Chuck Raasch: Politically, March is approaching like a lion - Insurance News | InsuranceNewsNet

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February 27, 2019 Newswires
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Chuck Raasch: Politically, March is approaching like a lion

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO)

Feb. 27-- Feb. 27--WASHINGTON -- Two years into Donald Trump's presidency, we're about to enter what could be the most crucial weeks for him, and for the country during his time in office.

Beyond whatever comes from Trump's historic Hanoi summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, other issues including the report of special counsel Robert Mueller, constitutional showdowns over presidential power, and renewed fights over climate change and abortion rights are bubbling simultaneously to the surface.

The release of the Mueller report won't be as much of a culmination as it will be an escalation of political fights pitting the president and his supporters who like his policies and break-the-china style vs. Democrats who consider him illegitimate and unfit for office.

Issues dividing the country and dominating the headlines of Trump's first two years in office are likely to end up decided by the Supreme Court.

Given the pace of litigation and the elongation of our political campaigns -- the number of declared Democrats running for president has reached double digits -- contentious court decisions are about to land in the middle of the 2020 presidential campaign.

Current and past members of the Missouri congressional delegation have high-profile roles these fights.

With Mueller's report expected any day, a fight over what to make public is underway. Democrats in the House of Representatives are threatening to subpoena Mueller and his entire report. The latest consensus is that Mueller has found no collusion between Russians and the Trump campaign, but obstruction of justice charges could still be in play.

Some are pushing for full disclosure on everything that Mueller came up with, including things his investigators found that didn't lead to criminal charges. But Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller, said Monday that releasing information on investigations of people who were not charged would be unfair.

Simultaneously, the Senate Intelligence Committee, Tuesday heard in secret from Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen. That was the day before Cohen gave explosive testimony to the House Oversight Committee, where he told Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-University City, about Trump allegedly inflating his assets.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected to issue a report in the not-distant future. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., serves on that committee, and this week he echoed claims by Senate Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., that the committee had uncovered no evidence of collusion.

"You can see everybody backpedaling now -- House and Senate -- both on the idea that collusion is going to be in the report," Blunt said on CBS's "Face the Nation." "They want to come up with lots of other things that I think are going to be much more arguable than a pure finding of collusion would have been because I don't think that's there."

Blunt has also been a top messenger for Senate Republicans as they work through responses to Trump's decision to declare a national emergency to get funding for a border wall with Mexico.

Blunt has long opposed the use of emergency declarations, and is still undecided on whether he will vote to disapprove. Like many, he said he believes the courts will be the ultimate decider on whether Trump has the constitutional power to do what he did.

The House Tuesday passed, 245-182, a Democratic resolution disapproving of Trump's emergency declaration. A Senate vote is next.

The House vote came after roughly two dozen former Republican members of Congress, including former Missouri Sen. John Danforth, urged Republicans to vote against Trump's use of emergency authority to fund the wall.

Meanwhile, the climate-change debate is escalating, with the Senate and House poised to take up a "Green New Deal" resolution pushed by liberals led by the first-term Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

Her rise to social media influence -- by virtue of a New York primary upset over a veteran Democratic congressman in which she got fewer than 18,000 votes -- could not have happened a generation ago, pre-Internet.

If Barack Obama was the first social media president, Ocasio-Cortez, 29, is the first social media congresswoman.

She's put other Democrats on the spot. After saying that "St. Louis is not the Bronx" when Ocasio-Cortez came to campaign against him in last year's Missouri primaries, Clay has now signed onto AOC's "Green New Deal." Clay says he likes its emphasis on social and economic justice, but worries that the resolution -- which one report says could cost a staggering $93 trillion -- could push Democrats too far left to win future elections.

Finally, after Senate Republicans Monday failed to get a bill protecting babies born alive after late-term abortions past a 60-vote procedural threshold, the issue now turns to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, is chief sponsor of a similar measure.

