rollcall--2020-07-09--Milley: We need a clear distinction between police and military

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday stressed the importance of a `` visual distinction '' between @ @ @ @ @ the military , an issue that has surfaced anew during recent protests .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ that which is military , and that which is police in my view , ” @ @ @ @ @ House Armed Services Committee .
He referred to camouflage uniforms giving local and state police @ @ @ @ @ .
“ When you start introducing the military you ’ re talking about a different @ @ @ @ @ ” continued Milley .
He spoke at a hearing that examined the Department of Defense @ @ @ @ @ .

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Thursday stressed the importance of a "visual distinction" between members of the police and the military, an issue that has surfaced anew during recent protests.
“You want a clear definition between that which is military, and that which is police in my view,” Gen. Mark Milley told the House Armed Services Committee.
He referred to camouflage uniforms giving local and state police officers the appearance of military.
“When you start introducing the military you’re talking about a different level of effort there,” continued Milley.
He spoke at a hearing that examined the Department of Defense's role in recent protests.


rollcall--2020-07-09--House Defense spending report shows bad blood with Pentagon

A House panel report accompanying the latest Pentagon spending bill reveals enormous ill will between defense appropriators and the department @ @ @ @ @ contravention of the constitutional authority of the United States Congress has now become habitual , @ @ @ @ @ Subcommittee report , obtained by CQ Roll Call , said .
“ The Committee finds @ @ @ @ @ and unsustainable.
” Even considering that the panel is majority Democrat and the administration is @ @ @ @ @ the appropriators ' blistering language is highly unusual .
And it underscores the contempt that @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration tapped appropriated military construction dollars to pay for the president 's desired , @ @ @ @ @ wall .
The harsh verbiage is one of several elements of the report that were @ @ @ @ @ bill and a committee summary , both of which were made public earlier this week @ @ @ @ @ scores of millions of dollars for acquisition programs where costs are soaring , including initiatives @ @ @ @ @ hypersonic missiles and rockets for launching satellites .

A House panel report accompanying the latest Pentagon spending bill reveals enormous ill will between defense appropriators and the department they fund.
The “contravention of the constitutional authority of the United States Congress has now become habitual,” the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee report, obtained by CQ Roll Call, said. “The Committee finds this to be both unacceptable and unsustainable.”
Even considering that the panel is majority Democrat and the administration is led by a Republican, the appropriators' blistering language is highly unusual. And it underscores the contempt that has been simmering since the Trump administration tapped appropriated military construction dollars to pay for the president's desired, and highly controversial, border wall.
The harsh verbiage is one of several elements of the report that were only hinted at in the bill and a committee summary, both of which were made public earlier this week.
The measure also withholds scores of millions of dollars for acquisition programs where costs are soaring, including initiatives to build new Air Force hypersonic missiles and rockets for launching satellites.


rollcall--2020-07-09--Capitol Police force faces lawmaker demands for change

National calls for greater police accountability have hit home for House appropriators , who are looking to open up the @ @ @ @ @ : the Capitol Police .
Their draft fiscal 2021 Legislative Branch spending bill and accompanying @ @ @ @ @ to take numerous steps to give lawmakers and the public more access to its work @ @ @ @ @ system of arrest data , reports on efforts to combat racial profiling and making its @ @ @ @ @ , among other actions .
The Capitol Police ’ s funding would stay level at @ @ @ @ @ enacted law as part of the larger draft $ 4.2 billion Legislative Branch appropriations bill @ @ @ @ @ taken up by the full Appropriations Committee on Friday .
Senate-only spending is to be @ @ @ @ @ appropriations process .
As part of the Legislative Branch , the Capitol Police is shielded @ @ @ @ @ to police forces across the country .
The department is not subject to the Freedom @ @ @ @ @ not required to publicly disclose its internal inspector general reports .

National calls for greater police accountability have hit home for House appropriators, who are looking to open up the secretive department that protects Congress: the Capitol Police.
Their draft fiscal 2021 Legislative Branch spending bill and accompanying report call on the department to take numerous steps to give lawmakers and the public more access to its work. Those include a user-friendly system of arrest data, reports on efforts to combat racial profiling and making its records available to the public, among other actions.
The Capitol Police’s funding would stay level at $464 million compared with enacted law as part of the larger draft $4.2 billion Legislative Branch appropriations bill, which is to be taken up by the full Appropriations Committee on Friday. Senate-only spending is to be added later in the annual appropriations process.
[House Democrats propose removal of ‘racial intolerance’ statues from Capitol]
As part of the Legislative Branch, the Capitol Police is shielded from many transparency measures applicable to police forces across the country. The department is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act and is not required to publicly disclose its internal inspector general reports.


rollcall--2020-07-09--Coronavirus Special Report: What’s on the table for another relief package?

In tonight ’ s episode , we look at what the Trump administration is considering for another coronavirus relief package @ @ @ @ @ economy and how states are trying to make voting safe during the age of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ 42 .
The question ?
The number of House Democratic Caucus rules , finally made @ @ @ @ @ Census Bureau says it will clarify roles of two political appointees

In tonight’s episode, we look at what the Trump administration is considering for another coronavirus relief package to help kick-start the U.S. economy and how states are trying to make voting safe during the age of COVID-19.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-09--The answer? 42. The question? The number of House Democratic Caucus rules, finally made public

Demand Progress , often joined by other advocacy groups , sent four letters to the Democratic Caucus over the past two years requesting that the caucus rules be posted online .
The organization advocates for progressive policies on civil liberties , civil rights and government reform .
Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries responded to the second letter on Feb. 7 , 2019 , thanking the groups for their request .
“ We believe in transparency and accountability , and in that spirit , the issue will be presented to the caucus for consideration in short order , ” the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Progress .
The group had been planning to send a fifth letter on Monday complaining that the rules still had not been published before the caucus did so on Thursday .
“ We are pleased that House Democrats have published their caucus rules , a request we made more than 500 days ago , ” Daniel Schuman , policy director at Demand Progress , said in a statement .
“ The House of Representatives is a majoritarian institution , so the rules that govern House Democrats are the rules that control what House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make those decisions ; we believe those rules should be available to the public for the sake of transparency and public accountability.
” The caucus had been working to publicize the rules but first had to update a number of items to ensure that the style and language used throughout the rules were consistent and accurate .

Demand Progress, often joined by other advocacy groups, sent four letters to the Democratic Caucus over the past two years requesting that the caucus rules be posted online. The organization advocates for progressive policies on civil liberties, civil rights and government reform.
Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries responded to the second letter on Feb. 7, 2019, thanking the groups for their request. “We believe in transparency and accountability, and in that spirit, the issue will be presented to the caucus for consideration in short order,” the New York Democrat wrote, according to Demand Progress.
The group had been planning to send a fifth letter on Monday complaining that the rules still had not been published before the caucus did so on Thursday.
“We are pleased that House Democrats have published their caucus rules, a request we made more than 500 days ago,” Daniel Schuman, policy director at Demand Progress, said in a statement. “The House of Representatives is a majoritarian institution, so the rules that govern House Democrats are the rules that control what House Democrats do and who is empowered to make those decisions; we believe those rules should be available to the public for the sake of transparency and public accountability.”
The caucus had been working to publicize the rules but first had to update a number of items to ensure that the style and language used throughout the rules were consistent and accurate.


rollcall--2020-07-09--Facing pressure, Census Bureau says it will clarify roles of two political appointees

The Census Bureau has promised to reveal more about the roles of its two new political appointees amid concerns the pair may interfere in how the agency conducts day-to-day operations of its 2020 count , following growing calls for more details from trade groups , its network of partners and even its internal watchdog .
Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham announced last month that the agency ’ s new deputy director for policy , Nathaniel Cogley , and his adviser , Adam Korzeniewski , would “ help the Census Bureau achieve a complete and accurate 2020 Census and study future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little about their roles since then .
Earlier this week , however , the agency ’ s watchdog asked the Census Bureau to provide details .
The Commerce Department ’ s inspector general on Tuesday asked for a description of their duties , their ethics disclosure forms and documents about their hiring by July 20 .
Census Bureau spokesman Michael Cook said the agency would address Cogley ’ s and Korzeniewski ’ s positions in a response to the IG letter .
In a call with reporters Wednesday about ramping up 2020 census @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director , Al Fontenot , said the pair were not part of the planning conversations for the “ soft launch ” of door-knocking operations that will start later this month — or the conversations about upcoming operations .

