As President Trump attacks the Democratic U.S. House as a “do-nothing” body, it seems a good time to turn our turrets on perhaps the the most egregious obstructionist in our nation’s Capital.
Ah yes, ladies and gents, we give you Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who was the subject of a piece titled “Let’s Ditch Mitch” by Gail Collins in The New York Times.
“McConnell, who has near total control over what comes up for a vote, sits on things he doesn’t like until they smother. Farewell, immigration reform, Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions, lowering prescription drug prices, protecting election security, restoring net neutrality.
You can, of course, just presume that McConnell is following Trump’s orders. But it’s hard to believe the president even knows what’s going on.
There are well over 100 House-passed bills sitting around gathering mildew in Mitch’s limbo. What do you think that place looks like? A very depressing bus station waiting room? A hospital ward packed with comatose patients? Or maybe just a dimly lit storage bin where little bills sit around drinking juice and playing video games until the end of time?
The guy is a waste of space.
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Nebraska lawmakers introduced 739 bills during the 2019 Nebraska legislative session, which ended on May 31. Of those, 252 were signed into law.
Another 393 bills remain in the Legislature’s various committees and will be considered next year.
The NDP asked our 18 Democratic senators which of their measures — or other bills they supported — made them most proud.
Read about our Democratic state senators’ success, and please consider making a donation to the NDP to help us hold those 18 seats and add more in 2020
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Congrats to Democrat Sändra Washington, who was the consensus choice of the other six City Council members from a field of 24 candidates to fill the at-large seat vacated when Democrat Leirion Gaylor Baird became mayor last month.
Washington has lived in Lincoln since 1990 and before retiring in 2014, she traveled to various parts of the Midwest to work on projects for the National Park Service.
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Meanwhile, Democrats made up four of the five finalists to fill the open Lancaster County Board seat: Cristy Joy, Shane Jensen, Tami Soper and Christa Yoakum.
Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon, County Clerk Dan Nolte and County Treasurer Rachel Garver will make the appointment by June 30.
The District 2 seat was vacated when Jennifer Brinkman resigned to become the chief of staff for Gaylor Baird.
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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is set to host a forum on reproductive rights for the Democratic primary field this month, as the issue of abortion emerges as a central topic in the 2020 presidential race.
The forum, hosted by Planned Parenthood’s political arm, is the first event in recent presidential campaigns singularly focused on women’s health. The candidates will be individually questioned for 15 minutes about their positions and records on issues like abortion rights, access to health care and contraception.
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The Nebraska Democratic Women’s Caucus will award $500 “Inspiring Women” scholarships to three female students, each representing one of Nebraska’s Congressional Districts.
The scholarship application deadline is July 1.
These awards are inspired by our memory of political trailblazer and mentor Helen Boosalis, Mayor of Lincoln and Democratic Party nominee for Nebraska Governor.
The simple application process includes a 500-word essay and biographical/contact information emailed to: ndpwomenscaucus@gmail.com.
More information is available here.
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A reminder that the NDP’s State Central Committee Meeting and Trainings are June 28-30 in Scottsbluff.
More information can be found here.
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The first Democratic Presidential Debates are June 26-27, 2019.
Sign up to host a watch party!
The Democratic National Committee on Thursday named the 20 presidential candidates who qualified to appear on stage later this month in the first primary debate of the 2020 campaign.
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We leave this week with a sober rendering by political cartoonist Dave Granlund.
–By Kevin O’Hanlon/NDP Communications Director
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IMPORTANT DATES
June 15: Omaha Juneteenth Parade
June 15: Lincoln Juneteenth Celebration
June 26-27: Democratic Presidential Debates
June 28-30: SCC Meeting and Trainings in Scottsbluff
