Maine Republicans’ balancing act on January 6 National Party censorship
Hello from Augusta. Govt. Janet MillsThe state of the state address is tomorrow.
What we’re watching today
Maine Republicans are doing a balancing act even though the national party has few defenders after excusing Capitol rioters. Republicans across the country are being asked about Friday’s censorship by their national party of two party members who serve on a Democratic-led congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots. In the document, the National Committee Republican says the panel punishes “legitimate political speech”.
It refocused attention on deadly riots and the language used around them. Maine has had a similar story. After the US senator. Susan Collins voted to convict former President Donald Trump on a riot-related impeachment charge last year, the Republican faced censure from some county party committees but pushed back one at the level of the State party.
Collins had the strongest response to the new censorship among prominent Maine Republicans in a Monday statement in which she called the idea that the rioters were engaged in political speech “absurd.” Other Republicans have been much less willing to come out.
former governor Paul Le Pagethe party’s presumptive candidate for governor in 2022, did not respond to a question about censorship. He condemned the riots as they performed last year and told Trump supporters to “go home.” But he aped Trump’s false claims before that by saying the 2020 election was ‘stolen’ in favor of the president Joe Biden.
Dodging a question about censorship itself was the former US Rep. Bruce Poliquin, who is also showing up for a comeback in Maine’s 2nd District. He provided a statement saying those who attacked the Capitol “should be held accountable, just like those who caused millions of dollars in damage to other federal buildings and killed a federal law enforcement officer.” during the 2020 protests.
It’s also unclear what members of the Maine Republican National Committee think of the censorship, which was approved only by voice vote. They are lobbyists Josh Tardy and former Deputy House Minority Leader Ellie Esplingwho did not respond to requests for comment.
Both have strong alliances within the party. No one has monetized those relationships more than Tardy, whose company is probably the largest in Augusta. Espling notably works in Collins’ office. Many Republicans are trying to avoid the worst of Trump’s term while remaining open to the possibility that he could be the presidential nominee again.
What we read
– A supporter of Maine’s tribal sovereignty effort sees a “now or never” moment before the 2022 election. Most of the latest iteration of that bid will get a legislative hearing next week after the government. Janet Mills vetoed a gambling rights bill last year. Progressives are still pushing the skeptical Democratic governor on tribal issues ahead of his re-election race.
– A tall building war (by Maine standards) is going on in Portland. Institut Roux, a graduate school of technology run by Northeastern University, plans to construct a 210-foot-tall building on a campus around the former B&M Baked Beans factory. It would be the tallest building in the state, surpassing a mixed-use building under construction in Portland that would stand 180 feet.
— United States Senator. Angus KingI-Maine, said Russian President Vladimir Poutine “wants to reconstitute the Soviet Union” in an interview Tuesday with MSNBC. The comments come amid diplomatic efforts by the United States and NATO allies to prevent a Russian invasion of Ukraine and as Congress negotiates sanctions that would go into full effect if Russia invades.
News and Notes
– Rep. Chellie Pingree, a 1st District Democrat, on Tuesday unveiled a hemp law overhaul that would increase the level of THC allowed to facilitate legal cultivation, ease testing requirements and remove a 10-year ban for those convicted of crimes. drug-related license. She said the measure “provides a clear path forward” for the hemp industry.
– A bill that would legalize the psychoactive compound found in “magic mushrooms” was defeated 8-3 by the Legislature Health Committee on Tuesday, according to the Portland Press Herald. It was opposed by the Mills administration and rejected by the panel even after Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, offered to modify the proposal into a study on the matter. He faces votes in legislative chambers, but is on course to die this session.
follow us today
— 9am The Veterans Affairs and Legal Affairs Committee will work on several bills dealing with Maine’s adult-use marijuana system. Later in the day he will work on alcohol and campaign finance measures. Look here.
— 9:30 a.m. The education panel will hold hearings on several bills, including one led by Aroostook County lawmakers that would establish a University of Maine Law School satellite clinic in the area amid a shortage of lawyers there. Look here.
— 10am An invoice from Rep. Grayson LooknerD-Portland, who would ban solitary confinement in Maine, will get a hearing before the criminal justice committee. Look here.
— The health committee will hold hearings on two bills that seek to secure tobacco settlement money primarily for smoking prevention and other prevention programs. One of the measures, from the Deputy House Majority Leader Rachel Talbot RossD-Portland, would also create an Office of Population Health Equity in the Maine Department of Health. Look here.
The Daily Brief is written by Bangor Daily News political editor Michael Shepherd and made possible by BDN subscribers. Enjoy unlimited access to everything we have to offer by subscribe.
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