shareblue--2020-12-21--Here's what's in the latest COVID relief deal

Congressional leaders have hashed out a massive , year-end catchall bill that combines $ 900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes , energy , education and health care .
The huge , still-unreleased bill is slated for votes on Monday — with lawmakers having only a few hours to read it before casting their votes .
Highlights of the measure with overall funding amounts and specific amounts for some but not necessarily all initiatives ; some amounts are not yet available and some aspects of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unemployment insurance ( $ 120 billion ) .
Revives supplemental federal pandemic unemployment benefits but at $ 300 per week — through March 14 — instead of the $ 600 per week benefit that expired in July .
Extends special pandemic benefits for `` gig '' workers and extends the maximum period for state-paid jobless benefits to 50 weeks .
Direct payments ( $ 166 billion ) .
Provides $ 600 direct payments to individuals making up to $ 75,000 per year and couples making $ 150,000 per year — with payments phased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 additional payments per dependent child .
Paycheck Protection Program ( $ 284 billion ) .
Revives the Paycheck Protection Program , which provides forgivable loans to qualified businesses .
Especially hard-hit businesses that received PPP grants would be eligible for a second round .
Ensures that PPP subsidies are not taxed .
Delivers more than $ 30 billion for procurement of vaccines and treatments , distribution funds for states , and a strategic stockpile .
Adds $ 22 billion for testing , tracing and mitigation , $ 9 billion for health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health .
Delivers $ 54 billion to public K-12 schools affected by the pandemic and $ 23 billion for colleges and universities ; $ 4 billion would be awarded to a Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund ; nearly $ 1 billion for Native American schools .
Provides money for a first-ever federal rental assistance program ; funds to be distributed by state and local governments to help people who have fallen behind on their rent and may be facing eviction .
Increases food stamp benefits by 15 % and provides funding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other food aid .
Provides an equal amount ( $ 13 billion ) in aid to farmers and ranchers .
Provides $ 10 billion to the Child Care Development Block Grant to help families with child care costs and help providers cover increased operating costs .
Forgives a $ 10 billion loan to the Postal Service provided in earlier relief legislation .
Contains bipartisan legislation to protect consumers from huge surprise medical bills after receiving treatment from out-of-network providers .
Extends a variety of expiring tax breaks , including lower excise taxes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources would see tax breaks extended , as would motorsport facilities , and people making charitable contributions .
Business meals would be 100 % deductible through 2022 .
Includes an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $ 10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control , environmental and coastal protection projects .

Congressional leaders have hashed out a massive, year-end catchall bill that combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care. The huge, still-unreleased bill is slated for votes on Monday — with lawmakers having only a few hours to read it before casting their votes.
Highlights of the measure with overall funding amounts and specific amounts for some but not necessarily all initiatives; some amounts are not yet available and some aspects of the catchall bill do not involve spending.
DIRECT ECONOMIC RELIEF ($286 billion)
Unemployment insurance ($120 billion). Revives supplemental federal pandemic unemployment benefits but at $300 per week — through March 14 — instead of the $600 per week benefit that expired in July. Extends special pandemic benefits for “gig” workers and extends the maximum period for state-paid jobless benefits to 50 weeks.
Direct payments ($166 billion). Provides $600 direct payments to individuals making up to $75,000 per year and couples making $150,000 per year — with payments phased out for higher incomes —- with $600 additional payments per dependent child.
___
SMALL BUSINESS ($325 billion)
Paycheck Protection Program ($284 billion). Revives the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans to qualified businesses. Especially hard-hit businesses that received PPP grants would be eligible for a second round. Ensures that PPP subsidies are not taxed.
___
VACCINE, TESTING, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ($69 billion)
Delivers more than $30 billion for procurement of vaccines and treatments, distribution funds for states, and a strategic stockpile. Adds $22 billion for testing, tracing and mitigation, $9 billion for health care providers, and $4.5 billion for mental health.
___
SCHOOLS ($82 billion)
Delivers $54 billion to public K-12 schools affected by the pandemic and $23 billion for colleges and universities; $4 billion would be awarded to a Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund; nearly $1 billion for Native American schools.
___
RENTAL ASSISTANCE ($25 billion)
Provides money for a first-ever federal rental assistance program; funds to be distributed by state and local governments to help people who have fallen behind on their rent and may be facing eviction.
___
FOOD/FARM AID ($26 billion)
Increases food stamp benefits by 15% and provides funding to food banks, Meals on Wheels and other food aid. Provides an equal amount ($13 billion) in aid to farmers and ranchers.
___
CHILD CARE ($10 billion)
Provides $10 billion to the Child Care Development Block Grant to help families with child care costs and help providers cover increased operating costs.
___
POSTAL SERVICE ($10 billion)
Forgives a $10 billion loan to the Postal Service provided in earlier relief legislation.
___
SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS
Contains bipartisan legislation to protect consumers from huge surprise medical bills after receiving treatment from out-of-network providers.
___
TAX ‘EXTENDERS’
Extends a variety of expiring tax breaks, including lower excise taxes of crafter brewers and distillers. Renewable energy sources would see tax breaks extended, as would motorsport facilities, and people making charitable contributions. Business meals would be 100% deductible through 2022.
___
WATER PROJECTS
Includes an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control, environmental and coastal protection projects.


shareblue--2020-12-21--Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler: Calling out racism is 'playing the victim'

Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) on Sunday defended her attacks on opponent Raphael Warnock 's faith , accusing him of `` playing the victim '' by calling out racism .
Loeffler , who was temporarily appointed to a vacant Senate seat last December and will soon face Democrat Warnock in a January special election runoff , was upset that a coalition of Black clergy had spoken out against her assaults on Warnock 's faith .
Warnock , who is senior pastor at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta , would be the first Black senator ever to represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cease and desist your false characterizations of Reverend Warnock as 'radical ' or 'socialist , ' when there is nothing in his background , writings or sermons that suggests those characterizations to be true , especially when taken in full context , '' dozens of Georgia pastors wrote in a letter on Saturday .
`` We see your attacks against Warnock as a broader attack against the Black Church and faith traditions for which we stand . ''
Warnock shared the letter on Sunday , adding , `` My faith is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life .
It guides my service to my community and my country .
[ Loeffler 's ] attacks on our faith are not just disappointing — they are hurtful to Black churches across Georgia . ''
Loeffler responded in a racist tweet over the weekend , claiming Warnock was simply `` playing the victim . ''
`` No one attacked the Black church , '' she wrote .
`` We simply exposed your record in your own words .
Instead of playing the victim , start answering simple questions about what you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated yourself with .
If you can ’ t — you should n't be running for U.S .
Senate . ''
Since advancing to the runoff last month , Loeffler has spent much of her time attacking Warnock for his religious beliefs , often recycling similar racist tropes that were used against Barack Obama in 2008 .
Last week , she scolded him for quoting the Bible to justify his pro-choice views on abortion rights .
`` [ Warnock 's ] repeated use of the Bible & his pulpit to justify abortion-on-demand is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I will ALWAYS defend the most vulnerable among us & I ’ m proud to stand with those who are calling out my opponent 's extremism . ''
Loeffler had notably attempted to quote the Bible in a tweet one day earlier about `` Isiah ( sic ) 41:10 . ''
Last month , Loeffler and her backers suggested that Warnock was anti-American and anti-veteran based on an out-of-context quote from a 2011 sermon .
In that , he had paraphrased scripture to make a point about priorities , saying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the military .
You ca n't serve God and money .
You can not serve God and mammon at the same time .
America , choose ye this day who you will serve .
Choose ye this day . ''
Loeffler 's attacks stand in contrast with her own past comments on religious freedom .
Back July , the Georgia senator wrote in an op-ed that religious beliefs were sacrosanct and should not be attacked .
`` Americans have a right to express their personal , political and religious beliefs without retribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the cancel culture is targeting me because I spoke out .
But who ’ s next ? ''
She also decried `` anti-woman and anti-faith attacks coming from the left '' in September , after what she interpreted as criticism of Justice Amy Coney Barrett 's Catholic views during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings .
And in January , before Warnock was a candidate , Loeffler was a guest at Ebenezer Baptist for a Martin Luther King Day service .
She shared the pulpit with him during that appearance , calling his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` puts words into action , '' and praising those present as `` men and women who advance the cause of freedom . ''
While Loeffler claims not to have `` a racist bone '' in her body , she has spent much of her year in public office pushing racial attacks and associating with racist extremists .
Time and again , she has spoken out against anti-racism protests and the Black Lives Matter movement , saying it is `` rooted in Marxist principles . ''
`` The BLM political organization 's goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & include defunding the police — do not unite Americans , '' she tweeted in July .
`` I 'm standing up .
I 'm speaking out .
And I wo n't be canceled for calling this out . ''
She also has campaigned with racist Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene ( R ) , made an appearance on a show hosted by a prominent white supremacist , and taken a selfie with a prominent former Ku Klux Klan leader .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) on Sunday defended her attacks on opponent Raphael Warnock’s faith, accusing him of “playing the victim” by calling out racism.
Loeffler, who was temporarily appointed to a vacant Senate seat last December and will soon face Democrat Warnock in a January special election runoff, was upset that a coalition of Black clergy had spoken out against her assaults on Warnock’s faith. Warnock, who is senior pastor at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, would be the first Black senator ever to represent Georgia.
“We call on you to cease and desist your false characterizations of Reverend Warnock as ‘radical’ or ‘socialist,’ when there is nothing in his background, writings or sermons that suggests those characterizations to be true, especially when taken in full context,” dozens of Georgia pastors wrote in a letter on Saturday. “We see your attacks against Warnock as a broader attack against the Black Church and faith traditions for which we stand.”
Warnock shared the letter on Sunday, adding, “My faith is the foundation upon which I have built my life. It guides my service to my community and my country. [Loeffler’s] attacks on our faith are not just disappointing — they are hurtful to Black churches across Georgia.”
Loeffler responded in a racist tweet over the weekend, claiming Warnock was simply “playing the victim.”
“No one attacked the Black church,” she wrote. “We simply exposed your record in your own words. Instead of playing the victim, start answering simple questions about what you’ve said and who you’ve associated yourself with. If you can’t — you shouldn’t be running for U.S. Senate.”
Since advancing to the runoff last month, Loeffler has spent much of her time attacking Warnock for his religious beliefs, often recycling similar racist tropes that were used against Barack Obama in 2008.
Last week, she scolded him for quoting the Bible to justify his pro-choice views on abortion rights.
“[Warnock’s] repeated use of the Bible & his pulpit to justify abortion-on-demand is sickening & wrong,” she tweeted. “I will ALWAYS defend the most vulnerable among us & I’m proud to stand with those who are calling out my opponent’s extremism.”
Loeffler had notably attempted to quote the Bible in a tweet one day earlier about “Isiah (sic) 41:10.”
Last month, Loeffler and her backers suggested that Warnock was anti-American and anti-veteran based on an out-of-context quote from a 2011 sermon. In that, he had paraphrased scripture to make a point about priorities, saying, “America, nobody can serve God and the military. You can’t serve God and money. You cannot serve God and mammon at the same time. America, choose ye this day who you will serve. Choose ye this day.”
Loeffler’s attacks stand in contrast with her own past comments on religious freedom.
Back July, the Georgia senator wrote in an op-ed that religious beliefs were sacrosanct and should not be attacked. “Americans have a right to express their personal, political and religious beliefs without retribution,” she said. “Today, the cancel culture is targeting me because I spoke out. But who’s next?”
She also decried “anti-woman and anti-faith attacks coming from the left” in September, after what she interpreted as criticism of Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s Catholic views during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings.
And in January, before Warnock was a candidate, Loeffler was a guest at Ebenezer Baptist for a Martin Luther King Day service. She shared the pulpit with him during that appearance, calling his church a “sacred place” that “puts words into action,” and praising those present as “men and women who advance the cause of freedom.”
While Loeffler claims not to have “a racist bone” in her body, she has spent much of her year in public office pushing racial attacks and associating with racist extremists.
Time and again, she has spoken out against anti-racism protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, saying it is “rooted in Marxist principles.”
“The BLM political organization’s goals — which are rooted in Marxist principles & include defunding the police — do not unite Americans,” she tweeted in July. “I’m standing up. I’m speaking out. And I won’t be canceled for calling this out.”
She also has campaigned with racist Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene (R), made an appearance on a show hosted by a prominent white supremacist, and taken a selfie with a prominent former Ku Klux Klan leader.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


