Short answer, not particularly. Here’s some data and other points to ponder when considering whether or not any Virginia member of the U.S. House of Representatives should be staying up nights worrying that Trump will come and git them next November.

• Trump got 212,402 votes in HD-1; Rep. Rob Wittman (R) got 230,213 votes — around 18,000 MORE than Trump got.
• Trump got 156,283 votes in HD-2; Rep. Scott Taylor (R) got 190,475 votes — around 34,000 MORE than Trump got.
• Trump got 195,190 votes in HD-5; Rep. Tom Garrett (R) got 207,758 votes — around 12,000 MORE than Trump got.
• Trump got 206,303 votes in HD-6; Rep. Bob BADlatte (R) got 225,471 votes — around 19,000 MORE than Trump got.
• Trump got 198,032 votes in HD-7; Rep. Dave Brat (R) got 218,057 votes — around 20,000 MORE than Trump got.
• Trump got 217,837 votes in HD-9; Rep. Morgan Griffith (R) got 212,838 votes — ok, finally, someone who got fewer votes (although not by a lot) than Trump got.
• Trump got 170,580 votes in HD-10; Rep. Barbara Comstock (R) got 210,791 votes, around 40,000 (!) more than Trump got.
• In sum, the only Republican Congresscrook who received fewer votes than “Cheeto Von Gropensnatcher” did in November was Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-9th). So perhaps Griffith should be a bit concerned – or not. But based purely on vote totals, it’s not immediately clear that any of the other Republicans should be losing any sleep over threats by Trump to go after them politically.
• Of course, most of these Republican – other than Comstock (in a district won by Hillary Clinton) and possibly Taylor (in a purple-ish district) – are more worried about primaries from their right possibly “taking them out” than they are about a general election challenge by a Democrat in their “gerrymandered-for-incumbents’-protection” districts. So, yeah, I guess IF Trump is still president by next spring (e.g., not impeached, in prison, whatever) and IF he wants to pour resources into supporting even farther-right challengers to the right wingnuts already in these seats, he could try to do that, but…not really seeing it.
• Also important to note is that Trump’s approval rating is abysmal (40%-54%), with no particular sign that things are going to get better for him — and actually, lots of signs that they could get worse, even much worse for him.
• Bottom line: if I were House Republicans, I wouldn’t be particularly worried about Trump coming after them. I WOULD be worried about the country, and potentially losing Republican control of the House to Democrats in November 2018 if they keep pushing wildly unpopular shit like this, possibly shutting down the government, getting nothing accomplished, etc.

The following ads by “Save My Care” are part of a new, “six-figure ad buy…in the districts of 24 Republican Members of Congress who supported repeal [of the ACA], despite bipartisan opposition and overwhelming constituent concern.” And yes, both Congresscritters Scott Taylor (R-VA02) and Dave Brat (R-VA07) richly deserve this for their disgraceful votes to throw tens of millions of Americans off of health care, eliminating protections for people with pre-existing conditions, etc, etc. Enjoy, Scott and Dave, and remember: we are not going to forget this in 2018!

Among the many Republicans who need to be voted out of Congress in November 2018, Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA-02) is certainly high on the list. For starters, Taylor is godawful, basically right wingnut all the way down the line (e.g., see Congresscritters Scott Taylor and Dave Brat Richly Deserve These Health Care Ads; Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA 02) Announces He Will Vote “Yea” to Throw 24 Million Americans Off Health Insurance). Second, the 2nd CD is potentially winnable; Donald Trump won it by just 3 points over Hillary Clinton last November, and he’s significantly more unpopular now. I’m hearing that something like 4-5 Democrats (e.g., possibly State Senator Lynwood Lewis) could end up running in VA-02, including Dave Belote, whose announcement I just received and which you can read below.

Today, Dave Belote, a native of Virginia Beach and twenty-four year Air Force veteran, announced his candidacy for Congress in Virginia’s Second District.

On launching his campaign, Dave said, “I’m running for Congress so that the people of Hampton Roads have a representative in Congress who will fight for their needs. For far too long, Richmond and Washington politicians have said one thing and done another. My service to our country instilled in me servant leadership-a concept I intend bring to D.C. We must have a secure and prosperous future. This includes knowing where the next paycheck is coming from, knowing that one hospital stay won’t bankrupt our families, making sure Americans feel safe-at home and abroad, and leaving a habitable Coastal Virginia where our children can raise their own families. I believe that public service is about bettering the everyday lives of people, not a stepping stone to the next elected-position.”

A businessman and longtime advocate on energy issues, Dave knows that priority one for a Congress needs to be job creation. He will focus on how to create new, high-paying jobs in the renewable energy,  manufacturing, trade, and technology industries that benefit the heart of the local economy while using his decades of experience to protect our military infrastructure and support our veterans and military families.

Dave was born in Norfolk and grew up in Virginia Beach and graduated from Kempsville High School. He matriculated to the University of Virginia and, upon graduation, joined the Air Force. During his tenure serving our nation, he flew F-111s and F-16s, led two combat deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom, commanded Nellis Air Force Base and the Nevada Test and Training Range, the largest fighter base complex in the U.S., and received numerous accolades, including two Bronze Stars and two Legion of Merit awards. Following his retirement from the Air Force as a Colonel, Dave served as a senior civilian executive in the Pentagon establishing the Department of Defense Siting Clearinghouse, a mechanism to ensure military readiness while facilitating development of energy infrastructure, sustainability, and security. Dave then was a vice president for a Virginia-based wind and solar company and nationwide advocate for clean-tech and renewable technologies, especially in and near military communities. Recently, Dave has started his own clean-energy and defense consulting business. Dave resides in Virginia Beach with his wife and two of his three sons. He attends St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church and serves on several local boards.

P.S. Note that Belote ran for Virginia State Senate in 2015 in the heavily Republican 8th district, losing 59%-41% to Bill DeSteph.

From the DCCC:

Do Taylor, Garrett, Brat, and Comstock now believe the Trump campaign colluded with Russia?

The New York Times reported today that Donald Trump, Jr., Jared Kushner, and Trump Campaign Chairman Paul Manafort attended a meeting in June 2016 with a Russian lawyer about “very high level and sensitive information” and was a “part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.”

Donald Trump, Jr. eagerly set up the meeting, telling his contact that “if it’s what you say I love it especially later in the summer.”

This latest piece of evidence isn’t just a smoking gun. It’s evidence that the Trump campaign was willing and eager to collude with the Russian government in an attempt to distort and undermine our democracy. It’s time for a straightforward answer to a simple question: Do Representatives Taylor, Garrett, Brat, and Comstock now believe the Trump campaign colluded with Russia?

