rollcall--2020-06-04--Democrats to unveil plan Monday to end police racial profiling, use of force

House and Senate Democrats , led by the Congressional Black Caucus , will announce a legislative initiative Monday to end law enforcement practices of racial profiling and excessive use of force that have plagued the black community for decades , Speaker Nancy Pelosi said .
Pelosi said during her weekly press conference Thursday that Democrats plan not only to address problems black Americans face with police brutality and racial profiling in the legislation that will be announced Monday , but they also want to separately address health , environmental , economic and educational inequalities .
“ We want to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward in a very drastic way , not incrementally , but in an important way to redress those problems , ” the California Democrat said .
Pelosi did not offer many specifics about what will be in the legislative proposal , opting to save that for Monday 's announcement .
But one detail she revealed is that the measure would end `` qualified immunity , '' a legal doctrine that shields government officials like police from being sued over actions performed on the job .
The underlying goal of the legislation will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police departments and the communities they serve , the speaker said .

House and Senate Democrats, led by the Congressional Black Caucus, will announce a legislative initiative Monday to end law enforcement practices of racial profiling and excessive use of force that have plagued the black community for decades, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
Pelosi said during her weekly press conference Thursday that Democrats plan not only to address problems black Americans face with police brutality and racial profiling in the legislation that will be announced Monday, but they also want to separately address health, environmental, economic and educational inequalities.
“We want to see this as a time we can go forward in a very drastic way, not incrementally, but in an important way to redress those problems,” the California Democrat said.
Pelosi did not offer many specifics about what will be in the legislative proposal, opting to save that for Monday's announcement. But one detail she revealed is that the measure would end "qualified immunity," a legal doctrine that shields government officials like police from being sued over actions performed on the job.
The underlying goal of the legislation will be to address the loss of trust between police departments and the communities they serve, the speaker said.


rollcall--2020-06-05--EPA move to alter public health measures alarms advocates

Environmental advocates are warning that changes to the way the EPA calculates public health benefits of the rules it writes @ @ @ @ @ regulate air pollution , even as industry groups cheer the overhauls they have long sought @ @ @ @ @ evening proposed overhauls to its metrics for weighing the public health and environmental benefits of @ @ @ @ @ the costs for industries to comply with new rules .
The proposal follows years of @ @ @ @ @ GOP lawmakers accusing the Obama administration of overstating potential environmental and public health benefits to @ @ @ @ @ overly stringent rules that were detrimental to industry .
The proposal would implement a 2017 @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump directing agencies to “ lower regulatory burdens on the American people.
” EPA @ @ @ @ @ proposal “ corrects another dishonest accounting method the previous administration used to justify costly , @ @ @ @

Environmental advocates are warning that changes to the way the EPA calculates public health benefits of the rules it writes would make it harder to regulate air pollution, even as industry groups cheer the overhauls they have long sought.
The EPA on Thursday evening proposed overhauls to its metrics for weighing the public health and environmental benefits of the regulations it writes against the costs for industries to comply with new rules.
The proposal follows years of conservatives, industry groups and GOP lawmakers accusing the Obama administration of overstating potential environmental and public health benefits to justify what they say were overly stringent rules that were detrimental to industry.
The proposal would implement a 2017 executive order signed by President Donald Trump directing agencies to “lower regulatory burdens on the American people.”
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the proposal “corrects another dishonest accounting method the previous administration used to justify costly, ineffective regulations.”


rollcall--2020-06-05--Top White House official leaving for State Department

Eric Ueland finished a stint as White House legislative affairs director Friday and is headed to the State Department , where he will serve as a senior adviser , a White House official said .
Ueland is reportedly under consideration for undersecretary of State for civilian security , democracy and human rights , a post that has been vacant since Donald Trump became president and that requires Senate confirmation .
Amy Swonger , who ’ s been a deputy director in the White House legislative affairs office since March 2017 , has been named to replace Ueland .
Swonger has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lobbyist and in government .
She was an aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell when he was party whip in the early 2000s , and later worked for then-Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott , R-Miss.
, after McConnell became leader .
Swonger also served as a legislative affairs assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney during the George W. Bush administration .
Ueland has served as White House legislative affairs director since last June , and played a key role in negotiations between Congress and the White House on the two-year budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and several pandemic aid bills that cost trillions of dollars .

Eric Ueland finished a stint as White House legislative affairs director Friday and is headed to the State Department, where he will serve as a senior adviser, a White House official said.
Ueland is reportedly under consideration for undersecretary of State for civilian security, democracy and human rights, a post that has been vacant since Donald Trump became president and that requires Senate confirmation.
Amy Swonger, who’s been a deputy director in the White House legislative affairs office since March 2017, has been named to replace Ueland.
Swonger has worked both in the private sector as a lobbyist and in government. She was an aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell when he was party whip in the early 2000s, and later worked for then-Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott, R-Miss., after McConnell became leader. Swonger also served as a legislative affairs assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney during the George W. Bush administration.
Ueland has served as White House legislative affairs director since last June, and played a key role in negotiations between Congress and the White House on the two-year budget deal reached last July, appropriations legislation and several pandemic aid bills that cost trillions of dollars.


rollcall--2020-06-05--Hill layoffs? Amodei considers it, while other House offices shuffle to meet constituent needs

Members of the House can pretty much do what they want with the money allotted to them to run their offices .
And with the Capitol closed to tours , committee action curbed and no lobbyists dropping in , at least one , Rep. Mark Amodei , says some staffers “ are just sitting there ” as a result of the coronavirus , and he ’ s considering cutting positions in his Washington office .
“ We ’ re in the process of looking at our workload right now .
I ’ m going , hey , I may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nothing to do , ” the Nevada Republican told CQ Roll Call .
Amodei said the Cannon House Office Building “ is like a ghost town ” at the moment .
He hasn ’ t been to a committee meeting since March 11 , and he noted that some key tasks for staff assistants and policy staffers have evaporated .
“ There ’ s several of the missions that used to be routine that we don ’ t have anymore , ” he said .
“ There ’ s no groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s no people rotating through the office to lobby you.
” Each House lawmaker gets a Members ’ Representational Allowance , from which they pay for staff salaries ; travel to Washington and within their districts ; rent for district offices ; office equipment ; and other expenses .
Members have a high degree of flexibility on how to allot their MRA funds .

Members of the House can pretty much do what they want with the money allotted to them to run their offices. And with the Capitol closed to tours, committee action curbed and no lobbyists dropping in, at least one, Rep. Mark Amodei, says some staffers “are just sitting there” as a result of the coronavirus, and he’s considering cutting positions in his Washington office.
“We’re in the process of looking at our workload right now. I’m going, hey, I may be laying some people off. Because there’s nothing to do,” the Nevada Republican told CQ Roll Call.
Amodei said the Cannon House Office Building “is like a ghost town” at the moment. He hasn’t been to a committee meeting since March 11, and he noted that some key tasks for staff assistants and policy staffers have evaporated.
“There’s several of the missions that used to be routine that we don’t have anymore,” he said. “There’s no groups, there’s no tours, there’s no people rotating through the office to lobby you.”
Each House lawmaker gets a Members’ Representational Allowance, from which they pay for staff salaries; travel to Washington and within their districts; rent for district offices; office equipment; and other expenses. Members have a high degree of flexibility on how to allot their MRA funds.


rollcall--2020-06-05--DC statehood bill to get a House vote as Trump, Bowser escalate battle over protests

In a year when the House will spend much of its attention on must-pass bills , the promise by Democratic leaders of a vote on statehood for the District of Columbia emphasizes its importance , D.C .
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said .
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer on Wednesday stressed the need for a vote “ this year ” on Norton ’ s statehood bill , citing President Donald Trump ’ s “ threats to impose his dangerous and callous will ” on Washington .
Norton ’ s measure would make most of the area comprising the District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current conflict between District officials and the federal government over the military presence in Washington wouldn ’ t have happened in places like Maryland or Virginia where the governor has authority over the state ’ s National Guard .
“ For 219 years this city has not been equal to the states , ” Norton said in an interview with CQ Roll Call .
“ So whatever else happens with respect to the virus and police reform , this is even more important history because it goes to the way in which our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Trump and District leaders like Mayor Muriel Bowser escalated this week , as they went back and forth over how to handle protests over the police killings of George Floyd and others .
The demonstrations have come as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic , and some worry the mass gatherings could exacerbate the rates of infection .

