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The 69th Legislative Assembly has come to an end! Please help us improve our newsletter with your feedback! If you would like to have something added to the newsletter, email us at laura.dronen@demnpl.com. Spread the word about our newsletter by sharing our sign-up link today: https://demnpl.com/join-our-newsletter/.
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2025 Rural Progress Summit
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Hosted by One Country Project
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Tuesday, July 8th – Thursday, July 10th, 2025
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This summer you can join One Country Project board members, influential speakers, policy experts, national leaders, and rural advocates for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit July 8th - 10th. The keynote conversation will feature Sec. Pete Buttigieg in a virtual fireside chat with Sen. Heitkamp. As a former Transportation Secretary and small city mayor, Pete Buttigieg has the ability to speak knowledgeably and clearly on the biggest issues facing our country.
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The Rural Progress Summit reaches rural Americans where they are. It’s clear that rural America holds an essential role in moving our country forward and deciding who controls the agenda in Washington, D.C., yet rural America is often left out of important policy decisions. The Rural Progress Summit explores ideas and policies that will shape the future of rural America. The Summit brings together rural stakeholders from across the country to ensure future policy addresses the challenges rural communities face. Follow us to keep up with details on programming and speakers as we get closer to the Summit.
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Cass County Democratic-NPL Policy Meeting
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Tues, Jul 8, 5:30pm-6:30pm CDT
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1325 23rd St S, Suite B, Fargo
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Our monthly meeting which includes representatives from the 11 Legislative Districts in Cass County, elected Legislators and staff.
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Souris Valley Dem-NPL July Monthly Meeting
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Tues, Jul 8, 6:00pm-7:30pm CDT
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Parker Center
21 1st Ave. SE, Minot
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Join the Souris Valley Dem-NPL at our July Monthly Meeting!
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All Democrats and Nonpartisan Leaguers in Minot and the surrounding area are welcome as we discuss news and upcoming events.
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We will be meeting at the Parker Center (21 1st Ave SE, Minot, ND) on Tuesday, July 8th. There will be a social from 6PM – 6:30PM followed by the meeting from 6:30PM – 7:30PM.
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We look forward to seeing you there!
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Drinks and Discussion with Dems
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Wed, Jul 16, 5:00pm-6:30pm CDT
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El Zagal Shrine Fargo
1429 3rd Street North, Fargo
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Our informal get-together to talk about current events, brainstorm on activities we can do together as a two district partnership, and just enjoy each others’ company in general.
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How to Democrat in the Age of Trump Book Study – hosted by District 44 & 45 Dems
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Wed, Jul 16, 7:00pm-8:00pm CDT
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The District 44 & 45 Dems are hosting a book study and all are welcome to join! We’ll be reading How to Democrat in the Age of Trump by Mike Lux. It’s a short but impactful book to guide where we go from here.
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District 21 Summer Connection Series - July Coffee and Connect
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Sat, Jul 19, 9:00am-10:30am CDT
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Sweet Dreams Confections
4101 13th Ave S 1000, Fargo
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Join us at Sweet Confections for D21's July Summer Connection!
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Enjoy coffee and conversation with our local representatives! We will be there from 9:00-10:30am
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Century Club Appreciation Event 4e Winery 2025
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Sun, Jul 20, 3:00pm-5:00pm CDT
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4e Winery
3766 156th Ave SE, Mapleton
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Join us for a lovely afternoon at 4e Winery!
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People's Townhall with Trygve Hammer - Minot
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Thu, Jul 31, 7:00pm-8:30pm CDT
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Carnegie Center
105 2nd Ave SE, Minot, ND 58701
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Real change starts with real conversations. Trygve Hammer, 2024 Democratic-NPL Congressional Candidate, is a retired Marine Corps officer and a veteran of the Global War on Terror. In his civilian life, he's taught 7-12 grade science in a rural school, worked as a roughneck on oil rigs in the Bakken, as a freight rail conductor, and as a counselor for Job Corps in Minot, aiming to give young people a hand up in starting their lives. On Thursday, July 31, 7 pm at Carnegie Center in Minot, he'll answer your questions about the issues our nation faces today.
