shareblue--2020-09-03--Unemployment remains high as GOP blocks virus relief for Americans

Thursday 's unemployment data showed that 1.6 million Americans filed new unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims last week , even as Senate Republicans continue to block a House-passed bill that would provide trillions in emergency relief funds .
While the number of people filing traditional unemployment claims — about 881,000 — was down a bit from the previous week , layoffs remained high .
When combined with Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims , the number of total new unemployment claims was higher than the previous week .
Tens of millions of Americans remain out of work .
In May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3 trillion relief bill , with funds to address both the coronavirus pandemic and the economic meltdown it has fueled .
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to even allow a vote on the bill in the Republican-controlled Senate , mocking it as `` dead on arrival '' and `` not serious . ''
Instead , the Senate spent its time confirming Donald Trump 's nominees and taking several recesses .
Last month , McConnell ( R-KY ) bragged that his decision to pass no relief legislation was `` the reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` allowed us to learn the coronavirus did n't mysteriously disappear . ''
Congressional Democrats then proposed a $ 2 trillion compromise which the Trump administration rejected .
McConnell opted to send senators home , rather than pass anything .
Senate Republicans will reportedly consider a $ 500 billion proposal next week instead .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that the GOP proposal was `` emaciated '' and `` completely inadequate '' for the nation 's needs .
Rather than keep his promise to focus on jobs , meanwhile , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisting that the economy is strong .
On Tuesday , he baselessly claimed that the economy was not just fully recovering ( in a `` V '' shape '' ) , but was actually `` doing well . ''
`` We have tremendous — I tell you , we have tremendous — what would you say is the best word ?
The enthusiasm for the country , the enthusiasm for the comeback — the ' V , ' '' he told reporters .
`` You look at the ' V . '
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' '' Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Thursday’s unemployment data showed that 1.6 million Americans filed new unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims last week, even as Senate Republicans continue to block a House-passed bill that would provide trillions in emergency relief funds.
While the number of people filing traditional unemployment claims — about 881,000 — was down a bit from the previous week, layoffs remained high. When combined with Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims, the number of total new unemployment claims was higher than the previous week.
Tens of millions of Americans remain out of work.
In May, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion relief bill, with funds to address both the coronavirus pandemic and the economic meltdown it has fueled.
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to even allow a vote on the bill in the Republican-controlled Senate, mocking it as “dead on arrival” and “not serious.”
Instead, the Senate spent its time confirming Donald Trump’s nominees and taking several recesses. Last month, McConnell (R-KY) bragged that his decision to pass no relief legislation was “the reasonable thing to do” because doing so “allowed us to learn the coronavirus didn’t mysteriously disappear.”
Congressional Democrats then proposed a $2 trillion compromise which the Trump administration rejected. McConnell opted to send senators home, rather than pass anything.
Senate Republicans will reportedly consider a $500 billion proposal next week instead. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that the GOP proposal was “emaciated” and “completely inadequate” for the nation’s needs.
Rather than keep his promise to focus on jobs, meanwhile, Trump has continued to ignore the problem, insisting that the economy is strong.
On Tuesday, he baselessly claimed that the economy was not just fully recovering (in a “V” shape”), but was actually “doing well.”
“We have tremendous — I tell you, we have tremendous — what would you say is the best word? The enthusiasm for the country, the enthusiasm for the comeback — the ‘V,'” he told reporters. “You look at the ‘V.’ Now I think it’s a ‘Super V.'”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-03--Joe Biden to meet with Jacob Blake's family in Kenosha

Campaigning for more than a year as a calming , unifying figure , Joe Biden faces the most intense test yet of his core pitch when he travels to Kenosha , Wisconsin , a city wrenched by police and protest violence that makes it a microcosm of the nation 's election-year reckoning with systemic racism .
The 77-year-old former vice president , traveling two days after Donald Trump visited the same city , plans to meet Thursday with family of Jacob Blake , who remains hospitalized after being shot seven times in the back by a white police officer as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also plans a community discussion that he indicated would draw business figures , civic leaders , and law enforcement officials .
`` This is about making sure that we move forward , '' Biden told reporters Wednesday .
He added that he 's `` not going to tell Kenosha what they have to do '' but instead encourage a community to `` talk about what has to be done . ''
Falling exactly two months before Election Day , the trip presents Biden both opportunity and risks as he tests his promise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that he can `` unify the country '' and find consensus even where it 's not readily apparent .
The approach always has been an intentional contrast with Trump , who thrives on conflict .
But the distinction has sharpened over a summer of nationwide protests — most peaceful , but some of them , as in Kenosha , turned violent and destructive .
Biden is a white man propelled to the Democratic nomination by Black voters .
Since the May 25 death of George Floyd , a Black man killed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has called for an overhaul of U.S. policing and embraced a national conversation on racism .
The significance of the moment was a factor in Biden selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris as the first Black woman to join a major party presidential ticket .
Trump , meanwhile , has countered with sweeping condemnations of protesters , an absolute defense of law enforcement , and denials that Americans with black and brown skin face barriers that whites do not — moves aimed at his overwhelmingly white political base .
Trump continued his `` law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha trip Tuesday .
He toured damaged buildings and discussed ways to quell unrest with law enforcement officials .
Trump was greeted by supporters who occasionally mixed with — and yelled at — Black Lives Matter organizers .
`` These are not acts of peaceful protest but , really , domestic terror , '' Trump said .
Despite repeated questions from reporters , Trump refused to address racism in the country or its police departments .
Instead , he asserted anew that a Biden presidency would bring riots and destruction to American cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Biden backs violent protests and activists ' calls to `` defund the police . ''
In fact , Biden has repeatedly denounced violence , from a June 2 speech after Floyd 's death up to a Monday address that his campaign quickly turned into a one-minute digital and television ad .
The campaign has spent $ 45 million for the spot , which has English- and Spanish-language versions , to circulate on national cable networks and in local markets across Arizona , Florida , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , North Carolina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet the ad 's necessity highlights Biden 's tightrope as he openly discusses the complexities of the moment while running against Trump , whose brief political career — and his business career before that — has been defined by loud absolutes .
Biden on Wednesday repeated that `` to engage in violence — burning , looting , the rest — in the name of protesting is wrong .
And that person should be held accountable for their actions . ''
But he stood by First Amendment guarantees that `` protest is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast majority of police officers are good , decent honorable women and men .
They put on that shield every morning .
They have a right to go home that night safely — the vast majority , '' he said .
But then he uttered words Trump does n't say : `` Bad cops . ''
Good officers , Biden said , `` want to get rid of the bad cops more than anybody else does , because it reflects on them . ''
He stands by his proposals to overhaul policing – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' as Trump falsely accuses Biden of supporting – but to require local forces to agree to certain best practices to get federal funding and to invest more in services , such as mental health counseling , intended to ease social problems that fall to police to handle , sometimes with violent consequences .
Biden noted that he 's `` gotten overwhelming support from law enforcement my whole career , '' alluding to endorsements from police unions as a U.S. senator and as vice president .
But it was Trump who featured police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers at his presidential nominating convention .
And it was Biden on Wednesday calling for a `` full investigation '' into police shootings and saying the officers who shot Blake should be charged with a crime .
To a large degree , Biden has asked for the difficulty of campaigning on nuance , if not defined his candidacy that way .
He 's the center-left establishment figure who is too conservative on universal health , college tuition assistance , climate action , and taxation for his party 's ascendant — and loud — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far enough to the left that many Republicans still hammer him as a radical .
He 's the old police union ally now embracing the Black Lives Matter movement , the septuagenarian white man leading a racially diverse party that gets most of its votes from women .
Biden previewed Wednesday how he believes he can make that work in Kenosha and , if he defeats Trump , in the White House .
`` I spent my whole life ... bringing people together , bringing the community and police officers together , bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said , casting the national moment in terms of its possibilities .
`` There 's been so many fissures exposed as a consequence of what 's happened that people are now realizing , 'My Lord , I did n't know people in that circumstance did n't have that kind of help .
I did n't know , ' '' he said .
`` What an enormous opportunity to bring the country together . ''

