rollcall--2020-04-24--Trump signs coronavirus aid bill for small business, hospitals

President Donald Trump on Friday signed a $ 483 billion COVID-19 economic assistance package , the fourth and likely not the last installment of pandemic relief Congress will send him .
The so-called interim bill materialized after it became clear two weeks ago that the Small Business Administration was close to burning through $ 349 billion in new forgivable loans to firms that use the money to keep employees on payroll .
The package would replenish that program , enacted as part of the broader $ 2 trillion coronavirus aid package last month , with another $ 321 billion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for long , however , some experts have warned .
Through last week , nearly 1.7 million small businesses received aid , the SBA reported .
According to the latest Census Bureau data , there were close to 6 million employers with 500 or fewer workers , not counting other firms that meet the criteria .
During the negotiations , Democrats secured another $ 75 billion for hospitals and other health care providers , on top of $ 100 billion in last month 's bill .
They also were successful in adding $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including funds to cover tests for those without health insurance .

President Donald Trump on Friday signed a $483 billion COVID-19 economic assistance package, the fourth and likely not the last installment of pandemic relief Congress will send him.
The so-called interim bill materialized after it became clear two weeks ago that the Small Business Administration was close to burning through $349 billion in new forgivable loans to firms that use the money to keep employees on payroll.
The package would replenish that program, enacted as part of the broader $2 trillion coronavirus aid package last month, with another $321 billion.
Even that amount may not be sufficient for long, however, some experts have warned. Through last week, nearly 1.7 million small businesses received aid, the SBA reported. According to the latest Census Bureau data, there were close to 6 million employers with 500 or fewer workers, not counting other firms that meet the criteria.
During the negotiations, Democrats secured another $75 billion for hospitals and other health care providers, on top of $100 billion in last month's bill. They also were successful in adding $25 billion for expanded COVID-19 testing, including funds to cover tests for those without health insurance.


rollcall--2020-04-24--Federal agencies warn about untested COVID-19 drugs Trump touts

The Food and Drug Administration warned Friday against the risk of irregular heart rhythms from the use of anti-malaria drugs @ @ @ @ @ a day after he made controversial comments — which scientists quickly rebuked — incorrectly suggesting @ @ @ @ @ or light could kill COVID-19 .
The president has repeatedly hyped the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ despite no conclusive evidence that the drug is successful for this purpose .
Recent preliminary @ @ @ @ @ it should be used to treat the coronavirus and indicated it could be connected to @ @ @ @ @ The FDA issued the warning against using hydroxychloroquine and a related drug , chloroquine , @ @ @ @ @ intended purposes , which are primarily to treat malaria and , in some cases , @ @ @ @ @ drugs can have severe side effects including heart rhythm problems and even death , the @ @ @ @ @ could be mitigated when used in a hospital or clinical trial under close medical supervision @ @ @ @

The Food and Drug Administration warned Friday against the risk of irregular heart rhythms from the use of anti-malaria drugs President Donald Trump touted, a day after he made controversial comments — which scientists quickly rebuked — incorrectly suggesting that disinfectant injected into patients or light could kill COVID-19.
The president has repeatedly hyped the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a possible COVID-19 treatment despite no conclusive evidence that the drug is successful for this purpose. Recent preliminary studies found little evidence that it should be used to treat the coronavirus and indicated it could be connected to a higher death rate.
[Trump signs coronavirus aid bill for small business, hospitals]
The FDA issued the warning against using hydroxychloroquine and a related drug, chloroquine, for other than for their intended purposes, which are primarily to treat malaria and, in some cases, lupus and arthritis.
The drugs can have severe side effects including heart rhythm problems and even death, the FDA warned. Those risks could be mitigated when used in a hospital or clinical trial under close medical supervision, officials said.


rollcall--2020-04-24--Coronavirus Special Report: How one rural town in Georgia is coping with COVID-19

Today , a conversation with CQ Roll Call 's Clyde McGrady on his hometown — a small , predominantly African @ @ @ @ @ — and how COVID-19 is taking its toll there .
• Ruin and resilience : @ @ @ @ @ is fighting through coronavirus trauma • States take new steps to track contacts of people @ @

Today, a conversation with CQ Roll Call's Clyde McGrady on his hometown — a small, predominantly African American rural town in Georgia — and how COVID-19 is taking its toll there.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-04-27--Ballot scramble: Maryland, Ohio test rapid shift to all-mail voting

Voters in Maryland and Ohio are testing pandemic-era democracy this week , holding the first elections almost entirely by mail since the nation locked itself down and more than a dozen states halted or postponed in-person voting to thwart the spread of COVID-19 .
In Maryland , where voting Tuesday is limited to a special election to fill the late Rep. Elijah E. Cummings ’ heavily Democratic Baltimore-area seat , voting officials last week said the process was going smoothly , thanks to long hours and heroic efforts from staff members .
“ We had to think of every minor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the details keep changing , ” said Donna Thewes , president of the board of elections in Howard County , one of the three counties voting in Maryland .
But Tuesday ’ s statewide primary in Ohio — rescheduled at the last minute in March — has been a scramble .
Election boards have struggled to keep pace with an onslaught of mail-in ballots , while slower-than-expected mail delivery has threatened to upend the process completely .
“ It ’ s been kind of the opposite of smooth , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of All Voting is Local , an organization aimed at voter access .
“ I ’ ve been joking with people that the last month or so has felt like the longest five years of my life .
”

Voters in Maryland and Ohio are testing pandemic-era democracy this week, holding the first elections almost entirely by mail since the nation locked itself down and more than a dozen states halted or postponed in-person voting to thwart the spread of COVID-19.
In Maryland, where voting Tuesday is limited to a special election to fill the late Rep. Elijah E. Cummings’ heavily Democratic Baltimore-area seat, voting officials last week said the process was going smoothly, thanks to long hours and heroic efforts from staff members.
“We had to think of every minor detail about how we could do this, and the details keep changing,” said Donna Thewes, president of the board of elections in Howard County, one of the three counties voting in Maryland.
But Tuesday’s statewide primary in Ohio — rescheduled at the last minute in March — has been a scramble. Election boards have struggled to keep pace with an onslaught of mail-in ballots, while slower-than-expected mail delivery has threatened to upend the process completely.
“It’s been kind of the opposite of smooth,” said Mike Brickner, the Ohio state director of All Voting is Local, an organization aimed at voter access. “I’ve been joking with people that the last month or so has felt like the longest five years of my life.”


rollcall--2020-04-27--House faces historic test of congressional subpoena power

A federal appeals court in Washington hears oral arguments Tuesday in a clash between the House and the Trump administration that threatens to inexorably tip the historical balance of government power away from Congress and to the president .
At the heart of the House lawsuits are Trump moves to brush aside Congress in two of its long-held areas of power and put the onus on lawmakers to try to stop him .
President Donald Trump has gotten his way for more than a year , thanks in part to the House 's reliance on a court system that crawls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s politics .
One case involves Trump ’ s fight-all-the-subpoenas stonewalling of the House impeachment inquiry in early 2019 , focused on the House Judiciary Committee 's demand for testimony from former White House Counsel Don McGahn .
The committee issued the subpoena more than a year ago to McGahn to testify about events described in the special counsel probe into Trump ’ s possible criminal obstruction of justice .
The other is Trump ’ s February 2019 move to spend money on border wall construction , even when Congress didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the project in a clash that resulted in the longest government shutdown in history .
Last week , the administration launched a website to provide an update on construction along the U.S.-Mexico border .
But the legal showdown is about more than Trump ’ s actions , said former Maryland Democratic Rep. Donna Edwards , who helped gather a bipartisan group of 78 former members of Congress to sign a brief supporting the House in the cases .

A federal appeals court in Washington hears oral arguments Tuesday in a clash between the House and the Trump administration that threatens to inexorably tip the historical balance of government power away from Congress and to the president.
At the heart of the House lawsuits are Trump moves to brush aside Congress in two of its long-held areas of power and put the onus on lawmakers to try to stop him. President Donald Trump has gotten his way for more than a year, thanks in part to the House's reliance on a court system that crawls compared to the speed of today’s politics.
One case involves Trump’s fight-all-the-subpoenas stonewalling of the House impeachment inquiry in early 2019, focused on the House Judiciary Committee's demand for testimony from former White House Counsel Don McGahn. The committee issued the subpoena more than a year ago to McGahn to testify about events described in the special counsel probe into Trump’s possible criminal obstruction of justice.
The other is Trump’s February 2019 move to spend money on border wall construction, even when Congress didn’t give in to his appropriations demands for the project in a clash that resulted in the longest government shutdown in history. Last week, the administration launched a website to provide an update on construction along the U.S.-Mexico border.
But the legal showdown is about more than Trump’s actions, said former Maryland Democratic Rep. Donna Edwards, who helped gather a bipartisan group of 78 former members of Congress to sign a brief supporting the House in the cases.


rollcall--2020-04-27--Despite McConnell comment, states can’t go bankrupt, only default

