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John --
Two weeks ago, Country First called for the House of Representatives to elect a Consensus Speaker. And now, the media, pundits, and a growing number of legislators have figured out we're right!
America's founders did not set up our system to operate the way it is now. The current dysfunction is unsustainable and does a deep disservice to every American. Today’s second rejection of Jim Jordan provides a bold opportunity for large swaths of Republicans and Democrats to come together and elect a consensus Speaker to begin reversing the slide toward chaos. Historic times call for historic action.
Support Our Quest for a Consensus Speaker [[link removed]]
As a leader in this push, Country First proposes the following framework for a power sharing agreement, which is based on our expert assessment of what can ultimately be achieved. Our goal is not to secure the majority for a particular party, but to enable reasonable, bipartisan problem solving.
>> Elect a consensus Speaker from the majority party (the alternative just isn't possible, as you much as some may wish it was)
>> Appoint a balanced, consensus-driven Rules Committee (these are the people who decide how the House works and whether legislation can be weaponized)
>> Require bipartisan sponsorship of all legislation prior to Floor consideration (it's obvious why this would make a huge difference)
>> Provide the Speaker’s Office additional authority to manage floor operations (historically, the Majority Leader, elected by a single political party, manages the floor... in this case, it should be the Consensus Speaker, who does not have play a partisan role)
>> Create additional parity on other House committees (this will help committee members work together, rather than against each other)
Country First will continue providing thought leadership, educating citizens, and pushing for these ideas to become reality. And we cannot do this work without you! If your budget allows, would you consider a gift of any size to help us amplify our advocacy?
The Reasonable Majority of Americans are fed up with the extremes -- and we have a truly unique opportunity, outside of an election, to make a significant change for the better. So let's do it together.
Country First,
Adam
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See something of interest? All are welcome! Click on the event to register.
COMING UP @ COUNTRY FIRST
10/24: Political Research Volunteer Working Group [[link removed]] [[link removed]]
10/25: Country First Book Club [[link removed]] [[link removed]]
10/30: HQ Open Forum [[link removed]]
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Each week, Country First highlights a key volunteer who has demonstrated placing Country over Party. If you would like to submit someone who has made a positive impact on your experience with Country First, please email [email protected] [[email protected]] .
MEET JEANNE JONDREAU
Where are you from?
I am from a deep red county in Minnesota, but the state is blue.
What has been your focus at Country First?
I like focusing on the people defending democracy. I do have a tendency to get pretty down from all the extreme things happening in various states, but we have to keep fighting the extremes.
What was your motivation for joining Country First and how did you hear about us?
When Adam Kinzinger was on the January 6th Committee and started Country First, I admired him so much. He knew what the truth was and is and sticks to it.
What are your hopes for America in the coming years and generations?
I am trying to keep hope, but the extremists seem to still be gaining ground. Republicans in Congress are still very loyal to Donald Trump, and they do not want to work with the Democrats. It is sad. Hopefully, we can build something new in America.
Do you think we can right the ship?
I think so, if other traditional Republicans like Rep. Kinzinger start stepping forward. Democracy is fragile around the world and every day that goes by, it gets even more fragile.
Thank you, Jeanne, for all of your hard work and dedication to promoting and preserving democracy!
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ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
WMTV [[link removed]] : Wisconsin Republicans admit vote to fire elections chief had no legal effect
Republican Wisconsin lawmakers working to oust the state’s nonpartisan top elections official have admitted that a state Senate vote to fire her [[link removed]] last month has no legal effect. In a change of course from recent calls to impeach [[link removed]] Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe, leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature said in court documents filed Friday that the vote on Sept. 14 to fire her “was symbolic and meant to signal disapproval of Administrator Wolfe’s performance.”
GERRYMANDERING
New York Times [[link removed]] : A Shift in the Gerrymandering Advantage
Republicans have been more successful than Democrats since 2010 at gerrymandering congressional districts to their advantage. But the Republican advantage may be about to fade because of a few court cases.
Fox 11 News [[link removed]] : Oconto County clerk combats election conspiracy theories with community education
For elections officials and grassroots democracy groups in the presidential swing state, it has been an uphill fight to combat the doubts and the people who continue to spread them. They describe grappling with an almost faith-like pull of conspiracy theories perpetuated by online misinformation and far-right figures. But they press on, taking on the issue one community event and one conversation at a time, hoping for a half-step forward.
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
WSHU Public Radio [[link removed]] : Bridgeport absentee ballot scandal creates some voter antipathy
Some Bridgeport voters are discouraged by the mail-in ballot scandal surrounding Mayor Joe Ganim’s September Democratic primary win. But advocates hope that the voters will take their concerns to the polls in November. The 25% turnout for the city’s Democratic primary was one of the highest out of the major cities in that state that held September primaries for mayor. But a court will have to determine the outcome of the election after videos of alleged mail-in ballot stuffing — by supporters of both mayoral candidates — were made public.
CNN [[link removed]] : Jim Jordan loses second vote for House speaker amid steep GOP opposition Republican Rep. Jim Jordan [[link removed]] again failed to win the House speaker’s gavel in a second vote on Wednesday, faring worse than he did during the first round of voting one day earlier. The loss raises serious questions over whether the Ohio Republican has a viable path forward as he confronts steep opposition and the House remains in a state of paralysis.
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SHOP [[link removed]] our Limited Edition Signed Copies of Renegade by Adam Kinzinger!
BRING a friend to one of our events!
Join one of our Volunteer Working Groups! As a grassroots coalition, Country First is dedicated to providing each member with the opportunity to contribute to the success of the movement. National Volunteer Working Groups are separated by interest and are aligned with one of Country First’s key pillars.
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Ottawa, IL 61350
United States
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