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People’s Town Halls are happening in all 50 states and 7 territories! They are your chance to connect with neighbors, community leaders, and organizers to discuss the issues that matter most. These events are open, inclusive, and built to amplify your voice! Check out more here: https://democrats.org/peoples-town-halls/
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Help us spread our message—share these recent posts!
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Trump’s bill sparks fierce divide in North Dakota
“It’s simple: these politicians answer to Donald Trump, not their North Dakota constituents,” said House Minority Leader Zachary Ista, D-Grand Forks. “He demanded this bill pass by the Fourth of July, and our federal delegation fell in line without asking questions. Unlike Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who fought for Alaska, our lawmakers didn’t have the juice or the will to negotiate a better deal for North Dakota. They think we won’t notice the crushing impacts before the next election — but I believe voters have long memories and will hold these rubber-stamp Republicans accountable at the ballot box.”
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What We Lose if Medicaid or The ACA is Cut
Former Congressman Earl Pomeroy is on Afternoons Live with Tyler Axness to discuss the potential cuts to Medicaid and The ACA found in President Trump's budget bill.
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Jim Shaw and Dr. Stephen McDonough cover measles outbreak, vaccines, and take your calls
Joel Heitkamp is taking some time off ahead of Independence Day, and has Jim Shaw taking his place. Jim Shaw in an Inforum Columnist, former WDAY TV reporter and former KVRR TV news director. Jim is joined by former North Dakota Public Health Officer Dr. Stephen McDonough to talk about the measles outbreak in the state, vaccines, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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Jamie Selzler is joined by Jane Kleeb to go over Trump's "big, beautiful bill"
Jamie Selzler is North Dakota's DNC Committeeman and is filling in for Joel Heitkamp on "News and Views." He's joined by Jane Kleeb to have a conversation about the Senate's vote on President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" and how it'll impact rural states.
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Jane Kleeb is the President of the Association of State Democratic Committees and Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party.
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North Dakota Ethics Commission makes first finding of violations by public official
The North Dakota Ethics Commission found Rep. Jason Dockter committed three ethics violations related to his ownership of a Bismarck building, but the agency did not hand down any penalties for the lawmaker.
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The announcement, released Friday evening, marks the first time the commission has declared that a public official engaged in unethical behavior.
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Letter: Have some trust in North Dakotans, Rep. Fedorchak
Surely the congresswoman—and our other congressional delegates—have a better opinion of North Dakota residents than to think they are in danger if they face us. I’m sure that in her role as public service commissioner there were times she faced constituents who had strong opinions about issues reviewed by the Commission.
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MN Senator Kupec and ND Senator Boschee speak to Ethics Commission and Big, Beautiful Bill
Minnesota State Senator Rob Kupec is joined in the KFGO studio by North Dakota State Senator Josh Boschee. Senator Boschee speaks to news regarding an opinion from the Ethics Commission that deals with campaign funds. Senator Kupec also asks him some questions on President Trump's "big, beautiful bill."
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North Dakota May Lose More Than $100 Million in Federal Funding
Zac Ista, House Minority Leader in North Dakota, is on Afternoons Live with Tyler Axness to discuss how these cuts have already impacted North Dakota and weather or not the Legislature will have to return for special session to address the cuts.
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Letter: Robin Hood in reverse
The U.S. Congress is now working on something called "one big, beautiful bill" or OBBB (yes they actually gave it that name). It gives tax breaks to the wealthy while doing great damage to the safety net. Robin Hood in reverse.
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Shaw: Refugees shamefully blocked from coming to North Dakota
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“We do humanitarian work,” North Dakota field director for Global Refuge Dan Hannaher told me. “It’s what the U.S. is. We have all come from immigrant families. It’s the country’s identity.”
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He’s right. Until now, the U.S. was the leader of the free world. We were humane. We recognized many people around the world are persecuted and facing death because of anything from their race to their religion to their political identity. So, after being thoroughly vetted for many years, we took in about 1%of the refugees who applied.
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So many of them have come to North Dakota and become success stories. They have worked hard and become productive taxpayers and consumers. Employers around here love them because of their work ethic and because they fill many job openings. The refugees are truly grateful to be here, and they have enriched our community.
