 35 percent of children fail to receive the full $2,000 because their parents earn too little, researchers at Columbia University found. A quarter get a partial sum and 10 percent get nothing. Among those excluded from the full credit are half of Latinos, 53 percent of blacks and 70 percent of children with single mothers.”

KFF News: “2016-2018: The number of uninsured Black Americans increased by nearly 300,000 during the first two years of Trump’s administration, which marked the first increase in the Black uninsured rate since 2013.” 

Mother Jones: “Trump not only proposed no new funding for HBCUs, but also called for slashing millions of dollars from federal programs that support degree programs at the schools.”

“Taken together, these cuts would disproportionately affect low-income students at black colleges and cost the schools millions in revenue.”

Associated Press: “Education advocates say President Donald Trump’s budget contradicts his campaign pledge to make college more affordable with its proposed elimination of subsidized student loans and cuts in other programs that help students pay tuition. … When he accepted the Republican presidential nomination last year, Trump had said, ‘We’re going to work with all of our students who are drowning in debt to take the pressure off these people just starting out in their adult lives. Tremendous problem.’”

The post Happy Four-Year Anniversary to Donald Trump Learning What Juneteenth Is appeared first on Democrats.

This week, Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to North Carolina and spoke at Johnson C. Smith University as a part of her Economic Opportunity Tour. The Vice President highlighted the administration’s new proposal to remove medical debt from credit reports and highlighted investments in local communities.

• In North Carolina: Charlotte Observer: Medical debt shouldn’t kill credit scores, VP Kamala Harris says in Charlotte
• In North Carolina: WFAE: In Charlotte, Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about medical debt
• In North Carolina: WCCB: Vice President Kamala Harris Speaks At Johnson C. Smith University
• In North Carolina: Spectrum News: Vice President Harris takes on debt, generational wealth in Charlotte 

The DNC announced an investment of nearly $2 million into red and blue states to support organizing efforts in down ballot races, helping to elect Democrats up and down the ballot this November. This funding will provide state parties with resources necessary to achieve goals like breaking GOP supermajorities in red states and hiring college campus organizers. 

• In Indiana: Indy Star: Indiana isn’t a battleground state. But national Dems want to help break GOP supermajority
• In Colorado: Colorado Politics: DNC sending $100K grant to Colorado Democrats to hire campus organizers, target down-ballot races
• In South Dakota: The Dakota Scout: National Democratic party putting $70k into down-ballot South Dakota races
• In Maryland: Baltimore Banner: Democratic National Committee funnels money to Maryland’s US Senate race
• In Nebraska: Nebraska Examiner: National, Nebraska Dems spending $80k on a Nebraska political staffer 
• In Texas: Dallas Morning News: National Democratic group spends $140,000 on Texas voter turnout effort 
• In New Mexico: New Mexico Political Report: Democrats announce spending on CD2 race

While Democrats show their support in cities throughout the country, Trump would rather disparage them. Democrats fired back after Donald Trump sparked outrage by calling Milwaukee, Wisconsin – where the RNC will hold its 2024 convention this summer – a “horrible city.”

• In Wisconsin: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Democrats launch billboards in Milwaukee after Trump says it’s a ‘horrible city’
• In Wisconsin: Wisconsin Examiner: Trump tells House Republicans Milwaukee is a ‘horrible city’
• In Wisconsin: Wisconsin Public Radio: Democrats look to use Donald Trump’s ‘horrible city’ comment as rallying cry 

MAGA Republicans stumbled into another self-inflicted wound of embarrassment as news broke that multiple GOP state party bylaws prohibit support for political candidates with felony convictions.

• In Nevada: The Nevada Independent: Nevada GOP’s bylaws bar support for convicted felons. It made an exception for Trump. 
• In Vermont: My Champlain Valley: Vermont GOP unsure if it will support Trump due to rule against felon candidates 

The Biden-Harris administration has continued to invest in states across the country, helping to build sustainable industries and create a brighter future for all Americans. 

• In Utah: Utah Public Radio: Washington County receives $20.5M for regional water reuse project 
• In California: Hoodline: San Diego Receives $37 Million from Biden’s Infrastructure Law for Flood Prevention and Water Quality 
• In Maine: WABI: New high-speed electric vehicle charging stations to open across Maine 
• In Pennsylvania: Franklin County Free Press: Pennsylvania Enhances Airport Infrastructure and Economic Impact
• In Seattle: The Keene Sentinel: Washington salmon passage projects are getting more than $75M

The post IN THE STATES: Team Biden-Harris Deliver for Americans as MAGA Republicans Fall Into Chaos appeared first on Democrats.

