Subject: GOP VP DAILY UPDATE – 5/17/16
From: "Kasnetz, Joel" <[email-masked]>
To: "Bauer, Nick" <[email-masked]>, "Dillon, Lauren" <[email-masked]>, "Graham, Caroline" <[email-masked]>, Veepstakes <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 17 May 2016 11:44:36 -0700

GOP VP DAILY UPDATE – 5/17/16

MARSHA BLACKBURN

CHRIS CHRISTIE

BOB CORKER

TOM COTTON

DOUG DUCEY

JONI ERNST

MARY FALLIN

NEWT GINGRICH

JIM JORDAN

JEFF SESSIONS

TIM SCOTT

MARSHA BLACKBURN

Syrian Refugees

Marsha Blackburn: “We Have No System To Vet Syrian Refugees. The President’s Resettlement Agenda Is Putting Americans Lives In Danger.” [@Marsha Blackburn, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/MarshaBlackburn/status/732331586008551424>]

Healthcare

Marsha Blackburn: “#Obamacare Continues To Unravel, Hurting Our Rural Areas The Hardest. It’s Time For A #Fullrepeal.” [@Marsha Blackburn, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/MarshaBlackburn/status/732251026573627392>]

Marsha Blackburn: “Honored To Be Recognized As A ‘Champion Of Healthcare Innovation’ By The Healthcare Leadership Council For My Work On Legislation Such As #21stscenturycures.”  “Honored to be recognized as a ‘Champion of Healthcare Innovation’ by the Healthcare Leadership Council for my work on legislation such as #21stsCenturyCures.  The 21st Century Cures Act encourages healthcare innovation that advances the discovery, development and delivery of new treatments and cures.” [Marsha Blackburn, Facebook, 5/17/16<https://www.facebook.com/marshablackburn/photos/a.318529878395.150142.6470828395/10154128896723396/?type=3&theater>]

Misc. Social Media

Marsha Blackburn: “Thankful To Pass Along Lessons I Learned In Leadership While Selling Books For @Southwestern To Their Current Reps.” [@Marsha Blackburn, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/MarshaBlackburn/status/732247249250615297>]

Democrats Called For Disbanding Marsha Blackburn’s Planned Parenthood Investigation Committee After Blackburn Issued Subpoenas Targeting Abortion Providers. “Democrats are escalating calls to shut down the special House subcommittee investigating links between abortion providers and medical research involving human fetal tissue by likening the panel’s tactics to those of disgraced senator Joseph McCarthy… The Democratic objections came days after the panel’s chairwoman, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), announced a new round of subpoenas targeting LeRoy Carhart, a provider of late-term abortions who has been a frequent target of antiabortion protests, some of them violent. The subpoenas appear to be trained on the 2013 death of a 29-year-old woman at Carhart’s clinic in Germantown, Md.” [Washington Post, 5/16/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/05/16/democrats-invoke-mccarthyism-in-latest-bid-to-shut-down-house-fetal-tissue-probe/>]

Washington Post: Democrats “Said Blackburn’s Decision To Publicize” An Abortion Provider’s Name “Was Outrageous And Amounted To An Intimidation Campaign Aimed At Stifling Practices That Are Legal Under Federal And State Law.” “But the Democrats, speaking Friday, said Blackburn’s decision to publicize Carhart’s name was outrageous and amounted to an intimidation campaign aimed at stifling practices that are legal under federal and state law. The criticism comes after months of tension between Republicans and Democrats on the panel over previous subpoenas that sought records from universities, hospitals and private firms involved in fetal tissue research, including names of the personnel involved in those activities.” [Washington Post, 5/16/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/05/16/democrats-invoke-mccarthyism-in-latest-bid-to-shut-down-house-fetal-tissue-probe/>]

Marsha Blackburn Spokesman: “While The Majority Members Of The Panel Are Busy Pursuing Those Records, All That Can Be Heard From The Democrats Is The Same Old Tired Rhetoric Designed To Distract From Getting To The Truth.” “Mike Reynard, a spokesman for Blackburn, said the panel is focused on carrying out a mission that includes examining whether human fetal tissue is being sold at a profit in violation of federal law. He pointed to an April 20 panel hearing where three former Justice Department prosecutors suggested that the panel should review financial records from various parties to investigate potential violations. ‘While the majority members of the Panel are busy pursuing those records, all that can be heard from the Democrats is the same old tired rhetoric designed to distract from getting to the truth,’ Reynard said.” [Washington Post, 5/16/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/05/16/democrats-invoke-mccarthyism-in-latest-bid-to-shut-down-house-fetal-tissue-probe/>]

Washington Post: “An Interview Of An Unnamed Witness This Month Prompted Dueling Letters — One From Blackburn To Schakowsky Warning Democrats Against Creating An Unofficial Transcript Of The Deposition; The Other From Schakowsky To The House Clerk Requesting The Preservation Of Deposition Audio Recordings, Citing ‘Concerns About Possible Misconduct.’” “Tensions between the Republicans and Democrats on the panel have flared behind closed doors, including in private depositions. An interview of an unnamed witness this month prompted dueling letters — one from Blackburn to Schakowsky warning Democrats against creating an unofficial transcript of the deposition; the other from Schakowsky to the House clerk requesting the preservation of deposition audio recordings, citing ‘concerns about possible misconduct.’ Democrats also sent a five-page letter to House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) on Thursday, alleging a ‘serious abuse of congressional power’ and requesting the panel’s disbanding.” [Washington Post, 5/16/16<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/05/16/democrats-invoke-mccarthyism-in-latest-bid-to-shut-down-house-fetal-tissue-probe/>]

Trump

Marsha Blackburn On Donald Trump’s Bad Reputation With Women: “I Think He Fixes It By Putting The Focus On Issues They Want To Talk About, National Security, Jobs And Economic Security, Retirement Security, Getting Rid Of Some Of This Regulation That Is Just Crippling Businesses And Causes A Lot Of Wage Stagnation.” TAPPER: “So, regardless of The New York Times story, according to polls, Mr. Trump does have a problem with women voters leading into November. How can he fix it?” BLACKBURN: “I think he fixes it by putting the focus on issues they want to talk about, national security, jobs and economic security, retirement security, getting rid of some of this regulation that is just crippling businesses and causes a lot of wage stagnation. That's how he fixes it, and that's what people want to talk about.” [The Lead, CNN, 5/16/16]

Marsha Blackburn On Donald Trump’s Bad Reputation With Women: “Women Know That They Are Going To Be Men That They Have Passed Along The Way In Their Career That Have Said Things That They Don't Like…They Never Let Those Guys Control What They See As The Outcome They Want.” TAPPER: “But do you think that this Times story and others out there like it, plus other interviews he's done on the record to Howard Stern, et cetera, is that going to hurt Mr. Trump with women voters in places like suburban Philadelphia and Shaker Heights, Ohio?” BLACKBURN: “Yes, you know what? I think it's so interesting about this. Women know that they are going to be men that they have passed along the way in their career that have said things that they don't like. Donald Trump has said things that I don't like. But let me tell you this. They never let those guys control what they see as the outcome they want. And in this case of this election, Jake, what people want is to beef up national security, to get rid of these terrorist cells that are here in this country, to make sure certain that the southern border is secured from illegal entry, trafficking and drugs. And they want jobs. And they want to see some elevation in wages. And this is what they are looking to get done. And I think that they see Donald Trump as somebody who is going to come in here, shake up Washington, D.C., and hold the federal government accountable to the people. And they are saying, all right, you get that done, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.” [The Lead, CNN, 5/16/16]

Marsha Blackburn: Women “See Donald Trump As Somebody Who Is Going To Come In Here, Shake Up Washington, D.C., And Hold The Federal Government Accountable To The People. And They Are Saying, All Right, You Get That Done, I'm Going To Give You The Benefit Of The Doubt.” TAPPER: “But do you think that this Times story and others out there like it, plus other interviews he's done on the record to Howard Stern, et cetera, is that going to hurt Mr. Trump with women voters in places like suburban Philadelphia and Shaker Heights, Ohio?” BLACKBURN: “Yes, you know what? I think it's so interesting about this. Women know that they are going to be men that they have passed along the way in their career that have said things that they don't like. Donald Trump has said things that I don't like. But let me tell you this. They never let those guys control what they see as the outcome they want. And in this case of this election, Jake, what people want is to beef up national security, to get rid of these terrorist cells that are here in this country, to make sure certain that the southern border is secured from illegal entry, trafficking and drugs. And they want jobs. And they want to see some elevation in wages. And this is what they are looking to get done. And I think that they see Donald Trump as somebody who is going to come in here, shake up Washington, D.C., and hold the federal government accountable to the people. And they are saying, all right, you get that done, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.” [The Lead, CNN, 5/16/16]