Campaigning for more than a year as a calming, unifying figure, Joe Biden faces the most intense test yet of his core pitch when he travels to Kenosha, Wisconsin, a city wrenched by police and protest violence that makes it a microcosm of the nation’s election-year reckoning with systemic racism.
The 77-year-old former vice president, traveling two days after Donald Trump visited the same city, plans to meet Thursday with family of Jacob Blake, who remains hospitalized after being shot seven times in the back by a white police officer as authorities attempted to arrest him. Biden also plans a community discussion that he indicated would draw business figures, civic leaders, and law enforcement officials.
“This is about making sure that we move forward,” Biden told reporters Wednesday. He added that he’s “not going to tell Kenosha what they have to do” but instead encourage a community to “talk about what has to be done.”
Falling exactly two months before Election Day, the trip presents Biden both opportunity and risks as he tests his promise, made again and again for 16 months, that he can “unify the country” and find consensus even where it’s not readily apparent. The approach always has been an intentional contrast with Trump, who thrives on conflict. But the distinction has sharpened over a summer of nationwide protests — most peaceful, but some of them, as in Kenosha, turned violent and destructive.
Biden is a white man propelled to the Democratic nomination by Black voters. Since the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer, Biden has called for an overhaul of U.S. policing and embraced a national conversation on racism. The significance of the moment was a factor in Biden selecting California Sen. Kamala Harris as the first Black woman to join a major party presidential ticket.
Trump, meanwhile, has countered with sweeping condemnations of protesters, an absolute defense of law enforcement, and denials that Americans with black and brown skin face barriers that whites do not — moves aimed at his overwhelmingly white political base.
Trump continued his “law and order” mantra during his own Kenosha trip Tuesday. He toured damaged buildings and discussed ways to quell unrest with law enforcement officials. Trump was greeted by supporters who occasionally mixed with — and yelled at — Black Lives Matter organizers.
“These are not acts of peaceful protest but, really, domestic terror,” Trump said.
Despite repeated questions from reporters, Trump refused to address racism in the country or its police departments. Instead, he asserted anew that a Biden presidency would bring riots and destruction to American cities. That echoes Trump’s false charges that Biden backs violent protests and activists’ calls to “defund the police.”
In fact, Biden has repeatedly denounced violence, from a June 2 speech after Floyd’s death up to a Monday address that his campaign quickly turned into a one-minute digital and television ad. The campaign has spent $45 million for the spot, which has English- and Spanish-language versions, to circulate on national cable networks and in local markets across Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Yet the ad’s necessity highlights Biden’s tightrope as he openly discusses the complexities of the moment while running against Trump, whose brief political career — and his business career before that — has been defined by loud absolutes.
Biden on Wednesday repeated that “to engage in violence — burning, looting, the rest — in the name of protesting is wrong. And that person should be held accountable for their actions.” But he stood by First Amendment guarantees that “protest is a right.”
He praised law enforcement.
“Look, the vast majority of police officers are good, decent honorable women and men. They put on that shield every morning. They have a right to go home that night safely — the vast majority,” he said.
But then he uttered words Trump doesn’t say: “Bad cops.”
Good officers, Biden said, “want to get rid of the bad cops more than anybody else does, because it reflects on them.”
He stands by his proposals to overhaul policing – not to “defund the police,” as Trump falsely accuses Biden of supporting – but to require local forces to agree to certain best practices to get federal funding and to invest more in services, such as mental health counseling, intended to ease social problems that fall to police to handle, sometimes with violent consequences.
Biden noted that he’s “gotten overwhelming support from law enforcement my whole career,” alluding to endorsements from police unions as a U.S. senator and as vice president. But it was Trump who featured police union leaders and the relatives of fallen officers at his presidential nominating convention. And it was Biden on Wednesday calling for a “full investigation” into police shootings and saying the officers who shot Blake should be charged with a crime.
To a large degree, Biden has asked for the difficulty of campaigning on nuance, if not defined his candidacy that way.
He’s the center-left establishment figure who is too conservative on universal health, college tuition assistance, climate action, and taxation for his party’s ascendant — and loud — left flank. But he’s moved far enough to the left that many Republicans still hammer him as a radical. He’s the old police union ally now embracing the Black Lives Matter movement, the septuagenarian white man leading a racially diverse party that gets most of its votes from women.
Biden previewed Wednesday how he believes he can make that work in Kenosha and, if he defeats Trump, in the White House.
“I spent my whole life … bringing people together, bringing the community and police officers together, bringing business leaders and civic leaders together,” he said, casting the national moment in terms of its possibilities.
“There’s been so many fissures exposed as a consequence of what’s happened that people are now realizing, ‘My Lord, I didn’t know people in that circumstance didn’t have that kind of help. I didn’t know,'” he said. “What an enormous opportunity to bring the country together.”


shareblue--2020-09-03--Trump encourages North Carolinians to commit voter fraud

Donald Trump on Wednesday encouraged North Carolinians to commit voter fraud , saying in an interview with a local television station that voters should cast one vote by mail and one vote in person — a move that is blatantly against the law .
Trump made the comment after he was asked if he has faith in North Carolina 's absentee voting system .
`` Well , they 'll go out and they 'll go vote , and they 're going to have to go and check their vote by going to the poll and voting that way , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't be able to do that , '' Trump told Wilmington , North Carolina 's WECT in an interview .
`` So , let them send it in , and let them go vote , and if the system is as good as they say it is , then obviously they wo n't be able to vote .
If it is n't tabulated , they wo n't be able to vote .
So that 's the way it is .
And that 's what they should do . ''
North Carolina law clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for any person with intent to commit a fraud to register or vote at more than one precinct or more than one time , or to induce another to do so , in the same primary or election , or to vote illegally at any primary or election . ''
Later Wednesday , Attorney General William Barr was asked about Trump 's encouragement of North Carolina voters to commit voter fraud .
Barr — the nation 's top law enforcement officer — claimed he did n't know if it was against the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me what he 's saying is he 's trying to make the point that the ability to monitor this system is not good and if it was so good , if you tried to vote a second time , you would be caught if you voted in-person , '' Barr told CNN 's Wolf Blitzer as he tried to justify Trump 's call for voters to commit fraud .
When Blitzer specifically asked Barr whether voting twice is a crime , Barr said he did n't know `` what the law in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are some — maybe you can change your vote up to a particular time , I do n't know what the law is , '' Barr said .
Both Trump and Barr have been railing against mail-in voting in the 2020 election — a method that states are expanding in an effort to avoid spreading the coronavirus this fall .
To attack mail-in voting , Trump and Barr have lied about the security of the voting method , falsely claiming that it 's susceptible to foreign interference and fraud .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims that it 's not a secure voting method , his campaign has been encouraging voters to request their mail-in ballots .
However , Trump 's attacks on the voting method seem to have discouraged Republicans to request absentee ballots .
In North Carolina alone , Democrats are far outpacing Republicans in requesting absentee ballots , according to data compiled by Michael McDonald , a voting rights expert .
McDonald 's data shows 312,922 registered Democrats in North Carolina have requested absentee ballots , while just 93,478 registered Republicans have done the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Wednesday encouraged North Carolinians to commit voter fraud, saying in an interview with a local television station that voters should cast one vote by mail and one vote in person — a move that is blatantly against the law.
Trump made the comment after he was asked if he has faith in North Carolina’s absentee voting system.
“Well, they’ll go out and they’ll go vote, and they’re going to have to go and check their vote by going to the poll and voting that way, because if it tabulates, then they won’t be able to do that,” Trump told Wilmington, North Carolina’s WECT in an interview. “So, let them send it in, and let them go vote, and if the system is as good as they say it is, then obviously they won’t be able to vote. If it isn’t tabulated, they won’t be able to vote. So that’s the way it is. And that’s what they should do.”
North Carolina law clearly states that it is a felony “for any person with intent to commit a fraud to register or vote at more than one precinct or more than one time, or to induce another to do so, in the same primary or election, or to vote illegally at any primary or election.”
Later Wednesday, Attorney General William Barr was asked about Trump’s encouragement of North Carolina voters to commit voter fraud. Barr — the nation’s top law enforcement officer — claimed he didn’t know if it was against the law to vote twice.
“It seems to me what he’s saying is he’s trying to make the point that the ability to monitor this system is not good and if it was so good, if you tried to vote a second time, you would be caught if you voted in-person,” Barr told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer as he tried to justify Trump’s call for voters to commit fraud.
When Blitzer specifically asked Barr whether voting twice is a crime, Barr said he didn’t know “what the law in the particular state says.”


shareblue--2020-09-04--News you might have missed: Several states extend eviction protections

