|
|
If you’re a parent, the back and forth between Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may sound very familiar. Except this time, the source of distress is not a toy but nuclear weapons. And the consequence of this fight is not a time out -- it’s actually life as we know it. Kim called called Trump a “mentally deranged U.S. dotard” (which we discovered means an old person, especially one who has become weak or senile) and added, “ A frightened dog barks louder.” Not to be outdone, Twitter fingers barked louder and tweeted about the rocket man this morning, “Kim Jong Un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn't mind starving or killing his people, will be tested like never before!” It’s all fun and games until a war of words leads us to a world war. We say this a lot but this time we mean it: Don and Kim -- #DeleteYourAccount. Meanwhile, the war on Obamacare continues. On Thursday, all 50 Medicaid directors come out against the GOP bill to repeal the ACA. Lawmakers will get to battle the policy in a live televised townhall on Monday. The authors of the legislation, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), will debate Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Monday night on CNN. Let’s get ready to rumble. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF ALC) concludes tomorrow with their black tie gala. So get ready for some duck-lip selfies in your timeline. Also, if you want to sound smart on the circuit today, work this into a conversation: on this day in history President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emaciation Proclamation in 1862. If you want to look super smart, wear some spectacles while you say it. We’re kicking off the weekend with this:
| |
|  | Latino Victory Fund’s Cristóbal Alex on Wednesday with Collective PAC's Stefanie Brown James and Quentin James. | |  |
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) on Tuesday touring Sound Transit's Northgate site. | |
| | |
Michelle Obama at the Hair Salon
Former First Lady Michelle Obama showed up at the salon on Tuesday night. WaPo’s Helena Andrews reports that FLOTUS44 was on hand to toast stylist Yene Damtew and her budding business, Aesthetics Salon in Arlington. A protegee of Johnny Wright, Obama’s hairstylist, Damtew was a member the First Lady’s glam squad for years, working primarily with former first daughters Malia and Sasha and grandmother-in-chief Marian Robinson. “It has been such a joy to have you in our lives,” Obama told Damtew in front of a crowd of about 40 VIPs, including Wright, who has since moved to LA. She rocked a floral top and flowing soft curls, and added that Damtew, who was responsible for hand-painting the former First Lady’s hair color, was “not just my hairstylist and my children’s.” More here.
| |
Scott, Menéndez, Duckworth, and Others Intro Legislation on Lead Poisoning
Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Todd Young (R-IN), and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) introduced legislation on Thursday that would require HUD to adopt prevention measures and update its lead regulations to protect children from the risk of lead exposure. The senators say the risk of lead poisoning continues to disproportionately affect minority children who live in federally subsidized housing because of outdated and ineffective federal laws and regulations. The Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2017 will, among other things, provide a process for families to relocate on an emergency basis. More here.
| |
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a champion for working families, is looking for a Deputy Research Director to join her 2018 re-election campaign. The Deputy Research Director will work with the Research Director to take on in-depth research projects focusing on primary source and public records material for Senator Warren’s Senate re-elect.
| |
Soto Asks Homeland to Delay DACA Deadline for Immigrants Affected by Irma and Harvey
Earlier this week, Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke requesting an extension to the DACA renewal application deadline set for October 5th. Soto says that the deadline has added more hardships for those young people who are reapplying and were affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Several government offices have been closed due to the hurricanes, but the countdown continues. “In my district we suffered several power outages, fallen debris and flooding that prevented people from performing essential tasks or safely traveling throughout their communities,” the letter reads. Soto argues that extending the deadline is fair and reasonable, not only for Florida’s 9th district but for all those affected by these storms. Get more here.
| |
Ben Carson Flips the Script at HUD
HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson says that after several months of hard work, his team has outlined a solid plan for institutional reform and improvement. In an op-ed for The Hill, he writes, “I wanted to flip the script, drawing on institutional knowledge from civil servants who were here when I came in, and will be here when the next secretary takes my place.” He says in an effort to make the agency more efficient, it will follow the president’s executive order to remove what he calls “burdensome regulations” from those who “employ Americans and build, rent and sell their houses.” He also said that the agency aims to make anti-poverty beneficiaries prosperous and self-sufficient. And for families who might always need someone to lean on, including the elderly and disabled, Secretary Carson says “HUD will be there for them.” Read the full piece here.
