thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--New York Removes Bernie Sanders From The Primary Ballot

“ Their decision is bad .
It ’ s bad for the Democratic party and it ’ s bad for democracy , ” said former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner , a co-chair of Sanders ’ 2020 bid .
“ It has a chilling effect on democracy as we know it , because the ability of the people to weigh in was stripped from them before they had an opportunity to cast a ballot.
” Although New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) has issued an executive order allowing every voter in the state to cast an absentee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot application , Spano also cited concerns about how holding an additional election would undermine public health .
New York is due to hold its congressional and state legislative primary elections on June 23 anyway , but the cancelation of the presidential primary means that some 20 counties in the state won ’ t have to administer any contest at all .
“ I ’ ve come to the conclusion that we should minimize the number of people on the ballot , minimize the election for the protection of everybody , but give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections for candidates and not have anyone on the ballot just for the purpose of issues at a convention , ” Spano said .
Many Sanders supporters in New York and across the country only became aware of the little-known provision enabling his removal tucked into the New York budget that became law in early April when HuffPost reported on low-key efforts to keep him on the ballot last Tuesday .
The board had been planning to meet about Sanders ’ removal the following day , but delayed the meeting until Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed the fact that the vast majority of the state would still be voting in primaries on June 23 anyway .
In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic in late March , Cuomo postponed the presidential primary from April 28 to June 23 , the day when state residents will vote in congressional and state legislative primaries .
Jacobs conceded that without a presidential primary , turnout in the state is likely to be lower .
From a public health perspective , he considers that one of the benefits of the decision since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not have to open every polling place .
( While New Yorkers can cast absentee ballots by mail , they would still be free to appear in person , necessitating the operation of in-person poll locations . )
Sanders ’ removal from the ballot in delegate-rich New York undermines his effort to accumulate convention delegates .
If he collects enough delegates to win one-quarter of the seats on the Democratic convention ’ s three influential committees ― those addressing rules and bylaws , the party platform and convention credentials ― for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report to the convention floor .
These Sanders partisans might try to ensure a more progressive party platform or make permanent a rule change in effect during the 2020 primary that disempowered the party insiders and elected officials known as “ superdelegates.
” Sanders ’ campaign is still fighting for control of another swath of disputed delegates .
Normally , candidates who are no longer running can hold on to their share of the two-thirds of delegates awarded based on their primary performance in each congressional district , but are not eligible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cohen , a member of the DNC , insists that Sanders ’ removal is a violation of rules that the DNC adopted in August 2018 following the recommendations of the Unity and Reform Commission on which Cohen served .
He plans to do everything in his power to challenge efforts to allot delegates without a primary , including through discussions with colleagues on the convention ’ s credentials committee .

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The New York State Board of Elections removed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) from the primary election ballot on Monday, disappointing Sanders and activists who called on the board to give New Yorkers a chance to cast votes for him.
Although Sanders withdrew from the presidential primary earlier this month and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden shortly afterward, he insisted that he would remain on the ballot in states that have yet to vote.
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Sanders and his allies want to accumulate enough convention delegates to be able to influence the Democratic Party platform and rules. The Biden campaign has indicated that it is open to working with Sanders on a compromise over convention delegates.
But a provision in New York’s new budget empowered the state’s board of elections to remove presidential candidates who have suspended their campaigns, prompting Sanders partisans to scramble to preserve his ballot berth.
They did not end up prevailing on the board’s two Democrats, co-chair Douglas Kellner and commissioner Andrew Spano, who voted unanimously to remove Sanders. The state’s June 23 presidential primary is now canceled.
“Their decision is bad. It’s bad for the Democratic party and it’s bad for democracy,” said former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner, a co-chair of Sanders’ 2020 bid. “It has a chilling effect on democracy as we know it, because the ability of the people to weigh in was stripped from them before they had an opportunity to cast a ballot.”
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Sanders allies have also warned that preventing him from accumulating delegates could hinder efforts to unify the party behind Biden, who is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
“Today’s decision by the State of New York Board of Elections is an outrage, a blow to American democracy, and must be overturned by the DNC,” Sanders’ senior adviser Jeff Weaver said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) hoped to stay on the ballot in New York and elsewhere despite suspending his campaign. He is committed to influencing the Democratic Party platform. Win McNamee/Getty Images
In a livestreamed Monday video meeting, Kellner acknowledged the outpouring of feedback he had received from Sanders supporters in recent days. He estimated that he received thousands of emails from people who wanted to keep the Vermont senator on the ballot.
He nonetheless considers Sanders’ suspension of his campaign to be the only relevant consideration when it comes to interpretation of the statute. He also argued that the standard for holding an election is higher during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“What the Sanders supporters want is essentially a beauty contest that given the situation with the public health emergency that exists now seems to be unnecessary and indeed frivolous,” he said.
Although New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has issued an executive order allowing every voter in the state to cast an absentee ballot and is sending voters an absentee ballot application, Spano also cited concerns about how holding an additional election would undermine public health. New York is due to hold its congressional and state legislative primary elections on June 23 anyway, but the cancelation of the presidential primary means that some 20 counties in the state won’t have to administer any contest at all.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that we should minimize the number of people on the ballot, minimize the election for the protection of everybody, but give the opportunity to vote in the actual elections for candidates and not have anyone on the ballot just for the purpose of issues at a convention,” Spano said.
Weaver expressed concern that the commissioners’ citation of the pandemic could embolden Trump to make the same argument to justify postponing the November general election.
“Just last week Vice President Biden warned the American people that President Trump could use the current crisis as an excuse to postpone the November election,” Weaver said. “Well, he now has a precedent thanks to New York state.”
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Many Sanders supporters in New York and across the country only became aware of the little-known provision enabling his removal tucked into the New York budget that became law in early April when HuffPost reported on low-key efforts to keep him on the ballot last Tuesday. The board had been planning to meet about Sanders’ removal the following day, but delayed the meeting until Monday.
In the intervening days, Sanders’ allies and, eventually, Sanders himself publicly argued that keeping the senator on the ballot was key to assuring support for Biden from the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
Malcolm Seymour, an attorney for Sanders’ campaign, submitted a letter on Sunday to the board of elections disputing the legal grounds for Sanders’ removal.
Unfortunately for Sanders, Kellner noted on Monday that Seymour’s letter contained a significant error. Seymour claimed that because the New York budget became law on April 13, days after Sanders suspended his campaign, it should not apply to Sanders retroactively. In fact, though, the budget became law on April 3, days before Sanders ended his bid.
Kellner did not try to refute Seymour’s point, however, that the text of the New York election statute merely said that the board “may” remove candidates who have ended their bid, not that it must do so.
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In addition, neither Kellner nor Spano addressed the fact that the vast majority of the state would still be voting in primaries on June 23 anyway. In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic in late March, Cuomo postponed the presidential primary from April 28 to June 23, the day when state residents will vote in congressional and state legislative primaries.
Larry Cohen, chairman of the board of Our Revolution, a progressive group that emerged from Sanders’ 2016 bid, described himself as “shocked” by the board’s decision. He blamed Cuomo for the inclusion of the provision enabling Sanders’ removal from the ballot in the state budget. (Cuomo’s office has denied that the budget provision was politically motivated.)
“This is Cuomo trying to be the party boss who goes to the party convention with 284 delegates in his pocket,” Cohen said. ”Whatever support he built for himself for his handling of the pandemic is definitely eroding.”
Other critics of the decision noted that taking Sanders off of the top of the ballot could hurt progressive candidates running in congressional and legislative races.
Zohran Mamdani, a Queens housing counselor and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, claimed the ruling aimed to stymie primary challengers like him. He is seeking to unseat state Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas, a mainstream liberal.
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“They took Bernie Sanders off the ballot because they want us to go away,” he tweeted. “We’re not going anywhere.”
New York Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, a Cuomo ally, disputed the suggestion that taking the presidential candidates off the ballot was designed to hurt down-ballot progressive challengers.
On the contrary, he said, “I tend to think a larger-turnout primary would have benefited the establishment.”
Jacobs conceded that without a presidential primary, turnout in the state is likely to be lower. From a public health perspective, he considers that one of the benefits of the decision since it means that counties across the state do not have to open every polling place. (While New Yorkers can cast absentee ballots by mail, they would still be free to appear in person, necessitating the operation of in-person poll locations.)
Sanders’ removal from the ballot in delegate-rich New York undermines his effort to accumulate convention delegates. If he collects enough delegates for his allies to win one-quarter of the seats on the Democratic convention’s three influential committees ― those addressing rules and bylaws, the party platform and convention credentials ― they can submit a minority report to the convention floor. These Sanders partisans might try to ensure a more progressive party platform or make permanent a rule change in effect during the 2020 primary that disempowered the party insiders and elected officials known as “superdelegates.”
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Sanders’ campaign is still fighting for control of another swath of disputed delegates. Normally, candidates who are no longer running can hold on to their share of the two-thirds of delegates awarded based on their primary performance in each congressional district, but are not eligible to keep statewide delegates they’ve won.
In the interest of fostering goodwill with Sanders’ progressive base, however, the Biden campaign has agreed to negotiate with Sanders over how to divvy up the one-third of convention delegates awarded based on statewide primary and caucus results.
The Biden campaign declined to comment on New York’s removal of Sanders from the ballot.
Sanders’ allies and left-wing activists quickly voiced their displeasure with the ruling on social media.
Former Sanders campaign press aide Joe Calvello tweeted that it was “disgraceful.”
Melissa Byrne, the former New York grassroots director for Sanders’ 2020 run, warned that it would hurt Biden’s candidacy. “Trump will get reelected if Cuomo gets away with stunts like this,” she tweeted. “I guess Cuomo is team Trump.”
More significantly, there are signs that Sanders allies with influence over party deliberations now plan to carry on a fight over the validity of New York’s entire convention delegation.
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The Democratic National Committee has confirmed to HuffPost that the state must get approval from the DNC for how it plans to allocate its convention delegates in the absence of a primary or caucus.
Cohen, a member of the DNC, insists that Sanders’ removal is a violation of rules that the DNC adopted in August 2018 following the recommendations of the Unity and Reform Commission on which Cohen served. He plans to do everything in his power to challenge efforts to allot delegates without a primary, including through discussions with colleagues on the convention’s credentials committee.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Colorado And Nevada Join Western States Pact On Reopening Economy

