In case you missed it, Rick Nolan has submitted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act calling for $60 BILLION in across-the-board budget cuts hitting everything from troop pay, to healthcare to military housing. As a reminder, Minnesota’s 8^th district is home to more than 61,000 veterans (or  9% of the total population) and has 3 VA centers.

“Rick Nolan has once again turned his back on our Nation’s heroes. After dedicating their lives to service, Rick Nolan wants to reward veterans by indiscriminately cutting nearly 10% of the budget that provides everything from housing to healthcare. This is not acceptable.” — Alleigh Marré, NRCC Spokeswoman

The post Really Rick Nolan? Again? appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.

• Pete Aguilar and his use of the National Democrats’ establishment
• Eloise Gomez-Reyes and her support from special interest groups like EMILY’s List
• Former Congressman Joe Baca and the relationships from his previous tenure in Congress
• Danny Tillman and his profile fit for the support of union groups

“The burden of battle is starting to take its toll among the Democratic candidates. Whether it’s Danny Tillman, washed up Congressman Joe Baca, special interest pick Eloise Gomez-Reyes, or Washington’s failed candidate Pete Aguilar, one thing is clear: the Democrat nominee will emerge from this bitter primary weakened and far outside the mainstream of California families.” – Alleigh Marré, NRCC Spokeswoman

View the website here: http://nrcc.org/gameofdems/

The post It’s a Dangerous “Game of Dems” in CA-31 appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.

But that didn’t stop Congressman John Garamendi, on the eve of D-Day, from voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Garamendi was one of only TWO representatives to vote this way.

With Garamendi’s NO vote, he voted against:

-          A 1.8 percent pay raise for service members (more than the president’s proposal of 1 percent)

-          Rejecting a Defense Department proposal to increase or create new Tricare enrollment fees and raise pharmacy co-payments

-          Prohibiting the transfer of Guantánamo Bay detainees to the United States and its territories

-          Taking aggressive action to address the military’s sexual assault crisis

“John Garamendi should be ashamed. On the eve of D-Day, Garamendi voted for increased health care costs, turning a blind eye to the growing military sexual assault crisis, and rejected a pay increase for our military personnel. California’s military families deserve a Representative who will fight to protect them in Congress while they fight to protect our country.” – Alleigh Marré, NRCC Spokeswoman

The post On Eve of D-Day, Garamendi Abandons Military appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.

Yesterday, Rick Nolan was one of ONLY FOUR representatives to vote against the annual appropriations bill that funds the Department of Veterans Affairs. Every other member of the Minnesota delegation, Republican and Democrat, voted for it.

This is a far cry from what we heard Nolan saying during his election, “I think we should leave no stone unturned in providing housing, health care, and job training and jobs for the heroes, the men and women who have served our country.” – Rick Nolan, October 2012

Once again, Rick Nolan’s rhetoric doesn’t match his record.

Minnesota’s 8^th district is home to more than 61,000 veterans (or  9% of the total population) and has 3 full service VA centers.

With Nolan’s NO vote yesterday, he robbed the Duluth Veterans Center, Brainerd Community Based Outpatient Clinic and the Hibbing VA Clinic of access to a $55 billion fund.  Nolan voted against:

• funding VA Health Care Programs
• funding VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, contract hospitals, state homes and outpatient programs
• funding VA medical, rehabilitative, health services and prosthetic research
• funding for VA Disability payments
• VA funding to improve VA medical facilities

“For Nolan to play politics with the health of our Nation’s bravest men and women is cowardly. Minnesota veterans deserve a Representative who will fight to protect them while they fight to protect our country.” – Alleigh Marré, NRCC Spokeswoman

The post Inexplicable. Rick Nolan votes to rob veterans of heath benefits appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.

A FOURTH Democrat has tossed his hat in the ring for California’s 31^st District. Danny Tillman, a member of the San Bernardino City Unified School District board of directors, has officially announced his candidacy.

“Democrats are in shambles in this district. Whether it’s Danny Tillman, washed up Congressman Joe Baca, special interest pick Eloise Reyes, or Washington’s failed candidate Pete Aguilar, the Democrat nominee will emerge from this primary far to the left of California families.” - Alleigh Marré, NRCC Spokeswoman

The post RECRUITING WRECKAGE: (CA-31) But wait, there’s more! appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.

Right…

But Graves shouldn’t feel too bad, he joins a lonnng list of DCCC recruitment failures already for this cycle.