The Census Bureau has promised to reveal more about the roles of its two new political appointees amid concerns the pair may interfere in how the agency conducts day-to-day operations of its 2020 count, following growing calls for more details from trade groups, its network of partners and even its internal watchdog.
Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham announced last month that the agency’s new deputy director for policy, Nathaniel Cogley, and his adviser, Adam Korzeniewski, would “help the Census Bureau achieve a complete and accurate 2020 Census and study future improvements.” But the agency has said little about their roles since then.
Earlier this week, however, the agency’s watchdog asked the Census Bureau to provide details. The Commerce Department’s inspector general on Tuesday asked for a description of their duties, their ethics disclosure forms and documents about their hiring by July 20.
Census Bureau spokesman Michael Cook said the agency would address Cogley’s and Korzeniewski’s positions in a response to the IG letter.
In a call with reporters Wednesday about ramping up 2020 census operations, the agency’s associate director, Al Fontenot, said the pair were not part of the planning conversations for the “soft launch” of door-knocking operations that will start later this month — or the conversations about upcoming operations.


rollcall--2020-07-09--At the Races: Locked down, money up

At the Races: Locked down, money up

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election .
Know someone who ’ d like to get this newsletter ?
They can subscribe here .
Second quarter fundraising reports are due next week , but some campaigns have already started to release their totals .
Democratic Senate challengers have been rolling out eye-popping figures , with some of the biggest hauls from candidates in red states that are further down the Senate target list .
Kentucky ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17.4 million , and South Carolina ’ s Jaime Harrison raised $ 13.9 million during the fundraising quarter from April through June .
Challengers in some of Democrats ’ top targets — including Sara Gideon in Maine , Cal Cunninham in North Carolina , Theresa Greenfield in Iowa and Steve Bullock in Montana — have also announced multimillion-dollar hauls .
Several of these challengers outraised their GOP opponents in the first quarter , but many of the Republican incumbents still had advantages in cash on hand .
When reports are released next week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of whether these big fundraising numbers helped Democrats narrow that gap .
These large fundraising hauls are also significant in competitive states because they could free up Democratic outside groups to spend elsewhere and further expand the Senate map .
Outside groups pay more than candidates for TV ads , so candidate campaign money can go further on the airwaves .
That ’ s especially important in battleground states , where Senate candidates will be competing with presidential campaigns for expensive TV time .

Bridget Bowman, Kate Ackley, and Stephanie Akin

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
By Bridget Bowman, Kate Ackley and Stephanie Akin
Second quarter fundraising reports are due next week, but some campaigns have already started to release their totals. Democratic Senate challengers have been rolling out eye-popping figures, with some of the biggest hauls from candidates in red states that are further down the Senate target list. Kentucky’s Amy McGrath announced she raised $17.4 million, and South Carolina’s Jaime Harrison raised $13.9 million during the fundraising quarter from April through June.
Challengers in some of Democrats’ top targets — including Sara Gideon in Maine, Cal Cunninham in North Carolina, Theresa Greenfield in Iowa and Steve Bullock in Montana — have also announced multimillion-dollar hauls. Several of these challengers outraised their GOP opponents in the first quarter, but many of the Republican incumbents still had advantages in cash on hand. When reports are released next week, we’ll have a better sense of whether these big fundraising numbers helped Democrats narrow that gap.
These large fundraising hauls are also significant in competitive states because they could free up Democratic outside groups to spend elsewhere and further expand the Senate map. Outside groups pay more than candidates for TV ads, so candidate campaign money can go further on the airwaves. That’s especially important in battleground states, where Senate candidates will be competing with presidential campaigns for expensive TV time.


rollcall--2020-07-09--Supreme Court caps congressional power to subpoena presidential records

The Supreme Court for the first time put limits on congressional power to subpoena a sitting president ’ s personal @ @ @ @ @ a ruling Thursday that will frustrate the House ’ s effort to get President Donald @ @ @ @ @ November election .
The 7-2 opinion , in one of the most closely watched cases @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , did not resolve the legal battle between Trump and the House over committee @ @ @ @ @ firm Mazars USA and two banks , Capital One and Deutsche Bank .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ Jr. , writing for the court , laid out what Congress and the courts must @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s records can be enforced .
And then the Supreme Court sent the @ @ @ @ @ to look at the case again .

The Supreme Court for the first time put limits on congressional power to subpoena a sitting president’s personal and business information, in a ruling Thursday that will frustrate the House’s effort to get President Donald Trump’s before the November election.
The 7-2 opinion, in one of the most closely watched cases of the term that ended Thursday, did not resolve the legal battle between Trump and the House over committee subpoenas for records from auditing firm Mazars USA and two banks, Capital One and Deutsche Bank.
Instead, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., writing for the court, laid out what Congress and the courts must do before subpoenas for a president’s records can be enforced. And then the Supreme Court sent the case back to lower courts to look at the case again.


rollcall--2020-07-09--Republicans discussing coronavirus aid package contours

The Trump administration would support another round of tax rebate checks and help for restaurants , hotels and airlines as part of the next coronavirus aid package , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday .
Outlining potential elements of a new aid package , which Congress plans to negotiate later this month , Mnuchin said he is also working on a “ technical fix ” to any extension of expanded unemployment benefits so that workers don ’ t earn more in benefits than they would on the job .
Those benefits , which were enacted in March and will expire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently provide an extra $ 600 a week to jobless workers , on top of their regular state-issued benefits .
Mnuchin , who has served as the administration ’ s point man on aid talks , told CNBC ’ s “ Squawk Box ” that he had conferred Wednesday with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows about a new package .
McConnell has said he hopes to unveil a Republican proposal by the time the Senate reconvenes on July 20 .
McConnell said Monday that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be limited to lower-income people .
The previous round from March provided checks to single filers of up to $ 1,200 , with the amount awarded phased out completely for those earning more than about $ 99,000 a year .

The Trump administration would support another round of tax rebate checks and help for restaurants, hotels and airlines as part of the next coronavirus aid package, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday.
Outlining potential elements of a new aid package, which Congress plans to negotiate later this month, Mnuchin said he is also working on a “technical fix” to any extension of expanded unemployment benefits so that workers don’t earn more in benefits than they would on the job.
Those benefits, which were enacted in March and will expire at the end of this month, currently provide an extra $600 a week to jobless workers, on top of their regular state-issued benefits.
Mnuchin, who has served as the administration’s point man on aid talks, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” that he had conferred Wednesday with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows about a new package. McConnell has said he hopes to unveil a Republican proposal by the time the Senate reconvenes on July 20.
McConnell said Monday that a new round a tax rebate checks should be limited to lower-income people. The previous round from March provided checks to single filers of up to $1,200, with the amount awarded phased out completely for those earning more than about $99,000 a year.


rollcall--2020-07-10--As payroll support nears an end, airline unions seek renewal

United Airlines ’ announcement that it could furlough nearly 40 percent of its employees after a spending bill aimed at @ @ @ @ @ September has spurred labor unions to call for another round of aid for the industry @ @ @ @ @ a particularly sensitive moment .
On one hand , Congress approved $ 50 billion for @ @ @ @ @ as the number of people flying in the U.S. fell by 95 percent from April @ @ @ @ @ according to the Transportation Security Administration .
On the other , a surge of airline @ @ @ @ @ just before November elections , meaning voters would go to the polls with an industry-wide @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There will be hundreds of thousands of aviation workers who go onto unemployment @ @ @ @ @ ’ t extend this program , ” said Sara Nelson , president of the Association @ @ @ @ @ represents nearly 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines .
“ And that will be included @ @ @ @ @ before this election .
”

United Airlines’ announcement that it could furlough nearly 40 percent of its employees after a spending bill aimed at protecting airline workers expires in September has spurred labor unions to call for another round of aid for the industry.
The conversation occurs at a particularly sensitive moment.
On one hand, Congress approved $50 billion for passenger airlines in March alone as the number of people flying in the U.S. fell by 95 percent from April 2019 to April 2020, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
On the other, a surge of airline layoffs and furloughs would occur just before November elections, meaning voters would go to the polls with an industry-wide economic disaster on their mind.
“There will be hundreds of thousands of aviation workers who go onto unemployment in October if we don’t extend this program,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, which represents nearly 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines. “And that will be included in the last jobs report before this election.”


rollcall--2020-07-10--‘That’s a joke!’ One House candidate’s Zoom calls keep interns engaged in a pandemic

“ How are we doing today ?
” Wesley Hunt asked his campaign interns Wednesday night .
They silently waved and smiled .
Some flashed their thumbs up in response .
A few months ago , they would have been together in the Texas Republican ’ s campaign office .
But on Wednesday , Hunt and nearly 50 interns were dispersed at their homes , coming together over Zoom , a videoconferencing platform that 's become a staple of virtual connections during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ You will never forget these times , ” Hunt said at the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have children and you will be like , ‘ Y ’ all don ’ t understand how crazy this was when I was growing up .
It was legit crazy.
’ So just hang in there.
” This was the fourth Zoom call Hunt has held with his campaign interns since the pandemic hit in March .
The video calls are just one example of how campaigns have tried to keep volunteers and interns , the forces behind the all-important voter outreach , engaged as campaigns have shifted to operating virtually .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an Army veteran whom Republicans consider a top recruit , gave a brief update on his campaign against freshman Democrat Lizzie Fletcher in the Houston-area 7th District .
Then he opened up the floor to questions .
One by one , Hunt ’ s campaign manager un-muted interns who peppered the candidate on a range of issues , from advice about joining the military and talking to liberal classmates to his thoughts on the left ’ s Green New Deal proposal .

