shareblue--2020-07-30--Trump trashes Postal Service workers after spending years trying to defund them

Donald Trump tweeted a series of attacks on the U.S .
Postal Service on Wednesday night and Thursday morning , suggesting it is not up to the task of handling mail-in ballots .
By spotlighting issues of speed and reliability , he not only attacked the efficacy of voting by mail but also the nation 's postal delivery system overall .
It comes after he has undermined the postal service and its workers throughout his administration .
On Thursday , Trump tweeted a video from a local television station in Georgia , showing an experiment in which a reporter mailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office box to see how long it took them to arrive .
Most , but not all , had arrived within several days .
The station noted that the small percentage that did not immediately arrive could represent a huge chunk of the vote in a close election .
Trump then cited this `` testing '' as an example of why voting by mail in the 2020 elections would not work .
`` Mail-In Voting is already proving to be a catastrophic disaster , '' he claimed .
Without evidence , he claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not Absentee Voting , which is good ) , 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history . ''
Many states make no distinction between mail-in and absentee voting , and both methods rely on the same postal system .
Trump , who tweeted his opposition to a stamp rate increase and proposed service cuts in 2013 , made his frustration with the postal service 's low shipping rates for Amazon deliveries known in 2018 .
Since then , he has repeatedly demanded the Postal Service charge Amazon more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant 's founder , Jeff Bezos , owns the Washington Post — a news outlet Trump has derided as `` fake news . ''
Trump 's budget proposals have pushed for significant cuts to the Postal Service 's budget .
In February , he proposed $ 97 billion in spending reductions over the next 11 years to `` restore solvency . ''
In June 2018 , an administration task force even recommended possibly privatizing the agency entirely .
As the agency has struggled financially , Trump has refused to support an emergency bailout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refused to sign a pandemic emergency response bill if it included any money for the Postal Service .
`` We told them very clearly that the president was not going to sign the bill if [ money for the Postal Service ] was in it , '' a Trump administration official told the Washington Post .
`` I do n't know if we used the v-bomb , but the president was not going to sign it , and we told them that . ''
Trump derided the agency as a `` joke '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the Postal Service raised prices .
`` The post office , if they raised the price of a package by approximately four times , it would be a whole new ballgame , '' he told reporters .
`` But they do n't want to raise it because they do n't want to insult Amazon , and they do n't want to insult other companies , perhaps , that they like .
The post office should raise the price of the packages to the companies .
Not to the people , to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be a whole different story . ''
The current postmaster general , Louis DeJoy , is a major donor to Trump , who appointed him to his position in early May .
Last week , Fortune reported that DeJoy planned to slow mail delivery and reduce overtime for postal employees .
It noted that a recent internal Postal Service memo warned that `` one aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that—temporarily—we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , MarketWatch reported that the Postal Service is also considering closing post offices in the upcoming months .
These potential moves come as millions of Americans prepare to vote by mail in the November elections .
The American Postal Workers Union has endorsed voting by mail as an effective system .
And on Wednesday , a spokesperson for the postal service told the New Yorker that it was ready for increased mail-in voting .
`` The Postal Service is committed to delivering election mail in a timely manner , '' Martha Johnson told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's financial condition is not going to impact our ability to process and deliver election and political mail . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump tweeted a series of attacks on the U.S. Postal Service on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, suggesting it is not up to the task of handling mail-in ballots. By spotlighting issues of speed and reliability, he not only attacked the efficacy of voting by mail but also the nation’s postal delivery system overall.
It comes after he has undermined the postal service and its workers throughout his administration.
On Thursday, Trump tweeted a video from a local television station in Georgia, showing an experiment in which a reporter mailed hundreds of ballot-shaped envelopes to a post office box to see how long it took them to arrive. Most, but not all, had arrived within several days. The station noted that the small percentage that did not immediately arrive could represent a huge chunk of the vote in a close election.
Trump then cited this “testing” as an example of why voting by mail in the 2020 elections would not work. “Mail-In Voting is already proving to be a catastrophic disaster,” he claimed.
Without evidence, he claimed, “With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history.” Many states make no distinction between mail-in and absentee voting, and both methods rely on the same postal system.
Trump, who tweeted his opposition to a stamp rate increase and proposed service cuts in 2013, made his frustration with the postal service’s low shipping rates for Amazon deliveries known in 2018.
Since then, he has repeatedly demanded the Postal Service charge Amazon more to deliver its goods. The online retail giant’s founder, Jeff Bezos, owns the Washington Post — a news outlet Trump has derided as “fake news.”
Trump’s budget proposals have pushed for significant cuts to the Postal Service’s budget. In February, he proposed $97 billion in spending reductions over the next 11 years to “restore solvency.” In June 2018, an administration task force even recommended possibly privatizing the agency entirely.
As the agency has struggled financially, Trump has refused to support an emergency bailout. In April, his administration reportedly refused to sign a pandemic emergency response bill if it included any money for the Postal Service.
“We told them very clearly that the president was not going to sign the bill if [money for the Postal Service] was in it,” a Trump administration official told the Washington Post. “I don’t know if we used the v-bomb, but the president was not going to sign it, and we told them that.”
Trump derided the agency as a “joke” and said he would block any bailout until the Postal Service raised prices.
“The post office, if they raised the price of a package by approximately four times, it would be a whole new ballgame,” he told reporters. “But they don’t want to raise it because they don’t want to insult Amazon, and they don’t want to insult other companies, perhaps, that they like. The post office should raise the price of the packages to the companies. Not to the people, to the companies. If they did that, it would be a whole different story.”
The current postmaster general, Louis DeJoy, is a major donor to Trump, who appointed him to his position in early May.
Last week, Fortune reported that DeJoy planned to slow mail delivery and reduce overtime for postal employees. It noted that a recent internal Postal Service memo warned that “one aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that—temporarily—we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks, which is not typical.”
On Wednesday, MarketWatch reported that the Postal Service is also considering closing post offices in the upcoming months.
These potential moves come as millions of Americans prepare to vote by mail in the November elections.
The American Postal Workers Union has endorsed voting by mail as an effective system. And on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the postal service told the New Yorker that it was ready for increased mail-in voting.
“The Postal Service is committed to delivering election mail in a timely manner,” Martha Johnson told the outlet. “The Postal Service’s financial condition is not going to impact our ability to process and deliver election and political mail.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-30--Dr. Birx reminds country not to take unproven drug after Gohmert says he's on it

Dr. Deborah Birx , the coronavirus response coordinator for the Trump administration , on Thursday debunked the notion that an anti-malaria drug can cure coronavirus just a day after a Republican congressman who tested positive for the virus announced he would start taking it .
`` We know in the randomized controlled trials to date — and there 's been several of them — that there 's not evidence that it improves those patients ' outcomes , '' Birx told Fox News .
`` Whether they have mild , moderate disease or whether they ’ re seriously ill in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than a day after Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-TX ) announced he would begin taking hydroxychloroquine following a positive coronavirus test result .
`` My doctor and I are all in , '' Gohmert told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Wednesday .
Gohmert said he would begin taking the medication `` in a day or two . ''
As early as March , Donald Trump touted hydroxychloroquine — prescribed both as an anti-malaria drug and to treat symptoms of Lupus — as a potential coronavirus cure , even as his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the claim .
On March 23 , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's top infectious disease expert , was asked if there was any evidence the drug could prevent coronavirus .
`` No , '' he replied .
`` The answer ... is no . ''
Since April , scientific studies have shown that the drug does not help in cases of the coronavirus .
In mid-June , the Food and Drug Administration ended its emergency authorization allowing hydroxychloroquine to be used to treat it .
The FDA pulled the authorization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical trial data results , that have led [ the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority ] to conclude that this drug may not be effective to treat COVID-19 , '' Denise Hinton , the agency 's chief scientist , wrote at the time .
However , the evidence did not stop Trump from pushing the medication .
In May , Trump announced he was taking a course of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure to keep from contracting the virus .
In early July , Trump tweeted about the benefits of the drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlier study questioned by experts .
On Tuesday , Trump praised Stella Immanuel , a doctor who falsely claimed the drug could cure coronavirus .
Immanuel also believes some health problems arise from women having sex with demons .
On July 1 , the FDA issued a warning against anyone using hydroxychloroquine outside of a hospital or a clinical trial due to `` reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues , including blood and lymph system disorders , kidney injuries , and liver problems and failure . ''
Gohmert 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request for comment .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Dr. Deborah Birx, the coronavirus response coordinator for the Trump administration, on Thursday debunked the notion that an anti-malaria drug can cure coronavirus just a day after a Republican congressman who tested positive for the virus announced he would start taking it.
“We know in the randomized controlled trials to date — and there’s been several of them — that there’s not evidence that it improves those patients’ outcomes,” Birx told Fox News. “Whether they have mild, moderate disease or whether they’re seriously ill in the hospital.”
Birx’s comment came less than a day after Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) announced he would begin taking hydroxychloroquine following a positive coronavirus test result.
“My doctor and I are all in,” Gohmert told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Wednesday. Gohmert said he would begin taking the medication “in a day or two.”
As early as March, Donald Trump touted hydroxychloroquine — prescribed both as an anti-malaria drug and to treat symptoms of Lupus — as a potential coronavirus cure, even as his administration experts said there was no evidence to support the claim.
On March 23, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, was asked if there was any evidence the drug could prevent coronavirus.
“No,” he replied. “The answer … is no.”
Since April, scientific studies have shown that the drug does not help in cases of the coronavirus. In mid-June, the Food and Drug Administration ended its emergency authorization allowing hydroxychloroquine to be used to treat it.
The FDA pulled the authorization “based on new information, including clinical trial data results, that have led [the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority] to conclude that this drug may not be effective to treat COVID-19,” Denise Hinton, the agency’s chief scientist, wrote at the time.
However, the evidence did not stop Trump from pushing the medication.
In May, Trump announced he was taking a course of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure to keep from contracting the virus.
In early July, Trump tweeted about the benefits of the drug as a coronavirus cure, citing an outlier study questioned by experts.
On Tuesday, Trump praised Stella Immanuel, a doctor who falsely claimed the drug could cure coronavirus. Immanuel also believes some health problems arise from women having sex with demons.
On July 1, the FDA issued a warning against anyone using hydroxychloroquine outside of a hospital or a clinical trial due to “reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.”
Gohmert’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-30--Fact check: Trump has no evidence for his ongoing lies about mail-in voting

