June 20, 2008

The Democratic National Committee today filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the U.S. Department of State seeking information about possible violations of the Hatch Act in connection to John McCain's events in Ottawa today. The FOIA request follows reports that McCain campaign officials requested assistance in arranging a $100-a-plate luncheon speech from U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins. Full release

In a 7-2 decision in Chamber of Commerce of the United States et al. v. Brown et al., the United States Supreme Court ruled that states may no longer restrict employers' rights to communicate with their employees about unionization. The Court ruled that the state of California had wrongfully denied employers the right to curtail and counteract certain union organizing actions. Legislation similar to California's Assembly Bill (AB) 1889 has been proposed in at least 15 other states. Full release

Labor groups led by the United Auto Workers (UAW), Building Trades and Operating Engineers are urging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass HR 4115, which would create more than 3,000 good jobs for Michigan by settling a century-old land claim for the state's largest Indian tribe.
Full release

Yesterday, Barack Obama Announced He Will Opt Out Of The Public Financing System In The General Election: Obama Has Declined Public Financing In The General Election, Calling It A "Broken System." "In a web video emailed to supporters, Obama asks his supporters to help him 'declare our independence from a broken system.' Of course, it's not so much a broken system that explains why he's passing on the FEC's $80+million. He will easily raise more than he could ever get in public funding." (Jonathan Martin, "Obama Opts Out Of Public Financing," The Politico's "Jonathan Martin" Blog, http://www.politico.com, 6/19/08) Full release

The following Op-Ed by Victor Davis Hanson was issued by the Republican National Committee: [E]xactly what kind of change can Mr. Obama bring if he's elected in November? Foreign Policy: Take Mr. Obama's foreign-policy pronouncements... Two doctrines are most prominent. One is to engage our enemies and be nicer to our allies. The other calls for leaving Iraq on a set timetable. Full release

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved $390 million for the Legal Services Corporation's (LSC) FY 2009 budget yesterday, a $40 million, or 11 percent increase over current funding levels, and the same amount recommended by a House subcommittee last week. Full release

John McCain claims he is following campaign finance laws. But the reality is when it's inconvenient to his campaign, Senator McCain thinks the rules don't apply to him -- even going as far as breaking the law. Senator McCain is violating campaign laws by using a corporate jet for campaign events but not reimbursing the corporation for the cost of the trips. And he is skirting FEC regulations for the primary by unilaterally withdrawing from the FEC's matching funds program that financially benefited his campaign -- a move FEC Chair DavidMason raised questions about months ago. [johnmccain.com, accessed 6/19/08; Wall Street Journal, 6/18/08] Full release

Media From Around The Country Has Criticized Obama's Decision To Opt Out Of The Public Financing System: "Barack Obama's Shift Away From A Public Financing Program Has Drawn Fire From Republicans, But It's Also Irked His Sometime Allies In The Good Government Community." (Kenneth Vogel, "Obama Move Irks Reform Allies," The Politico, 6/19/08) Full release

Executive Research Associates and Manchester Trade are holding a Conference of eminent international speakers entitled "Darfur and its Impact on Sudan and the Region" on June 25, 2008, from 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM at The Madison Hotel in Washington, DC. Full release

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a negotiated emergency spending bill for our troops: "After months of delay, Democrats finally reached out to Republicans to produce a must-pass troop funding bill that does right by our men and women in harm's way and for the American people." Full release

Archive of Previous Posts