Today, the DNC got an EXCLUSIVE look at a new e-card one of Donald Trump’s MAGA veepstakes contenders is sending him for his birthday right here. We might not know exactly who it’s from, but here’s a sneak peek at what it says anyway: 

“Happy birthday, President Donald Trump! 🥳

I know the American people might not like you that much, but I promise to never leave your side. From lying about the 2020 election to pushing your MAGA agenda to ban abortion, raise health care costs, and give billionaires another tax handout while gutting Social Security and Medicare, I’ll say and do whatever you need me to. I won’t even commit to accepting the results of the next election!

When you have a free moment between golf rounds and court visits, we should celebrate! I think Wednesdays you’re usually still free?

P.S.: Can you also make me your vice president please please please please please please please please please? 

Your biggest fan,

[REDACTED]*”

*But let’s be honest, it could be just about any of them.

The post LEAKED: 🎂 Donald Trump’s Birthday Card, From A MAGA Veepstakes Contender appeared first on Democrats.

Ahead of the Senate’s vote on the Right to IVF Act, DNC National Press Secretary ⁨Emilia Rowland⁩ released the following statement:

“Today, Senate Democrats are once again putting anti-choice MAGA Republicans on the record for shamelessly attacking reproductive freedoms and failing to protect access to IVF treatments nationwide and in the states. Despite the hollow and hypocritical promises Republicans in Congress are making, their actions speak louder than their words, and it’s clear they have zero interest in protecting IVF.  Instead, they’re working hand-in-hand with the architects of Trump’s extremist Project 2025 agenda, who are not only attacking access to IVF — but call it ‘eugenics.’ President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats in Congress won’t let Trump and MAGA Republicans strip us of even more of the freedoms our mothers and grandmothers fought to secure decades ago.”

MAGA Republicans in the Senate have repeatedly blocked bills that would provide basic protections for IVF.

Alanna Vagianos, HuffPost: “Just now: Senate Republicans block a bill to protect IVF & other fertility services for veterans & service members.”

The Hill: “Senate Republicans blocked an effort Wednesday to pass legislation that would federally protect access to in vitro fertilization (IVF).”

Speaker MAGA Mike Johnson has said Congress doesn’t need to enact IVF protections — which checks out, considering he and 124 other House Republicans have supported the Life at Conception Act, which could rip away IVF access from families nationwide. 

CNN: “Johnson dismisses need for IVF legislation as GOP wrestles with reproductive issues”

“‘It’s not my belief that Congress needs to play a role here,’ the Louisiana Republican told reporters at the annual Republican issues conference held at The Greenbrier, a resort in West Virginia. ‘I think this is being handled by the states.’”

Business Insider: “Most House Republicans have cosponsored a bill declaring that life begins from the moment of conception, a position under increased scrutiny after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are ‘unborn children.’

“This Congress, 125 House Republicans — including Speaker Mike Johnson — have cosponsored the ‘Life at Conception Act,’ which states that the term ‘human being’ includes ‘all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual member of the human species comes into being.’

“The bill does not include any exception for in vitro fertilization (IVF), a reproductive treatment that allows mothers to fertilize several eggs outside the womb in order to increase the chances of a viable pregnancy.”

NBC News: “But with the landmark Roe ruling protecting those rights gone, efforts by conservative lawmakers and judges to advance fetal personhood bills pose a real threat to some fertility treatments, including IVF, reproductive rights advocates say.”

Politico: “Dozens of congressional Republicans have signed onto so-called personhood legislation with no carve-out for embryos in clinics, which, if enacted, would upend how the procedure is practiced in the United States.”

Trump has bragged about appointing the Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade, paving the way for threats to IVF access. 

New York Times: “[The Alabama ruling was] made possible by the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in its 2022 Dobbs decision, which was a result of Mr. Trump’s appointment of three justices.”

CNN: “How the reversal of Roe v. Wade led to the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children”

Trump: “For 54 years they were trying to get Roe v. Wade terminated, and I did it, and I’m proud to have done it. … Nobody else was going to get that done but me, and we did it, and we did something that was a miracle.”

