rollcall--2020-06-12--Former pro wrestler wins Nevada primary to take on Rep. Susie Lee

Schwartz was unable to overcome the outside money in support of Rodimer , as well as what became persistent accusations that he was not conservative enough for the GOP primary electorate .
Lee was quickly declared the winner of the Democratic primary Tuesday when partial results showed her with 80 percent against two challengers .
A Daily Beast report on Monday raised questions about her husband ’ s casino-affiliated business ventures getting access to federal aid for the coronavirus pandemic .
Lee , like other Nevada politicians , lobbied for the Treasury Department and the Small Business Administration to allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get access to the Paycheck Protection Program to help keep workers on payrolls .
Republicans believe they have a chance at flipping the 3rd District , which narrowly backed Trump in 2016 .
But Lee won two years later by 9 points and had $ 2 million in her campaign account on May 20 , compared with $ 220,000 for Rodimer .
Rodimer comes with baggage too .
He has a past arrest for battery at a Waffle House in Naples , Florida , for which he has expressed regret .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal record , and opponents were unable to make it a real issue in the primary .

Schwartz was unable to overcome the outside money in support of Rodimer, as well as what became persistent accusations that he was not conservative enough for the GOP primary electorate.
Lee was quickly declared the winner of the Democratic primary Tuesday when partial results showed her with 80 percent against two challengers. A Daily Beast report on Monday raised questions about her husband’s casino-affiliated business ventures getting access to federal aid for the coronavirus pandemic.
Lee, like other Nevada politicians, lobbied for the Treasury Department and the Small Business Administration to allow businesses with significant revenue derived from gambling to get access to the Paycheck Protection Program to help keep workers on payrolls.
Republicans believe they have a chance at flipping the 3rd District, which narrowly backed Trump in 2016. But Lee won two years later by 9 points and had $2 million in her campaign account on May 20, compared with $220,000 for Rodimer.
Rodimer comes with baggage too. He has a past arrest for battery at a Waffle House in Naples, Florida, for which he has expressed regret. The charge didn’t lead to a criminal record, and opponents were unable to make it a real issue in the primary.


rollcall--2020-06-12--House aims to vote on public lands legislation by July 4

The House could vote before July 4 on a massive public lands package , a senior Democratic aide told CQ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to resume debate Monday and vote to adopt the public lands bill as @ @ @ @ @ underlying tax bill .
A final vote to pass the amended bill could come as @ @ @ @ @ 's sent to the House .
The public lands package sponsored by Sen. Cory Gardner @ @ @ @ @ and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $ 900 million a year @ @ @ @ @ Service 's maintenance backlog .
With 59 cosponsors and Gardner , the bill will almost @ @ @ @ @ hurdles in the Senate and pass .
It 's unclear if some House members will @ @ @ @ @ the bill when it 's taken up .

The House could vote before July 4 on a massive public lands package, a senior Democratic aide told CQ Roll Call.
The Senate is scheduled to resume debate Monday and vote to adopt the public lands bill as a substitute amendment to an underlying tax bill. A final vote to pass the amended bill could come as early as Tuesday before it's sent to the House.
The public lands package sponsored by Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million a year and address the National Park Service's maintenance backlog.
With 59 cosponsors and Gardner, the bill will almost certainly overcome the remaining procedural hurdles in the Senate and pass.
It's unclear if some House members will push to make changes to the bill when it's taken up.


rollcall--2020-06-14--Rep. Denver Riggleman blames fraud at GOP convention after losing nod for second term

Virginia Rep. Denver Riggleman became the third House member rejected by his party for another term this year , losing @ @ @ @ @ Saturday to Bob Good , a former Liberty University athletics director who says he is @ @ @ @ @ ’ s founding Judeo-Christian values.
” Good said he captured 58 percent of the vote @ @ @ @ @ which was held in the parking lot of a church in Campbell County , where @ @ @ @ @ .
Delegates cast votes from their cars to avoid exposure to the coronavirus , but @ @ @ @ @ 7 p.m. , counting was done behind closed doors and results were not announced until @ @ @ @ @ At one point , a Riggleman consultant said the campaign was challenging votes cast from @ @ @ @ @ lives .
Shortly after midnight , Riggleman tweeted that “ voting irregularities and ballot stuffing @ @ @ @ @ counties , that fraud was “ a hallmark of this nomination process , ” and @ @ @ @ @ evaluating all our options at this time .
”

Virginia Rep. Denver Riggleman became the third House member rejected by his party for another term this year, losing the 5th District Republican convention Saturday to Bob Good, a former Liberty University athletics director who says he is “committed to the country’s founding Judeo-Christian values.”
Good said he captured 58 percent of the vote at the drive-thru convention, which was held in the parking lot of a church in Campbell County, where he once served as supervisor. Delegates cast votes from their cars to avoid exposure to the coronavirus, but after the convention ended at 7 p.m., counting was done behind closed doors and results were not announced until after 1 a.m Sunday. At one point, a Riggleman consultant said the campaign was challenging votes cast from Campbell County.
Shortly after midnight, Riggleman tweeted that “voting irregularities and ballot stuffing” were reported in multiple counties, that fraud was “a hallmark of this nomination process,” and that his campaign was “evaluating all our options at this time.”


rollcall--2020-06-15--There’s danger in Democrats’ gamble on policing

Judging by Schumer ’ s comments , as well as those of leading House Democrats , they ’ re planning on running for reelection on their response to Floyd ’ s death , under the knee of the white police officer Derek Chauvin .
“ We need wholesale reform , not piecemeal reform , ” Schumer said .
“ We can not approach this debate by cherry-picking one or two reforms and calling the job complete .
It ’ s my worry that ’ s what our Republican colleagues intend to do.
” It was much the same from James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is the House Democrats ’ whip .
He said on the CQ on Congress podcast on June 9 that he had not discussed a policing bill with his senator , Tim Scott , the lone African American Republican in that chamber .
That ’ s significant because Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has tasked Scott with preparing a GOP policing bill .
And Clyburn seemed to reject the idea that Senate Republicans could partner with the House , saying that “ as an institution the Senate seems to be dedicated to turning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , may be merely staking out a tough posture for negotiations .
The bill they offered combines proposals developed over years by representatives in the Congressional Black Caucus with input from the two African American Democrats in the Senate , Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California .
It includes everything Democrats want in a policing overhaul , from bipartisan ideas like banning chokeholds and restricting the transfer of military equipment to police departments to proposals that are nonstarters for many Republicans , like barring police officers from using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodily injury and taking away officers ’ protection from civil lawsuits .
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said representatives , now on a monthlong district work period , will return to Washington on June 25 to vote on it .

Judging by Schumer’s comments, as well as those of leading House Democrats, they’re planning on running for reelection on their response to Floyd’s death, under the knee of the white police officer Derek Chauvin.
“We need wholesale reform, not piecemeal reform,” Schumer said. “We cannot approach this debate by cherry-picking one or two reforms and calling the job complete. It’s my worry that’s what our Republican colleagues intend to do.”
It was much the same from James E. Clyburn, the South Carolina representative who is the House Democrats’ whip. He said on the CQ on Congress podcast on June 9 that he had not discussed a policing bill with his senator, Tim Scott, the lone African American Republican in that chamber. That’s significant because Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has tasked Scott with preparing a GOP policing bill. And Clyburn seemed to reject the idea that Senate Republicans could partner with the House, saying that “as an institution the Senate seems to be dedicated to turning the clock back.”
The Democrats, of course, may be merely staking out a tough posture for negotiations. The bill they offered combines proposals developed over years by representatives in the Congressional Black Caucus with input from the two African American Democrats in the Senate, Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California.
It includes everything Democrats want in a policing overhaul, from bipartisan ideas like banning chokeholds and restricting the transfer of military equipment to police departments to proposals that are nonstarters for many Republicans, like barring police officers from using force except to avoid death or serious bodily injury and taking away officers’ protection from civil lawsuits. House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said representatives, now on a monthlong district work period, will return to Washington on June 25 to vote on it.


rollcall--2020-06-15--Pandemic survey results suggest risk of ‘huge eviction surge’

Food scarcity and concerns about making rent remain high , according to a Census Bureau survey that found those struggles sometimes hitting black and Hispanic communities twice as hard .
About 40 percent of African American households with children reported in May that they don ’ t always have enough to eat , according to the Census Bureau ’ s new Household Pulse survey , which has been measuring the pandemic ’ s impact .
That ’ s double the 20 percent of white households that reported not having enough food .
The data shows a huge spike in food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started , noted economist and Northwestern University professor Diane Schanzenbach .
That ’ s rolled up in a continuing economic crisis where unemployment sits at 13 percent overall but is several points higher among minority groups , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
“ One of the ways to make this recession as short-lived as possible is smart policy from Congress , ” Schanzenbach said .
“ We ’ re concerned they are going to take their foot off the gas pedal too early.
” Census data shows a similar spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent or don ’ t know whether they will , said Solomon Greene , a senior fellow at the Urban Institute .
In the second week of May , about 50 percent of African American households said they had slight or no confidence in their ability to pay June rent .

