Video: Lieutenant Governor Candidate Aaron Rouse Releases Campaign Launch Video, “Know Me”
From State Sen. Aaron Rouse’s Lt. Governor campaign:
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Thursday News: “Who is Robert Fico, the Slovakian prime minister who was shot?”; “Trump trial resumes with more critical Cohen testimony”; “Why Biden’s Debates With Trump Could Be His Meal Ticket”; Trump Still Thinks Puppy-Killing Psycho Noem Is “Terrific”
by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, May 16.
- What’s worse for disease spread: animal loss, climate change or urbanization?
- Herd of 170 bison could help store CO2 equivalent of almost 2m cars, researchers say (“Free-roaming animals reintroduced in Romania’s Țarcu mountains are stimulating plant growth and securing carbon stored in the soil while grazing”)
- World’s biggest grids could be powered by renewables, with little or no storage – if we are smart enough
- Oil Companies Use Paid News Media Partnerships to Protect ‘Social Licence to Operate’, Documents Show
- China and Russia reaffirm ties as Moscow presses offensive in Ukraine
- Xi Tells Putin China-Russia Ties Should Last ‘Generations’ (Vomit.)
- Russia Has Opened Up a New Front. What Comes Next?
- For China, Russia Is Both a Partner and a Predicament
- US military says Gaza Strip pier project is completed, aid to soon flow as Israel-Hamas war rages on (“Officials will begin ferrying badly needed humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.”)
- Five Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza ‘by tank fire’ (“The reported friendly-fire incident in Jabalia is one of the deadliest since the war began.”)
- Hezbollah Fires Missile Barrage at Israel After Commander Death
- Why the U.N. revised the numbers of women and children killed in Gaza
- The Unpunished: How Extremists Took Over Israel (“After 50 years of failure to stop violence and terrorism against Palestinians by Jewish ultranationalists, lawlessness has become the law.”)
- This ‘indispensable’ Israeli leader has a proposal for ‘the day after’ in Gaza (“U.S. officials see the Israeli defense minister as the key problem-solver in how to end the war.”)
- Netanyahu Rejects U.S. Calls for Postwar Gaza Plan (Netanyahu is horrible.)
- As Hamas returns to the north, Israel’s Gaza endgame is nowhere in sight (What a disaster.)
- Meta slapped with child safety probe under sweeping EU tech law
- The Netherlands veers sharply to the right with a new government dominated by party of Geert Wilders (Very, very bad.)
- Slovak politicians call for calming of political tensions after shooting of prime minister
- Slovakian deputy prime minister believes Fico will survive the assassination attempt
- Who is Robert Fico, the Slovakian prime minister who was shot? (“Fico, who was seriously wounded in the attack, was sworn in as prime minister for the fourth time last year after campaigning on a pro-Russian, anti-American platform.”)
- Attempted Killing of Slovakia’s Leader Shocks a Polarized Nation
- S&P 500, Nasdaq and Dow all hit record highs after encouraging inflation data
- All 3 major stock indexes close at record highs as inflation slows down
- U.S. seeing “increasing” number of threats to election, intelligence chief says
- Six Ways That MAGA Republicans Are Attacking Women’s Health (“Attacks on women’s health care from MAGA Republicans have skyrocketed in the year since Roe v. Wade was overturned.”)
- We’re in a pivotal moment in American history. We cannot retreat
- Trump, allies are laying the groundwork to contest potential election loss
- Trump Is Still at War With the Constitution
- Alleged ‘deal’ offer from Trump to big oil could save industry $110bn, study finds (WILDLY corrupt!)
- Prosecutors near the end of case against Trump as Michael Cohen wraps up testimony
- The Biggest Potential Weakness With Trump’s Defense (“They seem to be trying to impress their boss more than the jury.”)
- “Trump derangement syndrome”: Hush-money trial suggests it was MAGA projection all along
- Trump the crime boss summons his mob to court
- Trump trial resumes with more critical Cohen testimony (“As Trump’s former fixer retakes the stand, two significant strategic questions remain unanswered”)
- Trump’s GOP ‘Surrogates’ Take Turns Bashing Judge’s Daughter (Trump is behind this and should be held accountable!)
- GOP Sen. Mitt Romney says Biden should have pardoned Trump (Shit. For. Brains.)
- Mitt Romney, Unaware Of When To Shut Up, Says Biden Should Have Pardoned Trump
- ‘Embarrassing’: Mitt Romney hits his fellow Republicans for traveling to Donald Trump’s hush money trial
- How Biden and Trump agreed on where and when to disagree
- Why Biden’s Debates With Trump Could Be His Meal Ticket
- Democrats hungry for Biden-Trump debate
- All Signs Point to a Trump Debate Meltdown
- Morning Report — The motivations behind the Biden-Trump debates
- Biden’s Daring Debate Proposal Could Recharge His Campaign
- Ron Klain, Former Chief of Staff, Will Return to Help Biden With Debate
- Biden and Trump accept CNN’s invitation to debate on June 27
- Trump’s favorite words: Policy ideas he talks about most (This is mostly extreme, warped shit.)
- Why Trump’s attorneys keep filing motions that are destined to fail (Delay, delay, delay.)
