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More than 150 startup companies are asking for a retroactive restoration of larger, upfront deductions for domestic companies' R&D spending.

A major Dem ad buy, plus the latest on DNC race

News: House Majority Forward, the issue advocacy affiliate of Democratic super PAC House Majority PAC, is rolling out new ads as part of its $10 million ad buy hitting GOP incumbents on economic issues.

In two ads targeting GOP Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa) and Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.), HMF ties the members to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead HHS.

“Marianette Miller-Meeks is supporting Robert Kennedy Jr., who plans to restrict safe products farmers rely on based on conspiracy theories,” the narrator says in one ad. “That will drive up the cost of meat and produce.”

Other ads are targeting Republican Reps. Nick Begich (Alaska), Zach Nunn (Iowa), Tom Kean (N.J.), Nick LaLota (N.Y.), Mike Lawler (N.Y.), Rob Bresnahan (Pa.) and Scott Perry (Pa.).

DNC update: House Democrats attended a town hall-style forum at the DCCC on Wednesday night, which included Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, Minnesota’s Ken Martin and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.

All three candidates discussed the need for Democrats to compete with Republicans digitally and online. Contenders also brought up wanting to expand support in rural communities and with working-class Americans, as well as needing to do better with men, according to sources in the room. In addition, the candidates were pushed on how the party can improve margins with Asian Americans, as well as Black and Latino voters.

Wikler and Martin also participated in a forum hosted by the Progressive Caucus on Tuesday.

So far, Wikler has gotten the most public support. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) hosted a breakfast for Wikler on Wednesday, along with Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Gwen Moore (D-Wis.).

Several other members, however, said they were impressed with Martin after strong presentations this week.

Judiciary news: House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is leading colleagues in a letter calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland to “publicly release Special Counsel Jack Smith’s full report on President-elect Donald Trump’s refusal to return classified documents after he left office.”

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Editorial photos provided by Getty Images. Political ads courtesy of AdImpact.