Friday, May 20, 2022TOP TIDBITS
FROM THE DNC WAR ROOM
FROM THE CHAIR'S DESK
MESSAGE TO MOBILIZE
ARTICLES TO AMPLIFY
TOP TWEETS
TALKING POINTS
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION WEEK AHEAD TOP TIDBITS A new independent analysis projected that, for the first time since 1976, the U.S. economy is poised to grow at a higher average annual rate than the Chinese economy in 2022. This is the result of President Biden’s economic strategy to make more in America and create good-paying jobs here at home. This analysis underscores that the U.S. economy faces a range of global economic challenges from a position of strength and resilience. In contrast, the only plan put forward by Senate Republicans could raise taxes on working families, taking money they need out of their pockets. President Biden has a different plan: he believes that the best way to ensure we continue to out-compete the rest of the world and tackle inflation is to respect the independence of the Federal Reserve, lower costs, and lower the deficit.
Yesterday, President Biden announced that the Department of Defense (DOD) is sourcing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s request for Operation Fly Formula to transport Nestlé S.A. formula from Zurich, Switzerland to Plainfield, Indiana. DOD is actively working on the request to identify commercial aircraft. President Biden launched Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible. Under Operation Fly Formula, USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are authorized to use DOD-contracted commercial aircraft to pick up overseas infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards, so it can get to store shelves faster. This builds on additional actions President Biden has directed his administration to do to ensure there is enough safe infant formula for families, including:
On Wednesday night, in a stunning display of callousness and cruelty, MAGA House Republicans voted against critical funding to help boost the supply of baby formula. While President Biden and Democrats are taking action to address the shortage, Republican extremists have proven – yet again – that they would rather stand in the way of helping American families. Despite Republicans feigning concern about the baby formula shortage, the vast majority of House Republicans actually voted AGAINST funding to address it.
Yesterday, the Biden-Harris administration reached an important milestone in our fight against COVID-19: Every American age 5 and older is now eligible for a booster shot. Boosters offer enormous protection against serious illness, including hospitalization and death. As COVID-19 cases are going up, it is critical for every American to get a booster shot as soon as they are eligible. Boosters are free, widely available across the country, and they could save your life. If you got fully vaccinated in December or earlier, go get your first booster shot right away to ensure you have the highest degree of protection for the summer. And, if you are eligible for a second booster—get one as soon as possible.
This week, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison is traveling to states across the South to host community engagement events and promote how the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats have delivered for the American people while Republicans are focused only on pushing their extreme MAGA agenda. Building on the DNC’s 57-state-and-territory strategy, Chair Harrison is hosting events in Little Rock, Arkansas; Orlando and Miami, Florida; and Robeson County, North Carolina. These events include roundtables with rural, LGBTQ, youth, Latino, Black, AAPI, and Native community members.
FROM THE DNC WAR ROOM @DNCWarRoom: Because President Biden and Democrats rolled up their sleeves and passed the American Rescue Plan, our nation’s economic growth could outpace China’s for the first time in nearly 50 years. [ARTICLE] @DNCWarRoom: .@POTUS was 100% right: The Republican Party is the party of ultra-MAGA extremists who want to raise taxes on half of middle- and working-class families, sunset Social Security and Medicare, and ban abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest.
