shareblue--2020-03-30--Republicans once opposed to government spending now approve of it under Trump

Republicans who have spent the past decade howling about the danger of ballooning deficits embraced the coronavirus rescue package approved by Congress and signed by Donald Trump , shrugging off past concerns about spending in the face of a public health crisis .
In many cases , the conservatives who backed the $ 2 trillion bill — the largest economic relief measure in U.S. history — were the very same ones who raged against the nearly $ 800 billion economic stimulus package backed by the Obama administration .
But facing the unprecedented threat of a global pandemic — and working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off concerns about debt and deficits — the GOP was willing to overlook an unprecedented flood of taxpayer spending .
Leading budget hawk Sen. Pat Toomey ( R-PA ) , who insisted in 2009 that government can not spend its way out of a recession , this week joined a unanimous Senate majority that approved what he described as `` the biggest government intervention in the economy in the history of the world . ''
`` This is a response to an invasion , '' he told reporters .
`` This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do if we were at war . ''
Like other conservatives , he noted that much of the nation 's current economic distress was caused by the government 's social distancing orders , while the Obama stimulus was in response to a crisis created by the private sector .
Failing to take dramatic action now , Toomey said , `` would be a wildly imprudent thing , and it would probably result in such a severe recession — it might very well be a depression — and it could take decades to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health crisis struck , the Republican-aligned fiscal conservative movement had dramatically diminished under Trump , who has pushed the nation 's budget deficit to heights not seen in nearly a decade .
That 's prompted arguments that the GOP is hypocritical when it comes to government spending .
Mick Mulvaney , Trump 's outgoing chief of staff and a former Republican congressman aligned with the tea party movement , told a private audience last month that the GOP only worries about deficits `` when there is a Democrat in the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Post .
For the first time in the modern era , Republicans are on record supporting direct cash payments to most American adults — a government-backed measure more likely to be found in socialist countries .
While a 2008 stimulus package offered tax rebates to many taxpayers , the 2020 legislation offers all Americans making less than $ 100,000 grants of up to $ 1,200 each with an additional $ 500 for each child .
Also in the bill : a massive expansion of unemployment benefits , $ 500 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tens of billions more for the airline industry , hospitals , and food assistance .
David McIntosh , president of the Club for Growth , Washington 's preeminent fiscal conservative watchdog , which Toomey previously led , raised the possibility that the coronavirus package could push this year 's budget deficit to $ 4 trillion .
The largest annual deficit in U.S. history was $ 1.4 trillion in 2009 .
`` The spending is just outrageously high , '' McIntosh said in an interview .
`` But on the short-term basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the direct payments to Americans but was satisfied that a significant portion of the taxpayer-funded package consists of loans likely to be repaid .
He added that Congress rejected what he called the Democrats ' list of unrelated `` political goodies . ''
`` Yes , it 's too much , and we 're worried about overall spending , but we recognize something has to be done , '' McIntosh said .
`` That 's the kind of comment I 'm hearing from conservatives who would normally oppose big spending bills . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which sprang up early in Barack Obama 's presidency to oppose government spending , has largely been silent .
One major exception : Rep. Thomas Massie ( R-KY ) who upset congressional leaders — and Trump himself — on Friday by unsuccessfully trying to force a formal House vote on the historic legislation .
Massie tweeted that the $ 2 trillion rescue package , in addition to $ 4 trillion in stimulus from the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department , would create roughly $ 17,000 in new debt for every American citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuke of another Republican , punched back on Twitter : `` Throw Massie out of the Republican Party . ''
The Congressional Budget Office reported weeks before the coronavirus outbreak that the national debt was already on track to reach nearly 100 % of the gross domestic product in just 10 years .
The current package , and a subsequent round of government intervention already being discussed , will substantially escalate that timeline .
The budget office did not release specific projections on the fiscal impact of the legislation before it passed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ current national debt exceeds $ 23.5 trillion , which is $ 3.5 trillion more than when Trump took office .
The coronavirus spending surge will put heightened pressure on lawmakers to cut the social safety net in the coming year , including Social Security and Medicare .
Trump and leading Democratic rival Joe Biden have both promised not to touch the popular entitlement programs , yet they consume a disproportionate share of government spending .
`` The future will be more painful , '' said Maya MacGuineas , president of the Committee for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added : `` This is definitely not the time to worry about the deficit .
This is the time to be borrowing as much as we need to deal with the huge health crisis . ''
Grover Norquist , one of Washington 's most notorious fiscal hawks , praised a series of temporary deregulations in the legislation that he hopes might permanently eliminate bureaucracy controlling such things as medical professionals ' ability to work in other states , the use of health savings accounts , and liquor store deliveries .
He predicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a `` more open society with more freedom . ''
`` There 's no permanent damage , '' Norquist said .
`` On balance , it seems to have been the best you could do under the circumstances . ''

Republicans who have spent the past decade howling about the danger of ballooning deficits embraced the coronavirus rescue package approved by Congress and signed by Donald Trump, shrugging off past concerns about spending in the face of a public health crisis.
In many cases, the conservatives who backed the $2 trillion bill — the largest economic relief measure in U.S. history — were the very same ones who raged against the nearly $800 billion economic stimulus package backed by the Obama administration.
But facing the unprecedented threat of a global pandemic — and working under a Republican who has largely brushed off concerns about debt and deficits — the GOP was willing to overlook an unprecedented flood of taxpayer spending. Leading budget hawk Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), who insisted in 2009 that government cannot spend its way out of a recession, this week joined a unanimous Senate majority that approved what he described as “the biggest government intervention in the economy in the history of the world.”
“This is a response to an invasion,” he told reporters. “This is the kind of thing you’d have to do if we were at war.”
Like other conservatives, he noted that much of the nation’s current economic distress was caused by the government’s social distancing orders, while the Obama stimulus was in response to a crisis created by the private sector.
Failing to take dramatic action now, Toomey said, “would be a wildly imprudent thing, and it would probably result in such a severe recession — it might very well be a depression — and it could take decades to come out of this.”
Even before the health crisis struck, the Republican-aligned fiscal conservative movement had dramatically diminished under Trump, who has pushed the nation’s budget deficit to heights not seen in nearly a decade. That’s prompted arguments that the GOP is hypocritical when it comes to government spending.
Mick Mulvaney, Trump’s outgoing chief of staff and a former Republican congressman aligned with the tea party movement, told a private audience last month that the GOP only worries about deficits “when there is a Democrat in the White House,” according to a report in the Washington Post.
For the first time in the modern era, Republicans are on record supporting direct cash payments to most American adults — a government-backed measure more likely to be found in socialist countries. While a 2008 stimulus package offered tax rebates to many taxpayers, the 2020 legislation offers all Americans making less than $100,000 grants of up to $1,200 each with an additional $500 for each child. Also in the bill: a massive expansion of unemployment benefits, $500 billion in loans to businesses and local governments, and tens of billions more for the airline industry, hospitals, and food assistance.
David McIntosh, president of the Club for Growth, Washington’s preeminent fiscal conservative watchdog, which Toomey previously led, raised the possibility that the coronavirus package could push this year’s budget deficit to $4 trillion. The largest annual deficit in U.S. history was $1.4 trillion in 2009.
“The spending is just outrageously high,” McIntosh said in an interview. “But on the short-term basis, we’re pleased.”
He opposed the direct payments to Americans but was satisfied that a significant portion of the taxpayer-funded package consists of loans likely to be repaid. He added that Congress rejected what he called the Democrats’ list of unrelated “political goodies.”
“Yes, it’s too much, and we’re worried about overall spending, but we recognize something has to be done,” McIntosh said. “That’s the kind of comment I’m hearing from conservatives who would normally oppose big spending bills.”
What remains of the tea party movement, which sprang up early in Barack Obama’s presidency to oppose government spending, has largely been silent. One major exception: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) who upset congressional leaders — and Trump himself — on Friday by unsuccessfully trying to force a formal House vote on the historic legislation.
Massie tweeted that the $2 trillion rescue package, in addition to $4 trillion in stimulus from the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department, would create roughly $17,000 in new debt for every American citizen.
“Not a good deal,” he wrote.
Trump, in a rare public rebuke of another Republican, punched back on Twitter: “Throw Massie out of the Republican Party.”
The Congressional Budget Office reported weeks before the coronavirus outbreak that the national debt was already on track to reach nearly 100% of the gross domestic product in just 10 years. The current package, and a subsequent round of government intervention already being discussed, will substantially escalate that timeline.
The budget office did not release specific projections on the fiscal impact of the legislation before it passed. Not including the rescue package, the current national debt exceeds $23.5 trillion, which is $3.5 trillion more than when Trump took office.
The coronavirus spending surge will put heightened pressure on lawmakers to cut the social safety net in the coming year, including Social Security and Medicare. Trump and leading Democratic rival Joe Biden have both promised not to touch the popular entitlement programs, yet they consume a disproportionate share of government spending.
“The future will be more painful,” said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Still, she added: “This is definitely not the time to worry about the deficit. This is the time to be borrowing as much as we need to deal with the huge health crisis.”
Grover Norquist, one of Washington’s most notorious fiscal hawks, praised a series of temporary deregulations in the legislation that he hopes might permanently eliminate bureaucracy controlling such things as medical professionals’ ability to work in other states, the use of health savings accounts, and liquor store deliveries.
He predicted that the rescue package could actually lead to a “more open society with more freedom.”
“There’s no permanent damage,” Norquist said. “On balance, it seems to have been the best you could do under the circumstances.”


