rollcall--2020-12-31--House prepares for an opening day unlike any other

The COVID-19 pandemic had already led the House to significantly alter its perfunctory opening day proceedings for the 117th Congress .
But Rep.-elect Luke J. Letlow ’ s death from complications of the virus just five days before the session begins on Sunday sets a somber tone for the normally celebratory day .
The 117th Congress begins at noon Jan. 3 , as set by the Constitution .
The proceedings will be lengthy due to pandemic precautions , with some aspects , like adoption of the House rules , pushed to the following day because of the time it takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gather all together on the floor .
But at some point during the day , there will likely be a moment of silence for Letlow .
The traditional quorum call , speaker election and swearing in of members that kicks off every new Congress will be done in seven groups to provide for social distancing , House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul D. Irving and Capitol Attending Physician Brian P. Monahan said in a memo sent to returning and incoming members Tuesday afternoon .
That means those three events alone will stretch several hours into Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it takes during pre-pandemic times when all members could gather and stay on the floor .

The COVID-19 pandemic had already led the House to significantly alter its perfunctory opening day proceedings for the 117th Congress. But Rep.-elect Luke J. Letlow’s death from complications of the virus just five days before the session begins on Sunday sets a somber tone for the normally celebratory day.
The 117th Congress begins at noon Jan. 3, as set by the Constitution. The proceedings will be lengthy due to pandemic precautions, with some aspects, like adoption of the House rules, pushed to the following day because of the time it takes to do anything with members unable to gather all together on the floor. But at some point during the day, there will likely be a moment of silence for Letlow.
[Rep.-elect Luke Letlow dies of COVID-19]
The traditional quorum call, speaker election and swearing in of members that kicks off every new Congress will be done in seven groups to provide for social distancing, House Sergeant-at-Arms Paul D. Irving and Capitol Attending Physician Brian P. Monahan said in a memo sent to returning and incoming members Tuesday afternoon.
That means those three events alone will stretch several hours into Sunday evening, at least quadruple the time it takes during pre-pandemic times when all members could gather and stay on the floor.


rollcall--2020-12-31--2020 in 6 horrible minutes: Congressional Hits and Misses

Say goodbye to 2020 with our annual roundup of the biggest hits and misses in Congress .
Sen. Mark Warner @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez played Among Us , Rep. Louie Gohmert lost a crown mid-sentence , @ @ @ @ @ open a beer on the House floor .
Oh , and also the Senate held @ @ @ @ @ pandemic set in , protests abounded , the election came and went , etc.
, @ @ @ @ @ and Misses from this year : • ‘ We got ta go , the trial @ @ @ @ @ clock !
’ • Masks of Congress : The Good , the Bad and the @ @ @ @ @ s so much going on ’ • Not sure whether to drink or pray

Say goodbye to 2020 with our annual roundup of the biggest hits and misses in Congress.
Sen. Mark Warner made a tuna sandwich, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez played Among Us, Rep. Louie Gohmert lost a crown mid-sentence, and Rep. Joe Cunningham cracked open a beer on the House floor.
Oh, and also the Senate held an impeachment trial, the pandemic set in, protests abounded, the election came and went, etc., etc.
More Congressional Hits and Misses from this year:


rollcall--2020-01-30--EMILY’s List ‘hyper-focused’ on Senate elections in 2020

While the presidential race will dominate the 2020 cycle , EMILY ’ s List president Stephanie Schriock is imploring Democratic voters to recognize the importance of flipping the Senate , especially because of its role in confirming Supreme Court justices .
If President Trump wins reelection in 2020 and Republicans maintain control of the Senate , Schriock predicted a “ massive fight ” over the next Supreme Court vacancy .
A vacancy could further shift the ideological balance of the court , which has influence over issues including abortion , a core issue for EMILY ’ s List .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that scenario is to make sure that that Senate is in Democratic hands no matter what happens in the White House , ” Schriock said Thursday in an interview for the C-SPAN program “ Newsmakers ” scheduled to run this weekend .
“ So we are so hyper-focused on winning that United States Senate.
” She said voters who care about the courts should not wait .
“ The fight ’ s now .
The fight isn ’ t when there ’ s an opening , ” Schriock said .
“ The fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve got to win as Democrats if we want to see a strong , fair justice sitting on that court .
I don ’ t know what else to tell folks.
” Democrats need a net gain of three or four seats to flip the Senate , depending on whether a Democrat wins the White House , since the vice president casts tie-breaking votes in the Senate .
EMILY ’ s List , which backs Democratic women candidates who support abortion rights , has endorsed three Democrats looking to flip Republican Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maine , Theresa Greenfield in Iowa and Barbara Bollier in Kansas .
Schriock also said if the crowded Texas Senate primary continues to a runoff featuring one man and one woman , EMILY ’ s List would back the female candidate .
But in some of Democrats ’ best Senate pickup opportunities , such as Arizona , North Carolina and Colorado , the top Democratic candidates are men .
“ There are some good Democratic men out there , ” Schriock said with a laugh .
She said EMILY ’ s List had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kelly , the Democrat running against GOP Sen. Martha McSally in Arizona , given that he is married to former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords .
Schriock said EMILY ’ s List had been talking to women about running for Senate in Colorado and North Carolina , but they were not ready to launch Senate campaigns .
“ In states like all three of those , we ’ ll have the candidates next time , ” Schriock said , noting women are continuing to run for lower-level offices .
But EMILY ’ s List has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate .
Amy McGrath , a former Marine fighter pilot challenging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky , has not sought the group ’ s endorsement , Schriock confirmed Thursday .
McGrath also did not seek the group ’ s backing in her unsuccessful 2018 House race .
“ On occasion , and it is a rare occasion , a candidate feels that she may either not be tied to a national organization or has a different campaign strategy that she wants to execute , ” Schriock said .
“ And I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here.
” Aside from Maine and Colorado , where GOP Sens .
Susan Collins and Cory Gardner are running for reelection in states Hillary Clinton carried in 2016 , the rest of the Democratic Senate targets are in states that President Trump won .
But Schriock dismissed the notion that a liberal Democratic nominee could complicate down-ballot races in Republican-leaning states .
“ I do believe that whoever the nominee is on the Democratic side is going to pull together the winning coalition that we need because this is about Donald Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country and it is a dangerous direction , ” Schriock said .
EMILY ’ s List has so far not taken sides in the crowded presidential race with several women initially running .
The field has since narrowed , with three women remaining : Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard .
Schriock said if the presidential field narrowed to one woman candidate , the group would endorse that candidate .
She said EMILY ’ s List had “ long , existing relationships ” with both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two .
Asked if the group was running out of time to weigh in with early state contests starting next week Schriock said , “ We haven ’ t even started.
” “ We ’ re going to watch , and watch this Iowa caucus , very , very closely and make [ an ] assessment following that and try to figure out what the best path is to ensuring we get a woman to the top of the ticket , ” Schriock said .
If the eventual nominee is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will work to ensure a woman is chosen as the vice presidential nominee .
“ The party is really driven by women and we believe that is how we are going to win this presidential election , ” Schriock said .

