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June 17, 2019
AOC and Ayanna Pressley Team for Birth Control, Raúl Grijalva Under Ethics Review, and Danny Glover Heads to the Hill for Reparations Hearing
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MAGA FEVER… Donald Trump’s big 2020 push? Another promise to replace Obamacare, despite recent elections signaling public support for the program. Trump says a plan is coming. He kicks off his 2020 campaign launch tomorrow in Florida. YOU’RE FIRED… That’s what Donald Trump said to several pollsters after internal polling numbers that showed the president trailing some Democratic presidential candidates in key states were made public. CATCHING HILL… House Dems this week will face Trump’s outside attorneys over the president’s Deutsche Bank records, former Comms Director Hope Hicks, and yet-to-be-announced witnesses for the second hearing focused on the Mueller report. 2020 JOYTen presidential contenders will join MSNBC’s Joy Reid and Rev. Dr. William J. Barber today as they co-host the Poor People's Campaign Presidential Forum in DC. BROKEN DEALSIran announced today that it would stop complying with the 2015 nuclear pact, opening the door to an “unlimited rise” in its stockpile of enriched uranium. LET’S TALK TRADE… Not China. The Lakers! LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be wearing purple and gold next season. Alley-oop. Cue Kurtis Blow. And then… CATCH THIS BEAT… We’re kicking off your week with this...
  • Congressman Andy Kim (D-NJ) is trying to lower unemployment for military spouses.
  • Harriet Tubman “unavoidable” $20 bill delay? Nope. #SheReady
  • Danny Glover and Ta-Nehisi Coates head to Capitol Hill this week.
  • MSNBC senior ranks shakeup includes two women of color.
  • Congressman Al Green (D-TX) names a new chief of staff. Read to the bottom!
  • The youngest child separated from his family at the border was four months old. Get this story and more in blogs.
Univisión's Jorge Ramos with film producer Miguel Sierralta in Miami last week.
Attorney Bryan Stevenson and CNN commentator Angela Rye at the American Black Film Festival in Miami over the weekend.
Student Loan Debt? These Lawmakers Have a Plan for That
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) announced that they’re introducing a bill that could wipe out up to $50,000 in student loan debt for 42 million Americans. Good timing: student loan debt has grown a whopping 157% in the last 11 years. Their new legislation will include offering free college education to all Americans and creating a $50 billion fund for HBCUs. The measure would also cancel some debt for 95% of borrowers and completely eliminate debt for 75% of borrowers. The lawmakers, who plan to introduce the bill in both chambers in the coming weeks, noted that the bill would alleviate loan debt taken on by individuals of color. Black and Latinx Americans face the worst effects of the student debt crisis, with many still owing more than 100% of their loan balance 12 years after college -- even with a degree in hand. And a 2016 Brookings report found that Black college graduates frequently accumulate significantly more debt than their white counterparts. The research also found that Black graduates owe $7,400 more by the time they finish their undergraduate degrees. “For far too many students and families, the cost of higher education has meant daunting debt and a lifetime of student loan repayments,” said Clyburn. “We need to allow people to get the kind of post-secondary education that will help them achieve their dreams and aspirations, and earn a living to become productive members of society.” More here.

Lawmakers Aim to #FreeThePill
Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Ami Bera (D-CA) introduced legislation Thursday to remove barriers to buying birth control. The Affordability is Access Act would require insurance companies to cover any oral contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and for birth control to be available over-the-counter without the need for a prescription. “Bodily autonomy is a basic human right. Reproductive justice is not only a healthcare issue, it is also an economic issue and a civil rights issue,” said Pressley. “At a time when reproductive rights are under attack, it is more critical than ever that we take bold steps to reaffirm reproductive rights for all Americans.” Specifically, the bill would ensure that FDA-approved birth control pills would be covered without cost sharing and without prescription requirements -- which would expand access to affordable birth control while maintaining the FDA’s authority to determine the safety and efficacy of drugs. “It is a brutal form of oppression to seize control of the one essential thing a person should command: their own body. Women should have the right to own and control their own bodies,” said Ocasio-Cortez. Bera, who served as Sacramento County’s Chief Medical Officer, added, “As a doctor, I know access to affordable contraception is critical for women’s reproductive health. It enables women to live healthier lives and enhances their economic security.” A recent study found that a majority of women said that birth control use had allowed them to take better care of themselves or their families (63%), support themselves financially (56%), complete their education (51%), or keep or get a job (50%). Despite its benefits, barriers to access -- including the inability to buy birth control without a prescription and continued attempts to gut its coverage by health insurance providers -- remain. The trio was joined by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Congresswoman Katie Hill (D-CA). More here.
