rollcall--2020-11-24--Photo of the day: Through the looking glass

As the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and prepares for a Thanksgiving holiday like no other , D.C. appears @ @ @ @ @ with a bit of perspective .
The U.S. Capitol and National Mall are seen from @ @ @ @ @ platform at the Washington Monument on Monday .
The top of the famous memorial to @ @ @ @ @ above the city .

(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
As the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and prepares for a Thanksgiving holiday like no other, D.C. appears relatively quiet and normal — with a bit of perspective.
The U.S. Capitol and National Mall are seen from the top of the viewing platform at the Washington Monument on Monday. The top of the famous memorial to George Washington stands 500 feet above the city.


rollcall--2020-11-24--Democrats eager to revive earmarks

Democrats eager to revive earmarks

House Democrats are planning on bringing back earmarks at the start of the next Congress .
What does that mean @ @ @ @ @ CQ Roll Call ’ s Jennifer Shutt and David Lerman discuss , along with a @ @ @ @ @ chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee .

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Evan Campbell

House Democrats are planning on bringing back earmarks at the start of the next Congress. What does that mean for the appropriations process? CQ Roll Call’s Jennifer Shutt and David Lerman discuss, along with a look at the race for chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-11-24--Stabenow says smaller coronavirus relief bill better than nothing

A top Senate Democrat said Tuesday that she 's engaged in bipartisan discussions on COVID-19 aid and urged quick action @ @ @ @ @ a short-term package for the next few months.
” “ We need to act , @ @ @ @ @ , D-Mich. , the fourth-ranking Democrat in that chamber as Democratic Policy and Communications Committee @ @ @ @ @ good discussions going on , bipartisan discussions in the Senate right now.
” House Democrats @ @ @ @ @ in a standoff for months .
House Democrats passed Oct. 1 a slimmed down version @ @ @ @ @ though it still weighed in at $ 2.4 trillion .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury @ @ @ @ @ discussing a package worth nearly $ 2 trillion , but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ 519 billion aid package Republicans introduced in September is sufficient .
On Friday , Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ E. Schumer , D-N.Y. , met with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @

A top Senate Democrat said Tuesday that she's engaged in bipartisan discussions on COVID-19 aid and urged quick action even if that means “a short-term package for the next few months.”
“We need to act,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., the fourth-ranking Democrat in that chamber as Democratic Policy and Communications Committee chairwoman. “We have good discussions going on, bipartisan discussions in the Senate right now.”
House Democrats and Senate Republicans have been in a standoff for months. House Democrats passed Oct. 1 a slimmed down version of their relief package, though it still weighed in at $2.4 trillion.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had been discussing a package worth nearly $2 trillion, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said the estimated $519 billion aid package Republicans introduced in September is sufficient.
On Friday, Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., met with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to discuss legislative priorities.


rollcall--2020-11-30--House Democrats set to pick new Appropriations chairwoman

Beneficiaries of more than $ 1.4 trillion in annual federal funding will find out this week who will be steering the ship as Appropriations Committee chairwoman for the 117th Congress .
Marcy Kaptur of Ohio is the most senior panel member in line for the job .
Connecticut ’ s Rosa DeLauro , who ’ s second in seniority , has the most impressive list of endorsements .
Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida is further down the seniority list , but she ’ s the most prolific party fundraiser .
It ’ s an important decision for House Democrats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey , the New Yorker who ’ s been the panel ’ s top Democrat for eight years , will be at the forefront of trying to implement President-elect Joe Biden ’ s agenda , both domestically and internationally .
She ’ ll need to navigate tricky caucus politics when it comes to restoring “ earmarks , ” the special line items for member districts banned nearly a decade ago , and eliminating the 43-year-old Hyde amendment , which bars federal funds for abortions .
All three candidates have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and getting rid of Hyde , but both efforts could put party moderates in tough positions .

Corrected, Dec. 1 | Beneficiaries of more than $1.4 trillion in annual federal funding will find out this week who will be steering the ship as Appropriations Committee chairwoman for the 117th Congress.
Marcy Kaptur of Ohio is the most senior panel member in line for the job. Connecticut’s Rosa DeLauro, who’s second in seniority, has the most impressive list of endorsements. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida is further down the seniority list, but she’s the most prolific party fundraiser.
It’s an important decision for House Democrats in many respects.
The heir to retiring Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey, the New Yorker who’s been the panel’s top Democrat for eight years, will be at the forefront of trying to implement President-elect Joe Biden’s agenda, both domestically and internationally.
She’ll need to navigate tricky caucus politics when it comes to restoring “earmarks,” the special line items for member districts banned nearly a decade ago, and eliminating the 43-year-old Hyde amendment, which bars federal funds for abortions. All three candidates have professed support both for bringing back earmarks and getting rid of Hyde, but both efforts could put party moderates in tough positions.


rollcall--2020-11-30--Biden tees up confirmation battle over budget chief selection

The president of the left-leaning Center for American Progress since 2011 , Tanden has been something of a bomb-thrower , @ @ @ @ @ left and the right .
Tanden has broad experience in both policy and politics and @ @ @ @ @ .
She served as policy director for Hillary Clinton ’ s first presidential campaign and @ @ @ @ @ policy for Barack Obama ’ s presidential campaign .
She began her political career as @ @ @ @ @ policy in Bill Clinton ’ s White House , later serving as a health care @ @ @ @ @ .
Tanden ’ s policy prescriptions range from the center to the left in the @ @ @ @ @ “ Medicare for All ” but favors a public Medicare option .

Neera Tanden, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for White House budget director, faces a rocky road to confirmation.
The president of the left-leaning Center for American Progress since 2011, Tanden has been something of a bomb-thrower, earning enmity from both the left and the right.
Tanden has broad experience in both policy and politics and deep ties to the Clintons. She served as policy director for Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign and later as director of domestic policy for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
She began her political career as an associate director for domestic policy in Bill Clinton’s White House, later serving as a health care adviser in the Obama administration.
Tanden’s policy prescriptions range from the center to the left in the Democratic Party. She opposes “Medicare for All” but favors a public Medicare option.


rollcall--2020-11-30--Iowa Republican appears to flip House seat by six votes

In what appears to be another pickup for House Republicans , election officials certified Monday that GOP state Sen. Mariannette @ @ @ @ @ District by a mere six votes .
Her Democratic opponent , former state Sen. Rita @ @ @ @ @ and could challenge the result in court .
Miller-Meeks initially led by 47 votes , @ @ @ @ @ a recount , which shrank Miller-Meeks ' margin to just six votes out of the @ @ @ @ @ the State Canvassing Board certified the results Monday , The Associated Press is not expected @ @ @ @ @ until after all legal appeals are exhausted . ''
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate @ @ @ @ @ meeting late Monday afternoon , `` That [ 2nd District ] race alone reinforces that @ @ @ @ @ make a difference . ''
Hart has two days to file a legal challenge , @ @ @ @ @ special judicial panel that would have until Dec. 8 to declare a winner , according @ @ @ @ @ campaign has signaled it was considering legal options .

In what appears to be another pickup for House Republicans, election officials certified Monday that GOP state Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks won Iowa's 2nd District by a mere six votes.
Her Democratic opponent, former state Sen. Rita Hart, has not conceded and could challenge the result in court.
Miller-Meeks initially led by 47 votes, prompting Hart to call for a recount, which shrank Miller-Meeks' margin to just six votes out of the nearly 394,000 cast. Although the State Canvassing Board certified the results Monday, The Associated Press is not expected to declare a winner "until after all legal appeals are exhausted."
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said at the board's meeting late Monday afternoon, "That [2nd District] race alone reinforces that every vote counts and can make a difference."
Hart has two days to file a legal challenge, which would set up a special judicial panel that would have until Dec. 8 to declare a winner, according to the AP. Her campaign has signaled it was considering legal options.


rollcall--2020-11-30--Trump’s former cybersecurity chief calls vote fraud claims ‘nonsense’

Christopher Krebs , the former top U.S. cybersecurity official who oversaw election security efforts for the November ballot , cited the new and widespread availability of paper ballots to dismiss spurious claims by President Donald Trump and his allies about fraud and rigged voting .
In the first interview since he was fired two weeks ago , Krebs told CBS News ’ “ 60 Minutes ” that allegations by Trump and others about fraud and voting machine malfunctions are easily disproved because almost all election precincts this time had paper ballot backups .
Krebs , who led the Cybersecurity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election the “ most secure in American history , ” told the network that for three years the agency and state election officials prioritized getting states to have paper ballot backups that could be used to verify vote tallies produced by machines .
The agency also helped boost cybersecurity around election machinery in all states .
“ Paper ballots give you the ability to audit , to go back and check the tape and make sure that you got the count right , ” Krebs told CBS News .
“ And that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success for a secure 2020 election ; 95 percent of the ballots cast in the 2020 election had a paper record associated with it.
” By comparison , only 82 percent of ballots cast in the 2016 election had paper backups , he said .
Having paper ballots allows election officials to “ prove that there was no malicious algorithm or hacked software that adjusted the tally of the vote , ” Krebs said .

