thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Congress grapples with coronavirus

Congress grapples with coronavirus

Following a Wednesday announcement , the Capitol was shuttered to all but lawmakers , staff , and the media to stop the coronavirus from invading Congress .
Under the dome , the House and Senate grappled with how to fund the federal response to the spreading virus , which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization and has caused the stock market to crash .
The virus 's spread in the United States last week moved quickly , creating a sense of urgency in the efforts by the White House and Congress to pass a federal spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the coronavirus .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , warned lawmakers that the spread of the virus is worsening and that `` many , many millions '' would be infected `` if we 're complacent and do n't do really aggressive containment and mitigation . ''
At the same time , lawmakers started to worry about the threat of catching it in the Capitol , where tourists , the media , and other visitors from all over the country pack the halls every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered self-quarantine due to their exposure to infected individuals .
A congressional aide to Sen. Maria Cantwell , a Washington state Democrat , was diagnosed with the virus late in the week , prompting Cantwell to close her D.C. office .
`` I think it 's time for us to take some steps , for us to figure out some other ways to get our business done in the Capitol , but also not have us coming back and forth and not be conducting business as it 's business as usual , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said after a briefing with the Capitol officials who outlined the risks of working in the building .
Jayapal 's Seattle-area district was one of the first and most heavily impacted by COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , after it swept through an area nursing home , infecting dozens .
She conducted a telephone town hall meeting with 4,000 constituents about efforts to contain the illness , which causes the most severe and deadly symptoms for those over the age of 60 .
`` People are really concerned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried . ''
Despite the spreading fear , House and Senate lawmakers struggle to agree on a spending package to address the impact of the virus .
Congress already passed an $ 8.3 billion spending bill to fund the development of a vaccine and to help local governments pay for the effects of diagnosing and treating the sick .
House lawmakers , who were scheduled for a recess this week , canceled town hall meetings , switching to telephone town halls like the one Jayapal held in Seattle .
House Democrats proposed additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
It would pay for sick leave , broaden unemployment insurance , provide extra food stamps , and ensure testing and care for those infected with the coronavirus who can not afford medical help .
Republicans were unhappy with parts of the measure , and Pelosi delayed floor consideration to work out a bipartisan deal with Trump administration officials , who want additional economic stimulus provisions .
Trump floated a significant payroll tax cut , but lawmakers in both parties are not enthusiastic about it .
But Pelosi said she might agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal on the House bill .
`` They made suggestions to the language , '' Pelosi said , describing ongoing negotiations with the Trump Administration .
`` We 're agreeing to most of them because they 're not that different . ''
The Senate declared it would remain in session this week to consider coronavirus legislation passed by the House .
The House is scheduled to gavel back in on March 23 .
Pelosi , who turns 80 this month , said there is no plan so far to extend the recess .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could stay home and work in their districts if the spread of the coronavirus makes opening the Capitol for business a serious health risk .
Many House members and Senators are over the age of 60 .
For now , Pelosi warned everyone in the Capitol to employ social distancing , even skipping elbow bumps .
`` Forget any physical contact greetings , '' Pelosi said .
`` Bow , Eastern style . ''

Following a Wednesday announcement, the Capitol was shuttered to all but lawmakers, staff, and the media to stop the coronavirus from invading Congress.
Under the dome, the House and Senate grappled with how to fund the federal response to the spreading virus, which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization and has caused the stock market to crash.
The virus's spread in the United States last week moved quickly, creating a sense of urgency in the efforts by the White House and Congress to pass a federal spending bill to help states and communities deal with the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned lawmakers that the spread of the virus is worsening and that "many, many millions" would be infected "if we're complacent and don't do really aggressive containment and mitigation."
At the same time, lawmakers started to worry about the threat of catching it in the Capitol, where tourists, the media, and other visitors from all over the country pack the halls every day.
A least a half-dozen lawmakers entered self-quarantine due to their exposure to infected individuals. A congressional aide to Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington state Democrat, was diagnosed with the virus late in the week, prompting Cantwell to close her D.C. office.
"I think it's time for us to take some steps, for us to figure out some other ways to get our business done in the Capitol, but also not have us coming back and forth and not be conducting business as it's business as usual," Rep. Pramila Jayapal, another Washington Democrat, said after a briefing with the Capitol officials who outlined the risks of working in the building.
Jayapal's Seattle-area district was one of the first and most heavily impacted by COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, after it swept through an area nursing home, infecting dozens.
She conducted a telephone town hall meeting with 4,000 constituents about efforts to contain the illness, which causes the most severe and deadly symptoms for those over the age of 60.
"People are really concerned," Jayapal said. "They are worried."
Despite the spreading fear, House and Senate lawmakers struggle to agree on a spending package to address the impact of the virus. Congress already passed an $8.3 billion spending bill to fund the development of a vaccine and to help local governments pay for the effects of diagnosing and treating the sick.
House lawmakers, who were scheduled for a recess this week, canceled town hall meetings, switching to telephone town halls like the one Jayapal held in Seattle.
House Democrats proposed additional spending in a bill released late Thursday night. It would pay for sick leave, broaden unemployment insurance, provide extra food stamps, and ensure testing and care for those infected with the coronavirus who cannot afford medical help.
Republicans were unhappy with parts of the measure, and Pelosi delayed floor consideration to work out a bipartisan deal with Trump administration officials, who want additional economic stimulus provisions. Trump floated a significant payroll tax cut, but lawmakers in both parties are not enthusiastic about it.
But Pelosi said she might agree to other provisions to get a bipartisan deal on the House bill.
"They made suggestions to the language," Pelosi said, describing ongoing negotiations with the Trump Administration. "We're agreeing to most of them because they're not that different."
The Senate declared it would remain in session this week to consider coronavirus legislation passed by the House.
The House is scheduled to gavel back in on March 23.
Pelosi, who turns 80 this month, said there is no plan so far to extend the recess.
Lawmakers cannot vote remotely, but they could stay home and work in their districts if the spread of the coronavirus makes opening the Capitol for business a serious health risk.
Many House members and Senators are over the age of 60.
For now, Pelosi warned everyone in the Capitol to employ social distancing, even skipping elbow bumps.
"Forget any physical contact greetings," Pelosi said. "Bow, Eastern style."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Child exploitation bill earns strong opposition from encryption advocates

A bipartisan group of 10 senators introduced legislation designed to combat online child pornography , but many privacy and cybersecurity advocates are vehemently opposed to the bill .
Many groups focused on privacy and cybersecurity fear the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act ( EARN IT ) will lead to new restrictions on the use of encryption on websites and web-based messaging services .
The bill gives the attorney general broad authority to craft new standards for websites and online services to protect against child pornography .
Attorney General William Barr has often called encryption a valuable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and privacy and security groups fear he will quickly move to require encryption back doors in online services .
“ The bill undermines the privacy of every single American , stifles our ability to communicate freely online , and may jeopardize the very prosecutions it seeks to enable , ” the American Civil Liberties Union said in a March 9 letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee .
“ Encrypted communications are vital to everyone ’ s privacy.
” Sens .
Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal released a discussion draft of the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , they introduced the bipartisan EARN IT Act .
At the same time , Google , Facebook , and four other online companies announced they were adopting new voluntary guidelines to fight child pornography .
The bill would create a new commission that develops best practices for preventing online child pornography , and it would enforce these standards by removing lawsuit protections from websites and online services that fail to implement them .
The EARN IT Act would require online services to certify the best practices developed by the commission .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 , which protects sites from lawsuits for user-generated content accused of defamation , breach of contract , and other violations .
Section 230 protects video-hosting sites like YouTube and social media providers such as Facebook and Twitter , but also any website that allows users to post comments , including many news sites .
Sponsors of the bill argue that it ’ s needed to crack down on the tens of millions of photos and videos posted online depicting child abuse .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies are using best business practices to prevent child exploitation online , ” Graham said in a statement .
“ For the first time , [ websites ] will have to earn blanket liability protection when it comes to protecting minors .
Our goal is to do this in a balanced way that doesn ’ t overly inhibit innovation , but forcibly deals with child exploitation.
” After senators introduced the EARN IT Act , a trickle of criticism turned into a flood , however .
The bill could turn voluntary reporting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedure that requires newly deputized websites to get court-ordered warrants before turning in users , the ACLU said in its March 9 letter .
“ Any evidence of [ child abuse ] obtained through investigations conducted to comply with the EARN IT Act , therefore , could be inadmissible in court if obtained without a warrant or in any other manner that does not comply with the Fourth Amendment , ” the ACLU wrote .
Critics also noted the value of encryption to domestic violence victims , to dissidents and journalists , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. military .
The 82nd Airborne Army division , deployed in the Middle East , uses encrypted applications Signal and Wickr “ to avoid surveillance by the Iranian government , ” the ACLU said .
“ Encrypted services protect all of us from the prying eyes of hostile foreign governments and numerous other bad actors.
” Another 25 groups , including FreedomWorks , the Electronic Frontier Foundation , and the Wikimedia Foundation , also wrote a letter to Graham and Blumenthal , voicing “ strong opposition ” to the bill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment concerns , and it could push criminals to underground communications services .
“ Eliminating or undermining encryption on some online platforms will … make law enforcement ’ s job harder by simply pushing criminals to other communications options , ” the groups wrote .
“ In other words , EARN IT would harm ordinary users who rely on encrypted messaging , but would not stop bad actors .
”

