rollcall--2020-07-23--Democratic fundraiser taps Silicon Valley, online donors amid party friction

A split that erupted last year within the Democratic Party inspired Cooper Teboe , a political operative who serves as campaign manager and finance director for Rep. Ro Khanna , to launch his own firm .
Teboe officially opened his Silicon Valley-based shop , CDT Strategies , in January , months after reports that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee would not work directly with consultants who helped unseat the party ’ s incumbents in primaries .
Teboe said he started his business with the goal of helping progressive candidates , including those working against sitting members .
As the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealthy donors and grassroots activists , Teboe offers an interesting window into a business and political model that combines both .
Not only is he working for Khanna , a California Democrat and member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus who himself unseated an incumbent Democrat in 2016 , but he ’ s also consulting for a vulnerable Senate incumbent facing a primary challenge .
And , even though the party ’ s progressive wing derides big money in politics , Teboe advises major donors where to plop their campaign cash — and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate Joe Biden .
Democrats ’ opposition to President Donald Trump seems to blur internal divisions in the party ’ s struggle over a policy vision for the future , at least in 2020 , according to Teboe .
“ Now , both sides of that ideological divide within the Democratic Party have put their differences aside in order to remove Trump from office , but I do think that the more progressive side of things does view Biden as a bridge to a progressive future , ” said Teboe , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in some ways we ’ ve got to thank Donald Trump for uniting the different arms of the Democratic Party .
”

A split that erupted last year within the Democratic Party inspired Cooper Teboe, a political operative who serves as campaign manager and finance director for Rep. Ro Khanna, to launch his own firm.
Teboe officially opened his Silicon Valley-based shop, CDT Strategies, in January, months after reports that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee would not work directly with consultants who helped unseat the party’s incumbents in primaries. Teboe said he started his business with the goal of helping progressive candidates, including those working against sitting members.
As the party grapples with the often competing influences of wealthy donors and grassroots activists, Teboe offers an interesting window into a business and political model that combines both. Not only is he working for Khanna, a California Democrat and member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus who himself unseated an incumbent Democrat in 2016, but he’s also consulting for a vulnerable Senate incumbent facing a primary challenge. And, even though the party’s progressive wing derides big money in politics, Teboe advises major donors where to plop their campaign cash — and he works for a super PAC supporting presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Democrats’ opposition to President Donald Trump seems to blur internal divisions in the party’s struggle over a policy vision for the future, at least in 2020, according to Teboe.
“Now, both sides of that ideological divide within the Democratic Party have put their differences aside in order to remove Trump from office, but I do think that the more progressive side of things does view Biden as a bridge to a progressive future,” said Teboe, who is 28. “I would actually say that in some ways we’ve got to thank Donald Trump for uniting the different arms of the Democratic Party.”


rollcall--2020-07-23--Ties between a bank and Rep. Harold Rogers raise questions about PPP loans

A bank where Rep. Harold Rogers once served as a director provided millions to business owners as the economy cratered under coronavirus , according to a CQ Roll Call review of Paycheck Protection Program loans .
The Citizens National Bank of Somerset , Kentucky , which Rogers became a director of in 1970 and later director emeritus in 1991 , provided at least $ 15 million through PPP to companies that vowed to save thousands of jobs in their communities .
The way the PPP rules were implemented , Rogers ’ involvement with the bank does not appear to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide an example of how the program ’ s administration creates questions regarding businesses associated with lawmakers .
The Kentucky Republican ’ s spokeswoman , and several of the organizations , said Rogers had no involvement in any loans made by the bank .
Some of those loans went to groups and businesses with which he was familiar .
They included a nonprofit Rogers helped found , his hometown church , several corporations that list a campaign donor as president or vice president , and a community association that holds a golf outing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rogers continues to receive dividends of between $ 100,001 and $ 1 million from the stake he owns in the bank ’ s holding company , Citizens Bancshares , according to his annual financial disclosure .

A bank where Rep. Harold Rogers once served as a director provided millions to business owners as the economy cratered under coronavirus, according to a CQ Roll Call review of Paycheck Protection Program loans.
The Citizens National Bank of Somerset, Kentucky, which Rogers became a director of in 1970 and later director emeritus in 1991, provided at least $15 million through PPP to companies that vowed to save thousands of jobs in their communities.
The way the PPP rules were implemented, Rogers’ involvement with the bank does not appear to raise any legal concerns. But it does provide an example of how the program’s administration creates questions regarding businesses associated with lawmakers.
The Kentucky Republican’s spokeswoman, and several of the organizations, said Rogers had no involvement in any loans made by the bank.
Some of those loans went to groups and businesses with which he was familiar. They included a nonprofit Rogers helped found, his hometown church, several corporations that list a campaign donor as president or vice president, and a community association that holds a golf outing on its course in his name. Rogers continues to receive dividends of between $100,001 and $1 million from the stake he owns in the bank’s holding company, Citizens Bancshares, according to his annual financial disclosure.


rollcall--2020-07-23--Role reversal: As Dr. Fauci pitches, Mariano Rivera chats up Trump

While Dr. Anthony Fauci was getting ready to throw out the first pitch of the 2020 Major League Baseball season @ @ @ @ @ in the staff section at a White House news conference on COVID-19 .
The Hall @ @ @ @ @ New York Yankees was looking on as President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of Republican @ @ @ @ @ planned for Jacksonville , Florida .
The ceremonial first pitch from Fauci was wild outside @ @ @ @ @ t keeping baseball players past and present from trying to heed the advice of the @ @ @ @ @ Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
“ When Dr. Fauci says wear a mask @ @ @ @ @ , I listen , ” former MLB star Alex Rodriguez said during the ESPN telecast @ @ @ @ @ the Yankees and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park .
The mood at the ballpark @ @ @ @ @ news that young star outfielder Juan Soto would be out of the lineup for the @ @ @ @ @ because of a positive test for the coronavirus .

While Dr. Anthony Fauci was getting ready to throw out the first pitch of the 2020 Major League Baseball season, Mariano Rivera was sitting in the staff section at a White House news conference on COVID-19.
The Hall of Fame closer for the New York Yankees was looking on as President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of Republican National Convention festivities that were planned for Jacksonville, Florida.
The ceremonial first pitch from Fauci was wild outside, but that isn’t keeping baseball players past and present from trying to heed the advice of the popular director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
“When Dr. Fauci says wear a mask and stay six feet away, I listen,” former MLB star Alex Rodriguez said during the ESPN telecast of the opening game between the Yankees and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.
The mood at the ballpark was undoubtedly affected by the news that young star outfielder Juan Soto would be out of the lineup for the defending World Series champion Nationals because of a positive test for the coronavirus.


rollcall--2020-07-23--John Lewis to lie in state at the Capitol

Rep. John Lewis will lie in state at the Capitol next week , with the public viewing extended over two @ @ @ @ @ allow for social distancing and public health precautions due to COVID-19 , Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ McConnell announced Thursday .
The Georgia Democrat will lie in state at the top of @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Capitol on July 27 and 28 for the viewing .
Lewis , a @ @ @ @ @ on to a career of more than three decades in Congress as a Democrat representing @ @ @ @ @ .
He was 80 years old and was in treatment for pancreatic cancer .
“ @ @ @ @ @ of the public do not travel to Washington , D.C. from across the country to @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Capitol given the COVD-19 pandemic , ” the statement from Pelosi and McConnell reads @ @ @ @ @ will be held Monday at 1:30 p.m .

Rep. John Lewis will lie in state at the Capitol next week, with the public viewing extended over two days and moved outdoors to allow for social distancing and public health precautions due to COVID-19, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday.
The Georgia Democrat will lie in state at the top of the East Front steps of the U.S. Capitol on July 27 and 28 for the viewing.
Lewis, a civil rights icon who went on to a career of more than three decades in Congress as a Democrat representing Atlanta, died July 17. He was 80 years old and was in treatment for pancreatic cancer.
“The family requests that members of the public do not travel to Washington, D.C. from across the country to pay their respects at the U.S. Capitol given the COVD-19 pandemic,” the statement from Pelosi and McConnell reads.
An invitation-only arrival ceremony will be held Monday at 1:30 p.m.


rollcall--2020-07-23--Coronavirus Special Report: COVID-19 bill talks stall

In tonight ’ s episode , Senate leaders have been working to release their version of the next COVID-19 relief @ @ @ @ @ after disagreements among Republicans over certain provisions , and the White House ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ the fine print , killed any hope of text coming out Thursday .
CQ Roll @ @ @ @ @ has the latest on what we know about the bill .
• GOP not yet @ @ @ @ @ relief bill • Ted Yoho is just the tip of the iceberg , AOC says @ @ @ @ @ takes break from coronavirus relief debate to chow down on alligator • Performance venues might @ @ @ @ @ doors remain closed

In tonight’s episode, Senate leaders have been working to release their version of the next COVID-19 relief bill, but talks fizzled after disagreements among Republicans over certain provisions, and the White House’s decision to take time to read the fine print, killed any hope of text coming out Thursday. CQ Roll Call’s Paul Krawzak has the latest on what we know about the bill.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-23--Vulnerable Republicans ask McConnell for ‘clean energy’ help

Several Republican senators in competitive campaigns are calling on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , to include in coronavirus relief legislation provisions to “ bolster jobs and innovation ” in the renewable energy , nuclear , efficiency , carbon-capture and other low-carbon sectors .
In a letter Thursday to McConnell , seven senators , the majority of whom are in tight races , said the coronavirus pandemic has decimated jobs in the “ clean energy sector ” and helping the industry would make financial sense .
“ As we focus on getting the country back to work , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been putting Americans to work faster , and in more places , than the overall economy , before the COVID pandemic hit , ” the letter says .
The letter does not mention a common pitch for the sector : that it would help stave off calamitous climate change .
Sens .
Richard M. Burr , R-N.C. ; Susan Collins , R-Maine ; Cory Gardner , R-Colo. ; Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. ; Martha McSally , R-Ariz. ; Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska ; and Thom Tillis , R-N.C. , signed the letter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their seats , and Collins , Gardner , McSally and Tillis are all in highly competitive campaigns .