- Will Trump be held accountable — in the courts and the news? (Sure doesn’t seem like it right now.)
- More than half of Black women ages 15-49 live with little to no abortion access (This is 100% the fault of Republicans.)
- 17% of Voters Blame Biden for the End of Roe (17% of Americans don’t understand we have a coequal JUDICIAL BRANCH – which Trump stacked with anti-abortion zealots – and also a coequal LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, which confirmed Trump’s nominees when the US Senate was controlled by REPUBLICANS. Ugh.)
- Former far-right hard-liner says pro-voucher billionaires are using school board races to sow distrust in public education
- Supreme Court allows Louisiana to use congressional map with second majority-Black district
- ‘I’m really curious about the dog’: Trump weighs in on Kristi Noem at a private fundraiser
- Donald Trump Brushes Off Kristi Noem’s Puppy-Slaying Saga, Insists “She’s Terrific” (Trump likes psychos and hates dogs. ‘Nuff said.)
- Crew trapped on Baltimore ship, seven weeks after bridge collapse
- Barge collides with Pelican Island Causeway in Texas, causing damage and oil spill
- These Tribes Are Building Crossings to Save Wildlife From Becoming Roadkill (No highways should be built without protections for wildlife, including crossings.)
- As sea levels rise, DeSantis signs bill deleting climate change mentions from Florida state law (Youngkin’s role-model governor strikes again.)
- The Cost of Monopoly in Healthcare – Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Abigail Spanberger Offer a Solution (“It’s imperative…that the healthcare system serves the needs of patients, not corporate interests.”)
- Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA02)’s History of Voting to Defund Law Enforcement (“Kiggans has a history of voting for reckless and dangerous cuts to law enforcement that would make our communities less safe”)
- Army vet, Prince William County supervisor campaigning for Spanberger’s Congressional seat
- The Post’s choices in Northern Virginia’s U.S. House primaries (The WaPo editorial board endorsed Dan Helmer in VA10 and Eugene Vindman in VA07)
- Schapiro: A Wilder ride for Rao and Youngkin
- Search warrants claim ‘pattern of money laundering’ at some cannabis-related stores
- Unsealed federal lawsuit alleges Omega Protein skirted U.S. citizen ownership requirement
- Virginia State University presidential debate imperiled as Biden rejects commission’s plans
- Editorial: Ambitious vision has the Port of Virginia positioned for success
- Grown daughter recants, says father never raped her; Virginia AG argues life sentence should stand
- Portsmouth adopts $934 million budget reducing real estate tax, fully funding schools
- Richmond honors police officers killed in line of duty: ‘This is a difficult day’
- Prince Edward schools that helped usher in Brown v. Board still in disrepair
- D.C.-area forecast: Warmth and a little sun break through before a showery weekend
Six Ways That MAGA Republicans Are Attacking Women’s Health
From Protect Our Care:
| Attacks on women’s health care from MAGA Republicans have skyrocketed in the year since Roe v. Wade was overturned. As a result, access to reproductive care is in turmoil for millions of women across the country. From banning abortion to fighting measures to combat maternal mortality, Republicans have done nothing but limit access to essential care for women. As we recognize Women’s Health Week, we must hold them accountable. Here are six ways that Republicans are waging war on women’s health care:
1. Attacking Reproductive Health. One year ago Donald Trump’s appointees to the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the consequences for women’s health have been catastrophic, from cruel and archaic abortion bans to devastating uncertainty about access to IVF and other reproductive care. If MAGA Republicans get their way, there will be even more extreme judicial appointments and an all-out push to use the Comstock Act to create a de facto national ban on abortion and sharply limit access to medications. Republicans, including at least 67 members of Congress and 22 Republican attorneys general, are battling in court right now to rescind the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, a safe and effective medication essential for abortion access. Beyond abortion bans, Republicans have a long history of attempts to limit access to contraceptives and family planning. The Affordable Care Act’s contraception coverage requirement has drastically improved health care access and affordability for millions of women. The benefits have reached far and wide — improving health outcomes and sharply cutting out-of-pocket costs. Despite the overwhelming success of the ACA’s contraception coverage, Republicans have attempted to eliminate this essential care year after year through legislation and litigation. 2. Destroying And Sabotaging The ACA. Republicans want to take us back to a time when being a woman was a pre-existing condition. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of women have gained coverage and critical protections. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prevents insurers from denying, dropping or charging more due to a pre-existing condition, such as cancer or even a C-section. It also bans insurers from charging women higher rates than men. Republicans have spent years taking dozens of failed votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act. They have also taken their fight to overturn the ACA to the Supreme Court and failed all three times. This year extremists are still challenging a provision of the ACA that requires insurers to cover lifesaving preventive services for free. The case, known as Braidwood v. Becerra, is set to be decided by a panel of judges from the the MAGA-packed Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. During his first term, Donald Trump notoriously tried and failed multiple times to repeal the ACA, and throughout his 2024 campaign Trump has repeatedly reignited his calls to “terminate” the Affordable Care Act, which he claims is a “disaster.” The ACA made enormous strides for women’s health. By taking these actions, Republicans are fighting to strip protections from women that provide access to lifesaving care. 3. Repealing The Inflation Reduction Act. Women are 1.3 times more likely to say they have skipped or postponed getting the health care they need due to cost. The Inflation Reduction Act is saving millions of women thousands of dollars on health care by holding big pharmaceutical companies accountable and bringing down the cost of prescription drugs, making health care plans more affordable with premium tax credit subsidies, and capping the price of insulin at $35 per month for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Despite all this progress, Donald Trump claims that the Inflation Reduction Act is “not helping you at all” and MAGA Republicans in Congress are seeking to dismantle the law and its provisions making prescription drugs and health care premiums more affordable for tens of millions of Americans. 