shareblue--2020-02-05--Governors warn Trump Medicaid cuts are putting people in danger

Governors of both parties are warning that a little-noticed regulation proposed by the Trump administration could lead to big cuts in Medicaid , restricting their ability to pay for health care for low-income Americans .
The arcane fiscal accountability rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — or CMS — would tighten federal oversight and approval over complex financing strategies states have long used to help pay for their share of the $ 600 billion program .
Also targeted are certain payments to hospitals that treat many low-income patients .
Public comments closed last week amid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes , insurers , doctors , and advocates for the poor .
Against the backdrop of an election year , governors are warning the administration of potentially dire consequences .
`` States may be unable to adequately fund their Medicaid programs , which could lead to unintended consequences that would negatively impact Medicaid beneficiaries across the country , '' wrote Govs .
Kate Brown ( D-OR ) and Charlie Baker ( R-MA ) in official comments on behalf of National Governors Association .
But CMS administrator Seema Verma says the vast health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about `` shady '' financing schemes that abuse the system and drive up taxpayer costs .
In a statement Wednesday , Verma said her agency recognizes the `` critical importance '' of the state financing but said it has to lead to better value and improved care for Medicaid beneficiaries .
Under the proposed rule , `` we are increasing transparency , integrity , and clarity , '' she said .
An agency spokesman said the rule is not intended to reduce Medicaid payments .
But the policy comes from an administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicaid .
Trump has tried to repeal the program 's Obama-era expansion , supported block grants that would cap federal spending , and allowed states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients .
The latest proposal could lead to cuts of $ 37 billion to $ 49 billion a year in total Medicaid spending , or 6 % to 8 % of program funds , according to a study by Manatt Health consultants for the American Hospital Association .
Payments to hospitals could be cut as much as 17 % .
A CMS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those estimates are credible .
In the rule , CMS says that the fiscal impact of its plan is `` unknown . ''
Critics say the agency did not do a full analysis .
If the federal government curtails financing methods states now rely on , governors would have to seek broad tax increases , cut payments to hospitals and doctors , reduce benefits , restrict eligibility , or some combination of such measures .
States can set their own Medicaid policies within federal requirements .
Medicaid covers more than 70 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That includes many pregnant women , newborns , elderly nursing home residents , and severely disabled people .
In states that have accepted the Affordable Care Act 's Medicaid expansion it 's also a mainstay of coverage for low-income adults .
`` Medicaid is the backbone of the U.S. health care system ; you weaken the backbone and the whole system gets scoliosis , '' said Matt Salo , head of the nonpartisan National Association of Medicaid Directors , which has also raised concerns .
Trade associations for hospitals and nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal entirely .
So is the American Medical Association , saying `` access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries would be at risk and health outcomes for such patients could worsen . ''
Governors and the health insurance industry are asking the administration go back to the drawing board and gather more information before attempting such sweeping changes .
`` These proposed cuts to providers and states are clearly part of an ongoing assault on Medicaid and will endanger Americans when they fall on tough times , '' Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program , said in a statement .
Overall the federal government pays about 60 % of Medicaid costs , and states the rest .
Medicaid ranks along with education as a top budget items for states .
At issue are strategies that states use to raise their share of Medicaid spending , enabling them to tap federal matching funds that stretch the services they can provide .
— Business taxes on hospitals , nursing homes , and insurers — also called `` provider taxes . ''
The money raised is plowed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is concerned that some of these arrangements skirt federal laws .
— Payments from local governments to a state that then help the state draw down federal Medicaid matching funds .
The Trump administration says those payments must be funded with state or local tax revenues and currently that 's not always clear .
Also in the cross-hairs of the proposed rule are Medicaid `` supplemental '' payments to hospitals that treat a large share of low-income patients .
Those could be curtailed .
Governors and state Medicaid directors say they agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater accountability for Medicaid financing .
But they 're concerned the administration has n't done its homework .
`` Preempting states ' authority and reducing states ' flexibility within their Medicaid program will result in decreased access to care for many vulnerable Americans , '' wrote Govs .
Brown and Baker .
The Trump administration says it is closely reviewing some 4,000 comments and will consider feedback before it decides on next steps .
No timetable has been announced for a final decision .

Governors of both parties are warning that a little-noticed regulation proposed by the Trump administration could lead to big cuts in Medicaid, restricting their ability to pay for health care for low-income Americans.
The arcane fiscal accountability rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services — or CMS — would tighten federal oversight and approval over complex financing strategies states have long used to help pay for their share of the $600 billion program. Also targeted are certain payments to hospitals that treat many low-income patients. Public comments closed last week amid a chorus of criticism from hospitals, nursing homes, insurers, doctors, and advocates for the poor.
Against the backdrop of an election year, governors are warning the administration of potentially dire consequences.
“States may be unable to adequately fund their Medicaid programs, which could lead to unintended consequences that would negatively impact Medicaid beneficiaries across the country,” wrote Govs. Kate Brown (D-OR) and Charlie Baker (R-MA) in official comments on behalf of National Governors Association.
But CMS administrator Seema Verma says the vast health care program needs closer scrutiny and has expressed concerns about “shady” financing schemes that abuse the system and drive up taxpayer costs.
In a statement Wednesday, Verma said her agency recognizes the “critical importance” of the state financing but said it has to lead to better value and improved care for Medicaid beneficiaries. Under the proposed rule, “we are increasing transparency, integrity, and clarity,” she said.
An agency spokesman said the rule is not intended to reduce Medicaid payments.
But the policy comes from an administration that has repeatedly moved to scale back Medicaid. Trump has tried to repeal the program’s Obama-era expansion, supported block grants that would cap federal spending, and allowed states to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients.
The latest proposal could lead to cuts of $37 billion to $49 billion a year in total Medicaid spending, or 6% to 8% of program funds, according to a study by Manatt Health consultants for the American Hospital Association. Payments to hospitals could be cut as much as 17%.
A CMS spokesman said the agency doesn’t believe those estimates are credible. In the rule, CMS says that the fiscal impact of its plan is “unknown.” Critics say the agency did not do a full analysis.
If the federal government curtails financing methods states now rely on, governors would have to seek broad tax increases, cut payments to hospitals and doctors, reduce benefits, restrict eligibility, or some combination of such measures. States can set their own Medicaid policies within federal requirements.
Medicaid covers more than 70 million people, or about 1 in 5 Americans. That includes many pregnant women, newborns, elderly nursing home residents, and severely disabled people. In states that have accepted the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion it’s also a mainstay of coverage for low-income adults.
“Medicaid is the backbone of the U.S. health care system; you weaken the backbone and the whole system gets scoliosis,” said Matt Salo, head of the nonpartisan National Association of Medicaid Directors, which has also raised concerns.
Trade associations for hospitals and nursing homes are asking the administration to withdraw its proposal entirely. So is the American Medical Association, saying “access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries would be at risk and health outcomes for such patients could worsen.” Governors and the health insurance industry are asking the administration go back to the drawing board and gather more information before attempting such sweeping changes.
“These proposed cuts to providers and states are clearly part of an ongoing assault on Medicaid and will endanger Americans when they fall on tough times,” Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, top Democrat on the panel that oversees the program, said in a statement.
Overall the federal government pays about 60% of Medicaid costs, and states the rest. Medicaid ranks along with education as a top budget items for states. At issue are strategies that states use to raise their share of Medicaid spending, enabling them to tap federal matching funds that stretch the services they can provide.
They include:
— Business taxes on hospitals, nursing homes, and insurers — also called “provider taxes.” The money raised is plowed back into Medicaid. The Trump administration says it is concerned that some of these arrangements skirt federal laws.
— Payments from local governments to a state that then help the state draw down federal Medicaid matching funds. The Trump administration says those payments must be funded with state or local tax revenues and currently that’s not always clear.
Also in the cross-hairs of the proposed rule are Medicaid “supplemental”payments to hospitals that treat a large share of low-income patients. Those could be curtailed.
Governors and state Medicaid directors say they agree with the Trump administration’s goal of greater accountability for Medicaid financing. But they’re concerned the administration hasn’t done its homework.
“Preempting states’ authority and reducing states’ flexibility within their Medicaid program will result in decreased access to care for many vulnerable Americans,” wrote Govs. Brown and Baker.
The Trump administration says it is closely reviewing some 4,000 comments and will consider feedback before it decides on next steps. No timetable has been announced for a final decision.


