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Jul 17 2018

RELEASE: Do Cagle and Kemp Agree with Trump on Russian Interference?

Trump Chooses Putin Over U.S. Intelligence; Do Kemp and Cagle?

GEORGIA – In the past several days, President Trump attacked our NATO allies, insulted Germany’s Chancellor and Britain’s Prime Minister, blamed a former president for Russia’s invasion of Crimea, and described the European Union as one of America’s ‘foes’.

But yesterday, Donald Trump made his most stunning proclamation regarding Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections:

“My people came to me, Dan Coates, came to me and some others they said they think it’s Russia. I have President Putin. He just said it’s not Russia.

“I will say this: I don’t see any reason why it would be. But I really do want to see the server but I have, I have confidence in both parties.”

“It sounded like Charlottesville when he blamed both the Neo-Nazi protesters and the activists who stood against them.” said Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter. “President Trump spent the day attacking our own institutions while praising Vladimir Putin. He equated our own intelligence agencies with Russian spies and said he has ‘confidence in both.’”

“Georgia has two Republicans running for Governor that are clamoring for President Trump’s endorsement. Does their loyalty include throwing American intelligence agencies under the bus? Do they agree with Trump that we should have confidence in both?”

“That’s a disaster for Georgia, a disaster for America and a solid victory for Putin and the Russian government.”

# # #

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Republicans, Press Releases · Tagged: Brian Kemp, Casey Cagle, Donald Trump, Georgia GOP, Georgia Governor

May 02 2018

GA Republican Tom Price: Trump’s Tax Law Will Increase America’s Health Insurance Premiums

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Contact: Eric Gray

Communications Director

Democratic Party of Georgia

(678) 278-2016 ext. 302

ATLANTA – Former Secretary of Health and Human Services and Georgia Congressman Tom Price stated that President Donald Trump’s new tax legislation will likely “drive up the cost” of health insurance for many Americans due to the elimination of the individual mandate.

But just one year ago on ABC-TV’s This Week, Price argued that the elimination of the individual mandate would lower health insurance premiums, not raise them.

“Price’s complete about-face on health policy should come as no surprise,” said DuBose Porter, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair. “Since he’s no longer in the Trump administration, he’s now free to say what Democrats have been saying all along- the Affordable Care Act was lowering the increasing costs of health insurance, and President Trump’s plan is driving these costs up again.”

Price’s recent comments are in line with the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office’s estimate from last year. In November, the CBO predicted that average premiums in the healthcare exchanges would rise by about 10% in most years over the next decade under Trump’s then-tax bill. Georgia’s Republican Congress members all voted for the bill, which became law in December.

“Republicans have insisted that they would repeal and replace Obamacare. But they’ve only repealed parts of the bill and offered no replacements at all. This piecemeal approach to healthcare is the same approach that put the American people in this mess,” said Porter.

“If Trump’s former HHS Secretary can figure out that President Trump’s path leads to higher costs, Georgia Republicans should too.”

###

Background

“Trump’s Former Health Secretary: Americans Will Pay More Because GOP Weakened Obamacare”, Washington Post, May 1 2018.

Tom Price “The individual mandate is …driving up the cost,” ABC-TV’s This Week via YouTube, July 30, 2017.

“Repealing the Individual Health Insurance Mandate: An Updated Estimate”, Congressional Budget Office (PDF file), November 2017.

“How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill”, New York Times, December 19, 2017.

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Press Releases · Tagged: Donald Trump, GOP Tax Plan, Health Care, Tom Price

Jan 30 2018

Georgia Democrats Statement on State of the Union

Release:  Tuesday, January 30, 2018         

Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter issued the following statement in response to tonight’s State of the Union Address.

“After a year on the job, all Donald Trump has delivered to Georgia families is a bottomless sack of broken promises. It should come as no surprise that the man who lied his way into the Oval Office has betrayed public trust with policies that are in direct conflict with his campaign rhetoric.

“Trump promised to ‘drain the swamp,’ yet filled his cabinet with Wall Street insiders and lobbyists. He promised to protect American workers and grow the economy, but job growth has slowed to its lowest in seven years. He promised health insurance for ‘everybody,’ but the number of uninsured Americans increased by 3.2 million during his first year in office.

“What Trump and his Party have actually accomplished is a slow and deliberate dismantling of President Obama’s legacy. The GOP tax plan created a windfall for millionaires and corporations at the expense of working Georgians. His administration has gutted net neutrality and allowed internet companies sell our browser history. Trump even rolled back worker safety regulations and rules that protected employees from having wages stolen by their employers.

