thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--You Can Still Burn Out While Working From Home. These Are The Signs.

We might be working from home , but that doesn ’ t mean we can ’ t burn out from stress .
The feeling might be a little different from what we ’ re used to , though .
Pop-up offices have appeared in bedrooms across the globe , so the boundaries between work and personal lives are increasingly blurred .
It ’ s all too easy to check emails at 9 p.m. because your laptop is within reach , or skip a lunch break because your head is deep in a project .
And while you might not realize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too easy to burn out .
“ Working from home provides little opportunity for variety in your working day , ” says Lucy Fuller , a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist .
“ There ’ s little chance for face-to-face , non-work social interaction and it comes with an intensity that would usually be broken up by traveling and dawdling on your way to work , in your lunch period and also going to meetings outside your place of work .
“ Our days are therefore becoming grey and our brains are burning and clouding from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so long .
We ’ re effectively trapped in this way of work without a definite end point to look forward to.
” Psychotherapist Philip Karahassan , a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy , doesn ’ t think people know they can burn out while working from home – “ people usually see it as a more relaxing work day , where they can do work at their own pace ” – which might mean they ’ re hurtling headfirst into it .
What actually is burnout ?
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed , ” said WHO .
It ’ s characterized by three factors : feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion , increased mental distance or negativity surrounding your job , and reduced productivity .
Left unchecked , it can cause physical problems too .
One study linked the issue to atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat – which is a major cause of stroke .
So what are the signs of burnout at home ?
When working from home , feelings of burnout might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while commuting and traveling for work , suggests Fuller .
“ We can experience a burnout that has less physical symptoms but manifests as more of a mental fuzziness , ” she says .
Burnout is different for everyone , so it ’ s important to check in with how you ’ re feeling and be aware if your feelings or behavior change .
If you do notice a change , don ’ t ignore it .
Making changes in your work-life routine to prevent burnout is important because , as Fuller points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dip , it can be even harder to climb out of our low state of mind .
Taking holiday is a good place to start – especially if you feel like the last few months have been a stressful blur .
“ Many people have taken their holiday leave , even though they have nowhere to go , ” says Fuller .
“ This might sound mad and a waste of holiday leave but it makes good sense in terms of taking a break and doing something different for a few days away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t take annual leave , try to separate your work life from your home life as much as you can .
Karahassan recommends setting boundaries as soon as possible .
“ Have a separate place for work , rest , discussion , ” he says .
“ It can be as easy as having a corner of the room which is just for your work.
” “ Something that helped me is having a table for me to sit and do my work rather than the laptop on my legs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s about making those small changes that go a long way as you are able create a work-life balance.
” You might also want to think about how to create commute-type divides into your working day .
“ In normal circumstances we have a natural divide , which is your commute , but we now have to create our own transition , ” says Fuller .
“ This might be doing exercise , putting music on that you love or taking a bath .
What can I do if I feel burnt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop and tell yourself you ’ re doing a great job and take a break outside of your home environment , suggests Karahassan .
“ Go for a walk , sit on a bench alone .
If you can ’ t go out , go in the shower , wash your face , just do something for you .
That five or 10-minute break can give you the space to reset and take control of your thoughts and feelings , ” he says .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
We might be working from home, but that doesn’t mean we can’t burn out from stress. The feeling might be a little different from what we’re used to, though.
Pop-up offices have appeared in bedrooms across the globe, so the boundaries between work and personal lives are increasingly blurred. It’s all too easy to check emails at 9 p.m. because your laptop is within reach, or skip a lunch break because your head is deep in a project. And while you might not realize it, it’s also all too easy to burn out.
Advertisement
“Working from home provides little opportunity for variety in your working day,” says Lucy Fuller, a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist. “There’s little chance for face-to-face, non-work social interaction and it comes with an intensity that would usually be broken up by traveling and dawdling on your way to work, in your lunch period and also going to meetings outside your place of work.
“Our days are therefore becoming grey and our brains are burning and clouding from sitting in front of a screen for so long. We’re effectively trapped in this way of work without a definite end point to look forward to.”
Psychotherapist Philip Karahassan, a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, doesn’t think people know they can burn out while working from home – “people usually see it as a more relaxing work day, where they can do work at their own pace” – which might mean they’re hurtling headfirst into it.
MHJ via Getty Images
Advertisement
What actually is burnout?
Last year, burnout was classified by the World Health Organization as an “occupational phenomenon,” legitimizing the experiences of many who’ve fallen prey to the problem, also know as vital exhaustion.
“Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed,” said WHO. It’s characterized by three factors: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance or negativity surrounding your job, and reduced productivity. Left unchecked, it can cause physical problems too. One study linked the issue to atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat – which is a major cause of stroke. So what are the signs of burnout at home?
When working from home, feelings of burnout might be slightly different to what we experience while commuting and traveling for work, suggests Fuller. “We can experience a burnout that has less physical symptoms but manifests as more of a mental fuzziness,” she says.
Those experiencing burnout at home might feel tired, confused and become forgetful. Other signs include frustration, anger and sadness.
Burnout is different for everyone, so it’s important to check in with how you’re feeling and be aware if your feelings or behavior change. If you do notice a change, don’t ignore it.
Advertisement
Can I prevent it?
Making changes in your work-life routine to prevent burnout is important because, as Fuller points out, when our mood starts to dip, it can be even harder to climb out of our low state of mind.
Taking holiday is a good place to start – especially if you feel like the last few months have been a stressful blur. “Many people have taken their holiday leave, even though they have nowhere to go,” says Fuller. “This might sound mad and a waste of holiday leave but it makes good sense in terms of taking a break and doing something different for a few days away from the pressures of work.”
If you can’t take annual leave, try to separate your work life from your home life as much as you can. Karahassan recommends setting boundaries as soon as possible. “Have a separate place for work, rest, discussion,” he says. “It can be as easy as having a corner of the room which is just for your work.”
“Something that helped me is having a table for me to sit and do my work rather than the laptop on my legs,” he says. “It’s about making those small changes that go a long way as you are able create a work-life balance.”
Set boundaries with the people around you, too. Make clear what times you’ll be working and when you can spend time with them – and stick to that routine.
Advertisement
You might also want to think about how to create commute-type divides into your working day. “In normal circumstances we have a natural divide, which is your commute, but we now have to create our own transition,” says Fuller. “This might be doing exercise, putting music on that you love or taking a bath.
“Whatever it is, use the activity to shake off your day and draw a line under your work to move into your leisure time.”
What can I do if I feel burnt out already?
First of all, stop and tell yourself you’re doing a great job and take a break outside of your home environment, suggests Karahassan. “Go for a walk, sit on a bench alone. If you can’t go out, go in the shower, wash your face, just do something for you. That five or 10-minute break can give you the space to reset and take control of your thoughts and feelings,” he says.
“Turn off your work screen and indulge yourself in something that brings you joy,” adds Fuller. “You won’t regret it.”
Avoid unhealthy vices like smoking and drinking and instead try to do things for your mental wellbeing – do some exercise, connect with loved ones, prioritize self-care, sign up to volunteer, and try to work smarter (not harder).
Advertisement
Practicing mindfulness can help you live in the moment rather than thinking about the endless Zoom meetings you’ve got coming up. And practicing gratitude can promote feelings of positivity – write down three things that went well today, or for which you’re grateful.
Breathing exercises are useful when things feel too much, so take five minutes out of your day, sit comfortably somewhere, and focus on your breath. There are a number of deep breathing apps you can download on your phone to help guide you, or you can find some helpful breathing exercises here.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--The Best Toothbrush Monthly Subscription Services Of 2020

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page .
Prices and availability subject to change @ @ @ @ @ your pearly whites , you don ’ t want to miss a spot .
And @ @ @ @ @ want to end up hearing the words “ root canal ” or “ cavity ” @ @ @ @ @ .
Whether you already take your oral hygiene super seriously or feel like you could @ @ @ @ @ might be looking for a subscription service that ’ ll help you stay on top @ @ @ @ @ s more mundane daily tasks .
( The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth @ @ @ @ @ day and making sure to switch out your toothbrush every three to four months .
@ @ @ @ @ while we were looking for the best subscription services for all your household essentials , @ @ @ @ @ the ones that ’ ll send you over everything from replacement brush heads ( Quip @ @ @ @ @ to tongue cleaners ( Boka ’ s probably your go-to for that ) .

