thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--The Republican Corporate Bailout Is Obscene

Over the next year , the United States will almost certainly go through a depression .
Economists at Goldman Sachs currently expect the U.S. economy to shrink by an unprecedented 24 % next quarter .
They ’ re optimists compared to Morgan Stanley , which expects a 30 % drop , and Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard , who predicted a 50 % decline .
Even the best response from our government can not prevent some form of catastrophe .
But what Congress does next could mean the difference between millions of families muddling through and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Swift , serious action is needed to support ordinary people through the coming disaster , and to get American medical infrastructure up to speed ― manufacturing the supplies we are already running short on and training the personnel who are already overworked .
But one thing is extremely clear : Large American corporations are not in immediate jeopardy .
Despite the recent stock market crash , we are not currently experiencing a financial crisis ― a breakdown of the credit system in which healthy companies can not obtain loans to continue operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement on Monday that it would be providing unprecedented , direct support to both small business and large corporations , the central bank ensured that firms can get access to government-backed loans with no strings attached .
The Fed has never done anything like this .
Usually the Fed supports banks , not manufacturers , airlines , hotels and retailers .
But the American central bank recognized the scope of this crisis and acted accordingly .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) holds a news conference after the Senate voted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles of impeachment brought by the House of Representatives to the Senate for trial on Capitol Hill on February 5 , 2020 in Washington , D.C Given the Fed ’ s support , there is no excuse for the corporate bailout legislation that Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) are pursuing .
It offers too little help to the people who need it most , and outrageous gifts to monopolists , billionaires and corporate deadbeats .
Republican leaders are demanding $ 500 billion to distribute as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for six months , no curbs on executive compensation , no limits on shareholder giveaways , no requirements to retain workers , and no meaningful oversight mechanisms .
The public would receive no share in the upside to its investment .
If companies on public support go bust , we eat the losses .
If they prosper , we don ’ t even get an interest payment .
It ’ s ridiculous .
The terms McConnell and Mnuchin want are substantially worse than those included in the infamous 2008 bank bailout bill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to know where the money went .
The GOP wants a blank check , to be kept secret for six months .
Yes , the federal government will need to support businesses large and small through the coming months , if not years .
But the Fed is already doing that .
Democrats and responsible Republicans ― there are a few !
― have no business supporting this slush fund for the super-rich .
Only about one-fifth of American households own $ 25,000 or more in stock .
The government could help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cutting them monthly checks over the coming years .
A pandemic should not be a pretext to shovel money at rich people .
Democrats , led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
are holding the line on corporate giveaways .
They should continue to do so .
The Republican proposal includes spartan benefits for ordinary people ― expanding the duration of unemployment benefits for people who lose their jobs by an extra month , plus a one-time $ 1,200 check for individuals ― an amount rightly recognized by Republicans including Sens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josh Hawley ( R-Mo . )
as an insult to the millions of households that will be struggling through the coming months .
Anything short of $ 2,000 a month for every family in America isn ’ t a serious plan .

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Over the next year, the United States will almost certainly go through a depression. Economists at Goldman Sachs currently expect the U.S. economy to shrink by an unprecedented 24% next quarter. They’re optimists compared to Morgan Stanley, which expects a 30% drop, and Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard, who predicted a 50% decline.
Even the best response from our government cannot prevent some form of catastrophe. But what Congress does next could mean the difference between millions of families muddling through and millions of families being bankrupted and evicted. Swift, serious action is needed to support ordinary people through the coming disaster, and to get American medical infrastructure up to speed ― manufacturing the supplies we are already running short on and training the personnel who are already overworked.
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But one thing is extremely clear: Large American corporations are not in immediate jeopardy. Despite the recent stock market crash, we are not currently experiencing a financial crisis ― a breakdown of the credit system in which healthy companies cannot obtain loans to continue operations. With the Federal Reserve’s announcement on Monday that it would be providing unprecedented, direct support to both small business and large corporations, the central bank ensured that firms can get access to government-backed loans with no strings attached.
The Fed has never done anything like this. Usually the Fed supports banks, not manufacturers, airlines, hotels and retailers. But the American central bank recognized the scope of this crisis and acted accordingly.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) holds a news conference after the Senate voted to acquit President Donald Trump on the two articles of impeachment brought by the House of Representatives to the Senate for trial on Capitol Hill on February 5, 2020 in Washington, D.C Samuel Corum via Getty Images
Given the Fed’s support, there is no excuse for the corporate bailout legislation that Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are pursuing. It offers too little help to the people who need it most, and outrageous gifts to monopolists, billionaires and corporate deadbeats. Republican leaders are demanding $500 billion to distribute as Mnuchin sees fit, with no disclosure for six months, no curbs on executive compensation, no limits on shareholder giveaways, no requirements to retain workers, and no meaningful oversight mechanisms. The public would receive no share in the upside to its investment. If companies on public support go bust, we eat the losses. If they prosper, we don’t even get an interest payment.
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It’s ridiculous. The terms McConnell and Mnuchin want are substantially worse than those included in the infamous 2008 bank bailout bill. The last go-round, we at least got to know where the money went. The GOP wants a blank check, to be kept secret for six months.
Yes, the federal government will need to support businesses large and small through the coming months, if not years. But the Fed is already doing that. Democrats and responsible Republicans ― there are a few! ― have no business supporting this slush fund for the super-rich. Only about one-fifth of American households own $25,000 or more in stock. The government could help ordinary people much more easily by just cutting them monthly checks over the coming years. A pandemic should not be a pretext to shovel money at rich people.
Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) are holding the line on corporate giveaways. They should continue to do so. The Republican proposal includes spartan benefits for ordinary people ― expanding the duration of unemployment benefits for people who lose their jobs by an extra month, plus a one-time $1,200 check for individuals ― an amount rightly recognized by Republicans including Sens. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) as an insult to the millions of households that will be struggling through the coming months. Anything short of $2,000 a month for every family in America isn’t a serious plan.
The Fed has given corporate America its relief. Congress needs to work for working families.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Coronavirus Relief Package Again Falls Short In Senate

ASSOCIATED PRESS Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. walks to the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington , Monday , March 23 , 2020 .
( AP Photo/Andrew Harnik ) WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) - A far-reaching coronavirus economic stimulus package failed to advance in the U.S. Senate on Monday as Democrats said it contained too little money for hospitals and not enough restrictions on a fund to help big businesses .
The 49-46 vote left the sweeping measure short of the 60 votes needed to advance , as the chamber remained deadlocked for a second day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ side wants to play political games , ” said Republican Senator John Thune , who angrily accused Democrats of “ dilly-dallying around.
” Democrats said they were close to an agreement with Republicans and predicted a modified version would win passage soon .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , who estimated the bill would cost $ 2 trillion , said before the vote that the two sides were making progress .
“ We knocked off a bunch of things on the list already and we ’ re closing in on issues , ” Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
He did not give specific .
U.S. stocks fell on Monday as the coronavirus forced more states into lockdown , eclipsing optimism from an unprecedented round of policy easing by the Federal Reserve .
The bill represents a third effort by Congress to blunt the economic toll of the pandemic that has killed at least 428 people in the United States and sickened more than 34,000 , leading state governors to order nearly a third of the nation ’ s population to stay at home and putting much business activity on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to add unrelated provisions , such as expanded tax credits for wind and solar power and increased leverage for labor unions .
Democrats said Republicans were also trying to add provisions that would exclude nonprofit groups from receiving small-business aid , and extend a sexual abstinence-education program that is due to expire in May .
The speaker of the House of Representatives , Nancy Pelosi , released her own version , which would add billions of dollars to help states conduct elections by mail .
Republicans normally hold a slim 53-47 majority in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes they need to advance most legislation .
But the coronavirus threat has affected their ranks .
Republican Senator Rand Paul said he tested positive for the virus on Sunday , and several others have self-quarantined as a precautionary measure .
Republicans only mustered 47 votes in Sunday ’ s procedural vote .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. walks to the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A far-reaching coronavirus economic stimulus package failed to advance in the U.S. Senate on Monday as Democrats said it contained too little money for hospitals and not enough restrictions on a fund to help big businesses.
The 49-46 vote left the sweeping measure short of the 60 votes needed to advance, as the chamber remained deadlocked for a second day.
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Tempers frayed as Republicans accused Democrats of obstruction during a national emergency.
“The country is burning and your side wants to play political games,” said Republican Senator John Thune, who angrily accused Democrats of “dilly-dallying around.”
Democrats said they were close to an agreement with Republicans and predicted a modified version would win passage soon.
“Take a deep breath. We’re gonna pass this bill,” Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who estimated the bill would cost $2 trillion, said before the vote that the two sides were making progress.
“We knocked off a bunch of things on the list already and we’re closing in on issues,” Mnuchin told reporters after exiting Schumer’s office. He did not give specific.
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U.S. stocks fell on Monday as the coronavirus forced more states into lockdown, eclipsing optimism from an unprecedented round of policy easing by the Federal Reserve.
The bill represents a third effort by Congress to blunt the economic toll of the pandemic that has killed at least 428 people in the United States and sickened more than 34,000, leading state governors to order nearly a third of the nation’s population to stay at home and putting much business activity on hold.
The measure includes financial aid for ordinary Americans, small businesses and critically affected industries, including airlines.
Republicans said Democrats were seeking to add unrelated provisions, such as expanded tax credits for wind and solar power and increased leverage for labor unions.
Democrats said Republicans were also trying to add provisions that would exclude nonprofit groups from receiving small-business aid, and extend a sexual abstinence-education program that is due to expire in May.
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The speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, released her own version, which would add billions of dollars to help states conduct elections by mail.
Republicans normally hold a slim 53-47 majority in the chamber, short of the 60 votes they need to advance most legislation.
But the coronavirus threat has affected their ranks. Republican Senator Rand Paul said he tested positive for the virus on Sunday, and several others have self-quarantined as a precautionary measure. Republicans only mustered 47 votes in Sunday’s procedural vote.
(Reporting by David Morgan and Andy Sullivan; Additional reporting by Susan Cornwell; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone, Will Dunham and Jonathan Oatis)