“How are we doing today?” Wesley Hunt asked his campaign interns Wednesday night. They silently waved and smiled. Some flashed their thumbs up in response.
A few months ago, they would have been together in the Texas Republican’s campaign office. But on Wednesday, Hunt and nearly 50 interns were dispersed at their homes, coming together over Zoom, a videoconferencing platform that's become a staple of virtual connections during the coronavirus pandemic.
“You will never forget these times,” Hunt said at the start of the call. “When you have children and you will be like, ‘Y’all don’t understand how crazy this was when I was growing up. It was legit crazy.’ So just hang in there.”
This was the fourth Zoom call Hunt has held with his campaign interns since the pandemic hit in March. The video calls are just one example of how campaigns have tried to keep volunteers and interns, the forces behind the all-important voter outreach, engaged as campaigns have shifted to operating virtually.


rollcall--2020-07-10--Chief justice leads Supreme Court through tempered term

The Supreme Court emerged from its term Thursday as a steadying force for a country deeply split along partisan lines and rocked by a pandemic , with conservative Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. ’ s fingerprints on almost all the moves .
That wasn ’ t expected .
The question at the beginning of the term in October was just how far the court would move in a conservative direction , with President Donald Trump ’ s two appointees and some potentially blockbuster cases on contentious issues such as abortion , immigration , LGBT discrimination and the president himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump only the third president to be impeached .
Roberts presided over Trump ’ s acquittal in February during a monthlong Senate trial .
Then , just weeks later , the novel coronavirus closed up the Supreme Court building along with most of the country .
In late May , as the court finalized many of its most high-profile rulings , the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer sparked weeks of civil rights protests that intensified the rhetoric around the reelection bid of a historically unpopular president .
By the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had avoided some of the biggest blockbuster rulings that some had predicted .

The Supreme Court emerged from its term Thursday as a steadying force for a country deeply split along partisan lines and rocked by a pandemic, with conservative Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.’s fingerprints on almost all the moves.
That wasn’t expected. The question at the beginning of the term in October was just how far the court would move in a conservative direction, with President Donald Trump’s two appointees and some potentially blockbuster cases on contentious issues such as abortion, immigration, LGBT discrimination and the president himself.
Then the House in December made Trump only the third president to be impeached. Roberts presided over Trump’s acquittal in February during a monthlong Senate trial. Then, just weeks later, the novel coronavirus closed up the Supreme Court building along with most of the country.
In late May, as the court finalized many of its most high-profile rulings, the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer sparked weeks of civil rights protests that intensified the rhetoric around the reelection bid of a historically unpopular president.
By the last decision on Thursday, the court had avoided some of the biggest blockbuster rulings that some had predicted.


rollcall--2020-07-10--Self-help guide to Congress: Reports detail ways the institution could better itself

Updated , 8:45 p.m. | Proposals for how Congress could overhaul the lobbying disclosure system , provide lawmakers with continuing education opportunities and make legislative action more transparent are just a few of the big ideas in reports made public by the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress on Friday .
In early March , the House approved a resolution that included 29 recommendations from the panel , and called for more than 20 reports on a wide array of issues .
The reports included those from the House Clerk ’ s office , the Office of Diversity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ As we make these reports public , I ’ m glad to be laying the groundwork towards implementing the Select Committee ’ s recommendations into internal reforms that make the House of Representatives more transparent , cultivate diversity and improve retention among staff , promote civility and collaboration , and create a more effective legislative branch , ” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren , the California Democrat who chairs the House Administration Committee and is a member of the select committee .
The modernization reports can be found here .
The Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions for a nagging problem with the existing system for collecting and cataloging mandatory disclosures from registered lobbyists .
Lobbying firms and individual lobbyists , under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 , are required to disclose this information on a quarterly basis .

Updated, 8:45 p.m. | Proposals for how Congress could overhaul the lobbying disclosure system, provide lawmakers with continuing education opportunities and make legislative action more transparent are just a few of the big ideas in reports made public by the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress on Friday.
In early March, the House approved a resolution that included 29 recommendations from the panel, and called for more than 20 reports on a wide array of issues. The reports included those from the House Clerk’s office, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Chief Administrative Officer.
“As we make these reports public, I’m glad to be laying the groundwork towards implementing the Select Committee’s recommendations into internal reforms that make the House of Representatives more transparent, cultivate diversity and improve retention among staff, promote civility and collaboration, and create a more effective legislative branch,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the California Democrat who chairs the House Administration Committee and is a member of the select committee.
The modernization reports can be found here.
Lobbying disclosures
The Office of the House Clerk submitted two possible solutions for a nagging problem with the existing system for collecting and cataloging mandatory disclosures from registered lobbyists. Lobbying firms and individual lobbyists, under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, are required to disclose this information on a quarterly basis.


rollcall--2020-07-10--Citing census delay, New Jersey looks to push legislative redistricting to 2023

Pandemic-related census delays have already caused political fallout in one state , with New Jersey ’ s legislature kicking off the process to delay its legislative redistricting process from 2021 to 2023 .
An altered schedule has led the Census Bureau to ask Congress for an extension that could result in delivering the data needed to draw state legislative maps as late as next July , about a month after New Jersey ’ s planned primary date .
On Thursday , the state Assembly 's Judiciary Committee voted 4-2 to advance a measure that would delay its mapmaking process to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give the state 's normal redistricting process enough time to come up with a fair map for legislative seats .
The measure ’ s sponsor , Democratic Assemblyman John McKeon , argued that all of the state ’ s options are “ bad for democracy , ” and would stifle public input .
Without a change , he argued the current timeframe would result in a 2021 primary less than two weeks before the general legislative election .
“ I 'm sure all of you would agree that that would be chaos .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unfortunately this is just one other thing that 's a fallout from life that 's no longer usual .
It 's only from COVID , ” McKeon said .

Pandemic-related census delays have already caused political fallout in one state, with New Jersey’s legislature kicking off the process to delay its legislative redistricting process from 2021 to 2023.
An altered schedule has led the Census Bureau to ask Congress for an extension that could result in delivering the data needed to draw state legislative maps as late as next July, about a month after New Jersey’s planned primary date.
On Thursday, the state Assembly's Judiciary Committee voted 4-2 to advance a measure that would delay its mapmaking process to 2023, with Democrats arguing that would give the state's normal redistricting process enough time to come up with a fair map for legislative seats.
The measure’s sponsor, Democratic Assemblyman John McKeon, argued that all of the state’s options are “bad for democracy,” and would stifle public input. Without a change, he argued the current timeframe would result in a 2021 primary less than two weeks before the general legislative election.
“I'm sure all of you would agree that that would be chaos. Not palatable for the democratic process, and unfortunately this is just one other thing that's a fallout from life that's no longer usual. It's only from COVID,” McKeon said.


rollcall--2020-07-10--Lowey’s last markup marathon and a ruthless five-minute clock: Congressional Hits and Misses

Rep. Nita M. Lowey said a handful of goodbyes this week as she oversaw her last appropriations markup marathon as @ @ @ @ @ Congress .
But that didn ’ t stop Rep. Jeff Fortenberry from wishing he was @ @ @ @ @ anniversary instead , or the entire committee from singing an awkward “ Happy Birthday ” @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell got interrupted by a car alarm and Rep. @ @ @ @ @ .
[ Also watch : The ABCs of school reopening ]

Rep. Nita M. Lowey said a handful of goodbyes this week as she oversaw her last appropriations markup marathon as she prepares to retire from Congress. But that didn’t stop Rep. Jeff Fortenberry from wishing he was with his wife on their anniversary instead, or the entire committee from singing an awkward “Happy Birthday” to Rep. Dan Newhouse.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell got interrupted by a car alarm and Rep. Adam Smith interrupted everybody else.
[ Also watch: The ABCs of school reopening ]


rollcall--2020-07-10--Why can’t we define disinformation?

Why can’t we define disinformation?

Disinformation has been a topic on the Hill since long before the last election , so why don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ for the evermore pervasive practice ?
Why are tech giants continuously struggling with this issue @

Disinformation has been a topic on the Hill since long before the last election, so why don’t we have a solid definition for the evermore pervasive practice?
Why are tech giants continuously struggling with this issue?
Watch senior writer and tech reporter Gopal Ratnam break down disinformation.


rollcall--2020-07-10--Reminder for Democrats: Politics won’t stop after November

First , from the time of his likely election in November and his inauguration in January , President Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ not only from the GOP but also from elements within his own party .
It @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ’ “ AOC wing , ” under the leadership of Sens .
Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ of Massachusetts will dictate the party ’ s positions to Biden .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ’ t an amateur who just fell off a rutabaga truck .
But progressives are @ @ @ @ @ matter what Biden does ) that he hasn ’ t done enough , almost guaranteeing @ @ @ @ @ Party .
After eight years of Barack Obama and four years of Donald Trump , @ @ @ @ @ dramatic change sooner rather than later .
Recent events obviously have played into their hands @ @ @ @ @ in 2021 .

ANALYSIS — Democrats’ near-term opportunities shouldn’t obscure the longer-term problems the party faces.
First, from the time of his likely election in November and his inauguration in January, President Joe Biden will find himself under attack not only from the GOP but also from elements within his own party.
It isn’t that the Democrats’ “AOC wing,” under the leadership of Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts will dictate the party’s positions to Biden. That’s just ridiculous. Biden isn’t an amateur who just fell off a rutabaga truck.
But progressives are sure to complain (no matter what Biden does) that he hasn’t done enough, almost guaranteeing a fissure in the Democratic Party.
After eight years of Barack Obama and four years of Donald Trump, progressives are impatient and want dramatic change sooner rather than later. Recent events obviously have played into their hands, which will be stronger in 2021.


rollcall--2020-07-13--For Congress, rancor and politics overshadow consequential coronavirus relief

ANALYSIS — Even as the House Appropriations Committee returned to routine business during the week of July 6 — considering bills to fund the government for the coming fiscal year — the pandemic hung over everything .
Between March 5 and July 4 , Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed six laws to help Americans weather the crisis wrought by the coronavirus .
At a cost of more than $ 3 trillion , those laws , with their expanded unemployment benefits and forgivable business loans , have kept millions of Americans out of poverty and thousands of companies afloat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to judge Congress ’ handling of the greatest domestic challenge since the Great Depression .
Decisions made this month in the Capitol will bring that record into greater focus .
By the end of July , representatives and senators must decide whether to extend key programs propping up the economy , from the Pandemic Unemployment Compensation providing an extra $ 600 a week to those out of work , to the eviction moratorium protecting renters in public housing and those living in homes with federally backed mortgages .
Though nearly five million Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 million remain unemployed .
Millions of others are earning significantly less than they were before the virus struck .
Congress will need to pass another rescue package to avoid a calamity .
But between the time Congress passed the most significant of its relief laws , the CARES Act , in late March , and today , the consensus about what to do has eroded , and the political imperative has returned .
Election Day is now less than four months away .

ANALYSIS — Even as the House Appropriations Committee returned to routine business during the week of July 6 — considering bills to fund the government for the coming fiscal year — the pandemic hung over everything.
Between March 5 and July 4, Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed six laws to help Americans weather the crisis wrought by the coronavirus. At a cost of more than $3 trillion, those laws, with their expanded unemployment benefits and forgivable business loans, have kept millions of Americans out of poverty and thousands of companies afloat.
Still it’s too early to judge Congress’ handling of the greatest domestic challenge since the Great Depression. Decisions made this month in the Capitol will bring that record into greater focus. By the end of July, representatives and senators must decide whether to extend key programs propping up the economy, from the Pandemic Unemployment Compensation providing an extra $600 a week to those out of work, to the eviction moratorium protecting renters in public housing and those living in homes with federally backed mortgages.
Though nearly five million Americans went back to work in June, 18 million remain unemployed. Millions of others are earning significantly less than they were before the virus struck. Congress will need to pass another rescue package to avoid a calamity.
But between the time Congress passed the most significant of its relief laws, the CARES Act, in late March, and today, the consensus about what to do has eroded, and the political imperative has returned. Election Day is now less than four months away.


rollcall--2020-07-13--6 things to watch in Maine, Texas and Alabama primaries

Voters in three states will head to the polls Tuesday to decide the matchups in a trio of competitive Senate @ @ @ @ @ House contests .
Primaries in Maine , and primary runoffs in Texas and Alabama , @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
Campaigns in Texas and Alabama have also had to navigate a @ @ @ @ @ .
Tuesday ’ s primaries may follow a common theme in 2020 : waiting on @ @ @ @ @ not only will more voters cast their ballots by mail , but the state uses @ @ @ @ @ further delay results in the competitive three-way Republican primary in the 2nd District .
Under @ @ @ @ @ order candidates from most to least favorite .
If no one gets over 50 percent @ @ @ @ @ finisher is eliminated , with his or her votes reallocated to the other candidates based @ @ @ @ @ choices .
This repeats until someone crosses 50 percent .
Counting in a race that @ @ @ @ @ beyond election night .

Voters in three states will head to the polls Tuesday to decide the matchups in a trio of competitive Senate races and a slew of House contests.
Primaries in Maine, and primary runoffs in Texas and Alabama, were initially delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Campaigns in Texas and Alabama have also had to navigate a recent spike in COVID-19 cases.
Tuesday’s primaries may follow a common theme in 2020: waiting on results.
In Maine, not only will more voters cast their ballots by mail, but the state uses ranked-choice voting, which could further delay results in the competitive three-way Republican primary in the 2nd District.
Under the ranked-choice system, voters order candidates from most to least favorite. If no one gets over 50 percent outright, then the last-place finisher is eliminated, with his or her votes reallocated to the other candidates based on the voters’ second choices. This repeats until someone crosses 50 percent. Counting in a race that requires ranked-choice voting would extend beyond election night.


rollcall--2020-07-13--Coronavirus Special Report: Why would the Pentagon cut spending on chemical and biological protectio

Coronavirus Special Report: Why would the Pentagon cut spending on chemical and biological protections during a pandemic?

In this episode , CQ Roll Call ’ s John M. Donnelly examines an overlooked provision in the Pentagon ’ @ @ @ @ @ cut chemical and biological defense programs in the next fiscal year despite heightened risk to @ @ @ @ @ review the latest health policy news , and explore how lawmakers want the U.S. to @ @ @ @ @ , despite the president ’ s intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization .
@ @ @ @ @ in Maine , Texas and Alabama primaries • Rating changes : Democratic control of Senate @ @ @ @ @

In this episode, CQ Roll Call’s John M. Donnelly examines an overlooked provision in the Pentagon’s proposed budget that would cut chemical and biological defense programs in the next fiscal year despite heightened risk to U.S. troops. We also review the latest health policy news, and explore how lawmakers want the U.S. to spend more on international aid, despite the president’s intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-13--Domino effect: Washington football team’s name, statues in DC, in Capitol, face removal

The nation ’ s recent reckoning with racial injustice is prompting movement on long-intractable symbols spanning the gamut from Washington @ @ @ @ @ team to statues abutting the White House and within the Capitol .
As word came @ @ @ @ @ NFL franchise has played its final season with a name long considered a slur against @ @ @ @ @ also mean it is one step closer to bringing the team back to the District @ @ @ @ @ Holmes Norton says .
Owner Daniel Snyder has resisted the name change for years , @ @ @ @ @ club would change its name to something TBD .
[ Does Congress have the leverage @ @ @ @ @ for Washington ’ s football team ? ]
Norton — a vocal critic of the @ @ @ @ @ , which Snyder made after recent weeks of intense corporate pressure .

The nation’s recent reckoning with racial injustice is prompting movement on long-intractable symbols spanning the gamut from Washington’s multi-billion dollar football team to statues abutting the White House and within the Capitol.
As word came Monday that Washington’s NFL franchise has played its final season with a name long considered a slur against Native Americans — that could also mean it is one step closer to bringing the team back to the District, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton says.
Owner Daniel Snyder has resisted the name change for years, but announced Monday the football club would change its name to something TBD.
[Does Congress have the leverage to force a name change for Washington’s football team?]
Norton — a vocal critic of the name — praised the decision, which Snyder made after recent weeks of intense corporate pressure.


rollcall--2020-07-13--Tortilla Coast, Capitol Hill spot specializing in Tex-Mex and political intrigue, faces closure

The end of a Capitol Hill era , one marked by frozen margaritas and queso combos , is nigh .
@ @ @ @ @ restaurant that played host to staffers , interns and lawmakers and employed a future speaker @ @ @ @ @ expected to close its doors by Sunday , July 26 , co-owner Geoff Tracy told @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
“ Right now we ’ re going to keep it open for another @ @ @ @ @ miracle , ” Tracy said .

The end of a Capitol Hill era, one marked by frozen margaritas and queso combos, is nigh.
Tortilla Coast, the Tex-Mex restaurant that played host to staffers, interns and lawmakers and employed a future speaker of the House, is expected to close its doors by Sunday, July 26, co-owner Geoff Tracy told Heard on the Hill on Monday.
“Right now we’re going to keep it open for another week and hope for a miracle,” Tracy said.


rollcall--2020-07-13--Leahy to Barr: Is Roger Stone sentence commutation ‘a crime’?

Attorney General William Barr said at his confirmation hearing that “ it would be a crime ” for a president @ @ @ @ @ a commitment not to incriminate that president .
The senator who asked that question wants @ @ @ @ @ does not apply to President Donald Trump ’ s announcement on Friday that he was @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaign associate Roger Stone .
“ Do you believe a president can lawfully issue @ @ @ @ @ the recipient ’ s promise to not incriminate him ?
” Sen. Patrick J. Leahy @ @ @ @ @ ’ s January 2019 confirmation hearing .
“ No , that would be a crime @ @ @ @ @ response .
Leahy , a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the current @ @ @ @ @ Committee , wants the Justice Department to review what led to the president ’ s @ @

Attorney General William Barr said at his confirmation hearing that “it would be a crime” for a president to trade a pardon for a commitment not to incriminate that president.
The senator who asked that question wants to know why that logic does not apply to President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday that he was commuting the sentence of former Trump campaign associate Roger Stone.
“Do you believe a president can lawfully issue a pardon in exchange for the recipient’s promise to not incriminate him?” Sen. Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont asked during Barr’s January 2019 confirmation hearing.
“No, that would be a crime,” Barr said in response.
Leahy, a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the current top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, wants the Justice Department to review what led to the president’s decision.


rollcall--2020-07-13--Negotiators look for common ground on unemployment aid extension

How to provide additional relief to jobless workers has become a major partisan tension point in preliminary talks for another COVID-19 aid package .
An expanded federal benefit of $ 600 per week is set to expire at the end of this month , and Speaker Nancy Pelosi says an extension of unemployment insurance must be part of any new package .
But the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have opposed continuing a benefit that they say could dissuade laid-off workers from reentering the job world .
If benefits were extended through January , about 5 of every 6 recipients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would on the job , the Congressional Budget Office said last month .
“ We ’ d like to see some unemployment reforms , ” National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow told the Fox Business Network on Monday .
“ We ’ d like a return-to-work-type bonus of a modest nature .
We don ’ t want to give people disincentives … to work.
” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said last week the administration is working on a “ technical fix ” that would “ incentivize people to go back to work.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the table , he told CNBC , “ We will not be doing it in the same way .
”

How to provide additional relief to jobless workers has become a major partisan tension point in preliminary talks for another COVID-19 aid package.
An expanded federal benefit of $600 per week is set to expire at the end of this month, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi says an extension of unemployment insurance must be part of any new package.
But the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers have opposed continuing a benefit that they say could dissuade laid-off workers from reentering the job world. If benefits were extended through January, about 5 of every 6 recipients would earn more in benefits than they would on the job, the Congressional Budget Office said last month.
“We’d like to see some unemployment reforms,” National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow told the Fox Business Network on Monday. “We’d like a return-to-work-type bonus of a modest nature. We don’t want to give people disincentives … to work.”
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said last week the administration is working on a “technical fix” that would “incentivize people to go back to work.” While some form of extended benefits are on the table, he told CNBC, “We will not be doing it in the same way.”


rollcall--2020-07-13--Appropriations gavel candidate pledges federal resources for minorities

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz promised Monday that if she becomes House Appropriations Committee chairwoman next year , she ’ ll establish an advisory panel to address systemic racism in federal funding .
The Florida Democrat is one of at least three panel members campaigning to replace retiring Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey .
Marcy Kaptur of Ohio and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut are the other declared candidates seeking the top Democratic slot on the powerful committee amid a rejuvenated national conversation about race after recent high-profile killings of Black people by police officers .
“ This panel would help the Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and demands of equity , justice , and diversity , ” Wasserman Schultz wrote in a “ Dear Colleague ” letter released Monday .
“ To do this , the panel would comprehensively review federal programs and the president ’ s budget requests to identify ongoing inequities in communities of color and historically marginalized communities.
” Wasserman Schultz released the proposal just before 3 p.m. Monday while the committee was wrapping up its markup of the draft fiscal 2021 Energy-Water bill , managed by Kaptur , and beginning to debate the draft Labor-HHS-Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to both lawmakers did n't immediately respond to requests for comment .
Kaptur and DeLauro each have substantially more seniority on the committee than Wasserman Schultz .
But seniority is n't everything , and House Democrats have on occasion elevated more junior members to committee leadership positions .

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz promised Monday that if she becomes House Appropriations Committee chairwoman next year, she’ll establish an advisory panel to address systemic racism in federal funding.
The Florida Democrat is one of at least three panel members campaigning to replace retiring Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut are the other declared candidates seeking the top Democratic slot on the powerful committee amid a rejuvenated national conversation about race after recent high-profile killings of Black people by police officers.
“This panel would help the Committee refocus federal spending decisions on the issues and demands of equity, justice, and diversity,” Wasserman Schultz wrote in a “Dear Colleague” letter released Monday. “To do this, the panel would comprehensively review federal programs and the president’s budget requests to identify ongoing inequities in communities of color and historically marginalized communities.”
Wasserman Schultz released the proposal just before 3 p.m. Monday while the committee was wrapping up its markup of the draft fiscal 2021 Energy-Water bill, managed by Kaptur, and beginning to debate the draft Labor-HHS-Education measure, led by DeLauro. Aides to both lawmakers didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kaptur and DeLauro each have substantially more seniority on the committee than Wasserman Schultz. But seniority isn't everything, and House Democrats have on occasion elevated more junior members to committee leadership positions.


rollcall--2020-07-13--Julian Castro plans to get out the immigrant vote in 2020

Castro : During my campaign , I focused on a vision of America that could work for everyone , including the most vulnerable Americans .
What we 've found out , what a lot of families have found out during this coronavirus experience , is that they 're more vulnerable than they ever thought : Whether it 's vulnerable to eviction , vulnerable to a health care catastrophe , vulnerable to losing their job .
We need to make investments to ensure that everybody can prosper .
And so I believe that many of the things I was bringing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , decent , affordable place to live , to ending police violence , to embracing reasonable immigration policy , in the years to come , that those things are resonating now , even more than they did before .
Q : Vice President Biden recently tweeted that he would like migrant families in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention to be released together .
That tweet , to many people watching the immigration debate , was a departure from the Obama administration 's immigration approach , which was criticized for his embrace of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deportations .
I wonder how you see Vice President Biden ’ s evolution on this issue ?
Castro : At the end of the Obama administration , it invested in the family case management program , which was a pilot program that allowed families to stay together to not be detained and began to change the policy and practice around family detention .
So , it makes sense .
I think the vice president gets that we do n't need to turn to detention as a means to be able to monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this country .
Many of them have relatives , sponsors in the United States with whom they can safely stay , and they will make their court appearances .
We saw that in the family case management program .
So I believe that the vice president gets it .
He 's also articulated a vision for immigration that if he 's elected , would represent the most progressive vision for an incoming president on immigration .
To me , that 's a positive .
Q : Given your work with naturalizations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you think of the halt in in-person naturalization ceremonies , which the administration has blamed on the pandemic .
These ceremonies have now resumed and the administration says it will clear its postponed ceremonies by the end of July , but what your thoughts are on the effects of this pause and the agency 's ongoing financial issues ?

Castro: During my campaign, I focused on a vision of America that could work for everyone, including the most vulnerable Americans. What we've found out, what a lot of families have found out during this coronavirus experience, is that they're more vulnerable than they ever thought: Whether it's vulnerable to eviction, vulnerable to a health care catastrophe, vulnerable to losing their job. We need to make investments to ensure that everybody can prosper. And so I believe that many of the things I was bringing up, from ensuring that everybody has a safe, decent, affordable place to live, to ending police violence, to embracing reasonable immigration policy, in the years to come, that those things are resonating now, even more than they did before.
Q: Vice President Biden recently tweeted that he would like migrant families in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention to be released together. That tweet, to many people watching the immigration debate, was a departure from the Obama administration's immigration approach, which was criticized for his embrace of family detention and for the large number of deportations. I wonder how you see Vice President Biden’s evolution on this issue?
Castro: At the end of the Obama administration, it invested in the family case management program, which was a pilot program that allowed families to stay together to not be detained and began to change the policy and practice around family detention. So, it makes sense. I think the vice president gets that we don't need to turn to detention as a means to be able to monitor their court appearances or manage their presence in this country.
Many of them have relatives, sponsors in the United States with whom they can safely stay, and they will make their court appearances. We saw that in the family case management program. So I believe that the vice president gets it. He's also articulated a vision for immigration that if he's elected, would represent the most progressive vision for an incoming president on immigration. To me, that's a positive.
Q: Given your work with naturalizations and voter engagement, I’m wondering what you think of the halt in in-person naturalization ceremonies, which the administration has blamed on the pandemic. These ceremonies have now resumed and the administration says it will clear its postponed ceremonies by the end of July, but what your thoughts are on the effects of this pause and the agency's ongoing financial issues?


rollcall--2020-07-13--Amid pandemic, Pentagon would cut ‘chem-bio’ protections

The Defense Department wants to spend less in fiscal 2021 on chemical and biological defense programs , budget documents show , in the middle of a pandemic and despite its own officials ' warning of a heightened risk of attacks on U.S. troops from such weapons .
After what Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper called a Defense Wide Review of spending in February , he proposed cutting $ 5.7 billion from dozens of programs to instead pay for hypersonic missiles , the nuclear arsenal and other weapons that , he said , were needed to deter or fight Russia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unmentioned in the press was a proposed drop in funding for research and procurement initiatives in the Chemical and Biological Defense Program — from $ 1.4 billion this fiscal year to $ 1.2 billion .
The armed services have dozens of programs , organizations and systems for dealing with chemical and biological weapons .
But the chem-bio defense program centralizes the budget and oversight for the bulk of the military ’ s chem-bio efforts .
It is managed by a deputy assistant secretary .
It develops the technical tools — from medicines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protect against chem-bio agents and help people respond to or recover from such unconventional weapon attacks or disease outbreaks .

The Defense Department wants to spend less in fiscal 2021 on chemical and biological defense programs, budget documents show, in the middle of a pandemic and despite its own officials' warning of a heightened risk of attacks on U.S. troops from such weapons.
After what Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper called a Defense Wide Review of spending in February, he proposed cutting $5.7 billion from dozens of programs to instead pay for hypersonic missiles, the nuclear arsenal and other weapons that, he said, were needed to deter or fight Russia and China.
Lost in the fine print and unmentioned in the press was a proposed drop in funding for research and procurement initiatives in the Chemical and Biological Defense Program — from $1.4 billion this fiscal year to $1.2 billion.
The armed services have dozens of programs, organizations and systems for dealing with chemical and biological weapons. But the chem-bio defense program centralizes the budget and oversight for the bulk of the military’s chem-bio efforts. It is managed by a deputy assistant secretary. It develops the technical tools — from medicines to military gear — that can detect and protect against chem-bio agents and help people respond to or recover from such unconventional weapon attacks or disease outbreaks.


rollcall--2020-07-13--New Jersey’s machine takes a rare loss on primary day

ANALYSIS — If there ’ s a functioning political machine left in the United States , it ’ s the one run by Democrats in South Jersey .
That machine definitely threw a rod in Tuesday ’ s primary , however .
The organization-backed candidate in most of the sprawling , eight-county 2nd District , political scientist Brigid Callahan Harrison , lost to teacher Amy Kennedy in the race to take on Rep. Jeff Van Drew , who won the seat as a Democrat two years ago and then flipped to the GOP after opposing President Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remember a time a candidate lost a primary when he or she had the all-out support of the organization , which is controlled by wealthy insurance executive George Norcross , the brother of 1st District Rep. and someday Senate candidate Donald Norcross .
The Kennedy name was surely a factor : Amy Kennedy is married to former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy , the son of former Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy .
She also had the support of Atlantic City ’ s party leader and was endorsed by Democratic Gov .
Phil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the machine ’ s gears was the mid-May , coronavirus-driven decision by Murphy to mail every registered Democrat and Republican a ballot , whether they asked for one or not .

ANALYSIS — If there’s a functioning political machine left in the United States, it’s the one run by Democrats in South Jersey. That machine definitely threw a rod in Tuesday’s primary, however.
The organization-backed candidate in most of the sprawling, eight-county 2nd District, political scientist Brigid Callahan Harrison, lost to teacher Amy Kennedy in the race to take on Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who won the seat as a Democrat two years ago and then flipped to the GOP after opposing President Donald Trump’s impeachment in December.
Longtime observers struggled to remember a time a candidate lost a primary when he or she had the all-out support of the organization, which is controlled by wealthy insurance executive George Norcross, the brother of 1st District Rep. and someday Senate candidate Donald Norcross.
The Kennedy name was surely a factor: Amy Kennedy is married to former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, the son of former Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy. She also had the support of Atlantic City’s party leader and was endorsed by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy.
But what really gummed up the machine’s gears was the mid-May, coronavirus-driven decision by Murphy to mail every registered Democrat and Republican a ballot, whether they asked for one or not.


rollcall--2020-07-14--Convicted by software? Not so fast, says California lawmaker

Amid a national debate over bias and discrimination in the criminal justice system , Rep. Mark Takano , D-Calif. , is pushing legislation that he says will level the playing field for criminal defendants whose lives may depend on the conclusions of forensic software that are entered as evidence in court .
Crime scene technology is not new , but until recently its accuracy has depended largely on human analysis .
Now , bolstered by the belief that the use of technology limits the risk of human error , law enforcement agencies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence-driven tools such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fingerprint matching to aid in investigations .
But criminal justice reform advocates say forensic technology can be faulty too and can also reflect the biases of the software engineers and scientists who created it .
Facial recognition technology , for instance , has been proven less accurate when deployed against women and people of color .
The only way to know whether a program ’ s findings are accurate enough to be used as evidence in court , they say , is to examine its source code for bias and inaccuracy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ available .

Amid a national debate over bias and discrimination in the criminal justice system, Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., is pushing legislation that he says will level the playing field for criminal defendants whose lives may depend on the conclusions of forensic software that are entered as evidence in court.
Crime scene technology is not new, but until recently its accuracy has depended largely on human analysis. Now, bolstered by the belief that the use of technology limits the risk of human error, law enforcement agencies are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence-driven tools such as facial recognition, probabilistic DNA analysis and fingerprint matching to aid in investigations.
But criminal justice reform advocates say forensic technology can be faulty too and can also reflect the biases of the software engineers and scientists who created it. Facial recognition technology, for instance, has been proven less accurate when deployed against women and people of color.
The only way to know whether a program’s findings are accurate enough to be used as evidence in court, they say, is to examine its source code for bias and inaccuracy. But the source code is not always available.
That’s because the companies that sell such software to police and law enforcement organizations often claim in court that their programs are trade secrets, and therefore cannot be examined or tested by lawyers for defendants.


Fintech goes Public

Jannick Malling , the CEO of Public , a social investing app backed by the likes of Will Smith and @ @ @ @ @ platform technologies are transforming the `` experience '' of investing for millennials .
Plus , @ @ @ @ @ plaudits for its decision to block its customers from participating in Hertz ’ s troubled @ @ @ @ @ .
• Brian Brooks on the Community Reinvestment Act — and fintech • Is fintech @ @ @ @ @ ?
• Banking on women and the underserved during COVID-19

Jannick Malling, the CEO of Public, a social investing app backed by the likes of Will Smith and JJ Watt, explains how platform technologies are transforming the "experience" of investing for millennials. Plus, how the company won international plaudits for its decision to block its customers from participating in Hertz’s troubled $1 billion stock offering.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-14--Kansas GOP Rep. Steve Watkins charged with voter fraud

Three weeks before a competitive primary , Kansas GOP Rep. Steve Watkins was charged Tuesday with voter fraud , according @ @ @ @ @ .
Watkins was under investigation for illegally voting in a Topeka election in 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ County District Attorney Mike Kagay reportedly charged Watkins with three felonies and one misdemeanor , @ @ @ @ @ faces charges of “ interference with law enforcement , providing false information ; voting without @ @ @ @ @ voting ; and failing to notify the DMV of change of address.
” Watkins allegedly @ @ @ @ @ on his voter registration form .
News of the charges broke just as a GOP @ @ @ @ @ KSNT , an NBC affiliate .
Watkins called the charges “ a sideshow ” and @ @ @ @ @ noting the timing shortly before the primary .
“ I ’ ll leave it to @ @ @ @ @ the district attorney ’ s evidence is and how strong it is and whether there @ @ @ @ @ prosecution here and ultimate conviction , ” Watkins said .

Three weeks before a competitive primary, Kansas GOP Rep. Steve Watkins was charged Tuesday with voter fraud, according to multiple local media reports.
Watkins was under investigation for illegally voting in a Topeka election in 2019, and on Tuesday, Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay reportedly charged Watkins with three felonies and one misdemeanor, according to WIBW.
Watkins faces charges of “interference with law enforcement, providing false information; voting without being qualified; unlawful advance voting; and failing to notify the DMV of change of address.” Watkins allegedly listed a UPS store address on his voter registration form.
News of the charges broke just as a GOP primary debate was starting on KSNT, an NBC affiliate. Watkins called the charges “a sideshow” and “very suspicious,” noting the timing shortly before the primary.
“I’ll leave it to the voters to decide what the district attorney’s evidence is and how strong it is and whether there should be some process of prosecution here and ultimate conviction,” Watkins said.


rollcall--2020-07-14--Trump signs Hong Kong sanctions law, revokes special trade privileges

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he had signed legislation that establishes a regime for gradually sanctioning foreign banks if they continue to indirectly support Chinese officials ’ crackdown on Hong Kong .
In a Rose Garden press conference , the president also announced he had signed an executive order that would revoke the special trade privileges the United States has maintained since 1992 toward the former British colony , which helped Hong Kong rise to become one of the biggest financial hubs in the world .
“ Today , I also signed an executive order ending U.S. preferential treatment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China .
No special privileges , no special economic treatment , and no export of sensitive technologies.
” Hong Kong is the United States ’ 15th-largest export market .
Last year , the United States had a $ 26.1 billion trade goods surplus with Hong Kong The legislation signed by Trump requires the sanctioning of Chinese officials deemed to have violated human rights in Hong Kong .
The measure further orders gradually stronger and stronger sanctions on foreign banks that opt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials who have been sanctioned because of their repressive actions toward Hong Kong .

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he had signed legislation that establishes a regime for gradually sanctioning foreign banks if they continue to indirectly support Chinese officials’ crackdown on Hong Kong.
In a Rose Garden press conference, the president also announced he had signed an executive order that would revoke the special trade privileges the United States has maintained since 1992 toward the former British colony, which helped Hong Kong rise to become one of the biggest financial hubs in the world.
“Today, I also signed an executive order ending U.S. preferential treatment for Hong Kong,” Trump said. “Hong Kong will now be treated the same as mainland China. No special privileges, no special economic treatment, and no export of sensitive technologies.”
Hong Kong is the United States’ 15th-largest export market. Last year, the United States had a $26.1 billion trade goods surplus with Hong Kong


rollcall--2020-07-14--Mondaire Jones poised to become first gay Black man in Congress

Attorney Mondaire Jones is poised to become the first openly gay Black man in Congress after winning a crowded Democratic primary in New York ’ s 17th District .
But he may share that distinction with another New York Democrat whose primary has yet to be called .
Jones , who worked in former President Barack Obama ’ s Justice Department , had the backing of several liberal groups in the race to replace retiring House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey in the 17th District .
Jones had launched a primary challenge against Lowey before she announced her retirement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones on Tuesday , three weeks after the June 23 primary , because a surge in mail-in ballots delayed vote counting .
When the AP called the race , Jones led the eight-candidate field of Democrats with 45 percent .
The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC launched its first ever independent expenditure to bolster Jones , who supports liberal policies including “ Medicare for All.
” Jones had endorsements from a number of liberal leaders including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Jones may have to share his history-making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man in Congress with New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres , who currently leads a crowded primary in New York ’ s 15th District .
Torres is Black and Hispanic .

Attorney Mondaire Jones is poised to become the first openly gay Black man in Congress after winning a crowded Democratic primary in New York’s 17th District. But he may share that distinction with another New York Democrat whose primary has yet to be called.
Jones, who worked in former President Barack Obama’s Justice Department, had the backing of several liberal groups in the race to replace retiring House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey in the 17th District. Jones had launched a primary challenge against Lowey before she announced her retirement.
The Associated Press called the race for Jones on Tuesday, three weeks after the June 23 primary, because a surge in mail-in ballots delayed vote counting. When the AP called the race, Jones led the eight-candidate field of Democrats with 45 percent.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC launched its first ever independent expenditure to bolster Jones, who supports liberal policies including “Medicare for All.” Jones had endorsements from a number of liberal leaders including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Jones may have to share his history-making distinction as the first openly gay Black man in Congress with New York City Councilman Ritchie Torres, who currently leads a crowded primary in New York’s 15th District. Torres is Black and Hispanic.


rollcall--2020-07-14--Experts: Public trust in science, data key to COVID-19 vaccine credibility

The Food and Drug Administration should hold hearings and publish data before it approves a COVID-19 vaccine to boost public confidence , experts in infectious diseases and vaccination advise .
“ It is incumbent on us as scientists to convey to the American public what we ’ re finding and seeing very , very clearly and loudly , ” said Jay Bhattacharya , a Stanford School of Medicine health economist and professor of medicine , at a House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy hearing Tuesday .
The fallout from disinformation falsely linking the measles , mumps , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-vaccine movement , is a cautionary tale , he said .
“ There , the early publication of essentially misleading information was incredibly damaging .
So I think in the future and for the vaccine that comes out of this process .
.
.
making the data transparent and available so everybody can see what the safety concerns are , if there are any , is absolutely critical , ” Bhattacharya said .
Trust in an eventual COVID-19 vaccine will be fragile , public experts worry , because of these anti-vaccine conspiracy theories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; FDA ’ s reversal on authorization for antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine to be used against COVID-19 ; historical harms to Black Americans ; and deep disapproval of President Donald Trump ’ s response to the pandemic .