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
Svitlana Hulko via Getty Images Remember to set up a timer for two minutes for the best brush.
When it comes to your pearly whites, you don’t want to miss a spot. And you definitely don’t want to end up hearing the words “root canal” or “cavity” during your next dentist appointment.
Advertisement
Whether you already take your oral hygiene super seriously or feel like you could be flossing more, you might be looking for a subscription service that’ll help you stay on top of one of life’s more mundane daily tasks. (The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and making sure to switch out your toothbrush every three to four months.)
That’s why while we were looking for the best subscription services for all your household essentials, we had to search for the ones that’ll send you over everything from replacement brush heads (Quip has you covered there) to tongue cleaners (Boka’s probably your go-to for that).
Now, get to brushing.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Responds After GOP Congressman Accosts Her On Capitol Steps

Florida Rep. Ted Yoho ( R ) launched an ugly personal attack against New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D ) when he met her on the steps of the Capitol on Monday , according to a reporter for The Hill who overheard the exchange .
Yoho was walking down the steps of the building as Ocasio-Cortez was walking up when he accosted her , The Hill reported .
Ocasio-Cortez responded to the attack Tuesday morning , saying that she had never spoken to Yoho before Monday .
I never spoke to Rep. Yoho before he decided to accost me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Capitol yesterday .
Believe it or not , I usually get along fine w/ my GOP colleagues .
We know how to check our legislative sparring at the committee door .
But hey , “ b*tches ” get stuff done .
🤷🏽♀ https : //t.co/WlG3xccwR7 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) July 21 , 2020 “ Believe it or not , I usually get along fine [ with ] my GOP colleagues .
We know how to check our legislative sparring at the committee door , ” she wrote in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Texas Rep. Roger Williams ( R ) , who was with Yoho at the time .
She accused Williams of lying after he told The Hill that he was not really paying attention to the exchange between the other two .
Got ta love Republican courage from Rep @ RogerWilliamsTX : when he undeniably sees another man engaged in virulent harassment of a young woman , just pretend you never saw it in the most cartoonish manner possible and keep pushing .
( He ’ s lying , by the way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : //t.co/TAjvXBdd9u — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( @ AOC ) July 21 , 2020 Brian Kaveney , a spokesman for Yoho , denied the events as reported by The Hill , saying that the congressman had “ a brief member to member conversation ” with Ocasio-Cortez .
There was no name-calling , he said .
“ Instead , he made a brief comment to himself as he walked away , summarizing what he believes her polices to be : bullshit , ” Kaveney said in a statement to HuffPost .
Ocasio-Cortez has suggested that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home city is being driven by economic instability caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
“ When people do not have opportunities ― I can tell you from my personal experience and what I saw growing up ― when families don ’ t have money , a lot of times young people and teens that feel like they need to support their mom , sometimes they ’ ll turn to selling drugs , which can then lead to an escalated level of trouble , to what police label as gang activity , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Queens .
“ So the idea that violent crime is somehow immune , or totally separated , from the economic situation that people are going through right now , I think that ’ s mistaken .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Florida Rep. Ted Yoho (R) launched an ugly personal attack against New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D) when he met her on the steps of the Capitol on Monday, according to a reporter for The Hill who overheard the exchange.
The congressman allegedly called Ocasio-Cortez “disgusting” for comments she has made linking economic insecurity to a recent spike in crime in New York City.
Advertisement
“You are out of your mind,” he told her.
Yoho was walking down the steps of the building as Ocasio-Cortez was walking up when he accosted her, The Hill reported.
The congresswoman then reportedly told Yoho he was being “rude,” and walked away.
A few steps down, Yoho called his House colleague a “fucking bitch,” according to the outlet.
Ocasio-Cortez responded to the attack Tuesday morning, saying that she had never spoken to Yoho before Monday.
I never spoke to Rep. Yoho before he decided to accost me on the steps of the nation’s Capitol yesterday.
Believe it or not, I usually get along fine w/ my GOP colleagues. We know how to check our legislative sparring at the committee door.
But hey, “b*tches” get stuff done. 🤷🏽♀ https://t.co/WlG3xccwR7 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 21, 2020
“Believe it or not, I usually get along fine [with] my GOP colleagues. We know how to check our legislative sparring at the committee door,” she wrote in a tweet.
Advertisement
“But hey, ‘b*tches’ get stuff done,” she said.
The congresswoman also hit back at Texas Rep. Roger Williams (R), who was with Yoho at the time. She accused Williams of lying after he told The Hill that he was not really paying attention to the exchange between the other two.
“You were yelling at me too, about ‘throwing urine,’” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Gotta love Republican courage from Rep @RogerWilliamsTX: when he undeniably sees another man engaged in virulent harassment of a young woman, just pretend you never saw it in the most cartoonish manner possible and keep pushing.
(He’s lying, by the way. He joined in w/ Yoho) https://t.co/TAjvXBdd9u — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 21, 2020
Brian Kaveney, a spokesman for Yoho, denied the events as reported by The Hill, saying that the congressman had “a brief member to member conversation” with Ocasio-Cortez. There was no name-calling, he said.
“Instead, he made a brief comment to himself as he walked away, summarizing what he believes her polices to be: bullshit,” Kaveney said in a statement to HuffPost.
Williams did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
Ocasio-Cortez has suggested that an increase in violent crime across her home city is being driven by economic instability caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Advertisement
“When people do not have opportunities ― I can tell you from my personal experience and what I saw growing up ― when families don’t have money, a lot of times young people and teens that feel like they need to support their mom, sometimes they’ll turn to selling drugs, which can then lead to an escalated level of trouble, to what police label as gang activity,” she said last week at a campaign event in Queens.
“So the idea that violent crime is somehow immune, or totally separated, from the economic situation that people are going through right now, I think that’s mistaken.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Trump Admits Coronavirus Will 'Get Worse,' Won’t Admit Past Failings

President Donald Trump finally admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic would get worse in the U.S. before getting better after months of resisting making a nationwide call for masks and pushing for schools and businesses to reopen .
“ It will get worse before it gets better , ” Trump said during a briefing Tuesday of the resurgence of the coronavirus across the country .
“ That ’ s something I don ’ t like saying , but it is.
” The president also urged people in the U.S. to wear masks for the first time during a live press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national mandate .
“ We ’ re asking everybody that , when you ’ re not able to socially distance , wear a mask , ” Trump said .
“ Whether you like the mask or not , they have an impact .
They have an effect .
We need everything we can get.
” This was the first time Trump has spoken at a White House task force coronavirus update since late April , when the death toll in the U.S. was nearing 55,000 .
As of Tuesday , the death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been 3.8 million coronavirus cases reported in the U.S .
The president started the press conference by referring to the virus as the “ China virus , ” a phrase many have pointed out is offensive , and later blamed China for not stopping the spread of the pandemic .
While Trump praised himself for shutting down travel into the U.S. earlier in the pandemic , he didn ’ t mention the administration ’ s failures , such as its inability to equip doctors with protective gear as the virus spread earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention of his efforts to reopen the U.S. economy despite the public health threat posed by the virus .
He did highlight a surge of cases in Southern states and praised Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) for his handling of the outbreak .
( Florida is experiencing an extreme surge in cases and DeSantis has yet to issue a statewide face mask mandate . )
“ We have embers and fires .
We have big fires .
Unfortunately , now Florida is in a little tough , or in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great governor there , ” Trump said .
On Twitter , many people were surprised by Trump ’ s response when a reporter asked him about Ghislaine Maxwell , a British socialite who was arrested and charged with helping bring young girls to Jeffrey Epstein for sexual exploitation .
Trump noted that he had met Maxwell “ numerous times , ” adding that she lived in Palm Beach , but he also said he hadn ’ t been following the case .
“ I just wish her well , frankly , ” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her numerous times over the years , especially since I lived in Palm Beach and I guess they lived in Palm Beach .
But I wish her well , whatever it is .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump finally admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic would get worse in the U.S. before getting better after months of resisting making a nationwide call for masks and pushing for schools and businesses to reopen.
“It will get worse before it gets better,” Trump said during a briefing Tuesday of the resurgence of the coronavirus across the country. “That’s something I don’t like saying, but it is.”
Advertisement
The president also urged people in the U.S. to wear masks for the first time during a live press conference, though he did not issue a national mandate.
“We’re asking everybody that, when you’re not able to socially distance, wear a mask,” Trump said. “Whether you like the mask or not, they have an impact. They have an effect. We need everything we can get.”
However, Trump later claimed that the “virus will disappear” without providing proof.
No medical experts, including coronavirus task force members Dr. Anthony Fauci and Dr. Deborah Birx, spoke.
This was the first time Trump has spoken at a White House task force coronavirus update since late April, when the death toll in the U.S. was nearing 55,000. As of Tuesday, the death toll was over 140,000 people, and there had been 3.8 million coronavirus cases reported in the U.S.
Advertisement
The president started the press conference by referring to the virus as the “China virus,” a phrase many have pointed out is offensive, and later blamed China for not stopping the spread of the pandemic.
“China should’ve stopped it,” Trump said.
While Trump praised himself for shutting down travel into the U.S. earlier in the pandemic, he didn’t mention the administration’s failures, such as its inability to equip doctors with protective gear as the virus spread earlier this year.
Trump also made no mention of his efforts to reopen the U.S. economy despite the public health threat posed by the virus.
He did highlight a surge of cases in Southern states and praised Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for his handling of the outbreak. (Florida is experiencing an extreme surge in cases and DeSantis has yet to issue a statewide face mask mandate.)
“We have embers and fires. We have big fires. Unfortunately, now Florida is in a little tough, or in a big tough position. You have a great governor there,” Trump said.
Advertisement
On Twitter, many people were surprised by Trump’s response when a reporter asked him about Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite who was arrested and charged with helping bring young girls to Jeffrey Epstein for sexual exploitation.
Trump noted that he had met Maxwell “numerous times,” adding that she lived in Palm Beach, but he also said he hadn’t been following the case.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Trump Issues Memo To Stop Counting Undocumented Migrants In Next Round Of Redistricting

Evan Vucci/Associated Press President Donald Trump 's new move on redistricting is likely to be challenged in court .
WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a memorandum that would prevent migrants who are in the United States illegally from being counted when U.S. congressional voting districts are redrawn in the next round of redistricting .
U.S. Census experts and lawyers say the action is legally dubious .
In theory , it would benefit Trump ’ s Republican Party by eliminating the largely non-white population of migrants in the U.S. illegally , creating voting districts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal aliens in the population of the State for the purpose of apportionment could result in the allocation of two or three more congressional seats than would otherwise be allocated , ” the memo said .
Proponents of citizens-only voting districts argue each vote should carry the same weight .
If one district has far fewer eligible voters than another , they say , each vote there has more influence on election outcomes .
But the move carries major legal questions , and will probably draw litigation .
The U.S. Constitution explicitly says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ whole number of persons ” in each state .
Multiple federal laws have reinforced that reading .
“ All of this makes Trump ’ s position outrageous , ” said Joshua Geltzer , a constitutional law expert and professor at Georgetown Law , adding that the move will almost certainly be met with litigation .