Colorado and Nevada have joined California , Oregon and Washington in the Western States Pact , an alliance of state leaders working together to reopen their economies while mitigating the spread of the coronavirus .
The pact , which first formed two weeks ago , involves sharing information and agreeing to meet a set of benchmarks before relaxing social distancing orders .
The five states agree that any lifting of shelter-in-place rules will come with the development of a system for testing , tracking and isolating those with coronavirus symptoms .
The pact also calls for increased hospital capacity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan for protecting vulnerable populations , especially those in nursing homes .
“ There ’ s no silver bullet that will solve this pandemic until there is a cure , ” Polis said in a statement Monday , “ so we must have a multifaceted and bold approach in order to slow the spread of the virus , to keep our people safe and help our economy rebound.
” “ Millions of visitors from our fellow Western states travel to Nevada every year as a premier tourism destination , and this partnership will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term economic comeback , ” Sisolak said .
With their participation , the pact now encompasses about one-fifth of the U.S. population .
The West Coast states first formed the pact as President Donald Trump began pushing to reopen the economy despite public health experts warning that returning to business as usual wouldn ’ t be possible without widespread COVID-19 testing , increased hospital capacity , a drop in outbreaks or other factors .
The same day the pact formed , Trump suggested he could force states to restart their economies , falsely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority is total.
” “ It ’ s total , ” he said .
“ And the governors know that.
” Outside the pact , a handful of states have proceeded to reopen their economies .
The state to most aggressively do so is Georgia , whose governor recently allowed hair and nail salons , gyms , bowling alleys , tattoo studios , massage therapists , theaters and restaurants to reopen .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) thanked Colorado and Nevada for getting on board with the pact , noting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same guidelines .
“ I want to thank Colorado and Nevada for joining the Western States Pact , ” he said .
“ COVID-19 doesn ’ t follow state or national boundaries , and it will take every level of government , working together to get the upper hand on this virus .
”

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Colorado and Nevada have joined California, Oregon and Washington in the Western States Pact, an alliance of state leaders working together to reopen their economies while mitigating the spread of the coronavirus.
Govs. Jared Polis of Colorado (D) and Steve Sisolak of Nevada (D) announced their states’ participation on Monday.
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The pact, which first formed two weeks ago, involves sharing information and agreeing to meet a set of benchmarks before relaxing social distancing orders. The five states agree that any lifting of shelter-in-place rules will come with the development of a system for testing, tracking and isolating those with coronavirus symptoms. The pact also calls for increased hospital capacity and protective gear, as well as a plan for protecting vulnerable populations, especially those in nursing homes.
“There’s no silver bullet that will solve this pandemic until there is a cure,” Polis said in a statement Monday, “so we must have a multifaceted and bold approach in order to slow the spread of the virus, to keep our people safe and help our economy rebound.”
“Millions of visitors from our fellow Western states travel to Nevada every year as a premier tourism destination, and this partnership will be vital to our immediate recovery and long-term economic comeback,” Sisolak said.
With their participation, the pact now encompasses about one-fifth of the U.S. population.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) called the commitments in the pact a "multifaceted and bold approach." AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images via Getty Images
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The West Coast states first formed the pact as President Donald Trump began pushing to reopen the economy despite public health experts warning that returning to business as usual wouldn’t be possible without widespread COVID-19 testing, increased hospital capacity, a drop in outbreaks or other factors.
The same day the pact formed, Trump suggested he could force states to restart their economies, falsely asserting that the president’s “authority is total.”
“It’s total,” he said. “And the governors know that.” Outside the pact, a handful of states have proceeded to reopen their economies. The state to most aggressively do so is Georgia, whose governor recently allowed hair and nail salons, gyms, bowling alleys, tattoo studios, massage therapists, theaters and restaurants to reopen.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) thanked Colorado and Nevada for getting on board with the pact, noting the importance of nearby states agreeing to the same guidelines.
“I want to thank Colorado and Nevada for joining the Western States Pact,” he said. “COVID-19 doesn’t follow state or national boundaries, and it will take every level of government, working together to get the upper hand on this virus.”
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Next Wave Of States Prepare To Reopen Despite Insufficient Coronavirus Testing

NEW YORK/CHICAGO ( Reuters ) - Another wave of states prepared to ease coronavirus restrictions on U.S. commerce this week , despite health experts warning there is still too little diagnostic testing , while the White House forecast a staggering jump in the nation ’ s monthly jobless rate .
Colorado , Mississippi , Minnesota , Montana and Tennessee were set to join several other states in reopening businesses without the means to screen systematically for infected people who may be contagious but asymptomatic , and to trace their contacts with others they might have exposed .
“ I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they ’ re not .
They ’ re saying , ‘ Hey , the best thing to do is go back to work , even though it might be risky , ’ ” Royal Rose , 39 , owner of a tattoo studio in Greeley , Colorado , told Reuters .
Rose said she was reopening her shop after closing a month ago , not because she wants to but because bills are piling up and she feels she has no choice .
Georgia , Oklahoma , Alaska and South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economies following weeks of mandatory lockdowns that have thrown nearly one in six American workers out of their jobs .
Public health authorities say increasing human interactions and economic activity now - without the means to do so safely - will only backfire , sparking a new surge of infections just as social-distancing measures appear to be bringing coronavirus outbreaks under control .
Medical experts say strict adherence to business closures and stay-at-home orders imposed over the past several weeks by governors in 42 of 50 states have worked to level off rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units .
The continuing rise in the number of U.S. cases has been attributed in part to increased diagnostic screening .
But health authorities also warn that testing and contact tracing must be vastly expanded before shuttered businesses can be safely reopened on a wide-scale basis .
The sign outside the AMF bowling alley in Conyers , Ga. , displays a message Friday , April 24 , 2020 , in Conyers , Ga. Like many industries in America and around the world , bowling has taken a huge financial blow because of lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
( AP Photo/Paul Newberry ) Business shutdowns have led to a record 26.5 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits since mid-March .
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted on Friday that the economy would contract at an annual rate of nearly a 40 % in the second quarter .
“ I think the next couple of months are going to look terrible , ” Hassett said .
“ You ’ re going to see numbers as bad as anything we ’ ve ever seen before.
” Against a backdrop of scattered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders to be lifted , some of the states hardest hit by the public health crisis were taking a more cautious approach to economic reopenings .
New York state , the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic , reported 367 new deaths on Sunday , its lowest loss of life in a single 24-hour span since March 20 , but has extended its business restrictions through mid-May .
Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo said construction and manufacturing would be the first workplaces permitted to reopen and could restart after May 15 in the upstate region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decline .
By and large the states forging ahead with reopenings this week are concentrated in the South , the Midwest and mountain West , where outbreaks have been far less severe than in the Northeast .
Most are led by Republican governors .
Montana , which reported three new cases on Sunday , is allowing businesses to reopen Monday if they limit capacity and practice social distancing , while Minnesota is clearing the way for 80,000 to 100,000 workers in industrial and office jobs to return to work on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions may vary from place to place .
Denver , for example , extended stay-at-home orders to May 8 but city dwellers can drive to a nearby county for a haircut .
Georgia , on the other hand , has prohibited any local measures stricter than the state orders .