Food scarcity and concerns about making rent remain high, according to a Census Bureau survey that found those struggles sometimes hitting black and Hispanic communities twice as hard.
About 40 percent of African American households with children reported in May that they don’t always have enough to eat, according to the Census Bureau’s new Household Pulse survey, which has been measuring the pandemic’s impact. That’s double the 20 percent of white households that reported not having enough food.
The data shows a huge spike in food insecurity from the days before the pandemic started, noted economist and Northwestern University professor Diane Schanzenbach. That’s rolled up in a continuing economic crisis where unemployment sits at 13 percent overall but is several points higher among minority groups, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“One of the ways to make this recession as short-lived as possible is smart policy from Congress,” Schanzenbach said. “We’re concerned they are going to take their foot off the gas pedal too early.”


rollcall--2020-06-15--Capitol Police, a department shrouded in secrecy

Democrats and Republicans in Congress have called for an overhaul of law enforcement practices following the police killing of George Floyd , but those same lawmakers who want accountability and transparency nationwide aren ’ t taking a stance on whether their own department , the Capitol Police , should be subject to the Freedom of Information Act .
As a part of the legislative branch , the department remains exempt from the law .
House and Senate Democrats rolled out an expansive criminal justice bill on June 8 to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct in court , improve transparency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and policies .
Their legislation would , in part , create a national police misconduct registry , maintained by the Justice Department , that would be made public .
It would also mandate state and local law enforcement agencies to report use of force data , disaggregated by race , sex , disability , religion and age .
A Senate charge to revamp policing is being spearheaded by Sen. Tim Scott , a South Carolina Republican .
Despite the public outcry for more transparency , none of the lawmakers who serve on committees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the force charged with protecting and securing Congress should be subject to the 1966 Freedom of Information Act that requires federal agencies to disclose a large amount of government information to the public .

Democrats and Republicans in Congress have called for an overhaul of law enforcement practices following the police killing of George Floyd, but those same lawmakers who want accountability and transparency nationwide aren’t taking a stance on whether their own department, the Capitol Police, should be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. As a part of the legislative branch, the department remains exempt from the law.
House and Senate Democrats rolled out an expansive criminal justice bill on June 8 to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct in court, improve transparency through data collection and upgrade police training and policies.
Their legislation would, in part, create a national police misconduct registry, maintained by the Justice Department, that would be made public. It would also mandate state and local law enforcement agencies to report use of force data, disaggregated by race, sex, disability, religion and age.
A Senate charge to revamp policing is being spearheaded by Sen. Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican.
Despite the public outcry for more transparency, none of the lawmakers who serve on committees whose jurisdiction includes the Capitol Police said the force charged with protecting and securing Congress should be subject to the 1966 Freedom of Information Act that requires federal agencies to disclose a large amount of government information to the public.


rollcall--2020-06-15--‘We’re loving our national parks to death,’ senator warns

Sen. Angus King is one of several co-sponsors of a bipartisan package of bills that would provide permanent funding for @ @ @ @ @ Fund and also addresses the National Parks Service ’ s maintenance logjam .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ a lot of pressure on places like the national parks , ” King said , @ @ @ @ @ higher-than-usual attendance this summer as more people flock to safer outdoor activities during the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ voting on the package this week .
See the video for more from CQ Roll @ @ @ @ @ ’ s interview with the Maine independent .

Sen. Angus King is one of several co-sponsors of a bipartisan package of bills that would provide permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and also addresses the National Parks Service’s maintenance logjam.
“I do expect there to be a lot of pressure on places like the national parks,” King said, noting that parks may have higher-than-usual attendance this summer as more people flock to safer outdoor activities during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Senate is voting on the package this week.
See the video for more from CQ Roll Call senior reporter Niels Lesniewksi’s interview with the Maine independent.


rollcall--2020-06-15--Former assemblyman Marchant will be Horsford’s challenger in November

Six days after the polls closed , former state Assemblyman Jim Marchant emerged victorious in the Republican primary to take @ @ @ @ @ November .
Marchant prevailed in eight-candidate field in the 4th District , which is focused @ @ @ @ @ Clark County , but includes a sprawling swath of rural Nevada .
The slow reporting @ @ @ @ @ abundance of absentee ballots , which were valid if they were postmarked by Election Day @ @ @ @ @ of things to come .
The COVID-19 pandemic has been making mail-in and absentee voting @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Marchant had 34.5 percent of the vote with 87 percent of precincts @ @ @ @ @ after The Associated Press called the race .
Air Force veteran Sam Peters ran second @ @ @ @ @ Miss Nevada USA Lisa Song Sutton , who is a Las Vegas-area businesswoman , was @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Cheri Bustos pointed to both local and national issues that @ @ @ @ @ in November .

Six days after the polls closed, former state Assemblyman Jim Marchant emerged victorious in the Republican primary to take on Rep. Steven Hosford in November.
Marchant prevailed in eight-candidate field in the 4th District, which is focused on the population center of Clark County, but includes a sprawling swath of rural Nevada.
The slow reporting of results because of the abundance of absentee ballots, which were valid if they were postmarked by Election Day, may be a sign of things to come. The COVID-19 pandemic has been making mail-in and absentee voting more and more common across the country.
Marchant had 34.5 percent of the vote with 87 percent of precincts reporting Monday afternoon, shortly after The Associated Press called the race. Air Force veteran Sam Peters ran second with 28.7 percent and former Miss Nevada USA Lisa Song Sutton, who is a Las Vegas-area businesswoman, was third with 14.6 percent.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Cheri Bustos pointed to both local and national issues that the Democrats argue favor Horsford in November.


rollcall--2020-06-15--Supreme Court rejects Trump’s challenge to ‘sanctuary’ law

The Supreme Court on Monday denied the Trump administration ’ s attempt to challenge California ’ s so-called sanctuary law @ @ @ @ @ federal immigration authorities .
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr. , were the @ @ @ @ @ court should have taken up the case , U.S. v. California .
California Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ statement he was “ heartened ” by the decision .
“ We ’ re protecting @ @ @ @ @ how we do public safety in our state , ” he said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ the authority to commandeer state resources.
” The White House did not immediately comment on @ @ @

The Supreme Court on Monday denied the Trump administration’s attempt to challenge California’s so-called sanctuary law that limits local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr., were the lone dissenters who said the court should have taken up the case, U.S. v. California.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement he was “heartened” by the decision.
“We’re protecting Californians’ right to decide how we do public safety in our state,” he said. “The Trump Administration does not have the authority to commandeer state resources.”
The White House did not immediately comment on the decision.


rollcall--2020-06-15--Coronavirus Special Report: FDA reverses on drug Trump touted

In today 's episode , we examine the Food and Drug Administration 's move to withdraw emergency approval for hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ sobering look at new statistics that show the rate of hunger and housing insecurity is @ @ @ @ @ African Americans than whites .

In today's episode, we examine the Food and Drug Administration's move to withdraw emergency approval for hydroxychloroquine. We also take a sobering look at new statistics that show the rate of hunger and housing insecurity is nearly twice as high among African Americans than whites.


rollcall--2020-06-15--Police overhaul, parks bill take center stage: Road Ahead

Corrected , 8:35 p.m. | The Senate is expected to take high-profile votes and Republicans plan to release a police overhaul proposal this week as panels in both chambers hold hearings on a variety of topics from social justice to the coronavirus .
The House is not in session , but committees will remain at work .
As a push to pass a lands bill recedes into the rearview mirror , the Senate focus will shift to the GOP policing bill leaders say is expected to be released Wednesday .
Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C. , made the rounds on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pillars of the GOP 's not-yet-released police overhaul — which do n't include relaxing immunity from lawsuits .
Scott called qualified immunity , a priority for Democrats , a `` poison pill '' that would sink the effort .
The bill , according to Scott , would require jurisdictions to report to Department of Justice databases regarding incidents of `` serious bodily injury and death , '' and look at `` training and tactics '' and `` officer misconduct . ''
Scott left the door open for talks on other ways to handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on issues like so-called no-knock warrants and bans on chokeholds .

Corrected, 8:35 p.m. | The Senate is expected to take high-profile votes and Republicans plan to release a police overhaul proposal this week as panels in both chambers hold hearings on a variety of topics from social justice to the coronavirus.
The House is not in session, but committees will remain at work. As a push to pass a lands bill recedes into the rearview mirror, the Senate focus will shift to the GOP policing bill leaders say is expected to be released Wednesday.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., made the rounds on Sunday's news programs revealing the major pillars of the GOP's not-yet-released police overhaul — which don't include relaxing immunity from lawsuits. Scott called qualified immunity, a priority for Democrats, a "poison pill" that would sink the effort.
The bill, according to Scott, would require jurisdictions to report to Department of Justice databases regarding incidents of "serious bodily injury and death," and look at "training and tactics" and "officer misconduct."
Scott left the door open for talks on other ways to handle problematic officers. He also welcomed conversations on issues like so-called no-knock warrants and bans on chokeholds.


rollcall--2020-06-15--Supreme Court’s LGBT decision could shake up other laws and lawsuits

The Supreme Court ’ s decision Monday that backed LGBT employment rights will reverberate through ongoing legislative and legal fights about anti-discrimination provisions in other federal laws and Trump administration policies — and in fights yet to come .
Take the Trump administration rule , finalized just on Friday , under which sexual orientation would no longer be covered by a provision of the 2010 health care law that prohibits discrimination based on sex .
Civil rights groups such as Lambda Legal are all but certain to cite Monday ’ s Supreme Court decision in their forthcoming challenges to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 6-3 , that firing someone merely for being gay or transgender is discrimination based on “ sex ” in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 .
“ It ’ s hard to overstate how much this administration has staked its anti-LGB-and-especially-T agenda on its misreading of Title VII , ” Joshua Block , a litigator at the ACLU 's LGBT Project , tweeted immediately after the decision .
“ It ’ s now an achilles heel in built into almost every terrible regulation and enforcement action for past 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that approach gives them powerful ammunition in that challenge and others , including an ongoing lawsuit on the Trump administration ’ s transgender military ban .