A bipartisan group of 10 senators introduced legislation designed to combat online child pornography, but many privacy and cybersecurity advocates are vehemently opposed to the bill.
Many groups focused on privacy and cybersecurity fear the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act (EARN IT) will lead to new restrictions on the use of encryption on websites and web-based messaging services.
The bill gives the attorney general broad authority to craft new standards for websites and online services to protect against child pornography. Attorney General William Barr has often called encryption a valuable tool for child pornographers and other criminals, and privacy and security groups fear he will quickly move to require encryption back doors in online services.
“The bill undermines the privacy of every single American, stifles our ability to communicate freely online, and may jeopardize the very prosecutions it seeks to enable,” the American Civil Liberties Union said in a March 9 letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Encrypted communications are vital to everyone’s privacy.”
Sens. Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal released a discussion draft of the bill earlier this year, and on March 5, they introduced the bipartisan EARN IT Act. At the same time, Google, Facebook, and four other online companies announced they were adopting new voluntary guidelines to fight child pornography.
The bill would create a new commission that develops best practices for preventing online child pornography, and it would enforce these standards by removing lawsuit protections from websites and online services that fail to implement them.
The EARN IT Act would require online services to certify the best practices developed by the commission. If not, they risk expanded legal liability under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which protects sites from lawsuits for user-generated content accused of defamation, breach of contract, and other violations.
Section 230 protects video-hosting sites like YouTube and social media providers such as Facebook and Twitter, but also any website that allows users to post comments, including many news sites.
Sponsors of the bill argue that it’s needed to crack down on the tens of millions of photos and videos posted online depicting child abuse.
The EARN IT Act will “ensure tech companies are using best business practices to prevent child exploitation online,” Graham said in a statement. “For the first time, [websites] will have to earn blanket liability protection when it comes to protecting minors. Our goal is to do this in a balanced way that doesn’t overly inhibit innovation, but forcibly deals with child exploitation.”
After senators introduced the EARN IT Act, a trickle of criticism turned into a flood, however. The bill could turn voluntary reporting of child pornography by websites into a legal procedure that requires newly deputized websites to get court-ordered warrants before turning in users, the ACLU said in its March 9 letter.
“Any evidence of [child abuse] obtained through investigations conducted to comply with the EARN IT Act, therefore, could be inadmissible in court if obtained without a warrant or in any other manner that does not comply with the Fourth Amendment,” the ACLU wrote.
Critics also noted the value of encryption to domestic violence victims, to dissidents and journalists, to members of Congress, and to members of the U.S. military.
The 82nd Airborne Army division, deployed in the Middle East, uses encrypted applications Signal and Wickr “to avoid surveillance by the Iranian government,” the ACLU said. “Encrypted services protect all of us from the prying eyes of hostile foreign governments and numerous other bad actors.”
Another 25 groups, including FreedomWorks, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Wikimedia Foundation, also wrote a letter to Graham and Blumenthal, voicing “strong opposition” to the bill. The legislation raises First Amendment and Fourth Amendment concerns, and it could push criminals to underground communications services.
“Eliminating or undermining encryption on some online platforms will … make law enforcement’s job harder by simply pushing criminals to other communications options,” the groups wrote. “In other words, EARN IT would harm ordinary users who rely on encrypted messaging, but would not stop bad actors.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Outgoing top GOP aide defends Trump tax cuts for keeping businesses in US

Jay Khosla , the outgoing top policy aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , argues that the best defense of the 2017 GOP tax cuts that he helped shape is not what has happened since they were enacted .
Instead , it 's what did n't happen : The country did n't see the exodus of businesses that many feared back when the U.S. corporate tax rate was the highest in the developed world .
`` The [ tax ] rate reduction on the corporate side to me is the single biggest reason you do n't have U.S. companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khosla told the Washington Examiner in a wide-ranging interview on his tenure in the Senate .
`` There has not been a single major inversion since tax reform , '' said Khosla .
An `` inversion '' is when an American corporation buys a company or just a mailbox in a low-tax country and then switches its official headquarters to the newly formed `` company '' in that jurisdiction to lower its tax bill .
Khosla , 40 , worked on policy in the Senate for over a decade , including for Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( the role in which Khosla worked with Republican legislators on the Trump tax cuts ) and for former Majority Leader Bill Frist from Tennessee .
Now , he is headed off Capitol Hill to work for health insurance company Humana as the senior vice president of government affairs .
A Virginia native , Khosla said that people often forget that the most significant driver for tax reform was `` actually to make the U.S. competitive '' in terms of the corporate tax rate .
The U.S. corporate tax rate , at 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their headquarters overseas `` at a very scary pace '' to take advantage of tax havens , Khosla said , stripping the federal government of revenue .
It was one of the reasons President Barack Obama tried to work with Republicans to lower the corporate tax rate from 35 % to 28 % in his second term , but they could n't strike a deal .
The Republican tax bill in 2017 lowered the rate to 21 % and included other measures meant to entice corporations to keep their headquarters in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's easy when things have already worked out , but people forget the panic that was happening when all of these big U.S. companies were leaving and going abroad , '' said Khosla .
Democrats , though , have criticized the tax cuts ' effect on corporations , complaining that more businesses are paying under the new regime and that more companies are wary of investing their gains from the tax cuts because of Trump 's trade wars .
Furthermore , there has been pushback from both sides of the aisle that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay for themselves and that the tax bill has helped push the annual federal deficit toward $ 1 trillion , with no sign of that changing .
When asked about the conversations he had with corporate executives when preparing to craft the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 , Khosla said he was always conscious of doing his homework in advance and was wary not to get spun by corporate interests .
He said that if corporations noted that an action the federal government was considering was `` going to kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investor calls and their federal disclosure forms told a different story , he would disregard their `` talking points . ''
Khosla had initially planned on becoming a corporate lawyer , but after attending law school at the University of Richmond , he decided to follow the guidance of a university adviser and his mother to take a chance and try a nine-month policy fellowship in Washington .
Khosla 's parents are first-generation Indian Americans who were both small-business owners before they retired .
Politics were never a big part of Khosla 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are center-right politically and big believers in the free market .
He met his wife of 19 years , Lisa , who is Vietnamese American , while they were both getting their master 's degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University .
They now have two young boys , aged five and eight , for whom Khosla says he is a `` glorified chauffeur '' on the weekends when he 's not working .
As he was getting ready to leave the Senate hallways last week , Khosla 's parting words for future staffers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told him .
`` If you 're honest with people , they 'll hate you then , but they 'll love you forever .
If you lie to people , they 'll love you then , but they 'll hate you forever .
So my thing has always been , I am who I am : I 'm an honest , candid broker , '' Khosla said .

Jay Khosla, the outgoing top policy aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, argues that the best defense of the 2017 GOP tax cuts that he helped shape is not what has happened since they were enacted. Instead, it's what didn't happen: The country didn't see the exodus of businesses that many feared back when the U.S. corporate tax rate was the highest in the developed world.
"The [tax] rate reduction on the corporate side to me is the single biggest reason you don't have U.S. companies now inverting and going overseas,' Khosla told the Washington Examiner in a wide-ranging interview on his tenure in the Senate.
"There has not been a single major inversion since tax reform," said Khosla.
An "inversion" is when an American corporation buys a company or just a mailbox in a low-tax country and then switches its official headquarters to the newly formed "company" in that jurisdiction to lower its tax bill.
Khosla, 40, worked on policy in the Senate for over a decade, including for Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch from Utah (the role in which Khosla worked with Republican legislators on the Trump tax cuts) and for former Majority Leader Bill Frist from Tennessee. Now, he is headed off Capitol Hill to work for health insurance company Humana as the senior vice president of government affairs.
A Virginia native, Khosla said that people often forget that the most significant driver for tax reform was "actually to make the U.S. competitive" in terms of the corporate tax rate.
The U.S. corporate tax rate, at 35%, caused American companies to move their headquarters overseas "at a very scary pace" to take advantage of tax havens, Khosla said, stripping the federal government of revenue. It was one of the reasons President Barack Obama tried to work with Republicans to lower the corporate tax rate from 35% to 28% in his second term, but they couldn't strike a deal. The Republican tax bill in 2017 lowered the rate to 21% and included other measures meant to entice corporations to keep their headquarters in the United States rather than undergo inversions.
"It's easy when things have already worked out, but people forget the panic that was happening when all of these big U.S. companies were leaving and going abroad," said Khosla.
Democrats, though, have criticized the tax cuts' effect on corporations, complaining that more businesses are paying zero taxes under the new regime and that more companies are wary of investing their gains from the tax cuts because of Trump's trade wars.
Furthermore, there has been pushback from both sides of the aisle that the tax cuts are not on track to pay for themselves and that the tax bill has helped push the annual federal deficit toward $1 trillion, with no sign of that changing.
When asked about the conversations he had with corporate executives when preparing to craft the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Khosla said he was always conscious of doing his homework in advance and was wary not to get spun by corporate interests.
He said that if corporations noted that an action the federal government was considering was "going to kill them" but a look at their investor calls and their federal disclosure forms told a different story, he would disregard their "talking points."
Khosla had initially planned on becoming a corporate lawyer, but after attending law school at the University of Richmond, he decided to follow the guidance of a university adviser and his mother to take a chance and try a nine-month policy fellowship in Washington.
Khosla's parents are first-generation Indian Americans who were both small-business owners before they retired. Politics were never a big part of Khosla's upbringing, but he said his parents are center-right politically and big believers in the free market.
He met his wife of 19 years, Lisa, who is Vietnamese American, while they were both getting their master's degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University. They now have two young boys, aged five and eight, for whom Khosla says he is a "glorified chauffeur" on the weekends when he's not working.
As he was getting ready to leave the Senate hallways last week, Khosla's parting words for future staffers on Capitol Hill was something his grandmother often told him.
"If you're honest with people, they'll hate you then, but they'll love you forever. If you lie to people, they'll love you then, but they'll hate you forever. So my thing has always been, I am who I am: I'm an honest, candid broker," Khosla said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Roseanne Barr endorses right-wing activist Laura Loomer for Congress

