Latest news with #SenateMinority
Axios
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Senate Democrats target "despicable" social media posts
Social media posts have sparked multiple personal clashes between senators since the Minnesota shootings, with Democrats publicly and privately urging their GOP colleagues to delete posts they say are insensitive or even dangerous. Why it matters: The deadly shootings involving two state lawmakers have raised sensitivity levels on Capitol Hill to any rhetoric that could be interpreted as condoning or minimizing violence against public officials. Minnesota's two Democratic senators — Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith — sought out Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) for a private conversation after Lee's now-deleted posts about the shootings prompted outrage and calls for his resignation. And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly condemned a Wednesday post from the Senate GOP's X account, calling it"despicable, dangerous and deadly." The post quoted President Trump as saying, "I was the hunted — and now I'm the hunter" in response to a question about Iran. Driving the news: Multiple sources tell us that a number of Senate Democrats reached out to Republican colleagues, pressing them to have the post taken down. But the post remains up on X. "THIS is what we're talking about when we say that the President's political rhetoric is so hot people are being killed," Schumer posted in response. The other side: Republicans called the Democratic response, particularly to the Senate GOP account's post, "fake outrage."
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats spar over super PAC primary spending: ‘Let's tie one hand around our backs'
Democrats are fighting over the role of super PAC spending in primaries after a group of senators called for them to be banned on Tuesday, reopening old wounds that have pitted progressives against more centrist candidates for years. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and seven Democratic senators called on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin to curb the influence of wealthy donors and super PACs in Democratic primaries in an open letter published Tuesday. The eight senators urged the DNC to pass a resolution restricting super PACs and 'dark money' groups from making contributions in the party's primaries, arguing that voters need to see the party take action on an issue that could weigh on voters' minds ahead of the 2026 midterms. 'The American people are disgusted with a corrupt political system that allows Elon Musk to spend $270 million to elect Donald Trump. They want change. We can make change,' the letter said. 'If our opposition to Citizens United is going to be taken seriously, we must begin by cleaning our own house.' The letter was also signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Peter Welch of Vermont, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. The letter rehashes internal party debates that have festered since the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision in 2010 opened the door to functionally unfettered political spending for rich individuals and labor unions. Sanders has been a leading voice in those debates; his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns became a referendum on the influence of wealthy donors on the Democratic Party. Progressive activists in recent elections have criticized candidates for accepting support from the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel group that spent millions in primaries through its affiliated super PAC to defeat House Democrats it viewed as unsupportive of Israel. Opponents of corporate spending have also raised concerns about the cryptocurrency industry, which spent millions backing supportive candidates in both parties and attacking candidates critical of the industry. Some Democrats immediately raised questions about the viability of the DNC enforcing donation restrictions on super PACs. Historically, national party organizations work directly with campaigns, which are legally prohibited from coordinating with outside groups. The letter cites as a hypothetical model a resolution passed by the Arizona Democratic Party earlier this month that begins the process of developing a policy to ensure that candidates in state primaries are not 'elected due to outside or independent electioneering spending funded by big donors who are circumventing legal limits on direct contributions to a candidate's campaign fund.' Former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said the senators should 'stop passing the buck' and 'just pass a damn bill.' 'The DNC can pass a resolution … a strongly worded resolution and what will be the impact.?!' Harrison wrote on X. 'Those same PACs will do whatever the hell they want to do. So what other 'action' can the DNC take that will produce the result suggested?!' Ammar Moussa, a former staffer for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, worried any restrictions on Democratic-aligned outside groups would concede a spending advantage to Republicans hoping to influence opposition primaries. 'Let's tie one hand around our backs while let Republican spend unlimited money to define Democrats. Give me a break,' Moussa wrote on X. 'If y'all wanna pass legislation, then by all means do it. But these silly purity tests do nothing but harm our party's chances of winning elections.'
