thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-08--Kamala Harris endorses former 2020 rival Joe Biden

California Sen. Kamala Harris is backing former Vice President Joe Biden for the 2020 Democratic nomination , offering a warm political embrace that 's a stark reversal from her aggressive debate stage tactics against him nine months ago .
Harris , on Sunday , talked up Biden as the best candidate to beat President Trump in November .
“ There is no one better prepared than Joe to steer our nation through these turbulent times , and restore truth , honor , and decency to the Oval Office , '' Harris said in a statement .
`` He is kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listens to the American people .
You can see in his eyes how he takes to heart the experiences of mothers and fathers working to make ends meet and worrying about whether their children can be safe in their classroom , or young people who fight tirelessly to tackle climate change as they ask for a fair shot at the future in front of them . ''
Harris 's endorsement of Biden comes as he 's on the precipice of being on a clear path to win enough delegates to secure the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this summer , over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
It 's also a notable change in tone from the first Democratic debate of the 2020 cycle in Miami in June .
Harris , at the time , took Biden to task for opposing busing ( designed to end racial segregation in schools ) and declared that she had been a victim at age 6 , saying , `` I was that little girl . ''
The California senator later in that debate pressed Biden on his remarks at a New York fundraiser weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working relationship with known segregationists former Sens .
James O. Eastland of Mississippi and Herman Talmadge of Georgia in the Senate during the 1970s .
“ I do not believe you are a racist , ” she said .
“ But I also believe , and it ’ s personal , and it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country.
” The exchange temporarily knocked Biden on his heels in what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 candidates .
But it proved the high-water mark of Harris 's bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination .
After an immediate surge in poll numbers and donations , her campaign flagged , and she dropped out of the top tier of candidates .
In November , she closed down her entire New Hampshire campaign operations in a bid to shift all her resources to the Iowa caucuses .
Weeks earlier , Harris fired dozens of staffers from her campaign headquarters in Baltimore , Maryland .
By the end of the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest cash burn rate of any other candidate running for office , spending 122.9 % of all dollars donated .
Harris left the race on Dec. 3 , in time to remove her name from the March 3 Super Tuesday ballot in California .
Sanders appears to have won California narrowly over Biden , but the delegate split will be nearly even .
Harris 's endorsement comes two days before a crucial round of Democratic primaries that could prove decisive in deciding the Democratic nominee against Trump .
Contests in Idaho , Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Washington on Tuesday account for 352 delegates .
Tuesday ’ s contest is the first test of a two-man race between Sanders and Biden , and it is not clear how effective Sanders ’ s outsider pitch will be against a well-liked Democratic figure who mounted a in the race after being written off because of poor finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Harris 's endorsement only adds to his establishment credentials , considered an asset when electability against Trump is a key criterion for many Democratic voters .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential Democratic ticket this fall .
Harris , daughter of a Jamaican father and Tamil Indian mother , reflects the diversity in the original Democratic field , including six women .
But with the nomination fight now effectively between Biden , 77 , and Sanders , 78 , many are looking for a more diverse pairing on the ticket .
Biden to date has given no indication who his running mate might be , focused instead on clinching the Democratic nomination .

California Sen. Kamala Harris is backing former Vice President Joe Biden for the 2020 Democratic nomination, offering a warm political embrace that's a stark reversal from her aggressive debate stage tactics against him nine months ago.
Harris, on Sunday, talked up Biden as the best candidate to beat President Trump in November.
“There is no one better prepared than Joe to steer our nation through these turbulent times, and restore truth, honor, and decency to the Oval Office," Harris said in a statement. "He is kind and endlessly caring, and he truly listens to the American people. You can see in his eyes how he takes to heart the experiences of mothers and fathers working to make ends meet and worrying about whether their children can be safe in their classroom, or young people who fight tirelessly to tackle climate change as they ask for a fair shot at the future in front of them."
Harris's endorsement of Biden comes as he's on the precipice of being on a clear path to win enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination at the party's national convention this summer, over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. It's also a notable change in tone from the first Democratic debate of the 2020 cycle in Miami in June.
Harris, at the time, took Biden to task for opposing busing (designed to end racial segregation in schools) and declared that she had been a victim at age 6, saying, "I was that little girl."
The California senator later in that debate pressed Biden on his remarks at a New York fundraiser weeks earlier, when he touted his collaborative working relationship with known segregationists former Sens. James O. Eastland of Mississippi and Herman Talmadge of Georgia in the Senate during the 1970s.
“I do not believe you are a racist,” she said. “But I also believe, and it’s personal, and it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country.”
The exchange temporarily knocked Biden on his heels in what was then a Democratic field with more than 20 candidates. But it proved the high-water mark of Harris's bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. After an immediate surge in poll numbers and donations, her campaign flagged, and she dropped out of the top tier of candidates.
In November, she closed down her entire New Hampshire campaign operations in a bid to shift all her resources to the Iowa caucuses. Weeks earlier, Harris fired dozens of staffers from her campaign headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. By the end of the third quarter, Harris's campaign had the highest cash burn rate of any other candidate running for office, spending 122.9% of all dollars donated.
Harris left the race on Dec. 3, in time to remove her name from the March 3 Super Tuesday ballot in California. Sanders appears to have won California narrowly over Biden, but the delegate split will be nearly even.
Harris's endorsement comes two days before a crucial round of Democratic primaries that could prove decisive in deciding the Democratic nominee against Trump. Contests in Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Washington on Tuesday account for 352 delegates.
Tuesday’s contest is the first test of a two-man race between Sanders and Biden, and it is not clear how effective Sanders’s outsider pitch will be against a well-liked Democratic figure who mounted a stunning comeback in the race after being written off because of poor finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Harris's endorsement only adds to his establishment credentials, considered an asset when electability against Trump is a key criterion for many Democratic voters. Her back also offers a preview of a potential Democratic ticket this fall.
Harris, daughter of a Jamaican father and Tamil Indian mother, reflects the diversity in the original Democratic field, including six women. But with the nomination fight now effectively between Biden, 77, and Sanders, 78, many are looking for a more diverse pairing on the ticket. Biden to date has given no indication who his running mate might be, focused instead on clinching the Democratic nomination.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Fiona Hill: Democrats propagate Russian disinformation when they call Trump 'illegitimate'

Ukraine impeachment witness Fiona Hill said Democrats are pushing Russian disinformation when they call President Trump an “ illegitimate ” leader .
Hill , the Trump administration 's former Russia expert on the National Security Council , told 60 Minutes about what she viewed as being Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s nefarious meddling in U.S. politics , and said both Republicans and Democrats helped spread Russian propaganda .
“ What about the Democrats ?
” CBS News 's Lesley Stahl asked Hill in the interview that aired Sunday evening .
“ Have they also propagated any Russian disinformation ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill said .
“ I mean in the sense of talking about the president as being illegitimate.
” Hill , who provided testimony last year in the Democratic-led House impeachment effort against the president and is now back at the Brookings Institution , said “ Putin , sadly , has got all of our political class , every single one of us , including the media , exactly where he wants us.
” “ He ’ s got us feeling vulnerable .
He ’ s got us feeling on edge .
And he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our own systems , ” the former national security official said .
Stahl asked how much of of the polarization in the U.S. stemmed from Russian meddling .
“ Well certainly in 2016 a lot of it did , ” Hill said .
“ The Russians understand a lot of those divisions and they understand how to exploit them.
” In her view , Republicans also pushed Russian disinformation , repeating her impeachment testimony that allegations of Ukrainian election interference in the 2016 presidential election were “ a fictional narrative that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Stahl also asked Hill if it made sense that the Russians would want Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to be the Democratic nominee in 2020 .
“ It does make sense to me , because what the Russians are looking for is the two candidates who are polar opposites , ” she said .
“ They ’ re looking to have , basically , the smallest number of people supporting those two candidates , with everyone else lost in the middle .
So it exacerbates — and exaggerates as well — the polarization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January about such an Russian interference effort .
“ I do n't care , frankly , who Putin wants to be president , ” Sanders said in a statement in February .
“ My message to Putin is clear : stay out of American elections.
” Hill testified last year that British ex-spy Christopher Steele ’ s controversial Trump-Russia dossier , which had Democratic benefactors , was a “ rabbit hole ” that “ very likely ” contained Russian disinformation and said that Steele “ could have been played ” by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz identified at least 17 “ significant errors or omissions ” in the Justice Department 's and the FBI ’ s use of Steele ’ s dossier when pursuing Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants to wiretap Trump campaign associate Carter Page .
The U.S. Intelligence Community concluded in 2017 that Russian military intelligence was responsible for hacking thousands of Democratic emails and providing those stolen records to WikiLeaks to harm Hillary Clinton , a finding bolstered by special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation .
House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfered .
The U.S. Intelligence Community also disputed leaks to the media about a classified House Intelligence Committee briefing last month , denying that lawmakers were told that Russia is attempting to help Trump in 2020 .
The State Department ’ s top counterpropaganda official Lea Gabrielle testified last week that Russia has mobilized “ an entire ecosystem ” of disinformation to prey on global fears that have accompanied the outbreak of the coronavirus .

