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BALTIMORE House Democrats are feeling good about the fight over the Affordable Care Act.

As Republicans continue to debate exactly how to deliver on promises to replace the massive health care program, which as of January insured 18 million Americans, Democrats were more than happy to sit, point, and gloat about predicament the GOP finds itself in.

As time goes on, it gets better for us, Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), ranking Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, said Wednesday during the annual House Democratic retreat. Because as time goes on, more people apply for insurance. From a net benefit, all of a sudden youre gonna tell the American people youre gonna take something away.

When you look at it from that perspective, as Ive been having some fun saying, it has succeeded bigly, he added, borrowing President Donald Trumps favorite word.

Republicans are finding it is much harder to craft an alternative to the health care law, commonly called Obamacare, than they initially figured. Their efforts to quickly repeal and replace the program have stalled, as Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) admitted on Tuesday.

Trump, who promised to repeal the law immediately upon taking office, seemed acknowledge the setback, suggesting the GOP may not put forward a plan of its own until next year.

It statutorily takes a while to get, Trump said during a Sunday interview with Fox News. Were going to be putting it in fairly soon. I think that, yes, I would like to say by the end of the year, at least the rudiments, but we should have something within the year and the following year.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) denied that his party was in discord. During a press conference this week, the speaker vowed his caucus would produce legislation this year aimed at replacing Obamacare.

The GOP hemming and hawing was music to the ears of leading Democrats who helped craft Obamacare. Those lawmakers projected confidence about the fate of the health care law during this weeks Democratic retreat in Baltimores Inner Harbor.

They realize there is no replacement, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), ranking member on the Education and the Workforce Committee, told reporters, referring to Republicans. If they had done this quickly first day, do it while no ones looking they might have gotten away with it. Now, just too many people, including too many of their members, recognize the chaos that will be caused.

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the Republicans are in total disarray.

They really dont have the votes for any kind of replacement, he added.

House Democratic leadership kicked off the retreat Wednesday by vowing to fight Trumps administration tooth and nail. In addition, they sought to push back against the notion they were irrelevant as a minority party with few institutional tools to oppose the GOPs whim.

House Democrats who helped draft Obamacare said during a panel discussion that the GOP underestimated the task that lay ahead.

I think we have tremendous leverage, Pallone said, noting Republicans would need Democratic votes to help pass a replacement plan that likely would not get every GOP member on board.

Theyre expecting somehow were going to join with them and say this is a terrible system and were going to help them replace it. We realize its a great system. What we want to do is improve it.

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Democrats Gloat Over GOP's Obamacare Predicament - Huffington Post

Pushing back against Republican President Donald Trump, one Democratic state lawmaker is sponsoring legislation aimed at protecting Illinois women's access to abortion services.

The plan from State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, would eliminate a so-called trigger provision in state law that automatically would make abortion illegal in Illinois if the abortion rights ruling Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. The proposal also would allow women with Medicaid and state employee health insurance to use their coverage for abortions.

Feigenholtz said her effort is a direct response to Trump, who has said he would appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade.

Before the court decision, abortion in Illinois was illegal unless the mother's life was at stake. A law passed in 1975 two years after the case says that while abortion is now legal, the state would return to its former policy if the decision is ever reversed or modified.

"We really have to protect Illinois women and make an affirmative statement as a General Assembly that says Illinois is going to be a state where abortion is safe and legal no matter what happens with the Supreme Court and Donald Trump," Feigenholtz said.

The legislation is part of a broader agenda announced Wednesday by House and Senate Democrats that represents resistance to Trump in the legislature their party controls. Democrats detailed their fears that he'll push to weaken women's rights, and they protested the president's executive order banning immigrants and refugees from some Muslim-majority countries.

The abortion legislation cleared an Illinois House committee Wednesday despite concerns from some Republicans that the plan would remove a section of the 1975 law that says an unborn child is a human being from the time of conception and has a right to life.

"I think we have the responsibility to recognize that even an unborn child is a human being," said Rep. Sheri Jesiel, R-Winthrop Harbor. "We have that responsibility as a culture. We have that responsibility as a state. By striking that from the language, we do not do that."

The proposal has far to go before becoming law. It still needs a full House vote, Senate approval and a signature from Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Rauner avoided talk about social issues while campaigning but has since signed off on legislation that requires doctors who refuse to perform abortions for moral reasons to give patients information on where they can get the procedure elsewhere. That law is now before the courts.

Other efforts announced Wednesday call for paid sick time, paid family medical leave and access to free feminine hygiene products for students in grades 6-12. The group emphasized that more legislation could come up during session as it discusses other issues and the impact of the state budget impasse on women.

Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, said she is hoping to build on momentum from last year, when she successfully rolled back the sales tax on feminine hygiene products. Her new focus centers on legislation that seeks to prevent tailors, dry cleaners, hair salons and barbers from charging men and women different prices for the same services.

"I want to make sure that women are not being discriminated against for services," Bush said.

Under the proposal, businesses would be required to display a price list for their 15 most popular services, along with a sign informing customers about the state's anti-discrimination policy. Sellers would also have to provide a complete written price list to customers upon request. Businesses that violate the policy could wind up with a $1,000 fine.

"Women have had the vote for 100 years, and there are still pieces of women's rights that we just have to be paying more attention to," Bush said.

hbemiller@chicagotribune.com

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Illinois Democrats push back against Trump on abortion - Chicago Tribune

For a year or so DonaldTrump has left little doubt of his authoritarian impulses. He has attacked the independent press, defamed Judge Gonzalo Curiel, consistently praised dictators, tried to discredit our electoral system and, when it suited him, threatened to lock up his political opponent. He has made a mockery of Republicans claim to be the party of constitutional rectitude. And now he has abandoned any pretense that he understands or respects our constitutional system.

The Post reports:

President Trump denounced arguments against his immigration order as disgraceful on Wednesday, a day after three federal appellate judges lobbed critical inquiries at those challenging and defending the plan, and suggested a ruling against his administration would be based on politics and not a fair reading of the law.

In a speech to law enforcement officials in Washington, Trump argued his executive action is clearly legal and read aloud the relevant part of the law, which he called so simple and so beautifully written and so perfectly written.

I watched last night, in amazement, and I heard things that I couldnt believe, things that really had nothing to do with what I just read, he said. And I dont ever want to call a court biased, so I wont call it biased. And we havent had a decision yet. But courts seem to be so political and it would be so great for our justice system if they would be able to read a statement and do whats right.

He clearly threatened to blame the judiciary for any future attacks if he didnt get the ruling he wants. He tweeted, If the U.S. does not win this case as it so obviously should, we can never have the security and safety to which we are entitled. Politics! This comes after he singled out the trial court judge for the initial ruling. (He tweeted, Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad! He claimed, The judge opens up our country to potential terrorists and others that do not have our best interests at heart. Bad people are very happy!

When President Obama mildly urged the Supreme Court to uphold Obamacare, conservatives had a meltdown, accusing him of disrespecting the judiciary. Aside from a few mild rebukes of the presidents initial comments about District Court Judge James Robart they no surprise have been mute.

One would expect the 9th Circuit to rule on the merits of the case, but a defense of judicial independence would be in order. (In normal litigation a party might be held in contempt for such invective, but the court surely wont go that far.) And where is the Federalist Society? Former Supreme Court advocate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.)?

Democrats would be wise to take two steps. First, if they introduce a resolution censuring the presidents outbursts they can force Republicans to own the comments. The spectacle of Republicans defending the presidents right to bully judges would be impressive, especially in the context of the Supreme Court confirmation fight. And thats the second move for Democrats: They must demand Gorsuch rebuke the comments and defend the independence of the judiciary. Thats the essence of the argument (to the extent there is one beyond the stolen seat claim) against Gorsuch, namely that he will do Trumps bidding once on the court. (We think Gorsuchs intellectual integrity is such that he would never buckle, but thats the Democrats argument.) If he cannot rebuke the president for blatantly inappropriate remarks which bring dishonor on the executive and demean the judiciary, Democrats will have a legitimate concern about the politicization of the court.

Lets see what Democrats and Republicans do. As with Republicans muzzling of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Trumps outburst gives Democrats an opening to expose Trump and his apologists as authoritarian bullies.

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Democrats and Gorsuch must counter Trump's attacks on the judiciary - Washington Post (blog)

The election of President Donald Trump, along with the GOPs success in keeping control of Congress and their big wins at the state level in recent years, have left Democrats without a clear leader. And until one emerges, the role of most powerful Democrat will be a topic of some debate. Still, its obvious that some Democrats have attempted to fill the void in various ways, including a couple who have formally retired from politics.

Here are seven Democrats who could helplead their party through the wilderness.

Just 10 days before leaving office, former President Barack Obama returned to Chicago to deliver his farewell address in front of thousands of supporters, staffers and former volunteers. He ended the speech -- a defense of American democracy and a call to action against forces that may challenge it -- with the line that characterized his 2008 campaign, to cheers and tears from the audience: Yes we can. Yes we did. Yes we can.

It was proof of Obamas staying power both as a symbol for Democrats and as a voice in the party. The fact of the matter is, Obama left office with the highest approval ratings hed had in years: he remains immensely popular among Democrats, and likely will continue to do so.

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President Trump commented on his relationship with former President Obama Monday night. He spoke with Bill O'Reilly on Fox News. See the clip her...

Combined with the inherent power former presidents have in influencing the political discussion, Obama could be a powerful voice against Mr. Trump. There were hints that hes willing to speak out when he deems it necessary: his statement in support of the protesters after Mr. Trump signed his travel ban, which said citizens like the protesters are the guardians of our democracy, indicated he is unlikely to stay silent when Mr. Trump takes things too far.

Obamas next act is still unclear: it seems unlikely that hell go the route of his predecessor, George W. Bush, and step back from public life almost entirely. And at 55, hes among the countrys youngest ex-presidents, so he has plenty of time for his post-presidency. Kitesurfing is bound to get old.

The most popular politician in America is also the leader of the Democrats surging left wing. After his surprisingly strong run for the nomination of a party he is not even technically a member of, Sanders is now the most successful socialist politician in American history. Hes also the one best-positioned to talk to the youth of the party, which is increasingly critical of capitalism and disdainful of the wealthy.

At 75, its unlikely Sanders will ever be the Democrats pick for president. But that doesnt mean other aspirants wont be lining up to kiss his ring as we get closer to 2020. When New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, for example, recently unveiled his plan to eliminate tuition payments for low-income students at state universities, he asked the Vermont senator to co-headline the announcement.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, challenges President Trump to stand by his campaign promise to keep Medicare and Medicaid. "Send out a tweet," Sa...

We dont normally associate septuagenarian socialists with energy and charisma, but if Democratic politics has one rock star right now, its almost certainly Sanders. Hillary Clintons failure to win the presidency damaged her party, but not Sanders, the man who his supporters wouldve easily beaten Mr. Trump if he had only been given a chance.

Sanders and his advocates say that theyre the future of a new and uncompromisingly leftist Democratic Party. And right now, in the age of Trump, its looking more and more like they might be right.

The de facto leader of the Democratic Party is in an uncomfortable position. On the one hand, the liberal base is demanding he do everything possible to stop Mr. Trumps nominees. On the other, he has political realities to consider, like the fact that Republicans control both houses of Congress and the White House.

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In the wake of president Trump's ban from people traveling from 7 Muslim majority countries, Nancy Cordes spoke with minority leader and New York...

But Schumer is nothing if not a strategic thinker, which is why he was the obvious candidate to take over following Sen. Harry Reids retirement. Plus, Schumer has the benefit of knowing Mr. Trump better and longer than perhaps any politician in Washington the two outer-borough New Yorkers have a longstanding friendship, and Mr. Trump has given Schumer plenty of cash over the years. Perhaps thats the kind of knowledge that can pay serious dividends at the negotiating table.

Or not. Either way, Schumers role as the leader of the opposition in the Senate means hes a force for both Republicans and Democrats to reckon with.

The ex-VP still commands a lot of love and loyalty from the Democratic faithful, and his endorsement in intraparty contests will still be sought for years to come. For liberals who will always look back fondly on the halcyon days of the Obama administration, the attraction is even more powerful. Uncle Joe was the loveable mascot of Democratic politics during some of the best years of the party, and will remain beloved among it ranks for as long as he lives.

Plus, Biden speaks the language of the demographic considered most responsible for declining Democratic fortunes: the white working class, which abandoned them in droves for Mr. Trump in 2016. Thats because to many, Biden is a throwback to the golden age of liberalism, a time when unions were strong and filled with reliable Democratic voters.

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Vice president Joe Biden spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday, where he discuss his "Cancer Moonshot" initiative. V...

Hes also arguably one of the few remaining examples of old-school politicians ones who worked their way through state schools and remained middle class and plainspoken even as they ascended to the peak of power. They dont make em like Joe anymore, and they never will again.

Plus, is there any Democratic politician, with the exception of Obama, who enjoys such broad support and affection within the partys fractious base? Biden can walk with kings but keep the common touch, gliding throughout the world as a senior statesman while still knowing how to talk to every group in the Democratic coalition. A utility player if there ever was one, expect Biden to be drafted to speak to everyone from African-Americans to Midwestern whites to northeastern millionaires in 2018 and 2020. They all know Joe, and they all like him.

The Democratic base is consumed by anger, and one Minnesota senator has given them an acerbic and entertaining voice. Franken has been in Congress for nearly a decade, but hes eschewed the limelight until only recently. His breakout moment came during the hearings for President Trumps cabinet nominees, where he was quick to draw blood.

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Senator Al Franken (D-MN) questions Donald Trump's education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos' statistics on student debt during her confirmation he...

Sen. Jeff Sessions, Mr. Trumps pick for attorney general, was embarrassed by Frankens questioning, which showed the Alabaman embellished his resume when it came to prosecuting civil rights cases. Betsy DeVos also came out damaged by Frankens questioning, which showed her to be somewhat ignorant in matters of education policy. And Tom Price, the nominee for health and human services secretary, was unprepared when Franken brought up his investments in Big Tobacco.

All of this has lead to chatter that Franken, having finally shed the image of a comedian who plays at politics, might be a credible contender for the presidency in 2020. Franken says hes not interested but then again, thats what presidential aspirants often say this far out from Election Day.

Bernie Sanders may have finished the 2016 campaign as the newest hero of progressive Democrats, but Warren was the progressive icon who originally rose to prominence on a platform of anti-Wall Street, anti-income inequality frustration.

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Dr. Ben Carson and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren clashed during his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. El...

In addition to maintaining her sway with progressives, Warren has also presented herself as one of the parties most vicious Trump attack dog, delivering some of Democrats most scathing comments on Mr. Trump throughout the campaign and making it clear since Election Day that she would oppose him at every turn. At a Womens March in Boston, she fired up the crowd: Im here to fight back.

Still, even Warren has her limits among the partys progressive base. When she voted in committee for Ben Carson as secretary of housing and urban development -- just days after grilling him during his confirmation hearing -- she got major blowback from the left wing of the Democratic Party and found herself on defense with the progressives who normally adore her.

There arent many fresh faces on the Democratic scene after 2016, a relatively dismal year for Democrats at the ballot box that quite literally produced few major new Democratic officeholders. But of the newcomers, one stands out as a potential new powerful voice in the party: Californias junior senator, Kamala Harris.

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President Obama is getting flack for a comment he made about California's Attorney General Kamala Harris, calling her the "best looking attorney ...

Harris, formerly the attorney general of California, has long been considered a rising star in the Democratic Party and cemented that reputation by easily winning her Senate race in November. In the weeks since shes taken office, Harris has only bolstered her spot on lists of potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2020 and beyond.

She has been a vocal and visible part of the opposition to the new president: she grilled Cabinet nominees on issues of LGBT discrimination and climate change, held a prime speaking slot at the Womens March on Washington and turned up in front of the White House the following weekend to protest Mr. Trumps travel ban.

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Seven Democrats to watch in Washington - CBS News

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AUSTIN (KXAN) On Wednesday afternoon, Austin Mayor Steve Adler connected by phone with business leaders from across Texas. He listened to their questions and concerns about immigration policies and their impact on companies.

The businesses on this call were expressing real concern about the substance and the tenor of the conversation happening nationally with respect to immigration, said Adler. Many of the companies on the phone were tech companies and a lot of their talent comes from immigrant communities or overseas.

The conference call was organized by a non-partisan group called Business Forward. They discussed President Trumps travel ban, the wall and sanctuary cities.

Mayor Adler discussed data that highlightsbenefits immigrants bring to the U.S. economy. From 1995 to 2005, he says 25 percent of the tech and engineering companies had at least one immigrant founder. His office also notes that UT has 100 students, faculty and scholars from banned countries.

I think we need to keep our borders secure, but I think we can do that in a way that still operates to promote safety, that still delivers on American dream, said Adler. Were a country made of immigrants and we are stronger because of that.

Joah Spearman, Founder and CEO of the Austin-based startup Localeur, says he and other entrepreneurs have talked to the mayor about these issues.

In order to grow, you need the right resources to do that. Some of that is capital, access to capital, and a lot of that is talent, access to the best talent, said Spearman.

Spearman says within the last 24 hours hes talked to an entrepreneur reconsidering doing business in the United States, as well as another company devoting resources to helping an employee with legal expenses.

I have to make sure my employees get their paychecks every month so they can pay their mortgages and their rents and their utilities bills. Now if Im having to think about things like, Are they going to be able to get back into the country? Can their family and friends get in the country? Things of that nature, it just adds more complexity to the business and takes away from us being able to focus on the things that are going to make us successful, Spearman said.

Mayor Adler wants business leaders to continue using their voice, so policymakers get the message.

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Mayor Adler talks immigration reform with businesses - KXAN.com