4. Waging a War on Medicaid. Medicaid is an essential source of coverage for women and children. More than 18 million, or nearly 1 in 5, adult women are enrolled in Medicaid. Approximately 40 million, or half of all children in the U.S., are enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Medicaid coverage brings affordable care and financial security to women and families. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are itching for a renewed war on Medicaid. The latest proposals from the Republican Study Committee and the Trump team-in-waiting at the Heritage Foundation would throw millions of people off their coverage through block granting and burdensome work reporting requirements. Almost two-thirds, or 62 percent, of those who would lose their Medicaid coverage as a result of work requirements, are women and disproportionately women of color. 5. Blocking Improvements In Maternal Health. American women suffer appalling rates of maternal mortality. The solutions to this devastating problem are well within reach. However, Congressional Republicans simply refuse to take action, and at times, actively fight against lifesaving measures, such as extending postpartum Medicaid coverage. In 2021, not a single Republican member of the House voted for legislation that included the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which is essential to addressing this ongoing crisis. The Biden-Harris Administration has established a pathway to coverage, providing states the opportunity to extend postpartum coverage under Medicaid from 60 days to 12 months following birth. Currently, 47 states have elected to extend Medicaid coverage for a full year postpartum with only Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin as the remaining holdouts. 6. Promoting Health Care Discrimination Against Women And LGBTQ People. The Trump administration took multiple steps to make it harder for women, people of color, and LGBTQ Americans to access health care. For example, in August 2019, the Trump administration began enforcing a rule that bars certain federally-funded clinics from referring women for abortions. As a result, the nation’s largest recipient of Title X funds, Planned Parenthood, was forced to exit the program, losing $60 million in funding previously used to provide birth control and reproductive health care services for low-income women. Trump also tried to make it easier for LGBTQ Americans to be discriminated against in health care settings and allowed providers to refuse patient care on the basis of the provider’s personal beliefs, a move that undermined access to care for patients who already face health care disparities. The Biden administration is now fighting in court against Republicans in the state of Florida and Texas to reverse these discriminatory policies. |
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### Protect Our Care is dedicated to making high-quality, affordable and equitable health care a right, and not a privilege, for everyone in America. We educate the public, influence policy, support health care champions and hold politicians accountable. We fight to expand access to affordable, high-quality health insurance, lower the cost of health care for individuals and families, and reduce inequities in health care based on gender, income, race, ethnicity, geography, or sexual preference. |
The Cost of Monopoly in Healthcare – Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Abigail Spanberger Offer a Solution
by Eric Payne, a long-time Virginia Democratic activist and leader based in Richmond
On April 30, the Senate Finance Committee convened to address the recent cyberattack on UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary, Change Healthcare. While this breach will be under scrutiny, it’s imperative to acknowledge a larger issue at hand: UnitedHealth Group’s detrimental impact on healthcare affordability.
UnitedHealth Group (UHG), the world’s largest private health insurer, boasts staggering profits, reaching $8.5 billion in Q1 of 2024 alone. However, behind these astronomical figures lies a company wielding immense control over various sectors of healthcare. With subsidiaries spanning pharmacy benefit management (PBM), health technology, and more, UHG exercises monopolistic authority, dictating patient access and healthcare costs.
UHG’s Optum Rx unit, alongside competitors like CVS/Aetna and Cigna’s Express Scripts, controls 80% of the PBM market. This dominance translates to unchecked power in setting drug prices, exacerbating the financial burden on patients already struggling with exorbitant healthcare costs.
The exponential growth of UHG over the past decade further compounds these issues. Revenue has tripled, driven by aggressive expansion into health delivery and government programs. Optum Rx, the company’s flagship division, saw a staggering 445% increase in revenue, reaching $61.1 billion in the last quarter. Such rapid expansion consolidates UHG’s grip on healthcare, with repercussions for patients nationwide.
Patients bear the brunt of this market power, facing escalating out-of-pocket costs while UHG pockets substantial rebates meant for patients. This lack of accountability underscores the urgent need to hold UHG and other industry giants accountable for their role in driving up healthcare costs.
In Virginia, recent findings from a state-commissioned report on Medicaid revealed a startling reality: Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are pocketing $29 million through spread pricing. This is in addition to incalculable excess profits due to their monopolistic market power. This revelation underscores the depth of the issue, with PBMs exploiting their position to siphon off significant sums intended for patient care. As in some states, the Virginia General Assembly has considered legislation to address these issues, but no meaningful action has passed.