Several Republican senators in competitive campaigns are calling on Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to include in coronavirus relief legislation provisions to “bolster jobs and innovation” in the renewable energy, nuclear, efficiency, carbon-capture and other low-carbon sectors.
In a letter Thursday to McConnell, seven senators, the majority of whom are in tight races, said the coronavirus pandemic has decimated jobs in the “clean energy sector” and helping the industry would make financial sense.
“As we focus on getting the country back to work, we must include an industry that had already been putting Americans to work faster, and in more places, than the overall economy, before the COVID pandemic hit,” the letter says. The letter does not mention a common pitch for the sector: that it would help stave off calamitous climate change.
Sens. Richard M. Burr, R-N.C.; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Cory Gardner, R-Colo.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Martha McSally, R-Ariz.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., signed the letter. All but Burr and Murkowski are defending their seats, and Collins, Gardner, McSally and Tillis are all in highly competitive campaigns.
[House sends bipartisan public lands bill to Trump for signature]


rollcall--2020-07-23--Trump COVID-19 test czar defends record, pledges more tests

The United States is conducting 770,000 COVID-19 tests per day and the average national rate of positive tests over the past week is 9.1 percent , a top federal official said Thursday , touting the statistics although public health experts say more urgency is needed as the nation struggles with the highest number of cases worldwide .
“ We are seeing that our public health measures are starting to make a difference and we are making progress , ” said Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services Brett P. Giroir in a call with reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the earliest indicator of a change is the positivity rate .
He noted that the seven-day average of positive cases is starting to trend downward after initially flattening .
Still , public health experts say the percentage of positive tests should be below 5 percent , and in some hot spots the rate is currently in double digits .
“ No one is declaring victory about this , ” said Giroir .
“ We anticipate , and hope and need to continue to work for that in the next couple of weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well.
” The U.S. has about 26 percent of the world 's COVID-19 cases although it has only about 4 percent of global population , according to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center .

The United States is conducting 770,000 COVID-19 tests per day and the average national rate of positive tests over the past week is 9.1 percent, a top federal official said Thursday, touting the statistics although public health experts say more urgency is needed as the nation struggles with the highest number of cases worldwide.
“We are seeing that our public health measures are starting to make a difference and we are making progress,” said Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services Brett P. Giroir in a call with reporters.
Giroir, who oversees testing, said the earliest indicator of a change is the positivity rate. He noted that the seven-day average of positive cases is starting to trend downward after initially flattening. Still, public health experts say the percentage of positive tests should be below 5 percent, and in some hot spots the rate is currently in double digits.
“No one is declaring victory about this,” said Giroir. “We anticipate, and hope and need to continue to work for that in the next couple of weeks, our death rate will come down as well.”
The U.S. has about 26 percent of the world's COVID-19 cases although it has only about 4 percent of global population, according to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center.


rollcall--2020-07-23--Performance venues might get pandemic aid as their doors remain closed

Local venues unable to host sweaty standing room-only crowds as the country attempts to socially distance may get some extra financial aid until they can welcome back concertgoers and other live audiences .
Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , and Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , want to create a $ 10 billion grant program to help buoy independent live venue operators who are struggling to pay bills while the pandemic keeps them from holding concerts .
Their definition of venue could also include comedy shows and venues that host theatrical productions .
The program , dubbed the “ Save Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of financial support in the form of grants so venues can pay employees and expenses , a release from the senators said .
As the pandemic gripped the U.S. , live venues were “ the first to close , and we ’ ll be the last to reopen , ” said Audrey Fix Schaefer , the communications director for local Washington venue operator I.M.P.
, parent company of such venerable spots as the 9:30 Club and the Anthem .
Schaefer is also the communications director for the newly formed National Independent Venue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a future coronavirus aid relief bill because of the deep pain the pandemic has inflicted on the industry .
GOP senators are preparing to put forward a $ 1 trillion-plus coronavirus relief package as a series of bills , though it ’ s not clear exactly when the bills will be unveiled .

Local venues unable to host sweaty standing room-only crowds as the country attempts to socially distance may get some extra financial aid until they can welcome back concertgoers and other live audiences.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., want to create a $10 billion grant program to help buoy independent live venue operators who are struggling to pay bills while the pandemic keeps them from holding concerts. Their definition of venue could also include comedy shows and venues that host theatrical productions. The program, dubbed the “Save Our Stages Act,” would provide six months of financial support in the form of grants so venues can pay employees and expenses, a release from the senators said.
As the pandemic gripped the U.S., live venues were “the first to close, and we’ll be the last to reopen,” said Audrey Fix Schaefer, the communications director for local Washington venue operator I.M.P., parent company of such venerable spots as the 9:30 Club and the Anthem.
Schaefer is also the communications director for the newly formed National Independent Venue Association, which advocated for assistance in a future coronavirus aid relief bill because of the deep pain the pandemic has inflicted on the industry.
GOP senators are preparing to put forward a $1 trillion-plus coronavirus relief package as a series of bills, though it’s not clear exactly when the bills will be unveiled.


rollcall--2020-07-23--Merkley bill would stop airlines’ sale of middle seats

Add Sen. Jeff Merkley , D-Ore. , to the growing list of lawmakers who are fighting airlines ’ decision to @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
Merkley on Thursday introduced a bill that would ban the sale of @ @ @ @ @ seats during the pandemic and require face masks on planes for the duration of the @ @ @ @ @ spurred to do so after boarding a crowded American Airlines flight July 2 .
The @ @ @ @ @ Merkley tweeted a picture of himself , looking frustrated in a packed plane .
“ @ @ @ @ @ Americans will die bc you fill middle seats , w/your customers shoulder to shoulder , @ @ @ @ @ he tweeted .
“ This is incredibly irresponsible .
People eat & drink on planes @ @ @ @ @ to do so .
No way you aren ’ t facilitating spread of COVID infections.
@ @ @ @ @ announcing the bill ’ s introduction , Merkley said it was “ incredibly irresponsible ” @ @ @ @ @ to capacity .

Add Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., to the growing list of lawmakers who are fighting airlines’ decision to sell middle seats during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Merkley on Thursday introduced a bill that would ban the sale of middle or otherwise adjacent airline seats during the pandemic and require face masks on planes for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.
He was spurred to do so after boarding a crowded American Airlines flight July 2. The flight was crowded enough that Merkley tweeted a picture of himself, looking frustrated in a packed plane.
“@AmericanAir: how many Americans will die bc you fill middle seats, w/your customers shoulder to shoulder, hour after hour,” he tweeted. “This is incredibly irresponsible. People eat & drink on planes & must take off masks to do so. No way you aren’t facilitating spread of COVID infections.”
In a news release announcing the bill’s introduction, Merkley said it was “incredibly irresponsible” for airlines to fill planes to capacity.


rollcall--2020-07-23--GOP not yet ready to roll out coronavirus relief bill

Senate Republicans delayed the release of their coronavirus relief package Thursday as they struggled to resolve policy disputes and iron out details of the trillion-dollar initiative .
While Senate leaders had hoped to unveil their measure this week , lawmakers said late Thursday that the series of bills they are drafting would require more time and won ’ t be released until Monday at the earliest .
Speaking on the Senate floor , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said late afternoon Thursday that they had an `` agreement in principle '' with the White House , but administration officials asked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of bills would be introduced `` early next week , '' McConnell said .
“ Sometimes these things take a lot longer to get the word right or the phrase right , ” James Lankford , R-Okla. , told reporters earlier .
And the attempt to respond to an ever-evolving pandemic means there is no legislative playbook to use as a guide .
“ You ’ re writing from scratch and that complicates a lot of things , ” he said .
At a Senate GOP lunch , talk focused more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the status of the aid package , according to participants .
`` The timeline has been pushed back , '' said Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla .

Senate Republicans delayed the release of their coronavirus relief package Thursday as they struggled to resolve policy disputes and iron out details of the trillion-dollar initiative.
While Senate leaders had hoped to unveil their measure this week, lawmakers said late Thursday that the series of bills they are drafting would require more time and won’t be released until Monday at the earliest.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said late afternoon Thursday that they had an "agreement in principle" with the White House, but administration officials asked for more time to review details. A series of bills would be introduced "early next week," McConnell said.
“Sometimes these things take a lot longer to get the word right or the phrase right,” James Lankford, R-Okla., told reporters earlier. And the attempt to respond to an ever-evolving pandemic means there is no legislative playbook to use as a guide. “You’re writing from scratch and that complicates a lot of things,” he said.
At a Senate GOP lunch, talk focused more on the alligator sausage lawmakers were served than the status of the aid package, according to participants. "The timeline has been pushed back," said Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.


rollcall--2020-07-23--Remembering John Lewis, in his own words

It can be difficult to memorialize people who are larger than life .
Since Rep. John Lewis died on July @ @ @ @ @ invoked his name and honored him in floor speeches , news conferences and personal conversations @ @ @ @ @ ’ s own words , spanning from such cultural touchstones as the 1963 March on @ @ @ @ @ , also serve as a fitting memorial .
Lewis , who was first elected to @ @ @ @ @ 1986 , had already secured a place in history before coming to Capitol Hill .
@ @ @ @ @ civil rights era , he led the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee , was a Freedom @ @ @ @ @ 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom , and was nearly beaten to death @ @ @ @ @ Pettus Bridge in Selma , Alabama , where he was leading marchers to the state @ @ @ @ @ his long career in public service , from the Carter administration to the halls of @ @ @ @ @ fighting injustice wherever he saw it .

