Subject: GOP VP Daily Roundup, 4/21/16
From: "Yoxall, Collin" <[email-masked]>
To: Veepstakes <[email-masked]>
Cc: "Dillon, Lauren" <[email-masked]>, "Brinster, Jeremy" <[email-masked]>, "Bauer, Nick" <[email-masked]>, "Graham, Caroline" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:27:13 -0700

GOP VP DAILY ROUNDUP, 4/21/16

BOB CORKER

TOM COTTON

CARLY FIORINA

JEFF SESSIONS

RICK SCOTT

DOUG DUCEY

NIKKI HALEY

SCOTT WALKER

PAM BONDI

CHRIS CHRISTIE

BOB CORKER

Domestic Policy:

Bob Corker Said That “To Vote For A Budget Challenges One’s Integrity And Certainly One’s Intellect,” Criticizing The Lack Of Discipline In The Budget Process. “’Our budget process is the biggest hoax cast upon the American people,” Corker said. “To vote for a budget challenges one’s integrity and certainly one’s intellect. It is a shame that the American people even believe there is a budget process that has something to do with fiscal discipline.’” [Press Release, Office Of Senator Corker, 4/20/16<http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ID=E74879A4-486F-449B-BBA0-91909BECA4E6>]

Bob Corker Lamented The Lack Of A “Forcing Mechanism” In The Budgetary Process. “Currently, the federal budget does not carry the force of law. Corker questioned whether making the budget a law would force members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to finally work together to address our nation’s fiscal challenges. ‘There’s no forcing mechanism right now. None,’ Corker added. ‘The fact is we spend money we don’t have… We should be ashamed, ashamed [by] the way we deal with Americans’ money.’” [Press Release, Office Of Senator Corker, 4/20/16<http://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-list?ID=E74879A4-486F-449B-BBA0-91909BECA4E6>]

Tennessee Politics:

Bob Corker Was Name One Of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People Of 2015. [TIME, 4/16/16<http://time.com/3823149/bob-corker-2015-time-100/>]

Lamar Alexander Called Bob Corker A Pragmatist Who “Is Unafraid To Challenge President Obama And Unafraid To Work With Him.” “He is unafraid to challenge President Obama and unafraid to work with him. His tough-minded pragmatism and grasp of economics have restored prestige to the Foreign Relations Committee and are reminiscent of George H.W. Bush’s skilled team.” [TIME, 4/16/16<http://time.com/3823149/bob-corker-2015-time-100/>]

Lamar Alexander: “If He Is Not President Himself, Corker Is An Obvious Choice For Secretary Of State Or Treasury.” [TIME, 4/16/16<http://time.com/3823149/bob-corker-2015-time-100/>]

Lamar Alexander: “In 2014 He [Bob Corker] Voted With The Majority Of Republican Senators 85% Of The Time, But He Is A Conservative Who Prizes Results Over Speeches.” [TIME, 4/16/16<http://time.com/3823149/bob-corker-2015-time-100/>]

Bob Corker Highlighted The Problem Of Tariffs And Said He Would “Continue To Work To Make Sure The Playing Field Is Level” At Wacker Chemie’s Plant Opening In Charleston, TN. “Also, Corker said Wacker is facing tariffs on products sent from the United States to China. He said he intends to ‘continue to work to make sure the playing field is level.’” [Knoxville News Sentinel, 4/21/16]

Bob Corker Said That Bringing A Wacker Chemie Plant To Charleston, TN Was Made Possible With Low Cost Power From The Tennessee Valley Authority. “U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., mentioned the vision and courage of Wacker officials to proceed with the factory originally announced about seven years ago. The former Chattanooga mayor said there was no way the Wacker plant would have happened without low-cost power available from the Tennessee Valley Authority. [Knoxville News Sentinel, 4/21/16]

SFRC:

Bob Corker Praised The Unanimous Passage Of The Global Food Security Act For Making “Progress Toward Eliminating Inefficiencies In Food Aid” To Countries Like Syria. “’Today the Senate made important progress toward eliminating inefficiencies in food aid that waste scarce resources and prevent us from feeding millions more people in need around the world more quickly,’ said Senator Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. ‘Without the flexibilities that exist for emergency food aid, responding in places like Syria, where U.S. commodities simply cannot reach, would be impossible. The Emergency Food Security Program is the model for overall food aid reform, and I am hopeful that with today’s action we will continue building momentum behind that effort.’” [Press Release, United States Senate Committee On Foreign Relations, 4/20/16<http://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/chair/release/corker-coons-praise-progress-in-reform-of-us-global-food-aid>]

Bob Corker’s Global Food Security Act Moved President Obama’s Feed The Future Program Closer To Law. “The Senate — by unanimous consent — passed its own version of the Global Food Security Act Wednesday night, moving President Barack Obama’s Feed the Future program one step closer to being cemented in law. The bill would authorize the $1 billion a year agricultural development initiative that the administration launched in 2010, as well as an emergency food security program that the U.S. Agency for International Development has increasingly relied on to ‘avoid constraints’ by traditional food aid programs like Food for Peace, according to Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn).”

AL MONITOR: Bob Corker Was “Still Trying To Get Democrats On Board On Broad Legislation That Would Target Iran's Access To Dollars And Other Issues.” “Panel Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told Al-Monitor April 20 that he is still trying to get Democrats on board on broad legislation that would target Iran's access to dollars and other issues. The top Democrat on the panel, Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., however, told Al-Monitor earlier this month that he had concerns with flat out banning dollar conversions.” [AL Monitor, 4/20/16<http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/04/congress-iran-dollar-restrictions.html>]

Misc. Social Media

Bob Corker: “Our Budget Process Is The Biggest Hoax Cast Upon The American People. My Remarks At Yesterday’s Budget Hearing [Video]” [@SenBobCorker, Twitter, 4/21/16<https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/723154267477929985>]

Bob Corker: “First-Time Authorization Of Emergency Food Security Program Is The Model For Overall #FoodAid Reform. #GFSA” [@SenBobCorker, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/722934483331129345>]

Bob Corker: “Without The Flexibilities That Exist For Emergency #FoodAid, Responding In Places Like #Syria Would Be Impossible. #GFSA” [@SenBobCorker, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/722934332000587777>]

Bob Corker: “Had A Great Discussion Yesterday With The Greater Nashville Regional Council, Which Represents 13 Tenn. Counties.” [@SenBobCorker, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/722834155487277056>]

