rollcall--2020-03-24--Social media data could greatly aid in tracking COVID-19 worldwide

Unfortunately , getting data from the internal servers of some of Silicon Valley ’ s biggest companies into the hands of government and academic researchers isn ’ t so simple .
The primary obstacle is a set of concerns over the privacy of social media users whose data might be handed over by the companies .
And the companies themselves must ensure they aren ’ t jeopardizing the trade secrets of their own technology .
“ This data is a public good that should be shared , ” Sarah Rispin Sedlak , one of the Duke researchers who on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during an epidemic , told CQ Roll Call .
“ But something like that has to be done within a framework that ensures protections for both the companies and the individual users.
” “ You need a legal and ethical framework that allows the company to share data in a way that is sufficiently protective of individual privacy and that the digital epidemiologists agree not to use that data for other purposes or send it elsewhere , ” Rispin Sedlak said .
In 2008 , Google unveiled a tool called Google Flu Trends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu-like symptoms to estimate how many people throughout the United States were infected at a given time , promising “ an early-warning system for outbreaks of influenza.
” But the tool never fulfilled its own promise — its estimates for the 2013 flu season were off by 140 percent , according to WIRED — and it was the subject of complaints by privacy advocates .

Unfortunately, getting data from the internal servers of some of Silicon Valley’s biggest companies into the hands of government and academic researchers isn’t so simple. The primary obstacle is a set of concerns over the privacy of social media users whose data might be handed over by the companies. And the companies themselves must ensure they aren’t jeopardizing the trade secrets of their own technology.
Privacy concerns
“This data is a public good that should be shared,” Sarah Rispin Sedlak, one of the Duke researchers who on March 19 published the report on information sharing during an epidemic, told CQ Roll Call. “But something like that has to be done within a framework that ensures protections for both the companies and the individual users.”
“You need a legal and ethical framework that allows the company to share data in a way that is sufficiently protective of individual privacy and that the digital epidemiologists agree not to use that data for other purposes or send it elsewhere,” Rispin Sedlak said.
[Facebook, other social media sites pressured to protect census]
In 2008, Google unveiled a tool called Google Flu Trends that aggregated specific search queries related to flu-like symptoms to estimate how many people throughout the United States were infected at a given time, promising “an early-warning system for outbreaks of influenza.” But the tool never fulfilled its own promise — its estimates for the 2013 flu season were off by 140 percent, according to WIRED — and it was the subject of complaints by privacy advocates.


rollcall--2020-03-24--A case history in how Congress dealt with the Great Influenza

In October 1918 , during the depths of the influenza pandemic , Rep. Martin D. Foster , an Illinois Democrat , wanted to pass a bill to bolster the depleted ranks of doctors who could be called on to treat local outbreaks .
It seemed like a good idea — tens of thousands of doctors were then serving overseas in World War I and the fear was there weren ’ t enough health professionals to care for the sick .
There was just one problem .
So many lawmakers had gone ill , there weren ’ t enough for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed up , according to the website of the House Historian and Clerk .
The speaker ruled against considering the bill and adjourned the House .
The next morning , Oct. 15 , only 50 members were present .
“ But , in a remarkable step , those present had agreed to a ‘ modus vivendi , ’ ” according to the post , “ under a unanimous consent agreement that would only work if no one ask for a quorum call.
” At first , two lawmakers objected , but eventually withdrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doctor , convinced lawmakers that local physicians would not be taken from towns that badly needed the help .
The bill passed , and the speaker adjourned , citing the lack of a quorum .
The next day , the first member of the House died .
At least two others later died from the flu .
Foster , the sponsor of the bill , lost his reelection bid in a Republican wave .
He died a year later “ after several months illness , ” according to his obituary .

In October 1918, during the depths of the influenza pandemic, Rep. Martin D. Foster, an Illinois Democrat, wanted to pass a bill to bolster the depleted ranks of doctors who could be called on to treat local outbreaks. It seemed like a good idea — tens of thousands of doctors were then serving overseas in World War I and the fear was there weren’t enough health professionals to care for the sick.
There was just one problem. So many lawmakers had gone ill, there weren’t enough for a quorum in the House — only 178 showed up, according to the website of the House Historian and Clerk. The speaker ruled against considering the bill and adjourned the House.
The next morning, Oct. 15, only 50 members were present. “But, in a remarkable step, those present had agreed to a ‘modus vivendi,’” according to the post, “under a unanimous consent agreement that would only work if no one ask for a quorum call.” At first, two lawmakers objected, but eventually withdrew. During debate, Foster, himself a doctor, convinced lawmakers that local physicians would not be taken from towns that badly needed the help. The bill passed, and the speaker adjourned, citing the lack of a quorum.
The next day, the first member of the House died. At least two others later died from the flu. Foster, the sponsor of the bill, lost his reelection bid in a Republican wave. He died a year later “after several months illness,” according to his obituary.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Coronavirus crisis complicates in-person census outreach

Meeta Anand hates working from home just when peak census operations were meant to start .
As the New York Immigrant Coalition ’ s 2020 census senior fellow , Anand and thousands of others working at nonprofits , local governments and other organizations have spent months , in some cases years , getting ready to reach out , face-to-face , to specific populations and encourage them to fill out their forms .
Now the coronavirus pandemic threatens to undermine their efforts to count minorities , young children and others who previous censuses have missed .
“ The fact that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in-person messaging and communication was a recognition that the vulnerable communities need that level of extra engagement and persuasion , ” Anand said .
[ States scramble for their fair share of federal pandemic aid ] The Census Bureau ’ s 2020 strategy put a heavy emphasis on canvassing and other personal outreach through thousands of local partners like the New York Immigrant Coalition .
These groups serve as “ trusted messengers ” trying to convince people never counted before to respond , but they ’ re suddenly hamstrung by a health @ @

“It is harder to have those conversations now, and we worry this will lead to an undercount of precisely those populations that we’re trying to count,” Anand said.
There’s an irony to the situation, she said, as census data feeds into the resource allocation — like medical care funding and food stamps — needed the most right now.
Randi Hewit chairs the grant committee for the New York State Census Equity Fund, which provides financial support to nonprofits doing census outreach. She said the committee has pushed its grantees to come up with new strategies to deal with the coronavirus crisis.
“We had a whole campaign built in community organizing, getting people out of their homes and to places like public libraries to fill out their census forms online. All of that has changed overnight,” said Hewit, who also is president of the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc.
The Census Bureau announced Friday it would delay all census operations by several weeks as the government works to contain the spread of the virus. In the meantime, the agency has tried to shift its messaging to encourage more self-response online, over the phone or through paper forms.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Capitol Ink | Political Protective Equipment

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

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


rollcall--2020-03-24--Coronavirus election delays are changing dynamics for campaigns

Kim Olson is going to need some new postcards .
Last week , the Texas Democrat ’ s campaign stopped @ @ @ @ @ a May 26 primary runoff once it became increasingly clear the election might not happen @ @ @ @ @ official Friday night , when Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott postponed the runoffs until July @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Olson , a retired Air Force colonel competing for the Democratic nomination in @ @ @ @ @ of the Democrats ’ top 2020 targets , had to adjust .
And campaigns across @ @ @ @ @ same .
The change in Texas underscored how the pandemic could disrupt the races that @ @ @ @ @ Congress next year .

Kim Olson is going to need some new postcards.
Last week, the Texas Democrat’s campaign stopped sending postcards reminding voters about a May 26 primary runoff once it became increasingly clear the election might not happen as scheduled.
That became official Friday night, when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott postponed the runoffs until July 14 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Olson, a retired Air Force colonel competing for the Democratic nomination in the 24th District, one of the Democrats’ top 2020 targets, had to adjust. And campaigns across the country are doing the same.
The change in Texas underscored how the pandemic could disrupt the races that will affect which party controls Congress next year.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Fintech and the coronavirus pandemic

Fintech and the coronavirus pandemic

Fintech Beat sits down with Brookings ’ Aaron Klein to talk about the Federal Reserve ’ s responses to Wall @ @ @ @ @ , and what the pandemic means for fintech in light of the sector ’ s @ @ @ @ @ • Fintech in the UK after Brexit • Fintech Beat : On location in the @

Fintech Beat sits down with Brookings’ Aaron Klein to talk about the Federal Reserve’s responses to Wall Street’s historic declines, and what the pandemic means for fintech in light of the sector’s strengths--and weaknesses.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-03-24--No final stimulus deal yet; negotiators say Tuesday’s the day

Principals negotiating a $ 2 trillion economic rescue package for a nation on virtual lockdown from COVID-19 reported substantial progress late Monday with a deal potentially on Tuesday morning and votes later in the day .
`` We expect to have an agreement tomorrow morning , '' Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , D-N.Y. , said just before midnight after a meeting with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland .
`` That ’ s the expectation , that we will finish it tomorrow and hopefully vote on it tomorrow in the evening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ little differences .
Neither of us think they ’ re in any way going to get in the way of a final agreement , '' Schumer added .
He said two of his caucus ' priorities — `` workers first and a 'Marshall Plan ' for hospitals '' — were `` very strongly in the bill . ''
Mnuchin echoed Schumer 's assessment as he left the Capitol .
`` There ’ s still a couple of open issues , but I think we ’ re very hopeful that this can be closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that he and Ueland expect to be back on Capitol Hill at 9:30 a.m. for more talks .