Actress Roseanne Barr endorsed far-right activist Laura Loomer and plans to help fundraise and campaign against Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel in Florida 's 21st District congressional race .
“ I ’ ve known Roseanne for about three years or so .
We ’ re friends .
We talk on the phone often and email back and forth , and when I went out to California last year she interviewed me , and we ’ ve just maintained a really close friendship , '' Loomer told the Washington Examiner on Thursday about Barr 's decision to endorse her .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
She ’ s invited me to her home in Hawaii .
We ’ re just good friends . ''
Loomer said they bonded over the fact that she and Barr were both `` deplatformed . ''
Barr tweeted in May 2018 a `` joke '' where she referred to former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett as `` planet of the apes , '' which led to ABC ending her TV show Roseanne .
`` Roseanne loved the fact that I put illegal aliens on Nancy Pelosi ’ s lawn , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put me on her podcast last year because she thought it was brilliant performance art.
” In October of the same year , Loomer was kicked off Twitter for criticizing Rep. Ilhan Omar as `` anti-Jewish '' and part of a religion in which `` homosexuals are oppressed . ''
`` They ’ ve tried to destroy her livelihood and her reputation for making a joke .
She used to be a member of the Left .
but she realizes the importance of protecting free speech and our constitutional values like freedom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Loomer said the two bonded after she jumped the fence outside of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's house with several illegal immigrants .
She was arrested for a similar stunt outside of Democratic California Gov .
Gavin Newsom 's home in October 2019 .
`` She admires the fact that I ’ m taking on the Muslim Brotherhood and the Jew-haters in Congress head on . ''
Barr will begin campaigning with Loomer in Palm Beach , Florida , and will hold a fundraiser `` as soon as the coronavirus passes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that her campaign has raised more than $ 400,000 to support her congressional bid .

Actress Roseanne Barr endorsed far-right activist Laura Loomer and plans to help fundraise and campaign against Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel in Florida's 21st District congressional race.
“I’ve known Roseanne for about three years or so. We’re friends. We talk on the phone often and email back and forth, and when I went out to California last year she interviewed me, and we’ve just maintained a really close friendship," Loomer told the Washington Examiner on Thursday about Barr's decision to endorse her. "I was supposed to go to Israel with her. She’s invited me to her home in Hawaii. We’re just good friends."
Loomer said they bonded over the fact that she and Barr were both "deplatformed." Barr tweeted in May 2018 a "joke" where she referred to former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett as "planet of the apes," which led to ABC ending her TV show Roseanne.
"Roseanne loved the fact that I put illegal aliens on Nancy Pelosi’s lawn, and that’s one of the reasons she put me on her podcast last year because she thought it was brilliant performance art.”
In October of the same year, Loomer was kicked off Twitter for criticizing Rep. Ilhan Omar as "anti-Jewish" and part of a religion in which "homosexuals are oppressed."
"They’ve tried to destroy her livelihood and her reputation for making a joke. She used to be a member of the Left. but she realizes the importance of protecting free speech and our constitutional values like freedom of expression," Loomer said about Barr.
Loomer said the two bonded after she jumped the fence outside of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's house with several illegal immigrants. She was arrested for a similar stunt outside of Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom's home in October 2019.
"She admires the fact that I’m taking on the Muslim Brotherhood and the Jew-haters in Congress head on."
Barr will begin campaigning with Loomer in Palm Beach, Florida, and will hold a fundraiser "as soon as the coronavirus passes." Loomer confirmed to the Washington Examiner that her campaign has raised more than $400,000 to support her congressional bid.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Ron Johnson to subpoena consulting firm over work for Ukrainian gas company that employed Hunter Bid

Ron Johnson to subpoena consulting firm over work for Ukrainian gas company that employed Hunter Biden

Sen. Ron Johnson announced his intent to subpoena Blue Star Strategies executives and produce records as part of an investigation into Burisma Holdings , a Ukrainian energy firm that once employed Hunter Biden .
The move by Johnson , the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee , marks a change in strategy one day after the panel scrapped a vote to subpoena a former consultant for the Washington-based consulting firm .
“ This subpoena is in furtherance of the Committee 's ongoing work to address the many unanswered questions about potential conflicts of interest and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including officials at Blue Star — used individuals with close personal connections to high-level officials within the Obama administration to gain access to and potentially influence U.S. government agencies , ” the Wisconsin Republican wrote in a letter Thursday to Michigan Sen. Gary Peters , the top Democrat on the committee .
The subpoena calls for every record between Jan. 1 , 2013 , to the present of work done by Blue Star Strategies on behalf of Burisma Holdings or individuals associated with Burisma , such as Burisma owner and Ukrainian oligarch Mykola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company on which Hunter Biden , son of the current Democratic presidential front-runner and former Vice President Joe Biden , served on the board from 2014 to 2019 , including when the elder Biden took a leading role in carrying out U.S. policy toward Ukraine .
President Trump and his allies have alleged the former vice president leveraged his position to protect his son from a Ukrainian investigation into Burisma 's owner .
The subpoena also calls for Blue Star CEO Karen Tramontano and COO Sally Painter to testify before the committee about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm .
The subpoena of the Blue Star documents , Johnson noted in his letter to Peters , came after months of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats on the committee over issuing a subpoena to former Blue Star consultant Andrii Telizhenko .
Democrats on the committee were reluctant to go forward with the Burisma investigation , urging Johnson to focus more on potential Russian interference in the 2020 election .
Telizhenko is a political official at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington , D.C. , who claimed former Democratic National Committee consultant Alexandra Chalupa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the 2016 presidential cycle .
Chalupa has denied this accusation .
By Wednesday afternoon , Johnson said both Republican and Democratic members of the committee agreed to subpoena documents related to their investigation from Blue Star as opposed to Telizhenko himself .
“ During the course of these discussions , the suggestion was made by both Democrat and Republican members of our Committee that we should issue a subpoena directly to the source of the documents relevant to our work : Blue Star .
I appreciate the engagement of our Committee members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate course of action at this time is to accommodate that request , ” Johnson wrote .
“ Accordingly , pursuant to the Committee rules , this letter constitutes official notice that I intend to issue a subpoena to Blue Star , for the requests described in the enclosed schedule , '' Johnson said .
He added , “ I stated I would seek documents from the consultant directly because , although he was willing to cooperate with the Committee 's investigation , he was bound by a non-disclosure agreement , ” Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's responses to the Committee 's December 3 , 2019 , request were incomplete.
” Tramontano recently told the New York Times her firm has provided dozens of documents to the Homeland Security panel and `` will continue to cooperate '' with the investigation `` to the best of our ability .
”

