shareblue--2020-06-24--Experts warn Trump's new anti-immigrant order will harm US business

Donald Trump 's executive order barring work visas for a wide range of immigrants will hurt the United States , the nation ’ s largest scientific society warned on Tuesday .
`` Restricting immigration does not make America great or safe , '' Sudip Parikh , CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science , said in a statement .
Preventing highly skilled workers from coming to the country `` will harm American science and threatens our scientific leadership , '' Parikh said , adding that Trump 's decision risks `` further isolating the United States and exacerbating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer welcoming '' to immigrants .
The AAAS statement followed comments from business and technology leaders also criticizing Trump ’ s decision .
`` Putting up a 'not welcome ' sign '' will `` push investment and economic activity abroad , slow growth , and reduce job creation , '' Thomas J. Donohue , CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , said in a statement released on Monday .
`` Immigration has contributed immensely to America 's economic success , making it a global leader in tech , '' Sundar Pichai , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Disappointed by today ’ s proclamation - we ’ ll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all . ''
Earlier that day , Trump issued a proclamation severely restricting several categories of immigration visas for the rest of the year , claiming the move was designed to help American workers .
The ban applies to many H1-B visas — for highly skilled workers — spouses of H1-B visa recipients , H2-B visas — for temporary workers — and visas used by companies to bring employees located @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration made exceptions for some agricultural laborers and health care workers , as well as the type of visas commonly used by au pairs .
Amazon , the company with the most H1-B visa employees in 2019 , described the order as `` short-sighted , '' adding that it `` puts American ’ s global competitiveness at risk . ''
Trump 's announcement followed a decision in April to bar most immigrants seeking permanent residency in the United States .
That decision was also met with criticism .
`` Scapegoating immigrants has long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration as a way to distract from the administration 's many failings , '' the Economic Policy Institute , a progressive think tank , wrote in April . ''
The order was `` a convenient way to take attention away from the administration 's botched response to the coronavirus pandemic and to blame immigrants for all of society 's ills . ''
According to the Post , Trump at the time ordered administration officials to look into the impact of additional work restrictions for immigrants .
In the weeks that followed , business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .
Anti-immigrant advocates , meanwhile , urged the administration to implement even harsher measures than the April restrictions .
`` This is a victory for the immigration hawks within the White House , '' Mark Krikorian , executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies , an anti-immigrant hate group according to the Southern Poverty Law Center , told the Post on Monday .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s executive order barring work visas for a wide range of immigrants will hurt the United States, the nation’s largest scientific society warned on Tuesday.
“Restricting immigration does not make America great or safe,” Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, said in a statement.
Preventing highly skilled workers from coming to the country “will harm American science and threatens our scientific leadership,” Parikh said, adding that Trump’s decision risks “further isolating the United States and exacerbating the perception that our nation is no longer welcoming” to immigrants.
The AAAS statement followed comments from business and technology leaders also criticizing Trump’s decision.
“Putting up a ‘not welcome’ sign” will “push investment and economic activity abroad, slow growth, and reduce job creation,” Thomas J. Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement released on Monday.
“Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech,” Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, tweeted on Monday. “Disappointed by today’s proclamation – we’ll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all.”
Earlier that day, Trump issued a proclamation severely restricting several categories of immigration visas for the rest of the year, claiming the move was designed to help American workers.
The ban applies to many H1-B visas — for highly skilled workers — spouses of H1-B visa recipients, H2-B visas — for temporary workers — and visas used by companies to bring employees located abroad to the United States.
The administration made exceptions for some agricultural laborers and health care workers, as well as the type of visas commonly used by au pairs.
Amazon, the company with the most H1-B visa employees in 2019, described the order as “short-sighted,” adding that it “puts American’s global competitiveness at risk.”
Trump’s announcement followed a decision in April to bar most immigrants seeking permanent residency in the United States.
That decision was also met with criticism.
“Scapegoating immigrants has long been a tactic used by the Trump administration as a way to distract from the administration’s many failings,” the Economic Policy Institute, a progressive think tank, wrote in April.”
The order was “a convenient way to take attention away from the administration’s botched response to the coronavirus pandemic and to blame immigrants for all of society’s ills.”
According to the Post, Trump at the time ordered administration officials to look into the impact of additional work restrictions for immigrants.
In the weeks that followed, business leaders pushed Trump not to implement additional measures. Anti-immigrant advocates, meanwhile, urged the administration to implement even harsher measures than the April restrictions.
“This is a victory for the immigration hawks within the White House,” Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, an anti-immigrant hate group according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, told the Post on Monday.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-24--GOP primary voters reject 3 Trump recommendations in just 2 weeks

Republican voters in two congressional districts ignored Donald Trump 's advice in Tuesday 's primaries and chose candidates Trump had opposed .
Three candidates backed by Trump have now been defeated since he touted his `` 64-0 '' endorsement record in the 2020 election cycle earlier this month .
Rep. Thomas Massie easily won renomination in Kentucky 's 4th Congressional District for a fifth full term despite Trump 's opposition .
In March , Massie forced hundreds of his colleagues to travel back to Washington , D.C. , in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic for a vote on economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time as `` a third rate Grandstander '' who `` just wants the publicity . ''
`` By empowering the Radical Left Democrats , do nothing Kentucky politician @ RepThomasMassie is making their War on the 2nd Amendment more and more difficult to win ( But don ’ t worry , we will win anyway ! )
.
He is a disaster for America , and for the Great State of Kentucky ! ''
Trump also tweeted .
He urged voters to `` WIN BACK HOUSE , but throw Massie out of Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In North Carolina 's 11th Congressional District , Trump repeatedly endorsed Lynda Bennett earlier this month for the nomination to replace his White House chief of staff , Mark Meadows .
He praised her as `` a great fighter & ally in North Carolina '' who `` is Strong on Crime , Borders , Military , our Great Vets & 2A '' and `` will be a great help to me in DC . ''
Meadows also backed Bennett .
But after giving a plurality to Bennett in the March primary — before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday nominated 24-year-old Madison Cawthorn .
As of Wednesday morning , Cawthorn was ahead of Bennett in the runoff by a margin of nearly 2 to 1 .
The two losses by candidates backed by Trump came just 10 days after Republicans in Virginia 's 5th Congressional District nominated self-styled `` biblical conservative '' challenger Bob Good over a Trump-backed incumbent .
Trump tweeted in December that first-term Rep. Denver Riggleman was `` a true CONSERVATIVE leader who has done a great job for Virginia and will support our # MAGA Agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bear arms , protect our Borders & help small businesses .
Denver has my Total Endorsement ! ''
Trump wrote .
Delegates to the district nominating convention apparently backed Good 58 % to 42 % .
Riggleman has suggested he might challenge the result or run as a third-party candidate . )
The trio of losses means Trump can no longer boast of a perfect record of endorsements for 2020 .
On June 4 , he retweeted a Republican operative who noted Trump 's `` 64-0 '' record to that point .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : @ realDonaldTrump has an undefeated record of candidate endorsements this cycle , '' Steve Guest observed .
A day earlier , he retweeted a similar message posted by Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel , who said , `` If you think the energy and enthusiasm on our side is strong now , wait until 'Donald J. Trump ' himself is on the ballot in November ! ''
The `` undefeated record '' appeared to include `` winners '' such as Reps. Dan Meuser , Scott Perry , and Lloyd Smucker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom ran unopposed .
The Tuesday results came as a New York Times/Sienna College poll found voters nationally have soured on Trump , who according to the poll trails Joe Biden by 14 points .
While Trump and Biden each lead by 85 points among voters in their own party , independents favor Biden by a 21-point margin .
Just 27 % of registered voters gave Trump a `` very favorable '' rating , while 50 % hold a `` very unfavorable '' impression of him .
Published with permission of The American @ @ @

Republican voters in two congressional districts ignored Donald Trump’s advice in Tuesday’s primaries and chose candidates Trump had opposed.
Three candidates backed by Trump have now been defeated since he touted his “64-0” endorsement record in the 2020 election cycle earlier this month.
Rep. Thomas Massie easily won renomination in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District for a fifth full term despite Trump’s opposition.
In March, Massie forced hundreds of his colleagues to travel back to Washington, D.C., in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic for a vote on economic relief. Trump mocked Massie at the time as “a third rate Grandstander” who “just wants the publicity.”
“By empowering the Radical Left Democrats, do nothing Kentucky politician @RepThomasMassie is making their War on the 2nd Amendment more and more difficult to win (But don’t worry, we will win anyway!). He is a disaster for America, and for the Great State of Kentucky!” Trump also tweeted.
He urged voters to “WIN BACK HOUSE, but throw Massie out of Republican Party!” They did not.
In North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, Trump repeatedly endorsed Lynda Bennett earlier this month for the nomination to replace his White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows.
He praised her as “a great fighter & ally in North Carolina” who “is Strong on Crime, Borders, Military, our Great Vets & 2A” and “will be a great help to me in DC.” Meadows also backed Bennett.
But after giving a plurality to Bennett in the March primary — before Trump weighed in — Republican voters instead on Tuesday nominated 24-year-old Madison Cawthorn. As of Wednesday morning, Cawthorn was ahead of Bennett in the runoff by a margin of nearly 2 to 1.
The two losses by candidates backed by Trump came just 10 days after Republicans in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District nominated self-styled “biblical conservative” challenger Bob Good over a Trump-backed incumbent.
Trump tweeted in December that first-term Rep. Denver Riggleman was “a true CONSERVATIVE leader who has done a great job for Virginia and will support our #MAGA Agenda.
“He defends our right to bear arms, protect our Borders & help small businesses. Denver has my Total Endorsement!” Trump wrote. Delegates to the district nominating convention apparently backed Good 58% to 42%. Riggleman has suggested he might challenge the result or run as a third-party candidate.)
The trio of losses means Trump can no longer boast of a perfect record of endorsements for 2020.
On June 4, he retweeted a Republican operative who noted Trump’s “64-0” record to that point. “This hasn’t received enough coverage: @realDonaldTrump has an undefeated record of candidate endorsements this cycle,” Steve Guest observed.
A day earlier, he retweeted a similar message posted by Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel, who said, “If you think the energy and enthusiasm on our side is strong now, wait until ‘Donald J. Trump’ himself is on the ballot in November!”
The “undefeated record” appeared to include “winners” such as Reps. Dan Meuser, Scott Perry, and Lloyd Smucker, all in Pennsylvania districts and all of whom ran unopposed.
The Tuesday results came as a New York Times/Sienna College poll found voters nationally have soured on Trump, who according to the poll trails Joe Biden by 14 points. While Trump and Biden each lead by 85 points among voters in their own party, independents favor Biden by a 21-point margin.
Just 27% of registered voters gave Trump a “very favorable” rating, while 50% hold a “very unfavorable” impression of him.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-24--Conway defends racist term she called 'offensive' now that Trump uses it

Senior White House counselor Kellyanne Conway is defending Donald Trump 's recent use of the racist term `` kung-flu '' to describe COVID-19 , despite calling the phrase `` highly offensive '' and `` very hurtful '' in March .
Trump used the term during his poorly attended rally in Oklahoma and again on Tuesday while meeting with student supporters in Arizona .
Conway was asked about it by reporters on Wednesday morning , who noted that she had previously condemned its use .
`` We don ’ t always agree on everything and that 's why I work here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difference showed Trump is a `` very strong leader . ''
Conway said Trump 's racist rhetoric was a way of holding China accountable for the virus .
`` My reaction is that the president has made very clear he wants everybody to understand — and I think many Americans do understand — that the virus originated in China and had China been more transparent and honest with the United States and the world , we would n't have all the death and destruction that unfortunately we 've suffered and that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Conway said .
The Trump administration and other Republicans have sought to use China as a way to deflect responsibility for Trump 's mishandling of the outbreak that has killed over 121,000 Americans to date .
However , in both instances of Trump using the phrase , he was not talking about holding China accountable , but instead was claiming that there is a long list of names for the virus and that the racist `` kung-flu '' was one of them .
On Tuesday , Trump also expressed confusion about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` some people ca n't explain '' it .
Earlier in the week , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also defended Trump 's use of the racist phrase , insisting that Trump `` does not believe it 's offensive to note that this virus came from China . ''
She also claimed Trump 's use of the phrase was somehow a way for him to `` stand up for our U.S. military , who China 's making an active effort to completely defame . ''
Even as Conway defended Trump 's use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her previous attacks on CBS reporter Weijia Jiang , who first reported that someone in the White House had used the phrase in front of her .
`` I 'm glad you 're joining us , Weijia , because I still invite you up here to tell us who said that , and I think that that would be a very important revelation , '' said Conway .
`` That 's not a source for you to protect , that 's somebody who should n't have said that and you 're claiming did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know who that was , '' she added .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senior White House counselor Kellyanne Conway is defending Donald Trump’s recent use of the racist term “kung-flu” to describe COVID-19, despite calling the phrase “highly offensive” and “very hurtful” in March.
Trump used the term during his poorly attended rally in Oklahoma and again on Tuesday while meeting with student supporters in Arizona. Conway was asked about it by reporters on Wednesday morning, who noted that she had previously condemned its use.
“We don’t always agree on everything and that’s why I work here,” Conway said, suggesting that the difference showed Trump is a “very strong leader.”
Conway said Trump’s racist rhetoric was a way of holding China accountable for the virus.
“My reaction is that the president has made very clear he wants everybody to understand — and I think many Americans do understand — that the virus originated in China and had China been more transparent and honest with the United States and the world, we wouldn’t have all the death and destruction that unfortunately we’ve suffered and that’s important, continue to be important,” Conway said.
The Trump administration and other Republicans have sought to use China as a way to deflect responsibility for Trump’s mishandling of the outbreak that has killed over 121,000 Americans to date.
However, in both instances of Trump using the phrase, he was not talking about holding China accountable, but instead was claiming that there is a long list of names for the virus and that the racist “kung-flu” was one of them.
On Tuesday, Trump also expressed confusion about the “19” in COVID-19, saying “some people can’t explain” it.
Earlier in the week, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also defended Trump’s use of the racist phrase, insisting that Trump “does not believe it’s offensive to note that this virus came from China.” She also claimed Trump’s use of the phrase was somehow a way for him to “stand up for our U.S. military, who China’s making an active effort to completely defame.”
Even as Conway defended Trump’s use of the racist phrase, she renewed her previous attacks on CBS reporter Weijia Jiang, who first reported that someone in the White House had used the phrase in front of her.
“I’m glad you’re joining us, Weijia, because I still invite you up here to tell us who said that, and I think that that would be a very important revelation,” said Conway.
“That’s not a source for you to protect, that’s somebody who shouldn’t have said that and you’re claiming did say that. We still don’t know who that was,” she added.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-24--GOP senator: Removing Confederate military base names is caving to a 'mob'

Sen. Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) wants to block a bill that would force military bases named after Confederate soldiers to be renamed , saying the mandate to change the names `` smacks of the cancel culture the Left wants to impose on the nation . ''
Earlier this month , the Senate adopted an amendment written by Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) to the annual defense budget that would force the Pentagon to remove Confederate names , monuments , and symbols from all military facilities and equipment .
Warren 's amendment was adopted by the GOP-controlled Senate Armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he is `` personally OK '' with the change .
But Hawley is mad , saying the decision caves to the left-wing `` mob . ''
He wants to strip Warren 's amendment from the defense authorization bill and instead create a commission that would `` hold public hearings , gather input from military families and veterans , and work with state and local communities to recommend a way forward . ''
Hawley said in a news release that his amendment would then `` require the Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so that Congress can ensure state and local input is substantially reflected in the Commission ’ s final recommendations . ''
Hawley 's opposition to removing the names of Confederate figures from military bases comes as support for memorializing them wanes .
Protesters marching for racial justice have called for the removal of Confederate and other racist monuments .
And their cause is gaining support , with 32 % of voters now saying they support getting rid of Confederate statues , up from 26 % in 2017 , according to a Morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country have started to remove monuments to generals and soldiers who fought for the Confederacy against the United States in the racist cause of preserving slavery .
Donald Trump wants to keep the statues and bases named for Confederates , saying that removing them erases `` part of a Great American Heritage . ''
`` The reality though is that this was never about the Confederacy , '' he said .
`` That 's what left-wing activists want us to believe .
The events of the last few weeks where rioters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us otherwise .
It only took days for them to move on to Grant and Lincoln .
And the mob will keep marching through all our cultural institutions until every American whom the woke crowd deems unjust is cancelled . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) wants to block a bill that would force military bases named after Confederate soldiers to be renamed, saying the mandate to change the names “smacks of the cancel culture the Left wants to impose on the nation.”
Earlier this month, the Senate adopted an amendment written by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to the annual defense budget that would force the Pentagon to remove Confederate names, monuments, and symbols from all military facilities and equipment.
Warren’s amendment was adopted by the GOP-controlled Senate Armed Services Committee with bipartisan support.
Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he is “personally OK” with the change.
But Hawley is mad, saying the decision caves to the left-wing “mob.”
He wants to strip Warren’s amendment from the defense authorization bill and instead create a commission that would “hold public hearings, gather input from military families and veterans, and work with state and local communities to recommend a way forward.”
Hawley said in a news release that his amendment would then “require the Commission to report to Congress on its efforts, so that Congress can ensure state and local input is substantially reflected in the Commission’s final recommendations.”
Hawley’s opposition to removing the names of Confederate figures from military bases comes as support for memorializing them wanes.
Protesters marching for racial justice have called for the removal of Confederate and other racist monuments. And their cause is gaining support, with 32% of voters now saying they support getting rid of Confederate statues, up from 26% in 2017, according to a Morning Consult poll.
State and local officials across the country have started to remove monuments to generals and soldiers who fought for the Confederacy against the United States in the racist cause of preserving slavery.
Donald Trump wants to keep the statues and bases named for Confederates, saying that removing them erases “part of a Great American Heritage.”
Hawley apparently agrees with Trump.
“The reality though is that this was never about the Confederacy,” he said. “That’s what left-wing activists want us to believe. The events of the last few weeks where rioters have attacked American and religious landmarks tell us otherwise. It only took days for them to move on to Grant and Lincoln. And the mob will keep marching through all our cultural institutions until every American whom the woke crowd deems unjust is cancelled.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-25--Tom Cotton: DC shouldn't be a state because it's not 'working class' like Wyoming

Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton ( R ) on Thursday delivered a lengthy , racist speech from the chamber floor , denouncing a House bill that is likely to pass on Friday , which would make the District of Columbia a state .
The White House has already threatened to veto the bill if it makes it to Donald Trump 's desk , though the Senate is unlikely to pass it .
Cotton slammed the legislation , arguing that D.C. was not worthy of statehood because it was made up of federal buildings and suggesting its Black mayors could not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He also claimed that , despite D.C. 's population being higher than larger states like Wyoming , which has voting representation in Congress , Wyoming had `` diversity of interest , '' `` financial independence , '' and was a `` well-rounded working-class state . ''
ARKANSAS SEN. TOM COTTON ( R ) : Would you trust Mayor Bowser to keep Washington safe if she were given the powers of a governor ?
Would you trust Marion Barry ?
More important , should we risk the safety of our capital on such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats will argue that the statehood bill does n't entirely eliminate federal control of Washington because it preserves a small federal district that encompasses the White House , the Capitol , the Supreme Court , the Library of Congress , the National Mall , and a few other government buildings .
What a humbling demotion from the grand federal city that President Washington and Pierre L'Enfant envisioned more than 200 years ago which they hoped to rival Paris in size and ambition .
Washington also does n't have the diversity of interest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a well-functioning state .
Yes , Wyoming is smaller than Washington by population , but it has three times as many workers in mining , logging , and construction , and ten times as many workers in manufacturing .
In other words , Wyoming is a well-rounded , working-class state .
A new state of Washington would not be .
What about Alaska ?
It provides more than 60 % of the nation 's seafood , and its vital geography both protects the entire nation with missile defense systems and enables us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arctic .
But what vital industries would the new state of Washington represent ?
Lobbying ?
Bureaucracy ?
By far , the largest group of workers in the city are bureaucrats and other white-collar professionals .
This state would be nothing more than an appendage of the federal government , not separate from the government as a state ought to be .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (R) on Thursday delivered a lengthy, racist speech from the chamber floor, denouncing a House bill that is likely to pass on Friday, which would make the District of Columbia a state.
The White House has already threatened to veto the bill if it makes it to Donald Trump’s desk, though the Senate is unlikely to pass it.
Cotton slammed the legislation, arguing that D.C. was not worthy of statehood because it was made up of federal buildings and suggesting its Black mayors could not be trusted to “keep Washington safe.”
He also claimed that, despite D.C.’s population being higher than larger states like Wyoming, which has voting representation in Congress, Wyoming had “diversity of interest,” “financial independence,” and was a “well-rounded working-class state.”
From a Senate speech on June 25:
ARKANSAS SEN. TOM COTTON (R): Would you trust Mayor Bowser to keep Washington safe if she were given the powers of a governor? Would you trust Marion Barry? More important, should we risk the safety of our capital on such a gamble? Now of course the Democrats will argue that the statehood bill doesn’t entirely eliminate federal control of Washington because it preserves a small federal district that encompasses the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, the National Mall, and a few other government buildings. What a humbling demotion from the grand federal city that President Washington and Pierre L’Enfant envisioned more than 200 years ago which they hoped to rival Paris in size and ambition.
And later:
Washington also doesn’t have the diversity of interest and financial independence that Madison explained were necessary for a well-functioning state. Yes, Wyoming is smaller than Washington by population, but it has three times as many workers in mining, logging, and construction, and ten times as many workers in manufacturing. In other words, Wyoming is a well-rounded, working-class state. A new state of Washington would not be. What about Alaska? It provides more than 60% of the nation’s seafood, and its vital geography both protects the entire nation with missile defense systems and enables us to check Russian and Chinese ambitions in the arctic. But what vital industries would the new state of Washington represent? Lobbying? Bureaucracy? Give me a break. By far, the largest group of workers in the city are bureaucrats and other white-collar professionals. This state would be nothing more than an appendage of the federal government, not separate from the government as a state ought to be.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-25--Coronavirus abortion bans may be over — but they've caused lasting damage

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic , several states tried to use the crisis to ban abortion .
The situation in Texas was particularly complicated , with the legality of the procedure changing several times within just a few weeks .
Today , none of those bans remain in effect , but the confusion lingers .
Additionally , it 's only now becoming clear how many people seeking abortions were turned away from clinics during those bans .
The nonprofit communications group Progress Texas recently interviewed Texas providers to learn more about those delays .
The director of Planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that their clinic canceled hundreds of appointments over the course of the ban .
Further , because the legal status of abortion kept changing , the clinic opened and closed eight times in the months of March and April .
Kumar says that meant there was `` certainly a backlog '' of patients needing abortions .
Similarly , Amy Hagstrom Miller , president of Whole Women 's Health , which has multiple clinics in Texas , said that 5 % of their patients traveled elsewhere to get an abortion during the bans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller noted , is out of the reach of many .
`` Most people , even in normal times , simply can not travel hundreds of miles for an abortion – taking off work , arranging child care , arranging transportation and hotels . ''
Hagstrom Miller said , noting the situation is `` even more dire in the middle of a pandemic . ''
Studies have shown that the increased costs associated with travel create a substantial barrier to abortion care .
Those costs can take the form of lost wages for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stays , and child care .
As a person 's pregnancy progresses , the cost of obtaining an abortion increases , while the number of possible providers decreases .
When abortion suddenly becomes unavailable in an entire state , as was the case in Texas , it does n't just affect clinics there .
Clinics in neighboring states that continued to provide abortions saw spikes in numbers of out-of-state patients as they worked to absorb the overflow .
In the early part of March , Trust Women , a clinic in Oklahoma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed bans earlier in the pandemic .
However , on March 27 , Oklahoma 's Republican governor declared all abortion in the state banned due to the pandemic , and Trust Women was forced to cancel 164 appointments .
The staffers at the Oklahoma clinic then worked to place people for abortions in Arkansas—which later banned the procedure as well—and Kansas .
Even when abortion access returned to Oklahoma , substantial barriers remained .
As in Arkansas , Oklahoma required anyone receiving a procedural abortion to first have a negative coronavirus test .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely available , and test results are n't provided very swiftly .
As of June 18 , Oklahoma had only tested 276,000 people , or roughly 7 % of its population .
The state lifted its requirement for coronavirus testing prior to abortion earlier this month .
Researchers for the Guttmacher Institute , which tracks abortion policies and restrictions , note that it is too soon to fully measure the impact of these bans .
However , by reviewing prior attempts to ban or severely limit access to abortion , the researchers contend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a barrier to care .
Those increased costs could be expected to `` [ push ] individuals past the gestational limits for an abortion in many states and , ultimately , make abortion inaccessible . ''
Given the numbers from Texas and Oklahoma alone , it 's likely that several hundred people at best ended up receiving an abortion later in pregnancy and at worst were unable to obtain one at all .
Further , the Guttmacher researchers posit , clinics may still not be running at full capacity during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce their caseloads , and staff may be infected or quarantined .
That may make it impossible to work through a potential backlog of patients who were unable to obtain abortion care during the pandemic .
The COVID-19 bans have all expired , but they 'll continue to affect people ’ s lives for a long time .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, several states tried to use the crisis to ban abortion. The situation in Texas was particularly complicated, with the legality of the procedure changing several times within just a few weeks.
Today, none of those bans remain in effect, but the confusion lingers. Additionally, it’s only now becoming clear how many people seeking abortions were turned away from clinics during those bans.
The nonprofit communications group Progress Texas recently interviewed Texas providers to learn more about those delays. The director of Planned Parenthood Houston, Dr. Bhavik Kumar, said that their clinic canceled hundreds of appointments over the course of the ban.
Further, because the legal status of abortion kept changing, the clinic opened and closed eight times in the months of March and April. Kumar says that meant there was “certainly a backlog” of patients needing abortions.
Similarly, Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Women’s Health, which has multiple clinics in Texas, said that 5% of their patients traveled elsewhere to get an abortion during the bans in Texas. However, travel, Miller noted, is out of the reach of many.
“Most people, even in normal times, simply cannot travel hundreds of miles for an abortion – taking off work, arranging child care, arranging transportation and hotels.” Hagstrom Miller said, noting the situation is “even more dire in the middle of a pandemic.”
Studies have shown that the increased costs associated with travel create a substantial barrier to abortion care. Those costs can take the form of lost wages for multiple work days, transportation, hotel stays, and child care. As a person’s pregnancy progresses, the cost of obtaining an abortion increases, while the number of possible providers decreases.
When abortion suddenly becomes unavailable in an entire state, as was the case in Texas, it doesn’t just affect clinics there. Clinics in neighboring states that continued to provide abortions saw spikes in numbers of out-of-state patients as they worked to absorb the overflow.
In the early part of March, Trust Women, a clinic in Oklahoma, initially received patients from states that had imposed bans earlier in the pandemic. However, on March 27, Oklahoma’s Republican governor declared all abortion in the state banned due to the pandemic, and Trust Women was forced to cancel 164 appointments. The staffers at the Oklahoma clinic then worked to place people for abortions in Arkansas—which later banned the procedure as well—and Kansas.
Even when abortion access returned to Oklahoma, substantial barriers remained. As in Arkansas, Oklahoma required anyone receiving a procedural abortion to first have a negative coronavirus test. However, virus testing kits aren’t widely available, and test results aren’t provided very swiftly. As of June 18, Oklahoma had only tested 276,000 people, or roughly 7% of its population. The state lifted its requirement for coronavirus testing prior to abortion earlier this month.
Researchers for the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks abortion policies and restrictions, note that it is too soon to fully measure the impact of these bans. However, by reviewing prior attempts to ban or severely limit access to abortion, the researchers contend the costs of additional travel are likely to be a barrier to care. Those increased costs could be expected to “[push] individuals past the gestational limits for an abortion in many states and, ultimately, make abortion inaccessible.”
Given the numbers from Texas and Oklahoma alone, it’s likely that several hundred people at best ended up receiving an abortion later in pregnancy and at worst were unable to obtain one at all. Further, the Guttmacher researchers posit, clinics may still not be running at full capacity during the pandemic. Social distancing may require clinics to reduce their caseloads, and staff may be infected or quarantined. That may make it impossible to work through a potential backlog of patients who were unable to obtain abortion care during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 bans have all expired, but they’ll continue to affect people’s lives for a long time.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-25--House Republicans call Black Lives Matter protests 'organized crime'

Congressional Republicans from the House Freedom Caucus on Thursday held an event to attack the protest movement that has risen up against racism and police violence following the death of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his throat for more than 8 minutes while Floyd pleaded that he could not breathe .
Rep. Andy Biggs ( R-AZ ) , chair of the caucus , called on federal prosecutors to utilize the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act against protesters .
RICO was passed to in the 1970s , originally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. attorneys need to be prosecuting cases , '' said Biggs .
`` We can look at RICO , the racketeering laws apply to many in this case.
`` `` We have laws on the books that prohibit organized crime .
The kind of organized crime that we 're seeing from BLM [ Black Lives Matter ] , '' claimed Rep. Chip Roy ( R-TX ) , adding , `` We are seeing organized crime in the hands of Antifa , who are organizing efforts around the United States and organizing this activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since protests first began in late May , Republicans have repeatedly alleged that anti-fascist activists , under the name `` antifa , '' are behind various crimes , but the Department of Justice has said recent arrests for violence are not connected to anyone involved with antifa .
Black Lives Matter , which was founded in 2013 following the acquittal on the man who killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin , says its goals are to end white supremacy and state-sanctioned violence against the Black community .
No local chapters of Black Lives Matters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , the recent protests — not all of which have been organized by Black Lives Matter groups — were described by Rep. Louie Gohmert ( R-TX ) as part of a `` Marxist crime wave '' that is part of a wide-ranging plot to create a `` Bolshevik '' style revolution in America .
`` This kind of insurrections can start small , '' said Gohmert , warning that events in America could follow in the path of revolutions in `` Venezuela , Soviet Union , China . ''
The rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has repeatedly tweeted about `` LAW AND ORDER '' and spoken out against the protests .
`` Very sad to see States allowing roving gangs of wise guys , anarchists & looters , many of them having no idea what they are doing , indiscriminately ripping down our statues and monuments to the past , '' Trump tweeted on Wednesday .
The next day , Trump referred to comments made on Fox News by Hawk Newsome , president for Greater New York Black Lives Matter , as `` Treason , Sedition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't give us what we want , then we will burn down this system and replace it , '' Newsome told the network.
`` I could be speaking figuratively , I could be speaking literally .
It 's a matter of interpretation . ''
Trump has frequently claimed people he disagrees with have committed `` treason '' for such supposed crimes as not applauding him and presenting evidence against him that led to his eventual impeachment .
In response to Trump 's attack , the ACLU of New Jersey tweeted , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a metaphor .
And it 's First Amendment protected speech . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Congressional Republicans from the House Freedom Caucus on Thursday held an event to attack the protest movement that has risen up against racism and police violence following the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his throat for more than 8 minutes while Floyd pleaded that he could not breathe.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), chair of the caucus, called on federal prosecutors to utilize the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act against protesters. RICO was passed to in the 1970s, originally to target the Mafia.
“Our U.S. attorneys need to be prosecuting cases,” said Biggs. “We can look at RICO, the racketeering laws apply to many in this case. ”
“We have laws on the books that prohibit organized crime. The kind of organized crime that we’re seeing from BLM [Black Lives Matter],” claimed Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), adding, “We are seeing organized crime in the hands of Antifa, who are organizing efforts around the United States and organizing this activity that is causing criminal behavior.”
Since protests first began in late May, Republicans have repeatedly alleged that anti-fascist activists, under the name “antifa,” are behind various crimes, but the Department of Justice has said recent arrests for violence are not connected to anyone involved with antifa.
Black Lives Matter, which was founded in 2013 following the acquittal on the man who killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, says its goals are to end white supremacy and state-sanctioned violence against the Black community. No local chapters of Black Lives Matters are known to be involved in organized crime.
Still, the recent protests — not all of which have been organized by Black Lives Matter groups — were described by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) as part of a “Marxist crime wave” that is part of a wide-ranging plot to create a “Bolshevik” style revolution in America.
“This kind of insurrections can start small,” said Gohmert, warning that events in America could follow in the path of revolutions in “Venezuela, Soviet Union, China.”
The rhetoric at the event echoed Donald Trump, who has repeatedly tweeted about “LAW AND ORDER” and spoken out against the protests.
“Very sad to see States allowing roving gangs of wise guys, anarchists & looters, many of them having no idea what they are doing, indiscriminately ripping down our statues and monuments to the past,” Trump tweeted on Wednesday.
The next day, Trump referred to comments made on Fox News by Hawk Newsome, president for Greater New York Black Lives Matter, as “Treason, Sedition, Insurrection!”
“If this country doesn’t give us what we want, then we will burn down this system and replace it,” Newsome told the network. ” I could be speaking figuratively, I could be speaking literally. It’s a matter of interpretation.”
Trump has frequently claimed people he disagrees with have committed “treason” for such supposed crimes as not applauding him and presenting evidence against him that led to his eventual impeachment.
In response to Trump’s attack, the ACLU of New Jersey tweeted, “No, it’s not. It’s a metaphor. And it’s First Amendment protected speech.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-25--Texas senator dismisses virus as state runs out of hospital beds for critical patients

Sen. John Cornyn ( R-TX ) on Thursday attacked a state representative who expressed concern over Houston hospitals reaching ICU capacity .
`` We 're at the edge of the cliff , '' state Rep. Gene Wu tweeted earlier Thursday morning .
`` After these next few days , we will not have enough beds to care for all of the incoming # COVID19 patients .
Then people die . ''
Wu was expressing concern over a local news article that showed 97 % of ICU beds at Houston ’ s Texas Medical Center were full as coronavirus cases continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quit trying to scare people , '' Cornyn tweeted moments later .
`` Actually , only 27 % of ICU beds at Texas Medical Center are # COVID19 patients and nearly all will recover .
70 % of ICU beds are non- # COVID19 patients . ''
Texas notched a single-day record on Wednesday with 5,551 new cases .
The previous record , 5,489 new cases , was set on Tuesday .
In addition to a surge in new cases , the number of hospitalizations from COVID-19 has also increased sharply in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Greg Abbott ’ s decision on Thursday to halt elective surgeries at some state hospitals , tweeting , `` Prudence not fear mongering is called for . ''
Texas health experts , meanwhile , have raised the alarm about the spike in cases and hospitalizations .
`` This is not good , '' Dr. Faisal Masud , Houston Methodist hospital system ’ s critical care director , told NBC News on Thursday .
Masud said that `` if this trajectory is what it was the last 10 days when we literally had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t do that for a couple weeks at all . ''
Dr. Marc Boom , CEO of Houston Methodist hospitals , told employees last week that a rapid increase in new cases could `` eventually challenge our ability to treat both COVID-19 and non-COVID patients . ''
`` We appear to be nearing the tipping point , '' he wrote in an email .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation 's leading infectious disease expert , told Congress on Tuesday that the number of deaths `` always lag considerably behind cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tolls to increase in the coming weeks .
Texas was one of the first states to lift restrictions and allow businesses to reopen , which some experts say may have contributed to the spike in cases .
`` People got complacent , '' Boom told the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday .
`` And it ’ s coming back and biting us , quite frankly . ''
Cornyn has downplayed the severity of the crisis for months .
In March , he tweeted out a photo of a bottle of Corona beer with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t panic .
We will get us through this . ''
Later that same month , he blamed Donald Trump ’ s impeachment for the administration 's slow and flawed response to the pandemic .
Trump 's response was hindered because he was `` forced to defend himself against bogus impeachment charges , '' Cornyn tweeted on March 24 .
In April , Cornyn dismissed the idea of a nationwide stay-at-home order in order to slow the spread of the virus .
`` Locking down the country more than necessary to defeat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overreaction , '' he told reporters on April 2 .
As of Thursday , Texas had 131,310 confirmed coronavirus cases , according to the New York Times .
At least 2,292 people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on Thursday attacked a state representative who expressed concern over Houston hospitals reaching ICU capacity.
“We’re at the edge of the cliff,” state Rep. Gene Wu tweeted earlier Thursday morning. “After these next few days, we will not have enough beds to care for all of the incoming #COVID19 patients. Then people die.”
Wu was expressing concern over a local news article that showed 97% of ICU beds at Houston’s Texas Medical Center were full as coronavirus cases continue to increase in the area.
“Quit trying to scare people,” Cornyn tweeted moments later. “Actually, only 27% of ICU beds at Texas Medical Center are #COVID19 patients and nearly all will recover. 70% of ICU beds are non-#COVID19 patients.”
Texas notched a single-day record on Wednesday with 5,551 new cases. The previous record, 5,489 new cases, was set on Tuesday.
In addition to a surge in new cases, the number of hospitalizations from COVID-19 has also increased sharply in recent weeks.
Cornyn also praised Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision on Thursday to halt elective surgeries at some state hospitals, tweeting, “Prudence not fear mongering is called for.”
Texas health experts, meanwhile, have raised the alarm about the spike in cases and hospitalizations.
“This is not good,” Dr. Faisal Masud, Houston Methodist hospital system’s critical care director, told NBC News on Thursday.
Masud said that “if this trajectory is what it was the last 10 days when we literally had a tripling of our cases — we can’t do that for a couple weeks at all.”
Dr. Marc Boom, CEO of Houston Methodist hospitals, told employees last week that a rapid increase in new cases could “eventually challenge our ability to treat both COVID-19 and non-COVID patients.”
“We appear to be nearing the tipping point,” he wrote in an email.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, told Congress on Tuesday that the number of deaths “always lag considerably behind cases,” adding that he expected death tolls to increase in the coming weeks.
Texas was one of the first states to lift restrictions and allow businesses to reopen, which some experts say may have contributed to the spike in cases.
“People got complacent,” Boom told the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday. “And it’s coming back and biting us, quite frankly.”
Cornyn has downplayed the severity of the crisis for months.
In March, he tweeted out a photo of a bottle of Corona beer with the message, “Be smart; don’t panic. We will get us through this.”
Later that same month, he blamed Donald Trump’s impeachment for the administration’s slow and flawed response to the pandemic.
Trump’s response was hindered because he was “forced to defend himself against bogus impeachment charges,” Cornyn tweeted on March 24.
In April, Cornyn dismissed the idea of a nationwide stay-at-home order in order to slow the spread of the virus.
“Locking down the country more than necessary to defeat the virus to me seems like an overreaction,” he told reporters on April 2.
As of Thursday, Texas had 131,310 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the New York Times. At least 2,292 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-25--Trump returns to Wisconsin to shore up support as polls show him losing

The last time Donald Trump visited Wisconsin he staged a massive , raucous rally at an arena in downtown Milwaukee .
When he returns Thursday to the battleground state , he 'll be reminded how much has changed since January .
The Republican president planned a trip to conservative , rural Wisconsin for a private tour of a shipyard far from Milwaukee , where coronavirus restrictions now prevent large rallies .
A day earlier , the governor activated the National Guard in the capital to protect state property from angry protests against racial injustice .
When Trump last campaigned in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate was 3.5 % .
Now , 12 % of Wisconsin workers are jobless .
Trump 's standing in Wisconsin appears to be suffering from the extraordinary period of turmoil , and his visit was part of a concerted effort to shore up support in friendlier areas that can make or break his reelection chances .
Besides the visit to Marinette , he intended to participate in a town hall to be broadcast by Fox News Channel from an airport in Green Bay .
The trip comes days after he dispatched Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The two parts of Wisconsin targeted by Trump this week — suburban Milwaukee and the Green Bay media market in northeast Wisconsin — are areas where he needs to run up a big vote advantage in November .
Some polls have suggested Trump has ground to make up in Wisconsin .
A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday showed Democrat Joe Biden with an 8 percentage point lead over Trump .
Trump trailed Democrat Hillary Clinton in nearly every poll conducted in Wisconsin in 2016 — often by similar margins — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 23,000 votes .
Marinette County helped deliver that win .
Trump carried the county , about 170 miles ( 275 kilometers ) north of Milwaukee along the shores of Lake Michigan 's Green Bay , with 65 % of the vote .
Unlike Trump 's rally in Oklahoma last weekend and his visit to a Phoenix megachurch Tuesday , his tour of the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard was not scheduled to be open to the public .
He planned to speak to 500 to 600 people inside the shipyard , all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shipbuilder 's spokesperson Eric Dent said in an email .
Trump , who generally refuses to cover his face , will not , Dent said .
`` We are not asking or requiring the president to wear a mask , as we are going to go to great lengths to give him the appropriate social distance , '' he said .
Marinette has not been a hotbed of the virus , with just a few dozen cases and three deaths .
Thirteen employees at the shipbuilder have tested positive for COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now back to work , Dent said .
Everyone who enters the facility is now screened , he said .
Trump 's appearance gives him a chance to score points with blue-collar workers who know the importance of the shipbuilder to the region 's economy , said John Nygren , a Republican member of the state Assembly who was born and raised in Marinette .
`` Granted , Trump is not traditional in a lot of ways , but it 's a great opportunity from a working-class standpoint to show Republicans can stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump planned to promote a contract won in April by Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build as many as 10 Navy frigates .
The shipbuilder plans to invest $ 200 million to expand the Marinette facility because of the contract .
The company employs about 2,500 people now , and the deal could add 1,000 jobs and be worth $ 5.6 billion if all the ships are built .
It 's the first new major shipbuilding program for the Navy in more than a decade .
Biden said in a statement Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take credit for Obama-Biden administration-fueled successes in an attempt to paper over the fact that Wisconsin has been bleeding blue-collar manufacturing jobs over the past few weeks .
Instead of offering real relief to working families , he 's trying to claim credit for progress in Marinette he did not build . ''
Trump 's visit to Marinette is believed to be the first time a sitting president has come to the city .
As a candidate , John F. Kennedy campaigned in Marinette in 1960 , when he gave a speech on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence was at the same Marinette shipyard in November to promote Trump 's trade deal with Mexico and Canada .

The last time Donald Trump visited Wisconsin he staged a massive, raucous rally at an arena in downtown Milwaukee.
When he returns Thursday to the battleground state, he’ll be reminded how much has changed since January.
The Republican president planned a trip to conservative, rural Wisconsin for a private tour of a shipyard far from Milwaukee, where coronavirus restrictions now prevent large rallies. A day earlier, the governor activated the National Guard in the capital to protect state property from angry protests against racial injustice.
When Trump last campaigned in the state in January, the unemployment rate was 3.5%. Now, 12% of Wisconsin workers are jobless.
Trump’s standing in Wisconsin appears to be suffering from the extraordinary period of turmoil, and his visit was part of a concerted effort to shore up support in friendlier areas that can make or break his reelection chances.
Besides the visit to Marinette, he intended to participate in a town hall to be broadcast by Fox News Channel from an airport in Green Bay. The trip comes days after he dispatched Vice President Mike Pence to the conservative Milwaukee suburbs.
The two parts of Wisconsin targeted by Trump this week — suburban Milwaukee and the Green Bay media market in northeast Wisconsin — are areas where he needs to run up a big vote advantage in November.
Some polls have suggested Trump has ground to make up in Wisconsin. A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday showed Democrat Joe Biden with an 8 percentage point lead over Trump. Trump trailed Democrat Hillary Clinton in nearly every poll conducted in Wisconsin in 2016 — often by similar margins — before he won the state by fewer than 23,000 votes.
Marinette County helped deliver that win. Trump carried the county, about 170 miles (275 kilometers) north of Milwaukee along the shores of Lake Michigan’s Green Bay, with 65% of the vote.
Unlike Trump’s rally in Oklahoma last weekend and his visit to a Phoenix megachurch Tuesday, his tour of the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard was not scheduled to be open to the public. He planned to speak to 500 to 600 people inside the shipyard, all of whom were required to wear masks, the shipbuilder’s spokesperson Eric Dent said in an email.
Trump, who generally refuses to cover his face, will not, Dent said.
“We are not asking or requiring the president to wear a mask, as we are going to go to great lengths to give him the appropriate social distance,” he said.
Marinette has not been a hotbed of the virus, with just a few dozen cases and three deaths. Thirteen employees at the shipbuilder have tested positive for COVID-19, but they have all recovered and are now back to work, Dent said. Everyone who enters the facility is now screened, he said.
Trump’s appearance gives him a chance to score points with blue-collar workers who know the importance of the shipbuilder to the region’s economy, said John Nygren, a Republican member of the state Assembly who was born and raised in Marinette.
“Granted, Trump is not traditional in a lot of ways, but it’s a great opportunity from a working-class standpoint to show Republicans can stand up for them,” Nygren said.
Trump planned to promote a contract won in April by Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build as many as 10 Navy frigates. The shipbuilder plans to invest $200 million to expand the Marinette facility because of the contract. The company employs about 2,500 people now, and the deal could add 1,000 jobs and be worth $5.6 billion if all the ships are built. It’s the first new major shipbuilding program for the Navy in more than a decade.
Biden said in a statement Thursday that Trump was coming to Marinette “to take credit for Obama-Biden administration-fueled successes in an attempt to paper over the fact that Wisconsin has been bleeding blue-collar manufacturing jobs over the past few weeks. Instead of offering real relief to working families, he’s trying to claim credit for progress in Marinette he did not build.”
Trump’s visit to Marinette is believed to be the first time a sitting president has come to the city. As a candidate, John F. Kennedy campaigned in Marinette in 1960, when he gave a speech on the importance of loans for farmers. Pence was at the same Marinette shipyard in November to promote Trump’s trade deal with Mexico and Canada.


shareblue--2020-06-25--McCarthy lashes out at reporter for asking about Trump's racist phrase

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy lashed out at a reporter on Thursday who asked whether the California Republican thought Donald Trump 's use of a racist term `` kung-flu '' was `` an appropriate way to characterize the coronavirus . ''
McCarthy exploded in outrage over the questions , saying in response , `` Do you think that 's the most pressing issue you have about the coronavirus ?
... What I 'm thinking about is why that is your most pressing issue as a question .
When we 've just seen a spike in coronavirus , you 're concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it . ''
Trump 's use of the racist term for the coronavirus has sparked outrage , especially as many Asian Americans have found themselves the target of hate crimes and violence while Trump and Republicans continue to blame the COVID-19 pandemic on China .
At first , Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway agreed it was not acceptable to use the term after a Chinese American CBS News reporter had said that a White House aide — whom she did n't name — used the `` kung-flu '' term .
`` Of course it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 18 .
Since then , Trump himself has started using the term , and as such Conway and other White House staffers have excused the behavior .
`` My reaction is that the president has made very clear he wants everybody to understand — and I think many Americans do understand — that the virus originated in China and had China been more transparent and honest with the United States and the world , we would n't have all the death and destruction that unfortunately we 've suffered and that 's important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conway said on Tuesday , reversing her past comment that using the term was `` highly offensive '' and `` very hurtful . ''
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also said on Monday that it 's not racist to use the term .
`` The president does not believe it 's offensive to note that this virus came from China and to stand up for our U.S. military , who China 's making an active effort to completely defame , and that is unacceptable to the president , '' McEnany said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thought the racist term was racist .
Instead , he appeared angry that he had to answer for Trump 's use of the racist term at all .
`` I think we should all focus , learn more about this disease , and stop this virus , '' McCarthy said .
`` But every time I 've come here , you 've always had those type of questions .
It 's interesting to me , if that 's what your viewers care most about . ''
However , polls show voters do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll numbers sinking thanks in part to Trump 's sowing of racial division .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy lashed out at a reporter on Thursday who asked whether the California Republican thought Donald Trump’s use of a racist term “kung-flu” was “an appropriate way to characterize the coronavirus.”
McCarthy exploded in outrage over the questions, saying in response, “Do you think that’s the most pressing issue you have about the coronavirus? … What I’m thinking about is why that is your most pressing issue as a question. When we’ve just seen a spike in coronavirus, you’re concerned about somebody and the way they name it.”
Trump’s use of the racist term for the coronavirus has sparked outrage, especially as many Asian Americans have found themselves the target of hate crimes and violence while Trump and Republicans continue to blame the COVID-19 pandemic on China.
At first, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway agreed it was not acceptable to use the term after a Chinese American CBS News reporter had said that a White House aide — whom she didn’t name — used the “kung-flu” term.
“Of course it’s wrong,” Conway said on March 18.
Since then, Trump himself has started using the term, and as such Conway and other White House staffers have excused the behavior.
“My reaction is that the president has made very clear he wants everybody to understand — and I think many Americans do understand — that the virus originated in China and had China been more transparent and honest with the United States and the world, we wouldn’t have all the death and destruction that unfortunately we’ve suffered and that’s important, continue to be important,” Conway said on Tuesday, reversing her past comment that using the term was “highly offensive” and “very hurtful.”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also said on Monday that it’s not racist to use the term.
“The president does not believe it’s offensive to note that this virus came from China and to stand up for our U.S. military, who China’s making an active effort to completely defame, and that is unacceptable to the president,” McEnany said.
McCarthy on Thursday wouldn’t say whether he thought the racist term was racist. Instead, he appeared angry that he had to answer for Trump’s use of the racist term at all.
“I think we should all focus, learn more about this disease, and stop this virus,” McCarthy said. “But every time I’ve come here, you’ve always had those type of questions. It’s interesting to me, if that’s what your viewers care most about.”
However, polls show voters do care about racism, with Trump’s poll numbers sinking thanks in part to Trump’s sowing of racial division.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-25--Texas governor places 'temporary pause' on reopening as virus cases surge

Gov .
Greg Abbott on Thursday halted elective surgeries in Texas ' biggest counties and said the state would `` pause '' its aggressive reopening as it deals with a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations that has made it one of the nation 's virus hotspots .
The suspension of elective surgeries is designed to protect hospital space in the Dallas , Houston , Austin , and San Antonio areas .
Statewide , the number of COVID-19 patients has more than doubled in two weeks .
Texas has reported more than 11,000 new cases in the previous two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not roll back previous orders that already allowed much of the economy to reopen .
But it would appear to slow down any planned expansion of occupancy levels at places like bars , restaurants , and amusement parks and other venues .
`` We are focused on strategies that slow the spread of this virus while also allowing Texans to continue earning a paycheck to support their families , '' Abbott said in a statement .
`` The last thing we want to do as a state is go backwards and close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help our state corral the spread until we can safely enter the next phase of opening our state for business . ''
By reimposing a ban on elective surgeries , the Republican is returning to one of his first actions when the virus first emerged in Texas in March .
He later rescinded the order during an aggressive reopening of the state in May that lifted lockdown orders ahead of most of the United States .
Abbott this week has taken a newly urgent tone about the worsening trends and is now telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , the number of hospitalizations climbed to nearly 4,400 patients , setting a new record for a 13th consecutive day .
Abbott has also urged Texans to wear masks in public .
The governor has n't issued a statewide mask order , but the state 's cities and counties have imposed new orders on businesses to require customers and workers to wear face coverings .

Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday halted elective surgeries in Texas’ biggest counties and said the state would “pause” its aggressive reopening as it deals with a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations that has made it one of the nation’s virus hotspots.
The suspension of elective surgeries is designed to protect hospital space in the Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio areas. Statewide, the number of COVID-19 patients has more than doubled in two weeks. Texas has reported more than 11,000 new cases in the previous two days alone.
The pause on further reopenings does not roll back previous orders that already allowed much of the economy to reopen. But it would appear to slow down any planned expansion of occupancy levels at places like bars, restaurants, and amusement parks and other venues.
“We are focused on strategies that slow the spread of this virus while also allowing Texans to continue earning a paycheck to support their families,” Abbott said in a statement. “The last thing we want to do as a state is go backwards and close down businesses. This temporary pause will help our state corral the spread until we can safely enter the next phase of opening our state for business.”
By reimposing a ban on elective surgeries, the Republican is returning to one of his first actions when the virus first emerged in Texas in March. He later rescinded the order during an aggressive reopening of the state in May that lifted lockdown orders ahead of most of the United States.
Abbott this week has taken a newly urgent tone about the worsening trends and is now telling the public they should stay home. On Thursday, the number of hospitalizations climbed to nearly 4,400 patients, setting a new record for a 13th consecutive day.
Abbott has also urged Texans to wear masks in public. The governor hasn’t issued a statewide mask order, but the state’s cities and counties have imposed new orders on businesses to require customers and workers to wear face coverings.


shareblue--2020-06-25--11 Republican attorneys general ask Congress to shut down criticism of police

Eleven Republican state attorneys general signed on to a letter to Congress this week to complain that people are saying critical things about law enforcement and to demand that Congress take some kind of action to stop it .
The letter , spearheaded by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry , praises law enforcement and asks House and Senate leadership to assist in quelling anti-police sentiments : `` We especially rely on you , as the leaders of the most important legislative body in the world , to discourage dangerous disinformation and to help us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overwhelming majority of law-enforcement officers who perform their jobs honorably and bring stability to our cities and states . ''
The other attorneys general who signed on to the letter were Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas , Curtis Hill of Indiana , Lynn Fitch of Mississippi , Doug Peterson of Nebraska , Wayne Stenehjem of North Dakota , Dave Yost of Ohio , Mike Hunter of Oklahoma , Alan Wilson of South Carolina , and Ken Paxton of Texas .
The Western States Sheriffs Association and Southwestern Border Sheriffs Association also signed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense of the role and work of police in America , the attorneys general complained , `` Individuals , including members of Congress , are dangerously fanning the flames of emotion by tacitly or explicitly supporting the 'Defund the Police ' ( or worse ) movement , '' which , they say , is `` inciting chaos . ''
Democrats in Congress have gone out of their way to avoid the political minefield that is the `` defund the police '' movement , with House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn telling colleagues , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hijack it .
Do n't let yourselves be drawn into the debate about defunding police forces . ''
The authors of the attorney generals ' letter acknowledge that it is `` possible to support law enforcement and also speak out against the actions of those individuals who dishonor the badge , '' but offer no specific suggestions for what Congress should do to stop its members and the public from using what they call `` anti-police rhetoric . ''
The First Amendment prohibits Congress from making any law `` abridging the freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble , and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances . ''
Article I , Section 6 of the Constitution protects `` any Speech or Debate in either House '' by members of Congress .
The letter comes as protesters around the world are demanding actions to address systemic racism in policing .
The push has been fueled in part by the May death of Black Minneapolis resident George Floyd after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have called for change .
`` The killing of George Floyd has sparked a reform movement that must be answered at the federal , state and local levels , '' tweeted Rep. Vern Buchanan ( R-FL ) , last week .
`` This is a time for us to do what is right and necessary to end the kind of violence and murder and unaccountability that we see that is too endemic in our nation , ” Sen. Cory Booker ( D-NJ ) urged earlier this month .
In press statements , three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter elaborated on their support for its contents .
`` The four officers responsible for George Floyd 's death showed the world that they were unworthy of the badge .
But their actions are not representative of the hundreds of thousands of officers who honorably serve and protect Americans every day , '' Hill , of Indiana , said .
`` We must always strive to improve our policing efforts , but at the end of the day , Americans need police officers .
And right now , police officers need our support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officers across our country act prudently , professionally and heroically ; however , when our nation 's leaders fail to fight back against disinformation or even spread it themselves , peace officer 's [ sic ] lives are endangered , '' wrote Texas ' Paxton .
`` Many law-enforcement agencies have instituted policies , reexamined training and protocols , and rightly worked with their local communities to build trust and encourage problem solving .
Condemning all peace officers , due to the actions of a few , could incite chaos and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's attorney general said that Marshall and his colleagues are `` calling on Congress to join them in tempering anti-police rhetoric that is jeopardizing the safety of law enforcement . ''
None of the 11 attorneys general provided specifics in response to an inquiry about what steps Congress should take to change the rhetoric .
A spokesperson for Hill pointed to the Indiana attorney general 's press release and his previous opinion pieces about race relations and police reform .
A spokesperson for North Dakota 's Stenehjem wrote , `` You may wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressional leaders . ''
The others did not provide a response .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Eleven Republican state attorneys general signed on to a letter to Congress this week to complain that people are saying critical things about law enforcement and to demand that Congress take some kind of action to stop it.
The letter, spearheaded by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, praises law enforcement and asks House and Senate leadership to assist in quelling anti-police sentiments: “We especially rely on you, as the leaders of the most important legislative body in the world, to discourage dangerous disinformation and to help us restore the country’s faith in the overwhelming majority of law-enforcement officers who perform their jobs honorably and bring stability to our cities and states.”
The other attorneys general who signed on to the letter were Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas, Curtis Hill of Indiana, Lynn Fitch of Mississippi, Doug Peterson of Nebraska, Wayne Stenehjem of North Dakota, Dave Yost of Ohio, Mike Hunter of Oklahoma, Alan Wilson of South Carolina, and Ken Paxton of Texas. The Western States Sheriffs Association and Southwestern Border Sheriffs Association also signed on to the letter.
After a lengthy defense of the role and work of police in America, the attorneys general complained, “Individuals, including members of Congress, are dangerously fanning the flames of emotion by tacitly or explicitly supporting the ‘Defund the Police’ (or worse) movement,” which, they say, is “inciting chaos.”
Democrats in Congress have gone out of their way to avoid the political minefield that is the “defund the police” movement, with House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn telling colleagues, “This movement today, some people tried to hijack it. Don’t let yourselves be drawn into the debate about defunding police forces.”
The authors of the attorney generals’ letter acknowledge that it is “possible to support law enforcement and also speak out against the actions of those individuals who dishonor the badge,” but offer no specific suggestions for what Congress should do to stop its members and the public from using what they call “anti-police rhetoric.”
The First Amendment prohibits Congress from making any law “abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution protects “any Speech or Debate in either House” by members of Congress.
The letter comes as protesters around the world are demanding actions to address systemic racism in policing. The push has been fueled in part by the May death of Black Minneapolis resident George Floyd after a white police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.
Lawmakers in both parties have called for change.
“The killing of George Floyd has sparked a reform movement that must be answered at the federal, state and local levels,” tweeted Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), last week.
“This is a time for us to do what is right and necessary to end the kind of violence and murder and unaccountability that we see that is too endemic in our nation,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) urged earlier this month.
In press statements, three of the attorneys general who signed the letter elaborated on their support for its contents.
“The four officers responsible for George Floyd’s death showed the world that they were unworthy of the badge. But their actions are not representative of the hundreds of thousands of officers who honorably serve and protect Americans every day,” Hill, of Indiana, said. “We must always strive to improve our policing efforts, but at the end of the day, Americans need police officers. And right now, police officers need our support.”
“The vast majority of law enforcement officers across our country act prudently, professionally and heroically; however, when our nation’s leaders fail to fight back against disinformation or even spread it themselves, peace officer’s [sic] lives are endangered,” wrote Texas’ Paxton. “Many law-enforcement agencies have instituted policies, reexamined training and protocols, and rightly worked with their local communities to build trust and encourage problem solving. Condemning all peace officers, due to the actions of a few, could incite chaos and anarchy.”
The office of Alabama’s attorney general said that Marshall and his colleagues are “calling on Congress to join them in tempering anti-police rhetoric that is jeopardizing the safety of law enforcement.”
None of the 11 attorneys general provided specifics in response to an inquiry about what steps Congress should take to change the rhetoric.
A spokesperson for Hill pointed to the Indiana attorney general’s press release and his previous opinion pieces about race relations and police reform.
A spokesperson for North Dakota’s Stenehjem wrote, “You may wish to contact the lead state, or Congressional leaders.”
The others did not provide a response.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-25--White House threatens to veto DC statehood bill to stop its 'voting power'

The House on Thursday is slated to pass a bill that would make the District of Columbia a state , a move that would give the more than 700,000 residents of the city representation in Congress .
However , a day before the historic vote , the Trump administration threatened to veto the legislation if it ever made it to Donald Trump 's desk — saying it 's unfair that the city would have `` the same voting power in the Electoral College as the smallest state in the country , '' according to a statement given to Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Columbia 's population of 720,687 is more than two U.S. states , according to Census data : Vermont ( 628,061 ) and Wyoming ( 567,025 ) .
Trump has said previously that the real reason he does n't want Washington , D.C. , to become a state is because it would give Democrats more lawmakers in both the House and Senate .
`` They want to do that so they pick up two automatic Democrat — you know it 's a 100 percent Democrat , basically — so why would the Republicans ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Post in May about why he 's against D.C. statehood .
`` That 'll never happen unless we have some very , very stupid Republicans around that I do n't think you do .
You understand that , right ? ''
While the House is expected to pass D.C. statehood for the first time in history , the Senate — run by Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell — likely wo n't take it up .
While 41 Democratic senators support making D.C. a state , McConnell has said that he will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham , McConnell said giving the nearly three-quarters of a million residents of the District of Columbia representation in Congress is `` full-bore socialism . ''
`` As long as I 'm the majority leader of the Senate , none of that stuff is going anywhere , '' McConnell told Ingraham in June 2019 of statehood for Washington , D.C. , and Puerto Rico .
McConnell did not explain how giving democratic representation in Congress to people who live in the United States and pay federal taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The House on Thursday is slated to pass a bill that would make the District of Columbia a state, a move that would give the more than 700,000 residents of the city representation in Congress.
However, a day before the historic vote, the Trump administration threatened to veto the legislation if it ever made it to Donald Trump’s desk — saying it’s unfair that the city would have “the same voting power in the Electoral College as the smallest state in the country,” according to a statement given to Fox News.
Of course, the District of Columbia’s population of 720,687 is more than two U.S. states, according to Census data: Vermont (628,061) and Wyoming (567,025).
Trump has said previously that the real reason he doesn’t want Washington, D.C., to become a state is because it would give Democrats more lawmakers in both the House and Senate.
“They want to do that so they pick up two automatic Democrat — you know it’s a 100 percent Democrat, basically — so why would the Republicans ever do that?” Trump told the New York Post in May about why he’s against D.C. statehood. “That’ll never happen unless we have some very, very stupid Republicans around that I don’t think you do. You understand that, right?”
While the House is expected to pass D.C. statehood for the first time in history, the Senate — run by Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell — likely won’t take it up.
While 41 Democratic senators support making D.C. a state, McConnell has said that he will never support such a measure.
In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, McConnell said giving the nearly three-quarters of a million residents of the District of Columbia representation in Congress is “full-bore socialism.”
“As long as I’m the majority leader of the Senate, none of that stuff is going anywhere,” McConnell told Ingraham in June 2019 of statehood for Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
McConnell did not explain how giving democratic representation in Congress to people who live in the United States and pay federal taxes is “socialism.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-06-25--White House praises its own virus response as cases in US hit record high

As the COVID-19 pandemic shows no sign of slowing , Donald Trump is declaring victory .
On Monday , the seven-day average for new coronavirus cases surged 30 % higher than a week before .
On Wednesday , the nation broke its previous record for most new cases in a day , with 36,880 .
Hospitals in hot spots are running out of beds , and more than half of states are seeing increasing numbers of cases .
The Trump administration has spent the week praising itself for a job well done .
The Washington Post reported that Mike Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay attention to `` encouraging signs , '' such as the fact that cases were only increasing in 12 states .
The Post debunked this false claim , noting the number of states with increasing infection rates was actually much higher .
`` We did a great job on CoronaVirus , including the very early ban on China , Ventilator production , and Testing , which is by far the most , and best , in the World .
We saved millions of U.S .
lives.
!
Yet the Fake News refuses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump tweeted on Tuesday .
`` But they do give Dr. Anthony Fauci , who is with us in all ways , a very high 72 % Approval Rating .
So , if he is in charge along with V.P .
etc.
, and with us doing all of these really good things , why doesn ’ t the Lamestream Media treat us as they should ?
Answer : Because they are Fake News ! ''
`` We are doing a great job .
We have never been credited for it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere in the world .
We 're doing the best ventilator job anywhere in the world , '' Trump bragged to reporters that same day .
`` We 're now supplying ventilators to the entire world .
Nobody else has done that .
Nobody else — people do n't — countries do n't have ventilators .
They call the United States .
We 've done a great job .
We have not been given credit for it . ''
Trump also retweeted a video posted by his campaign on Tuesday in which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catastrophe at the Southern Border . ''
The Los Angeles Times reported this week that the Trump administration has considered ending his emergency declarations for the COVID-19 pandemic , even as the number of cases surges .
And while Texas has repeatedly seen new daily records for numbers of coronavirus cases in the past week , the Trump administration confirmed it would end federal funding for 13 testing sites at the end of June — including six in Texas .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As the COVID-19 pandemic shows no sign of slowing, Donald Trump is declaring victory.
On Monday, the seven-day average for new coronavirus cases surged 30% higher than a week before. On Wednesday, the nation broke its previous record for most new cases in a day, with 36,880. Hospitals in hot spots are running out of beds, and more than half of states are seeing increasing numbers of cases.
The Trump administration has spent the week praising itself for a job well done.
The Washington Post reported that Mike Pence had told Republican senators on Wednesday to pay attention to “encouraging signs,” such as the fact that cases were only increasing in 12 states. The Post debunked this false claim, noting the number of states with increasing infection rates was actually much higher.
“We did a great job on CoronaVirus, including the very early ban on China, Ventilator production, and Testing, which is by far the most, and best, in the World. We saved millions of U.S. lives.! Yet the Fake News refuses to acknowledge this in a positive way,” Trump tweeted on Tuesday. “But they do give Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is with us in all ways, a very high 72% Approval Rating. So, if he is in charge along with V.P. etc., and with us doing all of these really good things, why doesn’t the Lamestream Media treat us as they should? Answer: Because they are Fake News!”
“We are doing a great job. We have never been credited for it. We’re doing the best testing job anywhere in the world. We’re doing the best ventilator job anywhere in the world,” Trump bragged to reporters that same day. “We’re now supplying ventilators to the entire world. Nobody else has done that. Nobody else — people don’t — countries don’t have ventilators. They call the United States. We’ve done a great job. We have not been given credit for it.”
Trump also retweeted a video posted by his campaign on Tuesday in which he claimed that “we prevented a coronavirus catastrophe at the Southern Border.”
The Los Angeles Times reported this week that the Trump administration has considered ending his emergency declarations for the COVID-19 pandemic, even as the number of cases surges.
And while Texas has repeatedly seen new daily records for numbers of coronavirus cases in the past week, the Trump administration confirmed it would end federal funding for 13 testing sites at the end of June — including six in Texas.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.