rollcall--2020-09-08--Capitol Hill’s stalwart ‘Jesus Lady’ dies at 92

Rita Warren , a committed faith activist more commonly known on Capitol Hill as Jesus Lady , died Sept. 1 @ @ @ @ @ .
Beginning in 1979 , Warren regularly hauled a life-size Jesus mannequin to the steps @ @ @ @ @ her message of faith with passersby .
Her decades-long crusade made her a fixture of @ @ @ @ @ If it was Thursday , you could count on Jesus Lady to be camped out @ @ @ @ @ throw from the House chamber , with her statue of Christ in tow .
For @ @ @ @ @ Warren was a part of the fabric of life for lawmakers , staffers and lobbyists @ @ @ @ @ south entrance .
“ My mother was her happiest when she was on Capitol Hill @ @ @ @ @ daughter , Teresa Pepin , told CQ Roll Call on Tuesday .

Rita Warren, a committed faith activist more commonly known on Capitol Hill as Jesus Lady, died Sept. 1 at the age of 92.
Beginning in 1979, Warren regularly hauled a life-size Jesus mannequin to the steps of the Capitol to share her message of faith with passersby.
Her decades-long crusade made her a fixture of faith-based activism in Washington. If it was Thursday, you could count on Jesus Lady to be camped out just a stone’s throw from the House chamber, with her statue of Christ in tow.
For more than 40 years, Warren was a part of the fabric of life for lawmakers, staffers and lobbyists entering the Capitol from the south entrance.
“My mother was her happiest when she was on Capitol Hill,” Warren’s daughter, Teresa Pepin, told CQ Roll Call on Tuesday.


rollcall--2020-09-08--Citizenship delays may keep many immigrants from fall vote

When Juliana Ximenes Coutinho Dias submitted her naturalization application last December , the possibility of finally becoming a U.S. citizen and getting to vote in the country she has called home for the past six years electrified the Brazil native .
But then the coronavirus pandemic hit .
U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services , which adjudicates immigration benefits and visas , shut down its field offices .
It also postponed naturalization interviews and ceremonies , adding to a backlog worsened by budget woes and threatening to prevent hundreds of thousands of would-be citizens from registering in time to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose original citizenship interview was scheduled for last April , sees her prospects for casting a ballot this fall slipping away .
A series of indefinite delays has left her status in limbo and soured her excitement .
“ I ’ m feeling very hopeless and frustrated , ” said the 30-year-old paralegal who now lives in Chicago .
USCIS has not disclosed how far behind it is in naturalizations .
The agency , which is part of the Homeland Security Department , completed 156,849 naturalizations from March 18 to Aug. 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That figure includes the 110,000 people whose oath ceremonies were postponed because of the pandemic , USCIS spokesman Dan Hetlage said .

When Juliana Ximenes Coutinho Dias submitted her naturalization application last December, the possibility of finally becoming a U.S. citizen and getting to vote in the country she has called home for the past six years electrified the Brazil native.
But then the coronavirus pandemic hit. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which adjudicates immigration benefits and visas, shut down its field offices. It also postponed naturalization interviews and ceremonies, adding to a backlog worsened by budget woes and threatening to prevent hundreds of thousands of would-be citizens from registering in time to vote this November.
Today, Dias, whose original citizenship interview was scheduled for last April, sees her prospects for casting a ballot this fall slipping away. A series of indefinite delays has left her status in limbo and soured her excitement.
“I’m feeling very hopeless and frustrated,” said the 30-year-old paralegal who now lives in Chicago.
USCIS has not disclosed how far behind it is in naturalizations. The agency, which is part of the Homeland Security Department, completed 156,849 naturalizations from March 18 to Aug. 23, according to publicly available government data. That figure includes the 110,000 people whose oath ceremonies were postponed because of the pandemic, USCIS spokesman Dan Hetlage said.


rollcall--2020-09-08--Divide between Democrats, Republicans widens over coronavirus relief

ANALYSIS — Call it a symptom of pandemic fatigue .
Lawmakers have been locked in a partisan battle for months over the size and shape of the next round of coronavirus relief aid .
And as the Senate reconvenes Tuesday from its monthlong August recess , neither party shows signs of giving ground .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi set a bottom line of $ 2.2 trillion in additional aid as a precondition for resuming bipartisan talks .
The Trump administration wants a package little more than half that size , or $ 1.3 trillion , according to White House Chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget standoff lies an ideological clash over how best to respond to a pandemic that is lasting longer than most anticipated when it first hit in March .
And the longer the coronavirus threat endures , the more difficult it becomes to heal the divide .
When the virus first hit , lawmakers rushed to respond , passing more than $ 2.4 trillion in aid in a flurry of legislation in March and April .
But six months later , with no vaccine yet in sight and no end to the economic misery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trying to prop up an economy through federal support for an indefinite , extended period of time .

ANALYSIS — Call it a symptom of pandemic fatigue. Lawmakers have been locked in a partisan battle for months over the size and shape of the next round of coronavirus relief aid. And as the Senate reconvenes Tuesday from its monthlong August recess, neither party shows signs of giving ground.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi set a bottom line of $2.2 trillion in additional aid as a precondition for resuming bipartisan talks. The Trump administration wants a package little more than half that size, or $1.3 trillion, according to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.
But behind the budget standoff lies an ideological clash over how best to respond to a pandemic that is lasting longer than most anticipated when it first hit in March. And the longer the coronavirus threat endures, the more difficult it becomes to heal the divide.
When the virus first hit, lawmakers rushed to respond, passing more than $2.4 trillion in aid in a flurry of legislation in March and April.
But six months later, with no vaccine yet in sight and no end to the economic misery, conservatives have begun questioning the wisdom of trying to prop up an economy through federal support for an indefinite, extended period of time.


rollcall--2020-09-08--‘Skinny’ coronavirus relief plan grows slightly; Senate to vote Thursday

Senate Republicans are proposing to beef up a “ skinny ” coronavirus relief package by more than 100 pages , including an enhanced deduction for charitable giving , $ 20 billion for farmers and ranchers and money for child care and stockpiling medical supplies .
A vote on the package , which isn ’ t expected to advance over Democratic opposition , could come on Thursday , according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
The Kentucky Republican said Tuesday morning before introducing the revised bill that it would be “ targeted ” to the “ very most urgent ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic fallout .
“ Senators will not be voting on whether this targeted package satisfies every one of their legislative hopes and dreams , ” McConnell said in floor remarks later on Tuesday .
“ We vote on whether to make laws , whether to forge a compromise , whether to do a lot of good for the country and keep arguing over the remaining differences later.
” McConnell later on Tuesday filed a motion to end debate on the underlying legislative vehicle , a measure that has already become law separately .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ already passed both chambers enables the Senate to skip a procedural step and vote on cloture Thursday .
An official price tag wasn ’ t available , but the new measure appears to contain more than $ 500 billion in assistance .
While larger than an earlier draft circulated last month , that would still be substantially shy of the $ 1 trillion July rollout that landed with a thud among Senate Republicans .

Senate Republicans are proposing to beef up a “skinny” coronavirus relief package by more than 100 pages, including an enhanced deduction for charitable giving, $20 billion for farmers and ranchers and money for child care and stockpiling medical supplies.
A vote on the package, which isn’t expected to advance over Democratic opposition, could come on Thursday, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Kentucky Republican said Tuesday morning before introducing the revised bill that it would be “targeted” to the “very most urgent” needs facing Americans dealing with the continued pandemic fallout.
“Senators will not be voting on whether this targeted package satisfies every one of their legislative hopes and dreams,” McConnell said in floor remarks later on Tuesday. “We vote on whether to make laws, whether to forge a compromise, whether to do a lot of good for the country and keep arguing over the remaining differences later.”
McConnell later on Tuesday filed a motion to end debate on the underlying legislative vehicle, a measure that has already become law separately. Using a “shell” that has already passed both chambers enables the Senate to skip a procedural step and vote on cloture Thursday.
An official price tag wasn’t available, but the new measure appears to contain more than $500 billion in assistance. While larger than an earlier draft circulated last month, that would still be substantially shy of the $1 trillion July rollout that landed with a thud among Senate Republicans.


rollcall--2020-09-09--Drug price spikes still unchecked, five years after controversy

The generic Daraprim , pyrimethamine , was approved by the FDA in March .
The list price is around the same as the brand-name version , according to the website GoodRx .
With coupons , the generic can be acquired more cheaply — around $ 183 per pill , or more than $ 16,000 for a course — but is still more than 13 times higher than the original brand-name price five years ago .
Vyera has vowed to provide it free to the uninsured and said many insured patients should be able to acquire it for a $ 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters , as some patients , including seniors on Medicare , often have to pay a percentage of a drug ’ s total price .
And insurers ’ costs are closer to the full price , which later can raise consumers ’ premiums .
Daraprim wasn ’ t the only old drug that underwent shocking price hikes around the same time .
The company formerly known as Valeant Pharmaceuticals , now Bausch Health , faced similar scrutiny for increasing the prices of blood pressure and heart disease medications by 3,100 percent and 6,700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 .
More well-known products — like insulin for diabetes , Naloxone for opioid overdoses and the EpiPen for serious allergic reactions — also saw well-publicized price increases .
When an original brand-name drug loses its patent protections , generic versions may enter the market and compete for sales based on lower prices .
But when there are relatively few patients — such as for toxoplasmosis , which affected around 2,000 patients in 2015 — the market often does n't work that way .
Immediately after the Daraprim controversy and through the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to encourage generic competition that could potentially deter price increases .

The generic Daraprim, pyrimethamine, was approved by the FDA in March. The list price is around the same as the brand-name version, according to the website GoodRx. With coupons, the generic can be acquired more cheaply — around $183 per pill, or more than $16,000 for a course — but is still more than 13 times higher than the original brand-name price five years ago.
Vyera has vowed to provide it free to the uninsured and said many insured patients should be able to acquire it for a $10 copay. But the list price still matters, as some patients, including seniors on Medicare, often have to pay a percentage of a drug’s total price. And insurers’ costs are closer to the full price, which later can raise consumers’ premiums.
Daraprim wasn’t the only old drug that underwent shocking price hikes around the same time. The company formerly known as Valeant Pharmaceuticals, now Bausch Health, faced similar scrutiny for increasing the prices of blood pressure and heart disease medications by 3,100 percent and 6,700 percent, respectively, from 2012 to 2015. More well-known products — like insulin for diabetes, Naloxone for opioid overdoses and the EpiPen for serious allergic reactions — also saw well-publicized price increases.
When an original brand-name drug loses its patent protections, generic versions may enter the market and compete for sales based on lower prices. But when there are relatively few patients — such as for toxoplasmosis, which affected around 2,000 patients in 2015 — the market often doesn't work that way.
Development of generics
Immediately after the Daraprim controversy and through the start of the Trump administration, policymakers focused on how to encourage generic competition that could potentially deter price increases.


rollcall--2020-09-09--Trump assertions of lower drug costs mask truth for many consumers

President Donald Trump campaigns on the message that he ’ s done more to lower drug prices than any other @ @ @ @ @ is more complicated .
The administration contends that drug prices are rising at a slower @ @ @ @ @ , while research supports the idea that increases for brand-name drugs have moderated .
But @ @ @ @ @ the full story .
The most significant proposals in Congress to drive down prices stalled @ @ @ @ @ industry opposition .
Brand-name drugs are launching at higher prices than in past decades , @ @ @ @ @ increase .
The costs for most generic drugs , which make up the vast majority @ @ @ @ @ United States , have been falling .
Yet even when the average price declines or @ @ @ @ @ the out-of-pocket costs for some individuals continue to climb .
Overall , drug spending keeps @ @ @ @ @ this point it ’ s debatable whether the administration deserves credit for any positive trends @

President Donald Trump campaigns on the message that he’s done more to lower drug prices than any other president, but the reality is more complicated.
The administration contends that drug prices are rising at a slower pace after years of hikes, while research supports the idea that increases for brand-name drugs have moderated.
But that doesn’t tell the full story. The most significant proposals in Congress to drive down prices stalled because of partisan differences and industry opposition. Brand-name drugs are launching at higher prices than in past decades, and their prices continue to increase.
The costs for most generic drugs, which make up the vast majority of prescriptions filled in the United States, have been falling. Yet even when the average price declines or rises at lower rates, the out-of-pocket costs for some individuals continue to climb.
Overall, drug spending keeps going up, and at this point it’s debatable whether the administration deserves credit for any positive trends.


rollcall--2020-09-08--New Hampshire GOP backs Trump choices for Senate, House; Langevin coasts in Rhode Island

New Hampshire Republicans showed allegiance to President Donald Trump in the state ’ s primaries Tuesday , backing his preferred candidates for a potentially competitive House district and for Senate .
Though Trump wasn ’ t on the ballot Tuesday , he nevertheless faced a test of his influence among the state ’ s Republicans as he tries to compete there in the general election after barely losing in 2016 to Hillary Clinton .
In the Granite State ’ s 1st District , GOP voters selected Matt Mowers to take on freshman Democrat Chris Pappas .
Mowers , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served in the Trump administration before running for Congress , was leading Air Force veteran and real estate executive Matt Mayberry 61 percent to 27 percent when The Associated Press called the five-way primary race at 9:27 p.m. Eastern time .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the general election Likely Democratic .
Still , Republicans have their eye on the seat because Trump carried it by less than 2 points in 2016 .
Corky Messner , a lawyer and Army veteran , won the GOP Senate nomination , defeating Don Bolduc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political novice who had reportedly discussed a widely debunked theory that billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates , a vaccine proponent , wants to implant people with microchips .

New Hampshire Republicans showed allegiance to President Donald Trump in the state’s primaries Tuesday, backing his preferred candidates for a potentially competitive House district and for Senate.
Though Trump wasn’t on the ballot Tuesday, he nevertheless faced a test of his influence among the state’s Republicans as he tries to compete there in the general election after barely losing in 2016 to Hillary Clinton.
In the Granite State’s 1st District, GOP voters selected Matt Mowers to take on freshman Democrat Chris Pappas. Mowers, a former executive director of the state GOP who served in the Trump administration before running for Congress, was leading Air Force veteran and real estate executive Matt Mayberry 61 percent to 27 percent when The Associated Press called the five-way primary race at 9:27 p.m. Eastern time.
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the general election Likely Democratic. Still, Republicans have their eye on the seat because Trump carried it by less than 2 points in 2016.
Corky Messner, a lawyer and Army veteran, won the GOP Senate nomination, defeating Don Bolduc, also an Army veteran and a political novice who had reportedly discussed a widely debunked theory that billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates, a vaccine proponent, wants to implant people with microchips.


rollcall--2020-09-09--Amtrak asks for $4.9 billion to stay afloat

The new chief of Amtrak told a House subcommittee Wednesday that his government-subsidized company will need an additional $ 4.9 @ @ @ @ @ sweeping service cuts and job losses after Oct. 1 .
William J. Flynn , who @ @ @ @ @ Amtrak in April , said the company , which received $ 1 billion from a @ @ @ @ @ package passed in March , is burning through $ 250 million a month because of @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
Ridership and revenue are still more than 80 percent lower than @ @ @ @ @ had been down as much as 97 percent .
“ We can not continue to @ @ @ @ @ large for the number of passengers we ’ re serving , ” he said , @ @ @ @ @ help “ stave off bankruptcy.
” The company ’ s request is markedly higher than @ @ @ @ @ sought in May .

The new chief of Amtrak told a House subcommittee Wednesday that his government-subsidized company will need an additional $4.9 billion from taxpayers to avoid sweeping service cuts and job losses after Oct. 1.
William J. Flynn, who became president and CEO of Amtrak in April, said the company, which received $1 billion from a roughly $2 trillion coronavirus package passed in March, is burning through $250 million a month because of continued ridership decline caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Ridership and revenue are still more than 80 percent lower than before the pandemic. Ridership had been down as much as 97 percent.
“We cannot continue to indefinitely fund a workforce too large for the number of passengers we’re serving,” he said, saying the additional money will help “stave off bankruptcy.”
The company’s request is markedly higher than the $1.475 billion it sought in May.


rollcall--2020-09-09--Whistleblower: DHS officials obstructed intelligence reports

Top Department of Homeland Security officials interfered with intelligence gathering to safeguard the president ’ s political image and promote his immigration agenda , according to a whistleblower complaint filed with a government watchdog and made public Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee .
Brian Murphy , who was a top intelligence officer at the department until he was reassigned on July 31 , alleges that Chad Wolf , the acting DHS secretary , told him in July to hold an intelligence report on the threat of Russian interference in the 2020 elections because it would make President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint to the DHS inspector general also contains numerous mentions of Ken Cuccinelli , the department 's second highest official .
Murphy said that Cuccinelli ordered him in December 2019 to reassign or fire analysts who compiled intelligence on Central American countries , suggesting those employees were a part of a “ deep state ” conspiracy to undermine the president ’ s push to restrict asylum .
The intelligence reports detailed high levels of corruption , violence and poverty in Guatemala , Honduras and El Salvador , and were meant to help asylum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those countries .
According to Murphy , Cuccinelli “ expressed frustration ” with the inclusion of such details .
Murphy said he told his boss at the time that Cuccinelli ’ s order to fire the authors of the reports was illegal and “ an abuse of authority and improper administration of an intelligence program , ” according to the complaint .
The two officials did not implement Cuccinelli ’ s orders , Murphy notes .

Top Department of Homeland Security officials interfered with intelligence gathering to safeguard the president’s political image and promote his immigration agenda, according to a whistleblower complaint filed with a government watchdog and made public Wednesday by the House Intelligence Committee.
Brian Murphy, who was a top intelligence officer at the department until he was reassigned on July 31, alleges that Chad Wolf, the acting DHS secretary, told him in July to hold an intelligence report on the threat of Russian interference in the 2020 elections because it would make President Donald Trump “look bad.”
Murphy’s complaint to the DHS inspector general also contains numerous mentions of Ken Cuccinelli, the department's second highest official. Murphy said that Cuccinelli ordered him in December 2019 to reassign or fire analysts who compiled intelligence on Central American countries, suggesting those employees were a part of a “deep state” conspiracy to undermine the president’s push to restrict asylum.
The intelligence reports detailed high levels of corruption, violence and poverty in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, and were meant to help asylum officers assess claims from migrants coming from those countries. According to Murphy, Cuccinelli “expressed frustration” with the inclusion of such details.
Murphy said he told his boss at the time that Cuccinelli’s order to fire the authors of the reports was illegal and “an abuse of authority and improper administration of an intelligence program,” according to the complaint. The two officials did not implement Cuccinelli’s orders, Murphy notes.


rollcall--2020-09-09--Trump adds conservative senators Cruz, Cotton and Hawley to his Supreme Court list

President Donald Trump added a new slate of names Wednesday to his list of potential picks for any future Supreme Court vacancy , including three Republican senators who have been the most vocal critics of the high court decisions in the past few months .
Trump ’ s announcement of 20 new names basically doubled his existing list , which he started in 2016 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was among those who credited the move with giving conservative voters who focus on abortion and gun rights a reason to back his candidacy .
This time , Trump used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do if he gets a chance in a second term , and to draw a distinction between him and Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Trump was the first presidential candidate to release such a list , and he said Biden should also do so .
“ Joe Biden has refused to release his list perhaps because he knows the names are so extremely far left that they could never withstand public scrutiny , or receive acceptance , ” Trump said at the White House announcement .
“ He must release a list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision as to how they will vote.
” Trump ’ s inclusion of Sens .
Josh Hawley of Missouri , Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas is part of a signal that his next appointment would be even more conservative than his two appointments of Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh .

President Donald Trump added a new slate of names Wednesday to his list of potential picks for any future Supreme Court vacancy, including three Republican senators who have been the most vocal critics of the high court decisions in the past few months.
Trump’s announcement of 20 new names basically doubled his existing list, which he started in 2016. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was among those who credited the move with giving conservative voters who focus on abortion and gun rights a reason to back his candidacy.
This time, Trump used the list to highlight what he might do if he gets a chance in a second term, and to draw a distinction between him and Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Trump was the first presidential candidate to release such a list, and he said Biden should also do so.
“Joe Biden has refused to release his list perhaps because he knows the names are so extremely far left that they could never withstand public scrutiny, or receive acceptance,” Trump said at the White House announcement. “He must release a list of justices for people to properly make a decision as to how they will vote.”
Trump’s inclusion of Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas is part of a signal that his next appointment would be even more conservative than his two appointments of Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh.


rollcall--2020-09-09--Pentagon business reforms in limbo

Pentagon business reforms in limbo

It 's unlikely Congress will have a final defense authorization bill before the elections .
That means the timeline for @ @ @ @ @ 's responsibilities is up in the air .
Many experts agree that business reform is @ @ @ @ @ and that evaluating the CMO 's efficacy is basically useless after Congress did an about-face @ @ @ @ @ position .
But opinions differ on the correct path forward for finding a new spot @ @ @ @ @ .
Watch CQ Roll Call 's interviews with experts on the CMO 's position , @ @ @ @ @ next .
[ ‘ We can ’ t waste this moment in the NDAA ’ @

It's unlikely Congress will have a final defense authorization bill before the elections. That means the timeline for transferring the chief management officer's responsibilities is up in the air.
Many experts agree that business reform is needed at the Defense Department and that evaluating the CMO's efficacy is basically useless after Congress did an about-face and no longer favored the position. But opinions differ on the correct path forward for finding a new spot for the CMO's duties.
Watch CQ Roll Call's interviews with experts on the CMO's position, restrictions and what could be next.
John Donnelly contributed to this report.
[‘We can’t waste this moment in the NDAA’]


rollcall--2020-09-09--All the ‘Rage’: Where the 2020 presidential race stands

ANALYSIS | With the two national conventions in the rearview mirror and the 2020 election less than two months away @ @ @ @ @ finds himself in a deep hole and needing to change the trajectory of the presidential @ @ @ @ @ problems are not limited to the polls , which consistently have shown him trailing challenger @ @ @ @ @ include a pandemic that is killing Americans every day , an uncertain economy , racial @ @ @ @ @ ’ s own language and style , which continue to alienate the voters he needs @ @ @ @ @ .
Moreover , Bob Woodward ’ s new book , “ Rage , ” is @ @ @ @ @ , since it is likely to keep 2020 a referendum on Trump and force the @ @ @ @ @ on the defensive for weeks .
National and state polls are still not encouraging for @ @ @ @ @ national polls — the NBC News/Wall Street Journal , Fox News , ABC News/Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ have shown Biden with a 7-to-10 point lead over the president .

ANALYSIS | With the two national conventions in the rearview mirror and the 2020 election less than two months away, President Donald Trump still finds himself in a deep hole and needing to change the trajectory of the presidential race.
Trump’s problems are not limited to the polls, which consistently have shown him trailing challenger Joe Biden. They also include a pandemic that is killing Americans every day, an uncertain economy, racial conflicts, and the president’s own language and style, which continue to alienate the voters he needs to overtake his Democratic opponent.
Moreover, Bob Woodward’s new book, “Rage,” is a potential disaster for Trump, since it is likely to keep 2020 a referendum on Trump and force the White House and the GOP on the defensive for weeks.
Polls
National and state polls are still not encouraging for Trump.
The highest profile national polls — the NBC News/Wall Street Journal, Fox News, ABC News/Washington Post, and NPR/PBS/Marist surveys — have shown Biden with a 7-to-10 point lead over the president.


rollcall--2020-09-09--With no aid in rescue package, transportation unions still see hope

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s most recent take on pandemic relief may have given zero attention to the struggling transportation industry , but on Wednesday , Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sara Nelson said she took his bill as a promising development all the same .
“ This was McConnell ’ s entrance into the negotiations , ” said Nelson , just after she and hundreds of flight attendants marched around the U.S. Capitol urging Congress to renew the $ 25 billion payroll support program passed as part of the roughly $ 2 trillion COVID-19 relief package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been saying we need McConnell to come to the table.
” Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , offered a similar assessment , saying he would back airline aid and characterizing McConnell ’ s bill as an “ icebreaker ” aimed at getting the negotiations started .
“ We have major airlines headquartered in Texas where hundreds of thousands of people are going to be laid off .
Airlines are going to be some of the last ones to recover , so need the help , ” he said .
The urgency is growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days left until the Payroll Support Program expires , and Nelson said without an extension of that aid , nearly 100,000 airline workers may be subject to furloughs beginning Oct. 1 .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s most recent take on pandemic relief may have given zero attention to the struggling transportation industry, but on Wednesday, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA International President Sara Nelson said she took his bill as a promising development all the same.
“This was McConnell’s entrance into the negotiations,” said Nelson, just after she and hundreds of flight attendants marched around the U.S. Capitol urging Congress to renew the $25 billion payroll support program passed as part of the roughly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package in March. “And we have been saying we need McConnell to come to the table.”
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, offered a similar assessment, saying he would back airline aid and characterizing McConnell’s bill as an “icebreaker” aimed at getting the negotiations started.
“We have major airlines headquartered in Texas where hundreds of thousands of people are going to be laid off. Airlines are going to be some of the last ones to recover, so need the help,” he said.
The urgency is growing. On Wednesday, there were 21 days left until the Payroll Support Program expires, and Nelson said without an extension of that aid, nearly 100,000 airline workers may be subject to furloughs beginning Oct. 1.


rollcall--2020-09-09--Surgeon general, NIH director try to promote public confidence in coronavirus vaccine

Two of the Trump administration ’ s top medical experts tried to prop up shaky public confidence in a COVID-19 vaccine at a Senate hearing Wednesday amid questions of political interference in this campaign year .
“ We have unprecedented levels of vaccine hesitancy in our country and globally , ” said Surgeon General Jerome Adams , appearing with National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins before the Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee .
“ I think it ’ s also important to understand we have a once-in-a-century pandemic superimposed on top of a presidential election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more difficult and concerning .
“ Here ’ s what I can tell you as a member of the coronavirus task force : There ’ s been no politicization of the vaccine process whatsoever , ” Adams continued .
Neither would comment on whether the president ’ s politicized comments about a vaccine — including promising one by the end of October , despite a lack of clinical trial evidence so far , and accusing “ deep state ” actors at the Food and Drug Administration of slow-walking the process — could hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Wash. , asked if Adams would challenge the president not to interfere in the process or spread misinformation .

Two of the Trump administration’s top medical experts tried to prop up shaky public confidence in a COVID-19 vaccine at a Senate hearing Wednesday amid questions of political interference in this campaign year.
“We have unprecedented levels of vaccine hesitancy in our country and globally,” said Surgeon General Jerome Adams, appearing with National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. “I think it’s also important to understand we have a once-in-a-century pandemic superimposed on top of a presidential election, and that’s made messaging even more difficult and concerning.
“Here’s what I can tell you as a member of the coronavirus task force: There’s been no politicization of the vaccine process whatsoever,” Adams continued.
Neither would comment on whether the president’s politicized comments about a vaccine — including promising one by the end of October, despite a lack of clinical trial evidence so far, and accusing “deep state” actors at the Food and Drug Administration of slow-walking the process — could hurt vaccination rates.
Ranking member Patty Murray, D-Wash., asked if Adams would challenge the president not to interfere in the process or spread misinformation.


rollcall--2020-09-09--Senate GOP seeks unity ahead of Thursday vote on ‘skinny’ coronavirus relief bill

Senators jockeyed for political position Wednesday as a GOP-drafted coronavirus aid package headed for what appeared to be defeat along mostly party lines in a vote set for Thursday .
The biggest outstanding question was whether Republicans would get enough support to pressure Democrats into cutting their relief demands , or whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s caucus is too fractured to stake out a firm negotiating position .
McConnell acknowledged during his remarks opening up the Senate session Wednesday that it would be little more than a show vote .
“ We ’ re not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer ] kill and bury coronavirus relief behind closed doors without putting every senator on the record , ” he said .
“ It will be a procedural vote .
It ’ s not a vote to pass our bill tomorrow precisely as written.
” While Thursday ’ s vote to end debate requires 60 votes , the focus Wednesday was on whether the bill would even have the moral suasion of a simple majority .
“ I ’ m optimistic that we ’ ll have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell said after Wednesday ’ s Senate GOP policy lunch .

Senators jockeyed for political position Wednesday as a GOP-drafted coronavirus aid package headed for what appeared to be defeat along mostly party lines in a vote set for Thursday.
The biggest outstanding question was whether Republicans would get enough support to pressure Democrats into cutting their relief demands, or whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s caucus is too fractured to stake out a firm negotiating position.
McConnell acknowledged during his remarks opening up the Senate session Wednesday that it would be little more than a show vote. “We’re not going to let Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi and [Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer] kill and bury coronavirus relief behind closed doors without putting every senator on the record,” he said. “It will be a procedural vote. It’s not a vote to pass our bill tomorrow precisely as written.”
While Thursday’s vote to end debate requires 60 votes, the focus Wednesday was on whether the bill would even have the moral suasion of a simple majority. “I’m optimistic that we’ll have a good vote on our side,” McConnell said after Wednesday’s Senate GOP policy lunch.
[‘Skinny’ coronavirus relief plan grows slightly; Senate to vote Thursday]


rollcall--2020-09-09--Survey: Number of uninsured Americans increased in 2019

Roughly 33.2 million Americans , or 10.3 percent of the population , lacked health insurance in 2019 , according to new data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The rate is slightly higher than the 30.4 million , or 9.4 percent , who were uninsured at the time they were contacted through the department ’ s National Health Interview Survey in 2018 .
Hispanics and Blacks continued to be the racial groups most likely to lack coverage , even as the insured rate improved slightly for Hispanics .
The survey found that 29.7 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respondents reported having no health insurance in 2019 .
In 2018 , 26.7 percent of Hispanics and 15.2 percent of Blacks were uninsured .
A separate CDC report found that 8.3 percent of respondents skipped needed medical care at least once in the previous 12 months because of cost , up from 4.8 percent in 2018 .
The survey found that 9.7 percent of respondents did not take their medications as prescribed because of cost .
The numbers illustrate the disparities that could worsen as the country continues to deal with fallout from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to health insurance means more people may forgo necessary medical care and prescription drugs , which experts worry will worsen complications from chronic conditions .

Roughly 33.2 million Americans, or 10.3 percent of the population, lacked health insurance in 2019, according to new data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The rate is slightly higher than the 30.4 million, or 9.4 percent, who were uninsured at the time they were contacted through the department’s National Health Interview Survey in 2018.
Hispanics and Blacks continued to be the racial groups most likely to lack coverage, even as the insured rate improved slightly for Hispanics. The survey found that 29.7 percent of Hispanic respondents and 14.7 percent of Black respondents reported having no health insurance in 2019. In 2018, 26.7 percent of Hispanics and 15.2 percent of Blacks were uninsured.
A separate CDC report found that 8.3 percent of respondents skipped needed medical care at least once in the previous 12 months because of cost, up from 4.8 percent in 2018. The survey found that 9.7 percent of respondents did not take their medications as prescribed because of cost.
The numbers illustrate the disparities that could worsen as the country continues to deal with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of access to health insurance means more people may forgo necessary medical care and prescription drugs, which experts worry will worsen complications from chronic conditions.


rollcall--2020-09-09--Family business in decline? Fewer get to Congress through heredity

When Congress is in session , Andy Levin can ’ t stop talking about his dad .
“ From Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer down to people who are not that much more senior than me , I get to go to work and talk about my dad almost every day , and I just can ’ t get enough of it really , ” the freshman House member said .
On one of Levin ’ s first days in Congress at the start of 2019 , Maryland Rep. Elijah E. Cummings affectionately called him “ Sandy ’ s boy.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously held by his father , Sander M. Levin , a 36-year House veteran .
But Levin ’ s story of stepping into a parent ’ s shoes as a lawmaker is becoming less common .
Political dynasties were on the decline in Congress even before last week ’ s Democratic Senate primary in Massachusetts , where Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III became the first Kennedy to ever lose a congressional race in the Bay State .
Other members set to retire after this year do not have children running to replace them @

When Congress is in session, Andy Levin can’t stop talking about his dad.
“From Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer down to people who are not that much more senior than me, I get to go to work and talk about my dad almost every day, and I just can’t get enough of it really,” the freshman House member said.
On one of Levin’s first days in Congress at the start of 2019, Maryland Rep. Elijah E. Cummings affectionately called him “Sandy’s boy.” The Michigan Democrat filled the seat previously held by his father, Sander M. Levin, a 36-year House veteran.
But Levin’s story of stepping into a parent’s shoes as a lawmaker is becoming less common.
Political dynasties were on the decline in Congress even before last week’s Democratic Senate primary in Massachusetts, where Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III became the first Kennedy to ever lose a congressional race in the Bay State. Other members set to retire after this year do not have children running to replace them.


rollcall--2020-09-10--FDA to review huge applications from vaping companies

The FDA has a year , under a court order , to assess the companies ’ data and decide which devices or flavors can be legally sold .
In the meantime , the agency says it will start deciding whether applications are complete and warrant a further review .
Applicants whose submissions are accepted can keep selling their existing products for a year .
The FDA first asserted jurisdiction over the products four years ago but repeatedly delayed this deadline .
Some lawmakers frustrated with the FDA ’ s pace want swift action from the agency now .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that miss the application deadline or have their application denied , ” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi , D-Ill. , who has convened hearings on e-cigarettes as chairman of the Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy .
But it could be months , if not well into 2021 , before the FDA makes any decisions that alter the vaping landscape or affect the trajectory of underage use .
Part of the challenge is the sheer number of applications .
The FDA last week said the market for vaping products is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviewing all of these applications during the one-year review period is low ” since the cache of applications will be “ several orders of magnitude greater than anything the Agency has experienced .
”

Wednesday’s long-delayed deadline for e-cigarette companies to seek permission from the Food and Drug Administration to keep selling their products is launching a new era of uncertainty for the industry and a slog for regulators facing applications that can exceed 100,000 pages.
Anyone who wants to sell vaping products in the United States — the hardware, flavored nicotine liquids, or pre-filled pods used in devices like Juul — must send the FDA a premarket tobacco product application, or PMTA, before midnight for electronic submissions. New tobacco products have to show a net public health benefit compared with cigarettes.
The deadline arrives several years after public alarm started to grow over youth use of e-cigarettes. National survey data released Wednesday show that about 20 percent of high school students reported vaping in the past month, after a rise to 27.5 percent in 2019. There is evidence that e-cigarette use can increase the risk of later using more harmful traditional cigarettes. And while cases of a mysterious lung illness that spread last year were mostly linked to black-market marijuana vaping, it highlighted the risks of an unregulated vaping market.
Public health experts and many lawmakers have urged the FDA to ban flavors unless manufacturers can prove they are necessary to help adult smokers quit and don’t result in youth use. But those who advocate vaping as an important tool for helping adults quit combustible cigarettes say the FDA’s process will lead to businesses closing and people seeking their preferred vaping flavors on a black market.
The FDA has a year, under a court order, to assess the companies’ data and decide which devices or flavors can be legally sold. In the meantime, the agency says it will start deciding whether applications are complete and warrant a further review. Applicants whose submissions are accepted can keep selling their existing products for a year.


rollcall--2020-09-10--This isn’t a movie about Stacey Abrams

This isn’t a movie about Stacey Abrams

“ We ’ ve been in line for five hours , ” one woman tells a camera crew , as lines snake around a busy polling station .
This could have been a scene from earlier this year , when the pandemic collided with primaries across the country .
But it ’ s not .
This was 2018 in Georgia , and some people were finding it hard to vote .
A new documentary collects moments like these as it examines the history of voter suppression in the United States , aiming to show how the problem continues to profoundly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ All In : The Fight for Democracy ” seems like it ’ s going to be a film about Stacey Abrams , the Democrat who lost to Republican Brian Kemp in the 2018 Georgia governor ’ s race .
She tells her own story of growing up in the South , giving a personal look at the laws and barriers that kept people of color and others out of the ballot box .
Filmmakers Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortés recount parts of Abrams ’ bid for the governor ’ s mansion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip to the polls in 2018 , when workers initially tried to turn her away , saying she had already requested an absentee ballot .
Yet in the end , Abrams ’ run for office is less the central story and more a convenient narrative thread .
While other recent political documentaries have zoomed in on rising stars fighting to make a name for themselves — think Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in “ Knock Down the House ” or Lauren Underwood in “ The Surge ” — this one zooms out to see a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abrams just fine , according to the filmmakers .
“ I think she had been approached many times about making a Stacey Abrams film about her race , ” Garbus said .
“ And she really wanted to be part of something , but not make it that single story .
”

“We’ve been in line for five hours,” one woman tells a camera crew, as lines snake around a busy polling station. This could have been a scene from earlier this year, when the pandemic collided with primaries across the country. But it’s not. This was 2018 in Georgia, and some people were finding it hard to vote.
A new documentary collects moments like these as it examines the history of voter suppression in the United States, aiming to show how the problem continues to profoundly shape the nation.
At first glance, “All In: The Fight for Democracy” seems like it’s going to be a film about Stacey Abrams, the Democrat who lost to Republican Brian Kemp in the 2018 Georgia governor’s race. She tells her own story of growing up in the South, giving a personal look at the laws and barriers that kept people of color and others out of the ballot box. Filmmakers Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortés recount parts of Abrams’ bid for the governor’s mansion, showing news camera footage from her trip to the polls in 2018, when workers initially tried to turn her away, saying she had already requested an absentee ballot.
Yet in the end, Abrams’ run for office is less the central story and more a convenient narrative thread. While other recent political documentaries have zoomed in on rising stars fighting to make a name for themselves — think Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in “Knock Down the House” or Lauren Underwood in “Surge” — this one zooms out to see a problem that has spanned generations.
That suited Abrams just fine, according to the filmmakers. “I think she had been approached many times about making a Stacey Abrams film about her race,” Garbus said. “And she really wanted to be part of something, but not make it that single story.”


rollcall--2020-09-10--Asian American communities fall behind in pandemic recovery

Andy Ton has enjoyed having a busy barbershop since founding the Vienna , Virginia , business 18 years ago .
Fathers often came with sons , and families chatted while waiting their turn .
Now , because of the coronavirus pandemic , haircuts happen by appointment only , with no one else allowed in .
They also generate only half the previous revenue since the shop reopened after being remodeled to safely accommodate customers .
“ At the moment , we don ’ t see a lot of people coming back , because they ’ re afraid of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Access to the Paycheck Protection Program and other Small Business Administration loans helped him through the lockdown earlier this year .
An immigrant from Vietnam , Ton is among the lucky ones : Federal data shows that Asian American-owned businesses , as well as those owned by immigrants , have been hit harder amid the pandemic than those owned by their white counterparts .
The jobless rate among Asian Americans as a whole spiked to record levels this year .
At 10.7 percent in August , it was still higher than at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a decade ago .
Asian Americans now face the highest unemployment they ’ ve seen on record and a decline in working business owners twice that of whites .

Andy Ton has enjoyed having a busy barbershop since founding the Vienna, Virginia, business 18 years ago. Fathers often came with sons, and families chatted while waiting their turn.
Now, because of the coronavirus pandemic, haircuts happen by appointment only, with no one else allowed in. They also generate only half the previous revenue since the shop reopened after being remodeled to safely accommodate customers.
“At the moment, we don’t see a lot of people coming back, because they’re afraid of the virus, of corona,” Ton said.
Access to the Paycheck Protection Program and other Small Business Administration loans helped him through the lockdown earlier this year. An immigrant from Vietnam, Ton is among the lucky ones: Federal data shows that Asian American-owned businesses, as well as those owned by immigrants, have been hit harder amid the pandemic than those owned by their white counterparts.
The jobless rate among Asian Americans as a whole spiked to record levels this year. At 10.7 percent in August, it was still higher than at the height of the Great Recession more than a decade ago. Asian Americans now face the highest unemployment they’ve seen on record and a decline in working business owners twice that of whites.


rollcall--2020-09-10--COVID-19 tests unions’ ability to deliver votes, manpower, money to Democrats

As president of Unite Here International , Donald “ D. ” Taylor watched helplessly as the coronavirus outbreak put 98 percent of his union out of work .
Before the pandemic , Unite Here was growing by leaps and bounds , and its political clout with it .
The union ’ s Nevada chapter parlayed its 60,000 casino workers into a hot streak of Democratic electoral wins in recent years , taking control of the governor ’ s mansion and the state Legislature , plus a pair of U.S. senators .
But with 80 percent of his 307,000 members in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of work and not paying dues , Taylor had to lay off organizers and force early retirements — cuts that local chapters have emulated .
Despite the pandemic and the economic suffering it has caused , Taylor said Unite Here ’ s members will turn out in force to deliver votes this year because they see President Donald Trump ’ s reelection as an existential threat .
“ They ’ re quite worried about their union , about their livelihoods , their families and the future of the country , ” he @ @

As president of Unite Here International, Donald “D.” Taylor watched helplessly as the coronavirus outbreak put 98 percent of his union out of work.
Before the pandemic, Unite Here was growing by leaps and bounds, and its political clout with it. The union’s Nevada chapter parlayed its 60,000 casino workers into a hot streak of Democratic electoral wins in recent years, taking control of the governor’s mansion and the state Legislature, plus a pair of U.S. senators.
But with 80 percent of his 307,000 members in the hard-hit hospitality and entertainment sectors still out of work and not paying dues, Taylor had to lay off organizers and force early retirements — cuts that local chapters have emulated.
Despite the pandemic and the economic suffering it has caused, Taylor said Unite Here’s members will turn out in force to deliver votes this year because they see President Donald Trump’s reelection as an existential threat.
“They’re quite worried about their union, about their livelihoods, their families and the future of the country,” he said.


rollcall--2020-09-10--Trump folly steps on Senate GOP message again

The Washington Post released audio of the comments Wednesday as part of a story previewing Woodward ’ s new book “ Rage.
” Trump , when asked at the White House later that day if he had misled the public to avoid panic , conceded he did .
“ I think if you said ‘ in order to reduce panic , ’ perhaps that ’ s so , ” he said .
“ The fact is , I ’ m a cheerleader for this country , I love our country , and I don ’ t want people to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create panic , as you say.
” Democrats seized on the revelation , saying it was further evidence that the president didn ’ t do enough , especially in the early months , to combat the virus .
Senate Republicans largely dodged questions about Woodward ’ s reporting , although several defended Trump ’ s handling of COVID-19 .
“ I ’ m more concerned about the actions that were actually taken to address the crisis , ” Senate Majority Whip John Thune told reporters .
“ And I believe that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … to get assistance out there , which is why I think the economy is performing better and you ’ re seeing a lot of the progress that we are seeing here.
” Regardless of the interpretation of Trump ’ s comments , it was another reminder of the influence the president and his rhetoric has over the news cycle .
Congress has always struggled to communicate to voters what it ’ s doing but never more so than during the Trump era .
Both Republicans and Democrats readily admit his comments can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is debating .

The Washington Post released audio of the comments Wednesday as part of a story previewing Woodward’s new book “Rage.” Trump, when asked at the White House later that day if he had misled the public to avoid panic, conceded he did.
“I think if you said ‘in order to reduce panic,’ perhaps that’s so,” he said. “The fact is, I’m a cheerleader for this country, I love our country, and I don’t want people to be frightened. I don’t want to create panic, as you say.”
Democrats seized on the revelation, saying it was further evidence that the president didn’t do enough, especially in the early months, to combat the virus. Senate Republicans largely dodged questions about Woodward’s reporting, although several defended Trump’s handling of COVID-19.
“I’m more concerned about the actions that were actually taken to address the crisis,” Senate Majority Whip John Thune told reporters. “And I believe that the White House has worked with the Congress … to get assistance out there, which is why I think the economy is performing better and you’re seeing a lot of the progress that we are seeing here.”
‘It takes away …’
Regardless of the interpretation of Trump’s comments, it was another reminder of the influence the president and his rhetoric has over the news cycle. Congress has always struggled to communicate to voters what it’s doing but never more so than during the Trump era. Both Republicans and Democrats readily admit his comments can be a distraction from the policy Washington is debating.


rollcall--2020-09-10--Coronavirus Special Report: Senate GOP ‘skinny’ relief bill blocked

In today ’ s episode , we look at why Senate Republicans weren ’ t able to pass a coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ prospect of another rescue package before the presidential election in November unlikely .
We also @ @ @ @ @ news .
• Capitol Lounge , unofficial living room for Congress , to close down @ @ @ @ @ official Seema Verma spent millions of taxpayer funds to polish her image , report finds

In today’s episode, we look at why Senate Republicans weren’t able to pass a coronavirus relief bill, making the prospect of another rescue package before the presidential election in November unlikely. We also have the latest health policy news.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-09-10--Russian hackers tied to 2016 elections now target 2020 race, Microsoft says

Kremlin-linked hackers who attacked the Democratic National Committee before the 2016 election once again are targeting people and organizations linked @ @ @ @ @ , Microsoft said in a blog post on Thursday .
A group code-named Strontium , @ @ @ @ @ has attacked more than 200 organizations including political campaigns , advocacy groups , parties and @ @ @ @ @ past few weeks , Tom Burt , Microsoft ’ s corporate vice president for customer @ @ @ @ @ on the blog .
“ Similar to what we observed in 2016 , Strontium is @ @ @ @ @ ’ s log-in credentials or compromise their accounts , presumably to aid in intelligence gathering @ @ @ @ @ Burt said .
For the past six months the attackers have targeted U.S.-based political consultants @ @ @ @ @ Republicans , think tanks including the U.S. German Marshall Fund , and national and state @ @ @ @ @ .
The group also targeted companies in entertainment , hospitality , manufacturing , financial services @ @ @ @ @ Microsoft said .

Kremlin-linked hackers who attacked the Democratic National Committee before the 2016 election once again are targeting people and organizations linked to the upcoming presidential election, Microsoft said in a blog post on Thursday.
A group code-named Strontium, “operating from Russia, has attacked more than 200 organizations including political campaigns, advocacy groups, parties and political consultants” in the past few weeks, Tom Burt, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for customer security and trust, said on the blog.
“Similar to what we observed in 2016, Strontium is launching campaigns to harvest people’s log-in credentials or compromise their accounts, presumably to aid in intelligence gathering or disruption operations,” Burt said.
For the past six months the attackers have targeted U.S.-based political consultants working with both Democrats and Republicans, think tanks including the U.S. German Marshall Fund, and national and state political entities, he said.
The group also targeted companies in entertainment, hospitality, manufacturing, financial services and physical security industries, Microsoft said.


rollcall--2020-09-10--At the Races: Rage against the (tape) machine

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 .
There are tapes .
Bob Woodward ’ s new book “ Rage ” includes the bombshell revelation that President Donald Trump knew the coronavirus was deadly and airborne , even as he downplayed the virus in public .
Those revelations are already starting to trickle into some congressional races .
This morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s campaign released a minutelong video juxtaposing audio of Trump from Woodward ’ s interview with footage from a Trump rally where the president said the virus might go away .
Trump lost Maine by 3 points in 2018 , and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates Gideon ’ s race against GOP Sen. Susan Collins a Toss-up .
California Democratic Rep. Harley Rouda , whose district Trump lost by 2 points , tied the president to his GOP opponent , Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel , accusing her in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playbook ” and downplaying the virus .
In the competitive open-seat race for Georgia ’ s 7th District , Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux slammed her GOP opponent , emergency room physician Rich McCormick , saying he “ used his credentials as a doctor to aid and abet the president every step of the way.
” McCormick defended Trump ’ s response to the virus back in February .
It remains to be seen whether the audio from Trump ’ s interview with Woodward will appear in television and digital ads or fundraising appeals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Democrats in Trump districts and Democratic Senate challengers in red states have largely avoided mentioning the president in their ads so far .
But Nathan , our elections analyst , points out that the latest revelations could still indirectly hurt down-ballot Republicans if they prevent Trump from improving his overall standing in the presidential race .

