rollcall--2020-12-22--Capitol Ink | Best of 2020: Coronavirus edition

“ Strange days indeed !
” as John Lennon sang some 40 years ago .
As if an impeachment trial @ @ @ @ @ ’ t enough , both were eclipsed by a seemingly endless global pandemic .
2020 @ @ @ @ @ say , a VERY odd year — one like no other before it .
But @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , let ’ s a look back at the moments that made us pause @ @ @ @ @ starting with this year ’ s singular event : the coronavirus pandemic .

“Strange days indeed!” as John Lennon sang some 40 years ago. As if an impeachment trial and a presidential election weren’t enough, both were eclipsed by a seemingly endless global pandemic. 2020 was, suffice it to say, a VERY odd year — one like no other before it.
But before we say goodbye to 2020, let’s a look back at the moments that made us pause and gave us cause, starting with this year’s singular event: the coronavirus pandemic.
Panic was all the rage in the early days of the pandemic leading up to the shutdown in The Keep Calm Before the Storm, published on March 11.
Holidays were extra tricky this year. The Easter Bunny Gets Real, from March 26, depicts how festive the country felt while in lockdown.
As the pandemic raged, everything was affected, including political primaries, as depicted in Voter PPE from April 4.
Memorial Wall, from April 29, reflects on how out of control the virus seemed, with more than 55,000 deaths reported at the time.
The Sorcerer’s Stimulus from May 18 lampoons the lengths to which Speaker Nancy Pelosi will go to get pandemic relief passed.
June 25’s Fast Food Senate skewers Mitch McConnell’s apparent top priority during the pandemic — appointing federal judges.
President Trump’s disastrous decision to hold a campaign rally in the middle of a pandemic is parodied in The Golden Driller from June 18.
Welcome back Congress from Sept. 9 shows what awaited lawmakers after their August recess.
Oct. 6’s Joy Ride sums up not only President Trump’s attitude following his own hospitalization from COVID-19 but also his entire handling of the pandemic.


rollcall--2020-12-22--GOP has outside spending advantage in Georgia runoffs

Outside groups in both parties have been flooding Georgia ’ s airwaves with millions of dollars of ads in the Senate runoffs , with Republican groups spending more than twice as much as their Democratic counterparts .
Both parties have descended on the Peach State for the two Jan. 5 contests that will determine control of the Senate .
Should former congressional staffer and documentary filmmaker Jon Ossoff unseat GOP Sen. David Perdue and pastor Raphael Warnock defeat appointed GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler , Democrats will control the chamber with Kamala Harris , as vice president , casting tie-breaking votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 196 million on the Georgia runoffs since the Nov. 3 election , according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission as of late Monday afternoon .
Of that outside spending , $ 133 million has been spent to help the two Republicans .
Outside groups aligned with Democrats have spent $ 63 million .
That money comes from some very wealthy donors — including Loeffler ’ s husband — writing multimillion-dollar checks .
It also comes from labor unions , donors with more pedestrian incomes , and from hidden sources because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donors report getting money from other groups that do n't .
The candidates are also spending their own money , and must file reports by midnight Christmas Even showing their contributions and spending .
On Friday , the ad tracking firm AdImpact reported that ad spending in both runoffs has surpassed $ 450 million , with much of that coming from the candidates themselves .
The two Democrats have spent a combined $ 159 million on ads , compared to the two Republicans ’ $ 91 million .

Outside groups in both parties have been flooding Georgia’s airwaves with millions of dollars of ads in the Senate runoffs, with Republican groups spending more than twice as much as their Democratic counterparts.
Both parties have descended on the Peach State for the two Jan. 5 contests that will determine control of the Senate. Should former congressional staffer and documentary filmmaker Jon Ossoff unseat GOP Sen. David Perdue and pastor Raphael Warnock defeat appointed GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler, Democrats will control the chamber with Kamala Harris, as vice president, casting tie-breaking votes.
Outside groups have spent more than $196 million on the Georgia runoffs since the Nov. 3 election, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission as of late Monday afternoon. Of that outside spending, $133 million has been spent to help the two Republicans. Outside groups aligned with Democrats have spent $63 million.
That money comes from some very wealthy donors — including Loeffler’s husband — writing multimillion-dollar checks. It also comes from labor unions, donors with more pedestrian incomes, and from hidden sources because some of the groups that disclose their donors report getting money from other groups that don't.
The candidates are also spending their own money, and must file reports by midnight Christmas Even showing their contributions and spending. On Friday, the ad tracking firm AdImpact reported that ad spending in both runoffs has surpassed $450 million, with much of that coming from the candidates themselves. The two Democrats have spent a combined $159 million on ads, compared to the two Republicans’ $91 million.


Fintech’s futures past

Famed venture capitalist Matt Harris joins Amias Gerety to discuss how important it is to understand fintech ’ s past @ @ @ @ @ in its future — and how another pandemic first ignited digital payments nearly two decades @ @ @ @ @ you need to know about Ant Group ( and its canceled IPO ) • What @ @ @ @ @ s fintech conferences

Famed venture capitalist Matt Harris joins Amias Gerety to discuss how important it is to understand fintech’s past if one wishes to invest in its future — and how another pandemic first ignited digital payments nearly two decades before COVID-19.
More podcast content
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-21--Senate clears massive year-end spending bill with coronavirus relief

The Senate late Monday night cleared a mammoth spending package for President Donald Trump 's signature that would provide nearly $ 900 billion to address the COVID-19 pandemic and fund federal agencies through the fiscal year ending Sept. 30 , 2021 .
Trump is expected to sign the legislation , though it could take a few extra days to get the paperwork ready .
As insurance against a partial government shutdown , lawmakers also sent Trump a weeklong continuing resolution on Monday night , with little over an hour until the current funding extension was set to lapse .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote after a brief debate that mainly focused on the underlying bill 's one-year extension of production tax credits for wind energy .
Senate Republicans from coal- and natural gas-producing states argued that they discovered the wind credit `` surprise '' when reviewing the massive 5,593-page bill , and cited a deal cut five years ago to phase the credit out completely .
“ I feel like I ’ m living in episode of the ‘ Twilight Zone , ’ ” Sen. Kevin Cramer , R-N.D. , said on the floor , referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market-distorting atrocity.
” Cramer and fellow North Dakota Republican John Hoeven , along with James Lankford , R-Okla. , tried to amend the package to strip out the wind credit extension , but Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , objected .
Wyden said he agreed with the sentiment that energy policy should be “ technology neutral ” without subsidies for favored industries , but that it wasn ’ t time yet to revoke support for the wind electricity market .
“ I would submit this is the best approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to make sure that critical investments are not missed out on now , ” he said .

The Senate late Monday night cleared a mammoth spending package for President Donald Trump's signature that would provide nearly $900 billion to address the COVID-19 pandemic and fund federal agencies through the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2021.
Trump is expected to sign the legislation, though it could take a few extra days to get the paperwork ready. As insurance against a partial government shutdown, lawmakers also sent Trump a weeklong continuing resolution on Monday night, with little over an hour until the current funding extension was set to lapse.
The Senate cleared the measure on a 92-6 vote after a brief debate that mainly focused on the underlying bill's one-year extension of production tax credits for wind energy. Senate Republicans from coal- and natural gas-producing states argued that they discovered the wind credit "surprise" when reviewing the massive 5,593-page bill, and cited a deal cut five years ago to phase the credit out completely.
“I feel like I’m living in episode of the ‘Twilight Zone,’” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said on the floor, referring to the wind credit as a “market-distorting atrocity.” Cramer and fellow North Dakota Republican John Hoeven, along with James Lankford, R-Okla., tried to amend the package to strip out the wind credit extension, but Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., objected.
Wyden said he agreed with the sentiment that energy policy should be “technology neutral” without subsidies for favored industries, but that it wasn’t time yet to revoke support for the wind electricity market. “I would submit this is the best approach to we have today, which is a need to make sure that critical investments are not missed out on now,” he said.


rollcall--2020-12-23--Equal Time: Faith and politics

Equal Time: Faith and politics

The late evangelist Billy Graham , known as America ’ s pastor , was as world famous as the presidents @ @ @ @ @ him .
But after a friendship with Richard Nixon affected that image , Graham backed @ @ @ @ @ .
His son has chosen a different path .
Mary C. Curtis speaks with the @ @ @ @ @ • ‘ Republicans often racialize poverty .
Democrats often run from poverty ’

Mary C. Curtis, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

The late evangelist Billy Graham, known as America’s pastor, was as world famous as the presidents who sought face time with him. But after a friendship with Richard Nixon affected that image, Graham backed away from the political spotlight. His son has chosen a different path. Mary C. Curtis speaks with the Rev. Franklin Graham.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-23--Capitol Ink | Best of 2020: The presidential election

“ We live in strange times .
We also live in strange places , each in a universe of our @ @ @ @ @ great Douglas Adams wrote those words in 1992 , but they could easily apply to @ @ @ @ @ now an understatement — and possibly a cliché — to say that it was a @ @ @ @ @ Despite being hampered by a global pandemic , we still flexed our democratic muscles , @ @ @ @ @ sorry , conspiracy theorists ) and proving that our system of government still works .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s look back at the election of 2020 through the lens of Capitol Ink @ @ @ @ @ Matson ’ s Best of 2020 : Coronavius edition ]

