rollcall--2020-11-13--Senate sets vote on Shelton, Trump’s controversial pick for Fed

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , filed cloture Thursday on the controversial nomination of Judy Shelton to the Federal Reserve , setting the stage for a floor vote next week on a pick described as dangerous by many mainstream economists .
Shelton was nominated alongside Christopher Waller , a respected economist at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank who , unlike Shelton , advanced out of the Senate Banking Committee with bipartisan support .
But McConnell did n't include Waller among the seven nominees in the cloture filing .
Shelton will need to get 51 votes , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told reporters in September that Shelton 's nomination would move to the floor “ as soon as she has 51 votes.
” With Democrats assumed to be uniformly opposed to her nomination , Shelton can only afford to lose the support of four Republicans .
So far , only two — Sens .
Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine — have publicly opposed her confirmation .
On Thursday , another potential no vote , Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , told reporters that she would support Shelton .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., filed cloture Thursday on the controversial nomination of Judy Shelton to the Federal Reserve, setting the stage for a floor vote next week on a pick described as dangerous by many mainstream economists.
Shelton was nominated alongside Christopher Waller, a respected economist at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank who, unlike Shelton, advanced out of the Senate Banking Committee with bipartisan support. But McConnell didn't include Waller among the seven nominees in the cloture filing.
Shelton will need to get 51 votes, but Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters in September that Shelton's nomination would move to the floor “as soon as she has 51 votes.”
With Democrats assumed to be uniformly opposed to her nomination, Shelton can only afford to lose the support of four Republicans. So far, only two — Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine — have publicly opposed her confirmation.
On Thursday, another potential no vote, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, told reporters that she would support Shelton.


rollcall--2020-11-13--Photos of the week ending Nov. 13, 2020

Photos of the week ending Nov. 13, 2020

With the 2020 election all but in the books , newly elected senators and House members descended on the Capitol @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , some members who lost their elections , or did not run this @ @ @ @ @ their offices .
Here 's the week in photos as seen by our photojournalists :

Bill Clark, Caroline Brehman, and Tom Williams

A vacuum cleaner sits in the vacated office of Rep. Susan Brooks, R-Ind., in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on Friday. Brooks did not seek reelection in 2020.
With the 2020 election all but in the books, newly elected senators and House members descended on the Capitol this week to begin orientation.
Meanwhile, some members who lost their elections, or did not run this year, are packing up their offices.
Here's the week in photos as seen by our photojournalists:
Najee Thompson celebrates Biden's victory on 14th Street Northwest on Saturday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Joe Zanoni celebrates the Biden/Harris win with a cut out of Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., at Thomas Circle in Washington on Saturday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., center right, meets with, from left, Sens.-elect John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz, right, in the Capitol on Monday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Sen.-elect Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., leaves a photo-op with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other newly elected Republican senators in the Capitol on Monday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Kayleigh McEnany, White House press secretary, center, Ronna McDaniel, right, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, and Matthew Morgan, general counsel for Trump's campaign, conclude a news conference on Pennsylvania election litigation at the RNC headquarters in Washington on Monday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
McConnell exits the Kennedy Caucus Room to speak to reporters after Senate Republicans held their leadership election on Tuesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Vice President Mike Pence arrives for the Senate Republicans' lunch in the Hart Senate Office Building on Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
A plastic covering is removed during the wreath presentation as part of the Friends of the National World War II Memorial Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Schumer hold a news conference to discuss the Heroes Act and coronavirus relief on Thursday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Rep.-elect Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., arrives at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill for new member orientation on Thursday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Rep.-elect Barry Moore, R-Ala., adjusts a campaign sign in his car as he arrives to check in at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill on Thursday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-11-16--Biden says it’s a good thing his ‘colleague’ Kamala Harris is still on the Senate Intelligence Commi

Biden says it’s a good thing his ‘colleague’ Kamala Harris is still on the Senate Intelligence Committee

President-elect Joe Biden said Monday that perhaps it was less of a concern that he was not getting top secret intelligence as part of the stalled presidential transition because his vice president-elect is still on the Intelligence Committee .
“ The good news here is my colleague is still on the Intelligence Committee , so she gets the intelligence briefings I don ’ t any more , ” Biden said in Wilmington , Del.
, after a meeting with business executives and labor leaders focused on the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic response .
“ I am hopeful that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we get to January 20.
” Biden ’ s penchant for Senate-speak aside , his remarks point to the curious reality of the moment : Vice president-elect Kamala Harris may know more about emerging threats to America than the next commander-in-chief .
Harris , like her fellow California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein , serves on the Intelligence Committee , a generally bipartisan panel that gets regular briefings and access to material that goes well beyond what an average senator receives .
A prolonged delay in the General Services Administration making the ascertainment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have well-documented complications for the transition , as could President Donald Trump ’ s apparent refusal to give Biden access to top-level intelligence .

President-elect Joe Biden said Monday that perhaps it was less of a concern that he was not getting top secret intelligence as part of the stalled presidential transition because his vice president-elect is still on the Intelligence Committee.
“The good news here is my colleague is still on the Intelligence Committee, so she gets the intelligence briefings I don’t any more,” Biden said in Wilmington, Del., after a meeting with business executives and labor leaders focused on the economy and the COVID-19 pandemic response. “I am hopeful that the president will be mildly more enlightened before we get to January 20.”
Biden’s penchant for Senate-speak aside, his remarks point to the curious reality of the moment: Vice president-elect Kamala Harris may know more about emerging threats to America than the next commander-in-chief.
Harris, like her fellow California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, serves on the Intelligence Committee, a generally bipartisan panel that gets regular briefings and access to material that goes well beyond what an average senator receives.
A prolonged delay in the General Services Administration making the ascertainment that Biden is in fact the president-elect could have well-documented complications for the transition, as could President Donald Trump’s apparent refusal to give Biden access to top-level intelligence.


rollcall--2020-11-16--The Transition: ‘More people may die’

The Transition: ‘More people may die’

President-elect Joe Biden says that `` more people may die '' if President Donald Trump does n't soon share what @ @ @ @ @ combat COVID-19 and distribute vaccines .
Also , a first look at who may be @ @ @ @ @ National Intelligence .
CQ Roll Call 's Katherine Tully-McManus speaks with Niels Lesniewski on the @ @ @ @ @ : Chaos at Pentagon adds to postelection confusion • The Transition : Congress isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ on hold • The Transition : The fallout from the election a week ago • @ @ @ @ @ team wastes no time

Katherine Tully-McManus, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

In this special edition of the Political Theater podcast, we dig into President-elect Joe Biden’s remarks that “more people may die” if President Donald Trump doesn’t soon share what the current plans are to combat COVID-19 and distribute vaccines. Also, we take a first look at who may be picked as director of national intelligence in the Biden administration.
CQ Roll Call’s Katherine Tully-McManus speaks with chief Washington correspondent Niels Lesniewski on the latest.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-11-16--Pelosi, Democrats renew push to overhaul election, campaign finance laws

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday she would press ahead early next year with a campaign finance and elections overhaul , even as the measure may face the same Senate fate it did this Congress : doom .
House Democrats passed their signature overhaul measure in March 2019 and dubbed it HR 1 , indicating its priority .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked it in his chamber , however .
Even though the Senate majority for the 117th Congress hinges on two runoff elections in Georgia , Democrats and their outside allies said they would still push for the measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The strategy is to keep pointing out that McConnell is the one blocking the bill , ” Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes , the lead sponsor of the overhaul measure , said Monday during a call with reporters .
“ He sort of crossed his arms on the Senate side from Day One and said that this legislation will not see the light of day .
That ’ s not a reason not to continue the fight and to amp it up , which is what we ’ re doing here.
” Sarbanes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House , the measure ’ s future was uncertain .
If Democrats had won the Senate majority outright , it would likely have been atop the chamber ’ s agenda in the new year .
As it is , if Democrats win both Georgia Senate seats , the chamber would only be tied with a Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote .

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday she would press ahead early next year with a campaign finance and elections overhaul, even as the measure may face the same Senate fate it did this Congress: doom.
House Democrats passed their signature overhaul measure in March 2019 and dubbed it HR 1, indicating its priority. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked it in his chamber, however.
Even though the Senate majority for the 117th Congress hinges on two runoff elections in Georgia, Democrats and their outside allies said they would still push for the measure, spotlighting McConnell’s resistance.
“The strategy is to keep pointing out that McConnell is the one blocking the bill,” Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes, the lead sponsor of the overhaul measure, said Monday during a call with reporters. “He sort of crossed his arms on the Senate side from Day One and said that this legislation will not see the light of day. That’s not a reason not to continue the fight and to amp it up, which is what we’re doing here.”
Sarbanes acknowledged that even with a Democrat in the White House, the measure’s future was uncertain. If Democrats had won the Senate majority outright, it would likely have been atop the chamber’s agenda in the new year. As it is, if Democrats win both Georgia Senate seats, the chamber would only be tied with a Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote.


rollcall--2020-11-16--McConnell blasts Trump on troop withdrawals

Amid indications President Donald Trump will move to slash the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq before he leaves office , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell attacked the idea in a blistering Senate floor speech Monday .
McConnell has been almost unfailingly loyal to Trump , but the Kentucky Republican has openly pushed back when he has seen Trump 's actions as possibly threatening U.S. security .
McConnell , in his speech , gave Trump credit for battlefield victories over terrorists and for other geopolitical successes .
But the senator ’ s principal point was that hurriedly extracting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a date certain would jeopardize hard-fought military gains , embolden and strengthen America ’ s enemies in those countries , give U.S. adversaries everywhere a propaganda coup and weaken U.S. partners and allies .
“ The consequences of a premature American exit would likely be even worse than President Obama ’ s withdrawal from Iraq back in 2011 , which fueled — fueled — the rise of ISIS and a new round of global terrorism , ” McConnell said .
“ It would be reminiscent of the humiliating American departure from Saigon in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as this week that he will speed up planned withdrawals of U.S. troops .
He is considering cutting by Jan. 15 the roughly 4,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan to 2,500 and reducing their numbers in Iraq from 3,000 down to 2,500 .