The Supreme Court’s decision Monday that backed LGBT employment rights will reverberate through ongoing legislative and legal fights about anti-discrimination provisions in other federal laws and Trump administration policies — and in fights yet to come.
Take the Trump administration rule, finalized just on Friday, under which sexual orientation would no longer be covered by a provision of the 2010 health care law that prohibits discrimination based on sex.
Civil rights groups such as Lambda Legal are all but certain to cite Monday’s Supreme Court decision in their forthcoming challenges to that new rule. The high court decided, 6-3, that firing someone merely for being gay or transgender is discrimination based on “sex” in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“It’s hard to overstate how much this administration has staked its anti-LGB-and-especially-T agenda on its misreading of Title VII,” Joshua Block, a litigator at the ACLU's LGBT Project, tweeted immediately after the decision. “It’s now an achilles heel in built into almost every terrible regulation and enforcement action for past 4 years.”
And the groups expressed confidence that approach gives them powerful ammunition in that challenge and others, including an ongoing lawsuit on the Trump administration’s transgender military ban.


rollcall--2020-06-15--FDA revokes authorization for drugs Trump touted for COVID-19

The Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that hospitals should no longer administer hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine , the experimental COVID-19 treatments championed by President Donald Trump .
The FDA found the drugs are “ unlikely to be effective ” in these patients , and said it received reports of serious cardiac adverse events .
“ Serious ” adverse events result in death , are life-threatening , or prolong hospitalization , according to FDA .
“ The known and potential benefits of CQ and HCQ no longer outweigh the known and potential risks for the authorized use , ” FDA Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to Gary L. Disbrow , deputy assistant secretary at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority .
The drugs no longer meet the legal requirements of an emergency use authorization , a pathway that makes drugs available in advance of full FDA approval in emergencies , the FDA said .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar must determine if the waivers of FDA regulations are warranted to “ mitigate the effects of ” or “ reduce the severity of ” a public health emergency .
“ Current U.S. treatment guidelines do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HCQ in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 outside of a clinical trial , ” Hinton ’ s letter reads .

The Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that hospitals should no longer administer hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, the experimental COVID-19 treatments championed by President Donald Trump.
The FDA found the drugs are “unlikely to be effective” in these patients, and said it received reports of serious cardiac adverse events. “Serious” adverse events result in death, are life-threatening, or prolong hospitalization, according to FDA.
“The known and potential benefits of CQ and HCQ no longer outweigh the known and potential risks for the authorized use,” FDA Chief Scientist Denise M. Hinton wrote in a letter to Gary L. Disbrow, deputy assistant secretary at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.
The drugs no longer meet the legal requirements of an emergency use authorization, a pathway that makes drugs available in advance of full FDA approval in emergencies, the FDA said. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar must determine if the waivers of FDA regulations are warranted to “mitigate the effects of” or “reduce the severity of” a public health emergency.
“Current U.S. treatment guidelines do not recommend the use of CQ or HCQ in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 outside of a clinical trial,” Hinton’s letter reads.


rollcall--2020-06-15--Outside group hits Tillis on health care record in new ad

Majority Forward , a nonprofit organization that backs Democratic candidates , is launching a seven-figure attack ad Tuesday against North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis , one of the chamber ’ s most vulnerable members .
The new spot , which the group says will air on television and over digital platforms , keeps with Democrats ’ predominant theme of health care , saying that Tillis , who is seeking a second term , “ bragged ” about thwarting Medicaid expansion in North Carolina when he was speaker of the state House .
“ I am the speaker of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicaid , ” Tillis says in footage from the ad .
Majority Forward is affiliated with Senate Majority PAC , a Democratic super PAC that works in support of the party ’ s Senate candidates .
Senate Majority PAC announced in March that it was planning to spend at least $ 25.6 million in North Carolina starting in the fall .
Majority Forward said in May it would reserve $ 4.2 million for North Carolina starting July 12 .
The ad launching Tuesday is in addition to all that .
Andrew Romeo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told CQ Roll Call in an email that the senator believes the decision to expand Medicaid should be left up to the state based on “ financial sustainability ” and that , at that time , the program had been mismanaged .

Majority Forward, a nonprofit organization that backs Democratic candidates, is launching a seven-figure attack ad Tuesday against North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, one of the chamber’s most vulnerable members.
The new spot, which the group says will air on television and over digital platforms, keeps with Democrats’ predominant theme of health care, saying that Tillis, who is seeking a second term, “bragged” about thwarting Medicaid expansion in North Carolina when he was speaker of the state House.
“I am the speaker of the House that made it illegal to expand Medicaid,” Tillis says in footage from the ad.
Majority Forward is affiliated with Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC that works in support of the party’s Senate candidates. Senate Majority PAC announced in March that it was planning to spend at least $25.6 million in North Carolina starting in the fall. Majority Forward said in May it would reserve $4.2 million for North Carolina starting July 12. The ad launching Tuesday is in addition to all that.
Andrew Romeo, the Tillis campaign’s communications director, told CQ Roll Call in an email that the senator believes the decision to expand Medicaid should be left up to the state based on “financial sustainability” and that, at that time, the program had been mismanaged.


rollcall--2020-06-15--Appropriators face busy summer following COVID-19 delays

The annual appropriations process is starting later than normal this year due to coronavirus-related delays .
CQ Roll Call ’ @ @ @ @ @ Shutt discuss what could trip up lawmakers as they begin debate on nearly $ 1.4 @ @ @ @

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Evan Campbell

The annual appropriations process is starting later than normal this year due to coronavirus-related delays.
CQ Roll Call’s David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt discuss what could trip up lawmakers as they begin debate on nearly $1.4 trillion in spending.
Also Read:


rollcall--2020-06-15--Supreme Court extends employment protections to LGBT individuals

The Supreme Court on Monday extended broad workplace protections to gay , lesbian and transgender employees , in a decision that found a 55-year-old anti-discrimination law covers them even if Congress did not intend that when it passed the law .
The 6-3 decision , written by conservative Justice Neil M. Gorsuch , pointed out that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 adopted broad language that prohibits private companies from discriminating against employees on the basis of “ sex , ” seen at the time as a historic step for women ’ s rights .
But sex “ plays a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire someone for being homosexual or transgender , Gorsuch wrote , even if that wasn ’ t why lawmakers included “ sex ” in the law at the time .
“ We do not hesitate to recognize today a necessary consequence of that legislative choice : An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law , ” Gorsuch wrote .
The decision essentially settles an ongoing legislative fight in Congress .
Democratic lawmakers , who this year advanced legislation to ensure LGBT workplace protections under Title VII @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had argued in a brief that “ sex ” already covers LGBT workers .
Republican lawmakers filed a brief in the case to argue that it doesn ’ t .

The Supreme Court on Monday extended broad workplace protections to gay, lesbian and transgender employees, in a decision that found a 55-year-old anti-discrimination law covers them even if Congress did not intend that when it passed the law.
The 6-3 decision, written by conservative Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, pointed out that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 adopted broad language that prohibits private companies from discriminating against employees on the basis of “sex,” seen at the time as a historic step for women’s rights.
But sex “plays a necessary and undisguisable role” when employers fire someone for being homosexual or transgender, Gorsuch wrote, even if that wasn’t why lawmakers included “sex” in the law at the time.
“We do not hesitate to recognize today a necessary consequence of that legislative choice: An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law,” Gorsuch wrote.
The decision essentially settles an ongoing legislative fight in Congress. Democratic lawmakers, who this year advanced legislation to ensure LGBT workplace protections under Title VII no matter how the court rules, had argued in a brief that “sex” already covers LGBT workers. Republican lawmakers filed a brief in the case to argue that it doesn’t.


rollcall--2020-06-16--Democrats increase pressure on Facebook over content policies and Trump posts

As the 2020 presidential election approaches , Facebook is emerging as a key target of Democrats who say the social media giant ’ s passive approach to President Donald Trump ’ s provocative online statements is endangering American lives and the state of American democracy .
In the two weeks since Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg declined to take action on a post by Trump that appeared to endorse the shooting of protesters against police brutality who engaged in looting , Democrats in Congress and former Vice President Joe Biden , the party ’ s presumptive nominee to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s content policies .
In a letter to Zuckerberg last week , Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II , D-Mo.
, and other House Democrats wrote that the company ’ s response to violent content and the spread of disinformation on its platform , such as Trump ’ s recent false statements about mail-in voting , “ are extremely troubling.
” The company ’ s decision not to remove Trump ’ s post was met with opposition from within Facebook ’ s own ranks and stood in stark contrast to action by other social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labeled both of Trump ’ s statements in violation of its content policies .
“ This highlights a possible negligent obfuscation of responsibility to your team , your shareholders , and your users , ” Cleaver and the other Democrats wrote .
“ It also underscores a likely pattern of practice in failing to appropriately balance free speech against public safety and the general welfare of users .
”

As the 2020 presidential election approaches, Facebook is emerging as a key target of Democrats who say the social media giant’s passive approach to President Donald Trump’s provocative online statements is endangering American lives and the state of American democracy.
In the two weeks since Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg declined to take action on a post by Trump that appeared to endorse the shooting of protesters against police brutality who engaged in looting, Democrats in Congress and former Vice President Joe Biden, the party’s presumptive nominee to run against Trump, have turned on Facebook’s content policies.
In a letter to Zuckerberg last week, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Mo., and other House Democrats wrote that the company’s response to violent content and the spread of disinformation on its platform, such as Trump’s recent false statements about mail-in voting, “are extremely troubling.”
Internal opposition
The company’s decision not to remove Trump’s post was met with opposition from within Facebook’s own ranks and stood in stark contrast to action by other social media platforms such as Twitter, which labeled both of Trump’s statements in violation of its content policies.
“This highlights a possible negligent obfuscation of responsibility to your team, your shareholders, and your users,” Cleaver and the other Democrats wrote. “It also underscores a likely pattern of practice in failing to appropriately balance free speech against public safety and the general welfare of users.”


rollcall--2020-06-16--Kentucky Democrats face a choice in deciding who is best suited to beat McConnell

As Kentucky Democrats fill out absentee ballots that will decide next week who takes on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , they have to decide whether they want a fundraising powerhouse who might appeal to moderate independents or if that moderation will turn off liberals so much there ’ s no chance she could beat the six-term incumbent .
State Rep. Charles Booker offers a very different path forward than retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath , long seen as the front-runner .
But as Booker ’ s appeal surged with endorsements from the state ’ s two largest newspapers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , even his own polling has shown him trailing McGrath , who gained national attention in her unsuccessful challenge to Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr in 2018 .
The third candidate in the race , Mike Broihier , a farmer and retired Marine , touts supporters such as former presidential candidate Andrew Yang .
Like Yang , Broihier is pushing for universal basic income and has been working to pick up support of his own , arguing that he is the best suited to take on McConnell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters ?
The answer is complicated by a primary that may be conducted overwhelmingly by mail , with state and county election officials scrambling to keep up with unprecedented demand for absentee ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic .

As Kentucky Democrats fill out absentee ballots that will decide next week who takes on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, they have to decide whether they want a fundraising powerhouse who might appeal to moderate independents or if that moderation will turn off liberals so much there’s no chance she could beat the six-term incumbent.
State Rep. Charles Booker offers a very different path forward than retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, long seen as the front-runner. But as Booker’s appeal surged with endorsements from the state’s two largest newspapers as well as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, even his own polling has shown him trailing McGrath, who gained national attention in her unsuccessful challenge to Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr in 2018.
The third candidate in the race, Mike Broihier, a farmer and retired Marine, touts supporters such as former presidential candidate Andrew Yang. Like Yang, Broihier is pushing for universal basic income and has been working to pick up support of his own, arguing that he is the best suited to take on McConnell.
Whose approach will best appeal to primary voters?
The answer is complicated by a primary that may be conducted overwhelmingly by mail, with state and county election officials scrambling to keep up with unprecedented demand for absentee ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic.


rollcall--2020-06-16--Clyburn: Five years after Charleston massacre, America is reexamining itself

Wednesday marks five years since nine congregants were murdered in the basement of Charleston , South Carolina ’ s Emanuel @ @ @ @ @ an act of racial terror .
That day , avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof walked @ @ @ @ @ “ Mother Emanuel ” and gunned down all but one of the attendees .
With @ @ @ @ @ have wanted to start a race war , but instead he launched “ a reexamination @ @ @ @ @ are as Americans , ” said South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn during a conference call @ @ @ @ @ joined by producers of the documentary film “ Emanuel , ” now streaming free on @ @ @ @ @ massacre ’ s fifth anniversary .
The movie , which is produced by Oscar-winning actress @ @ @ @ @ Steph Curry , among others , was released June 17 last year and debuted on @ @ @ @ @ free release comes amid unrest and protests sparked by the killing of African American man @ @ @ @ @ of Minneapolis police .

Wednesday marks five years since nine congregants were murdered in the basement of Charleston, South Carolina’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in an act of racial terror. That day, avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof walked into a bible study at “Mother Emanuel” and gunned down all but one of the attendees.
With those murders, Roof may have wanted to start a race war, but instead he launched “a reexamination of who and what we are as Americans,” said South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn during a conference call Monday morning.
Clyburn was joined by producers of the documentary film “Emanuel,” now streaming free on Starz online to commemorate the massacre’s fifth anniversary.
The movie, which is produced by Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis and NBA MVP Steph Curry, among others, was released June 17 last year and debuted on Starz in January.
The free release comes amid unrest and protests sparked by the killing of African American man George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.


rollcall--2020-06-16--Is fintech the future of the internet?

Is fintech the future of the internet?

Fintech Beat sits down with Stefan Thomas , the CEO of Coil , to talk about why the internet is @ @ @ @ @ and how upgrading the internet ’ s payment structure could revolutionize how it operates .
@ @ @ @ @ the underserved during COVID-19 • Could a CBDC topple the US dollar ?

Fintech Beat sits down with Stefan Thomas, the CEO of Coil, to talk about why the internet is becoming “centralized” — and how upgrading the internet’s payment structure could revolutionize how it operates.
More podcast content
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-16--Screaming into Capitol Hill’s ice cream void

“ Captain Cookie !
” reads the sign above an empty Capitol Hill storefront on 7th Street Southeast .
The @ @ @ @ @ but the construction paper-covered windows imply you ’ ll have to wait .
Dessert lovers @ @ @ @ @ not one but two shops closed down last fall .
After losing Pitango Gelato and @ @ @ @ @ area around Eastern Market felt almost sugar-free .
Hope surged in January , when Captain @ @ @ @ @ known for its food trucks and ice cream sandwiches , announced it would open another @ @ @ @ @ “ Spring 2020 ” debut .
Now that date is slipping past .

“Captain Cookie!” reads the sign above an empty Capitol Hill storefront on 7th Street Southeast. The exclamation point signals excitement, but the construction paper-covered windows imply you’ll have to wait.
Dessert lovers on the Hill despaired when not one but two shops closed down last fall. After losing Pitango Gelato and Trickling Springs Creamery, the area around Eastern Market felt almost sugar-free.
Hope surged in January, when Captain Cookie and the Milkman, known for its food trucks and ice cream sandwiches, announced it would open another brick-and-mortar store, with a “Spring 2020” debut. Now that date is slipping past.


rollcall--2020-06-16--King’s sharp rebuke of moderates will resound through the Senate

Another condemnation of racist policing will ring out on the Senate floor Tuesday , as lawmakers stand up to read @ @ @ @ @ s “ Letter from Birmingham Jail.
” Sen. Doug Jones will lead the bipartisan reading @ @ @ @ @ performance last year .
The new tradition pushes back against a much older one : @ @ @ @ @ willy-nilly , without context .
Most people know the famous bits , like “ Injustice @ @ @ @ @ justice everywhere.
” Fewer people have read the 6,800-word letter from beginning to end , @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate , ” King wrote @ @ @ @ @ “ more devoted to ‘ order ’ than to justice.
” Police arrested the civil @ @ @ @ @ he marched against segregation without a permit .
Some of his colleagues in the clergy @ @ @ @ @ the law .

Another condemnation of racist policing will ring out on the Senate floor Tuesday, as lawmakers stand up to read Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
Sen. Doug Jones will lead the bipartisan reading, after organizing a similar performance last year. The new tradition pushes back against a much older one: quoting King’s words willy-nilly, without context.
Most people know the famous bits, like “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Fewer people have read the 6,800-word letter from beginning to end, or heard its full critique.
“I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate,” King wrote in 1963, blasting those “more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice.”
Police arrested the civil rights leader in Birmingham after he marched against segregation without a permit. Some of his colleagues in the clergy praised the police for upholding the law.


rollcall--2020-06-16--Sen. Loeffler ethics inquiry dismissed

Sen. Loeffler ethics inquiry dismissed

The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed insider trading allegations concerning Sen. Kelly Loeffler , weeks after the Justice Department concluded its inquiry into whether she sold off stock after a coronavirus briefing using material nonpublic information .
The ethics panel wrote Tuesday to the Georgia Republican informing her it `` did not find evidence that your actions violated federal law , Senate Rules , or standards of conduct . ''
The committee `` has dismissed this matter , ” the letter states .
It will take no further action .
Deborah Sue Mayer , the committee ’ s staff director who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CQ Roll Call ’ s inquiry about the statement ’ s authenticity .
A copy of the letter was provided to CQ Roll Call by a Loeffler spokesperson .
“ The Senate Ethics Committee has come to the exact same conclusion as the U.S. Department of Justice : Senator Loeffler did absolutely nothing wrong and has been completely exonerated , ” Loeffler 's spokesperson said in an emailed statement .
Loeffler began selling stock on Jan. 24 , the same day White House officials briefed her and her Health , Education , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
She sold over $ 1 million in stock , according to The Daily Beast .

The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed insider trading allegations concerning Sen. Kelly Loeffler, weeks after the Justice Department concluded its inquiry into whether she sold off stock after a coronavirus briefing using material nonpublic information.
The ethics panel wrote Tuesday to the Georgia Republican informing her it "did not find evidence that your actions violated federal law, Senate Rules, or standards of conduct." The committee "has dismissed this matter,” the letter states. It will take no further action.
Deborah Sue Mayer, the committee’s staff director who authored the letter, did not respond to CQ Roll Call’s inquiry about the statement’s authenticity. A copy of the letter was provided to CQ Roll Call by a Loeffler spokesperson.
“The Senate Ethics Committee has come to the exact same conclusion as the U.S. Department of Justice: Senator Loeffler did absolutely nothing wrong and has been completely exonerated,” Loeffler's spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Loeffler began selling stock on Jan. 24, the same day White House officials briefed her and her Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee colleagues about the coronavirus. She sold over $1 million in stock, according to The Daily Beast.


rollcall--2020-06-16--Coronavirus Special Report: Unpacking COVID-19’s rise, fall and rise

In tonight ’ s episode , we delve into health care policy .
The White House is saying that the @ @ @ @ @ narrative of a second wave of coronavirus infections .
Public health officials disagree .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ news regarding treatment .
Plus , an update on “ Operation Warp Speed , ” @ @ @ @ @ burden of the coronavirus on the mental health of African Americans .
• What to @ @ @ @ @ Trump touted ?
• The dual health crises of police brutality and a second wave @ @ @ @ @ women are dying giving birth during the pandemic .
How can Congress address this ?