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Americans Want Paid Sick Leave For Coronavirus Crisis. Why Won't Congress Deliver?

As the battle over emergency legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic plays out in Congress , one thing is becoming clear : Paid sick leave for workers is absolutely crucial , and the American public recognizes it — even if some lawmakers don ’ t .
Ninety-five percent of Americans believe at least some workers affected by the coronavirus should have paid leave for either illness or quarantine , according to a survey released Monday from LeanIn , the women ’ s advocacy organization founded by Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg .
Yet so far , Congress has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a watered-down paid sick leave provision into law last week as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act .
Now , the Senate is discussing another package to respond to the crisis .
But Senate Republicans ’ new proposal doesn ’ t address paid sick leave at all , which is part of why Democrats shot it down on Sunday .
A third robust sick leave and family proposal is included in yet another emergency bill ― ‘ ‘ Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act ’ ’ ― expected from House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday afternoon , according to a draft reviewed by HuffPost .
But its chances of passage are anything but certain .
More than three-quarters of Americans want Congress to do more on providing paid sick leave for U.S. workers Time off for workers who are sick , quarantined , immunocompromised or at home with children who can ’ t go to school has become a critical issue right now .
The CDC has recommended that these workers stay home .
But a lot of them simply can not , according to HuffPost ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kroger and Amazon , among other companies .
More and more hourly workers , particularly in the health care and the grocery and delivery industries , either go to work while sick or while at high risk of getting sick , or they forgo a paycheck .
“ At a time where workers on the front lines are required to show up to work to keep grocery stores and pharmacies available to people who need the basics , it ’ s both a public and individual health crisis that these workers are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Without it , people who are paid low wages and fear job loss may feel pressured to come to work even if they ’ re not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19.
” More than three-quarters of Americans want Congress to do more on this issue , according to the LeanIn survey , conducted on a representative sample of 2,753 adults online on March 21 and 22 .
Ninety-five percent of Americans support giving paid sick leave to at least one category of workers .
Americans are most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to paid sick leave , with 77 % agreeing they should have access to paid time off ; 72 % would like grocery store employees to have access to paid sick days .
The survey also found that women are slightly more supportive of paid leave than men and that Democrats are more supportive than Republicans .
Eighty-two percent of Democrats and 59 % of Republicans said they ’ d be more likely to vote for a senator or representative if they knew they had voted to give all workers paid sick leave @ @ @ @

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As the battle over emergency legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic plays out in Congress, one thing is becoming clear: Paid sick leave for workers is absolutely crucial, and the American public recognizes it — even if some lawmakers don’t.
Ninety-five percent of Americans believe at least some workers affected by the coronavirus should have paid leave for either illness or quarantine, according to a survey released Monday from LeanIn, the women’s advocacy organization founded by Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg.
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Yet so far, Congress has not stepped up. President Donald Trump signed a watered-down paid sick leave provision into law last week as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Now, the Senate is discussing another package to respond to the crisis. But Senate Republicans’ new proposal doesn’t address paid sick leave at all, which is part of why Democrats shot it down on Sunday.
It’s “beyond shameful,” that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) didn’t prioritize the issue, said Vicki Shabo, a senior fellow at New America, a progressive think tank.
A third robust sick leave and family proposal is included in yet another emergency bill ― ‘‘Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act’’ ― expected from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Monday afternoon, according to a draft reviewed by HuffPost. But its chances of passage are anything but certain.
More than three-quarters of Americans want Congress to do more on providing paid sick leave for U.S. workers Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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Time off for workers who are sick, quarantined, immunocompromised or at home with children who can’t go to school has become a critical issue right now. The CDC has recommended that these workers stay home. But a lot of them simply cannot, according to HuffPost’s interviews with workers at Walmart, Kroger and Amazon, among other companies.
Despite high-profile “emergency paid sick leave” policies, these big businesses are still not giving workers a real choice.
More and more hourly workers, particularly in the health care and the grocery and delivery industries, either go to work while sick or while at high risk of getting sick, or they forgo a paycheck.
“At a time where workers on the front lines are required to show up to work to keep grocery stores and pharmacies available to people who need the basics, it’s both a public and individual health crisis that these workers are not guaranteed paid sick time,” Shabo said. “Without it, people who are paid low wages and fear job loss may feel pressured to come to work even if they’re not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19.”
More than three-quarters of Americans want Congress to do more on this issue, according to the LeanIn survey, conducted on a representative sample of 2,753 adults online on March 21 and 22.
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Ninety-five percent of Americans support giving paid sick leave to at least one category of workers. Americans are most supportive of health care workers having access to paid sick leave, with 77% agreeing they should have access to paid time off; 72% would like grocery store employees to have access to paid sick days.
The survey also found that women are slightly more supportive of paid leave than men and that Democrats are more supportive than Republicans.
Eighty-two percent of Democrats and 59% of Republicans said they’d be more likely to vote for a senator or representative if they knew they had voted to give all workers paid sick leave during the pandemic.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Trump Considers Defying Health Experts, Ending Social Distancing Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Late Sunday night , Trump tweeted that he didn ’ t want the solution to COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , to be “ WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF.
” His words , which echoed those of a Fox News host earlier that day , referred to social distancing policies that have closed schools and businesses and kept people inside instead of pumping money into the economy .
He echoed the same message at a Monday evening press conference .
“ America will again and soon be open for business , very soon , a lot sooner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody was suggesting , ” he said .
“ We can not let the cure be worse than the problem itself.
” Trump issued stricter guidelines last Monday when he told Americans to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and to stay away from various public places for at least the next 15 days ― from March 16 to March 30 .
When that period ends next Monday , the president is apparently eager to loosen the restrictions in hopes of boosting the now flagging economy ― the success of which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump ’ s reelection campaign .
“ What ’ s the point of social distancing if 20 % ignore the order ?
” Trump has asked his aides , according to the source .
His senior advisers are reportedly beating the same drum even as multiple public health experts warn it ’ s too soon to ease off drastic measures .
“ I don ’ t know anybody in the building who is arguing that we should keep going the way we ’ re going , ” a senior White House official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulling in the same direction.
” Larry Kudlow , Trump ’ s top economic adviser , made the rounds on cable news Monday morning pushing that narrative .
“ The president is right , ” he said on Fox News .
“ The cure can ’ t be worse than the disease , and we ’ re going to have to make some difficult tradeoffs.
” Later on CNBC , he said , “ At some point , you have to ask yourself whether the shutdown is doing more harm than good.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus was not always informed by information from public health officials .
In late February , he insisted that the U.S. had “ contained ” the outbreak “ pretty close to air-tight.
” But earlier that day , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans that the virus was spreading throughout the country .
With the 15-day mark fast approaching , Trump is weighing changing the social distancing guidelines so that they apply only to vulnerable groups , such as the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions , an administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That approach disregards an important aspect of how the coronavirus is likely spreading : Modeling shows that young , healthy people are the most likely to spread the disease to vulnerable people , who already tend not to move around as much .
Ingraham also pushed the idea of only some people isolating themselves , writing : “ The most vulnerable population must be socially distanced until we are over this .
Churches should organize concerts outside senior living centers .
”

