rollcall--2020-10-15--Trump says he’s close to 300 judicial confirmations. That’s not quite right

The Senate floor is dark until Oct. 19 , but Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to continue his push to confirm judges when lawmakers return as the chamber awaits one of the most consequential picks in President Donald Trump ’ s tenure : Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
The pipeline of judicial confirmations has flowed steadily across the Senate floor , even though the chamber ’ s legislative business has largely stagnated .
In the next few weeks , the chamber is expected to vote on confirmation of five U.S. District Court nominees and perhaps at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The president has appealed to GOP voters by doting on his record of getting conservative judges on federal benches across the United States .
Trump claimed at the first presidential debate in Cleveland that “ by the end of the first term I will have approximately 300 federal judges and court of appeals judges , 300 , and hopefully three great Supreme Court judges — justices.
” McConnell ’ s blockade of President Barack Obama ’ s judicial nominees from 2015 through 2016 and the demise of the 60-vote filibuster for nominees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most vacancies at will .
But Trump ’ s boast of 300 judges requires creative math and norm-busting calculations .
During Trump ’ s term , the Senate has confirmed 218 judges to lifetime appointments as of Sept. 30 , and there are currently 35 people nominated to fill court vacancies for lifetime appointments .

The Senate floor is dark until Oct. 19, but Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to continue his push to confirm judges when lawmakers return as the chamber awaits one of the most consequential picks in President Donald Trump’s tenure: Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
The pipeline of judicial confirmations has flowed steadily across the Senate floor, even though the chamber’s legislative business has largely stagnated. In the next few weeks, the chamber is expected to vote on confirmation of five U.S. District Court nominees and perhaps at least one more before Election Day — Barrett.
The president has appealed to GOP voters by doting on his record of getting conservative judges on federal benches across the United States. Trump claimed at the first presidential debate in Cleveland that “by the end of the first term I will have approximately 300 federal judges and court of appeals judges, 300, and hopefully three great Supreme Court judges — justices.”
McConnell’s blockade of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees from 2015 through 2016 and the demise of the 60-vote filibuster for nominees has enabled the majority leader to fill most vacancies at will.
But Trump’s boast of 300 judges requires creative math and norm-busting calculations. During Trump’s term, the Senate has confirmed 218 judges to lifetime appointments as of Sept. 30, and there are currently 35 people nominated to fill court vacancies for lifetime appointments.


rollcall--2020-10-15--Census count wraps up early amid questions about accuracy

Once the Trump administration ends its count for the 2020 census early Friday morning , advocates and even former Census Bureau directors fear the administration won ’ t take the time to correct what could be the most inaccurate count in decades .
Congress could still pass legislation to extend the Census Bureau ’ s deadline for delivering apportionment results .
The House has already passed such a proposal , which has bipartisan support .
But that would mean getting President Donald Trump to give up the goal of controlling the results used to reallocate congressional seats regardless of who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The administration pushed to end the count as soon as possible — which the Supreme Court allowed in a ruling Tuesday — to meet a year-end deadline to deliver apportionment results .
That would allow Trump to pursue his plans to exclude undocumented immigrants from the apportionment process , assuming the administration wins a pending Supreme Court battle on that issue .
In the meantime , local census advocates like Charyl Kary of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in Montana expressed concern that ending the count early will hurt her state .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kary noted that the pandemic had already put a damper on efforts to count difficult-to- reach populations including Native Americans on reservations .

Once the Trump administration ends its count for the 2020 census early Friday morning, advocates and even former Census Bureau directors fear the administration won’t take the time to correct what could be the most inaccurate count in decades.
Congress could still pass legislation to extend the Census Bureau’s deadline for delivering apportionment results. The House has already passed such a proposal, which has bipartisan support. But that would mean getting President Donald Trump to give up the goal of controlling the results used to reallocate congressional seats regardless of who wins the general election next month.
The administration pushed to end the count as soon as possible — which the Supreme Court allowed in a ruling Tuesday — to meet a year-end deadline to deliver apportionment results. That would allow Trump to pursue his plans to exclude undocumented immigrants from the apportionment process, assuming the administration wins a pending Supreme Court battle on that issue.
[Trump signs memo to exclude undocumented immigrants from census]
In the meantime, local census advocates like Charyl Kary of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in Montana expressed concern that ending the count early will hurt her state. During a call Thursday organized by Common Cause, Kary noted that the pandemic had already put a damper on efforts to count difficult-to- reach populations including Native Americans on reservations.


rollcall--2020-10-15--Photo of the day: Throwback to the 2016 campaign trail

In 1986 , Life magazine dubbed the Nevada portion of U.S. Route 50 as `` The Loneliest Road in America @ @ @ @ @ on Oct. 15 , 2016 , Roll Call traveled that stretch of road while covering @ @ @ @ @ Heck and Catherine Cortez Masto .
The only stop on the 300-mile drive was for @ @ @ @ @ This # throwbackthursday is yet another reminder of how much the Roll Call photo staff @ @ @ @ @ this pandemic .

(Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
In 1986, Life magazine dubbed the Nevada portion of U.S. Route 50 as "The Loneliest Road in America."
Thirty years later on Oct. 15, 2016, Roll Call traveled that stretch of road while covering the Senate race between Joe Heck and Catherine Cortez Masto. The only stop on the 300-mile drive was for this pretty sunset photo.
This #throwbackthursday is yet another reminder of how much the Roll Call photo staff misses the campaign trail during this pandemic.


rollcall--2020-10-15--At the Races: Refreshing fec.gov

At the Races: Refreshing fec.gov

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election .
Know someone who ’ d like to get this newsletter ?
They can subscribe here .
The Senate battleground continues to show promise for Democrats , according to recent polls in Montana , North Carolina , Georgia and Arizona .
And with third-quarter fundraising numbers rolling in by tonight ’ s deadline , it ’ s already clear that Democratic donors are energized .
The anticipated Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third justice has fueled Democratic campaigns , and Republicans , even with an influx of cash themselves , are struggling to keep pace .
Money , of course , doesn ’ t buy elective office .
But we ’ ve seen jaw-dropping totals .
Jaime Harrison , the Democrat challenging Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham in South Carolina , hauled in $ 57 million to the three-term Republican ’ s $ 28 million in Q3 , smashing the quarterly fundraising record Beto O ’ Rourke set in Texas in 2018 .
Graham , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high court nominee Amy Coney Barrett , took the unusual ( and seemingly prohibited ) step of appealing to donors from the halls of Congress .
Recent polls show a tight race .
A Monmouth University poll out today from Arizona found Democratic Senate challenger Mark Kelly , who raised a whopping $ 38.7 million in Q3 , leading appointed GOP incumbent Martha McSally 52 percent to 42 percent .
Montana State University released its Treasure State poll Wednesday , showing Democratic Gov .
Steve Bullock .
who raised $ 26.8 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49 percent to 47 percent , within the survey ’ s 3.9-point margin of error .
A recent New York Times/Siena College survey of North Carolina voters found GOP Sen. Thom Tillis trailing Democrat Cal Cunningham 41 percent to 37 percent .
Pollsters were in the field in the Tar Heel State after news broke of Cunningham ’ s extramarital affair and Tillis ’ COVID-19 diagnosis .
In Georgia , which features two Senate contests , Democrat Jon Ossoff leads GOP Sen. David Perdue 51 percent to 45 percent in a new Quinnipiac @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead we ’ ve seen for Ossoff .
But Perdue had a 46 percent to 43 percent lead in another poll released this week , from SurveyUSA for WXIA-TV Atlanta .
In the state ’ s all-party special election , Democrat Raphael Warnock has the lead with 41 percent , followed by Republicans Rep. Doug Collins at 22 percent and appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler with 20 percent , according to the Quinnipiac poll .
Both Georgia Senate races will head to a January runoff unless someone wins more than 50 percent of the @ @

Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman, and Kate Ackley

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
The Senate battleground continues to show promise for Democrats, according to recent polls in Montana, North Carolina, Georgia and Arizona. And with third-quarter fundraising numbers rolling in by tonight’s deadline, it’s already clear that Democratic donors are energized. The anticipated Supreme Court confirmation of President Donald Trump’s third justice has fueled Democratic campaigns, and Republicans, even with an influx of cash themselves, are struggling to keep pace.
Money, of course, doesn’t buy elective office. But we’ve seen jaw-dropping totals. Jaime Harrison, the Democrat challenging Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, hauled in $57 million to the three-term Republican’s $28 million in Q3, smashing the quarterly fundraising record Beto O’Rourke set in Texas in 2018. Graham, who led the hearings this week for high court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, took the unusual (and seemingly prohibited) step of appealing to donors from the halls of Congress. Recent polls show a tight race.
A Monmouth University poll out today from Arizona found Democratic Senate challenger Mark Kelly, who raised a whopping $38.7 million in Q3, leading appointed GOP incumbent Martha McSally 52 percent to 42 percent. Montana State University released its Treasure State poll Wednesday, showing Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock. who raised $26.8 million in Q3, leading Republican Sen. Steve Daines 49 percent to 47 percent, within the survey’s 3.9-point margin of error. A recent New York Times/Siena College survey of North Carolina voters found GOP Sen. Thom Tillis trailing Democrat Cal Cunningham 41 percent to 37 percent. Pollsters were in the field in the Tar Heel State after news broke of Cunningham’s extramarital affair and Tillis’ COVID-19 diagnosis.
In Georgia, which features two Senate contests, Democrat Jon Ossoff leads GOP Sen. David Perdue 51 percent to 45 percent in a new Quinnipiac University poll. This is the biggest lead we’ve seen for Ossoff. But Perdue had a 46 percent to 43 percent lead in another poll released this week, from SurveyUSA for WXIA-TV Atlanta. In the state’s all-party special election, Democrat Raphael Warnock has the lead with 41 percent, followed by Republicans Rep. Doug Collins at 22 percent and appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler with 20 percent, according to the Quinnipiac poll. Both Georgia Senate races will head to a January runoff unless someone wins more than 50 percent of the vote.


rollcall--2020-10-15--Analysts: Biden tax plans will raise less money, hit rich harder

Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s tax proposals always were going to hit the wealthy the hardest .
But revisions in recent months have shifted more of the burden onto the top 1 percent of income-earning households , according to new analyses from tax experts .
At the same time , estimates of the amount of new revenues raised by Biden proposals are declining because of the lagging economy and the possibility that a President Biden would have to delay his tax plans for a year until the economy gets on more solid footing .
While there are differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tanks , the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and the American Enterprise Institute , they both found that Biden ’ s proposals would generate “ large net tax increases , ” said Mark Mazur , TPC ’ s director .
“ And both sets of estimates show those tax increases are largely borne by high-income households , ” he said .
Biden ’ s plans would raise about $ 2.36 trillion over a decade , according to the new TPC figures ; that ’ s down from $ 4 trillion in an analysis the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study found that Biden ’ s tax proposals would raise $ 2.86 trillion , down from nearly $ 3.85 trillion in the group ’ s earlier analysis .

