NRCC Weekly Rundown: House GOP passes NDAA, Hillary loses 21st contest, more campaign finance issues for Ami Bera, and more!
And here’s this week’s edition of the NRCC Weekly Rundown:
National: House Republicans were hard at work this week, passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017. This year’s NDAA provides funding for critical national security needs like the fight against ISIS, and gives our servicemembers the support they need to ensure a strong national defense.
National: As House Republicans were busy funding our military, House Democrats, including CA-52 Rep. Scott Peters, attempted to hijack the process to allow the Obama administration to transfer dangerous terrorists held at GITMO to U.S. soil.
National: FBI target Hillary Clinton lost another state to socialist Senator Bernie Sanders this week. This marks the 21st contest Clinton has lost as she stumbles to a contested convention in Philadelphia.
National: Across the country, Democrat House candidates are attempting to dodge questions about who they support in their party’s divisive presidential primary. The NRCC called out some of the worst offenders with robocalls to Democrats and Independents, urging voters to tell these party insiders to come clean about whom they support.
National: After back-to-back embarrassing primary losses for DCCC “Emerging Races” candidates, the DCCC hit the panic button, moving all but two weak, minor candidates to its main Red to Blue program.
CA-07: Another week brought another campaign finance scandal for Ami Bera. This time, it came to light that Bera has accepted donations from an admitted domestic abuser, and has so far refused to return the money.
CO-06: Morgan Carroll spent this week trying to give Colorado trial lawyers a handout, with a bill to make it easier to sue energy companies. Carroll’s bill was so poorly received that her Democrat Senate colleagues joined with Republicans to defeat it.
FL-26: After being called out for accepting donations from an admitted domestic abuser, former Congressman, and crook, Joe Garcia released an internal poll showing him leading perennial losing candidate Annette Taddeo by 25 points in their primary. The Taddeo campaign responded with their own poll…showing she was only losing by 21. Seems like a solid strategy!
MD-06: John Delaney voted for the 7th time during this Congress to close GITMO and bring the terrorists held there to U.S. soil. This continues Delaney’s terrible record on foreign policy which also includes his support for the Obama administration’s dangerous Iran Deal.
MI-08: One of the few things Melissa Gilbert hasn’t been afraid to discuss publically is her support for FBI target Hillary Clinton. This makes sense considering their shared penchant for defending child rapists. It’s no wonder the DCCC has given up on her candidacy.
MN-08: Rick Nolan once again voted against the NDAA, prioritizing his extreme liberal agenda over our nation’s national security.
NY-21: The DCCC abandoned Mike Derrick late last week. Derrick was left behind in the lowest tier of the organization’s Red to Blue Program, as all the candidates in the program were advanced except for Derrick and embattled MI-08 candidate Melissa Gilbert.
TX-23: Pete Gallego was silent as President Obama threatened to veto the NDAA. Gallego continues to denounce the Democrat party line, even as it puts funding for our military and national security at risk.
NEWS AND NOTES:
Politico: Morning Score: NRCC robocalling voters in eight swing districts
The National Republican Congressional Committee is attempting to flip the script on the presidential race in a series of robocalls this week, using the ongoing Hillary Clinton–Bernie Sanders battle to drive a wedge between Democrats.
DCCC downplays failure of Derrick to move up in campaign program
NRCC spokesman Bob Salera said the development is a sign of weakness in Derrick’s campaign. The DCCC has failed to recruit viable candidates in districts across the country, and has no path to a majority,” he said. READ
WirePOLITICS: NRCC questions Santarsiero’s stance on Guantanamo Bay
The National Republican Congressional Committee wants to know if 8th Congressional District Candidate Steve Santarsiero sides with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, who want to close the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba and open the door to transferring terrorists onto American soil. READ
Gilbert says she’s running, GOP says she’s hiding
Melissa Gilbert’s absence at a recent political luncheon has emerged as an issue in the 8th District congressional race. Republicans have made much of Gilbert’s turning down an invitation to the May 9 Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The event would have provided a first side-by-side appearance with her rival, incumbent Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester. READ
Rep. John Katko rips Obama plan to open air travel with Cuba
U.S. Rep. John Katko on Tuesday unleashed stinging criticism of U.S. plans to open air travel with Cuba, suggesting the move could open a back door for overseas terrorists to enter the United States. “As has been the practice of this administration, the deal was signed with minimal consultation or input from Congress,” Katko said. “In fact, countless attempts by this committee to attain information about various aspects of the negotiations and requirements to begin regularly scheduled commercial service to Cuba have been stonewalled.” READ
Endorsement: Steve Knight for Congress in 25th District
Voters chose Knight two years ago knowing what they were getting in the second-generation legislator, a former Palmdale councilman and California lawmaker. He has surprised nobody, promoting policies to encourage business growth, local control of schools and tighter border security. Knight’s philosophy of government restraint is rare in the heavily Democratic L.A.-area congressional delegation. His re-election would be a reminder that this approach has a place in the region’s political mix. READ
N.J. lawmaker fuming after Sandy whistleblower told to leave FEMA contractor alone
MacArthur (R-3rd Dist.) sharply criticized the letter and said he would appeal directly to FEMA. “To add insult to injury, whistleblowers who courageously stepped forward to expose FEMA’s atrocious review process are now receiving threatening letters,” said MacArthur. “Enough is enough! I am calling on the director of FEMA to make it crystal clear to everyone involved in the process to stand down and let the truth come out. My constituents have been wronged, and they deserve justice.” READ
Rep. Martha McSally: Fighting the opioid epidemic
The House of Representatives recently passed 18 bills to combat opioid addiction. The legislation takes a multifaceted approach that includes improving treatment for pregnant and postpartum women and babies born with opioid addiction; authorizing grants for states to develop better methods of dispensing lifesaving overdose reversal medication; expanding resources to identify and treat incarcerated individuals suffering from addiction disorders; and strengthening prescription-drug monitoring programs to help states monitor and track overprescriptions and help at-risk individuals access services. READ
UPDATE: House, Senate hope to craft quick anti-drug abuse compromise
The House unanimously adopted an amendment by Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale, and Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., aimed at improving physician and consumer education about opioid addiction. The amendment directs a proposed interagency task force to issue updated recommendations on education standards for physicians learning to manage patients’ pain without risking opioid addiction. READ