While the presidential race will dominate the 2020 cycle, EMILY’s List president Stephanie Schriock is imploring Democratic voters to recognize the importance of flipping the Senate, especially because of its role in confirming Supreme Court justices.
If President Trump wins reelection in 2020 and Republicans maintain control of the Senate, Schriock predicted a “massive fight” over the next Supreme Court vacancy. A vacancy could further shift the ideological balance of the court, which has influence over issues including abortion, a core issue for EMILY’s List.
“We think the best way to prevent that scenario is to make sure that that Senate is in Democratic hands no matter what happens in the White House,” Schriock said Thursday in an interview for the C-SPAN program “Newsmakers” scheduled to run this weekend. “So we are so hyper-focused on winning that United States Senate.”
She said voters who care about the courts should not wait.
“The fight’s now. The fight isn’t when there’s an opening,” Schriock said. “The fight is right now in 2020 and we’ve got to win as Democrats if we want to see a strong, fair justice sitting on that court. I don’t know what else to tell folks.”


rollcall--2020-01-30--Impeachment trial endgame: Republicans hope for Friday vote to acquit Trump

Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine , arrives for the continuation of the Senate Impeachment Trial of President Donald Trump on Thursday .
Collins is expected to vote with Democrats to consider witnesses but that vote may fail , leading to the trial ending Friday .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) The Senate impeachment trial could end Friday if Republican confidence translates to them blocking a motion to consider witnesses and they are then able to move to a final vote to acquit President Donald Trump .
A few senators on the fence about witnesses have yet to make their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room for a surprise turn of events .
But several Republicans and Democrats seem to think a vote to consider witnesses will fail and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will move immediately to votes on the two articles of impeachment .
The House has charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
The Senate will vote separately on each article , deciding whether to convict or acquit Trump .
A conviction requires a two-thirds vote , and it ’ s never been in doubt the final vote to convict on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 67 votes .
Democrats have tried to convince four Republicans to vote with them to subpoena witnesses and documents – a step they claim is necessary for a fair trial .
Such motions require a 51-vote majority .
But on Thursday Democrats started to show signs of defeat , saying they remain “ hopeful ” but not projecting the sort of confidence displayed earlier in the week .
“ We have always said this is an uphill fight , ” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said .
“ The pressure that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , and McConnell place on them is large but we are still hopeful.
” Republicans , meanwhile , were confident Democrats ’ hope was unfounded .
“ The president will be acquitted in a bipartisan manner , ” Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham said , predicting Republicans will vote against considering witnesses .
“ We ’ re not blocking anybody ’ s witnesses .
We ’ re just not going to legitimize the House not calling witnesses and dumping it in our lap.
” So far there are only two Republicans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who have strongly indicated they ’ d vote to allow the consideration of witnesses .
Two others , Sens .
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , have expressed openness to it .
A handful of other Republicans have not stated their intentions but are ultimately not expected to side with Democrats unless those other four do , guaranteeing the motion to consider witnesses will succeed .
Affirming that expectation , Indiana GOP Sen. Mike Braun told reporters Thursday that two , three and four “ are pretty important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would vote to allow witnesses .
Democrats already tried and failed to subpoena witnesses and documents before the trial started .
Republicans rejected Democrats ’ pretrial motions seeking to call four witnesses : former national security adviser John Bolton ; acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney ; Robert Blair , a senior adviser to Mulvaney ; and Michael Duffey , a senior Office of Management and Budget official .
The GOP also rejected Democrats ’ attempts to subpoena documents from the White House , OMB and the State and Defense departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withhold military aid to Ukraine , an action that is at the heart of the abuse of power charge .
More telling , however , was the pretrial vote in which all 53 Republicans voted against a Democratic amendment to the trial rules that would have made individual motions to subpoena witnesses and documents in order .
McConnell ’ s rules resolution , which the Senate adopted on a party-line vote , only makes in order the question of whether to consider and debate motions to subpoena witnesses or documents .
If that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be able to offer separate motions to subpoena testimony from Bolton , Mulvaney , Blair and Duffey or specific sets of documents .
That vote will come Friday immediately after four hours of arguments , split equally between the House managers prosecuting the case and Trump ’ s lawyers mounting his defense .
McConnell ’ s rules ensure that senators can not amend the motion on whether to consider witnesses and documents or offer other motions before that vote .
Senators could offer a motion to go into closed session , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s trial , at any time .
However , senators in both parties have expressed little interest in closed-door deliberations , noting they want the trial to be conducted transparently .
All 47 Democrats are expected to vote in favor of considering witnesses and documents , so the various scenarios on how the vote will play out only involve deviations in Republican votes .
The least likely scenario is that the aforementioned four Republicans — and potentially more — join Democrats on the overarching question : that is , opening up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider new evidence .
That leaves two other scenarios .
One is that Romney , Collins and either Murkowski or Alexander vote with Democrats to consider witnesses , resulting in a 50-50 tie .
Senators in both parties say it ’ s unknown whether Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. , who is presiding over the trial , would cast a deciding vote but most predict he won ’ t weigh in and thus the vote would fail .
The final scenario has Romney and Collins voting with Democrats and the effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Either one of those senators or both could stay in the GOP fold as well , also dooming such a motion . )
One wildcard is whether any Republicans that vote against considering witnesses and documents may ultimately vote to convict Trump on one or both charges .
This could be a politically appealing option for more moderate GOP senators because it would allow them to back the broader party desire not to prolong the trial while showing independence in the verdict — without changing the ultimate outcome .
McConnell ’ s trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the impeachment rules shall be in order ” following the disposition of the witness question .
If that vote to allow witnesses fails , several Republicans think McConnell will offer a motion to immediately proceed to final votes on the two articles .
“ I suspect there ’ ll be consideration about a vote to set a final vote , ’ Texas Sen. John Cornyn , the former Republican whip , said .
The Senate impeachment rules allow for all motions to be debated for up to two hours , one per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democrats would likely want to offer other motions to show Republicans aren ’ t allowing evidence they think is critical to a fair trial .
For example , Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Wednesday he planned to introduce a motion requiring the chief justice to subpoena documents and witnesses , if he determines they are relevant to the impeachment articles .
But on Thursday , several Democratic senators said they weren ’ t sure they would have an opportunity to offer additional motions if the question on considering witnesses and documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that McConnell might thwart them with a motion to call the question on the impeachment charges .
Schumer declined to say whether there was anything his party could do to delay a vote on the articles , reiterating that their current focus is on witnesses and documents .
“ The leader 's resolution doesn ’ t go past that , ” he said .
“ The minority has rights and we will exercise those rights.
” Schumer could theoretically attempt to amend any motion McConnell makes to end the trial , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senator during an impeachment trial is only amendable upon the motion of other senators.
” However , a dispute over whether to call for a final vote on the articles could be unprecedented .
In past impeachments , senators adopted agreements — sometimes after debate in closed session — setting the date , time and method for considering the articles .
Sen. Tim Scott thinks McConnell may avoid moving for an immediate vote on the articles because Democrats could just amend his motion .
“ You ’ re gon na have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this issue before expecting a conclusion , ” the South Carolina Republican said .
“ I think there ’ ll be hours of debate before we get to that question at all.
” One of the signs that Democrats are expecting the Senate to vote Friday to acquit Trump was messages they started sending Thursday about the validity of that result without the Senate having considered new evidence .
“ He will not be acquitted , ” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who led the impeachment articles through the House .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have a trial .
And you don ’ t have a trial if you don ’ t have witnesses and documentation.
” Across the Capitol , Schumer made a similar but less definitive declaration .
“ A trial without truth , without key evidence , without witnesses and documents would render the president ’ s acquittal meaningless , ” he said , noting there would be “ a giant asterisk next to it because the trial was so rigged in his favor.
” Niels Lesniewski , Chris Marquette and Michael Macagnone @ @ @ @ @

The Senate impeachment trial could end Friday if Republican confidence translates to them blocking a motion to consider witnesses and they are then able to move to a final vote to acquit President Donald Trump.
A few senators on the fence about witnesses have yet to make their intentions clear, so there is still room for a surprise turn of events. But several Republicans and Democrats seem to think a vote to consider witnesses will fail and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will move immediately to votes on the two articles of impeachment.
The House has charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate will vote separately on each article, deciding whether to convict or acquit Trump. A conviction requires a two-thirds vote, and it’s never been in doubt the final vote to convict on either charge will fall short of those 67 votes.
Democrats have tried to convince four Republicans to vote with them to subpoena witnesses and documents – a step they claim is necessary for a fair trial. Such motions require a 51-vote majority.
But on Thursday Democrats started to show signs of defeat, saying they remain “hopeful” but not projecting the sort of confidence displayed earlier in the week.


rollcall--2020-01-30--U.S. border officers ordered to vet Iranian American travelers, memo shows

