DCCC: The Stakeholder

On Newtown Anniversary, DCCC Launches âAmerica Deserves a Voteâ Website

2013-06-14T14:04:27+00:00

Six months after the tragedy in Newtown, House Republicans have failed to hold even a single vote on the floor of the House to prevent gun violence. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today launched a new website, “America Deserves a Vote” to petition Speaker John Boehner and House Republicans to end their obstruction and allow a vote on commonsense background checks.

A bipartisan, commonsense measure to expand background checks has been introduced in the House with 180 cosponsors, but Speaker Boehner and House Republicans refuse to bring the measure up for a vote.

“It’s been six months since the tragedy in Newtown occurred, and yet Speaker John Boehner and House Republicans have not acted to prevent gun violence,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Today is a sad reminder that House Republicans would rather cater to the extreme right than allow a vote on commonsense gun violence prevention. It’s time for Speaker Boehner and House Republicans to gather the courage to act – and put a commonsense background check on the floor of the House for a vote.”

Do Republicans in Congress Side With Extremists Who Say Rapes Donât Really Result in Pregnancy?

2013-06-12T19:32:54+00:00

Republicans in Congress are poised to open a new front in their War on Women after an all-male committee of House Republicans voted today to send a nationwide 20-week abortion ban to the full House. The measure includes no exceptions for rape, incest or the mother’s health – because, as the bill’s sponsor said just today in a hearing: “the incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low.”

With numerous scientific studies disproving today’s ridiculous claim from Republican Congressman Trent Franks, will other Republican Congressmen continue to stand with extremists? If history is any indication, the answer is yes.

Republicans in Congress have already made it clear to the women of this country that they aren't on their side when they tried to redefine rape, so now the key question is whether they will side with the lunatics who believe that women don’t really get pregnant when they’re raped. Americans are tired of fighting the same ideological battles over a woman’s right to choose – they want Congress to focus on creating jobs, but Republicans in Congress insist on putting ideology before problem-solving.

BACKGROUND

Franks: Incidence of Rape Resulting in Pregnancy Very Low. In a House Judiciary Committee meeting today, Congressman Trent Franks said, “Before, when my friends on the left side of the aisle here tried to make rape and incest the subject — because, you know, the incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low.” [Washington Post, 6/12/13]

Report: Rape-Related Pregnancies Occur Frequently. “Rape-related pregnancy occurs with significant frequency,” concluded the authors of a 1990s study that found one out of every 20 rapes results in pregnancy, for a total of more than 32,000 rape-pregnancies each year in the United States… “It’s just bogus,” Nancy Snyderman, a medical doctor who serves as NBC News’s medical editor, said Monday on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports.” [Politico, 8/20/12]

Redefining Rape. In 2011, Republicans introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, which would redefine a ban on federal funding for abortions to exempt only “forcible rape” and not “rape” generally. Under the language proposed by the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, rape becomes “forcible rape.” The Washington Post reported that the bill’s critics believed “the modifier could distinguish it from other kinds of sexual assault that are typically recognized as rape, including statutory rape and attacks that occur because of drugs or verbal threats.” [HR 3 Co-Sponsors, 112^th Congress; Washington Post, 2/1/11]

All-Male House Republicans Focus on Banning Womanâs Right to Choose, Not Jobs

2013-06-12T13:53:22+00:00

An all-male group of House Republicans on the Judiciary Committee is expected to pass a bill today that will ban abortions nationally after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The measures makes no exception for cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s health is jeopardized.

Americans consistently rate jobs and the economy as their greatest concern, not re-fighting battles over a woman’s right to choose. The measure, sponsored by anti-woman zealot Trent Franks of Arizona, is expected to be sent to the full House for a vote next week and would effectively overturn Roe vs. Wade.

“Today, another all-male group of House Republicans will interject their ideology between a woman and her doctor, effectively overturn Roe vs. Wade, reverse our rights and open yet another front in the war on women. Yet again, House Republicans are trying to prove that they’re the most extreme, anti-woman legislature in American history,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “House Republicans are blindly focusing on the tired ideological battles of the past like a woman’s right to choose, rather than focusing on problem-solving. And the American people know that every day House Republicans waste fighting over ideology is a day they refused to solve our country’s problems.”

BACKGROUND

Last Week, All-Male House Republican Subcommittee “Voted to Approve a Blatantly Unconstitutional Bill That Would Ban All Abortions Performed After 20 Weeks of Pregnancy.” “On Tuesday [June 4, 2013], all six G.O.P. members of the all-male Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice voted to approve a blatantly unconstitutional bill that would ban all abortions performed after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with only a narrow exception to save a pregnant woman’s life. It contains no exception for rape or incest victims, to protect a woman whose health is endangered, or for cases of severe fetal anomalies.” [New York Times, Editorial, 6/10/13]

Headline: 'War on women' returns [Politico, 6/05/13]
Headline: War on Women Continues [New York Times, Editorial, 6/10/13]

All House Republican Judiciary Members are Male. [House Judiciary Committee, accessed 6/11/13]

The 113^th Congress Has Passed Thirteen Laws and “None of the New Measures Have Been Focused on Employment.” “In the six months and four days since the 113th Congress began, it has passed 13 laws. And, despite lawmakers constantly beating the drum on boosting jobs, none of the new measures have been focused on employment.” [National Journal, 6/07/13]

Headline: Congress Has Passed 13 Laws This Year—None of Them Have to Do With Jobs [National Journal, 6/07/13]

DCCC Launches Spanish Radio Ads on House Republicansâ Vote to Restart DREAM Act Deportations

2013-06-11T12:56:46+00:00

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching Spanish language radio ads in targeted districts featuring testimonials from DREAM Act-eligible young people who are furious that the Republican Party has betrayed them yet again. Last week, 221 House Republicans voted for Congressman Steve King’s amendment that would restart deportations of 800,000 DREAM-Act eligible young people who were brought to the United States as children, followed the law and contributed to their communities for their entire lives.

“Instead of giving these young people a chance at the American Dream, House Republicans fell in line behind the extreme ideology of anti-immigrant Congressman Steve King,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “The American people want a comprehensive solution to our broken immigration system, but House Republicans just did the opposite - and voted to restart deportations for 800,00 DREAMers.”

The script of the radio ad running in Congressman Gary Miller’s (CA-31) district is below and audio is available here:

VOICE OVER: “The Republican party insists that they have changed, but once again, House Republicans like Gary Miller have betrayed our community, rejecting President Obama’s executive order that ended the deportation of DREAM Act-eligible young people. What’s more, Congressman Miller wants to restart the deportations of 800,000 young people who grew up in this country, worked hard, and are just looking for their chance to achieve the American Dream. Now, instead of celebrating the first anniversary of the deferred action program, our young DREAMers again face an uncertain future.

DREAMER: ‘I have lived in the United States since I was a child, and it’s my only home. I’m a student, I work, and I’m proud to give back to my community. I’ve always done what was asked of me. The only thing I ask is for the opportunity to do it.’

VOICE OVER: “Now is the time to call Congressman Miller and demand that he stand with our young people and not with most extreme members of his party.”

The radio ads will start running this week in the following targeted districts:

Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-06)

Congressman Blake Farenthold (TX-27)

Congressman John Kline (MN-02)

Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03)

Congressman Buck McKeon (CA-25)

Congressman Gary Miller (CA-31)

Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03)

Congressman Steve Pearce (NM-02)

Congressman Frank Wolf (VA-10)

BACKGROUND

House Republicans Voted to Restart Deporting an Estimated 800,000 DREAM Act Eligible Young People. On June 6, 2013 House Republicans voted for an amendment to the 2014 Homeland Security appropriations bill that would prohibit the use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement funds to implement President Obama’s June 2012 order that protects the “DREAMers” from deportation—those estimated 800,000 young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and have since led law-abiding lives. The amendment also prohibits other prosecutorial discretion policies that ensure the agency's immigration enforcement resources are targeted at serious criminals, and not at those who pose no threat to U.S. communities, such as victims of domestic violence and other crimes who come forward to seek protection and identify their abusers. The amendment passed, 224-201. [HR 2217, Vote #208, 6/06/13]

Headlines

House Republicans Vote to Defund Immigrant Program [ABC News/Univision, 6/06/13]
House votes to resume deporting young DREAM Act immigrants [Associated Press, 6/06/13]
GOP rejects Dream Act-like deportation deferrals [LA Times, 6/06/13]
GOP Backs Amendment to Deport ‘DREAMers’ [Roll Call, 6/06/13]

DCCC Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act

2013-06-10T19:40:11+00:00

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel and Women LEAD Co-Chairs Representative Chellie Pingree and Representative Lois Frankel released the following statements on the 50^th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. All three are Co-Sponsors of the Paycheck Fairness Act.