Amid indications President Donald Trump will move to slash the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq before he leaves office, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell attacked the idea in a blistering Senate floor speech Monday.
McConnell has been almost unfailingly loyal to Trump, but the Kentucky Republican has openly pushed back when he has seen Trump's actions as possibly threatening U.S. security.
McConnell, in his speech, gave Trump credit for battlefield victories over terrorists and for other geopolitical successes. But the senator’s principal point was that hurriedly extracting most U.S. troops from war zones by a date certain would jeopardize hard-fought military gains, embolden and strengthen America’s enemies in those countries, give U.S. adversaries everywhere a propaganda coup and weaken U.S. partners and allies.
“The consequences of a premature American exit would likely be even worse than President Obama’s withdrawal from Iraq back in 2011, which fueled — fueled — the rise of ISIS and a new round of global terrorism,” McConnell said. “It would be reminiscent of the humiliating American departure from Saigon in 1975.”
Trump reportedly could announce as soon as this week that he will speed up planned withdrawals of U.S. troops. He is considering cutting by Jan. 15 the roughly 4,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan to 2,500 and reducing their numbers in Iraq from 3,000 down to 2,500.


rollcall--2020-11-16--Photos of the day: Caged bear

Photos of the day: Caged bear

Volunteers from the groups Families Belong Together and the Franciscan Action Network organized a demonstration on Monday with 600-plus teddy @ @ @ @ @ on cages to represent “ the children still separated as a result of U.S. immigration @ @ @ @ @

(Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Volunteers from the groups Families Belong Together and the Franciscan Action Network organized a demonstration on Monday with 600-plus teddy bears. They placed bears on cages to represent “the children still separated as a result of U.S. immigration policies” in Washington.


rollcall--2020-11-16--Ethics Committee continues its deferral of probe into Rep. Ross Spano

The House Ethics Committee will continue to defer an inquiry into Rep. Ross Spano , a sign that the Justice Department is likely still investigating the Florida Republican ’ s alleged acceptance of improper loans to support his 2018 congressional campaign .
In August of 2019 , the Office of Congressional Ethics transferred a report to the House Ethics Committee saying there was a substantial reason to believe Spano received loans that exceeded federal campaign contribution limits .
Shortly after Spano was elected to Congress , the Tampa Bay Times reported he borrowed $ 180,000 from two personal friends and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a potential violation of federal campaign finance law .
Contributions from individuals for the 2017-2018 federal election cycle were capped at $ 2,700 per election .
As is the case with members of Congress who are being investigated by the Justice Department , the House Ethics Committee initially deferred consideration of the matter to the department in November 2019 .
Monday ’ s release by the Ethics panel serves as an annual update .
“ The Committee continues to defer consideration of this matter at this time , ” the Ethics panel said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mere fact of its decision to defer action on this matter , and any mandatory disclosure of that decision , does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred .
”

The House Ethics Committee will continue to defer an inquiry into Rep. Ross Spano, a sign that the Justice Department is likely still investigating the Florida Republican’s alleged acceptance of improper loans to support his 2018 congressional campaign.
In August of 2019, the Office of Congressional Ethics transferred a report to the House Ethics Committee saying there was a substantial reason to believe Spano received loans that exceeded federal campaign contribution limits.
Shortly after Spano was elected to Congress, the Tampa Bay Times reported he borrowed $180,000 from two personal friends and subsequently lent his campaign $167,000, a potential violation of federal campaign finance law. Contributions from individuals for the 2017-2018 federal election cycle were capped at $2,700 per election.
As is the case with members of Congress who are being investigated by the Justice Department, the House Ethics Committee initially deferred consideration of the matter to the department in November 2019. Monday’s release by the Ethics panel serves as an annual update.
“The Committee continues to defer consideration of this matter at this time,” the Ethics panel said. “The Committee notes that the mere fact of its decision to defer action on this matter, and any mandatory disclosure of that decision, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.”


rollcall--2020-11-16--Photos from the ‘Million MAGA March’ in Washington

Thousands of `` Million MAGA March '' protesters flooded Washington on Saturday with a rally at Freedom Plaza , followed @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court building .
The Trump supporters echoed the president 's false claim that he @ @ @ @ @ even though news outlets including Roll Call have called the race for President-elect Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ `` stop the steal '' signs .
Here are six photos from the event this @ @ @ @ @ Roll Call 's photojournalists .

Thousands of "Million MAGA March" protesters flooded Washington on Saturday with a rally at Freedom Plaza, followed by their march to the Supreme Court building.
The Trump supporters echoed the president's false claim that he won the 2020 election (even though news outlets including Roll Call have called the race for President-elect Joe Biden), with many waving "stop the steal" signs.
Here are six photos from the event this weekend as captured by CQ Roll Call's photojournalists.
A Trump supporter yells at counter-protesters outside of the Supreme Court on Saturday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
The "Million MAGA March" makes its way along Pennsylvania Avenue to the Supreme Court. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
A man wearing American flag briefs and a cape waves a large flag on Pennsylvania Avenue. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
"Million MAGA March" protesters crowd the street in front of the Supreme Court building to hear speeches. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Proud Boys march away from the Supreme Court towards the Capitol on Saturday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-11-16--Moderna vaccine shows high efficacy as questions about uptake remain

The announcement Monday that a vaccine developed by Moderna and the federal government is 94.5 percent effective raised hopes for @ @ @ @ @ transmission but questions remain about how long protection lasts and how long it will take @ @ @ @ @ stop the virus ' widescale spread .
“ Ninety-five percent was aspirational .
Our aspirations @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s very good news , ” said Anthony Fauci , director of the @ @ @ @ @ Infectious Diseases .
The news follows similar interim results from Pfizer and BioNTech , which @ @ @ @ @ vaccine showed 90 percent efficacy in interim results .
The massive Moderna clinical trial involves @ @ @ @ @ .
Of the 95 people in the trial who got sick with COVID-19 , 90 @ @ @ @ @ , while five people had received the vaccine .
Side effects among those receiving the @ @ @ @ @ , the drugmaker said , including pain or redness around the shot , fatigue , @ @ @ @ @ .

The announcement Monday that a vaccine developed by Moderna and the federal government is 94.5 percent effective raised hopes for an eventual slowdown in COVID-19 transmission but questions remain about how long protection lasts and how long it will take to vaccinate enough Americans to stop the virus' widescale spread.
“Ninety-five percent was aspirational. Our aspirations have been met, and that’s very good news,” said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
The news follows similar interim results from Pfizer and BioNTech, which announced last Monday that its vaccine showed 90 percent efficacy in interim results.
The massive Moderna clinical trial involves more than 30,000 U.S. participants. Of the 95 people in the trial who got sick with COVID-19, 90 people had received the placebo, while five people had received the vaccine.
Side effects among those receiving the vaccine were mild or moderate, the drugmaker said, including pain or redness around the shot, fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia and headache.


rollcall--2020-11-16--For progressives, the House is as big a problem as the Senate

ANALYSIS — An epic race for Senate control is now underway , with two pivotal runoffs on Jan. 5 in Georgia to determine whether President Joe Biden has a Democratic Congress to work with or a giant obstacle in a GOP Senate .
But even if Democrats go 2 for 2 in Georgia , Biden ’ s progressive platform , widely considered the most liberal ever put forth by his party , may never get through the Democratic House .
With several races still uncalled , Speaker Nancy Pelosi could have a majority as narrow as 222-213 , giving her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ united in opposition .
Presuming Democrats elect her to return as their leader , Pelosi will have a monumental task in keeping the caucus together .
The speaker ’ s job is all the more complicated because moderates are fearful that Democrats will lose seats in the 2022 midterm elections , considering Republicans have unified control of the process that will redraw district lines in more states than Democrats do .
Progressive dreams of a sweeping , liberal agenda “ will have to be tempered by the reality of this election , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative from southwest Virginia and moderate Democrat .
Boucher lost his seat in the tea party wave of 2010 .
Pelosi ’ s first test will come later this month when House Democrats meet to select their leadership slate for the next Congress .
Pelosi will have to convince several of those Democrats who opposed her on the House floor in 2019 to vote for her this time .

ANALYSIS — An epic race for Senate control is now underway, with two pivotal runoffs on Jan. 5 in Georgia to determine whether President Joe Biden has a Democratic Congress to work with or a giant obstacle in a GOP Senate.
But even if Democrats go 2 for 2 in Georgia, Biden’s progressive platform, widely considered the most liberal ever put forth by his party, may never get through the Democratic House.
With several races still uncalled, Speaker Nancy Pelosi could have a majority as narrow as 222-213, giving her four votes to spare when Republicans are united in opposition. Presuming Democrats elect her to return as their leader, Pelosi will have a monumental task in keeping the caucus together. The speaker’s job is all the more complicated because moderates are fearful that Democrats will lose seats in the 2022 midterm elections, considering Republicans have unified control of the process that will redraw district lines in more states than Democrats do.
Progressive dreams of a sweeping, liberal agenda “will have to be tempered by the reality of this election,” said Rick Boucher, a former 14-term representative from southwest Virginia and moderate Democrat. Boucher lost his seat in the tea party wave of 2010.
Pelosi’s first test will come later this month when House Democrats meet to select their leadership slate for the next Congress. Pelosi will have to convince several of those Democrats who opposed her on the House floor in 2019 to vote for her this time.


rollcall--2020-11-16--Short-term punt seen likely for spending bills, coronavirus aid

Despite hopeful talk on both sides of the aisle , the odds are against congressional leaders reaching agreement on a COVID-19 relief package and omnibus appropriations bill to wrap up this year ’ s unfinished business in the lame-duck session .
The most likely outcome is another stopgap spending bill , perhaps into late February or early March , with some limited bipartisan COVID-19 aid attached .
That ’ s the view of Capitol Hill officials in both parties and other legislative experts .
“ I think I ’ d peg the odds as pretty low ” on getting everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gray , director of fiscal policy at the right-leaning American Action Forum .
“ They ’ re just not on the same page on COVID , and I don ’ t see much incentive to agree to an omni.
” Gray said he could see “ maybe some additional funding for testing or public health in a [ continuing resolution ] , but I don ’ t see a compromise on a full-year omni or COVID deal in the lame duck.
” Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ omnibus , but the differences over the size and content of a COVID-19 package that held up agreement before the election are still there .

