Latest news with #314Action
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Progressive PAC slams RFK Jr.'s swim in contaminated river: ‘Doesn't give a damn' about grandchildren
The progressive political action committee 314 Action launched a new ad campaign on Monday, slamming Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as he comes up on his first 100 days in office, ridiculing him for his recent swim in a D.C.-area river that has long been deemed unsafe due to contamination. In a new 30-second ad, 314 Action presented Kennedy's swim in Rock Creek as absurd, posting it next to two facetious headlines saying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered drone strikes from a steam bath and another saying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shot and killed another dog. Kennedy posted photos of himself and his grandchildren swimming in Rock Creek last week on social media. Swimming has been illegal in most of D.C.'s waterways since the 1970s, largely because of contamination from the District's aging sewer system, and the National Park Service has stated 'swimming and wading are not allowed due to high bacteria levels.' 'RFK Jr. ignored 'keep out signs' and jumped into a river with his grandkids contaminated by raw sewage,' the ad by 314 Action states. 'RFK Jr. has presided over the worst measles outbreak in decades and cut billions in life-saving medical research. If RFK Jr. doesn't care about the health of his own grandchildren, he doesn't give a damn about yours.' Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action, said Kennedy has 'turned the nation's top health office into a public health disaster' in his first 100 days as HHS Secretary. 314 Action focuses on getting Democrats with backgrounds in STEM elected to public office. Successful candidates they've backed include Democratic Reps. Janelle Bynum (Ore.), George Whitesides (Calif.) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). 'He's not just incompetent — he's dangerous. Under his watch, we've seen the worst measles outbreak in decades, billions slashed from life-saving research, and a brutal plan to gut Medicaid for millions,' added Naughton. 'RFK Jr. will be remembered not as a leader, but as a reckless conspiracy theorist who put children, seniors, and vulnerable Americans in mortal danger.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Progressive PAC slams RFK Jr.'s swim in contaminated river: ‘Doesn't give a damn' about grandchildren
The progressive political action committee 314 Action launched a new ad campaign on Monday, slamming Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as he comes up on his first 100 days in office, ridiculing him for his recent swim in a D.C.-area river that has long been deemed unsafe due to contamination. In a new 30-second ad, 314 Action presented Kennedy's swim in Rock Creek as absurd, posting it next to two facetious headlines saying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered drone strikes from a steam bath and another saying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shot and killed another dog. Kennedy posted photos of himself and his grandchildren swimming in Rock Creek last week on social media. Swimming has been illegal in most of D.C.'s waterways since the 1970s, largely because of contamination from the District's aging sewer system, and the National Park Service has stated 'swimming and wading are not allowed due to high bacteria levels.' 'RFK Jr. ignored 'keep out signs' and jumped into a river with his grandkids contaminated by raw sewage,' the ad by 314 Action states. 'RFK Jr. has presided over the worst measles outbreak in decades and cut billions in life-saving medical research. If RFK Jr. doesn't care about the health of his own grandchildren, he doesn't give a damn about yours.' Shaughnessy Naughton, President of 314 Action, said Kennedy has 'turned the nation's top health office into a public health disaster' in his first 100 days as HHS Secretary. 314 Action focuses on getting Democrats with backgrounds in STEM elected to public office. Successful candidates they've backed include Democratic Reps. Janelle Bynum (Ore.), George Whitesides (Calif.) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). 'He's not just incompetent — he's dangerous. Under his watch, we've seen the worst measles outbreak in decades, billions slashed from life-saving research, and a brutal plan to gut Medicaid for millions,' added Naughton. 'RFK Jr. will be remembered not as a leader, but as a reckless conspiracy theorist who put children, seniors, and vulnerable Americans in mortal danger.'