President Donald Trump's new move on redistricting is likely to be challenged in court. Evan Vucci/Associated Press
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a memorandum that would prevent migrants who are in the United States illegally from being counted when U.S. congressional voting districts are redrawn in the next round of redistricting.
U.S. Census experts and lawyers say the action is legally dubious. In theory, it would benefit Trump’s Republican Party by eliminating the largely non-white population of migrants in the U.S. illegally, creating voting districts that skew more Caucasian.
Advertisement
“Including these illegal aliens in the population of the State for the purpose of apportionment could result in the allocation of two or three more congressional seats than would otherwise be allocated,” the memo said.
Proponents of citizens-only voting districts argue each vote should carry the same weight. If one district has far fewer eligible voters than another, they say, each vote there has more influence on election outcomes.
But the move carries major legal questions, and will probably draw litigation.
The U.S. Constitution explicitly says congressional apportionment should be based on the “whole number of persons” in each state. Multiple federal laws have reinforced that reading.
“All of this makes Trump’s position outrageous,” said Joshua Geltzer, a constitutional law expert and professor at Georgetown Law, adding that the move will almost certainly be met with litigation.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Trump Wishes Accused Sex Abuser Ghislaine Maxwell 'Well' At Coronavirus Briefing

“ Maxwell assisted , facilitated , and contributed to Jeffrey Epstein ’ s abuse of minor girls by , among @ @ @ @ @ to recruit , groom , and ultimately abuse victims known to Maxwell and Epstein to @ @ @ @ @ 18 , ” a copy of the indictment reads .
“ In some instances , @ @ @ @ @ participated in the sexual abuse of minor victims.
” Nelson ’ s reference to Prince @ @ @ @ @ by alleged victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre , who says Epstein and Maxwell flew her around @ @ @ @ @ with powerful men — one of whom , Giuffre claims , was Prince Andrew .

“Maxwell assisted, facilitated, and contributed to Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims known to Maxwell and Epstein to be under the age of 18,” a copy of the indictment reads. “In some instances, Maxwell was present for and participated in the sexual abuse of minor victims.”
Nelson’s reference to Prince Andrew stems from the claim by alleged victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who says Epstein and Maxwell flew her around the world to have sex with powerful men — one of whom, Giuffre claims, was Prince Andrew.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder Arrested In $60M Bribery Case

COLUMBUS , Ohio ( AP ) — Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four others were arrested Tuesday in a $ 60 million federal bribery probe , a person briefed on the investigation confirmed .
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers ’ office would not discuss details of the case , which it planned to outline at a briefing later Tuesday .
Also arrested were Householder adviser Jeffrey Longstreth , longtime Statehouse lobbyist Neil Clark , former Ohio Republican Party chairman and consultant Matthew Borges and Juan Cespedes , co-founder of The Oxley Group in Columbus , the person told The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not authorized to discuss the case .
A sixth person was also sought , the person said .
FBI agents were at the farm of Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder on Tuesday morning , hours ahead of the government ’ s planned announcement .
FBI agents were carrying out “ law enforcement activity ” on Householder ’ s property in Glenford in southeastern Ohio , FBI spokesman Todd Lindgren said , without providing details .
The Perry County Sheriff ’ s Office also confirmed it was assisting the FBI at Householder ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference by DeVillers , whose office planned to announce “ charges related to $ 60 million bribe to state official & associates.
” Messages were left with Householder at home and at the House communications office .
The Republican is in his second stint as House speaker following his tenure in the same position from 2001 to 2004 .
Householder , a veteran lawmaker , returned to state politics in 2016 after leaving more than a decade ago because of term limits .
At the time he left office , he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for alleged money laundering and irregular campaign practices .
The government closed the case without filing charges .
After returning to the Ohio House fours years ago , Householder won a contentious fight to become House speaker in 2019 .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and four others were arrested Tuesday in a $60 million federal bribery probe, a person briefed on the investigation confirmed.
U.S. Attorney David DeVillers’ office would not discuss details of the case, which it planned to outline at a briefing later Tuesday.
Advertisement
Also arrested were Householder adviser Jeffrey Longstreth, longtime Statehouse lobbyist Neil Clark, former Ohio Republican Party chairman and consultant Matthew Borges and Juan Cespedes, co-founder of The Oxley Group in Columbus, the person told The Associated Press. They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case. A sixth person was also sought, the person said.
FBI agents were at the farm of Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder on Tuesday morning, hours ahead of the government’s planned announcement.
FBI agents were carrying out “law enforcement activity” on Householder’s property in Glenford in southeastern Ohio, FBI spokesman Todd Lindgren said, without providing details. The Perry County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed it was assisting the FBI at Householder’s farm.
Lindgren noted the upcoming news conference by DeVillers, whose office planned to announce “charges related to $60 million bribe to state official & associates.”
Advertisement
Messages were left with Householder at home and at the House communications office. The Republican is in his second stint as House speaker following his tenure in the same position from 2001 to 2004.
Householder, a veteran lawmaker, returned to state politics in 2016 after leaving more than a decade ago because of term limits.
At the time he left office, he and several top advisers were under federal investigation for alleged money laundering and irregular campaign practices. The government closed the case without filing charges.
After returning to the Ohio House fours years ago, Householder won a contentious fight to become House speaker in 2019.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Donald Trump's 'Gaslighting' Over Fox News Interview Goes Awry

Twitter users on Tuesday morning called out President Donald Trump for his brazen attempt at rewriting the narrative about his disastrous weekend interview on Fox News .
The president was widely mocked and slammed for his sit-down with Chris Wallace that aired Sunday .
It featured Trump bragging about acing a cognitive test , continuing to downplay the coronavirus pandemic , refusing to say if he ’ d accept the 2020 election result and getting fact-checked to his face for false claims about presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
“ Thank you for the good reviews and comments on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the president tweeted .
He noted the interview was “ a record ” in the heat , but didn ’ t say what the weather had to do with his behavior .
Thank you for the good reviews and comments on my interview with Chris Wallace of @ FoxNews .
We may have set a record for doing such an interview in the heat .
It was 100 degrees , making things very interesting !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) July 21 , 2020 Some accused the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was writing about the same interview they had watched : what planet are you on ?
you bragged about pointing to an elephant — Jeff Tiedrich ( @ itsJeffTiedrich ) July 21 , 2020 It was the most amazing interview that ever took place .
It wasn ’ t .
I ’ m lying .
— Geoff Wilton ( @ geoffwilton2 ) July 21 , 2020 6.30am and Trump is losing sleep over his train wreck interview .
So he has to gaslight to appease his narcissism .
You are so tediously predictable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ JayLionel7 ) July 21 , 2020 Ate you kidding ?
!
Everyone saw you as beyond ignorant , incompetent , dishonest and off-the-rails batshit crazy ... # Trump # ChrisWallace — Andy Ostroy ( @ AndyOstroy ) July 21 , 2020 This totally regular guy said it was the best interview in 100 degree weather in the history of interviews , and also of weather .
Believe me .
pic.twitter.com/G970z9Rcfs — Jo ( @ JoJoFromJerz ) July 21 , 2020 Hey there , Don .
You ’ re correct abt two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yes , it is hot , which begs the question as to why you didn ’ t have the interview indoors .
And the interview has dominated the news since it aired .
Good job .
P.S .
142,000 ppl are dead .
— Susan Pick Kamala Harris Becraft ( @ AliceTinker1943 ) July 21 , 2020 Good reviews and lots of praise for Wallace , nothing but laughter and contempt for you !
It was an epic failure !
— Diane Bernaerts 🇧🇪🌊🌊🌊 ( @ DianeBernaerts ) July 21 , 2020

Twitter users on Tuesday morning called out President Donald Trump for his brazen attempt at rewriting the narrative about his disastrous weekend interview on Fox News .
“Thank you for the good reviews and comments on my interview with Chris Wallace of @FoxNews,” the president tweeted. He noted the interview was “a record” in the heat, but didn’t say what the weather had to do with his behavior.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Trump Threatens To Veto Troop Pay Raises To Protect Confederate Names

