Much of the congressional news at the moment is dominated by the debt limit negotiations between the White House, Senate and House. A handful of Georgia legislators are doing their best though to get their names out there and make some waves with their respective bases.
Whether it makes any difference electorally remains to be seen but undoubtedly, it will make some waves in small donor fundraising.
Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA 4)
Chances for passage are virtually zero but Rep. Johnson has reintroduced a bill that would expand the U.S. Supreme Court from nine to 13 seats. Joined by representatives from Planned Parenthood, NARAL, the League of Conservation Voters and Demand Justice, Johnson is joined in the House by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA 30) and Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO 1). On the Senate side, Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
The bill is an effort to combat what many Democrats feel has become a partisan court and Markey called a “hijacked confirmation process and stolen the Supreme Court majority.” In their announcement, the sponsors noted that the size of the court has been changed seven different times in the country’s history and polls show a record low confidence in the court.
“The Court has descended into extremist politics, and we need to save this arrogant Court from itself. It has become too partisan, so that it no longer reflects the country as a whole. The path is clear – we must expand the Court to save our democracy,” said Rep. Johnson.
The announcement rails against the court’s Dobbs abortion decision and the recent news of Clarence Thomas’ gifts from billionaire Harlan Crow. Saying the court faces a “crisis of legitimacy,” there is a who’s who of Democrats in the news that have signed on as co-sponsors.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA 14)
Over on the other side of the aisle, Rep. Greene – one of the House’s biggest fundraisers, has introduced articles of impeachment against FBI Director Christopher Wray. Saying the FBI is using “Soviet-style tactics,” Greene provided a rundown of recent controversial FBI moves, including against an abortion protester, the Michigan governor kidnap case defendants, and former President Donald Trump.
“Not only has Director Wray persecuted political opponents in an unprecedented and partisan way, but he has also overseen his agency take actions to shield and protect the current President and his family,” said Rep. Greene’s office in a statement. “It is unacceptable for the Director of the FBI or any civil officer to exercise his power in a way that targets one political class while doing favors for the other.”
Greene also introduced articles of impeachment against U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves. Neither effort has hope of passage but Greene has been making the rounds on conservative media, talking up her efforts and garnering support.
“The phones in my office have been ringing off the hook with support!! We’ve heard from countless people today in support of my articles of impeachment against U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and FBI Director Christopher Wray. They want to impeach everyone. It’s amazing.”
Be on the lookout for Greene’s fundraising numbers in the next quarter.