shareblue--2020-03-30--Cartoon: Giddy Up Socialism

Cartoon: Giddy Up Socialism

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


shareblue--2020-03-30--Virginia governor closes campuses after Liberty University told students to return

Virginia 's Gov .
Ralph Northam on Monday ordered all higher education institutions to stop any in-person instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic , a move likely directed at Liberty University .
The evangelical college in Lynchburg , led by Jerry Falwell Jr. , has faced intense criticism over its decision to welcome students back to campus last week after the end of their spring break .
The vast majority of classes have been moved online , but the university has said publicly that in-person instruction was necessary for a few select courses .
`` We are currently reviewing what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a comment at this moment , '' said Liberty spokesman Scott Lamb .
Lamb said he could n't immediately say whether any in-person instruction was continuing Monday , but the university 's website specifically mentioned that flight training for aeronautics courses would `` remain in the traditional face to face format . ''
Falwell , one of Donald Trump 's earliest and most ardent high-profile supporters , has generally characterized concerns about the virus as overblown .
He has accused the news media of stoking fear and suggested that coverage has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , the university has said it would comply with all applicable governmental directives and guidance concerning COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus that has crippled economies and upended daily life around much of the world .
Last week , Northam quoted from the Bible in urging Falwell to rethink `` his message that invites and encourages students to return to campus . ''
Earlier this month , at a time when a flood of colleges began announcing plans to extend spring breaks or move instruction online , Liberty initially resisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That also prompted an outcry , and a petition was started asking Liberty to move instruction online .
Two weeks ago , Liberty announced a switch , telling students that they would be able to finish most classes in the spring term in an online format .
Certain programs , such as aviation , osteopathic medicine , and nursing , and certain types of performance classes such as labs , could not be offered online , a statement said .
`` Students in those programs and classes will only be able to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involve gatherings of more than 100 people , '' Liberty said .
Eli Best , a sophomore engineering major from Alexandria in northern Virginia , said he went home for spring break and returned because he had class projects that he thought needed to be finished and required the use of the on-campus machine shop .
`` I did n't see any other way to complete them , '' he said .
Best said Monday that all the shops and equipment he needed have since been shut down , and he 's returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local public health official have said they 've been fielding complaints from concerned residents and Liberty parents about the school 's response .
The city of Lynchburg currently has four confirmed COVID-19 cases , according to the latest information available from the state Department of Health .
Falwell tweeted Sunday night that only one off-campus student who never left Lynchburg had tested positive for the virus — a response to a story in the New York Times that said nearly a dozen Liberty students were sick with symptoms that suggested COVID-19 .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

Virginia’s Gov. Ralph Northam on Monday ordered all higher education institutions to stop any in-person instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic, a move likely directed at Liberty University.
The evangelical college in Lynchburg, led by Jerry Falwell Jr., has faced intense criticism over its decision to welcome students back to campus last week after the end of their spring break. The vast majority of classes have been moved online, but the university has said publicly that in-person instruction was necessary for a few select courses.
“We are currently reviewing what the governor said but aren’t able to make a comment at this moment,” said Liberty spokesman Scott Lamb.
Lamb said he couldn’t immediately say whether any in-person instruction was continuing Monday, but the university’s website specifically mentioned that flight training for aeronautics courses would “remain in the traditional face to face format.”
Falwell, one of Donald Trump’s earliest and most ardent high-profile supporters, has generally characterized concerns about the virus as overblown. He has accused the news media of stoking fear and suggested that coverage has been politically motivated to hurt the president.
Still, the university has said it would comply with all applicable governmental directives and guidance concerning COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus that has crippled economies and upended daily life around much of the world.
Last week, Northam quoted from the Bible in urging Falwell to rethink “his message that invites and encourages students to return to campus.”
Earlier this month, at a time when a flood of colleges began announcing plans to extend spring breaks or move instruction online, Liberty initially resisted and planned for classes to resume. That also prompted an outcry, and a petition was started asking Liberty to move instruction online.
Two weeks ago, Liberty announced a switch, telling students that they would be able to finish most classes in the spring term in an online format.
Certain programs, such as aviation, osteopathic medicine, and nursing, and certain types of performance classes such as labs, could not be offered online, a statement said.
“Students in those programs and classes will only be able to take them in person but no classes will involve gatherings of more than 100 people,” Liberty said.
Eli Best, a sophomore engineering major from Alexandria in northern Virginia, said he went home for spring break and returned because he had class projects that he thought needed to be finished and required the use of the on-campus machine shop.
“I didn’t see any other way to complete them,” he said.
Best said Monday that all the shops and equipment he needed have since been shut down, and he’s returned home.
City officials and the top local public health official have said they’ve been fielding complaints from concerned residents and Liberty parents about the school’s response.
The city of Lynchburg currently has four confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the latest information available from the state Department of Health.
Falwell tweeted Sunday night that only one off-campus student who never left Lynchburg had tested positive for the virus — a response to a story in the New York Times that said nearly a dozen Liberty students were sick with symptoms that suggested COVID-19.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


shareblue--2020-03-30--Trump's inner circle was tested for coronavirus even as he advised public against it

COVID-19 tests — or the lack thereof — have been a major story since the global pandemic arrived in the United States .
The amount of testing has increased since the first cases emerged in the country .
However , with test kits in short supply , not all who want to be tested can get them — and restrictions on eligibility , such as requirements that patients exhibit potential symptoms of COVID-19 before receiving a test , have only limited access further .
Donald Trump and members of his inner circle , by contrast , have had a much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even when they showed no symptoms of the virus , which typically include fever , dry cough , and body aches .
Trump 's own comments on March 13 suggested that they should n't have been able to get tested .
`` We want to make sure that those who need a test can get a test very safely , quickly , and conveniently , '' Trump said in a news conference .
`` But we do n't want people to take a test if — if we feel that they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want everyone running out and taking .
Only if you have certain symptoms . ''
Here 's a current list of the members of Trump 's team and inner circle who have had COVID-19 tests so far — many of them as Trump was advising the public against their necessity : Trump received a COVID-19 test on March 13 after he interacted at his Mar-a-Lago club with two members of a Brazilian delegation who later tested positive for the virus .
Trump did not show symptoms but was still tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a news release afterward , `` One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago , the President remains symptom-free .
I have been in daily contact with the [ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ] and White House Coronavirus Task Force , and we are encouraging the implementation of all their best practices for exposure reduction and transmission mitigation . ''
Ten days after Trump announced he 'd had a COVID-19 test , Grisham revealed that first lady Melania Trump had also had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same night as the President was tested , out of an abundance of caution .
The test was negative , '' Grisham said on March 23 .
Mrs. Trump also did not exhibit any symptoms , and according to her husband was feeling `` fine '' when she was given the test .
Like her father and stepmother , first daughter Ivanka Trump , who also serves as a senior adviser to the president , had a test , despite not exhibiting any symptoms .
She was tested in early March after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the virus , the Hill reported .
After one of Pence 's aides tested positive for COVID-19 , Vice President Mike Pence also received a test — despite not showing symptoms .
It is not known whether Karen Pence had symptoms when she was given a test .
Mulvaney , who was relieved of his duties as acting chief of staff on March 6 , had not one but two COVID-19 tests .
The first was in late February , before he was scheduled to accompany Trump on a state trip to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was feeling sick , according to the Washington Post , but he tested negative for the virus .
Mulvaney was tested again in March after it was revealed his niece was at Mar-a-Lago with the Brazilian delegation members who tested positive for the virus .
Mulvaney has called the coronavirus outbreak a media-driven plot to hurt Trump 's 2020 reelection bid .
Meadows , a GOP lawmaker who is set to resign from his House seat on Monday to take over for Mulvaney , also had a COVID-19 test despite showing no symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in contact with an attendee at the Conservative Political Action Conference who had the virus .
Birx had a COVID-19 test at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on March 21 .
At the time she had a low-grade fever and gastrointestinal symptoms — which under testing guidelines would n't make her a candidate for a COVID-19 test .
Yet she received one .
`` So , actually , probably a GI thing , but , you know , I ’ m meticulous .
I ’ m a physician .
I looked it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walter Reed .
So I got a test late Saturday night , and I ’ m negative , '' Birx said at a March 23 news conference .
As Birx revealed at the press conference that she had been tested , Trump jokingly jumped away from her .
Count Grisham among the White House aides who received a COVID-19 test after her contact with the Brazilian delegation officials who tested positive for the virus .
Grisham self-quarantined for two weeks , and ultimately tested negative for COVID-19 .
Published with permission of The @ @ @ @

COVID-19 tests — or the lack thereof — have been a major story since the global pandemic arrived in the United States.
The amount of testing has increased since the first cases emerged in the country. However, with test kits in short supply, not all who want to be tested can get them — and restrictions on eligibility, such as requirements that patients exhibit potential symptoms of COVID-19 before receiving a test, have only limited access further.
Donald Trump and members of his inner circle, by contrast, have had a much easier time getting their hands on tests, even when they showed no symptoms of the virus, which typically include fever, dry cough, and body aches.
Trump’s own comments on March 13 suggested that they shouldn’t have been able to get tested.
“We want to make sure that those who need a test can get a test very safely, quickly, and conveniently,” Trump said in a news conference. “But we don’t want people to take a test if — if we feel that they shouldn’t be doing it. And we don’t want everyone running out and taking. Only if you have certain symptoms.”
Here’s a current list of the members of Trump’s team and inner circle who have had COVID-19 tests so far — many of them as Trump was advising the public against their necessity:
Donald Trump
Trump received a COVID-19 test on March 13 after he interacted at his Mar-a-Lago club with two members of a Brazilian delegation who later tested positive for the virus.
Trump did not show symptoms but was still tested. His test came back negative.
Press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a news release afterward, “One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the President remains symptom-free. I have been in daily contact with the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and White House Coronavirus Task Force, and we are encouraging the implementation of all their best practices for exposure reduction and transmission mitigation.”
Melania Trump
Ten days after Trump announced he’d had a COVID-19 test, Grisham revealed that first lady Melania Trump had also had one.
“Mrs. Trump got tested the same night as the President was tested, out of an abundance of caution. The test was negative,” Grisham said on March 23.
Mrs. Trump also did not exhibit any symptoms, and according to her husband was feeling “fine” when she was given the test.
Ivanka Trump
Like her father and stepmother, first daughter Ivanka Trump, who also serves as a senior adviser to the president, had a test, despite not exhibiting any symptoms.
She was tested in early March after she met with an Australian official who had the virus, the Hill reported.
Mike Pence and Karen Pence
After one of Pence’s aides tested positive for COVID-19, Vice President Mike Pence also received a test — despite not showing symptoms. It is not known whether Karen Pence had symptoms when she was given a test.
“Pleased to report that the COVID-19 test results came back negative for both Vice President @Mike_Pence and Second Lady @KarenPence,” Pence press secretary Katie Miller tweeted on March 21.
Former White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney
Mulvaney, who was relieved of his duties as acting chief of staff on March 6, had not one but two COVID-19 tests.
The first was in late February, before he was scheduled to accompany Trump on a state trip to India. At the time, Mulvaney was feeling sick, according to the Washington Post, but he tested negative for the virus.
Mulvaney was tested again in March after it was revealed his niece was at Mar-a-Lago with the Brazilian delegation members who tested positive for the virus.
Mulvaney has called the coronavirus outbreak a media-driven plot to hurt Trump’s 2020 reelection bid.
Incoming chief of staff Mark Meadows
Meadows, a GOP lawmaker who is set to resign from his House seat on Monday to take over for Mulvaney, also had a COVID-19 test despite showing no symptoms.
He had the test after coming in contact with an attendee at the Conservative Political Action Conference who had the virus.
Meadows tested negative.
Coronavirus task force member Deborah Birx
Birx had a COVID-19 test at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on March 21.
At the time she had a low-grade fever and gastrointestinal symptoms — which under testing guidelines wouldn’t make her a candidate for a COVID-19 test. Yet she received one.
“So, actually, probably a GI thing, but, you know, I’m meticulous. I’m a physician. I looked it up. I ended up piggybacking from Walter Reed. So I got a test late Saturday night, and I’m negative,” Birx said at a March 23 news conference.
As Birx revealed at the press conference that she had been tested, Trump jokingly jumped away from her.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham
Count Grisham among the White House aides who received a COVID-19 test after her contact with the Brazilian delegation officials who tested positive for the virus.
Grisham self-quarantined for two weeks, and ultimately tested negative for COVID-19.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-30--Republicans brag about generous unemployment benefits that they voted against

Last week , 47 Republican senators and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted to make unemployment benefits less generous in the coronavirus relief legislation .
Although their amendment to cap unemployment insurance was unsuccessful , several Republican senators spent the next few days bragging about the more generous benefits in the final bill .
On March 26 , McSally 's office sent an email touting the robust benefits she opposed just three earlier .
The stimulus bill `` makes benefits more generous by adding $ 600 per week on top of what the state normally pays in unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits , '' the email said .
`` And provisions will ensure state and local governments and non-profits can pay unemployment to their employees . ''
Three days after voting for the amendment to curtail unemployment benefits , Cornyn bragged about the increased assistance in a press release .
Cornyn described the legislation as a `` lifeline '' for families that will help `` cover their rent , groceries , electric bills , and other expenses until they can make other arrangements , like apply for unemployment insurance under our beefed up provisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that the bill `` expands unemployment insurance for Texas workers , '' including `` an extra $ 600 weekly federal UI benefit on top of the state maximum temporarily . ''
McConnell voted against additional benefits , but that did not stop him from touting them just three days later in a March 26 press release .
The release states that the CARES Act `` provides additional benefits to each recipient of unemployment insurance for up to four months and an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits after state benefits are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` helps states pay for certain additional unemployment insurance costs . ''
On the same day the final legislation passed , Daines released a statement bragging about the assistance Montana workers will receive from the legislation .
`` The aid package puts Montana workers first , expands unemployment insurance , '' Daines ' statement noted .
It also referenced `` $ 250 billion for unemployment insurance — this is to give relief to workers who lost their jobs because of this pandemic . ''
The statement did not note that the unemployment insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had gotten his way .
Ernst described her vote for the CARES Act as `` swift , bold action to deliver immediate aid to folks in Iowa , and across the country , '' in a March 25 press release .
She bragged that the legislation `` bolsters unemployment benefits for workers and provides assistance to self-employed and contractors through a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program . ''
The statement does not mention her vote against the bolstered unemployment benefits .
Not all senators took credit for what they voted against .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandal connected with the coronavirus crisis , Loeffler touted her opposition to more generous help for the unemployed during the pandemic .
The multimillionaire senator released a statement two days after voting for stingier unemployment benefits saying she was `` disappointed that the amendment to fix the unemployment insurance provisions failed . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Last week, 47 Republican senators and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted to make unemployment benefits less generous in the coronavirus relief legislation.
Although their amendment to cap unemployment insurance was unsuccessful, several Republican senators spent the next few days bragging about the more generous benefits in the final bill.
Arizona Sen. Martha McSally
On March 26, McSally’s office sent an email touting the robust benefits she opposed just three earlier. The stimulus bill “makes benefits more generous by adding $600 per week on top of what the state normally pays in unemployment and provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits,” the email said. “And provisions will ensure state and local governments and non-profits can pay unemployment to their employees.”
Texas Sen. John Cornyn
Three days after voting for the amendment to curtail unemployment benefits, Cornyn bragged about the increased assistance in a press release. Cornyn described the legislation as a “lifeline” for families that will help “cover their rent, groceries, electric bills, and other expenses until they can make other arrangements, like apply for unemployment insurance under our beefed up provisions.”
The statement contained a section noting that the bill “expands unemployment insurance for Texas workers,” including “an extra $600 weekly federal UI benefit on top of the state maximum temporarily.”
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell
McConnell voted against additional benefits, but that did not stop him from touting them just three days later in a March 26 press release.
The release states that the CARES Act “provides additional benefits to each recipient of unemployment insurance for up to four months and an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits after state benefits are no longer available,” adding that it “helps states pay for certain additional unemployment insurance costs.”
Montana Sen. Steve Daines
On the same day the final legislation passed, Daines released a statement bragging about the assistance Montana workers will receive from the legislation.
“The aid package puts Montana workers first, expands unemployment insurance,” Daines’ statement noted. It also referenced “$250 billion for unemployment insurance — this is to give relief to workers who lost their jobs because of this pandemic.”
The statement did not note that the unemployment insurance would have been less generous if Daines had gotten his way.
Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst
Ernst described her vote for the CARES Act as “swift, bold action to deliver immediate aid to folks in Iowa, and across the country,” in a March 25 press release. She bragged that the legislation “bolsters unemployment benefits for workers and provides assistance to self-employed and contractors through a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.”
The statement does not mention her vote against the bolstered unemployment benefits.
Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler
Not all senators took credit for what they voted against.
Even though she is embroiled in a stock-selling scandal connected with the coronavirus crisis, Loeffler touted her opposition to more generous help for the unemployed during the pandemic.
The multimillionaire senator released a statement two days after voting for stingier unemployment benefits saying she was “disappointed that the amendment to fix the unemployment insurance provisions failed.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-31--Coronavirus is forcing state legislatures to meet remotely

Members of the Arkansas House met in a college basketball arena , spaced out among 5,600 seats , as they voted on ways to cover a budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus punch to the economy .
When South Dakota lawmakers convened Monday to consider 10 emergency bills , it was n't inside their familiar chambers .
Instead , they were speaking and voting via a video call system .
This is not government as usual .
In state capitols across the United States , lawmakers have ditched decorum and sidestepped traditional public meeting requirements in a rush to pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and aiding residents affected by the widespread shutdown of commerce .
`` Social distancing '' mandates intended to slow the spread of the virus have upended life for millions of Americans and also have led lawmakers to scrap centuries-old rules about the way they conduct work .
`` It is an enormous shift , probably the biggest change to Vermont 's democracy since we were founded as a state , '' Democratic House Speaker Mitzi Johnson told reporters as the chamber adopted new rules for remote voting .
Vermont lawmakers have voted with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats in a closely packed chamber .
That changed this past week , when they adopted an emergency rule allowing members to spread out through the visitors ' galleries to keep a germ-safe distance from each other .
The next time they are in full session , Vermont lawmakers will be spread out through the entire state , testing a still-to-be-designed remote voting system .
The state experiments are meant to slow the spread of the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease so hospitals wo n't become overwhelmed with a sudden surge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress and lawmakers in numerous states .
At least six state lawmakers have tested positive in Georgia , one of nearly two dozen states that have halted or ended their sessions because of coronavirus concerns .
As of Sunday , the virus had infected more than 700,000 people and killed at least 33,000 worldwide , according to a count kept by Johns Hopkins University .
The United States has about 136,000 cases , more than any other country .
Health officials say that for most people , the virus causes mild or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
But for some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness and become fatal .
Younger adults also are susceptible to the disease , and some become seriously ill. As legislatures have adapted their rules to the new public health precautions , the public has at times been left out .
Legislative members , staff , and media had to pass a body temperature test and an oral quiz about whether they had any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held at the basketball arena of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock .
But the general public was n't allowed inside , instead settling for an online broadcast .
The Senate , meeting in the Capitol , followed similar procedures .
Minnesota 's legislative proceedings typically are both open to the public and livestreamed .
But House members used a series of private conference calls , instead of public committee hearings , to develop a $ 330 million coronavirus response bill that was swiftly approved Thursday .
Legislative leaders said the unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Such actions also can damage the public 's trust in government , said Jane Kirtley , a professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota 's School of Journalism and Mass Communication .
`` If you do things in secret , there 's a perception that something nefarious is going on , and this is not a time when our governments need to be creating that possibility in people 's minds , '' Kirtley said .
Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman said she gets `` a little crispy around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's process was n't open .
Even though there were no public hearings , she said people deluged lawmakers with messages that were `` incredibly helpful '' in shaping the legislation .
The U.S. House of Representatives looked into the possibility of remote voting so representatives would n't have to fly to Washington last week to pass a $ 2.2 trillion stimulus package .
But a House Rules Committee staff report concluded there were too many concerns about its legality , practicality , and security from cyberattacks .
The House instead passed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person roll call .
In Pennsylvania this week , most House members took advantage of new rules to stay away from the chamber as they passed legislation delaying the state 's primary elections because of coronavirus concerns .
Remote lawmakers messaged or emailed their intended votes to designated colleagues at the Capitol , who told them to a clerk , who entered them into the chamber 's voting system .
Ohio lawmakers altered both their attire and their location last week as they approved emergency coronavirus legislation extending absentee voting and tax deadlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and letting recent nursing graduates immediately starting working .
House members were assigned to eight separate rooms during deliberations to comply with social distancing , then walked briefly onto the House floor to cast a voice vote .
Many of the senators who came to the Capitol dressed informally after Republican Senate President Larry Obhof discouraged business attire , `` which is cleaned less frequently than casual clothing . ''
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak , the South Dakota Legislature already had rules allowing lawmakers to dial in to meetings by phone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet outside the regular legislative session .
The full House and Senate will meet Monday by video conference , livestreamed for the public , with only a few members gathered in two Capitol rooms to try to comply with the rules .
The state constitution is n't clear whether that 's allowed , but `` we 're just out of options , '' said Republican Senate Majority Leader Kris Langer .
Some legislatures have decided it 's better to remain shut down than to try to sidestep state constitutional requirements to vote in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mike Parson had suggested lawmakers could meet `` on a football field '' or `` out here on the parking lot '' of the Capitol , if necessary , to abide by social distancing while passing a bill authorizing coronavirus spending .
But Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden , a Republican , said legislators will convene in April and vote in their chambers .
Colorado lawmakers delayed Monday 's scheduled return to session and have ruled out remote meetings as an impractical move that would deny the public a chance to testify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work being done at the Capitol depends on both legislators and the public , '' said Democratic Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg .
`` We feel that it is in the best interest of all Coloradans to recess the session until citizens can safely participate in their democracy . ''

Members of the Arkansas House met in a college basketball arena, spaced out among 5,600 seats, as they voted on ways to cover a budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus punch to the economy.
When South Dakota lawmakers convened Monday to consider 10 emergency bills, it wasn’t inside their familiar chambers. Instead, they were speaking and voting via a video call system.
This is not government as usual.
In state capitols across the United States, lawmakers have ditched decorum and sidestepped traditional public meeting requirements in a rush to pass legislation funding the fight against the coronavirus and aiding residents affected by the widespread shutdown of commerce.
“Social distancing” mandates intended to slow the spread of the virus have upended life for millions of Americans and also have led lawmakers to scrap centuries-old rules about the way they conduct work.
“It is an enormous shift, probably the biggest change to Vermont’s democracy since we were founded as a state,” Democratic House Speaker Mitzi Johnson told reporters as the chamber adopted new rules for remote voting.
Vermont lawmakers have voted with a verbal yes or no from assigned seats in a closely packed chamber. That changed this past week, when they adopted an emergency rule allowing members to spread out through the visitors’ galleries to keep a germ-safe distance from each other.
The next time they are in full session, Vermont lawmakers will be spread out through the entire state, testing a still-to-be-designed remote voting system.
The state experiments are meant to slow the spread of the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease so hospitals won’t become overwhelmed with a sudden surge of patients. The ill include several members of Congress and lawmakers in numerous states. At least six state lawmakers have tested positive in Georgia, one of nearly two dozen states that have halted or ended their sessions because of coronavirus concerns.
As of Sunday, the virus had infected more than 700,000 people and killed at least 33,000 worldwide, according to a count kept by Johns Hopkins University. The United States has about 136,000 cases, more than any other country. Health officials say that for most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and become fatal. Younger adults also are susceptible to the disease, and some become seriously ill.
As legislatures have adapted their rules to the new public health precautions, the public has at times been left out.
Legislative members, staff, and media had to pass a body temperature test and an oral quiz about whether they had any COVID-19 symptoms to enter the House session held at the basketball arena of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. But the general public wasn’t allowed inside, instead settling for an online broadcast. The Senate, meeting in the Capitol, followed similar procedures.
Minnesota’s legislative proceedings typically are both open to the public and livestreamed. But House members used a series of private conference calls, instead of public committee hearings, to develop a $330 million coronavirus response bill that was swiftly approved Thursday. Legislative leaders said the unusual procedures were intended to safeguard public health.
Such actions also can damage the public’s trust in government, said Jane Kirtley, a professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
“If you do things in secret, there’s a perception that something nefarious is going on, and this is not a time when our governments need to be creating that possibility in people’s minds,” Kirtley said.
Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman said she gets “a little crispy around the edges” at suggestions that Minnesota’s process wasn’t open. Even though there were no public hearings, she said people deluged lawmakers with messages that were “incredibly helpful” in shaping the legislation.
The U.S. House of Representatives looked into the possibility of remote voting so representatives wouldn’t have to fly to Washington last week to pass a $2.2 trillion stimulus package. But a House Rules Committee staff report concluded there were too many concerns about its legality, practicality, and security from cyberattacks. The House instead passed the legislation by voice vote, avoiding an in-person roll call.
In Pennsylvania this week, most House members took advantage of new rules to stay away from the chamber as they passed legislation delaying the state’s primary elections because of coronavirus concerns. Remote lawmakers messaged or emailed their intended votes to designated colleagues at the Capitol, who told them to a clerk, who entered them into the chamber’s voting system.
Ohio lawmakers altered both their attire and their location last week as they approved emergency coronavirus legislation extending absentee voting and tax deadlines, allowing distance learning for schools, and letting recent nursing graduates immediately starting working.
House members were assigned to eight separate rooms during deliberations to comply with social distancing, then walked briefly onto the House floor to cast a voice vote. Many of the senators who came to the Capitol dressed informally after Republican Senate President Larry Obhof discouraged business attire, “which is cleaned less frequently than casual clothing.”
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the South Dakota Legislature already had rules allowing lawmakers to dial in to meetings by phone, but those were designed for committees that meet outside the regular legislative session.
The full House and Senate will meet Monday by video conference, livestreamed for the public, with only a few members gathered in two Capitol rooms to try to comply with the rules. The state constitution isn’t clear whether that’s allowed, but “we’re just out of options,” said Republican Senate Majority Leader Kris Langer.
Some legislatures have decided it’s better to remain shut down than to try to sidestep state constitutional requirements to vote in person amid coronavirus concerns.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson had suggested lawmakers could meet “on a football field” or “out here on the parking lot” of the Capitol, if necessary, to abide by social distancing while passing a bill authorizing coronavirus spending. But Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden, a Republican, said legislators will convene in April and vote in their chambers.
Colorado lawmakers delayed Monday’s scheduled return to session and have ruled out remote meetings as an impractical move that would deny the public a chance to testify in committee hearings.
“The important work being done at the Capitol depends on both legislators and the public,” said Democratic Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. “We feel that it is in the best interest of all Coloradans to recess the session until citizens can safely participate in their democracy.”


shareblue--2020-03-31--'Shameful new low': Keystone XL pipeline construction to move forward

A Canadian company said Tuesday it plans to start construction of the disputed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline through the U.S. Midwest in April , after lining up customers and money for the project that is bitterly opposed by environmentalists and some American Indian tribes .
Construction is set to begin at the pipeline 's border crossing in Montana , said TC Energy spokesman Terry Cunha .
That would be a milestone for a project first proposed in 2008 .
The company said it lined up $ 1.1 billion in financing from the Canadian provincial government of Alberta to cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport of 575,000 barrels of oil daily .
The pipeline was rejected twice by the administration of President Barack Obama over worries it could make climate change worse .
Donald Trump has been a strong proponent of the $ 8 billion project and issued it a permit that environmentalists say was illegal .
A court hearing in the permit dispute is set for April 16 before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls , Montana .
Morris has previously ruled against the project .
The company has previously said it also plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where pipeline construction workers would live in Fallon County , Montana , and Haakon County , South Dakota .
The company said the pipeline would start sending oil to the United States in 2023 .
Opponents in January asked Morris to block any work .
They said clearing and tree felling along the route would destroy bird and wildlife habitat .
Native American tribes along the pipeline route have said that the pipeline could break and spill oil into waterways such as Montana 's Missouri River .
The judge in December had initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction because no work was immediately planned .
TC Energy has filed status reports with the judge about its intentions to start work .
`` At this time , we are continuing with our planned activities and will adjust if it becomes necessary , '' Cunha said .
The remaining $ 6.9 billion in construction costs is expected to be funded through a $ 4.2 billion loan guaranteed by the Alberta government and a $ 2.7 billion investment by TC Energy .
Once the project is complete , TC Energy expects to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refinance the $ 4.2 billion loan .
`` We thank U.S. President Donald Trump and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney as well as many government officials across North America for their advocacy without which , individually and collectively , this project could not have advanced , '' TC Energy chief executive Russ Girling said in a statement .
A representative of the Sierra Club said the decision to push forward with the project amid the coronavirus pandemic was `` a shameful new low '' for the company .
Pipeline opponents contend workers could inadvertently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited health care services .
`` By barreling forward with construction during a global pandemic , TC Energy is putting already vulnerable communities at even greater risk , '' said the Sierra Club 's Catherine Collentine .
`` We will continue to fight to ensure this dangerous pipeline is never completed . ''
Opposition to another pipeline built through the region several years ago , the Dakota Access Pipeline , culminated in months of protests , sometimes violent , near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation that straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota state line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to curb the possibility of similar protests against Keystone XL .
South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem successfully pushed a legislative measure to revive the state 's criminal and civil penalties for rioting and inciting a riot , drawing demonstrations from groups opposed to the pipeline .
The law she signed last week enacts criminal and civil penalties for people who `` urge '' force or violence .
Noem said she spoke with TC Energy on Monday and did not expect construction to begin in South Dakota until the summer .
Another oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October spilled an estimated 383,000 gallons of oil in eastern North Dakota .
Critics have said a damaging spill from Keystone XL is inevitable given the length of the line and the many rivers and other waterways it would cross beneath .

A Canadian company said Tuesday it plans to start construction of the disputed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline through the U.S. Midwest in April, after lining up customers and money for the project that is bitterly opposed by environmentalists and some American Indian tribes.
Construction is set to begin at the pipeline’s border crossing in Montana, said TC Energy spokesman Terry Cunha. That would be a milestone for a project first proposed in 2008.
The company said it lined up $1.1 billion in financing from the Canadian provincial government of Alberta to cover construction through 2020 and agreements for the transport of 575,000 barrels of oil daily.
The pipeline was rejected twice by the administration of President Barack Obama over worries it could make climate change worse. Donald Trump has been a strong proponent of the $8 billion project and issued it a permit that environmentalists say was illegal.
A court hearing in the permit dispute is set for April 16 before U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls, Montana. Morris has previously ruled against the project.
The company has previously said it also plans in April to begin work on camps where pipeline construction workers would live in Fallon County, Montana, and Haakon County, South Dakota.
The company said the pipeline would start sending oil to the United States in 2023.
Opponents in January asked Morris to block any work. They said clearing and tree felling along the route would destroy bird and wildlife habitat. Native American tribes along the pipeline route have said that the pipeline could break and spill oil into waterways such as Montana’s Missouri River.
The judge in December had initially denied a request from environmentalists to block construction because no work was immediately planned.
TC Energy has filed status reports with the judge about its intentions to start work.
“At this time, we are continuing with our planned activities and will adjust if it becomes necessary,” Cunha said.
The remaining $6.9 billion in construction costs is expected to be funded through a $4.2 billion loan guaranteed by the Alberta government and a $2.7 billion investment by TC Energy.
Once the project is complete, TC Energy expects to buy back the Alberta government’s investment and refinance the $4.2 billion loan.
“We thank U.S. President Donald Trump and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney as well as many government officials across North America for their advocacy without which, individually and collectively, this project could not have advanced,” TC Energy chief executive Russ Girling said in a statement.
A representative of the Sierra Club said the decision to push forward with the project amid the coronavirus pandemic was “a shameful new low” for the company. Pipeline opponents contend workers could inadvertently spread the virus to rural areas with limited health care services.
“By barreling forward with construction during a global pandemic, TC Energy is putting already vulnerable communities at even greater risk,” said the Sierra Club’s Catherine Collentine. “We will continue to fight to ensure this dangerous pipeline is never completed.”
Opposition to another pipeline built through the region several years ago, the Dakota Access Pipeline, culminated in months of protests, sometimes violent, near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation that straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota state line.
Lawmakers in some states have sought to curb the possibility of similar protests against Keystone XL.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem successfully pushed a legislative measure to revive the state’s criminal and civil penalties for rioting and inciting a riot, drawing demonstrations from groups opposed to the pipeline. The law she signed last week enacts criminal and civil penalties for people who “urge” force or violence.
Noem said she spoke with TC Energy on Monday and did not expect construction to begin in South Dakota until the summer.
Another oil pipeline in TC Energy’s Keystone network in October spilled an estimated 383,000 gallons of oil in eastern North Dakota.
Critics have said a damaging spill from Keystone XL is inevitable given the length of the line and the many rivers and other waterways it would cross beneath.


shareblue--2020-03-31--Trump wants to send ventilators abroad as US patients are forced to share

Trump himself claimed Monday that the nation would soon have so many extra ventilators that it would be able to ship them to Europe .
Asked whether there would be enough ventilators for the American people as the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow , Trump answered , `` Yes , I do think so .
I think we 're going to be in very good shape . ''
Noting that several companies had turned their focus to ventilator manufacturing , he added , `` As we outpace what we need , we 're going to be sending them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sending them to France .
We 're going to be sending them to Spain , where they have tremendous problems , and other countries as we can . ''
`` Now , we 're still getting more ventilators , '' he said in a phone interview .
`` We 're going to have — after this is over , we 'll be selling — they 'll be selling ventilators for $ 1 apiece .
We 'll have a lot of them , but you know , they have to build them because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is short on ventilators .
And you know , I spoke to Boris Johnson , the prime minister of U.K. , and he — the first thing he said to me is 'We need ventilators . '
'' While Trump has promised the federal government would be a `` backup '' for states attempting to purchase additional ventilators , many have struggled to get what they need .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo complained on Tuesday that states were being forced to bid against each other and the federal government to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Did you really have to learn that 50 states should n't compete against 50 states ?
And then FEMA should n't come in late and compete with 50 states ?
It 's not like you had to go to the Harvard Kennedy School to learn this , '' he said at a daily press briefing .
The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that NYU Langone Health in New York City had told emergency room doctors they had discretion to `` withhold futile intubations '' due to the lack of available ventilators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ critically about who we intubate . ''
And Politico reported on Tuesday that new guidelines from Surgeon General Jerome Adams and Adm. Brett Giroir , Trump 's assistant secretary for health , suggested that as `` an absolute last resort '' two patients could be forced to share the same ventilator .
At least one New York hospital has reportedly started using the untested approach .
Asked last week whether Trump would guarantee that everyone who needs a ventilator will get one , Trump demurred , calling the reporter who made the inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` wise guy . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The Trump administration is now urging hospitals, which are already rationing resources, to make patients share ventilators as a last resort amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump himself claimed Monday that the nation would soon have so many extra ventilators that it would be able to ship them to Europe.
Asked whether there would be enough ventilators for the American people as the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow, Trump answered, “Yes, I do think so. I think we’re going to be in very good shape.”
Noting that several companies had turned their focus to ventilator manufacturing, he added, “As we outpace what we need, we’re going to be sending them to Italy. We’re going to be sending them to France. We’re going to be sending them to Spain, where they have tremendous problems, and other countries as we can.”
Trump made a similar claim earlier Monday on Fox News.
“Now, we’re still getting more ventilators,” he said in a phone interview. “We’re going to have — after this is over, we’ll be selling — they’ll be selling ventilators for $1 apiece. We’ll have a lot of them, but you know, they have to build them because for the most part the whole world is short on ventilators. And you know, I spoke to Boris Johnson, the prime minister of U.K., and he — the first thing he said to me is ‘We need ventilators.'”
While Trump has promised the federal government would be a “backup” for states attempting to purchase additional ventilators, many have struggled to get what they need.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo complained on Tuesday that states were being forced to bid against each other and the federal government to get the few ventilators currently available. “Did you really have to learn that 50 states shouldn’t compete against 50 states? And then FEMA shouldn’t come in late and compete with 50 states? It’s not like you had to go to the Harvard Kennedy School to learn this,” he said at a daily press briefing.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that NYU Langone Health in New York City had told emergency room doctors they had discretion to “withhold futile intubations” due to the lack of available ventilators. They urged doctors to “think more critically about who we intubate.”
And Politico reported on Tuesday that new guidelines from Surgeon General Jerome Adams and Adm. Brett Giroir, Trump’s assistant secretary for health, suggested that as “an absolute last resort” two patients could be forced to share the same ventilator. At least one New York hospital has reportedly started using the untested approach.
Asked last week whether Trump would guarantee that everyone who needs a ventilator will get one, Trump demurred, calling the reporter who made the inquiry a “cutie pie” and a “wise guy.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-31--Trump turns coronavirus briefings into free advertising for his business allies

Donald Trump 's televised daily press briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic have not only served as de facto campaign rallies — they 've also served as free advertising for business leaders and CEOs .
Since the early days of the outbreak , Trump has brought business leaders into the White House to bask in their praise of his response , and has given them airtime to promote their companies .
The trend was never more evident than on Monday , when Trump called MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell — a vocal Trump supporter — to the podium .
Lindell praised Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grace on November 8 , 2016 , to change the course we were on . ''
Lindell also snagged some good publicity , describing his company 's efforts to provide protective equipment to health care personnel and first responders across the country .
According to Politico , Trump wants Lindell to run for governor of Minnesota in 2022 — and while Trump did not mention a potential run at the press event , Lindell did end up speaking before an audience of millions that could help boost such an effort .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other companies to White House roundtables and briefings , most of which are broadcast to the masses , allowing these companies time to try and earn a little goodwill with Americans at no cost to them .
On March 2 , Trump brought in pharmaceutical company leaders to talk about their efforts to combat the pandemic with vaccines and possible treatments .
`` Today , we are meeting with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies — the biggest in the world , most prestigious , the ones that get down to the bottom line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government can accelerate the development of vaccines and therapeutic treatments for the coronavirus , '' Trump said at the briefing .
One of the CEOs at that meeting was ultimately fired from his job after Trump tried to lure his company into giving the United States exclusive rights to a potential COVID-19 vaccine .
On March 4 , Trump brought in CEOs from some of the country 's largest airlines , which are suffering as stay-at-home orders have led to a steep decline in travel .
Trump let those CEOs praise him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up their companies ' efforts during the pandemic .
`` We ’ re with the great airline executives of the world , really , '' Trump said in introducing executives from American Airlines , United Airlines , Southwest Airlines , and JetBlue , among others .
`` These are the biggest and the best , and know the business better than anybody . ''
On March 13 , Trump held a news conference in the White House Rose Garden with the heads of CVS , Walmart , Target , and Walgreens , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create COVID-19 testing sites .
`` Thank you , Mr. President , '' CVS CEO Thomas Moriarty said when given the floor .
`` We have been focused , since the start , on making sure our patients and the customers we serve have the information they need and the safety they need as well .
We are committed to working with the administration and local public health officials to make this work as well .
And thank you , sir , for the honor . ''
Weeks later , those companies have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their thousands of locations across the country .
And over the weekend , Trump had a meeting with `` supply chain distributors '' — ultimately giving UPS the ability to highlight the company 's efforts without paying a dime in advertising cost .
`` What you did n't know is that you have another branch of service .
It 's the 'Brown Army ' and we ’ re ready to deliver everywhere , '' said Laura Lane , the company 's president of global public affairs .
The briefings are reaching millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting ratings as high as the season finale of the popular reality show franchise `` The Bachelor . ''
`` Because the 'Ratings ' of my News Conferences etc .
are so high , 'Bachelor finale , Monday Night Football type numbers ' according to the @ nytimes , the Lamestream Media is going CRAZY , '' Trump tweeted on Sunday .
According to AdAge , in 2018 , a 30-second spot on an episode of `` The Bachelor '' ran companies $ 139,797 .
That means that just a few seconds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House could be worth tens of thousands of dollars to the companies Trump invites .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s televised daily press briefings during the COVID-19 pandemic have not only served as de facto campaign rallies — they’ve also served as free advertising for business leaders and CEOs.
Since the early days of the outbreak, Trump has brought business leaders into the White House to bask in their praise of his response, and has given them airtime to promote their companies.
The trend was never more evident than on Monday, when Trump called MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell — a vocal Trump supporter — to the podium.
Lindell praised Trump, saying, “God gave us grace on November 8, 2016, to change the course we were on.”
Lindell also snagged some good publicity, describing his company’s efforts to provide protective equipment to health care personnel and first responders across the country.
According to Politico, Trump wants Lindell to run for governor of Minnesota in 2022 — and while Trump did not mention a potential run at the press event, Lindell did end up speaking before an audience of millions that could help boost such an effort.
Trump has invited business leaders and CEOs from numerous other companies to White House roundtables and briefings, most of which are broadcast to the masses, allowing these companies time to try and earn a little goodwill with Americans at no cost to them.
On March 2, Trump brought in pharmaceutical company leaders to talk about their efforts to combat the pandemic with vaccines and possible treatments.
“Today, we are meeting with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies — the biggest in the world, most prestigious, the ones that get down to the bottom line very quickly — to discuss how the federal government can accelerate the development of vaccines and therapeutic treatments for the coronavirus,” Trump said at the briefing.
One of the CEOs at that meeting was ultimately fired from his job after Trump tried to lure his company into giving the United States exclusive rights to a potential COVID-19 vaccine.
On March 4, Trump brought in CEOs from some of the country’s largest airlines, which are suffering as stay-at-home orders have led to a steep decline in travel. Trump let those CEOs praise him before giving them the floor to talk up their companies’ efforts during the pandemic.
“We’re with the great airline executives of the world, really,” Trump said in introducing executives from American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue, among others. “These are the biggest and the best, and know the business better than anybody.”
On March 13, Trump held a news conference in the White House Rose Garden with the heads of CVS, Walmart, Target, and Walgreens, with whom the federal government has partnered to create COVID-19 testing sites.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” CVS CEO Thomas Moriarty said when given the floor. “We have been focused, since the start, on making sure our patients and the customers we serve have the information they need and the safety they need as well. We are committed to working with the administration and local public health officials to make this work as well. And thank you, sir, for the honor.”
Weeks later, those companies have only opened a handful of testing sites in their thousands of locations across the country.
And over the weekend, Trump had a meeting with “supply chain distributors” — ultimately giving UPS the ability to highlight the company’s efforts without paying a dime in advertising cost.
“What you didn’t know is that you have another branch of service. It’s the ‘Brown Army’ and we’re ready to deliver everywhere,” said Laura Lane, the company’s president of global public affairs.
The briefings are reaching millions each night, with Trump bragging about getting ratings as high as the season finale of the popular reality show franchise “The Bachelor.”
“Because the ‘Ratings’ of my News Conferences etc. are so high, ‘Bachelor finale, Monday Night Football type numbers’ according to the @nytimes, the Lamestream Media is going CRAZY,” Trump tweeted on Sunday.
According to AdAge, in 2018, a 30-second spot on an episode of “The Bachelor” ran companies $139,797.
That means that just a few seconds of time at the podium at the White House could be worth tens of thousands of dollars to the companies Trump invites.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-31--Trump was 'too busy' to fret over impeachment. Now GOP blames it for his virus response.

On Tuesday , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell became the latest Republican to excuse Trump 's slow response to the coronavirus pandemic by blaming impeachment , despite the fact that Trump 's own words during the impeachment proceedings refute the argument .
Impeachment `` diverted the attention of the government because everything , every day was all about impeachment , '' McConnell said in a radio interview .
Other Republicans , including Sens .
Cory Gardner of Colorado and John Cornyn of Texas , have recently used impeachment as an excuse for Trump 's inaction as well .
Other Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt by impeachment , including Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Scott DesJarlais , both from Tennessee , and Rep. Bill Flores of Texas .
But during the impeachment process — both in November and again in January — Trump himself claimed that he was too busy to pay attention to impeachment , often referring to it as a hoax .
In late January and early February , as the Senate trial was underway , he posted pictures of himself at a briefing with experts about coronavirus , reassured Americans that the administration was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' restricted travel from China , and told Americans that his administration had `` pretty much shut it down coming in from China . ''
Trump even had time to travel to Iowa for a campaign rally on Jan. 30 , during the Senate trial , where he bragged that he was continuing to work while Democrats were `` consumed with partisan rage and obsessed with a deranged witch-hunt hoax . ''
Trump continued to downplay the severity of the crisis weeks after he was acquitted by Senate Republicans on Feb. 5 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis , and Trump 's own words and actions shows Trump was not distracted by impeachment as Republicans are now claiming .
The House of Representatives officially passes a resolution outlining the impeachment process .
Trump tells reporters that he is not watching the House impeachment hearings .
`` It 's a witch hunt , it 's a hoax , I 'm too busy to watch it , '' Trump says .
In a video Trump circulated around that time , he says , `` They 're trying to stop me because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'll never let that happen . ''
Trump tweets that he is not concerned about impeachment .
`` They want to Impeach me ( I 'm not worried ! )
, '' Trump writes .
`` These people are Crazy ! ''
Trump is the third president in U.S. history to be impeached by the House of Representatives .
The House impeaches him for obstruction of Congress and abuse of power .
The Washington Times reports that Trump is `` too busy to devote his attention to the 'political hoax ' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Trump orders a military strike that kills a top Iranian general .
Scientists identify a new coronavirus in China .
At this time , there are no reported deaths linked to the new strain .
Trump holds a campaign rally in Toledo , Ohio , where he indicates that he has enough free time to watch the Democratic primary debates .
`` Those debates are boring and boring , '' Trump tells the crowd .
`` You got to sit through those things for two or three hours . ''
Washington state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus in the United States .
The Senate agrees to impeachment trial rules , clearing the way for the trial to begin .
Trump tweets about the new coronavirus for the first time , praising China .
`` China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus , '' Trump tweets .
`` The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency .
It will all work out well .
In particular , on behalf of the American People , I want to thank President Xi ! ''
Acting White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convene regular meetings on the coronavirus outbreak , but Trump is dismissive `` because he did not believe that the virus had spread widely throughout the United States , '' the Washington Post reports .
Trump retweets a news story from the far-right outlet One America News claiming that Johnson & Johnson is working on a coronavirus vaccine .
As the Senate trial is proceeding , Trump tweets photos of himself receiving a briefing on the coronavirus outbreak from various agencies .
`` Just received a briefing on the Coronavirus in China from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also working closely with China , '' Trump writes .
`` We will continue to monitor the ongoing developments .
We have the best experts anywhere in the world , and they are on top of it 24/7 ! ''
Trump tweets that he is `` Working closely with China and others on Coronavirus outbreak .
Only 5 people in U.S. , all in good recovery . ''
That evening , Trump goes to Iowa to hold a campaign rally , bragging that he is not distracted by the impeachment trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and killing terrorists , congressional Democrats are consumed with partisan rage and obsessed with a deranged witch-hunt hoax , '' Trump tells the crowd .
That same day , the World Health Organization declares the coronavirus outbreak to be a global health emergency .
As the Senate impeachment trial continues , Trump issues travel restrictions from China , where the new coronavirus was first discovered .
Trump claims Americans have nothing to worry about from the coronavirus outbreak , saying , `` We pretty much shut it down coming in from China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're gon na see what happens , but we did shut it down , yes . ''
In the morning , Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-CT ) attends a Trump administration briefing on the new coronavirus .
`` Just left the Administration briefing on Coronavirus , '' Murphy tweets .
`` Bottom line : they are n't taking this seriously enough .
Notably , no request for ANY emergency funding , which is a big mistake .
Local health systems need supplies , training , screening staff etc .
And they need it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Republicans acquit Trump of both impeachment counts .
Trump continues to downplay the severity of the coronavirus outbreak , saying , `` We 're in great shape though .
We have 12 cases , 11 cases , and many of them are in good shape . ''
Trump predicts that the outbreak will be over within days .
`` When you have 15 people , and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero , '' Trump says .
`` That 's a pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first confirmed death from the coronavirus is reported in the United States .
Trump redefines what a `` good job '' by his administration in handling the coronavirus outbreak would look like , hoping that fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. will die .
`` And so , if we can hold that down , as we 're saying , to 100,000 — that 's a horrible number — maybe even less , but to 100,000 , so we have between 100 and 200,000 [ deaths from coronavirus ] , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job , '' Trump says during a Rose Garden press conference .
There are at least 173,741 confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S , according to the New York Times , and at least 3,433 people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell became the latest Republican to excuse Trump’s slow response to the coronavirus pandemic by blaming impeachment, despite the fact that Trump’s own words during the impeachment proceedings refute the argument.
Impeachment “diverted the attention of the government because everything, every day was all about impeachment,” McConnell said in a radio interview. Other Republicans, including Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and John Cornyn of Texas, have recently used impeachment as an excuse for Trump’s inaction as well. Other Republicans have also implied Trump’s response was hurt by impeachment, including Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Rep. Scott DesJarlais, both from Tennessee, and Rep. Bill Flores of Texas.
But during the impeachment process — both in November and again in January — Trump himself claimed that he was too busy to pay attention to impeachment, often referring to it as a hoax.
In late January and early February, as the Senate trial was underway, he posted pictures of himself at a briefing with experts about coronavirus, reassured Americans that the administration was “on top of it 24/7,” restricted travel from China, and told Americans that his administration had “pretty much shut it down coming in from China.”
Trump even had time to travel to Iowa for a campaign rally on Jan. 30, during the Senate trial, where he bragged that he was continuing to work while Democrats were “consumed with partisan rage and obsessed with a deranged witch-hunt hoax.”
Trump continued to downplay the severity of the crisis weeks after he was acquitted by Senate Republicans on Feb. 5.
A timeline of the impeachment, the coronavirus crisis, and Trump’s own words and actions shows Trump was not distracted by impeachment as Republicans are now claiming.
Oct. 31, 2019
The House of Representatives officially passes a resolution outlining the impeachment process.
Nov. 13, 2019
Trump tells reporters that he is not watching the House impeachment hearings.
“It’s a witch hunt, it’s a hoax, I’m too busy to watch it,” Trump says. In a video Trump circulated around that time, he says, “They’re trying to stop me because I’m fighting for you. And I’ll never let that happen.”
Dec. 17, 2019
Trump tweets that he is not concerned about impeachment.
“They want to Impeach me (I’m not worried!),” Trump writes. “These people are Crazy!”
Dec. 18, 2019
Trump is the third president in U.S. history to be impeached by the House of Representatives. The House impeaches him for obstruction of Congress and abuse of power.
Jan. 6, 2020
The Washington Times reports that Trump is “too busy to devote his attention to the ‘political hoax’ in Congress.” The report comes days after Trump orders a military strike that kills a top Iranian general.
Jan. 8, 2020
Scientists identify a new coronavirus in China. At this time, there are no reported deaths linked to the new strain.
Jan. 9, 2020
Trump holds a campaign rally in Toledo, Ohio, where he indicates that he has enough free time to watch the Democratic primary debates.
“Those debates are boring and boring,” Trump tells the crowd. “You got to sit through those things for two or three hours.”
Jan. 21, 2020
Washington state reports the first confirmed case of the new coronavirus in the United States.
Jan. 22, 2020
The Senate agrees to impeachment trial rules, clearing the way for the trial to begin.
Jan. 24, 2020
Trump tweets about the new coronavirus for the first time, praising China.
“China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus,” Trump tweets. “The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!”
Jan. 27, 2020
Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney begins to convene regular meetings on the coronavirus outbreak, but Trump is dismissive “because he did not believe that the virus had spread widely throughout the United States,” the Washington Post reports.
Jan. 28, 2020
Trump retweets a news story from the far-right outlet One America News claiming that Johnson & Johnson is working on a coronavirus vaccine.
Jan. 29, 2020
As the Senate trial is proceeding, Trump tweets photos of himself receiving a briefing on the coronavirus outbreak from various agencies.
“Just received a briefing on the Coronavirus in China from all of our GREAT agencies, who are also working closely with China,” Trump writes. “We will continue to monitor the ongoing developments. We have the best experts anywhere in the world, and they are on top of it 24/7!”
Jan. 30, 2020
Trump tweets that he is “Working closely with China and others on Coronavirus outbreak. Only 5 people in U.S., all in good recovery.”
That evening, Trump goes to Iowa to hold a campaign rally, bragging that he is not distracted by the impeachment trial.
“While we’re proudly creating jobs and killing terrorists, congressional Democrats are consumed with partisan rage and obsessed with a deranged witch-hunt hoax,” Trump tells the crowd.
That same day, the World Health Organization declares the coronavirus outbreak to be a global health emergency.
Jan. 31, 2020
As the Senate impeachment trial continues, Trump issues travel restrictions from China, where the new coronavirus was first discovered.
Feb. 2, 2020
Trump claims Americans have nothing to worry about from the coronavirus outbreak, saying, “We pretty much shut it down coming in from China,” and adding, “So we’re gonna see what happens, but we did shut it down, yes.”
Feb. 5, 2020
In the morning, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) attends a Trump administration briefing on the new coronavirus.
“Just left the Administration briefing on Coronavirus,” Murphy tweets. “Bottom line: they aren’t taking this seriously enough. Notably, no request for ANY emergency funding, which is a big mistake. Local health systems need supplies, training, screening staff etc. And they need it now.”
Later that day, Senate Republicans acquit Trump of both impeachment counts.
Feb. 10, 2020
Trump continues to downplay the severity of the coronavirus outbreak, saying, “We’re in great shape though. We have 12 cases, 11 cases, and many of them are in good shape.”
Feb. 26, 2020
Trump predicts that the outbreak will be over within days.
“When you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero,” Trump says. “That’s a pretty good job we’ve done.”
Feb. 29, 2020
The first confirmed death from the coronavirus is reported in the United States.
March 29, 2020
Trump redefines what a “good job” by his administration in handling the coronavirus outbreak would look like, hoping that fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. will die.
“And so, if we can hold that down, as we’re saying, to 100,000 — that’s a horrible number — maybe even less, but to 100,000, so we have between 100 and 200,000 [deaths from coronavirus], we all together have done a very good job,” Trump says during a Rose Garden press conference.
March 31, 2020
There are at least 173,741 confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S, according to the New York Times, and at least 3,433 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-31--Trump demands $2 trillion for infrastructure after blowing up negotiations