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.
There are tapes. Bob Woodward’s new book “Rage” includes the bombshell revelation that President Donald Trump knew the coronavirus was deadly and airborne, even as he downplayed the virus in public. Those revelations are already starting to trickle into some congressional races. This morning, Maine Democratic Senate hopeful Sara Gideon’s campaign released a minutelong video juxtaposing audio of Trump from Woodward’s interview with footage from a Trump rally where the president said the virus might go away. Trump lost Maine by 3 points in 2018, and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates Gideon’s race against GOP Sen. Susan Collins a Toss-up.
California Democratic Rep. Harley Rouda, whose district Trump lost by 2 points, tied the president to his GOP opponent, Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel, accusing her in a statement of using Trump’s “playbook” and downplaying the virus. In the competitive open-seat race for Georgia’s 7th District, Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux slammed her GOP opponent, emergency room physician Rich McCormick, saying he “used his credentials as a doctor to aid and abet the president every step of the way.” McCormick defended Trump’s response to the virus back in February.
It remains to be seen whether the audio from Trump’s interview with Woodward will appear in television and digital ads or fundraising appeals in more down-ballot races, especially since vulnerable House Democrats in Trump districts and Democratic Senate challengers in red states have largely avoided mentioning the president in their ads so far. But Nathan, our elections analyst, points out that the latest revelations could still indirectly hurt down-ballot Republicans if they prevent Trump from improving his overall standing in the presidential race.
Starting gate
In Trump they trust: New Hampshire Republicans showed allegiance to President Donald Trump in the state’s primaries Tuesday, backing his preferred candidates for a potentially competitive House district and for the party nomination to take on Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who is expected to win in November. And in Rhode Island, Democratic Rep. Jim Langevin easily won his primary.


rollcall--2020-09-10--Capitol Lounge, unofficial living room for Congress, to close down in September

Capitol Lounge , a divey home away from home for Hill staffers for more than a quarter-century , will close @ @ @ @ @ month .
“ It is with the heaviest of hearts to report that our last @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , 9/20 , ” reads an announcement posted to the lounge ’ s Twitter @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s been a great 26-year run.
” A sports bar for the suit-wearing @ @ @ @ @ decades of aides working in the congressional office buildings nearby , plying them with wing @ @ @ @ @ jukebox music , and the lingering smell of bygone cigars .
Both current and former @ @ @ @ @ dismay .
“ This hurts in a big way , ” tweeted veteran political commentator @ @ @ @ @ worked as a staffer for then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor .
“ This is just @ @ @ @ @ tweeted strategist Rory Cooper , another Cantor alum .
“ Asking my wife if I @ @ @ @ @ ”

Capitol Lounge, a divey home away from home for Hill staffers for more than a quarter-century, will close its doors for good this month.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts to report that our last day of service will be Sunday, 9/20,” reads an announcement posted to the lounge’s Twitter account on Thursday. “It’s been a great 26-year run.”
A sports bar for the suit-wearing crowd, Capitol Lounge served decades of aides working in the congressional office buildings nearby, plying them with wing nights, watch parties, jukebox music, and the lingering smell of bygone cigars.
Both current and former lounge-goers greeted the news with dismay. “This hurts in a big way,” tweeted veteran political commentator Doug Heye, who once worked as a staffer for then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
“This is just tragic. TRAGIC,” tweeted strategist Rory Cooper, another Cantor alum. “Asking my wife if I can buy a bar.”


rollcall--2020-09-10--‘Skinny’ coronavirus relief bill blocked in Senate

The Senate rejected Republicans ' latest coronavirus relief proposal Thursday , though Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may have strengthened their hand in bipartisan negotiations with a display of GOP unity .
The vote to end debate on the roughly $ 650 billion package was 52-47 , falling short of the necessary 60 votes .
But McConnell was able to keep all but one of his 53-member conference on board , an important signal to Democratic leaders and White House officials who remain mired in a stalemate .
Rand Paul , R-Ky. , was the sole GOP `` no '' vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days that as drafted , the Senate GOP 's `` skinny '' bill would n't pass .
But after Republicans faced the loss of perhaps 20 votes on their own side for a $ 1.1 trillion package of bills McConnell unveiled in late July , Democrats repeatedly used the `` GOP in disarray '' talking point to take a hard line in the negotiations .
The vote also gives vulnerable Senate Republican incumbents something to point to on the campaign trail after the chamber recesses next month until after Election Day , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broader deal before then .

The Senate rejected Republicans' latest coronavirus relief proposal Thursday, though Majority Leader Mitch McConnell may have strengthened their hand in bipartisan negotiations with a display of GOP unity.
The vote to end debate on the roughly $650 billion package was 52-47, falling short of the necessary 60 votes. But McConnell was able to keep all but one of his 53-member conference on board, an important signal to Democratic leaders and White House officials who remain mired in a stalemate.
Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the sole GOP "no" vote.
Leaders of both parties telegraphed for days that as drafted, the Senate GOP's "skinny" bill wouldn't pass. But after Republicans faced the loss of perhaps 20 votes on their own side for a $1.1 trillion package of bills McConnell unveiled in late July, Democrats repeatedly used the "GOP in disarray" talking point to take a hard line in the negotiations.
The vote also gives vulnerable Senate Republican incumbents something to point to on the campaign trail after the chamber recesses next month until after Election Day, if the parties can't work out a broader deal before then.


rollcall--2020-09-10--Democrats link race, jobs, climate in election-year resolution

Democrats unveiled a bicameral resolution on climate change , racial justice and economic recovery on Thursday , the latest election-year @ @ @ @ @ frame global warming as an opportunity to create jobs and tackle long-festering racial strife in @ @ @ @ @ during what scientists say may be the hottest year recorded , the resolution calls for @ @ @ @ @ its “ duty ” to tackle a series of overlapping crises : large-scale unemployment , @ @ @ @ @ injustice ” and the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed more than 190,000 people in @ @ @ @ @ worldwide .
At least 79 members of Congress , including Senate Minority Leader Charles E. @ @ @ @ @ of the resolution .
No Republicans appear to have signed on , and a complete @ @ @ @ @ immediately available .
When Rep. Kathy Castor , D-Fla. , chairwoman of the House Select @ @ @ @ @ , released the panel ’ s exhaustive report in June , she and Speaker Nancy @ @ @ @ @ environmental justice .

Democrats unveiled a bicameral resolution on climate change, racial justice and economic recovery on Thursday, the latest election-year push from the party to frame global warming as an opportunity to create jobs and tackle long-festering racial strife in the United States.
Released during what scientists say may be the hottest year recorded, the resolution calls for the federal government to recognize its “duty” to tackle a series of overlapping crises: large-scale unemployment, climate change, “racial injustice” and the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 190,000 people in the U.S. and about 900,000 worldwide.
At least 79 members of Congress, including Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, are original sponsors of the resolution. No Republicans appear to have signed on, and a complete list of co-sponsors was not immediately available.
When Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., chairwoman of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, released the panel’s exhaustive report in June, she and Speaker Nancy Pelosi emphasized its focus on environmental justice.
[Pandemic, inequality helped shape Democrats’ climate plan]


rollcall--2020-09-10--Trump health official Seema Verma spent millions of taxpayer funds to polish her image, report finds

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma used millions in federal taxpayer funds to pay for communications consultants with strong Republican ties to polish her own profile , potentially violating federal policies , a new report released Thursday by House and Senate Democratic committees alleges .
The new report — released jointly by the Democratic staff of the House Energy and Commerce , House Oversight and Reform , Senate Finance and Senate Health , Education , Labor , and Pensions committees after a 17-month investigation — found that communications consultants billed the government rates of up to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the heels of a Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General report in July that said Verma violated federal regulations in her use of external communications contractors .
“ In less than two years , Administrator Verma ’ s consultants charged CMS nearly $ 6 million for work that included boosting her public profile and personal brand , serving as her preferred communications advisors , arranging private meetings for her with media personalities and other high-profile individuals , and routinely traveling with her to events across the country , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that one of the consultants , who was not named , was awaiting sentencing on a felony conviction for lying to Congress and had spearheaded communications efforts on large policy initiatives , which allowed the outside consultant to learn market-sensitive information .
Documents obtained by the committee appear to back up the claim that CMS leadership granted consultants access to confidential internal information such as proposed rules and policy planning .

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma used millions in federal taxpayer funds to pay for communications consultants with strong Republican ties to polish her own profile, potentially violating federal policies, a new report released Thursday by House and Senate Democratic committees alleges.
The new report — released jointly by the Democratic staff of the House Energy and Commerce, House Oversight and Reform, Senate Finance and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committees after a 17-month investigation — found that communications consultants billed the government rates of up to $380 per hour.
The report comes on the heels of a Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General report in July that said Verma violated federal regulations in her use of external communications contractors.
“In less than two years, Administrator Verma’s consultants charged CMS nearly $6 million for work that included boosting her public profile and personal brand, serving as her preferred communications advisors, arranging private meetings for her with media personalities and other high-profile individuals, and routinely traveling with her to events across the country,” the new report reads.
The report said that one of the consultants, who was not named, was awaiting sentencing on a felony conviction for lying to Congress and had spearheaded communications efforts on large policy initiatives, which allowed the outside consultant to learn market-sensitive information. Documents obtained by the committee appear to back up the claim that CMS leadership granted consultants access to confidential internal information such as proposed rules and policy planning.


rollcall--2020-09-10--‘Surge’ part of ongoing surge in political documentaries

If you ran for Congress in 2018 , there was a pretty good chance you are part of a political documentary .
First came “ Knock Down the House , ” from Netflix , which featured a ( then ) little known candidate , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
Then came “ And She Could Be Next ” on PBS ’ POV that followed minority female candidates , including Rashida Tlaib , Veronica Escobar and Lucy McBath .
Now comes “ Surge , ” on Showtime , which follows women who ran against veteran Republican incumbents .
CQ Roll Call political reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood , a star of “ Surge , ” and filmmakers Wendy Sachs and Hannah Rosenzweig about their new movie .
On the latest Political Theater podcast , we talk about how weird it was to see people campaigning in the pre-COVID era ( feels like a million years ago ) , the emotional toll of campaigning , how “ Surge ” fits into the growing library of political documentary films and what other kind of campaign stories are ripe for the telling : Calling all budding filmmakers !
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunch .

If you ran for Congress in 2018, there was a pretty good chance you are part of a political documentary.
First came “Knock Down the House,” from Netflix, which featured a (then) little known candidate, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Then came “And She Could Be Next” on PBS’ POV that followed minority female candidates, including Rashida Tlaib, Veronica Escobar and Lucy McBath. Now comes “Surge,” on Showtime, which follows women who ran against veteran Republican incumbents.
CQ Roll Call political reporters Bridget Bowman and Kate Ackley spoke to Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood, a star of “Surge,” and filmmakers Wendy Sachs and Hannah Rosenzweig about their new movie.
On the latest Political Theater podcast, we talk about how weird it was to see people campaigning in the pre-COVID era (feels like a million years ago), the emotional toll of campaigning, how “Surge” fits into the growing library of political documentary films and what other kind of campaign stories are ripe for the telling: Calling all budding filmmakers! We’re available for (virtual) lunch.


CQ Future: Congress

With Congress at a virtual stalemate over a new round of aid to help Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ to take a look at its future .
Can Congress ever regain its stature as @ @ @ @ @ talked to two representatives who ’ ve played a big role in helping the House @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Jim McGovern , chairman of the Rules Committee , and Tom Cole of Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ the panel .
• Capitol Lounge , unofficial living room for Congress , to close @ @ @ @ @ health official Seema Verma spent millions of taxpayer funds to polish her image , report @

Shawn Zeller, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

With Congress at a virtual stalemate over a new round of aid to help Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, we thought it was time to take a look at its future. Can Congress ever regain its stature as a governing body? We talked to two representatives who’ve played a big role in helping the House navigate the pandemic: Massachusetts Democrat Jim McGovern, chairman of the Rules Committee, and Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the top Republican on the panel.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-09-11--TV ad by Iowa Rep. Abby Finkenauer highlights Democrats’ effort to woo back rural voters

Iowa Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer ’ s latest TV ad makes a clear pitch to farmers , underscoring how rural voters are a key voting bloc in the Hawkeye State .
Finkenauer ’ s 1st District in northeast Iowa is a mix of suburban and rural areas .
And Democrats recognize that to win competitive House races in Iowa , and defeat Republican Sen. Joni Ernst , they have to win over voters in rural areas who have shifted toward Republicans .
The 30-second spot , shared first with CQ Roll Call , features Dianne Klein of Sherrill , Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been struggling .
“ It ’ s been a really tough time .
I think that the big farms are the ones that get the most help and not so much the smaller family farms like ours , ” Klein says in the ad .
“ It ’ s been rough .
Abby Finkenauer — she ’ s fighting for me and I like that .
If she says she ’ s going to do something , she does it.
” The ad mentions a “ tough time ” without explicitly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war with China or the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , both of which have hurt farmers .
Finkenauer has avoided directly criticizing Trump , who carried the district by nearly 4 points in 2016 , in her campaign commercials .
Finkenauer unseated GOP Rep. Rod Blum by 5 points in 2018 .

Iowa Democratic Rep. Abby Finkenauer’s latest TV ad makes a clear pitch to farmers, underscoring how rural voters are a key voting bloc in the Hawkeye State.
Finkenauer’s 1st District in northeast Iowa is a mix of suburban and rural areas. And Democrats recognize that to win competitive House races in Iowa, and defeat Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, they have to win over voters in rural areas who have shifted toward Republicans.
The 30-second spot, shared first with CQ Roll Call, features Dianne Klein of Sherrill, Iowa, who owns a family farm that’s been struggling.
“It’s been a really tough time. I think that the big farms are the ones that get the most help and not so much the smaller family farms like ours,” Klein says in the ad. “It’s been rough. Abby Finkenauer — she’s fighting for me and I like that. If she says she’s going to do something, she does it.”
The ad mentions a “tough time” without explicitly naming President Donald Trump’s trade war with China or the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, both of which have hurt farmers. Finkenauer has avoided directly criticizing Trump, who carried the district by nearly 4 points in 2016, in her campaign commercials. Finkenauer unseated GOP Rep. Rod Blum by 5 points in 2018.


rollcall--2020-09-11--House parliamentarian to retire, will be succeeded by deputy

After almost a decade on the job , House Parliamentarian Tom Wickham is stepping down .
Wickham was named to the job in February 2012 and began as deputy parliamentarian in 2005 .
He will be succeeded by Jason Smith — no relation to the Republican congressman from Missouri ’ s 8th District — who currently serves as deputy parliamentarian , Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Friday .
“ Tom Wickham is a master of House rules and procedure , whose incisive legal acumen and absolute professionalism have strengthened the People ’ s House and benefitted the American people whom we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distinguished service , Tom upheld the great Constitutional underpinnings of the historic role of Parliamentarian with excellence and integrity , ” Pelosi said in a statement .
Smith ’ s appointment to the role came with bipartisan support , according to the speaker .
“ Jason brings outstanding experience , a brilliant legal mind and great rigor of judgment to this historic responsibility , and I am confident that he will uphold and advance the proud traditions of this critical office .
My colleagues and I look forward to continuing to work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role , ” the California Democrat said .

Chris Cioffi and Katherine Tully-McManus

After almost a decade on the job, House Parliamentarian Tom Wickham is stepping down.
Wickham was named to the job in February 2012 and began as deputy parliamentarian in 2005. He will be succeeded by Jason Smith — no relation to the Republican congressman from Missouri’s 8th District — who currently serves as deputy parliamentarian, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Friday.
“Tom Wickham is a master of House rules and procedure, whose incisive legal acumen and absolute professionalism have strengthened the People’s House and benefitted the American people whom we serve. In his 25 years of distinguished service, Tom upheld the great Constitutional underpinnings of the historic role of Parliamentarian with excellence and integrity,” Pelosi said in a statement.
Smith’s appointment to the role came with bipartisan support, according to the speaker.
“Jason brings outstanding experience, a brilliant legal mind and great rigor of judgment to this historic responsibility, and I am confident that he will uphold and advance the proud traditions of this critical office. My colleagues and I look forward to continuing to work with him as he takes on this new role,” the California Democrat said.


rollcall--2020-09-11--Georgia Rep. Tom Graves to resign, effective October

Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Graves announced Friday that he plans to resign from Congress next month , starting his planned retirement a little early .
Graves , who said in December he would not seek another term , is the top Republican on the Modernization of Congress Committee , a select panel authorized only for the 116th Congress .
He said Friday that with the panel ’ s work coming to a close , he intends to leave the House once final recommendations have been adopted and “ and begin the next chapter of life in October.
” “ Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my committee work will be complete .
In short , my work will be done .
I ’ m announcing this today to avoid surprises , and it just doesn ’ t seem right to kill time on the taxpayer dime , ” he said in his resignation announcement .
Graves is also the ranking member of the Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee .
His work there is mostly done as well since Congress is preparing to pass a stopgap funding bill to get through the first few months of the new fiscal year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not yet announced plans to vote on the Modernization Committee ’ s coming recommendations , but Graves hinted such a vote would be scheduled .

Georgia Republican Rep. Tom Graves announced Friday that he plans to resign from Congress next month, starting his planned retirement a little early.
Graves, who said in December he would not seek another term, is the top Republican on the Modernization of Congress Committee, a select panel authorized only for the 116th Congress. He said Friday that with the panel’s work coming to a close, he intends to leave the House once final recommendations have been adopted and “and begin the next chapter of life in October.”
“Congress is going into a long recess and my committee work will be complete. In short, my work will be done. I’m announcing this today to avoid surprises, and it just doesn’t seem right to kill time on the taxpayer dime,” he said in his resignation announcement .
Graves is also the ranking member of the Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee. His work there is mostly done as well since Congress is preparing to pass a stopgap funding bill to get through the first few months of the new fiscal year that begins Oct 1.
House leaders have not yet announced plans to vote on the Modernization Committee’s coming recommendations, but Graves hinted such a vote would be scheduled.


rollcall--2020-09-11--Woodward, Lady Gaga and marijuana — Congressional Hits and Misses

Congress is ( kinda ) back in session , which means House Democrats are bickering over Zoom and Senate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ latest blockbuster news surrounding President Donald Trump .
We have all that , plus Surgeon @ @ @ @ @ Hollywood friends to a House committee , Rep. Max Rose ’ s short and to-the-point @ @ @ @ @ about New York City 's mayor , and Rep. Debbie Dingell begging a certain former @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ll try to make you laugh and see if anybody ’ s @ @ @ @ @ said .
[ Capitol Lounge , unofficial living room for Congress , to close down @ @ @

Congress is (kinda) back in session, which means House Democrats are bickering over Zoom and Senate Republicans are dodging questions about the latest blockbuster news surrounding President Donald Trump.
We have all that, plus Surgeon General Jerome Adams name-dropping his Hollywood friends to a House committee, Rep. Max Rose’s short and to-the-point campaign ad regarding his feelings about New York City's mayor, and Rep. Debbie Dingell begging a certain former lawmaker to try marijuana. “I’ll try to make you laugh and see if anybody’s paying attention,” Dingell said.
[ Capitol Lounge, unofficial living room for Congress, to close down in September ]


rollcall--2020-09-11--Photos of the week: They’re back

Photos of the week: They’re back

Congress returned this week for its final legislative stretch before Election Day , former Georgia Rep. Ben “ Cooter ” @ @ @ @ @ , and lawmakers paused on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks .
Here @ @ @ @ @ the week ending Sept. 11 through the lenses of CQ Roll Call ’ s photojournalists @