Cartoon: Attacking America

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 @ @ @

Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover made the platform an even more noxious misinformation machine
Musk’s policy and personnel changes, as well as his open endorsement of right-wing conspiracy theories, has left Twitter, now X, overrun with trolls and bigots.
By Nick Vachon and Will Fritz


Cartoon: Tracking crazy


shareblue--2020-12-23--Donald Trump just pardoned a ton of his allies

Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned 15 people , including Republican allies , a 2016 campaign official ensnared in the Russia probe , and former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad .
Trump also commuted the sentences of five people .
While it is not unusual for presidents to grant clemency on their way out the door , Trump has made clear that he has no qualms about intervening in the cases of friends and allies whom he believes have been treated unfairly .
Despite speculation , though , not on the list were members of Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani and Trump himself .
The pardons included former Republican Reps. Duncan Hunter of California and Chris Collins of New York .
Trump commuted the sentence of former Rep. Steve Stockman of Texas .
Collins , the first member of Congress to endorse Trump to be president , was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison after admitting he helped his son and others dodge $ 800,000 in stock market losses when he learned that a drug trial by a small pharmaceutical company had failed .
Hunter was sentenced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stealing campaign funds and spending the money on everything from outings with friends to his daughter 's birthday party .
Trump also announced pardons for allies ensnared in the Russia investigation .
One was for George Papadopoulos , his 2016 campaign adviser whose conversation unwittingly helped trigger the Russia investigation that shadowed Trump 's time in office for nearly two years .
He also pardoned Alex van der Zwaan , a Dutch lawyer who was sentenced to 30 days in prison for lying to investigators during special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third and fourth Russia investigation defendants granted clemency .
By pardoning them , Trump once again took aim at Mueller 's probe and pushed a broader effort to undo the results of the investigation that yielded criminal charges against a half-dozen associates .
Last month , Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI , and months earlier commuted the sentence of another associate , Roger Stone , days before he was to report to prison .
In the group announced Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone .
Supporters of Nicholas Slatten , Paul Slough , Evan Liberty , and Dustin Heard , the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide , had lobbied for pardons , arguing that the men had been excessively punished in an investigation and prosecution they said was tainted by problems and withheld exculpatory evidence .
All four were serving lengthy prison sentences .
The pardons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the benefit of doubt to American service members and contractors when it comes to acts of violence in warzones against civilians .
Last November , for instance , he pardoned a former U.S. Army commando who was set to stand trial next year in the killing of a suspected Afghan bomb-maker and a former Army lieutenant convicted of murder for ordering his men to fire upon three Afghans .
`` Paul Slough and his colleagues did n't deserve to spend one minute in prison , '' said Brian Heberlig , a lawyer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I am overwhelmed with emotion at this fantastic news . ''

Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned 15 people, including Republican allies, a 2016 campaign official ensnared in the Russia probe, and former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad.
Trump also commuted the sentences of five people. While it is not unusual for presidents to grant clemency on their way out the door, Trump has made clear that he has no qualms about intervening in the cases of friends and allies whom he believes have been treated unfairly. Despite speculation, though, not on the list were members of Trump’s own family, his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani and Trump himself.
The pardons included former Republican Reps. Duncan Hunter of California and Chris Collins of New York. Trump commuted the sentence of former Rep. Steve Stockman of Texas.
Collins, the first member of Congress to endorse Trump to be president, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison after admitting he helped his son and others dodge $800,000 in stock market losses when he learned that a drug trial by a small pharmaceutical company had failed.
Hunter was sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing campaign funds and spending the money on everything from outings with friends to his daughter’s birthday party.
Trump also announced pardons for allies ensnared in the Russia investigation. One was for George Papadopoulos, his 2016 campaign adviser whose conversation unwittingly helped trigger the Russia investigation that shadowed Trump’s time in office for nearly two years. He also pardoned Alex van der Zwaan, a Dutch lawyer who was sentenced to 30 days in prison for lying to investigators during special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
Van der Zwaan and are the third and fourth Russia investigation defendants granted clemency. By pardoning them, Trump once again took aim at Mueller’s probe and pushed a broader effort to undo the results of the investigation that yielded criminal charges against a half-dozen associates.
Last month, Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, and months earlier commuted the sentence of another associate, Roger Stone, days before he was to report to prison.
In the group announced Tuesday night were four former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone.
Supporters of Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty, and Dustin Heard, the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide, had lobbied for pardons, arguing that the men had been excessively punished in an investigation and prosecution they said was tainted by problems and withheld exculpatory evidence. All four were serving lengthy prison sentences.
The pardons reflected Trump’s apparent willingness to give the benefit of doubt to American service members and contractors when it comes to acts of violence in warzones against civilians. Last November, for instance, he pardoned a former U.S. Army commando who was set to stand trial next year in the killing of a suspected Afghan bomb-maker and a former Army lieutenant convicted of murder for ordering his men to fire upon three Afghans.
“Paul Slough and his colleagues didn’t deserve to spend one minute in prison,” said Brian Heberlig, a lawyer for one of the four pardoned Blackwater defendants. “I am overwhelmed with emotion at this fantastic news.”


shareblue--2020-12-22--GOP senators denounce cost of COVID relief — after backing tax cuts for the rich

Several Republican senators who voted `` no '' on the new bipartisan COVID relief bill passed by Congress on Monday took to Twitter to complain that the bill was too expensive — despite a record of supporting 2017 's monumental tax break for billionaires .
Sen. Rick Scott ( R-IL ) tweeted Tuesday that he voted against COVID relief , calling the bill `` wasteful '' .
`` I supported and fought for many of the COVID provisions in last night 's bill , '' he wrote on the platform .
`` Unfortunately , they were attached to an omnibus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long and chock full of handouts to special interests and wasteful spending .
I could n't support it . ''
Also on Tuesday , Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) retweeted a story from a far-right outline with the headline , `` Sen. Ted Cruz Is Right : Congress Labeled End-of-Year Spending Bill 'COVID Relief ' to Cover the Pork . ''
In a Monday night tweet , Cruz slammed the bill as a `` spending monstrosity '' .
`` Tonight , badly-needed # COVID19 relief was tied to a $ 1.4T end-of-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good faith efforts to pass targeted legislation that would have helped Americans hurting as a result of the pandemic , '' Cruz wrote .
`` The legislation passed yesterday will support vaccine development and distribution , assist schools and universities , and provide crucial help to Tennessee small businesses , '' Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R-TN ) tweeted Tuesday morning .
`` However , I can not support nearly $ 2.4 trillion in spending that will make recovery even harder . ''
She voiced objections to the bill expanding visas , providing Pell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash to households with illegal aliens '' .
`` Increasing the federal deficit and spending money we do not have will harm our economic recovery , '' she added .
Besides Scott , Cruz , and Blackburn , three other Republicans voted against the COVID relief bill : Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) , Sen. Mike Lee ( R-UT ) , and Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) .
But , with the exception of Blackburn , those senators opposing $ 600 stimulus checks and other legislation to help the working class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 , which reduced the top marginal income tax rate of billionaires by 6.6 % .
Blackburn , who was elected in 2018 , after the bill 's passage , has nonetheless been a vocal supporter of it .
According to reports from several outlets , the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enabled billionaires to pay lower taxes ( 23 % ) than working-class Americans in 2018 ( 24.2 % ) .
While Trump repeatedly promised the act would boost the economy , it has instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one trillion dollars .
But Republicans who support tax cuts for billionaires seemed unaware of any hypocrisy in opposing help for working-class Americans .
A floor speech Monday by Paul opposing the COVID relief legislation went viral .
In it , he expressed concerns about the deficit .
`` This bill is free money for everyone , '' he said in the speech Monday .
`` And yet , if free money were the answer , if money really grew on trees , why not give more free money ?
Why not give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop at $ 600 a person ?
Why not $ 1,000 ?
Why not $ 2,000 ?
If we can print up money with impunity , why not do it ? ''
He also blasted fellow Republicans on Twitter for supporting the bill .
`` To so-called conservatives who are quick to identify the socialism of the Democrats , if you vote for this spending monstrosity you are no better , '' he wrote .
`` When you vote to pass out free money , you lose your soul and you abandon forever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But at least one person was swift to call out the hypocrisy of Republicans posturing about the expense of COVID relief while supporting massive tax cuts for billionaires : Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) .
`` That 's funny .
I did n't hear Sen. Paul worry about the deficit when he voted to give $ 1 trillion in tax breaks to the top 1 % & large corporations , '' tweeted Bernie on Tuesday .
`` Yes .
We should provide the working class with $ 2,000 a month during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax breaks for the rich . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Several Republican senators who voted “no” on the new bipartisan COVID relief bill passed by Congress on Monday took to Twitter to complain that the bill was too expensive — despite a record of supporting 2017’s monumental tax break for billionaires.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-IL) tweeted Tuesday that he voted against COVID relief, calling the bill “wasteful”.
“I supported and fought for many of the COVID provisions in last night’s bill,” he wrote on the platform. “Unfortunately, they were attached to an omnibus spending bill that was thousands of pages long and chock full of handouts to special interests and wasteful spending. I couldn’t support it.”
Also on Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) retweeted a story from a far-right outline with the headline, “Sen. Ted Cruz Is Right: Congress Labeled End-of-Year Spending Bill ‘COVID Relief’ to Cover the Pork.”
In a Monday night tweet, Cruz slammed the bill as a “spending monstrosity”.
“Tonight, badly-needed #COVID19 relief was tied to a $1.4T end-of-year spending monstrosity because three times Democrats rejected good faith efforts to pass targeted legislation that would have helped Americans hurting as a result of the pandemic,” Cruz wrote.
“The legislation passed yesterday will support vaccine development and distribution, assist schools and universities, and provide crucial help to Tennessee small businesses,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) tweeted Tuesday morning. “However, I cannot support nearly $2.4 trillion in spending that will make recovery even harder.”
She voiced objections to the bill expanding visas, providing Pell grants for prisoners, and “sending cash to households with illegal aliens”.
“Increasing the federal deficit and spending money we do not have will harm our economic recovery,” she added.
Besides Scott, Cruz, and Blackburn, three other Republicans voted against the COVID relief bill: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
But, with the exception of Blackburn, those senators opposing $600 stimulus checks and other legislation to help the working class during the pandemic also voted yes on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which reduced the top marginal income tax rate of billionaires by 6.6%.
Blackburn, who was elected in 2018, after the bill’s passage, has nonetheless been a vocal supporter of it.
According to reports from several outlets, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enabled billionaires to pay lower taxes (23%) than working-class Americans in 2018 (24.2%).
While Trump repeatedly promised the act would boost the economy, it has instead boosted the national debt to more than one trillion dollars.
But Republicans who support tax cuts for billionaires seemed unaware of any hypocrisy in opposing help for working-class Americans.
A floor speech Monday by Paul opposing the COVID relief legislation went viral. In it, he expressed concerns about the deficit.
“This bill is free money for everyone,” he said in the speech Monday. “And yet, if free money were the answer, if money really grew on trees, why not give more free money? Why not give it out all the time? Why stop at $600 a person? Why not $1,000? Why not $2,000? If we can print up money with impunity, why not do it?”
He also blasted fellow Republicans on Twitter for supporting the bill.
“To so-called conservatives who are quick to identify the socialism of the Democrats, if you vote for this spending monstrosity you are no better,” he wrote. “When you vote to pass out free money, you lose your soul and you abandon forever any semblance of moral integrity.”
But at least one person was swift to call out the hypocrisy of Republicans posturing about the expense of COVID relief while supporting massive tax cuts for billionaires: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
“That’s funny. I didn’t hear Sen. Paul worry about the deficit when he voted to give $1 trillion in tax breaks to the top 1% & large corporations,” tweeted Bernie on Tuesday. “Yes. We should provide the working class with $2,000 a month during the pandemic like Canada did & repeal the tax breaks for the rich.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-22--Local GOP lawmaker slams Republicans' vote to hurt health board as virus cases spike

Republican members of the commission of Knox County , Tennessee , voted on Tuesday to weaken the county 's board of health in a move aimed at determining who makes and implements health-related policy for the county 's residents .
`` If we proceed with this ordinance , this body will undermine our public health infrastructure and seriously demoralize the health care professionals battling to save lives every day , '' said the commission 's chair , Larsen Jay , a Republican .
The commission serves the third-most populous county in Tennessee , with its county seat , Knoxville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville and Memphis .
The commissioners voted 6-4-1 in favor of an ordinance dissolving the Knox County board of health 's power to make policy , including on safety measures related to the coronavirus .
All six commissioners who voted yes to the proposal are Republicans , while Jay voted no .
Voting with Jay were another Republican and the commission 's two Democrats , with one Republican declining to vote .
`` Yes , believe it , '' Jay wrote in a post on his campaign website on Facebook .
`` Tonight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID in the world , several Commissioners took the first step in dissolving the Board of Health and dismantling our health infrastructure .
I cringe at what January will look like in our community . ''
A majority of the commissioners must vote to approve the ordinance after a second reading on Jan. 25 .
If they pass it , the county board of health would no longer be able to set health-related regulations .
Previously , in working to curb the spread of the coronavirus , the board of health implemented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with dine-in service and restricted them to half their usual capacity of diners , a local news station reported .
Dr. Martha Buchanan , the Knox County Health Department senior director , said now is not an appropriate time to consider such a measure .
`` Deciding who has authority to make decisions right now is like confronting a wildfire and arguing over who needs to hold the hose .
It 's not appropriate , '' Buchanan said .
Jay noted , `` You heard it directly from the healthcare professionals during public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't understand why you do n't care about them . ''
As of Tuesday , Tennessee had the highest per capita number of new coronavirus cases in the United States , according to the New York Times ' analysis .
The state had more than 515,000 cases , and 6,000 people had died of COVID-19 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republican members of the commission of Knox County, Tennessee, voted on Tuesday to weaken the county’s board of health in a move aimed at determining who makes and implements health-related policy for the county’s residents.
“If we proceed with this ordinance, this body will undermine our public health infrastructure and seriously demoralize the health care professionals battling to save lives every day,” said the commission’s chair, Larsen Jay, a Republican.
The commission serves the third-most populous county in Tennessee, with its county seat, Knoxville, the third-largest city in the state after Nashville and Memphis.
The commissioners voted 6-4-1 in favor of an ordinance dissolving the Knox County board of health’s power to make policy, including on safety measures related to the coronavirus.
All six commissioners who voted yes to the proposal are Republicans, while Jay voted no. Voting with Jay were another Republican and the commission’s two Democrats, with one Republican declining to vote.
“Yes, believe it,” Jay wrote in a post on his campaign website on Facebook. “Tonight, despite living in the worst place for COVID in the world, several Commissioners took the first step in dissolving the Board of Health and dismantling our health infrastructure. I cringe at what January will look like in our community.”
A majority of the commissioners must vote to approve the ordinance after a second reading on Jan. 25. If they pass it, the county board of health would no longer be able to set health-related regulations.
Previously, in working to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the board of health implemented a 10 p.m closing time for restaurants with dine-in service and restricted them to half their usual capacity of diners, a local news station reported.
Dr. Martha Buchanan, the Knox County Health Department senior director, said now is not an appropriate time to consider such a measure.
“Deciding who has authority to make decisions right now is like confronting a wildfire and arguing over who needs to hold the hose. It’s not appropriate,” Buchanan said.
Jay noted, “You heard it directly from the healthcare professionals during public forum. They’re exhausted and they don’t understand why you don’t care about them.”
As of Tuesday, Tennessee had the highest per capita number of new coronavirus cases in the United States, according to the New York Times’ analysis. The state had more than 515,000 cases, and 6,000 people had died of COVID-19.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-22--'Gross,' 'Disappointing': LGBTQ groups slam Amazon for helping hate groups raise money

Amazon , which has been praised by LGBTQ groups for its equality-affirming policies , has allowed bigoted groups to use its charity platform to raise money , a new report has found .
In reaction to the news , LGBTQ groups in the U.S. and abroad called for Amazon to stop the practice .
According to the report from openDemocracy , a media organization that does reporting and analysis on political and social issues , the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association , Focus on the Family , the Indiana American Family Association , and others have been found on AmazonSmile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their purchases to charities they support .
The group found that about 40 such anti-LGBTQ organizations benefitted from the platform , eight of which are partner organizations of the World Congress of Families network , which the Southern Poverty Law Center designated as an anti-LGBTQ hate group .
The report said it 's unclear how much these groups have raised through the platform .
Accountable for Equality , an LGBTQ advocacy group that produces reports on opponents of queer and trans people 's rights , said : Clear as day in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that engage in , support , encourage , or promote intolerance , hate , terrorism , violence … are not eligible to participate.
’ Focus on the Family works side-by-side with ADF and Family Research Council who were banned from the platform .
These organizations advocate for the marginalization of LGBT People .
When there 's an issue about equality , they are telling you you ’ re wrong , it 's too soon , you 're sick .
It 's gross and Amazon has to do better .
Robbie de Santos , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stonewall , an LGBT rights charity based in the United Kingdom , stated in a press release for the report , `` It 's disappointing to see organisations that campaign against LGBT equality platformed on AmazonSmile . ''
Amazon has given the boot to anti-LGBTQ groups before .
In June , Amazon decided not to allow the Alliance Defending Freedom and Family Research Council to stay in the program .
Both groups have been named as anti-LGBTQ hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center as well .
But despite connections to hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups remain on the platform .
One of these groups mentioned in the report , Focus on the Family , has been a partner organization of the aforementioned hate group , World Congress of Families .
The organization has opposed LGBTQ equality for many years and has published resources on its website that directs parents of LGBTQ children to groups that tell them their sexuality and gender are wrong .
The Indiana American Family Association , also found on AmazonSmile , is a state branch of the American Family Association , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Southern Poverty Law Center .
The national organization 's website published a Q & A that discouraged people from attending weddings of LGB people and claims Christians are being `` bullied by the transgender agenda . ''
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association , on the AmazonSmile platform as well , is led by Franklin Graham , the son of the late televangelist Billy Graham .
On the day of the presidential election , Graham bemoaned the prospect of a Joe Biden presidency because he said it would welcome back a `` gay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Graham has opposed the Equality Act , federal legislation that clearly prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people , in a piece published on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association 's website .
He is also the head of Samaritan 's Purse , a Christian humanitarian aid organization that requires its staff to agree to an anti-LGBTQ `` statement of faith . ''
Amazon received a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign 's Corporate Equality Index this year for its commitment to LGBTQ equality and inclusion , and Jeff Bezos , Amazon 's founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Award in 2017 .
`` From our earliest days , we have been committed to equality in the workplace , '' Bezos said when he accepted the award .
An Amazon spokesperson stated in response to the report , `` Charitable organizations must meet the requirements outlined in our participation agreement to be eligible for AmazonSmile .
Organizations that engage in , support , encourage , or promote intolerance , hate , terrorism , violence , money laundering , or other illegal activities are not eligible . ''
Amazon added , `` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement , its eligibility will be revoked .
Since 2013 , Amazon has relied on the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Southern Poverty Law Center to provide the data for these determinations . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Amazon, which has been praised by LGBTQ groups for its equality-affirming policies, has allowed bigoted groups to use its charity platform to raise money, a new report has found. In reaction to the news, LGBTQ groups in the U.S. and abroad called for Amazon to stop the practice.
According to the report from openDemocracy, a media organization that does reporting and analysis on political and social issues, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Focus on the Family, the Indiana American Family Association, and others have been found on AmazonSmile, which allows customers to give a percentage of their purchases to charities they support.
The group found that about 40 such anti-LGBTQ organizations benefitted from the platform, eight of which are partner organizations of the World Congress of Families network, which the Southern Poverty Law Center designated as an anti-LGBTQ hate group.
The report said it’s unclear how much these groups have raised through the platform.
Accountable for Equality, an LGBTQ advocacy group that produces reports on opponents of queer and trans people’s rights, said:
Clear as day in their Program Details, AmazonSmile states that ‘organizations that engage in, support, encourage, or promote intolerance, hate, terrorism, violence … are not eligible to participate.’ Focus on the Family works side-by-side with ADF and Family Research Council who were banned from the platform. These organizations advocate for the marginalization of LGBT People. When there’s an issue about equality, they are telling you you’re wrong, it’s too soon, you’re sick. It’s gross and Amazon has to do better.
Robbie de Santos, associate director of campaigns and communications at Stonewall, an LGBT rights charity based in the United Kingdom, stated in a press release for the report, “It’s disappointing to see organisations that campaign against LGBT equality platformed on AmazonSmile.”
Amazon has given the boot to anti-LGBTQ groups before. In June, Amazon decided not to allow the Alliance Defending Freedom and Family Research Council to stay in the program. Both groups have been named as anti-LGBTQ hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center as well. But despite connections to hate groups and anti-LGBTQ missions, the other groups remain on the platform.
One of these groups mentioned in the report, Focus on the Family, has been a partner organization of the aforementioned hate group, World Congress of Families. The organization has opposed LGBTQ equality for many years and has published resources on its website that directs parents of LGBTQ children to groups that tell them their sexuality and gender are wrong.
The Indiana American Family Association, also found on AmazonSmile, is a state branch of the American Family Association, which is described as an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The national organization’s website published a Q&A that discouraged people from attending weddings of LGB people and claims Christians are being “bullied by the transgender agenda.”
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, on the AmazonSmile platform as well, is led by Franklin Graham, the son of the late televangelist Billy Graham. On the day of the presidential election, Graham bemoaned the prospect of a Joe Biden presidency because he said it would welcome back a “gay lesbian agenda” to the White House.
Graham has opposed the Equality Act, federal legislation that clearly prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people, in a piece published on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s website. He is also the head of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian aid organization that requires its staff to agree to an anti-LGBTQ “statement of faith.”
Amazon received a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index this year for its commitment to LGBTQ equality and inclusion, and Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and CEO, accepted its National Equality Award in 2017.
“From our earliest days, we have been committed to equality in the workplace,” Bezos said when he accepted the award.
An Amazon spokesperson stated in response to the report, “Charitable organizations must meet the requirements outlined in our participation agreement to be eligible for AmazonSmile. Organizations that engage in, support, encourage, or promote intolerance, hate, terrorism, violence, money laundering, or other illegal activities are not eligible.”
Amazon added, “If at any point an organization violates this agreement, its eligibility will be revoked. Since 2013, Amazon has relied on the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Southern Poverty Law Center to provide the data for these determinations.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-22--Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler's latest campaign ads are littered with racism