Donald Trump 's apocalyptic views of voting by mail are baseless , according to research into election fraud and the record .
Despite that , he 's now floated the idea of delaying the election until it can be held `` properly . ''
`` With Universal Mail-In Voting ( not Absentee Voting , which is good ) , 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history .
It will be a great embarrassment to the USA .
Delay the Election until people can properly , securely and safely vote ?
?
? ''
— tweet Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence that such a flawed election is in the offing for Nov. 3 .
Trump has persistently theorized about rigged elections and never supported those theories with facts .
He appointed a commission to get to the bottom of voter fraud and it disbanded without making any findings .
Just days ago , Attorney General William Barr testified to Congress that he did n't have evidence that foreign countries could use fraudulent mail-in ballots to change the outcome of an election in the U.S. Barr said it was `` common sense '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states — Colorado , Hawaii , Oregon , Washington , and Utah — relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person this coming November .
Those states say they have the necessary safeguards in place to ensure that a hostile foreign actor does n't co-opt the vote .
More states intend to rely more heavily on mail-in voting for the same reason .
`` Trump is simply wrong about mail-in balloting raising a 'tremendous ' potential for fraud , '' Richard L. Hasen , an elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irvine , School of Law , wrote recently .
`` While certain pockets of the country have seen their share of absentee-ballot scandals , problems are extremely rare in the five states that rely primarily on vote-by-mail , including the heavily Republican state of Utah . ''
Indeed , election experts widely say that all forms of voter fraud are rare .
The Brennan Center for Justice in 2017 ranked the risk of ballot fraud at infinitesimal 0.00004 % to 0.0009 % , based on studies of past elections .
Trump himself voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary .
And his own 2016 presidential election victory came at the pinnacle of a decadeslong trend away from in-person voting on Election Day .
Even so , he has sketched wild scenarios , recently imagining `` thousands and thousands of people sitting in somebody 's living room , signing ballots all over the place . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifically recommends states `` encourage mail-in methods of voting if allowed in the jurisdiction , '' given the coronavirus threat .
As for the extraordinary step of moving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president , could theoretically act to change the date , which is set by federal law .
But lawmakers would have little leeway because the Constitution establishes the dates when the Electoral College is to meet and when a president is to be inaugurated , said James Gardner , a constitutional and election law expert at the University of Buffalo School of Law .
Passing a constitutional amendment at this late stage would be extremely unlikely because Democrats control the House and would not be expected to support a delay .

Donald Trump’s apocalyptic views of voting by mail are baseless, according to research into election fraud and the record. Despite that, he’s now floated the idea of delaying the election until it can be held “properly.”
“With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???” — tweet Thursday.
THE FACTS: He’s produced no evidence that such a flawed election is in the offing for Nov. 3.
Trump has persistently theorized about rigged elections and never supported those theories with facts. He appointed a commission to get to the bottom of voter fraud and it disbanded without making any findings.
Just days ago, Attorney General William Barr testified to Congress that he didn’t have evidence that foreign countries could use fraudulent mail-in ballots to change the outcome of an election in the U.S. Barr said it was “common sense” to think they would try.
Five states — Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and Utah — relied on mail-in ballots even before the coronavirus pandemic raised concerns about voting in person this coming November. Those states say they have the necessary safeguards in place to ensure that a hostile foreign actor doesn’t co-opt the vote. More states intend to rely more heavily on mail-in voting for the same reason.
“Trump is simply wrong about mail-in balloting raising a ‘tremendous’ potential for fraud,” Richard L. Hasen, an elections expert at the University of California, Irvine, School of Law, wrote recently. “While certain pockets of the country have seen their share of absentee-ballot scandals, problems are extremely rare in the five states that rely primarily on vote-by-mail, including the heavily Republican state of Utah.”
Indeed, election experts widely say that all forms of voter fraud are rare. The Brennan Center for Justice in 2017 ranked the risk of ballot fraud at infinitesimal 0.00004% to 0.0009%, based on studies of past elections.
Trump himself voted by mail in the last Florida Republican primary.
And his own 2016 presidential election victory came at the pinnacle of a decadeslong trend away from in-person voting on Election Day.
Even so, he has sketched wild scenarios, recently imagining “thousands and thousands of people sitting in somebody’s living room, signing ballots all over the place.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention specifically recommends states “encourage mail-in methods of voting if allowed in the jurisdiction,” given the coronavirus threat.
As for the extraordinary step of moving the Nov. 3 election, Congress, not the president, could theoretically act to change the date, which is set by federal law.
But lawmakers would have little leeway because the Constitution establishes the dates when the Electoral College is to meet and when a president is to be inaugurated, said James Gardner, a constitutional and election law expert at the University of Buffalo School of Law.
Passing a constitutional amendment at this late stage would be extremely unlikely because Democrats control the House and would not be expected to support a delay.


shareblue--2020-07-30--Even Republicans aren't going along with Trump's idea to delay the election