Ukraine impeachment witness Fiona Hill said Democrats are pushing Russian disinformation when they call President Trump an “illegitimate” leader.
Hill, the Trump administration's former Russia expert on the National Security Council, told 60 Minutes about what she viewed as being Russian President Vladimir Putin’s nefarious meddling in U.S. politics, and said both Republicans and Democrats helped spread Russian propaganda.
“What about the Democrats?” CBS News's Lesley Stahl asked Hill in the interview that aired Sunday evening. “Have they also propagated any Russian disinformation?”
“Yes, they have,” Hill said. “I mean in the sense of talking about the president as being illegitimate.”
Hill, who provided testimony last year in the Democratic-led House impeachment effort against the president and is now back at the Brookings Institution, said: “Putin, sadly, has got all of our political class, every single one of us, including the media, exactly where he wants us.”
“He’s got us feeling vulnerable. He’s got us feeling on edge. And he’s got us questioning the legitimacy of our own systems,” the former national security official said.
Stahl asked how much of the polarization in the U.S. stemmed from Russian meddling.
“Well certainly in 2016 a lot of it did,” Hill said. “The Russians understand a lot of those divisions, and they understand how to exploit them.”
In her view, Republicans also pushed Russian disinformation, repeating her impeachment testimony that allegations of Ukrainian election interference in the 2016 presidential election were “a fictional narrative that has been propagated by the Russian intelligence services.”
Stahl also asked Hill if it made sense that the Russians would want Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to be the Democratic nominee in 2020.
“It does make sense to me because what the Russians are looking for is the two candidates who are polar opposites,” she said. “They’re looking to have, basically, the smallest number of people supporting those two candidates, with everyone else lost in the middle. So it exacerbates, and exaggerates as well, the polarization in the country.”
Sanders was briefed in January about the Russian interference effort.
“I don't care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president,” Sanders said in a statement in February. “My message to Putin is clear: Stay out of American elections.”
Hill testified last year that British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s controversial Trump-Russia dossier, which had Democratic benefactors, was a “rabbit hole” that “very likely” contained Russian disinformation and said that Steele “could have been played” by the Russians. Steele has defended his work, but Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz identified at least 17 “significant errors or omissions” in the Justice Department's and the FBI’s use of Steele’s dossier when pursuing Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants to wiretap Trump campaign associate Carter Page.
The U.S. intelligence community concluded in 2017 that Russian military intelligence was responsible for hacking thousands of Democratic emails and providing those stolen records to WikiLeaks to harm Hillary Clinton, a finding bolstered by special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. House and Senate investigations also concluded the Kremlin interfered.
The U.S. intelligence community also disputed leaks to the media about a classified House Intelligence Committee briefing last month, denying that lawmakers were told that Russia is attempting to help Trump in 2020.
The State Department’s top counterpropaganda official Lea Gabrielle testified last week that Russia has mobilized “an entire ecosystem” of disinformation to prey on global fears that have accompanied the outbreak of the coronavirus.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Book review: Teammates in name only

Book review: Teammates in name only

Reggie Jackson vs. Billie Martin , the self-assured New York Yankees slugger and headstrong manager who in 1977 nearly came to blows in the Fenway Park visitors ’ dugout .
Guys and Dolls co-stars Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando , whose rivalry on the 1955 film set of the musical quickly divided the cast and crew into warring camps .
The highest levels the U.S. government , too , is home to plenty of rivalries between White House staff members who are ostensibly part of the same “ team , ” but in many cases could barely stand to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Staff members '' isn ’ t actually a full description of the trend , as described expertly in Tevi Troy ’ s Fight House : Rivalries in the White House from Truman to Trump .
Many of these squabbles involve Cabinet officers and occasionally a vice president , such as Nelson Rockefeller , a target of much opprobrium by conservatives who President Gerald Ford dropped as his 1976 running mate at the urging of his chief of staff and deputy chief of staff — Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney .
Sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over office size or parking spaces , which have long made for political gossip fodder , writes Troy , a presidential scholar who has written three previous books on aspects of White House life .
Yet the rivalries can have real-world consequences , notes Troy , who served in a number of positions during President George W. Bush ’ s administration , finishing as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services .
That administration featured famous factional fights among the president ’ s foreign policy team in response to the Sept. 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominently between Rumsfeld , in his second turn as defense secretary , against Secretary of State Collin Powell , with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice left relatively helpless to mediate .
“ The strange thing about internal rivalries is that they take place among people who nominally are on the same team .
Disagreements , even if intense , should theoretically never get too personal , ” Troy writes .
In prior administrations , “ most seek each other on a day to day basis and tend to have relatively pleasant interactions face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush administration , as the rivalries intensified and the stakes behind the disputes became higher than ever.
” That ’ s not to say earlier White House rivals always took a forgive-and-forget approach .
Rivalries recounts hard feelings that lingered long beyond Democratic President Harry Truman ’ s administration between Secretary of State George Marshall and special counsel Clark Clifford , over the recognition of the state of Israel on May 14 , 1948 .
Marshall sided with the State Department ’ s largely pro-Arab state bureaucracy in warning against recognition , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latter ’ s view won out , but at the expense of his relationship with Marshall , who stopped speaking to him for the rest of his life .
The television era only magnified many of these rivalries , with top presidential staff aides preening for favorable coverage and more than willing to ( anonymously ) criticize competitors in order to sink their standing with their boss , the president .
Sometimes it ’ s a matter of ego .
Troy recounts White House resentment during President George H.W .
Bush ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s frequent and loud reminders of his genius-level 180 IQ , while Office of Management and Budget Director Richard Darman often boasted of his perfect SAT scores in high school .
The book makes a crucial point that White House staff tension is not necessarily bad .
Competing points of view , as long as they ’ re expressed respectively , are vital in giving presidents a range of options to confront intractable problems .
The most successful Oval Office presidents , of both parties , have welcomed a certain level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it didn ’ t descend into juvenile bickering .
This makes the present administration stand out so much , even though there ’ s limited utility in writing a historical account of ongoing events .
Even of the Obama administration , more than three years in the past , Troy writes , “ official oral histories do not yet exist , and staff memoirs and other histories are only now starting to trickle out.
” President Trump ’ s administration , though , has been marked by unusually high staff turnover and tales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same team that prior commander in chiefs would have sought to tamp down .
In Trump ’ s case , the drama is the point , as advisers are encouraged to mix it up .
Troy recounts “ many cases in which White House players cut each other off and refused to speak .
In the Trump world , communications aide Hope Hicks and strategist Steve Bannon halted person exchanged after they disagreed on the statement President Trump made about Donald Trump Jr. ’ s meeting with the Russians.
” Still , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 2020 will reward Trump with a second term , effectively validating a Lord of the Flies-type approach to staff management .
One that over the weekend saw the emergence of the president ’ s fourth chief of staff during his four-year term , Republican North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows , replacing Mick Mulvaney .
Troy ’ s portrait of White House rivalries is essential reading for political junkies and lay readers alike .
The writing is vibrant , characters bold , and the turf fights familiar to anybody who follows Washington politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an important reminder that whatever chaos seems to emanate from the Trump White House on a given day , some of it amplified and egged on by Twitter and other social media , most of it is not particularly new .
Troy recounts advice he got from a Clinton administration official upon being asked to work on the White House Domestic Policy Council team .
That element of the Bush 43 White House ran relatively collegially , based on shared policy priorities and relatively smooth personal relations .
So , the author did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suggestion about White House rivals , present and future , still holds .