“As Democrats, we’re more than just a resistance movement. We’ve fought for policies that fund CHIP long-term, provide a fair path to citizenship for DREAMers, protect worker pensions, expand access to affordable health care, and grow the middle class. And we will fight for policies that reflect these values at the state level when we elect Democrats up and down the ballot in Georgia this November.”

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Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: DPG in the News, Georgia Democrats, Georgia Republicans, National Democrats, Party News, Press Releases · Tagged: Donald Trump, DuBose Porter, SOTU, State of the Union

Jan 12 2018

GA Democrats Call on Sen. David Perdue to Condemn Trump’s Racist Remarks

Release:  Friday, January 12, 2017

Contact: Michael Smith, Communications Director

404-729-9505 / [email protected]

Atlanta, GA – Thursday, Georgia Senator David Perdue was in the Oval Office when Donald Trump disparaged Haiti and countries in Africa, labeling them as “sh**hole countries.” A day later, Perdue has yet to condemn or even comment on Trump’s vile remarks. This comes nearly a year to the day after Trump—once again during Dr. King’s holiday—attacked Congressman John Lewis and labeled Atlanta as “crime infested” and “falling apart.”

“The man who touts himself as an ‘outsider’ was actually inside the room when these remarks were made, and has no excuse to dodge the public and press on where he stands. David Perdue’s silence can only be interpreted as complicity in this kind of racism and xenophobia. Perdue was sent to the U.S. Senate to represent and stand for all Georgians, not to serve as Trump’s bootlicker. Georgia Democrats call on Senator Perdue to immediately condemn Donald Trump’s hate and vulgarity.” – DuBose Porter, Chair

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Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Georgia Republicans, Press Releases · Tagged: Donald Trump, DuBose Porter David Perdue, immigration

Oct 13 2017

Statement on Trump’s Executive Order to Sabotage Health Care

Release:  Friday, October 13, 2017

Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia First Vice Chair Nikema Williams issued the following statement on Donald Trump’s executive order to sabotage the health care marketplace.

“With this executive order, Donald Trump and the Republican Party have made crystal clear the fact that they do not care about the collateral damage—Georgia’s families—in their quest to dismantle a bill that is actually saving lives. The ACA is working, yet Trump is undermining the insurance marketplace—while chipping away at President Obama’s legacy—to score political points with the Republican Party’s base. Democrats believe health care is a human right, not a privilege. To truly improve the quality of life for all Georgians, we call on the GOP to work with Democrats to craft policies that strengthen the security found in quality affordable healthcare.”

Late Thursday evening, the Trump Administration announced the decision to cut ACA subsidies—known as cost-sharing reduction subsidies or CSRs—that reduce the cost of health care for millions of Georgians.

From The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities:

Stopping cost-sharing reduction (CSR) payments to insurers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), as President Trump has repeatedly threatened, would drive up federal marketplace subsidy costs, raise premiums, cause more insurers to withdraw from the marketplaces, and increase the number of uninsured next year, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found today. Key findings include:

  • Stopping CSR payments would raise federal budget deficits by $6 billion in 2018 and $194 billion over the next ten years, relative to current law, due to increased costs for the ACA’s premium tax credits for low- and moderate-income people to offset their rising premiums (see below).
  • Marketplace premiums for “silver-level” plans would rise by 20 percent, on average, in 2018. Premiums for such plans would be 25 percent higher in 2020 and thereafter, relative to current law.
  • Marketplace insurers in some states would withdraw from or not enter the marketplaces in 2018. As a result, the share of the nation’s population living in areas with no marketplace insurers would rise to 5 percent in 2018, up from less than 0.5 percent under current law.
  • The number of uninsured would rise by 1 million in 2018, relative to current law.

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Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Press Releases · Tagged: ACA, Donald Trump, Health Care, Nikema Williams

Sep 20 2017

SHOT/CHASER: The Price is Wrong Edition

 

Release:  Wednesday, September 20, 2017                                                                                     

 

SHOT/CHASER: The Price is Wrong Edition

 

SHOT: HHS Secretary Tom Price spent an estimated $60,000 on five private jet excursions, breaking precedent set by his predecessors who flew commercial.

 

CHASER: As a Georgia Congressman, Price decried the use of private jets, saying “This is just another example of fiscal irresponsibility run amok in Congress right now.”

 

“Tom Price spent more money on just five trips than the median household income for a Georgia family. This is an affront to the hundreds of thousands of Georgians who will lose health care coverage if Price and Trump get their way and repeal the Affordable Care Act.” – Michael Smith, Communications Director

 

CNBC – Tom Price, who reportedly used costly private jets, once slammed government planes as ‘fiscal irresponsibility run amok’

 

  • Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price took five private jets for official business last week at an estimated cost of at least $60,000, according to Politico.
  • In 2009, Price slammed House Democrats for authorizing funding for private jets.
  • Price has also backed the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to the HHS budget.