Sometime this month or later this spring, she and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., will try to use a procedural maneuver to force a vote in the House. Wagner this week called the fresh debates over late-term abortions "a turning point for our nation."

------

Meet the area's senators and House members

Sen. Roy Blunt

Missouri Republican

Sen. Roy Blunt

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., walks on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Alex Brandon

Contact

* Clayton: (314) 725-4484

* Washington: (202) 224-5721

* Website

* Contact form

Social media

* Facebook

* Twitter

* YouTube

* Instagram

Committees

* Intelligence;

* Appropriations;

* Commerce, Science, and Transportation;

* Rules and Administration;

* Joint Committee on the Library;

* Joint Committee on Printing.

Biography

A former high school teacher with a master's degree in history, Blunt's first public office was an appointment to become Greene County clerk. After 12 years in that elected position, he won statewide election as secretary of state in 1984. Following an unsuccessful 1992 campaign for governor, he returned to his alma mater Southwestern Baptist University as president. He returned to politics in 1996 when a Springfield-based congressional seat came open, going on to serve seven terms in the House and rising to the ranks of Republican leadership. He was elected to the Senate in 2010, again ascending to the chamber's leadership, and won reelection in 2016.

His biggest donors come from the securities and investment sector. He also gets substantial contributions from health professionals, retirees, the real estate sector, and attorneys and law firms.

--Read recent Post-Dispatch articles about Blunt.

Sen. Josh Hawley

Missouri Republican

Senate Attorney General

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Carolyn Kaster

Contact

--Office address: B40A Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510

--Phone: 202-224-6154

--Email: [email protected]

Social media

* Twitter

* Facebook

* Instagram

Committees

* Judiciary

* Armed Services

* Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

* Small Business and Entrepreneurship

* Aging

Biography

Josh Hawley was first elected to the senate in 2018, and is serving his first term. His Senate biography notes he is the youngest senator.

He was previously Missouri's attorney general, and was elected to that position in 2016.

Hawley is a native of Lexington, Mo. Before running for office, he was a constitutional law professor at the University of Missouri, clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts at the Supreme Court and served as an attorney in cases before that court. He graduated from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, graduated from Stanford University and received his law degree from Yale.

--Read recent articles about Hawley.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth

Illinois Democrat

Tammy Duckworth

Then-U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., speaks Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Nam Y. Huh

Contact

* Chicago: (312) 886-3506

* Washington: (202) 224-2854

* Website

* Contact form

Social media

* Facebook

* Twitter

* YouTube

* Instagram

Committees

* Commerce, Science, and Transportation;

* Energy and Natural Resources;

* Environment and Public Works;

* Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Biography

Duckworth, a pilot in the Illinois National Guard, was deployed to Iraq in 2004. That year a rocket-propelled grenade shot down her helicopter, causing her to lose both legs and damaging her right arm. She spent the next year recovering at Walter Reed Hospital. In 2006, after losing a congressional race to now-Rep. Peter Roskam, she was appointed to lead the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs. She became assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2009, serving for two years before resigning to challenge Republican Rep. Joe Walsh. She won, going on to represent the suburban Chicago district for two terms before unseating Republican Sen. Mark Kirk in 2016.

Her biggest donors are women's issues groups, including EMILY's List, a political action committee that aims to elect women who support abortion rights. She also draws substantial contributions from the legal sector, retirees, Democratic and liberal organizations, and leadership PACs, which are typically controlled by current or former politicians.

--Read recent Post-Dispatch articles about Duckworth.