Republicans on Capitol Hill took the rare step of speaking out against Donald Trump on Thursday , after he questioned whether the November election should be delayed over false claims about mail-in ballot fraud .
A handful of GOP lawmakers condemned Trump 's tweet , saying the election would not be moved .
`` I emphatically do not support moving the 2020 election , '' Rep .
Troy Balderson ( R-OH ) tweeted .
`` Congress has the sole authority to set elections , and I will not support an attempt to delay this year 's . ''
`` No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , '' Sen. John Barrraso ( R-WY ) told Fox Business .
`` We 're going to have the election completed and voting completed by Election Day .
It 's going to take awhile to get all the votes counted , I am certain .
We need to continue to do this as we do state by state . ''
Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-FL ) suggested there was no good reason to delay the election , saying he `` wish [ ed ] '' Trump `` had n't said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election , but refused to condemn Trump 's false attacks on mail-in ballots — a safe and effective form of voting during a pandemic .
`` I do n't think that ’ s a particularly good idea , '' Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) told CNN 's Manu Raju , refusing to comment any further .
Sen. Thom Tillis ( R-NC ) stated that the election would n't be moved , but also refused to say whether it was `` appropriate '' for Trump to raise the idea , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Kentucky ABC/CBS News affiliate WNKY on Thursday morning that the election this November was already `` set in stone , '' according to the outlet , citing past elections that had been held during times of crisis .
Some Republicans , many of whom are facing their own tough reelection battles , simply dodged questions about Trump 's tweet .
Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst , for instance , whose race has shifted and is now rated a toss-up by multiple political handicapping websites , declined to comment to CNN about Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day is set by act of Congress and only Congress can change the date , '' Marc Elias , an election lawyer and expert on voting rights , said in a statement .
`` Even if Congress moved the date , Trump 's term expires on Jan. 20 , 2021 — and that can not be moved except by a new constitutional amendment . ''
Democrats , who control the House , have said they will not be moving the date .
`` Only Congress can change the date of our elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider doing so to accommodate the President ’ s inept and haphazard response to the coronavirus pandemic , '' Rep. Zoe Lofgren , who chairs the House Administration Committee , which is tasked with coming up with laws regarding elections , said in a statement .
The Trump campaign , for its part , claimed Thursday that Trump was `` just raising a question about the chaos Democrats have created with their insistence on all mail-in voting . ''
Back in April , when now-presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden raised fears that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it looked like he would lose , the Trump campaign memorably slammed the assertion .
`` Those are the incoherent , conspiracy theory ramblings of a lost candidate who is out of touch with reality , '' Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said at the time.
`` President Trump has been clear that the election will happen on November 3rd . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republicans on Capitol Hill took the rare step of speaking out against Donald Trump on Thursday, after he questioned whether the November election should be delayed over false claims about mail-in ballot fraud.
A handful of GOP lawmakers condemned Trump’s tweet, saying the election would not be moved.
“I emphatically do not support moving the 2020 election,” Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) tweeted. “Congress has the sole authority to set elections, and I will not support an attempt to delay this year’s.”
“No, we’re not going to delay the election,” Sen. John Barrraso (R-WY) told Fox Business. “We’re going to have the election completed and voting completed by Election Day. It’s going to take awhile to get all the votes counted, I am certain. We need to continue to do this as we do state by state.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) suggested there was no good reason to delay the election, saying he “wish[ed]” Trump “hadn’t said that.
Many Republicans voiced opposition the delaying the election, but refused to condemn Trump’s false attacks on mail-in ballots — a safe and effective form of voting during a pandemic.
“I don’t think that’s a particularly good idea,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told CNN’s Manu Raju, refusing to comment any further.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) stated that the election wouldn’t be moved, but also refused to say whether it was “appropriate” for Trump to raise the idea, according to CNN.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Kentucky ABC/CBS News affiliate WNKY on Thursday morning that the election this November was already “set in stone,” according to the outlet, citing past elections that had been held during times of crisis.
Some Republicans, many of whom are facing their own tough reelection battles, simply dodged questions about Trump’s tweet.
Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, for instance, whose race has shifted and is now rated a toss-up by multiple political handicapping websites, declined to comment to CNN about Trump’s idea to move the election.
Ultimately, Trump cannot move an election unilaterally.
“Election Day is set by act of Congress and only Congress can change the date,” Marc Elias, an election lawyer and expert on voting rights, said in a statement. “Even if Congress moved the date, Trump’s term expires on Jan. 20, 2021 — and that cannot be moved except by a new constitutional amendment.”
Democrats, who control the House, have said they will not be moving the date.
“Only Congress can change the date of our elections, and under no circumstances will we consider doing so to accommodate the President’s inept and haphazard response to the coronavirus pandemic,” Rep. Zoe Lofgren, who chairs the House Administration Committee, which is tasked with coming up with laws regarding elections, said in a statement.
The Trump campaign, for its part, claimed Thursday that Trump was “just raising a question about the chaos Democrats have created with their insistence on all mail-in voting.”
Back in April, when now-presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden raised fears that Trump would try to move the election if it looked like he would lose, the Trump campaign memorably slammed the assertion.
“Those are the incoherent, conspiracy theory ramblings of a lost candidate who is out of touch with reality,” Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said at the time. “President Trump has been clear that the election will happen on November 3rd.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-30--Trump oversees worst economic downturn ever recorded in US history

Donald Trump oversaw the worst economic quarter in recorded U.S. history , with the economy shrinking by 33 % from April through June .
This marks the second quarter in a row Trump has presided over a steep quarterly drop in the nation 's gross domestic product , the Associated Press reported on Thursday , following a 5 % drop from January through March .
Since the federal government began recording quarterly GDP in 1947 , the previous worst quarter was a 10 % contraction in 1958 .
In 2016 , Trump campaigned on growing the economy by up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly failed to fulfill that promise .
The most the economy has grown was 3.2 % in 2018 and GDP growth fell below 2.5 % in both 2017 or 2019 .
The shrinking GDP coincides with a massive increase in unemployment throughout the nation .
As of late July , 30 million Americans — or roughly 1 in 5 American workers — were collecting unemployment insurance , according to the New York Times .
The economic downturn began as the coronavirus pandemic forced businesses across the country to shut their doors starting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis has been widely criticized because he frequently lies , spreads misinformation about potential cures , and regularly undermines his own administration 's health experts .
Republican delays of another coronavirus relief package could be making the economic situation worse .
`` A couple of weeks ago there was a lot more optimism that we would see a strong V-shaped recovery , '' Edward Moya , an analyst at OANDA , a currency trading firm , told Politico .
However , `` every day we don ’ t have a new stimulus agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The House of Representatives passed a coronavirus relief bill in mid-May , but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring it up for a vote , claiming there was no `` urgency '' to act .
Months later , McConnell introduced a Republican relief bill that was immediately criticized by his fellow Republicans .
A $ 600 boost to unemployment expires at the end of July , but McConnell stated that the Senate will not pass any legislation until mid-August .
`` Hopefully in the next two to three weeks we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass something that we can send over to the House and down to the President for signature , '' McConnell said on Friday .
Trump ignored the bad economic news on Thursday and instead tweeted lies about voting by mail and suggested delaying the November election .
`` With Universal Mail-In Voting ( not Absentee Voting , which is good ) , 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history , '' Trump tweeted .
`` It will be a great embarrassment to the USA .
Delay the Election until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote ?
?
? ''
As the economy worsens , Americans have soured on Trump 's ability to handle it .
A Gallup poll released in June showed just 47 % of Americans approved of how Trump handles the economy , down from 63 % in January .
`` With the U.S. economy formally slipping into a recession in February , Trump 's reelection now appears in jeopardy , '' Gallup reported on June 29 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump oversaw the worst economic quarter in recorded U.S. history, with the economy shrinking by 33% from April through June.
This marks the second quarter in a row Trump has presided over a steep quarterly drop in the nation’s gross domestic product, the Associated Press reported on Thursday, following a 5% drop from January through March.
Since the federal government began recording quarterly GDP in 1947, the previous worst quarter was a 10% contraction in 1958.
In 2016, Trump campaigned on growing the economy by up to 6% per year, but has repeatedly failed to fulfill that promise. The most the economy has grown was 3.2% in 2018 and GDP growth fell below 2.5% in both 2017 or 2019.
The shrinking GDP coincides with a massive increase in unemployment throughout the nation. As of late July, 30 million Americans — or roughly 1 in 5 American workers — were collecting unemployment insurance, according to the New York Times.
The economic downturn began as the coronavirus pandemic forced businesses across the country to shut their doors starting in mid-March. Trump’s handling of the crisis has been widely criticized because he frequently lies, spreads misinformation about potential cures, and regularly undermines his own administration’s health experts.
Republican delays of another coronavirus relief package could be making the economic situation worse.
“A couple of weeks ago there was a lot more optimism that we would see a strong V-shaped recovery,” Edward Moya, an analyst at OANDA, a currency trading firm, told Politico. However, “every day we don’t have a new stimulus agreement in place is hurting the economy.”
The House of Representatives passed a coronavirus relief bill in mid-May, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring it up for a vote, claiming there was no “urgency” to act.
Months later, McConnell introduced a Republican relief bill that was immediately criticized by his fellow Republicans. A $600 boost to unemployment expires at the end of July, but McConnell stated that the Senate will not pass any legislation until mid-August.
“Hopefully in the next two to three weeks we’ll be able to come together and pass something that we can send over to the House and down to the President for signature,” McConnell said on Friday.
Trump ignored the bad economic news on Thursday and instead tweeted lies about voting by mail and suggested delaying the November election.
“With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history,” Trump tweeted. “It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???”
As the economy worsens, Americans have soured on Trump’s ability to handle it.
A Gallup poll released in June showed just 47% of Americans approved of how Trump handles the economy, down from 63% in January.
“With the U.S. economy formally slipping into a recession in February, Trump’s reelection now appears in jeopardy,” Gallup reported on June 29.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-30--Pennsylvania lawmaker demands respect for 'community' that refuses to wear masks