Sen. Ron Johnson announced his intent to subpoena Blue Star Strategies executives and produce records as part of an investigation into Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy firm that once employed Hunter Biden.
The move by Johnson, the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, marks a change in strategy one day after the panel scrapped a vote to subpoena a former consultant for the Washington-based consulting firm.
“This subpoena is in furtherance of the Committee's ongoing work to address the many unanswered questions about potential conflicts of interest and the extent to which representatives of Burisma — including officials at Blue Star — used individuals with close personal connections to high-level officials within the Obama administration to gain access to and potentially influence U.S. government agencies,” the Wisconsin Republican wrote in a letter Thursday to Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, the top Democrat on the committee.
The subpoena calls for every record between Jan. 1, 2013, to the present of work done by Blue Star Strategies on behalf of Burisma Holdings or individuals associated with Burisma, such as Burisma owner and Ukrainian oligarch Mykola Zlochevsky.
Burisma is the Ukrainian gas company on which Hunter Biden, son of the current Democratic presidential front-runner and former Vice President Joe Biden, served on the board from 2014 to 2019, including when the elder Biden took a leading role in carrying out U.S. policy toward Ukraine. President Trump and his allies have alleged the former vice president leveraged his position to protect his son from a Ukrainian investigation into Burisma's owner.
The subpoena also calls for Blue Star CEO Karen Tramontano and COO Sally Painter to testify before the committee about the documents the committee subpoenaed from their firm.
The subpoena of the Blue Star documents, Johnson noted in his letter to Peters, came after months of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats on the committee over issuing a subpoena to former Blue Star consultant Andrii Telizhenko. Democrats on the committee were reluctant to go forward with the Burisma investigation, urging Johnson to focus more on potential Russian interference in the 2020 election.
Telizhenko is a political official at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, D.C., who claimed former Democratic National Committee consultant Alexandra Chalupa wanted him to participate in anti-Trump operations during the 2016 presidential cycle. Chalupa has denied this accusation.
By Wednesday afternoon, Johnson said both Republican and Democratic members of the committee agreed to subpoena documents related to their investigation from Blue Star as opposed to Telizhenko himself.
“During the course of these discussions, the suggestion was made by both Democrat and Republican members of our Committee that we should issue a subpoena directly to the source of the documents relevant to our work: Blue Star. I appreciate the engagement of our Committee members on this issue, and believe the appropriate course of action at this time is to accommodate that request,” Johnson wrote.
“Accordingly, pursuant to the Committee rules, this letter constitutes official notice that I intend to issue a subpoena to Blue Star, for the requests described in the enclosed schedule," Johnson said.
He added, “I stated I would seek documents from the consultant directly because, although he was willing to cooperate with the Committee's investigation, he was bound by a non-disclosure agreement,” Johnson said. “Conversely, Blue Star's responses to the Committee's December 3, 2019, request were incomplete.”
Tramontano recently told the New York Times her firm has provided dozens of documents to the Homeland Security panel and "will continue to cooperate" with the investigation "to the best of our ability.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Here are the nine members of Congress who self-quarantined over coronavirus

Nine members of Congress chose to quarantine themselves after coming in close proximity to someone who tested positive for coronavirus .
The majority of these lawmakers , all of them Republicans , were in attendance at two recent gatherings : the Conservative Political Action Conference and a trip to Mar-a-Lago .
Not one member of Congress has reported feeling ill or tested positive for COVID-19 but self-quarantined out of an abundance of caution .
Several Republicans quarantined themselves after being notified that an attendee at CPAC , a New York doctor , tested positive for the virus : Sen. Ted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Florida , Doug Collins of Georgia , Paul Gosar of Arizona , and Mark Meadows of North Carolina , who has been picked to be President Trump 's next chief of staff .
Gosar was the only one known to have spent an `` extended period of time '' with `` patient zero , '' who was not experiencing symptoms at the event in National Harbor , Maryland .
“ I have been informed that during the CPAC conference members of my staff and I came into contact with an individual who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is hospitalized for , COVID-19 .
I was with the individual for an extended period of time , and we shook hands several times , ” the Arizona congressman said in a statement .
Cruz said his interaction with the attendee was `` less than a minute '' ; Gaetz , who spent time with Trump on Air Force One , tested negative .
Two more lawmakers opted to quarantine themselves as a precautionary measure after it became known that an aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro 's delegation , who visited Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida , over the weekend , tested positive for coronavirus .
They were Republican Sens .
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Rick Scott of Florida .
Scott said the Senate 's attending physician and his personal doctor told him that his chance to contract the virus is `` low '' and that he does not need to get tested for it .
Trump hosted Bolsonaro for a working dinner Saturday to discuss the Venezuela crisis and other avenues of partnership between the United States and Brazil , only to learn days later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s top advisers had contracted the coronavirus .
Bolsonaro 's communication secretary Rabio Wajngarten , who tested positive for the virus , was photographed with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence , but the White House stressed that they had `` almost no interactions with the individual who tested positive and do not require being tested at this time . ''
Two Democrats also quarantined themselves .
Rep. Julia Brownley of California said she is closing her Capitol Hill office for the week and is working remotely after learning an individual she met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the coronavirus .
Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia also quarantined himself after he and his wife had dinner with a friend who later tested positive for the virus .
This post will be updated in the event additional members of Congress self-quarantine .

Nine members of Congress chose to quarantine themselves after coming in close proximity to someone who tested positive for coronavirus.
The majority of these lawmakers, all of them Republicans, were in attendance at two recent gatherings: the Conservative Political Action Conference and a trip to Mar-a-Lago. Not one member of Congress has reported feeling ill or tested positive for COVID-19 but self-quarantined out of an abundance of caution.
Several Republicans quarantined themselves after being notified that an attendee at CPAC, a New York doctor, tested positive for the virus: Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Doug Collins of Georgia, Paul Gosar of Arizona, and Mark Meadows of North Carolina, who has been picked to be President Trump's next chief of staff.
Gosar was the only one known to have spent an "extended period of time" with "patient zero," who was not experiencing symptoms at the event in National Harbor, Maryland.
“I have been informed that during the CPAC conference members of my staff and I came into contact with an individual who has since tested positive for, and is hospitalized for, COVID-19. I was with the individual for an extended period of time, and we shook hands several times,” the Arizona congressman said in a statement.
Cruz said his interaction with the attendee was "less than a minute"; Gaetz, who spent time with Trump on Air Force One, tested negative.
Two more lawmakers opted to quarantine themselves as a precautionary measure after it became known that an aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's delegation, who visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, over the weekend, tested positive for coronavirus. They were Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Rick Scott of Florida.
Scott said the Senate's attending physician and his personal doctor told him that his chance to contract the virus is "low" and that he does not need to get tested for it.
Trump hosted Bolsonaro for a working dinner Saturday to discuss the Venezuela crisis and other avenues of partnership between the United States and Brazil, only to learn days later that one of the Brazilian leader’s top advisers had contracted the coronavirus. Bolsonaro's communication secretary Fabio Wajngarten, who tested positive for the virus, was photographed with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, but the White House stressed that they had "almost no interactions with the individual who tested positive and do not require being tested at this time."
Two Democrats also quarantined themselves. Rep. Julia Brownley of California said she is closing her Capitol Hill office for the week and is working remotely after learning an individual she met with in D.C. last week tested positive for the coronavirus. Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia also quarantined himself after he and his wife had dinner with a friend who later tested positive for the virus.
This post will be updated in the event additional members of Congress self-quarantine.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Biden virtual campaigning limits exposure to coronavirus — and gaffes

The coronavirus pandemic is providing a political boost to Joe Biden , enabling him to avoid campaign rallies and other public gatherings where he is prone to verbal miscues that could hamper his bid to oust President Trump .
To reduce the spread of COVID-19 , candidates in both parties have canceled public gatherings for the foreseeable future , replacing them with virtual events .
The unusual development allows Biden to avoid traditional campaign rallies and town hall meetings , where he has occasionally faced hecklers , made news for sparse attendance , gotten into angry arguments with attendees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden is often at his best in controlled settings , and that could pay dividends against Trump if the coronavirus crisis persists .
“ Biden ’ s style — his strengths — are better , are more effective in environments that aren ’ t rallies , ” veteran Democratic operative Joe Trippi said Thursday .
“ The fact that he ’ s not going to have to operate in that environment probably benefits him.
” Democratic strategists say virtual campaigning will help Biden , conceding he might have trouble matching the energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the president ’ s potent , asymmetrical attacks .
Recently , the hits have consisted of questioning Biden ’ s mental acuity .
Bruce Haynes , a former Republican strategist , said Biden will be more disciplined , even if only by default , projecting confidence in the 77-year-old ’ s ability to handle the pressures of the White House .
“ Given his penchant for gaffes and the need for all political figures to project stability in an uncertain time , this creates and advantage for his team , ” explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Sard Verbinnen & Co. in Washington .
Earlier this week , Biden , Trump , and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , still running in the Democratic presidential primary , canceled a series of campaign events .
CNN , host of Sunday ’ s Democratic debate , scrapped plans for a live studio audience and then decided to move the Biden-Sanders faceoff from Phoenix to its studios in Washington , D.C. , to avoid unnecessary travel .
Biden has scheduled “ virtual ” events in Chicago and Miami .
On Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Del.
, where he lives , dicussing his agenda for combatting the coronavirus .
If nothing else , the reduction in public events is providing Biden with the space to beef up his undermanned organization and better compete with a Trump campaign that ramped up last year .
“ Going virtual gives his campaign a chance to recalibrate and focus his messaging , ” said Ed Espinoza , a Democratic operative in Austin , Texas .
“ For a candidate like Biden , that can be very helpful.
” There could be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The forced virtual campaign could compel Sanders to drop out of the Democratic primary sooner than he might prefer .
Sanders ’ s strength has been in the size of his crowds and the energy his supporters bring to the campaign .
In that way , the 78-year-old socialist is similar to Trump .
Without the ability to hold raucous campaign events , Sanders is ill-positioned to put Biden on the defensive and mount an improbable comeback .

