thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Aging Teachers Ask Themselves, Do I Quit Or Risk My Life?

Galloway , who is 64 , has type II diabetes and is married to a breast cancer survivor , teaches sixth grade science in Jackson County , Florida .
Last week , the state ’ s education commissioner said that all schools would soon have to open five days a week , despite the state ’ s record-setting number of COVID-19 cases .
Galloway misses his students , but returning to the classroom suddenly feels like a gamble .
He is one of a number of aging or immunocompromised teachers around the country who might quit their jobs or retire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return full-time to the classroom this fall .
Nearly 20 % of private and public school teachers are over the age of 65 , an age group that is especially vulnerable to COVID-19 , according to the American Enterprise Institute .
Some teachers near or in this age range have to consider how long they can make their money last if they quit ; whether it ’ s worth it to leave a job over health concerns ; and the reality that quitting could jeopardize their access to health insurance .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers back in March , but now they want us to go over to the trenches like World War I , ” said Galloway , who is president of his local teacher ’ s union .
“ It ’ s been a fast fall from hero to cannon fodder.
” In Florida , other union leaders said they have been inundated with calls from scared members , some of whom are considering leaving their job in an effort to prioritize their health .
In national polls , about 20 % of teachers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school if it opens in the fall .
Galloway ’ s district did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether there will be any special accommodations offered to aging or vulnerable teachers .
The potential wave of retirements comes at a time when some schools are planning to lay off teachers and staff , as districts face potentially steep budget cuts .
Due to these cuts , teachers are skeptical that their schools will have the resources to put proper safety protocols in place .
Education groups have been lobbying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help .
While President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have been pressuring schools to fully reopen — something that many districts have already begun to reject — some teachers say they feel like casualties of a larger political agenda .
In June , the American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement encouraging policymakers to work on getting children back to school in the fall .
But after Trump began using their guidance as a centerpiece in his push for schools to reopen , the group emphasized that the decision is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political one .
“ Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence , not politics .
We should leave it to health experts to tell us when the time is best to open up school buildings , and listen to educators and administrators to shape how we do it , ” said a recent statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics , in conjunction with the American Federation of Teachers , the National Education Association and the School Superintendents Association .
The median age of teachers in Florida is between 45 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingram , president of the Florida Education Association .
While Ingram has seen some districts engaging in thoughtful conversations with teachers and parents about safety measures , he questions whether every district can afford all the precautions to make students and staff safe .
Schools will need to hire more school busses to accommodate socially distanced children ; find new ways to conduct music classes , because instruments potentially spread respiratory droplets ; figure out staffing for delivering food to classrooms , in lieu of using cafeterias .
Ingram ’ s teachers want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , but only if it ’ s safe .
Wendy Doromal , president of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association in Florida , said she knows of six teachers who have already quit and seven who have retired early .
Last week , about 200 teachers from her union showed up outside a district building to protest school reopenings from their cars .
Galloway isn ’ t sure what he ’ ll do , and he only has a few weeks left to decide .
He wants to teach , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funds to fully equip teachers with the proper PPE .
For now , he ’ s considering taking leave under the Family Medical Leave Act to postpone his return to the classroom .
Then he may just retire early and take the financial hit that comes with it .
His wife , who is younger than him and also a teacher , will still have to work .
In Jacksonville , Florida , engineering and design teacher Bill Hudson , 65 , is making similar calculations .
He feels healthy enough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has told him that returning to school would be a mistake .
Last week he watched his local school board discuss these considerations via teleconference , from the comfort of their own homes — an irony that wasn ’ t lost on him .
“ I have not resigned and don ’ t intend to , but it ’ s not safe for me to go into that building .
I ’ m waiting for another shoe to drop , ” Hudson said .
“ Do we really want to take on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one in five of our teachers just to get the economy rolling again ?
” While Hudson ponders what he will do when schools reopen , many of his colleagues don ’ t have the luxury of considering quitting , he said .
Some school staff members are on public assistance or have health conditions , and they need the money and the insurance .

Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/HuffPost; Photo: Getty
David Galloway became a teacher 13 years ago, after three decades working in other fields. He calls teaching a calling, but now he’s considering cutting his time in the classroom short.
Galloway, who is 64, has type II diabetes and is married to a breast cancer survivor, teaches sixth grade science in Jackson County, Florida. Last week, the state’s education commissioner said that all schools would soon have to open five days a week, despite the state’s record-setting number of COVID-19 cases. Galloway misses his students, but returning to the classroom suddenly feels like a gamble.
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“They never went over this stuff in teacher college,” said Galloway.
He is one of a number of aging or immunocompromised teachers around the country who might quit their jobs or retire early if they’re asked to return full-time to the classroom this fall. Nearly 20% of private and public school teachers are over the age of 65, an age group that is especially vulnerable to COVID-19, according to the American Enterprise Institute. Some teachers near or in this age range have to consider how long they can make their money last if they quit; whether it’s worth it to leave a job over health concerns; and the reality that quitting could jeopardize their access to health insurance.
“We’ve gone from being the heroic teachers back in March, but now they want us to go over to the trenches like World War I,” said Galloway, who is president of his local teacher’s union. “It’s been a fast fall from hero to cannon fodder.”
In Florida, other union leaders said they have been inundated with calls from scared members, some of whom are considering leaving their job in an effort to prioritize their health. In national polls, about 20% of teachers have said they may not return to their school if it opens in the fall. Galloway’s district did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether there will be any special accommodations offered to aging or vulnerable teachers.
The potential wave of retirements comes at a time when some schools are planning to lay off teachers and staff, as districts face potentially steep budget cuts. Due to these cuts, teachers are skeptical that their schools will have the resources to put proper safety protocols in place. Education groups have been lobbying for hundreds of billions of dollars in help. While President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have been pressuring schools to fully reopen — something that many districts have already begun to reject — some teachers say they feel like casualties of a larger political agenda.
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In June, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement encouraging policymakers to work on getting children back to school in the fall. But after Trump began using their guidance as a centerpiece in his push for schools to reopen, the group emphasized that the decision is a public health consideration, rather than a political one.
“Public health agencies must make recommendations based on evidence, not politics. We should leave it to health experts to tell us when the time is best to open up school buildings, and listen to educators and administrators to shape how we do it,” said a recent statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, in conjunction with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the School Superintendents Association.
The Cost Of Safety
The median age of teachers in Florida is between 45 and 48 years old, according to Fedrick Ingram, president of the Florida Education Association. While Ingram has seen some districts engaging in thoughtful conversations with teachers and parents about safety measures, he questions whether every district can afford all the precautions to make students and staff safe. Schools will need to hire more school busses to accommodate socially distanced children; find new ways to conduct music classes, because instruments potentially spread respiratory droplets; figure out staffing for delivering food to classrooms, in lieu of using cafeterias. Ingram’s teachers want to get back to school, he said, but only if it’s safe.
“People still want to work, but do people want to be on the frontlines of this pandemic?” he said. “Because that’s what they’re asking teachers.”
Wendy Doromal, president of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association in Florida, said she knows of six teachers who have already quit and seven who have retired early. Last week, about 200 teachers from her union showed up outside a district building to protest school reopenings from their cars.
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“I just had no idea before how many teachers had compromised health issues,” Doromal said. “We have 46 nurses for over 200 schools and we don’t think that’s safe.”
Galloway isn’t sure what he’ll do, and he only has a few weeks left to decide. He wants to teach, but he’s skeptical his district will have the funds to fully equip teachers with the proper PPE. For now, he’s considering taking leave under the Family Medical Leave Act to postpone his return to the classroom. Then he may just retire early and take the financial hit that comes with it. His wife, who is younger than him and also a teacher, will still have to work.
“It’s a no-win situation no matter what,” he said. “Do I want to stay alive and enjoy my retirement? Yeah, that’s kind of a goal.”
In Jacksonville, Florida, engineering and design teacher Bill Hudson, 65, is making similar calculations. He feels healthy enough, but his daughter, a doctor, has told him that returning to school would be a mistake. Last week he watched his local school board discuss these considerations via teleconference, from the comfort of their own homes — an irony that wasn’t lost on him.
“I have not resigned and don’t intend to, but it’s not safe for me to go into that building. I’m waiting for another shoe to drop,” Hudson said. “Do we really want to take on the devil’s bargain of sacrificing up to one in five of our teachers just to get the economy rolling again?”
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While Hudson ponders what he will do when schools reopen, many of his colleagues don’t have the luxury of considering quitting, he said. Some school staff members are on public assistance or have health conditions, and they need the money and the insurance.
In the same district, Chris Guerrieri, 51, has started pushing the district to give teachers the option to take a leave of absence. But even if leave is approved for some teachers, he wonders who will take their place. He has similar concerns about coverage for colleagues who end up getting sick and will have to spend several weeks quarantining. (Duval County Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Former CDC Heads: Trump Administration Risking Lives By Politicizing Science

As the debate last week around reopening schools more safely showed , these repeated efforts to subvert sound public health @ @ @ @ @ while unnecessarily putting lives at risk .
...
Despite the inevitable challenges of evolving science @ @ @ @ @ expectation of certainty , these are the people best positioned to help our country emerge @ @ @ @ @ as possible .
Unfortunately , their sound science is being challenged with partisan potshots , @ @ @ @ @ a time when the American people need leadership , expertise and clarity .
These efforts @ @ @ @ @ against public health officials across the country : Public servants have been harassed , threatened @ @ @ @ @ we need them most .
This is unconscionable and dangerous .