TOM COTTON

On Blocking Nomination Of Terrorism Under Secretary Of Treasury

Office Of Senator Tom Cotton: “So, Until President Obama, And Secretary Kerry, And Secretary Lew Publicly And Conclusively Renounce Any Intent To Allow Iran To Dollarize And Foreign Transaction, I Will Object To This Nomination.” “Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today blocked Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) from bringing the nomination of Adam Szubin for Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes at the U.S. Department of Treasury to the Senate floor for a vote. Senator Cotton objects to the Obama Administration's intention to grant Iran access to the U.S. dollar. His full remarks can be found below. Additonally, a video of his remarks can be found here. ‘Until just a few weeks ago I did not object to Mr. Szubin's nomination. I did oppose the nomination in the Banking Committee because he supports a clearly inconsistent interpretation of the Iran Threats Reduction Act because it would hinder the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal. To be fair to Mr. Szubin, he is well respected on both sides of the aisle having worked in the former Bush administration. I suspect this is not his interpretation. This is the interpretation of the community organizer and the failed novelist and the political operative who are in charge of implementing these parts of the Iran nuclear deal. However, I couldn't in good conscience support the nomination given that clearly flawed interpretation. But just two or three weeks ago Secretary Jack Lew gave a speech in which he all but announced the United States government was going to allow Iran access to the U.S. dollar. This would truly unravel every last sanction that we have against Iran, not just for their nuclear program, but for their campaign of aggression and terror throughout the Middle East. This is in direct contradiction to what Secretary Lew said, and in direct contradiction to what Mr. Szubin said. In fact, I would note his testimony before the Banking Committee last summer. “Iranian banks will not be able to clear U.S. dollars through New York, hold correspondent account relationships with U.S. financial institutions, or enter into financing arrangements with U.S. banks. In short, Iran will continue to be denied access to the world's principle financial and commercial market.” Further in another quote, “Nor will Iran be able to access the U.S. banking sector even for that momentary transaction that we call dollarize a foreign payment.” Yet, Secretary Lew has all but announced that the United States government will allow Iran to dollarize their foreign transactions. In fact, Secretary of State John Kerry just this week is meeting with his foreign counterpart to try to figure out more ways to keep economic benefits on the world's state sponsor of terrorism. So, until President Obama, and Secretary Kerry, and Secretary Lew publicly and conclusively renounce any intent to allow Iran to dollarize and foreign transaction, I will object to this nomination. And if the Senator from Ohio, and 41 other Democrats don't like that they should have considered it before they voted for a deal that gave over $100 billion to the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism. I object.’” [Press Release, 4/21/16<http://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=361>]

Fox News: Tom Cotton Blocked A Confirmation For A Treasure Official Fighting Terrorism. “A Republican senator has blocked an effort to confirm President Barack Obama's nominee for a key Treasury post responsible for leading the battle against terrorism and financial crimes…Szubin, who was nominated a year ago, has served under both Obama and predecessor George W. Bush. He has been in the anti-terror job in an acting capacity….” [Fox News, 4/20/16<http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/04/20/gop-senator-blocks-nominee-responsible-for-terrorism-fight.html>]

Fox News: Senator Sherrod Brown Criticized Tom Cotton For “Holding The Government’s National Security Apparatus Hostage For Politics.” “Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas objected on Wednesday when Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio tried to move ahead on the long-stalled nomination of Adam Szubin…Brown criticized Republicans, saying they were holding the government's national security apparatus hostage for politics.” [Fox News, 4/20/16<http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/04/20/gop-senator-blocks-nominee-responsible-for-terrorism-fight.html>]

Houston Chronicle: Adam Szubin Had Been Waiting To Be Confirmed For A Year. “The president nominated Adam Szubin a year ago, but his nomination has languished, caught up in Senate politics. Szubin, who has served under both Obama and predecessor George W. Bush, has worked in the anti-terror job in an acting capacity.” [Houston Chronicle, 4/20/16<http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/In-brief-Three-die-in-Pemex-explosion-7285176.php>]

Al Monitor: Tom Cotton’s Blocking Of A Treasury Terrorism Official Was Part Of A Larger Partisan Disagreement Over Iranian Access To International Financial Markets. “Congressional Republicans appear to be hurtling toward a showdown over Iran's access to the US dollar with little or no support from Democrats, potentially dooming their legislative efforts to block further concessions to Tehran…The flurry of activity comes amid concerns that the Obama administration is weighing ways to address Tehran's complaints that the United States is not living up to its end of the nuclear deal because Iran remains largely cut off from the dollar-dominated international financial system. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on April 20 held up the president's pick to lead the terrorism and financial crimes division at the Treasury Department, Adam Szubin, over the issue. A number of Democrats — including Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md. — have also raised concerns, but many are wary of signing on to any bills that could be seen as seeking to undermine the president's signature international achievement. Republicans ‘are going to be much more anxious to shoot down everything the administration does,’ [Congresman Elliot] Engel told Al-Monitor. ‘I'm less anxious to do that. But I am anxious to hold Iran's feet to the fire, as we were promised we would be allowed to do if the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] passed.’ [Al Monitor, 4/20/16<http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/04/congress-iran-dollar-restrictions.html>]

On Iranian Rocket Launch

Washington Free Beacon: Tom Cotton Called The Launch Of The Simorgh Rocket A “Provocation Of The Highest Order And Shows Iran’s True Intentions” “Iran this week conducted the first launch of a new rocket that the Pentagon views as a key element of Tehran’s effort to build long-range missiles. The launch of the Simorgh space launch vehicle on Tuesday was judged by U.S. intelligence agencies to be partly successful but did not reach orbit, said defense officials familiar with reports of the test…Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) said he is concerned about the latest Iranian missile development. ‘An Iranian Simorgh space launch vehicle test would be a provocation of the highest order and shows Iran’s true intentions,’ Cotton told the Washington Free Beacon. ‘The intelligence community has said publicly that this [space launch vehicle] technology would aid an Iranian [intercontinental ballistic missile] program. And the only reason one develops ICBMs is the delivery of nuclear weapons,’ Cotton added.” [Washington Free Beacon, 4/20/16<http://freebeacon.com/national-security/iran-conducts-space-launch/>]

On Jonesboro Chamber Of Commerce Trip To Washington, D.C.

Talk Business And Politics: Tom Cotton Met With 35 Jonesboro, AR Area Leaders During A Trip To Washington D.C. “Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce Vice President Cari White said Wednesday (April 20) that the annual trip that chamber and elected officials take to Washington, D.C. has provided dividends in the past. White said she is hopeful that this year’s trip can be as successful as the others…During the trip, about 35 regional leaders who made the trip met with U.S. Sens. John Boozman, R-Ark. and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, and staff members for U.S. Reps. French Hill, R-Little Rock, Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs.” [Talk Business And Politics, 4/20/16<http://talkbusiness.net/2016/04/jonesboro-chambers-d-c-trip-productive-officials-say/>]

Talk Business And Politics: Tom Cotton Talked With The Business Group About “Regulations As Well As The Powers Left To The State And Local Governments” “On Thursday, the group met with Boozman for breakfast and Cotton during the lunch hour. Boozman also spoke about trade and agriculture as well as commodity prices. Cotton spoke to the group about regulations as well as the powers left to the state and local governments, White said.” [Talk Business And Politics, 4/20/16<http://talkbusiness.net/2016/04/jonesboro-chambers-d-c-trip-productive-officials-say/>]

On Energy, Flint Bill

E & E Publishing: Tom Cotton Opposed A Bipartisan Energy Bill. “The Senate easily passed bipartisan energy reform legislation today, setting the stage for conference talks with the House that members hope will result in the first new major energy law in almost a decade…Opposing the bill were Republican Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Tim Scott of South Carolina, John Boozman of Arkansas, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Mike Lee of Utah, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, David Perdue of George and Marco Rubio of Florida.” [E & E Publishing, 4/20/16<http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060035958>]