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s tax proposals always were going to hit the wealthy the hardest. But revisions in recent months have shifted more of the burden onto the top 1 percent of income-earning households, according to new analyses from tax experts.
At the same time, estimates of the amount of new revenues raised by Biden proposals are declining because of the lagging economy and the possibility that a President Biden would have to delay his tax plans for a year until the economy gets on more solid footing.
While there are differences in the analyses of the two think tanks, the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and the American Enterprise Institute, they both found that Biden’s proposals would generate “large net tax increases,” said Mark Mazur, TPC’s director.
“And both sets of estimates show those tax increases are largely borne by high-income households,” he said.
Biden’s plans would raise about $2.36 trillion over a decade, according to the new TPC figures; that’s down from $4 trillion in an analysis the group released in March. The AEI study found that Biden’s tax proposals would raise $2.86 trillion, down from nearly $3.85 trillion in the group’s earlier analysis.


rollcall--2020-10-15--Lo-tech crashes hi-tech political campaign tactics

Technology increasingly defines modern life , and that is especially so in political campaigns .
But for all the sophisticated @ @ @ @ @ raising money in politics , a new organization is betting that a very old-school way @ @ @ @ @ boost turnout .
Vote Tripling was founded after the 2016 election by Robert Reynolds , @ @ @ @ @ wants to boost Democratic turnout .
And he thinks it might be as easy as @ @ @ @ @ friends .
CQ Roll Call senior political writer Bridget Bowman has reported on the group @ @ @ @ @ we to talk to her and listen to her conversation with Reynolds about Vote Tripling @ @ @ @ @ going and how it might affect some key races in the battle for the Senate @ @ @

Technology increasingly defines modern life, and that is especially so in political campaigns. But for all the sophisticated polling models and ways of raising money in politics, a new organization is betting that a very old-school way of doing things will help boost turnout.
Vote Tripling was founded after the 2016 election by Robert Reynolds, a behavioral scientist. He wants to boost Democratic turnout. And he thinks it might be as easy as getting people to text their friends.
CQ Roll Call senior political writer Bridget Bowman has reported on the group and its efforts, and we to talk to her and listen to her conversation with Reynolds about Vote Tripling, how it’s going and how it might affect some key races in the battle for the Senate and House.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-10-15--House Democrats set leadership elections for Nov. 18-19

House Democrats will hold their caucus leadership elections Nov. 18 and 19 and contested committee chairmanship elections the week of @ @ @ @ @ Chairman Hakeem Jeffries announced in a “ Dear Colleague ” letter Thursday .
The caucus @ @ @ @ @ a few days after members return to Washington Nov. 16 for the first time after @ @ @ @ @ a few days for any last-minute , in-person pleas for votes .
Every leadership position @ @ @ @ @ of whether there is a contested race .
The top three Democrats , Speaker Nancy @ @ @ @ @ H. Hoyer and Majority Whip James E. Clyburn , are running uncontested for another term @ @ @ @ @ is for the No .
4 slot for assistant speaker .
Current Democratic Caucus Vice @ @ @ @ @ Massachusetts , Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chairman David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Congressional @ @ @ @ @ Tony Cárdenas of California are all running .

House Democrats will hold their caucus leadership elections Nov. 18 and 19 and contested committee chairmanship elections the week of Nov. 30, Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries announced in a “Dear Colleague” letter Thursday.
The caucus leadership elections will occur just a few days after members return to Washington Nov. 16 for the first time after Election Day, leaving just a few days for any last-minute, in-person pleas for votes.
[House Democrats’ leadership races reflect coming generational change]
Every leadership position gets voted on, regardless of whether there is a contested race. The top three Democrats, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer and Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, are running uncontested for another term.
The highest-ranking contested race is for the No. 4 slot for assistant speaker. Current Democratic Caucus Vice Chairwoman Katherine M. Clark of Massachusetts, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chairman David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC Chairman Tony Cárdenas of California are all running.


rollcall--2020-10-15--Trump wants bigger coronavirus relief package; GOP support tepid

President Donald Trump continues to move away from his own political party on COVID-19 aid , saying Thursday that he @ @ @ @ @ negotiator to offer Democrats more than $ 1.8 trillion .
`` Absolutely I would .
@ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said in an interview with Fox Business .
`` I would go higher @ @ @ @ @ home . ''
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had offered the roughly $ 1.8 trillion figure @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi late last week .
But Senate Republicans have balked at anything close to that @ @ @ @ @ spoke by phone again Thursday for nearly 90 minutes , according to Pelosi ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Hammill .
Hammill said Mnuchin told Pelosi during the call the administration will agree to @ @ @ @ @ a national testing strategy with some “ minor ” changes -- a small breakthrough he @ @ @ @ @ on CNBC .

President Donald Trump continues to move away from his own political party on COVID-19 aid, saying Thursday that he’s authorized his top negotiator to offer Democrats more than $1.8 trillion.
"Absolutely I would. I would pay more," Trump said in an interview with Fox Business. "I would go higher. Go big or go home."
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had offered the roughly $1.8 trillion figure in talks with Speaker Nancy Pelosi late last week. But Senate Republicans have balked at anything close to that number.
Pelosi and Mnuchin spoke by phone again Thursday for nearly 90 minutes, according to Pelosi’s Deputy Chief of Staff Drew Hammill.
Hammill said Mnuchin told Pelosi during the call the administration will agree to Democrats' preferred language on a national testing strategy with some “minor” changes -- a small breakthrough he announced earlier in the day on CNBC.


rollcall--2020-10-15--Senate Judiciary lines up Oct. 22 vote on Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday officially set an Oct. 22 vote on Amy Coney Barrett ’ s confirmation to @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Mitch McConnell immediately announced plans to bring her nomination to the floor the @ @ @ @ @ keeps Republicans on track to put Barrett on the court by the end of the @ @ @ @ @ the Nov. 3 election and Nov. 10 arguments on the Affordable Care Act .
`` @ @ @ @ @ committee next Thursday the 22nd of October , and we 'll go forward with her @ @ @ @ @ stay on it until we finish , '' McConnell told reporters after casting his ballot @ @ @ @ @ in Louisville , Ky .
He left no doubt that she will be confirmed .
@ @ @ @ @ , '' McConnell said .

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday officially set an Oct. 22 vote on Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell immediately announced plans to bring her nomination to the floor the following day.
The scheduling keeps Republicans on track to put Barrett on the court by the end of the month, days ahead of the Nov. 3 election and Nov. 10 arguments on the Affordable Care Act.
"She will come out of committee next Thursday the 22nd of October, and we'll go forward with her on Friday the 23rd and stay on it until we finish," McConnell told reporters after casting his ballot at the mass early-voting site in Louisville, Ky.
He left no doubt that she will be confirmed.
"We have the votes," McConnell said.


CQ Future: Unions

For the last half-century , the GOP platform has been to destroy labor , not save it .
Now comes @ @ @ @ @ advised Sen. Mitt Romney ’ s presidential campaigns and has caught the attention of many @ @ @ @ @ question of whether a new vision for unions could be embraced by both the left @ @ @ @ @ Call ’ s Jim Saksa talks with Cass , now the executive director of American @ @ @ @ @ unions could be reinvented .

Jim Saksa, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

For the last half-century, the GOP platform has been to destroy labor, not save it. Now comes conservative Oren Cass, who advised Sen. Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns and has caught the attention of many conservatives as he raises the question of whether a new vision for unions could be embraced by both the left and right. CQ Roll Call’s Jim Saksa talks with Cass, now the executive director of American Compass, and explores how unions could be reinvented.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-10-16--US deficit hit a record $3.1 trillion last year

The coronavirus relief spending blowout and recession pushed the federal deficit to a record-busting $ 3.1 trillion in fiscal 2020 , three times the previous year ’ s budget shortfall , the Trump administration said Friday .
The previous year 's deficit was $ 984 billion , by comparison .
The administration projected a $ 1.1 trillion deficit for fiscal 2020 in February .
In a joint statement , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said government tax receipts totaled $ 3.42 trillion , $ 42 billion or 1 percent less than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 6.55 trillion , $ 2.1 trillion or a 47 percent increase above fiscal 2019 .
The report attributed the surge in spending to four laws passed to provide pandemic relief and increased use of federal programs such as unemployment insurance .
Despite the surge of red ink , the officials said the economy “ has begun an incredible comeback , ” with 52 percent of the jobs lost during the pandemic recovered over the past five months .
They pointed to the unemployment rate declining each month since its peak in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September .

The coronavirus relief spending blowout and recession pushed the federal deficit to a record-busting $3.1 trillion in fiscal 2020, three times the previous year’s budget shortfall, the Trump administration said Friday.
The previous year's deficit was $984 billion, by comparison. The administration projected a $1.1 trillion deficit for fiscal 2020 in February.
In a joint statement, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said government tax receipts totaled $3.42 trillion, $42 billion or 1 percent less than the previous year.
Meanwhile, spending catapulted to $6.55 trillion, $2.1 trillion or a 47 percent increase above fiscal 2019. The report attributed the surge in spending to four laws passed to provide pandemic relief and increased use of federal programs such as unemployment insurance.
Despite the surge of red ink, the officials said the economy “has begun an incredible comeback,” with 52 percent of the jobs lost during the pandemic recovered over the past five months. They pointed to the unemployment rate declining each month since its peak in April, falling to 7.9 percent in September.


rollcall--2020-10-16--‘This goose is pretty much cooked’ — Congressional Hits and Misses

Sen. Ted Cruz faced attacks from colleagues on both the right and left this week : Republican Ben Sasse accused @ @ @ @ @ Astros of cheating , while Democrat Cory Booker charged him with being a “ closet @ @ @ @ @ Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett said even her children don ’ t want to follow @ @ @ @ @ , ” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows declined to wear a mask while @ @ @ @ @ and Speaker Nancy Pelosi chewed out CNN ’ s Wolf Blitzer amid her continuing negotiations @ @ @ @ @ another coronavirus relief package .
[ Also watch : At the risk of looking foolish @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Ted Cruz faced attacks from colleagues on both the right and left this week: Republican Ben Sasse accused Cruz’s beloved Houston Astros of cheating, while Democrat Cory Booker charged him with being a “closet vegan.”
Meanwhile, Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett said even her children don’t want to follow the “law of Amy,” White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows declined to wear a mask while talking to the press, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi chewed out CNN’s Wolf Blitzer amid her continuing negotiations with the Trump administration for another coronavirus relief package.
[Also watch: At the risk of looking foolish, a 2020 projection]


rollcall--2020-10-16--GOP House challengers, outraised by Democrats for months, make last-minute sprint in third quarter

Two dozen Republican House challengers in competitive and targeted districts reported raising more than $ 1 million in the three months that ended Sept. 30 , hauls that rivaled and in some cases surpassed Democratic opponents who earlier in the cycle had been cleaning up in the money race .
Reports for the period that started July 1 show GOP candidates benefited from a surge of cash during a crucial stretch for campaigns seeking to make closing arguments to voters .
The money could allow them to respond to Democrats whose financial advantages allowed them to operate more robust television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer .
But Democratic incumbents on the whole still outraised their GOP challengers .
And with historic numbers of early or absentee ballots expected to be cast weeks before Election Day , it ’ s an open question whether the boost to GOP candidates arrived in time to make a difference .
The average House GOP challenger in a competitive race raised more than $ 1 million in the third quarter , nearly four times more than the average haul for the second quarter , according to a CQ Roll Call analysis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates as competitive .
But the average Democratic incumbent still outraised his or her challenger , pulling in $ 1.3 million from July through September , with 8 incumbents in battleground districts raising more than $ 2 million in the third quarter .
The average Democratic incumbent ended the quarter with more than $ 2 million on hand while the average GOP challenger had $ 606,000 on hand .

Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman, and Ryan Kelly

Two dozen Republican House challengers in competitive and targeted districts reported raising more than $1 million in the three months that ended Sept. 30, hauls that rivaled and in some cases surpassed Democratic opponents who earlier in the cycle had been cleaning up in the money race.
Reports for the period that started July 1 show GOP candidates benefited from a surge of cash during a crucial stretch for campaigns seeking to make closing arguments to voters. The money could allow them to respond to Democrats whose financial advantages allowed them to operate more robust television advertising and voter mobilization campaigns throughout the summer.
But Democratic incumbents on the whole still outraised their GOP challengers. And with historic numbers of early or absentee ballots expected to be cast weeks before Election Day, it’s an open question whether the boost to GOP candidates arrived in time to make a difference.
The average House GOP challenger in a competitive race raised more than $1 million in the third quarter, nearly four times more than the average haul for the second quarter, according to a CQ Roll Call analysis of fundraising reports for districts both parties are targeting and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates as competitive.
But the average Democratic incumbent still outraised his or her challenger, pulling in $1.3 million from July through September, with 8 incumbents in battleground districts raising more than $2 million in the third quarter. The average Democratic incumbent ended the quarter with more than $2 million on hand while the average GOP challenger had $606,000 on hand.


rollcall--2020-10-16--Photos of the week: A Supreme Court nomination hearing like no other

Amy Coney Barrett , President Donald Trump 's nominee to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court , @ @ @ @ @ Committee for her confirmation hearing this week .
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , this @ @ @ @ @ different than past hearings .
Senators and attendees attempted to social distance inside while the @ @ @ @ @ outside .
Here 's the week as captured by our photojournalists :

Bill Clark, Tom Williams, and Caroline Brehman

Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald Trump's nominee to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearing this week. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this confirmation process looked a lot different than past hearings. Senators and attendees attempted to social distance inside while the public and protesters were kept outside.
Here's the week as captured by our photojournalists:
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett arrives via a back hallway for her confirmation hearing on Monday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
A committee staffer takes a photo of the hearing room before the start of the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Monday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Barrett, center, walks by as Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to reporters during a break in the confirmation hearing on Monday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Barrett is sworn in before testifying during her confirmation hearing on Monday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Barrett holds up her notepad at the request of Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on the second day of her confirmation hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
The daughters and family members of Barrett wear face masks during the second day of the confirmation hearing on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., questions Barrett during the second day of her confirmation hearing. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Barrett returns from a break during the second day of her confirmation hearing. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Harriet, age 7, of Boston, wears a Ruth Bader Ginsburg costume as she stands near protests for and against the confirmation of Barrett at the Supreme Court on the third day of the confirmation hearing. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Demonstrators show support for the nominee in front of the Supreme Court on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
A Senate Judiciary Committee staffer tries to fix Barrett's microphone on the third day of the confirmation hearing. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Protesters opposing the confirmation of Barrett as the next Supreme Court justice march from the Supreme Court to the Senate office buildings on the final day of the confirmation hearing Thursday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
A protester is carried away by Capitol Police as a group blocks Constitution Avenue to voice opposition of the confirmation of Barrett as the next Supreme Court justice on Thursday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
A protester dressed as President Donald Trump in a hospital gown walks around the Capitol grounds carrying a bleach IV bottle on Thursday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-10-16--Experts weigh in on how QAnon conspiracy theory gained followers

President Donald Trump , at a town hall on NBC on Thursday night , refused to denounce the QAnon conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ Just earlier that day , a House Intelligence Committee explored conspiracy theories and misinformation .
@ @ @ @ @ of the reasons why theories such as QAnon are taking hold online .

President Donald Trump, at a town hall on NBC on Thursday night, refused to denounce the QAnon conspiracy theory that supports him. Just earlier that day, a House Intelligence Committee explored conspiracy theories and misinformation.
Watch as experts explain some of the reasons why theories such as QAnon are taking hold online.
No Republican members attended the hearing.
[Experts: Disinformation poses greatest threat to the election]


rollcall--2020-10-16--Fundraising surges for Democratic Senate challengers, reports show

Senate Democratic challengers have been releasing eye-popping fundraising totals , and the third-quarter reports filed Thursday present a clearer picture of their financial advantage in the final weeks before Election Day .
Every Republican senator facing a competitive race was outraised in the third quarter .
The average Democratic challenger in 11 races rated competitive by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales raked in $ 23.1 million from July through September .
That 's more than twice the $ 10.4 million average for their incumbent Republican opponents , according to a CQ Roll Call analysis of fundraising reports filed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open seat in Kansas and two races where Democratic incumbents face strong challenges are included , Democrats ' total receipts during the quarter were a whopping $ 339 million .
Republicans raised $ 137 million .
Democratic challengers have spent much of their third-quarter hauls , but they ’ ve still closed the gap in cash on hand in the final weeks of the race .
On average , a Democratic challenger had $ 7.8 million on hand while the GOP incumbent had $ 7.2 million .
Gonzales , an elections analyst for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure in a campaign 's final weeks can be deceptive .