Despite hopeful talk on both sides of the aisle, the odds are against congressional leaders reaching agreement on a COVID-19 relief package and omnibus appropriations bill to wrap up this year’s unfinished business in the lame-duck session.
The most likely outcome is another stopgap spending bill, perhaps into late February or early March, with some limited bipartisan COVID-19 aid attached. That’s the view of Capitol Hill officials in both parties and other legislative experts.
“I think I’d peg the odds as pretty low” on getting everything done before January, according to Gordon Gray, director of fiscal policy at the right-leaning American Action Forum. “They’re just not on the same page on COVID, and I don’t see much incentive to agree to an omni.”
Gray said he could see “maybe some additional funding for testing or public health in a [continuing resolution], but I don’t see a compromise on a full-year omni or COVID deal in the lame duck.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell say they want to pass a pandemic bill and omnibus, but the differences over the size and content of a COVID-19 package that held up agreement before the election are still there.


rollcall--2020-11-17--Fintech works to elevate minority leaders as users diversify

Data is beginning to show that communities historically cut off from banking and investing are using financial technology to increase @ @ @ @ @ leaders are calling for more diverse perspectives in top leadership roles to help drive that @ @ @ @ @ ’ re working on ways to make it happen .
Change Machine , a New @ @ @ @ @ services professionals recommend fintech products to their underbanked clients , committed this year to a @ @ @ @ @ its recommendation list will be products developed by minority-led fintechs .
“ We think that @ @ @ @ @ equity in their work by aggressively investing in products developed and led by members of @ @ @ @ @ benefit the most , ” Mae Watson Grote , Change Machine ’ s founder and @ @ @ @ @ email to CQ Roll Call .
The group was founded in 2005 as The Financial @ @ @ @ @ , but it rebranded to Change Machine when it developed the idea to rate and @ @ @ @ @ for lower-income consumers .

Data is beginning to show that communities historically cut off from banking and investing are using financial technology to increase access. Now, industry leaders are calling for more diverse perspectives in top leadership roles to help drive that progress.
Companies say they’re working on ways to make it happen.
Change Machine, a New York-based nonprofit that helps social services professionals recommend fintech products to their underbanked clients, committed this year to a target that 40 percent of its recommendation list will be products developed by minority-led fintechs.
“We think that fintech companies could similarly advance equity in their work by aggressively investing in products developed and led by members of those communities that stand to benefit the most,” Mae Watson Grote, Change Machine’s founder and CEO, said in an email to CQ Roll Call.
The group was founded in 2005 as The Financial Clinic to promote financial inclusion, but it rebranded to Change Machine when it developed the idea to rate and give feedback on fintech options for lower-income consumers.


rollcall--2020-11-17--Loving the Swamp: 13 things that keep Washington real

Washington , D.C. , is prone to caricature .
After all , who in Congress hasn ’ t found it convenient to run against The Swamp , that murky collection of strivers and influence peddlers ?
On the other side of the stereotype spectrum , what red-blooded patriot doesn ’ t choke up a little at the sight of the Lincoln Memorial at night , or wax poetic about the documents that started off the whole American experiment at the National Archives ?
There is a whole city here , though , grounded outside the familiar confines of those boilerplates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about politics .
Consider the following list a highly subjective sampler plate of some of this writer ’ s favorite things about D.C. that keep the city real .
• Ben ’ s Chili Bowl .
The Ali family ’ s establishment has long anchored U Street in good times and bad , and it gave the world one of D.C. ’ s unique foods : the half-smoke sausage .
It ’ s a burgeoning empire now , but the original location , there since 1958 , is the best place for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Maine Avenue Fish Market .
The United States ’ oldest continuously operating open-air seafood market .
A series of barges housing purveyors of fresh crabs , oysters , salmon and what have you , it also serves prepared food like crabcakes and steamed shrimp .
Its proximity to the nearby multibillion-dollar Wharf development provides a nice one-two punch of new and old .
• “ The Exorcist.
” The Georgetown of William Peter Blatty ’ s novel , William Friedkin ’ s movie and those real-life , super-steep “ Exorcist steps ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a world unto itself , a place where it ’ s not hard to imagine the supernatural amid the Jesuit university and its surrounding aged neighborhood .
• “ Lost in the City ” by Edward P. Jones .
A collection of short stories chronicling the lives of often-ignored Black men and women in the neighborhoods far from the power corridors .
• “ Bustin ’ Loose ” by Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers .
The song from the 1979 album of the same name introduced D.C. ’ s go-go music to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming an anthem at sporting events , including after any Washington National hits a home run at Nationals Park .
• The Titanic Memorial .
Maybe D.C. ’ s quietest monument .
Sculptor Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney ’ s statue of a lone figure on Southwest D.C. ’ s waterfront at Fourth and P streets is a simple yet powerful recognition of the loss of life when the unsinkable ship sunk on April 15 , 1912 .
• “ The Turnaround ” by George Pelecanos .
This might be the master crime writer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time-out-of-place Greek diner in D.C. and centered on people coming to grips with their past indiscretions , it fits right in this list nicely .
• Jimmy T ’ s .
Run by the same family for decades , this diner on East Capitol and Fifth streets is a quirky gem .
The second-generation owner , Cynde Tiches-Foster , still cooks every meal behind the counter .
It ’ s cash only , but you don ’ t need a lot when a combo plate of an egg , pancake and side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • “ Waiting Room ” by Fugazi .
D.C. punk and funk came up together , and Fugazi and its label Dischord Records were intensely loyal to local music and instrumental in getting the word out about it .
Picking just one punk anthem out of its rich history in D.C. is fraught with peril , but this anthem conjures the sweaty catharsis of an underground show .
• Ethiopic .
Ethiopian food has been a mainstay of Washington and the region for decades as immigrants have sought a better life here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the previous nexus in Adams Morgan , and it ’ s hard to go wrong at any of their restaurants .
This one on H and Fourth streets in Northeast is among the best .
• “ D.C .
Cab.
” Director Joel Schumacher ’ s 1983 comedy film is a time capsule , with Mr. T , Bill Maher , Max Gail , Gary Busey and others trying to make their way through a very different Washington than the one we ’ re in now .
The good-guys-triumph parade makes its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson Building , home to D.C. government , and what would later be renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza .
• Eastern Market .
The red-brick public market , designed by Adolf Cluss and opened in 1873 , is a place to buy groceries , order a meal at Market Lunch and gather on weekends for arts , farmers ’ goods and pop-up food vendors .
A place so old-school it doubled as an Amsterdam locale in the 2008 movie “ Body of Lies.
” • The Washington Nationals .
There are a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them champions with good stories .
But the Major League Baseball team has the best narrative , at least right now .
Like many of us now in Washington , they ’ re transplants , having moved here from Montreal in 2005 .
They were awful for years , then became a perennial playoff team and topped it off by taking a patched together , ragtag bunch to win the World Series in 2019 .
It was one of the really nice things that happened before , you know , 2020 .

Washington, D.C., is prone to caricature. After all, who in Congress hasn’t found it convenient to run against The Swamp, that murky collection of strivers and influence peddlers?
On the other side of the stereotype spectrum, what red-blooded patriot doesn’t choke up a little at the sight of the Lincoln Memorial at night, or wax poetic about the documents that started off the whole American experiment at the National Archives?
There is a whole city here, though, grounded outside the familiar confines of those boilerplates, where it’s not all about politics.
Consider the following list a highly subjective sampler plate of some of this writer’s favorite things about D.C. that keep the city real.


rollcall--2020-11-17--COVID-19 tracking apps may get a boost from Biden’s task force

Smartphone-based COVID-19 tracking apps are likely to play a role in a new national plan by President-elect Joe Biden to @ @ @ @ @ case counts , hospitalizations and deaths from the disease skyrocket across the country .
Fewer @ @ @ @ @ have launched a smartphone-based exposure notification app , and a few states have them in @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 tracking apps may change with a push from Biden ’ s task force @ @ @ @ @ CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories , an industry group that works with @ @ @ @ @ issues .
“ I ’ m hopeful that more and more states are going to @ @ @ @ @ apps , ” Becker said .
Biden ’ s 13-member coronavirus task force plans to @ @ @ @ @ create a cadre of health care workers to conduct contact tracing , ramp up production @ @ @ @ @ implement a vaccine distribution plan .

Smartphone-based COVID-19 tracking apps are likely to play a role in a new national plan by President-elect Joe Biden to contain the coronavirus as daily case counts, hospitalizations and deaths from the disease skyrocket across the country.
Fewer than half the 50 states have launched a smartphone-based exposure notification app, and a few states have them in development.
The sparse availability of COVID-19 tracking apps may change with a push from Biden’s task force, said Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, an industry group that works with federal agencies on public health issues.
“I’m hopeful that more and more states are going to build and launch exposure notification apps,” Becker said.
Biden’s 13-member coronavirus task force plans to expand nationwide testing capabilities, create a cadre of health care workers to conduct contact tracing, ramp up production of personal protective equipment and implement a vaccine distribution plan.


rollcall--2020-11-17--Biden will support Amtrak; can he convince GOP?