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Signs and U.S. flags stand in honor of healthcare workers, across from Littleton Adventist Hospital on Sunday, April 26, 2020, in Littleton, Colo., during the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Another wave of states prepared to ease coronavirus restrictions on U.S. commerce this week, despite health experts warning there is still too little diagnostic testing, while the White House forecast a staggering jump in the nation’s monthly jobless rate.
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Colorado, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana and Tennessee were set to join several other states in reopening businesses without the means to screen systematically for infected people who may be contagious but asymptomatic, and to trace their contacts with others they might have exposed.
Many merchants have voiced ambivalence about returning to work absent the prerequisite public health measures authorities have advocated.
“I would stay home if the government encouraged that, but they’re not. They’re saying, ‘Hey, the best thing to do is go back to work, even though it might be risky,’” Royal Rose, 39, owner of a tattoo studio in Greeley, Colorado, told Reuters.
Rose said she was reopening her shop after closing a month ago, not because she wants to but because bills are piling up and she feels she has no choice.
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Georgia, Oklahoma, Alaska and South Carolina have already forged ahead to restart their economies following weeks of mandatory lockdowns that have thrown nearly one in six American workers out of their jobs.
Public health authorities say increasing human interactions and economic activity now - without the means to do so safely - will only backfire, sparking a new surge of infections just as social-distancing measures appear to be bringing coronavirus outbreaks under control.
Medical experts say strict adherence to business closures and stay-at-home orders imposed over the past several weeks by governors in 42 of 50 states have worked to level off rates of hospitalizations and admissions to intensive care units.
Still the number of known U.S. infections climbed higher on Sunday, topping 960,000 as the number of lives lost to COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the virus, surpassed 54,700.
The continuing rise in the number of U.S. cases has been attributed in part to increased diagnostic screening. But health authorities also warn that testing and contact tracing must be vastly expanded before shuttered businesses can be safely reopened on a wide-scale basis.
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The sign outside the AMF bowling alley in Conyers, Ga., displays a message Friday, April 24, 2020, in Conyers, Ga. Like many industries in America and around the world, bowling has taken a huge financial blow because of lockdown measures meant to contain the highly contagious coronavirus. (AP Photo/Paul Newberry) ASSOCIATED PRESS
‘TERRIBLE’ TOLL ON JOBS
The economic fallout from the unprecedented social distancing requirements has been devastating.
Business shutdowns have led to a record 26.5 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits since mid-March. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted on Friday that the economy would contract at an annual rate of nearly a 40% in the second quarter.
Even next year, the CBO forecast calls for an unemployment rate averaging above 10%. Before the pandemic struck, the U.S. jobless rate was hovering at a 50-year low of 3.5%.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told reporters on Sunday the jobless rate would likely hit 16% or more in April.
“I think the next couple of months are going to look terrible,” Hassett said. “You’re going to see numbers as bad as anything we’ve ever seen before.”
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Against a backdrop of scattered protests across the country calling for stay-at-home orders to be lifted, some of the states hardest hit by the public health crisis were taking a more cautious approach to economic reopenings.
New York state, the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic, reported 367 new deaths on Sunday, its lowest loss of life in a single 24-hour span since March 20, but has extended its business restrictions through mid-May.
Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo said construction and manufacturing would be the first workplaces permitted to reopen and could restart after May 15 in the upstate region with certain precautions and if cases continue to decline.
By and large the states forging ahead with reopenings this week are concentrated in the South, the Midwest and mountain West, where outbreaks have been far less severe than in the Northeast. Most are led by Republican governors.
Tennessee said it will allow restaurants to reopen on Monday. Mississippi’s stay-at-home order expires the same day.
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Montana, which reported three new cases on Sunday, is allowing businesses to reopen Monday if they limit capacity and practice social distancing, while Minnesota is clearing the way for 80,000 to 100,000 workers in industrial and office jobs to return to work on Monday.
In Colorado, Democratic Governor Jared Polis has given the green light for retail curbside pickup to begin on Monday. Hair salons, barbershop and tattoo parlors can open on Friday, with retail stores, restaurants and movie theaters to follow.
Even within states, the lifting of restrictions may vary from place to place. Denver, for example, extended stay-at-home orders to May 8 but city dwellers can drive to a nearby county for a haircut. Georgia, on the other hand, has prohibited any local measures stricter than the state orders.
Eight states never ordered residents to stay at home ― Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
Opinion polls have generally shown a bipartisan majority of Americans want to remain at home to protect themselves from the coronavirus, despite the impact to the economy.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Supreme Court Rules Insurers Can Collect $12 Billion Under Health Care Law

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that insurance companies can collect $ 12 billion from the @ @ @ @ @ losses in the early years of the health care law championed by President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ the money under a provision of the “ Obamacare ” health law that promised the @ @ @ @ @ losses they might incur by selling coverage to people in the marketplaces created by the @ @ @ @ @ justices said by an 8-1 vote .
The program only lasted three years , but @ @ @ @ @ the Health and Human Services Department ’ s spending bills from 2015 to 2017 to @ @ @ @ @ risk corridors ” program .
Both the Obama and Trump administrations had argued that the @ @ @ @ @ no obligation to pay .
The companies cite HHS statistics to claim they are owed @ @ @ @ @ case is separate from a challenge to the health care law that the court has @ @ @ @ @ term that begins in October .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that insurance companies can collect $12 billion from the federal government to cover their losses in the early years of the health care law championed by President Barack Obama.
Insurers are entitled to the money under a provision of the “Obamacare” health law that promised the companies a financial cushion for losses they might incur by selling coverage to people in the marketplaces created by the health care law, the justices said by an 8-1 vote.
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The program only lasted three years, but Congress inserted a provision in the Health and Human Services Department’s spending bills from 2015 to 2017 to limit payments under the “risk corridors” program. Both the Obama and Trump administrations had argued that the provision means the government has no obligation to pay.
The companies cite HHS statistics to claim they are owed $12 billion.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--William Barr Says Feds Are 'On The Lookout' For 'Overbearing' Coronavirus Restrictions

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images Attorney General William Barr arrives at a briefing about the coronavirus pandemic at the White House on April 1 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON ― Attorney General William Barr ordered federal prosecutors to “ be on the lookout ” for coronavirus-related measures from states and localities that could infringe upon Americans ’ constitutional rights and civil liberties .
In a memo to the head of the Justice Department ’ s Civil Rights Division as well as all 93 U.S. attorneys across the country , Barr indicated that the Trump administration may take legal action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excessive restrictions on citizens because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID-19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections , the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court , ” Barr wrote .
“ Many policies that would be unthinkable in regular time have become commonplace in recent weeks , and we do not want to unduly interfere with the important efforts of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Barr wrote .
“ But the Constitution is not suspended in times of crisis .
We must therefore be vigilant to ensure its protections are preserved , at the same time the public is protected.
” Barr said last week that the Trump administration may side with private litigants who challenge the constitutionality of the enactment of certain coronavirus-related restrictions .
The DOJ previously sided with a church that was banned from holding a drive-in service in which congregants stayed in their cars with their windows up and listened to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , who nominated Barr in December 2018 , lent support to activists who sought to rally members of the public against states ’ measures to restrict activity due to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ LIBERATE MINNESOTA !
” “ LIBERATE MICHIGAN !
” “ LIBERATE VIRGINIA , ” Trump tweeted earlier this month , targeting states led by Democratic governors .
Barr placed Civil Rights Division chief Eric Dreiband as well as U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider , the top federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Michigan , in charge of overseeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies and , if necessary , take action to correct them.
” Schneider ’ s selection raises the possibility that the feds will look at restrictions imposed by Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D ) , whose strict stay-at-home orders have faced protests .