Bill Clark, Tom Williams, and Caroline Brehman

Congress returned this week for its final legislative stretch before Election Day, former Georgia Rep. Ben “Cooter” Jones celebrated his 79th birthday, and lawmakers paused on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Here’s a look at the week ending Sept. 11 through the lenses of CQ Roll Call’s photojournalists.
Former Georgia Rep. Ben L. Jones, best known as Cooter Davenport on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” blows out candles on cupcakes with his wife, Alma Viator, during a performance with Cooter’s Garage Band at his 79th birthday celebration Saturday at Cooter’s Place in Luray, Va. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Hay bales are decorated as a Farmers for Trump display on farm land near Flint Hill, Va., on Saturday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Bob Good, the Republican nominee for Virginia’s 5th District, departs from his campaign bus Tuesday before addressing a rally at the county courthouse in Appomattox, Va. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Supporters hold campaign signs and an American flag during Tuesday’s rally for Good’s campaign in Appomattox, Va. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Cameron Webb, left, the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 5th District, talks with a student Tuesday at the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Senior Ashley Grullon wears a face mask as she studies in her UVA dorm room Tuesday, which marked the start of in-person classes at the university. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
A member of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA joins fellow aviation workers Wednesday in a protest outside the Capitol to urge Congress to extend the airline payroll support program. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
A staffer crosses a walkway Wednesday in the mostly empty Hart Senate Office Building. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks at a news conference Wednesday after the GOP conference lunch. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, and Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conclude a news conference Wednesday on the GOP’s “skinny” coronavirus relief package. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-09-11--House will not give staff payroll tax break allowed by Trump action

House employees will not have their payroll taxes deferred as allowed under President Donald Trump ’ s executive actions last month , Chief Administrative Officer Philip G. Kiko informed staff in a “ Dear Colleague ” letter Friday .
Trump last month gave employers the option starting Sept. 1 to defer collection of employee payroll taxes , which are withheld in paychecks , for individuals who make less than $ 4,000 on a bi-weekly basis .
The tax deferral , authorized through the end of the year , is intended to be a stimulus measure to counter the economic downturn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many private sector employers have opted not to participate , the Trump administration has told executive agencies to defer payroll taxes for federal employees .
Because Congress is not part of the executive branch , House and Senate employees were not affected by that mandate .
The CAO , which oversees payroll for House employees , said it weighed the benefit of the deferral against the challenges of implementing it .
“ After reviewing the guidance and considering the unique structure of the House , the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Administration , has determined that implementing the deferral would not be in the best interests of the House or our employees , ” Kiko wrote .
“ As a result , we will not implement the payroll tax deferral .
”

House employees will not have their payroll taxes deferred as allowed under President Donald Trump’s executive actions last month, Chief Administrative Officer Philip G. Kiko informed staff in a “Dear Colleague” letter Friday.
Trump last month gave employers the option starting Sept. 1 to defer collection of employee payroll taxes, which are withheld in paychecks, for individuals who make less than $4,000 on a bi-weekly basis. The tax deferral, authorized through the end of the year, is intended to be a stimulus measure to counter the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Although many private sector employers have opted not to participate, the Trump administration has told executive agencies to defer payroll taxes for federal employees. Because Congress is not part of the executive branch, House and Senate employees were not affected by that mandate.
The CAO, which oversees payroll for House employees, said it weighed the benefit of the deferral against the challenges of implementing it.
“After reviewing the guidance and considering the unique structure of the House, the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, with the concurrence of the Committee on House Administration, has determined that implementing the deferral would not be in the best interests of the House or our employees,” Kiko wrote. “As a result, we will not implement the payroll tax deferral.”


rollcall--2020-09-11--An issue senators can agree on is … judges?

It ’ s all tribal in the Senate on almost every issue these days except , it seems , when it comes to confirming U.S. District Court judges .
Five judges were confirmed on overwhelmingly bipartisan votes to district court benches in states that have at least one Democratic senator .
All those senators voted in favor of each of the judges confirmed this week .
The lowest vote total any of them received was 79 votes .
That cooperation may continue next week .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell teed up another eight district court judges for confirmation to benches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , President Donald Trump , McConnell and others have touted their ability to fill up the court with conservative judges by putting a focus on leaving no vacancy behind .
But some of those judges have gotten the sign-off from Democrats , and several were initially nominated by a Democratic president .
Over a quarter of the Senate ’ s 168 votes this year have been on judges .
However , all but a few votes on district court judges got at least some level of bipartisan support .

It’s all tribal in the Senate on almost every issue these days except, it seems, when it comes to confirming U.S. District Court judges.
Five judges were confirmed on overwhelmingly bipartisan votes to district court benches in states that have at least one Democratic senator. All those senators voted in favor of each of the judges confirmed this week. The lowest vote total any of them received was 79 votes.
That cooperation may continue next week. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell teed up another eight district court judges for confirmation to benches in California and Illinois.
Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., President Donald Trump, McConnell and others have touted their ability to fill up the court with conservative judges by putting a focus on leaving no vacancy behind. But some of those judges have gotten the sign-off from Democrats, and several were initially nominated by a Democratic president.
Over a quarter of the Senate’s 168 votes this year have been on judges. However, all but a few votes on district court judges got at least some level of bipartisan support.


rollcall--2020-09-11--Campus Notebook: Unattended gun in Capitol bathroom need not concern the public, Capitol Police argu

Campus Notebook: Unattended gun in Capitol bathroom need not concern the public, Capitol Police argued

Firearm left in the bathroom ?
Nothing to see here .
Or at least that is what Capitol Police lawyers argued in court .
In January 2015 , a Capitol Police officer left their gun stuffed in a toilet cover dispenser in a men ’ s bathroom inside the Capitol Visitors Center .
Then-Sgt .
Jodi Breiterman was among the officers who responded to the situation and took a photo of the weapon on her work phone .
Months later , she shared the photo with a CQ Roll Call reporter , which resulted in the publication of a story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in lawmakers demanding reforms .
Breiterman , a former officer of the year , was later demoted from the rank of sergeant and suspended .
She sued the Capitol Police for gender discrimination , and on Sept. 4 the judge ruled in favor of the Capitol Police .
Breiterman plans to appeal the decision , but the recent activity in the matter led CQ Roll Call to look back at an interesting argument the Capitol Police made on whether a gun left in a bathroom stall by an officer is something that concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scindian wrote in a 2018 brief that the public should not be informed about such an incident and that Breiterman ’ s disclosure to the press was in violation of the department ’ s media policy .

Firearm left in the bathroom? Nothing to see here. Or at least that is what Capitol Police lawyers argued in court.
In January 2015, a Capitol Police officer left their gun stuffed in a toilet cover dispenser in a men’s bathroom inside the Capitol Visitors Center. Then-Sgt. Jodi Breiterman was among the officers who responded to the situation and took a photo of the weapon on her work phone. Months later, she shared the photo with a CQ Roll Call reporter, which resulted in the publication of a story that exposed serious safety hazards and resulted in lawmakers demanding reforms.
Breiterman, a former officer of the year, was later demoted from the rank of sergeant and suspended. She sued the Capitol Police for gender discrimination, and on Sept. 4 the judge ruled in favor of the Capitol Police.
Breiterman plans to appeal the decision, but the recent activity in the matter led CQ Roll Call to look back at an interesting argument the Capitol Police made on whether a gun left in a bathroom stall by an officer is something that concerns the public.
Capitol Police Counsel Kelly Scindian wrote in a 2018 brief that the public should not be informed about such an incident and that Breiterman’s disclosure to the press was in violation of the department’s media policy.


rollcall--2020-09-14--What to watch in Delaware’s primaries this week

The state that was first to ratify the Constitution is one of the last to hold primary contests this year @ @ @ @ @ Chris Coons facing a challenge from the left Tuesday , while Republican contests for House @ @ @ @ @ against younger opponents with a history of opioid addiction .
Is Coons vulnerable from the @ @ @ @ @ a pool of younger progressive Democrats who have toppled established incumbents , 34-year-old Jessica Scarane @ @ @ @ @ makes a bid for a second full term .
Coons first entered the Senate after @ @ @ @ @ to serve out the rest of Joe Biden ’ s term after he became vice @ @ @ @ @ now a key Biden insider with the ear of the Democratic presidential nominee .
Coons @ @ @ @ @ legislative solutions and building relationships across the aisle , a style Scarane has targeted during @ @ @ @ @ blue-state senators least resistant to Trump ’ s judicial picks ]

The state that was first to ratify the Constitution is one of the last to hold primary contests this year, with Delaware Democratic Sen. Chris Coons facing a challenge from the left Tuesday, while Republican contests for House and Senate feature establishment-backed candidates against younger opponents with a history of opioid addiction.
Here’s three things to watch Tuesday.
Is Coons vulnerable from the left?
Hoping to join a pool of younger progressive Democrats who have toppled established incumbents, 34-year-old Jessica Scarane is challenging Coons as he makes a bid for a second full term.
Coons first entered the Senate after winning a 2010 special election to serve out the rest of Joe Biden’s term after he became vice president. He’s now a key Biden insider with the ear of the Democratic presidential nominee. Coons is known for seeking consensus-based legislative solutions and building relationships across the aisle, a style Scarane has targeted during the campaign.
[The blue-state senators least resistant to Trump’s judicial picks]