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel’s statement:

“Today marks the 50^th anniversary of the landmark Equal Pay Act, signed by President Kennedy in 1963 as a first step toward guaranteeing that American women receive the equal pay that they deserve for equal work. Sadly, much work remains to be done in our march toward pay equality – and House Republicans continue to be the obstacle to equality”

“Women still earn just 77 cents for every dollar that men earn, and that is just as wrong today as it was in 1963. Yet House Republicans are obstructing progress at every turn – most recently with the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would put more money in the pockets of middle class families – and make sure women earn the same as their male counterparts. Until Republicans begin to support basic fairness for American women, women will continue to flee the Republican Party.”

DCCC Women LEAD Co-Chair Chellie Pingree’s statement:

“Women in America continue to work just as hard as men and continue to get paid less. We've made progress but still have a long way to go toward correcting this fundamental injustice. Unfortunately Republican leadership has blocked efforts at leveling the playing field and has instead pursued an extremist agenda that hurts working women and their families.”

DCCC Women LEAD Co-Chair Lois Frankel’s statement:

“Today's 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act is an important reminder of the work that still needs to be done to close the pay gap between women and men.

“This is about fairness for women and families and we must redouble our efforts to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work.”

What John Boehner Says Vs. What John Boehner Does

2013-06-10T18:18:57+00:00

Speaker John Boehner says that he wants to pass immigration reform in the House of Representatives before the August recess, but House Republicans voted on Thursday to restart deporting an estimated 800,000 DREAM-Act eligible young people.

It’s clear that as Speaker, John Boehner says he wants to do one thing, but then is so beholden to the extreme ideology of the Tea Party that he does another.

What John Boehner Says: Speaker John Boehner “is beginning to sketch out a road map to try to pass some version of an overhaul in his chamber - a welcome sign for proponents of immigration reform.” [Politico, 6/10/13]

What John Boehner Does: “The Republican-controlled House voted Thursday to resume the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought illegally to the United States as children, the first immigration-related vote in either chamber of Congress this year and a measure of the daunting challenge facing supporters of a sweeping overhaul of existing law on the subject.” [Associated Press, 6/6/13]

Dept. of Dirty Endorsements, Continued: Davis Releases Endorsement From Schock, who is Under Federal

2013-06-06T19:48:33+00:00

All the key players involved in a bipartisan Office of Congressional Ethics report have closed ranks and endorsed Congressman Rodney Davis. The Davis campaign just released their latest endorsement list, which now includes Congressman Aaron Schock, who is subject of a House Ethics investigation into allegedly raising campaign cash illegally.

Media reports yesterday indicated that Congressman Adam Kinzinger also endorsed Davis. Kinzinger benefited in his primary last year from money raised by Congressman Schock and Davis that exceeded campaign finance limits, according to the bipartisan Office of Congressional Ethics – which recommended that House Ethics subpoena Congressman Davis for not cooperating with their investigation. Now Davis is touting the endorsements of Congressman Schock and Congressman Eric Cantor – who are also referenced in the episode.

“Congressman Davis made the decision just a few months ago not to cooperate with a federal investigation, and now he’s getting rewarded with endorsements from people who he protected by remaining silent,” said Brandon Lorenz of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Illinois families deserve better than someone like Congressman Davis who is still playing political operator – trading favors for endorsements to save his job in Washington.”

BACKGROUND

Davis Campaign Issued a List of Endorsements that Feature Cantor, Schock and Kinzinger. In 2013, Davis published a list of endorsements on his website featuring endorsements from Congressmen Aaron Schock, Adam Kinzinger, and Eric Cantor. [Electrodney.com, accessed 6/06/2013]

Headline: Ethics panel investigating Rep. Aaron Schock [Chicago Tribune, 12/15/12]

Chicago Tribune: OCE Investigation Came as Schock Decided Not to Run for Governor. The Chicago Tribune reported, “In February, congressional investigators recommended a full House Ethics Committee probe into a $25,000 contribution Schock solicited from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's political action committee to a super PAC that backed Rep. Adam Kinzinger over fellow Republican Rep. Donald Manzullo in the March 2012 primary. Under a Federal Election Commission advisory opinion, lawmakers and candidates can solicit donations of up to $5,000 for independent-expenditure PACs. Schock has denied any wrongdoing, and Shearer said the issue had nothing to do with the congressman's decision.” [Chicago Tribune, 4/26/13]

Davis Campaign Issued Statement of Support from Adam Kinzinger. In 2013, Davis’s campaign issued a statement of support from Congressman Kinzinger. Kinzinger said “After just 150 days in Congress, Rodney has been true to his word — voting to rein in excessive spending and working tirelessly to put Americans back to work. Rodney is a terrific public servant, and the families of the 13th district know they can count on him to be their voice in Washington.” [News-Gazette, 6/5/13]

Congressman Aaron Schock Alleged to Have Illegally Solicited Donations for a Republican Super PAC. According to Politico: “The allegations against Schock stemmed from a bitter GOP primary battle in Illinois last year between Rep. Adam Kinzinger and former Rep. Don Mazullo. Schock backed Kinzinger in the primary, and he began asking other members like Cantor for campaign contributions in order to run TV ads supporting Kinzinger. The money, including a $25,000 donation from Cantor’s leadership fund, was funneled to a super PAC called the Campaign for Primary Accountability, which spent more than $200,000 on the race on Kinzinger’s behalf.” [Politico, 2/06/13]

Office of Congressional Ethics: Reason to Believe Schock Violated Federal Law. According to the Office of Congressional Ethics, Schock may have solicited contributions for the Republican super-PAC, Campaign for Primary Accountability, in excess of $5,000 per donor, while raising money for Representative Adam Kinzinger. The Office of Congressional Ethics contended “there is substantial reason to believe that Representative Schock violated federal law, House rules and standards of conduct.” [News Gazette, 2/8/11]
Cantor Pledged Zero-Tolerance on Ethics Violations. “I think that as Republicans emerge as a new governing majority, it is incumbent upon us to institute a zero-tolerance policy — that we understand there are reasons for our being fired in ‘06 and ’08. […] We cannot tolerate any ethics violations or behavior in terms of compromising the ethics that the people expect us to have as their representatives.” [YouTube, uploaded 8/10/10]

Office of Congressional Ethics Recommended That Rodney Davis be Subpoenaed For Failure to Cooperate in Schock Ethics Investigation. The Office of Congressional Ethics recommended in its report to the House Ethics Committee that Davis be subpoenaed in its investigation, since Davis has refused to cooperate with the probe. The OCE does not have subpoena power. [News Gazette, 2/8/11]

OCE Concluded That “There is Substantial Reason to Believe That the Alleged Violation Occurred” Because of Davis’ Refusal to Cooperate. The Office of Congressional Ethics report said that “the OCE draws a negative inference from Mr. Davis’ refusal to cooperate with the OCE. The OCE infers that the information Mr. Davis refused to provide, taken together with the factual findings in this referral, supports the conclusion that there is substantial reason to believe that the alleged violation occurred.” [News Gazette, 2/8/11]

House Republicans Ignore Hardworking Americans as Defense Workers Receive Furlough Notices

2013-06-05T14:58:07+00:00

With three-quarters of a million defense workers receiving furlough notices this week, House Republicans continue to ignore hardworking Americans in favor of their rigid political ideology. House Republicans could have spent the past several weeks working with Democrats to avoid the military furloughs, but instead focused on old partisan battles, like voting for the 37^th time to repeal the health care law.

Final furlough notices are expected to be distributed today and defense workers will begin the work stoppage July 8. Defense workers will face a significant cut in pay over the 11 weeks of the furlough, losing a day of pay for each furlough day. Across the country, hardworking defense employees will lose $1.8 billion in salary that would have been spent in the local economy, all because of House Republicans’ relentless support of sequestration.

“House Republicans are so dysfunctional that they would rather take endless political votes than stop the tremendously unpopular furloughs that are happening because of sequestration,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “House Republicans could have compromised and come up with a better solution to our budget, but instead they allowed these furloughs to devastate some of the most patriotic people in this country – the men and women who work for the military helping to keep us safe every day. House Republicans clearly have the wrong priorities for our country and won’t even come to the table to stop these needless and harmful furloughs from going into effect.”

