(A)Political Newsletter- Volume 20

(A)Political Newsletter - U.S. Political News & Election Updates

December 1, 2023

Good morning everyone,

We are in the final month of the year! It’s been an interesting week in U.S. Politics as discussion of bi-partisan immigration reform is gaining traction as well as a bi-partisan expulsion of Rep. George Santos. Donald Trump has taken to social media to threaten to repeal Obamacare but many of his Republican counterparts are skeptical. Finally, Desantis and Newsom faceoff in a heated debate filled with interruption, accusation, and policy. Lets get right into it!

In today’s edition:

  • Stock Watching

  • Republican Lawmakers Receive Support on Border Policy from Democrat States

  • Rep. Santos is Removed

  • Trump Advocates for Removal of ACA

  • Desantis and Newsom Debate

CONGRESSIONAL STOCK WATCHER

  • Representative Greg Casar has cosponsored legislation that would ban congressional stock trading.

    • We have not seen @RepCasar trade any stock since joining Congress last year.

    • He is one of the few congressmen who we estimate to have a net worth of less than $1M.

  • Representative Andy Ogles recently loaned $320,000 to his own re-election campaign.

    • When he entered Congress this year, he didn't report having any money in the bank.

    • Ogles sits on the House Subcommittee on Illicit Finance.

  • Senator Tina Smith bought up to $250K of stock in a company called Tactile Systems.

    • Since then, the stock has risen over 43%. It has risen literally every day since Smith’s purchase.

    • It’s a medical devices company.

    • Senator Smith is on the Senate Committee on Health.

    • It’s based in Minnesota. Senator Smith represents Minnesota.

    • It’s one of the smallest companies bought by a politician with a market cap of less than $500M.

  • Representative Michael Guest just disclosed new stock trades.

    • It is estimated that he has traded over $500K in stock and options this year.

    • He has violated the STOCK Act twice.

    • He is the chairman of the House Ethics Committee, which is in charge of enforcing the STOCK Act.

Be on the Lookout:

This week has not been very busy on the stock-watcher. Concerns about members violating the STOCK act continue to rise as certain members have not been investigated even though they committed a violation. Some of those that committed violations sit on the House Ethics Committee which is supposed to act as the investigative body into these violations.

Republican Lawmakers Receive Support on Border Policy from Democrat States

Creator: ALLISON DINNER | Credit: REUTERS

December 1, 2023: This year has seen some of the largest numbers of border crossings into the U.S. in history. With the influx of people, pressure has mounted on Democratic mayors and governors to provide shelter and resources to them. The mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson has called for Congress to impose stricter border policies such as increases in security, reinforcement of certain areas of the wall, and other similar Republican positions.

The request from Democrats comes as Republicans have said they are working for a border agreement in the aid bill for Ukraine and Israel. Not all Democrats are on board with the inclusion of border aid for fear of Republicans pushing too far. Others are far more concerned about the pressure from their constituents to negotiate a solution.

Chicago Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia believes there needs to be funding for cities, along with a framework to add more judges and hearing officers to deal with the large waitlist of people wanting to get into the U.S. Along with more funding, they are calling for more federal guidance and communication to create a well-organized approach. However, they are not happy with Republicans as Brandon Johnson took the opportunity to mention the bussing of migrants to cities like Chicago and New York a “process instituted by right-wing extremism” that has targeted Democratic-run cities to cause chaos.

Republicans are open to the opportunity to discuss a border policy. New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said, “I’m hopeful that Senator Schumer and the Democrats who represent these cities will listen to the mayors of their party who are telling them this is destroying and bankrupting their cities”.

Although Democrats and Republicans agree there is a problem, there is a mutual concern on both sides that one solution may be “too much” or “not enough”. Both parties agree that sweeping immigration reform is necessary.

Rep. Santos is Removed

PC: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

December 1, 2023-Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) has been expelled from Congress following a 311-114 vote by the House. The decision came as the House Ethics Committee released a report accusing Santos of a "complex web of unlawful activity involving [his] campaign, personal, and business finances. "Santos already faced a multitude of federal charges in two criminal indictments related to campaign fraud, money laundering, lying to the FEC, and theft of public funds. Santos had previous been criticized for embellishing parts of his resume and previous experiences while on the campaign trail. Santos becomes the first Republican and only the sixth congressman in American history to be removed from the House following this vote.

House members previously voted to not have him expelled until the conclusion of the investigation by the ethics committee. Pending expulsion, New York Governor Kathy Hochul would be required to call a special election within 10-days of the vacancy. County leaders would then have to select their nominees for the seat. 

Trump Advocates to repeal ACA, Republicans Skeptical

PC: Mario Tamara/Getty Images

December 1, 2023-Former President Trump took to his social media site Truth Social to  advocate repealing the American Care Act, or Obamacare. He stated that spending on it is "out of control". Trump also stated "Obamacare Sucks!!!” Some Republicans have been trying to find ways to remove Obamacare since its passage, which has generally failed. They came close to success once but former Senator John McCain of Arizona voted no, causing the vote to fail in the Senate.

Both congressional Republicans and Trump’s own team seem hesitant to go along with Trump’s plans. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa stated that there is little appetite in the Senate GOP to repeal Obamacare. Some sources have stated there was no concrete plan in place to repeal and replace Obamacare. Republicans have largely dismissed repealing Obamacare a lost cause. It is popular for Americans, with about 60% supporting it, and Democrats have used Republicans’ attempts to repeal it as political ammunition.

Desantis and Newsom Faceoff in Debate

PC: Steve Peoples/AP

November 30, 2023-In an off-center debate hosted by conservative host Sean Hannity, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Republican candidate Ron Desantis exchanged heated words as Desantis makes one last push to close the gap between himself and Donald Trump and Newsome pushes to defend the Biden administration.

Gov. Newsom stated the difference between the Biden-Harris record from the Desantis record is like “night and day”. He told Desantis “We have one thing in common, neither of us will be the nominee for our party in 2024”.

The whole debate was filled with accusations and interruption as Hannity struggled to control the conversations. The two hotter parts of the debate came from the discussion about abortion and gun violence. Desantis defended the heartbeat law and declined to answer Newsom’s question on whether he would issue a nationwide abortion ban.

Newsom also attacked Desantis on public safety, specifically laws Newsom claimed made it easier to buy guns which were passed after the Parkland shooting. Desantis then took the opportunity to point out California’s crime rate and claim people are leaving the state in droves because “it is failing”.

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