Patrick Smith via Getty Images A vendor displays a confederate and Trump 2020 `` Make America Great Again ! ''
flag outside of the Bristol Motor Speedway prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race on July 15 , 2020 , in Bristol , Tennessee .
The White House ’ s “ Statement of Administration Policy ” on the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act claims that the provision “ is part of a sustained effort to erase from the history of the Nation those who do not meet an ever-shifting standard of conduct.
” The document warns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s desk the way it is currently written , “ his senior advisors would recommend that he veto it.
” Trump has made similar statements previously in interviews and Twitter posts , but the formal document from the Office of Management and Budget is the traditional way of communicating a veto threat to Congress .
“ He ’ s totally misjudging the moment , ” said Stuart Stevens , a Republican political consultant who worked on the campaigns of George W. Bush and Mitt Romney and is a seventh-generation Mississippian .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confederate flag from its state flag .
“ When people ― when people proudly have their Confederate flags , they ’ re not talking about racism .
They love their flag , it represents the South , they like the South , ” Trump said .
“ People right now like the South.
” Both House and Senate versions of the NDAA contain the military base language , which would require the Pentagon to rename bases currently named “ after a person who served in the political or military leadership of any armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would apply to 10 Army bases named after leaders of the Confederacy who , by definition , committed treason against the United States between 1861 and 1865 by taking up arms against the government .
They are located in six states , from Texas to Virginia , that left the Union , according to their articles of secession , for the purpose of protecting the right to own Black slaves , and include Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Benning in Georgia .
The former states of the Confederacy strongly supported Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential nominees since Democrat Lyndon Johnson pushed through the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in the 1960s .
In 2016 , while the 11 former Confederate states accounted for 32 % of the country ’ s population , they made up 48 % of Trump ’ s electoral votes , according to a HuffPost analysis of voting and population data .
Trump beat Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton 147 to 13 in electoral votes from those states and won the popular vote 52 % to 44 % .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 159 in electoral votes and won the popular vote 50 % to 43 % .
Yet while Trump ’ s vocal enthusiasm for reminders of the Confederacy could help maintain support from a segment of his voting base , it may well be turning off other groups .
Trump has criticized NASCAR for its decision , as well as Bubba Wallace , a Black NASCAR driver whose garage door pull at a race track was found to have been fashioned into a noose — even though it was NASCAR , not Wallace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI later concluded that the noose had not targeted Wallace specifically .
“ Has @ BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid , stood by his side , & were willing to sacrifice everything for him , only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX ?
That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER !
” Trump wrote in a statement he posted to Twitter .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump Tuesday formally threatened to veto an annual “must-pass” military bill — including pay raises for troops — to prevent the renaming of military bases currently honoring Confederate traitors.
The White House’s “Statement of Administration Policy” on the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act claims that the provision “is part of a sustained effort to erase from the history of the Nation those who do not meet an ever-shifting standard of conduct.” The document warns that should the legislation arrive on Trump’s desk the way it is currently written, “his senior advisors would recommend that he veto it.”
Advertisement
Trump has made similar statements previously in interviews and Twitter posts, but the formal document from the Office of Management and Budget is the traditional way of communicating a veto threat to Congress.
“He’s totally misjudging the moment,” said Stuart Stevens, a Republican political consultant who worked on the campaigns of George W. Bush and Mitt Romney and is a seventh-generation Mississippian. The state last month passed legislation removing the Confederate flag from its state flag.
“Mississippi took down its Confederate battle flag and Trump is trying to raise it over the White House,” Stevens said.
The president defended the base names as well as the Confederate battle flag in a Fox News interview conducted last week.
Advertisement
“When people ― when people proudly have their Confederate flags, they’re not talking about racism. They love their flag, it represents the South, they like the South,” Trump said. “People right now like the South.”
Both House and Senate versions of the NDAA contain the military base language, which would require the Pentagon to rename bases currently named “after a person who served in the political or military leadership of any armed rebellion against the United States.”
It would apply to 10 Army bases named after leaders of the Confederacy who, by definition, committed treason against the United States between 1861 and 1865 by taking up arms against the government. They are located in six states, from Texas to Virginia, that left the Union, according to their articles of secession, for the purpose of protecting the right to own Black slaves, and include Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Benning in Georgia.
Trump has claimed that renaming those bases would dishonor troops who trained there and were stationed there prior to being shipped overseas to fight wars.
The former states of the Confederacy strongly supported Trump, as they have most other Republican presidential nominees since Democrat Lyndon Johnson pushed through the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act in the 1960s.
Advertisement
In 2016, while the 11 former Confederate states accounted for 32% of the country’s population, they made up 48% of Trump’s electoral votes, according to a HuffPost analysis of voting and population data.
Trump beat Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton 147 to 13 in electoral votes from those states and won the popular vote 52% to 44%. Among the non-Confederate states, Clinton beat Trump 219 to 159 in electoral votes and won the popular vote 50% to 43%.
Overall, Clinton won the popular vote 48% to 46%, winning 3 million more actual ballots than Trump, but she lost in the Electoral College 306 to 232.
Yet while Trump’s vocal enthusiasm for reminders of the Confederacy could help maintain support from a segment of his voting base, it may well be turning off other groups.
Support for removing Confederate monuments has grown from 27%, according to a Reuters poll in 2017, to 52%, according to a Quinnipiac University poll last month.
Advertisement
Also last month, NASCAR ― long a bastion of fans waving Confederate flags and other iconography ― banned the symbol from its races.
Trump has criticized NASCAR for its decision, as well as Bubba Wallace, a Black NASCAR driver whose garage door pull at a race track was found to have been fashioned into a noose — even though it was NASCAR, not Wallace, who reported the incident. The FBI later concluded that the noose had not targeted Wallace specifically.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Turns Out Mass Death Is Bad For The Economy

“ Maybe we ’ d be just better off if we gave it to everybody , and then in a month it would be over , ” Santelli said during a segment for the business network .
“ Because the mortality rate of this probably isn ’ t going to be any different if we did it that way than the long-term picture , but the difference is we ’ re wreaking havoc on global and domestic economies.
” And yet , a variation on Santelli ’ s theme quickly became the official Republican line on how to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News to the Trump administration .
By overreacting to the public health emergency , the country was holding back the economy .
“ As a senior citizen , are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren ?
” mused Texas Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick in a Fox News appearance later that night .
“ If that is the exchange , I ’ m all in ... we can ’ t lose our whole country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” By May , Fox host Pete Hegseth was encouraging viewers to show some “ courage ” and go out and intentionally contract the disease as Trump insisted “ we have to get our country open , and we have to get it open soon.
” Astoundingly , this reckless narrative took hold not only among Trump ’ s fellow Republicans but also with many Democratic mayors and governors eager to boost the flow of cash to bars , restaurants , real estate developers and other local business interests .
The results have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) announced that the largest state in the country by GDP was going back into lockdown after premature reopening led to a catastrophic rush of COVID-19 infections and deaths .
In North Carolina , Gov .
Roy Cooper ( D ) reopened the economy in early May , setting off a surge in new daily coronavirus infections from less than 500 to over 2,000 .
Democratic governors in Colorado , Nevada , New Mexico and Michigan are now implementing new lockdowns after seeing caseload spikes .
None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic sense .
You can not get the economy roaring and the unemployment rate down if citizens are constantly dying in a pandemic .
In truth , reopening the economy was never really about containing economic damage .
It was about maintaining a social order in which wealthy people enjoy leisurely economic gains while working people are subjected to various forms of abuse and exploitation .
Neither Republicans nor Democrats had any problem with massive government bailouts due to the virus ― in March , the Senate voted 96 to 0 to approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large corporations and hundreds of billions of dollars for small businesses .
The problem was not an ideological unwillingness to let the state support the economy through the pandemic ― it was an ideological commitment to social hierarchy .
In late April , Georgia began cutting off unemployment benefits and other aid to workers who refused to return to their jobs ― even workers with health complications who worked at facilities that presented a high risk of contracting the virus .
Several other states followed suit , not all of them Republican .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is governor ― state agencies have been eliminating aid to workers who refuse to return to work even with written statements from doctors declaring it to be an inappropriate medical risk .
These policies got thousands of people killed and have destroyed the livelihoods of others who refused to sacrifice themselves for a false trade-off between public health and gross domestic product .
The economy in the United States can not and will not recover until policymakers get control of the pandemic .
But sometimes when our leaders talk about “ the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about trade flows and inventories .
They ’ re using the term as a placeholder for a system of social domination that continues to appeal to wide elements of our ruling class even as the costs of that system to working people have turned increasingly , obviously deadly .
It is a disgrace .

