In 2019, some Legislative Republicans don’t understand rape

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 29th, 2019

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In 2019 some Legislative Republicans don’t understand rape.
(BISMARCK, ND) – Senate Bill 2185 allows judges to terminate the parental rights of somebody who pleaded guilty to or was convicted of a rape that led to the child’s birth. This was a great piece of Legislation until House Judiciary Chairman Kim Koppelman (R-West Fargo) brought forth and amendment exempting instances when “the parent is married to the victim of the sexual act.” Koppelman claimed he did not specifically push the amendment but audio from Wednesday’s meeting showed Koppelman introduced the amendment to fellow lawmakers before a brief discussion. In an unexpected pivot, he then said the reaction has been “blown way out of proportion.”In his 2018 re-election campaign, Koppelman was endorsed by Senator Hoeven and Governor Doug Burgum , with Senator Hoeven calling Rep. Koppelman an “experienced, effective legislator.” Apparently, the NDGOP thinks proposing amendments giving parental rights to rapists is what an “experienced, effective” state Representative does.

“When any lawmaker delegitimizes something as serious as rape, there is really no way you can blow that out of proportion,” said Alison Jones, Communication Director of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. “Sharron Roers-Jones, Steven Vetter, Aaron McWilliams, and Bernie Satrom and other House Republicans also sat on this committee, and none of them said anything. We all know Kim Koppelman has no legal training despite being the Chair of the Judiciary Committee, but you don’t need a law degree to understand rape is rape, no matter your relationship to the perpetrator. They should reconsider his amendment and pass the bill as it was introduced previously. Victims deserve better.”

Can Cramer, Hoeven, and Armstrong Keep their Promise?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 26th, 2019

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Can Cramer, Hoeven, and Armstrong Keep their Promise?
(BISMARCK, ND) – With news that the Administration’s Department of Justice will argue that the entire Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional, North Dakotans rightfully have a lot of questions if the ACA is overturned by the courts:

What will happen to the 20,000 North Dakotans who will lose the health insurance they have through Medicaid Expansion? 

What will happen to the over 316,000 North Dakotans with pre-existing conditions?

What will Congressman Armstrong and Senators Cramer and Hoeven do to protect those who would be impacted by the ACA being overturned?

“Congressman Armstrong and Senators Cramer and Hoeven promised North Dakotans that they would protect coverage for pre-existing conditions, while at the same time cheering for a Texas lawsuit that would rip them away for over 316,000 North Dakotans with pre-existing conditions,” said Alison Jones, Communications Director for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. “With the Administration’s reckless lawsuit risking coverage for pre-existing conditions and Medicaid Expansion, Armstrong, Cramer, and Hoeven owe North Dakotans who could instantaneously lose their health insurance an answer to what they will do if the lawsuit they’ve long supported is successful.”

2020 Budget Devastating To Farmers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 12th 2019

 

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Trump’s budget: Everyone loses, even his base 

(BISMARCK, ND) – The agriculture community agrees the 2020 proposed budget cuts are detrimental to farm country and rural America. Farmers have spoken out with opposition to the huge cuts to the USDA budget that have been proposed. Overall, USDA’s budget would be cut by 15%, including an apparent 8% cut, to $1.2 billion, for the department’s Agricultural Research Service.The requested budget calls for $20.8 billion for the USDA, a cut of $3.6 billion from the 2019 estimate. The budget calls its subsidies to farmers “overly generous.” Interesting wording considering they are going through the worst crisis in decades because of low commodity prices and Trump’s trade tariffs. The budget also proposes tightening around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which feeds roughly 40 million Americans and is administered by the Agriculture Department. The budget also cuts crop insurance and farm subsidies up to $28 million over the next decade. This is why many are calling farmers “losers” in this budget.

“It doesn’t take a fortune teller to guess how Congressman Kelly Armstrong and Senators Cramer and Hoeven will stand on this budget,” said Scott McNeil, Executive Director of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. “Their loyalty to anything Trump requests has never wavered, we don’t see this to be an exception. For the farmers that are being dealt an unfair hand,  this is an opportunity, for them to see who the Republican delegation stands for, North Dakota’s economy or the Administration.”

Armstrong Leaves Coal Miners in the Dark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 28th, 2019

 

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Armstrong leaving coal miners in the dark

(Bismarck, ND)- Last month U.S. House Democrats Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia and Frederica Wilson of Florida introduced a bipartisan bill that would ensure retired miners do not lose their health care. HR 934 is similar to a bill Congress passed with bipartisan support in 2017 that preserved the health-insurance benefits of retirees and widows when Patriot Coal filed for bankruptcy.

With news that retired employees of Westmoreland’s lignite coal fighting for their pensions and health care benefits, you would think Congressman Kelly Armstrong would readily sign on to this bill.

