HUPAC WEEKLY ROUNDUP-01/18/2019
Well that was fast, the first member of Congress to announce his retirement barely made it two weeks into the new Congress before deciding he had enough of working in the nation's capital. Five term Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA-12) announced he would step down on January 23rd to take a job in the private sector. Marino's district is heavily Republican where he was re-elected by over 30 points in 2018. The Governor of Pennsylvania will have to set a date for a special election within 60 days of the resignation announcement. It is considered a safe seat for Republicans and they should have no trouble holding onto the seat. Many political pundits expect more retirement announcements throughout the year especially since many Republicans will grow tired of being in the minority after eight years in the majority.
In a rare showing of a political party rebuking their own, Rep. Steve King (R-IA-04) was removed from sitting on any congressional committee by Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy after King in an interview questioned when the terms "white nationalist, white supremacist and western civilization" became "offensive." King previously sat on the Judiciary, Agriculture, and Small business committees. McCarthy took action after several prominent Republicans called out the language used by King and some have asked he resign from Congress.
This is after many associations and corporations asked for their contributions back and the NRCC chair last cycle withdrew support for King after he had met with the Freedom Party of Austria back in October. The Freedom Party of Austria is a far right political party with associations to anti-Semitism. King had his closets election yet this cycle barely beating his Democratic challenger by less than 3 points in a seat that is safely Republican and where King usually won by 20 or more points.
Democrats with the support of some Republicans wanted the House of Representatives to censure King for his comments. However, Democratic leaders are a bit concerned about the precedent it would set on restricting members freedom of speech. Instead the two resolutions calling for King's censure have been referred to the House ethics committee rather than getting a vote on the House floor. But Democrats who brought up the censure got reassurances from leadership that if King were to make similar comments again they would let the censure come to the floor.
With a possible censure weighing over King's head and his committee assignments taken away he becomes a lot less effective as a member of Congress and his days may be numbered.
Events this Week
Chris Hartmann:
Chris attended an event for the DSCC. There he spoke with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) the new Chairwomen of the DSCC. Also there he spoke with Senators, Jack Reed (RI), Michael Bennet (CO), and Jacky Rosen (NV).
Chris attended a meet and greet for Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25). Chris also met with his chief of staff. The Congressman was close with our New York Chapter while he was in the state legislature.
The women of the Pennsylvania held a meet and greet that Chris attended. There Chris spoke with several of them about the role of a health insurance agent. Chris spoke with Representatives Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6) and Susan Wild (PA-7).
Events next Week
No events on the calendar.
Weekly Reading
What the Potential 2020 Candidates Are Doing and Saying
Anthony Perez
Director of Health Underwriters Political Action Committee
National Association of Health Underwriters
1212 New York Ave NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
01/11/2018- Legislative report from Peachtree Government Relations
To find a pre-Session report for the 2019 Session of the Georgia General Assembly.
Also, an interesting article. Check it out!
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Legislative Updates
Value of Membership