shareblue--2020-02-05--McConnell: 'I'm personally not a supporter' of the Equal Rights Amendment

The Equal Rights Amendment has been approved by 38 states — enough to amend to the Constitution .
REPORTER : @ @ @ @ @ from Sens .
[ Lisa ] Murkowski and [ Susan ] Collins , to ratify @ @ @ @ @ that something you 'd be open to putting on the floor ?
MITCH MCCONNELL : @ @ @ @ @ thought about that .
I 'm personally not a supporter , but I have n't @ @ @ @

From a Feb. 5 Senate press conference:
REPORTER: The Equal Rights Amendment resolution from Sens. [Lisa] Murkowski and [Susan] Collins, to ratify that constitutional amendment, is that something you’d be open to putting on the floor?
MITCH MCCONNELL: To ratify what?
REPORTER: The Equal Rights Amendment.
MITCH MCCONNELL: Oh, I haven’t thought about that. I’m personally not a supporter, but I haven’t thought about it.


shareblue--2020-02-05--GOP senator loaned her own campaign $5 million — and she's charging interest

Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) stands to make more than $ 120,000 on a loan she made to her own Senate campaign .
At the end of December , Loeffler loaned her campaign $ 5 million , according to her campaign 's most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission .
And she is charging the campaign 2.41 % interest on that loan , meaning Loeffler could earn $ 120,500 over the course of 2020 .
That 's more than twice what the median household in Georgia earns over the course of a year .
The FEC filing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition research organization .
There is nothing illegal about a candidate charging interest on a loan to their campaign , Beth Rotman , director of money in politics and ethics at Common Cause , said in a Wednesday phone interview .
However , Rotman described the move by Loeffler as `` tacky . ''
She said that it is not uncommon for candidates to loan their campaigns money but was not sure how many of them charged interest .
Under current law , candidates can charge up to `` fair market value interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that candidates are free to loan their campaigns money at no interest if they desire .
Rotman emphasized that there is nothing illegal about Loeffler 's decision to charge her campaign interest on the loan , but added that the `` bigger problem is that we do n't want a political system dominated by millionaires . ''
When asked about the interest rate , an analyst with WalletHub was unable to find a similar interest rate at a commercial bank .
`` According to one of our studies , the highest average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Jill Gonzalez , an analyst with WalletHub , said in an email .
`` However , given the large amount of money in question , any commercial bank would be able to negotiate a larger percentage . ''
The Loeffler campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Loeffler was appointed to the Senate after Sen. Johnny Isakson ( R-GA ) retired at the end of 2019 .
A multimillionaire GOP donor , Loeffler pledged to spend $ 20 million of her own money to defend the seat in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her campaign an additional $ 15 million at the same interest rate , she could make a total of $ 482,000 off of interest paid to her by her own campaign .
Leoffler already has a challenger from her own party .
Rep. Doug Collins , a conservative Trump loyalist , announced in late January he would be running for the same seat .
On the Democratic side , Rev .
Raphael Warnock , senior pastor at Atlanta 's famed Ebenezer Baptist Church , entered the race in late January .
Warnock already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the popular Democrat who narrowly lost her 2018 bid to be Georgia 's governor .
Matt Lieberman , a Democrat and the son of former Sen. Joe Lieberman ( D-CT ) , already entered the race , raising $ 700,000 in the final quarter of 2017 .
As a special election , there is no primary in this race .
Instead , if none of the candidates receive more than 50 % of the vote on Nov. 3 , a runoff election between the top two candidates will take place in early January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent Foundation .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) stands to make more than $120,000 on a loan she made to her own Senate campaign.
At the end of December, Loeffler loaned her campaign $5 million, according to her campaign’s most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission. And she is charging the campaign 2.41% interest on that loan, meaning Loeffler could earn $120,500 over the course of 2020.
That’s more than twice what the median household in Georgia earns over the course of a year.
The FEC filing was flagged by American Bridge, a progressive opposition research organization.
There is nothing illegal about a candidate charging interest on a loan to their campaign, Beth Rotman, director of money in politics and ethics at Common Cause, said in a Wednesday phone interview.
However, Rotman described the move by Loeffler as “tacky.” She said that it is not uncommon for candidates to loan their campaigns money but was not sure how many of them charged interest.
Under current law, candidates can charge up to “fair market value interest rates,” Rotman said. She added that candidates are free to loan their campaigns money at no interest if they desire.
Rotman emphasized that there is nothing illegal about Loeffler’s decision to charge her campaign interest on the loan, but added that the “bigger problem is that we don’t want a political system dominated by millionaires.”
The Loeffler campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Loeffler was appointed to the Senate after Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) retired at the end of 2019. A multimillionaire GOP donor, Loeffler pledged to spend $20 million of her own money to defend the seat in the November 2020 election.
If Loeffler loans her campaign an additional $15 million at the same interest rate, she could make a total of $482,000 off of interest paid to her by her own campaign.
Leoffler already has a challenger from her own party. Rep. Doug Collins, a conservative Trump loyalist, announced in late January he would be running for the same seat.
On the Democratic side, Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor at Atlanta’s famed Ebenezer Baptist Church, entered the race in late January. Warnock already received the endorsement of Stacey Abrams, the popular Democrat who narrowly lost her 2018 bid to be Georgia’s governor.
Matt Lieberman, a Democrat and the son of former Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT), already entered the race, raising $700,000 in the final quarter of 2017.
As a special election, there is no primary in this race. Instead, if none of the candidates receive more than 50% of the vote on Nov. 3, a runoff election between the top two candidates will take place in early January.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-05--Majority of Senate says Trump is guilty but acquits him anyway

Even with no witness testimony , a majority in the 100-member U.S. Senate indicated in some way that Donald Trump acted inappropriately when he pressured Ukraine 's president to dig up dirt on his political rivals .
But on Wednesday , senators voted 52 to 48 to acquit him anyway on the charge of abusing his office .
The Senate also voted to acquit him 53 to 47 on the charge of obstruction .
In December , Trump became just the third president in U.S. history to be impeached by the House of Representatives .
By historic numbers , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of power .
While Trump and his Republican defenders have repeatedly claimed the impeachment was not bipartisan — ignoring that conservative Rep. Justin Amash left the GOP over his opposition to Trump and voted in favor — the vote to convict was bipartisan .
Every Democrat voted to convict Trump on Wednesday on both charges , and Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) also voted to convict Trump of abuse of power , calling Trump `` guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust . ''
In addition , several Republican senators voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements indicating that they too found his actions wholly inappropriate .
In a floor speech on Monday , Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) announced she would vote to acquit Trump even though he had acted improperly .
`` It was wrong for President Trump to mention former Vice President Biden on that phone call , and it was wrong for him to ask a foreign country to investigate a political rival , '' she said .
Collins later speculated that Trump had learned `` a pretty big lesson '' from impeachment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had not .
Sen. Lisa Murkowski ( R-AK ) called Trump 's behavior `` shameful and wrong , '' but said she would not vote to convict a man whose name is already on printed 2020 ballots .
In a New York Times opinion piece on Wednesday , Sen .
Rob Portman ( R-OH ) noted that for four months he has `` consistently said that Mr. Trump ’ s request for an investigation of Joe Biden and any effort to tie the release of military aid to investigations were improper and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but that he did not believe it warranted removal from office .
`` It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation , '' Sen. Lamar Alexander ( R-TN ) said in a statement last Thursday .
`` When elected officials inappropriately interfere with such investigations , it undermines the principle of equal justice under the law . ''
Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-NE ) endorsed Alexander 's criticisms , saying , `` Let me be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots of us . ''
On Tuesday , he wrote that Trump 's call with Ukraine 's president was `` was certainly not 'perfect ' '' and his delay of security aid `` was wrong . ''
Even Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) , a loyal Trump defender who has fiercely opposed impeachment , endorsed Alexander 's remarks .
`` Long story short , @ SenatorAlexander most likely expressed the sentiments of the country as a whole as well as any single Senator possibly could , '' Graham tweeted last Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who believe that all was 'perfect , ' Senator Alexander made reasoned observations and conclusions based on the evidence before him .
He called it as he saw it to be . ''
Updated with details from the vote on the charge of obstruction .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Even with no witness testimony, a majority in the 100-member U.S. Senate indicated in some way that Donald Trump acted inappropriately when he pressured Ukraine’s president to dig up dirt on his political rivals. But on Wednesday, senators voted 52 to 48 to acquit him anyway on the charge of abusing his office. The Senate also voted to acquit him 53 to 47 on the charge of obstruction.
In December, Trump became just the third president in U.S. history to be impeached by the House of Representatives. By historic numbers, the House accused him of obstruction and abuse of power.
While Trump and his Republican defenders have repeatedly claimed the impeachment was not bipartisan — ignoring that conservative Rep. Justin Amash left the GOP over his opposition to Trump and voted in favor — the vote to convict was bipartisan.
Every Democrat voted to convict Trump on Wednesday on both charges, and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) also voted to convict Trump of abuse of power, calling Trump “guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust.”
In addition, several Republican senators voted to find Trump not guilty despite public statements indicating that they too found his actions wholly inappropriate.
In a floor speech on Monday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) announced she would vote to acquit Trump even though he had acted improperly. “It was wrong for President Trump to mention former Vice President Biden on that phone call, and it was wrong for him to ask a foreign country to investigate a political rival,” she said.
Collins later speculated that Trump had learned “a pretty big lesson” from impeachment, though Trump quickly made it clear that he had not.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) called Trump’s behavior “shameful and wrong,” but said she would not vote to convict a man whose name is already on printed 2020 ballots.
In a New York Times opinion piece on Wednesday, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) noted that for four months he has “consistently said that Mr. Trump’s request for an investigation of Joe Biden and any effort to tie the release of military aid to investigations were improper and shouldn’t have happened,” but that he did not believe it warranted removal from office.
“It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation,” Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said in a statement last Thursday. “When elected officials inappropriately interfere with such investigations, it undermines the principle of equal justice under the law.”
Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) endorsed Alexander’s criticisms, saying, “Let me be clear: Lamar speaks for lots and lots of us.” On Tuesday, he wrote that Trump’s call with Ukraine’s president was “was certainly not ‘perfect'” and his delay of security aid “was wrong.”
Even Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a loyal Trump defender who has fiercely opposed impeachment, endorsed Alexander’s remarks.
“Long story short, @SenatorAlexander most likely expressed the sentiments of the country as a whole as well as any single Senator possibly could,” Graham tweeted last Friday, adding in another tweet, “To those who believe that all was ‘perfect,’ Senator Alexander made reasoned observations and conclusions based on the evidence before him. He called it as he saw it to be.”
Updated with details from the vote on the charge of obstruction.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-05--Ratings for Trump's State of the Union were his worst yet

