rollcall--2020-06-17--Immigration agency resumes processing U.S.-based green cards

U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services , the agency that adjudicates visas and green cards , told staff the agency is “ resuming processing ” of all applications for permanent residency from within the country .
CQ Roll Call reported last week that “ a general hold ” had been put on the adjudication of applications from U.S.-based immigrants hoping to obtain green cards .
According to internal guidance and emails , the hold applied both to cases that required in-person interviews and certain cases in which these interviews could be waived .
Specific categories of applicants were exempt from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That hold has since been lifted , according to an email USCIS sent Tuesday and viewed by CQ Roll Call .
“ As you know , the pause enabled us to focus on several priority issues such as freezing up capacity ... to work cases that supported the efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and to focus on cases pending oath ceremonies , ” the email to senior USCIS staffers said .
A USCIS statement said the change stemmed from the ability to resume citizenship proceedings that had been postponed by the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that adjudicates visas and green cards, told staff the agency is “resuming processing” of all applications for permanent residency from within the country.
CQ Roll Call reported last week that “a general hold” had been put on the adjudication of applications from U.S.-based immigrants hoping to obtain green cards. According to internal guidance and emails, the hold applied both to cases that required in-person interviews and certain cases in which these interviews could be waived. Specific categories of applicants were exempt from the hold, the communications said.
That hold has since been lifted, according to an email USCIS sent Tuesday and viewed by CQ Roll Call.
“As you know, the pause enabled us to focus on several priority issues such as freezing up capacity ... to work cases that supported the efforts to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic and to focus on cases pending oath ceremonies,” the email to senior USCIS staffers said.
A USCIS statement said the change stemmed from the ability to resume citizenship proceedings that had been postponed by the pandemic and were the agency's higher priority.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Key GOP senator endorses permanent telehealth provisions

Senate Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Chairman Lamar Alexander on Wednesday called on Congress to make permanent two temporary telehealth changes enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Alexander called for Medicare to permanently pay doctors for telehealth visits regardless of the patient ’ s location , and to keep in place new types of telehealth services , such as emergency room visits , eligible for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement .
Earlier this month , the Tennessee Republican called for preserving gains made through telehealth in a white paper focused on preparing for future pandemics .
Telehealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices across the nation , turbocharging the shift to virtual care .
Congress responded by allowing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to waive a series of wonky restrictions on telehealth during the public health emergency .
For instance , one provision suspended the so-called originating site rule restricting patients from using telehealth in their homes .
“ We ought to stop and think for a moment about how significant a change this is and whether it would have even possibly happened without this crisis , ” Alexander said in a hearing @ @ @ @

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Lamar Alexander on Wednesday called on Congress to make permanent two temporary telehealth changes enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alexander called for Medicare to permanently pay doctors for telehealth visits regardless of the patient’s location, and to keep in place new types of telehealth services, such as emergency room visits, eligible for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
Earlier this month, the Tennessee Republican called for preserving gains made through telehealth in a white paper focused on preparing for future pandemics.
Telehealth exploded once the coronavirus shuttered doctors’ offices across the nation, turbocharging the shift to virtual care. Congress responded by allowing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to waive a series of wonky restrictions on telehealth during the public health emergency. For instance, one provision suspended the so-called originating site rule restricting patients from using telehealth in their homes.
“We ought to stop and think for a moment about how significant a change this is and whether it would have even possibly happened without this crisis,” Alexander said in a hearing on telehealth Wednesday.


rollcall--2020-06-18--Despite phased reopening, Hill happy hours may take a long time to return

Outdoor seating resumed at the end of May , after the pandemic put a stop to dining out for more than two months .
Right now you can “ relax ” on the patio at hangouts like Union Pub and Capitol Lounge , but the term is relative .
You have to make a reservation in advance , which feels strange when the vibe is less “ white tablecloth ” than “ sticky table.
” Reservations are encouraged but not required by the city , while other rules are nonnegotiable .
Before you can order that bucket of Bud Light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ll have to limit your party size to six people , and whatever you do , resist the urge to cluster , cruise or otherwise mingle while standing up .
Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a press conference this week that the next phase of reopening could begin as soon as Monday if the city hits its metrics , including a sustained decline in community spread .
Bowser said she would make her decision on Friday .
During Phase 2 , indoor service can return at 50 percent capacity , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s good news for places with overtaxed patios or no outdoor space at all .
Still , it doesn ’ t mean mingling is back on the agenda .
Standing is still banned , and “ patrons may only be served at a restaurant bar if patrons are seated at least 6 feet apart and no bartender is working behind the bar , ” according to the D.C. Department of Health .
Another requirement : food .
Watering holes must offer at least three prepared food options , and each table @ @ @ @

Outdoor seating resumed at the end of May, after the pandemic put a stop to dining out for more than two months. Right now you can “relax” on the patio at hangouts like Union Pub and Capitol Lounge, but the term is relative. You have to make a reservation in advance, which feels strange when the vibe is less “white tablecloth” than “sticky table.”
Reservations are encouraged but not required by the city, while other rules are nonnegotiable. Before you can order that bucket of Bud Light or plate of $2 sliders, you’ll have to limit your party size to six people, and whatever you do, resist the urge to cluster, cruise or otherwise mingle while standing up.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a press conference this week that the next phase of reopening could begin as soon as Monday if the city hits its metrics, including a sustained decline in community spread. Bowser said she would make her decision on Friday.
During Phase 2, indoor service can return at 50 percent capacity, with tables at least 6 feet apart. That’s good news for places with overtaxed patios or no outdoor space at all. Still, it doesn’t mean mingling is back on the agenda. Standing is still banned, and “patrons may only be served at a restaurant bar if patrons are seated at least 6 feet apart and no bartender is working behind the bar,” according to the D.C. Department of Health.
Another requirement: food. Watering holes must offer at least three prepared food options, and each table must order one.


rollcall--2020-06-18--Census trying to fix history of undercounting minorities

As Congress grapples with national changes to police policy and other systemic problems tied to race , another government process @ @ @ @ @ communities : the 2020 census .
Prior census efforts have undercounted minority populations , shortchanging @ @ @ @ @ programs that can help them find stable housing or employment training , changes that make @ @ @ @ @ the future , said Anna Gassman-Pines , a Duke University public policy professor .
“ @ @ @ @ @ together , then that can accumulate over time and that can be part of the @ @ @ @ @ of race , ” she said .
“ There are these structural problems that are @ @ @ @ @ ” In addition to helping to divide 435 congressional seats among the states , census @ @ @ @ @ fashion to distribute more than $ 1.5 trillion in federal funds each year .
In @ @ @ @ @ 2.1 percent of African Americans , 1.5 percent of Hispanics and 4.9 percent of Native @ @ @ @ @ , a little less than 1 percent of white residents got counted twice .

As Congress grapples with national changes to police policy and other systemic problems tied to race, another government process is struggling to include minority communities: the 2020 census.
Prior census efforts have undercounted minority populations, shortchanging them on the funds for programs that can help them find stable housing or employment training, changes that make them easier to count in the future, said Anna Gassman-Pines, a Duke University public policy professor.
“If you couple those things together, then that can accumulate over time and that can be part of the disparities we see in terms of race,” she said. “There are these structural problems that are compounded by more structural problems.”
In addition to helping to divide 435 congressional seats among the states, census results are used in some fashion to distribute more than $1.5 trillion in federal funds each year.
In 2010, the census missed 2.1 percent of African Americans, 1.5 percent of Hispanics and 4.9 percent of Native Americans on reservations. Meanwhile, a little less than 1 percent of white residents got counted twice.


rollcall--2020-06-18--Bernie Sanders tests influence in House primaries for open seats

Sen. Bernie Sanders is moving on from his presidential campaign , turning his attention to races further down the ballot .
And he ’ s not just taking on Republicans or sitting Democrats who aren ’ t sufficiently liberal .
The Vermont independent is also weighing in on crowded , open-seat primaries in Democratic territory in an effort to bring more progressives to the House .
Primaries for two open seats next week around New York City could test whether his endorsement provides a last-minute boost in fundraising and energy that his favored candidates need to win .
In New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Nita M. Lowey is retiring , Sanders has endorsed lawyer Mondaire Jones .
And in the race for retiring Democratic Rep. José E. Serrano ’ s 15th District seat , Sanders split with other liberal groups to back activist Samelys López .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates both races Solid Democratic .
For Sanders ’ supporters , his involvement in congressional races is furthering the liberal movement he fostered as a presidential contender .
“ His ‘ not me , us ’ moment is supporting these down-ballot candidates , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Working Families Party , referring to Sanders ’ 2020 campaign slogan .