Doris Matsui to Chair Dem Task Force on Aging and Families
More than 20% of the population is over the age of 60, and the costs of aging have a significant economic impact. Many seniors living on limited budgets struggle to pay for health care, long-term care, and the high cost of prescription drugs. More people are now afraid of running out of money in retirement than they are of dying. Economists project that health care costs will reach 20% of GDP within the next decade, owing in part to the growing older population. These are some of the issues Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) will tackle as co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families (TFAF). House Dems relaunched (and renamed) the task force last week to focus on the needs of the nation’s older Americans, their families, and the future of retirement. Matsui will co-chair the task force with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Congressman Conor Lamb (D-PA). “America’s seniors spent a lifetime contributing to our society and economy. They worked hard and earned the right to high-quality care, financial security and livable communities. Yet under the Trump Administration, their rights and benefits have come under attack,” said Matsui. In an announcement, the lawmakers pointed to “Republican proposals to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, voucherize Medicare, block-grant Medicaid, and cut Social Security’s earned benefits.” At the end of the year, the task force members say they will introduce a resolution known as the “Older Americans Bill of Rights,” which will enshrine the basic rights to which all older Americans are entitled. More here.
Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) with NM Governor Michelle Luján Grisham over the weekend at the New Mexico's firefighters annual convention.
AAJA President and WaPo reporter Michelle Ye Hee Lee having a birthday rosé last week in DC.
Yvette Clarke Targets 'Deepfakes'
The race for disinformation is ramping up with "deepfakes," a technique for human image synthesis based on artificial intelligence. Basically, it’s fake videos that are made to look authentic. Used in comedy routines, perhaps they can be funny. Used to manipulate information, however, these altered videos can be dangerous. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) last week introduced the DEEPFAKES Accountability Act, which would hold video creators accountable when posting altered videos, and would require malicious deepfakes to be labeled with a watermark and a disclaimer identifying them as manipulated content. Clarke said the measure means "everyday Americans will have clear indications when content is faked — and when content doesn’t abide by this, we will hold these content creators accountable in a court of law." A digitally doctored video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) got more than 2.5 million hits on Facebook after Donald Trump shared it on social media. "There is conversation. There is a certain level of awareness. There just hasn't been action," Clarke said to Politico. "And I think that what we're not as conscious of how quickly this type of technology can be deployed." More here.
Andy Kim Moves to Put Military Spouses to Work
Active duty military spouses face a 24% unemployment rate -- a rate six times higher than the national rate. And over 31% are working part-time even if they would prefer to work full-time. That’s why Congressman Andy Kim (D-NJ) is calling for Congress to make a key job training program open to all military spouses. He and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced the Spouse Employment Reciprocity and Vocational Instruction for Career Enhancement (SERVICE) Act, a bill that would end restrictions on the Department of Defense’s My Career Advancement Account program. Currently, spouses become ineligible if their partner gets promoted out of approved pay grades. By ending the eligibility limits, the SERVICE Act would give additional military spouses funding for up to $4,000 in tuition for certifications, licenses, and associate degrees. The lawmakers said this would then help spouses find work, which is often impaired when they move states and lose license eligibility due to reciprocity issues. “Our servicemembers already sacrifice so much for our country, they shouldn’t have to sacrifice their economic wellbeing because of a broken system that makes it too difficult for spouses to find work,” said Kim. “The peace of mind of a good paying job for our military families is the least we can do to support them.” More here.
