theguardian--2020-12-08--Trump administration refused offer to buy millions more Pfizer vaccine doses

The Trump administration passed up a chance last summer to buy millions of additional doses of Pfizer ’ s coronavirus vaccine , a decision that could delay the delivery of a second batch of doses until the manufacturer fulfills other international contracts .
The revelation , first reported by the New York Times and confirmed to the Associated Press on Monday , came a day before Donald Trump aimed to take credit for the speedy development of forthcoming vaccines at a White House summit .
Pfizer ’ s vaccine , one of the leading Covid-19 vaccine contenders , is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food and Drug Administration scientists as soon as this week , with delivery of 100m doses – enough for 50 million Americans – expected in coming months .
Under its contract with Pfizer , the Trump administration committed to buy an initial 100m doses , with an option to purchase as many as five times more .
This summer , the White House opted not to lock in an additional 100m doses for delivery in the second quarter of 2021 , according to people who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s expected approval , the administration is reversing course , but it is not clear that Pfizer , which has since made commitments to other countries , will be able to meet the latest request on the same timeline .
The Pfizer vaccine is one of two on track for emergency FDA authorization this month , the other coming from drugmaker Moderna .
The Trump administration insisted late Monday that between those two vaccines and others in the pipeline , the US will be able to accommodate any American who wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second quarter of 2021 .
Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar told NBC the administration is “ continuing to work across manufacturers to expand the availability of releasable , of FDA-approved vaccine as quickly as possible .
We do still have that option for an additional 500m doses.
” The “ Operation Warp Speed ” summit on Tuesday will address the Trump administration ’ s plans to distribute and administer the vaccine .
But officials from president-elect Joe Biden ’ s transition team , which will oversee the bulk of the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history , were not invited .
Both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines have been determined to be 95 % effective against the virus that causes Covid-19 .
Plans call for distributing and then administering about 40m doses of the two companies ’ vaccines by the end of the year – with the first doses shipping within hours of FDA clearance .
Each of the forthcoming vaccines has unique logistical challenges , including storage , distribution and administration .
The news comes as states across the US continue to experience some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , millions in California went back under the nation ’ s harshest lockdowns , as Covid-19 cases hit record levels .
New York is also weighing further restrictions as hospitalisations climb .
Health officials are warning Americans not to let their guard down , even with a vaccine on the horizon .
Dr Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert , said that “ without substantial mitigation , the middle of January can be a really dark time for us ” .

The Trump administration passed up a chance last summer to buy millions of additional doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, a decision that could delay the delivery of a second batch of doses until the manufacturer fulfills other international contracts.
The revelation, first reported by the New York Times and confirmed to the Associated Press on Monday, came a day before Donald Trump aimed to take credit for the speedy development of forthcoming vaccines at a White House summit.
Pfizer’s vaccine, one of the leading Covid-19 vaccine contenders, is expected to be approved by a panel of Food and Drug Administration scientists as soon as this week, with delivery of 100m doses – enough for 50 million Americans – expected in coming months.
Under its contract with Pfizer, the Trump administration committed to buy an initial 100m doses, with an option to purchase as many as five times more. This summer, the White House opted not to lock in an additional 100m doses for delivery in the second quarter of 2021, according to people who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
04:43 Is the new Covid vaccine our way back to normality? - video explainer
Days ahead of the vaccine’s expected approval, the administration is reversing course, but it is not clear that Pfizer, which has since made commitments to other countries, will be able to meet the latest request on the same timeline.
The Pfizer vaccine is one of two on track for emergency FDA authorization this month, the other coming from drugmaker Moderna.
The Trump administration insisted late Monday that between those two vaccines and others in the pipeline, the US will be able to accommodate any American who wants to be vaccinated by the end of the second quarter of 2021.
Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar told NBC the administration is “continuing to work across manufacturers to expand the availability of releasable, of FDA-approved vaccine as quickly as possible. We do still have that option for an additional 500m doses.”
The “Operation Warp Speed” summit on Tuesday will address the Trump administration’s plans to distribute and administer the vaccine. But officials from president-elect Joe Biden’s transition team, which will oversee the bulk of the largest vaccination program in the nation’s history, were not invited.
Both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines have been determined to be 95% effective against the virus that causes Covid-19. Plans call for distributing and then administering about 40m doses of the two companies’ vaccines by the end of the year – with the first doses shipping within hours of FDA clearance. Each of the forthcoming vaccines has unique logistical challenges, including storage, distribution and administration.
The news comes as states across the US continue to experience some of the worst surges since the pandemic began. On Monday, millions in California went back under the nation’s harshest lockdowns, as Covid-19 cases hit record levels. New York is also weighing further restrictions as hospitalisations climb.
Health officials are warning Americans not to let their guard down, even with a vaccine on the horizon. Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said that “without substantial mitigation, the middle of January can be a really dark time for us”.


theguardian--2020-12-08--Trump reportedly limited US purchases of Pfizer vaccine when offered - as it happened

Melania Trump drew backlash on Monday after announcing that a new tennis pavilion is set to be unveiled on the south grounds of the White House , as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to surge across the country .
“ It is my hope that this private space will function as both a place of leisure and gathering for future first families , ” the first lady said in a written statement on Monday , which came just weeks before the Trump family turns the White House over to his Democratic rival , Joe Biden , who handily won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to thank the “ talented craftsmen ” who worked on the project and the “ generous supporters of the White House ” .
“ 282,345 , ” David Corn , Mother Jones ’ DC bureau chief , noted in a terse response , in reference to the number of people who have died in the US due to coronavirus .
Molly Jong-Fast , editor-at-large for the Daily Beast , echoed the sarcastic analysis of others who joked that the first lady had “ her finger on the pulse of America ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those people in their ICU beds will feel so much better knowing that [ Trump ] has finished her tennis pavilion.
” A photo of the newly unveiled structure included the colonnade , parapet wall and fanlight windows meant to tie the new building to the look and feel of the White House .
In a release , Melania Trump ’ s office revealed it had been inspired by the architecture of its east and west wings .
Former president Barack Obama had previously turned the tennis court into one suitable for @ @

Maanvi Singh (now), Joan E Greve and Martin Belam (earlier)