BACKGROUND

Washington Post: 750,000 DOD Employees To Be Furloughed. According to the Washington Post, “Some 750,000 Defense employees face up to 11 days of furlough beginning July 8 owing to automatic budget cuts mandated by sequestration.” [Washington Post, 5/29/2013]

Furloughs Will Cut $1.8 Billion. According to Bloomberg, “The furloughs will save $1.8 billion, according to two defense officials who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the plans.” [Bloomberg, 5/30/13]

CBO: Sequester Will Halve U.S. Growth in 2013. According to the Wall Street Journal’s MarketWatch, “Fiscal tightening including the automatic budget cuts known as the sequester would cut U.S. growth in half in 2013 if allowed to go into effect, the Congressional Budget Office said Tuesday in a new budget and economic outlook. … CBO said Tuesday that growth would be about 1.5 percentage points faster in 2013 if not for fiscal tightening including the sequester.” [MarketWatch, 2/05/13]

Congressman Michael Grimm Doubles Down on Opposition to Protecting 9/11 Victims

2013-06-04T12:51:37+00:00

Congressman Michael Grimm, under fire from first responders for refusing to cosponsor a bill to help 9/11 victims, stunningly doubled down on his opposition to the measure.

Congressman Grimm, after inadvertently being left out of a bipartisan press conference, opposed an end to sequestration of compensation funds to 9/11 victims. Instead of apologizing to the people of New York for his intransigence, Congressman Grimm turned up the volume on his opposition, telling Politicker that he doesn’t support the measure at all.

“This isn’t rocket science, but Congressman Grimm is just too self-centered to figure out what matters here: the people of Staten Island and South Brooklyn want this Congress to protect the victims of 9/11 – and those Americans are more important than Congressman Grimm’s fragile ego,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Instead of pouting about press conferences, Congressman Grimm should be trying to work across party lines to find a solution to the sequester – after all, he’s repeatedly opposed stopping the unnecessary pain in the first place.”

Over the weekend, John Feal, the president of the Fealgood Foundation, said that Grimm’s behavior is “unacceptable and immature.” Feal said: “It’s petty politics. Congressman Grimm is someone I looked up to in the past and had a working relationship with. Shame on him for using 9/11 every anniversary and ignoring the first responders the other 364 days of the year.”

BACKGROUND

Grimm Refused to back 9/11 Victims Compensation Bill Because he was Mistakenly Not Invited to Press Event, According to Organizer. “Staten Island Rep. Michael Grimm is refusing to back a bill that would end the sequestration of 9/11 victims’ compensation funds because he wasn’t invited to a press conference, according to an organizer. Grimm (R) was so peeved by the snub that he still hasn’t changed his mind about co-sponsoring the bill — a full three months after the press event introducing H.R. 811, said John Feal, president of the Fealgood Foundation.” [New York Post, 6/1/13]

President of Non-Profit for 9/11 First Responders: “Shame on [Grimm] For Using 9/11 Every Anniversary and Ignoring the First Responders the Other 364 Days of the Year.” “This is unacceptable and immature…It was an oversight. He wasn’t invited, and he took it personally…It’s petty politics…Congressman Grimm is someone I looked up to in the past and had a working relationship with. Shame on him for using 9/11 every anniversary and ignoring the first responders the other 364 days of the year,” John Feal said. [New York Post, 6/1/13]

Grimm Said he Opposed 9/11 Victims Compensation Bill Because it is “Poor Policy to Pick Winners and Losers.” “It is amazing that stories can be written without any regard for the facts; there is only one reason I haven’t cosponsored the legislation and that is because it would be poor policy to pick winners and losers from a list that shouldn’t have any losers. When it comes to funding for 9/11 health, Sandy relief, our troops in harm’s way, or Medicare for our seniors; how can we pick one over the other to exempt from these cuts?,” Michael Grimm said in a statement. [Politicker, 6/03/13]

…But Grimm Voted to Ease Flight Delays Due to Sequestration Cuts. In April 2013, Grimm voted for legislation that would give the Secretary of Transportation the flexibility to end flight delays due to cuts to the Federal Aviation Administration. The bill would allow as much $253 million to be moved from other parts of the Department of Transportation to the FAA to “stop further furloughs and keep the air traffic control system operating at a normal pace” through the fiscal year. The bill passed 361-41. [New York Times, 4/26/13; HR 1765, Vote #125, 4/26/13]

... And Grimm Voted to Prevent Meat Packers from Being Furloughed Due to Sequestration Cuts. In March 2013, Grimm voted for a “continuing resolution that will head off furloughs for U.S. meat inspectors that would have taken place this summer as a result of the sequester.” The bill passed 318-109. [Food Safety News, 3/22/13; HR 933, Vote #89, 3/21/13]

Grimm Voted Against Consideration of Replacing Sequester Cuts with a Balanced Approach. In February 2013, Grimm voted against considering a plan that according to The Hill “would eliminate subsidies to the farm industry, scrap tax preferences used by oil-and-gas companies and implement a new minimum tax rate on people making seven figures annually — the proposal commonly known as the ‘Buffett Rule.’” The measure failed 229-196. [H Res 83, Vote #51, 2/27/13; The Hill, 2/11/13]

DCCC Places Ads on College Campuses as Republicans Let Student Loan Rates Skyrocket

2013-05-31T14:11:11+00:00

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today is launching paid advertising in six college newspapers to alert students that their member of Congress is poised to allow their student loan rates to double by the end of June. The average college graduate already leaves school with $26,000 in student loan debt.

Instead of solving the problem of skyrocketing rates, House Republicans voted last week for the “Students Pay More Act,” putting a bigger burden on the backs of indebted college graduates. As the Associated Press has reported, under the House Republicans’ plan, “student loan rates could steadily climb and cost students more over the long haul.”

The ads will run in print and online over the coming weeks in the following newspapers, which are publishing summer editions:

University of Minnesota (Congressman John Kline, MN-02)
California State San Bernardino (Congressman Gary Miller, CA-31)
Clark College (Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, WA-03)
Florida State University (Congressman Steve Southerland, FL-02)
University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana (Congressman Rodney Davis, IL-13)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Congressman Joe Heck, NV-03)

“This should be a wakeup call for every student in America – House Republicans are on a path to double your interest rates,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “College students absolutely need to know that their representatives are about to make school more expensive, even while they’re subsidizing Big Oil companies to the tune of billions of dollars a year. For the umpteenth time, House Republicans are ignoring the needs of middle class families and standing with corporate special interests – and we urge all these students to sign our petition to keep loan rates low.”

BACKGROUND

The Average College Graduate Has $26,600 in Student Loan Debt; Total National Student Loan Debt Exceeds $1.1 Trillion. According to the Washington Post: “A recent report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimates that there 38 million student loan borrowers in the United States and the total debt load has passed $1.1 trillion. The Project on Student Debt has estimated that 66 percent of graduating college seniors in 2011 had some student loan debt, with an average balance of $26,600.” [Washington Post, 5/20/13]

CBO: Federal Government Turns $51 Billion Profit on Student Loans. According to the Huffington Post: “The Obama administration is forecast to turn a record $51 billion profit this year from student loan borrowers, a sum greater than the earnings of the nation's most profitable companies and roughly equal to the combined net income of the four largest U.S. banks by assets. Figures made public Tuesday by the Congressional Budget Office show that the nonpartisan agency increased its 2013 fiscal year profit forecast for the Department of Education by 43 percent to $50.6 billion from its February estimate of $35.5 billion.” [Huffington Post, 5/14/13]

AP: House Republican Plan Would Raise Student Loan Interest Rates Up to 8.5 Percent. According to the Associated Press: “Under the GOP proposal, student loans would be reset every year and based on 10-year Treasury notes, plus an added percentage. For instance, students who receive subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford student loans would pay the Treasury rate, plus 2.5 percentage points. Using Congressional Budget Office projections, that would translate to a 5 percent interest rate on Stafford loans in 2014, but the rate would climb to 7.7 percent for loans in 2023. Stafford loan rates would be capped at 8.5 percent, while loans for parents and graduate students would have a 10.5 percent ceiling under the GOP proposal.” [Associated Press, 5/16/13]

Headline: Republicans move forward with student loan plan that could mean higher rates later [Associated Press, 5/16/13]

Under the “Students Pay More Act,” Graduates Would Pay Almost $5,000 More in Student Loan Interest. The Associated Press reported: “In real dollars, the GOP plan would cost students and families heavily, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. The office used the CBO projections for Treasury notes’ interest rates each year. Students who max out their subsidized Stafford loans over four years would pay $8,331 in interest payments under the Republican bill, and $3,450 if rates were kept at 3.4 percent. If rates were allowed to double in July, that amount would be $7,284 over the typical 10-year window to repay the maximum $19,000.” If the Republican plan were implemented, college graduates would pay $4,881 more in interest, compared to the current rate. [Associated Press, 5/16/13]

Bachmann Bails: Which Ethically Challenged Republican is Next?

2013-05-30T16:30:07+00:00

With Congresswoman Michele Bachmann leaving Congress in disgrace under an ethics cloud, which Republican House Members are most likely to follow suit? The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee put together a handy list of the ethically challenged Republicans who are most likely to leave under suspicion of wrongdoing.