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Niels Lesniewski

Principals negotiating a $2 trillion economic rescue package for a nation on virtual lockdown from COVID-19 reported substantial progress late Monday with a deal potentially on Tuesday morning and votes later in the day.
"We expect to have an agreement tomorrow morning," Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said just before midnight after a meeting with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland. "That’s the expectation, that we will finish it tomorrow and hopefully vote on it tomorrow in the evening."
[Senate squabbles over coronavirus stimulus reach fever pitch]
"There are still a few little differences. Neither of us think they’re in any way going to get in the way of a final agreement," Schumer added. He said two of his caucus' priorities — "workers first and a 'Marshall Plan' for hospitals" — were "very strongly in the bill."
Mnuchin echoed Schumer's assessment as he left the Capitol. "There’s still a couple of open issues, but I think we’re very hopeful that this can be closed out tomorrow," he said, adding that he and Ueland expect to be back on Capitol Hill at 9:30 a.m. for more talks.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Trump eager to reopen the country as virus death toll rises

President Donald Trump on Monday said he would soon lift severe restrictions seeking to keep Americans in their homes to slow the spread of COVID-19 , saying the country wasn ’ t meant to be shut down .
Trump ’ s openness to lifting the social limits that have been in place for about a week to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus comes as the U.S. death toll rose above 500 on Monday and states continued to announce stricter guidance for their residents .
The White House last week recommended restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or do schooling from home and avoid eating or drinking at bars and restaurants but opt instead for pick-up or delivery .
Trump , speaking at a Monday evening White House press conference , did not specify when he expected to lift the restrictions .
He said he did not expect the restrictions to last for months , as some public health experts have suggested could be necessary to stop the spread of the virus .
`` This was a medical problem .
We 're not going to let it turn into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

President Donald Trump on Monday said he would soon lift severe restrictions seeking to keep Americans in their homes to slow the spread of COVID-19, saying the country wasn’t meant to be shut down.
Trump’s openness to lifting the social limits that have been in place for about a week to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus comes as the U.S. death toll rose above 500 on Monday and states continued to announce stricter guidance for their residents.
The White House last week recommended restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people. Federal officials urged people to work or do schooling from home and avoid eating or drinking at bars and restaurants but opt instead for pick-up or delivery.
Trump, speaking at a Monday evening White House press conference, did not specify when he expected to lift the restrictions. He said he did not expect the restrictions to last for months, as some public health experts have suggested could be necessary to stop the spread of the virus.
"This was a medical problem. We're not going to let it turn into a long-lasting financial problem," Trump said.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Coronavirus Special Report: Evening update, 3/24

Tonight : The latest on the nearly $ 2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package , a roundup of Tuesday 's health @ @ @ @ @ about how a small business in Kansas is affected by the pandemic .
• Distillers @ @ @ @ @ are now seeking a tax break • Trump wants the economy ‘ raring to go @ @ @ @ @ reject that idea

Tonight: The latest on the nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package, a roundup of Tuesday's health policy news and one story about how a small business in Kansas is affected by the pandemic.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-03-24--In coronavirus aid debate, GOP sees a favorite target: green new deal

`` They wanted to give unprecedented authority to organized labor and to address fuel emissions standards for airlines , none of which is relevant to the immediate crisis that is at hand , ” Cornyn said on the Senate floor Tuesday .
“ This sideshow should not be part of the minority leader ’ s priorities.
” Among other provisions , the House bill would provide $ 1 billion for the Transportation Department to buy fuel-inefficient planes from airlines that they would replace with new models with lower carbon emissions .
It would also mandate a study of climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marc Scribner , senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute , said there 's little incentive for airlines to participate in a `` cash for clunkers '' arrangement , recalling the Obama administration 's effort to encourage car buying after the 2008 financial crisis .
`` It makes more sense , '' he said , `` for them to keep their older aircraft , '' which are often paid fully paid for .
`` These are aircraft airlines want to use to sell off to raise cash or to use as collateral to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding , `` I don ’ t think $ 1 billion for an airline 'cash for clunkers ' program would address anything to do with the coronavirus outbreak but may actually put airlines at a disadvantage in terms of using normal means to keep themselves afloat . ''
In a string of Senate floor speeches Monday and Tuesday , Republicans often invoked the Green New Deal , a massive policy proposal to overhaul the U.S. economy and reduce emissions , in their critiques of Democratic priorities .

"They wanted to give unprecedented authority to organized labor and to address fuel emissions standards for airlines, none of which is relevant to the immediate crisis that is at hand,” Cornyn said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “This sideshow should not be part of the minority leader’s priorities.”
Among other provisions, the House bill would provide $1 billion for the Transportation Department to buy fuel-inefficient planes from airlines that they would replace with new models with lower carbon emissions. It would also mandate a study of climate change mitigation efforts in the airline industry.
'Cash for clunkers'
Marc Scribner, senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said there's little incentive for airlines to participate in a "cash for clunkers" arrangement, recalling the Obama administration's effort to encourage car buying after the 2008 financial crisis. "It makes more sense," he said, "for them to keep their older aircraft," which are often paid fully paid for.
"These are aircraft airlines want to use to sell off to raise cash or to use as collateral to get conventional loan financing," he said, adding, "I don’t think $1 billion for an airline 'cash for clunkers' program would address anything to do with the coronavirus outbreak but may actually put airlines at a disadvantage in terms of using normal means to keep themselves afloat."
In a string of Senate floor speeches Monday and Tuesday, Republicans often invoked the Green New Deal, a massive policy proposal to overhaul the U.S. economy and reduce emissions, in their critiques of Democratic priorities.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Supreme Court justices’  perks revealed in new report

“ Given that basic transparency measures are anathema to the Supreme Court and its justices , we must use every available tool to ensure the nine are not flouting ethical standards , ” the group 's executive director , Gabe Roth , said in a statement .
Over a third of the justices ' events at colleges and universities since 2015 were held at public institutions , raising concerns about the cost of some of those events at public universities .
Justice Clarence Thomas appears to have taken the University of Florida ’ s private plane when he traveled there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law class in 2016 , according the report .
The records obtained by Fix the Court didn ’ t list a cost for those flights , but the group estimated the cost at $ 3,800 per roundtrip .
Justice Sonia Sotomayor flew commercial when she gave the University of Rhode Island ’ s commencement speech in 2016 , but her roundtrip flights from Washington , D.C. to Providence , Rhode Island , still cost more than $ 1,0oo .
Once in Providence , Sotomayor , her security detail and some of her family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five and 11 hotel rooms at The Break , a boutique hotel in Narragansett that advertises rooms at about $ 200 – $ 250 a night .
It ’ s not clear whether Sotomayor or her family friends may have reimbursed the University of Rhode Island for some of those expenses .
Any money justices reimburse organizations are not listed on financial disclosures .

“Given that basic transparency measures are anathema to the Supreme Court and its justices, we must use every available tool to ensure the nine are not flouting ethical standards,” the group's executive director, Gabe Roth, said in a statement.
Over a third of the justices' events at colleges and universities since 2015 were held at public institutions, raising concerns about the cost of some of those events at public universities.
Justice Clarence Thomas appears to have taken the University of Florida’s private plane when he traveled there for a week to co-teach a property law class in 2016, according the report. The records obtained by Fix the Court didn’t list a cost for those flights, but the group estimated the cost at $3,800 per roundtrip.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor flew commercial when she gave the University of Rhode Island’s commencement speech in 2016, but her roundtrip flights from Washington, D.C. to Providence, Rhode Island, still cost more than $1,0oo. Once in Providence, Sotomayor, her security detail and some of her family friends stayed in a bloc of between five and 11 hotel rooms at The Break, a boutique hotel in Narragansett that advertises rooms at about $200 – $250 a night.
It’s not clear whether Sotomayor or her family friends may have reimbursed the University of Rhode Island for some of those expenses. Any money justices reimburse organizations are not listed on financial disclosures.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Coronavirus stimulus talks drag on amid lack of trust, last-minute hang-ups

If the ball was at the 2-yard line earlier Tuesday , Speaker Nancy Pelosi says penalties may have pushed lawmakers back down the field a bit .
Pelosi , D-Calif. , told House Democrats on an afternoon conference call that talks on the massive $ 2 trillion economic rescue package were in the `` red zone , '' defined as the 20-yard area just before the football goal line .
Pelosi 's Senate counterpart , Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , D-N.Y. , had said the talks were at the 2-yard line in a floor speech earlier Tuesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't see any that ca n't be overcome in the next few hours , '' he said around noon .
But Pelosi said she 's holding out for a 15 percent boost in food stamp benefits for low-income households during the COVID-19 crisis , safety regulations for hospital workers and other first responders , and insurance coverage for all aspects of coronavirus testing .
Pelosi suggested there 's still a divide over helping cash-strapped employer pension plans avoid insolvency in the coming years .
She said $ 5 billion was the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 9 billion Democrats were pushing for , though it was n't clear whether that would be a deal-breaker .
Republicans had wanted to keep pension funding out of the bill altogether .

Lindsey McPherson, Jennifer Shutt, and Griffin Connolly

Negotiators on a $2 trillion fiscal stimulus measure to carry U.S. households, businesses and health care providers through the novel coronavirus pandemic were poring over paperwork late Tuesday night hoping to avoid last-minute hitches.
All day it has been a similar scene, with top Trump administration officials led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin marching back and forth between Senate leadership offices. Various iterations of "getting closer" were a popular refrain as night fell on the Capitol.
"We are very, very close," Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., whom President Donald Trump tapped to become his new chief of staff earlier this month, told reporters just before midnight.
Rank-and-file Republicans didn't share Meadows' optimism. "I'm sorry to be so worked up," a visibly angry Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said from the Senate floor earlier in the evening, asserting Democrats were holding up the measure for "political advantage" over the president they tried to remove from office.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a onetime Trump antagonist turned staunch ally, called on the president to recall Mnuchin and stop negotiating at all. "Pass the damn bill. Stop negotiating. Enough is enough," he said. "If it's not perfect, we can fix it later, but we need to vote tonight."


rollcall--2020-03-24--Distillers rushing to make hand sanitizers are now seeking a tax break

Looking for a nice single-malt hand sanitizer ?
Or maybe something in a vodka or gin ?
Hundreds of liquor @ @ @ @ @ begun — or are planning — to turn over a portion of their liquor production @ @ @ @ @ of another alcohol-intensive product — hand sanitizers .
“ There ’ s well over 350-plus @ @ @ @ @ have been mobilizing … pivoting to take their distilled spirits and make hand sanitizers , @ @ @ @ @ president and chief executive of the Distilled Spirits Council , a Washington-based association .
Now @ @ @ @ @ on a tax that ’ s typically levied on spirit production .
The Distilled Spirits @ @ @ @ @ an add to the $ 2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package being negotiated in Congress @ @ @ @ @ the hand sanitizers made by distillers from the $ 13.50 per proof gallon federal excise @ @ @ @ @

Looking for a nice single-malt hand sanitizer? Or maybe something in a vodka or gin?
Hundreds of liquor distillers say they have already begun — or are planning — to turn over a portion of their liquor production to addressing the nationwide shortage of another alcohol-intensive product — hand sanitizers.
“There’s well over 350-plus distillers around the country that have been mobilizing … pivoting to take their distilled spirits and make hand sanitizers,” said Chris Swonger, president and chief executive of the Distilled Spirits Council, a Washington-based association.
Now, distillers want an exemption on a tax that’s typically levied on spirit production.
The Distilled Spirits Council is lobbying to get an add to the $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package being negotiated in Congress that would exempt any of the hand sanitizers made by distillers from the $13.50 per proof gallon federal excise tax on liquor products.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Coronavirus cases prompt DOJ to close more immigration courts

The Justice Department closed two more immigration courts after announcing Tuesday that someone in each court system had tested positive for coronavirus , but more than three dozen other immigration courts remained open across the country despite widespread calls for their closure .
The Department ’ s Executive Office for Immigration Review , which oversees the immigration court system , initially said it had shut down an immigration court in New York City because of `` a person with a confirmed case of coronavirus in EOIR space . ''
The agency closed the city 's other two immigration courts earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it referred all New York-related filings to the closest immigration court in Elizabeth , N.J. , but hours later EOIR again took to Twitter to announce that courtroom was being shut down , too .
`` Due to a report of the presence of an individual with a test-confirmed coronavirus diagnosis , the Elizabeth Immigration Court will be closed for the rest of the day , '' the agency said .
The latest closures are part of recent measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all nondetained individuals until at least April 10 .
It also has closed , altogether , 12 other immigration courts .
In addition to New York , the others are in Atlanta ; Charlotte , N.C. ; Houston ; Louisville , Ky. ; Memphis , Tenn. ; Newark , N.J. ; and Los Angeles .

The Justice Department closed two more immigration courts after announcing Tuesday that someone in each court system had tested positive for coronavirus, but more than three dozen other immigration courts remained open across the country despite widespread calls for their closure.
The Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees the immigration court system, initially said it had shut down an immigration court in New York City because of "a person with a confirmed case of coronavirus in EOIR space." The agency closed the city's other two immigration courts earlier this month.
In a tweet Tuesday, it referred all New York-related filings to the closest immigration court in Elizabeth, N.J., but hours later EOIR again took to Twitter to announce that courtroom was being shut down, too.
"Due to a report of the presence of an individual with a test-confirmed coronavirus diagnosis, the Elizabeth Immigration Court will be closed for the rest of the day," the agency said.
The latest closures are part of recent measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. EOIR has suspended the hearings of all nondetained individuals until at least April 10. It also has closed, altogether, 12 other immigration courts. In addition to New York, the others are in Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Houston; Louisville, Ky.; Memphis, Tenn.; Newark, N.J.; and Los Angeles.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Mark Meadows really isn’t Donald Trump’s chief of staff — yet

Rep. Mark Meadows is not yet President Donald Trump ’ s chief of staff .
Really .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Republican sure looked like the White House chief of staff as he made the rounds @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
But Meadows insists that is not the case , at least not yet @ @ @ @ @ ’ m still a member of Congress , ” Meadows said when asked how he @ @ @ @ @ lawmaker despite already being announced by the president as his new chief of staff .
@ @ @ @ @ meetings on Capitol Hill hammering out final details of an economic stimulus package to respond @ @ @ @ @ and it can be an open secret that he is advocating for Trump in those @ @

Rep. Mark Meadows is not yet President Donald Trump’s chief of staff. Really. He’s not.
The North Carolina Republican sure looked like the White House chief of staff as he made the rounds with top Trump administration officials Tuesday.
But Meadows insists that is not the case, at least not yet.
“Well, I’m still a member of Congress,” Meadows said when asked how he was reconciling serving as a lawmaker despite already being announced by the president as his new chief of staff.
Meadows certainly can attend high-level meetings on Capitol Hill hammering out final details of an economic stimulus package to respond to the coronavirus pandemic; and it can be an open secret that he is advocating for Trump in those meetings.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Trump wants the economy ‘raring to go’ by Easter. Economists reject that idea

As some Republicans , including President Donald Trump , push for lifting social distancing measures in place to slow the @ @ @ @ @ in order to help the economy , economists are joining public health experts in saying @ @ @ @ @ everything much worse .
On Tuesday , Trump raised the idea of returning the economy @ @ @ @ @ April 12 .
“ I ’ d love to have the country opened up and @ @ @ @ @ Easter , ” he said on Fox News .
`` We 'll assess at that @ @ @ @ @ it some more time if we need a little more time , but we have @ @ @ @ @ We can socially distance ourselves and go to work . ''
He said in a @ @ @ @ @ make a decision after a 15-day social distancing period ends about whether to continue such @ @

As some Republicans, including President Donald Trump, push for lifting social distancing measures in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus in order to help the economy, economists are joining public health experts in saying such a move risks making everything much worse.
On Tuesday, Trump raised the idea of returning the economy to normal as soon as April 12.
[Economists say policy timing key to fast coronavirus recovery]
“I’d love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter,” he said on Fox News. "We'll assess at that time and we'll give it some more time if we need a little more time, but we have to open this country up… We can socially distance ourselves and go to work."
He said in a tweet Monday that he would make a decision after a 15-day social distancing period ends about whether to continue such measures.


rollcall--2020-03-24--Economists say policy timing key to fast coronavirus recovery

Economists watching Washington as it formulates a response to the COVID-19 pandemic said the unique nature of the problem means @ @ @ @ @ contradictory economic goals in which the timing of an action could determine its effectiveness .
@ @ @ @ @ to slow the economy to contain the virus .
Sending tens of millions of workers @ @ @ @ @ to visit restaurants , bars , museums and sporting events is the opposite of economic @ @ @ @ @ are trying to ensure the enforced idleness doesn ’ t deepen the economic problem by @ @ @ @ @ to turn into foreclosures or evictions , or by turning temporarily shuttered businesses into permanently @ @ @ @ @ the policymakers are trying to set the stage for the economy to come roaring back @ @ @ @ @ the self-quarantines are lifted .
The three policy efforts overlap and the success or failure @ @ @ @ @ will partly determine how well policies achieve the others .

Economists watching Washington as it formulates a response to the COVID-19 pandemic said the unique nature of the problem means policy makers are pursuing sometimes contradictory economic goals in which the timing of an action could determine its effectiveness.
First, policymakers are trying to slow the economy to contain the virus. Sending tens of millions of workers home and telling them not to visit restaurants, bars, museums and sporting events is the opposite of economic stimulus.
Second, policymakers are trying to ensure the enforced idleness doesn’t deepen the economic problem by allowing unpaid mortgages or rents to turn into foreclosures or evictions, or by turning temporarily shuttered businesses into permanently closed businesses.
Third, the policymakers are trying to set the stage for the economy to come roaring back when the pandemic ends and the self-quarantines are lifted.
The three policy efforts overlap and the success or failure in addressing any one goal will partly determine how well policies achieve the others.


rollcall--2020-03-24--House report tables remote voting

House report tables remote voting

Remote voting is not coming to the House anytime soon , according to a Rules Committee report .
But some @ @ @ @ @ ’ t fully consider the options available , and members are still pushing for emergency @ @ @ @ @ Jim McGovern is not recommending remote voting as the solution to avoid bringing lawmakers back @ @ @ @ @ the nearly $ 2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package , but the Massachusetts Democrat is open @ @ @ @ @ a voice vote or unanimous consent .
A public report and letter sent to lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ for voting procedures during the unprecedented pandemic that is spreading across the country and even @ @ @ @ @ , the quickest and likely best path forward is for Congress to pass that measure @ @ @ @ @ voice vote .
Short of that , there are a few difficult options that we @ @ @ @ @ McGovern wrote in a letter to his colleagues .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed the report @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC .

Remote voting is not coming to the House anytime soon, according to a Rules Committee report. But some advocates say the report didn’t fully consider the options available, and members are still pushing for emergency alternatives.
House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern is not recommending remote voting as the solution to avoid bringing lawmakers back to Washington to vote on the nearly $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package, but the Massachusetts Democrat is open to passing the bill by a voice vote or unanimous consent.
A public report and letter sent to lawmakers Monday night outlines the options for voting procedures during the unprecedented pandemic that is spreading across the country and even the Capitol.
“Clearly, the quickest and likely best path forward is for Congress to pass that measure by unanimous consent or by voice vote. Short of that, there are a few difficult options that we can consider utilizing,” McGovern wrote in a letter to his colleagues.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed the report’s conclusion Tuesday on MSNBC.


rollcall--2020-03-25--Costs rise more than $100B to maintain Navy ships with clogging toilets and other issues

The Navy recently decided to use a different sewage system on its two newest aircraft carriers , one that is @ @ @ @ @ commercial aircraft .
But flushing for more than 4,000 people living aboard a carrier turned @ @ @ @ @ job than it is on a jetliner .
Now the massive ships require regular acid @ @ @ @ @ each — just to keep things flowing .
The current and future price for that @ @ @ @ @ not yet known .
But the wider cost of addressing unexpected operating and support issues @ @ @ @ @ coming into clearer view , thanks to a Government Accountability Office audit made public Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ U.S. surface ships and submarines , the Navy ’ s estimated cost of maintenance over @ @ @ @ @ more than $ 100 billion higher than it was when full-scale development of the vessels @ @ @ @ @ the six classes , that cost is more than 50 percent higher than the earlier @ @

The Navy recently decided to use a different sewage system on its two newest aircraft carriers, one that is modeled on the toilets in commercial aircraft.
But flushing for more than 4,000 people living aboard a carrier turned out to be a harder job than it is on a jetliner. Now the massive ships require regular acid flushes — at $400,000 each — just to keep things flowing.
[Undisclosed delays plague atomic programs, cost billions to fix]
The current and future price for that particular failure of foresight is not yet known. But the wider cost of addressing unexpected operating and support issues for Navy warships is now coming into clearer view, thanks to a Government Accountability Office audit made public Tuesday.
For six classes of U.S. surface ships and submarines, the Navy’s estimated cost of maintenance over the ships’ lives is more than $100 billion higher than it was when full-scale development of the vessels began. For four of the six classes, that cost is more than 50 percent higher than the earlier estimate.


rollcall--2020-03-25--Happy hour is canceled for Congress. Here’s how pubs are coping

Pubs aren ’ t exactly known for their takeout orders , but Union Pub is adapting .
How about a side of toilet paper with that , or a Jell-O shot to go ?
Behind the scenes , almost everyone has been laid off .
“ We ’ re saying ‘ furloughed , ’ ” said owner Matt Weiss .
This should have been one of the busiest months of the year for the Capitol Hill watering hole .
Instead , he ’ s pivoting hard .
As legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic inched through Congress this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were empty , as they had to be , at pubs and taverns surrounding the Capitol .
With a citywide ban on dining in , the next best thing is takeout and delivery , but that ’ s easier said than done when happy hour is your lifeblood .
At four longtime drinking spots on the Hill , the refrain was the same : No one has seen anything like this in the industry .
Owners intend to reopen , but the timeline is murky , and privately , some workers use “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In short , the boozy ecosystem that has grown up around the nation ’ s legislative body has collapsed , for now .
On a typical night , Union Pub would be overrun with government staffers knocking back drink specials and sharing a plate of “ chicken totchos ” ( that ’ s tater tots plus nachos ) .
Like many pubs , this one didn ’ t have delivery until last week .
Why would they , when the whole point is to show up and hang out ?

Pubs aren’t exactly known for their takeout orders, but Union Pub is adapting. How about a side of toilet paper with that, or a Jell-O shot to go? Behind the scenes, almost everyone has been laid off.
“We’re saying ‘furloughed,’” said owner Matt Weiss. This should have been one of the busiest months of the year for the Capitol Hill watering hole. Instead, he’s pivoting hard.
As legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic inched through Congress this week, business nearby was even slower. Barstools were empty, as they had to be, at pubs and taverns surrounding the Capitol. With a citywide ban on dining in, the next best thing is takeout and delivery, but that’s easier said than done when happy hour is your lifeblood.
At four longtime drinking spots on the Hill, the refrain was the same: No one has seen anything like this in the industry. Owners intend to reopen, but the timeline is murky, and privately, some workers use “if,” not “when.” In short, the boozy ecosystem that has grown up around the nation’s legislative body has collapsed, for now.
Union Pub
On a typical night, Union Pub would be overrun with government staffers knocking back drink specials and sharing a plate of “chicken totchos” (that’s tater tots plus nachos). Like many pubs, this one didn’t have delivery until last week. Why would they, when the whole point is to show up and hang out?


rollcall--2020-03-25--Richard Hanna: An unforgettable member of the House

OPINION — Former Rep. Richard Hanna , who died on March 15 , was not exactly a household name .
But the New York Republican , who served from 2011 to 2017 , was probably my favorite candidate interview — and that ’ s saying something , since I interviewed more than one hundred House , Senate and gubernatorial candidates per cycle from the early 1990s until a few years ago .
Hanna , who was 69 when he died , was a businessman from the construction industry with no political experience , and he first ran for Congress from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He challenged Democratic Rep. Michael Arcuri , a personable , smart and politically pragmatic freshman who had just defeated a mainstream Republican state senator who figured the seat was his , given the district ’ s past partisanship .
Before Arcuri , the district , which included Utica , Rome and Cooperstown , was reliably Republican , though not all that conservative .
The previous longtime occupant of the seat was Sherwood Boehlert , a liberal Republican and leading environmentalist who was despised by conservatives and demonized as a “ Republican In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1982 and retired in 2006 .

OPINION — Former Rep. Richard Hanna, who died on March 15, was not exactly a household name. But the New York Republican, who served from 2011 to 2017, was probably my favorite candidate interview — and that’s saying something, since I interviewed more than one hundred House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates per cycle from the early 1990s until a few years ago.
Hanna, who was 69 when he died, was a businessman from the construction industry with no political experience, and he first ran for Congress from an upstate New York district in 2008.
He challenged Democratic Rep. Michael Arcuri, a personable, smart and politically pragmatic freshman who had just defeated a mainstream Republican state senator who figured the seat was his, given the district’s past partisanship.
Before Arcuri, the district, which included Utica, Rome and Cooperstown, was reliably Republican, though not all that conservative.
The previous longtime occupant of the seat was Sherwood Boehlert, a liberal Republican and leading environmentalist who was despised by conservatives and demonized as a “Republican In Name Only.” Boehlert was first elected in 1982 and retired in 2006.


rollcall--2020-03-25--Coronavirus Special Report: Morning minute, 3/25

Democratic lawmakers and President Donald Trump reached agreement last night on a $ 2 trillion rescue package that will send @ @ @ @ @ American adults and allocate $ 500 billion to companies hurt by the shutdown .
Most @ @ @ @ @ the form of Federal Reserve loans .
Democrats , concerned that companies would take bailouts @ @ @ @ @ , added language creating an inspector general and a congressionally appointed panel to oversee the @ @ @ @ @ in Washington , could vote on the deal today .
But getting it through the @ @ @ @ @ as easy .
Representatives remain in their districts , and many don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ crowded Capitol .
House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern hopes to pass the bill by unanimous @ @ @ @ @ allow them to stay home .
But a single member of the House could then @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers to return .

Democratic lawmakers and President Donald Trump reached agreement last night on a $2 trillion rescue package that will send $1,200 checks to many American adults and allocate $500 billion to companies hurt by the shutdown. Most of it will come in the form of Federal Reserve loans. Democrats, concerned that companies would take bailouts and still lay off workers, added language creating an inspector general and a congressionally appointed panel to oversee the money.
Senators, still in Washington, could vote on the deal today. But getting it through the House won’t be as easy. Representatives remain in their districts, and many don’t want to come back to the crowded Capitol.
House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern hopes to pass the bill by unanimous consent or voice vote to allow them to stay home. But a single member of the House could then block passage, requiring the lawmakers to return.
Show notes:


rollcall--2020-03-25--White House, Senate leaders agree on coronavirus stimulus package

White House and Senate negotiators announced an agreement early Wednesday morning on a massive financial rescue package designed to curb @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
`` At last , we have a deal , '' Senate Majority @ @ @ @ @ , said on the floor a little after 1:30 a.m. `` We 're going to @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He said the chamber would convene at noon and take up the underlying @ @ @ @ @ After five days of arduous negotiations … we have a bipartisan agreement on the largest @ @ @ @ @ , '' added Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , D-N.Y .
While some of the @ @ @ @ @ be drafted , officials said they expected to circulate a bill Wednesday that would provide @ @ @ @ @ loans to businesses big and small , an expanded social safety net for the jobless @ @ @ @ @ for the nation ’ s hospitals .
The price tag was expected to hit $ @ @ @ @ @

Jennifer Shutt, David Lerman, and Niels Lesniewski

White House and Senate negotiators announced an agreement early Wednesday morning on a massive financial rescue package designed to curb the economic damage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"At last, we have a deal," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on the floor a little after 1:30 a.m. "We're going to pass this legislation later today." He said the chamber would convene at noon and take up the underlying vehicle shortly thereafter.
[In coronavirus aid debate, GOP sees a favorite target: Green New Deal]
"After five days of arduous negotiations … we have a bipartisan agreement on the largest rescue package in American history," added Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y.
While some of the legislative language had yet to be drafted, officials said they expected to circulate a bill Wednesday that would provide cash payments to families, loans to businesses big and small, an expanded social safety net for the jobless and a major cash infusion for the nation’s hospitals. The price tag was expected to hit $2 trillion or more.


rollcall--2020-03-24--In coronavirus aid debate, GOP sees a favorite target: Green New Deal


rollcall--2020-03-24--Stimulus talks going into the wee hours as frustration mounts

Negotiators on a $ 2 trillion fiscal stimulus measure to carry U.S. households , businesses and health care providers through the novel coronavirus pandemic were poring over paperwork late Tuesday night hoping to avoid last-minute hitches .
All day it has been a similar scene , with top Trump administration officials led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin marching back and forth between Senate leadership offices .
Various iterations of `` getting closer '' were a popular refrain as night fell on the Capitol .
`` We are very , very close , '' Rep. Mark Meadows , R-N.C. , whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new chief of staff earlier this month , told reporters just before midnight .
Rank-and-file Republicans did n't share Meadows ' optimism .
`` I 'm sorry to be so worked up , '' a visibly angry Sen. Bill Cassidy , R-La.
, said from the Senate floor earlier in the evening , asserting Democrats were holding up the measure for `` political advantage '' over the president they tried to remove from office .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , a onetime Trump antagonist turned staunch ally , called on the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
`` Pass the damn bill .
Stop negotiating .
Enough is enough , '' he said .
`` If it 's not perfect , we can fix it later , but we need to vote tonight . ''


rollcall--2020-03-25--Coronavirus Special Report: Evening update, 3/25

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

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


rollcall--2020-03-25--Pandemic and flooding? Science group predicts one-two punch

The sweeping coronavirus pandemic and extreme flooding are on track to collide this spring , a one-two combination that will @ @ @ @ @ at a time when emergency and medical services are in short supply , the Union @ @ @ @ @ science advocacy group , warned Wednesday .
UCS researchers found rural parts of the country @ @ @ @ @ limited health care facilities , are vulnerable to both the virus and flooding .
“ @ @ @ @ @ see that the rural counties will be really heavily burdened , ” Kristina Dahl , @ @ @ @ @ , said in an interview .
As Americans and public officials grapple with the medical @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , first responders on the front lines are scrambling for supplies , a situation @ @ @ @ @ likely to exacerbate .
The UCS analysis singled out eastern parts of South Dakota and @ @ @ @ @ last year , as well as regions of Louisiana , Mississippi and Georgia and counties @ @ @ @ @ , as vulnerable to both the virus and floods .

The sweeping coronavirus pandemic and extreme flooding are on track to collide this spring, a one-two combination that will hit rural areas particularly hard at a time when emergency and medical services are in short supply, the Union of Concerned Scientists, a science advocacy group, warned Wednesday.
UCS researchers found rural parts of the country, which tend to have limited health care facilities, are vulnerable to both the virus and flooding.
“That’s where we see that the rural counties will be really heavily burdened,” Kristina Dahl, senior climate scientist at UCS, said in an interview.
As Americans and public officials grapple with the medical and economic fallout from the coronavirus, first responders on the front lines are scrambling for supplies, a situation extreme flooding and hurricanes are likely to exacerbate.
The UCS analysis singled out eastern parts of South Dakota and Iowa, which floods devastated last year, as well as regions of Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia and counties adjacent to the Mississippi River, as vulnerable to both the virus and floods.


rollcall--2020-03-25--Hospitals, health centers, veterans to get relief in coronavirus stimulus bill

A bipartisan COVID-19 stimulus deal reached Wednesday includes billions for hospitals and critical medical supplies as well as short-term funding @ @ @ @ @ The $ 2 trillion package has broad bipartisan support for relief directed to employers and @ @ @ @ @ economy , but some provisions could dismay key House members .
The legislation includes controversial @ @ @ @ @ that has been a hard sell for some influential Democrats including Senate Health , Education @ @ @ @ @ ranking Democrat Patty Murray of Washington and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. @ @ @ @ @ responded to questions about the inclusion of the language in the deal .
That language @ @ @ @ @ with the privacy law called HIPAA , which some Democrats and privacy advocates worried could @ @ @ @ @ bill includes a so-called “ Marshall Plan ” for hospitals that Minority Leader Charles E. @ @ @ @ @ .
The legislation would send $ 100 billion to hospitals in need of cash for @ @ @ @ @ another $ 11 billion would go toward a potential vaccine and therapeutics .

Lauren Clason, Emily Kopp, and Sandhya Raman

A bipartisan COVID-19 stimulus deal reached Wednesday includes billions for hospitals and critical medical supplies as well as short-term funding for community health centers.
The $2 trillion package has broad bipartisan support for relief directed to employers and workers suffering from a shuttered economy, but some provisions could dismay key House members.
The legislation includes controversial language on substance use records that has been a hard sell for some influential Democrats including Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee ranking Democrat Patty Murray of Washington and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J. Neither lawmaker responded to questions about the inclusion of the language in the deal.
That language would align substance use records with the privacy law called HIPAA, which some Democrats and privacy advocates worried could lead to discrimination.
The bill includes a so-called “Marshall Plan” for hospitals that Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., demanded. The legislation would send $100 billion to hospitals in need of cash for supplies and staffing, while another $11 billion would go toward a potential vaccine and therapeutics.


rollcall--2020-03-25--Coronavirus economic relief package provides $93 million cash infusion for Legislative Branch

Legislative Branch agencies would get a $ 93.1 million infusion of cash through the emergency economic relief bill to mitigate the novel coronavirus , including millions to both help offices shift to working remotely and to sanitize the Capitol complex .
The funds are included in the nearly $ 2 trillion package agreed to early Wednesday by Senate leaders and the White House .
For the Legislative Branch portion of the bill , the Senate is slated to get $ 10 million — $ 1 million of those funds would be sent to the sergeant-at-arms to cover teleworking costs for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to be allocated to covering costs associated with emergency coronavirus-related needs , including the authority to reimburse costs for workers at the Senate Employees Child Care Center .
The House would get $ 25 million to fund the chamber ’ s remote work and to purchase supplies for employees to make working from home more efficient .
Money is also available to pay restaurant workers and vendors for food and service contracts and for employees and costs associated with the House Child Care Center .
The Architect of the Capitol will receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , buy cleaning supplies in bulk and distribute them and to fund service contracts , especially to make payments to its contractors if the pandemic prevents them from working , either because of furloughs or lack of access to the Capitol .
Capitol Police would get $ 12 million to maintain staffing levels to protect and secure the Capitol grounds .
This amount also includes funding to cover remote working and contract support for a reduced workforce on the ground .

Legislative Branch agencies would get a $93.1 million infusion of cash through the emergency economic relief bill to mitigate the novel coronavirus, including millions to both help offices shift to working remotely and to sanitize the Capitol complex.
The funds are included in the nearly $2 trillion package agreed to early Wednesday by Senate leaders and the White House. For the Legislative Branch portion of the bill, the Senate is slated to get $10 million — $1 million of those funds would be sent to the sergeant-at-arms to cover teleworking costs for committees and offices. The rest is expected to be allocated to covering costs associated with emergency coronavirus-related needs, including the authority to reimburse costs for workers at the Senate Employees Child Care Center.
The House would get $25 million to fund the chamber’s remote work and to purchase supplies for employees to make working from home more efficient. Money is also available to pay restaurant workers and vendors for food and service contracts and for employees and costs associated with the House Child Care Center.
The Architect of the Capitol will receive $25 million to, in part, buy cleaning supplies in bulk and distribute them and to fund service contracts, especially to make payments to its contractors if the pandemic prevents them from working, either because of furloughs or lack of access to the Capitol.
Capitol Police would get $12 million to maintain staffing levels to protect and secure the Capitol grounds. This amount also includes funding to cover remote working and contract support for a reduced workforce on the ground.


rollcall--2020-03-25--Stimulus aims to lend to small business on good-faith pledge

Senators are scheduled to vote on a stimulus package Wednesday that includes $ 349 billion for providing small businesses forgivable loans to bridge the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus .
Under the bill , the Small Business Administration would provide the loans through its existing 7 ( a ) program in amounts equal to two and a half months of payroll , with a maximum of $ 10 million .
As long as the borrower uses the loan to cover payroll , interest on debt , rent or utilities , the loans would be forgiven .
Details of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they sought in coronavirus stimulus , but say it ’ s not enough ] The idea is to help small businesses retain workers while the economy largely shuts down to fight the spread of the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus .
That would allow companies to reopen quickly once the contagion countermeasures are lifted , while keeping the employees financially stable .
The program would try to help around 99 percent of U.S. businesses and 47.5 percent of U.S. workers weather the pandemic , according to the most recent SBA figures @

The stimulus package passed in the Senate on Wednesday and headed for the House includes $349 billion for providing small businesses forgivable loans to bridge the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus.
Under the bill, the Small Business Administration would provide the loans through its existing 7(a) program in amounts equal to two and a half months of payroll, with a maximum of $10 million. As long as the borrower uses the loan to cover payroll, interest on debt, rent or utilities, the loans would be forgiven. Details of the package are here.
[States get what they sought in coronavirus stimulus, but say it’s not enough]
The idea is to help small businesses retain workers while the economy largely shuts down to fight the spread of the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus. That would allow companies to reopen quickly once the contagion countermeasures are lifted, while keeping the employees financially stable.
The program would try to help around 99 percent of U.S. businesses and 47.5 percent of U.S. workers weather the pandemic, according to the most recent SBA figures.


rollcall--2020-03-25--Unemployment insurance provision hangs up coronavirus relief package

Senate leaders were preparing to unveil a roughly $ 2 trillion financial rescue package Wednesday that offers payments to families , loans to businesses , expanded unemployment insurance benefits , relief for states and a massive cash infusion for hospitals buckling under COVID-19 's strain .
The sweeping legislation was slated to get a Senate floor vote sometime Wednesday before being sent to the House .
President Donald Trump has expressed support for the measure .
But so far one relatively small piece of the package — only in the current context could $ 340 billion be considered small — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hospitals as well as various federal agencies on the frontlines of attempting to contain the pandemic .
The remainder of the bill , including tax rebates for most U.S. households , nearly $ 900 billion in business loans and expanded unemployment insurance intended to fully replace lost wages for four months , had n't yet been released , though drafts were floating around the Capitol .
The delay appeared to be at least partly due to what Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , and other Republicans called a `` massive drafting error '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensation over and above replacement wages .

Senate leaders were preparing to unveil a roughly $2 trillion financial rescue package Wednesday that offers payments to families, loans to businesses, expanded unemployment insurance benefits, relief for states and a massive cash infusion for hospitals buckling under COVID-19's strain.
The sweeping legislation was slated to get a Senate floor vote sometime Wednesday before being sent to the House. President Donald Trump has expressed support for the measure.
But so far one relatively small piece of the package — only in the current context could $340 billion be considered small — has been officially released: supplemental appropriations for hospitals as well as various federal agencies on the frontlines of attempting to contain the pandemic.
The remainder of the bill, including tax rebates for most U.S. households, nearly $900 billion in business loans and expanded unemployment insurance intended to fully replace lost wages for four months, hadn't yet been released, though drafts were floating around the Capitol.
The delay appeared to be at least partly due to what Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and other Republicans called a "massive drafting error" that could incentivize layoffs by providing unemployment compensation over and above replacement wages.


rollcall--2020-03-25--Stimulus bill gives Fed direct loan funds with few strings

The Senate 's stimulus package set to go to the floor Wednesday would allow corporations of all types — not just banks — to turn to the Federal Reserve for direct lending with few restrictions on how those funds are used .
The package would give the Treasury secretary $ 454 billion to support credit facilities established by the Federal Reserve in response to the coronavirus crisis .
The funds would also go toward the creation of Fed facilities to provide financing to state and municipalities .
The package would also temporarily lift a number of banking regulations while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has created six credit facilities in the last two weeks — in addition to slashing interest rates to almost zero and starting to buy unlimited amounts of U.S. Treasurys and mortgage-backed securities from banks — and has plans to open more in an effort to keep U.S. banks and businesses solvent while much of the economy shuts down to slow the pandemic ’ s spread .
While the Fed works regularly with banks and other nonbank financial firms , its actions to provide direct credit to other corporations is a step the central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 financial crisis .
The $ 454 billion would fund those credit facilities .

The Senate's stimulus package set to go to the floor Wednesday would allow corporations of all types — not just banks — to turn to the Federal Reserve for direct lending with few restrictions on how those funds are used.
The package would give the Treasury secretary $454 billion to support credit facilities established by the Federal Reserve in response to the coronavirus crisis. The funds would also go toward the creation of Fed facilities to provide financing to state and municipalities. The package would also temporarily lift a number of banking regulations while the national COVID-19 emergency persists.
The Fed has created six credit facilities in the last two weeks — in addition to slashing interest rates to almost zero and starting to buy unlimited amounts of U.S. Treasurys and mortgage-backed securities from banks — and has plans to open more in an effort to keep U.S. banks and businesses solvent while much of the economy shuts down to slow the pandemic’s spread.
While the Fed works regularly with banks and other nonbank financial firms, its actions to provide direct credit to other corporations is a step the central bank didn't take even during the 2008 financial crisis.
The $454 billion would fund those credit facilities.


rollcall--2020-03-25--ICE detainee, 19 employees test positive for coronavirus

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said 19 of its employees , including at least one worker at a New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ positive for the coronavirus .
The agency made the announcement in a statement late Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ one of its immigrants , a 31-year-old Mexican national held in a New Jersey county @ @ @ @ @ first detainee with a confirmed case .
`` The individual has been quarantined and is @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that those who came in contact with the person have been singled @ @ @ @ @ for symptoms .
There is no connection between the two New Jersey cases , ICE @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The agency also confirmed that an employee at a Houston-area detention center run @ @ @ @ @ has tested positive .
The agency , which had 37,311 individuals in custody as of @ @ @ @ @ did not have information on how many tests were being conducted on its detainees and @ @ @ @ @ of positive cases . ''

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said 19 of its employees, including at least one worker at a New Jersey detention facility, have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The agency made the announcement in a statement late Tuesday, just hours after confirming one of its immigrants, a 31-year-old Mexican national held in a New Jersey county jail, had become the first detainee with a confirmed case.
"The individual has been quarantined and is receiving care," ICE said, adding that those who came in contact with the person have been singled out and will be monitored for symptoms.
There is no connection between the two New Jersey cases, ICE told CQ Roll Call on Wednesday. The agency also confirmed that an employee at a Houston-area detention center run by a private contractor also has tested positive.
The agency, which had 37,311 individuals in custody as of March 14, said it did not have information on how many tests were being conducted on its detainees and employees, "only confirmation of positive cases."


rollcall--2020-03-25--Airlines get what they wanted in Senate stimulus negotiations

The transportation sector would receive more than $ 114 billion in the newest Senate bill aimed at blunting the impact of the coronavirus pandemic , including $ 46 billion in loans and $ 68 billions in grants and other appropriations .
The bill is most generous to the aviation sector , providing $ 25 billion in grants to passenger airlines , $ 25 billion in loans to passenger airlines , $ 4 billion in grants to cargo airlines and $ 4 billion in loans to cargo airlines .
It also provides $ 3 billion to contractors in the aviation sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ticketing and check-in employees .
But for the $ 3 billion for contractors , the bill matches what Airlines for America , an industry group , had called for .
In addition , the bill includes $ 17 billion in loans for businesses deemed critical to national security .
The provision is widely believed to have been written to benefit Boeing , the defense contractor and aircraft manufacturer , which asked for $ 60 billion in increased liquidity during the crisis .
The aircraft manufacturer ’ s troubles predate the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last March , after two crashes that killed 346 people .

The transportation sector would receive more than $114 billion in the newest Senate bill aimed at blunting the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including $46 billion in loans and $68 billions in grants and other appropriations.
The bill is most generous to the aviation sector, providing $25 billion in grants to passenger airlines, $25 billion in loans to passenger airlines, $4 billion in grants to cargo airlines and $4 billion in loans to cargo airlines. It also provides $3 billion to contractors in the aviation sector, such as catering, ground crew, ticketing and check-in employees.
But for the $3 billion for contractors, the bill matches what Airlines for America, an industry group, had called for.
In addition, the bill includes $17 billion in loans for businesses deemed critical to national security. The provision is widely believed to have been written to benefit Boeing, the defense contractor and aircraft manufacturer, which asked for $60 billion in increased liquidity during the crisis.
The aircraft manufacturer’s troubles predate the coronavirus, with its Boeing 737 Max grounded since last March, after two crashes that killed 346 people.


rollcall--2020-03-25--States get what they sought in coronavirus stimulus, but say it’s not enough

The Senate ’ s proposed stimulus bill includes most of what governors had asked for in direct payments to states , but key state leaders said the amount wouldn ’ t be enough to cover the costs of responding to the pandemic and offset revenue lost to the declining economy .
The bill would create a $ 150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund for state , territorial , tribal and local governments .
All but $ 11 billion would go directly to states .
The $ 11 billion would be for the District of Columbia , territories and tribal governments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be able to apply for their own direct funding , with smaller ones needing to go through their state sums .
A population-based formula would determine the amount each state receives , with no state seeing less than $ 1.25 billion , including funds set to local governments .
The fund , one of the last measures added in the final hours of negotiation , reflects a request the National Governors Association made last week for a $ 150 billion state stabilization fund .
But NGA leaders , citing revenue lost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t enough .
Republican Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , chairman of the NGA , said he was encouraged by the funding but it ’ s “ not nearly enough for us , or for other states.
” States would continue pushing for more federal help in future stimulus packages , he said .

The Senate’s proposed stimulus bill includes most of what governors had asked for in direct payments to states, but key state leaders said the amount wouldn’t be enough to cover the costs of responding to the pandemic and offset revenue lost to the declining economy.
The bill would create a $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund for state, territorial, tribal and local governments. All but $11 billion would go directly to states. The $11 billion would be for the District of Columbia, territories and tribal governments.
Local governments with 500,000 or more residents would be able to apply for their own direct funding, with smaller ones needing to go through their state sums. A population-based formula would determine the amount each state receives, with no state seeing less than $1.25 billion, including funds set to local governments.
The fund, one of the last measures added in the final hours of negotiation, reflects a request the National Governors Association made last week for a $150 billion state stabilization fund. But NGA leaders, citing revenue lost to the declining economy, said Wednesday it wasn’t enough.
Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, chairman of the NGA, said he was encouraged by the funding but it’s “not nearly enough for us, or for other states.” States would continue pushing for more federal help in future stimulus packages, he said.


rollcall--2020-03-26--Her shortness of breath wasn’t coronavirus. It was an anxiety attack

Liz Westbrook is a two-time Ironman athlete and a spin ( and bootcamp ) instructor .
She can run a mile under 7 minutes .
Fast-paced and high-intensity are in her wheelhouse .
For her , sweat is an accessory .
But last week , while on a work-related conference call , the “ cold sweats ” and “ rapid heartbeat ” she felt were not something she volunteered for .
“ I looked in the mirror to make sure my face was not blue from running out of oxygen , ” Westbrook told Heard on the Hill .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingersoll and Rooney ( a firm that has offices on both coasts ) , and her specialty is health care , which means that this is an especially busy time , as industry players rush to shape legislation responding to the current pandemic .
Luckily , the shortness of breath she felt that afternoon was not a sign of coronavirus ( which crossed her mind ) .
It was an anxiety attack .
“ The fun thing about panic is that it has the same chest tightening symptoms as Covid-19 , ” she @ @ @ @

“I’m grateful to have a job I can do from home,” she said. “But my job right now is to think about this crisis and the health care side of it.” Or as she put it on Instagram, “it’s just nonstop coronavirus and Congress.”
Westbrook got through the call with the help of her mute button and her “giant” dogs, Birkin and Daenerys, who provided both emotional support and an excuse to take a walk.
Like every Washingtonian right now, she’s absorbing nonstop coronavirus news in a city where nonessential businesses and many Metro stops are closed. This wasn’t her first anxiety attack. On a flight to Colorado, during “one of those landings where you learn why you have a seatbelt on an airplane,” she had similar symptoms. These days it helps to repeat to herself, “You’ve experienced this before.” But in most other ways this pandemic is something entirely new, thanks to the combined effects of social distancing and urgency at work.
Her strategy so far: Ask for help. Take more breaks. Stay physically active. Watching a little HGTV has helped too.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has compiled resources for people facing anxiety related to COVID-19. So has the National Alliance on Mental Health, which also hosts a free 24/7 crisis support line; text NAMI to 741-741 to connect with a trained counselor.


rollcall--2020-03-26--Army lab fights coronavirus and its own demons

The Army ’ s Fort Detrick , home to a leading biological research facility , has gained newfound attention because @ @ @ @ @ the lab to help develop a vaccine , treatments and testing equipment for the novel @ @ @ @ @ Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases , or USAMRIID ( pronounced you-SAM-rid ) , @ @ @ @ @ Some of its work was shut down last year over safety lapses , and those @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , most of its Pentagon funding has been frozen because of what the @ @ @ @ @ Lord , in a Feb. 29 letter to lawmakers , called “ potential financial mismanagement.
@ @ @ @ @ in a sign of USAMRIID ’ s growing prominence , Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper @ @ @ @ @ 50 miles northwest of the nation ’ s capital .
Esper told reporters afterward that @ @ @ @ @ he met with are among the world ’ s best equipped to take on the @ @

The Army’s Fort Detrick, home to a leading biological research facility, has gained newfound attention because the Trump administration has tapped the lab to help develop a vaccine, treatments and testing equipment for the novel coronavirus.
But the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases, or USAMRIID (pronounced you-SAM-rid), is under a cloud.
Some of its work was shut down last year over safety lapses, and those projects are only slowly restarting. Meanwhile, most of its Pentagon funding has been frozen because of what the Defense Department acquisition chief Ellen Lord, in a Feb. 29 letter to lawmakers, called “potential financial mismanagement."
On March 17, in a sign of USAMRIID’s growing prominence, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper visited the facility, about 50 miles northwest of the nation’s capital.
Esper told reporters afterward that he was confident the scientists he met with are among the world’s best equipped to take on the coronavirus.


rollcall--2020-03-26--Get yourself a tight-knit group of female friends, Kuster says

A : No , I became the legislative director , and they doubled my salary .
The first salary was $ 750 a month , and the paycheck came at the end of the month , so you had to finagle how you were going to make it .
Nini and I would go to the receptions for dinner , with shrimp and filet mignon , whatever they were serving , and we would stuff rolls in our pockets for breakfast the next day .
When the paycheck came , it was $ 650 and — this is embarrassing — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payroll office ] and I said , “ He told me that I would get paid $ 750 , ” and she looked at me and said , “ Surely you ’ ve heard of taxes.
” Then I was making $ 1,000 a month , so $ 12,000 a year , and they made me the legislative director , about a year and a half into it .
They doubled the salary from $ 12,000 to $ 24,000 .
But I was still living with Nini .
She was my roommate back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want anything to change with my friends , so I just lived the way they lived and put $ 1,000 a month in the bank .
That ’ s how I paid to go to Georgetown Law School after three years .
Q : You were saving up ?
A : Yeah .
We had so much fun .
We met everybody in town .
McCloskey would play this game with us .
When we went off to receptions or meetings , he would tell us to go meet people , and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met .
So we ’ d come back with the calling cards and tell the stories .
He was very generous .
He was toward the end of his career on the Hill — he had been around a long time — so he was very kind and very generous to us .
And that ’ s what I try to be to my team .
We have a retreat every year now , and we came up with an ethos that we call “ radical hospitality.
” That ’ s the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the way we treat our constituents and the people who come to our office , and that ’ s the way we approach my colleagues and other offices .
That feeling came from McCloskey — you make yourself available for good things to happen to you , then you create relationships and networks .
We were always working across the aisle because he was a liberal Republican , but it was a very Democratic House .
I was there during that time when Tip O ’ Neill was the speaker and Ronald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to be bipartisan .
We never questioned that .
For example , I got very involved on a task force that Rep. Steve Solarz started .
We were working on the independence of Zimbabwe and the end of apartheid in South Africa .

A: No, I became the legislative director, and they doubled my salary. The first salary was $750 a month, and the paycheck came at the end of the month, so you had to finagle how you were going to make it. Nini and I would go to the receptions for dinner, with shrimp and filet mignon, whatever they were serving, and we would stuff rolls in our pockets for breakfast the next day. When the paycheck came, it was $650 and — this is embarrassing — but I went in [to the payroll office] and I said, “He told me that I would get paid $750,” and she looked at me and said, “Surely you’ve heard of taxes.”
Then I was making $1,000 a month, so $12,000 a year, and they made me the legislative director, about a year and a half into it. They doubled the salary from $12,000 to $24,000. But I was still living with Nini. She was my roommate back then, and I didn’t want anything to change with my friends, so I just lived the way they lived and put $1,000 a month in the bank. That’s how I paid to go to Georgetown Law School after three years.
Q: You were saving up?
A: Yeah. We had so much fun. We met everybody in town. McCloskey would play this game with us. When we went off to receptions or meetings, he would tell us to go meet people, and then come back and tell him who we met. So we’d come back with the calling cards and tell the stories. He was very generous. He was toward the end of his career on the Hill — he had been around a long time — so he was very kind and very generous to us.
And that’s what I try to be to my team. We have a retreat every year now, and we came up with an ethos that we call “radical hospitality.” That’s the way we treat one another, that’s the way we treat our constituents and the people who come to our office, and that’s the way we approach my colleagues and other offices. That feeling came from McCloskey — you make yourself available for good things to happen to you, then you create relationships and networks. We were always working across the aisle because he was a liberal Republican, but it was a very Democratic House. I was there during that time when Tip O’Neill was the speaker and Ronald Reagan had become the president. Everything had to be bipartisan. We never questioned that. For example, I got very involved on a task force that Rep. Steve Solarz started. We were working on the independence of Zimbabwe and the end of apartheid in South Africa.


rollcall--2020-03-26--She should be on her honeymoon. Instead, she did her wedding dance in sweatpants in the living room

It ’ s been a wet and chilly week in Washington .
It ’ s also not where Melanie Baucom hoped she ’ d be .
“ It ’ s definitely odd , ” Baucom told Heard on the Hill over the phone .
“ We should be on our honeymoon right now.
” She works on Capitol Hill as a press secretary for Sen. Mike Crapo , an Idaho Republican .
Instead of relaxing on the sands of Jamaica , she ’ s working from home in a one-bedroom apartment in Arlington .
Baucom and her fiancé , Donovan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this past Saturday until , like many recent couples , the coronavirus pandemic forced them to walk away from months of planning .
“ We chose March because places aren ’ t that full , ” she said of the wedding .
( Little did we know just how empty they would be . )
“ We were going to see 230 people that we loved .
It ’ s not lost on us how profound that would ’ ve been.
” As for the honeymoon , the resort gave them a refund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave them credit .
Now that the trip is off , the closest thing to paradise the District has to offer around this time of year is the Tidal Basin , where cherry blossoms sway gently in the breeze , but she can ’ t go see them either .
Parts of the National Mall are closed off , with park rangers and city officials promoting remote viewing options like the “ BloomCam .
”

It’s been a wet and chilly week in Washington. It’s also not where Melanie Baucom hoped she’d be. “It’s definitely odd,” Baucom told Heard on the Hill over the phone. “We should be on our honeymoon right now.”
She works on Capitol Hill as a press secretary for Sen. Mike Crapo, an Idaho Republican. Instead of relaxing on the sands of Jamaica, she’s working from home in a one-bedroom apartment in Arlington.
Baucom and her fiancé, Donovan, were set to tie the knot this past Saturday until, like many recent couples, the coronavirus pandemic forced them to walk away from months of planning.
“We chose March because places aren’t that full,” she said of the wedding. (Little did we know just how empty they would be.) “We were going to see 230 people that we loved. It’s not lost on us how profound that would’ve been.”
As for the honeymoon, the resort gave them a refund and airlines allowed them to cancel and gave them credit. Now that the trip is off, the closest thing to paradise the District has to offer around this time of year is the Tidal Basin, where cherry blossoms sway gently in the breeze, but she can’t go see them either. Parts of the National Mall are closed off, with park rangers and city officials promoting remote viewing options like the “BloomCam.”


rollcall--2020-03-26--Community health centers face patient surge, financial worries

Community health centers , which help millions of the nation ’ s poorest and most overlooked patients , are struggling with preparations for a surge of COVID-19 patients and facing tough financial decisions , their leaders say .
Officials representing community health centers say they ’ ve had to lay off employees as a lack of cases besides those involving COVID-19 has some centers concerned about their futures .
“ It ’ s dramatically , immediately hitting everybody ’ s bottom line , ” Anita Monoian , the president and chief executive officer of Yakima Neighborhood Health Services in Yakima @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
Monoian told CQ Roll Call last week that she ’ d had to furlough workers , as the health center prepared for the virus to reach that part of the state .
She said she feared the health center would soon run out of tests and medical equipment .
The third bill ( S 3548 ) to respond to the economic effects of the pandemic would extend funding for community health centers and other public health programs through Nov. 30 , providing certainty beyond a current May 22 deadline but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers want .

Community health centers, which help millions of the nation’s poorest and most overlooked patients, are struggling with preparations for a surge of COVID-19 patients and facing tough financial decisions, their leaders say.
Officials representing community health centers say they’ve had to lay off employees as a lack of cases besides those involving COVID-19 has some centers concerned about their futures.
“It’s dramatically, immediately hitting everybody’s bottom line,” Anita Monoian, the president and chief executive officer of Yakima Neighborhood Health Services in Yakima, Wash., said of the coronavirus-based disease.
Monoian told CQ Roll Call last week that she’d had to furlough workers, as the health center prepared for the virus to reach that part of the state. She said she feared the health center would soon run out of tests and medical equipment.
The third bill (S 3548) to respond to the economic effects of the pandemic would extend funding for community health centers and other public health programs through Nov. 30, providing certainty beyond a current May 22 deadline but not the five years of funding that health centers want.


rollcall--2020-03-26--Sweeping economic aid bill to counter coronavirus passes Senate

The Senate voted Wednesday night to send the House a massive financial relief package to tide the U.S. economy and @ @ @ @ @ over for the next few months as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate across the @ @ @ @ @ days of arduous negotiations between Trump administration officials and Democrats , as they sought a @ @ @ @ @ direct financial assistance to individual Americans , expand unemployment insurance and help small businesses that @ @ @ @ @ reduce the spread of the disease .
The aid bill also includes substantial funding to @ @ @ @ @ for a wave of patients and funding for government departments working to reduce the virus @ @ @ @ @ 96-0 vote came shortly after Senate leaders finally released official legislative text Wednesday night around @ @ @ @ @ long day of “ final drafts ” circulating throughout Washington .
The bill now goes @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it will be taken up on Friday “ with strong bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ they ’ d try to clear the package by voice vote .

The Senate voted Wednesday night to send the House a massive financial relief package to tide the U.S. economy and its strained health care sector over for the next few months as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate across the country.
The vote followed days of arduous negotiations between Trump administration officials and Democrats, as they sought a bipartisan agreement that would provide direct financial assistance to individual Americans, expand unemployment insurance and help small businesses that have closed to try to reduce the spread of the disease.
The aid bill also includes substantial funding to help hospitals and doctors prepare for a wave of patients and funding for government departments working to reduce the virus’s impact.
The 96-0 vote came shortly after Senate leaders finally released official legislative text Wednesday night around 10:15 p.m., following a long day of “final drafts” circulating throughout Washington.
The bill now goes to the House, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it will be taken up on Friday “with strong bipartisan support.” Democratic leaders signaled they’d try to clear the package by voice vote.


rollcall--2020-03-26--Senate coronavirus stimulus passage likely despite jobless benefits dispute

The Senate is expected to pass a roughly $ 2 trillion financial rescue package Wednesday night , despite an 11th-hour dustup over unemployment insurance benefits .
The sweeping legislation , designed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic , was held up for hours Wednesday at least partly because several Republican senators expressed concern about providing a temporary unemployment benefit boost that could give some low-wage workers more than their full salary had provided .
Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , and other Republicans said such a move would incentivize employers not to keep people on payroll , but rather to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off financially anyway taking unemployment compensation .
Then later , employees would n't have as much motivation to reenter the workforce when they 're being paid more while unemployed , the senators said .
“ You 're going to make it impossible for small businesses to hire , ” Graham said on the floor late Wednesday .
`` We 've created a Pandora 's Box for our economy .
I wish we could fix it tonight , and if we do n't , we need to keep trying and trying and trying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and others are pushing an amendment to cap unemployment insurance at 100 percent of claimants ' prior salary .
The dispute held up the broader bill for hours , but late Wednesday it appeared they 'd agreed to let the measure go forward in exchange for a vote on their amendment — even though it 's likely to be rejected .

The Senate is expected to pass a roughly $2 trillion financial rescue package Wednesday night, despite an 11th-hour dustup over unemployment insurance benefits.
The sweeping legislation, designed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, was held up for hours Wednesday at least partly because several Republican senators expressed concern about providing a temporary unemployment benefit boost that could give some low-wage workers more than their full salary had provided.
Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and other Republicans said such a move would incentivize employers not to keep people on payroll, but rather to let them go since they'd be better off financially anyway taking unemployment compensation. Then later, employees wouldn't have as much motivation to reenter the workforce when they're being paid more while unemployed, the senators said.
“You're going to make it impossible for small businesses to hire,” Graham said on the floor late Wednesday. "We've created a Pandora's Box for our economy. I wish we could fix it tonight, and if we don't, we need to keep trying and trying and trying."
He and Ben Sasse, R-Neb., and others are pushing an amendment to cap unemployment insurance at 100 percent of claimants' prior salary. The dispute held up the broader bill for hours, but late Wednesday it appeared they'd agreed to let the measure go forward in exchange for a vote on their amendment — even though it's likely to be rejected.


rollcall--2020-03-26--Phase 4 coronavirus response? Not everyone is on the same page

As lawmakers struggle to finish what they ’ ve dubbed “ phase three ” of their response to the coronavirus pandemic , a $ 2 trillion stimulus bill , there was already disagreement among congressional leaders on the need for a phase four or more .
“ This is not going to be the last bill , ” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the “ PBS Newshour ” on Wednesday .
The massive phase three economic measure includes a $ 339.9 billion appropriations package that would provide $ 100 billion to hospitals , other health care providers and suppliers while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , schools , public transit and various federal agencies .
It would also direct checks to individuals and families , expand unemployment benefits and provide aid to small businesses and corporations in distressed industries .
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer told the Democratic Caucus on a conference call this week that he expected a fourth and fifth phase of legislative responses to the pandemic , according to a source on the call who requested anonymity to describe the private deliberations .
Some members on the call talked about items they wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase three , the source said .

As lawmakers struggle to finish what they’ve dubbed “phase three” of their response to the coronavirus pandemic, a $2 trillion stimulus bill, there was already disagreement among congressional leaders on the need for a phase four or more.
“This is not going to be the last bill,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the “PBS Newshour” on Wednesday.
The massive phase three economic measure includes a $339.9 billion appropriations package that would provide $100 billion to hospitals, other health care providers and suppliers while spreading billions more among emergency disaster relief, schools, public transit and various federal agencies. It would also direct checks to individuals and families, expand unemployment benefits and provide aid to small businesses and corporations in distressed industries.
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer told the Democratic Caucus on a conference call this week that he expected a fourth and fifth phase of legislative responses to the pandemic, according to a source on the call who requested anonymity to describe the private deliberations.
Some members on the call talked about items they wanted to push for that were left out of phase three, the source said.


rollcall--2020-03-26--10 highlights from the coronavirus stimulus package

Almost 900 pages make up the text for the package Congress hopes will boost the economy and relieve the country from the growing strain of the novel coronavirus .
In case you didn ’ t have time while social distancing to review the entire stimulus , we 've rounded up the highlights here .
Pick your preferred pronunciation — Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders-style — of “ billions and billions ” and read aloud .
But remember the scale of these matters as you interpret the staggering figures : A person can count to a million in under two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 years to count to one billion .
The bill stipulates that within 30 days of enactment the Treasury secretary shall distribute funds to state and local governments .
Amounts going to each of the 50 states will be determined in proportion to the population , with no state government receiving less than $ 1.25 billion .
Eligible local governments are defined as any governing body below the state level having more than 500,000 people under its purview .
The inspector general of the Treasury is charged with conducting oversight of receipt and @ @

Almost 900 pages make up the text for the package Congress hopes will boost the economy and relieve the country from the growing strain of the novel coronavirus.
In case you didn’t have time while social distancing to review the entire stimulus, we've rounded up the highlights here.
Pick your preferred pronunciation — Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders-style — of “billions and billions” and read aloud. But remember the scale of these matters as you interpret the staggering figures:
A person can count to a million in under two weeks, but it would take more than 30 years to count to one billion.
$139B to state and local governments
The bill stipulates that within 30 days of enactment the Treasury secretary shall distribute funds to state and local governments. Amounts going to each of the 50 states will be determined in proportion to the population, with no state government receiving less than $1.25 billion. Eligible local governments are defined as any governing body below the state level having more than 500,000 people under its purview. The inspector general of the Treasury is charged with conducting oversight of receipt and distribution.


rollcall--2020-04-16--Second round of emergency medical provider funds delayed

A second wave of emergency funds that Congress directed to medical providers appears to be delayed , after Health and @ @ @ @ @ told the House Appropriations Committee the distributions could take another week and a half to @ @ @ @ @ projection follows Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma ’ s remarks to @ @ @ @ @ batch would be distributed this week .
Verma declined to share specifics on what formula @ @ @ @ @ divvy up the funds .
House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro , D-Conn. , revealed @ @ @ @ @ to Azar Thursday after a phone call the secretary held with committee members .
HHS @ @ @ @ @ told DeLauro and Senate Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee ranking member Patty @ @ @ @ @ April 6 that the department was aiming to calculate the second round of funds within @ @ @ @ @ A CMS spokesperson declined to comment .
HHS did not return a request for comment @

A second wave of emergency funds that Congress directed to medical providers appears to be delayed, after Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told the House Appropriations Committee the distributions could take another week and a half to calculate.
Azar’s projection follows Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma’s remarks to reporters Wednesday that the second batch would be distributed this week. Verma declined to share specifics on what formula the department is using to divvy up the funds.
House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., revealed the delay in a letter to Azar Thursday after a phone call the secretary held with committee members. HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan previously told DeLauro and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash., on April 6 that the department was aiming to calculate the second round of funds within seven to 10 days.
A CMS spokesperson declined to comment. HHS did not return a request for comment.