Tim Kaine and Anne Holton campaigned in four New Hampshire cities today. Kaine and his wife stopped at two Hillary for America offices and a local Democratic party office today where they spoke with volunteers and Holton helped out with a phone bank. Kaine and Holton visited offices in Dover, Laconia, Manchester, and Nashua. At three of the four events, Kaine and Holton spoke with Hillary Clinton supporters as well as campaign volunteers. Kaine thanked the volunteers and urged them to keep fighting. He also spoke with voters urging them to come out and support himself and Clinton in November.
At the event in Manchester, Kaine and Holton took part in a roundtable discussion at Manchester Community College. The discussion focused on education and featured a professor from the college and former Governor John Lynch. Holton is the former Secretary of Education for the state of Virginia, and she and Kaine spoke about the importance of higher education and ensuring that students are not burdened by loan debt after college. He said, “We ought to be able to do college debt-free. Other nations do that.” Videos from the events in Laconia and Nashua are below and other videos from the day will be added when/if available.
On Tuesday, Hillary Clinton announced a plan she would introduce as president to boost small businesses. She introduced her plan in an article for LinkedIn followed by a teleconference with members of the press and several small business owners. Clinton warned of Donald Trump’s past business practices with small businesses arguing that a Trump presidency would not be good for small business owners. The comprehensive plan builds on her overall economic plan which would create millions of jobs by investing in infrastructure upgrades and clean energy. Small businesses play into her overall plan as they will provide American workers and products. An outline of the plan is below and the full plan is available on The Briefing.
Make it easier to start a business and become profitable
Push states to make it faster and cheaper to start a business
Working with states to standardize licensing requirements
Making technical assistance and resources available to states
Provide incubators, mentoring, and training to 50,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners in underserved communities
Make it easier to get financing and find investors
Streamline regulation and cut red tape for community banks and credit unions
Harness the potential of online lending platforms
Reduce the burden of student debt by allowing entrepreneurs to defer student loan payment
Promote the 100% tax exclusion on capital gains for long-term small business investments
Expand and streamline the SBA’s Small Business Investment Company program
Support new innovative ways to assess creditworthiness for small business owners
Expand access to credit in underserved communities
Give the SBA administrator the authority to continue providing 7(a) loan guarantees to small businesses
Expand access to working capital by expanding the SBA’s working capital guarantee programs
Make it cheaper and faster to file taxes and pay for tax relief
Work to create a new standard deduction for small businesses
Allow 4 million small businesses with gross receipts under $1 million to take advantage of “checkbook accounting”
Allow small businesses to immediately expense up to $1 million in new investments
Quadruple the start-up tax deduction to significantly lower the cost of starting a business
Make it easier to offer health care and other benefits to employees
Simplify and expand the healthcare tax credit
Allow more small businesses pool together to offer retirement plans
Make it easier to work with the federal government
Work to completely revamp the digital experience for small businesses
Use the leverage of more than $400 billion in federal government contracting to encourage businesses to pay their suppliers in full and on time
Guarantee a 24-hour response time to small businesses with questions about federal regulations and access to capital programs
Ensure that Small Business Development Centers are placed in the highest-need communities with staff that speaks the language of local residents
Work to ensure that federal regulations aren’t unnecessarily holding small businesses and our economy back
Increase federal contracting opportunities for women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses
Defend and strengthen the Export-Import Bank
Encourage small business exports by expanding SBA funding for export development
Make it easier to fight back when you’re getting stiffed
On Thursday, Hillary for America released information and a new television ad calling the lack of tax returns from Donald Trump into question. While Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine have made their tax returns public, Trump has yet to do so. View the ad and read the HFA’s release below.
Donald Trump’s Tax Returns: What’s He Hiding?
For 40 years, major party nominees have publicly released their tax returns – a simple and basic disclosure, made to the American people as they determine which candidate is best fit for the presidency. In accordance with this decades-old tradition, Hillary Clinton has made nearly 40 years of tax returns available to the public over the course of her career, dating back to 1977. You can find the past 9 years of her returns here.