Trump: “After 50 years of failure, with nobody coming even close, I was able to kill Roe v. Wade, much to the ‘shock’ of everyone … Without me there would be no 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 15 weeks, or whatever is finally agreed to. Without me the pro Life movement would have just kept losing. Thank you President TRUMP!!!”

Rolling Stone: “Trump Claims Credit for All Abortion Bans”

Donald Trump has had deep ties to the anti-IVF movement since he entered office in 2017, even going as far as elevating some hardline proponents to positions of power.

HuffPost: “Donald Trump Has Deep Ties To Anti-IVF Movement”

“Like many Republicans, Trump’s words of support don’t align with his past actions on IVF. The current Republican presidential nominee ― who has repeatedly bragged about his role in repealing federal abortion protections ― has deep ties to extreme right-wing organizations that actively oppose IVF.”

“While in the White House, Trump and his administration praised, appointed and worked with some of the nation’s most extreme thought leaders who believe the IVF process is akin to murder. Trump hosted the Alabama Supreme Court chief justice who wrote the IVF ruling twice: once during his 2016 campaign and in 2018 at the White House. (This is the same chief justice who recently appeared on a QAnon conspiracist’s show.)”

“The former president also met multiple times while in office with Lila Rose, president and founder of the anti-abortion group Live Action, who recently said she was ‘proud’ of the Alabama Supreme Court for acknowledging that ‘a baby conceived via IVF should have the same legal protections as a baby conceived naturally.’”

“During his time as president, Trump appointed several extreme anti-IVF advocates to positions of power, including Tim Wildmon, who served on the Trump administration’s faith advisory council. Wildmon is the president of the American Family Association, an extreme anti-abortion organization that just last week opposed a Mississippi bill aimed at protecting IVF because it would open the door to ‘procedures like human cloning, designer babies, three-parent babies and even human-animal hybrids.’

“He also appointed a woman who spent much of her career attacking assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF and surrogacy, to a lifetime federal judicial appointment. Sarah Pitlyk, who was deemed ‘not qualified’ by the American Bar Association, wrote in multiple rulings that states should treat embryos as humans. Trump put Pitlyk on a shortlist of Supreme Court justice picks. The job went to Amy Coney Barrett, who publicly supported an anti-abortion group that believes IVF should be criminalized.”

“Trump has not endorsed any IVF protections on the national or state level. And despite Republican claims of supporting IVF access, they blocked Democrats’ attempt to pass legislation to safeguard fertility treatments on the federal level.

“Abortion rights advocates have warned that the anti-choice movement would come for IVF and fertility treatments once Roe v. Wade fell. Currently, more than a dozen states are considering laws that would enshrine fetal personhood, threatening IVF and other fertility treatments.”

The Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Trump’s anti-choice Project 2025, has compared IVF to “eugenics.” 

The Heritage Foundation said that Congress should set standards to “prevent the wanton or careless destruction of embryonic human beings,” and said that the way IVF is practiced in the U.S. amounts to “eugenics.”

Politico: “Anti-abortion advocates worked for five decades to topple Roe v. Wade. They’re now laying the groundwork for a yearslong fight to curb in vitro fertilization.

“Since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled last month that frozen embryos are children, the Heritage Foundation and other conservative groups have been strategizing how to convince not just GOP officials but evangelicals broadly that they should have serious moral concerns about fertility treatments like IVF and that access to them should be curtailed.

“Those pushing to restrict IVF hope the groundwork the anti-abortion movement laid over the last 50 years will make it easier to persuade evangelicals to support these policies, and they’re recycling some of the messaging, including linking certain IVF practices with eugenics and calling the fertility industry ‘dangerous’ and ‘unregulated.’”

President Biden and Senate Democrats are fighting to make it easier for families to access and afford IVF treatment. 

NBC News: “Senate Democrats introduce legislative protections for IVF”

“The Right to IVF Act, led by Sens. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Patty Murray of Washington and Cory Booker of New Jersey, includes four bills to preserve access to IVF and make it more affordable to get the procedure, which has helped millions of families have children.”

NBC News: “One administration official said IVF was included in some of the executive actions already taken by the Biden administration since Roe v. Wade was overturned, such as safeguarding patients’ health information and strengthening protections for people helping patients travel for reproductive care.”

The post  MAGA Senate Republicans Have Made it Clear They Don’t Care About Protecting Access to IVF Treatments appeared first on Democrats.