rollcall--2020-06-10--In sweat-free summer, cash for charity dries up

“ You can ’ t throw a softball virtually , ” says Rep. Cheri Bustos , and that gets to the heart of a problem in Washington this summer .
With events on hold because of the coronavirus , so is breaking a sweat for charity .
Practice for the annual Congressional Women ’ s Softball Game should be in full swing by now , but not this year .
“ I have to convince my children to keep their mother in shape , ” says senator ( and team co-captain ) Kirsten Gillibrand , who has been training off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June , the softball game pits female lawmakers against a team of journalists from the D.C. press corps , known as the “ Bad News Babes.
” The goal is to bond on the field , talk some trash , and most importantly , raise money for the Young Survival Coalition , a group that helps young adults affected by breast cancer .
Now all that is postponed .
A new date for the game is still TBD , and fundraising has stalled .
So far organizers have raised $ 135,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in last year .

“You can’t throw a softball virtually,” says Rep. Cheri Bustos, and that gets to the heart of a problem in Washington this summer. With events on hold because of the coronavirus, so is breaking a sweat for charity.
Practice for the annual Congressional Women’s Softball Game should be in full swing by now, but not this year.
“I have to convince my children to keep their mother in shape,” says senator (and team co-captain) Kirsten Gillibrand, who has been training off and on at home.
Typically held in June, the softball game pits female lawmakers against a team of journalists from the D.C. press corps, known as the “Bad News Babes.” The goal is to bond on the field, talk some trash, and most importantly, raise money for the Young Survival Coalition, a group that helps young adults affected by breast cancer.
Now all that is postponed. A new date for the game is still TBD, and fundraising has stalled. So far organizers have raised $135,000, nowhere near the $365,000 they raked in last year.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Congress weighs next steps on WHO relationship

Lawmakers are considering new ways to approach the World Health Organization , as President Donald Trump ’ s intentions behind his threat to terminate the relationship remain unclear .
The WHO retains bipartisan support from Congress , even in the face of evidence that top officials praised China as the country delayed sharing critical information about the coronavirus outbreak .
But many Republicans are seeking more transparency and accountability , with some even calling on WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to resign .
The next steps remain uncertain almost two weeks after Trump announced in a May 29 news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WHO as part of a broader crackdown on China .
The United States pays $ 57.9 million in annual mandatory dues to the WHO and an additional $ 450 million in voluntary contributions , dwarfing those of other nations .
Lawmakers so far have received no details about what Trump ’ s threat of “ terminating ” the relationship means , or where U.S. funding would go instead .
But most oppose a formal withdrawal , including key Republican senators involved in health and foreign affairs .
“ Leaving the WHO makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WHO , ” said Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo .
“ And I think a World Health Organization without us in it is not nearly as effective as a World Health Organization with us in it .
They say they ’ re going to find other replacement vehicles for our world health involvement , and I ’ ll be interested to hear what those are .
”

Lawmakers are considering new ways to approach the World Health Organization, as President Donald Trump’s intentions behind his threat to terminate the relationship remain unclear.
The WHO retains bipartisan support from Congress, even in the face of evidence that top officials praised China as the country delayed sharing critical information about the coronavirus outbreak. But many Republicans are seeking more transparency and accountability, with some even calling on WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to resign.
The next steps remain uncertain almost two weeks after Trump announced in a May 29 news conference that he plans to redirect money from the WHO as part of a broader crackdown on China. The United States pays $57.9 million in annual mandatory dues to the WHO and an additional $450 million in voluntary contributions, dwarfing those of other nations.
Lawmakers so far have received no details about what Trump’s threat of “terminating” the relationship means, or where U.S. funding would go instead. But most oppose a formal withdrawal, including key Republican senators involved in health and foreign affairs.
“Leaving the WHO makes particularly China an even greater force in the WHO,” said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. “And I think a World Health Organization without us in it is not nearly as effective as a World Health Organization with us in it. They say they’re going to find other replacement vehicles for our world health involvement, and I’ll be interested to hear what those are.”


rollcall--2020-06-10--Amid a pandemic and protests, Rep. Eliot Engel is fighting for his political survival

With the country reeling from a pandemic and nationwide protests against police brutality , New York ’ s upcoming primaries could be an early test of whether voters will direct their frustrations at current lawmakers and take chances on political newcomers .
In the 16th District , longtime Democratic Rep. Eliot L. Engel faces a well-funded primary opponent who has the support of liberal outside groups .
The deep-blue majority-minority district stretches from the North Bronx to southern Westchester County , and includes one of the early epicenters of the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s also been the site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a black man , George Floyd , at the hands of Minneapolis police officers .
“ This district is a microcosm of economic and racial inequality , ” Engel ’ s opponent , Jamaal Bowman , said at a candidate forum Sunday .
“ There ’ s a lot of work to be done.
” In a normal year , defeating an incumbent in a primary is difficult .
Now , challengers face an additional hurdle with in-person campaigning at a standstill amid a health crisis .
New York City , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to try .
Ten of the 12 House Democrats seeking reelection in New York City are facing primary challenges on June 23 .
Seven challengers , including Bowman , had raised over $ 100,000 through March 31 .
But Bowman , a former middle school principal , has attracted the most attention from liberal groups .
And his allies say he ’ s the right candidate for this moment .

With the country reeling from a pandemic and nationwide protests against police brutality, New York’s upcoming primaries could be an early test of whether voters will direct their frustrations at current lawmakers and take chances on political newcomers.
In the 16th District, longtime Democratic Rep. Eliot L. Engel faces a well-funded primary opponent who has the support of liberal outside groups. The deep-blue majority-minority district stretches from the North Bronx to southern Westchester County, and includes one of the early epicenters of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s also been the site of protests following the May 25 death of a black man, George Floyd, at the hands of Minneapolis police officers .
“This district is a microcosm of economic and racial inequality,” Engel’s opponent, Jamaal Bowman, said at a candidate forum Sunday. “There’s a lot of work to be done.”
In a normal year, defeating an incumbent in a primary is difficult. Now, challengers face an additional hurdle with in-person campaigning at a standstill amid a health crisis. New York City, though, has its fair share of insurgents willing to try.
Ten of the 12 House Democrats seeking reelection in New York City are facing primary challenges on June 23. Seven challengers, including Bowman, had raised over $100,000 through March 31. But Bowman, a former middle school principal, has attracted the most attention from liberal groups. And his allies say he’s the right candidate for this moment.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Capito to face progressive activist in West Virginia

West Virginia Democrats on Tuesday picked a progressive activist instead of an Army veteran who voted for Donald Trump to take on Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito in November .
Capito , meanwhile , easily defeated two primary challengers Tuesday in her bid to become the first Republican senator to win reelection in West Virginia since 1907 .
With 95 percent of precincts reporting , Paula Jean Swearengin was leading a three-way Democratic primary with 38 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race .
Former state Sen. Richard Ojeda was in second with 33 percent followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 percent .
Swearengin ran for the state ’ s other Senate seat in 2018 and took 30 percent of the primary vote in falling to Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin III .
Her campaign was featured in the Netflix documentary “ Knock Down the House.
” Ojeda , a retired Army major , was also making a repeat bid for federal office : He lost a race for the state ’ s 3rd District in 2018 to Republican Carol Miller and later briefly ran for president .
In a recent interview with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improving economic and broadband development and emphasized her position on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee .

West Virginia Democrats on Tuesday picked a progressive activist instead of an Army veteran who voted for Donald Trump to take on Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito in November.
Capito, meanwhile, easily defeated two primary challengers Tuesday in her bid to become the first Republican senator to win reelection in West Virginia since 1907.
With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Paula Jean Swearengin was leading a three-way Democratic primary with 38 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race. Former state Sen. Richard Ojeda was in second with 33 percent followed by ex-South Charleston Mayor Richie Robb with 29 percent.
Swearengin ran for the state’s other Senate seat in 2018 and took 30 percent of the primary vote in falling to Democratic incumbent Joe Manchin III. Her campaign was featured in the Netflix documentary “Knock Down the House.” Ojeda, a retired Army major, was also making a repeat bid for federal office: He lost a race for the state’s 3rd District in 2018 to Republican Carol Miller and later briefly ran for president.
In a recent interview with the AP, Capito highlighted her work on improving economic and broadband development and emphasized her position on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.


rollcall--2020-06-09--Citadel grad Nancy Mace wins primary to face Rep. Joe Cunningham in South Carolina

Nancy Mace , the first female graduate of The Citadel military college , won the Republican primary Tuesday to take on vulnerable South Carolina Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham .
With 25 percent of precincts reporting , Mace , a state representative , was leading a four-person field with 59 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race for the coastal 1st District .
Financial consultant Kathy Landing was in second with 26 percent and Bikers for Trump founder Chris Cox was in third with 9 percent .
Brad Mole rounded out the field with 6 percent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of trading jabs with Landing , who questioned her loyalty to President Donald Trump and attacked her as not sufficiently opposed to abortion .
Mace advocated exceptions for rape and incest in a 2019 abortion ban , revealing in a state House floor speech that she had been raped at age 16 .
Sen. Lindsey Graham also cruised to victory over three Republican primary challengers .
In November , he will face Jaime Harrison , the former chairman of the state Democratic Party , who ran unopposed in his primary .
Mace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham in 2014 , had the endorsement of the anti-tax Club for Growth , which funneled $ 745,000 to her race through its independent expenditure arm and bundled contributions , club President David McIntosh told CQ Roll Call .

Nancy Mace, the first female graduate of The Citadel military college, won the Republican primary Tuesday to take on vulnerable South Carolina Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham.
With 25 percent of precincts reporting, Mace, a state representative, was leading a four-person field with 59 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race for the coastal 1st District. Financial consultant Kathy Landing was in second with 26 percent and Bikers for Trump founder Chris Cox was in third with 9 percent. Brad Mole rounded out the field with 6 percent.
Mace’s win came after a week of trading jabs with Landing, who questioned her loyalty to President Donald Trump and attacked her as not sufficiently opposed to abortion. Mace advocated exceptions for rape and incest in a 2019 abortion ban, revealing in a state House floor speech that she had been raped at age 16.
Sen. Lindsey Graham also cruised to victory over three Republican primary challengers. In November, he will face Jaime Harrison, the former chairman of the state Democratic Party, who ran unopposed in his primary.
Mace, who lost a primary challenge to Graham in 2014, had the endorsement of the anti-tax Club for Growth, which funneled $745,000 to her race through its independent expenditure arm and bundled contributions, club President David McIntosh told CQ Roll Call.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Ossoff avoids runoff, will face Perdue in Georgia Senate race

Documentary film producer Jon Ossoff won a crowded Democratic primary Tuesday to challenge GOP Sen. David Perdue , narrowly avoiding a runoff with former Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson after hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots were counted Wednesday .
Ossoff lost a special House election in 2017 that drew national attention , and had put $ 450,000 of his own money into the campaign just days before Tuesday ’ s primary .
One of seven Democratic candidates in the primary , he had 50.5 percent when The Associated Press called the race with 98 of precincts counted .
Tomlinson ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sarah Riggs Amico , the 2018 candidate for lieutenant governor , with 12.6 percent .
Georgia law requires primary candidates to get more than 50 percent of the vote to secure a nomination .
Otherwise , the top two vote-getters will face each other in an Aug. 11 runoff .
Perdue , who won his first term with 53 percent of the vote six years ago after a lucrative business career that included specializing in corporate turnarounds , was unopposed in the primary .
He came under fire from Democrats for stock trades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Trades by the state 's other Republican senator , Kelly Loeffler , attracted national attention and investigations from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice .

Documentary film producer Jon Ossoff won a crowded Democratic primary Tuesday to challenge GOP Sen. David Perdue, narrowly avoiding a runoff with former Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson after hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots were counted Wednesday.
Ossoff lost a special House election in 2017 that drew national attention, and had put $450,000 of his own money into the campaign just days before Tuesday’s primary. One of seven Democratic candidates in the primary, he had 50.5 percent when The Associated Press called the race with 98 of precincts counted.
Tomlinson ran second with 15.2 percent, followed by Sarah Riggs Amico, the 2018 candidate for lieutenant governor, with 12.6 percent.
Georgia law requires primary candidates to get more than 50 percent of the vote to secure a nomination. Otherwise, the top two vote-getters will face each other in an Aug. 11 runoff.
Perdue, who won his first term with 53 percent of the vote six years ago after a lucrative business career that included specializing in corporate turnarounds, was unopposed in the primary. He came under fire from Democrats for stock trades in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Trades by the state's other Republican senator, Kelly Loeffler, attracted national attention and investigations from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Senate Armed Services on collision course with Trump over Confederate names

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday voted to require the Pentagon to rename military bases and other assets named after Confederate generals , a move that puts the Republican-led panel on a collision course with the White House .
The committee adopted an amendment to the annual Pentagon policy bill that gives the Defense Department three years to remove the names of Confederate generals from U.S. military assets , according to a source familiar with the closed-door proceedings .
The language , adopted by voice vote as President Donald Trump preemptively threatened to veto any defense bill that did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Benning in Georgia .
But it also goes further and includes everything from ships to streets on Defense Department property .
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren offered the provision , which she previewed on Twitter .
`` I filed an amendment to the annual defense bill last week to rename all bases named for Confederate generals .
It 's long past time to end the tribute to white supremacy on our military installations , '' Warren tweeted Tuesday , though it was not clear at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or if it had any chance of success .

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday voted to require the Pentagon to rename military bases and other assets named after Confederate generals, a move that puts the Republican-led panel on a collision course with the White House.
The committee adopted an amendment to the annual Pentagon policy bill that gives the Defense Department three years to remove the names of Confederate generals from U.S. military assets, according to a source familiar with the closed-door proceedings.
The language, adopted by voice vote as President Donald Trump preemptively threatened to veto any defense bill that did just that, affects massive bases like Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Fort Benning in Georgia. But it also goes further and includes everything from ships to streets on Defense Department property.
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren offered the provision, which she previewed on Twitter.
"I filed an amendment to the annual defense bill last week to rename all bases named for Confederate generals. It's long past time to end the tribute to white supremacy on our military installations," Warren tweeted Tuesday, though it was not clear at the time if the amendment would be offered, or if it had any chance of success.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Voting delays in Georgia primary spur calls for federal action before  November

Georgia election administrators were working their way through hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots Wednesday as advocates argued the long lines that kept polls open past 10 p.m. in some places the previous night reinforced the need for more action in Washington to ensure November ’ s election goes smoothly .
“ What happened yesterday was a catastrophe , ” Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff said .
“ It was an embarrassment , and it was an affront to basic constitutional principles.
” Ossoff , who was declared the winner of the Democratic primary late Wednesday , was part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the confusion at the polls in the Peach State represented deliberate voter disenfranchisement .
They noted that many of the longest lines were concentrated in black and brown Atlanta suburbs where hundreds of polling places had already been closed after the 2013 Supreme Court decision that overturned a section of the Voting Rights Act requiring federal approval before changing voting laws in Georgia and other states .
Republican state officials have shot back that it was up to county officials — many of them in areas controlled by Democrats — to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , had introduced new voting machines for the election .
Inadequate training on the new equipment and consolidated polling sites because of the coronavirus contributed to long lines despite efforts by the state to encourage voting by mail .
Georgia ’ s problems evoked similar scenes in Wisconsin after the state , embroiled in a partisan dispute between the Democratic governor and the GOP-controlled Legislature , held in-person elections April 7 during a statewide stay-at-home order .
Other states have worked to rapidly switch to mostly mail-in ballots to protect voters from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines of voters who didn ’ t get their ballots or didn ’ t want to use them .
Long lines were reported Tuesday in Nevada , for example , and returns there were delayed as well .

Georgia election administrators were working their way through hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots Wednesday as advocates argued the long lines that kept polls open past 10 p.m. in some places the previous night reinforced the need for more action in Washington to ensure November’s election goes smoothly.
“What happened yesterday was a catastrophe,” Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff said. “It was an embarrassment, and it was an affront to basic constitutional principles.”
Ossoff, who was declared the winner of the Democratic primary late Wednesday, was part of a chorus of Democrats who said the confusion at the polls in the Peach State represented deliberate voter disenfranchisement. They noted that many of the longest lines were concentrated in black and brown Atlanta suburbs where hundreds of polling places had already been closed after the 2013 Supreme Court decision that overturned a section of the Voting Rights Act requiring federal approval before changing voting laws in Georgia and other states.
Republican state officials have shot back that it was up to county officials — many of them in areas controlled by Democrats — to ensure that elections flowed smoothly. The state, however, had introduced new voting machines for the election. Inadequate training on the new equipment and consolidated polling sites because of the coronavirus contributed to long lines despite efforts by the state to encourage voting by mail.
Georgia’s problems evoked similar scenes in Wisconsin after the state, embroiled in a partisan dispute between the Democratic governor and the GOP-controlled Legislature, held in-person elections April 7 during a statewide stay-at-home order. Other states have worked to rapidly switch to mostly mail-in ballots to protect voters from the virus, and some saw long lines of voters who didn’t get their ballots or didn’t want to use them. Long lines were reported Tuesday in Nevada, for example, and returns there were delayed as well.


rollcall--2020-06-10--National Park Service to remove ban on some hunting practices in Alaska

The National Park Service unveiled a rule to allow once-banned hunting tactics such as the shooting of hibernating bears on 22 million acres of federal land in Alaska , a move the state delegation supports .
The rule , finalized Tuesday and slated to go into effect in 30 days , in time for summer hunting , allows on federal land methods that environmentalists and conservationists denounce as cruel and gruesome , like shooting bears and cubs in their dens , killing caribou from motorized boats and chasing bears with dogs .
In a proposal Wednesday for a different rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to weaken hunting restrictions in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge , in southern Alaska , including to allow use of so-called bait stations to lure and kill brown bears .
And the FWS proposed in April expanding hunting and fishing on 97 wildlife refuges and nine fish hatcheries nationwide — a total of 2.3 million acres .
“ The Trump administration just seems dead-set on appeasing trophy hunters , ” Collette Adkins , carnivore conservation director at the Center for Biological Diversity , an environmental organization , said in an interview .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing contest.
” Both agencies are within the Interior Department , and they say the moves this week align federal law with Alaska state law .

The National Park Service unveiled a rule to allow once-banned hunting tactics such as the shooting of hibernating bears on 22 million acres of federal land in Alaska, a move the state delegation supports.
The rule, finalized Tuesday and slated to go into effect in 30 days, in time for summer hunting, allows on federal land methods that environmentalists and conservationists denounce as cruel and gruesome, like shooting bears and cubs in their dens, killing caribou from motorized boats and chasing bears with dogs.
In a proposal Wednesday for a different rule, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service moved to weaken hunting restrictions in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, in southern Alaska, including to allow use of so-called bait stations to lure and kill brown bears. And the FWS proposed in April expanding hunting and fishing on 97 wildlife refuges and nine fish hatcheries nationwide — a total of 2.3 million acres.
“The Trump administration just seems dead-set on appeasing trophy hunters,” Collette Adkins, carnivore conservation director at the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental organization, said in an interview. “It’s kind of a killing contest.”
Both agencies are within the Interior Department, and they say the moves this week align federal law with Alaska state law.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Pelosi wants 11 Confederate statues removed from Capitol

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling for the removal of 11 Confederate statues from the the Capitol ’ s National Statuary Hall Collection .
In a letter sent on Wednesday , Pelosi asked the Joint Committee on the Library — led by Senate Rules and Administration Chairman Roy Blunt , a Missouri Republican , and House Administration Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren , a California Democrat — to direct the Architect of the Capitol to remove the statues of soldiers and officials who represent the Confederacy .
Pelosi specifically mentioned two prominent Confederates — Jefferson Davis and Alexander Stephens — who served as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States of America , respectively , and who were charged with treason against the United States .
Stephens ’ statue was given by Georgia and Davis ’ by Mississippi .
“ While I believe it is imperative that we never forget our history lest we repeat it , I also believe that there is no room for celebrating the violent bigotry of the men of the Confederacy in the hallowed halls of the United States Capitol or in places of honor across the country , ” Pelosi wrote .
The request comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police killings of black people , including the death of George Floyd .
The request also came on the day President Donald Trump said he would not consider renaming any military bases that derive from Confederate figures .

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling for the removal of 11 Confederate statues from the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection.
In a letter sent on Wednesday, Pelosi asked the Joint Committee on the Library — led by Senate Rules and Administration Chairman Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican, and House Administration Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren, a California Democrat — to direct the Architect of the Capitol to remove the statues of soldiers and officials who represent the Confederacy.
Pelosi specifically mentioned two prominent Confederates — Jefferson Davis and Alexander Stephens — who served as president and vice president of the Confederate States of America, respectively, and who were charged with treason against the United States. Stephens’ statue was given by Georgia and Davis’ by Mississippi.
“While I believe it is imperative that we never forget our history lest we repeat it, I also believe that there is no room for celebrating the violent bigotry of the men of the Confederacy in the hallowed halls of the United States Capitol or in places of honor across the country,” Pelosi wrote.
A statue of Alexander Stephens, who was vice president of the Confederacy, is on display in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall.
The request comes as the nation grapples with the prevalence of police killings of black people, including the death of George Floyd. The request also came on the day President Donald Trump said he would not consider renaming any military bases that derive from Confederate figures.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Coronavirus Special Report: What the pandemic could mean for schools

In tonight 's episode , we look at how Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin views the Paycheck Protection Program , what @ @ @ @ @ schools this fall , and give a roundup of health policy news .
• House @ @ @ @ @ to study societal issues impacting black men • White House ‘ definitely ’ wants more @ @ @ @ @ • Scott rebukes critics who say he ’ s being used by GOP on police @

In tonight's episode, we look at how Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin views the Paycheck Protection Program, what the pandemic could mean for schools this fall, and give a roundup of health policy news.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-10--Senate panel considers steps to reopen schools

The Senate health committee on Wednesday considered the steps schools should take to reopen later this year as officials seek to protect students , teachers and staff from COVID-19 while compensating for learning gaps students experienced this year .
The Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee hearing focused less on whether schools should reopen but more on how to do so safely , which may include a mix of in-person and virtual learning .
Senators pressed the witnesses on how to make up for gaps in education that students may have faced after finishing the academic year virtually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as economic status , race or learning disabilities .
“ It is likely that some schools will need to keep their physical buildings closed , either fully or partially , for all or some of our students , ” said ranking member Sen. Patty Murray , D-Wash. Susana Cordova , the superintendent of Denver Public Schools in Colorado , said the city is planning for all students to participate in a mix of in-person and distance learning this fall .
All students will have a minimum of 40 percent of their education time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” including students with disabilities , English learners or students not on track to graduate , would receive an additional full day of in-person instruction a week .
“ This is an important equity measure that will help mitigate the impact of lost learning from remote time , ” she said .

The Senate health committee on Wednesday considered the steps schools should take to reopen later this year as officials seek to protect students, teachers and staff from COVID-19 while compensating for learning gaps students experienced this year.
The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing focused less on whether schools should reopen but more on how to do so safely, which may include a mix of in-person and virtual learning. Senators pressed the witnesses on how to make up for gaps in education that students may have faced after finishing the academic year virtually and how to account for disparities such as economic status, race or learning disabilities.
“It is likely that some schools will need to keep their physical buildings closed, either fully or partially, for all or some of our students,” said ranking member Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
Susana Cordova, the superintendent of Denver Public Schools in Colorado, said the city is planning for all students to participate in a mix of in-person and distance learning this fall. All students will have a minimum of 40 percent of their education time spent in person. "Priority learners,” including students with disabilities, English learners or students not on track to graduate, would receive an additional full day of in-person instruction a week.
“This is an important equity measure that will help mitigate the impact of lost learning from remote time,” she said.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Trump administration sued over border restrictions

Immigration advocates have filed a pair of lawsuits in federal court challenging an order that has allowed the Trump administration to virtually end asylum at the U.S. border amid the pandemic .
The American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy organizations filed one lawsuit late Tuesday on behalf of a 16-year-old Honduran boy who crossed the U.S. border alone and may be sent back without being offered the standard process for requesting humanitarian protection .
The groups filed another lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a 13-year-old girl from El Salvador who has gone hiding after being removed from the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asylum .
Both lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia .
“ This isn ’ t some ivory tower legal battle , ” Karla M. Vargas , senior attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project , said in a statement regarding the second lawsuit .
“ In our name , the government used a dog to chase a girl into the river and never even bothered to check if she had a mother.
” The lawsuits challenge a sweeping order issued March 20 by the Centers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for turning back migrant children and adults who would otherwise have been allowed , by law , to stay and demonstrate their eligibility for protection .
Since the order was implemented , more than 20,000 migrants have been “ expelled , ” according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website .
Around 1,000 unaccompanied children were sent back under this order in March and April , CBP said last month .

Immigration advocates have filed a pair of lawsuits in federal court challenging an order that has allowed the Trump administration to virtually end asylum at the U.S. border amid the pandemic.
The American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy organizations filed one lawsuit late Tuesday on behalf of a 16-year-old Honduran boy who crossed the U.S. border alone and may be sent back without being offered the standard process for requesting humanitarian protection.
The groups filed another lawsuit Wednesday on behalf of a 13-year-old girl from El Salvador who has gone hiding after being removed from the United States, where her mother previously obtained asylum. Both lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“This isn’t some ivory tower legal battle,” Karla M. Vargas, senior attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, said in a statement regarding the second lawsuit. “In our name, the government used a dog to chase a girl into the river and never even bothered to check if she had a mother.”
The lawsuits challenge a sweeping order issued March 20 by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention that cites the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for turning back migrant children and adults who would otherwise have been allowed, by law, to stay and demonstrate their eligibility for protection. Since the order was implemented, more than 20,000 migrants have been “expelled,” according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. Around 1,000 unaccompanied children were sent back under this order in March and April, CBP said last month.


rollcall--2020-06-10--Outside groups press Risch to livestream Foreign Relations proceedings

A broad coalition of governance groups and legislative branch experts wrote to the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday to criticize his recent decision to bar a livestream video of a confirmation vote on a controversial nominee , in contravention to the best practices recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic put out by the Senate Rules Committee .
“ Senate and House committee proceedings should be broadcast online as live video except when they discuss secret matters , and this is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic where it is impossible for all interested members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Daniel Schuman , policy director of the pro-transparency organization Demand Progress , which organized the letter , said in a statement .
“ Congress must be open and accountable , and Sen. Risch ’ s decision to undermine the transparency of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee proceedings by refusing reasonable press and minority requests to relocate to a room where a video live-stream was possible is an error of judgment that no committee should repeat.
” Committee chairman Jim Risch , R-Idaho , upset Democrats last month when he , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the seven days ’ notice required by Senate and committee rules , scheduled a confirmation vote on Michael Pack to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media .
The agency oversees U.S. government-funded international broadcasters including Voice of America and Radio Free Asia .
In scheduling the vote , Risch broke with the committee ’ s longstanding bipartisan tradition of cooperation between the chairman and ranking member in agreeing to agenda items .
The panel ’ s top Democrat , Bob Menendez of New Jersey , and all other committee Democrats objected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pack was being investigated by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia for alleged improper activities related to the transfer of tax-exempt funds from a nonprofit film company he ran to a for-profit film company that he also ran .

A broad coalition of governance groups and legislative branch experts wrote to the head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday to criticize his recent decision to bar a livestream video of a confirmation vote on a controversial nominee, in contravention to the best practices recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic put out by the Senate Rules Committee.
“Senate and House committee proceedings should be broadcast online as live video except when they discuss secret matters, and this is even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic where it is impossible for all interested members of the public and press to attend in person,” Daniel Schuman, policy director of the pro-transparency organization Demand Progress, which organized the letter, said in a statement.
“Congress must be open and accountable, and Sen. Risch’s decision to undermine the transparency of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee proceedings by refusing reasonable press and minority requests to relocate to a room where a video live-stream was possible is an error of judgment that no committee should repeat.”
Committee chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, upset Democrats last month when he, with only two days' notice as opposed to the seven days’ notice required by Senate and committee rules, scheduled a confirmation vote on Michael Pack to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The agency oversees U.S. government-funded international broadcasters including Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.
In scheduling the vote, Risch broke with the committee’s longstanding bipartisan tradition of cooperation between the chairman and ranking member in agreeing to agenda items. The panel’s top Democrat, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, and all other committee Democrats objected to the nomination on the grounds that Pack was being investigated by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia for alleged improper activities related to the transfer of tax-exempt funds from a nonprofit film company he ran to a for-profit film company that he also ran.


rollcall--2020-06-10--USCIS resumes naturalizations, ushers in 2,000 new citizens

After halting all naturalization ceremonies several months ago amid the coronavirus pandemic , U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services has @ @ @ @ @ new citizens since reopening field offices last week .
That ’ s just a fraction @ @ @ @ @ new citizens ushered in by USCIS , the Homeland Security agency that oversees the naturalization @ @ @ @ @ .
Pre-pandemic , around 60,000 people were naturalized every month , according to government data @ @ @ @ @ the last legally required step before an immigrant transitions from permanent resident to U.S. citizen @ @ @ @ @ in-person services — including naturalization oath ceremonies — on March 18 to help reduce the @ @ @ @ @ The agency resumed conducting naturalization ceremonies on June 4 under restrictive conditions to enable social @ @ @ @ @ , said USCIS spokesman Joe Sowers .
The National Partnership of New Americans , a @ @ @ @ @ and local organizations that help naturalized citizens register to vote , estimated that 860,000 people @ @ @ @ @ citizens this year .
That was before pandemic-related shutdowns , however .

After halting all naturalization ceremonies several months ago amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has sworn in more than 2,000 new citizens since reopening field offices last week.
That’s just a fraction of the usual volume of new citizens ushered in by USCIS, the Homeland Security agency that oversees the naturalization process and allocates immigration visas. Pre-pandemic, around 60,000 people were naturalized every month, according to government data.
The naturalization ceremonies are the last legally required step before an immigrant transitions from permanent resident to U.S. citizen. But USCIS suspended all in-person services — including naturalization oath ceremonies — on March 18 to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
The agency resumed conducting naturalization ceremonies on June 4 under restrictive conditions to enable social distancing and other safety precautions, said USCIS spokesman Joe Sowers.
The National Partnership of New Americans, a coalition of state, federal and local organizations that help naturalized citizens register to vote, estimated that 860,000 people were scheduled to become U.S. citizens this year. That was before pandemic-related shutdowns, however.


rollcall--2020-06-11--With transportation’s future unclear, some question spending

Save for an initial investment of $ 83.1 billion for pandemic-strapped state and local transportation departments , the $ 494 @ @ @ @ @ last week didn ’ t specifically address how the coronavirus might spark long-term changes in @ @ @ @ @ .
They express the same concern about the Senate 's bill , approved in July @ @ @ @ @ Works Committee .
“ My fear is if we barrel ahead blindly , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ huge mismatch , ” said Marc Scribner , senior transportation analyst with the libertarian Reason @ @ @ @ @ orders have made employers reexamine their willingness to allow workers to telecommute .
Others are @ @ @ @ @ contact inherent in public transit in a world with heightened awareness of disease transmission .
@ @ @ @ @ to say if these changes will be temporary or transformative .

Save for an initial investment of $83.1 billion for pandemic-strapped state and local transportation departments, the $494 billion House highway bill introduced last week didn’t specifically address how the coronavirus might spark long-term changes in the way Americans use transportation.
Analysts wonder if that’s a mistake.
They express the same concern about the Senate's bill, approved in July by the Environment and Public Works Committee.
“My fear is if we barrel ahead blindly, we’re going to have this huge mismatch,” said Marc Scribner, senior transportation analyst with the libertarian Reason Foundation.
He said stay-at-home orders have made employers reexamine their willingness to allow workers to telecommute. Others are wary of the close human contact inherent in public transit in a world with heightened awareness of disease transmission. It’s too soon to say if these changes will be temporary or transformative.


rollcall--2020-06-11--McConnell’s push to confirm judges may mean another tradition is dead

A ghost from the old Senate that haunts the chamber ’ s judicial confirmation fights seems to be disappearing from the floor this year — and might be fading away for good .
At about this time during presidential election years , senators have invoked the so-called Thurmond Rule , an unwritten agreement that calls for the chamber to stop approving circuit court nominations in the few months before Election Day .
[ Judge Justin Walker is a window into McConnell ’ s sway on federal courts ] Named after the late South Carolina Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond , senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block action on a president ’ s appeals court picks .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , for instance , cited the rule on June 13 , 2012 , as reason to halt judicial nominations at the end of President Barack Obama ’ s first term .
McConnell was minority leader at the time .
But there ’ s nary a whisper of the Thurmond Rule this year .
And thanks to Senate rule changes and McConnell ’ s focus on filling the courts with President Donald Trump ’ s nominees , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignored .

A ghost from the old Senate that haunts the chamber’s judicial confirmation fights seems to be disappearing from the floor this year — and might be fading away for good.
At about this time during presidential election years, senators have invoked the so-called Thurmond Rule, an unwritten agreement that calls for the chamber to stop approving circuit court nominations in the few months before Election Day.
[Judge Justin Walker is a window into McConnell’s sway on federal courts]
Named after the late South Carolina Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond, senators from both sides have used it to block action on a president’s appeals court picks. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, for instance, cited the rule on June 13, 2012, as reason to halt judicial nominations at the end of President Barack Obama’s first term. McConnell was minority leader at the time.
But there’s nary a whisper of the Thurmond Rule this year. And thanks to Senate rule changes and McConnell’s focus on filling the courts with President Donald Trump’s nominees, the old rule looks like it will be ignored.


rollcall--2020-06-11--Minority-owned businesses struggling as PG County reopens

PG County , Maryland , began reopening businesses in June , but some minority-owned barbershops and salons say they ’ @ @ @ @ @ under the continued restrictions , and are still concerned about the spread of COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ s Clyde McGrady spoke to several PG County business owners and independent contractors to see @ @ @ @ @ reopening their doors in the age of the coronavirus .

PG County, Maryland, began reopening businesses in June, but some minority-owned barbershops and salons say they’re not making any profit under the continued restrictions, and are still concerned about the spread of COVID-19.
Heard on the Hill’s Clyde McGrady spoke to several PG County business owners and independent contractors to see how they’re handling reopening their doors in the age of the coronavirus.
[ Read more: ‘How are we supposed to survive?’: Black-owned barbershops reopen, but it’s not the same ]


rollcall--2020-06-11--House’s Peterson laments lack of influence in farm relief aid

House Agriculture Chairman Collin C. Peterson said coronavirus legislation that gave billions of dollars to the Agriculture Department for an economic relief package left his committee little say about the distribution of $ 16 billion in payments to farmers and ranchers .
“ I am concerned that the Ag Committee has basically been neutered in this whole process , and we don ’ t have really anything to say about anything .
We ’ re getting all the flak from people , ” the Minnesota Democrat said Wednesday in a phone interview with CQ Roll Call .
He said constituents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they see in the structure of the payments and don ’ t believe his explanation that he has little input beyond voting for the March 27 legislation .
The bill provided $ 9.5 billion in appropriated funds and $ 14 billion in borrowing authority for the Commodity Credit Corporation to construct a relief plan .
Peterson and subcommittee leaders Jim Costa , D-Calif. , Stacey Plaskett , D-V.I.
, and Filemon Vela , D-Texas , sent Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue a letter relaying questions and criticism Peterson says they have collected from other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farm groups .
“ We thought some of these issues were valid and legitimate and they deserved answers so we sent the letter , ” Peterson said .