As the debate last week around reopening schools more safely showed, these repeated efforts to subvert sound public health guidelines introduce chaos and uncertainty while unnecessarily putting lives at risk. ...
Despite the inevitable challenges of evolving science and the public’s expectation of certainty, these are the people best positioned to help our country emerge from this crisis as safely as possible. Unfortunately, their sound science is being challenged with partisan potshots, sowing confusion and mistrust at a time when the American people need leadership, expertise and clarity. These efforts have even fueled a backlash against public health officials across the country: Public servants have been harassed, threatened and forced to resign when we need them most. This is unconscionable and dangerous.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Just When You Thought Ivanka Trump Couldn't Get More Out Of Touch

Perhaps you ’ re getting by on expanded unemployment insurance benefits , but stressed because the payments are scheduled to end this month ― and Congress shows little appetite to re-up .
Or maybe you ’ re weighing the health risks of returning to work .
Or you ’ re worried that when the eviction moratorium runs out this month , you might be homeless .
One such job is contact tracer , to deal with the worsening spread of the virus that has basically set our economy on fire .
Other jobs , like registered nurse , require a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull off in a pandemic when schools are shuttered and you might not have the resources to pay tuition .
Or when you need work to keep your health insurance and can ’ t simply go back to school .
Trump cooked up this plan through her role as co-chair of the White House ’ s American Workforce Policy Advisory Board , created by President Donald Trump in 2018 .
The board ’ s other co-chair is Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross , a multimillionaire who had his own “ let them eat cake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , when he expressed confusion over why workers who weren ’ t getting paid would need to use food pantries .
Put simply , the reason people don ’ t have jobs is that businesses shut their doors to help stop the spread of a virus .
Then some reopened .
Then , the virus got worse and businesses shuttered again .
Other businesses are firing people because they ’ re not selling enough stuff , since it ’ s a pandemic and Americans are wary of doing a lot of things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of work ― particularly women ― because their children are home all the time and they need to care for them .
They can ’ t train to work in elevator installation and repair right now ( one of the jobs on Ivanka ’ s list ) , because they can ’ t send their kids to day care or summer camp , and soon enough they ’ ll be home-schooling them .
Here ’ s the core problem with trying to solve a huge macroeconomic problem on a person-by-person basis : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense to try and learn a new skill to get work .
For example , a reporter who loses their job at a newspaper could find work in , say , digital content production .
Others could go back to school and become lawyers or nurses .
Someone who lost their job at a bar or restaurant can get work at an Amazon warehouse or grocery store , sure .
But on a national scale , the strategy is flawed because it doesn ’ t do anything about the actual number of jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learns new skills at the urging of Ross and Trump , you ’ ll simply have a bunch of unemployed workers with new skills .
And though the jobs on the list are growing , there certainly won ’ t be enough growth to absorb all the displaced workers out there .
Take wind turbine technicians .
That occupation is expected to see 57 % growth , according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .
But that only means an additional 3,800 new jobs between 2018 and 2028 .
Right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by making sure people keep getting unemployment insurance ― and by giving financial help to badly ailing state and local governments , which need the money because there is a huge public health emergency and they need to do things like safely reopen schools .

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Are you one of the millions of Americans who’ve lost their job during this unprecedented public health and economic crisis?
Maybe you’re one of the 5.4 million people who no longer has health insurance because you lost employer-provided health care.
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Perhaps you’re getting by on expanded unemployment insurance benefits, but stressed because the payments are scheduled to end this month ― and Congress shows little appetite to re-up. Or maybe you’re weighing the health risks of returning to work. Or you’re worried that when the eviction moratorium runs out this month, you might be homeless.
Maybe you’re one of the millions of families struggling to afford food for yourself and for your children?
Well: Have you considered becoming a wind turbine technician?
This is one of several career suggestions from the White House, along with aerospace engineering and operations technician, broadcast and sound engineering technician, computer support specialist, and contact tracer. At a moment of unprecedented economic crisis, with an unemployment rate of 11.1% because of a once-in-a-century pandemic, their latest idea is: Learn a new skill.
On Tuesday, Ivanka Trump ― the 38-year-old daughter of a wealthy man who has never once had to worry about finding the money to pay a bill ― proudly announced an ad campaign called “Find Something New,” which encourages people to get new jobs by learning new skills.
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If you visit FindSomethingNew.org, the website created for this effort, you will find a very short list of jobs that are actually growing right now, according to the Labor Department.
One such job is contact tracer, to deal with the worsening spread of the virus that has basically set our economy on fire. Other jobs, like registered nurse, require a serious investment in education ― hard to pull off in a pandemic when schools are shuttered and you might not have the resources to pay tuition. Or when you need work to keep your health insurance and can’t simply go back to school.
“We're in a moment of a moment of unprecedented economic crisis. The answer doesn’t lie in giving people information about community college programs.”
Trump cooked up this plan through her role as co-chair of the White House’s American Workforce Policy Advisory Board, created by President Donald Trump in 2018. The board’s other co-chair is Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, a multimillionaire who had his own “let them eat cake” moment during the federal shutdown last year, when he expressed confusion over why workers who weren’t getting paid would need to use food pantries.
A bunch of CEOs are on the advisory board, including Tim Cook of Apple and Doug McMillon of Walmart.
Even for this White House, this is a new level of chutzpah. Certainly it’s further evidence that Ivanka Trump profoundly does not understand women’s economic issues ― despite her Lady Boss rhetoric.
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It’s also maybe the most extreme example of a certain conservative line of economic thinking, which views all economic crises as problems to be solved at the individual level, rather than through policy. Just pull up those bootstraps, folks!
That’s never really worked out before. These people were arguing about “re-skilling” during the slow recovery from the Great Recession, too, said Heidi Shierholz, director of policy at the progressive Economic Policy Institute and a former chief economist for the U.S. Department of Labor.
In the end, she said, the unemployment rate fell to a historic low without a big “learn to code” revolution. (Some Democrats also go to the well on upskilling, though their rhetoric is usually paired with social programs.)
“Those claims were wrong back then,” Shierholz said. “It’s more blatantly wrong now.”
The argument is even more absurd in this moment because we are not seeing record unemployment due to a skills crisis. We’re in a public health emergency.
More than ever our #PledgetoAmericasWorkers is focused on helping Americans 🇺🇸 bolster skills to find new jobs + navigate career transitions.
Today we are launching the #FindSomethingNew ad campaign!https://t.co/gS1JL50lcU — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 14, 2020
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Put simply, the reason people don’t have jobs is that businesses shut their doors to help stop the spread of a virus. Then some reopened. Then, the virus got worse and businesses shuttered again. Other businesses are firing people because they’re not selling enough stuff, since it’s a pandemic and Americans are wary of doing a lot of things outside the home.
Other people are out of work ― particularly women ― because their children are home all the time and they need to care for them. They can’t train to work in elevator installation and repair right now (one of the jobs on Ivanka’s list), because they can’t send their kids to day care or summer camp, and soon enough they’ll be home-schooling them.
Millions of others are sick, and cannot work.
What’s most disheartening is that the campaign is coming from the White House, which actually has the power to help unemployed people on a widespread scale.
“This is just terrible economics. It’s absolutely offensive,” Shierholz said. “You have actual power to influence policy that could really make a difference in working people’s lives. To come up with this, which will not, is just a slap in the face.”
“It just shows such a lack of understanding about running a government,” she added.
The advisory board that Ivanka Trump sits on was created in 2018, when unemployment was low and a push to help people learn new skills made some sense. The Find Something New campaign was created by the Ad Council, a nonprofit that works on marketing campaigns for social issues.
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Here’s the core problem with trying to solve a huge macroeconomic problem on a person-by-person basis: At an individual level, it makes sense to try and learn a new skill to get work. For example, a reporter who loses their job at a newspaper could find work in, say, digital content production. Others could go back to school and become lawyers or nurses. Someone who lost their job at a bar or restaurant can get work at an Amazon warehouse or grocery store, sure.
But on a national scale, the strategy is flawed because it doesn’t do anything about the actual number of jobs available. If everyone goes out and learns new skills at the urging of Ross and Trump, you’ll simply have a bunch of unemployed workers with new skills.
All the new openings at Instacart and Uber Eats won’t employ all the out-of-work service workers in the U.S.
And though the jobs on the list are growing, there certainly won’t be enough growth to absorb all the displaced workers out there. Take wind turbine technicians. That occupation is expected to see 57% growth, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But that only means an additional 3,800 new jobs between 2018 and 2028.
President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka: not actually helpful. Evan Vucci/ASSOCIATED PRESS
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There aren’t enough jobs for the people who need them. Period. Re-skilling is sort of like playing musical chairs: People are racing to grab a job and sit down, and not everyone will get a seat.
What the government should be doing is encouraging demand ― making sure people have money, so they can spend it on stuff. The more stuff they buy, the more businesses will benefit, and thus jobs are created.
Right now, the government can encourage demand by making sure people keep getting unemployment insurance ― and by giving financial help to badly ailing state and local governments, which need the money because there is a huge public health emergency and they need to do things like safely reopen schools.
The answer doesn’t lie in giving people information about community college programs.
There is a kernel of reality somewhere in this Find Something New effort, however. If the pandemic goes on much longer, without any kind of real treatment or vaccine, it’s quite possible the U.S. economy will be very different for the long term.
The jobs in this new COVID economy might be different than before. Workers will need to adapt. There simply won’t be as many openings for bartenders, service workers, or retail workers who work in places most at risk for spreading the disease.
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Instead, we would need an army of contact tracers, and a huge influx of child care workers and teachers to handle a greatly revamped education system, retooled for a pandemic.
But the way to create those jobs is not going to come from the private sector, Shierholz points out. You could imagine a huge federal push to hire for this kind of work.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Trump Snaps 'So Are White People' When Asked Why Black People Are Killed By Cops