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard launches campaign for governor
Two-time GOP attorney general candidate and former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, has entered the race to serve as the state's next governor. "Michigan is at a crossroads. Our unemployment rate ranks 49th out of 50, and less than 40% of our third-graders can read at a proficient level. We are also losing our loved ones to other states. A positive vision, hard work, and a lot of grit are what it's going to take to turn this state around," he wrote in a post on X announcing his campaign June 17. Leonard served in the Michigan House from 2013 through 2018 and led the chamber in his final two-year terms. In 2018, he lost the attorney general's race to Democrat Dana Nessel. The next year, President Donald Trump nominated Leonard for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, but he was effectively blocked from the job amid concerns raised at the time by Michigan's two Democratic senators about Leonard's nomination. In 2022, Leonard again ran for attorney general, but he didn't receive the Republican nomination. Instead, at the Michigan GOP convention that year, Republican delegates chose President Donald Trump's pick, Matt DePerno, who went on to lose to Nessel. Leonard is a partner at the law firm Plunkett Cooney's Lansing office, serving as the Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group Leader, according to the firm's website. In a video launching his campaign, Leonard outlined his campaign pitch. "We'll cut the waste in Lansing, lower taxes and make Michigan more affordable. Fix our schools by empowering parents, not government and strengthen our economy by getting government out of the way," he said in a narration. He also vowed to support Trump's border policies. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again in 2026 due to term limits. In addition to Leonard, the other prominent Republican gubernatorial candidates include, former Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township and Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt. The big names on the Democratic side of the race include Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent candidate for governor. Michigan's Race for Governor: Duggan played to the Mackinac conference crowd. Can he win statewide? Leonard — who is 44 — was born in Flint. He is married to Jenell Leonard, who serves as the president and CEO of the Lansing-based public relations firm Marketing Resource Group. Tom Leonard received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Michigan State University, according to his biography from the Michigan Legislature. Before serving in the state House, Leonard was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Genesee County and assistant attorney general. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard joins governor's race
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard of DeWitt launches campaign for governor
Two-time GOP attorney general candidate and former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, has entered the race to serve as the state's next governor. "Michigan is at a crossroads. Our unemployment rate ranks 49th out of 50, and less than 40% of our third-graders can read at a proficient level. We are also losing our loved ones to other states. A positive vision, hard work, and a lot of grit are what it's going to take to turn this state around," he wrote in a post on X announcing his campaign June 17. Leonard served in the Michigan House from 2013 through 2018 and led the chamber in his final two-year terms. In 2018, he lost the attorney general's race to Democrat Dana Nessel. The next year, President Donald Trump nominated Leonard for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, but he was effectively blocked from the job amid concerns raised at the time by Michigan's two Democratic senators about Leonard's nomination. In 2022, Leonard again ran for attorney general, but he didn't receive the Republican nomination. Instead, at the Michigan GOP convention that year, Republican delegates chose President Donald Trump's pick, Matt DePerno, who went on to lose to Nessel. Leonard is a partner at the law firm Plunkett Cooney's Lansing office, serving as the Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group Leader, according to the firm's website. In a video launching his campaign, Leonard outlined his campaign pitch. "We'll cut the waste in Lansing, lower taxes and make Michigan more affordable. Fix our schools by empowering parents, not government and strengthen our economy by getting government out of the way," he said in a narration. He also vowed to support Trump's border policies. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again in 2026 due to term limits. In addition to Leonard, the other prominent Republican gubernatorial candidates include, former Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township and Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt. The big names on the Democratic side of the race include Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent candidate for governor. Michigan's Race for Governor: Duggan played to the Mackinac conference crowd. Can he win statewide? Leonard — who is 44 — was born in Flint. He is married to Jenell Leonard, who serves as the president and CEO of the Lansing-based public relations firm Marketing Resource Group. Tom Leonard received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Michigan State University, according to his biography from the Michigan Legislature. Before serving in the state House, Leonard was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Genesee County and assistant attorney general. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard from DeWitt joins governor's race
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Qatari gift controversy
EDITORIAL: President Donald Trump has been getting a lot of business deals done with three rich Gulf states, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, deciding to skip Israel on this visit to the Middle East — unusual for an American president. On his first stop in Riyadh, he secured a USD 600 billion investment pledge, and also accepted a USD 400 million luxury plane as a gift from Qatar, which has ignited heated debate about ethical and conflict of interest issues. 'This is not just naked corruption,' said Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer in a speech the same day, 'it is also a grave national security threat.' In addition to expressing concern about the jet itself, and the cost of any modification required, the senior senator from New York took issue with Qatar. He demanded that Attorney General Pam Bondi, who once served as a lobbyist for the Qatari government, testify before Congress to explain her approval of the gift. Another Democratic senator, Chris Murphy, threatened to force votes to block weapons sales to Qatar. Although almost the entire Congress is beholden to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for its electoral campaign finance — in return for unqualified support of Israel — Trump critics are right to reference American constitution's Emoluments Clause that prohibits government officials from accepting gifts from any foreign state. The Qatari plane, though, is not a personal gift for Trump but a government-to-government offering made, apparently, because he was known to be unhappy with the current customised two Air Force One jets that entered service way back in 1990 during the time of president George H. W. Bush. Trump supporters may also argue this is no different from individuals or foreign governments making investment in American businesses or infrastructure. In any event, it should worry his people only if the president flies this 747-8 jumbo jet home at the end of his term in office. The problem though is not the gift, but how it plays into larger tensions in the region. Qatar is home to the largest US military base in the Middle East. It also stands out among the Gulf Arab states for lending support to the Palestinian cause, which puts it at odds with Israel. Its international news channel, Al Jazeera, which broadcasts meticulously recorded details of Palestinian lives lost in Israel's relentless genocidal campaign in Gaza, is banned in the Jewish state; and its West Bank offices have been forced to shut out. But Qatar, a strategic partner of the US, has also been providing Washington with facilitative assistance in crisis situations. It hosted the US-Taliban peace deal, and has more recently been anchoring indirect contacts — whatever their worth — between Hamas and Israel. President Trump, a transactional leader, is happy to see Qatar and other wealthy Arab states make hefty investments in the US and tightening ties with it, which seems to be the key reason the plane gift from Qatar has rattled the Israeli lobby and its beneficiaries so much. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