 

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, who reportedly took five separate private jet flights for government business last week, once slammed Congress for authorizing funding for private planes.

Price, a fiscal conservative who has long pledged spending discipline, took the flights at an estimated cost of at least $60,000, according to Politico. The travel included an estimated $25,000 round trip from Washington to nearby Philadelphia.

The two HHS secretaries who served prior to Price took commercial flights while in the continental United States, the news outlet said.

Price had a very different outlook on government spending for private planes while serving as a congressman from Georgia. In a 2009 CNBC interview, he criticized House Democrats for trying to spend $550 million on eight passenger jets.

He said a scaled-back request of $220 million for four jets also went too far.

“I think we’ve made it halfway of where we ought to and that is cut it from eight to four jets,” Price said at the time. “Now we need to cut it from four jets to zero jets. This is just another example of fiscal irresponsibility run amok in Congress right now.”

HHS did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request to comment on this article.

Price’s flights last week cost tens of thousands of dollars more than commercial travel for the same schedule would have cost. He went to Philadelphia for a Q&A session with the CEO of Athenahealth and visited community health centers in both New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, Politico said, citing internal documents.

It is unclear if he took private flights for other official business since joining the Trump administration.

Price also backed an 18 percent HHS budget cut proposed by the Trump administration for fiscal 2018. He was expected to present a plan to overhaul the agency’s structure to the White House this month, Politico reported.

 

 

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: ACA, ACA repeal, Donald Trump, Georgians, HHS, Tom Price

Sep 05 2017

DPG Statement on Trump Administration Rescinding DACA

Release:  Tuesday, September 5, 2017                                                                                           
Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia Latino Caucus Chair Antonio Molina issued the following statement on Donald Trump’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“Donald Trump’s decision to rescind DACA is a cruel and calculated political move that punishes 800,000 immigrants looking to build a better life and contribute to our economy. Georgia ranks in the top ten states hit the hardest by Trump’s shortsighted move. With 23,405 DACA recipients, Georgia stands to lose $994,182,808 in state GDP annually.

“Contrary to today’s remarks by Attorney General Sessions, DACA does not place our nation at risk of crime and terrorism—DACA recipients must pass extensive background checks. Using immigrants as a fear tactic is a cowardly move that could force almost one million people back in to the shadows. Targeting our neighbors and driving wedges into our communities does absolutely nothing to keep our country safe.

“Ahead of next year’s elections, Trump’s action underscores the importance of electing Democrats to statewide office—it was, after all, a group of rightwing state attorneys general who threatened to sue the Trump Administration unless it began to dismantle DACA by September 5th.

“Georgia Democrats proudly stand with the immigrants in our state who make us stronger. We will continue to fight for commonsense immigration reform that strengthens families and continues to strengthen our economy.”

###

BACKGROUND

CNBC – Here’s how much DACA deportations would cost your state’s economy

NYT – ‘Dreamer’ Plan That Aided 800,000 Immigrants Is Threatened

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Press Releases · Tagged: Antonio Molina, DACA, Donald Trump, DPG Latino Caucus, immigration

Jun 30 2017

SoS Kemp: It’s Only Federal Overreach When a Democrat is President

                                                                                     

 

SoS Kemp: It’s Only Federal Overreach When a Democrat is President

Atlanta, GA –

 

“Brian Kemp has consistently stonewalled efforts that would ensure the integrity of our elections system. Now, just a little over a year after he handed out our private information unprovoked, he’s being asked by a panel of the nation’s leading voter suppression experts to willingly hand out that information once again and more. This move by the Trump administration is a blatant, partisan trick to suppress votes. With hostile foreign governments subverting American elections, we do not need to make our elections even more vulnerable. Georgia Democrats call on Brian Kemp to reject the Trump Administration’s demands, just as he most certainly would with the previous administration.” – DuBose Porter, Chair

 

From The Hill:

The vice chairman of President Trump’s commission on election integrity sent a letter to all 50 states Wednesday requesting information on their voter rolls.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is seeking several pieces of information about voters, including their names, birthdays, the last four digits of their Social Security numbers and their voting history dating back to 2006.

The letter, sent to the secretaries of state of all 50 states and obtained by The Hill, directs states to turn over “publicly-available voter roll data  including, if publicly available under the laws of your state, the full first and last names of all registrants, middle names or initials if available, addresses, dates of birth, political party (if recorded in your state), last four digits of social security number if available, [and] voter history from 2006 onward.”