Shawn Zeller, Emily Kopp, Sandhya Raman, Joanne Levine, and Thomas McKinless

In tonight’s episode, we delve into health care policy. The White House is saying that the media is creating a false narrative of a second wave of coronavirus infections. Public health officials disagree.
Meanwhile, there is some good news regarding treatment. Plus, an update on “Operation Warp Speed,” and finally, the undue burden of the coronavirus on the mental health of African Americans.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-16--Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux wins primary for open seat in Georgia suburbs

Public policy professor Carolyn Bourdeaux was declared the outright winner Tuesday of a crowded Democratic primary in suburban Atlanta , as absentee ballots continued to be counted a week after the chaotic June 9 elections .
Bourdeaux had 52.7 percent of the vote in Georgia ’ s 7th District in tallies posted Tuesday afternoon , when The Associated Press called the race .
Candidates in Georgia primaries need to exceed 50 percent of the vote to win a nomination or they face a runoff with the second-place finisher .
Bourdeaux was below that level last week , when the AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Brenda Lopez Romero , who had 12.4 percent .
Progressive activist Nabilah Islam was a close third in the six-candidate field , with 12.3 percent .
Bourdeaux was the 2018 Democratic nominee and unexpectedly came within 1 percentage point of beating GOP Rep .
Rob Woodall .
Woodall was one of the first House members to announce his retirement this cycle .
She will face GOP Nominee Rich McCormick in November .
McCormick won his primary Tuesday with 55 percent of the vote .
His campaign was boosted by a Trump endorsement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic , when McCormick started tweeting videos bolstering Trump ’ s response .
Bourdeaux declared victory Monday , citing unprecedented turnout among Democratic voters in the district , a longtime Republican stronghold that demographic changes have put in play .

Public policy professor Carolyn Bourdeaux was declared the outright winner Tuesday of a crowded Democratic primary in suburban Atlanta, as absentee ballots continued to be counted a week after the chaotic June 9 elections.
Bourdeaux had 52.7 percent of the vote in Georgia’s 7th District in tallies posted Tuesday afternoon, when The Associated Press called the race. Candidates in Georgia primaries need to exceed 50 percent of the vote to win a nomination or they face a runoff with the second-place finisher. Bourdeaux was below that level last week, when the AP said she would face a runoff with Rep. Brenda Lopez Romero, who had 12.4 percent. Progressive activist Nabilah Islam was a close third in the six-candidate field, with 12.3 percent.
Bourdeaux was the 2018 Democratic nominee and unexpectedly came within 1 percentage point of beating GOP Rep. Rob Woodall. Woodall was one of the first House members to announce his retirement this cycle.
She will face GOP Nominee Rich McCormick in November. McCormick won his primary Tuesday with 55 percent of the vote. His campaign was boosted by a Trump endorsement and outside group spending after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, when McCormick started tweeting videos bolstering Trump’s response.
Bourdeaux declared victory Monday, citing unprecedented turnout among Democratic voters in the district, a longtime Republican stronghold that demographic changes have put in play.


rollcall--2020-06-16--Revised Boeing bill in Senate targets regulatory coziness

A revised bill that would overhaul the FAA aircraft certification process in the wake of two devastating Boeing 737 Max @ @ @ @ @ aims to do more to bar the influence of aircraft manufacturers .
The updated bill @ @ @ @ @ , Science and Transportation Chairman Roger Wicker , R-Miss.
, and Sen. Maria Cantwell , @ @ @ @ @ on the committee , comes just as the panel prepares for a Wednesday hearing with @ @ @ @ @ Investigations into the certification of the Boeing 737 Max found that Boeing employees and test @ @ @ @ @ with regulators , bragging privately about using “ Jedi mind tricks ” to persuade regulators @ @ @ @ @ The proposal introduced Tuesday would keep the organization designation authorization process that allowed the FAA @ @ @ @ @ certification process to Boeing employees , but would require the FAA to approve which employees @ @ @ @ @ to develop guidance for their technical qualifications .

A revised bill that would overhaul the FAA aircraft certification process in the wake of two devastating Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 aims to do more to bar the influence of aircraft manufacturers.
The updated bill, authored by Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the ranking Democrat on the committee, comes just as the panel prepares for a Wednesday hearing with FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson.
Investigations into the certification of the Boeing 737 Max found that Boeing employees and test pilots were often too cozy with regulators, bragging privately about using “Jedi mind tricks” to persuade regulators to approve their aircraft.
The proposal introduced Tuesday would keep the organization designation authorization process that allowed the FAA to outsource parts of the certification process to Boeing employees, but would require the FAA to approve which employees performed the certification tasks and to develop guidance for their technical qualifications.
[Emails show Boeing employees derided FAA and worried about 737 Max simulators]


rollcall--2020-06-16--Senate GOP leaders buck Trump on base names

Less than a week after President Donald Trump said he hopes Senate Republicans will not “ fall for ” a @ @ @ @ @ bases and other assets that honor Confederates , Senate Republican leaders on Tuesday said they @ @ @ @ @ .
But other Senate Republicans have joined Trump in opposing changing base names , revealing @ @ @ @ @ how to respond to a public groundswell calling for changes in America ’ s racial @ @ @ @ @ across the board .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters on Tuesday that he @ @ @ @ @ , noting as an aside that he is descended from a Confederate veteran .
“ @ @ @ @ @ myself on this issue , if it ’ s appropriate to take another look at @ @ @ @ @ m personally OK with that , ” McConnell said .
Earlier in the day , @ @ @ @ @ ’ s majority whip , also distanced himself from Trump on the issue .

Less than a week after President Donald Trump said he hopes Senate Republicans will not “fall for” a proposal to rename U.S. military bases and other assets that honor Confederates, Senate Republican leaders on Tuesday said they are considering doing just that.
But other Senate Republicans have joined Trump in opposing changing base names, revealing fissures within the party over how to respond to a public groundswell calling for changes in America’s racial laws, rules and policies across the board.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters on Tuesday that he is open to the changes, noting as an aside that he is descended from a Confederate veteran.
“I can only speak for myself on this issue, if it’s appropriate to take another look at these names, I’m personally OK with that,” McConnell said.
Earlier in the day, John Thune, the Senate’s majority whip, also distanced himself from Trump on the issue.


rollcall--2020-06-16--Fed’s Powell urges Congress to spend on unemployed in pandemic

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Tuesday urged Congress to spend more money to limit the economic damage of the @ @ @ @ @ in a chorus of current and past Fed officials to tell lawmakers that inaction could @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a reasonable probability that more will be needed both from you , @ @ @ @ @ ” Powell told the Senate Banking Committee , echoing nudges he has made in nearly @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began .
Powell has noted that COVID-19 ’ s economic devastation has fallen hardest @ @ @ @ @ percent of individuals making under $ 40,000 lost their jobs during the crisis .
Sen. @ @ @ @ @ , asked whether congressional spending would be a more effective response than the Fed ’ @ @ @ @ @ In the short and medium term , yes : fiscal policy , ” Powell said @ @ @ @ @ the long term , fiscal and monetary policies encouraging maximum employment were the way to @ @

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Tuesday urged Congress to spend more money to limit the economic damage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest in a chorus of current and past Fed officials to tell lawmakers that inaction could lengthen the recession.
“There’s a reasonable probability that more will be needed both from you, and from the Fed,” Powell told the Senate Banking Committee, echoing nudges he has made in nearly every public statement since the pandemic began.
Powell has noted that COVID-19’s economic devastation has fallen hardest on low-income workers — 40 percent of individuals making under $40,000 lost their jobs during the crisis.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., asked whether congressional spending would be a more effective response than the Fed’s monetary policy.
“In the short and medium term, yes: fiscal policy,” Powell said, adding that, in the long term, fiscal and monetary policies encouraging maximum employment were the way to go.


rollcall--2020-06-16--Trump administration eyes potential vaccine by January 2021

The Trump administration is pushing for a coronavirus vaccine to protect some Americans by January 2021 , but researchers and Democratic lawmakers are concerned about outside pressure on the complex process .
The initiative , known as Operation Warp Speed , is an effort by the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services to develop vaccines and drugs , fueled by at least $ 10 billion Congress provided for that purpose under the roughly $ 2 trillion March coronavirus relief package ( PL 116-136 ) .
A list of vaccine candidates will be winnowed from 14 to seven that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming weeks , senior administration officials said during a background briefing with reporters Tuesday .
Three to five candidates will then benefit from hundreds of millions in taxpayer spending on new U.S. pharmaceutical plants to manufacture and distribute them .
A supply of any vaccine or medicine that receives millions in taxpayer aid will be available to the U.S. government , officials said .
Some of this public supply will be made available for free to anyone who wants a vaccine and can not afford it , they said .
Officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tiered system , with vulnerable older Americans , people with preexisting conditions , people performing “ essential services ” and the military receiving priority .
But they cautioned that will ultimately depend on the safety data coming out of the clinical trials .

Corrected, June 17. | The Trump administration is pushing for a coronavirus vaccine to protect some Americans by January 2021, but researchers and Democratic lawmakers are concerned about outside pressure on the complex process.
The initiative, known as Operation Warp Speed, is an effort by the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services to develop vaccines and drugs, fueled by at least $10 billion Congress provided for that purpose under the roughly $2 trillion March coronavirus relief package (PL 116-136).
A list of vaccine candidates will be winnowed from 14 to seven that will advance to early clinical trials in the coming weeks, senior administration officials said during a background briefing with reporters Tuesday. Three to five candidates will then benefit from hundreds of millions in taxpayer spending on new U.S. pharmaceutical plants to manufacture and distribute them.
A supply of any vaccine or medicine that receives millions in taxpayer aid will be available to the U.S. government, officials said. Some of this public supply will be made available for free to anyone who wants a vaccine and cannot afford it, they said.
Officials said the vaccine could be made available through a tiered system, with vulnerable older Americans, people with preexisting conditions, people performing “essential services” and the military receiving priority. But they cautioned that will ultimately depend on the safety data coming out of the clinical trials.


rollcall--2020-06-16--Ethics Committee extends review into Rep. Sanford Bishop’s campaign spending

The House Ethics Committee announced Tuesday it is extending a review into a matter involving Georgia Democratic Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr..
The matter concerning Bishop , a 14-term lawmaker , was transmitted from the Office of Congressional Ethics , a nonpartisan , independent investigative arm of the House , on Feb. 10 .
OCE sends matters to the Ethics Committee if it finds substantial reason to believe a violation occurred .
Unlike OCE , the Ethics panel can issue subpoenas and discipline members .
A spokesperson for Bishop said the OCE was looking into his campaign 's expenditures and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office of Congressional Ethics notified Congressman Bishop that it was reviewing his campaign ’ s disbursement reports , ” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement .
“ The Congressman is cooperating fully in this matter in an open and transparent way .
This includes conducting a thorough review of his campaign finance reports to identify all necessary corrective steps to resolve this matter in a timely fashion .
The Congressman takes ethical issues very seriously and has always been committed to complying with all campaign finance regulations and standards of conduct.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ethics Committee , had no comment .