A Republican state lawmaker in Pennsylvania penned a lengthy statement demanding respect and tolerance for those who refuse to wear masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus — even though they are violating pubic health directives intended to keep the public safe .
Diamond said he has faced `` multiple incidents '' of harassment for not wearing a mask .
`` Your actions perpetuate a spirit of intolerance and discrimination against unmasked individuals and specifically individuals like myself who are outspoken about it , '' Diamond wrote in a press release to `` address hateful comments towards [ sic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his Twitter account on Wednesday .
Diamond lamented that `` unmasked individuals still are being denied access to public accommodations in places in Pennsylvania , '' adding that he has `` no room in my heart for hatred . ''
`` We all need to foster that spirit of acceptance and welcoming to unmasked individuals and celebrate the wonderful diversity of our commonwealth , '' Diamond wrote .
Diamond has been railing against the use of masks — which public health experts say are one of the most effective tools for stopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for months .
He 's been blatantly ignoring Democratic Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf 's statewide mask order , which was put in place to stop the spread of the virus .
`` Shopped sans mask .
Bought TP .
Got $ 1.99 gas & Batdorf take-out .
So much winning , '' Diamond posted on his Facebook page in May .
Earlier in July , he told a local Pennsylvania television station that masks `` do more harm than good '' — an absolutely false comment .
Diamond also tweeted an image @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masked child is an abused child '' — a tweet he later deleted .
Diamond is one of a number of both state and congressional Republican lawmakers who have refused to wear masks .
Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-TX ) had refused to wear a mask , including in the U.S. Capitol .
On Wednesday , he tested positive for the coronavirus , leading to widespread condemnation from his fellow member of Congress , who were angry that he recklessly endangered the health of everyone in the building , including members , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Capitol complex .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A Republican state lawmaker in Pennsylvania penned a lengthy statement demanding respect and tolerance for those who refuse to wear masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus — even though they are violating pubic health directives intended to keep the public safe.
Diamond said he has faced “multiple incidents” of harassment for not wearing a mask.
“Your actions perpetuate a spirit of intolerance and discrimination against unmasked individuals and specifically individuals like myself who are outspoken about it,” Diamond wrote in a press release to “address hateful comments towards [sic] the unmasked community,” posted to his Twitter account on Wednesday.
Diamond lamented that “unmasked individuals still are being denied access to public accommodations in places in Pennsylvania,” adding that he has “no room in my heart for hatred.”
“We all need to foster that spirit of acceptance and welcoming to unmasked individuals and celebrate the wonderful diversity of our commonwealth,” Diamond wrote.
Diamond has been railing against the use of masks — which public health experts say are one of the most effective tools for stopping the spread of the deadly coronavirus — for months.
He’s been blatantly ignoring Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s statewide mask order, which was put in place to stop the spread of the virus.
“Shopped sans mask. Bought TP. Got $1.99 gas & Batdorf take-out. So much winning,” Diamond posted on his Facebook page in May.
Earlier in July, he told a local Pennsylvania television station that masks “do more harm than good” — an absolutely false comment.
Diamond also tweeted an image on July 9 that said “a masked child is an abused child” — a tweet he later deleted.
Diamond is one of a number of both state and congressional Republican lawmakers who have refused to wear masks.
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) had refused to wear a mask, including in the U.S. Capitol.
On Wednesday, he tested positive for the coronavirus, leading to widespread condemnation from his fellow member of Congress, who were angry that he recklessly endangered the health of everyone in the building, including members, his own staff, and other employees in the Capitol complex.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-30--President Obama to deliver eulogy at John Lewis' funeral

When John Lewis is mourned , revered , and celebrated at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Thursday , he returns to a sacred place imbued with civil rights history .
The arc of Lewis ' legacy of activism will once again be tied to Ebenezer 's former pastor Martin Luther King Jr. , whose sermons Lewis discovered while scanning the radio dial as a 15-year-old boy growing up in then-segregated Alabama .
King continued to inspire Lewis ' civil rights work for the next 65 years as he fought segregation during sometimes bloody marches , Greyhound bus `` Freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later during his long tenure in the U.S. Congress .
Former President Barack Obama will be attending Thursday 's funeral and is expected to address mourners , according to a person familiar with the arrangements who was not authorized to speak publicly .
President George W. Bush 's office said the former president and first lady Laura Bush also will attend .
`` He was my hero , '' Ebenezer 's senior pastor , the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , said in an interview late Wednesday .
`` He laid it all on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and limb . ''
`` He read the Gospel , and he actually believed it — love your enemies , '' added Warnock , who will officiate the funeral .
When Lewis was 15 , he heard King 's sermons on WRMA , a radio station in Montgomery , Alabama , he recalled in an interview for the Southern Oral History Program .
`` Later I saw him on many occasions in Nashville while I was in school between 1958 and '61 , '' Lewis said .
`` In a sense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` the person who , more than any other , continued to influence my life , who made me who I was , '' Lewis wrote in his 1998 autobiography , `` Walking with the Wind . ''
By the summer of 1963 , Lewis was addressing thousands of people during the March on Washington , speaking shortly before King gave his `` I Have a Dream '' speech .
He spoke then about Black people beaten by police and jailed — themes that resonate vividly in today 's times .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we are involved in a serious social revolution , '' Lewis told the huge crowd on the Washington Mall .
`` To those who have said , 'Be patient and wait , ' we have long said that we can not be patient , '' he added .
`` We do not want our freedom gradually , but we want to be free now !
We are tired .
We are tired of being beaten by policemen .
We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was beaten by Alabama state troopers in the city of Selma in what became known as `` Bloody Sunday . ''
Last Sunday , his casket was carried across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma .
The wagon rolled over a carpet of rose petals on the bridge that spans the Alabama River .
On the south side of the bridge , where Lewis was attacked by the law officers , family members placed red roses that the carriage rolled over , marking the spot where Lewis spilled his blood and suffered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Medal of Freedom by the nation 's first Black president in 2011 .
He spent more than three decades in Congress , and his district included most of Atlanta .
On Monday , a memorial service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington drew congressional leaders from both parties .
Lewis was the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda .
On Wednesday he was lauded as a warrior and hero during a ceremony at the Georgia Capitol , where people paid their final respects to the civil rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lewis was a member of Ebenezer , and `` it was my honor to serve as pastor to John Lewis , a man of faith and a true American patriot who selflessly risked life and limb in the sacred cause of truth-telling and justice-making in the world , '' Warnock said in a statement before the funeral .
`` He was wounded for America 's transgressions , crushed for our iniquities and by his bruises we are healed , '' Warnock added .
`` Today we weep .
Tomorrow we continue the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's work . ''

When John Lewis is mourned, revered, and celebrated at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Thursday, he returns to a sacred place imbued with civil rights history.
The arc of Lewis’ legacy of activism will once again be tied to Ebenezer’s former pastor Martin Luther King Jr., whose sermons Lewis discovered while scanning the radio dial as a 15-year-old boy growing up in then-segregated Alabama.
King continued to inspire Lewis’ civil rights work for the next 65 years as he fought segregation during sometimes bloody marches, Greyhound bus “Freedom Rides” across the South, and later during his long tenure in the U.S. Congress.
Lewis died July 17 at age 80.
Former President Barack Obama will be attending Thursday’s funeral and is expected to address mourners, according to a person familiar with the arrangements who was not authorized to speak publicly. President George W. Bush’s office said the former president and first lady Laura Bush also will attend.
“He was my hero,” Ebenezer’s senior pastor, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, said in an interview late Wednesday. “He laid it all on the line, at the risk of life and limb.”
“He read the Gospel, and he actually believed it — love your enemies,” added Warnock, who will officiate the funeral.
When Lewis was 15, he heard King’s sermons on WRMA, a radio station in Montgomery, Alabama, he recalled in an interview for the Southern Oral History Program.
“Later I saw him on many occasions in Nashville while I was in school between 1958 and ’61,” Lewis said. “In a sense, he was my leader.”
King was “the person who, more than any other, continued to influence my life, who made me who I was,” Lewis wrote in his 1998 autobiography, “Walking with the Wind.”
By the summer of 1963, Lewis was addressing thousands of people during the March on Washington, speaking shortly before King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. He spoke then about Black people beaten by police and jailed — themes that resonate vividly in today’s times.
“My friends, let us not forget that we are involved in a serious social revolution,” Lewis told the huge crowd on the Washington Mall.
“To those who have said, ‘Be patient and wait,’ we have long said that we cannot be patient,” he added. “We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now! We are tired. We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again.”
In 1965, Lewis was beaten by Alabama state troopers in the city of Selma in what became known as “Bloody Sunday.”
Last Sunday, his casket was carried across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. The wagon rolled over a carpet of rose petals on the bridge that spans the Alabama River. On the south side of the bridge, where Lewis was attacked by the law officers, family members placed red roses that the carriage rolled over, marking the spot where Lewis spilled his blood and suffered a head injury.
Lewis was later awarded the Medal of Freedom by the nation’s first Black president in 2011.
He spent more than three decades in Congress, and his district included most of Atlanta.
On Monday, a memorial service at the U.S. Capitol in Washington drew congressional leaders from both parties. Lewis was the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. On Wednesday he was lauded as a warrior and hero during a ceremony at the Georgia Capitol, where people paid their final respects to the civil rights icon in one of the last memorials.
Lewis was a member of Ebenezer, and “it was my honor to serve as pastor to John Lewis, a man of faith and a true American patriot who selflessly risked life and limb in the sacred cause of truth-telling and justice-making in the world,” Warnock said in a statement before the funeral.
“He was wounded for America’s transgressions, crushed for our iniquities and by his bruises we are healed,” Warnock added. “Today we weep. Tomorrow we continue the work of healing that was his life’s work.”


shareblue--2020-07-31--Cartoon: A Mythical AG

Cartoon: A Mythical AG

Clay Jones is a nationally syndicated political cartoonist .
He has worked for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and The Free Lance-Star @ @ @ @ @ draws a weekly cartoon for CNN Opinion .
He lives in the Washington suburbs of @ @ @

A decade after Sandy Hook, grief remains but hope grows
December, the anniversary of the worst grade school mass shooting in the U.S. is a difficult month for many in Newton. But in the face of heartbreak and grief, some survivors and families of victims feel hope for a brighter future.
By Associated Press - December 22, 2022


shareblue--2020-07-31--News you might have missed: House votes to create American Latino Museum