“This goes beyond partisan politics and Representatives Scott Taylor, Tom Garrett, Dave Brat, and Barbara Comstock must show leadership on this important issue,” said DCCC spokesperson Cole Leiter. “American intelligence agencies have already determined Russia worked to undermine our elections last year and now there is proof that Trump campaign officials were willing and eager accomplices. Virginia Republicans should have the courage to say so.”

Note that this is the same Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA-02) who voted for “Trumpcare,” which will severely harm untold numbers of kids like Brianna. So, while Brianna might have made heartless (and apparently brainless) Scott Taylor’s day, Taylor is working hard to ruin Brianna’s future. In November 2018, VA-02 voters need to change the direction of Scott Taylor’s future by booting his sorry butt out of Congress.

P.S. The comments are great. For instance: “Photo pose, you don’t care about us” and “I would bet she benefits from the Affordable Care Act” and ” It’s a shame you voted to cut off her Medicaid. How can you live with yourself?”

I join with EMILY’s List (see press releases, below) in very much looking forward to replacing these nincompoops in 2018.

EMILY’s List Puts U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor, VA-02 “On Notice” for 2018

Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, put U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor (VA-02) “On Notice” for 2018, highlighting his seat as a top target for Democratic takeover in the upcoming election cycle.

The 2018 launch of “On Notice” is the largest ever in the organization’s 32-year history. It targets 50 Republicans on the federal level, all of whom have amassed appallingly anti-woman, anti-family records. These Republicans, including Rep. Scott Taylor, are among EMILY’s List’s top targets in the 2018 midterms.

Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, released the following statement:

“Rep. Scott Taylor has failed to protect the people of Virginia he was elected to represent – and EMILY’s List and our five million-strong community are aggressively looking to flip his seat. Women voters are furious at his lack of leadership, especially when it comes to protecting the safety and wellbeing of their families. Taylor voted for the Republican health care bill that would kick 23 million Americans – including thousands of Virginians – off their insurance. He has repeatedly voted to defund Planned Parenthood, and voted for a more extreme version of the Hyde Amendment.”

“It’s clear that Rep. Taylor cares far more about the politics of Washington than helping the women and families of Virginia’s 2nd District. That’s why EMILY’s List is putting Taylor ‘On Notice’ – because Virginia needs change. Voters deserve better, and that’s the choice they have in 2018.”

Voted for the House Republican health care plan to kick 23 million people off their insurance

Repeatedly voted to defund Planned Parenthood

Voted for a more extreme version of the Hyde Amendment

Voted for the House GOP Plan (the AHCA) to Repeal the Affordable Care Act. On May 4, 2017, Taylor voted for the American Health Care Act, the House GOP’s bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “The House legislation (HR 1628) would reshape the nation’s health care system by limiting federal Medicaid funding for states and changing the 2010 law’s protections for people who buy coverage on their own.” [CQ News, 5/04/17; H.R. 1628, Vote #256, 5/04/17]

• Legislation Would Increase Taxes on Low- and Moderate-Income Families. “The bill is the largest tax increase on low-and moderate-income people in recent decades, primarily due to its cuts to tax credits that help families afford health insurance premiums in the marketplace.  For example, households with incomes between $20,000 and $50,000 would face an average tax increase of $170, in large part from cuts to their tax credits.”
• Legislation Would Give Millionaires an Average Tax Cut of $50K Each Year. “Millionaires, however, would ultimately get tax cuts averaging more than $50,000 apiece each year.  Millionaires would gain about $40 billion in tax cuts annually once all the bill’s tax cuts are in place — roughly equivalent to the $38 billion that 32 million households in poverty would lose, primarily from cuts to their tax credits and to Medicaid.”
• Legislation Cut Taxes for Insurers. “The bill would eliminate the fee on insurers that helps pay for the ACA’s coverage expansions. This would cost $145 billion over ten years, JCT estimates.  The biggest insurers would receive the biggest tax cuts.  The bill would also cut taxes for insurers with high-paid executives by allowing insurers to deduct up to an additional $500,000 from their taxes for executives who are paid over $500,000 each year, while weakening the ACA’s restrictions on those deductions.  JCT estimates this would cost $0.5 billion over ten years […] Eliminating a tax levied on drug companies would cost $29 billion over 2017 to 2026, JCT estimates.  Manufacturers and importers of brand-name prescription drugs pay this fee based on their brand-name drug sales to government health programs.  Wealthy shareholders and other investors, who own the bulk of stock and other investments, likely would ultimately enjoy the benefit of this tax cut as company profits expand.” [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/22/17]
• CBO Report Found that the AHCA Would Kick 23 Million People Off Their Health Insurance. “[…] the House Republican health bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would cause 23 million people to lose coverage by 2026 and drive $834 billion in federal Medicaid cuts over the next ten years, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found […]” [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/24/17]
• Voted to Defund Planned Parenthood for One Year in House Republican Health Care Bill. “In passing their health-care bill, House Republicans have also taken a first step toward dramatically slashing federal funds for Planned Parenthood clinics. The women’s health provider stands to lose about 30 percent of its funding under a provision in the GOP health-care bill to block it from getting Medicaid reimbursements for one year unless its hundreds of clinics stop offering abortions.” [Washington Post, 5/04/17]

Voted for Allowing States to Defund Planned Parenthood. On February 16, 2017, Taylor voted for a joint resolution overturning an Obama administration rule, thereby allowing states to defund Planned Parenthood. “The House on Thursday passed, 230-188, a resolution (H J Res 43) that would overturn an Obama administration rule to prevent states from limiting which organizations receive federal money for family planning. Congress appropriated about $286 million in fiscal 2016 for what’s known as Title X funding, which is supposed to be spent on family planning and reproductive health. […] The primary impetus for the states’ action was to avoid spending any money on Planned Parenthood or other health centers that offer abortions. Planned Parenthood received about $25 million from Title X funding in recent years. The group receives far more from reimbursements from Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor.” [CQ News, 2/16/17; H.J. Res. 43, Vote #99, 2/16/17]

Voted for the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017. In January 2017 Taylor voted for the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017, a bill that “effectively bars using federal money for abortion coverage for low-income women under Medicaid. The bill would not limit how a state could use its own money, except in the District of Columbia, where the city’s budget is approved by Congress. However, the bill would go further than the Hyde Amendment by trying to impose burdens on insurance companies or individuals who use private money to pay for abortions. For instance, it would disallow the use of refundable tax credits and cost sharing-reductions for health insurers and small employers that provide abortion coverage.” The bill passed the House 238-183 with 235 GOP voting for it. [H.R. 7, Vote #65, 1/24/17; CQ News, 1/24/17]

Supported a Bill to Deny Funding for Women Seeking Abortions in Cases of Fetal Anomalies. Taylor voted for a bill that “would have denied state funding to Medicaid-eligible women for abortion performed as a result of a totally incapacitating fetal anomaly.” [NARAL Scorecard, 2015]

Opposed Abortion; Supported Ban On Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Providers “Taylor, who personally opposes abortion, said he supports the ban on taxpayer funding for abortion and told the young woman that he agrees that ‘she has the legal right to decide.’” [The Virginian-Pilot, 2/20/17]

EMILY’s List Puts U.S. Rep. Dave Brat, VA-07 “On Notice” for 2018

Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, put U.S. Rep. Dave Brat (VA-07) “On Notice” for 2018, highlighting his seat as a top target for Democratic takeover in the upcoming election cycle.