Whether it’s facing investigations from the IRS for evading taxes or the FBI for tainted donations, more than half a dozen House Republicans are facing ethics investigations or have paid fines for their ethically challenged behavior.

Congressman Vern Buchanan – under investigation by the IRS for financial improprieties.

Congressman Michael Grimm – under investigation by the FBI for campaign fundraising improprieties.

Congressman Aaron Schock – under investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Congressman Rodney Davis – refused to comply with Office of Congressional Ethics investigation.

Congressman Scott DesJarlais – fined after investigation by Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners.

Congressman Jim Renacci – after refusing to pay his taxes, is still refusing to pay the fine.

Congressman Mark Sanford – paid fee after admitting to trespassing at his ex-wife’s home.

Background

Congressman Buchanan is Under Investigation by the IRS for Alleged “Financial Improprieties.” “Federal inquiries surrounding Mr. Buchanan appear to be widening, as investigators examine allegations that his companies improperly reimbursed contributors to his campaigns and claimed improper tax deductions and that he failed to include all his varied financial interests in his Congressional disclosure reports […] agents for the F.B.I. and the Internal Revenue Service recently contacted former employees alleging financial improprieties by Mr. Buchanan, who owns a number of auto dealerships throughout Florida and elsewhere and is one of the richest members of Congress. A federal grand jury in Tampa is hearing evidence in the case as well.” [New York Times, 2/23/12]

FBI Investigating Congressman Grimm’s Campaign Fundraising. According to the New York Daily News: “The FBI has questioned at least four people who worked on Congressman Michael Grimm’s 2010 campaign as part of its ongoing probe into allegations the Tea Party favorite took illegal election donations. […] The four, either campaign operatives and volunteers, were questioned in the past two weeks. In one case, the interview was conducted by a federal tag team that included an Assistant U.S. Attorney, sources told the Daily News. The FBI opened an inquiry into the Republican’s fund-raising after members of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto’s New York congregation complained he was strong-arming them for donations, as the New York Times reported in January.” [New York Daily News, 6/20/12]

OCE Concluded That “There is Substantial Reason to Believe That the Alleged Violation Occurred” Because of Davis’ Refusal to Cooperate. The Office of Congressional Ethics report said that “the OCE draws a negative inference from Mr. Davis’ refusal to cooperate with the OCE. The OCE infers that the information Mr. Davis refused to provide, taken together with the factual findings in this referral, supports the conclusion that there is substantial reason to believe that the alleged violation occurred.” [News Gazette, 2/8/11]

Congressman Scott DesJarlais Was Forced to Pay Fine “For Sexual Relationships He Had With Two Female Patients.” According to the Times Free Press “Tennessee's top medical disciplinary panel fined licensed physician and U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais $500 for sexual relationships he had with two female patients, inspiring critics to say the punishment didn't fit the crime.” [Times Free Press, 5/24/13]

Congressman Jim Renacci Tried to Shelter Income, Assessed $1.4 Million in Taxes and Penalties. In June 2007, Renacci and his wife filed an appeal with the Board of Tax Appeals in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals against a finding for an almost $1.4 million assessment for income taxes. The tax commissioner calculated $954,650 in tax; $146,938 in interest; and $293,876 in penalty. The Renaccis appealed the entire $1,395,464 assessment to the Board of Tax Appeals in June 2006. [Ninth Judicial District Court of Appeals, Case No. 07CA0061-M; Cleveland Plain Dealer, 10/19/12]

Headline: Rep. Jim Renacci is still disputing $359,822 tax penalty from 2000 [Cleveland Plain Dealer, 10/19/12]

Sanford Admitted to Trespassing at his Ex-Wife’s Home and Agreed to Pay Ex-Wife’s Legal Fees Stemming from the Incident. The Columbia Patch Reported: “According to WCBD-TV, Mark Sanford in court papers admitted to trespassing at Jenny Sanford's beachfront Sullivan's Island home when he visited his son on Feb. 3 to watch the Super Bowl. He has agreed to pay his ex-wife's attorney's fees.” [Columbia Patch, 5/08/13]

Bachmannâs Gone, But Her Extreme Politics Remain

2013-05-29T16:26:21+00:00

Instead of facing a variety of ethics investigations, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann announced today that she would retire from Congress. Her brand of politics has driven the Republican Congress to the unpopular extreme right, with a CNN poll last week showing that Republicans now have a 35 percent favorable rating and 59 percent unfavorable—the highest unfavorable rating since CNN started asking the question.

“Michele Bachmann’s Tea Party brand of extremism and obstruction have infected the entire Republican Congress, and her influence shows no signs of waning,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “This Republican Congress will continue to turn off Americans of all political stripes because they’re using the Bachmann playbook: put politics before solutions. The American people will now watch Republicans in Congress compete over who can be the most extreme and most radical to take Bachmann’s place pushing forward their extreme agenda.”

When Will House Republicans Stop Standing Behind Scott DesJarlais?

2013-05-28T13:58:12+00:00

House Republicans appear poised to continue to give Congressman Scott DesJarlais authority over the health care system, even as a Tennessee medical board fined him for having sexual relationships with patients and pressuring one of them to get an abortion. Congressman DesJarlais serves in the Republican Doctors Caucus – which prioritizes “patient-centered reform,” as well as two committees that address the health care system.

“How dare this Republican Congress keep Scott DesJarlais in a position of authority over health care?” asked Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Until Republicans in this Congress strip Congressman DesJarlais of his influence over our health care, this will continue to prove that the Republican Congress isn’t on the side of women. From making Mark Sanford their newest face to voting against the Violence Against Women Act, leaving Scott DesJarlais in a leading health care role is just the latest signal that this Republican Congress isn’t serious about treating women with respect.”

Several incumbent members of Congress – including Congressmen Darrell Issa, James Jordan, John Kline, Frank Lucas, Tom Price and Steve Scalise – have helped Congressman DesJarlais raise money for his re-election bid, even after his troubles were made public. Before winning the majority in 2010, then Congressman Eric Cantor said Republicans would hold a “zero-tolerance” policy on ethics but Republican leaders have repeatedly violated that pledge.

According to the Times Free Press, Congressman DesJarlais “must pay the $500 fine -- $250 per patient, according to the order -- within 60 days. Documents also show he's responsible for up to $1,000 in costs for the state's investigation.” [TimesFreePress.com, 5/24/13]

Background:

Congressman DesJarlais Focuses on Protecting the Patient-Centered Relationship as a member of the Republican Doctors’ Caucus. “Since its formation in March 2009, the GOP Doctors Caucus continues to play an effective role in protesting the largest overhaul of our nation’s health care system in history. Created by Dr. Phil Gingrey, M.D., (R-GA) and Dr. Tim Murphy, Ph.D, (R-PA), the Caucus is composed of 21 medical providers in Congress who utilize their medical expertise to develop patient-centered health care reforms focused on quality, access, affordability, portability, and choice.” [Republican Doctors Caucus, accessed 5/27/13]

Congressman DesJarlais and House Republicans Attempted to Redefine Rape. In 2011, both DesJarlais co-sponsored the House Republicans’ No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, a bill that would have redefined a ban on federal funding for abortions to exempt only “forcible rape” and not “rape” generally. Under the language initially proposed by the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, rape would have become “forcible rape.” The Washington Post reported that the bill’s critics believed “the modifier could distinguish it from other kinds of sexual assault that are typically recognized as rape, including statutory rape and attacks that occur because of drugs or verbal threats.” [Washington Post, 2/01/11; HR 3 Co-Sponsors, 112th Congress]

Congressman DesJarlais Has a History of Having Sex With Patients and Pressured One to Have an Abortion. “A family practice doctor, DesJarlais was forced to empty his war chest when court records revealed a checkered past days before the election. Interviews and documents showed he had sex with two female patients and tried to persuade one to get an abortion.” [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 2/24/13]

Congressman DesJarlais Has a History of Getting His Patient/Lovers Gifts and Medications. “Court documents obtained by the Chattanooga Times Free Press confirmed that the anti-abortion politician supported his ex-wife’s abortions in the 1990s; slept with patients and co-workers while chief of staff at a Jasper hospital; bought expensive gifts for his patient-lovers; and prescribed one pain medication during their affair.” [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 2/24/13]

Congressman DesJarlais Serves on the Subcommittee on Health Care, District of Columbia, Census and the National Archives. According to the subcommittee’s web site: “The Health Care and District of Columbia Subcommittee holds the federal government accountable to taxpayers with a focus on drug policy, the District of Columbia, the Census Bureau, and federal records, as well as federal health care policy, food and drug safety, public support for the arts, libraries and museums, criminal justice, and transportation. Led by Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy this Congress, the Health Care and District of Columbia Subcommittee has examined the impact of Obamacare, focused on security, transportation, and education issues in the District of Columbia, and investigated abuses of Medicaid eligibility.” [Subcommittee web site, accessed 5/27/13]

Congressman DesJarlais Oversees Employers’ Health Plans. The Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions has jurisdiction over all matters dealing with relationships between employers and employees including, but not limited to, the National Labor Relations Act, the Labor-Management Relations Act, and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act; the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and employment-related health and retirement security including pension, health, and other employee benefits and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). [Committee web site, accessed 5/27/13]

TODAY IN CONGRESS: House Republicans to Pass âStudents Pay Moreâ Act

2013-05-23T13:52:54+00:00

House Republicans are set today to pass yet another bill that shows their true colors – the “Students Pay More Act” – charging students more for their college loans. House Republicans’ plan would force student loan recipients to pay thousands more in interest payments for the same exact types of loans, with the Associated Press describing how “student loan rates could steadily climb and cost students more over the long haul under the plan House Republicans are considering.” The average college graduate has $26,000 in student loan debt.