CNBC commentator Rick Santelli said something inane about the novel coronavirus in early March as it was beginning its spread across the United States.
“Maybe we’d be just better off if we gave it to everybody, and then in a month it would be over,” Santelli said during a segment for the business network. “Because the mortality rate of this probably isn’t going to be any different if we did it that way than the long-term picture, but the difference is we’re wreaking havoc on global and domestic economies.”
Advertisement
Santelli’s idea proved unpersuasive with the public and his bosses at CNBC. After a brief backlash, he quickly apologized. “It was just a stupid thing to say,” he acknowledged.
And yet, a variation on Santelli’s theme quickly became the official Republican line on how to deal with the pandemic, from statehouses to Fox News to the Trump administration. By overreacting to the public health emergency, the country was holding back the economy.
“WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF,” Trump tweeted on March 23.
“As a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for your children and grandchildren?” mused Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a Fox News appearance later that night. “If that is the exchange, I’m all in ... we can’t lose our whole country, we’re having an economic collapse.”
By May, Fox host Pete Hegseth was encouraging viewers to show some “courage” and go out and intentionally contract the disease as Trump insisted “we have to get our country open, and we have to get it open soon.”
Advertisement
Astoundingly, this reckless narrative took hold not only among Trump’s fellow Republicans but also with many Democratic mayors and governors eager to boost the flow of cash to bars, restaurants, real estate developers and other local business interests.
The results have been horrific. Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced that the largest state in the country by GDP was going back into lockdown after premature reopening led to a catastrophic rush of COVID-19 infections and deaths. In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper (D) reopened the economy in early May, setting off a surge in new daily coronavirus infections from less than 500 to over 2,000. Democratic governors in Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Michigan are now implementing new lockdowns after seeing caseload spikes.
None of this magical thinking ever made any economic sense. You cannot get the economy roaring and the unemployment rate down if citizens are constantly dying in a pandemic.
In truth, reopening the economy was never really about containing economic damage. It was about maintaining a social order in which wealthy people enjoy leisurely economic gains while working people are subjected to various forms of abuse and exploitation.
Neither Republicans nor Democrats had any problem with massive government bailouts due to the virus ― in March, the Senate voted 96 to 0 to approve trillions of dollars in relief funding for large corporations and hundreds of billions of dollars for small businesses. The problem was not an ideological unwillingness to let the state support the economy through the pandemic ― it was an ideological commitment to social hierarchy.
Advertisement
In late April, Georgia began cutting off unemployment benefits and other aid to workers who refused to return to their jobs ― even workers with health complications who worked at facilities that presented a high risk of contracting the virus. Several other states followed suit, not all of them Republican. In Montana ― where Democrat Steve Bullock is governor ― state agencies have been eliminating aid to workers who refuse to return to work even with written statements from doctors declaring it to be an inappropriate medical risk.
These policies got thousands of people killed and have destroyed the livelihoods of others who refused to sacrifice themselves for a false trade-off between public health and gross domestic product. The economy in the United States cannot and will not recover until policymakers get control of the pandemic.
But sometimes when our leaders talk about “the economy,” they’re not really talking about trade flows and inventories. They’re using the term as a placeholder for a system of social domination that continues to appeal to wide elements of our ruling class even as the costs of that system to working people have turned increasingly, obviously deadly. It is a disgrace.
Zach Carter is the author of “The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes,” now available from Random House.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Trump Has Unleashed Authoritarian Violence In Portland. What City Is Next?

These weren ’ t looters or rioters or the “ anarchists ” President Donald Trump says hate our country .
They weren ’ t the “ violent extremists ” that acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf has vowed to put down , nor the fabled “ antifa ” bogeymen who keep Tucker Carlson up at night .
They were just moms , worrying ― as moms tend to do ― about kids being beaten and shot and black-bagged in unmarked vehicles .
Ready to put their bodies on the line to defend the U.S. Constitution .
About 100 of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest before .
Some were pregnant .
Scenes like this have played out repeatedly since Trump urged governors to “ dominate ” protesters speaking out against racism and police brutality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis nearly two months ago .
Anti-racist protests have persisted in many U.S. cities and remained largely peaceful , but the administration ’ s response has been anything but — and nowhere has state violence against civilians been worse than in Portland , a city Trump has promised to “ quell.
” On Saturday , federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 53-year-old Navy veteran with health problems , with batons .
They broke his hand after David , upset about what he considered “ Pinochet-type behavior from our own government , ” showed up at a protest to tell the agents he felt they were violating their oath to the Constitution .
The previous weekend , Trump ’ s forces almost killed 26-year-old Donavan LaBella by shooting him in the head with a “ less-lethal ” round that fractured his skull .
By unleashing his secret police in Portland — against mostly peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city into what local journalist Robert Evans calls a “ bellwether to see what this administration can get away with.
” And a clear throughline exists from what Trump is getting away with in Portland to Lafayette Park in Washington , D.C. , where last month Attorney General Bill Barr authorized the use of force against peaceful protesters so a president who reportedly kept a collection of Hitler speeches by his bed could hold a Bible upside down for a fascist photo-op .
Many of the federal agents in Portland are attached to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the authority to operate within 100 miles of any “ external boundary ” ― an area where 2 out of 3 Americans live .
The quasi-military agency has a history of racism , criminality and violence and is shot through with far-right extremism .
With CBP agents operating anonymously in American cities , far-right groups could easily disguise themselves as federal agents to sow further chaos and target protesters with violence , according to Castro .
The specter of federal jackboots has often animated right-wing fears under Democratic presidents .
The standoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City were products of those concerns under President Bill Clinton , as were radicalizing incidents for white nationalists and the so-called patriot movement .
Glenn Beck ’ s FEMA concentration camp fever dreams , the armed standoff at the Bundy ranch , and the occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge happened in response to Barack Obama ’ s presidency .
But while the right-wing press tends to make martyrs out of Cliven Bundy characters , casting them as rugged iconoclasts and victims of federal overreach who are fighting for state and local rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to anti-racist and anti-fascist protesters in local communities around the country .
Fox News host Tucker Carlson has called the protesters “ thugs , ” “ vampires ” and “ domestic terrorists , ” and has described the Black Lives Matter movement as a “ challenge to Western civilization itself.
” On Monday , his Fox News colleague Sean Hannity defended the practice of federal agents abducting protesters in unmarked vehicles .
And Jesse Watters , yet another Fox News host and Trump loyalist , said on Monday that when “ you come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away in a van .
… That ’ s how good policing is done.
” The encouragement of state violence from the political right has also laid the groundwork for further escalation from the Trump administration ― and Chicago is next .
Around 150 federal agents are set to be deployed there this week and , possibly , to other Democratic-run cities such as New York soon thereafter , according to media reports and a White House news conference on Monday , during which Trump railed about the “ radical left ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has previously promoted fake crime statistics about Chicago that are often circulated by white nationalists . )
“ Our nation is at a crossroads , and as Americans across the country exercise their First Amendment rights , the Trump Administration has repeatedly deployed federal law enforcement officials to try to silence them , ” Reps. Jerrold Nadler ( D-N.Y. ) , chairman of the House Judiciary Committee , Adam Smith ( D-Wash. ) , chairman of the House Armed Services Committee , and Bennie G. Thompson ( D-Miss . )
, chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday in a statement after Trump ’ s forces continued to use violent tactics against protesters in Portland over the weekend .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The moms shuffled into position on Sunday night, arms linked, backs to the fence in front of Portland’s federal courthouse. The sky had darkened. Behind the fence, anonymous federal agents in fatigues leveled their weapons at the women’s backs. The human shield was in place, a barrier against the secret police. The “Wall of Moms.”
These weren’t looters or rioters or the “anarchists” President Donald Trump says hate our country. They weren’t the “violent extremists” that acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf has vowed to put down, nor the fabled “antifa” bogeymen who keep Tucker Carlson up at night. They were just moms, worrying ― as moms tend to do ― about kids being beaten and shot and black-bagged in unmarked vehicles. Ready to put their bodies on the line to defend the U.S. Constitution. About 100 of them. Some had never been to a protest before. Some were pregnant.
Advertisement
Outside the federal courthouse, which has become a flashpoint for conflict in the city, they were tear-gassed.
Militarized federal agents deployed by the president fired tear gas at protesters during a demonstration in Portland, Oregon, on Friday. The city’s mayor has demanded that the agents be removed, and the state’s attorney general has vowed to seek a restraining order against them. Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP
Scenes like this have played out repeatedly since Trump urged governors to “dominate” protesters speaking out against racism and police brutality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis nearly two months ago. Anti-racist protests have persisted in many U.S. cities and remained largely peaceful, but the administration’s response has been anything but — and nowhere has state violence against civilians been worse than in Portland, a city Trump has promised to “quell.”
During the last two weeks, federal law enforcement agents in Portland have terrorized peaceful protesters by bundling them into unmarked vehicles without probable cause and pulling masks over their faces — a development experts say is a “a classic way that violence happens in authoritarian regimes” and that has deeply alarmed several members of Congress.
Advertisement
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) called it “the activity of a police state.”
“This is what dictators do,” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) tweeted.
On Saturday, federal agents in Portland attacked Christopher David, a 53-year-old Navy veteran with health problems, with batons. They broke his hand after David, upset about what he considered “Pinochet-type behavior from our own government,” showed up at a protest to tell the agents he felt they were violating their oath to the Constitution. The previous weekend, Trump’s forces almost killed 26-year-old Donavan LaBella by shooting him in the head with a “less-lethal” round that fractured his skull.
By unleashing his secret police in Portland — against mostly peaceful citizens — Trump has turned the progressive city into what local journalist Robert Evans calls a “bellwether to see what this administration can get away with.” And a clear throughline exists from what Trump is getting away with in Portland to Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C., where last month Attorney General Bill Barr authorized the use of force against peaceful protesters so a president who reportedly kept a collection of Hitler speeches by his bed could hold a Bible upside down for a fascist photo-op.
“This is what dictators do.” - Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas)
Trump stationed unidentified gunmen in Washington. The same is true in Portland, where Trump’s troops come mainly from within the Department of Homeland Security, wear no identification, have no clear chain of command and appear to operate outside the law.
“It’s as close up to the line as you can get to actual war without live rounds,” Evans told The New York Times about what’s happening in Portland. “It’s really hard for me to see how things go much further without people dying.”
Advertisement
Many of the federal agents in Portland are attached to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which has the authority to operate within 100 miles of any “external boundary” ― an area where 2 out of 3 Americans live. The quasi-military agency has a history of racism, criminality and violence and is shot through with far-right extremism. With CBP agents operating anonymously in American cities, far-right groups could easily disguise themselves as federal agents to sow further chaos and target protesters with violence, according to Castro.
“It becomes more likely the more that this tactic is used,” he told The New York Times. “I think it’s unconstitutional and dangerous and heading towards fascism.”
He is not alone.
“This is a serious escalation that the entire nation should be paying attention to right now,” said Eric Ward, executive director of the Western States Center, a Portland-based civil rights organization that monitors extremists and works to strengthen democracy. “The Trump administration with this action has moved from an authoritarian-leaning administration to a fully fledged authoritarian government.”
“If we don’t stop this here, your community is next,” he added. “I guarantee that.”
The specter of federal jackboots has often animated right-wing fears under Democratic presidents. The standoff at Waco and the bombing in Oklahoma City were products of those concerns under President Bill Clinton, as were radicalizing incidents for white nationalists and the so-called patriot movement. Glenn Beck’s FEMA concentration camp fever dreams, the armed standoff at the Bundy ranch, and the occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge happened in response to Barack Obama’s presidency. But while the right-wing press tends to make martyrs out of Cliven Bundy characters, casting them as rugged iconoclasts and victims of federal overreach who are fighting for state and local rights, they have extended no such empathy to anti-racist and anti-fascist protesters in local communities around the country.
Fox News host Tucker Carlson has called the protesters “thugs,” “vampires” and “domestic terrorists,” and has described the Black Lives Matter movement as a “challenge to Western civilization itself.” On Monday, his Fox News colleague Sean Hannity defended the practice of federal agents abducting protesters in unmarked vehicles. And Jesse Watters, yet another Fox News host and Trump loyalist, said on Monday that when “you come in and take some [protesters] away in a van. … That’s how good policing is done.”
Far-right militias shut down the Oregon statehouse in June 2019, and Republicans didn’t blink. (These militias were also involved in the standoff at Malheur.) Now Trump has put actual jackboots in the streets of an American city, and many Republicans seem thrilled at this erosion of freedom.
Which raises the question: Does the party of “law and order” really only care about order, even when it’s the kind imposed under a heel?
Federal officers pull a protester into the federal courthouse in downtown Portland. Dave Killen/The Oregonian via AP
The encouragement of state violence from the political right has also laid the groundwork for further escalation from the Trump administration ― and Chicago is next. Around 150 federal agents are set to be deployed there this week and, possibly, to other Democratic-run cities such as New York soon thereafter, according to media reports and a White House news conference on Monday, during which Trump railed about the “radical left” and likened Chicago to Afghanistan. (Trump has previously promoted fake crime statistics about Chicago that are often circulated by white nationalists.)
Advertisement
As Trump and his proxies bang the war drums against regular Americans and trample on states’ rights during one of the largest civil rights mobilizations in history, the country finds itself in a full-blown constitutional crisis that at least some in Congress are trying to stop.
“Our nation is at a crossroads, and as Americans across the country exercise their First Amendment rights, the Trump Administration has repeatedly deployed federal law enforcement officials to try to silence them,” Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Adam Smith (D-Wash.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said Monday in a statement after Trump’s forces continued to use violent tactics against protesters in Portland over the weekend.
“The Trump Administration continues to weaponize federal law enforcement for its own agenda,” they said. “Like we saw in Lafayette Park, rather than supporting and protecting the American people, we are witnessing the oppression of peaceful protesters by our own government.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) plans to introduce a bill this week that would require federal law enforcement officials to clearly identify themselves, according to The Nation.
But Republicans in Congress are doing worse than nothing ― they are cheering on the state violence. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) argued in June for using military force against Americans exercising their constitutional rights. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has demonized protesters as “antifa terrorists” and elevated Andy Ngo, a far-right propagandist in Portland who collaborates with fascists and endangered journalists and activists, to a de facto congressional tribune.
Advertisement
All this ― back through Trump’s endorsement of white nationalists after their violent rally in Charlottesville, Virginia ― has led to what’s happening in Portland.
“Donald Trump picked the worst city in America to target,” Ward told HuffPost, explaining that many thousands of people who haven’t even been protesting ― “the folks who go bowling and fishing and work in our gardens and barbecue” ― are now outraged.
“And if we let him get away with this, it’s probably the biggest misstep that could happen in modern American democracy,” he said. “We all have to stand up, whether we are Oregonians or reside in other states in this country.”
A group of mothers stand arm-in-arm outside the federal building and Justice Center in downtown Portland on Saturday. Mark Graves/The Oregonian via AP
This weekend, the moms stood up.
On Saturday, they took to the streets for the first time after finding each other on Facebook the previous night. Bev Barnum, a 35-year-old mother of two, told BuzzFeed she organized the event after watching a video of unidentified federal agents manhandle a protester into an unmarked van.
Advertisement
“Feds stay clear! Moms are here!” the moms chanted when they got to the courthouse. “Leave our kids alone!”
Trump’s secret police lit them up with tear gas and flash bangs.
On Sunday, the moms returned. There were more of them, defiant, some toting baby wipes to counter the chemical irritants.
“This is what democracy looks like,” they chanted.
The secret police gassed them again.
On Monday, Barnum’s “Wall of Moms” Facebook page erupted with talk about organizing moms in other cities. And in Portland, the moms came back again, marching on the courthouse in one of the biggest crowds of protesters the city has seen yet. They came with dads. They sang a lullaby.
CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story misstated that the Ruby Ridge siege happened under Bill Clinton. George H.W. Bush was president at the time.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Mitch McConnell Says Next Coronavirus Bill Should Have Direct Payments