Amidst this backdrop, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07)’s and Senator Tim Kaine’s bipartisan efforts, notably the DRUG Act (Delinking Revenue from Unfair Gouging), gain even greater significance. The DRUG Act, co-sponsored by Spanberger in the House and Kaine in the Senate, seeks to increase transparency and competition in the pharmaceutical market, effectively challenging the stranglehold that companies like UnitedHealth Group (UHG) maintain over drug prices. As discussions unfold in the Senate Finance Committee, it’s imperative to integrate initiatives like the DRUG Act into broader reforms, ensuring that the healthcare system serves the needs of patients, not corporate interests.
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA02)’s History of Voting to Defund Law Enforcement
From the DCCC:
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Wednesday News: “White House Worries Russia’s Momentum Is Changing Trajectory of Ukraine War”; Speaker Mike Johnson Disgracefully Attacks U.S. System of Justice, Democracy; Michael Cohen “established a genuine human bond with the jury”; “Alsobrooks pulls off stunning win in Maryland Democratic Senate primary”
by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, May 15.
- Ancient trees reveal last summer hottest in 2,000 years
- Heat exposure of older people across world to double by 2050, finds study (“Extra 270 million adults aged 69 or over will suffer dangerous heat levels of 37.5C amid global heating and ageing populations”)
- ‘Impossible’ heatwave struck Philippines in April, scientists find (“Human-caused climate crisis brought soaring temperatures across Asia, from Gaza to Delhi to Manila”)
- White House Worries Russia’s Momentum Is Changing Trajectory of Ukraine War (“Multiple factors are helping Russia’s military advance, including a delay in American weaponry and Moscow’s technological innovations on the battlefield.”)
- Ukraine presses Biden to lift ban on using US weapons to strike Russia
- Ukraine troops pull back in Kharkiv after Russia offensive
- Zelensky postpones all international trips, as Russian forces advance through Kharkiv region
- Ukraine withdraws troops around Kharkiv as Russian offensive gathers pace (Time to massively increase aid to Ukraine.)
- Putin’s Defense Shake-Up Is a Danger for Ukraine
- Biden Moves Forward on $1 Billion in New Arms for Israel
- Bibi’s rant: Israel isn’t a “vassal state” of the U.S.
- Democrats rage at GOP over “tough vote” on Israel arms sales
- Palestinians across the Middle East mark their original ‘catastrophe’ with eyes on the war in Gaza (That “catastrophe,” of course, was caused largely by the Arab states which rejected the UN partition plan and invaded the new state of Israel in 1948, attempting to destroy it. They lost – badly.)
- Is Netanyahu Choosing a War of Attrition Over Biden’s Wider Plan? (“As Israelis mark their independence, the Biden Administration pushes for a regional alliance.”)
- Hamas Shift to Guerrilla Tactics Raises Specter of Forever War for Israel
- Jordan foils arms plot as kingdom caught in Iran-Israel shadow war
- German Far-Right Leader Fined Over Nazi Stormtrooper Slogan
- Thousands flee Canada fires as smoke hits U.S. air quality
- Mexico is stopping nearly three times as many migrants now, helping keep U.S. border crossings down
- Here’s everything to expect from Wednesday’s key report on inflation (“Prices for all items in April are projected to show a 0.4% gain on the month, the same as in March, though the annual rate is expected to edge lower to 3.4%. On the important core measure that excludes food and energy, the respective projections are 0.3%, lower than March’s 0.4% reading, and 3.6%, down from 3.8%.”)
- Inflation Data Could Show Signs of Progress After Disappointing Run
- Trump said men would see his mistreatment of Stormy Daniels as “cool.” His trial suggests otherwise (“Stormy Daniels is just the latest woman to note Trump uses coercion because he’s incapable of persuasion”)
- Appeals Court Upholds Gag Order on Trump in Manhattan Trial
- Trump blasts his trial judges. Then his fans call for violence
- Devout Christian Mike Johnson Shows Up to Hush Money Trial to Defend a Guy Accused of Cheating on His Wife With a Porn Star (“Yes, the same Mike Johnson who says he and his son use special software to ensure neither is looking at porn.”)
- Speaker Mike Johnson’s appearance at Trump’s felony trial marks a remarkable moment in US politics (Johnson becomes “the highest-ranking Republican to show up at court, embrace the former president’s claims of political persecution and attack the U.S. system of justice…amplifying Trump’s defense and turning the Republican Party against the federal and state legal systems that are foundational to the U.S. government and a cornerstone of democracy.” Beyond appalling – should be wildly unacceptable to EVERY AMERICAN!)
- Time Was When the Speaker of the House Would Never Show Up for a Former President’s Hush-Money Trial
- Why Johnson’s appearance at Manhattan courthouse stands out among Republicans backing up Trump (“Johnson’s embrace of Trump is a sign that the presumptive GOP nominee’s transgressions – including his two impeachments, his attempt to destroy democracy to stay in office, his three other indictments, his vows to use a second term to weaponize presidential power against political enemies and to start mass deportations of undocumented migrants, as well as his embrace of rhetoric that echoes 1930s dictators – are no impediment to a party that craves a return to full power.”)
