Dems’ graphic warning about threats to abortion

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Oct 17, 2024 View in browser   By Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Jeff Coltin Presented by  With Timmy Facciola Rep. Mike Lawler and Mondaire Jones butted heads at their first debate, including on abortion. | Courtesy of News 12 NEW YORK MINUTE: Tonight is the 79th annual Al Smith dinner hosted by Cardinal Timothy Dolan. It’s the place for politicos to be seen and their jokes to be heard. Former President Donald Trump, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams will be in attendance. Kamala Harris will not. ABORTION ATTACK: Democratic House candidates in New York have warned in recent debates that GOP support for leaving abortion rights up to states means leaving women to die. The approach comes even as swing-district Republicans reiterate they would not back a nationwide ban on abortion and reject the attacks as lies and desperation. “Mike Lawler is not pro-life when it comes to women, because women all across America are bleeding out and they’re dying in hospitals where physicians are afraid of criminal liability,” Mondaire Jones said at a Wednesday debate in the Hudson Valley. “They’re bleeding out in parking lots, in their cars.” The graphic portrait of post-Roe America was an echo of Laura Gillen’s statement a night earlier on Long Island at another News 12-hosted debate. “Women are dying in parking lots, bleeding out,” she told Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. Reproductive freedom remains a potent issue in New York’s battleground House races, featuring in several Democratic ads that have led Republican targets to demand fact checks. Threats to abortion rights are expected to drive suburban women to the polls, even in blue states where access is relatively protected. Lawler’s response was almost identical to D’Esposito’s and that of other first-term New York Republicans pushing back on Dem characterizations of their records as anti-abortion. “I do not support a federal ban on abortion,” Lawler said. “I have fought to codify access to IVF into federal law, access to contraception. I fought back against my own party in the effort to ban mifepristone.” In a debate farther north Wednesday in the Hudson Valley, Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan seized the opportunity to frame abortion rights as a necessary freedom — a position he staked in his 2022 bid and one he continues to champion. “So you can talk about states’ rights,” he told rival Alison Esposito at the Spectrum News-hosted face-off. “We’re seeing women die in Georgia and Alabama and in 20 states.” Esposito said, “As a federal candidate, I cannot and will not change New York state laws, and I do not advocate for a federal abortion ban.” The Wednesday debates also laid bare the partisan split on the New York Equal Rights Amendment, or Prop 1, which is also on the ballot this year. Jones and Ryan said they would vote for the ballot initiative and said it protects reproductive rights. Lawler and Esposito said they would not. Lawler called it a “political ploy” that curbs parental rights and allows boys to play girls’ sports. “As a member of the gay community, it’s not about LGBTQ rights,” Esposito said. “It’s about fairness in sports, security in locker rooms and it is about allowing parents to decide what’s best for their children.” — Emily Ngo HAPPY THURSDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. A message from Con Edison: Con Edison is breaking ground in Queens on the Idlewild Project, a proactive, critical upgrade to New York's electrical grid. As part of Con Edison’s Clean Energy Commitment, this high-impact $1.2 billion investment will continue our grid modernization efforts and meet growing demand for electricity while delivering more clean, reliable energy to homes, businesses, and major transportation hubs. See how Con Edison is helping to build a clean energy future for all New Yorkers.   WHERE’S KATHY? Making a public safety announcement at the Capitol, speaking at the New York State Police Academy graduation ceremony and attending the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation’s annual dinner. WHERE’S ERIC? Making a climate change- and infrastructure-related announcement and attending the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation’s annual dinner. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s Brandon Williams who abused his employees. He’s a hypocritical MAGA extremist who will say anything to get elected.” — A narrator in House candidate John Mannion’s new ad, pushing back on Rep. Brandon Williams’ ads accusing the Democrat of harassing staffers, via Syracuse.com. ABOVE THE FOLD The IVF debate was more muted in New York, where Democrats have blasted Republicans over abortion and reproductive rights. | Mike Groll/AP IVF ACCESS: The national debate over in-vitro fertilization is trickling down to the state capital. Republican state Sen. Bill Weber, who faces a competitive rematch against the Democrat he unseated two years ago, is proactively touting his support for access to IVF. “It’s important to know where I stand on it and know that I’m a big supporter of IVF,” he said in an interview with Playbook. His strategy is in keeping with GOP candidates across the country, including Trump, who have been quick to highlight their backing of the procedure after the top court in Alabama in February ruled that frozen embryos are children. The state’s Republican-led Legislature moved weeks later to give legal protections to doctors who provide the procedure. The IVF debate was more muted in New York, where Democrats have blasted Republicans over abortion and reproductive rights. Weber’s office on Wednesday pointed to two bills he’s backing: One to provide legal protections for IVF treatment providers, fertility doctors and patients and another to create a tax credit to offset the cost of the procedure. Weber insisted his decision to highlight the measures was divorced from the pending election and rather a testament to his own experience with IVF, which he and his wife used to conceive three of their children. Weber faces former state Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick for the Hudson Valley seat. The outcome of the race won’t significantly alter the makeup of the state Senate, given the Democratic supermajority in the chamber. In the interview, he expressed surprise over Democratic state lawmakers not pressing for IVF protections after the Alabama ruling. “There would have been a lot of friends like myself to sign on to (a bill),” he said. “I was very surprised, but I want to vocally talk about my support for it in public.” Democrats scoffed at that assertion. “Bill Weber and his Republican allies have consistently voted against protecting women’s health and choice,” said Mike Murphy, a spokesperson for the Senate