Washington, DC – In response to decisions by courts to strike down photo ID laws in Texas and Wisconsin, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“With less than ten days before early voting starts in Texas and Wisconsin, I am pleased with the judicial decisions yesterday striking down burdensome photo ID laws in those states.

“Photo ID laws have been put forward as a solution to the virtually non-existent problem of voter impersonation. As the federal judge ruled in the Texas case, the GOP written photo ID law ‘creates an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote, has an impermissible discriminatory effect against Hispanics and African-Americans, and was imposed with an unconstitutional discriminatory purpose.’

“The Democratic Party is committed to expanding the vote, because our nation is stronger when more people participate in the process. We will continue our efforts to register and turn out more voters, and push back against Republican efforts to restrict access to the ballot box.

“Democrats believe that voting should be easier and more convenient. Even as we applaud these court actions, we know that changes this close to Election Day may cause confusion. If voters have questions regarding when to vote, where to vote, or what they need to bring with them to their polling location, they can find the rules of the road for their state at IWillVote.com or VoyAVotar2014.com.”

Washington, DC – The Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee today released the following statement after the Federal Election Commission agreed the party committees may establish convention committees that can raise federal funds under separate limits, solely to finance expenses for their 2016 nominating conventions. Convention expenses would have previously have been paid for with federal funds:

“We appreciate the FEC’s recognition that, as the party convention committees adjust to the loss of public funding, they have authority to raise funds that will help pay the costs of their national conventions.  This is an important, if modest, first step for the parties in continuing to meet their historic responsibility to conduct conventions, which play such a vital role in our democratic process.”

With less than one month until election day, President Bill Clinton emailed Democrats yesterday to ask them to do what they can to help elect candidates across the country. Read it here:

Hey there —

There's an election around the corner, so I've been traveling around the country to help Democrats who are standing up for the values you and I believe in.

I've been in Kentucky with Alison Lundergan Grimes, in Florida with Charlie Crist, in Iowa with Bruce Braley, in Arkansas with Mark Pryor, and several other states. These folks are real leaders with great ideas about how to expand the middle class and make sure that every American has a fair shot at success. They do us proud.

But their great ideas won't amount to a hill of beans this November if their message gets drowned out by people like the Koch brothers. Join me, and keep that from happening — chip in $3 or more today to support Democrats.

What you're seeing from our opponents right now is unprecedented. They're willing to say just about anything to tear down our candidates, and they're willing to spend whatever it takes to get traction. And if we don't step up, it could work.

We've got a chance to do something great here in 28 days — but it won't happen without your help.

Please do what you can to support Democrats today:

https://my.democrats.org/Elect-Democrats-2014

Thanks,

Bill Clinton

With less than one month until election day, President Bill Clinton emailed Democrats yesterday to ask them to do what they can to help elect candidates across the country. Read it here:

Hey there —

There's an election around the corner, so I've been traveling around the country to help Democrats who are standing up for the values you and I believe in.

I've been in Kentucky with Alison Lundergan Grimes, in Florida with Charlie Crist, in Iowa with Bruce Braley, in Arkansas with Mark Pryor, and several other states. These folks are real leaders with great ideas about how to expand the middle class and make sure that every American has a fair shot at success. They do us proud.

But their great ideas won't amount to a hill of beans this November if their message gets drowned out by people like the Koch brothers. Join me, and keep that from happening — chip in $3 or more today to support Democrats.

What you're seeing from our opponents right now is unprecedented. They're willing to say just about anything to tear down our candidates, and they're willing to spend whatever it takes to get traction. And if we don't step up, it could work.

We've got a chance to do something great here in 28 days — but it won't happen without your help.

Please do what you can to support Democrats today:

https://my.democrats.org/Elect-Democrats-2014

Thanks,

Bill Clinton

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement today in response to Governor Chris Christie’s trip to Florida to campaign for failed Governor Rick Scott:

“Voters can tell a lot about their leaders by the company they keep and Rick Scott continuing to surround himself with failed Republicans like Chris Christie says a lot about Scott.

“Christie, like Scott, has slashed education funding while giving billions of dollars in tax breaks to corporations and business interests. Scott won't fight for equal pay for women and Christie vetoed equal pay legislation. Scott said that raising the minimum wage made him ‘cringe’ while Christie vetoed a minimum wage increase.

“Of course, birds of a feather tend to flock together. Scott presided over a company given a $1.7 billion fine – the largest Medicare fraud fine in history at the time. And Christie presided over Bridgegate – allowing a culture to exist in which his own senior staff ordered the closure of three lanes of traffic for four days on the George Washington Bridge – the busiest in the world.

“As a result of their failed policies, both their states' economies suffer. Florida has the third highest number of workers that earn the minimum wage or less while New Jersey under Christie’s failed leadership, ranks near the bottom in private sector job growth. Florida can do better – and the nation can do better. That’s why next month voters will elect Charlie Crist and Democrats across the country.”

Washington, DC – Today, the United States Supreme Court declined to take up appeals from five states seeking to prohibit gay marriages. In response, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“Today’s action by the Supreme Court continues the steady march of progress towards equality. In recent years, we have seen the end of the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and last year the Supreme Court struck down DOMA. This decision brings marriage equality to couples in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. It clears the way for same sex couples in Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming as well.

“While this is a significant step forward for the LGBT community, there is considerable work that remains to be done. Unfortunately, marriage equality is still denied to same sex couples in several states, and some LGBT workers can still face discrimination in the workplace based on who they are or who they love. The Democratic Party is committed to ensuring that our nation continues to move in the right direction on LGBT equality.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement marking the celebration of Eid al-Adha:

“As Muslim Americans gather to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, we extend our best wishes.

“This year, Eid al-Adha coincides with the recognition of Yom Kippur, serving as a reminder of our shared roots at the deepest levels. The values that we share, such as the importance of charity, are what bring us together.

“I would also like to offer my prayers to those making the Hajj this year for a peaceful and safe journey.”

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement recognizing Yom Kippur, which begins tonight at sundown:

“Tonight, families across America and around the world will gather for Kol Nidre, the most solemn and holy night in the Jewish calendar. On this Day of Atonement, we reflect on our words and deeds of the past year, and ask forgiveness from those we have wronged.

“During the Days of Awe, we return to our core values – teshuvah, tzedakah and tefillah – repentance, prayer and acts of loving kindness. As we look forward to the year ahead, we recommit ourselves to serving our community and to repairing the world.  These are ideals that compel us to make the world a better place for each other, and bind us together as humanity, regardless of our individual faiths.

“From my family to yours, I wish all those observing Yom Kippur an easy fast – and may you and your loved ones may be inscribed for another year in the Book of Life.”