Unfortunately, Donald Trump refuses to release his tax returns, despite his promise in 2014 that he “absolutely” would release them if he ran for president. Watch Trump promise to release his returns here.
TRUMP: “If I decide to run for office, I’ll produce my tax returns, absolutely, and I would love to do that.”
Of course, Trump changed his mind when he actually became a candidate for president.
TRUMP: “I want to release my tax returns but I can’t release it while I’m under an audit.”
Contradicting his own logic, Trump has released his tax returns while under audit in the past – when the disclosure of his tax returns would benefit his business interests – such as his application for a license to open a casino.
CNN: “Donald Trump insists he won’t release his tax returns during his 2016 presidential run because those returns are the subject of ongoing Internal Revenue Service audits. When he’s had casinos on the line, it’s been a different story.”
Further, Trump has the ability to slow down the audit of his tax returns depending on his rate of response to the IRS – meaning he may be able to make his poor excuse, that his audit prevents his tax return disclosure, last as long as he wants.
WSJ: “Donald Trump says he will release his tax returns when an IRS audit concludes… the Republican presidential nominee omits one major point: He and his attorneys have substantial knowledge about when the audit will end and some ability to slow the process.”
Considering Trump has released his taxes under audit before, and his actions determine the speed at which the IRS can complete the audit, why won’t Trump release his tax returns and what is he hiding? Here’s a few theories:
Trump may not be worth the $10 billion that he claims
Prominent Republicans question what Trump is hiding in his tax returns:
George Will: “Perhaps one more reason why we’re not seeing his tax returns is because he is deeply involved in dealing with Russian oligarchs.”
Mitt Romney: “Either he’s not anywhere near as wealthy as he says he is” or “There’s a bombshell in Donald Trump’s taxes.”
Mark Sanford: “I Support You, Donald Trump. Now Release Your Tax Returns.”
Is there ANY way to make Trump release his tax returns? Yesterday, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Member Chris Murphy are calling for the Senate to vote on their bill, the Presidential Tax Transparency Act, to require presidential nominees to release their tax returns after their conventions.
In the meantime, media, pundits, and Americans across the country continue to challenge Trump to release his tax returns.
Hillary for America released two statements following reports that the campaign chair for Donald Trump, Paul Manafort, has ties to pro-Putin elements in Ukraine. Manafort was named in an investigation by Ukrainian authorities. The report sites off the books records of payments to Manafort. The investigation is on-going. HFA Senior Policy Advisor Robby Mook released a statement calling Manafort’s actions into question. A copy of the statement is below.
“On the eve of what the Trump campaign has billed as a major foreign policy speech, we have learned of more troubling connections between Donald Trump’s team and pro-Kremlin elements in Ukraine. Given the pro-Putin policy stances adopted by Donald Trump and the recent Russian government hacking and disclosure of Democratic Party records, Donald Trump has a responsibility to disclose campaign chair Paul Manafort’s and all other campaign employees’ and advisers’ ties to Russian or pro-Kremlin entities, including whether any of Trump’s employees or advisers are currently representing and or being paid by them.”
As more details were released, the campaign released a second, extended statement from Mook. The statement includes a number of questions for Trump’s campaign as well as a list of members of Trump’s team with Russian Connections. The full statement is below.
“Facing another news story detailing Trump’s team’s ties to Russia and on the day of his foreign policy address, Trump’s campaign manager’s statement raised more questions than it addressed. This is a serious matter and there are real concerns about the pro-Kremlin interests engaged with the Trump team. As someone running to lead American policy and national security, Donald Trump owes the American public answers.”
Between Trump’s campaign chair Paul Manafort and many other allies and surrogates, Trump should disclose the details of any ties to Russian or pro-Kremlin entities. Which of Trump’s employees or advisers are currently representing and/or being paid by these pro-Russia entities? How did these employees or advisers influence the numerous pro-Putin policy stances already adopted by the campaign?