Marsha Blackburn: Women Will Say To Trump, “I'm Going To Give You The Benefit Of The Doubt.” TAPPER: “But do you think that this Times story and others out there like it, plus other interviews he's done on the record to Howard Stern, et cetera, is that going to hurt Mr. Trump with women voters in places like suburban Philadelphia and Shaker Heights, Ohio?” BLACKBURN: “Yes, you know what? I think it's so interesting about this. Women know that they are going to be men that they have passed along the way in their career that have said things that they don't like. Donald Trump has said things that I don't like. But let me tell you this. They never let those guys control what they see as the outcome they want. And in this case of this election, Jake, what people want is to beef up national security, to get rid of these terrorist cells that are here in this country, to make sure certain that the southern border is secured from illegal entry, trafficking and drugs. And they want jobs. And they want to see some elevation in wages. And this is what they are looking to get done. And I think that they see Donald Trump as somebody who is going to come in here, shake up Washington, D.C., and hold the federal government accountable to the people. And they are saying, all right, you get that done, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.” [The Lead, CNN, 5/16/16]

Marsha Blackburn: “Talking About Things You Don't Know Anything About Is Something This President Has Done Quite A Bit Of.” BLACKBURN: “I know the president thinks that he was being quite humorous with that, but talking about things you don't know anything about is something this president has done quite a bit of. Look at what has happened to health care and the cost of insurance since Obamacare was passed. Looked at what has happened to the labor force participation rate. Barack Obama has shown he does not understand a lot about what he has talked about and agendas that he has pushed. So, maybe he's the master of that.” [The Lead, CNN, 5/16/16]

Marsha Blackburn: “Barack Obama Has Shown He Does Not Understand A Lot About What He Has Talked About And Agendas That He Has Pushed.” BLACKBURN: “I know the president thinks that he was being quite humorous with that, but talking about things you don't know anything about is something this president has done quite a bit of. Look at what has happened to health care and the cost of insurance since Obamacare was passed. Looked at what has happened to the labor force participation rate. Barack Obama has shown he does not understand a lot about what he has talked about and agendas that he has pushed. So, maybe he's the master of that.” [The Lead, CNN, 5/16/16]

CHRIS CHRISTIE

Bridgegate

Asbury Park Press: “A List Of Unindicted Co-Conspirators In The George Washington Bridge Scandal Won't Be Released Until ‘John Doe,’ An Anonymous Person On The List, Gets His Day In Court Next Month.” “A list of unindicted co-conspirators in the George Washington Bridge scandal won't be released until ‘John Doe,’ an anonymous person on the list, gets his day in court next month. The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday granted a stay on Doe's last-ditch motion to prevent the federal government from listing the people involved, but not charged, in the politically-motivated bridge shutdowns of 2013.” [Asbury Park Press, 5/17/16<http://www.app.com/story/news/politics/new-jersey/chris-christie/2016/05/17/bridgegate-chris-christie-george-washington-bridge-scandal/84482528/>]

“The Federal Third Circuit Court Of Appeals Has Ruled To Delay The Release Of The List Of ‘Un-Indicted Co-Conspirators’ Who Helped Shut Down Access Lanes To The George Washington Bridge.” “Bridgegate conspirator John Doe gets to keep his name secret, for now. The federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled to delay the release of the list of "un-indicted co-conspirators" who helped shut down access lanes to the George Washington Bridge in an act of political retaliation against a Chris Christie foe. Moreover, all further legal papers and arguments are to be kept under seal even though no party asked for that. One member of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals is Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump's sister.” [WNYC, 5/17/16<http://www.wnyc.org/story/appeals-court-halts-release-bridgegate-conspirator-names-now/>]

·         WNYC On Bridgegate Unindicted Co-Conspirators List: “All Further Legal Papers And Arguments Are To Be Kept Under Seal Even Though No Party Asked For That.” “The federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled to delay the release of the list of ‘un-indicted co-conspirators’ who helped shut down access lanes to the George Washington Bridge in an act of political retaliation against a Chris Christie foe. Moreover, all further legal papers and arguments are to be kept under seal even though no party asked for that.” [WNYC, 5/17/16<http://www.wnyc.org/story/appeals-court-halts-release-bridgegate-conspirator-names-now/>]

·         “One Member Of The Third Circuit Court Of Appeals Is Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump's Sister.” “The federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled to delay the release of the list of "un-indicted co-conspirators" who helped shut down access lanes to the George Washington Bridge in an act of political retaliation against a Chris Christie foe…One member of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals is Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump's sister.” [WNYC, 5/17/16<http://www.wnyc.org/story/appeals-court-halts-release-bridgegate-conspirator-names-now/>]

Campaign Debt

HEADLINE: “How Much Debt Does Chris Christie Have? It Might Be Time For Him To Finally Pay It Back” [Bustle, 5/17/16<http://www.bustle.com/articles/161200-how-much-debt-does-chris-christie-have-it-might-be-time-for-him-to-finally-pay>]

BOB CORKER

Corker/Trump Commentary

HEADLINE: “Bob Corker: Worst Policy Advisor In The World For Donald Trump.” [Conservative Review, 5/16/16]

Conservative Review: Bob Corker’s Role In Helping Pass Dodd-Frank Exemplified That Corker “Has Spent His Entire Tenure In The Senate Weakening Our Liberties And Diminishing American Sovereignty.” “Senator Corker (R-TN) has spent his entire tenure in the Senate weakening our liberties and diminishing American sovereignty. As a member of the Senate Banking Committee in 2010, Bob Corker assured passage of Dodd-Frank, that permanent bailout fund for banks that did nothing to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while adding 243 new formal rule-makings by 11 different federal agencies that have wreaked havoc on small banks, small businesses and American consumers. While voting against Dodd-Frank for political cover, the junior senator from Tennessee was indispensable to its passage. Was a single Republican senator willing to co-sponsor Senator Dodd’s bill until Bob Corker raised his hand and took the bait? Chris Dodd said at the time that they ‘would not even be in this position today were it not for [the] labor and effort of [Bob Corker and Mark Warner of Virginia].’ For his part, Senator Warner claimed that ‘nobody [was] a better partner than Bob Corker for [him] during this process.’” [Conservative Review, 5/16/16<https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/05/bob-corker-worst-advisor-in-the-world-for-donald-trump>]

The Iran Deal Supported By Bob Corker Cut The American People Out Of The Process. “Much ink and airtime have been devoted to Senator Corker’s emasculation of the Constitution’s treaty provision in order to bless President Obama’s $150 billion terror funding deal with Iran last summer… Aside from the obvious harm it poses to our national security vis-à-vis Iran, Corker-Cardin replaced the Senate’s advice and consent with a bill, and completely cut the American people out of the process. Bob Corker’s penchant for making deals deprived the governed of their right to consent.” [Conservative Review, 5/16/16<https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/05/bob-corker-worst-advisor-in-the-world-for-donald-trump>]

Bob Corker Supported The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, Which Was Opposed By The Conservative Movement.” “Sideshow Bob has been falling off horses and calling it flying since early in his first term. During the fall of 2010, Senator Corker worked tirelessly to ratify the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia (‘NewSTART’). NewSTART was the signature foreign policy initiative of the Obama administration, a ‘reset’ championed by liberals as a step toward their utopian dream of a world without nuclear weapons. NewSTART was opposed by the conservative movement for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which was our belief that a voluntary reduction of the United States’ nuclear capability via a bilateral treaty with one country (Russia) would embolden other countries (e.g., China, North Korea, Iran) to increase and accelerate their nuclear ambitions. I led a group of concerned Tennesseans who vigorously opposed Senator Corker’s support for NewSTART. We worked the phones, the media, social media, and even met directly with the senator at our offices in Franklin, Tennessee to try to dissuade him from giving his support to the treaty. The Senator believed the treaty was a necessary bargaining chip in his negotiations with President Obama to allocate funds to modernize our aging nuclear arsenal, and if it were not for Bob Corker (our senator frequently spoke of himself in the third person), the funding wouldn’t materialize. We were mystified that our senator would be negotiating away our national security under the pretense of increasing it. The Tennessee dealmaker seemed unaffected by the reality that the executive branch was not authorized to make appropriations, and he refused to explain how an administration philosophically opposed to nuclear modernization could be trusted to deliver on a promise to allocate funding for it.” [Conservative Review, 5/16/16<https://www.conservativereview.com/commentary/2016/05/bob-corker-worst-advisor-in-the-world-for-donald-trump>]