This week , three states extended protections against evictions and foreclosures , New Jersey made it easier for immigrants to obtain professional licenses , and Old Navy is helping to recruit poll workers for the election in November .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
Governors in California , Nevada , and Oregon took action this week to extend eviction moratoriums in their states .
In California , Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed legislation protecting residents from eviction related to COVID-19 through Feb. 1 , 2021 .
`` COVID-19 has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement on Monday , `` but some bear much more of the burden than others , especially tenants struggling to stitch together the monthly rent , and they deserve protection from eviction . ''
The governors of Nevada and Oregon issued executive orders on Monday to protect tenants .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown extended a foreclosure moratorium through Dec. 31 , 2020 , saying the action `` will ensure that more Oregonians do not lose their homes this year , and that businesses can continue to provide vital goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak extended a residential eviction moratorium for an additional 45 days , through Oct. 14 , 2020 .
In a statement , Sisolak said he was aiming to `` keep people in their homes while we are still battling this pandemic . ''
A federal judge ordered the state of Texas to allow residents to register to vote when they renew their driver licenses online , the Texan reported on Monday .
The lawsuit , brought by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas 's refusal to comply with the National Voter Registration Act .
`` Today 's ruling is a victory for Texans everywhere , '' Manny Garcia , Texas Democratic Party executive director , said in a statement .
`` Our state is better off when more Texans participate in our democracy .
We are one step closer to having a system that protects every Texan 's right to vote . ''
Savannah 's nondenominational Asbury Memorial Church , formerly Asbury United Methodist Church , became the first congregation in the United States to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its treatment of LGBTQ individuals , the Savannah Morning News reported on Thursday .
The Savannah congregation voted to leave the denomination in September 2019 , following a global United Methodist conference at which church leaders voted to reaffirm a policy stating that homosexuality was incompatible with Christianity .
The disaffiliation was approved by a conference of the United Methodist Church last month .
`` Young people just ca n't see the point of church when church cuts people out , '' said Preston Hodges , a member of Asbury for 15 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT , '' Lance Wilhelm , a gay member who spearheads the church 's efforts to make itself more inclusive toward people of all sexual orientations and gender identities , said .
`` Our allies are the straight people that have helped build this place that is safe for all of us .
And really , that 's the beautiful thing about this church . ''
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown signed legislation on Tuesday banning police from using chokeholds in most situations , the Daily Hive reported .
The new law states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in `` knowingly using physical force that impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person . ''
`` When we all work together , we can achieve real change in police reform , '' Brown tweeted about the new law .
`` I 'd like to thank the Legislature 's People of Color Caucus for leading the way on this important bill . ''
New Jersey makes it easier for immigrants to get professional licenses On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed a bill expanding access to professional and occupational licenses to about 500,000 undocumented immigrants in the state .
According to the new law , lawful presence in the United States is no longer a requirement for state licenses required for occupations such as nursing , counseling , and cosmetology .
`` New Jersey is stronger when everyone is given the opportunity to contribute and everyone is given a chance to live their American Dream , '' Murphy said in a statement .
`` This law sends a simple , powerful message that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an excuse to discriminate among equally educated , trained , and qualified individuals . ''
Old Navy will pay employees to be poll workers in November Old Navy will pay its employees for eight hours of work if they volunteer as poll workers for this year 's election , CNN reported on Tuesday .
The employees would also be eligible for any compensation local jurisdictions pay poll workers .
Nancy Green , the president of Old Navy , said : `` Every voice in this country matters and deserves to be heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Old Navy can be even a small part of making that process more accessible to the communities we call home , we are on board . ''
Old Navy is working with Civic Alliance and Power the Polls to recruit 250,000 new poll workers .
The State Department must recognize the U.S. citizenship of a child born to a same-sex couple via surrogate , even if the child is born abroad , a U.S. District Court recently ruled .
In the case of Derek Mize and Jonathan Gregg , an American gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their daughter , who was born to a surrogate in Great Britain , the court ruled that U.S. law `` does not require children to share a biological relationship with both citizen parents in order for those children to acquire citizenship at birth . ''
`` We are so relieved that the court has recognized our daughter , Simone , as the U.S. citizen she has been since the day she was born , '' Mize said .
`` When we brought Simone into this world , as married , same-sex parents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrespect our family and refuse to recognize our daughter as a U.S .
citizen . ''

This week, three states extended protections against evictions and foreclosures, New Jersey made it easier for immigrants to obtain professional licenses, and Old Navy is helping to recruit poll workers for the election in November.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
Governors in California, Nevada, and Oregon took action this week to extend eviction moratoriums in their states.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation protecting residents from eviction related to COVID-19 through Feb. 1, 2021.
“COVID-19 has impacted everyone in California,” Newsom said in a statement on Monday, “but some bear much more of the burden than others, especially tenants struggling to stitch together the monthly rent, and they deserve protection from eviction.”
The governors of Nevada and Oregon issued executive orders on Monday to protect tenants.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown extended a foreclosure moratorium through Dec. 31, 2020, saying the action “will ensure that more Oregonians do not lose their homes this year, and that businesses can continue to provide vital goods and services to our communities.”
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak extended a residential eviction moratorium for an additional 45 days, through Oct. 14, 2020. In a statement, Sisolak said he was aiming to “keep people in their homes while we are still battling this pandemic.”
A federal judge ordered the state of Texas to allow residents to register to vote when they renew their driver licenses online, the Texan reported on Monday.
The lawsuit, brought by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and the Texas Democratic Party, stemmed from Texas’s refusal to comply with the National Voter Registration Act.
“Today’s ruling is a victory for Texans everywhere,” Manny Garcia, Texas Democratic Party executive director, said in a statement. “Our state is better off when more Texans participate in our democracy. We are one step closer to having a system that protects every Texan’s right to vote.”
Savannah’s nondenominational Asbury Memorial Church, formerly Asbury United Methodist Church, became the first congregation in the United States to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church over its treatment of LGBTQ individuals, the Savannah Morning News reported on Thursday.
The Savannah congregation voted to leave the denomination in September 2019, following a global United Methodist conference at which church leaders voted to reaffirm a policy stating that homosexuality was incompatible with Christianity. The disaffiliation was approved by a conference of the United Methodist Church last month.
“Young people just can’t see the point of church when church cuts people out,” said Preston Hodges, a member of Asbury for 15 years.
“Our church is not predominantly LGBT,” Lance Wilhelm, a gay member who spearheads the church’s efforts to make itself more inclusive toward people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, said. “Our allies are the straight people that have helped build this place that is safe for all of us. And really, that’s the beautiful thing about this church.”
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed legislation on Tuesday banning police from using chokeholds in most situations, the Daily Hive reported.
The new law states that no law enforcement officer is justified in “knowingly using physical force that impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person.”
“When we all work together, we can achieve real change in police reform,” Brown tweeted about the new law. “I’d like to thank the Legislature’s People of Color Caucus for leading the way on this important bill.”
On Tuesday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill expanding access to professional and occupational licenses to about 500,000 undocumented immigrants in the state.
According to the new law, lawful presence in the United States is no longer a requirement for state licenses required for occupations such as nursing, counseling, and cosmetology.
“New Jersey is stronger when everyone is given the opportunity to contribute and everyone is given a chance to live their American Dream,” Murphy said in a statement. “This law sends a simple, powerful message that immigration status can no longer be used as an excuse to discriminate among equally educated, trained, and qualified individuals.”
Old Navy will pay its employees for eight hours of work if they volunteer as poll workers for this year’s election, CNN reported on Tuesday. The employees would also be eligible for any compensation local jurisdictions pay poll workers.
Nancy Green, the president of Old Navy, said: “Every voice in this country matters and deserves to be heard at the polls, and if we at Old Navy can be even a small part of making that process more accessible to the communities we call home, we are on board.”
Old Navy is working with Civic Alliance and Power the Polls to recruit 250,000 new poll workers.
The State Department must recognize the U.S. citizenship of a child born to a same-sex couple via surrogate, even if the child is born abroad, a U.S. District Court recently ruled.
In the case of Derek Mize and Jonathan Gregg, an American gay couple that applied for a passport for their daughter, who was born to a surrogate in Great Britain, the court ruled that U.S. law “does not require children to share a biological relationship with both citizen parents in order for those children to acquire citizenship at birth.”
“We are so relieved that the court has recognized our daughter, Simone, as the U.S. citizen she has been since the day she was born,” Mize said. “When we brought Simone into this world, as married, same-sex parents, we never anticipated our own government would disrespect our family and refuse to recognize our daughter as a U.S. citizen.”


shareblue--2020-09-04--Majority of LGBTQ people support efforts to contain coronavirus over reopening economy

As the coronavirus death toll nears 187,000 , a larger share of LGBTQ people compared to the general population say that it 's more important to save lives over reopening the economy .
New data from the Human Rights Campaign and PSB Research shows that even before states initiated policies to open amid the pandemic , 78 % of LGBTQ people said they preferred containing the virus to reopening , as opposed to 73 % of the general population .
That figure rose to 80 % among LGBTQ people after some states began opening up again .
Among the general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 69 % .
The data was taken from polls completed between April 16 and August 6 .
LGBTQ people face increased risks as states reopen because many have health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 .
An April study from the Williams Institute found that 208,500 transgender adults have asthma , 81,100 have diabetes , 74,800 are living with HIV , and 72,700 have heart disease .
Sixty-five percent of LGBTQ adults , compared to 51 % of the general population , have pre-existing conditions , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart disease .
LGBTQ people are also continuing to struggle economically as states reopen , which advocates say is indicative of how the community is often left behind in the policy response to the pandemic .
LGBTQ people were 20 % more likely than the general population to have had their work hours reduced since states began reopening in late May , according to the Human Rights Campaign and PSB Research .
LGBTQ people of color specifically were 44 % more likely to experience reduced work hours , and transgender people were 125 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week also revealed that queer and trans people are more likely to continue to experience pay cuts .
Since May 26 , LGBTQ people were 50 % more likely and LGBTQ people of color were 150 % more likely than the general population to have experienced a cut in their pay .
Nearly one-fifth of bisexual people have become unemployed since May , a slight increase from before states began to reopen .