Sen. Dick Durbin

Illinois Democrat

Sen. Dick Durbin

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the assistant Democratic leader, is surrounded by reporters asking about the possibility of a partial government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

J. Scott Applewhite

Contact

* Carbondale: (618) 351-1122

* Washington: (202) 224-2152

* Website

* Contact form

Social media

* Facebook

* Twitter

* YouTube

Committees

* Appropriations;

* Judiciary;

* Rules and Administration

Biography

An attorney who had run unsuccessfully for Illinois state offices in the 1970s, Durbin unseated a 22-year incumbent congressman in 1982 to represent the district encompassing most of Springfield. He served seven terms in the House before winning election to the Senate in 1996. He became the Democratic whip, the party's number-two leader in the Senate, in 2004. He was reelected to a fourth term in 2014.

His biggest donors are lawyers and law firms. He also draws significant contributions from the finance and real estate sectors, health professionals and retirees.

--Read recent Post-Dispatch articles about Durbin.

House members

Keep scrolling to see local U.S. House members; if you're not sure which district you live in, you can use this map to find out.

Rep. William Lacy Clay

Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri's 1st Congressional District

William Lacy Clay

In this Jan. 18, 2015, file photo, U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-Mo., speaks during a church service. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Jeff Roberson

Contact

* St. Louis: (314) 367-1970 and (314) 669-9393

* Florissant: (314) 383-5240

* Washington: (202) 225-2406

* Website

* Contact form (requests zip code to verify residency)

Social media

* Facebook

* YouTube

Committees

* Financial Services;

* Oversight and Government Reform

Biography

Clay, who has worked as a paralegal and a real estate agent, served more than 17 years in the Missouri House and Senate. In 2000 he ran to replace his retiring father, Rep. Bill Clay, who represented parts of St. Louis for 32 years. When Missouri lost a congressional district after the 2010 census, Clay prevailed in a 2012 primary over Democrat Rep. Russ Carnahan, whose neighboring St. Louis district was eliminated.

His biggest donors are public sector unions. He has also received significant money from building trade unions, attorneys and law firms, industrial unions and the real estate sector.

--Readrecent Post-Dispatch articles about Clay.

Rep. Ann Wagner

Republican, Ballwin, Missouri's 2nd Congressional District

Ann Wagner

Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, sits among volunteers for her campaign on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, just days before she won re-election. Photo by Johanna Huckeba, [email protected].

Johanna Huckeba

Contact

* Ballwin: (636) 779-5449

* Washington: (202) 225-1621

* Website

* Contact form (requests zip code to verify residency)

Social media

* Twitter

* Facebook

* YouTube

Committees

* Financial Services;

* Foreign Affairs

Biography

Wagner, a graduate of the University of Missouri's business school who worked as a manager of Hallmark Cards and Ralston Purina, was elected chairwoman of the Missouri Republican Party in 1999. President George W. Bush appointed her in 2005 to serve as ambassador to Luxembourg. After running unsuccessfully to be chair of the Republican National Committee, she won election in 2012 to the open congressional seat covering the St. Louis suburbs and parts of St. Charles and Jefferson counties.

Her biggest donors come from the securities and investment sector. She's also received substantial contributions from the insurance and automotive sectors, retirees, and the manufacturing and distribution sector.

--Read recent Post-Dispatch articles about Wagner.

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer

Republican, St. Elizabeth, Missouri's 3rd Congressional District

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., speaks during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Manuel Balce Ceneta

Contact

* Wentzville: (636) 327-7055

* Washington: (202) 225-2956

* Website

* Contact form (requests zip code to verify residency)

Social media

* Facebook

* Twitter

* YouTube

Committees

* Financial Services;

* Small Business

Biography

Luetekmeyer was a small business owner, farmer and banker before winning election to the Missouri House in 1998. A member of House leadership, he ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2004. He was appointed in 2005 as Missouri's tourism director and held that post until his 2008 congressional campaign. He is serving his fifth term.

His biggest donors come from the insurance sector. He also gets substantial contributions from commercial banks, the securities and investment sector, finance and credit companies, and agricultural services and products.

--Read recent Post-Dispatch articles about Luetkemeyer.

