rollcall--2020-04-29--A formidable coronavirus meets its match: New Jersey gas stations, liquor control boards, Capitol ho

A formidable coronavirus meets its match: New Jersey gas stations, liquor control boards, Capitol hobnobbing

The coronavirus pandemic has upended daily life as we know it .
But it might have met its match in some truly indelible parts of our culture : full-service gas stations in New Jersey ; the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board ; and voting in person in Congress .
New Jersey is still the only state in the country to strictly forbid self-service at gas stations , despite pleas from the trade associations representing gasoline retailers and consumers themselves who don ’ t want to be handing their credit card or cash back and forth to an attendant well within social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its liquor stores as essential workers , and since sales are so heavily regulated in the Keystone State , thirsty imbibers were forced across state lines for easier booze pickup options .
( Although this likely ignited nostalgia among fans of “ Smokey and the Bandit ” to make such runs . )
And then there ’ s Congress .
As everyone , from school districts to multinational corporations to other governments , has quickly figured out a way to conduct educational and business efforts online or remotely , Congress still finds itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to how it votes , conducts oversight and manages the people ’ s business .
That is despite having a membership that is tailor-made to be disease vectors , with its extensive travel and contacts across the country , as well as having several members in high-risk health categories .

The coronavirus pandemic has upended daily life as we know it. But it might have met its match in some truly indelible parts of our culture: full-service gas stations in New Jersey; the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; and voting in person in Congress.
New Jersey is still the only state in the country to strictly forbid self-service at gas stations, despite pleas from the trade associations representing gasoline retailers and consumers themselves who don’t want to be handing their credit card or cash back and forth to an attendant well within social distancing guidelines.
Pennsylvania did not decree its liquor stores as essential workers, and since sales are so heavily regulated in the Keystone State, thirsty imbibers were forced across state lines for easier booze pickup options. (Although this likely ignited nostalgia among fans of “Smokey and the Bandit” to make such runs.)
And then there’s Congress. As everyone, from school districts to multinational corporations to other governments, has quickly figured out a way to conduct educational and business efforts online or remotely, Congress still finds itself stuck in the 18th century when it comes to how it votes, conducts oversight and manages the people’s business. That is despite having a membership that is tailor-made to be disease vectors, with its extensive travel and contacts across the country, as well as having several members in high-risk health categories.


rollcall--2020-04-29--Boeing to lay off thousands; forgoing federal aid for now

Boeing said it will cut its workforce by 10 percent and reduce its 787 Dreamliner production in an effort to @ @ @ @ @ industry laid low by the coronavirus pandemic .
In a conference call with investors early @ @ @ @ @ Calhoun said it would take two or three years for travel demand to recover to @ @ @ @ @ company would make deeper cuts , possibly around 15 percent , in the commercial airplanes @ @ @ @ @ company .
The company employs about 160,000 people .
The company also plans to reduce @ @ @ @ @ 787 Dreamliner from 14 per month to 10 per month this year and seven each @ @ @ @ @ said there ’ s less demand for the aircraft because of the steep decline in @ @ @ @ @ will be a smaller company for a while , ” he said .
His comments @ @ @ @ @ company posted a $ 641 million loss in the first quarter .

Boeing said it will cut its workforce by 10 percent and reduce its 787 Dreamliner production in an effort to stem its bleeding in an industry laid low by the coronavirus pandemic.
In a conference call with investors early Wednesday, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said it would take two or three years for travel demand to recover to 2019 levels and that the company would make deeper cuts, possibly around 15 percent, in the commercial airplanes and services portions of its company. The company employs about 160,000 people.
The company also plans to reduce the output of its wide-body 787 Dreamliner from 14 per month to 10 per month this year and seven each month by 2022. He said there’s less demand for the aircraft because of the steep decline in international travel.
“We will be a smaller company for a while,” he said.
His comments to investors came after the company posted a $641 million loss in the first quarter.


rollcall--2020-04-29--Pelosi names seven Democrats to new coronavirus subcommittee

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her choices for the newly created Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Wednesday , which is intended to monitor federal coronavirus expenditures .
“ We must be sure that the money we put forth goes to those who need it most , in a way that addresses disparities in access to health care and credit , ” Pelosi said in a Dear Colleague letter Wednesday .
“ We also owe it to the American people to prevent waste , fraud and abuse and to protect against price-gouging and profiteering.
” Pelosi ’ s picks include Financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney , Small Business Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez , both of of New York , along with Maryland ’ s Jamie Raskin , who chairs Oversight Committee ’ s subcommittee on civil rights and civil liberties , and New Jersey ’ s Andy Kim , who leads the Economic Growth , Tax and Capital Access subcommittee under the Small Business panel .
Illinois ’ Bill Foster , who heads the Investigations and Oversight subcommittee of the Science , Space and Technology Committee , will also serve .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a small business owner and Kim ’ s previous national security positions as relevant to their work on the committee during a press conference announcing her picks .
Majority Whip James E. Clyburn of South Carolina had previously been announced as chairman of the subcommittee .

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her choices for the newly created Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Wednesday, which is intended to monitor federal coronavirus expenditures.
“We must be sure that the money we put forth goes to those who need it most, in a way that addresses disparities in access to health care and credit,” Pelosi said in a Dear Colleague letter Wednesday. “We also owe it to the American people to prevent waste, fraud and abuse and to protect against price-gouging and profiteering.”
Pelosi’s picks include Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters of California, Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Small Business Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez, both of of New York, along with Maryland’s Jamie Raskin, who chairs Oversight Committee’s subcommittee on civil rights and civil liberties, and New Jersey’s Andy Kim, who leads the Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access subcommittee under the Small Business panel. Illinois’ Bill Foster, who heads the Investigations and Oversight subcommittee of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, will also serve.
Pelosi touted Foster as both a scientist and a small business owner and Kim’s previous national security positions as relevant to their work on the committee during a press conference announcing her picks.
Majority Whip James E. Clyburn of South Carolina had previously been announced as chairman of the subcommittee.


rollcall--2020-04-29--Democrats’ virus rescue plan would help McClatchy, other papers

As the news goes from bad to worse for the pandemic-stricken media industry , House Democrats want the next COVID-19 aid package to broaden the scope of pension relief for “ community newspapers ” granted late last year before the disease started making international headlines .
Companies that stand to benefit include McClatchy Co. , owner of 30 outlets ranging from the Miami Herald to The Sacramento Bee ; The San Diego Union-Tribune , which along with the Los Angeles Times is owned by biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong ; and Newspapers of New England Inc. , which owns the Concord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ papers .
When House Democrats unveiled an earlier , $ 2.5 trillion version of the huge economic rescue package that became law last month , the measure proposed tweaks to last year ’ s pension law that would have added those companies , according to industry sources and others familiar with the negotiations .
They would join a group that included about 20 companies that got their required pension contributions slashed in the December law , including the Seattle Times , ( Minneapolis ) Star Tribune , Tampa Bay Times , Albuquerque Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carveout from federal pension law proved controversial at the time , contributing to a seven-month Senate delay of a broader retirement savings measure that had sailed through the House in May .
The package finally became law only after it was added to year-end spending legislation that was too big to stop .

As the news goes from bad to worse for the pandemic-stricken media industry, House Democrats want the next COVID-19 aid package to broaden the scope of pension relief for “community newspapers” granted late last year before the disease started making international headlines.
Companies that stand to benefit include McClatchy Co., owner of 30 outlets ranging from the Miami Herald to The Sacramento Bee; The San Diego Union-Tribune, which along with the Los Angeles Times is owned by biotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong; and Newspapers of New England Inc., which owns the Concord Monitor and a string of western Massachusetts papers.
When House Democrats unveiled an earlier, $2.5 trillion version of the huge economic rescue package that became law last month, the measure proposed tweaks to last year’s pension law that would have added those companies, according to industry sources and others familiar with the negotiations.
They would join a group that included about 20 companies that got their required pension contributions slashed in the December law, including the Seattle Times, (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, Tampa Bay Times, Albuquerque Journal and Bangor Daily News.
The earlier carveout from federal pension law proved controversial at the time, contributing to a seven-month Senate delay of a broader retirement savings measure that had sailed through the House in May. The package finally became law only after it was added to year-end spending legislation that was too big to stop.


rollcall--2020-04-30--Trump order on meatpackers raises questions about its effect

An executive order designed to keep meatpacking and poultry plants up and running during the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to @ @ @ @ @ sets public health standards to protect workers and communities .
Lawrence Gostin , director of @ @ @ @ @ health law center , said President Donald Trump ’ s order on Tuesday could launch @ @ @ @ @ powers of the president and the powers of the states.
” Gostin said the executive @ @ @ @ @ role that state and local governments will play in monitoring the facilities , which have @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of workers test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Ann S. Rosenthal @ @ @ @ @ for 40 years and its top occupational attorney at her departure , said the order @ @ @ @ @ give beef , pork and poultry companies a tool to fight state and local COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ operations .