Unfortunately, Congressman Kelly Armstrong is too busy voting to cut military projects in North Dakota to care. Despite bipartisan support in the House, Congressman Armstrong refuses to support HR 934.

“Retired coal miners are literally going broke trying to stay alive, and Congressman Armstrong’s indifference to their struggle proves that he is not a leader fit to represent the people of North Dakota” said Alison Jones, Communications Director for the North Dakota Democratic-NPL. “Armstrong’s unwillingness to support a bill that will help our state’s coal miners is insulting to all North Dakotans, especially those who quite literally worked their lives away in the coal mines.”

After 3 Days, Gov. Burgum Refuses to Condemn Trump ‘Trail of Tears’ Tweet

“After Three Days, Governor Burgum Refuses to Condemn Trump’s Trail of Tears Tweet”

After Senator Elizabeth Warren announced her campaign for President, President Donald Trump tweeted “See you on the campaign TRAIL, Liz” in a reference to the Trail of Tears. The Trail of Tears was a forced relocation program that moved thousands of Native Americans from their homes to territories in the Western United States, causing the deaths of approximately 4,000 people.
“The Trail of Tears is one this country’s greatest shames,” said Warren Larson, chairman of the Democratic-NPL Party. “For a President to joke about such an event is offensive, but what is even more outrageous is Governor Burgum’s refusal to stand up for North Dakota’s native population. It’s clear that party loyalty is more important to the Governor that our state’s native communities.”
“After historic native turnout in 2018, Governor Burgum has all of sudden started acting like he is  concerned about the issues impacting native communities. However, until he denounces this offensive tweet, his recent focus on native issues is just that…an act.”

Dem-NPL Statement on Rep. Rick Becker

Dem-NPL Statement on Representative Rick Becker:

 

Dem-NPL Chairman Warren Larson issued the following statement regarding Representative Rick Becker’s (R-Bismarck) offensive Facebook post.

 

“Representative Becker’s Facebook post is offensive to victims of sexual assault and violence and beneath the office he holds. His refusal to apologize and the fact that he is fundraising off this controversy shows his indifference to the pain sexual assault victims face everyday.”

 

It is outrageous that Governor Burgum, the ND GOP, and ND GOP leaders continue to remain silent on this issue and show they apparently support his repulsive post and will put the members of their party over the people of North Dakota.”

Press Release: North Dakota House Republicans Oppose Democrats and President Trump on Paid Family Leave

“North Dakota House Republicans Oppose Democrats and President Trump on Paid Family Leave”

Yesterday afternoon, Republicans in the North Dakota House nearly unanimously opposed HB 1509, sponsored by Rep. Karla Rose Hanson (D-Fargo). HB 1509 would establish a paid family leave program by requiring employers and employees where there are 50 or more individuals employed, to fund a paid family leave bank, where eligible employees who need to take time off to care for a family member like a newborn child or sick relative, would be eligible for 66% of their salary, up to $4,000 a month.

 

While North Dakota House Republicans were rejecting a paid family leave on Tuesday afternoon, on Tuesday evening, President Trump announced his proposal for a paid family leave program paid by employees and employers and managed at the state level.

 

“Paid family leave is a good common sense idea to help working families and I am glad that President Trump agrees. President Trump’s proposal is a good first step” said Warren Larson, Chair of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party. “It is unfortunate that House Republicans yesterday put partisanship over North Dakota working families. Now that President Trump has proposed paid family leave legislation, I predict that a lot of North Dakota Republicans in the Legislature will all of sudden find themselves supporting Rep. Hanson’s bill.”

North Dakota Republicans tell North Dakotans: “We’re smarter than you”

North Dakota Republicans tell North Dakotans: “We’re smarter than you.”
Yesterday the North Dakota legislators heard two very different pieces of legislation to implement
Measure 1, which was supported by 54% of North Dakota voters during the last election.
SB 2148 filed by Senator Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) would honor the will of the voters by clarifying
behavior by legislators and lobbyists and establish an ethics commission.

On the other hand, HB 1521 proposed by House Majority Leader Chet Pollert (R-Carrington) is
being supported by the lobbyists and special interests who want to undo last November’s election
and will weaken the intent of Measure 1. In addition. Pollert appointed Rep. Jim Kasper
(R-Fargo), known for taking advantage of lobbyist funded trips to Antigua as chair of the
Ethics committee which heard HB 1521.

“By supporting HB 1521 Republicans in the Legislature are saying that they think they are smarter
than North Dakota voters.” said Warren Larson, Chairman of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL
Party.

“Both Democrats and Republicans have a responsibility to take the results of Measure 1
seriously. Senator Mathern’s bill shows Dem-NPLers will follow the will of the voters, while by
filing HB 1521 and appointing another lobbyist sponsored traveler  ‘Antigua’ Jim Kasper as
Chair of the House Ethics Committee Chet Pollert and legislative Republicans show their
arrogance and their indifference towards the voters that put them in office in the first place.”