Reggie Jackson vs. Billie Martin, the self-assured New York Yankees slugger and headstrong manager who in 1977 nearly came to blows in the Fenway Park visitors’ dugout.
Guys and Dolls co-stars Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando, whose rivalry on the 1955 film set of the musical quickly divided the cast and crew into warring camps.
The highest levels the U.S. government, too, is home to plenty of rivalries between White House staff members who are ostensibly part of the same “team,” but in many cases could barely stand to be in the same room with each other.
"Staff members" isn’t actually a full description of the trend, as described expertly in Tevi Troy’s Fight House: Rivalries in the White House from Truman to Trump. Many of these squabbles involve Cabinet officers and occasionally a vice president, such as Nelson Rockefeller, a target of much opprobrium by conservatives who President Gerald Ford dropped as his 1976 running mate at the urging of his chief of staff and deputy chief of staff — Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney.
Sometimes the internal White House rivalries are petty, over office size or parking spaces, which have long made for political gossip fodder, writes Troy, a presidential scholar who has written three previous books on aspects of White House life. Yet the rivalries can have real-world consequences, notes Troy, who served in a number of positions during President George W. Bush’s administration, finishing as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services.
That administration featured famous factional fights among the president’s foreign policy team in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Most prominently between Rumsfeld, in his second turn as defense secretary, against Secretary of State Collin Powell, with national security adviser Condoleezza Rice left relatively helpless to mediate.
“The strange thing about internal rivalries is that they take place among people who nominally are on the same team. Disagreements, even if intense, should theoretically never get too personal,” Troy writes. In prior administrations, “most seek each other on a day to day basis and tend to have relatively pleasant interactions face to face. This changed in the Bush administration, as the rivalries intensified and the stakes behind the disputes became higher than ever.”
That’s not to say earlier White House rivals always took a forgive-and-forget approach. Rivalries recounts hard feelings that lingered long beyond Democratic President Harry Truman’s administration between Secretary of State George Marshall and special counsel Clark Clifford, over the recognition of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948. Marshall sided with the State Department’s largely pro-Arab state bureaucracy in warning against recognition, while Clifford was a stalwart supporter. The latter’s view won out, but at the expense of his relationship with Marshall, who stopped speaking to him for the rest of his life.
The television era only magnified many of these rivalries, with top presidential staff aides preening for favorable coverage and more than willing to (anonymously) criticize competitors in order to sink their standing with their boss, the president.
Sometimes it’s a matter of ego. Troy recounts White House resentment during President George H.W. Bush’s administration at chief of staff John Sununu’s frequent and loud reminders of his genius-level 180 IQ, while Office of Management and Budget Director Richard Darman often boasted of his perfect SAT scores in high school.
The book makes a crucial point that White House staff tension is not necessarily bad. Competing points of view, as long as they’re expressed respectively, are vital in giving presidents a range of options to confront intractable problems. The most successful Oval Office presidents, of both parties, have welcomed a certain level of internal staff disagreement, as long as it didn’t descend into juvenile bickering.
This makes the present administration stand out so much, even though there’s limited utility in writing a historical account of ongoing events. Even of the Obama administration, more than three years in the past, Troy writes, “official oral histories do not yet exist, and staff memoirs and other histories are only now starting to trickle out.”
President Trump’s administration, though, has been marked by unusually high staff turnover and tales of profanity-laced tirades between members of the same team that prior commander in chiefs would have sought to tamp down. In Trump’s case, the drama is the point, as advisers are encouraged to mix it up.
Troy recounts “many cases in which White House players cut each other off and refused to speak. In the Trump world, communications aide Hope Hicks and strategist Steve Bannon halted person exchanged after they disagreed on the statement President Trump made about Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting with the Russians.”
Still, it’s entirely possible the public in November 2020 will reward Trump with a second term, effectively validating a Lord of the Flies-type approach to staff management. One that over the weekend saw the emergence of the president’s fourth chief of staff during his four-year term, Republican North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows, replacing Mick Mulvaney.
Troy’s portrait of White House rivalries is essential reading for political junkies and lay readers alike. The writing is vibrant, characters bold, and the turf fights familiar to anybody who follows Washington politics even casually. It’s also an important reminder that whatever chaos seems to emanate from the Trump White House on a given day, some of it amplified and egged on by Twitter and other social media, most of it is not particularly new.
Troy recounts advice he got from a Clinton administration official upon being asked to work on the White House Domestic Policy Council team. That element of the Bush 43 White House ran relatively collegially, based on shared policy priorities and relatively smooth personal relations. So, the author did not have to implement it. But the suggestion about White House rivals, present and future, still holds.
“Watch your back.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Twitter rules White House official pushed manipulated video of Biden

Twitter determined that a White House official published a manipulated video of 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden , adding a label to the tweet to notify users .
Dan Scavino Jr. , an assistant to the president and the director of social media at the White House , tweeted a video of Biden from a Saturday campaign event in Kansas City , Missouri .
In the 13-second clip , the former vice president stumbled on a sentence and then said , `` Excuse me .
We can only re-elect Donald Trump . ''
The clip , however , failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence , which read in full , `` Excuse me .
We can only re-elect Donald Trump if in fact we get engaged in this circular firing squad here .
It 's got ta be a positive campaign . ''
The social media platform ruled that the video violated the company 's new Synthetic and Manipulated Media policy , a Twitter spokeswoman told the Washington Examiner Sunday .
The tweet , which remained active on Scavino 's timeline as of that night , featured a blue exclamation point and the label `` Manipulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the manipulated video .
The incident marked the first time a tweet has received the label as a result of the new policy , which went into effect only last Thursday , according to company spokeswoman .
The manipulated media policy , which is meant to limit the spread of fake or misleading information , will use three guidelines in order to rule whether a video is fake and if it should be taken down .
Such action may be warranted if the following questions can be answered in the affirmative : Are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media shared in a deceptive manner ?
Is the content likely to affect public safety or cause serious harm ?
Depending on the answers to those questions , Twitter can `` provide additional context on the tweet , '' which could range from applying `` a label to the tweet , '' showing `` a warning to people before they retweet or like the tweet , '' reducing its visibility or removing it entirely , or providing additional clarifications or explanations , according to a blog post from the site .

Twitter determined that a White House official published a manipulated video of 2020 Democratic front-runner Joe Biden, adding a label to the tweet to notify users.
Dan Scavino Jr., an assistant to the president and the director of social media at the White House, tweeted a video of Biden from a Saturday campaign event in Kansas City, Missouri. In the 13-second clip, the former vice president stumbled on a sentence and then said, "Excuse me. We can only reelect Donald Trump."
The clip, however, failed to include the second half of Biden's sentence, which read in full, "Excuse me. We can only reelect Donald Trump if in fact we get engaged in this circular firing squad here. It's gotta be a positive campaign."
The social media platform ruled that the video violated the company's new synthetic and manipulated media policy, a Twitter spokeswoman told the Washington Examiner Sunday. The tweet, which remained active on Scavino's timeline as of that night, featured a blue exclamation point and the label "manipulated media." Trump also retweeted the manipulated video.
The incident marked the first time a tweet has received the label as a result of the new policy, which went into effect only last Thursday, according to a company spokeswoman.
The manipulated media policy, which is meant to limit the spread of fake or misleading information, will use three guidelines in order to rule whether a video is fake and if it should be taken down. Such action may be warranted if the following questions can be answered in the affirmative: Are the media synthetic or manipulated? Are the media shared in a deceptive manner? Is the content likely to affect public safety or cause serious harm?
Depending on the answers to those questions, Twitter can "provide additional context on the tweet," which could range from applying "a label to the tweet," showing "a warning to people before they retweet or like the tweet," reducing its visibility or removing it entirely, or providing additional clarifications or explanations, according to a blog post from the site.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--'Full transparency': Don Trump Jr. challenges Hunter Biden to debate

Donald Trump Jr. challenged Hunter Biden to debate who has benefited more financially from their fathers ’ time in public office .
`` We can go full transparency , we show everything , and we can talk about all of the places where I 'm supposedly grifting , but Hunter Biden is n't , '' President Trump ’ s eldest son said in a Sunday interview with Axios HBO .
Trump Jr. stepped in to run the Trump Organization with his brother Eric when their father moved into the White House .
When pressed on his book deal and paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid speeches for more than a decade .
`` If you looked at my tax returns , which maybe we could talk about in this debate , ” he said , later continuing , `` Let 's talk about who profited off of whose public service .
Happy to do it .
Let 's make it happen . ''
TJ Ducklo , a spokesman for 2020 Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden , responded , `` It is hard to believe anything a Trump says on tax returns when Donald Sr. has lied for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and his allies have spent months attacking the former vice president over his son ’ s business dealings in Ukraine , arguing that it shows the family was corrupt .
The younger Biden served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company while his father led the Obama administration ’ s Ukraine policy .

