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I think our democracy is at more grave risk now than ever, Schiff said in an interview. And its clear that that issue is going to be front and center and needs to be front and center on the national stage.

Schiff is not alone in using a policy rollout to amplify his campaign persona. His rival, Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, released a plan earlier this week to shake up the Senate by banning earmarks and prohibiting stock trading by members of Congress and their families long-held positions that are prominently featured in her first major campaign ad. (Schiff also included a ban on congressional stock trades in his proposal.)

Rep. Barbara Lee, the third major Democrat in the race, has touted her support for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war to highlight her progressive, anti-war credentials. Lee and Porter have both trailed Schiff in recent polling; last months POLITICO/Morning Consult poll found the two women locked in a heated battle for second with Republican contender Steve Garvey, a former Los Angeles Dodgers star.

The centerpiece of Schiffs agenda is his Protecting Our Democracy Act, legislation that he first introduced in 2020 to bolster Congress ability to enforce subpoenas, limit presidential pardon power and strengthen whistleblower protections. The bill passed the House in 2021, but stalled in the Senate, although some provisions increasing Congress oversight of the executive branch made it into law. Schiff reintroduced the legislation last year, but it has yet to get a hearing in the GOP-led House.

Schiff said he has since concluded that legislative reforms would not go far enough and that major structural reforms were necessary. Some of his proposals, such as abolishing the Electoral College or overturning the Supreme Courts Citizens United decision on campaign finance, would require constitutional amendments. He also backs changing the Senates rules to abolish the filibuster, which he says is necessary to enshrine voting rights, abortion protections and gun safety measures into law.

If were going to make significant reforms to protect a democracy, were going to have to get rid of the filibuster, Schiff said. And I would trade wild swings in policy because the majority in the Senate can actually get things passed over the democracy-defeating stalemate that we have with the filibuster.

While eliminating the filibuster has gone from fringe to mainstream among most Democrats, the stance is undeniably risky for the party with a 2024 Senate map that is far friendlier to Republicans. GOP priorities such as national abortion restrictions or clampdowns on immigration would be easier to pass under a simple majority.

I recognize that, yes, [Republicans] will have a freer hand, Schiff said. But so will we. And their policies are so unpopular that should they ever get the chance to enact them, theyll be thrown out.

Other elements of Schiffs proposal include:

Eliminating gerrymandered congressional districts

Making voting easier by designating Election Day a federal holiday, expanding automatic voter registration through government agencies like the Department of Motor Vehicles and universal vote-by-mail access

Restoring voting rights to felons who have served their time

Reforming the judiciary by instituting term limits for Supreme Court justices, creating an enforceable ethics code and banning stock trading for judges

Such politically charged changes are unlikely to sail through a deadlocked Congress any time soon. And Schiff acknowledged that all the reforms in the world could be for naught if elected officials choose to abuse their oath of office.

If the Congress was populated by George Santoses, nothing will save us, he said. But theres a lot we can do to constrain the worst impulses of human nature and the worst impulses of members of Congress. And these reforms are designed to do both.

POLITICO is co-hosting the first debate for the California Senate race on Monday, Jan. 22. All four major candidates have accepted an invite to appear onstage: Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee and Republican and former Dodgers player Steve Garvey. Sign up for California Playbook to get the latest news on this and other campaigns.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the content of Porters ad. Her proposal to ban earmarks and stop congressional stock trading are prominently featured in the commercial.

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Schiff would abolish filibuster, end the Electoral College in his pro-democracy plan - POLITICO

Likely voters across the political aisle diverge on whether having a strong economy or functioning democracy is a bigger concern over the next few years, according to a new CBS/YouGov poll.

Fifty percent of the total likely voters polled said having a strong economy is the higher concern, while the other half of respondents said having a functioning democracy was the bigger concern.

Broken down by party identification, 64 percent of Democratic voters said having a functioning democracy as a higher concern, and 36 percent listed having a strong economy as the bigger concern. Among Republican voters, 35 percent said a functioning democracy was a greater concern while 65 percent said a strong economy was more of a concern.

Independent voters were split closer down the middle, with 52 percent saying a functioning democracy was the bigger concern and 48 percent saying a strong economy.