- “You Called Me a Crying Little Shit, Didn’t You?”: Michael Cohen and the Combative Climax of the Trump Trial
- Mike Johnson acts as proxy for ‘friend’ Trump as he bashes judge’s daughter and ‘sham trial’ outside court
- Mike Johnson skips vital US House session to support Trump in New York
- Trump’s lawyer attacks Michael Cohen in hush-money trial
- Opinion: Did Trump’s defense think this strategy would work on Cohen? (“It seemed to me that he had established a genuine human bond with the jury over the course of his lengthy direct examination.”)
- Defense tactics raise eyebrows in Cohen cross-examination (“In a key moment, Michael Cohen described breaking from his former boss”)
- The Truth About Donald Trump That Only the Courts See (“He may never face justice for his most serious offenses. But the everyday prosecutors who’ve won clear verdicts against him have exposed Trump as the unfit citizen he truly is.”)
- How in the world is Trump’s trial not hurting him?
- Fox attacks Michael Cohen as a “convicted liar,” leaves out that his lies were to protect Trump
- Journalist Says He Saw Trump Editing Speeches For His Stooges To Give Outside Court (“MSNBC’s Alex Wagner questioned the legality of the move, given the gag order the former president is currently under.” LOCK HIM UP!)
- National TV news, with the exception of MSNBC, failed to cover Trump’s scandalous Big Oil proposition (The media is MASSIVELY failing us.)
- Top House Democrat demands answers on Trump dinner with oil executives
- Top US ethics watchdog investigating Trump over dinner with oil bosses (“Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington ‘taking very serious look’ at whether Mar-a-Lago meeting justifies legal action” It’s blatant corruption, so…yeah.)
- Fox News and the MAGA media are lining up their shot at American democracy (“The bullet is in the chamber”)
- Warning signs for Trump: 5 takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries (“Nikki Haley’s zombie presidential candidacy is still drawing a sizable slice of the Republican vote in the suburbs.”)
- Do Americans Remember the Actual Trump Presidency?
- Biden Promised Normal. Do Voters Want His Version of It?
- New Ad Slams Trump’s Health Care Failures for Black Americans (Under Trump: “Hundreds of thousands of Black Americans lost health care.”)
- NEW AD: Biden-Harris 2024 Launches “Dime Con Quién” Underscoring Health Care Stakes of the 2024 Election for Latinos (“4.3 million Latinos would lose coverage if Trump successfully repeals the ACA”)
- Between Trump and Biden, what should real Republicans do?
- Michael Paul Williams: The backlash to anti-racism is nothing new
- Mike Pence Sought Public Funds as 2024 Presidential Bid Collapsed
- The Ivy League Hypocrites Who Want to Be Trump’s MAGA VP
- Ben Carson calls for making divorce harder (Hell no.)
- Trump’s Boeing 757 clipped parked plane after landing at Florida airport Sunday, FAA says
- Alsobrooks pulls off stunning win in Maryland Democratic Senate primary
- After primary wins, Alsobrooks, Hogan will go head-to-head for Maryland U.S. Senate seat
- Maryland Senate primary: Alsobrooks defeats Trone in race for Democratic nomination; Hogan wins GOP nod (The polling was BADLY off on the Maryland Democratic primary for US Senate.)
- AIPAC-backed Sarah Elfreth wins primary for open Maryland congressional seat (“The pro-Israel group boosted a state senator against a nationally known Jan. 6 Capitol Police officer — and won.”)
- Jan. 6 felony rioter Derrick Evans loses Republican House primary in West Virginia
- Patrick Morrisey Wins GOP Primary In Race For West Virginia Governor (“The crowded contest for the state’s highest office was full of Republicans pushing anti-trans rhetoric and denialism about Biden’s win in the 2020 election.”)
- Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine Ends Harvard Yard Encampment
- VIDEO: Sen. Tim Kaine holds USPS accountable for delayed mail delivery services in Virginia
- 5 questions about the 5th District (“More than $3.3 million has already been spent in the Republican primary that pits U.S. Rep. Bob Good against state Sen. John McGuire.”)
- Will Youngkin appoint a DEI director, as the state budget directs?
- State lawmakers agree to raise teacher pay, but localities will have to pitch in
- One-on-one with Gov. Glenn Youngkin: Discussing budget, education funding
- Fewer Virginia kids are overdosing on cannabis products following new law
- Virginia House and Senate launch inquiries into colleges’ responses to student protests
- Former Sen. Amanda Chase went to court for assault charge
- More political giveaways to chain retailers will hurt Virginians
- Petersburg won’t release $1.4B casino proposal from company that won project
- Shenandoah National Park launches aerial attack on damaging moth
- Brown v. Board promised better schools for all, but Richmond falls short
- Loudoun Co. proposes 16 delayed-start days next year to allow teachers to meet training requirements
- Virginia Beach adopts $2.6 billion budget, cutting taxes and increasing city worker pay
- Norfolk passes $1.9 billion budget with city worker raises, real estate tax cut
- VCU suspends fraternity for hazing, sorority for selling pills
- D.C.-area forecast: Today’s cloudy and damp weather will continue at times into the weekend (“Tomorrow and Friday offer a small break with warmer temperatures and lower rain chances.”)