Donald Trump asked for $ 2 trillion Tuesday to fund infrastructure projects , nearly a year after blowing up an earlier bipartisan plan for exactly that .
`` With interest rates for the United States being at ZERO , this is the time to do our decades long awaited Infrastructure Bill , '' he tweeted .
`` It should be VERY BIG & BOLD , Two Trillion Dollars , and be focused solely on jobs and rebuilding the once great infrastructure of our Country !
Phase 4 '' This idea is nothing new for Trump , whose broken promise to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bridges , railways , tunnels , sea ports and airports '' has become something of a national joke .
Last April , Trump , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed on the broad outlines of a $ 2 trillion infrastructure deal .
Then-White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders hailed the `` excellent and productive '' meetings , saying , `` We have to invest in this country ’ s future and bring our infrastructure to a level better than it has ever been before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than enthusiastic , with many Republican lawmakers vowing to oppose any tax increases or expansion of the budget deficit to pay for the plan .
Rep. Mark Meadows ( R-NC ) , now Trump 's new White House chief of staff , called the plan impossible .
`` You would have to have a gas tax to do it , and we ’ re not for a gas tax , '' he told the Hill last May .
`` I mean , $ 1 trillion you could maybe do ; $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the money other than raising taxes and there is not an appetite for an increase in taxes by Republicans in the House or the Senate . ''
Rather than take on his party , Trump instead blew up the deal .
He stormed out of an infrastructure meeting with Pelosi and Schumer , exited to a pre-staged Rose Garden press briefing , and vowed not to do anything on the matter until Congress stopped doing oversight of his administration .
`` You ca n't do it under these circumstances , so get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he demanded .
As a candidate , Trump promised in his June 2015 kickoff speech that , if elected , he would `` rebuild the country ’ s infrastructure '' better than anyone else could .
`` Believe me .
It will be done on time , on budget , way below cost , way below what anyone ever thought , '' he boasted .
Throughout his time in office , Trump and his administration have repeatedly promised that action was imminent .
After a train derailed in December 2017 , Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure plan .
`` The train accident that just occurred in DuPont , WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly .
Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads , bridges , tunnels , railways ( and more ) crumble !
Not for long ! ''
he tweeted .
Last week , Trump signed a $ 2 trillion emergency coronavirus economic package , further expanding the already record national debt .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rush to pass another massive spending bill .
`` I think we need to wait a few days here , a few weeks , and see how things are working out , '' he said .
`` Let ’ s see how things are going and respond accordingly .
I ’ m not going to allow this to be an opportunity for the Democrats to achieve unrelated policy items that they would not otherwise be able to pass . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump asked for $2 trillion Tuesday to fund infrastructure projects, nearly a year after blowing up an earlier bipartisan plan for exactly that.
“With interest rates for the United States being at ZERO, this is the time to do our decades long awaited Infrastructure Bill,” he tweeted. “It should be VERY BIG & BOLD, Two Trillion Dollars, and be focused solely on jobs and rebuilding the once great infrastructure of our Country! Phase 4”
This idea is nothing new for Trump, whose broken promise to “build the next generation of roads, bridges, railways, tunnels, sea ports and airports” has become something of a national joke.
Last April, Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed on the broad outlines of a $2 trillion infrastructure deal. Then-White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders hailed the “excellent and productive” meetings, saying, “We have to invest in this country’s future and bring our infrastructure to a level better than it has ever been before.”
But Trump’s own party was less than enthusiastic, with many Republican lawmakers vowing to oppose any tax increases or expansion of the budget deficit to pay for the plan.
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), now Trump’s new White House chief of staff, called the plan impossible.
“You would have to have a gas tax to do it, and we’re not for a gas tax,” he told the Hill last May. “I mean, $1 trillion you could maybe do; $2 trillion, there is no way to get the money other than raising taxes and there is not an appetite for an increase in taxes by Republicans in the House or the Senate.”
Rather than take on his party, Trump instead blew up the deal. He stormed out of an infrastructure meeting with Pelosi and Schumer, exited to a pre-staged Rose Garden press briefing, and vowed not to do anything on the matter until Congress stopped doing oversight of his administration.
“You can’t do it under these circumstances, so get these phony investigations over with,” he demanded.
As a candidate, Trump promised in his June 2015 kickoff speech that, if elected, he would “rebuild the country’s infrastructure” better than anyone else could. “Believe me. It will be done on time, on budget, way below cost, way below what anyone ever thought,” he boasted.
Throughout his time in office, Trump and his administration have repeatedly promised that action was imminent. After a train derailed in December 2017, Trump said the Republican-controlled Congress would soon pass an infrastructure plan.
“The train accident that just occurred in DuPont, WA shows more than ever why our soon to be submitted infrastructure plan must be approved quickly. Seven trillion dollars spent in the Middle East while our roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (and more) crumble! Not for long!” he tweeted.
That never happened.
Last week, Trump signed a $2 trillion emergency coronavirus economic package, further expanding the already record national debt.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in an interview on Tuesday that he was in no rush to pass another massive spending bill.
“I think we need to wait a few days here, a few weeks, and see how things are working out,” he said. “Let’s see how things are going and respond accordingly. I’m not going to allow this to be an opportunity for the Democrats to achieve unrelated policy items that they would not otherwise be able to pass.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.