The House Ethics Committee announced Tuesday it is extending a review into a matter involving Georgia Democratic Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr..
The matter concerning Bishop, a 14-term lawmaker, was transmitted from the Office of Congressional Ethics, a nonpartisan, independent investigative arm of the House, on Feb. 10. OCE sends matters to the Ethics Committee if it finds substantial reason to believe a violation occurred. Unlike OCE, the Ethics panel can issue subpoenas and discipline members.
A spokesperson for Bishop said the OCE was looking into his campaign's expenditures and that he is cooperating.
“The Office of Congressional Ethics notified Congressman Bishop that it was reviewing his campaign’s disbursement reports,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “The Congressman is cooperating fully in this matter in an open and transparent way. This includes conducting a thorough review of his campaign finance reports to identify all necessary corrective steps to resolve this matter in a timely fashion. The Congressman takes ethical issues very seriously and has always been committed to complying with all campaign finance regulations and standards of conduct.”
Tom Rust, a spokesperson for the Ethics Committee, had no comment.


rollcall--2020-06-16--House transport bill would end Amtrak’s forced arbitration

Tucked in the $ 494 billion , five-year highway bill that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is set to @ @ @ @ @ measure that would end Amtrak ’ s controversial policy of barring passengers from suing if @ @ @ @ @ killed in crashes .
Amtrak ’ s forced arbitration policy , imposed in January 2019 @ @ @ @ @ company was forced into multimillion-dollar court settlements , has been an irritant for congressional Democrats @ @ @ @ @ simply outrageous that Amtrak would adopt such an anti-consumer policy , which , in fine @ @ @ @ @ waive their legal rights for any reason , including catastrophic injury or wrongful death , @ @ @ @ @ Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio , D-Ore. , who said he asked Amtrak ’ s @ @ @ @ @ policy last fall .
He said Anderson ’ s explanation “ fell short.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ s arbitration policy goes too far in limiting opportunities for customers and the American public @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .

Tucked in the $494 billion, five-year highway bill that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is set to mark up Wednesday is a measure that would end Amtrak’s controversial policy of barring passengers from suing if they’re hurt or killed in crashes.
Amtrak’s forced arbitration policy, imposed in January 2019 after the government-supported passenger rail company was forced into multimillion-dollar court settlements, has been an irritant for congressional Democrats.
[With transportation’s future unclear, some question spending]
“It’s simply outrageous that Amtrak would adopt such an anti-consumer policy, which, in fine print, forces passengers to waive their legal rights for any reason, including catastrophic injury or wrongful death,” said House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio, D-Ore., who said he asked Amtrak’s then-CEO Richard Anderson about the policy last fall. He said Anderson’s explanation “fell short.”
“Simply put, Amtrak’s arbitration policy goes too far in limiting opportunities for customers and the American public to hold Amtrak accountable,” he said.


rollcall--2020-06-16--DC statehood bill set for June 26 House vote

The House will vote next week on legislation to grant statehood to Washington , Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer announced Tuesday .
If the House passes the bill on June 26 , it would be the first time a statehood bill has passed either chamber of Congress .
It is not expected to advance in the Republican-led Senate , but advocates are still looking to a likely historic step forward in the long-running campaign to make the District of Columbia the 51st state .
“ For the first time , statehood will put an end to our oldest slogan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. Del .
Eleanor Holmes Norton said at a news conference Tuesday .
The vote will also mark a change in attitude toward the idea of D.C. statehood , which in 1993 was voted down in the House , 153-277 .
Forty percent of the ‘ no ’ votes were from Democrats , The Washington Post reported at the time .
“ It took me some time to conclude that the only way we were going to give the citizens of the District of Columbia their right as American citizens was to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maryland Democrat .

The House will vote next week on legislation to grant statehood to Washington, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer announced Tuesday.
If the House passes the bill on June 26, it would be the first time a statehood bill has passed either chamber of Congress. It is not expected to advance in the Republican-led Senate, but advocates are still looking to a likely historic step forward in the long-running campaign to make the District of Columbia the 51st state.
“For the first time, statehood will put an end to our oldest slogan, ‘Taxation without representation,’” D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said at a news conference Tuesday.
The vote will also mark a change in attitude toward the idea of D.C. statehood, which in 1993 was voted down in the House, 153-277. Forty percent of the ‘no’ votes were from Democrats, The Washington Post reported at the time.
“It took me some time to conclude that the only way we were going to give the citizens of the District of Columbia their right as American citizens was to support statehood,” said Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Public lands bill nears Senate finish line

Supporters of a massive public lands bill in the Senate say they aren ’ t ready to celebrate just yet , but they ’ re certain the legislation will pass later Wednesday before going to the House .
They acknowledge that more work will remain to be done on America ’ s public lands , especially a backlog of maintenance , but say the legislation moving through a previously House-passed tax bill is historic and a model for how Republicans and Democrats can work on environmental protections .
After clearing several procedural steps , the Senate is set to vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , is expected to bring it to a floor vote before the July 4 break , according to a senior Democratic aide .
The public lands portion of the bill would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund , a program funded mainly through private sector profits from offshore drilling to pay for federal land acquisition and to help state and local authorities purchase and develop outdoor recreation facilities .
The legislation sponsored by Sen. Cory Gardner , R-Colo. , also would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the Interior Department ’ s maintenance backlog , part of it at the National Park Service .

The Senate voted 73-25 Wednesday to pass a historic public lands package, a victory for conservation groups and two GOP lawmakers in competitive reelection races.
Conservation groups backing the public lands package will now turn their attention to the House to raise support and push for quick passage.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to bring it to a floor vote before the July 4 break, according to a senior Democratic aide.
Even as Senate supporters cheered the bipartisan support for the outdoors package, they acknowledge that more work will remain to be done on America’s public lands, especially a backlog of maintenance, but say the legislation moving through a previously House-passed tax bill is significant and a model for how Republicans and Democrats can work on environmental protections.
The public lands portion of the bill would fully and permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a program funded mainly through private sector profits from offshore drilling to pay for federal land acquisition and to help state and local authorities purchase and develop outdoor recreation facilities.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Seersucker rules the Senate. This year, not so much

Every year in June , on a warm and sticky Thursday , senators arrive at work looking like they ’ ve come straight from the Kentucky Derby .
Gone are the standard dark suits of the winter months .
Instead , they wear seersucker .
Walking the halls of the Capitol , they project a sense of gentility and ease .
Why yes , they seem to say , this fabric is 100 percent cotton .
Why yes , it is extremely cool .
Why yes , these tiny stripes , blue and white and vanishingly thin , kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s all squeeze together for a bipartisan photo op .
The name of this tradition is National Seersucker Day , and it practically screams “ United States Senate.
” This year , it ’ s not happening .
“ Normally it ’ s a seersucker celebration , but this was more of a seersucker acknowledgement , ” Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy told Heard on the Hill .
He decided to keep it simple , “ given the mood of things.
” Instead of gathering together a bunch of his colleagues to pose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a consolation prize at a Republican lunch — seersucker face masks , a sign of the times .

Every year in June, on a warm and sticky Thursday, senators arrive at work looking like they’ve come straight from the Kentucky Derby. Gone are the standard dark suits of the winter months. Instead, they wear seersucker.
Walking the halls of the Capitol, they project a sense of gentility and ease. Why yes, they seem to say, this fabric is 100 percent cotton. Why yes, it is extremely cool. Why yes, these tiny stripes, blue and white and vanishingly thin, kind of make your head spin. Now let’s all squeeze together for a bipartisan photo op.
The name of this tradition is National Seersucker Day, and it practically screams “United States Senate.” This year, it’s not happening.
“Normally it’s a seersucker celebration, but this was more of a seersucker acknowledgement,” Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy told Heard on the Hill.
He decided to keep it simple, “given the mood of things.” Instead of gathering together a bunch of his colleagues to pose in head-to-toe seersucker, he quietly handed out a consolation prize at a Republican lunch — seersucker face masks, a sign of the times.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Virus, racism pose more mental health risks for black Americans

Kendrick Sampson attended a peaceful protest in Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles two weeks ago , which left him @ @ @ @ @ one .
During that protest against police brutality , he was shot by officers seven @ @ @ @ @ beaten with batons , leaving him with lingering mental and physical wounds .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ in this country , ” said Sampson , an actor and activist , speaking Monday @ @ @ @ @ Council meeting where he and other Black Lives Matter Los Angeles representatives advocated for changes @ @ @ @ @ budget .
“ Black and indigenous and brown folk in this country need healing , @ @ @ @ @ are met by more trauma by these systems.
” The impact of police brutality on @ @ @ @ @ nation struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic , which has struck a greater proportion of African @ @ @ @ @ Many experts worry that the mental health toll stemming from the dual crises will disproportionately @ @ @ @

Kendrick Sampson attended a peaceful protest in Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles two weeks ago, which left him scarred in more ways than one.
During that protest against police brutality, he was shot by officers seven times with rubber bullets and beaten with batons, leaving him with lingering mental and physical wounds.
“We have never prioritized mental health in this country,” said Sampson, an actor and activist, speaking Monday at a Los Angeles City Council meeting where he and other Black Lives Matter Los Angeles representatives advocated for changes to the city’s budget. “Black and indigenous and brown folk in this country need healing, deserve healing, but instead are met by more trauma by these systems.”
[Virus forebodes a mental health crisis]
The impact of police brutality on mental health comes as the nation struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has struck a greater proportion of African Americans than white people. Many experts worry that the mental health toll stemming from the dual crises will disproportionately affect African Americans.


rollcall--2020-06-17--House panel preps marathon highway bill markup

The limits of pandemic legislating may be tested Wednesday when 66 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members mark up the @ @ @ @ @ highway bill largely online .
The task is , to understate it , daunting .
@ @ @ @ @ on the panel had introduced 257 amendments to the bill .
Committee rules will allow @ @ @ @ @ even as the markup proceeds and every amendment filed will be considered , though some @ @ @ @ @ .
The markup may bleed into Thursday , according to committee staff .
Like they @ @ @ @ @ hearing on the impacts of COVID-19 , members can opt to participate remotely or in @ @ @ @ @ distancing parameters .