 

So, will Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp comply?

 

Last year, when the Department of Homeland Security and the Intelligence Community warned Secretaries of State of a series of high-profile elections system breaches and offered a series of proactive scans and evaluations, Kemp scoffed at the idea. Initially, Kemp accused the government of “federal overreach” and labeled the IC’s offer as an attempt to “subvert the Constitution to achieve the goal of federalizing elections under the guise of security.”

 

In November of 2015, Brian Kemp’s office released the Social Security numbers and private data of more than 6 million Georgia voters. Not only did Kemp’s breach endanger the economic security of millions of Georgians, his mistake cost taxpayers well into the seven figures.

 

Despite multiple warnings from the IC and security experts, and despite black and white evidence of Russian interference in our elections (and evidence of Donald Trump’s interference in the Russia investigation), Kemp remains in the minority of skeptics. According to the Washington Post, “Kemp said in a recent interview, adding that he remains unconvinced that Russia waged a campaign to disrupt the 2016 race. ‘I don’t necessarily believe that,’ he said.”

 

Further information, including a timeline of events, can be found here.

 

 

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: Brian Kemp, Donald Trump, Georgia elections, Georgia Secretary of State, Russia

May 17 2017

Georgia Democrats press Isakson, Perdue to condemn Trump intel disclosure

Atlanta Journal-Constitution // Greg Bluestein

May 16, 2017

Georgia Democrats pressed Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue to condemn President Donald Trump for revealing highly classified intelligence to Russian officials, reminding them they co-sponsored legislation that would sanction anyone who exercised “extreme carelessness” in handling confidential information.

Democratic Party of Georgia head DuBose Porter said Tuesday that Trump has “undermined the trust of our allies and imperiled our national security” and referred to legislation both Republicans sponsored in July 2016 that would strip security clearances for those who mishandle sensitive info.

The measure, which never gained traction, was a political maneuver introduced in the heat of the campaign by Republicans frustrated that Democrat Hillary Clinton was not indicted for her handling of classified material on a personal email server while she was U.S. secretary of state.

Isakson did not immediately comment on reports that Trump boasted about classified material in a meeting last week with the Russian ambassador and foreign minister – his office said he wouldn’t weigh in until he “has learned all the facts.”

And Perdue, one of Trump’s highest-profile advocates in Georgia, called it a “shiny object of the day for the media and Washington.”

“I want to get back to talking about the debt, the upcoming budget, and this president re-engaging,” he said on Fox Business Network of Trump’s upcoming trip to the Middle East and the Vatican. “Isn’t it refreshing that we have a president re-engaging with U.S. allies around the world on his first international trip?”

Trump said on Twitter he had the “absolute right” to reveal the information, citing “humanitarian reasons” and an effort to goad Russia into stepping up its fight with the Islamic State. His allies have said the law gives the president has wide discretion to declassify information.

But analysts worried that the details could expose the source of the information, putting the nation’s intelligence sources and diplomatic ties at risk. The New York Times reported that Israel provided the intel that Trump shared with Russia.

In a statement, Porter asked whether Isakson and Perdue will hold Trump to the “same standard” they sought in the legislation.

“Their silence is jeopardizing our relationships with our allies and could put American lives at risk,” said Porter.

###

Georgia Democrats press Isakson, Perdue to condemn Trump intel disclosure

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: DPG in the News, Georgia Democrats, Georgia Republicans, Party News · Tagged: David Perdue, Donald Trump, Johnny Isakson, Russia

May 09 2017

DPG Chair Statement on Firing of FBI Director

Release:  Tuesday, May 9, 2017      

Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter issued the following statement in response to the firing of FBI Director James Comey.

“Donald Trump’s authoritarian rule knows no bounds. First he fires Sally Yates and now Comey—the man responsible for investigating Trump’s ties to Russia. This is above politics, and there already exists a resounding bipartisan agreement on calls for an independent commission and the appointment of a special prosecutor. Our national security is as stake and these demands must be met immediately. We cannot trust Donald Trump to investigate himself. We just cannot trust Donald Trump.”

###

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Press Releases · Tagged: Donald Trump, DuBose Porter, James Comey, Russia, Sally Yates

Apr 26 2017

Karen Handel to Profit from Fundraiser Hosted by Donald Trump Because Karen Handel

Atlanta, GA – What do you get when you pair a self-centered vanity candidate always on the lookout for a get-rich-quick scheme with another self-centered vanity candidate always on the lookout for a get-rich-quick scheme? A Karen Handel fundraiser hosted by Donald Trump.