8 Dec 2020 00.52 GMT Summary From Joan E Greve and me: Georgia recertified Joe Biden’s victory in the state, after two separate recounts confirmed the Democrat’s win there. Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger , said this morning, “We have now counted legally-cast ballots three times, and the results remain unchanged.”
after two separate recounts confirmed the Democrat’s win there. Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, , said this morning, “We have now counted legally-cast ballots three times, and the results remain unchanged.” The US is nearing 15m cases of coronavirus, as infections surge across the country after the Thanksgiving holiday. According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the US has reported 14,933,847 cases of coronavirus since January.
as infections surge across the country after the Thanksgiving holiday. According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the US has reported 14,933,847 cases of coronavirus since January. Joe Biden’s team confirmed Xavier Becerra would be nominated to lead the department of health and human services. Former surgeon general Vivek Murthy will also be nominated to reprise his role under the Obama administration, and Dr Anthony Fauci will serve as Biden’s chief medical adviser, while staying on as the director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Former surgeon general will also be nominated to reprise his role under the Obama administration, and Dr will serve as Biden’s chief medical adviser, while staying on as the director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Biden is expected to choose Lloyd Austin, the former commander of US Central Command, to lead the Pentagon, Politico reports. Until recently, defense adviser Michèle Flournoy was widely expected to be the top candidate for the post. If confirmed to the position, Austin would be the first Black man to lead the Defense Department.
Until recently, defense adviser Michèle Flournoy was widely expected to be the top candidate for the post. If confirmed to the position, Austin would be the first Black man to lead the Defense Department. The House will vote on a one-week spending bill on Wednesday, majority leader Steny Hoyer confirmed. If the legislation passes, it will allow the federal government to avert a shutdown while giving lawmakers another week to reach an agreement on an omnibus spending bill. Congress will also have additional time to negotiate over another coronavirus relief bill.
majority leader confirmed. If the legislation passes, it will allow the federal government to avert a shutdown while giving lawmakers another week to reach an agreement on an omnibus spending bill. Congress will also have additional time to negotiate over another coronavirus relief bill. Trump said Rudy Giuliani is “doing very well” after being hospitalized with coronavirus. “Rudy’s doing well. I just spoke to him,” Trump said of his personal attorney this afternoon. “He’s doing very well. No temperature. He actually called me early this morning. He was the first call I got, and he’s doing very well.”
Updated at 02.09 GMT
8 Dec 2020 00.48 GMT Kenya Evelyn Melania Trump drew backlash on Monday after announcing that a new tennis pavilion is set to be unveiled on the south grounds of the White House, as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to surge across the country. “It is my hope that this private space will function as both a place of leisure and gathering for future first families,” the first lady said in a written statement on Monday, which came just weeks before the Trump family turns the White House over to his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, who handily won the 2020 presidential election. The first lady went on to thank the “talented craftsmen” who worked on the project and the “generous supporters of the White House”. “282,345,” David Corn, Mother Jones’ DC bureau chief, noted in a terse response, in reference to the number of people who have died in the US due to coronavirus. Molly Jong-Fast, editor-at-large for the Daily Beast, echoed the sarcastic analysis of others who joked that the first lady had “her finger on the pulse of America”. She tweeted: “Oh good, those people in their ICU beds will feel so much better knowing that [Trump] has finished her tennis pavilion.” A photo of the newly unveiled structure included the colonnade, parapet wall and fanlight windows meant to tie the new building to the look and feel of the White House. In a release, Melania Trump’s office revealed it had been inspired by the architecture of its east and west wings. Former president Barack Obama had previously turned the tennis court into one suitable for basketball.
8 Dec 2020 00.20 GMT Report: Biden has chosen retired general Lloyd Austin for defense secretary Joe Biden is expected to choose Lloyd Austin, the former commander of US Central Command, to lead the Pentagon, Politico reports. Politico reports: The decision comes two weeks after Biden announced the other senior members of his national security team. Although Michèle Flournoy, who was widely seen as Hillary Clinton’s choice to be defense secretary had she won the election in 2016, was initially viewed as the frontrunner for the job, Biden has been under growing pressure to nominate a Black person to be his defense secretary. In recent days, Austin, the former commander of US Central Command, had emerged as a top-tier candidate, although Biden also considered former Homeland Security secretary Jeh Johnson for the job, several people familiar with the discussions said.
Updated at 00.37 GMT
7 Dec 2020 23.56 GMT Millions of Californians put under strict Covid lockdown From Vivian Ho in San Francisco, Martin Pengelly in New York and agencies: More than three-quarters of California’s population are now living under the harshest lockdowns in the US, as Covid-19 cases hit record levels in the country’s most populous state. Regional stay-at-home restrictions went into effect for nearly 23 million residents in southern California and 4.4 million residents in a large swath of the Central Valley on Sunday night, as ordered by the state governor, Gavin Newsom. The orders take effect on a region-by-region basis when hospital intensive care unit beds in the region dropped to below 15%. The southern California region and the San Joaquin Valley region joined five counties in the Bay Area region whose local leaders pre-emptively ordered its 6 million residents to enter lockdown starting at 10pm on Sunday. “We cannot wait until after we have driven off the cliff to pull the emergency brake,” said the Santa Clara county health officer, Dr Sara Cody.
The restrictions, which require people to stay home and minimize contact with other households, will remain in place for at least three weeks, covering the Christmas holiday. All retail stores can stay open, although at 20% capacity, along with outside spaces such as parks and beaches, but restaurants, bars, hair and nail salons and tattoo shops are required to close. California reported 24,735 positive cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the average to 21,924 cases a day. The state had a 10.5% seven-day positivity rate, meaning that in the past week, one in 10 Californians tested for coronavirus came back with positive results. Newsom noted that the rate of growth on the state’s positivity rate was “very, very acute” – just 30 days ago, the state’s positivity rate was at 3.4%. Health officials believe the numbers will only get worse before they get better.
“We know that those cases that potentially occurred around people’s dinner tables, activities, plans, travel through Thanksgiving are going to show up right about now. We’re going to be seeing that for many days to come,” said Dr Mark Ghaly, California’s secretary of health and human services. “We believe that the levels of transmission that we’ve been reporting so far will likely continue to go up some because of those activities.” Read more: Millions of Californians put under strict Covid lockdown Read more
7 Dec 2020 23.20 GMT Florida scientist publishing coronavirus data says police seized her computer at gunpoint Rebekah Jones, the former chief data scientist at Florida’s health department who said she was fired for refusing to manipulate Covid-19 data, said the police seized a computer she was using to publish a coronavirus data dashboard of her own. “At 8:30 am this morning, state police came into my house and took all my hardware and tech,” she said on Twitter. “They were serving a warrant on my computer after [the health department] filed a complaint. They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids.” Jones began been publishing state coronavirus data updates on her own website after she was fired in May for refusing to “manually change data to drum up support for the plan to reopen”. Florida’s official site undercounts the infection total and overcounts the number of people who are tested, to minimize the severity of the pandemic in the state, she has said. 1/
There will be no update today.
At 8:30 am this morning, state police came into my house and took all my hardware and tech.
They were serving a warrant on my computer after DOH filed a complaint.
They pointed a gun in my face. They pointed guns at my kids.. pic.twitter.com/DE2QfOmtPU — Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) December 7, 2020 “They took my phone and the computer I use every day to post the case numbers in Florida, and school cases for the entire country. They took evidence of corruption at the state level,” she said, adding that the state’s Republican governor Ron DeSantis “sent the gestapo”. Read more about Jones: Florida scientist says she was fired for refusing to change Covid-19 data 'to support reopen plan' Read more
Updated at 23.26 GMT
7 Dec 2020 22.56 GMT Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s leading Democrat, has criticized his Republican colleagues’ decision to invite an anti-vaxxer doctor to testify on Tuesday. “While President-elect Biden is nominating experienced, committed public servants to lead the next administration’s healthcare policy, the Republican majority is inviting prominent anti-vaxxers to Senate committee hearings,” Schumer said. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticizes Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson's decision to invite Dr. Jane Orient, who is critical of vaccine mandates, to testify Tuesday on COVID-19 treatments and urges him to revoke the invitation. https://t.co/sHLQRWU5h8 pic.twitter.com/vRY7nJeyA0 — Emmanuel Touhey (@Irishmanindc) December 7, 2020
Updated at 23.24 GMT
7 Dec 2020 22.32 GMT Report: Trump administration declined Pfizer offer for more vaccine doses Administration officials turned down an offer from Pfizer this summer to secure additional doses of its vaccine, the New York Times has reported. The Times reports: Trump administration officials passed when Pfizer offered in late summer to sell the U.S. government additional doses of its Covid-19 vaccine, according to people familiar with the matter. Now Pfizer may not be able provide more of its vaccine to the United States until next June because of its commitments to other countries, they said. The US is expected to authorize the two-dose treatment from Pfizer and BioNTech this week and has bought up enough of the vaccine for 50m Americans. Meanwhile the European Union has secured 200m doses and Britan plans to begin vaccinations on Tuesday using the Pfizer treatment.
Donald Trump today signed an executive order designed to prioritize that vaccines get to “American citizens before sending it to other nations” but it’s unclear that the order would have any practical effect. Read more from the Times here.
Updated at 23.18 GMT
7 Dec 2020 21.48 GMT Anti-vaccine doctor to testify at Senate committee hearing on Covid mandates Kenya Evelyn The doctor heading a controversial physician’s advocacy group opposing government involvement in medicine has been announced as a leading witness at a US Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee hearing on Tuesday. Jane Orient has rejected any “anti-vaxxer” label but her criticism of coronavirus vaccines has drawn scathing rebukes from some senior politicians infuriated by her invitation to testify to Congress. “At such a crucial time, giving a platform to conspiracy theorists to spread myths and falsehoods about Covid vaccines is downright dangerous and one of the last things Senate Republicans should be doing right now,” the Senate minority leader and New York Democrat, Chuck Schumer, said in a statement released on Sunday.
Critics have cited Orient’s promotion of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a Covid-19 treatment as well as her organization’s view that federal vaccine mandates are a violation of human rights. Beating the anti-vaxxers: how star power can help squash vaccine mythsRead more In a statement provided to the Senate last year, Orient called vaccine mandates “a serious intrusion into individual liberty, autonomy and parental decisions”. “The regulation of medical practice is a state function, not a federal one,” she wrote. “Governmental pre-emption of patients’ or parents’ decisions about accepting drugs or other medical interventions is a serious intrusion into individual liberty, autonomy, and parental decisions about child-rearing.” Orient is one of four medical professionals set to testify in the hearing in which federal health officials will weigh vaccine mandates and other initiatives to combat a worsening coronavirus pandemic that, so far, has killed more than 282,000 Americans. Read more: Anti-vaccine doctor to testify at Senate committee hearing on Covid mandates Read more
7 Dec 2020 21.35 GMT Joe Biden suggested he’d name his pick for defense secretary and attorney general this week, speaking with reporters as he left a venue after meeting with healthcare advisers. Leaving the theater, Biden suggested he would have an announcement about Defense Secretary on Friday pic.twitter.com/mMeZPNERQE — Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) December 7, 2020
Updated at 21.46 GMT
7 Dec 2020 21.30 GMT Today so far That’s it from me for now. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. Here’s where the day stands so far: Georgia recertified Joe Biden’s victory in the state, after two separate recounts confirmed the Democrat’s win there. Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger , said this morning, “We have now counted legally-cast ballots three times, and the results remain unchanged.”
after two separate recounts confirmed the Democrat’s win there. Georgia’s Republican secretary of state, , said this morning, “We have now counted legally-cast ballots three times, and the results remain unchanged.” The US is nearing 15m cases of coronavirus, as infections surge across the country after the Thanksgiving holiday. According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the US has reported 14,883,966 cases of coronavirus since January.
as infections surge across the country after the Thanksgiving holiday. According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the US has reported 14,883,966 cases of coronavirus since January. Joe Biden’s team confirmed Xavier Becerra would be nominated to lead the department of health and human services. Former surgeon general Vivek Murthy will also be nominated to reprise his role under the Obama administration, and Dr Anthony Fauci will serve as Biden’s chief medical adviser, while staying on as the director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Former surgeon general will also be nominated to reprise his role under the Obama administration, and Dr will serve as Biden’s chief medical adviser, while staying on as the director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The House will vote on a one-week spending bill on Wednesday, majority leader Steny Hoyer confirmed. If the legislation passes, it will allow the federal government to avert a shutdown while giving lawmakers another week to reach an agreement on an omnibus spending bill. Congress will also have additional time to negotiate over another coronavirus relief bill.
majority leader confirmed. If the legislation passes, it will allow the federal government to avert a shutdown while giving lawmakers another week to reach an agreement on an omnibus spending bill. Congress will also have additional time to negotiate over another coronavirus relief bill. Trump said Rudy Giuliani is “doing very well” after being hospitalized with coronavirus. “Rudy’s doing well. I just spoke to him,” Trump said of his personal attorney this afternoon. “He’s doing very well. No temperature. He actually called me early this morning. He was the first call I got, and he’s doing very well.” Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Updated at 21.32 GMT
7 Dec 2020 21.13 GMT The CEOs of two drug companies producing coronavirus vaccines have reportedly both rejected invitations to appear at a White House “Vaccine Summit” tomorrow. Stat reports: The Trump administration has openly feuded with Pfizer in recent weeks over its involvement in Operation Warp Speed and the timing of a data release showing its vaccine to be highly effective, but had nonetheless invited CEO Albert Bourla to appear on a panel about the vaccine development process. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel was also invited, but neither he nor another company executive will attend. The vaccine manufacturers’ absences will be conspicuous at a ‘Vaccine Summit,’ an event that drug industry figures and one Trump administration official largely viewed as a public relations stunt when STAT first reported the event last week. Donald Trump called FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn to the White House last week to explain why his agency was not moving faster to approve the vaccine, according to reports.
7 Dec 2020 20.51 GMT US nears 15m cases of coronavirus The number of coronavirus cases in the US is approaching 15 million, as infections surge across the nation. According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the US has confirmed 14,883,966 cases of coronavirus since January. The US death toll also continues to climb, with 283,211 Americans now having died of coronavirus. The country confirmed 175,663 cases yesterday, according to JHU, so the case total will likely surpass 15m by tomorrow.
Updated at 21.03 GMT