Among the age groups polled, those aged 64 or lower largely leaned slightly toward a strong economy as the higher concern, with 56 percent of respondents 30 years old and younger and 54 percent between the age of 30 and 64 choosing the economy. But among those 65 and older, only 39 percent chose having a strong economy as the issue of higher concern, with 61 percent finding having a functioning democracy of greater concern.

The matters of the economy and preserving democracy were the top concerns among registered voters when deciding who they would support in the 2024 presidential election, according to a Quinnipiac poll released last June.

The new CBS/YouGov poll comes just before the GOP primary officially begins Monday with the Iowa caucuses, where the primary candidates are vying to secure the support of the first state in the election cycle.

The poll surveyed 2,870 adults in the U.S. between Jan. 10-12, 2024, and has a margin of error of ±2.5 points.

Excerpt from:
Voters split on whether democracy, economy is bigger concern in 2024 - The Hill

By Steve Scherer

OTTAWA (Reuters) - About two-thirds of Canadians surveyed this month said American democracy cannot survive another four years of Donald Trump in the White House, and about half said the United States is on the way to becoming an authoritarian state, a poll released on Monday said.

The November U.S. election is likely to pit President Joe Biden against Trump, who is the clear frontrunner to win the Republican nomination as voting in the presidential primary race kicks off in Iowa on Monday.

Sixty-four percent of respondents in the Angus Reid Institute poll of 1,510 Canadians said they agreed with the statement: "U.S. democracy cannot survive another four years of Donald Trump." Twenty-eight percent disagreed.

The Jan. 6, 2021 attack on Capitol Hill by Trump supporters seeking to block certification of Biden's 2020 election win shocked many Canadians, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly blamed Trump for inciting the mob.

Trump has vowed if elected again to punish his political enemies, and he has drawn criticism for using increasingly authoritarian language.

Three times as many Canadians say a Biden victory would be better for Canada's economy (53%) than a Trump win (18%), according to the poll which was seen exclusively by Reuters. The poll, taken between Jan. 9-11, had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points

Forty-nine percent of people said the United States is on the way to becoming an authoritarian state and 71% of Canadians say the concept that the rule of law applies equally to everyone is weakening in the United States.

The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment

about the poll.

"What we're seeing is people quite alarmed about the prospect of a return of Donald Trump," said Shachi Kurl, president of Angus Reid Institute.

The polling is also "an indictment" of "how poorly Canadians now view the democratic institutions and the checks and balances that in the past people on both sides of the border took for granted," she added.

American allies around the world and financial markets are watching the election with unease given the isolationism and the protectionist trade policies of Trump's presidency. Because of their proximity and economic ties, Canadians have more at stake than most countries.

Two-thirds of Canada's 40 million people live within 100 km (62 miles) of the U.S. border, and the trade relationship with the United States is of existential importance to Canada.

Three-quarters of all exports go to the southern neighbor, and half of its imports come from the United States, including 60% of all imported fresh vegetables.

"One can make the argument that there's no country that would be more negatively affected by a Trump win than Canada," said Kim Nossal, a professor of political studies at Queen's University in Kingston and author of "Canada Alone: Navigating the Post-American World".

In his first term, Trump forced the renegotiation of the North American trade pact and clashed with Trudeau, who he once called "very dishonest and weak".

Trump's "mercantilist view involves thinking of Canada and every other so-called friend of the United States as no friend at all, but just a bunch of free-riders sucking off the wealth of the United States," Nossal said. "He is the ultimate protectionist."

There is a provision in the new North American trade pact that requires it to be reviewed for renewal after six years, or during the next American president's term in 2026.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer; Editing by Alistair Bell)

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Canadians worry US democracy cannot survive Trump's return to White House, poll finds - Yahoo News

Today, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Rep. Mario Daz-Balart (R-FL), Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), and Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, introduced a resolution commending Taiwan for its history of democratic elections and expressing support for Taiwans democratic institutions. The resolution is cosponsored in the House by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, as well as Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced a companion resolution in the US Senate.

Introduction of the resolution comes ahead of Taiwans elections on January 13, 2024, the eighth presidential election and tenth legislative elections since Taiwan began its transition to democracy.