New Ad Slams Trump’s Health Care Failures for Black Americans
From President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign:
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New Ad Slams Trump’s Health Care Failures for Black Americans |
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Under Trump: “Hundreds of thousands of Black Americans lost health care.” Today, Biden-Harris 2024 is launching a new television ad, “Failure” which outlines how President Biden is delivering after Donald Trump tried to rip away healthcare from hundreds of thousands of Black Americans during his time in the Oval Office. As bad as Trump’s presidency was for Black Americans, a second term would be even more devastating. Trump has continuously threatened to terminate the Affordable Care Act, which would drive up health care costs and nearly double the Black uninsured rate with an estimated 3.1 million Black Americans losing their health care. And, he’s threatening to roll back the Inflation Reduction Act, which would drive insulin costs back up after President Biden capped the cost at $35 per month for seniors. As president, Joe Biden has protected the Affordable Care Act from repeated MAGA attacks and expanded access. President Biden’s efforts have resulted in more Black families being covered than ever before, lowered health care premiums and lowered costs of prescription drugs. This ad will run as part of a new $14 million campaign for the month of May and will air on TV on ESPN, VH1, BET, OWN network and on TNT during the NBA playoffs. This ad buy is a part of Team Biden-Harris 2024’s May push to ramp up investments to bolster its existing, historic efforts to reach the voters that will decide this election. It also comes one day after the launch of Health Care Providers for Biden-Harris, a national organizing program engaging doctors, nurses, and other health care leaders and providers in mobilizing Black, Latino, and middle-class families, and seniors. The following is a statement from Biden-Harris 2024 Principal Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks on the new ad: “Since Black voters sent Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House in 2020, they have worked day in and day out to protect the health care of millions of Black Americans and lower health care costs for our community. Whether it was his inability to lead us through the COVID-19 pandemic, or his repeated attempts to rip away health care from millions, Donald Trump was a complete failure for Black America. A second term would be even more disastrous. The stakes are too high for Black voters this election to allow Trump to step foot back in the Oval Office. That’s why, throughout the month of May, our campaign is continuing efforts to reach Black voter’s earlier, more often and more aggressively than any other reelection campaign in history.” |
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### Paid for by Biden for President |
NEW AD: Biden-Harris 2024 Launches “Dime Con Quién” Underscoring Health Care Stakes of the 2024 Election for Latinos
From President Joe Biden’s’ reelection campaign:
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NEW AD: Biden-Harris 2024 Launches “Dime Con Quién” Underscoring Health Care Stakes of the 2024 Election for Latinos |
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Today, Biden-Harris 2024 is launching a new television ad, “Dime Con Quién,” that underscores the stakes of this election when it comes to health care access and affordability for Latinos. This ad comes on the heels of the launch of Health Care Providers for Biden-Harris, a national organizing program engaging doctors, nurses, and other health care leaders and providers in mobilizing Black, Latino, and middle-class families, and seniors who have so much at stake in this election, as Donald Trump threatens to rip away their health care and kick nearly 4.3 million Latinos off their health care plans while driving up insurance prices and prescription drug costs for seniors. President Biden has delivered affordable, quality health care for Latino working families:
If Donald Trump wins in November, Latinos and their health care will suffer:
This ad will run as part of a new $14 million campaign for the month of May and will air on digital platforms targeting Latinos in battleground states. This ad buy is a part of Team Biden-Harris 2024’s May push to ramp up investments to bolster its existing, historic efforts to reach the voters who will decide this election. The following is a statement from Biden-Harris 2024 Campaign Manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez on the new ad: “For Latino communities already facing health care disparities, this election isn’t just about politics – it’s about survival. Latinos deserve a president who is fighting to make health care better and more affordable – and that’s exactly what President Biden has focused on in his first term. All of that is on the line if Trump ever sets foot in the White House again. His campaign for revenge and retribution means millions of Latinos and working families would lose their health insurance, while health care costs and the cost of prescription drugs would shoot through the roof in order to benefit his Big Pharma donors. With so much at stake, our campaign is putting in the work early to communicate the dire stakes for Latinos this election, and the choice between President Biden who is fighting for us, vs Trump, who will make it his mission to take away our health care. Worse care, higher costs, and devastation for working families – that is Trump’s plan for Latinos in a second term.” |
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### Paid for by Biden for President |
Tuesday News: “Blinken visits Ukraine as Russian forces step up Kharkiv assault”; NY Case “Cuts to the Core of Who Trump Is”; “Killing Dogs. Taunting the Homeless. Praising Al Capone. This Is Trump’s Party.”; Youngkin Signs 2-Year Budget
by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, May 14.
- Banks have given almost $7tn to fossil fuel firms since Paris deal, report reveals (“Among world’s top 60 banks those in US are biggest fossil fuel financiers, while Barclays leads way in Europe” UGH.)
- Alarmed by Climate Change, Astronomers Train Their Sights on Earth
- Global wildlife crime causing ‘untold harm’, UN report finds (“More than 4,000 species are targeted by traffickers, with illegal trade active in 80% of countries, says Office on Drugs and Crime” Horrifying.)
