rollcall--2020-12-08--Biden to tap Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge to run housing agency

President-elect Joe Biden intends to nominate Ohio Democratic Rep. Marcia L. Fudge to be secretary of Housing and Urban Development , several news reports said Tuesday .
The move would create an opening in a solidly Democratic district that could lead to Nina Turner , the co-chairwoman of Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ 2020 presidential campaign , moving to Congress , some Ohio Democrats said .
Turner and Fudge had tangled in the past .
Fudge declined to comment to the Capitol Hill press pool about whether she was offered the job but said it would be an honor if she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a privilege to be asked to be in a president 's Cabinet .
It is something in probably my wildest dreams I would have never thought about , '' she said .
`` If I can help this president in any way possible , I am more than happy to do it . ''
Politico , The Associated Press and The Washington Post , without citing sources , reported that Biden had chosen her .
Fudge , a former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus , had been viewed as a candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anti-hunger groups and other advocates had pushed for her nomination .
Fudge sits on three House committees : Agriculture , Administration , and Education and Labor .
HUD is overseen by the House Financial Services Committee .

President-elect Joe Biden intends to nominate Ohio Democratic Rep. Marcia L. Fudge to be secretary of Housing and Urban Development, several news reports said Tuesday.
The move would create an opening in a solidly Democratic district that could lead to Nina Turner, the co-chairwoman of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, moving to Congress, some Ohio Democrats said. Turner and Fudge had tangled in the past.
Fudge declined to comment to the Capitol Hill press pool about whether she was offered the job but said it would be an honor if she were. "It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to be in a president's Cabinet. It is something in probably my wildest dreams I would have never thought about," she said. "If I can help this president in any way possible, I am more than happy to do it."
Politico, The Associated Press and The Washington Post, without citing sources, reported that Biden had chosen her.
Fudge, a former chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, had been viewed as a candidate to lead the Agriculture Department. Unions, anti-hunger groups and other advocates had pushed for her nomination. Fudge sits on three House committees: Agriculture, Administration, and Education and Labor. HUD is overseen by the House Financial Services Committee.


rollcall--2020-12-08--Biden health team takes shape as GOP weighs confirmation fight

President-elect Joe Biden ’ s first round of selections for his health team clarified how the incoming administration will approach the COVID-19 pandemic and other health care issues , which were major themes of his campaign .
Biden introduced the team to the public at an event Tuesday , a day after formally announcing his selections .
At the helm would be Xavier Becerra , the California attorney general who is the nominee for Health and Human Services secretary .
Biden also said he would nominate Rochelle Walensky as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Vivek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as other officials who would focus on the pandemic from the White House .
Georges Benjamin , the executive director of the American Public Health Association , told CQ Roll Call that Biden ’ s selections reflect the array of issues a health secretary and other officials would need to address — not just COVID-19 , but also opioid addiction , obesity , health insurance and gun violence , to name a few .
“ The health system in the U.S. has enormous issues that have to be addressed , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do is put together a team that can deal with all those things comprehensively , but the most pressing issue right now is COVID.
” Benjamin said his organization has briefed the Biden transition team and urged them to clearly define each role and build a command structure so the different players all know how to work together efficiently .

President-elect Joe Biden’s first round of selections for his health team clarified how the incoming administration will approach the COVID-19 pandemic and other health care issues, which were major themes of his campaign.
Biden introduced the team to the public at an event Tuesday, a day after formally announcing his selections. At the helm would be Xavier Becerra, the California attorney general who is the nominee for Health and Human Services secretary. Biden also said he would nominate Rochelle Walensky as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Vivek Murthy as the surgeon general, as well as other officials who would focus on the pandemic from the White House.
Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association, told CQ Roll Call that Biden’s selections reflect the array of issues a health secretary and other officials would need to address — not just COVID-19, but also opioid addiction, obesity, health insurance and gun violence, to name a few.
“The health system in the U.S. has enormous issues that have to be addressed,” he said. “What the president-elect has to do is put together a team that can deal with all those things comprehensively, but the most pressing issue right now is COVID.”
Benjamin said his organization has briefed the Biden transition team and urged them to clearly define each role and build a command structure so the different players all know how to work together efficiently.


rollcall--2020-12-08--House adopts defense conference report as veto threat looms

The House voted 335-78 on Tuesday to adopt a final version of the $ 731.6 billion defense authorization measure , setting up a possible end-of-year showdown as President Donald Trump has vowed to veto the legislation .
House leaders have said they would cut the upcoming holiday break short , if necessary , to override the veto .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has not committed to doing the same , saying Tuesday that Trump 's veto was not a certainty .
The conference report on the NDAA now awaits a vote in the Senate , expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation to Trump ’ s desk .
Once Trump receives the measure , he can take up to 10 days , excluding Sundays , to either sign or veto the bill .
But Trump has repeatedly said he would veto the measure over its mandate to change the names of military bases that honor Confederate figures , and its lack of a provision that would repeal legal protections for social media companies .
Language to change the names of the military bases was included in both the House and Senate versions of the @ @

The House voted 335-78 on Tuesday to adopt a final version of the $731.6 billion defense authorization measure, setting up a possible end-of-year showdown as President Donald Trump has vowed to veto the legislation.
House leaders have said they would cut the upcoming holiday break short, if necessary, to override the veto. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has not committed to doing the same, saying Tuesday that Trump's veto was not a certainty.
The conference report on the NDAA now awaits a vote in the Senate, expected this week, before lawmakers send the legislation to Trump’s desk. Once Trump receives the measure, he can take up to 10 days, excluding Sundays, to either sign or veto the bill.
But Trump has repeatedly said he would veto the measure over its mandate to change the names of military bases that honor Confederate figures, and its lack of a provision that would repeal legal protections for social media companies.
Language to change the names of the military bases was included in both the House and Senate versions of the bill.


rollcall--2020-12-08--Biden finds you can’t please all the people all the time

The incoming Biden administration is continuing to come into focus .
The president-elect ’ s nomination of retired Gen. Lloyd @ @ @ @ @ , who would be the first Black man to head the Pentagon , means Joe @ @ @ @ @ long considered a frontrunner for the job : Michelle Flournoy .
And as a recently @ @ @ @ @ a waiver from the House and Senate , which brings up considerations of civilian control @ @ @ @ @ Roll Call senior staff writer John Donnelly discusses the nomination .
• Biden : Why @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of Defense ( The Atlantic )

Jason Dick, John M. Donnelly, Thomas McKinless, and Joanne Levine

The incoming Biden administration is continuing to come into focus. The president-elect’s nomination of retired Gen. Lloyd Austin to be Defense secretary, who would be the first Black man to head the Pentagon, means Joe Biden passed over a woman long considered a frontrunner for the job: Michelle Flournoy.
And as a recently retired officer, Austin requires a waiver from the House and Senate, which brings up considerations of civilian control of the military. CQ Roll Call senior staff writer John Donnelly discusses the nomination.
Show notes:


rollcall--2020-12-08--Supreme Court rejects bid by Trump allies to overturn Pennsylvania election result

The Supreme Court denied a long-shot petition from President Donald Trump ’ s allies Tuesday to contest Pennsylvania ’ s @ @ @ @ @ the outcome of the commonwealth ’ s presidential election .
After a flurry of filings @ @ @ @ @ past few days , including an amicus brief from some of Trump ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ the court took only one line to reject what one election law expert dubbed “ @ @ @ @ @ Made in Emergency Petition to the Supreme Court.
” In doing so , the court @ @ @ @ @ chance to see Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz make that argument before the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ State solicitor general said Monday that he “ will stand ready to present the oral @ @ @ @ @ accepted the case .
But , as with case after case brought by Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ seeking to otherwise overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in key states , @ @ @ @ @ under the scrutiny of the judicial system .

The Supreme Court denied a long-shot petition from President Donald Trump’s allies Tuesday to contest Pennsylvania’s mail-in ballot law and change the outcome of the commonwealth’s presidential election.
After a flurry of filings in the case over the past few days, including an amicus brief from some of Trump’s most vocal supporters in Congress, the court took only one line to reject what one election law expert dubbed “Perhaps the Dumbest Argument Ever Made in Emergency Petition to the Supreme Court.”
In doing so, the court also denied the country a chance to see Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz make that argument before the Supreme Court.
The former Lone Star State solicitor general said Monday that he “will stand ready to present the oral argument” if the justices accepted the case.
But, as with case after case brought by Trump’s legal team or those seeking to otherwise overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in key states, the Republican-led effort fell flat under the scrutiny of the judicial system.


rollcall--2020-12-08--Trump judicial nominees getting committee approval this week might be his last

Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham Tuesday said five judicial nominees on the committee ’ s Thursday agenda will likely be @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump reported to the Senate floor .
“ We got the markup Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ as far as I know , ” the South Carolina Republican said Tuesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ measure that would regulate how social media companies moderate content on their platforms , and @ @ @ @ @ include Thomas L. Kirsch II for the on the U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell ’ s push to confirm judges nominated to lifetime appointments by a president @ @ @ @ @ White House hasn ’ t occurred , with one exception , in more than a @ @ @ @ @ Court seat was vacated by now-Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett , who was confirmed @ @ @ @ @ after a truncated nomination process to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg @

Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham Tuesday said five judicial nominees on the committee’s Thursday agenda will likely be the final ones from President Donald Trump reported to the Senate floor.
“We got the markup Thursday, and that’s it as far as I know,” the South Carolina Republican said Tuesday.
The agenda includes consideration of a measure that would regulate how social media companies moderate content on their platforms, and the judicial nominations, which include Thomas L. Kirsch II for the on the U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit.
Graham and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s push to confirm judges nominated to lifetime appointments by a president whose party has lost the White House hasn’t occurred, with one exception, in more than a century.
The 7th Circuit Court seat was vacated by now-Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was confirmed by the Senate in October after a truncated nomination process to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.


rollcall--2020-12-08--Photo of the day: Gardner tour

Photo of the day: Gardner tour

Sen. Cory Gardner , R-Colo. , walks through the Capitol Rotunda while giving a tour to his family on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ his farewell address in the Senate chamber .
Gardner was defeated during the 2020 election @ @ @ @ @ John Hickenlooper ( who declared his candidacy after a failed Democratic presidential bid ) .
@ @ @ @ @ of two , so far , that Republican senators lost to Democratic opponents .

(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., walks through the Capitol Rotunda while giving a tour to his family on Tuesday morning. He later delivered his farewell address in the Senate chamber.
Gardner was defeated during the 2020 election by former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (who declared his candidacy after a failed Democratic presidential bid). Gardner's seat was one of two, so far, that Republican senators lost to Democratic opponents.


rollcall--2020-12-08--Inauguration planning the latest thing to enter the controversy zone

A meeting of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies turned sour Tuesday , when Republican leaders on the typically uncontroversial panel rejected a resolution that would assert that Joe Biden is president-elect .
Republicans on Capitol Hill have been slow to acknowledge the election results , in deference to President Donald Trump , who continues to deny his clear defeat despite recounts affirming them , states certifying electors and loss after loss in court cases challenging Biden ’ s win .
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md.
, offered a motion recognizing that the group was preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President-elect Kamala Harris , a member of the Senate , during a closed-door meeting of the JCCIC in Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer ’ s office .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and JCCIC Chairman Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, all voted against the motion .
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar , the ranking Democrat on the Rules Committee , voted with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Hoyer in favor of the motion .
The rejected proposal would have prompted the JCCIC to announce that they are preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in coordination with the Biden Presidential Inaugural Committee and public health experts .

Katherine Tully-McManus and Lindsey McPherson

A meeting of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies turned sour Tuesday, when Republican leaders on the typically uncontroversial panel rejected a resolution that would assert that Joe Biden is president-elect.
Republicans on Capitol Hill have been slow to acknowledge the election results, in deference to President Donald Trump, who continues to deny his clear defeat despite recounts affirming them, states certifying electors and loss after loss in court cases challenging Biden’s win.
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., offered a motion recognizing that the group was preparing for the inauguration of Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, a member of the Senate, during a closed-door meeting of the JCCIC in Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer’s office.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and JCCIC Chairman Roy Blunt, R-Mo., all voted against the motion. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the ranking Democrat on the Rules Committee, voted with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Hoyer in favor of the motion.
The rejected proposal would have prompted the JCCIC to announce that they are preparing for the inauguration of Biden and Harris, in coordination with the Biden Presidential Inaugural Committee and public health experts.


rollcall--2020-12-09--The 12 days of Congress’ clichés

The 12 days of Congress’ clichés

Lawmakers began to smell the heady scent of jet fumes as a flurry of activity lifted a stalemate threatening to @ @ @ @ @ Christmas tree and kick the can into next year .
But don ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ nothing is final .
By the time December rolls around , this is usually where @ @ @ @ @ .
Cliché after cliché piles up , as Congress races to get out of town @ @ @ @ @ on the ground , it ’ s hard not to trip .
When we asked @ @ @ @ @ name their favorite or most hated year-end clichés , we mostly got blank stares .
@ @ @ @ @ lawmakers couldn ’ t seem to list any , we went ahead and did it @ @ @ @ @ help of some congressional observers .

Lawmakers began to smell the heady scent of jet fumes as a flurry of activity lifted a stalemate threatening to derail the end-of-year train and/or Christmas tree and kick the can into next year.
But don’t get too excited: Aides said nothing is final.
By the time December rolls around, this is usually where things stand on the Hill. Cliché after cliché piles up, as Congress races to get out of town. With platitudes so thick on the ground, it’s hard not to trip.
When we asked House members this week to name their favorite or most hated year-end clichés, we mostly got blank stares. A few laughed.
Since lawmakers couldn’t seem to list any, we went ahead and did it for them, with the help of some congressional observers.


rollcall--2020-12-09--Shipping networks prep for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

For supply chains hobbled in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic , it won ’ t be easy to hobble the @ @ @ @ @ millions of doses of vaccine in the U.S. alone .
Airlines and trucking companies tasked @ @ @ @ @ need to figure out how to keep the vaccines as cold as minus 70 degrees @ @ @ @ @ will need to be ready to transport millions of doses despite being pummeled so badly @ @ @ @ @ was forced to slash services and reduce fleets .
And both airlines and freight say @ @ @ @ @ in order to distribute the vaccine efficiently , including being able to move the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ the appropriate safeguards to prevent tampering and theft .
Beyond that , distributors will have @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine to hard-to-reach rural areas as well .
“ This is a cross-organizational effort @ @ @ @ @ been seen from a logistics standpoint , ” said John Haber , founder and CEO @ @ @ @ @ an Atlanta-based supply chain consulting firm .

For supply chains hobbled in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, it won’t be easy to hobble the pandemic in 2021 by distributing millions of doses of vaccine in the U.S. alone.
Airlines and trucking companies tasked with delivering the vaccine will need to figure out how to keep the vaccines as cold as minus 70 degrees Celsius.
The airline industry will need to be ready to transport millions of doses despite being pummeled so badly by the pandemic that it was forced to slash services and reduce fleets.
And both airlines and freight say they will need regulatory flexibility in order to distribute the vaccine efficiently, including being able to move the vaccine through borders and customs with the appropriate safeguards to prevent tampering and theft. Beyond that, distributors will have to be able to deliver the vaccine to hard-to-reach rural areas as well.
“This is a cross-organizational effort like none that’s been seen from a logistics standpoint,” said John Haber, founder and CEO of Spend Management Experts, an Atlanta-based supply chain consulting firm.


rollcall--2020-12-09--Biden faces pressure on women’s health, LGBT issues

Progressive groups are already pushing President-elect Joe Biden to reverse a number of Trump administration health policies next year , with an emphasis on those that affect low-income , minority and LGBT communities .
Biden announced a number of key health policy picks Monday , including California Attorney General Xavier Becerra , his choice to serve as Health and Human Services secretary .
Becerra has been a key legal figure in pushing back against a number of Trump administration policies , including changes to federal family planning programs and efforts to undermine the 2010 health care law .
Robert Blendon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Health professor of public health and health policy and political analysis , noted that progressive groups were politically active in raising money and getting out the vote .
“ He ’ s going to be very supportive of the groups that really worked very hard for him , ” said Blendon , noting that the president-elect ran his campaign on repealing abortion restrictions and backing supportive policies for the LGBT community .
Blendon said academic studies have shown that large Democratic donors tend to skew liberal on social issues , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Blendon said academic studies have shown that large Democratic donors tend to skew liberal on social issues, and Biden will need to be responsive.
“It would be very hard to look at polling results and voting results and campaign contribution results and say that the best route is to be moderate and in the middle,” Blendon said. “He’s going to have to take a stand for people who really actively supported him on those issues.”
Anita Dunn, who serves as a senior adviser to the Biden transition team, appeared Monday at a membership event hosted by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and praised the women’s health organization, saying it “played a leading role” in the 2020 presidential race and in the 2018 midterms.
“On Day One, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris put their hands on that Bible, we all are going to be prepared to build this country back better and to work together for a better society, and Planned Parenthood has been at the center of this fight for as long as I’ve been in politics,” said Dunn, who served in the Obama White House.
She said the Biden administration will look to Planned Parenthood “to both identify policy priorities and personnel.”


rollcall--2020-12-09--Ways and Means aide Tai said to be Biden’s USTR choice

Katherine Tai , chief trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee , is reported to be President-elect Joe Biden ’ s nominee to be America ’ s trade negotiator .
Tai would lead the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative , an agency she knows well from her committee work as well as from the seven years she served in USTR ’ s general counsel office .
Her 2007-2014 tenure stretched from the George W. Bush administration to the Barack Obama administration .
Tai holds a law degree from Harvard and a history degree from Yale University .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the choice , citing unnamed sources .
During her time at USTR , Tai was chief counsel for China trade enforcement , a role that included responsibility for developing U.S. cases and representing the U.S. before the World Trade Organization in disputes against China .
She held that position from 2011 until 2014 when she joined the House committee as trade counsel .
Her experience with China may have been a selling point for Biden , who will take over a U.S. trade war with China that is currently on pause , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address geopolitical conflicts .

Katherine Tai, chief trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee, is reported to be President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to be America’s trade negotiator.
Tai would lead the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, an agency she knows well from her committee work as well as from the seven years she served in USTR’s general counsel office. Her 2007-2014 tenure stretched from the George W. Bush administration to the Barack Obama administration. Tai holds a law degree from Harvard and a history degree from Yale University.
The Wall Street Journal and Politico reported the choice, citing unnamed sources.
During her time at USTR, Tai was chief counsel for China trade enforcement, a role that included responsibility for developing U.S. cases and representing the U.S. before the World Trade Organization in disputes against China. She held that position from 2011 until 2014 when she joined the House committee as trade counsel.
Her experience with China may have been a selling point for Biden, who will take over a U.S. trade war with China that is currently on pause, but could heat up as the two countries address geopolitical conflicts.


rollcall--2020-12-09--Clyburn wants ‘halt’ to Biden tapping House Democrats for administration

Wary of a narrow majority , one of President-elect Joe Biden ’ s closest allies in Congress isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ afford to see any more House members join the new administration .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ a halt , ” Majority Whip James E. Clyburn told reporters Wednesday .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ ’ s top vote-counter in the House , Clyburn is also the chairman of Biden @ @ @ @ @ , which is in charge of the festivities ( both in-person and virtual ) away @ @ @ @ @ ’ s endorsement of Biden ahead of his home state South Carolina primary was seen @ @ @ @ @ reviving his campaign .
“ Two votes I can handle , ” Clyburn said .
@ @ @ @ @ know if I can handle three .
”

Wary of a narrow majority, one of President-elect Joe Biden’s closest allies in Congress isn’t sure the Democratic Caucus can afford to see any more House members join the new administration.
“I think we better bring that to a halt,” Majority Whip James E. Clyburn told reporters Wednesday.
In addition to being the Democratic Party’s top vote-counter in the House, Clyburn is also the chairman of Biden’s Presidential Inaugural Committee, which is in charge of the festivities (both in-person and virtual) away from Capitol Hill.
Clyburn’s endorsement of Biden ahead of his home state South Carolina primary was seen as a key to Biden reviving his campaign.
“Two votes I can handle,” Clyburn said. “I don’t know if I can handle three.”


rollcall--2020-12-09--Explaining Section 215, FISA and reauthorization status as the 116th wraps up

One item that could be getting left on the table as the 116th Congress comes to a close is a @ @ @ @ @ But , how did we get here ?
The Patriot Act — enacted after the @ @ @ @ @ to bolster law enforcement powers to fight terrorism — was well-supported at the time .
@ @ @ @ @ its Section 215 became controversial after the Edward Snowden leaks revealed the National Security Agency @ @ @ @ @ 's phone records and a new version of the law was passed in 2015 .
@ @ @ @ @ Congress never approved its reauthorization amid spats between chambers and a presidential veto threat .
@ @ @ @ @ breaks down Section 215 and explains how we got here .

One item that could be getting left on the table as the 116th Congress comes to a close is a reauthorization of surveillance authorities. But, how did we get here?
The Patriot Act — enacted after the Sept. 11 attacks in order to bolster law enforcement powers to fight terrorism — was well-supported at the time. However, the act and its Section 215 became controversial after the Edward Snowden leaks revealed the National Security Agency had collected millions of American's phone records and a new version of the law was passed in 2015. That lapsed in March and Congress never approved its reauthorization amid spats between chambers and a presidential veto threat.
Watch as CQ Roll Call breaks down Section 215 and explains how we got here.
[Nanoinfluencers: The next regulatory frontier]


rollcall--2020-12-09--FTC, states file antitrust suits against Facebook

The Federal Trade Commission and a bipartisan group of 48 attorneys general filed concurrent antitrust lawsuits against Facebook on Wednesday , accusing the company of engaging in anti-competitive conduct to maintain a monopoly over personal social networking .
The lawsuits , filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia , allege that Facebook illegally acquired other companies , including Instagram and WhatsApp , to undercut rivals before they posed a threat to Facebook ’ s dominance .
The suits also accuse the company of imposing anti-competitive terms on third-party software developers to prevent them from building competing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Facebook has used its dominance and monopoly power to crush smaller rivals and snuff out competition , all at the expense of everyday users , ” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a press conference .
“ Today , we are taking action to stand up for the millions of consumers and many small businesses that have been harmed by Facebook ’ s illegal behavior.
” The lawsuits are asking the courts to consider forcing Facebook to divest from acquisitions deemed to have been illegal , which means the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and WhatsApp should either prevail .
“ We are pretty confident we will succeed , ” said James .

The Federal Trade Commission and a bipartisan group of 48 attorneys general filed concurrent antitrust lawsuits against Facebook on Wednesday, accusing the company of engaging in anti-competitive conduct to maintain a monopoly over personal social networking.
The lawsuits, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, allege that Facebook illegally acquired other companies, including Instagram and WhatsApp, to undercut rivals before they posed a threat to Facebook’s dominance.
The suits also accuse the company of imposing anti-competitive terms on third-party software developers to prevent them from building competing products.
“For nearly a decade, Facebook has used its dominance and monopoly power to crush smaller rivals and snuff out competition, all at the expense of everyday users,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a press conference. “Today, we are taking action to stand up for the millions of consumers and many small businesses that have been harmed by Facebook’s illegal behavior.”
The lawsuits are asking the courts to consider forcing Facebook to divest from acquisitions deemed to have been illegal, which means the company could be forced to split off Instagram and WhatsApp should either prevail. “We are pretty confident we will succeed,” said James.


rollcall--2020-12-09--The Transition: Ag, HUD picks will be at forefront of equality debates

President-elect Joe Biden 's picks to head the Agriculture Department and HUD follow a fairly familiar pattern : a former @ @ @ @ @ a former mayor for HUD .
But supporters expect his administration to aggressively address equality @ @ @ @ @ , and Ag and HUD are two departments at the forefront .
• Cannon renovation @ @ @ @ @ million over budget

Jason Dick, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

President-elect Joe Biden's picks to head the Agriculture Department and HUD follow a fairly familiar pattern: a former farm-state governor for Ag and a former mayor for HUD. But supporters expect his administration to aggressively address equality issues in a hyper-partisan environment, and Ag and HUD are two departments at the forefront.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-09--‘Forever chemical’ provisions in NDAA fall short, say advocates

The defense policy conference report the House adopted Tuesday night included steps to address a toxic set of chemicals linked @ @ @ @ @ that are nearly ubiquitous in modern America and are building up in humans ’ bloodstreams @ @ @ @ @ , House members voted 335-78 to adopt a final version of the legislation , which @ @ @ @ @ .
The Senate aims to take up the conference report this week .
But the @ @ @ @ @ steps to clean up the so-called forever chemicals , formally called per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals @ @ @ @ @ as directing the EPA to regulate the chemicals under the Superfund program and the Safe @ @ @ @ @ House vote Tuesday marks the second time in two years that PFAS cleanup efforts have @ @ @ @ @ through the defense bill , a setback for lawmakers and outside environmental and local advocates @ @ @ @ @ .

The defense policy conference report the House adopted Tuesday night included steps to address a toxic set of chemicals linked to liver failure and cancer that are nearly ubiquitous in modern America and are building up in humans’ bloodstreams.
Defying a veto threat, House members voted 335-78 to adopt a final version of the legislation, which would authorize $731.6 billion. The Senate aims to take up the conference report this week.
But the legislation stops short of wholesale steps to clean up the so-called forever chemicals, formally called per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, or PFAS, such as directing the EPA to regulate the chemicals under the Superfund program and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The House vote Tuesday marks the second time in two years that PFAS cleanup efforts have fallen short of sweeping changes through the defense bill, a setback for lawmakers and outside environmental and local advocates who want more aggressive changes.
[EPA move creates hurdles for future air, climate rules]


rollcall--2020-12-09--Photo of the day: Hang in there

Photo of the day: Hang in there

One of the three American flags outside Union Station in Washington hangs upside down in the wind on Tuesday .

(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
One of the three American flags outside Union Station in Washington hangs upside down in the wind on Tuesday.


rollcall--2020-12-09--How progressive groups are pulling Biden’s health care team to the left

Progressive groups are pushing President-elect Joe Biden to reverse a number of Trump administration health policies next year , with @ @ @ @ @ affect low-income , minority and LGBTQ communities .
Watch as health care reporter Sandhya Raman @ @ @ @ @ s Health and Human Services secretary pick indicates for many of President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @

Progressive groups are pushing President-elect Joe Biden to reverse a number of Trump administration health policies next year, with an emphasis on those that affect low-income, minority and LGBTQ communities.
Watch as health care reporter Sandhya Raman breaks down what Biden’s Health and Human Services secretary pick indicates for many of President Donald Trump’s health care rules.
[ Read more: Biden faces pressure on women’s health, LGBT issues ]


rollcall--2020-12-09--Bipartisan coronavirus relief talks stuck on liability waiver

A group of House and Senate lawmakers from both sides of the aisle has fleshed out details of their $ @ @ @ @ @ , except for the two thorniest issues : business liability protections and state and local @ @ @ @ @ of the group ’ s proposal circulated Wednesday morning said they had an “ agreement @ @ @ @ @ $ 160 billion in direct aid to states and localities and indemnify employers in some @ @ @ @ @ But that agreement didn ’ t solidify into finalized language Wednesday as negotiators had hoped @ @ @ @ @ t think it ’ s going to be tonight , ” Sen. Mitt Romney , @ @ @ @ @ group ’ s leaders , told CQ Roll Call on Wednesday evening .
Romney ’ @ @ @ @ @ hit a snag on the liability protection language , which appears to be the last @ @ @ @ @ out .