An executive order designed to keep meatpacking and poultry plants up and running during the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to produce legal fights over who sets public health standards to protect workers and communities.
Lawrence Gostin, director of Georgetown University’s global health law center, said President Donald Trump’s order on Tuesday could launch “a clash between the powers of the president and the powers of the states.”
Gostin said the executive order is unclear about the role that state and local governments will play in monitoring the facilities, which have become so-called hot spots as hundreds of workers test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
[Virus reveals conflicting pressures in meatpacking plants]
Ann S. Rosenthal, a Labor Department attorney for 40 years and its top occupational attorney at her departure, said the order was confusing but probably would give beef, pork and poultry companies a tool to fight state and local COVID-19 policies that could interfere with operations.


rollcall--2020-04-30--Telemedicine key to US health care even after pandemic ends

As thousands of patients struck by COVID-19 rushed to seek treatment in overcrowded New York City hospitals , intensive care specialists more than 350 miles away at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center stepped up to provide remote assistance to beleaguered colleagues in New York .
Specialists in Pittsburgh can read the electronic medical records of COVID-19 patients at the New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in Lower Manhattan and use telemedicine platforms to provide advice , for example , on how to care for patients on ventilators .
“ There are more patients than ICUs or trained physicians can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Robert Bart , the chief medical information officer for the Pittsburgh Medical Center .
To bridge the gap , New York asked non-intensive care specialists or so-called hospitalists to “ manage the less acute patients on ventilators.
” Although hospitalists can manage patients who are not on ventilators , they need the assistance of intensive care specialists to guide them on how to manage settings on ventilators to match the needs of patients , said Bart , who ’ s also a pediatric intensive care physician .
The electronic as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York and intensive care doctors 370 miles away in Pittsburgh , either through FaceTime or a dedicated telemedicine platform such as Vidyo , are possible because federal and state governments have eased restrictions on sharing patient data as well as lowering barriers that prevented widespread use of telemedicine .

The electronic as well as audio-video interactions between physicians in New York and intensive care doctors 370 miles away in Pittsburgh, either through FaceTime or a dedicated telemedicine platform such as Vidyo, are possible because federal and state governments have eased restrictions on sharing patient data as well as lowering barriers that prevented widespread use of telemedicine.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on March 17 said it was waiving restrictions on telehealth services “so that beneficiaries can receive a wider range of services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility.” Before that waiver, Medicare would only pay for telehealth when the person receiving the service was in a designated rural area and went to a designated location to get a telehealth consultation.
CMS also said the waiver would remain in place for the duration of the coronavirus health emergency, and the agency would pay doctors and hospitals for telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services. CMS said the Department of Health and Human Services also would ease back on enforcement of patient privacy requirements under the federal law restricting release of medical information, so that doctors can use FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp and other video platforms to consult with patients.
Those waivers came after Congress passed legislation providing economic relief to address the COVID-19 crisis and gave the HHS secretary the authority to waive restrictions on telehealth. The legislation also provided $200 million to be administered by the Federal Communications Commission that would fully fund health care providers for their telecommunication and information technology requirements, and for devices they buy and use for remote consultations.


rollcall--2020-04-30--AFL-CIO’s Trumka, Labor’s Scalia clash over workplace safety

The toll of COVID-19 infections among workers in health care , meatpacking and other occupations erupted into a sharp exchange between AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka and Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia .
The nation ’ s top labor leader attacked the department ’ s record on workplace safety in a Tuesday letter that described the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as “ missing in action ” and tabled 11 demands for measures to protect workers .
“ Since this crisis began , the Department of Labor and federal government have failed to meet their obligation and duty to protect workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been delinquent , delayed , disorganized , chaotic and totally inadequate , ” Trumka said .
Scalia responded Thursday , thanking Trumka and saying that the department would consider his proposals , but then accusing him of mischaracterizing OSHA ’ s performance .
“ I appreciate that you may want different actions from OSHA , but to obscure the guidance OSHA has given , and to suggest that OSHA is indifferent to worker safety and enforcement , is to mislead employers about their duties and workers about their rights , ” Scalia said @

The toll of COVID-19 infections among workers in health care, meatpacking and other occupations erupted into a sharp exchange between AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka and Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia.
The nation’s top labor leader attacked the department’s record on workplace safety in a Tuesday letter that described the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as “missing in action” and tabled 11 demands for measures to protect workers.
“Since this crisis began, the Department of Labor and federal government have failed to meet their obligation and duty to protect workers; the government’s response has been delinquent, delayed, disorganized, chaotic and totally inadequate,” Trumka said.
Scalia responded Thursday, thanking Trumka and saying that the department would consider his proposals, but then accusing him of mischaracterizing OSHA’s performance.
“I appreciate that you may want different actions from OSHA, but to obscure the guidance OSHA has given, and to suggest that OSHA is indifferent to worker safety and enforcement, is to mislead employers about their duties and workers about their rights,” Scalia said.


rollcall--2020-04-30--Democrats propose protections for farm workers

Domestic farm workers , many of them undocumented immigrants , would be covered by a bill of rights for essential workers that advocates and a group of House Democrats want included in any future economic relief bill that moves through Congress .
Rep. Ro Khanna said farm workers are contributing to agriculture , which the Homeland Security Department has designated as a critical industry .
Like others required to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic , agricultural laborers ’ risk for exposure to the virus that causes the disease should be addressed , the California Democrat said .
Khanna said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a pandemic is so pressing that supporters can overcome concerns and objections from lawmakers , particularly Republicans , to aiding undocumented farm workers .
“ I believe workers ’ rights is actually an easier lift .
I don ’ t think it ’ s a hard lift to say workers need to have protective equipment .
It ’ s in every American citizen ’ s self-interest to make sure we have safe conditions in these places , ” he said .
“ It was a harder political lift to say that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
… House Democrats pushed for that because they are paying taxes , and they have families and apartments and rent payments.
” The 10-point rights framework calls for hazard pay , child care , personal protective equipment , health care access and prohibitions on employers changing or dissolving collective bargaining agreements .
Employers who receive federal relief funds should use the money to keep workers on the payroll as well as put workers on boards of directors and stay neutral in union organizing drives , it says , and they would face @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Domestic farm workers, many of them undocumented immigrants, would be covered by a bill of rights for essential workers that advocates and a group of House Democrats want included in any future economic relief bill that moves through Congress.
Rep. Ro Khanna said farm workers are contributing to agriculture, which the Homeland Security Department has designated as a critical industry. Like others required to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic, agricultural laborers’ risk for exposure to the virus that causes the disease should be addressed, the California Democrat said.
Khanna said he thinks the issue of basic worker safety during a pandemic is so pressing that supporters can overcome concerns and objections from lawmakers, particularly Republicans, to aiding undocumented farm workers.
“I believe workers’ rights is actually an easier lift. I don’t think it’s a hard lift to say workers need to have protective equipment. It’s in every American citizen’s self-interest to make sure we have safe conditions in these places,” he said. “It was a harder political lift to say that the stimulus should include those who are undocumented. … House Democrats pushed for that because they are paying taxes, and they have families and apartments and rent payments.”
The 10-point rights framework calls for hazard pay, child care, personal protective equipment, health care access and prohibitions on employers changing or dissolving collective bargaining agreements. Employers who receive federal relief funds should use the money to keep workers on the payroll as well as put workers on boards of directors and stay neutral in union organizing drives, it says, and they would face civil or criminal penalties for violations.


rollcall--2020-04-30--Coronavirus Special Report: What’s on the agenda when the Senate reconvenes?

Tonight , we preview the Senate ’ s agenda when it reconvenes next week .
Then , a look at @ @ @ @ @ a hot spot for the coronavirus — is having profound implications for workers and the @ @ @ @ @ a roundup of the latest health policy news around COVID-19 .
• Fed change allows @ @ @ @ @ recovery loans • Pentagon may seek coronavirus funds in next relief bill

Tonight, we preview the Senate’s agenda when it reconvenes next week. Then, a look at how one Amazon.com plant — a hot spot for the coronavirus — is having profound implications for workers and the supply chain; plus, a roundup of the latest health policy news around COVID-19.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-04-30--McConnell focused on bringing Senate back to Washington as health concerns grow

With coronavirus infections in the Washington , D.C. , area on the rise and the House and Supreme Court exercising @ @ @ @ @ and staff , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s plan to reconvene the Senate @ @ @ @ @ about the risks of doing so .
Despite concerns from Brian P. Monahan , the @ @ @ @ @ Congress and Supreme Court , McConnell told Fox News that the Senate can “ modify @ @ @ @ @ and safe ” ways while still conducting in-person business .
The Kentucky Republican broke out @ @ @ @ @ by saying he plans to focus floor action on confirmations that “ have been bottled @ @ @ @ @ before the pandemic.
” Earlier this week , after consulting with Monahan , House Majority @ @ @ @ @ plans for his chamber to reconvene Monday .
Several Democrats pointed out that Washington currently @ @ @ @ @ place through May 15 and asking 100 senators to return also requires staff , Capitol @ @ @ @ @ to travel to work , increasing the risk of spreading the coronavirus .