Former Transportation Secretary James H. Burnley IV remembers when the Reagan Administration proposed zeroing out federal subsidies for Amtrak in @ @ @ @ @ .
The proposal went nowhere in Congress — thanks largely to a young senator who @ @ @ @ @ s president-elect .
“ It went nowhere , ” Burnley , now a transportation lobbyist @ @ @ @ @ one of the most outspoken opponents was Joe Biden.
” Much has been written about @ @ @ @ @ for the nation ’ s only passenger railroad , which relies during a normal year @ @ @ @ @ in federal subsidies : How Biden , as a young widower and first-term senator , @ @ @ @ @ his Delaware home so he could tuck his two boys into bed each night ; @ @ @ @ @ rails put him on a first-name basis with Amtrak staff .
He announced his 1987 @ @ @ @ @ station in Wilmington .
But less has been written about the substantive work the president-elect @ @ @ @ @ as the railroad ’ s most ardent backer in Congress .

Former Transportation Secretary James H. Burnley IV remembers when the Reagan administration proposed zeroing out federal subsidies for Amtrak in 1987 over his personal objections.
The proposal went nowhere in Congress — thanks largely to a young senator who is now the nation’s president-elect.
“It went nowhere,” Burnley, now a transportation lobbyist, recalled. “And one of the most outspoken opponents was Joe Biden.”
Much has been written about Biden’s personal affinity for the nation’s only passenger railroad, which relies during a normal year on about $2 billion in federal subsidies. How Biden, as a young widower and first-term senator, rode Amtrak to and from his Delaware home so he could tuck his two boys into bed each night. How his years riding the rails put him on a first-name basis with Amtrak staff. How he announced his first presidential bid at the train station in Wilmington in 1987.
But less has been written about the substantive work the president-elect did to earn his reputation as the railroad’s most ardent backer in Congress.


rollcall--2020-11-17--5 things to watch in House Democrats’ leadership elections

House Democrats this week will elect most of their leadership team for the 117th Congress , making choices in contested @ @ @ @ @ ideological , racial and gender balance of caucus decision-makers .
The Democratic Caucus will meet @ @ @ @ @ vote for all leadership positions , except Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair and freshman leadership @ @ @ @ @ will occur the week of Nov. 30 .
The freshman class has yet to set @ @ @ @ @ .
This week ’ s elections include three contested races : assistant speaker , caucus @ @ @ @ @ representative , a position reserved for members who ’ ve served five terms or less @ @ @ @ @ to watch :

House Democrats this week will elect most of their leadership team for the 117th Congress, making choices in contested races that will determine the ideological, racial and gender balance of caucus decision-makers.
The Democratic Caucus will meet virtually Wednesday and Thursday to vote for all leadership positions, except Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair and freshman leadership representative. The DCCC election will occur the week of Nov. 30. The freshman class has yet to set a date for its election.
[House Democrats’ leadership races reflect coming generational change]
This week’s elections include three contested races: assistant speaker, caucus vice chair and caucus leadership representative, a position reserved for members who’ve served five terms or less.
Here are five things to watch:


Fintech’s free will

Jenny Xia Spradling , the co-founder of Free Will , recounts her journey , why she walked away from her @ @ @ @ @ her new big venture has enabled over $ 1 billion of donations to nonprofits • @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fintech conferences • How Mpesa transformed the world of fintech

Jenny Xia Spradling, the co-founder of Free Will, recounts her journey, why she walked away from her first startup, and how her new big venture has enabled over $1 billion of donations to nonprofits
More podcast content
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-11-17--Cybersecurity chief who oversaw ‘most secure election’ fired by Trump

Christopher Krebs , the top U.S. cybersecurity official who helped oversee what outside experts have been calling one of the most secure U.S. elections ever , was fired late Tuesday by President Donald Trump in his customary fashion : in a pair of tweets .
The firing came exactly two weeks after the Nov. 3 elections and five days after a large group of federal and state officials as well as watchdog groups and makers of election equipment issued a statement declaring that “ the November 3rd election was the most secure in American history.
” Krebs , director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency , had helped boost cybersecurity in computer networks in all 50 states , and contrary to fears , managed to pull off an election free of cyberattacks and large-scale technical failures , even with the new wrinkle of millions of mail-in ballots .
Trump said in his tweet that the recent statement by CISA that the election was held securely was “ highly inaccurate.
” Citing no evidence , Trump claimed that there were improprieties and fraud , and that Republican poll watchers were not allowed in counting places — all assertions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by judges hearing challenges to the election .
Trump and leading Republican lawmakers as well as party operatives have refused to acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory in the Nov. 3 election .
Instead they and their lawyers have pursued litigation arguing about voter fraud involving mailed ballots , and glitches in voting machines that apparently switched votes to Biden .
Judges have dismissed almost all those claims .

Christopher Krebs, the top U.S. cybersecurity official who helped oversee what outside experts have been calling one of the most secure U.S. elections ever, was fired late Tuesday by President Donald Trump in his customary fashion: in a pair of tweets.
The firing came exactly two weeks after the Nov. 3 elections and five days after a large group of federal and state officials as well as watchdog groups and makers of election equipment issued a statement declaring that “the November 3rd election was the most secure in American history.”
Krebs, director of the two-year old Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, had helped boost cybersecurity in computer networks in all 50 states, and contrary to fears, managed to pull off an election free of cyberattacks and large-scale technical failures, even with the new wrinkle of millions of mail-in ballots.
Trump said in his tweet that the recent statement by CISA that the election was held securely was “highly inaccurate.” Citing no evidence, Trump claimed that there were improprieties and fraud, and that Republican poll watchers were not allowed in counting places — all assertions that have been rejected in multiple states by judges hearing challenges to the election.
Trump and leading Republican lawmakers as well as party operatives have refused to acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the Nov. 3 election. Instead they and their lawyers have pursued litigation arguing about voter fraud involving mailed ballots, and glitches in voting machines that apparently switched votes to Biden. Judges have dismissed almost all those claims.


rollcall--2020-11-17--New members get their bearings: Capitol tours and canceled dinners

There was both jumping for joy and fiery exchanges in the early days of new member orientation for the freshman @ @ @ @ @ , as newly elected lawmakers from across the country and political spectrum came together to @ @ @ @ @ Hill .
With badges strung around their necks on lanyards and masks covering much of @ @ @ @ @ toured the Capitol , snapping photos of one another and marveling at the heights of @ @ @ @ @ to .
New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman was overwhelmed by the significance of being a @ @ @ @ @ of lawmakers and all there is to learn .
“ It ’ s incredible .
@ @ @ @ @ be here .
Obviously , it ’ s just overwhelming the stature of the Capitol @ @ @ @ @ colleagues and a ton of information , so just kind of taking it all in @ @ @ @ @ great , ” he told reporters .
Some elements , like photo portraits and trying @ @ @ @ @ bound to feel like the members-elect are going back to school .

There was both jumping for joy and fiery exchanges in the early days of orientation for the freshman class of the 117th Congress, as newly elected lawmakers from across the country and political spectrum came together to learn about life on Capitol Hill.
With badges strung around their necks on lanyards and masks covering much of their faces, the members-elect toured the Capitol, snapping photos of one another and marveling at the heights of power they’ve ascended to.
New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman was overwhelmed by the significance of being a part of the incoming class of lawmakers and all there is to learn.
“It’s incredible. It’s amazing to be here. Obviously, it’s just overwhelming, the stature of the Capitol and all of my new colleagues and a ton of information, so just kind of taking it all in. It’s been great,” he told reporters.
Some elements, like photo portraits and trying out the cafeterias, are bound to feel like the members-elect are going back to school.


rollcall--2020-11-17--With Cedric Richmond, Joe Biden’s White House gain is Congress’ loss

President-elect Joe Biden has poached his first member of Congress for his administration , Louisiana Democrat Cedric L. Richmond , @ @ @ @ @ adviser to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement .
@ @ @ @ @ the Political Theater podcast , we talk about how Richmond could end up being among @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
Plus , CQ Roll Call ’ s Katherine Tully-McManus walks us through a @ @ @ @ @ on Capitol Hill .
• Black History Month : Cedric Richmond on the ‘ Work @ @ @ @ @ ‘ The rules are different for you ’ : Black lawmakers on when they got @ @ @ @ @ House ’ s Louisiana baseball stars reflect on their friendship , the 2017 shooting

Jason Dick, Thomas McKinless, Evan Campbell, and Katherine Tully-McManus

President-elect Joe Biden has poached his first member of Congress for his administration, Louisiana Democrat Cedric L. Richmond, who will become a senior adviser to the president and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
In this special episode of the Political Theater podcast, we talk about how Richmond could end up being among the most influential staffers for Biden. Plus, CQ Roll Call’s Katherine Tully-McManus walks us through a busy and disorienting orientation day on Capitol Hill.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-11-17--Richmond move to White House will further trim Democratic majority for a few months

President-elect Joe Biden ’ s choice of Rep. Cedric L. Richmond to join his administration will leave House Democrats for several months with one fewer seat in an already-thinning majority , as Louisiana voters choose from what will likely be a crowded field for his deep-blue seat .
Richmond told reporters at a news conference Tuesday that he would resign before Jan. 20 , when Biden is sworn into office , and that he would be serving as senior adviser to Biden and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement .
While a dozen races still remain uncalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority in the House — but by just a handful of members at best .
The Biden team ’ s announcement of his appointment noted that Richmond , a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus , had helped enact laws overhauling the criminal justice system .
The post he ’ s assuming likely gives him a role in building support for the administration ’ s initiatives .
In the Obama administration , for example , Valerie Jarrett ran the office and worked to build coalitions on such priorities as battling sexual assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early childhood education .
Richmond stressed that he would not leave his home state behind .
“ When you talk about the needs of Louisiana , you want someone in the West Wing , ” he said .