A group of House and Senate lawmakers from both sides of the aisle has fleshed out details of their $908 billion coronavirus relief plan, except for the two thorniest issues: business liability protections and state and local aid.
A six-page summary of the group’s proposal circulated Wednesday morning said they had an “agreement in principle” to provide $160 billion in direct aid to states and localities and indemnify employers in some way from coronavirus-related lawsuits.
But that agreement didn’t solidify into finalized language Wednesday as negotiators had hoped.
“I don’t think it’s going to be tonight,” Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, one of the group’s leaders, told CQ Roll Call on Wednesday evening.
Romney’s assessment suggested the group hit a snag on the liability protection language, which appears to be the last issue it needs to close out.


rollcall--2020-12-09--Senate confirms three to FEC, restoring a full slate

The Senate confirmed three new commissioners to the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday , giving the campaign finance regulator a full slate of six members for the first time since February 2017 .
Senators voted 92-4 to confirm Shana M. Broussard , who will be the agency ’ s first Black commissioner in its 45-year history .
They approved Sean J. Cooksey by a vote of 50-46 and Allen Dickerson 49-47 , largely along party lines .
The confirmations will mark a major shift at the hobbled agency , which did not have the requisite four commissioners to even meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The commission could accept and publish disclosure reports and prod candidates and committees to fix routine errors , but it could not take enforcement actions for violations without a quorum .
Sen. Bill Cassidy , a Republican from Broussard ’ s home state of Louisiana , tweeted congratulations to her after the vote .
“ I ’ m confident Ms. Broussard will serve with integrity , ” he added .
Rules and Administration Chairman Roy Blunt , whose committee approved the nominees last week , said the FEC `` plays a critical role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finance system . ''

The Senate confirmed three new commissioners to the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday, giving the campaign finance regulator a full slate of six members for the first time since February 2017.
Senators voted 92-4 to confirm Shana M. Broussard, who will be the agency’s first Black commissioner in its 45-year history. They approved Sean J. Cooksey by a vote of 50-46 and Allen Dickerson 49-47, largely along party lines.
The confirmations will mark a major shift at the hobbled agency, which did not have the requisite four commissioners to even meet for most of the 2020 campaign. The commission could accept and publish disclosure reports and prod candidates and committees to fix routine errors, but it could not take enforcement actions for violations without a quorum.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Broussard’s home state of Louisiana, tweeted congratulations to her after the vote. “I’m confident Ms. Broussard will serve with integrity,” he added.
Rules and Administration Chairman Roy Blunt, whose committee approved the nominees last week, said the FEC "plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity of our campaign finance system."


rollcall--2020-12-10--These legislative whisperers were kicked out of the Capitol

With each new Congress , lawmakers get a chance to tweak and tease out their chamber rules — a little @ @ @ @ @ recommit here , a return of earmarks there .
But 26 years ago , House @ @ @ @ @ their first majority in decades , and they wanted more drastic changes .
That included @ @ @ @ @ the organization that had illuminated the legislative process for Democrats for years , the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ staffers eventually ended up at CQ , revamping as House Action Reports , or HAR @ @ @ @ @ detailed analysis of what ends up on the House floor .
The Democratic Study Group @ @ @ @ @ liberal and progressive Democrats , though not progressive in the sense we would think of @ @ @ @ @ , deputy director of HAR , who originally worked for DSG .
The founding members @ @ @ @ @ out of the legislative process by conservative Southern Democrats , many of whom led committees @ @ @ @ @ kept rank-and-file members from understanding what was coming up for a vote .

With each new Congress, lawmakers get a chance to tweak and tease out their chamber rules — a little change to the motion to recommit here, a return of earmarks there.
But 26 years ago, House Republicans were taking charge with their first majority in decades, and they wanted more drastic changes. That included kicking out of the chamber the organization that had illuminated the legislative process for Democrats for years, the Democratic Study Group.
Those House staffers eventually ended up at CQ, revamping as House Action Reports, or HAR, where they still publish detailed analysis of what ends up on the House floor.
Where it started
The Democratic Study Group was formed in 1959 by liberal and progressive Democrats, though not progressive in the sense we would think of today, says Robert Tomkin, deputy director of HAR, who originally worked for DSG.
The founding members were concerned about being shut out of the legislative process by conservative Southern Democrats, many of whom led committees. The bottleneck of information kept rank-and-file members from understanding what was coming up for a vote.


rollcall--2020-12-10--‘Personnel is policy’: What Ayanna Pressley saw as a staffer

When Ayanna Pressley was an unpaid intern , she worked three other jobs to get by .
“ That was @ @ @ @ @ at the time , ” the Massachusetts Democrat says of those days without a paycheck @ @ @ @ @ of a big political family , Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II .
“ I certainly @ @ @ @ @ The internship set her on a path that eventually came full circle .
But now @ @ @ @ @ congresswoman herself , she hopes no one will have to retrace her steps .
When @ @ @ @ @ early congressional career — first as an intern in a district satellite office for Kennedy @ @ @ @ @ scheduler and political director for Sen. John Kerry — she sees experiences that “ changed @ @ @ @ @ life .
She also remembers being the only Black woman in the room a lot @ @ @ @

When Ayanna Pressley was an unpaid intern, she worked three other jobs to get by.
“That was the situation for most offices at the time,” the Massachusetts Democrat says of those days without a paycheck, interning for a member of a big political family, Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II. “I certainly hold no ill will.”
The internship set her on a path that eventually came full circle. But now that she’s a congresswoman herself, she hopes no one will have to retrace her steps.
When Pressley looks back on her early congressional career — first as an intern in a district satellite office for Kennedy, and then as a scheduler and political director for Sen. John Kerry — she sees experiences that “changed the trajectory” of her life.
She also remembers being the only Black woman in the room a lot of the time.


rollcall--2020-12-10--Forced to take networking virtual by pandemic, K Street may never go back

In the pre-pandemic before times , lobbyist Bruce Mehlman would spend weeks curating a guest list for his self-described nerdy luncheons featuring authors , policy wonks and executives in downtown D.C. Now , he blasts out an email , sets up a Zoom room and can gather more than 100 for virtual events , such as one he hosted Wednesday with Steve Case , the former CEO of AOL .
“ Things that used to be small , local and high friction have become large , global and near zero marginal cost , ” said Mehlman , who runs Mehlman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an adviser to FiscalNote , CQ Roll Call ’ s parent company .
“ Events such as these are among the things that are going to continue well post-pandemic.
” K Street lobbyists have embraced the virtual world for networking events , policy panels and client conferences , in many cases nabbing big-name speakers , including members of Congress , governmental officials and business executives .
Though Zoom interactions may never fully replace the glad-handing of in-person hobnobbing , most lobbyists like Mehlman expect virtual sessions to endure long after the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but ingratiate lobbyists with clients , potential clients and , of course , Washington ’ s policymakers on whom they may rely for future decisions amid the political tumult of a new Congress and a new administration .
The city ’ s largest lobbying practice at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld convened clients and contacts last Friday for an online session hosted by partner Arshi Siddiqui , who previously worked for Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
The firm ’ s Joe Donnelly , a former Democratic senator from Indiana , was among those @ @ @

In the pre-pandemic before times, lobbyist Bruce Mehlman would spend weeks curating a guest list for his self-described nerdy luncheons featuring authors, policy wonks and executives in downtown D.C. Now, he blasts out an email, sets up a Zoom room and can gather more than 100 for virtual events, such as one he hosted Wednesday with Steve Case, the former CEO of AOL.
“Things that used to be small, local and high friction have become large, global and near zero marginal cost,” said Mehlman, who runs Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas and also serves as an adviser to FiscalNote, CQ Roll Call’s parent company. “Events such as these are among the things that are going to continue well post-pandemic.”
K Street lobbyists have embraced the virtual world for networking events, policy panels and client conferences, in many cases nabbing big-name speakers, including members of Congress, governmental officials and business executives. Though Zoom interactions may never fully replace the glad-handing of in-person hobnobbing, most lobbyists like Mehlman expect virtual sessions to endure long after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
Such events are free but ingratiate lobbyists with clients, potential clients and, of course, Washington’s policymakers on whom they may rely for future decisions amid the political tumult of a new Congress and a new administration.
The city’s largest lobbying practice at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld convened clients and contacts last Friday for an online session hosted by partner Arshi Siddiqui, who previously worked for Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The firm’s Joe Donnelly, a former Democratic senator from Indiana, was among those who presented.


rollcall--2020-12-10--Biden team making legislative outreach an early priority

President-elect Joe Biden and his transition team are making collaboration between the executive branch and Congress a priority , with early and extensive outreach to the legislative branch .
The Biden transition team has already reached out to more than 300 members of the House and almost everyone in the Senate , according to a transition official .
The objective will be to reach every one of the 535 lawmakers before Inauguration Day .
The early reviews of the efforts have been positive , at least from the Democratic side of the aisle , where there ’ s been very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump .
“ I have no idea who my legislative affairs liaison was ” during the Trump administration , said House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio .
That ’ s emblematic of the problem the Biden team will have an opportunity to fix : The Oregon Democrat presumably would have had significant jurisdiction over the mythical infrastructure package that was often discussed as a priority of the outgoing president .
And regardless of the eventual makeup of the Senate after the January runoff elections in Georgia , transition officials say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominations and legislative business , given the narrow margins in both chambers .

President-elect Joe Biden and his transition team are making collaboration between the executive branch and Congress a priority, with early and extensive outreach to the legislative branch.
The Biden transition team has already reached out to more than 300 members of the House and almost everyone in the Senate, according to a transition official. The objective will be to reach every one of the 535 lawmakers before Inauguration Day.
The early reviews of the efforts have been positive, at least from the Democratic side of the aisle, where there’s been very little interaction during the administration of President Donald Trump.
“I have no idea who my legislative affairs liaison was” during the Trump administration, said House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio.
That’s emblematic of the problem the Biden team will have an opportunity to fix: The Oregon Democrat presumably would have had significant jurisdiction over the mythical infrastructure package that was often discussed as a priority of the outgoing president.
And regardless of the eventual makeup of the Senate after the January runoff elections in Georgia, transition officials say they will need GOP support for both nominations and legislative business, given the narrow margins in both chambers.


rollcall--2020-12-10--Sen. Rand Paul delays defense bill over mild Afghanistan provision

Sen. Rand Paul is delaying a Senate vote to send the president the annual defense policy legislation over the Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ would restrict U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan .
But the measure is unlikely to result @ @ @ @ @ .
Paul , a longtime critic of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan , told @ @ @ @ @ the NDAA conference report would “ hamstring ” the president as he tries to bring @ @ @ @ @ 4,500 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Jan. 15 .
Paul assailed lawmakers who had previously @ @ @ @ @ a president ’ s ability to wage war but who are now , he said @ @ @ @ @ president from ending a conflict .
“ Now they want to limit the power if @ @ @ @ @ in the theater of war , '' Paul said .

Sen. Rand Paul is delaying a Senate vote to send the president the annual defense policy legislation over the Kentucky Republican's concerns that it would restrict U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan. But the measure is unlikely to result in anything of the sort.
Paul, a longtime critic of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, told reporters Thursday he is concerned the NDAA conference report would “hamstring” the president as he tries to bring home 2,000 of the roughly 4,500 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Jan. 15.
Paul assailed lawmakers who had previously said Congress should not limit a president’s ability to wage war but who are now, he said, happy to block this president from ending a conflict.
[House adopts defense conference report as veto threat looms]
“Now they want to limit the power if it could actually reduce troops in the theater of war," Paul said.


rollcall--2020-12-10--The Transition: The bureaucrats are back

Running against the swamp — official Washington and its government workers , policy makers , lobbyists and the like — @ @ @ @ @ People like to rail about the bureaucracy , at least until they need something from @ @ @ @ @ re seeing from President-elect Joe Biden is a different approach than the swamp bashing we @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s given the technocratic approach to government a boost with a series @ @ @ @ @ deep experience in government , both in the executive and legislative branches .
On the @ @ @ @ @ CQ Roll Call Chief Correspondent Niels Lesniewski and I are going to talk about how @ @ @ @ @ up on workhorses and making a concerted effort to reach out to Congress .
And @ @ @ @ @ about the how busy the EPA has been with its latest batch of midnight rules @ @ @ @ @ environment and energy policy as we get ready for the Biden administration .

Jason Dick, Jinitzail Hernández, Niels Lesniewski, and Benjamin J. Hulac

Running against the swamp — official Washington and its government workers, policy makers, lobbyists and the like — is a time-honored tactic. People like to rail about the bureaucracy, at least until they need something from it.
What we’re seeing from President-elect Joe Biden is a different approach than the swamp bashing we have all become accustomed to. He’s given the technocratic approach to government a boost with a series of Cabinet nominees who have deep experience in government, both in the executive and legislative branches.
On the latest Political Theater Podcast, CQ Roll Call Chief Correspondent Niels Lesniewski and I are going to talk about how the Biden team is loading up on workhorses and making a concerted effort to reach out to Congress.
And Staff Writer Ben Hulac talks about the how busy the EPA has been with its latest batch of midnight rules and what that means for environment and energy policy as we get ready for the Biden administration.


rollcall--2020-12-10--House Oversight panel subpoenas Wilbur Ross for census records

The House Oversight and Reform Committee issued a subpoena Thursday to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross , who oversees the Census @ @ @ @ @ errors in finalizing 2020 census results .
Citing leaked census documents about “ grave data @ @ @ @ @ Carolyn B. Maloney , D-N.Y. , criticized Ross for holding on to documents showing hundreds @ @ @ @ @ the count .
Both Maloney and the Government Accountability Office have said the Commerce Department @ @ @ @ @ from sharing information about the final steps of the count .
“ Your approach to @ @ @ @ @ been abominable , ” Maloney said in a letter Thursday to Ross .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ should have been produced as a matter of course to your Department ’ s oversight @ @ @ @ @ the Commerce Department could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday afternoon .

The House Oversight and Reform Committee issued a subpoena Thursday to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who oversees the Census Bureau, for documents concerning errors in finalizing 2020 census results.
Citing leaked census documents about “grave data problems,” Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., criticized Ross for holding on to documents showing hundreds of thousands of errors in the count.
Both Maloney and the Government Accountability Office have said the Commerce Department has prevented the Census Bureau from sharing information about the final steps of the count.
“Your approach to Congress’ oversight responsibilities has been abominable,” Maloney said in a letter Thursday to Ross. “You have repeatedly withheld documents that should have been produced as a matter of course to your Department’s oversight committee.”
The Commerce Department released a statement Friday calling the committee's efforts "political ploys" and argued it had provided thousands of documents to the House.


rollcall--2020-12-10--FedEx, UPS say they’re equipped to handle US vaccine delivery

Officials at FedEx and UPS on Thursday told a congressional panel that they believe their companies can handle domestic distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine entirely without needing to call on U.S. passenger airlines that have spent recent months preparing to transport the vaccine .
“ We don ’ t believe at this point in time in the United States to deliver this we ’ re going to need to rely on the passenger airline sector at all , ” said Richard Smith , regional president of the Americas and executive vice president , FedEx Express .
Smith , testifying at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Transportation and Safety , was responding to a question from Sen. Maria Cantwell , D-Wash. , who said she worried that passenger airlines decimated by the pandemic would need to ramp up quickly to help deliver the vaccine .
Smith ’ s comments reflect jockeying among carriers for a share of the vaccine distribution business .
McKesson , an Irving , Texas , pharmaceutical distribution company , has been selected by Operation Warp Speed to oversee the process .
A company spokesman did not return a call for comment .
Delta Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have all been conducting test flights in preparation for delivering the vaccines , which can require storage at minus 70 degrees Celsius ( minus 94 Fahrenheit ) to remain effective .

Officials at FedEx and UPS on Thursday told a congressional panel that they believe their companies can handle domestic distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine entirely without needing to call on U.S. passenger airlines that have spent recent months preparing to transport the vaccine.
“We don’t believe at this point in time in the United States to deliver this we’re going to need to rely on the passenger airline sector at all,” said Richard Smith, regional president of the Americas and executive vice president, FedEx Express.
Smith, testifying at a hearing of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, was responding to a question from Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who said she worried that passenger airlines decimated by the pandemic would need to ramp up quickly to help deliver the vaccine.
Smith’s comments reflect jockeying among carriers for a share of the vaccine distribution business. McKesson, an Irving, Texas, pharmaceutical distribution company, has been selected by Operation Warp Speed to oversee the process. A company spokesman did not return a call for comment.
Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines have all been conducting test flights in preparation for delivering the vaccines, which can require storage at minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 Fahrenheit) to remain effective.


rollcall--2020-12-10--Senate objections threaten to delay stopgap funding vote

A stopgap funding bill stalled in the Senate on Thursday amid competing demands for unrelated measures , increasing the risk of a partial government shutdown early next week if no deal is reached .
The House passed a one-week continuing resolution Wednesday on a lopsided vote of 343-67 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , had promised that his chamber would pass it “ as soon as we get it.
” But two senators from opposite parties threatened to hold up the consent needed for a speedy vote Thursday .
All current funding for federal agencies expires at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I-Vt. , said he wanted an amendment to the stopgap to provide a new round of pandemic-related tax rebate checks of up to $ 1,200 per adult and $ 500 per child .
Those direct payments to families , which were first provided in March , are not included in a bipartisan coronavirus relief package currently under negotiation .
“ To get out of Washington , to turn our backs on the suffering of so many of our people would be immoral , would be unconscionable , and can not be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate floor .

A stopgap funding bill stalled in the Senate on Thursday amid competing demands for unrelated measures, increasing the risk of a partial government shutdown early next week if no deal is reached.
The House passed a one-week continuing resolution Wednesday on a lopsided vote of 343-67. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had promised that his chamber would pass it “as soon as we get it.”
But two senators from opposite parties threatened to hold up the consent needed for a speedy vote Thursday. All current funding for federal agencies expires at midnight Friday.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said he wanted an amendment to the stopgap to provide a new round of pandemic-related tax rebate checks of up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per child. Those direct payments to families, which were first provided in March, are not included in a bipartisan coronavirus relief package currently under negotiation.
“To get out of Washington, to turn our backs on the suffering of so many of our people would be immoral, would be unconscionable, and cannot be allowed to happen,” Sanders said on the Senate floor.


rollcall--2020-12-10--Bipartisan coronavirus relief package not winning GOP converts

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is signaling that Republicans are unlikely to accept a $ 908 billion coronavirus relief package @ @ @ @ @ group of lawmakers from both chambers , dealing a blow to hopes of a pre-Christmas @ @ @ @ @ staff on Wednesday night told aides to the other top congressional leaders that the Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ an agreement on state and local aid and liability protections that would be acceptable to @ @ @ @ @ a senior Democrat familiar with the conversations .
A McConnell aide declined to comment .
@ @ @ @ @ the bipartisan proposal was first reported by Politico .
On the floor Thursday morning , @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan negotiations heading toward a deal Republicans wouldn ’ t like and accused them of @ @ @ @ @ the two parties do agree .
“ Our Democratic colleagues have not even let us @ @ @ @ @ in vaccine distribution — not unless the two parties settle a whole list of issues @ @ @ @ @ they want , '' he said .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is signaling that Republicans are unlikely to accept a $908 billion coronavirus relief package being negotiated by a bipartisan group of lawmakers from both chambers, dealing a blow to hopes of a pre-Christmas deal.
McConnell’s staff on Wednesday night told aides to the other top congressional leaders that the Kentucky Republican sees no path to an agreement on state and local aid and liability protections that would be acceptable to his conference, according to a senior Democrat familiar with the conversations.
A McConnell aide declined to comment. McConnell's staff assessment of the bipartisan proposal was first reported by Politico.
On the floor Thursday morning, McConnell blamed Democrats for the bipartisan negotiations heading toward a deal Republicans wouldn’t like and accused them of blocking progress on issues where the two parties do agree.
“Our Democratic colleagues have not even let us pass noncontroversial money to invest in vaccine distribution — not unless the two parties settle a whole list of issues that are controversial the way they want," he said.


rollcall--2020-12-10--Photo of the day: Santa Olson

Photo of the day: Santa Olson

Wearing a Santa Claus beard mask , Rep. Pete Olson , R-Texas , opted to walk down the House steps @ @ @ @ @ as he left the Capitol on Thursday .
House members took their last votes of @ @ @ @ @ and are expected back next week as the government funding deadline looms .

(Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Wearing a Santa Claus beard mask, Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, opted to walk down the House steps rather than use a chimney as he left the Capitol on Thursday. House members took their last votes of the week in the morning and are expected back next week as the government funding deadline looms.


rollcall--2020-12-10--At the Races: Countdown to Perdeffler v. Ossock

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll @ @ @ @ @ someone who ’ d like to get this newsletter ?
They can subscribe here .
@ @ @ @ @ 2020 , Republicans and Democrats are ready to put the year behind them .
Both @ @ @ @ @ announced some new additions for the 2022 cycle this week .
Meanwhile , both chambers @ @ @ @ @ their business before the New Year with the balance of power in the Senate hinging @ @ @ @ @ Georgia .
On the campaign front , newly elected DCCC Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney this @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers who will serve as transition leaders charged with building a diverse DCCC that “ @ @ @ @ @ the NRCC named John Billings as its next executive director , crediting him for his @ @ @ @ @ shut-out performance in November through his old job as director of the Patriot Program , @ @ @ @ @ .

Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman, and Kate Ackley

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call campaign team. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
In the true spirit of 2020, Republicans and Democrats are ready to put the year behind them.
Both the DCCC and the NRCC announced some new additions for the 2022 cycle this week. Meanwhile, both chambers of Congress tried to finish their business before the New Year with the balance of power in the Senate hinging on the January runoffs in Georgia.
On the campaign front, newly elected DCCC Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney this week named team of eight lawmakers who will serve as transition leaders charged with building a diverse DCCC that “looks like America.”
And the NRCC named John Billings as its next executive director, crediting him for his contributions to House Republicans’ shut-out performance in November through his old job as director of the Patriot Program, which focuses on vulnerable incumbents.


rollcall--2020-12-10--Democrats’ rule change could spark Senate Appropriations shakeup

A sweeping caucus rule change adopted by Senate Democrats this week would upend the traditional seniority structure on some of the most powerful committees .
The new rule says that the top Democrats on `` A '' committees ca n't also be subcommittee chairpersons or ranking members until more junior members of that panel get a chance to claim a subcommittee , in order of their seniority within the broader Democratic Caucus .
The rule change was described by Senate Democratic aides who spoke on condition of anonymity .
While `` A '' committees cover most of the Senate 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be most acute on Appropriations , where subcommittees play a major role in drafting `` must-pass '' legislation every year .
The panels have responsibility for carving up some $ 1.4 trillion in federal agency budgets and are considered some of the most plum assignments on Capitol Hill .
In practice , the new rule , sponsored by Christopher S. Murphy , D-Conn. , may not lead to a big subcommittee shuffle on Appropriations next year .
But the broader push to spread responsibilities around the caucus has already resulted in a vacancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard J. Durbin , D-Ill. , is stepping down from that panel to focus on his role as top Democrat on Judiciary .
Other top appropriators who could potentially be affected include :

A sweeping caucus rule change adopted by Senate Democrats this week would upend the traditional seniority structure on some of the most powerful committees.
The new rule says that the top Democrats on "A" committees can't also be subcommittee chairpersons or ranking members until more junior members of that panel get a chance to claim a subcommittee, in order of their seniority within the broader Democratic Caucus. The rule change was described by Senate Democratic aides who spoke on condition of anonymity.
While "A" committees cover most of the Senate's panels, the impact is likely to be most acute on Appropriations, where subcommittees play a major role in drafting "must-pass" legislation every year. The panels have responsibility for carving up some $1.4 trillion in federal agency budgets and are considered some of the most plum assignments on Capitol Hill.
In practice, the new rule, sponsored by Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn., may not lead to a big subcommittee shuffle on Appropriations next year. But the broader push to spread responsibilities around the caucus has already resulted in a vacancy at Defense appropriations, since Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., is stepping down from that panel to focus on his role as top Democrat on Judiciary.
Other top appropriators who could potentially be affected include:


rollcall--2020-12-10--4 confirmation obstacles for Lloyd Austin, Biden’s Defense pick

Watch as CQ Roll Call 's John M. Donnelly breaks down some of the potential confirmation obstacles that retired Army @ @ @ @ @ in January .
Austin is President-elect Joe Biden 's nominee for secretary of Defense .

Jinitzail Hernández and John M. Donnelly

Watch as CQ Roll Call's John M. Donnelly breaks down some of the potential confirmation obstacles that retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin could face in January. Austin is President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for secretary of Defense.
[Biden’s Pentagon nominee faces skepticism]


rollcall--2020-12-11--CQ Future: Free speech

CQ Future: Free speech

The pandemic and political divisions have revealed the cracks in this country and those who are falling through them .
@ @ @ @ @ American society are truth and free speech .
These two bedrocks of the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ challenged , questioned and even battered like never before .
We wanted to explore how @ @ @ @ @ out in the future .
CQ Roll Call 's Shawn Zeller speaks to Suzanne Nossel @ @ @ @ @ author of “ Dare to Speak .
”

Shawn Zeller, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

The pandemic and political divisions have revealed the cracks in this country and those who are falling through them. Along the fault lines of American society are truth and free speech. These two bedrocks of the nation’s civil discourse have been challenged, questioned and even battered like never before. We wanted to explore how speech and misinformation will play out in the future. CQ Roll Call's Shawn Zeller speaks to Suzanne Nossel, PEN America CEO and author of “Dare to Speak.”
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-11--Supreme Court denies Trump election challenge

The Supreme Court succinctly rejected an effort from President Donald Trump and his Republican allies Friday to wipe out the 2020 presidential election results in four key states and help keep him in the White House .
The decision all but ends Trump ’ s ineffectual legal push over the past few weeks to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election — one that included allegations of voter fraud in mail-in ballots or tabulating shenanigans in key states that went unproven , and loss after loss in state and federal courts .
Trump ’ s attempt to remain in office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his reelection defeat as each state 's electors are poised to cast their ballots Monday .
But it undercut public confidence in the results and revealed which of Trump ’ s allies in Congress and states actively backed what legal and political experts called a meritless and fundamentally anti-democratic scheme to override the will of American voters .
That includes Republican state attorneys general from Texas and 17 other states who backed a remarkable filing from Texas to challenge the election results from Pennsylvania , Georgia , Michigan and Wisconsin that are key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And 126 House Republicans — almost two-thirds of the current caucus including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California — signed on to a brief that encouraged the Supreme Court to hear that Texas lawsuit and argued those states ' elections had produced “ unconstitutional ballots .
”

The Supreme Court succinctly rejected an effort from President Donald Trump and his Republican allies Friday to wipe out the 2020 presidential election results in four key states and help keep him in the White House.
The decision all but ends Trump’s ineffectual legal push over the past few weeks to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election — one that included allegations of voter fraud in mail-in ballots or tabulating shenanigans in key states that went unproven , and loss after loss in state and federal courts.
Trump’s attempt to remain in office now collides with the inevitable reality of his reelection defeat as each state's electors are poised to cast their ballots Monday. But it undercut public confidence in the results and revealed which of Trump’s allies in Congress and states actively backed what legal and political experts called a meritless and fundamentally anti-democratic scheme to override the will of American voters.
That includes Republican state attorneys general from Texas and 17 other states who backed a remarkable filing from Texas to challenge the election results from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin that are key to President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
And 126 House Republicans — almost two-thirds of the current caucus including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California — signed on to a brief that encouraged the Supreme Court to hear that Texas lawsuit and argued those states' elections had produced “unconstitutional ballots.”


rollcall--2020-12-11--What we still don’t know about the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

The expected authorization soon of a COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech will follow a revealing discussion about what the @ @ @ @ @ and infectious diseases experts know — and what is still uncertain — about its ability @ @ @ @ @ sometimes-fatal disease .
Although the Food and Drug Administration ’ s independent advisers agreed , @ @ @ @ @ meeting Thursday that the vaccine 's benefits outweigh its risks , the group 's conversation @ @ @ @ @ .
Experts hope the view into the group 's thinking will build confidence in the @ @ @ @ @ convince people to get their shots .
The animated debate within the panel — known @ @ @ @ @ Biological Products Advisory Committee — will likely influence regulators and shape discussion about this vaccine @ @ @ @ @ before the FDA considers it for full approval .
Here are some of the unanswered @ @ @ @ @ , according to the country ’ s top experts .

The expected authorization soon of a COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech will follow a revealing discussion about what the nation’s top vaccinology and infectious diseases experts know — and what is still uncertain — about its ability to protect people from the sometimes-fatal disease.
Although the Food and Drug Administration’s independent advisers agreed, 17-4, in its daylong meeting Thursday that the vaccine's benefits outweigh its risks, the group's conversation also raised some important questions.
Experts hope the view into the group's thinking will build confidence in the science behind the vaccine and convince people to get their shots.
The animated debate within the panel — known as the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee — will likely influence regulators and shape discussion about this vaccine in the months ahead, before the FDA considers it for full approval.
Here are some of the unanswered questions about the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, according to the country’s top experts.


rollcall--2020-12-11--‘Idiot control,’ dental issues and a Pat Roberts face mask: Congressional Hits and Misses

Rep. Louie Gohmert lost a crown on his tooth in the middle of a news conference this week , but @ @ @ @ @ only lawmaker with an attention-grabbing accessory .
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer struggled to @ @ @ @ @ on an iPad , and an aide to Sen. Pat Roberts wore a face mask @ @ @ @ @ ’ s face .
Meanwhile , Rep. Denver Riggleman reminded his colleagues he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Bigfoot .
See the video for our recap of hits and misses from the week @ @ @ @ @ week ’ s Hits and Misses : Cats and cannabis : Congressional Hits and Misses @

Rep. Louie Gohmert lost a crown on his tooth in the middle of a news conference this week, but he wasn’t the only lawmaker with an attention-grabbing accessory. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer struggled to get Rep.-elect Jamaal Bowman heard on an iPad, and an aide to Sen. Pat Roberts wore a face mask adorned with the retiring senator’s face.
Meanwhile, Rep. Denver Riggleman reminded his colleagues he’s always down for bourbon and Bigfoot. See the video for our recap of hits and misses from the week in Washington.
[Last week’s Hits and Misses: Cats and cannabis: Congressional Hits and Misses]


rollcall--2020-12-11--Loeffler, Perdue buck Trump in vote for defense bill

Georgia Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler joined Hill Republicans in bucking President Donald Trump on Friday , voting to pass a defense policy bill that the president has been working for weeks to scuttle .
The 84-13 vote on the annual National Defense Authorization Act forced every Republican in Congress to choose between their loyalty to the president and passing a measure many in their ranks considered more important than politics .
But none of them , perhaps , were in a more precarious position than Perdue and Loeffler , both of whom have been courting the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Jan. 5 runoff elections that will decide their political fates and the majority control of the Senate .
In a joint statement after the vote , the senators cited the nine military institutions in the state .
`` This critical defense bill fully funds our military , gives our troops a significant pay raise , prioritizes our military families , and continues to improve military housing , '' they said .
`` While there were several provisions we would have changed , our main mission is to support our military .
@

Georgia Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler joined Hill Republicans in bucking President Donald Trump on Friday, voting to pass a defense policy bill that the president has been working for weeks to scuttle.
The 84-13 vote on the annual National Defense Authorization Act forced every Republican in Congress to choose between their loyalty to the president and passing a measure many in their ranks considered more important than politics.
But none of them, perhaps, were in a more precarious position than Perdue and Loeffler, both of whom have been courting the president’s blessing as they campaign ahead of the Jan. 5 runoff elections that will decide their political fates and the majority control of the Senate.
In a joint statement after the vote, the senators cited the nine military institutions in the state.
"This critical defense bill fully funds our military, gives our troops a significant pay raise, prioritizes our military families, and continues to improve military housing," they said. "While there were several provisions we would have changed, our main mission is to support our military."


rollcall--2020-12-11--Senate sends massive defense bill to Trump

The Senate on Friday voted overwhelmingly and on a bipartisan basis to send President Donald Trump a final defense authorization @ @ @ @ @ effectively daring him to follow through on his threat to veto it .
The Senate @ @ @ @ @ of the $ 731.6 billion NDAA conference report .
The vote on adopting the measure @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the day to invoke cloture and limit debate on the conference report .
@ @ @ @ @ the legislation because it would not repeal legal protections for social media companies and because @ @ @ @ @ to rename military bases named after Confederate soldiers .
Most members of Congress , however @ @ @ @ @ the bill enacted for the 60th fiscal year in a row .

The Senate on Friday voted overwhelmingly and on a bipartisan basis to send President Donald Trump a final defense authorization bill for fiscal 2021 — effectively daring him to follow through on his threat to veto it.
The Senate vote was 84-13 in favor of the $731.6 billion NDAA conference report.
The vote on adopting the measure came after an 84-13 vote earlier in the day to invoke cloture and limit debate on the conference report.
Trump has threatened to veto the legislation because it would not repeal legal protections for social media companies and because it would require the Pentagon to rename military bases named after Confederate soldiers.
Most members of Congress, however, would like to see the bill enacted for the 60th fiscal year in a row.


rollcall--2020-12-11--Biden’s immigration problem: How to end ‘Remain in Mexico’

Nearly 25,000 asylum-seeking migrants are currently stranded in Mexico , waiting for U.S. court dates that may be more than a year away .
President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to unravel many of the Trump administration immigration policies that have created situations like this .
But how easy will that be ?
The Supreme Court agreed to address the legality of the so-called Remain in Mexico program , unless the incoming administration ends it first .
But Biden has yet to provide details on how he plans to dismantle the program formally known as Migration Protection Protocols , or MPP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems for both the U.S. and Mexico , making a quick-fix difficult .
On Friday , the Biden transition team told CQ Roll Call the incoming administration `` will establish a fair and orderly process that expands avenues for migrants to apply for protection and resettlement . ''
Without providing specifics , it admitted that `` implementing this new approach will require time . ''
Among other things , the Biden administration would have to address a backlog of more than 1.2 million immigration court cases , which include MPP .
That would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overwhelming case load each judge now faces , said Adam Isacson , who works on border security for the advocacy group Washington Office on Latin America .

Nearly 25,000 asylum-seeking migrants are currently stranded in Mexico, waiting for U.S. court dates that may be more than a year away. President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to unravel many of the Trump administration immigration policies that have created situations like this.
But how easy will that be?
The Supreme Court agreed to address the legality of the so-called Remain in Mexico program, unless the incoming administration ends it first. But Biden has yet to provide details on how he plans to dismantle the program formally known as Migration Protection Protocols, or MPP. The program’s complexities present problems for both the U.S. and Mexico, making a quick-fix difficult.
On Friday, the Biden transition team told CQ Roll Call the incoming administration "will establish a fair and orderly process that expands avenues for migrants to apply for protection and resettlement." Without providing specifics, it admitted that "implementing this new approach will require time."
Among other things, the Biden administration would have to address a backlog of more than 1.2 million immigration court cases, which include MPP. That would mean hiring more immigration judges to ease the overwhelming case load each judge now faces, said Adam Isacson, who works on border security for the advocacy group Washington Office on Latin America.


rollcall--2020-12-11--Photos of the week ending Dec. 11, 2020

Photos of the week ending Dec. 11, 2020

Congress was originally scheduled to begin winter recess next week .
But it remained unclear Friday afternoon whether the Senate @ @ @ @ @ stopgap government funding measure or resort to a partial government shutdown .
So one thing @ @ @ @ @ be here next week .
In the meantime , here is what the past week @ @ @ @ @ of CQ Roll Call 's photojournalists :

Bill Clark, Tom Williams, and Caroline Brehman

Congress was originally scheduled to begin winter recess next week. But it remained unclear Friday afternoon whether the Senate will pass the House's stopgap government funding measure or resort to a partial government shutdown. So one thing appears certain — Congress will be here next week.
In the meantime, here is what the past week looked like through the lenses of CQ Roll Call's photojournalists:
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., right, and Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, tour the Jefferson Memorial after Warner was presented the Hero award for his “leadership in passing the Great American Outdoors Act" on Monday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen.-elect Roger Marshall, R-Kan., left, speaks with Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., tries to keep his distance as he speaks with reporters in the Senate subway on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., speaks with reporters in the Senate subway after a vote in the Capitol on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
An American flag hangs upside down in the wind outside Union Station in Washington on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Ranking member Michael McCaul, R-Texas, places his nameplate before the start of the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., arrives in the Capitol through the Senate subway on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., arrives for a vote in the Capitol on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., left, votes on Democratic caucus rules in the LBJ Room in the Capitol on Wednesday. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., appears at right. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, wears a Santa beard mask as he walks down the House steps after the last votes of the week on Thursday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, walks to the Senate floor in the Capitol on Friday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-12-11--Palazzo campaign spent money on array of household services, home improvement

Rep. Steven Palazzo has spent about $ 230,000 from his campaign fund since 2010 on car expenses , purchases associated with home upkeep , reimbursements to himself , payments to his brother and other questionable costs , a CQ Roll Call review of Federal Election Commission reports found .
The Mississippi Republican acknowledged in November that he is the subject of an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics into alleged improper use of campaign funds from his Palazzo for Congress campaign committee .
Federal law prohibits members of Congress from using campaign funds for personal use and if that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it can result in sanctions from the House Ethics Committee and , in more severe instances , prosecution by the Department of Justice .
Former California Rep. Duncan Hunter is headed to prison in 2021 for converting campaign funds to personal use .
In March , the Campaign Legal Center , a non-partisan watchdog group , filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics requesting an inquiry into Palazzo ’ s spending .
The complaint focused on $ 60,000 in campaign expenditures to rent a farm , Greene Acres LLC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm Palazzo founded that is now run by his former wife .
Palazzo ’ s 2019 financial disclosure shows he sold the Greene Acres farm in rural Perkinston , Miss.
, on Aug. 30 of that year .
Just days later — on Sept. 4 — he sold another investment property of his in the Mississippi city of D ’ Iberville .

Rep. Steven Palazzo has spent about $230,000 from his campaign fund since 2010 on car expenses, purchases associated with home upkeep, reimbursements to himself, payments to his brother and other questionable costs, a CQ Roll Call review of Federal Election Commission reports found.
The Mississippi Republican acknowledged in November that he is the subject of an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethics into alleged improper use of campaign funds from his Palazzo for Congress campaign committee.
Federal law prohibits members of Congress from using campaign funds for personal use and if that public trust is proven to be violated, it can result in sanctions from the House Ethics Committee and, in more severe instances, prosecution by the Department of Justice. Former California Rep. Duncan Hunter is headed to prison in 2021 for converting campaign funds to personal use.
In March, the Campaign Legal Center, a non-partisan watchdog group, filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics requesting an inquiry into Palazzo’s spending. The complaint focused on $60,000 in campaign expenditures to rent a farm, Greene Acres LLC, and $127,000 to pay an accounting firm Palazzo founded that is now run by his former wife.
Palazzo’s 2019 financial disclosure shows he sold the Greene Acres farm in rural Perkinston, Miss., on Aug. 30 of that year. Just days later — on Sept. 4 — he sold another investment property of his in the Mississippi city of D’Iberville.


rollcall--2020-12-11--Trump signs short-term spending bill, preventing shutdown

President Donald Trump signed into law a stopgap funding measure Friday to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend .
The Senate cleared the measure on a voice vote earlier in the day , but only after hours of backroom negotiations with senators who had threatened to hold up the spending Band-Aid to push action on various other priorities .
Leaders beat back efforts to attach measures over military policy , blocking lawmakers ’ pay during a budgetary impasse and offering a new round of tax rebate checks to households during the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Sen. Mike Braun , R-Ind.
, who was pushing for a vote on a measure that would deny lawmakers their pay if spending bills weren ’ t passed on time .
Another holdup was averted when Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , relented on his push to strip troop withdrawal language from the unrelated defense authorization bill .
And Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , backed off a threat to hold up the bill if it didn ’ t include rebate checks of $ 1,200 per adult and $ 500 per child @

President Donald Trump signed into law a stopgap funding measure Friday to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend.
The Senate cleared the measure on a voice vote earlier in the day, but only after hours of backroom negotiations with senators who had threatened to hold up the spending Band-Aid to push action on various other priorities.
Leaders beat back efforts to attach measures over military policy, blocking lawmakers’ pay during a budgetary impasse and offering a new round of tax rebate checks to households during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ll fight another day on that,” said Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., who was pushing for a vote on a measure that would deny lawmakers their pay if spending bills weren’t passed on time.
Another holdup was averted when Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., relented on his push to strip troop withdrawal language from the unrelated defense authorization bill. And Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., backed off a threat to hold up the bill if it didn’t include rebate checks of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child.


rollcall--2020-12-11--FDA authorizes first COVID-19 vaccine

FDA authorizes first COVID-19 vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration issued its first emergency use authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine Friday , providing a glimpse of the end to a pandemic that has resulted in mass death , poverty and hardship .
The history-making vaccine co-developed by BioNTech and Pfizer is the fastest ever made available in the United States , coming 11 months after a genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus was published by Chinese researchers .
The FDA has taken pains to assure a wary public that speed has not come at the expense of a rigorous and transparent review process .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from FDA Chief Scientist Denise M. Hinton to Pfizer .
The agency ’ s independent advisers — top experts in vaccinology , immunology and infectious diseases — overwhelmingly recommended on Thursday that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine be authorized .
`` Today 's emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine holds the promise to alter the course of this pandemic in the United States , '' said Peter Marks , the director of the FDA 's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research , in a statement .
`` Efforts to speed vaccine development have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our vaccine evaluation process , '' he added .

The Food and Drug Administration issued its first emergency use authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine Friday, providing a glimpse of the end to a pandemic that has resulted in mass death, poverty and hardship.
The history-making vaccine co-developed by BioNTech and Pfizer is the fastest ever made available in the United States, coming 11 months after a genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus was published by Chinese researchers. The FDA has taken pains to assure a wary public that speed has not come at the expense of a rigorous and transparent review process.
The announcement came in a letter late Friday from FDA Chief Scientist Denise M. Hinton to Pfizer. The agency’s independent advisers — top experts in vaccinology, immunology and infectious diseases — overwhelmingly recommended on Thursday that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine be authorized.
"Today's emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine holds the promise to alter the course of this pandemic in the United States," said Peter Marks, the director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a statement.
"Efforts to speed vaccine development have not sacrificed scientific standards or the integrity of our vaccine evaluation process," he added.


rollcall--2020-12-13--White House, Congress, judiciary prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines due to continuity of government p

White House, Congress, judiciary prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines due to continuity of government protocols

Top officials at the White House and Capitol Hill and the judiciary will receive priority for vaccination against COVID-19 as part of continuity of government planning .
But how that will be accomplished , and whom in Congress will get the vaccine was an open question Sunday evening , with a Capitol official saying the Hill hasn ’ t been notified yet about how many doses will be made available .
National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot confirmed Sunday that senior government officials , including those in all three branches , will be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines .
“ Senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will receive vaccinations pursuant to continuity of government protocols established in executive policy , ” Ullyot said in a statement .
“ The American people should have confidence that they are receiving the same safe and effective vaccine as senior officials of the United States government on the advice of public health professionals and national security leadership.
” A senior administration official pointed to guidance under Presidential Policy Directive 40 , which provides for parallel continuity of government actions in both the legislative and judicial branches when undertaken by the executive branch .

Top officials at the White House and Capitol Hill and the judiciary will receive priority for vaccination against COVID-19 as part of continuity-of-government planning.
But how that will be accomplished, and who in Congress will get the vaccine, was an open question Sunday evening, with a Capitol official saying the Hill hasn’t been notified yet about how many doses will be made available.
National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot confirmed Sunday that senior government officials, including those in all three branches, will be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccines.
“Senior officials across all three branches of government will receive vaccinations pursuant to continuity of government protocols established in executive policy,” Ullyot said in a statement. “The American people should have confidence that they are receiving the same safe and effective vaccine as senior officials of the United States government on the advice of public health professionals and national security leadership.”
A senior administration official pointed to guidance under Presidential Policy Directive 40, which provides for parallel continuity-of-government actions in both the legislative and judicial branches when undertaken by the executive branch.


rollcall--2020-12-13--Bipartisan group strikes deal on coronavirus relief  package

The group of Senate and House lawmakers negotiating a $ 908 billion COVID-19 relief package has reached agreement on business liability waivers and state and local government aid provisions , but those will be broken into a separate bill , according to a source familiar with the plan .
The larger $ 748 billion piece , which includes unemployment insurance , small-business relief , money for education , vaccine distribution and more , plus the separate bill with $ 160 billion for state and local governments and the liability protections , will be introduced Monday .
The bifurcated approach gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assemble a massive year-end legislative package including a $ 1.4 trillion collection of a dozen fiscal 2021 appropriations bills .
Other items still in play include legislation aimed at cracking down on surprise medical bills modeled on a bipartisan agreement reached Friday , and renewal of expiring tax breaks and health care programs .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is still pressing for state and local relief in any final coronavirus relief package , however .
Pelosi `` believes , at a time when the virus is surging , that the need for state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially given the states ’ responsibility for distributing and administering the vaccine , '' her spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted Sunday night .
In a 30-minute call with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday afternoon , Pelosi also `` reiterated her view that a compromise on the liability issue should be found that does not jeopardize workers ’ safety . ''

The group of Senate and House lawmakers negotiating a $908 billion COVID-19 relief package has reached agreement on business liability waivers and state and local government aid provisions, but those will be broken into a separate bill, according to a source familiar with the plan.
The larger $748 billion piece, which includes unemployment insurance, small-business relief, money for education, vaccine distribution and more, plus the separate bill with $160 billion for state and local governments and the liability protections, will be introduced Monday.
The bifurcated approach gives congressional leaders options as they try to assemble a massive year-end legislative package including a $1.4 trillion collection of a dozen fiscal 2021 appropriations bills. Other items still in play include legislation aimed at cracking down on surprise medical bills modeled on a bipartisan agreement reached Friday, and renewal of expiring tax breaks and health care programs.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is still pressing for state and local relief in any final coronavirus relief package, however. Pelosi "believes, at a time when the virus is surging, that the need for state and local funding is even more important, especially given the states’ responsibility for distributing and administering the vaccine," her spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted Sunday night.
In a 30-minute call with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Sunday afternoon, Pelosi also "reiterated her view that a compromise on the liability issue should be found that does not jeopardize workers’ safety."