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: (Story On Bill Behind Paywall) [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 4/20/16<http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/apr/21/bill-boosting-varied-energy-sources-ok-/?f=business>]

Morning Consult: The Energy Bill Was Held Up Due To Provisions Around Addressing The Flint Water Crisis, Which Was Excluded From The Final Bill Due To Republican Objections. “The Senate on Wednesday voted 85-12 to pass a wide-ranging energy bill that had been delayed for months over an unrelated provision to address the water crisis in Flint, Michigan…The Flint provision was excluded over objections from Republicans.” [Morning Consult, 4/20/16<https://morningconsult.com/alert/senate-sends-bipartisan-energy-bill-house/>]

40/29 News: Tom Cotton Voted For An Amendment That Senator Martin Heinrich Said Would Have Blocked The Clean Line Project. “An energy study amendment proposed by Arkansas Sen. John Boozman (R) failed on the Senate floor Tuesday after a fellow Senator accused Boozman of trying to block an energy project proposed in Arkansas. Sen. Boozman's amendment would have required the Energy Secretary to submit to Congress a report that describes the project's impact on electricity rates and include a list of utilities with contracts to purchase power from the project. The amendment also would have required the Department of Energy to not issue a decision on approving the project until 90 days after submitting the report to Congress…Immediately after Boozman presented his amendment, New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich (D) responded, accusing Boozman of trying to block the proposed Plains and Eastern Clean Line energy project, which will run through Arkansas…The amendment was defeated, 55-42. All 42 votes in favor were Republicans, including Sens. Boozman and Tom Cotton. Both of Oklahoma's Senators, Jim Inhofe and James Lankford, voted against it.” [40/29 News, 4/20/16<http://www.4029tv.com/news/boozmans-energy-study-amendment-fails-on-senate-floor/39128246>]

Social Media Action

Tom Cotton: “Great Meeting With Matthew Smith, Shelly Wallace, & Jennifer Wilson-Harvey From Little Rock. Thanks For Stopping By!” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722784141180289024>]

Tom Cotton: “Great Meeting With Members Of The Arkansas Telecommunications Association. Thanks For Stopping By!” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722797700459208704>]

Tom Cotton: “Enjoyed Meeting Members Of Monticello Twenty For The Future Yesterday. Thanks For Stopping By!” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722808341207085060>]

Tom Cotton: “This Week Explore Arkansas’s National Parks With Free Admission For #Nationalparkweek. #Findyourpark Http://Ow.Ly/4mtmzy” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722819708924399617>]

Tom Cotton: “In celebration of #NationalParkWeek, I want to encourage Arkansans to take advantage of our parks! #FindYourPark” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722852417268760577>]

Tom Cotton: “Please Be Sure To Sign Up For My Newsletter! Http://Ow.Ly/10sam4” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722824809189650432>]

Tom Cotton: “I Delivered The #Gopaddress On The President’s #Irandeal And The Threat Of Terrorism. WATCH: Http://Ow.Ly/4mtnlk” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722839901792837632>]

Tom Cotton: “Enjoyed Meeting With RD Hopper From Jacksonville With The Automotive Recyclers Association. Thanks For Stopping By!” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722847553625190400>]

SASC Majority (Retweeted By Tom Cotton): “HAPPENING NOW: #SASC Seapower Subcmte Hearing On @Usnavy & @USMC Aviation Programs - Watch: Http://1.Usa.Gov/26aenzb” [@SASCMajority, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SASCMajority/status/722848510551334913>]

JEC Repubicans (Retweeted By Tom Cotton): “Happening Now: JEC Hearing On The Real Economic Cost Of Our Complex Tax Code. Tune In Http://Goo.Gl/Ks3vl7” [@JECRepublicans, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/JECRepublicans/status/722858924433481729>]

JEC Repubicans (Retweeted By Tom Cotton): “@SenTomCotton Questioned Witnesses About Applying Lessons Learned From State Tax Reform To The Federal Level.” [@JECRepublicans, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/JECRepublicans/status/722887260106952705>]

Tom Cotton: “Earlier Today I Blocked Adam Szubin’s Nomination Over My Concerns With The #Irandeal. WATCH: Http://Ow.Ly/4murqj” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722892113076092929>]

Tom Cotton: “Call My Office For Help With The IRS!” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/722896449801850880>]

SASC Majority (Retweeted By Tom Cotton): “#SASC Hearing To Consider Military Nominations - Watch Live: Http://1.Usa.Gov/1WHA3De” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/21/16<https://twitter.com/SASCMajority/status/723141540223156224>]

Tom Cotton: “Honored To Have AR #Vets In Washington, D.C. Through Honor Flights. We Are Grateful For Your Service. #USA” [@SenTomCotton, Twitter, 4/21/16<https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/723155610888445952>]

Tom Cotton: “Enjoyed Meeting Members Of Monticello Twenty For The Future Yesterday. Thanks For Stopping By!” [Senator Tom Cotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://www.facebook.com/SenatorTomCotton/photos/a.139579716203572.28054.120355701459307/591746270986912/?type=3&theater>]

Tom Cotton: “Great Meeting With Members Of The Arkansas Telecommunications Association. Thanks For Stopping By!” [Senator Tom Cotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://www.facebook.com/SenatorTomCotton/photos/a.139579716203572.28054.120355701459307/591727424322130/?type=3&theater>]

Tom Cotton: “Great Meeting With Matthew Smith, Shelly Wallace, & Jennifer Wilson-Harvey From Little Rock. Thanks For Stopping By!” [Senator Tom Cotton, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://www.facebook.com/SenatorTomCotton/photos/a.139579716203572.28054.120355701459307/591723884322484/?type=3&theater>]

CARLY FIORINA

HEADLINE: “Carly Fiorina Proves She'd Be an Excellent VP Pick.” [PJ Media, 4/19/16<https://pjmedia.com/video/carly-fiorina-proves-shed-be-an-excellent-vp-pick/1/>]

Carly Fiorina Drew A Large Crowd In Reading, PA. “But the candidate who inspired Wintz to attend the Wednesday dinner was one no longer in the race. Businesswoman Carly Fiorina, who halted her campaign in February and has since backed Cruz, was the keynote speaker. ‘I think she's brilliant,’ Wintz said. ‘I am sorry that she is no longer contending for the Republican nomination.’ Fiorina's appearance drew a larger than usual crowd to the dinner, at Reading's Abraham Lincoln hotel. Attendees also heard from GOP elected officials and candidates running in local and statewide races.” [Reading Eagle, 4/21/16<http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/local-republicans-hear-fiorinas-pitch>]

Misc. Social Media

Carly Fiorina: “The Policies Of The Progressive Left Are Not Working For Women: [VIDEO]” [@CarlyFiorina, Twitter, 4/21/16<https://twitter.com/CarlyFiorina/status/722926133059002368>]