President-elect Joe Biden’s choice of Rep. Cedric L. Richmond to join his administration will leave House Democrats for several months with one fewer seat in an already-thinning majority, as Louisiana voters choose from what will likely be a crowded field for his deep-blue seat.
Richmond told reporters at a news conference Tuesday that he would resign before Jan. 20, when Biden is sworn into office, and that he would be serving as senior adviser to Biden and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. While a dozen races still remain uncalled, Democrats are expected to maintain their majority in the House — but by just a handful of members at best.
The Biden team’s announcement of his appointment noted that Richmond, a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, had helped enact laws overhauling the criminal justice system. The post he’s assuming likely gives him a role in building support for the administration’s initiatives. In the Obama administration, for example, Valerie Jarrett ran the office and worked to build coalitions on such priorities as battling sexual assault, raising the minimum wage and improving early childhood education.
Richmond stressed that he would not leave his home state behind.
“When you talk about the needs of Louisiana, you want someone in the West Wing,” he said.


rollcall--2020-11-17--With two Republicans in quarantine, Senate lacks votes to advance Fed nominee

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sought to steer a controversial nominee for the Federal Reserve through some Republican opposition and @ @ @ @ @ his conference Tuesday but fell short of the votes he needed .
As a result @ @ @ @ @ procedural vote , Judy Shelton , President Donald Trump ’ s nominee to join the @ @ @ @ @ t receive the simple majority needed to end debate and advance to a confirmation vote @ @ @ @ @ procedural move , thus reserving his right to call it back up .
Shelton ’ @ @ @ @ @ to unite opponents from across the political spectrum .
Several Republican senators ; progressives such @ @ @ @ @ Warren of Massachusetts and Sherrod Brown of Ohio ; economists at the American Enterprise Institute @ @ @ @ @ ; and the National Review editorial board all said she had no business getting confirmed @ @ @ @ @ Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas cast his vote for ending debate on Shelton after @ @ @ @ @ was still undecided and “ a little troubled ” by her unorthodox views .

Jim Saksa, Ellyn Ferguson, and Mary Ellen McIntire

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sought to steer a controversial nominee for the Federal Reserve through some Republican opposition and the absence of members of his conference Tuesday but fell short of the votes he needed.
McConnell didn’t muster the simple majority needed to end debate and advance to a confirmation vote on Judy Shelton, President Donald Trump’s nominee to join the Fed board. The tally was 47-50, with McConnell voting “nay” to reserve his right to call it back up.
Shelton’s unorthodox economic views managed to unite opponents from across the political spectrum. Several Republican senators; progressives such as Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sherrod Brown of Ohio; economists at the American Enterprise Institute, a free-market think tank; and the National Review editorial board all said she had no business getting confirmed to the Fed.
Retiring Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas cast his vote for ending debate on Shelton after telling reporters earlier Tuesday he was still undecided and “a little troubled” by her unorthodox views.


rollcall--2020-11-17--McCarthy, Scalise, Cheney reelected as top trio in House GOP

After gaining significant ground and flipping several Democratic seats in the 2020 elections , House Republicans have chosen to reward their top three leaders with another two years at the helm of the conference .
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , Minority Whip Steve Scalise and Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney will all keep their positions and lead their conference in the 117th Congress .
McCarthy , who would likely be speaker if his party won back the majority in 2022 , was elected unanimously .
Speaking afterward on Tuesday , the California Republican sounded an optimistic note .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well on the way to over 210 .
It ’ s going to be an exciting next two years , but we have work to get done this time as well , ” he said .
McCarthy said he still wants to wait for all legal votes to be counted but is now entertaining what his role would be in a Biden presidency : “ We ’ ll work with anybody who is in that office , but if they have a difference of opinion , we ’ re going to have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not for socialism .
We ’ re not for higher taxes .
We will fight every step of the way .
”

After gaining significant ground and flipping several Democratic seats in the 2020 elections, House Republicans have chosen to reward their top three leaders with another two years at the helm of the conference.
Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Minority Whip Steve Scalise and Republican Conference Chairwoman Liz Cheney will all keep their positions and lead their conference in the 117th Congress.
McCarthy, who would likely be speaker if his party won back the majority in 2022, was elected unanimously. Speaking afterward on Tuesday, the California Republican sounded an optimistic note.
“I think our numbers are going to be well on the way to over 210. It’s going to be an exciting next two years, but we have work to get done this time as well,” he said.
McCarthy said he still wants to wait for all legal votes to be counted but is now entertaining what his role would be in a Biden presidency: “We’ll work with anybody who is in that office, but if they have a difference of opinion, we’re going to have to find common ground. We’re not for socialism. We’re not for higher taxes. We will fight every step of the way.”


rollcall--2020-11-18--House Budget chairman seeks to end committee’s term limits

House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth will make a pitch to fellow Democrats as soon as Wednesday to scrap a Democratic @ @ @ @ @ committee 's members to no more than three terms in five successive Congresses .
As @ @ @ @ @ with President-elect Joe Biden in the White House next year , Yarmuth is making the @ @ @ @ @ term limits will allow Democratic members to serve longer and be more effective on the @ @ @ @ @ term limits from the Caucus Rules will allow the Budget Committee to operate like other @ @ @ @ @ knowledge with a core of Members who have insight and expertise on — and enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ ” Yarmuth , D-Ky. , said in a statement .
“ This will be even @ @ @ @ @ Committee moves forward with drafting a budget resolution , conducting oversight , and reasserting Congress @ @ @ @ @ ” The House GOP conference has no comparable term limits for Republican members of the @ @ @ @ @ shift , return to limelight in store for Senate Budget ]

House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth will make a pitch to fellow Democrats on Thursday to scrap a Democratic caucus rule that limits the committee’s members to no more than three terms in five successive Congresses.
As the committee gains more clout with President-elect Joe Biden in the White House next year, Yarmuth is making the argument that ending the committee term limits will allow Democratic members to serve longer and be more effective on the committee.
“Repealing these term limits from the Caucus Rules will allow the Budget Committee to operate like other committees and build up institutional knowledge with a core of Members who have insight and expertise on — and enthusiasm for — budget issues,” the Kentucky Democrat said in a statement. “This will be even more crucial as the Budget Committee moves forward with drafting a budget resolution, conducting oversight, and reasserting Congress’ power of the purse.”
The House GOP conference has no comparable term limits for Republican members of the Budget Committee.
[Power shift, return to limelight in store for Senate Budget]


rollcall--2020-11-18--Toppled, warehoused, waiting: Confederate statue still in limbo in DC

Visitors to Washington could be forgiven for breezing past an empty pedestal tucked between two nondescript buildings near the Judiciary @ @ @ @ @ for those who live and work nearby , it ’ s hard to miss .
@ @ @ @ @ , which stood right outside the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters , was defaced , torn @ @ @ @ @ this summer ’ s protests against racial injustice .
Now the pedestal has sat vacant @ @ @ @ @ on its fate .
City leaders want to remove the monument altogether , but instead @ @ @ @ @ limbo , caught up in the same slow-motion fight between local and federal control that @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s capital .
Dedicated in 1901 , the statue celebrates a man @ @ @ @ @ a poet , an orator and a philanthropist , according to some of the labels @ @ @ @ @ .
Yes , Pike was a high-ranking Masonic official .
But he was also a @ @ @ @ @ who defended slavery and wrote a militant variation of “ Dixie .
”

Visitors to Washington could be forgiven for breezing past an empty pedestal tucked between two nondescript buildings near the Judiciary Square Metro station, but for those who live and work nearby, it’s hard to miss.
The statue of Albert Pike, which stood right outside the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, was defaced, torn down and lit ablaze during this summer’s protests against racial injustice.
Now the pedestal has sat vacant for five months, waiting on its fate. City leaders want to remove the monument altogether, but instead it’s stuck in limbo, caught up in the same slow-motion fight between local and federal control that’s always unfolding in the nation’s capital.
Dedicated in 1901, the statue celebrates a man who was an author, a poet, an orator and a philanthropist, according to some of the labels inscribed on its granite base.
Yes, Pike was a high-ranking Masonic official. But he was also a racist Confederate Civil War general who defended slavery and wrote a militant variation of “Dixie.”


rollcall--2020-11-18--Long-term care visitation policies vary as COVID-19 cases rise

Diane Rutherford had spent only six months in her new home at a memory care center in Chandler , Ariz. , when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the facility to halt in-person visits in March .
Rutherford was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer ’ s disease seven years ago at age 58 , and her husband , Steve Corman , had been visiting her nearly every day since the move .
“ Just one day , they told me I couldn ’ t visit her anymore , and that was it for about six months , ” he told CQ Roll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat to visit Rutherford through a window instead , but it wasn ’ t the same .
Nurses had to work to keep her engaged , and she struggled to understand what was happening .
“ It was pretty clear that when they would get her to look at me she would recognize me , but it ’ s not 100 percent clear how long that would last or if that would last for the whole visit , ” he said .
“ It was just very hard , you know.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dilemma facing long-term care facilities , their patients and regulators across the country .
Tasked with protecting the nation ’ s most vulnerable population from a highly transmissible virus , officials are struggling to strike a balance between infection control and quality of life .
An estimated 40 percent of U.S. COVID-19 deaths have been tied to nursing facilities .