theguardian--2020-12-07--Congress to pass shutdown-averting bill to continue coronavirus stimulus talks

Congress is poised to pass a stopgap funding measure that will avert a government shutdown and provide lawmakers more time to negotiate an emergency coronavirus stimulus legislation amid deepening economic pain .
Negotiations over a $ 1.4tn catch-all spending package are playing out alongside bipartisan efforts to pass long-delayed Covid-19 economic relief .
Congressional leaders hope to attach the stimulus bill to the must-pass spending bill , though several key sticking points remain .
On Monday , the Democratic House majority leader , Steny Hoyer , said that the House would vote on Wednesday on a one-week spending bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , to avoid a government shutdown while lawmakers race to reach an agreement .
Government funding for federal agencies is due to expire on Friday .
Hoyer had initially told lawmakers that the House would finalize its end-of-year business this week , allowing lawmakers to leave Washington for the year , but negotiations over the omnibus spending bill were proceeding more slowly than he had hoped .
“ I am disappointed that we have not yet reached agreement on government funding , ” Hoyer wrote on Twitter .
“ The House will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep government open while negotiations continue.
” A bipartisan group of senators expressed optimism about a $ 908bn aid proposal to help alleviate the financial disaster facing millions of American families and businesses as a rise in coronavirus cases threatens the labor market , which has struggled to fully recover from the economic downturn that followed the pandemic ’ s arrival in March .
But their plan , the details of which could be released as early as Monday , remains hung up over provisions to aid states and localities , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses from Covid-related lawsuits , which Republicans want .
The proposal is less than half of the $ 2.2tn relief package passed by the Democratic-controlled House in October and does not include the direct payments to Americans that Trump sought before the election .
Yet the senators ’ plan is nearly double the $ 500bn package proposed by the Senate majority leader , Mitch McConnell , who advocated a list of “ targeted ” relief provisions he said the president would sign .
Lawmakers quickly enacted a $ 3tn aid package to salvage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have been deadlocked for months over whether to approve another stimulus plan .
President-elect Joe Biden has urged Congress to act immediately and endorsed the senators ’ bipartisan framework , calling it a “ down payment ” that would provide immediate relief to those suffering the economic consequences of the virus .
The House speaker , Nancy Pelosi , and Senate minority leader , Chuck Schumer , also tentatively expressed support , saying they would use the plan as a “ framework ” for their negotiations with Republican leaders , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks with the senators .
On Monday , the White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the Trump administration and Congress were nearing an agreement on aid .
“ We are moving in the right direction , I think , ” Kudlow said in an online interview with the Washington Post .
“ We are getting closer.
” The US Chamber of Commerce said in a new memo to Congress that failure to enact relief would risk a “ double-dip recession ” – which occurs when a recession is followed by a brief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would permanently shutter small businesses and leave millions of Americans with no means of support .
The same issues have blocked coronavirus relief legislation for months , leading to mounting frustrations among business owners , unions , state and local government officials , and ordinary Americans .
Considering the weakening of the economy coupled with a surge in Covid-19 cases at a time when previously approved relief mechanisms are due to expire , it would be “ stupidity on steroids if Congress doesn ’ t act ” , said the Democratic senator Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group that wrote the proposal , to CNN ’ s State of the Union on Sunday .
A group of emergency aid programs implemented in response to the pandemic , including additional unemployment benefits and a moratorium on renter evictions , is due to expire at the end of December .
With US coronavirus deaths topping 283,000 and pressure mounting for aid to a fragile economy , the new package is expected to include fresh emergency assistance for small businesses , unemployment benefits , and funding for Covid-19 vaccine distribution .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people , ” Schumer said in a floor speech on Monday , “ before the end of the year .
”