“We live in strange times. We also live in strange places, each in a universe of our own.” The late, great Douglas Adams wrote those words in 1992, but they could easily apply to 2020. It’s now an understatement — and possibly a cliché — to say that it was a year like no other.
Despite being hampered by a global pandemic, we still flexed our democratic muscles, electing a new president (sorry, conspiracy theorists) and proving that our system of government still works. Barely.
So now let’s look back at the election of 2020 through the lens of Capitol Ink.
[Also check out Matson’s Best of 2020: Coronavius edition]
“Choice Overload” from Feb. 12 reminds us of time long ago before the pandemic when there was Democratic presidential primary.
“Joe-mentum,“ published on March 5, shows an energized, post-South Carolina primary Biden campaign that’s ready to roll.
True — and prescient — words from “Trump 2020,” published on June 11.
President Trump’s disastrous decision to hold a campaign rally in the middle of a pandemic is lampooned in “The Golden Driller” from June 18.
The first presidential debate was, to quote CNN’s Dana Bash, “a s---how,” lowering expectations for the second, as “Mute Point” from Oct. 22 illustrates.
Published on Election Day, “Key Question” asks what was really on voters’ minds this year.
“On Track” from Nov. 5 reflects Trump’s hurry to discredit the 2020 election even before the race had been called.


rollcall--2020-12-23--Congress ditches State Department bill after fight with Ivanka Trump

Said a Democratic aide familiar with the contretemps , who was not authorized to be named : “ Instead of the White House just acknowledging they are biting off more than anyone could chew , they just had a temper tantrum and State Authorization had to come out .
Ultimately , that got flushed down the toilet , as we say colloquially , ‘ because Ivanka didn ’ t get her pony.
’ ” Lawmakers got unusually close this year to clearing the State authorization bill after the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate , known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attach an updated version of the House-passed fiscal 2020 State authorization bill to the conference report for the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act , or NDAA .
“ For the most part , we were willing to jettison anything that wasn ’ t ready for prime time ” to get the bill passed , said the Democratic aide .
“ Ultimately , the bulk of [ the ] provisions had been reserved because they are longtime , in-the-weeds management fixes and tweaks that the State Department needs , many of which they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years.
” But then came the disagreement between White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump and Pelosi and Shaheen over Trump ’ s push to include language that would institutionalize her signature international development program : the Women ’ s Global Development and Prosperity ( W-GDP ) Initiative .
Pelosi and Shaheen were initially open to adding a provision to the diplomatic policy bill that would codify Trump ’ s empowerment initiative and nest it within Foggy Bottom ’ s Office of Global Women ’ s Issues , which would also be permanently authorized @ @ @ @

Said a Democratic aide familiar with the contretemps, who was not authorized to be named: “Instead of the White House just acknowledging they are biting off more than anyone could chew, they just had a temper tantrum and State Authorization had to come out. Ultimately, that got flushed down the toilet, as we say colloquially, ‘because Ivanka didn’t get her pony.’”
Last-minute breakdown
Lawmakers got unusually close this year to clearing the State authorization bill after the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate, known as the “Four Corners,” agreed to attach an updated version of the House-passed fiscal 2020 State authorization bill to the conference report for the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA.
“For the most part, we were willing to jettison anything that wasn’t ready for prime time” to get the bill passed, said the Democratic aide. “Ultimately, the bulk of [the] provisions had been reserved because they are longtime, in-the-weeds management fixes and tweaks that the State Department needs, many of which they’d been asking for, for years.”
But then came the disagreement between White House senior adviser Ivanka Trump and Pelosi and Shaheen over Trump’s push to include language that would institutionalize her signature international development program: the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative.
Pelosi and Shaheen were initially open to adding a provision to the diplomatic policy bill that would codify Trump’s empowerment initiative and nest it within Foggy Bottom’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, which would also be permanently authorized by the legislation.


rollcall--2020-12-23--Confederate monuments at national parks get reprieve

Confederate symbols immortalized in bronze at National Park Service sites dodged a bullet this week .
The final version of the fiscal 2021 spending package excluded language pushed by House Democrats that would remove the monuments from those sites .
Republicans had described the provision as a “ poison pill ” and “ veto bait , ” given President Donald Trump ’ s opposition .
But Democratic supporters say dropping the provision represents a temporary truce rather than a white flag on their part .
The Senate cleared the spending bill Monday .
House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Betty McCollum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the monument provision .
“ I am disappointed that Senate Republicans and President Trump refused to include House-passed provisions to remove hateful Confederate symbols from our national parks as a step toward confronting our nation ’ s legacy of racial injustice , ” McCollum said in a statement .
“ I look forward to working with the Biden administration to pursue these critical provisions in the next Congress.
” At the heart of the issue are National Park Service sites commemorating Civil War battlefields such as Gettysburg that include monuments honoring Confederate soldiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monuments have come under renewed criticism as the country wrestles with questions of racial justice and dark aspects of its history .

Confederate symbols immortalized in bronze at National Park Service sites dodged a bullet this week. The final version of the fiscal 2021 spending package excluded language pushed by House Democrats that would remove the monuments from those sites.
Republicans had described the provision as a “poison pill” and “veto bait,” given President Donald Trump’s opposition. But Democratic supporters say dropping the provision represents a temporary truce rather than a white flag on their part. The Senate cleared the spending bill Monday.
House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Betty McCollum, D-Minn., lamented the absence of the monument provision.
“I am disappointed that Senate Republicans and President Trump refused to include House-passed provisions to remove hateful Confederate symbols from our national parks as a step toward confronting our nation’s legacy of racial injustice,” McCollum said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Biden administration to pursue these critical provisions in the next Congress.”
At the heart of the issue are National Park Service sites commemorating Civil War battlefields such as Gettysburg that include monuments honoring Confederate soldiers who fought and died there. Such monuments have come under renewed criticism as the country wrestles with questions of racial justice and dark aspects of its history.


rollcall--2020-12-22--Trump demands Congress ‘amend’ massive spending package

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night all but said he wo n't sign the year-end omnibus appropriations and coronavirus relief package , telling Americans the tax rebates are n't big enough and that the measure is littered with unnecessary spending .
The huge bill `` they are now planning to send back to my desk is much different than anticipated .
It really is a disgrace , '' Trump said in a four-minute , 29-second video posted on his Twitter feed .
He said he wants lawmakers to increase the `` ridiculously low '' $ 600 rebate checks to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation ... or else the next administration will have to deliver a COVID relief package .
And maybe that administration will be me , and we will get it done . ''
Trump 's comments throw a wrench into the carefully negotiated $ 900 billion relief bill and underlying $ 1.4 trillion fiscal 2021 appropriations package that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin played a role in negotiating .
Mnuchin on Tuesday morning issued a statement praising the agreement , and a day earlier told CNBC that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as early as next week .
Trump 's implication was that he 'd veto the package Congress cleared late Monday , though he did n't use that term .
Sustaining a veto seems unlikely , given the Senate voted 92-6 in favor of the bill and the House , through a procedure known as dividing the question , got well in excess of veto-proof majorities on both pieces .

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night all but said he won't sign the year-end omnibus appropriations and coronavirus relief package, telling Americans the tax rebates aren't big enough and that the measure is littered with unnecessary spending.
The huge bill "they are now planning to send back to my desk is much different than anticipated. It really is a disgrace," Trump said in a four-minute, 29-second video posted on his Twitter feed.
He said he wants lawmakers to increase the "ridiculously low" $600 rebate checks to $2,000 and to "get rid of the wasteful and unnecessary items from this legislation ... or else the next administration will have to deliver a COVID relief package. And maybe that administration will be me, and we will get it done."
Trump's comments throw a wrench into the carefully negotiated $900 billion relief bill and underlying $1.4 trillion fiscal 2021 appropriations package that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin played a role in negotiating. Mnuchin on Tuesday morning issued a statement praising the agreement, and a day earlier told CNBC that the $600 checks could begin to flow as early as next week.
Trump's implication was that he'd veto the package Congress cleared late Monday, though he didn't use that term. Sustaining a veto seems unlikely, given the Senate voted 92-6 in favor of the bill and the House, through a procedure known as dividing the question, got well in excess of veto-proof majorities on both pieces.


rollcall--2020-12-22--Trump pardons ex-Reps. Duncan Hunter, Chris Collins

President Donald Trump on Tuesday granted full pardons to former Reps. Duncan Hunter and Chris Collins , who both took @ @ @ @ @ on their respective campaign finance and securities fraud charges .
The two Republicans were also @ @ @ @ @ to endorse Trump when he ran for president .
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's pardons of both former House members that they were made `` at the @ @ @ @ @ Congress . ''
Hunter served as California 's 50th District representative for three-and-a-half terms before @ @ @ @ @ His resignation came after a lengthy ethics and eventual criminal investigation into misuse of campaign @ @ @ @ @ last December to spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds for his own @ @ @ @ @ included Lego sets , movie tickets , a $ 14,000 family vacation to Italy and @ @ @ @ @ s pet bunny rabbit .

