#NOGAGRULE

• On Tuesday, a federal judge in Oregon indicated he would issue a preliminary injunction against the Title X “gag rule,” calling the rule a “ham-fisted approach to public health policy.” A coalition of 21 Democratic AGs, led by DAGA Co-Chair Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum and New York AG Tish James, challenged the Trump administration for attempting to impose a gag rule that would cut funding for abortion-providers like Planned Parenthood and threaten healthcare services like cancer screenings, HIV/AIDs prevention, pap tests, and other critical procedures.
• On Thursday, a federal judge in Washington issued a nationwide injunction blocking the “gag rule.” This injunction marks the 21^st win against the administration for Washington AG Bob Fergusson who led this separate challenge in Washington.

For more on how Democratic AGs are protecting Title X funding, check out Washington Post’s The Health 202 here.

SCOTUS SIGHTING
Leading the multi-state lawsuit, New York AG Tish James’ office argued in front of the Supreme Court this week against the Trump administration’s move to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census. The question would result in an under count that would affect states’ Congressional delegation, Electoral votes, and critical federal funding for programs like Medicaid. In a statement, AG James said the administration’s proposal is “not rooted in a desire to strengthen the census process and would only undermine our immigrant communities. Inciting fear in our residents is not only immoral, but also ill-conceived.” For more on how Democratic AGs are fighting to save our democracy and save the 2020 Census, check out the DAGA video from the steps of the Supreme Court below.

EYES ON IOWA
In states across the country, Republican led legislatures are attempting to strip power from statewide elected Democrats. Most recently, the Iowa GOP made a last-minute move to handcuff the authority of Iowa AG Tom Miller, who has faithfully served as the state’s AG for 37 years. “These lawmakers’ arguments fly in the face of one of our nation’s and state’s fundamental values: that the separation of powers prevents one branch from exercising unchecked control and overreach,” AG Miller said in a Des Moines Register op-ed. For 10 election cycles, Iowa voters have been resolute in choosing Tom Miller to represent them as their Attorney General.

Note: A coalition of 20 Democratic AGs led by DAGA Co-Chairs District of Columbia AG Karl Racine and Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum urged Governor Reynolds to reject this partisan attack on the independence of the Iowa OAG.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“She’s played an outsized role, and she’s been an amazing leader in this process.”

DAGA Executive Director Sean Rankin on the influence of

DAGA Co-Chair Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum

in the Salem Reporter

T(OP-ED)

In a Washington Post op-ed, Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro calls upon the Catholic Church to act on sexual abuse committed by clergy members with as much urgency as their efforts to rebuild from the Notre Dame fire. “And yet, after the grand jury released its report, along with a set of recommendations to protect victims and ensure this kind of abuse and coverup never happens again, the response from the church and its leaders was far less affirming and swift than the response to the Notre Dame fire,” said AG Shapiro. Check out the full op-ed here!

DAGA UPDATE: DAGA announced senior staff and other key hires for the 2019-2020 cycle. The new staff members bring additional experience in fundraising, communications, operations, digital programming, data, and campaign support.

CALENDAR ALERT: Next week on Tuesday, April 30^th at 3:00pm ET, DAGA will host a #WomeninCJ Twitter Town Hall with Emerge America as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Following us on Twitter @DemocraticAGs to hear from Democratic AGs, District Attorneys, and AG candidates about how they are working to prevent sexual assault and find justice for survivors.