The preliminary overnight ratings for Donald Trump 's 2020 State of the Union speech show a serious decline from his speech last year .
`` President Trump 's State of the Union address is on course for a smaller viewership than in the previous three years of his presidency , '' Variety reported .
A total of 15.9 million viewers watched Trump across the four major broadcast networks , a decline of 21 % from the ratings he earned on those networks in 2019 .
Trump saw viewers tune out and change the channels on several of the networks who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. hour as the speech began at 9 p.m. On NBC , Trump 's address got over 600,000 fewer viewers than `` Ellen 's Game of Games , '' which aired the hour prior on the station .
A repeat of `` NCIS '' on CBS that aired just before the State of the Union had more viewers than Trump by nearly 1.4 million , and over 450,000 more people watched a rerun of `` The Conners '' on ABC at 8 p.m. than tuned in for Trump at 9 p.m. Trump did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Gordon Ramsay 's 24 Hours to Hell and Back , '' which aired the hour before his address on Fox News .
Trump was once the star of NBC 's `` The Apprentice '' and has frequently cited television ratings as an indication of political strength and cultural relevance .
Viewers who turned off the State of the Union address missed out on Trump lying about immigrants , giving the Medal of Freedom to a racist , lying about protecting preexisting conditions and manufacturing jobs , and misleading on a host of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ networks were tabulated , Trump hit his highest ratings for a State of the Union in 2019 with 46.8 million .
He has yet to best President Barack Obama 's highest ratings , when over 48 million tuned in for his address 2019 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The preliminary overnight ratings for Donald Trump’s 2020 State of the Union speech show a serious decline from his speech last year.
“President Trump’s State of the Union address is on course for a smaller viewership than in the previous three years of his presidency,” Variety reported.
A total of 15.9 million viewers watched Trump across the four major broadcast networks, a decline of 21% from the ratings he earned on those networks in 2019.
Trump saw viewers tune out and change the channels on several of the networks who saw their ratings lowered from the 8 p.m. hour as the speech began at 9 p.m.
On NBC, Trump’s address got over 600,000 fewer viewers than “Ellen’s Game of Games,” which aired the hour prior on the station. A repeat of “NCIS” on CBS that aired just before the State of the Union had more viewers than Trump by nearly 1.4 million, and over 450,000 more people watched a rerun of “The Conners” on ABC at 8 p.m. than tuned in for Trump at 9 p.m.
Trump did get a slight increase in ratings from “Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back,” which aired the hour before his address on Fox News.
Trump was once the star of NBC’s “The Apprentice” and has frequently cited television ratings as an indication of political strength and cultural relevance.
Viewers who turned off the State of the Union address missed out on Trump lying about immigrants, giving the Medal of Freedom to a racist, lying about protecting preexisting conditions and manufacturing jobs, and misleading on a host of other issues.
When ratings across all networks were tabulated, Trump hit his highest ratings for a State of the Union in 2019 with 46.8 million. He has yet to best President Barack Obama’s highest ratings, when over 48 million tuned in for his address 2019.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-05--Mitt Romney will vote to remove Trump 8 years after Trump endorsed him for president

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney ( R ) announced Wednesday he would vote to convict and remove Donald Trump from office , eight years after Trump endorsed him for the presidency .
With his vote , Romney will become the first senator in U.S. history to vote to remove a president of his or her own party .
`` The president is guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust , '' Romney said in a floor speech explaining his decision .
`` What he did was not 'perfect . '
No , it was a flagrant assault on our electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our fundamental values .
Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one 's oath of office that I can imagine . ''
`` ...
I support a great deal of what the President has done , '' he said .
`` I have voted with him 80 % of the time .
But my promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and biases aside . ''
He added , `` Were I to ignore the evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end , it would , I fear , expose my character to history ’ s rebuke and the censure of my own conscience . ''
With every other Senate Republican expected to vote to acquit Trump , it appears that there will not be a majority — let alone the required two-thirds super-majority needed — to remove him from office .
But Romney 's decision to vote against Trump is noteworthy .
Aside from its historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment will now be considered bipartisan .
Romney 's vote stands in contrast with Trump 's past praise of the senator .
During the 2012 presidential campaign , Trump endorsed Romney at a joint event in Las Vegas , calling him `` tough , '' `` smart , '' and `` sharp . ''
`` It 's my honor , real honor , to endorse Mitt Romney , '' Trump said at that event .
Trump , who had previously criticized Romney , told CNN at the time that he had since `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a terrific guy .
I do n't know if he really comes out like he really is in person .
He 's a warm , smart , tough cookie and that 's what this country needs . ''
Romney gratefully called the endorsement a `` delight , '' saying , he was `` honored and pleased . ''
Though the two subsequently feuded and Romney opted not to back Trump in the 2016 campaign , he reportedly auditioned to be Trump 's secretary of state during the White House transition and praised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the job , but after the former Massachusetts governor moved to Utah and ran for Senate , Trump backed him again .
`` He will make a great Senator and worthy successor to @ OrrinHatch , and has my full support and endorsement ! ''
Trump said at that time .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney (R) announced Wednesday he would vote to convict and remove Donald Trump from office, eight years after Trump endorsed him for the presidency.
With his vote, Romney will become the first senator in U.S. history to vote to remove a president of his or her own party.
“The president is guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust,” Romney said in a floor speech explaining his decision. “What he did was not ‘perfect.’ No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security, and our fundamental values. Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine.”
“… I support a great deal of what the President has done,” he said. “I have voted with him 80% of the time. But my promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and biases aside.”
He added, “Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented, and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end, it would, I fear, expose my character to history’s rebuke and the censure of my own conscience.”
With every other Senate Republican expected to vote to acquit Trump, it appears that there will not be a majority — let alone the required two-thirds super-majority needed — to remove him from office.
But Romney’s decision to vote against Trump is noteworthy. Aside from its historical significance, his vote means Trump’s impeachment will now be considered bipartisan.
Romney’s vote stands in contrast with Trump’s past praise of the senator.
During the 2012 presidential campaign, Trump endorsed Romney at a joint event in Las Vegas, calling him “tough,” “smart,” and “sharp.”
“It’s my honor, real honor, to endorse Mitt Romney,” Trump said at that event.
Trump, who had previously criticized Romney, told CNN at the time that he had since “gotten to know him and he’s a terrific guy. I don’t know if he really comes out like he really is in person. He’s a warm, smart, tough cookie and that’s what this country needs.”
Romney gratefully called the endorsement a “delight,” saying, he was “honored and pleased.”
Though the two subsequently feuded and Romney opted not to back Trump in the 2016 campaign, he reportedly auditioned to be Trump’s secretary of state during the White House transition and praised the president-elect effusively.
Romney did not get the job, but after the former Massachusetts governor moved to Utah and ran for Senate, Trump backed him again.
“He will make a great Senator and worthy successor to @OrrinHatch, and has my full support and endorsement!” Trump said at that time.
Romney gratefully accepted Trump’s support.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-05--At least 138 people the US deported to El Salvador have been killed