President Donald Trump took umbrage with a question a CBS News reporter asked about Black Lives Matter on Tuesday .
Reporter Catherine Herridge asked the president in an interview why he thought Black Americans were being shot by police officers .
“ So are white people .
So are white people .
What a terrible question to ask .
So are white people , ” Mr. Trump told CBS News .
“ More white people , by the way .
More white people.
” In interview with @ realDonaldTrump , @ CBS_Herridge asked the president why he thinks African Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement in this country .
His answer is revealing .
See more on @ cbseveningnews and @ cbsthismorning .
pic.twitter.com/6VQFpqB8AT — Ed O'Keefe ( @ edokeefe ) July 14 , 2020 A 2016 Washington Post story notes white people make up about 49 % of those who are killed by police officers , while Black Americans account for 24 % of those fatally shot and killed by the police .
However , since Black people make up just 13 % of the U.S. population , that means they are 2.5 times as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and killed by police officers .
MSNBC host Chris Hayes had some concerns over the president ’ s “ police kill white people too ” response .
It is true that police in the US also kill a lot of white people which is ... not really necessarily a super awesome debating point in the police ’ s favor ?
— Chris Hayes ( @ chrislhayes ) July 14 , 2020 Herridge then tried to get the president to understand why many people find the Confederate flag objectionable .
“ Well , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t view ― I know people that like the Confederate flag and they ’ re not thinking about slavery .
I look at NASCAR , ” he said in response .
NASCAR announced in June that the flags would be banned at its events .
CBS : `` You understand why the [ Confederate ] flag is a painful symbol for many people because it 's a reminder of slavery ? ''
Trump : `` Well , people love it , and I do n't view -- I know people that like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about slavery .
I look at NASCAR . ''
pic.twitter.com/zKkmJDQaRX — Kyle Griffin ( @ kylegriffin1 ) July 14 , 2020

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President Donald Trump took umbrage with a question a CBS News reporter asked about Black Lives Matter on Tuesday.
Reporter Catherine Herridge asked the president in an interview why he thought Black Americans were being shot by police officers.
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“So are white people. So are white people. What a terrible question to ask. So are white people,” Mr. Trump told CBS News. “More white people, by the way. More white people.”
In interview with @realDonaldTrump, @CBS_Herridge asked the president why he thinks African Americans are still dying at the hands of law enforcement in this country. His answer is revealing. See more on @cbseveningnews and @cbsthismorning. pic.twitter.com/6VQFpqB8AT — Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) July 14, 2020
A 2016 Washington Post story notes white people make up about 49% of those who are killed by police officers, while Black Americans account for 24% of those fatally shot and killed by the police. However, since Black people make up just 13% of the U.S. population, that means they are 2.5 times as likely as white Americans to be shot and killed by police officers.
MSNBC host Chris Hayes had some concerns over the president’s “police kill white people too” response.
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It is true that police in the US also kill a lot of white people which is...not really necessarily a super awesome debating point in the police’s favor? — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) July 14, 2020
Herridge then tried to get the president to understand why many people find the Confederate flag objectionable.
“Well, people love it, and I don’t view ― I know people that like the Confederate flag and they’re not thinking about slavery. I look at NASCAR,” he said in response. NASCAR announced in June that the flags would be banned at its events.
CBS: "You understand why the [Confederate] flag is a painful symbol for many people because it's a reminder of slavery?"
Trump: "Well, people love it, and I don't view-- I know people that like the Confederate flag and they're not thinking about slavery. I look at NASCAR." pic.twitter.com/zKkmJDQaRX — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 14, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--White House Ad Campaign Tells Unemployed To 'Find Something New'

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — A new White House-backed ad campaign aims to encourage people who are unemployed or unhappy in their jobs or careers to go out and “ find something new.
” The opening ad in the “ Find Something New ” campaign beginning Tuesday features ordinary people sharing their stories .
A companion website provides links to training and other resources .
The Trump administration has long emphasized skills-based job and vocational training as an alternative to two- or four-year college degree programs , arguing that college isn ’ t for everyone and that many jobs don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long-in-the-works effort has taken on a new sense of urgency after the coronavirus outbreak cost millions of people their jobs , many of which may be lost forever .
The campaign is a product of the White House ’ s American Workforce Policy Advisory Board , which President Donald Trump created in 2018 .
The board is co-chaired by Trump ’ s daughter and White House adviser , Ivanka Trump , and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross .
“ There has never been a more critical time for Americans of all ages and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pathways to career success and gain the vocational training and skills they need to fill jobs in a changing economy , ” said Ivanka Trump , who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania ’ s Wharton School .
Twenty million workers lost their jobs in March and April amid an economic downfall tied to COVID-19 .
As of June , the unemployment rate was 11.1 percent in the U.S. , according to The Washington Post .
The nonprofit Ad Council on Tuesday was announcing “ Find Something New , ” which it created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the Business Roundtable , along with the White House and the workforce policy advisory board .
The initial 30-second spot features ordinary people talking about their experiences with career challenges and transitions .
Among them are a fitness instructor who completed an apprenticeship program and became a welder after her gym went under , and a man who lost his job twice in one year , took online certification courses and now works as a tech consultant .
“ I got laid off twice , but you got to keep going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later on in the ad : “ I ’ m now a consultant in the tech space.
” Another woman says she had no career plan after finishing high school , but “ I found a medical course online ” and became a phlebotomist .
“ You will find something , ” she says .
Additional ads are expected to be produced .
All will appear nationwide across TV , digital and print platforms in time and space donated by various media companies , the Ad Council said .
Funding was provided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Apple , IBM and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce .
The Ad Council declined to disclose the cost of the campaign .
which will run at least through the end of the year .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A new White House-backed ad campaign aims to encourage people who are unemployed or unhappy in their jobs or careers to go out and “find something new.”
The opening ad in the “Find Something New” campaign beginning Tuesday features ordinary people sharing their stories. A companion website provides links to training and other resources.
Advertisement
The Trump administration has long emphasized skills-based job and vocational training as an alternative to two- or four-year college degree programs, arguing that college isn’t for everyone and that many jobs don’t require a degree.
But the long-in-the-works effort has taken on a new sense of urgency after the coronavirus outbreak cost millions of people their jobs, many of which may be lost forever.
The campaign is a product of the White House’s American Workforce Policy Advisory Board, which President Donald Trump created in 2018. The board is co-chaired by Trump’s daughter and White House adviser, Ivanka Trump, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
“There has never been a more critical time for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to be aware of the multiple pathways to career success and gain the vocational training and skills they need to fill jobs in a changing economy,” said Ivanka Trump, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
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Twenty million workers lost their jobs in March and April amid an economic downfall tied to COVID-19. As of June, the unemployment rate was 11.1 percent in the U.S., according to The Washington Post.
The nonprofit Ad Council on Tuesday was announcing “Find Something New,” which it created in collaboration with IBM, Apple and members of the Business Roundtable, along with the White House and the workforce policy advisory board.
The initial 30-second spot features ordinary people talking about their experiences with career challenges and transitions. Among them are a fitness instructor who completed an apprenticeship program and became a welder after her gym went under, and a man who lost his job twice in one year, took online certification courses and now works as a tech consultant.
“I got laid off twice, but you got to keep going,” the man says, adding later on in the ad: “I’m now a consultant in the tech space.”
Another woman says she had no career plan after finishing high school, but “I found a medical course online” and became a phlebotomist. “You will find something,” she says.
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The companion website offers links to education and training options, including online and virtual learning.
Additional ads are expected to be produced. All will appear nationwide across TV, digital and print platforms in time and space donated by various media companies, the Ad Council said.
Funding was provided by more than 20 corporations and organizations, including Apple, IBM and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Ad Council declined to disclose the cost of the campaign. which will run at least through the end of the year.
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Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hospitalized For Possible Infection

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been hospitalized for treatment of a “ possible infection , ” a court spokeswoman said .
Ginsburg , who is 87 , underwent an endoscopic procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore , Maryland , on Tuesday afternoon to clean out a bile duct stent that was inserted last year .
She is “ resting comfortably and will stay in the hospital for a few days to receive intravenous antibiotic treatment , ” the spokeswoman said .
Doctors placed a stent in Ginsburg ’ s bile duct last August as part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her pancreas , NPR reported at the time .
Ginsburg ― who has been treated for cancer four times over two decades ― also underwent three weeks of radiation treatment for the tumor .
In May , Ginsburg was hospitalized for a benign gallbladder condition .
Asked last year after her cancer scare about how she ’ s overcome health challenges , the justice told NPR that her work “ is really what saved me.
” “ I had to concentrate on reading the briefs , doing a draft of an opinion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done .
So I had to get past whatever my aches and pains were just to do the job , ” she said .