The coronavirus pandemic is providing a political boost to Joe Biden, enabling him to avoid campaign rallies and other public gatherings where he is prone to verbal miscues that could hamper his bid to oust President Trump.
To reduce the spread of COVID-19, candidates in both parties have canceled public gatherings for the foreseeable future, replacing them with virtual events. The unusual development allows Biden to avoid traditional campaign rallies and town hall meetings, where he has occasionally faced hecklers, made news for sparse attendance, gotten into angry arguments with attendees, or obscured his message with headline-grabbing slip-ups. Biden is often at his best in controlled settings, and that could pay dividends against Trump if the coronavirus crisis persists.
“Biden’s style, his strengths, are better, are more effective in environments that aren’t rallies,” veteran Democratic operative Joe Trippi said Thursday. “The fact that he’s not going to have to operate in that environment probably benefits him.”
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
Democratic strategists say virtual campaigning will help Biden, conceding he might have trouble matching the energy of Trump’s campaign and defending against the president’s potent, asymmetrical attacks. Recently, the hits have consisted of questioning Biden’s mental acuity.
Bruce Haynes, a former Republican strategist, said Biden would be more disciplined, even if only by default, projecting confidence in the 77-year-old’s ability to handle the pressures of the White House. “Given his penchant for gaffes and the need for all political figures to project stability in an uncertain time, this creates an advantage for his team,” explained Haynes, global chairman of public affairs at Sard Verbinnen & Co. in Washington.
Earlier this week, Biden, Trump, and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is still running in the Democratic presidential primary, canceled a series of campaign events. CNN, host of Sunday’s Democratic debate, scrapped plans for a live studio audience and then decided to move the Biden-Sanders faceoff from Phoenix to its studios in Washington, D.C., to avoid unnecessary travel.
Biden has scheduled “virtual” events in Chicago and Miami. On Thursday, he delivered scripted remarks in Wilmington, Delaware, where he lives, discussing his agenda for combating the coronavirus.
If nothing else, the reduction in public events is providing Biden with the space to beef up his undermanned organization and better compete with a Trump campaign that ramped up last year.
“Going virtual gives his campaign a chance to recalibrate and focus his messaging,” said Ed Espinoza, a Democratic operative in Austin, Texas. “For a candidate like Biden, that can be very helpful.”
There could be an additional, short-term side benefit for Biden. The forced virtual campaign could compel Sanders to drop out of the Democratic primary sooner than he might prefer.
Sanders’s strength has been in the size of his crowds and the energy his supporters bring to the campaign. In that way, the 78-year-old socialist is similar to Trump. Without the ability to hold raucous campaign events, Sanders is ill-positioned to put Biden on the defensive and mount an improbable comeback.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Gun rights, motorcycle groups making contingency plans after Illinois puts limits on large crowds at

Gun rights, motorcycle groups making contingency plans after Illinois puts limits on large crowds at statehouse

Large-turnout annual citizen lobby days at the Illinois State Capitol are being postponed after the Secretary of State put limits on large gatherings because of concerns over spreading COVID-19 .
“ The Illinois Secretary of State ’ s office is taking a number of precautionary measures to limit the possibilities for the exposure of 2019 Novel Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) at the State Capitol , ” Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White ’ s office said .
“ Permits for all scheduled tours of the Illinois State Capitol Building and all events scheduled to take place at the Capitol Building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbyists who have lobby days or other events at the Capitol Building are being encouraged to alert them to these cancellations.
” Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson said they are postponing Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day , or I-GOLD .
That was supposed to be April 1 .
“ I think about all these disabled people who come in there that aren ’ t healthy anyway , ” Pearson said .
“ I can understand why they did it , you know ” Pearson said the tentative rescheduled date is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he encouraged gun rights supporters to lobby lawmakers virtually .
“ Of course if they have computers they can email them and they have their lawmaker ’ s address off of the state website [ ILGA.gov ] , ” Pearson said .
“ You just look them up and you ’ ll see their capitol phone number and also their email .
So you can email them or simply call them.
” But the gun lobby isn ’ t the only group postponing a lobby day .
Josh Witkowski with motorcycle lobby ABATE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled March 25 event .
“ Access to the capitol is going to be limited , ” Witkowski said .
“ We are going to strongly encourage members to visit with their legislators back in district when they take their two week spring break in April.
” While Witkowski said people should always consider contacting their lawmakers virtually through email or phone calls , he said there ’ s nothing like face-to-face interaction .
“ Having the physical presence there in the statehouse has aided in the passage of many good pieces of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s just a difference when you have a physical presence versus a phone call or an email , it makes a better impression.
” He hopes they can reschedule the biker lobby day for sometime in May .
The legislature canceled next week ’ s session .
They ’ re scheduled the following week , but then have two weeks off for spring break .

Large-turnout annual citizen lobby days at the Illinois State Capitol are being postponed after the Secretary of State put limits on large gatherings because of concerns over spreading COVID-19.
“The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is taking a number of precautionary measures to limit the possibilities for the exposure of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the State Capitol,” Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office said. “Permits for all scheduled tours of the Illinois State Capitol Building and all events scheduled to take place at the Capitol Building have been canceled. In addition, lobbyists who have lobby days or other events at the Capitol Building are being encouraged to alert them to these cancellations.”
Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson said they are postponing Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day, or I-GOLD. That was supposed to be April 1.
“I think about all these disabled people who come in there that aren’t healthy anyway,” Pearson said. “I can understand why they did it, you know”
Pearson said the tentative rescheduled date is May 13. In the meantime, he encouraged gun rights supporters to lobby lawmakers virtually.
“Of course if they have computers they can email them and they have their lawmaker’s address off of the state website [ILGA.gov],” Pearson said. “You just look them up and you’ll see their capitol phone number and also their email. So you can email them or simply call them.”
But the gun lobby isn’t the only group postponing a lobby day. Josh Witkowski with motorcycle lobby ABATE of Illinois said they are moving their scheduled March 25 event.
“Access to the capitol is going to be limited,” Witkowski said. “We are going to strongly encourage members to visit with their legislators back in district when they take their two week spring break in April.”
While Witkowski said people should always consider contacting their lawmakers virtually through email or phone calls, he said there’s nothing like face-to-face interaction.
“Having the physical presence there in the statehouse has aided in the passage of many good pieces of legislation,” Witkowski said. “There’s just a difference when you have a physical presence versus a phone call or an email, it makes a better impression.”
He hopes they can reschedule the biker lobby day for sometime in May.
The legislature canceled next week’s session. They’re scheduled the following week, but then have two weeks off for spring break.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Trump takes jab at Obama's healthcare.gov while touting website for coronavirus

President Trump took a dig at former President Barack Obama after declaring a national emergency to contend with the coronavirus pandemic .
Surrounded by members of his administration and business heads , Trump held a news conference about the COVID-19 outbreak in the Rose Garden of the White House .
He said there would be drive-through testing stations and that Google is working on a website designed to screen patients to determine if they should be tested .
“ I want to thank Google , ” Trump said .
“ Google is helping to develop a website .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlike websites of the past , to determine whether a test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location.
” Trump 's comment appeared to be directed at the White House 's 2013 rollout of healthcare.gov , which began with technical issues and long waits , preventing people from enrolling for coverage .
The rollout ended with then-Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius ’ s resignation .
Trump said Friday that 1,700 engineers at Google were working on producing the website and have “ made tremendous progress.
” There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus and at least 41 deaths in the United States .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic on Wednesday .