Medscape
15-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Group Aims to Elect 100 Doctors By 2030
Amy Acton, MD, MPH, wasn't accustomed to the spotlight. When Acton was appointed to lead the Ohio Department of Health in 2019, her top priorities were infant mortality and youth homelessness. Then came COVID-19. Acton quickly became the state's face of public health. Although many Ohioans hailed her as a hero, armed protesters angry about mandatory lockdowns showed up at her house. Acton resigned as the state health director just over 3 months into the pandemic. But she hasn't turned her back on public life — in January, she announced her candidacy for governor of Ohio in 2026. Acton said she feels called to address the state's declining public health. In Ohio, 'we went from having some of the best health outcomes to some of the worst, in terms of how long we live, our smoking rates, our diabetes rates and infant mortality,' Acton told Medscape Medical News in an interview. 'I can't look away when we're going back.' Acton's frequent media appearances during the pandemic helped hone her public speaking skills — a good preparation for life on the campaign trail. She said she had help from seasoned political advisors who have guided women into governor's offices in other states. She also consulted Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former NASA astronaut. Learning The Ropes Although running for office can be a daunting transition for doctors who are used to working one-on-one with patients, a handful of groups help doctors learn the ropes. AMPAC, the American Medical Association (AMA)'s political action committee, organizes candidate workshops and campaign schools for doctors. AMPAC also contributes up to $5000 to a candidate's campaign per election, including a primary, general, runoff, or special election. AMPAC can contribute directly to a campaign or make gifts in kind. The group also can pay for ads endorsing a candidate, send direct mail through the AMA's political education fund, and use corporate dollars to educate voters. Although AMPAC is bipartisan, it encourages candidates to uphold key principals of public health. For example, it discourages candidates from accepting money from tobacco companies or groups that oppose evidence-based public health measures to reduce firearm violence. A $25-Million Campaign to Recruit Physician Candidates A political action committee called 314 Action has recruited and supported scientists as political candidates since 2016. Now, the left-leaning group has pledged to spend $25 million to elect 100 progressive doctors to state and national offices by 2030. The $25 million includes both direct contributions to candidates early in their campaigns, as well as providing advice and training. 'There's so much behind the scenes that goes into guiding these candidates through the decision to run, helping them have a strong and impactful launch, and then advising and training them throughout their campaign,' said Grace Silva, 314 Action's spokeswoman. 'We've got an incredible team of experienced campaign managers and finance directors who work closely in these campaigns.' For example, 314 Action commissioned a poll about voter interest in electing a doctor and whether they would support Action or the Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The survey found that voters gave both candidates roughly equal support. 'It's really hard to break into politics when you don't come from that traditional political background,' said Shaughnessy Naughton, a chemist who ran for Congress as a Democrat in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014. Shaughnessy lost the race but founded 314 Action and now serves as its president. While most first-time candidates can't afford to hire a full-time campaign manager, Naughton said, 'we have very senior–level staffers that act in that capacity to help launch these campaigns until they're able to bring on paid staff.' Doctors' voices are urgently needed today to defend public health, Naughton said. The workforce of the US Department of Health and Human Services has been cut by 25% as part of President Trump's restructuring of the federal government. Acton also cited cuts to health programs such as Meals on Wheels, which combat hunger and isolation among older adults, as motivating her to run for governor. 'As physicians, we have to get out there and use our voices,' Acton said. The White House did not respond to Medscape Medical News ' request for comment. Natural Strengths as Candidates Doctors have a number of advantages as political candidates. Although some studies showed that trust in doctors declined during the pandemic, other studies showed that most Americans view physicians positively. In surveys, people report much more trust in doctors and nurses — the most trusted of all professionals — than politicians. Although running for office is challenging, Acton said, 'it's strange how well suited you are with the skill sets we have. Physicians are natural problem solvers.' Arvind Venkat, MD, who served as president of his state's emergency physicians organization, also became a public figure during the pandemic, when he appeared on local TV three times a week to answer questions about how to stay safe. 'We go into the field because we want to help people,' said Venkat, who was elected to represent Allegheny County in the Pennsylvania state legislature in 2023. Trust in Medicine – And Politics 'Politics is also about building a trusting relationship with people, but on a widespread basis,' Venkat said. 