Now more than ever, it is imperative that the United States stands in total solidarity with Taiwan and its commitment to democracy, said Congressman Connolly. In the face of relentless threats and intimidation from the Peoples Republic of China, Taiwans leadership as a global leader in public health, advanced manufacturing, and democratic governance underscore the importance of protecting democratic institutions and rejecting authoritarianism at home and abroad.

The United States and Taiwan share core values, including a commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The robust relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan is key to our national security, benefits the global community and is critical to prosperity in the region. As Taiwan faces growing threats to its democracy and security from Communist China, this resolution reaffirms our unwavering commitment to Taiwan, said Congressman Daz-Balart.

Taiwan stands as a vibrant democracy and a shining beacon of freedom and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific. I commend the people of Taiwan on the upcoming eighth presidential election, a testament to their strong commitment to democratic governance despite disinformation and coercion from Beijing. The United States remains steadfast in support of the people of Taiwan and our shared commitment to democratic values and the rule of law, said Congressman Bera.

Taiwan is a trusted partner for the United States and maintains the right to conduct free and fair elections, said Congressman Barr. With the Chinese Communist Party increasing aggression toward Taiwan, it is more important now than ever that we renew our commitment to support a democratic Taiwan.

As the Chinese Communist Party ramps up disinformation about Taiwan, democracies around the world must support Taiwans democratic process, said Chairman McCaul. This resolution affirms Congress support of Taiwan as a beacon of democracy in the Indo-Pacific and the Taiwanese peoples wishes.

The resolution is cosponsored by the following Representatives: Titus, Balderson, Moskowitz, Mooney, McGovern, Fleischmann, Costa, Tiffany, Doggett, Issa, Norcross, Malliotakis, Tokuda, Kelly (MS), Castro, Hinson, Green (TX), Radewagen, Lieu, Loudermilk, Wilson (FL), Waltz, Pallone, Kean, Gallego, Moran, Kaptur, Ciscomani, Peters, Ogles, Adams, Carter, Napolitano, Kim, and Kiggans.

Full text of the resolution is available here and below.

RESOLUTION

Commending Taiwan for its history of democratic elections, and expressing support of Taiwan in the preservation of its democratic institutions.

Whereas Taiwan began transitioning to a liberal democracy in the late 1980s, lifting martial law in 1987 and holding the first direct legislative election in 1992 and the first direct presidential election in 1996;

Whereas Taiwan has now held 7 presidential, 9 legislative, and many local elections since the democratic transition, all of which were free, fair, and representative of the will of the people of Taiwan;

Whereas Taiwan has peacefully transferred presidential power between political parties 3 times and peacefully transferred parliamentary power between political parties 3 times;

Whereas the peaceful transfer of power is a bedrock of a free, stable, and representative political system;

Whereas the democratic institutions of Taiwan respect the freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and religion, and the citizens of Taiwan have exercised these freedoms in practice, building a vibrant civil society, strong journalistic and media sector, and an advanced business community;

Whereas the rule of law and vibrant civil society, diverse economy, and stable political system form the basis for the prosperity and freedoms of Taiwan, which rank far above the global average;

Whereas the liberty enjoyed by the residents of Taiwan stands in stark contrast to the dictatorship of the proletariat experienced by the residents of the Peoples Republic of China;

Whereas, from 1949 until today, the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan have stood as partners against coercion, threats of war, and armed attacks from the Peoples Republic of China; and

Whereas, on January 13, 2024, Taiwan will hold its eighth presidential election and tenth legislative election since beginning the transition to democracy, after which a new president, vice president, and legislature will take office:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives

(1) commends Taiwan for the example it has set for self-governance, not just for the Pacific region, but for the world;

(2) regards the democracy of Taiwan as a great strategic strength for the free world and an indispensable component of contemporary United States-Taiwan relations;

(3) remains concerned about interference in Taiwans 2024 elections by the Chinese Communist Party;

(4) is committed to continuing a strong partnership across diplomatic, information, military, economic, and cultural domains, regardless of the outcome of Taiwans 2024 elections; and

(5) is committed to supporting Taiwans self defense and the liberty of its people through effective deterrence using all elements of United States power.