FROM THE CHAIR'S DESK Arkansas Times: DNC chair comes to town, talks abortion rights, GOTV and why you should appreciate your mayor
MESSAGE TO MOBILIZE Please amplify some of our top content from DNC channels below: 192 House Republicans voted against a bill to provide resources to help get baby formula on shelves. @TheDemocrats (Twitter), (Facebook) President @JoeBiden has proposed a minimum tax for billionaires. Republicans have a plan that could increase taxes on teachers and firefighters. The difference is clear. @TheDemocrats (Twitter) .@KamalaHarris has long been a champion for choice, and is continuing her leadership as our vice president. @TheDemocrats (Twitter), (Facebook) We're working to make sure safe baby formula gets to all who need it by: @JoeBiden (Twitter), (Facebook) Want to help amplify the DNC’s message online? Join the DNC’s Greenfly to start receiving daily content updates and access to social media resources. Click here to download the app and use code: DEMSTALKERS at sign up. Please note that individuals working for independent expenditures or Democratic primary campaign candidates are ineligible to join the DNC’s Greenfly. ARTICLES TO AMPLIFY Bloomberg: US Growth Seen Outpacing China’s for First Time Since 1976
TOP TWEETS
@PressSec: A new independent analysis projected that, for the first time since 1976, the U.S. economy is poised to grow at a higher average annual growth rate than the Chinese economy in 2022. [THREAD] @WHCOS: Data out today shows that under @POTUS' economic policies: @kylegriffin1: NBC News: The first flights to get formula to the U.S. will start as soon as this weekend. The first flight is currently expected to go from Zurich, Switzerland to Plainfield, Indiana. That aircraft will transport the equivalent of 1.5 million 8 ounce bottles of three formulas. @POTUS: I just toured a cutting-edge plant in the Republic of Korea that makes some of the most advanced semiconductor chips in the world. Thanks to the investment that Samsung is making, the United States will have a facility like this one in Texas — creating 3,000 good-paying jobs. [PHOTO] @WhiteHouse: @POTUS visited Samsung Electronics’ Pyeongtaek Campus, the model for a new $17B plant being built in Taylor, TX. As a result of our sustained engagement with Samsung and the Republic of Korea, this new semiconductor plant will bring home 3,000 new good-paying manufacturing jobs. [PHOTOS] TALKING POINTS1. President Biden Announces New Actions to Address Infant Formula Shortage Yesterday, President Biden announced that the Department of Defense (DOD) is sourcing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s request for Operation Fly Formula to transport Nestlé S.A. formula from Zurich, Switzerland to Plainfield, Indiana. DOD is actively working the request to identify commercial aircraft.
The Operation Fly Formula shipments will transport the equivalent of up to 1.5 million 8-ounce bottles of three formulas—Alfamino® Infant, Alfamino® Junior, and Gerber Good Start® Extensive HA—all of which are hypoallergenic formulas for children with cow’s milk protein allergy.
These formulas have been prioritized because they serve a critical medical purpose and are in short supply in the United States because of the Abbott Sturgis plant closure. These shipments will include approximately 246 pallets.
President Biden launched Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible. Under Operation Fly Formula, USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are authorized to use DOD-contracted commercial aircraft to pick up overseas infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards, so it can get to store shelves faster.
This builds on additional actions President Biden has directed his administration to do to ensure there is enough safe infant formula for families, including: Invoking the Defense Production Act.
Entering into a consent agreement between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Abbott Nutrition to reopen Abbott Sturgis facility.
Issuing FDA guidance to allow major formula manufacturers to safely import formula that is not currently being produced for the U.S. market.
President Biden’s Plan to Tackle Inflation vs. the MAGA Republican to Raise Middle Class Taxes
President Biden’s plan lowers everyday costs, lowers the deficits, and asks large corporations and billionaires to pay their fair share.
The only plan Senate Republicans have put forward would increase taxes on middle-class families and let billionaires and large companies off the hook as they raise prices and reap record profits.
President Biden and Congressional Democrats’ plan: Fight Putin’s price hike at the pump: President Biden led the world to coordinate the largest release of oil reserves in history. The U.S. produced more oil domestically in President Biden’s first year in office than President Trump did in his first year. And, he’s also working on producing more homegrown biofuels in the short term, and reducing our dependence on foreign autocrats like Putin with an American clean energy future.
Lower costs that have held back families for decades: President Biden would let Medicare negotiate the price of prescription drugs and cap the price of insulin at $35 a month. He has taken action to lower the costs of health care, internet access, and more, while also proposing additional ways we can lower costs on child care, elder care, housing, and other essentials.
Hold huge corporations that have been taking advantage of American consumers accountable: Many huge companies are reporting record profit margins even as they raise prices by record amounts. We’re seeing this from the meat-packing industry to the shipping industry. President Biden is a capitalist, but believes companies shouldn’t raise prices and generate record profit margins off the backs of the American people, and they should pay their fair share in taxes.
Congressional Republicans’ plan offered by Senator Rick Scott: Raise taxes on half of all Americans, including the working and middle class: The only plan put forward by Senate Republican campaign committee leadership would raise taxes on half of Americans, from teachers to firefighters and 75 million working families in total. At the same time, they’re not asking big corporations or the super-wealthy to pay a dime more in taxes.