Two new Facebook ads for Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) feature Donald Trump using an explicitly racist term to describe the coronavirus — just weeks after Loeffler claimed not to be at all racist .
The advertisements , posted on Tuesday by her campaign , feature a video of lame-duck Donald Trump praising Loeffler at a rally .
`` Kelly Loeffler , a person who is just unbelievable , '' Trump touts .
`` When our nation was hit with the China virus , Senator Loeffler helped rescue the U.S .
economy . ''
`` Take it from President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the accompanying text .
`` Kelly Loeffler is a CHAMPION for Georgians . ''
Trump has frequently used this racist language to describe the coronavirus .
Though in March , he agreed to stop calling it the `` Chinese virus , '' two months later he began calling it the `` China virus '' — even though public health experts have warned that doing so is harmful .
The World Health Organization recommends using names based on the effects of the viruses themselves , rather than their apparent geographic origin , `` to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economies and people . ''
Trump 's own Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned in June that `` stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease , such as COVID-19 , with a population or nationality , even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease . ''
And according to an October report , racist language like this has helped fuel hate crimes against Asian and Asian-American people .
Since March , at least 2,700 such attacks have been reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verbal insults to stabbings .
Asked in August about the `` racial overtone '' of his term , Trump replied that he has `` great Asian support .
And they understand exactly what it is that we 're doing and saying . ''
Contrary to his bluster , a Navigator poll taken two months earlier showed 66 % of Asian American registered voters disapproved of his handling of the pandemic and more than 75 % believed his `` words and actions '' put lives at risk .
A Loeffler campaign spokesperson did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story .
Like Trump , Loeffler has been accused of racist words and deeds since she was appointed to a vacant Senate seat last December .
Asked earlier this month at a debate about her decision to campaign with racist Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene ( R ) and appear on a show hosted by a prominent white supremacist , Loeffler denied being even a little bit racist .
`` There 's not a racist bone in my body , '' she claimed .
`` I 've worked to bring communities together my entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Georgia pastors wrote in a letter accusing her of attacking `` the Black Church and faith traditions for which we stand , '' with her repeated attacks on her opponent 's faith .
Loeffler will face off in a Jan. 5 runoff against Democrat Raphael Warnock , the senior pastor at Atlanta 's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church .
If Warnock wins , he will become the first Black senator in Georgia 's history .
Loeffler responded on Sunday with a racist tweet , claiming Warnock was just `` playing the victim .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Warnock for quoting the Bible to justify his pro-choice views on abortion , called him anti-veteran based on an out-of-context quote from a 2011 sermon , posed for a selfie with a prominent former Ku Klux Klan leader , and denounced anti-racism protesters in the Black Lives Matter movement as `` Marxist . ''
Contrary to Trump 's claim , Loeffler did not `` rescue the U.S .
economy . ''
Thanks in large part to Trump 's botched handling of the COVID-19 pandemic , millions of Americans remain out of work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest levels in three months .
Millions of Americans continue to be out of work , mostly due to business closures caused by the pandemic .
As of November , nearly 300,000 Georgians were unemployed .
Over the past five months , roughly 7.8 million Americans have fallen into poverty , according to data released last week by researchers at the University of Chicago and University Notre Dame — the largest ever recorded single-year increase .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Two new Facebook ads for Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) feature Donald Trump using an explicitly racist term to describe the coronavirus — just weeks after Loeffler claimed not to be at all racist.
The advertisements, posted on Tuesday by her campaign, feature a video of lame-duck Donald Trump praising Loeffler at a rally.
“Kelly Loeffler, a person who is just unbelievable,” Trump touts. “When our nation was hit with the China virus, Senator Loeffler helped rescue the U.S. economy.”
“Take it from President Trump,” her campaign urges in the accompanying text. “Kelly Loeffler is a CHAMPION for Georgians.”
Trump has frequently used this racist language to describe the coronavirus. Though in March, he agreed to stop calling it the “Chinese virus,” two months later he began calling it the “China virus” — even though public health experts have warned that doing so is harmful.
The World Health Organization recommends using names based on the effects of the viruses themselves, rather than their apparent geographic origin, “to minimize unnecessary negative effects on nations, economies and people.”
Trump’s own Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned in June that “stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease.”
And according to an October report, racist language like this has helped fuel hate crimes against Asian and Asian-American people. Since March, at least 2,700 such attacks have been reported in the United States — ranging from verbal insults to stabbings.
Asked in August about the “racial overtone” of his term, Trump replied that he has “great Asian support. And they understand exactly what it is that we’re doing and saying.”
Contrary to his bluster, a Navigator poll taken two months earlier showed 66% of Asian American registered voters disapproved of his handling of the pandemic and more than 75% believed his “words and actions” put lives at risk.
A Loeffler campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
Like Trump, Loeffler has been accused of racist words and deeds since she was appointed to a vacant Senate seat last December.
Asked earlier this month at a debate about her decision to campaign with racist Rep.-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) and appear on a show hosted by a prominent white supremacist, Loeffler denied being even a little bit racist.
“There’s not a racist bone in my body,” she claimed. “I’ve worked to bring communities together my entire life.”
But Saturday, dozens of Georgia pastors wrote in a letter accusing her of attacking “the Black Church and faith traditions for which we stand,” with her repeated attacks on her opponent’s faith.
Loeffler will face off in a Jan. 5 runoff against Democrat Raphael Warnock, the senior pastor at Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. If Warnock wins, he will become the first Black senator in Georgia’s history.
Loeffler responded on Sunday with a racist tweet, claiming Warnock was just “playing the victim.”
She has previously scolded the Rev. Warnock for quoting the Bible to justify his pro-choice views on abortion, called him anti-veteran based on an out-of-context quote from a 2011 sermon, posed for a selfie with a prominent former Ku Klux Klan leader, and denounced anti-racism protesters in the Black Lives Matter movement as “Marxist.”
Contrary to Trump’s claim, Loeffler did not “rescue the U.S. economy.” Thanks in large part to Trump’s botched handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans remain out of work and unemployment claims just soared to their highest levels in three months.
Millions of Americans continue to be out of work, mostly due to business closures caused by the pandemic. As of November, nearly 300,000 Georgians were unemployed.
Over the past five months, roughly 7.8 million Americans have fallen into poverty, according to data released last week by researchers at the University of Chicago and University Notre Dame — the largest ever recorded single-year increase.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-22--Georgia senator brags about 'huge crowd' at rally as COVID rates soar in his state

Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue bragged about the size of the crowd at one of his campaign rallies on Tuesday , even as the number of new coronavirus cases soars in the state .
`` Another awesome rally with a huge crowd in Walton County ! ''
Perdue tweeted alongside photos of the rally in Walton County .
`` Georgia — your vote is the ONLY thing that can stop the Left 's radical policies from becoming law .
GET OUT AND VOTE before Christmas . ''
The photos taken at the event , one of several held by him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly Loeffler on Tuesday , show a large and densely packed outdoor gathering .
Some in the crowd are wearing masks , but many are not .
The runoff elections for Georgia 's two U.S. Senate seats , scheduled for Jan. 5 , pit Perdue against Democrat Jon Ossoff and Loeffler against Democrat Raphael Warnock .
A loss for both Perdue and Loeffler would effectively flip control of the Senate to the Democrats .
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp issued an executive order on Dec. 8 containing a statewide ban `` on gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain six feet apart . ''
The photos Perdue tweeted clearly show that campaign staff and supporters are ignoring the order .
And Georgia 's COVID numbers are soaring .
Just this week , the state set a record for new cases , with a seven-day average of more than 4,800 reported Sunday .
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported this week that the number of Georgians hospitalized with the virus is 2 1/2 times greater than it was in October .
In late November , Ossoff urged Perdue and Loeffler to institute safety measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is time for Senators Perdue and Loeffler to begin requiring masks at their campaign events , '' Ossoff told CNN .
`` They need to lead by example .
They need to comply with CDC public health guidelines .
I am calling on them to make the commitment today that they will require masks at their political events and that they will cease crowding people into these indoor spaces where there 's this high risk of COVID being spread . ''
Perdue has expressed disdain for virus safety measures before .
In October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought Donald Trump had done everything he could in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic , including leaving inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations up to individual states .
He also downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic , comparing it in May to `` ordinary flu seasons '' and saying individuals ought to be able to `` make our own decisions '' about safety practices .
`` So we 're about 80,000 deaths in the United States , and we do n't want to lose anybody .
But we 've had ordinary flu seasons with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this one , '' Perdue told business leaders .
The total number of lives lost to COVID-19 in the country stood at 377,000 as of Dec. 22 , as tracked by the New York Times .
Trump hosted a large rally in support of Perdue and Loeffler on Dec. 5 in Valdosta .
His daughter Ivanka accompanied Sens .
Perdue and Loeffler to campaign events earlier on Monday , tweeting numerous photos of herself and the pair without masks amid large crowds of people .
The younger Trump has recently come under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as lockdowns .
In November , she was forced to withdraw her children from private school when administrators expressed qualms about her `` public flouting of COVID-19 guidelines , '' CNN reported .
According to experts , staying home , limiting the number of people at gatherings , and maintaining social distancing during the pandemic are vital to saving lives .
Meanwhile , Perdue continues to hold events that violate these guidelines , even as many Americans will be spending their first holiday without a loved one lost to COVID-19 .
Published with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Georgia Republican Sen. David Perdue bragged about the size of the crowd at one of his campaign rallies on Tuesday, even as the number of new coronavirus cases soars in the state.
“Another awesome rally with a huge crowd in Walton County!” Perdue tweeted alongside photos of the rally in Walton County. “Georgia — your vote is the ONLY thing that can stop the Left’s radical policies from becoming law. GET OUT AND VOTE before Christmas.”
The photos taken at the event, one of several held by him and his fellow Georgia incumbent Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler on Tuesday, show a large and densely packed outdoor gathering. Some in the crowd are wearing masks, but many are not.
The runoff elections for Georgia’s two U.S. Senate seats, scheduled for Jan. 5, pit Perdue against Democrat Jon Ossoff and Loeffler against Democrat Raphael Warnock. A loss for both Perdue and Loeffler would effectively flip control of the Senate to the Democrats.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order on Dec. 8 containing a statewide ban “on gatherings of more than 50 people unless individuals remain six feet apart.” The photos Perdue tweeted clearly show that campaign staff and supporters are ignoring the order.
And Georgia’s COVID numbers are soaring. Just this week, the state set a record for new cases, with a seven-day average of more than 4,800 reported Sunday.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported this week that the number of Georgians hospitalized with the virus is 2 1/2 times greater than it was in October.
In late November, Ossoff urged Perdue and Loeffler to institute safety measures on the campaign trail.
“It is time for Senators Perdue and Loeffler to begin requiring masks at their campaign events,” Ossoff told CNN. “They need to lead by example. They need to comply with CDC public health guidelines. I am calling on them to make the commitment today that they will require masks at their political events and that they will cease crowding people into these indoor spaces where there’s this high risk of COVID being spread.”
Perdue has expressed disdain for virus safety measures before. In October, he said he “absolutely” thought Donald Trump had done everything he could in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, including leaving inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations up to individual states. He also downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic, comparing it in May to “ordinary flu seasons” and saying individuals ought to be able to “make our own decisions” about safety practices.
“So we’re about 80,000 deaths in the United States, and we don’t want to lose anybody. But we’ve had ordinary flu seasons with more deaths than we’re seeing now in this one,” Perdue told business leaders. The total number of lives lost to COVID-19 in the country stood at 377,000 as of Dec. 22, as tracked by the New York Times.
Trump hosted a large rally in support of Perdue and Loeffler on Dec. 5 in Valdosta. His daughter Ivanka accompanied Sens. Perdue and Loeffler to campaign events earlier on Monday, tweeting numerous photos of herself and the pair without masks amid large crowds of people.
The younger Trump has recently come under fire for criticizing COVID safety measures such as lockdowns. In November, she was forced to withdraw her children from private school when administrators expressed qualms about her “public flouting of COVID-19 guidelines,” CNN reported.
According to experts, staying home, limiting the number of people at gatherings, and maintaining social distancing during the pandemic are vital to saving lives.
Meanwhile, Perdue continues to hold events that violate these guidelines, even as many Americans will be spending their first holiday without a loved one lost to COVID-19.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-22--Even a majority of Republicans in US backed bigger relief checks

