rollcall--2020-11-02--As campaign ends, GOP dominates list of 10 most vulnerable in the House

The House Agriculture chairman faces the reelection fight of his 15-term career .
He kept his grip on the rural western Minnesota district even when Trump carried it in 2016 by more than 30 points .
But this year , Peterson ’ s challenger poses a bigger threat .
Michelle Fischbach , a former lieutenant governor and state senator , has posted strong fundraising totals : $ 2.2 million as of Oct. 14 to Peterson ’ s $ 2.3 million .
That ’ s more money than Peterson ’ s challengers collected in the past four cycles combined .
Outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against both of them .
If any Democrat can win in the 7th , it ’ s Peterson , who voted against impeaching Trump and opposes abortion rights .
Van Drew has consistently trailed Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy in the polls leading up to Election Day .
And it ’ s unclear whether Trump will again be able to carry the district , which voted twice for former President Barack Obama .
Kennedy , a former teacher , has accused Van Drew of putting his political ambitions over the needs of his constituents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pledged his “ undying support ” for Trump .
Kennedy , a first-time candidate , doesn ’ t have a political record for Republicans to attack , but she has been able to draw support from the political network of her husband , former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy .
Schweikert is locked in a tough bid for a sixth term in the affluent suburbs north of Phoenix as he confronts ethics woes , a formidable opponent and the suburban shift away from the GOP .
Former emergency room physician Hiral Tipirneni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighboring district in 2018 , has consistently outraised the incumbent .
Outside Democratic groups have jumped into the race , significantly outspending Republicans and launching ads highlighting Schweikert ’ s campaign finance violations .
This year , Phoenix has been inundated with ads as Democrats target Arizona in the presidential and Senate races .
This rural district that covers the southern half of New Mexico is expected to vote for Trump again , putting Torres Small in a tough position in her rematch against former state Rep. Yvette Herrell .
Republicans have sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights lawyer , as a Nancy Pelosi-aligned liberal working to end oil and gas production and kill jobs .
Torres Small has countered with her own ads promoting work to support the industry , an issue that could set her apart from the top of the ticket .
Democrats have attacked Herrell for failing to disclose half a million dollars in income that her company made from state contracts while she was in office .

Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman, and Kate Ackley

The House Agriculture chairman faces the reelection fight of his 15-term career. He kept his grip on the rural western Minnesota district even when Trump carried it in 2016 by more than 30 points. But this year, Peterson’s challenger poses a bigger threat. Michelle Fischbach, a former lieutenant governor and state senator, has posted strong fundraising totals: $2.2 million as of Oct. 14 to Peterson’s $2.3 million. That’s more money than Peterson’s challengers collected in the past four cycles combined. Outside groups have poured millions into attack ads against both of them. If any Democrat can win in the 7th, it’s Peterson, who voted against impeaching Trump and opposes abortion rights.
Van Drew has consistently trailed Democratic challenger Amy Kennedy in the polls leading up to Election Day. And it’s unclear whether Trump will again be able to carry the district, which voted twice for former President Barack Obama. Kennedy, a former teacher, has accused Van Drew of putting his political ambitions over the needs of his constituents when he switched parties in December and pledged his “undying support” for Trump. Kennedy, a first-time candidate, doesn’t have a political record for Republicans to attack, but she has been able to draw support from the political network of her husband, former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy.
Schweikert is locked in a tough bid for a sixth term in the affluent suburbs north of Phoenix as he confronts ethics woes, a formidable opponent and the suburban shift away from the GOP. Former emergency room physician Hiral Tipirneni, who lost two bids for a neighboring district in 2018, has consistently outraised the incumbent. Outside Democratic groups have jumped into the race, significantly outspending Republicans and launching ads highlighting Schweikert’s campaign finance violations. This year, Phoenix has been inundated with ads as Democrats target Arizona in the presidential and Senate races.
This rural district that covers the southern half of New Mexico is expected to vote for Trump again, putting Torres Small in a tough position in her rematch against former state Rep. Yvette Herrell. Republicans have sought to paint Torres Small, a water rights lawyer, as a Nancy Pelosi-aligned liberal working to end oil and gas production and kill jobs. Torres Small has countered with her own ads promoting work to support the industry, an issue that could set her apart from the top of the ticket. Democrats have attacked Herrell for failing to disclose half a million dollars in income that her company made from state contracts while she was in office.


rollcall--2020-11-02--10 most vulnerable senators: Outspent Republicans overrun final list before election

With Republicans making up the majority of vulnerable senators , Democrats hold promising prospects of winning control of the chamber .
If they fail , it won ’ t be for a lack of cash .
Almost all the most vulnerable GOP senators on this final list financed their campaigns on less money than their Democratic challengers .
The exception is Georgia ’ s Kelly Loeffler , who filled the gap with $ 23 million of her own wealth .
The money to Democratic Senate challengers has helped fuel the costliest election cycle ever , estimated to hit $ 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Responsive Politics estimate .
Outside groups , many from the GOP side to shore up lagging candidates , have invested $ 100 million , or more , in many of these Senate battlegrounds .
Democrats and their allies have used their money to hit Republican incumbents for voting against the 2010 health care law , among other issues .
But even with a big money advantage , Democrat Doug Jones is unlikely to make it back to the Senate from Alabama .
First-term Michigan Democrat Gary Peters has frequently lagged behind Republican Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in a close race , Peters looks safer than 10 of his colleagues , so he ’ s not on this list .

Bridget Bowman, Kate Ackley, and Stephanie Akin

With Republicans making up the majority of vulnerable senators, Democrats hold promising prospects of winning control of the chamber. If they fail, it won’t be for a lack of cash.
Almost all the most vulnerable GOP senators on this final list financed their campaigns on less money than their Democratic challengers. The exception is Georgia’s Kelly Loeffler, who filled the gap with $23 million of her own wealth.
The money to Democratic Senate challengers has helped fuel the costliest election cycle ever, estimated to hit $14 billion, according to a Center for Responsive Politics estimate. Outside groups, many from the GOP side to shore up lagging candidates, have invested $100 million, or more, in many of these Senate battlegrounds.
Democrats and their allies have used their money to hit Republican incumbents for voting against the 2010 health care law, among other issues. But even with a big money advantage, Democrat Doug Jones is unlikely to make it back to the Senate from Alabama.
First-term Michigan Democrat Gary Peters has frequently lagged behind Republican Army veteran John James in fundraising. Though still in a close race, Peters looks safer than 10 of his colleagues, so he’s not on this list.


rollcall--2020-11-03--Potential for uncounted military votes looms large in swing states

Many states have thousands of mailed military ballots .
Many states have tight deadlines for counting them .
And many states are swing states .
But this year six states stand out for checking all three of those boxes .
In Pennsylvania , Georgia , Arizona , Michigan , Wisconsin and Minnesota , state law provides little or no time after Election Day for military ballots to be counted .
If the election is close enough , the outcome in one or more of those states could tilt the national contest one way or the other , and counting those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outcome .
Several factors could make it harder to count all ballots on time , whether mailed or cast in person .
These include postal system delays as well as the sheer number of ballots of all types that are being cast — perhaps the most in U.S. history .
[ High early turnout of voters eases tech and security worries on Election Day ] “ These military ballots could indeed be pivotal , ” said Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat , president and CEO of Overseas Vote , an advocacy initiative of the nonprofit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military ballot not counted is a loss to our nation .
I see it as shameful and a lost opportunity for legislators and courts to be tightening up the ballot-receiving deadlines for military voters . ''

Many states have thousands of mailed military ballots. Many states have tight deadlines for counting them. And many states are swing states. But this year six states stand out for checking all three of those boxes.
In Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, state law provides little or no time after Election Day for military ballots to be counted. If the election is close enough, the outcome in one or more of those states could tilt the national contest one way or the other, and counting those ballots — or not — could determine the outcome.
Several factors could make it harder to count all ballots on time, whether mailed or cast in person. These include postal system delays as well as the sheer number of ballots of all types that are being cast — perhaps the most in U.S. history.
[High early turnout of voters eases tech and security worries on Election Day]
“These military ballots could indeed be pivotal,” said Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, president and CEO of Overseas Vote, an advocacy initiative of the nonprofit U.S. Vote Foundation. “Even one military ballot not counted is a loss to our nation. I see it as shameful and a lost opportunity for legislators and courts to be tightening up the ballot-receiving deadlines for military voters."


rollcall--2020-11-03--High early turnout of voters eases tech and security worries on Election Day

Thanks to a nationwide pandemic and fears of long delays , more than 90 million Americans already have voted either in person or by mail .
The record early turnout could mean that today , Nov. 3 , will see far fewer Americans physically showing up to vote at precincts across the country than in typical presidential election years , therefore easing the technology and cybersecurity burdens on voting systems .
Expanded early voting across the country was a key part of what is known as a “ resilience concept ” in cybersecurity , said Christopher Krebs , director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Homeland Security .
Having voters cast their ballots in a staggered manner over a couple of weeks or more means any attacks or technical glitches on Election Day would likely lead to fewer delays and less panic than otherwise , he told reporters late last week at a briefing .
Nevertheless , the agency and hundreds of state and local election officials are bracing for nuisance attacks on Election Day , and the days after that could result in defacement of election websites , denial of service attacks that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exaggerated claims from foreign adversaries about attacks that far exceed their capabilities , Krebs said .
The agency known as CISA was created in the aftermath of the 2016 election when Russian intelligence agencies broke into voter registration systems in nearly two dozen states and also hacked the Democratic National Committee ’ s email server .
The DHS scrambled to declare election systems as critical infrastructure yet faced a backlash from state officials , particularly in Republican-led states , who feared that the federal government was encroaching on their turf .

Thanks to a nationwide pandemic and fears of long delays, more than 90 million Americans already have voted either in person or by mail. The record early turnout could mean that today, Nov. 3, will see far fewer Americans physically showing up to vote at precincts across the country than in typical presidential election years, therefore easing the technology and cybersecurity burdens on voting systems.
Expanded early voting across the country was a key part of what is known as a “resilience concept” in cybersecurity, said Christopher Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the Department of Homeland Security.
Having voters cast their ballots in a staggered manner over a couple of weeks or more means any attacks or technical glitches on Election Day would likely lead to fewer delays and less panic than otherwise, he told reporters late last week at a briefing.
Nevertheless, the agency and hundreds of state and local election officials are bracing for nuisance attacks on Election Day, and the days after that could result in defacement of election websites, denial of service attacks that could slow down or crash websites, and exaggerated claims from foreign adversaries about attacks that far exceed their capabilities, Krebs said.
The agency known as CISA was created in the aftermath of the 2016 election when Russian intelligence agencies broke into voter registration systems in nearly two dozen states and also hacked the Democratic National Committee’s email server. The DHS scrambled to declare election systems as critical infrastructure yet faced a backlash from state officials, particularly in Republican-led states, who feared that the federal government was encroaching on their turf.


rollcall--2020-11-03--Nada Surf wrote a ‘Song for Congress’ set in Statuary Hall

To say a lot has changed since the last time Nada Surf performed in Washington would be an understatement .
@ @ @ @ @ Lack of empathy is bad , ” frontman Matthew Caws shouted from the stage of @ @ @ @ @ year , as heads bobbed in the crowd .
It was the end of January @ @ @ @ @ still packed and sweaty .
The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump was the @ @ @ @ @ s minds , and COVID-19 was still a distant threat .
Nada Surf was touring @ @ @ @ @ , called “ Never Not Together ” — a title that suddenly took on new @ @ @ @ @ .
Like many bands , this one had to cancel a lot of their plans @ @ @ @ @ the challenge remained the same .

To say a lot has changed since the last time Nada Surf performed in Washington would be an understatement.
“Empathy is good. Lack of empathy is bad,” frontman Matthew Caws shouted from the stage of the Black Cat earlier this year, as heads bobbed in the crowd.
It was the end of January, and music venues were still packed and sweaty. The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump was the big thing on people’s minds, and COVID-19 was still a distant threat.
Nada Surf was touring ahead of its ninth album, called “Never Not Together” — a title that suddenly took on new meaning once the pandemic hit. Like many bands, this one had to cancel a lot of their plans.
But for Caws, the challenge remained the same.


rollcall--2020-11-03--How to watch the battle for the Senate on election night (and beyond)

Senate watchers should get ready for a long election night .
Control of the Senate might well be in flux @ @ @ @ @ states take days to count absentee ballots and the two Senate races in Georgia could @ @ @ @ @ states with contested Senate races have already been counting absentee , mail-in or early votes @ @ @ @ @ ago ) and others may not even open those envelopes for a week ( looking @ @ @ @ @ .
The first polls in the country will close a 6 p.m. Eastern Time across @ @ @ @ @ cascade really begins at 7 p.m. Eastern , when polls close in western Kentucky and @ @ @ @ @ and Virginia .
Six years ago , when these same Senate seats were up , @ @ @ @ @ Mark Warner ’ s reelection was not called immediately proved a harbinger of good news @ @ @ @ @ ’ s race is not expected to be close this year , and it will @ @ @ @ @ is not the first candidate declared victorious .

Senate watchers should get ready for a long election night.
Control of the Senate might well be in flux past Tuesday night, as states take days to count absentee ballots and the two Senate races in Georgia could head to runoffs.
Some states with contested Senate races have already been counting absentee, mail-in or early votes (Arizona started two weeks ago) and others may not even open those envelopes for a week (looking at you, Alaska).
The first polls in the country will close a 6 p.m. Eastern Time across much of Kentucky. The cascade really begins at 7 p.m. Eastern, when polls close in western Kentucky and across Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.
Six years ago, when these same Senate seats were up, the fact that Virginia Democrat Mark Warner’s reelection was not called immediately proved a harbinger of good news for Senate Republicans. Warner’s race is not expected to be close this year, and it will be a surprise if he is not the first candidate declared victorious.


rollcall--2020-11-03--At the Races: Voters gonna vote

At the Races: Voters gonna vote

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll @ @ @ @ @ you informed about the 2020 election .
Know someone who ’ d like to get @ @ @ @ @ subscribe here .
Take a breath .
It could stretch days , or even weeks @ @ @ @ @ are counted , with record numbers of absentee ballots cast in states amid the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ net gain of three or four seats to flip the Senate , depending on who @ @ @ @ @ Some of their best opportunities are in states where results could be delayed .
In @ @ @ @ @ could extend the counting of ballots to decide GOP Sen. Susan Collins ’ future .
@ @ @ @ @ to likely January runoffs in Georgia ’ s two Senate races , where candidates need @ @ @ @ @ the vote to secure an outright win .

Kate Ackley, Stephanie Akin, and Bridget Bowman

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
Take a breath. It could stretch days, or even weeks, before all the votes are counted, with record numbers of absentee ballots cast in states amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Democrats need a net gain of three or four seats to flip the Senate, depending on who wins the White House. Some of their best opportunities are in states where results could be delayed.
In Maine, ranked choice voting could extend the counting of ballots to decide GOP Sen. Susan Collins’ future. And pre-Election Day polls point to likely January runoffs in Georgia’s two Senate races, where candidates need more than 50 percent of the vote to secure an outright win.
But a number of competitive races expected to be called within hours after polls close should provide an early indication of where things are headed. Bellwether contests include House races in Florida, where polls in most of the state close at 7 p.m. Eastern time and mailed-in ballots are typically counted quickly.


rollcall--2020-11-03--Roll Call on the Road: Georgia on my mind

Two Senate races in one state during the same election cycle is not common .
Even less common is to @ @ @ @ @ list of the 10 most vulnerable senators ( especially when they ’ re Republicans ... @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Democrat Jon Ossoff is challenging GOP incumbent David Perdue in the regular Senate @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Kelly Loeffler is fighting to keep her seat in an all-party special election against @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Doug Collins and a crowd of other candidates .
Loeffler was appointed to replace @ @ @ @ @ he resigned for health reasons in 2019 .
CQ Roll Call photojournalist Tom Williams is @ @ @ @ @ Peach State documenting these two Senate races that are hotter than Georgia asphalt .

Two Senate races in one state during the same election cycle is not common. Even less common is to have both incumbents gracing our list of the 10 most vulnerable senators (especially when they’re Republicans ... and it’s Georgia).
Democrat Jon Ossoff is challenging GOP incumbent David Perdue in the regular Senate election. And appointed Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler is fighting to keep her seat in an all-party special election against Democrat Raphael Warnock, GOP Rep. Doug Collins and a crowd of other candidates. Loeffler was appointed to replace former Sen. Johnny Isakson after he resigned for health reasons in 2019.
CQ Roll Call photojournalist Tom Williams is on the ground in the Peach State documenting these two Senate races that are hotter than Georgia asphalt.
From left, Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, House hopeful Val Almonord and Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. rally with the Muscogee County Democrats in Columbus on Saturday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Kelly Loeffler, center, rallies with Rep. Jody B. Hice and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley at the Walton County Historic Courthouse in Monroe on Friday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, a former Georgia governor, introduces his cousin Sen. David Perdue, second from left, at a Thursday meeting with supporters at the Fox City Brewing Company in Forsyth. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Warnock, the current polling front-runner in the special Senate election, speaks Thursday at the rally in Columbus. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Supporters gather Friday to hear Loeffler and Haley speak in Monroe. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Ossoff and Bishop talk during Thursday’s rally in Columbus. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-11-03--Battle for Congress hinges on top of ticket, pandemic dynamics

House Democrats seeking reelection Tuesday started the 2020 cycle on defense , with 30 members running in districts President Donald Trump won in 2016 .
Republicans believed the decision by a near-unanimous Democratic Caucus to impeach Trump would seal their fates .
But that historic vote has been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic downturn .
As Trump ’ s support in public polls sagged and Democrats continued to post eye-popping fundraising numbers , Republicans saw their path to the House majority narrow .
Republicans need a net gain of 17 seats to win control of the chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more likely that Democrats grow their majority .
Control of the Senate has been less predictable , with several very close races heading into Election Day .
Democrats need a net gain of three or four seats , depending on which party wins the presidency , because the vice president breaks ties in the Senate .
The number of competitive Senate races has expanded throughout the cycle , thanks in part to close presidential margins in battleground states and blockbuster Democratic fundraising .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held by Democrats and 12 by Republicans .
Here are the dynamics that defined the battle for Congress in 2020 :

House Democrats seeking reelection Tuesday started the 2020 cycle on defense, with 30 members running in districts President Donald Trump won in 2016. Republicans believed the decision by a near-unanimous Democratic Caucus to impeach Trump would seal their fates. But that historic vote has been overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic downturn.
As Trump’s support in public polls sagged and Democrats continued to post eye-popping fundraising numbers, Republicans saw their path to the House majority narrow. Republicans need a net gain of 17 seats to win control of the chamber, but some GOP strategists acknowledge it’s more likely that Democrats grow their majority.
Control of the Senate has been less predictable, with several very close races heading into Election Day. Democrats need a net gain of three or four seats, depending on which party wins the presidency, because the vice president breaks ties in the Senate.
The number of competitive Senate races has expanded throughout the cycle, thanks in part to close presidential margins in battleground states and blockbuster Democratic fundraising. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates 14 Senate races as competitive — two seats held by Democrats and 12 by Republicans.
Here are the dynamics that defined the battle for Congress in 2020:


rollcall--2020-11-05--OCC payments charter proposal raises questions about what is a bank

Recent moves by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency are forcing Congress to ask a deceptively complex question : What is a bank ?
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Brian Brooks proposed a rule over the summer that would create a new kind of bank charter for national money transmitters .
The federal charter would allow some payment servicers to get a single , federal operating license , supplanting the need for state licenses wherever they operate and allowing them access to the Federal Reserve ’ s payments clearing system .
Opponents say the new charter would fragment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies chartered as banks by the OCC wouldn ’ t necessarily be considered banks by the Fed or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation .
Such a status would let them evade rules designed to avoid bank bankruptcies .
Proponents say it ’ ll do just the opposite : ensure that the OCC ’ s regulators can monitor the firms while promoting innovations that benefit consumers .
Banks are supposed to provide the financial oil that lubricates the economy .
To keep things running smoothly , they are supported through cheap loans via the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deposit insurance and access to the interbank payments clearing system .
In exchange , they have to follow rules and regulations and generally can ’ t compete with industrial and commercial companies that make and sell things .

Recent moves by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency are forcing Congress to ask a deceptively complex question: What is a bank?
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Brian Brooks previewed plans over the summer to grant bank charters for national money transmitters. The federal charter would allow some payment servicers to get a single, federal operating license, supplanting the need for state licenses wherever they operate and allowing them access to the Federal Reserve’s payments clearing system.
Opponents say the new charter would fragment the supervisory system for banks because payment companies chartered as banks by the OCC wouldn’t necessarily be considered banks by the Fed or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Such a status would let them evade rules designed to avoid bank bankruptcies.
Proponents say it’ll do just the opposite: ensure that the OCC’s regulators can monitor the firms while promoting innovations that benefit consumers.
Banks are supposed to provide the financial oil that lubricates the economy. To keep things running smoothly, they are supported through cheap loans via the Fed’s discount window, FDIC deposit insurance and access to the interbank payments clearing system. In exchange, they have to follow rules and regulations and generally can’t compete with industrial and commercial companies that make and sell things.


rollcall--2020-11-05--How Latino voters helped, and hurt, Trump

As voting totals continued to trickle in Wednesday , one result became crystal clear : Latinos are not a single electorate .
The Cuban American voters who helped Donald Trump win Florida have very little in common politically with the Mexican Americans who helped defeat him in Arizona .
They also differed from Puerto Ricans in the Sunshine State , who leaned toward Democrat Joe Biden .
The ideological and cultural differences within the Latino community reflect a crucial element that many pollsters underestimated : the influence their roots played in their vote .
“ The Latino community is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that mattered to them , but also geographically , ” said Dorian Caal , director of civic engagement research at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials .
“ Latinos in Florida , particularly , are different.
” Many of the state ’ s older Cuban Americans were among an exodus in the late 1950s fleeing the communist rule of Fidel Castro .
Those Cubans “ literally just needed to step on American soil to get permanent residency , ” said Stephen Nuño-Perez , senior analyst at Latino Decisions , a @ @ @ @

As voting totals continued to trickle in Wednesday, one result became crystal clear: Latinos are not a single electorate.
The Cuban American voters who helped Donald Trump win Florida have very little in common politically with the Mexican Americans who helped defeat him in Arizona. They also differed from Puerto Ricans in the Sunshine State, who leaned toward Democrat Joe Biden.
The ideological and cultural differences within the Latino community reflect a crucial element that many pollsters underestimated: the influence their roots played in their vote.
“The Latino community is not monolithic, not only within the issue that mattered to them, but also geographically,” said Dorian Caal, director of civic engagement research at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. “Latinos in Florida, particularly, are different.”
Many of the state’s older Cuban Americans were among an exodus in the late 1950s fleeing the communist rule of Fidel Castro. Those Cubans “literally just needed to step on American soil to get permanent residency,” said Stephen Nuño-Perez, senior analyst at Latino Decisions, a political research firm.


rollcall--2020-11-05--Capitol Ink | On track

Capitol Ink | On track

The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955 CQ Roll Call is a part of FiscalNote , the leading @ @ @ @ @ of global business and government .
Copyright 2020 CQ Roll Call .
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The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955
CQ Roll Call is a part of FiscalNote, the leading technology innovator at the intersection of global business and government. Copyright 2023 CQ Roll Call. All rights reserved.


rollcall--2020-11-05--Officials clarify military role in coronavirus vaccination amid wariness

President Donald Trump has often touted the role of the military in distributing a COVID-19 vaccine , but health officials @ @ @ @ @ are concerned about public distrust are taking pains to say the federal government won ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president said at the final presidential debate that the distribution of a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ counting on the military.
” “ We have our generals lined up @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the head of logistics .
… He ’ s ready to go , @ @ @ @ @ .
But Paul Mango , a spokesman for Operation Warp Speed , the federal effort @ @ @ @ @ the next day : “ It is extremely unlikely that anyone from the government will @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s loading a truck , unloading a truck , moving dry ice or @ @ @ @ @ to Americans getting it.
” Mango said the Defense Department would oversee logistics from a @ @ @ @ @ is led by the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services .

President Donald Trump has often touted the role of the military in distributing a COVID-19 vaccine, but health officials close to the process who are concerned about public distrust are taking pains to say the federal government won’t actually be handling vaccines.
The president said at the final presidential debate that the distribution of a vaccine would be swift because he’s “counting on the military.”
“We have our generals lined up, one in particular that’s the head of logistics. … He’s ready to go,” Trump said Oct. 22.
But Paul Mango, a spokesman for Operation Warp Speed, the federal effort to develop vaccines, clarified the next day: “It is extremely unlikely that anyone from the government will touch a vaccine, whether that’s loading a truck, unloading a truck, moving dry ice or actually injecting the vaccine prior to Americans getting it.”
Mango said the Defense Department would oversee logistics from a distance. Operation Warp Speed is led by the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services.


rollcall--2020-11-05--9 facts about new members of the 117th Congress

Though states are still counting votes , the incoming freshmen are already bringing diverse experience and backgrounds to the upcoming Congress , which takes office in January .
Here are a few noteworthy facts as the 117th Congress takes shape .
1 .
Republican and soon-to-be junior senator from Kansas Roger Marshall joins Bob Dole , Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran as the fourth holder of the state ’ s so-called Big First congressional district elected to the Senate in the last 52 years .
2 .
Democrat Marilyn Strickland is the first Korean American woman elected to Congress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10th District .
With Democrat Andy Kim reelected in New Jersey ’ s 3rd District , this will be the first Congress with more than one Korean American representative .
3 .
Republican Bill Hagerty follows the late Howard H. Baker as the second person to serve as both the U.S. ambassador to Japan and senator from Tennessee .
4 .
Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly is the first person elected to the Senate who has been to space since Florida Democrat Bill Nelson , who won three terms before losing in 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow astronaut , Scott , also increases the Senate Democrats ’ number of members born with twin siblings , joining Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Patty Murray of Washington .

Though states are still counting votes, the incoming freshmen are already bringing diverse experience and backgrounds to the upcoming Congress, which takes office in January. Here are a few noteworthy facts as the 117th Congress takes shape.
1. Republican and soon-to-be junior senator from Kansas Roger Marshall joins Bob Dole, Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran as the fourth holder of the state’s so-called Big First congressional district elected to the Senate in the last 52 years.
2. Democrat Marilyn Strickland is the first Korean American woman elected to Congress, with her victory in Washington’s 10th District. With Democrat Andy Kim reelected in New Jersey’s 3rd District, this will be the first Congress with more than one Korean American representative.
3. Republican Bill Hagerty follows the late Howard H. Baker as the second person to serve as both the U.S. ambassador to Japan and senator from Tennessee.
4. Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly is the first person elected to the Senate who has been to space since Florida Democrat Bill Nelson, who won three terms before losing in 2018. Kelly, with his six-minutes-younger brother and fellow astronaut, Scott, also increases the Senate Democrats’ number of members born with twin siblings, joining Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Patty Murray of Washington.


rollcall--2020-11-05--Bring in the moving boxes: Congress is already packing up

“ It ’ s almost like a TV series that gets canceled without a series finale.
” That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ secretary for California Democratic Rep. Susan A. Davis , describes the retirement process in the @ @ @ @ @ As the rest of the political world focused on the elections , retiring lawmakers and @ @ @ @ @ the tedious process of packing up sometimes decades ’ worth of records and memorabilia .
@ @ @ @ @ by the pandemic , which has taken away the fun parts of retirement — goodbye @ @ @ @ @ and given back logistical challenges in their stead .
“ We all kind of had @ @ @ @ @ final year would go , and I don ’ t think anybody had pandemic on @ @ @ @ @ Hunter said .

“It’s almost like a TV series that gets canceled without a series finale.”
That’s how Aaron Hunter, press secretary for California Democratic Rep. Susan A. Davis, describes the retirement process in the year of the coronavirus.
As the rest of the political world focused on the elections, retiring lawmakers and their staff have already started the tedious process of packing up sometimes decades’ worth of records and memorabilia.
Moving out has been complicated by the pandemic, which has taken away the fun parts of retirement — goodbye parties and farewell dinners — and given back logistical challenges in their stead.
“We all kind of had a sense of how the final year would go, and I don’t think anybody had pandemic on their bingo card,” Hunter said.


rollcall--2020-11-05--Biden or Trump, inaugural planning and construction well underway on Capitol Hill

The presidential results may not be final , but organizers of the official inaugural ceremonies are moving forward with the @ @ @ @ @ on the West Front of the Capitol .
Construction of the platform is already well @ @ @ @ @ nail ” ceremony , a quirky Capitol Hill tradition where the members of the Joint @ @ @ @ @ their skills from high school shop class to officially kick off the construction , was @ @ @ @ @ not because of the pandemic .
It was canceled because it coincided with the period @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Senate Rules and Administration Chairman Roy Blunt , @ @ @ @ @ of the joint committee for the second time , but he says the pandemic is @ @ @ @

Niels Lesniewski and Katherine Tully-McManus

The presidential results may not be final, but organizers of the official inaugural ceremonies are moving forward with the planning of a traditional inauguration on the West Front of the Capitol.
Construction of the platform is already well underway.
The “first nail” ceremony, a quirky Capitol Hill tradition where the members of the Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies demonstrate their skills from high school shop class to officially kick off the construction, was canceled this year, but not because of the pandemic.
It was canceled because it coincided with the period of remembrance for the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Senate Rules and Administration Chairman Roy Blunt, R-Mo., is the leader of the joint committee for the second time, but he says the pandemic is obviously complicating matters.


rollcall--2020-11-04--Republicans defy expectations in the battle for Congress

After a tumultuous election cycle , one thing is clear : Republicans had a much better election night than many @ @ @ @ @ GOP , were expecting .
As of Wednesday evening , Republicans have netted five House @ @ @ @ @ Senate seat , but their path to the majority is shrinking with Republicans racking up @ @ @ @ @ National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Emmer told reporters that the party never agreed with @ @ @ @ @ their House majority , saying he was confident Republicans had a strong , diverse slate @ @ @ @ @ case to voters .
GOP women flipped six of the party ’ s seven House @ @ @ @ @ s the Republican ideas that actually won last night , ” Emmer said .
The @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 election is still coming into focus as officials count ballots in a few @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , Democratic operatives said that , other than the polling that in hindsight appeared @ @ @ @ @ ’ t sure what upended their party ’ s candidates in pivotal races .

Bridget Bowman, Stephanie Akin, and Kate Ackley

After a tumultuous election cycle, one thing is clear: Republicans had a much better election night than many, including some in the GOP, were expecting.
As of Wednesday evening, Republicans have netted five House seats. Democrats netted one Senate seat, but their path to the majority is shrinking with Republicans racking up wins in competitive races.
National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Emmer told reporters that the party never agreed with predictions that Democrats would grow their House majority, saying he was confident Republicans had a strong, diverse slate of candidates and a compelling case to voters. GOP women flipped six of the party’s seven House gains.
“It’s the Republican ideas that actually won last night,” Emmer said.
The picture of what happened in the 2020 election is still coming into focus as officials count ballots in a few dozen competitive races. On Wednesday, Democratic operatives said that, other than the polling that in hindsight appeared far off, they weren’t sure what upended their party’s candidates in pivotal races.


rollcall--2020-11-04--Dem losses could lead to calls for leadership changes in Congress

With House Republicans performing better than projected in key congressional races , Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy appears to be a @ @ @ @ @ Republican Conference .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi , meanwhile , could face a surprise uprising among @ @ @ @ @ is looking more likely to remain in GOP control , as Democrats ’ chances of @ @ @ @ @ narrowed significantly .
House Democrats are expected to hold their majority , but they may @ @ @ @ @ predicted , which could cause more junior members to make another push for generational change @ @ @ @ @ top ranks .
If President Donald Trump wins reelection against former Vice President Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi as the highest-ranking elected Democrat .

That was unexpected.
With House Republicans performing better than projected in key congressional races, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy appears to be a lock to stay atop the Republican Conference. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, could face a surprise uprising among Democrats.
The Senate majority is looking more likely to remain in GOP control, as Democrats’ chances of taking back the chamber have narrowed significantly.
House Democrats are expected to hold their majority, but they may not grow it as leaders predicted, which could cause more junior members to make another push for generational change in the party’s top ranks.
If President Donald Trump wins reelection against former Vice President Joe Biden, rank-and-file members could blame Pelosi as the highest-ranking elected Democrat.


rollcall--2020-11-04--Puerto Rico inches closer to statehood, but without key GOP support

Puerto Ricans want another star added to the American flag .
The island commonwealth ’ s U.S. citizens couldn ’ t vote for president , but they did approve a nonbinding referendum that asked whether Puerto Rico should be immediately admitted into the union as a state .
With 95 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday afternoon , the pro-statehood vote was leading , 52 percent to 48 percent .
It ’ s the sixth time voters have been asked whether they believe the U.S. territory should become a state and the third time they voted in favor of statehood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a majority of people favor statehood , ” Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón said Wednesday after winning a second four-year term as the island ’ s nonvoting House member .
“ This is the only issue that unites Puerto Ricans in this election when the rest of the candidates , even me , got less votes than the statehood option.
” Statehood for Puerto Rico , as well as Washington , D.C. , has become a divisive issue , with Republicans viewing the move as creating reliable Democratic seats in Congress , @ @ @ @ @ @

Puerto Ricans want another star added to the American flag.
The island commonwealth’s U.S. citizens couldn’t vote for president, but they did approve a nonbinding referendum that asked whether Puerto Rico should be immediately admitted into the union as a state. With 95 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday afternoon, the pro-statehood vote was leading, 52 percent to 48 percent.
It’s the sixth time voters have been asked whether they believe the U.S. territory should become a state and the third time they voted in favor of statehood.
“There’s no doubt that a majority of people favor statehood,” Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón said Wednesday after winning a second four-year term as the island’s nonvoting House member. “This is the only issue that unites Puerto Ricans in this election when the rest of the candidates, even me, got less votes than the statehood option.”
‘In perpetuity’
Statehood for Puerto Rico, as well as Washington, D.C., has become a divisive issue, with Republicans viewing the move as creating reliable Democratic seats in Congress, including four in the Senate.


rollcall--2020-11-05--The Transition: Release the Trump campaign lawsuits!

The country is on edge as battleground states continue to count votes in the presidential race between Donald Trump and @ @ @ @ @ has not stopped Trump ’ s campaign from filing several lawsuits in hopes of gaining @ @ @ @ @ results .
So what about all these lawsuits ?
How likely are they to affect @ @ @ @ @ Call senior writer Todd Ruger talks about them and what we can expect in the @ @ @ @ @ latest episode of Political Theater .
• Trump ’ s narrowly focused election suits unlikely @ @ @ @ @ Once counting ends , questions about polling need to be answered • At the Races @ @ @ @ @ a mirage ?
• 9 facts about new members of the 117th Congress • Biden @ @ @ @ @ and construction well underway on Capitol Hill

Jason Dick, Evan Campbell, and Todd Ruger

The country is on edge as battleground states continue to count votes in the presidential race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. But that has not stopped Trump’s campaign from filing several lawsuits in hopes of gaining an edge in the final results.
So what about all these lawsuits? How likely are they to affect the outcome? CQ Roll Call senior writer Todd Ruger talks about them and what we can expect in the next few days on the latest episode of Political Theater.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-11-05--DCCC chairwoman Cheri Bustos ‘furious’ at polling misses

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Cheri Bustos told House Democrats on a Thursday caucus call that she was “ furious ” about polls that misread the political environment , as the party suffered unexpected losses in the House .
“ I also want to say the thing we ’ re all feeling : I ’ m furious .
Something went wrong here across the entire political world , ” the Illinois Democrat said , according to a person on the call .
“ Our polls , Senate polls , [ governors ] polls , presidential polls , Republican polls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prognosticators all pointed to one political environment — that environment never materialized , ” Bustos said , noting the campaign committee is planning to get some answers on what went wrong .
Bustos herself survived an unexpectedly difficult race , a rarity for someone running a campaign arm .
President Donald Trump wasn ’ t expected to match his 2016 margins in a slew of House battlegrounds and Democrats believed they would grow their House majority .
Ballots are still being counted and The Associated Press has yet to call the outcomes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but so far seven incumbent Democrats have lost their House seats .
Democrats only picked up two open GOP seats in North Carolina , and those became more Democratic following court-ordered redistricting last year .
The favorable expectations , however , allowed Democrats to run well-funded challengers in places they otherwise might not have , such as Alaska , Arkansas and Montana .
Though they lost , Bustos said those races forced Republicans to commit resources that otherwise could have been used against vulnerable incumbents .

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Cheri Bustos told House Democrats on a Thursday caucus call that she was “furious” about polls that misread the political environment, as the party suffered unexpected losses in the House.
“I also want to say the thing we’re all feeling: I’m furious. Something went wrong here across the entire political world,” the Illinois Democrat said, according to a person on the call.
“Our polls, Senate polls, [governors] polls, presidential polls, Republican polls, public polls, turnout modeling, and prognosticators all pointed to one political environment — that environment never materialized,” Bustos said, noting the campaign committee is planning to get some answers on what went wrong. Bustos herself survived an unexpectedly difficult race, a rarity for someone running a campaign arm.
President Donald Trump wasn’t expected to match his 2016 margins in a slew of House battlegrounds and Democrats believed they would grow their House majority. Ballots are still being counted and The Associated Press has yet to call the outcomes in roughly two dozen competitive House races, but so far seven incumbent Democrats have lost their House seats. Democrats only picked up two open GOP seats in North Carolina, and those became more Democratic following court-ordered redistricting last year.
The favorable expectations, however, allowed Democrats to run well-funded challengers in places they otherwise might not have, such as Alaska, Arkansas and Montana. Though they lost, Bustos said those races forced Republicans to commit resources that otherwise could have been used against vulnerable incumbents.


rollcall--2020-11-05--Air Force to assist in expanded Capitol Hill COVID-19 testing

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday an expansion of COVID-19 testing on Capitol Hill in response to new travel restrictions implemented @ @ @ @ @ Muriel Bowser .
Pelosi told leaders within the House Democratic Caucus earlier in the day @ @ @ @ @ provide up to 2,000 RT-PCR tests for the entire Congress at no cost for the @ @ @ @ @ to a senior Democratic aide .
The turnaround time on the tests is six to @ @ @ @ @ Capitol ’ s attending physician , Brian P. Monahan , recommended the plan .
Under @ @ @ @ @ traveling to Capitol Hill receives a positive test , the Office of the Attending Physician @ @ @ @ @ to confirm the result .
A longer-term solution is under consideration for beyond the six @ @ @ @ @ Force tests , the senior Democratic aide said .
The new testing regime does not @ @ @ @ @ masks in the House , maintain social distance and telework where possible .

Katherine Tully-McManus and Chris Cioffi

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday an expansion of COVID-19 testing on Capitol Hill in response to new travel restrictions implemented by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Pelosi told leaders within the House Democratic Caucus earlier in the day that the Air Force would provide up to 2,000 RT-PCR tests for the entire Congress at no cost for the next six weeks, according to a senior Democratic aide. The turnaround time on the tests is six to 12 hours, and the Capitol’s attending physician, Brian P. Monahan, recommended the plan.
Under the proposal, if someone traveling to Capitol Hill receives a positive test, the Office of the Attending Physician would perform an additional test to confirm the result.
A longer-term solution is under consideration for beyond the six weeks covered by the Air Force tests, the senior Democratic aide said.
The new testing regime does not change the mandate to wear masks in the House, maintain social distance and telework where possible.


rollcall--2020-11-05--New member Ritchie Torres on intersectionality, mental health and more

Ritchie Torres will be one of the younger members of Congress , is a college dropout , and speaks openly @ @ @ @ @ .
But what grabs most people 's attention is that he will be the first @ @ @ @ @ .
Torres will represent New York 's 15th District in the 117th Congress , which @ @ @ @ @ `` I think the Afro Latino identity represents a level of diversity and intersectionality that @ @ @ @ @ media , '' said Torres , on news outlets identifying him as Black .
`` @ @ @ @ @ is not a college degree or credentials , what I 'm going to bring to @ @ @ @ @ lived experience , '' Torres said .
Watch the video for CQ Roll Call 's @ @ @ @ @ .

Ritchie Torres will be one of the younger members of Congress, is a college dropout, and speaks openly about his mental health struggles. But what grabs most people's attention is that he will be the first openly gay Afro Latino member.
Torres will represent New York's 15th District in the 117th Congress, which will begin in January.
"I think the Afro Latino identity represents a level of diversity and intersectionality that is confusing to the mainstream media," said Torres, on news outlets identifying him as Black.
"What I bring to Congress is not a college degree or credentials, what I'm going to bring to Congress is the wisdom of lived experience," Torres said.
Watch the video for CQ Roll Call's conversation with Torres for more.


rollcall--2020-11-05--Photo of the Day: Throwback Thursday to Nov. 5, 2008

Twelve years ago , the celebration of Barack Obama ’ s historic election to the White House extended into the @ @ @ @ @ 5 , 2008 .
Obama supporters celebrated across the country , including here in D.C. @ @ @ @

(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Twelve years ago, the celebration of Barack Obama’s historic election to the White House extended into the early morning hours of Nov. 5, 2008. Obama supporters celebrated across the country, including here in D.C.’s Chinatown.


rollcall--2020-11-05--In North Carolina, red and blue don’t make purple

North Carolina is a political player , a battleground state visited and fought over by national candidates in both parties @ @ @ @ @ challenges that mirror those of many big American cities : protests and debates over police @ @ @ @ @ citizens don ’ t share in its economic growth and opportunity .
Mary C. Curtis @ @ @ @ @ Lyles about the election and what comes next .
• ‘ Republicans often racialize poverty @ @ @ @ @ poverty ’ • Breonna Taylor , Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the future of our country @ @ @ @ @ Dem losses could lead to calls for leadership changes in Congress • Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ for the Senate continues into 2022

Mary C. Curtis, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

North Carolina is a political player, a battleground state visited and fought over by national candidates in both parties. And Charlotte has had challenges that mirror those of many big American cities: protests and debates over police reform and frustrations that all citizens don’t share in its economic growth and opportunity. Mary C. Curtis speaks to Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles about the election and what comes next.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-11-05--At the Races: What if 2020 was a mirage?

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll @ @ @ @ @ you informed about the 2020 election .
Know someone who ’ d like to get @ @ @ @ @ subscribe here .
Think the 2020 elections will be over when this year ends ?
@ @ @ @ @ keep going until 2021 ( looking at you , Georgia ) .
Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Three : With ballots still being counted , five states are still in play in @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign is suing over ballot counts in Pennsylvania , Georgia , Michigan and Nevada @ @ @ @ @ races have yet to be called .
Democrats are still on track to win the @ @ @ @ @ incumbents have lost , and more Democrats than Republicans are trailing in the outstanding races @ @ @ @ @ in Georgia are still being tallied , it looks like the Senate majority could be @ @ @ @ @ two runoff elections there in January .

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
By Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman and Kate Ackley
Think the 2020 elections will be over when this year ends? Think again! They will keep going until 2021 (looking at you, Georgia).
Here’s where things stand on Day Three: With ballots still being counted, five states are still in play in the presidential race. The Trump campaign is suing over ballot counts in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Nevada.
More than 35 congressional races have yet to be called. Democrats are still on track to win the House majority, but seven incumbents have lost, and more Democrats than Republicans are trailing in the outstanding races. And, as results in Georgia are still being tallied, it looks like the Senate majority could be decided in not one but two runoff elections there in January.


rollcall--2020-11-05--GOP comes up short in effort to oust DCCC head Cheri Bustos

Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos , the chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee who pitched herself as a Democrat who could win in Republican territory , won a fifth term after after a nail-biting challenge from Republican Esther Joy King .
At one point after 250,000 votes had been counted , roughly 100 votes separated the two candidates .
In the end , Bustos received 52 percent of the vote to Republican King 's 48 percent .
Bustos declared victory early Wednesday morning but The Associated Press called her race at about 10:15 a.m. Eastern on Thursday .
`` Together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand access to health care , rebuild our economy , strengthen our infrastructure and make our part of Illinois better for hardworking families , '' Bustos said in a statement Wednesday .
`` Thanks to your support , we will continue that fight for our communities , for our state and for our nation . ''
The tight race was in sharp contrast to 2018 , when Bustos won by 24 points — a larger margin than any other Democrat in a district that had backed President Donald Trump in 2016 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27,000 by mid-October , compared with Bustos ’ $ 3.7 million .
In 2016 , Bustos outperformed Hillary Clinton by about 14 points in her district , but also ran against another underfunded Republican who had only raised about $ 12,000 at the same point in the cycle .

Illinois Rep. Cheri Bustos, the chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee who pitched herself as a Democrat who could win in Republican territory, won a fifth term after after a nail-biting challenge from Republican Esther Joy King.
At one point after 250,000 votes had been counted, roughly 100 votes separated the two candidates. In the end, Bustos received 52 percent of the vote to Republican King's 48 percent. Bustos declared victory early Wednesday morning but The Associated Press called her race at about 10:15 a.m. Eastern on Thursday.
"Together, we have fought to protect and expand access to health care, rebuild our economy, strengthen our infrastructure and make our part of Illinois better for hardworking families," Bustos said in a statement Wednesday. "Thanks to your support, we will continue that fight for our communities, for our state and for our nation."
The tight race was in sharp contrast to 2018, when Bustos won by 24 points — a larger margin than any other Democrat in a district that had backed President Donald Trump in 2016. But her opponent that year raised just $27,000 by mid-October, compared with Bustos’ $3.7 million.
In 2016, Bustos outperformed Hillary Clinton by about 14 points in her district, but also ran against another underfunded Republican who had only raised about $12,000 at the same point in the cycle.


rollcall--2020-11-05--Trump’s narrowly focused election suits unlikely to make any difference

A flurry of postelection legal action from President Donald Trump ’ s campaign focuses so far on small numbers of @ @ @ @ @ ongoing counts , moves that likely would affect the outcome only if states have extremely @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits and announcements of actions in Pennsylvania , Nevada and Georgia pit Trump and his @ @ @ @ @ challenger Joe Biden but also social media sites like Twitter that have flagged their statements @ @ @ @ @ misleading .
Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller tweeted Thursday that they scored a “ @ @ @ @ @ just now , ” complete with two red sirens emojis .
Twitter put a warning @ @ @ @ @ , as well as on a Trump tweet that said , “ ANY VOTE THAT @ @ @ @ @ WILL NOT BE COUNTED !
”

A flurry of postelection legal action from President Donald Trump’s campaign focuses so far on small numbers of ballots or basics like observing ongoing counts, moves that likely would affect the outcome only if states have extremely close vote tallies.
The lawsuits and announcements of actions in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Georgia pit Trump and his backers against not only Democratic challenger Joe Biden but also social media sites like Twitter that have flagged their statements about election challenges as potentially misleading.
Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller tweeted Thursday that they scored a “Massive legal victory in Philly just now,” complete with two red sirens emojis.
Twitter put a warning on Miller’s tweet, as well as on a Trump tweet that said, “ANY VOTE THAT CAME IN AFTER ELECTION DAY WILL NOT BE COUNTED!”


rollcall--2020-11-05--QAnon goes to Washington: two supporters win seats in Congress

QAnon is heading to Congress , as Marjorie Taylor Greene , a supporter of the baseless and complicated pro-Trump conspiracy theory , won a House seat in Georgia , and Lauren Boebert claimed a House seat in Colorado .
While those victories are the first by Republican candidates who publicly backed the wide-ranging delusion centered on allegations of a “ deep state ” undermining President Donald Trump and liberals trafficking children , they will join a GOP conference that may already host some “ Q-curious ” members .
Greene and Boebert were among at least a dozen Republican congressional candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ QAnon ’ s unfounded belief that Trump is the last line of defense against a cabal of child-molesting Democrats who seek to dominate world power .
Rhetoric of QAnon adherents is steeped in racist and anti-semitic tropes and has led to violence .
An early supporter opened fire at D.C. pizza joint Comet Ping Pong ; in April , authorities arrested a woman who traveled from Illinois to New York and threatened to kill former Vice President Joe Biden .
The unfounded QAnon conspiracy theories emerged in late 2017 , when an anonymous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Q ” began posting on message boards alleging evidence of a variety of worldwide criminal conspiracies involving top Democrats and their “ deep-state ” allies .
Q claims to have a security clearance that would give inside access to info about such plots .

Corrected, Nov. 6 | QAnon is heading to Congress, as Marjorie Taylor Greene, a supporter of the baseless and complicated pro-Trump conspiracy theory, won a House seat in Georgia, and Lauren Boebert claimed a House seat in Colorado.
While those victories are the first by Republican candidates who publicly backed the wide-ranging delusion centered on allegations of a “deep state” undermining President Donald Trump and liberals trafficking children, they will join a GOP conference that may already host some “Q-curious” members.
Greene and Boebert were among at least a dozen Republican congressional candidates who had endorsed or given credence to QAnon’s unfounded belief that Trump is the last line of defense against a cabal of child-molesting Democrats who seek to dominate world power.
Rhetoric of QAnon adherents is steeped in racist and anti-semitic tropes and has led to violence. An early supporter opened fire at D.C. pizza joint Comet Ping Pong; in April, authorities arrested a woman who traveled from Illinois to New York and threatened to kill former Vice President Joe Biden.


rollcall--2020-11-06--Scott, Costa make bids for Agriculture chairmanship

Two senior Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee declared their interest Thursday in leading the panel after Chairman Collin C. @ @ @ @ @ .
Subcommittee chairmen David Scott of Georgia and Jim Costa of California are vying for @ @ @ @ @ .
A third expected contender , Ohio Rep. Marcia L. Fudge , had not announced @ @ @ @ @ .
Their candidacies depend on Democrats keeping the majority , as expected , as race @ @ @ @ @ .
The Senate Agriculture Committee will also be getting a new chairperson regardless of which @ @ @ @ @ because Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas is retiring at the end of this Congress .
@ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t enough to keep Minnesota seat for Democrats ] Scott is chairman of @ @ @ @ @ , Energy and Credit , while Costa is chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and @ @ @

Two senior Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee declared their interest Thursday in leading the panel after Chairman Collin C. Peterson lost his reelection bid.
Subcommittee chairmen David Scott of Georgia and Jim Costa of California are vying for the chairman’s gavel. A third expected contender, Ohio Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, had not announced her plans as of Thursday. Their candidacies depend on Democrats keeping the majority, as expected, as race winners continue to be called.
The Senate Agriculture Committee will also be getting a new chairperson regardless of which party is in the majority because Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas is retiring at the end of this Congress.
[Peterson’s conservatism isn’t enough to keep Minnesota seat for Democrats]
Scott is chairman of the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit, while Costa is chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.


rollcall--2020-11-06--Scott vying to lead Senate Republicans’ campaign arm

Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott , who has been mentioned as a potential 2024 presidential candidate , will make a run to lead Senate Republicans ’ campaign arm for the 2022 election cycle .
Scott ’ s decision was first reported by Politico , and a spokesman confirmed Friday he intends to run for National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman .
The current NRSC chairman , Indiana Sen. Todd Young , is up for reelection in 2022 .
The timing of Senate leadership elections has not yet been announced , with control of the Senate appearing to be in flux until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Senate races likely headed to Jan. 5 runoffs , and the outcome of the presidential race still not called .
Scott , a former Florida governor , was first elected to the Senate in 2018 , defeating longtime Sen. Bill Nelson .
Scott leveraged his personal wealth and spent millions of his own money on the race , and he has even been airing ads during the 2020 race , notably during the Iowa caucuses .
As things stand now , Republicans will be defending 21 seats to the Democrats ' 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held by Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler , who faces a Jan. 5 runoff , and Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly , who beat GOP Sen. Martha McSally in a special election Tuesday .

Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott, who has been mentioned as a potential 2024 presidential candidate, will make a run to lead Senate Republicans’ campaign arm for the 2022 election cycle.
Scott’s decision was first reported by Politico, and a spokesman confirmed Friday he intends to run for National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman. The current NRSC chairman, Indiana Sen. Todd Young, is up for reelection in 2022.
The timing of Senate leadership elections has not yet been announced, with control of the Senate appearing to be in flux until next year, both of Georgia’s Senate races likely headed to Jan. 5 runoffs, and the outcome of the presidential race still not called.
Scott, a former Florida governor, was first elected to the Senate in 2018, defeating longtime Sen. Bill Nelson. Scott leveraged his personal wealth and spent millions of his own money on the race, and he has even been airing ads during the 2020 race, notably during the Iowa caucuses.
As things stand now, Republicans will be defending 21 seats to the Democrats' 13 in 2022. That includes the seat held by Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who faces a Jan. 5 runoff, and Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly, who beat GOP Sen. Martha McSally in a special election Tuesday.


rollcall--2020-11-06--The Transition: The tipping point

The Transition: The tipping point

At the time of this recording , five states have still not been called in the presidential election , with @ @ @ @ @ leading in three of them .
Then there ’ s the Senate .
With two @ @ @ @ @ in Georgia , the chamber majority will be uncertain until then .
CQ Roll Call @ @ @ @ @ , political reporter Stephanie Akin and host Jason Dick report in this special edition of @ @ @ @ @ week ” continues .
• Democrats have little to show from efforts to wrest control @ @ @ @ @ Senate seat headed to January runoff that could decide Senate control

Jason Dick, Evan Campbell, and Joanne Levine

At the time of this recording, five states have still not been called in the presidential election, with former Vice President Joe Biden leading in three of them. Then there’s the Senate. With two runoff elections set for January in Georgia, the chamber majority will be uncertain until then.
CQ Roll Call chief Washington correspondent Niels Lesniewski, political reporter Stephanie Akin and host Jason Dick report in this special edition of Political Theater as “election week” continues.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-11-06--Republicans ask Supreme Court to step in on small slice of Pennsylvania ballots

Republicans returned to the Supreme Court on Friday for the first time after Election Day , with an emergency application that appears to be in line with what has so far been a toothless and repetitive legal push to question the outcome of the presidential election in Pennsylvania .
The new filing from the Republican Party of Pennsylvania deals with only a small slice of Keystone State ballots : those that arrive in the mail after Election Day on Tuesday .
But Pennsylvania ’ s 20 Electoral College votes could give former Vice President Joe Biden the 270 he needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state a must-win at this point for President Donald Trump .
State election officials say those ballots are not included in the tally , which by Friday afternoon gave Biden a 13,492-vote advantage , a lead that was expected to grow as the count continued .
And the Republican Party ’ s application asks the justices to order the state ’ s Democratic election officials to do something that those officials had already agreed to do , which is to keep those ballots separate from the ballots that arrived on or before Election @ @

Republicans returned to the Supreme Court on Friday for the first time after Election Day, with an emergency application that appears to be in line with what has so far been a toothless and repetitive legal push to question the outcome of the presidential election in Pennsylvania.
The new filing from the Republican Party of Pennsylvania deals with only a small slice of Keystone State ballots: those that arrive in the mail after Election Day on Tuesday.
But Pennsylvania’s 20 Electoral College votes could give former Vice President Joe Biden the 270 he needs to win the presidency, making the state a must-win at this point for President Donald Trump.
State election officials say those ballots are not included in the tally, which by Friday afternoon gave Biden a 13,492-vote advantage, a lead that was expected to grow as the count continued.
And the Republican Party’s application asks the justices to order the state’s Democratic election officials to do something that those officials had already agreed to do, which is to keep those ballots separate from the ballots that arrived on or before Election Day.


rollcall--2020-11-06--Congressional Hits and Misses: Election week edition

Former Vice President Joe Biden is inching closer to an Electoral College victory , while President Donald Trump is making @ @ @ @ @ fraud and possible court cases loom .
As Election Day got drawn into election week @ @ @ @ @ , Sen. Bob Casey did his best Steve Kornacki/John King impression , Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ despite House Democratic losses and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pondered whether he ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ or the offensive coordinator ” in the 117th Congress .
[ Also watch — Marijuana @ @ @ @ @ 2020 ballot initiatives see split results ]

Former Vice President Joe Biden is inching closer to an Electoral College victory, while President Donald Trump is making unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and possible court cases loom.
As Election Day got drawn into election week (election month?), Sen. Bob Casey did his best Steve Kornacki/John King impression, Speaker Nancy Pelosi was “officially pleased” despite House Democratic losses and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pondered whether he’ll be “the defensive coordinator or the offensive coordinator” in the 117th Congress.
[Also watch — Marijuana, abortion and vaping: 2020 ballot initiatives see split results]


rollcall--2020-11-06--Democrats have little to show from efforts to wrest control over redistricting

Redistricting power will largely remain in Republican hands for the next decade after Tuesday ’ s elections , although control of several state legislatures has not been finalized .
Republicans have so far held on to their majorities in every state they currently hold — and may end up adding control of New Hampshire ’ s legislature .
Adam Kincaid , executive director of the National Republican Redistricting Trust , said that leaves the GOP with the advantage in deciding House district boundaries for another decade .
“ For every chamber that matters for redistricting that was on the ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picked up seats , ” Kincaid said .
“ We have an opportunity to build a new Republican majority in Congress because of the success we had on Tuesday.
” Early in the year , Democrats cited favorable polling and demographic trends to target half a dozen state legislatures with a say in redistricting in a $ 50 million “ Flip Everything ” campaign through the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee .
While results have not been finalized , Democrats have not flipped a single legislative chamber .
DLCC spokeswoman Christina Polizzi attributed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP and President Donald Trump ’ s strength in Republican areas .

Redistricting power will largely remain in Republican hands for the next decade after Tuesday’s elections, although control of several state legislatures has not been finalized.
Republicans have so far held on to their majorities in every state they currently hold — and may end up adding control of New Hampshire’s legislature. Adam Kincaid, executive director of the National Republican Redistricting Trust, said that leaves the GOP with the advantage in deciding House district boundaries for another decade.
“For every chamber that matters for redistricting that was on the ballot, we successfully defended our majority or picked up seats,” Kincaid said. “We have an opportunity to build a new Republican majority in Congress because of the success we had on Tuesday.”
Early in the year, Democrats cited favorable polling and demographic trends to target half a dozen state legislatures with a say in redistricting in a $50 million “Flip Everything” campaign through the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. While results have not been finalized, Democrats have not flipped a single legislative chamber.
DLCC spokeswoman Christina Polizzi attributed the troubles to maps that already favored the GOP and President Donald Trump’s strength in Republican areas.


rollcall--2020-11-06--Dueling coronavirus relief bill visions cloud lame-duck outlook

Republicans and Democrats are moving in opposite directions on another coronavirus relief package , lowering the odds of a deal @ @ @ @ @ Friday that Democrats ’ loss of House seats and upbeat jobs numbers indicate Congress should @ @ @ @ @ the lame-duck session set to begin next week .
But Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her @ @ @ @ @ majority and probable White House win , as well as the spike in infections throughout @ @ @ @ @ a robust package rather than the slimmer versions Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has put @ @ @ @ @ ’ t appeal to me at all because they still have not agreed to crush @ @ @ @ @ said during a news conference .
“ That isn ’ t anything that we should @ @ @ @ @ It wasn ’ t the right thing to do before.
” McConnell told reporters in @ @ @ @ @ numbers were a “ stunning indication of a dramatic comeback of the economy .
”

Jennifer Shutt, Niels Lesniewski, and Lindsey McPherson

Republicans and Democrats are moving in opposite directions on another coronavirus relief package, lowering the odds of a deal this year.
Republicans argued Friday that Democrats’ loss of House seats and upbeat jobs numbers indicate Congress should approve a smaller package during the lame-duck session set to begin next week.
But Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her party’s continued House majority and probable White House win, as well as the spike in infections throughout the country, argue for a robust package rather than the slimmer versions Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has put forth.
“It doesn’t appeal to me at all because they still have not agreed to crush the virus,” Pelosi said during a news conference. “That isn’t anything that we should even be looking at. It wasn’t the right thing to do before.”
McConnell told reporters in Kentucky that the latest jobs numbers were a “stunning indication of a dramatic comeback of the economy.”


rollcall--2020-11-06--Second Georgia Senate seat headed to January runoff that could decide Senate control

Democrats ’ hopes for gaining control of the Senate hung Friday on the ballot count in Georgia , as the race between Republican Sen. David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff inched toward a Jan. 5 runoff .
After days of counting , Perdue had 49.8 percent of the vote to Ossoff 's 47.8 percent on Friday morning , according to The Associated Press .
Libertarian Party candidate Shane Hazel had about 2 percent .
Georgia requires candidates to clear a 50 percent threshold to win , or the top two finishers go to a runoff .
Georgia was already facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the addition of Perdue ’ s race would all but ensure an expensive two-month addendum to the exhausting and unpredictable ordeal that has been the 2020 election .
On Thursday , for example , an anti-abortion group announced it would spend $ 4 million to back Perdue and GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler , who is battling Democrat Raphael Warnock in a special election runoff .
Both parties are expected to throw all their resources into Georgia , and the Perdue and Ossoff campaigns were making blustery predictions .
Ossoff stood before a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Atlanta on Friday morning and announced that there would be a runoff .
He invoked civil rights icon and longtime Rep. John Lewis , who died this year , and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams , who has become a voting rights advocate after her narrow 2018 loss to Republican Brian Kemp .
Ossoff said his campaign was built on their struggles to ensure all people had the right to vote .

Democrats’ hopes for gaining control of the Senate hung Friday on the ballot count in Georgia, as the race between Republican Sen. David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff inched toward a Jan. 5 runoff.
After days of counting, Perdue had 49.8 percent of the vote to Ossoff's 47.8 percent on Friday morning, according to The Associated Press. Libertarian Party candidate Shane Hazel had about 2 percent. Georgia requires candidates to clear a 50 percent threshold to win, or the top two finishers go to a runoff.
Georgia was already facing a runoff for its other Senate seat and the addition of Perdue’s race would all but ensure an expensive two-month addendum to the exhausting and unpredictable ordeal that has been the 2020 election. On Thursday, for example, an anti-abortion group announced it would spend $4 million to back Perdue and GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who is battling Democrat Raphael Warnock in a special election runoff. Both parties are expected to throw all their resources into Georgia, and the Perdue and Ossoff campaigns were making blustery predictions.
Ossoff stood before a crowd of supporters at an outside event in Atlanta on Friday morning and announced that there would be a runoff. He invoked civil rights icon and longtime Rep. John Lewis, who died this year, and 2018 gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams, who has become a voting rights advocate after her narrow 2018 loss to Republican Brian Kemp.
Ossoff said his campaign was built on their struggles to ensure all people had the right to vote.


rollcall--2020-11-06--Photos of the week: Election 2020 edition

CQ Roll Call photojournalists bring you visuals of democracy in action from Pennsylvania , Georgia , Virginia and the District @ @ @ @ @ , voters voted , and protesters protested during election week 2020 .

Tom Williams, Caroline Brehman, and Bill Clark

CQ Roll Call photojournalists bring you visuals of democracy in action from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Virginia and the District of Columbia as candidates campaigned, voters voted, and protesters protested during election week 2020.
Election officials collect ballots from a drop box on the last day of early voting in Georgia at the Lenora Park Gym in Snellville, Ga., on Friday, Oct. 30. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Jaime Harrison poses with a painting of himself by artist Joey Withinarts during the drive-in rally in Anderson, S.C., on Saturday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
An election worker opens ballots in preparation for scanning at the Dekalb County Voter Registration and Elections Office in Decatur, Ga., on Monday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Senate candidate Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., right, and Roger Stone, former advisor to President Trump, speak during a campaign rally in Buford, Ga., on Monday. Collins was running in the special election in Georgia but did not advance to the run-off, which will take place between GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
A voter is seen at a voting machine at the Liberty Baptist Church polling place on Election Day in Atlanta. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Voters arrive at the Ruckersville Volunteer Fire Company to cast their votes in Ruckersville, Va., on Election Day. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
A plane with a "Vote Today" banner flies over Philadelphia on Election Day. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
A voter casts their ballot inside the Hair Vyce Studio hair salon on Election Day in Philadelphia. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Eylia Love, of the Georgia Tech Women's basketball team, holds a voting sign outside of McCamish Pavillion which served as a polling place on Election Day in Atlanta. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
A voter votes at Alumni Hall at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., on Election Day. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Warnock and Stacey Abrams, former candidate for Georgia governor, wear vote face masks during their campaign rally near Coan Park in Atlanta on Election Day. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Shannon Epstein, left, and Bekah Carlson react as they watch election results shown on a jumbotron in McPherson Square in Washington on election night. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
An activist stands at the Columbus Fountain in front of Union Station in Washington as protesters gather Wednesday morning, the day after Election Day. A coalition of groups held the protest in response to Trump's premature declaration of victory. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-11-07--Win by Biden and Harris opens up California Senate seat

Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s presidential win means California will lose one of its senators when Kamala Harris becomes vice president in January .
The vacancy will put Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom , who is tasked with appointing Harris ’ successor , in the spotlight .
Harris ’ first Senate term was set to expire in January 2023 , since she was elected in 2016 .
The governor could call a special election prior that to replace Harris , but he is not legally required to do so , according to the California Secretary of State 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , Newsom 's appointee could serve out the rest of Harris ' unexpired term and run for a full term in 2022 .
There is no shortage of high-profile Democratic politicians in California , meaning Newsom could be looking at a long list of potential appointees .
Politico reported in late October that Newsom ’ s short list includes two potential candidates who would be the state 's first Latino senator : Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra .
Rep. Karen Bass , who chairs the Congressional Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contender for the appointment .
Other members of Congress have also been named in reports about Harris ’ potential successor , including Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee , a favorite among progressives ; Katie Porter , another progressive member who 's known for her sharp questioning in hearings ; Ro Khanna , who co-chaired former Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ campaign ; and Adam Schiff , who built a national profile as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee .

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s presidential win means California will lose one of its senators when Kamala Harris becomes vice president in January. The vacancy will put Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is tasked with appointing Harris’ successor, in the spotlight.
Harris’ first Senate term was set to expire in January 2023, since she was elected in 2016. The governor could call a special election prior that to replace Harris, but he is not legally required to do so, according to the California Secretary of State's office. If there is no special election, Newsom's appointee could serve out the rest of Harris' unexpired term and run for a full term in 2022.
There is no shortage of high-profile Democratic politicians in California, meaning Newsom could be looking at a long list of potential appointees.
Politico reported in late October that Newsom’s short list includes two potential candidates who would be the state's first Latino senator: Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Rep. Karen Bass, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, is also reportedly a top contender for the appointment.
Other members of Congress have also been named in reports about Harris’ potential successor, including Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee, a favorite among progressives; Katie Porter, another progressive member who's known for her sharp questioning in hearings; Ro Khanna, who co-chaired former Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign; and Adam Schiff, who built a national profile as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.


rollcall--2020-11-07--Joe Biden wins the White House, leaving Democrats with narrow path to Senate majority

Former Vice President Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the United States , and there is a path to the narrowest of Senate majorities for Democrats with his victory .
As of Saturday , the former vice president has accumulated more than the necessary 270 electoral votes to defeat President Donald Trump , according to The Associated Press , which called the race moments after CNN and NBC News .
The calls came once it was clear that Biden was ahead of Trump in Pennsylvania , where mail-in ballots were being tabulated late in the process .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Georgia and Nevada at the time the outlets called the election .
The Associated Press called Pennsylvania for Biden and running mate Kamala Harris shortly before 11:30 a.m. Saturday .
`` I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and Vice President-elect Harris , '' Biden said in a statement from his campaign .
`` With the campaign over , it 's time to put the anger and harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation .
It 's time for America to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Former Vice President Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the United States, and there is a path to the narrowest of Senate majorities for Democrats with his victory.
As of Saturday, the former vice president has accumulated more than the necessary 270 electoral votes to defeat President Donald Trump, according to The Associated Press, which called the race moments after CNN and NBC News.
The calls came once it was clear that Biden was ahead of Trump in Pennsylvania, where mail-in ballots were being tabulated late in the process. Biden was also shown narrowly ahead in Arizona, Georgia and Nevada at the time the outlets called the election.
The Associated Press called Pennsylvania for Biden and running mate Kamala Harris shortly before 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
"I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and Vice President-elect Harris," Biden said in a statement from his campaign. "With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation. It's time for America to unite. And to heal."


rollcall--2020-11-08--Biden’s transition moving ahead at full speed

When Joe Biden was named president-elect on Saturday , his transition operation was already full speed ahead .
Biden plans @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus task force on Monday to help shape his administration 's response to @ @ @ @ @ former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and former FDA Commissioner David Kessler among the leaders , @ @ @ @ @ Kate Bedingfield .
Bedingfield , appearing Sunday on NBC 's `` Meet the Press '' @ @ @ @ @ transition officials who have said they intend to hit the ground running .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ He 'll be making announcements to the American people about how he 's going to @ @ @ @ @ promises .
And I think , look , we saw the Biden-Harris ticket get the @ @ @ @ @ ticket in the history of presidential politics , '' Bedingfield said .
`` People are @ @ @ @ @ The president-elect is also expected to be talking to world leaders in the coming days @

When Joe Biden was named president-elect on Saturday, his transition operation was already full speed ahead.
Biden plans to announce his own version of the coronavirus task force on Monday to help shape his administration's response to the ongoing pandemic, with former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and former FDA Commissioner David Kessler among the leaders, according to deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield.
Bedingfield, appearing Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" echoed other Biden campaign and transition officials who have said they intend to hit the ground running.
"He'll be making calls. He'll be making announcements to the American people about how he's going to make good on these campaign promises. And I think, look, we saw the Biden-Harris ticket get the most votes of any presidential ticket in the history of presidential politics," Bedingfield said. "People are hungry for change."
The president-elect is also expected to be talking to world leaders in the coming days.


rollcall--2020-11-09--Democrats’ dream election scenario is still alive

ANALYSIS — Expectations shroud election results .
That seems never more true than this year when conventional wisdom had it that voters would repudiate Donald Trump by awarding Joe Biden a landslide victory and a Democratic House and Senate to work with .
That didn ’ t happen , a testament to the ideological divide that now afflicts American politics .
So Democrats hoping for a sweeping mandate to overhaul the institutions of power and to pursue their solutions to big problems are disappointed .
The irony is that they may still get a chance to pursue them .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House , albeit with several lost seats , and with two Georgia seats headed for a January runoff , there is still a chance for the party to take control of the Senate and hold all the elective levers of power .
Still , the shine is off the dream of a change election .
Having won narrowly , having watched their House majority shrink , it will take audaciousness for Democrats to now pursue some of the more far-reaching wishes of their progressive base , from expanding the Supreme Court to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D.C. , and Puerto Rico as states .
Even ambitious legislation — to combat climate change , add a public insurance option to the 2010 health care law and restrict gun sales — looks risky , with a House majority that could be just a handful of seats and a Senate to which Vice President Kamala Harris might have to visit often to cast tiebreaking votes .

ANALYSIS — Expectations shroud election results. That seems never more true than this year when conventional wisdom had it that voters would repudiate Donald Trump by awarding Joe Biden a landslide victory and a Democratic House and Senate to work with.
That didn’t happen, a testament to the ideological divide that now afflicts American politics. So Democrats hoping for a sweeping mandate to overhaul the institutions of power and to pursue their solutions to big problems are disappointed.
The irony is that they may still get a chance to pursue them. Biden won the presidential election. Democrats retained the House, albeit with several lost seats, and with two Georgia seats headed for a January runoff, there is still a chance for the party to take control of the Senate and hold all the elective levers of power.
Still, the shine is off the dream of a change election. Having won narrowly, having watched their House majority shrink, it will take audaciousness for Democrats to now pursue some of the more far-reaching wishes of their progressive base, from expanding the Supreme Court to eliminating the legislative filibuster to adding Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico as states.
Even ambitious legislation — to combat climate change, add a public insurance option to the 2010 health care law and restrict gun sales — looks risky, with a House majority that could be just a handful of seats and a Senate to which Vice President Kamala Harris might have to visit often to cast tiebreaking votes.


rollcall--2020-11-09--Less travel, more Zoom: Some COVID-19 campaign changes may endure

COVID-19 upended campaigning as we knew it : Candidates , realizing it was taboo to cuddle babies or shake hands @ @ @ @ @ to Zoom events to woo voters .
Donors shifted from mingling at the hors d @ @ @ @ @ down takeout and sipping cocktails in front of their screens .
One candidate in a @ @ @ @ @ altogether and began dropping off groceries to would-be constituents instead .
The food deliveries lasted @ @ @ @ @ other changes that campaigns adopted because of the coronavirus crisis may endure long after the @ @ @ @ @ say .
And they extend beyond elbow bumps .
The rapid explosion in digital donating @ @ @ @ @ to remain , particularly among Democratic candidates , even as the party examines whether its @ @ @ @ @ pandemic may have cost votes .
The ease of traversing the country from the comforts @ @ @ @ @ to give up entirely , even though candidates and consultants from both parties say they @ @ @ @ @ again embrace the in-person , human interaction of retail politics on the trail .

COVID-19 upended campaigning as we knew it: Candidates, realizing it was taboo to cuddle babies or shake hands during a pandemic, moved to Zoom events to woo voters. Donors shifted from mingling at the hors d’oeuvres buffet to scarfing down takeout and sipping cocktails in front of their screens.
One candidate in a Michigan district stopped traditional campaigning altogether and began dropping off groceries to would-be constituents instead.
The food deliveries lasted only three months, but other changes that campaigns adopted because of the coronavirus crisis may endure long after the pandemic subsides, political operatives say. And they extend beyond elbow bumps.
The rapid explosion in digital donating and get-out-the-vote efforts will likely remain, particularly among Democratic candidates, even as the party examines whether its reluctance to canvass during the pandemic may have cost votes.
The ease of traversing the country from the comforts of home will be hard to give up entirely, even though candidates and consultants from both parties say they do still crave and will again embrace the in-person, human interaction of retail politics on the trail.


rollcall--2020-11-09--Joe Manchin kills dreams of expanding Supreme Court, eliminating the filibuster

West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin III wants to make clear that he will not be the 50th vote in favor of eliminating the legislative filibuster or expanding the size of the Supreme Court in a potential 50-50 Senate .
Democrats still have a narrow path to a Senate majority if they are able to prevail in two January runoff elections in Georgia , assuming Republicans currently leading in North Carolina and Alaska win .
But in a move that seems partly designed to interfere with GOP talking points about the risks of unified Democratic government , Manchin appeared Monday on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities .
“ I commit to you tonight , and I commit to all of your viewers and everyone else that ’ s watching .
I want to allay those fears , I want to rest those fears for you right now because when they talk about whether it be packing the courts , or ending the filibuster , I will not vote to do that , ” Manchin said in the interview .
“ I will not vote to pack the courts … and I will not vote to end the filibuster.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , efforts to defund the police and advance “ Medicare for All ” lacked support among members of the Senate Democratic Conference as well .
“ We ’ ve got to fix the Affordable Care Act , ” Manchin said the evening before the Supreme Court takes up a key challenge to the health care law of a decade ago .
“ I think our … moderate Republicans will work with us to now repair what needs to be repaired .
”

West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin III wants to make clear that he will not be the 50th vote in favor of eliminating the legislative filibuster or expanding the size of the Supreme Court in a potential 50-50 Senate.
Democrats still have a narrow path to a Senate majority if they are able to prevail in two January runoff elections in Georgia, assuming Republicans currently leading in North Carolina and Alaska win. But in a move that seems partly designed to interfere with GOP talking points about the risks of unified Democratic government, Manchin appeared Monday on Fox News to declare dead several progressive priorities.
“I commit to you tonight, and I commit to all of your viewers and everyone else that’s watching. I want to allay those fears, I want to rest those fears for you right now because when they talk about whether it be packing the courts, or ending the filibuster, I will not vote to do that,” Manchin said in the interview. “I will not vote to pack the courts … and I will not vote to end the filibuster.”
Manchin said that in his estimation, efforts to defund the police and advance “Medicare for All” lacked support among members of the Senate Democratic Conference as well.
“We’ve got to fix the Affordable Care Act,” Manchin said the evening before the Supreme Court takes up a key challenge to the health care law of a decade ago. “I think our … moderate Republicans will work with us to now repair what needs to be repaired.”