With coronavirus infections in the Washington, D.C., area on the rise and the House and Supreme Court exercising caution about exposing their members and staff, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s plan to reconvene the Senate on Monday is sparking worries about the risks of doing so.
Despite concerns from Brian P. Monahan, the attending physician of the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court, McConnell told Fox News that the Senate can “modify routines” in “smart and safe” ways while still conducting in-person business. The Kentucky Republican broke out a familiar line of reasoning by saying he plans to focus floor action on confirmations that “have been bottled up by the Democrats even before the pandemic.”
Earlier this week, after consulting with Monahan, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer canceled plans for his chamber to reconvene Monday.
[Undeterred by pandemic, lawmakers ready their NDAA proposals]
Several Democrats pointed out that Washington currently has a stay-at-home order in place through May 15 and asking 100 senators to return also requires staff, Capitol employees, reporters and others to travel to work, increasing the risk of spreading the coronavirus.


rollcall--2020-04-30--Treasury IG: A decade of carbon-capture tax credits were faulty

Ten companies claimed almost every penny of $ 1 billion tax credits for capturing carbon emissions from 2010-2019 , and $ 893 million worth of those credits were submitted in ways that didn ’ t meet EPA rules under the incentive program , according to a Treasury Department watchdog .
The 10 companies , which collected 99.9 percent of the credits from that billion-dollar pool shared by 672 firms , were not identified in a letter from Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George to a member of the Senate Finance Committee .
Nor did the letter make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program known as 45Q were claimed by corporate or individual taxpayers , though the program is intended for companies .
Of the 10 taxpayers that collected almost all of the credits , three followed EPA rules , three are under audit and four were out of compliance , according to the report .
The IRS took action against those four and it withheld $ 531 million of the roughly $ 900 million in credits after it reviewed tax records .
The inspector general made its review after years of requests from Finance Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutinize how the government has implemented the program .
George said in the letter that the levels of sequestered carbon dioxide emissions reported to the IRS did not match up with the figures reported to EPA , which were lower .
In part , he said , “ the discrepancy is based on taxpayers reporting amounts of carbon dioxide sequestration to the IRS without reporting the amounts to the EPA as required .
”

Ten companies claimed almost every penny of $1 billion tax credits for capturing carbon emissions from 2010-2019, and $893 million worth of those credits were submitted in ways that didn’t meet EPA rules under the incentive program, according to a Treasury Department watchdog.
The 10 companies, which collected 99.9 percent of the credits from that billion-dollar pool shared by 672 firms, were not identified in a letter from Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George to a member of the Senate Finance Committee. Nor did the letter make clear if the credits in the federal program known as 45Q were claimed by corporate or individual taxpayers, though the program is intended for companies.
Of the 10 taxpayers that collected almost all of the credits, three followed EPA rules, three are under audit and four were out of compliance, according to the report. The IRS took action against those four and it withheld $531 million of the roughly $900 million in credits after it reviewed tax records.
The inspector general made its review after years of requests from Finance Committee member Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J. to scrutinize how the government has implemented the program.
George said in the letter that the levels of sequestered carbon dioxide emissions reported to the IRS did not match up with the figures reported to EPA, which were lower. In part, he said, “the discrepancy is based on taxpayers reporting amounts of carbon dioxide sequestration to the IRS without reporting the amounts to the EPA as required.”


rollcall--2020-04-30--Green card bill would bring more foreign doctors, nurses to US

Corrected 6:10 p.m. | A bipartisan group of senators introduced new legislation Thursday to grant 40,000 unused green card slots to foreign health care workers needed to help U.S. medical professionals fight the coronavirus pandemic .
Sen. Richard J. Durbin , D-Ill. , a longtime stalwart of immigration-related legislation , unveiled the bill with his colleagues , Sens .
David Perdue , R-Ga. , Todd Young , R-Ind.
, and Chris Coons , D-Del .
The bill would authorize up to 25,000 immigrant visas to go to foreign nurses and up to 15,000 for doctors who are eligible to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already here on temporary work visas .
These immigrant visas would lead to employment-based green cards .
The legislation would also allow U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services to give out slots from a pool of previously unclaimed green cards for the families of these medical workers .
“ Consider this : One-sixth of our health care workforce is foreign-born .
Immigrant nurses and doctors play a vital role in our healthcare system , and their contributions are now more crucial than ever .
Where would we be in this pandemic without them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whip , in a statement .
“ This bipartisan , targeted , and timely legislation will strengthen our health care workforce and improve health care access for Americans in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
” Perdue noted that a growing shortage of doctors and nurses in the United States over the past decade has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis .

Corrected 6:10 p.m. | A bipartisan group of senators introduced new legislation Thursday to grant 40,000 unused green card slots to foreign health care workers needed to help U.S. medical professionals fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., a longtime stalwart of immigration-related legislation, unveiled the bill with his colleagues, Sens. David Perdue, R-Ga., Todd Young, R-Ind., and Chris Coons, D-Del.
The bill would authorize up to 25,000 immigrant visas to go to foreign nurses and up to 15,000 for doctors who are eligible to come to the United States or who are already here on temporary work visas. These immigrant visas would lead to employment-based green cards. The legislation would also allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to give out slots from a pool of previously unclaimed green cards for the families of these medical workers.
“Consider this: One-sixth of our health care workforce is foreign-born. Immigrant nurses and doctors play a vital role in our healthcare system, and their contributions are now more crucial than ever. Where would we be in this pandemic without them?” said Durbin, the Democratic whip, in a statement. “This bipartisan, targeted, and timely legislation will strengthen our health care workforce and improve health care access for Americans in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Perdue noted that a growing shortage of doctors and nurses in the United States over the past decade has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis.


rollcall--2020-04-30--Fed change allows oil companies to qualify for recovery loans

Pushed by oil-state lawmakers , the Federal Reserve on Thursday changed the terms for its Main Street Lending Program , making it easier for oil companies to borrow from a fund meant to help small and midsize companies hurt by the coronavirus pandemic .
Before Thursday , eligibility for the Fed ’ s Main Street Lending Program was limited to companies with no more than 10,000 employees and $ 2.5 billion in revenues .
GOP lawmakers from oil states , such as Sens .
Kevin Cramer of North Dakota , Ted Cruz of Texas , and Alaska ’ s Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid oil companies as prices have tumbled for several weeks because of a bloated crude market made worse by weakening demand as the coronavirus slowed global economic activity .
In an April 21 letter , the lawmakers asked the Federal Reserve to adjust the terms of the program to make more oil companies eligible for the help .
“ Our energy producers should not be unfairly excluded from credit due to an arbitrary date and their viability should be protected with enhanced support for their credit and access to capital , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be the difference between maintaining our domestic energy production and workforce or shedding more U.S. jobs and returning to dependence on foreign sources of oil .
”

The Federal Reserve on Thursday changed the terms for its Main Street Lending Program, making it easier for oil companies to borrow from a fund meant to help small and midsize companies hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.
Before Thursday, eligibility for the Fed’s Main Street Lending Program was limited to companies with no more than 10,000 employees and $2.5 billion in revenues.
The change comes after GOP lawmakers from oil states, such as Sens. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Ted Cruz of Texas, and Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, pushed the administration and central bank to aid oil companies as prices have tumbled for several weeks because of a bloated crude market made worse by weakening demand as the coronavirus slowed global economic activity.
In an April 21 letter, the lawmakers asked the Federal Reserve to adjust the terms of the program to make more oil companies eligible for the help.
“Our energy producers should not be unfairly excluded from credit due to an arbitrary date and their viability should be protected with enhanced support for their credit and access to capital,” the senators wrote. “Assisting these companies could be the difference between maintaining our domestic energy production and workforce or shedding more U.S. jobs and returning to dependence on foreign sources of oil.”


rollcall--2020-04-30--Broadband push gains traction for next virus aid package

House Democrats on Thursday renewed their push for an $ 86 billion broadband expansion , arguing that if the coronavirus pandemic stretches into next fall , students without internet access risk being left behind if schools remain closed .
Party leaders said some of the broadband and distance learning money could be tacked onto the next round of COVID-19 relief , which House Democrats are in the process of assembling .
“ If we are going to experience ... another round of this virus , our children are apt to be out of school again next year , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-S.C. , who is chairman of the House Democratic Rural Broadband Task Force .
“ And if that were to happen , the only way you can have online learning is with broadband.
” Clyburn , a former public school teacher , said just 34 percent of the communities in his district are tied to the internet .
“ And I can tell you what happens when a child falls two years behind in school ; that child will never graduate high school and will never become a productive citizen as a rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to see support from across the aisle .
Speaking hours later , Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy acknowledged that “ broadband is a very good discussion , ” as part of the next pandemic relief package .

House Democrats on Thursday renewed their push for an $86 billion broadband expansion, arguing that if the coronavirus pandemic stretches into next fall, students without internet access risk being left behind if schools remain closed.
Party leaders said some of the broadband and distance learning money could be tacked onto the next round of COVID-19 relief, which House Democrats are in the process of assembling.
“If we are going to experience ... another round of this virus, our children are apt to be out of school again next year,” said House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., who is chairman of the House Democratic Rural Broadband Task Force. “And if that were to happen, the only way you can have online learning is with broadband.”
Clyburn, a former public school teacher, said just 34 percent of the communities in his district are tied to the internet. “And I can tell you what happens when a child falls two years behind in school; that child will never graduate high school and will never become a productive citizen as a rule," he said.
Democrats appear likely to see support from across the aisle. Speaking hours later, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy acknowledged that “broadband is a very good discussion,” as part of the next pandemic relief package.


rollcall--2020-04-30--Medical providers worry about potential loss of COVID-19 aid

Long-term care hospitals and other medical providers could be asked to return some payments from $ 175 billion in emergency funding that Congress provided as the Trump administration seeks to balance the allocations .
The twist in the allotments is the latest in an ongoing tussle over the emergency funding — a $ 100 billion program created under the third economic aid package due to the COVID-19 pandemic that cleared in March and infused with $ 75 billion more in a fourth law earlier this month .
Industry groups representing an array of medical providers have jostled for priority as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ races to determine how much different provider types will receive .
HHS has said it would dedicate a total of $ 50 billion in “ general ” payments .
An initial $ 30 billion had already gone out to providers earlier this month based on Medicare fee-for-service revenue .
But last week , HHS announced an additional $ 20 billion in general funds paid under a tweaked formula that includes revenue from other payers , which HHS said would “ augment ” total allocations .
The change in methodology follows criticism that HHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicaid or uninsured patients .
Last week , the department also set up a portal for providers to submit claims for uncompensated care , although HHS has not said how much money it will dedicate to covering the uninsured .
The department additionally allocated $ 10 billion each for rural hospitals and hospitals with high rates of COVID-19 patients .
But the Medicaid and CHIP Payment Access Commission expressed concerns that the new formula is still biased against safety net providers , and urged HHS to publish more details .
`` Making such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers that help is on the way as well as assist states as they assess how best to meet the health care needs of their residents at this time of crisis , '' the commission wrote .

Long-term care hospitals and other medical providers could be asked to return some payments from $175 billion in emergency funding that Congress provided as the Trump administration seeks to balance the allocations.
The twist in the allotments is the latest in an ongoing tussle over the emergency funding — a $100 billion program created under the third economic aid package due to the COVID-19 pandemic that cleared in March and infused with $75 billion more in a fourth law earlier this month. Industry groups representing an array of medical providers have jostled for priority as the Department of Health and Human Services races to determine how much different provider types will receive.
HHS has said it would dedicate a total of $50 billion in “general” payments. An initial $30 billion had already gone out to providers earlier this month based on Medicare fee-for-service revenue. But last week, HHS announced an additional $20 billion in general funds paid under a tweaked formula that includes revenue from other payers, which HHS said would “augment” total allocations.
The change in methodology follows criticism that HHS shortchanged safety net providers who serve more Medicaid or uninsured patients. Last week, the department also set up a portal for providers to submit claims for uncompensated care, although HHS has not said how much money it will dedicate to covering the uninsured. The department additionally allocated $10 billion each for rural hospitals and hospitals with high rates of COVID-19 patients.
But the Medicaid and CHIP Payment Access Commission expressed concerns that the new formula is still biased against safety net providers, and urged HHS to publish more details. "Making such information available would help assuage concerns of providers that help is on the way as well as assist states as they assess how best to meet the health care needs of their residents at this time of crisis," the commission wrote.


rollcall--2020-04-30--At the Races: 2020 becomes Amash pit

At the Races: 2020 becomes Amash pit

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election .
Know someone who ’ d like to get this newsletter ?
They can subscribe here .
The liberal group Justice Democrats now has a losing record in the 2020 cycle when it comes to taking on sitting Democratic lawmakers .
The latest loss came Tuesday in Ohio ’ s 3rd District , where Rep. Joyce Beatty easily fended off a primary challenge from Morgan Harper , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beatty , who enlisted the aid of fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus , won 68 percent to 32 percent , and party leaders in Ohio believed she was in good shape before the coronavirus pandemic effectively shut down traditional campaigning .
Progressives suffered another loss in March when Jessica Cisneros failed to defeat Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar .
Justice Democrats and other progressive groups did find success two weeks later in Illinois , when Marie Newman ousted anti-abortion Democratic Rep. Daniel Lipinski .
The group is backing three challengers in upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle school principal Jamaal Bowman is challenging House Foreign Affairs Chairman Elliot L. Engel in New York ’ s 16th District .
On Aug. 4 , nurse and activist Cori Bush is taking on Rep. William Lacy Clay in Missouri ’ s 1st District ( she unsuccessfully challenged Clay in 2018 ) .
And on Sept. 1 , Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse is challenging Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal in Massachusetts ’ 1st District .
But these challengers face uphill battles against incumbents with established name recognition and sizable financial advantages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Lipinski ’ s loss , it ’ s rare that incumbents lose their primaries .
For Bowman , it ’ s also unclear whether the cancellation of New York ’ s presidential primary adds an additional hurdle if liberal Bernie Sanders supporters are less inclined to turn out .
Still , lower turnout could benefit an insurgent challenger .
In 2018 , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez beat New York Rep. Joseph Crowley , the No .
4 Democrat in House leadership , by winning a total of 17,000 votes .

Bridget Bowman, Kate Ackley, and Stephanie Akin

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
The liberal group Justice Democrats now has a losing record in the 2020 cycle when it comes to taking on sitting Democratic lawmakers. The latest loss came Tuesday in Ohio’s 3rd District, where Rep. Joyce Beatty easily fended off a primary challenge from Morgan Harper, a former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau senior adviser. Beatty, who enlisted the aid of fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus, won 68 percent to 32 percent, and party leaders in Ohio believed she was in good shape before the coronavirus pandemic effectively shut down traditional campaigning.
Progressives suffered another loss in March when Jessica Cisneros failed to defeat Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar. Justice Democrats and other progressive groups did find success two weeks later in Illinois, when Marie Newman ousted anti-abortion Democratic Rep. Daniel Lipinski.
The group is backing three challengers in upcoming Democratic primaries. On June 23, middle school principal Jamaal Bowman is challenging House Foreign Affairs Chairman Elliot L. Engel in New York’s 16th District. On Aug. 4, nurse and activist Cori Bush is taking on Rep. William Lacy Clay in Missouri’s 1st District (she unsuccessfully challenged Clay in 2018). And on Sept. 1, Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse is challenging Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal in Massachusetts’ 1st District.
But these challengers face uphill battles against incumbents with established name recognition and sizable financial advantages. As Nathan L. Gonzales reminded us after Lipinski’s loss, it’s rare that incumbents lose their primaries. For Bowman, it’s also unclear whether the cancellation of New York’s presidential primary adds an additional hurdle if liberal Bernie Sanders supporters are less inclined to turn out. Still, lower turnout could benefit an insurgent challenger. In 2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez beat New York Rep. Joseph Crowley, the No. 4 Democrat in House leadership, by winning a total of 17,000 votes.


rollcall--2020-05-01--Telehealth’s expansion may be here to stay

As thousands of patients struck by COVID-19 rushed to seek treatment in overcrowded New York City hospitals , intensive care specialists more than 350 miles away at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center stepped up to provide remote assistance to beleaguered colleagues in New York .
Specialists in Pittsburgh can read the electronic medical records of COVID-19 patients at the New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in Lower Manhattan and use telemedicine platforms to provide advice , for example , on how to care for patients on ventilators .
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith , a Mississippi Republican who has backed previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also seeking to sustain that expansion according to an aide .
The Congressional Budget Office has consistently estimated that expanding telehealth services would cost the taxpayers more through higher Medicare payments .
The CBO , for example , estimated that the current set of waivers allowing physicians to provide more telehealth services during the pandemic would cost taxpayers $ 500 million more .
At a March 11 hearing of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the legislative branch , Hyde-Smith pressed CBO Director Philip Swagel to explain whether the agency ’ s analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded telehealth use .

As thousands of patients struck by COVID-19 rushed to seek treatment in overcrowded New York City hospitals, intensive care specialists more than 350 miles away at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center stepped up to provide remote assistance to beleaguered colleagues in New York.
Specialists in Pittsburgh can read the electronic medical records of COVID-19 patients at the New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in Lower Manhattan and use telemedicine platforms to provide advice, for example, on how to care for patients on ventilators.
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Mississippi Republican who has backed previous bills expanding the use of telehealth, is also seeking to sustain that expansion according to an aide.
The Congressional Budget Office has consistently estimated that expanding telehealth services would cost the taxpayers more through higher Medicare payments. The CBO, for example, estimated that the current set of waivers allowing physicians to provide more telehealth services during the pandemic would cost taxpayers $500 million more.
At a March 11 hearing of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the legislative branch, Hyde-Smith pressed CBO Director Philip Swagel to explain whether the agency’s analysis considered possible savings that could result from expanded telehealth use.


rollcall--2020-05-01--Critics see politics as small lenders get assist in small-business relief

The Small Business Administration and Treasury Department have favored small lenders over bigger banks during the Paycheck Protection Program ’ s second round , leading some to accuse the White House of letting reelection politics interfere with saving companies pushed to the brink of insolvency by the coronavirus .
Congress set aside $ 30 billion of the $ 310 billion in new PPP funds provided in the fourth spending package for lenders with less than $ 10 billion in assets , and another $ 30 billion for banks with between $ 10 billion and $ 50 billion .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lenders get access to the funds , after the first round ’ s $ 349 billion went disproportionately to larger companies applying through bigger banks .
In the first round , just 4 percent of the authorized applications asked for more than $ 1 million , but they scooped up 45 percent of the forgivable loan program ’ s funds , according to SBA data .
Those figures , along with reports that more than 150 publicly traded companies received PPP funds , led critics to complain that richer companies snapped up loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expense of struggling mom-and-pop businesses .
The PPP allows businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and government-ordered shutdowns of economic activity to apply for loans that will be forgiven as long as most of the money goes to paying employees .
Borrowers need to certify that the loans are “ necessary ” to get through the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic .
Speaking on CNBC on Tuesday , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin slammed companies that took out the low-interest loans that didn ’ t need them .