Democrats. “This year alone Bill voted against our package of legislation that included simply protecting women’s private health information.” — Nick Reisman CITY HALL: THE LATEST Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who chairs the state's Senate Judiciary Committee, has taken an interest in criminally charging fossil fuel companies for their role in climate change. | Hans Pennink/AP FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Some progressive advocacy groups and liberal politicians are pushing New York City’s prosecutors to take on fossil fuel companies. Public Citizen, along with Fair and Just Prosecution, released a memo Thursday that outlines a potential legal pathway under New York criminal law to charge fossil fuel companies with “reckless endangerment” for their role in causing climate change. The concept has backing from state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and New York City Council members Sandy Nurse and Carmen De La Rosa. “The reason we have criminal law in this country is to protect us from dangerous actors that would do us harm,” said Aaron Regunberg, senior policy counsel with Public Citizen’s Climate Program. Taking on Big Oil has been a focus for many Democratic prosecutors, including Attorney General Tish James, who unsuccessfully sued Exxon Mobil for fraud. California’s attorney general sued fossil fuel companies for climate damages. Cities including New York have also sought compensation for the costs of increased flooding, hurricanes and other extreme weather. But Public Citizen has suggested a new approach: District attorneys could charge fossil fuel companies individually or collectively and also potentially executives. — Marie J. French More from the city: — A Trump win in the 2024 presidential election is viewed by some in Adams’ camp as a potential path to legal victory. (New York Post) — Newly appointed Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos teased changes to a math curriculum that has drawn the ire of the powerful teachers union. (POLITICO Pro) — Everyone who’s anyone is donating to UFT strategist Dermot Smyth’s City Council campaign (City & State)   A message from Con Edison:   NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY The mogul's politics could become a factor in winning support from others, including the ardently anti-Trump Gov. Kathy Hochul. | Patrick Semansky/AP BETTING BIG: Casino magnate Miriam Adelson has dumped $100 million into her pro-Trump super PAC, POLITICO reports — at the same time she’s trying to get a gambling license for her Nassau Coliseum casino bid. Her status as one of the Republican nominee’s single biggest supporters could hurt Las Vegas Sands’ bid in the contest for limited licenses, Playbook reported back in March. The process is political by design, with bids needing to earn approval from a “community advisory committee” whose members are appointed by local elected officials. Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is on board, but Adelson’s politics could become a factor in winning support from others, including the ardently anti-Trump Hochul. A rep for Adelson’s bid declined to comment. Trump knows the site. Playbook reported that Adelson’s company helped coordinate the candidate’s September rally at the coliseum. — Jeff Coltin TRAIN DRAIN : Amtrak’s plan to temporarily scale back daily round trips from New York City to Albany has alarmed state lawmakers — and they plan to warn their colleagues who rely on the train to get to Planet Albany. “My guess is the vast majority of my colleagues do not know about it,” Assemblymember Pat Fahy told Playbook. “This will impact them.” Amtrak will drop three round trips from its service between Penn Station in Manhattan and the Rensselaer station across the river from Albany. Fahy, along with fellow Capital Region Democratic Assemblymember John McDonald, urged the company in a letter to reconsider the changes along one of the northeast’s busiest train routes. “It’s clearly hit a raw nerve,” Fahy said. “This is much more popular than people give it credit.” A typical weekday currently has 13 daily round trips on the line; the service reduction is expected to take effect next month. It’s not clear how long the service reduction will last, but Amtrak expects the changes will have a minimal effect. The move is due to work being done on the East River Tunnels following damage from Superstorm Sandy, the company said. “We have been communicating and collaborating with our partners at NYSDOT on these service changes and mutually agreed to this new schedule, which preserves 80% of the line’s service while this major infrastructure asset receives its much-needed and overdue upgrade as part of a $1.6 billion investment in New York State,” said Amtrak spokesperson Jason Abrams. — Nick Reisman More from Albany: — Matching funds are giving a boost to Assembly candidates in close races. (City & State) — A fact check finds it’s mostly true the equality amendment would solidify rights for transgender athletes. (Buffalo News) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Competitive New York House races have become a fight to define the middle in the final weeks. (CNN) — Two upstate House races, featuring incumbent Reps. Marc Molinaro and Pat Ryan, test party messaging on abortion, immigration. (Roll Call) — Central New York’s John Mannion and Rep. Brandon Williams on abortion, health care and Social Security. (Auburn Citizen) NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — Belligerent hikers and fights over parking have marred the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. (Times Union) — Republicans are trying to break a drought in Hudson Valley judge races. ( LoHud) — Men with the New York Young Republican Club explain how they found their way to the party. (The Guardian) A message from Con Edison: Critical electrical grid upgrades are right around the corner in Queens. Con Edison’s Idlewild Project will support New York’s crucial efforts to mitigate climate change by creating two new substations and a new Springfield Electric network. This new infrastructure will deliver more clean, reliable energy to homes, businesses, and major transportation hubs, including JFK International Airport and the MTA’s bus fleet. It will also accelerate electrification and facilitate cleaner air for local residents. See how Con Edison is building a future where every New Yorker can share in the benefits of a safe, reliable, climate-resilient grid.   SOCIAL DATA Edited by Daniel Lippman HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Carl McCall … Empire Center’s E.J. McMahon … Bloomberg’s Peter Grauer and Angela Greiling Keane … Reuters’ Bo Erickson … CNN’s Caroline Klein … NBC News PR’s Hartley Messer … (WAS WEDNESDAY): Avi Fink Missed Wednesday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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