President Donald Trump on Tuesday granted full pardons to former Reps. Duncan Hunter and Chris Collins, who both took plea agreements to avoid trials on their respective campaign finance and securities fraud charges.
The two Republicans were also among the first in Congress to endorse Trump when he ran for president.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement announcing Trump's pardons of both former House members that they were made "at the request of many Members of Congress."
Hunter served as California's 50th District representative for three-and-a-half terms before he resigned in January. His resignation came after a lengthy ethics and eventual criminal investigation into misuse of campaign funds.
Hunter pleaded guilty last December to spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds for his own enrichment. His illegal purchases included Lego sets, movie tickets, a $14,000 family vacation to Italy and flights for his family’s pet bunny rabbit.


rollcall--2020-12-22--Danger from Russian hack may persist and spread, experts say

The widespread breach of SolarWinds , the network management software company that supplies so many U.S. government agencies and Fortune 500 companies , likely allowed Russian hackers to access the top echelons of those institutions and can not simply be dismissed as routine espionage by a strategic rival , former cybersecurity officials said this week .
Moreover , they warned that the attackers may be burrowed deep into government and corporate networks and from there could launch other damaging attacks at a time of their choosing .
The cybersecurity experts who served in the George W. Bush and Obama administrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SolarWinds operating software to gain access to the company ’ s clients between March and June , by now may have used that access to slip deeper into the networks , making it harder to find them .
President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday said the cyberattack , likely launched by the Russian intelligence service known as SVR , happened “ on Donald Trump ’ s watch , when he wasn ’ t watching.
” Biden said the attack “ constitutes a grave risk to our national security .
It was carefully planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more attacks on networks , warns of a ‘ grave risk ’ ]

The widespread breach of SolarWinds, the network management software company that supplies so many U.S. government agencies and Fortune 500 companies, likely allowed Russian hackers to access the top echelons of those institutions and cannot simply be dismissed as routine espionage by a strategic rival, former cybersecurity officials said this week.
Moreover, they warned that the attackers may be burrowed deep into government and corporate networks and from there could launch other damaging attacks at a time of their choosing.
The cybersecurity experts who served in the George W. Bush and Obama administrations said that the attackers, who breached the SolarWinds operating software to gain access to the company’s clients between March and June, by now may have used that access to slip deeper into the networks, making it harder to find them.
President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday said the cyberattack, likely launched by the Russian intelligence service known as SVR, happened “on Donald Trump’s watch, when he wasn’t watching.” Biden said the attack “constitutes a grave risk to our national security. It was carefully planned and carefully orchestrated.”
[U.S. finds more attacks on networks, warns of a ‘grave risk’]


rollcall--2020-12-22--Joe Biden expects no ‘honeymoon,’ but help in ending a ‘nightmare’

President-elect Joe Biden thinks he will get cooperation from Congress on further COVID-19 assistance in 2021 because of the need @ @ @ @ @ nightmare.
” “ I don ’ t think it ’ s a honeymoon at all @ @ @ @ @ s a nightmare that everybody ’ s going through , and they all say it @ @ @ @ @ , ” Biden said .
“ It ’ s not a honeymoon .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ favor.
” The president-elect praised Congress for coming together to clear a belated COVID-19 response @ @ @ @ @ that more funding will be needed early next year .
“ I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ duck , just watch me , ” Biden said Tuesday on the familiar stage at @ @ @ @ @ , Delaware , where Biden has held many of his campaign and transition events amid @ @ @ @ @ made the remark in response to a question about whether he would quickly file paperwork @ @ @ @ @ , but it underscored the way Biden is viewing the challenges ahead .

President-elect Joe Biden thinks he will get cooperation from Congress on further COVID-19 assistance in 2021 because of the need to end the current “nightmare.”
“I don’t think it’s a honeymoon at all. I think it’s a nightmare that everybody’s going through, and they all say it’s got to end,” Biden said. “It’s not a honeymoon. They’re not doing me a favor.”
The president-elect praised Congress for coming together to clear a belated COVID-19 response package but reiterated his belief that more funding will be needed early next year.
“I’m not going to be a lame duck, just watch me,” Biden said Tuesday on the familiar stage at the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Delaware, where Biden has held many of his campaign and transition events amid the pandemic.
The president-elect made the remark in response to a question about whether he would quickly file paperwork to run again in 2024, but it underscored the way Biden is viewing the challenges ahead.


rollcall--2020-12-22--Northeast, Midwest would lose seats in new Census Bureau estimate

New York stands to lose two congressional seats , according to population estimates released Tuesday by the Census Bureau , making the state the biggest loser in the next apportionment if the official count comes out the same .
The Census Bureau constructed the estimate separate from the decennial count currently underway at the agency , and it is based on 2010 census results , along with birth , death and internal migration records .
Using the estimate to apportion the 435 seats in the House , seven states would gain congressional seats while nine states would lose them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time in its history , according to the estimate .
Most of the other states losing seats are concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest : Rhode Island , New York , Pennsylvania , West Virginia , Ohio , Michigan , Illinois and Minnesota .
Those seats would filter south and west .
Texas would gain three seats and Florida two under the estimates released Tuesday .
North Carolina , Colorado , Montana , Arizona and Oregon would also gain seats .
The Census Bureau conducts several estimates of the U.S. population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different conclusions .
For instance , an estimate released by the agency last week pegged the national population to be between 330 and 335 million , but Tuesday ’ s estimate put the population at 329 million .

New York stands to lose two congressional seats, according to population estimates released Tuesday by the Census Bureau, making the state the biggest loser in the next apportionment if the official count comes out the same.
The Census Bureau constructed the estimate separate from the decennial count currently underway at the agency, and it is based on 2010 census results, along with birth, death and internal migration records. Using the estimate to apportion the 435 seats in the House, seven states would gain congressional seats while nine states would lose them.
California would lose a congressional seat for the first time in its history, according to the estimate. Most of the other states losing seats are concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest: Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota.
Those seats would filter south and west. Texas would gain three seats and Florida two under the estimates released Tuesday. North Carolina, Colorado, Montana, Arizona and Oregon would also gain seats.
The Census Bureau conducts several estimates of the U.S. population, each using different methods and reaching different conclusions. For instance, an estimate released by the agency last week pegged the national population to be between 330 and 335 million, but Tuesday’s estimate put the population at 329 million.


rollcall--2020-12-22--Miguel Cardona in line for Education secretary

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to tap Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona as his Education secretary , according to The Associated Press and other media outlets , bringing in a longtime elementary school teacher and principal to helm the department during a tumultuous time for America ’ s schools .
Cardona , who in 2019 began serving as the state ’ s commissioner , was the first Latino to hold the position , according to the Connecticut Mirror .
Previously , he was an elementary school principal and a fourth-grade teacher in Meriden , Connecticut .
He also served as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut education and leadership program , and he was a co-chair of the Connecticut Legislative Achievement Gap Task Force , according to his official biography .
He will be a relative newcomer to Washington and the national education debate , in contrast to outgoing Secretary Betsy DeVos , who has been a leading voice among advocates for for-profit colleges and taxpayer-backed private schooling .
Biden had not made an official announcement on Tuesday , but Sen. Christopher S. Murphy , D-Conn. , praised the choice , tweeting late Monday night that “ my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want in a Secretary of Education .
A classroom teacher , a fighter for educational equity , a consensus builder .
He has risen quickly through the ranks for a reason .
”

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to tap Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona as his Education secretary, according to The Associated Press and other media outlets, bringing in a longtime elementary school teacher and principal to helm the department during a tumultuous time for America’s schools.
Cardona, who in 2019 began serving as the state’s commissioner, was the first Latino to hold the position, according to the Connecticut Mirror. Previously, he was an elementary school principal and a fourth-grade teacher in Meriden, Connecticut.
He also served as an adjunct professor in a University of Connecticut education and leadership program, and he was a co-chair of the Connecticut Legislative Achievement Gap Task Force, according to his official biography.
He will be a relative newcomer to Washington and the national education debate, in contrast to outgoing Secretary Betsy DeVos, who has been a leading voice among advocates for for-profit colleges and taxpayer-backed private schooling.
Biden had not made an official announcement on Tuesday, but Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn., praised the choice, tweeting late Monday night that “my friend Miguel Cardona is everything you would want in a Secretary of Education. A classroom teacher, a fighter for educational equity, a consensus builder. He has risen quickly through the ranks for a reason.”


rollcall--2020-12-23--Trump vetoes defense bill

Trump vetoes defense bill

President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill , making good on repeated vows to do so and setting the stage for an eleventh-hour override vote in Congress .
That override vote could coincide with a similar vote to counter Trump ’ s newest comments , made Tuesday night , in which he hinted he might veto the recently passed omnibus spending and coronavirus aid package .
The prospect of a presidential veto on both the defense policy measure , known as the National Defense Authorization Act , and the catch-all tax and spending package has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who must also contend with the possibility of a partial government shutdown at midnight on Dec. 28 when the latest stopgap funding bill expires .
The Senate cleared the $ 731.6 billion NDAA on Dec. 11 .
The massive legislation includes provisions for military pay raises , the construction of military housing and the creation of programs aimed at deterring China , among thousands of others .
Trump has taken issue with a provision that would rename military bases that honor Confederate generals and with the lack of a provision that would deprive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shields .

President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill, making good on repeated vows to do so and setting the stage for an eleventh-hour override vote in Congress.
That override vote could coincide with a similar vote to counter Trump’s newest comments, made Tuesday night, in which he hinted he might veto the recently passed omnibus spending and coronavirus aid package.
The prospect of a presidential veto on both the defense policy measure, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, and the catch-all tax and spending package has cut the holiday season short for lawmakers who must also contend with the possibility of a partial government shutdown at midnight on Dec. 28 when the latest stopgap funding bill expires.
The Senate cleared the $731.6 billion NDAA on Dec. 11. The massive legislation includes provisions for military pay raises, the construction of military housing and the creation of programs aimed at deterring China, among thousands of others.
Trump has taken issue with a provision that would rename military bases that honor Confederate generals and with the lack of a provision that would deprive social media companies of their legal liability shields.


rollcall--2020-12-23--Trump complicates Georgia Republicans’ COVID-19 relief message

President Donald Trump ’ s decision to slam the latest round of pandemic relief from Congress could complicate matters for @ @ @ @ @ senators , who were touting the aid package ahead of their runoff elections on Jan. @ @ @ @ @ posted Tuesday night on Twitter , Trump called the massive spending bill that Congress passed @ @ @ @ @ 900 billion in pandemic relief , a “ disgrace.
” He said Americans should receive @ @ @ @ @ as opposed to the $ 600 included in the package .
The president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ both Georgia Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler launched new television ads highlighting their @ @ @ @ @ .
Their Democratic opponents , Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock , seized on Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ the two Republicans to back increased payments .

President Donald Trump’s decision to slam the latest round of pandemic relief from Congress could complicate matters for Georgia’s two Republican senators, who were touting the aid package ahead of their runoff elections on Jan. 5.
In a video posted Tuesday night on Twitter, Trump called the massive spending bill that Congress passed Monday, which included $900 billion in pandemic relief, a “disgrace.” He said Americans should receive $2,000 in stimulus checks as opposed to the $600 included in the package.
The president’s remarks came several hours after both Georgia Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler launched new television ads highlighting their response to the coronavirus crisis. Their Democratic opponents, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, seized on Trump’s comments, calling on the two Republicans to back increased payments.


rollcall--2020-12-23--Shelby’s FBI, other omnibus priorities among those trashed by Trump

`` The agreement strongly supports the FBI 's efforts to create a campus for collocating FBI explosives and counter-IED programs and activities , '' the statement says .
That facility is part of the Huntsville campus .
The bill expressly avoids funding for FBI headquarters construction , which Trump has been seeking to keep at the current location on Pennsylvania Avenue .
He sought $ 1.75 billion for that purpose over the summer , which Senate Republicans included in their version of a coronavirus relief bill despite several expressing reservations .
The official explanation for Trump 's push is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Justice Department .
But there have been persistent concerns that the president 's also interested in making sure that site is not sold off to a private developer who could build a facility competing with the Trump International Hotel at the Old Post Office Building across the street .
In an emailed statement , Shelby spokeswoman Blair Taylor defended the FBI construction funds .
`` This funding was included to meet high priority needs identified by the FBI for critical construction projects , '' Taylor wrote .
`` Chairman Shelby firmly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a waste .
In fact , leveraging the assets at Redstone Arsenal makes sense not just from a strategic perspective , but also from a financial one . ''

"The agreement strongly supports the FBI's efforts to create a campus for collocating FBI explosives and counter-IED programs and activities," the statement says. That facility is part of the Huntsville campus.
The bill expressly avoids funding for FBI headquarters construction, which Trump has been seeking to keep at the current location on Pennsylvania Avenue. He sought $1.75 billion for that purpose over the summer, which Senate Republicans included in their version of a coronavirus relief bill despite several expressing reservations.
The official explanation for Trump's push is the current J. Edgar Hoover Building's proximity to the Justice Department. But there have been persistent concerns that the president's also interested in making sure that site is not sold off to a private developer who could build a facility competing with the Trump International Hotel at the Old Post Office Building across the street.
In an emailed statement, Shelby spokeswoman Blair Taylor defended the FBI construction funds.
"This funding was included to meet high priority needs identified by the FBI for critical construction projects," Taylor wrote. "Chairman Shelby firmly believes that providing these resources is not a waste. In fact, leveraging the assets at Redstone Arsenal makes sense not just from a strategic perspective, but also from a financial one."


rollcall--2020-12-23--Trump’s threats to massive spending bill spoil Christmas break

Pelosi tweeted that the House could pass a bill boosting the checks ’ size to $ 2,000 by unanimous consent on Christmas Eve during the chamber ’ s pro forma session .
But that would require House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to agree and no other lawmaker in town to object .
On a conference call with House Republicans on Wednesday , McCarthy said he wo n't approve Democrats ' unanimous consent request on the direct payments bill , according to a source on the call who asked for anonymity to discuss private conversations .
Instead McCarthy is likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending in the omnibus that Trump complained was wasteful .
Democrats are unlikely to agree to that request .
Procedurally when both party leaders have not agreed in advance to allow a UC request , once the motion is made on the floor the chair will rule they are constrained from entertaining it .
Pelosi told colleagues in a Wednesday morning letter that throughout the negotiations , Democrats have been willing to provide larger payments to households .
Negotiators arrived at the lower $ 600 figure after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin proposed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overall relief package was around $ 900 billion , precluding larger checks .

Pelosi tweeted that the House could pass a bill boosting the checks’ size to $2,000 by unanimous consent on Christmas Eve during the chamber’s pro forma session. But that would require House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to agree and no other lawmaker in town to object.
On a conference call with House Republicans on Wednesday, McCarthy said he won't approve Democrats' unanimous consent request on the direct payments bill, according to a source on the call who asked for anonymity to discuss private conversations.
Instead McCarthy is likely to offer his own UC request related to spending in the omnibus that Trump complained was wasteful. Democrats are unlikely to agree to that request.
Procedurally when both party leaders have not agreed in advance to allow a UC request, once the motion is made on the floor the chair will rule they are constrained from entertaining it.
'Sphinx-like silence'
Pelosi told colleagues in a Wednesday morning letter that throughout the negotiations, Democrats have been willing to provide larger payments to households. Negotiators arrived at the lower $600 figure after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin proposed it; Republicans made clear their ceiling on the overall relief package was around $900 billion, precluding larger checks.


rollcall--2020-12-23--3 tech takeaways from the massive spending bill

Watch as CQ Roll Call ’ s Dean DeChiaro discusses some of the big takeaways on technology spending in the @ @ @ @ @ relief measure that Congress passed before leaving town for the holidays .

Watch as CQ Roll Call’s Dean DeChiaro discusses some of the big takeaways on technology spending in the massive year-end appropriations and pandemic relief measure that Congress passed before leaving town for the holidays.
[3 Defense takeaways from the massive spending bill]


rollcall--2020-12-23--Bipartisan group’s success on COVID-19 relief could just be the beginning

Everybody 's talking about bipartisanship in the Senate , but the cross-party cooperation that led to Congress on Monday passing nearly $ 900 billion in coronavirus relief started in the House .
Any bipartisan deals formed next session could start there too , members of the House Problem Solvers Caucus say .
“ This in many ways could be the model for how we govern in the next Congress , ” New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer , the Democratic co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus , said in an interview .
“ Democrats , Republicans didn ’ t come together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been working together for years , which obviously helps you build more trust.
” President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday celebrated passage of the pandemic aid package — designed to provide a few months of relief before his administration attempts to enact larger aid for the struggling economy — as the “ first glimpse of bipartisanship ” that he hopes to rekindle .
Although he didn ’ t specifically name it , the Problem Solvers Caucus was key to lighting that flame .
A group of 50 members equally divided between the two parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gang of rank-and-file members to attempt to compromise on a massive aid package that divided the House and Senate leadership for months .
Over the summer , half a dozen members who became known as the “ tiger team ” — a military-turned-business phrase for a cross-functional group brought together to solve a critical issue — started hammering out details of a bipartisan aid package with input from the broader caucus .

Everybody's talking about bipartisanship in the Senate, but the cross-party cooperation that led to Congress on Monday passing nearly $900 billion in coronavirus relief started in the House. Any bipartisan deals formed next session could start there too, members of the House Problem Solvers Caucus say.
“This in many ways could be the model for how we govern in the next Congress,” New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer, the Democratic co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, said in an interview. “Democrats, Republicans didn’t come together just for this moment, but have been working together for years, which obviously helps you build more trust.”
President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday celebrated passage of the pandemic aid package — designed to provide a few months of relief before his administration attempts to enact larger aid for the struggling economy — as the “first glimpse of bipartisanship” that he hopes to rekindle. Although he didn’t specifically name it, the Problem Solvers Caucus was key to lighting that flame.
A group of 50 members equally divided between the two parties, the caucus was the first bipartisan gang of rank-and-file members to attempt to compromise on a massive aid package that divided the House and Senate leadership for months.
Over the summer, half a dozen members who became known as the “tiger team” — a military-turned-business phrase for a cross-functional group brought together to solve a critical issue — started hammering out details of a bipartisan aid package with input from the broader caucus.


rollcall--2020-12-23--Photos of the year: 2020 as seen by Bill Clark

This year has felt like a decade 's worth of news packed into 12 months .
CQ Roll Call photojournalists @ @ @ @ @ trial , the onset and continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic , the racial justice @ @ @ @ @ general election , a confirmation of a Supreme Court justice and several high-profile and noteworthy @ @ @ @ @ just the start of the list .
Editor 's Note : Bill Clark is a @ @ @ @ @ Call .
This is the final part of a series where our photo staff shares @ @ @ @ @ the year 2020 .
Follow him on Twitter here .

This year has felt like a decade's worth of news packed into 12 months. CQ Roll Call photojournalists covered the president's impeachment trial, the onset and continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the racial justice movement, the primaries and general election, a confirmation of a Supreme Court justice and several high-profile and noteworthy deaths. And that's just the start of the list.
Editor's Note: Bill Clark is a D.C.-based photojournalist with CQ Roll Call. This is the final part of a series where our photo staff shares their most iconic images of the year 2020. Follow him on Twitter here.
JANUARY 15: The Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives Paul Irving and Clerk of the House of Representatives Cheryl Johnson lead the House managers through Statuary Hall to deliver the articles of impeachment to the Senate. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
JANUARY 28: Reporters crowd around Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in the hallway just off the Rotunda as he leaves the Senate Republicans' caucus meeting to discuss witnesses for the Senate impeachment trial proceedings. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
FEBRUARY 3: Photojournalists take photos of Ken Starr, a member of President Donald Trump's defense team, as he leaves the Capitol after the conclusion of the day's Senate impeachment trial proceedings. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
FEBRUARY 28: Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich., races down the House steps after the last votes of the week. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
MARCH 18: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., arrives at the Capitol for a vote on a coronavirus relief bill amendment. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
APRIL 12: Richard Lukas, dressed as the Easter Bunny, waves to families as he rides in a convertible around his Capitol Hill neighborhood to give the local children and their parents a socially distanced Easter. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
APRIL 23: Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., left, and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., talk as Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., exits the U.S. Capitol before the House vote on a $483.4 billion coronavirus relief package. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 4: Ducklings leap into the Capitol Reflecting Pool. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 15: Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, removes his face mask while walking down the House steps after voting on the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 18: Passengers wearing face masks wait for their bus in front of a national debt display on Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 25: Nuns wearing face masks walk by the Memorial Day wreaths at the National World War II Memorial in Washington on Memorial Day. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 30: A jogger wearing a face mask runs past the President Donald Trump window display at Madame Tussauds wax museum in Washington. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
MAY 31: Protesters crowd around a fire on H Street in front of the White House as the George Floyd and police brutality protests flare up in Washington. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
JUNE 2: Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks during the Senate Democrats' press conference introducing the resolution to condemn President Donald Trump for ordering police to clear protesters for the photo-op at St. John's Episcopal Church. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
JUNE 4: U.S. military troops disembark from tour buses and deploy inside the security perimeter at the White House as the George Floyd and police brutality protests continued in Washington. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
JUNE 6: Protesters march down Pennsylavania Avenue from the Capitol as demonstrations and marches are held around Washington to bring attention to racial injustice. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
JULY 22: Storm clouds pass over the Capitol dome as a severe thunderstorm approaches Washington. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
JULY 27: Reta Cosby, of Upper Marlboro, Md., holds a Black Lives Matter sign while waiting to view Rep. John Lewis' casket on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
SEPTEMBER 30: Protesters from the Center for Popular Democracy Action, dressed in "Handmaid's Tale" costumes, stand on the plaza of the U.S. Supreme Court to voice opposition to Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the court. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-12-24--EPA leaves ozone pollution standard unchanged

The EPA announced its final decision Wednesday to leave ozone pollution standards right where the Obama administration set them in @ @ @ @ @ told reporters the agency had streamlined the process for reviewing air quality standards in order @ @ @ @ @ established by the Clean Air Act .
The agency has rarely met that requirement , @ @ @ @ @ ’ s announcement of ozone standards shows that EPA takes seriously the timely implementation of @ @ @ @ @ obligation of every environmental regulator , ” Wheeler said .
Environmental and public health advocates @ @ @ @ @ rushing the process and failing to adequately consider scientific input .
They suggested tightening the @ @ @ @ @ the public , particularly in light of indications that air pollution can make people more @ @ @ @ @ is the main ingredient in smog .

The EPA announced its final decision Wednesday to leave ozone pollution standards right where the Obama administration set them in 2015.
Administrator Andrew Wheeler told reporters the agency had streamlined the process for reviewing air quality standards in order to meet an every-five-years deadline established by the Clean Air Act. The agency has rarely met that requirement, he added.
“Today’s announcement of ozone standards shows that EPA takes seriously the timely implementation of rules that is a core obligation of every environmental regulator,” Wheeler said.
Environmental and public health advocates criticized that streamlined approach as rushing the process and failing to adequately consider scientific input. They suggested tightening the standards would have better protected the public, particularly in light of indications that air pollution can make people more susceptible to COVID-19.
Ozone is the main ingredient in smog.


rollcall--2020-12-24--Capitol Ink | Best of 2020: Congress

Capitol Ink | Best of 2020: Congress

See ya , 2020 !
Let the door hit you on the way out .
You have to admit , @ @ @ @ @ — challenging , dark and absurd .
Through the seemingly endless coronavirus pandemic and the @ @ @ @ @ the country struggled but continued to remain hopeful .
We even elected a new president @ @ @ @ @ one believes .
From the stay-at-home period in the spring to the elections in the @ @ @ @ @ work , which also , at times , illustrated the challenges , darkness and absurdity @ @ @ @ @ third part of our Capitol Ink recap of 2020 turns the focus back on the @ @ @ @ @ See Matson ’ s Best of 2020 : Coronavius edition and his Best of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ 2021 will usher in a new Congress and a new presidential administration .
And R.J. @ @ @ @ @ politcal cartoons will also be back Tuesdays through Thursdays ( and Wednesdays only during recess @ @ @ @ @ all in January .

See ya, 2020! Let the door hit you on the way out.
You have to admit, 2020 was an unforgettable year — challenging, dark and absurd. Through the seemingly endless coronavirus pandemic and the economic consequences it wrought, the country struggled but continued to remain hopeful. We even elected a new president, despite what the current one believes.
From the stay-at-home period in the spring to the elections in the fall, Congress continued its work, which also, at times, illustrated the challenges, darkness and absurdity of the year. The third part of our Capitol Ink recap of 2020 turns the focus back on the legislative branch itself.
[See Matson’s Best of 2020: Coronavius edition and his Best of 2020: The presidential election]
Remember when Nancy Pelosi tore up a copy of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address as “Speaker of the House of Riiiiipresentatives” from Feb. 2 showed? Feels like it was five years ago.
Nobody found a thrill on “Coronavirus Hill,” from April 1, which depicted the isolation the country was feeling from being shut down.
Perhaps “Groundhog Day” would now be a better film to parody rather than “Jaws 2,” but “Box Office Mitch” from May 27 showed the danger lurking underneath McConnell’s delay of a second coronavirus relief bill as the country prepared to reopen.
June 25’s “Fast Food Senate” skewered McConnell’s apparent top priority during the pandemic — appointing federal judges.
We lost some of the greats this year, including civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, honored in this July 21 post.
Sept. 30’s “Emergency Responders” lampooned McConnell’s priorities again — this time, Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation.
The fate of the Affordable Care Act was a key cause of angst during Barrett’s confirmation hearing as seen in
“Amy Coney Barrett-ometer” from Oct. 13.
There might not be a better image to cap off 2020 than “Congress Falls” from Dec. 3.
2021 will usher in a new Congress and a new presidential administration. And R.J. Matson’s Berryman Award-winning politcal cartoons will also be back Tuesdays through Thursdays (and Wednesdays only during recess periods). See you all in January.


rollcall--2020-12-24--Hey, soldiers and spies — think twice about that home genetic ancestry test

If you ’ re a spy or a soldier , and you ’ re thinking of taking one of those home-based genetic tests for health or genealogical reasons through 23andMe , Ancestry.com and others , you might want to rethink it .
The big omnibus spending package that Congress passed early this week — which President Donald Trump has criticized , demanding changes from Congress — included language that would ask the Government Accountability Office to look at and mitigate risks posed to members of the intelligence community and to soldiers , sailors , airmen and Marines who may use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have ties to China or by the sale of such data to companies owned by Chinese interests .
The fiscal 2021 intelligence authorization measure , which is part of the omnibus spending package , would ask the GAO to look at consumer genetic tests as part of an increased focus on a range of threats posed by China .
Lawmakers want the GAO also to examine `` how the government of the People 's Republic of China may be using data provided by personnel of the intelligence community and the [ Defense ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how ubiquitous technical surveillance may amplify those risks .
”

If you’re a spy or a soldier, and you’re thinking of taking one of those home-based genetic tests for health or genealogical reasons through 23andMe, Ancestry.com and others, you might want to rethink it.
The big omnibus spending package that Congress passed early this week — which President Donald Trump has criticized, demanding changes from Congress — included language that would ask the Government Accountability Office to look at and mitigate risks posed to members of the intelligence community and to soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who may use direct-to-consumer genetic testing by companies that may have ties to China or by the sale of such data to companies owned by Chinese interests.
The fiscal 2021 intelligence authorization measure, which is part of the omnibus spending package, would ask the GAO to look at consumer genetic tests as part of an increased focus on a range of threats posed by China.
Lawmakers want the GAO also to examine "how the government of the People's Republic of China may be using data provided by personnel of the intelligence community and the [Defense] Department through direct-to-consumer genetic tests; and how ubiquitous technical surveillance may amplify those risks.”


rollcall--2020-12-24--Dueling objections leave omnibus, coronavirus relief bill in limbo

House leaders spent the morning of Christmas Eve rejecting each others ’ attempts to address President Donald Trump ’ s concerns about the omnibus spending and coronavirus relief package , leaving the bill in the same precarious position it ’ s been in since Trump ’ s Tuesday night Twitter riposte .
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer sought to pass legislation that would boost the size of tax rebates in the massive year-end bill that cleared Monday night from $ 600 to $ 2,000 , to try to meet one Trump demand .
But because House Minority Leader Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consent in advance , the chair could not entertain the request .
Virginia Rep .
Rob Wittman , representing McCarthy on the floor , offered the Republican alternative , to cut the State Department and foreign aid appropriations title from the package and replace it with a stopgap bill for those programs .
Democrats had not agreed to that unanimous consent request , and it too was not entertained .
The attempts to pass the bills before a mostly empty chamber were largely for show , with each side knowing the other ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But they reflected a real sense of anxiety about Trump ’ s stance on the omnibus , with unemployment assistance to millions expiring the day after Christmas and government funding set to expire Monday at midnight .