JEFF SESSIONS

Trump

Jeff Sessions On The Possibility Of Donald Trump Losing The Republican Nomination At The Republican National Convention: “It’s Hard For Me To Imagine How Somebody Who Carried Only A Few States And Is Several Hundred Delegates Short Can Demand To Leap Over The Person Who Got More Votes.” “Trump will keep pushing hard to win remaining primaries so he can head for the Cleveland convention claiming he’s the inevitable, popular choice. The more the numbers look grim for Cruz, the more Trump can claim momentum. ‘It’s hard for me to imagine how somebody who carried only a few states and is several hundred delegates short can demand to leap over the person who got more votes,’ said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., a Trump supporter.” [McClatchy, 4/19/16<http://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/politics-government/article72783582.html>]

Jeff Sessions On Donald Trump’s Chances Of Winning The Republican Nomination: "Trump Is Strengthening His Position, Not Slipping.” “’It'll be hard for any of these candidates to argue, it seems to me, they should leap over somebody that clobbered them in a big state like New York, especially when they have fewer delegates and fewer votes nationwide,’ Sen. Jeff Sessions said, adding that Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont actually had a better case on the Democratic side than either Cruz or Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. ‘Trump is strengthening his position, not slipping,’ the Alabama Republican said.” [Roll Call, 4/20/16<http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/sessions-says-tough-argue-cruz-leapfrog-trump>]

Jeff Sessions On Donald Trump’s New Senior Advisor, Paul Manafort: “Manafort's Serious…He Has Experience In Managing At A High Level These Kind Of Campaigns.” “Trump's changes—including a newly empowered advising role for Paul Manafort, a veteran Republican political strategist, and the hiring of Rick Wiley, who managed Scott Walker's presidential campaign—helped deliver his biggest win yet…Hoping to unite the party behind his campaign, Manafort visited both sides of the Capitol on Tuesday to build support. ‘Manafort's serious,’ said Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Trump's sole Senate endorser. ‘He has experience in managing at a high level these kind of campaigns.’” [Bloomberg, 4/20/16<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-04-20/after-n-y-rout-trump-turns-attention-to-republican-holdouts>]

Jeff Sessions On Donald Trump’s New Senior Advisor, Paul Manafort: “The Campaign Team Has Done A Magnificent Job To Date, But I Do Think That His Experience In Presidential Campaigns Is A Very Positive Addition To The Trump Efforts…He Had A Good Visit Yesterday On The Hill. He [Met] Three Different Groups Of House Members, And I Think Those Went Well.” “’It'll be hard for any of these candidates to argue, it seems to me, they should leap over somebody that clobbered them in a big state like New York, especially when they have fewer delegates and fewer votes nationwide,’ Sen. Jeff Sessions said, adding that Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont actually had a better case on the Democratic side than either Cruz or Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. ‘Trump is strengthening his position, not slipping,’ the Alabama Republican said.” [Roll Call, 4/20/16<http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/sessions-says-tough-argue-cruz-leapfrog-trump>]

Jeff Sessions On Donald Trump’s New Senior Advisor, Paul Manafort: “I think the hire of Manafort also signals an expansion of the number of people. Just because so many people are calling in, you can't even return the calls … as small as they were to begin with.” “Sessions said the Trump operation has had a few logistical challenges in its path toward the Republican nomination, but Manafort is likely to keep building out a team. ‘I think the hire of Manafort also signals an expansion of the number of people. Just because so many people are calling in, you can't even return the calls … as small as they were to begin with,’ Sessions said. ‘This is a national movement, I think.’” [Roll Call, 4/20/16<http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/sessions-says-tough-argue-cruz-leapfrog-trump>]

Jeff Sessions On Donald Trump’s Campaign: “This Is A National Movement, I Think.” “Sessions said the Trump operation has had a few logistical challenges in its path toward the Republican nomination, but Manafort is likely to keep building out a team. ‘I think the hire of Manafort also signals an expansion of the number of people. Just because so many people are calling in, you can't even return the calls … as small as they were to begin with,’ Sessions said. ‘This is a national movement, I think.’” [Roll Call, 4/20/16<http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/sessions-says-tough-argue-cruz-leapfrog-trump>]

Terrorism

Associated Press: “Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., Initially Had Problems With The [Justice Against Sponsors Of Terrorism Act] But Said Wednesday His Objections Had Been Resolved.” “Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., initially had problems with the [Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act] but said Wednesday his objections had been resolved and he had no intention ‘of trying to stop people from being able to sue for damages that they ... have a right to sue for.’ Sessions, a former federal prosecutor and Alabama attorney general, appeared exasperated when asked about revisions he supported that may have expanded the scope of the bill. ‘It was obvious to me from Day One (that) this is a delicate issue legally and you gotta be really careful with it,’ he said. ‘We talked with the State Department. We made recommendations that got accepted. And then there was no more complaints, I understood, at the time.’” [Associated Press, 4/21/16]

Jeff Sessions On Temporarily Blocking The Justice Against Sponsors Of Terrorism Act: “We Talked With The State Department. We Made Recommendations That Got Accepted. And Then There Was No More Complaints, I Understood, At The Time.” “Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., initially had problems with the [Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act] but said Wednesday his objections had been resolved and he had no intention ‘of trying to stop people from being able to sue for damages that they ... have a right to sue for.’ Sessions, a former federal prosecutor and Alabama attorney general, appeared exasperated when asked about revisions he supported that may have expanded the scope of the bill. ‘It was obvious to me from Day One (that) this is a delicate issue legally and you gotta be really careful with it,’ he said. ‘We talked with the State Department. We made recommendations that got accepted. And then there was no more complaints, I understood, at the time.’” [Associated Press, 4/21/16]

Energy

Morning Consult: Jeff Sessions Voted Against The S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act Of 2015. “The Senate on Wednesday voted 85-12 to pass a wide-ranging energy bill that had been delayed for months over an unrelated provision to address the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Republican Sens. John Boozman of Arkansas, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky, David Perdue of Georgia, Marco Rubio of Florida, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Richard Shelby of Alabama and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania voted against the bill. The bill, S. 2012, is the product of a bipartisan compromise between Republican and Democratic negotiators. A provision backed by Republicans to expedite liquified natural gas exports was included in the bill, while Democrats won a reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The bill also contains a number of energy-efficiency provisions. The Flint provision was excluded over objections from Republicans.” [Morning Consult, 4/20/16<https://morningconsult.com/alert/senate-sends-bipartisan-energy-bill-house/>]

Marijuana

Vocativ: “In March Of This Year, Rep. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) Lamented That Obama Was Open About Being A Former Smoker: ‘You Can’t Have The President Of The United States Of America Talking About Marijuana Like It Is No Different Than Taking A Drink, Saying, “I Used Marijuana When I Was In High School.”’” “Not many members of Congress openly admit to having smoked pot—but they sure like to talk about it. In fact, since 1996, they’ve mentioned ‘marijuana’ on the House and Senate floors at least 4,238 times. Republicans significantly outpace Democrats, having said the word 2,660 times to their counterparts’ 1,578. While certain issues have caused mentions to spike over the years, it’s a perpetually popular topic. In March of this year, Rep. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) lamented that Obama was open about being a former smoker: ‘You can’t have the President of the United States of America talking about marijuana like it is no different than taking a drink, saying, “I used marijuana when I was in high school.”’” [Vocativ, 4/20/16<http://www.vocativ.com/311069/congress-pot/>]