Rep. Jason Smith

Republican, Cape Girardeau, Missouri's 8th Congressional District

Rep. Jason Smith

Rep. Jason T. Smith, R-Mo., during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

J. Scott Applewhite

Contact

* Farmington: (573) 756-9755

* Washington: (202) 225-4404

* Website

* Contact form (requests zip code to verify residency)

Social media

* Twitter

* Facebook

* YouTube

Committee

* Ways and Means

Biography

Smith, a farmer and lawyer, was 25 when he won election to the Missouri House in 2005. He was elected as the House Speaker Pro Tem in 2013 before resigning to run for Congress in a special election. In 2017 he joined congressional leadership as secretary of the House Republican Conference.

His biggest donors come from the crop production and processing sector. He also receives substantial contributions from health professionals; leadership political action committees, which are typically controlled by current or former politicians; and the insurance and real estate sectors.

--Read recent Post-Dispatch articles about Smith.

Rep. Mike Bost

--Republican, Murphysboro, Illinois' 12 Congressional District

Rep. Mike Bost speaks with P-D editorial board

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, who represents Illinois' 12th Congressional district, speaks to the Post-Dispatch Editorial board on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018. Photo by Christian Gooden, [email protected]

Christian Gooden

Contact

* Granite City: (618) 233-8026

* Belleville: (618) 233-8026

* Washington: (202) 225-5661

* Website

* Contact form (requests zip code to verify residency)

Social media

* Twitter

* Facebook

Committees

* Agriculture;

* Transportation and Infrastructure;

* Veterans' Affairs

Biography

Bost, a firefighter and marine, helped run his family's trucking business and beauty salon before winning election to the Illinois Legislature, where he served for 20 years. He has also served as a member of the Jackson County Board as well as the treasurer and a trustee for the Murphysboro Township. He first won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014.

His biggest donors are leadership political action committees, which are usually controlled by current or former politicians. He has also received significant contributions from retirees, other political candidates' committees, crop producers and processors, and health professionals.

--Read recent Post-Dispatch articles about Bost.

Rep. Rodney Davis

Republican, Taylorville, Illinois' 13th Congressional District

Rodney Davis

Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., speaks during a panel discussion at a Bloomberg Government infrastructure event in Washington on June 21, 2017. Bloomberg photo by Andrew Harrer

Andrew Harrer

Contact

* Maryville: (618) 205-8660

* Washington: (202) 226-0791

* Website

* Contact form (requests zip code to verify residency)

Social media

* Facebook

* Twitter

* YouTube

* Instagram

Committees

* Agriculture;

* House Administration;

* Transportation and Infrastructure

Biography

Davis, a longtime staffer for Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., has worked in politics since graduating college. After mounting unsuccessful runs for the state legislature and Taylorville mayor, he won election to Congress in 2012.

His largest share of donations come from leadership political action committees, which are typically controlled by current or former politicians. He also receives substantial contributions from the agriculture sector, health professionals, the insurance sector, and food and beverage companies.

--Read recent Post-Dispatch articles about Davis.

Rep. John Shimkus

Republican, Collinsville, Illinois' 15th Congressional District

Rep. John Shimkus

Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., speaks with an aide during a House and Senate conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Andrew Harnik

Contact

* Maryville: (618) 288-7190

* Washington: (202) 225-5271

* Website

* Contact form (requests zip code to verify residency)

Social media

* Twitter

* Facebook

* YouTube

Committees

Energy and Commerce

Biography

Shimkus is a West Point graduate who served in the Army in West Germany. He also worked as a high school teacher before winning election in 1989 as a Collinsville Township trustee. A year later he won election to serve as Madison County treasurer. He first won election to the U.S. House in 1996, and he is now on his tenth term.

His biggest donors are health professionals. He also received substantial contributions from electric utilities, the pharmaceutical sector, oil and gas groups, and the insurance sector.

--Read recent Post-Dispatch articles about Shimkus.

___

(c)2019 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Visit the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at www.stltoday.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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