House Ethics Reviewing Raúl Grijalva’s Conduct
The conduct of Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) is under review by the House Ethics Committee. According to the allegations, the now-Natural Resources Committee chairman created a hostile work environment from drinking on the job. Grijalva's spokesman told The Hill that though Ethics is now reviewing the underlying allegations, the Committee has not formally opened an investigation. Grijalva’s office also said that the allegations were related to workplace drinking and did not involve sexual harassment. “I welcome any further look into this matter because I’m confident it will fully exonerate me, and I’m excited to see it completed as soon as possible. I look forward to full vindication and [to] prove that I have always created a positive work environment for my staff and conducted myself professionally," Grijalva said. This latest ethics inquiry comes after Grijalva arranged for a female staffer to be given a "severance package" worth about $48,000 after she threatened to file a lawsuit alleging Grijalva created a hostile work environment by being frequently drunk on the job. However, the Ethics Committee last year cleared Grijalva of allegations he had misused the funds in paying the severance. More here.
Congresswoman Deb Haaland (D-NM) centered by young constituents in New Mexico over the weekend.
Lobbyist Oscar Ramírez, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), and Obama WH alumna Stephanie Valencia Ramírez at an event the couple hosted in DC last week.
Trump Admin Lied, Harriett Tubman Bill Nearly Ready
Remember when Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin testified before Congress that the $20 bill design featuring Harriett Tubman would have to be delayed? He said security features under development made the 2020 design deadline set by the Obama administration impossible to meet, so he delayed the new design for at least six years. Turns out Mnuchin lied. Work on the new $20 note began before Donald Trump took office, and the design could have satisfied the goal of unveiling a note bearing Tubman’s likeness on next year’s centennial of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. An image of a new $20 bill, produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and obtained by the NYT from a former Treasury Department official, depicts Tubman in a dark coat with a wide collar and a white scarf. That design was completed in 2016. The NYT reported on Friday that the real reason for the delay was that Mnuchin was worried that Trump, who’s complained that the redesign was just “political correctness,” would cancel the process altogether and cause a public relations disaster. More here.

Danny Glover and Ta-Nehisi Coates to Testify at House Hearing on Reparations
Actor Danny Glover and writer Ta-Nehisi Coates are headed to Capitol Hill this week for a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on reparations -- both are longtime advocates on the issue. Regular Beat readers will recall that in January, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) introduced a bill that would direct the federal government to conduct a study of reparations for descendants of slaves to determine the best way to repair some of the damage that slavery has caused to the African American community. “When you look at urban blight, when you look at schools in inner cities and rural communities that are not at the level of excellence that they should be, when you look at support for [historically black colleges and universities], all of that will be part of understanding that whole journey and that whole economic journey,” Jackson Lee said. “And it is interesting that these magnificent buildings were built by slaves, obviously with no compensation. That is not what we are asking for; this bill is to have a commission to hear from people all over the nation.” She became the lead sponsor of the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act after former MI Congressman John Conyers resigned from Congress. A 2016 Marist poll found that Americans opposed reparations “as a way to make up for the harm caused by slavery and other forms of racial discrimination,” by a margin of 68-26%, but while white respondents opposed reparations by 81-15, Blacks supported reparations by 58-35%. Latinxs were divided, 47-46%. The date of the hearing is June 19th -- which coincides with Juneteenth, a cultural holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Black people in America. More here.

CNN en Español's María Alejandra Requena attending a gala in the Dominican Republic last week.
Journalists Soledad O'Brien, Tamron Hall, Ann Curry, and media exec Kim Bondy at the PowHERful event in NYC on Friday.