UPDATE: July 15 — Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been discharged from the hospital, a spokeswoman for the court said on Wednesday.
She is “home and doing well,” the spokeswoman said, according to CSPAN producer Nicole Ninh.
PREVIOUSLY:
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been hospitalized for treatment of a “possible infection,” a court spokeswoman said.
Ginsburg, who is 87, underwent an endoscopic procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, on Tuesday afternoon to clean out a bile duct stent that was inserted last year. She is “resting comfortably and will stay in the hospital for a few days to receive intravenous antibiotic treatment,” the spokeswoman said.
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Here is the full press statement from the SCOTUS Office of Public Information on Justice Ginsburg’s hospitalization. pic.twitter.com/yUaKXjLzO0 — SCOTUSblog (@SCOTUSblog) July 14, 2020
Doctors placed a stent in Ginsburg’s bile duct last August as part of the treatment for a cancerous tumor discovered on her pancreas, NPR reported at the time. Ginsburg ― who has been treated for cancer four times over two decades ― also underwent three weeks of radiation treatment for the tumor.
In May, Ginsburg was hospitalized for a benign gallbladder condition.
Asked last year after her cancer scare about how she’s overcome health challenges, the justice told NPR that her work “is really what saved me.”
“I had to concentrate on reading the briefs, doing a draft of an opinion, and I knew it had to get done. So I had to get past whatever my aches and pains were just to do the job,” she said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--What Pandemic? Republican Primaries Are All About Donald Trump

The Washington Post via Getty Images Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions was the first senator to back President Donald Trump in 2016 .
He ’ s likely to lose the GOP primary in his reelection bid because Trump endorsed his opponent .
The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 137,000 Americans , and the number of cases is growing in nearly every state .
The unemployment rate has jumped to above 11 % nationally , and nearly one-third of U.S. households missed their rent or mortgage payments in July .
The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate on policing and race .
Instead of promoting policies to help the country battle its economic doldrums , its long history of racism or the rampaging pandemic , Republicans running for Congress are often arguing about who supports President Donald Trump the most or who said the meanest thing about him four years ago .
In races set for Tuesday in Alabama , Maine and Texas , the battle on the airwaves has revolved around each candidate ’ s loyalty to Trump , the latest display of how internal GOP politics are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and desires to the exclusion of even the most important policy fights .
“ There ’ s nothing as powerful an asset in a Republican primary as President Trump ’ s endorsement , because he ’ s done what he promised and has governed as a conservative , ” said Joe Kildea , a spokesperson for the Club for Growth , a conservative group that has aired ads in Maine and Alabama attacking Republicans it deems insufficiently pro-Trump .
The highest-profile race is taking place in Alabama , where public polling shows former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville in a runoff battle for the GOP Senate nomination .
The winner of the race will be a favorite to reclaim the seat for Republicans against Democratic Sen. Doug Jones .
Sessions , who held the seat before joining the Trump administration and had won reelection four times , once with nearly 98 % of the vote , would normally be an overwhelming favorite .
But Trump , angered by Sessions ’ decision to recuse himself from an investigation into Trump ’ s potential collusion with Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly after the February runoff election .
He called Sessions ― the first senator to endorse him in 2016 and the man who helped craft his anti-immigration platform ― “ a disaster who has let us all down.
” Early in the race , Sessions tried to fight back , airing ads that highlighted comments Tuberville made criticizing Trump ’ s handling of trade with China and undocumented immigration .
But after Trump ’ s endorsement , his campaign abandoned that tack .
In the closing days of the race , Sessions ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on Tuberville , criticizing his role in a failed hedge fund and slamming him for refusing to debate during the runoff and for living part-time in Florida .
Tuberville , meanwhile , has mostly played the hits and dodged the press .
His most recent ad quotes a tweet from Trump , then plays a clip of Trump saying that appointing Sessions was his biggest regret as president .
On Monday night , Tuberville tweeted out an audio clip of Trump praising him and bashing Sessions .
“ Tommy Tuberville will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , ” Trump says in the clip .
“ We had the Jeff Sessions thing , we gave it a shot .
I had no idea it could be as bad it was , but he had no clue.
” As Tuberville and Sessions have battled over Trump ’ s blessing , coronavirus cases in Alabama have spiked , with 5,000 new infections confirmed this past weekend .
Jones ’ second ad of the campaign , released earlier this month , is a simple call for Alabamans to wear a face mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If the Alabama race shows how Trump has the power to essentially end the career of a longtime power broker , a runoff election in Texas ’ 13th Congressional District shows how his endorsement can lift a candidate who might otherwise have to fight off the lingering scent of a scandal .
The 13th District , which covers much of the Texas panhandle along with parts of North Texas , is among the most solidly Republican districts in the country .
Rep. Mac Thornberry held the seat for 13 terms and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbyist , to replace him when he decided to retire earlier this year .
But Trump chose to endorse White House doctor Ronny Jackson , whom he had previously nominated to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs before a scandal over allegations that Jackson improperly dispensed medication forced Trump to withdraw the nomination .
Jackson grew up in a neighboring district and had only moved to the 13th District in 2019 after retiring from the Navy .
Winegarner was the clear leader in the first round of voting in February , winning 39 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 20 % .
There ’ s been limited public polling on the race since , though two pro-Jackson groups have released surveys showing him with healthy leads in the contest .
Democrats have no serious chance of winning the seat in November .
Trump hasn ’ t endorsed any of the major candidates in the GOP primary in Maine ’ s 2nd Congressional District , but that hasn ’ t stopped him from defining the race for the right to challenge Democratic Rep. Jared Golden in this swing district , which covers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s an actual ideological battle occurring here : Libertarians who are skeptical of the national security state and foreign adventurism , including Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul , are backing Eric Brakey , a former state senator , while more establishment forces are supporting former state Rep. Dale Crafts , who holds standard hawkish GOP foreign policy views .
( A third candidate , Adrienne Bennett , who was a spokesperson for former GOP Gov .
Paul LePage , has a chance to win but isn ’ t playing a central role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s described herself as a “ pro-Trump Republican.
” ) This split has led to ads not about whether the United States should withdraw troops from Afghanistan or shrink its overseas military footprint , but instead about recriminations about loyalty to Trump .
The American Policy Fund , a super PAC that won ’ t have to disclose its donors until after the election , is attacking Brakey for criticizing Trump during the 2016 race .