The Food and Drug Administration should hold hearings and publish data before it approves a COVID-19 vaccine to boost public confidence, experts in infectious diseases and vaccination advise.
“It is incumbent on us as scientists to convey to the American public what we’re finding and seeing very, very clearly and loudly,” said Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford School of Medicine health economist and professor of medicine, at a House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy hearing Tuesday.
The fallout from disinformation falsely linking the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine to autism, seeding the anti-vaccine movement, is a cautionary tale, he said.
“There, the early publication of essentially misleading information was incredibly damaging. So I think in the future and for the vaccine that comes out of this process . . . making the data transparent and available so everybody can see what the safety concerns are, if there are any, is absolutely critical,” Bhattacharya said.
Trust in an eventual COVID-19 vaccine will be fragile, public experts worry, because of these anti-vaccine conspiracy theories; the project’s unprecedented speed; FDA’s reversal on authorization for antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine to be used against COVID-19; historical harms to Black Americans; and deep disapproval of President Donald Trump’s response to the pandemic.


rollcall--2020-07-14--Rep. Griffith tests positive for coronavirus days after speaking with unmasked members

Rep. Morgan Griffith is self-quarantining and has notified colleagues with whom he has been in contact recently after experiencing symptoms and testing positive for the coronavirus .
Griffith spoke Thursday at a House Freedom Caucus press event in front of the Capitol and stood near other lawmakers and medical professionals who were critical of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for being too stringent with guidance on school reopenings .
The Virginia Republican was not aware of any symptoms when he spoke at the news conference and wore a mask when not speaking , a spokesman said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to Salem and has not been in DC since , ” spokesman Kevin Baird said in a statement .
“ After the positive test , he has been notifying people with whom he has been in contact.
” Griffith was flanked by several other members , many of whom were not wearing masks .
“ For some reason the younger students , in particular , they don ’ t seem to spread it when they go home , ” Griffith said at the event .
“ So we ’ re still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely important that we actually follow the real science and not just the fear that has been created by this disease , and it is a serious disease .
”

Corrected, July 16 | Rep. Morgan Griffith is self-quarantining and has notified colleagues with whom he has been in contact recently after experiencing symptoms and testing positive for the coronavirus.
Griffith spoke Thursday at a House Freedom Caucus press event in front of the Capitol and stood near other lawmakers and medical professionals who were critical of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for being too stringent with guidance on school reopenings. The Virginia Republican was not aware of any symptoms when he spoke at the news conference and wore a mask when not speaking, a spokesman said.
“He left the Capitol complex Thursday afternoon to return to Salem and has not been in DC since,” spokesman Kevin Baird said in a statement. “After the positive test, he has been notifying people with whom he has been in contact.”
Griffith was flanked by several other members, many of whom were not wearing masks.
“For some reason the younger students, in particular, they don’t seem to spread it when they go home,” Griffith said at the event. “So we’re still studying it, but it’s extremely important that we actually follow the real science and not just the fear that has been created by this disease, and it is a serious disease.”


rollcall--2020-07-14--About 900 private ICE detention staff positive for COVID-19

The executives of four private companies running immigration detention centers revealed to Congress that about 900 of their employees have tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
The companies — GEO Group , CoreCivic , Management & Training Corporation ( MTC ) , and LaSalle Corrections — all contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
They reported the infections in response to questions during a hearing Monday by the House Homeland Security Subcommittee for Border Security , Facilitation and Operations .
CoreCivic reported to lawmakers that more than 500 out of its 14,000 employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GEO Group reported 167 cases out of 3,700 total staff ; MTC noted that 73 out of 1,200 had been infected ; and LaSalle said 144 out of 3,000 had contracted COVID-19 .
“ Detention facilities must be held to a high standard at all times , but in this moment , it is of vital importance , ” subcommittee Chairwoman Kathleen Rice of New York said in her opening remarks .
“ And yet , over the past few months , it is clear that ICE and its contractors have not taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it aggressively enough.
” Lawmakers have repeatedly raised concerns about the spread of the virus in ICE facilities , particularly among detainees .
More than 3,000 immigrants in ICE custody have tested positive so far , lawmakers noted Monday , but many are no longer in custody .

The executives of four private companies running immigration detention centers revealed to Congress that about 900 of their employees have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The companies — GEO Group, CoreCivic, Management & Training Corporation (MTC), and LaSalle Corrections — all contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They reported the infections in response to questions during a hearing Monday by the House Homeland Security Subcommittee for Border Security, Facilitation and Operations.
CoreCivic reported to lawmakers that more than 500 out of its 14,000 employees had tested positive for the virus; GEO Group reported 167 cases out of 3,700 total staff; MTC noted that 73 out of 1,200 had been infected; and LaSalle said 144 out of 3,000 had contracted COVID-19.
“Detention facilities must be held to a high standard at all times, but in this moment, it is of vital importance,” subcommittee Chairwoman Kathleen Rice of New York said in her opening remarks. “And yet, over the past few months, it is clear that ICE and its contractors have not taken this outbreak seriously and have not treated it aggressively enough.”
Lawmakers have repeatedly raised concerns about the spread of the virus in ICE facilities, particularly among detainees. More than 3,000 immigrants in ICE custody have tested positive so far, lawmakers noted Monday, but many are no longer in custody.


rollcall--2020-07-14--Trump administration rescinds rule for international students with only online courses

The Trump administration said it will rescind its new rule barring international students from staying in the country if they take an entirely online course load this fall because of the pandemic .
The announcement was made Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Boston , where a lawsuit against the policy filed last week by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology was scheduled to be heard .
According to court records , attorneys for the administration informed the court it had reached a resolution and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement , the agency that oversees the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescind the July 6 guidance “ on a nationwide basis.
” The proceeding lasted just a few minutes .
ICE 's guidance had noted that all student visa holders whose university curricula were only offered online “ must depart the country or take other measures , such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status.
” “ If not , ” the agency added , “ they may face immigration consequences including , but not limited to , the initiation of removal proceedings.
” The rule immediately sparked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them scrambled to determine how they could stay in the United States and continue their education .
It also drew harsh critique from top universities and triggered a litany of lawsuits .

The Trump administration said it will rescind its new rule barring international students from staying in the country if they take an entirely online course load this fall because of the pandemic.
The announcement was made Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in Boston, where a lawsuit against the policy filed last week by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology was scheduled to be heard. According to court records, attorneys for the administration informed the court it had reached a resolution and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency that oversees the international student and exchange visitor program, would rescind the July 6 guidance “on a nationwide basis.” The proceeding lasted just a few minutes.
ICE's guidance had noted that all student visa holders whose university curricula were only offered online “must depart the country or take other measures, such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction to remain in lawful status.”
“If not,” the agency added, “they may face immigration consequences including, but not limited to, the initiation of removal proceedings.”
The rule immediately sparked chaos among international students. Many of them scrambled to determine how they could stay in the United States and continue their education. It also drew harsh critique from top universities and triggered a litany of lawsuits.


rollcall--2020-07-14--Coronavirus Special Report: Talks on next COVID-19 relief package heat up

In tonight ’ s episode , CQ Roll Call ’ s Peter Cohn breaks down what ’ s being discussed @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 relief package .
We also dive into congressional concerns about how to ensure a @ @ @ @ @ .
• No , Texas is not a swing state — yet • 6 things @ @ @ @ @ Texas and Alabama primaries • Convicted by software ?
Not so fast , says California @

In tonight’s episode, CQ Roll Call’s Peter Cohn breaks down what’s being discussed by lawmakers for the next COVID-19 relief package. We also dive into congressional concerns about how to ensure a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-14--Support grows for foreign aid in upcoming COVID-19 emergency bill

The House and the Senate are poised to begin serious negotiations for another emergency coronavirus spending bill — perhaps the last one that gets passed before the November elections .
And this one just might include billions of dollars to help other countries cope with the pandemic .
Foreign aid advocates — frustrated at the relative absence of international assistance in previous supplemental coronavirus spending measures — are mounting a full-force effort to ensure this next emergency appropriations bill includes billions of dollars for international vaccine efforts and humanitarian support to cope with the nutrition , health and social welfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort includes top United Nations officials and dozens of Republican and Democratic lawmakers , who have been speaking out and signing bipartisan letters to Senate and House leadership calling for them to support significant foreign aid levels in the upcoming bill .
Organized by Sens .
Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , and Benjamin L. Cardin , D-Md.
, 32 senators , including 14 Republicans , signed a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week urging him to include “ robust , coordinated , and sufficiently resourced international response ” in the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of the month , Reps. Louis Frankel , D-Fla. , and Francis Rooney , R-Fla. , led 123 House members in writing to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California to request “ robust ” foreign aid funding in the next emergency funding bill .