Tennessee Politics

Bob Corker’s Office Helped A Veteran Get A Silver Star Metal For Military Service In Vietnam. “More than four decades after being recommended for a Silver Star Medal, a Knoxville Vietnam veteran was finally awarded for his bravery as he fights a new fight. Retired Lt. Col. Eric Oglesby flew a helicopter for the Army in Vietnam. He flew Dustoff missions, evacuating critically wounded American soldiers, while under enemy fire. He was shot down twice.  Oglesby’s wife Lisa said she found out from a 1971 newspaper clipping that was the reason her husband was recommended for the medal, though, she said he never got it… The Silver Star Medal is the third highest military decoration for valor. Oglesby was also previously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star Medal. Lisa Oglesby said Sen. Bob Corker’s office was instrumental in making sure her husband finally got his medal.” [WATE, 5/16/16<http://wate.com/2016/05/16/east-tennessee-vietnam-veteran-gets-silver-star-medal/>]

5/16/16: Bob Corker And Lamar Alexander Met With The Greater Chattanooga Association Of Realtors.  “Members of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors (GCAR) attended meetings and visited with regulators and lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss the legislative and regulatory environment and its effect on residential and commercial real estate. Of utmost importance in the meetings was protecting real estate-related tax policies, which are vital to expanding homeownership to more Americans… While in Washington, Mr. Walldorf and fellow GCAR members met with Senator Bob Corker, Senator Lamar Alexander, and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann on Capitol Hill to influence public policy decisions that will directly affect consumers’ ability to own, buy and sell real estate. The group also discussed key issues with Georgia elected officials such as Rep. Tom Graves and Sen. Johnny Isakson.” [Chattanoogan, 5/17/16<http://www.chattanoogan.com/2016/5/16/324315/GCAR-Joins-Thousands-Of-Realtors-At.aspx>]

Misc. Social Media:

Bob Corker: “Without Leverage On The Assad Regime, We Have Little Ability To Influence A Diplomatic Solution To The War In Syria [VIDEO].” [@SenBobCorker, Twitter, 5/17/16<https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/732597195719987200>]

Bob Corker: “TUNE IN: #SFRC Hearing Today At 11:00 A.M. ET On The War In #Syria And Next Steps To Mitigate The Crisis. http://1.usa.gov/1R1bdHf” [@SenBobCorker, Twitter, 5/17/16<https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/732578386179194880>]

Bob Corker: “Pleased To Hear Lt. Col. Eric Oglesby Of Knoxville Received The Silver Star Medal For His Service In Vietnam: [LINK]” [@SenBobCorker, Twitter, 5/17/16<https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/732547143312023552>]

Bob Corker: “Enjoyed Speaking With @GM Officials About The Spring Hill-Manufactured Acadia Before A Short Test Drive. #Jobs4TN” [@SenBobCorker, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/732327382682632193>]

Bob Corker: “It Is Always An Honor To Meet With Henry Kissinger. We Had A Great Discussion Over Breakfast This Morning.”  [@SenBobCorker, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/732307868221865984>]

TOM COTTON

On Supreme Court Contraception Decision

Office Of Senator Tom Cotton: “Today's Supreme Court Order Instructs The Obama Administration To Do What It Should Have Done In The First Place: Give Due Respect To The Sincere Beliefs Of The Little Sisters Of The Poor And Other People Of Faith.” “Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement on the Supreme Court's order in Zubik v. Burwell: ‘Today's Supreme Court order instructs the Obama administration to do what it should have done in the first place: give due respect to the sincere beliefs of the Little Sisters of the Poor and other people of faith. In the rush to impose Obamacare on the nation, the president trampled on fundamental religious rights and basic decency for Americans who hold to traditional beliefs and dare to stray from liberal orthodoxy on abortion and contraception. The Supreme Court today gave him an opportunity to right that wrong, and I urge him to take advantage of it.’” [Press Release, Office Of Senator Tom Cotton, 5/16/16<http://www.cotton.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=389>]

On Ben Rhodes Testimony And The Iran Deal

White House Press Secretary Josh Ernest Suggested That If House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz Wants Ben Rhodes To Testify About The Iran Deal, Then Senator Tom Cotton Should As Well. “The White House confirmed Monday that Obama adviser Ben Rhodes will not be allowed to testify before House lawmakers on the Iran nuclear deal, after a last-ditch attempt by Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz to pry the controversial aide loose for the hearing. Chaffetz and the White House have been engaged in an escalating feud, all on the heels of a New York Times Magazine piece where Rhodes was quoted boasting about the administration’s success in crafting a public narrative for the Iran deal. The profile on Rhodes quotes him saying they built an “echo chamber” of experts who sold that narrative to young, often inexperienced reporters…Chaffetz earlier had made a last-ditch attempt to pressure Rhodes into appearing. After White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest initially said he should invite GOP Sen. Tom Cotton, whom he accuses of spreading false information about the deal, Chaffetz did exactly that -- inviting Cotton to testify, on condition that Rhodes appeared as well.” [Fox News, 5/17/16<http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/05/17/white-house-snubs-chaffetz-refuses-to-let-aide-testify-after-controversial-iran-remarks.html>]

Jason Chaffetz Put Tom Cotton On The Witness List In Reply To The White House. “In apparent response, Chaffetz included Sen. Tom Cotton, one of the men Earnest named, on his list of witnesses for the session. The Republican senator from Arkansas spearheaded a letter to Iran’s leaders last year warning them that a future GOP president won’t necessarily honor the nuclear agreement.” [Politico, 5/16/16<http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/ben-rhodes-skip-iran-house-hearing-223217>]

Fox News: “After White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest Initially Said He Should Invite GOP Sen. Tom Cotton, Whom He Accuses Of Spreading False Information About The Deal, Chaffetz Did Exactly That -- Inviting Cotton To Testify, On Condition That Rhodes Appeared As Well.” [Fox News, 5/17/16<http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/05/17/white-house-snubs-chaffetz-refuses-to-let-aide-testify-after-controversial-iran-remarks.html>]

Tom Cotton Said The Obama Administration Said One Thing In Classified Settings And Another In Public Setting About The Iran Deal. HH: “That’s where I come down to. Put aside Josh Earnest and Ben Rhodes, who is going to be eclipsed by history in about one minute after he loses his 1600 Pennsylvania pass. No one’s going to talk to him. But go to the reality of what they did. The reality of what they did is arm Iran and give terrorists $150 billion dollars. I don’t even know how anyone argues with the $150 billion dollars in sanctions relief. That’s what the Iranians wanted.” TC: “And Hugh, also, just let me speak specifically to the point about the amount of relief that Iran will get from this deal. Now President Obama has put the estimate at times well north of $100 billion dollars. But Hugh, now you’ve got flaks in the White House and John Kerry and other senior administration officials running around saying oh, it’s only $3 billion, it’s only $5 billion. This administration has a pattern of telling the truth in classified settings, and then misleading or misinforming the American people in public settings. I sit on the Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee. I have had repeated briefings about the Iran nuclear deal, some just a few weeks old. They come from non-partisan, professional intelligence analysts. And I can’t tell you the number that they have briefed us recently, but I can tell you it’s a hell of a lot closer to $150 billion dollars than it is to $3 billion dollars. And sitting in that briefing was a political appointee named Andrew Exum at the Department of Defense, and any reporter who wants to know should go listen to him, because I gave him a piece of my mind, not because it’s his fault, but he is the political appointee who is there as the representative of administration policy. And it’s time that the administration came clean and told the American people exactly what they tell Congress in a classified setting. And the fact of the matter is the amount of sanctions relief is a lot closer to $150 billion dollars than it is to $3 billion dollars.” [Hugh Hewitt, Salem Radio Network, 5/17/16<http://www.hughhewitt.com/senator-tom-cotton-van-drivers-white-house-misleading-public-iran-deal/>]

Tom Cotton: “Tough Guy! Sure Has Big Keyboard Muscles...” [@TomCottonAR, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/TomCottonAR/status/732330041007296513>]

On Paula Xinis Confirmation

Tom Cotton Did Not Vote On The Confirmation Of Paula Xinis, A Partner At The Law Firm That Representated Freddy Grey’s Family, For The Federal District Court In Maryland. “The Senate confirmed Paula Xinis to a federal judgeship in Maryland  by a vote of 53-34, over the protests of major state police unions and outside conservative groups…The 10 GOP senators who did not vote were: Tom Cotton, Ark., Ted Cruz,Texas, Michael Enzi, Wyo., Jeff Flake, Ariz., Ron Johnson, Wis., Jerry Moran, Kan., Pat Roberts, Kan., Dan Sullivan, Alaska, Pat Toomey, Pa., and David Vitter, La.” [The Daily Signal, 5/16/16<http://dailysignal.com/2016/05/16/republican-senate-confirms-obamas-judicial-nominee-opposed-by-20000-maryland-police/>]