“As another one of the National Democrats’ top recruits drops out, Nancy Pelosi’s fantasy of Democrats reclaiming the House becomes further out of reach every day.” – Alleigh Marré, NRCC Spokeswoman

What National Democrats have said about their now failed candidate, Jim Graves:

“Graves, who nearly knocked off Bachmann in November, launched his campaign last month and was in Washington last week to meet with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He released a poll showing him with a slight lead over Bachmann in a 2014 rematch.” – Politico

“DCCC Chairman Steve Israel announced today that businessman Jim Graves…has earned a spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s competitive Red-to-Blue program.” – JimGraves.com

“Israel also listed… Jim Graves as a new member of the DCCC’s ‘Emerging Races’ program — the next tier of races that the campaign arm sees as competitive.” – Politico

“In announcing the move on Monday, DCCC Chairman Steve Israel cited an internal poll showing Graves’ trailing Bachmann by 2 percent, 46-48.” – Politics in Minnesota

“In a statement, the DCCC noted that Graves, a hotel CEO, “has surpassed demanding fundraising, organizing, and infrastructure goals and demonstrated to voters that he is a strong leader who will stand up for Minnesota seniors and hardworking middle class families.” – Star Tribune

“‘We are honored to have the support of the DCCC,’ Graves said in a press release. ‘Their decision to target our race confirms what recent polling clearly shows: the voters of Minnesota’s 6th District are eager to elect a businessman who has created thousands of goodpaying private sector jobs and who knows what it will take to get our economy back on track.’” — MPR

And here’s a look at the DCCC’s disastrous recruitment record:

FAIL: OH-07 and OH-16: John Boccieri announced he has no immediate plans to run after being heavily recruited by the DCCC. The DCCC even conducted polling to try and get him in.

FAIL: MN-02: One of Israel most prized recruits, Sona Mehring announced she was dropping out of her race – only three week into her run.

FAIL: IA-03: The much-touted Mike Sherzan dropped out of his race.

FAIL: IA-03: Just two weeks after Sherzan opted out, the Democrats second choice in this district –former State Sen. Staci Appel – did the same thing.

FAIL: CA-21: Last cycle Democrats attempted unsuccessfully to recruit Michael Rubio in CA-21. They tried again this time and instead Rubio opted for a lobbying gig with Chevron.

FAIL: CA-21: After Rubio opted out, Democrats looked to Leticia Perez – who went for a state Senate bid instead, leaving them with no viable candidate in one of their top targets.

FAIL: CA-31: Another real problem for Democrats: Last cycle, they recruited Pete Aguilar here – who went on to loss his primary. Well, what do you know – former Congressman Joe Baca has announced he’s challenging Aguilar in the Democrats No. 1 national target – a major headache for the DCCC.

The post RECRUITING WRECKAGE: Jim Graves drops out of MN-06 appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.

When asked yesterday about his plans for the 2014 election Peterson said he “needs to see where things are at” before making a decision.

So what’s changed? Has Peterson lost faith in his ability to push the Farm Bill to victory? Did the mobile billboard about IRS policed health care get under his skin? Maybe Peterson has just had enough. Who knows…

“With his support of unpopular Obama policies, like putting the IRS in charge of health care, it’s no wonder Collin Peterson is running scared. What remains to be seen is whether Peterson will go willingly or accept the loss that awaits him in 2014.” – Alleigh Marré, NRCC Spokeswoman

The post Is Peterson retiring? What are you afraid of, Collin? appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.

So what happened???

Some, including Joe Baca, believe that the DCCC has laid down the law and asked members to rescind their endorsement, “Steve Israel, I don’t think he likes me,” Baca said.

“This race has become so divisive that it’s creating a bitter divide in the Democratic caucus. Now, national Democrats are running scared and threatening their own members. They just can’t keep the team together.” – Alleigh Marré, NRCC Spokeswoman

The post CA-31: Democrat Dust-Up Continues appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.

Last week, Joe Baca rolled out a list of endorsements on his campaign website – but within the last 24 hours, some are now backing down. DCCC pressure? Second thoughts? A mistake? Who knows.

What we do know is what NBC reported this morning: “With all of the infighting, once again Democrats risk that the seat will remain in Republican hands…”

“Forget about winning over Republicans and Independents – the Democratic Party can’t even unite behind a candidate! These desperate Democrats are their own worst enemy.” — NRCC Spokeswoman, Alleigh Marré

The post The Democrats’ disarray in California’s 31st district continues! appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.

When asked if she plans to vote to repeal ObamaCare, Brownley coolly states, “Yes I am.”

A few seconds later, a panicked and confused Brownley turns around to assure the camera man that she plans to remain in lock step with National Democrats and support the flawed federal health care law.

You can watch Brownley’s “Face Palm” moment, here: http://youtu.be/XF_hpiCOdbE 

“It’s disturbing enough that Representative Brownley isn’t aware of what shes voting for in Congress. But California families should be even warier of Brownley’s support of the new health care law that isn’t fair to hard working Americans and doesn’t rein in out-of-control costs.” – NRCC Spokeswoman, Alleigh Marré

The post Julia Brownley’s ObamaCare Face Palm Moment appeared first on National Republican Congressional Committee.