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions was the first senator to back President Donald Trump in 2016. He’s likely to lose the GOP primary in his reelection bid because Trump endorsed his opponent. The Washington Post via Getty Images
The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 137,000 Americans, and the number of cases is growing in nearly every state. The unemployment rate has jumped to above 11% nationally, and nearly one-third of U.S. households missed their rent or mortgage payments in July. The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers has set off a national debate on policing and race.
Instead of promoting policies to help the country battle its economic doldrums, its long history of racism or the rampaging pandemic, Republicans running for Congress are often arguing about who supports President Donald Trump the most or who said the meanest thing about him four years ago.
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In races set for Tuesday in Alabama, Maine and Texas, the battle on the airwaves has revolved around each candidate’s loyalty to Trump, the latest display of how internal GOP politics are dictated by the president’s whims and desires to the exclusion of even the most important policy fights.
“There’s nothing as powerful an asset in a Republican primary as President Trump’s endorsement, because he’s done what he promised and has governed as a conservative,” said Joe Kildea, a spokesperson for the Club for Growth, a conservative group that has aired ads in Maine and Alabama attacking Republicans it deems insufficiently pro-Trump.
Sinking Sessions
The highest-profile race is taking place in Alabama, where public polling shows former Attorney General Jeff Sessions trailing behind former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville in a runoff battle for the GOP Senate nomination. The winner of the race will be a favorite to reclaim the seat for Republicans against Democratic Sen. Doug Jones.
Sessions, who held the seat before joining the Trump administration and had won reelection four times, once with nearly 98% of the vote, would normally be an overwhelming favorite. But Trump, angered by Sessions’ decision to recuse himself from an investigation into Trump’s potential collusion with Russia during the 2016 election, endorsed Tuberville shortly after the February runoff election. He called Sessions ― the first senator to endorse him in 2016 and the man who helped craft his anti-immigration platform ― “a disaster who has let us all down.”
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Early in the race, Sessions tried to fight back, airing ads that highlighted comments Tuberville made criticizing Trump’s handling of trade with China and undocumented immigration. But after Trump’s endorsement, his campaign abandoned that tack. In the closing days of the race, Sessions’ team has unleashed a grab bag of attacks on Tuberville, criticizing his role in a failed hedge fund and slamming him for refusing to debate during the runoff and for living part-time in Florida.
Tuberville, meanwhile, has mostly played the hits and dodged the press. His most recent ad quotes a tweet from Trump, then plays a clip of Trump saying that appointing Sessions was his biggest regret as president. On Monday night, Tuberville tweeted out an audio clip of Trump praising him and bashing Sessions.
“Tommy Tuberville will have a call direct line in to my office,” Trump says in the clip. “We had the Jeff Sessions thing, we gave it a shot. I had no idea it could be as bad it was, but he had no clue.”
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As Tuberville and Sessions have battled over Trump’s blessing, coronavirus cases in Alabama have spiked, with 5,000 new infections confirmed this past weekend. Jones’ second ad of the campaign, released earlier this month, is a simple call for Alabamans to wear a face mask to prevent the spread of the virus.
Rescuing An Ally From Scandal
If the Alabama race shows how Trump has the power to essentially end the career of a longtime power broker, a runoff election in Texas’ 13th Congressional District shows how his endorsement can lift a candidate who might otherwise have to fight off the lingering scent of a scandal.
The 13th District, which covers much of the Texas panhandle along with parts of North Texas, is among the most solidly Republican districts in the country. Rep. Mac Thornberry held the seat for 13 terms and then endorsed Josh Winegarner, an agriculture industry lobbyist, to replace him when he decided to retire earlier this year.
But Trump chose to endorse White House doctor Ronny Jackson, whom he had previously nominated to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs before a scandal over allegations that Jackson improperly dispensed medication forced Trump to withdraw the nomination. Jackson grew up in a neighboring district and had only moved to the 13th District in 2019 after retiring from the Navy.
“He stood with Donald Trump, against the swamp,” a narrator says in one of Jackson’s campaign ads, which alleges that “the liberal left used lies against Ronny Jackson to attack President Trump.”
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Winegarner and a super PAC supporting him have fought back with ads playing up his roots in the district and attacking Jackson over his scandals, calling him “the candyman” and an “Obama Republican.”
#TX13 Republican primary runoff — After a week on TV with a positive ad, the pro-Winegarner Ag Together PAC takes a hard negative turn: pic.twitter.com/TqPMszKQSK — Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) June 26, 2020
Neither candidate’s ads have mentioned the pandemic.
Winegarner was the clear leader in the first round of voting in February, winning 39% of the vote to Jackson’s 20%. There’s been limited public polling on the race since, though two pro-Jackson groups have released surveys showing him with healthy leads in the contest. Democrats have no serious chance of winning the seat in November.
A Trump War That’s Actually About War
Trump hasn’t endorsed any of the major candidates in the GOP primary in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, but that hasn’t stopped him from defining the race for the right to challenge Democratic Rep. Jared Golden in this swing district, which covers most of rural Maine.
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There’s an actual ideological battle occurring here: Libertarians who are skeptical of the national security state and foreign adventurism, including Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, are backing Eric Brakey, a former state senator, while more establishment forces are supporting former state Rep. Dale Crafts, who holds standard hawkish GOP foreign policy views. (A third candidate, Adrienne Bennett, who was a spokesperson for former GOP Gov. Paul LePage, has a chance to win but isn’t playing a central role in the fight over foreign policy. She’s described herself as a “pro-Trump Republican.”)
This split has led to ads not about whether the United States should withdraw troops from Afghanistan or shrink its overseas military footprint, but instead about recriminations about loyalty to Trump. The American Policy Fund, a super PAC that won’t have to disclose its donors until after the election, is attacking Brakey for criticizing Trump during the 2016 race.
“He compared Trump to Hillary Clinton and even talked about setting fire to Trump merchandise,” a narrator says in the 30-second ad.
Protect Freedom PAC, which supports Libertarian candidates, responded with an ad linking the group to former national security adviser John Bolton, a hawk who published a memoir in June detailing Trump’s lack of foreign policy knowledge and unpreparedness for the presidency. (American Policy Fund and a super PAC run by Bolton have the same treasurer.)
“John Bolton lies about President Trump, and now Bolton’s henchmen are doing the same thing to Trump conservative Eric Brakey,” the narrator says.
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Public polling of the race is limited, and forecasting the three-way race is difficult because of Maine’s ranked-choice voting rules.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Joe Biden Expresses An Openness To Eliminating The Senate Filibuster

In a notable shift , presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden signaled his openness to getting rid of the Senate filibuster , the upper chamber ’ s requirement that many bills can advance only with the support of a so-called supermajority .
The former vice president and ex-senator from Delaware told a group of journalists on Monday his willingness to eliminate the filibuster would hinge on whether Republicans unfairly obstruct his agenda if he is elected president in November .
“ I think it ’ s going to depend on how obstreperous they become , ” Biden said , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ I have not supported the elimination of the filibuster ... but I think you have to just take a look at it.
” Biden is known as a defender of tradition in the Senate , where he served for more than four decades , including eight years as chairman of the Judiciary Committee .
He maintained his opposition to eliminating the filibuster throughout the crowded 2020 Democratic primary , even as several of his rivals called for its ouster , including Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass. )
.
The filibuster isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but starting in the 1800s it evolved as a Senate rule .
Once rarely used , in recent decades it has become an ever-more pervasive part of the Senate ’ s process .
The rule allows 41 senators in the 100-member chamber to block bills from proceeding to a final vote .
Many progressives fear that the GOP , by using the filibuster , would likely prevent them from advancing their agenda even if they manage to claw back to power in the Senate ― a growing possibility ― and capture the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not stand idly by for four years and watch the Biden administration ’ s initiatives blocked at every turn , ” Sen. Chris Coons ( D-Del . )
, Biden ’ s longtime friend who has been a defender , told Politico last month .
“ I am going to try really hard to find a path forward that doesn ’ t require removing what ’ s left of the structural guardrails , but if there ’ s a Biden administration , it will be inheriting a mess , at home and abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
As U.S. politics have become increasingly polarized , the party controlling the Senate has chipped away at the filibuster .
In 2013 , the then-Democratic majority pushed through a change that weakened it by ending its use for high-level executive branch appointments and nominees to federal courts , excepting the Supreme Court .
Republicans vehemently objected at the time .
And just last month , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) warned Democrats they would rue unilaterally voting in the future to scrap the filibuster .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that with his party controlling the Senate , it has twice voted unilaterally to change the use of the filibuster ― once in 2017 to make Supreme Court nominees no longer subject to a 60-vote threshold , thereby clearing the way for Neil Gorsuch ’ s confirmation to the Supreme Court , and again in 2019 to speed consideration of lower-level presidential nominees .
“ I think the important thing for our Democratic friends to remember is that you might not be in total control in the future , ” McConnell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start fiddling around with the rules of the Senate , I think you always need to put yourself in the other fellow ’ s shoes and just imagine what might happen when the winds shift.
” Democrats most recently relied on the filibuster to block a bill Republicans crafted to respond to concerns about the behavior of law enforcement officers after the police killing of Geroge Floyd in Minneapolis .
Democrats bashed the measure for proposing only cosmetic changes that fell far short of needed systematic reforms .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
In a notable shift, presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden signaled his openness to getting rid of the Senate filibuster, the upper chamber’s requirement that many bills can advance only with the support of a so-called supermajority.
The former vice president and ex-senator from Delaware told a group of journalists on Monday his willingness to eliminate the filibuster would hinge on whether Republicans unfairly obstruct his agenda if he is elected president in November.
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“I think it’s going to depend on how obstreperous they become,” Biden said, according to The Washington Post. He acknowledged, “I have not supported the elimination of the filibuster ... but I think you have to just take a look at it.”
Biden is known as a defender of tradition in the Senate, where he served for more than four decades, including eight years as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He maintained his opposition to eliminating the filibuster throughout the crowded 2020 Democratic primary, even as several of his rivals called for its ouster, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
The filibuster isn’t enshrined in the Constitution, but starting in the 1800s it evolved as a Senate rule. Once rarely used, in recent decades it has become an ever-more pervasive part of the Senate’s process. The rule allows 41 senators in the 100-member chamber to block bills from proceeding to a final vote.
Many progressives fear that the GOP, by using the filibuster, would likely prevent them from advancing their agenda even if they manage to claw back to power in the Senate ― a growing possibility ― and capture the White House in 2020.
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Biden and his allies on Capitol Hill are now making clear they share that concern.
“I will not stand idly by for four years and watch the Biden administration’s initiatives blocked at every turn,” Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Biden’s longtime friend who has been a defender, told Politico last month.
“I am going to try really hard to find a path forward that doesn’t require removing what’s left of the structural guardrails, but if there’s a Biden administration, it will be inheriting a mess, at home and abroad. It requires urgent and effective action,” he added.
As U.S. politics have become increasingly polarized, the party controlling the Senate has chipped away at the filibuster. In 2013, the then-Democratic majority pushed through a change that weakened it by ending its use for high-level executive branch appointments and nominees to federal courts, excepting the Supreme Court.
Republicans vehemently objected at the time. And just last month, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned Democrats they would rue unilaterally voting in the future to scrap the filibuster. But McConnell’s caution ignored the fact that with his party controlling the Senate, it has twice voted unilaterally to change the use of the filibuster ― once in 2017 to make Supreme Court nominees no longer subject to a 60-vote threshold, thereby clearing the way for Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, and again in 2019 to speed consideration of lower-level presidential nominees.
“I think the important thing for our Democratic friends to remember is that you might not be in total control in the future,” McConnell said in June. “Any time you start fiddling around with the rules of the Senate, I think you always need to put yourself in the other fellow’s shoes and just imagine what might happen when the winds shift.”
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Democrats most recently relied on the filibuster to block a bill Republicans crafted to respond to concerns about the behavior of law enforcement officers after the police killing of Geroge Floyd in Minneapolis. Democrats bashed the measure for proposing only cosmetic changes that fell far short of needed systematic reforms.
Within the Senate’s Democratic caucus, many members are wary of eliminating the filibuster. But with Biden softening his opposition, momentum is headed in that direction.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Biden Rolls Out Ambitious New Climate Plan, But Stops Short Of Phasing Out Fossil Fuels