Christopher Krebs, the former top U.S. cybersecurity official who oversaw election security efforts for the November ballot, cited the new and widespread availability of paper ballots to dismiss spurious claims by President Donald Trump and his allies about fraud and rigged voting.
In the first interview since he was fired two weeks ago, Krebs told CBS News’ “60 Minutes” that allegations by Trump and others about fraud and voting machine malfunctions are easily disproved because almost all election precincts this time had paper ballot backups.
Krebs, who led the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and called the November election the “most secure in American history,” told the network that for three years the agency and state election officials prioritized getting states to have paper ballot backups that could be used to verify vote tallies produced by machines. The agency also helped boost cybersecurity around election machinery in all states.
“Paper ballots give you the ability to audit, to go back and check the tape and make sure that you got the count right,” Krebs told CBS News. “And that’s really one of the keys to success for a secure 2020 election; 95 percent of the ballots cast in the 2020 election had a paper record associated with it.” By comparison, only 82 percent of ballots cast in the 2016 election had paper backups, he said.
Having paper ballots allows election officials to “prove that there was no malicious algorithm or hacked software that adjusted the tally of the vote,” Krebs said.


rollcall--2020-11-30--Photo of the day: Bubble brunch

Photo of the day: Bubble brunch

Diners enjoy a weekend brunch in outdoor bubble pods at Ted ’ s Bulletin on 14th Street NW in Washington @ @ @ @ @ after Thanksgiving looked different than most years , but the weather was often sunny and @ @ @ @ @ the D.C. area to venture outside .
D.C. restaurants are currently limited to 50 percent @ @ @ @ @ lowered to 25 percent starting Monday , Dec. 14 in an effort to flatten the @ @ @ @ @

(Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Diners enjoy a weekend brunch in outdoor bubble pods at Ted’s Bulletin on 14th Street NW in Washington on Saturday.
The weekend after Thanksgiving looked different than most years, but the weather was often sunny and mild, allowing many in the D.C. area to venture outside.
D.C. restaurants are currently limited to 50 percent capacity, which will be lowered to 25 percent starting Monday, Dec. 14 in an effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases.


rollcall--2020-11-30--Justices wary of wading into census immigration dispute

Conservative justices on the Supreme Court contemplated punting a ruling on President Donald Trump ’ s attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from congressional apportionment during oral arguments Monday in the case .
All six Republican-appointed justices questioned the practicality of making a ruling by the end of the year before Trump actually issues apportionment numbers .
The administration has not been able to say how many immigrants it could identify and exclude — potentially too few to affect apportionment at all .
The justices could end up tossing lower-court rulings against the administration and letting states and civil rights groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling on whether it violates the Constitution .
“ It ’ s speculative as to how much [ the administration is ] going to be able to do , ” Justice Neil M. Gorsuch said .
“ Once we ’ re in that world , then it ’ s speculative whether there ’ s going to be any effect on the apportionment , and in that world , we have a standing problem.
” At issue is a memorandum Trump signed in July to exclude undocumented immigrants from census data used to apportion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights groups immediately filed lawsuits over the memo , resulting in three lower-court decisions against the administration .
The standing issue on whether plaintiffs have the ability to bring a case bubbled up repeatedly amid questions about the unknowns in the case : The administration has not said how many immigrants it would be able to identify and potentially exclude from apportionment , or whether their exclusion would actually affect the distribution of congressional seats .

Conservative justices on the Supreme Court contemplated punting a ruling on President Donald Trump’s attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from congressional apportionment during oral arguments Monday in the case.
All six Republican-appointed justices questioned the practicality of making a ruling by the end of the year before Trump actually issues apportionment numbers. The administration has not been able to say how many immigrants it could identify and exclude — potentially too few to affect apportionment at all. The justices could end up tossing lower-court rulings against the administration and letting states and civil rights groups build a case again next year without ruling on whether it violates the Constitution.
“It’s speculative as to how much [the administration is] going to be able to do,” Justice Neil M. Gorsuch said. “Once we’re in that world, then it’s speculative whether there’s going to be any effect on the apportionment, and in that world, we have a standing problem.”
At issue is a memorandum Trump signed in July to exclude undocumented immigrants from census data used to apportion congressional seats. Several states and civil rights groups immediately filed lawsuits over the memo, resulting in three lower-court decisions against the administration.
The standing issue on whether plaintiffs have the ability to bring a case bubbled up repeatedly amid questions about the unknowns in the case: The administration has not said how many immigrants it would be able to identify and potentially exclude from apportionment, or whether their exclusion would actually affect the distribution of congressional seats.


rollcall--2020-11-30--Trump lost, but the Senate keeps confirming his nominees

Less than two months remain in the Trump administration , and Senate Republicans are doing something not seen in a century — confirming judges and other nominees after their party lost the White House .
That norm-breaking rush to get GOP-approved picks through could get tricky , though , if lawmakers continue missing time because of COVID-19 .
With only one exception , post-election confirmations of judges nominated to lifetime appointments by a president whose party has lost the White House hasn ’ t happened since the election of 1896 when William McKinley was elected and the Senate confirmed Grover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this lame-duck session , the Senate has confirmed six nominees to U.S. district courts and one to the Court of International Trade , starting on Nov. 10 and before leaving town on Nov. 18 .
“ It ’ s unprecedented to confirm lame-duck presidents ’ nominees after the election , ” said Russell Wheeler , president of the Governance Institute and a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution .
During previous presidential election years , senators have invoked the so-called Thurmond rule , an unwritten agreement named after the late Sen. Strom Thurmond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber to stop approving circuit court nominations in the few months before Election Day .

Less than two months remain in the Trump administration, and Senate Republicans are doing something not seen in a century — confirming judges and other nominees after their party lost the White House. That norm-breaking rush to get GOP-approved picks through could get tricky, though, if lawmakers continue missing time because of COVID-19.
With only one exception, post-election confirmations of judges nominated to lifetime appointments by a president whose party has lost the White House hasn’t happened since the election of 1896 when William McKinley was elected and the Senate confirmed Grover Cleveland's picks.
So far in this lame-duck session, the Senate has confirmed six nominees to U.S. district courts and one to the Court of International Trade, starting on Nov. 10 and before leaving town on Nov. 18.
“It’s unprecedented to confirm lame-duck presidents’ nominees after the election,” said Russell Wheeler, president of the Governance Institute and a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution.
During previous presidential election years, senators have invoked the so-called Thurmond rule, an unwritten agreement named after the late Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., that calls for the chamber to stop approving circuit court nominations in the few months before Election Day.


rollcall--2020-11-30--Broad powers won’t make it easy for Biden to shift trade policy

President Donald Trump dug deep into executive powers to drive his populist trade policy , strike a mini deal with China and keep Congress largely on the sidelines .
As Trump 's successor on Jan. 20 , President-elect Joe Biden will have the same powers to launch investigations , and impose or remove tariffs .
But Biden may find it hard to change course because some Trump tariffs are popular with unions and members of his own party , backed by politically influential industries like steel , or , in the case of China , part of a geopolitical rivalry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think the difficult political game he has to play domestically is how far can he push back against the sort of populism that led to the trade wars in the first place .
Maybe more importantly , how does he keep the more liberal wing of the Democratic caucus on his side , ” said Ian Sheldon , Ohio State University 's Andersons chair of agricultural marketing , trade and policy .
“ I think many of them are less keen on free trade than maybe he is , or at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Biden administration will have executive authority to use Section 301 of 1974 trade law to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements ; Section 232 of a 1962 law to restrict trade because of national security ; and Section 201 of the 1974 law to give temporary relief to industries trying to adjust to foreign competition .
Biden could use also use his authority to remove or modify tariffs that Trump levied .
And the new president will have a chance to help reshape the World Trade Organization .
Biden has offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would focus on fence-mending with allies and trading partners to address mutual problems and concerns such as Beijing ’ s overproduction of steel and aluminum that flood international markets and undermine metal industries in other countries .

President Donald Trump dug deep into executive powers to drive his populist trade policy, strike a mini deal with China and keep Congress largely on the sidelines.
As Trump’s successor on Jan. 20, President-elect Joe Biden will have the same powers to launch investigations, and impose or remove tariffs. But Biden may find it hard to change course because some Trump tariffs are popular with unions and members of his own party, backed by politically influential industries like steel, or, in the case of China, part of a geopolitical rivalry that goes far beyond trade.
“I think the difficult political game he has to play domestically is how far can he push back against the sort of populism that led to the trade wars in the first place. Maybe more importantly, how does he keep the more liberal wing of the Democratic caucus on his side,” said Ian Sheldon, Ohio State University’s Andersons chair of agricultural marketing, trade and policy. “I think many of them are less keen on free trade than maybe he is, or at least has been historically.”
Like its predecessor, the Biden administration will have executive authority to use Section 301 of 1974 trade law to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements; Section 232 of a 1962 law to restrict trade because of national security; and Section 201 of the 1974 law to give temporary relief to industries trying to adjust to foreign competition. Biden could use also use his authority to remove or modify tariffs that Trump levied. And the new president will have a chance to help reshape the World Trade Organization.
Biden has offered few specifics, but he says he would focus on fence-mending with allies and trading partners to address mutual problems and concerns such as Beijing’s overproduction of steel and aluminum that flood international markets and undermine metal industries in other countries.


rollcall--2020-11-30--FDA authorization of COVID-19 vaccines would set off a scramble

The Trump administration 's pledge to start shipping COVID-19 vaccines “ within 24 hours ” of a green light from @ @ @ @ @ will lead to a multi-step scramble during the time between authorization and the first shots @ @ @ @ @ thumbs-up from the FDA would kickstart the distribution of 6.4 million vaccine doses among 64 @ @ @ @ @ cities , based on population , Gen. Gustave Perna said Tuesday .
Perna co-leads Operation @ @ @ @ @ administration 's initiative on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments .
Here ’ s what to expect @ @ @ @ @ .
The first step is a scientific review by the FDA .