President Trump took a dig at former President Barack Obama after declaring a national emergency to contend with the coronavirus pandemic.
Surrounded by members of his administration and business heads, Trump held a news conference about the COVID-19 outbreak in the Rose Garden of the White House. He said there would be drive-through testing stations and that Google is working on a website designed to screen patients to determine if they should be tested.
“I want to thank Google,” Trump said. “Google is helping to develop a website. It is going to be very quickly done, unlike websites of the past, to determine whether a test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location.”
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
Trump's comment appeared to be directed at the White House's 2013 rollout of healthcare.gov, which began with technical issues and long waits, preventing people from enrolling for coverage. The rollout ended with then-Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’s resignation.
Trump said Friday that 1,700 engineers at Google were working on producing the website and have “made tremendous progress.”
There have been almost 1,900 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and at least 41 deaths in the United States. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic on Wednesday.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Michigan Capitol suspends tours, reduces in-person work schedule

The Michigan Capitol Commission announced Thursday that it is suspending tours and events starting tomorrow until at least May 1 as a preventative measure against the novel coronavirus .
Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield , R-Levering , announced additional workforce protections effective until April 20 .
When the House is in session , only essential staff who aren ’ t at risk will work at the Capitol .
Others can work remotely .
When the House is out of session , non-essential and at-risk staff will work from home , while essential and non-vulnerable workers will report upon supervisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our part to help limit the spread of this virus to vulnerable populations , while still doing what we can to keep our state functioning and remaining available for possible future legislative action on this situation , ” Chatfield said in a news release .
“ As health officials and experts learn more , we will continue to review our policies and consider further improvements to keep the public safe .
But this is the best path forward with the information we have now , and we are going to act to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are no known cases of COVID-19 at the Legislature .
The safety measure is an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus .
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey , R-Clarklake , said the Michigan Senate will adjust its session schedule starting Monday on a need-to-meet basis .
“ In light of the current public health concerns raised by the presence of COVID-19 in our state , we believe it is our responsibility to lead by example and practice measures that protect public health and preserve the essential functions of state government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich , D-Flint , said that offices will still help constituents , and the Senate will be ready to act if needed .
Shirkey will evaluate the need to hold session each week .
“ At this time , we plan to meet next week for session to address any pressing legislation and continue our work on the budget , ” Shirkey said .
“ I ’ ve also asked my colleagues to apply the ‘ as needed ’ rule to committees and hold hearings only as needed.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the House ; those at-risk can work from home , along with non-essential staff .
Non-essential out-of-state work by employees is banned , and essential out-out-state work must be reported to leadership .
Senate leaders will re-evaluate the measures on April 20 .
“ It is vitally important that we work to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our citizens and the state , ” Shirkey said .
“ We are prepared to ensure state government continues to function while at the same time doing everything we can to protect public health @ @

The Michigan Capitol Commission announced Thursday that it is suspending tours and events starting tomorrow until at least May 1 as a preventative measure against the novel coronavirus.
Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, announced additional workforce protections effective until April 20.
When the House is in session, only essential staff who aren’t at risk will work at the Capitol. Others can work remotely.
When the House is out of session, non-essential and at-risk staff will work from home, while essential and non-vulnerable workers will report upon supervisor request.
“We need to do our part to help limit the spread of this virus to vulnerable populations, while still doing what we can to keep our state functioning and remaining available for possible future legislative action on this situation,” Chatfield said in a news release. “As health officials and experts learn more, we will continue to review our policies and consider further improvements to keep the public safe. But this is the best path forward with the information we have now, and we are going to act to keep everyone as safe as possible.”
There are no known cases of COVID-19 at the Legislature. The safety measure is an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Senate is taking similar measures.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, said the Michigan Senate will adjust its session schedule starting Monday on a need-to-meet basis.
“In light of the current public health concerns raised by the presence of COVID-19 in our state, we believe it is our responsibility to lead by example and practice measures that protect public health and preserve the essential functions of state government,” Shirkey said in a news release.
Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, D-Flint, said that offices will still help constituents, and the Senate will be ready to act if needed.
Shirkey will evaluate the need to hold session each week.
“At this time, we plan to meet next week for session to address any pressing legislation and continue our work on the budget,” Shirkey said. “I’ve also asked my colleagues to apply the ‘as needed’ rule to committees and hold hearings only as needed.”
The Senate implemented similar working measures as the House; those at-risk can work from home, along with non-essential staff.
Non-essential out-of-state work by employees is banned, and essential out-out-state work must be reported to leadership.
Senate leaders will re-evaluate the measures on April 20.
“It is vitally important that we work to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our citizens and the state,” Shirkey said. “We are prepared to ensure state government continues to function while at the same time doing everything we can to protect public health.”


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Trump campaign calls Biden a 'rotting corpse'

President Trump 's campaign referred to Joe Biden as a `` dead guy '' in a tweet slamming the former @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Joe Biden is the same rotting corpse of a candidate he was three @ @ @ @ @ campaign said Friday .
`` It ’ s just that Democrats have decided that they @ @ @ @ @ the dead guy than with Crazy Bernie . ''
The campaign was slammed on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
After backlash for the remark , the campaign said on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ a Washington Times column .
Pundits have questioned the health of the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ campaign last spring .
In December , Biden 's doctor released a report showing he @ @ @ @ @ four different ailments .
The doctor said the former vice president is still `` fit @ @ @ @ @ of the Presidency . ''

President Trump's campaign referred to Joe Biden as a "dead guy" in a tweet slamming the former vice president as a candidate.
"Joe Biden is the same rotting corpse of a candidate he was three weeks ago," the campaign said Friday. "It’s just that Democrats have decided that they would be better off with the dead guy than with Crazy Bernie."
Joe Biden is the same rotting corpse of a candidate he was three weeks ago.
It’s just that Democrats have decided that they would be better off with the dead guy than with Crazy Bernie.https://t.co/YZ6gQGJrP4 — Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) March 13, 2020
The campaign was slammed on Twitter for making the remark during the coronavirus pandemic.
In the middle of a pandemic ... with people dying ... this is what you tweet?
Disgusting. https://t.co/X3ukdWiUjz — Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) March 13, 2020
yeah. Maybe in the midst off a public health crisis calling your opponent a rotting corpse and “dead” is not the greatest look. https://t.co/w5rUtP2Td7 — Sam Stein (@samstein) March 13, 2020
Despicable from Team Trump. And probably not the best strategy given that their man resembles nothing so much as the methane-bloated rotting carcass of a cow you might see lying alongside a country road on a hot day. https://t.co/nzCyqtgSIf — David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) March 13, 2020
Though many hoped against hope, I guess we all kind of knew that it would end this way with Trump: in utter moral ruin. https://t.co/yRYyXfYkuC — Rod Dreher (@roddreher) March 13, 2020
After backlash for the remark, the campaign said on Twitter that it was quoting from a Washington Times column.
Pundits have questioned the health of the former vice president since the beginning of his campaign last spring. In December, Biden's doctor released a report showing he was currently being treated for four different ailments.
The doctor said the former vice president is still "fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Georgia General Assembly will suspend session Friday to slow the spread of COVID-19

COVID-19 scares have halted the lawmaking process at the Georgia General Assembly until further notice , state leaders announced Thursday .
The 2020 session will be suspended after Friday , Lt. Gov .
Geoff Duncan and House Speaker David Ralston said in a joint statement .
“ We continue to urge calm and appropriate responses to the coronavirus situation .
However , the current environment demands that we take additional preventative action , ” Duncan said .
“ Speaker Ralston and I are working diligently to ensure that , at the appropriate time , the General Assembly resumes its critically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease caused by a novel coronavirus .
The disease has caused 39 deaths in the U.S. COVID-19 symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever , cough , runny nose and difficulty breathing .
It is not clear when state lawmakers will return to work , but both chambers passed the $ 27.4 billion amended fiscal year 2020 state budget Thursday and voted to expedite sending it to Gov .
Brian Kemp .
It included $ 100 million to fight COVID-19 , which has killed one Georgian and infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the fiscal 2021 budget , which covers state spending starting July 1 .
“ We do not take this action lightly , but after discussions with Gov .
Kemp , we feel this is a prudent measure which will ensure an orderly legislative session , ” Ralston said .
“ I appreciate very much the cooperation of Lt. Gov .
Duncan , and working together , our House and Senate stand ready to support the state ’ s response to the coronavirus .
We look forward to resuming the legislative session and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Kemp also held a news conference on Thursday , where he was joined by other state and local officials .
The governor has suspended nonessential travel and will be allowing most state employees to work from home .
“ This is the right thing to do , ” Kemp said .
“ This arrangement will prevent substantial disruption of service to our constituents and mitigate risk .
We will be sending out guidance to all agency leaders to ensure that they have the right plans in place for implementation.
” The departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corrections , Juvenile Justice and Veterans Services facilities will suspend visitation , except for next of kin in end-of-life situations , until April 10 .
“ These populations are in close contact , some with underlying health conditions that – if exposed to COVID-19 – could result in serious medical problems or cause widespread infection to those in close proximity , ” Kemp said .