At least 138 people deported to El Salvador from the United States in recent years were subsequently killed , Human Rights Watch says in a new report that comes as the Trump administration makes it harder for Central Americans to seek refuge here .
A majority of the deaths documented by Human Rights Watch in the report being released Wednesday occurred less than a year after the deportees returned to El Salvador , and some within days .
The organization also confirmed at least 70 cases of sexual assault or other violence following their arrival in the country .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to return by U.S. law that mandates deportation of non-citizens convicted of a range of crimes and Trump administration policies that discourage asylum seekers , said Alison Leal Parker , the group 's U.S. managing director .
`` Our concern is that many of these people are facing a death sentence , '' Leal Parker said .
Between 2014-2018 the United States deported about 111,000 Salvadorans back to their homeland , which has long been in the grip of fierce gang violence .
The U.N. reported last year that killings in El @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gang conflict , have declined from a peak of more than 6,000 in 2015 .
But the country still has one of the highest homicide rates in the world .
Meanwhile , the number of Salvadorans seeking asylum in the United States grew by nearly 1,000 % between 2012 and 2017 , many citing threats from gangs .
Only about 18 % are granted asylum .
Human Rights Watch confirmed the 138 deaths during that period through official records , interviews with families and media accounts but believes the actual toll is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are n't recorded due to the stigma of having been deported from the United States .
The number of assaults is likely low also because of under-reporting in the country of 6.5 million .
César Ríos , executive director of the Salvadoran Migration Institute , a non-governmental organization , said no one in the country tracks the deaths of deportees but that he found the data credible , saying it reflects the reality that many are moving back to communities in the grip of the gangs .
`` We can say that deporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dangerous , '' Rios said .
Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a centerpiece of his administration , and that has included a policy of forcing asylum-seekers from Central America to wait in Mexico while their claims are evaluated or sent back to their homelands if their claim is rejected .
Many of those asylum-seekers could previously have been released on parole in the United States for a decision that could take a year or more .
The Department of Homeland Security says it 's trying to make the process more efficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Leal Parker and other critics say this report , and previous efforts that have documented violence against Salvadorans waiting in Mexican border town for their claims to be processed , show the risks of the Trump administration policy .
`` We are deeply concerned by the Trump administration 's effort to literally eviscerate the right to seek asylum in the United States , '' she said .
Human Rights Watch urged the administration to repeal the policy that requires asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico along with the agreements that allow Guatemalans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other countries of Central America while seeking refuge .
They also want the attorney general to reverse restrictions that made it harder for them to claim U.S. asylum because of threats posed by gangs or gender-based violence .
Associated Press writer Marcos Aleman in San Salvador contributed to this report .

At least 138 people deported to El Salvador from the United States in recent years were subsequently killed, Human Rights Watch says in a new report that comes as the Trump administration makes it harder for Central Americans to seek refuge here.
A majority of the deaths documented by Human Rights Watch in the report being released Wednesday occurred less than a year after the deportees returned to El Salvador, and some within days. The organization also confirmed at least 70 cases of sexual assault or other violence following their arrival in the country.
The violence underscores the risk faced by people forced to return by U.S. law that mandates deportation of non-citizens convicted of a range of crimes and Trump administration policies that discourage asylum seekers, said Alison Leal Parker, the group’s U.S. managing director.
“Our concern is that many of these people are facing a death sentence,” Leal Parker said.
Between 2014-2018 the United States deported about 111,000 Salvadorans back to their homeland, which has long been in the grip of fierce gang violence.
The U.N. reported last year that killings in El Salvador, a majority of them linked to gang conflict, have declined from a peak of more than 6,000 in 2015. But the country still has one of the highest homicide rates in the world.
Meanwhile, the number of Salvadorans seeking asylum in the United States grew by nearly 1,000% between 2012 and 2017, many citing threats from gangs. Only about 18% are granted asylum.
Human Rights Watch confirmed the 138 deaths during that period through official records, interviews with families and media accounts but believes the actual toll is much higher, in part because some aren’t recorded due to the stigma of having been deported from the United States. The number of assaults is likely low also because of under-reporting in the country of 6.5 million.
César Ríos, executive director of the Salvadoran Migration Institute, a non-governmental organization, said no one in the country tracks the deaths of deportees but that he found the data credible, saying it reflects the reality that many are moving back to communities in the grip of the gangs.
“We can say that deporting people to these areas is very difficult and dangerous,” Rios said.
Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a centerpiece of his administration, and that has included a policy of forcing asylum-seekers from Central America to wait in Mexico while their claims are evaluated or sent back to their homelands if their claim is rejected.
Many of those asylum-seekers could previously have been released on parole in the United States for a decision that could take a year or more. The Department of Homeland Security says it’s trying to make the process more efficient and crack down on fraudulent claims.
But Leal Parker and other critics say this report, and previous efforts that have documented violence against Salvadorans waiting in Mexican border town for their claims to be processed, show the risks of the Trump administration policy.
“We are deeply concerned by the Trump administration’s effort to literally eviscerate the right to seek asylum in the United States,” she said.
Human Rights Watch urged the administration to repeal the policy that requires asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico along with the agreements that allow Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans to be settled in other countries of Central America while seeking refuge. They also want the attorney general to reverse restrictions that made it harder for them to claim U.S. asylum because of threats posed by gangs or gender-based violence.
___
Associated Press writer Marcos Aleman in San Salvador contributed to this report.


shareblue--2020-02-05--Trump lied for nearly 10 minutes straight about immigrants at State of Union