As the coronavirus death toll nears 187,000, a larger share of LGBTQ people compared to the general population say that it’s more important to save lives over reopening the economy.
New data from the Human Rights Campaign and PSB Research shows that even before states initiated policies to open amid the pandemic, 78% of LGBTQ people said they preferred containing the virus to reopening, as opposed to 73% of the general population.
That figure rose to 80% among LGBTQ people after some states began opening up again. Among the general population, however, that number dropped to 69%.
The data was taken from polls completed between April 16 and August 6.
LGBTQ people face increased risks as states reopen because many have health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from COVID-19.
An April study from the Williams Institute found that 208,500 transgender adults have asthma, 81,100 have diabetes, 74,800 are living with HIV, and 72,700 have heart disease. Sixty-five percent of LGBTQ adults, compared to 51% of the general population, have pre-existing conditions, including HIV, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease.
LGBTQ people are also continuing to struggle economically as states reopen, which advocates say is indicative of how the community is often left behind in the policy response to the pandemic.
LGBTQ people were 20% more likely than the general population to have had their work hours reduced since states began reopening in late May, according to the Human Rights Campaign and PSB Research. LGBTQ people of color specifically were 44% more likely to experience reduced work hours, and transgender people were 125% more likely.
The data this week also revealed that queer and trans people are more likely to continue to experience pay cuts. Since May 26, LGBTQ people were 50% more likely and LGBTQ people of color were 150% more likely than the general population to have experienced a cut in their pay.
Nearly one-fifth of bisexual people have become unemployed since May, a slight increase from before states began to reopen.


shareblue--2020-09-04--McEnany storms off after claiming reports of Trump bashing the military are false

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Friday claimed that a damning report published in the Atlantic magazine , which said Donald Trump called American troops who died in combat `` suckers '' and `` losers , '' is false .
`` So why would a publication abandon all journalistic integrity and publish this story ?
It 's because the liberal activists at the Atlantic are uninterested in the truth and they are only interested in peddling conspiracy-laden propaganda , '' McEnany said .
`` Because here is the one truth , no one , and I mean no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men and women as much as President Donald J .
Trump . ''
After her comments , in which she tried to prove Trump 's commitment to American troops and veterans by reading off a list of the things every president does , McEnany stormed off without taking any questions .
Multiple media outlets have confirmed the Atlantic 's reporting since it was published on Thursday , including the Washington Post and the Associated Press .
The New York Times noted that Trump has called Americans who served in the Vietnam War `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of serving .
Trump used a diagnosis of bone spurs to avoid the Vietnam-era draft .
Some of the things Trump has since denied saying , such as calling the late Sen. John McCain a `` loser , '' are easy to confirm .
Trump publicly called McCain a loser in 2015 , saying : `` He 's not a war hero .
He was a war hero because he was captured .
I like people who were n't captured . ''
Meanwhile , Secretary of Defense Mike Esper did n't deny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops killed in battle , saying only : `` President Trump has the highest respect and admiration for our nation 's military members , veterans and families .
That is why he has fought for greater pay and more funding for our armed forces . ''
Trump often claims he was responsible for giving troops their first pay increase `` in more than 10 years , '' a comment deemed a `` pants on fire '' lie by Politifact .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Friday was irate about Trump 's comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a news conference : `` If these statements are true , the president should humbly apologize to every Gold Star mother and father and every Blue Star family that he 's denigrated and insulted .
Who the heck does he think he is ? ''
`` President Trump has demonstrated he has no sense of service , no loyalty to any cause other than himself , '' Biden added .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Friday claimed that a damning report published in the Atlantic magazine, which said Donald Trump called American troops who died in combat “suckers” and “losers,” is false.
“So why would a publication abandon all journalistic integrity and publish this story? It’s because the liberal activists at the Atlantic are uninterested in the truth and they are only interested in peddling conspiracy-laden propaganda,” McEnany said. “Because here is the one truth, no one, and I mean no one, loves and cares for our service men and women as much as President Donald J. Trump.”
After her comments, in which she tried to prove Trump’s commitment to American troops and veterans by reading off a list of the things every president does, McEnany stormed off without taking any questions.
Multiple media outlets have confirmed the Atlantic’s reporting since it was published on Thursday, including the Washington Post and the Associated Press. The New York Times noted that Trump has called Americans who served in the Vietnam War “dumb” because they didn’t get out of serving.
Trump used a diagnosis of bone spurs to avoid the Vietnam-era draft.
Some of the things Trump has since denied saying, such as calling the late Sen. John McCain a “loser,” are easy to confirm. Trump publicly called McCain a loser in 2015, saying: “He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Mike Esper didn’t deny that Trump made the disparaging remarks about troops killed in battle, saying only: “President Trump has the highest respect and admiration for our nation’s military members, veterans and families. That is why he has fought for greater pay and more funding for our armed forces.”
Trump often claims he was responsible for giving troops their first pay increase “in more than 10 years,” a comment deemed a “pants on fire” lie by Politifact.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Friday was irate about Trump’s comments about American troops and veterans, saying in a news conference: “If these statements are true, the president should humbly apologize to every Gold Star mother and father and every Blue Star family that he’s denigrated and insulted. Who the heck does he think he is?”
“President Trump has demonstrated he has no sense of service, no loyalty to any cause other than himself,” Biden added.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-04--Loeffler cut off by protesters after boasting about opposing Black Lives Matter

Sen. Kelly Loeffler has made opposition to the demands of the Black Lives Matter movement a centerpiece of her effort to win conservative support in her campaign , and Thursday , supporters of the movement again pushed back .
A former state Senate candidate and one other woman shouted down Loeffler when she made a campaign appearance with Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas in a northern Atlanta suburb .
The protesters began to chant `` Black lives matter ! ''
after one of them shouted questions critical of Loeffler 's description of Black Lives Matter .
Police refused to remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was in a public park building .
The disruption capped an active week in the special election race .
Loeffler is contending with an array of candidates seeking the last two years on the Senate term of now-retired Sen. Johnny Isakson .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp , also a Republican , appointed Loeffler to the seat earlier this year , in a bid for the support of suburban women in an increasingly competitive Georgia .
Loeffler has run hard to the right after Republican Rep. Doug Collins jumped into the race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own fortune and that of her husband , Jeffrey Sprecher , who leads the company that owns the New York Stock Exchange .
On the Democratic side , top candidates include the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , who pastors the Atlanta church that Martin Luther King Jr. once led , and Matt Lieberman , the son of former senator and vice-presidential candidate Joe Lieberman .
If no one wins a majority in the November special election , a January runoff will be held between the top two finishers , regardless of party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already made headlines last month in connection with her co-ownership of the WNBA 's Atlanta Dream .
Players from the Atlanta basketball team and three others emerged for games on Aug. 14 dressed in `` Vote Warnock '' T-shirts , supporting the Democrat after Loeffler publicly spoke out against the league 's social justice plans .
Collins has been attacking Loeffler for previous stances taken by the Dream and the WNBA , including what he says are the team 's previous joint efforts with pro-abortion group Planned Parenthood and gun control group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied knowledge of the Planned Parenthood activities .
Loeffler has responded by voicing her opposition to abortion and support for gun rights on the campaign trail and in television ads .
State House Speaker David Ralston on Thursday officially endorsed Collins while Loeffler was in his home county in the north Georgia Mountains , a move arranged by Collins to detract from Loeffler 's message .
The bigger disruption came hours later in Forsyth County , a suburban Republican bastion .
The last words of Loeffler 's never-completed speech to about 60 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with her saying `` I had to draw the line . ''
`` The left 's radical agenda of defunding the police is costing lives .
It 's absolutely crazy .
I 've introduced legislation that would defund cities that defund the police , '' Loeffler said .
`` But even more , I 've stood up against an organization whose No .
1 goal is to defund and dismantle the police . ''
That brought Nselaa Ward and Triana Arnold James to their feet to dispute Loeffler .
After James loudly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at times by James ' two daughters , began chanting `` Black lives matter ! ''
James lost a Democratic state Senate primary this year in a district west of Atlanta .
`` When we 're talking about Black Lives Matter , we 're not talking about some Marxist organization .
Like we said , we 're talking about Black lives , like real Black Lives .
We 're talking about what 's happening to us on a daily basis , '' Ward said later .
The meeting dissolved into people milling around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women .
James said afterward that she thought Loeffler got the message , but Republicans called them rude and worse .
Eugene Yu , an unsuccessful Republican congressional candidate earlier this year , stood in front of James yelling `` All lives matter ! ''
at one point .
Yu said later he had come to the meeting unsure about who he was voting for , but was impressed with Loeffler 's cool demeanor .
`` I think I will support her , '' Yu said .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler has made opposition to the demands of the Black Lives Matter movement a centerpiece of her effort to win conservative support in her campaign, and Thursday, supporters of the movement again pushed back.
A former state Senate candidate and one other woman shouted down Loeffler when she made a campaign appearance with Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas in a northern Atlanta suburb. The protesters began to chant “Black lives matter!” after one of them shouted questions critical of Loeffler’s description of Black Lives Matter.
Police refused to remove the women from the event, saying it was in a public park building.
The disruption capped an active week in the special election race. Loeffler is contending with an array of candidates seeking the last two years on the Senate term of now-retired Sen. Johnny Isakson. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, also a Republican, appointed Loeffler to the seat earlier this year, in a bid for the support of suburban women in an increasingly competitive Georgia.
Loeffler has run hard to the right after Republican Rep. Doug Collins jumped into the race. She is spending millions from her own fortune and that of her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, who leads the company that owns the New York Stock Exchange.
On the Democratic side, top candidates include the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who pastors the Atlanta church that Martin Luther King Jr. once led, and Matt Lieberman, the son of former senator and vice-presidential candidate Joe Lieberman. If no one wins a majority in the November special election, a January runoff will be held between the top two finishers, regardless of party.
Loeffler’s tangle with Black Lives Matter had already made headlines last month in connection with her co-ownership of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. Players from the Atlanta basketball team and three others emerged for games on Aug. 14 dressed in “Vote Warnock” T-shirts, supporting the Democrat after Loeffler publicly spoke out against the league’s social justice plans.
Collins has been attacking Loeffler for previous stances taken by the Dream and the WNBA, including what he says are the team’s previous joint efforts with pro-abortion group Planned Parenthood and gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety. Loeffler has denied knowledge of the Planned Parenthood activities.
Loeffler has responded by voicing her opposition to abortion and support for gun rights on the campaign trail and in television ads.
State House Speaker David Ralston on Thursday officially endorsed Collins while Loeffler was in his home county in the north Georgia Mountains, a move arranged by Collins to detract from Loeffler’s message.
The bigger disruption came hours later in Forsyth County, a suburban Republican bastion. The last words of Loeffler’s never-completed speech to about 60 people discussed her brush with Black Lives Matter, with her saying “I had to draw the line.”
“The left’s radical agenda of defunding the police is costing lives. It’s absolutely crazy. I’ve introduced legislation that would defund cities that defund the police,” Loeffler said. “But even more, I’ve stood up against an organization whose No. 1 goal is to defund and dismantle the police.”
That brought Nselaa Ward and Triana Arnold James to their feet to dispute Loeffler. After James loudly questioned her, both women, joined at times by James’ two daughters, began chanting “Black lives matter!” James lost a Democratic state Senate primary this year in a district west of Atlanta.
“When we’re talking about Black Lives Matter, we’re not talking about some Marxist organization. Like we said, we’re talking about Black lives, like real Black Lives. We’re talking about what’s happening to us on a daily basis,” Ward said later.
The meeting dissolved into people milling around, with some Republican activists confronting the women. James said afterward that she thought Loeffler got the message, but Republicans called them rude and worse.
Eugene Yu, an unsuccessful Republican congressional candidate earlier this year, stood in front of James yelling “All lives matter!” at one point.
Yu said later he had come to the meeting unsure about who he was voting for, but was impressed with Loeffler’s cool demeanor.
“I think I will support her,” Yu said.


