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By Emily Cahn Posted at 5 a.m. today

Young is a top Democratic target in 2016. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Iowa state Sen. Matt McCoy is seriously considering a challenge to Republican Rep. David Young, a top target in 2016.

But Democrats in both Washington, D.C., and Iowaare concerned about the Des Moines Democrats congressional ambitions in the 3rd District, a must-win seat for Democrats looking to slice into the Republican majority this cycle.

In fact, their concern about McCoys candidacy has been pretty constant since he threatened to run back in 2002, one Iowa Democratic operative said. I dont think theres a lot of interest in him running.

Young, the incumbent Republican, won an open-seat race to succeed longtime GOP Rep. Tom Latham. Hes one of 12 incumbents the National Republican Congressional Committee placed in its Patriot program for vulnerable incumbents for 2016.

Young defeated former state Sen. Staci Appel by 10 points in 2014 in a dismal year for Democrats, but the party has higher hopes for the presidential election cycle. Appel is mulling a rematch, and Democrats are also looking at Nick Klinefeldt, the U.S. attorney in the Southern district of Iowa.

McCoy ditched his 2002 bidwhen then-Rep. Leonard Boswell, a fellow Democrat, moved into thedistrict following redistricting. A state legislator since 1993, McCoy has a colorful past that makes him rife for attacks from the GOP.

In 2005, McCoywas accused of funneling money from a businessman to a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and he agreed to pay a fine to settle the accusations in 2008.

He was indicted on a federal extortion charge in 2007, when he was accused ofthreatening to use his influence as a senator to force a business partner to pay him $2,000, according to a report from the Associated Press. Though he was ultimately acquitted, the incident would give Republicans easy fodder in advertising.

Read more here:
Democrats Down on Potential Iowa Candidate

Senate Democrats are emerging as a potentially major obstacle facing President Obama as he tries to build support on Capitol Hill for a nuclear deal with Iran.

Key Democrats say they are open to a bill that Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) is pushing, which the White House says could complicate talks with Iran. And one of the Senate's top-ranking Democrats is reiterating his support for the measure. If it got enough Democratic backing, Obama would not be able to stop the bill with his veto pen.

These developments, which come as Congress is in recess and just days after the United States and five other world powers reached a framework for the nuclear deal with Iran, illustrate the stiff challenges facing Obama and his team when lawmakers return to the Capitol next week.

"I do think they have some work to do to recognize that congressional oversight is appropriate," Sen. Chris Coons (Del.), one of the Democrats weighing support for Corker's bill, told The Washington Post.

[Obama makes his sales pitch for Iran nuclear deal]

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), the third-ranking Senate Democrat, released a statement Monday reaffirming his support for Corker's measure. Schumer is one of nine Democratic co-sponsors of the measure.

This is a very serious issue that deserves careful consideration, and I expect to have a classified briefing in the near future. I strongly believe Congress should have the right to disapprove any agreement, and I support the Corker bill which would allow that to occur," said Schumer, who has the inside track to becoming the next Senate Democratic leader.

Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.), the newly minted ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview with The Post that the framework of Corker's bill "is one that makes sense." Cardin said he is weighing whether to back the measure -- it would give Congress a 60-day period to review the nuclear deal before the Obama administration could suspend or remove sanctions against Iran mandated by the legislative body -- and what changes to it may be needed.

He said he is also withholding final judgment on the nuclear deal until he receives classified briefings from administration officials next week.

"I want to ask questions about the snapback of sanctions," he said.

Read more:
Why Senate Democrats could be Obamas biggest problem on Iran

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Responding to federal inaction over immigration reform, California Democrats on Tuesday announced a package of 10 bills that would extend health care, legal rights and business protection to immigrants who are illegally living in the state.

Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, D-Los Angeles, led the majority party's push to expand health coverage to all Californians, regardless of their immigration status, although they are not proposing any funding to pay for the extensions.

"Today we remind the rest of the nation that California is different," de Leon said at a news conference in Sacramento attended by immigrant-rights advocates and families with members in the country illegally.

Atkins acknowledged there was only so much the state can do because immigration is a federal issue. "This is not easy," she said.

The package includes help for California's estimated 2.5 million immigrants in the country illegally to apply for legal status if they have been a victim of a crime and assistance for the recent surge of immigrant children crossing the border to stay in the country.

Another bill bans businesses from discriminating against people on the basis of their immigration status, citizenship or language. Other bills seek to establish a state agency to help newly arrived immigrants, protect immigrants from unscrupulous employers and extend legal protections to avoid detention and deportation, according to a written summary of the legislation.

Democrats who control the governor's office and both chambers of the Legislature have said they want to find ways for immigrants to come out of the state's economic shadows. The 10 bills were previously introduced, but they were touted Tuesday by supporters for advancing immigrants' rights.

Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, questioned the costs.

"We understand the burdens facing immigrants who want to go to work and raise their families in safe neighborhoods, and the rationale behind these bills is admirable," Huff said. "But without money from Congress and President Obama, it will be very difficult and costly for California taxpayers to fund all of these bill proposals."

California this year began issuing driver's licenses to immigrants who are in the country illegally, and the Department of Motor Vehicles has already received a half-million applications. California is also one of several states to adopt the Dream Act, which permits college financial aid for top students seeking citizenship.

The rest is here:
Democrats push healthcare, legal rights for undocumented immigrants

Maajid Nawaz - Liberal Democrats - Hampstead and Kilburn Candidate Hustings 2015
Liberal Democrat candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn, Maajid Nawaz, talks about juggling his various other high profile roles with that of being a constituency MP if elected, gives his view...

By: Samuel Hooper

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Maajid Nawaz - Liberal Democrats - Hampstead and Kilburn Candidate Hustings 2015 - Video

North Dakota Democrats called on the governor Monday to issue an executive order to provide state employees protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple's response was that such protections are already in place.

All 38 members of the Democratic-NPL Party legislative caucus signed and sent a letter Monday to Dalrymple. The move, in support of state employees, follows last weeks defeat of a bill that would have banned such discrimination statewide.

A strong showing of support for non-discrimination and equality by the top-ranking official in state government would send a message to the rest of the country that North Dakota is open and welcoming to all individuals who are willing to work hard to make better lives for themselves and their families, the letter said.

Members of Dalrymples staff said an executive order mandating all cabinet-level agencies to provide equal treatment of employees was signed by Republican Gov. Allen Olson in 1981 and was reaffirmed early last year by Dalrymple.

The same executive order was referenced in the Democrats letter; Democratic officials said clarification is needed to ensure protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

On Thursday, the House killed Senate Bill 2279, which would have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace, housing and government services. The bill died by a 35-56 vote following an emotional floor debate. Opponents of the bill successfully argued it would create a special class and negatively impact people who are acting on a deeply held religious belief.

Following the bills failure, Dalrymple released a short statement expressing support for protections for the states LGBT community.

Jeff Zent, a spokesman for Dalrymple, said a memo was sent to cabinet-level state agencies Monday morning reminding agency heads of the administrations policy on discrimination.

He reminded all cabinet agencies to hire employees and retain employees based on performance, Zent said. He opposes all forms of discrimination.

The 1981 order mandated that heads of all cabinet-level agencies provide fair, equitable and uniform treatment to all classified employees. Zent said Dalrymple reaffirmed the order Feb. 25, 2014.

Excerpt from:
Democrats push governor for LGBT protections