The Trump administration's pledge to start shipping COVID-19 vaccines “within 24 hours” of a green light from the Food and Drug Administration will lead to a multi-step scramble during the time between authorization and the first shots going into arms.
Any thumbs-up from the FDA would kickstart the distribution of 6.4 million vaccine doses among 64 states, territories and major cities, based on population, Gen. Gustave Perna said Tuesday. Perna co-leads Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration's initiative on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
[Moderna vaccine shows high efficacy as questions about uptake remain]
Here’s what to expect over the next few weeks.
FDA review
The first step is a scientific review by the FDA.


rollcall--2020-11-30--House Democrats eye changes to minority’s main legislative tool

House Democrats across the political spectrum want the rules package for the 117th Congress to change the power of one @ @ @ @ @ only legislative weapons .
The motion to recommit , or MTR , is a vote @ @ @ @ @ most bills that allows it to offer last-minute changes .
[ ‘ We are either @ @ @ @ @ re not ’ — Democrats struggle with Republican messaging votes ] The MTR has been @ @ @ @ @ a procedural vote to kill legislation by sending it back to committee , but in @ @ @ @ @ a substantive vote that would actually amend the bill if adopted .
In either scenario @ @ @ @ @ as a political messaging vote in which the minority tries to trap the majority into @ @ @ @ @ controversial policies .
“ It ’ s turned into a joke , ” Michigan Democrat @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s something that both sides use for one purpose and one purpose only @ @ @ @ @ play gotcha for the elections .
”

House Democrats across the political spectrum want the rules package for the 117th Congress to change the power of one of the minority’s only legislative weapons.
The motion to recommit, or MTR, is a vote afforded to the minority on most bills that allows it to offer last-minute changes.
[‘We are either a team or we’re not’ — Democrats struggle with Republican messaging votes]
The MTR has been used in the past as a procedural vote to kill legislation by sending it back to committee, but in recent years it has become a substantive vote that would actually amend the bill if adopted. In either scenario, it is mostly used as a political messaging vote in which the minority tries to trap the majority into going on the record on controversial policies.
“It’s turned into a joke,” Michigan Democrat Dan Kildee said. “It’s something that both sides use for one purpose and one purpose only, and that is to play gotcha for the elections.”


rollcall--2020-12-01--Biden administration seen aiding digital identities, closing fintech loopholes

Isaac Boltansky , director of policy research for Compass Point Research and Trading , said financial services issues will fall directly behind the pandemic , health care and the environment — and will leap into that first tier of priorities if they intersect with economic access and fairness .
“ Fintech has a unique runway to tell a story about expanding access , ” he said in an interview .
Boltansky said the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges the government encountered in delivering financial assistance to individuals earlier this year exposed the “ arcane nature ” of the U.S. payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re still talking about sending people checks in 2020 should be deeply frustrating to everyone involved .
So I think there will be a willingness , if not an eagerness , to examine the financial architecture , ” he said .
“ That provides an opportunity for fintechs.
” Rep. Bill Foster , a Democrat from Illinois , said that with small majorities in the House and Senate , and a president-elect with a “ natural instinct ” for compromise , Democrats would look for “ early , straightforward bipartisan wins.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Task Force on Artificial Intelligence .
“ Fintech is an area where that may happen simply because there isn ’ t a natural Democratic or Republican position on many , maybe most , of the issues , ” he told CQ Roll Call .
“ It ’ s clear that fintechs are becoming increasingly important , and that they ’ re also going to be an important tool to deal with the problems of the underbanked people and the maldistribution of wealth .
”

Isaac Boltansky, director of policy research for Compass Point Research and Trading, said financial services issues will fall directly behind the pandemic, health care and the environment — and will leap into that first tier of priorities if they intersect with economic access and fairness.
“Fintech has a unique runway to tell a story about expanding access,” he said in an interview. Boltansky said the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges the government encountered in delivering financial assistance to individuals earlier this year exposed the “arcane nature” of the U.S. payments system.
“The fact that we’re still talking about sending people checks in 2020 should be deeply frustrating to everyone involved. So I think there will be a willingness, if not an eagerness, to examine the financial architecture,” he said. “That provides an opportunity for fintechs.”
Fintech in Congress
Rep. Bill Foster, a Democrat from Illinois, said that with small majorities in the House and Senate, and a president-elect with a “natural instinct” for compromise, Democrats would look for “early, straightforward bipartisan wins.” Foster leads the House Financial Services Committee Task Force on Artificial Intelligence.
“Fintech is an area where that may happen simply because there isn’t a natural Democratic or Republican position on many, maybe most, of the issues,” he told CQ Roll Call. “It’s clear that fintechs are becoming increasingly important, and that they’re also going to be an important tool to deal with the problems of the underbanked people and the maldistribution of wealth.”


rollcall--2020-12-01--GOP shouldn’t count its midterm chickens before they hatch

ANALYSIS — House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has already guaranteed that his party will take back the chamber in two years .
He could be right .
Or not .
We have no way of knowing what things will look like in May or October of 2021 , let alone April or September of 2022 .
Midterms do tend to be referenda on the incumbent president , and history shows that voters have often punished the sitting president and his party , particularly in House elections .
The GOP lost 40 seats in 2018 and 30 seats in 2006 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats lost 63 seats in 2010 and 54 seats in 1994 during Barack Obama ’ s and Bill Clinton ’ s first midterms as president .
So , promising victory in 2022 , given the narrow Democratic House advantage in the next Congress , isn ’ t outlandish or unreasonable .
It ’ s merely premature , especially given our weird politics these days .
One of the problems in making a forecast this far out is that circumstances change .
I remember writing in the spring of 2009 that there were no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats out of the majority in 2010 .
And there weren ’ t any — at that time .
Democrats were overperforming in House special elections , and Obama ’ s approval numbers remained strong .

ANALYSIS — House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has already guaranteed that his party will take back the chamber in two years. He could be right. Or not. We have no way of knowing what things will look like in May or October of 2021, let alone April or September of 2022.
Midterms do tend to be referenda on the incumbent president, and history shows that voters have often punished the sitting president and his party, particularly in House elections. The GOP lost 40 seats in 2018 and 30 seats in 2006, when they held the White House. Democrats lost 63 seats in 2010 and 54 seats in 1994 during Barack Obama’s and Bill Clinton’s first midterms as president.
So, promising victory in 2022, given the narrow Democratic House advantage in the next Congress, isn’t outlandish or unreasonable. It’s merely premature, especially given our weird politics these days.
One of the problems in making a forecast this far out is that circumstances change.
I remember writing in the spring of 2009 that there were no indications that a Republican wave would sweep Democrats out of the majority in 2010. And there weren’t any — at that time. Democrats were overperforming in House special elections, and Obama’s approval numbers remained strong.


rollcall--2020-12-01--Road ahead: House takes up ‘Tiger King’ and marijuana bills while seeking spending deal

Congress is focused this week on negotiating a government funding deal and determining whether bipartisan consensus can be reached to @ @ @ @ @ before year ’ s end .
Those fiscal negotiations will continue among top appropriators , @ @ @ @ @ behind the scenes while the House and Senate work through their end-of-session to-do lists on @ @ @ @ @ margin of the Senate will change , likely by Wednesday .
Arizona on Monday certified @ @ @ @ @ Kelly over Republican Sen. Martha McSally , paving the way for Kelly ’ s swearing-in @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Caucus on Thursday will finish selecting its leadership team for the 117th Congress with @ @ @ @ @ Campaign Committee chair .
Reps. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York and Tony Cárdenas of @ @ @ @ @ the campaign arm .
Also on Thursday , the caucus will hold elections for open @ @ @ @ @ Agriculture and Foreign Affairs panels .
The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee will meet earlier @ @ @ @ @ from the candidates and make its recommendations to the caucus .

Congress is focused this week on negotiating a government funding deal and determining whether bipartisan consensus can be reached to enact any additional COVID-19 relief before year’s end.
Those fiscal negotiations will continue among top appropriators, congressional leaders and their staffs behind the scenes while the House and Senate work through their end-of-session to-do lists on the floor.
The party margin of the Senate will change, likely by Wednesday. Arizona on Monday certified the victory of Democrat Mark Kelly over Republican Sen. Martha McSally, paving the way for Kelly’s swearing-in.
Meanwhile, the House Democratic Caucus on Thursday will finish selecting its leadership team for the 117th Congress with the election for Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair. Reps. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York and Tony Cárdenas of California are running to lead the campaign arm.
Also on Thursday, the caucus will hold elections for open chairmanships on the Appropriations, Agriculture and Foreign Affairs panels. The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee will meet earlier in the week to hear from the candidates and make its recommendations to the caucus.


rollcall--2020-12-01--Familiar holdups threaten omnibus; tax extenders also at risk

Funding for veterans medical care and border security remain holdups in the drive to reach agreement on a 12-bill spending package for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 .
But appropriators are making progress on conferencing the bills , with several of them close to being finished , according to sources who weren ’ t authorized to speak publicly .
House and Senate subcommittees submitted unresolved issues to their full committee leadership Monday .
“ We got some sticking points on both sides , ” Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby said Tuesday .
The Alabama Republican added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impossible , but it would be difficult ” to reach agreement on the bills by Friday .
“ If we haven ’ t reached a deal on Dec. 9 , you know what happens , we ’ ve got to do a [ continuing resolution ] , ” Shelby said .
“ I would hope if we get to that point and we ’ re about to close a deal , we can do like a day-to-day deal.
” There were also growing concerns that a package of tax break renewals , known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t make the final package , according to Senate Finance Committee leaders on both sides of the aisle .

Funding for veterans medical care and border security remain holdups in the drive to reach agreement on a 12-bill spending package for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.
But appropriators are making progress on conferencing the bills, with several of them close to being finished, according to sources who weren’t authorized to speak publicly. House and Senate subcommittees submitted unresolved issues to their full committee leadership Monday.
“We got some sticking points on both sides,” Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby said Tuesday. The Alabama Republican added that “it would be hard, not impossible, but it would be difficult” to reach agreement on the bills by Friday.
“If we haven’t reached a deal on Dec. 9, you know what happens, we’ve got to do a [continuing resolution],” Shelby said. “I would hope if we get to that point and we’re about to close a deal, we can do like a day-to-day deal.”
There were also growing concerns that a package of tax break renewals, known as extenders in Capitol Hill parlance, won’t make the final package, according to Senate Finance Committee leaders on both sides of the aisle.


rollcall--2020-12-01--The Transition: Congress begins decorating its end-of-year legislative tree

Congress is very good at putting off its most important business until the end of the year .
The current @ @ @ @ @ expires on December 11 .
And with the economy starting to show signs of strain @ @ @ @ @ own proposals for a COVID-19 relief package that they hope to pass in the coming @ @ @ @ @ ticket items might end up in one big year-end measure .
But a lot could @ @ @ @ @ .
• Trump lost , but the Senate keeps confirming his nominees • FDA authorization @ @ @ @ @ off a scramble

Jason Dick, Niels Lesniewski, Jim Saksa, and Evan Campbell

Congress is very good at putting off its most important business until the end of the year.
The current spending measure funding the government expires on December 11. And with the economy starting to show signs of strain, lawmakers are offering their own proposals for a COVID-19 relief package that they hope to pass in the coming days. The two big ticket items might end up in one big year-end measure. But a lot could happen before we get there.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-01--Rosa DeLauro wins panel vote for Appropriations gavel

A House Democratic panel in charge of committee selections gave Rosa DeLauro the nod to become the next Appropriations chairwoman after a closed-door vote Tuesday .
The Connecticut Democrat received 36 votes from Democratic Steering and Policy Committee members , according to a source familiar with the vote .
That total eclipsed the 11 votes received by Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and six that went to Marcy Kaptur of Ohio .
`` This vote is a sign that our caucus is unified and ready for bold , pragmatic actions to deliver results for the American people , '' DeLauro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I look forward to the work ahead . ''
DeLauro still needs the backing of the full House Democratic Caucus to succeed retiring chairwoman Nita M. Lowey of New York .
That caucus vote is expected on Thursday , with Kaptur and Wasserman Schultz each getting another shot to overturn the steering panel ’ s recommendation .
Kaptur was the most senior candidate on the committee to take the gavel , but seniority isn ’ t the dominant factor it once was .
In 2012 , Kaptur lost out to Lowey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , in a bid to replace retiring ranking Democrat Norm Dicks of Washington .

A House Democratic panel in charge of committee selections gave Rosa DeLauro the nod to become the next Appropriations chairwoman after a closed-door vote Tuesday.
The Connecticut Democrat received 36 votes from Democratic Steering and Policy Committee members, according to a source familiar with the vote. That total eclipsed the 11 votes received by Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and six that went to Marcy Kaptur of Ohio.
"This vote is a sign that our caucus is unified and ready for bold, pragmatic actions to deliver results for the American people," DeLauro said in a statement after the vote. "I look forward to the work ahead."
DeLauro still needs the backing of the full House Democratic Caucus to succeed retiring chairwoman Nita M. Lowey of New York. That caucus vote is expected on Thursday, with Kaptur and Wasserman Schultz each getting another shot to overturn the steering panel’s recommendation.
Kaptur was the most senior candidate on the committee to take the gavel, but seniority isn’t the dominant factor it once was. In 2012, Kaptur lost out to Lowey, who had less seniority at the time, in a bid to replace retiring ranking Democrat Norm Dicks of Washington.


rollcall--2020-12-01--Partisan split on Senate panel over end to Fed lending programs

Democrats and Republicans split on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin ’ s decision to end most of the emergency lending facilities established at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic at a Senate Banking Committee hearing Tuesday .
“ Even the Chamber of Commerce said that shutting down the emergency lending programs ‘ closes the door on important liquidity options for businesses at a time when they need [ them ] the most , ’ ” said Sen. Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , the panel ’ s ranking member .
But at the hearing to take testimony from Mnuchin and Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crapo , R-Idaho , disagreed .
“ Secretary Mnuchin , I ’ m actually quite surprised to hear you criticized for following the law , ” Crapo said .
As the economy began to shutter in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in March , the financial markets also began to shut down until the Fed started to set up emergency lending backstops .
Congress gave the Treasury secretary $ 500 billion to underwrite those credit facilities and other direct lending programs as part of the $ 2 trillion relief package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Fed to end most of the emergency credit facilities , saying that the law only foresaw the programs operating until the end of the year .
In a rare public disagreement , the Fed said it would prefer to maintain the backstops into next year — something it would have the authority to do only with Mnuchin ’ s blessing .
But in his testimony Tuesday , Powell only obliquely referenced the disagreement as he said the central bank would end the programs and return the unused funds .

Democrats and Republicans split on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s decision to end most of the emergency lending facilities established at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic at a Senate Banking Committee hearing Tuesday.
“Even the Chamber of Commerce said that shutting down the emergency lending programs ‘closes the door on important liquidity options for businesses at a time when they need [them] the most,’” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, the panel’s ranking member.
But at the hearing to take testimony from Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, Chairman Michael D. Crapo, R-Idaho, disagreed. “Secretary Mnuchin, I’m actually quite surprised to hear you criticized for following the law,” Crapo said.
As the economy began to shutter in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in March, the financial markets also began to shut down until the Fed started to set up emergency lending backstops. Congress gave the Treasury secretary $500 billion to underwrite those credit facilities and other direct lending programs as part of the $2 trillion relief package in March.
Mnuchin last month asked the Fed to end most of the emergency credit facilities, saying that the law only foresaw the programs operating until the end of the year. In a rare public disagreement, the Fed said it would prefer to maintain the backstops into next year — something it would have the authority to do only with Mnuchin’s blessing. But in his testimony Tuesday, Powell only obliquely referenced the disagreement as he said the central bank would end the programs and return the unused funds.


rollcall--2020-12-01--Retiring GOP Rep. Mark Walker launches North Carolina Senate run

Retiring GOP Rep. Mark Walker announced Tuesday that he is running for Senate in North Carolina in 2022 , kicking off a potentially competitive Republican primary to replace retiring GOP Sen. Richard Burr .
`` Washington has lost its mind .
Job-killing regulations , the Green New Deal , defund the police and our military — seriously ?
I 'm proud of my record taking on the radicals as well as the establishment , '' Walker said in a four-minute video launching his campaign featuring a range of supporters including former Arkansas Gov .
Mike Huckabee .
Burr announced back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fourth term , and Walker indicated last December that he could run for the seat .
Walker did not run for reelection to the House following a redistricting lawsuit that altered his House district , making it more Democratic .
When he announced his retirement from the House , Walker hinted President Donald Trump would support his Senate run .
`` After we have secured more conservative policy and Republican electoral victories for North Carolina , we will take a look at the 2022 Senate race and we are thankful to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker said at the time .
But Trump 's daughter-in-law , Lara Trump , is also considering a Senate run in her native North Carolina , the New York Times reported last month .
Lara Trump , the wife of Eric Trump , did not rule out running for Senate when asked about a potential campaign on Fox News late last month .

Retiring GOP Rep. Mark Walker announced Tuesday that he is running for Senate in North Carolina in 2022, kicking off a potentially competitive Republican primary to replace retiring GOP Sen. Richard Burr.
"Washington has lost its mind. Job-killing regulations, the Green New Deal, defund the police and our military — seriously? I'm proud of my record taking on the radicals as well as the establishment," Walker said in a four-minute video launching his campaign featuring a range of supporters including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Burr announced back in 2016 that he would not seek a fourth term, and Walker indicated last December that he could run for the seat. Walker did not run for reelection to the House following a redistricting lawsuit that altered his House district, making it more Democratic. When he announced his retirement from the House, Walker hinted President Donald Trump would support his Senate run.
"After we have secured more conservative policy and Republican electoral victories for North Carolina, we will take a look at the 2022 Senate race and we are thankful to have President Trump’s support," Walker said at the time.
But Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, is also considering a Senate run in her native North Carolina, the New York Times reported last month. Lara Trump, the wife of Eric Trump, did not rule out running for Senate when asked about a potential campaign on Fox News late last month.


rollcall--2020-12-01--What we know now about COVID-19 vaccine authorization and distribution

There ’ s a multi-step scramble of reviews and authorizations between now and the first shots of a COVID-19 vaccine @ @ @ @ @ arms .
See the video for CQ Roll Call health care reporter Emily Kopp ’ @ @ @ @ @ for a coronavirus vaccine .
[ Also watch : Walden reflects on health policy as @ @ @ @ @

There’s a multi-step scramble of reviews and authorizations between now and the first shots of a COVID-19 vaccine going into people’s arms. See the video for CQ Roll Call health care reporter Emily Kopp’s breakdown on the timeline for a coronavirus vaccine.
[ Also watch: Walden reflects on health policy as career in Congress ends ]


rollcall--2020-12-01--Nominee for White House OMB, Neera Tanden, comes under fire by GOP

President-elect Joe Biden has selected Neera Tanden to be White House budget director .
She would be the first woman @ @ @ @ @ Office of Management and Budget .
As a former Clinton aide and president of the @ @ @ @ @ Tanden is stirring up opposition from the GOP and even the far left , and @ @ @ @ @ first Biden nominee to have an uphill battle to get confirmed .
CQ Roll Call @ @ @ @ @ David Lerman discuss why that is , where she lands on the political spectrum and @ @ @ @ @ appears to flip House seat by six votes • Road ahead : House takes up @ @ @ @ @ marijuana bills while seeking spending deal • GOP shouldn ’ t count its midterm chickens @ @ @

President-elect Joe Biden has selected Neera Tanden to be White House budget director. She would be the first woman of color to oversee the Office of Management and Budget. As a former Clinton aide and president of the Center for American Progress, Tanden is stirring up opposition from the GOP and even the far left, and she just may be the first Biden nominee to have an uphill battle to get confirmed. CQ Roll Call’s Jennifer Shutt and David Lerman discuss why that is, where she lands on the political spectrum and more.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-01--Trump-era court battles weaken congressional power

Congress will emerge from the Trump administration with weakened power to check a president or oversee the operation of the federal government , the most consequential fallout that experts see for lawmakers after four years of nearly constant high-profile courtroom showdowns with a defiant president .
Democratic lawmakers often had no other recourse than to go to court because of President Donald Trump ’ s approach .
Once there , lawmakers fell short or didn ’ t get what they sought — and it doesn ’ t bode well for similar oversight efforts in administrations to come .
Democrats couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unconstitutionally benefiting financially from his presidency .
They are still trying to force a White House lawyer to testify before the House Judiciary Committee .
They haven ’ t gotten grand jury materials from the special counsel report on Russian interference in the 2016 election .
They are still trying to stop Trump ’ s transfer of money to get around congressional appropriations and build a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border .
It might take decades to reveal which Trump-era legal cases will be the most consequential for Congress , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a case about the 2020 census now at the Supreme Court or other policy areas .
Sometimes a case that seems less important now might become consequential in unforeseen ways down the road , legal experts say .
But for now , experts point to the Supreme Court ’ s decision in the House Democrats ’ effort to obtain Trump ’ s personal business and tax records from an accounting firm and banks .

Congress will emerge from the Trump administration with weakened power to check a president or oversee the operation of the federal government, the most consequential fallout that experts see for lawmakers after four years of nearly constant high-profile courtroom showdowns with a defiant president.
Democratic lawmakers often had no other recourse than to go to court because of President Donald Trump’s approach. Once there, lawmakers fell short or didn’t get what they sought — and it doesn’t bode well for similar oversight efforts in administrations to come.
Democrats couldn’t pursue their lawsuit accusing Trump of unconstitutionally benefiting financially from his presidency. They are still trying to force a former White House lawyer to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. They haven’t gotten grand jury materials from the special counsel report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. They are still trying to stop Trump’s transfer of money to get around congressional appropriations and build a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border.
It might take decades to reveal which Trump-era legal cases will be the most consequential for Congress, such as those on presidential power in immigration, a case about the 2020 census now at the Supreme Court or other policy areas. Sometimes a case that seems less important now might become consequential in unforeseen ways down the road, legal experts say.
But for now, experts point to the Supreme Court’s decision in the House Democrats’ effort to obtain Trump’s personal business and tax records from an accounting firm and banks.


rollcall--2020-12-01--Bipartisan talks resume on coronavirus relief package

Congressional leaders of both parties made a new push Tuesday to find a compromise on a long-stalled COVID-19 aid package @ @ @ @ @ month .
For the first time since October , Speaker Nancy Pelosi resumed talks with @ @ @ @ @ briefed him on a new aid proposal she drafted with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. @ @ @ @ @ review the proposal , which was sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi said in a statement after her phone call .
McConnell , meanwhile , circulated @ @ @ @ @ that he said President Donald Trump would be willing to sign .
That plan was @ @ @ @ @ with Mnuchin , McCarthy and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows , McConnell said @ @ @ @ @ both sides are treating the talks seriously , neither camp spoke publicly about the contents @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was a private proposal in an effort to move things forward , @ @ @ @ @

Congressional leaders of both parties made a new push Tuesday to find a compromise on a long-stalled COVID-19 aid package that lawmakers could pass this month.
For the first time since October, Speaker Nancy Pelosi resumed talks with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and briefed him on a new aid proposal she drafted with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer.
Mnuchin agreed to review the proposal, which was sent to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Pelosi said in a statement after her phone call.
McConnell, meanwhile, circulated among senators his own plan that he said President Donald Trump would be willing to sign. That plan was finalized after conferring Tuesday morning with Mnuchin, McCarthy and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, McConnell said.
In a sign that both sides are treating the talks seriously, neither camp spoke publicly about the contents of their respective relief plans. “It was a private proposal in an effort to move things forward,” Schumer told reporters.


rollcall--2020-12-02--Mask up, gingerbread men: It’s Christmas at the Capitol

When you see the lights blaze to life on a gigantic tree , plucked from a national forest and deposited by crane in front of the Capitol , you know it ’ s about to be the hobnobbiest time of the year in Washington .
This year , not so much .
When Nancy Pelosi presides over the lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree on Wednesday , it will be a scaled-back affair , with a smaller festive entourage and no public audience .
If you really want to hear about the majesty of this 55-foot Engelmann Spruce hauled hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll have to catch the livestream .
And if you really want to party like it ’ s not 2020 , you ’ ll have to look outside the usual calendar of events that has come to define the holiday season in Congress .
While the occupants of the White House are reportedly charging ahead with a full schedule of December celebrations despite the pandemic , things are a bit more subdued at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue .
“ The challenge is how do you take the spirit of the holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people , many of whom are having a hard time , ” said Rep. Debbie Dingell , a standard-bearer of Christmas cheer on the Hill .

When you see the lights blaze to life on a gigantic tree, plucked from a national forest and deposited by crane in front of the Capitol, you know it’s about to be the hobnobbiest time of the year in Washington.
This year, not so much. When Nancy Pelosi presides over the lighting of the Capitol Christmas Tree on Wednesday, it will be a scaled-back affair, with a smaller festive entourage and no public audience. If you really want to hear about the majesty of this 55-foot Engelmann Spruce hauled hundreds of miles from Colorado, you’ll have to catch the livestream.
And if you really want to party like it’s not 2020, you’ll have to look outside the usual calendar of events that has come to define the holiday season in Congress.
While the occupants of the White House are reportedly charging ahead with a full schedule of December celebrations despite the pandemic, things are a bit more subdued at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.
“The challenge is how do you take the spirit of the holiday, and keep that alive and connected to people, many of whom are having a hard time,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell, a standard-bearer of Christmas cheer on the Hill.


rollcall--2020-12-02--Former DOT Secretary LaHood backs Emanuel for job he once held

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has received scathing reactions from critics who worry that he might be tapped to serve @ @ @ @ @ s Secretary of Transportation — but a high-profile ally stepped forward .
Former Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ served as secretary from 2009 to 2013 , said late Tuesday that he reached out @ @ @ @ @ of staff Ron Klain about 10 days ago to offer a strong endorsement of Emanuel @ @ @ @ @ held .
“ I think he would be hands-down the best secretary of Transportation that @ @ @ @ @ ” LaHood said in an interview .
LaHood , who now serves as co-chair of @ @ @ @ @ , an organization devoted to pushing for infrastructure investment , said Klain immediately responded to @ @ @ @ @ recommending Emanuel for the job .
“ He knew exactly what I was talking about @ @ @ @ @ [ Biden will support Amtrak .
Can he convince GOP ? ]

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has received scathing reactions from critics who worry that he might be tapped to serve as President-elect Joe Biden’s Secretary of Transportation — but a high-profile ally stepped forward.
Former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who served as secretary from 2009 to 2013, said late Tuesday that he reached out to Biden’s chief of staff Ron Klain about 10 days ago to offer a strong endorsement of Emanuel for the position he once held.
“I think he would be hands-down the best secretary of Transportation that President-elect Biden could nominate,” LaHood said in an interview.
LaHood, who now serves as co-chair of Building America’s Future, an organization devoted to pushing for infrastructure investment, said Klain immediately responded to LaHood’s lengthy email recommending Emanuel for the job. “He knew exactly what I was talking about,” he said.
[Biden will support Amtrak. Can he convince GOP?]


rollcall--2020-12-02--As recovery bills languish, transit systems cut service

As if the rhetorical predictions weren ’ t already dire , Washington ’ s transit agency threw down a gauntlet @ @ @ @ @ 2022 budget proposal this week .
Nineteen closed stations .
Service scaled back to one @ @ @ @ @ weekend service .
All on the doorstep of Congress .
The agency ’ s budget @ @ @ @ @ begins July 1 , released in the aftermath of a projected $ 500 million budget @ @ @ @ @ cry for help from a transportation mode that is facing an increasingly drastic predicament .
@ @ @ @ @ got a bit of encouragement .
A bipartisan group of senators offered a $ 908 @ @ @ @ @ $ 45 billion for transportation systems , including $ 15 billion for transit .

As if the rhetorical predictions weren’t already dire, Washington’s transit agency threw down a gauntlet when it released its fiscal 2022 budget proposal this week.
Nineteen closed stations. Service scaled back to one train every half-hour. No weekend service. All on the doorstep of Congress.
The agency’s budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, released in the aftermath of a projected $500 million budget shortfall, was the latest cry for help from a transportation mode that is facing an increasingly drastic predicament.
On Tuesday, transit agencies got a bit of encouragement. A bipartisan group of senators offered a $908 billion pandemic support proposal with $45 billion for transportation systems, including $15 billion for transit.
[Bipartisan group proposes $908 billion coronavirus ‘bridge’ aid package]


rollcall--2020-12-02--‘No corporate PAC’ pledges hit record in 2020, but may face uncertainty in 2022

Swearing off donations from corporate political action committees became all the rage among Democrats during the past two election cycles , but potential cracks in the trend have begun to emerge .
Rep. Elaine Luria , a Virginia Democrat who rejected such contributions in winning her seat in 2018 and getting reelected last month , has changed her position for the coming cycle , representatives of business PACs said .
Massachusetts Democrat Seth Moulton also refused contributions from the PACs of businesses and companies during his brief presidential bid , then warmed back up to them as he refocused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
A record 155 incumbents and challengers vowed to reject corporate PAC money during the 2020 campaign , according to End Citizens United , which tracks such pledges .
That stance helped attract small-dollar donations and generated enthusiasm among voters who favor a broad campaign finance overhaul .
Candidates also touted the pledge as the answer to complex issues such as health care , arguing that a Congress that was not beholden to corporate interests would focus more on the problems of regular folks .
But many candidates lost anyway .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycle in which , traditionally , the president ’ s party loses seats in the House , incumbents and future challengers are assessing whether the pledges pay off .
On the other side , the PACs of companies themselves continue to grapple with diminished clout partly due to contribution limits set long ago that don ’ t budge for inflation .

Swearing off donations from corporate political action committees became all the rage among Democrats during the past two election cycles, but potential cracks in the trend have begun to emerge.
Rep. Elaine Luria, a Virginia Democrat who rejected such contributions in winning her seat in 2018 and getting reelected last month, has changed her position for the coming cycle, representatives of business PACs said. Massachusetts Democrat Seth Moulton also refused contributions from the PACs of businesses and companies during his brief presidential bid, then warmed back up to them as he refocused on congressional races, according to local news reports.
A record 155 incumbents and challengers vowed to reject corporate PAC money during the 2020 campaign, according to End Citizens United, which tracks such pledges.
That stance helped attract small-dollar donations and generated enthusiasm among voters who favor a broad campaign finance overhaul. Candidates also touted the pledge as the answer to complex issues such as health care, arguing that a Congress that was not beholden to corporate interests would focus more on the problems of regular folks. But many candidates lost anyway.
Now, as Democrats face a 2022 midterm cycle in which, traditionally, the president’s party loses seats in the House, incumbents and future challengers are assessing whether the pledges pay off. On the other side, the PACs of companies themselves continue to grapple with diminished clout partly due to contribution limits set long ago that don’t budge for inflation.


rollcall--2020-12-02--Short-timer: Kwanza Hall wins race for remaining weeks of John Lewis’ term

Former Atlanta City Council Member Kwanza Hall will serve briefly as Congressman Hall after defeating former Morehouse College President Robert M. Franklin in an all-Democratic special election runoff for the remainder of the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis ’ term .
Hall was leading Franklin 54 percent to 46 percent when The Associated Press called the race for the Atlanta-area 5th District shortly after midnight Wednesday .
Whether Hall actually gets to vote in Washington will depend on whether the House is still in session when he arrives .
Lawmakers are not scheduled to be in beyond Dec. 10 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spending package to prevent a partial government shutdown on Dec. 11 , make it possible the calendar will be revised .
The term Hall won ends on Jan. 3 , when the seat will be filled by state Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikema Williams , who won a full two-year term last month .
After Lewis died in July , Williams , who is also a state senator , was chosen by state party leaders to replace him on the November ballot .
But she did not run in the Sept. 29 special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that race , Hall finished first among seven candidates with 32 percent , followed by Franklin with 29 percent .
Under Georgia law , candidates need more than 50 percent to avoid a runoff .
The Office of the Historian of the House of Representatives doesn ’ t keep an official tally of the shortest-serving members since there are many variables , but it is clear that Hall won ’ t set any records .
Louisiana Democrat Effingham Lawrence served in the House for just one day — March 3 , 1875 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress .

Michael Teitelbaum and Eleanor Van Buren

Former Atlanta City Council Member Kwanza Hall will serve briefly as Congressman Hall after defeating former Morehouse College President Robert M. Franklin in an all-Democratic special election runoff for the remainder of the late Georgia Rep. John Lewis’ term.
Hall was leading Franklin 54 percent to 46 percent when The Associated Press called the race for the Atlanta-area 5th District shortly after midnight Wednesday.
Whether Hall actually gets to vote in Washington will depend on whether the House is still in session when he arrives. Lawmakers are not scheduled to be in beyond Dec. 10, but numerous unfinished agenda items, including a spending package to prevent a partial government shutdown on Dec. 11, make it possible the calendar will be revised.
The term Hall won ends on Jan. 3, when the seat will be filled by state Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikema Williams, who won a full two-year term last month. After Lewis died in July, Williams, who is also a state senator, was chosen by state party leaders to replace him on the November ballot. But she did not run in the Sept. 29 special election for his unexpired term. In that race, Hall finished first among seven candidates with 32 percent, followed by Franklin with 29 percent. Under Georgia law, candidates need more than 50 percent to avoid a runoff.
The Office of the Historian of the House of Representatives doesn’t keep an official tally of the shortest-serving members since there are many variables, but it is clear that Hall won’t set any records. Louisiana Democrat Effingham Lawrence served in the House for just one day — March 3, 1875 — the last day of the 43rd session of Congress.


rollcall--2020-12-02--Census delays could push apportionment to Biden administration

Internal documents released Wednesday by the House Oversight and Reform Committee show the Census Bureau has run into far more problems than publicly disclosed in its rush to finish tabulating results from the 2020 count , possibly resulting in delays that would let the incoming Biden administration have final control over results .
The documents identify errors involving more than 900,000 records across the country .
The problems vary from calculating ages correctly to missing or double counting thousands of people .
Agency officials have also identified problems in tens of thousands of records in states on the verge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Texas and California .
Correcting those problems will require several delays , according to the documents the committee released Wednesday as part of three sets of internal Census presentation slides dated mid-to-late November .
Those delays would push out the release of the apportionment data by nearly a month , to Jan. 23 , the third day of the Biden administration .
It also would push a separate report , purporting to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment figures , until Feb. 1 .
The documents set up a potential showdown between professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said they will only produce accurate information , and Trump officials who want to control the census in order to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment .

Internal documents released Wednesday by the House Oversight and Reform Committee show the Census Bureau has run into far more problems than publicly disclosed in its rush to finish tabulating results from the 2020 count, possibly resulting in delays that would let the incoming Biden administration have final control over results.
The documents identify errors involving more than 900,000 records across the country. The problems vary from calculating ages correctly to missing or double counting thousands of people. Agency officials have also identified problems in tens of thousands of records in states on the verge of gaining or losing congressional seats, such as Texas and California.
Correcting those problems will require several delays, according to the documents the committee released Wednesday as part of three sets of internal Census presentation slides dated mid-to-late November.
Those delays would push out the release of the apportionment data by nearly a month, to Jan. 23, the third day of the Biden administration. It also would push a separate report, purporting to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment figures, until Feb. 1.
The documents set up a potential showdown between professional staff at the Census Bureau, who have said they will only produce accurate information, and Trump officials who want to control the census in order to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment.


rollcall--2020-12-02--Comment period underway on paid family leave policies for Capitol Hill workers

Paid family leave on Capitol Hill has long been governed by a patchwork of policies depending on what office or department employees work for , but interim guidance and a new proposal for Legislative Branch employees could set a baseline for family leave policies .
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights is soliciting feedback and public comment on the proposal until Dec. 17 .
With the wide-ranging policies from office to office , staffers now have a chance to speak up on what they ’ d like to see implemented .
The new proposed regulation is part of a larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act , which the president signed into law late last year .
But just because Congress passes laws governing federal workers doesn ’ t mean that their own staff reap the benefits .
Congress routinely exempts itself from federal labor laws and others governing federal employees .
Thousands of staffers on Capitol Hill are covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act , but time is unpaid and many staffers are reluctant to use the full 12 weeks provided .
Paid leave has varied widely between offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official policy at all , relying instead on ad hoc policies issued on a case-by-case basis .

Paid family leave on Capitol Hill has long been governed by a patchwork of policies depending on what office or department employees work for, but interim guidance and a new proposal for Legislative Branch employees could set a baseline for family leave policies.
The Office of Congressional Workplace Rights is soliciting feedback and public comment on the proposal until Dec. 17. With the wide-ranging policies from office to office, staffers now have a chance to speak up on what they’d like to see implemented.
The new proposed regulation is part of a larger overhaul of benefits for federal workers, under the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act, which the president signed into law late last year.
But just because Congress passes laws governing federal workers doesn’t mean that their own staff reap the benefits. Congress routinely exempts itself from federal labor laws and others governing federal employees.
Thousands of staffers on Capitol Hill are covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act, but time is unpaid and many staffers are reluctant to use the full 12 weeks provided. Paid leave has varied widely between offices and some don’t have an official policy at all, relying instead on ad hoc policies issued on a case-by-case basis.


rollcall--2020-12-02--CDC issues COVID-19 warnings, new recommendations

The next few months of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be the most difficult yet , warned Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield , who said the agency would cooperate with the incoming Biden administration .
Redfield ’ s remarks at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event Wednesday came as the CDC also announced some changes to guidelines for people after exposure to COVID-19 .
His comments acknowledging that he would be leaving the CDC next year when President-elect Joe Biden takes office deviated from many other Trump administration political appointees .
“ My time as CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January .
This nation was severely underprepared for this pandemic and I think we have to call it the way it is , ” said Redfield , emphasizing that consistency in messaging and thoughtful interventions based on data will be key to mitigation .
“ I know I ’ m going to do a lot of reflection when I get out in January because I do think that ’ s the key that we owe the next group is what did we learn , what did we learn that works , what did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” he said .

The next few months of the COVID-19 pandemic will likely be the most difficult yet, warned Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, who said the agency would cooperate with the incoming Biden administration.
Redfield’s remarks at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event Wednesday came as the CDC also announced some changes to guidelines for people after exposure to COVID-19.
His comments acknowledging that he would be leaving the CDC next year when President-elect Joe Biden takes office deviated from many other Trump administration political appointees.
“My time as CDC director is coming to an end in January. This nation was severely underprepared for this pandemic and I think we have to call it the way it is,” said Redfield, emphasizing that consistency in messaging and thoughtful interventions based on data will be key to mitigation.
“I know I’m going to do a lot of reflection when I get out in January because I do think that’s the key that we owe the next group is what did we learn, what did we learn that works, what did we learn that didn’t work?” he said.


rollcall--2020-12-02--Mark Kelly lands in Senate, shrinking GOP majority

Sen. Mark Kelly took the oath of office Wednesday , following the path of Ohio ’ s John Glenn and others who once orbited the Earth and later landed on Capitol Hill .
The Arizona Democrat , a former NASA astronaut and Navy pilot who flew combat missions in the Persian Gulf , was sworn in Wednesday afternoon on the chamber floor by Vice President Mike Pence .
Kelly , dressed in a suit , put his hand on a bible held by fellow Arizona Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema whose purple hair was accentuated by a long zebra print coat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twin brother , astronaut Scott Kelly , children and wife , former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords , watched on .
After completing the oath , his fellow senators gave him a standing ovation .
Kelly joins the chamber after Arizona ’ s election ballots were certified Monday .
He beat out Republican Martha McSally , also a veteran , claiming the final two years of the late John McCain ’ s Senate term .
McSally was appointed by GOP Gov .
Doug Ducey to fill McCain ’ s seat after losing her 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinema-McSally race was to fill the open seat of retiring Republican Jeff Flake . )
Kelly ’ s addition to the chamber shrinks the GOP ’ s Senate majority by one , to 52-48 .

Chris Cioffi and Katherine Tully-McManus

Sen. Mark Kelly took the oath of office Wednesday, following the path of Ohio’s John Glenn and others who once orbited the Earth and later landed on Capitol Hill.
The Arizona Democrat, a former NASA astronaut and Navy pilot who flew combat missions in the Persian Gulf, was sworn in Wednesday afternoon on the chamber floor by Vice President Mike Pence. Kelly, dressed in a suit, put his hand on a bible held by fellow Arizona Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema whose purple hair was accentuated by a long zebra print coat.
Kelly took the oath as his twin brother, astronaut Scott Kelly, children and wife, former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, watched on. After completing the oath, his fellow senators gave him a standing ovation.
Kelly joins the chamber after Arizona’s election ballots were certified Monday. He beat out Republican Martha McSally, also a veteran, claiming the final two years of the late John McCain’s Senate term.
McSally was appointed by GOP Gov. Doug Ducey to fill McCain’s seat after losing her 2018 Senate race to Sinema. (The Sinema-McSally race was to fill the open seat of retiring Republican Jeff Flake.) Kelly’s addition to the chamber shrinks the GOP’s Senate majority by one, to 52-48.


rollcall--2020-12-02--Photo of the day: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

Actors portray Mary and Joseph during the annual `` Live Nativity on Capitol Hill , '' held by Faith & @ @ @ @ @ Capital on Wednesday .
The Christian lobbying group stages this event annually in front of @ @ @ @ @ year , amid the COVID-19 pandemic , featured a pared-down nativity .
In the past @ @ @ @ @ camels and donkeys have been seen at the event .

(Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Actors portray Mary and Joseph during the annual "Live Nativity on Capitol Hill," held by Faith & Liberty in the Nation's Capital on Wednesday. The Christian lobbying group stages this event annually in front of the Supreme Court.
This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, featured a pared-down nativity. In the past, three wise men, camels and donkeys have been seen at the event.


rollcall--2020-12-02--Signs of life for coronavirus relief as bipartisan plan wins key backing

COVID-19 aid talks got a jolt of momentum Wednesday when the top Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill all but endorsed a $ 908 billion interim package a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled the previous day .
In a joint statement , Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said that `` in the spirit of compromise we believe the bipartisan framework introduced yesterday ... should be used as the basis for immediate bipartisan , bicameral negotiations . ''
Pelosi and Schumer , who have been pushing for a $ 2 trillion-plus measure , were quick to note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improvements , but the need to act is immediate and we believe that with good faith negotiations we could come to an agreement . ''
Specifically , such improvements should include more funding for vaccine distribution and cash-strapped state and local governments , the top Democrats said .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was n't enthusiastic about the plan released Tuesday by Sens .
Joe Manchin III , D-W.Va. , Susan Collins , R-Maine and others in both chambers .
He unveiled his own $ 500 billion-plus proposal he said the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as insufficient .
“ The president will sign the McConnell proposal that he put forward yesterday .
We look forward to making progress on that , ” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters Wednesday .

COVID-19 aid talks got a jolt of momentum Wednesday when the top Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill all but endorsed a $908 billion interim package a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled the previous day.
In a joint statement, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said that "in the spirit of compromise we believe the bipartisan framework introduced yesterday ... should be used as the basis for immediate bipartisan, bicameral negotiations."
Pelosi and Schumer, who have been pushing for a $2 trillion-plus measure, were quick to note that "we and others will offer improvements, but the need to act is immediate and we believe that with good faith negotiations we could come to an agreement." Specifically, such improvements should include more funding for vaccine distribution and cash-strapped state and local governments, the top Democrats said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wasn't enthusiastic about the plan released Tuesday by Sens. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., Susan Collins, R-Maine and others in both chambers. He unveiled his own $500 billion-plus proposal he said the White House backs, but Democrats quickly panned it as insufficient.
“The president will sign the McConnell proposal that he put forward yesterday. We look forward to making progress on that,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters Wednesday.


rollcall--2020-12-02--COVID-19 vaccine: Navy’s top officer outlines distribution priorities

Adm. Michael M. Gilday , chief of naval operations , outlined the regions and military personnel that are prioritized to @ @ @ @ @ once approved .
He spoke Wednesday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing .
Watch @ @ @ @ @ on the potential rollout to the military .
[ What we know now about COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @

Adm. Michael M. Gilday, chief of naval operations, outlined the regions and military personnel that are prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, once approved. He spoke Wednesday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Watch the video for the details on the potential rollout to the military.
[What we know now about COVID-19 vaccine authorization and distribution]


rollcall--2020-12-02--Iowa Democrat Rita Hart to appeal 2nd District results to House

It may fall on Congress to determine who has won the closest House race in 36 years .
The race @ @ @ @ @ District was decided by just six votes after a recount , with Republican state Sen. @ @ @ @ @ former Democratic state Sen. Rita Hart in the open-seat race .
State election officials certified @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , Hart announced she plans to appeal to the House to consider ballots @ @ @ @ @ .
The overturning of state-certified results by the House is rare and last happened after @ @ @ @ @ could have challenged the results in court .
But election challenges in Iowa must be @ @ @ @ @ and Hart ’ s campaign did not believe that left enough time to resolve the @ @ @ @ @ lawyer , Alan Ostergren , said in a statement that Hart “ has chosen to @ @ @ @ @ system because she knows that a fair , objective analysis of this election would show @ @ @ @ @ Miller-Meeks won .
”

It may fall on Congress to determine who has won the closest House race in 36 years.
The race in Iowa’s 2nd District was decided by just six votes after a recount, with Republican state Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks appearing to defeat former Democratic state Sen. Rita Hart in the open-seat race. State election officials certified the results Monday, and on Wednesday, Hart announced she plans to appeal to the House to consider ballots not included in the recount.
The overturning of state-certified results by the House is rare and last happened after the 1984 elections.
Hart could have challenged the results in court. But election challenges in Iowa must be completed by Dec. 8, and Hart’s campaign did not believe that left enough time to resolve the issue.
Miller-Meeks’ campaign lawyer, Alan Ostergren, said in a statement that Hart “has chosen to avoid Iowa’s judicial system because she knows that a fair, objective analysis of this election would show what we already know: Miller-Meeks won.”


rollcall--2020-12-02--The Transition: Inauguration 2021 — things could get weird

Jim Bendat has literally written the book on our Inauguration Day traditions and history .
And one thing he is @ @ @ @ @ Between President Donald Trump ’ s propensity for antics and the ongoing pandemic , the @ @ @ @ @ Biden is going to be one we ’ ll remember .
He joins us on @ @ @ @ @ Political Theater podcast .
• Five myths about presidential inaugurations ( The Washington Post , @ @ @ @ @ , gingerbread men : It ’ s Christmas at the Capitol • What we know @ @ @ @ @ and distribution

Jason Dick, Thomas McKinless, and Joanne Levine

Jim Bendat has literally written the book on our Inauguration Day traditions and history.
And one thing he is pretty confident of predicting: Between President Donald Trump’s propensity for antics and the ongoing pandemic, the Jan. 20 inauguration of Joe Biden is going to be one we’ll remember. He joins us on this special episode of the Political Theater podcast.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-02--Lawmakers line up showdown with Trump over Confederate base names

The defense authorization conference report for fiscal 2021 will defy a veto threat and require a change to the names @ @ @ @ @ honor Confederate soldiers , according to a senator who championed the change .
President Donald @ @ @ @ @ the NDAA if it contained such a requirement .
On Tuesday evening , he threatened @ @ @ @ @ : his insistence that the final measure repeal a law that protects social media companies @ @ @ @ @ conferees were expected to sign the NDAA conference report Wednesday evening .
The Senate voted @ @ @ @ @ to formally go to a conference on the bill , the last procedural step before @ @ @ @ @ , and the Senate also named its conferees on Wednesday .
The legislation , which @ @ @ @ @ straight fiscal years , would authorize for fiscal 2021 about three-quarters of a trillion dollars @ @ @ @ @ set Pentagon policies .
The House and Senate adopted their versions of the bills with @ @ @ @ @ .

