Romley Makes the Rounds: May 6, 2018

May 6, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS MAY 8! GO VOTE!

In Congress

After the House chaplain resigned under pressure from House Speaker Paul Ryan, Father Patrick Conroy has withdrawn his resignation. Ryan didn’t like the chaplain’s prayer that the impending tax cuts wouldn’t hurt poor people. Ryan is now catching heat from both parties for the debacle.

In the White House

The investigation keeps getting closer to Trump’s business dealings. His attorney, Michael Cohen, is under investigation and his business practices look very shady and could have a major impact on the president. Trump also borrowed millions in unsecured or under-secured debt to build his empire. How’d he get those loans with his track record of bankruptcies?

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Romley Makes the Rounds: April 29, 2018

April 29, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Congress will take up a proposal by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson to substantially raise the rent for people living in subsidized housing. The poorest Americans would see their rent triple under the program. Look, somebody has to pay for those tax breaks for the rich.

In the White House

Donald Trump is going to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in the next few weeks. Kim met with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in in South Korea and promised to stop scrap his nuclear program if the US promised not to invade. We made that pledge in 2005 and the North Koreans promised to end their nuclear program then, too. The US hasn’t invaded but North Korea is now a nuclear power.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: April 22, 2018

April 22, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Congress can’t get enough votes to pass a bill to protect Robert Mueller from getting fired by Donald Trump. About all the GOP can muster is advice that firing Mueller would be a bad idea. Clearly, we need a new Congress to protect the integrity of our country.

In the White House

Donald Trump attacked New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman on Twitter for writing a profile of his attorney Michael Cohen. Cohen is under investigation for activities that might be part of his work for Trump. The president denied talking to Haberman despite her interviewing him in the past.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: April 15, 2018

April 15, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

The rats are abandoning the ship and, this week, the chief rat jumped overboard. House Speaker Paul Ryan joined a record number of Republican incumbents who’ve decided to retire this year. Ryan announced he wants to spend more time with his family. In November, let’s help George Holding spend more time with his.

In the White House

Donald Trump’s lawyer needs a lawyer. The FBI raided his office this week, seizing hundreds of documents, including information about payoffs to Stormy Daniels.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: April 8, 2018

April 8, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Mark Zuckerberg will testify before Congress next week to discuss the data breach at Facebook. This scandal highlights the need for people with a background in computer science in Congress. Privacy and security issues will dominate the news for years to come.

In the White House

Trump is starting a trade war with China that will seriously harm North Carolina farmers. In retaliation for Trump’s tariffs, China is threatening to place tariffs on pork, tobacco and soy beans. They will cost North Carolina in revenue and jobs if they go through.

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Romley Makes the Rounds: Feb. 25, 2018

February 25, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

In the wake of the shooting in Parkland, some folks in Congress are hoping for quick action on gun violence. Don’t count on it. The NRA is entrenched and the dysfunction in Washington will likely prevent anything from happening anytime soon. More reasons we need new people in Congress.

In the White House

The Mueller investigation keeps rolling out indictments. Last week, it was against Russian companies and people in the US. This past week, it was more indictments against Paul Manafort and his associate Rick Gates. Every time new indictments come down, Trump’s Twitter feed goes nuts. I wonder why? Continue reading »

Romley Makes the Rounds: Feb. 18, 2018

February 18, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

On the shooting in Parkland, Florida

The school shooting in Florida this week should remind us that we are failing our children. Politicians who say there’s nothing we can do should get out of the way of those of us want to try. The student who are speaking out are far more eloquent the adults who have let them down. There’s one thing we should all be able to agree on: We need research into how to prevent more carnage. Unfortunately, the NRA has blocked any government funding for research into gun violence. That must change. That’s just a first step, but it’s one that should be enacted immediately.

In Congress

Congress again showed its dysfunction. This time, they couldn’t come together to pass a fix for the DREAMERs despite overwhelming support from the American public. This failure is another sign that we need a new Congress to get anything done.

In the White House

Donald Trump released his budget busting budget to huge criticism. The proposed budget would add billions to the deficit and more than a trillion dollars to the national debt. It would also cut Medicare by more than $500 million. It’s largely considered dead-on-arrival, illustrating more dysfunction at the highest reaches of government. Continue reading »

Romley Makes the Rounds: Feb. 11, 2018

February 11, 2018 in Romley Makes the Rounds

In Congress

Well, Congress passed a spending deal that will fund government for the next six weeks and sets spending priorities for the next two years. The deal also increases the deficit substantially. So much for anybody being the party of fiscal responsibility.

In the White House

The #MeToo movement reached into the upper echelon of the White House staff this week when White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter resigned because of charges of domestic violence from two of his ex-wives. Donald Trump wished Porter well and reminded reporters that Porter denied the allegations. The whole affair had shades of Trump’s defense of Roy Moore in Alabama. When it comes to abusers and abuse victims, we can count on the president to side with the abusers. Continue reading »

Congressional Candidate Romley Refuses PAC Money

February 9, 2018 in Blog Posts, Press Release

Congressional candidate Ken Romley announced today that he will refuse to accept campaign donations from political action committees, better known as PACs. The candidate cited the outsized influence of special interest money on the American political system and the need to give power back to the citizens as reasons for the decision. Romley is running in North Carolina’s second congressional district.

“The corrupting influence of special interest money on our political system must be stopped,” said Romley. “PACs represent a serious threat to American democracy. I am proud to announce that I will not be beholden to special interest groups, but will answer only to the people of North Carolina.”

In contrast, 2nd district incumbent George Holding has raised over $140,000 from PACs in the 2017-2018 fiscal year according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Major donors included Altria Group, the parent company of Philip Morris USA, and Pfizer Inc, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Romley stated that this is a sign that corporations believe they can influence Holding’s decision making.

“When tobacco companies, big pharma, or any special interest gives to a candidate, they are expecting a return on their investment,” said Romley. “Every citizen of North Carolina should question if Mr. Holding has their best interests at heart.”

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Ken Romley is running in North Carolina’s Second Congressional District for the seat held by Rep. George Holding. He is high-tech entrepreneur who has founded four companies in Wake County over the past 25 years that have employed hundreds of people. Romley lives in Wake County with his wife, Di, and has two adult children.