Rep. Pramila Jayapal , D-Wash. , called the practice of targeting U.S. citizens and residents at the border `` absolutely unacceptable . ''
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal said Thursday that her office was working to confirm what appears to be a Customs and Border Protection directive to field officers asking for additional scrutiny of Iranians , Palestinians and Lebanese at the U.S. border .
“ This document , if verified as coming from the Seattle CBP Field Office , matches exactly the process described by CBP leadership in a briefing last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the credible and powerful accounts from travelers who faced extreme profiling at the U.S.-Canada border , ” the Democratic lawmaker said in a statement that linked to a local paper in Washington state that published the directive .
Jayapal , who heads the Congressional Progressive Caucus , said she has requested an immediate meeting with the director of the CBP 's Seattle field office , which oversees operations at 67 ports of entry along the northern U.S. border , including those in Washington , Idaho , Montana , North Dakota and Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent CBP directive was sent out , but the orders appear to back up claims by dozens of American citizens and permanent residents of Iranian heritage who said they were held for hours earlier this month as they tried to return home to the United States through the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine , Wash. A CBP spokesperson , when asked about the directive , told CQ Roll Call that the agency “ does not comment on leaked documents.
” The spokesperson pointed to the agency 's previous statement on the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referrals are based on factors that could include the individual ’ s activities , associations and travel patterns .
As a result , some travelers may experience increased wait times and subsequent interviews . ''
“ CBP has established strict oversight policies and procedures to ensure traveler screening practices adhere to all constitutional and statutory requirements , ” according the agency statement .
However , CBP initially called reports of its officers detaining Iranian-Americans and others as `` false '' and denied it had issued a directive to do so .
The directive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wash. , and later obtained by CNN , notes a high threat alert for the nation after the U.S. directed a targeted air strike killing Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani on Jan. 3 .
The document asks border officers to increase vetting of `` all individuals '' born after 1961 and before 2001 with ties to Iran , Lebanon and the Palestinian region .
It requires that the officers ask travelers about their faith , and gauge if they exhibit `` extremist ideology or links to terrorism , '' criminality , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that U.S. citizens and permanent residents were not exempt from this scrutiny .
`` This is absolutely unacceptable , and it reminds us of the dark times in our country ’ s history , '' she said .
`` We can not implement loyalty tests or discriminate against individuals in the name of national security . ''
Jayapal and other Democrats have written acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf , asking for documents showing exactly how the department and agency officers have asked for travelers to be scrutinized .
On Thursday , Jayapal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producing any documents by their requested Jan. 21 deadline , DHS conducted a telephone briefing making it “ clear that the CBP Seattle Field Office issued guidance targeting people of Iranian heritage.
” On Jan. 5 , dozens of U.S. citizens and permanent residents of Iranian descent reported being held for hours at the Blaine port of entry .
Among them was Negah Hekmati , an Iranian-American mother whose family drove across the U.S. border around midnight Jan. 4 , and was held at the border until around 5 a.m the next morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference organized by Jayapal that agents took their keys and passports while they were awaiting further questioning .
The agents asked about the family ’ s relatives in Iran and the United States , as well as social media handles the family used .
Hekmati said her U.S.-born children were extremely anxious throughout the experience .
“ It ’ s not OK , ” she said at the time .
“ For me , as an immigrant , I ’ m used to it , unfortunately .
But they ’ re U.S.- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Civil Liberties Union has sued the agency to get more information about its Tactical Terrorism Response Teams , which were mentioned in the directive and which the civil liberties group says have been detaining and interrogating travelers on flimsy grounds .

Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal said Thursday that her office was working to confirm what appears to be a Customs and Border Protection directive to field officers asking for additional scrutiny of Iranians, Palestinians and Lebanese at the U.S. border.
“This document, if verified as coming from the Seattle CBP Field Office, matches exactly the process described by CBP leadership in a briefing last week, our own sources inside CBP, and the credible and powerful accounts from travelers who faced extreme profiling at the U.S.-Canada border,” the Democratic lawmaker said in a statement that linked to a local paper in Washington state that published the directive.
[Customs and Border Protection denies targeting Iranian Americans at border]
Jayapal, who heads the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said she has requested an immediate meeting with the director of the CBP’s Seattle field office, which oversees operations at 67 ports of entry along the northern U.S. border, including those in Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota.
It is unclear exactly when the apparent CBP directive was sent out, but the orders appear to back up claims by dozens of American citizens and permanent residents of Iranian heritage who said they were held for hours earlier this month as they tried to return home to the United States through the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine, Wash.


rollcall--2020-01-30--House panel asks whether legislation can keep cash as king

At some uncertain point in the future , printing cash may be a waste of money .
As Americans increasingly rely on credit cards , online transfers , mobile apps and cryptocurrencies to complete transactions , a House panel debated Thursday the promise and potential pitfalls of a cashless society .
In recent years , some stores have decided they ’ d rather not ask “ paper or plastic ?
” to customers at checkout .
Instead , they ’ ve gone cash free , accepting only smartphone apps like Apple Pay , mobile payments like Venmo , or debit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to a legislative response , with left-leaning cities and states banning cashless stores and a bill from New Jersey Democrat Donald M. Payne Jr. that would do the same across the country .
The House Financial Services Committee ’ s task force on financial technology heard witnesses tout how new payment technologies would save consumers time and money , while others warned that that innovation alone would not solve the systemic problems keeping the American dream out of reach for many .
“ Too often , we see these companies claiming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in fact they are perpetuating segregation in our banking system , ” said Deyanira Del Rio , co-executive director of the New Economy Project .
“ This is not to malign innovation or technology .
They ’ re not intrinsically bad or good , and that ’ s the point.
” Cash may have once been king , but in 2018 it lost its crown as top payment method .
Debit cards were used that year in 28 percent of U.S. transactions to cash ’ s 26 percent , according to the Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also seen their shares grow in recent years .
That ’ s led some businesses to stop accepting cash .
While merchants have to pay transaction fees on card and mobile payments , cash isn ’ t free , either .
Physical money means regular trips to the bank to make deposits , making change , reconciling cashier tills and risk of theft .
As electronic payment transaction times have dropped , high-volume retail businesses can move customer lines quickly relying just on electronic payments .
But not everyone has adopted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely on the user maintaining an active bank account .
According to a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation survey in 2017 , 6.5 percent of the nation is unbanked .
Lower income and minority populations are more likely to rely on cash than to use cards or electronic payments .
“ To me , it ’ s about choice , ” said Payne .
“ What happens to that segment of the country that does not come along with this move towards other currencies ?
What happens to the grandmother that just can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phone ?
” New Jersey instituted a cashless ban last year , as did Philadelphia and San Francisco .
New York City passed its own ban last week .
Massachusetts , which has had a ban on the books since 1978 , is considering a repeal .
But whether to take cash should be a choice for companies , too , Republicans on the task force contended .
Some companies have decided that it ’ s worth losing some cash-only customers to save the headaches of dealing with physical money .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stifle innovation and adoption of new technologies with overly broad regulations .
“ By acting before we really understand what we ’ re dealing with , we have a tendency to drive innovation — and , more importantly , the entrepreneurs responsible for it — out , '' said Tom Emmer , R-Minn. , the ranking member of the task force .

At some uncertain point in the future, printing cash may be a waste of money. As Americans increasingly rely on credit cards, online transfers, mobile apps and cryptocurrencies to complete transactions, a House panel debated Thursday the promise and potential pitfalls of a cashless society.
In recent years, some stores have decided they’d rather not ask “paper or plastic?” to customers at checkout. Instead, they’ve gone cash free, accepting only smartphone apps like Apple Pay, mobile payments like Venmo, or debit and credit cards.
That’s led to a legislative response, with left-leaning cities and states banning cashless stores and a bill from New Jersey Democrat Donald M. Payne Jr. that would do the same across the country.
The House Financial Services Committee’s task force on financial technology heard witnesses tout how new payment technologies would save consumers time and money, while others warned that that innovation alone would not solve the systemic problems keeping the American dream out of reach for many.
“Too often, we see these companies claiming to eliminate banking deserts or empowering communities when in fact they are perpetuating segregation in our banking system,” said Deyanira Del Rio, co-executive director of the New Economy Project. “This is not to malign innovation or technology. They’re not intrinsically bad or good, and that’s the point.”