Multiple sources have disputed Manafort’s claims on the RNC platform, confirming that the pro-Russia changes were made at the behest of the Trump campaign. Will Trump investigate how the change was made and which of his advisers advocated for it?
Given Paul Manafort’s history of potentially skirting the Foreign Agent Registration Act and the allegations in the story, will Trump investigate whether his own campaign chair violated FARA and/or whether the reported payments violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?
According to the Washington Post, Trump’s Foreign Policy Adviser Carter Page’s “background in Russia has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.” Page, who has investments in Russian energy giant Gazprom, has been highly critical of U.S. and European economic sanctions placed on Russia and recently broke precedent by giving a speech critical of U.S. policy while in Moscow. What pro-Kremlin policies has Page advocated with Trump?
After recent Russian government hacking and disclosure of Democratic Party records, it was revealed that long-time Trump confidante Roger Stone was in communication with Julian Assange, leader of Wikileaks and source of key leaked information. In light of WikiLeaks reported ties to Russia, will Donald Trump disclose details of information shared between him and Roger Stone on Assange and the hack of US citizens?
Military adviser Gen. Michael Flynn – Hascome under scrutinyfor attending Kremlin propaganda outlet RT’s 10th anniversary gala where hesat two seats from Putin.Told Michael Isikoffhe was paid for his speechin Russia, but he was paid by his “speakers’ bureau,” which is merely an intermediary.
Recently departed adviser Michael Caputo – Was sent to Moscow while working for the State Department, butbecame“friendly with senior Kremlin officials” and State broke ties with him. He went on toearn a contractwith the “Russian conglomerate Gazprom Media to improve Putin’s image in the United States.”
Trump adviser & surrogate Boris Epshteyn – Moscow-born investment banker whoserved as the moderatorfor a 2013 at the “Invest In Moscow!” Conference in New York. Has echoed Kremlin talking points as a Trump surrogate on TV,claimingthat Russia did not seize Crimea.
On Thursday, Hillary Clinton released a statement supporting a new rule proposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulating payday lenders. The rule would change the way payday lenders assess the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, and would make it more difficult for lenders to roll over loans, a practice that typically leads to additional fees. The CFPB’s rules would also prevent lenders from automatically withdrawing fees from borrower’s bank accounts. Clinton supports the rule saying that it will help protect families from high interest rates and outrageous fees. A copy of Clinton’s statement is below:
“Abusive payday lenders have for too long been a drain on the resources of families in need, charging outrageous fees and interest rates, trapping families in never-ending cycles of debt, and subjecting them to brutal debt collection practices. Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — a government watchdog dedicated solely to protecting working Americans from unfair and deceptive financial practices — is putting forward an important proposal to crack down on abusive payday lending, and I stand with them in that effort.
This is an important point of contrast in this campaign. Donald Trump wants to strip the U.S. government’s power to apply rules to payday lenders, abolish this critical consumer watchdog, and roll back the other Wall Street reforms that we put in place after the financial crisis. Working families deserve a president who will look out for them — not payday lenders and special interests on Wall Street.”
Today, Hillary Clinton began a series of events that she is calling the “Breaking Down Barriers” tour. The goal of the tour is to speak with small groups of voters and get a better understanding of their concerns. During her first event in Ashland, Kentucky, Clinton met with workers at Alma’s Italian Cafe where she outlined her plan to help coal communities. She compared her plan to the “Marshall Plan,” the plan that rebuilt Western Europe following World War II, saying that the three main parts would protect health and pension benefits of miners, research how coal can be a clean part of America’s energy future, and invest in alternative energy. She also spoke about her plans to entice more businesses to keep their manufacturing operations in the United States.