On House Of Representatives V. Burwell

Tom Cotton: “It’s Little Surprising That President Obama Once Again Broke The Law To Force His Will On The American People. Time And Time Again He’s Circumvented Congress And Ignored The Constitution To Uphold His Liberal Agenda. Tell Me What You Think In The Comments Below.” [Tom Cotton For Senate, Facebook, 5/16/16<https://www.facebook.com/TomCottonAR/posts/1162914693753788>]

JONI ERNST

Misc. Social Media

Joni Ernst: “Honored To See The Army Reserve Soldiers Off In Sioux City On Saturday As They Deployed To Kuwait & Afghanistan.” [@SenJoniErnst, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/SenJoniErnst/status/732339667518038016>]

Joni Ernst: “Learned About The Dam And Dry Run Project In Bremer County On My #99countytour Last Week.” [@SenJoniErnst, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/SenJoniErnst/status/732327096798875649>]

Joni Ernst: “Had a great time in Waterloo on my #99CountyTour visiting @TysonFoods and the TechWorks Campus.” [@SenJoniErnst, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/SenJoniErnst/status/732312601405820932>]

Joni Ernst: “Nice To Visit With @Ritchiewaterers Manufactures On My #99countytour In Grundy County.” [@SenJoniErnst, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/SenJoniErnst/status/732297314040197120>]

Joni Ernst: “Appreciated The Qs & Ideas From All Of Those Who Came To My Town Meeting In Hardin County Last Week. #99countytour.” [@SenJoniErnst, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/SenJoniErnst/status/732272684604768260>]

Steve King

Joni Ernst Endorsed Cruz-Supporter Steve King While Iowa Governor Terry Branstad Withheld His Support. “U.S. Rep. Steve King may have made some Republicans in ethanol country unhappy by backing Ted Cruz for president, but it looks doubtful it will cost him his party's nomination for re-election. King repeatedly told Iowa GOP activists last year that the Renewable Fuels Standard was the ‘holy grail’ that must be protected. But his endorsement of the Texas senator, whose plan to phase out the RFS drew the ire of Iowa's ethanol lobby, stunned some pro-ethanol Republicans. Since then, Branstad has declined to take sides in the King-Bertrand primary matchup, and Bertrand has been endorsed by Bruce Rastetter, an agribusiness mogul who is also president of the Iowa Board of Regents. But King still lined up a host of other prominent Iowa Republican endorsements, including U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, and Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.” [Des Moines Register, 5/16/16<http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2016/05/16/ethanol-country-gop-seems-ok-king-cruz-ties/83991014/>]

Women in Combat

Phyllis Schlafly Criticized Joni Ernst For Supporting Legislation To Require Women To Register For The Selective Service. “Less than a year after the Supreme Court decided that marriage no longer needs partners of the opposite sex, the other two branches of the federal government are moving rapidly to eliminate all rational distinctions based on sex. Taken together, these new actions reflect the unscientific (but oh-so-politically correct) dogma that there are no fundamental, biological differences between male and female… Senator McCain, who once joked that the liberal media is "my base," may feel that catering to the feminists will earn him enough free media to fend off a primary challenge from the conservative state senator, Dr. Kelli Ward. The draft-our-daughters provision was also supported by Republican feminists on Armed Services such as Sen. Kelly Ayotte (NH), Sen. Joni Ernst (IA), and Rep. Martha McSally (AZ).” [Phyllis Schalfly op-ed, TownHall, 5/17/16<http://townhall.com/columnists/phyllisschlafly/2016/05/17/male-and-female-still-matter-in-combat-n2163982>]

WQAD: Joni Ernst Pushed Legislation To Reform The Army Arsenal Act To Allow “Greater Flexibility For…Labor Rates” In Order To Save Struggling Arsenals. “The ancient idea is the 'Army Arsenal Act,' which requires the Department of Defense to use arsenals to make all army supplies; but only if the arsenal has the best deal, and that isn't always the case. So, some lawmakers are trying to change that act. ‘In this legislation that we're pushing forward there is a three-year pilot program, which would allow greater flexibility for those labor rates, allow them to be adjusted,’ said Senator Joni Ernst (R) IA. Ernst said this legislation could also generate more interest from any private business if the bill is signed into law.” [WQAD, 5/16/16<http://wqad.com/2016/05/16/report-says-army-arsenals-including-at-rock-island-are-in-a-death-spiral/>]

MARY FALLIN

On Being Donald Trump’s Vice President

Yahoo News: Mary Fallin Said She Would Be Willing To “Take That Call” If She Were Asked To Be Donald Trump’s Running Mate. “Speculation is swirling about whom Donald Trump might pick to be his running mate in the 2016 presidential election. And a cascade of potential vice presidential nominees have already publicly announced that they don’t want to be considered for the job…Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin ‘If I were to receive a call that said: “I need you to help make America great again,” I’d be happy to take that call,’ Fallin said.” [Yahoo News, 5/16/16<https://www.yahoo.com/news/republican-candidates-donald-trump-vice-000000817.html>]

On State Budget Crisis

Reuters: “After Intense Lobbying, Oklahoma’s Oilmen Scored A Victory Two Years Ago. State Lawmakers Voted To Keep In Place Some Of Lowest Taxes On Oil And Gas Production In The United States - A Break Worth $470 Million In Fiscal Year 2015 Alone. The State’s Schools Haven’t Been So Fortunate.” “After intense lobbying, Oklahoma’s oilmen scored a victory two years ago. State lawmakers voted to keep in place some of lowest taxes on oil and gas production in the United States - a break worth $470 million in fiscal year 2015 alone. The state’s schools haven’t been so fortunate…Oklahoma’s school-funding crisis is part of the pain inflicted by falling oil prices on energy-rich states across America that rely on natural-resources taxes to pay their governments’ bills. But the crisis in Oklahoma is especially dire, exacerbated by a legacy of large tax breaks bestowed upon oil companies.” [Reuters, 5/17/16<http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-oklahoma-bust-specialreport-idUSKCN0Y81RL>]

Reuters: “In Oklahoma, Governor Mary Fallin Recently Used The State’s $300 Million Rainy Day Fund For A $50 Million ‘One-Time Fix’ For Public Schools.” [Reuters, 5/17/16<http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-oklahoma-bust-specialreport-idUSKCN0Y81RL>]

Mary Fallin And A Member Of Her Administration Held A Meeting With High Level Officials From The State’s Biggest Oil Companies Weeks Before Tax Credits Were Extended. “On April 29, 2014, three weeks before lawmakers voted to extend tax breaks, Fallin and Oklahoma’s finance secretary, Preston Doerflinger, held a private meeting at the governor’s mansion with Devon’s chairman and the chief executives of Chesapeake and Continental. The topic was oil production taxes, Doerflinger’s spokesman said.” [Reuters, 5/17/16<http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-oklahoma-bust-specialreport-idUSKCN0Y81RL>]

Oklahoma Lawmakers Passed A Tax Credit On Drilling That Was Similar To What The Oil Companies Proposed. “On April 29, 2014, three weeks before lawmakers voted to extend tax breaks, Fallin and Oklahoma’s finance secretary, Preston Doerflinger, held a private meeting at the governor’s mansion with Devon’s chairman and the chief executives of Chesapeake and Continental. The topic was oil production taxes, Doerflinger’s spokesman said. Those same companies were hoping for a 2 percent tax rate on horizontal wells for their first four years in operation, according to local media reports. The following month, a 2-to-1 majority of Oklahoma lawmakers voted to tax all horizontal and vertical wells at 2 percent for the first three years of production. That’s when horizontal wells yield the most oil - and the most potential tax…Drillers cheered the outcome, which was similar to their own proposal. For the first time, the vote would make the tax breaks permanent. Though it lifted the tax burden from 1 percent to 2 percent during a well’s early years, oil companies were now guaranteed some of the most driller-friendly rates in the country.” [Reuters, 5/17/16<http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-oklahoma-bust-specialreport-idUSKCN0Y81RL>]

Reuters: “To Be Sure, Lower Natural Gas Prices Also Explain Part Of Oklahoma’s Revenue Crunch…Still, The Tax Breaks Alone Cost Oklahoma Around $800 Million Over The Same Period” “To be sure, lower natural gas prices also explain part of Oklahoma’s revenue crunch. Between 2008 and 2014, gas prices fell by around 50 percent, even as oil prices frequently topped the $100 a barrel mark. Still, the tax breaks alone cost Oklahoma around $800 million over the same period, according to the Oklahoma Policy Institute, a Tulsa think tank that draws some of its funding from [Tulsa billionaire George] Kaiser.” [Reuters, 5/17/16<http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-oklahoma-bust-specialreport-idUSKCN0Y81RL>]

On Oklahoma Medicaid Expansion And Proposed Cigarette Tax Increase

Mother Jones: Mary Fallin Called Medicaid Expansion “Medicaid Rebalancing” “But Her Constituents Are Too Sharp For Her.” “Oklahoma's governor is calling this ‘Medicaid rebalancing,’ but her constituents are too sharp for her. They know what's going on: ‘They can call it Medicaid rebalancing, but there's only one federal program that offers a 9-to-1 federal match, and that's Obamacare,’ said Johnathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs. There's just no fooling some people.” [Mother Jones, 5/16/16<http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2016/05/yet-another-state-succumbs-obamacares-greatest-weapon-math>]

Forbes’ Patrick Gleason: “Gov. Fallin Is Calling For A Cigarette Tax Increase Of $1.50 Per Pack, A 146% Rate Increase That Would Make Cigarettes Sold In Oklahoma Among The Most Heavily-Taxed In The Nation.” [Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 5/16/16<http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickgleason/2016/05/16/oklahoma-medicaid-expansion/#46fabed05fdd>]

Forbes’ Patrick Gleason: Expanding Medicaid Would Make Oklahoma “An Outlier In A Region Full Of States Reducing Tax Rates, Rejecting Obamacare, And Exercising Spending Restraint.” [Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 5/16/16<http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickgleason/2016/05/16/oklahoma-medicaid-expansion/#46fabed05fdd>]

Forbes’ Patrick Gleason: Senator Tom Coburn Has Said That “Medicaid Rebalancing” Is “Simply Obamacare Medicaid Expansion Rebranded” “Given Oklahoma’s precarious fiscal situation, one might think greatly expanding state taxpayer liabilities by voluntarily expanding Medicaid under Obamacare would be unwise, but that’s exactly what Gov. Fallin and state legislators are considering this week. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority’s ‘rebalancing plan,’ which former Senator Tom Coburn recently referred to as ‘simply Obamacare Medicaid expansion rebranded,’ would actually kick 175,000 women and children off of Medicaid to open eligibility to as many as 628,000 of able-bodied adults, according to a report published by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs and the Foundation for Government Accountability.” [Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 5/16/16<http://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickgleason/2016/05/16/oklahoma-medicaid-expansion/#46fabed05fdd>]

The American’s Richie Splitt: “Decisive Action Is Needed, And There Is A Clear Solution: Raise The Cigarette Tax By $1.50 Per Pack This Legislative Session. Gov. Mary Fallin Proposed The Cigarette Tax Increase In February.” “Decisive action is needed, and there is a clear solution: Raise the cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack this legislative session. Gov. Mary Fallin proposed the cigarette tax increase in February. Rather than turning a blind eye and forcing health care to implode in Oklahoma, now is the time for the Legislature to raise the cigarette tax. Less than three weeks remain in the session, and each passing day moves our state closer to the edge.” [Richie Splitt, The American, 5/16/16]

Office Of Governor Mary Fallin: Committee Passage Of Cigarette Tax Increase Is “A Crucial Step In Reducing Oklahoma's Leading Cause Of Preventable Death – Smoking” “’This is a crucial step in reducing Oklahoma's leading cause of preventable death - smoking,’ said Fallin. ‘It is the single most effective way to reduce smoking and improve Oklahoma's health.’” [Press Release, Office Of Governor Mary Fallin, 5/16/16]

On Vaccination Disclosure Bill

The Oklahoma House Failed To Override Mary Fallin’s Veto Of A Vaccine Disclosure Bill. “Members of the Oklahoma House on Monday rejected an effort to override Gov. Mary Fallin's veto of a bill she said could have reduced vaccination rates and increased chances for communicable disease outbreaks. House Bill 3016 would have required doctors to give parents additional material about vaccinations at the time children receive them. Consumers already receive a two-page summary of the benefits and risks of vaccines before they are administered. The override effort failed by a vote of 55-38, with 68 favorable votes needed for an override.  The governor contended the bill would have confused and intimidated consumers by requiring health care providers to provide them with a 34-page appendix containing highly technical and sometimes obsolete information about vaccines. She said the bill would have resulted in a drop in vaccination rates, increasing the risks of outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles.” [The Oklahoman, 5/16/16<http://newsok.com/article/5498534>]

NEWT GINGRICH

HRC

Western Journalism: Newt Gingrich Hillary Clinton’s Proposal To Put Bill Clinton In Charge Of Revitalizing The Economy, Saying “That’s Hillary’s Job If She Wants To Be President.” Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich responded to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s pronouncement that she plans to put her husband in charge of revitalizing the economy. ‘That’s Hillary’s job if she wants to be president,’ he said. ‘I think Hillary’s in an impossible box,’ Gingrich told Fox Business Network’s Stuart Varney. ‘You can’t imagine Bill over there in the East Wing in the spouse’s quarters licking stamps and mailing envelopes. So, what are you going to do with him?’ Hillary announced to a crowd in Ashland, Ky., earlier this month, ‘I’ve told my husband he’s got to come out of retirement and be in charge of this, because, you know, he’s got more ideas a minute than anybody I know.’” [Western Journalism, 5/16/16<http://www.westernjournalism.com/gingrich-tells-clinton-she-cant-delegate-this-responsibility-to-her-husband/>]

Trump

Sean Hannity Said That He Viewed Newt Gingrich As The Best Man To Be Donald Trump’s Running Mate, Citing Experience Reforming Welfare And Gaining A Republican Majority In The House. “Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity said Monday night that, if he were Donald Trump, he would select former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich as his running mate. ‘You know, Donald Trump said he wants to hire the best. …You were successful,’ Hannity told Gingrich on his television program. ‘Trump like successful people.’ ‘You brought Republicans back to power. You were the last speaker to balance the budget. You are the last speaker to be transformative, in terms of doing big things in Washington, like welfare reform and maybe a few other things you’d care to mention,’ he added. ‘That, to me, naturally makes you a top contender for the VP.’ Hannity said that he viewed Gingrich as the ‘best choice’ for the job if Trump were looking for the ‘best person to get the job done.’ ‘You’ve done it. Can you name anyone else that has more experience and has more success, in terms of a track record in D.C. than you?’ he asked. Gingrich, who has said he would consider accepting the nomination if it were to be offered, said he suspected he was ‘old enough and been around long enough that I hold that particular title.’ The former House speaker, however, told Hannity that that Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer would also make good choices. ‘I think there are more folks out there than you might think that would be very effective as the vice presidential candidate,’ he said. ‘And this is ultimately Trump’s decision. He has to decide what he’s trying to accomplish in order to get this done.’ Hannity remained unconvinced toward the end of the segment. ‘Who better that can work with the House and Senate?” he asked. “If anybody would ever listen to me, which no one does, I would pick you. I’d pick you because you have that relationship, you have that intellectual capacity, you have a knowledge of history.’ This was not the first time that Hannity has floated Gingrich for a political position. When John Boehner resigned as speaker of the House, the conservative media personality suggested Gingrich could return and lead Republicans in Congress.” [The Blaze, 5/17/16<http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/05/17/hannity-names-who-he-considers-to-be-the-best-choice-for-trump-to-select-as-running-mate/>]

HEADLINE: “Newt Gingrich’s Sad Audition To Be Donald Trump’s Vice President.” [Huffington Post, 5/16/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/newt-gingrich-donald-trump-vice-president_us_573a157ce4b060aa781ae3a4>]

Newt Gingrich’s Open Interest In Being Donald Trump’s Running Mate Was A Break From Tradition. “In case you haven’t noticed, Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker and failed presidential candidate really, really wants to be Donald Trump’s vice president. Oh, man! He wants it so bad! He does not even try to hide it. And that’s a bit of a break with tradition. Those with some interest in the position usually tend to dance gingerly around the subject whenever it is broached by reporters. And it is broached often. Right now, every prominent politician who appears on a Sunday morning political show is going to face seven different iterations of the, ‘Will you serve as vice president, if asked?’ every time they appear. Generally speaking, such politicos sidestep the dogged journalism of the Chuck Todds of the world by dropping canned lines like, ‘I love my job’ or, ‘I’m not thinking about another job.’ Not so for Gingrich, who has dropped nearly all pretense about his ambition.” [Huffington Post, 5/16/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/newt-gingrich-donald-trump-vice-president_us_573a157ce4b060aa781ae3a4>]

Newt Gingrich And Donald Trump Were Similar In Their Shared Difficulties With Paul Ryan, Grandiosity, Many Marriages. “In many ways, Trump and Gingrich would seem to fit well together. Both men can boast of having their difficulties with House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) — the Ryan agenda, which Trump has famously said he doesn’t know if he’d support, was referred to by Gingrich as “right-wing social engineering.” Both Trump and Gingrich tilt toward grandiosity when discussing their ideas — maybe they could get Mexico to fund Gingrich’s plan for moon colonization alongside the magic border wall our southern neighbor will be subsidizing. And, of course, both men are famous for being — well — let’s call it ‘maritally ambidextrous.’” [Huffington Post, 5/16/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/newt-gingrich-donald-trump-vice-president_us_573a157ce4b060aa781ae3a4>]