Diane Rutherford had spent only six months in her new home at a memory care center in Chandler, Ariz., when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the facility to halt in-person visits in March.
Rutherford was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease seven years ago at age 58, and her husband, Steve Corman, had been visiting her nearly every day since the move. “Just one day, they told me I couldn’t visit her anymore, and that was it for about six months,” he told CQ Roll Call.
Corman weathered the brutal Arizona heat to visit Rutherford through a window instead, but it wasn’t the same. Nurses had to work to keep her engaged, and she struggled to understand what was happening.
“It was pretty clear that when they would get her to look at me she would recognize me, but it’s not 100 percent clear how long that would last or if that would last for the whole visit,” he said. “It was just very hard, you know.”
The couple's situation is emblematic of the dilemma facing long-term care facilities, their patients and regulators across the country. Tasked with protecting the nation’s most vulnerable population from a highly transmissible virus, officials are struggling to strike a balance between infection control and quality of life. An estimated 40 percent of U.S. COVID-19 deaths have been tied to nursing facilities.


rollcall--2020-11-18--2020 lessons, Democratic divisions define race for DCCC chair

House Democrats will have to beat the odds , and history , if they are to keep the majority in 2022 .
Before they get there , they have to choose who will lead that fight .
And the battle between Reps. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York and Tony Cárdenas of California to chair the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee comes as the party debates what led to unexpected losses in 2020 , and how to keep internal divisions in a shrunken caucus from breaking open wider .
Both Maloney and Cárdenas believe it ’ s possible for Democrats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority in 2022 with Joe Biden in the White House , despite the president ’ s party losing an average of 33 seats in recent midterm elections .
“ I don ’ t give a damn about the past .
I ’ m not a historian , ” Maloney said in an interview Monday .
“ My job is not to whine about it , my job is to win .
If I get this position , we ’ re going to break that curse .
And we ’ re going to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a four-term Democrat from Los Angeles , said in a recent interview that districts in California , Iowa , Kansas and Florida may be fertile ground for Democrats .

House Democrats will have to beat the odds, and history, if they are to keep the majority in 2022.
Before they get there, they have to choose who will lead that fight. And the battle between Reps. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York and Tony Cárdenas of California to chair the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee comes as the party debates what led to unexpected losses in 2020, and how to keep internal divisions in a shrunken caucus from breaking open wider.
Both Maloney and Cárdenas believe it’s possible for Democrats to not only hold but also grow their majority in 2022 with Joe Biden in the White House, despite the president’s party losing an average of 33 seats in recent midterm elections.
“I don’t give a damn about the past. I’m not a historian,” Maloney said in an interview Monday. “My job is not to whine about it, my job is to win. If I get this position, we’re going to break that curse. And we’re going to win seats. Write it down.”
Cárdenas, a four-term Democrat from Los Angeles, said in a recent interview that districts in California, Iowa, Kansas and Florida may be fertile ground for Democrats.


rollcall--2020-11-18--FAA may allow 737 Max flights as Hill takes up oversight bills

Updated at 8:45 a.m. | A day after the House passed a bill aimed at tightening Federal Aviation Administration authority over aircraft manufacturers in the wake of two Boeing 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people , a Senate panel will mark up similar legislation and the Federal Aviation Administration said it will allow Boeing to resume flights of the aircraft .
Early Wednesday , FAA Administrator Steve Dickson signed an order rescinding the grounding order , which the FAA imposed in March 2019 , after the second crash .
In a video , Dickson , who flew the aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said he was “ 100 percent comfortable with my family flying on it.
” The House bill — passed by voice vote Tuesday and introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio , D-Ore. — seeks to tighten FAA oversight of Boeing largely by overhauling an FAA process called Organization Designation Authorization that allows manufacturers to certify parts of their aircraft .
That process has been criticized as contributing to a lax regulatory compliance environment that eroded the safety culture at the Chicago-based Boeing .
The Senate Commerce , Science and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be marked up Wednesday and introduced by Sens .
Roger Wicker , R-Miss.
, and Sen. Maria Cantwell , D-Wash. , the respective chairman and ranking member of the committee — also seeks to tighten the FAA ’ s control over the aircraft certification process .
The House bill would require the FAA to review each manufacturing Organization Designation Authorization holder 's ability to meet FAA regulations based on the holder 's organizational structures , requirements applicable to officers and employees , and safety culture .
The bill would give the FAA authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status following the review .
It would authorize $ 3 million for each fiscal year from 2021 through 2023 for the FAA to complete such reviews .

Updated at 8:45 a.m. | A day after the House passed a bill aimed at tightening Federal Aviation Administration authority over aircraft manufacturers in the wake of two Boeing 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people, a Senate panel will mark up similar legislation and the Federal Aviation Administration said it will allow Boeing to resume flights of the aircraft.
Early Wednesday, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson signed an order rescinding the grounding order, which the FAA imposed in March 2019, after the second crash. In a video, Dickson, who flew the aircraft for about two hours on Sept. 30, said he was “100 percent comfortable with my family flying on it.”
The House bill — passed by voice vote Tuesday and introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio, D-Ore. — seeks to tighten FAA oversight of Boeing largely by overhauling an FAA process called Organization Designation Authorization that allows manufacturers to certify parts of their aircraft. That process has been criticized as contributing to a lax regulatory compliance environment that eroded the safety culture at the Chicago-based Boeing.
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee’s bill — to be marked up Wednesday and introduced by Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the respective chairman and ranking member of the committee — also seeks to tighten the FAA’s control over the aircraft certification process.
The House bill would require the FAA to review each manufacturing Organization Designation Authorization holder's ability to meet FAA regulations based on the holder's organizational structures, requirements applicable to officers and employees, and safety culture. The bill would give the FAA authority to limit, suspend or terminate ODA status following the review. It would authorize $3 million for each fiscal year from 2021 through 2023 for the FAA to complete such reviews.


rollcall--2020-11-18--Shelby adds $760 million for unrequested ships with Alabama ties

The Senate Appropriations Committee , led by Alabama Republican Richard C. Shelby , added more than three quarters of a billion dollars to its new Pentagon spending bill for warships that were not sought by the Navy but are built by Shelby ’ s constituents .
Tucked deep inside the draft Senate Pentagon spending bill is $ 500 million for an “ LHA replacement , ” the next in the America class of amphibious assault ships , which are smaller versions of aircraft carriers and are designed to carry Marines and their aircraft .
The America class of ships is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pascagoula , Miss.
, right next to Alabama , and many of the shipyard workers are Alabamians .
When the late Thad Cochran , R-Miss.
, was a leader of the Senate ’ s Defense Appropriations Subcommittee , he would often add funds for ships made in Pascagoula .
Shelby appears to be continuing that tradition .
Also buried in the Senate ’ s new Pentagon spending bill is $ 260 million for an Expeditionary Fast Transport ship , a 330-foot-long troop transport vessel made by Austal USA in Mobile , Ala .

The Senate Appropriations Committee, led by Alabama Republican Richard C. Shelby, added more than three quarters of a billion dollars to its new Pentagon spending bill for warships that were not sought by the Navy but are built by Shelby’s constituents.
Tucked deep inside the draft Senate Pentagon spending bill is $500 million for an “LHA replacement,” the next in the America class of amphibious assault ships, which are smaller versions of aircraft carriers and are designed to carry Marines and their aircraft.
The America class of ships is being built by Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Miss., right next to Alabama, and many of the shipyard workers are Alabamians.
When the late Thad Cochran, R-Miss., was a leader of the Senate’s Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, he would often add funds for ships made in Pascagoula. Shelby appears to be continuing that tradition.
Also buried in the Senate’s new Pentagon spending bill is $260 million for an Expeditionary Fast Transport ship, a 330-foot-long troop transport vessel made by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.


rollcall--2020-11-18--White House signals acceptance of omnibus spending package

The Trump administration appears ready to accept a $ 1.4 trillion , full-year omnibus appropriations bill rather than a simple short-term government funding extension , according to top Republicans .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby met separately on Wednesday with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to talk about year-end legislative priorities .
Meadows also had lunch with GOP senators on Wednesday .
`` It 's our hope , and I think this is [ Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's ] view as well , that we can come together on an omnibus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters .
`` I believe that that 's the preference of the White House as well . ''
Shelby , R-Ala. , said after his meeting with Meadows that the Trump administration will support an omnibus .
“ We went over where we are as far as trying to put the omnibus together and we talked about some parameters between us and the House , ” Shelby said .
“ I thought our meeting was very positive , and he indicated to me that the president and the administration , they want a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that 's good .
”

The Trump administration appears ready to accept a $1.4 trillion, full-year omnibus appropriations bill rather than a simple short-term government funding extension, according to top Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby met separately on Wednesday with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to talk about year-end legislative priorities. Meadows also had lunch with GOP senators on Wednesday.
"It's our hope, and I think this is [Speaker Nancy Pelosi's] view as well, that we can come together on an omnibus and pass it," McConnell told reporters. "I believe that that's the preference of the White House as well."
Shelby, R-Ala., said after his meeting with Meadows that the Trump administration will support an omnibus.
“We went over where we are as far as trying to put the omnibus together and we talked about some parameters between us and the House,” Shelby said. “I thought our meeting was very positive, and he indicated to me that the president and the administration, they want a bill and we do too, and so that's good.”


rollcall--2020-11-18--Maskless photos overshadow McSally’s Senate farewell speech

Martha McSally ’ s farewell to the Senate Wednesday was quickly overshadowed by the gathering of her staff outside the Senate chamber for group and individual photos — mostly maskless and not socially distanced .
The appointed Arizona Republican senator , who lost her race against Democrat Mark Kelly , delivered farewell remarks on the Senate floor before the chamber 's final pre-Thanksgiving vote .
In addition to highlighting legislative achievements like the sweeping public lands package that President Donald Trump signed into law earlier this year and protecting the A-10 Warthog , McSally spoke about her staff and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the clocks tick .
“ This institution could not operate , and the people of all 50 states would not be served , without intelligent , hard-charging , often young , men and women who choose to work on the Hill in staff positions , ” McSally said on the Senate floor .
“ They don ’ t do it for the money , and they could make much more working fewer hours in other fields , ” she said .
“ They choose these behind-the-scenes , un-glamourous jobs , to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong .
”

