Latest news with #NationalRepublicanCampaignCommittee
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
"Well, we're all going to die": Joni Ernst dismisses concern over GOP Medicaid cuts
At a tense town hall in Butler County, Iowa, on Friday, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, faced backlash from constituents while defending the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' a Trump-backed spending proposal that recently passed the House. In one exchange, an attendee challenged the senator over what they characterized as the devastating impact of proposed GOP cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. While Ernst claimed that those who would lose Medicaid under the legislation are those who were already not eligible under the 'original definition' of the program, an audience member could be heard shouting, 'People are going to die.' 'Well, we're all going to die,' Ernst responded, drawing boos and gasps from the crowd. Ernst appeared unmoved by the reaction, responding: 'What you don't want to do is listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable.' One Democratic House aide called it 'Legit one of the worst politician quotes I've ever seen." An Ernst spokesperson later defended the senator. 'While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans,' they said in a statement. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the House-passed Republican spending bill could leave more than 7 million people uninsured. The town hall contained other contentious moments, including one attendee who likened the Trump administration's behavior to a 'Nazi blitzkrieg.' This is not the first time that elected Republican officials have had negative experiences at town halls with angry constituents. In March, the chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee told House members to avoid holding in-person town hall events following backlash largely related to the efforts of Elon Musk's DOGE to cut spending. Watch the full exchange here:
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cheat sheet: 12 questions for Rep. Brian Jack
Rep. Brian Jack (R-Ga.) may be a freshman in the House, but his fellow Republicans say he's already making his mark. The longtime former aide to Donald Trump and deputy chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee sat down with the Hill for a wide-ranging interview in his Capitol office, which Lyndon B. Johnson occupied when he served in the House. At the end, he answered some quick questions. Five most important legislative priorities, in no particular order? Provide regulatory relief for my constituents vis-a-vis overturning the Biden-era regulation that would ban non-condensing tankless water heaters manufactured at a Georgia manufacturing facility. Extend, and in some cases make permanent, the 2017 Trump tax cuts. Move departments and agencies outside of Washington, D.C. Secure the border and provide long-standing security for the border so it's not a political ping-pong issue. The U.S.-Israel relationship. Political hero? Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich. 'I represent Newt Gingrich's old district, so I very much look up to Newt.' Best friend in Congress? Reps. Riley Moore ( Brandon Gill (R-Texas), Addison McDowell (R-N.C.). Favorite DC spot? The White House Navy Mess. Movie or book that most inspires you? 'I've got multiple answers, one that can make you guys laugh and then others… I think Lincoln is a really cool movie. [For] every Every member of the House, it's a special movie to watch because it reminds us of the power of the institution in which we are. Favorite movie, though, is another way to frame it. I got a lot. I'm a big Christopher Nolan fan, so I like all of his movies.' Weirdest thing you've seen in politics? 'In 2022, President Trump hosted a rally and at that rally, in one of the various states, but at that rally, someone, a candidate for office, plucked a hair off his head during a photo line.' Jack said he witnessed the incident — involving former Illinois State Sen. Darren Bailey (R) — 'from a distance,' which Trump publicly recounted when endorsing Bailey for governor of the Prairie State, a race he lost. 'That, by far and away, was one of the weirdest things that I've seen happen. And the president had a lot of fun with him thereafter.' Best food in the Capitol complex? Pizza in Longworth and hotdogs in the cloak room. But, 'My favorite restaurant back home would be La Parrilla. It's my favorite Mexican spot… By far and away it's the best Mexican food. I took a Cabinet secretary there during Trump's first White House term with full security detail, which is hilarious, and everyone back home knows it's my place.' Favorite celebrity/tv show/pop culture thing right now? 'Ballers,' 'Entourage,' ESPN '30 for 30.' Favorite music group or singer? 'Probably the Killers, I grew up with them. But then having said, I'm a big fan of Atlanta music. So whether it be country, whatever genre comes out of Atlanta, I'm very supportive.' Favorite sports team? Atlanta Braves. University of West Georgia. Pepperdine University (as an alum). University of Notre Dame (as the son of an alum). And an all-around college basketball and football fanatic. 'I'm a massive college football and college basketball fan,' Jack said. 'I've got a fantasy baseball league with members… I've watched every March Madness game.' 'I went to Pepperdine, so [I'm] a strong supporter of our basketball program,' he added. 'But sadly Pepperdine, it's been 23 years since Pepperdine entered the NCAA tournament, so before my time at Pepperdine. But every year there's hope.' Favorite constituent story? The story that led to the introduction and passage of a resolution to repeal a Biden-era regulation that would ban non-condensing tankless water heaters manufactured at a facility in his district. 