Sen. Bernie Sanders is moving on from his presidential campaign, turning his attention to races further down the ballot. And he’s not just taking on Republicans or sitting Democrats who aren’t sufficiently liberal.
The Vermont independent is also weighing in on crowded, open-seat primaries in Democratic territory in an effort to bring more progressives to the House. Primaries for two open seats next week around New York City could test whether his endorsement provides a last-minute boost in fundraising and energy that his favored candidates need to win.
In New York’s 17th District, where Democrat Nita M. Lowey is retiring, Sanders has endorsed lawyer Mondaire Jones. And in the race for retiring Democratic Rep. José E. Serrano’s 15th District seat, Sanders split with other liberal groups to back activist Samelys López. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates both races Solid Democratic.
For Sanders’ supporters, his involvement in congressional races is furthering the liberal movement he fostered as a presidential contender.
“His ‘not me, us’ moment is supporting these down-ballot candidates,” said Sochie Nnaemeka, director of the New York Working Families Party, referring to Sanders’ 2020 campaign slogan.


rollcall--2020-06-17--House policing bill headed to floor after drawing fiery exchanges over race

The House Judiciary Committee ’ s debate on a broad policing overhaul bill Wednesday meandered predictably along partisan lines for hours as Republicans raised issues like abortion , allegations about the left-wing group Antifa and the FBI investigation of Michael Flynn — until Rep. Cedric Richmond decided to call them out in an unusually personal way .
The next five minutes — raised voices , fingers pointed , and Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz responding , “ Who the hell do you think you are ?
” — in many ways encapsulated how typical Washington forces already threaten to squash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of George Floyd at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer and was bolstered with days of demonstrations nationwide .
And the exchange showed how the issue of racial disparity and use of force in policing has pulled at the seams of the typical layers of decorum on Capitol Hill , and brought discussions of race to the foreground .
“ By the time I ’ m finished , it will be clear that we are not good friends , ” Richmond , a Louisiana Democrat and a former chairman of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the committee .
Richmond had a few things on his mind when he started speaking during the markup of an amended bill that advanced along party lines , 24 to 14 , late Wednesday night .
Democrats , who adopted a manager ’ s amendment but rejected all Republican efforts to change the bill , plan a floor vote later this month .

The House Judiciary Committee’s debate on a broad policing overhaul bill Wednesday meandered predictably along partisan lines for hours as Republicans raised issues like abortion, allegations about the left-wing group Antifa and the FBI investigation of Michael Flynn — until Rep. Cedric Richmond decided to call them out in an unusually personal way.
The next five minutes — raised voices, fingers pointed, and Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz responding, “Who the hell do you think you are?” — in many ways encapsulated how typical Washington forces already threaten to squash any political momentum that started with the death of George Floyd at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer and was bolstered with days of demonstrations nationwide.
And the exchange showed how the issue of racial disparity and use of force in policing has pulled at the seams of the typical layers of decorum on Capitol Hill, and brought discussions of race to the foreground.
“By the time I’m finished, it will be clear that we are not good friends,” Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat and a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told Republicans on the committee.
Richmond had a few things on his mind when he started speaking during the markup of an amended bill that advanced along party lines, 24 to 14, late Wednesday night. Democrats, who adopted a manager’s amendment but rejected all Republican efforts to change the bill, plan a floor vote
later this month.


rollcall--2020-06-18--Matt Gaetz and the until-now unknown adopted son from Cuba

“ Matt , Matt , stop .
I ’ m not about to get sidetracked by the color of our children , ” Richmond told Gaetz .
“ It is not about the color of your kids .
It is about black males , black people in the streets , that are getting killed .
And if one of them happens to be your kid , I ’ m concerned about him too , and clearly , I ’ m more concerned about him than you are.
” “ You ’ re claiming you have more concern for my family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you think you are ?
” Gaetz responded .
After disclosing he has a son the following day , Gaetz suggested he wanted to clear the air of partisan rhetoric .
“ I was triggered when ( to make an absurd debate point ) a fellow congressman diminished the contributions of Republicans because we don ’ t raise non-white kids , ” he tweeted .
“ No parent on earth wouldn ’ t be furious if someone said they are more concerned for your family than you are , ” he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has made several appearances in Gaetz ’ s political life , but was not directly identified as his son .

“Matt, Matt, stop. I’m not about to get sidetracked by the color of our children,” Richmond told Gaetz. “It is not about the color of your kids. It is about black males, black people in the streets, that are getting killed. And if one of them happens to be your kid, I’m concerned about him too, and clearly, I’m more concerned about him than you are.”
“You’re claiming you have more concern for my family than I do. Who the hell do you think you are?” Gaetz responded.
After disclosing he has a son the following day, Gaetz suggested he wanted to clear the air of partisan rhetoric. “I was triggered when (to make an absurd debate point) a fellow congressman diminished the contributions of Republicans because we don’t raise non-white kids,” he tweeted.
“No parent on earth wouldn’t be furious if someone said they are more concerned for your family than you are,” he added.
Galban, who is now 19, has made several appearances in Gaetz’s political life, but was not directly identified as his son.


rollcall--2020-06-18--Coronavirus Special Report: Why contact tracing and masks matter

In this episode , we delve into health care policy and some of the methods that public health officials say @ @ @ @ @ from spreading further .
We have two reports : one on contact tracing and the @ @ @ @ @ also take a look at how the coronavirus economy has drained Social Security and Medicare @ @

Jason Dick, David Lerman, Mary Ellen McIntire, Emily Kopp, Joanne Levine, and Thomas McKinless

In this episode, we delve into health care policy and some of the methods that public health officials say can help contain the coronavirus from spreading further. We have two reports: one on contact tracing and the other on masks. We also take a look at how the coronavirus economy has drained Social Security and Medicare coffers.
Show notes:


rollcall--2020-06-18--Facebook takes down Trump campaign ads with Nazi symbol

Facebook on Thursday took down a Trump campaign ad that used an inverted red triangle — a Nazi symbol used to designate political prisoners in concentration camps — to target “ far-left ” groups and so-called antifa .
The ads appeared in paid posts by the Team Trump campaign as well as by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence .
They began running on Wednesday and had as many as 1 million impressions before being taken down , The Washington Post reported .
“ We removed these posts and ads for violating our policy against organized hate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email .
“ Our policy prohibits using a banned hate group 's symbol to identify political prisoners without the context that condemns or discusses the symbol.
” The Facebook ads said , `` Dangerous MOBS of far-left groups are running through our streets and causing absolute mayhem .
They are DESTROYING our cities and rioting — it 's absolute madness . ''
Below the copy was the inverted red triangle that Nazis used to designate political prisoners .
Facebook ’ s action became public as the House Intelligence Committee was holding a virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook , Twitter and Google handle disinformation from a variety of fronts .

Facebook on Thursday took down a Trump campaign ad that used an inverted red triangle — a Nazi symbol used to designate political prisoners in concentration camps — to target “far-left” groups and so-called antifa.
The ads appeared in paid posts by the Team Trump campaign as well as by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. They began running on Wednesday and had as many as 1 million impressions before being taken down, The Washington Post reported.
“We removed these posts and ads for violating our policy against organized hate,” a Facebook spokeswoman said in an email. “Our policy prohibits using a banned hate group's symbol to identify political prisoners without the context that condemns or discusses the symbol.”
The Facebook ads said, "Dangerous MOBS of far-left groups are running through our streets and causing absolute mayhem. They are DESTROYING our cities and rioting — it's absolute madness." Below the copy was the inverted red triangle that Nazis used to designate political prisoners.
Facebook’s action became public as the House Intelligence Committee was holding a virtual hearing on how social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Google handle disinformation from a variety of fronts.


rollcall--2020-06-18--‘There are no degrees of separation’ — How the Charleston church shooting looms over the current rac

‘There are no degrees of separation’ — How the Charleston church shooting looms over the current racial justice debate

It ’ s been five years since the deadly , racist-motivated shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston , @ @ @ @ @ are still present in the current debate over racial justice , Black Lives Matter and @ @ @ @ @ ideology .
CQ Roll Call columnist Mary C. Curtis talks to Political Theater about how @ @ @ @ @ resonates as the United States grapples with its ugly history .
• Scott rebukes critics @ @ @ @ @ being used by GOP on police legislation • Members eye expunging all traces of Confederacy @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill and across Washington , lawmakers among them

It’s been five years since the deadly, racist-motivated shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina But the scars are still present in the current debate over racial justice, Black Lives Matter and the legacy of white supremacist ideology.
CQ Roll Call columnist Mary C. Curtis talks to Political Theater about how the tragedy in Charleston still resonates as the United States grapples with its ugly history.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-18--COVID-19 panel questions Fed effort to help small businesses

The Congressional Oversight Commission questioned whether the Federal Reserve ’ s emergency lending facilities have done enough to help smaller companies and workers during the coronavirus crisis , in a report released Thursday .
The commission ’ s second report on the Fed and Treasury Department ’ s handling of the $ 500 billion Congress provided in March to inject liquidity into the economy applauded the help for large corporations but worried that others were being left behind .
“ In some areas of the economy , such as the ability of larger companies to issue debt to continue operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clear and powerful impact , ” the commission wrote .
“ But there is less evidence that the actions of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve have been as beneficial for small and mid-sized businesses and state and local governments.
” Congress gave the Fed and Treasury $ 454 billion to set up emergency lending facilities to help otherwise solvent companies , nonprofits and state and local governments weather the sharp revenue crunch caused by COVID-19 lockdowns .
The commission is tasked with overseeing this money and another $ 46 billion earmarked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contractors .
To date , the Fed has said how $ 195 billion will be allocated among five facilities — out of 11 total it has announced since the pandemic started — that could support up to $ 2 trillion in loans and asset purchases .
But only two of those programs are currently operational , and only $ 6.7 billion has been spent so far .