Put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block: Senator Scott’s agenda for congressional Republicans would put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block by sunsetting them every five years.
Obsess with MAGA social issues over the economy: While President Biden and the American people are focused on creating jobs and fighting global inflation, Republicans in Congress are fighting culture wars.
President Biden and Democrats in Congress have ushered in the fastest economic recovery in history following the catastrophic Republican response to the pandemic, bringing the unemployment rate down from 6.4% to 3.6%, and bringing the number of people on unemployment benefits down to 1.3 million -- the lowest since 1970. Republicans’ Extreme War Against Abortion Access
Republicans are desperately trying to ignore and distract from their decades long war to take away abortion access.
In an interview, Mitch McConnell confirmed that a federal abortion ban is “possible” under Republican control. Not only are Republicans hellbent on gutting reproductive rights, they’re standing on the side of dangerous policies that put millions of pregnant people at risk. Mitch McConnell came right out and said it - Republican majorities would be interested in banning abortions nationally.
While Democrats want to protect the right to an abortion and keep these decisions between a woman and her doctor, Republicans have tirelessly prioritized taking away that right, advocating for a dangerous and harmful agenda.
Already MAGA Republican governors and state legislatures have made clear what overturning Roe could look like — throwing doctors in jail and banning abortion with NO exceptions for rape and incest.
If Roe is overturned, two dozen states have laws on the books to throw doctors in jail or punish abortion providers.
Ending Roe means as many as 26 states could move quickly to ban abortion – including 13 states with “trigger” laws that could immediately go into effect – leaving tens of millions of Americans without control over their own bodies.
Republicans’ MAGA agenda is wildly out of touch and unpopular with the American people. About two-thirds of Americans say Roe v. Wade should be upheld. A Washington Post-ABC poll found that 75% of people say decisions on abortion should be left to the woman and her doctor, including 95% of Democrats, 81% of independents and 53% of Republicans. Gallup polling shows that 80% of the American public thinks abortion should be legal in at least some circumstances.
We are facing a pivotal moment for abortion access in our country and this November, every Republican lawmaker will have to answer for their party’s relentless attacks on Americans’ rights.
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION WEEK AHEADFriday, May 20
President Biden is in Seoul, Republic of Korea, where he will remain until Sunday, May 22, when he will travel to Tokyo, Japan. Vice President Harris will travel to Falls Church, VA to discuss how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments in clean school buses are ensuring healthier communities and creating American jobs. Saturday, May 21
President Biden will participate in a wreath laying ceremony to pay his respects to those who died to defend the Republic of Korea, many of whom died fighting alongside U.S. forces in the Korean War.
Then, the president will participate in a bilateral meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea to affirm the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance and advance cooperation on ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. They will address key global challenges, including climate change, threats posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, the COVID-19 pandemic, and bolstering our supply chains to lower costs and create good-paying jobs.
After, the president will hold a press conference with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea at the People’s House in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The president will attend a state dinner hosted by President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Sunday, May 22
President Biden will deliver remarks with the Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group on Hyundai's decision to invest in a new electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing facility in Savannah, Georgia. The president will highlight how his administration's broader economic agenda is encouraging foreign companies to invest in America, bolstering domestic manufacturing and creating good-paying jobs.
The president will greet the staff of the U.S. Embassy Seoul at Dragon Hill Lodge in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The president will visit and deliver brief remarks at the Air Operations Center’s Combat Operations Floor on Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea.
The president will meet with service members and military families at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea.
The president will travel to Tokyo, Japan from Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea.
Monday, May 23
President Biden will meet with Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan.
The president will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan. The president will highlight the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and continue our close cooperation on critical issues like combatting COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, and advancing economic prosperity at home and in the region.
The president will hold a press conference with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan.
The president and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan will meet with families of Japanese citizens abducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea several decades ago.
The president will launch the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.
The president will attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan at Kochūan in Tokyo, Japan.
Tuesday, May 24
President Biden will participate in the second in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit at the Kantei Palace in Tokyo, Japan.
The president will greet the staff of the U.S. Embassy Tokyo at the Okura Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan.
The president will return to Washington, DC. |