The 2018 launch of “On Notice” is the largest ever in the organization’s 32-year history. It targets 50 Republicans on the federal level, all of whom have amassed appallingly anti-woman, anti-family records. These Republicans, including Rep. Dave Brat, are among EMILY’s List’s top targets in the 2018 midterms. 

Stephanie Schrock, president of EMILY’s List, released the following statement:

“Rep. Dave Brat has failed to protect the people of Virginia he was elected to represent – and EMILY’s List and our five million-strong community are aggressively looking to flip his seat. Women voters are furious at his shameful lack of courage and leadership – especially when it comes to protecting the safety and wellbeing of their families. Brat voted for the Republican health care bill that would kick 23 million Americans – including thousands of Virginians – off their insurance. He has repeatedly voted to defund Planned Parenthood, and voted to undermine equal pay protections for women.”

“It’s clear that Rep. Brat cares far more about the politics of Washington than helping the women and families of Virginia’s 7th District. That’s why EMILY’s List is putting Brat ‘On Notice’ – because Virginia needs change. Voters deserve better, and that’s the choice they have in 2018.”

Voted for the House Republican health care plan to kick 23 million people off their insurance

Repeatedly voted to defund Planned Parenthood

Voted to undermine equal pay protections for women

Voted for the House GOP Plan (the AHCA) to Repeal the Affordable Care Act. On May 4, 2017, Brat voted for the American Health Care Act, the House GOP’s bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “The House legislation (HR 1628) would reshape the nation’s health care system by limiting federal Medicaid funding for states and changing the 2010 law’s protections for people who buy coverage on their own.” [CQ News, 5/04/17; H.R. 1628, Vote #256, 5/04/17]  

• Legislation Would Increase Taxes on Low- and Moderate-Income Families. “The bill is the largest tax increase on low-and moderate-income people in recent decades, primarily due to its cuts to tax credits that help families afford health insurance premiums in the marketplace.  For example, households with incomes between $20,000 and $50,000 would face an average tax increase of $170, in large part from cuts to their tax credits.”
• Legislation Would Give Millionaires an Average Tax Cut of $50K Each Year. “Millionaires, however, would ultimately get tax cuts averaging more than $50,000 apiece each year.  Millionaires would gain about $40 billion in tax cuts annually once all the bill’s tax cuts are in place — roughly equivalent to the $38 billion that 32 million households in poverty would lose, primarily from cuts to their tax credits and to Medicaid.”
• Legislation Cut Taxes for Insurers. “The bill would eliminate the fee on insurers that helps pay for the ACA’s coverage expansions. This would cost $145 billion over ten years, JCT estimates.  The biggest insurers would receive the biggest tax cuts.  The bill would also cut taxes for insurers with high-paid executives by allowing insurers to deduct up to an additional $500,000 from their taxes for executives who are paid over $500,000 each year, while weakening the ACA’s restrictions on those deductions.  JCT estimates this would cost $0.5 billion over ten years […] Eliminating a tax levied on drug companies would cost $29 billion over 2017 to 2026, JCT estimates.  Manufacturers and importers of brand-name prescription drugs pay this fee based on their brand-name drug sales to government health programs.  Wealthy shareholders and other investors, who own the bulk of stock and other investments, likely would ultimately enjoy the benefit of this tax cut as company profits expand.” [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/22/17]
• CBO Report Found that the AHCA Would Kick 23 Million People Off Their Health Insurance. “[…] the House Republican health bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would cause 23 million people to lose coverage by 2026 and drive $834 billion in federal Medicaid cuts over the next ten years, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found […]” [Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/24/17]
• Voted to Defund Planned Parenthood for One Year in House Republican Health Care Bill. “In passing their health-care bill, House Republicans have also taken a first step toward dramatically slashing federal funds for Planned Parenthood clinics. The women’s health provider stands to lose about 30 percent of its funding under a provision in the GOP health-care bill to block it from getting Medicaid reimbursements for one year unless its hundreds of clinics stop offering abortions.” [Washington Post, 5/04/17]

Voted for Allowing States to Defund Planned Parenthood. On February 16, 2017, Brat voted for a joint resolution overturning an Obama administration rule, thereby allowing states to defund Planned Parenthood. “The House on Thursday passed, 230-188, a resolution (H J Res 43) that would overturn an Obama administration rule to prevent states from limiting which organizations receive federal money for family planning. Congress appropriated about $286 million in fiscal 2016 for what’s known as Title X funding, which is supposed to be spent on family planning and reproductive health. […] The primary impetus for the states’ action was to avoid spending any money on Planned Parenthood or other health centers that offer abortions. Planned Parenthood received about $25 million from Title X funding in recent years. The group receives far more from reimbursements from Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor.” [CQ News, 2/16/17; H.J. Res. 43, Vote #99, 2/16/17]

Voted against Motion for Equal Pay By Excluding Claims of Employment Discrimination from Bill. In September 2015, Brat voted against a Democratic motion to recommit with instructions. “The Democratic Motion to Recommit protects women’s right to demand equal wages, by excluding claims of employment discrimination from the underlying bill that raises new obstacles for Americans to seek remedy in the courts.” The motion to recommit failed 179 to 239. [HR 758, Vote #500, 9/17/15; Democratic Motions to Recommit, HR 758, 9/17/15]

Voted to Block Consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act. In April 2015, Brat voted to block consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would end the pay gap between men and women and unsure equal pay for equal work. “The legislation would protect workers from retaliation for sharing information about their wages, require employers to explain any pay disparities among workers performing the same job, and allow employees to seek unlimited punitive damages in wage bias cases.” A vote against the previous question would have allowed the bill to be considered. The previous question to H Res 189 passed 239 to 183. The previous question to H Res 200 passed 240 to 183. [H. Res. 189, Vote #148, 4/14/15; Bloomberg, 4/14/15; Democratic Leader – Previous Questions, 4/14/15; H. Res. 200, Vote #154, 4/15/15]

EMILY’s List Puts U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock, VA-10 “On Notice” for 2018

Today, EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, put U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (VA-10) “On Notice” for 2018, highlighting her seat as a top target for Democratic takeover in the upcoming election cycle.