The Small Business Administration and Treasury Department have favored small lenders over bigger banks during the Paycheck Protection Program’s second round, leading some to accuse the White House of letting reelection politics interfere with saving companies pushed to the brink of insolvency by the coronavirus.
Congress set aside $30 billion of the $310 billion in new PPP funds provided in the fourth spending package for lenders with less than $10 billion in assets, and another $30 billion for banks with between $10 billion and $50 billion. But the administration took additional steps to ensure those lenders get access to the funds, after the first round’s $349 billion went disproportionately to larger companies applying through bigger banks.
In the first round, just 4 percent of the authorized applications asked for more than $1 million, but they scooped up 45 percent of the forgivable loan program’s funds, according to SBA data. Those figures, along with reports that more than 150 publicly traded companies received PPP funds, led critics to complain that richer companies snapped up loans they didn’t really need at the expense of struggling mom-and-pop businesses.
The PPP allows businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and government-ordered shutdowns of economic activity to apply for loans that will be forgiven as long as most of the money goes to paying employees. Borrowers need to certify that the loans are “necessary” to get through the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
Speaking on CNBC on Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin slammed companies that took out the low-interest loans that didn’t need them.


rollcall--2020-05-01--FDA allows drug to be used for COVID-19 on an emergency basis

The Trump administration announced Friday that it has authorized physicians to use remdesivir , an experimental drug to combat COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ Food and Drug Administration approval .
The FDA issued an emergency use authorization to drugmaker @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
The drug has been authorized to be administered intravenously for patients with severe @ @ @ @ @ breathe .
The FDA has not approved remdesivir for any use , the agency said @ @ @ @ @ data from clinical trials included in an FDA application to determine whether remdesivir is safe @ @ @ @ @ Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Director Janet Woodcock said in a tweet .

The Trump administration announced Friday that it has authorized physicians to use remdesivir, an experimental drug to combat COVID-19, before it has won Food and Drug Administration approval.
The FDA issued an emergency use authorization to drugmaker Gilead Sciences in a letter Friday. The drug has been authorized to be administered intravenously for patients with severe COVID-19 who require help to breathe.
The FDA has not approved remdesivir for any use, the agency said.
"We need final data from clinical trials included in an FDA application to determine whether remdesivir is safe and effective," FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Director Janet Woodcock said in a tweet.


rollcall--2020-05-02--McConnell and Pelosi ‘respectfully decline’ rapid COVID-19 tests for Congress

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Nancy Pelosi agreed Saturday to reject an offer from the Trump administration to provide Congress with rapid-results testing for COVID-19 , saying those tests should go where there is a greater need .
“ Congress is grateful for the Administration ’ s generous offer to deploy rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities to Capitol Hill , but we respectfully decline the offer at this time , ” the two leaders said in a joint statement .
“ Our country ’ s testing capacities are continuing to scale up nationwide and Congress wants to keep directing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can do the most good the most quickly.
” McConnell and Pelosi said Congress will rely on the Office of the Attending Physician ’ s testing procedures until “ these speedier technologies become more widely available.
” The Senate is scheduled to return to Capitol Hill on Monday , despite the continued stay-at-home order in place for Washington , D.C .
While lawmakers and staff will not have access to the rapid-response tests offered by the White House , the Office of the Attending Physician released additional safety guidelines Friday .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but will not require — that lawmakers and staff wear face coverings when they return to the Capitol campus .
It specifies that Capitol Police will not be enforcing the mask guidance , but if a visitor isn ’ t following a policy set by an office , Capitol Police can be called to assist with removal of that person from an office .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Nancy Pelosi agreed Saturday to reject an offer from the Trump administration to provide Congress with rapid-results testing for COVID-19, saying those tests should go where there is a greater need.
“Congress is grateful for the Administration’s generous offer to deploy rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities to Capitol Hill, but we respectfully decline the offer at this time,” the two leaders said in a joint statement. “Our country’s testing capacities are continuing to scale up nationwide and Congress wants to keep directing resources to the front-line facilities where they can do the most good the most quickly.”
McConnell and Pelosi said Congress will rely on the Office of the Attending Physician’s testing procedures until “these speedier technologies become more widely available.”
The Senate is scheduled to return to Capitol Hill on Monday, despite the continued stay-at-home order in place for Washington, D.C. While lawmakers and staff will not have access to the rapid-response tests offered by the White House, the Office of the Attending Physician released additional safety guidelines Friday.
In a seven-page memo, the OAP recommends — but will not require — that lawmakers and staff wear face coverings when they return to the Capitol campus. It specifies that Capitol Police will not be enforcing the mask guidance, but if a visitor isn’t following a policy set by an office, Capitol Police can be called to assist with removal of that person from an office.


rollcall--2020-05-04--Live and online: Supreme Court breaks new ground this week

It took an international pandemic to drag the Supreme Court a bit further into the internet age , but the justices on Monday will hold oral arguments for the first time via telephone so that anyone will be able to hear them live .
The COVID-19 outbreak shuttered the Supreme Court building and then delayed oral arguments in March and April .
With no clear end to social distancing or when it will be safe to reopen , the famously tradition-bound high court decided to hold two weeks of oral arguments with the justices and counsel all participating remotely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s new rules on exceptions to the contraceptive coverage mandate in the 2010 health care law on Wednesday ; and President Donald Trump ’ s personal challenge to congressional subpoenas for his financial and tax records from Mazars USA and Deutsche Bank on May 12 .
The novelty of the live high court action will certainly bring more interest for the first case under the new format , the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com , about whether online companies with a generic term plus “ .com ” can get trademark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live Supreme Court audio is here to stay — or more likely , not .

It took an international pandemic to drag the Supreme Court a bit further into the internet age, but the justices on Monday will hold oral arguments for the first time via telephone so that anyone will be able to hear them live.
The COVID-19 outbreak shuttered the Supreme Court building and then delayed oral arguments in March and April. With no clear end to social distancing or when it will be safe to reopen, the famously tradition-bound high court decided to hold two weeks of oral arguments with the justices and counsel all participating remotely.
Among the cases: The Trump administration’s new rules on exceptions to the contraceptive coverage mandate in the 2010 health care law on Wednesday; and President Donald Trump’s personal challenge to congressional subpoenas for his financial and tax records from Mazars USA and Deutsche Bank on May 12.
The novelty of the live high court action will certainly bring more interest for the first case under the new format, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com, about whether online companies with a generic term plus “.com” can get trademark protection.
What happens could determine whether live Supreme Court audio is here to stay — or more likely, not.


rollcall--2020-05-04--Census Bureau to restart operations in rural areas of country

After suspending most of its operations in March due to the coronavirus pandemic , the Census Bureau announced Monday it plans to restart some of its fieldwork in rural areas around the country .
Those operations had been delayed through early June , but agency officials said employees would start to hand-deliver invitations to complete the census to homes later this week in parts of 13 states : Alaska , Alabama , Arkansas , Idaho , Maine , Mississippi , Montana , North Dakota , Oklahoma , Tennessee , Utah , Vermont and West Virginia .
The Census Bureau does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post office boxes instead of street addresses .
Many rural areas also do not have internet access that can be used to respond to the census .
In Monday 's announcement , the agency said that field staff would receive `` safety training to observe social distancing protocols '' and personal protective equipment .
The agency will open about two dozen offices around the country that fall under the `` Update/Leave '' category of hand delivery .
The announcement does not cover Puerto Rico , where operations have also stalled amid the pandemic @

After suspending most of its operations in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Census Bureau announced Monday it plans to restart some of its fieldwork in rural areas around the country.
Those operations had been delayed through early June, but agency officials said employees would start to hand-deliver invitations to complete the census to homes later this week in parts of 13 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia.
The Census Bureau does not mail invitations to areas that have post office boxes instead of street addresses. Many rural areas also do not have internet access that can be used to respond to the census.
In Monday's announcement, the agency said that field staff would receive "safety training to observe social distancing protocols" and personal protective equipment.
The agency will open about two dozen offices around the country that fall under the "Update/Leave" category of hand delivery. The announcement does not cover Puerto Rico, where operations have also stalled amid the pandemic.


rollcall--2020-05-04--$8 billion raised in global coronavirus vaccine drive, as US skips effort

A European Union fundraising drive to support medical research into treatments and vaccines for the coronavirus met its initial goal Monday of raising $ 8 billion despite a lack of involvement by the United States .
Even with the initial fundraising goal met , U.S. absence from the EU-led effort , which will provide monetary support to the World Health Organization and other multilateral global public health efforts , has many experts and lawmakers worried about U.S. participation in coordinating research and developing a vaccine .
“ The U.S. historically in the post-World War II-era has been the leader at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right thing , ” Rep. Ami Bera , D-Calif. , who leads the House Foreign Affairs Asia subcommittee , said in an interview .
“ The absence of U.S. participation at the government level [ at these international vaccine coordination events ] is just shocking , and is noticeable.
” The European Commission , the leadership body of the EU , on Monday called the $ 8 billion raised through donations from wealthy countries including Norway , Japan , France , Germany and Saudi Arabia a “ solid starting point , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
It was not immediately clear how much of the raised funds represented new monies or commitments made earlier in the year .
“ The truth is , none of us can succeed alone , ” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , newly recovered from his own serious bout of COVID-19 , said in his virtual remarks .
“ To win this battle , we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expertise , the faster our scientists will succeed .
”

A European Union fundraising drive to support medical research into treatments and vaccines for the coronavirus met its initial goal Monday of raising $8 billion despite a lack of involvement by the United States.
Even with the initial fundraising goal met, U.S. absence from the EU-led effort, which will provide monetary support to the World Health Organization and other multilateral global public health efforts, has many experts and lawmakers worried about U.S. participation in coordinating research and developing a vaccine.
“The U.S. historically in the post-World War II-era has been the leader at the table pushing the world to do the right thing,” Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., who leads the House Foreign Affairs Asia subcommittee, said in an interview. “The absence of U.S. participation at the government level [at these international vaccine coordination events] is just shocking, and is noticeable.”
The European Commission, the leadership body of the EU, on Monday called the $8 billion raised through donations from wealthy countries including Norway, Japan, France, Germany and Saudi Arabia a “solid starting point,” for the pledging marathon to defeat the coronavirus. It was not immediately clear how much of the raised funds represented new monies or commitments made earlier in the year.
“The truth is, none of us can succeed alone,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, newly recovered from his own serious bout of COVID-19, said in his virtual remarks. “To win this battle, we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine. The more we pull together and share our expertise, the faster our scientists will succeed.”


rollcall--2020-05-04--Coronavirus Special Report: A historic moment for the Supreme Court

Tonight , we begin with a first at the Supreme Court : a live broadcast of oral arguments .
Then @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon and delve into how it might be rethinking national security due to the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ latest on health policy news and the coronavirus .

Tonight, we begin with a first at the Supreme Court: a live broadcast of oral arguments. Then, we move to the Pentagon and delve into how it might be rethinking national security due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the latest on health policy news and the coronavirus.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-05-04--McConnell sets up nominees, Schumer predicts ‘one of the strangest’ Senate sessions

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell teed up a handful of nominees the chamber is set to vote on this week @ @ @ @ @ amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
“ Qualified nominees who have been held up for @ @ @ @ @ become even more necessary in these uncertain times , ” McConnell said on the Senate @ @ @ @ @ for “ across-the-board obstruction.
” Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer then criticized McConnell for focusing @ @ @ @ @ than coronavirus legislation , saying he needs to “ shelve the divisive judicial fights.
” @ @ @ @ @ doubt that this will be one of the strangest sessions of the United States Senate @ @ @ @ @ Schumer said .
[ Road ahead : Senate returns to new coronavirus normal on Capitol @ @

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell teed up a handful of nominees the chamber is set to vote on this week as senators return to Washington amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“Qualified nominees who have been held up for too long already, have become even more necessary in these uncertain times,” McConnell said on the Senate floor Monday, criticizing Democrats for “across-the-board obstruction.”
Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer then criticized McConnell for focusing floor action on nominees rather than coronavirus legislation, saying he needs to “shelve the divisive judicial fights.”
“There can be no doubt that this will be one of the strangest sessions of the United States Senate in modern history,” Schumer said.
[ Road ahead: Senate returns to new coronavirus normal on Capitol Hill ]


rollcall--2020-05-04--Road ahead: Senate returns to new coronavirus normal on Capitol Hill

As the Senate convened Monday en masse for the first time in seven weeks , those who made the trip to Capitol Hill were greeted at security checkpoints by large yellow dots on the floor at six-foot intervals , printed with footprints and a message that said “ Thanks for practicing social distancing.
” The echoing halls of the Senate , close to empty for weeks , sprung back to life as senators , a select few staffers and reporters returned to work , priming the pump for more nominees to be sent to the Senate floor .
Nearly everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
But many Capitol Police officers stationed around campus opted not to .
The vast majority of senators spotted by CQ Roll Call Monday wore masks , with one telling exception : Senate Rules and Administration Chairman Roy Blunt .
The face covering-edict is a recommendation , not a requirement or a rule , and the Capitol Police will have no hand in enforcement .
Other lawmakers used their masks to rep their home states , with Alabama Republican Richard Shelby sporting a University of Alabama Crimson Tide-themed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing an orange , white and black Baltimore Orioles mask .

Chris Cioffi and Katherine Tully-McManus

As the Senate convened Monday en masse for the first time in seven weeks, those who made the trip to Capitol Hill were greeted at security checkpoints by large yellow dots on the floor at six-foot intervals, printed with footprints and a message that read “Thanks for practicing social distancing.”
The echoing halls of the Senate, close to empty for weeks, sprung back to life as senators, a select few staffers and reporters returned to work, priming the pump for more nominees to be sent to the Senate floor. Nearly everyone at the Capitol wore masks, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. But many Capitol Police officers stationed around campus opted not to.
[US military poised for post-pandemic shift]
The vast majority of senators spotted by CQ Roll Call Monday wore masks, with one telling exception: Senate Rules and Administration Chairman Roy Blunt. The face covering-edict is a recommendation, not a requirement or a rule, and the Capitol Police will have no hand in enforcement.
Other lawmakers used their masks to rep their home states, with Alabama Republican Richard Shelby sporting a University of Alabama Crimson Tide-themed mask and Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen wearing an orange, white and black Baltimore Orioles mask.


rollcall--2020-05-04--McConnell-Pelosi decision to decline rapid coronavirus testing stirs questions, concerns on Hill

The decision by congressional leaders to not deploy rapid testing for the coronavirus on Capitol Hill comes at a time @ @ @ @ @ rate of infection in the region and the workplace .
For example , Kevin McCarthy @ @ @ @ @ the House , has broken with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , saying he disagreed @ @ @ @ @ rapid COVID-19 tests offered by the White House .
“ I do disagree about the @ @ @ @ @ Politico .
McCarthy ’ s rare deviation from McConnell highlights the grave safety concerns he @ @ @ @ @ — and possibly paralyzing — the Capitol .
Over the weekend , Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ statement saying they declined the Trump administration ’ s offer and that Congress wants to @ @ @ @ @ facilities .
The Senate convened Monday .
Last week , House Majority Leader Steny H. @ @ @ @ @ the chamber to return to Washington May 4 — canceled those plans , citing the @ @ @ @ @ about it .

The decision by congressional leaders to not deploy rapid testing for the coronavirus on Capitol Hill comes at a time of rising concern about the rate of infection in the region and the workplace.
For example, Kevin McCarthy, the top Republican in the House, has broken with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, saying he disagreed with the decision to reject rapid COVID-19 tests offered by the White House.
“I do disagree about the testing,” McCarthy told Politico.
McCarthy’s rare deviation from McConnell highlights the grave safety concerns he has about the disease engulfing — and possibly paralyzing — the Capitol. Over the weekend, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and McConnell issued a joint statement saying they declined the Trump administration’s offer and that Congress wants to continue directing resources to front-line facilities.
The Senate convened Monday. Last week, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer — after initially scheduling the chamber to return to Washington May 4 — canceled those plans, citing the Capitol physician’s concerns about it.


rollcall--2020-05-04--Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas politics anymore

ANALYSIS — While I recently ran through the top Senate races of 2020 and the parties ’ prospects , I did not include Kansas on the list .
That omission — an intentional one — brought plenty of reaction , so I thought I ’ d explain why Kansas is not now on my list of general election contests to watch and what would need to happen before it is .
The last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Kansas was Lyndon Johnson ( against Barry Goldwater ) in 1964 .
The last Democrat to win a Senate race in Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a win in a 1930 special election and was narrowly elected to a full term two years later .
Since the end of World War II , the state has had only one very tight Senate race , in the Watergate election year of 1974 , when Republican incumbent Bob Dole eked out a 50.9 percent to 49.1 percent victory over Democratic Rep. William Roy .
Six years ago , Republican Sen. Pat Roberts , who is not seeking reelection this year , was in a surprisingly tight race with businessman Greg Orman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were worried about Roberts ’ campaign and prospects , but they dragged him across the finish line with what turned out to be a comfortable 10.6-point victory margin .

ANALYSIS — While I recently ran through the top Senate races of 2020 and the parties’ prospects, I did not include Kansas on the list.
That omission — an intentional one — brought plenty of reaction, so I thought I’d explain why Kansas is not now on my list of general election contests to watch and what would need to happen before it is.
A little background
The last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Kansas was Lyndon Johnson (against Barry Goldwater) in 1964. The last Democrat to win a Senate race in Kansas was George McGill, who squeezed out a win in a 1930 special election and was narrowly elected to a full term two years later.
Since the end of World War II, the state has had only one very tight Senate race, in the Watergate election year of 1974, when Republican incumbent Bob Dole eked out a 50.9 percent to 49.1 percent victory over Democratic Rep. William Roy.
Six years ago, Republican Sen. Pat Roberts, who is not seeking reelection this year, was in a surprisingly tight race with businessman Greg Orman, an independent. National GOP strategists were worried about Roberts’ campaign and prospects, but they dragged him across the finish line with what turned out to be a comfortable 10.6-point victory margin.


rollcall--2020-05-04--DOJ hiring changes may help Trump’s plan to curb immigration

New documents on hiring changes made by the Justice Department to an influential board that oversees appeals to immigration court decisions reveal additional ways the Trump administration may be achieving its goal of reducing immigration .
They also highlight additional fraying of the firewall between the Justice Department and the neutral arbiters of the immigration court system under its purview .
In October , CQ Roll Call reported on documents showing the Justice Department had tweaked the hiring process to fill six new vacancies on the Board of Immigration Appeals , an administrative body that reviews the decision of immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spots were filled by immigration judges with records of high asylum denial rates , many with a history of formal complaints .
But new Justice Department memos obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed in March by the American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association , and shared with CQ Roll Call , further illuminate the rule changes that enabled those and more recent hires .
The latest three , sworn in Friday , include an immigration judge who denied over 96 percent of the asylum requests before him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about “ bias and prejudice.
” The hiring plan documents show shortened hiring timelines and suggest preference given to judges with records of rulings against immigrants .
The documents also demonstrate the influence held over the board by the political leadership of the Executive Office for Immigration Review , the Justice Department agency that oversees the nation ’ s immigration court system , particularly its director , James McHenry .

New documents on hiring changes made by the Justice Department to an influential board that oversees appeals to immigration court decisions reveal additional ways the Trump administration may be achieving its goal of reducing immigration.
They also highlight additional fraying of the firewall between the Justice Department and the neutral arbiters of the immigration court system under its purview.
In October, CQ Roll Call reported on documents showing the Justice Department had tweaked the hiring process to fill six new vacancies on the Board of Immigration Appeals, an administrative body that reviews the decision of immigration judges and sets long-lasting precedent. The spots were filled by immigration judges with records of high asylum denial rates, many with a history of formal complaints.
But new Justice Department memos obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed in March by the American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and shared with CQ Roll Call, further illuminate the rule changes that enabled those and more recent hires. The latest three, sworn in Friday, include an immigration judge who denied over 96 percent of the asylum requests before him and had a history of formal complaints about “bias and prejudice.”
The hiring plan documents show shortened hiring timelines and suggest preference given to judges with records of rulings against immigrants. The documents also demonstrate the influence held over the board by the political leadership of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Justice Department agency that oversees the nation’s immigration court system, particularly its director, James McHenry.


rollcall--2020-05-04--Pentagon mulling request for additional COVID-19 funds

The Pentagon expects to request new funding in the next COVID-19 recovery bill for medical supplies and economic relief for @ @ @ @ @ Mark T. Esper said Monday .
“ We anticipate the likely need for additional monies @ @ @ @ @ a fourth supplemental , ” Esper said during a teleconference hosted by the Brookings Institution @ @ @ @ @ already been using the $ 11 billion it received from an earlier recovery bill to @ @ @ @ @ to produce protective gear and testing equipment under the Defense Production Act , he said @ @ @ @ @ committed to pushing $ 3 billion to defense contractors by increasing the amount the department @ @ @ @ @ during ongoing work .
“ We want people at work , ” Esper said , @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We want to continue with payments , we want to help with cash @ @ @ @ @ an island , we really rely heavily on the private sector .
”

The Pentagon expects to request new funding in the next COVID-19 recovery bill for medical supplies and economic relief for defense contractors, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said Monday.
“We anticipate the likely need for additional monies coming out if there is a fourth supplemental,” Esper said during a teleconference hosted by the Brookings Institution.
The Defense Department has already been using the $11 billion it received from an earlier recovery bill to provide financial incentives to companies to produce protective gear and testing equipment under the Defense Production Act, he said.
The Pentagon has already committed to pushing $3 billion to defense contractors by increasing the amount the department reimburses firms for expenses incurred during ongoing work.
“We want people at work,” Esper said, referring to the defense industry. “We want to continue with payments, we want to help with cash flow. DOD is not an island, we really rely heavily on the private sector.”


rollcall--2020-05-04--FDA pushes COVID-19 antibody test makers to improve quality

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced that antibody test developers must meet higher quality standards and seek authorization from the administration in order to keep their tests on the market .
The department previously allowed companies to validate their own data in bringing antibody tests to market , a controversial move that unleashed more than 100 tests with wildly variable degrees of quality .
Under the new policy , coronavirus test developers will have to meet certain markers of accuracy and submit an application for emergency authorization within 10 days of submitting their data .
“ Our expectation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will withdraw their product from the market and we will be working with them to help them do that , ” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said on a call with reporters .
FDA officials said they are adapting their approach based on real-world experience and data .
`` The careful balancing of risks and benefits has shifted from where it was in mid-March , '' said a blog post by Anand Shah , FDA deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs , and Center for Devices and Radiological Health Director Jeff Shuren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quick development of more testing capabilities as experts race to develop ways to identify and treat the virus .

The Food and Drug Administration on Monday announced that antibody test developers must meet higher quality standards and seek authorization from the administration in order to keep their tests on the market.
The department previously allowed companies to validate their own data in bringing antibody tests to market, a controversial move that unleashed more than 100 tests with wildly variable degrees of quality. Under the new policy, coronavirus test developers will have to meet certain markers of accuracy and submit an application for emergency authorization within 10 days of submitting their data.
“Our expectation is that those that can't do that will withdraw their product from the market and we will be working with them to help them do that,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said on a call with reporters.
FDA officials said they are adapting their approach based on real-world experience and data. "The careful balancing of risks and benefits has shifted from where it was in mid-March," said a blog post by Anand Shah, FDA deputy commissioner for medical and scientific affairs, and Center for Devices and Radiological Health Director Jeff Shuren.
Hahn has said the pandemic necessitated the quick development of more testing capabilities as experts race to develop ways to identify and treat the virus.


rollcall--2020-05-05--From robo-advisers to cashless society, fintech vexes Congress

The explosion in financial innovation is prompting a diverse set of worries from lawmakers , from potentially adverse impacts on @ @ @ @ @ the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence to decide where investors should park their money , @ @ @ @ @ The Congressional Research Service , which provides policy and legal analysis , issued a report @ @ @ @ @ technology in the securities and banking industries , describing the issues at the forefront .
@ @ @ @ @ use of so-called alternative data by lenders when reviewing credit applications , an approach new @ @ @ @ @ much legislation that addresses the practice directly , according to the report issued April 28 @ @ @ @ @ lenders using measures not typically found in a consumer ’ s credit report to decide @ @ @ @ @ .
Examples include how frequently rent or utility payments are made on time , a @ @ @ @ @ educational level , or even applicants ’ mobile device location information and their social media @ @

The explosion in financial innovation is prompting a diverse set of worries from lawmakers, from potentially adverse impacts on lower-income and minority consumers to the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence to decide where investors should park their money, according to government researchers.
The Congressional Research Service, which provides policy and legal analysis, issued a report cataloging the effects of financial technology in the securities and banking industries, describing the issues at the forefront.
One such concern is the use of so-called alternative data by lenders when reviewing credit applications, an approach new enough that there is not much legislation that addresses the practice directly, according to the report issued April 28.
Alternative data refers to lenders using measures not typically found in a consumer’s credit report to decide whether the applicant is creditworthy. Examples include how frequently rent or utility payments are made on time, a person’s job or educational level, or even applicants’ mobile device location information and their social media use.


rollcall--2020-05-05--COVID-19 loan IG nominee faces Senate panel as Trump stills watchdogs

The socially distancing Senate Banking Committee will reconvene from a coronavirus-prolonged recess Tuesday to consider President Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ in federal loans to keep the economy afloat while the pandemic shutters much of the @ @ @ @ @ s last job as a member of Trump ’ s impeachment defense team has some @ @ @ @ @ be able , or even try , to effectively hold this administration accountable as the @ @ @ @ @ $ 500 billion that Congress gave the Treasury Department in March to bail out airlines @ @ @ @ @ set up lending facilities with the Federal Reserve .
“ Mr .
Miller will have @ @ @ @ @ the American people , not the White House , ” said Senate Banking ranking member @ @ @ @ @ “ He will have to show that he can hold the Trump administration accountable and @ @ @ @ @ by Congress goes to workers , small businesses and communities impacted by the crisis .
@

The socially distancing Senate Banking Committee will reconvene from a coronavirus-prolonged recess Tuesday to consider President Donald Trump’s nominee to watch over trillions in federal loans to keep the economy afloat while the pandemic shutters much of the nation.
Brian Miller’s last job as a member of Trump’s impeachment defense team has some worried he won’t be able, or even try, to effectively hold this administration accountable as the special inspector general for the $500 billion that Congress gave the Treasury Department in March to bail out airlines and certain defense contractors and set up lending facilities with the Federal Reserve.
“Mr. Miller will have to prove he works for the American people, not the White House,” said Senate Banking ranking member Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. “He will have to show that he can hold the Trump administration accountable and ensure that the money allocated by Congress goes to workers, small businesses and communities impacted by the crisis.”


rollcall--2020-05-05--Roof rescue: Ducklings go from stuck at the library to swimming in the pool

It ’ s springtime in Washington , which can mean only one thing : The ducklings are coming , and so are the duckling rescues .
They may strut around like they own the place , but baby ducks can have trouble in the city .
They fall into grates .
They get stranded in fountains .
And if their mother happens to nest on top of a tall building , lured by the promise of greenery or other amenities , it ’ s hard for them to get down .
A scene like that played out Monday on Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ en masse for the first time in weeks .
A duck had laid her eggs on the roof of the Library of Congress ’ Madison Building , and now the family was stuck , since ducklings can ’ t fly or jump down from a perch that high .
What they can do is run pretty fast .
“ They can bounce around , jump around , run around .
They can hide , ” said Lauren Crossed of the Humane Rescue Alliance , which coordinated a rescue mission .
First , senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find the babies .
Next , she put them in a cat carrier ( with netting for extra security ) and brought them down to the street .
The mom flew away , according to Crossed , but rejoined the group as they headed a few blocks west to the obvious destination : the Capitol Reflecting Pool , where six acres of water throw back a peaceful reflection of the rotunda , disturbed only by tourists and all kinds of urban wildlife .

It’s springtime in Washington, which can mean only one thing: The ducklings are coming, and so are the duckling rescues.
They may strut around like they own the place, but baby ducks can have trouble in the city. They fall into grates. They get stranded in fountains. And if their mother happens to nest on top of a tall building, lured by the promise of greenery or other amenities, it’s hard for them to get down.
A scene like that played out Monday on Capitol Hill, just as senators were returning en masse for the first time in weeks. A duck had laid her eggs on the roof of the Library of Congress’ Madison Building, and now the family was stuck, since ducklings can’t fly or jump down from a perch that high.
What they can do is run pretty fast. “They can bounce around, jump around, run around. They can hide,” said Lauren Crossed of the Humane Rescue Alliance, which coordinated a rescue mission. First, senior animal control officer Elesha Young had to find the babies. Next, she put them in a cat carrier (with netting for extra security) and brought them down to the street.
The mom flew away, according to Crossed, but rejoined the group as they headed a few blocks west to the obvious destination: the Capitol Reflecting Pool, where six acres of water throw back a peaceful reflection of the rotunda, disturbed only by tourists and all kinds of urban wildlife.


rollcall--2020-05-05--Antitrust hawks take on Big Tech as pandemic persists

Long before COVID-19 changed everything , progressives in Washington had begun pushing for a new era of antitrust enforcement in which the government would take on the power amassed by the captains of today ’ s technology industry — companies like Facebook , Google and Amazon .
Now , Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York , and Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island are placing that crusade in the context of the ongoing pandemic .
New legislation announced by Warren and Ocasio-Cortez last week would direct the Federal Trade Commission to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquisitions , including those in the tech industry , until the agency decides small businesses and their employees are no longer suffering financially .
In addition , another group of lawmakers , upset at an April 23 report in The Wall Street Journal that found that Amazon used data collected on its third-party sellers to manufacture competing products bearing the Amazon brand , has asked Jeff Bezos , the online retailer ’ s CEO , to come testify to Congress .
[ Big Tech now squarely in the sites of antitrust forces ]

Long before COVID-19 changed everything, progressives in Washington had begun pushing for a new era of antitrust enforcement in which the government would take on the power amassed by the captains of today’s technology industry — companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon.
Now, Democratic lawmakers like Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island are placing that crusade in the context of the ongoing pandemic.
New legislation announced by Warren and Ocasio-Cortez last week would direct the Federal Trade Commission to place a near-universal moratorium on mergers and acquisitions, including those in the tech industry, until the agency decides small businesses and their employees are no longer suffering financially.
In addition, another group of lawmakers, upset at an April 23 report in The Wall Street Journal that found that Amazon used data collected on its third-party sellers to manufacture competing products bearing the Amazon brand, has asked Jeff Bezos, the online retailer’s CEO, to come testify to Congress.
[Big Tech now squarely in the sights of antitrust forces]


rollcall--2020-05-05--Loeffler, Daines and Markey join list of 10 most  vulnerable senators

In a sign Republicans knew Tillis needed help , a GOP super PAC , the Senate Leadership Fund , spent more than $ 2.5 million — through yet another outside group — to promote a more liberal candidate in this year ’ s Democratic primary .
The goal was to force the front-runner , ultimate nominee Cal Cunningham , and his supporters to spend their money earlier than they otherwise would have .
Tillis has taken a moderate tone to campaigning amid the pandemic , including running an ad touting his bipartisan work on relief legislation .
Cunningham , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised more money in the first quarter , but Tillis had $ 6.5 million on hand on March 31 to the Democrat ’ s $ 3 million .
It ’ s hard to overstate how much Collins ’ political fortunes have changed as she has sought to navigate the volatile Trump era while preserving her reputation as an independent-minded moderate .
She voted to acquit the president on impeachment charges and cast a pivotal confirmation vote in 2018 to put Brett M. Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court amid allegations of a long-ago sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by her most likely opponent , Democrat Sara Gideon , the state House speaker , who outraised Collins in the first quarter .
Collins still had more cash on hand , $ 5.6 million to Gideon ’ s $ 4.6 million on March 31 .
Outside groups are lining up to spend big in the state .
Loeffler ’ s campaign has been reeling since the March revelation that she sold $ 20 million in stocks after attending a closed-door coronavirus briefing .
She has tried to control the damage , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the November special election in which candidates from all parties run on the same ballot .
Loeffler was appointed to the vacant seat by Gov .
Brian Kemp despite Trump ’ s preference for Collins .
Both were outraised in the first quarter by Democrat Raphael Warnock , but Loeffler has significant personal wealth , and the National Republican Senatorial Committee continues to support her .
With more than 20 candidates in the race and none likely to clear 50 percent , Loeffler would need a top-two finish to make a January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on defense under the 2020 Senate map , have targeted Peters because he ’ s in a battleground state where Trump eked out a victory four years ago .
Peters has responded with record-setting fundraising , though his presumed opponent , GOP Army veteran John James , has continued to best him in quarterly fundraising hauls .
James lost a 2018 race to Sen. Debbie Stabenow by 7 points .
Peters had $ 8.8 million on hand to James ’ $ 8.6 million on March 31 .
But James has collected more money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving less than $ 200 .
His fundraising strength speaks , in part , to Republicans ’ scant opportunities for Senate pickups this year .
Unlike some Republicans who ’ ve known for months they were at risk , Daines became vulnerable in March when Bullock threw his hat in .
Then the pandemic disrupted campaigning , and Bullock remained in the spotlight , directing his state ’ s response as governor .
That could help — or hurt — him in November .
The GOP ’ s also going to use comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency , including his support for an assault rifle ban and saying that Washington “ is captured by dark money ” on gun policy , climate change and prescription drug costs .
Bullock ’ s $ 3.2 million on March 31 trailed Daines ’ $ 5.6 million .
But Bullock raised it in a matter of weeks .

Kate Ackley, Stephanie Akin, and Bridget Bowman

McSally’s Democratic opponent, Navy veteran and retired astronaut Mark Kelly, has outraised her for five consecutive quarters. Kelly, who is married to former Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, also had more cash on hand, with $19.7 million to McSally’s $10.2 million on March 31. Democrats are continuing to attack McSally’s health care record, recycling similar attacks the retired Air Force pilot faced during her unsuccessful run for Senate two years ago. McSally was appointed to the late Sen. John McCain’s seat after she lost that 2018 race to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema. The 2020 race is for the final two years of McCain’s term.
In a sign Republicans knew Tillis needed help, a GOP super PAC, the Senate Leadership Fund, spent more than $2.5 million — through yet another outside group — to promote a more liberal candidate in this year’s Democratic primary. The goal was to force the front-runner, ultimate nominee Cal Cunningham, and his supporters to spend their money earlier than they otherwise would have. Tillis has taken a moderate tone to campaigning amid the pandemic, including running an ad touting his bipartisan work on relief legislation. Cunningham, an Army veteran and former state senator, raised more money in the first quarter, but Tillis had $6.5 million on hand on March 31 to the Democrat’s $3 million.
It’s hard to overstate how much Collins’ political fortunes have changed as she has sought to navigate the volatile Trump era while preserving her reputation as an independent-minded moderate. She voted to acquit the president on impeachment charges and cast a pivotal confirmation vote in 2018 to put Brett M. Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court amid allegations of a long-ago sexual assault. Such votes helped fuel fundraising by her most likely opponent, Democrat Sara Gideon, the state House speaker, who outraised Collins in the first quarter. Collins still had more cash on hand, $5.6 million to Gideon’s $4.6 million on March 31. Outside groups are lining up to spend big in the state.
Loeffler’s campaign has been reeling since the March revelation that she sold $20 million in stocks after attending a closed-door coronavirus briefing. She has tried to control the damage, but the scandal could boost GOP Rep. Doug Collins in the November special election in which candidates from all parties run on the same ballot. Loeffler was appointed to the vacant seat by Gov. Brian Kemp despite Trump’s preference for Collins. Both were outraised in the first quarter by Democrat Raphael Warnock, but Loeffler has significant personal wealth, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee continues to support her. With more than 20 candidates in the race and none likely to clear 50 percent, Loeffler would need a top-two finish to make a January runoff.
Republicans, who are mostly on defense under the 2020 Senate map, have targeted Peters because he’s in a battleground state where Trump eked out a victory four years ago. Peters has responded with record-setting fundraising, though his presumed opponent, GOP Army veteran John James, has continued to best him in quarterly fundraising hauls. James lost a 2018 race to Sen. Debbie Stabenow by 7 points. Peters had $8.8 million on hand to James’ $8.6 million on March 31. But James has collected more money, $5.2 million, from donors giving less than $200. His fundraising strength speaks, in part, to Republicans’ scant opportunities for Senate pickups this year.