shareblue--2020-12-30--GOP senators: It's pointless to give Americans virus relief because they don't need it

A number of Senate Republicans are making their opposition to proposed $ 2,000 coronavirus relief checks clear — as well as the fact that they do n't think Americans really need it .
Donald Trump himself has pushed for the larger checks , accusing Republicans of having a `` death wish '' for not supporting the idea and for only passing $ 600 direct payments in the most recent round of COVID relief legislation .
In the current iteration , only individuals making under $ 75,000 and households making less than $ 150,000 are eligible for the $ 600 checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has stalled the follow-up CASH Act , which would allot $ 2,000 to qualifying Americans in lieu of the amount previously agreed upon in the House and Senate , regardless of that fact .
According to a Washington Post report , six GOP senators have followed Trump in voicing support for the $ 2,000 checks .
They include Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia , Lindsey Graham ( SC ) , Marco Rubio ( FL ) , and Josh Hawley ( MO ) .
Perdue and Loeffler are notably facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock , respectively .
But many others have openly condemned the idea of larger payments , suggesting in some cases that Americans do n't actually need the money .
On Wednesday morning , Sen. John Cornyn took to Twitter to complain that the CASH Act did not sufficiently target those who have lost wages .
`` Under the CASH Act ( the House ’ s $ 2,000 bill ) , an individual making $ 100,000 will get a $ 750 check .
It completely phases out for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cornyn tweeted .
`` There does n't seem to be a requirement that the recipient actually lost any income due to COVID-19 . ''
He complained that the $ 2,000 checks would add billions to the cost of COVID relief .
`` Remind me , why would we want to borrow money from our children and grandchildren to send a check to someone who has not suffered a financial hardship related to # COVID19 ? ''
Cornyn wrote .
Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) also claimed that sending Americans $ 2,000 relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's future . ''
`` Without targeting , 2,000/person payments will add $ 464 billion to the debt burden we are placing on our children .
By effectively targeting relief , we can help those in need and minimize how much we are mortgaging our children 's future , '' he tweeted .
Johnson also said he was concerned the earlier round of stimulus checks was going to people who still had jobs .
`` At the worst point of the COVID recession , total employment was down 25 million , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If we 're going to send out more checks , should n't we target help to those who truly need it ? ''
he tweeted .
On Tuesday afternoon , Sen. Pat Toomey ( R-PA ) appeared on CNN to slam the proposed increase , saying they were a `` very bad idea '' .
`` I 'm not going to [ support $ 2,000 checks ] because I think it 's a very bad idea , '' he said .
`` We 're talking about sending checks , the vast majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have had no loss of income whatsoever .
That ’ s just a fact .
How and why does that make any sense at all ? ''
He claimed that even the merits of the original round of stimulus checks in the spring were `` dubious , '' but noted that `` we 're in a very different place than we were in March , '' when the Senate passed the CARES Act .
`` The economy grew at 33 % last quarter , '' Toomey said .
`` We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups … but we do not have a global macro economic depression underway at all .
So it makes no sense to be sending this out to everybody who has a pulse . ''
Toomey failed to take into account that even a 33 % increase does not put the economy back to pre-pandemic levels .
Gross domestic product is still down by 3.5 % from highs before the pandemic , according to Market Watch — a net loss of $ 670 billion in total economic activity .
`` To put this in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real GDP would still be the third worst recession in the post–World War II period , '' PNC Financial Services chief economist Gus Faucher told Market Watch .
And despite the rosy picture painted by some Senate Republicans , millions of Americans are still suffering economically and in need of direct payments .
According to Pew Research , one-quarter of American adults across all economic brackets have struggled to pay basic bills during the pandemic .
One-quarter of U.S. adults also report they or someone in their household has been laid off , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their household lost wages .
And 60 % of those who lost wages are still earning less than they were at the beginning of the pandemic .
Among lower-income individuals , 46 % have struggled to pay basic bills , 32 % have struggled to pay rent or mortgage , and 35 % have had to visit food banks for basic necessities .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

A number of Senate Republicans are making their opposition to proposed $2,000 coronavirus relief checks clear — as well as the fact that they don’t think Americans really need it.
Donald Trump himself has pushed for the larger checks, accusing Republicans of having a “death wish” for not supporting the idea and for only passing $600 direct payments in the most recent round of COVID relief legislation. In the current iteration, only individuals making under $75,000 and households making less than $150,000 are eligible for the $600 checks.
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has stalled the follow-up CASH Act, which would allot $2,000 to qualifying Americans in lieu of the amount previously agreed upon in the House and Senate, regardless of that fact.
According to a Washington Post report, six GOP senators have followed Trump in voicing support for the $2,000 checks. They include Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia, Lindsey Graham (SC), Marco Rubio (FL), and Josh Hawley (MO). Perdue and Loeffler are notably facing a tight runoff election next week against Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, respectively.
But many others have openly condemned the idea of larger payments, suggesting in some cases that Americans don’t actually need the money.
On Wednesday morning, Sen. John Cornyn took to Twitter to complain that the CASH Act did not sufficiently target those who have lost wages.
“Under the CASH Act (the House’s $2,000 bill), an individual making $100,000 will get a $750 check. It completely phases out for those making more than $115K,” Cornyn tweeted. “There doesn’t seem to be a requirement that the recipient actually lost any income due to COVID-19.”
He complained that the $2,000 checks would add billions to the cost of COVID relief.
“Remind me, why would we want to borrow money from our children and grandchildren to send a check to someone who has not suffered a financial hardship related to #COVID19?” Cornyn wrote.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) also claimed that sending Americans $2,000 relief checks would be “mortgaging our children’s future.”
“Without targeting, 2,000/person payments will add $464 billion to the debt burden we are placing on our children. By effectively targeting relief, we can help those in need and minimize how much we are mortgaging our children’s future,” he tweeted.
Johnson also said he was concerned the earlier round of stimulus checks was going to people who still had jobs.
“At the worst point of the COVID recession, total employment was down 25 million, but we sent relief checks to 166 million people. If we’re going to send out more checks, shouldn’t we target help to those who truly need it?” he tweeted.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) appeared on CNN to slam the proposed increase, saying they were a “very bad idea”.
“I’m not going to [support $2,000 checks] because I think it’s a very bad idea,” he said. “We’re talking about sending checks, the vast majority of which will be going to people who have had no loss of income whatsoever. That’s just a fact. How and why does that make any sense at all?”
He claimed that even the merits of the original round of stimulus checks in the spring were “dubious,” but noted that “we’re in a very different place than we were in March,” when the Senate passed the CARES Act.
“The economy grew at 33% last quarter,” Toomey said. “We’ve got very acute problems within certain employment groups … but we do not have a global macro economic depression underway at all. So it makes no sense to be sending this out to everybody who has a pulse.”
Toomey failed to take into account that even a 33% increase does not put the economy back to pre-pandemic levels. Gross domestic product is still down by 3.5% from highs before the pandemic, according to Market Watch — a net loss of $670 billion in total economic activity.
“To put this in context, a 3.5% decline in real GDP would still be the third worst recession in the post–World War II period,” PNC Financial Services chief economist Gus Faucher told Market Watch.
And despite the rosy picture painted by some Senate Republicans, millions of Americans are still suffering economically and in need of direct payments.
According to Pew Research, one-quarter of American adults across all economic brackets have struggled to pay basic bills during the pandemic. One-quarter of U.S. adults also report they or someone in their household has been laid off, and 32% report they or someone in their household lost wages. And 60% of those who lost wages are still earning less than they were at the beginning of the pandemic.
Among lower-income individuals, 46% have struggled to pay basic bills, 32% have struggled to pay rent or mortgage, and 35% have had to visit food banks for basic necessities.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-30--GOP Congressman-elect Luke Letlow dies from COVID-19