While they make student loans more expensive, Republicans refuse to end taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil companies already making record profits.

“With today’s vote, House Republicans will show yet again that they would rather subsidize big oil companies than make sure college is affordable,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Instead of solving the problem of loan rates that will double at the end of the month, House Republicans are putting a bigger burden on the backs of future students. Students already pay enough for college – but now House Republicans want them to shell out even more in crushing interest payments for the same loans. Today’s vote on increasing student loan costs over the long term is a simple question of priorities, and House Republicans are yet again standing with corporate special interests and against hardworking middle class families.”

BACKGROUND

Headline: Republicans move forward with student loan plan that could mean higher rates later [Associated Press, 5/16/13]

Under the House Republican Plan, Graduates Would Pay Almost $5,000 More in Student Loan Interest. The Associated Press reported: “In real dollars, the GOP plan would cost students and families heavily, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. The office used the CBO projections for Treasury notes’ interest rates each year. Students who max out their subsidized Stafford loans over four years would pay $8,331 in interest payments under the Republican bill, and $3,450 if rates were kept at 3.4 percent. If rates were allowed to double in July, that amount would be $7,284 over the typical 10-year window to repay the maximum $19,000.” If the Republican plan were implemented, college graduates would pay $4,881 more in interest, compared to the current rate. [Associated Press, 5/16/13]

Congressman Buchanan Should Live Up to His Own Standards

2013-05-22T18:29:49+00:00

Congressman Buchanan Should Live Up to His Own Standards and Release All Documents Pertaining to His Own Financial Scandals

Scandal plagued, former used car salesman Congressman Vern Buchanan has been tapped by Republicans to help lead the investigation into the IRS, and now he’s calling for transparency – despite the fact that Congressman Buchanan has refused to release details of his own alleged “financial improprieties.”

That’s why today, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is calling on Congressman Vern Buchanan to live up to his own standards and release all documents pertaining to his own financial scandals in order to maintain the credibility of the investigation. Last week, the Committee called on Congressman Buchanan to recuse himself from the investigation in light of his own history of financial scandals.

“It is time for Congressman Vern Buchanan to live up to his own standards and release all documents relating to his own financial scandals,” said David Bergstein of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Both Democrats and Republicans have called for a thorough investigation into the misconduct of the IRS, and Congressman Vern Buchanan called for transparency. But the Robber cannot guard the bank: In order to preserve the integrity of the Committee’s findings, Congressman Buchanan must release all details he has previously withheld regarding his own history of financial scandals and recuse himself from further hearings.”

BACKGROUND

Congressman Buchanan Investigated by the IRS for Alleged “Financial Improprieties.” “Federal inquiries surrounding Mr. Buchanan appear to be widening, as investigators examine allegations that his companies improperly reimbursed contributors to his campaigns and claimed improper tax deductions and that he failed to include all his varied financial interests in his Congressional disclosure reports […] agents for the F.B.I. and the Internal Revenue Service recently contacted former employees alleging financial improprieties by Mr. Buchanan, who owns a number of auto dealerships throughout Florida and elsewhere and is one of the richest members of Congress. A federal grand jury in Tampa is hearing evidence in the case as well.” [New York Times, 2/23/12]

Congressman Buchanan Refused to Release Documents Surrounding Alleged Tax Evasion and Fraud. “Buchanan has been in litigation with his former partner Sam Kazran since 2008. During the suit witness have sworn the Congressman has illegally funneled money for campaign contributions through his business and has been guilty of tax evasion and tax fraud […] While Buchanan has vigorously denied these allegations, he has refused to turn over records his ex-partner has requested through the court.” [WTSP, 4/11/3]

Congressman Renacci Attacks IRS While Still Dealing With His Own Tax Scandal

2013-05-20T17:09:31+00:00

In recent days, Congressman Jim Renacci has stepped up his attacks on the IRS, calling their behavior “completely unacceptable,” but what Congressman Renacci fails to acknowledge is that he’s currently dealing with his own tax scandal that his constituents find unacceptable. The Ohio Tax Commissioner calculated that Congressman Renacci owed $1.4 million in back taxes and penalties for misreporting millions of income, but Congressman Renacci refused to pay his bill and has demanded he get extensions to accommodate his political needs.

“It’s ironic that Congressman Renacci is attacking the IRS and calling their behavior ‘completely unacceptable’ when his own failure to pay taxes is so completely unacceptable,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “It’s unacceptable for Congressman Renacci to attack the IRS knowing he tried to shelter millions of dollars and is still trying to avoid paying the penalty for avoiding his taxes. The people of Ohio’s 16^th Congressional district expect and deserve a representative who pays his fair share in taxes – not Congressman Renacci who puts politics first.”

BACKGROUND

Renaccis Tried to Shelter Income, Assessed $1.4 Million in Taxes and Penalties. In June 2007, Renacci and his wife filed an appeal with the Board of Tax Appeals in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals against a finding for an almost $1.4 million assessment for income taxes. The tax commissioner calculated $954,650 in tax; $146,938 in interest; and $293,876 in penalty. The Renaccis appealed the entire $1,395,464 assessment to the Board of Tax Appeals in June 2006. [Ninth Judicial District Court of Appeals, Case No. 07CA0061-M; Cleveland Plain Dealer, 10/19/12]

Headline: Rep. Jim Renacci is still disputing $359,822 tax penalty from 2000 [Cleveland Plain Dealer, 10/19/12]

Renacci: IRS Targeting is “Completely Unacceptable.” In May, 2013, Renacci said, “The admission from the IRS that it has been targeting conservative groups for extra scrutiny is completely unacceptable.” [Renacci press release, 5/13/13]

VIDEO: Targeting Republicans for Wasting Taxpayer Money to Put Insurance Companies in Charge

2013-05-16T22:42:56+00:00

Moments after House Republicans voted again to put insurance companies back in charge of health care, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched online advertising against 10 vulnerable House Republicans who sided with insurance giants over hardworking middle class families. The web ads – “Stop Wasting Our Money” – will run on sites frequented by young voters and point out that the House Republicans have wasted $50 million in taxpayer money to keep taking the same failed vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

“There’s no telling how much time and money House Republicans will waste on their backwards repeal effort, but Americans have lost their patience,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “If House Republicans had their way, women would go back to being charged more just for being women, Americans would go back to being denied care if they were already sick, and tax credits for small businesses would end. Americans don’t want to put insurance companies back in charge of our care, but that hasn’t stopped Republicans from making 37 costly attempts to repeal vital consumer protections. It’s clear that as long as House Republicans are in charge, they’ll keep fighting the same ideological battles and obstructing progress.”

Earlier this week, the DCCC launched automated phone calls in each district to ask Americans to urge their Member of Congress to stand up against House Republican leadership and “move forward and strengthen our health care, not join the partisans in Congress who want to put insurance companies back in charge.”

Young voters in the following districts will see the online advertising:

Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19)
Congressman Michael Grimm (NY-11)
Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03)
Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)
Congressman Gary Miller (CA-31)
Congressman Steve Pearce (NM-02)
Congressman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)
Congressman Jon Runyan (NJ-03)
Congressman David Valadao (CA-21)
Congressman Bill Young (FL-13)

DCCC Launches Paid Grassroots Efforts Targeting Republicans for Repealing Health Care Protections

2013-05-15T14:43:54+00:00

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching a grassroots action campaign with paid telephone calls in 10 districts of vulnerable House Republicans urging them to oppose the 37^th attempt to put health insurance companies back in charge of health care by repealing the Affordable Care Act. The DCCC automated phone calls ask Americans to urge their Member of Congress to stand up against House Republican leadership and “move forward and strengthen our health care, not join the partisans in Congress who want to put insurance companies back in charge.”