This Friday, Donald Trump will spend the day in Atlanta, capping off his trip with a high dollar fundraiser for Karen Handel. Barely limping in to the 6th Congressional District runoff and disliked by members of her own party, Handel is now reliant upon national Republicans to fund a campaign that has perpetually teetered on the edge of irrelevance. Further illustrating the GOP’s scramble to buy voters’ love, the Congressional Leadership Fund—a super PAC aligned with House Republicans—announced Wednesday it was spending another $3.5 million dollars in Georgia ahead of the June runoff.

“National Republicans are trying to buy another seat in Congress—essentially buying another ‘Yes’ vote to take away Georgians’ health care and cut taxes for the rich. But all the money in the world won’t expunge perpetual politician Karen Handel’s record of misusing taxpayer dollars as Secretary of State. And it certainly won’t buy the enthusiasm and energy we’re seeing in the Democratic Party.” – Michael Smith, Communications Director

For years, Karen Handel has been mired in scandal for misuse of tax dollars. While serving as Secretary of State, Handel chose a $587-per-month taxpayer-funded allowance for a luxury SUV over the standard state car. During what was dubbed as Georgia’s “greatest budget crisis since the Great Depression,” Handel suggested spending between $15,000 and $18,000 of tax dollars on new chairs.

As Secretary of State, Handel fired 40 workers yet found room in the budget to spend $13,500 in travel in 2008 and 2009 alone. In fact, Handel’s personal office budget rose by 42 percent as Secretary Of State. But the habit of looking out for herself at the expense of others was nothing new at that point, as her personal office budget rose by 43 percent while serving as Fulton County Commissioner.

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Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Republicans, Press Releases · Tagged: 6th Congressional District, Donald Trump, Flip the 6th, Karen Handel

Feb 10 2017

Shirking Accountability: Isakson, Perdue and Hice Duck Their Own Town Hall Meeting

 

                                                                                     

Shirking Accountability: Isakson, Perdue and Hice Duck Their Own Town Hall Meeting

 

 

Atlanta, GA – This morning, the offices of Senator Johnny Isakson, Senator David Perdue, and Rep. Jody Hice hosted a “town hall” meeting in Greensboro.

 

Only one problem: All three Republicans were no-shows and instead chose to pawn off their responsibilities to congressional aides.

 

From the AJC:

The protests that have rocked Republican town hall meetings across the nation have arrived in Georgia.

Dozens of protesters packed a meeting on Friday in Greensboro hosted by aides to U.S. Sens. David Perdue and Johnny Isakson and Rep. Jody Hice. The trio of Republicans, though, was not there.

The meeting – which a Hice spokesman characterized as a routine “constituent service day” featuring private sessions with local residents – is one of the first Republican congressional events in Georgia since Donald Trump’s inauguration.

 

“Rather than face the music for their rubber stamp roles for Donald Trump, these men have shirked their duties as elected representatives and done disservice to their constituents. Perish the thought that they endure the ‘pain’ of actually talking to voters—or to borrow Isakson’s own words, the ‘unwashed back home.’

 

“For all their talk of being outsiders, this hiding game is the epitome of the out-of-touch DC insider mindset. Access and answers are owed to all Georgians—not just the GOP’s well-heeled campaign contributors.” – Michael Smith, Communications Director

 

 

 

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Georgia Republicans · Tagged: David Perdue, Donald Trump, GAGOP, Jody Hice, Johnny Isakson, republican town hall, town hall meetings

Feb 07 2017

We need your voice on Betsy DeVos

 

Friends—

 

Today, the Senate is schedule to vote on whether to confirm Betsy DeVos as the next Secretary of Education.

 

DeVos is a billionaire who has spent her career and untold millions of dollars to defund public education and benefit for-profit schools.

 

As Democrats, we MUST send a message to Senator Johnny Isakson and Senator David Perdue that DeVos is an unacceptable pick and we will hold them accountable for their votes. We need YOU to contact our senators and urge them to vote NO on DeVos. Here’s how:

 

 

Senator Johnny Isakson

One Overton Park,

3625 Cumberland Blvd, Suite 970

Atlanta, GA 30339

Washington – (202) 224-3643

Atlanta – (770) 661-0999

Email

Senator David Perdue

191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3250

Atlanta, GA 30303

Washington – (202) 224-3521

Atlanta – (404) 865-0087

Email

You can also use the Democrats’ call tool at this link.