This week , Congress moves closer to creating a museum honoring American Latinos , a poll shows most Americans support anti-racism protests , and President Barack Obama eulogizes the late Rep. John Lewis .
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news .
House approves bill to create a National Museum of the American Latino The House of Representatives took the first step toward building a museum on the National Mall devoted to the history and culture of American Latinos .
On Monday , the House passed the National Museum of the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The legislation `` represents a historic step towards securing a new home for the Latino story to be told , '' Rep. Joaquin Castro ( D-TX ) , chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus , said in a statement .
Castro said the caucus `` eagerly welcomes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum on the National Mall to showcase Latino history , art , and culture . ''
A bill to create such a museum was first introduced in Congress in 2011 .
`` Our community has been used as scapegoats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Rep. Tony Cárdenas ( D-CA ) said on the floor of the House .
`` The American people deserve to learn the truth of our history and our heritage . ''
The House of Representatives voted unanimously on Monday to rename a key voting rights bill after the late Rep. John Lewis ( D-GA ) , an icon of the civil rights movement .
`` John dedicated his entire life to ensuring all Americans can exercise this sacred right , '' Rep. Jim Clyburn ( D-SC ) said .
`` Enacting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best thing we can do to honor this American hero . ''
The legislation , which would restore and extend provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that were struck down by the Supreme Court in its decision in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013 , passed the House in December by a 228-187 vote .
Senate Majority Mitch McConnell has refused to bring the bill up for a vote in the Senate .
The majority of Americans , or approximately 2 in 3 , support nationwide anti-racism protests , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Support was highest among Black adults ( 92 % ) , and a majority of Asian , Hispanic , and white adults were in favor .
A majority of every age group also supported the protests , as well as a majority of Democrats and independents .
Only 22 % of Republicans approved of the protests .
Americans began taking to the streets shortly after George Floyd , an unarmed Black man , died when a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes .
Record number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record number of women filed paperwork to run for Congress this year , according to data compiled by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University .
In total , 584 women filed to run for House seats , including 357 Democratic women and 227 Republican women .
On the Senate side , 60 women filed to run , with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by a 37 to 23 margin .
The record numbers represent an `` encouraging sign that we could be entering a new era of women 's political participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the center , said in a statement on Wednesday .
`` But electoral progress for women should be the norm , not the exception , in a political system where women remain significantly underrepresented as officeholders . ''
DEFUND THE WALL to be painted on Laredo street Visitors to the federal courthouse in downtown Laredo , Texas , will soon be greeted by a large street mural reading DEFUND THE WALL .
The Laredo City Council voted unanimously on Monday to paint the mural in large block letters in cooperation with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mural would be similar to the Black Lives Matter street mural near the White House in Washington , D.C. '' Laredo needs jobs .
Laredo needs better infrastructure .
Laredo needs adequate and safe housing .
Laredo needs funding to restore the river .
Laredo needs investment in our healthcare system , and our colleges and students .
Laredo does not need a border wall , '' Sister Rosemary Welsh , a nun and founding member of the No Border Wall Coalition , said in a written statement to the city council .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Michelle Obama Podcast '' on Wednesday .
The podcast will feature conversations with Obama 's friends and loved ones about `` the relationships in our lives that make us who we are , '' according to the description on Spotify .
Obama 's first guest was former President Barack Obama , and the two spoke at length about social justice and political activism in the light of protests following the death of George Floyd .
Hallmark on Thursday said that it will announce `` projects featuring LGBTQ storylines , characters and actors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The announcement came in response to criticism of the cable channel 's lack of diversity , including the fact that there are no LGBTQ storylines in the 40 Christmas-themed movies the network will broadcast in 2020 .
`` Diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us , '' the company said in a statement .
`` We are committed to creating a Hallmark experience where everyone feels welcome . ''
President Barack Obama honored the work and life of the late Rep. John Lewis on Thursday with a eulogy that called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy .
`` Naming it the John Lewis Voting Rights Act — that is a fine tribute , but John would n't want us to stop there , '' Obama said at Lewis ' funeral .
`` Once we pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act , we should keep marching to make it even better . ''
Obama called for automatic voter registration ; making Election Day a national holiday ; granting statehood to Puerto Rico and Washington , D.C. ; and ending partisan gerrymandering `` so that all voters have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other way around . ''
Americans should treat voting `` as the most important action we can take on behalf of democracy , '' Obama said .
`` Like John , we have to give it all we have . ''

This week, Congress moves closer to creating a museum honoring American Latinos, a poll shows most Americans support anti-racism protests, and President Barack Obama eulogizes the late Rep. John Lewis.
Read on to see what else you might have missed this week in the news.
The House of Representatives took the first step toward building a museum on the National Mall devoted to the history and culture of American Latinos.
On Monday, the House passed the National Museum of the American Latino Act in a bipartisan voice vote.
The legislation “represents a historic step towards securing a new home for the Latino story to be told,” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a statement. Castro said the caucus “eagerly welcomes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum on the National Mall to showcase Latino history, art, and culture.”
A bill to create such a museum was first introduced in Congress in 2011.
“Our community has been used as scapegoats for the problems that America faces,” Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) said on the floor of the House. “The American people deserve to learn the truth of our history and our heritage.”
The House of Representatives voted unanimously on Monday to rename a key voting rights bill after the late Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), an icon of the civil rights movement.
“John dedicated his entire life to ensuring all Americans can exercise this sacred right,” Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) said. “Enacting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act is the best thing we can do to honor this American hero.”
The legislation, which would restore and extend provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that were struck down by the Supreme Court in its decision in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, passed the House in December by a 228-187 vote. Senate Majority Mitch McConnell has refused to bring the bill up for a vote in the Senate.
The majority of Americans, or approximately 2 in 3, support nationwide anti-racism protests, according to a Gallup poll released on Tuesday.
Support was highest among Black adults (92%), and a majority of Asian, Hispanic, and white adults were in favor. A majority of every age group also supported the protests, as well as a majority of Democrats and independents. Only 22% of Republicans approved of the protests.
Americans began taking to the streets shortly after George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, died when a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.
A record number of women filed paperwork to run for Congress this year, according to data compiled by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.
In total, 584 women filed to run for House seats, including 357 Democratic women and 227 Republican women.
On the Senate side, 60 women filed to run, with Democrats outnumbering Republicans by a 37 to 23 margin.
The record numbers represent an “encouraging sign that we could be entering a new era of women’s political participation,” Debbie Walsh, the director of the center, said in a statement on Wednesday. “But electoral progress for women should be the norm, not the exception, in a political system where women remain significantly underrepresented as officeholders.”
Visitors to the federal courthouse in downtown Laredo, Texas, will soon be greeted by a large street mural reading DEFUND THE WALL.
The Laredo City Council voted unanimously on Monday to paint the mural in large block letters in cooperation with the No Border Wall Coalition. The Laredo mural would be similar to the Black Lives Matter street mural near the White House in Washington, D.C.
“Laredo needs jobs. Laredo needs better infrastructure. Laredo needs adequate and safe housing. Laredo needs funding to restore the river. Laredo needs investment in our healthcare system, and our colleges and students. Laredo does not need a border wall,” Sister Rosemary Welsh, a nun and founding member of the No Border Wall Coalition, said in a written statement to the city council.
Former first lady Michelle Obama debuted “The Michelle Obama Podcast” on Wednesday. The podcast will feature conversations with Obama’s friends and loved ones about “the relationships in our lives that make us who we are,” according to the description on Spotify.
Obama’s first guest was former President Barack Obama, and the two spoke at length about social justice and political activism in the light of protests following the death of George Floyd.
Hallmark on Thursday said that it will announce “projects featuring LGBTQ storylines, characters and actors” in the next few months.
The announcement came in response to criticism of the cable channel’s lack of diversity, including the fact that there are no LGBTQ storylines in the 40 Christmas-themed movies the network will broadcast in 2020.
“Diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us,” the company said in a statement. “We are committed to creating a Hallmark experience where everyone feels welcome.”
President Barack Obama honored the work and life of the late Rep. John Lewis on Thursday with a eulogy that called for building on the civil rights icon’s legacy.
“Naming it the John Lewis Voting Rights Act — that is a fine tribute, but John wouldn’t want us to stop there,” Obama said at Lewis’ funeral. “Once we pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, we should keep marching to make it even better.”
Obama called for automatic voter registration; making Election Day a national holiday; granting statehood to Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.; and ending partisan gerrymandering “so that all voters have the power to choose their politicians, not the other way around.”
Americans should treat voting “as the most important action we can take on behalf of democracy,” Obama said. “Like John, we have to give it all we have.”


shareblue--2020-07-31--States that restrict later abortion don't support pregnant people or their families

