NRCC Weekly Rundown: Hillary loses again, Ami Bera’s campaign finance problem, Bacon sizzles in NE-02, and more!

And here’s this week’s edition of the NRCC Weekly Rundown:

 National: The NRCC continued to highlight the extreme positions of FBI target Hillary Clinton and socialist Senator Bernie Sanders. This week we asked Democrats who they stood with on the Iran Deal, taxes, Gitmo, ISIS, and the VA scandal.  Click here to read more.

National: A federal judge ruled on Thursday that the Obama administration overstepped its authority in spending money on its Obamacare “cost-sharing” program that had not been authorized by Congress.

National: Hillary Clinton lost yet another contest to Bernie Sanders as the Democrat primary heads toward a contested convention. Clinton’s loss in West Virginia is especially stinging as she defeated Barack Obama in the state by 41 points in their 2008 primary battle.

CA-07: Ami Bera’s father pled guilty to campaign finance violations this week. Bera returned $275,000 in tainted donations after being called out by the NRCC. Bera’s shady dealings were blasted by the Sacramento Bee’s Editorial Board, but there are still many unanswered questions. Stay tuned.

CA-24: Salud Carbajal released another ad this week highlighting his tenure as Supervisor. Carbajal, however, left out that he voted three separate times to increase his own salary and benefits by nearly $14,000.

MI-08: Dog-pampering tax delinquent Melissa Gilbert was called “Loser of the Week” by Inside Michigan Politics for her avoidance of the local press. Her hesitance to face the press is understandable given questions about her delinquent tax debt and comments defending fugitive child rapist Roman Polanski.

NE-02: After spending more than $430,000 trying to meddle in the Republican primary, the candidate the DCCC was afraid to face in November, General Don Bacon, won 66% of the vote on Tuesday. The NRCC tried to brighten the DCCC’s day by sending them a snack: a basket of delicious bacon!

WV-02: Another primary, another hilarious failure by the DCCC. For the second time this primary season a DCCC “Red to Blue” candidate failed to win his primary. At this point, the DCCC’s MVP is their website administrator tasked with quickly scrubbing mentions of the failed candidates from the site.

NEWS AND NOTES:

NRCC Sends DCCC Bacon Basket After Primary Win

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) isn’t all work and no play. After Don Bacon’s primary win in Nebraska on Tuesday, the NRCC sent the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) something to “lift their spirits” Wednesday, the NRCC said. READ

NY-19: NRCC Criticizes Teachout For Sanders Support

In a sign Republicans on the national level are already pivoting to the general election in the 19th congressional district, the National Republican Congressional Committee on Tuesday knocked Democratic candidate Zephyr Teachout over her support for Bernie Sanders in the presidential race. READ

Rep. Zeldin’s Amendment to Opioid Bill Passes the House

“There are many legitimate reasons and needs for some people to be treated with pain medication, one group being our veterans who return home suffering from the wounds of war. Appropriately prescribed pain medication can provide significant relief for those who are suffering, greatly improving their quality of life. However, many of these medications are highly addictive and can pose a serious risk. Through my amendment, we can ensure that veteran service organizations, which are so active in the veteran community…READ

Bill for Female Pilots’ Arlington Burials Sent to Obama

“It’s been just 19 weeks since the Army’s decision to kick out our pioneering female World War II pilots was brought to light, and we’ve been fighting ever since,” McSally said in a statement. “We worked hard to build support in both chambers of Congress and make sure this bill would continue moving forward. I’m proud to see it now clear Congress and encourage President Obama to sign it immediately. READ

Babulal Bera’s felonies complicate Ami Bera’s re-election effort

National Republicans openly questioned Bera’s lack of knowledge about his father’s scheme. Zach Hunter, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said it “defies belief that Rep. Bera was unaware of these activities, and 7th District voters deserve to know the truth.” READ

House passes Rep. John Katko’s bill targeting drug kingpins, heroin epidemic

For the 10th time, a bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Katko has been approved by the House of Representatives.  The House unanimously passed the Kingpin Designation Improvement Act Tuesday. The legislation introduced by Katko, R-Camillus, would protect classified information submitted by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to defend why international drug traffickers were designated as kingpin. READ

Donovan Rallies For Fed Bill To Reduce Opioid Use

“Pills and heroin are claiming a generation before our eyes, and it’s about time we got the resources to fight back. Today, Congress recognized that the federal government’s response hasn’t been enough. Because of this legislation, new grant programs will fund increased treatment, education, and enforcement efforts,” said Donovan READ

Dold leads Schneider in IL-10 in internal poll

Dold’s suburban Chicago district gave President Barack Obama greater shares of the 2008 and 2012 votes than any Republican-held seat in the country. But the survey for Dold’s campaign and the NRCC found Dold leading Schneider 48 percent to 41 percent, even though Hillary Clinton holds a wide lead over Donald Trump. READ

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE LUANN BENNETT CLAIMS LEADERSHIP OF PHONY “CHARITY

Last week, Bearing Drift covered the first of many of LuAnn Bennett’s politically-entangled real estate development deals which constitute conflicts of interest for an aspiring member of Congress. Upon further investigation, Bennett has listed in her campaign biography a board membership in a phony “charity” incorporated for the apparent purpose of smoothing over the politically controversial real estate deal. READ

U.S. Rep. Davis pushing to address drug epidemic

Rodney Davis said he’s helping introduce federal legislation this week designed to help give law enforcement the tools they need. “What we’re trying to do is re-appropriate existing moneys to go toward the fight against heroin and opioids,” said Rodney Davis. “We’re going to continue to take suggestions, work in conjunction with our local law enforcement officials to ensure that they have the resources.” Davis expected the bills to get bipartisan support. READ

Sandy advocate calls for investigation of FEMA

U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-N.J., has called for FEMA Director Craig Fugate to resign, and has also asked the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform to conduct hearings into the agency and the National Flood Insurance Program it operates. READ

Eye on NY: Why Rep. John Katko opted to introduce an alternative to paid family leave

In Washington, he’s witnessed the debate over whether to establish a federal paid family leave program up close. Nothing has come out of those ongoing discussions, mainly because of Republican opposition to creating what they consider a new mandate for businesses.  That’s why Katko, R-Camillus, unveiled what he billed as an alternative to a federal paid leave program — optional parental savings accounts that would allow workers to set money aside if they plan on taking medical leave to care for a newborn child or a sick relative. READ