Polls taken in recent months showed that a majority of Americans supported receiving more than the $ 600 in direct payments that Congress passed in the coronavirus relief package on Monday night .
A Data for Progress poll released over the weekend showed that 59 % of Republicans `` strongly support '' the direct payments , along with 76 % of Democrats .
Overall , 88 % of Americans supported the stimulus checks .
A Franklin Templeton-Gallup poll from September showed the same trend , with 60 % of Republicans , 68 % of Democrats , and 66 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of $ 900 or more .
Monday 's deal — a $ 900 billion stimulus package that includes the $ 600 payments — is the second round of relief .
The first round , from March , included stimulus checks of up to $ 1,200 for individuals .
Eligibility for a stimulus check is based on adjusted gross income reported in 2019 tax returns .
Individual adults who earned $ 75,000 or less would receive the full $ 600 .
Heads of households who made $ 112,500 or less and married couples who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1200 .
Any dependent children would also receive $ 600 , which is $ 100 more than the first relief package provided .
Those who earned more than the qualifying incomes would receive prorated checks of less than $ 5 per $ 100 more than the stated income levels , which would cut off at $ 87,000 for individuals and $ 174,000 for couples .
The $ 900 billion relief bill also includes an extra $ 300 per week for 11 weeks of unemployment benefits .
The amount is less than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits passed in March .
The added benefits are less than the $ 600 per week Democrats had pushed to reinstate from the first package .
In August , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dug in , saying : `` We have said that we 're going to have the $ 600 .
And they know that we want the $ 600 . ''
Meanwhile , job growth in the U.S. slowed for the fifth month in December .
And over 19 million people are still reliant on unemployment benefits , with claims reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Polls taken in recent months showed that a majority of Americans supported receiving more than the $600 in direct payments that Congress passed in the coronavirus relief package on Monday night.
A Data for Progress poll released over the weekend showed that 59% of Republicans “strongly support” the direct payments, along with 76% of Democrats. Overall, 88% of Americans supported the stimulus checks.
A Franklin Templeton-Gallup poll from September showed the same trend, with 60% of Republicans, 68% of Democrats, and 66% of all U.S. adults supporting a stimulus payment of $900 or more.
Monday’s deal — a $900 billion stimulus package that includes the $600 payments — is the second round of relief. The first round, from March, included stimulus checks of up to $1,200 for individuals.
Eligibility for a stimulus check is based on adjusted gross income reported in 2019 tax returns. Individual adults who earned $75,000 or less would receive the full $600. Heads of households who made $112,500 or less and married couples who made $150,000 or less would get $1200. Any dependent children would also receive $600, which is $100 more than the first relief package provided.
Those who earned more than the qualifying incomes would receive prorated checks of less than $5 per $100 more than the stated income levels, which would cut off at $87,000 for individuals and $174,000 for couples.
The $900 billion relief bill also includes an extra $300 per week for 11 weeks of unemployment benefits. The amount is less than the supplemental $600 a week of unemployment benefits passed in March.
The added benefits are less than the $600 per week Democrats had pushed to reinstate from the first package. In August, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dug in, saying: “We have said that we’re going to have the $600. And they know that we want the $600.”
Meanwhile, job growth in the U.S. slowed for the fifth month in December.
And over 19 million people are still reliant on unemployment benefits, with claims reaching the highest levels in three months last Thursday.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-22--Pro-Trump lawyer could face punishment for 'intentional misrepresentation' in court

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Tuesday announced she may seek sanctions against Sidney Powell , the Donald Trump-connected lawyer who has filed numerous failed lawsuits in Michigan and other states across the country to overturn the 2020 election results to wrongly keep Trump in power .
Nessel made the announcement in a year-end phone call with Michigan reporters , according to Michigan political reporter Jonathan Oosting .
She told reporters that she is seeking sanctions against Powell for `` what we believe to be an intentional misrepresentation , '' Oosting reported .
`` I think we need to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust an attorney is making an accurate and truthful representation to the court , because if they don ’ t , then they won ’ t be able to practice law any more , '' Nessel said , according to Oosting 's report .
The City of Detroit had already been asking a federal judge to punish Powell for filing what it described as an illegitimate lawsuit `` to advance the false narrative that our democratic system is broken . ''
`` Plaintiffs and their counsel understood that the mere filing of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could , without any evidence , raise doubts in the minds of millions of Americans about the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election , '' David Fink , a lawyer for the City of Detroit , wrote in a motion seeking sanctions .
`` As this Court noted , 'Plaintiffs ask th [ e ] Court to ignore the orderly statutory scheme established to challenge elections and to ignore the will of millions of voters . '
'' Detroit is asking the federal judge to fine Powell , ban her from practicing law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and refer her to the Michigan bar for more punishments .
The City of Detroit was angry over a lawsuit Powell filed seeking to decertify President-elect Joe Biden 's commanding win in the state over baseless allegations of fraud from voters in Detroit .
A federal judge dismissed Powell 's suit in a scathing opinion , writing : `` This lawsuit seems to be less about achieving the relief plaintiffs seek — as much of that relief is beyond the power of this court — and more about the impact of their allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic process and their trust in our government . ''
The judge , Linda Parker , wrote that Powell was asking the court to `` ignore the will of millions of voters , '' which was something Parker said she `` can not , and will not , do . ''
It 's not the only lawsuit Powell lost .
A federal judge in Georgia threw out a similar lawsuit Powell filed in Georgia , which asked a federal judge to decertify Biden 's victory in the Peach State and hand its electors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` the most extraordinary relief ever sought '' for an election .
Powell , for her part , has told wild lies about the election results , including a bizarre and absurdly false accusation that long-dead Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez somehow rigged voting machines to boost Biden .
In fact , Powell 's claims were so off-base that the Trump campaign 's legal team had tried to distance itself from Powell 's efforts in late November .
`` Sidney Powell is practicing law on her own .
She is not a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also not a lawyer for the President in his personal capacity , ” Trump campaign lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis said in a statement at the time .
However , in recent days , Trump has welcomed Powell back into his circle , inviting her to the White House as he plots last-ditch efforts to steal the election he clearly lost .
Powell 's presence at the White House has unnerved even Trump 's most loyal aides , who worry that someone so divorced from reality has Trump 's ear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the president ’ s entire orbit — his staunchest group of supporters and allies — who does n't think that Sidney Powell should be on that first rocket to Mars , '' an unnamed White House source told Axios .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Tuesday announced she may seek sanctions against Sidney Powell, the Donald Trump-connected lawyer who has filed numerous failed lawsuits in Michigan and other states across the country to overturn the 2020 election results to wrongly keep Trump in power.
Nessel made the announcement in a year-end phone call with Michigan reporters, according to Michigan political reporter Jonathan Oosting. She told reporters that she is seeking sanctions against Powell for “what we believe to be an intentional misrepresentation,” Oosting reported.
“I think we need to go back to a time where you can trust an attorney is making an accurate and truthful representation to the court, because if they don’t, then they won’t be able to practice law any more,” Nessel said, according to Oosting’s report.
The City of Detroit had already been asking a federal judge to punish Powell for filing what it described as an illegitimate lawsuit “to advance the false narrative that our democratic system is broken.”
“Plaintiffs and their counsel understood that the mere filing of a suit (no matter how frivolous) could, without any evidence, raise doubts in the minds of millions of Americans about the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election,” David Fink, a lawyer for the City of Detroit, wrote in a motion seeking sanctions. “As this Court noted, ‘Plaintiffs ask th[e] Court to ignore the orderly statutory scheme established to challenge elections and to ignore the will of millions of voters.'”
Detroit is asking the federal judge to fine Powell, ban her from practicing law in the Eastern District of Michigan, and refer her to the Michigan bar for more punishments.
The City of Detroit was angry over a lawsuit Powell filed seeking to decertify President-elect Joe Biden’s commanding win in the state over baseless allegations of fraud from voters in Detroit.
A federal judge dismissed Powell’s suit in a scathing opinion, writing: “This lawsuit seems to be less about achieving the relief plaintiffs seek — as much of that relief is beyond the power of this court — and more about the impact of their allegations on people’s faith in the democratic process and their trust in our government.”
The judge, Linda Parker, wrote that Powell was asking the court to “ignore the will of millions of voters,” which was something Parker said she “cannot, and will not, do.”
It’s not the only lawsuit Powell lost.
A federal judge in Georgia threw out a similar lawsuit Powell filed in Georgia, which asked a federal judge to decertify Biden’s victory in the Peach State and hand its electors to Trump instead, saying the suit was “the most extraordinary relief ever sought” for an election.
Powell, for her part, has told wild lies about the election results, including a bizarre and absurdly false accusation that long-dead Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez somehow rigged voting machines to boost Biden.
In fact, Powell’s claims were so off-base that the Trump campaign’s legal team had tried to distance itself from Powell’s efforts in late November.
“Sidney Powell is practicing law on her own. She is not a member of the Trump Legal Team. She is also not a lawyer for the President in his personal capacity,” Trump campaign lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis said in a statement at the time.
However, in recent days, Trump has welcomed Powell back into his circle, inviting her to the White House as he plots last-ditch efforts to steal the election he clearly lost.
Powell’s presence at the White House has unnerved even Trump’s most loyal aides, who worry that someone so divorced from reality has Trump’s ear.
“There is literally not one motherfucker in the president’s entire orbit — his staunchest group of supporters and allies — who doesn’t think that Sidney Powell should be on that first rocket to Mars,” an unnamed White House source told Axios.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-22--Republicans suddenly outraged that a candidate is challenging an election