Near the end of his Tuesday State of the Union address , Donald Trump spent nearly 10 minutes attacking immigrants with lies and false insinuations .
Trump , who kicked off his 2016 campaign by calling Mexicans `` criminals and rapists , '' has regularly attacked immigrants in his speeches and policies .
In his address , Trump made sure to perpetuate a false stereotype of violent immigrants , lied about sanctuary cities , spread misinformation about asylum-seekers , and falsely declared his administration would welcome immigrants .
Immigrants — both documented and undocumented — commit fewer crimes than native-born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right-leaning CATO Institute .
Yet Trump did not let the facts get in the way of fear-mongering as he rattled off a list of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants on Tuesday .
According to Trump , immigration officials `` arrested more than 120,000 criminal aliens charged with nearly 10,000 burglaries , 5,000 sexual assaults , 45,000 violent assaults , and 2,000 murders . ''
Trump 's anti-immigrant rhetoric is a lie by omission , ignoring the fact that conviction rates of undocumented immigrants `` for homicide , larceny , and sex crimes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' according to CATO .
The organization also reported that `` criminal conviction rates for legal immigrants are the lowest of all . ''
Even Mark Krikorian , the executive director the Center for Immigration Studies , an anti-immigrant hate group , admitted recently that a `` data does suggest immigrants are less likely to be involved in crime . ''
Sanctuary cities across America have less crime , including crimes like murder , than non-sanctuary cities .
Yet Trump , once again ignoring the data , spent time on Tuesday painting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime .
Trump complained about `` radical politicians have chosen to provide sanctuary for these criminal illegal aliens , '' falsely claiming local officials `` order police to release dangerous criminals to prey upon the public '' instead of turning them over to federal authorities .
In reality , sanctuary cities make communities safer .
Drawing from FBI research , the typical sanctuary county containing a large city had a 15 % lower crime rate than counties without sanctuary cities , according to the Washington Post .
If local law enforcement agencies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would result in `` increased crime against immigrants and in the broader community , '' as well as `` eliminate the potential for assistance from immigrants in solving crimes or preventing future terroristic acts , '' according to a statement from the Major Cities Chiefs Association , a group of police chiefs representing large American cities .
The Associated Press called out Trump 's lies about ending the so-called `` catch and release '' program , noting there is a backlog of 1 million immigration court cases , meaning some migrants must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , Trump falsely claimed , `` Before I came into office , if you showed up illegally on our southern border and were arrested , you were simply released and allowed into our country , never to be seen again .
My administration has ended catch-and-release .
If you come illegally , you will now be promptly removed . ''
Trump often lumps together immigrants who cross the southern border without documents and those who are seeking asylum .
For those seeking asylum , the Obama administration had a program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make their court dates .
The program had a 99 % success rate .
Trump canceled the program in 2017 , amid his administration 's crackdown on immigrants , which included separating families and housing young children in cages .
Just days after adding several more countries to his administration 's Muslim travel ban , Trump declared on Tuesday that he proposes a new immigration system that is `` welcoming those who follow the rules , contribute to our economy , support themselves financially , and uphold our values . ''
Nearly three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on several Muslim-majority countries .
On Sunday , the New York Times reported that the expansion will ban `` nearly a quarter of the 1.2 billion people on the African continent . ''
In the past , Trump has referred to African nations as `` shithole countries '' saying he would rather accept immigrants from Norway , a mostly white European nation .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Near the end of his Tuesday State of the Union address, Donald Trump spent nearly 10 minutes attacking immigrants with lies and false insinuations. Trump, who kicked off his 2016 campaign by calling Mexicans “criminals and rapists,” has regularly attacked immigrants in his speeches and policies.
In his address, Trump made sure to perpetuate a false stereotype of violent immigrants, lied about sanctuary cities, spread misinformation about asylum-seekers, and falsely declared his administration would welcome immigrants.
Myth of violent immigrants
Immigrants — both documented and undocumented — commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans, according to research from the right-leaning CATO Institute. Yet Trump did not let the facts get in the way of fear-mongering as he rattled off a list of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants on Tuesday.
According to Trump, immigration officials “arrested more than 120,000 criminal aliens charged with nearly 10,000 burglaries, 5,000 sexual assaults, 45,000 violent assaults, and 2,000 murders.”
Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric is a lie by omission, ignoring the fact that conviction rates of undocumented immigrants “for homicide, larceny, and sex crimes are also below those of native-born Americans,” according to CATO. The organization also reported that “criminal conviction rates for legal immigrants are the lowest of all.”
Even Mark Krikorian, the executive director the Center for Immigration Studies, an anti-immigrant hate group, admitted recently that a “data does suggest immigrants are less likely to be involved in crime.”
Sanctuary cities
Sanctuary cities across America have less crime, including crimes like murder, than non-sanctuary cities.
Yet Trump, once again ignoring the data, spent time on Tuesday painting a picture of sanctuary cities as hotbeds of crime.
Trump complained about “radical politicians have chosen to provide sanctuary for these criminal illegal aliens,” falsely claiming local officials “order police to release dangerous criminals to prey upon the public” instead of turning them over to federal authorities.
In reality, sanctuary cities make communities safer. Drawing from FBI research, the typical sanctuary county containing a large city had a 15% lower crime rate than counties without sanctuary cities, according to the Washington Post.
If local law enforcement agencies are made to enforce federal immigration laws, it would result in “increased crime against immigrants and in the broader community,” as well as “eliminate the potential for assistance from immigrants in solving crimes or preventing future terroristic acts,” according to a statement from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, a group of police chiefs representing large American cities.
“Catch and Release”
The Associated Press called out Trump’s lies about ending the so-called “catch and release” program, noting there is a backlog of 1 million immigration court cases, meaning some migrants must wait three years before a court hearing.
On Tuesday, Trump falsely claimed, “Before I came into office, if you showed up illegally on our southern border and were arrested, you were simply released and allowed into our country, never to be seen again. My administration has ended catch-and-release. If you come illegally, you will now be promptly removed.”
Trump often lumps together immigrants who cross the southern border without documents and those who are seeking asylum. For those seeking asylum, the Obama administration had a program to provide legal assistance and help asylum-seekers make their court dates. The program had a 99% success rate.
Trump canceled the program in 2017, amid his administration’s crackdown on immigrants, which included separating families and housing young children in cages.
Immigration reform
Just days after adding several more countries to his administration’s Muslim travel ban, Trump declared on Tuesday that he proposes a new immigration system that is “welcoming those who follow the rules, contribute to our economy, support themselves financially, and uphold our values.”
Nearly three years ago, Trump announced a ban on several Muslim-majority countries. On Sunday, the New York Times reported that the expansion will ban “nearly a quarter of the 1.2 billion people on the African continent.”
In the past, Trump has referred to African nations as “shithole countries” saying he would rather accept immigrants from Norway, a mostly white European nation.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-05--7 top issues for voters that Trump ignored in his State of Union

Donald Trump 's State of the Union address on Tuesday lasted one hour and 18 minutes .
While he spent a great deal of time praising himself and arguing that the `` state of our union is stronger than ever before , '' he neglected to address many of the most pressing issues facing the country and the nation 's voters in November .
Among other things , Trump railed against `` criminal aliens , '' suggesting migrants posed a threat to U.S. citizens — a claim not supported by any facts — suggested Democrats supported a complete socialist takeover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and praised racist and sexist conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh , who recently revealed he is suffering from advanced lung cancer , before awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom .
Trump 's speech , however , was noticeably devoid of any mention of several major issues , including gun violence , climate change , and protections for immigrants brought to the country as children .
Trump has promised to address each of those issues — and more — in the past .
Perhaps the single most existential threat to humanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once proclaimed it a `` hoax '' invented by China but has recently called it a `` very serious subject , '' did not mention the topic once during his address .
His only discussion of the environment at all was a brief mention of the United States joining the One Trillion Trees initiative , which he called `` an ambitious effort to bring together government and private sector to plant new trees in America and all around the world . ''
The Trump administration , meanwhile , has aggressively rolled back environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries to pollute U.S. waterways and wetlands , among other things .
Trump also made no mention of gun violence .
There were more mass shootings than days in 2019 and , though Trump vowed `` strong measures to keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous and deranged individuals '' last summer , he has completely abandoned that promise .
Instead , he said Tuesday that the right to bear arms is `` under siege all across our country '' and vowed to `` always protect your Second Amendment right . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ education .
Rather than outline any vision for how to improve the system for the almost 51 million kids in American public schools , he focused exclusively on how to get one million kids out of `` failing government schools '' by sending public funds to private and parochial schools .
Though he promised to `` fix our broken education system , '' Trump has previously proposed deep cuts to public education .
The estimated 3.6 million Dreamers in the country went entirely unmentioned in Trump 's speech .
Trump once promised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status for these undocumented young people brought to the United States as children , but has since fought to deport them and blamed Democrats for his actions .
His address did falsely imply that undocumented immigrants are more likely to be criminals and included a call for a prohibition on `` free health care for illegal aliens . ''
Though hate crimes are up under Trump , he made no mention of combating discrimination or bias crimes based on race , Islamophobia , xenophobia , sexual orientation , or gender identity .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights protections , despite his promise to be `` president for all Americans . ''
After promising to eliminate the budget deficit and national debt , both have soared to new heights under Trump .
He made no mention of either during his speech , despite having repeatedly framed them as a pressing concern during the Obama years .
Finally , Trump spent a good part of his speech complaining that many American cities have refused to let Trump 's administration use their public safety officers to enforce federal immigration policy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctuary cities , '' he did not mention the real crisis facing urban America : the lack of affordable housing .
In his 2017 inaugural address , he had vowed to immediately stop the `` American carnage '' facing American inner cities .
Trump has been criticized for largely ignoring the housing shortage .
`` Unlike so many who came before me , I keep my promises , '' Trump declared early in his speech .
In these areas , he has broken his promises and dropped the subject altogether .
Published with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday lasted one hour and 18 minutes. While he spent a great deal of time praising himself and arguing that the “state of our union is stronger than ever before,” he neglected to address many of the most pressing issues facing the country and the nation’s voters in November.
Among other things, Trump railed against “criminal aliens,” suggesting migrants posed a threat to U.S. citizens — a claim not supported by any facts — suggested Democrats supported a complete socialist takeover of health care (they don’t), and praised racist and sexist conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who recently revealed he is suffering from advanced lung cancer, before awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Trump’s speech, however, was noticeably devoid of any mention of several major issues, including gun violence, climate change, and protections for immigrants brought to the country as children.
Trump has promised to address each of those issues — and more — in the past.
Climate change
Perhaps the single most existential threat to humanity is climate change. Trump, who once proclaimed it a “hoax” invented by China but has recently called it a “very serious subject,” did not mention the topic once during his address. His only discussion of the environment at all was a brief mention of the United States joining the One Trillion Trees initiative, which he called “an ambitious effort to bring together government and private sector to plant new trees in America and all around the world.”
The Trump administration, meanwhile, has aggressively rolled back environmental protections that could allow businesses and agricultural industries to pollute U.S. waterways and wetlands, among other things.
Gun violence
Trump also made no mention of gun violence. There were more mass shootings than days in 2019 and, though Trump vowed “strong measures to keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous and deranged individuals” last summer, he has completely abandoned that promise.
Instead, he said Tuesday that the right to bear arms is “under siege all across our country” and vowed to “always protect your Second Amendment right.”
Education
Trump mostly ignored the issue of public education. Rather than outline any vision for how to improve the system for the almost 51 million kids in American public schools, he focused exclusively on how to get one million kids out of “failing government schools” by sending public funds to private and parochial schools.
Though he promised to “fix our broken education system,” Trump has previously proposed deep cuts to public education.
Dreamers
The estimated 3.6 million Dreamers in the country went entirely unmentioned in Trump’s speech.
Trump once promised to negotiate a deal to ensure a legal status for these undocumented young people brought to the United States as children, but has since fought to deport them and blamed Democrats for his actions. His address did falsely imply that undocumented immigrants are more likely to be criminals and included a call for a prohibition on “free health care for illegal aliens.”
Racism and hate crimes
Though hate crimes are up under Trump, he made no mention of combating discrimination or bias crimes based on race, Islamophobia, xenophobia, sexual orientation, or gender identity. His administration has rolled back an array of civil rights protections, despite his promise to be “president for all Americans.”
National debt
After promising to eliminate the budget deficit and national debt, both have soared to new heights under Trump. He made no mention of either during his speech, despite having repeatedly framed them as a pressing concern during the Obama years.
Affordable housing
Finally, Trump spent a good part of his speech complaining that many American cities have refused to let Trump’s administration use their public safety officers to enforce federal immigration policy. But though he railed against these “sanctuary cities,” he did not mention the real crisis facing urban America: the lack of affordable housing. In his 2017 inaugural address, he had vowed to immediately stop the “American carnage” facing American inner cities. Trump has been criticized for largely ignoring the housing shortage.
“Unlike so many who came before me, I keep my promises,” Trump declared early in his speech.
In these areas, he has broken his promises and dropped the subject altogether.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-05--Pence: Pelosi will be 'last speaker' to sit at State of Union 'for a long time'