Congress is poised to pass a stopgap funding measure that will avert a government shutdown and provide lawmakers more time to negotiate an emergency coronavirus stimulus legislation amid deepening economic pain.
Negotiations over a $1.4tn catch-all spending package are playing out alongside bipartisan efforts to pass long-delayed Covid-19 economic relief.
Congressional leaders hope to attach the stimulus bill to the must-pass spending bill, though several key sticking points remain.
On Monday, the Democratic House majority leader, Steny Hoyer, said that the House would vote on Wednesday on a one-week spending bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), to avoid a government shutdown while lawmakers race to reach an agreement. Government funding for federal agencies is due to expire on Friday.
Hoyer had initially told lawmakers that the House would finalize its end-of-year business this week, allowing lawmakers to leave Washington for the year, but negotiations over the omnibus spending bill were proceeding more slowly than he had hoped.
“I am disappointed that we have not yet reached agreement on government funding,” Hoyer wrote on Twitter. “The House will vote on Wednesday on a one-week CR to keep government open while negotiations continue.”
A bipartisan group of senators expressed optimism about a $908bn aid proposal to help alleviate the financial disaster facing millions of American families and businesses as a rise in coronavirus cases threatens the labor market, which has struggled to fully recover from the economic downturn that followed the pandemic’s arrival in March.
But their plan, the details of which could be released as early as Monday, remains hung up over provisions to aid states and localities, a Democratic priority, and liability protections for businesses from Covid-related lawsuits, which Republicans want.
The proposal is less than half of the $2.2tn relief package passed by the Democratic-controlled House in October and does not include the direct payments to Americans that Trump sought before the election.
Yet the senators’ plan is nearly double the $500bn package proposed by the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who advocated a list of “targeted” relief provisions he said the president would sign.
Lawmakers quickly enacted a $3tn aid package to salvage the economy earlier this year, but they have been deadlocked for months over whether to approve another stimulus plan.
President-elect Joe Biden has urged Congress to act immediately and endorsed the senators’ bipartisan framework, calling it a “down payment” that would provide immediate relief to those suffering the economic consequences of the virus. The House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, also tentatively expressed support, saying they would use the plan as a “framework” for their negotiations with Republican leaders, which are proceeding on a different track from the talks with the senators.
On Monday, the White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the Trump administration and Congress were nearing an agreement on aid.
“We are moving in the right direction, I think,” Kudlow said in an online interview with the Washington Post. “We are getting closer.”
The US Chamber of Commerce said in a new memo to Congress that failure to enact relief would risk a “double-dip recession” – which occurs when a recession is followed by a brief recovery and then another recession – that would permanently shutter small businesses and leave millions of Americans with no means of support.
The same issues have blocked coronavirus relief legislation for months, leading to mounting frustrations among business owners, unions, state and local government officials, and ordinary Americans.
Considering the weakening of the economy coupled with a surge in Covid-19 cases at a time when previously approved relief mechanisms are due to expire, it would be “stupidity on steroids if Congress doesn’t act”, said the Democratic senator Mark Warner, a member of the bipartisan group that wrote the proposal, to CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday.
A group of emergency aid programs implemented in response to the pandemic, including additional unemployment benefits and a moratorium on renter evictions, is due to expire at the end of December.
With US coronavirus deaths topping 283,000 and pressure mounting for aid to a fragile economy, the new package is expected to include fresh emergency assistance for small businesses, unemployment benefits, and funding for Covid-19 vaccine distribution.
“We have to get something done for the American people,” Schumer said in a floor speech on Monday, “before the end of the year.”


theguardian--2020-12-07--Georgia recertifies election results, confirming Biden's victory

Georgia has re-certified the state ’ s results in the 3 November presidential election after two recounts , confirming again that the Democratic president-elect , Joe Biden , won the state .
“ It ’ s been a long 34 days since the election on November 3 , ” Georgia ’ s secretary of state , Brad Raffensperger , a Republican , said in a press release on Monday .
“ We have now counted legally cast ballots three times , and the results remain unchanged.
” He added : “ Continuing to make debunked claims about a stolen election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full hand recount shortly after the election , which showed Biden still leading by about 13,000 votes .
Despite that hand recount , Donald Trump ’ s campaign requested another recount because of the narrow margin of Biden ’ s victory .
That recount has now confirmed Biden ’ s victory in Georgia , making the president-elect the first Democrat since Bill Clinton to carry the state .
Shortly after that announcement was made , Trump again lashed out against Georgia ’ s Republican governor , Brian Kemp .
The president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state to once again challenge the election results , a request that Kemp has reportedly declined .
Raffensperger said on Sunday that a special session to overturn the state ’ s election results “ would be then nullifying the will of the people ” .
Georgia ’ s lieutenant governor , Geoff Duncan , a Republican , told CNN ’ s State of the Union on Sunday that he did not support Trump ’ s call for a special legislative session .
“ Calling the general assembly back in at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a solution trying to find a problem , ” Duncan said .
“ And we ’ re certainly not going to move the goalposts at this point in the election .
We are going to continue to follow the letter of the law , which gives us a very clearcut direction as to how to execute an election.
” The president staged a rally in Valdosta , Georgia , on Saturday night in which he repeatedly falsely claimed he won the state .
Two Georgia Republicans face 5 January runoffs which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They cheated and they rigged our presidential election , but we will still win it , ” Trump falsely insisted .
“ And they ’ re going to try and rig this [ Senate ] election too .
”

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Georgia has re-certified the state’s results in the 3 November presidential election after two recounts, confirming again that the Democratic president-elect, Joe Biden, won the state.
Governor Brian Kemp late Monday rubber-stamped the recertification issued earlier in the day by the secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, despite he and other senior Republicans in the state coming under pressure from Donald Trump to take action to overturn the result.
“It’s been a long 34 days since the election on November 3,” Raffensperger, a Republican, said in a press release on Monday. “We have now counted legally cast ballots three times, and the results remain unchanged.” He added: “Continuing to make debunked claims about a stolen election is hurting our state.
Georgia conducted a full hand recount shortly after the election, which showed Biden still leading by about 13,000 votes. Despite that hand recount, Donald Trump’s campaign requested another recount because of the narrow margin of Biden’s victory.
That recount has now confirmed Biden’s victory in Georgia, making the president-elect the first Democrat since Bill Clinton to carry the state.
Shortly after that announcement was made, Trump again lashed out against Georgia’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp. The president has repeatedly called for a special legislative session in the state to once again challenge the election results, a request that Kemp has reportedly declined.
Raffensperger said on Sunday that a special session to overturn the state’s election results “would be then nullifying the will of the people”.
Georgia’s lieutenant governor, Geoff Duncan, a Republican, told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday that he did not support Trump’s call for a special legislative session.
“Calling the general assembly back in at this point would almost be along the lines of a solution trying to find a problem,” Duncan said. “And we’re certainly not going to move the goalposts at this point in the election. We are going to continue to follow the letter of the law, which gives us a very clearcut direction as to how to execute an election.”
The president staged a rally in Valdosta, Georgia, on Saturday night in which he repeatedly falsely claimed he won the state. Two Georgia Republicans face 5 January runoffs which will decide control of the Senate.
“They cheated and they rigged our presidential election, but we will still win it,” Trump falsely insisted. “And they’re going to try and rig this [Senate] election too.”


theguardian--2020-12-07--Trump says 'Rudy's doing well' after Giuliani taken to hospital with Covid