A candidate seeking a review of an apparent election defeat is drawing outrage from Republican lawmakers .
Because this time , it is n't Donald Trump .
Many of the same people criticizing Iowa Democrat Rita Hart 's decision to contest the result of the race for Iowa 's 2nd Congressional District , which she lost by six votes , have vocally defended Trump 's attempt to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss to Joe Biden , whose total of 306 Electoral College votes Trump once called a `` landslide . ''
On Tuesday , Hart formally asked the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she believes could reverse her defeat last month .
The state certified Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks ' victory by a total of 196,964 votes to Hart 's 196,958 on Nov. 30 .
Republicans were quick to lambaste Hart for challenging the vote count in what they charged was a `` political '' move in appealing to the House .
Hart has said she opted to file the challenge with the House instead of in the courts because Iowa law did not allow sufficient time for a judicial challenge after the votes were counted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowans and our judicial process in favor of Nancy Pelosi 's partisan process demonstrates a lack of respect for Iowa 's election results , '' Iowa Gov .
Kim Reynolds tweeted on Tuesday .
`` Disappointed that Rita Hart has chosen a partisan political process to overturn @ millermeeks 's victory in # IA02 , '' agreed her lieutenant governor , Adam Gregg .
The National Republican Congressional Committee tweeted , `` @ RitaHartIA 's decision to bypass the Iowa courts and ask Nancy Pelosi to use a partisan political process to throw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing but a naked power grab . ''
`` Rita Hart declined to pursue a legal challenge , which is provided for under Iowa law , '' argued George Hartmann , the press secretary for Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) .
`` Instead of that local , court-based process , she is pushing to overturn her loss in a partisan process . ''
Sen. Tom Cotton , who represents the not-even-neighboring state of Arkansas and has not actually served in the House since 2015 , weighed in , tweeting , `` Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyalty to Nancy Pelosi ahead of Iowa .
Now , she 's asking Nancy Pelosi to steal the election and disenfranchise Iowa voters .
@ millermeeks won .
She will represent Iowa . ''
Last week , the Hill published an op-ed written by Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois , the ranking Republican on the Committee on House Administration , which oversees election contests , suggesting that House Democrats were trying to `` steal a congressional seat '' and threatening retaliation `` when the shoe is on the other foot '' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular election last month by more than 7 million votes and was defeated 306 to 232 in the Electoral College , has also sought to have Congress overturn his defeat during next month 's joint session .
And even though Trump has produced no evidence of fraud or significant errors and his last-ditch strategy appears doomed , some of those same Republicans who are attacking Hart have fiercely defended his refusal to accept defeat .
`` @ realDonaldTrump has every right to pursue legal remedies and recounts , '' Cotton tweeted last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Well , he has every right to make sure that every legal challenge that he and his team want to mount is made , '' concurred Davis earlier this month .
`` But you know , this is an issue that the president is going to continue to pursue all legal options to make sure every vote that was cast was legally cast and counted . ''
`` President Trump , his campaign , and supporters have every right to pursue lawful , legal actions in the courts , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The American people deserve a fair and transparent election . ''
Unlike Trump , it appears Hart may have a plausible case .
According to her filing with the House , 22 ballots were wrongly excluded from the count — more than enough to make up the narrow gap .
She also alleges that counties improperly left thousands of lawful votes uncounted due to a lack of uniform standards for the recount .
The House , which under the Constitution has the right to judge the `` elections and returns '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weigh Hart 's challenge before deciding whom to seat next month .
Hart is requesting that incorrectly excluded votes be counted and that a hand recount of the votes in the race be conducted .
Even if the House seats Miller-Meeks , it may later declare Hart the winner and seat her instead if she succeeds in her challenge .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A candidate seeking a review of an apparent election defeat is drawing outrage from Republican lawmakers.
Because this time, it isn’t Donald Trump.
Many of the same people criticizing Iowa Democrat Rita Hart’s decision to contest the result of the race for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, which she lost by six votes, have vocally defended Trump’s attempt to overturn his 2020 presidential election loss to Joe Biden, whose total of 306 Electoral College votes Trump once called a “landslide.”
On Tuesday, Hart formally asked the House of Representatives to review uncounted ballots that she believes could reverse her defeat last month. The state certified Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ victory by a total of 196,964 votes to Hart’s 196,958 on Nov. 30.
Republicans were quick to lambaste Hart for challenging the vote count in what they charged was a “political” move in appealing to the House. Hart has said she opted to file the challenge with the House instead of in the courts because Iowa law did not allow sufficient time for a judicial challenge after the votes were counted.
“Rita Hart’s attempt to leapfrog Iowans and our judicial process in favor of Nancy Pelosi’s partisan process demonstrates a lack of respect for Iowa’s election results,” Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds tweeted on Tuesday.
“Disappointed that Rita Hart has chosen a partisan political process to overturn @millermeeks’s victory in #IA02,” agreed her lieutenant governor, Adam Gregg.
The National Republican Congressional Committee tweeted, “@RitaHartIA‘s decision to bypass the Iowa courts and ask Nancy Pelosi to use a partisan political process to throw out the results of this election is nothing but a naked power grab.”
“Rita Hart declined to pursue a legal challenge, which is provided for under Iowa law,” argued George Hartmann, the press secretary for Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). “Instead of that local, court-based process, she is pushing to overturn her loss in a partisan process.”
Sen. Tom Cotton, who represents the not-even-neighboring state of Arkansas and has not actually served in the House since 2015, weighed in, tweeting, “Democrat Rita Hart lost because she put her loyalty to Nancy Pelosi ahead of Iowa. Now, she’s asking Nancy Pelosi to steal the election and disenfranchise Iowa voters. @millermeeks won. She will represent Iowa.”
Last week, the Hill published an op-ed written by Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois, the ranking Republican on the Committee on House Administration, which oversees election contests, suggesting that House Democrats were trying to “steal a congressional seat” and threatening retaliation “when the shoe is on the other foot” in the future.
Trump, who lost the popular election last month by more than 7 million votes and was defeated 306 to 232 in the Electoral College, has also sought to have Congress overturn his defeat during next month’s joint session.
And even though Trump has produced no evidence of fraud or significant errors and his last-ditch strategy appears doomed, some of those same Republicans who are attacking Hart have fiercely defended his refusal to accept defeat.
“@realDonaldTrump has every right to pursue legal remedies and recounts,” Cotton tweeted last month. “This is worth fighting for.”
“Well, he has every right to make sure that every legal challenge that he and his team want to mount is made,” concurred Davis earlier this month. “But you know, this is an issue that the president is going to continue to pursue all legal options to make sure every vote that was cast was legally cast and counted.”
“President Trump, his campaign, and supporters have every right to pursue lawful, legal actions in the courts,” Reynolds said a few days later. “The American people deserve a fair and transparent election.”
Unlike Trump, it appears Hart may have a plausible case.
According to her filing with the House, 22 ballots were wrongly excluded from the count — more than enough to make up the narrow gap. She also alleges that counties improperly left thousands of lawful votes uncounted due to a lack of uniform standards for the recount.
The House, which under the Constitution has the right to judge the “elections and returns” of its members, will now have to weigh Hart’s challenge before deciding whom to seat next month.
Hart is requesting that incorrectly excluded votes be counted and that a hand recount of the votes in the race be conducted. Even if the House seats Miller-Meeks, it may later declare Hart the winner and seat her instead if she succeeds in her challenge.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-24--Trump goes on another pardoning spree for his most loyal allies