Conservatives in several states are eager to attack the availability of later abortion , but they are n't nearly as eager to protect people during pregnancy and support children and families after a child is born .
A new report from the nonprofit IBIS Reproductive Health , which tracks abortion policies , helps highlight the unfortunate connection between restrictive abortion policies and a lack of supportive policies .
The latter are policies that improve access to health , support pregnant people , promote children 's health , education , and safety , and support family financial health .
Take Alabama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ban that bars abortions later in pregnancy — 22 weeks after the last menstrual period .
In 2019 , the state passed a law — later blocked by the courts — that would have banned all abortions save for those when the mother 's health is at serious risk .
The state also tried to use the coronavirus crisis to ban all abortions in the state .
By contrast , the state does very little to support pregnant people and ensure families thrive once a child is born .
Alabama opted out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Medicaid , leaving many people uninsured .
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that uninsured women receive less prenatal care and are more likely to experience adverse outcomes , including low birth weight and infant mortality .
The state also refuses to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and offers only unpaid family leave , capped at 12 weeks .
The situation is very similar in Texas , which also has a 22-week ban — and the second-highest amount of abortion restrictions in the country .
Like Alabama , Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state also used the pandemic as an excuse to ban abortions .
According to the investigative website ProPublica , the state has the highest rate of uninsured women of reproductive age in the country .
There 's also no law in Texas that companies offer paid sick leave , so pregnant people may have to continue working even when is n't healthy for them to do so .
And once children are born , there 's a waiting period for them to be eligible for the Children 's Health Insurance Program .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 days before they 're eligible for that health insurance .
Nebraska has a ban barring later abortions , and conservatives in the state are currently trying to ban the most common procedure used for later abortions .
However , when it comes to raising children , the state is n't very supportive .
There are no requirements children receive any sex education or HIV prevention information .
There 's no physical education requirement in schools .
Child care assistance for low-income families is highly restricted .
If a family of three makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do n't qualify .
In contrast , states that are very supportive of abortion rights , including for later abortions , also tend to have policies supportive of pregnant people and families .
Take Vermont , a state with no abortion restrictions .
That state has expanded Medicaid , mandates paid sick leave , provides reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers , and has relatively generous limits for child care assistance and other programs .
Similarly , Colorado , which has few restrictions and offers later abortions at some clinics , provides a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for families after children are born .
The state opted into the Medicaid expansion , provides early intervention services and support for children with developmental delays , and has a strong cash assistance plan .
As Terri-Ann Thompson , Ph.D. , a senior associate at Ibis Reproductive Health , put it : `` In states where it is harder for women to make choices about their pregnancy and to have a safe abortion , we also see that there are fewer policies in place that could support women and their children before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later abortions are only one of those types of restrictions .
However , those bans lead to people needing to seek care elsewhere , at greater cost , or to carry an unplanned or undesired pregnancy to term .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Conservatives in several states are eager to attack the availability of later abortion, but they aren’t nearly as eager to protect people during pregnancy and support children and families after a child is born.
A new report from the nonprofit IBIS Reproductive Health, which tracks abortion policies, helps highlight the unfortunate connection between restrictive abortion policies and a lack of supportive policies. The latter are policies that improve access to health, support pregnant people, promote children’s health, education, and safety, and support family financial health.
Take Alabama, for example. Alabama currently has a ban that bars abortions later in pregnancy — 22 weeks after the last menstrual period. In 2019, the state passed a law — later blocked by the courts — that would have banned all abortions save for those when the mother’s health is at serious risk. The state also tried to use the coronavirus crisis to ban all abortions in the state.
By contrast, the state does very little to support pregnant people and ensure families thrive once a child is born. Alabama opted out of the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid, leaving many people uninsured.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that uninsured women receive less prenatal care and are more likely to experience adverse outcomes, including low birth weight and infant mortality. The state also refuses to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and offers only unpaid family leave, capped at 12 weeks.
The situation is very similar in Texas, which also has a 22-week ban — and the second-highest amount of abortion restrictions in the country. Like Alabama, Texas opted out of the Medicaid expansion. The state also used the pandemic as an excuse to ban abortions. According to the investigative website ProPublica, the state has the highest rate of uninsured women of reproductive age in the country.
There’s also no law in Texas that companies offer paid sick leave, so pregnant people may have to continue working even when isn’t healthy for them to do so. And once children are born, there’s a waiting period for them to be eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Children in Texas must be uninsured for 90 days before they’re eligible for that health insurance.
Nebraska has a ban barring later abortions, and conservatives in the state are currently trying to ban the most common procedure used for later abortions.
However, when it comes to raising children, the state isn’t very supportive. There are no requirements children receive any sex education or HIV prevention information. There’s no physical education requirement in schools. Child care assistance for low-income families is highly restricted. If a family of three makes more than $27,012 per year, they don’t qualify.
In contrast, states that are very supportive of abortion rights, including for later abortions, also tend to have policies supportive of pregnant people and families.
Take Vermont, a state with no abortion restrictions. That state has expanded Medicaid, mandates paid sick leave, provides reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, and has relatively generous limits for child care assistance and other programs.
Similarly, Colorado, which has few restrictions and offers later abortions at some clinics, provides a robust social safety net for pregnant people and for families after children are born. The state opted into the Medicaid expansion, provides early intervention services and support for children with developmental delays, and has a strong cash assistance plan.
As Terri-Ann Thompson, Ph.D., a senior associate at Ibis Reproductive Health, put it: “In states where it is harder for women to make choices about their pregnancy and to have a safe abortion, we also see that there are fewer policies in place that could support women and their children before and after pregnancy.”
Restrictions on later abortions are only one of those types of restrictions. However, those bans lead to people needing to seek care elsewhere, at greater cost, or to carry an unplanned or undesired pregnancy to term.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-31--Texas governor overrides local health officials to reopen schools

Top Republican officials in Texas issued a joint statement on Friday sidelining health experts when it comes to decisions about reopening schools next month .
`` The authority to decide when the school year will begin lies with local school boards , '' not health officials , read a statement from Gov .
Greg Abbott , Lt. Gov .
Dan Patrick , House Speaker Dennis Bonnen , Senate Education Chair Larry Taylor , and House Education Chair Dan Huberty .
Health authorities can provide advice and issue recommendations , but school boards `` are not bound by those recommendations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement praised the contributions of local health officials , it also made clear that they `` do not have the power to issue preemptive , blanket closures of schools weeks or months in advance of when a school may open its doors to students . ''
Health officials are empowered to close individual school buildings in the case of contamination or localized outbreak , they said .
The statement was a response to health officials in at least 16 localities who issued school closing mandates because of the coronavirus , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authority to do so under state laws dealing with controlling communicable diseases .
But on Tuesday , Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , also a Republican , issued nonbinding guidance stating the health officials had no such authority over schools .
Following Paxton 's announcement , the Texas Education Agency revised its guidance , warning that schools could lose funding if they did not have approval from the agency to stay closed to in-person instruction .
The agency 's guidance stated that schools may opt to remain closed for the first four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that closure for another four weeks with a vote from the school board and a waiver from the agency .
After eight weeks , school boards would need permission from the agency to remain closed to in-person instruction .
Texas , the nation 's second-most populous state , has been a coronavirus hotspot for much of the summer .
On July 7 , the state saw more than 10,000 cases in a single day , setting a new record .
On Wednesday , the state recorded 313 deaths from coronavirus , also a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ a ] record-breaking number of people testing positive , record-breaking number of people hospitalized including in the intensive care units as well as , unfortunately , far too many deaths , '' Abbott told KRGV , a local ABC affiliate , on Tuesday about how the pandemic was impacting parts of Texas along the Rio Grande .
Teachers across the nation are worried about returning to the classroom in the middle of a pandemic .
The American Federation of Teachers , a union representing 1.7 million school employees , announced support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over unsafe working conditions caused by the pandemic .
`` We will fight on all fronts for the safety of our students and their educators , '' Randi Weingarten , the union 's president , said Tuesday at the group 's annual convention .
`` But if authorities do n't protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve , as our executive council voted last week , nothing is off the table . ''
A national poll released July 27 by the Kaiser Family Foundation found 60 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open schools later to lessen the risk of coronavirus .
A poll by the advocacy group ParentsTogether found similar results , with 59 % of parents saying schools should remain closed until there is no health risk .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Top Republican officials in Texas issued a joint statement on Friday sidelining health experts when it comes to decisions about reopening schools next month.
“The authority to decide when the school year will begin lies with local school boards,” not health officials, read a statement from Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Senate Education Chair Larry Taylor, and House Education Chair Dan Huberty.
Health authorities can provide advice and issue recommendations, but school boards “are not bound by those recommendations,” the officials wrote.
While the statement praised the contributions of local health officials, it also made clear that they “do not have the power to issue preemptive, blanket closures of schools weeks or months in advance of when a school may open its doors to students.”
Health officials are empowered to close individual school buildings in the case of contamination or localized outbreak, they said.
The statement was a response to health officials in at least 16 localities who issued school closing mandates because of the coronavirus, according to the Texas Tribune, who said they had the authority to do so under state laws dealing with controlling communicable diseases.
But on Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, also a Republican, issued nonbinding guidance stating the health officials had no such authority over schools. Following Paxton’s announcement, the Texas Education Agency revised its guidance, warning that schools could lose funding if they did not have approval from the agency to stay closed to in-person instruction.
The agency’s guidance stated that schools may opt to remain closed for the first four weeks of instruction, and can extend that closure for another four weeks with a vote from the school board and a waiver from the agency. After eight weeks, school boards would need permission from the agency to remain closed to in-person instruction.
Texas, the nation’s second-most populous state, has been a coronavirus hotspot for much of the summer.
On July 7, the state saw more than 10,000 cases in a single day, setting a new record. On Wednesday, the state recorded 313 deaths from coronavirus, also a new high.
“You’re having [a] record-breaking number of people testing positive, record-breaking number of people hospitalized including in the intensive care units as well as, unfortunately, far too many deaths,” Abbott told KRGV, a local ABC affiliate, on Tuesday about how the pandemic was impacting parts of Texas along the Rio Grande.
Teachers across the nation are worried about returning to the classroom in the middle of a pandemic.
The American Federation of Teachers, a union representing 1.7 million school employees, announced support for any local chapters that decide to strike over unsafe working conditions caused by the pandemic.
“We will fight on all fronts for the safety of our students and their educators,” Randi Weingarten, the union’s president, said Tuesday at the group’s annual convention. “But if authorities don’t protect the safety and health of those we represent and those we serve, as our executive council voted last week, nothing is off the table.”
Parents share similar concerns about safety.
A national poll released July 27 by the Kaiser Family Foundation found 60% of parents said it would be better to open schools later to lessen the risk of coronavirus. A poll by the advocacy group ParentsTogether found similar results, with 59% of parents saying schools should remain closed until there is no health risk.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-31--Susan Collins ad features 'lobsterman' who's really an ex-lawmaker she donated to