The calls begin today through tomorrow’s vote in 10 districts.

“Americans are crystal clear – they want Congress to solve problems, not spark ideological battles again and again,” DCCC Chairman Steve Israel said. “Once again, the Republican Congress is wasting taxpayer dollars and trying to put insurance companies back in charge of our care. The consequences are clear: fewer protections for consumers, more health-care related bankruptcies and more money for the insurance companies. We’re urging House Republicans to vote against this and start focusing on real solutions.”

A sample of the call script running against Congressman David Valadao is below:

“The Republican Congress is scheduled to vote tomorrow to put insurance companies back in charge of your health care and repeal vital consumer protections and benefits that you’ve earned.

“And your Congressman might be part of the problem. Tell Congressman Valadao to stand up for middle class families here in California - and don't help the Republican Congress give insurance companies more control over your life.

“We don’t need any more ideological wars in Washington, we need solutions that reduce health care costs and protect consumers. Sadly, Congressman Valadao might deny coverage to people with preexisting conditions, raise prescription drug costs, kick kids off their parents' health care before they turn 26 and even eliminate the cap on health care costs, forcing people into bankruptcy to take care of their families.

“That would be a devastating blow to middle class families like yours across the country.

“Call Congressman David Valadao now at 661-864-7736 and tell him to vote no. Tell him it’s time to move forward and strengthen our health care, not join the partisans in Congress who want to put insurance companies back in charge.”

Voters in the following districts will receive these calls:

Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19)

Congressman Michael Grimm (NY-11)

Congressman Joe Heck (NV-03)

Congressman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02)

Congressman Gary Miller (CA-31)

Congressman Steve Pearce (NM-02)

Congressman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27)

Congressman Jon Runyan (NJ-03)

Congressman David Valadao (CA-21)

Congressman Bill Young (FL-13)

VIDEO: DCCC Highlights Problem-Solvers on âJumpstartâ

2013-05-14T13:32:42+00:00

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is highlighting the strengths of “Jumpstart” candidates in a new video today showcasing the first round members of the program. Jumpstart candidates get early financial, operational and strategic support – providing an early boost to competitive candidates in competitive districts around the country. Jumpstart was announced last week.

“Americans put a premium on sending problem solvers to this broken Republican Congress, and these Jumpstart candidates all know how to put results for the middle class ahead of partisan ideology – and they’ll all be just the antidote the American people want,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “From a former CIA analyst to a well-respected judge, Jumpstart candidates have a record of putting this country first and solving problems. We’re excited for this class of strong recruits to hit the ground running and talk with voters about how they’ll tackle the country’s problems, instead of voting in lockstep with a dysfunctional and out-of-touch Republican Congress.”

Jumpstart Round 1

This Week in Congress: Republicans Vote to Put Insurance Companies Back in Charge of Health Care

2013-05-13T20:18:31+00:00

The Republican Congress will cast the 37^th vote this week to put insurance companies back in charge of health care --- though it’s the first vote for some of the newly elected Republicans. House Republicans have Tea Party Caucus Chair Michele Bachmann as their sponsor.

Instead of finding smart reforms to our health care system, House Republicans want to refight ideological battles and take away consumer health care benefits, putting the insurance companies back in charge. They want to:

Raise prescription drug costs by re-opening the prescription drug donut hole
Deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions
End tax credits for small businesses
Kick children off their parents health care before they turn 26
Close prevention and wellness initiatives that lower costs and improve health
Eliminate the cap on health care costs and let people go back into bankruptcy because of health costs

House Republicans already voted 36 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act during the last Congress – costing the taxpayers $50 million. Republicans ran the 2012 campaign on a pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but voters re-elected President Obama, expanded the Democratic margin in the Senate and gave House Democrats the majority of the popular vote and more seats.

“Republicans claim to speak for the people, but the people spoke in the last election and Republicans just want to refight old ideological battles instead of finding solutions that strengthen middle class families,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Republicans will vote to put insurance companies back in charge of health care, raising prescription drug costs, denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, and even driving people back into bankruptcy because of health care costs. Instead of solving our health care problem, Republicans would rather play games and try to score points. Middle class families will suffer when Republicans put insurance companies back in charge.”

ABC: Congressman Southerland backing bill that would âcut worker payâ

2013-05-09T22:16:22+00:00

Congressman Steve Southerland said he’d change Washington, but all he’s done is gone Washington – and this morning WTXL caught him in the act: reporting that Congressman Steve Southerland is backing the “The Pay Working Families Less Act” which would “cut workers pay with no guarantee of paid vacation days when employees need to use them. The Pay Working Families Less Act…would allow employers to pay their workers nothing extra for overtime work other than comp time that can only be used at the employers discretion.”

See for yourself here or below.

TRANSCRIPT

“Congressman Steve Southerland is backing a bill that would cut workers pay with no guarantee of paid vacation days when employees need to use them. The Pay Working Families Less Act proposed by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor would allow employers to pay their workers nothing extra for overtime work other than comp time that can only be used at the employer's discretion. House Republicans say the bill would help working families but critics say it undermines overtime and gives workers little flexibility.”

BACKGROUND

Congressman Southerland Voted for the “Pay Working Families Less Act.” [HR 1406, Vote #137, 5/08/13]

Center for Economic and Policy Research: Bill Would “Undermine the 40-Hour Work Week” and Would Provide “Employers With a Powerful Incentive to Increase Workers’ Overtime Hours.” According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research: “The proposed legislation undermines the 40-hour work week that workers have long relied on to give them time to spend with their kids. The flexibility in this comp time bill would have employees working unpaid overtime hours beyond the 40-hour workweek and accruing as many as 160 hours of compensatory time. A low-paid worker making $10 an hour who accrued that much comp time in lieu of overtime pay would effectively give his or her employer an interest-free loan of $1,600 – equal to a month’s pay. That’s a lot to ask of a worker making about $20,000 a year. Indeed, any worker who accrues 160 hours of comp time will in effect have loaned his or her employer a month’s pay. This same arithmetic provides employers with a powerful incentive to increase workers’ overtime hours.” [The Hill, 4/08/13]

Center for Economic and Policy Research: Proposal Would “Likely Increase Overtime Hours For Those Who Don’t Want Them and Cut Pay For Those Who Do.” In an op-ed submitted to the Huffington Post a senior economist with the Center for Economic and Policy Research wrote: “Touted by Republicans as a new comp time initiative that will give hourly-paid workers the flexibility to meet family responsibilities, it is neither new nor about giving these workers much needed time off to care for their families. The bill rehashes legislation Republicans passed in the House in 1997, some 16 years ago, and that they introduced again in most subsequent Congresses. Its major effect would be to hamstring workers -- likely increasing overtime hours for those who don't want them and cutting pay for those who do.” [Huffington Post, 4/16/13]

National Partnership for Women and Families: “You Have No Ability to Take That Leave When You Need It. The Employer Can Decide.” In a statement to the Chicago Tribune, a senior advisor for the National Partnership for Women & Families said: “It should be called the Employer Flexibility Act, because at every turn here, the employer gets to decide… It pretends to provide a set of options to employees. But even if they elect to take the comp time instead of wages, when they can take it is fully at the discretion of the employer. You have no ability to take that leave when you need it. The employer can decide.” [Chicago Tribune, 4/22/13]

9to5: Bill is a “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” That Would “Ensure Workers Have Less Time, Less Flexibility and Less Money.” In a statement, the executive director of 9to5 said: “Much like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the falsely cloaked Working Families Flexibility Act would hurt, not help, families. The Working Families Flexibility Act, a true misnomer, would in reality ensure workers have less time, less flexibility and less money.” [9to5, 4/11/13]

House Republicans Have Unsuccessfully Pushed to Gut the Fair Labor Standards Act for More Than a Decade. According to New York Magazine: “Similar legislation has been bouncing around Capitol Hill for years; one recent attempt died in committee in 2003. In the past, Democrats argued that the proposed legislation would only weaken overtime rights, because the comp time will be controlled by employers, who may also discriminate against employees who want to be paid their overtime wages in cash. Democrats also have an alternate plan for making sure moms ‘don't have to choose between work and family’: Demand employers offer family-friendly leave policies and pay overtime wages.” [New York Magazine, 4/30/13]

South Carolina vote not the end of the drama

2013-05-08T19:52:28+00:00

Welcome to the Republican Congress with Mark Sanford as the newest face.