| |
|  |
Rapper T.I. was Thursday night's big attraction during CBCF's ALC as he performed at a party hosted by Alabama Power. | |  |
DC Lobbyist Paul Brathwaite and Marshall Director Reginald Hudlin after a screening of his upcoming movie at the Newseum. | |
| | |
Menéndez Trial Could Hinge on the Definition of ‘Constituent’
Senator Robert Menéndez's (D-NJ) trial continues and the NYT has a look at what could be a defining issue in the case: the definition of "constituent." The Constitution does not define who a member of Congress can legally call a constituent, and there is no case law defining who exactly is a constituent. This lack of clarity has brought about issues in the federal corruption case against Menéndez, with both sides debating its meaning since the Senator has been accused of using his office to do favors for Dr. Salomón Melgen, a donor who lives in Florida. Menéndez's defense argues that his “attention to cultural minorities and underrepresented communities, particularly Hispanic-Americans, as well as immigration issues generally, exemplifies his focus on ethnic constituencies and issue constituencies whose members are not limited to New Jersey residents.” Judge William H. Walls asked both sides to file written arguments about how they define constituent. Melgen lives in Florida and has never lived in New Jersey. He is Hispanic, having grown up in the Dominican Republic and emigrating to the U.S. in 1978. It’s an issue that could have serious repercussions across the country. Read more here.
| |
CBC Cries Foul Over NC Judicial Pick
The Congressional Black Caucus is not pleased with Donald Trump’s pick for a federal judgeship in North Carolina who has also drawn opposition from civil rights groups in part because of previous work defending the state’s congressional redistricting plans and voter ID law, which courts have struck down as unfair to minorities. Roll Call reports that Thomas Farr, who was grilled Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee, has reopened wounds for a seat in a judicial district that is nearly 30 percent black but has never had a black federal judge. “It is no exaggeration to say that had the White House deliberately sought to identify an attorney in North Carolina with a more hostile record on African American voting rights and workers’ rights than Thomas Farr, it could hardly have done so,” the members of the CBC wrote in a letter to the committee. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Farr’s nomination at a later date. More here.
| |
|  |
Pollster, author, and strategist Cornell Belcher with lobbyists Isaac A. Fordjour and Chaka Burgess preparing for their annual "Nation" soiree on Thursday during CBCF ALC. | |  | Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) on Tuesday getting some new artwork for her office from a young visitor. | |
| | |
HBCU Leaders Meet with Lawmakers and Business Leaders
About two dozen HBCU leaders met this week with business leaders from every sector of the economy in an effort to create career pathways and philanthropic opportunities for their universities. Microsoft Corporation and co-chair of the bipartisan HBCU Caucus Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) facilitated the interaction that brought the two groups together. Most importantly, a new HBCU Diversity and Inclusion Report Card and a Pledge Board for business and nonprofit leaders who have strong programs with HBCUs were unveiled. Results of who is setting the best practices in working with HBCUs will be published in the next few months. Dem House and Senate Leaders also met on Wednesday in two separate policy roundtables with Leaders of HBCUs. Senate Steering and Outreach Committee Chairwoman Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Congresswoman Adams helped convene the meetings. Thirteen Democratic Senators and nine Democratic Members of the House met for over two hours in the two separate sessions -- an impressive gathering considering both the House and Senate adjourned for the Rosh Hashanah. Funding for student aid, more access to research dollars, government-wide department and agency support, and improved infrastructure enhancements dominated the conversation. See a video clip from that meeting here.
| |
Fudge Intros Anti-Hazing Legislation
Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH) joined Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-PA) in introducing the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act that is intended to put regulations in place that would require college campuses to report hazing incidents as part of a college’s annual crime report. Schools would also be required to educate students about what it means to haze and that they could be held accountable for subjecting fellow students to hazing. Fudge says hazing spreads beyond Greek life on campus, as recruits to athletic teams, marching bands, and other organizations face initiation rituals with students looking to join groups for a variety of reasons -- from future endeavors to friendship. The former National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority says, "We're talking about excessive use of alcohol, we're talking about sex acts, which are very common in these types of things ... it is rampant on college campuses and it has to stop." More here.