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Despite health experts urging against a rush back to normalcy, President Donald Trump and his allies have begun hinting they want to relax social distancing policies next week amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Late Sunday night, Trump tweeted that he didn’t want the solution to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, to be “WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF.” His words, which echoed those of a Fox News host earlier that day, referred to social distancing policies that have closed schools and businesses and kept people inside instead of pumping money into the economy.
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WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2020
He echoed the same message at a Monday evening press conference. “America will again and soon be open for business, very soon, a lot sooner than three or four months, as somebody was suggesting,” he said. “We cannot let the cure be worse than the problem itself.”
Trump issued stricter guidelines last Monday when he told Americans to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and to stay away from various public places for at least the next 15 days ― from March 16 to March 30. When that period ends next Monday, the president is apparently eager to loosen the restrictions in hopes of boosting the now flagging economy ― the success of which had been one of the biggest selling points of Trump’s reelection campaign.
The president pointed to the viral videos of spring breakers in Florida ignoring the social distancing guidelines as justification for relaxing them, a source close to the White House told CNN.
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“What’s the point of social distancing if 20% ignore the order?” Trump has asked his aides, according to the source. His senior advisers are reportedly beating the same drum even as multiple public health experts warn it’s too soon to ease off drastic measures.
“I don’t know anybody in the building who is arguing that we should keep going the way we’re going,” a senior White House official told CNN. “Everybody here is pulling in the same direction.”
Larry Kudlow, Trump’s top economic adviser, made the rounds on cable news Monday morning pushing that narrative. “The president is right,” he said on Fox News. “The cure can’t be worse than the disease, and we’re going to have to make some difficult tradeoffs.” Later on CNBC, he said, “At some point, you have to ask yourself whether the shutdown is doing more harm than good.”
Kudlow’s previous messaging on the coronavirus was not always informed by information from public health officials. In late February, he insisted that the U.S. had “contained” the outbreak “pretty close to air-tight.” But earlier that day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans that the virus was spreading throughout the country.
With the 15-day mark fast approaching, Trump is weighing changing the social distancing guidelines so that they apply only to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions, an administration official told The Wall Street Journal.
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That approach disregards an important aspect of how the coronavirus is likely spreading: Modeling shows that young, healthy people are the most likely to spread the disease to vulnerable people, who already tend not to move around as much.
But Trump’s allies in conservative media are backing him up. Fox News’ Laura Ingraham posted a lengthy Twitter thread on Monday morning dismissing the value of medical professionals’ advice in setting social distancing guidelines.
“Doctors provide medical treatment and cures—they should not be the determinative voices in policy making now or at the end of 15 days,” she wrote.
Ingraham also pushed the idea of only some people isolating themselves, writing: “The most vulnerable population must be socially distanced until we are over this. Churches should organize concerts outside senior living centers.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Coronavirus Rescue Talks Churn Late Into Night After Dems Reject GOP Bailout Bill

“ This bill is going to affect this country and the lives of Americans , not just for the next few days , but in the next few months and years ― so we have to make sure it is good , he said .
’ “ There were some serious problems with the bill leader McConnell laid down .
Huge amounts of corporate bailout funds without restrictions or without oversight ― you wouldn ’ t even know who is getting the money .
Not enough money for hospitals , nurses , PPE , masks , all the health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local government , many of whom would go broke .
Many other things.
” Trump urged Congress to get a deal done and , during the Sunday briefing , responded to criticism that his administration was sluggish to act .
He cited his cooperation with the three states hardest hit — New York , Washington and California — and invoked a measure to give governors flexibility in calling up the national guard under their control , while the federal government covers the bill .
But even as Trump stressed federal-local partnerships , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas , expressed unhappiness with Washington ’ s response .
The president himself took a swipe hours earlier at Gov .
J .
B. Pritzker , D-Ill. , saying that he and “ a very small group of certain other Governors , together with Fake News ” should not be “ blaming the Federal Government for their own shortcomings.
” Two days after he lashed out at a reporter who asked about his message to frightened Americans , Trump said , “ For those worried and afraid , please know as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel confident that you have a leader who will always fight for you.
” Central to the package is as much as $ 350 billion for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home .
There is also a one-time rebate check of about $ 1,200 per person , or $ 3,000 for a family of four , as well as the extended unemployment benefits .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Top-level negotiations between Congress and the White House churned late into the night over a now nearly $2 trillion economic rescue package, as the coronavirus crisis deepened, the nation shut down and the first U.S. senator tested positive for the disease.
As President Donald Trump took to the podium in the White House briefing room and promised to help Americans who feel afraid and isolated as the pandemic spreads, the Senate voted Sunday against advancing the rescue package. But talks continued on Capitol Hill.
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“I think you’ll get there. To me it’s not very complicated: We have to help the worker. We have to save the companies,” Trump said.
Later, the Republican president suggested the remedies may be more harmful than the outbreak, vowing to reassess after the 15-day mark of the shutdown. “WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF,” he tweeted.
WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2020
Inside the otherwise emptied out Capitol, the draft aid bill was declared insufficient by Democrats, who argued it was tilted toward corporations and did too little to help workers and health care providers. Republicans returned to the negotiating table.
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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, exiting the Capitol just before midnight, struck an optimistic note: “We’re very close,” he said, adding negotiators would work through the night.
“Our nation cannot afford a game of chicken,” warned Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., his voice rising on the Senate floor Sunday night. His goal is to vote Monday. The Senate will re-convene at noon.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y, sounded an optimistic note.
“This bill is going to affect this country and the lives of Americans, not just for the next few days, but in the next few months and years ― so we have to make sure it is good, he said. ’“There were some serious problems with the bill leader McConnell laid down. Huge amounts of corporate bailout funds without restrictions or without oversight ― you wouldn’t even know who is getting the money. Not enough money for hospitals, nurses, PPE, masks, all the health care needs. No money for state and local government, many of whom would go broke. Many other things.”
But Schumer said they were making progress in dealing with those issues. “We’re getting closer and closer. And I’m very hopeful, is how I’d put it, that we can get a bill in the morning.”
In this image from video, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks on the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, March 21, 2020. (Senate Television via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
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With a population on edge and shell-shocked financial markets poised for the new work week, Washington labored under the size and scope of the rescue package that’s more ambitious than any in recent times — larger than the 2008 bank bailout and 2009 recovery act combined.
Democrats say the largely GOP-led effort did not go far enough to provide health care and worker aid and fails to put restraints on a proposed $500 billion “slush fund” for corporations. They voted to block its advance.
Democrats won a concession — to provide four months of expanded unemployment benefits, rather than just three as proposed, according to an official granted anonymity to discuss the private talks. The jobless pay also extends to self-employed and so-called gig workers.
While the congressional leaders worked into the night, alarms were being sounded from coast to coast about the wave of coronavirus cases about to crash onto the nation’s health system.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had dire, urgent news from the pandemic’s U.S. epicenter: “April and May are going to be a lot worse,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
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De Blasio, a Democrat, all but begged Washington to help procure ventilators and other medical supplies. He accused the Republican president of “not lifting a finger” to help.
Trump urged Congress to get a deal done and, during the Sunday briefing, responded to criticism that his administration was sluggish to act. He cited his cooperation with the three states hardest hit — New York, Washington and California — and invoked a measure to give governors flexibility in calling up the national guard under their control, while the federal government covers the bill.
President Donald Trump speaks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House, Sunday, March 22, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ASSOCIATED PRESS
But even as Trump stressed federal-local partnerships, some governors, including Republican Greg Abbott of Texas, expressed unhappiness with Washington’s response. The president himself took a swipe hours earlier at Gov. J. B. Pritzker, D-Ill., saying that he and “a very small group of certain other Governors, together with Fake News” should not be “blaming the Federal Government for their own shortcomings.”
This came as Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky announced he tested positive for the coronavirus. Paul, who is a doctor and close ally of the president, said in a tweet he was not showing symptoms and was in quarantine.
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Paul was seen at a GOP senators’ lunch on Friday and swimming in the Senate gym pool on Sunday morning, heightening concerns. His office said he left the Senate immediately after learning his diagnosis.
A growing list of lawmakers have cycled in and out of isolation after exposure, and two members of the House have said they tested positive. Five senators were in self-quarantine Sunday evening and could not vote.
In recent days, Trump invoked the Defense Protection Act, a rarely used, decades-old authority that can be used to compel the private sector to manufacture needed medical supplies like masks and ventilators. Officials said Sunday that it would be used voluntarily and businesses would not be compelled to act.
“We are a country not based on nationalizing our business,” said Trump, who has repeatedly railed against socialism overseas and among Democrats.
Two days after he lashed out at a reporter who asked about his message to frightened Americans, Trump said, “For those worried and afraid, please know as long as I am your president, you can feel confident that you have a leader who will always fight for you.”
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But minutes later, when he learned that rival Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, was one of those in isolation, he declared, “Romney’s in isolation? Gee, that’s too bad.”
Trump said he was not being sarcastic.
The urgency to act is mounting, as jobless claims skyrocket and the financial markets are set to re-open Monday eager for signs that Washington can soften the blow of the healthcare crisis and what experts say is a looming recession. Stock futures declined sharply as Trump spoke Sunday evening.
Officials late Sunday put the price tag of the ballooning rescue package at nearly $2 trillion. That does not include additional measures being taken by the Federal Reserve to shore up the economy.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was leading a third day of nonstop talks on Capitol Hill, said the plan was meant to prop up the nation’s weakened economy for the next 10 to 12 weeks.
Central to the package is as much as $350 billion for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home. There is also a one-time rebate check of about $1,200 per person, or $3,000 for a family of four, as well as the extended unemployment benefits.
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Hospitals, Mnuchin said, will get approximately $110 billion for the expected influx of sick patients.
The treasury secretary said a significant part of the package will involve working with the Federal Reserve for up to $4 trillion of liquidity to support the economy with “broad-based lending programs.”
But Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have pushed for add-ons, including food security aid, small business loans and other measures for workers.
They warned the draft plan’s $500 billion for corporations does not put enough restraints on business, saying the ban on corporate stock buy-backs is weak and the limits on executive pay are only for two years.
“We’re not here to create a slush fund for Donald Trump and his family, or a slush fund for the Treasury Department to be able to hand out to their friends,” said Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. “We’re here to help workers, we’re here to help hospitals.”
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The president, when pressed by a reporter, dodged a question as to whether his own business would seek federal funds.
With Sunday’s failed vote, McConnell angrily blamed Pelosi, who returned to Washington for a top-level meeting, saying she “poured cold water” over the draft plan. But any measure from the Senate also needs to pass the House.
The details are coming from drafts of both bills circulating among lobbyists but not yet released to the public. They were obtained by The Associated Press.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
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___
Bev Banks contributed. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Hope Yen, Mary Clare Jalonick, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Alan Fram and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Romney Says Mormons Who Welcomed Missionaries Home Are 'Irresponsible'