Newt Gingrich’s Washington Experience And Ability To Fit Into Donald Trump’s Plan For Attacking Hillary Clinton “Of Rehashing Every Bizarro Clinton Conspiracy Theory From The Early-1990s Political Phantom Zone” Were Seen A Reasons For Trump To Select Gingrich As His Running Mate. “The very thing that Trump needs most, according to his own guidelines for choosing a running mate, is a Beltway insider to help him navigate Washington and take some of the edge off of his outsider bid. It’s this quality that makes Gingrich one of the more attractive candidates. It’s also the identity that Gingrich has been attempting to distance himself from ever since he bounced out of Washington. But that’s not the only quality that makes Gingrich a leading candidate in Trump’s veepstakes. As The Daily Beast’s Olivia Nuzzi reported last week, Trump is planning on eschewing a traditional opposition research game against Clinton in favor of rehashing every bizarro Clinton conspiracy theory from the early-1990s political Phantom Zone. That’s a milieu with which Gingrich is intimately familiar. Hell, for all anyone knows, he may have been a ‘source’ for much of what Nuzzi terms ‘Hillary fan fiction.’ If there’s one thing that Trump seems to want to do in this campaign, it’s to shatter — in the most fantastically vulgar way possible — the myth that there are no second acts in American life. In that effort, he’d find a real kindred spirit in Gingrich, who’s been in a constant state of reinvention and religious conversion since he left politics.” [Huffington Post, 5/16/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/newt-gingrich-donald-trump-vice-president_us_573a157ce4b060aa781ae3a4>]

Newt Gingrich And Donald Trump Were Known For Having Large Egos, Which Could Potentially Undermine A Gingrich/Trump Ticket. “The only thing that portends against a Trump-Gingrich pairing? The fact that Gingrich typically matches Trump, pound for pound, in any egomania derby. But if Chris Christie can become an obsequious little twit in Trump’s shadow, why not Newt? At any rate, if Trump and Gingrich win the election, look for Newt to be sworn in as president by, like, May.” [Huffington Post, 5/16/16<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/newt-gingrich-donald-trump-vice-president_us_573a157ce4b060aa781ae3a4>]

Newsmax: Joe Scarborough Questioned The Merits Of Donald Trump Choosing Newt Gingrich As His Running Mate, Citing A Lack Of “Political Balance” That Could Cause A “Meltdown.” “There isn't a ‘sufficient political balance’ between Newt Gingrich and presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump that would make them good running mates in the general election, and the combination could cause problems for the party this fall, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough said Monday. ‘I think that would be a very imbalanced ticket that would make voters, especially swing voters, especially nervous in the fall,’ Scarborough said on his ‘Morning Joe’ program. ‘Newt Gingrich is a force unto himself, as is Donald Trump. I do not think these two chemical elements put together actually benefit each other.’… Scarborough said that he believes Gingrich could have won in 2012, had then-nominee Mitt Romney not had as much money, but he would have also advised Gingrich not to pick Trump as a vice president. ‘The two together doesn't make sense,’ he said. ‘Gingrich accomplished a lot. He was an historic figure. You talk about the contract with America, but because of Newt Gingrich, we balanced the budget for the first time in a generation, balanced it four years in a row since the 1920s, passed welfare reform while liberals were screaming and jumping out of windows saying little children were going to be killed because of Newt Gingrich and he was such an evil man.’ But even with his achievements, Gingrich was a divisive force, said Scarborough, ‘and to put Trump and Gingrich together on a ticket is just inviting a meltdown.’” [Newsmax, 5/16/16<http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/joe-scarborough-trump-gingrich-ticket/2016/05/16/id/729045/>]

Newt Gingrich And Donald Trump’s Ages Were Seen As A Barrier For A Potential Trump/Gingrich Ticket. Republican strategist Steve Schmidt, also on the program, agreed that the ticket would not be a good one, but for different reasons. ‘It's also an old ticket,’ he said. ‘Newt Gingrich will be 73 years old. And one of the aspects of this election that's really interesting is that we've never, not one time in the history of the country, once we've made generational change in the presidency. We've never gone back. Barack Obama is technically a baby boomer, born in 1961, although culturally I would argue, he is not. And now we're going to go back to have a president who's turning 70 years old, whether it's Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, a 73-year-old vice president. I just don't think that generationally, that makes sense.’” [Newsmax, 5/16/16<http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/joe-scarborough-trump-gingrich-ticket/2016/05/16/id/729045/>]

In A Rasmussen Poll, Newt Gingrich Was The Top Choice To Be Donald Trump’s Running Mate. “Numerous names are being floated as possible Trump running mates, but the presumptive GOP presidential candidate isn’t saying much other than he has a short list he is considering. Rasmussen Reports asked voters about five of the more prominent names in circulation and not surprisingly the best-known are the top vote-getters at this early juncture: 20% of Republicans like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich as a vice presidential nominee, while just as many (19%) prefer former presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker earns 12% support for the number two slot among his fellow Republicans. Two prominent women possibilities, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, are the choice of nine percent (9%) and seven percent (7%) of GOP voters respectively. But one-in-four Republicans like some other candidate, while eight percent (8%) are undecided.” [Rasmussen Reports, 5/16/16<http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2016/gingrich_carson_are_early_gop_veep_favorites>]

Misc. Social Media

Newt Gingrich: “Hosting A @facebook LIVE Today At 1:15pET! Join The Conversation Here: https://www.facebook.com/newtgingrich/” [@newtgingrich, Twitter, 5/17/16<https://twitter.com/newtgingrich/status/732606739472744448>]

Newt Gingrich: “Will Be On @foxandfriends Next To Discuss #Election2016.” [@newtgingrich, Twitter, 5/17/16<https://twitter.com/newtgingrich/status/732541891556855809>]

Newt Gingrich: “If @HillaryClinton Wants To Be President, It's Her Responsibility To Create Jobs, Not Bill's http://bit.ly/1Yx6Iu7” [@newtgingrich, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/newtgingrich/status/732380368230219776>]

Newt Gingrich: “.@Callygingrich's & My New Book, Rediscovering God In America Is Now Available. Learn More:  Http://Amzn.To/1tivyzq<mailto:.@Callygingrich's%20&%20My%20New%20Book,%20Rediscovering%20God%20In%20America%20Is%20Now%20Available.%20Learn%20More:%20%20Http://Amzn.To/1tivyzq>” [@newtgingrich, Twitter, 5/16/16<https://twitter.com/newtgingrich/status/732319809568800768>]

JIM JORDAN

Congressional Misc.

Jim Jordan Was Happy About The Supreme Court Decision Regarding Little Sisters Of The Poor, But Criticized That They Had To Defend Themselves At All. “While I'm happy that the Little Sisters of the Poor had an important victory today before the Supreme Court, it's unfortunate they had to defend themselves at all. Sadly, President Obama can't even relent from pushing his flawed healthcare law when it comes to a charitable organization that ministers to the neediest among us. Congress must continue to fight for religious liberty and against Obamacare.” [Jim Jordan, Facebook, 5/16/16<https://www.facebook.com/repjimjordan/?fref=ts>]

Jim Jordan Was Seen As A Polarizing Figure, Liked By The Tea Party But Disliked By Moderates, Known For Harsh Questioning Of Witnesses At Committee Hearings. “To watch Rep. Jim Jordan grilling a witness testifying before his congressional panels can be a deeply uncomfortable experience. It’s confrontational. It’s full of interruptions. It’s equal parts question and accusation. During his decade in Congress, the Urbana Republican has gotten a reputation as someone you either love or you loathe. Tea Party conservatives adore him, viewing him as the face of a conservative revolution. Some of his more moderate colleagues, meanwhile, view him as, at least, an ideological splinter under their fingernails and at most, a leader of the very dissension that has ripped the Republican party into shreds. He is a founder of the Freedom Caucus, and it was he and other leaders of that caucus who met with House Speaker John Boehner hours before Boehner decided to retire from the House last year.” [Dayton Daily News, 5/16/16<http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/aggresive-jordan-piles-up-friends-critics/nrNqh/>]

Jim Jordan’s Critics Saw Him As A Bully, While His Allies Saw Him As Tenacious. “In person, he’s [Jim Jordan] friendly and gregarious, with a ready smile, and his fellow Tea Party members clearly respect and defer to his leadership. But on the dais, he’s out for blood. ‘Jim’s bull-headed, Jim’s dogmatic, when he gets something in his mind like the IRS screwing people, he doesn’t let go,’ said former Oversight and Government Reform chairman Darrel Issa, R-Calif. ‘I see all of that as positive.’ Critics say he’s a bully, badgering and interrupting witnesses to score political points. ‘People don’t like to see their representative being so disrespectful,’ said Democrat Janet Garrett, who is opposing Jordan for the second time. ‘You can disagree with a person without being obnoxious. I don’t really know what he thought he was gaining by looking like a bully.” [Dayton Daily News, 5/16/16<http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/aggresive-jordan-piles-up-friends-critics/nrNqh/>]

Jim Jordan’s Aggressive Approach To Congressional Hearings Made For Memorable Moments Involving Planned Parenthood, The Internal Revenue Service, And Hillary Clinton.