Congress sent most households in the U.S. direct payments as part of the CARES Act , which passed in March — back when lawmakers thought the pandemic might calm down after a few months .
Instead , record numbers of Americans are catching the virus daily , threatening a fledgling economic recovery .
The CARES Act sent $ 1,200 checks to every American earning $ 75,000 or less , plus $ 500 for each child in a household .
The legislation also created a forgivable loan program for small businesses and expanded unemployment insurance that is set to expire this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who would qualify for the next round of direct payments under the GOP proposal , which is expected to be unveiled later this week .
He also did not say whether the payments would match those sent out earlier this year .
Earlier this month , he suggested a second round of payments should only go to people earning less than $ 40,000 .
Senate Republicans , meanwhile , are pushing forward their own legislation , which they hope will cost about $ 1 trillion .
The proposal is said to include over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for small businesses , and liability protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits .
Democrats want Congress to preserve a $ 600 boost to unemployment insurance that is set to expire this month .
Republicans have said $ 600 is too high , but they haven ’ t objected to the basic idea of continuing a federal supplement to state unemployment benefits , which average only $ 364 per week .
Some Republicans have suggested converting the benefits into a bonus for people who return to work .
When asked about the extra benefits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented the administration in negotiations on Capitol Hill , told HuffPost that he hoped the next piece of legislation would be finished this month .
But McConnell laughed at the idea of finishing the bill that quickly .
Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows joined GOP senators at a contentious closed-door lunch on Tuesday , where little agreement was reached on added unemployment benefits , school funding and a payroll tax cut .
Few Republican senators support including a payroll tax cut in the package , arguing that it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrown millions of Americans off payrolls — but President Donald Trump has made its addition one of his top priorities .
“ Earlier today I said Republicans are divided .
I want to amend that .
Republicans are in complete disarray , ” Schumer said after the GOP lunch .
“ Totally incompetent , totally in disarray , totally at war with one another.
” Meanwhile , the extra unemployment benefits are set to expire on July 31 .
That ’ s a Friday , and most states pay benefits on the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final checks in the next week .
Rodriguez , 40 , said she got laid off from her job at a cruise line office in May and has since relied on the benefits to pay all of her expenses .
She said she lives with her ailing mother and struggles to sleep at night because she ’ s so afraid of catching the virus .
It ’ s possible the extra benefits will lapse even if lawmakers act before the deadline , as state workforce agencies have been slow to implement federal changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people will be left with only the state-funded portion of their benefits — which in Florida maxes out at $ 275 .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Congress should send American households another round of checks to help them through the coronavirus pandemic, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday.
“We do envision direct checks again,” the Kentucky Republican told HuffPost at a weekly news conference.
Advertisement
Congress sent most households in the U.S. direct payments as part of the CARES Act, which passed in March — back when lawmakers thought the pandemic might calm down after a few months. Instead, record numbers of Americans are catching the virus daily, threatening a fledgling economic recovery.
The CARES Act sent $1,200 checks to every American earning $75,000 or less, plus $500 for each child in a household. The legislation also created a forgivable loan program for small businesses and expanded unemployment insurance that is set to expire this month.
McConnell declined to say Tuesday who would qualify for the next round of direct payments under the GOP proposal, which is expected to be unveiled later this week. He also did not say whether the payments would match those sent out earlier this year. Earlier this month, he suggested a second round of payments should only go to people earning less than $40,000.
The $3 trillion coronavirus relief package that passed in the House two months ago included provisions for more ― and bigger ― stimulus checks to American citizens, as well as undocumented immigrants.
Advertisement
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Tuesday that the House bill, titled the Heroes Act, offered “far more generous” rebate payments than those discussed by Senate Republicans.
Senate Republicans, meanwhile, are pushing forward their own legislation, which they hope will cost about $1 trillion. The proposal is said to include over $100 billion for schools, more support for small businesses, and liability protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) conducts a news conference. He has said Congress should send American households more money to help them through the pandemic. Tom Williams via Getty Images
Democrats want Congress to preserve a $600 boost to unemployment insurance that is set to expire this month. Republicans have said $600 is too high, but they haven’t objected to the basic idea of continuing a federal supplement to state unemployment benefits, which average only $364 per week. Some Republicans have suggested converting the benefits into a bonus for people who return to work.
“There’s always room for negotiation because the Democrats aren’t irrelevant,” McConnell told reporters, suggesting there is a deal to be made on extending added benefits at some other level.
Advertisement
When asked about the extra benefits, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who has represented the administration in negotiations on Capitol Hill, told HuffPost that he hoped the next piece of legislation would be finished this month. But McConnell laughed at the idea of finishing the bill that quickly.
Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows joined GOP senators at a contentious closed-door lunch on Tuesday, where little agreement was reached on added unemployment benefits, school funding and a payroll tax cut. Few Republican senators support including a payroll tax cut in the package, arguing that it will be largely ineffective because the pandemic has thrown millions of Americans off payrolls — but President Donald Trump has made its addition one of his top priorities.
White House officials are set to begin negotiations with top congressional Democrats, whose approval they need to pass a final package.
“Earlier today I said Republicans are divided. I want to amend that. Republicans are in complete disarray,” Schumer said after the GOP lunch. “Totally incompetent, totally in disarray, totally at war with one another.”
Meanwhile, the extra unemployment benefits are set to expire on July 31. That’s a Friday, and most states pay benefits on the weekend, so many people will receive their final checks in the next week.
Advertisement
“I will lose everything” if Congress drops the $600, said Judy Rodriguez of Miami.
Rodriguez, 40, said she got laid off from her job at a cruise line office in May and has since relied on the benefits to pay all of her expenses. She said she lives with her ailing mother and struggles to sleep at night because she’s so afraid of catching the virus.
It’s possible the extra benefits will lapse even if lawmakers act before the deadline, as state workforce agencies have been slow to implement federal changes. And if Congress blows the deadline, people will be left with only the state-funded portion of their benefits — which in Florida maxes out at $275.
“What are we supposed to do with that?” Rodriguez said.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Susan Collins Is Desperate To Avoid Saying Whether She Backs Trump's Reelection

