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Republicans admit they want obstruction

On Face the Nation, Speaker John Boehner was asked about his record of presiding over the least productive and least popular Congress in history. He responded by defending the obstructionist policies of far-right Republicans and said that Congress should be, "judged on how many laws we repeal." If you ever had any doubts, this confirms it — Republicans would rather obstruct than govern. The best way to stop them is to vote them out of office. Watch this video and then donate so we have the resources it takes to defeat them at the polls.

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  • Democrats Standing Up For Medicare and Medicaid: 48 Years and Counting

    Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law well before my time in Congress, but I am honored to play a role in fighting for these vital programs and the people who benefit from their existence. While Republicans have repeatedly tried to end Medicare as it currently exists, Democrats have taken bold steps to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid. In 1997, President Clinton signed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program which provided 4.6 million children with health care by 2001, and increased the number of children covered by 70 percent in just two years. In 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law which gives every American access to quality affordable health care and improves care for many of those on Medicare and Medicaid.

    Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law well before my time in Congress, but I am honored to play a role in fighting for these vital programs and the people who benefit from their existence. While Republicans have repeatedly tried to end Medicare as it currently exists, Democrats have taken bold steps to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid. In 1997, President Clinton signed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program which provided 4.6 million children with health care by 2001, and increased the number of children covered by 70 percent in just two years. In 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law which gives every American access to quality affordable health care and improves care for many of those on Medicare and Medicaid.

    With President Obama’s reauthorization of CHIP in 2009, the program’s coverage expanded benefits to 11 million children. Under the Affordable Care Act, 34.1 million seniors have already received one or more free preventative care services, 3.1 million young adults remain covered by their parents’ health insurance through the age of 26 and insurance companies have returned more than $1.5 billion to consumers to fulfill the ACA’s mandate that premiums be spent on health care, not administrative costs. Most importantly though, these are just the first of the benefits that consumers will see as full coverage begins in January and every American has access to quality affordable health care.

    When Republicans talk about making deep cuts to programs like these, I take it personally. I know how much my constituents rely on these programs and how painful it would be for them to see their benefits reduced. America’s seniors deserve to receive the basic benefits they have earned through a lifetime of work.

    Democrats will continue to fight to defend the important promise we made to those who rely on Medicare and Medicaid for quality health care. Take a look at this video showing how Democrats have helped to expand and protect this fundamental American value, and trust me when I say we, as Democrats, will continue the fight to protect these most vital programs.

  • Making real the promises of the 14th Amendment

    Posted by
    Donna Brazile, Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation

    On this day, 145 years ago, the 14th Amendment became the law of the land — addressing citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws. And while it was was far from perfect, the amendment was the first step in making it illegal to deny the right to vote based on race.

    The 14th amendment had big implications. It ignited the suffrage movement, ended segregation in our schools through Brown vs. Board of Education and provided the justification for Reynolds v. Sims — the landmark Supreme Court decision that established voting as a fundamental right.  As the court explained, "The right to vote freely for the candidate of one's choice is of the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions on that right strike at the heart of representative government."

    But even with these amendments and rulings, there was and still is voter discrimination and disenfranchisement. Poll taxes, literacy requirements and most recently voter ID laws — These are all tactics that have been deployed to restrict voting rights to certain populations. And some states have a stronger history than others. I know. I saw it first-hand as a little girl growing up in Louisiana.

    That's why the Voting Rights Act is so important. It made real the promises of the 14th Amendment and held states accountable for acts of voter suppression by requiring federal approval of any measures that could limit and restrict voting rights. But sadly, the Supreme Court's recent ruling dismantled a key provision of the law. But what's worse is the speed at which Republicans are moving to pass restrictive voting laws in the aftermath of the decision.

    These actions aren't just bad for the constituents they represent, they directly violate the principles our country was founded on and are a slap in the face to anyone who's ever fought for voting rights.