Donald Trump has said that the former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani , who was admitted to hospital on Sunday after being diagnosed with Covid-19 , was “ doing well ” with the virus .
“ Rudy ’ s doing well , ” Trump said in response to a question from reporters at the White House .
“ He ’ s doing very well .
No temperature and he actually called me earlier this morning .
Was the first call I got.
” Neither the White House nor doctors for Giuliani released information about Giuliani ’ s condition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health status remained unknown .
He was admitted to Georgetown University hospital on Sunday .
Giuliani , 76 , who has kept up a schedule of constant public appearances in recent weeks as the spearhead of Trump ’ s campaign to spread conspiracy theories about the US election , announced his Covid diagnosis on Twitter on Sunday .
“ I ’ m getting great care and feeling good , ” Giuliani tweeted .
“ Recovering quickly and keeping up with everything.
” Giuliani has appeared frequently in public recently closely surrounded by people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing measures health officials recommend to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
The Giuliani appearances , which have included press conferences as well as video-streamed meetings with Republican legislators in Michigan and Pennsylvania , are part of an improvised traveling show that Trump has put together to challenge the election result .
Following one such appearance , at the offices of the Republican National Committee in November , multiple attendees announced Covid diagnoses , including Giuliani ’ s son , Andrew , who appears to have had a mild case .
For years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feed conspiracy theories designed to help Trump politically .
Before the impeachment inquiry that concluded earlier this year , Giuliani tried to get Ukrainian officials to make public statements the Trump campaign hoped would be damaging to Joe Biden .
But Giuliani ’ s remit has changed since Trump lost the presidency , shifting from weaving complicated stories about a shady conspiracy in a former Soviet republic to weaving similar – entirely false – stories about a shady conspiracy among US elections officials .
While he has made a great show of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely corrosive effects on US democracy , Giuliani did not dare advance fraud allegations in a court appearance last month , where lying could come with a price in the form of disbarment or other sanction .
“ It ’ s not fraud , ” Giuliani told a district judge in Pennsylvania of the Trump campaign ’ s case .
“ This is not a fraud case.
” As one of the highest-profile members of Trump ’ s inner circle , Giuliani had previously served as a significant source of misinformation about coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he mocked contact tracing , asking why it was not used to fight obesity and heart disease .
Trump , 74 , was hospitalized in early October at Walter Reed medical center in Maryland .
He spent three days in the hospital .

Donald Trump has said that the former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was admitted to hospital on Sunday after being diagnosed with Covid-19, was “doing well” with the virus.
“Rudy’s doing well,” Trump said in response to a question from reporters at the White House. “He’s doing very well. No temperature and he actually called me earlier this morning. Was the first call I got.”
Neither the White House nor doctors for Giuliani released information about Giuliani’s condition, and the basics of Giuliani’s health status remained unknown. He was admitted to Georgetown University hospital on Sunday.
Giuliani, 76, who has kept up a schedule of constant public appearances in recent weeks as the spearhead of Trump’s campaign to spread conspiracy theories about the US election, announced his Covid diagnosis on Twitter on Sunday.
“I’m getting great care and feeling good,” Giuliani tweeted. “Recovering quickly and keeping up with everything.”
Giuliani has appeared frequently in public recently closely surrounded by people not wearing masks or observing the social distancing measures health officials recommend to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Giuliani appearances, which have included press conferences as well as video-streamed meetings with Republican legislators in Michigan and Pennsylvania, are part of an improvised traveling show that Trump has put together to challenge the election result.
Following one such appearance, at the offices of the Republican National Committee in November, multiple attendees announced Covid diagnoses, including Giuliani’s son, Andrew, who appears to have had a mild case.
For years, Giuliani has worked to build and feed conspiracy theories designed to help Trump politically. Before the impeachment inquiry that concluded earlier this year, Giuliani tried to get Ukrainian officials to make public statements the Trump campaign hoped would be damaging to Joe Biden.
But Giuliani’s remit has changed since Trump lost the presidency, shifting from weaving complicated stories about a shady conspiracy in a former Soviet republic to weaving similar – entirely false – stories about a shady conspiracy among US elections officials.
While he has made a great show of his fraud allegations for the cameras, with likely corrosive effects on US democracy, Giuliani did not dare advance fraud allegations in a court appearance last month, where lying could come with a price in the form of disbarment or other sanction.
“It’s not fraud,” Giuliani told a district judge in Pennsylvania of the Trump campaign’s case. “This is not a fraud case.”
As one of the highest-profile members of Trump’s inner circle, Giuliani had previously served as a significant source of misinformation about coronavirus. In one Fox News appearance, he mocked contact tracing, asking why it was not used to fight obesity and heart disease.
Trump, 74, was hospitalized in early October at Walter Reed medical center in Maryland. He spent three days in the hospital.


theguardian--2020-12-07--Anti-vaccine doctor to testify at Senate committee hearing on Covid mandates

The doctor heading a controversial physician ’ s advocacy group opposing government involvement in medicine has been announced as a leading witness at a US Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee hearing on Tuesday .
Jane Orient has rejected any “ anti-vaxxer ” label but her criticism of coronavirus vaccines has drawn scathing rebukes from some senior politicians infuriated by her invitation to testify to Congress .
“ At such a crucial time , giving a platform to conspiracy theorists to spread myths and falsehoods about Covid vaccines is downright dangerous and one of the last things Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate minority leader and New York Democrat , Chuck Schumer , said in a statement released on Sunday .
Critics have cited Orient ’ s promotion of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a Covid-19 treatment as well as her organization ’ s view that federal vaccine mandates are a violation of human rights .
In a statement provided to the Senate last year , Orient called vaccine mandates “ a serious intrusion into individual liberty , autonomy and parental decisions ” .
“ The regulation of medical practice is a state function @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wrote .
“ Governmental pre-emption of patients ’ or parents ’ decisions about accepting drugs or other medical interventions is a serious intrusion into individual liberty , autonomy , and parental decisions about child-rearing.
” Orient is one of four medical professionals set to testify in the hearing in which federal health officials will weigh vaccine mandates and other initiatives to combat a worsening coronavirus pandemic that , so far , has killed more than 282,000 Americans .
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons is a fringe group of fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t “ consistent with evidence-based medicine ” .
It had even been cited by Donald Trump ’ s former campaign manager Brad Parscale when explaining why the president had taken hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure .
At that time , Orient told the Guardian she believed the drug “ should be prescribed more often ” , and in a statement claimed the drug offered “ about 90 % chance of helping Covid-19 patients ” .
That claim was based on a flawed database .
As infections surge towards 15m confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Americans to be vaccinated , noting that those emerging vaccines currently awaiting approval by US regulators , one made by the Pfizer and BioNTech partnership and the other by Moderna – use a new scientific method .
There is currently no plan for a federal mandate that Americans be inoculated against Covid-19 .
In a phone interview on Sunday with the New York Times , she called it “ reckless to be pushing people to take risks ” .
“ People ’ s rights should be respected .
Where is ‘ my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to this ?
” Orient said , adding she would not get a coronavirus vaccine , telling the Times that she has an autoimmune condition .
Republicans have presented mixed messages on support for government vaccine mandates , with many expressing concerns about the legality of businesses requiring them and infringements on individual liberties .
Meanwhile , even as some Republicans questioned the CDC on the safety of the vaccine , Ivanka Trump – White House adviser and daughter of the president – as well as former Republican president George Bush have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .

The doctor heading a controversial physician’s advocacy group opposing government involvement in medicine has been announced as a leading witness at a US Senate homeland security and governmental affairs committee hearing on Tuesday.
Jane Orient has rejected any “anti-vaxxer” label but her criticism of coronavirus vaccines has drawn scathing rebukes from some senior politicians infuriated by her invitation to testify to Congress.
“At such a crucial time, giving a platform to conspiracy theorists to spread myths and falsehoods about Covid vaccines is downright dangerous and one of the last things Senate Republicans should be doing right now,” the Senate minority leader and New York Democrat, Chuck Schumer, said in a statement released on Sunday.
Critics have cited Orient’s promotion of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a Covid-19 treatment as well as her organization’s view that federal vaccine mandates are a violation of human rights.
In a statement provided to the Senate last year, Orient called vaccine mandates “a serious intrusion into individual liberty, autonomy and parental decisions”.
“The regulation of medical practice is a state function, not a federal one,” she wrote. “Governmental pre-emption of patients’ or parents’ decisions about accepting drugs or other medical interventions is a serious intrusion into individual liberty, autonomy, and parental decisions about child-rearing.”
Orient is one of four medical professionals set to testify in the hearing in which federal health officials will weigh vaccine mandates and other initiatives to combat a worsening coronavirus pandemic that, so far, has killed more than 282,000 Americans.
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons is a fringe group of fewer than 5,000 doctors that offers advice experts say isn’t “consistent with evidence-based medicine”. It had even been cited by Donald Trump’s former campaign manager Brad Parscale when explaining why the president had taken hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure.
At that time, Orient told the Guardian she believed the drug “should be prescribed more often”, and in a statement claimed the drug offered “about 90% chance of helping Covid-19 patients”.
That claim was based on a flawed database.
As infections surge towards 15m confirmed cases, Orient has opposed government plans for all Americans to be vaccinated, noting that those emerging vaccines currently awaiting approval by US regulators, one made by the Pfizer and BioNTech partnership and the other by Moderna – use a new scientific method.
There is currently no plan for a federal mandate that Americans be inoculated against Covid-19.
In a phone interview on Sunday with the New York Times, she called it “reckless to be pushing people to take risks”.
“People’s rights should be respected. Where is ‘my body, my choice’ when it comes to this?” Orient said, adding she would not get a coronavirus vaccine, telling the Times that she has an autoimmune condition.
Republicans have presented mixed messages on support for government vaccine mandates, with many expressing concerns about the legality of businesses requiring them and infringements on individual liberties.
Meanwhile, even as some Republicans questioned the CDC on the safety of the vaccine, Ivanka Trump – White House adviser and daughter of the president – as well as former Republican president George Bush have both confirmed they would publicly take the vaccine.


theguardian--2020-12-07--Rudy Giuliani learned through experience that Trump is a danger to our health | Lloyd Green

Hopefully , Rudolph Giuliani ’ s battle with Covid-19 will go better than his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election .
Right now , New York ’ s one-time iconic mayor , has nothing to show for desperation-filled legal maneuvers except a string of losses .
The battleground states have certified their election results while the courts have repeatedly rejected the president ’ s flailing gambits .
For the moment anyway , the “ will of the people ” has prevailed .
America ’ s systemic guardrails have shuddered not shattered .
Rather , Giuliani will be remembered as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the klieg lights , the wild-eyed fellow who held a news conference sandwiched between a sex shop and a crematorium , and a desperately wishful septuagenarian caught on film with his hands down his pants .
Yesterday really is so far away .
Once upon a time , Giuliani made headlines as a crime-busting federal prosecutor who sent mob bosses and errant stockbrokers alike to prison .
Rudy was the mayor who embodied national resolve as the twin towers collapsed and a country fell under attack .
Now , he stands legally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pardon .
Sadly , more than a month has passed since election day and yet the president and his lawyer-in-chief have refused to accede to reality .
Instead , Giuliani peddles conspiracy theories to the public even as he declines to make them centerpieces in the courtroom .
The US court of appeals for the third circuit framed things this way : “ calling an election unfair does not make it so ” .
Finding that that Trump campaign failed to either allege or prove fraud , the court also used Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ client ’ s case .
“ As lawyer Rudolph Giuliani stressed , the campaign ‘ doesn ’ t plead fraud … this is not a fraud case ’ , ” it opined .
Fear of sanctions can deter performative pronouncements .
Equally worrisome for Giuliani and Donald Trump is the fact that the supreme court has not ridden to their rescue .
With just a week left until the electoral college convenes , the court is finally in the process of receiving submissions from the parties .
No date for oral argument has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assurance that it will be .
Said differently , this election is not poised to be a replay of Florida 2000 and Bush v Gore .
In so many ways .
Back then , Al Gore won the popular vote but conceded defeat in the face of the court ’ s 5-4 decision , one that the late Justice Antonin Scalia confessed was , “ as we say in Brooklyn , a piece of shit ” .
For the record , Giuliani spent his early years in that New York City outer borough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and Giuliani chose a different path .
Instead , Giuliani flew across the US and told receptive audiences that the election was rigged and that the late Hugo Chávez acted from the grave and in cahoots with George Soros to steal the president ’ s patrimony .
All that is missing from this tableau are the Illuminati and the Freemasons .
To put things in context , William Barr , the attorney general , will no longer vouch for this nonsense , and is contemplating an early departure .
Beyond that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality , Giuliani refused to wear a mask and expected others to do the same – just like Trump .
As a result , Arizona ’ s legislature is closed for a week “ out of an abundance of caution ” after Giuliani potentially exposed GOP lawmakers to the disease .
Meanwhile in Michigan , the head of the Republican party and its staffers are now being tested for the virus .
Giuliani also appeared in Georgia .
Giuliani ’ s antics have won the admiration and approval of the president , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , including those who once worked for him .
Like the president , Giuliani does not command long-term loyalty .
Ken Frydman , press secretary to the 1993 Giuliani campaign , told the Guardian “ karma is a bitch.
” Another former Giuliani deputy wished the mayor a speedy recovery but remained critical of his recent follies .
This city hall veteran explained that it was “ unfortunate and sad ” that Giuliani was in this situation .
At the same time , he called Giuliani ’ s predicament “ entirely due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a raging pandemic and to his blind fealty to worshipping at the altar of Trump ” .
Think of Covid-19 as a feature , not a bug , for those in the president ’ s orbit .
In addition to Trump , others close to the president victimized by the disease include Melania Trump , two of his sons , the White House chief of staff , Mark Meadows , Ben Carson , a Trump cabinet member , and Chris Christie , a key surrogate .
Covid-19 even claimed the life of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rally in Oklahoma .
As the US approaches 300,000 deaths , it is safe to say that Trump is bad for your health .
And now , Giuliani knows that as a matter of personal experience .
None this will make Trump ’ s legal climb any easier .