Luke Letlow , Louisiana 's incoming Republican member of the U.S. House , has died from complications related to COVID-19 only days before he would have been sworn into office .
He was 41 .
The congressman-elect died at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport on Tuesday , according to his spokesman Andrew Bautsch .
`` The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time , '' Bautsch said in a statement .
`` Luke had such a positive spirit , and a tremendously bright future ahead of him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
`` He was looking forward to serving the people of Louisiana in Congress , and we were excited to welcome him to our delegation where he was ready to make an even greater impact on our state and our nation . ''
U.S. House leaders also offered their condolences .
`` May it be a comfort to Luke 's wife Julia and their children Jeremiah and Jacqueline that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time , '' said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our hearts break tonight as we process the news of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow 's passing . ''
`` COVID-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon , '' the Democratic governor said in a statement .
`` I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a U.S. representative , but I am even more devastated for his loving family . ''
The governor intends to call a March special election to fill the congressional seat , according to his spokeswoman , Christina Stephens .
Letlow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 19 after testing positive for the coronavirus .
He was later transferred to the Shreveport facility and placed in intensive care .
Dr. G.E .
Ghali , of LSU Health Shreveport , told The Advocate that Letlow did n't have any underlying health conditions that would have placed him at greater risk of developing complications from COVID-19 .
Letlow , from the small town of Start in Richland Parish , was elected in a December runoff election for the sprawling 5th District U.S. House seat representing central and northeastern regions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Alexandria .
He would have been sworn in next week .
Letlow was going to fill the seat being vacated by his boss , Republican Ralph Abraham .
He had been Abraham 's chief of staff and ran with Abraham 's backing for the job .
`` There are no words for this loss , '' Abraham posted on Facebook .
`` There was no one like Luke Letlow , and there was no one who loved this state and its people more .
Luke was a part of our family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man he was . ''
Before working for Abraham , Letlow had worked for former Gov .
Bobby Jindal 's administration .
Letlow is one of more than 7,000 people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19 since March , according to data from the state health department .
Other Louisiana officials who have contracted the virus since the pandemic began include U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy , Lt. Gov .
Billy Nungesser , Attorney General Jeff Landry , Treasurer John Schroder , U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson , and U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who tested positive for the virus earlier this year and has since recovered , posted in a Twitter video : `` It just , just , just , just brings home COVID can kill .
For most folks it does n't , but it truly can .
So , as you remember Luke , his widow , his children in your prayers , remember as well to be careful with COVID . ''
Letlow is survived by his wife , Julia Barnhill Letlow , and two children .

Luke Letlow, Louisiana’s incoming Republican member of the U.S. House, has died from complications related to COVID-19 only days before he would have been sworn into office. He was 41.
The congressman-elect died at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport on Tuesday, according to his spokesman Andrew Bautsch.
“The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time,” Bautsch said in a statement.
Louisiana’s eight-member congressional delegation called Letlow’s death devastating.
“Luke had such a positive spirit, and a tremendously bright future ahead of him,” the delegation said in a written statement. “He was looking forward to serving the people of Louisiana in Congress, and we were excited to welcome him to our delegation where he was ready to make an even greater impact on our state and our nation.”
U.S. House leaders also offered their condolences.
“May it be a comfort to Luke’s wife Julia and their children Jeremiah and Jacqueline that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said: “Our hearts break tonight as we process the news of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s passing.”
Gov. John Bel Edwards urged people to pray for Letlow’s family.
“COVID-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a U.S. representative, but I am even more devastated for his loving family.”
The governor intends to call a March special election to fill the congressional seat, according to his spokeswoman, Christina Stephens.
Letlow was admitted to a Monroe hospital on Dec. 19 after testing positive for the coronavirus. He was later transferred to the Shreveport facility and placed in intensive care.
Dr. G.E. Ghali, of LSU Health Shreveport, told The Advocate that Letlow didn’t have any underlying health conditions that would have placed him at greater risk of developing complications from COVID-19.
Letlow, from the small town of Start in Richland Parish, was elected in a December runoff election for the sprawling 5th District U.S. House seat representing central and northeastern regions of the state, including the cities of Monroe and Alexandria. He would have been sworn in next week.
Letlow was going to fill the seat being vacated by his boss, Republican Ralph Abraham. He had been Abraham’s chief of staff and ran with Abraham’s backing for the job.
“There are no words for this loss,” Abraham posted on Facebook. “There was no one like Luke Letlow, and there was no one who loved this state and its people more. Luke was a part of our family, and we are so incredibly proud of the man he was.”
Before working for Abraham, Letlow had worked for former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration.
Letlow is one of more than 7,000 people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19 since March, according to data from the state health department.
Other Louisiana officials who have contracted the virus since the pandemic began include U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Attorney General Jeff Landry, Treasurer John Schroder, U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, and U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond.
Cassidy, a Republican and doctor who tested positive for the virus earlier this year and has since recovered, posted in a Twitter video: “It just, just, just, just brings home COVID can kill. For most folks it doesn’t, but it truly can. So, as you remember Luke, his widow, his children in your prayers, remember as well to be careful with COVID.”
Letlow is survived by his wife, Julia Barnhill Letlow, and two children.


shareblue--2020-12-30--McConnell refuses $2,000 virus relief checks unless Democrats OK voter suppression

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Tuesday that he will consider giving $ 2,000 stimulus checks to struggling Americans — but only if Democrats agree to more voter suppression .
McConnell ( R-KY ) filed a bill that would increase the previously passed $ 600 payments for most Americans that were part of last week 's $ 908 billion compromise pandemic relief legislation by $ 1,400 .
However the legislation would also create a new commission to study supposed voter fraud and `` make recommendations to Congress to improve the security , integrity , and administration of Federal elections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Donald Trump has falsely claimed unfairly discriminate against conservatives .
Voter fraud `` investigations '' have been used for decades to suppress votes , particularly in minority communities , allowing officials to throw out or scrutinize their ballots or remove people 's names from voter rolls .
Trump attacked the bipartisan relief bill his own administration had helped negotiate as a `` disgrace '' last week , suggesting that the $ 600 payments were too `` measly . ''
`` Why would politicians not want to give people $ 2000 , rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted on Friday .
`` It wasn ’ t their fault , it was China .
Give our people the money ! ''
On Monday , a bipartisan supermajority in the House of Representatives voted ( 275 to 134 ) to up the payments to $ 2,000 .
Several Senate Republicans have also backed the idea .
Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) tweeted on Tuesday , `` We 've got the votes .
Let 's vote today . ''
Despite this , McConnell blocked an effort by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , McConnell introduced a bill that stands little chance of passing , given its unrelated provisions that are unpalatable to Senate Democrats .
`` Sen. McConnell knows how to make $ 2,000 survival checks reality and he knows how to kill them , '' Schumer ( D-NY ) said .
`` Will Senate Republicans go along with Sen. McConnell 's cynical gambit or will they push him to give a vote on the standalone House-passed [ version ] ? ''
This is not the first time Republicans have pushed for a commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud .
After Trump lost the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election , he announced a `` major investigation '' he hoped would demonstrate that millions of votes for Hillary Clinton had been illegal .
After more than a year of investigation , his handpicked voter integrity commission found no evidence of widespread voter fraud before it was disbanded .
`` It ’ s calling into the darkness , looking for voter fraud , '' one commission member told the Associated Press in 2018 .
`` There ’ s no real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's baseless assertions that the 2020 election in Georgia was replete with fraud and that President-elect Joe Biden did not really win the state , a just-completed audit by the state 's Republican secretary of state also found virtually no issues and more than 99 % accuracy in Cobb County .
McConnell 's latest push comes as Republicans in Georgia and other swing states Biden won are proposing voting rights rollbacks aimed at making it harder for people to vote in the future .
McConnell 's proposal would also repeal Section 230 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which would rescind legal protections for technology companies .
If that happened , it would make Internet service providers legally liable for things posted online by their users .
In the meantime , many Americans who continue to face massive economic hardships due to the pandemic will have to make due with just $ 600 each .
Millions remain unemployed and the country has seen record spikes in the number of people living in poverty — with roughly 7.8 million Americans falling below the poverty line over just the past five months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Tuesday that he will consider giving $2,000 stimulus checks to struggling Americans — but only if Democrats agree to more voter suppression.
McConnell (R-KY) filed a bill that would increase the previously passed $600 payments for most Americans that were part of last week’s $908 billion compromise pandemic relief legislation by $1,400. However the legislation would also create a new commission to study supposed voter fraud and “make recommendations to Congress to improve the security, integrity, and administration of Federal elections,” as well as punish tech companies that Donald Trump has falsely claimed unfairly discriminate against conservatives.
Voter fraud “investigations” have been used for decades to suppress votes, particularly in minority communities, allowing officials to throw out or scrutinize their ballots or remove people’s names from voter rolls.
Trump attacked the bipartisan relief bill his own administration had helped negotiate as a “disgrace” last week, suggesting that the $600 payments were too “measly.”
“Why would politicians not want to give people $2000, rather than only $600,” he tweeted on Friday. “It wasn’t their fault, it was China. Give our people the money!”
On Monday, a bipartisan supermajority in the House of Representatives voted (275 to 134) to up the payments to $2,000.
Several Senate Republicans have also backed the idea. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) tweeted on Tuesday, “We’ve got the votes. Let’s vote today.”
Despite this, McConnell blocked an effort by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to advance the bill by unanimous consent.
Instead, McConnell introduced a bill that stands little chance of passing, given its unrelated provisions that are unpalatable to Senate Democrats.
“Sen. McConnell knows how to make $2,000 survival checks reality and he knows how to kill them,” Schumer (D-NY) said. “Will Senate Republicans go along with Sen. McConnell’s cynical gambit or will they push him to give a vote on the standalone House-passed [version]?”
This is not the first time Republicans have pushed for a commission to examine the largely imaginary problem of voter fraud. After Trump lost the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election, he announced a “major investigation” he hoped would demonstrate that millions of votes for Hillary Clinton had been illegal.
After more than a year of investigation, his handpicked voter integrity commission found no evidence of widespread voter fraud before it was disbanded. “It’s calling into the darkness, looking for voter fraud,” one commission member told the Associated Press in 2018. “There’s no real evidence of it anywhere.”
Despite Trump’s baseless assertions that the 2020 election in Georgia was replete with fraud and that President-elect Joe Biden did not really win the state, a just-completed audit by the state’s Republican secretary of state also found virtually no issues and more than 99% accuracy in Cobb County.
McConnell’s latest push comes as Republicans in Georgia and other swing states Biden won are proposing voting rights rollbacks aimed at making it harder for people to vote in the future.
McConnell’s proposal would also repeal Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which would rescind legal protections for technology companies. If that happened, it would make Internet service providers legally liable for things posted online by their users.
In the meantime, many Americans who continue to face massive economic hardships due to the pandemic will have to make due with just $600 each. Millions remain unemployed and the country has seen record spikes in the number of people living in poverty — with roughly 7.8 million Americans falling below the poverty line over just the past five months.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-12-31--Cartoon: May old Trumpster fires be forgot

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--2020-12-31--9 things Senate Republicans did in 2020 instead of fight the pandemic

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell 's Senate did n't do a whole lot to combat coronavirus or push through COVID relief for the American people in 2020 .
After an initial round of stimulus payments to Americans in the spring , Congress remained deadlocked for the remainder of the year as McConnell repeatedly stymied bipartisan efforts to pass critical relief legislation .
Even after House Democrats passed a bill that would have provided much-needed assistance to Americans , as the virus surged , McConnell sat on the bill , refusing to address it and labeling it a liberal pipe-dream .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate GOP proposed replacement legislation that did n't do much of anything , other than provide some workers the ability to write off business lunches on their taxes and shield companies from being sued if employees forced back to work became infected .
Finally , in the waning days of December , Congress managed to slip a bipartisan COVID relief bill past the Senate , sending it to Donald Trump 's desk ( where he at first suggested he would n't sign it , but later relented ) .
The bill contained meager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans still suffering through the fallout from the deadly pandemic .
Too little , too late , many said .
So what were Senate Republicans doing all year rather than fighting the pandemic and providing relief to Americans ?
Just days after the presidential election , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell allegedly told colleagues that he would block any agenda put forward by the incoming Biden administration , including any Cabinet appointees Biden might try to install .
According to a Nov. 5 Axios report , an unidentified source close to McConnell told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Senate majority , he might be willing to work across the aisle to confirm centrist nominees , but not controversial `` radical progressives '' .
It was a characteristic move from McConnell , who previously blocked dozens of former President Barack Obama 's judicial nominees from confirmation , most notably Merrick Garland , who was tapped for a Supreme Court seat but never got a confirmation hearing .
2 .
Blocking hundreds of bills passed by the House The Republican-controlled Senate refused to vote on hundreds of bills passed by House Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the course of 2020 .
`` From raising the minimum wage to ensuring equal pay , we have passed legislation to raise wages .
And we have passed legislation to protect and expand health coverage and bring down prescription drug prices , '' House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told Vox .
`` We continue to urge Senator McConnell to take up our bills , many of which are bipartisan . ''
Among the most significant of the bills passed by the House but stalled in the Senate is the George Floyd Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addresses racial bias and excessive force issues in policing .
According the New York Times , the Justice in Policing Act would effectively get rid of the qualified immunity doctrine protecting police officers from legal consequences for excessive force .
It would also restrict acceptable use of lethal force and require police departments to stop using chokeholds .
Instead , Senate Republicans attempted to put forward their own pale reflection of a `` police reform '' bill in June , which was rejected by Democrats as woefully insufficient .
The Republican bill did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any meaningful way lethal force restrictions , or change existing qualified immunity protections .
According to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the time , Democrats chose to block the Senate Republicans ' bill so as `` to not take crumbs on the table when there is a hunger that America has for real solutions to a very real problem . ''
Instead of passing legislation to combat the pandemic or provide COVID relief , Senate Republicans spent most of 2020 confirming a record number of Trump judicial nominees , many of them unqualified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Senate Judiciary Committee had confirmed about 150 of Trump 's nominees to federal benches .
One year later , that number had increased to 220 .
Taylor Reidy , a spokesperson for the Senate Judiciary Committee , told Roll Call on Nov. 30 that the committee had no intention of halting confirmations during the lame-duck period .
`` The Senate Judiciary Committee will continue to process judges nominated by President Trump , '' Reidy said .
`` We have confirmed over 220 and look forward to confirming even more . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirming a White House occupant 's nominees after he has lost an election is something that , with a single exception , has n't happened since 1896 .
Russell Wheeler , president of the Governance Institute , told the outlet it was `` unprecedented to confirm lame-duck presidents ’ nominees after the election . ''
In October , McConnell told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that Senate Republicans planned to `` run through the tape '' and confirm as many of Trump 's judicial nominees as possible before time was up .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , and so does the president , '' McConnell said .
In December , Sen. Robert Menendez ( D-NJ ) asked the Senate to unanimously approve a bill passed in the House that would have provided funds to build a National Museum of the American Latino .
Sen. Mike Lee , the junior Republican senator from Utah , vocally opposed the bill and the bill failed .
Lee referred to museums celebrating different racial and ethnic identities as `` separate but equal museums for hyphenated identity groups . ''
`` At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , Congress should not splinter one of the national institutional cornerstones of our distinct national identity , '' he added .
The Republican senator also shot down an effort by fellow GOP Sen. Susan Collins ( ME ) to have a National Women 's History Museum constructed on the national mall .
The GOP majority rammed through Trump 's far-right Supreme Court nominee , Justice Amy Coney Barrett , during a high-profile coronavirus outbreak on Capitol Hill and in the White House .
Disregarding the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg 's dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be chosen until after the Nov. 3 election , Republicans rushed through confirmation proceedings for Barrett amid pushback from Democrats , who argued to no effect that it was unprecedented to install a justice on the Supreme Court so close to a presidential election .
The Senate moved at breakneck speed regardless of that backlash , confirming Barrett on Oct. 26 , one month to the day after Trump announced her nomination .
Despite the fact that several members of the Senate had recently tested positive for coronavirus , they still showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson , who tested positive for the virus in early October , said he would show up and vote `` in a moon suit '' if necessary .
`` If we have to go in and vote , I 've already told leadership I 'll go in a moon suit , '' he said .
Trump has long refused to accept the results of the Nov. 3 election , and many Senate Republicans have insisted on backing his fast and furious claims of a `` rigged '' election , silently humoring the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushes debunked lies on Twitter to prevent Biden from becoming president .
Trump has filed more than 50 post-election lawsuits to seek to overturn election results , winning one and losing the rest .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also filed a suit in early December in an effort to invalidate millions of votes in four key swing states , with Trump himself and 17 other states hopping on board , requesting that the Supreme Court grant an emergency order to block electors from Wisconsin , Michigan , Georgia , and Pennsylvania from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Senate Republicans have thrown their hat in the ring , openly assisting Trump in his efforts to steal the election .
Georgia 's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger claimed in November that Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) urged him to throw away valid votes in an effort to overturn the election results .
And Ted Cruz urged the Supreme Court to hear one of Trump 's many lawsuits seeking to disenfranchise voters .
For his pains , Trump invited him to personally argue the case if it made it before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation in February that would have mandated campaigns notify the Federal Election Commission and FBI about any offers of foreign assistance .
The bill also sought to protect voting machines from being compromised , and would have required them to remain disconnected from the internet , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
But it was shot down by Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( TN ) , who called it a `` disastrous vision '' and objected to it on the grounds that it would step on the authority of local officials .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After Trump lost the Nov. 3 election , Republicans suddenly switched gears , blasting the electoral process as rigged and silently backing Trump as he attacked Dominion Voting Systems , the company whose voting machines were used in several states , suggesting without proof that the machines were compromised .
( There is no evidence to back this claim . )
As Trump attempted to steal the election in November and December , he slammed a lot of Republicans for failing to deliver it for him , perhaps most notably fellow Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger .
Infighting ensued as Georgia Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue issues a statement Nov. 9 joining ranks with Trump to condemn Kemp and Raffensperger for failing to overturn the election results in Trump 's favor .
Trump has continued to urge GOP lawmakers to help with his coup , placing them in an untenable position , according to the Washington Post .
Meanwhile , other Republicans have spoken out against Trump 's election lies and those undermining the electoral process .
`` The biggest concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuinely believe that somehow this election was stolen and there 's no evidence of that .
The president was saying that it was stolen even before Election Day happened .
He said if he loses it would be fraud .
Well , no one knows that , '' said Utah Sen. Mitt Romney , in an interview with CNBC in mid-December .
`` ... We have a process .
We count the votes .
That 's the way it is . ''
Romney , to his credit , was part of a bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a COVID-19 relief bill in December , which McConnell initially shot down because it did not include a liability shield for businesses forcing their employees to work during a pandemic .
The group later debuted a new two-part package that notably did not include additional funding for state and local governments .
9 .
Getting tough on sports teams and international doping fraud In mid-November , the GOP-led Senate focused on a topic it felt was more pressing than COVID relief : a bill enabling the Justice Department to impose stiffer sanctions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud conspiracies . ''
According to the new law , any sports official or non-athlete who influences the outcome of a prominent international sports competition through the use of illegal substances could face up to a 10-year prison sentence , a $ 250,000 fine for an individual or $ 1 million for a non-individual .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s Senate didn’t do a whole lot to combat coronavirus or push through COVID relief for the American people in 2020.
After an initial round of stimulus payments to Americans in the spring, Congress remained deadlocked for the remainder of the year as McConnell repeatedly stymied bipartisan efforts to pass critical relief legislation.
Even after House Democrats passed a bill that would have provided much-needed assistance to Americans, as the virus surged, McConnell sat on the bill, refusing to address it and labeling it a liberal pipe-dream. In the months that followed, the Senate GOP proposed replacement legislation that didn’t do much of anything, other than provide some workers the ability to write off business lunches on their taxes and shield companies from being sued if employees forced back to work became infected.
Finally, in the waning days of December, Congress managed to slip a bipartisan COVID relief bill past the Senate, sending it to Donald Trump’s desk (where he at first suggested he wouldn’t sign it, but later relented). The bill contained meager $600 direct payments for millions of Americans still suffering through the fallout from the deadly pandemic.
Too little, too late, many said.
So what were Senate Republicans doing all year rather than fighting the pandemic and providing relief to Americans?
Here’s a little refresher.
1. Vowing to block Biden’s Cabinet appointees
Just days after the presidential election, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell allegedly told colleagues that he would block any agenda put forward by the incoming Biden administration, including any Cabinet appointees Biden might try to install.
According to a Nov. 5 Axios report, an unidentified source close to McConnell told the outlet that, if he maintained his Senate majority, he might be willing to work across the aisle to confirm centrist nominees, but not controversial “radical progressives”.
It was a characteristic move from McConnell, who previously blocked dozens of former President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees from confirmation, most notably Merrick Garland, who was tapped for a Supreme Court seat but never got a confirmation hearing.
2. Blocking hundreds of bills passed by the House
The Republican-controlled Senate refused to vote on hundreds of bills passed by House Democrats, signing only 70 bills into law throughout the course of 2020.
“From raising the minimum wage to ensuring equal pay, we have passed legislation to raise wages. And we have passed legislation to protect and expand health coverage and bring down prescription drug prices,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told Vox. “We continue to urge Senator McConnell to take up our bills, many of which are bipartisan.”
Among the most significant of the bills passed by the House but stalled in the Senate is the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, which addresses racial bias and excessive force issues in policing.
According the New York Times, the Justice in Policing Act would effectively get rid of the qualified immunity doctrine protecting police officers from legal consequences for excessive force. It would also restrict acceptable use of lethal force and require police departments to stop using chokeholds.
Instead, Senate Republicans attempted to put forward their own pale reflection of a “police reform” bill in June, which was rejected by Democrats as woefully insufficient. The Republican bill did not actually ban chokeholds, alter in any meaningful way lethal force restrictions, or change existing qualified immunity protections.
According to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the time, Democrats chose to block the Senate Republicans’ bill so as “to not take crumbs on the table when there is a hunger that America has for real solutions to a very real problem.”
3. Ramming through dozens of Trump judicial nominees
Instead of passing legislation to combat the pandemic or provide COVID relief, Senate Republicans spent most of 2020 confirming a record number of Trump judicial nominees, many of them unqualified for the job.
By November 2019, the Senate Judiciary Committee had confirmed about 150 of Trump’s nominees to federal benches. One year later, that number had increased to 220.
Taylor Reidy, a spokesperson for the Senate Judiciary Committee, told Roll Call on Nov. 30 that the committee had no intention of halting confirmations during the lame-duck period.
“The Senate Judiciary Committee will continue to process judges nominated by President Trump,” Reidy said. “We have confirmed over 220 and look forward to confirming even more.”
According to Roll Call, the Senate confirming a White House occupant’s nominees after he has lost an election is something that, with a single exception, hasn’t happened since 1896.
Russell Wheeler, president of the Governance Institute, told the outlet it was “unprecedented to confirm lame-duck presidents’ nominees after the election.”
In October, McConnell told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that Senate Republicans planned to “run through the tape” and confirm as many of Trump’s judicial nominees as possible before time was up.
“We go through the end of the year, and so does the president,” McConnell said.
4. Blocking a bipartisan effort to construct Latino and women’s history museums
In December, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) asked the Senate to unanimously approve a bill passed in the House that would have provided funds to build a National Museum of the American Latino.
Sen. Mike Lee, the junior Republican senator from Utah, vocally opposed the bill and the bill failed.
Lee referred to museums celebrating different racial and ethnic identities as “separate but equal museums for hyphenated identity groups.”
“At the end of such a fraying and fracturing year, Congress should not splinter one of the national institutional cornerstones of our distinct national identity,” he added.
The Republican senator also shot down an effort by fellow GOP Sen. Susan Collins (ME) to have a National Women’s History Museum constructed on the national mall.
5. Forcing through a Supreme Court nomination — during a COVID outbreak
The GOP majority rammed through Trump’s far-right Supreme Court nominee, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, during a high-profile coronavirus outbreak on Capitol Hill and in the White House.
Disregarding the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s dying wish that a new Supreme Court Justice not be chosen until after the Nov. 3 election, Republicans rushed through confirmation proceedings for Barrett amid pushback from Democrats, who argued to no effect that it was unprecedented to install a justice on the Supreme Court so close to a presidential election.
The Senate moved at breakneck speed regardless of that backlash, confirming Barrett on Oct. 26, one month to the day after Trump announced her nomination.
Despite the fact that several members of the Senate had recently tested positive for coronavirus, they still showed up for a vote.
Sen. Ron Johnson, who tested positive for the virus in early October, said he would show up and vote “in a moon suit” if necessary.
“If we have to go in and vote, I’ve already told leadership I’ll go in a moon suit,” he said.
6. Attempting to steal a presidential election
Trump has long refused to accept the results of the Nov. 3 election, and many Senate Republicans have insisted on backing his fast and furious claims of a “rigged” election, silently humoring the White House occupant from the sidelines as he pushes debunked lies on Twitter to prevent Biden from becoming president.
Trump has filed more than 50 post-election lawsuits to seek to overturn election results, winning one and losing the rest. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also filed a suit in early December in an effort to invalidate millions of votes in four key swing states, with Trump himself and 17 other states hopping on board, requesting that the Supreme Court grant an emergency order to block electors from Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania from cementing Biden’s win.
Meanwhile, some Senate Republicans have thrown their hat in the ring, openly assisting Trump in his efforts to steal the election.
Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger claimed in November that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) urged him to throw away valid votes in an effort to overturn the election results.
And Ted Cruz urged the Supreme Court to hear one of Trump’s many lawsuits seeking to disenfranchise voters. For his pains, Trump invited him to personally argue the case if it made it before the Supreme Court.
7. Blocking three bills to heighten election security
Senate Democrats put forward legislation in February that would have mandated campaigns notify the Federal Election Commission and FBI about any offers of foreign assistance. The bill also sought to protect voting machines from being compromised, and would have required them to remain disconnected from the internet, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But it was shot down by Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn (TN), who called it a “disastrous vision” and objected to it on the grounds that it would step on the authority of local officials.
The tables would turn later in the year. After Trump lost the Nov. 3 election, Republicans suddenly switched gears, blasting the electoral process as rigged and silently backing Trump as he attacked Dominion Voting Systems, the company whose voting machines were used in several states, suggesting without proof that the machines were compromised. (There is no evidence to back this claim.)
8. Fighting among themselves
As Trump attempted to steal the election in November and December, he slammed a lot of Republicans for failing to deliver it for him, perhaps most notably fellow Republican Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Infighting ensued as Georgia Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue issues a statement Nov. 9 joining ranks with Trump to condemn Kemp and Raffensperger for failing to overturn the election results in Trump’s favor.
Trump has continued to urge GOP lawmakers to help with his coup, placing them in an untenable position, according to the Washington Post.
Meanwhile, other Republicans have spoken out against Trump’s election lies and those undermining the electoral process.
“The biggest concern that I have is that people here genuinely believe that somehow this election was stolen and there’s no evidence of that. The president was saying that it was stolen even before Election Day happened. He said if he loses it would be fraud. Well, no one knows that,” said Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, in an interview with CNBC in mid-December. “…We have a process. We count the votes. That’s the way it is.”
Romney, to his credit, was part of a bipartisan group of senators who tried to introduce a COVID-19 relief bill in December, which McConnell initially shot down because it did not include a liability shield for businesses forcing their employees to work during a pandemic. The group later debuted a new two-part package that notably did not include additional funding for state and local governments.
9. Getting tough on sports teams and international doping fraud
In mid-November, the GOP-led Senate focused on a topic it felt was more pressing than COVID relief: a bill enabling the Justice Department to impose stiffer sanctions on sports officials engaging in “international doping fraud conspiracies.”
According to the new law, any sports official or non-athlete who influences the outcome of a prominent international sports competition through the use of illegal substances could face up to a 10-year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine for an individual or $1 million for a non-individual.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-02-03--Cartoon: Cowards Of Historic Proportions


shareblue--2020-02-02--Midwestern states consider banning discrimination based on hairstyle

Black female legislators in two predominantly white Midwestern states urged their Republican colleagues Tuesday to join a national push to outlaw discrimination based on hairstyles such as braids and dreadlocks .
Legislative committees in Kansas and Wisconsin held separate hearings on similar proposed revisions to their states ' anti-discrimination laws .
Four black female legislators in Wisconsin and one in Kansas , all of them Democrats , said employers and teachers often wrongly see white people 's hair as the standard for what 's clean and professional .
`` Imagine waking up every morning knowing you 've got to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Wisconsin state Rep. LaKeisha Myers , a black Milwaukee Democrat , said during an Assembly Constitution and Ethics Committee hearing .
She is the chief sponsor of the bill in Wisconsin 's Assembly .
The proposals would ban bias in housing , employment and public accommodations based on hairstyles `` historically associated with race '' such as braids , locs , and twists .
The Democratic lawmakers and other supporters of the legislation said black women have felt compelled for years to straighten their hair with harsh chemicals or hot appliances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a job , winning a promotion or staying employed .
California , New York , and New Jersey enacted such laws last year and similar measures have been introduced in 20 other states , including Kansas and Wisconsin , according to the CROWN Coalition , a movement founded by beauty products maker Dove and the National Urban League , Color Of Change , and the Western Center on Law and Poverty advocacy groups .
It was n't clear how far the Kansas or Wisconsin measures will get .
Supporters in both states faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be interpreted .
Kansas Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Kristi Brown said in a written statement to the Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee that such a law could affect an employer 's ability to enforce a dress code or even comply with some safety standards .
In the Kansas hearing , Sen .
Rob Olson , a white Kansas City-area Republican , said he supports people 's right to express themselves through hairstyles but said allowing restaurants to impose hair-related health standards as perhaps `` the biggest challenge '' to enacting it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assembly committee , Rep. Chuck Wichgers , a white suburban Milwaukee-area Republican , said that he would have convince other lawmakers that the bill would n't open a `` Pandora 's box '' where anyone of any race could accuse an employer of discrimination .
`` How do we explain to other legislators that if you have dreads , you can sue to get what you wanted ? ''
Wichgers said .
Supporters of the legislation in both states cited a December 2018 incident in which a high school wrestler in New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his dreadlocks or forfeit a match .
The sponsor of the Kansas measure , state Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau , a Wichita Democrat and her chamber 's only female black member , passed around copies of a photo of the wrestler having his hair cut .
But backers of the bills said straightening hair to fit in at school or work or to have a better chance at getting a job has been part of the African-American experience for years .
`` I do n't know any black woman that has not experienced getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the scabs on your scalp and having to put creams on your scalp to heal the scabs that you may get from a chemical burn , '' said Michele Watley , founder of Shirley 's Kitchen Cabinet , a Kansas City group that advocates for black women .
Watley said anti-bias laws like the one proposed in Kansas still would allow employers to impose safety and health requirements , such as requiring shorter hair to avoid getting it caught in machinery .
Bridget Dunmore , a retired Internal Revenue Service worker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 37 years she worked , she always straightened her hair for job interviews rather than wearing it in braids , as she prefers .
She was in a Kansas City , Kansas , hair salon on Tuesday , and reflected on how she saw straightening her hair as a `` means to an end '' when she was younger but now sees feeling compelled to do it as discrimination .
`` The more natural , beautiful hairstyles will affect , will most likely prevent , me from getting a job , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Individuals are focusing too much on the outer appearance of our natural hairstyles . ''
Faust-Goudeau said the issue has become almost an emotional one for her , because , as the mother of two daughters , `` I deal with it on a personal level . ''

Black female legislators in two predominantly white Midwestern states urged their Republican colleagues Tuesday to join a national push to outlaw discrimination based on hairstyles such as braids and dreadlocks.
Legislative committees in Kansas and Wisconsin held separate hearings on similar proposed revisions to their states’ anti-discrimination laws. Four black female legislators in Wisconsin and one in Kansas, all of them Democrats, said employers and teachers often wrongly see white people’s hair as the standard for what’s clean and professional.
“Imagine waking up every morning knowing you’ve got to go to work and can’t be yourself,” Wisconsin state Rep. LaKeisha Myers, a black Milwaukee Democrat, said during an Assembly Constitution and Ethics Committee hearing. She is the chief sponsor of the bill in Wisconsin’s Assembly.
The proposals would ban bias in housing, employment and public accommodations based on hairstyles “historically associated with race” such as braids, locs, and twists.
The Democratic lawmakers and other supporters of the legislation said black women have felt compelled for years to straighten their hair with harsh chemicals or hot appliances to avoid affecting their chances of getting a job, winning a promotion or staying employed.
California, New York, and New Jersey enacted such laws last year and similar measures have been introduced in 20 other states, including Kansas and Wisconsin, according to the CROWN Coalition, a movement founded by beauty products maker Dove and the National Urban League, Color Of Change, and the Western Center on Law and Poverty advocacy groups.
It wasn’t clear how far the Kansas or Wisconsin measures will get. Supporters in both states faced questions about how broadly such laws could be interpreted.
Kansas Chamber of Commerce lobbyist Kristi Brown said in a written statement to the Kansas Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee that such a law could affect an employer’s ability to enforce a dress code or even comply with some safety standards.
In the Kansas hearing, Sen. Rob Olson, a white Kansas City-area Republican, said he supports people’s right to express themselves through hairstyles but said allowing restaurants to impose hair-related health standards as perhaps “the biggest challenge” to enacting it.
And the chairman of the Wisconsin Assembly committee, Rep. Chuck Wichgers, a white suburban Milwaukee-area Republican, said that he would have convince other lawmakers that the bill wouldn’t open a “Pandora’s box” where anyone of any race could accuse an employer of discrimination.
“How do we explain to other legislators that if you have dreads, you can sue to get what you wanted?” Wichgers said.
Supporters of the legislation in both states cited a December 2018 incident in which a high school wrestler in New Jersey was told he had to cut off his dreadlocks or forfeit a match. The sponsor of the Kansas measure, state Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, a Wichita Democrat and her chamber’s only female black member, passed around copies of a photo of the wrestler having his hair cut.
But backers of the bills said straightening hair to fit in at school or work or to have a better chance at getting a job has been part of the African-American experience for years.
“I don’t know any black woman that has not experienced getting relaxer and not having her hair burned, or the scabs on your scalp and having to put creams on your scalp to heal the scabs that you may get from a chemical burn,” said Michele Watley, founder of Shirley’s Kitchen Cabinet, a Kansas City group that advocates for black women.
Watley said anti-bias laws like the one proposed in Kansas still would allow employers to impose safety and health requirements, such as requiring shorter hair to avoid getting it caught in machinery.
Bridget Dunmore, a retired Internal Revenue Service worker from Raymore, Missouri, said in the 37 years she worked, she always straightened her hair for job interviews rather than wearing it in braids, as she prefers. She was in a Kansas City, Kansas, hair salon on Tuesday, and reflected on how she saw straightening her hair as a “means to an end” when she was younger but now sees feeling compelled to do it as discrimination.
“The more natural, beautiful hairstyles will affect, will most likely prevent, me from getting a job,” said Dunmore, who is black. “Individuals are focusing too much on the outer appearance of our natural hairstyles.”
Faust-Goudeau said the issue has become almost an emotional one for her, because, as the mother of two daughters, “I deal with it on a personal level.”


shareblue--2020-02-02--Brain injuries from Iraq missile attack draw attention to invisible war wounds

The spotlight on brain injuries suffered by American troops in Iraq this month is an example of America 's episodic attention to this invisible war wound , which has affected hundreds of thousands over the past two decades but is not yet fully understood .
Unlike physical wounds , such as burns or the loss of limbs , traumatic brain injuries are n't obvious and can take time to diagnose .
The full impact — physically and psychologically — may not be evident for some time , as studies have shown links between TBI and mental health problems .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headaches '' — the word used by Donald Trump as he said the injuries suffered by the troops in Iraq were not necessarily serious .
Gen. Mark Milley , chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a veteran of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan , told reporters Thursday that the number of service members diagnosed with TBI from the Jan. 8 Iranian missile attack in Iraq was still growing .
Later , the Pentagon said it had reached 64 , up from the 50 reported earlier this week .
Milley said all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but in some cases the troops will be monitored `` for the rest of their lives . ''
Speaking alongside Milley , Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the Pentagon is vigorously studying ways to prevent brain injuries on the battlefield and to improve diagnosis and treatment .
Milley said it 's possible , in some cases , that symptoms of TBI from the Iranian missile attack on an airbase in Iraq on Jan. 8 will not become apparent for a year or two .
`` We 're early in the stage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage of therapy for these troops , '' Milley said .
William Schmitz , national commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars , last week cautioned the Trump administration against taking the TBI issue lightly .
`` TBI is known to cause depression , memory loss , severe headaches , dizziness and fatigue , '' sometimes with long-term effects , '' he said , while calling on Trump to apologize for his `` misguided remarks . ''
Rep. Bill Pascrell , Jr. , a New Jersey Democrat and founder of the Congressional Brain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displaying `` a clear lack of understanding of the devastating impacts of brain injury . ''
When it announced earlier this week that the number of TBI cases in Iraq had grown to 50 , the Pentagon said more could come to light later .
No one was killed in the missile attack , which was an Iranian effort to avenge the killing of Qassem Soleimani , its most powerful general and leader of its paramilitary Quds Force , in an American drone strike in Baghdad .
Details of the U.S. injuries have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon said Tuesday that 31 of the 50 who were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury have recovered enough to return to duty .
The severity of the other cases has not been disclosed .
The Pentagon did not announce the first confirmed cases until more than a week after the Iranian attack ; at that point it said there were 11 cases .
The question of American casualties took on added importance at the time of the Iranian strike because the degree of damage was seen as influencing a U.S. decision on whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Iran .
Trump chose not to retaliate , and the Iranians then indicated their strike was sufficient for the time being .
The arc of attention to TBI began in earnest , for the U.S. military , in the early years after it invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple President Saddam Hussein .
His demise gave rise to an insurgency that confounded the Americans with crude but devastatingly effective roadside bombs .
Survivors often suffered not just grievous physical wounds but also concussions that , along with psychological trauma , became known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` For generations , battlefield traumatic brain injuries were not understood and often dismissed , '' said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen , a New Hampshire Democrat .
The injuries have often been dismissed in part because the problem is not fully understood , although the Pentagon began focusing on the problem in the early 1990s when it established a head injury program that grew into today 's Defense and Veteran 's Brain Injury Center .
Among its work , the center provides published reviews of research related to TBI , including links between severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse and suicide .
A study published this month by the University of Massachusetts , Amherst , health services researchers concluded that military members who suffered a moderate or severe TBI are more likely than those with other serious injuries to experience mental health disorders .
Concern about TBI has recently given rise to questions about whether military members may suffer long-term health damage even from low-level blasts away from the battlefield , such as during training with artillery guns and shoulder-fired rockets .
`` We 're finding that even a mild blast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Riyi Shi , a professor of neuroscience and biomedical engineering at Purdue University .
A 2018 study by the federally funded RAND Corp. found a dearth of research and understanding of potential damage to the nervous system from repeated exposure to these lower-level blasts .
That same year , the Center for a New American Security , a Washington think tank , released a study urging the Pentagon to conduct a blast surveillance program to monitor , record , and maintain data on blast pressure exposure for `` any soldier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely to be in a position where he or she may be exposed to blasts . ''
It said this should include brain imaging of soldiers who have been exposed to blasts as part of the study to better understand how blasts affect the brain .

The spotlight on brain injuries suffered by American troops in Iraq this month is an example of America’s episodic attention to this invisible war wound, which has affected hundreds of thousands over the past two decades but is not yet fully understood.
Unlike physical wounds, such as burns or the loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries aren’t obvious and can take time to diagnose. The full impact — physically and psychologically — may not be evident for some time, as studies have shown links between TBI and mental health problems. They cannot be dismissed as mere “headaches” — the word used by Donald Trump as he said the injuries suffered by the troops in Iraq were not necessarily serious.
Gen. Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a veteran of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, told reporters Thursday that the number of service members diagnosed with TBI from the Jan. 8 Iranian missile attack in Iraq was still growing. Later, the Pentagon said it had reached 64, up from the 50 reported earlier this week. Milley said all are categorized as “mild” injuries, but in some cases the troops will be monitored “for the rest of their lives.”
Speaking alongside Milley, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the Pentagon is vigorously studying ways to prevent brain injuries on the battlefield and to improve diagnosis and treatment. Milley said it’s possible, in some cases, that symptoms of TBI from the Iranian missile attack on an airbase in Iraq on Jan. 8 will not become apparent for a year or two.
“We’re early in the stage of diagnosis, we’re early in the stage of therapy for these troops,” Milley said.
William Schmitz, national commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, last week cautioned the Trump administration against taking the TBI issue lightly.
“TBI is known to cause depression, memory loss, severe headaches, dizziness and fatigue,” sometimes with long-term effects,” he said, while calling on Trump to apologize for his “misguided remarks.”
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., a New Jersey Democrat and founder of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force, faulted Trump for displaying “a clear lack of understanding of the devastating impacts of brain injury.”
When it announced earlier this week that the number of TBI cases in Iraq had grown to 50, the Pentagon said more could come to light later. No one was killed in the missile attack, which was an Iranian effort to avenge the killing of Qassem Soleimani, its most powerful general and leader of its paramilitary Quds Force, in an American drone strike in Baghdad.
Details of the U.S. injuries have not been made public, although the Pentagon said Tuesday that 31 of the 50 who were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury have recovered enough to return to duty. The severity of the other cases has not been disclosed.
The Pentagon did not announce the first confirmed cases until more than a week after the Iranian attack; at that point it said there were 11 cases. The question of American casualties took on added importance at the time of the Iranian strike because the degree of damage was seen as influencing a U.S. decision on whether to counterattack and risk a broader war with Iran. Trump chose not to retaliate, and the Iranians then indicated their strike was sufficient for the time being.
The arc of attention to TBI began in earnest, for the U.S. military, in the early years after it invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple President Saddam Hussein. His demise gave rise to an insurgency that confounded the Americans with crude but devastatingly effective roadside bombs. Survivors often suffered not just grievous physical wounds but also concussions that, along with psychological trauma, became known as the invisible wounds of war.
“For generations, battlefield traumatic brain injuries were not understood and often dismissed,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat.
The injuries have often been dismissed in part because the problem is not fully understood, although the Pentagon began focusing on the problem in the early 1990s when it established a head injury program that grew into today’s Defense and Veteran’s Brain Injury Center. Among its work, the center provides published reviews of research related to TBI, including links between severe TBI and behavioral issues such as alcohol abuse and suicide.
A study published this month by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, health services researchers concluded that military members who suffered a moderate or severe TBI are more likely than those with other serious injuries to experience mental health disorders.
Concern about TBI has recently given rise to questions about whether military members may suffer long-term health damage even from low-level blasts away from the battlefield, such as during training with artillery guns and shoulder-fired rockets.
“We’re finding that even a mild blast can cause long-term, life-changing health issues,” said Riyi Shi, a professor of neuroscience and biomedical engineering at Purdue University.
A 2018 study by the federally funded RAND Corp. found a dearth of research and understanding of potential damage to the nervous system from repeated exposure to these lower-level blasts. That same year, the Center for a New American Security, a Washington think tank, released a study urging the Pentagon to conduct a blast surveillance program to monitor, record, and maintain data on blast pressure exposure for “any soldier, in training or combat, who is likely to be in a position where he or she may be exposed to blasts.” It said this should include brain imaging of soldiers who have been exposed to blasts as part of the study to better understand how blasts affect the brain.


shareblue--2020-02-01--Justice Sotomayor teases new picture book on civic participation for kids

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wants young children to think of citizenship in a different way .
The justice sat down with Grammy Award winning singer Gloria Estefan in Miami and told a crowd of hundreds about the idea for her next children 's book , which will be about civic participation .
Sotomayor said her preferred title would be `` How To Be a Hero , '' and the book will portray acts of civic participation as heroic .
`` People think of citizenship as a formal title of belonging to a country , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what we are in every community that we choose to live in : whether it 's your building , your block , the community of the church , the community of your school . ''
Appointed to the court by President Barack Obama in 2009 , Sotomayor said she wants to use her platform as a justice to inspire children through books , this time by helping `` kids understand what it takes to change the world . ''
`` Everyone of us has a responsibility to make that community better .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's those people who see something wrong in their community and say ' I will work to change that , ' '' she said .
Sotomayor has kept busy writing content for kids , and she notes that her works come out simultaneously in Spanish because she grew up in New York City to Puerto Rican parents speaking the language but not finding enough literature in her mother tongue .
After her 2013 memoir , `` My Beloved World , '' came out , she wrote an abridged version for middle school readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book , `` Turning Pages , '' in 2018 and her most recent picture book , `` Just Ask !
, '' published last year , about children with `` life challenges '' such as attention deficit disorder , autism , blindness , and diabetes .
Sotomayor was diagnosed with diabetes at age 7 .
Sotomayor told the crowd Tuesday not to scold children when they stare at people with deformities .
`` Teach them not to have pity but to have curiosity , '' she said .
Sotomayor sat for only a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both women walked along the rows of the Temple Judea synagogue in the Coral Gables suburb .
She shook hands with many but only took written questions — and hugs — from children .
The Cuban-born singer read aloud a question from a 5-year-old girl before asking her to approach Sotomayor .
`` How can I stop being shy ? ''
Estefan read .
Sotomayor looked at the girl and smiled .
`` You just started , '' she said .

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wants young children to think of citizenship in a different way.
The justice sat down with Grammy Award winning singer Gloria Estefan in Miami and told a crowd of hundreds about the idea for her next children’s book, which will be about civic participation.
Sotomayor said her preferred title would be “How To Be a Hero,” and the book will portray acts of civic participation as heroic.
“People think of citizenship as a formal title of belonging to a country,” she said. “Citizenship with a small ‘c’ is what we are in every community that we choose to live in: whether it’s your building, your block, the community of the church, the community of your school.”
Appointed to the court by President Barack Obama in 2009, Sotomayor said she wants to use her platform as a justice to inspire children through books, this time by helping “kids understand what it takes to change the world.”
“Everyone of us has a responsibility to make that community better. And that’s what makes heroes— it’s those people who see something wrong in their community and say ‘I will work to change that,'” she said.
Sotomayor has kept busy writing content for kids, and she notes that her works come out simultaneously in Spanish because she grew up in New York City to Puerto Rican parents speaking the language but not finding enough literature in her mother tongue.
After her 2013 memoir, “My Beloved World,” came out, she wrote an abridged version for middle school readers. Then she wrote an autobiographical picture book, “Turning Pages,” in 2018 and her most recent picture book, “Just Ask!,” published last year, about children with “life challenges” such as attention deficit disorder, autism, blindness, and diabetes. Sotomayor was diagnosed with diabetes at age 7.
Sotomayor told the crowd Tuesday not to scold children when they stare at people with deformities.
“Teach them not to have pity but to have curiosity,” she said.
Sotomayor sat for only a few minutes with Estefan, and then both women walked along the rows of the Temple Judea synagogue in the Coral Gables suburb. She shook hands with many but only took written questions — and hugs — from children.
The Cuban-born singer read aloud a question from a 5-year-old girl before asking her to approach Sotomayor. “How can I stop being shy?” Estefan read.
Sotomayor looked at the girl and smiled. “You just started,” she said.


shareblue--2020-02-01--Fact-checking false claims about the new virus from China

A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue coronavirus stories of the week .
None of these are legit , even though they were shared widely on social media .
The Associated Press checked them out .
Here are the real facts : Claim : Chlorine dioxide will help get rid of the new virus from China .
The facts : As news spread about the new coronavirus outbreak , social media accounts began promoting the idea that drinking chlorine dioxide or using related products with names like Miracle Mineral Solution — or MMS — would help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food and Drug Administration warns against ingesting the bleaching agent .
`` We understand people are concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus and we urge people to talk to their health care provider about treatment options , as well as follow advice from other federal agencies about how to prevent the spread of this illness , '' the FDA said in a statement to The Associated Press .
Social media users began circulating the false claim on Facebook , Twitter , and YouTube shortly after the first case of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By Friday , the virus had infected almost 10,000 people globally in just two months , with more than 200 deaths in China .
Chlorine dioxide has been falsely touted by fringe groups online as a `` miracle '' cure for autism .
The FDA has been warning against drinking chlorine dioxide since 2010 after the agency received several reports of consumers drinking products containing the chemical .
The agency warns that it can cause nausea , vomiting , diarrhea and symptoms of severe dehydration .
The facts : Officials with the Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no plans to enact martial law in the United States .
In recent days , a false story circulated on social media claiming that FEMA was proposing martial law to contain the respiratory illness spreading around the world .
Martial law would transfer power to the military .
`` This article is not true , '' FEMA said in an email sent Tuesday to The Associated Press , adding that they have not advocated for martial law .
The false claims about martial law have circulated on Facebook since Jan. 23 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered President Trump a startling solution , Martial Law in the United States , to prevent the spread of a lethal Chinese Coronavirus that infected hundreds and killed at least 17 people in the Communist nation , '' the post said .
False posts also circulated on Twitter .
`` Those who are 'awake ' and aware completely understand the dormant plans for martial law and widespread FEMA detention camps in America , '' a Twitter user falsely claimed .
Claim : Image shows the first building of Huoshenshan Hospital in the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours and completed Monday .
The facts : Chinese state media shared an image Monday that circulated widely on Twitter , implying that it showed a hospital constructed in just 16 hours to deal with thousands of new patients who have contracted the new virus from China .
The photo , which shows a building with large windows in front with a white staircase at the side , is a stock image of a prefabricated office sold from China .
The image is used regularly on sites of businesses that sell prefabricated homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press obtained photos of crews working to construct Huoshenshan Hospital on Tuesday .

A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue coronavirus stories of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the real facts:
Claim: Chlorine dioxide will help get rid of the new virus from China.
The facts: As news spread about the new coronavirus outbreak, social media accounts began promoting the idea that drinking chlorine dioxide or using related products with names like Miracle Mineral Solution — or MMS — would help wipe out the virus.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against ingesting the bleaching agent.
“We understand people are concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus and we urge people to talk to their health care provider about treatment options, as well as follow advice from other federal agencies about how to prevent the spread of this illness,” the FDA said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Social media users began circulating the false claim on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube shortly after the first case of the virus was reported in the United States. By Friday, the virus had infected almost 10,000 people globally in just two months, with more than 200 deaths in China.
Chlorine dioxide has been falsely touted by fringe groups online as a “miracle” cure for autism. The FDA has been warning against drinking chlorine dioxide since 2010 after the agency received several reports of consumers drinking products containing the chemical. The agency warns that it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and symptoms of severe dehydration.
___
Claim: FEMA proposes “martial law to contain coronavirus”
The facts: Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirmed that there are no plans to enact martial law in the United States. In recent days, a false story circulated on social media claiming that FEMA was proposing martial law to contain the respiratory illness spreading around the world. Martial law would transfer power to the military.
“This article is not true,” FEMA said in an email sent Tuesday to The Associated Press, adding that they have not advocated for martial law.
The false claims about martial law have circulated on Facebook since Jan. 23. “Acting FEMA Director Pete Gaynor on Wednesday offered President Trump a startling solution, Martial Law in the United States, to prevent the spread of a lethal Chinese Coronavirus that infected hundreds and killed at least 17 people in the Communist nation,” the post said.
False posts also circulated on Twitter. “Those who are ‘awake’ and aware completely understand the dormant plans for martial law and widespread FEMA detention camps in America,” a Twitter user falsely claimed.
___
Claim: Image shows the first building of Huoshenshan Hospital in the Chinese city of Wuhan constructed in just 16 hours and completed Monday.
The facts: Chinese state media shared an image Monday that circulated widely on Twitter, implying that it showed a hospital constructed in just 16 hours to deal with thousands of new patients who have contracted the new virus from China.
The photo, which shows a building with large windows in front with a white staircase at the side, is a stock image of a prefabricated office sold from China. The image is used regularly on sites of businesses that sell prefabricated homes, offices or hotel space.
The Associated Press obtained photos of crews working to construct Huoshenshan Hospital on Tuesday.


shareblue--2020-01-31--This week in wins: Colorado moves closer to abolishing the death penalty

Colorado lawmakers took the first step this week to abolish the death penalty in the state .
Meanwhile , a federal court in Arizona put a stop to some voter suppression efforts in the state , and the Virginia Legislature passed seven gun safety bills in a single day .
To top it all off , former first lady Michelle Obama took home a Grammy .
Read on to catch up on this week 's wins .
The Colorado Senate voted 19-15 to approve a bill to abolish the death penalty in the state , Denver 's ABC-7 reported Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say murdering is wrong except when the state does it strikes me as untenable , '' state Sen. Julie Gonzales , a Democrat and the lead sponsor of the bill , said during the debate on the legislation .
A final vote on the measure passed on Friday , sending the measure to the state House , which the Denver Post reported is expected to pass the bill .
If the bill becomes law , Colorado would be the 22nd state in the country to outlaw the death penalty .
Voter suppression efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday , ruling that a 2016 Republican-backed law has `` a discriminatory impact on American Indian , Hispanic , and African American voters in Arizona . ''
The law criminalized many efforts to return absentee , or mail-in , ballots , but the court found that the law was enacted `` with discriminatory intent . ''
`` Today marks an important victory for all Arizonans , '' Herschel Fink , executive director of the Arizona Democratic Party , said in a statement .
The ruling `` takes an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of color , making it easier for them to exercise their right to vote . ''
The lawsuit was initiated by the Democratic National Committee , Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee , and the Arizona Democratic Party in 2016 , according to the Associated Press , while the Arizona Republican Party joined the state of Arizona in defending the law .
Arizona is poised to be a presidential battleground state in November , and will also be home to a marquee Senate race between incumbent Republican Martha McSally and likely Democratic nominee Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than $ 100 for a 30-day supply of insulin , thanks to a new law signed last Friday by Democratic Gov .
JB Pritzker .
According to the governor 's office , 1.3 million Illinois residents rely on insulin .
`` Health care is a right for all , not a privilege and that is why I am so proud that we created an insulin price cap that successfully puts patients above profit , '' Pritzker said in a statement .
While some other aspects of the law go into effect in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into effect immediately .
The issue of prescription drug prices is a top health concern of most Americans , according to a poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation .
In December , the House of Representatives passed a bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs , but the Senate has yet to address the issue .
Tony Evers , the Democratic governor of Wisconsin , signed an executive order on Wednesday creating the Governor 's Task Force on Student Debt .
According to a statement from the governor 's office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of student debt among Wisconsin residents , look for strategies to help reduce student debt , and focus on ways to prevent abusive practices by student loan companies .
`` We need to address college affordability and ensure that a great education does n't come at the cost of decades of crippling debt , '' Evers said in a statement .
`` Student debt is n't going away any time soon , but this task force will be a meaningful first step in addressing this issue in our state . ''
Wisconsin Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college graduates in 2018 have student loan debts in excess of $ 30,000 .
Nationally , 45 million people owe roughly $ 1.6 trillion total in student loan debts .
Virginia House passes seven gun safety bills in one day On Thursday , the Virginia House of Delegates passed a total of seven bills on gun safety , the Washington Post reported , fulfilling a major election promise to tackle the issue of gun violence .
The chamber passed bills on popular provisions such as universal background checks and `` red flag '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily seize guns from a person deemed a threat to themselves or others .
`` For too many years this body has put the convenience of gun owners above all else , '' Democratic Del .
Patrick Hope said in a floor speech , according to the Post .
`` Families are hurting .
People are sick and tired of being sick and tired . ''
The Virginia Senate recently passed five gun safety bills , and Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam is likely to sign the measures that come to his desk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2019 Virginia elections , following a May 31 mass shooting in Virginia Beach that resulted in 12 deaths .
Virginia , home to the NRA , elected enough Democrats in 2019 to obtain a 55-45 majority in the state 's House of Delegates , while also electing a Democratic majority in the state Senate .
New Jersey energy plan calls for 100 % renewable energy by 2050 New Jersey unveiled its `` Energy Master Plan '' on Monday , calling for 100 % clean energy by the year 2050 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The plan from Democratic Gov .
Phil Murphy included seven different strategies to make it to the clean energy goal .
Among them are reducing energy consumption and emissions from automobiles , aiming for greener building and homes , investing in the current power grid to increase efficiencies , and investing in more clean energy jobs .
The plan shows `` that we can provide affordable clean power to our homes and businesses , create thousands of good-paying jobs and fight climate pollution all at the same time , '' Eric Miller , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Resources Defense Council , said in a statement .
Michelle Obama wins Grammy for audiobook of her memoir , 'Becoming' Former first lady Michelle Obama won her first Grammy Sunday night , winning in the spoken word album category for the audiobook version of her memoir , `` Becoming . ''
The book tells the story of Obama 's life , `` from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work , to her time spent at the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her publisher .
Obama 's husband , President Barack Obama , won Grammys for his memoirs , `` Dreams of My Father '' ( 2005 ) and `` The Audacity of Hope '' ( 2007 ) .
Former first lady Hillary Clinton also won a Grammy in 1996 for her `` It Takes a Village . ''
Check back next week for more good news .

Colorado lawmakers took the first step this week to abolish the death penalty in the state. Meanwhile, a federal court in Arizona put a stop to some voter suppression efforts in the state, and the Virginia Legislature passed seven gun safety bills in a single day. To top it all off, former first lady Michelle Obama took home a Grammy.
Read on to catch up on this week’s wins.
The Colorado Senate voted 19-15 to approve a bill to abolish the death penalty in the state, Denver’s ABC-7 reported Thursday.
“This idea that we should say murdering is wrong except when the state does it strikes me as untenable,” state Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Democrat and the lead sponsor of the bill, said during the debate on the legislation.
A final vote on the measure passed on Friday, sending the measure to the state House, which the Denver Post reported is expected to pass the bill.
If the bill becomes law, Colorado would be the 22nd state in the country to outlaw the death penalty.
Voter suppression efforts in Arizona were stopped by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday, ruling that a 2016 Republican-backed law has “a discriminatory impact on American Indian, Hispanic, and African American voters in Arizona.”
The law criminalized many efforts to return absentee, or mail-in, ballots, but the court found that the law was enacted “with discriminatory intent.”
“Today marks an important victory for all Arizonans,” Herschel Fink, executive director of the Arizona Democratic Party, said in a statement. The ruling “takes an undue burden off of working families and people of color, making it easier for them to exercise their right to vote.”
The lawsuit was initiated by the Democratic National Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and the Arizona Democratic Party in 2016, according to the Associated Press, while the Arizona Republican Party joined the state of Arizona in defending the law.
Arizona is poised to be a presidential battleground state in November, and will also be home to a marquee Senate race between incumbent Republican Martha McSally and likely Democratic nominee Mark Kelly.
Illinois residents will pay no more than $100 for a 30-day supply of insulin, thanks to a new law signed last Friday by Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker. According to the governor’s office, 1.3 million Illinois residents rely on insulin.
“Health care is a right for all, not a privilege and that is why I am so proud that we created an insulin price cap that successfully puts patients above profit,” Pritzker said in a statement.
While some other aspects of the law go into effect in January 2021, the insulin pricing requirements go into effect immediately.
The issue of prescription drug prices is a top health concern of most Americans, according to a poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation. In December, the House of Representatives passed a bill to lower the cost of prescription drugs, but the Senate has yet to address the issue.
Tony Evers, the Democratic governor of Wisconsin, signed an executive order on Wednesday creating the Governor’s Task Force on Student Debt.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, the task force will assess the issue of student debt among Wisconsin residents, look for strategies to help reduce student debt, and focus on ways to prevent abusive practices by student loan companies.
“We need to address college affordability and ensure that a great education doesn’t come at the cost of decades of crippling debt,” Evers said in a statement. “Student debt isn’t going away any time soon, but this task force will be a meaningful first step in addressing this issue in our state.”
Wisconsin Public Radio reported that 2 in 3 Wisconsin college graduates in 2018 have student loan debts in excess of $30,000. Nationally, 45 million people owe roughly $1.6 trillion total in student loan debts.
On Thursday, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a total of seven bills on gun safety, the Washington Post reported, fulfilling a major election promise to tackle the issue of gun violence.
The chamber passed bills on popular provisions such as universal background checks and “red flag” laws to give authorities the ability to temporarily seize guns from a person deemed a threat to themselves or others.
“For too many years this body has put the convenience of gun owners above all else,” Democratic Del. Patrick Hope said in a floor speech, according to the Post. “Families are hurting. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
The Virginia Senate recently passed five gun safety bills, and Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam is likely to sign the measures that come to his desk.
Gun safety became a major issue in the 2019 Virginia elections, following a May 31 mass shooting in Virginia Beach that resulted in 12 deaths. Virginia, home to the NRA, elected enough Democrats in 2019 to obtain a 55-45 majority in the state’s House of Delegates, while also electing a Democratic majority in the state Senate.
New Jersey unveiled its “Energy Master Plan” on Monday, calling for 100% clean energy by the year 2050, according to an announcement by the governor.
The plan from Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy included seven different strategies to make it to the clean energy goal. Among them are reducing energy consumption and emissions from automobiles, aiming for greener building and homes, investing in the current power grid to increase efficiencies, and investing in more clean energy jobs.
The plan shows “that we can provide affordable clean power to our homes and businesses, create thousands of good-paying jobs and fight climate pollution all at the same time,” Eric Miller, New Jersey policy director with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in a statement.
Former first lady Michelle Obama won her first Grammy Sunday night, winning in the spoken word album category for the audiobook version of her memoir, “Becoming.”
The book tells the story of Obama’s life, “from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address,” according to her publisher.
Obama’s husband, President Barack Obama, won Grammys for his memoirs, “Dreams of My Father” (2005) and “The Audacity of Hope” (2007).
Former first lady Hillary Clinton also won a Grammy in 1996 for her “It Takes a Village.”
Check back next week for more good news.