'I actually think that having a career in medicine — and being able to empathize with people — provides critical skills for anyone who's thinking about running for office.' Venkat said he's drawn on his healthcare experience when working on healthcare issues, such as protecting consumers from medical debt. But Venkat said he's also learned about subjects as diverse as energy, the environment, and public infrastructure. 'When you're a physician, you're a lifelong learner,' Venkat said. 'You're used to assimilating new sources of information. And as a physician, you understand the importance of unintended consequences. We're always taught to do no harm.' Obstacles to Running For Office As an emergency physician, Venkat said he has experience working in 'high-pressure environments,' which helps him keep his cool when making high-stakes decisions. But the political process can move at a frustratingly slow pace for doctors used to working quickly and independently, said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a family doctor and emergency physician, who co-chairs the Guardians of Health campaign. 'The biggest hurdle for me was being patient enough with the political process to get change done,' Green said. 'I was used to seeing a patient, prescribing a treatment and getting a result. In the emergency room, we're very driven to take action quickly. That's not how government works.' Green said he's legally barred from working as a doctor while serving as a governor. But Shaughnessy noted that many elected positions are part-time, especially in local government, allowing doctors to represent voters while continuing to see patients. Venkat, a full-time legislator, said he continues to work a couple emergency department shifts a month. 'I do my shifts on nights and weekends and holidays when the political world is not working,' he said. One of the biggest hurdles that Venkat had to overcome, he said, was fundraising. Venkat said he and his wife, who is also a physician, 'haven't had to ask anyone for money in our adult lives. But as a candidate, I have to overcome that queasiness. There's certainly been a learning curve associated with that.' A Critical Time for Science and Medicine Research shows that physicians are less likely to attend public meetings or even vote. But doctors are more likely than others to discuss politics with friends or family, donate to political organizations, and buy products or boycott companies based on political values. While research shows that doctors are more likely to vote for Democrats than for Republicans, the GOP has an edge among physicians in Congress. Of the 21 physicians serving in Congress — four senators and 17 representatives — 15 are Republican. All of the physician senators — Roger Marshall (Kansas), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), Rand Paul (Kentucky), and John Barrasso (Wyoming) — are Republican. In the House of Representatives, six doctors are Democrats and 11 are Republicans. Regardless of party, 'we desperately need more physicians in politics,' Venkat said. 'Decisions are being made that directly affect our ability to care for patients in our communities.' As an elected official, 'you are able to help so many more people than you might be able to on an individual basis,' Venkat said. 'I've never liked it when people say that physicians should stay in their lane and just take care of patients. There's a long history of physicians advocating for their patients and their communities outside of the four walls of the clinic or the hospital or the emergency department.'
NBC News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Longtime Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin will not seek re-election in 2026
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election in 2026 after serving for nearly three decades in the Senate. He holds the position of Senate minority whip, the No. 2 position in the Democratic caucus, as well as ranking member of the Judiciary Committee. "The decision of whether to run for re-election has not been easy. I truly love the job of being a United States Senator. But in my heart, I know it's time to pass the torch," he said in a statement Wednesday and video posted to social media. "So, I am announcing today that I will not be seeking re-election at the end of my term." Durbin, 80, is tied for the fifth-most senior member of the Senate, having taken office after his victory in the 1996. His decision to step aside leaves creates a vacancy that Illinois Democrats will likely scramble to fill in the deep-blue state, as the state has a deep bench of federal and local lawmakers who might want to seek a promotion. A progressive group, 314 Action, recently released a hypothetical poll testing a possible Democratic primary field that included Reps. Lauren Underwood, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, as well as Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. The group, which supports candidates from science and technology backgrounds, has backed Underwood in the past. Adding to uncertainty about the field, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker hasn't confirmed whether he plans to run for re-election as he continues to focus heavily on countering former President Donald Trump. If he decides to step aside from the governor's mansion, ahead of a possible presidential bid in 2028, it's possible that open seat could draw significant interest too. Durbin's seat is expected to remain in Democratic hands, even though President Donald Trump made gains in the state in November. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won Illinois by 11 percentage points, winning 54% of the vote. 'For more than four decades, Senator Dick Durbin has been a pillar of leadership, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the people of his home state of Illinois and the nation," Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, a leadership member, said in a statement.