Bridget Bowman, Herb Jackson, Kate Ackley, and Ryan Kelly

Senate Democratic challengers have been releasing eye-popping fundraising totals, and the third-quarter reports filed Thursday present a clearer picture of their financial advantage in the final weeks before Election Day.
Every Republican senator facing a competitive race was outraised in the third quarter. The average Democratic challenger in 11 races rated competitive by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales raked in $23.1 million from July through September. That's more than twice the $10.4 million average for their incumbent Republican opponents, according to a CQ Roll Call analysis of fundraising reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
When the open seat in Kansas and two races where Democratic incumbents face strong challenges are included, Democrats' total receipts during the quarter were a whopping $339 million. Republicans raised $137 million.
Democratic challengers have spent much of their third-quarter hauls, but they’ve still closed the gap in cash on hand in the final weeks of the race. On average, a Democratic challenger had $7.8 million on hand while the GOP incumbent had $7.2 million.
Gonzales, an elections analyst for CQ Roll Call, said the cash figure in a campaign's final weeks can be deceptive.


rollcall--2020-10-16--Murkowski says she’ll use appropriations to block Alaskan mine

Sen. Lisa Murkowski issued her strongest objection to date against the Pebble Mine project , a proposed mining site of copper , gold and molybdenum near the ecologically sensitive Bristol Bay , pledging to use the federal appropriations process to protect the region .
Speaking virtually at a convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives on Thursday , Murkowski , R-Alaska , chairwoman of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee , said she would use spending legislation to protect Bristol Bay , home to the world 's biggest salmon run and one of its largest commercial fisheries .
She is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee .
`` I simply think that this is the wrong mine in the wrong place , '' Murkowski said .
`` We need longer-term protections for the region that can also provide enduring value for Alaskans . ''
Murkowski submitted language in the fiscal 2020 Interior-Environment spending bill that directed the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a more rigorous environmental assessment of the project 's risks .
`` I plan to build on my appropriations language from last year to make sure that the Bristol bay region remains protected , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stalled since 2014 , when the Environmental Protection Agency blocked the project , citing risks to fish in the region .
The project has come under scrutiny and political pressure in recent weeks .

Sen. Lisa Murkowski issued her strongest objection to date against the Pebble Mine project, a proposed mining site of copper, gold and molybdenum near the ecologically sensitive Bristol Bay, pledging to use the federal appropriations process to protect the region.
Speaking virtually at a convention of the Alaska Federation of Natives on Thursday, Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairwoman of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, said she would use spending legislation to protect Bristol Bay, home to the world's biggest salmon run and one of its largest commercial fisheries. She is also chairwoman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
"I simply think that this is the wrong mine in the wrong place," Murkowski said. "We need longer-term protections for the region that can also provide enduring value for Alaskans."
Murkowski submitted language in the fiscal 2020 Interior-Environment spending bill that directed the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a more rigorous environmental assessment of the project's risks. "I plan to build on my appropriations language from last year to make sure that the Bristol bay region remains protected," she said Thursday.
Pebble Mine has stalled since 2014, when the Environmental Protection Agency blocked the project, citing risks to fish in the region. The project has come under scrutiny and political pressure in recent weeks.


rollcall--2020-10-16--Duncan Hunter to serve prison sentence at West Texas camp

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter , who was convicted of misusing campaign funds , will serve his 11-month federal prison sentence @ @ @ @ @ Tuna in Anthony , Texas , according to his attorney Devin Burstein .
The California @ @ @ @ @ federal prison ’ s adjacent minimum-security satellite camp on Jan. 4 , 2021 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ He is designated to FCI La Tuna , ” Burstein said in an email when @ @ @ @ @ Hunter plans to report to authorities and where .
Hunter was initially scheduled to begin @ @ @ @ @ May , but that surrender date was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ more than $ 150,000 in campaign funds on personal uses .
He spent campaign money @ @ @ @ @ endeavors , including extramarital affairs , tobacco and a late-night bachelor party in Washington .

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter, who was convicted of misusing campaign funds, will serve his 11-month federal prison sentence at Federal Correctional Institute La Tuna in Anthony, Texas, according to his attorney Devin Burstein.
The California Republican will report to the federal prison’s adjacent minimum-security satellite camp on Jan. 4, 2021.
“Yes. I do. He is designated to FCI La Tuna,” Burstein said in an email when asked if he knew whether Hunter plans to report to authorities and where.
Hunter was initially scheduled to begin his time in custody in May, but that surrender date was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hunter was convicted of spending more than $150,000 in campaign funds on personal uses. He spent campaign money on a plethora of personal endeavors, including extramarital affairs, tobacco and a late-night bachelor party in Washington.


rollcall--2020-10-19--Democrats’ dilemma: Eliminate the filibuster or pack the Supreme Court

ANALYSIS — Democratic senators have framed the looming confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court as an existential threat to Americans ’ health care , women ’ s reproductive rights and civil rights .
Progressives among them say the Democrats should respond by increasing the number of justices on the court if they sweep the election next month .
But Democrats need not go that far , or take on the political risk associated with packing the court , in order to reduce the Supreme Court ’ s power .
By eliminating the legislative filibuster and reducing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple majority , they can rebalance the scales in Congress ’ favor .
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer says all options are on the table , including eliminating the filibuster , should the Democrats take Senate control in January .
Unencumbered by the need to win 60 votes for legislation , and accompanied by President Joe Biden and a Democratic House , he could pass bills restoring the health insurance individual mandate that the court has already ruled constitutional .
Democrats can also , for the first time , pass laws legalizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other hot-button issues they raised at Barrett ’ s hearing .
Such an approach has myriad advantages over packing the court .
The filibuster , as my colleague Jason Dick has written , is not a sacred creation of the country ’ s framers but a rule that has evolved and changed as circumstances demanded .
Most recently , the Senate reduced the threshold from a two-thirds vote to just 60 in 1975 .

ANALYSIS — Democratic senators have framed the looming confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court as an existential threat to Americans’ health care, women’s reproductive rights and civil rights.
Progressives among them say the Democrats should respond by increasing the number of justices on the court if they sweep the election next month.
But Democrats need not go that far, or take on the political risk associated with packing the court, in order to reduce the Supreme Court’s power. By eliminating the legislative filibuster and reducing the threshold for passing Senate legislation to a simple majority, they can rebalance the scales in Congress’ favor.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer says all options are on the table, including eliminating the filibuster, should the Democrats take Senate control in January. Unencumbered by the need to win 60 votes for legislation, and accompanied by President Joe Biden and a Democratic House, he could pass bills to restore the health insurance individual mandate that the court has already ruled constitutional. Democrats could also, for the first time, pass laws to legalize abortion and same-sex marriage, two of the other hot-button issues they raised at Barrett’s hearing.
Such an approach has myriad advantages over packing the court. The filibuster, as my colleague Jason Dick has written, is not a sacred creation of the country’s framers but a rule that has evolved and changed as circumstances demanded. Most recently, the Senate reduced the threshold from a two-thirds vote to just 60 in 1975.


rollcall--2020-10-19--Hit by pandemic, Amtrak is making cuts that may endure

The COVID-19 pandemic may force a reckoning for Amtrak ’ s long-distance routes , bringing about cuts that critics have long urged but that passenger rail advocates in and out of Congress say could undermine the service ’ s mission .
Pummeled by the pandemic , Amtrak earlier this month began running three times a week what were previously daily long-distance routes .
The nation ’ s only passenger rail system also began cutting 2,050 jobs out of its workforce of 18,500 and has reduced service on other routes as well .
But in cutting long-distance routes , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have vowed to protect them even though they lose money .
Amtrak promised when it cut the long-distance service that it was committed “ to restoring service levels when appropriate.
” Now , with Congress at an impasse over more COVID-19 relief and ridership still at about 25 percent of pre-pandemic levels , Amtrak has no clear path to restore service .
Rail advocacy groups worry that long-distance passengers whom Amtrak loses now won ’ t come back , thus justifying permanent cuts .
“ They are of the opinion that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week and start accepting reservations again in February for the summer , and it ’ ll be bad but it ’ ll be OK , ” said Jim Mathews , CEO of the Rail Passengers Association .
“ And we ’ ve done a lot of math that says that well , no , it ’ s actually probably not going to be OK .
”

The COVID-19 pandemic may force a reckoning for Amtrak’s long-distance routes, bringing about cuts that critics have long urged but that passenger rail advocates in and out of Congress say could undermine the service’s mission.
Pummeled by the pandemic, Amtrak earlier this month began running three times a week what were previously daily long-distance routes. The nation’s only passenger rail system also began cutting 2,050 jobs out of its workforce of 18,500 and has reduced service on other routes as well.
But in cutting long-distance routes, the company is toying with services prized by lawmakers who have vowed to protect them even though they lose money. Amtrak promised when it cut the long-distance service that it was committed “to restoring service levels when appropriate.”
Now, with Congress at an impasse over more COVID-19 relief and ridership still at about 25 percent of pre-pandemic levels, Amtrak has no clear path to restore service. Rail advocacy groups worry that long-distance passengers whom Amtrak loses now won’t come back, thus justifying permanent cuts.
“They are of the opinion that they can temporarily cut back to three times a week and start accepting reservations again in February for the summer, and it’ll be bad but it’ll be OK,” said Jim Mathews, CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “And we’ve done a lot of math that says that well, no, it’s actually probably not going to be OK.”


rollcall--2020-10-19--Minnesota races a snapshot of 2020 in miniature

Minnesota ’ s congressional races are so very 2020 .
One district features legal challenges stemming from a candidate ’ s death .
In another race , ethics issues offer an example of how Democrats have expanded their House map into traditionally red turf .
And in a rural stretch that heavily favors President Donald Trump , a longtime Democratic-Farmer-Labor incumbent and committee chairman faces a serious threat to his seat .
Sen. Tina Smith , the incumbent Democrat , isn ’ t seen as vulnerable to a challenge from former Republican Rep. Jason Lewis .
Handicappers also do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winning the state , which he lost in 2016 by the slimmest of margins .
But the state ’ s House races and its political dynamics are something of a microcosm of 2020 .
Health care , the COVID-19 pandemic and economic turmoil have , like elsewhere , taken center stage .
Some of the GOP campaigns have taken a cue from Trump ’ s “ law and order ” messaging , while Democrats have focused on racial inequality .
It is , after all , the state where George Floyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis police officer in late May , prompted nationwide protests .
“ Law and order must be restored , period , ” Michelle Fischbach , the Republican challenging Rep. Collin C. Peterson in Minnesota ’ s 7th District , wrote on Facebook this summer amid demonstrations that at times included arson and assault .
She shared a video of a police officer who was knocked out .
“ There can be no equivocation on this .
”