She attempted to explain her silence in an interview with The New York Times earlier this month , stating she doesn ’ t campaign against her Senate colleagues .
( Before serving as President Barack Obama ’ s vice president , Biden represented Delaware as a senator for more than three decades . )
She told the Times she knows Biden “ very well ” and that campaigning against him would essentially violate her own rule .
And yet , she campaigned against fellow senators in their quest for the presidency in 2000 , 2004 and 2008 .
Collins was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W. Bush in 2000 , going against the Democratic ticket of former Vice President Al Gore and then-Sen. Joe Lieberman .
She backed Bush again four years later as he fought off Democratic challenges from two of her Senate colleagues : John Kerry of Massachusetts and John Edwards of North Carolina .
In 2008 , Collins co-chaired John McCain ’ s presidential campaign in Maine against Obama and Biden , both of whom were Democratic senators at the time .
She defended the move later that year , saying it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair the campaign of whichever member of your party is running for president.
” But her role in McCain ’ s campaign undermines a claim she made last week in which she stated that she doesn ’ t involve herself in presidential politics when when she ’ s up for reelection .
Days later , Biden endorsed her Democratic challenger , Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon , and called on voters in the state to help him “ restore the soul of America ” by ending Trump ’ s presidency .
Gideon said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden in the state ’ s Democratic presidential primary .
In March , Collins refused to say whether she voted for Trump in Maine ’ s Republican primary , telling a local TV station that she doesn ’ t want to “ get involved in presidential politics.
” Trump was the only candidate listed on that ballot , along with the option to write in another name .
Her refusal to weigh in on the race marked a clear contrast from her position in 2016 , when she wrote an op-ed denouncing then-Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office ” three months before the election .
Pressed on Wednesday to explain her decision to speak out against Trump then but remain silent this time around , Collins said she wasn ’ t running for reelection in 2016 .
Though the explanations she ’ s offered for deflecting feel shaky , her likely reason for doing so seems clearer .
It ’ s possible she ’ s made the political calculation that the risks of endorsing Trump outweigh any possible benefits for her reelection campaign .
A Public Policy Polling survey conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid 11-point lead over Trump among Maine voters .
Throwing her support behind Trump would likely further enrage constituencies that have become less and less enamored with Collins in recent years .
Gideon has amassed a hefty war chest that includes over $ 23 million in campaign donations .
After winning the Democratic primary last week , she inherited nearly $ 4 million that was raised for whoever became Collins ’ Democratic opponent in the race .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) seems awfully desperate to avoid saying whether she’ll vote for President Donald Trump in November.
That shouldn’t be too surprising given that she’s facing the toughest reelection bid of her career in a state that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden appears poised to win.
Advertisement
But Collins’ reasoning for avoiding questions about whether she backs the president’s push for four more years in the White House doesn’t add up.
She attempted to explain her silence in an interview with The New York Times earlier this month, stating she doesn’t campaign against her Senate colleagues. (Before serving as President Barack Obama’s vice president, Biden represented Delaware as a senator for more than three decades.)
She told the Times she knows Biden “very well” and that campaigning against him would essentially violate her own rule. And yet, she campaigned against fellow senators in their quest for the presidency in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Collins was one of the first senators to endorse George W. Bush in 2000, going against the Democratic ticket of former Vice President Al Gore and then-Sen. Joe Lieberman. She backed Bush again four years later as he fought off Democratic challenges from two of her Senate colleagues: John Kerry of Massachusetts and John Edwards of North Carolina.
Advertisement
In 2008, when she was up for reelection, Collins co-chaired John McCain’s presidential campaign in Maine against Obama and Biden, both of whom were Democratic senators at the time. She defended the move later that year, saying it’s “typical for the leading officeholders to chair the campaign of whichever member of your party is running for president.”
But her role in McCain’s campaign undermines a claim she made last week in which she stated that she doesn’t involve herself in presidential politics when when she’s up for reelection.
“I am concentrating on my own campaign,” Collins told reporters Wednesday when asked once again whether she supports Trump’s reelection campaign.
Days later, Biden endorsed her Democratic challenger, Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon, and called on voters in the state to help him “restore the soul of America” by ending Trump’s presidency. Gideon said in early March that she voted for Biden in the state’s Democratic presidential primary.
Collins has refused to say whether she voted for Trump in Maine’s Republican primary, telling a local TV station that she doesn’t want to “get involved in presidential politics.” Trump was the only candidate listed on that ballot, along with the option to write in another name.
Advertisement
Her refusal to weigh in on the race marked a clear contrast from her position in 2016, when she wrote an op-ed denouncing then-Republican nominee Trump and his “unsuitability for office” three months before the election.
Pressed on Wednesday to explain her decision to speak out against Trump then but remain silent this time around, Collins said she wasn’t running for reelection in 2016.
“I didn’t have my own race to worry about at that point,” she added.
A spokesperson for Collins’ campaign did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
When asked Tuesday about co-chairing McCain’s campaign in 2008 but opting not to endorse Trump this year, Collins told CNN that she’s facing a “difficult race” against Gideon.
“In addition, I have known John McCain since the 1970s,” she said. “We were very close friends.”
Though the explanations she’s offered for deflecting feel shaky, her likely reason for doing so seems clearer. It’s possible she’s made the political calculation that the risks of endorsing Trump outweigh any possible benefits for her reelection campaign.
A Public Policy Polling survey conducted earlier this month found Biden with a solid 11-point lead over Trump among Maine voters. Throwing her support behind Trump would likely further enrage constituencies that have become less and less enamored with Collins in recent years.
Advertisement
While Collins has positioned herself as a self-described “pro-choice” moderate, her voting record suggests otherwise. Her critical support for Trump’s tax bill, Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court appointment, and acquitting the president during his impeachment trial have mobilized Democratic and independent voters in Maine against her.
Winning the Maine seat in November is key for a Democratic majority in the Senate, making the race one of the most closely watched this year.
Gideon has amassed a hefty war chest that includes over $23 million in campaign donations. After winning the Democratic primary last week, she inherited nearly $4 million that was raised for whoever became Collins’ Democratic opponent in the race.
Trump appeared to endorse Collins in December, tweeting that he agrees “100%” with Sen. Lindsey Graham’s assessment that her reelection is crucial for maintaining a Republican majority in the Senate.
When asked Wednesday if being tethered to Trump would cost her in November, Collins danced around the question.
Advertisement
“You know, in parts of this state, President Trump is very popular,” she said. “In parts of this state, he’s very unpopular. But I am running my own race.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Democratic Coronavirus Bill Links Unemployment Benefits To Workplace Safety