COVID-19 scares have halted the lawmaking process at the Georgia General Assembly until further notice, state leaders announced Thursday.
The 2020 session will be suspended after Friday, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and House Speaker David Ralston said in a joint statement.
“We continue to urge calm and appropriate responses to the coronavirus situation. However, the current environment demands that we take additional preventative action,” Duncan said. “Speaker Ralston and I are working diligently to ensure that, at the appropriate time, the General Assembly resumes its critically important work.”
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus. The disease has caused 39 deaths in the U.S. COVID-19 symptoms appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing.
It is not clear when state lawmakers will return to work, but both chambers passed the $27.4 billion amended fiscal year 2020 state budget Thursday and voted to expedite sending it to Gov. Brian Kemp. It included $100 million to fight COVID-19, which has killed one Georgian and infected 30 others.
Still on the table is the fiscal 2021 budget, which covers state spending starting July 1.
“We do not take this action lightly, but after discussions with Gov. Kemp, we feel this is a prudent measure which will ensure an orderly legislative session,” Ralston said. “I appreciate very much the cooperation of Lt. Gov. Duncan, and working together, our House and Senate stand ready to support the state’s response to the coronavirus. We look forward to resuming the legislative session and returning to the people’s business.”
Kemp also held a news conference on Thursday, where he was joined by other state and local officials. The governor has suspended nonessential travel and will be allowing most state employees to work from home.
“This is the right thing to do,” Kemp said. “This arrangement will prevent substantial disruption of service to our constituents and mitigate risk. We will be sending out guidance to all agency leaders to ensure that they have the right plans in place for implementation.”
The departments of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Corrections, Juvenile Justice and Veterans Services facilities will suspend visitation, except for next of kin in end-of-life situations, until April 10.
“These populations are in close contact, some with underlying health conditions that – if exposed to COVID-19 – could result in serious medical problems or cause widespread infection to those in close proximity,” Kemp said.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Louisiana legislators plan contingency spending bills, in case coronavirus derails session

Louisiana legislative leaders plan to create a “ contingency package ” of spending bills that will be moved quickly in case coronavirus concerns threaten to derail the session .
“ Although we fully expect to proceed normally , we felt it necessary to put a contingency plan in place to ensure that we are meeting our constitutional requirements while also , and more importantly , protecting the health and safety of our members , legislative staff , and all those who visit the capitol , ” state Senate President Page Cortez said in a prepared statement .
The legislature is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the fiscal year ends June 30 .
Typically , legislators don ’ t pass a state budget until the closing moments of the session , which this year must end by June 1 .
“ While our first priority is to protect our membership , staff , and all Louisianans , we must be mindful of our constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget , ” House Speaker Clay Schexnayder said in the joint statement .
“ To that effect , we have put together this contingency plan that would allow us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , efficient manner , if necessary.
” The details of the plan were unclear as of Thursday afternoon .
The contingency bills have not yet been crafted ; legislators plan to file them next week .
Another unanswered question involves what numbers will be used to create the contingency budget , since the state ’ s Revenue Estimating Conference has not yet settled on an official revenue projection to dictate how much lawmakers are allowed to spend .
The REC is expected to meet again soon , after failing to come to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date had not been set as of Thursday .
As it stands now , both the House and Senate remain on schedule to debate the budget and all other bills as they typically have in previous years , legislative leaders say .
“ I thank President Cortez and Speaker Schexnayder for working with me to find a bipartisan solution that ensures critical pieces of legislation related to the state budget can be considered and moved through the legislative process purely as a contingency package , ” Gov .
John Bel Edwards said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be used only in the event that the risk of COVID-19 necessitates a significant change in the ongoing legislative session.
” Also on Thursday , the Georgia General Assembly announced it would suspend its 2020 legislative session indefinitely after Friday because of coronavirus concerns .
As of Thursday afternoon , 19 people in Louisiana had tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 , including 15 from Orleans Parish , according to state health officials .
All are considered “ presumptive positive ” cases , meaning the positive tests have not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention .

Louisiana legislative leaders plan to create a “contingency package” of spending bills that will be moved quickly in case coronavirus concerns threaten to derail the session.
“Although we fully expect to proceed normally, we felt it necessary to put a contingency plan in place to ensure that we are meeting our constitutional requirements while also, and more importantly, protecting the health and safety of our members, legislative staff, and all those who visit the capitol,” state Senate President Page Cortez said in a prepared statement.
The legislature is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget before the fiscal year ends June 30. Typically, legislators don’t pass a state budget until the closing moments of the session, which this year must end by June 1.
“While our first priority is to protect our membership, staff, and all Louisianans, we must be mindful of our constitutional obligation to pass a balanced budget,” House Speaker Clay Schexnayder said in the joint statement. “To that effect, we have put together this contingency plan that would allow us to expedite the process in a responsible, efficient manner, if necessary.”
The details of the plan were unclear as of Thursday afternoon. The contingency bills have not yet been crafted; legislators plan to file them next week.
Another unanswered question involves what numbers will be used to create the contingency budget, since the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference has not yet settled on an official revenue projection to dictate how much lawmakers are allowed to spend. The REC is expected to meet again soon, after failing to come to an agreement on Jan. 31, but a date had not been set as of Thursday.
As it stands now, both the House and Senate remain on schedule to debate the budget and all other bills as they typically have in previous years, legislative leaders say.
“I thank President Cortez and Speaker Schexnayder for working with me to find a bipartisan solution that ensures critical pieces of legislation related to the state budget can be considered and moved through the legislative process purely as a contingency package,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a prepared statement. “These bills would be used only in the event that the risk of COVID-19 necessitates a significant change in the ongoing legislative session.”
Also on Thursday, the Georgia General Assembly announced it would suspend its 2020 legislative session indefinitely after Friday because of coronavirus concerns.
As of Thursday afternoon, 19 people in Louisiana had tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, including 15 from Orleans Parish, according to state health officials. All are considered “presumptive positive” cases, meaning the positive tests have not yet been confirmed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--'She would be brilliant': Whoopi Goldberg says Hillary Clinton should be vice president

The View host Whoopi Goldberg said Hillary Clinton would be her favorite pick to be Joe Biden 's vice president .
`` The person who really is qualified to do it , and he can not pick her : Hillary Clinton , '' Goldberg said on Friday 's show .
`` In terms of qualifications , she is , she would be brilliant . ''
Goldberg added that Biden would not be able to pick her as his vice president because of all the `` backlash '' that would ensue .
The hosts of The View agreed the 2020 Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman as his running mate , prompting Goldberg to say Clinton was her favorite choice .
The former vice president is reportedly looking to pick a woman to be his running mate .
Actor James Woods predicted earlier this month that Biden would pick Clinton .
`` So I pretty much predicted this , '' Woods said in a recent tweet .
`` It ’ ll be # Biden and # Hillary as his vice presidential candidate .
He will eventually 'gracefully ' resign as his dementia worsens and ... Voila !
# @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case he gets indicted for his Ukraine corruption , she ’ ll pardon him ... ''

The View host Whoopi Goldberg said Hillary Clinton would be her favorite pick to be Joe Biden's vice president.
"The person who really is qualified to do it, and he cannot pick her: Hillary Clinton," Goldberg said on Friday's show. "In terms of qualifications, she is, she would be brilliant."
Goldberg added that Biden would not be able to pick her as his vice president because of all the "backlash" that would ensue.
The hosts of The View agreed the 2020 Democratic presidential front-runner should strive to pick a woman as his running mate, prompting Goldberg to say Clinton was her favorite choice.
The former vice president is reportedly looking to pick a woman to be his running mate.
Actor James Woods predicted earlier this month that Biden would pick Clinton.
"So I pretty much predicted this," Woods said in a recent tweet. "It’ll be #Biden and #Hillary as his vice presidential candidate. He will eventually 'gracefully' resign as his dementia worsens and... Voila! #MadamePresident at last! (and in case he gets indicted for his Ukraine corruption, she’ll pardon him..."


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--Colorado confirms 11 more coronavirus cases amid state emergency

Colorado confirmed 11 new positive cases of coronavirus on Thursday , bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 44 .
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ( CDPHE ) said Thursday that the new test results on the 11 patients came overnight .
“ The state lab has completed test results on approximately 350 people in Colorado since testing started on February 28 , ” CDPHE said .
Gov .
Jared Polis on Tuesday declared a state of emergency , and on Wednesday he signed an executive order aimed at combating the virus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic by the World Health Organization .
`` Our state is responding to this virus by taking bold action to protect our most vulnerable populations , ” Polis said .
“ We will continue working together to put health and safety first and be guided by science .
Colorado is in this together.
” The executive order directs the state ’ s labor department to allow certain industries like hospitality , education and home care to offer paid sick leave to their employees who miss work for symptoms similar to that of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable populations in the state .
As the Polis administration has worked to combat the coronavirus spread in the state , lawmakers in Denver are reportedly considering suspending the legislative session .
A drive-through COVID-19 testing site operated by CDPHE stopped allowing more vehicles due to a 3-hour wait for testing , the department said Thursday .
Nationally , the virus has caused widespread cancellations and suspensions of expos and sporting events .
The NCAA on Thursday cancelled men 's and women 's basketball tournaments , and the NBA , MLB , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Colorado confirmed 11 new positive cases of coronavirus on Thursday, bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 44.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) said Thursday that the new test results on the 11 patients came overnight.
“The state lab has completed test results on approximately 350 people in Colorado since testing started on February 28,” CDPHE said.
Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday declared a state of emergency, and on Wednesday he signed an executive order aimed at combating the virus outbreak, which this week was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
"Our state is responding to this virus by taking bold action to protect our most vulnerable populations,” Polis said. “We will continue working together to put health and safety first and be guided by science. Colorado is in this together.”
The executive order directs the state’s labor department to allow certain industries like hospitality, education and home care to offer paid sick leave to their employees who miss work for symptoms similar to that of coronavirus, among other emergency measures to protect vulnerable populations in the state.
As the Polis administration has worked to combat the coronavirus spread in the state, lawmakers in Denver are reportedly considering suspending the legislative session.
A drive-through COVID-19 testing site operated by CDPHE stopped allowing more vehicles due to a 3-hour wait for testing, the department said Thursday.
Nationally, the virus has caused widespread cancellations and suspensions of expos and sporting events. The NCAA on Thursday cancelled men's and women's basketball tournaments, and the NBA, MLB, and NHL all suspended games until further notice.


