It’s been a time-tested Democratic attack line: Republicans are going to take away your Medicare, or maybe your Social Security. We gave a variant of the line our 2011 Lie of the Year.Now the talking point has re-emerged, in a March 29 tweet, from Oregon’s Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee:"#TrumpTax was only the beginning. After giving massive tax giveaways to wealthy & powerful shareholders, Republicans in Congress are plotting to take away Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security."In reality, the notion that congressional Republicans are scheming to "take away" Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security is inaccurate.🚨 #TrumpTax was only the beginning. After giving massive tax giveaways to wealthy & powerful shareholders, Republicans in Congress are plotting to take away Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.https://t.co/9YTuAYnOWw— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) March 29, 2018The Democratic news releaseThe first piece of evidence … [Read more...] about PolitiFact: Do Republicans in Congress want to take away Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid?
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South Carolina state House Republicans introduce bill on secession over gun rights
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina debated seceding from the Union more than 150 years ago, a decision that ultimately led to the Civil War. Now, the topic has come up again, amid a national debate over firearms and gun rights. A trio of state House Republicans on Thursday quietly introduced a bill that would allow lawmakers to debate seceding from the U.S. if the federal government confiscates guns purchased in South Carolina. The bill provides that "the general assembly shall convene to consider whether to secede from the United States based upon the federal government's unconstitutional violation of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution if the federal government confiscates legally purchased firearms in this state." The measure sponsored by Reps. Mike Pitts, Jonathon Hill and Ashley Trantham has no real chance this session. The deadline for bills to move from one chamber to the other is April 10. In 1860, South Carolina became the first state to declare that it … [Read more...] about South Carolina state House Republicans introduce bill on secession over gun rights
‘This is the dumbest possible way to do this’: Republican senator elbows Trump over new $100 billion tariff threat to China
Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska blasted President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional $100 billion in tariffs that target Chinese goods. Sasse called the plan “nuts.” Trump’s latest round of tariffs follows an earlier plan to impose $50 billion in tariffs against China. Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska blasted President Donald Trump’s decision to fuel a looming trade war with China. “Hopefully the President is just blowing off steam again but, if he’s even half-serious, this is nuts,” Sasse said in a statement on Thursday. “China is guilty of many things, but the President has no actual plan to win right now.” “He’s threatening to light American agriculture on fire,” Sasse continued. “Let’s absolutely take on Chinese bad behavior, but with a plan that punishes them instead of us. This is the dumbest possible … [Read more...] about ‘This is the dumbest possible way to do this’: Republican senator elbows Trump over new $100 billion tariff threat to China
Republicans might need to start panicking about a key Senate seat in a deep-red state
Joe Perticone, provided by Published 8:25 am, Thursday, April 5, 2018 Scott Olson/Getty Images A new poll shows Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn trailing former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen by double digits in the 2018 Senate race. The poor showing from Blackburn could flip a Republican-held seat in what is expected to be a Democratic wave year. Former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, is leading Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn by double digits going into the Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Bob Corker, according to a poll released Thursday. Recommended Video: Now Playing: Recent Polls have GOP members feeling optimistic about the upcoming midterm Elections, with President Trump advocating the polls during a joint Senate-House Republican retreat in West Virginia earlier this week. For more on the story here is Zachary Devita. Media: Veuer The poll, conducted by Middle Tennessee State University, shows 45% of registered voters favor … [Read more...] about Republicans might need to start panicking about a key Senate seat in a deep-red state
Republican governor forced to stop blocking Facebook users who criticize him
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan allegedly had a habit of blocking Facebook users and deleting comments when people criticized him, but a lawsuit has forced him to adopt a more open social media policy. Four Maryland residents sued the Republican governor in a US District Court in August 2017, with help from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland. The ACLU announced yesterday that a settlement has been finalized, requiring Hogan to implement a new social media policy within two weeks. The state is also required to pay $65,000 to the plaintiffs. "The ACLU lawsuit is one in a wave of high-profile cases across the country against elected officials charged with trying to silence constituents on social media—including one case brought against President Donald Trump for blocking constituents on Twitter," the ACLU of Maryland said. The ACLU alleged that Hogan was violating constituents' First Amendment rights to free speech. "Plaintiffs found that they could be, and were, … [Read more...] about Republican governor forced to stop blocking Facebook users who criticize him