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Taiwan Caucus Co-Chairs Introduce Resolution in Support of Democracy in Taiwan - Gerry Connolly

This year, a dizzyingly diverse array of countriesfrom the most populous (India), to one of the least (Palau)will hold national elections. Some will be fully in the global limelight, such as those in Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Many others will attract relatively little international attention, even though they will be of great importance to their citizens and neighbors. In some, the outcomes are already predictable; for others, uncertainty prevails.

Thomas Carothers, co-director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peaces Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program, is a leading expert on comparative democratization and international support for democracy.

This notable run of elections will take place in a global context defined by an ongoing democratic recession and ever-intensifying geopolitical tensions among major powers. Many of the elections will have significant consequences for one or the otheror bothof these defining trends.

However, 2024s elections do not revolve around a single overarching issue or vector, such as the rise of right-wing illiberalism or the spread of toxic political polarization. Instead, they fall along a more differentiated spectrum, defined by at least five major categories.

Some elections, whether presidential or legislative or both together, will take place in countries where autocracy has already taken root. These include Belarus, Iran, Rwanda, Russia, and Venezuelaall of which are rated as not free in Freedom Houses Freedom in the World 2023 report. Rubber-stamping will likely occur in most, but not necessarily all, of these cases. In Venezuela, for example, the opposition maintains at least some capacity, despite the strenuous efforts by the regime to limit its space and reach. And even where incumbents fully dominate the process, how they position themselves in their campaigns and how well they succeed in mobilizing turnout can be informative about their political strengths and weaknesses.

Other elections will be in countries that have been experiencing significant democratic backsliding but are not yet fully autocratic, such as El Salvador, Georgia, India, Mozambique, and Pakistan. At issue will be whether the elections outcomes reinforce and deepen their undemocratic slide or breathe new political oxygen into constricted systems.

Uncertainty will be much more widespread in the sizable set of elections taking place where democracy has been facing serious tremors from surging illiberal political currents, punishing economic crises, debilitating governance shortcomings, or other woes. These include the elections in Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and for the European Parliament. In these cases, whether the elections will end up fueling greater democratic shakiness or putting the countries on a firmer democratic footing is an overriding question.

Another sizable set of elections will take place in political contexts of relative democratic normality. These include the elections to be held in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Palau, Panama, Portugal, Romania, and Uruguay. These contests will present voters with important choices between contending sides, but not ones where democracy itself seems to be fundamentally at risk. However, potential gains by far-right parties in some of these countriesincluding Austria, Belgium, and Portugalworry some observers.

Finally, in some countries that have experienced coups or other types of serious internal conflict, rulers have promised elections in 2024, but whether they will be reasonably free and fairif they happen at allis unclear.* This is the case in Chad, Mali, and South Sudan. If the votes are carried out in an orderly and genuinely competitive fashion, they could represent democratic openings, albeit very tentative ones.

On the geopolitical front, some elections will present voters with choices between sharply varying foreign policy orientations. The outcomes of these elections may therefore have significant regional or global implications relating to international peace and security. The United States is a major case in this regard, given the differences in foreign policy outlook between President Joe Biden and his most likely opponent, Donald Trump. If the European Parliament elections see a sharp rightward turn, the implications for EU foreign policy would likely be considerable, whether relating to migration, China, or Russia.

Elections in some smaller places may also have weighty international implications. Taiwan is perhaps the most important example, where the direction of the islands relations with China depends in some part on which party wins the January balloting. Divisions over policy toward China will be less intense but still salient in South Koreas legislative elections later in the year. In somewhat parallel fashion, the outcome of Georgias elections will be consequential for the countrys relationship with Russia, and by extension, regional security in the Caucasus. And if Venezuela does manage to hold genuinely competitive elections, one important element will be the potential continuation or reversal of the countrys long-standing hard-left foreign policy orientation, with major consequences for larger regional dynamics.

In short, the outcomes of many of this years elections will be critical to understanding the advance or retreat of democracy in the world and the intensification or easing of security tensions in multiple regions. For this reason, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is launching its Global Elections 2024 series. Once or twice each month, Carnegie will offer incisive videos and commentaries by leading country experts about key elections on the horizon, focusing on whats at stake in the elections, both for the country in question and for the regional and global dynamics at play.

*Correction, January 12, 2024: This sentence has been updated to more accurately reflect South Sudans political situation.

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Democracy and Geopolitics Are on the Ballot in 2024 - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace