bipartisanreport--2020-03-12--EU Furious Over Trump Travel Ban With No Heads-Up

Donald Trump ’ s solutions for handling the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) were erratic , uneven , and tended to skip over people in the U.S. and across the globe .
Without consulting with our allies in the European Union , Trump cut travel to Europe .
They were not pleased .
Although POTUS marked the EU , he allowed travel with Great Britain .
Ironically , Britain has more coronavirus cases , including its Minister of Health , than any one country in the EU .
Since when has the president worked off of logic ?
Perhaps , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Britain has 460 confirmed cases , according to The Associated Press ( AP ) .
Trump still considers coronavirus a “ foreign virus.
” Then , he made the outrageous claim that European travelers “ seeded ” the U.S .
Right after his speech on prime time TV Wednesday night , his handlers came out and finessed his speech noting that the travel ban refers to most foreign citizens in the passport-free travel zone 14 days prior to coming to America .
The EU rejected Trump ’ s suggestion that Europe is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that the 27-nation bloc “ is taking strong action to limit the spread of the virus.
” According to flight tracker FlightAware , “ around 400 flights ” cross the Atlantic from Europe to the United States each day .
Trump has been punishing Europe in other ways : tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and threats against the European car manufacturers .
The president left the international climate agreement .
Still , 45 likes Prime Minister Boris Johnson , and he has three golf resorts in Ireland and the U.K .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control ’ s latest figures indicate more than 22,000 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in all 27 countries that make up the European Union .
A full 943 people have died in these countries .
Great Britain had half that number of cases already .
Although many people will have mild to moderate symptoms like a cough and a fever .
Health officials have recommended people do not travel unless the trip is essential .
That was applicable to people 60-year-old and up and those individuals with underlying conditions .
That quickly moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been urged to stand between three and six feet away from others .
Audiences for all sorts of venues have been canceled .
Some of these are basketball games , late-night television , and even churches .
Once an individual contracts the disease , it can quickly move into pneumonia .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) downgraded the disease to a pandemic .
If Trump does not get his act together and provide testing , America will mimic Italy .
Just ten days ago , this country had fewer cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses in the country have closed except for those selling food or prescriptions .
The Mueller Report Adventures : In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page .
These quick , two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people .
Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery .
Interestingly enough , Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order .

Donald Trump’s solutions for handling the coronavirus (COVID-19) were erratic, uneven, and tended to skip over people in the U.S. and across the globe. Without consulting with our allies in the European Union, Trump cut travel to Europe. They were not pleased.
Although POTUS marked the EU, he allowed travel with Great Britain. Ironically, Britain has more coronavirus cases, including its Minister of Health, than any one country in the EU. Since when has the president worked off of logic? Perhaps, he was rewarding Great Britain for Brexit? Great Britain has 460 confirmed cases, according to The Associated Press (AP).
Trump still considers coronavirus a “foreign virus.” Then, he made the outrageous claim that European travelers “seeded” the U.S. Right after his speech on prime time TV Wednesday night, his handlers came out and finessed his speech noting that the travel ban refers to most foreign citizens in the passport-free travel zone 14 days prior to coming to America.
European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement that read:
‘The European Union disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation. The coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action.’
The EU rejected Trump’s suggestion that Europe is not doing enough to combat COVID-19, saying that the 27-nation bloc “is taking strong action to limit the spread of the virus.”
‘The so-called Schengen area comprises 26 countries including EU members France, Italy, German, Greece, Austria and Belgium, where the bloc has its headquarters, but also others like Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.’
According to flight tracker FlightAware, “around 400 flights” cross the Atlantic from Europe to the United States each day.
Trump has been punishing Europe in other ways: tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and threats against the European car manufacturers. The president left the international climate agreement. Still, 45 likes Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and he has three golf resorts in Ireland and the U.K.
The European Commission spokesperson Eric Marner said:
‘[It’ isn’t in the habit of shooting from the hip. Good policy-making requires reflection.’
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control’s latest figures indicate more than 22,000 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in all 27 countries that make up the European Union. A full 943 people have died in these countries. Great Britain had half that number of cases already.
Although many people will have mild to moderate symptoms like a cough and a fever. Health officials have recommended people do not travel unless the trip is essential. That was applicable to people 60-year-old and up and those individuals with underlying conditions. That quickly moved to include all travelers.
People have been urged to stand between three and six feet away from others. Audiences for all sorts of venues have been canceled. Some of these are basketball games, late-night television, and even churches.
Once an individual contracts the disease, it can quickly move into pneumonia. The World Health Organization (WHO) downgraded the disease to a pandemic. If Trump does not get his act together and provide testing, America will mimic Italy. Just ten days ago, this country had fewer cases of coronavirus than the U.S. Now, all businesses in the country have closed except for those selling food or prescriptions.
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-12--Pelosi Gives Harsh Response To GOP Complaints

Following the initial round of $ 8.3 billion in emergency funding that both sides in Congress agreed to for developing a response to the Coronavirus outbreak , House Democrats have been developing a second round of funding including provisions like a major boost — around $ 1 billion — to state unemployment insurance programs .
That and other included plans like around half a billion for the food purchasing assistance program known as SNAP constitute a plan to protect those vulnerable to the economic upheaval of the Coronavirus , and this Thursday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launching into some kind of protracted partisan stand-off with Republicans over the details .
Instead , she ’ s pushing ahead .
‘ I don ’ t want to stick around because they don ’ t want to agree to language .
Everybody could have a complaint about this or that .
Save it for another day… I don ’ t think we would wait until there ’ s a signed bill .
We will have done our work , and we hope that that would be an incentive for the Senate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to completely adjourn following their vote on the Coronavirus response legislation that she was discussing , leaving the Senate in the spotlight with the impetus to act .
Until this afternoon , the Senate hadn ’ t even been planning to stick around — instead , they were originally opting to only consider additional Coronavirus relief after a recess that was going to clock in at almost two weeks long .
( They ’ ll now be sticking around . )
As the Speaker mentions , Senate Republicans punted handling their side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin , who ’ s been in repeated consultation with Pelosi over the details of the plan , which became available late Wednesday .
Pelosi acknowledged some amendment proposals from Mnuchin ’ s side and explained : Meanwhile — Congressional Republicans have been quite vocally publicly complaining , like they ’ re chomping at the bit to launch a partisan face-off .
On Thursday , McConnell commented : And separately , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) has also insisted that he wouldn ’ t support the legislation in question as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reporters : To be clear — McConnell and McCarthy are deriding a plan as “ ideological ” that wants to ensure that vulnerable families can eat in the absence of other income sources , among other things .
Major organization after major organization across the U.S. are temporarily shuttering or drawing back operations — and the Republicans are concerned about politics .

Following the initial round of $8.3 billion in emergency funding that both sides in Congress agreed to for developing a response to the Coronavirus outbreak, House Democrats have been developing a second round of funding including provisions like a major boost — around $1 billion — to state unemployment insurance programs. That and other included plans like around half a billion for the food purchasing assistance program known as SNAP constitute a plan to protect those vulnerable to the economic upheaval of the Coronavirus, and this Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) straightforwardly indicated that she would not be launching into some kind of protracted partisan stand-off with Republicans over the details. Instead, she’s pushing ahead.
She insisted:
‘I don’t want to stick around because they don’t want to agree to language. Everybody could have a complaint about this or that. Save it for another day… I don’t think we would wait until there’s a signed bill. We will have done our work, and we hope that that would be an incentive for the Senate to move quickly.’
She added:
‘Leader McConnell asked me to work with Secretary Mnuchin. We are. He had his concerns, we’re addressing them. I hope they don’t move the goalposts… We don’t need 48 hours. We need to just make a decision to help families right now.’
The House has apparent plans to completely adjourn following their vote on the Coronavirus response legislation that she was discussing, leaving the Senate in the spotlight with the impetus to act. Until this afternoon, the Senate hadn’t even been planning to stick around — instead, they were originally opting to only consider additional Coronavirus relief after a recess that was going to clock in at almost two weeks long. (They’ll now be sticking around.)
As the Speaker mentions, Senate Republicans punted handling their side of the negotiations to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who’s been in repeated consultation with Pelosi over the details of the plan, which became available late Wednesday.
Pelosi acknowledged some amendment proposals from Mnuchin’s side and explained:
‘I think that none of them would prevent us from moving forward with the bill.’
Meanwhile — Congressional Republicans have been quite vocally publicly complaining, like they’re chomping at the bit to launch a partisan face-off. On Thursday, McConnell commented:
‘Unfortunately, it appears at this hour that the Speaker and House Democrats instead chose to produce an ideological wish list that was not tailored closely to the circumstances.’
And separately, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has also insisted that he wouldn’t support the legislation in question as it stands at present. McCarthy commented to reporters:
‘The country is looking to the government to come together and meet these challenges, but the bill that we saw that just came forth last night at 11 p.m. comes up short.’
To be clear — McConnell and McCarthy are deriding a plan as “ideological” that wants to ensure that vulnerable families can eat in the absence of other income sources, among other things.
Major organization after major organization across the U.S. are temporarily shuttering or drawing back operations — and the Republicans are concerned about politics.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-12--Trump Sneaks Personal Favor Into European Travel Ban

This Wednesday , President Donald Trump abruptly announced in a televised address from the Oval Office that travel connecting a full 26 countries in Europe with the United States would be blocked in what , on paper at least , has been billed as a response to the Coronavirus .
In reality , no travel ban will stop the spread of the virus within the United States , where more than 1,323 cases have already been documented and 38 people have died .
POLITICO points out that there ’ s another grimly questionable aspect of the travel ban — it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Trump-branded golf resorts are located , even though one of those countries — the United Kingdom — has among the highest Coronavirus cases in a single country anywhere in Europe .
The European travel ban targets countries who participate in the so-called Schengen Area , within which residents can travel without a visa .
Neither the U.K. nor Ireland , which together house three Trump resorts , are members of this “ area , ” although this situation is not the first time when Trump-branded resorts including those in Europe have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy decision .
For example , in late 2019 , Vice President Mike Pence himself opted to stay at the Trump resort in Doonbeg , Ireland , which is across the country from the venues for the meetings that he was actually there to participate in .
Ground transportation fees alone totaled some $ 600,000 for the trip — which , of course , consisted of taxpayer money .
In this case , European leaders are speaking out .
Figures including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban , which they revealed was enacted without consulting their side , no matter the potential huge economic consequences — in response to a shock drop , the U.S. stock market temporarily paused trading yet again this Thursday morning , the day after Trump ’ s travel ban announcement .
Will Trump take their words to heart ?
Probably not .
Has he ever done something similar while in office before ?
On Twitter this week , shortly before his travel ban announcement , he proclaimed : Yet — he is the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have increased , has alternated between insisting that it would all blow over without a hitch and claiming that coverage of the negative aspects of the situation is a “ hoax ” to make him look bad .
He ’ s the one sending the situation into a tailspin , and he ’ s blaming others for it .
His crisis communication ’ s failure was even more glaringly displayed when he bungled his initial travel ban announcement , forcing later clarification that Americans could still get home from Europe and cargo would @ @ @ @

This Wednesday, President Donald Trump abruptly announced in a televised address from the Oval Office that travel connecting a full 26 countries in Europe with the United States would be blocked in what, on paper at least, has been billed as a response to the Coronavirus. In reality, no travel ban will stop the spread of the virus within the United States, where more than 1,323 cases have already been documented and 38 people have died. POLITICO points out that there’s another grimly questionable aspect of the travel ban — it exempts countries where three “financially struggling,” Trump-branded golf resorts are located, even though one of those countries — the United Kingdom — has hundreds upon hundreds of confirmed cases of the virus.
The European travel ban targets countries who participate in the so-called Schengen Area, within which residents can travel without a visa. Neither the U.K. nor Ireland, which together house three Trump resorts, are members of this “area,” although this situation is not the first time when Trump-branded resorts including those in Europe have become a suspiciously Trump-serving fixture in a policy decision. For example, in late 2019, Vice President Mike Pence himself opted to stay at the Trump resort in Doonbeg, Ireland, which is across the country from the venues for the meetings that he was actually there to participate in. Ground transportation fees alone totaled some $600,000 for the trip — which, of course, consisted of taxpayer money.
In this case, European leaders are speaking out. Figures including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel have condemned Trump’s travel ban, which they revealed was enacted without consulting their side, no matter the potential huge economic consequences — in response to a shock drop, the U.S. stock market temporarily paused trading yet again this Thursday morning, the day after Trump’s travel ban announcement.
The European leaders commented:
‘The Coronavirus is a global crisis, not limited to any continent and it requires cooperation rather than unilateral action. The European Union disapproves of the fact that the U.S. decision to impose a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation.’
Will Trump take their words to heart? Probably not. Has he ever done something similar while in office before?
On Twitter this week, shortly before his travel ban announcement, he proclaimed:
‘The Media should view this as a time of unity and strength. We have a common enemy, actually, an enemy of the World, the CoronaVirus. We must beat it as quickly and safely as possible. There is nothing more important to me than the life & safety of the United States!’
The Media should view this as a time of unity and strength. We have a common enemy, actually, an enemy of the World, the CoronaVirus. We must beat it as quickly and safely as possible. There is nothing more important to me than the life & safety of the United States! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 11, 2020
Yet — he is the one who, as cases in the U.S. have increased, has alternated between insisting that it would all blow over without a hitch and claiming that coverage of the negative aspects of the situation is a “hoax” to make him look bad. He’s the one sending the situation into a tailspin, and he’s blaming others for it.
His crisis communication’s failure was even more glaringly displayed when he bungled his initial travel ban announcement, forcing later clarification that Americans could still get home from Europe and cargo would not be affected.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-12--McConnell Issues Gross Proclamation Against Virus Bill

Democrats in Congress have been working to shore up U.S. defenses against the Coronavirus outbreak – and Congressional Republicans are standing against them .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) , who has proudly proclaimed himself as the “ Grim Reaper ” of Democrat-led legislation , grossly denounced a Coronavirus response package that Democrats had produced as an “ ideological wish list.
” To be clear : the legislation , as-is , includes provisions like expanded unemployment insurance and expanded funding for food banks and the federal food purchasing assistance program known as SNAP .
And these measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Coronavirus ’ s economic upheaval stay fed and on their feet — are what McConnell has derided as an “ ideological wish list.
” How on earth is something that some mildly popular official said around a decade ago at all relevant to the situation at hand ?
Spoiler : it ’ s not , but in a feat of hypocrisy , McConnell is resorting to this partisan crate-digging instead of actually engaging with the issue .
He originally even planned to skip town , with an ally having insisted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus response package at all until they return from a recess that would have lasted almost two weeks .
At the last minute , McConnell announced Senators would stay in town after all .
U.S. Coronavirus cases are growing by the day , and so are deaths , as organization after organization rolls back their events — and McConnell almost couldn ’ t even be bothered to stick around to even pretend to try to come up with something , apparently .
The original latest House Democrat-led legislation includes $ 1 billion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million for SNAP , and $ 400 million for food banks — and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-Calif. ) has said he won ’ t support it either .
And where ’ s the president in all of this ?
Well , he ’ s tweeting angrily about the Russia investigation of course — which , just to be clear , has been over ( at least in the form that ’ s most set him off ) for years .
There was no illegal attempted coup — there just wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ description for the Russia investigation that was , overall , duly launched and closed in line with precedent .
He ’ s been considering , as he mentions , drawing back surveillance powers provided for by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) — all because his ego felt bruised .

Democrats in Congress have been working to shore up U.S. defenses against the Coronavirus outbreak – and Congressional Republicans are standing against them. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has proudly proclaimed himself as the “Grim Reaper” of Democrat-led legislation, grossly denounced a Coronavirus response package that Democrats had produced as an “ideological wish list.” To be clear: the legislation, as-is, includes provisions like expanded unemployment insurance and expanded funding for food banks and the federal food purchasing assistance program known as SNAP. And these measures — which could help those impacted by the Coronavirus’s economic upheaval stay fed and on their feet — are what McConnell has derided as an “ideological wish list.”
McConnell commented:
‘Unfortunately, it appears at this hour that the Speaker and House Democrats instead chose to produce an ideological wish list that was not tailored closely to the circumstances. One is reminded of the famous comment from President Obama’s first chief of staff: “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”‘
How on earth is something that some mildly popular official said around a decade ago at all relevant to the situation at hand? Spoiler: it’s not, but in a feat of hypocrisy, McConnell is resorting to this partisan crate-digging instead of actually engaging with the issue.
He originally even planned to skip town, with an ally having insisted that the Senate would not vote on any further Coronavirus response package at all until they return from a recess that would have lasted almost two weeks.
At the last minute, McConnell announced Senators would stay in town after all.
McConnell announces recess is canceled next week. https://t.co/8r1kznsYUX — Lauren Fox (@FoxReports) March 12, 2020
U.S. Coronavirus cases are growing by the day, and so are deaths, as organization after organization rolls back their events — and McConnell almost couldn’t even be bothered to stick around to even pretend to try to come up with something, apparently.
The original latest House Democrat-led legislation includes $1 billion for the unemployment insurance programs, $500 million for SNAP, and $400 million for food banks — and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has said he won’t support it either.
He said:
‘The country is looking to the government to come together and meet these challenges, but the bill that we saw that just came forth last night at 11 p.m. comes up short.’
And where’s the president in all of this? Well, he’s tweeting angrily about the Russia investigation of course — which, just to be clear, has been over (at least in the form that’s most set him off) for years.
He tweeted:
‘Many Republican Senators want me to Veto the FISA Bill until we find out what led to, and happened with, the illegal attempted “coup” of the duly elected President of the United States, and others!’
Many Republican Senators want me to Veto the FISA Bill until we find out what led to, and happened with, the illegal attempted “coup” of the duly elected President of the United States, and others! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2020
There was no illegal attempted coup — there just wasn’t! That is his melodramatic description for the Russia investigation that was, overall, duly launched and closed in line with precedent. He’s been considering, as he mentions, drawing back surveillance powers provided for by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) — all because his ego felt bruised.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-12--Ranking House Republican Refuses To Pass Coronavirus Bill

With a one-week recess looming , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) said that he refused to support the Democratic bill that attempts to limit the financial punch coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) is certain to impose on Americans .
He was arguing for legislators to stay in Washington to work out a bipartisan bill .
Donald Trump said in his speech from the Oval Office Wednesday night people facing economic hardships as a result of the virus and work disruptions would be helped .
McCarthy said according to The POLITICO : ‘ The president last night said we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face economic hardships as a result of work disruptions and illness .
The country is looking to the government to come together and meet these challenges , but the bill that we saw that just came forth last night at 11 p.m. comes up short.
’ The House Minority Leader spoke to reporters at the press conference : ‘ There ’ s a couple major problems with it .
Here ’ s one glaring problem , under [ Speaker Nancy ] Pelosi ’ s [ D-Calif. ] bill the Social Security Administration will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick leave program .
Now this will take more than six months , so it won ’ t work in time .
It will also hamper the administration from putting out Social Security for those who need it right now that are in harm ’ s way.
’ He continued with his criticisms : McCarthy spoke Thursday just prior to this bill came to the floor .
He said that it would make employers give sick leave and higher unemployment benefits .
The bill also required patients to receive free diagnostic testing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans were concerned about how the paid sick leave and disaster aid would work .
He emphasized he was working with the White House to gain bipartisan report : McCarthy went on , noting there was a way to get “ millions of more masks ” for health care providers : ‘ And finally , solving the problems when it comes to masks , there ’ s a certain piece of legislation we can move that would be a piece of it that would give us millions of more masks out there for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … I think we stay here until we get it right .
This is a time in place that you do not want to rush something.
’ Then , the Republican claimed the House could pass a bill within 24 hours : ‘ We ’ ve got some bright minds … let them look at it .
Let us get together and put the very best ideas together and I will promise you that you will find a very bipartisan vote for that and not the one that slows it up by any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this done in the next 48 hours , ” he said .
“ I think that we can get this done in 24 or 48 hours — I think it ’ s critical that we do.
’ The Mueller Report Adventures : In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page .
These quick , two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people .
Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery .
Interestingly enough , Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order .

With a one-week recess looming, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said that he refused to support the Democratic bill that attempts to limit the financial punch coronavirus (COVID-19) is certain to impose on Americans. He was arguing for legislators to stay in Washington to work out a bipartisan bill.
Donald Trump said in his speech from the Oval Office Wednesday night people facing economic hardships as a result of the virus and work disruptions would be helped. McCarthy said according to The POLITICO:
‘The president last night said we are committed to helping those who will face economic hardships as a result of work disruptions and illness. The country is looking to the government to come together and meet these challenges, but the bill that we saw that just came forth last night at 11 p.m. comes up short.’
The House Minority Leader spoke to reporters at the press conference:
‘There’s a couple major problems with it. Here’s one glaring problem, under [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi’s [D-Calif.] bill the Social Security Administration will be set up to administer the paid sick leave program. Now this will take more than six months, so it won’t work in time. It will also hamper the administration from putting out Social Security for those who need it right now that are in harm’s way.’
He continued with his criticisms:
‘This will hurt the very population, it’s supposed to be helping. It forces permanent paid sick leave for all businesses without exemptions and no sunsets.’
McCarthy spoke Thursday just prior to this bill came to the floor. He said that it would make employers give sick leave and higher unemployment benefits. The bill also required patients to receive free diagnostic testing for coronavirus.
The minority leader said the Republicans were concerned about how the paid sick leave and disaster aid would work. He emphasized he was working with the White House to gain bipartisan report:
‘There are a few ideas that I think that we have brought to the table that can help — employee retention credit, making public health emergencies eligible for major disaster programs.’ https://youtu.be/J-248qqhQno
McCarthy went on, noting there was a way to get “millions of more masks” for health care providers:
‘And finally, solving the problems when it comes to masks, there’s a certain piece of legislation we can move that would be a piece of it that would give us millions of more masks out there for the health providers that need it. … I think we stay here until we get it right. This is a time in place that you do not want to rush something.’
Then, the Republican claimed the House could pass a bill within 24 hours:
‘We’ve got some bright minds … let them look at it. Let us get together and put the very best ideas together and I will promise you that you will find a very bipartisan vote for that and not the one that slows it up by any means and I think we can get this done in the next 48 hours,” he said. “I think that we can get this done in 24 or 48 hours — I think it’s critical that we do.’
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-12--Hillary Slam Dunks On Trump In Mid-Morning Tweet

Oh , that former Secretary Hillary Clinton was president of this great country right now .
Donald Trump has been babysitting the Stock Market and trying to figure out ways to gain a few bucks for his big business buddies .
The line between intelligence and not is deafening .
Clinton sent out a message to the president , because she knows how much he admires strong women and is open to advice , especially from a former opponent .
She did handling the pandemic in 12 words : Clinton was the first in recent history to push for health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was elected president , he explained that he was handing this off to her — much like Trump hands arms of the government off to his son-in-law Jared Kushner .
President Clinton told Congress that they were getting “ two for one.
” That was when the former first lady ran straight into the iron pole of Congress ’ misogyny .
Unfortunately , that has not changed substantially over the decades .
The best part of Hillary ’ s advice was to give “ a damn.
” Twitter world lit up after Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president .
Take a look at how Americans responded below : The Mueller Report Adventures : In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page .
These quick , two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people .
Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery .
Interestingly enough , Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order .

Oh, that former Secretary Hillary Clinton was president of this great country right now. Donald Trump has been babysitting the Stock Market and trying to figure out ways to gain a few bucks for his big business buddies. The line between intelligence and not is deafening.
Clinton sent out a message to the president, because she knows how much he admires strong women and is open to advice, especially from a former opponent. She did handling the pandemic in 12 words:
‘I know this is all hard for you, @realdonaldtrump, so let me spell it out: – Free testing – Fee waivers – Emergency sick leave – Quarantines – Cancellations – Giving a damn’
Clinton was the first in recent history to push for health care for all. After Bill Clinton was elected president, he explained that he was handing this off to her — much like Trump hands arms of the government off to his son-in-law Jared Kushner. President Clinton told Congress that they were getting “two for one.”
That was when the former first lady ran straight into the iron pole of Congress’ misogyny. Unfortunately, that has not changed substantially over the decades.
The best part of Hillary’s advice was to give “a damn.”
Twitter world lit up after Hillary Clinton provides a hand full of intelligence to the president. Take a look at how Americans responded below:
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-13--Trump Refuses To Limit Rallies During COVID-19 Pandemic

Will Donald Trump give up his lifeblood , his political rallies ?
For that matter , will the Democratic presidential candidates give up theirs ?
In a recent poll , only 50 percent of voters thought that COVID-19 aka coronavirus would come to their state .
That is a wrong-headed belief .
This virulent virus sees no boundaries .
Two weeks ago , Italy had about the same number of infected people as the U.S. has today .
They have completely closed down all businesses except for those selling food or prescription drugs .
Senator Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D ) scheduled their upcoming debate without an audience .
Trump said he was leaning toward canceling his upcoming rallies , but that was as far as he would go .
During a meeting with the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar , Trump said : ‘ We have a big one in Tampa , all sold out , we had over 100,000 requests for tickets , but I think we ’ ll probably not do it because people would say it ’ s better to not do .
We need a little separation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s going to go away.
’ Trump ’ s campaign has not formally announced the March 25 in Tampa , Florida rally , but he has been planning on it : The best way to keep his coronavirus numbers low have been to limit the number of tests .
Unfortunately , that keeps the scientists and physicians from being able to keep the real numbers as low as possible .
They have been hoping to flat-line the numbers , thus not overwhelm the nation ’ s medical care system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have died from the coronavirus.ease in the U.S. , but until the U.S. begins testing in numbers similar to those of South Korea , they are handicapped .
The bottleneck has been the red tape for requesting tests and making test equipment available .
There are 100 testing machines sitting idle waiting for the FDA to certify them .
They are certified to perform other tests .
Trump has done a 180 degree ; lklmvv-turn from his fantasy that the coronavirus is no worse than the flu , handshakes are fine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wednesday night the president appeared in the Oval Office and warned people .
He did not say anything about handshakes , but he did say that he was going to halt most air traffic from the European Union .
He also gave an exception to great Britain and Ireland .
He urged people to avoid large groups .
This weekend , Trump had trips planned for Nevado and Colorado .
The reelection campaign canceled these fundraisers .
In addition , he canceled a Catholics for Trump campaign event this coming week : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on this Facebook page .
These quick , two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people .
Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery .
Interestingly enough , Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order .

Will Donald Trump give up his lifeblood, his political rallies? For that matter, will the Democratic presidential candidates give up theirs? In a recent poll, only 50 percent of voters thought that COVID-19 aka coronavirus would come to their state.
That is a wrong-headed belief. This virulent virus sees no boundaries. Two weeks ago, Italy had about the same number of infected people as the U.S. has today. They have completely closed down all businesses except for those selling food or prescription drugs.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and former Vice President Joe Biden (D) scheduled their upcoming debate without an audience. Trump said he was leaning toward canceling his upcoming rallies, but that was as far as he would go.
During a meeting with the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, Trump said:
‘We have a big one in Tampa, all sold out, we had over 100,000 requests for tickets, but I think we’ll probably not do it because people would say it’s better to not do. We need a little separation until such time as this goes away. It’s going to go away.’
Trump’s campaign has not formally announced the March 25 in Tampa, Florida rally, but he has been planning on it:
‘We’ll be making a decision at the appropriate time. I’m not going to do it if I think it’s going to be negative at all.’
The best way to keep his coronavirus numbers low have been to limit the number of tests. Unfortunately, that keeps the scientists and physicians from being able to keep the real numbers as low as possible. They have been hoping to flat-line the numbers, thus not overwhelm the nation’s medical care system.
So far, a minimum of 37 people have died from the coronavirus.ease in the U.S., but until the U.S. begins testing in numbers similar to those of South Korea, they are handicapped. The bottleneck has been the red tape for requesting tests and making test equipment available.
There are 100 testing machines sitting idle waiting for the FDA to certify them. They are certified to perform other tests.
Trump has done a 180 degree;lklmvv-turn from his fantasy that the coronavirus is no worse than the flu, handshakes are fine, and the stock market will return quickly. Wednesday night the president appeared in the Oval Office and warned people.
He did not say anything about handshakes, but he did say that he was going to halt most air traffic from the European Union. He also gave an exception to great Britain and Ireland. He urged people to avoid large groups.
This weekend, Trump had trips planned for Nevado and Colorado. The reelection campaign canceled these fundraisers. In addition, he canceled a Catholics for Trump campaign event this coming week:
‘Vice President Pence told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that any decisions to suspend campaign activities would be made “literally on a day-to-day basis.”’
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-13--New Coronavirus Poll Is Very Bad News For Trump

If President Donald Trump was hoping to use his handling of the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak as some kind of boon for his re-election campaign — he and his allies might want to rethink that strategy .
A new Hill/Harris X poll reveals that an overall majority of voters actively disapproves of Trump ’ s handling of the Coronavirus situation , and among groups like independents and Democrats , the portion of disapproving respondents shoots up even further .
Overall , just 47 percent of respondents approved of Trump ’ s Coronavirus response compared to a full 53 percent who disapproved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , a full 58 percent of independents disapprove of his handling of the situation , according to the poll , while 82 percent of Republican respondents approved — which still leaves a substantial portion unaccounted for by approval , even among Republicans — and a full 79 percent of Democrats disapprove of Trump ’ s Coronavirus response .
Overall , there was one temporary bright spot in that 58 percent of registered voters said they approved of Trump ’ s handling of the economy , while only 42 percent said they disapproved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the latest developments .
The situation itself has been rapidly escalating , as have the challenges facing the U.S. president left in some kind of leadership role .
Just this week , the stock market fell so sharply that trading had to be paused — twice , on two separate days .
On Thursday alone , the Dow Jones plummeted in value by just about ten percent overall as industries like travel reeled from developments like Trump ’ s haphazardly produced travel ban targeting a slew of countries across Europe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stop the virus from spreading within the U.S. , although it surely will help enact economic chaos .
Samuel Hammond , Director of Poverty and Welfare Policy at The Niskanen Center , commented : ‘ Essentially the market is telling us that we ’ re in for a global recession .
That recession isn ’ t something that is easily corrected by spending more money or by having better monetary policy .
The recession isn ’ t just about fall and demand , it ’ s about supply chains around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s about hospitals being overrun , it ’ s about schools being closed , it ’ s about events being cancelled , and this makes it a unique challenge.
’ The pace of cancellations increased dramatically this week , under pressure from public health authorities for the employment of the tactic in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus .
Events across professional sports have been mostly indefinitely postponed , and bans on large gatherings outside that context have led to stark developments like the abrupt closure of Broadway play productions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these cancellations have grave consequences for those whose livelihoods depend in some form on the events moving forward .
In that light , House Democrats unveiled a plan this week for a $ 1 billion boost to state unemployment insurance programs — which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) denounced as part of a supposed “ ideological wish list.
” These issues are in addition to glaringly chaotic ground-level problems like a failure in the adequate distribution of tests for the virus within the U.S .

If President Donald Trump was hoping to use his handling of the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak as some kind of boon for his re-election campaign — he and his allies might want to rethink that strategy. A new Hill/Harris X poll reveals that an overall majority of voters actively disapproves of Trump’s handling of the Coronavirus situation, and among groups like independents and Democrats, the portion of disapproving respondents shoots up even further. Overall, just 47 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s Coronavirus response compared to a full 53 percent who disapproved — not exactly a winning coalition.
Meanwhile, a full 58 percent of independents disapprove of his handling of the situation, according to the poll, while 82 percent of Republican respondents approved — which still leaves a substantial portion unaccounted for by approval, even among Republicans — and a full 79 percent of Democrats disapprove of Trump’s Coronavirus response. Overall, there was one temporary bright spot in that 58 percent of registered voters said they approved of Trump’s handling of the economy, while only 42 percent said they disapproved — but the poll was taken before some of the latest developments.
The situation itself has been rapidly escalating, as have the challenges facing the U.S. president left in some kind of leadership role. Just this week, the stock market fell so sharply that trading had to be paused — twice, on two separate days. On Thursday alone, the Dow Jones plummeted in value by just about ten percent overall as industries like travel reeled from developments like Trump’s haphazardly produced travel ban targeting a slew of countries across Europe, which won’t, of course, stop the virus from spreading within the U.S., although it surely will help enact economic chaos.
Samuel Hammond, Director of Poverty and Welfare Policy at The Niskanen Center, commented:
‘Essentially the market is telling us that we’re in for a global recession. That recession isn’t something that is easily corrected by spending more money or by having better monetary policy. The recession isn’t just about fall and demand, it’s about supply chains around the world grinding to a halt. It’s about hospitals being overrun, it’s about schools being closed, it’s about events being cancelled, and this makes it a unique challenge.’
The pace of cancellations increased dramatically this week, under pressure from public health authorities for the employment of the tactic in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus. Events across professional sports have been mostly indefinitely postponed, and bans on large gatherings outside that context have led to stark developments like the abrupt closure of Broadway play productions in New York City. All of these cancellations have grave consequences for those whose livelihoods depend in some form on the events moving forward. In that light, House Democrats unveiled a plan this week for a $1 billion boost to state unemployment insurance programs — which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) denounced as part of a supposed “ideological wish list.”
These issues are in addition to glaringly chaotic ground-level problems like a failure in the adequate distribution of tests for the virus within the U.S.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-12--COVID-19 Money Delayed Due To GOP Language