rollcall--2020-01-30--What happens if there's a tie vote at the impeachment trial? It's complicated.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. arrives to the Capitol for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Jan. 22 .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) The next stage of President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial will sharpen focus on Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. ’ s role as presiding officer and a looming question : Does he have the power to decide whether the Senate should hear more witnesses and evidence ?
A deep dive into the details of Senate rules and impeachment history comes to this conclusion : No , although he might in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tie vote .
Generally , the Senate ’ s impeachment rules give Roberts little true power .
It sounds important that the chief justice “ may rule on all questions of evidence ” such as relevancy , materiality and redundancy .
But the rules allow the Senate to vote to overrule him , so a majority of the Senate retains the ultimate power on questions of whether to issue subpoenas for witnesses or documents .
Roberts also can decline to rule on a motion either way , and instead ask the senators to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a motion to call witnesses , such as former national security adviser John Bolton , that decision almost certainly would not rise and fall on Roberts .
Rather , it would come down to which side has at least 51 senators .
Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage , which is why Democrats have repeatedly said they need four Republicans to join them to get to 51 votes to allow for more witnesses and documents .
“ Look , right now our focus is on getting four Republicans .
We shouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice will or will not do , ” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York said Thursday .
But what if only three Republicans vote along with the Democratic caucus on the first big question , whether to allow subpoenas for more witnesses , resulting in a 50-50 tie vote ?
Things get more interesting and unsettled .
That scenario appears possible , with Republicans Susan Collins of Maine , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah so far expressing an openness to hear from Bolton or other witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way : Vice President Mike Pence , who can typically break a tie vote in the Senate , does not have a vote or role in impeachment trials , according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s office .
While the Constitution expressly gives the vice president the power to break ties when he presides over other business , it is silent on the question of whether a chief justice can break ties in impeachment trials , said Jeff Blattner , who served as chief counsel to Sen. Edward Kennedy , D-Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a motion that ends in a tie vote would fail .
Keep that in mind for these scenarios .
If the Senate ties 50-50 on whether to allow motions for subpoenas and witnesses , Roberts could decide not to vote .
That would mean the effort would be defeated .
That scenario seems the most likely , since legal experts who have watched Roberts ’ career say he is likely to defer to the Senate and not heavily direct the proceedings .
The Constitution gives the Senate the authority to conduct impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His instincts as chief justice have been to try to keep the Supreme Court from appearing political or stepping into the role of the political branches .
But Democratic senators have voiced support for Roberts to vote to break the tie , appealing to his instinct to not preside over what the public could consider a sham trial .
What if Roberts surprises and decides , as presiding officer , that he could cast a vote to break that Senate tie ?
There is a precedent for the chief justice to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Johnson , then-Chief Justice Salmon Chase had to rule on motions and issues about live witnesses and more .
Chase sometimes broke ties on a procedural vote .
Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts made a motion that one of Chase ’ s tiebreaking votes was “ without authority under the Constitution of the United States , ” but the motion failed .
If Roberts follows Chase ’ s lead , then he could cause the motion to be agreed to , 51-50 .
Motions on subpoenas for witnesses would be allowed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ call for a vote and a majority could overturn his decision to cast that tiebreaking vote .
Subpoena motions would then not be allowed .
But if that vote to overturn Roberts results in another 50-50 tie , then the motion would be rejected because it did not get a majority .
Subpoena motions would be allowed .
After that , there are three main scenarios .
Scenario 1 : If there is a motion to subpoena Bolton to testify , and Roberts does not rule but instead defers to the Senate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the motion would be rejected because it did not get a majority .
Bolton would not be subpoenaed .
Scenario 2 : If Roberts again surprises and decides , as presiding officer , that he could cast a vote to break that Senate tie , then he could cause the motion to be agreed to , 51-50 .
Bolton would be subpoenaed .
In that situation , a senator could call for a vote and a majority could overturn his decision to cast that tiebreaking vote .
Bolton would not be subpoenaed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts results in a 50-50 tie , then the motion would be rejected because it did not get a majority .
Bolton would still be subpoenaed .
Scenario 3 : Roberts could surprise and , on that original motion to subpoena Bolton , decide to rule in favor of the motion rather than defer to the Senate .
Bolton would be subpoenaed .
In that situation , a senator again could call for a vote to overturn his ruling , and a majority vote could do so .
Bolton would not be subpoenaed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts results in a 50-50 tie , then the motion would be rejected because it did not get a majority .
Bolton would still be subpoenaed .

But the rules allow the Senate to vote to overrule him, so a majority of the Senate retains the ultimate power on questions of whether to issue subpoenas for witnesses or documents. Roberts also can decline to rule on a motion either way, and instead ask the senators to vote on it.
So if there is a motion to call witnesses, such as former national security adviser John Bolton, that decision almost certainly would not rise and fall on Roberts. Rather, it would come down to which side has at least 51 senators.
Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage, which is why Democrats have repeatedly said they need four Republicans to join them to get to 51 votes to allow for more witnesses and documents.
“Look, right now our focus is on getting four Republicans. We shouldn’t have to rely on what the chief justice will or will not do,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York said Thursday.
But what if only three Republicans vote along with the Democratic caucus on the first big question, whether to allow subpoenas for more witnesses, resulting in a 50-50 tie vote? Things get more interesting and unsettled.