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) — U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney and Utah state leaders on Monday criticized as irresponsible a weekend gathering of hundreds at a Salt Lake City airport parking garage to welcome home 900 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionaries returning from the Philippines .
The people who showed up Sunday evening , some hugging arriving loved ones , should have heeded warnings to keep their distance to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus , said Romney , Utah ’ s governor and lieutenant governor and the church itself .
Airport officials had asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each returning missionary to come and said the guidance for people to stay in their cars wasn ’ t followed by many people , said airport spokeswoman Nancy Volmer .
Video and photos of the event showed many inside the parking garage standing shoulder to shoulder instead of at the recommended “ social distancing ” measure of 6 feet ( 1 meter ) apart .
The faith had told its members that only parents of the mostly young adult missionaries should show up at the airport .
“ This is irresponsible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Parents , please pick up your missionary from the airprt alone and help them strictly follow self-quarantine procedures for their first 14 days at home .
We need to work together to keep our communities safe.
” For most people , coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people recover from the new virus .
The missionaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early on chartered flights from missions that last up to two years .
Thousands more missionaries are expected to return from abroad in the coming days and weeks after the Utah-based faith said Friday it was bringing home an unspecified but “ substantial ” number of missionaries .
Utah Gov .
Gary Herbert called the event “ dangerous ” in a tweet and Lt. Gov .
Spencer Cox said he was “ Really disappointed in the behavior we saw from missionary families at the SLC airport tonight.
” “ I get it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still have a child serving ) , but this is unacceptable .
In a time of shared sacrifice , we must do better to save lives , ” said Cox , who is a member of the faith widely known as the Mormon church , as are Romney and Hebert .
The church posted a statement online Sunday night urging parents to go alone to pick up their family members and to maintain recommended distance apart from them and for the missionaries go into 14 days of self isolation .
Regional church leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents to take only one vehicle to the airport and stay in their cars until their sons or daughters , said church spokesman Daniel Woodruff .
There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus among the missionaries who were serving , Woodruff said , declining to comment on the criticism from Romney and the other political leaders .
It is tradition in Utah for large groups of family and friends to squeeze into the arrivals greeting area at Salt Lake City airport ’ s to welcome home missionaries from with signs , screams and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religions are being forced to alter customs amid the spread of the coronavirus .
The proselytizing missions are an integral part of the religion and considered rites of passages for young members of the faith .
Men serve two years while women serve 18 months .
There were about 65,000 people serving missions before the coronavirus pandemic started .
The church has said it does not plan to suspend its missionary program , but hasn ’ t said when future missionaries will leave or where they will go .

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney and Utah state leaders on Monday criticized as irresponsible a weekend gathering of hundreds at a Salt Lake City airport parking garage to welcome home 900 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionaries returning from the Philippines.
The people who showed up Sunday evening, some hugging arriving loved ones, should have heeded warnings to keep their distance to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, said Romney, Utah’s governor and lieutenant governor and the church itself.
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Airport officials had asked for only one or two family members of each returning missionary to come and said the guidance for people to stay in their cars wasn’t followed by many people, said airport spokeswoman Nancy Volmer.
Video and photos of the event showed many inside the parking garage standing shoulder to shoulder instead of at the recommended “social distancing” measure of 6 feet (1 meter) apart. The faith had told its members that only parents of the mostly young adult missionaries should show up at the airport.
“This is irresponsible,” Sen. Mitt Romney wrote on Facebook. “Parents, please pick up your missionary from the airprt alone and help them strictly follow self-quarantine procedures for their first 14 days at home. We need to work together to keep our communities safe.”
For most people, coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.
Advertisement
The missionaries who arrived at the airport were returning early on chartered flights from missions that last up to two years. Thousands more missionaries are expected to return from abroad in the coming days and weeks after the Utah-based faith said Friday it was bringing home an unspecified but “substantial” number of missionaries.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert called the event “dangerous” in a tweet and Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox said he was “Really disappointed in the behavior we saw from missionary families at the SLC airport tonight.”
“I get it, I’ve been there (and still have a child serving), but this is unacceptable. In a time of shared sacrifice, we must do better to save lives,” said Cox, who is a member of the faith widely known as the Mormon church, as are Romney and Hebert.
The church posted a statement online Sunday night urging parents to go alone to pick up their family members and to maintain recommended distance apart from them and for the missionaries go into 14 days of self isolation.
Regional church leaders had been told on Saturday to tell parents to take only one vehicle to the airport and stay in their cars until their sons or daughters, said church spokesman Daniel Woodruff. There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus among the missionaries who were serving, Woodruff said, declining to comment on the criticism from Romney and the other political leaders.
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It is tradition in Utah for large groups of family and friends to squeeze into the arrivals greeting area at Salt Lake City airport’s to welcome home missionaries from with signs, screams and balloons — and the event illustrated how religions are being forced to alter customs amid the spread of the coronavirus.
The proselytizing missions are an integral part of the religion and considered rites of passages for young members of the faith. Men serve two years while women serve 18 months. There were about 65,000 people serving missions before the coronavirus pandemic started.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--House Democrats Add Climate Rules To Stimulus Bill But Fall Short Of Progressive Calls