thewashingtonexaminer--2020-03-13--‘Fallen patriot’: Pentagon identifies two service members killed in Iraq by Iranian-backed militia

The Pentagon identified the Army specialist and Air National Guardsman who were killed in Iraq on Wednesday alongside an allied British soldier in a rocket attack on their base carried out by Iranian-backed militia .
Army Spc .
Juan Miguel Mendez Covarrubias , 27 , was assigned to the 1st Battalion , 227th Aviation Regiment , 1st Air Cavalry Brigade , 1st Cavalry Division , based out of Fort Hood , Texas .
The native of Hanford , California , was part of the Air Cavalry 's “ Attack '' unit .
Mendez Covarrubias received a posthumous promotion .
Staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was the first Oklahoma Air National Guardsman killed in action since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 , 2001 , and the 20th Oklahoma National Guardsman to die overseas since that time .
The two men were serving as part of Operation Inherent Resolve , the global coalition to defeat the Islamic State .
Kata'ib Hezbollah , a deadly Iranian-backed Shiite militia , attacked the Taji Air Base north of Baghdad , which houses coalition forces who are involved in the mission to train , advise , and assist Iraqi forces .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ airstrikes in response on Thursday evening .
Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie , the head of the U.S. Central Command , said on Friday the “ defensive ” strikes were “ designed to send a clear , unambiguous signal ” because “ we ’ ve seen in the past what happens when you don ’ t respond.
” His battalion leader , Lt. Col. Adam Camarano , called him a “ cherished ” member of the Air Cavalry .
He said , “ the regiment and his fellow soldiers are grieving the loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will not be forgotten.
” Lt. Gen. Pat White , the commander of Operation Inherent Resolve , said Mendez Covarrubias “ earns our greatest honor for his combat service and sacrifice on the mission to , permanently , defeat ISIS in Iraq.
” The commander said he was “ a warrior who will forever be remembered.
” Roberts , who enlisted in May 2014 , was a member of the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron ’ s 138th Fighter Wing based out of Tulsa , Oklahoma .
The native of Owasso , Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior noncommissioned officer as his group worked to establish communications systems .
He and his squad had been in Iraq since late 2019 .
Oklahoma Gov .
Kevin State said , “ Oklahomans all across the state mourn the loss of Staff Sgt .
Roberts , ” and “ today serves as a reminder of the many brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to defend our state and country.
” Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson , the adjutant general for Oklahoma , said Roberts “ served selflessly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that every Oklahoman pray for the family of this fallen patriot.
” Col. Michael Meason , the commander of the 138th Fighter Wing , said , “ The 138th family has lost a dedicated Airman , mentor , and leader . ''
Lance Cpl .
Brodie Gillon of the U.K. ’ s Royal Army Medical Corps and a reservist with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry was also killed in the rocket attacks .
Gillon , 26 , was described by her commanding officer as a “ larger than life soldier ” who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her squad leader called her an “ outstanding medic and loyal friend ” who would be “ deeply missed.
” '' Let me be clear , the United States will not tolerate attacks against our people , our interests , or our allies , '' Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday .
`` As we 've demonstrated in recent months , we will take any action necessary to protect our forces in Iraq and the region . ''
Army Gen. Mark Milley , the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group fired an estimated thirty 107 mm rockets or more at the base , and up to 18 hit the training camp , killing the two Americans and one Briton , while wounding 14 others , including five with urgent injuries .
The Defense Department announced “ defensive precision strikes against Kata ’ ib Hizbollah facilities across Iraq ” on Thursday night , saying the strikes targeted five weapon storage facilities “ to significantly degrade their ability to conduct future attacks.
” The Pentagon stressed , “ These strikes were defensive , proportional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat posed by Iranian-backed Shia militia groups who continue to attack bases hosting Operation Inherent Resolve coalition forces.
” The U.S. killed Iranian spy chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani earlier this year following Kata'ib Hezbollah attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq , including one which killed U.S. contractor linguist Nawres Hamid , as well as the violent storming of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by Iranian-backed groups .
Kata'ib Hezbollah is part of the broader pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella , which had been guided by Soleimani .
Two Marine Raiders , Gunnery Sgt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navas , were killed during a combat operation against an Islamic State stronghold in northern Iraq over the weekend in what were the first American combat deaths there this year .
The U.S. killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi in Syria in October and has essentially eliminated ISIS ’ s physical caliphate , but the Pentagon ’ s lead inspector general warned against declaring premature victory against the terrorist group .

The Pentagon identified the Army specialist and Air National Guardsman who were killed in Iraq on Wednesday alongside an allied British soldier in a rocket attack on their base carried out by Iranian-backed militia.
Army Spc. Juan Miguel Mendez Covarrubias, 27, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, based out of Fort Hood, Texas. The native of Hanford, California, was part of the Air Cavalry's “Attack" unit. Mendez Covarrubias received a posthumous promotion.
Staff Sgt. Marshal D. Roberts, 28, was the first Oklahoma Air National Guardsman killed in action since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the 20th Oklahoma National Guardsman to die overseas since that time.
The two men were serving as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the global coalition to defeat the Islamic State.
Kata'ib Hezbollah, a deadly Iranian-backed Shiite militia, attacked the Taji Air Base north of Baghdad, which houses coalition forces who are involved in the mission to train, advise, and assist Iraqi forces. The United States carried out five retaliatory airstrikes in response on Thursday evening.
Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of the U.S. Central Command, said on Friday the “defensive” strikes were “designed to send a clear, unambiguous signal” because “we’ve seen in the past what happens when you don’t respond.”
Mendez Covarrubias, a signal support systems specialist, deployed to Iraq in October 2019.
His battalion leader, Lt. Col. Adam Camarano, called him a “cherished” member of the Air Cavalry. He said, “the regiment and his fellow soldiers are grieving the loss of a true warrior,” and “he will not be forgotten.”
Lt. Gen. Pat White, the commander of Operation Inherent Resolve, said Mendez Covarrubias “earns our greatest honor for his combat service and sacrifice on the mission to, permanently, defeat ISIS in Iraq.” The commander said he was “a warrior who will forever be remembered.”
Roberts, who enlisted in May 2014, was a member of the 219th Engineering Installation Squadron’s 138th Fighter Wing based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The native of Owasso, Oklahoma, served as the squadron’s senior noncommissioned officer as his group worked to establish communications systems. He and his squad had been in Iraq since late 2019.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin State said, “Oklahomans all across the state mourn the loss of Staff Sgt. Roberts,” and “today serves as a reminder of the many brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to defend our state and country.”
Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson, the adjutant general for Oklahoma, said Roberts “served selflessly and with honor” and asked “that every Oklahoman pray for the family of this fallen patriot.”
Col. Michael Meason, the commander of the 138th Fighter Wing, said, “The 138th family has lost a dedicated Airman, mentor, and leader."
Lance Cpl. Brodie Gillon of the U.K.’s Royal Army Medical Corps and a reservist with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry was also killed in the rocket attacks. Gillon, 26, was described by her commanding officer as a “larger than life soldier” who was “destined for great things.” Her squad leader called her an “outstanding medic and loyal friend” who would be “deeply missed.”
"Let me be clear, the United States will not tolerate attacks against our people, our interests, or our allies," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Wednesday. "As we've demonstrated in recent months, we will take any action necessary to protect our forces in Iraq and the region."
Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters the members of an Iranian-backed militia group fired an estimated thirty 107 mm rockets or more at the base, and up to 18 hit the training camp, killing the two Americans and one Briton, while wounding 14 others, including five with urgent injuries.
The Defense Department announced “defensive precision strikes against Kata’ib Hizbollah facilities across Iraq” on Thursday night, saying the strikes targeted five weapon storage facilities “to significantly degrade their ability to conduct future attacks.”
The Pentagon stressed, “These strikes were defensive, proportional, and in direct response to the threat posed by Iranian-backed Shia militia groups who continue to attack bases hosting Operation Inherent Resolve coalition forces.”
The U.S. killed Iranian spy chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani earlier this year following Kata'ib Hezbollah attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, including one which killed U.S. contractor linguist Nawres Hamid, as well as the violent storming of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by Iranian-backed groups. Kata'ib Hezbollah is part of the broader pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella, which had been guided by Soleimani.
Two Marine Raiders, Gunnery Sgt. Diego Pongo and Capt. Moises Navas, were killed during a combat operation against an Islamic State stronghold in northern Iraq over the weekend in what were the first American combat deaths there this year.
The U.S. killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi in Syria in October and has essentially eliminated ISIS’s physical caliphate, but the Pentagon’s lead inspector general warned against declaring premature victory against the terrorist group.