Will Hurd Gets GOP Help and Disinvited from Conference
Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) has been considered “vulnerable” his entire tenure in Congress. This cycle is no different. Hence, Republicans plan to pour extra money and resources into helping him hold his seat, especially given the changing demographics in his border district that could swing the election toward Democrats. The special Republican effort, called the “Patriot Program,” asks party donors to direct funds to incumbent campaigns, including Hurd’s. The Congressman also gets additional staff and support for more extensive advertising campaigns from the National Republican Congressional Committee, the GOP’s House campaign arm. The help comes at the same time Hurd was disinvited from speaking at a cybersecurity conference due to his voting record on women’s issues. He was slated to headline Black Cat, a computer security conference that provides security consulting, training, and briefings to hackers, corporations, and government agencies around the world. But the invite was revoked after organizers and attendees realized the former CIA officer-turned-lawmaker has voted in favor of limiting access to abortions and defunding Planned Parenthood. He also voted against a bill that would financially support women in STEM. Critics said the move alienated women at a time where diversity in security remains a challenge. More here.

Joyce Beatty Says Enough with the Voter Purge
The outrageous number of names purged from voting rolls in recent years has surged, blocking the ballot box for millions of Americans. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH) wants to ban the practice entirely. SHe introduced on Wednesday the Save Voters Act which would bar states from purging potential voters based on their failure to vote or respond to a written notice, unless the notification is returned as undeliverable. “The right to vote is not a ‘use-it or lose-it’ proposition,” Beatty said. “Voting is a permanent guarantee that is essential to our democracy and fundamental to all the other rights we share as Americans.” The Supreme Court’s decision allowing the State of Ohio to continue its aggressive voter purge makes it much harder for Ohioans to vote—especially communities of color, veterans and vulnerable populations—and lays the groundwork for other states to prevent many more Americans from freely exercising their constitutional right to vote.” Beatty continued, “That is why I am introducing the Save Voters Act to ensure that a person who is registered to vote and has not done anything to affirmatively disqualify themselves has their vote counted.” Beatty’s legislation would also require a state to inform a voter when they are removed from the rolls, as well as include the reason for removal and information on how to contest removal or be reinstated. Further, states would also have to disseminate a public notice within 48 hours of conducting any general program to remove names from the official list of eligible voters, informing the public that list maintenance is taking place and that registrants should check their voter status. Last year, the Supreme Court upheld Ohio’s means of removing voter registrations that the state feels are outdated from its rolls, forcing some to have to register once again to vote. Beatty argued this made it much harder for Ohioans to vote, especially communities of color, veterans, and vulnerable populations. She said it “lays the groundwork for other states to prevent many more Americans from freely exercising their constitutional right to vote.” Georgia’s 2018 voter purge, according to election-law experts, may represent the largest mass disenfranchisement in U.S. history. Texas’ acting secretary of state resigned last month after leading a botched voter purge of nearly 100,000 suspected noncitizens that erroneously also targeted U.S. citizens. More here.

Congressman Steve Horsford (D-NV) centered by constituents during a NaFFAA event in La Vegas celebrating 121 years of Philippine Independence over the weekend.
Singer India Arie with activist Linda Sarsour at a women's empowerment event in NYC over the weekend.
MSNBC and NBC News Shakes Up Top Brass
A shakeup at MSNBC and NBC News has shifted roles for two women of color in its senior ranks. Janelle Rodríguez, NBC News’ SVP of editorial, will also serve as the head of NBC News Now -- the network’s streaming service. She will continue to lead newsgathering and editorial for MSNBC daytime and NBC Nightly News in addition to her job for the streaming service. Before joining NBC News in 2015, Rodríguez served as VP of programming for CNN, where she led all dayside and weekend programming for the network. The University of California, Berkeley graduate holds a Master’s from San Francisco State University. NBC’s SVP of Specials Rashida Jones, who launched NBC News Now, will focus on editorial projects, including debates and town halls in anticipation of the 2020 election. The Hampton University graduate spent seven years in production roles at The Weather Channel, and before that, she was at WTKR News in Norfolk, VA. More here.