House leaders spent the morning of Christmas Eve rejecting each others’ attempts to address President Donald Trump’s concerns about the omnibus spending and coronavirus relief package, leaving the bill in the same precarious position it’s been in since Trump’s Tuesday night Twitter riposte.
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer sought to pass legislation that would boost the size of tax rebates in the massive year-end bill that cleared Monday night from $600 to $2,000, to try to meet one Trump demand. But because House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy had not agreed to give unanimous consent in advance, the chair could not entertain the request.
Virginia Rep. Rob Wittman, representing McCarthy on the floor, offered the Republican alternative, to cut the State Department and foreign aid appropriations title from the package and replace it with a stopgap bill for those programs. Democrats had not agreed to that unanimous consent request, and it too was not entertained.
The attempts to pass the bills before a mostly empty chamber were largely for show, with each side knowing the other’s request wouldn’t be entertained. But they reflected a real sense of anxiety about Trump’s stance on the omnibus, with unemployment assistance to millions expiring the day after Christmas and government funding set to expire Monday at midnight.
[Trump demands Congress ‘amend’ massive spending package]


rollcall--2020-12-27--Trump signs massive omnibus spending, coronavirus relief package

President Donald Trump on Sunday signed a massive government funding and pandemic aid package , despite earlier calling it a @ @ @ @ @ that lawmakers amend it .
The outgoing president ’ s decision to sign the mega @ @ @ @ @ of a partial government shutdown that would have started early Tuesday after a temporary spending @ @ @ @ @ statement , Trump said he was signing the measure because `` it is my responsibility @ @ @ @ @ our country from the economic devastation and hardship '' wrought by COVID-19 .
With the @ @ @ @ @ unemployment benefits that lapsed Dec. 26 while Trump was mulling his options can start to @ @ @ @ @ recipients will get an extra $ 300 per week on top of regular benefits for @ @ @ @ @ eviction moratorium for renters behind on their payments , which had been set to expire @ @ @ @ @ is now extended for another month and at-risk renters will receive $ 25 billion in @ @ @

President Donald Trump on Sunday signed a massive government funding and pandemic aid package, despite earlier calling it a "disgrace" and demanding that lawmakers amend it.
The outgoing president’s decision to sign the mega spending bill removes the threat of a partial government shutdown that would have started early Tuesday after a temporary spending law expired.
In a statement, Trump said he was signing the measure because "it is my responsibility to protect the people of our country from the economic devastation and hardship" wrought by COVID-19.
With the president's signature, federal unemployment benefits that lapsed Dec. 26 while Trump was mulling his options can start to flow again. Jobless aid recipients will get an extra $300 per week on top of regular benefits for 11 weeks.
A federal eviction moratorium for renters behind on their payments, which had been set to expire New Year's Day, is now extended for another month and at-risk renters will receive $25 billion in financial assistance.


rollcall--2020-12-28--House votes to override Trump veto of defense bill

House lawmakers voted 322-87 on Monday to override President Donald Trump ’ s pre-Christmas veto of the fiscal 2021 defense @ @ @ @ @ is expected to hold its own override vote Tuesday .
Dozens of House lawmakers voted @ @ @ @ @ of a pandemic-era change to House rules .
The Senate does not have such a @ @ @ @ @ massive $ 731.6 billion legislation , known as the National Defense Authorization Act , includes @ @ @ @ @ , the construction of military housing and sweeping improvements to the federal government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ thousands of others .
Should the Senate vote be delayed by procedural moves , the @ @ @ @ @ next Congress begins , at noon Jan. 3 , to hold the vote .
If @ @ @ @ @ the legislation expires and the veto stands .

House lawmakers voted 322-87 on Monday to override President Donald Trump’s pre-Christmas veto of the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill.
The Senate is expected to hold its own override vote Tuesday.
Dozens of House lawmakers voted by proxy, taking advantage of a pandemic-era change to House rules. The Senate does not have such a rule in place.
The massive $731.6 billion legislation, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, includes provisions for military pay raises, the construction of military housing and sweeping improvements to the federal government’s approach to cybersecurity, among thousands of others.
Should the Senate vote be delayed by procedural moves, the chamber will have until the next Congress begins, at noon Jan. 3, to hold the vote. If senators miss that deadline, the legislation expires and the veto stands.


rollcall--2020-12-28--House GOP votes boost Trump’s $2,000 checks proposal

Forty-four House Republicans joined most Democrats on Monday night in backing legislation to dramatically increase the size of tax rebates in the latest coronavirus relief package .
The 275-134 vote sends the measure to the Senate , where it seems unlikely Republicans controlling that chamber will put the bill backed by President Donald Trump on the floor in a form that can pass .
The omnibus package Trump signed Sunday night after days of uncertainty will distribute $ 600 for each adult and qualifying child in families earning up to $ 150,000 a year , or $ 75,000 for single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out at a rate of $ 5 per $ 100 of additional income .
That $ 165.7 billion compromise , negotiated in part by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , kept the overall cost of the $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package in check , allowing Republicans to feel good enough about the final price tag .
Only 50 House Republicans voted 'no ' on that part of the bill , enabling it to pass with a veto-proof majority .
But the bill House Democrats brought to the floor to boost the size of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as each dependent will cost $ 463.8 billion alone , according to the Joint Committee on Taxation .
That 's more than half the entire COVID-19 aid measure Trump signed on Sunday .

Forty-four House Republicans joined most Democrats on Monday night in backing legislation to dramatically increase the size of tax rebates in the latest coronavirus relief package.
The 275-134 vote sends the measure to the Senate, where it seems unlikely Republicans controlling that chamber will put the bill backed by President Donald Trump on the floor in a form that can pass.
The omnibus package Trump signed Sunday night after days of uncertainty will distribute $600 for each adult and qualifying child in families earning up to $150,000 a year, or $75,000 for single filers, after which the credit phases out at a rate of $5 per $100 of additional income.
That $165.7 billion compromise, negotiated in part by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, kept the overall cost of the $900 billion coronavirus relief package in check, allowing Republicans to feel good enough about the final price tag. Only 50 House Republicans voted 'no' on that part of the bill, enabling it to pass with a veto-proof majority.
But the bill House Democrats brought to the floor to boost the size of the checks to $2,000 per adult as well as each dependent will cost $463.8 billion alone, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. That's more than half the entire COVID-19 aid measure Trump signed on Sunday.


rollcall--2020-12-29--Senate could be in session (and voting) through New Year’s and beyond

The Senate could be in session straight through New Year ’ s Day if there is no agreement on taking up legislation the House passed on Monday to increase the size of economic relief checks to $ 2,000 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell informed senators of plans for a live quorum call at 5 p.m. Wednesday , followed by a vote on proceeding to the effort to override President Donald Trump ’ s veto of the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill .
“ President Trump has rightly noted this year ’ s defense bill doesn ’ t contain every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m confident our Democratic colleagues feel the same way , ” the Kentucky Republican said earlier Wednesday “ But that is the case every year .
And yet , for 59 consecutive years and counting , Washington has put our differences aside , found common ground , and passed the annual defense bill.
” The defense policy measure passed the Senate 84-13 on Dec. 11 , and while some senators may defect to support the president ’ s objections , the override ’ s ultimate passage with the two-thirds threshold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when .
( The House on Monday voted to override the veto on a 322-87 vote , sending it to the Senate for consideration . )

The Senate could be in session straight through New Year’s Day if there is no agreement on taking up legislation the House passed on Monday to increase the size of economic relief checks to $2,000.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell informed senators of plans for a live quorum call at 5 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a vote on proceeding to the effort to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill.
“President Trump has rightly noted this year’s defense bill doesn’t contain every provision that we Republicans would have wanted. I’m confident our Democratic colleagues feel the same way,” the Kentucky Republican said earlier Wednesday “But that is the case every year. And yet, for 59 consecutive years and counting, Washington has put our differences aside, found common ground, and passed the annual defense bill.”
[Georgia Republicans in Senate runoff back $2,000 checks]
The defense policy measure passed the Senate 84-13 on Dec. 11, and while some senators may defect to support the president’s objections, the override’s ultimate passage with the two-thirds threshold required seems assured. The question is when. (The House on Monday voted to override the veto on a 322-87 vote, sending it to the Senate for consideration.)


rollcall--2020-12-29--New federal dietary guidelines dish out familiar rules

The latest version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans , unveiled Tuesday by two federal agencies , leaves in place many prior recommendations , including the long-standing advice that adult men moderate their drinking .
Overall , the secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services said the 2020 to 2025 guidelines are designed to aid people in making healthy choices , although studies show much of the public doesn ’ t follow current recommendations for eating vegetables and fruits .
The guidelines are updated every five years .
“ The science tells us that good nutrition leads to better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines use the best available evidence to give Americans the information they need to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families , ” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement .
The guidelines will shape billions of dollars in purchases to feed the military and to supply federal food programs such as the Women , Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program , Meals on Wheels for the elderly and the school lunch program .
Public health and nutrition experts also refer to the guidelines , which in turn influence food choices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recommendations are familiar , the new guidelines also include for the first time dietary guidance for toddlers and babies under the age of 2 as well as advice for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding .
Two industry groups , the International Dairy Foods Association and the American Egg Board , touted the inclusion of their products among the foods especially recommended for young children ’ s development .

The latest version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, unveiled Tuesday by two federal agencies, leaves in place many prior recommendations, including the long-standing advice that adult men moderate their drinking.
Overall, the secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services said the 2020 to 2025 guidelines are designed to aid people in making healthy choices, although studies show much of the public doesn’t follow current recommendations for eating vegetables and fruits. The guidelines are updated every five years.
“The science tells us that good nutrition leads to better health outcomes, and the new dietary guidelines use the best available evidence to give Americans the information they need to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement.
The guidelines will shape billions of dollars in purchases to feed the military and to supply federal food programs such as the Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program, Meals on Wheels for the elderly and the school lunch program. Public health and nutrition experts also refer to the guidelines, which in turn influence food choices and consumer trends.
While many of the recommendations are familiar, the new guidelines also include for the first time dietary guidance for toddlers and babies under the age of 2 as well as advice for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Two industry groups, the International Dairy Foods Association and the American Egg Board, touted the inclusion of their products among the foods especially recommended for young children’s development.


rollcall--2020-12-29--McConnell blocks Democrats’ attempts to boost relief checks to $2,000

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked two Democratic attempts to approve a bill that would provide $ 2,000 tax rebate payments to Americans instead of the $ 600 lawmakers approved just last week .
McConnell first objected to a unanimous consent request from Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer that the chamber immediately pass the bill .
He then objected to Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ request that the Senate approve the bill after it votes to override President Donald Trump ’ s veto of the annual defense policy bill .
Sanders then objected to McConnell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ override vote on the defense bill Wednesday , likely delaying that vote until Jan. 1 at the earliest .
The impasse about when and how the Senate would bring up a bill to increase the direct payments will likely become intertwined with addressing election security and overhauling a 1996 law that provides some legal protections to social media companies and other websites for the content posted on their platforms .
That provision is often referred to as Section 230 .
Trump listed all three as issues he wants lawmakers to address when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus relief package into law on Sunday .
And McConnell introduced a bill later Tuesday to package all three elements together , infuriating Schumer who said the move was “ a blatant attempt to deprive Americans of a $ 2,000 survival check .
”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked two Democratic attempts to approve a bill that would provide $2,000 tax rebate payments to Americans instead of the $600 lawmakers approved just last week.
McConnell first objected to a unanimous consent request from Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer that the chamber immediately pass the bill. He then objected to Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders’ request that the Senate approve the bill after it votes to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the annual defense policy bill.
Sanders then objected to McConnell’s attempts to set up a veto override vote on the defense bill Wednesday, likely delaying that vote until Jan. 1 at the earliest.
The impasse about when and how the Senate would bring up a bill to increase the direct payments will likely become intertwined with addressing election security and overhauling a 1996 law that provides some legal protections to social media companies and other websites for the content posted on their platforms. That provision is often referred to as Section 230.
Trump listed all three as issues he wants lawmakers to address when he signed the $1.4 trillion omnibus and coronavirus relief package into law on Sunday. And McConnell introduced a bill later Tuesday to package all three elements together, infuriating Schumer who said the move was “a blatant attempt to deprive Americans of a $2,000 survival check.”


rollcall--2020-12-29--Georgia GOP senators Perdue, Loeffler back Trump call for $2,000 payments

Republican Georgia Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler said Tuesday that they support $ 2,000 direct payments to most @ @ @ @ @ line with President Donald Trump , whose supporters are vital to them in next week @ @ @ @ @ President @ realdonaldtrump is right — I support this push for $ 2,000 in direct @ @ @ @ @ , ” Perdue tweeted Tuesday morning , shortly after Loeffler said on Fox News that @ @ @ @ @ payments .
She added that she was proud to have supported Trump “ 100 percent @ @ @ @ @ Perdue and Loeffler have faced heavy criticism from their Democratic opponents , documentary filmmaker Jon @ @ @ @ @ Warnock , for their opposition earlier this year to direct coronavirus relief payments .

Republican Georgia Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler said Tuesday that they support $2,000 direct payments to most Americans, bringing them in line with President Donald Trump, whose supporters are vital to them in next week's runoff elections.
“President @realdonaldtrump is right — I support this push for $2,000 in direct relief for the American people,” Perdue tweeted Tuesday morning, shortly after Loeffler said on Fox News that she would back the higher payments. She added that she was proud to have supported Trump “100 percent of the time.”
Borh Perdue and Loeffler have faced heavy criticism from their Democratic opponents, documentary filmmaker Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock, for their opposition earlier this year to direct coronavirus relief payments.


rollcall--2020-12-29--The Inaugural Luncheon is the latest pandemic casualty

The century-old tradition of the post-inauguration lunch is the latest pandemic casualty as COVID-19 continues to upend the ceremonies around the Jan. 20 swearing-in of President-elect Joe Biden .
The Inaugural Luncheon tradition , which has been around since the late 1800s , has evolved into a three-course meal and musical performance in the Capitol ’ s Statuary Hall for the new Cabinet , the Supreme Court and congressional leadership .
The hall , however , will be quiet after this January ’ s scaled-back inauguration , the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies announced Tuesday .
“ The health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremonies has remained a top priority throughout the planning process , ” Paige Waltz , the committee ’ s communications director , said in a statement .
Waltz cited the ongoing pandemic as the reason why the committee , in consultation with the Presidential Inaugural Committee , would not be holding the event to celebrate the new president ’ s first day in office .
It ’ s one of the latest changes that ’ s been made this year to reduce crowd sizes in an effort to reduce transmission of the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and killed more than 334,000 people in the United States .

The century-old tradition of the post-inauguration lunch is the latest pandemic casualty as COVID-19 continues to upend the ceremonies around the Jan. 20 swearing-in of President-elect Joe Biden.
The Inaugural Luncheon tradition, which has been around since the late 1800s, has evolved into a three-course meal and musical performance in the Capitol’s Statuary Hall for the new Cabinet, the Supreme Court and congressional leadership. The hall, however, will be quiet after this January’s scaled-back inauguration, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies announced Tuesday.
“The health and safety of all guests attending the ceremonies has remained a top priority throughout the planning process,” Paige Waltz, the committee’s communications director, said in a statement.
Waltz cited the ongoing pandemic as the reason why the committee, in consultation with the Presidential Inaugural Committee, would not be holding the event to celebrate the new president’s first day in office.
It’s one of the latest changes that’s been made this year to reduce crowd sizes in an effort to reduce transmission of the novel coronavirus that has sickened over 19 million and killed more than 334,000 people in the United States.


rollcall--2020-12-30--2020: Roll Call’s photo picks of the year

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

Jinitzail Hernández, Bill Clark, Tom Williams, and Caroline Brehman

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


rollcall--2020-12-29--Rep.-elect Luke Letlow dies of COVID-19

Rep.-elect Luke Letlow dies of COVID-19

Rep.-elect Luke J. Letlow , a Louisiana Republican and former chief of staff to retiring Rep. Ralph Abraham , whom he was elected to succeed , has died of COVID-19 .
“ The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time .
A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time , ” Andrew Bautsch , a representative for the congressman-elect , posted on Letlow ’ s Facebook page .
Letlow ’ s death Tuesday comes just five days before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be part of is set to begin .
Although not officially a member , he is the first person elected to Congress to die of COVID-19 .
Letlow just turned 41 earlier this month .
The death was first reported by his local paper , the News-Star .
The report was quickly followed by confirmation and condolences from Louisiana ’ s former governor , Republican Bobby Jindal , on Twitter , and current governor , Democrat John Bel Edwards , in a statement .
“ COVID-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a U.S. Representative , but I am even more devastated for his loving family .
I hope all of the people of Louisiana will join Donna and me in praying for Congressman-elect Letlow ’ s family , especially his wife Julia and their two children , his many friends and the people of the 5th Congressional District .
”

Rep.-elect Luke J. Letlow, a Louisiana Republican and former chief of staff to retiring Rep. Ralph Abraham, whom he was elected to succeed, has died of COVID-19.
“The family appreciates the numerous prayers and support over the past days but asks for privacy during this difficult and unexpected time. A statement from the family along with funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time,” Andrew Bautsch, a representative for the congressman-elect, posted on Letlow’s Facebook page.
Letlow’s death Tuesday comes just five days before the 117th Congress he was elected to be part of is set to begin. Although not officially a member, he is the first person elected to Congress to die of COVID-19. Letlow just turned 41 earlier this month.
The death was first reported by his local paper, the News-Star. The report was quickly followed by confirmation and condolences from Louisiana’s former governor, Republican Bobby Jindal, on Twitter, and current governor, Democrat John Bel Edwards, in a statement.
“COVID-19 has taken Congressman-elect Letlow from us far too soon,” Edwards said. “I am heartbroken that he will not be able to serve our people as a U.S. Representative, but I am even more devastated for his loving family. I hope all of the people of Louisiana will join Donna and me in praying for Congressman-elect Letlow’s family, especially his wife Julia and their two children, his many friends and the people of the 5th Congressional District.”


rollcall--2020-12-30--Budget process, COVID spending being undermined by OMB, Biden transition says

President-elect Joe Biden 's transition is warning that a lack of cooperation from the Trump administration 's Office of Management and Budget is making it difficult for the incoming team to determine coronavirus-related spending needs and could delay the fiscal 2022 budget process .
`` There are also health and economic repercussions to this obstruction .
OMB is integral to our federal government efficiently and effectively addressing COVID .
OMB leadership 's refusal to fully cooperate impairs our ability to identify opportunities to maximize the relief going out to Americans during the pandemic , '' Yohannes Abraham , the executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The start of an administration often leads to a delay in the first release of the president 's budget from the usual February date , but Abraham indicated the lack of assistance from current OMB officials could further complicate things next year .
`` The production of the budget takes many person hours and it takes the analytical support that has been a part of OMB 's engagement with prior transitions that we have not been in receipt of , '' Abraham told reporters Wednesday .
`` And it leaves us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-related expenditures and critical gaps . ''
At the top level , incoming White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the team was aware that additional funding would be required for coronavirus response , including vaccine distribution infrastructure .