House Democrats directed new funding to science agencies and outlined strict new rules to cut airlines ’ climate-changing pollution in a draft of a sweeping federal stimulus bill to blunt the economic trauma of the novel coronavirus pandemic .
The bill , a draft of which HuffPost obtained , aims to defibrillate the economy , fund new research and provide a lifeline to households struggling amid the tsunami of job cuts that followed calls by public officials to shut down most businesses as health workers scramble to contain the pandemic .
The legislation , unveiled Monday afternoon , offers a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 trillion bill .
Senate Democrats blocked a procedural vote on the bill for a second time on Monday over its giveaways to big business , lack of climate provisions and concerns it would create a $ 500 billion fund that could be doled out to companies in secret and at the discretion of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
The House bill ’ s climate measures focus primarily on the airline industry , which requested $ 50 billion to avert a total collapse amid a steep drop in air travel .
The bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million per year from 2021 to 2026 to fund grants to boost lower-carbon jet fuels , and earmarks another $ 100 million per year during the same period for the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out its own research into such fuels .
Airlines produce roughly 3 % of global emissions today .
But that percentage is forecast to triple by 2050 .
Over the past decade , airlines cut spending on researching more sustainable fuels and improved fuel efficiency three times slower than air travel ticked up .
The Trump administration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on reviving the super-polluting turbojet industry , even as Canada and European countries invested heavily in electric aviation .
If passed , the bill would direct the FAA to require every airline to fully offset emissions ― a policy requiring companies to pay for renewable energy or tree-planting to balance out pollution ― for all domestic flights by 2025 .
It would also order the FAA to enact regulations forcing domestic carriers to cut emissions 25 % below 2019 levels by 2035 , a figure that climbs to 50 % by 2050 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon dioxide emissions linked to each flight by 2023 .
The provisions are in line with what Sara Nelson , the powerful leader of the Association of Flight Attendants ( AFA-CWA ) union , told HuffPost on Friday that she supported .
Her union was among the first in the country to endorse the Green New Deal , a framework for a sweeping industrial policy to cut emissions and transition fossil fuel workers to new careers .
The bill also includes measures to maintain electricity , heating and water service throughout the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to better provide telemedicine .
The provisions won praise from environmentalists on Monday .
However , the legislation falls well short of the demands progressive climate wonks ― some of whom some recently advised the Democratic presidential campaigns of Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren and Jay Inslee ― set out in a lengthy letter on Monday morning .
That proposal ― endorsed by Gina McCarthy , the former Environmental Protection Agency administrator who oversaw the Obama administration ’ s biggest climate regulations , and Henk Ovink , the Dutch special envoy on water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bailouts for public transit systems , the phaseout of all fracking and offshore oil drilling and funding to rebuild and electrify the nation ’ s ports .
“ Most of the physical work proposed here can not begin immediately .
We must focus on halting the spread of deadly illness , ” reads the letter , published Monday morning on Medium .
“ However , we can do all the preparatory work now to make green projects ‘ shovel ready.
’ ” Still , it ’ s unclear how much conservatives in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional climate provisions passed in the House .
In a fiery speech on the Senate floor Monday afternoon , Sen. Joe Manchin ( D-W.V . )
called on the Republican majority to negotiate in good faith on corporate giveaways but criticized his fellow Democrats for including climate rules .

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House Democrats directed new funding to science agencies and outlined strict new rules to cut airlines’ climate-changing pollution in a draft of a sweeping federal stimulus bill to blunt the economic trauma of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The bill, a draft of which HuffPost obtained, aims to defibrillate the economy, fund new research and provide a lifeline to households struggling amid the tsunami of job cuts that followed calls by public officials to shut down most businesses as health workers scramble to contain the pandemic.
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The legislation, unveiled Monday afternoon, offers a counter to Senate Republicans’ own $2 trillion bill. Senate Democrats blocked a procedural vote on the bill for a second time on Monday over its giveaways to big business, lack of climate provisions and concerns it would create a $500 billion fund that could be doled out to companies in secret and at the discretion of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
The House bill’s climate measures focus primarily on the airline industry, which requested $50 billion to avert a total collapse amid a steep drop in air travel. The bill gives the Department of Transportation $200 million per year from 2021 to 2026 to fund grants to boost lower-carbon jet fuels, and earmarks another $100 million per year during the same period for the Federal Aviation Administration to carry out its own research into such fuels.
Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the United States House of Representatives, during the Speaker's luncheon on Capitol Hill. Niall Carson - PA Images via Getty Images
Airlines produce roughly 3% of global emissions today. But that percentage is forecast to triple by 2050. Over the past decade, airlines cut spending on researching more sustainable fuels and improved fuel efficiency three times slower than air travel ticked up. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has focused federal research efforts on reviving the super-polluting turbojet industry, even as Canada and European countries invested heavily in electric aviation.
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If passed, the bill would direct the FAA to require every airline to fully offset emissions ― a policy requiring companies to pay for renewable energy or tree-planting to balance out pollution ― for all domestic flights by 2025. It would also order the FAA to enact regulations forcing domestic carriers to cut emissions 25% below 2019 levels by 2035, a figure that climbs to 50% by 2050, and mandating airlines release data on the carbon dioxide emissions linked to each flight by 2023.
The bill allots $1.5 million for the Transportation Department and the National Academy of Sciences to study ways to cut emissions from the aerospace sector.
The provisions are in line with what Sara Nelson, the powerful leader of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) union, told HuffPost on Friday that she supported. Her union was among the first in the country to endorse the Green New Deal, a framework for a sweeping industrial policy to cut emissions and transition fossil fuel workers to new careers.
The bill also includes measures to maintain electricity, heating and water service throughout the pandemic and earmarks millions to improve broadband access to better provide telemedicine. The provisions won praise from environmentalists on Monday.
However, the legislation falls well short of the demands progressive climate wonks ― some of whom some recently advised the Democratic presidential campaigns of Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Jay Inslee ― set out in a lengthy letter on Monday morning.
Advertisement
That proposal ― endorsed by Gina McCarthy, the former Environmental Protection Agency administrator who oversaw the Obama administration’s biggest climate regulations, and Henk Ovink, the Dutch special envoy on water issues to the United Nations ― sought bailouts for public transit systems, the phaseout of all fracking and offshore oil drilling and funding to rebuild and electrify the nation’s ports.
“Most of the physical work proposed here cannot begin immediately. We must focus on halting the spread of deadly illness,” reads the letter, published Monday morning on Medium. “However, we can do all the preparatory work now to make green projects ‘shovel ready.’”
Still, it’s unclear how much conservatives in the Senate would agree to, even if additional climate provisions passed in the House. In a fiery speech on the Senate floor Monday afternoon, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) called on the Republican majority to negotiate in good faith on corporate giveaways but criticized his fellow Democrats for including climate rules.
“I am not for the green deal,” he said. “Who’s throwing that stuff in? I have no idea. I wouldn’t vote for it.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--GOP Senate Candidate Claims Coronavirus Likely 'Created In A Lab' By China

“ It ’ s China ’ s fault , ” Bolduc said Tuesday during an interview with “ Gun Shop Guys , ” a local New Hampshire podcast .
“ They started this shit and they weren ’ t transparent about it .
And they probably created it in a lab .
And now we ’ re stuck with it .
And the whole world is stuck with it.
” Bolduc that day also retweeted Twitter user @ AngelWarrior321 , an anonymous , pro-Trump account that has shared sexist , racist and Islamophobic content targeting Democrats .
The tweet claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to kill us ” but to also “ destabilize the West ’ s economy ” because “ China wants to rule the world.
” Bolduc reiterated his lab theory in a phone interview with HuffPost on Monday .
He said he ’ s not a scientist , but he has a hunch that is based on his military experience as well as reports that are available to the public .
“ I would not take off the table the possibility of it being a lab-created virus that was either accidentally leaked due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or at worst ― at worst ― intentionally released to see what the effects would be and it just got out of control.
” He later added : “ I am not on the fence about it .
I ’ m pretty much convinced in my own mind based off of the way China has reacted inside of China and outside of China that this was created in a lab and they ’ re trying to cover their tracks.
” But the claim that China engineered the virus in a lab has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus suggests it is natural and was likely transmitted from a bat , possibly via another animal , to humans .
Bolduc told HuffPost he ’ s seen reports from scientists debunking the lab claim but said he ’ s also read “ the same number of reports coming from inside China and other places that say the opposite.
” Asked to specify which reports Bolduc was referring to , McElveen sent HuffPost two links : one to a thinly sourced Asia Times report and another to an entry on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have read those reports and not being a scientist and a biochemist and all these people involved in this stuff , I certainly read them and I look at them and I say to myself , ‘ OK , these are experts and this is great , ’ ” Bolduc told HuffPost .
“ I ’ m also reading the same number of reports coming from inside China and other places that say the opposite , ” he continued .
“ This could be something that came from animals inside a lab , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from them.
” “ I do not discuss science , ” he added .
“ I am not an expert .
And I hope that they ’ re right .
However ... we have to leave all options on the table to include the analysis of the experts who say no .
I get it .
I ’ m not a knucklehead.
” “ I don ’ t take this lightly , ” Bolduc told HuffPost .
“ I ’ m trying to be responsible about it .
I ’ m not trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t exist .
But I firmly believe that this option should be on the table just like every other option is on the table .
”