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WASHINGTON ― Attorney General William Barr ordered federal prosecutors to “be on the lookout” for coronavirus-related measures from states and localities that could infringe upon Americans’ constitutional rights and civil liberties.
In a memo to the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division as well as all 93 U.S. attorneys across the country, Barr indicated that the Trump administration may take legal action against state and local governments that impose excessive restrictions on citizens because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID-19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections, the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court,” Barr wrote.
“Many policies that would be unthinkable in regular time have become commonplace in recent weeks, and we do not want to unduly interfere with the important efforts of state and local officials to protect the public,” Barr wrote. “But the Constitution is not suspended in times of crisis. We must therefore be vigilant to ensure its protections are preserved, at the same time the public is protected.”
Attorney General William Barr arrives at a briefing about the coronavirus pandemic at the White House on April 1, 2020. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Barr said last week that the Trump administration may side with private litigants who challenge the constitutionality of the enactment of certain coronavirus-related restrictions. The DOJ previously sided with a church that was banned from holding a drive-in service in which congregants stayed in their cars with their windows up and listened to a preacher over the radio.
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President Donald Trump, who nominated Barr in December 2018, lent support to activists who sought to rally members of the public against states’ measures to restrict activity due to the coronavirus pandemic. “LIBERATE MINNESOTA!” “LIBERATE MICHIGAN!” “LIBERATE VIRGINIA,” Trump tweeted earlier this month, targeting states led by Democratic governors.
Barr placed Civil Rights Division chief Eric Dreiband as well as U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider, the top federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Michigan, in charge of overseeing efforts to “monitor state and local policies and, if necessary, take action to correct them.” Schneider’s selection raises the possibility that the feds will look at restrictions imposed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), whose strict stay-at-home orders have faced protests.
Read Barr’s memo below.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--It's Not Just Blue States. Red States Are Facing Major Budget Shortfalls Due To The Coronavirus.

Republicans say the government shouldn ’ t help certain blue states amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
But the crisis is hitting every state ’ s coffers ― even red ones .
In recent days , President Donald Trump and other top Republicans have expressed objections to providing federal aid to states with high public employee pension costs like Illinois , New York and New Jersey .
They argue that Congress shouldn ’ t borrow taxpayer dollars to fix problems some states have created for themselves .
“ Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example ) and cities , in all cases Democrat run and managed , when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help ?
” Trump tweeted on Monday .
Democrats responded by noting that large , populous states like New York already subsidize other states in federal aid and that they , therefore , ought to be treated the same by Congress in any future coronavirus bill .
The coronavirus epidemic has pummeled revenues for just about every state , regardless of party association .
State officials in Texas say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tourism in coastal states like Florida and South Carolina has dried up , costing their budgets billions in sales taxes .
Coupled with the nosediving oil prices , oil-producing states like Louisiana , North Dakota and Alaska are facing even more difficulty raising revenue .
The budget shortfalls are expected to worsen due to the uncertain timeline of the crisis , putting a serious strain on the states ’ ability to adequately fund schools , health care and other programs without major spending cuts .
That ’ s why even some Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid to cities and states , despite their opposition to including it in the last coronavirus bill Congress passed last week .
The Kentucky Republican added , however , that the aid ought to be limited to costs “ directly related to the coronavirus outbreak.
” McConnell ’ s own state has also faced problems with its two largest pension funds , which support tens of thousands of retirees .
Attempted changes to the program sparked a teacher-led backlash in 2018 that helped Democrat Andy Beshear oust its then-GOP governor Matt Bevin in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely come to a head during negotiations over another economic relief package when Congress returns to Washington next week .
Democrats previously pushed for making the $ 150 billion Congress already included for states and cities in its $ 2 trillion relief bill available to be used for lost revenues , but Republicans successfully blocked the effort .
“ We want to make sure that these people who are risking their lives to save other people ’ s lives are not risking their jobs as well because the state and localities can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( D-Calif. ) said Monday on MSNBC .
“ It ’ s not about bureaucracy .
It ’ s about delivery of service to the American people.
” There is bipartisan support for a state and local economic rescue package .
Sens .
Bob Menendez ( D-N.J. ) and Bill Cassidy ( R-La . )
proposed a $ 500 billion fund to help states hit hardest by the pandemic as part of the next congressional bill .
“ We must ensure our local governments have the resources and flexibility they need to fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fire departments , ” Sen .
Rob Portman ( R-Ohio ) wrote in an editorial calling for federal aid to localities last week .

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Republicans say the government shouldn’t help certain blue states amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But the crisis is hitting every state’s coffers ― even red ones.
In recent days, President Donald Trump and other top Republicans have expressed objections to providing federal aid to states with high public employee pension costs like Illinois, New York and New Jersey. They argue that Congress shouldn’t borrow taxpayer dollars to fix problems some states have created for themselves.
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“Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly run states (like Illinois, as example) and cities, in all cases Democrat run and managed, when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help?” Trump tweeted on Monday.
Democrats responded by noting that large, populous states like New York already subsidize other states in federal aid and that they, therefore, ought to be treated the same by Congress in any future coronavirus bill.
The budget shortfalls are expected to worsen due to the uncertain timeline of the crisis, putting a serious strain on the states’ ability to adequately fund schools, health care and other programs without major spending cuts. That’s why even some Republicans acknowledge the next relief package will provide aid to cities and states, despite their opposition to including it in the last coronavirus bill Congress passed last week.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says states should get federal help — with strings attached. (Photo by Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Caroline Brehman via Getty Images
“There probably will be another state and local funding bill,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told Fox News radio host Guy Benson on Monday.
The Kentucky Republican added, however, that the aid ought to be limited to costs “directly related to the coronavirus outbreak.”
McConnell’s own state has also faced problems with its two largest pension funds, which support tens of thousands of retirees. Attempted changes to the program sparked a teacher-led backlash in 2018 that helped Democrat Andy Beshear oust its then-GOP governor Matt Bevin in a narrow victory.
The issue will likely come to a head during negotiations over another economic relief package when Congress returns to Washington next week. Democrats previously pushed for making the $150 billion Congress already included for states and cities in its $2 trillion relief bill available to be used for lost revenues, but Republicans successfully blocked the effort.
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“We want to make sure that these people who are risking their lives to save other people’s lives are not risking their jobs as well because the state and localities cannot pay them,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Monday on MSNBC. “It’s not about bureaucracy. It’s about delivery of service to the American people.”
There is bipartisan support for a state and local economic rescue package. Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) proposed a $500 billion fund to help states hit hardest by the pandemic as part of the next congressional bill.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Governor Ron DeSantis Calls Florida 'God's Waiting Room' For Retirees

Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) on Sunday characterized his state as “ God ’ s waiting room ” for seniors during an update on COVID-19 .
“ Florida is ground zero for the nursing home ; I mean we ’ re God ’ s waiting room , ” DeSantis said at a news briefing in Orlando .
“ We have a huge number of facilities , a huge number of residents.
” DeSantis commented on Florida ’ s vulnerable nursing home population while discussing plans to reopen the state for business .
As of Sunday , Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,074 deaths .
However , DeSantis said that parts of the state were now on “ the other side ” of the coronavirus outbreak .
The number of daily new cases in Florida in the last week peaked last week at 1,232 , but the tally appeared to be climbing again Saturday with 823 cases , up significantly from the previous day .
Thomas Unnasch , co-director for the Center for Global Health Infectious Disease Research at the University of South Florida , cautioned that it will be difficult to determine if cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will really not know if we ’ re past it until we actually see a week or two of steadily declining case numbers across the Tampa Bay area , and the entire state , before we can really say we ’ re on the downslope , ” Unnasch told WUSF Public Media on Friday .
Although DeSantis claimed the dire predictions for Florida had not materialized , he also emphasized that he was not in a rush to move the state back to normal .
He said he did not envision movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or allowing sporting events with fans until “ far in the future.
” Earlier this month , he deemed World Wrestling Entertainment an “ essential ” business during the outbreak , and said that other sports and entertainment operations could be considered essential on a case-by-case basis .
DeSantis has come under fire for being slow to react to the coronavirus crisis .
He didn ’ t institute a statewide stay-at-home order until April .
DeSantis claimed he was awaiting instructions from the Trump administration , which never came .
The order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not yet clear what he will do then .
More than a week ago DeSantis told local officials they were free to reopen beaches when they saw fit .
He encouraged continued social distancing on the beaches , but that was clearly ignored on Jacksonville Beach :