In a year when the House will spend much of its attention on must-pass bills, the promise by Democratic leaders of a vote on statehood for the District of Columbia emphasizes its importance, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said.
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer on Wednesday stressed the need for a vote “this year” on Norton’s statehood bill, citing President Donald Trump’s “threats to impose his dangerous and callous will” on Washington. Norton’s measure would make most of the area comprising the District the 51st state.
Norton said the current conflict between District officials and the federal government over the military presence in Washington wouldn’t have happened in places like Maryland or Virginia where the governor has authority over the state’s National Guard.
“For 219 years this city has not been equal to the states,” Norton said in an interview with CQ Roll Call. “So whatever else happens with respect to the virus and police reform, this is even more important history because it goes to the way in which our republic is formed.”
The tense relationship between Trump and District leaders like Mayor Muriel Bowser escalated this week, as they went back and forth over how to handle protests over the police killings of George Floyd and others. The demonstrations have come as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic, and some worry the mass gatherings could exacerbate the rates of infection.


rollcall--2020-06-05--Campus Notebook: Former Rep. Chris Collins prison report date delayed again

Collins ’ lawyers also mention that as a minimum security facility , FPC Pensacola may not be able to properly accommodate prisoners who may have the coronavirus and note that the BOP has sought delayed reporting : “ Some BOP minimum security camps do not have restrictive housing that would be necessary for a quarantine , local municipal or county jails are the only available option for housing an inmate who voluntarily surrenders with possible COVID-19 exposure .
Unfortunately , many local jails are refusing to admit such inmates at this time.
” One inmate at Collins ’ future prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released early and will serve out the rest of his five-year sentence on house arrest .
He was slated to be in prison until February 2022 for insider trading .
Lawyers for Collins argue Walters ’ “ early release appears to be based largely on his age and the particular vulnerability of the elderly population.
” Walters ’ case drew headlines because he was linked to golfer Phil Mickleson , who settled a civil case with the Securities and Exchange Commission .
Collins served on the board of directors for Innate Immunotherapeutics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which was largely dependent on the progress of MIS416 , a drug designed to treat a form of multiple sclerosis .
The drug failed a clinical trial , passage of which was required for the company to commercialize the drug and profit from it .
On June 22 , 2017 , while he was at the White House attending the annual Congressional Picnic , Collins received an email from Innate ’ s CEO saying the drug failed , information that meant the stock would plummet .
At that time , Innate had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , using this insider knowledge , called his son , Cameron , to alert him of the confidential news so Cameron and others close to the family could unload their shares of Innate to avoid losses .
When Innate publicly announced the trial failure of MIS416 , the stock price dropped 92 percent .
Those who were tipped off by Collins avoided $ 768,000 in losses , although the former congressman did not trade his shares and lost millions .
Collins could not trade his shares because they were still held by a @ @ @ @ @

Collins’ lawyers also mention that as a minimum security facility, FPC Pensacola may not be able to properly accommodate prisoners who may have the coronavirus and note that the BOP has sought delayed reporting: “Some BOP minimum security camps do not have restrictive housing that would be necessary for a quarantine, local municipal or county jails are the only available option for housing an inmate who voluntarily surrenders with possible COVID-19 exposure. Unfortunately, many local jails are refusing to admit such inmates at this time.”
One inmate at Collins’ future prison, Billy Walters, 73, was released early and will serve out the rest of his five-year sentence on house arrest. He was slated to be in prison until February 2022 for insider trading. Lawyers for Collins argue Walters’ “early release appears to be based largely on his age and the particular vulnerability of the elderly population.” Walters’ case drew headlines because he was linked to golfer Phil Mickleson, who settled a civil case with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Collins served on the board of directors for Innate Immunotherapeutics, an Australian biotechnology company, the success of which was largely dependent on the progress of MIS416, a drug designed to treat a form of multiple sclerosis. The drug failed a clinical trial, passage of which was required for the company to commercialize the drug and profit from it.
On June 22, 2017, while he was at the White House attending the annual Congressional Picnic, Collins received an email from Innate’s CEO saying the drug failed, information that meant the stock would plummet. At that time, Innate had not publicly released the results and Collins, using this insider knowledge, called his son, Cameron, to alert him of the confidential news so Cameron and others close to the family could unload their shares of Innate to avoid losses. When Innate publicly announced the trial failure of MIS416, the stock price dropped 92 percent.
Those who were tipped off by Collins avoided $768,000 in losses, although the former congressman did not trade his shares and lost millions. Collins could not trade his shares because they were still held by a transfer agent in Australia.


rollcall--2020-06-05--GOP renews ‘go slow’ approach on virus aid after jobs report

Some top Republicans see more reasons to pump the brakes on efforts to pass another multi-trillion-dollar pandemic relief package after Friday 's surprisingly positive jobs numbers .
The Labor Department ’ s report of a modest decline in the unemployment rate to 13.3 percent in May — instead of a rise to Depression-era levels many economists had been expecting — gave Republicans fresh ammunition to move slowly on a new aid package or at least scale back its scope .
“ The jobs report underscores why Congress should take a thoughtful approach and not rush to pass expensive legislation paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better understanding of the economic condition of the country , ” said Michael Zona , spokesman for Senate Finance Chairman Charles E. Grassley , R-Iowa .
Grassley 's panel has jurisdiction over tax policy , health care , unemployment benefits and other pandemic-related measures .
The report of a gain of 2.5 million jobs in May , rather than the loss of more than 10 million some economists were expecting , came three weeks after House Democrats passed a nearly $ 3.5 trillion aid package .
That bill calls for another round of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded unemployment benefits , more than $ 900 billion in state and local funding , food assistance and much more .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who panned the House measure last month as a `` liberal wish list , '' said Friday the new economic numbers make the case for more narrowly targeted relief .

Some top Republicans see more reasons to pump the brakes on efforts to pass another multi-trillion-dollar pandemic relief package after Friday's surprisingly positive jobs numbers.
The Labor Department’s report of a modest decline in the unemployment rate to 13.3 percent in May — instead of a rise to Depression-era levels many economists had been expecting — gave Republicans fresh ammunition to move slowly on a new aid package or at least scale back its scope.
“The jobs report underscores why Congress should take a thoughtful approach and not rush to pass expensive legislation paid for with more debt before gaining a better understanding of the economic condition of the country,” said Michael Zona, spokesman for Senate Finance Chairman Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa. Grassley's panel has jurisdiction over tax policy, health care, unemployment benefits and other pandemic-related measures.
The report of a gain of 2.5 million jobs in May, rather than the loss of more than 10 million some economists were expecting, came three weeks after House Democrats passed a nearly $3.5 trillion aid package. That bill calls for another round of tax rebate checks, an extension of expanded unemployment benefits, more than $900 billion in state and local funding, food assistance and much more.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who panned the House measure last month as a "liberal wish list," said Friday the new economic numbers make the case for more narrowly targeted relief.


rollcall--2020-06-05--‘There’s so much going on’ — Congressional Hits and Misses

In the understatement of the century , Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared , “ There ’ s so much going on.
@ @ @ @ @ nationwide protests against police violence following the killing of George Floyd , the editors at @ @ @ @ @ whether to laugh or to cry .
[ As protests continue , lawmakers don ’ @ @ @ @ @ on the sidelines ]

In the understatement of the century, Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared, “There’s so much going on.” With the country facing nationwide protests against police violence following the killing of George Floyd, the editors at Hits and Misses are unsure whether to laugh or to cry.
[ As protests continue, lawmakers don’t want to be caught on the sidelines ]


rollcall--2020-06-05--The Future Of: Oversight

The Future Of: Oversight

In the next evolution of the Coronavirus Special Report , we are launching The Future Of , a podcast that @ @ @ @ @ because of COVID-19 .
We will delve deeply into policies to provoke thought , vision @ @ @ @ @ future holds , featuring leading thinkers and doers in their disciplines on what to expect @ @ @ @ @ We begin with government , and specifically oversight .
Rep Carolyn B. Maloney , D-N.Y. @ @ @ @ @ professor Paul Light kick off this occasional series .
• New acting DOT watchdog says @ @ @ @ @ other agency job

In the next evolution of the Coronavirus Special Report, we are launching The Future Of, a podcast that reimagines how policies will change because of COVID-19. We will delve deeply into policies to provoke thought, vision and suggestions about what the future holds, featuring leading thinkers and doers in their disciplines on what to expect in a post-coronavirus world. We begin with government, and specifically oversight. Rep Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., and New York University professor Paul Light kick off this occasional series.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-05--Photos of the week ending June 5, 2020

Photos of the week ending June 5, 2020

Protests in reaction to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police spread nationwide .
As some @ @ @ @ @ face masks for gas masks , federal troops and other security personnel occupied positions at @ @ @ @ @ the city .

Bill Clark, Tom Williams, and Caroline Brehman

Protests in reaction to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police spread nationwide. As some Washington residents traded in their face masks for gas masks, federal troops and other security personnel occupied positions at the White House and around the city.
A woman runs through a looted T-Mobile store near the White House on May 30 as protests turned from peaceful to destructive. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Police in riot gear stand in Lafayette Square in front of the White House as demonstrators gather on May 31. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Protesters and police in riot gear face off in downtown Washington near the White House on May 31. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
A woman has milk poured into her eyes to neutralize the effect of pepper spray during the protest near the White House on May 31. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Protesters crowd around a fire on H Street in front of the White House on May 31. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Sean Spicer of Newsmax TV films a segment on H Street Northwest on Monday after the weekend protests. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey speaks Tuesday during the Senate Democrats’ news conference to introduce a resolution condemning President Donald Trump for the tear-gassing of peaceful protesters at the White House. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
A member of the D.C. National Guard patrols the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday as protests continued throughout Washington. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
From left, Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Michael Bennet of Colorado kneel Thursday during a moment of silence with Senate Democrats in the Capitol Visitor Center to honor the lives of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and other victims of racial injustice. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-06-05--Hickenlooper violated Colorado’s gift ban, ethics panel finds