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A Republican running for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire has repeatedly claimed China likely created the novel coronavirus in a laboratory ― a theory widely rejected by scientists and also pushed by pro-Kremlin voices seeking to sow discord.
Donald Bolduc, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general and the former commander of American Special Operations Forces in Africa, is running to unseat Democratic incumbent Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in November.
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Like Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who endorsed him in January, Bolduc has been telling reporters that he believes the virus was potentially engineered in a Chinese lab as a biological warfare experiment.
“It’s China’s fault,” Bolduc said Tuesday during an interview with “Gun Shop Guys,” a local New Hampshire podcast. “They started this shit and they weren’t transparent about it. And they probably created it in a lab. And now we’re stuck with it. And the whole world is stuck with it.”
He expanded on his theory during an interview with WMUR on Thursday, claiming the virus was an attempt at population control that was designed to have “a fatal effect on our older generation.”
“China created this worldwide epidemic,” he told WMUR. The virus was “probably a biological program they put together and it got beyond their ability to contain.”
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Bolduc that day also retweeted Twitter user @AngelWarrior321, an anonymous, pro-Trump account that has shared sexist, racist and Islamophobic content targeting Democrats. The tweet claimed the virus was “not designed just to kill us” but to also “destabilize the West’s economy” because “China wants to rule the world.”
Twitter
Asked about the retweet Monday, Josh McElveen, senior adviser to Bolduc’s campaign, told HuffPost the tweet was shared in error and would be removed.
“As much as we’d like to have a zero defect environment, an unintended retweet occurred during an audit of social media accounts,” McElveen said in a statement.
Bolduc reiterated his lab theory in a phone interview with HuffPost on Monday. He said he’s not a scientist, but he has a hunch that is based on his military experience as well as reports that are available to the public.
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“I would not take off the table the possibility of it being a lab-created virus that was either accidentally leaked due to carelessness,” Bolduc said, “or at worst ― at worst ― intentionally released to see what the effects would be and it just got out of control.”
He later added: “I am not on the fence about it. I’m pretty much convinced in my own mind based off of the way China has reacted inside of China and outside of China that this was created in a lab and they’re trying to cover their tracks.”
He said the U.S. should hold the Chinese government accountable “economically” and “politically” once the virus is under control and if it’s determined it came from a lab.
Both Cotton and Bolduc have noted that the place where the virus was first detected, the Chinese city of Wuhan, is home to the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Wuhan National Biosafety Laboratory, which researches dangerous pathogens.
But the claim that China engineered the virus in a lab has been dismissed by scientists. The genome sequence of the virus suggests it is natural and was likely transmitted from a bat, possibly via another animal, to humans.
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“There’s absolutely nothing in the genome sequence of this virus that indicates the virus was engineered,” Richard Ebright, a professor of chemical biology at Rutgers University, told The Washington Post. “The possibility this was a deliberately released bioweapon can be firmly excluded.”
Vipin Narang, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told the Post that there’s no evidence that a lab accident caused the general population to be exposed to the virus, calling the scenario “highly unlikely.”
Bolduc told HuffPost he’s seen reports from scientists debunking the lab claim but said he’s also read “the same number of reports coming from inside China and other places that say the opposite.” Asked to specify which reports Bolduc was referring to, McElveen sent HuffPost two links: one to a thinly sourced Asia Times report and another to an entry on the right-wing blog American Thinker.
“I have read those reports and not being a scientist and a biochemist and all these people involved in this stuff, I certainly read them and I look at them and I say to myself, ‘OK, these are experts and this is great,’” Bolduc told HuffPost.
“I’m also reading the same number of reports coming from inside China and other places that say the opposite,” he continued. “This could be something that came from animals inside a lab, in my opinion, that got away from them.”
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“I do not discuss science,” he added. “I am not an expert. And I hope that they’re right. However ... we have to leave all options on the table to include the analysis of the experts who say no. I get it. I’m not a knucklehead.”
Bolduc, Cotton and conservative bloggers aren’t the only people accusing the Chinese government of either intentionally or unintentionally exposing the general population to the virus.
The European Union External Action Service’s East StratCom, a task force that monitors Russia’s ongoing disinformation campaigns, reported last week that pro-Kremlin trolls were pushing the same theory to “sow distrust and division.”
The group said the Russian government wasn’t authoring fake news articles, but was amplifying the false theories peddled by other organizations, including American far-right groups, reported Politico.
Asked if he’s concerned that his lab theory echoed Russian disinformation efforts, Bolduc said his views have “nothing to do with those reports.”
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“I don’t take this lightly,” Bolduc told HuffPost. “I’m trying to be responsible about it. I’m not trying to create an issue where one doesn’t exist. But I firmly believe that this option should be on the table just like every other option is on the table.”
“If it is something that was irresponsibly released due to something developed in a lab, great. If it’s not, great,” he added. “Let’s just know where it came from so we can contain it.”
Bolduc has said he has the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which has not yet officially endorsed a candidate in the New Hampshire primary race. The NRSC did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--These Secular Groups Are Bringing People Together During A Pandemic

For decades , members of the New York Society for Ethical Culture , one of America ’ s oldest secular congregations , have gathered on Sundays for a lecture they call Platforms .
These meetings began in the late 1800s as a radical alternative to the weekly gatherings of traditional faith groups , giving attendees a chance to listen to music and speeches about social justice issues and philosophy ― without any of the God talk .
In Minneapolis , HumanistMN ’ s support group for secular folk grappling with grief and loss is planning to forge ahead online .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black skeptics has set up an emergency assistance fund for secular people of color and their families who are experiencing homelessness , joblessness , health disparities and educational disruption .
And Houston Oasis , part of the Oasis network of secular communities across the U.S. , is setting up a volunteer support network to run errands for people in their community who are immunocompromised and unable to go to the store .
The idea of a non-theist “ congregation ” is counterintuitive and even controversial to some secular Americans , who by definition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dependence on authority .
Instead of joining an atheist “ church ” , some are perfectly content to live out their values by joining other sorts of civic associations — rallying for marginalized workers , for example , or getting involved in climate activism .
Still , some groups have been experimenting with creating in-person secular communities , like those the Ethical Culture movement have built over the decades .
These communities reject the doctrine and deity found in houses of worship , but leave intact the opportunity to meet new people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s big questions .
At Houston Oasis , between 80 and 100 people gather every week for Sunday meetings featuring live music and talks “ grounded in reason , ” followed by coffee and conversation , Potaman said .
In light of COVID-19 , these meetings are moving online .
It will be a significant adjustment for the 8-year-old community , she said .
Despite the rapid growth of America ’ s religiously unaffiliated ― people who say they are atheist , agnostic , or “ nothing in particular ” ― this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About 23 % of all American adults are religiously unaffiliated , but only 0.2 % of Congress members share that identity .
Studies have shown that Americans tend to view atheists negatively , more than they do toward members of most major religious groups .
Matthew Hemenway , president of the Austin Humanist Community , said that humanists and the nonreligious “ often face stigma and need support.
” He said that community has always been a big part , if not the central focus , of his group .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this community during this global crisis is the reminder that in spite of physical social distancing , we are not alone , ” he said .
“ Even if we ’ re not meeting in person , our members always have a place where they can stay connected with trusted friends and seek solace from the frenzy we ’ re seeing in many corners of the world.
” The San Diego chapter has canceled its Sunday assembly and other small group activities for the next month , board member Lynn Warner told HuffPost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an online discussion group for members , whom she calls “ assemblers , ” to explore articles about the long-term impacts of the pandemic .
She also shared stories of assemblers stepping in to help others in their community ― dropping off groceries for an assembler who is ill and paying utilities for another assembler who is unemployed because of the virus .