Donald Trump on Wednesday issued pardons and sentence commutations for 29 people , including former campaign chair Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner , the father of his son-in-law , in the latest burst of clemency in his final weeks at the White House .
The actions bring to nearly 50 the number of people whom Trump in the last two days has granted clemency either by pardoning them or by commuting their sentences .
The pardons of Manafort and Roger Stone , who months earlier had his sentence commuted by Trump , underscore the president 's determination to use the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unravel the results of special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation and to come to the aid of associates he feels were wrongly pursued .
Trump has now pardoned four people convicted in that investigation , including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign adviser George Papadopoulos , who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI .
Manafort had been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for financial crimes related to his work in Ukraine and was among the first people charged as part of Mueller 's investigation into ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was released to home confinement last May because of coronavirus concerns in the federal prison system .
Manafort , in a tweet , thanked Trump and lavished praise on the outgoing president , declaring that history would show he had accomplished more than any of his predecessors .
Kushner is the father of Trump ’ s son-in-law , Jared Kushner , and a wealthy real estate executive who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations .
Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Donald Trump on Wednesday issued pardons and sentence commutations for 29 people, including former campaign chair Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law, in the latest burst of clemency in his final weeks at the White House.
The actions bring to nearly 50 the number of people whom Trump in the last two days has granted clemency either by pardoning them or by commuting their sentences.
The pardons of Manafort and Roger Stone, who months earlier had his sentence commuted by Trump, underscore the president’s determination to use the power of his office he final weeks to unravel the results of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation and to come to the aid of associates he feels were wrongly pursued.
Trump has now pardoned four people convicted in that investigation, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and campaign adviser George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.
Manafort had been sentenced to more than seven years in prison for financial crimes related to his work in Ukraine and was among the first people charged as part of Mueller’s investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. He was released to home confinement last May because of coronavirus concerns in the federal prison system.
Manafort, in a tweet, thanked Trump and lavished praise on the outgoing president, declaring that history would show he had accomplished more than any of his predecessors.
Kushner is the father of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and a wealthy real estate executive who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in


shareblue--2020-12-23--Jim Jordan doesn't think all people at highest risk for COVID should get vaccines

Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-OH ) slammed states this week for including prison inmates among those who should receive a coronavirus vaccine earliest .
`` First , Democrats wanted to pay states to let criminals out of jail , '' Jordan tweeted Tuesday afternoon .
`` Now , they want to prioritize the # COVID19 vaccine for prisoners . ''
But Jordan 's remarks disregard data that indicates that infection rates among inmates are sky-high .
Not only does this contribute to the community spread of COVID-19 , but it also disproportionately affects communities of color .
The National Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the infection rates for the virus are four times higher for inmates than for the general population .
And prisoners are twice as likely to die if they contract the virus .
In federal prisons , the Associated Press reports , as of Tuesday , nearly 6,000 federal inmates and 1,620 staff members have tested positive for the virus and are actively sick .
Nearly 30,000 federal inmates and 2,718 staff members have previously contracted the virus and recovered .
A total of 171 federal prisoners have died of COVID-19 .
When state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outlet finds , 1 in 5 state and federal prisoners in the United States have contracted COVID-19 and 1,700 have died of the disease .
These numbers are also likely to be grossly underreported , experts say .
`` That number is a vast undercount , '' said Homer Venters , formerly the chief medical officer at New York 's Rikers Island jail .
Experts consider prisons to be COVID hot spots for various reasons , including crowded environments , dormitory-style living , and inmates ' underlying conditions .
`` Our research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the first groups to receive any COVID-19 vaccine to protect against infection and to prevent further spread of the disease , '' University of Oxford psychiatrist Dr. Seena Fazel told the Lancet .
`` If the biggest hot spots for COVID are prisons , does n't it make sense to inoculate everyone from the guards to the prisoners ? ''
said criminal justice reform advocate Ashish Prashar .
`` All of the guards , all of health care workers , all of the individuals that go in and out of prison are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you start at the hot spots and stop that ?
And take care of those individuals first ? ''
A delayed vaccine rollout for prisoners would have a disproportionate impact on communities of color .
`` Racial disparities in the nation 's criminal justice system compound the disproportionate toll the pandemic has taken on communities of color , '' the Associated Press reported .
`` Black Americans are incarcerated at five times the rate of whites .
They are also disproportionately likely to be infected and hospitalized with COVID-19 , and are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family member or close friend who has died of the virus . ''
On Tuesday , the Federal Bureau of Prisons reversed an earlier ruling that would have prioritized the vaccination of prison staff ahead of inmates , but there is still much work to be done at a state level .
As of Wednesday , Texas officials were unclear as to when prisoners would be receiving the vaccine .
The Texas Tribune reported that Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott has dodged questions on the matter , and that a University of Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers were currently at the top of the list .
South Dakota 's inmate infection rate is the highest in the country , with 62 % of prisoners in the state having been infected with the coronavirus .
But prisoners in the state are slated to receive the vaccine at a later date than prison staff .
Though Jordan seems unconcerned by the data , other lawmakers on Capitol Hill have expressed their commitment to protecting inmates .
Rep. Ayanna Pressley ( D-MA ) told CNN Sunday that she intended to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights of prisoners , particularly prisoners of color , to receive the vaccine .
`` And I 'm going to continue to fight for our most vulnerable communities who have been disproportionally impacted by the virus , for our health care workers , for our essential workers , for incarcerated men and women to be prioritized in the distribution of the vaccine , '' Pressley said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) slammed states this week for including prison inmates among those who should receive a coronavirus vaccine earliest.
“First, Democrats wanted to pay states to let criminals out of jail,” Jordan tweeted Tuesday afternoon. “Now, they want to prioritize the #COVID19 vaccine for prisoners.”
But Jordan’s remarks disregard data that indicates that infection rates among inmates are sky-high. Not only does this contribute to the community spread of COVID-19, but it also disproportionately affects communities of color.
The National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice notes that the infection rates for the virus are four times higher for inmates than for the general population. And prisoners are twice as likely to die if they contract the virus.
In federal prisons, the Associated Press reports, as of Tuesday, nearly 6,000 federal inmates and 1,620 staff members have tested positive for the virus and are actively sick. Nearly 30,000 federal inmates and 2,718 staff members have previously contracted the virus and recovered. A total of 171 federal prisoners have died of COVID-19.
When state and federal numbers are tallied together, the outlet finds, 1 in 5 state and federal prisoners in the United States have contracted COVID-19 and 1,700 have died of the disease.
These numbers are also likely to be grossly underreported, experts say.
“That number is a vast undercount,” said Homer Venters, formerly the chief medical officer at New York’s Rikers Island jail.
Experts consider prisons to be COVID hot spots for various reasons, including crowded environments, dormitory-style living, and inmates’ underlying conditions.
“Our research suggests that people in prison should be among the first groups to receive any COVID-19 vaccine to protect against infection and to prevent further spread of the disease,” University of Oxford psychiatrist Dr. Seena Fazel told the Lancet.
“If the biggest hot spots for COVID are prisons, doesn’t it make sense to inoculate everyone from the guards to the prisoners?” said criminal justice reform advocate Ashish Prashar. “All of the guards, all of health care workers, all of the individuals that go in and out of prison are spreading it in society. Wouldn’t you start at the hot spots and stop that? And take care of those individuals first?”
A delayed vaccine rollout for prisoners would have a disproportionate impact on communities of color.
“Racial disparities in the nation’s criminal justice system compound the disproportionate toll the pandemic has taken on communities of color,” the Associated Press reported. “Black Americans are incarcerated at five times the rate of whites. They are also disproportionately likely to be infected and hospitalized with COVID-19, and are more likely than other races to have a family member or close friend who has died of the virus.”
On Tuesday, the Federal Bureau of Prisons reversed an earlier ruling that would have prioritized the vaccination of prison staff ahead of inmates, but there is still much work to be done at a state level.
As of Wednesday, Texas officials were unclear as to when prisoners would be receiving the vaccine. The Texas Tribune reported that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has dodged questions on the matter, and that a University of Texas Medical Branch spokesperson said that only health care workers were currently at the top of the list.
South Dakota’s inmate infection rate is the highest in the country, with 62% of prisoners in the state having been infected with the coronavirus. But prisoners in the state are slated to receive the vaccine at a later date than prison staff.
Though Jordan seems unconcerned by the data, other lawmakers on Capitol Hill have expressed their commitment to protecting inmates.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) told CNN Sunday that she intended to do what she can to fight for the rights of prisoners, particularly prisoners of color, to receive the vaccine.
“And I’m going to continue to fight for our most vulnerable communities who have been disproportionally impacted by the virus, for our health care workers, for our essential workers, for incarcerated men and women to be prioritized in the distribution of the vaccine,” Pressley said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.