RICK SCOTT

Minimum Wage

NBC Miami: Rick Scott Scheduled A Trade Mission To California In May, Arguing That “Companies Would Want To Leave California Because Of A ‘Crippling'’ Increase In The Minimum Wage.” “Florida Gov. Rick Scott is hitting the road again in an effort to lure jobs away from a state led by a Democratic governor. Scott on Wednesday announced he's going on a trade mission to California to try to woo businesses away from the Golden State. The Republican governor visited several states last year run by Democrats where he denounced their taxes and business climate. In his release, Scott contended companies would want to leave California because of a ‘crippling'’ increase in the minimum wage. Gov. Jerry Brown earlier this month signed into law a measure that will lift the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022. Scott's trip is scheduled in May.” [NBC Miami, 4/20/16]

Dental Care

Palm Beach Post Editorial: Rick Scott’s Veto Of A Bill Expanding Dental Care Access For Poor Floridians Was “Unconscionable.” “There is a shortage of dentists setting up offices and practicing in rural areas. Adults miss work. Kids miss school. Communities suffer. Recognizing this, the Florida Legislature — after years of discussion about a lack of dentists in some low-income parts of the state — voted unanimously last month to create a program offering financial help to dentists who practice in underserved areas. Let us repeat that. Both chambers of the Legislature, voted unanimously to give poor and rural Floridians better access to dental care. But on Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the bill. He cited the potential for abuse of public dollars, and claimed that the legislation was ‘duplicative of existing programs.’ This is unconscionable. If there was ever a reason for a veto override, this may be it.” [Editorial, Palm Beach Post, 4/20/16<http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/opinion/editorial-unconscionable-veto-of-dental-care-bill-/nq8Rb/>]

Nuclear Power

The Ledger: A Florida Appeals Court “Overturned A Decision By Gov. Rick Scott And The State Cabinet That Could Have Helped Clear The Way For Florida Power & Light To Add Two Nuclear Reactors In Miami-Dade County.” “An appeals court Wednesday overturned a decision by Gov. Rick Scott and the state Cabinet that could have helped clear the way for Florida Power & Light to add two nuclear reactors in Miami-Dade County. A three-judge panel of the 3rd District Court of Appeal issued a 28-page ruling that sided with a challenge filed by parties including the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County. The challenge targeted a decision made in 2014 by Scott and Cabinet members, who review power-plant projects while acting as what is known as the state's ‘siting board.’” [The Ledger, 4/20/16<http://www.theledger.com/article/20160420/NEWS/160429945/1374?Title=State-approval-of-FPL-nuclear-project-at-Turkey-Point-overturned>]

Miami Herald: A Florida Appeals Court Ruled That In Approving Two FPL Nuclear Plants, Rick Scott And His Cabinet “Failed To Consider Miami-Dade County’s Environmental Rules…[And] FPL ‘Presented No Competent, Substantial Evidence,’ To Justify Over-Riding Them.” “A Florida appeals court on Wednesday found Gov. Rick Scott and his Cabinet erred in approving two massive Florida Power & Light transmission lines cutting through some of Miami-Dade County’s most affluent cities and fragile wetlands…The ruling effectively puts an end to a wetlands corridor. In reviewing the Everglades corridor, the judges said the siting board failed to consider Miami-Dade County’s environmental rules. And even if they had, the court found FPL ‘presented no competent, substantial evidence,’ to justify over-riding them.” [Miami Herald, 4/20/16<http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article72863687.html>]

DOUG DUCEY

Prop 123

Doug Ducey: “I Support Prop 123 Because It Helps Teachers And It Doesn’t Raise Taxes.” [Governor Doug Ducey, Facebook, 4/20/16<https://www.facebook.com/dougducey/posts/890777414377498>]

Doug Ducey: “.@FredDuval & I Sat Down With Reporters Today To Discuss Why We Support #Prop123 & Getting More Money To Schools Now<mailto:.@FredDuval%20&%20I%20Sat%20Down%20With%20Reporters%20Today%20To%20Discuss%20Why%20We%20Support%20#Prop123%20&%20Getting%20More%20Money%20To%20Schools%20Now>” [@dougducey, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/dougducey/status/722924717838057473>]

Doug Ducey’s Opponent In Arizona’s 2014 Gubernatorial Race, Fred DuVal, Joined Ducey In A TV Ad In Support Of Prop 123. “Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s Democratic opponent in the 2014 governor’s race joined with him Wednesday to support a voter referendum that will boost school funding. Fred DuVal is appearing with Ducey in a television ad backing Proposition 123. The proposal up for a vote in a May 17 special election will tap the state land trust and general fund to pump $3.5 billion in new funding into the state’s K-12 schools over the next decade. DuVal said after his defeat, he agreed to back the governor on issues of major statewide importance, and this is the first time an issue needed him to speak up.” [Associated Press, 4/20/16<http://ktar.com/story/1029983/gov-doug-ducey-fred-duval-join-forces-to-support-prop-123-ahead-of-may-election/>]

Associated Press: Doug Ducey Said Criticism That Prop 123 Will “Raid” Arizona’s State Land Trust Is “Absolutely False… This Is Just A Way For Us To Use It More Effectively For The Needs Our Kids And Teachers Have Today.” “Critics, including state treasurer Jeff DeWit, argued the plan raids the $5 billion state land trust by taking out more money than it can support. The trust comes from land Arizona was granted at statehood, primarily to help fund schools. Ducey is pushing back hard against ‘naysayers,’ as he calls them. ‘That’s absolutely false, that’s absolutely false,’ Ducey said during the interview. ‘The trust fund exists to benefit K-12 education. It’s already being used for K-12 education. This is just a way for us to use it more effectively for the needs our kids and teachers have today.’” [Associated Press, 4/20/16<http://ktar.com/story/1029983/gov-doug-ducey-fred-duval-join-forces-to-support-prop-123-ahead-of-may-election/>]

Social Media

Doug Ducey: “Great Advice From @Tuftandneedle To Startups: ‘Come To Phoenix.’ READ→ Http://Tcat.Tc/1phzwkb  #Azawesome #Azmeansbiz” [@dougducey, Twitter, 4/20/16]<https://twitter.com/dougducey/status/722854837767909377>

Doug Ducey: “Thrilled To Speak To @Footballasu Team! Thanks For Having Me @Coachgrahamasu - Can't Wait For Next Season! #Forksup” [@dougducey, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/dougducey/status/722862224281186304>]

Doug Ducey: “Enjoyed Talking With The Arizona Association Of Community Managers About The State Of Education In #AZ.” [@dougducey, Twitter, 4/20/16<https://twitter.com/dougducey/status/722879887342567424>]