From the February 5 , 2020 , edition of `` Fox & Friends '' on Fox News : MIKE PENCE @ @ @ @ @ the reasons you see the momentum growing behind this president .
And I just have @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Pelosi ] 's going to be the last Speaker of the House to sit @ @ @ @ @ long time .
The White House said in an email later on Wednesday that Pence @ @ @ @ @ might be `` the last Democrat speaker of the House to sit in that chair @ @ @ @ @ '' This article has been updated with additional comment from the White House .
Published @ @ @ @ @ Independent Foundation .

From the February 5, 2020, edition of “Fox & Friends” on Fox News:
MIKE PENCE: That’s one of the reasons you see the momentum growing behind this president. And I just have a strong feeling that [Nancy Pelosi]’s going to be the last Speaker of the House to sit in that chair for a long time.
The White House said in an email later on Wednesday that Pence had intended to say Pelosi might be “the last Democrat speaker of the House to sit in that chair for a long time.”
This article has been updated with additional comment from the White House.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-06--Associated Press: 'Not possible to determine a winner' of Iowa caucuses

The Associated Press said Thursday that it is unable to declare a winner of Iowa 's Democratic caucuses .
With 97 % of precincts reporting from Monday 's caucuses , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by three state delegate equivalents out of 2,098 counted .
That is a margin of 0.14 percentage points .
However , even as the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s effort to complete its tabulation of the caucus results continues , Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez on Thursday asked the Iowa Democratic Party to conduct a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but rather a check of the vote count to ensure the results were added correctly .
Perez sought the recanvass following days of uncertainty about the results reported by the Iowa Democratic Party , which includes technology problems with the mobile phone app used by the party to collect results from caucus sites , an overwhelming number of calls to the party ’ s backup phone system and a subsequent delay of several days of reporting the results .
The Iowa Democratic Party suggested it may not comply with Perez ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would conduct a recanvass if one was requested by one of the candidates .
Further , the party has yet to report results from some satellite caucus sites , from which there are still an unknown number of state delegate equivalents to be won .
“ The Associated Press calls a race when there is a clear indication of a winner .
Because of a tight margin between former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders and the irregularities in this year ’ s caucus process , it is not possible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Sally Buzbee , AP ’ s senior vice president and executive editor .
The AP will continue to report and review the results from the Iowa Democratic Party as it completes its tabulation , as well as the results of any potential recanvass or recount .

The Associated Press said Thursday that it is unable to declare a winner of Iowa’s Democratic caucuses.
With 97% of precincts reporting from Monday’s caucuses, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by three state delegate equivalents out of 2,098 counted. That is a margin of 0.14 percentage points.
However, even as the Iowa Democratic Party’s effort to complete its tabulation of the caucus results continues, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez on Thursday asked the Iowa Democratic Party to conduct a recanvass. That is not a recount, but rather a check of the vote count to ensure the results were added correctly.
Perez sought the recanvass following days of uncertainty about the results reported by the Iowa Democratic Party, which includes technology problems with the mobile phone app used by the party to collect results from caucus sites, an overwhelming number of calls to the party’s backup phone system and a subsequent delay of several days of reporting the results.
The Iowa Democratic Party suggested it may not comply with Perez’s request, issuing a statement that said it would conduct a recanvass if one was requested by one of the candidates.
Further, the party has yet to report results from some satellite caucus sites, from which there are still an unknown number of state delegate equivalents to be won.
“The Associated Press calls a race when there is a clear indication of a winner. Because of a tight margin between former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders and the irregularities in this year’s caucus process, it is not possible to determine a winner at this point,” said Sally Buzbee, AP’s senior vice president and executive editor.
The AP will continue to report and review the results from the Iowa Democratic Party as it completes its tabulation, as well as the results of any potential recanvass or recount.


shareblue--2020-02-06--What life is like for the 195 Americans under quarantine for new virus

