NRSC Weekly Rundown: free snacks, VP Pence slams Manchin, Dems want to repeal #TaxReform and more!
And here’s this week’s edition of the NRSC Weekly Rundown:
#SOTU: The NRSC launched new digital ads ahead of President Trump’s first State of the Union highlighting ten vulnerable red state Democrats’ records of voting against the President’s policies. See a sample of the ads HERE.
National: Red state Democrats reaffirmed their party’s radical stance this week, rejecting efforts to restrict abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy. Even though 6 in 10 Americans oppose late-term abortions, red state Democrats decided to side with their far-left party leaders like Elizabeth Warren over folks at home.
#TaxReform: The good news just keeps on rolling. Hostess, creator of Twinkies, announced that in addition to pay raises, workers will be able to bring home free snacks! But that hasn’t stopped Senate Dems from threatening to repeal the law.
#JoeVotedNo: In his visit to the state, Vice President Pence called out Joe Manchinfor not standing up for West Virginia by voting against the tax relief bill. Joe complained about his job but even CNN and fellow West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito slammed Manchin’s response.
#NDSen: UPS announced $12 billion in investments thanks to the GOP tax cuts Heidi Heitkamp voted against. Heidi may have invited a former UPS driver to be her guest at the State of the Union, but when it comes down to it, she still voted against the plan that’s helping North Dakotans keep more of their hard-earned cash.
#NVSen: In an interview, Jacky Rosen didn’t dispute Nancy Pelosi’s crumb comments. The out-of-touch Senate hopeful, who’s worth between $5.3 million and $16.7 million, has even vowed to repeal the historic tax law.
#MNSen: FACT CHECK! Taking to Twitter, Tina Smith attempted to justify voting against the 20 week abortion ban with a completely false statement.
#INSen: Mexico Joe Donnelly officially filed for the ballot in Indiana this week. Too bad he has already faced an outsourcing scandal and named the least effective Senate Democrat.
NEWS AND NOTES:
Here’s why Democrats face a tough Senate campaign this year
Democrats are also defending seats in Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where Republicans won their Senate races in both 2010 and 2016. And in West Virginia, Montana, Indiana and Missouri, Democrats are defending Senate seats in states that voted for Republican presidential candidates in 2012 and 2016. READ
Democrats panic over avalanche of good economic news
Here’s the bad news for Democrats: The good news from the tax bill is going to be bigger and more powerful in the months ahead, leading right up to the fall elections. The most important number contained in the fourth-quarter GDP report was a 6.8-percent rise in business nonresidential investment. READ
Pay gains during Trump’s first year in office best since the Great Recession
President Donald Trump’s first full year in office saw gains that easily outdistanced any year for his predecessor, Barack Obama, whose best showing was the 2.2 percent increases in 2016 and 2014. Six of Obama’s eight years in office saw gains of 2 percent or less. READ
Video: Heitkamp High-Fives Schumer After Voting Against 20-Week Abortion Ban
For what it’s worth, polling done by the Susan B. Anthony List (a pro-life organization) suggested that 56 percent of North Dakotans supported the legislation.
But Heitkamp voted to kill it, and it failed 51-46. Just after casting her “no” vote, Senator Heitkamp could be seen on the Senate floor high-fiving Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. READ