shareblue--2020-09-04--Tennessee sued over law that requires health care providers to lie to patients

Over the summer , Tennessee rushed a package of anti-abortion measures through the legislature in the middle of a pandemic .
Along with a six-week abortion ban , the state also passed a law that requires abortion providers to tell their patients who want medication abortions that the procedure is reversible .
Now , several abortion providers in Tennessee are challenging the law .
Besides forcing doctors to engage in speech they do n't agree with , Tennessee 's law is also simply wrong about the science of medication abortion .
The American Medical Association and the American College of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion is n't reversible and any claim that it is is `` wholly unsupported by reliable scientific evidence . ''
Anti-abortion activists have been pushing the junk science of medication abortion `` reversal '' based on faulty research for the last few years .
In 2015 , Arkansas was the first to pass a law requiring abortion reversal `` counseling . ''
Now , with Tennessee 's law , a total of 11 states have implemented some sort of mandate for such counseling , though litigation has blocked the enforcement of the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's new law requires abortion providers to tell patients that `` it may be possible to reverse the effects of the abortion if the pregnant woman changes her mind , but that time is of the essence . ''
If the law 's purpose is to make sure that people want abortions and have thought it over , Tennessee already has multiple laws that require that .
The state has a 48-hour waiting period with mandatory counseling about the risks of undergoing an abortion .
Providers must also perform an ultrasound and show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those images in detail , and play the fetal heartbeat .
The abortion providers suing the state over the law also point out they must follow Tennessee 's general informed consent law , including discussing the risks and benefits of a medical procedure to ensure the patient makes a well-informed decision and whether an abortion is right for them .
After the lawsuit was filed , Alexis McGill Johnson , president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America , issued a statement saying `` [ t ] his medically unsound and factually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war on truth and has no basis in science . ''
McGill Johnson also talked about the fact that the Tennessee law imposes criminal penalties .
`` Adding insult to injury , threatening doctors with prison time makes this law that much more dangerous . ''
Doctors or clinic locations who violate the law could face both a felony criminal charge and a $ 10,000 civil penalty .
If Tennessee 's law is n't overturned , both patients and providers face real risks .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Over the summer, Tennessee rushed a package of anti-abortion measures through the legislature in the middle of a pandemic. Along with a six-week abortion ban, the state also passed a law that requires abortion providers to tell their patients who want medication abortions that the procedure is reversible.
Now, several abortion providers in Tennessee are challenging the law. Besides forcing doctors to engage in speech they don’t agree with, Tennessee’s law is also simply wrong about the science of medication abortion.
The American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists both agree that medication abortion isn’t reversible and any claim that it is is “wholly unsupported by reliable scientific evidence.”
Anti-abortion activists have been pushing the junk science of medication abortion “reversal” based on faulty research for the last few years.
In 2015, Arkansas was the first to pass a law requiring abortion reversal “counseling.” Now, with Tennessee’s law, a total of 11 states have implemented some sort of mandate for such counseling, though litigation has blocked the enforcement of the bill in some of those states.
Tennessee’s new law requires abortion providers to tell patients that “it may be possible to reverse the effects of the abortion if the pregnant woman changes her mind, but that time is of the essence.”
If the law’s purpose is to make sure that people want abortions and have thought it over, Tennessee already has multiple laws that require that. The state has a 48-hour waiting period with mandatory counseling about the risks of undergoing an abortion.
Providers must also perform an ultrasound and show the images to the patient, describe those images in detail, and play the fetal heartbeat. The abortion providers suing the state over the law also point out they must follow Tennessee’s general informed consent law, including discussing the risks and benefits of a medical procedure to ensure the patient makes a well-informed decision and whether an abortion is right for them.
After the lawsuit was filed, Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, issued a statement saying “[t]his medically unsound and factually inaccurate requirement is part of the coordinated war on truth and has no basis in science.”
McGill Johnson also talked about the fact that the Tennessee law imposes criminal penalties. “Adding insult to injury, threatening doctors with prison time makes this law that much more dangerous.” Doctors or clinic locations who violate the law could face both a felony criminal charge and a $10,000 civil penalty.
If Tennessee’s law isn’t overturned, both patients and providers face real risks.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-04--House GOP leader helps raise funds for QAnon supporter running for Congress

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy headlined a fundraiser on Monday for Lauren Boebert , a candidate in Colorado 's 3rd Congressional District who has embraced QAnon conspiracy theories .
Just weeks before , McCarthy had said there was no room in the Republican Party for the widely debunked and dangerous movement .
Boebert , a gun-rights activist who made headlines in May for refusing to shut down her gun-themed restaurant in Rifle , Colorado , to comply with COVID-19 rules , upset incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton in the Republican primary on June 30 .
In a June podcast interview , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to which a ring of powerful public officials — mostly Democrats — are running an international child-trafficking cabal and working to destroy Donald Trump .
`` Everything I 've heard of Q — I hope this is real , because it only means America is getting stronger and better , and people are returning to conservative values , and that 's what I am for , '' Boebert said in June .
`` And so everything that I have heard of this movement is only motivating and encouraging and bringing people together stronger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then it could be really great for our country . ''
The invitation to the $ 250-a-person fundraising reception at an unspecified Aspen location noted that Rep. Ken Buck was a member of the host committee .
McCarthy was identified as the event 's `` special guest . ''
In fine print at the bottom , invitees were warned that by attending they would be agreeing to waive their right to sue the campaign if they contracted the coronavirus at the event .
Neither McCarthy 's office nor Boebert 's campaign immediately responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McCarthy 's participation seemed to contradict his previous statements .
In an interview with Fox News in July , he claimed Republicans are focused on `` bringing this country back .
Rebuilding it , restoring it , and renewing it , and that means and law and order and justice . ''
Boebert , on the other hand , refused to comply with the cease-and-desist order issued when she continued to operate her restaurant at the height of the pandemic .
McCarthy told Fox News last month : `` Let me be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for QAnon in the Republican Party .
I do not support it . ''
That has not stopped him from backing Boebert as well as Georgia congressional nominee Marjorie Taylor Greene , who has also previously embraced the QAnon conspiracy theory and said , `` Q is a patriot . ''
Last month , McCarthy announced that the National Republican Congressional Committee was adding Boebert to its `` Young Guns '' list of priority candidates .
She faces Democratic nominee Diane Mitsch Bush in November .
A poll conducted last month found the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of The American Independent Foundation .