    As we commemorate the implementation of the 14th amendment today, let's take a minute and remember its intention — to expand access to voting to EVERY American. Let's fix the Voting Rights Act and stop voter suppression wherever it exists.

  • The road to victory

    If being on the road to visit six State Democratic Parties both in the South and the Lower- and Upper-Midwest in four days is any indication of what Democrats have in store for the Republicans this cycle, my judgment is we’re in good hands! The innovative projects and sheer grassroots organizing happening in states across the country right now is staggering. We're in this to win elections – and with these State Democratic Parties, we will! I started in Tennessee at a great lunch with Chair Roy Herron and Executive Director Kevin Teets who are laser-focused on building constituency caucuses and how we best achieve successes within both the National Party and on the state level. We also discussed bringing greater focus to members of the faith community within the Party. We ended with a note about political humor and the two books he’s authored. What a truly accomplished State Party Chair!

    Read More

  • Republicans admit they want obstruction

    On Face the Nation, Speaker John Boehner was asked about his record of presiding over the least productive and least popular Congress in history. He responded by defending the obstructionist policies of far-right Republicans and said that Congress should be, "judged on how many laws we repeal." If you ever had any doubts, this confirms it — Republicans would rather obstruct than govern. The best way to stop them is to vote them out of office. Watch this video and then donate so we have the resources it takes to defeat them at the polls.

    On Face the Nation, Speaker John Boehner was asked about his record of presiding over the least productive and least popular Congress in history. He responded by defending the obstructionist policies of far-right Republicans and said that Congress should be, "judged on how many laws we repeal." If you ever had any doubts, this confirms it — Republicans would rather obstruct than govern. The best way to stop them is to vote them out of office. Watch this video and then donate so we have the resources it takes to defeat them at the polls.

    Donate Today

  • President Obama: “it can only be done with your support”

    Today, President Obama sent the following email to supporters asking them to get involved and help elect democrats across the country:

    Friend,

    I will spend the next three and a half years doing everything I can to work with anyone -- Democrat, Republican, or independent -- to fight for middle class families.

    But I'll tell you what: it would be a lot easier if I had a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate to do it.

    Chip in $5 or more today to support Democratic candidates who are going to come to Washington and help get things done.

    There are some Republicans in Congress willing to work with us and compromise -- and I'm going to work with those people to solve the challenges we face and share the tough decisions.

    But too often, Republicans seem more committed to gridlock than getting to yes. They seem more interested in stopping us at any cost than in helping the next generation.

    That's what we're up against. It's going to be absolutely critical that you feel the same urgency and intensity over the next year and a half leading up to the midterm elections as you did in 2008 and 2012, Sharese.

    If you do, then we can take back the House and we can keep the Senate in Democratic hands. That will allow me to appoint outstanding judges to the federal bench. That will allow us to ensure that we are making progress on issues like creating jobs and climate change and education that are critically important for the next generation.

    It can be done -- but it can only be done with your support:

    https://my.democrats.org/Right-Now

    Thanks,

    Barack

  • We Shall not be moved!

    Earlier today, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke to the 104th NAACP convention in Orlando, Florda where she addressed voting rights and the need to protect those fundamental rights. Watch the video of her speech and check out a few highlights from her remarks.

    Earlier today, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke to the 104th NAACP convention in Orlando, Florda where she addressed voting rights and the need to protect those fundamental rights. Watch the video of her speech and check out a few highlights from her remarks.

    "Voting is not a privilege, it is a right which must not be infringed."

    "We have recently been reminded that progress is never guaranteed and that the right to vote is only as safe as the political will to protect it."

    "We must all remain vigilant and focused in light of the Supreme Court’s decision and hold the leadership in the House accountable to update the law. Sitting on the sidelines, waiting for something to happen is not an option."

    "Democrats will – as we have for over 50 years – continue to ensure that we protect the franchise. It’s who we are as a party, as a people, and as a nation. And we will never back down; We will never give up; and We shall not be moved!"

    Click here to read the full remarks.

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