Donald Trump Jr. challenged Hunter Biden to debate who has benefited more financially from their fathers’ time in public office.
"We can go full transparency, we show everything, and we can talk about all of the places where I'm supposedly grifting, but Hunter Biden isn't," President Trump’s eldest son said in a Sunday interview with Axios HBO.
Trump Jr. stepped in to run the Trump Organization with his brother Eric when their father moved into the White House. When pressed on his book deal and paid speeches, he insisted he has made paid speeches for more than a decade.
"If you looked at my tax returns, which maybe we could talk about in this debate,” he said, later continuing, "Let's talk about who profited off of whose public service. Happy to do it. Let's make it happen."
TJ Ducklo, a spokesman for 2020 Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden, responded, "It is hard to believe anything a Trump says on tax returns when Donald Sr. has lied for years about releasing his."
The president and his allies have spent months attacking the former vice president over his son’s business dealings in Ukraine, arguing that it shows the family was corrupt. The younger Biden served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company while his father led the Obama administration’s Ukraine policy.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Pompeo, Nikki Haley, and Greg Abbott to appear at Republican Jewish Coalition confab, signaling 2024

Pompeo, Nikki Haley, and Greg Abbott to appear at Republican Jewish Coalition confab, signaling 2024 ambitions

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Ambassador Nikki Haley are headed to Las Vegas for a Republican Jewish Coalition conference , another in a series of early moves by each to lay the foundation for a possible 2024 presidential bid .
President Trump is headlining the RJC ’ s annual leadership gathering , set for March 13-15 .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and several other prominent Republicans also are expected as the GOP prepares for November .
Forging relationships with RJC members could pay dividends in the party ’ s next contested White House primary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual gatherings are influential Jewish Republicans who contribute millions to GOP campaigns and causes .
“ It ’ s one of those must-do events , ” said a Republican operative who advised a GOP presidential candidate in 2016 .
“ Sheldon [ Adelson ] is a big part of the RJC , and so , any candidate who is looking to curry favor with the single biggest donor in Republican politics is going to be there.
” Sheldon Adelson , the billionaire casino magnate hosting the RJC conference this month at properties he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a top Republican donor and a member of the group ’ s board of directors .
The RJC has matured into a formidable organization .
Invitations to the group ’ s annual events are coveted by rising Republican politicians , especially presidential candidates .
During the crowded 2016 primary , the RJC had to space out appearances by the various candidates at multiple events because the demand to address the group and press the flesh with members was so great .
The group , initially suspicious of Trump , has become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken in the Middle East .
Trump moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem , pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal , and recognized Israel ’ s annexation of the Golan Heights .
Accordingly , the RJC is investing $ 10 million this year to boost support for Trump among Jewish voters in key battlegrounds such as South Florida .
Republican VIPs on the guest list for the mid-March gathering include Gov .
Greg Abbott of Texas , Gov .
Kristi Noem of South Dakota , Sen. Todd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the National Republican Senatorial Committee , Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel , plus Sens .
Thom Tillis of North Carolina , Martha McSally of Arizona , Joni Ernst of Iowa , Lindsey Graham of South Carolina , and David Perdue of Georgia .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Ambassador Nikki Haley are headed to Las Vegas for a Republican Jewish Coalition conference, another in a series of early moves by each to lay the foundation for a possible 2024 presidential bid.
President Trump is headlining the RJC’s annual leadership gathering, set for March 13-15. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and several other prominent Republicans also are expected as the GOP prepares for November.
Forging relationships with RJC members could pay dividends in the party’s next contested White House primary. Many who attend the group’s annual gatherings are influential Jewish Republicans who contribute millions to GOP campaigns and causes.
“It’s one of those must-do events,” said a Republican operative who advised a GOP presidential candidate in 2016. “Sheldon [Adelson] is a big part of the RJC, and so, any candidate who is looking to curry favor with the single biggest donor in Republican politics is going to be there.”
Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino magnate hosting the RJC conference this month at properties he owns on the Las Vegas strip, is a top Republican donor and a member of the group’s board of directors.
The RJC has matured into a formidable organization. Invitations to the group’s annual events are coveted by rising Republican politicians, especially presidential candidates. During the crowded 2016 primary, the RJC had to space out appearances by the various candidates at multiple events because the demand to address the group and press the flesh with members was so great.
The group, initially suspicious of Trump, has become a strong supporter because of actions he has taken in the Middle East. Trump moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal, and recognized Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights.
Accordingly, the RJC is investing $10 million this year to boost support for Trump among Jewish voters in key battlegrounds such as South Florida.
Republican VIPs on the guest list for the mid-March gathering include Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, who is chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, plus Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Martha McSally of Arizona, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and David Perdue of Georgia.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Conservatives for Bernie? Careful what you wish for

Should Republicans be hoping for a Bernie Sanders primary win ?
Not necessarily .
You might think that an odd observation coming from a Brit .
After all , three months ago , we had an election in which a New Yorker with a big personality and an arresting hairstyle trounced a retrosocialist .
Manhattan-born Boris Johnson took the Conservatives to their greatest win since the high-water mark of Margaret Thatcher .
Jeremy Corbyn , who junked Labour ’ s usual blend of social democracy and wishful thinking for Marxism , took his party to its worst defeat since 1935 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for .
Two years earlier , running on precisely the same platform , Corbyn surged to within a whisker of winning .
And he did it from a much lower starting point than where Sanders currently stands .
British and American politics often march together — in terms of personality as well as party .
Lyndon B. Johnson met his match in the wily and unscrupulous Harold Wilson .
Richard Nixon was coterminous with Edward Heath , whose character flaws did lasting damage to conservatism .
Jimmy Carter paired with Labour ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlucky and overwhelmed by events .
After that came the glorious reveille of Ronald Reagan and Thatcher , followed by their quieter lieutenants George H.W .
Bush and John Major .
Next were the centrist but sleazy regimes of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair .
Then , syncopation : George W. Bush was mainly contemporaneous with Blair , and Barack Obama with David Cameron .
Now , though , we are back in step , with the two governments being led by men with striking characters and unusual backgrounds who stand slightly apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring their remote bureaucracies under control .
Both , consequently , are howled down as unscrupulous populists .
This synchronicity may reflect the way our two economic cycles are aligned , a common media culture , or simply a shared outlook .
Whatever the explanation , the current parallels are striking .
The governing right-wing parties have simultaneously acquired a significantly poorer and less educated electorate .
Their left-wing oppositions have responded with a kind of frenzied , Chavista authoritarianism .
In some ways , Sanders is more radical than Corbyn .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalization and has no time for anti-Semitism .
But , when it comes to spending , the 78-year-old Democrat leaves the 70-year-old Labour man standing .
Corbyn wanted a big expansion of the state .
Under his manifesto , the government would have grown to control 44 % of the economy .
The equivalent figure for Sanders ?
An incredible 64 % .
When it comes to free healthcare and free university tuition , the two platforms are similar ( and similarly unaffordable ) .
But when it comes to spending on infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class of his own .
Corbyn promised to spend half a trillion dollars over 10 years , equivalent to about 20 % of Britain ’ s GDP .
Sanders says he will spend $ 16.3 trillion over 15 years , equivalent to 75 % of America ’ s GDP .
During the Labour primary in 2015 , a few mischievous Conservatives joined up so as to vote for the supposedly unelectable communist .
Two years later , these “ Tories for Corbyn ” were left looking pretty silly when the old man came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls and cost Theresa May her majority .
What were the differences between the 2017 and 2019 elections ?
One , of course , is that in 2017 , Corbyn was running against an Eeyore ( May ) rather than a Tigger ( Johnson ) .
Additionally , Labour was still supposedly pro-Brexit in 2017 .
But there was another difference : No one took Corbyn seriously the first time around .
He was written off by pundits , and his manifesto went unscrutinized .
It was the same asymmetry , funny enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous year .
Would Sanders be 2017 Corbyn or 2019 Corbyn ?
If the former , he could win .
Corbyn began that campaign with everything against him — press , polls , policies , people .
Sanders , at the time of writing , is 5 points ahead of Trump .
To commentators , Corbyn ’ s atavistic Marxism was a self-evident disqualification .
But young voters had no memory of communism , and the Right ’ s Cold War rhetoric left them , well , cold .
Two years later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew that it was not enough to decry his opponent as a “ mutton-headed mugwump ” ( though he did that too ) .
He also had to offer something better .
Hence his relentless cheeriness , his infectious optimism .
Now that he is defending his own record , of course , Trump can no longer rail against crime , deindustrialization , mass migration , and all the rest of it .
He , too , needs to radiate a bit of sunshine .
Can he manage it ?
We ’ ll @ @ @ @