Clinton then traveled to Williamson, West Virginia where she was met by a number of protestors who took issue with recent comments Clinton made about the coal industry. During the event, Clinton apologized for the comments saying that her comments were taken out of context. She said, “What I was saying is that, the way things are going now, we will continue to lose jobs. That’s what I meant to say. I do feel a little bit sad and sorry that I gave folks the reason or the excuse to be so upset with me because that is not what I intended at all.” Clinton visited with miners who have lost their jobs and community leaders who are struggling with unemployed citizens. She vowed to support West Virginia and towns that rely heavily on coal mining for survival even if the state does not support her in the primary or November. Videos from today’s events will be added when/if available.
Meanwhile, fundraisers were being held for Hillary for America across the country. Chelsea Clinton was in Washington, DC where she attended a fundraiser. Also in Washington, DC, Campaign Chair John Podesta attended a fundraiser along with policy advisors Ann O’Leary and Jennifer Klein. In Brookline, Massachusetts, a fundraising event was held at the home of John Reinstein and retired Judge Nancy Gertner. Attending the event was former Attorney General Eric Holder. In Portland, Oregon, Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan and actress Kathleen Turner were on hand to kickoff a phone bank effort.
On the eve of the New York primary, Bill, Chelsea, and Hillary Clinton were canvassing the state for support before tomorrow’s primary. A list of Hillary’s favorite New York restaurants was published by Thrillist, and she attended a number of events in and around New York City. Hillary began by appearing on a morning radio show called “The Breakfast Club“. During the interview, Clinton spoke about a number of her key platform points and the importance of tomorrow’s primary in New York. She also was asked to name something that she always carry with her. Her answer was “hot sauce.” Watch a video of the full interview HERE to find out why.
Hillary then hosted a Get Out the Vote rally at the Hilton in Manhattan. During her speech, she spoke about her Democratic rival Bernie Sanders and his record on gun control. He voted for a 2005 bill that made gun manufacturers immune from lawsuits if their product was used illegally. She continued, “There are many powerful lobbyists in Washington, as I said in the debate the other night in Brooklyn. I said, look, Senator Sanders talks a lot about the greed and recklessness of Wall Street. But what about the greed and recklessness of the gun manufacturers?” Hillary went on to explain the importance of the 2016 election and asked for voters’ support tomorrow. Tonight, Hillary will appear on CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Bill, meanwhile, was campaigning on Hillary’s behalf in Buffalo and Rochester. In Buffalo, Bill began by kicking off a phone bank at Hilary’s headquarters. He then made several stops in town visiting St. John Towers senior facility, Spot Coffee, and he had lunch at Alton’s restaurant in Cheektowaga. In Rochester, Bill was joined by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and spoke to a crowd of supporters. He spoke briefly about a number of Hillary’s platform points and asked for their vote in tomorrow’s primary. A video from his speech in Rochester is below.
Chelsea has spent the last two days campaigning on behalf of her mother at smaller events across the state. Yesterday, Chelsea spoke at Get Out the Vote events in Poughkeepsie and Binghamton. At both events, she spoke about her mother’s experience and plans as president. She stressed the importance of the election saying that it is the “most important” election of her lifetime. Chelsea even took time to answer questions from those in attendance.
Today, Chelsea spoke with supporters at the Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls. She spoke about her mom’s experience saying, “I think when you look at who has a real record of being able to deliver progress and be able to make change, my mom really stands out.” She spoke about similar topics at her other stops in upstate New York. Chelsea also spoke with supporters at Coltivare in Ithaca. In Rome, Chelsea visited a local daycare center. Speaking at the Little Learners On Campus Child Care Center, she spoke about the importance of early childhood education and Hillary’s plan to expand it nationwide.
The Clintons weren’t the only ones campaigning on behalf of Hillary today. In New York, Carole King, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and Cecile Richards all joined Hillary and held events on their own. In Chicago, Illinois, David Plouffe, Campaign Manager for President Barack Obama in 2008, attended a fundraiser that was hosted by Kevin Conlon, Katelynd Duncan, Abby Erwin, Adam Hitchcock, Reyhad Kazmi, Samir Mayekar, Kevin Morris, Marilynn Rubio, Jon Samuels, Abigail Schmitz, and Joshua Schwartz.
Hillary Clinton Speeches 