A new ad from Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) presents a longtime lawmaker and political ally as supporter and an ordinary `` lobsterman . ''
The commercial features Arundel , Maine , resident Wayne Parry praising Collins for her work on passage of coronavirus relief programs for businesses and attacking her Democratic opponent , state House Speaker Sara Gideon .
Unmentioned in the spot is that Parry served four terms as a Republican state representative and is currently a candidate for his old seat .
`` I 've been fishing these traps for longer than Sara Gideon 's lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ad , which identifies him only as `` Wayne Parry , lobsterman , Arundel . ''
`` ...
When Sara Gideon attacks Susan Collins on the Paycheck Protection Program , I know Gideon 's not being honest , '' he continues , referring to the troubled multi-billion dollar small business loan program passed earlier this year as part of the coronavirus relief package .
`` Susan wrote the PPP , which helped thousands of Maine 's small businesses , just like mine . ''
According to campaign finance data from the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received donations in each of his previous four campaigns from Dirigo PAC , Collins ' official leadership political action committee .
In total , she sent him almost $ 1,000 for those races — a sizable donation given that his entire 2016 campaign cost less than $ 13,000 .
Neither the Collins nor Parry campaigns immediately responded to inquiries about the ad .
A Collins spokesperson told The American Independent Foundation in February that she `` has worked for greater transparency in our campaign financing system . ''
The Maine lawmaker is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to present political staffers and officials as ordinary supporters .
Last week , Sen. David Perdue ( R-GA ) released a campaign ad featuring an operative with close ties to the state Republican Party .
In that spot , the woman — identified only as a Sandy Springs , Georgia , resident — praised Perdue 's work on health care and prescription drugs .
Earlier this year , Sen. Martha McSally ( R-AZ ) used a former staffer in a campaign ad to make false claims about her record on preexisting conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that McSally had paid her nearly $ 400,000 for her work as McSally 's 2014 campaign manager , deputy House chief of staff , and 2018 Senate campaign consultant .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A new ad from Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) presents a longtime lawmaker and political ally as supporter and an ordinary “lobsterman.”
The commercial features Arundel, Maine, resident Wayne Parry praising Collins for her work on passage of coronavirus relief programs for businesses and attacking her Democratic opponent, state House Speaker Sara Gideon.
Unmentioned in the spot is that Parry served four terms as a Republican state representative and is currently a candidate for his old seat.
“I’ve been fishing these traps for longer than Sara Gideon’s lived in Maine,” Parry says in the ad, which identifies him only as “Wayne Parry, lobsterman, Arundel.”
“…When Sara Gideon attacks Susan Collins on the Paycheck Protection Program, I know Gideon’s not being honest,” he continues, referring to the troubled multi-billion dollar small business loan program passed earlier this year as part of the coronavirus relief package. “Susan wrote the PPP, which helped thousands of Maine’s small businesses, just like mine.”
According to campaign finance data from the National Institute on Money in Politics, Parry received donations in each of his previous four campaigns from Dirigo PAC, Collins’ official leadership political action committee. In total, she sent him almost $1,000 for those races — a sizable donation given that his entire 2016 campaign cost less than $13,000.
Neither the Collins nor Parry campaigns immediately responded to inquiries about the ad.
A Collins spokesperson told The American Independent Foundation in February that she “has worked for greater transparency in our campaign financing system.”
The Maine lawmaker is not the first vulnerable 2020 Senate Republican caught trying to present political staffers and officials as ordinary supporters.
Last week, Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) released a campaign ad featuring an operative with close ties to the state Republican Party. In that spot, the woman — identified only as a Sandy Springs, Georgia, resident — praised Perdue’s work on health care and prescription drugs.
Earlier this year, Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) used a former staffer in a campaign ad to make false claims about her record on preexisting conditions. The ad made no mention of the fact that McSally had paid her nearly $400,000 for her work as McSally’s 2014 campaign manager, deputy House chief of staff, and 2018 Senate campaign consultant.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-31--Watch reporter explain to Trump that absentee and mail-in ballots are the same thing

A reporter on Friday tried to explain to Donald Trump that absentee ballots are the same as mail-in ballots , @ @ @ @ @ inaccurately attacked as fraudulent .
Trump continued to make a false distinction between the two @ @ @ @ @ `` secure '' and mail-in ballots as a `` disaster . ''
Trump , his @ @ @ @ @ others within his inner circle have voted by mail using absentee ballots , as does @ @ @ @ @ As election polling has shown him slipping behind Vice President Joe Biden , Trump has @ @ @ @ @ that votes delivered by mail are suspect .
Many plan to vote in the fall @ @ @ @ @ to remain safe during the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed over 150,000 Americans .
In @ @ @ @ @ voting methods such as casting ballots by mail , which make it easier for more @ @ @ @ @ him because , if more people voted , `` you 'd never have a Republican @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A reporter on Friday tried to explain to Donald Trump that absentee ballots are the same as mail-in ballots, which he has repeatedly and inaccurately attacked as fraudulent.
Trump continued to make a false distinction between the two, describing absentee ballots as “secure” and mail-in ballots as a “disaster.” Trump, his daughter Ivanka, and several others within his inner circle have voted by mail using absentee ballots, as does much of the military.
As election polling has shown him slipping behind Vice President Joe Biden, Trump has claimed – without evidence — that votes delivered by mail are suspect.
Many plan to vote in the fall election by mail in order to remain safe during the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed over 150,000 Americans.
In March, Trump admitted that voting methods such as casting ballots by mail, which make it easier for more people to participate, concern him because, if more people voted, “you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.”
From a July 31 press availability:
REPORTER: The military predominantly votes by mail, or absentee. DONALD TRUMP: Absentee. REPORTER: And so — TRUMP: You didn’t understand me. I said absentee ballots are actually a very good thing. REPORTER: They’re the same. TRUMP: Absentee ballots are secure and they’re very good, but universal mail-in are a disaster.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-31--Trump demands schools reopen so kids can eat after trying to cut school lunches