Should Republicans be hoping for a Bernie Sanders primary win? Not necessarily.
You might think that an odd observation coming from a Brit. After all, three months ago, we had an election in which a New Yorker with a big personality and an arresting hairstyle trounced a retrosocialist. Manhattan-born Boris Johnson took the Conservatives to their greatest win since the high-water mark of Margaret Thatcher. Jeremy Corbyn, who junked Labour’s usual blend of social democracy and wishful thinking for Marxism, took his party to its worst defeat since 1935.
But be careful what you wish for. Two years earlier, running on precisely the same platform, Corbyn surged to within a whisker of winning. And he did it from a much lower starting point than where Sanders currently stands.
British and American politics often march together — in terms of personality as well as party. Lyndon B. Johnson met his match in the wily and unscrupulous Harold Wilson. Richard Nixon was coterminous with Edward Heath, whose character flaws did lasting damage to conservatism. Jimmy Carter paired with Labour’s Jim Callaghan — a decent man but unlucky and overwhelmed by events. After that came the glorious reveille of Ronald Reagan and Thatcher, followed by their quieter lieutenants George H.W. Bush and John Major. Next were the centrist but sleazy regimes of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. Then, syncopation: George W. Bush was mainly contemporaneous with Blair, and Barack Obama with David Cameron.
Now, though, we are back in step, with the two governments being led by men with striking characters and unusual backgrounds who stand slightly apart from their parties. Both are determined to bring their remote bureaucracies under control. Both, consequently, are howled down as unscrupulous populists.
This synchronicity may reflect the way our two economic cycles are aligned, a common media culture, or simply a shared outlook. Whatever the explanation, the current parallels are striking. The governing right-wing parties have simultaneously acquired a significantly poorer and less educated electorate. Their left-wing oppositions have responded with a kind of frenzied, Chavista authoritarianism.
In some ways, Sanders is more radical than Corbyn. True, he does not propose mass nationalization and has no time for anti-Semitism. But, when it comes to spending, the 78-year-old Democrat leaves the 70-year-old Labour man standing. Corbyn wanted a big expansion of the state. Under his manifesto, the government would have grown to control 44% of the economy. The equivalent figure for Sanders? An incredible 64%.
When it comes to free healthcare and free university tuition, the two platforms are similar (and similarly unaffordable). But when it comes to spending on infrastructure and greenery, Sanders is in a class of his own. Corbyn promised to spend half a trillion dollars over 10 years, equivalent to about 20% of Britain’s GDP. Sanders says he will spend $16.3 trillion over 15 years, equivalent to 75% of America’s GDP.
During the Labour primary in 2015, a few mischievous Conservatives joined up so as to vote for the supposedly unelectable communist. Two years later, these “Tories for Corbyn” were left looking pretty silly when the old man came back from a 21-point deficit in the polls and cost Theresa May her majority.
What were the differences between the 2017 and 2019 elections? One, of course, is that in 2017, Corbyn was running against an Eeyore (May) rather than a Tigger (Johnson). Additionally, Labour was still supposedly pro-Brexit in 2017. But there was another difference: No one took Corbyn seriously the first time around. He was written off by pundits, and his manifesto went unscrutinized. It was the same asymmetry, funny enough, that had favored President Trump the previous year.
Would Sanders be 2017 Corbyn or 2019 Corbyn? If the former, he could win. Corbyn began that campaign with everything against him — press, polls, policies, people. Sanders, at the time of writing, is 5 points ahead of Trump. To commentators, Corbyn’s atavistic Marxism was a self-evident disqualification. But young voters had no memory of communism, and the Right’s Cold War rhetoric left them, well, cold.
Two years later, Johnson was taking no chances. He knew that it was not enough to decry his opponent as a “mutton-headed mugwump” (though he did that too). He also had to offer something better. Hence his relentless cheeriness, his infectious optimism.
Now that he is defending his own record, of course, Trump can no longer rail against crime, deindustrialization, mass migration, and all the rest of it. He, too, needs to radiate a bit of sunshine. Can he manage it? We’ll soon find out.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--'There is no stopping us': Bernie Sanders digs in ahead of must-win Michigan primary

ANN ARBOR , Michigan — Bernie Sanders is going all-in in Michigan , a must-win state in this week 's round of primaries if the Vermont senator wants a path to the 2020 Democratic nomination .
`` There is no stopping us because we have an agenda that works for working people , '' Sanders said in Ann Arbor , Michigan , on Sunday .
Once the front-runner for the Democratic nod , he canceled events in Mississippi and Missouri to spend more time in Michigan after Joe Biden clinched Super Tuesday states and delegates that the former mayor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Michigan on Sunday evening , over the lingering smell of marijuana , Sanders wove Michigan-centric examples into his stump speech .
`` We don ’ t want — we do n't need water systems that poison children like in Flint , Michigan , '' he said .
`` We do n't need crumbling schools in Detroit and all over America . ''
Among the biggest applause lines was his riff about his pro-abortion stance .
His reference to Biden and his high-dollar donors drew boos from the crowd , as did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I understand Joe Biden has the support of the entire political establishment , '' he said .
`` But we have the support of some of the strongest grassroots movements in this country . ''
Sanders was introduced in Ann Arbor by Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who drew parallels between him and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson .
Jackson endorsed Sanders on Sunday morning .
`` We have a choice to make .
In November , we will do everything we can to defeat that margin of despair .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we defeat it by going back to how things we were , or will we defeat it by working for working people ? ''
she asked the crowd , also contrasting Sanders with Biden .

ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Bernie Sanders is going all-in in Michigan, a must-win state in this week's round of primaries if the Vermont senator wants a path to the 2020 Democratic nomination.
"There is no stopping us because we have an agenda that works for working people," Sanders said in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Sunday.
Once the front-runner for the Democratic nod, he canceled events in Mississippi and Missouri to spend more time in Michigan after Joe Biden clinched Super Tuesday states and delegates that the former mayor of Burlington was banking on.
At the University of Michigan on Sunday evening, over the lingering smell of marijuana, Sanders wove Michigan-centric examples into his stump speech.
"We don’t want — we don't need water systems that poison children like in Flint, Michigan," he said. "We don't need crumbling schools in Detroit and all over America."
Among the biggest applause lines was his riff about his pro-abortion stance. His reference to Biden and his high-dollar donors drew boos from the crowd, as did any mention of the so-called establishment.
"I understand Joe Biden has the support of the entire political establishment," he said. "But we have the support of some of the strongest grassroots movements in this country."
Sanders was introduced in Ann Arbor by Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who drew parallels between him and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson. Jackson endorsed Sanders on Sunday morning.
"We have a choice to make. In November, we will do everything we can to defeat that margin of despair. The question is, how? Will we defeat it by going back to how things we were, or will we defeat it by working for working people?" she asked the crowd, also contrasting Sanders with Biden.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Virginia House passes redistricting amendment despite Democratic leadership disapproval

The Virginia House voted in favor of a resolution that moves the commonwealth one step closer to a constitutional amendment establishing an independent redistricting commission after a handful of Democrats voted with the Republican minority .
With Friday 's House approval of Senate Joint Resolution 18 , identical amendment language has passed both chambers of the General Assembly in two consecutive years , which is the first step required to approve a constitutional amendment .
The proposed amendment will be placed on the ballot for Virginians to vote on in a referendum , which is the final step to add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendment would establish a 16-person bipartisan redistricting commission that would have the authority to propose redistricting plans to the General Assembly .
The General Assembly would be able to approve the proposals or decline them , but would not be able to offer any amendments to the bills .
Currently , redistricting is handled by the General Assembly without any oversight , which gives the majority party control over drawing the lines .
The House voted 54-46 to approve the resolution after it rejected a substitution proposed by Del .
Marcus Simon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added language designed to further prevent gerrymandering , especially racial gerrymandering , but it also would have restarted the clock on the amendment process and prolonged it .
Speaking to his substitution on the House floor , Simon said he understood it would restart the process , but that it would create better legislation .
He said his substitution shows what proper redistricting reform should look like .
Simon and other Democrats , including several members of the Legislative Black Caucus , discouraged the chamber from voting for the resolution in its initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Newport News , said that the commission should be required to reflect the demographics of Virginia and that the resolution should include language to prevent racial gerrymandering .
Del .
Lamont Bagby , D-Henrico accused the Democrats who voted with Republicans of ignoring black voices .
“ Those individuals who voted with the Republicans were on their phones , ” he said .
An identical resolution passed in both chambers of the General Assembly with vast bipartisan support last year when Democrats were in the minority .
It still had substantial bipartisan support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chamber 38-2 .