There 's Zumba and boxing classes , lectures on business and taxes , and chalk art outside for the children .
While it might sound like a local recreation center 's offerings , it 's actually part of daily life for 195 American citizens quarantined on a military base after being evacuated from the heart of a new virus outbreak in China .
The cluster of American consular officials , businesspeople , and families with children were whisked out of the city of Wuhan on a U.S.-chartered plane last week .
Since then , they have formed their own community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-day federal quarantine order designed to limit the virus ' spread .
They hold a daily `` town hall '' meeting to receive updates from officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and discuss travel plans .
There is an early morning jogging group and some who run stairs to stay in shape at March Air Reserve Base , said Matthew McCoy , a theme park designer and one of the evacuees .
Last weekend , there was a pizza party for the Super Bowl with two television screens outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in modest hotel-style rooms .
They 're planning a flag football game and another party before evacuees scatter to Atlanta , New York and other cities to reunite with family .
`` It 's not a cruise ship , you know , but we 're trying to make it as an overall team , '' McCoy said in an interview over Skype .
`` That 's what we 're hoping the other camps do .
We 're still humans . ''
The group was the first placed under federal quarantine order because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has sickened more than 20,000 people and killed nearly 500 , virtually all in China .
Two more planes carrying about 350 Americans arrived Wednesday at other California military bases and two more are expected Thursday at bases in Nebraska and Texas .
All passengers will be quarantined for 14 days .
At March Air Reserve Base east of Los Angeles , meals are catered , including breakfast burritos and noodles and chicken .
There 's baby food and kid-friendly options like chicken nuggets , and soda and water , McCoy said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and toiletries to make it feel more like home , he said .
`` Real soap , not hotel soap .
We 're talking Irish Spring and Zest , '' he said .
They also brought in a coffee machine , where McCoy bumps into other evacuees on middle-of-the-night runs .
Many are still working remotely in China , which has a 16-hour time difference .
These furnishings and support from federal and local officials , he said , have helped the group band together to make the most of the highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shut-down city and placed under the first federal quarantine order in the United States in more than 50 years .
The Americans who arrived Wednesday flew on two U.S.-chartered jets and landed at Travis Air Force Base , located in Northern California between San Francisco and Sacramento .
About half are being housed there and the others were flown to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar just outside San Diego .
Miramar is the former home of the Navy flight school that inspired the film `` Top Gun . ''
At Travis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is a large outdoor area and common spaces in addition to individual rooms .
At a Miramar , some are staying at the Consolidated Bachelor Quarters .
Images provided by the military show a communal dining area with large dispensers of breakfast cereal , a laundry room and an auditorium , playground and lecture hall .
Others are staying at an inn on the base .
Dr. Christopher Braden , the CDC 's lead representative at Miramar , said the roughly 170 passengers were of all ages , including infants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult situation . ''
`` They 're allowed 70 pounds of luggage to carry on board with them , Braden said , `` So there 's not very much they have in the way of personal belongings , and so we need to do what we can to make sure that they 're well cared for . ''
They are free to roam their quarantined areas and will have phone and internet access .
The CDC is n't recommending face masks or other protective gear but suggests that everyone keep a distance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone who exhibits coronavirus symptoms will be isolated in a medical facility .
Three adults and a child at Miramar were found to have fever or a cough and brought to local hospitals Wednesday evening , the CDC said .
In Riverside County , some evacuees still wear face masks and keep their distance , but people are friendly to each other , said Jarred Evans , a former University of Cincinnati quarterback now playing professionally in China .
`` Everything has been pretty chill , '' Evans said .
But many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China and business disruptions .
McCoy said much of his work has slowed and he 's been seeking help to keep supporting his son .
Kimmy McDaniel , co-founder of the non-profit Project Strong One , said she was moved to try to help the evacuees , noting many work for the State Department .
Her group furnished bikes and games for the kids , hair conditioner , diapers , and `` anything and everything that would help make this transition more palatable and a positive experience , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinic .
One child was sent to the hospital with a fever , accompanied by a parent , but returned to the base after testing negative for the virus , said Jose Arballo Jr. , a spokesman for the county 's public health agency .
For this first group , the quarantine will end Tuesday .
But those arriving on later flights are just beginning their journey .
`` The American spirit provides , '' McCoy said .
`` Everybody 's nice to everybody .
I think that 's going to happen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press writers Elliot Spagat and Julie Watson in San Diego , Christopher Weber in Los Angeles , Carla K. Johnson in Seattle and Terry Chea in Fairfield , California , contributed to this report .

There’s Zumba and boxing classes, lectures on business and taxes, and chalk art outside for the children.
While it might sound like a local recreation center’s offerings, it’s actually part of daily life for 195 American citizens quarantined on a military base after being evacuated from the heart of a new virus outbreak in China.
The cluster of American consular officials, businesspeople, and families with children were whisked out of the city of Wuhan on a U.S.-chartered plane last week. Since then, they have formed their own community while waiting to be released from a 14-day federal quarantine order designed to limit the virus’ spread.
They hold a daily “town hall” meeting to receive updates from officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and discuss travel plans. There is an early morning jogging group and some who run stairs to stay in shape at March Air Reserve Base, said Matthew McCoy, a theme park designer and one of the evacuees.
Last weekend, there was a pizza party for the Super Bowl with two television screens outside the two-story building where they’re being housed in modest hotel-style rooms. They’re planning a flag football game and another party before evacuees scatter to Atlanta, New York and other cities to reunite with family.
“It’s not a cruise ship, you know, but we’re trying to make it as an overall team,” McCoy said in an interview over Skype. “That’s what we’re hoping the other camps do. We’re still humans.”
The group was the first placed under federal quarantine order because of the new strain of coronavirus, which has sickened more than 20,000 people and killed nearly 500, virtually all in China.
Two more planes carrying about 350 Americans arrived Wednesday at other California military bases and two more are expected Thursday at bases in Nebraska and Texas. All passengers will be quarantined for 14 days.
At March Air Reserve Base east of Los Angeles, meals are catered, including breakfast burritos and noodles and chicken. There’s baby food and kid-friendly options like chicken nuggets, and soda and water, McCoy said.
A non-profit group brought toys for the children and toiletries to make it feel more like home, he said.
“Real soap, not hotel soap. We’re talking Irish Spring and Zest,” he said.
They also brought in a coffee machine, where McCoy bumps into other evacuees on middle-of-the-night runs. Many are still working remotely in China, which has a 16-hour time difference.
These furnishings and support from federal and local officials, he said, have helped the group band together to make the most of the highly unusual circumstance of being whisked out of a shut-down city and placed under the first federal quarantine order in the United States in more than 50 years.
The Americans who arrived Wednesday flew on two U.S.-chartered jets and landed at Travis Air Force Base, located in Northern California between San Francisco and Sacramento. About half are being housed there and the others were flown to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar just outside San Diego. Miramar is the former home of the Navy flight school that inspired the film “Top Gun.”
At Travis, they will live in a base hotel. There is a large outdoor area and common spaces in addition to individual rooms. At a Miramar, some are staying at the Consolidated Bachelor Quarters. Images provided by the military show a communal dining area with large dispensers of breakfast cereal, a laundry room and an auditorium, playground and lecture hall. Others are staying at an inn on the base.
Dr. Christopher Braden, the CDC’s lead representative at Miramar, said the roughly 170 passengers were of all ages, including infants. He said they were in “a difficult situation.”
“They’re allowed 70 pounds of luggage to carry on board with them, Braden said, “So there’s not very much they have in the way of personal belongings, and so we need to do what we can to make sure that they’re well cared for.”
They are free to roam their quarantined areas and will have phone and internet access.
The CDC isn’t recommending face masks or other protective gear but suggests that everyone keep a distance of about 6 feet (1.8 meters).
Anyone who exhibits coronavirus symptoms will be isolated in a medical facility. Three adults and a child at Miramar were found to have fever or a cough and brought to local hospitals Wednesday evening, the CDC said.
In Riverside County, some evacuees still wear face masks and keep their distance, but people are friendly to each other, said Jarred Evans, a former University of Cincinnati quarterback now playing professionally in China .
“Everything has been pretty chill,” Evans said.
But many face also challenges such as family stuck in China and business disruptions. McCoy said much of his work has slowed and he’s been seeking help to keep supporting his son.
Kimmy McDaniel, co-founder of the non-profit Project Strong One, said she was moved to try to help the evacuees, noting many work for the State Department.
Her group furnished bikes and games for the kids, hair conditioner, diapers, and “anything and everything that would help make this transition more palatable and a positive experience,” she said.
There is also a round-the-clock mobile health clinic. One child was sent to the hospital with a fever, accompanied by a parent, but returned to the base after testing negative for the virus, said Jose Arballo Jr., a spokesman for the county’s public health agency.
For this first group, the quarantine will end Tuesday. But those arriving on later flights are just beginning their journey. “The American spirit provides,” McCoy said. “Everybody’s nice to everybody. I think that’s going to happen in all the other places.”
___
Associated Press writers Elliot Spagat and Julie Watson in San Diego, Christopher Weber in Los Angeles, Carla K. Johnson in Seattle and Terry Chea in Fairfield, California, contributed to this report.


shareblue--2020-02-06--GOP candidate doesn't think health care is a top priority for his state