It can be difficult to memorialize people who are larger than life. Since Rep. John Lewis died on July 17, his colleagues have invoked his name and honored him in floor speeches, news conferences and personal conversations. But the Georgia Democrat’s own words, spanning from such cultural touchstones as the 1963 March on Washington to more private gatherings, also serve as a fitting memorial.
Lewis, who was first elected to represent the Atlanta area in 1986, had already secured a place in history before coming to Capitol Hill.
A seminal figure in the civil rights era, he led the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, was a Freedom Rider, spoke at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and was nearly beaten to death in 1965 at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where he was leading marchers to the state Capitol in Montgomery.
During his long career in public service, from the Carter administration to the halls of Congress, he never stopped fighting injustice wherever he saw it.


rollcall--2020-07-23--Gator done: GOP takes break from coronavirus relief debate to chow down on alligator

Republicans took a break from their deliberations over a new round of coronavirus relief spending to snack on a Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s very tasty and will make you very regular , ” @ @ @ @ @ Hill pool reporters after hosting the GOP lunch .
At least senators running away from @ @ @ @ @ will have a decent excuse now .
Instead of reaching for their cellphones to pretend @ @ @ @ @ they can just say they had a fresh batch of gator sausage and don ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
The menu also featured crab bisque , and bell peppers stuffed with beef and @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana Republican .
He said the food was provided by a small seafood market and @ @ @ @ @ .
As intraparty tension grows over how to prioritize spending in a new round of @ @ @ @ @ the lunch was a “ nice break in the action ” and that “ I @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch ] McConnell smile .
”

Republicans took a break from their deliberations over a new round of coronavirus relief spending to snack on a Louisiana bayou delicacy: alligator sausage.
“It’s very tasty and will make you very regular,” Sen. John Kennedy told Capitol Hill pool reporters after hosting the GOP lunch.
At least senators running away from reporters in the Capitol basement will have a decent excuse now. Instead of reaching for their cellphones to pretend to take a call, they can just say they had a fresh batch of gator sausage and don’t have time to linger.
The menu also featured crab bisque, and bell peppers stuffed with beef and shrimp, according to the Louisiana Republican. He said the food was provided by a small seafood market and eatery called Lama’s.
As intraparty tension grows over how to prioritize spending in a new round of coronavirus relief, Kennedy said the lunch was a “nice break in the action” and that “I think I saw [Majority Leader Mitch] McConnell smile.”


rollcall--2020-07-24--USCIS postpones plans to furlough 13,400 employees, for now

U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Friday it would postpone for a month its plans to furlough more than 13,000 employees , giving Congress more time to act on the agency ’ s $ 1.2 billion emergency funding request .
“ Recent assurances from Congress , and an uptick in application and petition receipts , have allowed USCIS senior leadership the flexibility to responsibly delay the start date of the administrative furlough of approximately 13,400 USCIS employees until Aug. 30 , ” agency spokeswoman Jessica Collins said .
The fee-funded Homeland Security agency , responsible for allocating immigration benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress in May because of a projected budget shortfall .
Without the funds , the agency said , it would need to furlough about two-thirds of its 20,000 employees by Aug. 3 .
“ USCIS ’ funding request of $ 1.2 billion remains unchanged and the agency is depending on Congress to provide emergency funding to ensure agency operations continue uninterrupted , ” Collins said .
Michael Knowles , president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 1924 , which represents USCIS employees in the nation ’ s capital , applauded the reprieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the agency ’ s funding request .

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Friday it would postpone for a month its plans to furlough more than 13,000 employees, giving Congress more time to act on the agency’s $1.2 billion emergency funding request.
“Recent assurances from Congress, and an uptick in application and petition receipts, have allowed USCIS senior leadership the flexibility to responsibly delay the start date of the administrative furlough of approximately 13,400 USCIS employees until Aug. 30,” agency spokeswoman Jessica Collins said.
The fee-funded Homeland Security agency, responsible for allocating immigration benefits and visas, sought emergency funding from Congress in May because of a projected budget shortfall. Without the funds, the agency said, it would need to furlough about two-thirds of its 20,000 employees by Aug. 3.
“USCIS’ funding request of $1.2 billion remains unchanged and the agency is depending on Congress to provide emergency funding to ensure agency operations continue uninterrupted,” Collins said.
Michael Knowles, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 1924, which represents USCIS employees in the nation’s capital, applauded the reprieve but called on Congress to come through with the agency’s funding request.


rollcall--2020-07-24--Cities, advocates sue Trump to block census immigrant memo

President Donald Trump ’ s attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from census figures that will be used to determine congressional apportionment has been challenged in federal court — the first of what experts believe could be many legal battles for the administration ’ s order .
The watchdog group Common Cause , along with the cities of Atlanta and Paterson , New Jersey , and other plaintiffs , filed a lawsuit Thursday in District of Columbia federal court , arguing that Trump ’ s effort “ flouts the plain language of the constitution ” and tries to do with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other groups have also said they plan to challenge Trump ’ s memo , which he issued Tuesday .
“ The President is not free to substitute his own personal judgment for those that have already been made by the Congress that enacted [ apportionment law ] and by the framers and ratifiers of [ the constitution ] and the Fourteenth Amendment , ” the lawsuit said .
Trump ’ s memo would exclude undocumented immigrants from the process of divvying up the 435 House seats among the states .
Census results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business decisions and guiding more than $ 1.5 trillion in government spending each year .
Trump , who has emphasized divisive immigration policy throughout his political career , said undocumented immigrants should not be included in the apportionment totals .

President Donald Trump’s attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from census figures that will be used to determine congressional apportionment has been challenged in federal court — the first of what experts believe could be many legal battles for the administration’s order.
The watchdog group Common Cause, along with the cities of Atlanta and Paterson, New Jersey, and other plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit Thursday in District of Columbia federal court, arguing that Trump’s effort “flouts the plain language of the constitution” and tries to do with a memorandum what should take a constitutional amendment. Other groups have also said they plan to challenge Trump’s memo, which he issued Tuesday.
“The President is not free to substitute his own personal judgment for those that have already been made by the Congress that enacted [apportionment law] and by the framers and ratifiers of [the constitution] and the Fourteenth Amendment,” the lawsuit said.
Trump’s memo would exclude undocumented immigrants from the process of divvying up the 435 House seats among the states. Census results are also used for legislative mapmaking, business decisions and guiding more than $1.5 trillion in government spending each year.
Trump, who has emphasized divisive immigration policy throughout his political career, said undocumented immigrants should not be included in the apportionment totals.


rollcall--2020-07-24--Lawmakers question DHS crackdown tactics in protest cities

The military tactics utilized by Homeland Security officers to control protesters in Portland , Oregon , and other cities are being decried by congressional lawmakers and investigated by federal watchdogs .
But some legal experts who have long tracked how the department fulfills its immigration policies say the tactics shouldn ’ t come as a surprise .
They also said some of the moves may be perfectly legal .
The most recent controversy over federally deployed tactical officers started after DHS responded to Portland protests over police brutality by sending agents from Customs and Border Protection , Border Patrol Tactical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
They joined agents on the ground from the Justice Department ’ s U.S .
Marshals Service .
Videos soon surfaced of unidentified federal agents using clubs and firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protestors , many of whom were whisked away in unmarked vehicles .
On Thursday , the inspectors general of the Justice and Homeland Security departments announced they would work together to launch investigations into how the government responded to the protests in Portland and those outside the White House last month .
The investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a trio of House committees who have criticized recent “ use of violent force ” by federal authorities .

The military tactics utilized by Homeland Security officers to control protesters in Portland, Oregon, and other cities are being decried by congressional lawmakers and investigated by federal watchdogs.
But some legal experts who have long tracked how the department fulfills its immigration policies say the tactics shouldn’t come as a surprise. They also said some of the moves may be perfectly legal.
The most recent controversy over federally deployed tactical officers started after DHS responded to Portland protests over police brutality by sending agents from Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol Tactical Unit, Federal Protective Service, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They joined agents on the ground from the Justice Department’s U.S. Marshals Service.
Videos soon surfaced of unidentified federal agents using clubs and firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protestors, many of whom were whisked away in unmarked vehicles. On Thursday, the inspectors general of the Justice and Homeland Security departments announced they would work together to launch investigations into how the government responded to the protests in Portland and those outside the White House last month.
The investigations stem from requests made by the leaders of a trio of House committees who have criticized recent “use of violent force” by federal authorities.


rollcall--2020-07-24--CDC: Schools near uncontrolled virus spread may want to close

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield says communities need to take steps to minimize the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 so that schools can reopen this fall .
“ We need communities to adopt the actions to slow the spread of COVID now , ” Redfield said Friday on a call with reporters .
“ We owe it to our nation ’ s children to take personal responsibility , do everything we can to lower the levels of COVID-19 so they can go back to school safely.
” Redfield ’ s comments come after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for schools considering how to reopen .
The guidance was compiled by several agencies , including the CDC , Department of Education and Department of Labor , and was reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget , as inter-agency guidelines typically are , Redfield said .
A CDC statement discusses the “ importance ” of reopening schools , noting that school-age children are less likely to get sick from the virus and death rates in that age group are far lower than among adults .
It says students could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if schools remain closed .
The writing of that memo was led by the Department of Health and Human Services , with input from the CDC and agencies , including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , Redfield said .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield says communities need to take steps to minimize the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 so that schools can reopen this fall.
“We need communities to adopt the actions to slow the spread of COVID now,” Redfield said Friday on a call with reporters. “We owe it to our nation’s children to take personal responsibility, do everything we can to lower the levels of COVID-19 so they can go back to school safely.”
Redfield’s comments come after the CDC late Thursday released its updated guidance for schools considering how to reopen. The guidance was compiled by several agencies, including the CDC, Department of Education and Department of Labor, and was reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, as inter-agency guidelines typically are, Redfield said.
A CDC statement discusses the “importance” of reopening schools, noting that school-age children are less likely to get sick from the virus and death rates in that age group are far lower than among adults. It says students could be set back in many areas of life if schools remain closed.
The writing of that memo was led by the Department of Health and Human Services, with input from the CDC and agencies, including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Redfield said.


rollcall--2020-07-24--House sends four spending bills to Senate, defying Trump veto threat

The House passed its first batch of appropriations bills Friday after a truncated process with big batches of en bloc amendment votes , foreshadowing a similar whirlwind of activity on the floor next week when the chamber takes up a massive seven-bill bundle .
The House voted 224-189 to approve a $ 259.5 billion four-bill measure consisting of the Agriculture , Interior-Environment , Military Construction-VA and State-Foreign Operations bills .
The package includes $ 37.5 billion in emergency spending that Republicans and the White House contend busts the budget caps deal reached last summer and contains numerous policy riders they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 13-page White House veto threat delivered Thursday took issue with provisions that would , among others : • Overturn a Trump administration ban on funds for overseas groups that perform or promote abortions .
• Prevent the administration from shuttering Peace Corps activities in China .
• Require the National Park Service to take down plaques , statues and other items commemorating the Confederacy , and rename military bases named for Confederate soldiers .
• Block the White House from shifting funds from military construction projects to President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead of building consensus with members on our side of the aisle , these bills contain policy and funding proposals that appear to have been dictated from the top down , ” House Appropriations ranking member Kay Granger , R-Texas , said Thursday during floor debate .

The House passed its first batch of appropriations bills Friday after a truncated process with big batches of en bloc amendment votes, foreshadowing a similar whirlwind of activity on the floor next week when the chamber takes up a massive seven-bill bundle.
The House voted 224-189 to approve a $259.5 billion four-bill measure consisting of the Agriculture, Interior-Environment, Military Construction-VA and State-Foreign Operations bills. The package includes $37.5 billion in emergency spending that Republicans and the White House contend busts the budget caps deal reached last summer and contains numerous policy riders they labeled “poison pills.”
For example, the 13-page White House veto threat delivered Thursday took issue with provisions that would, among others:
Overturn a Trump administration ban on funds for overseas groups that perform or promote abortions.
Prevent the administration from shuttering Peace Corps activities in China.
Block food stamp restrictions for able-bodied adults without children.
Require the National Park Service to take down plaques, statues and other items commemorating the Confederacy, and rename military bases named for Confederate soldiers.
Block the White House from shifting funds from military construction projects to President Donald Trump’s prized border wall project.
“Instead of building consensus with members on our side of the aisle, these bills contain policy and funding proposals that appear to have been dictated from the top down,” House Appropriations ranking member Kay Granger, R-Texas, said Thursday during floor debate.


rollcall--2020-07-24--Nonapologies, the ghost of Schumer, and Fauci’s first pitch: Congressional Hits and Misses

Note : This video contains derogatory and profane terms .
It was a busy , chaotic week in Congress , @ @ @ @ @ disembodied voices and , at last , the return of the Washington baseball team .
@ @ @ @ @ bizarrely zoomed-in House camera , a decade-off birthday greeting and the introduction of the White @ @ @ @ @ : person , woman , man , camera , TV .
[ Also watch : @ @ @ @ @ in space ? ]

Note: This video contains derogatory and profane terms.
It was a busy, chaotic week in Congress, punctuated by offensive language, disembodied voices and, at last, the return of the Washington baseball team.
All that, plus a bizarrely zoomed-in House camera, a decade-off birthday greeting and the introduction of the White House’s newest mantra: person, woman, man, camera, TV.
[Also watch: Why are there no rules in space? ]


rollcall--2020-07-24--As eviction bans end, renters and landlords urge fiscal help

Sen. Sherrod Brown took to the Senate floor Thursday afternoon to warn of an imminent peril to millions of the nation ’ s renters : the end of an eviction moratorium on Friday that covers 12 million households .
“ Right now , millions of Americans are in danger of losing their homes , ” the Ohio Democrat said , urging Republicans to pass a bill to extend the eviction ban eight months and expand it to cover all renters , not just those in apartments with federally backed mortgages .
“ This problem isn ’ t some distant cliff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 eviction moratorium was enacted as part of March ’ s roughly $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief bill , but as the COVID-19 pandemic resurges , unemployment insurance and other direct financial aid may be even more important for renters struggling to make their monthly payments .
If landlords stop getting paid , it could spread the economic harm already being wrought by the coronavirus , warned Cindy Chetti , senior vice president of government affairs at the National Multifamily Housing Council .
“ We 're very much concerned about a domino effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is today a serious health and financial crisis could ultimately turn into a housing crisis if we do n't continue to have those kinds of direct payments and benefits for our residents , so owners and operators can also pay their bills .
”

Sen. Sherrod Brown took to the Senate floor Thursday afternoon to warn of an imminent peril to millions of the nation’s renters: the end of an eviction moratorium on Friday that covers 12 million households.
“Right now, millions of Americans are in danger of losing their homes,” the Ohio Democrat said, urging Republicans to pass a bill to extend the eviction ban eight months and expand it to cover all renters, not just those in apartments with federally backed mortgages. “This problem isn’t some distant cliff. This starts tomorrow.”
The July 24 eviction moratorium was enacted as part of March’s roughly $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill, but as the COVID-19 pandemic resurges, unemployment insurance and other direct financial aid may be even more important for renters struggling to make their monthly payments.
If landlords stop getting paid, it could spread the economic harm already being wrought by the coronavirus, warned Cindy Chetti, senior vice president of government affairs at the National Multifamily Housing Council.
“We're very much concerned about a domino effect,” she said. “What is today a serious health and financial crisis could ultimately turn into a housing crisis if we don't continue to have those kinds of direct payments and benefits for our residents, so owners and operators can also pay their bills.”


rollcall--2020-07-24--Photos of the week: House and Senate work on virus aid

For the first time in weeks , the Senate and the House were in session at the same time .
@ @ @ @ @ ending July 24 in the Capitol looked like through the eyes of CQ Roll Call @ @

Bill Clark, Tom Williams, and Caroline Brehman

For the first time in weeks, the Senate and the House were in session at the same time. Here is what the week ending July 24 in the Capitol looked like through the eyes of CQ Roll Call photojournalists.
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden stands in the Ohio Clock Corridor on Tuesday during a vote in the Senate. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
From left, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Alabama Sen. Richard C. Shelby, and Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander talk Tuesday as their meeting on COVID-19 aid breaks up in the Capitol. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner, left, greets Texas Sen. John Cornyn during a committee hearing on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham disembarks from the Senate subway Wednesday on his way to a vote in the Capitol. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema departs from the Senate floor Wednesday after a vote in the Capitol. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Demonstrators rally Wednesday near the Capitol Hill residence of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to call for an extension of unemployment benefits. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
McConnell boards an elevator in the Capitol on Wednesday after attending the Senate GOP lunch. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Graham conducts a Senate Judiciary hearing Wednesday on protecting the integrity of collegiate athletics. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, joined by other House Democrats, holds the enrollment ceremony for public lands legislation on the Capitol's West Terrace on Thursday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Meadows, right, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speak to reporters Thursday as they leave a coronavirus aid meeting with McConnell. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Pelosi throw their fists in the air during a news conference Thursday when asked about baseball’s opening day. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-07-24--Campus Notebook: COVID-19 keeps hitting Capitol community

“ Gary was the consummate professional and a true public servant in every sense of the word .
He touched @ @ @ @ @ loved and respected by those who knew him .
I will never forget his uplifting @ @ @ @ @ and sheer joy at helping others .
Sandy and I offer our deepest sympathies to @ @ @ @ @ family .
He will be missed greatly.
” There are at least 81 front-line workers @ @ @ @ @ have tested positive — or are presumed positive— for the novel coronavirus , as of @ @ @ @ @ Ashley Phelps , communications director for House Administration Committee Republicans .
That number marks an @ @ @ @ @ June 19 .

“Gary was the consummate professional and a true public servant in every sense of the word. He touched so many lives and was loved and respected by those who knew him. I will never forget his uplifting spirit, sense of humor and sheer joy at helping others. Sandy and I offer our deepest sympathies to his wife, Valerie and family. He will be missed greatly.”
COVID-19 cases increasing on Capitol Hill
There are at least 81 front-line workers in the Capitol complex who have tested positive — or are presumed positive— for the novel coronavirus, as of July 21, according to Ashley Phelps, communications director for House Administration Committee Republicans.
That number marks an increase of 15 cases since June 19.


rollcall--2020-07-27--Senate GOP unveils coronavirus relief package; formal negotiations begin

Senate Republicans unveiled their plan Monday for a roughly $ 1 trillion coronavirus aid package that would provide a less @ @ @ @ @ than current law but offer another round of tax rebate checks and expanded employment tax @ @ @ @ @ intensive talks with the Trump administration that delayed a planned release last week , Senate @ @ @ @ @ legislation that will serve as the GOP ’ s opening bid in negotiations with Democrats @ @ @ @ @ get a final deal passed by the end of next week , before the scheduled @ @ @ @ @ American people need more help , ” McConnell said on the Senate floor in introducing @ @ @ @ @ need it to be comprehensive .
And they need it to be carefully tailored to @ @ @ @ @ .
Most Americans would get a second direct cash payment of up to $ 1,200 @ @ @ @ @ amount beginning to phase out when annual incomes exceed about $ 75,000 for single filers @ @ @ @ @ couples .
It would also provide $ 500 per dependent of any age .

Senate Republicans unveiled their plan Monday for a roughly $1 trillion coronavirus aid package that would provide a less generous extension of unemployment benefits than current law but offer another round of tax rebate checks and expanded employment tax credits.
After days of intensive talks with the Trump administration that delayed a planned release last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell outlined legislation that will serve as the GOP’s opening bid in negotiations with Democrats. Leaders are hoping to get a final deal passed by the end of next week, before the scheduled August recess.
“The American people need more help,” McConnell said on the Senate floor in introducing the plan. “They need it to be comprehensive. And they need it to be carefully tailored to this crossroads.”
Major elements of the package include:
Tax rebates. Most Americans would get a second direct cash payment of up to $1,200 per adult, with the amount beginning to phase out when annual incomes exceed about $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for married couples. It would also provide $500 per dependent of any age.


rollcall--2020-07-27--Pelosi yields the floor to Lewis one last time

In a speech eulogizing the late civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis , Speaker Nancy Pelosi yielded the floor for @ @ @ @ @ Georgia Democrat .
A recording of Lewis ’ voice echoed in the Rotunda , urging @ @ @ @ @ good trouble ” once again .
See the video for Pelosi ’ s full remarks @ @ @ @ @ Monday .

In a speech eulogizing the late civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis, Speaker Nancy Pelosi yielded the floor for the last time to the Georgia Democrat.
A recording of Lewis’ voice echoed in the Rotunda, urging others to get into “good trouble” once again.
See the video for Pelosi’s full remarks at the Rotunda memorial service Monday.


rollcall--2020-07-27--Road ahead: Congress rushing on coronavirus relief but pausing to honor John Lewis

The House has no votes set for Tuesday , but there will be major action at its Judiciary Committee , with Attorney General William Barr finally showing up for an oversight hearing Democrats wanted to have months ago .
There are many topics Democrats want to grill Barr about but atop the list are actions they say show Barr is misusing the Justice Department to support President Donald Trump ’ s reelection and personal interests .
That includes Barr ’ s role in federal officers using tear gas to disperse protesters at Lafayette Park near the White House ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bible ; the administration ’ s expanding use of federal officers in cities such as Portland , Oregon ; and criticisms about how Barr removed the federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York , where there are investigations that might affect Trump and his associates .
Barr also has a federal prosecutor investigating the origins of the DOJ ’ s Russia investigation and hinted that FBI officials might face charges ahead of the fall election .
He could face questions about that , as well as the department ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security adviser Michael Flynn and to seek a reduced sentence for Trump ally Roger Stone for convictions that include lying to Congress about investigations focused on the president .
When the House comes back into legislative session Wednesday , it will vote on two bills to help with child care during the pandemic .
One would provide $ 50 billion in child care block grants to states to help subsidize care for low-income families .
The other would provide $ 10 billion in grants to renovate child care facilities , $ 850 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ essential ” workers and an estimated $ 77 billion over a decade for child care funding administered by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program .
It would also provide about $ 91 billion over a decade in tax benefits .

The House has no votes set for Tuesday, but there will be major action at its Judiciary Committee, with Attorney General William Barr finally showing up for an oversight hearing Democrats wanted to have months ago.
There are many topics Democrats want to grill Barr about but atop the list are actions they say show Barr is misusing the Justice Department to support President Donald Trump’s reelection and personal interests. That includes Barr’s role in federal officers using tear gas to disperse protesters at Lafayette Park near the White House ahead of a Trump photo op while holding a Bible; the administration’s expanding use of federal officers in cities such as Portland, Oregon; and criticisms about how Barr removed the federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, where there are investigations that might affect Trump and his associates.
Barr also has a federal prosecutor investigating the origins of the DOJ’s Russia investigation and hinted that FBI officials might face charges ahead of the fall election. He could face questions about that, as well as the department’s decision to drop the prosecution of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and to seek a reduced sentence for Trump ally Roger Stone for convictions that include lying to Congress about investigations focused on the president.
Child care help
When the House comes back into legislative session Wednesday, it will vote on two bills to help with child care during the pandemic.
One would provide $50 billion in child care block grants to states to help subsidize care for low-income families. The other would provide $10 billion in grants to renovate child care facilities, $850 million to help with caring for children of “essential” workers and an estimated $77 billion over a decade for child care funding administered by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. It would also provide about $91 billion over a decade in tax benefits.


rollcall--2020-07-27--Congress pays respects to ‘revered and beloved’ John Lewis in a Rotunda memorial service like no oth

Congress pays respects to ‘revered and beloved’ John Lewis in a Rotunda memorial service like no other

The late civil rights icon and Georgia Rep. John Lewis was honored at a bipartisan and bicameral ceremony Monday as @ @ @ @ @ seating in the Capitol Rotunda to remember their colleague and friend .
Lewis ’ American @ @ @ @ @ Statuary Hall and placed on the Lincoln catafalque , the same platform built and used @ @ @ @ @ Lincoln after the 16th president was assassinated in 1865 .
Many lawmakers , especially members @ @ @ @ @ , donned black cloth masks with one of Lewis ’ favorite phrases for civil disobedience @ @ @ @ @ , “ Good Trouble.
” Lewis , who served more than three decades in Congress @ @ @ @ @ , died July 17 .
He was 80 years old and was in treatment for @ @ @ @ @ were in place Monday nearly an hour before Lewis ’ casket arrived and the ceremony @ @ @ @ @ for greetings , group photos and selfies .
Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt was recruited @ @ @ @ @ of a large cohort of Black lawmakers .

The late civil rights icon and Georgia Rep. John Lewis was honored at a bipartisan and bicameral ceremony Monday as lawmakers gathered in socially distant seating in the Capitol Rotunda to remember their colleague and friend.
Lewis’ American flag-draped casket was brought into Statuary Hall and placed on the Lincoln catafalque, the same platform built and used during the funeral of Abraham Lincoln after the 16th president was assassinated in 1865.
Many lawmakers, especially members of the Congressional Black Caucus, donned black cloth masks with one of Lewis’ favorite phrases for civil disobedience and fighting systems of injustice, “Good Trouble.”
Lewis, who served more than three decades in Congress as a Democrat representing Atlanta, died July 17. He was 80 years old and was in treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Many lawmakers were in place Monday nearly an hour before Lewis’ casket arrived and the ceremony got underway, leaving time for greetings, group photos and selfies. Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt was recruited to take a group photo of a large cohort of Black lawmakers.


rollcall--2020-07-27--House Judiciary Democrats set to grill Attorney General Barr

Corrected , 5:30 p.m. | Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have wanted to question Attorney General William Barr at an oversight hearing for more than a year , so they have a dizzying list of controversial topics for what promises to be a highly watched showdown Tuesday .
It will be Barr ’ s first public testimony before a committee that has some of President Donald Trump ’ s most outspoken critics , at a time when the nation ’ s focus increasingly turns to the presidential election less than 100 days away .
Until now , House Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to force Barr ’ s compliance with congressional oversight demands .
The House already found Barr in contempt of Congress last year in connection with stonewalling oversight attempts .
Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York filed legislation ( HR 7109 ) to defund Barr ’ s personal office by $ 50 million in June for defiance of Congress , and committee members have called for Barr ’ s impeachment or the use of Congress ’ inherent contempt power to fine officials .
Last month , the Judiciary Committee spent a hearing focusing on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he is the only attorney general in modern times to have never testified before the committee — but that is set to change Tuesday .

Corrected, 5:30 p.m. | Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have wanted to question Attorney General William Barr at an oversight hearing for more than a year, so they have a dizzying list of controversial topics for what promises to be a highly watched showdown Tuesday.
It will be Barr’s first public testimony before a committee that has some of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics, at a time when the nation’s focus increasingly turns to the presidential election less than 100 days away.
Until now, House Democrats have been increasingly frustrated in any effort to force Barr’s compliance with congressional oversight demands. The House already found Barr in contempt of Congress last year in connection with stonewalling oversight attempts.
Chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York filed legislation (HR 7109) to defund Barr’s personal office by $50 million in June for defiance of Congress, and committee members have called for Barr’s impeachment or the use of Congress’ inherent contempt power to fine officials.
Last month, the Judiciary Committee spent a hearing focusing on Barr’s actions. Right now, he is the only attorney general in modern times to have never testified before the committee — but that is set to change Tuesday.


rollcall--2020-07-27--Health officials: Results from COVID-19 vaccine trial may be ready by November

An experimental COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the National Institutes of Health and biotech company Moderna , Inc. , might have results by November or sooner , the federal government ’ s top infectious disease scientist , Anthony Fauci , said Monday .
The public-private partnership to develop the vaccine moved into a crucial new stage Monday with the start of a Phase 3 clinical trial that aims to enroll 30,000 people around the United States .
Three more potential vaccines that are also part of the administration ’ s “ Operation Warp Speed ” effort also may soon enter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to NIH Director Francis Collins .
Those vaccines are being developed by AstraZeneca , Johnson & Johnson , and Novavax , respectively .
The fact that the number of coronavirus infections continues to rise in the U.S. could make it potentially easier to detect whether the vaccine is effective , which is why NIH leaders expressed optimism that research will yield results by year ’ s end .
Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease , said the goal is for the vaccine to reduce the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone will be able to get the vaccine immediately .
But Moderna chief executive Stéphane Bancel said if the vaccine proves safe and effective , and the Food and Drug Administration subsequently authorizes or approves it , the company would be able to produce 500 million doses and potentially up to a billion doses during its 2021 fiscal year , starting early next year .

An experimental COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the National Institutes of Health and biotech company Moderna, Inc., might have results by November or sooner, the federal government’s top infectious disease scientist, Anthony Fauci, said Monday.
The public-private partnership to develop the vaccine moved into a crucial new stage Monday with the start of a Phase 3 clinical trial that aims to enroll 30,000 people around the United States.
Three more potential vaccines that are also part of the administration’s “Operation Warp Speed” effort also may soon enter the final phase of testing, according to NIH Director Francis Collins. Those vaccines are being developed by AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Novavax, respectively.
The fact that the number of coronavirus infections continues to rise in the U.S. could make it potentially easier to detect whether the vaccine is effective, which is why NIH leaders expressed optimism that research will yield results by year’s end. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said the goal is for the vaccine to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection by 60 percent.
Not everyone will be able to get the vaccine immediately. But Moderna chief executive Stéphane Bancel said if the vaccine proves safe and effective, and the Food and Drug Administration subsequently authorizes or approves it, the company would be able to produce 500 million doses and potentially up to a billion doses during its 2021 fiscal year, starting early next year.


rollcall--2020-07-27--What to know as Congress honors John Lewis amid a pandemic

The ceremonies honoring Rep. John Lewis shift from Alabama to Capitol Hill Monday , though the ceremonies will take an @ @ @ @ @ ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
En route to the Capitol , the Lewis funeral procession is @ @ @ @ @ National Mall near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial .
Following @ @ @ @ @ D.C. , Lewis will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda , with a ceremony @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , will lead off the Capitol portion of the @ @ @ @ @ , the senior pastor of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in nearby Fort Washington , @ @ @ @ @ invocation , with remarks by both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and @ @

The ceremonies honoring Rep. John Lewis shift from Alabama to Capitol Hill Monday, though the ceremonies will take an unusual form because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
En route to the Capitol, the Lewis funeral procession is scheduled to pass alongside the National Mall near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.
Following the processional across Washington, D.C., Lewis will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda, with a ceremony featuring dignitaries scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will lead off the Capitol portion of the program.
Grainger Browning Jr., the senior pastor of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in nearby Fort Washington, Md., will offer the invocation, with remarks by both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Pelosi.


rollcall--2020-07-27--Republicans look to virus relief to avert economic and electoral disaster

ANALYSIS — This month , key virus relief programs that have kept millions out of poverty and propped up the U.S. economy expire .
Yet , Republicans and Democrats remain miles apart on whether they should continue or , if not , what should replace them .
Common sense says Congress must do something .
There are still 18 million Americans out of work .
The Labor Department for 18 straight weeks has reported new jobless claims of at least 1 million .
A Census survey this month found 12 million said they missed their July rent payment , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August ’ s .
The food stamp rolls have grown by 17 percent , or by 6 million people , since the coronavirus and state lockdowns crippled the economy in March .
But the politics have shifted since Congress passed the roughly $ 2 trillion CARES Act in March .
The election is now almost three months away .
The CARES Act provision offering an extra $ 600 in weekly unemployment benefits to the laid off , as well as to self-employed workers who ’ ve lost income , goes away at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eviction moratorium in the law ended on July 24 .
The CARES Act passed quickly , with near unanimity .
Don ’ t expect it to be so easy this time .
Democrats sense political advantage .
CQ Roll Call ’ s Capitol Insiders Survey of congressional aides this month found that nearly two-thirds of Democratic staffers thought the virus would benefit their side , politically , in November .
Only 6 percent of the GOP respondents thought it would help theirs .

The CARES Act passed quickly, with near unanimity. Don’t expect it to be so easy this time. Democrats sense political advantage. CQ Roll Call’s Capitol Insiders Survey of congressional aides this month found that nearly two-thirds of Democratic staffers thought the virus would benefit their side, politically, in November. Only 6 percent of the GOP respondents thought it would help theirs.
No surprise then that Democratic leaders are driving a tough bargain this time around, demanding that the Senate take up the nearly $3.5 trillion measure the House passed in May, which Democrats call the Heroes Act, to continue unemployment relief, mail another round of $1,200 checks to middle- and lower-income Americans, bolster virus testing and tracing, and bail out states hurt by shrunken sales tax revenue.
They’re also casting aspersions on the GOP proposal being assembled by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and aides to President Donald Trump. The “Republican bill will not come close, not even come close, to meeting the moment of this great crisis,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, arguing that the $1 trillion that Republicans propose to spend is nowhere near enough. A day later, the New York Democrat said his party was “united, House and Senate, behind the Heroes bill.”
Democrats also brazenly assailed McConnell’s “red line,” new liability protections for reopening businesses, schools and health care providers, arguing that they were not needed and would embolden businesses to take risks with people’s lives.
McConnell is trying “to capitalize on this moment of uncertainty in America to close down the responsibility of businesses to make certain they do everything reasonably possible to protect their customers and their employees,” said Senate Democratic Whip Richard J. Durbin of Illinois. McConnell’s insistence on liability protections, without clear rules for businesses to make their workplaces safe, risks “even more infection and death,” Durbin added.


rollcall--2020-07-28--Matt Gaetz puts on his own makeup, and other lessons from ‘The Swamp’

By saturating television screens and Twitter feeds , Gaetz gets exposure .
The more exposure he gets , the more people recognize him .
The more they recognize him , the more influence he has and the more money he can potentially raise without having to hold high-dollar fundraisers hosted by special interest groups .
Gaetz likes to say he ’ s tired of the old way of fundraising .
He doesn ’ t want to be beholden to lobbyists , so that ’ s why he does it the way that he does .
“ The Swamp ” makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much money in politics and the never-ending hunt for it makes it difficult for lawmakers to do their actual jobs .
Those who claim to have found a new route may have just discovered another way to corrupt the political process .
The directors , Daniel DiMauro and Morgan Pehme ( “ Get Me Roger Stone ” ) , said everyone “ knows Congress is broken , ” but they themselves were unfamiliar with the structure and built-in incentives that make it so .
“ When we got there and started studying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much worse than we could have even imagined , ” DiMauro told me in an interview this month .
Describing themselves as “ left-leaning , ” the directors were a bit surprised by how many Republican lawmakers were willing to speak candidly about what they consider corruption in Washington .
They also didn ’ t expect to find common cause with strident conservatives .
“ We read the first six or seven chapters of [ Colorado Rep. Ken Buck ’ s ] book ‘ Drain the Swamp , ’ and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t believe that we ’ re on the same page as this Freedom Caucus member as to how corrupt the system is , ’ ” said Pehme .
“ ‘ And then I think in chapter eight he was like , ‘ We need to get rid of the Endangered Species Act.
’ That was , for us , when the record skipped .
Oh right , we actually have radically disparate worldviews .
”

When we first meet Matt Gaetz, he is waking up in the “work closet” of his House office, where he stays while in Washington, to prepare for a long day of cable news appearances. But first, makeup.
The 38-year-old, two-term Florida congressman wants to look fresh for the millions of viewers watching at home and the users online who share, like and retweet the viral videos distributed by his communications staff. So that means dabbing a little product on his face.
He selects his shoes, a pair of black and white wingtips, that are “Ivanka’s favorite,” according to Gaetz, referring to the president’s daughter and adviser. He keeps a chart to carefully track his weight. After all, television is a visual medium, and Gaetz is on TV a lot.
These rituals, captured in the forthcoming HBO documentary “The Swamp,” may seem like mere vanity. But they’re part of a much larger strategy to deal with a problem in Congress that the documentary unmasks: the punishing, nonstop pressure to raise money.
No one appearing on camera wants to be outshone by their own forehead, which is why Rep. Matt Gaetz has learned to come prepared. (Screenshot/“The Swamp”)
You can’t knock the hustle, but by the end of the nearly two-hour documentary, a different kind of fatigue sets in, after watching the young Republican upstart generate click-worthy moments fueled by outrage and partisan bomb-throwing.


rollcall--2020-07-28--Death draws lawmakers’ scrutiny to Robinhood’s trading app

The apparent suicide of a 20-year-old investor on Robinhood Markets Inc. ’ s phone-based securities trading app after what appeared to be significant losses has attracted scrutiny in Congress , with lawmakers contemplating legislation or hearings on the matter .
The app , which the company says has 10 million users , allows people to trade stocks , options and cryptocurrencies without fees .
Lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee say the company may allow customers to access risky trading strategies without proper due diligence , which Robinhood denies .
Hours before his death in June , Alexander Kearns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 730,000 , according to family members .
His suicide note — shared by Rep. Sean Casten , D-Ill. , at a Financial Services subcommittee hearing last month — read in part : “ I was a 20-year-old with no income able to be assigned almost a million dollars worth of leverage … I had no clue what I was doing now in hindsight .
There was no intention to take on so much risk.
” Kearns , who was a student at the University of Nebraska , died in his parents ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago suburb home to three congressional districts .
His death brought swift congressional scrutiny to Robinhood , led by members representing his state and hometown .
In conversations with CQ Roll Call , members voiced concerns about investors ’ access to options and margin trading through the app and questioned whether Robinhood adequately screened customers before granting access to riskier strategies .

The apparent suicide of a 20-year-old investor on Robinhood Markets Inc.’s phone-based securities trading app after what appeared to be significant losses has attracted scrutiny in Congress, with lawmakers contemplating legislation or hearings on the matter.
The app, which the company says has 10 million users, allows people to trade stocks, options and cryptocurrencies without fees. Lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee say the company may allow customers to access risky trading strategies without proper due diligence, which Robinhood denies.
Hours before his death in June, Alexander Kearns’ app displayed a negative balance of $730,000, according to family members. His suicide note — shared by Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., at a Financial Services subcommittee hearing last month — read in part: “I was a 20-year-old with no income able to be assigned almost a million dollars worth of leverage … I had no clue what I was doing now in hindsight. There was no intention to take on so much risk.”
Kearns, who was a student at the University of Nebraska, died in his parents’ home in Naperville, Illinois, a Chicago suburb home to three congressional districts. His death brought swift congressional scrutiny to Robinhood, led by members representing his state and hometown.
In conversations with CQ Roll Call, members voiced concerns about investors’ access to options and margin trading through the app and questioned whether Robinhood adequately screened customers before granting access to riskier strategies.


rollcall--2020-07-28--Trump’s census memo puts some Republicans in Catch-22

President Donald Trump ’ s memorandum to exclude undocumented immigrants from congressional apportionment may be bittersweet to dozens of Hill Republicans — it ’ s been a party priority for years but may hurt the states they represent .
More than 40 Republicans in the House and four in the Senate represent the three largest states likely to be affected by the memo : California , Texas and Florida .
Those states have more than 4.5 million undocumented immigrants , according to the most recently available Pew Research Center estimate , and could stand to lose congressional seats or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In essence , to the extent that voting representation is determined by people that are here out of status , it ’ s sort of a Catch-22 , because it would hurt Florida to the extent we have [ undocumented immigrants ] , but at the same time it dilutes the representation of people that are here legally and eligible to vote , ” Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , said in an interview .
When Trump issued the memorandum last week , he argued that including undocumented immigrants in the apportionment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Just as we do not give political power to people who are here temporarily , we should not give political power to people who should not be here at all , ” Trump said in a statement .

President Donald Trump’s memorandum to exclude undocumented immigrants from congressional apportionment may be bittersweet to dozens of Hill Republicans — it’s been a party priority for years but may hurt the states they represent.
More than 40 Republicans in the House and four in the Senate represent the three largest states likely to be affected by the memo: California, Texas and Florida. Those states have more than 4.5 million undocumented immigrants, according to the most recently available Pew Research Center estimate, and could stand to lose congressional seats or not gain enough after the 2021 reapportionment.
“In essence, to the extent that voting representation is determined by people that are here out of status, it’s sort of a Catch-22, because it would hurt Florida to the extent we have [undocumented immigrants], but at the same time it dilutes the representation of people that are here legally and eligible to vote,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said in an interview.
When Trump issued the memorandum last week, he argued that including undocumented immigrants in the apportionment count dilutes the representation of citizens.
“Just as we do not give political power to people who are here temporarily, we should not give political power to people who should not be here at all,” Trump said in a statement.


rollcall--2020-07-28--Guard officer: Lafayette Square police tactics ‘disturbing’

A National Guard officer present at the June 1 clearing of protesters from Lafayette Square will testify Tuesday that he found what he saw that day to be “ deeply disturbing ” and that law enforcement officials were heavy-handed in their tactics , engaging in an “ unnecessary escalation ” of force .
In written testimony , Adam DeMarco , a major in the District of Columbia National Guard and an Iraq war veteran , said the protesters at Lafayette Square were peaceful , that he found “ spent tear gas canisters ” after the clearing of the park , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other federal law enforcement agencies escalated the clash with demonstrators .
While dispersing the protesters , some Park Police officers “ used their shields offensively as weapons , '' he said .
DeMarco is scheduled to testify Tuesday at 10 a.m. before the House Natural Resources Committee , which will also hear testimony from Gregory Monahan , the acting head of the Park Police , a division of the Interior Department .
DeMarco ’ s account undercuts public statements from the Trump administration , which has described the Lafayette Park protesters as violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters nationwide in the wake of the killing of George Floyd , whose death in Minnesota in May set off a global push against police brutality .
The Interior Department ’ s inspector general is investigating the U.S. Park Police role at Lafayette Square , and the Justice Department ’ s inspector general said last week he would begin a probe into federal law enforcement agencies ’ policing of protests .

A National Guard officer present at the June 1 clearing of protesters from Lafayette Square will testify Tuesday that he found what he saw that day to be “deeply disturbing” and that law enforcement officials were heavy-handed in their tactics, engaging in an “unnecessary escalation” of force.
In written testimony, Adam DeMarco, a major in the District of Columbia National Guard and an Iraq war veteran, said the protesters at Lafayette Square were peaceful, that he found “spent tear gas canisters” after the clearing of the park, and that the U.S. Park Police and other federal law enforcement agencies escalated the clash with demonstrators. While dispersing the protesters, some Park Police officers “used their shields offensively as weapons," he said.
DeMarco is scheduled to testify Tuesday at 10 a.m. before the House Natural Resources Committee, which will also hear testimony from Gregory Monahan, the acting head of the Park Police, a division of the Interior Department.
DeMarco’s account undercuts public statements from the Trump administration, which has described the Lafayette Park protesters as violent and has ratcheted up its force against protesters nationwide in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, whose death in Minnesota in May set off a global push against police brutality.


rollcall--2020-07-28--House GOP candidates join Trump in preaching hysteria

ANALYSIS — The fundraising email arrived Friday afternoon .
It was a message from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , but the disclaimer said , “ Paid for by Zeldin for Congress , ” a reference to Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York ’ s 1st District .
The subject line of the email was “ Stop the Mob NOW.
” “ Friends , ” the email began , “ This November election is coming down to the fight between freedom and socialism .
Rep. Lee Zeldin and I are quickly working to take back the House , re-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the radical left.
” “ Over the past few weeks , we ’ ve seen countless mobs destroy our cities , harm our police officers , and disrupt law and order .
The kicker is that they ’ re supported by the Democrats in Congress.
” ( The words in bold for emphasis was their idea , not mine . )
The purpose of the email was to inform recipients of a Zoom call on July 30 that undoubtedly will try to raise money .
Journalists tend to give fundraising emails wide berth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” involve puffing and/or frightening , though I always thought they deserved more scrutiny because they seek to polarize and enflame .
But this McCarthy/Zeldin email is a window into Republican strategy , demonstrating how far the party will go in making unsubstantiated claims .

ANALYSIS — The fundraising email arrived Friday afternoon. It was a message from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, but the disclaimer said, “Paid for by Zeldin for Congress,” a reference to Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York’s 1st District. The subject line of the email was “Stop the Mob NOW.”
“Friends,” the email began, “This November election is coming down to the fight between freedom and socialism. Rep. Lee Zeldin and I are quickly working to take back the House, re-elect President Trump, and push back against the radical left.”
“Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen countless mobs destroy our cities, harm our police officers, and disrupt law and order. The kicker is that they’re supported by the Democrats in Congress.” (The words in bold for emphasis was their idea, not mine.)
The purpose of the email was to inform recipients of a Zoom call on July 30 that undoubtedly will try to raise money. Journalists tend to give fundraising emails wide berth, figuring that all “sales pitches” involve puffing and/or frightening, though I always thought they deserved more scrutiny because they seek to polarize and enflame.
But this McCarthy/Zeldin email is a window into Republican strategy, demonstrating how far the party will go in making unsubstantiated claims.


rollcall--2020-07-28--Big Tech antitrust hearing could be colossal — or mere theater

The virtual appearance by four of the world ’ s most powerful technology executives before the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee @ @ @ @ @ defining moment for bipartisan efforts to rein in Silicon Valley .
Or it could be @ @ @ @ @ one hand , the hearing represents the Antitrust , Commercial , and Administrative Law Subcommittee @ @ @ @ @ publicly question the executives — Amazon ’ s Jeff Bezos , Apple ’ s Tim @ @ @ @ @ Mark Zuckerberg and Google ’ s Sundar Pichai — during the course of its 13-month @ @ @ @ @ ’ s business practices and whether those practices illegally stifle competition .
On the other @ @ @ @ @ rare opportunity for lawmakers less interested in antitrust to pepper the executives with questions about @ @ @ @ @ , or to simply criticize them for perceived wrongdoing .
Similar hearings in the past @ @ @ @ @ direction .
[ Antitrust hawks take on Big Tech as pandemic persists ]

The virtual appearance by four of the world’s most powerful technology executives before the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee on Wednesday could be a defining moment for bipartisan efforts to rein in Silicon Valley.
Or it could be a political circus.
On one hand, the hearing represents the Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law Subcommittee’s only chance to publicly question the executives — Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Apple’s Tim Cook, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Google’s Sundar Pichai — during the course of its 13-month bipartisan investigation into each company’s business practices and whether those practices illegally stifle competition.
On the other hand, it is a rare opportunity for lawmakers less interested in antitrust to pepper the executives with questions about a host of other issues, or to simply criticize them for perceived wrongdoing. Similar hearings in the past have gone in the latter direction.
[Antitrust hawks take on Big Tech as pandemic persists]


rollcall--2020-07-28--Engineering the lean startup

Engineering the lean startup

New York Times bestselling author Brant Cooper talks about what it takes to engineer innovation in an age of maturing @ @ @ @ @ and the coronavirus .
• What to know as Congress honors John Lewis amid a @ @ @ @ @ virus relief to avert economic and electoral disaster • Health officials : Results from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ by November

New York Times bestselling author Brant Cooper talks about what it takes to engineer innovation in an age of maturing technology, Black Lives Matter and the coronavirus.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-27--Pandemic relief package would become weapons bazaar

Senate Republicans have laced their roughly $ 1 trillion coronavirus relief package with at least $ 7 billion for weapons , most of which are built by leading contractors that contribute heavily to congressional campaigns .
The draft appropriations portion , made public Monday evening , includes money for fighter jets , helicopters , radars , ships and armored vehicles that the measure ’ s authors have deemed “ emergency ” spending that is not capped by the budget control law .
A spokeswoman for Sen. Richard C. Shelby , R-Ala. , the chairman of the Appropriations Committee , defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation as having a security and economic benefit .
`` The Defense Industrial Base ( DIB ) is essential to our economy and to the defense of our nation , '' the spokeswoman said .
`` This bill takes steps to ensure that the DIB , along with the millions of jobs it provides , are supported . ''
Securing billions of dollars in funding for the defense programs now would free up space in the forthcoming fiscal 2021 Defense spending bill for other priorities .
Shelby ’ s Defense panel has yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure is being considered on the floor this week as part of a seven-bill appropriations package .

Senate Republicans have laced their roughly $1 trillion coronavirus relief package with at least $7 billion for weapons, most of which are built by leading contractors that contribute heavily to congressional campaigns.
The draft appropriations portion, made public Monday evening, includes money for fighter jets, helicopters, radars, ships and armored vehicles that the measure’s authors have deemed “emergency” spending that is not capped by the budget control law.
A spokeswoman for Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala., the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, defended the proposed weapons spending in the coronavirus legislation as having a security and economic benefit.
"The Defense Industrial Base (DIB) is essential to our economy and to the defense of our nation," the spokeswoman said. "This bill takes steps to ensure that the DIB, along with the millions of jobs it provides, are supported."
Securing billions of dollars in funding for the defense programs now would free up space in the forthcoming fiscal 2021 Defense spending bill for other priorities. Shelby’s Defense panel has yet to write its bill. The House measure is being considered on the floor this week as part of a seven-bill appropriations package.


rollcall--2020-07-28--Dueling testimonies: National Guard officer contradicts Park Police on Lafayette Square protests

In a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on Tuesday , National Guard Maj. Adam DeMarco contradicted nearly every assertion made @ @ @ @ @ Chief Gregory Monahan of the June 1 incident at Lafayette Square .
The more than @ @ @ @ @ Democrats grilling DeMarco and Monahan respectively .
Republican Reps. Louie Gohmert and Jody B. Hice @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessful run as a Democrat for a congressional seat in 2018 .
Watch the video @ @ @ @ @ the two witnesses on the violence of the protests , whether proper warnings were given @ @ @ @ @

In a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on Tuesday, National Guard Maj. Adam DeMarco contradicted nearly every assertion made by U.S. Park Police Acting Chief Gregory Monahan of the June 1 incident at Lafayette Square.
The more than three-hour-long hearing featured Republicans and Democrats grilling DeMarco and Monahan respectively. Republican Reps. Louie Gohmert and Jody B. Hice brought up DeMarco’s unsuccessful run as a Democrat for a congressional seat in 2018.
Watch the video comparing the oft-contradicting statements of the two witnesses on the violence of the protests, whether proper warnings were given to demonstrators and more.
[ Park Police head defends Lafayette Square tactics, admits missing files ]


rollcall--2020-07-28--Democrats honor John Lewis with ‘Good Trouble’ masks, inspiring copycats

“ Good Trouble ” covered the faces of several lawmakers in Washington this week .
Rep. John Lewis ’ casket @ @ @ @ @ white and blue .
Purple lapel ribbons honored his legacy .
But as colleagues remembered @ @ @ @ @ statement was written on their masks .
It was Lewis ’ favorite phrase for civil @ @ @ @ @ injustice , and it has gained even more traction since his death in mid-July .
@ @ @ @ @ Capitol Rotunda on Monday , it helped break up the blankness of face coverings , @ @ @ @ @ of mourning during a pandemic .
Rep. Alma Adams was the force behind the masks @ @ @ @ @ week .
“ Wore a new mask to votes tonight , ” she tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ to us to make good trouble now .
”

“Good Trouble” covered the faces of several lawmakers in Washington this week.
Rep. John Lewis’ casket was draped in red, white and blue. Purple lapel ribbons honored his legacy. But as colleagues remembered him, the most eye-catching statement was written on their masks.
It was Lewis’ favorite phrase for civil disobedience and fighting systems of injustice, and it has gained even more traction since his death in mid-July. At a memorial in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, it helped break up the blankness of face coverings, a key but emotion-hiding part of mourning during a pandemic.
Rep. Alma Adams was the force behind the masks, first wearing one last week. “Wore a new mask to votes tonight,” she tweeted. “It’s up to us to make good trouble now.”


rollcall--2020-07-28--Uncertainty hangs over coronavirus relief package as clock ticks

The path toward a bipartisan coronavirus aid package was hard to see Tuesday , as some Republicans declined to back their own new plan and Democrats leveled fresh attacks against it .
One day after Senate leaders unveiled a roughly $ 1 trillion plan for pandemic relief , Republicans struggled to offer a united front on a measure that some consider too costly .
Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , said “ close to half ” of the GOP caucus could end up opposing a package of that size .
“ I have problems with a number of provisions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Pa. “ I ’ ll wait and see what the final product looks like , but I ’ m pretty skeptical about the way it seems to be shaping up.
” The divided caucus could strengthen the hands of Democrats as bipartisan talks get underway on a compromise package .
Acknowledging that risk for his party , Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , urged Republicans not to “ take themselves out of contention ” by refusing to consider the relief package now before them .
“ If it ’ s passed with mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to have a disproportionate influence on what ’ s in it , ” he said .

The path toward a bipartisan coronavirus aid package was hard to see Tuesday, as some Republicans declined to back their own new plan and Democrats leveled fresh attacks against it.
One day after Senate leaders unveiled a roughly $1 trillion plan for pandemic relief, Republicans struggled to offer a united front on a measure that some consider too costly. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said “close to half” of the GOP caucus could end up opposing a package of that size.
“I have problems with a number of provisions,” said Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa. “I’ll wait and see what the final product looks like, but I’m pretty skeptical about the way it seems to be shaping up.”
The divided caucus could strengthen the hands of Democrats as bipartisan talks get underway on a compromise package.
Acknowledging that risk for his party, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, urged Republicans not to “take themselves out of contention” by refusing to consider the relief package now before them. “If it’s passed with mainly Democratic votes, obviously they’re going to have a disproportionate influence on what’s in it,” he said.


rollcall--2020-07-28--Park Police head defends Lafayette Square tactics, admits missing files

The head of the U.S. Park Police defended the officers under his command for aggressively clearing a group of largely @ @ @ @ @ White House on June 1 , telling a House committee Tuesday that the use of @ @ @ @ @ denied that the operation was linked to a presidential photo opportunity and said radio records @ @ @ @ @ activities for the incident do not exist .
Gregory Monahan , acting chief of the @ @ @ @ @ House Natural Resources Committee that the order to clear Lafayette Square did not come from @ @ @ @ @ General William Barr or Interior Secretary David Bernhardt .
“ We did not clear the @ @ @ @ @ , ” Monahan said , drawing skeptical responses from Democrats .

The head of the U.S. Park Police defended the officers under his command for aggressively clearing a group of largely peaceful protesters away from the White House on June 1, telling a House committee Tuesday that the use of force was appropriate.
He denied that the operation was linked to a presidential photo opportunity and said radio records of the department’s activities for the incident do not exist.
Gregory Monahan, acting chief of the Park Police, told the House Natural Resources Committee that the order to clear Lafayette Square did not come from the White House, Attorney General William Barr or Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.
“We did not clear the park for a photo op,” Monahan said, drawing skeptical responses from Democrats.


rollcall--2020-07-28--Coronavirus Special Report: GOP lawmakers tuck billions for defense industry into latest relief pack

Coronavirus Special Report: GOP lawmakers tuck billions for defense industry into latest relief package

In tonight 's episode , we delve into what GOP lawmakers asked for in the next round of relief to @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic — billions allocated for the defense industry , with transportation left behind .
@ @ @ @ @ 's being done to protect frontline workers and patients from protective equipment that does n't @ @ @ @ @ • Senate uses pandemic bill to fill accounts raided for Trump ’ s border wall @ @ @ @ @ Democrats in testimony over Roger Stone case • Big Tech antitrust hearing could be colossal @ @ @ @

In tonight's episode, we delve into what GOP lawmakers asked for in the next round of relief to ease the economic burden of the pandemic — billions allocated for the defense industry, with transportation left behind. We also look at what's being done to protect frontline workers and patients from protective equipment that doesn't meet federal safety standards.
Show notes:


rollcall--2020-07-28--White House halts new DACA applications amid ‘review’

The Trump administration said Tuesday it will reject any new applications for the Obama-era program that shields immigrants unlawfully brought to the U.S. as children as it conducts a `` comprehensive review '' of the program and how to end it .
During a call with reporters , a White House official said current beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program will receive yearlong renewals that will protect them against deportation and allow them to work in the U.S. “ The administration 's next acts on DACA will be on the basis of the comprehensive review of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered for winding down the program .
Obviously , to do this correctly and thoughtfully , the review will have to take time , '' according to a senior administration official , who spoke on condition of anonymity during a call arranged by the White House .
The official did not say how long the review might take .
The Department of Homeland Security followed up on the call by issuing a memo confirming it would only renew deportation protections for current DACA recipients , often referred to as “ Dreamers , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the usual two .

The Trump administration said Tuesday it will reject any new applications for the Obama-era program that shields immigrants unlawfully brought to the U.S. as children as it conducts a "comprehensive review" of the program and how to end it.
During a call with reporters, a White House official said current beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program will receive yearlong renewals that will protect them against deportation and allow them to work in the U.S.
“The administration's next acts on DACA will be on the basis of the comprehensive review of the substantive, legal and legal policy justifications offered for winding down the program. Obviously, to do this correctly and thoughtfully, the review will have to take time," according to a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity during a call arranged by the White House.
The official did not say how long the review might take.
The Department of Homeland Security followed up on the call by issuing a memo confirming it would only renew deportation protections for current DACA recipients, often referred to as “Dreamers,” and for a one-year renewal instead of the usual two.