holliswein's blog

James Comey's hearing was a highly anticipated event. It seemed like everyone this week was talking about "the Comey hearings." There were even Comey watch parties across the country.

Comey showed himself to be a dedicated public servant, committed to the serious responsibilities of his job regardless of politics. He was put in a compromising position with the President. It all seemed straightforward. Then charges started flying; Trump supporters started calling people liars. Once again we were left wondering how the world could look so different from the same vantage point.

Today is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Today would have been Hadiya Pendelton's 18th birthday. She was shot in the back and killed while she stood with friends three years ago in Chicago. Hadiya, an honor student, had just finished her final exams. She full of life and promise with bright dreams of her future - similar to our children. 

President Donald Trump's budget, which was released this week, is a mess of cuts that directly impact women and their families. This budget has been called "the worst budget for women and women's health in a generation." 

There has been a great deal of discussion surrounding President Donald Trump's first-time ever visit to Israel. Controversy already surrounded the trip before it was revealed this week that he breached security by sharing secret intelligence material, supplied by Israel, to the Russians. 

Israel and the U.S. historically have had close cooperations in the areas of security. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on future efforts, as well as our intelligence efforts with other allies. 

Confess ions of A Political Newbie
 
About 11 p.m. on election night, as red state after red state covered the t.v. screen, a wave of anxiety spread over me. My daughters looked at me and mirrored my disbelief. "But Mom, you said she (Hillary) was going to win..." 

JAC members just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. We met with over 60  Representatives and Senators,  both in their offices on Capitol Hill and at special events we hosted, while advocating for our issues. It was an empowering and motivating few days. We hosted six freshman JAC-supported House members for breakfast, such as Reps.

President Donald Trump's approval ratings are the lowest of any president since Gallup began presidential approval surveys in 1953. This strong anti-Trump sentiment has given Democrats hope to capture Health and Human Secretary Tom Price's open congressional seat in Georgia. Voter turnout exceeded expectations, pushing Democratic Jon Ossoff to a run-off on June 20th. Every vote counts. 

There is still no good news in the revised Senate healthcare bill - despite GOP claims and any extra perks they have offered to wavering Senators for their support. The bill is an absolute nightmare that would cause a spectacular amount of suffering - and even deaths.* The Senate will stay in session, forgoing their August recess, until they can get this bill passed. They want a victory on this issue at any cost. 

Today the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. This was accomplished by changing the rules of the Senate to permit a simple majority (51 votes) to decide. 

JACPAC is deeply disappointed by this confirmation. We say "Elections Have Consequences." The impact of this confirmation will be felt for generations. 
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When the GOP wanted to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act and deny funding for Planned Parenthood, maternity care, prenatal care and newborn care, voters used their political muscle. We called and showed up at town hall meetings. Congress heard our voices and the repeal was tabled. Phone calls and pressure worked. We must remember that for the next big fight - the Supreme Court nomination of Neil Gorsuch. 

The Judiciary Committee will vote on Gorsuch on Monday to send the nomination to the Senate, with a full vote scheduled for next Friday.