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s suggestion last week that he ’ d rather let states go bankrupt than see Congress rescue their coronavirus-decimated budgets raises the question : What would a state bankruptcy look like ?
It would first require Congress to amend the federal bankruptcy code , which has never allowed state governments to declare bankruptcy .
Municipalities — broadly defined as a town , city , county or other subdivision of a state , like a school district or independent authority — have been allowed to declare bankruptcy since 1937 , but for states the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s unlikely McConnell will be able to convince the rest of Congress to go along with amending the bankruptcy code .
His comments were met with swift and harsh backlash .
“ You want to send an international message that the economy is in turmoil ?
Do that , ” said New York Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo at a press conference Friday .
“ Allow states to declare bankruptcy legally because you passed the bill .
It 'll be the first time in our nation ’ s history that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that.
” On Thursday , fellow Republican Rep. Peter T. King of New York likened McConnell to Marie Antoinette .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s suggestion last week that he’d rather let states go bankrupt than see Congress rescue their coronavirus-decimated budgets raises the question: What would a state bankruptcy look like?
It would first require Congress to amend the federal bankruptcy code, which has never allowed state governments to declare bankruptcy. Municipalities — broadly defined as a town, city, county or other subdivision of a state, like a school district or independent authority — have been allowed to declare bankruptcy since 1937, but for states the only option would be defaulting on their debts.
It’s unlikely McConnell will be able to convince the rest of Congress to go along with amending the bankruptcy code. His comments were met with swift and harsh backlash.
“You want to send an international message that the economy is in turmoil? Do that,” said New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo at a press conference Friday. “Allow states to declare bankruptcy legally because you passed the bill. It'll be the first time in our nation’s history that that happened. I dare you to do that.”
On Thursday, fellow Republican Rep. Peter T. King of New York likened McConnell to Marie Antoinette.


rollcall--2020-04-27--Chance for Congress to fix public health gaps could close fast

Some lawmakers are seeking to overhaul programs that hindered the nation ’ s response to the COVID-19 pandemic , but the window for Congress to revamp the country 's approach to preparing for global health crises may be narrow .
Congress ’ response to the novel coronavirus has so far focused on ways to blunt its economic and health effects , but lawmakers also want future legislation to ensure greater domestic control of the medical supply chain or provide additional public health funds .
Lawmakers also hope to prevent a possible second wave of the virus next fall or winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , experts who have watched Congress respond to health crises over the years predict the political interest and will to significantly change the nation ’ s public health system will be short-lived .
“ A pattern repeated over and over again is widespread support for public health and preparedness during an emergency and then immediately afterward .
And then within a year , the political will to keep that going starts to dry up , ” said Richard Besser , a former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and @ @

Some lawmakers are seeking to overhaul programs that hindered the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the window for Congress to revamp the country's approach to preparing for global health crises may be narrow.
Congress’ response to the novel coronavirus has so far focused on ways to blunt its economic and health effects, but lawmakers also want future legislation to ensure greater domestic control of the medical supply chain or provide additional public health funds.
Lawmakers also hope to prevent a possible second wave of the virus next fall or winter from devastating the nation’s economy.
Still, experts who have watched Congress respond to health crises over the years predict the political interest and will to significantly change the nation’s public health system will be short-lived.
“A pattern repeated over and over again is widespread support for public health and preparedness during an emergency and then immediately afterward. And then within a year, the political will to keep that going starts to dry up,” said Richard Besser, a former acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


rollcall--2020-04-27--Senate appropriator eyes more COVID-19 relief for agriculture

The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations panel said Monday he will focus on giving the Agriculture Department $ 20 billion in additional borrowing authority to aid farmers and ranchers when Congress returns .
Sen. John Hoeven , R-N.D. , called the $ 19 billion relief package Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced on April 17 a good start but said the livestock and hog industries are particularly hard hit as meatpacking and processing plants temporarily close or slow down operations .
Hundreds of employees have tested positive for COVID-19 .
The package announced by Perdue would provide $ 16 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I would like us to increase that CCC cap from $ 30 billion to $ 50 billion , ” Hoeven said , referring to the Commodity Credit Corporation that the Agriculture Department uses to fund price and revenue support programs .
The department is using some funds from the CCC for the relief package and tapped it in 2018 and 2019 for nearly $ 23 billion in trade aid payments to farmers and ranchers adversely affected by retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agriculture products .
Over the weekend , the Agriculture Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service announced it would set up a coordinating center to help find alternative markets for cattle and hog producers left with market-ready animals because of packing plant closures .
The agency also raised the possibility of euthanasia of animals that can not be sold .
But Hoeven told the North American Agricultural Journalists in a Zoom meeting that more money is needed .
He had pushed for provisions to raise the Agriculture Department ’ s borrowing authority at the Treasury Department for the CCCC from $ 30 billion to $ 50 billion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided $ 9.6 billion specifically for aid to agriculture and $ 14 billion to replenish the CCC in July .

The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations panel said Monday he will focus on giving the Agriculture Department $20 billion in additional borrowing authority to aid farmers and ranchers when Congress returns.
Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., called the $19 billion relief package Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced on April 17 a good start but said the livestock and hog industries are particularly hard hit as meatpacking and processing plants temporarily close or slow down operations. Hundreds of employees have tested positive for COVID-19. The package announced by Perdue would provide $16 billion in direct payments to eligible agricultural producers.
“I would like us to increase that CCC cap from $30 billion to $50 billion,” Hoeven said, referring to the Commodity Credit Corporation that the Agriculture Department uses to fund price and revenue support programs. The department is using some funds from the CCC for the relief package and tapped it in 2018 and 2019 for nearly $23 billion in trade aid payments to farmers and ranchers adversely affected by retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agriculture products.
Over the weekend, the Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced it would set up a coordinating center to help find alternative markets for cattle and hog producers left with market-ready animals because of packing plant closures. The agency also raised the possibility of euthanasia of animals that cannot be sold.
But Hoeven told the North American Agricultural Journalists in a Zoom meeting that more money is needed. He had pushed for provisions to raise the Agriculture Department’s borrowing authority at the Treasury Department for the CCCC from $30 billion to $50 billion. The economic relief bill enacted March 27 provided $9.6 billion specifically for aid to agriculture and $14 billion to replenish the CCC in July.


rollcall--2020-04-27--Coronavirus Special Report: Questions surround distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine

We ’ re zooming in on health care policy tonight , including the White House ’ s plan to increase @ @ @ @ @ Walgreens and CVS and exploring what happens if a vaccine is developed by another country @ @ @ @ @ of Congress to return May 4 , despite pandemic recommendations • Meadows works for Trump @ @ @ @ @ .
What ’ s next for Oversight Republicans ?
• Justices ask if House-Trump subpoena @ @ @ @ @

We’re zooming in on health care policy tonight, including the White House’s plan to increase testing through mega-pharmacy chains like Walgreens and CVS and exploring what happens if a vaccine is developed by another country first.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-04-27--Library of Congress wants you to be the next Kanye (or Dr. Dre)

The project is still under development but is expected to be fully launched sometime this summer .
For now , users can cook up future Billboard chart-toppers by playing around on the test site .
Megastar producers such as Kanye West and Dr. Dre have used sampling to make classic rap songs and hit records and are probably the most famous masters of the practice .
But sampling , which involves splicing together audio from other songs or recordings , is almost as old as rap itself .
In 1973 , a Bronx DJ named Kool Herc would play funk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ song ’ s breakbeat to continuously loop the sound , since that was the part kids wanted to break-dance to .
The art form arguably reached its pinnacle with the Beastie Boys ’ 1989 album “ Paul ’ s Boutique , ” which contained more than 100 samples at a cost of about $ 250,000 , according to a sound engineer who worked on the album .
Rampant sampling would come to an end after 1991 , when rapper Biz Markie was sued for using an unauthorized recording of the song “ Alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge in that landmark case ruled that musicians wishing to sample another artist ’ s song have to get it cleared from the original artist beforehand , or else it constitutes copyright infringement .
After the decision , sampling became prohibitively expensive for many .

The project is still under development but is expected to be fully launched sometime this summer. For now, users can cook up future Billboard chart-toppers by playing around on the test site.
Megastar producers such as Kanye West and Dr. Dre have used sampling to make classic rap songs and hit records and are probably the most famous masters of the practice.
But sampling, which involves splicing together audio from other songs or recordings, is almost as old as rap itself. In 1973, a Bronx DJ named Kool Herc would play funk records and use his turntables during a song’s breakbeat to continuously loop the sound, since that was the part kids wanted to break-dance to.
The art form arguably reached its pinnacle with the Beastie Boys’ 1989 album “Paul’s Boutique,” which contained more than 100 samples at a cost of about $250,000, according to a sound engineer who worked on the album.
Rampant sampling would come to an end after 1991, when rapper Biz Markie was sued for using an unauthorized recording of the song “Alone Again (Naturally).” The judge in that landmark case ruled that musicians wishing to sample another artist’s song have to get it cleared from the original artist beforehand, or else it constitutes copyright infringement. After the decision, sampling became prohibitively expensive for many.


rollcall--2020-04-27--Supreme Court parses words in appropriations powers case

Members of Congress who want to repeal laws that pledge government payments must do more than simply strip the funding for that law during the appropriations process , the Supreme Court reiterated in a Monday opinion .
The justices dove back into the limits of appropriations riders that don ’ t repeal a law expressly — and instead only repeal a law by implication — in a legal fight over about $ 12 billion in government payments to health insurance companies as part of a key program in the 2010 health care law .
One part of President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a legal and political battleground since its signing — set up a three-year “ Risk Corridors ” program to ease the transition into a new online health insurance market .
It included a formula to determine the government ’ s obligation to pay insurers who lost money and did not limit the amount it might pay .
But the government argued that congressional Republicans inserted appropriations riders in a December 2014 spending bill that essentially stopped those payments by limiting funding .
The resulting court fights have lasted for years .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care law known as the Affordable Care Act , the language of this particular appropriations rider , a floor speech , other government action , and previous Supreme Court cases going back to 1886 to conclude that “ an implied-repeal-by-rider must be made of sterner stuff .
”

Members of Congress who want to repeal laws that pledge government payments must do more than simply strip the funding for that law during the appropriations process, the Supreme Court reiterated in a Monday opinion.
The justices dove back into the limits of appropriations riders that don’t repeal a law expressly — and instead only repeal a law by implication — in a legal fight over about $12 billion in government payments to health insurance companies as part of a key program in the 2010 health care law.
One part of President Barack Obama’s signature law — which has been a legal and political battleground since its signing — set up a three-year “Risk Corridors” program to ease the transition into a new online health insurance market. It included a formula to determine the government’s obligation to pay insurers who lost money and did not limit the amount it might pay.
But the government argued that congressional Republicans inserted appropriations riders in a December 2014 spending bill that essentially stopped those payments by limiting funding. The resulting court fights have lasted for years.
On Monday, the justices looked at the health care law known as the Affordable Care Act, the language of this particular appropriations rider, a floor speech, other government action, and previous Supreme Court cases going back to 1886 to conclude that “an implied-repeal-by-rider must be made of sterner stuff.”


rollcall--2020-04-27--Maloney backs census deadline extension for newest data

A key House Democrat told reporters Monday she wants to grant the Census Bureau its request to extend a deadline @ @ @ @ @ part of the next coronavirus relief legislation , but she hinted that the bill will @ @ @ @ @ attached .
Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney , D-N.Y. , said the legislation @ @ @ @ @ sought by the Census Bureau to deliver new congressional seat apportionment figures by the end @ @ @ @ @ new mapmaking data a few months later , by the end of July 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ given what we are confronting .
We can not do the door-to-door enumeration , ” @ @ @ @ @ on agency operations delayed by the pandemic .
[ Administration seeks to delay census to @ @ @ @ @ ] The House will likely consider the bill either on its own or as part @ @ @ @ @ legislation in response to COVID-19 , she said .

A key House Democrat told reporters Monday she wants to grant the Census Bureau its request to extend a deadline for delivering redistricting data as part of the next coronavirus relief legislation, but she hinted that the bill will come with more oversight strings attached.
Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., said the legislation would include the 120-day extension sought by the Census Bureau to deliver new congressional seat apportionment figures by the end of next April, and new mapmaking data a few months later, by the end of July 2021.
“It is necessary, given what we are confronting. We cannot do the door-to-door enumeration,” Maloney said during an update on agency operations delayed by the pandemic.
[Administration seeks to delay census to summer, finish next spring]
The House will likely consider the bill either on its own or as part of the next large-scale economic legislation in response to COVID-19, she said.


rollcall--2020-04-27--Both chambers of Congress to return May 4, despite pandemic recommendations

Both chambers of Congress will return to the Capitol for regular legislative session on May 4 , which is 11 days before the current stay-at-home order in Washington , D.C. , expires .
“ Senators will return to Washington D.C. one week from today .
We will modify routines in ways that are smart and safe , but we will honor our constitutional duty to the American people and conduct critical business in person , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement on Monday .
A few hours later , House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House will also be in session next week and said votes are possible , according to his press office .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said last week as the House came in for a brief session to pass a so-called interim coronavirus relief measure that she hoped a bipartisan task force examining rule changes to allow some remote operations would have a proposal ready to vote on when the House returned again .
Some Democrats also want their leadership to move quickly on another relief measure , with more aid targeted to individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Katherine Tully-McManus and Lindsey McPherson

Both chambers of Congress will return to the Capitol for regular legislative session on May 4, which is 11 days before the current stay-at-home order in Washington, D.C., expires.
“Senators will return to Washington D.C. one week from today. We will modify routines in ways that are smart and safe, but we will honor our constitutional duty to the American people and conduct critical business in person,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement on Monday.
A few hours later, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer announced on a Democratic Caucus conference call that the House will also be in session next week and said votes are possible, according to his press office.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said last week as the House came in for a brief session to pass a so-called interim coronavirus relief measure that she hoped a bipartisan task force examining rule changes to allow some remote operations would have a proposal ready to vote on when the House returned again.
Some Democrats also want their leadership to move quickly on another relief measure, with more aid targeted to individuals and families and states and localities.


rollcall--2020-04-27--The US may be heading into one of the worst recessions in history

The COVID-19 pandemic is sending shockwaves throughout the U.S. economy .
The Congressional Budget Office ’ s latest projections show @ @ @ @ @ unemployment and federal deficits soar .
So how bad could the economy get ?
And @ @ @ @ @ the shape of future coronavirus relief measures ?
CQ Roll Call ’ s David Lerman @ @ @ @ @ • Meadows works for Trump and Jordan moved to Judiciary .
What ’ s next @ @ @ @ @ Despite McConnell comment , states can ’ t go bankrupt , only default

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Evan Campbell

The COVID-19 pandemic is sending shockwaves throughout the U.S. economy. The Congressional Budget Office’s latest projections show economic output plunging, while unemployment and federal deficits soar. So how bad could the economy get? And what does it mean for the shape of future coronavirus relief measures? CQ Roll Call’s David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt discuss.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-04-27--Airlines get break from service requirements

Airlines that signed up for $ 61 billion in federal grants and loans in the roughly $ 2 trillion coronavirus spending bill passed last month had to promise to continue serving the same airports they served before the pandemic .
But 17 airlines , ranging from major players to small commuter lines , have asked for exemptions from that requirement .
And the Department of Transportation has granted some of those requests , depending on the case made by the airline .
On Saturday , the DOT weighed in on requests by United Airlines , Frontier Airlines and Sun Country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspend or delay flights to Hawaii , Puerto Rico , the Northern Mariana Islands and Alaska , where some travelers are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival or where incoming flights are routed through larger airports so travelers can undergo health screenings .
But the department denied the airline ’ s request to delay the launch of planned seasonal flights to Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach , S.C. ; Nantucket , Mass .
; Key West , Fla. , and other seasonal vacation destinations , arguing that the law requires minimal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national air transportation system .

Airlines that signed up for $61 billion in federal grants and loans in the roughly $2 trillion coronavirus spending bill passed last month had to promise to continue serving the same airports they served before the pandemic.
But 17 airlines, ranging from major players to small commuter lines, have asked for exemptions from that requirement. And the Department of Transportation has granted some of those requests, depending on the case made by the airline.
On Saturday, the DOT weighed in on requests by United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.
It allowed United to temporarily suspend or delay flights to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and Alaska, where some travelers are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival or where incoming flights are routed through larger airports so travelers can undergo health screenings.
But the department denied the airline’s request to delay the launch of planned seasonal flights to Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Nantucket, Mass.; Key West, Fla., and other seasonal vacation destinations, arguing that the law requires minimal coverage to connect the destinations with the national air transportation system.


rollcall--2020-04-27--Justices ask if House-Trump subpoena showdown is appropriate for courts

The Supreme Court made a request Monday that hinted the justices might want to back out of the legal showdown @ @ @ @ @ s effort to stop congressional subpoenas for his tax and financial records .
With oral @ @ @ @ @ on the issue , the Supreme Court asked House attorneys and Trump ’ s personal @ @ @ @ @ whether the dispute is better left for politicians than the courts — known as the @ @ @ @ @ “ It reads like an invitation to make up a way out for the Court @ @ @ @ @ Center professor Joshua Geltzer tweeted .
“ Let ’ s hope it ’ s not.
@ @ @ @ @ eight years of Trump ’ s financial and tax records from accounting firm Mazars USA @ @ @ @ @ Trump filed lawsuits to challenge the subpoenas in his personal capacity .
A Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ could reshape the limits for impeachment and other oversight investigations into a sitting president — @ @ @ @ @ presidential election in November .

The Supreme Court made a request Monday that hinted the justices might want to back out of the legal showdown over President Donald Trump’s effort to stop congressional subpoenas for his tax and financial records.
With oral arguments set for May 12 on the issue, the Supreme Court asked House attorneys and Trump’s personal attorneys to file briefs about whether the dispute is better left for politicians than the courts — known as the “political question doctrine.”
[DOJ: Congress must meet high bar for Trump tax information]
“It reads like an invitation to make up a way out for the Court,” Georgetown University Law Center professor Joshua Geltzer tweeted. “Let’s hope it’s not.”
House Democrats are seeking eight years of Trump’s financial and tax records from accounting firm Mazars USA and Deutsche Bank, and Trump filed lawsuits to challenge the subpoenas in his personal capacity. A Supreme Court decision in the coming months could reshape the limits for impeachment and other oversight investigations into a sitting president — and potentially play into the presidential election in November.


rollcall--2020-04-27--Meadows works for Trump and Jordan moved to Judiciary. What’s next for Oversight Republicans?

The GOP plan was for North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows to become the ranking member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee when Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan was named to lead House Judiciary Republicans , but things change .
Meadows left Congress to become White House chief of staff , and who will lead Oversight ’ s minority is now in question .
Of the 16 Republicans still on the committee , only six have served in the House for at least three terms , and several are already ranking members on other committees .
It ’ s left some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have expressed interest in the job , and Jordan says the talent is already there , although it is unclear who will move into the slot .
“ There ’ s some great people who ’ ve done great work on the committee , so whoever they pick will be ideal , ” Jordan said , referring to the Republican Steering Committee , which is responsible for choosing the conference ’ s committee leadership and rosters .
Jordan said he saw several members engaged in the committee business and who did their homework @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff .
He pointed out several members : freshman Reps. Chip Roy of Texas , Mark Green of Tennessee and Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota , as well as Kentucky ’ s James Comer , who is in his second full term , and Georgia ’ s Jody Hice , who is currently serving his third .

The GOP plan was for North Carolina Rep. Mark Meadows to become the ranking member of the House Oversight and Reform Committee when Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan was named to lead House Judiciary Republicans, but things change.
Meadows left Congress to become White House chief of staff, and who will lead Oversight’s minority is now in question.
Of the 16 Republicans still on the committee, only six have served in the House for at least three terms, and several are already ranking members on other committees. It’s left some wondering who will succeed Jordan; several have expressed interest in the job, and Jordan says the talent is already there, although it is unclear who will move into the slot.
“There’s some great people who’ve done great work on the committee, so whoever they pick will be ideal,” Jordan said, referring to the Republican Steering Committee, which is responsible for choosing the conference’s committee leadership and rosters.
Jordan said he saw several members engaged in the committee business and who did their homework before hearings and worked well with the staff. He pointed out several members: freshman Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Mark Green of Tennessee and Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, as well as Kentucky’s James Comer, who is in his second full term, and Georgia’s Jody Hice, who is currently serving his third.


rollcall--2020-04-28--COVID-19 concerns prompt new interest in cashless payments

The COVID-19 pandemic has fanned public concerns that the coronavirus could be transmitted by handling cash , according to a recent report by the Switzerland-based Bank of International Settlements , prompting merchants and members of Congress to contemplate more sanitary , hands-off digital payment systems .
Although the BIS report says the scientific evidence suggests the probability of coronavirus transmission through banknotes and coins is low compared with other frequently touched objects , consumer anxiety about physical forms of currency could speed up the trend towards cashless , touchless payments .
The pandemic has already led one of Congress ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to introduce legislation that would reduce the physical contact a consumer must make with payment terminals and related objects when making an in-store purchase .
Rep. French Hill , R-Ark.
, a member of the House Financial Services Committee ’ s Task Force on Financial Technology , last month proposed legislation that would establish that any swipe , dip or tap transaction at a merchant point-of-sale terminal wouldn ’ t trigger a signature requirement .
Republicans on the Financial Services Committee said in a memo when the legislation was introduced March 12 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that signatures for such transactions are no longer necessary , and `` eliminating the practice can cut down on the spread of the virus . ''

The COVID-19 pandemic has fanned public concerns that the coronavirus could be transmitted by handling cash, according to a recent report by the Switzerland-based Bank of International Settlements, prompting merchants and members of Congress to contemplate more sanitary, hands-off digital payment systems.
Although the BIS report says the scientific evidence suggests the probability of coronavirus transmission through banknotes and coins is low compared with other frequently touched objects, consumer anxiety about physical forms of currency could speed up the trend towards cashless, touchless payments.
The pandemic has already led one of Congress’ most prominent proponents of innovative financial technology to introduce legislation that would reduce the physical contact a consumer must make with payment terminals and related objects when making an in-store purchase.
Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., a member of the House Financial Services Committee’s Task Force on Financial Technology, last month proposed legislation that would establish that any swipe, dip or tap transaction at a merchant point-of-sale terminal wouldn’t trigger a signature requirement.
Republicans on the Financial Services Committee said in a memo when the legislation was introduced March 12 that innovation in credit and debit transaction verification means that signatures for such transactions are no longer necessary, and "eliminating the practice can cut down on the spread of the virus."


rollcall--2020-04-28--AI researchers seeking COVID-19 answers face hurdles

A month after the White House launched an effort that brought together technologists and artificial intelligence experts to scour the world ’ s repository of medical literature for insights on COVID-19 , researchers last week reported that journals and publications designed to be read by people are posing challenges for computers to sift through .
Most scientific papers published and distributed using the PDF format are “ not amenable to text processing , ” the group of 24 researchers wrote in a paper published last week .
While “ the file format is designed to share electronic documents faithfully for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ automated analysis of document content.
” The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on March 16 announced a collaborative venture that included the National Library of Medicine , which is part of the National Institutes of Health , Microsoft , Allen Institute for AI , Georgetown University ’ s Center for Security and Emerging Technology , the Chan Zuckerberg Institute ( named for Mark Zuckerberg , Facebook 's founder , and his wife Priscilla Chan ) , and Kaggle , which is a unit of Google .
The goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of scientific papers and literature on the coronavirus that would be examined using machine language and text processing programs to find patterns .
That would help researchers rapidly answer questions raised by the World Health Organization and U.S. agencies about the pandemic .
Scientists all over the world have been working and publishing their findings on various strains of coronavirus over the years , including other variants such as SARS , MERS , and the latest , COVID-19 .
The application of artificial intelligence tools to look for commonalities and differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could help the scientists spot things they may have missed .

A month after the White House launched an effort that brought together technologists and artificial intelligence experts to scour the world’s repository of medical literature for insights on COVID-19, researchers last week reported that journals and publications designed to be read by people are posing challenges for computers to sift through.
Most scientific papers published and distributed using the PDF format are “not amenable to text processing,” the group of 24 researchers wrote in a paper published last week. While “the file format is designed to share electronic documents faithfully for reading and printing” they pose challenges for “automated analysis of document content.”
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on March 16 announced a collaborative venture that included the National Library of Medicine, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, Microsoft, Allen Institute for AI, Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, the Chan Zuckerberg Institute (named for Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's founder, and his wife Priscilla Chan), and Kaggle, which is a unit of Google.
The goal was to assemble a dataset of tens of thousands of scientific papers and literature on the coronavirus that would be examined using machine language and text processing programs to find patterns. That would help researchers rapidly answer questions raised by the World Health Organization and U.S. agencies about the pandemic.
Scientists all over the world have been working and publishing their findings on various strains of coronavirus over the years, including other variants such as SARS, MERS, and the latest, COVID-19. The application of artificial intelligence tools to look for commonalities and differences among the thousands of such published articles could help the scientists spot things they may have missed.


rollcall--2020-04-28--Bus companies want in on the recovery largesse

Lawmakers allocated $ 61 billion to airlines , $ 25 billion to transit and $ 1 billion for Amtrak in the roughly $ 2 trillion coronavirus rescue package , but the motorcoach industry , which includes charter buses , private transit buses and passenger buses , said it has been largely ignored .
And if their industry goes under , they argue , an important and often overlooked leg of the nation ’ s transportation system will disappear .
They ’ ve watched their ridership bottom out since the coronavirus pandemic began spreading in the United States in mid-March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 15 billion – $ 10 billion in grants , $ 5 billion in loans – to help them survive the crisis .
“ When the other modes don ’ t run , we do , ” said Peter J. Pantuso , president and CEO of the American Bus Association , which represents 3,000 companies that employ about 100,000 people .
When transit and Amtrak break down , buses are often the fall-back mode of transportation , he said .
And after 9/11 , he said , buses helped transport people after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re there and available when other modes ca n't be or aren ’ t .
”

Lawmakers allocated $61 billion to airlines, $25 billion to transit and $1 billion for Amtrak in the roughly $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package, but the motorcoach industry, which includes charter buses, private transit buses and passenger buses, said it has been largely ignored.
And if their industry goes under, they argue, an important and often overlooked leg of the nation’s transportation system will disappear.
They’ve watched their ridership bottom out since the coronavirus pandemic began spreading in the United States in mid-March, and now they’re asking for $15 billion – $10 billion in grants, $5 billion in loans – to help them survive the crisis.
“When the other modes don’t run, we do,” said Peter J. Pantuso, president and CEO of the American Bus Association, which represents 3,000 companies that employ about 100,000 people. When transit and Amtrak break down, buses are often the fall-back mode of transportation, he said. And after 9/11, he said, buses helped transport people after the airline system broke down. “We’re there and available when other modes can't be or aren’t.”
[Airlines boosted lobbying as pandemic spread]


rollcall--2020-04-28--States navigate jobless flood at different speeds

Smaller caseloads allowed states to reduce staff and investment , as well as the tax employers pay to fund the unemployment system .
Downsizing also left some states with less capacity .
Zach Schiller , who follows unemployment issues as research director at Policy Matters Ohio , said that Republicans in Columbus tried for years to reduce benefits , an effort that eventually failed .
But underinvestment in the administration of the benefits system was a side effect of the fight .
“ We ’ re reaping the results , and people are experiencing that at the worst possible moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Schiller said .
Based on data released by the Labor Department , CQ Roll Call calculated that only about 59 percent of some 855,000 initial claims filed in Ohio have been processed into the unemployment caseload .
The calculation is based on initial claims filed in the four weeks through April 11 and the number of claims approved for benefits after excluding the number already in the unemployment caseload before the pandemic hit .
O ’ Leary said some claims that do n't meet eligibility criteria should be rejected , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to show up later as part of the caseload .