“Jordan, 52, a former wrestling coach, was never a prosecuting attorney. But you’d never know it by watching his hearings. Just as a wrestler looks for weakness in his opponents, so does the congressman dig, prod and push, hoping to poke at a weak spot in witnesses for the Obama administration. In adopting that style, he has provided some of the most memorable moments of some of the most high-profile congressional hearings of the last few years. When Congress invested Planned Parenthood for selling fetal tissue, he grilled Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, over and over, about why she’d apologized after video recordings revealed a doctor talking about selling fetal tissue. When the Internal Revenue Service was found to be targeting conservative groups who sought tax-exempt status, he was one of the most aggressive questioners of IRS commissioner John Koskinen, whose impeachment Jordan later called for. And when former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified before a special committee investigating the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya, that cost four Americans their lives, Jordan’s interrogation of Clinton was one of the most dramatic moments of an exhausting daylong hearing. ‘When he locks his jaw on something, he’s going to get an answer,’ said Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, who beat out Jordan to take the chairmanship of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee last year. Jordan, he says, ‘has the right personality, because he’s secure in his own skin and he’s just seeking the truth.’” [Dayton Daily News, 5/16/16<http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/aggresive-jordan-piles-up-friends-critics/nrNqh/>]

Dayton Daily News: Jim Jordan Was Criticized For Grandstanding At Congressional Hearings, Attempting To Score Political Points By Badgering Witnesses, And Being “Clearly The Worst, The Most Unprofessional, The Most Misleading, The Most Really Demeaning To The Congress In Terms Of His Questioning.” “But critics say there is a fine line between asking hard questions and badgering. They argue that Jordan’s interruptions and accusations aren’t an effort to hold bureaucrats accountable. They say they’re an effort to score political points, plain and simple. Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund called Jordan’s testifying ‘political bullying.’ She said Jordan used ‘the same belligerent bombast employed by our Republican front runner Donald Trump.’ And after watching Jordan’s questioning of Clinton, CNN legal expert Jeffrey Toobin, appearing on CNN ‘clearly the worst, the most unprofessional, the most misleading, the most really demeaning to the Congress in terms of his questioning.’ ‘When Representative Jordan really went after Hillary Clinton, it turned into this really repulsive spectacle that I think will really show very poorly for the Congress,’ he said. Those who serve on the panels, however, say Jordan’s interruptions are merely a tactic aimed at keeping the witnesses from filibustering. ‘He does tend to — rightfully so — cut somebody off if they’re not answering the question and redirect back to the question,’ Issa said. ‘That’s important because you’re trying to make a record of questions and answers, not long speeches.’” [Dayton Daily News, 5/16/16<http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/aggresive-jordan-piles-up-friends-critics/nrNqh/>]

Jim Jordan Defended His Tone In Congressional Hearings, Saying He Is Trying To Get The Truth And Make The Most Of His Limited Time. “In an interview, Jordan defends the tone of his interviews, saying he’s got five minutes — 10 in the case of the Select Committee on Benghazi — and he wants to make them count. He prepares for these hearings for days, consulting staff, making long lists of questions and reading as much as he can. Time is of the essence. He knows his style isn’t to everyone’s taste. After one particularly contentious hearing, his son gave him a call. ‘Do not look at your Facebook page, the young man advised, not wanting his father to see all the negative comments. ‘It’s all about getting to the truth,’ Jordan said, maintaining that he tries to lay his questions out ‘in as logical and straightforward a way as we can.’ Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., Jordan’s chairman on the Benghazi panel, said hearings don’t often display the full scope of Jordan’s skills as an interrogator. A former prosecutor himself, Gowdy has been trying to get Jordan – who has a law degree – to take the bar. He said the effort Jordan put into questioning Clinton alone was exhaustive.” [Dayton Daily News, 5/16/16<http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/aggresive-jordan-piles-up-friends-critics/nrNqh/>]

Trey Gowdy Called The Effort That Jim Jordan Put Into Questioning Hillary Clinton Exhaustive. “In an interview, Jordan defends the tone of his interviews, saying he’s got five minutes — 10 in the case of the Select Committee on Benghazi — and he wants to make them count. He prepares for these hearings for days, consulting staff, making long lists of questions and reading as much as he can. Time is of the essence. He knows his style isn’t to everyone’s taste. After one particularly contentious hearing, his son gave him a call. ‘Do not look at your Facebook page, the young man advised, not wanting his father to see all the negative comments. ‘It’s all about getting to the truth,’ Jordan said, maintaining that he tries to lay his questions out ‘in as logical and straightforward a way as we can.’ Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., Jordan’s chairman on the Benghazi panel, said hearings don’t often display the full scope of Jordan’s skills as an interrogator. A former prosecutor himself, Gowdy has been trying to get Jordan – who has a law degree – to take the bar. He said the effort Jordan put into questioning Clinton alone was exhaustive.” [Dayton Daily News, 5/16/16<http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/aggresive-jordan-piles-up-friends-critics/nrNqh/>]

Dayton Daily News: Darrell Issa Said He Would Like To See Jim Jordan The Government Oversight Committee And Credited Jordan For “The Willingness To Be Unpopular When He Believes He’s Right.” “Issa said Jordan made the Oversight and Government reform committee his ‘key committee.’ ‘He’d be on the phone to staff as late as midnight, asking, “what about this” and “can you look into this?”’ Issa said. Jordan always came to the hearings with more questions than he had the time to ask, Issa said. That the committee is a priority to Jordan became evident last year, when he entered a three man race against Chaffetz and Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, for the chairmanship. The race was contentious, but ultimately Chaffetz prevailed. Issa, who pushed for Jordan to succeed him, said the committee has stopped doing the types of investigations it has done in the past. He thinks something is missing. ‘I would like Jim Jordan be chairman in the next Congress, no matter which person is president,’ Issa said. ‘Because he has the willingness to be unpopular when he believes he’s right.’” [Dayton Daily News, 5/16/16<http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/aggresive-jordan-piles-up-friends-critics/nrNqh/>]

Jim Jordan Said That The Obama Administration Deceived The American People With The Iranian Nuclear Deal. “House Republicans laid into the White House on Tuesday after a senior national security adviser declined to testify about the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran. The White House’s decision not to make Ben Rhodes available to explain his controversial comments was hypocritical and evidence of a broader evasiveness about the nuclear accord, Republicans on the House Oversight Committee alleged… Republican criticism has increasingly come to resemble their comments about ObamaCare, which critics say was marketed around falsehoods that fell apart after the healthcare reform law was passed.  ‘This isn’t the first time this administration on some big policy decision has deceived the American people,’ said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). Jordan compared Rhodes’s comments to those of Jonathan Gruber, a former administration adviser whose remarks about the healthcare law were vigorously scrutinized by Congress more than a year ago. ‘Mr. Gruber deceives the American people on ObamaCare,’ Jordan said. ‘Along comes Mr. Rhodes on the Iranian deal, uses deception to create this false choice [between the deal and war with Iran], helps get this agreement past.”’ [The Hill, 5/17/16<http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/280167-gop-tears-into-white-house-aide-for-hearing-no-show>]

Jim Jordan Said The IRS Commissioner Koskinen Had “Breached Every Single Duty He Had Regarding The Targeting Of Conservative Groups.” “The feud between Republicans and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen has reached its boiling point, with the House taking a step toward impeaching him… ‘I’m encouraged that we’re starting the process,’ House Freedom Caucus Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) told The Hill on Monday. He added that he is hoping there will be a vote on impeachment for Koskinen following the hearings… ‘He breached every single duty he had regarding the targeting of conservative groups,’ Jordan said. While the resolution focuses on the targeting scandal, GOP lawmakers have other grievances with the IRS, including the agency’s handling of cybersecurity, its requests for funding increases to hire more employees and its handling of illegal immigrants’ tax returns, Jordan said. But impeachment of Koskinen is no sure thing.” [The Hill, 5/17/16<http://thehill.com/policy/finance/280104-republicans-escalate-feud-with-irs-chief>]