If Republican Dan Forest wins his campaign to be North Carolina 's next governor , improving health care for state residents may not be high on the agenda .
When asked this week what his top priorities would be if his bid is successful , Forest named infrastructure , law and order , education , and innovation .
Not on the list ?
Health care .
Forest was specifically asked in a Wednesday night interview with UNC-TV what `` the first 100 days of a Forest administration [ would ] look like . ''
The first 100 days , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crafting a vision ... and getting to work . ''
That includes focusing on the `` top five most important things . ''
When pushed to clarify what his five top priorities were , Forest responded with four , saying , `` One 's gon na be infrastructure , '' before adding that law and order were `` absolutely critical to the state . ''
Forest also said North Carolina should be `` a leader in education , '' and that he wants to focus on innovation , including `` intelligent transportation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not name a fifth priority .
This video was flagged by American Bridge , a progressive opposition research group .
The last time North Carolinians went to the polls in the 2018 midterm elections , health care was ranked the most important voter issue , according to a High Point University survey .
The survey found 75 % of North Carolina voters said health care policy was `` very important , '' followed by the economy ( 71 % ) and social security ( 69 % ) .
`` We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparency , making sure that everybody has really good health care , making sure it 's low cost , that we ’ re driving down the cost in health care for all families , '' Forest said .
`` Make sure the poor are taken care of .
We do that in America .
We have a great safety net for people . ''
Forest is running for governor against incumbent Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper .
`` It 's no surprise that Dan Forest does n't think health care should be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director for Cooper 's campaign , said Thursday in an email .
`` He opposes expanding Medicaid and supports allowing health insurance companies to discriminate against people with preexisting conditions .
Dan Forest would be a disaster for North Carolina families . ''
Forest does oppose expanding Medicaid for low-income Americans as allowed under the Affordable Care Act .
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation , expanding Medicaid in North Carolina could provide health insurance to 357,000 residents .
By contrast , a 2019 report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opted not to expand Medicaid .
North Carolina is one of only 15 states that has refused to expand Medicaid .
Since 2010 , seven rural hospitals in the state have shut down , an outcome researchers have linked to the lack of Medicaid expansion .
Forest 's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

If Republican Dan Forest wins his campaign to be North Carolina’s next governor, improving health care for state residents may not be high on the agenda.
When asked this week what his top priorities would be if his bid is successful, Forest named infrastructure, law and order, education, and innovation.
Not on the list? Health care.
Forest was specifically asked in a Wednesday night interview with UNC-TV what “the first 100 days of a Forest administration [would] look like.”
The first 100 days, he said, “[are] about crafting a vision … and getting to work.” That includes focusing on the “top five most important things.”
When pushed to clarify what his five top priorities were, Forest responded with four, saying, “One’s gonna be infrastructure,” before adding that law and order were “absolutely critical to the state.” Forest also said North Carolina should be “a leader in education,” and that he wants to focus on innovation, including “intelligent transportation and things like flying transportation.”
Forest did not name a fifth priority.
This video was flagged by American Bridge, a progressive opposition research group.
The last time North Carolinians went to the polls in the 2018 midterm elections, health care was ranked the most important voter issue, according to a High Point University survey.
The survey found 75% of North Carolina voters said health care policy was “very important,” followed by the economy (71%) and social security (69%).
Forest did discuss health care earlier in Wednesday’s interview.
“We need to talk about comprehensive health care reform, transparency, making sure that everybody has really good health care, making sure it’s low cost, that we’re driving down the cost in health care for all families,” Forest said. “Make sure the poor are taken care of. We do that in America. We have a great safety net for people.”
Forest is running for governor against incumbent Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
“It’s no surprise that Dan Forest doesn’t think health care should be a priority,” Liz Doherty, communications director for Cooper’s campaign, said Thursday in an email. “He opposes expanding Medicaid and supports allowing health insurance companies to discriminate against people with preexisting conditions. Dan Forest would be a disaster for North Carolina families.”
Forest does oppose expanding Medicaid for low-income Americans as allowed under the Affordable Care Act.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, expanding Medicaid in North Carolina could provide health insurance to 357,000 residents. By contrast, a 2019 report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found 15,600 adults died prematurely because states opted not to expand Medicaid.
North Carolina is one of only 15 states that has refused to expand Medicaid. Since 2010, seven rural hospitals in the state have shut down, an outcome researchers have linked to the lack of Medicaid expansion.
Forest’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-06--Justice Department investigating string of deaths at Mississippi prisons

The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the Mississippi prison system after a string of inmate deaths in the past few months , officials said Wednesday .
Federal prosecutors are looking into conditions at four state prisons after the deaths of at least 15 inmates since late December .
The investigation is examining whether state corrections officials are adequately protecting prisoners from physical harm and will look into whether there are adequate health care and suicide prevention services .
The investigation by the Justice Department 's civil rights division will specifically focus on conditions at the Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi Correctional Institution , the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility , and the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility , the Justice Department said .
The Wilkinson facility holds state prisoners , and the state pays a private company , Management & Training Corporation , to operate it .
The use of such investigations examining the patterns and practices of law enforcement agencies has been curtailed under the Trump administration compared with their use during the Obama administration .
Some of the inmate deaths in recent weeks happened during confrontations between inmates .
Some were suicides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi prisons , where many jobs for guards are unfilled .
Officials with the state Department of Corrections have said for years that it 's difficult to find people to work as guards because of low pay , long hours and dangerous conditions .
The deputy legal director for Southern Poverty Law Center , Lisa Graybill , said in a statement Wednesday that Mississippi prisons `` have a brutal history rooted in slavery and convict leasing . ''
`` It is time for the federal government to step in and do what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : end the violence and ensure humane living conditions , '' Graybill said .
`` Dozens have died and hundred of others live in squalid conditions with standing sewage in freezing temperatures as a result of ... Mississippi 's neglect .
Mississippi 's prisons are overcrowded , understaffed , and are n't safe for anyone . ''
Health department inspections show Parchman has had longstanding problems with broken sinks and toilets in cells , holes in cell walls , widespread mold and mildew in showers , and sanitation problems in kitchens .
Entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying attorneys who are suing the state on behalf of inmates over conditions in the prisons .
The lawsuit filed in mid-January says the prisons are `` plagued by violence '' and inmates are forced to live in decrepit and dangerous conditions .
Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves said in his State of the State speech on Jan. 27 that he has told the Department of Corrections to take steps to shut down Parchman 's Unit 29 , but the department has not said how long that will take .
The department 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Reeves ' speech that inmates in Unit 29 have clean water to drink and warm water for showers .
He said some inmates had not been allowed to shower for several days while prisons were on lockdown because of the violence .
He said those no longer on lockdown have had a chance to shower and have been given new clothes .
Taylor also said toilets have been repaired and crews are patching holes that allowed rain into buildings .
He said workers are also repairing problems with electrical systems and heating @

The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into the Mississippi prison system after a string of inmate deaths in the past few months, officials said Wednesday.
Federal prosecutors are looking into conditions at four state prisons after the deaths of at least 15 inmates since late December. The investigation is examining whether state corrections officials are adequately protecting prisoners from physical harm and will look into whether there are adequate health care and suicide prevention services.
The investigation by the Justice Department’s civil rights division will specifically focus on conditions at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, the South Mississippi Correctional Institution, the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, and the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility, the Justice Department said.
The Wilkinson facility holds state prisoners, and the state pays a private company, Management & Training Corporation, to operate it.
The use of such investigations examining the patterns and practices of law enforcement agencies has been curtailed under the Trump administration compared with their use during the Obama administration.
Some of the inmate deaths in recent weeks happened during confrontations between inmates. Some were suicides.
Violence is a recurring problem in Mississippi prisons, where many jobs for guards are unfilled. Officials with the state Department of Corrections have said for years that it’s difficult to find people to work as guards because of low pay, long hours and dangerous conditions.
The deputy legal director for Southern Poverty Law Center, Lisa Graybill, said in a statement Wednesday that Mississippi prisons “have a brutal history rooted in slavery and convict leasing.”
“It is time for the federal government to step in and do what the Mississippi Department of Corrections has failed to: end the violence and ensure humane living conditions,” Graybill said. “Dozens have died and hundred of others live in squalid conditions with standing sewage in freezing temperatures as a result of … Mississippi’s neglect. Mississippi’s prisons are overcrowded, understaffed, and aren’t safe for anyone.”
Health department inspections show Parchman has had longstanding problems with broken sinks and toilets in cells, holes in cell walls, widespread mold and mildew in showers, and sanitation problems in kitchens.
Entertainment mogul Jay-Z and rapper Yo Gotti are paying attorneys who are suing the state on behalf of inmates over conditions in the prisons. The lawsuit filed in mid-January says the prisons are “plagued by violence” and inmates are forced to live in decrepit and dangerous conditions.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said in his State of the State speech on Jan. 27 that he has told the Department of Corrections to take steps to shut down Parchman’s Unit 29, but the department has not said how long that will take.
The department’s interim commissioner, Tommy Taylor, said after Reeves’ speech that inmates in Unit 29 have clean water to drink and warm water for showers. He said some inmates had not been allowed to shower for several days while prisons were on lockdown because of the violence. He said those no longer on lockdown have had a chance to shower and have been given new clothes.
Taylor also said toilets have been repaired and crews are patching holes that allowed rain into buildings. He said workers are also repairing problems with electrical systems and heating.