The House and the Senate are poised to begin serious negotiations for another emergency coronavirus spending bill — perhaps the last one that gets passed before the November elections. And this one just might include billions of dollars to help other countries cope with the pandemic.
Foreign aid advocates — frustrated at the relative absence of international assistance in previous supplemental coronavirus spending measures — are mounting a full-force effort to ensure this next emergency appropriations bill includes billions of dollars for international vaccine efforts and humanitarian support to cope with the nutrition, health and social welfare consequences of the global pandemic.
The effort includes top United Nations officials and dozens of Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who have been speaking out and signing bipartisan letters to Senate and House leadership calling for them to support significant foreign aid levels in the upcoming bill.
Organized by Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md., 32 senators, including 14 Republicans, signed a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week urging him to include “robust, coordinated, and sufficiently resourced international response” in the pandemic in the bill.
And at the beginning of the month, Reps. Lois Frankel, D-Fla., and Francis Rooney, R-Fla., led 123 House members in writing to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California to request “robust” foreign aid funding in the next emergency funding bill.


rollcall--2020-07-14--What’s in the Labor-HHS-Education bill for fiscal 2021?

CQ Roll Call ’ s David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt discuss some of the key provisions in the fiscal 2021 @ @ @ @ @ money for emergency funding for public health agencies , reductions to charter school funding and @ @ @ @ @ for abortions in most cases .
• Negotiators look for common ground on unemployment aid @ @ @ @ @ Washington football team ’ s name , statues in DC , in Capitol , face @ @ @ @ @ to get out the immigrant vote in 2020

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Evan Campbell

CQ Roll Call’s David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt discuss some of the key provisions in the fiscal 2021 Labor-HHS-Education spending bill, including money for emergency funding for public health agencies, reductions to charter school funding and a provision blocking federal funding for abortions in most cases.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-15--As Arizona COVID-19 cases surge, this mom calls for empathy toward kids with disabilities

Amid the ongoing debate over whether and how to reopen schools in the fall , one Arizona mother is calling @ @ @ @ @ children like her son Sebastian , who has a rare brain disorder that puts him @ @ @ @ @ complications from COVID-19 .
“ My wish would be for everybody to have more empathy @ @ @ @ @ safe side , ” said Brianna Alvarez .
Alvarez says she will not put her @ @ @ @ @ classroom should schools fully reopen .
“ I don ’ t know when he 's @ @ @ @ @ to school because I can ’ t put my kid at risk , ” she @ @ @ @ @ CQ Roll Call ’ s interview with Alvarez about her son , as the family @ @ @ @ @ in the Tucson area as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the state .
[ @ @ @ @ @ of school reopening ]

Amid the ongoing debate over whether and how to reopen schools in the fall, one Arizona mother is calling for greater empathy toward high-risk children like her son Sebastian, who has a rare brain disorder that puts him at a greater risk for complications from COVID-19.
“My wish would be for everybody to have more empathy and to be on the safe side,” said Brianna Alvarez.
Alvarez says she will not put her four-year-old son back in the classroom should schools fully reopen. “I don’t know when he’s going to be going back to school because I can’t put my kid at risk,” she said.
See more from CQ Roll Call’s interview with Alvarez about her son, as the family continues to grapple with life in the Tucson area as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the state.
[ Also watch: The ABCs of school reopening ]


rollcall--2020-07-15--MJ Hegar wins runoff take on Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn

Air Force veteran MJ Hegar won the Democratic Senate primary runoff in Texas on Tuesday , advancing to face Republican @ @ @ @ @ .
Hegar ’ s victory was the second win of the night for a preferred @ @ @ @ @ Campaign Committee .
Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon easily won the Democratic nomination to take @ @ @ @ @ .
With an estimated 78 percent of precincts reporting , Hegar was leading state Sen. @ @ @ @ @ 48 percent when The Associated Press called the race .
Hegar had a financial advantage @ @ @ @ @ her donor base from an unsuccessful House campaign in 2018 , when she came close @ @ @ @ @ Carter in a district that had backed President Donald Trump by 13 points two years @ @ @ @ @ help in the Senate primary , including from the DSCC and EMILY ’ s List @ @ @ @ @ the national party , Hegar said she was the underdog in the race since West @ @ @ @ @ representing a Dallas-based seat in the state Senate since 1993 .

Air Force veteran MJ Hegar won the Democratic Senate primary runoff in Texas on Tuesday, advancing to face Republican incumbent John Cornyn in November.
Hegar’s victory was the second win of the night for a preferred candidate of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon easily won the Democratic nomination to take on GOP Sen. Susan Collins.
With an estimated 78 percent of precincts reporting, Hegar was leading state Sen. Royce West 52 percent to 48 percent when The Associated Press called the race.
Hegar had a financial advantage in the race, leveraging her donor base from an unsuccessful House campaign in 2018, when she came close to unseating GOP Rep. John Carter in a district that had backed President Donald Trump by 13 points two years earlier. She also had help in the Senate primary, including from the DSCC and EMILY’s List.
Despite the backing of the national party, Hegar said she was the underdog in the race since West was a longtime politician, representing a Dallas-based seat in the state Senate since 1993.


rollcall--2020-07-15--House battlegrounds set in Texas, unclear in Maine

Voters in Texas set the contests Tuesday for several House districts that could give Democrats an even bigger majority or offer Republicans a shot at curbing it .
Election officials in Maine , meanwhile , appeared likely to need some more time to determine the GOP winner in another battleground district .
Democrats are targeting suburban districts in Texas , seeking to build on their successful 2018 path to the House majority .
Republicans have their eyes on recapturing Maine ’ s 2nd District , where freshman Democrat Jared Golden holds a major cash advantage .
A three-way GOP primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely take more time to be decided because no candidate appears to have cleared 50 percent , triggering the state ’ s ranked-choice voting system .
The presidential campaigns and competitive Senate contests in both states will also factor in these districts heading into November .
Whoever wins in Maine will trail financially Three Republicans sought the nomination to take on Golden , and their competitive primary racked up some serious campaign bills , leaving the eventual winner with a fraction of what the incumbent has .
Golden reported more than $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 .

Voters in Texas set the contests Tuesday for several House districts that could give Democrats an even bigger majority or offer Republicans a shot at curbing it. Election officials in Maine, meanwhile, appeared likely to need some more time to determine the GOP winner in another battleground district.
Democrats are targeting suburban districts in Texas, seeking to build on their successful 2018 path to the House majority. Republicans have their eyes on recapturing Maine’s 2nd District, where freshman Democrat Jared Golden holds a major cash advantage.
A three-way GOP primary to choose Golden’s challenger will likely take more time to be decided because no candidate appears to have cleared 50 percent, triggering the state’s ranked-choice voting system.
The presidential campaigns and competitive Senate contests in both states will also factor in these districts heading into November.
Whoever wins in Maine will trail financially
Three Republicans sought the nomination to take on Golden, and their competitive primary racked up some serious campaign bills, leaving the eventual winner with a fraction of what the incumbent has. Golden reported more than $2 million in the bank as of June 24.


rollcall--2020-07-14--Trump’s former doctor wins Texas primary as one of several in GOP likely headed to House

The former White House physician under President Donald Trump as well as three other Republicans are likely heading to Congress next year after winning primary runoffs in ruby-red districts Tuesday .
The GOP contests were the main events in two districts in Texas and two in Alabama , where Republican retirements opened up House seats that are likely to remain in the GOP column .
The retiring lawmakers in all four districts picked their preferred candidates , but only one of the four was successful .
Two familiar faces , former White House physician Ronny Jackson and former GOP Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Texas .
In Alabama , the anti-tax Club for Growth got one of its preferred candidates in one race and lost in a second .
GOP Rep. Mac Thornberry did not get his preferred successor Tuesday , with Jackson defeating lobbyist Josh Winegarner in the runoff for the 13th District in the Texas Panhandle .
President Donald Trump endorsed Jackson , which likely boosted his campaign .
Winegarner had support from Thornberry and a number of other state and local elected officials .
Jackson led with 56 percent of the vote to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press called the race with an estimated 90 percent of precincts reporting .

The former White House physician under President Donald Trump as well as three other Republicans are likely heading to Congress next year after winning primary runoffs in ruby-red districts Tuesday.
The GOP contests were the main events in two districts in Texas and two in Alabama, where Republican retirements opened up House seats that are likely to remain in the GOP column.
The retiring lawmakers in all four districts picked their preferred candidates, but only one of the four was successful. Two familiar faces, former White House physician Ronny Jackson and former GOP Rep. Pete Sessions, won their primary runoffs in Texas. In Alabama, the anti-tax Club for Growth got one of its preferred candidates in one race and lost in a second.
Familiar Texans
GOP Rep. Mac Thornberry did not get his preferred successor Tuesday, with Jackson defeating lobbyist Josh Winegarner in the runoff for the 13th District in the Texas Panhandle. President Donald Trump endorsed Jackson, which likely boosted his campaign. Winegarner had support from Thornberry and a number of other state and local elected officials.
Jackson led with 56 percent of the vote to Winegarner’s 44 percent when The Associated Press called the race with an estimated 90 percent of precincts reporting.