The defense authorization conference report for fiscal 2021 will defy a veto threat and require a change to the names of U.S. military bases that honor Confederate soldiers, according to a senator who championed the change.
“It’s in,” Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told reporters Wednesday.
President Donald Trump had threatened to veto the NDAA if it contained such a requirement. On Tuesday evening, he threatened a veto on another issue: his insistence that the final measure repeal a law that protects social media companies from certain lawsuits.
The conferees were expected to sign the NDAA conference report Wednesday evening. The Senate voted by unanimous consent Wednesday morning to formally go to a conference on the bill, the last procedural step before the measure is made final, and the Senate also named its conferees on Wednesday.
The legislation, which has become law for 59 straight fiscal years, would authorize for fiscal 2021 about three-quarters of a trillion dollars in defense spending and would set Pentagon policies. The House and Senate adopted their versions of the bills with veto-proof margins earlier this year.


rollcall--2020-12-03--Breaking the ‘pale and male’ barrier

Breaking the ‘pale and male’ barrier

Former Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley has usually been the only African American , female diplomat in the room .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ Mary C. Curtis , of how few Black women — or women in general — @ @ @ @ @ makes the case for diversity in national security , talks about her role in creating @ @ @ @ @ Women in National Security and why she is hopeful that change is on the horizon @ @ @ @ @ become top Armed Services Republican • Lamar !
bids farewell , says Senate not voting @ @ @ @ @ ‘ waste of talent ’ • ‘ No corporate PAC ’ pledges hit record in @ @ @ @ @ uncertainty in 2022

Mary C. Curtis, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

Former Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley has usually been the only African American, female diplomat in the room. It's a reflection, she tells Mary C. Curtis, of how few Black women — or women in general — are senior diplomats. Abercrombie-Winstanley makes the case for diversity in national security, talks about her role in creating the organization Leadership Council for Women in National Security and why she is hopeful that change is on the horizon.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-03--GOP control to linger over agency key to Biden climate goals

The Biden administration will take over the executive branch on Jan. 20 , but the new president wo n't have @ @ @ @ @ independent commission that holds significant sway over one of his top priorities , a cleaner @ @ @ @ @ June 30 .
That 's because the Senate this week approved by voice vote a @ @ @ @ @ nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — which oversees energy markets , the electric @ @ @ @ @ and large power projects like wind farms — leaving it with a 3-2 Republican majority @ @ @ @ @ the term of Neil Chatterjee , a GOP commissioner , expires .
`` Just by @ @ @ @ @ delay when President-elect Biden could put a Democratic majority in place , ” Cheryl LaFleur @ @ @ @ @ , said in an interview .
“ It does a little bit , ” said @ @ @ @ @ director at Public Citizen , when asked if the Monday vote would bind President-elect Joe @ @ @ @ @

The Biden administration will take over the executive branch on Jan. 20, but the new president won't have a Democratic majority on an independent commission that holds significant sway over one of his top priorities, a cleaner electric grid, until after June 30.
That's because the Senate this week approved by voice vote a bipartisan pair of Trump administration nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — which oversees energy markets, the electric grid, natural gas pipelines and large power projects like wind farms — leaving it with a 3-2 Republican majority until June 30, when the term of Neil Chatterjee, a GOP commissioner, expires.
"Just by the math it could potentially delay when President-elect Biden could put a Democratic majority in place,” Cheryl LaFleur, a former FERC commissioner, said in an interview.
[Biden picks Kerry for Cabinet-level climate role]
“It does a little bit,” said Tyson Slocum, energy program director at Public Citizen, when asked if the Monday vote would bind President-elect Joe Biden’s hands.


rollcall--2020-12-03--States grapple with plans for end to coronavirus public health emergency

An end to the COVID-19 public health emergency would seem like good news for states .
But state officials are @ @ @ @ @ official designation because it will mean more work and less money for their Medicaid health @ @ @ @ @ benefited from increased federal funding from the first COVID-19 relief law this year , and @ @ @ @ @ be booted from coverage mid-pandemic .
But both of these safeguards will not be in @ @ @ @ @ emergency , or PHE , ends .
State officials are asking the federal government for @ @ @ @ @ prepare for an eventual end to the emergency .
Experts say planning is key to @ @ @ @ @ and that will require steps from both federal regulators and Congress .
The health emergency @ @ @ @ @ 20 but will almost certainly be extended by the next administration .
The question is @ @ @ @ @ normal operations .
States are calling for additional Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidance @

An end to the COVID-19 public health emergency would seem like good news for states. But state officials are dreading the end of that official designation because it will mean more work and less money for their Medicaid health coverage programs.
States have benefited from increased federal funding from the first COVID-19 relief law this year, and individuals who enrolled cannot be booted from coverage mid-pandemic. But both of these safeguards will not be in place after the public health emergency, or PHE, ends.
State officials are asking the federal government for more information to help them prepare for an eventual end to the emergency. Experts say planning is key to ensuring a smooth transition, and that will require steps from both federal regulators and Congress.
The health emergency is set to expire Jan. 20 but will almost certainly be extended by the next administration. The question is how states will transition to normal operations.
States are calling for additional Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidance.


rollcall--2020-12-03--Trump allies file emergency petition at Supreme Court over 2020 election

Weeks after President Donald Trump said the Supreme Court should decide whether to throw out millions of ballots in what he dubbed a fraudulent election , and with state and federal courts rejecting nearly all his legal team ’ s lawsuits in multiple states , a case from Pennsylvania has limped meekly to the nation ’ s highest court .
The emergency petition filed Thursday is no Bush v. Gore , the 2000 case about the disputed Florida recount that determined who won the state ’ s electoral votes and therefore the White House .
The dispute about Pennsylvania ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change the outcome of the presidential race .
Instead , the appeal comes from Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Mike Kelly and other Trump allies , in a lawsuit they filed after the election to challenge a 2019 state law that allowed voters to cast mail-in ballots for any reason .
Election experts have called the lawsuit , which seeks to throw out all mail-in ballots in the state in the 2020 election , ridiculous .
They panned the chances that the Supreme Court would agree to hear it .
Election law expert Rick Hasen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , Irvine School of Law , wrote about it with this title : “ Perhaps the Dumbest Argument Ever Made in Emergency Petition to the Supreme Court Appears in Pennsylvania Election Case .
”

Weeks after President Donald Trump said the Supreme Court should decide whether to throw out millions of ballots in what he dubbed a fraudulent election, and with state and federal courts rejecting nearly all his legal team’s lawsuits in multiple states, a case from Pennsylvania has limped meekly to the nation’s highest court.
The emergency petition filed Thursday is no Bush v. Gore, the 2000 case about the disputed Florida recount that determined who won the state’s electoral votes and therefore the White House. The dispute about Pennsylvania’s election results could not by itself change the outcome of the presidential race.
Instead, the appeal comes from Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Mike Kelly and other Trump allies, in a lawsuit they filed after the election to challenge a 2019 state law that allowed voters to cast mail-in ballots for any reason.
Election experts have called the lawsuit, which seeks to throw out all mail-in ballots in the state in the 2020 election, ridiculous. They panned the chances that the Supreme Court would agree to hear it.
Election law expert Rick Hasen, a professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, wrote about it with this title: “Perhaps the Dumbest Argument Ever Made in Emergency Petition to the Supreme Court Appears in Pennsylvania Election Case.”


rollcall--2020-12-03--Defense bill seeks to bolster military’s pandemic response

The final agreement on the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill includes a slate of provisions intended to bolster the military ’ s response to the coronavirus , a day after the U.S. recorded its single worst daily death toll since the pandemic began .
House and Senate conferees released the agreement on the massive $ 731.6 billion policy measure late Thursday .
It prescribes Pentagon spending levels for the coming year .
Within the bill are at least 10 measures that directly address the military ’ s role in responding to the coronavirus pandemic , including requiring the Pentagon to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , directing the Defense secretary to develop a national pandemic response strategy and expanding the telemedicine capabilities of the Veterans Affairs Department .
“ This year ’ s NDAA has been crafted in the midst of an unprecedented national pandemic .
Over the past nine months , the U.S. military has assisted in numerous ways to support communities across the nation , while at the same time facing the dual challenges of protecting the health of service members and maintaining military preparedness , ” the Senate Armed Services Committee said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment sufficient for every active and reserve servicemember while also ensuring that DOD laboratories have the technology needed to develop vaccines and therapeutics for any future pandemic .

The final agreement on the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill includes a slate of provisions intended to bolster the military’s response to the coronavirus, a day after the U.S. recorded its single worst daily death toll since the pandemic began.
House and Senate conferees released the agreement on the massive $731.6 billion policy measure late Thursday. It prescribes Pentagon spending levels for the coming year.
Within the bill are at least 10 measures that directly address the military’s role in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, including requiring the Pentagon to maintain personal protective equipment for all servicemembers, directing the Defense secretary to develop a national pandemic response strategy and expanding the telemedicine capabilities of the Veterans Affairs Department.
“This year’s NDAA has been crafted in the midst of an unprecedented national pandemic. Over the past nine months, the U.S. military has assisted in numerous ways to support communities across the nation, while at the same time facing the dual challenges of protecting the health of service members and maintaining military preparedness,” the Senate Armed Services Committee said in a statement.
One provision requires the Defense Department to maintain a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment sufficient for every active and reserve servicemember while also ensuring that DOD laboratories have the technology needed to develop vaccines and therapeutics for any future pandemic.