Colorado ’ s Independent Ethics Commission found Friday that former Democratic Gov .
John Hickenlooper violated the state ’ s ban on gifts for public officials while he was in office .
The panel found that Hickenlooper , the top candidate to take on Republican Sen. Cory Gardner in November , twice violated the ban as governor , Colorado Public Radio reported .
The commission dismissed four other allegations brought by a group led by a former GOP state House speaker .
The complaints centered on Hickenlooper accepting trips on private jets while governor .
According to CPR , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban when he traveled on a private plane to a U.S. Navy submarine commissioning in Connecticut and also when he attended a conference in Italy .
The commission ’ s decision comes after Hickenlooper testified via videoconference on Friday .
On Thursday , he had refused to testify , arguing appearing virtually violated his right to due process .
The commission held him in contempt for violating a subpoena .
The commission will meet again next week to determine the penalty for violating the gifts ban , and for refusing to testify , @ @ @

Colorado’s Independent Ethics Commission found Friday that former Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper violated the state’s ban on gifts for public officials while he was in office.
The panel found that Hickenlooper, the top candidate to take on Republican Sen. Cory Gardner in November, twice violated the ban as governor, Colorado Public Radio reported. The commission dismissed four other allegations brought by a group led by a former GOP state House speaker.
The complaints centered on Hickenlooper accepting trips on private jets while governor. According to CPR, the commission found that Hickenlooper violated the gifts ban when he traveled on a private plane to a U.S. Navy submarine commissioning in Connecticut and also when he attended a conference in Italy.
The commission’s decision comes after Hickenlooper testified via videoconference on Friday. On Thursday, he had refused to testify, arguing appearing virtually violated his right to due process. The commission held him in contempt for violating a subpoena.
The commission will meet again next week to determine the penalty for violating the gifts ban, and for refusing to testify, CPR reported.


rollcall--2020-06-07--Protesters flood Capitol Hill and across Washington, lawmakers among them

As Sen. Angus King of Maine joined thousands of protesters against racism and police brutality outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building , he drew connections between the current uprisings and his experience at the 1963 March on Washington .
Thousands gathered on Capitol Hill Saturday to join a protest organized by Freedom Fighters D.C. , one of an array of demonstrations across the city that drew some of the largest crowds since protests began last month .
King said the people in the streets , in Washington and across the country , are asking for the same things marchers asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19-year-old student at Dartmouth College and was on hand for Martin Luther King Jr. ’ s “ I Have A Dream ” speech at the march on Aug. 28 , 1963 .
“ Nobody ’ s asking for anything special .
They ’ re only asking for what America has promised , ” the senator said .
“ Freedom and justice for all , brotherhood from sea to shining sea , our basic creed .
That ’ s all people are asking for.
” He said he thought it was important to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of the protests and called it a “ full circle moment ” for him dating back almost 60 years .

As Sen. Angus King of Maine joined thousands of protesters against racism and police brutality outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building, he drew connections between the current uprisings and his experience at the 1963 March on Washington.
Thousands gathered on Capitol Hill Saturday to join a protest organized by Freedom Fighters D.C., one of an array of demonstrations across the city that drew some of the largest crowds since protests began last month.
King said the people in the streets, in Washington and across the country, are asking for the same things marchers asked for in 1963. He was a 19-year-old student at Dartmouth College and was on hand for Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech at the march on Aug. 28, 1963.
“Nobody’s asking for anything special. They’re only asking for what America has promised,” the senator said. “Freedom and justice for all, brotherhood from sea to shining sea, our basic creed. That’s all people are asking for.”
A woman colors on an illustration of George Floyd as people gather outside the White House as they protest the death of George Floyd in Washington on Saturday, June 6, 2020. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
He said he thought it was important to be out in the streets this weekend in support of the protests and called it a “full circle moment” for him dating back almost 60 years.


rollcall--2020-06-08--Democrats promise ‘bold change,’ but delivering is harder

ANALYSIS — Senators returned from a weeklong Memorial Day recess on June 1 to a Washington transformed .
Three months of focus on combating the coronavirus with economic lockdowns , social distancing and trillions of dollars in relief had given way in the preceding days to protests , including some at the Capitol .
It was impossible to find a lawmaker who wasn ’ t horrified by the Memorial Day killing of George Floyd , an unarmed black man , by police in Minneapolis , which had set off marches and riots in cities from coast to coast .
Senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American victims of police brutality does not mean that Congress will end the problem of prejudiced law enforcement , though .
It ’ s unlikely Congress could end it , even if a consensus on legislative remedies existed , and no such consensus exists .
If history is a guide , it shows that it ’ s unlikely Congress will even take steps that might significantly curtail the abuses .
After the GOP luncheon on June 2 , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged the racism at the problem ’ s root and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only of Floyd but also of Breonna Taylor in McConnell ’ s home state of Kentucky , and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia , should be brought to justice .

ANALYSIS — Senators returned from a weeklong Memorial Day recess on June 1 to a Washington transformed. Three months of focus on combating the coronavirus with economic lockdowns, social distancing and trillions of dollars in relief had given way in the preceding days to protests, including some at the Capitol.
It was impossible to find a lawmaker who wasn’t horrified by the Memorial Day killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by police in Minneapolis, which had set off marches and riots in cities from coast to coast.
Senators’ sympathy for the plight of African American victims of police brutality does not mean that Congress will end the problem of prejudiced law enforcement, though. It’s unlikely Congress could end it, even if a consensus on legislative remedies existed, and no such consensus exists.
If history is a guide, it shows that it’s unlikely Congress will even take steps that might significantly curtail the abuses.
After the GOP luncheon on June 2, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged the racism at the problem’s root and said those responsible for the death not only of Floyd but also of Breonna Taylor in McConnell’s home state of Kentucky, and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, should be brought to justice.


rollcall--2020-06-08--Two plans for highway investments, zero plans to pay for them

As the deadline to renew the current highway bill approaches , so too does one likelihood : It won ’ t happen unless the federal government prepares itself to go further into debt .
The federal gas tax-fueled Highway Trust Fund , which has not fully paid for highways , roads , bridges and transit since 2008 , has borrowed $ 140 billion from the general revenue since then to meet its expenses .
It would need that same amount over the next five years under a House highway bill introduced last week .
Another option is that the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as bonds , and takes advantage of historically low interest rates to borrow the money needed to fix the nation ’ s roads .
Both President Donald Trump and House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio have suggested the latter , with Trump suggesting up to $ 2 trillion for a massive highway bill and the Oregon Democrat suggesting paying back the bonds by indexing the gas tax to inflation .
“ We would come out ahead if we did it in that form , ” DeFazio said last week @

As the deadline to renew the current highway bill approaches, so too does one likelihood: It won’t happen unless the federal government prepares itself to go further into debt.
The federal gas tax-fueled Highway Trust Fund, which has not fully paid for highways, roads, bridges and transit since 2008, has borrowed $140 billion from the general revenue since then to meet its expenses. It would need that same amount over the next five years under a House highway bill introduced last week.
Another option is that the federal government finds some sort of financing instrument, such as bonds, and takes advantage of historically low interest rates to borrow the money needed to fix the nation’s roads.
Both President Donald Trump and House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio have suggested the latter, with Trump suggesting up to $2 trillion for a massive highway bill and the Oregon Democrat suggesting paying back the bonds by indexing the gas tax to inflation.
“We would come out ahead if we did it in that form,” DeFazio said last week.


rollcall--2020-06-08--Solar industry sees a threat to one of its top selling points

The solar industry , struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic , faces another threat at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission : @ @ @ @ @ end a key incentive for installing rooftop solar called net metering .
The New England @ @ @ @ @ asked FERC to declare that the agency has jurisdiction over net metering , which requires @ @ @ @ @ from customers who generate electricity with their own energy resources , such as rooftop solar @ @ @ @ @ some markets receive a credit on their electric bills for the returned electricity , usually @ @ @ @ @ utility charges .
Forty-five states allow net metering , which has helped drive homeowners to @ @ @ @ @ roofs .
There is about 15,800 megawatts of rooftop solar capacity nationwide , up from @ @ @ @ @ ago , according to the Solar Energy Industries Association .

The solar industry, struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic, faces another threat at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: a petition that would effectively end a key incentive for installing rooftop solar called net metering.
The New England Ratepayers Association on April 14 asked FERC to declare that the agency has jurisdiction over net metering, which requires utilities to buy excess power from customers who generate electricity with their own energy resources, such as rooftop solar panels.
[Energy-efficiency industry group presses for tax credits]
Such customers in some markets receive a credit on their electric bills for the returned electricity, usually based on the rate the utility charges.
Forty-five states allow net metering, which has helped drive homeowners to install solar panels on their roofs. There is about 15,800 megawatts of rooftop solar capacity nationwide, up from about 3,490 MW five years ago, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.


rollcall--2020-06-08--A lot riding on conservation bill vote for Gardner, Daines

Two Republican senators who could use some moderate voters for tough reelection challenges are championing a major conservation bill set for a vote in the Senate this week .
The bill has plenty of bipartisan support .
But members of the senators ’ own party could block its passage .
The bill ’ s sponsor , Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado , and one of 58 co-sponsors , Steve Daines of Montana , need to overcome resistance from Gulf Coast Republicans concerned about offshore revenue sharing and federal land acquisitions .
Gardner is in a tight race in Colorado against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , in a state that has a massive outdoor economy .
Daines is in a competitive race in Montana against Gov .
Steve Bullock , a Democrat .
CQ Roll Call includes both of them in its most recent list of the 10 most vulnerable senators .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the Colorado Senate race Tilt Democratic and the Montana contest Lean Republican .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to bring the bill for a vote and filed cloture on Thursday .
The bill ’ s passage could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a GOP majority in that chamber by offering Gardner and Daines an opportunity to win over moderate voters who support investments in public lands .

Two Republican senators who could use some moderate voters for tough reelection challenges are championing a major conservation bill set for a vote in the Senate this week.
The bill has plenty of bipartisan support. But members of the senators’ own party could block its passage.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, and one of 58 co-sponsors, Steve Daines of Montana, need to overcome resistance from Gulf Coast Republicans concerned about offshore revenue sharing and federal land acquisitions.
Gardner is in a tight race in a state that has a massive outdoor economy, with former Gov. John Hickenlooper seeking the nomination to challenge him with the support of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Daines is in a competitive race in Montana against Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat. CQ Roll Call includes both of them in its most recent list of the 10 most vulnerable senators. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the Colorado Senate race Tilt Democratic and the Montana contest Lean Republican.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to bring the bill for a vote and filed cloture on Thursday. The bill’s passage could help his chances of holding on to a GOP majority in that chamber by offering Gardner and Daines an opportunity to win over moderate voters who support investments in public lands.


rollcall--2020-06-08--Conservation bill clears one Senate hurdle, but more remain

An outdoor bill championed by Sen. Cory Gardner , R-Colo. , cleared a procedural hurdle Monday even as opponents in @ @ @ @ @ have not yet decided if they can support the measure .
The Senate voted 80-17 @ @ @ @ @ legislative vehicle for the bill that would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water @ @ @ @ @ address the National Park Service ’ s maintenance backlog .
The bill has broad bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ 58 cosponsors and a House companion measure is sponsored by Democrats .
Still , a @ @ @ @ @ from oil states , are pushing back over revenue sharing and land acquisition provisions .
@ @ @ @ @ voted for cloture Monday said they ’ d be pushing for changes to the measure @ @ @ @ @ The bill would fully and permanently fund the LWCF at $ 900 million a year @ @ @ @ @ intended when it created the program in 1964 .

An outdoor bill championed by Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., cleared a procedural hurdle Monday even as opponents in his own party say they have not yet decided if they can support the measure.
The Senate voted 80-17 to invoke cloture, thus limiting debate, on a motion by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to take up a House-passed tax bill that senators intend to use as the vehicle to pass the Gardner bill. The bill would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund as well as address the National Park Service’s maintenance backlog.
The bill has broad bipartisan support. Democrats are among 58 cosponsors and a House companion measure is sponsored by Democrats. Still, a number of Republicans, especially from oil states, are pushing back over revenue sharing and land acquisition provisions.
Some of those Republicans who voted for cloture Monday said they’d be pushing for changes to the measure in the coming days.
The bill would fully and permanently fund the LWCF at $900 million a year, the full amount Congress intended when it created the program in 1964.


rollcall--2020-06-08--Labor Department dodges IG plea to tighten jobless rules

Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia is n't expected to ask Congress to revisit the law that expanded jobless benefits to the self-employed to require proof of earnings when he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday , according to a department memorandum .
Officials indicated in the same memo that the department sees the issue as one for Congress , and that it would `` consult with Congress and offer technical assistance '' if lawmakers opt to amend what is now self-certification of earnings .
The memo acknowledges `` increased potential for fraud . ''
The department 's memo Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an indication that officials are refusing to change policy — unless lawmakers direct them to — after the inspector general warned of a `` high risk of fraud '' if the self-employed are n't required to show proof of earnings .
The inspector general 's warning to the department came in a May 26 memo released publicly .
Inspector General Scott S. Dahl said last week he would leave the post on June 21 .
The issue potentially would affect many of the 10.7 million now receiving jobless benefits under provisions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act that expanded unemployment to the self-employed , gig workers , independent contractors and others , if the department advised the states to begin requiring documentation of earnings .
Such documentation is required under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program , on which the coronavirus program is modeled , but agency lawyers maintain that Congress , in drafting the law , specified only two conditions : that a claimant is not eligible for regular unemployment benefits , and he or she “ is self-employed , is seeking part-time employment , does not have sufficient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ qualify for regular unemployment… ”

Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia isn't expected to ask Congress to revisit the law that expanded jobless benefits to the self-employed to require proof of earnings when he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, according to a department memorandum.
Officials indicated in the same memo that the department sees the issue as one for Congress, and that it would "consult with Congress and offer technical assistance" if lawmakers opt to amend what is now self-certification of earnings. The memo acknowledges "increased potential for fraud."
The department's memo Friday to the Office of the Inspector General is an indication that officials are refusing to change policy — unless lawmakers direct them to — after the inspector general warned of a "high risk of fraud" if the self-employed aren't required to show proof of earnings. The inspector general's warning to the department came in a May 26 memo released publicly. Inspector General Scott S. Dahl said last week he would leave the post on June 21.
The issue potentially would affect many of the 10.7 million now receiving jobless benefits under provisions of the roughly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief act that expanded unemployment to the self-employed, gig workers, independent contractors and others, if the department advised the states to begin requiring documentation of earnings.
Such documentation is required under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, on which the coronavirus program is modeled, but agency lawyers maintain that Congress, in drafting the law, specified only two conditions: that a claimant is not eligible for regular unemployment benefits, and he or she “is self-employed, is seeking part-time employment, does not have sufficient work history, or otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment…”


rollcall--2020-06-08--Senate considers wildlife bill, NDAA gets markup, and police overhaul unveiled: Road ahead

The Senate is expected this week to take up legislation , typically overshadowed of late by judicial and executive nominations @ @ @ @ @ topics ranging from marking up the defense authorization bill to holding continued oversight of the @ @ @ @ @ began consideration Monday of an unrelated House bill expected to be amended to provide permanent @ @ @ @ @ Water Conservation Fund .
The chamber is expected to spend much of the week ’ @ @ @ @ @ conservation bill , which could provide some vulnerable Republican senators something to tout on the @ @ @ @ @ The House is out , but several committees will address matters from police brutality to @ @ @ @ @ action is all occurring amid the backdrop of widespread protests in response to the violent @ @ @ @ @ the hands of Minneapolis police .

The Senate is expected this week to take up legislation, typically overshadowed of late by judicial and executive nominations, while congressional committees tackle topics ranging from marking up the defense authorization bill to holding continued oversight of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Senate began consideration Monday of an unrelated House bill expected to be amended to provide permanent funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The chamber is expected to spend much of the week’s legislative time on the conservation bill, which could provide some vulnerable Republican senators something to tout on the campaign trail back home.
The House is out, but several committees will address matters from police brutality to the coronavirus response.
[Democrats’ policing overhaul targets prosecution standards, data collection, training]
Protest response
The action is all occurring amid the backdrop of widespread protests in response to the violent death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.


rollcall--2020-06-08--Watch: Democrats propose policing overhaul bills

“ We can not settle for anything less than transformative , structural change , ” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at @ @ @ @ @ an 8 minute , 46 second moment of silence to honor George Floyd .
Lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ the legislation would pass in the Republican-controlled Senate .
“ Just last week we couldn @ @ @ @ @ anti-lynching bill in the United Sates Senate , ” said Sen. Kamala Harris of California @

Democrats proposed a policing overhaul bill Monday amid continuing protests against police brutality nationwide.
“We cannot settle for anything less than transformative, structural change,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at a news briefing, following an 8 minute, 46 second moment of silence to honor George Floyd.
Lawmakers also cast doubt on whether the legislation would pass in the Republican-controlled Senate.
“Just last week we couldn’t even pass an anti-lynching bill in the United Sates Senate,” said Sen. Kamala Harris of California.


rollcall--2020-06-08--Surprising jobs report could slow next coronavirus aid package

A modest decline in unemployment last month gave Republicans fresh ammunition to slow the timing and scale back the size @ @ @ @ @ .
CQ Roll Call 's David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt discuss the complicated negotiations still @ @ @ @ @ administration pushes more targeted aid and Democrats seek more robust relief .
• Senate race @ @ @ @ @ same , for now

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Evan Campbell

A modest decline in unemployment last month gave Republicans fresh ammunition to slow the timing and scale back the size of the next relief package. CQ Roll Call's David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt discuss the complicated negotiations still to come as the Trump administration pushes more targeted aid and Democrats seek more robust relief.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-08--Democrats’ policing overhaul targets prosecution standards, data collection, training

The House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing Wednesday and planning to mark up the legislation next week , according to Chairman Jerrold Nadler .
A floor vote is expected as soon as the week of June 22 .
The legislation was compiled in response to nationwide outrage over George Floyd ’ s death in Minnesota late last month .
A Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against Floyd 's neck for several minutes as Floyd repeatedly said he couldn ’ t breathe and then became unconscious as three other officers declined to intervene .
The four officers are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that has not stopped daily protests across the country .
Protesters , led in many areas by the Black Lives Matter movement , are calling for more systematic changes to end racial profiling and police brutality .
The Congressional Black Caucus led the drafting of Democrats ’ policing overhaul with those goals in mind .
CBC Chairwoman Karen Bass called the measure “ bold ” and “ transformative ” during a press conference Monday morning announcing the bill alongside roughly two dozen House and Senate colleagues .
“ A profession where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a profession that requires highly trained officers who are accountable to the public , ” the California Democrat said .

The House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing Wednesday and planning to mark up the legislation next week, according to Chairman Jerrold Nadler. A floor vote is expected as soon as the week of June 22.
The legislation was compiled in response to nationwide outrage over George Floyd’s death in Minnesota late last month. A Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee against Floyd's neck for several minutes as Floyd repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe and then became unconscious as three other officers declined to intervene.
The four officers are now facing charges in Floyd’s death, but that has not stopped daily protests across the country. Protesters, led in many areas by the Black Lives Matter movement, are calling for more systematic changes to end racial profiling and police brutality.
The Congressional Black Caucus led the drafting of Democrats’ policing overhaul with those goals in mind. CBC Chairwoman Karen Bass called the measure “bold” and “transformative” during a press conference Monday morning announcing the bill alongside roughly two dozen House and Senate colleagues.
“A profession where you have the power to kill should be a profession that requires highly trained officers who are accountable to the public,” the California Democrat said.


rollcall--2020-06-08--What’s at stake in primaries Tuesday in Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina and West Virginia

South Carolina Republicans on Tuesday will choose their nominee for a House district they see as one of their biggest 2020 pickup opportunities , while Georgia Democrats make their pick for one of two Senate seats up this year .
And in Nevada , a former professional wrestler is vying for the GOP nomination to take on Democratic Rep. Susie Lee .
Overall , voters in five states — Georgia , Nevada , North Dakota , South Carolina and West Virginia — are holding primaries Tuesday and here are some things to watch .
Tuesday ’ s election is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minneapolis police custody set off a wave of protests across the country .
The civil unrest is unlikely to move any primaries , with Democrats largely united in their calls for policing overhauls and Republicans vying to appeal to core voters who have remained supportive of President Donald Trump in spite of national opinion polls that show most Americans are unhappy with his response to the protests .
But with a handful of GOP leaders reportedly mulling a public split with the president , Tuesday ’ s primaries could nevertheless send some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races see any value in following suit .
West Virginia Sen Shelley Moore Capito , who is on the ballot Tuesday , was among a handful of Republicans to offer measured criticism of the president last week .

South Carolina Republicans on Tuesday will choose their nominee for a House district they see as one of their biggest 2020 pickup opportunities, while Georgia Democrats make their pick for one of two Senate seats up this year. And in Nevada, a former professional wrestler is vying for the GOP nomination to take on Democratic Rep. Susie Lee.
Overall, voters in five states — Georgia, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina and West Virginia — are holding primaries Tuesday and here are some things to watch.
Any impact from unrest?
Tuesday’s election is the second since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody set off a wave of protests across the country. The civil unrest is unlikely to move any primaries, with Democrats largely united in their calls for policing overhauls and Republicans vying to appeal to core voters who have remained supportive of President Donald Trump in spite of national opinion polls that show most Americans are unhappy with his response to the protests.
But with a handful of GOP leaders reportedly mulling a public split with the president, Tuesday’s primaries could nevertheless send some early signals of whether Republicans in congressional races see any value in following suit.
West Virginia Sen Shelley Moore Capito, who is on the ballot Tuesday, was among a handful of Republicans to offer measured criticism of the president last week.


rollcall--2020-06-08--CBO: May deficit down from April, but still huge amid pandemic

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the federal deficit in May was $ 424 billion , substantially lower than April @ @ @ @ @ still the second-largest monthly shortfall since records have been kept .
The deficit for the @ @ @ @ @ 2020 was about $ 1.9 trillion , the CBO said , or $ 1.2 trillion @ @ @ @ @ period the previous year .
The Treasury Department will release official figures later this week @ @ @ @ @ preliminary estimates are typically very close to the official numbers .
The budget office 's @ @ @ @ @ within $ 1 billion of the final Treasury figures , for example .
The agency @ @ @ @ @ the continuing impact of the plunge in economic activity due to the coronavirus pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ measured in the trillions of dollars to provide aid to hospitals , businesses , state @ @ @ @ @ and others .

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the federal deficit in May was $424 billion, substantially lower than April's $738 billion but still the second-largest monthly shortfall since records have been kept.
The deficit for the first eight months of fiscal 2020 was about $1.9 trillion, the CBO said, or $1.2 trillion greater than during the same period the previous year.
The Treasury Department will release official figures later this week, but the CBO's preliminary estimates are typically very close to the official numbers. The budget office's deficit estimate for April was within $1 billion of the final Treasury figures, for example.
[April deficit soars to monthly record amid pandemic, aid bills]
The agency’s monthly report shows the continuing impact of the plunge in economic activity due to the coronavirus pandemic and unprecedented increase in federal spending measured in the trillions of dollars to provide aid to hospitals, businesses, state and local governments, individuals and others.


rollcall--2020-06-08--Insurrection Act: What you need to know

Insurrection Act: What you need to know

It 's not clear which provision of the Insurrection Act President Donald Trump is threatening to invoke , but if @ @ @ @ @ military to suppress protests nationwide he would have to make that clear in his proclamation @ @ @ @ @ down with Michel Paradis , a senior attorney in the Defense Department 's Military Commissions @ @ @ @ @ Anderson , previously the legal advisor for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad , to break @ @ @ @ @ Insurrection Act and the rules for using it .
Also , read the article Paradis @ @ @ @ @ Insurrection Act for Lawfare .

It's not clear which provision of the Insurrection Act President Donald Trump is threatening to invoke, but if he were to call the military to suppress protests nationwide he would have to make that clear in his proclamation.
CQ Roll Call sat down with Michel Paradis, a senior attorney in the Defense Department's Military Commissions Defense Organization; and Scott Anderson, previously the legal advisor for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, to break down what is in the Insurrection Act and the rules for using it.
Also, read the article Paradis and Anderson wrote on the Insurrection Act for Lawfare.


rollcall--2020-06-09--Optimism abounds on cryptocurrency ETFs despite lack of action

The financial technology industry is predicting that regulators will allow investments in virtual currencies through exchange-traded funds , or ETFs @ @ @ @ @ efforts and with no indication by officials that a reversal is imminent .
The Securities @ @ @ @ @ at least eight proposals , the last one in February , for bitcoin exchange-traded funds @ @ @ @ @ possibility of manipulation in the cryptocurrency market , notably reports that bitcoin ’ s price @ @ @ @ @ profit .
Experts contacted by CQ Roll Call , even those wary of cryptocurrency in @ @ @ @ @ in the idea by financial companies will eventually lead to success for these funds .
@ @ @ @ @ a stock exchange would allow people to invest in digital coins without dealing with the @ @ @ @ @ , such as the encryption that requires the owner of a bitcoin to memorize and @ @ @ @ @ or trust someone else to keep it safe .

The financial technology industry is predicting that regulators will allow investments in virtual currencies through exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, despite rejections of past efforts and with no indication by officials that a reversal is imminent.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has rebuffed at least eight proposals, the last one in February, for bitcoin exchange-traded funds. The rejections cite the possibility of manipulation in the cryptocurrency market, notably reports that bitcoin’s price can be influenced for a profit.
Experts contacted by CQ Roll Call, even those wary of cryptocurrency in general, say growing interest in the idea by financial companies will eventually lead to success for these funds.
[From robo-advisers to cashless society, fintech vexes Congress]
A cryptocurrency fund trading on a stock exchange would allow people to invest in digital coins without dealing with the hassle of buying them directly, such as the encryption that requires the owner of a bitcoin to memorize and keep hidden a 34-character key or trust someone else to keep it safe.


rollcall--2020-06-09--Contact tracing for COVID-19 is hybrid of old and new technologies

The truth about the coronavirus and contact tracing — finding out who is infected , who else might have been exposed by an infected person and then isolating those people — is that national and local public health departments have had to cobble together old and new technologies to track the spread of COVID-19 .
And in some cases , departments have had to jury-rig solutions to minimize the many hours of manual labor it takes to do thorough contact tracing as the volume of cases has swamped the capacity of agencies to cope with the pandemic .
Health departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information systems developed by a handful of private companies as well as one developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
They have been in use for more than two decades to track the spread of dozens of diseases ranging from salmonella infections and rabies to tuberculosis , HIV , Ebola and others .
Makers of the databases and public health officials quickly developed modules earlier this year to track COVID-19 by adapting ones used to track other coronaviruses , such as the ones linked to SARS ( severe acute respiratory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2002 , and MERS , the Middle East respiratory syndrome that emerged in 2012 .
Private companies also are offering contact tracing as a service , providing trained personnel to states on a contract basis to call patients who test positive to figure out who else they have been in touch with .

The truth about the coronavirus and contact tracing — finding out who is infected, who else might have been exposed by an infected person and then isolating those people — is that national and local public health departments have had to cobble together old and new technologies to track the spread of COVID-19.
And in some cases, departments have had to jury-rig solutions to minimize the many hours of manual labor it takes to do thorough contact tracing as the volume of cases has swamped the capacity of agencies to cope with the pandemic.
Health departments have had to rely on databases and information systems developed by a handful of private companies as well as one developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They have been in use for more than two decades to track the spread of dozens of diseases ranging from salmonella infections and rabies to tuberculosis, HIV, Ebola and others.
Makers of the databases and public health officials quickly developed modules earlier this year to track COVID-19 by adapting ones used to track other coronaviruses, such as the ones linked to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which first appeared in 2002, and MERS, the Middle East respiratory syndrome that emerged in 2012.
Private companies also are offering contact tracing as a service, providing trained personnel to states on a contract basis to call patients who test positive to figure out who else they have been in touch with.


rollcall--2020-06-09--‘A really electric feeling’: Congressional staffers join protests against police brutality

“ That could ’ ve been me , ” Christopher Harvey told Heard on the Hill .
“ It could @ @ @ @ @ knew.
” The legislative assistant to Texas Rep. Lizzie Fletcher is from Houston , and @ @ @ @ @ of demonstrators in Washington as they protested police brutality and racial injustice following the killing @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd .
“ It was an amazing feeling to see so many people there @ @ @ @ @ Harvey said of the march that began outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building and moved @ @ @ @ @ The Hill staffer walked alongside fellow members of the Congressional Black Associates , friends in @ @ @ @ @ Caucus and colleagues who provided each other support , while strangers provided food , water @ @ @ @ @ It was a really electric feeling out there , ” said Michael Ahn , describing @ @ @ @ @ Fighters D.C .

“That could’ve been me,” Christopher Harvey told Heard on the Hill. “It could’ve been someone I knew.”
The legislative assistant to Texas Rep. Lizzie Fletcher is from Houston, and on Saturday he joined thousands of demonstrators in Washington as they protested police brutality and racial injustice following the killing of another Houston native: George Floyd.
“It was an amazing feeling to see so many people there from different backgrounds,” Harvey said of the march that began outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building and moved toward the White House.
The Hill staffer walked alongside fellow members of the Congressional Black Associates, friends in the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus and colleagues who provided each other support, while strangers provided food, water and face masks.
“It was a really electric feeling out there,” said Michael Ahn, describing the event organized by Freedom Fighters D.C.


rollcall--2020-06-09--Democrats push bigger role for courts to curb police misconduct

For example , last month , the Supreme Court declined to review a lower court decision that two California residents could not pursue a lawsuit against officers whom they accuse of stealing $ 225,000 in rare coins while executing a search warrant .
Any police officer in the nine states that make up the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit “ is therefore free to pilfer property listed in a warrant at will and successfully claim immunity if haled into court , ” the two residents said in a Supreme Court petition .
Three paragraphs in the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out two legal defenses from lawsuits that members of Congress say has made it nearly impossible to hold police accountable through the courts because of qualified immunity .
First , officers couldn ’ t escape a lawsuit because they were acting in good faith or reasonably believed their conduct was lawful .
And second , officers couldn ’ t argue that the constitutional rights or laws were not “ clearly established ” at the time of the misconduct , which is the version of qualified immunity in play since a 1982 decision .

For example, last month, the Supreme Court declined to review a lower court decision that two California residents could not pursue a lawsuit against officers whom they accuse of stealing $225,000 in rare coins while executing a search warrant.
Any police officer in the nine states that make up the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit “is therefore free to pilfer property listed in a warrant at will and successfully claim immunity if haled into court,” the two residents said in a Supreme Court petition.
[McCarthy offers Republican-backed policing overhauls in response to George Floyd’s killing]
‘Shot across the bow’
Three paragraphs in the House Democrats’ bill released Monday would wipe out two legal defenses from lawsuits that members of Congress say has made it nearly impossible to hold police accountable through the courts because of qualified immunity.
First, officers couldn’t escape a lawsuit because they were acting in good faith or reasonably believed their conduct was lawful. And second, officers couldn’t argue that the constitutional rights or laws were not “clearly established” at the time of the misconduct, which is the version of qualified immunity in play since a 1982 decision.


rollcall--2020-06-09--NY’s top financial regulator talks justice — and launches “DFS FastForward”

Linda Lacewell , New York ’ s top financial regulator , joins Fintech Beat to provide an insider ’ s @ @ @ @ @ s response to the COVID-19 crisis and the George Floyd protests — and breaks news @ @ @ @ @ State Department of Financial Services ’ “ FastForward ” program .
• CBO : May @ @ @ @ @ but still huge amid pandemic • What ’ s at stake in primaries Tuesday in @ @ @ @ @ Carolina and West Virginia • Senate race rating in Kansas remains the same , for @ @ @ @ @ deficit down from April , but still huge amid pandemic

Linda Lacewell, New York’s top financial regulator, joins Fintech Beat to provide an insider’s account of the state’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and the George Floyd protests — and breaks news to announce the New York State Department of Financial Services’ “FastForward” program.
More podcast content
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-09--Internal document reveals federal plan to ask nurses to reuse masks

Internal Federal Emergency Management Agency data show that the government ’ s supply of surgical gowns has not meaningfully increased since photos first emerged in March of nurses wearing trash bags for protection .
“ The demand for gowns outpaces current U.S. manufacturing capabilities , ” a document released Tuesday says .
The document confirms the fears of nurses and other health care providers .
After months of pressure on federal officials to use wartime powers to mobilize U.S. plants , the document 's slides show that domestic manufacturing of gowns and surgical masks has ticked up by a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , falling far short of need .
The United States still does not manufacture any nitrile rubber gloves .
Five months after the pandemic first hit U.S. shores — and after weeks of lockdown and economic collapse to prepare for a surge of cases — critical personal protective equipment such as surgical gowns and masks continues to face a national shortage .
The slides show FEMA ’ s plan to ramp up supply into June and July hinges on the reusing of N95 masks and surgical gowns , increasing the risk of contamination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of after one use .

Internal Federal Emergency Management Agency data show that the government’s supply of surgical gowns has not meaningfully increased since photos first emerged in March of nurses wearing trash bags for protection.
“The demand for gowns outpaces current U.S. manufacturing capabilities,” a document released Tuesday says.
The document confirms the fears of nurses and other health care providers. After months of pressure on federal officials to use wartime powers to mobilize U.S. plants, the document's slides show that domestic manufacturing of gowns and surgical masks has ticked up by a few thousand per month since the pandemic hit, falling far short of need. The United States still does not manufacture any nitrile rubber gloves.
Five months after the pandemic first hit U.S. shores — and after weeks of lockdown and economic collapse to prepare for a surge of cases — critical personal protective equipment such as surgical gowns and masks continues to face a national shortage.
The slides show FEMA’s plan to ramp up supply into June and July hinges on the reusing of N95 masks and surgical gowns, increasing the risk of contamination. Those are supposed to be disposed of after one use.


rollcall--2020-06-09--Senate GOP policing plan may hold some compromises for Democrats

The Kentucky Republican said he ’ s asked Scott , the only black GOP senator , to lead a working group in crafting a proposal for the conference to consider .
Scott offered some initial ideas during Tuesday ’ s lunch .
“ None of us have had the experience of being an African American in this country and dealing with this discrimination , ” McConnell said .
“ The best way for the Senate Republicans to go forward on this is to listen to one of our own .
He ’ s had these experiences ; he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States Senate , ” he said , referring to Scott .
Other Republican senators involved in the working group are Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sens .
John Cornyn of Texas , Ben Sasse of Nebraska , James Lankford of Oklahoma and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia .
Scott said Republicans are looking for solutions that don ’ t “ create a binary choice between supporting law enforcement and supporting communities of color ” and offered reporters a preview of what their proposal will include .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do with the use of force that leads to death or serious bodily injury , collecting more data , ” he said .
“ Right now , about 40 percent of the police departments are reporting to the DOJ through the FBI .
We ’ d like to see all the agencies report , so we ’ re going to provide either resources for it or perhaps reduce grants if they don ’ t .
”

Senate Republicans, led by South Carolina’s Tim Scott, are putting together their own policing legislation and say they hope to find common ground with Democrats on issues like body cameras, data collection on use of force and training practices to emphasize de-escalation.
House and Senate Democrats on Monday unveiled a 134-page policing overhaul bill, which is expected to advance through the House by the end of the month. The House will return to session June 25 and 26, a few days earlier than the scheduled June 30 return date, to consider the legislation, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer announced Tuesday.
[Democrats’ policing overhaul targets prosecution standards, data collection, training]
Senate Republicans, while expressing concerns about the sweeping nature of Democrats’ legislation, seem eager to put forward their own, more narrow plan to respond to outrage over racism and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
“Absolutely, I think it’s important to have a response,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Tuesday after the GOP’s weekly policy lunch.


rollcall--2020-06-09--Democrats rail as Georgia mishaps could delay primary results

Delayed results were expected in some key primary races in Georgia on Tuesday as the state grappled with new voting technology and the combined challenges of a surge in voter interest and reduced polling place capacity because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Reports of hours-long lines and breakdowns in voting machines were concentrated in suburban Atlanta , including the 6th and 7th Districts that are home to two of the country ’ s most competitive House races .
That could also hold up results in a crowded Democratic primary to choose a challenger to GOP Sen. David Perdue .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when Georgia is expected to be a battleground for the White House and , with both seats on the ballot , control of the Senate .
In addition to Perdue , Sen. Kelly Loeffler , a Republican who was appointed , is running to keep her seat in November .
“ They want to discourage you .
They want you to give up and go home , ” Democrat Jon Ossoff , who is vying to challenge Perdue , wrote on Twitter .
“ It ’ s not right .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LINES .
Defy voter suppression.
” Ossoff , who lost a special House election in 2017 that drew national attention , was one of seven Democratic candidates in the Senate primary .
Georgia law requires primary candidates to get more than 50 percent of the vote to secure a nomination outright .
Otherwise , the top two vote-getters face each other in an Aug. 11 runoff .

Delayed results were expected in some key primary races in Georgia on Tuesday as the state grappled with new voting technology and the combined challenges of a surge in voter interest and reduced polling place capacity because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Reports of hourslong lines and breakdowns in voting machines were concentrated in suburban Atlanta, including the 6th and 7th districts that are among the country’s most competitive House seats. That could also hold up results in a crowded Democratic primary to pick a challenger to Republican Sen. David Perdue.
The problems were an ominous sign for November, when Georgia is expected to be a battleground for the White House and, with both seats on the ballot, control of the Senate. In addition to Perdue, appointed GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler faces a November jungle primary to keep her seat.
“They want to discourage you. They want you to give up and go home,” Democratic Senate hopeful Jon Ossoff tweeted. “It’s not right. It’s not just. STAY IN THOSE LINES. Defy voter suppression.”
Ossoff, who lost a special House election in 2017 that drew national attention, was among seven Democratic candidates in the Senate primary. Georgia law requires primary candidates to get more than 50 percent of the vote to secure a nomination outright. Otherwise, the top two vote-getters will face each other in an Aug. 11 runoff.


rollcall--2020-06-09--Transport workers still seek enforceable COVID-19 rules

Three months into the coronavirus outbreak , transportation workers say they ’ re desperate for the Department of Transportation to @ @ @ @ @ them from this and future pandemics .
But the DOT ’ s response , they @ @ @ @ @ : It is not their job .
Now , though , an increasing number of @ @ @ @ @ .
Members of the House and Senate have introduced a slew of bills aimed at @ @ @ @ @ create such standards , and in a hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee @ @ @ @ @ may need to act in order to give passengers and transportation workers the comfort they @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We shouldn ’ t have to depend on the goodwill of carriers or @ @ @ @ @ us and our passengers safe in this health crisis , ” said Susannah Carr , @ @ @ @ @ testifying on behalf of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA .
“ We need a mandatory @ @ @ @ @ safe .
”

Three months into the coronavirus outbreak, transportation workers say they’re desperate for the Department of Transportation to create enforceable standards to protect them from this and future pandemics.
But the DOT’s response, they say, has been consistent: It is not their job.
Now, though, an increasing number of lawmakers are calling for action.
Members of the House and Senate have introduced a slew of bills aimed at compelling the federal government to create such standards, and in a hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Tuesday, witnesses said Congress may need to act in order to give passengers and transportation workers the comfort they need to begin traveling again.
“We shouldn’t have to depend on the goodwill of carriers or involuntary international standards to keep us and our passengers safe in this health crisis,” said Susannah Carr, a United Airlines flight attendant testifying on behalf of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. “We need a mandatory federal standard to keep everyone safe.”


rollcall--2020-06-09--Scalia open to extending jobless benefits, but with changes

Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia told a Senate panel Tuesday that he 's open to extending jobless benefits given by Congress this spring , but added that the strong May jobs report meant the policy should change .
Sen. Charles E. Grassley , R-Iowa , set the tone for the Senate Finance Committee hearing with an extended review of whether the $ 600 plus-up to unemployment benefits approved in a roughly $ 2 trillion COVID-19 relief law created a disincentive for workers to get back to the job .
“ One thing we ’ ve learned is how poorly targeted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as it appears most recipients are being paid more on unemployment than they were when working , ’ ’ Grassley said in his opening statement .
“ This of course discourages people from returning to work or taking a new job , thus delaying the recovery.
” Ranking member Senator Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , returned to the negotiations that led to agreement on the law and the $ 600 per week payment , reminding Scalia that the across-the-board increase was intended to replace 100 percent of the average family income on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that state unemployment systems could not handle to the calculations to do so .
“ The only choice is to make an extension of supercharged unemployed benefits , and to do it now , ” Wyden said .

Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia told a Senate panel Tuesday that he's open to extending jobless benefits given by Congress this spring, but added that the strong May jobs report meant the policy should change.
Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, set the tone for the Senate Finance Committee hearing with an extended review of whether the $600 plus-up to unemployment benefits approved in a roughly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief law created a disincentive for workers to get back to the job.
“One thing we’ve learned is how poorly targeted the additional $600 per week payments are, as it appears most recipients are being paid more on unemployment than they were when working,’’ Grassley said in his opening statement. “This of course discourages people from returning to work or taking a new job, thus delaying the recovery.”
Ranking member Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., returned to the negotiations that led to agreement on the law and the $600 per week payment, reminding Scalia that the across-the-board increase was intended to replace 100 percent of the average family income on a nationwide basis in light of the fact that state unemployment systems could not handle to the calculations to do so.
“The only choice is to make an extension of supercharged unemployed benefits, and to do it now,” Wyden said.


rollcall--2020-06-09--Democrats seek answers on high-tech surveillance of protesters by U.S. agencies

“ Clearview AI ’ s technology is intended only for after-the-crime investigations , and not as a surveillance tool relating to protests or under any other circumstances , ” Ton-That said .
The inquiries come amid weeks of mostly peaceful protests across the United States following the deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and other black Americans at the hands of police .
As the protests have continued , concerns about surveillance have grown among civil liberties advocates who say the surveillance could have a chilling effect on those marching .
“ It 's not good for the First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to the protests , ” Neema Singh Guliani , senior legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union , told CQ Roll Call .
“ The right response is to seriously consider the issues that people are raising , not to create an environment that instills further fear in people and makes them more afraid to speak out.
” In a letter to federal agencies on Tuesday , Reps. Anna G. Eshoo , D-Calif. , and Bobby L. Rush , D-Ill. , questioned the use of FBI and National Guard surveillance aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. , and CBP drones over Minneapolis , San Antonio and Detroit .

“Clearview AI’s technology is intended only for after-the-crime investigations, and not as a surveillance tool relating to protests or under any other circumstances,” Ton-That said.
The inquiries come amid weeks of mostly peaceful protests across the United States following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other black Americans at the hands of police. As the protests have continued, concerns about surveillance have grown among civil liberties advocates who say the surveillance could have a chilling effect on those marching.
“It's not good for the First Amendment and it's not the right response to the protests,” Neema Singh Guliani, senior legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, told CQ Roll Call. “The right response is to seriously consider the issues that people are raising, not to create an environment that instills further fear in people and makes them more afraid to speak out.”
[Democrats push bigger role for courts to curb police misconduct]
In a letter to federal agencies on Tuesday, Reps. Anna G. Eshoo, D-Calif., and Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., questioned the use of FBI and National Guard surveillance aircraft over protests in Las Vegas and Washington D.C., and CBP drones over Minneapolis, San Antonio and Detroit.


rollcall--2020-06-09--Alexander pushes for passage of pandemic planning law this year

A key Republican senator is seeking ideas for legislation to address future pandemics and says Congress should consider a measure this year .
Lamar Alexander , a Tennessean who is chairman of the Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee , released a 40-page white paper on Tuesday with his recommendations .
The white paper outlines five areas Alexander says his committee should consider when drafting legislation .
Those include how to accelerate research and development of tests , treatments and vaccines ; improve disease surveillance ; rebuild and sustain state and federal medical equipment stockpiles and improve supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health departments ’ response capabilities ; and strengthen federal agencies ' coordination .
Alexander laid out several recommendations related to each topic that could be included in legislation .
He asked that others provide their ideas by June 26 and said he ’ ll share that feedback with committee members in both parties .
Many of the ideas that Alexander proposed aim to correct deficiencies in the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Looking at lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis , many of the challenges Congress has worked to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the white paper reads .
“ Additionally , COVID-19 has exposed some gaps that had not been previously identified .
”

A key Republican senator is seeking ideas for legislation to address future pandemics and says Congress should consider a measure this year.
Lamar Alexander, a Tennessean who is chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released a 40-page white paper on Tuesday with his recommendations.
The white paper outlines five areas Alexander says his committee should consider when drafting legislation. Those include how to accelerate research and development of tests, treatments and vaccines; improve disease surveillance; rebuild and sustain state and federal medical equipment stockpiles and improve supply surge capacity; bolster state and local health departments’ response capabilities; and strengthen federal agencies' coordination.
Alexander laid out several recommendations related to each topic that could be included in legislation. He asked that others provide their ideas by June 26 and said he’ll share that feedback with committee members in both parties.
Many of the ideas that Alexander proposed aim to correct deficiencies in the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Looking at lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis, many of the challenges Congress has worked to address during the last 20 years still remain,” the white paper reads. “Additionally, COVID-19 has exposed some gaps that had not been previously identified.”


rollcall--2020-06-09--One-on-one with Majority Whip James E. Clyburn

In this inaugural episode of an occasional series on policies , social justice and Congress , CQ Roll Call sits @ @ @ @ @ James E. Clyburn on why this moment in history is different , and the House @ @ @ @ @ , among other issues .
• Trump is the Democrats ’ ace in the hole @ @

In this inaugural episode of an occasional series on policies, social justice and Congress, CQ Roll Call sits down with House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn on why this moment in history is different, and the House's move to overhaul policing, among other issues.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-09--Senators worry about COVID-19 as busy wildfire season closes in

U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department officials warned of an usually active wildfire season as senators questioned the Trump administration ’ s strategy to fight fires during the coronavirus pandemic without spreading the disease .
“ This is an unprecedented year , ” John Phipps , deputy chief of state and private forestry at the Forest Service , said at a Senate hearing Tuesday , adding that much of the West is on track for “ higher than average year for wildland fire ” activity .
Amanda Kaster , acting deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals at DOI , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
“ We are seeing increased levels of wildfire activity in the Great Basin , southern and Rocky Mountain geographic areas , ” Kaster said , adding that DOI is considering how to safely move firefighters across state borders .
Both appeared at an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing where senators urged the Trump administration to equip firefighters with proper medical equipment to guard against the spread of the coronavirus , pressed officials for more virus tests , and questioned who ordered U.S. Park Police to clear protestors from Lafayette Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using chemical gases , riot shields and batons .

U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department officials warned of an usually active wildfire season as senators questioned the Trump administration’s strategy to fight fires during the coronavirus pandemic without spreading the disease.
“This is an unprecedented year,” John Phipps, deputy chief of state and private forestry at the Forest Service, said at a Senate hearing Tuesday, adding that much of the West is on track for “higher than average year for wildland fire” activity.
Amanda Kaster, acting deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals at DOI, said wildfires have broken out across western states. “We are seeing increased levels of wildfire activity in the Great Basin, southern and Rocky Mountain geographic areas,” Kaster said, adding that DOI is considering how to safely move firefighters across state borders.
[Pandemic and flooding? Science group predicts one-two punch]
Both appeared at an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing where senators urged the Trump administration to equip firefighters with proper medical equipment to guard against the spread of the coronavirus, pressed officials for more virus tests, and questioned who ordered U.S. Park Police to clear protestors from Lafayette Park across from the White House last week using chemical gases, riot shields and batons.


rollcall--2020-06-09--DOJ ‘reassigned’ career members of Board of Immigration Appeals

Career members at the Board of Immigration Appeals appointed prior to the Trump administration have been “ reassigned ” to @ @ @ @ @ recent buyout offers by the Justice Department .
The step appears to be the latest @ @ @ @ @ dilutes the independence of an important appeals body by filling it with new hires more @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration ’ s restrictive immigration policies .
The change was announced in an internal @ @ @ @ @ Call .
`` This is to inform you that effective June 8 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ your current position as Board Member ( Senior Level ) to the Appellate Immigration Judge @ @ @ @ @ email that went out last week to nine career members .
The Board of Immigration @ @ @ @ @ is a 23-member body under the Executive Office of Immigration Review , the Justice Department @ @ @ @ @ system .
Three-member BIA panels review immigration court decisions and issue precedent-setting rulings that shape @ @ @ @

Career members at the Board of Immigration Appeals appointed prior to the Trump administration have been “reassigned” to new roles after they rejected recent buyout offers by the Justice Department.
The step appears to be the latest administrative move that critics say dilutes the independence of an important appeals body by filling it with new hires more willing to carry out the Trump administration’s restrictive immigration policies.
The change was announced in an internal email viewed by CQ Roll Call.
"This is to inform you that effective June 8, 2020, you will be reassigned from your current position as Board Member (Senior Level) to the Appellate Immigration Judge position," said an email that went out last week to nine career members.
The Board of Immigration Appeals, or BIA, is a 23-member body under the Executive Office of Immigration Review, the Justice Department agency overseeing the immigration court system. Three-member BIA panels review immigration court decisions and issue precedent-setting rulings that shape national immigration law.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Researchers push for public test of census privacy tools

The Census Bureau says it has improved its ability to give accurate data while protecting the privacy of its 2020 questionnaire responses , but experts worry they won ’ t be able to test the agency ’ s strategy before it is finalized .
The tweaks to the new method are critical to an accurate population count , one that will affect legislative mapmaking and the distribution of $ 1.5 trillion in federal funds .
The bureau made changes to an algorithm that adds “ noise ” to census data , a policy referred to as differential privacy , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test showed the policy made census data unusable .
They found large errors , like graveyards populated with living residents , and small ones , such as age distributions that skewed older or younger at small geographies .
The Census Bureau last month released a “ report card ” showing it had gotten more accurate while still preserving the privacy of census responses .
But without another full public test and more technical details , researchers fear they won ’ t know whether the report card represents conscious policy tradeoffs or glitches in @ @ @

The Census Bureau says it has improved its ability to give accurate data while protecting the privacy of its 2020 questionnaire responses, but experts worry they won’t be able to test the agency’s strategy before it is finalized.
The tweaks to the new method are critical to an accurate population count, one that will affect legislative mapmaking and the distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal funds.
The bureau made changes to an algorithm that adds “noise” to census data, a policy referred to as differential privacy, after researchers argued last year that a public test showed the policy made census data unusable. They found large errors, like graveyards populated with living residents, and small ones, such as age distributions that skewed older or younger at small geographies.
[Census Bureau nears goal for 2020 count, but crucial areas lag]
The Census Bureau last month released a “report card” showing it had gotten more accurate while still preserving the privacy of census responses. But without another full public test and more technical details, researchers fear they won’t know whether the report card represents conscious policy tradeoffs or glitches in the system.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Unclear back-to-school plans add uncertainty for meal providers

School food directors across the country are preparing for an uncertain year as their trade association calls for the Agriculture Department to consider giving all schools the option to provide free meals to all students .
The School Nutrition Association , citing double-digit unemployment rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic , sent a letter asking the USDA to extend 10 national waivers that eased rules such as requiring students to sit down and eat their meals in a central location .
The association also wants the USDA to lift a rule for the 2020-2021 school year that says open sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 50 percent of the children come from families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty line .
If the rule is waived , school meal providers could distribute food free of charge to any child within a site ’ s service area .
Under the national lunch and breakfast programs , the department reimburses participating schools for free or reduced-price meals .
The association ’ s spokeswoman , Diane Pratt-Heavner , said the organization would like the USDA to allow schools or districts interested in providing universal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The option known as community eligibility is currently available to schools where 40 percent of the enrolled student population receives some form of public assistance .

School food directors across the country are preparing for an uncertain year as their trade association calls for the Agriculture Department to consider giving all schools the option to provide free meals to all students.
The School Nutrition Association, citing double-digit unemployment rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sent a letter asking the USDA to extend 10 national waivers that eased rules such as requiring students to sit down and eat their meals in a central location. The association also wants the USDA to lift a rule for the 2020-21 school year that says open sites for meals must be in communities where at least 50 percent of the children come from families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty line. If the rule is waived, school meal providers could distribute food free of charge to any child within a site’s service area.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said Wednesday that the USDA is extending a COVID-19 waiver through the summer so school districts and nonprofit groups operating summer open meal programs can continue to serve universal free meals in areas where less than half the children come from low-income households.
Under the national lunch and breakfast programs, the department reimburses participating schools for free or reduced-price meals. The School Nutrition Association’s spokeswoman, Diane Pratt-Heavner, said the organization would like the USDA to allow schools or districts interested in providing universal free meals on campus to do so. The option, known as community eligibility, is currently available to schools where 40 percent of the enrolled student population receives some form of public assistance.
30 million students a day
In March, the USDA gained authority to quickly issue nationwide waivers to feed low-income children who depended on free or reduced-priced meals after schools suspended classes to slow transmission of the novel coronavirus.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Handel rematch against McBath set, Perdue challenger unclear after Georgia election meltdown

Former Republican Rep. Karen Handel won the chance for a rematch Tuesday against Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath in Georgia ’ s 6th District , and Republicans picked emergency room doctor Rich McCormick , who caught President Donald Trump 's attention , in the open 7th District seat .
But other Georgia primaries were headed to runoffs next month or remained uncalled Wednesday morning as new voting machines , untrained poll workers and intense voter interest led to long lines at coronavirus-consolidated “ megaprecincts ” and court orders to keep sites open long past the scheduled 7 p.m. closing time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ against former state Rep. Keisha Sean Waites in the 13th District in Atlanta 's western suburbs after getting had 47 percent of the vote to Waites ’ 31 percent , with 94 percent of precincts counted .
In the primary to choose a challenger to GOP Sen. David Perdue , Democrat Jon Ossoff had a clear lead but was not over the 50 percent threshold to avoid a runoff .
Ossoff , a documentary filmmaker , had 48.6 percent and former Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson had 14.8 percent , with 94 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to tallies by The Associated Press .
McCormick will also have to wait to know his opponent .
Democrats will have a runoff between Carolyn Bourdeaux and Brenda Lopez Romero in the 7th District , which Republican Rep .
Rob Woodall decided not to defend after winning by just 411 votes in 2018 .

Former Republican Rep. Karen Handel won the chance for a rematch Tuesday against Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath in Georgia’s 6th District, and Republicans picked emergency room doctor Rich McCormick, who caught President Donald Trump's attention, in the open 7th District seat.
But other Georgia primaries were headed to runoffs next month or remained uncalled Wednesday morning as new voting machines, untrained poll workers and intense voter interest led to long lines at coronavirus-consolidated “megaprecincts” and court orders to keep sites open long past the scheduled 7 p.m. closing time.
Nine-term Rep. David Scott faces a runoff against former state Rep. Keisha Sean Waites in the 13th District in Atlanta's western suburbs after getting had 47 percent of the vote to Waites’ 31 percent, with 94 percent of precincts counted.
In the primary to choose a challenger to GOP Sen. David Perdue, Democrat Jon Ossoff had a clear lead but was not over the 50 percent threshold to avoid a runoff. Ossoff, a documentary filmmaker, had 48.6 percent and former Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson had 14.8 percent, with 94 percent of the vote in at 4:15 a.m., according to tallies by The Associated Press.
McCormick will also have to wait to know his opponent. Democrats will have a runoff between Carolyn Bourdeaux and Brenda Lopez Romero in the 7th District, which Republican Rep. Rob Woodall decided not to defend after winning by just 411 votes in 2018.