Smaller caseloads allowed states to reduce staff and investment, as well as the tax employers pay to fund the unemployment system. Downsizing also left some states with less capacity.
Zach Schiller, who follows unemployment issues as research director at Policy Matters Ohio, said that Republicans in Columbus tried for years to reduce benefits, an effort that eventually failed. But underinvestment in the administration of the benefits system was a side effect of the fight.
“We’re reaping the results, and people are experiencing that at the worst possible moment, when people really need these benefits,” Schiller said.
Based on data released by the Labor Department, CQ Roll Call calculated that only about 59 percent of some 855,000 initial claims filed in Ohio have been processed into the unemployment caseload. The calculation is based on initial claims filed in the four weeks through April 11 and the number of claims approved for benefits after excluding the number already in the unemployment caseload before the pandemic hit.
O’Leary said some claims that don't meet eligibility criteria should be rejected, and therefore all initial claims shouldn't be expected to show up later as part of the caseload.


rollcall--2020-04-28--Is Libra 2.0 good enough?

Is Libra 2.0 good enough?

Fintech Beat sits down with Cornell University ’ s Daniel Awrey and Cato ’ s Diego Zuluaga to debate Facebook @ @ @ @ @ Libra cryptocurrency —and whether consumers and the financial system are safer .
• Comparing COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ and China • How will fintechs survive a new financial crisis ?

Fintech Beat sits down with Cornell University’s Daniel Awrey and Cato’s Diego Zuluaga to debate Facebook’s changes to the Libra cryptocurrency —and whether consumers and the financial system are safer.
More podcast content
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-04-28--McConnell nixes infrastructure in next economic recovery bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is putting the kibosh on including an infrastructure plan in the next round of coronavirus spending , confirming Tuesday to Fox News that he does not believe it ’ s appropriate to use the pandemic to pay for infrastructure .
“ I ’ ll be clear : Infrastructure is unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic that we ’ re all experiencing and trying to figure out how to go forward , ” the Kentucky Republican said , adding that the federal government has “ borrowed an incredible amount of money here over the last month.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever additional legislation they do is directly related to this pandemic and to get it in the rearview mirror and get the country back up and running again , ” McConnell said .
President Donald Trump has said repeatedly during the pandemic that he believes an infrastructure plan would help revive the economy .
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said last week that Trump , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows have all communicated that they wanted infrastructure funding in the next pandemic response bill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambivalence toward including infrastructure in the next package , acknowledged that “ a lot of people , a lot of Republicans would like to keep that as a separate bill , so we ’ ll see how that works out .
”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is putting the kibosh on including an infrastructure plan in the next round of coronavirus spending, confirming Tuesday to Fox News that he does not believe it’s appropriate to use the pandemic to pay for infrastructure.
“I’ll be clear: Infrastructure is unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic that we’re all experiencing and trying to figure out how to go forward,” the Kentucky Republican said, adding that the federal government has “borrowed an incredible amount of money here over the last month.”
“We need to make sure that whatever additional legislation they do is directly related to this pandemic and to get it in the rearview mirror and get the country back up and running again,” McConnell said.
President Donald Trump has said repeatedly during the pandemic that he believes an infrastructure plan would help revive the economy. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said last week that Trump, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows have all communicated that they wanted infrastructure funding in the next pandemic response bill.
Trump, asked about McConnell’s ambivalence toward including infrastructure in the next package, acknowledged that “a lot of people, a lot of Republicans would like to keep that as a separate bill, so we’ll see how that works out.”


rollcall--2020-04-28--Trump adds ‘sanctuary cities’ restrictions to aid package demands

President Donald Trump on Tuesday injected the divisive politics of immigration into negotiations over the next round of coronavirus relief @ @ @ @ @ House news conferences to raise a new hurdle for any additional federal assistance to states @ @ @ @ @ he would prohibit aid to so-called sanctuary cities .
The president told reporters that he @ @ @ @ @ '' to the distribution of future aid to states and local governments to avoid rewarding @ @ @ @ @ to cooperate with federal authorities to enforce immigration laws .
States , counties and cities @ @ @ @ @ billion in direct coronavirus relief last month , have been clamoring for additional aid to @ @ @ @ @ losses they have suffered during the economic shutdown .
Governors have suggested as much as @ @ @ @ @ be needed for state governments alone .
Trump said he was willing to consider additional @ @ @ @ @ but only with conditions .

President Donald Trump on Tuesday injected the divisive politics of immigration into negotiations over the next round of coronavirus relief.
Trump used separate White House news conferences to raise a new hurdle for any additional federal assistance to states and local governments, suggesting he would prohibit aid to so-called sanctuary cities.
The president told reporters that he would push for "adjustments" to the distribution of future aid to states and local governments to avoid rewarding sanctuary cities, which refuse to cooperate with federal authorities to enforce immigration laws.
States, counties and cities, which won $150 billion in direct coronavirus relief last month, have been clamoring for additional aid to make up for the revenue losses they have suffered during the economic shutdown. Governors have suggested as much as $500 billion more may be needed for state governments alone.
Trump said he was willing to consider additional state and local aid, but only with conditions.


rollcall--2020-04-28--Coronavirus Special Report: Will there be more direct payments to Americans?

In tonight ’ s episode , we explore whether the federal government will issue more direct payments to Americans .
@ @ @ @ @ Congress will get back to work and the impact of technology on health policy during @ @ @ @ @ House not coming back to Washington next week after all , Hoyer says • White @ @ @ @ @ for second round of rebate checks

In tonight’s episode, we explore whether the federal government will issue more direct payments to Americans. We also talk about how Congress will get back to work and the impact of technology on health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-04-28--Shalala’s late stock report shows hundreds of previously unreported transactions

Rep. Donna Shalala was an active stock market trader well into her first year in Congress , purchasing individual securities @ @ @ @ @ and reporting more than 500 transactions in her tardy periodic transaction report .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ , Carlos Condarco , said she failed to report “ roughly a half-dozen transactions.
” @ @ @ @ @ s 556 unreported transactions , Condarco said he was not clear when he first spoke @ @ @ @ @ Florida Democrat , who was appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to oversee hundreds of billions @ @ @ @ @ came under scrutiny when the Miami Herald reported she violated federal law by not disclosing @ @ @ @ @ a requirement under the STOCK Act for all members of Congress .
“ From the @ @ @ @ @ Congress , she decided to put her money into a blind trust , ” Condarco @ @

Rep. Donna Shalala was an active stock market trader well into her first year in Congress, purchasing individual securities as late as June 2019 and reporting more than 500 transactions in her tardy periodic transaction report.
Last week, the Florida Democrat’s spokesman, Carlos Condarco, said she failed to report “roughly a half-dozen transactions.” When asked about Shalala’s 556 unreported transactions, Condarco said he was not clear when he first spoke to Roll Call.
“The congresswoman failed to file half a dozen transaction reports,” Condarco clarified.
Shalala, who was appointed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to oversee hundreds of billions in coronavirus relief funds, came under scrutiny when the Miami Herald reported she violated federal law by not disclosing her 2019 stock trades, a requirement under the STOCK Act for all members of Congress.
“From the moment she got elected to Congress, she decided to put her money into a blind trust,” Condarco said.


rollcall--2020-04-28--Democrats cite overcrowding as park reopenings are planned

Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee asked Interior Secretary David Bernhardt how his department was responding to alleged overcrowding at national parks and public land sites during the COVID-19 pandemic , as the department prepares to reopen the entire system .
In a letter Monday from National Parks , Forest and Public Lands Chairwoman Deb Haaland , D-N.M. , and 11 other committee Democrats , the lawmakers cited “ numerous reports of overcrowding and high visitation at national parks and public land sites during the pandemic that prevented visitors and employees from maintaining social distancing.
” The lawmakers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to encourage public lands visits without implementing clear protocols to ensure the health and safety of visitors and employees.
” About 260 of the 416 units in the National Park Service system remain open , according to an Interior spokesperson , who also noted that every park has modified operations to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines .
“ The health and safety of our visitors , employees , volunteers , and partners continues to be our highest priority , ” the Interior spokesperson said .
“ Every operational change made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public lands during this pandemic has been led by federal , state and local public health officials .
”

Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee asked Interior Secretary David Bernhardt how his department was responding to alleged overcrowding at national parks and public land sites during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the department prepares to reopen the entire system.
In a letter Monday from National Parks, Forest and Public Lands Chairwoman Deb Haaland, D-N.M., and 11 other committee Democrats, the lawmakers cited “numerous reports of overcrowding and high visitation at national parks and public land sites during the pandemic that prevented visitors and employees from maintaining social distancing.”
The lawmakers also said that “the administration has continued to encourage public lands visits without implementing clear protocols to ensure the health and safety of visitors and employees.”
About 260 of the 416 units in the National Park Service system remain open, according to an Interior spokesperson, who also noted that every park has modified operations to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
“The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be our highest priority,” the Interior spokesperson said. “Every operational change made at a national park or on our public lands during this pandemic has been led by federal, state and local public health officials.”


rollcall--2020-04-28--Chamber urges common federal, state, local reopening guideline

Leaders of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued a call to federal , state and local leaders on Tuesday to devise common guidelines to facilitate a safe and smooth reopening of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Neil Bradley , executive vice president of the chamber , said in a call with reporters that such a “ best practices ” approach to reopening would work better than a regulation-based approach that saddled companies operating across state boundaries with a variety of requirements on issues such as distancing in restaurants or customer entry checks in retail stores .
“ Businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bradley said .
“ They absolutely want to figure out how they can bring their employees and customers back safely .
But a regulatory approach , even of a temporary nature , that is more rules-based and less flexible to the differences that exist in each workplace just won ’ t allow them to do that.
” Mark Wilson , president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce , said that local chambers will work with state and local governments to drive home the same message .
“ We know as we all follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we know that the right way to do this is to have a common framework from the White House to the governors , from the governors to the mayors , ” Wilson said .