The plan fell short of the sweeping climate visions on which the former vice president ’ s erstwhile primary opponents campaigned , leaving the door open to a continued expansion of fossil fuel production .
But the new campaign pledge ― the second plank of his so-called Build Back Better agenda ― marked a significant shift in that direction as Biden seeks to unite his party and offered a stark contrast with President Donald Trump , whom he hopes to unseat in November .
The proposal comes less than a week after the Biden campaign released the 110-page recommendations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps of Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) , the former vice president ’ s second-place rival for the nomination .
The new campaign plank is largely in line with the advice from the committee co-chaired by former Secretary of State John Kerry and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) .
The task force memo called for installing 500 million solar panels and 60,000 American-made wind turbines over the next five years .
The new Biden plan promises the deployment of “ millions of solar panels ” and “ tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a shift to completely carbon-free electricity in just 15 years .
The United States generated close to 63 % of its electricity from fossil fuels last year , including 38 % from natural gas and nearly 24 % from coal , according to Energy Information Agency data .
Nuclear provided nearly 20 % of the country ’ s power , while wind made up over 7 % and solar fell just shy of 2 % .
Unlike Sanders ’ proposal , which called for the phaseout of nuclear plants , senior Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be kept online along with hydropower stations held to the same standard .
Biden also vowed to invest in researching new , smaller reactors as part of the proposal he campaigned on last year .
The new Biden plan calls for retrofitting 4 million commercial buildings and 2 million private homes with energy-saving upgrades over the next four years .
The targets , the plan projected , would create at least 1 million jobs and put the United States on track to halve emissions from buildings ― currently the fourth-largest source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country ’ s output ― by 2035 .
The changes would also spur construction of 1.5 million new homes and public housing units , the campaign said , and establish the standards to zero out all emissions from new housing by 2030 .
Biden pledged to make large-scale investments in rail transport and replace all of the country ’ s 500,000 school buses with American-built electric alternatives by 2030 .
Likewise , he vowed to expand access to electric buses in all U.S. cities with 100,000 residents or more , buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government , and build a massive charging network across the country .
It ’ s difficult to pinpoint a precise number of jobs the proposal would create .
But the campaign pegged the number in the millions , and said it would set rules that all federal contractors must pay a minimum wage of $ 15 per hour , provide paid leave and allow employees to form unions .
The plan also lays out targets and new federal offices aimed at reducing the ways in which pollution disproportionately sickens and kills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign said 40 % of the $ 2 trillion plan would go to so-called frontline communities , mostly Black , brown and poor neighborhoods where companies have historically sited heavily polluting plants to take advantage of the residents ’ lack of political power to fight back .
The proposal calls for new federal enforcement and monitoring in those communities , the establishment of an environmental and climate justice division at the Department of Justice and the creation of a Department of Health and Human Services office dedicated to health equity .
Those pitches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration , which this week plans to finalize changes to the National Environmental Policy Act that would limit communities ’ input on new pipeline and highway projects .
The country ’ s bedrock anti-pollution law has offered an effective bulwark against Trump ’ s push to expand fossil fuel infrastructure over the past few years .
On the call Tuesday morning , the Biden campaign reiterated its pledge to ban new fracking on federal lands .
It ’ s unclear whether a Biden presidency would restore or put new restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-Mass . )
and Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee ― three primary opponents from whose highly praised climate plans the Biden campaign clearly borrowed ― all vowed to end the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing .
Top Democrats , however , have long feared that such a pledge would cede the gas-producing state of Pennsylvania to Trump , who won it in 2016 .
“ You can ’ t address the risks of climate change without America ’ s natural gas and oil industry , ” Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American Petroleum Institute , said in a statement .
“ This plan would require a massive amount of infrastructure buildout , a goal we all share .
Unfortunately , it comes at a time when we ’ ve seen opposition to energy projects of all kinds with activist groups obstructing development every step of the way.
” But that argument may be a difficult sell as the United States continues to suffer a worse coronavirus outbreak than almost any other rich country , in part because of the president ’ s plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses rather than providing the kind of direct government support to maintain employment that counterparts in Europe and the United Kingdom offered .
Climate , moreover , is Trump ’ s weakest point .
He spent years gutting regulations and public health safeguards while openly mocking scientists and promoting debunked theories about warming .
Wildfires and hurricanes , meanwhile , took record tolls of Americans .
His bungled response to Hurricane María ’ s devastating effect on Puerto Rico , the largest remaining U.S. colonial possession , is now widely seen as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
In a survey by the liberal think tank Data for Progress earlier this month , 56 % of registered voters said they would be more likely to cast ballots for a president who pledges to achieve 100 % clean energy by 2035 and create millions of jobs in the process .
That included 76 % of Democrats , 42 % of Republicans and 42 % of independents .
The polling also showed that Biden ’ s proposals are popular in battleground states such as Florida , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ambitious climate plan ever advanced by a major presidential nominee , ” said Sam Ricketts , a former Inslee staffer and co-founder of the Democratic climate policy group Evergreen Action .
“ The next president must act with urgency to defeat the climate crisis and to rebuild our economy , and this plan lays out a path towards the climate mobilization that America needs to meet this moment .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, laid out a new proposal Tuesday to transition the nation’s electricity grid off gas and coal by 2035 and spend $2 trillion over four years creating millions of jobs deploying renewable energy and upgrading old buildings.
The plan fell short of the sweeping climate visions on which the former vice president’s erstwhile primary opponents campaigned, leaving the door open to a continued expansion of fossil fuel production. But the new campaign pledge ― the second plank of his so-called Build Back Better agenda ― marked a significant shift in that direction as Biden seeks to unite his party and offered a stark contrast with President Donald Trump, whom he hopes to unseat in November.
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The proposal comes less than a week after the Biden campaign released the 110-page recommendations of a task force of officials from the camps of Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the former vice president’s second-place rival for the nomination. The new campaign plank is largely in line with the advice from the committee co-chaired by former Secretary of State John Kerry and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
The task force memo called for installing 500 million solar panels and 60,000 American-made wind turbines over the next five years. The new Biden plan promises the deployment of “millions of solar panels” and “tens of thousands of wind turbines” as part of a shift to completely carbon-free electricity in just 15 years. The United States generated close to 63% of its electricity from fossil fuels last year, including 38% from natural gas and nearly 24% from coal, according to Energy Information Agency data. Nuclear provided nearly 20% of the country’s power, while wind made up over 7% and solar fell just shy of 2%.
Democratic nominee for president Joe Biden gives a speech to workers after touring McGregor Industries in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, on July 9. TIMOTHY A. CLARY via Getty Images
Unlike Sanders’ proposal, which called for the phaseout of nuclear plants, senior Biden campaign officials said the reactors deemed safe would be kept online along with hydropower stations held to the same standard. Biden also vowed to invest in researching new, smaller reactors as part of the proposal he campaigned on last year.
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The new Biden plan calls for retrofitting 4 million commercial buildings and 2 million private homes with energy-saving upgrades over the next four years. The targets, the plan projected, would create at least 1 million jobs and put the United States on track to halve emissions from buildings ― currently the fourth-largest source of carbon dioxide pollution, with 12% of the country’s output ― by 2035. The changes would also spur construction of 1.5 million new homes and public housing units, the campaign said, and establish the standards to zero out all emissions from new housing by 2030.
Biden pledged to make large-scale investments in rail transport and replace all of the country’s 500,000 school buses with American-built electric alternatives by 2030. Likewise, he vowed to expand access to electric buses in all U.S. cities with 100,000 residents or more, buy roughly 3 million new electric vehicles for the federal government, and build a massive charging network across the country.
It’s difficult to pinpoint a precise number of jobs the proposal would create. But the campaign pegged the number in the millions, and said it would set rules that all federal contractors must pay a minimum wage of $15 per hour, provide paid leave and allow employees to form unions.
Polling commissioned by the liberal think tank Data for Progress shows strong support in key battleground states for Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden's climate policies. Data for Progress
The plan also lays out targets and new federal offices aimed at reducing the ways in which pollution disproportionately sickens and kills racial minorities in the U.S. The campaign said 40% of the $2 trillion plan would go to so-called frontline communities, mostly Black, brown and poor neighborhoods where companies have historically sited heavily polluting plants to take advantage of the residents’ lack of political power to fight back. The proposal calls for new federal enforcement and monitoring in those communities, the establishment of an environmental and climate justice division at the Department of Justice and the creation of a Department of Health and Human Services office dedicated to health equity.
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Those pitches in particular offer a harsh juxtaposition to the Trump administration, which this week plans to finalize changes to the National Environmental Policy Act that would limit communities’ input on new pipeline and highway projects. The country’s bedrock anti-pollution law has offered an effective bulwark against Trump’s push to expand fossil fuel infrastructure over the past few years.
The administration made axing climate regulations a cornerstone of its agenda from the moment Trump took office, and has directed millions in federal funding to debt-smothered oil and gas companies even as average Americans face a historic eviction crisis amid the pandemic-induced economic depression.
On the call Tuesday morning, the Biden campaign reiterated its pledge to ban new fracking on federal lands. It’s unclear whether a Biden presidency would restore or put new restrictions on federal support for existing drilling. Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ― three primary opponents from whose highly praised climate plans the Biden campaign clearly borrowed ― all vowed to end the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing. Top Democrats, however, have long feared that such a pledge would cede the gas-producing state of Pennsylvania to Trump, who won it in 2016.
“You can’t address the risks of climate change without America’s natural gas and oil industry,” Mike Sommers, the president of industry lobbyist the American Petroleum Institute, said in a statement. “This plan would require a massive amount of infrastructure buildout, a goal we all share. Unfortunately, it comes at a time when we’ve seen opposition to energy projects of all kinds with activist groups obstructing development every step of the way.”
The Republican Party’s rapid-response team accused Biden of embracing “radical Green New Deal polices” in a show that “he’s willing to sacrifice blue collar jobs to achieve the far left’s wish list.”
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But that argument may be a difficult sell as the United States continues to suffer a worse coronavirus outbreak than almost any other rich country, in part because of the president’s plan to revive the economy hinged on reopening businesses rather than providing the kind of direct government support to maintain employment that counterparts in Europe and the United Kingdom offered.
Climate, moreover, is Trump’s weakest point. He spent years gutting regulations and public health safeguards while openly mocking scientists and promoting debunked theories about warming. Wildfires and hurricanes, meanwhile, took record tolls of Americans. His bungled response to Hurricane María’s devastating effect on Puerto Rico, the largest remaining U.S. colonial possession, is now widely seen as an omen for how his administration would handle the pandemic.
Americans overwhelmingly understand that climate change is a threat. Two-thirds of Americans said the federal government is doing too little to address the issue in a Pew Research Center poll released last month.
In a survey by the liberal think tank Data for Progress earlier this month, 56% of registered voters said they would be more likely to cast ballots for a president who pledges to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 and create millions of jobs in the process. That included 76% of Democrats, 42% of Republicans and 42% of independents. The polling also showed that Biden’s proposals are popular in battleground states such as Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
“This is the single most comprehensive and ambitious climate plan ever advanced by a major presidential nominee,” said Sam Ricketts, a former Inslee staffer and co-founder of the Democratic climate policy group Evergreen Action. “The next president must act with urgency to defeat the climate crisis and to rebuild our economy, and this plan lays out a path towards the climate mobilization that America needs to meet this moment.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Over 140 Anti-Racism Protesters Sue Philadelphia Over Tear Gas, Use Of Force