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Millions in federal money frozen for after-school programs in North Dakota
If the funding doesn’t arrive for the 21st Century Community Learning Center program alone, nearly 7,000 students would be without access to after-school care, over 100 sites could be forced to shut down and 565 people could lose their jobs, according to the release.
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Port: North Dakota's delegation needs to be loyal to the Constitution first, Trump second
North Dakota's delegation is made up of Republicans who are loyal to Trump, but before partisan loyalty should come fidelity to the role of Congress and its duties under our constitutional system.
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Medicaid cuts loom for hundreds of thousands of Midwesterners in ‘big, beautiful bill’
“If people don't have coverage, they don’t get their preventative care and regular wellness checks. Then, you have hospitals and physicians that aren’t getting paid for the services,” he said.
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Check out these messages from national Democrats
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Republicans' big bill could hit rural hospitals hard
"They're very concerned because Medicaid rates are so high in rural America that these cuts will be very detrimental. They'll cause more hospitals to close. They'll tax rural health clinics," Tribble told All Things Considered host Juana Summers.
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‘This is not a luxury’: Families in Trump states agonize over GOP’s proposed Medicaid cuts
Courtney Leader is a mother of five children, one of whom has cerebral palsy and relies on Medicaid assistance in addition to private insurance to help keep her daughter alive. CNN's Jeff Zeleny speaks to families and organizations in Missouri about the potential cuts to Medicaid, food programs and rural hospitals in President Donald Trump's domestic policy bill.
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Leaked Iran Call Further Shreds Trump’s Narrative: Report
Iranian government officials in a phone call said that the U.S. military strikes against its nuclear facilities were not as damaging or extensive as they had expected, further undermining the Trump administration’s narrative that they were “completely and totally obliterated.” The Washington Post first reported the call, citing four people familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter.
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia describes ‘severe beatings’ and ‘psychological torture’ in Salvadoran prison
“Upon arrival at CECOT, the detainees were greeted by a prison official who stated, ‘Welcome to CECOT. Whoever enters here doesn’t leave,’” according to the account. “Plaintiff Abrego Garcia was then forced to strip, issued prison clothing, and subjected to physical abuse including being kicked in the legs with boots and struck on his head and arms to make him change clothes faster. His head was shaved with a zero razor, and he was frog-marched to cell 15, being struck with wooden batons along the way.”
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A “Striking” Trend: After Texas Banned Abortion, More Women Nearly Bled to Death During Miscarriage
Now, a new ProPublica data analysis adds empirical weight to the mounting evidence that abortion bans have made the common experience of miscarriage — which occurs in up to 30% of pregnancies — far more dangerous. It is based on hospital discharge data from Texas, the largest state to ban abortion, and captures emergency department visits from 2017 to 2023, the most recent year available.
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In a record-long speech, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries blasts Republicans and delays Trump megabill
“As I take my seat, I just want to say to the American people that no matter what the outcome is on this singular day, we’re going to press on,” he said, going on to list more than a dozen groups he would “press on” for.
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“Press on for the left behind,” he said, as lawmakers echoed his call. “Press on for the rule of law. Press on for the American way of life. Press on for democracy. We’re going to press on until victory is won. I yield back.”
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Despite Lisa Murkowski’s Deals, Alaskans Will Suffer Under Trump’s Tax Bill
Another “super concerning” aspect of the bill for Alaska residents relates to the state not having any Level 1 Trauma Centers, said Liz Pancotti, the managing director of policy and advocacy at Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive economic policy think tank.
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When Alaskans need Level 1 trauma care, which is the highest level of trauma care for critically injured patients, they are transported via medical evacuation to hospitals in Washington state, Pancotti said. Murkowski may have gotten reassurances from Trump officials that hospitals in her state can access the $50 billion rural hospital fund to offset its Medicaid cuts, but those assurances won’t likely apply to hospitals in Washington state.
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“Who knows if that state, which has a Democrat governor and Democrat senators, is going to get any money out of the rural hospital stabilization fund,” she said. “Probably not. And also, they’re not rural. Their centers are on the coast or in the cities.”