| |
|  |
Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) on Wednesday visiting Northridge Middle School in LA. | |  |
Rev. Al Sharpton with actress Tichina Arnold in DC during CBCF ALC. | |
| | |
NFL Players Set Activism Terms in Memo to Goodell
Yahoo Sports reports that current and former NFL players campaigning for racial equality and criminal justice reform wrote a lengthy memo to League Commissioner Roger Goodell, officially seeking overt league support in their effort, including an endorsement for an activism awareness month. The 10-page memo was sent to Goodell and EVP of Football Operations Troy Vincent in August, requesting wide-ranging involvement in their movement from the NFL. The memo seeks an investment of time and education, political involvement, finances, and other commitments from the league. It also sought to have the NFL endorse the month of November as an activism awareness month, similar to the periods of league calendar dedicated to breast cancer awareness and military recognition. It was endorsed by four players: Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, former Buffalo Bills wideout Anquan Boldin, and Eagles wideout Torrey Smith. More here.
| |
Former SC DNC Chair Teams With GOPer to Write a Book
South Carolina’s former Democratic Party chairman, Jaime Harrison, reached across the aisle Wednesday, announcing that he is co-authoring a book with a former GOP staffer about what it takes to build a Capitol Hill career. Climbing the Hill: How to Build a Career in Government and Make a Difference will be released in the fall of 2018. Harrison’s co-author is Amos Snead, a founding member of S-3 Public Affairs and spokesman for former House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri. Snead also founded FamousDC.com, a networking platform for Hill staffers. Harrison had an unsuccessful run for chairman of the national party, losing to current DNC Chair Tom Pérez. Harrison used to direct floor operations for former House Majority Whip Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) and also worked for The Podesta Group. The AP reports that during his tenure as chairman, he would frequently team with his GOP counterpart, Matt Moore, at events around the state, hosting a voter education symposium, and co-teaching a class on political parties at the University of South Carolina. More here.
| |
|  |
Latino USA's Jeanne Montalvo Lucar and María Hinojosa, injured while on a run, on Wednesday celebrating the end of their southern road trip. | |  |
Congressman Raja Krishnamorthi (D-IL) visiting his son's civics class on Thursday. | |
| | |
PBS Names New Ombudsman
PBS has named Madhulika Sikka as their next Ombudsman. Sikka was most recently a VP and Executive Editor at Mic. Prior to that she served as an Executive Editor of NPR. Her longest stint was on ABC’s Nightline where she worked as a Senior Producer covering politics, domestic economic and cultural issues and overseas assignments including the Rwandan genocide, the Iraq War. In her first post on the public editor blog, Sikka noted that she expects the PBS role to be different from other public editor gigs because “PBS is not a newsroom. PBS is not a network. PBS doesn’t really produce content. It is a distributor of content.” She explained, “The primary objective is to ensure that the organization lives up to its own standards of ethics and integrity in the programming it distributes. That means that when legitimate issues are raised by the audience I will look into them.” After earning a BA in Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, Sikka went on to earn her Masters from the University of Cambridge. Learn more about her here.
| |
The Intercept Adds Diverse Staff
Yesterday, The Beat DC told you that Shaun King and Aída Chávez had joined First Look Media. We’ve got more deets for you. King will be joining The Intercept as a columnist. “At my heart, I’m a confrontational journalist. At most outlets, that means I’m a square peg in a round hole, but not at The Intercept. Adversarial journalism isn’t the peculiar exception here – it’s the norm. That’s why I’m joining the team,” said King. Chávez will start soon as a political reporter for The Intercept. She speaks English, Spanish, French, and studied Arabic, allowing her to report on the impact of public policy on diverse communities. Maryam Saleh will also be joining The Intercept as its new Washington-based Associate Editor. Saleh worked as an immigration attorney before switching tracks and attending Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Her writing has appeared in U.S. News & World Report, Public Radio International, Syria Deeply, the Tampa Bay Times -- and The Intercept, where she has been an editorial fellow since July. Vanessa Gezari is joining The Intercept as its National Security Editor, and Kate Aronoff and Rachel M. Cohen are joining as contributing writers. Congrats to all! More here.