Apparently , Donald Trump has “ serious concerns ” about the Democratically-led House bill to support people during coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) , according to The Roll Call .
The biggest problem is that there is no reference to the Hyde Amendment .
This refers to the use of federal funds to pay for abortions .
Plus , POTUS is not crazy about the bill increasing Medicaid ’ s eight percentage-point increase to provide matching funds.
’ Capitol Hill reporter Erik Wasson spoke to the issue at hand : Representative Rob Woodall ( R-CA ) said his party was worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new form of leave entitlement that made people ’ s employers add seven days to the 14-day paid time off period should there be “ any public health emergency.
” That would not be limited to this COVID-19 pandemic .
A White House official said the president ’ s administration agrees to many aspects of the bill , but not how they implement them : The Democrats have already approved some changes to their bill .
These took the form of an amendment that was submitted by the House Appropriations Chair Nita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate floor Thursday morning , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , ( R-KY ) criticized the House bill .
McConnell indicated that GOP senators would probably ask for quick consideration of the bills Thursday that could impact the coronavirus .
Rules Committee chair Jim McGovern ( D-MA ) was uncertain when they would meet again , but “ that ’ s probably a good thing.
” He said that meant House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin were still in talks .
Representative .
Ed Perlmutter ( D-CO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amended in the Senate and come up with changes that would be acceptable to both the Republicans and the Democrats .
Then , the Senate would find the changes agreeable to both parties .
That would mean the House could review it next week by “ unanimous consent if necessary .
Donald Trump has had an emotional breakdown over talking to Pelosi and refers all conversations through the Secretary of the Treasury .
The Mueller Report Adventures : In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page .
These quick , two-minute reads interpret the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery .
Interestingly enough , Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order .

Apparently, Donald Trump has “serious concerns” about the Democratically-led House bill to support people during coronavirus (COVID-19), according to The Roll Call. The biggest problem is that there is no reference to the Hyde Amendment. This refers to the use of federal funds to pay for abortions. Plus, POTUS is not crazy about the bill increasing Medicaid’s eight percentage-point increase to provide matching funds.’
Capitol Hill reporter Erik Wasson spoke to the issue at hand:
‘A key sticking point in the talks appears to be GOP demands to include Hyde amendment language in the bill to prevent federal funds from being used for abortion’
Representative Rob Woodall (R-CA) said his party was worried that the bill’s inception created a new form of leave entitlement that made people’s employers add seven days to the 14-day paid time off period should there be “any public health emergency.” That would not be limited to this COVID-19 pandemic.
A White House official said the president’s administration agrees to many aspects of the bill, but not how they implement them:
‘The White House does not support much of what the speaker has proposed as currently drafted, but we do support many of the policies reflected in her draft, and are asking that they continue to work with us to find a bipartisan, bicameral agreement.’
An abortion rights provider respoonded via Twitter:
‘As someone who runs an abortion rights organization and employs the best policy analysts in the biz, this final point is a straight-up lie. The fact that the GOP would use the #CoronavirusPandemic to spread more falsehoods and grind an ideological ax is sickening and perverse.’
The Democrats have already approved some changes to their bill. These took the form of an amendment that was submitted by the House Appropriations Chair Nita Lowey (D-NY):
‘The changes would clarify that reimbursements for uninsured COVID-19 testing at diagnostic laboratories can’t cover individuals receiving other testing assistance in the bill, and that Medicaid coverage only applies to COVID-19 tests, as well as tighten exemptions from work search and other state unemployment assistance rules. ‘
Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday morning, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-KY) criticized the House bill.
‘The speaker’s proposal would stand up a needless thicket of new bureaucracy. As currently drafted, their proposal appears to impose permanent unfunded mandates on businesses that could cause massive job losses and put thousands of small businesses at risk.’
McConnell indicated that GOP senators would probably ask for quick consideration of the bills Thursday that could impact the coronavirus.
Rules Committee chair Jim McGovern (D-MA) was uncertain when they would meet again, but “that’s probably a good thing.” He said that meant House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin were still in talks.
Representative. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) that the bill could be further amended in the Senate and come up with changes that would be acceptable to both the Republicans and the Democrats. Then, the Senate would find the changes agreeable to both parties. That would mean the House could review it next week by “unanimous consent if necessary.
Donald Trump has had an emotional breakdown over talking to Pelosi and refers all conversations through the Secretary of the Treasury.
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-13--Trump & Stephen Miller Slashed Virus Victims From Speech

Late Wednesday , President Donald Trump sent global markets reeling with an announcement of a ban on the majority of travel from dozens of European countries in what was billed as an effort to stem the spread of the Coronavirus .
According to a new recap from Bloomberg News of the situation leading up to that announcement , Trump only agreed to the travel ban within the last hours before he delivered his Oval Office address , following a day of tense meetings between officials with opinions both for and against the plan .
According to Bloomberg , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventual speech — Trump and his aide Stephen Miller apparently deleted well wishes for “ prayers and love ” for those infected .
Perhaps they slashed the line because of Trump ’ s long-documented attempt to downplay the effects of the illness in order to try and avoid making himself look too bad .
On Twitter recently , he even derided the idea that dozens of deaths from the Coronavirus in the United States were anything to worry about at all , although of course , one might hope that a U.S. president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. is too many .
Apparently Trump isn ’ t fazed .
In the time since that tweet , the number of deaths has about doubled and the number of cases has about tripled .
But the exact numbers don ’ t change the underlying reality that in the midst of a crisis , what ’ s Trump doing ?
He ’ s downplaying the effects of a deadly virus to the point of — apparently — deleting well wishes for victims from an Oval Office speech .
The speech was marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all passenger travel would be blocked from Europe and that trade would also be affected , but neither of those things are true .
( U.S. citizens can return to the U.S. freely , and cargo and trade are not affected . )
According to Bloomberg , “ medical experts ” on Trump ’ s team were behind the ban , while figures like Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow opposed the idea on the basis of potential economic repercussions .
They were — for once — on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , the stock market value plummeted in the worst single day drop since 1987 .
Bloomberg notes that “ aides now see this moment as the most crucial of Trump ’ s presidency , the time when voters will decide whether he deserves re-election , ” and if so , he ’ s not on a great track — one recent poll showed a solid majority of voters actively disapproving of Trump ’ s handling of the Coronavirus situation .

Late Wednesday, President Donald Trump sent global markets reeling with an announcement of a ban on the majority of travel from dozens of European countries in what was billed as an effort to stem the spread of the Coronavirus. According to a new recap from Bloomberg News of the situation leading up to that announcement, Trump only agreed to the travel ban within the last hours before he delivered his Oval Office address, following a day of tense meetings between officials with opinions both for and against the plan. According to Bloomberg, in the tense and chaotic final moments before the eventual speech — Trump and his aide Stephen Miller apparently deleted well wishes for “prayers and love” for those infected.
It’s unclear why, but Bloomberg reports:
‘The hastily drafted 10-minute speech had undergone last-minute edits from the president and one of his senior advisers, Stephen Miller, after other aides had left the room… Among the changes they made: deleting a sentence where Trump said he and Melania were sending their prayers and love to people suffering from the illness.’
Perhaps they slashed the line because of Trump’s long-documented attempt to downplay the effects of the illness in order to try and avoid making himself look too bad.
On Twitter recently, he even derided the idea that dozens of deaths from the Coronavirus in the United States were anything to worry about at all, although of course, one might hope that a U.S. president feels that even one preventable death in the U.S. is too many. Apparently Trump isn’t fazed.
He tweeted:
‘So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that!’
So last year 37,000 Americans died from the common Flu. It averages between 27,000 and 70,000 per year. Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on. At this moment there are 546 confirmed cases of CoronaVirus, with 22 deaths. Think about that! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2020
In the time since that tweet, the number of deaths has about doubled and the number of cases has about tripled. But the exact numbers don’t change the underlying reality that in the midst of a crisis, what’s Trump doing? He’s downplaying the effects of a deadly virus to the point of — apparently — deleting well wishes for victims from an Oval Office speech.
The speech was marked by other problems. Trump indicated both that all passenger travel would be blocked from Europe and that trade would also be affected, but neither of those things are true. (U.S. citizens can return to the U.S. freely, and cargo and trade are not affected.) According to Bloomberg, “medical experts” on Trump’s team were behind the ban, while figures like Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow opposed the idea on the basis of potential economic repercussions. They were — for once — on the right track, because the next day, the stock market value plummeted in the worst single day drop since 1987.
Bloomberg notes that “aides now see this moment as the most crucial of Trump’s presidency, the time when voters will decide whether he deserves re-election,” and if so, he’s not on a great track — one recent poll showed a solid majority of voters actively disapproving of Trump’s handling of the Coronavirus situation.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-13--Hillary Speaks Out About Coronavirus Relief Fund