rollcall--2020-01-30--At the Races: Iowa still matters after Monday

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 .
Ladies and gentleman , start your engines , prepare your hearts , and brush up on your delegate rules .
The Iowa caucuses are finally upon us .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , former Vice President Joe Biden , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not clear which will win on Monday .
These could be the craziest caucuses ever , one Iowa expert tells CQ Roll Call ’ s Jason Dick on this week ’ s Political Theater podcast .
Jason also has a useful video on how the caucuses work ( featuring his extensive collection of RAYGUN t-shirts ) .
One question we ’ ll be watching is whether more vulnerable House Democrats start to take sides in the primary once results start rolling in .
Some vulnerable members are concerned that more liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing districts , so they have started to back Biden , who campaigned for a lot of them in 2018 .
Also don ’ t forget about Iowa after Monday !
The owner of RAYGUN hasn ’ t forgotten that there ’ s a competitive Senate race and is backing retired Vice Admiral Mike Franken to take on GOP Sen. Joni Ernst ( Franken ’ s supporters will be sporting “ Iowa ’ s admiral ” t-shirts from the store at Monday ’ s caucuses ) .
All four of Iowa ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
The CQ Roll Call team was out in Iowa in August taking an early look at these races and you can check out our Hawkeye State dispatches here .
Next week ’ s primary : No , not that one .
We ’ re talking about the Democratic fight to succeed the late Elijah E. Cummings in Maryland ’ s 7th District , which features more Democrats than the presidential race .
Voters go to the polls on Tuesday — the day after the Iowa caucuses and the same day as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don ’ t ignore this race , though : there ’ s plenty of drama .
Cummings ’ widow is trying to become the first woman to hold the seat ( there are currently no women in the delegation ) , and her biggest competition is former congressman Kweisi Mfume , who ’ s facing sexual harassment allegations .
Both are making a pitch to black women , a crucial voting bloc in Baltimore , where we spent Sunday taking the temperature of the race .
A new boogeyman in town : House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell , rather than the GOP leader of their own chamber or President Donald Trump .
That messaging strategy , embodied in DCCC ads about prescription drug pricing this week , reflects House Democrats ’ political and legislative reality .
Sounding the alarm : House GOP leaders issued an urgent message to Republicans this week : step up your fundraising .
After a “ green wave ” of cash helped Democrats flip the House in 2018 , Republicans are raising concerns that the tide still hasn ’ t gone out in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans keeping up even as Trump raises record numbers ?
And are GOP lawmakers getting the message ?
We dive into those questions here .
The race is on : Georgia Rep. Doug Collins ’ Senate candidacy sets up a competitive fight against newly appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler that could jeopardize GOP control of the seat .
Take it from the National Republican Senatorial Committee , which now has two seats to worry about in the Peach State : “ All he has done is put two Senate seats , multiple house seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes in play , ” executive director Kevin McLaughlin said in a statement .
With all candidates in the special election running together on the same November ballot , they fear that multiple candidates could split the GOP vote .
As expected , the Rev .
Raphael Warnock , a well-known Democrat in the state , also announced his candidacy this week .
Collins is backing a state House bill that would create a regular party primary for the race , but the measure was sent back to the rules committee Thursday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of their own : Presidential candidates Michael Bloomberg and Pete Buttigieg came to DC last week to address a convention of the nation ’ s mayors .
They both argued that mayors would make great presidents , pointing to their own experience running New York City and South Bend , Indiana .
Guess what ?
The mayors in attendance agreed .
Districts are ( or were ) Red , Democrats are Blue : The DCCC announced its first slate of “ Red to Blue ” candidates this week , a distinction that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee ’ s preferred candidates in primaries .
The list included California Assemblywoman Christy Smith , who ’ s running in the special election to replace former Democratic Rep. Katie Hill in the 25th District .
Smith ’ s Democratic opponent , Cenk Uygur , host of the liberal “ Young Turks ” show , slammed the move .
Uygur said the committee “ declared war on the progressive arm of the party ” and it was indicative of larger , systemic issues “ that all too often push out candidates of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative candidates.
” At a briefing with reporters Thursday DCCC Chairwoman Cheri Bustos opened by touting diversity in the Red to Blue class .
Asked about Uygur ’ s criticism specifically , she said , “ We ’ re in the game of winning.
” Bustos said Smith “ fits that district like a glove ” and a DCCC spokesperson noted Smith has the backing of a slew of local and national Democratic groups .
Raise your hand if you ’ re thinking about 2024 : Here ’ s looking at you , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched impeachment-related ads in IOWA this week .
Politico reported that Scott “ has let it be known ” that he wants to run for the White House in 2024 , which could explain the early state spending .
# NY27 : Republican leaders picked their candidate in the special election to replace former GOP Rep. Chris Collins , who is heading to prison for insider trading charges .
State Sen. Chris Jacobs will likely face Democrat Nate McMurray in the special election , which is expected to take place on April 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep red district in 2018 .
But Republicans could still see a crowded primary in the race for a full term with some GOP hopefuls sharply criticizing the decision to back Jacobs .
The conservative Club for Growth is also not a fan of Jacobs and could spend against him in the primary for a full term .
Doubling up : Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Victory Fund are planning to spend at least $ 60 million in the 2020 elections up and down the ballot , doubling their 2018 spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on expanding their strength in the suburbs , where gun safety has proven a salient issue , particularly among women voters , senior adviser Charlie Kelly wrote in a memo this week .
Abortion on the ballot ?
: Conservative Kansas lawmakers are pushing for an August vote on a ballot measure that would amend the state ’ s constitution to block access to abortions .
If they succeed , it could be bad news for the moderate candidates on the same ballot in the GOP primary for the state ’ s open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put the measure on the ballot in the November general election , which would not be the best option for Democrats .
Potential climate changer : Environmental advocates are preparing to launch a Super PAC to support incumbent Sen. Edward J. Markey in his primary fight against Rep. Joe Kennedy III , Politico reported .
The move , by George Bachrach , the former president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts , is meant to recognize Markey ’ s leadership on the Green New Deal , which he co-sponsored .
It also fuels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Markey to sign a pledge to limit outside spending in the campaign .
Things get real for Riggleman : Bob Good , who is opposing Virginia Rep. Denver Riggleman in the 5th District GOP convention , left his position at Liberty University to focus on his campaign .
Kansas City wants to know : Freshman Rep. Sharice Davids has avoided making controversial moves since she flipped a swing district in Kansas last cycle .
But this week she made a Super Bowl wager with Rep. Eric Swalwell that could force her to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her suburban Kansas City District : which restaurant makes the best barbecue .
Davids told Swalwell , of California , that if the Kansas City Chiefs lose to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday , she will send his office a delivery of “ world-famous Kansas City BBQ.
” She did not say where she would place the order -- probably a wise move for a representative from a region that keeps tallies of where political candidates get their slabs .
And another reason for Davids to root for the Chiefs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend a lot of energy in 2020 reminding voters that a second-term Trump administration could revive a plan to open the state ’ s coastal waters to off-shore drilling .
The Trump administration said the state would be excluded from a 2018 plan to expand oil and gas drilling across nearly all U.S. waters , after bipartisan backlash from Florida politicians .
But because of a legal glitch , there is still a possibility that the plan could be revived .
The state ’ s Democrats think that prospect could help win over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where 29 electoral votes are at stake , CQ Roll Call ’ s Elvina Nawaguna reports .
Shades of green : Sure , they all want to put the United States back in the Paris accords and condemn Trump for downplaying the threat posed by climate change , but that doesn ’ t mean the Democrats seeking the presidential nomination are in lockstep agreement on how to change energy policy .
CQ Roll Call ’ s Benjamin J. Hulac highlights five areas , including carbon taxes and what to do about nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wild times : Trump held a rally in Wildwood , New Jersey , this week , with Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew .
CQ Roll Call ’ s Dean DeChiaro spoke to Trump supporters in the crowd who largely said that if Van Drew , who has a 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood , is good enough for Trump , he ’ s good enough for them .
Van Drew ’ s candidacy as a Republican , though , is inspiring plenty of opposition from Democratic candidates — and one Republican — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s Trump ’ s party , and they ’ re just livin ’ in it : If you ’ ve been paying attention to GOP primaries lately , you know these contests are all about who is most loyal to Trump .
The New York Times dives into the primary against Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick , whose GOP challenger accuses Fitzpatrick of not supporting the president .
In this story , our own Nathan L. Gonzales also drops some knowledge about primaries in the Trump era .
Don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times political columnist Thomas Edsall took a deep look at presidential campaigns ’ digital tracking strategies , which are dramatically changing the game without a lot of regulation or disclosure .
The Trump campaign has been way ahead of the pack on this , but Democrats are investing in it too .
Gone to the dogs : We ’ ve been getting fundraising emails from congressional candidates ’ dogs for a while now , but dog surrogates have become a no-risk strategy for presidential candidates too .
The New York Times explored how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their humans run for president .
And while former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg didn ’ t quite know how to greet a canine he met on the trail , he at least did better than the president , who doesn ’ t even have a pet .
Bloomberg followed up with a new video with some four-legged testimonials .
That ’ s how many congressional candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed this week , although all but two of them are already members of Congress in districts rated Solid Democratic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who ’ s taking on Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar in a primary ( she already had Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s endorsement and has the support of other groups including EMILY ’ s List ) and San Diego City Council president Georgette Gómez , who is running to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Susan Davis in California ’ s 53rd District .
( That race also features Sara Jacobs , who ran unsuccessfully for the nomination in the 49th District in 2018 ) .
Inside Elections rates both of those races Solid Democratic as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional races this week , backing Mondaire Jones , who is running to replace New York Rep. Nita M. Lowey .
Jones , who worked in Obama ’ s Justice Department , had initially been challenging Lowey in a primary , but she decided not to run for reelection .
Warren also endorsed school board member Candace Valenzuela in Texas ’ 24th District , an open GOP seat Democrats are looking to flip in 2020 .
Valenzuela has the backing of EMILY ’ s List , but the race also features Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Politics have endorsed .
All seven of the so-called national security Democrats represent House districts that Republicans recently held .
And while the Washington-Post op-ed these freshmen wrote last fall precipitated the impeachment proceedings that Republicans think will help them , these individual Democrats seem to be doing pretty well .
Nathan takes a closer look at each of their races .
When Amanda Makki decided to pursue a career in politics , the first person she had to convince was her Iranian-born father .
“ Your last name is Makki , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t Kennedy .
So , good luck.
” Now that she is on the campaign trail in Florida ’ s 13th District , where Makki is competing in the crowded GOP primary to take on incumbent Democrat Charlie Crist , Makki has found plenty of evidence to dispel her father ’ s fears that she would not be embraced by the political establishment .
She has high-profile endorsements from conservative groups and sitting members of Congress .
Indeed , she told the story about her father in front of a crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Rep. Elise Stefanik ’ s E-PAC , which works to get more Republican women elected .
But Makki has also encountered some bigotry .
Makki was born in Tehran and brought to the United States when she was 11 months old , when her family sought political asylum in South Carolina .
She volunteered on the Bush campaign and was hired by the Pentagon post 9-11 because she could speak Farsi .
She later earned a law degree and served on the staffs of Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and Alaska Sen. Lisa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The long resume didn ’ t stop supporters of opponent George Buck from standing outside a recent fundraiser for her campaign with a sign that read , “ Makki is a terrorist.
” Buck , a veteran and a firefighter , was dropped from the NRCC ’ s Young Guns program in December after his campaign circulated a fundraising email calling for Somali-born Rep. Ilhan Omar , D-Minn. , to be hanged for treason .
Buck condemned the accusation against Makki , telling Floridapolitics.com that she is , “ a nice lady.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook to defend his supporters ’ rights to wave signs in public , pointing out that they are “ also strong Trump supporters.
” South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham ’ s well-documented evolution from Trump skeptic to Trump champion has earned him plenty of national attention , which seems to be benefiting both him and his likely Democratic opponent .
Graham and Jaime Harrison , an associate chairman of the Democratic National Committee and former chairman of the state Democratic Party , are raising big money .
Harrison announced raising $ 3.4 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and several weeks later , Graham one-upped him , announcing a $ 3.9 million haul .
That Harrison came that close to the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says a lot about Democratic interest in this race .
Donors and activists love a good villain .
But as we saw in the 2018 Texas Senate race , where Beto O ’ Rourke raised crazy money for his challenge to Sen. Ted Cruz , money alone isn ’ t enough .
( And Graham still has a big cash-on-hand advantage , with $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s $ 4.6 million . )
The three-term senator is running for reelection in a state Trump carried by 14 points .
And while Democrats picked up a seat in South Carolina last year — freshman Rep. Joe Cunningham is among Democrats ’ most vulnerable members — it ’ s still a deeply red state .
Graham won his last two elections by 15 points .
Harrison will certainly have money to energize the state ’ s African-American voters , as well as moderates and independents who may be turned off by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But while this might be Graham ’ s toughest race , it ’ s unlikely to be his undoing .
Inside Elections rates the race Solid Republican .
For next week , let us know if you ’ d like to learn more about the Colorado Senate race or the Ohio ’ s 1st District race .
Email us at attheraces @ cqrollcall.com .
After a couple weeks with all eyes on the Senate chamber , action switches to the House side Tuesday night for the State of the Union .
Cameras will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re wondering if Doug Collins and Kelly Loeffler try to outdo each other cheering on the POTUS .
Subscribe to this newsletter now using this link so you don ’ t miss out on the best news and analysis from our team , plus key stories and data that will keep you informed about 2020 races .

By Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman and Simone Pathé
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.
Ladies and gentleman, start your engines, prepare your hearts, and brush up on your delegate rules. The Iowa caucuses are finally upon us. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg have been leading recent Iowa polls, and it’s not clear which will win on Monday. These could be the craziest caucuses ever, one Iowa expert tells CQ Roll Call’s Jason Dick on this week’s Political Theater podcast. Jason also has a useful video on how the caucuses work (featuring his extensive collection of RAYGUN t-shirts).
One question we’ll be watching is whether more vulnerable House Democrats start to take sides in the primary once results start rolling in. Some vulnerable members are concerned that more liberal candidates could complicate their own races in swing districts, so they have started to back Biden, who campaigned for a lot of them in 2018.
Also don’t forget about Iowa after Monday! The owner of RAYGUN hasn’t forgotten that there’s a competitive Senate race and is backing retired Vice Admiral Mike Franken to take on GOP Sen. Joni Ernst (Franken’s supporters will be sporting “Iowa’s admiral” t-shirts from the store at Monday’s caucuses). All four of Iowa’s House districts could also be competitive in 2020. The CQ Roll Call team was out in Iowa in August taking an early look at these races and you can check out our Hawkeye State dispatches here.


rollcall--2020-01-30--House earmarks decision likely next week, Lowey says

Rep. Nita Lowey , a New York Democrat.
, said Thursday that the time for discussion on earmarks was fast coming to an end .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey indicated Thursday that the word would come down as soon as the week of Feb. 3 on whether lawmakers would be able to seek special projects for their districts in next year ’ s spending bills .
The New York Democrat ’ s comments follow weeks of behind-the-scenes conversations during which she has begun to formulate how the House might bring back the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She ’ s also sought to assuage fears from Democrats in swing districts who have concerns about how the practice could impact them in November .
“ We are just having discussions and we ’ ll see the response next week , ” Lowey said .
Making a decision next week would set the stage for the beginning of the annual appropriations process , which is slated to kick off Feb. 10 when President Donald Trump sends his fiscal 2021 budget request to Congress .
Any return of earmarks , however limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 that lawmakers have a more direct hand in determining where federal funding goes .
That was the year House Republicans wrote a prohibition into their conference rules , and senators on both sides of the aisle also began observing an earmark moratorium .
After Democrats regained the House last January , they had a similar conversation about possibly bringing back earmarks , before opting against it .
But party leaders have now rebranded the special line items as “ community project funding ” in an effort to try to restore lawmakers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while holding discussions over the past few weeks within the Democratic Caucus .
Lowey said Thursday that the time for discussion was fast coming to an end .
“ People come over and say ‘ yes ’ or ‘ no ’ and at some point it ’ ll be too late , ” she said .
“ We ’ ll see where we are next week.
” Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby , an Alabama Republican , said Tuesday he didn ’ t think Republicans in his chamber would agree to lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That could cause problems later this year when Democrats ultimately conference their spending bills with the Senate , if that chamber leaves its ban in place .
That ’ s why some House lawmakers have cautioned a restoration of “ community project funding ” won ’ t work unless Republicans go along .

House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey indicated Thursday that the word would come down as soon as the week of Feb. 3 on whether lawmakers would be able to seek special projects for their districts in next year’s spending bills.
The New York Democrat’s comments follow weeks of behind-the-scenes conversations during which she has begun to formulate how the House might bring back the controversial earmarking process during an election year. She’s also sought to assuage fears from Democrats in swing districts who have concerns about how the practice could impact them in November.
[House members consider ending earmark ban]
“We are just having discussions and we’ll see the response next week,” Lowey said.
Making a decision next week would set the stage for the beginning of the annual appropriations process, which is slated to kick off Feb. 10 when President Donald Trump sends his fiscal 2021 budget request to Congress.


rollcall--2020-01-30--House Republicans sound fundraising alarm. What now?