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy headlined a fundraiser on Monday for Lauren Boebert, a candidate in Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District who has embraced QAnon conspiracy theories.
Just weeks before, McCarthy had said there was no room in the Republican Party for the widely debunked and dangerous movement.
Boebert, a gun-rights activist who made headlines in May for refusing to shut down her gun-themed restaurant in Rifle, Colorado, to comply with COVID-19 rules, upset incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton in the Republican primary on June 30.
In a June podcast interview, she embraced the QAnon conspiracy theory according to which a ring of powerful public officials — mostly Democrats — are running an international child-trafficking cabal and working to destroy Donald Trump.
“Everything I’ve heard of Q — I hope this is real, because it only means America is getting stronger and better, and people are returning to conservative values, and that’s what I am for,” Boebert said in June. “And so everything that I have heard of this movement is only motivating and encouraging and bringing people together stronger, and if this is real, then it could be really great for our country.”
The FBI has labeled QAnon a domestic terrorism threat.
The invitation to the $250-a-person fundraising reception at an unspecified Aspen location noted that Rep. Ken Buck was a member of the host committee. McCarthy was identified as the event’s “special guest.” In fine print at the bottom, invitees were warned that by attending they would be agreeing to waive their right to sue the campaign if they contracted the coronavirus at the event.
Neither McCarthy’s office nor Boebert’s campaign immediately responded to inquiries for comments for this story.
McCarthy’s participation seemed to contradict his previous statements.
In an interview with Fox News in July, he claimed Republicans are focused on “bringing this country back. Rebuilding it, restoring it, and renewing it, and that means and law and order and justice.” Boebert, on the other hand, refused to comply with the cease-and-desist order issued when she continued to operate her restaurant at the height of the pandemic.
McCarthy told Fox News last month: “Let me be very clear: There is no place for QAnon in the Republican Party. I do not support it.”
That has not stopped him from backing Boebert as well as Georgia congressional nominee Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has also previously embraced the QAnon conspiracy theory and said, “Q is a patriot.”
Last month, McCarthy announced that the National Republican Congressional Committee was adding Boebert to its “Young Guns” list of priority candidates.
She faces Democratic nominee Diane Mitsch Bush in November. A poll conducted last month found the race virtually tied.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-04--Republicans encourage violence against protesters amid anti-racism demonstrations

In the wake of protests in Kenosha , Wisconsin , and elsewhere , elected Republicans have stood up for white supremacy and mused about shooting anti-racism protesters .
Rhetoric from both elected and soon-to-be elected Republican lawmakers grew increasingly violent this week , as several of them praised a right-wing Trump supporter charged with first degree murder or fantasized about killing others themselves .
Rep. Clay Higgins ( R-LA ) wrote in a Facebook post on Sept. 1 that he would not hesitate to shoot any armed protesters who showed up to anti-racism protests in his home state .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote , along an image of Black militia members who showed up to a July demonstration in Kentucky to protest the death of Breonna Taylor , a Black woman killed by police as she slept in her home .
`` Have your affairs in order .
Me ?
...
I wouldn ’ t even spill my beer .
I 'd drop any 10 of you where you stand . ''
`` We do n't care what color you are .
We do n't care if you 're left or right .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize threat ... you wo n't walk away , '' Higgins added .
Facebook has since removed the post for violating its `` violence and incitement '' policies .
Higgins ' threat of violence came just days after Kyle Rittenhouse , a Trump supporter who traveled from Illinois to Kenosha , Wisconsin , to supposedly protect local businesses amid mass protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake , was arrested and charged with first degree murder .
Rittenhouse is accused of shooting three protesters , killing two of them .
Republicans — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying he was acting in self defense .
Rep. Thomas Massie ( R-KY ) took things a step further this week , saying Rittenhouse showed `` incredible restraint '' for only murdering two people and not emptying `` a magazine into a crowd .
`` If I were on a jury and all I had was the evidence that I have been able to acquire through social media and the videos that are out there , I would not convict him of a single one of these charges , '' Massie said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station WVHU .
At least one Republican candidate also expressed disturbing views about her potential future House colleagues .
Marjorie Taylor Greene , the GOP nominee for a Georgia House seat , posted a threatening photo on Thursday to her official Facebook page in which she was pictured holding a gun alongside images of three Democratic congresswomen — Ilhan Omar of Minnesota , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York , and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — known colloquially as `` the squad . ''
All three congresswomen are progressive and have backed the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls on localities to shift some police funding to community services , and first gained traction following the death of George Floyd , a Black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis earlier this year .
`` Hate America leftists want to take this country down , '' she wrote .
`` ... Our country is on the line . ''
Greene , who won her primary in a deep red stronghold by 15 points , is virtually guaranteed a victory in November and a seat in Congress .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatening post `` for violating company policy . ''
The text of the post , however , was left intact .
Other lawmakers took a different route , not directly endorsing violence but insisting the systemic racism behind many of the recent police killings did not exist .
Rep. Scott Perry ( R-PA ) made such a claim on Wednesday , saying at a forum in his district that racism had ended with the Civil War .
`` We had a war among the United States over that issue to cleanse our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a local news outlet .
Of course , the Civil War did not end the systemic mistreatment of Black people in the United States .
Slavery continued for years after the Civil War ended , and segregation lasted for 100 years after that .
Today , Black Americans are far more likely to be killed by police and face major hurdles in accessing housing , health care , and a variety of other resources .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rhetoric from both elected and soon-to-be elected Republican lawmakers grew increasingly violent this week, as several of them praised a right-wing Trump supporter charged with first degree murder or fantasized about killing others themselves.
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) wrote in a Facebook post on Sept. 1 that he would not hesitate to shoot any armed protesters who showed up to anti-racism protests in his home state.
“One way ticket fellas,” Higgins wrote , along an image of Black militia members who showed up to a July demonstration in Kentucky to protest the death of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman killed by police as she slept in her home. “Have your affairs in order. Me?… I wouldn’t even spill my beer. I’d drop any 10 of you where you stand.”
“We don’t care what color you are. We don’t care if you’re left or right. If you show up like this, if We recognize threat … you won’t walk away,” Higgins added.
Facebook has since removed the post for violating its “violence and incitement” policies.
Higgins’ threat of violence came just days after Kyle Rittenhouse, a Trump supporter who traveled from Illinois to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to supposedly protect local businesses amid mass protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake, was arrested and charged with first degree murder.
Rittenhouse is accused of shooting three protesters, killing two of them.
Republicans — including Trump himself — have defended Rittenhouse, saying he was acting in self defense.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) took things a step further this week, saying Rittenhouse showed “incredible restraint” for only murdering two people and not emptying “a magazine into a crowd.
“If I were on a jury and all I had was the evidence that I have been able to acquire through social media and the videos that are out there, I would not convict him of a single one of these charges,” Massie said Thursday on local West Virginia talk radio station WVHU.
At least one Republican candidate also expressed disturbing views about her potential future House colleagues.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, the GOP nominee for a Georgia House seat, posted a threatening photo on Thursday to her official Facebook page in which she was pictured holding a gun alongside images of three Democratic congresswomen — Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan — known colloquially as “the squad.”
All three congresswomen are progressive and have backed the “defund the police” movement, which calls on localities to shift some police funding to community services, and first gained traction following the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis earlier this year.
Greene’s photo included the text “squad’s worst nightmare.”
“Hate America leftists want to take this country down,” she wrote. “…Our country is on the line.”
Greene, who won her primary in a deep red stronghold by 15 points, is virtually guaranteed a victory in November and a seat in Congress.
https://www.facebook.com/MarjorieTaylorGreene/posts/2518095838480511
According to Inside Elections, Facebook later removed the threatening post “for violating company policy.” The text of the post, however, was left intact.
Other lawmakers took a different route, not directly endorsing violence but insisting the systemic racism behind many of the recent police killings did not exist.
Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) made such a claim on Wednesday, saying at a forum in his district that racism had ended with the Civil War.
“We had a war among the United States over that issue to cleanse our country of that issue,” Perry said, according to a local news outlet.
Of course, the Civil War did not end the systemic mistreatment of Black people in the United States. Slavery continued for years after the Civil War ended, and segregation lasted for 100 years after that. Today, Black Americans are far more likely to be killed by police and face major hurdles in accessing housing, health care, and a variety of other resources.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-04--Trump provokes outcry with his threats against Democratic-led cities