WaPo Names Health Policy Reporter
Yasmeen Abutaleb has joined The Washington Post’s Health/Science team as a health policy reporter. In her new role, she will help expand WaPo’s coverage of the Department of Health and Human Services, health legislation on Capitol Hill, and health policy as part of the 2020 election. The University of Maryland graduate joins WaPo from Reuters, where she most recently covered health policy and the delivery of health care for nearly five years. Previously, Abutaleb was on the tech beat for the wire service and covered Facebook and Twitter. The bilingual reporter -- who is fluent in Arabic and English -- is the daughter of Egyptian immigrants. More here.
Axios Adds Michele Salcedo
Michele Salcedo has joined Axios as a news desk editor. In her new role, she will work with a team focused on breaking news online. Salcedo was most recently at The Associated Press, where she edited on the national general news desk in the DC bureau and helped establish a social media presence for AP Politics. Salcedo served as the president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists from 2010 to 2012 and led a reorganization that turned its finances from losing more than $200,000 a year in 2009/2010 to a more than $600,000 surplus in 2011. Before that, she was at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, where, among many roles, she was the outlet’s race and demographics editor. Salcedo also spent time at Newsday, The San Antonio Light, and Better Health and Living Magazine. The Grand Valley State University graduate -- who holds a Master’s from Columbia University -- speaks English, French, and Spanish. More about her here.
Congresswmoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) with a constituent at an impeachment rally in Detroit over the weekend.
Author Luz Madoria, NBC's Mariana Atencio, journalist María Elena Salinas, and radio host Annabelle Blum in Miami last week celebrating Antencio's new book.
Al Green Names New Chief of Staff
Congressman Al Green (D-TX) has named attorney Robert Eskridge III as his new chief of staff. Eskridge previously served as counsel to the House Committee on Ethics, where he advised on matters related to rules, executive agency regulations, and federal statutes. Prior to his service on the Hill, he was assistant attorney general for the State of Ohio from 2007 to 2011, and an associate for Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP in Columbus, OH, from 2005 to 2007. The 2002 Morehouse graduate was one of the 400 recipients of Oprah’s Angel Network Scholarship, the media mogul’s funding of 400 Morehouse scholarships in 20 years. The proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., completed law school at Boston College in 2005. More about him here.
BLAH BLAH BLOGS
FOMO
Today, 12P: LGBTQ x Tri-Caucus Staff Associations host “Pronouns in the Workplace.” H-122, Speaker's Dining Room, U.S. Capitol, DC. Click here for more information.
Today, 1P: Green 2.0 releases their new report, "Leaking Talent: How People of Color Are Pushed Out of Environmental Organizations." The National Press Club, 529 14th Street N.W., DC. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, June 19th, 8A: LatinoJustice PRLDEF hosts their 10th annual Latina Trailblazers Breakfast to honor the achievements of Latina women who have paved the way for future Latina leaders. Tribeca Rooftop, 2 Desbrosses St, NY. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, June 19th, 6P: Muslim Public Affairs Council hosts its 6th Annual Empowering Voices Awards. This year's honorees include political commentator Mehdi Hasan, Yemeni American educator and activist Dr. Debbie Almontaser, and the Department of Justice's Eric Treene. Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave, N.W., DC. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, June 26th - Sunday, June 30th: The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women's Annual Legislative Conference, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders for thought-provoking conversation around real issues that directly affect Black women and their families. Chicago, IL. Click here for more information.
Thursday, June 27th, 7P: Management Leadership for Tomorrow’s 15th Anniversary Awards Gala Dinner, celebrating underrepresented minorities who are advancing to senior leadership roles in their organizations and communities. The evening honors those working to advance African American, Latinx, and Native American women and men. Grand Hyatt, 109 E 42nd Street, NYC. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, July 9th, 6:30P: The Multicultural Media Correspondents Dinner. Honorees include Congresswoman Val Demings (D-FL). National Press Club, 529 14th St N.W., DC. Click here for more information
Saturday, July 20th - Wednesday, July 24th: The 110th NAACP Annual Convention, convening policymakers, activists, and organizers to strategize about the work NAACP has to do to ensure that the integrity of our democracy and shape the wellbeing of our communities. Cobo Center, 1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI. Click here for more information.
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