Republican Rep. Jim Hagedorn , shown at his 2018 campaign office in Mankato , Minn. , says he raised $ 1 million last year for his 2020 reelection .
Republican leaders are urging members to step up fundraising to keep pace with Democrats .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo ) Jim Hagedorn , a freshman Republican from Minnesota who says he raised $ 1 million last year , isn ’ t worried about fundraising .
“ That ’ s pretty good for a rural district , ” he said Tuesday outside the House chamber .
It used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a candidate stand out .
Not any more .
Hagedorn ’ s likely Democratic opponent , Iraq veteran Dan Feehan , has announced raising $ 785,000 in the last quarter of 2019 alone .
Democrats are raising huge sums of money , outpacing GOP challengers and incumbents — so much so that House GOP leadership issued a stern warning to the conference this week : Step it up .
Republicans have long admitted that they ’ ve been slower than Democrats to adopt digital fundraising .
Even though they now have what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ActBlue , they can ’ t be expected to catch up overnight .
But for Republicans who saw 2018 ’ s bloodbath up close , there are deeper concerns that incumbents may not realize that there ’ s a problem — and that , if not addressed soon , could jeopardize whatever chance they have to retake the House .
“ We ’ re on pace with what our goal is to run a full campaign and get reelected , ” said Hagedorn , whose 1st District race is rated Tilt Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pressed on what his goal is , Hagedorn didn ’ t answer , and walked into the men ’ s room .
Republicans are still raising money .
The National Republican Congressional Committee raised $ 85 million in 2019 , chairman Tom Emmer said earlier this month .
“ It ’ s not as if we ’ re doing bad , ” said Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole , a former NRCC chairman .
“ We had our best off year we ’ ve ever had .
This is more a matter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as opposed to us not doing well.
” But the NRCC isn ’ t operating in a vacuum .
Their opponents at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have announced raising $ 125 million last year , and that ’ s money Republicans will have to contend with in races across the country .
“ That trend will continue , by the way , ” DCCC Chairwoman Cheri Bustos told reporters Thursday morning .
She said members in the DCCC 's Frontline program — 42 incumbents who are considered vulnerable —raised a combined $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns .
It ’ s often harder for members in the minority party — which the House GOP became in 2019 —to raise money in the minority , and that includes committees , too .
The NRCC has fewer members to pay dues than the DCCC does , which could be depressing their cash flow .
Some top-raising members are also retiring and have slowed their aggressive fundraising .
On top of that , some members are wary of giving to the NRCC because they ’ re not confident the committee will come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one GOP operative involved in House races said .
In 2018 , the committee cut off help to even loyal dues-paying members , such as Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder , who lost .
But beyond committee fundraising , the bigger concern to leadership and GOP strategists is that individual members are not keeping pace .
Republicans are on offense this cycle — they need a net gain of 18 seats to win back the House — which means their biggest focus is on challengers .
“ We want to make sure our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own business so we can spend all our money on offense , ” said North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson , the finance chair of the NRCC .
So why aren ’ t incumbents keeping up ?
After the House began formal impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump , the GOP highlighted instances of contributions flooding some candidates and committees .
That frenzy doesn ’ t seem to be trickling down widely to House members , however , unless the lawmaker is regularly on Fox News , the GOP operative said .
New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised $ 3.2 million after defending the president during the House impeachment inquiry .
“ A lot of the money that would normally go to individual members and go to the NRCC is going directly to the president , ” said Missouri Rep. Billy Long , who committed $ 118,000 to the NRCC on Tuesday because , he said , he ’ s optimistic about taking back the House with the president on the ballot .
Most members interviewed for this story said they ’ ve been encouraged by donor responses this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House .
But not all donors share that optimism , which could be depressing House GOP fundraising , too .
“ A lot of the energy is focused on keeping the Senate majority , ” said GOP donor Dan Eberhart .
Winning the House is seen as a tougher gambit , he said .
“ Nobody believes in their heart that we ’ re within striking distance , ” Eberhart added .
That ’ s created a catch-22 for House GOP incumbents trying to raise money .
Republicans ’ late adoption of nationalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Republican donors for a long time still wanted to get a letter or phone call , believe it or not , ” said Oregon Rep. Greg Walden , another former NRCC chairman .
“ They wanted to write a check .
They didn ’ t necessarily want to give online.
” That ’ s changed .
WinRed is supposed to be the GOP ’ s answer to ActBlue , but the platform will take time to become mainstream .
Even Stefanik was a skeptic of WinRed until recently .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the GOP operative , who suggested some entrenched incumbents just aren ’ t willing to put in the time to raise money .
“ If you ’ re an incumbent and you ’ re getting outraised , you should work a lot harder at fundraising or get your resume ready , ” he said .
Republicans don ’ t expect they ’ ll be able to match Democratic fundraising this election cycle , but they are hoping to narrow the gap .
The NRCC ’ s finance team will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WinRed and stress the importance of fundraising calls .
“ Call time is important but you got ta do events , ” said Walden , who raked in lots of money as a chairman and then ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee .
From the time he got to Congress until he announced his retirement last year , he said he often did three events a day .
“ I figured if I could raise five grand at a breakfast , I was going to eat breakfast somewhere.
” Outside groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Republicans .
“ There ’ ll be a ton of private money spent , ” said Cole , who ’ s optimistic about GOP chances in the 30 seats controlled by Democrats in districts that voted for Trump in 2016 .
Congressional Leadership Fund , the super PAC aligned with House GOP leadership , and its non-profit arm , American Action Network , raised a combined $ 68 million in 2019 , the groups ’ highest off-year fundraising haul .
In 2018 , Feehan , the Minnesota Democrat , raised more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still lost the 1st District by half a point .
Republican outside groups helped Hagedorn even the playing field somewhat by spending about $ 7.2 million in the race — compared to the $ 6.8 million from Democratic groups .
And money isn ’ t everything .
In 2010 , the NRCC ’ s independent expenditure arm , which spends money on races uncoordinated with the campaigns , was outspent by its Democratic counterpart , recalled Mike Shields , the IE director at the time .
But Republicans still won control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need to flip this fall .
Outside groups pay higher rates for television ads , though , so their money is less efficient than a candidate ’ s own haul .
That ’ s one big reason GOP leaders are sounding the alarm .
Georgia Rep. Earl L. `` Buddy '' Carter , one of several Republicans who committed more money to the NRCC after Tuesday ’ s meeting , said he thinks members of his conference got the message .
“ Look , there are only two types of politicians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who raise money and losers.
” Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

Jim Hagedorn, a freshman Republican from Minnesota who says he raised $1 million last year, isn’t worried about fundraising.
“That’s pretty good for a rural district,” he said Tuesday outside the House chamber.
It used to be the kind of haul that made a candidate stand out. Not any more.
Hagedorn’s likely Democratic opponent, Iraq veteran Dan Feehan, has announced raising $785,000 in the last quarter of 2019 alone. Democrats are raising huge sums of money, outpacing GOP challengers and incumbents — so much so that House GOP leadership issued a stern warning to the conference this week: Step it up.
Republicans have long admitted that they’ve been slower than Democrats to adopt digital fundraising. Even though they now have what they’re touting as a technological equivalent to ActBlue, they can’t be expected to catch up overnight.


rollcall--2020-01-30--For Senate GOP, impeachment impedes legislative agenda — that may not exist

Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , arrives to the Senate carriage entrance of the Capitol before the continuation of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Wednesday .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) It ’ s been a constant refrain from Republican senators over the last two weeks : The impeachment trial is blocking us from addressing our legislative agenda .
“ While this case is pending , we can ’ t do anything else , ” Texas Republican John Cornyn complained earlier this week , postulating that paralyzing the Senate with impeachment proceedings was part of House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and House outlook looks a lot like it did at the start of 2019 ] Sen. Rick Scott of Florida has released more than a half-dozen videos over the last two weeks as part of what he ’ s calling a “ Let ’ s Get Back to Work ” series .
“ I ’ ve been held hostage with 99 other people in the U.S. Capitol .
Why ?
Because the Democrats hate Donald J. Trump and are trying to cover up Joe Biden ’ s corruption , ” the Florida Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peel back the rhetorical cover , it ’ s unclear exactly what nitty-gritty policy work these Republican senators are so desperate to return to , aside from confirming more of President Donald Trump ’ s judicial nominations .
There appears to be no pending major legislation ready for a floor vote , other than Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine ’ s bipartisan war powers resolution curbing Trump ’ s ability to attack Iran .
Kaine has said throughout the impeachment trial that he is looking for time for the resolution , but there has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks ago he had enough Republican votes to pass the resolution , which is expected to receive a prompt veto from Trump if it ever lands on his desk .
The Senate impeachment trial has , for the time being , prohibited Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky from scheduling more votes on Trump ’ s judicial nominations , but that ’ s far from the lofty policy goals Republican lawmakers have alluded to .
There are eight presidential nominees to be federal district judges , as well as one circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive calendar .
The Senate Judiciary Committee , led by Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , has not been moving federal judge nominees during the trial .
Many GOP senators have opposed calls from Democrats — and suggestions from some moderates in their own caucus — to subpoena new witnesses and documents , arguing that the ensuing battles over questions of executive privilege could take months to adjudicate in the courts .
“ We ’ d be here through the general election , ” Cornyn said .
“ We ’ d like to pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d like to do a highway bill and other things , all of which would be precluded if we ’ re hung up in an extended court fight over privilege claims.
” Nothing prior to the impeachment proceedings suggests the Senate was anywhere close to beginning negotiations on such legislation with the House .
House Democratic leaders , meanwhile , have criticized their cross-chamber colleagues who ’ ve argued they want to get the impeachment trial over with so the Senate can return to the people ’ s business .
“ The Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s business , ” House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said Tuesday .
“ We would hope they would get to it , not return , because they haven ’ t been doing it , ” the Maryland Democrat added .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she laughed when she heard what Republican senators have been saying .
The Senate has “ had plenty of legislation to pass , ” the California Democrat said , referring to House-passed bills that have languished in the Senate .
The legislation that has stalled in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ net neutrality , and reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act , though most Senate Republicans oppose them as written .
The Republicans ’ clamor over the last two weeks to return to the “ people ’ s business ” presents an interesting duality with McConnell ’ s boasts last year to voters in his home state that he would be the “ Grim Reaper ” for House-passed bills championed by Democrats — while not cultivating major legislation in his own chamber .
Trump , for his part , has tried at various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office to initiate negotiations on a host of pressing issues .
He has , for instance , long called for a wide-ranging infrastructure package , but Senate Republicans have quickly doused such talks since they often begin with calls for raising taxes or adding to the already ballooning federal deficit .
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee advanced a bipartisan highway bill last July , but it has not advanced to the floor .
The current five-year surface transportation law expires at the end of September .
House Democrats on Wednesday unveiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unlikely to receive much Republican support in its current form , though House Transportation and Infrastructure ranking member Sam Graves of Missouri released a list of GOP principles for the bill , urging Democrats to incorporate their priorities into a broader measure .
Republican gripes with the current proposal center mainly on how to pay for it .
Niels Lesniewski and Jessica Wehrman contributed to this report .