This Friday , as House Democrats were set to vote on a new Coronavirus relief funding package with or without Republican support , Hillary Clinton posted a Twitter message calling on observers to call their members of Congress in support of the plan .
The latest Coronavirus response legislation in question includes high-profile plans like billions of dollars in boosts for unemployment insurance , federal food purchasing assistance programs , and more , all of which may become increasingly relevant as the economic upheaval of the Coronavirus leaves more and more people out of work , at least temporarily , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s potential spread .
Despite these issues , Republicans have been slow — at best — to get on board .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) even derided the initial draft of the legislation as an “ ideological wish list , ” in ignorance of the fact that it would help keep Americans tangibly safe during a time of national emergency .
Clinton tweeted : As of this Friday afternoon , the fate of the Democrats ’ latest Coronavirus response plan in the Republican-led Senate remains unclear .
Initially , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering any option at all until after a previously scheduled nearly two-week long recess .
After that recess ’ s cancellation , Senators will still be taking a long weekend break , while confirmed U.S. cases of the Coronavirus continue to climb and put the dejected breaks in the political system as-is on full display .
On Friday , after weeks of delay , Trump was finally set to formally declare a national emergency over the Coronavirus , which could free up more resources for response efforts , like easing the Medicaid enrollment @ @

This Friday, as House Democrats were set to vote on a new Coronavirus relief funding package with or without Republican support, Hillary Clinton posted a Twitter message calling on observers to call their members of Congress in support of the plan. The latest Coronavirus response legislation in question includes high-profile plans like billions of dollars in boosts for unemployment insurance, federal food purchasing assistance programs, and more, all of which may become increasingly relevant as the economic upheaval of the Coronavirus leaves more and more people out of work, at least temporarily, because of fears about the virus’s potential spread.
Despite these issues, Republicans have been slow — at best — to get on board. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) even derided the initial draft of the legislation as an “ideological wish list,” in ignorance of the fact that it would help keep Americans tangibly safe during a time of national emergency. Clinton tweeted:
‘Call your representatives today and demand they pass the #FamiliesFirst coronavirus bill. It contains:
Free testing
14 days paid sick leave
3 months paid family leave
Expanded unemployment insurance & food security
Medicaid funds
Lives are on the line. (202) 224-3121′
Call your representatives today and demand they pass the #FamiliesFirst coronavirus bill. It contains: – Free testing
– 14 days paid sick leave
– 3 months paid family leave
– Expanded unemployment insurance & food security
– Medicaid funds Lives are on the line. (202) 224-3121 — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 13, 2020
As of this Friday afternoon, the fate of the Democrats’ latest Coronavirus response plan in the Republican-led Senate remains unclear. Initially, the Senate wouldn’t even be considering any option at all until after a previously scheduled nearly two-week long recess. After that recess’s cancellation, Senators will still be taking a long weekend break, while confirmed U.S. cases of the Coronavirus continue to climb and put the dejected breaks in the political system as-is on full display.
On Friday, after weeks of delay, Trump was finally set to formally declare a national emergency over the Coronavirus, which could free up more resources for response efforts, like easing the Medicaid enrollment process.
Check out Twitter’s response to Clinton…


bipartisanreport--2020-03-13--Trump Jr. Goes On Rabid Racist Anti-China Virus Rant

President Donald Trump and those around him are gravely struggling to actually rise to the task of leadership during the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak .
Some prominent Republicans have insisted on incessantly trying the virus to China like it ’ s some secret project of that country ’ s government , “ despite remarks by Democrats and the director of the CDC that such phrases are inaccurate and even racist , ” NBC reports .
But this Friday , Donald Trump Jr. himself said the quiet part out loud and seemingly blamed China for the spread of the disease , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump — who ’ s struggled to even admit that the virus is a problem , let alone sign off on major response efforts .
‘ That the US media is trying to run with the Chinese propaganda that “ China bought us time ” is a new low even for them .
China 1 ) Minimized the threat 2 ) Delayed announcements 3 ) Wouldn ’ t allow CDC/WHO doctors in !
4 ) Have even tried to blame the US for the disease !
F-you !
’ Quick question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that relevant to actually keeping Americans safe from the disease ?
Targeting China for social media mockery is going to accomplish.. what , exactly ?
And again — President Donald Trump himself has both “ minimized the threat ” and “ delayed announcements , ” among other issues .
This Friday , he was reportedly planning to issue a national emergency declaration , but that took weeks to emerge , while he wound himself up proclaiming negative coverage of the situation as a “ hoax.
” A national emergency declaration could help pave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , which has infected at least 1,672 people in the United States , according to an NBC News tally from early Friday .
Besides that emergency declaration , Congress has also been working on a second Coronavirus response funding package , which has initially been slated to include funding boosts for programs like unemployment insurance around the country and federal food purchasing assistance programs like SNAP .
Many people have been temporarily out of work because of virus spread concerns .

President Donald Trump and those around him are gravely struggling to actually rise to the task of leadership during the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak. Some prominent Republicans have insisted on incessantly trying the virus to China like it’s some secret project of that country’s government, “despite remarks by Democrats and the director of the CDC that such phrases are inaccurate and even racist,” NBC reports. But this Friday, Donald Trump Jr. himself said the quiet part out loud and seemingly blamed China for the spread of the disease, although it’s his own dad — President Donald Trump — who’s struggled to even admit that the virus is a problem, let alone sign off on major response efforts.
Republican lawmakers have persisted in using "Wuhan virus" or "Chinese coronavirus," despite remarks by Democrats and the director of the CDC that such phrases are inaccurate and even racist. https://t.co/85U2c9CnFN — NBC News (@NBCNews) March 13, 2020
Trump Jr. tweeted:
‘That the US media is trying to run with the Chinese propaganda that “China bought us time” is a new low even for them. China 1) Minimized the threat 2) Delayed announcements 3) Wouldn’t allow CDC/WHO doctors in! 4) Have even tried to blame the US for the disease! F-you!’
That the US media is trying to run with the Chinese propaganda that “China bought us time” is a new low even for them. China
1) Minimized the threat
2) Delayed announcements
3) Wouldn’t allow CDC/WHO doctors in!
4) Have even tried to blame the US for the disease! F-you! — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 13, 2020
Quick question — how on earth is any of that relevant to actually keeping Americans safe from the disease? Targeting China for social media mockery is going to accomplish.. what, exactly? And again — President Donald Trump himself has both “minimized the threat” and “delayed announcements,” among other issues. This Friday, he was reportedly planning to issue a national emergency declaration, but that took weeks to emerge, while he wound himself up proclaiming negative coverage of the situation as a “hoax.”
A national emergency declaration could help pave the way for new resources to fight the virus, which has infected at least 1,672 people in the United States, according to an NBC News tally from early Friday. Besides that emergency declaration, Congress has also been working on a second Coronavirus response funding package, which has initially been slated to include funding boosts for programs like unemployment insurance around the country and federal food purchasing assistance programs like SNAP. Many people have been temporarily out of work because of virus spread concerns.
As of 10:30 a.m. ET, there are 1,672 confirmed coronavirus cases in the US, and 41 deaths. https://t.co/mEOik6wX8g pic.twitter.com/x6VYYQDA6X — NBC News (@NBCNews) March 13, 2020
Check out Twitter’s response…


bipartisanreport--2020-03-13--Eric Trump Caught Deleting Embarrassing Tweet

The Trumps might not have the most acutely on-point financial know-how after all .
On February 28 , as the Coronavirus pandemic grew , Eric Trump took to Twitter to proclaim that he thought that the stock market was doing so great that observers should probably rush to invest .
Within barely two weeks or so , the stock market had suffered a historic crash including an almost complete wipeout of all gains made during Donald Trump ’ s presidency and the largest single day fall since 1987 .
Great timing , Eric !
He has since deleted that tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that as of late Thursday , the overall stock market value had plummeted by about 16 percent since Eric ’ s self-confident Twitter proclamation otherwise .
In about one month , since early February , the Dow Jones alone has plummeted by about 8,000 points in value ; although this Friday , trading rallied ever so slightly — at least long enough to stop the free-fall — there ’ s still a long way to climb back up and no confirmation that further crashing isn ’ t on the way .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign trail commentary would reveal , he and his allies have banked a lot of their re-election arguments on the stock market successes .
They ’ ve insisted upon the debunked myth that gains for those invested in the stock market would “ trickle down ” to everyone else .
Without actual stock market gains to point to , the already struggling basis for that argument vaporizes .
The Trumps have been watching the situation closely .
Over at the Federal Reserve , officials recently “ announced trillions of dollars ’ worth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues and boost economic activity amid coronavirus risks .
”