Leaders of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued a call to federal, state and local leaders on Tuesday to devise common guidelines to facilitate a safe and smooth reopening of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neil Bradley, executive vice president of the chamber, said in a call with reporters that such a “best practices” approach to reopening would work better than a regulation-based approach that saddled companies operating across state boundaries with a variety of requirements on issues such as distancing in restaurants or customer entry checks in retail stores.
“Businesses want to do this right,” Bradley said. “They absolutely want to figure out how they can bring their employees and customers back safely. But a regulatory approach, even of a temporary nature, that is more rules-based and less flexible to the differences that exist in each workplace just won’t allow them to do that.”
Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said that local chambers will work with state and local governments to drive home the same message.
“We know as we all follow the data, especially the health data, we know that the right way to do this is to have a common framework from the White House to the governors, from the governors to the mayors,” Wilson said.


rollcall--2020-04-28--House panel chairman urges agriculture road map for pandemics

The federal government needs a plan for agriculture to address massive economic disruptions like those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic , House Agriculture Chairman Collin C. Peterson said Tuesday .
The Minnesota Democrat told reporters during a conference call that the House and Senate Agriculture committees need to assert their authority and address weaknesses he sees in the system .
For example , he endorsed a boost in the Commodity Credit Corporation ’ s borrowing authority but only with congressional oversight conditions .
“ We need to have a plan on the shelf with a way to deal with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not in the middle of a crisis flying by the seat of our pants , ” he said .
Peterson said he wants greater committee oversight of the Agriculture Department ’ s distribution of federal aid to farmers and ranchers and its handling of surplus agriculture goods sent to food banks and pantries .
He also said he doubted Congress would act in time to affect the USDA ’ s plan to make $ 16 billion in direct payments to producers who can show harm from COVID-19 related policies .
Peterson said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the USDA moves food to low-income people

The federal government needs a plan for agriculture to address massive economic disruptions like those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, House Agriculture Chairman Collin C. Peterson said Tuesday.
The Minnesota Democrat told reporters during a conference call that the House and Senate Agriculture committees need to assert their authority and address weaknesses he sees in the system. For example, he endorsed a boost in the Commodity Credit Corporation’s borrowing authority but only with congressional oversight conditions.
“We need to have a plan on the shelf with a way to deal with this stuff going forward so we’re not in the middle of a crisis flying by the seat of our pants,” he said.
Peterson said he wants greater committee oversight of the Agriculture Department’s distribution of federal aid to farmers and ranchers and its handling of surplus agriculture goods sent to food banks and pantries. He also said he doubted Congress would act in time to affect the USDA’s plan to make $16 billion in direct payments to producers who can show harm from COVID-19 related policies.
Peterson said he wants to do a thorough review of how the USDA moves food to low-income people


rollcall--2020-04-28--Donald Trump’s Maricopa problem

Donald Trump’s Maricopa problem

ANALYSIS — In 2016 , Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump carried Arizona by about 91,000 votes out of more than 2.6 million votes cast .
His 3.5-point margin over Hillary Clinton was significantly narrower than the showings of recent GOP presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney , John McCain or George W. Bush in the state .
Their victory margins ranged from 6 to 10 points .
Also on the Arizona ballot in 2016 was Sen. John McCain , who was running for reelection .
McCain , a critic of Trump even back then , carried the state by 328,022 votes — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Arizona voters , who have elected Republicans such as McCain , Jeff Flake and Jon Kyl to the Senate over the past 30 years , were not enthusiastic about Trump .
And two years after Trump ’ s election , the unthinkable happened .
Democrats in the Grand Canyon State won their first statewide election for federal office in 22 years when Rep. Kyrsten Sinema defeated GOP Rep. Martha McSally by 2.4 points in a hard-fought Senate race .
The problem for Republicans is that Sinema ’ s victory and Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Arizona ’ s politics are changing — or at least that state voters find Trump unpalatable .

ANALYSIS — In 2016, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump carried Arizona by about 91,000 votes out of more than 2.6 million votes cast. His 3.5-point margin over Hillary Clinton was significantly narrower than the showings of recent GOP presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney, John McCain or George W. Bush in the state. Their victory margins ranged from 6 to 10 points.
Also on the Arizona ballot in 2016 was Sen. John McCain, who was running for reelection. McCain, a critic of Trump even back then, carried the state by 328,022 votes — a margin of 13 points.
Clearly, Arizona voters, who have elected Republicans such as McCain, Jeff Flake and Jon Kyl to the Senate over the past 30 years, were not enthusiastic about Trump.
And two years after Trump’s election, the unthinkable happened. Democrats in the Grand Canyon State won their first statewide election for federal office in 22 years when Rep. Kyrsten Sinema defeated GOP Rep. Martha McSally by 2.4 points in a hard-fought Senate race.
The problem for Republicans is that Sinema’s victory and Trump’s relatively weak showing in 2016 suggest that Arizona’s politics are changing — or at least that state voters find Trump unpalatable.


rollcall--2020-04-28--Appeals court grapples with House power to sue over Trump moves

A federal appeals court in Washington appeared poised Tuesday to allow the House to use the federal courts to enforce a committee subpoena or rein in a president who spent money without congressional appropriations .
The two House lawsuits at issue pit the chamber against the Trump administration over presidential decisions from more than a year ago : An order for former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a subpoena to testify before the House Judiciary Committee , and February 2019 moves to spend money on construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border .
Several judges on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District of Columbia Circuit used their questions during a three-hour telephonic oral argument to express concerns that rulings that stopped congressional lawsuits over these disputes would harm the checks and balances at the heart of the government ’ s three-branch structure .
The court is expected to issue an opinion at a later date .
Tuesday ’ s discussion centered on how Congress could respond to a president who defies them without resorting to the courts .
[ House Judiciary : McGahn case could stop congressional oversight ‘ as we know it ’ @

A federal appeals court in Washington appeared poised Tuesday to allow the House to use the federal courts to enforce a committee subpoena or rein in a president who spent money without congressional appropriations.
The two House lawsuits at issue pit the chamber against the Trump administration over presidential decisions from more than a year ago: An order for former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a subpoena to testify before the House Judiciary Committee, and February 2019 moves to spend money on construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Several judges on the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit used their questions during a three-hour telephonic oral argument to express concerns that rulings that stopped congressional lawsuits over these disputes would harm the checks and balances at the heart of the government’s three-branch structure.
The court is expected to issue an opinion at a later date. Tuesday’s discussion centered on how Congress could respond to a president who defies them without resorting to the courts.
[House Judiciary: McGahn case could stop congressional oversight ‘as we know it’]


rollcall--2020-04-28--Citing pandemic, coal lobby seeks lower tax for black-lung care

As the economic threat of the coronavirus pandemic emerged , a mining trade group wrote to Congress with a familiar @ @ @ @ @ rate coal companies pay to take care of black-lung disease victims and their widows .
@ @ @ @ @ was part of the mining industry ’ s efforts to cut its expenses , partly @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Mandatory lobbying disclosures for January to March show the National Mining Association @ @ @ @ @ discussions with Congress and the administration on a number of issues , including the black-lung @ @ @ @ @ relief legislation as it argued the pandemic was hurting the coal industry .
That spending @ @ @ @ @ 255,000 the group spent the last three months of 2019 , although slightly below the @ @ @ @ @ quarter last year .
[ Democrats line up against Mnuchin ’ s proposal to help @ @ @

As the economic threat of the coronavirus pandemic emerged, a mining trade group wrote to Congress with a familiar request: reduce the tax rate coal companies pay to take care of black-lung disease victims and their widows.
That letter delivered in March was part of the mining industry’s efforts to cut its expenses, partly by tying its troubles to the pandemic.
Mandatory lobbying disclosures for January to March show the National Mining Association spent $313,000 to have discussions with Congress and the administration on a number of issues, including the black-lung excise tax and coronavirus economic relief legislation as it argued the pandemic was hurting the coal industry.
That spending was up from the $255,000 the group spent the last three months of 2019, although slightly below the $330,000 in the first quarter last year.
[Democrats line up against Mnuchin’s proposal to help oil companies]


rollcall--2020-04-29--Painkillers, sedatives in short supply during COVID-19 pandemic

A shortage of painkillers and sedatives for COVID-19 patients struggling to breathe is causing concerned hospital groups to seek changes @ @ @ @ @ these drugs .
Patients with more severe cases of the viral respiratory illness may require @ @ @ @ @ that help with breathing .
But the process of inserting a plastic tube into a @ @ @ @ @ painful and requires pain medicine and sedation .
Beverly Philip , the president-elect of the @ @ @ @ @ said patients in the ICU that use a breathing tube for a ventilator often need @ @ @ @ @ ease pain , as well as muscle relaxants to help their bodies accept the ventilator @ @ @ @ @ of routine needs in the intensive care unit , ” she said .
Drugs such @ @ @ @ @ the synthetic opioid fentanyl are used to relax COVID-19 patients .
Cisatracurium , a commonly @ @ @ @ @ general anesthesia drugs like propofol are often in short supply .
Many patients need a @ @ @ @ @