Hopefully, Rudolph Giuliani’s battle with Covid-19 will go better than his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Right now, New York’s one-time iconic mayor, has nothing to show for desperation-filled legal maneuvers except a string of losses.
The battleground states have certified their election results while the courts have repeatedly rejected the president’s flailing gambits. For the moment anyway, the “will of the people” has prevailed. America’s systemic guardrails have shuddered not shattered.
Rather, Giuliani will be remembered as the lawyer whose hair dye ran amok under the klieg lights, the wild-eyed fellow who held a news conference sandwiched between a sex shop and a crematorium, and a desperately wishful septuagenarian caught on film with his hands down his pants. Yesterday really is so far away.
Once upon a time, Giuliani made headlines as a crime-busting federal prosecutor who sent mob bosses and errant stockbrokers alike to prison. Rudy was the mayor who embodied national resolve as the twin towers collapsed and a country fell under attack. Now, he stands legally exposed and reportedly beseeches a president for a pardon.
Sadly, more than a month has passed since election day and yet the president and his lawyer-in-chief have refused to accede to reality. Instead, Giuliani peddles conspiracy theories to the public even as he declines to make them centerpieces in the courtroom.
The US court of appeals for the third circuit framed things this way: “calling an election unfair does not make it so”. Finding that the Trump campaign failed to either allege or prove fraud, the court also used Giuliani’s own words to doom his client’s case. “As lawyer Rudolph Giuliani stressed, the campaign ‘doesn’t plead fraud … this is not a fraud case’,” it opined. Fear of sanctions can deter performative pronouncements.
Equally worrisome for Giuliani and Donald Trump is the fact that the supreme court has not ridden to their rescue. With just a week left until the electoral college convenes, the court is finally in the process of receiving submissions from the parties. No date for oral argument has been set, and there is no assurance that it will be. Said differently, this election is not poised to be a replay of Florida 2000 and Bush v Gore. In so many ways.
Back then, Al Gore won the popular vote but conceded defeat in the face of the court’s 5-4 decision, one that the late Justice Antonin Scalia confessed was, “as we say in Brooklyn, a piece of shit”. For the record, Giuliani spent his early years in that New York City outer borough and attended high school there.
But Trump and Giuliani chose a different path. Instead, Giuliani flew across the US and told receptive audiences that the election was rigged and that the late Hugo Chávez acted from the grave and in cahoots with George Soros to steal the president’s patrimony. All that is missing from this tableau are the Illuminati and the Freemasons. To put things in context, William Barr, the attorney general, will no longer vouch for this nonsense, and is contemplating an early departure.
Beyond that, in the process of selling a false reality, Giuliani refused to wear a mask and expected others to do the same – just like Trump. As a result, Arizona’s legislature is closed for a week “out of an abundance of caution” after Giuliani potentially exposed GOP lawmakers to the disease. Meanwhile in Michigan, the head of the Republican party and its staffers are now being tested for the virus. Giuliani also appeared in Georgia.
Giuliani’s antics have won the admiration and approval of the president, while at the same time the ire of others, including those who once worked for him. Like the president, Giuliani does not command long-term loyalty.
Ken Frydman, press secretary to the 1993 Giuliani campaign, told the Guardian “karma is a bitch.” Another former Giuliani deputy wished the mayor a speedy recovery but remained critical of his recent follies.
This city hall veteran explained that it was “unfortunate and sad” that Giuliani was in this situation. At the same time, he called Giuliani’s predicament “entirely due to his own recklessness in the face of a raging pandemic and to his blind fealty to worshipping at the altar of Trump”.
Think of Covid-19 as a feature, not a bug, for those in the president’s orbit. In addition to Trump, others close to the president victimized by the disease include Melania Trump, two of his sons, the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, Ben Carson, a Trump cabinet member, and Chris Christie, a key surrogate. Covid-19 even claimed the life of Herman Cain after he attended a Trump rally in Oklahoma.
As the US approaches 300,000 deaths, it is safe to say that Trump is bad for your health. And now, Giuliani knows that as a matter of personal experience. None this will make Trump’s legal climb any easier.


theguardian--2020-12-07--Georgia debate: Loeffler and Warnock spar over Trump election loss – video

Republican senator Kelly Loeffler repeatedly dodged questions about Donald Trump 's election defeat during her debate with Democratic opponent Raphael @ @ @ @ @ Senate runoff election in January .
Declining to acknowledge Joe Biden had won after a @ @ @ @ @ Loeffler said Trump had the right to 'legal recourse ' .
Warnock replied by attacking @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 pandemic in Georgia .

Republican senator Kelly Loeffler repeatedly dodged questions about Donald Trump's election defeat during her debate with Democratic opponent Raphael Warnock ahead of a crucial Senate runoff election in January. Declining to acknowledge Joe Biden had won after a direct question from Warnock, Loeffler said Trump had the right to 'legal recourse' . Warnock replied by attacking Loeffler's response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Georgia.


theguardian--2020-12-08--The  US election's 'safe harbor' deadline is here. What does that mean for Biden?

While Donald Trump continues to falsely insist he won the 2020 race , Tuesday marks an important deadline further cementing that Joe Biden will be inaugurated as America ’ s 46th president on 20 January .
This year , 8 December is the so-called “ safe harbor ” deadline , which federal law says must fall six days before electors meet across the country to cast their votes for president .
The statute says that as long as states use existing state law to resolve disputes about electors by the deadline , the votes cast by those electors will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act as a safeguard so that Congress , which will count the electoral votes on 6 January , can ’ t second-guess or overturn the election results .
At least one Republican member of Congress , Mo Brooks of Alabama , has said he will object to electors and Republicans in Pennsylvania have urged lawmakers to do the same .
Those challenges are unlikely to be successful because a majority of both houses would have to agree to the challenge .
Democrats control a majority of the US House of Representatives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a law professor at Ohio State University , about the importance of the safe harbor deadline and what it could mean .
Why is the safe harbor deadline so important ?
The key concept of safe harbor is the benefit that states get if they meet it .
But it ’ s optional .
It ’ s desirable that they get this benefit , but it ’ s not essential .
And what makes it desirable is Congress promises to accept as “ conclusive ” – that ’ s the statutory language – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it complies with these two requirements , one being timing and the other being the use of existing law .
A state puts itself in as good a position as possible to have its electoral votes accepted by Congress if it ’ s safe-harbor-compliant .
Because if Congress obeys its own promise , then it ’ s a done deal .
Lacking safe harbor status doesn ’ t mean a state ’ s electoral votes are going to be rejected by Congress .
It just means that they ’ re arriving in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if you will .
Are there states that are at risk of not meeting safe harbor ?
It seems like every state has certified .
Yes .
Certification is not sufficient for safe harbor status .
Electors have to be certified and they have to get their own certificates of ascertainment from the governor , and that then allows them to go to the state capitol and vote … That ’ s happened at least in enough states now for Biden to be above 270 electoral votes .
There ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have litigation procedures written into state law to challenge a certification , even after the certification has occurred … it ’ s often called a contest .
That ’ s a term of art , in law , that means you ’ re contesting the certification .
If any state has a procedure like that … that ’ s what has to be finalized by 8 December for safe harbor status .
Wisconsin , for example , is a state that ’ s looking like at the moment like it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it has a hearing on 10 December in state court pursuant to a procedure that exists in state law … I ’ m not expecting that procedure to be successful in overturning certification .
But I think it does mean that there will not be a final determination of that controversy or contest concerning the appointment of electors until after 8 December .
And that opens the door for Congress to second-guess the electoral votes that Wisconsin is sending ?
It deprives Wisconsin of that super-shield that we were talking about .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reject the votes .
I don ’ t think it puts Wisconsin ’ s votes in any practical jeopardy .
But it does put them in a different legal status .
Representative Brooks from Alabama says he ’ s going to object to Biden ’ s electoral votes .
I don ’ t know if he specified which states .
But in my judgment it is inappropriate for any member of Congress , representative or senator , to file an objection to any electoral votes that actually have safe harbor status .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way the law calls for it to be treated .
It ’ s conclusive .
There shouldn ’ t be any objections filed to anything that a member of Congress believes to have safe harbor status .
But if it doesn ’ t have safe harbor status , then I think it opens it up , as you said , to congressional second-guessing , in a way that safe harbor status shouldn ’ t .
When a state meets safe harbor , a member of Congress and a senator can still object @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect we will see those objections .
You talked about safe harbor offering a super-shield .
What does that protection actually look like ?
Unless there ’ s some court that ’ s gon na try and tell Congress what to do on 6 January , which I don ’ t really envision , then it ’ s up to Congress to police itself in terms of its own rules .
Every conscientious member of Congress , whether representative or senator , once the objection is raised … they ’ re not supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think won Georgia ?
Who do I think won Pennsylvania ?
’ They ’ re supposed to ask themselves : ‘ Did Georgia and Pennsylvania utilize a procedure to achieve its own resolution of that issue ?
Did they do so by 8 December ?
’ It ’ s up to Congress to abide by that rule that Congress created and not be tempted to second-guess a decision that it ’ s not supposed to second-guess .
But human beings being human beings , if members of Congress want to ignore their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be second guessing , then who ’ s to stop them ?
A lot of people are going to hear that and say : ‘ If it ’ s up to Congress to police itself , that ’ s not reassuring.
’ I think a lot of people will have a hard time believing there are going to be Republican senators , with a few exceptions , that aren ’ t willing to go along with an objection .
I totally get the realism there .
And I understand why readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ’ s where I think maybe the safe harbor concept might provide a buffer for some .
Take someone like Senator Rob Portman of Ohio .
It might be that the concept of this super-shield could actually help him both in his own internal and mental deliberations and also with his constituency , by saying : ‘ Look , I ’ m trying to do a job here and the job I ’ m supposed to do is respect state law .
I ’ ve been told by the relevant act of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept the state ’ s judgment .
I ’ m not going to ask myself who won Georgia .
I ’ m only going to ask myself whether Georgia reached a final answer.
’ How concerned should people be if a state like Wisconsin doesn ’ t meet safe harbor ?
This year , as a practical matter , I wouldn ’ t have any concern .
I think it ’ s unfortunate that Wisconsin wound up where it will .
I think it was unnecessary .
I think the extent to which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brooks kind , it ’ s going to erode Congress ’ s own self-policing , which they should do , which is probably not a good thing .
There ’ s no threat to Biden ’ s inauguration .
What there is potentially … if one senator signs anything that Representative Brooks submits , that ’ s going to cause there to be a repeat of what happened in 2004 … I think there will be roll-call votes .
Even though Biden ’ s going to be inaugurated , if a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that ’ s agreeing with a claim that Biden didn ’ t win those states .
I think that ’ s a very likely scenario .
It ’ s taking us into a realm of American politics that I ’ m not sure we ’ ve had before .
I mean , it ’ s a denial of reality that ’ s very dangerous .
Elections require accepting results , even if your team loses .
Your team will win next time , maybe .
You give the winning team a chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said this time .
You have to acknowledge that reality .
For significant numbers of members of Congress , going on the record , if that ’ s what happens , in defiance of that reality , that will be really dangerous for the operation of competitive elections .
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity

While Donald Trump continues to falsely insist he won the 2020 race, Tuesday marks an important deadline further cementing that Joe Biden will be inaugurated as America’s 46th president on 20 January.
This year, 8 December is the so-called “safe harbor” deadline, which federal law says must fall six days before electors meet across the country to cast their votes for president. The statute says that as long as states use existing state law to resolve disputes about electors by the deadline, the votes cast by those electors will be “conclusive”. It is meant to act as a safeguard so that Congress, which will count the electoral votes on 6 January, can’t second-guess or overturn the election results.
At least one Republican member of Congress, Mo Brooks of Alabama, has said he will object to electors and Republicans in Pennsylvania have urged lawmakers to do the same. Those challenges are unlikely to be successful because a majority of both houses would have to agree to the challenge. Democrats control a majority of the US House of Representatives.
The Guardian spoke to Edward Foley, a law professor at Ohio State University, about the importance of the safe harbor deadline and what it could mean.
Why is the safe harbor deadline so important?
The key concept of safe harbor is the benefit that states get if they meet it. But it’s optional.
It’s desirable that they get this benefit, but it’s not essential. And what makes it desirable is Congress promises to accept as “conclusive” – that’s the statutory language – any resolution that the state itself meets if it complies with these two requirements, one being timing and the other being the use of existing law.
A state puts itself in as good a position as possible to have its electoral votes accepted by Congress if it’s safe-harbor-compliant. Because if Congress obeys its own promise, then it’s a done deal.
Lacking safe harbor status doesn’t mean a state’s electoral votes are going to be rejected by Congress. It just means that they’re arriving in Congress without the benefit of a super-shield, if you will.
Are there states that are at risk of not meeting safe harbor? It seems like every state has certified.
Yes. Certification is not sufficient for safe harbor status.
Electors have to be certified and they have to get their own certificates of ascertainment from the governor, and that then allows them to go to the state capitol and vote … That’s happened at least in enough states now for Biden to be above 270 electoral votes. There’s no danger of that not happening.
States that have litigation procedures written into state law to challenge a certification, even after the certification has occurred … it’s often called a contest. That’s a term of art, in law, that means you’re contesting the certification. If any state has a procedure like that … that’s what has to be finalized by 8 December for safe harbor status.
Wisconsin, for example, is a state that’s looking like at the moment like it’s not going to achieve safe harbor status because it has a hearing on 10 December in state court pursuant to a procedure that exists in state law … I’m not expecting that procedure to be successful in overturning certification. But I think it does mean that there will not be a final determination of that controversy or contest concerning the appointment of electors until after 8 December.
And that opens the door for Congress to second-guess the electoral votes that Wisconsin is sending?
It deprives Wisconsin of that super-shield that we were talking about. It doesn’t mean that Congress will reject the votes. I don’t think it puts Wisconsin’s votes in any practical jeopardy. But it does put them in a different legal status.
Representative Brooks from Alabama says he’s going to object to Biden’s electoral votes. I don’t know if he specified which states. But in my judgment it is inappropriate for any member of Congress, representative or senator, to file an objection to any electoral votes that actually have safe harbor status.
Congress should treat safe harbor status in the way the law calls for it to be treated. It’s conclusive. There shouldn’t be any objections filed to anything that a member of Congress believes to have safe harbor status. But if it doesn’t have safe harbor status, then I think it opens it up, as you said, to congressional second-guessing, in a way that safe harbor status shouldn’t.
When a state meets safe harbor, a member of Congress and a senator can still object to its electoral votes. And I expect we will see those objections. You talked about safe harbor offering a super-shield. What does that protection actually look like?
Unless there’s some court that’s gonna try and tell Congress what to do on 6 January, which I don’t really envision, then it’s up to Congress to police itself in terms of its own rules.
Every conscientious member of Congress, whether representative or senator, once the objection is raised … they’re not supposed to say: ‘Who do I think won Georgia? Who do I think won Pennsylvania?’ They’re supposed to ask themselves: ‘Did Georgia and Pennsylvania utilize a procedure to achieve its own resolution of that issue? Did they do so by 8 December?’
It’s up to Congress to abide by that rule that Congress created and not be tempted to second-guess a decision that it’s not supposed to second-guess. But human beings being human beings, if members of Congress want to ignore their own rules and second-guess something which they shouldn’t be second guessing, then who’s to stop them?
A lot of people are going to hear that and say: ‘If it’s up to Congress to police itself, that’s not reassuring.’ I think a lot of people will have a hard time believing there are going to be Republican senators, with a few exceptions, that aren’t willing to go along with an objection.
I totally get the realism there. And I understand why readers would want to think that. But here’s where I think maybe the safe harbor concept might provide a buffer for some.
Take someone like Senator Rob Portman of Ohio. It might be that the concept of this super-shield could actually help him both in his own internal and mental deliberations and also with his constituency, by saying: ‘Look, I’m trying to do a job here and the job I’m supposed to do is respect state law. I’ve been told by the relevant act of Congress that I’m obligated to accept the state’s judgment. I’m not going to ask myself who won Georgia. I’m only going to ask myself whether Georgia reached a final answer.’
How concerned should people be if a state like Wisconsin doesn’t meet safe harbor?
This year, as a practical matter, I wouldn’t have any concern. I think it’s unfortunate that Wisconsin wound up where it will. I think it was unnecessary.
I think the extent to which we get more objections of the Representative Brooks kind, it’s going to erode Congress’s own self-policing, which they should do, which is probably not a good thing.
There’s no threat to Biden’s inauguration. What there is potentially … if one senator signs anything that Representative Brooks submits, that’s going to cause there to be a repeat of what happened in 2004 … I think there will be roll-call votes.
Even though Biden’s going to be inaugurated, if a lot of senators go on record agreeing with Brooks, that’s agreeing with a claim that Biden didn’t win those states.
I think that’s a very likely scenario.
It’s taking us into a realm of American politics that I’m not sure we’ve had before. I mean, it’s a denial of reality that’s very dangerous.
Elections require accepting results, even if your team loses. Your team will win next time, maybe. You give the winning team a chance to govern based on what the voters said this time. You have to acknowledge that reality. For significant numbers of members of Congress, going on the record, if that’s what happens, in defiance of that reality, that will be really dangerous for the operation of competitive elections.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity