shareblue--2020-05-05--Trump administration calls his Fox News interview 'a core government function'

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt claimed Donald Trump 's Fox News interview at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday was a critical government function during the coronavirus crisis — and lifted the ban on such events to allow it to happen .
`` Given the extraordinary crisis that the American people have endured , and the need for the President to exercise a core governmental function to address the Nation about an ongoing public-health crisis , I am exercising my authority to facilitate the opportunity for the President to conduct this address within the Lincoln Memorial , '' Bernhardt wrote in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump 's interview `` will illuminate and reflect the values of our Nation during an unprecedented public-health crisis , '' Bernhardt added .
Trump used much of his interview seated beside the statue of Abraham Lincoln to recount his standard grievances about the media and Democratic politicians .
`` I am greeted with a hostile press the likes of which no president has ever seen , '' Trump said Sunday .
`` They always said nobody got treated worse than Lincoln .
I believe I am treated worse , '' Trump added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernhardt wrote in his order that Trump would use the occasion to `` remind all of us that we can knit our often-divided Nation together in a time of trial . ''
Instead , Trump attacked the work of Democratic governors .
`` She ought to get back to running her state properly , '' Trump said about Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan .
Sixty-three percent of Michigan residents approve of Whitmer 's handling of the coronavirus crisis , while only 36 % approve of Trump .
`` We had one governor , Inslee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said about Washington 's Jay Inslee .
`` And , frankly , he did n't do a very good job on nursing homes , as far as I 'm concerned , the state of Washington . ''
Trump also insisted that his handling of the pandemic has been successful , agreeing with his son-in-law , Jared Kushner , who said earlier in the week that it was a `` great success story . ''
Asked about his decision to hold the virtual town hall at the Lincoln Memorial , Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation during a time of crisis but instead praised the artwork .
`` I think it 's great for the American people to see .
This is a great work of art , '' Trump said .
`` Aside from the fact that that was a great man , this a great work of art .
That 's one of the greatest sculptures , one of the greatest statues , to me , anywhere in the world . ''
This was n't the first time Trump held what seemed to be nothing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current health crisis .
On April 16 , Trump violated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to hold a photo-op honoring truck drivers .
Despite his own guidance from his own task force , Trump did not maintain a six-foot distance from those at the event , standing close to drivers from companies such as UPS , FedEX , and DHL as he handed them golden keys for their service .
Before the crisis , Trump 's desire for photo-ops included a taxpayer-funded trip to the U.S.-Mexico border wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog .
When the Philadelphia Eagles refused to come to the White House after their 2018 Super Bowl win , the White House attacked the team and revoked their invitation .
But Trump went ahead with a photo-op , despite no football team , in what he called a `` Celebration of America '' including the Marine Corps band playing patriotic music .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt claimed Donald Trump’s Fox News interview at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday was a critical government function during the coronavirus crisis — and lifted the ban on such events to allow it to happen.
“Given the extraordinary crisis that the American people have endured, and the need for the President to exercise a core governmental function to address the Nation about an ongoing public-health crisis, I am exercising my authority to facilitate the opportunity for the President to conduct this address within the Lincoln Memorial,” Bernhardt wrote in a Friday order to the National Park Service.
Trump’s interview “will illuminate and reflect the values of our Nation during an unprecedented public-health crisis,” Bernhardt added.
Trump used much of his interview seated beside the statue of Abraham Lincoln to recount his standard grievances about the media and Democratic politicians.
“I am greeted with a hostile press the likes of which no president has ever seen,” Trump said Sunday. “They always said nobody got treated worse than Lincoln. I believe I am treated worse,” Trump added without acknowledging that Lincoln was assassinated.
Bernhardt wrote in his order that Trump would use the occasion to “remind all of us that we can knit our often-divided Nation together in a time of trial.”
Instead, Trump attacked the work of Democratic governors.
“She ought to get back to running her state properly,” Trump said about Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. Sixty-three percent of Michigan residents approve of Whitmer’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, while only 36% approve of Trump.
“We had one governor, Inslee, who is always wanting something,” Trump said about Washington’s Jay Inslee. “And, frankly, he didn’t do a very good job on nursing homes, as far as I’m concerned, the state of Washington.”
Trump also insisted that his handling of the pandemic has been successful, agreeing with his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who said earlier in the week that it was a “great success story.”
Asked about his decision to hold the virtual town hall at the Lincoln Memorial, Trump said nothing about the importance of addressing the nation during a time of crisis but instead praised the artwork.
“I think it’s great for the American people to see. This is a great work of art,” Trump said. “Aside from the fact that that was a great man, this a great work of art. That’s one of the greatest sculptures, one of the greatest statues, to me, anywhere in the world.”
This wasn’t the first time Trump held what seemed to be nothing more than a photo-op in the middle of the current health crisis.
On April 16, Trump violated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to hold a photo-op honoring truck drivers. Despite his own guidance from his own task force, Trump did not maintain a six-foot distance from those at the event, standing close to drivers from companies such as UPS, FedEX, and DHL as he handed them golden keys for their service.
Before the crisis, Trump’s desire for photo-ops included a taxpayer-funded trip to the U.S.-Mexico border wall and a photo-op with a military service dog.
When the Philadelphia Eagles refused to come to the White House after their 2018 Super Bowl win, the White House attacked the team and revoked their invitation. But Trump went ahead with a photo-op, despite no football team, in what he called a “Celebration of America” including the Marine Corps band playing patriotic music.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-05--Trump says 'everybody's excited' about stock market as death toll rises

Even as the death toll from the new coronavirus continues to rise , Donald Trump is focused on the stock market .
A Trump administration internal document predicts that the daily death toll from the virus will reach 3,000 by June 1 , which would be a 70 % increase from the current number of deaths per day , the New York Times reported on Monday .
Yet before boarding Air Force One to visit Arizona on Tuesday , Trump took time to brag about stocks .
And right now , the stock market 's way up .
Everybody 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
Safely .
But they 're going back to work .
We 're opening up our country again .
And this is what we 're doing .
And I 'll tell you : The whole world is excited , watching us , because we 're leading the world .
As of Tuesday morning , more than 1,186,900 people in the United States have been confirmed to have the coronavirus , and at least 68,843 people have died .
The same model reported by the Times predicts 200,000 new coronavirus cases every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times also reported that the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington , using a different model , estimated 135,000 deaths in the United States by August .
Researchers said the upward revision was due in part to `` rising mobility in most U.S. states as well as the easing of social distancing measures expected in 31 states by May 11 , indicating that growing contacts among people will promote transmission of the coronavirus . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Even as the death toll from the new coronavirus continues to rise, Donald Trump is focused on the stock market.
A Trump administration internal document predicts that the daily death toll from the virus will reach 3,000 by June 1, which would be a 70% increase from the current number of deaths per day, the New York Times reported on Monday.
Yet before boarding Air Force One to visit Arizona on Tuesday, Trump took time to brag about stocks.
And right now, the stock market’s way up. Everybody’s excited. They’re going back to work. Safely. But they’re going back to work. We’re opening up our country again. And this is what we’re doing. And I’ll tell you: The whole world is excited, watching us, because we’re leading the world.
As of Tuesday morning, more than 1,186,900 people in the United States have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, and at least 68,843 people have died. The same model reported by the Times predicts 200,000 new coronavirus cases every day by the end of May.
The Times also reported that the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, using a different model, estimated 135,000 deaths in the United States by August.
Researchers said the upward revision was due in part to “rising mobility in most U.S. states as well as the easing of social distancing measures expected in 31 states by May 11, indicating that growing contacts among people will promote transmission of the coronavirus.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-06--McEnany condemns 'publicity stunts' days after Trump's Lincoln Memorial stunt

During a press briefing on Wednesday , Donald Trump 's new press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , decried `` publicity stunts '' during the coronavirus pandemic , criticizing House Democrats for trying to hold oversight hearings that the White House is trying to block .
`` We do n't have time in the middle of a pandemic for publicity stunts , '' said McEnany .
She added , `` This is not the time for that , it 's not the place for that . ''
The complaint comes just three days after Trump was interviewed by the conservative Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Interior Secretary David Bernhardt deemed the Fox appearance `` a core governmental function '' in order to lift the ban on events at the memorial .
Notably , Trump claimed during the interview that he was treated `` worse than Lincoln , '' who was assassinated .
In April , Trump held an elaborate photo-op on the lawn of the White House in which he handed out golden keys to truck drivers , thanking them for transporting supplies across the country .
Trump repeatedly violated his own task force 's social distancing guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In late March , Trump traveled from the White House to Norfolk , Virginia , to hold a ceremony for the send off of the USNS Comfort medical ship before it set sail for New York .
Much of the country was already on lockdown .
`` We will win this war and we will win this war quickly with as little death as possible , '' Trump said in remarks captured in a highlight reel by the White House and posted to YouTube .
That same month , during one of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump unboxed a testing kit on stage and showed off the device for the press .
The machine was upside down .
Despite McEnany 's claim that the middle of a pandemic is no time for publicity stunts , Trump repeatedly praised the attention he received for his task force 's briefings .
`` The ratings are through the roof , '' Trump tweeted triumphantly last month , comparing his TV appearances to `` Monday Night Football , Bachelor Finale type numbers . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Donald Trump’s new press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, decried “publicity stunts” during the coronavirus pandemic, criticizing House Democrats for trying to hold oversight hearings that the White House is trying to block.
“We don’t have time in the middle of a pandemic for publicity stunts,” said McEnany. She added, “This is not the time for that, it’s not the place for that.”
The complaint comes just three days after Trump was interviewed by the conservative Fox News Channel at the Lincoln Memorial. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt deemed the Fox appearance “a core governmental function” in order to lift the ban on events at the memorial.
Notably, Trump claimed during the interview that he was treated “worse than Lincoln,” who was assassinated.
In April, Trump held an elaborate photo-op on the lawn of the White House in which he handed out golden keys to truck drivers, thanking them for transporting supplies across the country. Trump repeatedly violated his own task force’s social distancing guidelines as he posed for multiple photos.
In late March, Trump traveled from the White House to Norfolk, Virginia, to hold a ceremony for the send off of the USNS Comfort medical ship before it set sail for New York. Much of the country was already on lockdown.
“We will win this war and we will win this war quickly with as little death as possible,” Trump said in remarks captured in a highlight reel by the White House and posted to YouTube.
That same month, during one of his many press briefings on the outbreak, Trump unboxed a testing kit on stage and showed off the device for the press. The machine was upside down.
Despite McEnany’s claim that the middle of a pandemic is no time for publicity stunts, Trump repeatedly praised the attention he received for his task force’s briefings.
“The ratings are through the roof,” Trump tweeted triumphantly last month, comparing his TV appearances to “Monday Night Football, Bachelor Finale type numbers.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-06--GOP congressman: Stay-home orders are a plot to hurt Trump's reelection

Rep. Garret Graves ( R-LA ) baselessly accused `` many people '' of working to `` intentionally stall the economy '' with lockdowns put in place to arrest the spread of coronavirus .
Graves claimed that the policies have been designed to undermine `` the president 's efforts in the reelection . ''
He singled out Democratic Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards as someone purportedly engaged in the conspiracy .
Louisiana currently has nearly 30,000 residents infected with the coronavirus , and over 2,040 people have died there .
Medical experts such as Dr. Anthony Fauci have warned against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do so prematurely could lead to a new surge in infections and deaths .
From the May 6 edition of WBRP Baton Rouge 's `` Mornings with Brian Haldane '' : BRIAN HALDANE , host : Where is the divide here , it just – 'cause it seems like , is it a safety issue ?
Is it folks are just scared to restart because they do n't want everybody commingling out there and having human interaction ?
Or where 's this stemming from ?
REP. GARRET GRAVES ( R-LA ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , and it may seem extraordinary , but I will tell you , I think that at least a part of the motivation for many people is that they 're looking at presidential politics right now , and this is incredible , because you 're gambling with people 's families , with people 's lives , with people 's small businesses that they 've been , invested generations of their families into , but I think that this is an effort to intentionally stall the economy which undermines the president 's efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sounds absolutely crazy , but when you look at the numbers of what 's happening and you see governors that are continuing to have their states shut down and I 'm going to be really candid , Louisiana 's one of them .
There is no reason — the governor fudged the numbers — there 's no reason why the entire state of Louisiana should be shut down right now .
Should specific parishes ?
Absolutely .
But this is politics being played and unfortunately it 's even being played right here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get people safely back into businesses , back operating again .
You can not , you can not , simply continue printing money and think that this is even remotely sustainable .
We 're asking our children to pay four to five dollars for every dollar we 're spending today because all of this is debt .
All of it is debt .
It 's irresponsible , it 's not what the numbers and science are showing , and unfortunately even things as personal as this have devolved into political divide .
HALDANE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a strategy could have been seen as viable .
From the coldest of cold terms , sitting down in a room and coming out with that as a plan ?
Maybe in the days before the internet , before any level of transparency in government , but today ?
GRAVES : I 'm really — we 're supposed to be having some calls today with the state and the congressional delegation , I 'm really looking forward to it because this is really just crazy .
We 're supposed to be representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to influence elections .
This is all about representing people .
We 're having a global crisis right now and to see people play political games is really just disgusting .

Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) baselessly accused “many people” of working to “intentionally stall the economy” with lockdowns put in place to arrest the spread of coronavirus. Graves claimed that the policies have been designed to undermine “the president’s efforts in the reelection.” He singled out Democratic Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards as someone purportedly engaged in the conspiracy.
Louisiana currently has nearly 30,000 residents infected with the coronavirus, and over 2,040 people have died there. Medical experts such as Dr. Anthony Fauci have warned against rushing to reopen businesses, noting that to do so prematurely could lead to a new surge in infections and deaths.
From the May 6 edition of WBRP Baton Rouge’s “Mornings with Brian Haldane”:
BRIAN HALDANE, host: Where is the divide here, it just – ’cause it seems like, is it a safety issue? Is it folks are just scared to restart because they don’t want everybody commingling out there and having human interaction? Or where’s this stemming from?
REP. GARRET GRAVES (R-LA): Brian, I’m going to say this, and it may seem extraordinary, but I will tell you, I think that at least a part of the motivation for many people is that they’re looking at presidential politics right now, and this is incredible, because you’re gambling with people’s families, with people’s lives, with people’s small businesses that they’ve been, invested generations of their families into, but I think that this is an effort to intentionally stall the economy which undermines the president’s efforts in the reelection.
And I know that sounds absolutely crazy, but when you look at the numbers of what’s happening and you see governors that are continuing to have their states shut down and I’m going to be really candid, Louisiana’s one of them. There is no reason — the governor fudged the numbers — there’s no reason why the entire state of Louisiana should be shut down right now.
Should specific parishes? Absolutely. But this is politics being played and unfortunately it’s even being played right here at home, we’ve got to get people safely back into businesses, back operating again. You cannot, you cannot, simply continue printing money and think that this is even remotely sustainable.
We’re asking our children to pay four to five dollars for every dollar we’re spending today because all of this is debt. All of it is debt. It’s irresponsible, it’s not what the numbers and science are showing, and unfortunately even things as personal as this have devolved into political divide.
HALDANE: I don’t understand how that as a strategy could have been seen as viable. From the coldest of cold terms, sitting down in a room and coming out with that as a plan? Maybe in the days before the internet, before any level of transparency in government, but today?
GRAVES: I’m really — we’re supposed to be having some calls today with the state and the congressional delegation, I’m really looking forward to it because this is really just crazy. We’re supposed to be representing people not political parties, not trying to influence elections. This is all about representing people. We’re having a global crisis right now and to see people play political games is really just disgusting.


shareblue--2020-05-06--Programs to support LGBTQ people struggle to survive in face of pandemic

LGBTQ health , housing , and legal services are in jeopardy as the COVID-19 crisis continues .
According to NBC News , LGBTQ health clinics in particular are struggling to keep their doors open during the pandemic , which has led to staff becoming furloughed or their hours reduced .
Many clinics are also limiting in-person appointments and offering virtual appointments when possible .
The shift to virtual health care has led to falling revenue , and some clinics , such as Fenway Health in Boston , are operating at an `` unsustainable deficit . ''
Some of these clinics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
If they do n't stay open in the long term , communities would be deeply hurt by a wide deficit in affirming care .
Other LGBTQ resources are also concerned about sustaining operations .
In April , 137 LGBTQ groups and allied nonprofits in California signed a letter addressed to the state 's governor , Gavin Newsom , asking for financial assistance during the pandemic .
`` The economic fallout from COVID-19 has upended our budgets by forcing us to cancel fundraising events and preventing us from completing reimbursement-based grant deliverables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' wrote Rick Chavez Zbur , executive director of Equality California , a nonprofit civil rights group that advocates for LGBTQ people and defends them in the courtroom .
Zbur noted that sponsors and donors had also been affected by the pandemic and were no longer able to offer financial support .
Those sponsors include the AIDS Legal Referral Panel , which helps clients living with HIV avoid unlawful evictions and protects their medical benefits , and the Sacramento LGBT Community Center , which offers legal aid , mental health support , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among other services .
LGBTQ shelters are facing similar financial challenges during the pandemic .
Casa Ruby , an organization for LGBTQ youth in Washington , D.C. , has seen a rise in the number of individuals coming to its shelter for assistance in recent months .
Ruby Corado , Casa Ruby 's executive director , told NBC Washington in April that , since the start of the pandemic , the number of young people she sees in a day has tripled , straining resources to their limit .
`` For many clients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have left , '' she said , adding that the shelter is running out of supplies to feed and house people .
LGBTQ-focused health centers and shelters help mitigate the effects of discrimination that LGBTQ people face every day .
Eight percent of lesbian , gay , and bisexual people and 29 % of transgender people said a health care provider had refused to see them in the past year because of their actual or perceived sexuality or gender , according to a 2017 Center for American Progress survey .
The 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Center for Transgender Equality , found that 33 % of respondents said they had negative experience with a health care provider in the past year because they were transgender .
Concerns about anti-LGBTQ bias also shape where LGBTQ people live , making access to discrimination-free shelters all the more important .
According to a 2016 survey by the Center for American Progress , 19 % of LGBTQ people said they made decisions about where to live based on fear of discrimination .
Eleven percent made the decision to move away from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16.8 % moved away from family .
According to a 2017 University of Chicago report , LGBTQ young people also had a 120 % higher risk of becoming homeless than their cisgender and straight peers .
Despite the many threats the LGBTQ community is facing as a result of the pandemic , the Trump administration is still plowing ahead with a rewrite of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act , which was intended to protect LGBTQ people from health care discrimination .
In 2016 , the Obama administration clarified that Section 1557 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity and termination of pregnancy , among other provisions .
The Trump-era rule , when finalized , would remove the Obama administration 's language on gender identity , health insurance coverage protections for transgender people , and provisions stopping health insurers from varying benefits in ways discriminate against people living with HIV and LGBTQ people .
The Department of Housing and Urban Development also proposed a rule last year that would roll back Obama-era protections for transgender people accessing homeless shelters .
When finalized , operators of homeless shelters could set a policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their sex , which could be based on factors such as `` privacy , safety , practical concerns , religious beliefs '' and `` the individual 's sex as reflected in official government documents . ''
LGBTQ advocacy groups are concerned that this would force some transgender people to either live in accommodations that did not recognize their gender or to live on the street .
HUD Secretary Ben Carson visited HUD 's San Francisco office and told staffers in an internal meeting that he was worried that `` big , hairy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeless shelters , according to the Washington Post .
Three people who attended the meeting said they thought his remarks were pointed at transgender women .
As of Wednesday , the rule still appeared to be under consideration .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

LGBTQ health, housing, and legal services are in jeopardy as the COVID-19 crisis continues.
According to NBC News, LGBTQ health clinics in particular are struggling to keep their doors open during the pandemic, which has led to staff becoming furloughed or their hours reduced.
Many clinics are also limiting in-person appointments and offering virtual appointments when possible. The shift to virtual health care has led to falling revenue, and some clinics, such as Fenway Health in Boston, are operating at an “unsustainable deficit.”
Some of these clinics serve tens of thousands of people each year. If they don’t stay open in the long term, communities would be deeply hurt by a wide deficit in affirming care.
Other LGBTQ resources are also concerned about sustaining operations. In April, 137 LGBTQ groups and allied nonprofits in California signed a letter addressed to the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, asking for financial assistance during the pandemic.
“The economic fallout from COVID-19 has upended our budgets by forcing us to cancel fundraising events and preventing us from completing reimbursement-based grant deliverables that require face-to-face interaction and outreach,” wrote Rick Chavez Zbur, executive director of Equality California, a nonprofit civil rights group that advocates for LGBTQ people and defends them in the courtroom.
Zbur noted that sponsors and donors had also been affected by the pandemic and were no longer able to offer financial support. Those sponsors include the AIDS Legal Referral Panel, which helps clients living with HIV avoid unlawful evictions and protects their medical benefits, and the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, which offers legal aid, mental health support, and emergency shelter for victims of crime, among other services.
LGBTQ shelters are facing similar financial challenges during the pandemic.
Casa Ruby, an organization for LGBTQ youth in Washington, D.C., has seen a rise in the number of individuals coming to its shelter for assistance in recent months. Ruby Corado, Casa Ruby’s executive director, told NBC Washington in April that, since the start of the pandemic, the number of young people she sees in a day has tripled, straining resources to their limit.
“For many clients, we are the only lifeline that they have left,” she said, adding that the shelter is running out of supplies to feed and house people.
LGBTQ-focused health centers and shelters help mitigate the effects of discrimination that LGBTQ people face every day. Eight percent of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people and 29% of transgender people said a health care provider had refused to see them in the past year because of their actual or perceived sexuality or gender, according to a 2017 Center for American Progress survey.
The 2015 U.S. Trans Survey, released by the U.S. Center for Transgender Equality, found that 33% of respondents said they had negative experience with a health care provider in the past year because they were transgender.
Concerns about anti-LGBTQ bias also shape where LGBTQ people live, making access to discrimination-free shelters all the more important.
According to a 2016 survey by the Center for American Progress, 19% of LGBTQ people said they made decisions about where to live based on fear of discrimination. Eleven percent made the decision to move away from a rural area because of it, and 16.8% moved away from family.
According to a 2017 University of Chicago report, LGBTQ young people also had a 120% higher risk of becoming homeless than their cisgender and straight peers.
Despite the many threats the LGBTQ community is facing as a result of the pandemic, the Trump administration is still plowing ahead with a rewrite of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which was intended to protect LGBTQ people from health care discrimination.
In 2016, the Obama administration clarified that Section 1557’s ban on sex discrimination included gender identity and termination of pregnancy, among other provisions. The Trump-era rule, when finalized, would remove the Obama administration’s language on gender identity, health insurance coverage protections for transgender people, and provisions stopping health insurers from varying benefits in ways discriminate against people living with HIV and LGBTQ people.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development also proposed a rule last year that would roll back Obama-era protections for transgender people accessing homeless shelters.
When finalized, operators of homeless shelters could set a policy to accommodate someone in a shelter according to their sex, which could be based on factors such as “privacy, safety, practical concerns, religious beliefs” and “the individual’s sex as reflected in official government documents.” LGBTQ advocacy groups are concerned that this would force some transgender people to either live in accommodations that did not recognize their gender or to live on the street.
HUD Secretary Ben Carson visited HUD’s San Francisco office and told staffers in an internal meeting that he was worried that “big, hairy men” would come to women’s homeless shelters, according to the Washington Post. Three people who attended the meeting said they thought his remarks were pointed at transgender women.
As of Wednesday, the rule still appeared to be under consideration.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-06--Trump decides to keep task force because now he knows 'how popular' it is

Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will keep his White House coronavirus task force going `` indefinitely , '' despite saying a day earlier that he would soon wind it down because `` we ca n't keep our country closed for the next five years . ''
Trump explained at a press spray that he had intended to shut it down — even as an internal White House projection showed the death toll from the pandemic increasing to 3,000 people per day by June 1 — but changed his mind because he discovered the task force is popular .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence , who heads the task force , said it was no longer needed due to the `` tremendous progress we 've made as a country . ''
DONALD TRUMP : I guess , if you think , we 're always winding it down .
But you know it 's a question of what the end point is .
But I think it is a change , a little bit .
I thought we could wind it down sooner , but I had no idea how popular the task force is until actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winding it down , I 'd get calls from very respected people saying ' I think it would be better to keep it going , it 's done such a good job . '
It 's a respected task force .
It 's — I knew it myself , I did n't know whether or not it was appreciated by the public — but it is appreciated by the public .
Polling shows most Americans disapprove of Trump 's response to the COVID-19 pandemic by an average of 43.7 % approval to 50.9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will keep his White House coronavirus task force going “indefinitely,” despite saying a day earlier that he would soon wind it down because “we can’t keep our country closed for the next five years.”
Trump explained at a press spray that he had intended to shut it down — even as an internal White House projection showed the death toll from the pandemic increasing to 3,000 people per day by June 1 — but changed his mind because he discovered the task force is popular. A day earlier, Vice President Mike Pence, who heads the task force, said it was no longer needed due to the “tremendous progress we’ve made as a country.”
From Trump’s Wednesday remarks:
DONALD TRUMP: I guess, if you think, we’re always winding it down. But you know it’s a question of what the end point is. But I think it is a change, a little bit. I thought we could wind it down sooner, but I had no idea how popular the task force is until actually yesterday. When I started talking about winding it down, I’d get calls from very respected people saying ‘I think it would be better to keep it going, it’s done such a good job.’ It’s a respected task force. It’s — I knew it myself, I didn’t know whether or not it was appreciated by the public — but it is appreciated by the public.
Polling shows most Americans disapprove of Trump’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by an average of 43.7% approval to 50.9% disapproval.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-06--Trump: 'We want to terminate health care'

Donald Trump on Wednesday said he still supports a Republican-led lawsuit before the Supreme Court that seeks to invalidate the Affordable Care Act , even amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
More than 1.2 million Americans have tested positive for the virus , and nearly 72,000 have died from it , according to a tally from the Washington Post .
Meanwhile , more than 30 million people have lost their jobs , and with that , they may have lost their employer-sponsored health care .
Without the ACA — better known as Obamacare — it 's unclear how those Americans would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost of medical care or hospitalization if they contracted the coronavirus .
Members of Trump 's own administration , including Attorney General William Barr , have urged Trump to back off its support of a lawsuit from Republican attorneys general that would invalidate Obamacare .
According to CNN , those aides fear the political blowback if Obamacare is repealed , given that the law is popular .
But Trump — who tried once to repeal Obamacare and failed due to the unpopularity of the GOP 's replacement plan — says he has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , he said — without providing a concrete plant — that he will replace Obamacare with something better that will still cover preexisting conditions and will cost less .
The GOP plan that failed to pass Congress in 2017 did not fully cover preexisting conditions and would have allowed insurers to charge sick people more money for coverage .
Trump 's full comment from a media availability with reporters on May 6 is below : REPORTER : Today is the deadline for the White House if it wants to modify its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamacare ... Will you continue with the plan to completely invalidate the ACA ... DONALD TRUMP : So what we want to do ... We 're not doing anything .
In other words we 're staying with the group , with Texas and the group .
But just so you understand , Obamacare is a disaster .
But we 've run it very well , and we 've made it barely acceptable .
It was a disaster under President Obama , and it 's a very bad health care .
What we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great health care , and we 'll have great health care , including preexisting conditions , 100 % preexisting conditions .
Now , we 've already pretty much killed it , because we got rid of the individual mandate .
Now in getting rid of the individual mandate , which was by far the most unpopular thing in Obamacare ... That 's where for the privilege of paying a fee you do n't have to buy health insurance at a ridiculous price for not good health insurance .
It was a terrible thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order not to pay .
And we got rid of that , it 's gone , and nobody thinks it 's ever going to come back .
But what we are doing is we want to terminate health care for under Obamacare because it 's bad , and we 're replacing it with a great health care at far less money and it includes preexisting conditions .
There will never be a time when we do n't have preexisting conditions included .
So , what I 'm saying there , John , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with great health care at a lesser price , and preexisting conditions will be included , and you wo n't have the individual mandate , which was expensive and terrible and very unfair to everybody , and it was very unpopular .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Wednesday said he still supports a Republican-led lawsuit before the Supreme Court that seeks to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 1.2 million Americans have tested positive for the virus, and nearly 72,000 have died from it, according to a tally from the Washington Post.
Meanwhile, more than 30 million people have lost their jobs, and with that, they may have lost their employer-sponsored health care. Without the ACA — better known as Obamacare — it’s unclear how those Americans would secure health insurance to pay for the cost of medical care or hospitalization if they contracted the coronavirus.
Members of Trump’s own administration, including Attorney General William Barr, have urged Trump to back off its support of a lawsuit from Republican attorneys general that would invalidate Obamacare. According to CNN, those aides fear the political blowback if Obamacare is repealed, given that the law is popular.
But Trump — who tried once to repeal Obamacare and failed due to the unpopularity of the GOP’s replacement plan — says he has no plan to abandon support for the lawsuit.
Instead, he said — without providing a concrete plant — that he will replace Obamacare with something better that will still cover preexisting conditions and will cost less.
The GOP plan that failed to pass Congress in 2017 did not fully cover preexisting conditions and would have allowed insurers to charge sick people more money for coverage.
Trump’s full comment from a media availability with reporters on May 6 is below:
REPORTER: Today is the deadline for the White House if it wants to modify its argument before the Supreme Court about invalidating Obamacare… Will you continue with the plan to completely invalidate the ACA … DONALD TRUMP: So what we want to do … We’re not doing anything. In other words we’re staying with the group, with Texas and the group. But just so you understand, Obamacare is a disaster. But we’ve run it very well, and we’ve made it barely acceptable. It was a disaster under President Obama, and it’s a very bad health care. What we want to do is terminate it and give great health care, and we’ll have great health care, including preexisting conditions, 100% preexisting conditions. Now, we’ve already pretty much killed it, because we got rid of the individual mandate. Now in getting rid of the individual mandate, which was by far the most unpopular thing in Obamacare… That’s where for the privilege of paying a fee you don’t have to buy health insurance at a ridiculous price for not good health insurance. It was a terrible thing. You were mandated to pay something in order not to pay. And we got rid of that, it’s gone, and nobody thinks it’s ever going to come back. But what we are doing is we want to terminate health care for under Obamacare because it’s bad, and we’re replacing it with a great health care at far less money and it includes preexisting conditions. There will never be a time when we don’t have preexisting conditions included. So, what I’m saying there, John, is we’re going to replace Obamacare with great health care at a lesser price, and preexisting conditions will be included, and you won’t have the individual mandate, which was expensive and terrible and very unfair to everybody, and it was very unpopular.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-06--7 Republican leaders pushing Americans to risk their lives for the economy

A growing number of Republicans across the country are calling on states to end the stay-at-home orders put in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus .
And they 're urging them to reopen even though they openly admit that reopening will lead to more deaths .
Donald Trump has led the chorus of Republicans who are tired of social distancing .
Stay-at-home orders have helped states like New York flatten the curve of the virus outbreak , but at the same time have decimated the economy , leading to more than 30 million job losses .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should resume while the coronavirus continues to spread .
Trump has wanted the country 's economy open since Easter .
On May 5 , during a visit to a Honeywell mask factory in Arizona , he admitted that reopening the economy will lead people to get sick .
`` I 'm viewing our great citizens of this country to a certain extent and to a large extent as warriors .
They 're warriors .
We ca n't keep our country closed .
We have to open our country , Trump said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected ?
Yes . ''
Mnuchin encouraged Americans to travel around the country , even though the virus is spreading and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Americans to avoid nonessential travel .
`` It ’ s a great time for people to explore America .
A lot of people haven ’ t seen many parts of America .
I wish I could get back on the road soon , '' Mnuchin said Monday on Fox Business .
Abbott is reopening his state 's government .
But he admitted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a private call he had with members of the Texas state legislature and Congress that was obtained by the Daily Beast .
“ Listen , the fact of the matter is pretty much every scientific and medical report shows that whenever you have a reopening — whether you want to call it a reopening of businesses or of just a reopening of society — in the aftermath of something like this it actually will lead to an increase in spreads , '' Abbott can be heard saying on a recording of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It ’ s almost ipso facto . ''
During a House hearing on May 6 , Harris argued social distancing measures were too extreme and recommendations that states not reopen without robust contact tracing were unnecessary .
He suggested that any risk of illness or death involved in any decisions on reopening the economy were simply the cost of living .
`` We 're safer if we 're not born .
We 're safer from death if we 're not born , right ? ''
Harris said at the hearing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's some element of risk . ''
Parson urged Missouri residents to leave their homes and make a `` special effort '' to go shopping in retail stores rather than online in an effort to help jump-start the state economy .
As he allows businesses in Missouri to reopen , Parson has n't imposed any social distancing measures such as occupancy limits .
Patrick wants the country to reopen for business , and has argued that older people should risk their lives for the economy .
`` Let 's get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living .
Let 's be smart about it , '' Patrick told Fox News ' Tucker Carlson on March 23 .
`` And those of us who are 70-plus , we 'll take care of ourselves .
But do n't sacrifice the country . ''
Patrick made that same argument again on Carlson 's program on April 20 .
`` There are more important things than living , and that 's saving this country for my children and my grandchildren and saving this country for all of us , '' Patrick said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen their state economies , even though he admits that doing so will lead to more deaths .
He 's argued numerous times on Fox News that poverty is more likely to kill Americans than the virus is , and therefore the country needs to open back up .
`` For a small segment of our population , it 's true , the coronavirus can kill you .
For a small segment , '' Kennedy told Carlson on March 23 .
`` But you know what else can kill you ?
Poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Kennedy made a similar argument during an April 9 appearance on Fox News .
`` The coronavirus can kill you , but so can poverty , and we have waterboarded the American economy , and we got ta stand it back up , '' he said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A growing number of Republicans across the country are calling on states to end the stay-at-home orders put in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
And they’re urging them to reopen even though they openly admit that reopening will lead to more deaths.
Donald Trump has led the chorus of Republicans who are tired of social distancing. Stay-at-home orders have helped states like New York flatten the curve of the virus outbreak, but at the same time have decimated the economy, leading to more than 30 million job losses.
Here are seven Republicans who have said business should resume while the coronavirus continues to spread.
Donald Trump
Trump has wanted the country’s economy open since Easter.
On May 5, during a visit to a Honeywell mask factory in Arizona, he admitted that reopening the economy will lead people to get sick.
“I’m viewing our great citizens of this country to a certain extent and to a large extent as warriors. They’re warriors. We can’t keep our country closed. We have to open our country, Trump said, adding, “Will some people be badly affected? Yes.”
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin
Mnuchin encouraged Americans to travel around the country, even though the virus is spreading and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Americans to avoid nonessential travel.
“It’s a great time for people to explore America. A lot of people haven’t seen many parts of America. I wish I could get back on the road soon,” Mnuchin said Monday on Fox Business.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
Abbott is reopening his state’s government. But he admitted that it will lead to more deaths, according to a private call he had with members of the Texas state legislature and Congress that was obtained by the Daily Beast.
“Listen, the fact of the matter is pretty much every scientific and medical report shows that whenever you have a reopening — whether you want to call it a reopening of businesses or of just a reopening of society — in the aftermath of something like this it actually will lead to an increase in spreads,” Abbott can be heard saying on a recording of the call posted by the Daily Beast. “It’s almost ipso facto.”
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)
During a House hearing on May 6, Harris argued social distancing measures were too extreme and recommendations that states not reopen without robust contact tracing were unnecessary.
He suggested that any risk of illness or death involved in any decisions on reopening the economy were simply the cost of living.
“We’re safer if we’re not born. We’re safer from death if we’re not born, right?” Harris said at the hearing. “I mean the bottom line is there’s some element of risk.”
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson
Parson urged Missouri residents to leave their homes and make a “special effort” to go shopping in retail stores rather than online in an effort to help jump-start the state economy.
As he allows businesses in Missouri to reopen, Parson hasn’t imposed any social distancing measures such as occupancy limits.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
Patrick wants the country to reopen for business, and has argued that older people should risk their lives for the economy.
“Let’s get back to work. Let’s get back to living. Let’s be smart about it,” Patrick told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson on March 23. “And those of us who are 70-plus, we’ll take care of ourselves. But don’t sacrifice the country.”
Patrick made that same argument again on Carlson’s program on April 20.
“There are more important things than living, and that’s saving this country for my children and my grandchildren and saving this country for all of us,” Patrick said.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA)
Kennedy for weeks has been urging governors to reopen their state economies, even though he admits that doing so will lead to more deaths.
He’s argued numerous times on Fox News that poverty is more likely to kill Americans than the virus is, and therefore the country needs to open back up.
“For a small segment of our population, it’s true, the coronavirus can kill you. For a small segment,” Kennedy told Carlson on March 23. “But you know what else can kill you? Poverty. Hunger. Losing the entire economy.”
Kennedy made a similar argument during an April 9 appearance on Fox News.
“The coronavirus can kill you, but so can poverty, and we have waterboarded the American economy, and we gotta stand it back up,” he said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-06--Texas GOP's battle to ban abortion during pandemic could have lasting impact

Though abortion is — at least for the moment — legal in Texas again during the pandemic , the back-and-forth court battles will have lingering effects , including leaving people unclear as to whether they can still obtain one in the state , when they can , and where .
Providers throughout the state were able to begin offering abortions again on April 22 , following nearly a month of litigation during which the availability of abortion changed nearly from day to day .
In late March , Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott issued an order postponing all surgeries that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton said that included all methods of abortion .
Providers sued over whether or not abortions could be considered elective or delayed without consequence , pointing out that delays of 30 days or even fewer can make abortion `` completely inaccessible . ''
After several rounds in Court , Texas providers began performing abortions again in late April , after Abbott 's original executive order expired .
But the return of services is being tempered by the confusion created by the ever-shifting status of abortion in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a situation where Texas abortion clinics become overwhelmed , further delaying — or denying — access .
First , there may be people who fell into a `` donut hole '' during the litigation over the ban .
These are people who , Bridget Schilling of the Clinic Access Support Network in Houston explains , `` were kind of caught in the middle there who had to wait about a month between maybe knowing that they wanted to get an abortion and actually being able to . ''
Those people may now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provider before it 's too late .
Kamyon Connor , executive director of an abortion fund in North Texas , told the Dallas Morning News that , `` Calls to our helpline have increased since the COVID restrictions have been lifted on abortion . ''
Patients may also need abortions at a later time in their pregnancy .
Schilling points out `` you 're going to have a delay '' — even though clinics are now open — because there may be an influx of people seeking care .
Elizabeth Nash of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks at laws and policies affecting reproductive health care , told the Morning News that it was difficult to calculate exactly how much access had been impacted during the chaotic legal proceedings .
`` As soon as people start talking about abortion bans , or clinics closing , people who are n't in the weeds of it , they think abortion is banned , '' she said .
`` People might not think that they can still access abortion services when some services or all services are available . ''
However , Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Women 's Health , which operates three clinics in Texas , said they had to cancel `` hundreds of appointments ... and numerous times '' during the litigation over the ban .
With abortion becoming available in Texas after a month of delays and uncertainty , the system may simply not be able to absorb a rush of hundreds of additional appointments in a timely manner .
Abortion access in Texas is already fragile .
Only 35 facilities perform abortions in Texas , 21 of those standalone clinics , according to the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been steadily decreasing .
In 2013 , for example , there were more than 40 standalone clinics .
Texas bars abortions later in pregnancy in most instances , forcing people who are more than 20 weeks pregnant to travel out of state .
If people ca n't easily get in to see a local provider in time , they may be forced to travel across the state .
And if people passed Texas ' 20-week ban mark while the litigation continued , they now have to seek care out of state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of state for care increases the median driving distance from 12 miles to 243 miles .
Abortions later in pregnancy can be much more expensive , not simply because of the cost of the procedure , but because traveling far away may require lodging , childcare , and multiple days off of work .
All in all , the uncertainty created by Texas ' efforts to ban abortion during the pandemic could have lasting effects on both patients and providers .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Though abortion is — at least for the moment — legal in Texas again during the pandemic, the back-and-forth court battles will have lingering effects, including leaving people unclear as to whether they can still obtain one in the state, when they can, and where.
Providers throughout the state were able to begin offering abortions again on April 22, following nearly a month of litigation during which the availability of abortion changed nearly from day to day.
In late March, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order postponing all surgeries that weren’t “immediately medically necessary,” and GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton said that included all methods of abortion.
Providers sued over whether or not abortions could be considered elective or delayed without consequence, pointing out that delays of 30 days or even fewer can make abortion “completely inaccessible.”
After several rounds in Court, Texas providers began performing abortions again in late April, after Abbott’s original executive order expired.
But the return of services is being tempered by the confusion created by the ever-shifting status of abortion in the state. And that confusion may lead to a situation where Texas abortion clinics become overwhelmed, further delaying — or denying — access.
First, there may be people who fell into a “donut hole” during the litigation over the ban. These are people who, Bridget Schilling of the Clinic Access Support Network in Houston explains, “were kind of caught in the middle there who had to wait about a month between maybe knowing that they wanted to get an abortion and actually being able to.”
Those people may now be forced to scramble to find a provider before it’s too late.
Kamyon Connor, executive director of an abortion fund in North Texas, told the Dallas Morning News that, “Calls to our helpline have increased since the COVID restrictions have been lifted on abortion.”
Patients may also need abortions at a later time in their pregnancy.
Schilling points out “you’re going to have a delay” — even though clinics are now open — because there may be an influx of people seeking care.
Elizabeth Nash of the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that looks at laws and policies affecting reproductive health care, told the Morning News that it was difficult to calculate exactly how much access had been impacted during the chaotic legal proceedings.
“As soon as people start talking about abortion bans, or clinics closing, people who aren’t in the weeds of it, they think abortion is banned,” she said. “People might not think that they can still access abortion services when some services or all services are available.”
However, Amy Hagstrom Miller, the CEO of Whole Women’s Health, which operates three clinics in Texas, said they had to cancel “hundreds of appointments…and numerous times” during the litigation over the ban.
With abortion becoming available in Texas after a month of delays and uncertainty, the system may simply not be able to absorb a rush of hundreds of additional appointments in a timely manner.
Abortion access in Texas is already fragile. Only 35 facilities perform abortions in Texas, 21 of those standalone clinics, according to the most recent data. The number of clinics has been steadily decreasing. In 2013, for example, there were more than 40 standalone clinics.
Texas bars abortions later in pregnancy in most instances, forcing people who are more than 20 weeks pregnant to travel out of state.
If people can’t easily get in to see a local provider in time, they may be forced to travel across the state. And if people passed Texas’ 20-week ban mark while the litigation continued, they now have to seek care out of state. Guttmacher estimated that requiring people to drive out of state for care increases the median driving distance from 12 miles to 243 miles.
Abortions later in pregnancy can be much more expensive, not simply because of the cost of the procedure, but because traveling far away may require lodging, childcare, and multiple days off of work.
All in all, the uncertainty created by Texas’ efforts to ban abortion during the pandemic could have lasting effects on both patients and providers.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-06--GOP congressman mocks medical experts: 'We're safer from death if we're not born'

Rep. Andy Harris ( R-MD ) has pushed for reopening business despite the potential for an increase in deaths .
Recent data has shown that the number of cases of COVID-19 infection is continuing to rise across the country , even as some states rush to reopen for business .
REP. ANDY HARRIS ( R-MD ) : Why would n't we just have very intensive education processes , so that every American follows social distancing , wearing a mask , and you know , hand hygiene .
So we kind of hammer this in , because these are the principles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are symptomatic .
TOM FRIEDEN , former director of CDC : I think that 's correct .
I think we can do both , and we have to do both because this is a very infectious virus , and it 's very deadly for certain people .
HARRIS : But the criteria for reopening include the need — and I 've seen this , where it 's been suggested , do n't reopen until you have contact testing in place .
FRIEDEN : What we can say is , you will be safer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact tracing in place .
HARRIS : We 're safer if we 're not born .
We 're safer from death if we 're not born , right ?
I mean , the bottom line is there 's some element of risk .
And I 'll bring this back to , you know , stay at home might work in New York because if you leave your home in New York you 're going to get on a train , you 're going to get on a subway , you 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you 're in my — in parts of my district — you 're going to leave home , get in your car or truck , drive to a store that has almost no customers in it , conduct your business , and go back home .
Because that 's normally the way you live .
So why would you insist that , or why is there insistence that stay-at-home — the broad blanket statement , `` It 's effective '' — because I 'm not sure it adds anything more in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural area .

Recent data has shown that the number of cases of COVID-19 infection is continuing to rise across the country, even as some states rush to reopen for business.
From a May 6 House hearing:
REP. ANDY HARRIS (R-MD): Why wouldn’t we just have very intensive education processes, so that every American follows social distancing, wearing a mask, and you know, hand hygiene. So we kind of hammer this in, because these are the principles, and get a test if you are symptomatic.
TOM FRIEDEN, former director of CDC: I think that’s correct. I think we can do both, and we have to do both because this is a very infectious virus, and it’s very deadly for certain people.
HARRIS: But the criteria for reopening include the need — and I’ve seen this, where it’s been suggested, don’t reopen until you have contact testing in place.
FRIEDEN: What we can say is, you will be safer if you’re able to open with contact tracing in place.
HARRIS: We’re safer if we’re not born. We’re safer from death if we’re not born, right? I mean, the bottom line is there’s some element of risk.
And I’ll bring this back to, you know, stay at home might work in New York because if you leave your home in New York you’re going to get on a train, you’re going to get on a subway, you’re going to get in a crowded street.
But if you’re in my — in parts of my district — you’re going to leave home, get in your car or truck, drive to a store that has almost no customers in it, conduct your business, and go back home. Because that’s normally the way you live.
So why would you insist that, or why is there insistence that stay-at-home — the broad blanket statement, “It’s effective” — because I’m not sure it adds anything more in the instance I just gave you in a rural area.


shareblue--2020-05-06--DeVos wants to use relief funds for private schools at the expense of kids in need

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has launched another attack on vulnerable students .
On April 30 , the Education Department issued guidance to states that would allow them to use coronavirus relief intended for schools serving low-income students to give to wealthy private schools , Chalkbeat reported on Tuesday In the guidance , the Education Department cited the `` significantly broader eligibility '' requirements for schools provided in the CARES Act , changing the formula normally used to distribute Title I funds .
Those funds are intended to support students from low-income families .
As a result of the change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving students in high-poverty neighborhoods , while more will go to wealthy private schools serving fewer lower-income students , according to Chalkbeat .
For example , private schools in Louisiana will receive $ 31 million from the CARES Act , more than three times as much funding as they would have received if DeVos had not changed the formula .
The additional funding comes directly from schools that serve more low-income students , according to Chalkbeat .
The guidance allows `` wealthy children in private school — ineligible for Title I — to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts based on the low-income students they serve , '' Noelle Ellerson Ng , associate executive director of AASA , the School Superintendents Association , told Chalkbeat .
`` That is inequitable . ''
The guidance runs counter to language in the CARES Act , which directs the department to issue the $ 13 billion in relief funds `` in the same manner '' as Title I funds , according to a letter from the Council of Chief State School Officers .
The altered funding formula `` could significantly harm the vulnerable students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the critical federal COVID-19 education relief funds Congress has provided , '' according to group , which represents the top education officials of every state .
It has asked DeVos to go back to the original formula to `` ensure that disadvantaged students receive the critical relief Congress intended . ''
This incident is not the first time DeVos has used the coronavirus crisis to attack vulnerable students .
In April , DeVos blocked DACA recipients from receiving any of the $ 6 billion in aid passed by Congress meant to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of the coronavirus crisis .
Democrats in Congress criticized the action , saying the decision `` unnecessarily harms students in need '' and `` contradicts clear Congressional intent and the plain language of the CARES Act . ''
On April 30 , a New York woman filed a lawsuit alleging the Education Department garnished her April wages for defaulting on a student loan .
This followed an announcement from Devos in mid-March that the department would not garnish wages for student loan defaults during the coronavirus crisis .
The CARES Act enshrined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has launched another attack on vulnerable students. On April 30, the Education Department issued guidance to states that would allow them to use coronavirus relief intended for schools serving low-income students to give to wealthy private schools, Chalkbeat reported on Tuesday
In the guidance, the Education Department cited the “significantly broader eligibility” requirements for schools provided in the CARES Act, changing the formula normally used to distribute Title I funds. Those funds are intended to support students from low-income families.
As a result of the change, significantly less funding could go to schools serving students in high-poverty neighborhoods, while more will go to wealthy private schools serving fewer lower-income students, according to Chalkbeat.
For example, private schools in Louisiana will receive $31 million from the CARES Act, more than three times as much funding as they would have received if DeVos had not changed the formula. The additional funding comes directly from schools that serve more low-income students, according to Chalkbeat.
The guidance allows “wealthy children in private school — ineligible for Title I — to receive CARES funding that was allocated to districts based on the low-income students they serve,” Noelle Ellerson Ng, associate executive director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association, told Chalkbeat. “That is inequitable.”
The guidance runs counter to language in the CARES Act, which directs the department to issue the $13 billion in relief funds “in the same manner” as Title I funds, according to a letter from the Council of Chief State School Officers.
The altered funding formula “could significantly harm the vulnerable students who were intended to benefit the most from the critical federal COVID-19 education relief funds Congress has provided,” according to group, which represents the top education officials of every state. It has asked DeVos to go back to the original formula to “ensure that disadvantaged students receive the critical relief Congress intended.”
This incident is not the first time DeVos has used the coronavirus crisis to attack vulnerable students.
In April, DeVos blocked DACA recipients from receiving any of the $6 billion in aid passed by Congress meant to help college students deal with hardships as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Democrats in Congress criticized the action, saying the decision “unnecessarily harms students in need” and “contradicts clear Congressional intent and the plain language of the CARES Act.”
On April 30, a New York woman filed a lawsuit alleging the Education Department garnished her April wages for defaulting on a student loan. This followed an announcement from Devos in mid-March that the department would not garnish wages for student loan defaults during the coronavirus crisis. The CARES Act enshrined that protection in law until Sept. 30, 2020.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-06--GOP lawmakers cheer Texas salon owner for violating stay-at-home order

Republican elected officials are rushing to express support for a Texas salon owner sentenced to a week in jail and a fine for reopening her business in violation of a stay-at-home order issued by Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott .
Members of the self-described party of `` law and order '' attacked a judge who enforced the order .
Dallas County State District Judge Eric Moyé sentenced salon owner Shelley Luther to seven days in jail and a fine of $ 7,000 for violating the stay-at-home order as well as Moyé 's temporary restraining order and a cease-and-desist order from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered her a chance to avoid jail if she apologized and agreed to close the salon until the governor 's order is lifted on May 8 , but she refused to do either .
In response , Republican lawmakers have rallied around her refusal to obey the orders , attacked the judge , and even helped raise crowdfunding money to assist her .
`` These punishments are NOT just , '' Rep. Dan Crenshaw tweeted on Tuesday .
`` They are not reasonable .
Small-minded 'leaders ' across the country have become drunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sen. Ted Cruz complained Tuesday night in a tweet , `` 7 days in jail for cutting hair ?
?
This is NUTS .
And government officials do n't get to order citizens to apologize to them for daring to earn a living . ''
Texas Rep. Chip Roy , who previously attacked the `` snitch '' who he said turned Luther in , directed people on Tuesday evening to `` contribute to the 'godundme ' [ sic ] '' to cover Luther 's legal fees .
He praised her for telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to pound sand . ''
In a Fox News interview on Wednesday , Texas Rep. Will Hurd called it `` a little ridiculous trying to put someone in jail who was following proper procedures '' when she was n't `` forcing anyone to come into their shop and get a haircut . ''
He warned that the `` Communist Party of China is trying to take advantage of this opportunity , '' so America must restart its economy .
Former Florida Rep. Allen West called Luther `` our modern-day Rosa Parks '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sebastian Gorka tweeted Wednesday , `` God bless # ShelleyLuther and all real Americans like her . ''
Republican officials across the country have urged reopening businesses , despite public health experts ' advice that doing so too quickly will backfire and data modeling showing that relaxing lockdowns will mean more deaths .
On Sunday , Sen. John Kennedy ( R-LA ) argued that social distancing rules should be lifted immediately because otherwise , `` Number one , the economy will collapse .
And number two , at least the people in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
And on Tuesday , Trump said that while `` there 'll be more death , '' it was time to reopen the economy anyway , and `` we 're going to be back to normal . ''
He has also encouraged protests in states against Democratic governors ' stay-at-home orders .
Last week , he endorsed armed mobs that have demanded an end to social distancing , calling them `` very good people '' who just `` want their lives back again , safely ! ''
As some states begin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the numbers of coronavirus cases .
Two Utah businesses that ignored social distancing guidelines had 68 positive coronavirus cases among their employees .
And public health experts warn that reopening some states will lead to a surge in cases in others .
One likened it to `` having a peeing section in the swimming pool '' as the virus `` doesn ’ t stay where you started . ''
Nationally , the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths shows no sign of abating .
As of Tuesday , nearly 1.2 million Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 65,000 have died , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republican elected officials are rushing to express support for a Texas salon owner sentenced to a week in jail and a fine for reopening her business in violation of a stay-at-home order issued by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Members of the self-described party of “law and order” attacked a judge who enforced the order.
Dallas County State District Judge Eric Moyé sentenced salon owner Shelley Luther to seven days in jail and a fine of $7,000 for violating the stay-at-home order as well as Moyé’s temporary restraining order and a cease-and-desist order from Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
Moyé offered her a chance to avoid jail if she apologized and agreed to close the salon until the governor’s order is lifted on May 8, but she refused to do either.
In response, Republican lawmakers have rallied around her refusal to obey the orders, attacked the judge, and even helped raise crowdfunding money to assist her.
“These punishments are NOT just,” Rep. Dan Crenshaw tweeted on Tuesday. “They are not reasonable. Small-minded ‘leaders’ across the country have become drunk with power. This must end.”
Sen. Ted Cruz complained Tuesday night in a tweet, “7 days in jail for cutting hair?? This is NUTS. And government officials don’t get to order citizens to apologize to them for daring to earn a living.”
Texas Rep. Chip Roy, who previously attacked the “snitch” who he said turned Luther in, directed people on Tuesday evening to “contribute to the ‘godundme’ [sic]” to cover Luther’s legal fees. He praised her for telling “the powers that be of local/state government to pound sand.”
In a Fox News interview on Wednesday, Texas Rep. Will Hurd called it “a little ridiculous trying to put someone in jail who was following proper procedures” when she wasn’t “forcing anyone to come into their shop and get a haircut.” He warned that the “Communist Party of China is trying to take advantage of this opportunity,” so America must restart its economy.
Former Florida Rep. Allen West called Luther “our modern-day Rosa Parks” on Tuesday. Former Donald Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka tweeted Wednesday, “God bless #ShelleyLuther and all real Americans like her.”
Republican officials across the country have urged reopening businesses, despite public health experts’ advice that doing so too quickly will backfire and data modeling showing that relaxing lockdowns will mean more deaths.
On Sunday, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) argued that social distancing rules should be lifted immediately because otherwise, “Number one, the economy will collapse. And number two, at least the people in my state are just gonna stop complying.”
And on Tuesday, Trump said that while “there’ll be more death,” it was time to reopen the economy anyway, and “we’re going to be back to normal.” He has also encouraged protests in states against Democratic governors’ stay-at-home orders. Last week, he endorsed armed mobs that have demanded an end to social distancing, calling them “very good people” who just “want their lives back again, safely!”
As some states begin to ease restrictions, they are seeing spikes in the numbers of coronavirus cases.
Two Utah businesses that ignored social distancing guidelines had 68 positive coronavirus cases among their employees.
And public health experts warn that reopening some states will lead to a surge in cases in others. One likened it to “having a peeing section in the swimming pool” as the virus “doesn’t stay where you started.”
Nationally, the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths shows no sign of abating. As of Tuesday, nearly 1.2 million Americans have tested positive for the virus and more than 65,000 have died, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-07--Trump has been hiding his taxes from Congress for 400 days

It has been 400 days since Congress sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service demanding to see Donald Trump 's personal and business taxes from 2013 to 2018 .
For more than a year , Trump has refused to comply with the April 3 , 2019 request from Rep. Richard Neal , chair of the House Ways and Means Committee , despite a law requiring him to do so .
`` I used my authority to make this request as part of the Committee 's legitimate legislative and oversight functions , '' Neal said in an email this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` has no basis whatsoever to refuse to comply with this request '' and said he continues to fight in federal court to force the administration to follow the law .
The Trump administration has repeatedly refused to hand over Trump 's returns to the committee , with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin claiming Neal `` lacks a legitimate legislative purpose '' to request them .
The tax code explicitly gives the chairs of the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee the right to see any person 's tax returns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ law to review President Richard Nixon 's tax returns .
The Treasury Department did not respond to repeated requests for comment .
Except for Trump , every president since Nixon has publicly released their tax returns .
And before the election , Trump himself promised he would do the same .
`` If I decide to run for office , I 'll produce my tax returns , absolutely , '' Trump said in 2014 .
`` And I would love to do that . ''
In February 2016 , Trump argued that his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May promised to release them once the audit was complete .
He suggested the returns would be released before the election .
`` After 400 days of obstruction and lies , it 's clear the President is disobeying the law because there is information about himself he wants to hide from the public , '' Rep. Judy Chu ( D-CA ) , a member of the Ways and Means Committee , said in an email .
She added , `` No matter how you slice it , his response to Chairman Neal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our laws and the American people .
We know the law is on our side , but it should n't take a court ruling for the President to be honest with the American people . ''
Neal has since filed a lawsuit demanding Mnuchin comply with the May 2019 subpoena .
A federal judge has placed a hold on the case pending the outcome of a related lawsuit filed by the House Judiciary Committee , asking the courts to enforce a subpoena requiring former White House counsel Don McGahn to testify before Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` the most important witness , other than the president , to the key events '' related to possible obstruction outlined in former special counsel Robert Mueller 's final report on Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

It has been 400 days since Congress sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service demanding to see Donald Trump’s personal and business taxes from 2013 to 2018.
For more than a year, Trump has refused to comply with the April 3, 2019 request from Rep. Richard Neal, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, despite a law requiring him to do so.
“I used my authority to make this request as part of the Committee’s legitimate legislative and oversight functions,” Neal said in an email this week.
He added that the Trump administration “has no basis whatsoever to refuse to comply with this request” and said he continues to fight in federal court to force the administration to follow the law.
The Trump administration has repeatedly refused to hand over Trump’s returns to the committee, with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin claiming Neal “lacks a legitimate legislative purpose” to request them.
In May 2019, Mnuchin rejected a congressional subpoena demanding Trump’s tax returns.
The tax code explicitly gives the chairs of the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee the right to see any person’s tax returns. Historical records show that Congress used this law to review President Richard Nixon’s tax returns.
The Treasury Department did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Except for Trump, every president since Nixon has publicly released their tax returns. And before the election, Trump himself promised he would do the same.
“If I decide to run for office, I’ll produce my tax returns, absolutely,” Trump said in 2014. “And I would love to do that.”
In February 2016, Trump argued that his tax returns were being audited, and in May promised to release them once the audit was complete. He suggested the returns would be released before the election.
That never happened.
“After 400 days of obstruction and lies, it’s clear the President is disobeying the law because there is information about himself he wants to hide from the public,” Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, said in an email.
She added, “No matter how you slice it, his response to Chairman Neal’s legal request shows a disrespect for our laws and the American people. We know the law is on our side, but it shouldn’t take a court ruling for the President to be honest with the American people.”
Neal has since filed a lawsuit demanding Mnuchin comply with the May 2019 subpoena.
A federal judge has placed a hold on the case pending the outcome of a related lawsuit filed by the House Judiciary Committee, asking the courts to enforce a subpoena requiring former White House counsel Don McGahn to testify before Congress.
The committee has argued that McGahn was “the most important witness, other than the president, to the key events” related to possible obstruction outlined in former special counsel Robert Mueller’s final report on Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-07--GOP candidate says 'healthy folks' should be exempt from coronavirus rules