 

 

Yours in solidarity,

 

Georgia Democrats

 

 

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, National Democrats · Tagged: Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump, education

Jan 31 2017

DPG Statement on Trump’s SCOTUS Nominee

Release:  Tuesday, January 31, 2017           

Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter issued the following statement on Donald Trump’s nomination of Neil Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Court.

“Hardworking Americans should be frightened by Trump’s nomination of Neil Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Court. He has a well-documented history of favoring CEOs and corporations over the very people who drive our country’s economy. Georgia Democrats are more determined than ever to protect the rights of workers and organized labor unions.

“Trump has boldly stated that his pick would overturn Roe v. Wade. And true to form, Trump’s choice-Gorsuch—seems a likely candidate to do just that given his record of fighting for employers wanting to avoid the ACA requirements securing women access to contraception through their insurance.”

“Congressional Republicans stonewalled President Obama’s nominee for hundreds of days, leaving a vacancy on our nation’s highest court for absolutely no reason. The GOP’s naked obstructionism prevented our country from having a fully-functioning Supreme Court. Georgians are watching Senators Isakson and Perdue to see just how swiftly they roll over in submission to push Donald Trump’s pick through the confirmation process, proving they could have done their job during the Obama administration and just flat out chose not to.”

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Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Party News, Press Releases · Tagged: Democratic Party of Georgia, Donald Trump, DuBose Porter, Georgia Democrats, Neil Gorsuch, Supreme Court

Jan 23 2017

Questions Remain Unanswered From Price Ahead of Tuesday’s Senate Committee on Finance Hearing

Release:  Monday, January 23, 2017

Atlanta, GA – Tomorrow, Trump HHS pick and Georgia Congressman Tom Price will face a second round of questioning during a confirmation hearing with the Senate Committee on Finance. Price struggled to answer questions surrounding the hundreds of thousands of dollars in health care company stocks he traded while pushing bills that could have affected those very stocks during last week’s Senate hearing.

Price also failed to articulate both his own and the Trump Administration’s plan to replace the Affordable Care Act.

“Almost two months after being tapped to head HHS, we’re still waiting for answers from Rep. Price on these serious allegations of insider trading and his plan to replace Obamacare. What we do know is that Price has vowed to privatize Medicare within the first year of this administration. He’s vowed to repeal the ACA, leaving millions without health insurance. He’s voted to allow discrimination against employees for reproductive decisions and opposed LGBTQ nondiscrimination laws. Tom Price has a shady record, holds radical views on health care, and seems to be more concerned with his own bottom line than the wellbeing of Americans.” – Michael Smith, Communications Director

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Huffington Post – Democrats Want More Info On Tom Price’s Stock Accounts After Insider Trading Questions

Roll Call – HHS Nominee Tom Price, Staff Aided Donors in Agency Battles

Kaiser Health News – Trump’s HHS Pick Favored Drugmakers, Device Makers And Doctors

Washington Post – Why one expert says Tom Price’s stock deals ‘may very well have’ broken the law

 

New York Times – The Republican Health Care Con

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Party News, Press Releases · Tagged: Donald Trump, Georgia Democrats, HHS, Tom Price

Jan 17 2017

Tom Price’s Latest Corruption Scandal Explained

Summary

  • Congressman Tom Price is under fire for yet another serious example of corruption: using his congressional office to pad his own pocket.
  • In this latest example, Rep. Price bought shares in the medical devices company Zimmer Biomet.
  • Less than a week after the purchase, he introduced legislation that would boost the company’s bottom line.
  • He spent a year and a half lobbying the Department of Health and Human Services for regulation changes that would also profit the company – and stockholders like himself.
  • This is not the only example of corruption. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reported that Rep. Price traded over $300,000 in healthcare company stocks while using his office to advocate for legislation that could have impacted those stock prices and lined his pockets with cash.

Latest Tom Price Corruption Scandal

 

March 2016: Tom Price Bought Up To $15,000 Of Shares In Medical Device Manufacturer Zimmer Biomet “Rep. Tom Price last year purchased shares in a medical device manufacturer days before introducing legislation that would have directly benefited the company, raising new ethics concerns for President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services secretary. Price bought between $1,001 to $15,000 worth of shares last March in Zimmer Biomet, according to House records reviewed by CNN.” [CNN,1/16/17]

 

Less Than A Week Later Introduced Legislation To Delay A Pending CMS Regulation That Analysts Warned Would Hurt Zimmer Biomet “Less than a week after the transaction, the Georgia Republican congressman introduced the HIP Act, legislation that would have delayed until 2018 a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulation that industry analysts warned would significantly hurt Zimmer Biomet financially once fully implemented.” [CNN, 1/16/17]

 