The Virginia House voted in favor of a resolution that moves the commonwealth one step closer to a constitutional amendment establishing an independent redistricting commission after a handful of Democrats voted with the Republican minority.
With Friday's House approval of Senate Joint Resolution 18, identical amendment language has passed both chambers of the General Assembly in two consecutive years, which is the first step required to approve a constitutional amendment. The proposed amendment will be placed on the ballot for Virginians to vote on in a referendum, which is the final step to add it to the state constitution.
The amendment would establish a 16-person bipartisan redistricting commission that would have the authority to propose redistricting plans to the General Assembly. The General Assembly would be able to approve the proposals or decline them, but would not be able to offer any amendments to the bills. Currently, redistricting is handled by the General Assembly without any oversight, which gives the majority party control over drawing the lines.
The House voted 54-46 to approve the resolution after it rejected a substitution proposed by Del. Marcus Simon, D-Falls Church. The substitution would have added language designed to further prevent gerrymandering, especially racial gerrymandering, but it also would have restarted the clock on the amendment process and prolonged it.
Speaking to his substitution on the House floor, Simon said he understood it would restart the process, but that it would create better legislation. He said his substitution shows what proper redistricting reform should look like.
Simon and other Democrats, including several members of the Legislative Black Caucus, discouraged the chamber from voting for the resolution in its initial form.
Del. Marcia Price, D-Newport News, said that the commission should be required to reflect the demographics of Virginia and that the resolution should include language to prevent racial gerrymandering.
Del. Lamont Bagby, D-Henrico accused the Democrats who voted with Republicans of ignoring black voices.
“Those individuals who voted with the Republicans were on their phones,” he said.
An identical resolution passed in both chambers of the General Assembly with vast bipartisan support last year when Democrats were in the minority. It still had substantial bipartisan support in the Senate this year, passing the chamber 38-2.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Sponsors of vaccine mandate proposals at Illinois statehouse face opposition

Several measures at the Illinois statehouse dealing with vaccination requirements face opposition , and the sponsor of one measure said she could modify her proposal .
One measure , House Bill 4870 , would require students to get the HPV vaccine before they can go to school .
Another proposal to eliminate the religious exemption for vaccine requirements , Senate Bill 3668 , could be pared back as discussion continues .
State Rep. Darren Bailey , R-Xenia , said he and others throughout the state have concerns about the vaccine bills .
“ When you start interfering with the parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they see fit , you know , I ’ ve got a big problem with that , ” he said .
He specifically mentioned the bill to do away with the religious exemption from vaccine mandates before a child can go to school or college .
While some states have religious , medical and philosophical exemptions , Illinois only has religious and medical exemptions .
The sponsor of the bill to get rid of the religious exemption , state Sen. Heather Steans , D-Chicago , said she ’ s in talks with opponents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have vaccination hesitation , talking to some of those groups too , so we ’ re trying to get a lot of feedback to see what we can do to tighten up things without getting rid of the exemption , ” Steans said .
Steans said her efforts were designed to ensure people are getting immunized for public health and safety .
Her bill , Senate Bill 3668 , has yet to move out of committee .
Bailey also said he was opposed to the bill to require students entering sixth grade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he shared committee members ’ contact information with people to get the word about the proposed mandate .
“ Their reasons are not medically based and they are not factual , it ’ s more scare tactics and other things that they ’ ve heard that scares them , and I can understand that , ” Gable said .
Gable said the vaccine is safe and her bill is designed to help eradicate cervical cancer in the state .
Bailey said he understood the importance of working to get rid of cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandating away parental choice .
“ If 1.5 percent of families opt-out as the state figures show , then that would suggest that they would be the only ones really susceptible , everyone else should be OK , ” Bailey said .
Gabel ’ s measure , House Bill 4870 , is in the House Appropriations-Human Services Committee that has no immediate hearing date scheduled .
Lawmakers return to the capitol in Springfield on March 18 .

Several measures at the Illinois statehouse dealing with vaccination requirements face opposition, and the sponsor of one measure said she could modify her proposal.
One measure, House Bill 4870, would require students to get the HPV vaccine before they can go to school. Another proposal to eliminate the religious exemption for vaccine requirements, Senate Bill 3668, could be pared back as discussion continues.
State Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, said he and others throughout the state have concerns about the vaccine bills.
“When you start interfering with the parents’ right to raise their child as they see fit, you know, I’ve got a big problem with that,” he said.
He specifically mentioned the bill to do away with the religious exemption from vaccine mandates before a child can go to school or college.
While some states have religious, medical and philosophical exemptions, Illinois only has religious and medical exemptions. The sponsor of the bill to get rid of the religious exemption, state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, said she’s in talks with opponents.
“More informal organizations with people who have vaccination hesitation, talking to some of those groups too, so we’re trying to get a lot of feedback to see what we can do to tighten up things without getting rid of the exemption,” Steans said.
Steans said her efforts were designed to ensure people are getting immunized for public health and safety. Her bill, Senate Bill 3668, has yet to move out of committee.
Bailey also said he was opposed to the bill to require students entering sixth grade to get the HPV vaccine. He said he shared committee members’ contact information with people to get the word about the proposed mandate.
Bill sponsor, state Rep. Robyn Gable, said she’s heard from opponents.
“Their reasons are not medically based and they are not factual, it’s more scare tactics and other things that they’ve heard that scares them, and I can understand that,” Gable said.
Gable said the vaccine is safe and her bill is designed to help eradicate cervical cancer in the state.
Bailey said he understood the importance of working to get rid of cancer, but said people have a problem mandating away parental choice.
“If 1.5 percent of families opt-out as the state figures show, then that would suggest that they would be the only ones really susceptible, everyone else should be OK,” Bailey said.
Gabel’s measure, House Bill 4870, is in the House Appropriations-Human Services Committee that has no immediate hearing date scheduled.
Lawmakers return to the capitol in Springfield on March 18.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--William Barr vows to prosecute 'bad actors' who 'take advantage' of coronavirus crisis

Attorney General William Barr warned any “ bad actors ” against exploiting the coronavirus crisis in the United States through price-fixing or any other antitrust schemes .
“ The Department of Justice stands ready to make sure that bad actors do not take advantage of emergency response efforts , healthcare providers , or the American people during this crucial time , ” Barr said in a statement Monday .
“ I am committed to ensuring that the department ’ s resources are available to combat any wrongdoing and protect the public.
” The DOJ said it will “ hold accountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States in connection with the manufacturing , distribution , or sale of public health products , ” including face masks , respirators , sterile gloves , and diagnostic equipment .
This is part of the Trump administration ’ s announced effort to ensure that all levels of government , the private healthcare , and the general public “ are in the strongest possible position to respond to the outbreak ” of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
The U.S. has identified almost 600 novel coronavirus cases across 37 states as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 22 deaths have been attributed to the disease .
California , New York , Oregon , Washington state , and othe states have all declared emergencies .
There have been over 113,000 coronavirus cases worldwide , with over 80,700 in mainland China alone .
The DOJ said any individuals or companies fixing prices or rigging bids for health protection equipment “ could face criminal prosecution ” and that competitors who agree to market allocation schemes to profit from the situation “ could also be prosecuted.
” The Justice Department said its newly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year in coordination with the DOJ , FBI , U.S. attorneys , and inspectors general , will also “ be on high alert for collusive practices in the sale of such products to federal , state , and local agencies.
” The government urged anyone with information on anticompetitive schemes during the coronavirus outbreak to call the DOJ ’ s Antitrust Division ’ s Citizen Complaint Center or to report violations online .
The coronavirus , also dubbed the “ Wuhan coronavirus ” by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a multitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Wuhan , the capital of China ’ s Hubei province .
Both China and Russia have been spreading disinformation about the virus .
A number of major public events like the South by Southwest festival in Austin and the 2020 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco have been canceled , and a growing number of schools have been closed as U.S. officials seek to stem the virus ’ s spread .
The stock market plunged on Monday amid concerns about the coronavirus ’ s effect on the global economy and as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flooded the oil market to compete with Russia .
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , the director-general of the World Health Organization , said on Monday that “ now that the coronavirus has a foothold in so many countries , the threat of a pandemic has become very real — but it would be the first pandemic in history that could be controlled . ''
`` The bottom line is : We are not at the mercy of this virus , ” Ghebreyesus said .
“ We need to remember that with decisive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus and prevent infections .
Among those who are infected , most will recover .
”

Attorney General William Barr warned any “bad actors” against exploiting the coronavirus crisis in the United States through price-fixing or any other antitrust schemes.
“The Department of Justice stands ready to make sure that bad actors do not take advantage of emergency response efforts, healthcare providers, or the American people during this crucial time,” Barr said in a statement Monday. “I am committed to ensuring that the department’s resources are available to combat any wrongdoing and protect the public.”
The DOJ said it will “hold accountable anyone who violates the antitrust laws of the United States in connection with the manufacturing, distribution, or sale of public health products,” including face masks, respirators, sterile gloves, and diagnostic equipment. This is part of the Trump administration’s announced effort to ensure that all levels of government, the private healthcare, and the general public “are in the strongest possible position to respond to the outbreak” of the virus that causes COVID-19.
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
The U.S. has identified almost 600 novel coronavirus cases across 37 states as well as Washington, D.C., and at least 22 deaths have been attributed to the disease. California, New York, Oregon, Washington state, and othe states have all declared emergencies. There have been over 113,000 coronavirus cases worldwide, with over 80,700 in mainland China alone.
The DOJ said any individuals or companies fixing prices or rigging bids for health protection equipment “could face criminal prosecution” and that competitors who agree to market allocation schemes to profit from the situation “could also be prosecuted.”
The Justice Department said its newly formed Procurement Collusion Strike Force, founded last year in coordination with the DOJ, FBI, U.S. attorneys, and inspectors general, will also “be on high alert for collusive practices in the sale of such products to federal, state, and local agencies.”
The government urged anyone with information on anticompetitive schemes during the coronavirus outbreak to call the DOJ’s Antitrust Division’s Citizen Complaint Center or to report violations online.
The coronavirus, also dubbed the “Wuhan coronavirus” by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a multitude of media outlets, originated in the city of Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province.
Both China and Russia have been spreading disinformation about the virus.
A number of major public events like the South by Southwest festival in Austin and the 2020 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco have been canceled, and a growing number of schools have been closed as U.S. officials seek to stem the virus’s spread.
The stock market plunged on Monday amid concerns about the coronavirus’s effect on the global economy and as oil prices fell dramatically after Saudi Arabia flooded the oil market to compete with Russia.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said on Monday that “now that the coronavirus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real — but it would be the first pandemic in history that could be controlled."
"The bottom line is: We are not at the mercy of this virus,” Ghebreyesus said. “We need to remember that with decisive, early action, we can slow down the coronavirus and prevent infections. Among those who are infected, most will recover.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Florida school-choice expansions set for adoption next week