North Carolina Lt. Gov .
Dan Forest , currently running as the Republican nominee for governor of the state , told a right-wing outlet this week that social distancing rules are only necessary for older and sick people and that rural counties in North Carolina can safely reopen .
Public health experts say this is false .
`` We know who the people are that are actually at real risk of this virus .
It is the people that are the elderly and those that have immune issues already , '' Forest told the Daily Signal on Tuesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into those categories , and so you can protect those people by quarantining them , having them stay at home for extra periods of time , creating shopping hours for those folks that don ’ t interfere with other people , creating times at restaurants where those people could actually go and get their food without coming into contact .
All these kinds of things .
We know the demographics of the people that are hospitalized and the people that are dying , '' he said .
Noting that many rural counties in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that in others those that had the virus have probably recovered , Forest urged the reopening of much of the state 's economy .
`` I think we need to let the healthy folks get back to their livelihoods and allow freedom to reign again in America , '' he said .
`` Personal responsibility and freedom is really important , but the government picking winners and losers in the economy based on their own preferences is , I think , a pretty bad thing . ''
While Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19-related deaths have been among those over age 74 , more than 8,600 Americans under the age of 65 have also died .
In late March , the nation 's top epidemiologist , Dr. Anthony Fauci , warned that the disease could strike anyone .
`` What we are starting to see is that there are some people who are younger , people your age — young , healthy , vigorous — who don ’ t have any underlying conditions who are getting seriously ill , '' he said during an appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus conducted by 32-year-old basketball star Stephen Curry .
Last month , Bloomberg reported that more than 20 % of New York City coronavirus hospitalizations were for people under age 44 .
The outlet also cited World Health Organization numbers showing `` moderate-to-severe cases have occurred in 10 % to 15 % of adults under age 50 . ''
Two weeks ago , the Washington Post reported that dozens of people in their 30s and 40s are dying of strokes connected with the virus .
Robert Stevens , a doctor at Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper , `` We 've also taken care of patients in their 30s with stroke and covid , and this was extremely surprising . ''
Public health experts have also warned that reopening some states will mean the virus will spread from them to other states .
Said Jeffrey Duchin , a professor of infectious diseases with the School of Public Health at the University of Washington , explaining the problem with lifting restrictions in some places and not others : `` That 's like having a peeing section in the swimming pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started . ''
This is not the first time Forest has downplayed the coronavirus pandemic and questioned the need for social distancing rules .
Last month , he falsely said on a livestream hosted by the North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans , `` We 've still had more deaths to the flu this year than we have had COVID-19 .
There 's been about three times more deaths for HIV/AIDS . ''
In March , he criticized Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper 's order to close down bars and restaurants , claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shutter many small businesses , and leave many people unemployed , especially in the rural areas of our state . ''
Instead , Forest urged , `` We should allow those economies [ in counties without confirmed COVID-19 cases ] to still flourish . ''
More than 13,000 North Carolinians have tested positive for the coronavirus to date , with reported cases in all 100 of the state 's counties .
More than 500 of those have resulted in deaths .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, currently running as the Republican nominee for governor of the state, told a right-wing outlet this week that social distancing rules are only necessary for older and sick people and that rural counties in North Carolina can safely reopen. Public health experts say this is false.
“We know who the people are that are actually at real risk of this virus. It is the people that are the elderly and those that have immune issues already,” Forest told the Daily Signal on Tuesday.
“So people that are at risk fall into those categories, and so you can protect those people by quarantining them, having them stay at home for extra periods of time, creating shopping hours for those folks that don’t interfere with other people, creating times at restaurants where those people could actually go and get their food without coming into contact. All these kinds of things. We know the demographics of the people that are hospitalized and the people that are dying,” he said.
Noting that many rural counties in North Carolina have had no reported deaths and that in others those that had the virus have probably recovered, Forest urged the reopening of much of the state’s economy. “I think we need to let the healthy folks get back to their livelihoods and allow freedom to reign again in America,” he said. “Personal responsibility and freedom is really important, but the government picking winners and losers in the economy based on their own preferences is, I think, a pretty bad thing.”
While Centers for Disease Control and Protection data shows that the majority of COVID-19-related deaths have been among those over age 74, more than 8,600 Americans under the age of 65 have also died.
In late March, the nation’s top epidemiologist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, warned that the disease could strike anyone. “What we are starting to see is that there are some people who are younger, people your age — young, healthy, vigorous — who don’t have any underlying conditions who are getting seriously ill,” he said during an appearance on a livestreamed Q&A on the coronavirus conducted by 32-year-old basketball star Stephen Curry.
Last month, Bloomberg reported that more than 20% of New York City coronavirus hospitalizations were for people under age 44. The outlet also cited World Health Organization numbers showing “moderate-to-severe cases have occurred in 10% to 15% of adults under age 50.”
Two weeks ago, the Washington Post reported that dozens of people in their 30s and 40s are dying of strokes connected with the virus. Robert Stevens, a doctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland, told the paper, “We’ve also taken care of patients in their 30s with stroke and covid, and this was extremely surprising.”
Public health experts have also warned that reopening some states will mean the virus will spread from them to other states.
Said Jeffrey Duchin, a professor of infectious diseases with the School of Public Health at the University of Washington, explaining the problem with lifting restrictions in some places and not others: “That’s like having a peeing section in the swimming pool. It doesn’t stay where you started.”
This is not the first time Forest has downplayed the coronavirus pandemic and questioned the need for social distancing rules.
Last month, he falsely said on a livestream hosted by the North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans, “We’ve still had more deaths to the flu this year than we have had COVID-19. There’s been about three times more deaths for HIV/AIDS.”
In March, he criticized Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s order to close down bars and restaurants, claiming the move would “devastate our economy, shutter many small businesses, and leave many people unemployed, especially in the rural areas of our state.”
Instead, Forest urged, “We should allow those economies [in counties without confirmed COVID-19 cases] to still flourish.”
More than 13,000 North Carolinians have tested positive for the coronavirus to date, with reported cases in all 100 of the state’s counties. More than 500 of those have resulted in deaths.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-05-07--Top House Republican: Let's ignore Trump's virus response and just investigate China

Rep. Steve Scalise ( R-LA ) , the newly appointed ranking member of the House 's Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis , said Thursday that the panel should focus on investigating China .
The Minority Whip released a statement noting his `` misgivings about Speaker Pelosi 's intentions behind the creation of this select committee . ''
`` Rather than letting this effort devolve into yet another political witch hunt , I am determined to focus the subcommittee 's work on three important areas that Speaker Pelosi continues to overlook : holding China accountable for hiding the truth about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure the success of the largest relief effort in American history , and providing clear and immediate guidance on how to safely reopen our economy , '' Scalise said in the statement .
`` We must stick to the facts and keep our subcommittee focused on what matters : restoring the physical and economic health of the American people so we can reestablish the strength and security of our great nation .
I welcome Chairman Clyburn and the other Democrats on this committee to join us in this effort , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the committee entirely , House Republicans named five members to the newly created panel on Thursday : Scalise , Mark Green of Tennessee , Jim Jordan of Ohio , Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri , and Jackie Walorski of Indiana .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi selected seven Democrats for the subcommittee last Wednesday .
Contrary to Scalise 's demands , the panel 's official jurisdiction includes oversight of the federal government 's handling of the crisis and its economic stabilization programs .
Its mission does not include investigating the behavior of China or any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel last month , on a party-line vote .
All 181 Republicans present — including Scalise — voted against it , with several dismissing the idea of additional oversight as merely a scheme to hurt Donald Trump during an election year .
While Scalise opposes investigating the Trump administration 's botched response to a pandemic that has already killed more than 70,000 Americans , Scalise did vote in 2014 to create a select committee to investigate the deaths of four Americans in the 2012 attacks on the U.S. mission in Benghazi .
House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel 's real purpose was to hurt Hillary Clinton 's poll numbers , though that investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing on her part .

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), the newly appointed ranking member of the House’s Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, said Thursday that the panel should focus on investigating China.
The Minority Whip released a statement noting his “misgivings about Speaker Pelosi’s intentions behind the creation of this select committee.”
“Rather than letting this effort devolve into yet another political witch hunt, I am determined to focus the subcommittee’s work on three important areas that Speaker Pelosi continues to overlook: holding China accountable for hiding the truth about the virus from the world, helping ensure the success of the largest relief effort in American history, and providing clear and immediate guidance on how to safely reopen our economy,” Scalise said in the statement.
“We must stick to the facts and keep our subcommittee focused on what matters: restoring the physical and economic health of the American people so we can reestablish the strength and security of our great nation. I welcome Chairman Clyburn and the other Democrats on this committee to join us in this effort,” he added.
After initially suggesting they might boycott the committee entirely, House Republicans named five members to the newly created panel on Thursday: Scalise, Mark Green of Tennessee, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri, and Jackie Walorski of Indiana. Speaker Nancy Pelosi selected seven Democrats for the subcommittee last Wednesday.
Contrary to Scalise’s demands, the panel’s official jurisdiction includes oversight of the federal government’s handling of the crisis and its economic stabilization programs. Its mission does not include investigating the behavior of China or any other foreign countries.
The House created the panel last month, on a party-line vote. All 181 Republicans present — including Scalise — voted against it, with several dismissing the idea of additional oversight as merely a scheme to hurt Donald Trump during an election year.
While Scalise opposes investigating the Trump administration’s botched response to a pandemic that has already killed more than 70,000 Americans, Scalise did vote in 2014 to create a select committee to investigate the deaths of four Americans in the 2012 attacks on the U.S. mission in Benghazi.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy later confessed Benghazi panel’s real purpose was to hurt Hillary Clinton’s poll numbers, though that investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing on her part.