A shortage of painkillers and sedatives for COVID-19 patients struggling to breathe is causing concerned hospital groups to seek changes to increase the supply of these drugs.
Patients with more severe cases of the viral respiratory illness may require ventilators, which are machines that help with breathing. But the process of inserting a plastic tube into a patient’s airway is painful and requires pain medicine and sedation.
Beverly Philip, the president-elect of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, said patients in the ICU that use a breathing tube for a ventilator often need medicines to help relax or ease pain, as well as muscle relaxants to help their bodies accept the ventilator.
“These are part of routine needs in the intensive care unit,” she said.
Drugs such as morphine, hydromorphone and the synthetic opioid fentanyl are used to relax COVID-19 patients. Cisatracurium, a commonly used muscle relaxant, and general anesthesia drugs like propofol are often in short supply. Many patients need a combination of these drugs.


rollcall--2020-04-29--Democrats, tort lawyers pan McConnell’s liability immunity idea

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s call to make tort reform a condition for giving state and local governments aid for budgets depleted by COVID-19 have left Democrats and plaintiffs ’ attorneys with a bitter taste in their mouths .
“ Before we start sending additional money down to states and localities , I want to make sure that we protect the people we ’ ve already sent assistance to , who are going to be set up for an avalanche of lawsuits if we don ’ t act , ” McConnell said Monday on Fox News Radio .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are sharpening their pencils to come after health care providers and businesses , arguing that somehow the decision they made with regard to reopening adversely affected the health of someone else.
” McConnell didn ’ t detail what kind of change he would like to see in tort law , but the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the nature of any legislative and legal debate .
Much about the disease , including its prevalence , remains unknown , and state and local governments may be as decisive in when businesses reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Businesses also face uncertain legal liabilities for how they ’ ve responded and operated during the pandemic , with many worried that what seems reasonable now , especially in light of inconsistent and conflict federal guidance , may seem unreasonable later to juries .
Manufacturers have been pressed into making products they normally don ’ t , but Congress has already shielded mask manufacturers from liability in the third coronavirus response package .
McConnell ’ s call echoed the National Association of Manufacturers , a group that asked Congress in early April to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew about exposure to COVID-19 and were indifferent to the risk or disregarded it .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s call to make tort reform a condition for giving state and local governments aid for budgets depleted by COVID-19 have left Democrats and plaintiffs’ attorneys with a bitter taste in their mouths.
“Before we start sending additional money down to states and localities, I want to make sure that we protect the people we’ve already sent assistance to, who are going to be set up for an avalanche of lawsuits if we don’t act,” McConnell said Monday on Fox News Radio. “The lawyers, trial lawyers, are sharpening their pencils to come after health care providers and businesses, arguing that somehow the decision they made with regard to reopening adversely affected the health of someone else.”
McConnell didn’t detail what kind of change he would like to see in tort law, but the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the nature of any legislative and legal debate.
Much about the disease, including its prevalence, remains unknown, and state and local governments may be as decisive in when businesses reopen as they were in closing them. Businesses also face uncertain legal liabilities for how they’ve responded and operated during the pandemic, with many worried that what seems reasonable now, especially in light of inconsistent and conflict federal guidance, may seem unreasonable later to juries. Manufacturers have been pressed into making products they normally don’t, but Congress has already shielded mask manufacturers from liability in the third coronavirus response package.
McConnell’s call echoed the National Association of Manufacturers, a group that asked Congress in early April to limit lawsuits based on claims that companies knew about exposure to COVID-19 and were indifferent to the risk or disregarded it.


rollcall--2020-04-29--Coronavirus-hammered state budgets worse off than feared: report

The COVID-19 pandemic could cost state governments $ 650 billion over the next three years , according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities .
The forecast , issued Wednesday , is likely to increase pressure on Congress to provide additional aid to states and cities suffering revenue drains from the economic shutdown .
How and whether to provide additional aid has become a major dispute in the next round of relief negotiations .
The left-leaning think tank said it revised its projections of state budget shortfalls upward from the $ 500 billion it estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was based on gloomier economic forecasts issued by the Congressional Budget Office and Goldman Sachs .
“ The new figures … increase the urgency that policymakers enact additional federal fiscal relief and continue it as long as economic conditions warrant , ” Michael Leachman , the center ’ s senior director of state fiscal research , wrote in the new report .
Leachman cited a CBO forecast last week that projected the unemployment rate to average 15 percent in the next six months and decline to only 9.5 percent at the end of @ @

The COVID-19 pandemic could cost state governments $650 billion over the next three years, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The forecast, issued Wednesday, is likely to increase pressure on Congress to provide additional aid to states and cities suffering revenue drains from the economic shutdown. How and whether to provide additional aid has become a major dispute in the next round of relief negotiations.
The left-leaning think tank said it revised its projections of state budget shortfalls upward from the $500 billion it estimated just a month ago. The revision was based on gloomier economic forecasts issued by the Congressional Budget Office and Goldman Sachs.
“The new figures … increase the urgency that policymakers enact additional federal fiscal relief and continue it as long as economic conditions warrant,” Michael Leachman, the center’s senior director of state fiscal research, wrote in the new report.
Leachman cited a CBO forecast last week that projected the unemployment rate to average 15 percent in the next six months and decline to only 9.5 percent at the end of 2021.


rollcall--2020-04-28--Mfume headed back to House as Cummings’ successor

Former congressman and NAACP president Kweisi Mfume is heading back to the House after a special election in Maryland on Tuesday made him both the successor and immediate predecessor of former House Oversight Chairman Elijah E. Cummings , who died in October .
Voters in Ohio on Tuesday also chose House nominees in primaries that were rescheduled at the last minute in mid-March .
Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty easily beat back a challenge in the Columbus-based 3rd District from an opponent backed by the liberal Justice Democrats , while health care advocate Kate Schroder won the Democratic nomination in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Steve Chabot .
The elections were the first major test of a rapid shift to voting almost entirely by mail since the coronavirus pandemic forced states across the country to postpone or cancel in-person voting to control the spread of infections .
Official results in Maryland will not be released until May 8 to allow time for all ballots mailed by Tuesday ’ s deadline to be delivered and counted .
In the Baltimore-area 7th District , Mfume was leading Republican Kimber Klacik , 73 percent to 27 percent , with 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press called the race .

Former congressman and NAACP president Kweisi Mfume is heading back to the House after a special election in Maryland on Tuesday made him both the successor and immediate predecessor of former House Oversight Chairman Elijah E. Cummings, who died in October.
Voters in Ohio on Tuesday also chose House nominees in primaries that were rescheduled at the last minute in mid-March. Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty easily beat back a challenge in the Columbus-based 3rd District from an opponent backed by the liberal Justice Democrats, while health care advocate Kate Schroder won the Democratic nomination in the Cincinnati-area 1st District to take on Republican Rep. Steve Chabot.
The elections were the first major test of a rapid shift to voting almost entirely by mail since the coronavirus pandemic forced states across the country to postpone or cancel in-person voting to control the spread of infections.
Official results in Maryland will not be released until May 8 to allow time for all ballots mailed by Tuesday’s deadline to be delivered and counted.
In the Baltimore-area 7th District, Mfume was leading Republican Kimber Klacik, 73 percent to 27 percent, with 40 percent of precincts reporting, when The Associated Press called the race.


rollcall--2020-04-28--Amash run for president makes Michigan House seat safer for GOP

Michigan Rep. Justin Amash , who quit the Republican Party last summer in a public sign of his disapproval of President Donald Trump and later voted with Democrats to impeach him , said Tuesday night that he will mount his own long-shot bid for the White House .
“ Today , I launched an exploratory committee to seek the [ Libertarian Party ’ s ] nomination for president of the United States .
Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people , ” he tweeted .
Amash , a conservative libertarian who officially switched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously announced that he had “ paused active campaigning ” in mid-February for another term in the House .
Trump carried the solidly GOP 3rd District in Western Michigan , which includes Grand Rapids and Battle Creek , by 9 points in 2016 .
Amash won a fifth term in 2018 by 11 points , but because of his split with Trump and his exit from the GOP , Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales had seen the seat as vulnerable , rating the 3rd District race Tilt Republican .
Several Republicans are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Army veteran Peter Meijer , whose family owns a grocery store chain , and state Rep. Lynn Afendoulis .
“ Amash ’ s presidential run is a gift to House Republicans , ” Gonzales said .
“ Without Amash running for reelection and complicating the race as an independent , Republicans shouldn ’ t have a problem taking his district back in November .
”