The limits of pandemic legislating may be tested Wednesday when 66 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members mark up the 864-page, $494 billion highway bill largely online.
The task is, to understate it, daunting. By Tuesday evening, lawmakers on the panel had introduced 257 amendments to the bill. Committee rules will allow members to add additional amendments even as the markup proceeds and every amendment filed will be considered, though some may be considered en bloc.
The markup may bleed into Thursday, according to committee staff.
[House transport bill would end Amtrak’s forced arbitration]
Like they did during a June 9 hearing on the impacts of COVID-19, members can opt to participate remotely or in the committee room with social distancing parameters.


rollcall--2020-06-17--How to win the West? Democratic women aim again at GOP seats

After winning a six-candidate primary with less than 34 percent of the vote in 2018 , Kathleen Williams lost the general election for Montana ’ s at-large House seat .
This year , the Democrat hopes the second time ’ s the charm .
Williams , a former state lawmaker who breezed through her primary earlier this month , is one of a handful of women in Western states who missed the House Democratic wave of 2018 but are trying again this year to put Republican seats in reach .
Though none has the benefit of incumbency , each got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the coronavirus crisis stopped such retail politicking .
In addition to Williams , Carolyn Long is taking on GOP Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler again in Washington ’ s 3rd District , while Alyse Galvin , an independent who would caucus with Democrats , has a rematch against Republican Don Young , who ’ s seeking a 24th term to Alaska ’ s at-large seat .
Though not a phenomenon exclusive to Western states — Betsy Dirksen Londrigan , for example , is back at it after coming close in 2018 to ousting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District — the female candidates in what was once the frontier offer an interesting brand of independence and focus on public lands matters combined with the familiar Democratic talking points on health care .
Their campaign strategies often ring similar , such as packing up the camper and hitting the road .
Other Democratic women making second runs in the West include Gina Ortiz Jones , who narrowly lost Texas ’ s 23rd District , and Hiral Tipirneni , who is running in Arizona ’ s 6th after unsuccessful runs in a neighboring @ @

Kate Ackley, Bridget Bowman, and Stephanie Akin

After winning a six-candidate primary with less than 34 percent of the vote in 2018, Kathleen Williams lost the general election for Montana’s at-large House seat. This year, the Democrat hopes the second time’s the charm.
Williams, a former state lawmaker who breezed through her primary earlier this month, is one of a handful of women in Western states who missed the House Democratic wave of 2018 but are trying again this year to put Republican seats in reach. Though none has the benefit of incumbency, each got extra time to meet voters in person before the coronavirus crisis stopped such retail politicking.
In addition to Williams, Carolyn Long is taking on GOP Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler again in Washington’s 3rd District, while Alyse Galvin, an independent who would caucus with Democrats, has a rematch against Republican Don Young, who’s seeking a 24th term to Alaska’s at-large seat.
Though not a phenomenon exclusive to Western states — Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, for example, is back at it after coming close in 2018 to ousting Republican Rodney Davis in Illinois’ 13th District — the female candidates in what was once the frontier offer an interesting brand of independence and focus on public lands matters combined with the familiar Democratic talking points on health care. Their campaign strategies often ring similar, such as packing up the camper and hitting the road.
Other Democratic women making second runs in the West include Gina Ortiz Jones, who narrowly lost Texas’s 23rd District, and Hiral Tipirneni, who is running in Arizona’s 6th after unsuccessful runs in a neighboring seat.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Policing bill authors to get action they’ve long sought

Most lawmakers pushing for an overhaul of policing practices are speaking about meeting the moment , but members who have @ @ @ @ @ legislation now under consideration have a different message : It ’ s about time .
@ @ @ @ @ Wednesday will consider a 137-page policing overhaul package that contains several bills that have languished @ @ @ @ @ Taken individually , the measures have had scattershot support .
But the collective package put @ @ @ @ @ death of George Floyd has majority backing .
The 225 co-sponsors are all Democrats .
@ @ @ @ @ own bill , and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made clear that the House package @ @ @ @ @ to federalizing policing issues , stands no chance in his chamber .
“ That ’ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell said .
“ The House version is going nowhere in the Senate .
It @ @ @ @ @ overreach to try to control everything in Washington .
We have no interest in that @ @

Most lawmakers pushing for an overhaul of policing practices are speaking about meeting the moment, but members who have long advocated for policies in legislation now under consideration have a different message: It’s about time.
The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday will consider a 137-page policing overhaul package that contains several bills that have languished in Congress for years.
Taken individually, the measures have had scattershot support. But the collective package put together after the May 25 death of George Floyd has majority backing. The 225 co-sponsors are all Democrats.
The Senate is drafting its own bill, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has made clear that the House package, which he said amounts to federalizing policing issues, stands no chance in his chamber.
“That’s a nonstarter,” McConnell said. “The House version is going nowhere in the Senate. It’s basically typical Democratic overreach to try to control everything in Washington. We have no interest in that.”


rollcall--2020-06-17--House policing bill draws fiery partisan exchanges over race

The House Judiciary Committee ’ s debate on a broad policing overhaul bill Wednesday meandered predictably along partisan lines for hours as Republicans raised issues like abortion , allegations about the left-wing group Antifa and the FBI investigation of Michael Flynn — until Rep. Cedric Richmond decided to call them out in an unusually personal way .
The next five minutes — raised voices , fingers pointed , and Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz responding , “ Who the hell do you think you are ?
” — in many ways encapsulated how typical Washington forces already threaten to squash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of George Floyd at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer and was bolstered with days of demonstrations nationwide .
And the exchange showed how the issue of racial disparity and use of force in policing has pulled at the seams of the typical layers of decorum on Capitol Hill , and brought discussions of race to the foreground .
“ By the time I ’ m finished , it will be clear that we are not good friends , ” Richmond , a Louisiana Democrat and a former chairman of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the committee .
Richmond had a few things on his mind when he started speaking .
He said he has been “ singing this same song since 1991.
” He said this was a national crisis .
And he characterized the Senate Republicans ’ version of a policing bill , introduced that morning , as a watered-down measure “ that mandates nothing .
”

The House Judiciary Committee’s debate on a broad policing overhaul bill Wednesday meandered predictably along partisan lines for hours as Republicans raised issues like abortion, allegations about the left-wing group Antifa and the FBI investigation of Michael Flynn — until Rep. Cedric Richmond decided to call them out in an unusually personal way.
The next five minutes — raised voices, fingers pointed, and Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz responding, “Who the hell do you think you are?” — in many ways encapsulated how typical Washington forces already threaten to squash any political momentum that started with the death of George Floyd at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer and was bolstered with days of demonstrations nationwide.
And the exchange showed how the issue of racial disparity and use of force in policing has pulled at the seams of the typical layers of decorum on Capitol Hill, and brought discussions of race to the foreground.
“By the time I’m finished, it will be clear that we are not good friends,” Richmond, a Louisiana Democrat and a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told Republicans on the committee.
Richmond had a few things on his mind when he started speaking during the markup of an amended bill that advanced along party lines, 24 to 14, late Wednesday night. Democrats, who adopted a manager’s amendment but rejected all Republican efforts to change the bill, plan a floor vote
later this month.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Key differences exist among House, Senate and White House policing plans

The policing overhaul debate in Congress has confronted a familiar obstacle that falls along party lines : Democrats want to @ @ @ @ @ force state and local law enforcement departments to make changes , while Republicans want to @ @ @ @ @ viewed as a federal mandate .
In some cases , the language in the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ 8 , goes significantly further than the GOP legislation , which was introduced on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ , the differences are minimal .
While both sides claim they want to compromise , @ @ @ @ @ harsh rhetoric to attack the others ’ proposal — a sign that bipartisan negotiations are @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t need a window-dressing , toothless bill .
We need to take action @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday afternoon on CNN , reacting to the GOP bill .
@ @ @ @ @ lead from some of our pointers , but they have pulled their punch when it @ @ @ @ @ done , ” the California Democrat added .