Minnesota’s congressional races are so very 2020.
One district features legal challenges stemming from a candidate’s death. In another race, ethics issues offer an example of how Democrats have expanded their House map into traditionally red turf. And in a rural stretch that heavily favors President Donald Trump, a longtime Democratic-Farmer-Labor incumbent and committee chairman faces a serious threat to his seat.
Sen. Tina Smith, the incumbent Democrat, isn’t seen as vulnerable to a challenge from former Republican Rep. Jason Lewis. Handicappers also do not give Trump much of a shot at winning the state, which he lost in 2016 by the slimmest of margins.
But the state’s House races and its political dynamics are something of a microcosm of 2020. Health care, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic turmoil have, like elsewhere, taken center stage. Some of the GOP campaigns have taken a cue from Trump’s “law and order” messaging, while Democrats have focused on racial inequality. It is, after all, the state where George Floyd’s death, at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer in late May, prompted nationwide protests.
“Law and order must be restored, period,” Michelle Fischbach, the Republican challenging Rep. Collin C. Peterson in Minnesota’s 7th District, wrote on Facebook this summer amid demonstrations that at times included arson and assault. She shared a video of a police officer who was knocked out. “There can be no equivocation on this.”


rollcall--2020-10-19--One more day for coronavirus relief talks, Pelosi says

Senate Majority Whip John Thune , R-S.D.
, told reporters `` it would be hard '' to find even 13 GOP votes for a bill that cost upwards of $ 1.8 trillion .
That 's the number of Republicans needed to supplement the 47-member Senate Democratic Caucus to get over the 60-vote hurdle to final passage .
`` I suspect it would have to be something that would attract a significant amount of Republican support , both in the House and the Senate , '' Thune said .
`` My guess is [ Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ] is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that whatever is agreed upon has Republican support to try to convince Republicans over here to be for it , '' Thune added , `` when their natural instinct , depending on how big it is and what 's in it , is probably to be against it . ''
Meanwhile the Senate on Tuesday planned a procedural vote on a bill that would provide fresh funding for the Paycheck Protection Program , which offers forgivable loans to small businesses , McConnell said .
That bill would appropriate a new round of nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which $ 137 billion would be redirected from unspent funds .
FiscalNote , the parent company of CQ Roll Call , received a loan under the program .
On Wednesday , the Senate will consider a more expansive package that would provide bigger unemployment benefits , more than $ 100 billion for schools , and more money for virus testing , tracing and vaccine development and distribution .

Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters "it would be hard" to find even 13 GOP votes for a bill that cost upwards of $1.8 trillion. That's the number of Republicans needed to supplement the 47-member Senate Democratic Caucus to get over the 60-vote hurdle to final passage.
"I suspect it would have to be something that would attract a significant amount of Republican support, both in the House and the Senate," Thune said.
"My guess is [Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell] is going to want to see some evidence that whatever is agreed upon has Republican support to try to convince Republicans over here to be for it," Thune added, "when their natural instinct, depending on how big it is and what's in it, is probably to be against it."
Meanwhile the Senate on Tuesday planned a procedural vote on a bill that would provide fresh funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, which offers forgivable loans to small businesses, McConnell said. That bill would appropriate a new round of nearly $258 billion for the program, of which $137 billion would be redirected from unspent funds. FiscalNote, the parent company of CQ Roll Call, received a loan under the program.
On Wednesday, the Senate will consider a more expansive package that would provide bigger unemployment benefits, more than $100 billion for schools, and more money for virus testing, tracing and vaccine development and distribution.


rollcall--2020-10-19--Trump fighting history in Supreme Court census case

President Donald Trump ’ s efforts to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment will face an uphill battle at the Supreme Court next month , legal experts said .
The case could influence the distribution of a half-dozen or more congressional seats next year , as the administration seeks to change how the nation has calculated them for its entire history .
On Friday , the justices set arguments in the case for Nov. 30 .
This just days after allowing the administration to end the 2020 census early and pursue an end-of-year deadline for those apportionment results .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court after a special panel of New York federal judges ruled the effort to exclude undocumented immigrants violated federal law .
Vermont Law School professor Jared Carter said the administration seeks permission to overlook a marker of one of the country ’ s “ original sins , ” counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person in apportionment .
“ They 're asking the courts to ultimately conclude , essentially to ignore , what I think is the plain meaning of both the Constitution and the federal statutes at issue that talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And to ignore the fact that we fought a civil war and passed the 14th Amendment to prevent the very sort of discrimination , parsing the definition of personhood , that the administration wants to do now .
”

President Donald Trump’s efforts to exclude undocumented immigrants from apportionment will face an uphill battle at the Supreme Court next month, legal experts said.
The case could influence the distribution of a half-dozen or more congressional seats next year, as the administration seeks to change how the nation has calculated them for its entire history. On Friday, the justices set arguments in the case for Nov. 30. This just days after allowing the administration to end the 2020 census early and pursue an end-of-year deadline for those apportionment results.
The Trump administration brought the case to the Supreme Court after a special panel of New York federal judges ruled the effort to exclude undocumented immigrants violated federal law.
Vermont Law School professor Jared Carter said the administration seeks permission to overlook a marker of one of the country’s “original sins,” counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person in apportionment.
“They're asking the courts to ultimately conclude, essentially to ignore, what I think is the plain meaning of both the Constitution and the federal statutes at issue that talk about people," Carter said. "And to ignore the fact that we fought a civil war and passed the 14th Amendment to prevent the very sort of discrimination, parsing the definition of personhood, that the administration wants to do now.”


rollcall--2020-10-19--Photo of the day: Women’s March in DC

Photo of the day: Women’s March in DC

The fifth Women ’ s March took place in cities across the country Saturday , ahead of both the election @ @ @ @ @ on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
In the above photo , a masked @ @ @ @ @ across from the Trump International Hotel in Washington , holding a sign that reads : @ @ @ @ @ Halloween , bury ’ em on Election Day.
” After a rally at Freedom Plaza @ @ @ @ @ to the Supreme Court on Saturday to remember the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and @ @ @ @ @ confirmation .

(Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
The fifth Women’s March took place in cities across the country Saturday, ahead of both the election and the Senate confirmation vote on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. In the above photo, a masked woman stands on Pennsylvania Avenue across from the Trump International Hotel in Washington, holding a sign that reads: “Scare ’em on Halloween, bury ’em on Election Day.”
After a rally at Freedom Plaza, thousands of protesters marched to the Supreme Court on Saturday to remember the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and to oppose Barrett’s confirmation.


rollcall--2020-10-19--Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination expected to advance during rare Sunday Senate session

The Senate appears likely to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court as soon as next Monday , Oct. @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , had previously said that he anticipated beginning the process of @ @ @ @ @ , currently a judge on the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , during @ @ @ @ @ the Senate .
McConnell is expected to file a cloture motion on the nomination on @ @ @ @ @ the Barrett nomination is expected to be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee .
That @ @ @ @ @ of whether the cloture vote to limit debate would take place Sunday , which is @ @ @ @ @ Senate rules , or wait until Monday .
That cloture vote is now expected on @ @ @ @ @ the confirmation vote as early as Monday and likely no later than Tuesday even if @ @ @ @ @ debate were to be consumed .

The Senate appears likely to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court as soon as next Monday, Oct. 26.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had previously said that he anticipated beginning the process of considering the nomination of Barrett, currently a judge on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, during a rare Friday session of the Senate.
McConnell is expected to file a cloture motion on the nomination on Friday, the day after the Barrett nomination is expected to be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
That left the only real question of whether the cloture vote to limit debate would take place Sunday, which is the earliest possible time under Senate rules, or wait until Monday.
That cloture vote is now expected on Sunday, setting up for the confirmation vote as early as Monday and likely no later than Tuesday even if all 30 hours of post-cloture debate were to be consumed.


rollcall--2020-10-19--Pandemic shines spotlight on nursing home policy

The devastating effects of the pandemic in nursing homes , where residents make up about 1 percent of the national population but 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths , is leading advocates to push Congress for more money and longer-term changes .
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living , which lobbies for long-term care facilities , is pressing Congress to add another $ 100 billion to a $ 175 billion emergency provider fund created in a March law , with specific earmarks for long-term care .
The group also has asked for additional testing aid and priority on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday that it plans to set aside vaccines for the industry , which CVS and Walgreens would deliver .
Nursing home groups also are calling on Congress to provide additional aid by further boosting the federal matching rate for Medicaid .
Medicaid covers nearly two-thirds of nursing home patients , and many say pay rates are well below costs .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are negotiating another relief package .
While the Democrats ’ bill includes another $ 125 billion infusion for the emergency fund , the details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The devastating effects of the pandemic in nursing homes, where residents make up about 1 percent of the national population but 40 percent of COVID-19 deaths, is leading advocates to push Congress for more money and longer-term changes.
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, which lobbies for long-term care facilities, is pressing Congress to add another $100 billion to a $175 billion emergency provider fund created in a March law, with specific earmarks for long-term care.
The group also has asked for additional testing aid and priority on vaccine distribution. The Trump administration announced Friday that it plans to set aside vaccines for the industry, which CVS and Walgreens would deliver.
Nursing home groups also are calling on Congress to provide additional aid by further boosting the federal matching rate for Medicaid. Medicaid covers nearly two-thirds of nursing home patients, and many say pay rates are well below costs.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are negotiating another relief package. While the Democrats’ bill includes another $125 billion infusion for the emergency fund, the details of any potential deal are still in flux.


rollcall--2020-10-19--Excuse me, but is that a partisan wave building?

ANALYSIS — GOP insiders are now hoping for the best but bracing for the worst .
Veteran Republicans have all @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s reelection and are now focused on minimizing the damage down ballot .
@ @ @ @ @ poor messaging and salute the Democrats ’ fundraising numbers , which reflect Democratic enthusiasm and @ @ @ @ @ stretch .
While Republicans still have a chance to hang on to the Senate , @ @ @ @ @ and a net Democratic gain of at least three seats is likely .
But Republican @ @ @ @ @ there .
They fear that dampened GOP turnout on Election Day , combined with unusually @ @ @ @ @ and a clear Democratic preference among seniors , could produce Democratic Senate ( and House @ @ @ @ @ simply unimaginable .

ANALYSIS — GOP insiders are now hoping for the best but bracing for the worst.
Veteran Republicans have all but given up on Donald Trump’s reelection and are now focused on minimizing the damage down ballot. They criticize Trump’s poor messaging and salute the Democrats’ fundraising numbers, which reflect Democratic enthusiasm and foretell Republican problems down the stretch.
While Republicans still have a chance to hang on to the Senate, Democratic gains are inevitable, and a net Democratic gain of at least three seats is likely.
But Republican nervousness doesn’t end there. They fear that dampened GOP turnout on Election Day, combined with unusually strong turnout by younger voters and a clear Democratic preference among seniors, could produce Democratic Senate (and House) gains that were once simply unimaginable.


rollcall--2020-10-19--Supreme Court will decide border wall funding, ‘remain in Mexico’ policy

The Supreme Court will decide cases this term on two of the Trump administration ’ s most contentious U.S.-Mexico border @ @ @ @ @ billion in Defense Department funds to build a border wall and keeping immigrants who illegally @ @ @ @ @ while their removal proceedings are pending .
On both issues , the justices have already @ @ @ @ @ of the Trump administration .
The Supreme Court allowed the government to use funds to @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits go through the court system , as well as implement the “ remain in @ @ @ @ @ is being challenged .
[ Democrats ’ dilemma : Eliminate the filibuster or pack the @ @ @ @ @ issues brought to the court by the Trump administration could be wiped out before the @ @ @ @ @ .
If Democrat Joe Biden becomes president in January , he is expected to undo @ @ @ @ @ ’ s immigration policies .

The Supreme Court will decide cases this term on two of the Trump administration’s most contentious U.S.-Mexico border policies: transferring $2.5 billion in Defense Department funds to build a border wall and keeping immigrants who illegally cross that border in Mexico while their removal proceedings are pending.
On both issues, the justices have already weighed in on the side of the Trump administration. The Supreme Court allowed the government to use funds to build the barrier as the lawsuits go through the court system, as well as implement the “remain in Mexico” policy while it is being challenged.
[Democrats’ dilemma: Eliminate the filibuster or pack the Supreme Court]
But both issues brought to the court by the Trump administration could be wiped out before the Supreme Court ever decides them. If Democrat Joe Biden becomes president in January, he is expected to undo many of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.


rollcall--2020-10-20--UK limit on cryptocurrency derivatives draws attention in US

The U.K. ’ s decision this month to limit retail access to financial derivatives linked to cryptocurrencies caught the eye of legal experts in the U.S. and is fueling debate about whether Washington could follow the move in London , especially if Democrat Joe Biden wins the presidency .
Robert Hockett , a professor at Cornell Law School , may be an outlier in the debate , but he says the Financial Conduct Authority ’ s ban on retail investors ’ trading derivatives based on cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether could be emulated in the U.S .
The FCA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CQ Roll Call the restrictions could be a first step in preventing another financial crisis .
Derivatives can greatly increase the payout or loss when an asset ’ s value rises or falls .
In the U.S. , it ’ s legal for retail investors to trade futures and options on cryptocurrencies , allowing them to bet on more long-term trends or gain more leverage than buying the currencies directly .
The U.K. regulator justified the ban , which takes effect next year , by saying that cryptocurrencies are difficult to price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is allowing larger and more sophisticated investors to keep trading them .

The U.K.’s decision this month to limit retail access to financial derivatives linked to cryptocurrencies caught the eye of legal experts in the U.S. and is fueling debate about whether Washington could follow the move in London, especially if Democrat Joe Biden wins the presidency.
Robert Hockett, a professor at Cornell Law School, may be an outlier in the debate, but he says the Financial Conduct Authority’s ban on retail investors’ trading derivatives based on cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether could be emulated in the U.S. The FCA oversees financial regulation in the U.K.
Hockett told CQ Roll Call the restrictions could be a first step in preventing another financial crisis.
Derivatives can greatly increase the payout or loss when an asset’s value rises or falls. In the U.S., it’s legal for retail investors to trade futures and options on cryptocurrencies, allowing them to bet on more long-term trends or gain more leverage than buying the currencies directly.
The U.K. regulator justified the ban, which takes effect next year, by saying that cryptocurrencies are difficult to price, volatile and vulnerable to fraud. It is allowing larger and more sophisticated investors to keep trading them.


rollcall--2020-10-20--If you thought fantasy football was wonky, try Fantasy Congress

Second-guessing lineup decisions .
Obsessively watching statistics .
Emotionally investing in the performance of people you weren ’ t even @ @ @ @ @ days before .
These are all familiar practices for people immersed in the popular world @ @ @ @ @ what about political nerds looking for a way to blow off some steam ?
That @ @ @ @ @ comes in .
The game , run by former web developer Allison Seboldt , at @ @ @ @ @ win midterm elections back in 2018 , but then she “ burned it all down @ @ @ @ @ it around legislation and Congress being in session , ” she says .
So far @ @ @ @ @ people have played , starting teams with names like “ Hairforce One ” and the @ @ @ @ @ Unlike fantasy football , Fantasy Congress isn ’ t tethered to an actual season , @ @ @ @ @ length is determined by each league ’ s commissioner . )

Second-guessing lineup decisions. Obsessively watching statistics. Emotionally investing in the performance of people you weren’t even aware of until a few days before. These are all familiar practices for people immersed in the popular world of fantasy sports.
But what about political nerds looking for a way to blow off some steam?
That’s where Fantasy Congress comes in.
The game, run by former web developer Allison Seboldt, at first focused on who would win midterm elections back in 2018, but then she “burned it all down to the ground and rebuilt it around legislation and Congress being in session,” she says.
So far this year, almost 600 people have played, starting teams with names like “Hairforce One” and the “Ameri-cat Dream.” (Unlike fantasy football, Fantasy Congress isn’t tethered to an actual season, so the “season” length is determined by each league’s commissioner.)


rollcall--2020-10-20--Repealing Section 230 could have unintended consequences for Trump and conservatives

Actions taken by Facebook and Twitter to limit the spread of the New York Post ’ s dubious Hunter Biden story last week led to President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers intensifying calls to punish social media companies over long-standing accusations of anti-conservative bias .
Twitter ’ s decision to initially block users from sharing a link to the story and Facebook ’ s referral of the story to its third-party fact-checkers were met with swift calls from Trump and others to repeal or narrow the terms of a 1996 law that protects social media companies from most lawsuits related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their platforms .
But legal experts , free speech advocates and the technology industry all agree that getting rid of the once-obscure law , known as Section 230 , would have unintended consequences for Trump , a prolific user of social media , and would likely result in more online censorship , not less .
Section 230 will now receive prominent attention in the final two weeks of the presidential race , and each company ’ s CEO , Facebook ’ s Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter ’ s Jack Dorsey , will face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post story from at least one congressional committee prior to Election Day .

Actions taken by Facebook and Twitter to limit the spread of the New York Post’s dubious Hunter Biden story last week led to President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers intensifying calls to punish social media companies over long-standing accusations of anti-conservative bias.
Twitter’s decision to initially block users from sharing a link to the story and Facebook’s referral of the story to its third-party fact-checkers were met with swift calls from Trump and others to repeal or narrow the terms of a 1996 law that protects social media companies from most lawsuits related to third-party content that is posted on their platforms.
But legal experts, free speech advocates and the technology industry all agree that getting rid of the once-obscure law, known as Section 230, would have unintended consequences for Trump, a prolific user of social media, and would likely result in more online censorship, not less.
Section 230 will now receive prominent attention in the final two weeks of the presidential race, and each company’s CEO, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter’s Jack Dorsey, will face a grilling over their handling of the Post story from at least one congressional committee prior to Election Day.


rollcall--2020-10-20--Democrat seeks accounting of CDC’s ‘no-sail’ order for cruises

The cruise industry , shut out of federal COVID-19 aid and ordered not to sail through Oct. 31 , is now the subject of even more scrutiny : A Democratic lawmaker wants to know if the Trump administration intervened in a decision on when cruise ships can safely resume sailing .
In an Oct. 13 letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield , Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney , D-N.Y. , questioned whether the White House weighed in on the CDC ’ s decision to extend the no-sail order to Oct. 31 .
Press reports say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Feb. 15 , 2021 , but backed off after White House involvement .
“ I am worried about impairments to the independence of the CDC ’ s science-based and unbiased public health advice based on reported interference from the White House and political leadership in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) as well as pressure from the cruise line industry , ” wrote Maloney , chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation .
Maloney was referring to reports by The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Coronavirus Task Force decided to shorten the extension of the no-sail order at a meeting on Sept. 29 after input from the cruise line industry .
On Sept. 30 , it extended it for one month , to Oct. 31 .
The largest cruise lines had already agreed to suspend operations through that date .
Cruises became synonymous in the early days of the pandemic with the spread of the virus in tightly packed spaces .
Images of first the Diamond Princess , with 712 infected and nine dead in February , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oakland , California , with 78 passengers positive for the virus , became public relations nightmares for an industry that claims to generate more than $ 150 billion in worldwide economic activity and support 2 million jobs .

The cruise industry, shut out of federal COVID-19 aid and ordered not to sail through Oct. 31, is now the subject of even more scrutiny: A Democratic lawmaker wants to know if the Trump administration intervened in a decision on when cruise ships can safely resume sailing.
In an Oct. 13 letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., questioned whether the White House weighed in on the CDC’s decision to extend the no-sail order to Oct. 31. Press reports say the CDC wanted to extend the order through Feb. 15, 2021, but backed off after White House involvement.
“I am worried about impairments to the independence of the CDC’s science-based and unbiased public health advice based on reported interference from the White House and political leadership in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as well as pressure from the cruise line industry,” wrote Maloney, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
Maloney was referring to reports by The New York Times and Axios that President Donald Trump’s Coronavirus Task Force decided to shorten the extension of the no-sail order at a meeting on Sept. 29 after input from the cruise line industry. On Sept. 30, it extended it for one month, to Oct. 31. The largest cruise lines had already agreed to suspend operations through that date.
Cruises became synonymous in the early days of the pandemic with the spread of the virus in tightly packed spaces. Images of first the Diamond Princess, with 712 infected and nine dead in February, then the Grand Princess, held off Oakland, California, with 78 passengers positive for the virus, became public relations nightmares for an industry that claims to generate more than $150 billion in worldwide economic activity and support 2 million jobs.


rollcall--2020-10-20--As Amy Coney Barrett heads for confirmation, Dianne Feinstein faces outside pressure to step aside

Grassroots pressure on Democrats to oust Dianne Feinstein from atop the Senate Judiciary Committee has spilled out into the open since the end of last week ’ s Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett .
Feinstein , an 87-year-old California Democrat serving her fifth full term , drew criticism from progressives for her conduct as ranking member during the hearings , particularly when she praised — and then hugged — Chairman Lindsey Graham .
“ Mr .
Chairman , I just want to thank you .
This has been one of the best set of hearings that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to thank you for your fairness and the opportunity of going back and forth .
It leaves one with a lot of hopes , a lot of questions , and even some ideas , perhaps some good bipartisan legislation we can put together to make this great country even better .
So thank you so much for your leadership , ” she told the South Carolina Republican on Thursday as the four days of hearings wrapped up .
A preeminent criticism of Senate Democratic leaders and outside groups has been that Barrett ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so close to the election .
Feinstein ’ s comments cut across that line of attack .
She will again be expected to play a leading role during Thursday ’ s committee markup of the nomination and again Friday and over the weekend as the nomination moves to the Senate floor .

Grassroots pressure on Democrats to oust Dianne Feinstein from atop the Senate Judiciary Committee has spilled out into the open since the end of last week’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett.
Feinstein, an 87-year-old California Democrat serving her fifth full term, drew criticism from progressives for her conduct as ranking member during the hearings, particularly when she praised — and then hugged — Chairman Lindsey Graham.
“Mr. Chairman, I just want to thank you. This has been one of the best set of hearings that I have participated in, and I want to thank you for your fairness and the opportunity of going back and forth. It leaves one with a lot of hopes, a lot of questions, and even some ideas, perhaps some good bipartisan legislation we can put together to make this great country even better. So thank you so much for your leadership,” she told the South Carolina Republican on Thursday as the four days of hearings wrapped up.
A preeminent criticism of Senate Democratic leaders and outside groups has been that Barrett’s nomination has been jammed through inappropriately so close to the election. Feinstein’s comments cut across that line of attack.
She will again be expected to play a leading role during Thursday’s committee markup of the nomination and again Friday and over the weekend as the nomination moves to the Senate floor.


rollcall--2020-10-20--Coronavirus relief talks bleed past deadline amid lingering doubts

Top negotiators did n't reach a bipartisan deal on COVID-19 aid by a self-imposed deadline Tuesday , as doubts grew that any new relief bill could become law before the Nov. 3 elections .
Both sides pledged to continue their talks Wednesday , and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said some progress was made in a call Tuesday with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
“ Today ’ s deadline enabled the Speaker and Secretary to see that decisions could be reached and language could be exchanged , demonstrating that both sides are serious about finding a compromise , ” Pelosi spokesman Drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Staff Mark Meadows , while acknowledging some progress , suggested plenty of obstacles remain .
`` There 's still several hundred billion dollars apart between the parties , '' he told CNBC .
He said the administration was trying to resolve `` policy differences that would be poison pills for Senate Republicans , '' adding , `` It 's not just the money . ''
In another sign of trouble for a compromise , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Republicans he 's urged the White House not to cut any large-scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to several news reports .
Senate Republicans have expressed deep reservations about voting for a package anywhere close to the roughly $ 2 trillion that could be in play .

Top negotiators didn't reach a bipartisan deal on COVID-19 aid by a self-imposed deadline Tuesday, as doubts grew that any new relief bill could become law before the Nov. 3 elections.
Both sides pledged to continue their talks Wednesday, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said some progress was made in a call Tuesday with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
“Today’s deadline enabled the Speaker and Secretary to see that decisions could be reached and language could be exchanged, demonstrating that both sides are serious about finding a compromise,” Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted.
But White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, while acknowledging some progress, suggested plenty of obstacles remain. "There's still several hundred billion dollars apart between the parties," he told CNBC. He said the administration was trying to resolve "policy differences that would be poison pills for Senate Republicans," adding, "It's not just the money."
In another sign of trouble for a compromise, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Republicans he's urged the White House not to cut any large-scale relief deal before the elections, according to several news reports. Senate Republicans have expressed deep reservations about voting for a package anywhere close to the roughly $2 trillion that could be in play.


rollcall--2020-10-20--PPP plan falls short in Senate as hope for COVID-19 aid wanes

Amid ongoing COVID-19 economic aid negotiations and the approaching election , the Senate effectively shot down on Tuesday a standalone proposal to authorize a second round of forgivable loans to small businesses .
Republicans were unified in their effort to push forward the measure in a test vote .
While Democrats support the Paycheck Protection Program , they voted to “ table ” the measure Tuesday , because it wasn ’ t included as part of a larger economic proposal .
The vote did n't directly kill the measure , but it displayed the proposal did n't have the 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The proposal would have given the Small Business Administration $ 258 billion for a second round of forgivable loans to coronavirus-affilicted small businesses through the PPP .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , accused Democrats , who passed a $ 3.4 trillion stimulus package out of the House in May and a $ 2.2 trillion package earlier this month , of playing politics with the PPP .
“ The Democratic leaders have spent months holding out for a long far-left wish list of non-COVID related priorities and restricting additional aid until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All or nothing — that ’ s been their position , ” McConnell said from the floor .
“ There ’ s no reason the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program should wait another single day .
”

Amid ongoing COVID-19 economic aid negotiations and the approaching election, the Senate effectively shot down on Tuesday a standalone proposal to authorize a second round of forgivable loans to small businesses.
Republicans were unified in their effort to push forward the measure in a test vote. While Democrats support the Paycheck Protection Program, they voted to “table” the measure Tuesday, because it wasn’t included as part of a larger economic proposal. The vote didn't directly kill the measure, but it displayed the proposal didn't have the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
The proposal would have given the Small Business Administration $258 billion for a second round of forgivable loans to coronavirus-affilicted small businesses through the PPP.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Democrats, who passed a $3.4 trillion stimulus package out of the House in May and a $2.2 trillion package earlier this month, of playing politics with the PPP.
“The Democratic leaders have spent months holding out for a long far-left wish list of non-COVID related priorities and restricting additional aid until they get it. All or nothing. All or nothing — that’s been their position,” McConnell said from the floor. “There’s no reason the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program should wait another single day.”


rollcall--2020-10-20--In policy preview, Democrats target oceans for climate action

House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled broad ocean-themed climate legislation , touting the world ’ s oceans as underappreciated tools to combat rising temperatures .
“ Until today , ocean climate solutions have been mostly out of sight and out of mind in the U.S. , ” said Jane Lubchenco , who led the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during the Obama administration .
Lubchenco , now a professor at Oregon State University , said oceans can help mitigate climate change by trapping greenhouse emissions in so-called blue carbon sources , such as mangroves , marshes and seagrasses .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tools that we need to accelerate mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
” The bill would ban oil and gas leasing throughout the Outer Continental Shelf , set a national goal of protecting 30 percent of the ocean by 2030 , increase funding for NOAA to study offshore wind-energy development and establish a program at the agency on blue carbon ecosystems , which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere .
With two weeks until Election Day , the legislation will almost assuredly not pass the House or become law this Congress .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for a push if they regain the Senate majority in January .

House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled broad, ocean-themed climate legislation, touting the world’s oceans as underappreciated tools to curb rising temperatures.
“Until today, ocean climate solutions have been mostly out of sight and out of mind in the U.S.,” said Jane Lubchenco, who led the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during the Obama administration.
Lubchenco, now a professor at Oregon State University, said oceans can help mitigate climate change by trapping greenhouse emissions in so-called blue carbon sources, such as mangroves, marshes and seagrasses. “The bill focuses on the suite of powerful tools that we need to accelerate mitigation and adaptation to climate change.”
The bill would ban oil and gas leasing throughout the Outer Continental Shelf, set a national goal of protecting 30 percent of the ocean by 2030, increase funding for NOAA to study offshore wind-energy development and establish a program at the agency on blue carbon ecosystems, which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
With two weeks until Election Day, the legislation will almost assuredly not pass the House or become law this Congress. But Democrats made plain they are queuing it up for a push if they regain the Senate majority in January.


rollcall--2020-10-20--Photo of the day: A walk in the park

Photo of the day: A walk in the park

On this Tuesday , let 's take a break from the contentious hearings , boisterous protests and campaign season noise @ @ @ @ @ a scene from the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden as a boy strolls through @ @ @ @ @ fall day in Washington .
The garden reopened in June with limited capacity and new @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .

(Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
On this Tuesday, let's take a break from the contentious hearings, boisterous protests and campaign season noise. Instead, here is a scene from the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden as a boy strolls through the park on a beautiful fall day in Washington.
The garden reopened in June with limited capacity and new safety procedures to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic.


rollcall--2020-10-20--Court weighs a pause in House lawsuit over Trump’s financial records

A federal appeals court in Washington grappled Tuesday with how to move forward on a House lawsuit to enforce subpoenas for President Donald Trump ’ s personal and business financial records — with judges suggesting the court might wait until this session of Congress ends Jan. 3 .
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held oral arguments in the long-running legal fight about committee subpoenas for Trump records from auditing firm Mazars USA and other financial institutions that date back as far as April 2019 .
The Supreme Court issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not resolve the Trump-House dispute over the subpoenas but instead laid out a test for what Congress and the courts must do before subpoenas for a president ’ s records can be enforced .
The opinion then sent the cases back to lower courts to reexamine .
The panel on Tuesday worked through issues about whether it could decide the case now or send it back even lower to a federal district court judge , or whether it even makes sense to decide anything before the new Congress .
Judge David Tatel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit closely matches that of an Oct. 6 , 2008 , decision in a case about a House subpoena for Harriet Miers , former White House counsel during the George W. Bush administration .

A federal appeals court in Washington grappled Tuesday with how to move forward on a House lawsuit to enforce subpoenas for President Donald Trump’s personal and business financial records — with judges suggesting the court might wait until this session of Congress ends Jan. 3.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held oral arguments in the long-running legal fight about committee subpoenas for Trump records from auditing firm Mazars USA and other financial institutions that date back as far as April 2019.
The Supreme Court issued a July 9 opinion on the case that did not resolve the Trump-House dispute over the subpoenas but instead laid out a test for what Congress and the courts must do before subpoenas for a president’s records can be enforced. The opinion then sent the cases back to lower courts to reexamine.
The panel on Tuesday worked through issues about whether it could decide the case now or send it back even lower to a federal district court judge, or whether it even makes sense to decide anything before the new Congress.
Judge David Tatel pointed out that the timing of the lawsuit closely matches that of an Oct. 6, 2008, decision in a case about a House subpoena for Harriet Miers, former White House counsel during the George W. Bush administration.


rollcall--2020-10-20--How Mpesa transformed the world of fintech

Patrick Njoroge , the governor of the Central Bank of Kenya , speaks with Chris Brummer at DC Fintech Week @ @ @ @ @ , one of the world 's most successful mobile money transfer services , impacted Kenya @ @ @ @ @ and what central bank digital currencies and the rise of crypto mean for Mpesa , @ @ @ @ @ How the EU is revolutionizing stablecoin ( and crypto ) oversight • The case for @ @ @ @ @ currencies • Who should be an accredited investor ?

Patrick Njoroge, the governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, speaks with Chris Brummer at DC Fintech Week 2020 to discuss how Mpesa, one of the world's most successful mobile money transfer services, impacted Kenya’s economic development, and what central bank digital currencies and the rise of crypto mean for Mpesa, and vice versa.
More podcast content
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-10-20--Justice Department files antitrust complaint against Google, alleging monopoly power

The Department of Justice and eleven states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google on Tuesday accusing the company of unlawfully using anticompetitive tactics to preserve its dominance in online search and advertising .
The suit , filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia , alleges that Google , a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. , maintains monopoly power in both internet search and advertising through a network of contracts requiring its products to be the default -- and sometimes undeletable -- online search features on millions of mobile devices in the United States .
It is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology giant since the department sued Microsoft in 1998 , and the first to emerge amid recently heightened scrutiny of the technology sector by lawmakers and antitrust regulators .
If the government is successful , the case could have far-reaching implications for an industry that enjoyed largely unchecked growth for two decades .
“ Google achieved some success in its early years and no one begrudges that , ” Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen told reporters on a conference call .
“ But it has maintained its monopoly power through its exclusionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If the government does not enforce the antitrust laws , we could lose the next wave of innovation , ” Rosen said .
“ If that happens , Americans may never get to see the next Google .
”

The Department of Justice and eleven states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google on Tuesday accusing the company of unlawfully using anticompetitive tactics to preserve its dominance in online search and advertising.
The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., maintains monopoly power in both internet search and advertising through a network of contracts requiring its products to be the default -- and sometimes undeletable -- online search features on millions of mobile devices in the United States.
It is the first major federal antitrust case against a technology giant since the department sued Microsoft in 1998, and the first to emerge amid recently heightened scrutiny of the technology sector by lawmakers and antitrust regulators. If the government is successful, the case could have far-reaching implications for an industry that enjoyed largely unchecked growth for two decades.
“Google achieved some success in its early years and no one begrudges that,” Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen told reporters on a conference call. “But it has maintained its monopoly power through its exclusionary practices that are harmful to competition.”
“If the government does not enforce the antitrust laws, we could lose the next wave of innovation,” Rosen said. “If that happens, Americans may never get to see the next Google.”


rollcall--2020-10-20--Pre-election deadline looms for coronavirus aid deal

Congressional leaders and the White House must reach agreement on a coronavirus aid deal Tuesday if they want it to @ @ @ @ @ .
But Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin still have several unresolved items @ @ @ @ @ internal disagreements among Republicans threaten success .
CQ Roll Call ’ s David Lerman and @ @ @ @ @ in the negotiations .
• One more day for coronavirus relief talks , Pelosi says @ @ @ @ @ heads for confirmation , Dianne Feinstein faces outside pressure to step aside • Repealing Section @ @ @ @ @ for Trump and conservatives • If you thought fantasy football was wonky , try Fantasy @

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Evan Campbell

Congressional leaders and the White House must reach agreement on a coronavirus aid deal Tuesday if they want it to become law before Election Day. But Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin still have several unresolved items to work out, and internal disagreements among Republicans threaten success. CQ Roll Call’s David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt discuss the latest in the negotiations.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-10-20--Speech therapist discusses Biden’s stutter ahead of final debate

Joe Biden doesn ’ t think of himself as a stutterer .
At least , not anymore .
But speech @ @ @ @ @ former vice president hasn ’ t completely overcome his stutter as much as he ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
Situations like Thursday ’ s upcoming presidential debate — with time limits and a @ @ @ @ @ prime scenarios for stutters to manifest .
Watch the video for a conversation with Coleman @ @ @ @ @ for stutterers , and how Biden has learned to manage his stutter over a lifetime @ @ @ @ @ watch : Deep freezers and dry ice for Pfizer vaccine may face shortages ]

Joe Biden doesn’t think of himself as a stutterer. At least, not anymore. But speech therapist Craig Coleman says the former vice president hasn’t completely overcome his stutter as much as he’s learned to manage it.
Situations like Thursday’s upcoming presidential debate — with time limits and a likelihood of interruptions — are prime scenarios for stutters to manifest. Watch the video for a conversation with Coleman on how debates are challenging for stutterers, and how Biden has learned to manage his stutter over a lifetime in politics.
[ Also watch: Deep freezers and dry ice for Pfizer vaccine may face shortages ]


rollcall--2020-10-20--Supreme Court order on Pennsylvania ballots gives glimpse into future of voting cases

The Supreme Court might have stayed out of Pennsylvania ’ s plans for counting November ’ s ballots amid a pandemic for now , but the conservative justices sent a signal late Monday that the high court might not be so hands-off in the future .
In two orders , the justices deadlocked , 4-4 , on a request from Republicans to undo a Pennsylvania state court decision that requires state officials to count mail-in ballots received up to three days after Election Day on Nov. 3 , even if the ballots lack a postmark .
That tie meant the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , an outcome from the shorthanded court that wasn ’ t necessarily unexpected .
Each order was only one dry paragraph with no explanation for the decisions .
But election law experts see plenty of foreshadowing in the action ahead of an expected ideological shift at the Supreme Court — that the justices soon could get more involved in state-based voting rights protections across the country .
“ State constitutions were a strong protector of the constitutional right to vote .
That could be undermined if the Court goes down this path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law and voting rights professor at the University of Kentucky , tweeted Monday night .
“ So while today ’ s 4-4 ruling dodges a bullet for now , that bullet is coming very soon .
”

The Supreme Court might have stayed out of Pennsylvania’s plans for counting November’s ballots amid a pandemic for now, but the conservative justices sent a signal late Monday that the high court might not be so hands-off in the future.
In two orders, the justices deadlocked, 4-4, on a request from Republicans to undo a Pennsylvania state court decision that requires state officials to count mail-in ballots received up to three days after Election Day on Nov. 3, even if the ballots lack a postmark.
That tie meant the state court’s decision stays in place, an outcome from the shorthanded court that wasn’t necessarily unexpected. Each order was only one dry paragraph with no explanation for the decisions.
But election law experts see plenty of foreshadowing in the action ahead of an expected ideological shift at the Supreme Court — that the justices soon could get more involved in state-based voting rights protections across the country.
“State constitutions were a strong protector of the constitutional right to vote. That could be undermined if the Court goes down this path,” Joshua Douglas, an election law and voting rights professor at the University of Kentucky, tweeted Monday night. “So while today’s 4-4 ruling dodges a bullet for now, that bullet is coming very soon.”