In addition to preserving a $ 600 increase in weekly unemployment benefits , some Senate Democrats want to update eligibility standards so that people don ’ t get cut off for refusing to work in unsafe conditions .
Each state has its own definition of “ suitable work , ” and workers lose eligibility for benefits if they turn down a job offer that meets the definition .
Legislation introduced Tuesday by Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-Ore. ) would give state workforce agencies $ 10 billion to promote workplace safety if they update their laws to say that work isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t up to federal standards for reducing exposure to the coronavirus .
Several workers have told HuffPost they ’ ve been cut off from unemployment for refusing work , even though they have underlying health conditions , such as diabetes , that put them at higher risk of severe illness from the coronavirus .
Wyden ’ s bill says a job ’ s not suitable if it presents any unusual risk to the individual .
“ This once-in-a-century economic crisis has exposed the shortcomings of our safety net , and Congress must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
Wyden ’ s proposal comes as an extra $ 600 per week that Congress authorized in March is set to expire , resulting in a precipitous income drop for more than 25 million Americans receiving unemployment insurance .
Economists have credited the benefits with propping up the economy , while Republicans have complained that the benefits discourage people from taking jobs .
Unemployment claims surged this year as state and local governments ordered businesses closed to slow the spread of the virus , which has killed more than 140,000 Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process claims quickly , and even people without eligibility issues have said it ’ s taken months to start receiving benefits .
Wyden said he ’ s hoping to fold his proposal into the next major coronavirus legislation Congress passes , which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has said should happen in the next few weeks .
Other priorities for the legislation include extra money for schools .
Republicans also want to block coronavirus-related lawsuits .
“ Unemployment insurance was created in the 1930s , and the program is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short- and long-term issues , ” Wyden said .
“ State unemployment insurance systems in particular were not equipped to deal with the challenges workers face in a modern economy , or ensure worker safety in the midst of a pandemic .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
In addition to preserving a $600 increase in weekly unemployment benefits, some Senate Democrats want to update eligibility standards so that people don’t get cut off for refusing to work in unsafe conditions.
Each state has its own definition of “suitable work,” and workers lose eligibility for benefits if they turn down a job offer that meets the definition.
Advertisement
Legislation introduced Tuesday by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) would give state workforce agencies $10 billion to promote workplace safety if they update their laws to say that work isn’t suitable if the conditions aren’t up to federal standards for reducing exposure to the coronavirus.
Several workers have told HuffPost they’ve been cut off from unemployment for refusing work, even though they have underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, that put them at higher risk of severe illness from the coronavirus. Wyden’s bill says a job’s not suitable if it presents any unusual risk to the individual.
“This once-in-a-century economic crisis has exposed the shortcomings of our safety net, and Congress must address them,” Wyden said in a statement.
Wyden’s proposal comes as an extra $600 per week that Congress authorized in March is set to expire, resulting in a precipitous income drop for more than 25 million Americans receiving unemployment insurance. Economists have credited the benefits with propping up the economy, while Republicans have complained that the benefits discourage people from taking jobs.
Advertisement
Unemployment claims surged this year as state and local governments ordered businesses closed to slow the spread of the virus, which has killed more than 140,000 Americans. State workforce agencies have struggled to process claims quickly, and even people without eligibility issues have said it’s taken months to start receiving benefits.
Wyden said he’s hoping to fold his proposal into the next major coronavirus legislation Congress passes, which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said should happen in the next few weeks. Other priorities for the legislation include extra money for schools. Republicans also want to block coronavirus-related lawsuits.
“Unemployment insurance was created in the 1930s, and the program is in urgent need of reform to address both short- and long-term issues,” Wyden said. “State unemployment insurance systems in particular were not equipped to deal with the challenges workers face in a modern economy, or ensure worker safety in the midst of a pandemic.”
Wyden’s co-sponsors are Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).


thehuffingtonpost--2020-07-21--Bipartisan Push To Cut Off Military Gear From Police Departments Falls Short In Senate

For decades , the 1033 program has enabled the Defense Department to sell excess and outdated military equipment like armored vehicles , drones , grenade launchers , tear gas and bayonets , to local law enforcement agencies .
Over $ 7.4 billion of equipment has gone to more than 8,000 law enforcement agencies , according to Wired .
President Barack Obama curtailed the program in 2015 after public reaction to images of heavily militarized police in the streets of Ferguson , Missouri , amid protests over the shooting of Michael Brown .
However , former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump in 2017 , citing the support of police unions .
Sen. Brian Schatz ( D-Hawaii ) introduced an amendment this month to the annual defense bill , trying to reform the program by prohibiting tear gas , armor-piercing firearms and ammunition , bayonets , grenades , grenade launchers , combat tracked vehicles , and drones from getting in the hands of police .
The proposal would also have instituted transparency to the program by creating a website to track the transfer of property under the 1033 program .
“ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of war has no place at police departments , ” Schatz said in a floor speech on Tuesday .
It had bipartisan support ― including from Republican senators like Rand Paul ( Ky. ) and Lisa Murkwoski ( Alaska ) and conservative groups like the FreedomWorks and American Conservative Union .
Two vulnerable GOP senators facing tough reelection fights in November joined Murkowski and Paul in voting for the measure : Cory Gardner ( Colo. ) and Steve Daines ( Mont. )
.
The effort was stymied on Tuesday , however , thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fifty-one senators backed the measure , short of the 60 votes required for adoption .
Senate Armed Services Chairman Jim Inhofe ( R-Okla. ) called the 1033 program an “ effective use of the taxpayer ’ s money ” and said Schatz ’ s amendment would “ make the program virtually impossible to use.
” “ He doesn ’ t like the program .
He wants to kill the program .
We ’ re not going to allow this to happen , ” Inhofe said , citing the support of law enforcement organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Fraternal Order of Police .
Inhofe offered a competing amendment to the defense bill that would limit the transfer of a more narrow list of military equipment — including drones , weaponized tracked vehicles , and lethal grenades ― to police departments .
However , does not prohibit tear gas , grenade launchers , or large-caliber weapons and ammunition , from going to police departments .
The Senate successfully adopted that amendment in a 90-10 vote .
The debate over the militarization of police in the Senate took place as Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major American cities , following the federal crackdown on Portland protests against police brutality .
Unidentified federal officers in the Oregon city used unmarked cars and worn military-style camouflage on the streets , drawing condemnation from Democrats and Republicans alike .
“ We can not give up liberty for security .
Local law enforcement can and should be handling these situations in our cities but there is no place for federal troops or unidentified federal agents rounding people up at will , ” Paul tweeted Monday .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked a bipartisan effort to limit certain kinds of military weapons and gear from flowing to local police departments nationwide.
For decades, the 1033 program has enabled the Defense Department to sell excess and outdated military equipment like armored vehicles, drones, grenade launchers, tear gas and bayonets, to local law enforcement agencies. Over $7.4 billion of equipment has gone to more than 8,000 law enforcement agencies, according to Wired.
Advertisement
President Barack Obama curtailed the program in 2015 after public reaction to images of heavily militarized police in the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, amid protests over the shooting of Michael Brown. However, former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions revived it upon taking office under President Donald Trump in 2017, citing the support of police unions.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced an amendment this month to the annual defense bill, trying to reform the program by prohibiting tear gas, armor-piercing firearms and ammunition, bayonets, grenades, grenade launchers, combat tracked vehicles, and drones from getting in the hands of police. The proposal would also have instituted transparency to the program by creating a website to track the transfer of property under the 1033 program.
“It is time to demilitarize the police. Weapons of war has no place at police departments,” Schatz said in a floor speech on Tuesday.
It had bipartisan support ― including from Republican senators like Rand Paul (Ky.) and Lisa Murkwoski (Alaska) and conservative groups like the FreedomWorks and American Conservative Union. Two vulnerable GOP senators facing tough reelection fights in November joined Murkowski and Paul in voting for the measure: Cory Gardner (Colo.) and Steve Daines (Mont.).
Advertisement
The effort was stymied on Tuesday, however, thanks to large opposition from Senate Republicans. Fifty-one senators backed the measure, short of the 60 votes required for adoption.
Senate Armed Services Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) called the 1033 program an “effective use of the taxpayer’s money” and said Schatz’s amendment would “make the program virtually impossible to use.”
“He doesn’t like the program. He wants to kill the program. We’re not going to allow this to happen,” Inhofe said, citing the support of law enforcement organizations like the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Fraternal Order of Police.
Inhofe offered a competing amendment to the defense bill that would limit the transfer of a more narrow list of military equipment — including drones, weaponized tracked vehicles, and lethal grenades ― to police departments. However, does not prohibit tear gas, grenade launchers, or large-caliber weapons and ammunition, from going to police departments. The Senate successfully adopted that amendment in a 90-10 vote.
The debate over the militarization of police in the Senate took place as Trump threatened to send more federal troops to major American cities, following the federal crackdown on Portland protests against police brutality. Unidentified federal officers in the Oregon city used unmarked cars and worn military-style camouflage on the streets, drawing condemnation from Democrats and Republicans alike.
Advertisement