It’s been a constant refrain from Republican senators over the last two weeks: The impeachment trial is blocking us from addressing our legislative agenda.
“While this case is pending, we can’t do anything else,” Texas Republican John Cornyn complained earlier this week, postulating that paralyzing the Senate with impeachment proceedings was part of House Democrats’ strategy.
[2020 Senate and House outlook looks a lot like it did at the start of 2019]
Sen. Rick Scott of Florida has released more than a half-dozen videos over the last two weeks as part of what he’s calling a “Let’s Get Back to Work” series.
“I’ve been held hostage with 99 other people in the U.S. Capitol. Why? Because the Democrats hate Donald J. Trump and are trying to cover up Joe Biden’s corruption,” the Florida Republican tweeted on Tuesday.


rollcall--2020-01-30--Five ways Democrats vying for president differ on climate and energy

Protesters calling for more action by the government to combat climate change , gathered on the steps of the earlier this month .
( Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call ) Wrack your brain .
What issue or bundle of issues do President Donald Trump and the Democratic presidential candidates see the most differently ?
Go on .
It ’ s not easy .
But consider the twin topics of energy and the environment .
Since taking office , Trump has nominated fossil fuel lobbyists and coal-friendly politicians to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior and Energy departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including NASA research from his own administration , and rebuked U.N. climate agreements , including the Paris agreement of 2015 and the Kigali amendment , which has bipartisan and industry support .
Steadily , he has made it easier for industries to raise their emissions .
In 2018 , Trump dismissed the conclusions of researchers at 13 federal agencies in the latest National Climate Assessment , which said climate change would punch 100-billion-dollar-plus holes in the domestic economy .
“ I don ’ t believe it , ” he said before blaming other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re at the cleanest we ’ ve ever been , and that ’ s very important to me .
But if we ’ re clean but every other place on Earth is dirty , that ’ s not so good .
So I want clean air .
I want clean water .
Very important.
” Democrats vying for the nomination to challenge Trump have responded by trying to out-muscle one another to become the most hawkish climate candidate , with some unveiling multi-trillion-dollar plans to tackle emissions and decarbonize the economy .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary fight , especially when considering that climate steadily ranks as a top issue for young voters , particularly those who lean left .
But the yawning gap between Trump and those seeking his job obscures the differences between the campaigns .
Every Democratic candidate supports eliminating fossil fuel subsidies , boosting fuel-economy standards and — in what is often mentioned as a “ day one ” initiative — rejoining the Paris climate agreement .
But a closer look shows the rivals ’ views are more nuanced .
Here are five ways Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs .
Support is almost universal in the field for placing a price on greenhouse gas emissions , whether through a cap-and-trade market or a carbon tax .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Sen. Amy Klobuchar , billionaire activist Tom Steyer , former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomerg and technology entrepreneur Andrew Yang each support taxing emissions .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has said she would back a carbon tax , though one does not come up in her campaign climate plan .
While Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he has said such a tax must be part of a sweeping climate plan because the window in which to prevent catastrophic damages is closing .
Klobuchar , Buttigieg and Yang have been more detailed than their opponents over how the money should be spent .
While most Democrats want to price emissions somehow , they disagree about where the revenue should go .
Buttigieg would send it back to the public through dividend checks to offset rises in gasoline and electricity costs .
Yang would split the money , sending half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy and half to projects that decarbonize the economy .
Klobuchar would use some of the revenue on public works , she said in September .
The future of America ’ s nuclear industry divides the Democratic field into three clear paths .
Sanders and Warren oppose building new reactors or plants and want to phase out the plants already online .
On the opposite flank is Yang , who wants to expand nuclear power domestically by , in part , using thorium rather than uranium .
“ Nuclear isn ’ t a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a solid solution for now , and a technology we should invest in as we move to a future powered primarily by renewable energy , ” his campaign website reads .
Biden , too , has made bullish sounds about nuclear , saying in his climate plan that he would support research to lower the costs of building nuclear facilities and disposing of fuel .
The rest of the field has either unclear stances on the topic or has staked out a centrist position that the nuclear power , which generates 20 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be maintained until it can be replaced by other zero-emissions sources .
Bloomberg , Buttigieg , Klobuchar and Steyer land in this no-new-plants-at-this-time camp .
“ I would look at those plants and make sure they ’ re safe and figure out what upgrades we have to make to the plants , but I wouldn ’ t expand nuclear unless we can find safe storage , ” Klobuchar told a CNN town hall in September .
When Trump declared national emergency to access funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall , conservatives warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over climate change .
So far , only Sanders and Steyer have pledged to do so , though Sen. Michael Bennet , who did not qualify for the latest debate , said at a Georgetown University event , “ I would declare a public health emergency.
” Sanders , Warren , Klobuchar and six other Senate Democrats introduced a resolution in July declaring climate change triggered an “ emergency ” that “ demands a national , social , industry and economic mobilization ” across the country as a “ massive ” scale .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Steyer makes his intentions clear : “ On day one of my presidency , I will declare the climate crisis a national emergency.
” Some climate scientists and technical experts , such as former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz , say equipment to trap and hold carbon dioxide emissions — broadly known as “ carbon capture ” technology — is vital to tackle climate change .
Yet the issue is the subject of contention among left-leaning and liberal groups and candidates .
Some view it as a financial lifeline to the coal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly shrunk .
Others say carbon capture is a pragmatic solution to trap dangerous emissions , adding that it ’ s already working at a small number of oil facilities .
Second to nuclear power , carbon capture is the most polarizing environmental issue for 2020 Democrats .
Only four — Biden , Buttigieg , Klobuchar and Yang — have explicitly endorsed the idea .
It didn ’ t even come up at CNN ’ s 7-hour climate forum in the fall .
At a national debate in July , Biden , asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included , would have a place in his administration , gave a murky reply .
“ No , we would work it out , ” Biden said .
“ We would make sure it ’ s eliminated and no more subsidies for either of those , any fossil fuel.
” After the Trump campaign swiftly pounced -- “ Bye bye coal , Democrats & @ JoeBiden just said they are done with you .
How do you feel about that Pennsylvania ?
” Brad Parscale , the manager , said on Twitter — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The former vice president “ supports eliminating subsidies for coal and gas and deploying carbon capture sequestration technology to create economic benefits for multiple industries and significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions , ” the campaign said .
Away from the political center , the Sanders campaign has called carbon capture a “ false solution .
”

Wrack your brain. What issue or bundle of issues do President Donald Trump and the Democratic presidential candidates see the most differently? Go on. It’s not easy.
But consider the twin topics of energy and the environment.
Since taking office, Trump has nominated fossil fuel lobbyists and coal-friendly politicians to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior and Energy departments. He has denied climate science, including NASA research from his own administration, and rebuked U.N. climate agreements, including the Paris agreement of 2015 and the Kigali amendment, which has bipartisan and industry support.
Steadily, he has made it easier for industries to raise their emissions. In 2018, Trump dismissed the conclusions of researchers at 13 federal agencies in the latest National Climate Assessment, which said climate change would punch 100-billion-dollar-plus holes in the domestic economy.
“I don’t believe it,” he said before blaming other nations. “Right now we’re at the cleanest we’ve ever been, and that’s very important to me. But if we’re clean but every other place on Earth is dirty, that’s not so good. So I want clean air. I want clean water. Very important.”