rollcall--2020-03-04--GOP grumbling over GAO look at Minor League Baseball

Even a study on the contributions of Minor League Baseball by a nonpartisan government agency ca n't escape congressional yapping .
The House Oversight and Reform panel on Wednesday debated legislation that would require the Government Accountability Office to do an evaluation of the social , economic , and historic contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to American life and culture .
The measure , which comes as Major League Baseball looks to cut dozens of the teams after the current season , was approved by voice vote .
A number of conservative Republicans had qualms about having the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were other more pressing items , such as coronavirus or the national debt , to be working on .
`` I find it outside of the parameters of reality '' that the panel was holding a markup about a bill on baseball , said Louisiana Republican Clay Higgins .
`` I see no purpose whatsover to be getting into the field , so to speak , of Minor League Baseball .
It is far outside the jurisdiction of this committee … I really do n't think minor league baseball is going away if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Jody B. Hice , R-Ga. Hice initially asked for a recorded vote on committee approval but later withdrew his request and let the voice vote stand .

Even a study on the contributions of Minor League Baseball by a nonpartisan government agency can’t escape congressional yapping.
The House Oversight and Reform Committee on Wednesday debated legislation that would require the Government Accountability Office to do an evaluation of the social, economic, and historic contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to American life and culture. The amended measure, which comes as Major League Baseball looks to cut dozens of the teams after the current season, was approved by voice vote.
A number of conservative Republicans had qualms about having the panel spend time on baseball when there were other more pressing items, such as coronavirus or the national debt, to be working on. "I find it outside of the parameters of reality" that the panel was holding a markup about a bill on baseball, said Louisiana Republican Clay Higgins.
"I see no purpose whatsover to be getting into the field, so to speak, of Minor League Baseball. It is far outside the jurisdiction of this committee … I really don't think minor league baseball is going away if we don't have a study," said Jody B. Hice, R-Ga.
Hice initially asked for a recorded vote on committee approval but later withdrew his request and let the voice vote stand.


rollcall--2020-03-04--Get ready for some Un-Super Tuesdays

Get ready for some Un-Super Tuesdays

Finally , a Super Tuesday that lived up to the hype .
Joe Biden , left for dead days ago @ @ @ @ @ states , rattled Sen. Bernie Sanders and prompted Mike Bloomberg to drop out and endorse @ @ @ @ @ that was all preceded by Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg dropping out @ @ @ @ @ , even Beto O ’ Rourke joined in the Biden Bash , endorsing his former @ @ @ @ @ which threw its hat in for Barack Obama ’ s former wingman .
A whole @ @ @ @ @ a sigh of relief as they rushed to endorse Biden .

Finally, a Super Tuesday that lived up to the hype.
Joe Biden, left for dead days ago, won 10 of 14 states, rattled Sen. Bernie Sanders and prompted Mike Bloomberg to drop out and endorse the former veep. And that was all preceded by Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg dropping out and endorsing Biden.
Heck, even Beto O’Rourke joined in the Biden Bash, endorsing his former rival down in Texas, which threw its hat in for Barack Obama’s former wingman.
A whole lot of Frontline Democrats breathed a sigh of relief as they rushed to endorse Biden.


rollcall--2020-03-04--Hoyer on Hill’s coronavirus contingency plan

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer sat down with CQ Roll Call and discussed the possibility of a contingency plan @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill community become infected with the coronavirus .
Hoyer also discussed the emergency aid @ @ @ @ @ treat COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
Hoyer expects the House @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer sat down with CQ Roll Call and discussed the possibility of a contingency plan should a member of the Capitol Hill community become infected with the coronavirus.
Hoyer also discussed the emergency aid package to help contain and treat COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Hoyer expects the House to vote on the package Wednesday.
Katherine Tully-McManus contributed to this story.


rollcall--2020-03-04--Bullock said to be ready to challenge Daines for Senate

Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock , who pitched himself during a brief presidential campaign last year as a Democratic pragmatist @ @ @ @ @ Republicans , will challenge GOP Sen. Steve Daines this year , the New York Times @ @ @ @ @ he would not seek the Senate when he ended his presidential bid in December .
@ @ @ @ @ the state 's June 2 primary is Monday .
CQ Roll Call elections analyst Nathan @ @ @ @ @ said that if Bullock enters the race , it 's a “ legitimate game-changing event @ @ @ @ @ in the race , Democrats would have another takeover opportunity , ” said Gonzales , @ @ @ @ @ race Solid Republican .
Bullock could not be reached for comment .
The Montana Democratic @ @ @ @ @ the report and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee did not respond to a request for @ @

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who pitched himself during a brief presidential campaign last year as a Democratic pragmatist who had won votes from Republicans, will challenge GOP Sen. Steve Daines this year, the New York Times reported.
Bullock had said he would not seek the Senate when he ended his presidential bid in December. The deadline to run in the state's June 2 primary is Monday.
CQ Roll Call elections analyst Nathan L. Gonzales of Inside Elections said that if Bullock enters the race, it's a “legitimate game-changing event.
“With the governor in the race, Democrats would have another takeover opportunity,” said Gonzales, who had rated the Montana race Solid Republican.
Bullock could not be reached for comment. The Montana Democratic State Committee could not confirm the report and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee did not respond to a request for comment.


rollcall--2020-03-04--Congressional leaders talk contingency plans for coronavirus on Capitol Hill

Congressional leaders are planning to keep the Capitol Visitor Center and public galleries in the Capitol open despite growing anxiety @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , but they say that decision is based on the lack of @ @ @ @ @ D.C. , region so far .
Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer told CQ Roll Call @ @ @ @ @ health and safety officials at the Capitol are prepared with contingency plans if a lawmaker @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
“ Of course , then they ’ ll do the tracking as to @ @ @ @ @ with , ” Hoyer said .
Hoyer made those comments the same day the House @ @ @ @ @ supplemental spending bill to aid in addressing the pandemic .
After the 415-2 vote , @ @ @ @ @ Senate .
While the House passed the package in quick order , the debate was @ @ @ @ @ like when Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla. , wore a gas mask on the floor @ @ @ @ @ of the virus .

Katherine Tully-McManus and Thomas McKinless

Congressional leaders are planning to keep the Capitol Visitor Center and public galleries in the Capitol open despite growing anxiety about the spread of coronavirus in the U.S., but they say that decision is based on the lack of cases in the Washington, D.C., region so far.
Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer told CQ Roll Call on Wednesday that leaders and health and safety officials at the Capitol are prepared with contingency plans if a lawmaker or staffer falls ill with COVID-19.
“Of course, then they’ll do the tracking as to who that person had contact with,” Hoyer said.
Hoyer made those comments the same day the House approved an $8.3 billion supplemental spending bill to aid in addressing the pandemic. After the 415-2 vote, the measure headed to the Senate.
While the House passed the package in quick order, the debate was not without its highlights, like when Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., wore a gas mask on the floor to highlight concerns about transmissions of the virus.


rollcall--2020-03-04--FEC pick sparks backlash from Democrats

FEC pick sparks backlash from Democrats

Senate Republicans plan to begin considering a GOP nominee to the hobbled Federal Election Commission next week , raising the ire of Democrats over a process that has a long bipartisan tradition .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar , the Minnesota Democrat who recently suspended her presidential campaign , said Wednesday that she opposes the nomination of Texas lawyer James “ Trey ” Trainor III .
He would replace former Republican Commissioner Matthew Petersen , whose departure last summer left the commission with just three commissioners .
That ’ s one short of the four needed for a quorum .
Without a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement actions or hold meetings .
The agency has continued to process campaign finance reports and make them publicly available .
Klobuchar and others have urged the White House and Senate Republicans to fill vacancies on the commission by nominating a bipartisan pair of candidates .
“ It is unacceptable that Republicans are abandoning the tradition of advancing nominees in bipartisan pairs , ” Klobuchar , the top Democrat on the Senate Rules and Administration panel , said in a statement .
“ A fully functioning FEC is critical to safeguarding our political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restore Americans ’ trust in our political institutions and with this partisan move , Republicans continue to take us backwards .
”

Senate Republicans plan to begin considering a GOP nominee to the hobbled Federal Election Commission next week, raising the ire of Democrats over a process that has a long bipartisan tradition.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota Democrat who recently suspended her presidential campaign, said Wednesday that she opposes the nomination of Texas lawyer James “Trey” Trainor III. He would replace former Republican Commissioner Matthew Petersen, whose departure last summer left the commission with just three commissioners. That’s one short of the four needed for a quorum.
Without a quorum, the FEC cannot conduct enforcement actions or hold meetings. The agency has continued to process campaign finance reports and make them publicly available.
Klobuchar and others have urged the White House and Senate Republicans to fill vacancies on the commission by nominating a bipartisan pair of candidates.
“It is unacceptable that Republicans are abandoning the tradition of advancing nominees in bipartisan pairs,” Klobuchar, the top Democrat on the Senate Rules and Administration panel, said in a statement. “A fully functioning FEC is critical to safeguarding our political system. We should be working to restore Americans’ trust in our political institutions and with this partisan move, Republicans continue to take us backwards.”


rollcall--2020-03-04--Bernie’s revolution will be postponed until further notice

“ You say you want a revolution Well , you know We all want to change the world You tell @ @ @ @ @ evolution Well , you know We all want to change the world But when you @ @ @ @ @ t you know that you can count me out ” — “ Revolution , ” @ @ @ @ @ | It now appears that most Democrats don ’ t want a revolution .
Change @ @ @ @ @ chaos ?
No thank you .
The country already has that with the guy in @ @ @ @ @ after a very rough Super Tuesday , Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders has doubled down @ @ @ @ @ corporate elite , complaining about the conspiracy between the political establishment and billionaires who aim @ @ @ @ @ presidential nomination .
Sanders , like all ideologues on the left and the right , @ @ @ @ @ than choices between voting records and agendas .