Zimmer Biomet Is One Of The World’s Leading Manufacturers Of Knee And Hip Implants, And Would Have Been One Of The Companies Hit Hardest By A CMS Rule Directly Changing Payments For Such Procedures. “Zimmer Biomet, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of knee and hip implants, was one of two companies that would have been hit the hardest by the new CMS regulation that directly impacts the payments for such procedures, according to press reports and congressional sources. After Price offered his bill to provide Zimmer Biomet and other companies relief from the CMS regulation, the company’s political action committee donated to the congressman’s reelection campaign, records show.” [CNN, 1/16/17]

Zimmer Biomet Would Have Been Hit Hard By A New CMS Regulation Changing Payments For Hip And Knee Implants Through Medicare, As Hip And Knee Implants Made Up 60 Percent Of The Company’s Revenue. “And over the past year-and-a-half, Price raised objections to the CMS regulation that proposed major changes to how providers and manufacturers are paid and reimbursed for hip and knee implants through Medicare. But medical device manufacturers, in particular, were poised to be hit the hardest by the new regulation, according to industry officials and congressional sources. And that posed a significant threat to Zimmer Biomet, which bills itself as a worldwide leader in hip and knee replacements. A report from trade publication Fierce Biotech last year said that the company’s hip and knee implants account for 60 percent of its revenue.” [CNN, 1/16/17]

September 2015: Tom Price Wrote To The Acting Administrator Of CMS Asking To Delay A Regulation Changing How Manufacturers Were Paid For Knee And Joint Implants, And Two Days Later Zimmer Biomet Donated To Price’s Campaign Committee. “And over the past year-and-a-half, Price raised objections to the CMS regulation that proposed major changes to how providers and manufacturers are paid and reimbursed for hip and knee implants through Medicare… In September 2015, Price spearheaded a letter to Andy Slavitt, the acting administrator of CMS, asking that the regulation be delayed because it ‘represents a significant change to our healthcare delivery system which could have a negative impact on patient choice, access and quality.’ Two days after the letter, Zimmer Biomet’s PAC cut Price’s reelection committee a check worth $1,000, according to campaign finance filings.” CNN, 1/16/17]

Three Months After Price Introduced Legislation To Delay A CMS Regulation, Zimmer Biomet’s PAC Cut Another Check To Price’s Campaign Committee. “When CMS didn’t listen to Price, the congressman unveiled his legislation to delay implementing the regulation until 2018, with the bill coming days after investing in the company [Zimmer Biomet], whose shares were worth $103.59 at the time. Three months after he introduced the bill, the company’s PAC cut Price’s campaign committee another $1,000 check, according to records.” [CNN, 1/16/17]

What We Already Knew

 

Price Traded Over $300,000 In Shares Of Health Companies As He Sponsored And Pushed Bills That Could Have Affected Those Companies’ Stock.  “President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to run the Health and Human Services Department [Price] traded more than $300,000 in shares of health-related companies over the past four years while sponsoring and advocating legislation that potentially could affect those companies’ stocks.” [Wall Street Journal, 12/22/16]

 

  • Since 2012, Price Traded Stock In About 40 Health, Pharmaceutical And Biomedical Companies, Including 12 When Congress Was In Session. “Rep. Tom Price, a Georgia Republican, bought and sold stock in about 40 health-care, pharmaceutical and biomedical companies since 2012, including a dozen in the current congressional session, according to a Wall Street Journal review of hundreds of pages of stock trades he filed with Congress.  In the same two-year period, he has sponsored nine and co-sponsored 35 health-related bills in the House.” [Wall Street Journal, 12/22/16]

 

  • Since 2012, Price Sponsored Nine Health Related Bills While Cosponsoring 35.“Rep. Tom Price, a Georgia Republican, bought and sold stock in about 40 health-care, pharmaceutical and biomedical companies since 2012, including a dozen in the current congressional session, according to a Wall Street Journal review of hundreds of pages of stock trades he filed with Congress.  In the same two-year period, he has sponsored nine and co-sponsored 35 health-related bills in the House.” [Wall Street Journal, 12/22/16]

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Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Georgia Republicans, Press Releases · Tagged: Donald Trump, Georgia GOP, HHS, Tom Price

Jan 14 2017

DPG Statement on Donald Trump’s Detestable Attack on Congressman John Lewis & the People of Georgia

Release:  Saturday, January 14, 2017          

Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia Communications Director Michael Smith issued the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s attack on Congressman John Lewis, Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, and the City of Atlanta.