Martha McSally’s farewell to the Senate Wednesday was quickly overshadowed by the gathering of her staff outside the Senate chamber for group and individual photos — mostly maskless and not socially distanced.
The appointed Arizona Republican senator, who lost her race against Democrat Mark Kelly, delivered farewell remarks on the Senate floor before the chamber's final pre-Thanksgiving vote.
In addition to highlighting legislative achievements like the sweeping public lands package that President Donald Trump signed into law earlier this year and protecting the A-10 Warthog, McSally spoke about her staff and the staff members of other Senate offices that make the clocks tick.
“This institution could not operate, and the people of all 50 states would not be served, without intelligent, hard-charging, often young, men and women who choose to work on the Hill in staff positions,” McSally said on the Senate floor.
“They don’t do it for the money, and they could make much more working fewer hours in other fields,” she said. “They choose these behind-the-scenes, un-glamourous jobs, to be a part of keeping our constitutional republic strong.”


rollcall--2020-11-18--Analysis: Congress unlikely to tie Trump’s hands on Afghan plan

House and Senate negotiators must decide in the coming days whether to send President Donald Trump a final defense authorization bill that would aim to bar him from slashing U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan .
But the strongest NDAA language yet written along these lines may not survive conference , and it ’ s probably not potent enough in any event to stay Trump ’ s hand — as if he would obey it anyway .
As a result , Congress will have once again deferred to presidential authority on a matter of national security .
Peter Feaver , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who served on President George W. Bush ’ s National Security Council , said the Constitution gives presidents extraordinary leeway during wartime operations — and Congress rarely tests those limits .
“ Congress ’ best lever for shaping operations is to use the power of the purse , but that is politically very hard for Congress to do while operations are underway , ” Feaver said by email Wednesday .
“ As a consequence , it is rare for Congress to succeed in attempts to tie the President ’ s hands when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is rare for Congress to wield that stick in wartime . ''

House and Senate negotiators must decide in the coming days whether to send President Donald Trump a final defense authorization bill that would aim to bar him from slashing U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan.
But the strongest NDAA language yet written along these lines may not survive conference, and it’s probably not potent enough in any event to stay Trump’s hand — as if he would obey it anyway.
As a result, Congress will have once again deferred to presidential authority on a matter of national security.
Peter Feaver, a professor of political science at Duke University who served on President George W. Bush’s National Security Council, said the Constitution gives presidents extraordinary leeway during wartime operations — and Congress rarely tests those limits.
“Congress’ best lever for shaping operations is to use the power of the purse, but that is politically very hard for Congress to do while operations are underway,” Feaver said by email Wednesday. “As a consequence, it is rare for Congress to succeed in attempts to tie the President’s hands when they are not using appropriations powers — and it is rare for Congress to wield that stick in wartime."


rollcall--2020-11-18--It’s farm groups vs. lawmakers in rivalry for House Agriculture gavel

Two Democrats vying for the chairmanship of the House Agriculture Committee are collecting endorsements to cement their bids , with one of them so far receiving backing from agriculture groups while the other is supported by committee colleagues .
Georgia Rep. David Scott , who has the endorsement of a dozen colleagues , would become the first African American to lead the committee if he wins .
Rep. Jim Costa of California , supported by dozens of farm groups , would become the first chairman from his state since Republican John Bidwell served from 1865 to 1867 .
On Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of California Citrus Mutual , Florida Citrus Mutual and Texas Citrus Mutual for his run for chairman .
The support from the citrus trade associations is in addition to endorsements from 70 California agriculture groups for the lawmaker .
The groups want someone from the Golden State to shape farm policies and recognize California ’ s place in agriculture as a top generator of farm income from dairy , almonds , grapes , cattle , strawberries , salad greens and more than 300 other crops .
In a Nov. 11 letter to Speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the citrus groups said Costa ’ s background as a third generation farmer and his 16 years in Congress give him a familiarity with industry concerns such as immigration , trade , food security and citrus greening , an insect transmitted disease that deforms and makes citrus fruit too bitter to eat .
The Agriculture Committee doesn ’ t have jurisdiction over immigration , but it can advocate for changes and it has oversight on Agriculture Department policies and programs on agricultural imports and exports .
But Scott of Georgia has a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Minn. , the man he hopes to replace .
Peterson , who is widely respected in agricultural circles , lost his run for a 16th term on Nov. 3 .

Two Democrats vying for the chairmanship of the House Agriculture Committee are collecting endorsements to cement their bids, with one of them so far receiving backing from agriculture groups while the other is supported by committee colleagues.
Georgia Rep. David Scott, who has the endorsement of a dozen colleagues, would become the first African American to lead the committee if he wins. Rep. Jim Costa of California, supported by dozens of farm groups, would become the first chairman from his state since Republican John Bidwell served from 1865 to 1867.
On Wednesday, Costa said he had the backing of California Citrus Mutual, Florida Citrus Mutual and Texas Citrus Mutual for his run for chairman. The support from the citrus trade associations is in addition to endorsements from 70 California agriculture groups for the lawmaker. The groups want someone from the Golden State to shape farm policies and recognize California’s place in agriculture as a top generator of farm income from dairy, almonds, grapes, cattle, strawberries, salad greens and more than 300 other crops.
In a Nov. 11 letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also from California, the citrus groups said Costa’s background as a third generation farmer and his 16 years in Congress give him a familiarity with industry concerns such as immigration, trade, food security and citrus greening, an insect transmitted disease that deforms and makes citrus fruit too bitter to eat. The Agriculture Committee doesn’t have jurisdiction over immigration, but it can advocate for changes and it has oversight on Agriculture Department policies and programs on agricultural imports and exports.
But Scott of Georgia has a letter of support from Chairman Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., the man he hopes to replace. Peterson, who is widely respected in agricultural circles, lost his run for a 16th term on Nov. 3.


rollcall--2020-11-18--Airlines make plans to return Boeing 737 Max to service

The Federal Aviation Administration ’ s decision Wednesday to release the Boeing 737 Max from a 20-month grounding order likely means passengers on at least one airline will begin flying on the planes before year ’ s end .
Within hours of the FAA ’ s announcement , American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour said the airline plans to begin noncommercial Max flights in early December , resuming scheduled service on the Max on Dec. 29 with two flights a day between Miami and LaGuardia Airport in New York City through Jan. 4 .
The airline expects to gradually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout January , with up to 36 departures from its Miami hub .
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly , meanwhile , said the carrier will conduct multiple readiness flights on each of its 34 Max aircraft , completing “ thousands of hours of work , inspections , and the software updates before any of our Customers board a Southwest 737 Max.
” He did not specify a date when the aircraft would return but estimated it “ will likely take place no sooner than the second quarter of 2021.
” [ FAA allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight bills ]

The Federal Aviation Administration’s decision Wednesday to release the Boeing 737 Max from a 20-month grounding order likely means passengers on at least one airline will begin flying on the planes before year’s end.
Within hours of the FAA’s announcement, American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour said the airline plans to begin noncommercial Max flights in early December, resuming scheduled service on the Max on Dec. 29 with two flights a day between Miami and LaGuardia Airport in New York City through Jan. 4.
The airline expects to gradually phase more 737 Max aircraft into service throughout January, with up to 36 departures from its Miami hub.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly, meanwhile, said the carrier will conduct multiple readiness flights on each of its 34 Max aircraft, completing “thousands of hours of work, inspections, and the software updates before any of our Customers board a Southwest 737 Max.” He did not specify a date when the aircraft would return but estimated it “will likely take place no sooner than the second quarter of 2021.”
[FAA allows 737 Max flights as Hill takes up oversight bills]


rollcall--2020-11-18--Photo of the day: Visclosky checking out

A recycling bin filled to the brim sits outside the office of departing Rep. Pete Visclosky , D-Ind.
, in @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
Visclosky did not seek re-election in 2020 .
Among the items in @ @ @ @ @ : `` House Rules and Manual , '' `` Heritage Guide to the Constitution , @ @ @ @ @ a Human Rights Issue '' and `` Universal Deathcare . ''

(Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
A recycling bin filled to the brim sits outside the office of departing Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., in the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday.
Visclosky did not seek re-election in 2020.
Among the items in the bin are books titled: "House Rules and Manual," "Heritage Guide to the Constitution," "Gun Control as a Human Rights Issue" and "Universal Deathcare."


rollcall--2020-11-18--The Transition: The ‘traffic jam’ gets worse every day the White House delays

David Marchick , director of the Center for Presidential Transition , has a traffic report for us on this special episode of the Political Theater podcast : If the Trump administration doesn ’ t start doing its part in the transition to the Biden administration , it ’ s going to cause backups in serving the public that threaten our well-being , even our national security .
Marchick , a former executive at the Carlyle Group who held several positions in the Clinton administration , says President-elect Joe Biden is the most experienced politician to enter the White House and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right things .
But there is only so much his team can do on its own , and there could be dire consequences if the current White House doesn ’ t play ball .
Marchick provides historical and political perspective about transitions in other dire times , including the Civil War and the Great Depression , and how they compare to our time .
And he provides models for best practices , from the current Biden effort as well as the peaceful handover from George W. Bush to Barack Obama , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Mitt Romney ’ s .