Washington Post
28-02-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Democrats launch effort to get 100 doctors into elected office
A liberal advocacy group is launching a planned $25 million campaign to elect 100 new physicians to office by 2030, arguing that Democratic doctors must step forward to combat rising pressure on public-health institutions and initiatives. Leaders of 314 Action, which has worked to elect several physicians such as Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Washington), say they plan to recruit and support dozens of doctors in upcoming bids for statehouses, federal office, governorships — and potentially the White House. The group's new campaign, dubbed 'Guardians of Public Health," comes after all four GOP physicians in the Senate voted for long-time anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as the nation's health secretary and amid the Trump administration's efforts to unwind an array of public-health initiatives. 'Our goal is to find 100 excellent thought leaders on health care and science and see if they will serve in office,' said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, who is the only Democratic physician currently leading a state, and is co-chairing 314 Action's new campaign. 'If we have had physicians, nurses, social workers with a public background in greater numbers this year, we would have chosen a different HHS secretary.' Republican doctors have long outnumbered their Democratic counterparts in Congress. Three of the Senate's four GOP physicians currently hold leadership roles, with Sen. John Barrasso (Wyoming) serving as the Senate whip and Sens. Bill Cassidy (Louisiana) and Rand Paul (Kentucky) serving as chairmen of committees. Meanwhile, it has been 55 years since a Democratic physician served in the Senate, according to the Senate historical office. Republican physicians also played major roles during Kennedy's recent confirmation fight. After publicly wrestling with whether to support Kennedy, Cassidy ultimately said that he believed Kennedy — who has a large personal following — could help restore trust in America's health system; the Louisiana doctor's vote helped ensure Kennedy's confirmation. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), a fellow physician, launched a new 'MAHA' caucus to support Kennedy's ambitions. Other Republicans pointed to their colleagues' credentials as a way to burnish the candidacy of Kennedy, who was opposed by outside public health experts and physicians who attended his confirmation hearings, protesting his track record of vaccine skepticism. Kennedy has denied that he is anti-vaccine. 'Let the record state there are three medical doctors on this side of the dais,' Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana), a chemical engineer, told Kennedy at one of his confirmation hearings last month, where Daines was flanked by Barrasso, Cassidy and Marshall. 'We believe in science. I'm thankful that you do too.' 314 Action leaders say that the GOP has wrongly claimed the mantle of science and that their new campaign will work to wrest it back. The group — which takes its name from pi or π, the mathematical constant that is equivalent to 3.14 — backed Democratic doctors, such as freshmen Reps. Herb Conaway (D-New Jersey), Maxine Dexter (D-Oregon) and Kelly Morrison (D-Minnesota) in their successful campaigns last year. 'We're very good at electing doctors,' said Josh Morrow, the group's executive director, saying that the upcoming initiative would draw on lessons from past campaigns, such as highlighting the trust that many voters express for their personal physicians. Morrow said that funding for 314 Action's upcoming campaign would come mostly from grassroots support. 314 Action is currently supporting Amy Acton, a physician and former Ohio public health official, in her campaign to serve as governor of Ohio. Democratic physicians currently in office have said they are worried about declining confidence in public health institutions and upset that their GOP colleagues supported Kennedy, particularly given evidence of rising vaccine hesitancy. Texas is currently dealing with its worst measles outbreak in three decades, and an unvaccinated child has died of the vaccine-preventable disease. 'I don't see how any physician would be able to have someone like [Kennedy] lead the agency responsible for public health," Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-California), an emergency-medicine physician, said in an recent interview. "Vaccines are our most effective public health interventions.'