House Agriculture Chairman Collin C. Peterson said coronavirus legislation that gave billions of dollars to the Agriculture Department for an economic relief package left his committee little say about the distribution of $16 billion in payments to farmers and ranchers.
“I am concerned that the Ag Committee has basically been neutered in this whole process, and we don’t have really anything to say about anything. We’re getting all the flak from people,” the Minnesota Democrat said Wednesday in a phone interview with CQ Roll Call.
He said constituents have been calling to complain about flaws they see in the structure of the payments and don’t believe his explanation that he has little input beyond voting for the March 27 legislation. The bill provided $9.5 billion in appropriated funds and $14 billion in borrowing authority for the Commodity Credit Corporation to construct a relief plan.
Peterson and subcommittee leaders Jim Costa, D-Calif., Stacey Plaskett, D-V.I., and Filemon Vela, D-Texas, sent Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue a letter relaying questions and criticism Peterson says they have collected from other lawmakers, people in their districts and farm groups.
“We thought some of these issues were valid and legitimate and they deserved answers so we sent the letter,” Peterson said.


rollcall--2020-06-11--‘How are we supposed to survive?’: Black-owned barbershops reopen, but it’s not the same

CAPITOL HEIGHTS , Md .
— Just off a bustling highway in Prince George ’ s County sits Crown Royal Barbers , tucked away next to a Jerry ’ s Subs and Pizza in one of the area ’ s plazas full of grocery stores and shoe shops .
It ’ s Kim Duncan ’ s first day back at work .
A licensed cosmetologist , she cuts hair at the attached salon and also handles bookkeeping for the black-owned Crown Royal , which has several locations in Maryland .
In between appointments , she greets me at the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shampoo dripping from her gloved hands , a reminder of just how much the coronavirus has changed things .
Like many businesses , this one has reopened after closing its doors in March amid state and county orders meant to slow the spread of the pandemic .
Despite the economic devastation caused by the shutdown , Duncan , a mother of four , thinks it might be too soon to come back .
“ Even though it affects my income , I ’ d rather be here to complain about it affecting my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Duncan tells me on this first Thursday in June .
“ Put it that way .
”

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. — Just off a bustling highway in Prince George’s County sits Crown Royal Barbers, tucked away next to a Jerry’s Subs and Pizza in one of the area’s plazas full of grocery stores and shoe shops.
It’s Kim Duncan’s first day back at work. A licensed cosmetologist, she cuts hair at the attached salon and also handles bookkeeping for the black-owned Crown Royal, which has several locations in Maryland.
In between appointments, she greets me at the door wearing a mask and face shield, shampoo dripping from her gloved hands, a reminder of just how much the coronavirus has changed things.
Like many businesses, this one has reopened after closing its doors in March amid state and county orders meant to slow the spread of the pandemic. Despite the economic devastation caused by the shutdown, Duncan, a mother of four, thinks it might be too soon to come back.
“Even though it affects my income, I’d rather be here to complain about it affecting my income than be six feet under,” Duncan tells me on this first Thursday in June. “Put it that way.”


rollcall--2020-06-11--Senate aides say there’s work to be done on staffer diversity, after Tim Scott airs criticism

Sen. Tim Scott called out the lack of racial diversity among staff in certain Senate offices Wednesday , which highlighted how little data is available on staffer demographics .
It also got staffers and senators talking about how to tackle the problem .
Although there are varying opinions on how to boost diversity , many agree that a major problem is a lack of data on diversity of race , gender and socioeconomic backgrounds among staff .
Scott , the only black Republican in the chamber , said Wednesday that he ’ d like the Senate to conduct a study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee has tried for years to get a study off the ground on staff compensation in the Senate but has not succeeded in getting a report with the full scope of data .
The subcommittee and full Appropriations panel approved language for fiscal 2019 that specifically required comparisons among Senate staff , the executive branch and the private sector and required a study comparing staff compensation within the Senate with respect to gender , race and ethnicity .
But the final measure , which was wrapped into a larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , watered down the requirements on Senate compensation comparisons and stripped the requirement to evaluate compensation with respect to gender , race and ethnicity .
Providing compensation data is voluntary for any Senate office or committee .

Katherine Tully-McManus and Kathryn Lyons

Sen. Tim Scott called out the lack of racial diversity among staff in certain Senate offices Wednesday, which highlighted how little data is available on staffer demographics. It also got staffers and senators talking about how to tackle the problem.
Although there are varying opinions on how to boost diversity, many agree that a major problem is a lack of data on diversity of race, gender and socioeconomic backgrounds among staff. Scott, the only black Republican in the chamber, said Wednesday that he’d like the Senate to conduct a study of staffer demographics and pay.
The Senate Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee has tried for years to get a study off the ground on staff compensation in the Senate but has not succeeded in getting a report with the full scope of data.
The subcommittee and full Appropriations panel approved language for fiscal 2019 that specifically required comparisons among Senate staff, the executive branch and the private sector and required a study comparing staff compensation within the Senate with respect to gender, race and ethnicity.


rollcall--2020-06-11--Here’s why the U.S. named bases for Confederate generals

As the U.S. readied to enter the first World War , politicians amended Jim Crow-era laws , allowing minorities to @ @ @ @ @ The practice continued through to World War II .
One such piece of legislation was @ @ @ @ @ Act of 1940 , which stated `` Provided , That in the selection and training @ @ @ @ @ ... there shall be no discrimination against any person on account of race or color @ @ @ @ @ says this forced integration led to the U.S. military naming bases after Confederate heroes as @ @ @ @ @ southerners .
Watch CQ Roll Call 's interview with Bernstein on bases named after Confederate @ @ @ @ @ expunging all traces of Confederacy in military ]

As the U.S. readied to enter World War I, politicians amended Jim Crow-era laws, allowing minorities to boost the military ranks.
The practice continued through to World War II. One such piece of legislation was the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, which stated "Provided, That in the selection and training of men under this Act ... there shall be no discrimination against any person on account of race or color."
Historian Jonathan Bernstein says this forced integration led to the U.S. military naming bases after Confederate heroes as a way to placate disgruntled Southerners.
Watch CQ Roll Call's interview with Bernstein on bases named after Confederate generals.
[Members eye expunging all traces of Confederacy in military]


rollcall--2020-06-11--Trump campaign asks supporters to waive COVID-19 liability to attend Tulsa rally

Supporters of President Donald Trump are being asked to immunize his campaign from COVID-19 liability claims if they want to attend his next campaign rally .
“ By clicking register below , you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present , ” the online registration form for the public says .
“ By attending the Rally , you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President , Inc. ; BOK Center ; ASM Global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directors , officers , employees , agents , contractors , or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.
” The BOK Center is the large indoor arena in Tulsa , Oklahoma , that will be the site of the June 19 Trump reelection campaign rally , the first for the president since the coronavirus pandemic has dominated the public ’ s attention .
ASM Global manages the venue .
The White House and congressional Republicans are focusing on including limitations on liability for coronavirus-related claims in any economic aid package .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to political campaigns .
As the media advisory for the campaign rally was reaching inboxes Thursday , Surgeon General Jerome Adams was appearing at a roundtable discussion with Trump and other senior administration officials in Dallas .

Supporters of President Donald Trump are being asked to immunize his campaign from COVID-19 liability claims if they want to attend his next campaign rally.
“By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present,” the online registration form for the public says. “By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.”
The BOK Center is the large indoor arena in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that will be the site of the June 19 Trump reelection campaign rally, the first for the president since the coronavirus pandemic has dominated the public’s attention. ASM Global manages the venue.
The White House and congressional Republicans are focusing on including limitations on liability for coronavirus-related claims in any economic aid package. It was not immediately clear how that might apply to political campaigns.
As the media advisory for the campaign rally was reaching inboxes Thursday, Surgeon General Jerome Adams was appearing at a roundtable discussion with Trump and other senior administration officials in Dallas.


rollcall--2020-06-11--Coronavirus Special Report: Pandemic politics

In this episode of Coronavirus Special Report , politics is back in full view when it comes to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ ads are targeting vulnerable senators and their stances around relief , while one lawmaker goes @ @ @ @ @ at helping farmers .
• Police lounged in congressman ’ s burglarized office as looters @ @ @ @ @ Members eye expunging all traces of Confederacy in military

In this episode of Coronavirus Special Report, politics is back in full view when it comes to the coronavirus and Capitol Hill. Political ads are targeting vulnerable senators and their stances around relief, while one lawmaker goes on defense about money aimed at helping farmers.
Show notes:


rollcall--2020-06-11--GAO: DHS agency misspent emergency funds on dirt bikes, dog food

Customs and Border Protection violated the law by spending emergency funding specifically designated for “ consumables and medical care ” @ @ @ @ @ , including dirt bikes , boats and dog food , according to a Government Accountability @ @ @ @ @ In June 2019 , Congress passed a $ 4.59 billion supplemental spending bill to help @ @ @ @ @ their overcrowded facilities and process the large numbers of families and unaccompanied children arriving at @ @ @ @ @ asylum .
The GAO said it came across the misspending by CBP after auditing the @ @ @ @ @ for the way it had handled that surge of migrants .
`` We conclude that @ @ @ @ @ when it obligated amounts expressly appropriated for consumables and medical care and establishing and operating @ @ @ @ @ for other purposes , '' according to the GAO decision .
The purpose statute requires @ @ @ @ @ on the goods and services for which it has been appropriated .

Customs and Border Protection violated the law by spending emergency funding specifically designated for “consumables and medical care” for migrants on other items, including dirt bikes, boats and dog food, according to a Government Accountability Office decision released Thursday.
In June 2019, Congress passed a $4.59 billion supplemental spending bill to help border authorities improve conditions at their overcrowded facilities and process the large numbers of families and unaccompanied children arriving at the southern border to request asylum.
The GAO said it came across the misspending by CBP after auditing the Department of Homeland Security agency for the way it had handled that surge of migrants.
"We conclude that CBP violated the purpose statute when it obligated amounts expressly appropriated for consumables and medical care and establishing and operating migrant care and processing facilities for other purposes," according to the GAO decision.
The purpose statute requires that agencies spend money only on the goods and services for which it has been appropriated.


rollcall--2020-06-11--Smith unsatisfied with Pentagon answers on protest response

House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith on Thursday remained locked in a stalemate with Pentagon leaders amid requests for them to testify before the oversight panel on the military 's role in response to recent nationwide protests , and particularly those within Washington , D.C .
The Washington Democrat has demanded information from Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley , firing off a blistering letter Wednesday criticizing them for failing to answer written questions and refusing to appear before the committee .
Milley and Esper did eventually respond , but their answers provided very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the military 's general role , in the response to the protests , which were spurred by the May 25 killing of George Floyd , a black man , while in police custody .
Esper and Milley were specifically asked about the military 's involvement in the clearing of largely peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square on the evening of June 1 .
Minutes later , Esper and Milley joined President Donald Trump in walking from the White House across the square to St. John ’ s Church , where Esper posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held up a Bible .
Milley was wearing combat fatigues , and was interviewed hours later walking around the streets of Washington .

House Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith on Thursday remained locked in a stalemate with Pentagon leaders amid requests for them to testify before the oversight panel on the military's role in response to recent nationwide protests, and particularly those within Washington, D.C.
The Washington Democrat has demanded information from Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, firing off a blistering letter Wednesday criticizing them for failing to answer written questions and refusing to appear before the committee.
Milley and Esper did eventually respond, but their answers provided very little new information on their role specifically, and the military's general role, in the response to the protests, which were spurred by the May 25 killing of George Floyd, a black man, while in police custody.
Esper and Milley were specifically asked about the military's involvement in the clearing of largely peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square on the evening of June 1. Minutes later, Esper and Milley joined President Donald Trump in walking from the White House across the square to St. John’s Church, where Esper posed for photographs alongside the president, who held up a Bible.
Milley was wearing combat fatigues, and was interviewed hours later walking around the streets of Washington.


rollcall--2020-06-11--Members eye expunging all traces of Confederacy in military

President Donald Trump just ripped Sen. Elizabeth Warren for proposing that military bases named after Confederates be changed .
“ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Elizabeth 'Pocahontas ' Warren , just introduced an Amendment on the renaming of many @ @ @ @ @ from which we trained to WIN two World Wars , ” Trump tweeted Thursday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ know is that , under the Massachusetts Democrat 's proposal and another one in the @ @ @ @ @ the bases be renamed but also any Dixie flags and stickers would come down — @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. military of what some Southerners and historical revisionists still call the `` @ @ @ @ @ Confederacy .
Likewise , a draft House bill by Reps. Anthony G. Brown , D-Md.
@ @ @ @ @ R-Neb.
, goes beyond renaming installations .
It would require within one year that the @ @ @ @ @ on installations `` and other property of the Department of Defense '' if the designations @ @ @ @ @ do not comport with the armed services ' core values .

President Donald Trump just ripped Sen. Elizabeth Warren for proposing that military bases named after Confederates be renamed.
“Seriously failed presidential candidate, Senator Elizabeth 'Pocahontas' Warren, just introduced an Amendment on the renaming of many of our legendary Military Bases from which we trained to WIN two World Wars,” Trump tweeted Thursday afternoon.
What Trump may not know is that, under the Massachusetts Democrat's proposal and another one in the House, not only would the bases be renamed but also any Dixie flags and stickers would come down — as would all other traces in the U.S. military of what some Southerners and historical revisionists still call the "lost cause" of the Confederacy.
Likewise, a draft House bill by Reps. Anthony G. Brown, D-Md., and Don Bacon, R-Neb., goes beyond renaming installations.
It would require within one year that the Pentagon do away with names on installations "and other property of the Department of Defense" if the designations honor the Confederacy or otherwise do not comport with the armed services' core values.


rollcall--2020-06-11--Police lounged in congressman’s burglarized office as looters broke into nearby shops

Chicago police officers were caught on video using Rep. Bobby L. Rush ’ s burglarized campaign office as a hangout while people looted a nearby shopping center , the Illinois Democrat said Thursday .
Rush and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at a news conference that video footage shows about a dozen police officers using the office on the South Side of Chicago as a campsite of sorts : napping , helping themselves to snacks and putting their feet up on desks while looting of area businesses took place .
Rush said he was alerted by a phone call that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 31 , as looting and fires occurred in the area .
The video footage shows the officers in the office around 1 a.m. on June 1 .
Photos shown at the news conference Thursday show a large broken window at the front of the office space .
Police officials confirmed that 13 officers had been “ relaxing ” in the office .
Rush said video footage shows them “ lounging in my office , ” including at least three supervisor-level officers .
“ One was asleep on my couch in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Katherine Tully-McManus and Chris Cioffi

Chicago police officers were caught on video using Rep. Bobby L. Rush’s burglarized campaign office as a hangout while people looted a nearby shopping center, the Illinois Democrat said Thursday.
Rush and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said at a news conference that video footage shows about a dozen police officers using the office on the South Side of Chicago as a campsite of sorts: napping, helping themselves to snacks and putting their feet up on desks while looting of area businesses took place.
Rush said he was alerted by a phone call that his campaign offices had been burglarized earlier on May 31, as looting and fires occurred in the area. The video footage shows the officers in the office around 1 a.m. on June 1. Photos shown at the news conference Thursday show a large broken window at the front of the office space.
Police officials confirmed that 13 officers had been “relaxing” in the office.
Rush said video footage shows them “lounging in my office,” including at least three supervisor-level officers. “One was asleep on my couch in my campaign office,” Rush said.


rollcall--2020-06-11--Court denies AFL-CIO request to require COVID-19 rule from OSHA

The Labor Department ’ s chief lawyer , Solicitor Kate O ’ Scannlain , and OSHA head Loren Sweatt issued a statement welcoming the decision .
“ We are pleased with the decision from the D.C .
Circuit , which agreed that OSHA reasonably determined that its existing statutory and regulatory tools are protecting America ’ s workers and that an emergency temporary standard is not necessary at this time , ” the Labor Department officials said .
“ OSHA will continue to enforce the law and offer guidance to employers and employees to keep America ’ s workplaces safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Trumka criticized the court for declining to hold oral arguments or issue a full opinion on the federation ’ s petition for mandamus , an extraordinary request for the court to order an executive branch action .
“ The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ’ s post-it length response to our petition acknowledges the ‘ unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic ’ but repeats the false claim by Big Business that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration already has done what is needed to protect workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Labor Department’s chief lawyer, Solicitor Kate O’Scannlain, and OSHA head Loren Sweatt issued a statement welcoming the decision.
“We are pleased with the decision from the D.C. Circuit, which agreed that OSHA reasonably determined that its existing statutory and regulatory tools are protecting America’s workers and that an emergency temporary standard is not necessary at this time,” the Labor Department officials said.
“OSHA will continue to enforce the law and offer guidance to employers and employees to keep America’s workplaces safe,” they added.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka criticized the court for declining to hold oral arguments or issue a full opinion on the federation’s petition for mandamus, an extraordinary request for the court to order an executive branch action.
“The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit’s post-it length response to our petition acknowledges the ‘unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic’ but repeats the false claim by Big Business that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration already has done what is needed to protect workers,” Trumka said in a statement.


rollcall--2020-06-11--Senate panel would bar military force against peaceful protesters

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted late Wednesday evening to block the U.S. military from ever interfering with the right @ @ @ @ @ .
The provision , by Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine , was an amendment to the @ @ @ @ @ authorization bill , which the committee considered behind closed doors .
Text of the amendment @ @ @ @ @ But Senate aides said it would bar use of Defense Department funds or U.S. military @ @ @ @ @ First Amendment right to demonstrate .
In a statement Thursday , Kaine said that offering @ @ @ @ @ I would never have thought I needed to do until last week.
” Kaine was @ @ @ @ @ s heated national debate over the use of the military to aid law enforcement .

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted late Wednesday evening to block the U.S. military from ever interfering with the right of Americans to peacefully protest.
The provision, by Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine, was an amendment to the panel’s annual defense authorization bill, which the committee considered behind closed doors.
Text of the amendment was not immediately available. But Senate aides said it would bar use of Defense Department funds or U.S. military personnel against Americans exercising their First Amendment right to demonstrate.
In a statement Thursday, Kaine said that offering his amendment was “something I would never have thought I needed to do until last week.”
Kaine was referring to this month’s heated national debate over the use of the military to aid law enforcement.


rollcall--2020-06-11--Trump OMB nominee OK’d by Budget panel, ready for floor vote

The Senate Budget Committee on Thursday approved the nomination of Russell Vought to be director of the Office of Management and Budget , amid recriminations from Chris Van Hollen , D-Md.
, that backing Vought was an abdication of responsibility .
Vought earlier this week won party-line approval by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee , which shares jurisdiction , likely assuring his confirmation by the full Senate in another probable party-line vote .
The Budget Committee voted 11-10 to advance Vought , with all 11 Republicans present and supporting , and all 10 Democrats opposed .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted by proxy .
Tim Kaine , D-Va. , was present for the vote along with Van Hollen .
Van Hollen had questioned Vought during a confirmation hearing last week over OMB ’ s actions in temporarily withholding foreign aid to Ukraine at President Donald Trump ’ s direction .
OMB eventually released the aid , but the Government Accountability Office , a legislative agency , concluded the delay violated a 1974 law that bars the president from withholding appropriated money except under certain circumstances .
Van Hollen picked up on that theme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of OMB when the hold occurred last year .
Vought is the Senate-confirmed deputy director of OMB and has served as acting director since January 2019 .

The Senate Budget Committee on Thursday approved the nomination of Russell Vought to be director of the Office of Management and Budget, amid recriminations from Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., that backing Vought was an abdication of responsibility.
Vought earlier this week won party-line approval by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which shares jurisdiction, likely assuring his confirmation by the full Senate in another probable party-line vote.
The Budget Committee voted 11-10 to advance Vought, with all 11 Republicans present and supporting, and all 10 Democrats opposed. Just two Democrats were in person and eight voted by proxy. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was present for the vote along with Van Hollen.
Van Hollen had questioned Vought during a confirmation hearing last week over OMB’s actions in temporarily withholding foreign aid to Ukraine at President Donald Trump’s direction. OMB eventually released the aid, but the Government Accountability Office, a legislative agency, concluded the delay violated a 1974 law that bars the president from withholding appropriated money except under certain circumstances.
Van Hollen picked up on that theme Thursday, noting that Vought was acting director of OMB when the hold occurred last year. Vought is the Senate-confirmed deputy director of OMB and has served as acting director since January 2019.


rollcall--2020-06-12--Unrest over race dismays US allies, delights enemies

The massive street protests that have erupted across the United States since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have brought with them a range of reactions from abroad , from harsh criticism by longtime allies of American police violence to a growing movement of sister protests against racial injustice across the world .
From allies , one gets a sense that President Donald Trump ’ s years of lies and provocations have finally come back to roost for him .
“ We all watch in horror and consternation what ’ s going on in the United States , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week after a remarkably long pause to a reporter ’ s question about the protests .
“ It is a time to pull people together but it is a time to listen , it is a time to learn what injustices continue , despite progress over years and decades.
” The German and Australian governments have criticized the abusive treatment of journalists from their countries by American police officers and National Guard soldiers while they were covering street protests in Minneapolis and Washington .
And the European Union ’ s foreign policy chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ shocked and appalled ” by the death of George Floyd under the knee of a white police officer .
“ This is an abuse of power and this has to be denounced , has to be combated in the States and everywhere .
”

The massive street protests that have erupted across the United States since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have brought with them a range of reactions from abroad, from harsh criticism by longtime allies of American police violence to a growing movement of sister protests against racial injustice across the world.
From allies, one gets a sense that President Donald Trump’s years of lies and provocations have finally come back to roost for him.
“We all watch in horror and consternation what’s going on in the United States,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week after a remarkably long pause to a reporter’s question about the protests. “It is a time to pull people together but it is a time to listen, it is a time to learn what injustices continue, despite progress over years and decades.”
The German and Australian governments have criticized the abusive treatment of journalists from their countries by American police officers and National Guard soldiers while they were covering street protests in Minneapolis and Washington.
And the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell Fontelles, said he was “shocked and appalled” by the death of George Floyd under the knee of a white police officer. “This is an abuse of power and this has to be denounced, has to be combated in the States and everywhere.”


rollcall--2020-06-11--Here’s why the US named bases for Confederate generals

As the U.S. readied to enter World War I , politicians amended Jim Crow-era laws , allowing minorities to boost @ @ @ @ @ practice continued through to World War II .
One such piece of legislation was the @ @ @ @ @ of 1940 , which stated `` Provided , That in the selection and training of @ @ @ @ @ there shall be no discrimination against any person on account of race or color .
@ @ @ @ @ this forced integration led to the U.S. military naming bases after Confederate heroes as a @ @ @ @ @ .
Watch CQ Roll Call 's interview with Bernstein on bases named after Confederate generals @ @ @ @ @ all traces of Confederacy in military ]


rollcall--2020-06-12--Hastings cleared by Ethics Committee

Hastings cleared by Ethics Committee

The House Ethics Committee on Friday closed its investigation into whether Rep. Alcee L. Hastings violated a 2018 House rule by engaging in a sexual relationship with his staffer , citing that the Florida Democrat married the woman , Patricia Williams , in January 2019 — even though that occurred well after the rule went in effect .
In February of 2018 , after the emergence of several sexual misconduct scandals on Capitol Hill , House rules were updated to include a clause prohibiting members from engaging in sexual relationships with subordinates , but it exempted married couples from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ alleged conduct after the 2018 rule was implemented , and prior to the 2019 marriage , doesn ’ t subject him to any repercussions from the Ethics panel .
Representatives for Hastings did not respond to a request for comment .
Back in November when the Ethics Committee announced its probe , Hastings said in a statement : “ I have cooperated with the Committee since May 14 , 2019 .
As they continue to conduct their work , I stand ready to fully cooperate with their inquiry.
” Tom Rust , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no comment .

The House Ethics Committee on Friday closed its investigation into whether Rep. Alcee L. Hastings violated a 2018 House rule by engaging in a sexual relationship with his staffer, citing that the Florida Democrat married the woman, Patricia Williams, in January 2019 — even though that occurred well after the rule went in effect.
In February of 2018, after the emergence of several sexual misconduct scandals on Capitol Hill, House rules were updated to include a clause prohibiting members from engaging in sexual relationships with subordinates, but it exempted married couples from the prohibition.
It is unclear why Hastings’ alleged conduct after the 2018 rule was implemented, and prior to the 2019 marriage, doesn’t subject him to any repercussions from the Ethics panel.
Representatives for Hastings did not respond to a request for comment. Back in November when the Ethics Committee announced its probe, Hastings said in a statement: “I have cooperated with the Committee since May 14, 2019. As they continue to conduct their work, I stand ready to fully cooperate with their inquiry.”
Tom Rust, a spokesperson for the committee, had no comment.


rollcall--2020-06-12--Administration puts ‘hold’ on green card requests from US

After suspending approval of green card requests to immigrants abroad seeking U.S. residency , the Trump administration has also halted processing requests from green card applicants already living in the country .
The U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services told employees this week that a “ general hold ” on permanent residency applications filed from immigrants within the United States would remain in place .
But it updated a list of exemptions to the hold in a Wednesday email and other internal communication seen by CQ Roll Call .
It was not clear when the hold was originally implemented .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical providers .
The USCIS also allows immigration officers to submit applications that concern an “ emergent or sensitive matter ” outside these exemptions to their supervisors for consideration .
The USCIS said the hold on processing green card applications from current U.S. residents stems from the temporary suspension of in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The agency said its current priority was to resume naturalization ceremonies , which have also been interrupted because of the pandemic .
“ We ’ re conducting emergent adjustment of status interviews and cases related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other in-person services in the future , ” the agency said in a statement .

After suspending approval of green card requests to immigrants abroad seeking U.S. residency, the Trump administration has also halted processing requests from green card applicants already living in the country.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services told employees this week that a “general hold” on permanent residency applications filed from immigrants within the United States would remain in place. But it updated a list of exemptions to the hold in a Wednesday email and other internal communication seen by CQ Roll Call. It was not clear when the hold was originally implemented.
Exemptions to the hold include applications of medical providers. The USCIS also allows immigration officers to submit applications that concern an “emergent or sensitive matter” outside these exemptions to their supervisors for consideration.
The USCIS said the hold on processing green card applications from current U.S. residents stems from the temporary suspension of in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency said its current priority was to resume naturalization ceremonies, which have also been interrupted because of the pandemic.
“We’re conducting emergent adjustment of status interviews and cases related to fighting COVID-19 and will begin to resume other in-person services in the future,” the agency said in a statement.


rollcall--2020-06-12--Ethics investigation heats up for Guam Del. San Nicolas

The House Ethics Committee is ramping up its investigation into whether Guam Del .
Michael F.Q .
San Nicolas had an improper sexual relationship with a staffer in his congressional office and accepted excessive campaign contributions , among other allegations of impropriety .
The ethics panel announced Friday it is opening an investigative subcommittee into the allegations surrounding the first-term Democrat , following a referral by the Office of Congressional Ethics ( OCE ) , an independent , nonpartisan investigative entity in the House .
“ This is just a part of the process that we are required to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made against us , ” San Nicolas said in an emailed statement .
“ We will continue to cooperate and thank the people for their patience and support during this time.
” The number of times the House Ethics Committee establishes an investigative subcommittee following an OCE referral is relatively limited .
In late 2019 , the former campaign chairman for San Nicolas , John Paul Manuel , told congressional investigators at OCE — subject to prosecution if he lied — that San Nicolas accepted $ 10,000 in unreported cash from a local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid for Congress .
Manuel also said San Nicolas engaged in a sexual relationship with a subordinate on his staff , Jennifer Winn , the congressman ’ s acting chief of staff .

The House Ethics Committee is ramping up its investigation into whether Guam Del. Michael F.Q. San Nicolas had an improper sexual relationship with a staffer in his congressional office and accepted excessive campaign contributions, among other allegations of impropriety.
The ethics panel announced Friday it is opening an investigative subcommittee into the allegations surrounding the first-term Democrat, following a referral by the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE), an independent, nonpartisan investigative entity in the House.
“This is just a part of the process that we are required to go through in order to disprove the allegations made against us,” San Nicolas said in an emailed statement. “We will continue to cooperate and thank the people for their patience and support during this time.”
The number of times the House Ethics Committee establishes an investigative subcommittee following an OCE referral is relatively limited.
In late 2019, the former campaign chairman for San Nicolas, John Paul Manuel, told congressional investigators at OCE — subject to prosecution if he lied — that San Nicolas accepted $10,000 in unreported cash from a local businessman, Andrew Park, during his bid for Congress. Manuel also said San Nicolas engaged in a sexual relationship with a subordinate on his staff, Jennifer Winn, the congressman’s acting chief of staff.


rollcall--2020-06-12--CDC releases new safety guidance as states lift limits

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday released new guidelines for people who are considering venturing out in their communities and warned that attending large gatherings remains a high risk .
The CDC ’ s guidance for attending gatherings and going out if people choose to do so comes as President Donald Trump has announced he ’ ll return to holding large campaign rallies next week , and the Republican National Committee announced Thursday that the party would gather in Jacksonville , Florida , in August to celebrate Trump ’ s renomination .
CDC Director Robert Redfield said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference since March that it is important for people to remember that the pandemic is still ongoing .
He said people should continue social distancing and taking steps like hand-washing and wearing a cloth mask to protect themselves and others from the virus .
“ I know that people are eager to return to normal activities and ways of life ; however , it ’ s important that we remember that the situation is unprecedented and that the pandemic has not ended , ” Redfield said .
The guidance recommends that people attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloth facial coverings and maintain social distancing , or keeping a 6-foot distance from others , when possible .
It says attending virtual events is the lowest-risk option , while the highest-risk is attending a large , in-person gathering where it ’ s difficult to keep 6 feet apart from others and people from different communities are attending .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday released new guidelines for people who are considering venturing out in their communities and warned that attending large gatherings remains a high risk.
The CDC’s guidance for attending gatherings and going out if people choose to do so comes as President Donald Trump has announced he’ll return to holding large campaign rallies next week, and the Republican National Committee announced Thursday that the party would gather in Jacksonville, Florida, in August to celebrate Trump’s renomination.
CDC Director Robert Redfield said in the agency’s first news conference since March that it is important for people to remember that the pandemic is still ongoing. He said people should continue social distancing and taking steps like hand-washing and wearing a cloth mask to protect themselves and others from the virus.
“I know that people are eager to return to normal activities and ways of life; however, it’s important that we remember that the situation is unprecedented and that the pandemic has not ended,” Redfield said.
The guidance recommends that people attending gatherings use proper hand hygiene, wear cloth facial coverings and maintain social distancing, or keeping a 6-foot distance from others, when possible. It says attending virtual events is the lowest-risk option, while the highest-risk is attending a large, in-person gathering where it’s difficult to keep 6 feet apart from others and people from different communities are attending.


rollcall--2020-06-12--Immigrants sue government over delayed citizenship ceremonies

Two immigrants whose U.S. citizenship ceremony was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic have sued the federal government , hoping to expedite the naturalization process they need to complete to vote in this fall ’ s presidential election .
The class-action lawsuit was filed this week on behalf of two permanent residents whose naturalization applications were approved by the Philadelphia field office of U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services .
But their oath ceremonies , along with thousands of others , were postponed after the USCIS shut down its offices in mid-March to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would take several months , at best , before the Philadelphia field office could administer the oath of U.S. allegiance .
“ Meanwhile , Plaintiffs and putative class members would continue to be denied the rights and privileges conferred by U.S. citizenship , '' they said .
The plaintiffs have asked that their naturalization process be expedited so they can be sworn in as Americans by late September , ensuring they can register in time to vote in the fall .
“ There has been so much negative fallout from the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of lawful permanent residents in the Philadelphia area , every one of whom has already had their application approved , but now have been unable to complete the oath — the last step of the citizenship process , ” said Matt Adams , legal director for Northwest Immigrant Rights Project , which filed the lawsuit along with the National Immigration Litigation Alliance and others .

Two immigrants whose U.S. citizenship ceremony was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic have sued the federal government, hoping to expedite the naturalization process they need to complete to vote in this fall’s presidential election.
The class-action lawsuit was filed this week on behalf of two permanent residents whose naturalization applications were approved by the Philadelphia field office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. But their oath ceremonies, along with thousands of others, were postponed after the USCIS shut down its offices in mid-March to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
Attorneys in their lawsuit wrote that it would take several months, at best, before the Philadelphia field office could administer the oath of U.S. allegiance. “Meanwhile, Plaintiffs and putative class members would continue to be denied the rights and privileges conferred by U.S. citizenship," they said.
The plaintiffs have asked that their naturalization process be expedited so they can be sworn in as Americans by late September, ensuring they can register in time to vote in the fall.
“There has been so much negative fallout from the pandemic, including delaying the rights of citizenship to hundreds of lawful permanent residents in the Philadelphia area, every one of whom has already had their application approved, but now have been unable to complete the oath — the last step of the citizenship process,” said Matt Adams, legal director for Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, which filed the lawsuit along with the National Immigration Litigation Alliance and others.


rollcall--2020-06-12--Campus Notebook: How many complaints have been filed against Capitol Police officers?

There were 727 complaints lodged against the Capitol Police over a three-year span from 2017 through 2019 , according to a summary of internal affairs investigations by the department ’ s Office of Professional Responsibility obtained by CQ Roll Call .
The Capitol Police force has approximately 2,000 sworn officers and has seen the number of complaints fluctuate from 246 in 2017 to 253 in 2018 and 228 in 2019 .
Of those complaints , 151 were sustained in 2017 , 128 in 2018 and 137 in 2019 .
“ The total number of ‘ sustained charges ’ refers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thorough Office of Professional Responsibility investigation , internal review , and employee appeal process that were upheld , ” Capitol Police spokeswoman Eva Malecki said .
The number of sworn officers at the Capitol Police is approximate because , Malecki , when asked for the figures , gave the combined number of sworn and civilian employees , which is 2,300 .
Capitol Police union head Gus Papathanasiou estimates the number of sworn officers at around 2,000 ; a former House Administration aide said the number is about 1,900 .
The majority of complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internally or from the public .
For example , in 2019 , there were 188 internal complaints and 33 citizen complaints , a trend that aligns with prior years .
Complaints are referred to as “ cases ” by the Capitol Police .
Other sources of complaints are anonymous complaints and referrals from outside law enforcement .

There were 727 complaints lodged against the Capitol Police over a three-year span from 2017 through 2019, according to a summary of internal affairs investigations by the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility obtained by CQ Roll Call.
The Capitol Police force has approximately 2,000 sworn officers and has seen the number of complaints fluctuate from 246 in 2017 to 253 in 2018 and 228 in 2019. Of those complaints, 151 were sustained in 2017, 128 in 2018 and 137 in 2019.
“The total number of ‘sustained charges’ refers to the number of allegations, following a thorough Office of Professional Responsibility investigation, internal review, and employee appeal process that were upheld,” Capitol Police spokeswoman Eva Malecki said.
The number of sworn officers at the Capitol Police is approximate because, Malecki, when asked for the figures, gave the combined number of sworn and civilian employees, which is 2,300. Capitol Police union head Gus Papathanasiou estimates the number of sworn officers at around 2,000; a former House Administration aide said the number is about 1,900.
The majority of complaints against the Capitol Police were generated either internally or from the public. For example, in 2019, there were 188 internal complaints and 33 citizen complaints, a trend that aligns with prior years. Complaints are referred to as “cases” by the Capitol Police. Other sources of complaints are anonymous complaints and referrals from outside law enforcement.


rollcall--2020-06-12--Showing off wildlife photos, Smokey Bear and the Banana Stand: Congressional Hits and Misses

With procedural votes on the “ Great American Outdoors Act ” this week , senators took advantage of their captive @ @ @ @ @ to show off vacation photos .
Meanwhile , Sen. Angus King finally set the record @ @ @ @ @ s alleged middle name , despite what some song-writers might have you believe , and @ @ @ @ @ affinity for a cult TV favorite .

With procedural votes on the “Great American Outdoors Act” this week, senators took advantage of their captive audience in the Senate chamber to show off vacation photos.
Meanwhile, Sen. Angus King finally set the record straight on Smokey Bear’s alleged middle name, despite what some song-writers might have you believe, and Sen. Mitt Romney revealed his affinity for a cult TV favorite.


rollcall--2020-06-12--DOT to distribute 100 million masks for travelers

Three days after transportation workers complained to a House panel about the lack of enforceable standards to protect workers and @ @ @ @ @ federal government announced it would distribute nearly 100 million cloth facial coverings to aviation , @ @ @ @ @ sectors for passengers to use .
The cloth masks , distributed via a partnership between @ @ @ @ @ Homeland Security , and Health and Human Services , were secured by the Federal Emergency @ @ @ @ @ million of the masks will go to airports , and 9.6 million will be distributed @ @ @ @ @ Amtrak for passenger use .
They ’ ll be distributed via the Postal Service .
@ @ @ @ @ Trump administration announced May 28 it would distribute some 15.5 million cloth facial coverings to @ @ @ @

Three days after transportation workers complained to a House panel about the lack of enforceable standards to protect workers and passengers from COVID-19, the federal government announced it would distribute nearly 100 million cloth facial coverings to aviation, transit and passenger rail transportation sectors for passengers to use.
[Transport workers still seek enforceable COVID-19 rules]
The cloth masks, distributed via a partnership between the departments of Transportation, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services, were secured by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
About 86.8 million of the masks will go to airports, and 9.6 million will be distributed to 458 transit agencies and Amtrak for passenger use. They’ll be distributed via the Postal Service.
That distribution comes after the Trump administration announced May 28 it would distribute some 15.5 million cloth facial coverings to critical infrastructure workers.