“You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it’s evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don’t you know that you can count me out”
— “Revolution,” The Beatles, 1968
OPINION | It now appears that most Democrats don’t want a revolution. Change? Sure. Revolution and chaos? No thank you. The country already has that with the guy in the White House.
But after a very rough Super Tuesday, Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders has doubled down on his attacks on the corporate elite, complaining about the conspiracy between the political establishment and billionaires who aim to deny him the Democratic presidential nomination.
Sanders, like all ideologues on the left and the right, sees elections as little more than choices between voting records and agendas.


rollcall--2020-03-04--A post office for Ralph Hall? They’re leaving it to Fate

Almost a year to the day after he died , former Rep. Ralph Hall is on his way to getting a memorial that is quintessentially “ Congress ” — a post office in his name .
The legislation , introduced by the same man who defeated Hall in his final election , cleared its first hurdle on Wednesday , earning approval from the House Oversight and Reform panel .
It would put his name on the postal facility in Fate , Texas , the town where he was born .
Known for his gentle humor , Hall spent 34 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Democrat and the rest as a Republican .
His congressional career came to an end after John Ratcliffe beat him in a primary runoff in 2014 .
Hall was 91 years old at the time , making him the oldest member to ever serve in the House .
He represented a district that , despite being constantly tinkered with , generally took in a sizable chunk of the northeast part of the state .
A founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition , he strayed from the party line more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 2000s .
His party switch in 2004 would diminish his power when Democrats retook control of the House a few years later , but it allowed him to survive in a district reconfigured to favor Republicans .

Almost a year to the day after he died, former Rep. Ralph M. Hall is on his way to getting a memorial that is quintessentially “Congress” — a post office in his name.
The legislation, introduced by the same man who defeated Hall in his final election, cleared its first hurdle Wednesday, earning approval from the House Oversight and Reform Committee. It would put his name on the postal facility in Fate, Texas, the town where he was born.
Known for his gentle humor, Hall spent 34 years as a member, the first 23 as a Democrat and the rest as a Republican. His congressional career came to an end after John Ratcliffe beat him in a primary runoff in 2014.
Hall was 91 years old at the time, making him the oldest member to ever serve in the House.
He represented a district that, despite being constantly tinkered with, generally took in a sizable chunk of northeast Texas. A founder of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, he strayed from the party line more than any other House member in the early 2000s. His party switch in 2004 would diminish his power when Democrats retook control of the House a few years later, but it allowed him to survive in a district reconfigured to favor Republicans.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Playing politics with science spawns new threat to endangered whales

Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned that blasting air guns in an area where a rare whale migrates and gives birth could push it closer to extinction .
But those findings conflicted with the Trump administration ’ s push for drilling in the Atlantic Ocean , so the scientists were ordered to change their official conclusions so the agency could permit air guns to sound off in the whales ’ territory .
Documents obtained by CQ Roll Call show that science-based measures to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale from seismic surveys in the Atlantic Ocean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOAA ’ s “ political team.
” Rep. Jared Huffman , a California Democrat who chairs the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water , Oceans and Wildlife , accused the administration of “ committing blatant scientific and environmental malpractice.
” Critics like Huffman point to potentially dire consequences if NOAA ’ s independent science is undermined .
The agency is seen by the global scientific community as the gold standard for research on meteorology and marine biology .
Even as President Donald Trump and his Cabinet cast doubt on climate science , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe hurricanes , droughts and wildfires that scientists link to record-setting high temperatures .
If such government warnings lose credibility , lives and property could be unnecessarily lost .
Farmers , for example , might not be prepared for water shortages driven by drought .

Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned that blasting air guns in an area where a rare whale migrates and gives birth could push it closer to extinction. But those findings conflicted with the Trump administration’s push for drilling in the Atlantic Ocean, so the scientists were ordered to change their official conclusions so the agency could permit air guns to sound off in the whales’ territory.
Documents obtained by CQ Roll Call show that science-based measures to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale from seismic surveys in the Atlantic Ocean were watered down after being vetted by NOAA’s “political team.”
“It really is important that the general public as well as members of Congress understand the unraveling of science that’s happening right now. We’re well on the way to losing it, even at NOAA,” says Rep. Jared Huffman, a California Democrat who chairs the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife.
He accused the administration of “committing blatant scientific and environmental malpractice at the highest order.”
Critics like Huffman point to potentially dire consequences if NOAA’s independent science is undermined.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Linked for life: Impeachment managers reflect on ‘joys and pains’ of Trump trial

“ Are you Val Demings ?
” an excited teenager asked as she approached the Florida congresswoman in the basement of the Cannon House Office Building last week .
“ Oh , my God , you did so amazing during impeachment , ” said the teenager , who identified herself as Catherine from Kentucky , offering a few more compliments before running to catch up with her tour group .
That type of reception from strangers is what Demings and the other House impeachment managers say made the grueling hours they put into prosecuting President Donald Trump on charges of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth it , despite losing their case .
“ It ’ s just an amazing feeling , ” Demings told CQ Roll Call , resuming the interview that Catherine interrupted .
“ The managers , we would have completed the work no matter what , right .
And we didn ’ t know what the end of the story was going to be .
We didn ’ t know if we were going to be the most loved or the most hated .
But it didn ’ t matter , because we were @ @ @ @ @ @

“It’s just an amazing feeling,” Demings told CQ Roll Call, resuming the interview that Catherine interrupted. “The managers, we would have completed the work no matter what, right. And we didn’t know what the end of the story was going to be. We didn’t know if we were going to be the most loved or the most hated. But it didn’t matter, because we were committed to our oath.”
One month ago, the Senate voted to acquit Trump of both impeachment charges. While they did not emerge victorious, the managers look back on the experience in interviews with CQ Roll Call with fondness for one another and what they said was an essential task for democracy.
“It was certainly a bonding experience, and we have talked about how we are going to be linked with this for the rest of our lives in a very positive way,” House Intelligence Chairman and lead manager Adam Schiff said.
The California Democrat had specific compliments for each of his six comrades on the manager team: Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler and Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York, fellow California Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Demings and freshman Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado and Sylvia R. Garcia of Texas.
“It’s an experience that we will certainly always share, cherish and appreciate having gone through the trenches of an intense impeachment trial where the stakes couldn’t be any higher, the spotlight couldn’t be any brighter and the consequences of inadequate performance any graver,” Jeffries said.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Want to lose money on the election? There’s a podcast for that

Like a gambler who can ’ t leave the table , the “ Election Profit Makers ” podcast is back for another campaign season , despite a 2016 that ended in tears .
Billed as “ your guide to winning and losing money ” on elections , the show returned in time for Super Tuesday .
The mood may be different , but the hosts are the same : political cartoonist and artisanal pencil sharpener David Rees , investor Jon Kimball , and “ This American Life ” veteran Starlee Kine .
Each week the gang splashes out money on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for politics .
Think you know who will win the Democratic presidential nomination or whether Michelle Obama will suddenly hop into the race ?
Buy some shares tied to your predictions .
It ’ s not an online gambling site .
It ’ s technically a nonprofit research project , but that doesn ’ t make the thrill ( or the risk ) any less real .
Rees , who has been friends with Kimball since they were kids , calls the show a “ critique of conventional punditry , ” where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are and “ suffer consequences if they ’ re wrong .
”

Like a gambler who can’t leave the table, the “Election Profit Makers” podcast is back for another campaign season, despite a 2016 that ended in tears.
Billed as “your guide to winning and losing money” on elections, the show returned in time for Super Tuesday. The mood may be different, but the hosts are the same: political cartoonist and artisanal pencil sharpener David Rees, investor Jon Kimball, and “This American Life” veteran Starlee Kine.
Each week the gang splashes out money on PredictIt, a kind of stock market for politics. Think you know who will win the Democratic presidential nomination or whether Michelle Obama will suddenly hop into the race? Buy some shares tied to your predictions.
It’s not an online gambling site. It’s technically a nonprofit research project, but that doesn’t make the thrill (or the risk) any less real.
Rees, who has been friends with Kimball since they were kids, calls the show a “critique of conventional punditry,” where the pundits put their money where their mouths are and “suffer consequences if they’re wrong.”


rollcall--2020-03-05--California contests still in flux after Super Tuesday

California will be a top House battleground in November , and some competitive races are beginning to take shape after the Super Tuesday primaries .
But a number of those contests remain unclear , with votes still being counted .
Ballots postmarked by Election Day are still valid , which means close contests may not be decided for days or even weeks as clerks must wait for votes to arrive by mail .
The state uses a top-two primary system , under which all candidates compete on the same ballot and the top two vote-getters , regardless of party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans are looking to win back the seven House seats they lost in California in 2018 , but they could face tough headwinds this fall , particularly with President Donald Trump at the top of the ballot .
Trump lost all seven of those districts in 2016 , and the GOP hasn ’ t flipped a House seat in California since 1998 , according to Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales .
The special election to replace former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill in the 25th District is still taking shape .
Democratic Assemblywoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 special election , but it ’ s not yet clear who her opponent will be .

California will be a top House battleground in November, and some competitive races are beginning to take shape after the Super Tuesday primaries.
But a number of those contests remain unclear, with votes still being counted. Ballots postmarked by Election Day are still valid, which means close contests may not be decided for days or even weeks as clerks must wait for votes to arrive by mail. The state uses a top-two primary system, under which all candidates compete on the same ballot and the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the November general election.
Republicans are looking to win back the seven House seats they lost in California in 2018, but they could face tough headwinds this fall, particularly with President Donald Trump at the top of the ballot. Trump lost all seven of those districts in 2016, and the GOP hasn’t flipped a House seat in California since 1998, according to Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales.
Special election coming soon
The special election to replace former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill in the 25th District is still taking shape. Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith will head to a May 12 special election, but it’s not yet clear who her opponent will be.
With 68 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday, Smith led the primary field with 34 percent of the vote, according to The Associated Press. The AP has not yet declared which candidate will secure the second spot for May, but Navy veteran Mike Garcia, who had the backing of county Republican parties, was leading former GOP Rep. Steve Knight 27 percent to 18 percent. Knight held this seat for two terms before losing to Hill in 2018.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Coronavirus on board? Senators raise air travel concerns

“ I can ’ t believe we ’ re having some of the conversations we ’ re having now , after having faced other global outbreaks such as H1N1 and SARS , ” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth , D-Ill. “ Did we not learn anything about the processes and procedures from those previous diseases ?
” Sen. Maria Cantwell , D-Wash. , the ranking Democrat on the committee whose state has lost 10 people to the virus , seemed stunned when Stephen Redd , director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response at the Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live for up to a day on surfaces , including those in aircraft .
She seemed more stunned when officials could not tell her the protocol for decontaminating airplanes .
Joel Szabat , acting undersecretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation , said the agency does not have statutory authority to determine how best to decontaminate such surfaces .
Instead , he said the statutory authority for developing such protocols falls under the jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ statutory authority , said Redd .
“ I think this is something we need to tackle right away , ” Cantwell said .
“ We need to understand what we are saying to the flying public about what the airlines should be doing , what we should be doing to create the best most positive environment for air transportation to continue .
”

“I can’t believe we’re having some of the conversations we’re having now, after having faced other global outbreaks such as H1N1 and SARS,” said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. “Did we not learn anything about the processes and procedures from those previous diseases?”
Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the ranking Democrat on the committee whose state has lost 10 people to the virus, seemed stunned when Stephen Redd, director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the virus could live for up to a day on surfaces, including those in aircraft. She seemed more stunned when officials could not tell her the protocol for decontaminating airplanes.
Joel Szabat, acting undersecretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation, said the agency does not have statutory authority to determine how best to decontaminate such surfaces. Instead, he said the statutory authority for developing such protocols falls under the jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The CDC could offer guidance but lacks statutory authority, said Redd.
“I think this is something we need to tackle right away,” Cantwell said. “We need to understand what we are saying to the flying public about what the airlines should be doing, what we should be doing to create the best most positive environment for air transportation to continue.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chair of the subcommittee, was more blunt.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Nats’ World Series trophy gets its day on Capitol Hill

The Washington Nationals may have won their first World Series title five months ago , but their trophy finally made @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
The trophy , on view for members , press and staffers was @ @ @ @ @ .
Mark Warner , Tim Kaine , Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen , @ @ @ @ @ s neighboring states of Virginia and Maryland .
Van Hollen commemorated the event by reading @ @ @ @ @ that had congratulated the Nationals on their victory .

The Washington Nationals may have won their first World Series title five months ago, but their trophy finally made its rounds at the Capitol on Wednesday.
The trophy, on view for members, press and staffers was paid a visit by Sens. Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, who represent the District’s neighboring states of Virginia and Maryland.
Van Hollen commemorated the event by reading parts of a Senate resolution that had congratulated the Nationals on their victory.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Booker’s office consoles Elizabeth Warren staff with pizza, returning Dunkin’ favor

They might argue on the debate stage , but when they ’ re not all trying to be president , @ @ @ @ @ Booker dropped out of the presidential race in January , workers at the New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ in D.C. received arguably the best consolation prize : food .
Boxes of donuts from @ @ @ @ @ gift from staffers in Elizabeth Warren ’ s Senate office .
The Massachusetts Democrat was @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re proud to continue fighting alongside you in the Senate , ” @ @ @ @ @ the glaze-covered dough .

They might argue on the debate stage, but when they’re not all trying to be president, they console.
When Cory Booker dropped out of the presidential race in January, workers at the New Jersey Democrat’s Senate office in D.C. received arguably the best consolation prize: food.
Boxes of donuts from Dunkin’ arrived, a gift from staffers in Elizabeth Warren’s Senate office. The Massachusetts Democrat was still in the race.
“We’re proud to continue fighting alongside you in the Senate,” read the note included with the glaze-covered dough.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Trump administration allows 35,000 more H-2B seasonal worker visas for the year

The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that it would raise the visa cap for H-2B seasonal guest workers by @ @ @ @ @ year , an increase that would be tied to various anti-fraud measures .
About 10,000 @ @ @ @ @ will be designated for nationals from Guatemala , El Salvador and Honduras , since these @ @ @ @ @ stem the flow of illegal migration in the region and encourage lawful migration to the @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
The visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign @ @ @ @ @ , such as seasonal work in the hospitality , seafood and landscaping industries .
The @ @ @ @ @ people through the program if they can prove they first tried to hire U.S. residents @ @ @ @ @ to ensuring that our immigration system is implemented lawfully and that American workers are protected @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
[ Trump again endorses immigration changes for seasonal migrant farm workers ]

The Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that it would raise the visa cap for H-2B seasonal guest workers by 35,000 for the current fiscal year, an increase that would be tied to various anti-fraud measures.
About 10,000 of the new visa slots will be designated for nationals from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, since these countries have worked “to stem the flow of illegal migration in the region and encourage lawful migration to the United States,” DHS said in a statement.
The visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers to fill nonagricultural jobs, such as seasonal work in the hospitality, seafood and landscaping industries. The companies are allowed to hire people through the program if they can prove they first tried to hire U.S. residents.
“DHS is committed to ensuring that our immigration system is implemented lawfully and that American workers are protected,” it said in a statement.
[Trump again endorses immigration changes for seasonal migrant farm workers]


rollcall--2020-03-05--Facebook removes fake census ads created by Trump’s campaign

At the same time in the Senate , Democrats got their chance to talk about the RNC ads with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross , whose department oversees the Census Bureau .
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen , D-N.H. , asked Ross to help put a halt to the RNC fundraising letters , which have been styled as a `` congressional district census . ''
Shaheen called the letters , along with similar online advertisements by Trump ’ s campaign , “ misinformation that appears to be deliberate to try and confuse people about the census . ''
Ross confirmed the documents do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Testifying before a Senate Commerce , Justice and Science subcommittee hearing on his department ’ s fiscal 2021 budget request , Ross said he has asked `` the career staff at Census to look into this and see what appropriate action if any we should be taking to deal with it . ''
He promised to report back to the committee his findings .
On the House side , meanwhile , members of the Oversight and Reform Committee sent a letter Thursday urging the RNC to stop sending the census lookalike mailers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its tactics to skirt a 2010 law Congress passed to deter deceptive census mailings .

At the same time in the Senate, Democrats got their chance to talk about the RNC ads with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, whose department oversees the Census Bureau.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., asked Ross to help put a halt to the RNC fundraising letters, which have been styled as a "congressional district census." Shaheen called the letters, along with similar online advertisements by Trump’s campaign, “misinformation that appears to be deliberate to try and confuse people about the census."
Ross confirmed the documents do not come from the Census Bureau.
Testifying before a Senate Commerce, Justice and Science subcommittee hearing on his department’s fiscal 2021 budget request, Ross said he has asked "the career staff at Census to look into this and see what appropriate action if any we should be taking to deal with it." He promised to report back to the committee his findings.
On the House side, meanwhile, members of the Oversight and Reform Committee sent a letter Thursday urging the RNC to stop sending the census lookalike mailers. Their letter noted the RNC has changed its tactics to skirt a 2010 law Congress passed to deter deceptive census mailings.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Clock ticks to surveillance expiration with no FISA deal in sight

“ Attorney General Barr recommended that we reauthorize the FISA Section 215 as is , ” Hoyer said .
“ I don ’ t know what his present position is , because he was criticized by the president in a tweet .
So , heavens knows what he did in response to the tweet .
“ We all want appropriate , honest disclosures from people who present information to the FISA Court .
But in this case , the focus on a non-related to Section 215 [ of the Patriot Act ] issue is slowing up this process.
” Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of both the Judiciary and Intelligence committees , is among the lawmakers who agree with the attorney general .
“ It ’ s not realistic to think that we can do reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act between now and March the 15th , so I think the most realistic thing would be let ’ s do a short-term extension , ” Cornyn said Thursday .
“ They ’ re really not controversial .
It ’ s the business records provision , it ’ s the lone wolf , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need to overhaul the broader FISA Court process .
“ No Republican , no Democrat candidate for president ought to be concerned that people in intelligence agencies are abusing their power to try to undermine an election , ” the Louisiana Republican said on the House floor .

“Attorney General Barr recommended that we reauthorize the FISA Section 215 as is,” Hoyer said. “I don’t know what his present position is, because he was criticized by the president in a tweet. So, heavens knows what he did in response to the tweet.
“We all want appropriate, honest disclosures from people who present information to the FISA Court. But in this case, the focus on a non-related to Section 215 [of the Patriot Act] issue is slowing up this process.”
Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn, a member of both the Judiciary and Intelligence committees, is among the lawmakers who agree with the attorney general.
“It’s not realistic to think that we can do reform of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act between now and March the 15th, so I think the most realistic thing would be let’s do a short-term extension,” Cornyn said Thursday. “They’re really not controversial. It’s the business records provision, it’s the lone wolf, it’s the roving wiretap provision.”
Scalise emphasized the need to overhaul the broader FISA Court process. “No Republican, no Democrat candidate for president ought to be concerned that people in intelligence agencies are abusing their power to try to undermine an election,” the Louisiana Republican said on the House floor.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Members left Trump administration coronavirus briefing frustrated

Trump administration health officials Thursday briefed House members on how they plan to ramp up testing to keep up with the rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak , but lawmakers are frustrated with the pace of testing availability and were emerging from frequent briefings with more questions than answers .
The administration has been unable to answer questions about how the uninsured would be covered for the testing and treatment they might need , according to House members who attended Thursday ’ s briefing with Health and Human Services officials .
Federal officials have been briefing members on a near-daily basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States continues to grow , “ the level of concern at each successive hearing I ’ ve been to has grown , ” said Rep. Katie Porter , D-Calif .
Among Democrats , the level of frustration has also grown as some say the administration doesn ’ t have good answers on testing capacity and is laying blame elsewhere for shortcomings in the COVID-19 response .
HHS Secretary Alex Azar recently blamed an Obama-era Food and Drug Administration regulation on diagnostic tests for slowing the private lab industry ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump repeated Wednesday , but the Obama administration never finalized a broad proposed FDA regulation on lab tests .

Andrew Siddons, Emily Kopp, and Mary Ellen McIntire

Trump administration health officials Thursday briefed House members on how they plan to ramp up testing to keep up with the rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak, but lawmakers are frustrated with the pace of testing availability and were emerging from frequent briefings with more questions than answers.
The administration has been unable to answer questions about how the uninsured would be covered for the testing and treatment they might need, according to House members who attended Thursday’s briefing with Health and Human Services officials.
[Senate sends $8.3B coronavirus aid bill to Trump]
Federal officials have been briefing members on a near-daily basis, and as the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States continues to grow, “the level of concern at each successive hearing I’ve been to has grown,” said Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif.
Among Democrats, the level of frustration has also grown as some say the administration doesn’t have good answers on testing capacity and is laying blame elsewhere for shortcomings in the COVID-19 response. HHS Secretary Alex Azar recently blamed an Obama-era Food and Drug Administration regulation on diagnostic tests for slowing the private lab industry’s response to the outbreak, an assertion Trump repeated Wednesday, but the Obama administration never finalized a broad proposed FDA regulation on lab tests.


rollcall--2020-03-05--The political musings of Margaret Cho

The political musings of Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho has been called a political comedian , but to her , political comedy is just a part of @ @ @ @ @ .
On this episode of Political Theater , she joins Heard on the Hill reporter @ @ @ @ @ her development as a comedian and where politics fits in , the Democratic presidential candidate @ @ @ @ @ “ mean foxtrot ” and what she hopes 2020 will bring .
• Comic Maz @ @ @ @ @ politics • He wrote jokes for Hollywood comedians .
Now he wants to write Jim @ @ @ @ @ Why D.C. isn ’ t too uptight for improv

Margaret Cho has been called a political comedian, but to her, political comedy is just a part of the authenticity she strives for.
On this episode of Political Theater, she joins Heard on the Hill reporter Kathryn Lyons to talk about her development as a comedian and where politics fits in, the Democratic presidential candidate she thinks could do a “mean foxtrot” and what she hopes 2020 will bring.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-03-05--Pelosi describes politics’ ‘marble ceiling’

Speaker Nancy Pelosi did n't weigh in on the once-crowded Democratic presidential nominating contest that has now narrowed to a two-man race between former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders , but she expressed some disappointment Thursday that a woman wo n't be president .
`` Every time I get introduced as the most powerful woman , I almost cry , because I wish it wasn ’ t true , ” the California Democrat said .
`` I so wish we had a woman president.
” Pelosi admits that wish stems back to her desire for Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump in 2016 .
She had planned to retire had Clinton won , but decided to stay in Congress because she felt it was important to have a woman at the negotiating table when White House and congressional leaders gather .
During her weekly press conference Thursday , Pelosi was asked for her thoughts on Sen. Elizabeth Warren dropping out of the presidential race , leaving no women .
The reporter did not note in the question , nor did Pelosi in her response , that Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has not yet dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawaii Democrat lacks a path to the nomination .
“ That was interesting , wasn ’ t it ?
” Pelosi said of Warren dropping out earlier in the day .
She said her daughter Christine , who is an avid supporter of women , was going to be in a tough place today because of the news .

Speaker Nancy Pelosi didn't weigh in on the once-crowded Democratic presidential nominating contest that has now narrowed to a two-man race between former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, but she expressed some disappointment Thursday that a woman won't be president.
"Every time I get introduced as the most powerful woman, I almost cry, because I wish it wasn’t true,” the California Democrat said. "I so wish we had a woman president.”
Pelosi admits that wish stems back to her desire for Hillary Clinton to have been elected over President Donald Trump in 2016. She had planned to retire had Clinton won, but decided to stay in Congress because she felt it was important to have a woman at the negotiating table when White House and congressional leaders gather.
During her weekly press conference Thursday, Pelosi was asked for her thoughts on Sen. Elizabeth Warren dropping out of the presidential race, leaving no women. The reporter did not note in the question, nor did Pelosi in her response, that Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has not yet dropped out of the race, although the Hawaii Democrat lacks a path to the nomination.
“That was interesting, wasn’t it?” Pelosi said of Warren dropping out earlier in the day. She said her daughter Christine, who is an avid supporter of women, was going to be in a tough place today because of the news.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Schumer’s comments draw Supreme Court into politics

“ What troubles me is his being admonished publicly by President Donald Trump for the use of his words , ” Durbin said .
“ It just takes your breath away to think that this president , with his thousands of tweets and statements and utterances , as outrageous as they have been , would be standing as a judge of others when it comes to the use of language.
” This isn ’ t the first time Roberts has weighed in on politicians ’ words .
In November 2018 , Roberts issued a rare statement to defend the independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ an Obama judge ” who ruled against an administration immigration policy .
Trump has made comments about judges and justices several times during his presidency , including last month when he used Twitter to criticize the judge and a juror in the Roger Stone criminal trial , as well as call out Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor to say they should recuse themselves from cases about him .
But Roberts did not make statements then , so his rebuke of Schumer on Wednesday , even if the right call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Roberts is a George W. Bush appointee whose instincts as chief justice have been to try to keep the Supreme Court from appearing political or stepping into the role of the political branches .
“ I agree with the Chief Justice that Senator Schumer ’ s comments were utterly inappropriate , ” University of Texas law professor and appeals court watcher Steve Vladeck tweeted .
“ But there ’ s a risk to statements like this — unless the Chief plans to speak out whenever a political leader says something incendiary about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal bias .
”

Even Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Thursday that he should not have used the words he did on the sidewalk in front of the Supreme Court — but by then his comments turned the simmering tensions of election-year politics into a full boil.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who usually avoids politics like it had the coronavirus, issued a rare public comment Wednesday directed at a sitting member of Congress over Schumer’s “threatening statements” that are “not only inappropriate, they are dangerous.”
From there, for better or worse, the Supreme Court got mired in the muck as it decides a slate of politically explosive cases about President Donald Trump’s financial records, immigration, LGBT rights and abortion before the end of June. And the episode gave both Democrats and Republicans a villain to rail against.
To reset the stage, here’s the key part of Schumer’s comments as the Supreme Court considered the constitutionality of a Louisiana abortion clinic regulation:


rollcall--2020-03-05--At the Races: Hangover Thursday

At the Races: Hangover Thursday

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election .
Know someone who ’ d like to get this newsletter ?
They can subscribe here .
Super Tuesday was not so super for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , and many House Democrats were OK with that .
Former Vice President Joe Biden won a series of states on Tuesday , slowing Sanders ’ march to the nomination .
“ We were high-fiving , ” California Rep. Juan Vargas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters Wednesday afternoon .
Vargas said that ’ s because they believe Sanders can ’ t beat President Donald Trump and will be a drag on Democrats further down the ballot .
Biden has made his down-ballot impact central to his campaign pitch .
The former VP has consistently had the most congressional endorsements , thanks to his long tenure in the Senate and the relationships he fostered during the Obama administration .
And he ’ s racked up more endorsements in recent days .
Since he won South Carolina last weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have endorsed Biden .
The senators include Minnesota ’ s Amy Klobuchar , who ended her own presidential campaign this week , and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona , which hosts its presidential primary on March 17 .
Congressional endorsements may not matter to voters , but members of Congress can be useful surrogates .
And , in the event of a contested convention , they cast votes as superdelegates , now known as automatic delegates .

Kate Ackley, Stephanie Akin, and Bridget Bowman

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
Super Tuesday was not so super for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and many House Democrats were OK with that. Former Vice President Joe Biden won a series of states on Tuesday, slowing Sanders’ march to the nomination.
“We were high-fiving,” California Rep. Juan Vargas, who is now backing Biden, told reporters Wednesday afternoon. Vargas said that’s because they believe Sanders can’t beat President Donald Trump and will be a drag on Democrats further down the ballot. Biden has made his down-ballot impact central to his campaign pitch.
The former VP has consistently had the most congressional endorsements, thanks to his long tenure in the Senate and the relationships he fostered during the Obama administration. And he’s racked up more endorsements in recent days. Since he won South Carolina last weekend, 16 House members and two senators have endorsed Biden. The senators include Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar, who ended her own presidential campaign this week, and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, which hosts its presidential primary on March 17.
Congressional endorsements may not matter to voters, but members of Congress can be useful surrogates. And, in the event of a contested convention, they cast votes as superdelegates, now known as automatic delegates.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Senate sends $8.3B coronavirus aid bill to Trump

`` We hope we wo n't need it .
That 's why we bumped it up , '' Shelby said .
`` If they need money , we will provide it .
…Money should be no problem or no object when it comes to the health of the American people , especially to prevent something this contagious . ''
The 28-page bill was released Wednesday afternoon , following days of behind-the-scenes debate on its size and scope as well as disputes about the best way to ensure the affordability of vaccines and drug treatments to respond to the disease .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 415-2 vote following about 15 minutes debate .
The legislation would provide $ 7.8 billion in discretionary spending , mainly for Department of Health and Human Services accounts .
About $ 6.5 billion would go to HHS , including $ 3.1 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to stockpile medical supplies , conduct research and development and help community health clinics .
Of that HHS funding $ 300 million would be for purchases of drug treatments , tests and eventually vaccines once developed .
The measure would apply `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal contracting to such purchases , though Democrats were unsuccessful in their push to apply the same standard to the commercial market .

"We hope we won't need it. That's why we bumped it up," Shelby said. "If they need money, we will provide it. …Money should be no problem or no object when it comes to the health of the American people, especially to prevent something this contagious."
The 28-page bill was released Wednesday afternoon, following days of behind-the-scenes debate on its size and scope as well as disputes about the best way to ensure the affordability of vaccines and drug treatments to respond to the disease. It moved through the House on a 415-2 vote following about 15 minutes debate.
The legislation would provide $7.8 billion in discretionary spending, mainly for Department of Health and Human Services accounts. About $6.5 billion would go to HHS, including $3.1 billion for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to stockpile medical supplies, conduct research and development and help community health clinics.
Affordable prices
Of that HHS funding $300 million would be for purchases of drug treatments, tests and eventually vaccines once developed. The measure would apply "fair and reasonable price" standards in federal contracting to such purchases, though Democrats were unsuccessful in their push to apply the same standard to the commercial market.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., admitted Democrats "weren't 100 percent successful" in securing the drug pricing language they wanted in the supplemental. "We were only able to succeed with that in the public sector piece of the bill," she said, noting Democrats "fought to the end" to apply it to the private sector.


rollcall--2020-03-06--Tangled in amendments and process, Senate energy bill pushed to next week

Members of the Senate reached an impasse over the energy bill before them this week , delaying floor action on the legislation until next week , the Republican senator behind the bill said Thursday .
Speaking on the floor , Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska , chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee , said members could not agree on amendment votes this week , adding that she and Sen. Joe Manchin III , D-W.V.
, the top committee Democrat , have been working to reach a deal behind closed doors .
The bill includes “ priorities ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We could not reach agreement to have votes throughout the course of this week , ” Murkowski said .
“ It ’ s been frustrating.
” Majority Leader Mitch McConnell filed cloture on a substitute amendment that Murkowski introduced to the underlying energy bill and on the bill itself .
Murkowski said that substitute includes 18 new amendments , from Republicans and Democrats , and a vote would occur Monday night .
The bill hit snags this week , as legislation to address the coronavirus-caused disease COVID-19 took over both chambers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — now about 200 , according to Murkowski — into the energy bill .

Members of the Senate reached an impasse over the energy bill before them this week, delaying floor action on the legislation until next week, the Republican senator behind the bill said Thursday.
Speaking on the floor, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said members could not agree on amendment votes this week, adding that she and Sen. Joe Manchin III, D-W.V., the top committee Democrat, have been working to reach a deal behind closed doors. The bill includes “priorities” from nearly 70 senators, she said.
“We could not reach agreement to have votes throughout the course of this week,” Murkowski said. “It’s been frustrating.”
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell filed cloture on a substitute amendment that Murkowski introduced to the underlying energy bill and on the bill itself. Murkowski said that substitute includes 18 new amendments, from Republicans and Democrats, and a vote would occur Monday night.
The bill hit snags this week, as legislation to address the coronavirus-caused disease COVID-19 took over both chambers and members jockeyed to get their amendments — now about 200, according to Murkowski — into the energy bill.


rollcall--2020-03-05--Pelosi describes ‘marble ceiling’ in politics


rollcall--2020-03-07--Federal prisons don’t have coronavirus test kits for  inmates

Federal prisons , whose inmates may be a high-risk population for a coronavirus outbreak , do not have kits to @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Once we receive concurrence from local health authorities that a test should be @ @ @ @ @ collected and sent back to the designated lab for testing , ” Federal Bureau of @ @ @ @ @ in an email this week .
Concerns are growing in Congress over how prepared federal @ @ @ @ @ potential coronavirus outbreaks .
Experts have long recognized that prison inmates , who live in @ @ @ @ @ and often have underlying health conditions , can be highly susceptible to infectious diseases .
@ @ @ @ @ spread poses a critical and unique threat to vulnerable populations , including those in our @ @ @ @ @ California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris wrote in a letter to the Bureau of Prisons on @ @

Federal prisons, whose inmates may be a high-risk population for a coronavirus outbreak, do not have kits to test for the disease available.
“Once we receive concurrence from local health authorities that a test should be conducted, samples would be collected and sent back to the designated lab for testing,” Federal Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Nancy Ayers said in an email this week.
Concerns are growing in Congress over how prepared federal prisons are to face any potential coronavirus outbreaks. Experts have long recognized that prison inmates, who live in close proximity to each other and often have underlying health conditions, can be highly susceptible to infectious diseases.
“The risk of community spread poses a critical and unique threat to vulnerable populations, including those in our prisons and jails,” California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris wrote in a letter to the Bureau of Prisons on Thursday.


rollcall--2020-03-06--Austin cancels SXSW over coronavirus, leaves Adam Schiff with more free time

Conversations about “ America ’ s future ” will remain on hold now that South by Southwest is cancelled , @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill lawmakers scheduled to make an appearance , including Adam Schiff .
Austin , @ @ @ @ @ 13-22 dates over coronavirus concerns .
The popular annual film , media , tech and @ @ @ @ @ than $ 350 million last year for the city ’ s economy , according to @ @ @ @ @ Eye ’ star responds to his hometown ’ s former congressman : Aaron Schock ] @ @ @ @ @ House Intelligence Committee and lead impeachment manager , was scheduled to appear for a series @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Future.
” Other politicos included Rep. Will Hurd and former Texas congressman Beto @ @ @ @ @ of Texas , along with Hillary Clinton .
Organizers say they were prepared to go @ @ @ @ @ the situation quickly changed in recent days .

Conversations about “America’s future” will remain on hold now that South by Southwest is cancelled, scrambling the plans of several Capitol Hill lawmakers scheduled to make an appearance, including Adam Schiff.
Austin, Texas, scrapped the March 13-22 dates over coronavirus concerns. The popular annual film, media, tech and music festival translated to more than $350 million last year for the city’s economy, according to organizers.
[‘Queer Eye’ star responds to his hometown’s former congressman: Aaron Schock]
Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and lead impeachment manager, was scheduled to appear for a series called “Conversations About America’s Future.” Other politicos included Rep. Will Hurd and former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke, both of Texas, along with Hillary Clinton.
Organizers say they were prepared to go forward with the festival until the situation quickly changed in recent days.


rollcall--2020-03-06--US sends 160 troops to border over ‘Remain in Mexico’ ruling

CBP informed congressional staffers of the troop deployment Thursday in an email that was obtained by CQ Roll Call .
The agency said it had placed the Crisis Response Force on standby on Feb. 28 “ in the event of mass forced entry ” and activated the personnel on Wednesday .
“ These actions along with the growing concern of the spread of the coronavirus prompted CBP to officially request the activation of CRF personnel to the Paso Del Norte and San Ysidro Ports of Entry , ” the agency wrote in its email .
“ The employment of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s larger , comprehensive border security effort which ensures the safety and security of all . ''
The Trump administration last sent troops to the border in the summer of 2019 .
In December , the Pentagon ’ s Inspector General announced an investigation into the legality of the deployment .
Immigration advocates expressed consternation over the newest development , given that any requests to gain entry by migrants and their lawyers were made because a court had declared their placement in MPP as unlawful .
Some experts also questioned whether CBP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large volume of immigrants .
“ They should have in place a contingency plan for orderly re-admittance to the U.S. in the event MPP is shut down , but apparently instead they want to ‘ meter ’ them on the way back in , ” Theresa Brown , director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center , wrote on Twitter .
“ Unfortunately , the type of contingency planning necessary is not usual for this administration .
”

CBP informed congressional staffers of the troop deployment Thursday in an email that was obtained by CQ Roll Call. The agency said it had placed the Crisis Response Force on standby on Feb. 28 “in the event of mass forced entry” and activated the personnel on Wednesday.
“These actions along with the growing concern of the spread of the coronavirus prompted CBP to officially request the activation of CRF personnel to the Paso Del Norte and San Ysidro Ports of Entry,” the agency wrote in its email. “The employment of the CRF is just one element of CBP’s larger, comprehensive border security effort which ensures the safety and security of all."
The Trump administration last sent troops to the border in the summer of 2019. In December, the Pentagon’s Inspector General announced an investigation into the legality of the deployment.
Immigration advocates expressed consternation over the newest development, given that any requests to gain entry by migrants and their lawyers were made because a court had declared their placement in MPP as unlawful. Some experts also questioned whether CBP personnel at ports of entry could process a large volume of immigrants.
“They should have in place a contingency plan for orderly re-admittance to the U.S. in the event MPP is shut down, but apparently instead they want to ‘meter’ them on the way back in,” Theresa Brown, director of immigration and cross-border policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, wrote on Twitter. “Unfortunately, the type of contingency planning necessary is not usual for this administration.”


rollcall--2020-03-06--Staffer email warns against false rumors of coronavirus infections on Capitol Hill

An email to House GOP staffers Friday addressed rumors of coronavirus infections within the Capitol Hill community and offered additional @ @ @ @ @ and prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
“ Please be cautious when spreading any potential @ @ @ @ @ infected staff , as to not cause unnecessary panic , ” instructed the email , @ @ @ @ @ ranking member Rep. Rodney Davis .
The email , obtained by CQ Roll Call from @ @ @ @ @ there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus and no pending coronavirus tests for anyone @ @ @ @ @ .
Staff on Capitol Hill have been concerned about the illness reaching their workplace for @ @ @ @ @ the Thursday night announcement of three confirmed COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County , Maryland , @ @ @ @ @ only raised anxiety levels .
[ Lawmakers looking for guidance on coronavirus ]

An email to House GOP staffers Friday addressed rumors of coronavirus infections within the Capitol Hill community and offered additional guidance to help offices prepare and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Please be cautious when spreading any potential rumors of an outbreak or infected staff, as to not cause unnecessary panic,” instructed the email, issued by House Administration Committee ranking member Rep. Rodney Davis.
The email, obtained by CQ Roll Call from a House aide, stressed there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus and no pending coronavirus tests for anyone currently working on Capitol Hill.
Staff on Capitol Hill have been concerned about the illness reaching their workplace for a few weeks, but the Thursday night announcement of three confirmed COVID-19 cases in Montgomery County, Maryland, where many staffers live, only raised anxiety levels.
[Lawmakers looking for guidance on coronavirus]


rollcall--2020-03-06--‘Queer Eye’ star responds to his hometown’s former congressman: Aaron Schock

Aaron Schock came out as gay on Thursday , and a famous former resident of Illinois ’ 18th District , @ @ @ @ @ Van Ness , isn ’ t here for it .
“ The amount of queens @ @ @ @ @ Aaron Schock ’ s insta is such a lol , ” the star wrote Friday @ @ @ @ @ man lived in the closet while voting against LGBTQ interests for years.
” The hair @ @ @ @ @ that he and Schock , along with Annie Brahler ( the interior designer who offered @ @ @ @ @ congressional office ) , hail from the same area .

Aaron Schock came out as gay on Thursday, and a famous former resident of Illinois’ 18th District, Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness, isn’t here for it.
“The amount of queens I’m seeing like Aaron Schock’s insta is such a lol,” the star wrote Friday on Instagram. “This man lived in the closet while voting against LGBTQ interests for years.”
The hair and skin care expert mentioned that he and Schock, along with Annie Brahler (the interior designer who offered to renovate Schock’s congressional office), hail from the same area.


rollcall--2020-03-06--Jeff Sessions’ campaign calls Tuberville a ‘Florida man’

The Senate campaign of Jeff Sessions is out with a new ad accusing Tommy Tuberville of being a `` Florida @ @ @ @ @ released Friday features 2017 footage of Tuberville , the former head football coach at Auburn @ @ @ @ @ new Florida residence .
`` After 40 years of coaching football , I hung up @ @ @ @ @ Santa Rosa Beach , Florida , with the white sands and the blue water — @ @ @ @ @ live , '' Tuberville says in the video .
Sessions , the former U.S. senator @ @ @ @ @ first attorney general who was eventually forced out by the president , will face off @ @ @ @ @ Senate primary runoff .
The Sessions campaign pulled a clip from a promotional video for @ @ @ @ @ , in which Tuberville was announcing his new job as an analyst .

The Senate campaign of Jeff Sessions is out with a new ad accusing Tommy Tuberville of being a "Florida man."
The ad released Friday features 2017 footage of Tuberville, the former head football coach at Auburn University, talking about his new Florida residence.
"After 40 years of coaching football, I hung up my whistle and moved to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, with the white sands and the blue water — what a great place to live," Tuberville says in the video.
Sessions, the former U.S. senator and President Donald Trump's first attorney general who was eventually forced out by the president, and Tuberville will face off in a March 31 Republican Senate primary runoff.
The Sessions campaign pulled a clip from a promotional video for ESPN'S College Football coverage, in which Tuberville was announcing his new job as an analyst.


rollcall--2020-03-06--Daylight saving time is basically Groundhog Day (for Sen. Marco Rubio)

“ We ’ re about to do one of the stupidest things we do every single year , ” a @ @ @ @ @ in a video message Thursday .
Unlike the lawmaker ’ s baseball cap and track @ @ @ @ @ changing our clocks once again wasn ’ t chill .
“ It ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ no reason to keep doing it , ” he said in the video , which @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re guessing Rubio feels like weatherman Phil Connors from “ Groundhog Day ” @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s not the first time the Floridian has expressed disdain for the @ @ @ @ @ the Sunshine State ’ s claim to fame .
And if Congress doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ Act , ” it won ’ t be the last .

“We’re about to do one of the stupidest things we do every single year,” a peeved Sen. Marco Rubio said in a video message Thursday.
Unlike the lawmaker’s baseball cap and track jacket, his mood about changing our clocks once again wasn’t chill.
“It’s just dumb — there’s no reason to keep doing it,” he said in the video, which he posted on Instagram.
We’re guessing Rubio feels like weatherman Phil Connors from “Groundhog Day” (just less unkempt).
It’s not the first time the Floridian has expressed disdain for the long-standing tradition that messes with the Sunshine State’s claim to fame. And if Congress doesn’t pass his “Sunshine Protection Act,” it won’t be the last.


rollcall--2020-03-06--Take it from Margaret Cho: ‘We’re all wounded,’ and it’s OK to show it

Political comedian ?
Margaret Cho gets that a lot .
She ’ s been performing since the 1990s — stand-up @ @ @ @ @ movies — and it hasn ’ t been easy .
She ’ s struggled with @ @ @ @ @ been to rehab .
She ’ s survived an eating disorder and described sexual abuse @ @ @ @ @ her own story to a wider context , and yes , she does blast the @ @ @ @ @ .
But Cho says she ’ d probably get the “ political comic ” thing @ @ @ @ @ are political because of the nature of your identity , ” she says of working @ @ @ @ @ of comedy as a queer Korean American woman .
“ Political ” or no , @ @ @ @ @ the elected officials who work in Washington : Decorum is overrated , and talking points @ @ @ @ @ .

Political comedian? Margaret Cho gets that a lot. She’s been performing since the 1990s — stand-up, music, TV, movies — and it hasn’t been easy.
She’s struggled with addiction. She’s been to rehab. She’s survived an eating disorder and described sexual abuse.
Yes, she links her own story to a wider context, and yes, she does blast the president in her jokes sometimes. But Cho says she’d probably get the “political comic” thing anyway.
“You just are political because of the nature of your identity,” she says of working in the traditionally male field of comedy as a queer Korean American woman.
“Political” or no, she has some advice for the elected officials who work in Washington: Decorum is overrated, and talking points aren’t fooling anyone.


rollcall--2020-03-06--The US will collect DNA from detained migrants, and put it in a criminal database

All non-citizens already must submit fingerprints upon U.S. entry , but the move to expand the government 's DNA database has raised alarm by immigration advocates and civil rights agencies over long-term privacy rights .
“ Congress should immediately prevent any taxpayer dollars from being used to fund this xenophobic program , which seeks to further dehumanize immigrants in detention and raises significant civil liberties and privacy concerns , '' Naureen Shah , senior advocacy and policy counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union , said in a statement Friday .
`` Collecting the genetic blueprints of people in immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it makes it easier for the government to attack immigrant communities , and brings us one step closer to the government knocking on all of our doors demanding our DNA under the same flawed justification that we may one day commit a crime . ''
The Justice Department issued the proposed DNA rule in the Federal Register last October , and it has garnered more than 41,000 public comments .
The rule would allow federal officials `` to collect DNA samples from individuals who are arrested , facing charges , or convicted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained under the authority of the United States.
” Under an existing program , DHS officials may request cheek swabs from a minor and an adult arriving together at the southern border if the agents suspect the pair are not actually related .
The Trump administration rolled out the rapid DNA test program in response to the rising number of monthly border apprehensions last spring and claimed it would deter migrant adults from using children to temporarily stay in the United States .
In January , DHS started a pilot program to collect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the port of entry in Eagle Pass , Texas .

All non-citizens already must submit fingerprints upon U.S. entry, but the move to expand the government's DNA database has raised alarm by immigration advocates and civil rights agencies over long-term privacy rights.
“Congress should immediately prevent any taxpayer dollars from being used to fund this xenophobic program, which seeks to further dehumanize immigrants in detention and raises significant civil liberties and privacy concerns," Naureen Shah, senior advocacy and policy counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement Friday.
"Collecting the genetic blueprints of people in immigration detention doesn't make us safer — it makes it easier for the government to attack immigrant communities, and brings us one step closer to the government knocking on all of our doors demanding our DNA under the same flawed justification that we may one day commit a crime."
The Justice Department issued the proposed DNA rule in the Federal Register last October, and it has garnered more than 41,000 public comments. The rule would allow federal officials "to collect DNA samples from individuals who are arrested, facing charges, or convicted, and from non-United States persons who are detained under the authority of the United States.”
Under an existing program, DHS officials may request cheek swabs from a minor and an adult arriving together at the southern border if the agents suspect the pair are not actually related. The Trump administration rolled out the rapid DNA test program in response to the rising number of monthly border apprehensions last spring and claimed it would deter migrant adults from using children to temporarily stay in the United States. In January, DHS started a pilot program to collect DNA samples from individuals apprehended in Detroit and the port of entry in Eagle Pass, Texas.


rollcall--2020-03-06--Arrest McGahn? House hints of possibility in court filing on subpoenas

The House hinted Friday that it might have to arrest former White House Counsel Don McGahn and other Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ courts to decide whether congressional subpoenas can be enforced against current and former executive branch @ @ @ @ @ House Judiciary Committee made the statements in a petition to have the full U.S. Court @ @ @ @ @ of Columbia Circuit rehear its lawsuit to force McGahn to testify as part of a @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump .
Last week , a three-judge D.C .
Circuit panel ruled that @ @ @ @ @ the right to have courts enforce its subpoenas , and instead pointed to political tools @ @ @ @ @ check a president who blocked congressional oversight efforts .
The House lawyers wrote Friday that @ @ @ @ @ further constitutional brinkmanship and are poor substitutes for judicial subpoena enforcement , ” such as @ @ @ @ @ contempt power to arrest officials who could then bring legal challenges to their detention .

The House hinted Friday that it might have to arrest former White House Counsel Don McGahn and other Trump administration officials to force the federal courts to decide whether congressional subpoenas can be enforced against current and former executive branch officials.
Lawyers for the House Judiciary Committee made the statements in a petition to have the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rehear its lawsuit to force McGahn to testify as part of a probe into the actions of President Donald Trump.
[House suit seeking McGahn testimony tossed by appeals court]
Last week, a three-judge D.C. Circuit panel ruled that Congress doesn’t have the right to have courts enforce its subpoenas, and instead pointed to political tools the House can use to check a president who blocked congressional oversight efforts.
The House lawyers wrote Friday that those tools “only invite further constitutional brinkmanship and are poor substitutes for judicial subpoena enforcement,” such as using Congress’s inherent contempt power to arrest officials who could then bring legal challenges to their detention.


rollcall--2020-03-07--Rep. Mark Meadows to become White House chief of staff

President Donald Trump announced Friday night on Twitter that Rep. Mark Meadows will become White House chief of staff .
“ I have long known and worked with Mark , and the relationship is a very good one , ” he said of the North Carolina Republican .
“ I want to thank Acting Chief Mick Mulvaney for having served the Administration so well .
He will become the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.
” Meadows , who was first elected to North Carolina ’ s 11th District in 2012 , announced in December he would not run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roll Call in 2019 that he had actually been considering retiring last cycle .
When he decided to run for a fourth term in 2018 , he had a strong inclination it would be his last race .
Meadows was the third member of the North Carolina delegation to announce he won ’ t run in 2020 .
GOP Reps. Mark Walker and George Holding are both retiring because redistricting as a result of a gerrymandering lawsuit left their districts more favorable to Democrats .
Meadows ’ retirement led to a crowded primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely going to a runoff .
Real estate agent and GOP activist Lynda Bennett was leading the field at 23 percent when The Associated Press made the call with 99 percent of precincts reporting .
Bennett , the only woman in the field , had Meadows ’ endorsement .
But she fell short of the 30 percent threshold to avoid a runoff .
Bennett and the No .
2 finisher , 25-year-old real estate investor Madison Cawthorn , are scheduled to face each other in a runoff scheduled for May 12 .

President Donald Trump announced Friday night on Twitter that Rep. Mark Meadows will become White House chief of staff. “I have long known and worked with Mark, and the relationship is a very good one,” he said of the North Carolina Republican. “I want to thank Acting Chief Mick Mulvaney for having served the Administration so well. He will become the United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland.”
Meadows, who was first elected to North Carolina’s 11th District in 2012, announced in December he would not run for another term. He told CQ Roll Call in 2019 that he had actually been considering retiring last cycle. When he decided to run for a fourth term in 2018, he had a strong inclination it would be his last race.
Meadows was the third member of the North Carolina delegation to announce he won’t run in 2020. GOP Reps. Mark Walker and George Holding are both retiring because redistricting as a result of a gerrymandering lawsuit left their districts more favorable to Democrats.
Meadows’ retirement led to a crowded primary featuring 12 Republican candidates. That race is likely going to a runoff. Real estate agent and GOP activist Lynda Bennett was leading the field at 23 percent when The Associated Press made the call with 99 percent of precincts reporting.
Bennett, the only woman in the field, had Meadows’ endorsement. But she fell short of the 30 percent threshold to avoid a runoff. Bennett and the No. 2 finisher, 25-year-old real estate investor Madison Cawthorn, are scheduled to face each other in a runoff scheduled for May 12.


rollcall--2020-03-08--Cruz to stay in Texas as precaution after potential virus exposure

Sen. Ted Cruz is staying home in Texas this week as a precaution because he interacted at CPAC with the individual who later tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` Last night , I was informed that 10 days ago at CPAC I briefly interacted with an individual who is currently symptomatic and has tested positive for COVID-19 .
That interaction consisted of a brief conversation and a handshake , '' Cruz said in a statement .
“ I have consulted with medical authorities from the Houston Health Department , the Harris County Public Health Department , the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health and Human Services , as well as my personal physician , '' the Texas Republican said .
`` I have also spoken with Vice President Pence , Leader McConnell , and Mark Meadows . ''
Meadows , who was at CPAC the same day as Cruz , was announced Friday as the new White House chief of staff .
Cruz said that he was staying home out of an abundance of caution until 14 days have passed from his CPAC visit .
He said the medical personnel gave no indication @ @ @ @ @

At least six members of Congress have said they interacted with individuals who tested positive for coronavirus and many have vowed to stay away from Capitol Hill temporarily.
Republican Reps. Doug Collins of Georgia and Matt Gaetz of Florida, as well as California Democrat Julia Brownley, announced Monday they were self-quarantining. Republican Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said in separate statements Sunday they would also self-quarantine after interacting with a person who later tested positive for COVID-19.
Gaetz, Collins, Gosar and Cruz said they were exposed to a coronavirus patient at the Conservative Political Action Conference, which typically attracts thousands of conservatives and was held Feb. 26-29 at National Harbor in Maryland.
Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas also interacted with someone at CPAC, but told ABC he wasn't planning to self-quarantine because a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doctor told him he wasn't at risk.
Brownley said she came in contact with someone in Washington who reported to health officials they tested positive for COVID-19 and are now self-quarantining.


rollcall--2020-03-08--Cruz, Gosar to stay home as precaution after potential virus exposure

Two Republicans in Congress said Sunday they will remain at home and stay away from Capitol Hill this week because they interacted with an individual who has tested positive for coronavirus .
Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said in separate statements that they will take precautionary measures because they interacted at the Conservative Political Action Conference , known as CPAC , with a person who later tested positive for COVID-19 .
The event , which typically attracts thousands of conservatives , was held Feb. 26-29 at National Harbor in Maryland .
Gosar said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his senior staff are “ officially under self-quarantine after sustained contact at CPAC ” with the individual , who is under the care of medical professionals in New Jersey and has been quarantined .
`` I am not currently experiencing any symptoms , nor is any member of my staff .
However , in order to prevent any potential transmission , I will remain at my home in Arizona until the conclusion of the 14 day period following my interaction with this individual , '' Gosar said .
In addition , the congressman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the week .


rollcall--2020-03-09--Coronavirus emergency funding is just getting started

Funding for managing the coronavirus has been passed and signed by President Trump , but it appears to be just @ @ @ @ @ affects more people .
CQ Roll Call health care reporter Andrew Siddons joins the podcast @ @ @ @ @ money will be used , and what additional steps Congress might take to stimulate the @ @ @ @ @ by the virus .

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Micaela Rodríguez

Funding for managing the coronavirus has been passed and signed by President Trump, but it appears to be just the beginning as the outbreak affects more people. CQ Roll Call health care reporter Andrew Siddons joins the podcast to talk about how the money will be used, and what additional steps Congress might take to stimulate the economy and help those hit by the virus.
Show notes:


rollcall--2020-03-09--Roberts shrugs off COVID-19 fears to speak to school meal group

Sen. Pat Roberts says his staff cited concerns about COVID-19 in trying to persuade him to cancel an appearance Monday @ @ @ @ @ ’ s gathering of several hundred people from across the country .
Roberts , R-Kan. @ @ @ @ @ and spoke to a friendly and enthusiastic audience , urging them to lay out the @ @ @ @ @ reauthorization that sets policies for the federal school lunch and breakfast programs , after-school feeding @ @ @ @ @ feeding programs for low-income children and the Women , Infants and Children ( WIC ) @ @ @ @ @ senator said his age , 83 , puts him in a high-risk group for complications @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
He ’ ll be 84 on April 20 .
“ The people @ @ @ @ @ people like me , ” Roberts said .
“ I feel fine .
I haven @ @ @ @ @ But he said he now bumps elbows rather than shakes hands .

Sen. Pat Roberts says his staff cited concerns about COVID-19 in trying to persuade him to cancel an appearance Monday at the School Nutrition Association’s gathering of several hundred people from across the country.
Roberts, R-Kan., put those concerns aside and spoke to a friendly and enthusiastic audience, urging them to lay out the need for a child nutrition reauthorization that sets policies for the federal school lunch and breakfast programs, after-school feeding programs for children, summer feeding programs for low-income children and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program.
The senator said his age, 83, puts him in a high-risk group for complications or death if he contracts the virus. He’ll be 84 on April 20.
“The people who are very vulnerable are people like me,” Roberts said. “I feel fine. I haven’t canceled anything.”


rollcall--2020-03-09--Road ahead: Surveillance powers deadline approaches amid coronavirus concerns

Congress is staring down a deadline to reauthorize three surveillance powers before they expire on March 15 , but members @ @ @ @ @ the Capitol begins grappling with rapidly evolving coronavirus concerns .
Congress already cleared emergency funding @ @ @ @ @ but the illness will still be front of mind at the Capitol this week as @ @ @ @ @ emerged in Washington , D.C. , and the surrounding area and two lawmakers announced they @ @ @ @ @ they interacted with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Rep. Paul Gosar of @ @ @ @ @ of Texas said in separate statements Sunday evening they will take precautionary measures because they @ @ @ @ @ Action Conference , known as CPAC , with a person who later tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ , Gosar to stay home as precaution after potential virus exposure ]

Congress is staring down a deadline to reauthorize three surveillance powers before they expire on March 15, but members will be negotiating that as the Capitol begins grappling with rapidly evolving coronavirus concerns.
Congress already cleared emergency funding to fight the coronavirus, but the illness will still be front of mind at the Capitol this week as confirmed cases of COVID-19 have emerged in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area and two lawmakers announced they'll be staying home because they interacted with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said in separate statements Sunday evening they will take precautionary measures because they interacted at the Conservative Political Action Conference, known as CPAC, with a person who later tested positive for the virus.
[Cruz, Gosar to stay home as precaution after potential virus exposure]


rollcall--2020-03-09--Rep. Tom Graves’ son in intensive care after cycling accident

“ He ’ s a strong boy and is showing signs of responsiveness , ” Graves tweeted .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ and continued prayers as John begins his recovery.
” Lawmakers from both sides of the @ @ @ @ @ Graves ’ announcement .
“ As a parent , nothing hurts more than watching your @ @ @ @ @ form , ” tweeted fellow Georgia Rep. Jody Hice .
“ Horrible news , ” @ @ @ @ @ also a Georgian .
“ My prayers go out to John and the entire Graves @ @ @ @ @ John and his family during this difficult time , ” wrote Florida Rep. Val Demings @

Updated, March 10, 3:05 p.m. | Rep. Tom Graves’ son was “showing improved signs of responsiveness” on Tuesday, according to the congressman, who posted an update on Twitter.
John Graves was involved in a cycling accident in Calhoun, Georgia, on Sunday and was airlifted to a trauma unit. He is a member of Georgia Tech’s cycling club team and was competing in a road race.
“Sunday, John suffered severe head trauma and had multiple spots of bleeding on his brain,” his father tweeted. “He’s been responding extremely well to treatment and care” and “beginning to ask questions.”


rollcall--2020-03-08--These members are self-quarantining after being exposed to coronavirus patients

At least six members of Congress have vowed to stay away from Capitol Hill this week because they interacted with individuals who tested positive for coronavirus .
Reps. Doug Collins , R-Ga. , Matt Gaetz , R-Fla. , Louie Gohmert , R-Texas , and Julia Brownley , D-Calif. , announced Monday they were self-quarantining .
Rep. Paul Gosar , R-Ariz. , of Arizona and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said in separate statements Sunday they would also take precautionary measures after interacting with a person who later tested positive for COVID-19 .
Gaetz , Collins , Gosar , Cruz and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patient at the Conservative Political Action Conference , which typically attracts thousands of conservatives and was held Feb. 26-29 at National Harbor in Maryland .
Brownley said she came in contact with someone in Washington , who reported to health officials they tested positive for COVID-19 and are now self-quarantining .
“ Out of an abundance of absolute caution , my DC staff and I are self-monitoring and maintaining social distancing practices .
Neither I , nor my staff , are experiencing any symptoms at this time , ” Brownley said in @ @ @


rollcall--2020-03-10--Former official seeks to root out fintech’s legal impediments

A Reconstruction-era law to rein in government spending is among many federal statutes preventing financial regulators from fully studying today @ @ @ @ @ , according to a former Treasury official who wants to do something about it .
@ @ @ @ @ member Jo Ann Barefoot , the first woman to become deputy comptroller of the currency @ @ @ @ @ and co-founder of the nonprofit policy group Alliance for Innovative Regulation .
Barefoot , 70 @ @ @ @ @ the past few years to helping clear the regulatory and legal impediments , starting with @ @ @ @ @ modern Antideficiency Act among other old laws , that are hindering the development of financial @ @ @ @ @ benefits .
To that end , Barefoot last year founded AIR , a Washington-based nonprofit @ @ @ @ @ financial regulatory system .
The organization is identifying areas where laws constrain regulators ’ ability @ @ @ @

A Reconstruction-era law to rein in government spending is among many federal statutes preventing financial regulators from fully studying today’s cutting-edge financial technologies, according to a former Treasury official who wants to do something about it.
Former Senate Banking Committee staff member Jo Ann Barefoot, the first woman to become deputy comptroller of the currency, is now the CEO and co-founder of the nonprofit policy group Alliance for Innovative Regulation.
Barefoot, 70, said she has dedicated the past few years to helping clear the regulatory and legal impediments, starting with an 1870s predecessor to the modern Antideficiency Act among other old laws, that are hindering the development of financial technology and denying consumers the benefits.
To that end, Barefoot last year founded AIR, a Washington-based nonprofit group dedicated to transforming the financial regulatory system. The organization is identifying areas where laws constrain regulators’ ability to promote innovation.


rollcall--2020-03-10--UK seeks fintech guidance from US state officials

The United Kingdom is seeking help from U.S. state officials to prepare for Britain ’ s entry into the growing @ @ @ @ @ technologies .
Representatives from the British Treasury hosted a delegation of six state financial services @ @ @ @ @ D.C.-based Conference of State Bank Supervisors in London last week for meetings on the differences @ @ @ @ @ regulatory systems in an effort to lay the groundwork for greater trans-Atlantic collaboration in the @ @ @ @ @ The U.K. government has an awareness that the states are a big piece of the @ @ @ @ @ coming and operating in the United States , ” Margaret Liu , a senior vice @ @ @ @ @ at the CSBS , told CQ Roll Call .
“ Clearly there ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ state regulators play .
”

The United Kingdom is seeking help from U.S. state officials to prepare for Britain’s entry into the growing American market for new financial technologies.
Representatives from the British Treasury hosted a delegation of six state financial services administrators and representatives from the D.C.-based Conference of State Bank Supervisors in London last week for meetings on the differences between each country’s regulatory systems in an effort to lay the groundwork for greater trans-Atlantic collaboration in the growing fintech industry.
“The U.K. government has an awareness that the states are a big piece of the regulatory ecosystem for U.K. companies coming and operating in the United States,” Margaret Liu, a senior vice president and deputy general counsel at the CSBS, told CQ Roll Call. “Clearly there’s an awareness of the role that state regulators play.”


rollcall--2020-03-10--Congress lobbying Congress: Member Day explained

Members of Congress have the opportunity every year , during the appropriations process , to lobby for issues pertinent to @ @ @ @ @ It may look like earmarking , but it 's not — this niche congressional process @ @ @ @ @ Watch as Niels Lesniewski , CQ Roll Call 's chief White House and congressional correspondent @ @ @ @ @ process .

Members of Congress have the opportunity every year, during the appropriations process, to lobby for issues pertinent to their districts and constituencies. It may look like earmarking, but it's not — this niche congressional process is called Member Day.
Watch as Niels Lesniewski, CQ Roll Call's chief White House and congressional correspondent, explains this obscure annual process.


rollcall--2020-03-10--He struggled after the NFL. Now he’s in Congress, and paying it forward

Anthony Gonzalez felt lost .
His five-year NFL career had just come to an end before he ’ d even @ @ @ @ @ was single , didn ’ t have a family , ” said the former wide @ @ @ @ @ in many ways alone and like I didn ’ t know exactly what my place @ @ @ @ @ took him a few months to come to grips with no longer being a professional @ @ @ @ @ of your self-esteem is tied to the game , ” he said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ depression , but if you read what that looks like , I probably went through @ @ @ @ @ congressman , Gonzalez wouldn ’ t wish that experience on anyone , which is part @ @ @ @ @ here .
When he invited me into his Capitol Hill office Thursday , I looked @ @ @ @ @ scream “ football.
” But there really isn ’ t much to see in the @ @ @ @ @ helmet in a glass case , plus a bobblehead or two .

Anthony Gonzalez felt lost. His five-year NFL career had just come to an end before he’d even turned 28.
“I was single, didn’t have a family,” said the former wide receiver. “I felt in many ways alone and like I didn’t know exactly what my place was in life.”
It took him a few months to come to grips with no longer being a professional baller.
“So much of your self-esteem is tied to the game,” he said. “I wasn’t diagnosed with depression, but if you read what that looks like, I probably went through that.”
Now an Ohio congressman, Gonzalez wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone, which is part of why we’re here. When he invited me into his Capitol Hill office Thursday, I looked around, expecting it to scream “football.” But there really isn’t much to see in the memorabilia department: just a helmet in a glass case, plus a bobblehead or two.


rollcall--2020-03-10--Watch: NFL player interns for former wide receiver Rep. Anthony Gonzalez

The National Football League Players Association externship program couldn ’ t have found a better match than Sam Young and @ @ @ @ @ NFLPA gives football players a chance to “ extern ” in a different professional field @ @ @ @ @ field come to an end .
This year , former Miami Dolphins tackle Sam Young @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio Republican Rep. Anthony Gonzalez .
More than almost any other Capitol Hill boss @ @ @ @ @ of that transitional period .

The National Football League Players Association externship program couldn’t have found a better match than Sam Young and Rep. Anthony Gonzalez.
The NFLPA gives football players a chance to “extern” in a different professional field as their days on the field come to an end. This year, former Miami Dolphins tackle Sam Young interned with another former footballer, Ohio Republican Rep. Anthony Gonzalez.
More than almost any other Capitol Hill boss, Gonzalez understands the stress of that transitional period.