- Without more U.S. help, Ukraine’s second largest city could fall
- Vladimir Putin Will Visit Xi Jinping, Testing a ‘No Limits’ Partnership (“Moscow is seeking more support for its war in Ukraine. But Beijing risks alienating Europe, a key trading partner needed to help revive China’s economy.”)
- Biden Signs Ban on Imports of Russian Nuclear Reactor Fuel
- UK’s Labour pledges ‘ironclad’ commitment to Ukraine during Kyiv visit
- Blinken visits Ukraine as Russian forces step up Kharkiv assault
- Blinken Arrives in Ukraine to Boost Spirits, Funnel U.S. Military Aid (“The question now is whether the aid that languished for months before Congress approval in April is enough to daunt the resurgent Russian military.”)
- Why has Putin removed key ally as defence minister?
- Russia arrests another senior Defense Ministry official in bribery charges amid broader shake-up
- UN denies Gaza death toll of women and children has been revised down (“Spokesperson says confusion results from Gaza health ministry’s new way of classifying those not yet fully identified”)
- Israel’s ‘total victory’ in Gaza is unlikely, top US official says
- Trump Wants to Deport Pro-Palestine Protesters—and GOP Lawmakers Are Filing Bills to Make It Happen
- Palestinians mark 76 years of dispossession as a potentially even larger catastrophe unfolds in Gaza
- Israeli protesters block aid trucks destined for Gaza
- Israel’s Rafah Offensive Strains 45 Years of Peace With Egypt
- How is any of this making Israel more secure? (Good question!)
- Will Zionism survive the war? (“As Israel marks its Independence Day, the nation’s Zionist ideology faces hard questions.”)
- On Independence Day, Many Israelis Ask: ‘What’s to Celebrate?’
- Biden announces 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles
- U.S. threats led to rupture of vital military ties, Nigerien leader says
- New Rules to Overhaul Electric Grids Could Boost Wind and Solar Power
- Foreign-Born Population Grew by 5.1 Million in the Last Two Years (Immigrants are great for our economy and for our country in general.)
- The surprising trend that could save cities (“People aren’t eager to return to offices, but they’re venturing downtown after hours and on weekends.”)
- A State Supreme Court Justice Decries the “Horrors and Treachery” Coming From SCOTUS
- Progressives Prep $10 Million Campaign to Expose ‘MAGA Supreme Court’
- Killing Dogs. Taunting the Homeless. Praising Al Capone. This Is Trump’s Party.
- Donald Trump Really Trying to Pretend He Couldn’t Care Less About Michael Cohen
- The New York Case Cuts to the Core of Who Trump Is (“I thought this trial was a sideshow; I now think I was wrong.”)
- Star witness Michael Cohen says Trump was intimately involved in all aspects of hush money scheme
- With eyes shut, Trump endures testimony from his nemesis
- Cohen: Trump Said That Stormy Daniels Preferred Former President To NFL Player
- Prosecution seeks to land Trump hush money case as Cohen cross-examination looms
- Opinion: Michael Cohen propels prosecution of Trump past this critical threshold
- Melania Trump, absent from court but a central figure in the trial
- Burying stories, lying, no emails – Cohen on life as Trump’s fixer
- Right-wing media and Trump misleadingly claim that the DOJ altered evidence in response to new legal filing in classified documents case
- Trump is gagged. So his surrogates say the forbidden stuff for him.
- How on Earth Is Donald Trump Getting Credit for Joe Biden’s Economy? (Also note that Trump inherited an economy in GREAT shape from Barack Obama, then handed over an utter mess to Joe Biden…who now presides over an economy firing on all cylinders. But a lot of people are oblivious to any/all of this, apparently.)
- Biden’s Approval Is Low, Except Compared With Everyone Else’s
- How Worried Should Biden Be About These New Polls? (“In a new set of Times/Siena surveys, Biden trails Trump in five of six key swing states he won in 2020. But is it really as bad as it seems?”)
- The Indignity of Trump’s Veepstakes (“The race for running mate is a sad exercise in self-debasement. How low can they go?” There’s no bottom.)
- Trump Seemed To Have Had Some Sort of…Episode at a Rally In New Jersey (“The way various outlets covered it ought to be taught in journalism schools as an example of what never to do.”)
- Trump pledges to scrap offshore wind projects on ‘day one’ of presidency (That alone should be reason to vote against Trump!)
- Republicans ready for a Trump loss
- Conservative outside group drops $70M on Senate Democrats in battlegrounds (“The group will start $28.6 million in ads in Ohio on May 22 and $18.6 million in Pennsylvania starting in mid-June. The group previously announced a $17.9 million tranche of ads in Montana.”)
- Meet RAGA—One of the Scariest GOP Groups You’ve Never Heard Of (“The Republican Attorney Generals Association is waging a legal war to overturn reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and climate regulations, one state at a time.”)
- Sen. Menendez bribery trial starts with judge scolding lawyers on ‘gamesmanship’
- Tennessee woman denied abortion after fetus’ ‘brain not attached’ slams state ban (Sick.)