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For decades, members of the New York Society for Ethical Culture, one of America’s oldest secular congregations, have gathered on Sundays for a lecture they call Platforms. These meetings began in the late 1800s as a radical alternative to the weekly gatherings of traditional faith groups, giving attendees a chance to listen to music and speeches about social justice issues and philosophy ― without any of the God talk.
This week, in light of New York City’s drastic new efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the 144-year-old humanist society is trying things it has never done before.
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The society is putting together daily virtual classes for members ― guided meditations, poetry sessions, chair yoga. And for the very first time, they live-streamed their Sunday Platform.
Losing a physical community has created a real feeling of loss for members, many of whom are at the age of “retirement or plus,” president Liz Singer told HuffPost. This meant that the society had to quickly learn new ways of gathering.
“We must do this live and we must have interaction,” Singer said about their new initiatives. “Being a humanist does require another human to be connected to.”
A gathering of the New York Society for Ethical Culture at its meeting house on Central Park West, in New York City, before social distancing measures were in place. The New York Society for Ethical Culture
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American houses of worship have taken unprecedented steps to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus ― adjusting religious requirements and moving services online. Secular organizations like Singer’s are also seeking ways to preserve a sense of community as social distancing becomes the new norm.
In Minneapolis, HumanistMN’s support group for secular folk grappling with grief and loss is planning to forge ahead online. In Los Angeles, a group of Black skeptics has set up an emergency assistance fund for secular people of color and their families who are experiencing homelessness, joblessness, health disparities and educational disruption. And Houston Oasis, part of the Oasis network of secular communities across the U.S., is setting up a volunteer support network to run errands for people in their community who are immunocompromised and unable to go to the store.
“Even though we have been forced to suspend in-person meetings, people are calling to check in on each other, and text message groups are going strong,” according to Houston Oasis president Alexis Potaman.
The idea of a non-theist “congregation” is counterintuitive and even controversial to some secular Americans, who by definition tend to shy away from dogma and dependence on authority. Instead of joining an atheist “church”, some are perfectly content to live out their values by joining other sorts of civic associations — rallying for marginalized workers, for example, or getting involved in climate activism.
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Still, some groups have been experimenting with creating in-person secular communities, like those the Ethical Culture movement have built over the decades. These communities reject the doctrine and deity found in houses of worship, but leave intact the opportunity to meet new people, volunteer together, and talk about life’s big questions.
At Houston Oasis, between 80 and 100 people gather every week for Sunday meetings featuring live music and talks “grounded in reason,” followed by coffee and conversation, Potaman said. In light of COVID-19, these meetings are moving online. It will be a significant adjustment for the 8-year-old community, she said.
“Most secular Americans find value in community,” she said. “In my experience, in places where religion is prominent, secular communities have an even greater importance.”
Despite the rapid growth of America’s religiously unaffiliated ― people who say they are atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular” ― this group is still vastly underrepresented in Congress. About 23% of all American adults are religiously unaffiliated, but only 0.2% of Congress members share that identity. Studies have shown that Americans tend to view atheists negatively, more than they do toward members of most major religious groups.
People gather at the Austin Humanist Community in Texas. Maxine Heimlich-McQuarters / Austin Humanist Community
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Matthew Hemenway, president of the Austin Humanist Community, said that humanists and the nonreligious “often face stigma and need support.” He said that community has always been a big part, if not the central focus, of his group.
“The most rewarding part of being part of this community during this global crisis is the reminder that in spite of physical social distancing, we are not alone,” he said. “Even if we’re not meeting in person, our members always have a place where they can stay connected with trusted friends and seek solace from the frenzy we’re seeing in many corners of the world.”
Sunday Assembly, a London-based group, is another network creating communities for secular people. The London assembly has organized community clubs around various hobbies, but its biggest event is a weekly gathering featuring a sing-along to pop and rock songs and talks from guest speakers, followed by tea and cake.
Those Sunday meetings have been canceled for the foreseeable future in London with the intent of finding new ways to gather ― and the group’s U.S. chapters are following suit.
The San Diego chapter has canceled its Sunday assembly and other small group activities for the next month, board member Lynn Warner told HuffPost. Warner said she’s creating an online discussion group for members, whom she calls “assemblers,” to explore articles about the long-term impacts of the pandemic. She also shared stories of assemblers stepping in to help others in their community ― dropping off groceries for an assembler who is ill and paying utilities for another assembler who is unemployed because of the virus.
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A mindfulness meditation group created by Atlanta’s Sunday Assembly met online Tuesday through a video conference call, according to its president, Ross Llewallyn. The group discussed their intentions with each other, completed a meditation session, then shared their takeaways.
Sunday Assembly Atlanta is a secular congregation in Georgia. Like other chapters of the network, the assembly's motto is "live better, help often and wonder more." Sunday Assembly Atlanta
Secular Americans have long used the internet as a meeting point, Llewallyn said. It took years of effort to get this group to form physical communities, he said.
“The [secular community] as a category are a very online group,” Llewallyn said. “Sunday Assembly and other groups like Oasis, ethical societies, they are the counterpoint saying, ’Why don’t we actually get together and build that physical community, sing songs together, hear speakers, do a book club, volunteer?’”
“Now we’re having to go back almost a decade, to where a lot of us came from,” he added about retuning to the internet. “There’s a lot of whiplash, but it’s fair to say a lot of the value we’ve found is from that in-person stuff.”
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In the coming weeks, Llewallyn said he’ll be in touch with leaders at other American Sunday Assemblies to see what tactics for going online work best.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Former Staffers Sue Bloomberg Campaign After Layoffs

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg , who ended his presidential run earlier this month , has reneged on a promise to pay campaign staff members through November , according to a lawsuit filed Monday .
Bloomberg “ promised thousands of loyal , hardworking staffers that they would have a job in both the primary and general elections , and the opportunity to work to fight and defeat Donald Trump in November , ” according to the class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York .
Bloomberg laid off all of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reversed on a plan to launch an independent political group to help defeat President Donald Trump in November , instead transferring $ 18 million from his presidential campaign committee to the Democratic National Committee .
Several former staffers say in the lawsuit that the campaign had promised to pay their salaries — which were famously very high — through November .
“ [ The Bloomberg campaign ] promised salaries nearly double that of other campaigns , ” the lawsuit alleges .
“ And they pledged to keep this promise regardless of whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Bloomberg campaign staffer , whose roles included hiring manager , previously told HuffPost the campaign advised him to tell potential hires that they were guaranteed to have a job through November .
“ The job guarantee was one of the things we were encouraged to emphasize to everyone , but especially to any wavering candidates : ‘ As long as you ’ re willing to move , you have a guaranteed job through November , ’ ” the staffer said .
Lawyers for the former staffers allege people took that promise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work for the campaign .
A spokesperson for the Bloomberg campaign said Monday in a statement that some former staffers had taken jobs with the DNC , and that former staff would continue to have health care coverage through April .
“ Given the current crisis , a fund is being created to ensure that all staff receive healthcare through April , which no other campaign has done , ” the statement said .
“ And many field staff will go on to work for the DNC in battleground states , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monetary transfer to the DNC from a Presidential campaign in history to support the DNC ’ s organizing efforts.
” In a statement to HuffPost , the lawyers representing the plaintiffs said their clients are potentially subject to confidentiality and nondisparagement agreements with the Bloomberg campaign , which would prevent the former staffers from speaking openly about their grievances .
“ We respectfully request that the Bloomberg campaign release our clients and the other field staffers from that agreement , even though it may not be enforceable , ” the lawyers said .

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Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who ended his presidential run earlier this month, has reneged on a promise to pay campaign staff members through November, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.
Bloomberg “promised thousands of loyal, hardworking staffers that they would have a job in both the primary and general elections, and the opportunity to work to fight and defeat Donald Trump in November,” according to the class-action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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Bloomberg laid off all of his remaining campaign staff last week. He also reversed on a plan to launch an independent political group to help defeat President Donald Trump in November, instead transferring $18 million from his presidential campaign committee to the Democratic National Committee.
Several former staffers say in the lawsuit that the campaign had promised to pay their salaries — which were famously very high — through November.
“[The Bloomberg campaign] promised salaries nearly double that of other campaigns,” the lawsuit alleges. “And they pledged to keep this promise regardless of whether Bloomberg won the Democratic nomination.”
One former Bloomberg campaign staffer, whose roles included hiring manager, previously told HuffPost the campaign advised him to tell potential hires that they were guaranteed to have a job through November.
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“The job guarantee was one of the things we were encouraged to emphasize to everyone, but especially to any wavering candidates: ‘As long as you’re willing to move, you have a guaranteed job through November,’” the staffer said.
Lawyers for the former staffers allege people took that promise to heart and “uprooted their lives” to work for the campaign.
“They moved to other cities,” the lawsuit says. “They gave up school, jobs, and job opportunities.”
A spokesperson for the Bloomberg campaign said Monday in a statement that some former staffers had taken jobs with the DNC, and that former staff would continue to have health care coverage through April.
“Given the current crisis, a fund is being created to ensure that all staff receive healthcare through April, which no other campaign has done,” the statement said. “And many field staff will go on to work for the DNC in battleground states, in part because the campaign made the largest monetary transfer to the DNC from a Presidential campaign in history to support the DNC’s organizing efforts.”
In a statement to HuffPost, the lawyers representing the plaintiffs said their clients are potentially subject to confidentiality and nondisparagement agreements with the Bloomberg campaign, which would prevent the former staffers from speaking openly about their grievances.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Texas Moves To Ban Most Abortions As Coronavirus Spreads

“ No one is exempt from the governor ’ s executive order on medically unnecessary surgeries and procedures , including @ @ @ @ @ said in a press release .
“ Those who violate the governor ’ s order @ @ @ @ @ full force of the law.
” Failure to comply with the order may result in @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 or 180 days of jail time .