Really republicans? We're gonna get behind Mark Sanford and claim gay couples will ruin marriage. This is why young people don't vote GOP!!!
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) May 8, 2013

Gabriel Gomez distances from Sanford, says he "seems pathetic," calls him "career politician," should "get a real job" per spox
— Jim O'Sullivan (@JOSreports) May 8, 2013

Sanford was no fan of the House GOP leadership before the NRCC pulled the plug.This is about to get even more fun.
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) May 8, 2013

USA TODAY: South Carolina vote not the end of the drama

Republican Mark Sanford won South Carolina's congressional special election Tuesday, but the results may not conclude the drama of a disgraced former governor on the outs with his own party.

Sanford's quest for public and political redemption after an extramarital affair succeeded with voters Tuesday, who returned him to a congressional seat he left in 2001. Sanford will fill the seat vacated when Rep. Tim Scott was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January.

On Thursday, however, Sanford will appear in a televised court hearing to answer a charge of trespassing from his former wife. Then he'll head to Washington, where he made few friends during his previous three terms in office bucking the Republican leadership.

THE HILL: Sanford victory could spell trouble for House GOP leadership

Boehner on Tuesday morning suggested that he was less than thrilled about Sanford’s potential return to the House. And while the Speaker tweeted out a quick “congrats” to Sanford with the hash-tag #jobs, a comment from his spokesman following the results was less than a bear-hug.

QUICK CLIP: Chairman Israel Says Americans Deserve a Vote on Background Checks

2013-05-01T18:10:23+00:00

QUICK CLIP: Chairman Israel Says Americans Deserve a Vote on Background Checks

On MSNBC this morning, DCCC Chairman Steve Israel called on House Republicans to stop obstructing progress on background checks to prevent gun violence and immigration reform.

Chairman Israel said, “the House of Representatives, under Republican Speaker John Boehner, is hiding behind the Senate. People deserve a vote.” He continued, “Speaker Boehner, give these Americans the vote that they deserve. It is a dereliction of duty for the House of Representatives not to bring a vote on background checks to the floor of the House. We’re being paid to vote, we ought to earn our salary.”

Watch the clip here:

Chairman Israel also discussed the failure of House Republicans to make progress on immigration reform, saying “[Senator Marco Rubio] said an immigration solution, a compromise, can’t pass the House. What can pass the House? It is another reflection of the fact that House Republicans are part of a Congress of Chronic Chaos. This is the only job in America that I know of where you’re paid not to do things, not to pass legislation, not to vote, to stall, to make everything a product of chaos and obstructionism and extremism.”

NRCC Asks Women To Ignore Anti-Women Agenda

2013-04-30T13:16:51+00:00

The National Republican Congressional Committee apparently thinks their problem with women voters is a tactical problem about outreach, not a substance problem about their agenda. Today, the NRCC launched online advertising designed to reach women voters with hopes they would forget that the Republican agenda in Congress is extreme and anti-women.

Republicans voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and blocked the Pay Equity Act. The Majority of Republicans in congress voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and they’ve repeatedly voted to strip funding for women’s health care services at Planned Parenthood – even threatening to shut down the government over it. These are the same House Republicans who even voted to redefine rape.

“House Republicans wish women voters would forget their past and ignore their agenda, but women voters are too smart for that,” said Emily Bittner of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “This Republican Congress has been the most extreme, anti-woman legislature in American history with an agenda to deny women equal pay, quality health care services and even domestic violence protections. If Republicans think their problem is the style of their marketing campaign - not the substance they’re selling - they’ve missed the message of the 2012 elections.”

HIGHLIGHTS: The Republican Record on Women

Republicans opposed Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay which restores the rights of women and other workers to challenge unfair pay in court — by rectifying the May 2007 Ledbetter v. Goodyear Supreme Court decision that overturned precedent and made it much more difficult for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims.

Majority of Republicans voted against reauthorizing Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) which provides funding to states for a variety of programs designed to combat violence against women. VAWA authorizes programs like STOP grants, Transitional Housing Assistance Grants, legal assistance for victims, amongst other programs, that help victim service providers, law enforcement, and prosecutors to keep victims from further abuse and hold perpetrators accountable. VAWA also made certain acts of domestic violence a federal crime (S.47, Vote #55, 2/28/13).

Republicans voted to strip funding for Planned Parenthood and threatened to shut down government over it. House Republicans voted to strip funding for Planned Parenthood which operates 820 health centers around the country and provides sexual and reproductive health care, education, and information to over 5 million women, men, and adolescents each year. Although only 3% of all Planned Parenthood services provided are abortions, Republicans voted to eliminate all federal funding for Planned Parenthood for FY2011, on an amendment to a FY2011 funding bill. And threatened to shut down government if it wasn’t defunded.. [Link to vote: Vote #93]; Link to vote: Vote #271]

Republicans voted to redefine rape. On March 3, 2011, all but one Republican on the House Judiciary Committee voted to redefine “rape” in federal law to include only “forcible rape.” This would have upended the long-standing definition of “rape” in federal law and denied important funding for rape victims. The Republicans’ new definition of rape would have excluded the many forms of non-forcible rape, such as statutory rape involving a female minor and an adult male — and would have prohibited such rape victims from receiving critical health care from programs such as Medicaid. [House Judiciary Committee, markup vote, H.R. 3]

Wall Street Journal: DCCC Reports Record Haul

2013-04-26T20:35:43+00:00

Wall Street Journal:

The DCCC pulled in $22.6 million, the most it has ever raised in any first quarter, while the Republicans took in $17.5 million.

Although the two congressional campaign committees are relatively close in the amount of cash they have in the bank – Democrats have $8.9 million and Republicans have $8.1 million – Democrats have only about half the amount of debt as Republicans.

Some $4.3 million came from Democratic caucus members.

The biggest factor, however, was the DCCC’s online donation performance, which brought in $4.7 million, according to the committee. That’s three times the DCCC’s online haul in the first quarter in 2012 – an election year.

A Republican Party official said the DCCC seems to have learned from President Barack Obama’s highly successful online campaign operation, adding he hoped the Republicans would crank up their own online donation efforts.

The National Republican Congressional Committee’s spokeswoman said the push by House Democrats is critical to the White House.

“The House Republican majority is the last line of defense between President Obama and cementing his liberal legacy,” said NRCC spokeswoman Andrea Bozek. “That’s why [House Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi has been traveling the country with Barack Obama hosting high-dollar fundraisers. We are working overtime to compete with the billion-dollar Obama-Pelosi machine.”

The DCCC responded that “small donor” donations of less than $200 are more than triple those the NRCC collected in the first quarter: $8.177 million compared with $2.508 million. DCCC Spokesman Jesse Ferguson added that 36% of its donations were small-dollar, compared with 14% of NRCC donations.

Rep. Steve Israel of New York, DCCC chairman, also played on the ongoing philosophical division within Republican ranks to explain Democrats’ fundraising success. “The dysfunction and chaos of this Republican Congress has driven business leaders and grassroots online supporters alike to invest in fixing the broken Congress,” he said.

Watch: DCCC TV Ad—Mark Sanford Broke Our Trust

2013-04-25T17:22:27+00:00

SC-01 SPECIAL ELECTION: MAY 7TH
There are just 12 days until Election Day in South Carolina's 1st district. Elizabeth Colbert Busch could pull off a huge victory in one of the reddest districts in the country -- and you’re helping to make it happen! With your help, we crushed our goal and are fighting Republican Mark Sanford’s deceptive ads with the facts.

Check out the ad you helped us put on the air:

Your grassroots power sent a panicking Mark Sanford running to the papers. He literally took out a full-page, 1,200 word ad whining about our TV ad calling him out on his record.

Washington Post:

Sanford then used the rest of the full-page ad to whine about his other campaign travails and beg for money. “I’d like to take all I have learned and apply it to fixing things, but I’m outgunned, outmanned, and outspent by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee [DCCC] and Nancy Pelosi’s PAC,” he wrote. Sanford also gives out his personal cell phone number so that he can rebut ethics allegations made against him made by the DCCC.

In a district as red as this one – Mitt Romney won it by 18 points! – we can’t let one day go by without calling out the Republicans' smears and fighting back with the facts. That is exactly what you have helped us do, so thank you!

This election all depends on voter turnout. Will you help us call voters and remind them to get out to the polls? Join the online phone bank right now by clicking here >>

VIDEO: DCCC Highlights Congresswoman Bachmannâs Growing Ethics Problems

2013-04-25T14:09:00+00:00

Following news that Congresswoman Bachmann’s staff has released an affidavit confirming an Iowa state Senator was paid to work on Bachmann’s presidential campaign – a possible violation of Iowa ethics rules -- the DCCC unveiled a new video highlighting how Bachmann is running from her growing ethics investigations. According to media reports, Bachmann is being investigated by the bipartisan Office of Congressional Ethics over allegations that her campaign stole and used an email list, paid staffers under the table, and used her campaign to improperly promote her failed book.

“Congresswoman Bachmann is running from questions about the growing bipartisan ethics investigation because she knows these investigations are another example of failing to get the job done for Minnesota,” said Brandon Lorenz of the DCCC. “Minnesota voters are going to show little patience with Congresswoman Bachmann’s distractions as she continues to court national headlines at the expense of middle class families.”

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is Running…

BACKGROUND:

The Office of Congressional Ethics is Investigating Bachmann. In 2013, ABC News reported that “Federal investigators are probing allegations that Rep. Michele Bachmann, or members of her staff, inappropriately used money raised during her presidential campaign, her lawyer and former campaign staffers said today.” [ABC News, 3/25/13]

FEC is Investigating Bachmann’s Relationship With Her Fundraising Firm. In 2013, the MinnPost reported that C&M Strategies’ relationship with the Bachmann campaign was also “the subject of a Federal Elections Commission investigation relating to alleged under-the-table payments made during the presidential campaign.” [MinnPost, 4/22/13]

Former Bachmann Presidential Campaign Staffer: Bachmann Aide “Received Money Under the Table for His Support.” In 2013, ABC News reported that Peter Waldron alleged that Bachmann's onetime Iowa campaign chair, state Sen. Kent Sorenson, “received money under the table for his support. Sorenson's position in the Legislature prohibits him from receiving payments from the campaign.” [ABC News, 3/25/13]

Bachmann’s Former Chief Of Staff Swore She “Knew Of And Approved” Paying Aide with Third Party PAC Money. In 2013, MPR News reported, “Andy Parrish, Bachmann's former chief of staff and longtime aide, swore in an affidavit that Bachmann ‘knew of and approved’ paying Iowa state Sen. Kent Sorenson via another political action committee controlled by Bachmann. Iowa Senate ethics rules forbid lawmakers from accepting employment from political campaigns.” [MPR News, 4/22/13]

DCCC Outraises NRCC, Record-Breaking First Quarter

2013-04-22T20:18:14+00:00

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee dominated first quarter fundraising with a record-breaking $22.6 million – outraising the NRCC by $5.1 million despite being in the minority. The DCCC has half as much debt as the NRCC ($8.3 million for the NRCC to $4.5 million for the DCCC) and more cash-on-hand than the NRCC ($8.9 million for the DCCC to $8.1 million for the NRCC). The DCCC raised $4.7 M from online donors and $4.3 M from Democratic Members with over 50 percent of Members participating including 92 percent of freshmen.

DCCC breaks fundraising record [Politico, 4/22/13]
- DCCC outraises NRCC in first quarter by $5.1M [The Hill, 4/19/13]
- DCCC raises $22.6M in record first quarter [The Hill, 4/18/13]
- DCCC Reaps Record Rewards From Freshmen [National Journal, 4/16/13]
- DCCC Raises $10 Million, NRCC Raises $8 Million in March [Roll Call, 4/20/2013]
- Democrats raise $22.6M for House races [USA Today, 4/18/2013]
- DCCC Sets Fundraising Record With $22.6 Million In First Quarter [The Huffington Post, 4/18/2013]
- DCCC raises $10.2 million in March [The Washington Post, 4/18/2013]
- Members Cough Up $4.3M for DCCC [Roll Call, 4/17/2013]

Side-by-side Comparison

Q1 2013	DCCC	NRCC
Q1 (QTD) Receipts	$22.6 M	$17.5 M
March (MTD) Receipts	$10.2 M	$8.1 M
COH	$8.9 M	$8.1 M
Debt	$4.5 M	$8.3 M

DCCC Launches Online âYou Deserve A Voteâ Ads on Gun Violence Prevention

2013-04-22T17:22:26+00:00

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched “You Deserve A Vote” paid online advertising today calling on Republicans in Congress to end their obstruction and allow a vote on commonsense gun violence prevention measures, including background checks that more than 80% of Americans support. The advertising directs supporters to a petition at DCCC.org/background-checks where they can make their voice heard demanding a vote. So far, Speaker Boehner has refused to guarantee a House vote on a commonsense compromise for background checks that received the support of a bipartisan Majority in the United States Senate.

“Overwhelming majorities of the American people want a vote on commonsense gun violence prevention like background checks but House Republicans continue to obstruct the will of the American people,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Democrats are engaging grassroots supporters to demand that House Republicans stop kowtowing to a tiny, extreme minority and allow a vote on gun violence prevention.”

The online petition is available here: DCCC.org/background-checks.

The following ads will begin running today:

VIDEO: DCCC Highlights Early âProblem Solversâ Running Against Partisan House Republicans

2013-04-10T15:17:17+00:00

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today unveiled a new video highlighting early candidates who are running as “problem solvers” to defeat the ideological and dysfunctional House Republicans. The video shows each of these Democrats’ campaign announcements where they share compelling backgrounds that resonate with voters, pledge to be problem-solvers, and commit to creating new jobs, strengthening the middle class, and protecting seniors.

“House Republicans have shown time and time again that they’re unwilling to compromise and would rather put their partisan agenda and ideology ahead of doing what’s right for the American people,” said DCCC Chairman Steve Israel. “There is a committed group of problem solving Democrats stepping forward to run for Congress because they are focused on solutions that will reduce our deficit, strengthen the middle class, and protect seniors. Republicans in Congress are unwilling to solve problems, so they’ve become the problem.”

Problem Solving Candidates, Part 1

DCCC: The Stakeholder

On Newtown Anniversary, DCCC Launches âAmerica Deserves a Voteâ Website

Do Republicans in Congress Side With Extremists Who Say Rapes Donât Really Result in Pregnancy?

All-Male House Republicans Focus on Banning Womanâs Right to Choose, Not Jobs

DCCC Launches Spanish Radio Ads on House Republicansâ Vote to Restart DREAM Act Deportations

DCCC Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act

What John Boehner Says Vs. What John Boehner Does

Dept. of Dirty Endorsements, Continued: Davis Releases Endorsement From Schock, who is Under Federal

House Republicans Ignore Hardworking Americans as Defense Workers Receive Furlough Notices

Congressman Michael Grimm Doubles Down on Opposition to Protecting 9/11 Victims

DCCC Places Ads on College Campuses as Republicans Let Student Loan Rates Skyrocket

Bachmann Bails: Which Ethically Challenged Republican is Next?

Bachmannâs Gone, But Her Extreme Politics Remain

When Will House Republicans Stop Standing Behind Scott DesJarlais?

TODAY IN CONGRESS: House Republicans to Pass âStudents Pay Moreâ Act

Congressman Buchanan Should Live Up to His Own Standards

Congressman Renacci Attacks IRS While Still Dealing With His Own Tax Scandal

VIDEO: Targeting Republicans for Wasting Taxpayer Money to Put Insurance Companies in Charge

DCCC Launches Paid Grassroots Efforts Targeting Republicans for Repealing Health Care Protections

VIDEO: DCCC Highlights Problem-Solvers on âJumpstartâ

This Week in Congress: Republicans Vote to Put Insurance Companies Back in Charge of Health Care

ABC: Congressman Southerland backing bill that would âcut worker payâ

South Carolina vote not the end of the drama

QUICK CLIP: Chairman Israel Says Americans Deserve a Vote on Background Checks

NRCC Asks Women To Ignore Anti-Women Agenda

Wall Street Journal: DCCC Reports Record Haul

Watch: DCCC TV Ad—Mark Sanford Broke Our Trust

VIDEO: DCCC Highlights Congresswoman Bachmannâs Growing Ethics Problems

DCCC Outraises NRCC, Record-Breaking First Quarter

DCCC Launches Online âYou Deserve A Voteâ Ads on Gun Violence Prevention

VIDEO: DCCC Highlights Early âProblem Solversâ Running Against Partisan House Republicans

On Newtown Anniversary, DCCC Launches âAmerica Deserves a Voteâ Website

Do Republicans in Congress Side With Extremists Who Say Rapes Donât Really Result in Pregnancy?

All-Male House Republicans Focus on Banning Womanâs Right to Choose, Not Jobs

DCCC Launches Spanish Radio Ads on House Republicansâ Vote to Restart DREAM Act Deportations

Bachmannâs Gone, But Her Extreme Politics Remain

TODAY IN CONGRESS: House Republicans to Pass âStudents Pay Moreâ Act

VIDEO: DCCC Highlights Problem-Solvers on âJumpstartâ

ABC: Congressman Southerland backing bill that would âcut worker payâ

VIDEO: DCCC Highlights Congresswoman Bachmannâs Growing Ethics Problems

DCCC Launches Online âYou Deserve A Voteâ Ads on Gun Violence Prevention

VIDEO: DCCC Highlights Early âProblem Solversâ Running Against Partisan House Republicans