The Florida House on Friday advanced a bill to expand three of the state ’ s school choice voucher programs , adopting an amendment that could double the eligibility for taxpayer-funded scholarships , making them more accessible to middle-class families .
House Bill 7067 , spearheaded by House Education Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Sullivan , R-Eustis , will be heard in a binding third-reading vote on the House floor early next week .
Its Senate companion , Senate Bill 1220 , sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Manny Diaz , R-Miami , also advanced through a second reading Friday and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure , although there are minor differences in the chamber ’ s proposals .
Florida ’ s five school-choice plans , already the nation ’ s largest voucher program with about 150,000 students attending private schools with taxpayer-funded scholarships , could expand significantly under both proposals .
HB 7067 proposes to grow the state ’ s newly created Family Empowerment ( FES ) scholarship program , now capped at 18,000 students , by about 10,000 students next year .
Students are FES-eligible if household income doesn ’ t exceed 260 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17,795 FES scholarships were awarded in 70 school districts .
Under an amendment adopted Friday , students would be FES-eligible if household income doesn ’ t exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level .
If more than 5 percent of scholarships still are available once the school year begins , students whose families make up to 325 percent of the federal poverty level – more than $ 80,000 for a family of four – would be eligible .
HB 7067 would increase the maximum number of students allowed to participate in FES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state ’ s 2.85 million K-12 population .
The cap ’ s expansion to 1 percent would increase the maximum number of students eligible by 28,902 to 46,626 next year .
Under the quarter-percent cap , 7,225 students would have been eligible .
The measure also expands eligibility for the Florida Tax Credit ( FTC ) program , the largest voucher plan that paid tuition for 100,512 students enrolled in 1,807 private schools this year , dropping family income levels from the equation but giving families that earn below 185 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ securing the scholarships .
As they did in hearings as the bill matriculated through committees , Democrats questioned the reason for the voucher expansion since demand has not increased .
Democrats also submitted amendments requiring parity in academic standards and financial reporting with public schools .
Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith , D-Orlando , filed three rejected amendments that would have required voucher-funded schools to make enrollment policies public after disclosures by the Orlando Sentinel that at least 80 fundamentalist Christian schools expel or will not enroll children who are gay , transgender or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a passionate call to adopt his anti-bullying and constitutional safeguards amendments , spurring Rep. Kimberly Daniels , D-Jacksonville , to counter with one of her own .
Daniels – a self-professed “ demon buster ” and “ street preacher ” known for sponsoring In God We Trust and Study of the Bible and Religion Act legislation and routinely votes with Republicans on abortion restrictions and school-choice issues – said she has “ great respect ” for Smith as “ a champion of the LGBTQ community.
” But she has a community , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gospel of Jesus Christ.
” Daniels said her support for voucher programs has exposed her to bigotry within the Legislature ’ s Democratic caucus , noting she has endured discrimination in the form of racism , sexism and religious persecution because of her devout beliefs .
“ I am a poster child for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , ” she said , telling lawmakers on the floor that 20 years ago , “ I smoked dope .
I was a street woman who lived on the streets a few blocks from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted and trafficked , and I came out of it.
” Daniels said Democrats display a different type of discrimination – “ elitism ” – when they attempt to restrict private schools from having policies that prohibit them from exercising their right to freedom of religion .
“ You can not stop discrimination by discrimination .
We can not receive rights by taking the rights of others , ” she said .
“ In our being inclusive , we are being exclusive.
” Daniels said Democrats ’ elitism over school choice and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they claim to support – middle-class and lower-income families left behind by Republican tax policies .

The Florida House on Friday advanced a bill to expand three of the state’s school choice voucher programs, adopting an amendment that could double the eligibility for taxpayer-funded scholarships, making them more accessible to middle-class families.
House Bill 7067, spearheaded by House Education Committee Chairwoman Jennifer Sullivan, R-Eustis, will be heard in a binding third-reading vote on the House floor early next week.
Its Senate companion, Senate Bill 1220, sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Manny Diaz, R-Miami, also advanced through a second reading Friday and is on a similar track as the House measure, although there are minor differences in the chamber’s proposals.
Florida’s five school-choice plans, already the nation’s largest voucher program with about 150,000 students attending private schools with taxpayer-funded scholarships, could expand significantly under both proposals.
HB 7067 proposes to grow the state’s newly created Family Empowerment (FES) scholarship program, now capped at 18,000 students, by about 10,000 students next year.
Students are FES-eligible if household income doesn’t exceed 260 percent of the federal poverty level. This year, 17,795 FES scholarships were awarded in 70 school districts.
Under an amendment adopted Friday, students would be FES-eligible if household income doesn’t exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level. If more than 5 percent of scholarships still are available once the school year begins, students whose families make up to 325 percent of the federal poverty level – more than $80,000 for a family of four – would be eligible.
HB 7067 would increase the maximum number of students allowed to participate in FES from a quarter-percent to 1 percent annually of the state’s 2.85 million K-12 population.
The cap’s expansion to 1 percent would increase the maximum number of students eligible by 28,902 to 46,626 next year. Under the quarter-percent cap, 7,225 students would have been eligible.
The measure also expands eligibility for the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) program, the largest voucher plan that paid tuition for 100,512 students enrolled in 1,807 private schools this year, dropping family income levels from the equation but giving families that earn below 185 percent of the federal poverty rate priority to securing the scholarships.
As they did in hearings as the bill matriculated through committees, Democrats questioned the reason for the voucher expansion since demand has not increased. Democrats also submitted amendments requiring parity in academic standards and financial reporting with public schools.
Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, filed three rejected amendments that would have required voucher-funded schools to make enrollment policies public after disclosures by the Orlando Sentinel that at least 80 fundamentalist Christian schools expel or will not enroll children who are gay, transgender or have parents who are.
Smith delivered a passionate call to adopt his anti-bullying and constitutional safeguards amendments, spurring Rep. Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville, to counter with one of her own.
Daniels – a self-professed “demon buster” and “street preacher” known for sponsoring In God We Trust and Study of the Bible and Religion Act legislation and routinely votes with Republicans on abortion restrictions and school-choice issues – said she has “great respect” for Smith as “a champion of the LGBTQ community.”
But she has a community, too, spelling out “G-O-S-P-E-L – the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Daniels said her support for voucher programs has exposed her to bigotry within the Legislature’s Democratic caucus, noting she has endured discrimination in the form of racism, sexism and religious persecution because of her devout beliefs.
“I am a poster child for the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” she said, telling lawmakers on the floor that 20 years ago, “I smoked dope. I was a street woman who lived on the streets a few blocks from where I now stand. I was targeted and trafficked, and I came out of it.”
Daniels said Democrats display a different type of discrimination – “elitism” – when they attempt to restrict private schools from having policies that prohibit them from exercising their right to freedom of religion.
“You cannot stop discrimination by discrimination. We cannot receive rights by taking the rights of others,” she said. “In our being inclusive, we are being exclusive.”
Daniels said Democrats’ elitism over school choice and other religious issues is hurting the same constituency they claim to support – middle-class and lower-income families left behind by Republican tax policies.
“C’mon, people,” she beseeched fellow Democrats, “let me in.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Chicago public school teacher latest presumptive coronavirus patient

Illinois ’ likely sixth resident to come down with the new coronavirus is a special education teacher at the Chicago Public School district .
After disembarking from a Grand Princess cruise ship in San Francisco that had multiple passengers confirmed to have COVID-19 , the unnamed woman in her 50s returned to Chicago and attended classes at Vaughn Occupational School , where she works as a special education classroom assistant .
She worked from shortly after she disembarked from the ship from Feb. 21 to March 2 .
The announcement that 20 people had the virus came on March 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our CPS students and families that our city ’ s been working relentlessly to protect the safety and security of our students , faculty , and staff , ” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday night .
Officials said the woman is in stable condition and quarantined in a local hospital .
Lightfoot would not name her location at the request of the hospital .
“ We will be reaching out to all students at this school as well as all employees at this school , ” said Allison Arwady , Commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CPS Superintendent Sheila Jackson said classes at Vaughn were cancelled next week .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker reconfirmed that Illinoisans are not in immediate danger from COVID-19 and need not modify their behavior beyond proper hygiene .
“ As a parent myself , I understand how unnerving this information might be for many of Chicago ’ s residents , but I want to be clear in this case , as in every case , the federal , state , county , and hospital-level public health officials are working to actively identify any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient , ” he said .
COVID-19 has a statistically low mortality rate in children , with reports from the CDC suggesting younger children who tested positive for the virus in China exhibited milder symptoms .