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Sunday characterized his state as “God’s waiting room” for seniors during an update on COVID-19.
“Florida is ground zero for the nursing home; I mean we’re God’s waiting room,” DeSantis said at a news briefing in Orlando. “We have a huge number of facilities, a huge number of residents.”
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Watch the video above.
“God’s waiting room” is a decades-old derogatory phrase about the large number of retirees in the state, noted WPLG Local 10 TV.
DeSantis commented on Florida’s vulnerable nursing home population while discussing plans to reopen the state for business. As of Sunday, Florida had recorded 31,500 cases of COVID-19 and 1,074 deaths. However, DeSantis said that parts of the state were now on “the other side” of the coronavirus outbreak.
The number of daily new cases in Florida in the last week peaked last week at 1,232, but the tally appeared to be climbing again Saturday with 823 cases, up significantly from the previous day.
Thomas Unnasch, co-director for the Center for Global Health Infectious Disease Research at the University of South Florida, cautioned that it will be difficult to determine if cases have peaked without more data.
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“We will really not know if we’re past it until we actually see a week or two of steadily declining case numbers across the Tampa Bay area, and the entire state, before we can really say we’re on the downslope,” Unnasch told WUSF Public Media on Friday.
Although DeSantis claimed the dire predictions for Florida had not materialized, he also emphasized that he was not in a rush to move the state back to normal. He said he did not envision movie theaters or bars reopening any time soon, or allowing sporting events with fans until “far in the future.”
Earlier this month, he deemed World Wrestling Entertainment an “essential” business during the outbreak, and said that other sports and entertainment operations could be considered essential on a case-by-case basis.
DeSantis has come under fire for being slow to react to the coronavirus crisis. He didn’t institute a statewide stay-at-home order until April. DeSantis claimed he was awaiting instructions from the Trump administration, which never came. The order expires on Thursday, and it’s not yet clear what he will do then.
More than a week ago DeSantis told local officials they were free to reopen beaches when they saw fit. He encouraged continued social distancing on the beaches, but that was clearly ignored on Jacksonville Beach:
People flock to newly opened beach in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Sam Greenwood via Getty Images
Critics on Twitter were taken aback by DeSantis’ characterization of the state’s population of retirees, particularly during such a deadly outbreak:
This is an awful thing to say, especially now.
Gov. Ron DeSantis calls Florida 'God's waiting room' for seniors.https://t.co/k7mZu70KkG — Covie (@roper_93) April 26, 2020
Florida is "God's waiting room?" Well, Seniors? Do you enjoy bein' the punchline in the Republican stand-up routine?https://t.co/h0NxMaflqr — Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) April 26, 2020
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Stacey Abrams Says She’s ‘Willing To Serve’ If Biden Asks Her To Be VP Pick

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams ( D ) said Sunday she would be “ willing to serve ” should Joe Biden ask her to be his vice presidential running mate .
“ As a young black girl growing up in Mississippi , I learned that if I didn ’ t speak up for myself no one else would , ” Abrams told “ Meet the Press ” host Chuck Todd .
“ I was raised to tell the truth , so when I ’ m asked a question , I answer it as directly and honestly as I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out loud , if I ’ m asked the question : Yes , I would be willing to serve.
” EARLIER : Former candidate for governor in Georgia Stacey Abrams says she would be ready to serve as Joe Biden ’ s vice presidential pick .
# MTP @ StaceyAbrams : “ As a young black girl growing up in Mississippi , I learned that if I didn ’ t speak up for myself no one else would.
” pic.twitter.com/7WJbh1cbNX — Meet the Press ( @ MeetThePress ) April 26 , 2020 Abrams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Democratic Party , narrowly lost her 2018 bid for governor , but has remained a high profile figure in the Democratic establishment .
She has spent the last month waging a public bid to become Biden ’ s pick , building on comments made to The New York Times last year that she would be “ honored to be considered any nominee.
” Biden said last month he would pick a woman as his running mate , noting during the final Democratic debate there were “ a number of women who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone from the Senate , however , could imperil the party ’ s chances at gaining control of the chamber in the November elections , leaving some to wonder if Biden ’ s gaze will extend to others .
The former vice president said he will choose a selection committee for his running mate by May 1 , and announce his choice in July .
Abrams has faced some criticism about her experience , and Todd asked Sunday if she felt her loss in 2018 could hamper her bid to become vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns .
“ For the last year and a half , I have run three national organizations including Fair Fight 2020 , which is in 18 states protecting the right to vote .
I ’ ve been traveling the country promoting a census that is accurate and that helps us prepare for the next pandemic and for redistricting , ” she said .
“ I believe in doing the work .
I ’ ve been doing it since the day I did not become governor and I will continue to do so.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Atlantic last week her campaign efforts in Georgia , which saw record turnout during a midterm election , would be a boon to Biden , who has struggled to appeal to some voting blocs .
“ If you look at what we were able to accomplish in Georgia , ” she said , “ the growth of the numbers and the composition of the voters , I would put my capacity to win an election as the VP running mate alongside anyone ’ s .
”

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“As a young black girl growing up in Mississippi, I learned that if I didn’t speak up for myself no one else would,” Abrams told “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd. “I was raised to tell the truth, so when I’m asked a question, I answer it as directly and honestly as I can. So my mission is to say out loud, if I’m asked the question: Yes, I would be willing to serve.”
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EARLIER: Former candidate for governor in Georgia Stacey Abrams says she would be ready to serve as Joe Biden’s vice presidential pick. #MTP @StaceyAbrams: “As a young black girl growing up in Mississippi, I learned that if I didn’t speak up for myself no one else would.” pic.twitter.com/7WJbh1cbNX — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) April 26, 2020
Abrams, a former leader of the Georgia House Democratic Party, narrowly lost her 2018 bid for governor, but has remained a high profile figure in the Democratic establishment. She has spent the last month waging a public bid to become Biden’s pick, building on comments made to The New York Times last year that she would be “honored to be considered any nominee.”
Biden said last month he would pick a woman as his running mate, noting during the final Democratic debate there were “a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow.”
Names that have been floated include Biden’s former competitors, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).
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Choosing someone from the Senate, however, could imperil the party’s chances at gaining control of the chamber in the November elections, leaving some to wonder if Biden’s gaze will extend to others.
The former vice president said he will choose a selection committee for his running mate by May 1, and announce his choice in July.
Abrams has faced some criticism about her experience, and Todd asked Sunday if she felt her loss in 2018 could hamper her bid to become vice president. But Abrams pushed back against such concerns.
“For the last year and a half, I have run three national organizations including Fair Fight 2020, which is in 18 states protecting the right to vote. I’ve been traveling the country promoting a census that is accurate and that helps us prepare for the next pandemic and for redistricting,” she said. “I believe in doing the work. I’ve been doing it since the day I did not become governor and I will continue to do so.”
She also noted in an interview with The Atlantic last week her campaign efforts in Georgia, which saw record turnout during a midterm election, would be a boon to Biden, who has struggled to appeal to some voting blocs.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Senators Demand Answers About Jared Kushner's Role In Distributing Medical Supplies

AP Photo/Alex Brandon , File The White House said April 6 that some states are requesting far more medical supplies than they need to fight the coronavirus pandemic , pushing back against criticism that the distribution of vital equipment has been chaotic .
“ In some cases , people are requesting 10 times what they actually need , ” presidential adviser Jared Kushner said , according to audio obtained by The Associated Press .
Two Democratic senators are demanding that the country ’ s largest medical equipment providers shed light on the White House ’ s role in distributing life-saving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters sent Monday , Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( Mass . )
and Richard Blumenthal ( Conn. ) asked six companies to explain how and where the Trump administration has decided to direct critically needed medical supplies now that the White House is deeply involved with managing the nation ’ s supply chain .
“ Given the ‘ unprecedented ’ nature of this partnership , and the numerous reported problems with states and hospital officials being unable to obtain personal protective equipment and other medical supplies , or having shipments of these materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown destinations , the American people need an explanation for how these supplies are obtained , priced , and distributed , ” the letters read .
Kushner has touted the partnership as an “ unprecedented ” answer to critical supply shortages facing many hospitals .
Under the arrangement , the U.S. government pays to ship orders of supplies like masks , gowns , gloves and respirators from overseas .
The companies ordering the supplies — giants such as McKesson Corporation and Cardinal Health — still pay for those orders and are permitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed orders .
The companies must then sell the other half to hard-hit regions prioritized by the federal government .
But Project Airbridge is subject to little public oversight .
The administration has not publicized what it considers “ hot spots ” or what controls it is placing on supplies being flown into the country with taxpayer money .
Warren and Blumenthal asked companies to clarify whether they are hiking up the prices of those supplies .
The senators are also seeking transparency on how much equipment Project Airbridge has moved , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions of the country are receiving half the equipment .
The senators sent their requests to Cardinal Health , Concordance , Henry Schein , McKesson , Medline , and Owens & Minor , all major medical wholesalers and distributors , and set a May 8 deadline for responses .
Kushner has taken on a vast behind-the-scenes role in managing the Trump administration ’ s response to the coronavirus crisis , including how to get critical medical supplies to thousands of struggling hospitals .
Watchdogs are concerned that Kushner is consulting individuals who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply chain is riddled with holes , accusations of price-gouging , and reports that the Trump administration is seizing orders of protective gear from states in need .
So far , the administration is not complying with requests for more transparency about its response .
House Democrats requested similar information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency this month about Kushner ’ s role in directing the acquisition , distribution or sale of personal protective equipment or medical supplies .
So far , the agency has ignored those questions .

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Two Democratic senators are demanding that the country’s largest medical equipment providers shed light on the White House’s role in distributing life-saving supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.
In letters sent Monday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) asked six companies to explain how and where the Trump administration has decided to direct critically needed medical supplies now that the White House is deeply involved with managing the nation’s supply chain.
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“Given the ‘unprecedented’ nature of this partnership, and the numerous reported problems with states and hospital officials being unable to obtain personal protective equipment and other medical supplies, or having shipments of these materials seized by federal officials and spirited to unknown destinations, the American people need an explanation for how these supplies are obtained, priced, and distributed,” the letters read.
The senators’ questions revolve around Project Airbridge, a public-private partnership overseen by President Donald Trump’s close adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to accelerate overseas shipments of supplies like personal protective equipment.
The White House said April 6 that some states are requesting far more medical supplies than they need to fight the coronavirus pandemic, pushing back against criticism that the distribution of vital equipment has been chaotic. “In some cases, people are requesting 10 times what they actually need,” presidential adviser Jared Kushner said, according to audio obtained by The Associated Press. AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File
Kushner has touted the partnership as an “unprecedented” answer to critical supply shortages facing many hospitals. Under the arrangement, the U.S. government pays to ship orders of supplies like masks, gowns, gloves and respirators from overseas. The companies ordering the supplies — giants such as McKesson Corporation and Cardinal Health — still pay for those orders and are permitted to sell half to buyers that have already placed orders. The companies must then sell the other half to hard-hit regions prioritized by the federal government.
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But Project Airbridge is subject to little public oversight. The administration has not publicized what it considers “hot spots” or what controls it is placing on supplies being flown into the country with taxpayer money.
Warren and Blumenthal asked companies to clarify whether they are hiking up the prices of those supplies. The senators are also seeking transparency on how much equipment Project Airbridge has moved, how companies are selected, and which hard-hit regions of the country are receiving half the equipment.
The senators sent their requests to Cardinal Health, Concordance, Henry Schein, McKesson, Medline, and Owens & Minor, all major medical wholesalers and distributors, and set a May 8 deadline for responses.
Kushner has taken on a vast behind-the-scenes role in managing the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis, including how to get critical medical supplies to thousands of struggling hospitals.
Watchdogs are concerned that Kushner is consulting individuals who are self-interested health care profiteers. And the supply chain is riddled with holes, accusations of price-gouging, and reports that the Trump administration is seizing orders of protective gear from states in need.
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So far, the administration is not complying with requests for more transparency about its response.
House Democrats requested similar information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency this month about Kushner’s role in directing the acquisition, distribution or sale of personal protective equipment or medical supplies. So far, the agency has ignored those questions.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Secretary DeVos Recommends Maintaining Core Parts Of Disability Law Amid Pandemic

JIM WATSON via Getty Images US Secretary of Education Betsy Devos speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on March 27 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
( Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP ) ( Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images ) U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recommended Monday that Congress waive narrow provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act , while recommending that essential principles of the sprawling law remain intact , in a move at least one disability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am shocked and amazed and really , really pleased … about the report from Secretary DeVos not undermining the wonderful protections with students with disabilities , ” said Miriam Rollin , director of the Education Civil Rights Alliance at the National Center for Youth Law .
DeVos made her recommendations in a report to congressional committees .
The report comes after Congress ’ late March coronavirus relief package granted DeVos 30 days to make recommendations on whether sections of IDEA should be waived amid widespread school closures .
Now , it is up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her recommendations into policy .
IDEA is a sprawling education law that includes hundreds of mandates for schools and educators .
The law scrupulously details everything from how schools should interact with parents of students with disabilities to how to pay for students ’ services .
However , as school districts shift to virtual learning during the coronavirus pandemic , teachers and school administration groups have complained that many of these mandates are no longer tenable .
DeVos , however , is only recommending limited waivers on three sections of the law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools evaluating toddlers for potential services .
She did not recommend any waivers for section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ― which bans discrimination based on disability — and says she is rejecting waivers that impede on the core tenants of IDEA , which is designed to provide students with disabilities with an education that is analogous to their peers .
“ While the Department has provided extensive flexibility to help schools transition , there is no reason for Congress to waive any provision designed to keep students learning , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With ingenuity , innovation , and grit , I know this nation ’ s educators and schools can continue to faithfully educate every one of its students.
” Disability rights groups and parents urged the Department of Education to keep the law fully intact , saying waivers are unnecessary and could lead to an eventual chipping away of the signature education law .
Groups like the School Superintendents Association and National Association of State Directors of Special Education , though , have lobbied for temporary flexibility from some of these directives .
School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially concerned with getting sued , especially as they ’ re likely about to face huge budget cuts amid big state revenue shortfalls .
Schools could be held accountable , they say , for failing to live up to a student ’ s individualized education program ― the legal document that outlines necessary services for a disabled student ― even as barriers to successful implementation mount ever higher .
“ Federal laws were not written anticipating a global pandemic that has closed a large majority of schools across the country , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State Directors of Special Education and the Council of Administrators of Special Education to the Department of Education .
The School Superintendents Association told HuffPost it was not commenting on the matter .
The National Association of State Directors of Special Education did not immediately respond to request for comment .

US Secretary of Education Betsy Devos speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on March 27, 2020, in Washington, DC. (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) JIM WATSON via Getty Images
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recommended Monday that Congress waive narrow provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, while recommending that essential principles of the sprawling law remain intact, in a move at least one disability rights group is cheering.
“I am shocked and amazed and really, really pleased … about the report from Secretary DeVos not undermining the wonderful protections with students with disabilities,” said Miriam Rollin, director of the Education Civil Rights Alliance at the National Center for Youth Law.
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DeVos made her recommendations in a report to congressional committees. The report comes after Congress’ late March coronavirus relief package granted DeVos 30 days to make recommendations on whether sections of IDEA should be waived amid widespread school closures. Now, it is up to Congress to decide whether to vote her recommendations into policy.
IDEA is a sprawling education law that includes hundreds of mandates for schools and educators. The law scrupulously details everything from how schools should interact with parents of students with disabilities to how to pay for students’ services. However, as school districts shift to virtual learning during the coronavirus pandemic, teachers and school administration groups have complained that many of these mandates are no longer tenable.
DeVos, however, is only recommending limited waivers on three sections of the law, including one that grants timeline flexibility to schools evaluating toddlers for potential services. She did not recommend any waivers for section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ― which bans discrimination based on disability — and says she is rejecting waivers that impede on the core tenants of IDEA, which is designed to provide students with disabilities with an education that is analogous to their peers.
“While the Department has provided extensive flexibility to help schools transition, there is no reason for Congress to waive any provision designed to keep students learning,” DeVos said in a statement. “With ingenuity, innovation, and grit, I know this nation’s educators and schools can continue to faithfully educate every one of its students.”
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Disability rights groups and parents urged the Department of Education to keep the law fully intact, saying waivers are unnecessary and could lead to an eventual chipping away of the signature education law. Groups like the School Superintendents Association and National Association of State Directors of Special Education, though, have lobbied for temporary flexibility from some of these directives.
School districts have also said they’re especially concerned with getting sued, especially as they’re likely about to face huge budget cuts amid big state revenue shortfalls. Schools could be held accountable, they say, for failing to live up to a student’s individualized education program ― the legal document that outlines necessary services for a disabled student ― even as barriers to successful implementation mount ever higher.
“Federal laws were not written anticipating a global pandemic that has closed a large majority of schools across the country,” said a March letter from the National Association of State Directors of Special Education and the Council of Administrators of Special Education to the Department of Education.
The School Superintendents Association told HuffPost it was not commenting on the matter. The National Association of State Directors of Special Education did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The ball is now in Congress’ court.
“This is not over,” said Rollin. “But we are very, very relieved.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Trump Says He Takes No Responsibility For People Ingesting Disinfectant

President Donald Trump said Monday that he is not taking any responsibility for the reported spike in people seeking help related to unsafe disinfectant use , even though he floated the idea of using disinfectant as a potential COVID-19 cure last week .
Trump denied that his comments had played any role in those reports at his Monday briefing , the first time he ’ d taken questions at a press conference since his remarks about injecting people with disinfectant and sunlight faced nearly universal condemnation .
Trump later claimed that suggestion was sarcastic .
“ I can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a journalist noted a reported rise in the misuse of disinfectant since then .
Since Trump ’ s remarks last week , multiple cities and states have reported a spike in calls to poison control centers about exposure to disinfectant , forcing officials and the makers of cleaning products to issue warnings about ingesting such chemicals .
The New York City Poison Control Center received 30 calls about exposure to household chemicals in the 18 hours after Trump ’ s remarks , compared to only 13 during the same period last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R ) said Sunday that his office had received “ hundreds of calls ” seeking guidance on Trump ’ s suggestion even after the state ’ s Emergency Management Agency issued a warning last week about ingesting disinfectant .
Earlier at Monday ’ s briefing , Trump and other members of the coronavirus task force outlined a new plan for issuing coronavirus tests , though it was scant on details about solving problems in the supply chain and other testing capacity issues .
Despite state leaders calling for a federal-level effort at ramping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states would be largely responsible for increasing access to tests .
Under the plan presented Monday , all 50 states would receive enough tests from the federal government each month to screen 2 % of their populations .

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President Donald Trump said Monday that he is not taking any responsibility for the reported spike in people seeking help related to unsafe disinfectant use, even though he floated the idea of using disinfectant as a potential COVID-19 cure last week.
Trump denied that his comments had played any role in those reports at his Monday briefing, the first time he’d taken questions at a press conference since his remarks about injecting people with disinfectant and sunlight faced nearly universal condemnation. Trump later claimed that suggestion was sarcastic.
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“I can’t imagine why,” Trump said Monday when a journalist noted a reported rise in the misuse of disinfectant since then.
“Do you take any responsibility?” the reporter continued.
“No. I can’t imagine, I can’t imagine that,” Trump said before quickly moving on to another reporter’s question.
Since Trump’s remarks last week, multiple cities and states have reported a spike in calls to poison control centers about exposure to disinfectant, forcing officials and the makers of cleaning products to issue warnings about ingesting such chemicals.
The New York City Poison Control Center received 30 calls about exposure to household chemicals in the 18 hours after Trump’s remarks, compared to only 13 during the same period last year.
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Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said Sunday that his office had received “hundreds of calls” seeking guidance on Trump’s suggestion even after the state’s Emergency Management Agency issued a warning last week about ingesting disinfectant.
Earlier at Monday’s briefing, Trump and other members of the coronavirus task force outlined a new plan for issuing coronavirus tests, though it was scant on details about solving problems in the supply chain and other testing capacity issues.
Despite state leaders calling for a federal-level effort at ramping up testing, the task force said states would be largely responsible for increasing access to tests. Under the plan presented Monday, all 50 states would receive enough tests from the federal government each month to screen 2% of their populations.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Conservative Christian Legal Group Urges Churches To Reopen

Most houses of worship in the U.S. have closed in response to the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
But a minority are operating as usual or are suing for the ability to meet while observing social distancing guidelines .
Many of these churches , and the conservative law firms defending them in courts , have framed the fight as a religious liberty issue , arguing that if venues such as grocery stores and laundromats can remain open while practicing social distancing , it ’ s unconstitutional for churches to be forced to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released guidelines for churches that choose to reopen .
The law firm suggested that churches should advise high-risk individuals to stay home .
They could also do temperature checks at their doors , have multiple services throughout the day and keep non-cohabitating congregants at least 6 feet apart before , during and after services .
Liberty Counsel said it chose May 3 because the date falls near the National Day of Prayer , an annual observance instituted by Congress .
The national event usually draws crowds of participants .
This year , its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking people to honor local laws regarding public gatherings .
“ We want every pray-er to be healthy and safe and to make sure there are no outbreaks or re-outbreaks of Covid19 to be traced back to any of our gatherings , ” task force President Kathy Branzell said in an April 20 blog post .
Though social distancing regulations vary by state and county , much of what the law firm is advocating ― such as having drive-in church services ― is already permissible in some areas and may not actually be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
However , by presenting itself as a strong defender of religious liberty , the law firm is staking out a niche that distinguishes it from other Christian legal advocacy groups , he said .
Liberty Counsel has been one of the more aggressive Christian legal defense groups , championing religious freedom in cases where similar groups have been more cautious , according to Andrew Lewis , a scholar at the University of Cincinnati who studies conservative legal activism .
The law firm previously represented Kim Davis , the Kentucky county clerk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after it became legal .
Given the vital role churches play in Americans ’ social lives , it ’ s understandable that some people are yearning to return to in-person church meetings , Lewis said .
Communities that are less affected by COVID-19 or where churches are smaller and less capable of virtual gatherings are particularly likely to want to return to meeting in person , he said .
“ As we move into May , I expect that we will see more of these conflicts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first weeks of the COVID pandemic , but as life opens up in states , there will be an increasing push for churches to reopen , especially in conservative circles , ” Lewis said .
Meanwhile , the leaders of America ’ s major historically Black Protestant denominations called on congregants to continue to abide by shelter-in-place guidelines , even in states that are lifting such orders .
In a statement released Friday , the leaders noted the pandemic ’ s outsized effect on Black communities and said governors who were opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ reckless disregard ” for the lives of Black residents .
“ Our sacred duty is to support and advance the life and health of Black people , families and communities in our country , ” the leaders wrote .
“ And so , we link arms in our shared determination to protect our communities from the ravages of this pandemic .
For now , that means encouraging each and every one of you to stay home .
”