- Bill Discounting Climate Change in Florida’s Energy Policy Awaits DeSantis’ Approval
- Louisiana bill would place abortion pills on same list as opiates (Total insanity.)
- Louisiana Republicans Want to Make It Harder to Obtain a Medication That Stops Postpartum Hemorrhages
- UNC-Chapel Hill BOT votes to divert DEI funding, redirecting it to campus public safety
- Kristi Noem banned by two more Native tribes in South Dakota (Youngkin campaigned for this psycho/freak.)
- America’s Most Bruising, Brutal, Bitter Senate Primary Is Finally Here (“This election has it all: Racism accusations, big money—and maybe the chamber’s majority on the line.”)
- Who gets to fight to keep Maryland’s open Senate seat blue?
- BREAKING: Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA10) Endorses Senator Suhas Subramanyam to Succeed Her in Congress (Wexton says Subramanyam “will best continue my legacy of getting things done for Northern Virginians”)
- Rep. Jennifer Wexton’s use of a voice app on the House floor sparks larger disability conversation
- Virginia House and Senate pass, Youngkin signs budget in special session (“Noticeably absent, however, was a new digital sales tax proposed by Democrats.”)
- VA Senate Democrats Issue Statement on Passage (on a 39-1 vote) of 2024 Biennium Budget (Sen. Louise Lucas: “This budget is a resounding win for Virginia, setting the stage for prosperity and progress for years to come”)
- The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis: “Virginia Budget Leaders Maintain Many Key Investments, Miss Opportunity To Secure Ongoing Funding”
- Virginia governor swiftly signs compromise budget deal
- Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs $188B, 2-year budget in quick special session
- Gov. Youngkin signs 2-year state budget, which includes toll relief for Hampton Roads
- Youngkin signs bipartisan state budget, ending budget stalemate (“To pass the $188 billion spending plan, Republicans and Democrats had to make major concessions on taxes and Virginia’s future in RGGI.”)
- Virginia lawmakers to study campus safety policies after series of protests
- Skill games don’t make it into the budget, but advocates may have a glimmer of hope
- Virginia’s skill game debate could stretch into the summer
- Environmental regulators issue 13 violations to MVP, totaling $31,500 (That’s a mild slap on the wrist.)
- Watchdog: Feds should look at Mountain Valley Pipeline rupture
- Richmond City Council approves nearly $3B budget
- Richmond City Council votes to fully fund RPS budget, postpone Coliseum demo
- Greater Richmond Transit Company’s ridership numbers continue to rise
- D.C.-area forecast: Here we go again with shower chances returning the next several days
VA Senate Democrats Issue Statement on Passage (on a 39-1 vote) of 2024 Biennium Budget
From the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus:
Senate Democrats Issue Statement on Passage of 2024 Biennium Budget
RICHMOND, VA – This afternoon, the Virginia General Assembly voted on the groundbreaking Biennium budget. This historic, bipartisan budget features record-breaking investments in education, behavioral health services, and transportation. Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support on a 39—1 vote, this budget represents a unified commitment to Virginia’s future. Senate Democrats budget conferees have released the following statements:
“This budget is a testament to our dedication and determination. We’ve crafted a budget that truly serves all Virginians, addressing their needs and aspirations. From bolstering education to enhancing public health and modernizing infrastructure, every decision was made with the well-being of our communities at the forefront. We’re not just responding to today’s challenges; we’re building a brighter, more equitable future for everyone in the Commonwealth. This budget is a resounding win for Virginia, setting the stage for prosperity and progress for years to come,” said Senate Finance and Appropriations Chair L. Louise Lucas.
“Education is the cornerstone of our future, and this budget makes historic investments in both K-12 and higher education. By dedicating over $2 billion in direct aid to K-12 schools and significantly boosting funding for colleges and universities, we’re ensuring that every student in Virginia has access to top-tier education. These investments not only elevate educational outcomes but also prepare our young people to thrive in a competitive world. We’re laying the groundwork for a stronger, more innovative Virginia, poised to lead and excel in the years to come. This budget is a game-changer for our educational landscape and a monumental win for our state’s future,” said Senate Democrats Chair Mamie Locke.
“This budget prioritizes the wellness of all Virginians by making substantial investments in behavioral and mental health services. With nearly $2 billion in increased funding, we’re focusing on early intervention, especially in schools, and expanding access to telehealth services. These initiatives ensure that mental health support is available to every Virginian, no matter where they live. We’re committed to tackling public health challenges head-on, reducing long-term societal costs, and fostering a healthier, more resilient Commonwealth. This budget is a step towards a brighter, healthier future for Virginia,” said Senator Creigh Deeds.
“This budget makes transformative investments in Virginia’s transportation infrastructure, ensuring safer and more efficient travel for all. With over $6 billion allocated for road and bridge improvements, and significant funding directed towards modernizing public transit, we’re committed to connecting our communities and driving economic growth. This budget paves the way for a more connected, accessible, and forward-thinking Commonwealth. It’s a bold step towards a future where every corner of Virginia thrives,” Said Senator Jennifer Boysko.
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UPDATE: See below for a statement from Freedom Virginia
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