“Donald Trump’s loathsome remarks on Congressman Lewis and the 5th District not only illustrate the President-elect’s classlessness—it further proves that Trump may be one of the most uneducated students of history to occupy the Oval Office. This is unacceptable on any day, but particularly offensive on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“Congressman John Lewis has dedicated his life to ensuring that the United States lives up to its greatest expectations through nonviolence and grassroots activism. As a result of his and so many others’ sacrifices, our nation was transformed into a society where the scales of justice found more balance. Congressman Lewis’ legacy came at a steep price—he was jailed and beaten and bloodied. But he never gave up. He never gave in. And we as a nation are the beneficiaries of his commitment to getting into good trouble.

“Beyond these vulgar attacks, it is disheartening that Trump would rather sing the praises of Vladimir Putin than Georgia’s own living social justice legend and civil rights icon. Trump owes Congressman Lewis, the 5th District, the City of Atlanta, and Georgians more than just an apology. He owes us the respect found in working toward a more perfect union through inclusion, equality, and commitment to the strengthening of everyone’s civil and human rights.”

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BACKGROUND

Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Trump to John Lewis: Fix your ‘horrible’ Atlanta district

“Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results,” Trump said in a pair of Twitter messages ahead of the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations. “All talk, talk, talk – no action or results. Sad!”

Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Pastor of MLK’s church: Trump is a ‘small man’ for attacking Atlanta

The Rev. Raphael Warnock  of Ebenezer Baptist Church said Trump “continually demonstrates that he is too small a man for the big responsibility he now assumes.”

“John Lewis has spent his life serving others. Trump has spent his life serving himself,” said Warnock, whose historic Atlanta church is the spiritual home of King’s family. “Rather than sending nasty tweets, he ought to sit at John Lewis’ feet and learn what service, sacrifice and integrity look like.”

New York Times – ‘All Talk, No Action,’ Trump Says in Attack on John Lewis, a Civil Rights Icon

Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Georgia Democrats, Press Releases · Tagged: Atlanta, Civil Rights, Donald Trump, Georgia Democrats, John Lewis

Dec 21 2016

Newt Gingrich Slips up, Tells Truth, Suggests Trump Use Pardons for Conflicts of Interest

Release:  Wednesday, December 21, 2016                                                        

Atlanta, GA – In a revealing interview with NPR today, Newt Gingrich explained what the American people can expect from a Trump presidency.

From the interview:

On Trump’s often-stated promise to “drain the swamp” in Washington

I’m told he now just disclaims that. He now says it was cute, but he doesn’t want to use it anymore. … I’d written what I thought was a very cute tweet about “the alligators are complaining,” and somebody wrote back and said they were tired of hearing this stuff. …

 

On Trump essentially saying “trust me” about how he’ll deal with conflicts of interest

That will not last. This is not a country that wanders around trusting people with power. This is a country that wants accountability.

 

On Gingrich’s suggestion that Trump could use the power of the pardon if anyone in his administration seemed to be violating conflict-of-interest laws or protocols

The Constitution gives the president of the United States an extraordinarily wide grant of authority to use the power of the pardon. I’m not saying he should. I’m not saying he will. It also allows a president in a national security moment to say to somebody, “Go do X,” even if it’s technically against the law, and, “Here’s your pardon because I am ordering you as commander-in-chief to go do this.”

The suggested use of pardons as a “get out of jail free card” for ethics violations and conflicts of interest has already set off alarm bells on both sides of the aisle. From Politico:

But it was Gingrich’s suggestion that Trump could sidestep potential problems inside his administration — through his constitutional right to issue pardons — that prompted an incredulous reply from the NPR program’s host and two of her guests.

“That level of authority strikes me as rather broad and perhaps ought to be in the hands of Congress rather than within his own hands,” said Rehm, who is set to retire at the end of this week after a more than 30-year run.

“Speaker Gingrich’s statement that wealth trumps the rule of law, basically that’s what he was saying, is jaw-dropping,” added American University government professor James Thurber. “I can’t believe it. He’s a historian. He should also know that we did not want to have a king. A king in this case is somebody with a lot of money who cannot abide by the rule of law.”

Richard Painter, a former George W. Bush White House ethics lawyer, said Gingrich was off on his reading of the Constitution. “If the pardon power allows that, the pardon power allows the president to become a dictator, and even Richard Nixon had the decency to wait for his successor to hand out the pardon that he received for his illegal conduct,” Painter said. “We’re going down a very, very treacherous path if we go with what Speaker Gingrich is saying, what he is suggesting.”

Then again, what other position on conflicts of interest are we to expect from Gingrich?

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Written by PNM Admin · Categorized: Press Releases · Tagged: Donald Trump, drain the swamp, Newt Gingrich, pardons

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