Illinois’ likely sixth resident to come down with the new coronavirus is a special education teacher at the Chicago Public School district.
After disembarking from a Grand Princess cruise ship in San Francisco that had multiple passengers confirmed to have COVID-19, the unnamed woman in her 50s returned to Chicago and attended classes at Vaughn Occupational School, where she works as a special education classroom assistant. She worked from shortly after she disembarked from the ship from Feb. 21 to March 2. The announcement that 20 people had the virus came on March 4.
“I want to reassure all of our CPS students and families that our city’s been working relentlessly to protect the safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Friday night.
Officials said the woman is in stable condition and quarantined in a local hospital. Lightfoot would not name her location at the request of the hospital.
“We will be reaching out to all students at this school as well as all employees at this school,” said Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.
CPS Superintendent Sheila Jackson said classes at Vaughn were cancelled next week.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker reconfirmed that Illinoisans are not in immediate danger from COVID-19 and need not modify their behavior beyond proper hygiene.
“As a parent myself, I understand how unnerving this information might be for many of Chicago’s residents, but I want to be clear in this case, as in every case, the federal, state, county, and hospital-level public health officials are working to actively identify any individuals who came in contact with this patient,” he said.
COVID-19 has a statistically low mortality rate in children, with reports from the CDC suggesting younger children who tested positive for the virus in China exhibited milder symptoms.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Two deaths in Florida attributed to COVID-19

The Florida Department of Health announced late Friday night that two people have died from COVID-19 , the respiratory disease @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the confirmed dead is a Santa Rosa County man in his 70s @ @ @ @ @ was revealed Thursday .
The other death is an individual in their 70s from Lee @ @ @ @ @ .
The individual 's presumptive positive COVID-19 test had not been previously announced .
The @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 deaths in Florida , bringing the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 to 17 .
@ @ @ @ @ Washington and one in California .
The Department of Health ( DOH ) also announced @ @ @ @ @ cases – both in Broward County .
One is a 75-year-old man , and the @ @ @ @ @ .
Both are in isolation and will remain so until cleared by public health officials @ @ @ @

The Florida Department of Health announced late Friday night that two people have died from COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
One of the confirmed dead is a Santa Rosa County man in his 70s, whose positive COVID-19 test was revealed Thursday. The other death is an individual in their 70s from Lee County who had traveled internationally. The individual's presumptive positive COVID-19 test had not been previously announced.
The deaths are the first two COVID-19 deaths in Florida, bringing the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 to 17. Fourteen people have died in Washington and one in California.
The Department of Health (DOH) also announced two new presumptive positive COVID-19 cases – both in Broward County. One is a 75-year-old man, and the other is a 65-year-old man. Both are in isolation and will remain so until cleared by public health officials, DOH said.
For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit DOH's coronavirus website.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--House bill would create statewide drug take-back program

A new bill that would create a statewide system for safely disposing of unwanted drugs and medications is being considered in Springfield .
The state does not have a comprehensive plan to help people dispose of unused drugs .
A patchwork of county-level and privately run collection programs serve some Illinois residents .
“ They are going above and beyond what they 're being required to do to make sure that consumers have convenient and accessible take back options currently , ” said advocate Colleen Smith of the Illinois Environmental Council .
Smith said the fee-based program is facing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharma does n't want to be responsible for the problem they 've created , ” she said .
Lawmakers are looking at two possible ways to fund the program .
The first option would allow drug companies to pay a $ 5,000 fee and create their own disposal plans .
The second is a reimbursement program that would have drug companies paying counties and retailers to expand existing take backs .
Smith said both ideas face opposition from drug companies .
“ They do n't support change for this problem .
And in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would even pass the costs of this type of program onto consumers , ” she said .
The environmental council has built a coalition of support for the bill .
In addition to helping the environment , she says drug take-back bills would also help dispose of unused narcotics .
Those can be a gateway to drug abuse , public health advocates say .
The proposed law , House Bill 4888 , remains in committee in Springfield .

A new bill that would create a statewide system for safely disposing of unwanted drugs and medications is being considered in Springfield.
The state does not have a comprehensive plan to help people dispose of unused drugs. A patchwork of county-level and privately run collection programs serve some Illinois residents.
“They are going above and beyond what they're being required to do to make sure that consumers have convenient and accessible take back options currently,” said advocate Colleen Smith of the Illinois Environmental Council.
A proposed law, House Bill 4888, would create a statewide system of collection.
Smith said the fee-based program is facing an uphill battle.
“Surprisingly, big pharma doesn't want to be responsible for the problem they've created,” she said.
Lawmakers are looking at two possible ways to fund the program. The first option would allow drug companies to pay a $5,000 fee and create their own disposal plans. The second is a reimbursement program that would have drug companies paying counties and retailers to expand existing take backs.
Smith said both ideas face opposition from drug companies.
“They don't support change for this problem. And in fact, they've suggested that they would even pass the costs of this type of program onto consumers,” she said.
The environmental council has built a coalition of support for the bill. In addition to helping the environment, she says drug take-back bills would also help dispose of unused narcotics. Those can be a gateway to drug abuse, public health advocates say.
The proposed law, House Bill 4888, remains in committee in Springfield.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-09--Last-second gun-control bills pass Virginia Senate, head to Northam’s desk

With the legislative session winding down , the Virginia General Assembly approved more gun-control initiatives Saturday that were part of Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ s 2020 agenda .
After Democrats in the House and the Senate worked out minor differences , the chambers came to an agreement on bills to expand background checks ( Senate Bill 70 and House Bill 2 ) and limit handgun purchases ( Senate Bill 69 and House Bill 812 ) .
The House adopted the substitute bills earlier this week , and the Senate agreed to them on Saturday .
The background-check legislation will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons , unless the transfer is between immediate family members .
The legislation on handgun purchases will prohibit a person from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period .
In a statement , Northam praised the General Assembly for passing the bills .
“ Every year , we lose more than one thousand Virginians to gun violence , ” Northam said in a statement .
“ Today , this year , Virginia has said enough is enough .
The emergency of gun violence must end .
This legislation will help get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has sent Northam legislation to enact red-flag laws , which will allow a judge or magistrate to order a person has his guns confiscated if he is deemed to be a threat to himself or others .
Efforts to enact a ban on the sale of assault weapons and high capacity magazines had support in the House , but failed in the Senate after it faced opposition from some moderate Democrats .
In response to Northam ’ s gun-control agenda , more than 100 localities declared themselves to be Second Amendment sanctuaries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun-control laws they deemed to be unconstitutional .

With the legislative session winding down, the Virginia General Assembly approved more gun-control initiatives Saturday that were part of Gov. Ralph Northam’s 2020 agenda.
After Democrats in the House and the Senate worked out minor differences, the chambers came to an agreement on bills to expand background checks (Senate Bill 70 and House Bill 2) and limit handgun purchases (Senate Bill 69 and House Bill 812).
The House adopted the substitute bills earlier this week, and the Senate agreed to them on Saturday.
The background-check legislation will expand background checks to private transfers of weapons, unless the transfer is between immediate family members. The legislation on handgun purchases will prohibit a person from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period.
In a statement, Northam praised the General Assembly for passing the bills.
“Every year, we lose more than one thousand Virginians to gun violence,” Northam said in a statement. “Today, this year, Virginia has said enough is enough. The emergency of gun violence must end. This legislation will help get us there.”
The General Assembly already has sent Northam legislation to enact red-flag laws, which will allow a judge or magistrate to order a person has his guns confiscated if he is deemed to be a threat to himself or others.
Efforts to enact a ban on the sale of assault weapons and high capacity magazines had support in the House, but failed in the Senate after it faced opposition from some moderate Democrats.
In response to Northam’s gun-control agenda, more than 100 localities declared themselves to be Second Amendment sanctuaries, which stated their intent to defy state gun-control laws they deemed to be unconstitutional.