Democrats launching summer blitz to press Republicans on Trump spending plan

By STEVE PEOPLES AP National Politics Writer NEW YORK AP Democrats are launching a nationwide summer blitz designed to force vulnerable Republicans to defend President Donald Trump s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill especially Medicaid cuts that will leave millions of Americans without vitality care coverage Republican leaders in Washington meanwhile have encouraged their members to promote more popular aspects of the bill during smaller controlled appearances where GOP agents are less likely to face arduous questions or protests The Democratic National Committee s Organizing Summer will feature events in all states beginning with Alaska Texas Colorado and California over the coming week The party s message will be reinforced by online advertising and billboard trucks at state and county fairs in the coming days targeting vulnerable House Republicans in Pennsylvania Michigan and New Jersey among other states As Democrats our job is to ensure that every American across the country understands the devastating impacts of this bill DNC Chair Ken Martin declared Democrats will be holding events highlighting Republican hypocrisy and ensuring Americans across the country know exactly who is responsible for taking away wellbeing care food construction jobs and nursing homes in order to give massive handouts to billionaires FILE Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin speaks after winning the vote at the Democratic National Committee winter meeting at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor Md Feb AP Photo Rod Lamkey Jr File The massive Republican-backed tax and spending package that Trump called big beautiful and signed into law on July may ultimately become the defining issue of next year s midterm elections which will decide control of Congress for Trump s final two years in office Republicans are touting the bill as a tax cut for all Americans but polling suggests that U S adults have been slow to embrace the GOP s message The new law will add trillion to federal deficits through leave more than another million people without healthcare insurance and leave millions of others without food stamps according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office For much of the year Republican agents have avoided town hall meetings with constituents or citizens appearances where they might face protesters or unscripted questions from voters GOP members of Congress may be slightly more visible this summer however according to a memo distributed this week by the House Republican campaign arm The memo encourages Republicans to be proactive in selling Trump s bill during the August recess although the National Republican Campaign Committee suggests its members focus on tax cuts in smaller settings they can control Among the NRCC s suggestions outlined in the memo Visit a local hospital and discuss how you voted for no tax on overtime stop by a restaurant to highlight your vote on no tax on tips and work the counter at a local store and chat about your work to lower costs The monthlong August break is a critical opportunity to continue to define how this act will help every voter and push back on Democrat fearmongering the Republican memo says Related Articles Senate confirms anti-DEI stalwart Andrea Lucas to second term at top workplace civil rights agency States sue Trump saying he is intimidating hospitals over gender-affirming care for youth Debt and delayed care forecast for several who lose insurance under tax and spending law What consumers can expect from import taxes as the US sets new tariff rates FBI director says a new office in New Zealand will counter China s sway provoking Beijing s ire Democrats are planning a decidedly more residents campaign this month than their Republican rivals although they ll also offer multi-day intensive bootcamps as part of a training effort for political operatives and society leaders Events are being planned for all states with special focus on of the majority competitive congressional districts in the country Current and former Democratic authorities will be featured including former Rep Gabby Giffords who emerged as a leader against gun violence since her assassination attempt As part of the new effort the Democratic National Committee is also launching a new digital advertising campaign initially targeting vulnerable Republicans in Iowa Kentucky Ohio and Virginia That s in addition to the DNC sending mobile billboard trucks to county fairs in the districts of Republicans in Michigan Pennsylvania and New Jersey Trump s big ugly bill trillion giveaway to billionaires The rest of us pay the price read the billboards which will feature the name and face of each Republican congressman And as Republicans search for an effective message to sell Trump s bill Democrats are increasingly confident The big ugly law is a political tragedy declared Viet Shelton spokesman for the House Democrats campaign arm Everyone hates it and vulnerable House Republicans know it which is why they re scared to face their constituents in person during the August recess