Freeway Shooting

Doug Ducey On The Release Of Arizona Freeway Shooter Suspect Leslie Merritt: “My Concern Is About Public Safety… This Case Is In The Courts And I'm Gonna Let The Judicial Branch Do Their Job And I Am Certain We Will Get A Fair Result.” “Shortly after Leslie Merritt Jr. was arrested and accused of being the Phoenix freeway shooter, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey sent out a tweet saying, ‘We got him.’ Now, Merritt is out of jail and legal experts say the case against him looks weak. ABC15 asked Ducey about the now infamous tweet.” ABC15: “Now he's out of jail, is the case against him weak?”  DUCEY: “My concern is about public safety if you go back seven months ago, this was all anyone was asking me about. We had three weeks where there were random shootings happening on our freeways. Then the random shootings have stopped. My concern is still about public safety. This case is in the courts and I'm gonna let the judicial branch do their job and I am certain we will get a fair result.” [ABC 15, 4/20/16<http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/az-governor-doug-ducey-reacts-to-accused-phoenix-freeway-shooter-leslie-merritt-jrs-release>]

ABC 15: Doug Ducey Declined To Answer Whether Or Not He “Jumped The Gun” By Tweeting Victoriously At The Arrest Of Arizona Freeway Shooter Suspect Leslie Merritt. “Shortly after Leslie Merritt Jr. was arrested and accused of being the Phoenix freeway shooter, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey sent out a tweet saying, ‘We got him.’ Now, Merritt is out of jail and legal experts say the case against him looks weak. ABC15 asked Ducey about the now infamous tweet.”…ABC15: “Don't you think you jumped the gun though? That tweet seemed like convicting him right away." DUCEY: “We're going to let the process play out. We have a process and we have a system and that's what's working right now." [ABC 15, 4/20/16<http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/az-governor-doug-ducey-reacts-to-accused-phoenix-freeway-shooter-leslie-merritt-jrs-release>]

Polling

Only 23 Percent Of Respondents Rated Doug Ducey’s Job Performance As “Excellent/Good” In An April 2016 Poll. “A new poll appears to show that Gov. Doug Ducey isn't too popular among Arizonans.  A Rocky Mountain Poll published Wednesday from the Phoenix-based Behavior Research Center shows that 32 percent of people think Ducey is doing a fair job, 21 percent describe his performance as ‘poor/very poor’ and 24 percent are unsure.  Only 23 percent of people surveyed describe the first-term governor as doing an ‘excellent/good’ job.  The statewide poll surveyed 700 heads of households between April 4 and April 11, which included 564 registered voters. The poll has an overall margin of error around plus or minus 4 percent.” [ABC 15, 4/20/16<http://www.abc15.com/news/state/gov-doug-ducey-gets-low-job-ratings-in-latest-poll>]

NIKKI HALEY

On Anti-Domestic Violence Pledge

The State: Nikki Haley Said Sheriff Leon Lott Was The Only South Carolina Sheriff To Not Sign Her Anti-Domestic Violence Pledge, Which Sheriff Lott Disputes. “Gov. Nikki Haley accused Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott on Wednesday of being the only S.C. sheriff not to sign on to her anti-domestic violence pledge — a claim Lott disputes. Lott said he told the governor’s office on Tuesday he agreed to sign onto a plan to improve officer response to domestic-violence calls and planned to submit the pledge on Thursday.” [The State, 4/20/16<http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article72905357.html>]

The State: Sheriff Lott, A Democrat, Appeared In An Ad For Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Vinecent Sheheen, Where He Criticized Nikki Haley For The Administration’s Handling Of Deaths Under Social Service’s Watch. “Lott appeared in an ad for Haley's 2014 Democratic gubernatorial foe Vincent Sheheen, where the sheriff was critical of the governor's administration handling the deaths of children whose families had contact with the S.C. Department of Social Services.” [The State, 4/20/16<http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article72905357.html>]

The State: Sheriff Lott Said “It’s A Shame Politics Is Being Interjected Into Public Safety,” [The State, 4/20/16<http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article72905357.html>]

The State: Nikki Haley Said That “It’s Unfortunate Sheriff Lott Was The Only One That Did Not Sign The Pledge.”

And Criticized Sheriff Lott For His Handling Of A Police Shooting. “Asked about Lott’s absence from the list of sheriffs backing the pledge, Haley said, ‘There is one sheriff in the state of South Carolina that does not seem to think any rules apply to him. It’s unfortunate Sheriff Lott was the only one that did not sign the pledge.’ The governor then criticized the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for investigating its own officer-involved shootings, instead of having the State Law Enforcement Division investigate as other agencies do. Lott has said he turned to in-house probes starting in 2014 because he feels his department has the investigative expertise, a competent crime lab and the public trust to conduct proper investigations of its own deputies.” [The State, 4/20/16<http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article72905357.html>]

The State: Nikki Haley Said That “If Lott Does Sign The Pledge, ‘It’s Only Going To Be Because Of An Election Year.’” “Haley said, if Lott does sign the pledge, ‘It’s only going to be because of an election year.’ Lott is facing a challenger in the Democratic primary.” [The State, 4/20/16<http://www.thestate.com/news/local/article72905357.html>]

On Guns At The Citadel

Post And Courier: Nikki Haley Pressured The Citadel To Allow Cadets To Have Guns In Their Cars. “The Citadel has bowed to cadet pressure and influence from Gov. Nikki Haley and will allow cadets with concealed weapons permits to keep their personal guns in their cars…A press spokeswoman for Gov. Haley, who has billed herself as a strong Second Amendment backer, said the governor supported the outcome of the gun effort.” [Post And Courier, 4/21/16]

On The Time 100

News 2: Nikki Haley Made The Time 100. “South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley was among the group of leaders chosen for the annual list…Senator Lindsey Graham wrote the profile on Governor Haley.” [News 2, 4/21/16<http://counton2.com/2016/04/21/sc-governor-nikki-haley-among-time-magazines-100-most-influential/>]

SCOTT WALKER

Food Stamps

Associated Press: Scott Walker’s Administration Released A Report Showing That “More Than 41,000 People Lost Access To Food Stamps In The First Year Of A New State Law Requiring Them To Seek Employment.” “A new report from Gov. Scott Walker's administration says more than 41,000 people lost access to food stamps in the first year of a new state law requiring them to seek employment. The state Department of Health Services report also shows that nearly 12,000 people found jobs thanks to a new training program for those on the food stamp program.” [Associated Press, 4/21/16<http://host.madison.com/report-lost-food-stamps-in-wisconsin-last-year/article_8fc4b7a5-84c9-527f-8888-40462b77c04d.html>]

Scott Walker: “Tommy Thompson Pushed Welfare Reform That Required Work And Training To Get Public Assistance. That's What We Are Doing Now. ‪#‎Tbt” [Governor Scott Walker, 4/21/16<https://www.facebook.com/governorscottwalker/photos/a.199567226727195.57943.175220979161820/1312072712143302/?type=3&theater>]

Scott Walker: “Our Investment Allowed @DHSWI To Streamline Welfare Services And Ensure The Types And Quality Of Services Are Consistent Throughout The State.” [Governor Scott Walker, 4/21/16<https://www.facebook.com/governorscottwalker/posts/1311588548858385>]