One lawsuit accuses Philadelphia police of lobbing tear gas and firing rubber bullets at protesters indiscriminately as they marched peacefully on a city highway .
Another accuses the police of using tanks , tear gas , pepper spray and rubber bullets in an African American business and residential district , at times injuring people in or near their own homes .
“ They were just opening fire on anybody they saw , for hours and hours , regardless of any conduct or justification , ” said Bret Grote , legal director of the Abolitionist Law Center , who called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city in May and June reckless .
“ They were shooting children .
They were shooting old people .
They were shooting residents on their own street .
They were gassing the firefighters , ” he said .
The lawsuits , involving more than 140 plaintiffs , were filed the same day the city announced the resignation of Philadelphia Managing Director Brian Abernathy .
The suits were filed by the law center , the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and various civil rights lawyers in the city .
Both the city and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the lawsuits .
However , Mayor Jim Kenney , in a statement , said the city is conducting an independent review of both situations .
“ I am highly concerned about what transpired on both I-676 and 52nd Street and I fully regret the use of tear gas and some other use of force in those incidents , ” Kenney said .
“ The investigation is still underway , but any officer found to have violated ( department ) policy will be held accountable.
” Kenney and Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the June 1 demonstration on the interstate , saying they were relying on incorrect information .
They also announced a temporary moratorium on its use in most nonviolent situations .
Videos show Philadelphia police that day firing tear gas at dozens of protesters trapped on the roadway , many of whom were unable to retreat to an on-ramp , and had to try to climb up a steep embankment and over a concrete wall and fence to escape .
The protests in Philadelphia were part of nationwide demonstrations that erupted after George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes to pin him to the ground .
“ In response to protests and a national conversation about police accountability and an end to a long history of police brutality , the Philadelphia Police Department reacted with more brutality , ” said lawyer Jonathan Feinberg , who was involved in the suit and works for one of the city ’ s most prominent civil rights firms , Kairys , Rudovsky , Messing , Feinberg and Lin LLP .
Shahidah Mubarak-Hadi , a plaintiff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were hurt after police fired tear gas at their home in West Philadelphia , where they were inside seeking refuge during the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Officers violated the sanctity of our home , without forethought , senselessly firing tear gas around our residence while we were inside , ” she said .
“ My children and I no longer feel safe in our own house.
” They live near the 52nd Street business corridor , the heart of a predominantly Black neighborhood rocked by clashes between police and protesters on May 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a press release , violated their clients ’ First Amendment right to free speech and assembly , Fourth Amendment ban on excessive force and 14th Amendment ban , through the Equal Protection Clause , on racially discriminatory policing .
“ In what many witnesses described as a war zone in an otherwise peaceful , residential community , police officers in tanks traveled away from West Philadelphia ’ s business corridor and down residential side streets for hours , chasing residents into their homes and indiscriminately firing canisters of tear gas at them @ @ @ @ @

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Three class-action lawsuits filed in Philadelphia on Tuesday accuse the city of using military-level force that injured protesters and bystanders alike during peaceful protests against racial inequality and police brutality.
One lawsuit accuses Philadelphia police of lobbing tear gas and firing rubber bullets at protesters indiscriminately as they marched peacefully on a city highway. Another accuses the police of using tanks, tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets in an African American business and residential district, at times injuring people in or near their own homes.
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“They were just opening fire on anybody they saw, for hours and hours, regardless of any conduct or justification,” said Bret Grote, legal director of the Abolitionist Law Center, who called the police response to demonstrations that rocked the city in May and June reckless.
“They were shooting children. They were shooting old people. They were shooting residents on their own street. They were gassing the firefighters,” he said.
The lawsuits, involving more than 140 plaintiffs, were filed the same day the city announced the resignation of Philadelphia Managing Director Brian Abernathy. The suits were filed by the law center, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and various civil rights lawyers in the city.
Both the city and the police department declined to comment directly on the lawsuits. However, Mayor Jim Kenney, in a statement, said the city is conducting an independent review of both situations.
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“I am highly concerned about what transpired on both I-676 and 52nd Street and I fully regret the use of tear gas and some other use of force in those incidents,” Kenney said. “The investigation is still underway, but any officer found to have violated (department) policy will be held accountable.”
Kenney and Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw had previously apologized for using tear gas in the June 1 demonstration on the interstate, saying they were relying on incorrect information. They also announced a temporary moratorium on its use in most nonviolent situations.
Videos show Philadelphia police that day firing tear gas at dozens of protesters trapped on the roadway, many of whom were unable to retreat to an on-ramp, and had to try to climb up a steep embankment and over a concrete wall and fence to escape.
A protester walks near smoke after tear gas was dispersed during a march calling for justice over the death of George Floyd in Philadelphia, Monday, June 1, 2020. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The protests in Philadelphia were part of nationwide demonstrations that erupted after George Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck for several minutes to pin him to the ground.
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“In response to protests and a national conversation about police accountability and an end to a long history of police brutality, the Philadelphia Police Department reacted with more brutality,” said lawyer Jonathan Feinberg, who was involved in the suit and works for one of the city’s most prominent civil rights firms, Kairys, Rudovsky, Messing, Feinberg and Lin LLP.
“Our firm dates back to 1971. We cannot recall a single episode in which the Philadelphia police used munitions like this in a peaceful protest,” Feinberg said.
Shahidah Mubarak-Hadi, a plaintiff, said her 3- and 6-year old children were hurt after police fired tear gas at their home in West Philadelphia, where they were inside seeking refuge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Officers violated the sanctity of our home, without forethought, senselessly firing tear gas around our residence while we were inside,” she said. “My children and I no longer feel safe in our own house.”
They live near the 52nd Street business corridor, the heart of a predominantly Black neighborhood rocked by clashes between police and protesters on May 31. The police response, lawyers said in a press release, violated their clients’ First Amendment right to free speech and assembly, Fourth Amendment ban on excessive force and 14th Amendment ban, through the Equal Protection Clause, on racially discriminatory policing.
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“In what many witnesses described as a war zone in an otherwise peaceful, residential community, police officers in tanks traveled away from West Philadelphia’s business corridor and down residential side streets for hours, chasing residents into their homes and indiscriminately firing canisters of tear gas at them,” they said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Sara Gideon Wins Democratic Senate Primary, Will Face Off Against Susan Collins

Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon won Maine ’ s Democratic Senate nomination in a landslide on Tuesday , cementing her spot in the highly anticipated contest against Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins , reported The Associated Press .
Collins ran uncontested in the Republican primary on Tuesday .
Several independent candidates , including Max Linn and Lisa Savage , will likely be on the November ballot alongside Collins and Gideon .
The four-term senator is facing her toughest reelection bid yet .
Though she easily won her last three races , her voting record under President Donald Trump has outraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Collins has historically positioned herself as a moderate , but her critical votes supporting Trump ’ s tax bill , confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and acquitting the president during his impeachment trial sparked intense backlash from many constituents .
Though Collins has called herself “ pro-choice , ” she has voted to confirm dozens of judges who have signaled they oppose abortion .
Winning Collins ’ seat in November is key for Democrats to gain control of the Senate .
With the party ’ s nomination in hand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in crowdfunded donations raised for Collins ’ challenger during the Senate debate over Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation .
As of last month , Gideon ’ s campaign has already raked in over $ 23 million in donations , outpacing Collins by roughly $ 7 million this election cycle , reported The Bangor Daily News .
Gideon , a 48-year-old mother of three , has served in Maine ’ s House of Representatives since 2012 .
Her legislative tenure has focused on boosting the state ’ s economy , tackling the opioid crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to universal health care .
Gideon won the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee early on in the race as well as key endorsements from EMILY ’ s List , NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood .
“ Susan Collins has been in the Senate for 22 years and at one point maybe she was different than some of the other folks in Washington , ” Gideon said in a video announcing her campaign last June .
“ But she doesn ’ t seem that way anymore .
”

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Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon won Maine’s Democratic Senate nomination in a landslide on Tuesday, cementing her spot in the highly anticipated contest against Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins, reported The Associated Press.
Gideon handily beat two progressive candidates ― former Maine gubernatorial candidate Betsy Sweet and attorney Bre Kidman ― to win the party’s nomination.
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“This campaign is about all of us, and about how we can build a stronger future together,” Gideon said during a livestream address on Facebook following her win Tuesday.
“If we are going to come together and make real progress to improve the lives of people here in Maine and across the country, then we need new leadership,” she added. “Because, after 24 years in Washington, Sen. Collins has become part of that broken system, putting special interests and her political party first.”
Collins ran uncontested in the Republican primary on Tuesday. Several independent candidates, including Max Linn and Lisa Savage, will likely be on the November ballot alongside Collins and Gideon.
The four-term senator is facing her toughest reelection bid yet. Though she easily won her last three races, her voting record under President Donald Trump has outraged and mobilized Democratic voters across the state.
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Collins has historically positioned herself as a moderate, but her critical votes supporting Trump’s tax bill, confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and acquitting the president during his impeachment trial sparked intense backlash from many constituents. Though Collins has called herself “pro-choice,” she has voted to confirm dozens of judges who have signaled they oppose abortion.
Winning Collins’ seat in November is key for Democrats to gain control of the Senate. With the party’s nomination in hand, Gideon will nab roughly $4 million in crowdfunded donations raised for Collins’ challenger during the Senate debate over Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
As of last month, Gideon’s campaign has already raked in over $23 million in donations, outpacing Collins by roughly $7 million this election cycle, reported The Bangor Daily News.
Gideon, a 48-year-old mother of three, has served in Maine’s House of Representatives since 2012. Her legislative tenure has focused on boosting the state’s economy, tackling the opioid crisis, investing in sustainable energy and increasing access to universal health care.
Gideon won the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee early on in the race as well as key endorsements from EMILY’s List, NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-14--Jeff Sessions Loses Comeback Bid For His Old Senate Seat

Michael DeMocker via Getty Images The race between Tommy Tuberville and Jeff Sessions was wholly defined by Donald Trump ’ s wishes and served as a demonstration of his dominance over the Republican Party ’ s base .
Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville won Alabama ’ s GOP Senate primary on Tuesday , defeating Jeff Sessions after President Donald Trump endorsed Tuberville instead of his onetime attorney general who had been a close ideological ally .
Tuberville is now the favorite to defeat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in November ’ s elections , which would be a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control .
Trump won the deeply conservative , racially polarized state by 28 % four years ago .
The race between Tuberville , 65 , and Sessions , 73 , who had been elected to the Senate four times by Alabama voters and had been a revered political figure in the state before joining the administration , was wholly defined by Trump ’ s wishes and served as a demonstration of his dominance over the party ’ s base .
While Sessions was the first senator to endorse Trump in 2016 and provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Trump ’ s hard-line anti-immigrant , white nationalist rhetoric , Trump never forgave him for quickly recusing himself , as attorney general , from the investigation into the Russian efforts to influence and skew the 2016 election .
Sessions ’ move led to Robert Mueller ’ s appointment as the special counsel to lead the probe that was a prolonged thorn in Trump ’ s side .
Shortly after the first round of primary voting in March in which no candidate exceeded the 50 % vote count needed to win outright , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That turned what could have been a close race ― Tuberville had earned 33 % of the vote to Sessions ’ 32 % ― into one in which the ex-football coach was heavily favored .
.
@ realdonaldtrump Look , I know your anger , but recusal was required by law .
I did my duty & you 're damn fortunate I did .
It protected the rule of law & resulted in your exoneration .
Your personal feelings do n't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator , the people of Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sessions ( @ jeffsessions ) May 23 , 2020 Tuberville , a political neophyte who also coached at the University of Mississippi , Texas Tech and the University of Cincinnati , spent most of the runoff avoiding press coverage .
He also declined to debate Sessions , relying on Trump ’ s endorsements and attacks on Sessions to power him to victory .
He has mostly adopted standard-issue Trump-era GOP positions , though he has criticized the president ’ s handling of trade with China .
Jones was elected to the Senate seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 2017 special election to fill out the remainder of the term that Sessions had won in 2014 .
Jones is considered the most vulnerable senator in the country in this year ’ s vote .
Republicans hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate , and an upset Jones victory would smooth the Democratic party ’ s path to claiming the chamber ’ s majority .

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Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville won Alabama’s GOP Senate primary on Tuesday, defeating Jeff Sessions after President Donald Trump endorsed Tuberville instead of his onetime attorney general who had been a close ideological ally.
Tuberville is now the favorite to defeat Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in November’s elections, which would be a key Republican pickup in the battle for Senate control. Trump won the deeply conservative, racially polarized state by 28% four years ago.
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The race between Tommy Tuberville and Jeff Sessions was wholly defined by Donald Trump’s wishes and served as a demonstration of his dominance over the Republican Party’s base. Michael DeMocker via Getty Images
The race between Tuberville, 65, and Sessions, 73, who had been elected to the Senate four times by Alabama voters and had been a revered political figure in the state before joining the administration, was wholly defined by Trump’s wishes and served as a demonstration of his dominance over the party’s base.
Trump praised Tuberville again not long after The Associated Press called the race.
Wow, just called! @TTuberville - Tommy Tuberville WON big against Jeff Sessions. Will be a GREAT Senator for the incredible people of Alabama. @DougJones is a terrible Senator who is just a Super Liberal puppet for Schumer & Pelosi. Represents Alabama poorly. On to November 3rd. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2020
While Sessions was the first senator to endorse Trump in 2016 and provided much of the policy framework to go with Trump’s hard-line anti-immigrant, white nationalist rhetoric, Trump never forgave him for quickly recusing himself, as attorney general, from the investigation into the Russian efforts to influence and skew the 2016 election. Sessions’ move led to Robert Mueller’s appointment as the special counsel to lead the probe that was a prolonged thorn in Trump’s side.
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Shortly after the first round of primary voting in March in which no candidate exceeded the 50% vote count needed to win outright, Trump endorsed Tuberville in the runoff. That turned what could have been a close race ― Tuberville had earned 33% of the vote to Sessions’ 32% ― into one in which the ex-football coach was heavily favored.
Trump reiterated the endorsement several times on Twitter, prompting late-night responses from Sessions.
.@realdonaldtrump Look, I know your anger, but recusal was required by law. I did my duty & you're damn fortunate I did. It protected the rule of law & resulted in your exoneration. Your personal feelings don't dictate who Alabama picks as their senator, the people of Alabama do. https://t.co/QQKHNAgmiE — Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) May 23, 2020
Tuberville, a political neophyte who also coached at the University of Mississippi, Texas Tech and the University of Cincinnati, spent most of the runoff avoiding press coverage. He also declined to debate Sessions, relying on Trump’s endorsements and attacks on Sessions to power him to victory. He has mostly adopted standard-issue Trump-era GOP positions, though he has criticized the president’s handling of trade with China.
In a statement, Jones never mentioned Tuberville by name.
“Washington already has plenty of people who fight along partisan lines and nothing much seems to get done,” Jones said, before noting he’s sponsored 17 pieces of legislation later signed into law by Trump. “The choice before the voters is an unprepared hyper-partisan that will add to the divide in Washington, or my proven track-record to find common ground and get things done.”
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The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee blasted Tuberville, calling him “unprepared and unproven.”
“Tommy Tuberville would be nothing more than a lackey for his Washington party leaders in the Senate. His campaign strategy has been to dodge the press and avoid tough questions, but this much is clear: he’ll join his party in trying yet again to take away health care protections for the nearly 1 million Alabamians with a pre-existing condition, and can’t be counted on to fight for the needs of Alabama families,” DSCC spokesperson Helen Kalla said.
Jones was elected to the Senate seat against scandal-ridden Republican Roy Moore in a December 2017 special election to fill out the remainder of the term that Sessions had won in 2014. Jones is considered the most vulnerable senator in the country in this year’s vote.
Republicans hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate, and an upset Jones victory would smooth the Democratic party’s path to claiming the chamber’s majority.