Misc. Social Media

Jim Jordan: “History Teacher Calls It A Day After 53 Years - Limaohio.Com - Limaohio.Com Limaohio.Com/News/182077/Hi… Via @Limanews” [@Jim_Jordan, Twitter, 5/17/16<https://twitter.com/Jim_Jordan/status/732590862509694981>]

Jim Jordan Retweeted: Benghazi Committee: “Washington Post Fact Checker Gives @Repcummings & Benghazi Committee Democrats 2 Pinocchios For False Claim: j.mp/25ao4V3” [@HouseBenghazi, Twitter, 5/17/16<https://twitter.com/HouseBenghazi/status/732528820788559872>]

JEFF SESSIONS

Trump – Appearance on ABC’s This Week

Anniston Star Editorial: “Donald Trump, The Man And The Politician, Puts His Defenders In A Bind. Each Untoward Comment Forces Those Defenders To Twist Themselves Into An Uncomfortable Knot. Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump’s Top Foreign-Policy Adviser, Is Chief Among Them.” [Editorial, Anniston Star, 5/16/16<http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/editorials/jeff-sessions-and-donald-trump-s-purity/article_69dcd5f8-1bba-11e6-a00e-b7e6d20112d2.html>]

Anniston Star Editorial: “On ABC’s This Week, [Jeff] Sessions On Sunday Attempted To Steer The Narrative Away From Trump’s Difficult Past With Women.” “The New York Times published a lengthy accounting of Trump’s relationships — some personal, some not — with a number of women over the last few decades. Among them were women he dated, women he hired for his company and women in the beauty pageant he oversaw. The stories the women told painted the presumptive Republican presidential nominee as anything less than presidential, much less gentlemanly. Thus, The Times’ story became the latest repair job for Trump’s defenders. What a terrible job to have. On ABC’s This Week, Sessions on Sunday attempted to steer the narrative away from Trump’s difficult past with women.” [Editorial, Anniston Star, 5/16/16<http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/editorials/jeff-sessions-and-donald-trump-s-purity/article_69dcd5f8-1bba-11e6-a00e-b7e6d20112d2.html>]

Anniston Star Editorial: “Alabama’s Junior U.S. Senator Rationalized Trump’s Well-Documented Past By Saying Americans ‘Have Not Expected Purity On His Part?’ What An Astonishing Bit Of Tone-Deafness And Gall.” “‘People (are) digging into everything he’s done for all these years. But people have not expected purity on his part. What they’re concerned about, they’re deeply concerned about is this: somebody strong enough to take on Washington ... And he’s doing so and the people are responding.’ Wow. Alabama’s junior U.S. senator rationalized Trump’s well-documented past by saying Americans ‘have not expected purity on his part?’ What an astonishing bit of tone-deafness and gall.” [Editorial, Anniston Star, 5/16/16<http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/editorials/jeff-sessions-and-donald-trump-s-purity/article_69dcd5f8-1bba-11e6-a00e-b7e6d20112d2.html>]

Anniston Star Editorial On Jeff Sessions’ Defense Of Donald Trump’s Behavior Towards Women: “Voters Have Every Expectation That Candidates Won’t Own A Reputation As A Sexist, Womanizing And Patronizing Businessman. That Sessions Tried To Pass That Off As An Unrealistic Goal Of Purity Is Absurd.” “Alabama’s junior U.S. senator rationalized Trump’s well-documented past by saying Americans ‘have not expected purity on his part?’ What an astonishing bit of tone-deafness and gall. Every politician is covered in warts. Purity is utopian, unobtainable in this sense. But voters have every expectation that candidates won’t own a reputation as a sexist, womanizing and patronizing businessman. That Sessions tried to pass that off as an unrealistic goal of purity is absurd. If Sessions wants to keep defending Trump, we suggest he try another tactic. This one failed miserably.” [Editorial, Anniston Star, 5/16/16<http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/editorials/jeff-sessions-and-donald-trump-s-purity/article_69dcd5f8-1bba-11e6-a00e-b7e6d20112d2.html>]

Anniston Star Editorial On Jeff Sessions’ Defense Of Donald Trump’s Behavior Towards Women: “If Sessions Wants To Keep Defending Trump, We Suggest He Try Another Tactic. This One Failed Miserably.” “Alabama’s junior U.S. senator rationalized Trump’s well-documented past by saying Americans ‘have not expected purity on his part?’ What an astonishing bit of tone-deafness and gall. Every politician is covered in warts. Purity is utopian, unobtainable in this sense. But voters have every expectation that candidates won’t own a reputation as a sexist, womanizing and patronizing businessman. That Sessions tried to pass that off as an unrealistic goal of purity is absurd. If Sessions wants to keep defending Trump, we suggest he try another tactic. This one failed miserably.” [Editorial, Anniston Star, 5/16/16<http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/editorials/jeff-sessions-and-donald-trump-s-purity/article_69dcd5f8-1bba-11e6-a00e-b7e6d20112d2.html>]

Environment

News Service Of Florida: Jeff Sessions Supported The Creation Of An “Interstate Compact To Allocate The Water” From The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin. “After earlier attempts failed, U.S. senators from Florida and Alabama are working on a new effort to get Congress to intervene in their states’ long-running “water wars” with Georgia. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla., on Monday joined Alabama Republicans Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions in writing a letter to Senate leaders, asking for help in creating an interstate compact to allocate the water of two river systems shared with Georgia.” [News Service of Florida, 5/17/16<http://southeastagnet.com/2016/05/17/florida-alabama-senators-ask-leaders-for-help-in-water-wars/>]

TIM SCOTT

On Obama Administration Housing Rules

Tim Scott Opposes The Obama Administration’s New Regulation Requiring Low Income Housing Construction In Middle Income Areas. “U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are being urged to block funding for one of U.S. president Barack Obama‘s most radical executive overreaches – the so-called ‘Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing’ (AFFH) regulation. Never heard of this regulation?  It’s a radical neighborhood engineering scheme – one this website has consistently rejected.   Basically, it would enable Obama’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to mandate the construction of low income housing in middle class neighborhoods – holding $3 billion in grant money over the heads of 1,200 city and county governments. It’s the definition of a liberal D.C. power grab – using your tax dollars as blackmail. Scott has already signaled his opposition to the regulation.  Graham?  Who knows what the most liberal ‘Republican’ in the U.S. Senate will do.” [FITS News, 5/16/16<http://www.fitsnews.com/2016/05/16/lindsey-graham-tim-scott/>]

On Being Donald Trump’s Vice President

Newt Gingrich Suggested That Tim Scott Or Jan Brewer Would Make A Good Vice President During An Interview With Sean Hannity. HANNITY: “You know, Donald Trump said he wants to hire the best. You were the architect. This goes we back before the ‘Contract’ was ever written or even thought about or any though of Republicans coming into power for the first time in 40 years. You put together a series of tapes called ‘Renewing American civilization.’ I still have a copy of those tapes, which really was the intellectual underpinnings of the ‘Contract.’ If I'm mistaken, correct me.

So you were successful. Trump likes successful people. You brought Republicans back to power. You were the last speaker to balance the budget. You were the last speaker to be transformative in terms of doing big things in Washington like welfare reform and maybe a few other things you'd care to mention. That to me naturally makes you a top contender for the VP. I think that's the best choice if Donald Trump's criteria is not geographical, it's not gender, race-related in terms of thought (ph) as others would suggest, but the best person to get the job done. You've done it. Can you name anyone else that has more experience and gave -- and has more success in terms of a track record in D.C. than you?” GINGRICH: “Look, that's one criteria. And I suspect I'm old enough and I've been around long enough that I sort of hold that particular title. But I look at a guy, for example, like Senator Tim Scott, very attractive, very intelligent senator from South Carolina. Look at Governor Brewer from Arizona. You know, I think there are more folks out there than you might think who would be very effective as the vice presidential candidate. And this is ultimately Trump's decision. He's got to decide what's he trying to accomplish in order to get this done? But you know, I...” [Hannity Fox News, 5/16/16]

On Obama Administration Overtime Rules

Tim Scott Introduced Legislation To Require The Labor Department To Do An Economic Impact Study On The Obama Administration’s Overtime Rule Before It Is Set. “Republicans Sen. Tim Scott  and Rep. Tim Walberg  introduced the opposition legislation Mar. 17 over concerns the rule change could hurt the very workers it’s meant to help. Their legislation would require the department to conduct a thorough economic analysis before releasing a final version of the rule.” [Daily Caller, 5/17/16<http://dailycaller.com/2016/05/17/heres-why-obamas-upcoming-overtime-rule-faces-fierce-opposition/>]