| |
|  |
WaPo's Jonathan Capehart with Utah congressional candidate Darlene McDonald. | |  |
Symone Sanders, Minyon Moore, Jotaka Eaddy, and Leah Daughtry at a CBCF-ALC event hosted by Starz on Thursday. | |
| | |
Latino Majority PAC Launches Latinos Against Trump Campaign
Yesterday, the Latino Majority PAC -- a new PAC targeting Latinos -- kicked off its "Latinos against Trump" campaign. The kickoff included a video from the group's Treasurer David Sánchez. Sánchez is a former congressional candidate and a former senior staffer of the Bernie Sanders campaign. Chuck Rocha, President of Solidarity Strategies, is serving as a Senior Advisor to the organization. "The Latino Majority PAC will serve as the polling, analytics and messaging arm of the larger Latino movement. Each year, we see millions of dollars spent on Polling and messaging to white people and never on people of color. We have decided to change that ourselves and help groups like Latino Victory Fund and NCLR Action Fund win even more races with our efforts," said Rocha. Learn more here.
| |
BlackPAC Invests $1M+ to Mobilize African American voters in Virginia
The Black Progressive Action Coalition (BlackPAC) has announced that it plans to spend $600,000 on voter education, including 100 paid canvassers, to talk to African American voters about the importance of voting to fight racism, voter suppression, and the economy. An affiliated PAC also plans to spend $500,000 on mailers and digital ads targeting Black voters. Adrianne Shropshire, Executive Director of BlackPAC, said that Black voters “feel under attack ... [canvassers] will talk to them about where candidates stand on the issues, talk to them about [the] importance of voting for candidates who will call out racism and white supremacy and talk to them about where candidates stand on the monuments.” Get more here from the WaPo.
| |
|  | NJ Lt. Governor Democratic nominee Sheila Oliver and Samsung's Derron Parks at an event in DC on Thursday. If elected, Oliver would become New Jersey's first African American female Lt. Governor. | |  | Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Shuwanza Goff, a Senior Advisor to Hoyer, share a moment at the CBCF ALC. | |
| | |
DOJ Preparing to Deport Undocumented Children
McClatchy reports that the Trump administration is weighing a new policy that would fast-track the deportation of thousands of Central American teenagers who arrived at the U.S. southern border unaccompanied by adults. Sources say the DOJ wants to avoid creating a new protected class of undocumented immigrants. This new policy would call for expedited deportation of another group -- the more than 150,000 children who arrived at the southern border alone, escaping violence and poverty in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. Read about it here.
| |
Dems Call On FEC to Help Prevent Foreign Governments from Using Social Media Ads to Influence Elections
In a bicameral letter to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) led on the House side by Congressman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), House and Senate leaders asked the FEC to consider new rules that would prevent foreign nationals from using online advertising platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, to influence U.S. elections. Following the revelation that Russia purchased Facebook advertisements during the 2016 election to attempt to influence American voters, there has been increasing concern about the lack of transparency in political ads in online advertising platforms. In the letter, the members expressed their concern that no guidelines exist for advertising platforms to better prevent foreign nationals from illicitly spending in future U.S. elections. “Foreign political activity is a direct assault on federal election law and the integrity of our elections. ... Social media platforms offer the ability to target millions of users based upon a wealth of highly-detailed information. As we have seen, the low cost of reaching these users equips hostile foreign actors with a powerful new tool for disruption of our democratic process. ... We encourage the Federal Election Commission to take immediate steps to understand the threats posed to our democratic process by foreign influenced internet and social media advertisement, and to promulgate new guidance on how advertising platforms can better prevent foreign nationals from illicitly spending in future U.S. elections,” said the letter, signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kamala Harris (D-CA), and Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), and Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), among others. More here.
| |
| FOMO Today - Sunday, 24th: The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference. Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W. Click here for more information.Today, 9:15A: A breakfast celebrating Andrew Gillum for Governor of Florida. 1905 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. Click here to RSVP. Today, 12:30P: A reception in support of NY State Assemblymember Michael Blake. Dirty Habit, 555 8th Street, N.W. Click here to RSVP. Today, 4:30P: A reception with Ben Jealous, Democratic candidate for Maryland governor. RSVP here (location provided upon RSVP). Sunday, September 24th, 7P: The WindDown Reception honoring the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Penthouse Pool Club, D.C. Invite only.