Michigan Rep. Justin Amash, who quit the Republican Party last summer in a public sign of his disapproval of President Donald Trump and later voted with Democrats to impeach him, said Tuesday night that he will mount his own long-shot bid for the White House.
“Today, I launched an exploratory committee to seek the [Libertarian Party’s] nomination for president of the United States. Americans are ready for practical approaches based in humility and trust of the people,” he tweeted.
Amash, a conservative libertarian who officially switched to an independent last year, had previously announced that he had “paused active campaigning” in mid-February for another term in the House. Trump carried the solidly GOP 3rd District in Western Michigan, which includes Grand Rapids and Battle Creek, by 9 points in 2016.
Amash won a fifth term in 2018 by 11 points, but because of his split with Trump and his exit from the GOP, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales had seen the seat as vulnerable, rating the 3rd District race Tilt Republican. Several Republicans are running in the Aug. 4 primary, including Army veteran Peter Meijer, whose family owns a grocery store chain, and state Rep. Lynn Afendoulis.
“Amash’s presidential run is a gift to House Republicans,” Gonzales said. “Without Amash running for reelection and complicating the race as an independent, Republicans shouldn’t have a problem taking his district back in November.”


rollcall--2020-04-29--CQ on Congress’ full interview with Sen. Chris Coons

In this CQ on Congress episode , Shawn Zeller speaks with Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware about why he @ @ @ @ @ in Washington next week amid the pandemic and the precarious nature of the food supply @ @ @ @

In this CQ on Congress episode, Shawn Zeller speaks with Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware about why he believes senators should not reconvene in Washington next week amid the pandemic and the precarious nature of the food supply chain and hunger.
Watch the full interview here.


rollcall--2020-04-29--Coronavirus Special Report: Sen. Chris Coons

In this episode , Shawn Zeller speaks to Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware about why he believes senators should @ @ @ @ @ week amid the pandemic , the precarious nature of the food supply chain and hunger @ @ @ @ @ look at the impact of COVID-19 on rural communities .
• Testing and troubleshooting are @ @ @ @ @ ’ task force effort • Democrats aim to rein in White House on use of @ @ @ @ @ to restore Nixon-era state and local aid program • Ratings change : Michigan seat less @ @ @ @ @ exit

In this episode, Shawn Zeller speaks to Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware about why he believes senators should not reconvene in Washington next week amid the pandemic, the precarious nature of the food supply chain and hunger. We also take a look at the impact of COVID-19 on rural communities.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-04-29--Neal wants to restore Nixon-era state and local aid program

House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal said he wants to go back to the future in the next @ @ @ @ @ .
The Massachusetts Democrat told the nation ’ s mayors Wednesday that he would try @ @ @ @ @ program for cities and states that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s .
The @ @ @ @ @ a Democratic push to help states and local governments that are bleeding from lost revenue @ @ @ @ @ “ We are going to insist , on our side , this package include direct @ @ @ @ @ , ” Neal told the U.S. Conference of Mayors in a video teleconference that was @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve even suggested , you should know , we contemplate returning to @ @ @ @ @ by the wayside in the 1980s called revenue sharing to help you with getting through @ @ @ @ @ he said .
[ Battle lines forming over next round of coronavirus aid ]

House Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal said he wants to go back to the future in the next round of coronavirus relief aid.
The Massachusetts Democrat told the nation’s mayors Wednesday that he would try to resurrect a federal revenue-sharing program for cities and states that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The initiative would be part of a Democratic push to help states and local governments that are bleeding from lost revenue during the economic shutdown.
“We are going to insist, on our side, this package include direct assistance to all of you,” Neal told the U.S. Conference of Mayors in a video teleconference that was streamed live on Facebook.
“I’ve even suggested, you should know, we contemplate returning to a grant initiative that fell by the wayside in the 1980s called revenue sharing to help you with getting through these challenging moments,” he said.
[Battle lines forming over next round of coronavirus aid]


rollcall--2020-04-29--Democrats aim to rein in White House on use of appropriated funds

House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth introduced his long-awaited bill intended to reclaim congressional power over how taxpayer dollars are spent , which he said will “ add teeth to budget law and further empower Congress to take a stand against Administrations that disregard our Constitution.
” The legislation , introduced Wednesday , follows the House 's impeachment of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from his temporary hold on foreign aid to Ukraine .
Democrats charged the withholding was to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son Hunter .
Trump denied he blocked the aid to pressure Ukraine , and on Feb. 5 the GOP-controlled Senate acquitted him on both impeachment charges .
Nonetheless , Yarmuth , D-Ky. , has been developing legislation to rein in what Democrats say have been Trump ’ s abuse of presidential authority related to federal budget law .
House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey , D-N.Y. , is a co-sponsor of the bill .
And Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont , the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee , said he plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate .
One of the provisions in the House bill ( HR 6628 ) would address the Ukraine aid hold , and another provision deals with national emergencies declared by the president .
Trump in February 2019 declared a national emergency on the southern border with Mexico , enabling him to use other statutory authorities to shift billions of dollars in previously appropriated defense and military construction funds to build the border wall .

House Budget Chairman John Yarmuth introduced his long-awaited bill intended to reclaim congressional power over how taxpayer dollars are spent, which he said will “add teeth to budget law and further empower Congress to take a stand against Administrations that disregard our Constitution.”
The legislation, introduced Wednesday, follows the House's impeachment of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress stemming from his temporary hold on foreign aid to Ukraine.
Democrats charged the withholding was to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, the former vice president, and his son Hunter. Trump denied he blocked the aid to pressure Ukraine, and on Feb. 5 the GOP-controlled Senate acquitted him on both impeachment charges.
Nonetheless, Yarmuth, D-Ky., has been developing legislation to rein in what Democrats say have been Trump’s abuse of presidential authority related to federal budget law. House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey, D-N.Y., is a co-sponsor of the bill. And Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he plans to offer a companion bill in the Senate.
One of the provisions in the House bill (HR 6628) would address the Ukraine aid hold, and another provision deals with national emergencies declared by the president. Trump in February 2019 declared a national emergency on the southern border with Mexico, enabling him to use other statutory authorities to shift billions of dollars in previously appropriated defense and military construction funds to build the border wall.


rollcall--2020-04-29--Fauci: Experimental COVID-19 drug remdesivir shows promise

Patients sick with COVID-19 who received the experimental drug remdesivir recovered more quickly than those who did not in a government-sponsored clinical trial , the National Institutes of Health announced Wednesday , raising hopes that the pandemic 's impact could be blunted .
Patients treated with remdesivir recovered in an average of 11 days , four days more quickly than patients being treated with a placebo , a study of 1,063 people found .
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci acknowledged that the shortened recovery time may not seem like a “ knockout ” breakthrough in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the findings as significant in showing that antivirals can be effective against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
“ Although a 31 percent improvement doesn ’ t seem like a knockout 100 percent , it is a very important proof of concept , ” Fauci said in the Oval Office on Wednesday .
“ Because what it has proven is that a drug can block this virus.
” The pandemic has claimed 58,524 lives in the U.S. , according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center .
There have been 1,015,123 positive cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest number in any country and about one-third of the world 's total .

Patients sick with COVID-19 who received the experimental drug remdesivir recovered more quickly than those who did not in a government-sponsored clinical trial, the National Institutes of Health announced Wednesday, raising hopes that the pandemic's impact could be blunted.
Patients treated with remdesivir recovered in an average of 11 days, four days more quickly than patients being treated with a placebo, a study of 1,063 people found.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci acknowledged that the shortened recovery time may not seem like a “knockout” breakthrough in combating the pandemic. But he described the findings as significant in showing that antivirals can be effective against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
“Although a 31 percent improvement doesn’t seem like a knockout 100 percent, it is a very important proof of concept,” Fauci said in the Oval Office on Wednesday. “Because what it has proven is that a drug can block this virus.”
The pandemic has claimed 58,524 lives in the U.S., according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. There have been 1,015,123 positive cases in the United States alone, the largest number in any country and about one-third of the world's total.


rollcall--2020-04-29--Members, staff in the dark about prevalence of Capitol Hill coronavirus cases

Staffers and members who work in the Cannon House Office Building were not informed that 11 construction workers working on its renovation tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week , a troubling revelation because lawmakers and their staff returned to D.C. for a vote on a coronavirus aid package that week , according to three senior aides who work in the building .
One senior Democratic staffer found out from a DCist article that was published a day after her boss , several other lawmakers and staff were in Cannon on April 23 , which was the day the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 economic assistance package .
“ It was of concern to me and my congressman because we had a vote on Thursday and we were in our building — our office is in Cannon , ” the staffer said .
“ There were also reporters doing interviews with members in the Cannon rotunda.
” There are now 17 construction workers involved in the Cannon project who have tested positive for the coronavirus , according to a senior Republican House Administration Committee staffer .
They are contractors working for the Architect of the Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @

Staffers and members who work in the Cannon House Office Building were not informed that 11 construction workers working on its renovation tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week, a troubling revelation because lawmakers and their staff returned to D.C. for a vote on a coronavirus aid package that week, according to three senior aides who work in the building.
One senior Democratic staffer found out from a DCist article that was published a day after her boss, several other lawmakers and staff were in Cannon on April 23, which was the day the House voted on a $483 billion COVID-19 economic assistance package.
“It was of concern to me and my congressman because we had a vote on Thursday and we were in our building — our office is in Cannon,” the staffer said. “There were also reporters doing interviews with members in the Cannon rotunda.”
There are now 17 construction workers involved in the Cannon project who have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a senior Republican House Administration Committee staffer. They are contractors working for the Architect of the Capitol’s Cannon renovation project.
[House creates coronavirus oversight panel while Capitol implements new precautions]