Scott Walker: “People Do NOT Get Kicked Off Of Food Stamps Just For Not Having A Job. Liberal Myth. They Can Get Help If They Enroll In Job Training.” [Governor Scott Walker, 4/21/16<https://www.facebook.com/governorscottwalker/posts/1311586032191970>]

Scott Walker: “FACT: Able-Bodied Adults Without Children In The Home Have To Work OR Be Enrolled In Job Training Or Both To Get Food Stamps.” [Governor Scott Walker, 4/21/16<https://www.facebook.com/governorscottwalker/posts/1311586032191970>]

Scott Walker: “Adults Who Are Physically & Mentally Capable Of Work Must Be Enrolled In Job Training Or Employed To Get Food Stamps. #Commonsense.” [@GovWalker, Twitter, 4/21/16<https://twitter.com/GovWalker/status/723135859655118848>]

Scott Walker: “Hello. On 8/6/2015, I Said I'd Support The GOP Nominee (& Said It Many Times Since). And I've Said I Believe It Will Be @Tedcruz.” [@GovWalker, Twitter, 4/21/16<https://twitter.com/ScottWalker/status/722913494073524224>]

John Doe

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Scott Walker Denied That Law He Signed Forced An Investigation Into Assault At A Juvenile Prison To Shut Down, Claiming That The Wisconsin Attorney General “Could Pursue It Further If He Wanted To…The Law Doesn’t Restrict Him From Doing That.” “Gov. Scott Walker on Wednesday defended changes he approved last year to the state's John Doe law, saying they hadn't hampered an investigation into potential crimes at the state's juvenile prison. The state Department of Justice in January 2015 began investigating Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls for child abuse, prisoner neglect and other potential crimes. The secure schools share a campus in Irma, 30 miles north of Wausau…Walker said Wednesday the changes to the John Doe law weren't affecting the Lincoln Hills probe. ‘It's not because of the law,’ Walker said of winding down the John Doe probe within six months. ‘The time is set in the law, but (Attorney General Brad Schimel) could pursue it further if he wanted to. The law doesn't restrict him from doing that.’” [Milawaukee Journal-Sentinel, 4/20/16<http://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/2016/04/20/walker-law-didnt-hamper-investigation/83293626/>]

PAM BONDI

On Lobbyist Influence On Pam Bondi

Tampa Bay Times: Pam Bondi Did Not Talk To Ethics Investigators About Influence Lobbyists Have Had On Her Office. “Ms. Bondi, the ethics commission investigators said, declined to answer any questions about the matter, as "her staff advised that due to her busy schedule and heavy workload, she would be unavailable for an interview.” [Tampa Bay Times, 4/21/16<http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/pam-bondi-would-not-talk-to-florida-ethics-investigators/2274106>]

The New York Times: The Florida Commission On Ethics Concluded That A Washington Law Firm And A Top Partner Did Not Violate Florida Ethics Laws. “A former Washington law firm and one of its top partners did not violate Florida’s lobbying laws when appealing to the state attorney general, Pam Bondi, and her staff on behalf of corporate clients, the Florida Commission on Ethics has concluded after a 16-month investigation.” [The New York Times, 4/20/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/politics/florida-says-firm-didnt-illegally-try-to-influence-attorney-general.html>]

The New York Times: An Outside Lawyer Helping With The Investigation Said That “The Distinction Between Lobbying And Legal Work Is A ‘Delicate Area’” “The finding came even though an outside lawyer who assisted in the inquiry concluded that the distinction between lobbying and legal work is a ‘delicate area’ and the lawyer targeted in the complaint, Bernard Nash, would probably have been better off if he had ‘registered as a lobbyist and then freely advocated for his client.’” [The New York Times, 4/20/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/politics/florida-says-firm-didnt-illegally-try-to-influence-attorney-general.html>]

The New York Times: The Investigation Started When A Florida Resident Filed A Complaint Against The Law Firm For Going Around Florida Law Trying To Influence Pam Bondi. “A Florida resident filed the complaint, alleging that Mr. Nash and his former firm, Dickstein Shapiro, which is now defunct, had violated Florida lobbying laws by trying to influence Ms. Bondi.” [The New York Times, 4/20/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/politics/florida-says-firm-didnt-illegally-try-to-influence-attorney-general.html>]

The New York Times: The Firm Had Clients That Were Being Investigated By Pam Bondi. “The firm’s clients at the time under potential attorney general scrutiny included Accretive Health, a Chicago-based health care company; Bridgeport Education, a for-profit college; and Herbalife, a nutritional beverage company, the Florida investigation confirmed.” [The New York Times, 4/20/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/politics/florida-says-firm-didnt-illegally-try-to-influence-attorney-general.html>]

The New York Times: The Investigation Found That The Firm And Former Partner Had Contacted Pam Bondi And Her Staff On Behalf Of Clients, Taken Pam Bondi And Aides To Dinner, Contributed To Her Political Accounts, And Helped Lift Pam Bondi’s Political Profile, While Clients Were Being Represented By The Firm. “Ethics investigators also documented instances in which Mr. Nash and lawyers at his firm contacted Ms. Bondi or others at her office on behalf of a client, even before any investigation by the state had been undertaken. The investigators confirmed that Mr. Nash had repeatedly invited Ms. Bondi and her top aides in the attorney general’s office to dinners his firm organized at various national conferences that attorneys general attend, and that he and other lawyers at his firm had contributed money to her political campaign accounts. The Times separately detailed efforts by Mr. Nash and his colleagues at Dickstein to raise the national political profile of Ms. Bondi, a rising star in the Republican Party, even as the firm was representing companies being investigated by her office.” [The New York Times, 4/20/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/politics/florida-says-firm-didnt-illegally-try-to-influence-attorney-general.html>]

The New York Times: “The Commission, Based On An Initial Investigation By Its Staff And Then The Recommendation By George T. Reeves, The Outside Lawyer It Retained, Concluded That The Work Mr. Nash Did Could Not Be Formally Defined As Lobbying.” [The New York Times, 4/20/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/politics/florida-says-firm-didnt-illegally-try-to-influence-attorney-general.html>]

The New York Times: While Pam Bondi Did Not Personally Benefit From The Firm Or Its Former Partner, Donations Were Made To The Republican Attorneys General Association To Reimburse Pam Bondi’s Costs For Events At Resorts Or Money Was Donated To Her Political Accounts. “The conclusion was based in part on the fact that it could not prove that Ms. Bondi had accepted free dinners or other personal benefits directly from Mr. Nash or his firm, which made contributions to the Republican Attorneys General Association. The group then covered Ms. Bondi’s costs for the gatherings at resort hotels. Other money it donated went to her political accounts, not to benefit her personally.” [The New York Times, 4/20/16<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/politics/florida-says-firm-didnt-illegally-try-to-influence-attorney-general.html>]

On Florida Insurance Commissioner Search

Florida Politics: Current Commissioner Has Said He Is Willing To Stay On The Job Until After A Successor Has Been Appointed. “The state’s outgoing Insurance Commissioner on Wednesday wrote separate but identical letters to Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. He said he would delay his departure to ‘45 days after my successor is appointed.’ The state still hasn’t hired his replacement.” [Florida Politics, 4/20/16<http://floridapolitics.com/archives/207515-kevin-mccarty-45-days>]