Dem-NPL Statement on Senate Vote on SB 2303

Dem-NPL Statement on Senate Vote on SB 2303: 
Dem-NPL Chairman Warren Larson issued the following statement after the Senate’s failure to pass SB 2303, which would have outlawed discrimination in housing and employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Once again Senate Republicans are on the wrong side of history and only giving lip service to retaining and attracting new people to North Dakota. It is no secret that North Dakota companies are struggling to recruit new employees and that North Dakota faces challenges in diversifying its economy.
Until Senate Republicans pass legislation that protects all North Dakotans from discrimination, they cannot say they are serious about addressing these problems.”

Dem-NPL Statement on the Re-Opening of the Government

Dem-NPL Statement on the Re-Opening of the Government: 
Dem-NPL Chairman Warren Larson issued the following statement after President Trump announced he would reopen the government without any funding for a border wall.
“Senators Cramer and Hoeven, as well as Congressman Armstrong held North Dakota federal employees, their families, and all North Dakotans who rely on the federal government hostage for over a month over funding for a border wall they knew they were never going to get.
If this is how Senators Cramer and Hoeven and Congressman Armstrong view fighting for North Dakotans I have one request. Please stop!”

Dem-NPL Chairman Larson’s Comments on Government Shutdown

North Dakota Democratic-NPL Chairman Warren Larson issued the following statement after Senators Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven voted to continue the government shutdown.

 

“The simple truth is that once again Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven chose the Administration and national Republicans over North Dakotans. Senators Cramer and Hoeven chose to support a proposal from the Administration that has no chance of passing the House and reject the same clean proposal to re-open the government that unanimously passed the Senate a few weeks ago.

North Dakotans are suffering from this shutdown. Federal workers throughout North Dakota have not received a paycheck in over a month and are struggling to provide for their families basic life needs, and to make ends meet.  You would think that Senators Cramer and Hoeven would be fighting for North Dakotans and their families who are being hurt by the shutdown. Perhaps, since Kevin Cramer is a federal employee who continues to receive a paycheck during the shutdown he cannot understand the pain he and Senator Hoeven are inflicting on thousands of North Dakotans.”

What’s Driving North Dakotans to the Polls

(BISMARCK, ND) – This election will come down to who puts North Dakota first, not a political party or personal ambition and on every issue –health care, trade, Social Security and Medicare, and independence – that’s Heidi Heitkamp. Kevin Cramer? He’s put himself first time and again.

HEALTH CARE: Cramer’s health care agenda would be disastrous for North Dakota. If Cramer had his way, North Dakotans ages 50-64 could be charged more for their care, lifetime caps could be reinstated, and folks with pre-existing conditions could be charged exorbitantly more for their care or even be denied coverage outright.

Cramer knows that his agenda is deeply unpopular with North Dakotans – that’s why he’s spent months trying to cover up his real record. But here’s the truth: Cramer’s votes to repeal or undermine the current health care law – including his five votes to repeal it without a replacement – and his support for the partisan lawsuit that would eliminate the current law would jeopardize the protections North Dakotans have come to rely on.

TRADE: Cramer’s decision to put party loyalty over North Dakota has entrenched the state’s farmers, manufacturers, and ranchers in the administration’s disastrous trade war. Since the day he deleted a tweet stating his “opposition to tariffs” – the same day he stated that voting against the president was akin to cheating on your wife – Cramer has been one of the trade war’s biggest cheerleaders, despite clear evidence it’s harming the state:

  • CNBC: ‘Refugee’ soybeans in the Dakotas seek a home after China stops buying because of the trade war
  • Forum: ND ag bankers riding the ‘black swan’: Soy tariff damage will last up to 5 years, economist says
  • Washington Post: North Dakota soybean farmers, caught in the trade war, watch the season run out on their crop

  • Foreign Policy: Trump’s Trade War With China Could Hit Energy Exports

But Cramer doesn’t seem to care. He’s belittled anyone who disagrees with him, accusing farmers of being hysterical and saying they “don’t have a very high pain threshold.” What’s more, his actions and rhetoric “almost derailed” grain grading trade negotiations with Canada.

SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE: Cramer let the truth slip when he admitted that “everything [is] on the table” when it comes to making changes to Social Security and Medicare. But Cramer knows his intentions don’t represent North Dakota values and so, because it’s an election year, he’s trying to paper it over. That’s why he’s earned the nickname “one of the best fudge masters in Washington, D.C.”

PARTY FEALTY: Cramer’s pledge to stand with the president 100 percent of the time is out of step with North Dakota values. Voters in North Dakota don’t want a puppet or loyal lapdog who will do whatever he’s told. They want an independent thinker who will work across the aisle to get results for North Dakota – and that’s Heidi Heitkamp.

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