'A constituent who did not support me in my primary reached out after my primary, after I earned the nomination, to solicit help with an onerous regulation being imposed on a company within my congressional district. And that story, or that outreach, led to a plant visit, which led to subsequent conversation, which led to me connecting them to the president's transition team during transition to talk about the issue within the Department of Energy, which led to us deciding that legislative action would be the most appropriate vehicle to solve this problem, which led to its introduction in the House in January, its passage in the House in February, and its hopeful passage in the Senate later this evening.' Biggest worry? 'My biggest concern is that voters who were so enthusiastic about voting in 2024 don't return in the same numbers in 2026. And the best way for us to correct that potential attrition is to sell, sell, sell the agenda we're going to pass over the next few months… Anybody's concern is that turnout is going to gonna be lower than it should be. My biggest concern is that there could be voter apathy and I don't want that to happen.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Cheat sheet: 12 questions for Rep. Brian Jack
Rep. Brian Jack (R-Ga.) may be a freshman in the House, but his fellow Republicans say he's already making his mark. The long-time former Trump aide and deputy chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee sat down with the Hill for a wide-ranging interview in his Capitol office, which Lyndon B. Johnson occupied when he served in the House. At the end, he answered some quick questions. Five most important legislative priorities, in no particular order? Provide regulatory relief for my constituents vis-a-vis overturning the Biden-era regulation that would ban non-condensing tankless water heaters manufactured at a Georgia manufacturing facility. Extend, and in some cases make permanent, the 2017 Trump tax cuts. Move departments and agencies outside of Washington, D.C. Secure the border and provide long-standing security for the border so it's not a political ping-pong issue. The U.S.-Israel relationship. Political hero? Donald Trump and Newt Gingrich. 'I represent Newt Gingrich's old district, so I very much look up to Newt.' Best friend in Congress? Reps. Riley Moore ( Brandon Gill (R-Texas), Addison McDowell (R-N.C.). Favorite DC spot? The White House Navy Mess. Movie or book that most inspires you? 'I've got multiple answers, one that can make you guys laugh and then others… I think Lincoln is a really cool movie. [For] every Every member of the House, it's a special movie to watch because it reminds us of the power of the institution in which we are. Favorite movie, though, is another way to frame it. I got a lot. I'm a big Christopher Nolan fan, so I like all of his movies.' Weirdest thing you've seen in politics? 'In 2022, President Trump hosted a rally and at that rally, in one of the various states, but at that rally, someone, a candidate for office, plucked a hair off his head during a photo line.' Jack said he witnessed the incident — involving former Illinois State Sen. Darren Bailey (R) — 'from a distance,' which Trump publicly recounted when endorsing Bailey for governor of the Prairie State, a race he lost. 'That, by far and away, was one of the weirdest things that I've seen happen. And the president had a lot of fun with him thereafter.' Best food in the Capitol complex? Pizza in Longworth and hotdogs in the cloak room. But, 'My favorite restaurant back home would be La Parrilla. It's my favorite Mexican spot… By far and away it's the best Mexican food. I took a Cabinet secretary there during Trump's first White House term with full security detail, which is hilarious, and everyone back home knows it's my place.' Favorite celebrity/tv show/pop culture thing right now? Ballers, Entourage, ESPN 30 for 30. Favorite music group or singer? 'Probably the Killers, I grew up with them. But then having said, I'm a big fan of Atlantia music. So whether it be country, whatever genre comes out of Atlanta, I'm very supportive.' Favorite sports team? Atlanta Braves. University of West Georgia. Pepperdine University (as an alum). University of Notre Dame (as the son of an alum). And an all-around college basketball and football fanatic. 'I'm a massive college football and college basketball fan,' Jack said. 'I've got a fantasy baseball league with members… I've watched every March Madness game.' 'I went to Pepperdine, so [I'm] a strong supporter of our basketball program,' he added. 'But sadly Pepperdine, it's been 23 years since Pepperdine entered the NCAA tournament, so before my time at Pepperdine. But every year there's hope.' Favorite constituent story? The story that led to the introduction and passage of a resolution to repeal a Biden-era regulation that would ban non-condensing tankless water heaters manufactured at a facility in his district. 'A constituent who did not support me in my primary reached out after my primary, after I earned the nomination, to solicit help with an onerous regulation being imposed on a company within my congressional district. And that story, or that outreach, led to a plant visit, which led to subsequent conversation, which led to me connecting them to the president's transition team during transition to talk about the issue within the Department of Energy, which led to us deciding that legislative action would be the most appropriate vehicle to solve this problem, which led to its introduction in the House in January, its passage in the House in February, and its hopeful passage in the Senate later this evening.' Biggest worry? 'My biggest concern is that voters who were so enthusiastic about voting in 2024 don't return in the same numbers in 2026. And the best way for us to correct that potential attrition is to sell, sell, sell the agenda we're going to pass over the next few months… Anybody's concern is that turnout is going to gonna be lower than it should be. My biggest concern is that there could be voter apathy and I don't want that to happen.'
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
"Cowards": Top Republican warns lawmakers to dodge town halls after furious constituents lash out
The chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee told GOP lawmakers Tuesday to avoid in-person town halls and the negative publicity of attendees castigating them for supporting President Donald Trump's steep government cuts. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., delivered the message in a closed-door meeting, according to three sources who spoke to Politico. Republicans confirmed reports of the new policy in a press conference after the meeting. "There are people who do this as a profession, they're professional protesters," Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters. He said he thought it was "wise" not to "play into that" and suggested that lawmakers resort to remote town hall meetings to avoid the heat. While Republicans have dismissed the confrontations as the work of liberal activists, videos show unmistakeable anger from constituents in deep-red areas, including the district of Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., where a speaker asked the congressman why the GOP was taking a "radical and extremist and sloppy approach" to cutting funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the town hall meeting continued, McCormick was interrupted several times by attendees telling him that they're "pissed" and urging him not to "bend over." At one point, several people can be heard chanting "shame!" GOP leaders are worried that incidents like this could go viral and inflict damage on the party and individual members' standing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The backlash appears to be manifesting much sooner than did a similar dynamic in 2009, when Democrats and Republicans perceived as moderate faced a gauntlet of tense town hall meetings that presaged a Tea Party wave. One lawmaker apparently complained that protesters have been picketing at her house and targeting her kid, one source told the Wall Street Journal's Olivia Beavers. Democrats lashed out over the new avoidance tactic, accusing them of being afraid of their own voters. "If you're going to have the audacity to raise prices and rip away health care from millions of Americans, you should at least have the courage to face your constituents. House Republicans are cowards,' House Majority PAC communications director CJ Warnke told Politico. Hudson's directive, of course, is not binding, and there is nothing stopping lawmakers from continuing to hold in-person events. Do so at your own peril, Hudson reportedly warned — it'll only get worse.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
"Cowards": Top Republican warns lawmakers to dodge town halls after furious constituents lash out
The chair of the National Republican Campaign Committee told GOP lawmakers Tuesday to avoid in-person town halls and the negative publicity of attendees castigating them for supporting President Donald Trump's steep government cuts. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., delivered the message in a closed-door meeting, according to three sources who spoke to Politico. Republicans confirmed reports of the new policy in a press conference after the meeting. "There are people who do this as a profession, they're professional protesters," Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters. He said he thought it was "wise" not to "play into that" and suggested that lawmakers resort to remote town hall meetings to avoid the heat. While Republicans have dismissed the confrontations as the work of liberal activists, videos show unmistakeable anger from constituents in deep-red areas, including the district of Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., where a speaker asked the congressman why the GOP was taking a "radical and extremist and sloppy approach" to cutting funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the town hall meeting continued, McCormick was interrupted several times by attendees telling him that they're "pissed" and urging him not to "bend over." At one point, several people can be heard chanting "shame!" GOP leaders are worried that incidents like this could go viral and inflict damage on the party and individual members' standing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The backlash appears to be manifesting much sooner than did a similar dynamic in 2009, when Democrats and Republicans perceived as moderate faced a gauntlet of tense town hall meetings that presaged a Tea Party wave. One lawmaker apparently complained that protesters have been picketing at her house and targeting her kid, one source told the Wall Street Journal's Olivia Beavers. Democrats lashed out over the new avoidance tactic, accusing them of being afraid of their own voters. "If you're going to have the audacity to raise prices and rip away health care from millions of Americans, you should at least have the courage to face your constituents. House Republicans are cowards,' House Majority PAC communications director CJ Warnke told Politico. Hudson's directive, of course, is not binding, and there is nothing stopping lawmakers from continuing to hold in-person events. Do so at your own peril, Hudson reportedly warned — it'll only get worse.