The 2018 launch of “On Notice” is the largest ever in the organization’s 32-year history. It targets 50 Republicans on the federal level, all of whom have amassed appallingly anti-woman, anti-family records. These Republicans, including Rep. Barbara Comstock, are among EMILY’s List’s top targets in the 2018 midterms.

Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’s List, released the following statement:

“Rep. Barbara Comstock has failed to protect the people of Virginia she was elected to represent – and EMILY’s List and our five million-strong community are aggressively looking to flip her seat. Women voters are furious at her shameful lack of courage and leadership – especially when it comes to protecting the safety and wellbeing of their families. Comstock has repeatedly voted to defund Planned Parenthood, to undermine equal pay protections for women, and for a radical national abortion ban.”

“It’s clear that Rep. Comstock cares far more about the politics of Washington than helping the women and families of Virginia’s 10th District. That’s why EMILY’s List is putting Comstock ‘On Notice’ – because Virginia needs change. Voters deserve better, and that’s the choice they have in 2018.”

Voted to defund Planned Parenthood

Voted to undermine equal pay protections for women

Voted for a national abortion ban

Voted for Allowing States to Defund Planned Parenthood. On February 16, 2017, Comstock voted for a joint resolution overturning an Obama administration rule, thereby allowing states to defund Planned Parenthood. “The House on Thursday passed, 230-188, a resolution (H J Res 43) that would overturn an Obama administration rule to prevent states from limiting which organizations receive federal money for family planning. Congress appropriated about $286 million in fiscal 2016 for what’s known as Title X funding, which is supposed to be spent on family planning and reproductive health. […] The primary impetus for the states’ action was to avoid spending any money on Planned Parenthood or other health centers that offer abortions. Planned Parenthood received about $25 million from Title X funding in recent years. The group receives far more from reimbursements from Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor.” [CQ News, 2/16/17; H.J. Res. 43, Vote #99, 2/16/17]

Voted for a Bill to Repeal Parts of the Affordable Care Act and Effectively Defund Planned Parenthood through Budget Reconciliation Procedures. In 2015, Comstock voted for the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015. The bill would have “remove[d] the penalties used to enforce the mandates that most individuals have health coverage and large employers offer it to their workers. In 2018, it would repeal the law’s Medicaid expansion and its subsidies to help low- and middle-income individuals buy health coverage through the new insurance exchanges. The measure also would scrap a lengthy list of taxes used to help offset the cost of the health law, including the taxes on medical devices, health insurers and so-called “Cadillac” employer-sponsored health plans that will receive temporary suspensions under the year-end funding and tax package (PL 114-113). In addition, the package would stop most federal money from flowing to Planned Parenthood for one year and boost funding for community health centers.”  The bill passed the House 240-181. [H.R. 3762, Vote #6, 1/06/16; CQ News, 1/06/16]

Voted for the Defund Planned Parenthood Act. In 2015, Comstock voted for the Defund Planned Parenthood Act. The measure would have modified “the CR by defunding Planned Parenthood, sending it to the Senate.” The measure passed the House 241-185. [H. Con. Res. 79, Vote #527, 9/30/15; CQ News, 9/30/15]

Voted against Motion for Equal Pay By Excluding Claims of Employment Discrimination from Bill. In September 2015, Comstock voted against a Democratic motion to recommit with instructions. “The Democratic Motion to Recommit protects women’s right to demand equal wages, by excluding claims of employment discrimination from the underlying bill that raises new obstacles for Americans to seek remedy in the courts.” The motion to recommit failed 179 to 239. [HR 758, Vote #500, 9/17/15; Democratic Motions to Recommit, HR 758, 9/17/15]

Voted to Block Consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act. In April 2015, Comstock voted to block consideration of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would end the pay gap between men and women and unsure equal pay for equal work. “The legislation would protect workers from retaliation for sharing information about their wages, require employers to explain any pay disparities among workers performing the same job, and allow employees to seek unlimited punitive damages in wage bias cases.” A vote against the previous question would have allowed the bill to be considered. The previous question to H Res 189 passed 239 to 183. The previous question to H Res 200 passed 240 to 183. [H. Res. 189, Vote #148, 4/14/15; Bloomberg, 4/14/15; Democratic Leader – Previous Questions, 4/14/15; H. Res. 200, Vote #154, 4/15/15]

Voted for a Twenty Week National Abortion Ban, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. In May 2015, Comstock voted for “a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a party-line vote on Wednesday.” According to The Hill, “But the bill did not change a provision that allows victims of incest to receive an abortion only if they are under 18 years old … The new version of the House bill also includes a two-day waiting period for rape victims. Doctors must also ensure that victims have received medical treatment or counseling during that time.” The bill passed 242-184 with 238 GOP voting for it. [HR 36, Vote #223, 5/13/15; The Hill, 5/13/15; The Hill, 5/11/15]

Here’s a huge difference between Democrats and Republicans: can you even imagine an incumbent Democrat who voted 97%+ of the time with President Obama drawing a serious primary challenge from his or her LEFT? Yet that’s exactly what we seem to have in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, where Rep. Scott Taylor (R) has voted 97.4% in line with Donald Trump’s position – and who has a whopping +22.8 “Trump plus/minus” (the “[d]ifference between Taylor’s actual and predicted Trump-support scores”) – but is being primaried from his right anyway. Check out the kickoff speech by Taylor’s far-right Republican opponent, Mary Jones (former James City County Board Chair), below, in which she crams in a heaping helping of outright lies (e.g, “Barack Obama destroyed our military readiness”; “Obamacare is collapsing”) and hysteria (“Our immigration system costs our Nation billions of dollars in handouts, hurting legal Americans who are trying to get a job, and bogs down our justice system with overcrowded jails and rampant crime from gangs like MS-13”).

Amid the torrent of lies, one thing Jones says is true, however — that “Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore deserve better than they are getting out of Washington right now.” Which is exactly why I urge everyone in Virginia’s second Congressional district to vote out Rep. Scott Taylor next November and replace him with a Democrat.