The White House said Donald Trump 's latest threat to cut federal dollars for certain big cities is aimed at spurring them to do more to quell violence , but local leaders dismissed it Thursday as a political gimmick and unlikely to stand up in court if implemented .
Trump has made a number of other threats that were either struck down by judges or that he paused on his own .
Trump issued a memorandum Wednesday calling on the attorney general to publish a list of jurisdictions that have `` permitted violence and the destruction of property to persist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to counteract these criminal activities . ''
Subsequently , agency heads are to get guidance about how to restrict federal grants to those jurisdictions .
The memorandum comes as Trump seeks to cast his Democratic rival Joe Biden as weak on crime amid some of the violence that has accompanied protests against racial injustice .
`` The intent is to incentivize cities to follow in the way of Kenosha and Minneapolis who , when they were in the midst of a situation that they could n't handle just at the local level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said .
Previously , Trump threatened to cut funding for sanctuary cities to force them to comply with more stringent immigration policies .
The 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals said the effort violated separation of powers provisions enshrined in the U.S. Constitution .
Tom Cochran , CEO and executive director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors , said the president 's new order had no legal standing .
If it were implemented , he added , it would slash resources for police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very thing Trump has claimed Democrats are trying to do when it comes to law enforcement .
`` This effort is intended only to inflame tensions and divide us , '' Cochran said .
In his memo , Trump singled out Seattle , New York City , Portland , Oregon , and Washington , D.C. , for possible loss of federal dollars .
None are competitive areas for Trump in the coming presidential election .
The memo was denounced by Democratic leaders including Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee and New York Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest baseless , petty and divisive move by President Trump to distract from his abject failure to protect Americans from COVID-19 , '' Inslee said .
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler , one of Trump 's favorite targets , called his effort `` dangerous , destructive , and divisive . ''
And New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the president was trying to score political points .
`` I think this is another one of his blusters that 'll go nowhere .
But if he really tries it , we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 'll beat him again , '' de Blasio said .
McEnany rejected suggestions that Trump 's memorandum was for show in the lead-up to Nov. 3 .
`` No , the president will follow through , '' McEnany said .

The White House said Donald Trump’s latest threat to cut federal dollars for certain big cities is aimed at spurring them to do more to quell violence, but local leaders dismissed it Thursday as a political gimmick and unlikely to stand up in court if implemented.
Trump has made a number of other threats that were either struck down by judges or that he paused on his own.
Trump issued a memorandum Wednesday calling on the attorney general to publish a list of jurisdictions that have “permitted violence and the destruction of property to persist and have refused to undertake reasonable measures to counteract these criminal activities.” Subsequently, agency heads are to get guidance about how to restrict federal grants to those jurisdictions.
The memorandum comes as Trump seeks to cast his Democratic rival Joe Biden as weak on crime amid some of the violence that has accompanied protests against racial injustice.
“The intent is to incentivize cities to follow in the way of Kenosha and Minneapolis who, when they were in the midst of a situation that they couldn’t handle just at the local level, they requested federal assistance and it worked,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said.
Previously, Trump threatened to cut funding for sanctuary cities to force them to comply with more stringent immigration policies. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the effort violated separation of powers provisions enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.
Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, said the president’s new order had no legal standing. If it were implemented, he added, it would slash resources for police and firefighters and other essential services — the very thing Trump has claimed Democrats are trying to do when it comes to law enforcement.
“This effort is intended only to inflame tensions and divide us,” Cochran said.
In his memo, Trump singled out Seattle, New York City, Portland, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., for possible loss of federal dollars. None are competitive areas for Trump in the coming presidential election.
The memo was denounced by Democratic leaders including Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“It is just the latest baseless, petty and divisive move by President Trump to distract from his abject failure to protect Americans from COVID-19,” Inslee said.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, one of Trump’s favorite targets, called his effort “dangerous, destructive, and divisive.”
And New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the president was trying to score political points.
“I think this is another one of his blusters that’ll go nowhere. But if he really tries it, we will go to court and I guarantee you we’ll beat him again,” de Blasio said.
McEnany rejected suggestions that Trump’s memorandum was for show in the lead-up to Nov. 3.
“No, the president will follow through,” McEnany said.


shareblue--2020-09-04--Ted Cruz pushes for private school funding as GOP blocks money for public education

Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) is reportedly demanding his party 's $ 500 billion coronavirus relief bill include $ 5 billion for private and parochial education .
But he and the Senate Republican majority have blocked consideration of a House-passed bill that would have provided nearly $ 1 trillion to cash-strapped states and localities , including money to help keep public schools afloat .
The Washington Post reported on Friday that Cruz 's push to include a $ 5 billion tax credit to refund donations to private and parochial education scholarships was imperiling Senate Republicans ' latest relief proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his GOP colleagues are against including the provision in their bill , for either strategic or policy reasons .
Cruz 's proposal has been pushed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos as a way to `` help families who are more vulnerable and don ’ t have the resources that many better-off families have had . ''
It would essentially provide back-door school vouchers by giving donors to state-level scholarship funds that pay for educational expenses a 100 % tax credit for their payments .
`` The challenges parents are facing right now are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not reopen this fall — families need real options to continue their children 's education , '' Cruz said last month as he introduced his Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act bill .
`` This bill will provide families with the resources needed to support their children 's education — including tuition , instructional materials , tutoring , and education therapies for students with disabilities . ''
The House of Representatives passed a $ 3 trillion emergency relief bill in May .
It contained $ 915 billion to help state and local governments address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and $ 100 billion in direct emergency funds for education access .
Senate Republicans blocked the bill , refusing to even vote on it .
Cruz was especially vocal in his opposition , calling the legislation a `` monstrosity '' and `` a windfall for [ Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's ] radical liberal agenda . ''
In an email on Friday , a spokesperson wrote that `` Sen. Cruz been a leading advocate for school choice in the Senate , '' noting that , `` Throughout the pandemic , he has urged his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help get Americans safely back to work and our kids safely back into the classroom , including provisions of his Education Freedom Scholarship and Opportunity Act , which would give families the resources they need to ensure their children have access to a quality education in these uncertain times.
” Senate Republicans have struggled to agree on any relief legislation at all .
With or without Cruz 's provision , the GOP 's bill seems unlikely to become law .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted Thursday that the proposal was `` emaciated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation 's needs .
As of Friday , the nation 's unemployment rate remained over 8 % , with more than 10 million Americans out of work .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is reportedly demanding his party’s $500 billion coronavirus relief bill include $5 billion for private and parochial education. But he and the Senate Republican majority have blocked consideration of a House-passed bill that would have provided nearly $1 trillion to cash-strapped states and localities, including money to help keep public schools afloat.
The Washington Post reported on Friday that Cruz’s push to include a $5 billion tax credit to refund donations to private and parochial education scholarships was imperiling Senate Republicans’ latest relief proposal. The paper noted that many of his GOP colleagues are against including the provision in their bill, for either strategic or policy reasons.
Cruz’s proposal has been pushed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who, during a recent interview on SiriusXM, described it as a way to “help families who are more vulnerable and don’t have the resources that many better-off families have had.” It would essentially provide back-door school vouchers by giving donors to state-level scholarship funds that pay for educational expenses a 100% tax credit for their payments.
“The challenges parents are facing right now are enormous. Given that public schools may not reopen this fall — families need real options to continue their children’s education,” Cruz said last month as he introduced his Coronavirus Emergency Education Grants Act bill. “This bill will provide families with the resources needed to support their children’s education — including tuition, instructional materials, tutoring, and education therapies for students with disabilities.”
The House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion emergency relief bill in May. It contained $915 billion to help state and local governments address budget shortfalls and avoid public education cuts and $100 billion in direct emergency funds for education access. Senate Republicans blocked the bill, refusing to even vote on it.
Cruz was especially vocal in his opposition, calling the legislation a “monstrosity” and “a windfall for [Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s] radical liberal agenda.”
In an email on Friday, a spokesperson wrote that “Sen. Cruz been a leading advocate for school choice in the Senate,” noting that, “Throughout the pandemic, he has urged his colleagues to focus on solutions that will help get Americans safely back to work and our kids safely back into the classroom, including provisions of his Education Freedom Scholarship and Opportunity Act, which would give families the resources they need to ensure their children have access to a quality education in these uncertain times.”
Senate Republicans have struggled to agree on any relief legislation at all.
With or without Cruz’s provision, the GOP’s bill seems unlikely to become law. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted Thursday that the proposal was “emaciated” and “completely inadequate” for the nation’s needs.
As of Friday, the nation’s unemployment rate remained over 8%, with more than 10 million Americans out of work.
This article was updated to correctly cite DeVos’ comments in a recent interview on SiriusXM.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-04--Latest jobs report shows number of permanent layoffs has soared