The Trumps might not have the most acutely on-point financial know-how after all. On February 28, as the Coronavirus pandemic grew, Eric Trump took to Twitter to proclaim that he thought that the stock market was doing so great that observers should probably rush to invest. Within barely two weeks or so, the stock market had suffered a historic crash including an almost complete wipeout of all gains made during Donald Trump’s presidency and the largest single day fall since 1987. Great timing, Eric! He has since deleted that tweet in question.
.@EricTrump deleted his tweet advising people to buy stocks just ahead of a historical stock market crash pic.twitter.com/J2BScqETEY — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 13, 2020
Writer Dean Gloster pointed out that as of late Thursday, the overall stock market value had plummeted by about 16 percent since Eric’s self-confident Twitter proclamation otherwise. In about one month, since early February, the Dow Jones alone has plummeted by about 8,000 points in value; although this Friday, trading rallied ever so slightly — at least long enough to stop the free-fall — there’s still a long way to climb back up and no confirmation that further crashing isn’t on the way.
Today Eric Trump deleted this Feb 28 tweet that everyone should buy stocks. (The market has fallen about 16% since then.) It would be a shame if you retweeted this to remind him that he's not right. pic.twitter.com/gvqcA8YmnS — Dean Gloster (@deangloster) March 13, 2020
As a quick perusal of Trump’s campaign trail commentary would reveal, he and his allies have banked a lot of their re-election arguments on the stock market successes. They’ve insisted upon the debunked myth that gains for those invested in the stock market would “trickle down” to everyone else. Without actual stock market gains to point to, the already struggling basis for that argument vaporizes.
The Trumps have been watching the situation closely. Over at the Federal Reserve, officials recently “announced trillions of dollars’ worth of new capital injections to calm Treasury-bill liquidity issues and boost economic activity amid coronavirus risks.”
Check out Twitter’s response to Eric’s stumble:


bipartisanreport--2020-03-13--Collins Slashed Hundreds Of Millions In Pandemic Prep Funds

Although one might hope that a public health emergency like the spread of a new , deadly virus would provide an opportunity for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to clearly and definitively come together , that ’ s proven to not quite be the case following the emergence of the Coronavirus in the United States .
And that partisanship goes back pretty far — reporter Michael Grunwald has now called attention to the fact that back in 2009 , when negotiating the specifics of the economic stimulus package that then-President Barack Obama used to jumpstart the economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbied for the deletion of — wait for it — a full $ 870 million in pandemic flu prep funding .
Who knows how exactly that kind of money could have been used to help prepare the U.S. for the Coronavirus situation , but more than three-quarters of a billion dollars is no small sum !
And according to Grunwald , Collins declared it a “ nonstarter ” during negotiations .
He reports : The passage appears in a book that Grunwald wrote called The New New Deal : The Hidden Story of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was published in 2013 ( and is actually temporarily out of stock on Amazon Prime following a burst of interest ) .
Ironically , Trump has been running with the baseless claim that Coronavirus testing delays under his own administration are somehow Barack Obama ’ s fault , but this Collins reporting fittingly refutes that claim .
Along the way , it ’ s been his own side who ’ ve made the problems — more recently , Trump ’ s team even completely eliminated a National Security Council job that was specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Trump is still blaming Obama anyway .
During the present Coronavirus situation , Collins has , in her description , worked to “ ensure the government keeps the needs of [ seniors ] in mind as it responds to this public health threat , ” and she has touted $ 4.57 million in federal funds for the Centers for Disease Control in Maine meant to help shore up defenses against the threat of the Coronavirus .
On Thursday , she also joined those insisting that the Senate should cancel its then-planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further Coronavirus response funding — originally , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) had been planning to leave an almost two-week long recess in place , although it ’ s since been cancelled .
The Coronavirus could easily become an issue weighing on voters as they approach the general elections later this year , and one recent poll showed that a solid majority of Americans actively disapproved of Trump ’ s response to the Coronavirus crisis .
His haphazard , slapdash approach has even helped stoke the anxiety that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wiping out 100 percent of the gains in value that had been seen under his administration .
On Thursday , stocks crashed in their worst single day since 1987 .

Although one might hope that a public health emergency like the spread of a new, deadly virus would provide an opportunity for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to clearly and definitively come together, that’s proven to not quite be the case following the emergence of the Coronavirus in the United States. And that partisanship goes back pretty far — reporter Michael Grunwald has now called attention to the fact that back in 2009, when negotiating the specifics of the economic stimulus package that then-President Barack Obama used to jumpstart the economy, still-serving Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins successfully lobbied for the deletion of — wait for it — a full $870 million in pandemic flu prep funding.
Who knows how exactly that kind of money could have been used to help prepare the U.S. for the Coronavirus situation, but more than three-quarters of a billion dollars is no small sum! And according to Grunwald, Collins declared it a “nonstarter” during negotiations. He reports:
‘Collins insisted on deleting the entire $16 billion for school construction, a presidential priority. Lieberman tried to broker some middle ground, but Collins wouldn’t budge… Collins also declared pandemic flu preparations a nonstarter, but Lieberman persuaded her to shift that $870 million to community health clinics rather than kill it outright. “I hope they have that on my list of good deeds when I get to the gates of heaven,” he says.’
I had forgotten my own reporting that @SenatorCollins stripped $870M for pandemic preparations out of the 2009 stimulus. pic.twitter.com/VTriR6ZsCS — Michael Grunwald (@MikeGrunwald) March 12, 2020
The passage appears in a book that Grunwald wrote called The New New Deal: The Hidden Story of Change in the Obama Era, which was published in 2013 (and is actually temporarily out of stock on Amazon Prime following a burst of interest). Ironically, Trump has been running with the baseless claim that Coronavirus testing delays under his own administration are somehow Barack Obama’s fault, but this Collins reporting fittingly refutes that claim. Along the way, it’s been his own side who’ve made the problems — more recently, Trump’s team even completely eliminated a National Security Council job that was specifically focused on dealing with global pandemic situations. And Trump is still blaming Obama anyway.
Trump just realized that the lack of testing is a catastrophic problem and has decided to solve it by making a bunch of stuff up in a rambling tweet https://t.co/Ng7xYSOPOL — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) March 13, 2020
During the present Coronavirus situation, Collins has, in her description, worked to “ensure the government keeps the needs of [seniors] in mind as it responds to this public health threat,” and she has touted $4.57 million in federal funds for the Centers for Disease Control in Maine meant to help shore up defenses against the threat of the Coronavirus.
The coronavirus poses a higher fatality risk to seniors. To ensure the government keeps the needs of this population in mind as it responds to this public health threat, @SenBobCasey and I led a group of 12 @SenateAging members in writing to HHS. pic.twitter.com/yeocPRSK8X — Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) March 10, 2020
On Thursday, she also joined those insisting that the Senate should cancel its then-planned recess so they could work on developing further Coronavirus response funding — originally, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had been planning to leave an almost two-week long recess in place, although it’s since been cancelled.
Due to the need to work on additional efforts to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate should cancel its recess and remain in session next week. — Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) March 12, 2020
The Coronavirus could easily become an issue weighing on voters as they approach the general elections later this year, and one recent poll showed that a solid majority of Americans actively disapproved of Trump’s response to the Coronavirus crisis. His haphazard, slapdash approach has even helped stoke the anxiety that’s sent the stock market tumbling, almost wiping out 100 percent of the gains in value that had been seen under his administration. On Thursday, stocks crashed in their worst single day since 1987.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-13--Gaetz Nabs Coronavirus Test While Americans Struggle

The Coronavirus has been rapidly spreading throughout the United States , but there ’ s been a significant lack of actually appropriate , fitting , large-scale testing .
Even weeks following the virus ’ s first appearance in the United States , the official number of tested individuals was in the thousands , which “ floored ” some members of Congress .
Despite the significant delays for the average individual — which glaringly contrast with the claim from President Donald Trump himself that anyone can get a test who wants one — Florida ’ s Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ) , where a slew of other prominent Republicans were also exposed .
The Washington Post notes that the test for Gaetz , who showed no symptoms , seems to fly in the face of the federally established testing guidelines that have hampered many Americans from accessing tests .
Despite “ federal recommendations reserving those tests for patients exhibiting symptoms of infection… amid growing concerns about the availability of testing for Americans who are sick , ” the publication notes , both Gaetz and North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just recently named as his chief of staff at the White House — got tested .
( Both of their tests came back negative . )
One Washington Republican harshly criticized the apparent special access to testing that Gaetz and Meadows got .
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler ( R-Wash. ) commented to the CDC ’ s Robert Redfield during a House committee hearing : House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) herself has addressed the possibility for special access to medical treatment on account of someone ’ s status as a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some 1,800 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the U.S. , and there have been 41 deaths in the country from the disease .
The number of people who ’ ve actually been tested , according to the CDC ’ s official count , is only in the thousands , which contrasts dramatically with the official test counts in locales like South Korea , where some 200,000 people have been tested .
( They have some 7,900 confirmed cases , and about 71 deaths . )
There ’ s one important note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do “ not yet have a way to track people who receive tests outside that limited network , for example at hospital labs or others that buy test kits that have just become available in the last few days.
” Some people have been struggling anyway .
One health journalist for Kaiser Health News wrote following their own experience with exposure to the virus that “ figuring out if we are at risk and getting tested is nearly impossible ” — and that ’ s not exactly reassuring when it comes to efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That particular journalist was admonished to visit an urgent care facility , but they note that it ’ s unclear whether that visit would have helped because thanks to their lack of immediately apparent symptoms , they may not have even qualified for a test — but Gaetz did , even as he and others in the president ’ s circles mock concern over the situation .

The Coronavirus has been rapidly spreading throughout the United States, but there’s been a significant lack of actually appropriate, fitting, large-scale testing. Even weeks following the virus’s first appearance in the United States, the official number of tested individuals was in the thousands, which “floored” some members of Congress. Despite the significant delays for the average individual — which glaringly contrast with the claim from President Donald Trump himself that anyone can get a test who wants one — Florida’s Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz got tested recently, following exposure at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where a slew of other prominent Republicans were also exposed.
The Washington Post notes that the test for Gaetz, who showed no symptoms, seems to fly in the face of the federally established testing guidelines that have hampered many Americans from accessing tests. Despite “federal recommendations reserving those tests for patients exhibiting symptoms of infection… amid growing concerns about the availability of testing for Americans who are sick,” the publication notes, both Gaetz and North Carolina’s Mark Meadows — who Trump just recently named as his chief of staff at the White House — got tested. (Both of their tests came back negative.)
One Washington Republican harshly criticized the apparent special access to testing that Gaetz and Meadows got. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) commented to the CDC’s Robert Redfield during a House committee hearing:
‘I find it interesting that when my colleagues were in contact with someone who later tested positive [they] were able to get tested almost immediately and quickly receive their results while folks in my district and across Washington state are unable to get their testing results back.’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) herself has addressed the possibility for special access to medical treatment on account of someone’s status as a member of Congress. She told reporters:
‘I think we have to take care of the people first.’
There are some 1,800 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the U.S., and there have been 41 deaths in the country from the disease. The number of people who’ve actually been tested, according to the CDC’s official count, is only in the thousands, which contrasts dramatically with the official test counts in locales like South Korea, where some 200,000 people have been tested. (They have some 7,900 confirmed cases, and about 71 deaths.) There’s one important note: The Washington Post notes that officials do “not yet have a way to track people who receive tests outside that limited network, for example at hospital labs or others that buy test kits that have just become available in the last few days.”
Some people have been struggling anyway. One health journalist for Kaiser Health News wrote following their own experience with exposure to the virus that “figuring out if we are at risk and getting tested is nearly impossible” — and that’s not exactly reassuring when it comes to efforts to stem the spread of the virus. That particular journalist was admonished to visit an urgent care facility, but they note that it’s unclear whether that visit would have helped because thanks to their lack of immediately apparent symptoms, they may not have even qualified for a test — but Gaetz did, even as he and others in the president’s circles mock concern over the situation.


bipartisanreport--2020-03-13--Official Who Met Barr, Ivanka, Kellyanne Contracts COVID-19

Some 135,000 cases and counting of the Coronavirus have been confirmed around the globe — including Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton , who revealed his diagnosis on Friday , hours after participating in a test for the disease .
( In some U.S. cases , the wait for confirmation has apparently been much longer . )
It ’ s not immediately clear where Dutton might have contracted the disease — currently , his country has only around 128 confirmed Coronavirus cases — but one thing is clear : just recently , he met with top White House officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump , and longtime Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway .
There ’ s a photo of them together from just days ago , and those with the virus may transmit for days before symptoms .
‘ This morning I woke up with a temperature and sore throat .
I immediately contacted the Queensland Department of Health and was subsequently tested for COVID-19 .
I was advised by Queensland Health this afternoon that the test had returned positive .
It is the policy of Queensland Health that anyone who tests positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have complied with their advice .
I feel fine and will provide and update in due course.
’ Notably , Australia is where actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were when they recently tested positive for the Coronavirus .
It ’ s unclear where they may have contracted it , but they ’ ve gone into quarantine like many other patients around the globe .
There ’ s no immediate apparent word from Barr and the others about whether or not they ’ ll be getting tested and/or isolating themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona , placed themselves under voluntary quarantine just to be safe after confirmed exposure to the virus . )
Dutton is not the first Trump administration visitor who ’ s tested positive for the illness recently — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro ’ s communications secretary , Fabio Wajngarten , tested positive days after he met and was photographed with Trump at the president ’ s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida .
Trump said that he ’ s unconcerned , and apparently , neither he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slated for tests , but Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) , who also visited Mar-a-Lago , more quickly placed himself under voluntary self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution .
There have been significant issues with testing for the Coronavirus in the U.S .
The number of actually conducted tests has stayed in the low thousands , apparently , for weeks , and Trump and his allies say more are on the way , but they ’ ve been saying that for awhile .
This Friday morning , Trump blamed Obama for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s own watch .
Trump is the one who completely eliminated White House positions meant to respond to pandemics — not Obama .
Going forward , House Democrats have developed a Coronavirus response package that originally included provisions like major boosts in funding for state unemployment insurance programs and federal food assistance programs .
Initially , Republicans like Mitch McConnell derided those basic , helpful measures as an “ ideological wish list.
” What happens next with the funding bill remains to be seen .

Some 135,000 cases and counting of the Coronavirus have been confirmed around the globe — including Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton, who revealed his diagnosis on Friday, hours after participating in a test for the disease. (In some U.S. cases, the wait for confirmation has apparently been much longer.) It’s not immediately clear where Dutton might have contracted the disease — currently, his country has only around 128 confirmed Coronavirus cases — but one thing is clear: just recently, he met with top White House officials including Attorney General Bill Barr, Trump daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump, and longtime Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway. There’s a photo of them together from just days ago, and those with the virus may transmit for days before symptoms.
Yesterday 🇦🇺 Home Affairs @PeterDutton_MP joins @IvankaTrump, Attorney General Barr & our five eyes partners 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇦🇳🇿 to fight online child exploitation. We heard from 9 brave survivors & announced principles that technology companies should implement to protect children online pic.twitter.com/3ifeJnGJPI — Australia in the US 🇦🇺🇺🇸 (@AusintheUS) March 6, 2020
On Friday, Dutton explained:
‘This morning I woke up with a temperature and sore throat. I immediately contacted the Queensland Department of Health and was subsequently tested for COVID-19. I was advised by Queensland Health this afternoon that the test had returned positive. It is the policy of Queensland Health that anyone who tests positive is to be admitted into hospital and I have complied with their advice. I feel fine and will provide and update in due course.’
Notably, Australia is where actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were when they recently tested positive for the Coronavirus. It’s unclear where they may have contracted it, but they’ve gone into quarantine like many other patients around the globe.
There’s no immediate apparent word from Barr and the others about whether or not they’ll be getting tested and/or isolating themselves. (Other top Republicans, like Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, placed themselves under voluntary quarantine just to be safe after confirmed exposure to the virus.) Dutton is not the first Trump administration visitor who’s tested positive for the illness recently — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s communications secretary, Fabio Wajngarten, tested positive days after he met and was photographed with Trump at the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Trump said that he’s unconcerned, and apparently, neither he nor Vice President Mike Pence were initially slated for tests, but Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who also visited Mar-a-Lago, more quickly placed himself under voluntary self-quarantine out of an abundance of caution.
There have been significant issues with testing for the Coronavirus in the U.S. The number of actually conducted tests has stayed in the low thousands, apparently, for weeks, and Trump and his allies say more are on the way, but they’ve been saying that for awhile. This Friday morning, Trump blamed Obama for the testing delays that have transpired under Trump’s own watch. Trump is the one who completely eliminated White House positions meant to respond to pandemics — not Obama.
Trump just realized that the lack of testing is a catastrophic problem and has decided to solve it by making a bunch of stuff up in a rambling tweet https://t.co/Ng7xYSOPOL — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) March 13, 2020
Going forward, House Democrats have developed a Coronavirus response package that originally included provisions like major boosts in funding for state unemployment insurance programs and federal food assistance programs. Initially, Republicans like Mitch McConnell derided those basic, helpful measures as an “ideological wish list.” What happens next with the funding bill remains to be seen.