The policing overhaul debate in Congress has confronted a familiar obstacle that falls along party lines: Democrats want to include the strongest language to force state and local law enforcement departments to make changes, while Republicans want to avoid anything that would be viewed as a federal mandate.
In some cases, the language in the Democrats’ bill, introduced June 8, goes significantly further than the GOP legislation, which was introduced on Wednesday. But in other areas, the differences are minimal.
While both sides claim they want to compromise, they’re also using harsh rhetoric to attack the other’s proposal — a sign that bipartisan negotiations are not imminent.
“We don’t need a window-dressing, toothless bill. We need to take action that is real,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday afternoon on CNN, reacting to the GOP bill.
“They have taken their lead from some of our pointers, but they have pulled their punch when it came to getting the job done,” the California Democrat added.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Watch Tim Scott’s emotional speech on Charleston shooting anniversary

Sen. Tim Scott got choked up on the Senate floor Wednesday during a speech commemorating the fifth anniversary of the @ @ @ @ @ shooting in Charleston .
The South Carolina Republican , who is leading the Senate GOP @ @ @ @ @ a police overhaul package , also decried Democratic Sen. Richard J. Durbin , who earlier @ @ @ @ @ legislation as a “ token.
” Durbin apologized for the comment , according to media @ @ @ @ @ .

Sen. Tim Scott got choked up on the Senate floor Wednesday during a speech commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston.
The South Carolina Republican, who is leading the Senate GOP’s legislative effort on a police overhaul package, also decried Democratic Sen. Richard J. Durbin, who earlier referred to Scott’s legislation as a “token.”
Durbin apologized for the comment, according to media reports citing his communications director.
[ Senate Republicans unveil policing overhaul alternative ]


rollcall--2020-06-17--Pretty pictures sold Trump on outdoors bill, backers say

Showing President Donald Trump beautiful pictures of national parks helped Sens .
Cory Gardner , R-Colo. , and Steve Daines @ @ @ @ @ crucial backing they needed to get their public lands bill in motion .
The senators @ @ @ @ @ in need of moderate voters in November , said on Wednesday that they needed Trump @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring their outdoors package to the Senate floor .
The @ @ @ @ @ to pass the outdoors package after less than two weeks of debate and no substantive @ @ @ @ @ bill ’ s sponsor , said the lawmakers met with Trump and Larry Kudlow , @ @ @ @ @ in the White House 's Roosevelt Room a few months ago .

Showing President Donald Trump beautiful pictures of national parks helped Sens. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., win the crucial backing they needed to get their public lands bill in motion.
The senators, both considered vulnerable and in need of moderate voters in November, said on Wednesday that they needed Trump’s support to coax Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring their outdoors package to the Senate floor.
The Senate on Wednesday voted 73-25 to pass the outdoors package after less than two weeks of debate and no substantive amendments.
Gardner, the bill’s sponsor, said the lawmakers met with Trump and Larry Kudlow, his top economic adviser, in the White House's Roosevelt Room a few months ago.
Gardner showed Trump a photo of a Colorado national park.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Senate spending bills face delay over amendment fight

Senate appropriators have hit an impasse over a Democratic push to add spending to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and policy changes affecting police departments in next year ’ s spending bills , threatening to further push back the already delayed fiscal 2021 markup process .
The committee was expected to begin marking up the dozen spending bills next week , but as of Wednesday that prospect seemed unlikely .
“ Funding the government is a serious responsibility , and I will not allow the appropriations process to be hijacked and turned into a partisan sideshow , ” Senate Appropriations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
Shelby , R-Ala. , and ranking member Patrick J. Leahy , D-Vt. , have been negotiating for weeks over how to divide $ 1.4 trillion among the dozen annual funding bills .
At the same time , subcommittee panel leaders have been in talks over avoiding contentious policy riders so that bills could advance to the Senate floor with bipartisan support .
The full committee was preparing to mark up as many as three of the 12 bills next week , with four more on tap the following week before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markups won ’ t happen unless Democrats drop their request to debate spending bill amendments pertaining to pandemic aid and “ social justice reforms , ” according to a Senate GOP aide not authorized to speak publicly .

Senate appropriators have hit an impasse over a Democratic push to add spending to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and policy changes affecting police departments in next year’s spending bills, threatening to further push back the already delayed fiscal 2021 markup process.
The committee was expected to begin marking up the dozen spending bills next week, but as of Wednesday that prospect seemed unlikely.
“Funding the government is a serious responsibility, and I will not allow the appropriations process to be hijacked and turned into a partisan sideshow,” Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby said in a statement.
Shelby, R-Ala., and ranking member Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., have been negotiating for weeks over how to divide $1.4 trillion among the dozen annual funding bills. At the same time, subcommittee panel leaders have been in talks over avoiding contentious policy riders so that bills could advance to the Senate floor with bipartisan support.
The full committee was preparing to mark up as many as three of the 12 bills next week, with four more on tap the following week before the chamber recesses for two weeks. Those markups won’t happen unless Democrats drop their request to debate spending bill amendments pertaining to pandemic aid and “social justice reforms,” according to a Senate GOP aide not authorized to speak publicly.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Fed’s Powell warns Congress to not let up on COVID-19 relief

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell continued Wednesday to warn lawmakers that the economic recovery could stall if emergency fiscal measures end too soon .
“ It would be a concern if Congress were to pull back from the support that it is providing too quickly , ” Powell testified before the House Financial Services Committee .
“ I would n't presume to prescribe exactly what you should — or should not — do , but I would say that it would be wise to look at ways to continue to support both to people who are out of work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have vast resources for a continued period of time — not forever but for a period of time — so that we can get through this critical phase , ” he added .
“ The economy is just now beginning to recover .
It 's a critical phase and I think that support would be well placed at this time.
” Powell made similar remarks before the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday .
In addition to encouraging Congress to continue to support unemployed workers and small businesses , Powell also laid out the severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and localities .
Most Republicans in Congress have been hesitant to endorse further fiscal steps , saying they prefer to wait and see how the economy responds to the emergency packages enacted since the pandemic hit .

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell continued Wednesday to warn lawmakers that the economic recovery could stall if emergency fiscal measures end too soon.
“It would be a concern if Congress were to pull back from the support that it is providing too quickly,” Powell testified before the House Financial Services Committee.
“I wouldn't presume to prescribe exactly what you should — or should not — do, but I would say that it would be wise to look at ways to continue to support both to people who are out of work, and also smaller businesses that may not have vast resources for a continued period of time — not forever but for a period of time — so that we can get through this critical phase,” he added. “The economy is just now beginning to recover. It's a critical phase and I think that support would be well placed at this time.”
Powell made similar remarks before the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday. In addition to encouraging Congress to continue to support unemployed workers and small businesses, Powell also laid out the severe economic consequences of not bailing out states and localities.
Most Republicans in Congress have been hesitant to endorse further fiscal steps, saying they prefer to wait and see how the economy responds to the emergency packages enacted since the pandemic hit.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Will the Supreme Court’s landmark LGBTQ decision impact health care discrimination rules?

Last week , the Department of Health and Human Services finalized a change in regulations that would relax enforcement of @ @ @ @ @ care .
Language under the 2010 health care law prevents discrimination related to sexual orientation @ @ @ @ @ worry the Trump administration ’ s changes could affect access to care for transgender individuals @ @ @ @ @ abortion services .
Just a few days later , the Supreme Court made a landmark @ @ @ @ @ protections to LGBTQ individuals .
The high court ’ s 6-3 decision could bolster forthcoming @ @ @ @ @ the HHS rules change .
“ I ’ m sure there are more coming .
@ @ @ @ @ lawsuits that are going to be filed by the Human Rights Campaign and Lamba Legal @ @ @ @ @ law professor Katie Keith .

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services finalized a change in regulations that would relax enforcement of Obama-era anti-discrimination rules in health care.
Language under the 2010 health care law prevents discrimination related to sexual orientation in health care. Advocates worry the Trump administration’s changes could affect access to care for transgender individuals as well as women seeking abortion services.
Just a few days later, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling, extending broad workplace protections to LGBTQ individuals.
The high court’s 6-3 decision could bolster forthcoming legal attempts to strike down the HHS rules change.
“I’m sure there are more coming. I’m aware of lawsuits that are going to be filed by the Human Rights Campaign and Lamba Legal,” said Georgetown health law professor Katie Keith.


rollcall--2020-06-17--Immigration attorneys face courtroom challenges amid pandemic

Immigration attorney Sarah Plastino never thought she would have to check Twitter to learn whether her court hearing had been canceled .
But that ’ s become a regular part of her routine during the coronavirus pandemic .
Since mid-March , the Executive Office of Immigration Review , the Justice Department agency that oversees the immigration court system , has alternated between closing and reopening courtrooms across the country .
Many attorneys say they only learn about closures when EOIR posts a notice on Twitter , a practice repeatedly criticized by the American Immigration Lawyers Association .
Even when courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most procedures are being conducted by video or phone , lending themselves to technical problems that have made it difficult , if not nearly impossible , for lawyers to effectively consult with clients .
Plastino said the hardest part about holding video or teleconference hearings is being unable to consult privately with her clients since the prosecutor and the judge also are on the calls .
A request for a brief recess to talk with her client could result in the judge rescheduling the hearing , she said , leading her client @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We shouldn ’ t be required to make that choice , ” said Plastino , a Colorado-based attorney .

Immigration attorney Sarah Plastino never thought she would have to check Twitter to learn whether her court hearing had been canceled.
But that’s become a regular part of her routine during the coronavirus pandemic. Since mid-March, the Executive Office of Immigration Review, the Justice Department agency that oversees the immigration court system, has alternated between closing and reopening courtrooms across the country. Many attorneys say they only learn about closures when EOIR posts a notice on Twitter, a practice repeatedly criticized by the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Even when courts remain open, to limit personal contact, most procedures are being conducted by video or phone, lending themselves to technical problems that have made it difficult, if not nearly impossible, for lawyers to effectively consult with clients.
Plastino said the hardest part about holding video or teleconference hearings is being unable to consult privately with her clients since the prosecutor and the judge also are on the calls. A request for a brief recess to talk with her client could result in the judge rescheduling the hearing, she said, leading her client to spend several more weeks in detention.
“We shouldn’t be required to make that choice,” said Plastino, a Colorado-based attorney.