The August jobs report released Friday morning showed concerning signs for the economy , as the pace of job creation slowed and the number of permanently unemployed climbed .
The report showed that the economy added 1.4 million jobs in August , decreasing the unemployment rate to 8.4 % .
However , the increase in jobs was down from the 1.7 million added back in July , and the 4.8 million from June .
What 's more , 240,000 of the jobs added in August are temporary Census employees who will lose their jobs at the end of September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of permanently unemployed workers rose by 534,000 , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ' report .
A whopping 3.4 million workers are now permanently unemployed , a more than 160 % increase from 1.3 million in February , when the economy began to tank due to the pandemic .
`` I am more concerned about where the economy is now than I was in April , '' economist Martha Gimbel told the New York Times .
`` In April , it was fixable .
We ’ re just letting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The jobs report comes one day after the Labor Department announced that workers filed 1.6 million new unemployment claims last week .
Congress , for its part , still has n't passed coronavirus relief legislation to help the millions of workers who remain unemployed .
More than a month after Senate Republicans allowed a temporary boost to weekly unemployment payments expire , they still ca n't agree on a relief bill .
House Democrats passed coronavirus relief legislation on May 15 , but the legislation has remained stalled in the Senate , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing but a `` liberal wish list '' '' The recovery has been rapid but this is still the easy part of it -- with the harder part ahead , '' Jason Furman , a former chief economist under Obama , tweeted on Friday .
`` We 're still in a bad recession , '' he added .
`` State/local job creation has been weak/negative in recent months & will get worse without aid .
And households will run through their cushions soon , consumption growth will start to slow , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The August jobs report released Friday morning showed concerning signs for the economy, as the pace of job creation slowed and the number of permanently unemployed climbed.
The report showed that the economy added 1.4 million jobs in August, decreasing the unemployment rate to 8.4%.
However, the increase in jobs was down from the 1.7 million added back in July, and the 4.8 million from June.
What’s more, 240,000 of the jobs added in August are temporary Census employees who will lose their jobs at the end of September.
Even more concerning to economists is that the number of permanently unemployed workers rose by 534,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ report. A whopping 3.4 million workers are now permanently unemployed, a more than 160% increase from 1.3 million in February, when the economy began to tank due to the pandemic.
“I am more concerned about where the economy is now than I was in April,” economist Martha Gimbel told the New York Times. “In April, it was fixable. We’re just letting the scars build up now.”
The jobs report comes one day after the Labor Department announced that workers filed 1.6 million new unemployment claims last week.
Congress, for its part, still hasn’t passed coronavirus relief legislation to help the millions of workers who remain unemployed.
More than a month after Senate Republicans allowed a temporary boost to weekly unemployment payments expire, they still can’t agree on a relief bill. House Democrats passed coronavirus relief legislation on May 15, but the legislation has remained stalled in the Senate, with GOP leaders insisting the Democratic bill is nothing but a “liberal wish list”
“The recovery has been rapid but this is still the easy part of it–with the harder part ahead,” Jason Furman, a former chief economist under Obama, tweeted on Friday.
“We’re still in a bad recession,” he added. “State/local job creation has been weak/negative in recent months & will get worse without aid. And households will run through their cushions soon, consumption growth will start to slow, and that will take a toll on jobs.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-09-05--Census Bureau plans to end door-knocking early despite criticism and lawsuits

Already under criticism for plans to end the 2020 census at the end of September , a month earlier than previously scheduled , the U.S. Census Bureau expects to finish up its most labor-intensive operation for getting an accurate head count even earlier in one of the largest U.S. cities .
Door-knocking operations for the 2020 census are expected to end in the San Diego area on Sept. 18 instead of the end of the month , for census takers , also known as enumerators , who visit homes that have n't yet responded to the questionnaire , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope all of our workload will be complete and there will not be any more enumerators out on the street , '' Roberto Garcia , a partnership specialist in San Diego , said almost two weeks ago during an online meeting with metro San Diego leaders who are helping motivate residents to answer the census questionnaire .
Garcia said people who have n't yet responded to the census questionnaire after the door-knocking stops will still be able to do so online , by mail , or by telephone .
Census Bureau spokesman Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. that will finish with the door-knocking phase earlier than the Sept. 30 deadline because they have completed the needed work .
Cook did n't say which other areas may wrap up before the end-of-September deadline .
Between the time these areas finish with door-knocking and the Sept. 30 deadline for ending the head count , `` they are going to take a fine-tooth comb and make sure nothing is missed , '' Cook said .
A coalition of cities , states , and civil rights groups are suing the Census @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending the head count at the end of September .
The 2020 census will be used to determine how $ 1.5 trillion in federal spending is distributed and how many congressional seats each states gets in a process known as apportionment .
Because of the pandemic , the Census Bureau revised its deadlines so that the 2020 census would finish at the end of October .
But the bureau shortened that deadline to the end of September last month .
That came after it became clear the Republican-controlled Senate would n't take up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would extend the Census Bureau 's deadlines for turning over apportionment and redistricting data .
The Senate inaction coincided with Donald Trump directing the agency to exclude people in the country illegally from figures used for redrawing congressional districts , according to a lawsuit filed in San Jose seeking to stop the count from ending in September .
More than a half-dozen other lawsuits are challenging Trump 's order , which civil rights groups say is unconstitutional and an attempt to limit the power of Latinos and immigrants of color .
A third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents are Hispanic , according to Census Bureau figures .
Households that require door knockers to gather census answers typically are among the hardest to count in a census .
`` Any additional truncation of Census household data collection , especially if concentrated in particular geographies , is beyond irresponsible , '' said Thomas Saenz , president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund .
`` Any whiff of possible political targeting — suspicions obviously triggered by the Trump administration 's troubling pattern in other areas — severely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saenz 's organization and other civil rights groups on Tuesday asked a federal judge in Maryland for a temporary restraining order that would stop the Census Bureau from ending the count early and let it continue through the end of October .
The request also asked that the deadline for turning in apportionment data be pushed back from the end of the year to the end of next April .
The request says Hispanics , Asian Americans , Blacks , and immigrants are at risk of being undercounted if the census ends early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for counting households that do not self-respond to the census questionnaire , a greater proportion of which tend to be minority households , '' said the motion for the temporary restraining order .

Already under criticism for plans to end the 2020 census at the end of September, a month earlier than previously scheduled, the U.S. Census Bureau expects to finish up its most labor-intensive operation for getting an accurate head count even earlier in one of the largest U.S. cities.
Door-knocking operations for the 2020 census are expected to end in the San Diego area on Sept. 18 instead of the end of the month, for census takers, also known as enumerators, who visit homes that haven’t yet responded to the questionnaire, according to a Census Bureau official.
“We hope all of our workload will be complete and there will not be any more enumerators out on the street,” Roberto Garcia, a partnership specialist in San Diego, said almost two weeks ago during an online meeting with metro San Diego leaders who are helping motivate residents to answer the census questionnaire.
Garcia said people who haven’t yet responded to the census questionnaire after the door-knocking stops will still be able to do so online, by mail, or by telephone.
Census Bureau spokesman Michael Cook said that there are some places in the U.S. that will finish with the door-knocking phase earlier than the Sept. 30 deadline because they have completed the needed work.
Cook didn’t say which other areas may wrap up before the end-of-September deadline.
Between the time these areas finish with door-knocking and the Sept. 30 deadline for ending the head count, “they are going to take a fine-tooth comb and make sure nothing is missed,” Cook said.
A coalition of cities, states, and civil rights groups are suing the Census Bureau to stop the statistical agency from ending the head count at the end of September. The 2020 census will be used to determine how $1.5 trillion in federal spending is distributed and how many congressional seats each states gets in a process known as apportionment.
Because of the pandemic, the Census Bureau revised its deadlines so that the 2020 census would finish at the end of October. But the bureau shortened that deadline to the end of September last month. That came after it became clear the Republican-controlled Senate wouldn’t take up legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled House that would extend the Census Bureau’s deadlines for turning over apportionment and redistricting data.
The Senate inaction coincided with Donald Trump directing the agency to exclude people in the country illegally from figures used for redrawing congressional districts, according to a lawsuit filed in San Jose seeking to stop the count from ending in September.
More than a half-dozen other lawsuits are challenging Trump’s order, which civil rights groups say is unconstitutional and an attempt to limit the power of Latinos and immigrants of color.
A third of San Diego County’s 3.3 million residents are Hispanic, according to Census Bureau figures.
Households that require door knockers to gather census answers typically are among the hardest to count in a census.
“Any additional truncation of Census household data collection, especially if concentrated in particular geographies, is beyond irresponsible,” said Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. “Any whiff of possible political targeting — suspicions obviously triggered by the Trump administration’s troubling pattern in other areas — severely undermines confidence in Census 2020.”
Saenz’s organization and other civil rights groups on Tuesday asked a federal judge in Maryland for a temporary restraining order that would stop the Census Bureau from ending the count early and let it continue through the end of October. The request also asked that the deadline for turning in apportionment data be pushed back from the end of the year to the end of next April.
The request says Hispanics, Asian Americans, Blacks, and immigrants are at risk of being undercounted if the census ends early.
The door knockers “are essential for counting households that do not self-respond to the census questionnaire, a greater proportion of which tend to be minority households,” said the motion for the temporary restraining order.