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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Fridays Supreme Court ruling on abortion fueled a boisterous rally on Monday in the Pennsylvania Capitol by Democrats who vowed to take their fight for abortion rights to the ballot box.

Yes this is a call to action, said Amanda Cappelletti (D), Pennsylvania State Senate member. The fact that there is an election every six months in Pennsylvania and you should be out there voting in each and every one of them.

Republicans will go forward in further restricting abortions in Pennsylvania if left unchecked. Democratic lawmakers promised to check them and urge voters to send a message by choosing pro-choice candidates.

We are going to fight like hell to keep abortion access in the commonwealth for Pennsylvania, said State Senator Judy Schwank (D), Berks County.

Republican State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano held a press conference on a bill to increase penalties for fentanyl dealers on Monday. He calls abortion his number one issue and believes life begins at conception. Upon leaving the press conference, he ignored some reporters.

Fellow GOP Senator Ryan Aument did stop and talk about the abortion decision. I certainly applaud the ruling, he said.

Abortion will sway some voters in November, Aument concedes, but says it is not the top issue to his constituents.

The primary concerns are economic. Theyre mostly concerned about gas prices, concerned about inflation, Aument said.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is the Democratic Partys nominee for Governor, bothexpressed support for maintaining Pennsylvanias abortion law.

Mastriano, however, hassupported outlawing abortionin Pennsylvania if elected in November. Following the Supreme Courts decision on Friday, Mastriano said the law was rightly relegated to the ash heap of history.

In Pennsylvania, abortion remains legal despite Fridays ruling.

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Pennsylvania democrats vow to put abortion on the ballot - ABC27

The coming increase of Connecticuts hourly wage to $14 on Friday was an opportunity Monday for Gov. Ned Lamont to share ground with some of his fellow Democrats who sometimes wish for a more progressive governor.

In a visit to a storefront office in Bridgeport that houses a non-profit organization serving marginalized youth, Lamont said he was there to remind Connecticut the minimum wage was about to change.

Unspoken was another reminder: Without his election in 2018, the bill increasing a $10.10 minimum wage in annual increments to $15 next June would not have become law given the opposition of Republican Bob Stefanowski.

The event Monday followed his endorsement Friday by the states largest labor organization, the Connecticut AFL-CIO, for reelection in his rematch with Stefanowski.

Election years have a way of unifying Connecticuts fractious Democratic coalition around the politics of pragmatism. As one union leader privately noted last week, its always better to have a governor with you 75% of the time than 0%.

When you are left with two choices, in this case Ned Lamont and Bob Stefanowski, I dont think you can find anyone from these unions who believes Mr. Stefanowski is a better choice, said House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford.

On Monday, two liberal Democrats from New Haven joined the governor in Bridgeport, as did Mayor Joseph P. Ganim, who challenged him for the Democratic nomination four years ago, and Sen. Marilyn Moore, D-Bridgeport, a member of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus.

I am so grateful to have you as the governor, Moore said. When we needed you, you were there to sign off on some of these important bills that influence and impact the lives of Black and brown people in big cities like Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven.

Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, who has clashed with Lamont in her pursuit of an aggressive labor agenda, including higher taxes on the wealthy, said her appearance with the governor should not be a surprise.

I believe in giving credit where credits due, and this was an opportune time to do that, said Porter, who pushed the $15 minimum wage as co-chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. This wouldnt happen without his pen.

The minimum wage law requires the governor and legislature to consider a freeze if the economy retracts in successive quarters. Connecticuts gross domestic product has grown, but Stefanowski has made a central issue of inflation during the administrations of Lamont and President Joe Biden.

Stefanowski, who opposed the higher minimum wage four years ago as an ill-timed burden on struggling businesses, said Monday in an email he still has concerns about the impact on businesses and consumers.

While I support a minimum wage, most businesses are already offering higher wages to offset 40-year high Biden Lamont inflation making everything more expensive, Stefanowski said.

Lamont said inflation was more a reason to increase the minimum wage than to freeze it.

I think my least favorite way of dealing with inflation is having those that do a lot of essential work at the very lowest wages in our state and in our country not get a wage that at least keeps pace with inflation, which is what the increase does right now, Lamont said. Look, inflation has a lot of roots. Id say the minimum wage is probably number 1,388 on the list.

Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, is a labor-and-tax policy liberal who has developed a partnership with Lamont over increases to the Earned Income Tax Credit for the working poor, as well as the passage in 2019 of laws increasing the minimum wage and establishing a paid family and medical leave benefit.

The history of the minimum wage is that every few years, there would be an agreement that the minimum wage had fallen farther and farther behind inflation, and then there would be a consensus to perhaps pass a slight increase, and then the same cycle would repeat, Looney said.

Looney said Lamont helped break that cycle.

The 2019 minimum wage law set a schedule of increases in what then was a $10.10 minimum wage: $11 in October 2019, $12 in September 2020, $13 in August 2021, $14 in July 2022, and $15 in June 2023. After 2023, the minimum wage will be pegged to the Employment Cost Index, a measure of wage growth calculated by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Anyone who spends a day in Hartford would know that this bill only passed because there was an activist Democratic governor and a Democratic majority in the General Assembly who passed it and put it on his desk, where he was waiting with his pen in hand to sign it, Looney said. Thats how things get done. Thats how progressive things get done.

Ritter, who was not at the Bridgeport event, said the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade last week, upending a half-century of abortion law, also helped Democrats come together.

The fight sometimes in our party is on economic issues, but where we are unified is on social issues, Ritter said.

At his stop in Bridgeport, Lamont fielded more questions about the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion in the U.S. through fetal viability, than the minimum wage.

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CT minimum wage increase is common ground for Democrats and Lamont - The Connecticut Mirror

President Bidens leadership is causing even some of his partys faithful to wonder whether he should be the Democrats candidate in 2024. Even if he presided with competence, there would be places where Biden should not venture. One such place is interfering with the foreign and domestic policies of the United Kingdom.

Amid a global economic crisis and conflict with Russia, the Biden administration has not wavered in siding against its most stalwart ally. Recently, Biden officials at different levels of government have warned the UK not to pursue any action to modify the Northern Ireland Protocol the trading arrangements put in place after the UK voted for Brexit in 2016 heedless of the fact that Britain, a sovereign country, must be allowed to pursue policy that is in its best interests. This is not how friends treat cherished friends, and it has this week earned sharp criticism of two former U.S. ambassadors to the United Nations, Nikki Haley and John Bolton.

Northern Ireland is a full-fledged province of the United Kingdom, whose government must act to maintain its proper cohesion. The Biden administrations latest error of judgment is its challenge to the British governments duty and resolve in this regard, siding instead with European Union (EU) bad faith and intransigence.

Biden, along with some of his fellow Democrats in Congress, apparently is blind to the reality of the breakdown in power-sharing in Stormont that is created by EU extremism over implementation of the Protocol that is the real threat to peace and stability.

There is no excuse for being blind to reality. In September, no less than the architect of the Good Friday Agreement, David Trimble, wrote Biden a measured appeal, cogently asking that the president abandon his support for the EUs position over the trade terms, arguing that meddling by Biden and his congressional cohorts risks causing civil unrest, damage to the Northern Ireland economy, and political uncertainty. That this most-informed advice from someone who best understands the situation in Northern Ireland has gone unheeded is hardly shocking, considering the Biden administrations neglect to coordinate with the UK our key military partner and closest ally during last Augusts chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Were the Biden administration well-intended, it would demonstrate even-handedness. To put this into context, the American public would rightfully be incensed were a British leader to meddle in our sovereign affairs say, supporting Texas or California seceding from the Union, or taking the side of Canada or Mexico in the event of a USMCA disagreement.

In fact, Prime Minister Boris Johnson did voice an opinion and a critical one, at that about Fridays Supreme Court decision regarding abortion. But, unlike the Biden administration, Johnson, when disagreeing, hasnt resorted to threatening consequences or conditions.

Democrats intolerable our way or the highway approach in prescribing what Britains course should be leaves the Biden administration content to undermine and show contempt for our ally, even as the UK demonstrates so clearly its Brexit release to be Global Britain, with its leadership regarding Ukraine and its defense engagement with Sweden and Finland in stark contrast to the EU wallowing on these and other subjects.

Bidens approach would be bad enough in isolation toward a country of scant importance to the U.S. But Britain is not that, and what he does is not in the U.S. interest. He sides against the UK with an Irish nationalism that purports neutrality but shelters under UK and NATO protection. It appears the EUs not-so-hidden aim is a united Ireland, the North separated from the UK as punishment for Brexit.

Perhaps Biden, undeclared, shares that aim. That would make starkly dishonest, Secretary of State Antony Blinkens justification of the administrations suggestion to put on the ground an uninvited and unwanted American envoy to act as referee, in line with our historical role as a good-faith arbiter. Regardless of motives, the meddling has met with an appropriate response from UK Brexit negotiator David Frost: It is our country that faced the Troubles. We dont need lectures from others about the peace process.

One has to marvel at the judgment of an American administration to intrude shamefully on our closest allys sovereignty when we have paralyzing problems at home, such as unbearable inflation caused by runaway spending.

Moreover, at a time of peril that threatens all the people of Ireland that is, Russias suggested nuclear detonation to swamp the UK rather than lecturing the UK about how it reacts to EU bullying, Biden instead should consider urging Ireland to join NATO.

Lee Cohen, a senior fellow of the Bow Group and the Bruges Group, was adviser on Great Britain to the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and founded the Congressional United Kingdom Caucus. Follow him on Twitter @LeeLeesco3.

Originally posted here:
Biden and Democrats Brexit intrusions are conduct unbecoming the US - The Hill

(June 27, 2022 / JNS) An anti-Israel activist who shared a number of social media posts with anti-Semitic content has campaigned with multiple Democrats over the past year.

Mahel Abdel Qader has come under fire for repeatedly promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. In 2017, he shared a graphic that included the names of dozens of Jewish members of Congress, implying that they have a dual loyalty to Israel and the United States. The Daily Caller reported that, in 2018, Qader shared an anti-Semitic video that claimed Jews are satanic and control the media. The video also dipped into Holocaust denial, questioning whether six million Jews died at the hands of the Nazis. It also claimed that Jews arent actually Jewish, but rather invented their historical claims to Israel.

In another post, Qader accused Israeli settlers of training children to terrorize Palestinian civilians. He also posted a picture of a sign that showed former U.S. President Donald Trump wearing a yarmulke while holding a Hanukkah menorah and an Israeli flag. The sign said, Hey Donald, we thought you said America First! Qader also put up multiple posts that promote boycotts of Israel.

According to a Fox News Digital report, Qader served on the host committees of multiple fundraisers for New York City Mayor Eric Adams campaign. He also joined Adams on a Zoom call to discuss the campaign, according to a post on Qaders now-deleted Instagram page.

In addition, Qader attended a New York City fundraiser last month for Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is running for reelection. Several weeks ago, he was on the host committee of a virtual fundraiser for Rev. Jesse Jacksons son Jonathan Jackson, who is running for Congress in Illinois First Congressional District.

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In promotional material for the fundraiser, Qader wrote on his Instagram page, Jonathan Jackson son of Jesse Jackson/Chicago is running for congress and needs our support. He is a staunch supporter of Palestine, Palestinians and our Arab-American community.

Qader has also participated in fundraisers with members of the far-left group of Democratic House members known as The Squad. Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) took part in a virtual Zoom fundraiser with Qader last September. In early November, Qader posted a flier for a fundraising reception for Bush hosted by the St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Muslim Community of St. Louis.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who has close ties to Qader, has participated in several events with him during her time in Congress, including a fundraiser last September. The day after the fundraiser, Qader posted a picture of himself with Tlaib on a Manhattan rooftop. Qader served as chairman of the Tlaib campaigns finance committee during her successful 2018 congressional run and was presented with a medal by Tlaib for his service.

In response to concerns about his anti-Semitic activities, Qader said he has great respect for the religion and the Jewish people, adding that there is no such thing as fake Jews. He denied that he had claimed otherwise, despite the evidence from his Facebook posts.

A source in Adams office, who is not authorized to speak to the media, said Adams had attempted to build a wide coalition of supporters from across the demographic spectrum and that his strong support for and relationship with the New York Jewish community and Israel is clear.

The offices of Ellison, Bush and Tlaib did not respond to requests for comment.

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Anti-Semitic activist campaigned with multiple Democrats over the past year - JNS.org

Abortion enthusiasts have been telling so many lies since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last week, its hard to take them seriously.

Now President Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are salivating at the prospect that abortion is on the ballot, as opposed to inflation, crime, border security and all the issues that have the Democrats under water and without a viable policy.

But abortion may not be the electoral game-changer they hope for, and largely thats because the lies they tell themselves and their supporters have caused them to lose touch with the reality of America.

Women caring for their health is the presidents euphemism for abortion.

It was a sad day and a tragic error, said Biden, when the Supreme Court returned the issue to the voters and their elected state representatives to decide. He vowed to do everything in my power to preserve abortion.

Pelosi called the decision outrageous and criminalizing reproductive freedom, another euphemism which tries to hide the death element of abortion.

Like Biden, her unequivocal support for abortion is wildly at odds with Catholic teaching and her ostentatious religiosity.

Im very Catholic, devout, practicing, she has declared.

But San Franciscos Catholic archbishop, Salvatore J. Cordileone, last month rebuked Pelosi over her vocal support for abortion, and declared she would be denied Communion.

Biden has escaped accountability for his abortion advocacy. I guess we have to take his word for it that Pope Francis told him in April that he was a good Catholic and should continue receiving Communion.

But the Vatican is all for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, issuing a statement praising the decision last week, and the pope explicitly has called abortion murder, likening it to hiring a hit man.

Polls show almost nine in 10 Americans oppose Biden and Pelosis extreme position of abortion on demand until birth.

A Trafalgar Group poll last month showed less than 12% of Americans support abortions to birth, while 57% believe abortions should be banned once an unborn babys heartbeat can be detected at about six weeks. Even among Democrats, only 19% think that abortion should be legal until birth.

Scientific advances showing us detailed ultrasound photos inside the womb, and allowing premature babies to survive at 25 weeks, have changed the equation. Most Americans want reasonable restrictions with compassionate exceptions to safeguard the mothers life and in the cases of rape and incest which Planned Parenthoods own research arm, the Guttmacher Institute, says is less than 1% of abortions.

Whats more, a Rasmussen poll last month showed 48% of voters said they would approve of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, and 45% would disapprove. Among Democratic voters, 33% said they would approve.

And a Fox News poll found 54% of voters supported state laws banning abortion at 15 weeks, such as in Mississippi, where the Supreme Court case originated.

If they are so opposed to the Supreme Court decision, why dont Democrats simply pass a law to codify Roe v. Wade, since they control Washington?

Well, they tried it already with the Womens Health Protection Act, and failed. The Senate voted 49-51 against the bill, which would have overridden state abortion laws, well short of the 60 votes needed. The problem, as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez complains, is that members of their own party are pro-life.

Biden claims America has become an outlier, when actually it was an outlier under Roe, since only five other countries including China and North Korea allow abortion until the moment of birth.

The truth is Democrats strayed too far from public opinion. Where once the phrase safe, legal and rare summed up a palatable position for Democrats, they allowed extremists to push it to abortion any time for any reason, including for sex selection and to get rid of Down syndrome babies, which is opposed by 70% of Americans, according to a Knights of Columbus survey last year.

In Mississippi, it wasnt pro-life activists but an abortion clinic that went to court to overturn the state law banning abortions after 15 weeks, except in the case of a mothers life being threatened. Its their own fault, and Harry Reids filibuster reform also played a role.

Wrong. The Constitution mentions nothing about abortion. All the Supreme Court did was send abortion regulation back to the states, where it always belonged. Abortion remains available, but there are now 50 abortion laws. All 13 states with so-called trigger laws allow abortions to save the life of the mother.

As for the slippery slope which Pelosi & Co. are fearmongering about, Justice Samuel Alito explicitly wrote that nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion, such as contraception and gay marriage.

While Justice Clarence Thomas wrote separately that other substantive precedents decided by the court on due process should be re-examined, he just says they should be based on other constitutional provisions. In any case, no other justice agreed.

Hardly. They should offer similar lump sums to pregnant employees who keep their babies.

But let the woke corporates serve as an inspiration for Republicans to enact Hungarian-style policies, which reward mothers and fathers handsomely for having children and encourage them to have lots more.

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The Democrats' lies on abortion since SCOTUS' overruling of Roe v. Wade - New York Post