Tampa Bay Times: Pam Bondi’s Aide Said “Without The Governor [Rick Scott] And The CFO [Jeff Atwater] Being On The Same Page, We're Not Going Anywhere." “[Governor] Scott and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater must agree on a successor to Kevin McCarty, who has announced his resignation effective May 2. Scott supported Bragg at a March Cabinet meeting and Atwater supported Hager and neither official has shown any sign of supporting the other official's favorite, but Scott's meeting with Hager could be a sign of movement on that front. At a public meeting of Cabinet aides at the state Capitol Wednesday, there was no sign that the impasse was about to end, which prompted this observation from Rob Johnson, Attorney General Pam Bondi's Cabinet aide: ‘Without the governor and the CFO being on the same page, we're not going anywhere.’ [Tampa Bay Times, 4/20/16]

On FPL Court Decision

Miami Herald: A Judge Says Rick Scott, Pam Bondi, And The Florida Cabinet Failed To Consider Development Rules And Possible Damage To Wildlife In Approving Transmission Lines In Miami-Dade County For Florida Power And Light [FPL]. “In its ruling, the Third District Court of Appeal found Scott and the Cabinet -- acting as the state siting board, which oversees power plants -- failed to consider the city of Miami's development rules when it signed off on allowing the utility to string 88 miles of line atop towers standing 80 to 150 feet high. Scott and his cabinet also failed to take into account the damage done to wildlife and Everglades marshes by buildings roads and concrete pads in a corridor that would cross fragile wetlands. The board also erred, judges said, when it concluded it did not have the authority to order FPL to pay to bury the lines.” [Miami Herald, 4/20/16]

Miami Herald: FPL Has Donated $17 Million Over the Past Six Years, Including $50,000 To Pam Bondi’s PAC, To Influence Florida Politicians. “While the decision puts the eastern corridor back in play, it's still not clear what Scott and the cabinet will do. The politically powerful utility has spent $17 million in campaign contributions to influence politicians and the political process in the last six years. Of that, $3.9 million went to political committees for Associated Industries and Florida Chamber of Commerce, which then transferred FPL money to the political committees of Scott and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Agriculture Secrety Adam Putnam.  FPL has also given $805,000 directly to Scott's Let's Get to Work Political Committee and $50,000 to Bondi's Justice for All political committee.” [Miami Herald, 4/20/16]

Pam Beach Post: The Court Also Overturned Decision Made Up By Pam Bondi, Rick Scott, And The Rest Of the Cabinet To Approve Two Nuclear Reactors At Turkey Point After An Appeal Was Made By Two Cities And Miami-Dade County. “While the 2014  approval of Units 6 & 7 by Gov. Rick Scott and his Cabinet found the project would not harm the Everglades  or wetlands and would not impact endangered birds such as the snail kite and the wood stork,  the court disagreed…The Third District Court of Appeal reversed the state’s approval of nuclear Units 6 and 7 in an appeal brought by the City of Miami, the Village of Pinecrest and Miami-Dade County. The court remanded the case and found the board failed to apply Miami’s applicable land development regulations, failed to properly apply environmental regulations and erroneously thought it did not have the power to require FPL to install miles of power lines underground at FPL’s expense…The siting board, which approves new power plants, is made up of Gov. Scott and his Cabinet, consisting of Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.” [Palm Beach Post, 4/20/16<http://protectingyourpocket.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2016/04/20/court-overturns-states-approval-of-two-proposed-turkey-point-reactors/>]

CHRIS CHRISTIE

New Jersey Politics

New Jersey 101.5: Chris Christie Announced Plans To Announce Ideas To Lower Property Taxes In New Jersey. “Proposals to lower property taxes, not just slow their growth, will be unveiled in the next two months, Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday in touting Lake Como’s rejection of a tax hike that could have saved the borough’s police department…“Now, have property taxes come down? No, and I know everybody wants their bill to come down,” Christie said. “I’m going to announce some ideas this spring to bring property taxes down. Stay tuned.” [New Jersey 101.5, 4/20/16<http://nj1015.com/christie-says-he-will-unveil-plans-to-cut-not-just-cap-property-taxes/?trackback=twitter_top>]

Trump

Wall Street Journal: Chris Christie Joined Donald Trump On A Trip To Indiana To Help Trump Win The Support Of Indiana Governor Mike Pence. “Fresh off his decisive win in New York’s primary, Donald Trump is setting off to Indiana with surrogate Chris Christie at this side Wednesday for a series of private political meetings. The pair will meet with Republican Gov. Mike Pence, said Kara Brooks, a spokeswoman for the Republican governor. Mr. Pence, a conservative stalwart who has toyed with a presidential run in the past, hasn’t endorsed a candidate for president so far. Mr. Pence hasn’t ruled out making an endorsement, Ms. Brooks said. Mr. Pence is being courted by all three Republican candidates ahead of Indiana’s primary on May 3. Ted Cruz will meet with Mr. Pence on Thursday, and he is sit down with Ohio Gov. John Kasich next week, Ms. Brooks said.” [Wall Street Journal, 4/20/16<http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/04/20/chris-christie-rejoins-donald-trump-for-indiana-trip/>]

Chris Christie On His Responsibilities As A Donald Trump Surrogate: “If He Picks Up The Phone And Says, ‘Hey, I Really Need You To Come To—Fill In The Blank,’ If There’s Any Way I Can Go I’ll Go, But He Also Knows The Rules Of The Game With Me, Like I Got A Day Job…So When He Really Needs Me He Calls, And If He Really Needs Me I’ll Go And Help Him.” “During his radio show on Monday, Christie denied that Trump was abusing him, and described how the two coordinate campaign appearances. “If he picks up the phone and says, ‘Hey, I really need you to come to—fill in the blank,’ if there’s any way I can go I’ll go, but he also knows the rules of the game with me, like I got a day job. . . . So when he really needs me he calls, and if he really needs me I’ll go and help him.” [Vanity Fair, 4/20/16<http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/04/chris-christie-trump-campaign>]

Christie On His Future Post-Governorship

Chris Christie On His Plans For After His Governorship: “It’s Time For Me To Make Some Money.” “When Gov. Chris Christie’s term officially comes to an end in January 2018, he said his ultimate goal is to return to the private sector and begin ‘making some money.’… ‘I absolutely believe that what will happen is, I’ll serve the full eight years of my term and then in January of 2018 I’ll hopefully be getting a well-paid position in the private sector because it’s time for me to make some money,’ he said. Christie said aside from being president, there’s nothing he has a ‘burning desire’ to do after his term ends. Moving forward, he said he’s ready to move on from his defeat ‘finish the job’ he started and see what life will bring next. ‘I do believe that what life will bring me next is an opportunity in the private sector to do something that will be both meaningful from a professional perspective and lucrative from a financial perspective,’ Christie said.” [New Jersey 101.5, 4/20/16<http://nj1015.com/christie-its-time-for-me-to-make-some-money/>]

Collin Yoxall
Research Associate, DNC
Office: 202-863-8126 X8126
Mobile: 334-703-1690
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