Donald Trump and his administration have been demanding that schools reopen in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic as it ravages large swaths of the country — often using the argument that millions of children rely on schools to provide them with the nutrition they otherwise do not get at home .
`` Thirty million American students rely on schools for free and reduced meals , '' Trump said at a July 23 news conference , listing off one of the reasons he wants kids to go back to school even as schools struggle with finding the space and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also listed nutritional needs as a reason for full school reopening in a document Trump demanded from the government health agency .
`` Extended school closures can be harmful to the nutritional health of children , '' the CDC wrote in a July 23 post titled `` The Importance of Reopening America ’ s Schools this Fall .
`` Schools are essential to meeting the nutritional needs of children with many consuming up to half their daily calories at school . ''
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food assistance programs in ways that would lead fewer low-income children to get free lunch at school .
For example , in 2019 , the Trump administration proposed a rule to try to take away food stamps from millions of Americans .
That would have led nearly 1 million kids to lose their free school lunch .
The Trump administration also created a public charge rule that would bar immigrants from living in the United States if the government determined they might be in need of public assistance programs , such as food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in court , but it could prevent immigrants seeking citizenship in the United States from enrolling in the food stamps program , which would mean their children lose access to free lunch at school , NPR reported in February .
Democratic Rep. Andy Levin ( D-MI ) , the vice-chair of the House Education and Labor Committee , called the Trump administration hypocritical for trying to use the need to help feed students as a reason to reopen schools before it 's safe .
`` Using lunches as a reason to reopen schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat the virus is n't just hypocritical .
It also flies in the face of warnings from public health officials , including the director of the CDC , who have made clear that this pandemic is going to worsen in the fall , '' Levin said in a statement to the American Independent Foundation .
`` Sending kids back to classrooms without providing schools the guidance and help they need to reopen safely won ’ t lead to well-fed students .
It will lead to sick children , educators , and parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump and his administration have been demanding that schools reopen in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic as it ravages large swaths of the country — often using the argument that millions of children rely on schools to provide them with the nutrition they otherwise do not get at home.
“Thirty million American students rely on schools for free and reduced meals,” Trump said at a July 23 news conference, listing off one of the reasons he wants kids to go back to school even as schools struggle with finding the space and the resources to safely reopen for full-time in-person learning.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also listed nutritional needs as a reason for full school reopening in a document Trump demanded from the government health agency.
“Extended school closures can be harmful to the nutritional health of children,” the CDC wrote in a July 23 post titled “The Importance of Reopening America’s Schools this Fall. “Schools are essential to meeting the nutritional needs of children with many consuming up to half their daily calories at school.”
However, the Trump administration has advocated for cutting food assistance programs in ways that would lead fewer low-income children to get free lunch at school.
For example, in 2019, the Trump administration proposed a rule to try to take away food stamps from millions of Americans. That would have led nearly 1 million kids to lose their free school lunch.
The Trump administration also created a public charge rule that would bar immigrants from living in the United States if the government determined they might be in need of public assistance programs, such as food stamps.
That rule is being challenged in court, but it could prevent immigrants seeking citizenship in the United States from enrolling in the food stamps program, which would mean their children lose access to free lunch at school, NPR reported in February.
Democratic Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI), the vice-chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, called the Trump administration hypocritical for trying to use the need to help feed students as a reason to reopen schools before it’s safe.
“Using lunches as a reason to reopen schools while depriving them of the resources needed to combat the virus isn’t just hypocritical. It also flies in the face of warnings from public health officials, including the director of the CDC, who have made clear that this pandemic is going to worsen in the fall,” Levin said in a statement to the American Independent Foundation.
“Sending kids back to classrooms without providing schools the guidance and help they need to reopen safely won’t lead to well-fed students. It will lead to sick children, educators, and parents,” Levin added.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-31--White House says Democrats made 'zero offers' on unemployment aid. They did — in May

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows claimed on Friday that Democrats are responsible for Congress 's failure to pass a new COVID-19 financial relief package .
But Democrats in the House passed a relief Bill in May , while Donald Trump and Senate Republicans have been unable to reach an agreement .
The HEROES Act passed the House with bipartisan support and included an extension of unemployment benefits as well as funding for schools and housing support .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared the legislation `` dead on arrival '' and refused to bring it up for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another round of stimulus funding have largely occurred within the Republican Party itself , with Trump and Republicans in the Senate unable to come to their own agreement even before they begin negotiating with Democrats .
Senate Republicans have pushed for liability waivers , which would rob workers of the right to sue their employers if they get sick after they return to work .
They have also demanded cuts to additional unemployment benefits and have gone into recess , leaving those benefits to expire .
MARK MEADOWS : I 'm disappointed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three days .
And I want to stress that the Democrats have made zero offers over the last three days .
Zero .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows claimed on Friday that Democrats are responsible for Congress’s failure to pass a new COVID-19 financial relief package.
But Democrats in the House passed a relief Bill in May, while Donald Trump and Senate Republicans have been unable to reach an agreement.
The HEROES Act passed the House with bipartisan support and included an extension of unemployment benefits as well as funding for schools and housing support.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared the legislation “dead on arrival” and refused to bring it up for a vote.
Since then, negotiations on another round of stimulus funding have largely occurred within the Republican Party itself, with Trump and Republicans in the Senate unable to come to their own agreement even before they begin negotiating with Democrats.
Senate Republicans have pushed for liability waivers, which would rob workers of the right to sue their employers if they get sick after they return to work. They have also demanded cuts to additional unemployment benefits and have gone into recess, leaving those benefits to expire.
From a July 31 press briefing:
MARK MEADOWS: I’m disappointed in what we’ve experienced over the last three days. And I want to stress that the Democrats have made zero offers over the last three days. Zero.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-07-31--GOP downplays domestic violence allegation against candidate as a 'private moment'

A spokesperson for the House Republican campaign arm on Thursday dismissed allegations of domestic violence against Dan Rodimer , a GOP candidate in Nevada , as a `` private '' family moment .
According to the Associated Press , in 2018 , Las Vegas police officers responded to two separate 911 calls from Sarah Duffy , Rodimer 's then-girlfriend , `` alleging domestic violence and that Rodimer had stolen guns and jewelry belonging to her , according to police records . ''
A National Republican Congressional Campaign spokesperson downplayed the allegations of violence on Thursday and accused Rep. Susie Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading idle gossip .
`` Susie Lee must be incredibly desperate if she 's begging reporters to write gossip columns about private moments between Dan and his wife , '' the spokesperson told CBS News in a statement , noting that no charges were pressed against Rodimer in those incidents .
Rodimer and Duffy are `` happily married with five young children and a sixth on the way , '' Sinclair added .
Alex Melendez , Rodimer 's campaign manager , also brushed off the allegations on Wednesday , telling the AP that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had some verbal disputes over the years . ''
Rodimer has had other run-ins with law enforcement .
In 2010 , he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge in Florida following an altercation at a Waffle House and completed six weeks of anger management classes , the AP reported .
He faced two other assault allegations in Florida between 2010 and 2013 .
Sinclair 's statement came in response to a call on Wednesday from the Democratic campaign arm for the NRCC to `` cut ties with their candidate given his dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a top Republican candidate and part of the NRCC 's `` Young Guns '' program , which `` identifies candidates across the country who embody the principles of the House Republican Conference , '' according to its website .
Rodimer is a `` contender , '' the middle of three tiers of support from the national Republican Party .
As of Friday morning , Rodimer was still listed as a part of the program .
Rep. Tom Emmer ( R-MN ) , the head of the NRCC , joined the majority of House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Women Reauthorization Act in April 2019 .
The bill sought to build upon the original Violence Against Women Act by enhancing protections for survivors of sexual assault , domestic violence , and stalking .
It also would close the `` boyfriend loophole , '' which would prevent women and men convicted of domestic violence from owning a gun .
Current law only applies to spouses and family members .
Lee voted in favor of the bill , but it remains stalled in the Senate where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has refused to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race between Lee and Rodimer is rated `` Lean Democratic '' by the Cook Political Report .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A spokesperson for the House Republican campaign arm on Thursday dismissed allegations of domestic violence against Dan Rodimer, a GOP candidate in Nevada, as a “private” family moment.
According to the Associated Press, in 2018, Las Vegas police officers responded to two separate 911 calls from Sarah Duffy, Rodimer’s then-girlfriend, “alleging domestic violence and that Rodimer had stolen guns and jewelry belonging to her, according to police records.”
A National Republican Congressional Campaign spokesperson downplayed the allegations of violence on Thursday and accused Rep. Susie Lee, Rodimer’s Democratic opponent, of spreading idle gossip.
“Susie Lee must be incredibly desperate if she’s begging reporters to write gossip columns about private moments between Dan and his wife,” the spokesperson told CBS News in a statement, noting that no charges were pressed against Rodimer in those incidents.
Rodimer and Duffy are “happily married with five young children and a sixth on the way,” Sinclair added.
Alex Melendez, Rodimer’s campaign manager, also brushed off the allegations on Wednesday, telling the AP that “like every couple, they have had some verbal disputes over the years.”
Rodimer has had other run-ins with law enforcement. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge in Florida following an altercation at a Waffle House and completed six weeks of anger management classes, the AP reported. He faced two other assault allegations in Florida between 2010 and 2013.
Sinclair’s statement came in response to a call on Wednesday from the Democratic campaign arm for the NRCC to “cut ties with their candidate given his dangerous and violent past.”
Rodimer is a top Republican candidate and part of the NRCC’s “Young Guns” program, which “identifies candidates across the country who embody the principles of the House Republican Conference,” according to its website. Rodimer is a “contender,” the middle of three tiers of support from the national Republican Party.
As of Friday morning, Rodimer was still listed as a part of the program.
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), the head of the NRCC, joined the majority of House Republicans in voting against the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act in April 2019. The bill sought to build upon the original Violence Against Women Act by enhancing protections for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking.
It also would close the “boyfriend loophole,” which would prevent women and men convicted of domestic violence from owning a gun. Current law only applies to spouses and family members.
Lee voted in favor of the bill, but it remains stalled in the Senate where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has refused to bring it up for a vote.
The race between Lee and Rodimer is rated “Lean Democratic” by the Cook Political Report.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.