From DPVA:

Seriously, every single one of these @#$@#!s needs to go next November. In approximate order of political vulnerability, here are the Virginia House Republicans who voted for the GOP tax monstrosity today. Also see below for statements as they come in…

1. Rep. Barbara Comstock (VA-10)
2. Rep. Scott Taylor (VA-02)
3. Rep. Dave Brat (VA-07)
4. Rep. Tom Garrett (VA-05)
5. Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01)
6. Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)
7. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA-06; retiring)

Beyer Statement On Passage Of GOP Tax Cut For The Rich

November 16, 2017 (Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) issued the following statement today after the passage of the Republican tax bill, H.R. 1, in the House:

“I am adamantly opposed to the House Republican tax bill, H.R.1. The bill will raise taxes on millions of middle class Americans in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy, and yet still manages to explode the deficit. We have an opportunity to enact tax reform focused on the prosperity of hard working Americans, which simplifies the tax code and is fiscally responsible. Unfortunately the GOP has opted for a bill in which right-wing ideology and magical thinking trump common sense and sound economic policy.

“The fiscal irresponsibility of this bill will hamstring efforts to invest in our future, to fix our infrastructure and to educate a twenty-first century workforce. It will lead to cuts to Medicare and other programs that are critical to millions of Americans. The bill contains giveaways for heirs of massive estates and the idle rich, yet punishes students and the very ill. How is that fair? How does that make sense? How could any Member of Congress vote for this?”

The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates that by 2027 the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans would receive half of the total tax benefit, while nearly a quarter of American households see a tax increase.

The bill passed with bipartisan opposition, and the final vote was 227-205.

*****************
From Rep. Gerry Connolly

“Congress had a real opportunity to pursue revenue neutral tax reform that would lower corporate rates and benefit the middle class. That is why I am deeply disappointed that the majority has instead elected to pursue a partisan tax plan that asks working families, veterans, and low-income seniors to pay higher tax rates than the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations. As a leader of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of pro-business Democrats, I have written on several occasions to Speaker Ryan and Chairman Brady asking them to partner with us on a tax reform plan that would simplify the tax code, create revenue for infrastructure, and provide middle class tax relief. However, much like their Obamacare repeal gambit, the Republicans in Congress are pursuing a deeply partisan proposal instead of working across party lines on bipartisan solutions.

“I cannot support the plan before us today because it explodes the annual deficit and hurts Northern Virginia families in order to provide a massive windfall to the top 1 percent of earners.

“The bill increases the deficit to the tune of $1.5 trillion over ten years. The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation found that Republicans are asking the American people to stomach a massive deficit increase on the hope and prayer that these tax cuts will pay for themselves. They won’t. This is the same trickle-down narrative Republicans sold to rewrite the tax code in 1981, 2001, and 2003. The 1981 tax cuts were so disastrous that Presidents Reagan and Bush had to enact legislation to raise additional revenue in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, and 1990. And in the early 2000s, President Bush took the record surpluses of the Clinton era and created record deficits.

“No one representing Northern Virginia could vote for this tax scam, because this plan is a disaster for Northern Virginia. The plan repeals or limits several tax breaks that are crucial to Northern Virginians, including the state and local tax deduction, the mortgage interest deduction, the student loan interest deduction, and the medical expense deduction.

“The plan includes a partial repeal of state and local tax (SALT) deduction. The deduction for income and sales taxes is repealed, and the deduction for property taxes is capped at $10,000 per household. Although, there are reports that the Senate will repeal SALT entirely. In the Commonwealth, 1.5 million households claim $16.5 billion in SALT deductions. Virginia has the nation’s 4th highest percentage of tax filers claiming a SALT deduction (37%). The 11th District, where 50 percent of tax filers claim a SALT deduction, is one of the top Congressional districts in the nation affected by this change (11th), and 75 percent of our district’s SALT claimants are in the middle income tax brackets. 280,000 households claim this deduction in Fairfax County alone, for an average deduction of $16,535. The bill also caps the mortgage interest tax deduction, which currently saves an average of $2,946 for 144,000 of my constituents, and it eliminated the student loan interest deduction which is claimed by more than 30,000 VA-11 residents for $35 million in deductions.

“Additionally, the tax plan includes the elimination of all deductions for medical and dental expenses, including prescription drug costs, premiums for long-term care insurance, payments to doctors, in-home care, and even nursing home care. In the 11th District, in a given year more than 24,000 tax filers claim medical and dental expenses, totaling roughly $260 million in deductions. This proposal would be catastrophic for the sickest and most vulnerable among us. Those who suffer from a chronic or serious medical condition, are disabled, or need in-home or in-facility medical services for themselves or a loved one will find it even more difficult to afford necessary medical care. I offered an amendment to the bill to restore this important deduction, but Republicans in the Rules Committee refused to even allow for the amendment to be debated on the Floor of the House.

“This bill would also inflict significant harm on our ability to make infrastructure improvements by prohibiting the issuance of tax exempt bonds for so-called private purposes. The repeal would cost my local airports authority, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, $300 million in additional financing costs for its ten-year capital construction program. Many of my colleagues have probably benefited from jumping on the HOT Lanes in Northern Virginia. Well, the I-495 HOT Lanes required $589 million in private activity bonds and the I-95 HOT Lanes received $253 million. I served in local government for 14 years. We use these bonds to partner with the private sector to build roads, tunnels, transit, and build affordable housing. The repeal of private activity bonds exposes Republicans’ insincerity about making vital national infrastructure investments.

“Finally, this plan does not reflect our values and priorities. According to the Tax Policy Center, the after-tax income of the top 1 percent of earners would rise by 2.6 percent in 2027. By contrast, groups in the bottom 80% of the income distribution would see their after-tax income increase by between 0.0% and 0.6%. The top 1 percent would receive more than 50 percent of the benefits of the Republican tax plan by 2027, while 36 million middle income Americans would see a tax increase! The bill would repeal the estate tax, which applies to only the wealthiest 5,000 decedents each year, while nixing the student loan interest deduction and the tax credit available to small businesses that make investments to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

“We can and should do better than this. We need a balanced approach to comprehensive tax reform that establishes a simpler, fairer tax code for all. This is a tortured version of the vision even Speaker Ryan laid out for tax reform. It is not revenue neutral and the cuts that it does include are not even permanent. I encourage my colleagues to oppose this bill.”

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From Rep. Donald McEachin:

Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued this statement following passage of H.R. 1, the House Republicans’ tax bill:

“H.R. 1 raises taxes on more than 30 million hardworking middle-class families to fund massive tax cuts for the top one percent of Americans. Big corporations and the wealthy few will get richer on the backs of low-and-middle class families. If enacted, it would increase the deficit, bankrupt the middle-class, and blow an enormous hole in the federal budget — leaving us without the funds we need for job-creating investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and many other priorities.

“Provisions in our current tax code help students manage their loans; help families cope with medical debt; help teachers buy supplies; and supports small businesses that hire veterans. This bill slashes or eliminates those incentives, and uses the ‘savings’ to repeal the estate tax for the rich. I am appalled to see Republicans treat middle-class families like a piggy bank.”

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From State Sen. Jennifer Wexton, running for Congress in the 10th CD.

Comstock Votes to Raise Taxes on the Middle Class

“Barbara Comstock just voted for a brutal tax hike on middle class families and homeowners in Northern Virginia in order to give huge breaks to the ultra-rich and big corporations. By gutting the SALT deduction, reducing the ability to write off student loan debt, capping the mortgage tax deduction, and eliminating the medical expense deduction, this bill hits NOVA harder than any other area in the country,” said State Senator Jennifer Wexton.

“Barbara Comstock has shown us again she stands with Speaker Ryan and Donald Trump and against the interests of her constituents in Northern Virginia. I have no doubt that next November Northern Virginia is going to hold Barbara Comstock accountable for this inexplicable vote and replace her with someone who will fight for them,” said State Senator Jennifer Wexton.

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From Ben Cullop, running for Congress in the 5th CD

Cullop Slams Garrett’s Vote For GOP Tax Plan, Demands Explanation

Cullop: Garrett And Congressional Republicans Have Handed A Win To The Ultra-Wealthy And Big Corporate Special Interests At The Expense Of America’s Working Families

EARLYSVILLE, VA – Today, Albemarle County Democrat, 4th generation Virginian, and 5th District Congressional candidate Ben Cullop released the following statement after Rep. Tom Garrett voted for the partisan GOP tax plan:

“Tom Garrett and Congressional Republicans have handed a win to the ultra-wealthy and big corporate special interests at the expense of America’s working families. America needs real tax reform that will strengthen the middle class and support small businesses. This plan cuts taxes for the ultra-rich and big corporations at the expense of the middle class, students, people trying to pay big medical bills, and saddles future generations with our debt. It just doesn’t make sense. The folks in the 5th District deserve to know why Mr. Garrett supported this misguided proposal. He needs to provide an honest explanation to his constituents.”

Ben Cullop is a 4th generation Virginian who received his undergraduate degree and MBA from the University of Virginia. He built a successful career investing in communities and businesses across Virginia. He serves his community as a member of the advisory board of the UVA Children’s Hospital, the Albemarle County Police Foundation Board, and previously, the Charlottesville Retirement Commission. Ben lives in Albemarle County with his wife, Ashley, and their two young children.

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Statement by Sen. Tim Kaine:

This week House Republicans passed a tax bill that will hurt middle class families and small businesses. As the Senate considers a similar bill in the coming weeks, here’s where I stand.

I have major issues with proposals in the Republican tax plan. Their plan tilts benefits heavily to the wealthiest few, while estimates indicate millions of middle class families and small businesses will face a tax hike. It would be particularly bad for Virginia by repealing or limiting important provisions to the Commonwealth, such as the state and local tax deduction and the Federal Historic Tax Credit, a program that has brought investment and helped renovate historic buildings in Virginia towns and communities. The bill is also a deficit buster; three former defense secretaries have said that this tax plan jacks up the national debt so much that it would make it harder for the Pentagon to make future investments in our national defense. Lastly, Senate Republicans have decided to include a provision that would repeal the Affordable Care Act’s individual insurance mandate, which would cause higher health care premiums for Virginians and an estimated 13 million fewer Americans with insurance.

This isn’t how we should be doing tax reform. I would support a bill that prioritizes middle class Virginians and small businesses, but this plan does the opposite. Republicans should drop this partisan effort and work with Democrats on a bipartisan tax reform bill.

If this new poll by Monmouth University is accurate, it’s great news for Democrats’ chances of taking back the House next year. According to Monmouth:

In a look ahead to 2018, Democrats currently hold a 15 point advantage on the generic Congress ballot. If the election for House of Representatives were held today, a majority (51%) of registered voters say they would vote for or lean toward voting for the Democratic candidate in their district compared to 36% who would support the Republican.

In counties that Trump won by at least 10 points in 2016, voters prefer Republicans for the House by a relatively small 48% to 41% margin. Democrats, not surprisingly, are in the driver’s seat in counties that Hillary Clinton won by at least 10 points, with a 65% to 23% advantage. Democrats have a slight 43% to 40% edge over Republicans on the generic House ballot in “swing” counties where the 2016 presidential margin of victory was less than 10 points.

Here in Virginia, what could that mean for House Republicans? Let’s start with VA-10, which Hillary Clinton won by 10 points (52%-42%) in 2016, that would put Rep. Barbara Comstock’s job in serious jeopardy, given the huge lead Democrats hold in places Clinton won by 10 points or more.  Then there’s VA-02, which Trump won by 3 points, implying a small Democratic “generic” lead, and presumably making one-term Rep. Scott Taylor (R) a bit edgy. VA-07, home of far-right Rep. Dave Brat (R), appears to be another potentially competitive district, given that Trump won it by just 6 points (50%-44%) in 2016, and again implying a small Democratic “generic” advantage.

So that’s the good news. The not-so-good news is that districts like VA-01 (incumbent Rep. Rob Wittman; Trump by 12 points in 2016), VA-05 (incumbent Rep. Tom Garrett; Trump by 11 points in 2016) look challenging, albeit not impossible, for Democrats in 2018. Clearly, we’ll need better than “generic” Democratic challengers running great campaigns, plus mistakes and/or bad campaigns by the Republican incumbents, in those two districts to have a decent shot. We’ll also need to publicize how far-right and in lockstep with Trump both Wittman and Garrett are…

As for VA-06 (Trump by 25 points), that district looks pretty much out of reach at first glance. On second glance, though, after what happened in Alabama last  night, who the hell knows? Especially if Republicans nominate an extremist nutter in VA-06, like maybe Cynthia Dunbar – who “first gained national attention when, as a member of the Texas State Board of Education, she worked to incorporate Christian nationalist historical revisionism into the state’s textbooks”; who “called public schools unconstitutional and ‘tyrannical'”; who “says she opposes the separation of church and state”; who “has a long record of anti-LGBTQ views, including once claiming that gay rights activism is ‘the same type of thing that was done in pre-Holocaust Germany, as far as propaganda and presentation and swaying the whole mindset of a nation'”; etc. Note, by the way, that Dunbar traveled to Alabama to campaign for Roy Moore, clearly her ideological soulmate in lunacy.

The bottom line is that if the Monmouth poll is even close to being accurate, and of course IF these types of margins hold through next November – a big “if,” of course, given that 11 months is a long time and who knows what will happen between now and then – I could definitely see Democrats picking up VA-10, quite possibly VA-02, and maybe even VA-07, VA-01 and VA-05 if we have great candidates running great campaigns in those districts. As for VA-06, it’s probably out of reach, but if Republicans nominate Roy Moore clone Cynthia Dunbar…hey, after last night, you never know!

To me, the following response doesn’t sound serious by Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA02), more a polite answer to the question than anything else. Although in the comments section, Taylor does reiterate, “This kind of stuff certainly makes one consider.” So who knows.  I do find it fascinating that Taylor – faced with a potentially strong Democratic opponent this fall and the potential loss of his (one-term) seat in the U.S. House of Representatives – might be considering bugging out already and shooting for higher office. It also tells me how seriously Taylor might take the current clown show…er, Republican 2018 field for U.S. Senate, with neo-Confederate Corey Stewart, off-the-deep-end theocrat EW Jackson and this guy (anti-LGBT hero Nick Freitas) the current gruesome threesome vying to take on Sen. Tim Kaine. Good luck with that, guys! LOL

P.S. For more info on Taylor, see Video: Despite Rep. Scott Taylor (R) Voting 97%+ with Trump, He Gets Primaried from His Right Anyway and Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA 02) Announces He Will Vote “Yea” to Throw 24 Million Americans Off Health Insurance, plus of course this classic photo!

The following is courtesy of DPVA. We really need to beat this Teapublican clown in November.

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Sunday, March 4.

• ‘Pure madness’: Dark days inside the White House as Trump shocks and rages (Yeah, this is really going to end well…not.)
• Angela Merkel set for fourth term after months of political deadlock
• Donald Trump suggests he will talk to Pyongyang as South Korea sends envoy to North Korea
• ‘Tipping point’: Americans organizing more than ever after Florida shooting (“Outraged by their country’s mass shooting epidemic, gun reform groups say they have seen a leap in members and in activity”)
• Man Shoots and Kills Himself in Front of White House
• Mueller’s Focus on Adviser to U.A.E. Indicates Broader Inquiry
• Trump on China’s Xi consolidating power: ‘Maybe we’ll give that a shot some day’ (Yeah, you can try it from prison, a**hole!)
• Trade War, What Is It Good For? Absolutely Nothing
• Let’s Bag Plastic Bags (I always bring reusable bags to the supermarket; not hard at all.)
• Trump Divides His Blue-Collar Base With Steel Tariff Plan
• Trump threatens E.U. with tax on car imports, slams ‘very stupid’ trade deals (Speaking of “very stupid,” look in the mirror dude.)
• Trump hits Bush: Invading Iraq ‘the single worst decision ever made’ (Actually, the worst decision ever made was anyone who voted for Trump.)
• The most memorable jokes from Trump’s Gridiron Dinner speech (The biggest joke? Trump himself.)
• The GOP’s worst ideas for responding to mass shootings
• GOP Pushes 80 Anti-Environment Riders, Dark Money Rule Changes in Spending Bill (Have I mentioned recently that these people are evil incarnate?)
• Schapiro: High court quiet – for now – on redistricting (“This past Thursday morning, the Virginia Supreme Court heard arguments in the appeal of a March 2017 decision by a Richmond Circuit Court judge, Ry Marchant, upholding 11 legislative seats — five in the House of Delegates, six in the Virginia Senate — that opponents allege violate the redistricting requirements of the state constitution.”)
• Virginia Democrats rename annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, becoming latest state party to stop honoring slave-owning presidents
• New Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel tube will create a mountain of contaminated soil
• U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor spoiling for a fight in his re-election bid: “Bring it on” (“For whoever wins the primaries, the race will be expensive. Democratic candidates have been advised privately by party leaders that they’ll need to raise $1 million to $2 million to be competitive against Taylor.”)
• Gordon C. Morse: A time of political uncertainty at the Capitol
• Henrico eyeing $110 million upgrade to its water and sewer system
• Roanoke County’s Sen. David Suetterlein gains attention as ratepayer advocate
• Editorial: Would Apple look at rural Virginia?
• Ed Snyder and Sean Brickell: A plan to achieve regionalism in Hampton Roads
• Pesky winds persist today; midweek storm still a question mark

And yet one more district…Democratic candidates to take on Rep. Scott Taylor (R) are Ernest Porter, Karen Mallard, Elaine Luria, Garry Hubbard, Shaun Brown and David Nygaard. See below the poll for video of the VA-02 Democratic forum a couple nights ago to learn more about the candidates.

P.S. I really want to see one of these polls hit 1,000 votes; so far, though, VA-10 and VA-07 petered out (e.g., almost nobody else voting, candidate percentages staying about the same) around 650 votes. We’ll see about this one…

UPDATE 11:56 am Friday – OK, I’m ending this poll as the number of votes is barely budging at this point and the order of finish has been stable for a long time.

From DPVA:

Will Comstock, Brat, and Taylor stand against GOP attack on hungry kids, seniors, and military families?   

See below for reactions by Virginia politicians to yesterday’s military strikes in Syria.

Beyer Statement On Syria Strikes

April 14, 2018 (Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Don Beyer released the following statement today on President Trump’s decision to initiate military action against Syria:

“The President’s sudden decision to attack Syria is a dangerous abuse of his constitutional authority.

The atrocities committed by the Assad regime are appalling and require a measured response, but that response must be part of a larger strategy, and approved by Congress. The Constitution and the War Powers Resolution require congressional authorization for the use of military force, and claims that action in Syria would be justified by the post-9/11 Authorization simply are not valid.

Instead of presenting a strategy calculated to achieve goals in the national interest or even humanitarian objectives, however, the President has telegraphed indecision and instability to our allies and enemies alike. He steadfastly refused to honor American commitments to take in Syrian refugees, suspended humanitarian aid to Syria, and signaled his intention to withdraw US forces from the country less than two weeks ago.

I fervently hope for the safety of our courageous men and women in uniform. Putting them in harm’s way should always be the result of steady, determined leadership, but our President seems to have done it in on a whim. This is a frightening moment for our country.”

KAINE STATEMENT ON SYRIA AIRSTRIKES

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement after President Trump launched airstrikes against Syria without seeking approval from Congress:

“President Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes against the Syrian government without Congress’s approval is illegal and – absent a broader strategy – it’s reckless. Last week, President Trump was adamant that the U.S. was leaving Syria imminently. This week, he is opening a new military front. Assad must face consequences for his war crimes, but Presidents cannot initiate military action when there isn’t an imminent threat to American lives. Today, it’s a strike on Syria – what’s going to stop him from bombing Iran or North Korea next? The last thing Congress should be doing is giving this President a blank check to wage war against anyone, anywhere. We need to put clear limits in place before he starts another war, and I’m working to do just that.”

For years, Kaine has been outspoken about Presidents’ efforts to expand the use of military force without congressional authorization. In December, Kaine wrote a letter to the Trump Administration requesting information on U.S. strategy in Syria, expressing concern over reports that the U.S. military might now be used to pressure the Syrian government, target Iran and its proxies, and engage other entities not covered under the 2001 AUMF. In January, Kaine spoke out against the Trump Administration’s decision to keep U.S. troops in Syria beyond the counter-ISIS mission and in February, he raised concerns again over recent U.S. airstrikes absent a clear strategy. Kaine has repeatedly demanded that the Trump Administration release a secret memo that, according to reports, the Administration has created detailing the legal basis for airstrikes last April against the Shayrat military airbase in Syria. He has yet to receive a response.

STATEMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN MARK R. WARNER

~ On missile strikes in Syria ~

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on the U.S. airstrikes against Syria:

“I watched the President’s speech tonight, and my thoughts are with the men and women in uniform who are in harm’s way. I look forward to receiving more details from the Administration about the targets and strategic goals of these strikes. While the U.S. and our allies must not turn a blind eye to Assad’s vile and inhumane attacks against his own citizens, military action in Syria must be measured, as part of a coherent strategy to prevent Assad from using chemical weapons without further destabilizing an already-volatile region or inadvertently expanding the conflict.”

Some new polling numbers by Public Policy Polling (PPP)  on a bunch of districts, including VA-02, are out today. For whatever reason, PPP only polled Democrat Elaine Luria and not the other Democratic candidate, Karen Mallard. It would be good to know how Mallard would fare head-to-head against Rep. Scott Taylor (R), especially given that the DCCC has weighed in heavily for Luria. My view is that the party should not weigh in unless there’s strong evidence that one potential candidate is electable and one is not. For instance, let’s say Luria were up 10 points over Taylor and Mallard down 10 points or whatever, then sure. But I don’t think that is the case here. Regardless, it’s encouraging to see that in a district  Taylor won by 22 points in 2016 (and that Trump won by over 3 points), he’s only up by 6 points now (over Luria), and actually TRAILS (by 2 points) among those who say they are “very excited” to vote in November. So let’s all just make sure we turn out to vote in November, and hopefully the rest will take care of itself…

In VA-2 Scott Taylor won 61-39 in 2016. He only leads Democrat Elaine Luria 48-42 now, and among the 57% of voters who are ‘very excited’ to turn out this year, Luria leads 47-45

— PublicPolicyPolling (@ppppolls) April 26, 2018

Although Rep. Scott Taylor (R-VA02) is unlikely to lose his Republican primary to his underfunded Teahadist opponent, Mary Jones, she appears hellbent on taking her best shot at him. Check out Jones’ literature, below, where she accuses Taylor of some of the worst possible things a politician can do, from a Teahadist perspective of course: not supporting President Trump, voting for the Omnibus, supporting “Illegal Alien Amnesty,” attending a “Globalist Rally with Liberal Democrats Bill DeBlasio and Chuck Schumer,” supporting Virginia Beach light rail (whoa! LOL), making “Violent Threats Against Another Republican,” etc. Boy do I love this primary, in a winnable/purple district, no less.

From Progress VA/For Our Families:

“For Our Families” Virginia Launches New Ad, Campaign Holding Scott Taylor Accountable For Supporting The TrumpTax

Seven-figure campaign in Virginia will educate constituents on Taylor’s support for the TrumpTax

Virginia Beach. — For Our Families Virginia, a campaign to hold Congressman Scott Taylor accountable for his votes against working families in Hampton Roads, is releasing a new ad campaign to educate Virginians on how the tax bill lines the pockets of wealthiest individuals, shareholders, and corporations at the expense of middle-class families.

The new television ad directly calls out Congressman Scott Taylor for supporting a tax plan that gives 83 percent of the benefits to the richest 1 percent of the wealthiest Americans. The bill also adds $1.5 trillion to the national debt, putting programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid at risk.

“Congressman Scott Taylor‘s vote for Trump’s tax scam shows he has no interest in helping the working people of Virginia,” said Cynthia Wright, a home health care provider. “Some of us Virginians could use a bailout because most of their income goes toward paying bills and paying taxes. With politicians like Scott Taylor in power, the rich will keep getting richer and the rest of us will have to pay for it.”

“Thanks to Congressman Scott Taylor, on this Tax Day, corporations and the super wealthy are seeing multi-million dollar tax breaks while working families are left with pennies,” added Progress Virginia Executive Director and For Our Families board member Anna Scholl. “We know growth comes from the middle out, not the top down. But the Trump-Taylor tax scam puts our families at the end of the line. We deserve better and Congressman Taylor should stand up for us by voting to repeal the TrumpTax.”

Recent polling shows that a majority of Americans oppose the tax plan forced through Congress by Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans. The new polling also shows that Americans believe that the tax plan unfairly benefits the wealthy and well-connected.

The ad is being released as part of a sustained effort to educate constituents in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District on Congressman Taylor’s record and point to the harm that his votes in Congress have had on our community. The sustained campaign will be spending seven-figures throughout 2018 to hold Congressman Taylor accountable and has already begun its outreach to voters by holding several events around the district and running a television ad since launching only a month ago.

On a recent Sunday, activists from around the community joined together at Mt. Trashmore during the one-year anniversary of the national Tax March to highlight Congressman Taylor’s vote with “Donny the Tax March Chicken” – an inflatable chicken dressed up as President Trump. A clip of the event can be found here.

On March 28th, For our Families Virginia launched a six-figure ad buy highlighting veterans asking Congressman Taylor to reconsider his support for the Trump Tax Scam. The ad ran across the Hampton Roads media market and featured Kyle Green, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan. The previous ad can be seen here.

For our Families Virginia Launched with a rally and press event on March 21st with activists and members of the public in Virginia Beach. The event took place as an anniversary party for the Affordable Care Act and highlighted Scott Taylor’s continual attacks against health care for the nearly 45,000 individuals in our community who depend on its coverage for their lives. A link to the event can be found here.

The ad can be viewed here.