David Marchick, director of the Center for Presidential Transition, has a traffic report for us on this special episode of the Political Theater podcast: If the Trump administration doesn’t start doing its part in the transition to the Biden administration, it’s going to cause backups in serving the public that threaten our well-being, even our national security.
Marchick, a former executive at the Carlyle Group who held several positions in the Clinton administration, says President-elect Joe Biden is the most experienced politician to enter the White House and so far he’s doing all the right things. But there is only so much his team can do on its own, and there could be dire consequences if the current White House doesn’t play ball.
Marchick provides historical and political perspective about transitions in other dire times, including the Civil War and the Great Depression, and how they compare to our time. And he provides models for best practices, from the current Biden effort as well as the peaceful handover from George W. Bush to Barack Obama, and even transitions that did not happen, like Mitt Romney’s.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-11-18--Senate panel considers slate of three nominees to the FEC

Roy Blunt , chairman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee , said Wednesday he wants to move this year to confirm three nominees to the Federal Election Commission , an agency that spent nearly all the 2020 campaign season with too many vacancies to even convene meetings .
The Rules panel held a hearing Wednesday with a bipartisan trio of nominees who , if confirmed , would restore the beleaguered agency to its full slate of six commissioners .
Shana M. Broussard , who is the Democrats ' pick and currently serves as counsel to FEC Commissioner Steven Walther @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first Black commissioner in its 45 years .
“ The opportunity to lead the commission rarely comes to those already working within the agency , ” Broussard told the Senate panel during the confirmation hearing .
She added that having been on the staff for more than a decade made her “ uniquely prepared ” for the position .
“ If confirmed , I will be the first African American to serve on the commission .
This historic fact should not be ignored.
” President Donald Trump formally nominated her in late October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sean J. Cooksey , who serves as general counsel to Sen. Josh Hawley , a Missouri Republican .
The third nominee , whom the administration had previously picked , is Allen Dickerson , legal director of the Institute for Free Speech , which favors deregulation of campaign finance .
The FEC briefly had four commissioners , enough for a quorum to take official action , back in May with the confirmation of GOP lawyer James “ Trey ” Trainor III .
But shortly after he took his post , Caroline Hunter headed for @ @ @ @ @

Roy Blunt, chairman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, said Wednesday he wants to move this year to confirm three nominees to the Federal Election Commission, an agency that spent nearly all the 2020 campaign season with too many vacancies to even convene meetings.
The Rules panel held a hearing Wednesday with a bipartisan trio of nominees who, if confirmed, would restore the beleaguered agency to its full slate of six commissioners. Shana M. Broussard, who is the Democrats' pick and currently serves as counsel to FEC Commissioner Steven Walther, would be the agency’s first Black commissioner in its 45 years.
“The opportunity to lead the commission rarely comes to those already working within the agency,” Broussard told the Senate panel during the confirmation hearing. She added that having been on the staff for more than a decade made her “uniquely prepared” for the position. “If confirmed, I will be the first African American to serve on the commission. This historic fact should not be ignored.”
President Donald Trump formally nominated her in late October, along with a Republican pick: Sean J. Cooksey, who serves as general counsel to Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican. The third nominee, whom the administration had previously picked, is Allen Dickerson, legal director of the Institute for Free Speech, which favors deregulation of campaign finance.
The FEC briefly had four commissioners, enough for a quorum to take official action, back in May with the confirmation of GOP lawyer James “Trey” Trainor III. But shortly after he took his post, Caroline Hunter headed for the exit in July.


rollcall--2020-11-18--Barrasso stakes claim to chair Energy and Natural Resources

Sen. John Barrasso , R-Wyo.
, said Wednesday he intends to assume the top spot on the Senate Energy and @ @ @ @ @ next Congress , a shift with cascading repercussions on energy , environment and transportation issues @ @ @ @ @ the No .
2 member of his party on the committee now , behind Chairwoman @ @ @ @ @ , who is stepping down and expected to lead the Indian Affairs committee .
Committee @ @ @ @ @ leaders , which includes Barrasso , who is also GOP Conference Chairman .
[ For @ @ @ @ @ impactful choice for next Congress ] “ My state is home to some of the @ @ @ @ @ the world .
Our abundant energy supplies help power the nation .
Our national parks @ @ @ @ @ are prized by locals and visited by millions from around the globe , ” Barrasso @ @ @ @ @ “ The enjoyment , protection , and utilization of these special places and resources are @ @ @ @ @ our economy and western tradition , ” he said .

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said Wednesday he intends to assume the top spot on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, a shift with cascading repercussions on energy, environment and transportation issues.
The Wyoming Republican is the No. 2 member of his party on the committee now, behind Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, who is stepping down and expected to lead the Indian Affairs committee. Committee chairmanships are determined by party leaders, which includes Barrasso, who is also GOP Conference Chairman.
[For Barrasso, a tough and impactful choice for next Congress]
“My state is home to some of the greatest natural resource wonders in the world. Our abundant energy supplies help power the nation. Our national parks and other special public lands are prized by locals and visited by millions from around the globe,” Barrasso said in a statement.
“The enjoyment, protection, and utilization of these special places and resources are at the very heart of our economy and western tradition,” he said.


rollcall--2020-11-18--Pelosi reaffirms that next term as speaker will be her last

Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday reaffirmed a pledge she made to House Democrats two years ago that she would give @ @ @ @ @ 117th Congress .
Ahead of the 116th Congress , Pelosi cut a deal with a @ @ @ @ @ vote against her for speaker on the floor .
To win their support , the @ @ @ @ @ the caucus to vote on proposed term limits for the top three Democratic leaders and @ @ @ @ @ herself regardless of whether it was adopted .
[ Pelosi Agrees to Deal Limiting Her @ @ @ @ @ The term limit plan , which would have limited the top three leaders from serving @ @ @ @ @ was not brought before the caucus as scheduled , amid a partial government shutdown .
@ @ @ @ @ proposal agreed to drop it indefinitely but noted they could always bring it up again @ @ @ @ @ wanted term limits for leadership .
Pelosi agreed .
Now what ? ]

Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday reaffirmed a pledge she made to House Democrats two years ago that she would give up the gavel after the 117th Congress.
Ahead of the 116th Congress, Pelosi cut a deal with a handful of members threatening to vote against her for speaker on the floor. To win their support, the California Democrat agreed to allow the caucus to vote on proposed term limits for the top three Democratic leaders and to abide by the proposal herself regardless of whether it was adopted.
[Pelosi Agrees to Deal Limiting Her Speakership to 4 Years]
The term limit plan, which would have limited the top three leaders from serving beyond the 117th Congress, was not brought before the caucus as scheduled, amid a partial government shutdown. The members pushing for the proposal agreed to drop it indefinitely but noted they could always bring it up again if needed.
[They wanted term limits for leadership. Pelosi agreed. Now what?]


rollcall--2020-11-19--Farm support holds for Trump, but Biden may find inroads

President Donald Trump tenaciously courted farmers and ranchers with an anti-regulatory agenda and a confrontational trade approach that opened some markets .
But he also relied on billions in federal aid to compensate them for retaliatory tariffs and a pandemic that took a deep gouge out of the economy .
Despite the mixed performance , Trump ’ s policies on trade , regulation and other areas maintained his popularity in rural and farm communities , winning their support in the Nov. 3 election .
Joe Biden nevertheless has a chance to do as president what he did n't manage as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his performance from Trump 's in ways that are important to a rural constituency .
He could , for example , give robust government backing to biofuels , an area where Trump waffled .
Biden could deliver some agriculture sales abroad , reversing setbacks that followed Trump 's trade wars and the economic slowdown from the pandemic .
More treacherous for Biden may be regulation , especially on the environment and climate change , issues that are important for his Democratic Party but also ones in which solutions could be disruptive to agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s 2015 regulation known as Waters of the United States , which expanded federal review of waters .
The Obama rule sparked opposition from the American Farm Bureau Federation , which said it would allow the EPA to interfere with how farmers use their land .

President Donald Trump tenaciously courted farmers and ranchers with an anti-regulatory agenda and a confrontational trade approach that opened some markets.
But he also relied on billions in federal aid to compensate them for retaliatory tariffs and a pandemic that took a deep gouge out of the economy.
Despite the mixed performance, Trump’s policies on trade, regulation and other areas maintained his popularity in rural and farm communities, winning their support in the Nov. 3 election.
Joe Biden nevertheless has a chance to do as president what he didn't manage as a candidate: make inroads by distinguishing his performance from Trump's in ways that are important to a rural constituency. He could, for example, give robust government backing to biofuels, an area where Trump waffled. Biden could deliver some agriculture sales abroad, reversing setbacks that followed Trump's trade wars and the economic slowdown from the pandemic.
More treacherous for Biden may be regulation, especially on the environment and climate change, issues that are important for his Democratic Party but also ones in which solutions could be disruptive to agriculture. Trump repealed the Obama administration’s 2015 regulation known as Waters of the United States, which expanded federal review of waters. The Obama rule sparked opposition from the American Farm Bureau Federation, which said it would allow the EPA to interfere with how farmers use their land.


rollcall--2020-11-19--Threat of Democratic control drives GOP in Georgia Senate runoffs

Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler stood together onstage in a crowded Georgia strip-mall bar and grill on a @ @ @ @ @ Republicans had barely acknowledged each other as they ran parallel campaigns for most of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ the senators in a two-month sprint toward Jan. 5 runoffs that both parties describe as @ @ @ @ @ the country , Loeffler and Perdue , like their Democratic opponents , are linked .
@ @ @ @ @ it , ” Perdue said that Friday as he surveyed the mostly maskless audience at @ @ @ @ @ according to a video posted on his Facebook page .
“ She wins , I @ @ @ @ @ she wins.
” With the campaigns well into their second week , the candidates on @ @ @ @ @ lockstep , with disciplined messages that offer polarized views of the country and the stakes @ @ @ @ @

Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler stood together onstage in a crowded Georgia strip-mall bar and grill on a recent afternoon.
The two Republicans had barely acknowledged each other as they ran parallel campaigns for most of 2020.
But now, with the senators in a two-month sprint toward Jan. 5 runoffs that both parties describe as battles for the soul of the country, Loeffler and Perdue, like their Democratic opponents, are linked.
“Guys, this is it,” Perdue said that Friday as he surveyed the mostly maskless audience at the Black Diamond Grill, according to a video posted on his Facebook page. “She wins, I win. I win, she wins.”
With the campaigns well into their second week, the candidates on both sides are running in lockstep, with disciplined messages that offer polarized views of the country and the stakes in the two races.