President-elect Joe Biden's transition is warning that a lack of cooperation from the Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget is making it difficult for the incoming team to determine coronavirus-related spending needs and could delay the fiscal 2022 budget process.
"There are also health and economic repercussions to this obstruction. OMB is integral to our federal government efficiently and effectively addressing COVID. OMB leadership's refusal to fully cooperate impairs our ability to identify opportunities to maximize the relief going out to Americans during the pandemic," Yohannes Abraham, the executive director of the Biden-Harris transition, said Wednesday.
The start of an administration often leads to a delay in the first release of the president's budget from the usual February date, but Abraham indicated the lack of assistance from current OMB officials could further complicate things next year.
"The production of the budget takes many person hours and it takes the analytical support that has been a part of OMB's engagement with prior transitions that we have not been in receipt of," Abraham told reporters Wednesday. "And it leaves us in the dark, as it relates to COVID-related expenditures and critical gaps."
On Thursday, OMB Director Russell Vought wrote to former Sen. Ted Kaufman, who has been leading the Biden transition efforts, to refute the claims about lack of cooperation in COVID response.


rollcall--2020-12-30--Contested Iowa House seat will go to the GOP for now, Pelosi says

Even as a House panel weighs a Democrat ’ s petition to count additional votes , Iowa Republican Rep.-elect Mariannette Miller-Meeks will be sworn in with the new Congress this weekend , Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday .
Miller-Meeks appeared to flip the state 's 2nd District back to red after a state recount declared her the winner by just six votes over Democratic state Sen. Rita Hart .
Hart contested the results , asking that ballots not included in the Iowa recount be considered .
The petition is being reviewed by the House Administration Committee .
After Pelosi said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be seated , spokesman Drew Hammill followed up that Miller-Meeks will be “ provisionally ” seated when the 117th Congress is sworn in on Sunday , “ pending the outcome of the Committee ’ s review and consistent with House practice.
” The Democratic majority in the House narrowed significantly in November as 12 incumbents lost while the party 's only gains came in two open seats in North Carolina and one in Georgia .
Democratic New York Rep. Anthony Brindisi also is still fighting in a court-supervised recount with former GOP Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats would hold just 222 seats when the House convenes Sunday , and three members are due to join the administration of President-elect Joe Biden .
With Miller-Meeks , the GOP would hold 211 seats , with a vacancy in Louisiana 's 5th District following the death Tuesday of GOP Rep.-elect Luke Letlow .

Even as a House panel weighs a Democrat’s petition to count additional votes, Iowa Republican Rep.-elect Mariannette Miller-Meeks will be sworn in with the new Congress this weekend, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday.
Miller-Meeks appeared to flip the state's 2nd District back to red after a state recount declared her the winner by just six votes over Democratic state Sen. Rita Hart. Hart contested the results, asking that ballots not included in the Iowa recount be considered. The petition is being reviewed by the House Administration Committee.
After Pelosi said at a news conference that Miller-Meeks would be seated, spokesman Drew Hammill followed up that Miller-Meeks will be “provisionally” seated when the 117th Congress is sworn in on Sunday, “pending the outcome of the Committee’s review and consistent with House practice.”
The Democratic majority in the House narrowed significantly in November as 12 incumbents lost while the party's only gains came in two open seats in North Carolina and one in Georgia. Democratic New York Rep. Anthony Brindisi also is still fighting in a court-supervised recount with former GOP Rep. Claudia Tenney.
As a result, Democrats would hold just 222 seats when the House convenes Sunday, and three members are due to join the administration of President-elect Joe Biden. With Miller-Meeks, the GOP would hold 211 seats, with a vacancy in Louisiana's 5th District following the death Tuesday of GOP Rep.-elect Luke Letlow.


rollcall--2020-12-30--The year we will never forget

The year we will never forget

CQ Roll Call ’ s three award-winning photographers documented the year that was , from impeachment , the COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ the lives , deaths and everyday extraordinary business of Capitol Hill and Congress .
Host @ @ @ @ @ Clark , Tom Williams and Caroline Brehman about their favorites photos of the the year @ @ @ @ @ those images .
• Photos of the year : 2020 as seen by Bill Clark @ @ @ @ @ : 2020 as seen by Tom Williams • Photos of the year : 2020 as @ @ @ @

CQ Roll Call’s three award-winning photographers documented the year that was, from impeachment, the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter and the lives, deaths and everyday extraordinary business of Capitol Hill and Congress. Host Jason Dick discusses with Bill Clark, Tom Williams and Caroline Brehman about their favorites photos of the the year and what went into getting those images.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-31--Opening day for the Senate won’t be clean break from the old

For the Senate over the New Year ’ s holiday weekend , it will be out with the old and in with the new — to a point .
There will be new senators , and a roll call that starts with the letter “ B ” for the first time since before the first World War , but at least at the start , not much substance will change .
The Senate appears on track to be in session throughout the weekend to finish the leftover business of the 116th Congress , headlined by a vote to override President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal 2021 defense authorization and continued sparring about whether to boost COVID-19 aid direct payments to $ 2,000 per person .
Much of the focus will be hundreds of miles away from the Capitol , however , as senators still have no idea who will be running the chamber in the next Congress .
As customary in the Senate , the one-third of the Senate elected or reelected in November will take the oath of office , including Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky .
But not on the list will be Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will expire at noon on Sunday , and whether he returns will be in question until the current runoff elections , where voting closes on Jan. 5 , conclude .

For the Senate over the New Year’s holiday weekend, it will be out with the old and in with the new — to a point.
There will be new senators, and a roll call that starts with the letter “B” for the first time since before the first World War, but at least at the start, not much substance will change.
The Senate appears on track to be in session throughout the weekend to finish the leftover business of the 116th Congress, headlined by a vote to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the fiscal 2021 defense authorization and continued sparring about whether to boost COVID-19 aid direct payments to $2,000 per person.
Much of the focus will be hundreds of miles away from the Capitol, however, as senators still have no idea who will be running the chamber in the next Congress. As customary in the Senate, the one-third of the Senate elected or reelected in November will take the oath of office, including Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
But not on the list will be Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga. His first term will expire at noon on Sunday, and whether he returns will be in question until the current runoff elections, where voting closes on Jan. 5, conclude.


rollcall--2020-12-31--Margaret Kibben to become first woman to serve as House chaplain

For the first time in American history , a woman will serve as House chaplain .
Retired Rear Adm. Margaret G. Kibben was announced Thursday as Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s choice to be the next House chaplain , replacing the retiring Rev .
Patrick J. Conroy .
Kibben will be the first female chaplain for either chamber .
Kibben was the first woman to serve as chief of Navy chaplains , serving from 2014-2018 in that role , and was previously chaplain of the Marine Corps .
Her arrival on Capitol Hill will mean that both the House and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Navy , with longtime Senate Chaplain Barry Black having led the Navy ’ s chaplains from 2000 through 2003 .
Earlier in her military career , Kibben was the senior chaplain serving in Afghanistan , according to the announcement from Pelosi ’ s office .
In addition to the visible role giving the opening prayer in the House , the chaplain provides an assortment of pastoral services to members and congressional staffers .
There are a number of prayer services and events regularly hosted by the chaplain 's office , reflecting @ @ @ @

For the first time in American history, a woman will serve as House chaplain.
Retired Rear Adm. Margaret G. Kibben was announced Thursday as Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s choice to be the next House chaplain, replacing the retiring Rev. Patrick J. Conroy. Kibben will be the first female chaplain for either chamber.
Kibben was the first woman to serve as chief of Navy chaplains, serving from 2014-2018 in that role, and was previously chaplain of the Marine Corps.
Her arrival on Capitol Hill will mean that both the House and Senate chaplains will be retired chief chaplains of the Navy, with longtime Senate Chaplain Barry Black having led the Navy’s chaplains from 2000 through 2003. Earlier in her military career, Kibben was the senior chaplain serving in Afghanistan, according to the announcement from Pelosi’s office.
In addition to the visible role giving the opening prayer in the House, the chaplain provides an assortment of pastoral services to members and congressional staffers. There are a number of prayer services and events regularly hosted by the chaplain's office, reflecting multiple faith traditions.


rollcall--2020-12-31--Capitol Police to enhance security at Jan. 6 session to certify election

Amid tensions surrounding the presidential election results , the Capitol Police plan to bolster security when Congress convenes in a joint session next week to count the Electoral College votes and certify Joe Biden 's victory in the 2020 presidential election .
“ We have been told there will be increased security on January 6th for any potential demonstrations , ” said Ashley Phelps , a spokesperson for House Administration Committee ranking member Rodney Davis , R-Ill. Eva Malecki , a Capitol Police spokesperson , said the department “ has comprehensive security plans in place and we continuously monitor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overall goal of keeping those within the Capitol Complex safe and secure.
” Electors of each state cast their votes on Dec. 14 , which culminated in Biden ’ s 306-232 win over President Donald Trump .
Despite Biden ’ s win , Trump and his supporters are ardently promulgating unfounded claims that there was widespread voter fraud in key states that Biden won .
This has led supporters of the outgoing president to organize several protests on the day of the joint session , Jan. 6 , calling for Congress to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Far right groups like the Proud Boys and white supremacists are planning to attend , according to the Washington Post .

Amid tensions surrounding the presidential election results, the Capitol Police plan to bolster security when Congress convenes in a joint session next week to count the Electoral College votes and certify Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election.
“We have been told there will be increased security on January 6th for any potential demonstrations,” said Ashley Phelps, a spokesperson for House Administration Committee ranking member Rodney Davis, R-Ill.
Eva Malecki, a Capitol Police spokesperson, said the department “has comprehensive security plans in place and we continuously monitor and assess new and emerging threats, with the overall goal of keeping those within the Capitol Complex safe and secure.”
Electors of each state cast their votes on Dec. 14, which culminated in Biden’s 306-232 win over President Donald Trump. Despite Biden’s win, Trump and his supporters are ardently promulgating unfounded claims that there was widespread voter fraud in key states that Biden won.
This has led supporters of the outgoing president to organize several protests on the day of the joint session, Jan. 6, calling for Congress to overturn the results of the election. Far right groups like the Proud Boys and white supremacists are planning to attend, according to the Washington Post.