rollcall--2020-06-26--Trump’s Supreme Court tax case in context

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision regarding release of President Donald Trump 's tax returns as soon @ @ @ @ @ In May , Trump 's lawyers presented several arguments urging the court to shield his @ @ @ @ @ argued Congress must set a higher bar to issue a subpoena to a president , @ @ @ @ @ immune from all investigations , both federal and state , while in office .
CQ @ @ @ @ @ Washington University Professor Alan Morrison , who has argued 20 cases before the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ the three consolidated cases and context from past presidential power cases .

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision regarding release of President Donald Trump's tax returns as soon as early next week.
In May, Trump's lawyers presented several arguments urging the court to shield his returns.
The legal team argued Congress must set a higher bar to issue a subpoena to a president, and that a president is immune from all investigations, both federal and state, while in office.
CQ Roll Call spoke with George Washington University Professor Alan Morrison, who has argued 20 cases before the Supreme Court, on the details of the three consolidated cases and context from past presidential power cases.


rollcall--2020-06-26--USCIS official: ‘Every office’ would be hit by agency furloughs

A $ 1.2 billion cash infusion sought by U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services would largely be used to pay employees and avoid furloughs that would affect the entire agency , a top official said .
“ There is not one directorate , one operational directorate , that is taking a larger hit than another , ” Joseph Edlow , deputy director for policy at USCIS , told CQ Roll Call .
“ Every directorate , every office is going to be affected by this.
” Agency officials are pressing lawmakers on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say is needed to avoid the furlough of 13,400 employees , or more than two-thirds of the almost 20,000-strong USCIS workforce .
The cash infusion would replace fees on immigration-related applications and petitions that have fallen 50 percent since March due to the pandemic and economic lockdown , officials said .
Based on an internal USCIS document , the $ 1.2 billion request breaks down into $ 571.2 million to support operations in fiscal 2020 , which ends Sept. 30 , and $ 650 million in carryover funds to ensure that sufficient resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next fiscal year .

A $1.2 billion cash infusion sought by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services would largely be used to pay employees and avoid furloughs that would affect the entire agency, a top official said.
“There is not one directorate, one operational directorate, that is taking a larger hit than another,” Joseph Edlow, deputy director for policy at USCIS, told CQ Roll Call. “Every directorate, every office is going to be affected by this.”
Agency officials are pressing lawmakers on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and elsewhere to provide the onetime emergency appropriation they say is needed to avoid the furlough of 13,400 employees, or more than two-thirds of the almost 20,000-strong USCIS workforce. The cash infusion would replace fees on immigration-related applications and petitions that have fallen 50 percent since March due to the pandemic and economic lockdown, officials said.
[USCIS informs 13,000 federal employees of potential furloughs]
Based on an internal USCIS document, the $1.2 billion request breaks down into $571.2 million to support operations in fiscal 2020, which ends Sept. 30, and $650 million in carryover funds to ensure that sufficient resources are available at the start of the next fiscal year.


rollcall--2020-06-26--FEC set to lose its quorum again

FEC set to lose its quorum again

The Federal Election Commission , which just recently regained enough members to conduct such routine official business as meetings , is losing yet another commissioner , sidelining the agency tasked with enforcing election laws in a pivotal presidential election year .
GOP commissioner Caroline Hunter is departing on July 3 , according to a resignation letter first reported by Politico .
That will leave the agency with three members ; a quorum requires four commissioners .
Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis , the top Republican on the House Administration panel , which has jurisdiction over federal election matters , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a quorum again before the November elections .
“ It just goes to the point we ’ ve been making for a while that we certainly hope that the administration could get some nominations to get a quorum , ” Davis said .
“ I want to thank Commissioner Hunter for her service .
She did a great job ; sad to see her go .
But at the same time , I ’ d like to press for more urgency in getting a full commission so that they can operate .
”

That didn’t last long.
The Federal Election Commission, which just recently regained enough members to conduct such routine official business as meetings, is losing yet another commissioner, sidelining the agency tasked with enforcing election laws in a pivotal presidential election year.
GOP commissioner Caroline Hunter is departing on July 3, according to a resignation letter first reported by Politico. That will leave the agency with three members; a quorum requires four commissioners.
Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis, the top Republican on the House Administration panel, which has jurisdiction over federal election matters, said he was concerned the agency would not have a quorum again before the November elections.
“It just goes to the point we’ve been making for a while that we certainly hope that the administration could get some nominations to get a quorum,” Davis said. “I want to thank Commissioner Hunter for her service. She did a great job; sad to see her go. But at the same time, I’d like to press for more urgency in getting a full commission so that they can operate.”


rollcall--2020-06-26--White House says cutting COVID-19 spread a matter of patriotism

Vice President Mike Pence warned Friday of a “ precipitous ” rise in coronavirus infections across the country , 10 @ @ @ @ @ on rising cases as a media distortion .
Pence urged people , especially young Americans @ @ @ @ @ personal responsibility of limiting transmission .
Pence said half of new cases had occurred in @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Now is the time for everybody to do their part , ” Pence @ @ @ @ @ rising in 26 states , and those states account for 62 percent of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation , with crisis-level hospitalizations in several Southern states .
This week @ @ @ @ @ daily infections rose to its highest rate since late April , when hard-hit New York @ @ @ @ @ Pence dismissed the possibility of a new surge of cases in a Wall Street Journal @ @ @ @ @ .

Vice President Mike Pence warned Friday of a “precipitous” rise in coronavirus infections across the country, 10 days after he dismissed data on rising cases as a media distortion.
Pence urged people, especially young Americans, to take on the personal responsibility of limiting transmission. Pence said half of new cases had occurred in people under 35 years old.
“Now is the time for everybody to do their part,” Pence said.
Case numbers are rising in 26 states, and those states account for 62 percent of the U.S. population, according to the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, with crisis-level hospitalizations in several Southern states. This week, the number of U.S. daily infections rose to its highest rate since late April, when hard-hit New York was experiencing a surge.
Pence dismissed the possibility of a new surge of cases in a Wall Street Journal opinion column 10 days ago.


rollcall--2020-06-26--‘We’re way beyond regular order’ — Congressional Hits and Misses

While Rep. Louie Gohmert banged his desk repeatedly and Rep. Ted Lieu imitated President Donald Trump drinking water , at @ @ @ @ @ please both parties by whipping out a Nationals face mask in the middle of a @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers continued to struggle with their mics , Trump bungled Rep. Elise Stefanik ’ s @ @ @ @ @ clerk raised the dead .
[ Also watch : Norton continues push to change name @ @ @ @ @ team ]

While Rep. Louie Gohmert banged his desk repeatedly and Rep. Ted Lieu imitated President Donald Trump drinking water, at least Dr. Anthony Fauci could please both parties by whipping out a Nationals face mask in the middle of a coronavirus hearing.
Meanwhile, lawmakers continued to struggle with their mics, Trump bungled Rep. Elise Stefanik’s last name and a Senate clerk raised the dead.
[ Also watch: Norton continues push to change name of DC’s football team ]


rollcall--2020-06-26--‘Slap in the face:’ Why Democrats won’t use GOP policing bill as starting point

Democrats frequently complain about Senate Republicans ignoring their legislative priorities , so when the GOP offered to debate a policing overhaul with amendments , Democrats ’ decision to block that left a lot of people scratching their heads .
Both chambers had an opportunity to pass policing legislation and go to a conference committee to compromise on a measure that could become law .
But Democrats said the Senate Republican bill was so weak that it wasn ’ t even worth trying to amend it or use it as a vehicle to go to conference .
As a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 votes to begin debate on the Republican bill Wednesday .
The House passed a more expansive Democratic bill Thursday , 236-181 , but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he won ’ t take it up .
Congress finds itself in all too common partisan impasse with no immediate prospects for compromise .
Republicans are pointing blame at Democrats for blocking debate on the Senate bill , saying they planned to allow the minority to offer amendments .
Democrats say there wasn ’ t a way to salvage the GOP bill with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been contrary to their values .

Democrats frequently complain about Senate Republicans ignoring their legislative priorities, so when the GOP offered to debate a policing overhaul with amendments, Democrats’ decision to block that left a lot of people scratching their heads.
Both chambers had an opportunity to pass policing legislation and go to a conference committee to compromise on a measure that could become law. But Democrats said the Senate Republican bill was so weak that it wasn’t even worth trying to amend it or use it as a vehicle to go to conference.
As a result, the Senate couldn’t even muster 60 votes to begin debate on the Republican bill Wednesday. The House passed a more expansive Democratic bill Thursday, 236-181, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he won’t take it up.
[House passes policing bill amid familiar partisan stalemate]
Congress finds itself in all too common partisan impasse with no immediate prospects for compromise. Republicans are pointing blame at Democrats for blocking debate on the Senate bill, saying they planned to allow the minority to offer amendments. Democrats say there wasn’t a way to salvage the GOP bill with amendments and voting for it would have been contrary to their values.


rollcall--2020-06-26--Trump butters up lobster industry with hint of trade aid

The Trump administration says it will step in to aid the U.S. lobster industry , which is being battered by retaliatory tariffs by China and losing ground in Europe to Canadian competitors receiving favorable treatment under a trade agreement .
Maine lawmakers , including Republican Sen. Susan Collins , who faces a tough reelection race this year , welcomed the White House support .
Maine accounts for most of the lobster production in the U.S. , and the state 's four-member congressional delegation has been calling for the administration to provide a financial lifeline or a trade agreement with Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to counter China on emerging technology with $ 100 billion ] In a joint statement , Collins , independent Sen. Angus King and Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree said they will keep an eye on the administration ’ s efforts to help the industry .
“ We have always been strong , steadfast advocates for resolving the trade barriers harming the lobster industry , which supports the livelihoods of thousands of Mainers , and have repeatedly pushed for actions to alleviate the economic challenges those employed in our seafood supply chain are experiencing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Trump administration says it will step in to aid the U.S. lobster industry, which is being battered by retaliatory tariffs by China and losing ground in Europe to Canadian competitors receiving favorable treatment under a trade agreement.
Maine lawmakers, including Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who faces a tough reelection race this year, welcomed the White House support. Maine accounts for most of the lobster production in the U.S., and the state's four-member congressional delegation has been calling for the administration to provide a financial lifeline or a trade agreement with Europe since 2019.
[Bipartisan bill seeks to counter China on emerging technology with $100 billion]
In a joint statement, Collins, independent Sen. Angus King and Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree said they will keep an eye on the administration’s efforts to help the industry.
“We have always been strong, steadfast advocates for resolving the trade barriers harming the lobster industry, which supports the livelihoods of thousands of Mainers, and have repeatedly pushed for actions to alleviate the economic challenges those employed in our seafood supply chain are experiencing,” the three Maine lawmakers said.


rollcall--2020-06-26--Milestone House vote on DC statehood is where it likely ends … for now

A House vote Friday on a bill to admit the District of Columbia as the 51st state was the first @ @ @ @ @ passed either chamber of Congress .
It ’ s also expected to be the bill @ @ @ @ @ at least until next year .
The measure , passed 232-180 , has little chance @ @ @ @ @ floor in the GOP-controlled Senate .
Friday ’ s vote does mark a milestone for @ @ @ @ @ fighting for D.C. statehood , and if Democrats keep their focus , it might one @ @ @ @ @ party controls both chambers of Congress and the White House .
“ My service in @ @ @ @ @ to achieving equality for the people I represent , which only statehood can provide , @ @ @ @ @ Norton , who was first elected in 1990 as the District ’ s nonvoting delegate @ @ @ @ @ capacity ever since .

A House vote Friday on a bill to admit the District of Columbia as the 51st state was the first time a D.C. statehood bill passed either chamber of Congress. It’s also expected to be the bill’s last stop, at least until next year.
The measure, passed 232-180, has little chance of making it to the floor in the GOP-controlled Senate. Friday’s vote does mark a milestone for many who have spent years fighting for D.C. statehood, and if Democrats keep their focus, it might one day become reality if the party controls both chambers of Congress and the White House.
“My service in the Congress has been dedicated to achieving equality for the people I represent, which only statehood can provide,” said Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton, who was first elected in 1990 as the District’s nonvoting delegate and has served in that capacity ever since.


rollcall--2020-06-26--‘Slap in the face’: Why Democrats won’t use GOP policing bill as starting point


rollcall--2020-06-29--Less time, less drama: Congress steps up work on NDAA

This week , lawmakers in both chambers will focus much of their attention on the massive annual defense policy bill .
And unlike last year , when markups and debates often devolved into partisan clashes , members sound optimistic that this year ’ s efforts will be less acrimonious .
On Monday , the Senate will resume floor debate of its version of the defense authorization bill with a goal of finalizing and passing it before members leave Washington for the July Fourth recess .
Two days later , the House Armed Services Committee will hold its full committee markup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that likely will run into the wee hours Thursday .
The annual bill , which adjusts military policy and in fiscal 2021 would authorize $ 731.6 billion in funding for national security , is one of a handful of must-pass bills Congress handles each year .
It has been enacted 59 consecutive years , typically with substantial bipartisan majorities .
But that doesn ’ t mean it has always been easy .
Last year , upset with provisions that would have blocked the deployment of a new , slightly less powerful sub-launched nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bill , which passed without a single GOP vote .
The coronavirus pandemic is partially responsible for the lack of partisan rancor on this bill , at least so far .
Both chambers lost substantial legislating time during the weeks they were forced to stay home during the widespread shutdown in April and May .
With time running short , both Armed Services committees focused on areas of agreement while preparing their drafts .

This week, lawmakers in both chambers will focus much of their attention on the massive annual defense policy bill. And unlike last year, when markups and debates often devolved into partisan clashes, members sound optimistic that this year’s efforts will be less acrimonious.
On Monday, the Senate will resume floor debate of its version of the defense authorization bill with a goal of finalizing and passing it before members leave Washington for the July Fourth recess. Two days later, the House Armed Services Committee will hold its full committee markup of its bill, a marathon event that likely will run into the wee hours Thursday.
The annual bill, which adjusts military policy and in fiscal 2021 would authorize $731.6 billion in funding for national security, is one of a handful of must-pass bills Congress handles each year. It has been enacted 59 consecutive years, typically with substantial bipartisan majorities.
But that doesn’t mean it has always been easy. Last year, upset with provisions that would have blocked the deployment of a new, slightly less powerful sub-launched nuclear missile, House Republicans disavowed their chamber’s bill, which passed without a single GOP vote.
The coronavirus pandemic is partially responsible for the lack of partisan rancor on this bill, at least so far. Both chambers lost substantial legislating time during the weeks they were forced to stay home during the widespread shutdown in April and May. With time running short, both Armed Services committees focused on areas of agreement while preparing their drafts.


rollcall--2020-06-29--On policing, it’s all politics now

On policing, it’s all politics now

ANALYSIS — In all likelihood , the question now is not whether Congress will act in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer , Derek Chauvin , but who will the voters blame because it failed to act ?
In Washington , the policing debate has entered the realm of the political , with Election Day now just four months away .
There ’ s still a chance that Senate Republicans will alter their policing bill , drafted by South Carolina ’ s Tim Scott , in an attempt to win over the five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin a debate on it .
But it ’ s just as likely , if not more so , that they will seek to make a case to voters that they took the issue seriously , offered a response and were stymied .
In casting 45 votes against the Scott bill , Senate Democrats and Vermont independent Bernie Sanders indicated that they ’ re willing to make their own case to voters : that the GOP bill was so deeply flawed that it would not have made any difference at all in protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are saying it was not worth passing , even if only as a stopgap measure until such time as Democrats have full control of Congress and the White House and can do more .
In their rhetoric leading up to the 55-45 vote on July 24 , five short of the 60 necessary to begin debate on the measure , senators seemed more interested in honing their political points than in fairly assessing their policy differences .

ANALYSIS — In all likelihood, the question now is not whether Congress will act in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by a police officer, Derek Chauvin, but who will the voters blame because it failed to act?
In Washington, the policing debate has entered the realm of the political, with Election Day now just four months away.
There’s still a chance that Senate Republicans will alter their policing bill, drafted by South Carolina’s Tim Scott, in an attempt to win over the five additional Democrats they need to at least begin a debate on it. But it’s just as likely, if not more so, that they will seek to make a case to voters that they took the issue seriously, offered a response and were stymied.
In casting 45 votes against the Scott bill, Senate Democrats and Vermont independent Bernie Sanders indicated that they’re willing to make their own case to voters: that the GOP bill was so deeply flawed that it would not have made any difference at all in protecting African Americans from police brutality. They are saying it was not worth passing, even if only as a stopgap measure until such time as Democrats have full control of Congress and the White House and can do more.
In their rhetoric leading up to the 55-45 vote on July 24, five short of the 60 necessary to begin debate on the measure, senators seemed more interested in honing their political points than in fairly assessing their policy differences.


rollcall--2020-06-29--In transportation bill, a call for finer dining on Amtrak

When the head of Amtrak faced the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in November , Rep. Steve Cohen unloaded his frustration with the railway — specifically , the food service .
Remembering a trip from Memphis to Chicago as a child when he sampled “ outstanding French toast ” and the “ thickest , finest filet mignon , ” Cohen lamented Amtrak ’ s decision in September to replace that with what it calls “ flexible dining ” — a service of pre-packaged , reheatable meals .
“ You really should consider the humanity , romance and the appeal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is important and good , ” said the Tennessee Democrat , who in March munched from a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken at a Judiciary Committee impeachment hearing to underscore his suggestion that Attorney General William Barr was afraid to attend .
Cohen ’ s frustration with the state of dining on Amtrak isn ’ t just one lawmaker ’ s whim .
Amtrak ’ s decision to forgo its traditional white-tablecloth dining experience on most long-distance routes east of the Mississippi River — and , at least temporarily during the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outrage among labor unions and rail passenger groups .
It also inspired six pages about Amtrak food service in the 2,309-page House Democratic infrastructure bill that will be debated on the floor this week .

When the head of Amtrak faced the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in November, Rep. Steve Cohen unloaded his frustration with the railway — specifically, the food service.
Remembering a trip from Memphis to Chicago as a child when he sampled “outstanding French toast” and the “thickest, finest filet mignon,” Cohen lamented Amtrak’s decision in September to replace that with what it calls “flexible dining” — a service of prepackaged, reheatable meals.
“You really should consider the humanity, romance and the appeal of the train travel with food, which is important and good,” said the Tennessee Democrat, who in March munched from a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken at a Judiciary Committee impeachment hearing to underscore his suggestion that Attorney General William Barr was afraid to attend.
Cohen’s frustration with the state of dining on Amtrak isn’t just one lawmaker’s whim. Amtrak’s decision to forgo its traditional white-tablecloth dining experience on most long-distance routes east of the Mississippi River — and, at least temporarily during the pandemic, on all long-distance routes — has sparked outrage among labor unions and rail passenger groups.
It also inspired six pages about Amtrak food service in the 2,309-page House Democratic infrastructure bill that will be debated on the floor this week.


rollcall--2020-06-29--GOP irked as $14 billion for water systems became $40 billion

When House Democrats released a massive $ 1.5 trillion infrastructure bill covering everything from schools to broadband to wastewater on @ @ @ @ @ dismayed — and not just because they ’ d had little input on the package @ @ @ @ @ , the 2,309-page measure ignores previous agreements between Republicans and Democrats on items that both @ @ @ @ @ ago .
Key among those agreements : the October 2019 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee @ @ @ @ @ advance a bill that would reauthorize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund .
That measure @ @ @ @ @ the Clean Water State Revolving Fund — the primary vehicle for the federal government to @ @ @ @ @ .
And it included a provision that gave states additional flexibility to comply with the @ @ @ @ @ , allowing 10-year renewals for the program that issues permits defining what sort of contaminants @ @ @ @ @ release into waterways .
The current permit period is five years , and language in @ @ @ @ @ the discretion to make that time period less than 10 years if necessary .

When House Democrats released a massive $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill covering everything from schools to broadband to wastewater on June 22, Republicans were dismayed — and not just because they’d had little input on the package.
Instead, they say, the 2,309-page measure ignores previous agreements between Republicans and Democrats on items that both sides had lauded just months ago.
Key among those agreements: the October 2019 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s bipartisan vote to advance a bill that would reauthorize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. That measure included $14 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund — the primary vehicle for the federal government to steer money to wastewater infrastructure.
[With transportation’s future unclear, some question spending]
And it included a provision that gave states additional flexibility to comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, allowing 10-year renewals for the program that issues permits defining what sort of contaminants wastewater agencies are permitted to release into waterways. The current permit period is five years, and language in the bill would give states the discretion to make that time period less than 10 years if necessary.


rollcall--2020-06-29--3 things to watch in Colorado, Oklahoma and Utah primaries Tuesday

Three states hold primaries Tuesday , with two of them well-versed in how to process mailed ballots .
Colorado and Utah are two of the five states that conducted their elections entirely by mail prior to the coronavirus pandemic .
Other states have scrambled to adjust to exponential increases in absentee ballot requests from people wanting to avoid voting in-person , but these states already have systems in place for smooth vote counting .
In Colorado , ballots are due to election officials by Tuesday .
In Utah , ballots received one to two weeks after the election can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Tuesday .
Oklahoma does allow voters to cast absentee ballots without providing an excuse , and a record number of voters have filed absentee ballot requests .
Most of the primaries to watch in these three states will set the match-ups for competitive House and Senate races in the fall .
But in one battle , the winner will be the strong favorite in November .
That 's in Utah 's heavily Republican 1st District , where four GOP candidates are competing for the nomination to succeed Rep .
Rob Bishop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Three states hold primaries Tuesday, with two of them well versed in how to process mailed ballots.
Colorado and Utah are two of the five states that conducted their elections entirely by mail prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Other states have scrambled to adjust to exponential increases in absentee ballot requests from people wanting to avoid voting in person, but these states already have systems in place for smooth vote counting.
In Colorado, ballots are due to election officials by Tuesday. In Utah, ballots received one to two weeks after the election can be counted as long as they are postmarked by Tuesday.
Oklahoma does allow voters to cast absentee ballots without providing an excuse, and a record number of voters have filed absentee ballot requests.
Most of the primaries to watch in these three states will set the matchups for competitive House and Senate races in the fall. But in one battle, the winner will be the strong favorite in November. That’s in Utah’s deep-red 1st District, where four candidates are competing for the GOP nomination to succeed Republican Rob Bishop, who is running for lieutenant governor.


rollcall--2020-07-01--Different standards on masks in retail stores raise questions

Many major brick-and-mortar stores are not requiring customers nationwide to wear masks as states lift lockdown measures and COVID-19 hospitalizations reach crisis levels in new hot spots across the country .
Of 15 major retailers that responded to CQ Roll Call , four require masks be worn in stores : Costco , Apple , T.J. Maxx and Walgreens .
Another 11 of the country ’ s largest retailers — including Walmart , Target , Starbucks , CVS , Macy ’ s and Trader Joe ’ s — say they don ’ t require them except when state or municipal regulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including major grocery chains Food Lion and Albertsons , did not reply to multiple requests for comment .
Further evidence emerged in recent weeks that masks are effective at preventing COVID-19 transmission .
A meta-analysis in The Lancet of 172 observational studies in 16 countries found that multi-layer cloth mask use could reduce the risk of infection , while a Health Affairs study found mask mandates in 15 states and the District of Columbia were associated with as many as 450,000 fewer cases over five weeks .
Wearing a mask is among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing and washing hands , that can protect people until a vaccine or effective treatments are discovered .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates wearing masks in stores and pharmacies and other times when social distancing is difficult .
But President Donald Trump Trump has often declined to use masks and described wearing masks as a political issue instead of a public health measure .
In the absence of national policy , companies and customers must navigate a jumble of state and local rules .
Workers in one state may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area .

Many major brick-and-mortar stores are not requiring customers nationwide to wear masks as states lift lockdown measures and COVID-19 hospitalizations reach crisis levels in new hot spots across the country.
Of 15 major retailers that responded to CQ Roll Call, four require masks be worn in stores: Costco, Apple, T.J. Maxx and Walgreens. Another 11 of the country’s largest retailers — including Walmart, Target, Starbucks, CVS, Macy’s and Trader Joe’s — say they don’t require them except when state or municipal regulations mandate it. Five other major retailers, including major grocery chains Food Lion and Albertsons, did not reply to multiple requests for comment.
Further evidence emerged in recent weeks that masks are effective at preventing COVID-19 transmission. A meta-analysis in The Lancet of 172 observational studies in 16 countries found that multi-layer cloth mask use could reduce the risk of infection, while a Health Affairs study found mask mandates in 15 states and the District of Columbia were associated with as many as 450,000 fewer cases over five weeks. Wearing a mask is among the few nonpharmaceutical interventions, along with social distancing and washing hands, that can protect people until a vaccine or effective treatments are discovered.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates wearing masks in stores and pharmacies and other times when social distancing is difficult. But President Donald Trump Trump has often declined to use masks and described wearing masks as a political issue instead of a public health measure.
In the absence of national policy, companies and customers must navigate a jumble of state and local rules. Workers in one state may have more protections than those in another area.


rollcall--2020-07-01--Captain America nears a new ‘Starting Point’

Serious question : Who in Congress has not yet met Chris Evans ?
Every time you turned around before the @ @ @ @ @ Captain America was roaming Capitol Hill .
The actor played the Marvel superhero in “ @ @ @ @ @ a string of other movies , and then kept showing up in Washington .
No @ @ @ @ @ came , he set off a minor frenzy .
“ It ’ s not every @ @ @ @ @ Captain America in America ’ s capital , ” tweeted Rep. Debbie Lesko this winter @ @ @ @ @ the opposite .
He was there in February , chatting up everyone from Sen. Chuck @ @ @ @ @ .
He was there in January , running a gauntlet of star-struck reporters as he @ @ @ @ @ bathroom .

Serious question: Who in Congress has not yet met Chris Evans?
Every time you turned around before the pandemic, it seemed like Captain America was roaming Capitol Hill.
The actor played the Marvel superhero in “Avengers: Endgame” and a string of other movies, and then kept showing up in Washington. No matter how many times he came, he set off a minor frenzy.
“It’s not every day you get to see Captain America in America’s capital,” tweeted Rep. Debbie Lesko this winter, except it felt like the opposite.
He was there in February, chatting up everyone from Sen. Chuck Grassley to Sen. Bob Menendez. He was there in January, running a gauntlet of star-struck reporters as he tried to go to the bathroom.


rollcall--2020-07-01--‘Supergrid’ and nukes: Ins and outs of Democrats’ climate plan

Eliminating or offsetting all of the U.S. economy 's greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to help avert environmental catastrophe will @ @ @ @ @ according to established science , and the exhaustive climate report House Democrats released Tuesday provides @ @ @ @ @ .
Achieving that goal may also require significant political gains by Democrats in November , @ @ @ @ @ the House , Senate and White House to push aside Republican opposition that would prevent @ @ @ @ @ even partially realized .
The report suggests legislative and policy changes that touch virtually every @ @ @ @ @ It emerged from a 17-month effort by the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis @ @ @ @ @ ideas it included , rejected many others .
Here are three intriguing policy provisions included @ @ @ @ @ three that were left out .

ANALYSIS — Eliminating or offsetting all of the U.S. economy’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to help avert environmental catastrophe will require an all-hands-on-deck approach, according to established science, and the exhaustive climate report House Democrats released Tuesday provides a rubric for just that.
Achieving that goal may also require significant political gains by Democrats in November, enough to take control of the House, Senate and White House to push aside Republican opposition that would prevent the ambitious agenda from being even partially realized.
The report suggests legislative and policy changes that touch virtually every corner of the economy. It emerged from a 17-month effort by the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, which, for all the ideas it included, rejected many others.
Here are three intriguing policy provisions included in the report — and three that were left out.
IN: National zero-emission vehicle standard, electric fleets.


rollcall--2020-07-01--Utah GOP drafts former NFL defensive back to reclaim House seat Democrats picked off in ’18

Former NFL player Burgess Owens will take on vulnerable Utah Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams in November after winning a four-way @ @ @ @ @ 4th District .
In Utah 's 1st District , where nine-term Rep .
Rob Bishop @ @ @ @ @ both parties remained too close to call .
Owens was leading state Rep. Kim Coleman @ @ @ @ @ percent , when The Associated Press called the race at 10:12 p.m. Mountain time .
@ @ @ @ @ a handful of Black Republicans on the ballot this cycle .
The GOP has struggled @ @ @ @ @ its ranks , and its only current Black House member , Texas Rep. Will Hurd @ @ @ @ @ frequent guest on Fox News , Owens has spoken about how growing up in the @ @ @ @ @ appreciate American values , which he says are now threatened by “ enemy ” Marxist @ @ @ @

Former NFL player Burgess Owens will take on vulnerable Utah Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams in November after winning a four-way GOP primary Tuesday in the 4th District.
In Utah's 1st District, where nine-term Rep. Rob Bishop is retiring, primaries in both parties remained too close to call.
Owens was leading state Rep. Kim Coleman, 43 percent to 24 percent, when The Associated Press called the race at 10:12 p.m. Mountain time.
Owens is one of only a handful of Black Republicans on the ballot this cycle. The GOP has struggled to increase the diversity of its ranks, and its only current Black House member, Texas Rep. Will Hurd, is retiring.
A frequent guest on Fox News, Owens has spoken about how growing up in the segregated South taught him to appreciate American values, which he says are now threatened by “enemy” Marxist and socialist-driven policies.


rollcall--2020-06-30--GOP runoff will decide challenger to Oklahoma Rep. Kendra Horn

Republicans in Oklahoma ’ s 5th District will need a runoff to select a challenger to Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable members of Congress , after no one got a majority in Tuesday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ runoff will pit businesswoman Terry Neese , who ran a Trump-centric campaign , against state @ @ @ @ @ attempted to express support for the president while appealing to moderate suburban voters .
Neese @ @ @ @ @ lieutenant governor and owner of a personnel services business , led a nine-candidate GOP field @ @ @ @ @ , whose state Senate district overlaps with much of the 5th District , was in @ @ @ @ @ when The Associated Press called the runoff at 10:22 p.m. Central time with 98 percent @ @ @ @ @ David Hill was in third with 19 percent .
The results guarantee that a woman @ @ @ @ @ , a prospect Republicans hope will blunt some of the Democrat ’ s appeal with @ @ @ @ @ who helped drive her surprise 2018 victory .

Republicans in Oklahoma’s 5th District will need a runoff to select a challenger to Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn, one of the most vulnerable members of Congress, after no one got a majority in Tuesday’s primary.
The Aug. 25 runoff will pit businesswoman Terry Neese, who ran a Trump-centric campaign, against state Sen. Stephanie Bice, who attempted to express support for the president while appealing to moderate suburban voters.
Neese, a 1990 candidate for lieutenant governor and owner of a personnel services business, led a nine-candidate GOP field with 37 percent. Bice, whose state Senate district overlaps with much of the 5th District, was in second place with 25 percent when The Associated Press called the runoff at 10:22 p.m. Central time with 98 percent of precincts reporting.
Businessman David Hill was in third with 19 percent.
The results guarantee that a woman will challenge Horn in November, a prospect Republicans hope will blunt some of the Democrat’s appeal with independent voters and suburban women who helped drive her surprise 2018 victory.


rollcall--2020-06-30--Colorado Rep. Scott Tipton ousted in primary by gun rights activist

Colorado Republican Rep. Scott Tipton lost his primary Tuesday to Lauren Boebert , a gun rights activist who has also @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theory known as QAnon .
He ’ s the fourth House member , and @ @ @ @ @ his party ’ s support for another term this cycle .
Tipton conceded shortly after @ @ @ @ @ , according to multiple Colorado news reports .
With 86 percent of precincts reporting , @ @ @ @ @ to 46 percent in the 3rd District GOP primary when The Associated Press called the @ @ @ @ @ Boebert in November is former state Rep. Diane Mitsch Bush , who won the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ cycle .
Mitsch Bush was leading businessman James Iacino 61 percent to 39 percent when @ @ @ @ @ at 7:50 p.m .
Unlike Tipton , Boebert ran television ads during the primary .
@ @ @ @ @ beginning of June urged voters to reject the incumbent and tried to connect him to @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez and Speaker Nancy Pelosi .

Colorado Republican Rep. Scott Tipton lost his primary Tuesday to Lauren Boebert, a gun rights activist who has also been associated with the far-right conspiracy theory known as QAnon.
He’s the fourth House member, and third Republican, to lose his party’s support for another term this cycle.
Tipton conceded shortly after 9 p.m. Mountain time Tuesday, according to multiple Colorado news reports. With 86 percent of precincts reporting, Boebert was leading 54 percent to 46 percent in the 3rd District GOP primary when The Associated Press called the race at 9:30 p.m..
Awaiting Boebert in November is former state Rep. Diane Mitsch Bush, who won the Democratic nomination for the second straight cycle. Mitsch Bush was leading businessman James Iacino 61 percent to 39 percent when the AP called the primary at 7:50 p.m.
Unlike Tipton, Boebert ran television ads during the primary. A spot released at the beginning of June urged voters to reject the incumbent and tried to connect him to New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.


rollcall--2020-06-30--House to vote Wednesday on massive infrastructure bill

The House will cut short its work week and vote Wednesday on a $ 1.5 trillion infrastructure bill that Democrats hail as transformative and Republicans dismiss as doomed .
The House had originally scheduled votes for Thursday , but late Tuesday House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md.
, sent the announcement : They ’ d wrap up one day earlier .
That means they ’ ll finish up work on a bill that includes , among other things , authorizations of $ 494 billion on surface transportation projects , more than $ 100 billion to upgrade schools in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child care facilities , $ 100 billion for housing infrastructure and $ 100 billion for expanding broadband access .
On Tuesday , the House approved three separate en bloc amendment packages , primarily consisting of Democratic amendments , that would do everything from creating a pilot program to detecting COVID-19 in wastewater to authorizing $ 20 billion over five years to make public buildings more energy efficient and resilient .
The overall bill would permanently reinstate Build America Bonds , taxable bonds created in the 2009 stimulus law , that allow the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local issuers so they can offer more attractive interest rates .

The House will cut short its work week and vote Wednesday on a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill that Democrats hail as transformative and Republicans dismiss as doomed.
The House had originally scheduled votes for Thursday, but late Tuesday House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., sent the announcement: They’d wrap up one day earlier.
That means they’ll finish up work on a bill that includes, among other things, authorizations of $494 billion on surface transportation projects, more than $100 billion to upgrade schools in impoverished districts, $10 billion for child care facilities, $100 billion for housing infrastructure and $100 billion for expanding broadband access.
On Tuesday, the House approved three separate en bloc amendment packages, primarily consisting of Democratic amendments, that would do everything from creating a pilot program to detecting COVID-19 in wastewater to authorizing $20 billion over five years to make public buildings more energy efficient and resilient.
The overall bill would permanently reinstate Build America Bonds, taxable bonds created in the 2009 stimulus law, that allow the federal government to pay subsidies to state and local issuers so they can offer more attractive interest rates.


rollcall--2020-06-30--Hickenlooper to take on Gardner in Colorado Senate race

Former Colorado Gov .
John Hickenlooper easily dispatched a challenge from the left and will take on Republican Sen. Cory Gardner in one of Democrats ’ best Senate pickup opportunities this year .
Hickenlooper was leading former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff 59 percent to 41 percent in Tuesday ’ s Democratic primary when The Associated Press called the race at 9:21 p.m. Hickenlooper jumped into the Senate race after unsuccessfully running for president , and was quickly endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee .
Some of the top candidates then dropped out of the Democratic primary and endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and took more liberal positions .
During his presidential campaign , Hickenlooper said repeatedly he did not want to be a senator , but in announcing his Senate campaign in August , he said that “ this is no time to walk away from the table.
” Gardner featured Hickenlooper ’ s comments in a recent TV ad .
The National Republican Senatorial Committee also launched TV ads ahead of Tuesday ’ s primary , highlighting a recent finding by Colorado ’ s Independent Ethics Commission that Hickenlooper violated the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was in office .
Hickenlooper ’ s campaign has called the allegations “ political smears , ” noting that the vast majority of complaints were dismissed .

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper easily dispatched a challenge from the left and will take on Republican Sen. Cory Gardner in one of Democrats’ best Senate pickup opportunities this year.
Hickenlooper was leading former state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff 59 percent to 41 percent in Tuesday’s Democratic primary when The Associated Press called the race at 9:21 p.m.
Hickenlooper jumped into the Senate race after unsuccessfully running for president, and was quickly endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Some of the top candidates then dropped out of the Democratic primary and endorsed the former governor, but Romanoff stayed and took more liberal positions.
During his presidential campaign, Hickenlooper said repeatedly he did not want to be a senator, but in announcing his Senate campaign in August, he said that “this is no time to walk away from the table.”
Gardner featured Hickenlooper’s comments in a recent TV ad. The National Republican Senatorial Committee also launched TV ads ahead of Tuesday’s primary, highlighting a recent finding by Colorado’s Independent Ethics Commission that Hickenlooper violated the state’s ban on gifts for public officials while he was in office. Hickenlooper’s campaign has called the allegations “political smears,” noting that the vast majority of complaints were dismissed.


rollcall--2020-06-30--Senate agrees to extend PPP loan program to early August

The Senate passed a bill to extend the filing deadline for Paycheck Protection Program loans Tuesday evening , hours before the Small Business Administration is set to stop accepting applications .
Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin , ranking member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee , asked for unanimous consent on a bill that would extend the program ’ s deadline from June 30 to Aug. 8 .
He was met with no objections , sending the legislation over to the House .
But unless and until the House OKs the language , the SBA will stop accepting applications to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early on in the COVID-19 pandemic to keep small businesses afloat during the mass shutdowns initiated to slow the spread of the disease .
Prior to passage , Sen. Rick Scott , R-Fla. , asked unanimous consent that Cardin modify his request and allow the bill to be amended to prohibit businesses that had not seen a pandemic downturn from eligibility for PPP funding .
Cardin objected to the proposed change .
The PPP provides small businesses forgivable loans of up to 10 weeks ' worth of payroll to use mostly on paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If the businesses follow the program ’ s guidelines , their debts are forgiven .
Money used for other purposes turns into low interest loans with five-year terms .

The PPP provides small businesses forgivable loans of up to 10 weeks' worth of payroll to use mostly on paying workers and some other fixed costs. If the businesses follow the program’s guidelines, their debts are forgiven. Money used for other purposes turns into low interest loans with five-year terms.
But in recent weeks, applications to the program have declined, and the amount of loan money available increased as some borrowers returned their loans or paid them back early. Enactment of a bill to loosen the program’s requirements and extend the period in which the forgivable loans could be spent did little to increase demand for the SBA money. It’s unclear whether many small businesses would take advantage of a later deadline.
FiscalNote, parent company of CQ Roll Call, has received a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program.
Small Business Chairman Marco Rubio, an architect of the program, has said he wants to repurpose the unclaimed funds to help the hardest hit small businesses. That idea, which Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has endorsed, would allow businesses demonstrating particularly large dropoffs in revenue to apply for additional forgivable loans wherein the portions not used for payroll would be converted into long-term, low-interest loans.


rollcall--2020-06-30--‘The chair cannot answer that’ — confusion grips the Senate floor

Confusion reigned Tuesday afternoon when the Senate agreed to a unanimous consent request from Sen. Rand Paul to call up @ @ @ @ @ introduced earlier in the day — even as other senators weren ’ t quite sure @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky Republican called up a bill that would require the Social Security Administration and the @ @ @ @ @ in an effort to reclaim coronavirus aid money sent to dead people — and stop @ @ @ @ @ .
A Government Accountability Office report last week revealed nearly $ 1.4 billion in tax @ @ @ @ @ 1.1 million dead people as part of coronavirus relief efforts .
Many UCs , as @ @ @ @ @ shorthand , are procedural moves sometimes done in the middle of a Senate session to @ @ @ @ @ , and are typically followed by an objection from one of the other senators .

Confusion reigned Tuesday afternoon when the Senate agreed to a unanimous consent request from Sen. Rand Paul to call up and pass a bill he introduced earlier in the day — even as other senators weren’t quite sure what exactly passed.
The Kentucky Republican called up a bill that would require the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Treasury to exchange data in an effort to reclaim coronavirus aid money sent to dead people — and stop similar future payments from happening.
[‘Mr. Akaka . . .’ returns — again]
A Government Accountability Office report last week revealed nearly $1.4 billion in tax rebate checks were sent to 1.1 million dead people as part of coronavirus relief efforts.
Many UCs, as they are referred to in shorthand, are procedural moves sometimes done in the middle of a Senate session to draw attention to an issue, and are typically followed by an objection from one of the other senators.


rollcall--2020-07-01--Lauren Boebert ran against AOC and the ‘squad,’ and beat Rep. Scott Tipton in the process

When Lauren Boebert launched her Republican primary campaign against Colorado Rep. Scott Tipton back in December , she was asked who she considered her actual opponent : Tipton or New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
“ I ’ m absolutely running against her , ” Boebert said , according to a clip of the interview with 9News .
She later added , “ I am ready to be the one that steps up for conservative values and takes on AOC.
” The gun rights activist didn ’ t mention the liberal congresswoman by name in her statement after she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
She did , however , reference taking on “ left-wing lunatics ” in Congress .
“ There weren ’ t that many Republicans in her district who were really angry at Tipton , ” said Seth Masket , a political science professor at the University of Denver .
“ She was trying to stir up their anger by directing it at Ocasio-Cortez and other liberal leaders on the Democratic side and [ saying ] , ‘ If you want to go after these boogeymen , I ’ m the best person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican strategists said Boebert ’ s decision to highlight Ocasio-Cortez and other liberal freshmen who are part the so-called squad helped her defeat Tipton handily .
But she was also helped by a surge in voter turnout and by an incumbent who didn ’ t see a competitive race coming .

When Lauren Boebert launched her Republican primary campaign against Colorado Rep. Scott Tipton back in December, she was asked who she considered her actual opponent: Tipton or New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“I’m absolutely running against her,” Boebert said, according to a clip of the interview with 9News. She later added, “I am ready to be the one that steps up for conservative values and takes on AOC.”
The gun rights activist didn’t mention the liberal congresswoman by name in her statement after she defeated Tipton in an upset primary victory Tuesday. She did, however, reference taking on “left-wing lunatics” in Congress.
“There weren’t that many Republicans in her district who were really angry at Tipton,” said Seth Masket, a political science professor at the University of Denver. “She was trying to stir up their anger by directing it at Ocasio-Cortez and other liberal leaders on the Democratic side and [saying], ‘If you want to go after these boogeymen, I’m the best person to do it.’”


rollcall--2020-07-01--Passing infrastructure bill, Democrats go all-in on climate

The $ 1.5 trillion infrastructure bill the House passed 233-188 on Wednesday has little chance of advancing in the Republican-controlled Senate .
But it fired a political warning shot : Democrats view climate change as a top issue for an already turbulent election year .
“ This bill , as audacious as it is , will do one thing for sure : give Democratic candidates talking points for their campaigns this fall .
It also sets the agenda for a big infrastructure push for a possible future Biden administration , ” said Ross Baker , a Rutgers University political science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic that underscores the value of science and public health , Democrats are carving out territory on climate change and pushing it as an election issue for November and a threat that intersects with voters ’ daily lives .
The bill , which passed the same week Democrats on the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released a 547-page report laying out a strategy for tackling climate change , would require states to commit to reducing greenhouse gases and other climate measures in order to receive federal dollars .
It includes measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built with materials that reduce greenhouse gas emissions .
It would devote federal dollars to installing charging stations for electric and alternative fuel vehicles .
And it would create a $ 250 million per year grant program to support local investments in reducing greenhouse gases .

Jessica Wehrman, Benjamin J. Hulac, and Elvina Nawaguna

The $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill the House passed 233-188 on Wednesday has little chance of advancing in the Republican-controlled Senate. But it fired a political warning shot: Democrats view climate change as a top issue for an already turbulent election year.
“This bill, as audacious as it is, will do one thing for sure: give Democratic candidates talking points for their campaigns this fall. It also sets the agenda for a big infrastructure push for a possible future Biden administration,” said Ross Baker, a Rutgers University political science professor.
In the middle of a pandemic that underscores the value of science and public health, Democrats are carving out territory on climate change and pushing it as an election issue for November and a threat that intersects with voters’ daily lives.
The bill, which passed the same week Democrats on the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released a 547-page report laying out a strategy for tackling climate change, would require states to commit to reducing greenhouse gases and other climate measures in order to receive federal dollars. It includes measures that would increase federal dollars for projects built with materials that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
It would devote federal dollars to installing charging stations for electric and alternative fuel vehicles. And it would create a $250 million per year grant program to support local investments in reducing greenhouse gases.


rollcall--2020-07-01--House clears bill to extend loan program for small business

A day after the Senate passed a last-minute extension of the Paycheck Protection Program loan application deadline , the House did the same Wednesday , clearing the bill for the president .
Somewhat unexpectedly , the Senate by unanimous consent passed a bill on Tuesday from Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin , D-Md.
, that would extend the Small Business Administration ’ s forgivable loan program for coronavirus-impacted companies from June 30 to Aug. 8 .
Senate Democrats had expected Republicans to object to the request for unanimous consent Tuesday night , but an agreement was reached at the last minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York gave an unusually partisan floor speech for a bipartisan achievement .
“ Let me salute Sen. Cardin and Sen. Shaheen for bringing this measure to the floor and forcing our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to relent , who originally , of course , wanted to block this bill all day long , ” he said .
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire was among those speaking for the bill on the Senate floor .
The Senate passage appeared to catch House Democrats by surprise .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill for a vote this week but didn ’ t .
Instead , the House relied on a risky unanimous consent procedure , which could have been blocked by any one of the 435 members .

A day after the Senate passed a last-minute extension of the Paycheck Protection Program loan application deadline, the House did the same Wednesday, clearing the bill for the president.
Somewhat unexpectedly, the Senate by unanimous consent passed a bill on Tuesday from Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md., that would extend the Small Business Administration’s forgivable loan program for coronavirus-impacted companies from June 30 to Aug. 8.
Senate Democrats had expected Republicans to object to the request for unanimous consent Tuesday night, but an agreement was reached at the last minute. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York gave an unusually partisan floor speech for a bipartisan achievement.
“Let me salute Sen. Cardin and Sen. Shaheen for bringing this measure to the floor and forcing our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to relent, who originally, of course, wanted to block this bill all day long,” he said. Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire was among those speaking for the bill on the Senate floor.
The Senate passage appeared to catch House Democrats by surprise. The chamber could have scheduled a companion bill for a vote this week but didn’t. Instead, the House relied on a risky unanimous consent procedure, which could have been blocked by any one of the 435 members.


rollcall--2020-07-01--Investors want details on bonds that pay for police misconduct

As Black Lives Matter protests march on around the U.S. , some investment advisers and asset managers are pushing for more disclosure on so-called judgment allocation bonds issued by cities and states to fund payouts for settlements of lawsuits against police .
Protests against police brutality sparked by George Floyd ’ s killing in Minneapolis in May have drawn attention to the role of municipal bonds in covering the costs of police misconduct .
When governments lack the budget to pay settlements , they often turn to Wall Street to raise money with judgment allocation bonds .
The City of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Series 2009-A to cover $ 20.5 million of the $ 95 million paid out to settle lawsuits connected with the Rampart Police corruption scandal of the 1990s and 2000s , according to a 2018 report by the Action Center for Race and the Economy .
The scandal involved members of the city ’ s anti-gang Rampart Division , who allegedly abused suspects .
Such bonds defray immediate costs to the government , though taxpayers end up footing the legal bill over time as the bonds are repaid with interest .
They are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underwrite them .
Banks hired by Los Angeles to underwrite 2009 and 2010 judgment obligation bonds collected more than $ 1 million in fees .
“ This is just starting to filter into investors ’ consciousness , ” said Maya Philipson , a partner at wealth management firm Robasciotti & Philipson , which has studied the role bonds play in funding police lawsuit payouts for its clients .
“ As soon as we start giving them education , they get really up in arms about it .
It ’ s not something they @ @ @ @ @

As Black Lives Matter protests march on around the U.S., some investment advisers and asset managers are pushing for more disclosure on so-called judgment allocation bonds issued by cities and states to fund payouts for settlements of lawsuits against police.
Protests against police brutality sparked by George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis in May have drawn attention to the role of municipal bonds in covering the costs of police misconduct. When governments lack the budget to pay settlements, they often turn to Wall Street to raise money with judgment allocation bonds.
The City of Los Angeles used Judgement Obligation Bond, Series 2009-A to cover $20.5 million of the $95 million paid out to settle lawsuits connected with the Rampart Police corruption scandal of the 1990s and 2000s, according to a 2018 report by the Action Center for Race and the Economy. The scandal involved members of the city’s anti-gang Rampart Division, who allegedly abused suspects.
Such bonds defray immediate costs to the government, though taxpayers end up footing the legal bill over time as the bonds are repaid with interest. They are also on the hook for fees paid to underwrite them. Banks hired by Los Angeles to underwrite 2009 and 2010 judgment obligation bonds collected more than $1 million in fees.
“This is just starting to filter into investors’ consciousness,” said Maya Philipson, a partner at wealth management firm Robasciotti & Philipson, which has studied the role bonds play in funding police lawsuit payouts for its clients. “As soon as we start giving them education, they get really up in arms about it. It’s not something they want to support."


rollcall--2020-07-01--Coronavirus Special Report: Congress comes together over PPP

In this episode of Coronavirus Special Report , CQ Roll Call ’ s Jim Saksa explains how the Senate took @ @ @ @ @ came together over PPP .
• Fogged glasses , Diet Coke and promises to forgo @ @ @ @ @ markup like no other .
• House members reluctant to respond to survey about intern @

In this episode of Coronavirus Special Report, CQ Roll Call’s Jim Saksa explains how the Senate took the House by surprise and came together over PPP.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-01--Republicans push back on Democrats’ DC statehood bill

Republican senators came out swinging Wednesday against a bill passed in the House last week that would make the District @ @ @ @ @ .
“ From a South Carolina point of view , this is a very bad @ @ @ @ @ Graham , R-S.C. , told reporters .
[ Milestone House vote on DC statehood is @ @ @ @ @ for now ] Republicans and Democrats held dueling news events Wednesday on the bill , @ @ @ @ @ two senators and one House representative with full voting rights , along with other authorities @ @ @ @ @ trying to grow their influence in the Senate , while Democrats said giving the District @ @ @ @ @ than 700,000 their own voting members in Congress is their right as Americans .

Republican senators came out swinging Wednesday against a bill passed in the House last week that would make the District of Columbia the 51st state.
“From a South Carolina point of view, this is a very bad deal,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters.
[Milestone House vote on DC statehood is where it likely ends … for now]
Republicans and Democrats held dueling news events Wednesday on the bill, which would give the district two senators and one House representative with full voting rights, along with other authorities.
Republicans accused Democrats of trying to grow their influence in the Senate, while Democrats said giving the District’s population of more than 700,000 their own voting members in Congress is their right as Americans.


rollcall--2020-07-01--Black Caucus lays out legislative priorities for combating systemic racism

The Congressional Black Caucus is eyeing action on a slate of issues that contribute to systemic racism in America like disparities in health care , employment and business , education , criminal justice and voting rights .
CBC leaders at a press conference Wednesday unveiled legislative priorities that include bills they think will help address obstacles the Black community faces in its long-waged battle for equality .
The 55-member caucus has been pushing many of the proposals for years .
But they think the national reckoning that has occurred in the last several weeks since George Floyd ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like it did for their policing overhaul that the House passed last week .
[ ‘ Slap in the face ’ : Why Democrats won ’ t use GOP policing bill as starting point ] “ The difference is this time CBC members will be supported by a national movement that is beginning to penetrate into the consciousness of Americans that systemic racism first of all exists and how the manifestation of systemic racism impacts not just the lives of black people but the entire nation , ” CBC Chairwoman Karen Bass @ @

The Congressional Black Caucus is eyeing action on a slate of issues that contribute to systemic racism in America like disparities in health care, employment and business, education, criminal justice and voting rights.
CBC leaders at a press conference Wednesday unveiled legislative priorities that include bills they think will help address obstacles the Black community faces in its long-waged battle for equality.
The 55-member caucus has been pushing many of the proposals for years. But they think the national reckoning that has occurred in the last several weeks since George Floyd’s death will spur support for the measures, just like it did for their policing overhaul that the House passed last week.
[‘Slap in the face’: Why Democrats won’t use GOP policing bill as starting point]
“The difference is this time CBC members will be supported by a national movement that is beginning to penetrate into the consciousness of Americans that systemic racism first of all exists and how the manifestation of systemic racism impacts not just the lives of black people but the entire nation,” CBC Chairwoman Karen Bass said.


rollcall--2020-07-01--EPA sets date to end reduced enforcement; Democrats are unmoved

House Democrats say the EPA ’ s agreement to end its controversial decision to relax enforcement of air and water pollution regulations during the coronavirus pandemic doesn ’ t absolve the agency of other transgressions .
The agency said in a memo to lawmakers it will end its modified enforcement policy on Aug. 31 .
Still , House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. , D-N.J. , Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio , D-Ore. , and Appropriations Interior-Environment Chairwoman Betty McCollum , D-Minn. , applauded the decision , but vowed to keep probing the agency , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the impact of its enforcement policy .
The EPA in March said that it wouldn ’ t penalize companies that fail to meet water and air pollution limits during the coronavirus pandemic .
The relaxed policy would allow companies to determine if they could follow federal reporting requirements on air and water pollution .
That decision was widely criticized by environmental groups worried that industry would retreat from compliance while the country was in the midst of a deadly respiratory pandemic that disproportionately impacts people with long-term exposure to harmful emissions and @ @ @ @ @ @

House Democrats say the EPA’s agreement to end its controversial decision to relax enforcement of air and water pollution regulations during the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t absolve the agency of other transgressions. The agency said in a memo to lawmakers it will end its modified enforcement policy on Aug. 31.
Still, House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio, D-Ore., and Appropriations Interior-Environment Chairwoman Betty McCollum, D-Minn., applauded the decision, but vowed to keep probing the agency, which they said has withheld from Congress information on the impact of its enforcement policy.
The EPA in March said that it wouldn’t penalize companies that fail to meet water and air pollution limits during the coronavirus pandemic. The relaxed policy would allow companies to determine if they could follow federal reporting requirements on air and water pollution.
That decision was widely criticized by environmental groups worried that industry would retreat from compliance while the country was in the midst of a deadly respiratory pandemic that disproportionately impacts people with long-term exposure to harmful emissions and those with preexisting pulmonary problems.
[EPA’s Wheeler defends pandemic moves as Markey demands apology]


rollcall--2020-07-01--Fogged glasses, Diet Coke and promises to forgo the all-nighter: An NDAA markup like no other

The House Armed Services Committee kicked off its 60th annual markup of the Pentagon policy bill unlike any other — in the larger Ways and Means Committee room with a dais full of socially distanced , masked members and a few who tuned in remotely .
The committee ’ s marathon deliberations on Pentagon policy have become an annual rite on Capitol Hill , with dozens of staff , reporters and lobbyists packing in to the Armed Services room in the Rayburn House Office Building for a brutally long debate on issues ranging from nuclear weapons to the lesser prairie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus , much of that audience stayed home , tuning in on the committee ’ s livestream .
“ Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and its economic impacts , we still get our job done , and it ’ s incredibly important that we get that done , ” Chairman Adam Smith , D-Wash. , said in his opening remarks .
“ We are exercising our oversight as Congress over national security .
It is enormously important that Congress does that.
” Smith wore a mask while giving his opening statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking because his glasses kept fogging up .

The House Armed Services Committee kicked off its 60th annual markup of the Pentagon policy bill unlike any other — in the larger Ways and Means Committee room with a dais full of socially distanced, masked members and a few who tuned in remotely.
The committee’s marathon deliberations on Pentagon policy have become an annual rite on Capitol Hill, with dozens of staff, reporters and lobbyists packing in to the Armed Services room in the Rayburn House Office Building for a brutally long debate on issues ranging from nuclear weapons to the lesser prairie chicken.
But in the year of the novel coronavirus, much of that audience stayed home, tuning in on the committee’s livestream.
“Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and its economic impacts, we still get our job done, and it’s incredibly important that we get that done,” Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., said in his opening remarks. “We are exercising our oversight as Congress over national security. It is enormously important that Congress does that.”
Smith wore a mask while giving his opening statement, but he later removed it while talking because his glasses kept fogging up.


rollcall--2020-07-01--House members reluctant to respond to survey about intern diversity

A new report showing an ongoing lack of diversity among House interns also shows the extent to which entrenched lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ information about the composition of their staffs .
The report commissioned by the advocacy group @ @ @ @ @ has pushed for Congress to provide paid internship opportunities rather than the traditionally unpaid offerings @ @ @ @ @ House offices , 64 percent of interns were white , compared with 13 percent Black @ @ @ @ @ Islander and 5 percent Hispanic/Latino .
The researchers found at least one surprise .
“ @ @ @ @ @ likely than the House members to be Asian/Pacific Islander .
However , Asian/Pacific Islanders are @ @ @ @ @ compared to the national population , ” the report said .
While the study showed @ @ @ @ @ than members of the House themselves , there were significant methodological challenges .

A new report showing an ongoing lack of diversity among House interns also shows the extent to which entrenched lawmakers are not interested in providing information about the composition of their staffs.
The report commissioned by the advocacy group Pay Our Interns, which has pushed for Congress to provide paid internship opportunities rather than the traditionally unpaid offerings, found that among responsive House offices, 64 percent of interns were white, compared with 13 percent Black, 11 percent Asian American/Pacific Islander and 5 percent Hispanic/Latino.
The researchers found at least one surprise.
“Interns were three times more likely than the House members to be Asian/Pacific Islander. However, Asian/Pacific Islanders are underrepresented as House members when compared to the national population,” the report said.
While the study showed interns were somewhat more diverse than members of the House themselves, there were significant methodological challenges.


rollcall--2020-07-02--Sen. Bill Cassidy’s campaign has spent $5,500 on membership dues at private club in New York

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy has spent more than $ 5,500 from his campaign fund since 2014 on membership dues to the Penn Club of New York City , an elite private club more than 1,000 miles from the Republican ’ s hometown of Baton Rouge , disclosures with the Federal Election Commission show .
Cassidy has also disclosed spending another $ 650 in campaign funds on membership fees closer to home at the Petroleum Club of Morgan City in Louisiana , a social club founded by businessmen in the oil industry .
The club offers fine dining , events and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dues for country clubs , health clubs or “ other nonpolitical organizations ” are considered personal uses that can not be paid from campaign accounts “ unless the payments are made in connection with a specific fundraising event that takes place on the organization ’ s premises.
” Cassidy campaign spokesman Ty Bofferding denied any wrongdoing in an emailed statement : “ The Senator uses the Penn Club for campaign events and we believe everything was done appropriately.
” Although the FEC allows members to use campaign cash for particular campaign fundraising events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that does not include membership dues for access to such a club .
Cassidy ’ s campaign did not address this distinction , nor did it have a comment regarding the Petroleum Club of Morgan City dues .
When pressed about the difference between using campaign funds for campaign events at the clubs versus membership dues , Bofferding referred to his previous statement .

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy has spent more than $5,500 from his campaign fund since 2014 on membership dues to the Penn Club of New York City, an elite private club more than 1,000 miles from the Republican’s hometown of Baton Rouge, disclosures with the Federal Election Commission show.
Cassidy has also disclosed spending another $650 in campaign funds on membership fees closer to home at the Petroleum Club of Morgan City in Louisiana, a social club founded by businessmen in the oil industry. The club offers fine dining, events and drinks.
But FEC rules say membership dues for country clubs, health clubs or “other nonpolitical organizations” are considered personal uses that cannot be paid from campaign accounts “unless the payments are made in connection with a specific fundraising event that takes place on the organization’s premises.”
Cassidy campaign spokesman Ty Bofferding denied any wrongdoing in an emailed statement: “The Senator uses the Penn Club for campaign events and we believe everything was done appropriately.”
Although the FEC allows members to use campaign cash for particular campaign fundraising events on the grounds of a social club, that does not include membership dues for access to such a club. Cassidy’s campaign did not address this distinction, nor did it have a comment regarding the Petroleum Club of Morgan City dues. When pressed about the difference between using campaign funds for campaign events at the clubs versus membership dues, Bofferding referred to his previous statement.


rollcall--2020-07-02--‘The rules are different for you’: Black lawmakers on when they got ‘the talk’

As long as that ’ s the case , “ the talk ” is quite literally a matter of life and death .
In separate conversations , Reps. Cedric L. Richmond , Will Hurd and André Carson all told me the same thing : They hope to see a future where it ’ s not .
These are their words .
When I entered my first high school , which was predominately Black , it was instilled that being good is not good enough .
You have to be excellent , because of the stigma associated with being Black .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was one of the top high schools in the country and predominantly white , it was very clear there were two sets of rules .
My mother and stepfather told me the same thing I would tell my son .
Turn your dome lights on so the cop can see in the car , so he won ’ t be afraid .
Be respectful , do what they say .
No matter how demeaning it is , no matter how bad he treats you , no matter what names they call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Your job is to make sure you come home .
And then our job will be to deal with anything that happened that wasn ’ t supposed to happen .
It was basically , “ Eat the shit that we know you ’ re going to get from police officers .
Just come home.
” I ’ ve been fortunate .
I ’ ve had some bad incidents with police and some good incidents .
I remember clearly being stopped by an African American cop .
I was in New Orleans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood , very upscale , where all the multimillion-dollar homes are .
He pulled me over .
I was polite .
He asked me for my license , and I couldn ’ t find it .
It was my freshman year in college , and I was home for a break , out in my mother ’ s car .
He ran my name and said , “ Look , I see the Morehouse sticker on the back of your car .
Do you go to Morehouse ?
” I said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well , Dr. King once said that the man can ’ t ride your back if your back ’ s not bent .
Do [ you ] realize right now that I could ride your back if I wanted to because you don ’ t have your license ?
But I ’ d rather make this a teachable moment.
” And he told me to go home instead .
That was something I ’ ve never forgotten .

As long as that’s the case, “the talk” is quite literally a matter of life and death. In separate conversations, Reps. Cedric L. Richmond, Will Hurd and André Carson all told me the same thing: They hope to see a future where it’s not. These are their words.
When Louisiana Rep. Cedric L. Richmond was a kid, his parents told him, “Your job is to make sure you come home.”
Cedric L. Richmond, D-La.
When I entered my first high school, which was predominantly Black, it was instilled that being good is not good enough. You have to be excellent, because of the stigma associated with being Black. As I finished my last high school, which was one of the top high schools in the country and predominantly white, it was very clear there were two sets of rules.
My mother and stepfather told me the same thing I would tell my son. Turn your dome lights on so the cop can see in the car, so he won’t be afraid. Be respectful, do what they say. No matter how demeaning it is, no matter how bad he treats you, no matter what names they call you, eat it. Just take it. Your job is to make sure you come home. And then our job will be to deal with anything that happened that wasn’t supposed to happen.
It was basically, “Eat the shit that we know you’re going to get from police officers. Just come home.”
I’ve been fortunate. I’ve had some bad incidents with police and some good incidents. I remember clearly being stopped by an African American cop. I was in New Orleans on St. Charles Avenue in a white neighborhood, very upscale, where all the multimillion-dollar homes are. He pulled me over. I was polite. He asked me for my license, and I couldn’t find it. It was my freshman year in college, and I was home for a break, out in my mother’s car. He ran my name and said, “Look, I see the Morehouse sticker on the back of your car. Do you go to Morehouse?” I said, “I do.” He said, “Well, Dr. King once said that the man can’t ride your back if your back’s not bent. Do [you] realize right now that I could ride your back if I wanted to because you don’t have your license? But I’d rather make this a teachable moment.” And he told me to go home instead. That was something I’ve never forgotten.


rollcall--2020-07-02--Kavanaugh-fueled bounty awaits challenger to Sen. Susan Collins

During the acrimonious 2018 Senate fight over Brett M. Kavanaugh ’ s nomination to the Supreme Court , activists launched a crowdfunding campaign for Sen. Susan Collins ’ would-be challenger if the Maine Republican voted for confirmation .
Opposition to Collins , who ultimately voted to put Kavanaugh on the high court , took the form of more than $ 4 million in donations , including some made as recently as this week after Kavanaugh sided against a high-profile abortion rights decision .
The company that raised it took about 8 percent off the top initially , but $ 3.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Maine ’ s Democratic primary to be over in a fortnight .
The campaign of Sara Gideon , speaker of the state ’ s House of Representatives and the front-runner in a three-candidate primary , is the expected recipient of the windfall .
The earmarked contributions , and their circuitous journey from donor to candidate and the conditions set out before the Kavanaugh vote , add an interesting twist in one of the nation ’ s priciest and most pivotal Senate contests .
And they serve as a reminder of why Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago by 37 points , is among the most vulnerable Republican senators this cycle .
The Supreme Court , in a 5-4 decision Monday , overturned a controversial Louisiana law that would have severely limited the number of abortion clinics in the state .
Kavanaugh , whose nomination fight in the Senate was dominated by a long-ago allegation of sexual assault , was among the justices on the losing side who would have upheld the restrictive law .

During the acrimonious 2018 Senate fight over Brett M. Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, activists launched a crowdfunding campaign for Sen. Susan Collins’ would-be challenger if the Maine Republican voted for confirmation.
Opposition to Collins, who ultimately voted to put Kavanaugh on the high court, took the form of more than $4 million in donations, including some made as recently as this week after Kavanaugh sided against a high-profile abortion rights decision. The company that raised it took about 8 percent off the top initially, but $3.7 million sits in the fund, waiting for Maine’s Democratic primary to be over in a fortnight.
The campaign of Sara Gideon, speaker of the state’s House of Representatives and the front-runner in a three-candidate primary, is the expected recipient of the windfall.
The earmarked contributions, and their circuitous journey from donor to candidate and the conditions set out before the Kavanaugh vote, add an interesting twist in one of the nation’s priciest and most pivotal Senate contests. And they serve as a reminder of why Collins, who easily won reelection six years ago by 37 points, is among the most vulnerable Republican senators this cycle.
The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision Monday, overturned a controversial Louisiana law that would have severely limited the number of abortion clinics in the state. Kavanaugh, whose nomination fight in the Senate was dominated by a long-ago allegation of sexual assault, was among the justices on the losing side who would have upheld the restrictive law.


rollcall--2020-07-02--Congress clears sanctions bill to punish China over Hong Kong

The measure was originally developed by Sen. Patrick J. Toomey , R-Pa. , and Van Hollen , D-Md.
, and passed out of the Senate last week .
However , concerns that the bill would impact revenue and thus should originate in the House led to the decision to pass the House legislation after it was amended to include technical fixes sought by the Treasury Department and previously agreed to by the Senate .
“ I just think it is very , very important that we be on the side of people who are calling out for their own freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am very , very grateful that we were able to get this done .
I am very confident that the president is going to sign it into law .
It puts us on the right side of this very important battle.
” Toomey and Van Hollen are confident that President Donald Trump will sign the bill because lawmakers in both chambers were unanimous in their support of the measure .
Trump has done little to criticize Chinese President Xi Jinping ’ s increasingly rough and unyielding treatment of the onetime British colony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure that would authorize the president to sanction Chinese officials involved in oppressing Hong Kong .
Since then , the Trump administration has done little with its new authorities , though Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced last week visa bans on any Chinese Communist Party officials deemed complicit in the crackdown on Hong Kong .
The administration earlier this week announced it was ending exports of defense equipment and other sensitive technology to Hong Kong .
While defense exports comprise a sliver of commerce between the United States and Hong Kong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more significant curtailments of the Asian financial hub ’ s special trade privileges .
Pompeo on Wednesday did not offer a timeline for stricter economic penalties against Hong Kong and Beijing .

The measure was originally developed by Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., and Van Hollen, D-Md., and passed out of the Senate last week. However, concerns that the bill would impact revenue and thus should originate in the House led to the decision to pass the House legislation after it was amended to include technical fixes sought by the Treasury Department and previously agreed to by the Senate.
“I just think it is very, very important that we be on the side of people who are calling out for their own freedom,” Toomey told reporters. “I am very, very grateful that we were able to get this done. I am very confident that the president is going to sign it into law. It puts us on the right side of this very important battle.”
Toomey and Van Hollen are confident that President Donald Trump will sign the bill because lawmakers in both chambers were unanimous in their support of the measure. Trump has done little to criticize Chinese President Xi Jinping’s increasingly rough and unyielding treatment of the onetime British colony.
Trump reluctant to act
Congress late last year passed a measure that would authorize the president to sanction Chinese officials involved in oppressing Hong Kong. Since then, the Trump administration has done little with its new authorities, though Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced last week visa bans on any Chinese Communist Party officials deemed complicit in the crackdown on Hong Kong.
The administration earlier this week announced it was ending exports of defense equipment and other sensitive technology to Hong Kong. While defense exports comprise a sliver of commerce between the United States and Hong Kong, Pompeo has left the door open to more significant curtailments of the Asian financial hub’s special trade privileges. Pompeo on Wednesday did not offer a timeline for stricter economic penalties against Hong Kong and Beijing.


rollcall--2020-07-02--Duckworth blocks military promotions to protect impeachment witness

Corrected , 7:30 p.m. | Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth has put a blanket hold on 1,100 military promotions until Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper assures her in writing that impeachment witness Lt. Col. Alex Vindman will not be punished for his testimony .
Vindman , who had been staffed to the National Security Council as an expert on Ukraine , earned the ire of President Donald Trump when he testified during the House Intelligence Committee ’ s impeachment hearings in November .
Vindman was fired from his NSC job , and there have been reports that Trump is pressuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colonel .
A hold is an informal Senate practice by which a single senator can stop a piece of legislation or other matter from proceeding .
It does not have to be honored , but it puts leadership on notice that a senator might filibuster further consideration of the matter .
Duckworth told reporters that her hold , which applies to 1,123 scheduled promotions to the rank of “ 06 ” ( colonel or Navy captain ) or above , could actually make things easier for the Defense Department .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some top cover to say to the White House , ‘ She has this hold on there , so we have to keep [ Vindman ] on the list , ’ ” she said .

Corrected, 7:30 p.m. | Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth has put a blanket hold on 1,100 military promotions until Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper assures her in writing that impeachment witness Lt. Col. Alex Vindman will not be punished for his testimony.
Vindman, who had been staffed to the National Security Council as an expert on Ukraine, earned the ire of President Donald Trump when he testified during the House Intelligence Committee’s impeachment hearings in November. Vindman was fired from his NSC job, and there have been reports that Trump is pressuring the Pentagon to block his promotion to colonel.
A hold is an informal Senate practice by which a single senator can stop a piece of legislation or other matter from proceeding. It does not have to be honored, but it puts leadership on notice that a senator might filibuster further consideration of the matter.


rollcall--2020-07-02--Senate undoes proposed power shift in nuclear arms budgeting

The Senate voted quietly Thursday to undo a proposal in its fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill that would have given the Pentagon extraordinary new power to shape the Energy Department ’ s future nuclear weapons budgets .
CQ Roll Call reported this week on behind-the-scenes opposition to provisions in the Senate Armed Services Committee ’ s version of the NDAA that would have given certain Defense Department officials new clout to set the amount and the content of the budget the Energy Department prepares for its National Nuclear Security Administration every year .
Critics had raised alarms that the move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lessen civilian control of the nuclear weapons enterprise and could jeopardize Energy Department priorities such as cleaning up nuclear sites , supporting clean energy or combating nuclear proliferation .
Now the effort to change the balance of budgeting power in the executive branch appears dead , after the Senate adopted an amendment by Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin III — senior members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee — that dramatically changes the bill ’ s NNSA budget provision .
Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski , the committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defense bill ’ s proposed shift in budget power .
“ We ’ re so glad that we were able to stop efforts to usurp civilian control of nuclear weapons spending and protect the Department of Energy ’ s funding for critical nuclear waste cleanup programs , ” Cantwell told CQ Roll Call in a statement .

The Senate voted quietly Thursday to undo a proposal in its fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill that would have given the Pentagon extraordinary new power to shape the Energy Department’s future nuclear weapons budgets.
CQ Roll Call reported this week on behind-the-scenes opposition to provisions in the Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the NDAA that would have given certain Defense Department officials new clout to set the amount and the content of the budget the Energy Department prepares for its National Nuclear Security Administration every year.
Critics had raised alarms that the move to give the Pentagon this power would lessen civilian control of the nuclear weapons enterprise and could jeopardize Energy Department priorities such as cleaning up nuclear sites, supporting clean energy or combating nuclear proliferation.
Now the effort to change the balance of budgeting power in the executive branch appears dead, after the Senate adopted an amendment by Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell and West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin III — senior members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee — that dramatically changes the bill’s NNSA budget provision. Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski, the committee’s chairwoman, also has opposed the defense bill’s proposed shift in budget power.
“We’re so glad that we were able to stop efforts to usurp civilian control of nuclear weapons spending and protect the Department of Energy’s funding for critical nuclear waste cleanup programs,” Cantwell told CQ Roll Call in a statement.


rollcall--2020-07-02--Senators leave for first recess since Memorial Day

Senators on Thursday left Capitol Hill for their first recess since before Memorial Day .
Even as the House and @ @ @ @ @ had limited operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic , the Senate followed through on a @ @ @ @ @ .
There will now be a two-week recess , which had been planned in part @ @ @ @ @ for the Democratic National Convention .
Senators are expected back at the Capitol on Monday @ @ @ @ @ chamber will only convene for brief pro-forma sessions between now and then .
Those short @ @ @ @ @ for the Senate to convene and will block President Donald Trump from making recess appointments @

Senators on Thursday left Capitol Hill for their first recess since before Memorial Day.
Even as the House and much of official Washington has had limited operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate followed through on a five-week work period in June.
There will now be a two-week recess, which had been planned in part because of the original schedule for the Democratic National Convention.
Senators are expected back at the Capitol on Monday, July 20. The chamber will only convene for brief pro-forma sessions between now and then.
Those short sessions meet the constitutional requirement for the Senate to convene and will block President Donald Trump from making recess appointments.


rollcall--2020-07-02--At the Races: Will Texas keep Schumer’s streak alive?

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 .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has been aggressive in endorsing candidates in targeted races but , as Amy McGrath in Kentucky and John Hickenlooper in Colorado found out , that hasn ’ t stopped other Democrats from running .
After some spirited challenges , McGrath and Hickenlooper still won their primaries this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also saw its picks prevail in Iowa and North Carolina after contested primaries .
The next test for the committee ’ s preferred candidate is in Texas , where Air Force veteran MJ Hegar will take on state Sen. Royce West in a July 14 Democratic primary runoff .
The race has some parallels to the Kentucky primary , where McGrath eked out a win against state Rep. Charles Booker .
In both races , the DSCC endorsed women who narrowly lost 2018 House races , were military pilots , blockbuster fundraisers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponents are Black men who are state legislators .
Like Booker , West has sought to capitalize on recent protests against racism and police brutality , highlighting his work on criminal justice .
But the Texas race has one key difference : West is not significantly more liberal than Hegar .
In Kentucky , the more liberal Booker won the backing of progressive leaders who helped boost his fundraising in the final stretch of the primary .
In Texas , both West and Hegar support a public health care option and neither supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas primary has centered on contrasting experiences .
During a debate Monday , West pitched himself as the candidate with legislative chops to get things done .
“ The question is : Does experience matter ?
” he said in his closing statement .

Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman, and Kate Ackley

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has been aggressive in endorsing candidates in targeted races but, as Amy McGrath in Kentucky and John Hickenlooper in Colorado found out, that hasn’t stopped other Democrats from running. After some spirited challenges, McGrath and Hickenlooper still won their primaries this week. That came after the DSCC also saw its picks prevail in Iowa and North Carolina after contested primaries.
The next test for the committee’s preferred candidate is in Texas, where Air Force veteran MJ Hegar will take on state Sen. Royce West in a July 14 Democratic primary runoff. The race has some parallels to the Kentucky primary, where McGrath eked out a win against state Rep. Charles Booker. In both races, the DSCC endorsed women who narrowly lost 2018 House races, were military pilots, blockbuster fundraisers and had viral bio videos. Their primary opponents are Black men who are state legislators. Like Booker, West has sought to capitalize on recent protests against racism and police brutality, highlighting his work on criminal justice.
But the Texas race has one key difference: West is not significantly more liberal than Hegar. In Kentucky, the more liberal Booker won the backing of progressive leaders who helped boost his fundraising in the final stretch of the primary. In Texas, both West and Hegar support a public health care option and neither supports the Green New Deal. So the Texas primary has centered on contrasting experiences.
During a debate Monday, West pitched himself as the candidate with legislative chops to get things done. “The question is: Does experience matter?” he said in his closing statement.