The Congressional Oversight Commission questioned whether the Federal Reserve’s emergency lending facilities have done enough to help smaller companies and workers during the coronavirus crisis, in a report released Thursday.
The commission’s second report on the Fed and Treasury Department’s handling of the $500 billion Congress provided in March to inject liquidity into the economy applauded the help for large corporations but worried that others were being left behind.
“In some areas of the economy, such as the ability of larger companies to issue debt to continue operations, the agencies’ actions have had a clear and powerful impact,” the commission wrote. “But there is less evidence that the actions of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve have been as beneficial for small and mid-sized businesses and state and local governments.”
Congress gave the Fed and Treasury $454 billion to set up emergency lending facilities to help otherwise solvent companies, nonprofits and state and local governments weather the sharp revenue crunch caused by COVID-19 lockdowns. The commission is tasked with overseeing this money and another $46 billion earmarked for bailing out airlines and national security contractors.
To date, the Fed has said how $195 billion will be allocated among five facilities — out of 11 total it has announced since the pandemic started — that could support up to $2 trillion in loans and asset purchases. But only two of those programs are currently operational, and only $6.7 billion has been spent so far.


rollcall--2020-06-18--Science to drive vaccine efforts, not politics, nominee pledges

The Army general tapped to lead the federal government ’ s efforts to develop and mass-produce a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year pledged Thursday to base his decisions on science and not politics .
Gen. Gustave Perna , nominated to be the chief operating officer for Operation Warp Speed , told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that he thinks it is possible that the government will be able to produce 300 million doses of a vaccine by Jan. 1 .
“ What I thought was an aspirational goal 30 days ago when I was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to the conclusion that it is more and more likely to occur , ” he said .
Several Democrat senators , including Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii , pressed Perna on whether the U.S. would welcome cooperation from countries that are not traditional allies .
“ I commit to working with all nations that we deem are friendly to our national security , ” Perna said .
Blumenthal noted that the U.S. often cooperates on a limited basis with hostile governments , including on trade deals , @ @ @ @ @ @

The Army general tapped to lead the federal government’s efforts to develop and mass-produce a coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year pledged Thursday to base his decisions on science and not politics.
Gen. Gustave Perna, nominated to be the chief operating officer for Operation Warp Speed, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that he thinks it is possible that the government will be able to produce 300 million doses of a vaccine by Jan. 1.
“What I thought was an aspirational goal 30 days ago when I was announced by the president, I have now come to the conclusion that it is more and more likely to occur,” he said.
Several Democrat senators, including Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Mazie K. Hirono of Hawaii, pressed Perna on whether the U.S. would welcome cooperation from countries that are not traditional allies.
“I commit to working with all nations that we deem are friendly to our national security,” Perna said. Blumenthal noted that the U.S. often cooperates on a limited basis with hostile governments, including on trade deals, but Perna would not budge.


rollcall--2020-06-18--At the Races: Air war vs. ground game

At the Races: Air war vs. ground game

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 .
This week , heading into a highly unusual summer campaign season , candidates and outside groups launched a flurry of new big-dollar advertising buys , especially in the country ’ s hottest Senate races .
At the same time , candidates began to embark on more in-person events , notably those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They include Democrat Charles Booker , who is challenging Amy McGrath for their party ’ s Senate nomination in Kentucky .
Jamaal Bowman , who is trying to defeat Democratic incumbent Eliot L. Engel in New York ’ s 16th District , took to subway stops to woo voters .
Both primaries are set for Tuesday .
The Erie County GOP also just announced an in-person rally Saturday at New York state Sen. Chris Jacobs ’ campaign headquarters , ahead of Tuesday ’ s special election in the 27th District .
Though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , seems to be coming back into action , the “ air wars ” on TV and digital buys really seem to be heating up , especially in Colorado , North Carolina , Arizona and Maine , home to the Senate ’ s most vulnerable Republicans .
The Democratic outside group Majority Forward , an affiliate of the super PAC Senate Majority PAC , launched a seven-figure advertising campaign against North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis .
Tillis ’ opponent , Democrat Cal Cunningham , just put out his first ad of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Commerce , meanwhile , put out ads supporting Tillis and his fellow embattled GOP Sens .
Cory Gardner of Colorado and Susan Collins of Maine .
Gardner launched his own TV ad , knocking former Democratic Gov .
John Hickenlooper , who has the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee ’ s endorsement ahead of the June 30 primary .
The National Republican Senatorial Committee also launched a new TV ad against Hickenlooper this week .
House races won ’ t be left out when it comes to ads .
The National Republican Congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The twin phenomena are evident in the presidential race too , with Democrat Joe Biden out with his initial ad blitz , per The New York Times , and President Donald Trump holding his first in-person rally since the coronavirus shut them down on Saturday in Oklahoma .

Bridget Bowman, Kate Ackley, and Stephanie Akin

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.
This week, heading into a highly unusual summer campaign season, candidates and outside groups launched a flurry of new big-dollar advertising buys, especially in the country’s hottest Senate races. At the same time, candidates began to embark on more in-person events, notably those in some of the toughest upcoming primaries. They include Democrat Charles Booker, who is challenging Amy McGrath for their party’s Senate nomination in Kentucky. Jamaal Bowman, who is trying to defeat Democratic incumbent Eliot L. Engel in New York’s 16th District, took to subway stops to woo voters. Both primaries are set for Tuesday. The Erie County GOP also just announced an in-person rally Saturday at New York state Sen. Chris Jacobs’ campaign headquarters, ahead of Tuesday’s special election in the 27th District.
Though the ground game, even amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, seems to be coming back into action, the “air wars” on TV and digital buys really seem to be heating up, especially in Colorado, North Carolina, Arizona and Maine, home to the Senate’s most vulnerable Republicans. The Democratic outside group Majority Forward, an affiliate of the super PAC Senate Majority PAC, launched a seven-figure advertising campaign against North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis.
Tillis’ opponent, Democrat Cal Cunningham, just put out his first ad of the general election. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, put out ads supporting Tillis and his fellow embattled GOP Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Susan Collins of Maine. Gardner launched his own TV ad, knocking former Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper, who has the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s endorsement ahead of the June 30 primary. The National Republican Senatorial Committee also launched a new TV ad against Hickenlooper this week. House races won’t be left out when it comes to ads. The National Republican Congressional Committee announced a $23.5 million buy.
The twin phenomena are evident in the presidential race too, with Democrat Joe Biden out with his initial ad blitz, per The New York Times, and President Donald Trump holding his first in-person rally since the coronavirus shut them down on Saturday in Oklahoma.


rollcall--2020-06-18--McConnell protege Justin Walker confirmed to powerful DC Circuit Court

The Senate voted 51-42 to confirm Justin Walker , a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District @ @ @ @ @ one year but a protege of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , for a seat @ @ @ @ @ Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit .
[ Judge Justin Walker is a window @ @ @ @ @ on federal courts ] On the Senate floor Thursday , McConnell , a Kentucky Republican @ @ @ @ @ widely admired legal expert and proven judge ” who is qualified to serve on the @ @ @ @ @ When President Donald Trump nominated Walker to the Kentucky district court , the American Bar @ @ @ @ @ as “ unqualified.
” In May , after Trump nominated him to the D.C .
@ @ @ @ @ him “ well qualified , ” reasoning that an appellate judgeship is “ focused differently @ @

The Senate voted 51-42 to confirm Justin Walker, a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky for less than one year but a protege of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
[Judge Justin Walker is a window into McConnell’s sway on federal courts]
On the Senate floor Thursday, McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, called Walker a “widely admired legal expert and proven judge” who is qualified to serve on the “enormously consequential bench.”
When President Donald Trump nominated Walker to the Kentucky district court, the American Bar Association rated him in October as “unqualified.”
In May, after Trump nominated him to the D.C. Circuit, the ABA rated him “well qualified,” reasoning that an appellate judgeship is “focused differently.”


rollcall--2020-06-18--‘I cried tears of joy’ — Democratic leaders react to DACA decision

“ Who would ’ ve thought [ the Supreme Court ] would have so many good decisions in one week @ @ @ @ @ thought .
Wow.
” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer spoke on the Senate floor @ @ @ @ @ that the Supreme Court voted to uphold the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program that @ @ @ @ @ rescind in 2017 .
“ We were in such dread about what could happen at @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Pelosi said at her weekly news briefing , “ but this way is the @ @ @ @ @ Whip Richard J. Durbin , who has long pushed for protections for Dreamers , urged @ @ @ @ @ bill that made it through the House .
The bill would grant permanent citizenship to @ @ @ @ @ immigrants .

“Who would’ve thought [the Supreme Court] would have so many good decisions in one week. Who would’ve thought. Wow.”
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer spoke on the Senate floor after hearing the news Thursday that the Supreme Court voted to uphold the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals program that President Donald Trump moved to rescind in 2017.
“We were in such dread about what could happen at the court," Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at her weekly news briefing, “but this way is the American way.”
Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin, who has long pushed for protections for Dreamers, urged the Senate to pass a bill that made it through the House.
The bill would grant permanent citizenship to up to 2.5 million undocumented immigrants.


rollcall--2020-06-18--Generational clash in runoff for Meadows’ seat in North Carolina

The Republican nominee to replace White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in Congress will be fiscally conservative , pro-Trump , anti-abortion and a hard-liner on immigration .
Whether that Republican will be a young upstart or a longtime businesswoman gets decided Tuesday in the GOP runoff for the 11th District in western North Carolina .
“ Ideologically , they ’ re carbon copies of each other but stylistically , they are complete opposites , ” said Chris Cooper , a political science professor at Western Carolina University .
Real estate agent and party activist Lynda Bennett , 62 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such groups as the tea party-linked House Freedom Action .
But in a 12-candidate primary on March 3 , she ended up about 7 points short of the 30 percent needed to secure the nomination outright .
That put her in a runoff with the second-place finisher , Madison Cawthorn , who got 20 percent .
Cawthorn , 24 , is a real estate investor and motivational speaker who survived a near-fatal car crash and now uses a wheelchair .
Campaigning during the coronavirus pandemic , he has embraced social media and set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outsider .
Runoff turnout is expected to be low , and 30 percent of early voters who have cast ballots so far are from Cawthorn ’ s home county of Henderson , according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections .
Bennett ’ s home county of Haywood lags behind .

The Republican nominee to replace White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in Congress will be fiscally conservative, pro-Trump, anti-abortion and a hard-liner on immigration. Whether that Republican will be a young upstart or a longtime businesswoman gets decided Tuesday in the GOP runoff for the 11th District in western North Carolina.
“Ideologically, they’re carbon copies of each other but stylistically, they are complete opposites,” said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University.
Real estate agent and party activist Lynda Bennett, 62, had Meadows’ endorsement and support from such groups as the tea party-linked House Freedom Action. But in a 12-candidate primary on March 3, she ended up about 7 points short of the 30 percent needed to secure the nomination outright. That put her in a runoff with the second-place finisher, Madison Cawthorn, who got 20 percent.
Cawthorn, 24, is a real estate investor and motivational speaker who survived a near-fatal car crash and now uses a wheelchair. Campaigning during the coronavirus pandemic, he has embraced social media and set himself apart from Bennett as a youthful outsider.
Runoff turnout is expected to be low, and 30 percent of early voters who have cast ballots so far are from Cawthorn’s home county of Henderson, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections. Bennett’s home county of Haywood lags behind.


rollcall--2020-06-19--Worry over unintended consequences freights Hong Kong debate

After staking out opposing maximalist positions on the future of Hong Kong in May , the United States and China this summer are in a tense wait-and-see period until Beijing finishes drafting a new national security measure for the semiautonomous territory and moves to enact it , possibly in August or September .
But Washington isn ’ t just sitting back and waiting for the anti-sedition law , which is expected to criminalize “ any acts and activities ” that jeopardize China ’ s national security , to go into effect .
In late May , President Donald Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curtailing the United States ’ special relationship with Hong Kong .
That announcement came on the heels of a finding by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Hong Kong was no longer sufficiently autonomous from China to warrant separate treatment as specified by the 1992 Hong Kong Policy Act .
Washington treats the island city as separate from mainland China on many matters related to trade , investment , export controls and visas .
Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill are weighing many Hong Kong-related bills including bipartisan legislation from Sens .
Patrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van Hollen , D-Md.
, that would gradually impose penalties on foreign banks that do business with certain Chinese government officials involved in the Hong Kong crackdown .

After staking out opposing maximalist positions on the future of Hong Kong in May, the United States and China this summer are in a tense wait-and-see period until Beijing finishes drafting a new national security measure for the semiautonomous territory and moves to enact it, possibly in August or September.
But Washington isn’t just sitting back and waiting for the anti-sedition law, which is expected to criminalize “any acts and activities” that jeopardize China’s national security, to go into effect.
In late May, President Donald Trump said his administration would start the process of curtailing the United States’ special relationship with Hong Kong. That announcement came on the heels of a finding by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Hong Kong was no longer sufficiently autonomous from China to warrant separate treatment as specified by the 1992 Hong Kong Policy Act.
Washington treats the island city as separate from mainland China on many matters related to trade, investment, export controls and visas.
Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill are weighing many Hong Kong-related bills including bipartisan legislation from Sens. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., that would gradually impose penalties on foreign banks that do business with certain Chinese government officials involved in the Hong Kong crackdown.


rollcall--2020-06-19--Congress must act now to help states with vote-by-mail in November, experts say

The November presidential and congressional elections are a little more than four months away , and Congress must act now to help states prepare for a surge in Americans seeking to vote by mail because of pandemic-driven fears that are likely to keep them from voting in person , according to election experts , advocates and lawmakers .
As many as 30 states have already lowered barriers for voters seeking to mail in their ballots because of COVID-19 .
Some , like Nevada , have gone as far as sending pre-printed mail-in ballots to all registered voters in some counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting by mail also need to be prepared for voters to show up in person at regular polling places because of glitches in the mailing process or a failure to receive mail-in ballots in advance .
That could increase costs not only for new equipment but for staffing to handle both ways to vote , experts say .
Several states that postponed their primaries from March to late May and early June saw voters turn to voting by mail in large numbers , said Edgardo Cortés , an election security adviser at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t matter whether you encourage it or not , that ’ s what voters want , ” he said about voters ’ preference for mailed ballots .
“ So you have to be ready for it , and state officials need to be ready to handle that influx .
”

The November presidential and congressional elections are a little more than four months away, and Congress must act now to help states prepare for a surge in Americans seeking to vote by mail because of pandemic-driven fears that are likely to keep them from voting in person, according to election experts, advocates and lawmakers.
As many as 30 states have already lowered barriers for voters seeking to mail in their ballots because of COVID-19. Some, like Nevada, have gone as far as sending pre-printed mail-in ballots to all registered voters in some counties.
But states scrambling to scale up voting by mail also need to be prepared for voters to show up in person at regular polling places because of glitches in the mailing process or a failure to receive mail-in ballots in advance. That could increase costs not only for new equipment but for staffing to handle both ways to vote, experts say.
Several states that postponed their primaries from March to late May and early June saw voters turn to voting by mail in large numbers, said Edgardo Cortés, an election security adviser at the Brennan Center for Justice.
“It doesn’t matter whether you encourage it or not, that’s what voters want,” he said about voters’ preference for mailed ballots. “So you have to be ready for it, and state officials need to be ready to handle that influx.”


rollcall--2020-06-19--Hill recoils at proposed cut to Pentagon anti-pandemic effort

In February , as the coronavirus pandemic gathered steam worldwide , the Trump administration asked Congress to slash by more than a third the Pentagon ’ s spending on a program that helps other countries — and ultimately America — prevent , detect and respond to disease outbreaks .
The Biological Threat Reduction Program , funded at $ 203 million in the current fiscal year , is buried inside the Pentagon budget , which tops $ 700 billion .
But it is the costliest U.S. program — and one of the largest in the world — focused on finding and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible , experts said .
In fact , on Jan. 13 , just a few weeks before the budget request for next year went to Capitol Hill , a lab in Thailand supported by the Pentagon program had discovered the first case of the new coronavirus outside of China .
Yet Defense Department officials have said the money they want to subtract from the biological threats program is needed instead for what the officials called more pressing defense initiatives .
These include upgrading the nuclear arsenal and developing the hypersonic weapons that President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

In February, as the coronavirus pandemic gathered steam worldwide, the Trump administration asked Congress to slash by more than a third the Pentagon’s spending on a program that helps other countries — and ultimately America — prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks.
The Biological Threat Reduction Program, funded at $203 million in the current fiscal year, is buried inside the Pentagon budget, which tops $700 billion. But it is the costliest U.S. program — and one of the largest in the world — focused on finding and fighting emerging global diseases as early as possible, experts said.
In fact, on Jan. 13, just a few weeks before the budget request for next year went to Capitol Hill, a lab in Thailand supported by the Pentagon program had discovered the first case of the new coronavirus outside of China.
Yet Defense Department officials have said the money they want to subtract from the biological threats program is needed instead for what the officials called more pressing defense initiatives.
These include upgrading the nuclear arsenal and developing the hypersonic weapons that President Donald Trump calls “super-duper missiles.”


rollcall--2020-06-19--Invisible to most Americans, Park Police now in the spotlight

More than two weeks after the U.S. Park Police and other federal law officers forcefully cleared Lafayette Square of protestors , allowing President Donald Trump to pose for pictures with a Bible in hand , the department is under scrutiny from Congress and the public over its tactics and independence .
Some Democratic senators and House members are demanding information from the agency .
A provision from Del .
Eleanor Holmes Norton , D-D.C. , and Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr. , D-Va. , in a broader police reform package would require federal police , including the Park Police , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was jarring , ” Matt Lee-Ashley , a former deputy chief of staff at the Interior Department , the parent agency of the Park Police , said of the Lafayette Square clearing .
Lee-Ashley recalled how in 2012 , the Park Police took hours to clear an encampment of Occupy DC activists from McPherson Square in downtown Washington .
By contrast , the June 1 charge was a jolt , he said .
“ It was this abrupt assault on peaceful protestors , ” he said .
“ It struck me as out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

More than two weeks after the U.S. Park Police and other federal law officers forcefully cleared Lafayette Square of protesters, allowing President Donald Trump to pose for pictures with a Bible in hand, the department is under scrutiny from Congress and the public over its tactics and independence.
Some Democratic senators and House members are demanding information from the agency. A provision from Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., and Rep. Donald S. Beyer Jr., D-Va., in a broader police reform package would require federal police, including the Park Police, to wear body cameras.
“It was jarring,” Matt Lee-Ashley, a former deputy chief of staff at the Interior Department, the parent agency of the Park Police, said of the Lafayette Square clearing.
Lee-Ashley recalled how in 2012, the Park Police took hours to clear an encampment of Occupy DC activists from McPherson Square in downtown Washington.
By contrast, the June 1 charge was a jolt, he said. “It was this abrupt assault on peaceful protesters,” he said. “It struck me as out of character for the Park Police."


rollcall--2020-06-19--Matt Gaetz describes himself as ‘single step-parent’ to Nestor Galban

Hours after making a surprise announcement Thursday on his personal Twitter account that he had a son named Nestor Galban , Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz continued to tout his family in the press and on his own podcast .
However , there is still a lack of clarity about his relationship to the person he has described as his son .
In an interview with People magazine , Gaetz repeatedly refers to 19-year-old Galban as his son , but stops short of saying he had formally adopted Galban .
“ Our relationship as a family is defined by our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any paperwork , ” he said in that interview .
He would later elaborate on that in his podcast .
Gaetz tweeted on Thursday that Galban had legally come from Cuba six years ago and lives with him in Florida .
When reached by CQ Roll Call , Gaetz ’ s staff could not clarify further on the relationship .
Data compiled by CQ Roll Call — and previously confirmed by Gaetz ’ s office — did not list the congressman as having any children during his two terms so far in Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s part of my family story , ” Gaetz told People magazine .
He added that Galban is his son “ in every conceivable way , and I can ’ t imagine loving him any more if he was my own flesh and blood .
”

Hours after making a surprise announcement Thursday on his personal Twitter account that he had a son named Nestor Galban, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz continued to tout his family in the press and on his own podcast. However, there is still a lack of clarity about the two-term Republican’s relationship to the person he has described as his son.
In an interview with People magazine, Gaetz repeatedly referred to 19-year-old Galban as his son, but stops short of saying he had formally adopted him. “Our relationship as a family is defined by our love for each other, not by any paperwork,” he said. He would later elaborate on that in his podcast.
Gaetz tweeted on Thursday that Galban had legally come from Cuba six years ago and lives with him in Florida.
When reached by CQ Roll Call, Gaetz’s staff could not clarify further on the relationship. Data compiled by CQ Roll Call — and previously confirmed by Gaetz’s office — did not list the congressman as having any children during his tenure so far in Congress or as a House candidate.
“He’s part of my family story,” Gaetz told People magazine, adding that Galban was his son “in every conceivable way, and I can’t imagine loving him any more if he was my own flesh and blood.”


rollcall--2020-06-19--Trump suggests another attempt at rolling back DACA

President Donald Trump indicated Friday that he would try again to end the Obama-era program protecting undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children , a day after the Supreme Court ruled that his administration erred in how it carried out the first attempt .
The president in a series of tweets said the administration “ will be submitting enhanced papers shortly in order to properly fulfil the Supreme Court ’ s ruling & request of yesterday.
” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany did not offer more details during a news briefing several hours later , only saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a compassionate way ” to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program .
On Thursday , the Supreme Court ruled against the administration in a case challenging its termination of the program .
Created by President Barack Obama by executive order , it has given nearly 700,000 so-called Dreamers the ability to live and work legally in the U.S .
The high court did not decide on the merits of the program , but found Trump ’ s attempt to end it “ arbitrary and capricious.
” The court left the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a way that complies with procedural law .

President Donald Trump indicated Friday that he would try again to end the Obama-era program protecting undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children, a day after the Supreme Court ruled that his administration erred in how it carried out the first attempt.
The president in a series of tweets said the administration “will be submitting enhanced papers shortly in order to properly fulfil the Supreme Court’s ruling & request of yesterday.”
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany did not offer more details during a news briefing several hours later, only saying that the administration “wants to find a compassionate way” to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled against the administration in a case challenging its termination of the program. Created by President Barack Obama by executive order, it has given nearly 700,000 so-called Dreamers the ability to live and work legally in the U.S.
The high court did not decide on the merits of the program, but found Trump’s attempt to end it “arbitrary and capricious.” The court left the door open for the administration to try again in a way that complies with procedural law.


rollcall--2020-06-19--Is the gentleman across the aisle really my good friend? — Congressional Hits and Misses

“ By the time I ’ m finished , you will be clear that we ’ re not ‘ good @ @ @ @ @ like that , Rep. Cedric L. Richmond defied the one remaining illusion of bipartisanship left @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not all “ good friends.
” From misgendering colleagues to accidentally unmuting comments @ @ @ @ @ have its greatest display of friendship this week .
[ Also watch : Showing off @ @ @ @ @ and the Banana Stand ]

“By the time I’m finished, you will be clear that we’re not ‘good friends.’”
And just like that, Rep. Cedric L. Richmond defied the one remaining illusion of bipartisanship left at the Capitol. They’re not all “good friends.”
From misgendering colleagues to accidentally unmuting comments, Congress didn’t have its greatest display of friendship this week.
[ Also watch: Showing off wildlife photos, Smokey Bear and the Banana Stand ]


rollcall--2020-06-19--Photos of the week ending June 19, 2020

Photos of the week ending June 19, 2020

CQ Roll Call photojournalists spent the week covering a drive-thru Republican convention in Virginia , the push to make the @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 51st state and the Supreme Court ’ s decision on “ Dreamers , @ @ @ @ @ usual day-to-day happenings in the Capitol .

Bill Clark, Caroline Brehman, and Tom Williams

CQ Roll Call photojournalists spent the week covering a drive-thru Republican convention in Virginia, the push to make the District of Columbia the nation’s 51st state and the Supreme Court’s decision on “Dreamers,” in addition to the usual day-to-day happenings in the Capitol.
People wait in line Monday for walk-up COVID-19 testing outside the National Building Museum in Washington. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
A National Park Service worker uses a power washer Monday to remove graffiti on the base of the Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Square, following protests against police brutality and racial injustice. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser hands House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer a 51-star flag Tuesday during a news conference in the Capitol on statehood for the District of Columbia. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, left, speaks to New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker during a hearing on police use of force and community relations. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Marco Rubio of Florida talk Wednesday after the chamber passed a public lands package. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch listens during a hearing Thursday on global preparedness, prevention and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer greets DACA supporters outside the Supreme Court on Thursday, after the justices rejected the Trump administration’s push to end the Obama-era program that gives nearly 700,000 “Dreamers” the ability to work and avoid deportation. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
A reporter practicing social distancing waits Thursday for Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin to arrive for a pen-and-pad briefing in the Senate Press Gallery. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-06-19--Coronavirus cases climbing among front-line workers in Congress

As Democrats and Republicans quarrel about the best path forward to open the House , coronavirus cases are increasing on Capitol Hill among those who make the legislative business possible : front-line workers .
Since April 29 , the number of coronavirus cases among construction workers assigned to the Cannon House Office Building renovation project has climbed from 17 to 28 , according to Ashley Phelps , spokeswoman for Illinois Republican Rodney Davis , ranking member on the House Administration Committee .
In that same time frame , coronavirus cases among the Capitol Police rose from 12 to 18 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is enduring a massive , multiyear renovation project estimated at more than $ 800 million .
The Architect of the Capitol did not provide numbers of their total workforce ’ s coronavirus cases in April .
CQ Roll Call only has the total number of cases within the agency to date , which is 20 , according to Phelps .
House Administration Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren said she is concerned about the health of all in the legislative branch and cited the coronavirus cases as a reason to work remotely when possible .

As Democrats and Republicans quarrel about the best path forward to open the House, coronavirus cases are increasing on Capitol Hill among those who make the legislative business possible: front-line workers.
Since April 29, the number of coronavirus cases among construction workers assigned to the Cannon House Office Building renovation project has climbed from 17 to 28, according to Ashley Phelps, spokeswoman for Illinois Republican Rodney Davis, ranking member on the House Administration Committee. In that same time frame, coronavirus cases among the Capitol Police rose from 12 to 18.
Cannon, which was completed in 1908, is enduring a massive, multiyear renovation project estimated at more than $800 million.
The Architect of the Capitol did not provide numbers of their total workforce’s coronavirus cases in April. CQ Roll Call only has the total number of cases within the agency to date, which is 20, according to Phelps.
House Administration Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren said she is concerned about the health of all in the legislative branch and cited the coronavirus cases as a reason to work remotely when possible.


rollcall--2020-06-19--Campus Notebook: Rep. Sanford Bishop’s legal bills start piling up as Ethics inquiry progresses

Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. is the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation and it appears he is already paying a hefty price in legal fees .
Bishop ’ s campaign has paid Perkins Coie $ 78,000 for “ legal services ” since the Office of Congressional Ethics ( OCE ) sent its completed report — examining whether the Georgia Democrat improperly spent campaign cash — to the House Ethics Committee on Feb. 10 .
Bishop ’ s legal fee expenditures to Perkins Coie began in March .
Rep. Lori Trahan , a Massachusetts Democrat , is also represented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiry regarding whether her campaign accepted impermissible contributions that exceeded federal parameters and misreported information with the Federal Election Commission .
Like Bishop , her matter was referred to the Ethics Committee by OCE .
FEC regulations prohibit members from using campaign money to pay for dues to country clubs .
Bishop spent $ 306 on “ Membership ” at Army Navy Country Club in 2016 , a private Arlington , Va. club complete with “ the finest amenities , ” “ championship golf , ” and tennis facilities that are described as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The FEC rules note : “ Campaign funds may not be used to pay for dues to country clubs , health clubs , recreational facilities or other nonpolitical organizations unless the payments are made in connection with a specific fundraising event that takes place on the organization ’ s premises .
Campaign funds may be used for membership dues in an organization that may have political interests .
”

Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. is the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation and it appears he is already paying a hefty price in legal fees.
Bishop’s campaign has paid Perkins Coie $78,000 for “legal services” since the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) sent its completed report — examining whether the Georgia Democrat improperly spent campaign cash — to the House Ethics Committee on Feb. 10. Bishop’s legal fee expenditures to Perkins Coie began in March.
Rep. Lori Trahan, a Massachusetts Democrat, is also represented by Perkins Coie in an Ethics panel inquiry regarding whether her campaign accepted impermissible contributions that exceeded federal parameters and misreported information with the Federal Election Commission. Like Bishop, her matter was referred to the Ethics Committee by OCE.
FEC regulations prohibit members from using campaign money to pay for dues to country clubs. Bishop spent $306 on “Membership” at Army Navy Country Club in 2016, a private Arlington, Va. club complete with “the finest amenities,” “championship golf,” and tennis facilities that are described as “a tennis enthusiast’s paradise.”
The FEC rules note: “Campaign funds may not be used to pay for dues to country clubs, health clubs, recreational facilities or other nonpolitical organizations unless the payments are made in connection with a specific fundraising event that takes place on the organization’s premises. Campaign funds may be used for membership dues in an organization that may have political interests.”


rollcall--2020-06-19--GOP opposition may thwart Trump’s consumer safety nominee

The White House ’ s nominee to lead the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission , an independent government agency that @ @ @ @ @ , is in jeopardy after two Republican senators said they would oppose her nomination .
@ @ @ @ @ before the Senate Committee on Commerce , Science and Transportation , Nancy Beck , who @ @ @ @ @ Council — a chemical industry lobbying group — before joining the Trump administration , came @ @ @ @ @ regulations to protect workers and consumers from chemical substances .
Democrats and Republican Sen. Shelley @ @ @ @ @ zeroed in on Beck ’ s work with rules to address the health risks of @ @ @ @ @ polyfluoroalkyl substances , or PFAS , a group of human-made chemicals tied to a range @ @ @ @ @ Virginia is one of many states grappling with PFAS contamination .
Capito and Sen. Susan @ @ @ @ @ is in a tough reelection race , said Wednesday they would oppose Beck ’ s @ @ @ @ @ record on PFAS chemicals .

The White House’s nominee to lead the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an independent government agency that issues recalls of dangerous products, is in jeopardy after two Republican senators said they would oppose her nomination.
At her confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Nancy Beck, who worked at the American Chemistry Council — a chemical industry lobbying group — before joining the Trump administration, came under sharp criticism over delaying regulations to protect workers and consumers from chemical substances.
Democrats and Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia zeroed in on Beck’s work with rules to address the health risks of and contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a group of human-made chemicals tied to a range of health problems. West Virginia is one of many states grappling with PFAS contamination.
Capito and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who is in a tough reelection race, said Wednesday they would oppose Beck’s nomination. Both cited her record on PFAS chemicals.
[To boost hobbled economy, Trump orders agencies to ease rules]


rollcall--2020-06-19--Census Bureau still behind in counting rural areas

The Census Bureau has restarted efforts to count people in rural areas of the country amid renewed fears that they @ @ @ @ @ The agency initially planned to drop off census questionnaires at the door of every rural @ @ @ @ @ .
But it pulled back nearly all active counting operations in March to help prevent @ @ @ @ @ .
That worries people in states where efforts to count everyone could fall short .
@ @ @ @ @ , that may mean losing out on a second congressional seat .
Again .
“ @ @ @ @ @ that that will hurt us , knowing that we were only expected to receive that @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 people , ” said Dan Stusek , a Republican member of the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ lost a congressional seat in 1990 , but projections from Election Data Services estimate that @ @ @ @ @ seat following this year ’ s census .

The Census Bureau has restarted efforts to count people in rural areas of the country amid renewed fears that they may not get everyone.
The agency initially planned to drop off census questionnaires at the door of every rural household without traditional mail service. But it pulled back nearly all active counting operations in March to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
That worries people in states where efforts to count everyone could fall short. In Montana, for example, that may mean losing out on a second congressional seat. Again.
“There is a serious concern that that will hurt us, knowing that we were only expected to receive that seat by about 4,000 to 5,000 people,” said Dan Stusek, a Republican member of the state’s redistricting commission.
Montana lost a congressional seat in 1990, but projections from Election Data Services estimate that the state may regain the seat following this year’s census.


rollcall--2020-06-19--The Future Of: Public transit

The Future Of: Public transit

In this new , occasional series , “ The Future Of , ” CQ Roll Call brings you a podcast @ @ @ @ @ change because of COVID-19 .
In this episode , we explore the future of public @ @ @ @ @ the director of Seattle ’ s Department of Transportation .
Jessica Wehrman tops off the @ @ @ @ @ how the coronavirus is affecting the upcoming spending bill on transportation .
• It ’ @ @ @ @ @ defining event of the 2020 election may not have even happened yet • Clyburn : @ @ @ @ @ , America is reexamining itself

In this new, occasional series, “The Future Of,” CQ Roll Call brings you a podcast that reimagines how policies will change because of COVID-19. In this episode, we explore the future of public transportation with Sam Zimbabwe, the director of Seattle’s Department of Transportation. Jessica Wehrman tops off the podcast with a look at how the coronavirus is affecting the upcoming spending bill on transportation.
Show notes:


rollcall--2020-06-22--Policing overhaul hinges on compromise

Policing overhaul hinges on compromise

ANALYSIS — Representatives and senators have now laid the groundwork for legislation to protect African Americans from police brutality and to improve policing across the land .
Less than a month since Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd , Congress finds itself in a rare place .
Both Republicans and Democrats are galvanized to act and act quickly .
But whether that feeling of urgency , driven by the multitudes protesting , leads to a new law now depends on whether they are willing to compromise .
That willingness is still rarer .
And following through will depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers view the policy disputes separating them , around whether the federal government should order police departments to make changes , or use incentives to encourage them to , and on whether the government should allow citizens to sue individual police officers .
But the bigger consideration may be political , with Election Day now less than five months away .
Some Democrats may view it in their interest to hammer their Republican opponents for failing to embrace the far-reaching changes to policing that progressives are demanding , while some Republicans will see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed by those who would defund , or even abolish , the police .

ANALYSIS — Representatives and senators have now laid the groundwork for legislation to protect African Americans from police brutality and to improve policing across the land.
Less than a month since Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd, Congress finds itself in a rare place. Both Republicans and Democrats are galvanized to act and act quickly.
But whether that feeling of urgency, driven by the multitudes protesting, leads to a new law now depends on whether they are willing to compromise.
That willingness is still rarer. And following through will depend, in part, on how rigidly lawmakers view the policy disputes separating them, around whether the federal government should order police departments to make changes, or use incentives to encourage them to, and on whether the government should allow citizens to sue individual police officers.
But the bigger consideration may be political, with Election Day now less than five months away. Some Democrats may view it in their interest to hammer their Republican opponents for failing to embrace the far-reaching changes to policing that progressives are demanding, while some Republicans will see advantage in framing themselves as sensible reformers opposed by those who would defund, or even abolish, the police.


rollcall--2020-06-22--6 things to watch in Tuesday’s primaries

The successor to prison-bound former Rep. Chris Collins and the challenger to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will be decided @ @ @ @ @ dozens of House seats as six states hold elections .
But it may take several @ @ @ @ @ counted as states cope with an expected surge in mail-in ballots because of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ , Mississippi , New York , North Carolina and Virginia had already been delayed , @ @ @ @ @ runoffs for state-level offices were always planned for Tuesday .
In New York , Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ is hosting a GOP runoff for White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows ’ former @ @ @ @ @ be postmarked on election day .
In North Carolina , those ballots must be received @ @ @ @ @ counted , while that deadline is June 27 in Kentucky and June 30 in New @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky have already said they will not release results until June 30 .

Bridget Bowman, Niels Lesniewski, Stephanie Akin, and Chris Cioffi

Updated, 5:05 p.m. | The successor to prison-bound former Rep. Chris Collins and the challenger to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will be decided Tuesday along with nominees for dozens of House seats as six states hold elections.
But it may take several days for votes to be counted as states cope with an expected surge in mail-in ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Elections in Kentucky, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina and Virginia had already been delayed, while South Carolina’s runoffs for state-level offices were always planned for Tuesday.
In New York, Kentucky and North Carolina, which is hosting a GOP runoff for White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’ former seat, absentee ballots can be postmarked on election day.
In North Carolina, those ballots must be received by June 26 to be counted, while that deadline is June 27 in Kentucky and June 30 in New York. Some counties in Kentucky have already said they will not release results until June 30.


rollcall--2020-06-22--White House extends immigration restrictions to include H-1B, other visas

The White House on Monday extended existing immigration restrictions through the end of December and expanded them to include foreign @ @ @ @ @ companies and other large U.S.-based employers .
The announcement , codified in a presidential proclamation @ @ @ @ @ workers on H-1B specialty visas , which are most commonly used for employing foreign nationals @ @ @ @ @ but also in academia and health care .
The proclamation also bars people on H-4 @ @ @ @ @ workers , most types of H-2B nonagricultural work visas , most J-1 visas for exchange @ @ @ @ @ L-1 visas that allow companies to transfer in foreign workers to U.S. outposts .
The @ @ @ @ @ various categories and was not expected to affect people already in the United States on @ @ @ @ @ abroad and have the visa in hand , permanent residents , and certainly family members @ @ @ @ @ restrictions are the latest in a series of Trump administration efforts to curb legal immigration @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic crisis .

The White House on Monday extended existing immigration restrictions through the end of December and expanded them to include foreign workers frequently hired by tech companies and other large U.S.-based employers.
The announcement, codified in a presidential proclamation, suspends the entry of workers on H-1B specialty visas, which are most commonly used for employing foreign nationals in the tech sector, but also in academia and health care.
The proclamation also bars people on H-4 visas for spouses of foreign workers, most types of H-2B nonagricultural work visas, most J-1 visas for exchange students and visitors, and L-1 visas that allow companies to transfer in foreign workers to U.S. outposts.
The proclamation contains exceptions in the various categories and was not expected to affect people already in the United States on these visas, who are abroad and have the visa in hand, permanent residents, and certainly family members of U.S. residents.


rollcall--2020-06-22--Road ahead: Dueling policing  bills and DC statehood to get votes

The House and Senate will take up competing partisan policing overhaul bills this week , but there are no signs @ @ @ @ @ together that could get to President Donald Trump ’ s desk .
The Democratic House @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Senate offering , but both seek to increase reporting of use-of-force incidents , @ @ @ @ @ de-escalation , and incentivize states to ban chokeholds and use body cameras .
The House @ @ @ @ @ bill when it returns to session Thursday .
It is expected to pass because a @ @ @ @ @ signaled their support , with 230 Democrats co-sponsoring the measure .
It ’ s unclear @ @ @ @ @ have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill will vote .
The three are @ @ @ @ @ York , Jared Golden of Maine and Ben McAdams of Utah .

The House and Senate will take up competing partisan policing overhaul bills this week, but there are no signs of a bipartisan deal coming together that could get to President Donald Trump’s desk.
The Democratic House measure is more expansive than the Republican Senate offering, but both seek to increase reporting of use-of-force incidents, improve training protocols to emphasize de-escalation, and incentivize states to ban chokeholds and use body cameras.
[Key differences exist among House, Senate and White House policing plans]
The House will vote on its policing bill when it returns to session Thursday. It is expected to pass because a majority of members have already signaled their support, with 230 Democrats co-sponsoring the measure.
It’s unclear how the three Democrats who have not signed on as co-sponsors of the bill will vote. The three are Reps. Anthony Brindisi of New York, Jared Golden of Maine and Ben McAdams of Utah.


rollcall--2020-06-22--House Democrats to consider measure to strengthen Obamacare

House Democrats on Monday released legislation to bolster the 2010 health care law , which the Rules Committee plans to @ @ @ @ @ measure , which is expected to get a floor vote as soon as this month @ @ @ @ @ betting that focusing on health care — a top priority for voters — will be @ @ @ @ @ November elections .
New provisions are being incorporated into a bill to provide funds for @ @ @ @ @ programs for the exchanges set up by the 2010 law .
The Energy and Commerce @ @ @ @ @ year .
The Rules Committee will meet Wednesday to approve a rule , which may @ @ @ @ @ the new version .
The panel on Monday released the new text , which includes @ @ @ @ @ for eligible consumers , incentivize states to expand Medicaid eligibility and reverse Trump administration rules @ @ @ @ @ health care law , among other things .
The measure would make the law ’ @ @ @ @ @ and allow more people to get them .

House Democrats on Monday released legislation to bolster the 2010 health care law, which the Rules Committee plans to consider this week.
The measure, which is expected to get a floor vote as soon as this month, comes as Democrats are betting that focusing on health care — a top priority for voters — will be to their advantage in the November elections.
New provisions are being incorporated into a bill to provide funds for states to set up reinsurance programs for the exchanges set up by the 2010 law. The Energy and Commerce Committee approved that bill last year. The Rules Committee will meet Wednesday to approve a rule, which may not allow amendments, for the new version.
The panel on Monday released the new text, which includes provisions to increase premium assistance for eligible consumers, incentivize states to expand Medicaid eligibility and reverse Trump administration rules that Democrats say weaken the health care law, among other things.
The measure would make the law’s premium subsidies more generous and allow more people to get them.


rollcall--2020-06-22--House Armed Services panel takes on racism, pandemics

A House Armed Services subcommittee has put forth a number of provisions spurred by recent headlines — from ensuring the law requires the military to protect troops during pandemics to exploring the demographics of military officers to tracking extremism , including racist violence , in the ranks .
The panel is scheduled to vote Tuesday on its part of the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill .
The Military Personnel panel ’ s mark , obtained by CQ Roll Call ahead of its public release , would add a new statutory duty to the Defense secretary ’ s list : protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and making certain the industrial base can provide the drugs , medical supplies and protective equipment troops need to achieve their missions in the face of disease outbreaks .
The House panel , led by California Democrat Jackie Speier , would also require a report on the demographic makeup of U.S. military officers , amid concerns that there are not enough Black or other minority officers in the upper ranks .
The measure also would add a question about racist or other forms of violent extremism to a Defense Department workplace survey .

A House Armed Services subcommittee has put forth a number of provisions spurred by recent headlines — from ensuring the law requires the military to protect troops during pandemics to exploring the demographics of military officers to tracking extremism, including racist violence, in the ranks.
The panel is scheduled to vote Tuesday on its part of the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill.
The Military Personnel panel’s mark, obtained by CQ Roll Call ahead of its public release, would add a new statutory duty to the Defense secretary’s list: protection of the armed forces from infectious diseases and making certain the industrial base can provide the drugs, medical supplies and protective equipment troops need to achieve their missions in the face of disease outbreaks.
The House panel, led by California Democrat Jackie Speier, would also require a report on the demographic makeup of U.S. military officers, amid concerns that there are not enough Black or other minority officers in the upper ranks.
The measure also would add a question about racist or other forms of violent extremism to a Defense Department workplace survey.


rollcall--2020-06-22--As Tom Cotton courts controversy, he runs unopposed in Arkansas

ANALYSIS — A New York Times opinion piece by Arkansas senator and presidential-candidate-in-waiting Tom Cotton advocating the use of military force to put down rioters and looters in American cities caused a meltdown on liberal social media and an uproar at the Times .
In the end , editorial page editor James Bennet , the brother of former presidential candidate and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet , resigned .
What did not happen : an outrage-fueled flood of campaign donations to Cotton ’ s Democratic opponent in this year ’ s Arkansas Senate race .
That ’ s because Cotton doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neither does Rep. Rick Crawford , one of the four Republican House members in Arkansas .
Democrats thought they had a Senate candidate lined up , but he dropped out after the deadline had passed to put someone else on the ballot .
And unlike other states where even the safest candidates seem to face perennial challengers , no other Democrat in Arkansas had filed .
Indeed , other than the presidential ballot , where President Donald Trump got 97 percent against two challengers and former Vice President Joe Biden got 41 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal offices in Arkansas ’ March 3 primary was contested .
Six years ago , Cotton ’ s victory over Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor marked the first time since Reconstruction that the GOP held both Senate seats .
Two years before that , Cotton won an open seat in the 4th District given up by Democrat Mike Ross , and the GOP has held a monopoly in the House since then .
A decade ago , Rep. John Boozman , now a senator , was the only Republican in the delegation .
Southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time before that .

ANALYSIS — A New York Times opinion piece by Arkansas senator and presidential-candidate-in-waiting Tom Cotton advocating the use of military force to put down rioters and looters in American cities caused a meltdown on liberal social media and an uproar at the Times. In the end, editorial page editor James Bennet, the brother of former presidential candidate and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, resigned.
What did not happen: an outrage-fueled flood of campaign donations to Cotton’s Democratic opponent in this year’s Arkansas Senate race. That’s because Cotton doesn’t have a Democratic challenger. Neither does Rep. Rick Crawford, one of the four Republican House members in Arkansas.
Democrats thought they had a Senate candidate lined up, but he dropped out after the deadline had passed to put someone else on the ballot. And unlike other states where even the safest candidates seem to face perennial challengers, no other Democrat in Arkansas had filed. Indeed, other than the presidential ballot, where President Donald Trump got 97 percent against two challengers and former Vice President Joe Biden got 41 percent against 17 opponents, none of the federal offices in Arkansas’ March 3 primary was contested.
Six years ago, Cotton’s victory over Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor marked the first time since Reconstruction that the GOP held both Senate seats. Two years before that, Cotton won an open seat in the 4th District given up by Democrat Mike Ross, and the GOP has held a monopoly in the House since then. A decade ago, Rep. John Boozman, now a senator, was the only Republican in the delegation.
Nationalizing Arkansas
Southern Democrats were becoming endangered for a long time before that.


rollcall--2020-06-22--Virginia GOP taps Marine veteran to take on Rep. Jennifer Wexton

Marine veteran Aliscia Andrews won the GOP nomination Saturday to take on Rep. Jennifer Wexton in Virginia ’ s suburban @ @ @ @ @ chosen over three opponents at a 10th District GOP convention .
The party did not @ @ @ @ @ Marine is ready to take the fight to @ JenniferWexton , '' Andrews wrote on @ @ @ @ @ .
`` On to November ! ''
The GOP has struggled to increase the number @ @ @ @ @ .
Andrews says in her campaign biography that she is used to working in male-dominated @ @ @ @ @ , she cites the experience working “ exhausting shifts daily to provide analytical support to @ @ @ @ @ Laden was killed , ” then going through 58 hours of labor with the birth @ @ @ @ @ days later .
Her campaign website said she supports efforts by Virginia counties to become @ @ @ @ @ and would `` never vote to infringe on our God-given right '' to bear arms @ @ @ @ @ opposes abortion and believes life begins at conception .

Marine veteran Aliscia Andrews won the GOP nomination Saturday to take on Rep. Jennifer Wexton in Virginia’s suburban 10th District.
Andrews was chosen over three opponents at a 10th District GOP convention. The party did not release results.
"This Marine is ready to take the fight to @JenniferWexton," Andrews wrote on her Facebook page Saturday night. "On to November!"
The GOP has struggled to increase the number of women in its ranks. Andrews says in her campaign biography that she is used to working in male-dominated environments. As an example, she cites the experience working “exhausting shifts daily to provide analytical support to her installation when Osama Bin Laden was killed,” then going through 58 hours of labor with the birth of her first son two days later.
Her campaign website said she supports efforts by Virginia counties to become "Second Amendment sanctuaries" and would "never vote to infringe on our God-given right" to bear arms. She also said she opposes abortion and believes life begins at conception.


rollcall--2020-06-22--Groups call on appropriators to increase funding for committees, member offices

As appropriators move toward marking up spending bills , a broad swath of advocacy groups interested in how Congress works is asking them to increase initial spending allocations — so-called 302 ( b ) s — for the legislative branch by over $ 504 million , or 10 percent , saying it has been disproportionately underfunded for years .
The letter , sent on Monday to top appropriators and spearheaded by Demand Progress and the Lincoln Network , notes that while money appropriated for nondefense discretionary spending for the past 25 years has risen 55 percent , money for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate .
Further , the funding increases spent on the legislative branch have gone toward security and infrastructure , while policy capacity has been largely overlooked , according to the groups .
The legislative branch ’ s proposed fiscal 2021 budget calls for the Capitol Police to get a salary boost from $ 379 million to $ 417 million over the previous year .
General expenses , which include police cars , uniforms , weapons and security equipment , would jump from $ 85 million to $ 103 million .
The total proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The budget of the Architect of the Capitol , which maintains the buildings and grounds of the Capitol complex , would rise from $ 120 million to $ 139 million .
“ Since 1995 , Capitol Police expenditures went up by 279 percent and Architect of the Capitol expenditures increased by 131 percent , ” the letter states .
“ The Capitol Police and Architect of the Capitol now amount to 23 percent of overall legislative branch funding , or $ 1.16 billion .
Funding for the entire legislative branch , excluding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 percent over the last ten years .
”

As appropriators move toward marking up spending bills, a broad swath of advocacy groups interested in how Congress works is asking them to increase initial spending allocations — so-called 302(b)s — for the legislative branch by over $504 million, or 10 percent, saying it has been disproportionately underfunded for years.
The letter, sent on Monday to top appropriators and spearheaded by Demand Progress and the Lincoln Network, notes that while money appropriated for nondefense discretionary spending for the past 25 years has risen 55 percent, money for the legislative branch has increased at half that rate. Further, the funding increases spent on the legislative branch have gone toward security and infrastructure, while policy capacity has been largely overlooked, according to the groups.
The legislative branch’s proposed fiscal 2021 budget calls for the Capitol Police to get a salary boost from $379 million to $417 million over the previous year. General expenses, which include police cars, uniforms, weapons and security equipment, would jump from $85 million to $103 million. The total proposed Capitol Police budget is $520 million.
The budget of the Architect of the Capitol, which maintains the buildings and grounds of the Capitol complex, would rise from $120 million to $139 million.
“Since 1995, Capitol Police expenditures went up by 279 percent and Architect of the Capitol expenditures increased by 131 percent,” the letter states. “The Capitol Police and Architect of the Capitol now amount to 23 percent of overall legislative branch funding, or $1.16 billion. Funding for the entire legislative branch, excluding USCP and AOC, increased a mere 8 percent over the last ten years.”


rollcall--2020-06-23--White House coronavirus testing protocols continue to evolve

The mixed messages from President Donald Trump and others in his administration about the rate of coronavirus testing has extended to White House operations .
The president said Tuesday he wasn ’ t kidding about wanting to slow the pace of coronavirus testing , but he also praised the overall system .
“ We have got the greatest testing program anywhere in the world .
We test better than anybody in the world .
Our tests are the best in the world , and we have the most of them , ” Trump said Tuesday before leaving the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , it sounds bad , but actually what it is , is we ’ re finding people .
Many of those people aren ’ t sick or very little .
You know , they may be young people.
” He also cited the low mortality rate for the coronavirus in the United States .
The president made the original claim about wanting the testing to slow down during a rally Saturday night in Tulsa , Okla. , and it seemed at least the next day that White House officials may have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The mixed messages from President Donald Trump and others in his administration about the rate of coronavirus testing has extended to White House operations.
The president said Tuesday he wasn’t kidding about wanting to slow the pace of coronavirus testing, but he also praised the overall system.
“We have got the greatest testing program anywhere in the world. We test better than anybody in the world. Our tests are the best in the world, and we have the most of them,” Trump said Tuesday before leaving the White House for Arizona. “By having more cases, it sounds bad, but actually what it is, is we’re finding people. Many of those people aren’t sick or very little. You know, they may be young people.”
He also cited the low mortality rate for the coronavirus in the United States.
The president made the original claim about wanting the testing to slow down during a rally Saturday night in Tulsa, Okla., and it seemed at least the next day that White House officials may have been following the president’s lead.


rollcall--2020-06-23--Health officials: US not scaling back COVID-19 testing capacity

Top federal health officials told the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday that President Donald Trump never told them to slow down testing , despite the president 's recent remarks suggesting he did .
“ None of us have ever been told to slow down on testing .
That just is a fact .
In fact , we will be doing more testing , ” Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said during the hearing .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield , FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all similarly said they were not instructed to scale back testing .
Giroir , who oversees the nation ’ s testing capacity , said he expects the United States will have the capacity to conduct 40 million to 50 million tests for the virus by the fall .
The officials ’ assertions come after Trump said during a campaign rally in Tulsa Saturday he ’ d directed officials to slow down testing , an assertion that aides said was only made in jest .
Asked about the comments on Tuesday , Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As Trump left for another trip to Phoenix Tuesday before the hearing began , Fauci said the nation ’ s current response to the COVID-19 pandemic had been a “ mixed bag .
”

He said that young people especially should be aware that the pandemic is ongoing and that they have a “dual responsibility” to protect others in their community, even if they’re not concerned about personally contracting the virus.
“What they need to appreciate is that they are a part of the process of dynamics of an outbreak, and although they themselves may perceive that they are at very low risk for something that would be deleterious to them, by propagating the process of the outbreak, they may be indirectly hurting people by infecting someone, who then infects someone who then infects someone who's vulnerable," he said.
Fall outlook
Several committee members asked the panel about the prospects for schools to reopen this fall. Officials said that decisions would likely be made on a regional level and would vary across the country.
Fauci also said he expected that a vaccine could be available as soon as the end of this year, and that the risks that officials and pharmaceutical companies are taking to develop a vaccine are financial, not scientific. One vaccine candidate is poised to enter a Phase III study next month, he confirmed, with others to come in later months.
“Although you can never guarantee, at all, the safety and efficacy of a vaccine until you actually test it in the field, we feel cautiously optimistic, based on the concerted effort and the fact that we are taking financial risks — not risks to safety, not risks to the integrity of the science, but financial risks — to be able to be ahead of the game, so that when, and I believe it will be when and not if, we get favorable candidates with good results, we will be able to make them available to the American public,” Fauci said.


rollcall--2020-06-23--Experts outline how to prepare for second wave of coronavirus or next pandemic

Experts testifying Tuesday at a hearing highlighted several steps , like sustained funding and improving vaccine development and distribution , that must be addressed to prepare for the next wave of COVID-19 or another pandemic .
Witnesses addressing the Senate Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee largely agreed about what needs to be done by the government and private sector to prepare for what could come next .
“ Memories fade and attention moves quickly to the next crisis , ” said Senate HELP Chairman Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , in opening remarks .
“ That makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year in order to better prepare for the next pandemic.
” The witnesses — former Senate Majority Leader William Frist ; Joneigh S. Khaldun , Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health ; Julie L. Gerberding , executive vice president and chief patient officer at Merck ; and Michael O. Leavitt , a former Health and Human Services secretary and Utah governor — all called for more sustained public health funding .
“ Our second pandemic might come in about three months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s important to do what we ’ re doing , ” said Frist , who is also a physician .

Experts testifying Tuesday at a hearing highlighted several steps, like sustained funding and improving vaccine development and distribution, that must be addressed to prepare for the next wave of COVID-19 or another pandemic.
Witnesses addressing the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee largely agreed about what needs to be done by the government and private sector to prepare for what could come next.
“Memories fade and attention moves quickly to the next crisis,” Senate HELP Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said in opening remarks. “That makes it imperative that Congress act on needed changes this year in order to better prepare for the next pandemic.”


rollcall--2020-06-23--Breakdown in the Senate appropriations process

Partisan tensions over coronavirus aid and police brutality now threaten to derail the Senate appropriations process , while the House @ @ @ @ @ extremely busy July .
David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt discuss what ’ s changed during @ @ @ @ @ it ’ ll impact the appropriations process for months to come .
• Groups call @ @ @ @ @ for committees , member offices • Matt Gaetz and the until-now unknown adopted son from @

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Evan Campbell

Partisan tensions over coronavirus aid and police brutality now threaten to derail the Senate appropriations process, while the House Appropriations Committee prepares for an extremely busy July. David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt discuss what’s changed during the last week and how it’ll impact the appropriations process for months to come.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-23--Senate Democrats say GOP policing bill needs to start over from scratch

The path to any quick passage of a Senate policing overhaul got rockier Tuesday , with Senate Minority Leader Charles @ @ @ @ @ willingness to block the measure unless their GOP colleagues start over with bipartisan negotiations .
@ @ @ @ @ salvageable and we need bipartisan talks to get to a constructive starting point , ” @ @ @ @ @ Sens .
Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California , said in @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday .
McConnell placed the bill on the Senate calendar last @ @ @ @ @ a procedural vote on Wednesday , requiring at least 60 senators to agree .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ GOP plan led by Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C. , and have griped about being @ @ @ @ @ .

The path to any quick passage of a Senate policing overhaul got rockier Tuesday, with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer signaling Democrats’ willingness to block the measure unless their GOP colleagues start over with bipartisan negotiations.
“This bill is not salvageable, and we need bipartisan talks to get to a constructive starting point,” Schumer, along with Democratic Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California, said in a letter sent to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday.
Democrats have been critical of the GOP plan led by Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and have griped about being cut out of the process. Schumer called out McConnell, saying the Kentucky Republican was looking to make a point and not making a serious effort.
“Drafting a partisan bill, dropping it on the floor and saying, ‘Take it or leave it’ seems to be much more about getting the burden of dealing tough issues off Republican shoulders, without doing anything,” Schumer said at a news briefing Tuesday afternoon.
McConnell placed the bill on the Senate calendar last week and teed up a procedural vote on Wednesday, requiring at least 60 senators to agree.