Monday, September 25th, 10A: The Federal Communications Commission Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment holds its first meeting in the Commission Meeting Room at FCC headquarters, 445 12th Street, S.W. Room TW-C305. Wednesday September 27th, 6P: The Hill Latino sponsors The Changing Face of America: Celebrating Latino Leaders. A reception with CHC Chair Congresswoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) and Congressmen Joaquín Castro (D-TX) and Will Hurd (R-TX). WeWork Dupont Circle, 1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Click here to RSVP.
Wednesday, September 27th, 7P: Tim Hwang, Founder and CEO of the Government Relationship Management platform FiscalNote will be speaking at the DC Tech Meetup, where hundreds of tech professionals will gather for a special edition of the Tech Titans Fireside Chat. Speakers also include Tom Davidson, the Co-Founder and CEO of the education technology innovator EVERFI, INC. DC Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Brian Kenner, will provide opening remarks. Click here to RSVP.
Wednesday, September 27th, 8P: The 4th Annual GreenLatinos Live! A Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration of La Madre Tierra. Featuring Los Gallos Negros and guest performances. The Hamilton, 600 14th Street, N.W. Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Friday, September 29th: The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund's (MALDEF) San Antonio Awards Gala. Click here for more information. Saturday, September 30th, 8P: Join Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) for Bruno Mars' 24K Magic Tour. Capital One Arena, 601 F Street, N.W. For more information or to RSVP, contact Sierra Kelley-Chung or Randy Broz at: 202.403.0606 or email: Sierra@ABConsultingDC.com Sunday, October 1st - October 3rd: The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce annual conference in Dallas. Click here for more information and to register.
Tuesday, October 3rd, 6:30P: The Arena Stage Dinner and Wine Auction. All proceeds support Arena Stage's award-winning artistic productions and community engagement programs. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact María Corso at: 202.600.4025 or rsvp@arenastage.org Wednesday, October 4th – 7th: The National Indian Education Association Convention in Orlando, FL. Click here to register. Thursday, October 5th: The 21st annual American Courage Awards reception at the Capital Hilton in DC sponsored by the group Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ). Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Thursday, October 5th, 6P: InnerCity Struggle honors Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) with the Esteban E. Torres Award at the 14th Annual Awards Dinner and Celebration. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Saturday, October 7th: The National LGBTQ Task Force gala in Miami. Click here for more information. Sunday, October 10th, 7P: NMAAHC presents, A Conversation with Ta-Nehisi Coates: We Were Eight Years in Power. Free. Sold out. Click here to be added to the wait list for available slots. Thursday, October 12th - 14th: Moving Mountains, A Southeast Asian American Equity Summit. Renaissance Washington Hotel, 999 Ninth Street, N.W. Click here to register.
Friday, October 13th - 15th: The Black44 Annual Retreat and Professional Development Weekend. Confirmed special guests: Valerie Jarrett, Former Senior Advisor and Assistant to President Obama for Intergovernmental Affairs and Michael Strautmanis, Vice President, Civic Engagement, The Obama Foundation. George Washington University, 805 21st Street, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, October 18th, 6P: We Act for Environmental Justice's 2017 Awards & Gala honors changemakers New York City Councilmember Costa Constantinides, Native American activist Dallas Goodtooth, The Raben Group's Robert Raben, Hip Hop Caucus Senior Vice President Mustafa Santiago Ali, NYC Council legislative attorney Samara Swanston, and 1199 SEIU Executive Vice President Estela Vázquez. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Sunday, October 22nd - Wednesday, October 25th: The National Minority Supplier Development Council annual conference in Detroit, MI. Click here for more information and to register. Saturday, October 28th - Monday, October 30th: The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) 31st Annual Conference in San Diego. Click here for more information and to register. Thursday, November 9th: Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund Los Angeles Awards Gala. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, November 29th, 8P: Join Congressman André Carson (D-IN) for JAY-Z's 4:44 Tour. Capital One Arena, 601 F Street, N.W. For more information or to RSVP, contact Courtney Hodges or Randy Broz at: 202.403.0606 or email: Courtney@ABConsultingDC.com
| |
| Powered by The Raben Group
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