“No one is exempt from the governor’s executive order on medically unnecessary surgeries and procedures, including abortion providers,” Paxton said in a press release. “Those who violate the governor’s order will be met with the full force of the law.”
Failure to comply with the order may result in penalties of up to $1,000 or 180 days of jail time.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-03-23--Criticized For His Coronavirus Response, Trump Returns To The 'Blame Obama' Standby

Tom Brenner / Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks beside HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield during a tour of the Center for Disease Control ( CDC ) following a COVID-19 coronavirus briefing in Atlanta , Georgia , March 6 , 2020 .
“ We inherited a broken , obsolete system , ” Trump said Sunday , the third straight White House briefing in which he has blamed his administration ’ s slow response to the coronavirus pandemic on Obama , even though Trump has been in office now a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We took over an obsolete , broken testing system that wouldn ’ t have worked for even a small problem , let alone one of the biggest pandemics in history , ” Trump said Saturday , a day after claiming : “ We inherited a broken , old — frankly , a terrible system.
” It is unclear what “ system ” Trump was referring to .
His administration ’ s failure to aggressively ramp up coronavirus testing in early February and prepare hospitals for a surge of critical respiratory cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own attempts to downplay the virus to avoid hurting the stock market and , in turn , his own reelection .
Trump ’ s blame of Obama comes even as Trump ignored warnings from his own Department of Health and Human Services last October that a pandemic would overwhelm the country ’ s ability to deal with it , as well as a similar briefing prepared by the outgoing Obama administration in January 2017 .
More recently , Trump ignored intelligence community reports this January and February that the virus was spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government was letting on , The Washington Post reported .
“ Donald Trump disregarded warnings from his top medical and intelligence experts about this outbreak for months , while lying to the American people about the overwhelming threat we faced , ” said Andrew Bates , a spokesman for likely Democratic nominee Joe Biden , who served as Obama ’ s vice president .
“ This is a historic failure of leadership that every American is paying for.
” Trump in 2018 also dismantled the pandemic response team Obama created three years earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That had been led at the National Security Council level within the White House , and eliminating that structure hurt the administration ’ s ability to respond to the new virus quickly , wrote Beth Cameron , who ran the office .
“ He wants to blame everybody but himself , ” said Norman Ornstein , a scholar with the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute .
“ But we know that every action he took , including disbanding the pandemic unit , was to do the opposite of what Obama did.
” Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama for his handling of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic , falsely claiming that Obama ignored that problem .
On Sunday , he said that was the reason he has not tried to contact Obama for advice with the coronavirus pandemic .
Reaching out to predecessors had been a common practice among modern presidents , but not for Trump , who frequently claims that he is smarter than those who came before him .
Attacking the nation ’ s first Black president raised Trump ’ s profile in the Republican Party a decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent “ birther ” to spread the lie that Obama had not been born in the United States and therefore was an illegitimate president .
Trump claimed he had sent investigators to Hawaii to look into Obama ’ s birth certificate and that “ they can not believe what they ’ re finding.
” None of that was true , but his enthusiastic support for the conspiracy theory helped make him an early favorite in the 2016 Republican primaries .
Attacking Obama was a common theme among candidates in that race .
Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by promising to “ repeal every word of Obamacare ” and rip the Iranian nuclear deal “ to shreds ” on his first day in office .
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio even suggested that Obama ’ s policies were not merely misguided , but intentionally designed to hurt America .
Since taking office , Trump has continued to call Obama ’ s presidency a failure , even as he has taken credit for his accomplishments .
Trump has repeatedly claimed that he got the VA Choice Act passed into law to give veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if wait times at VA clinics grew too long .
In fact , Obama signed that into law in 2014 .
More broadly , Trump had called the economy during his term the best in history , even though Obama oversaw the creation of 1.5 million more jobs in his last three years than Trump had in his first three and the GDP growth rates have been roughly the same .
“ Yes , in his album of greatest hits , going after Barack Hussein Obama is his single greatest hit , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former conservative talk radio host , himself used racial and ethnic slurs against Obama , for which he has since apologized .
“ No other dog whistle , outside of going after brown people coming across the border , will rile up his base more .
”

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WASHINGTON — After seven weeks of downplaying the threat of a looming pandemic, President Donald Trump has gone back to a favorite well: blaming his predecessor, Barack Obama.
“We inherited a broken, obsolete system,” Trump said Sunday, the third straight White House briefing in which he has blamed his administration’s slow response to the coronavirus pandemic on Obama, even though Trump has been in office now a full three years and two months.
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“We took over an obsolete, broken testing system that wouldn’t have worked for even a small problem, let alone one of the biggest pandemics in history,” Trump said Saturday, a day after claiming: “We inherited a broken, old — frankly, a terrible system.”
It is unclear what “system” Trump was referring to. His administration’s failure to aggressively ramp up coronavirus testing in early February and prepare hospitals for a surge of critical respiratory cases, experts said, was largely due to his own attempts to downplay the virus to avoid hurting the stock market and, in turn, his own reelection.
“His entire campaign this year will be to blame someone for what’s happening,” said Joe Walsh, a former Illinois congressman who unsuccessfully ran against Trump for the 2020 nomination. “The Chinese, Obama, the scientists and experts.”
President Donald Trump delivers remarks beside HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield during a tour of the CDC following a COVID-19 coronavirus briefing in Atlanta, Georgia, March 6, 2020. Tom Brenner / Reuters
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White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham did not respond to a HuffPost request for comment.
Trump’s blame of Obama comes even as Trump ignored warnings from his own Department of Health and Human Services last October that a pandemic would overwhelm the country’s ability to deal with it, as well as a similar briefing prepared by the outgoing Obama administration in January 2017. More recently, Trump ignored intelligence community reports this January and February that the virus was spreading far more rapidly in China than its government was letting on, The Washington Post reported.
“Donald Trump disregarded warnings from his top medical and intelligence experts about this outbreak for months, while lying to the American people about the overwhelming threat we faced,” said Andrew Bates, a spokesman for likely Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who served as Obama’s vice president. “This is a historic failure of leadership that every American is paying for.”
Trump in 2018 also dismantled the pandemic response team Obama created three years earlier following an Ebola outbreak in Africa. That had been led at the National Security Council level within the White House, and eliminating that structure hurt the administration’s ability to respond to the new virus quickly, wrote Beth Cameron, who ran the office.
“He wants to blame everybody but himself,” said Norman Ornstein, a scholar with the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute. “But we know that every action he took, including disbanding the pandemic unit, was to do the opposite of what Obama did.”
Trump has also repeatedly — and inaccurately — criticized Obama for his handling of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, falsely claiming that Obama ignored that problem. On Sunday, he said that was the reason he has not tried to contact Obama for advice with the coronavirus pandemic.
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Reaching out to predecessors had been a common practice among modern presidents, but not for Trump, who frequently claims that he is smarter than those who came before him.
Attacking the nation’s first Black president raised Trump’s profile in the Republican Party a decade ago, when he became the most prominent “birther” to spread the lie that Obama had not been born in the United States and therefore was an illegitimate president.
Trump claimed he had sent investigators to Hawaii to look into Obama’s birth certificate and that “they cannot believe what they’re finding.” None of that was true, but his enthusiastic support for the conspiracy theory helped make him an early favorite in the 2016 Republican primaries.
Attacking Obama was a common theme among candidates in that race. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz frequently rallied his audiences by promising to “repeal every word of Obamacare” and rip the Iranian nuclear deal “to shreds” on his first day in office. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio even suggested that Obama’s policies were not merely misguided, but intentionally designed to hurt America.
Trump, though, went far beyond anyone else, and would call Obama and his policies “stupid” and claimed that Obama was incompetent.
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Since taking office, Trump has continued to call Obama’s presidency a failure, even as he has taken credit for his accomplishments. Trump has repeatedly claimed that he got the VA Choice Act passed into law to give veterans the ability to see a private doctor if wait times at VA clinics grew too long. In fact, Obama signed that into law in 2014. More broadly, Trump had called the economy during his term the best in history, even though Obama oversaw the creation of 1.5 million more jobs in his last three years than Trump had in his first three and the GDP growth rates have been roughly the same.
And in recent campaign rallies, Trump had started calling Obama “Barack Hussein Obama” again — a huge applause line for his audiences and a touchstone back to the idea that Obama was somehow not really American.