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A conservative Christian law firm is calling on churches across the country to resume in-person Sunday services on May 3 as long as they take social distancing precautions to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver said that churches must reopen to meet the “burgeoning needs of the community.”
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“Churches are now more essential than ever to bring comfort, hope, and help to the people they serve,” Staver said in a statement about the campaign he’s calling “ReOpen Church Sunday.”
“Each church is different and each one must assess when and how best to reopen,” he added.
The Florida-based Liberty Counsel is part of the conservative Christian legal movement, which seeks to advance and protect conservative religious values, primarily through legal advocacy. The firm is representing pastors in Florida, Virginia and Kentucky who claim that local or state stay-at-home orders have violated their religious freedom rights.
Most houses of worship in the U.S. have closed in response to the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. But a minority are operating as usual or are suing for the ability to meet while observing social distancing guidelines. Many of these churches, and the conservative law firms defending them in courts, have framed the fight as a religious liberty issue, arguing that if venues such as grocery stores and laundromats can remain open while practicing social distancing, it’s unconstitutional for churches to be forced to shut their doors.
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The Liberty Counsel has released guidelines for churches that choose to reopen. The law firm suggested that churches should advise high-risk individuals to stay home. They could also do temperature checks at their doors, have multiple services throughout the day and keep non-cohabitating congregants at least 6 feet apart before, during and after services.
“Churches can engage in a variety of options including having an in person service at a reduced attendance, sanitizing the church, also having simultaneous parking lot services and simultaneous online services,” Staver said in a YouTube video about the campaign.
Liberty Counsel represents Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne, of The River at Tampa Bay Church, who was arrested in March for defying his county's stay-at-home order. New York Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Liberty Counsel said it chose May 3 because the date falls near the National Day of Prayer, an annual observance instituted by Congress. The national event usually draws crowds of participants. This year, its leaders are encouraging virtual prayer meetings and asking people to honor local laws regarding public gatherings.
“We want every pray-er to be healthy and safe and to make sure there are no outbreaks or re-outbreaks of Covid19 to be traced back to any of our gatherings,” task force President Kathy Branzell said in an April 20 blog post.
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Before states can move on to Phase 1, Trump’s plan suggests they should first meet certain “gating criteria,” such as showing a “downward trajectory of COVID-19-like syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period,” and having a “robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing.”
HuffPost has reached out to The White House for comment on the Liberty Counsel’s campaign to reopen churches on May 3.
The timing allows Liberty Counsel to avoid appearing to conflict with Trump, according to Joshua Wilson, a scholar at the University of Denver who is co-writing a book on the conservative Christian legal movement.
“This is important given that white evangelicals are both the Liberty Counsel’s primary constituency/audience and the President’s most loyal supporters,” Wilson told HuffPost in an email.
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Though social distancing regulations vary by state and county, much of what the law firm is advocating ― such as having drive-in church services ― is already permissible in some areas and may not actually be an act of civil disobedience, Wilson said. However, by presenting itself as a strong defender of religious liberty, the law firm is staking out a niche that distinguishes it from other Christian legal advocacy groups, he said.
Liberty Counsel has been one of the more aggressive Christian legal defense groups, championing religious freedom in cases where similar groups have been more cautious, according to Andrew Lewis, a scholar at the University of Cincinnati who studies conservative legal activism. The law firm previously represented Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who was jailed in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after it became legal.
The Liberty Counsel is now playing into outsized fears among white evangelicals that they are facing undue discrimination in America, Lewis said.
Kim Davis with attorney Mat Staver, right, in front of the Carter County Detention Center on Sept. 8, 2015, in Grayson, Kentucky, during a rally for the county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Ty Wright via Getty Images
Given the vital role churches play in Americans’ social lives, it’s understandable that some people are yearning to return to in-person church meetings, Lewis said. Communities that are less affected by COVID-19 or where churches are smaller and less capable of virtual gatherings are particularly likely to want to return to meeting in person, he said.
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“As we move into May, I expect that we will see more of these conflicts. Churches have been quite compliant in the first weeks of the COVID pandemic, but as life opens up in states, there will be an increasing push for churches to reopen, especially in conservative circles,” Lewis said.
Meanwhile, the leaders of America’s major historically Black Protestant denominations called on congregants to continue to abide by shelter-in-place guidelines, even in states that are lifting such orders. In a statement released Friday, the leaders noted the pandemic’s outsized effect on Black communities and said governors who were opening their states up too soon showed a “reckless disregard” for the lives of Black residents.
The leaders said their faith compelled them to speak out.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-04-27--Gov. Cuomo Schools Trump On Red State 'Takers' After Tweet About Blue State Bailouts

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo slammed back at President Donald Trump Monday , informing him that it ’ s Republican red states — not New York and other blue states — that are sucking up more national resources than they ’ re contributing .
The Democratic governor was responding to a tweet by Trump complaining that the nation shouldn ’ t have to bail out “ poorly run states.
” In “ all cases , ” Trump claimed , they are “ Democrat run and managed.
” He specifically named Illinois , headed by a fierce Trump critic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If you want to go to who ’ s getting bailed out and who paid what , nobody would be bailing out New York state , ” Cuomo said at his daily press briefing , calling New York the “ number one giver.
” The state has been “ bailing ” out red states for decades , Cuomo said .
In fact , the top six of eight states that pay more to the nation than they get back from the federal government are blue states .
Illinois gives as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis by the Rockefeller Institute of Government .
Three of the four biggest “ taker ” states in the nation , which collect at least twice what they contribute , are Republican-led states .
Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly run states ( like Illinois , as example ) and cities , in all cases Democrat run and managed , when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help ?
I am open to discussing anything , but just asking ?
— Donald J.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 “ Nobody puts more into the pot than the state of New York , ” Cuomo said , noting that the state has paid out $ 116 billion more than it received in federal spending since 2015 , he said .
The governor named New Jersey , Massachusetts and Connecticut as additional “ giver states.
” “ Who are the taker states ?
” Cuomo asked , and he named Kentucky and pointed to states in the “ southeast part of the country.
” Alabama , Arkansas , Florida , Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missouri , Oklahoma and West Virginia , among other red states , all take more in federals funds than they contribute .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) , who has said he ’ s opposed to “ blue-state bailouts , ” suggested last week that states should simply go bankrupt if they ’ re running out of money amid the COVID-19 crisis .
His state already gets more bang for every buck it pays to the federal government .
Kentucky collects $ 2.41 for every dollar it sends to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Rockefeller Institute .
An annoyed Cuomo insisted that it ’ s divisive and “ repugnant ” to reduce what the nation is going through now with COVID-19 to a very partisan balance sheet .
“ This is not the time to be talking about dollars and cents among members of a community who are trying to be mutually supportive and help each other , ” he said .
“ This is not the time to be saying , ‘ Well , you put in a dollar more than I did , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 more than you did .
’ ”

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo slammed back at President Donald Trump Monday, informing him that it’s Republican red states — not New York and other blue states — that are sucking up more national resources than they’re contributing.
The Democratic governor was responding to a tweet by Trump complaining that the nation shouldn’t have to bail out “poorly run states.” In “all cases,” Trump claimed, they are “Democrat run and managed.” He specifically named Illinois, headed by a fierce Trump critic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D).
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“If you want to go to who’s getting bailed out and who paid what, nobody would be bailing out New York state,” Cuomo said at his daily press briefing, calling New York the “number one giver.” The state has been “bailing” out red states for decades, Cuomo said.
In fact, the top six of eight states that pay more to the nation than they get back from the federal government are blue states. Illinois gives as much as it gets, according to an analysis by the Rockefeller Institute of Government. Three of the four biggest “taker” states in the nation, which collect at least twice what they contribute, are Republican-led states.
Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly run states (like Illinois, as example) and cities, in all cases Democrat run and managed, when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help? I am open to discussing anything, but just asking? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2020
“Nobody puts more into the pot than the state of New York,” Cuomo said, noting that the state has paid out $116 billion more than it received in federal spending since 2015, he said. The governor named New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut as additional “giver states.”
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“Who are the taker states?” Cuomo asked, and he named Kentucky and pointed to states in the “southeast part of the country.” Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and West Virginia, among other red states, all take more in federals funds than they contribute.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who has said he’s opposed to “blue-state bailouts,” suggested last week that states should simply go bankrupt if they’re running out of money amid the COVID-19 crisis. His state already gets more bang for every buck it pays to the federal government. Kentucky collects $2.41 for every dollar it sends to the national coffers, according to data analyzed by the Rockefeller Institute.
An annoyed Cuomo insisted that it’s divisive and “repugnant” to reduce what the nation is going through now with COVID-19 to a very partisan balance sheet.
“This is not the time to be talking about dollars and cents among members of a community who are trying to be mutually supportive and help each other,” he said. “This is not the time to be saying, ‘Well, you put in a dollar more than I did,’ or ‘I put in $5 more than you did.’”
But, he added, “If you want to call for an accounting, you lose.”