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Judge halts RFK Jr.'s health agency restructuring
A federal judge in Rhode Island on Tuesday ordered HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to halt his reorganization of federal health agencies, in response to a lawsuit brought by 19 Democratic-led states.
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The GOP's massive bill would add trillions of dollars to the country's debt
"The level of blatant disregard we just witnessed for our nation's fiscal condition and budget process is a failure of responsible governing," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. "These are the very same lawmakers who for years have bemoaned the nation's massive debt, voting to put another $4 trillion on the credit card."
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'DEVASTATING': Red state governor says 200,000 residents will lose health care because of bill
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., joins Morning Joe to discuss how the president's budget bill will impact the residents of his state.
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Obama and Bush call Trump’s USAID closure a ‘travesty’ as report warns of 14 million extra deaths
Barack Obama and George W Bush have criticised the closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), as a study warned it could result in “a staggering number” of avoidable deaths – more than 14 million over five years.
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The former US presidents made rare public criticisms of the Trump administration as they took part in a video farewell for USAID staffers on Monday on its last day as an independent organisation.
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Pharma Giant Roche Hires Trump to Sell Swanky Condo
Roche has had its fair share of high-stakes dealing with the Trump administration over the last few months. As a Swiss-based drug company, it potentially has a lot to lose from Trump’s tariffs—the standard tariff of 10 percent is supposed to rise to 31 percent on many of its products. In April, Roche made a splash by announcing it would be investing up to $50 billion in the United States and creating as many as 12,000 jobs—a move that would theoretically help it avoid tariffs by moving some manufacturing to the US. The company’s CEO told investors that the firm was in ongoing discussions with the White House about the tariffs, and a few days later, Roche’s announcement earned praise from the administration.
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Republicans Finally Pass Their Sweeping Reconciliation Bill
Rep. Andy Ogles — who introduced an amendment that would have undone all of the Senate’s changes to the legislation — called the bill “Frankenstein.”
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Rep. David Valadao — who represents a California Central Valley district that is highly dependent on Medicaid — said he was a “no” on a bill that cut more than the House-approved $793 billion from the program.
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski — who fought to shield her state from the most severe Medicaid and food assistance cuts in the measure — called the bill “not good enough for the rest of our nation.”
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Sen. Josh Hawley — who wrote a New York Times op-ed warning about backlash to the reconciliation bill — said centering Medicaid cuts was “morally wrong and politically suicidal.”
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Rep. Keith Self called it “broken.” Rep. Chip Roy called it “a travesty.” Rep. Ralph Norman said it was “mortgaging our future.”
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JD Vance: Sending ICE Billions Is More Important Than Your Grandma’s Medicaid
Yes, that’s right: According to the vice president, stripping 17 million people of health insurance is but a small detail. Did he consult Joni “We all are gonna die” Ernst before posting his thoughts? Feels like he might have, but, then again, maybe he came up with these gems on his own.
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How Trump’s USAID Cuts Wrecked Lives and Killed Children (w/ Nick Kristof)
A miracle food paste for malnourished children, that taxpayers have already paid for, is collecting dust in warehouses. Drugs donated to fight parasitic infections remain undistributed and are nearing their expiration dates. American-purchased ambulances sit idle because they have no gas. USAID was shut down in the name of government efficiency, but instead, we've spent at least $6 billion to dismantle it—and we've killed a lot of kids in the process, despite what Elon and Marco Rubio say.
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The Century Club supports our year-round work to build party infrastructure supporting candidate recruitment, local district and regional leadership, issue-based education, and tools for Dem-NPL success.
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Help us elect great Democrats up and down the ballot!
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The North Dakota Democratic-NPL is launching a new grassroots program called “Neighbor to Neighbor” where volunteers will connect with voters in your community to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. As a volunteer, you will be responsible for connecting with voters in 25 homes in your neighborhood or friends and family to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot about 3-4 times this year.
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Grassroots organizers are the lifeblood of the Dem-NPL! Sign up to volunteer with the Dem-NPL!
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