rollcall--2020-04-15--Senators scrutinize FTC powers to curb COVID-19 price gouging

A bipartisan pair of senators is pressing the Federal Trade Commission to clarify its authority to combat price gouging amid @ @ @ @ @ of Congress are alarmed over reports of huge price hikes on some consumer products that @ @ @ @ @ of the crisis .
The Financial Times reported last month that prices for some items @ @ @ @ @ sought by consumers to fight the coronavirus represented a 2,000 percent markup from previous listings @ @ @ @ @ largely silent on the matter , and the Justice Department has taken a lead role @ @ @ @ @ by President Donald Trump .
Sens .
Jerry Moran , R-Kan. , and Richard Blumenthal @ @ @ @ @ the Senate Commerce Manufacturing , Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee , say that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ are up at stores , but futures are down .
Senators want to know why @ @ @ @ @ be just as vigilant as ever during the COVID-19 pandemic , ” the lawmakers said @ @ @ @ @ FTC Chairman Joseph Simons .

A bipartisan pair of senators is pressing the Federal Trade Commission to clarify its authority to combat price gouging amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of Congress are alarmed over reports of huge price hikes on some consumer products that are in high demand because of the crisis. The Financial Times reported last month that prices for some items listed on Amazon.com that were sought by consumers to fight the coronavirus represented a 2,000 percent markup from previous listings.
The FTC has been largely silent on the matter, and the Justice Department has taken a lead role under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who lead the Senate Commerce Manufacturing, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, say that’s insufficient.
[Beef costs are up at stores, but futures are down. Senators want to know why]
“The FTC should be just as vigilant as ever during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the lawmakers said in a letter Tuesday to FTC Chairman Joseph Simons.


rollcall--2020-04-15--Federal appeals panel upholds Michigan redistricting commission

A federal appeals court upheld the creation of Michigan ’ s independent redistricting commission in a decision issued Wednesday that rejected an appeal by state Republicans that the commission violated their constitutional rights .
More than a dozen states have some form of a redistricting commission , which will draw new district lines based on results of the 2020 census .
Michigan voters in 2018 approved an amendment to its state constitution that handed over district line-drawing power from state lawmakers to a 13-member commission .
But litigants , which included the state GOP party , argued that selection criteria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those members could say publicly violated the Constitution .
The 6th U.S .
Circuit of Appeals disagreed .
In its opinion Wednesday , the panel said the state ’ s limits on who could serve and what those members could say about their work didn ’ t run afoul of the First Amendment .
“ But whether a state ’ s task be district-line drawing or setting the rules for its elections , I ( like the majority opinion ) am reluctant to interfere with a state ’ s effort to structure its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owe significant deference , absent the infringement of a dramatic federal interest or a significant violation of constitutional rights , ” wrote Judge Chad Readler , who was appointed by President Donald Trump .

A federal appeals court upheld the creation of Michigan’s independent redistricting commission in a decision issued Wednesday that rejected an appeal by state Republicans that the commission violated their constitutional rights.
More than a dozen states have some form of a redistricting commission, which will draw new district lines based on results of the 2020 census.
Michigan voters in 2018 approved an amendment to its state constitution that handed over district line-drawing power from state lawmakers to a 13-member commission. But litigants, which included the state GOP party, argued that selection criteria for commission members and limitations on what those members could say publicly violated the Constitution.
The 6th U.S. Circuit of Appeals disagreed. In its opinion Wednesday, the panel said the state’s limits on who could serve and what those members could say about their work didn’t run afoul of the First Amendment.
“But whether a state’s task be district-line drawing or setting the rules for its elections, I (like the majority opinion) am reluctant to interfere with a state’s effort to structure its system of government, to which we owe significant deference, absent the infringement of a dramatic federal interest or a significant violation of constitutional rights,” wrote Judge Chad Readler, who was appointed by President Donald Trump.


rollcall--2020-04-15--Trump threatens to force Congress to adjourn so he can make recess appointments during coronavirus c

Trump threatens to force Congress to adjourn so he can make recess appointments during coronavirus crisis

President Donald Trump on Wednesday invoked the possibility of taking the extraordinary act of forcing an adjournment of Congress in order to make recess appointments .
The president called the use of pro forma sessions — gaveling the Senate in-and-out once every three days to fulfill the constitutional requirement for convening — while blocking recess appointments to Senate-confirmed positions a “ scam.
” Speaking at a daily press briefing with members of the coronavirus task force , Trump said that he needed positions requiring Senate confirmation filled in relation to the response to the current pandemic .
“ The Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro forma sessions when no one is even there has prevented me from using the constitutional authority that we ’ re given under the recess provisions , ” the president said in the Rose Garden Wednesday .
“ The Senate should either fulfill its duty and vote on my nominees or it should formally adjourn so that I can make recess appointments.
” Adjournment resolutions must be adopted by both chambers of Congress , and with Speaker Nancy Pelosi leading a Democratic-controlled House , it is almost unthinkable that such a resolution would @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump on Wednesday invoked the possibility of taking the extraordinary act of forcing an adjournment of Congress in order to make recess appointments.
The president called the use of pro forma sessions — gaveling the Senate in-and-out once every three days to fulfill the constitutional requirement for convening — while blocking recess appointments to Senate-confirmed positions a “scam.”
Speaking at a daily press briefing with members of the coronavirus task force, Trump said that he needed positions requiring Senate confirmation filled in relation to the response to the current pandemic.
“The Senate’s practice of gaveling into so-called pro forma sessions when no one is even there has prevented me from using the constitutional authority that we’re given under the recess provisions,” the president said in the Rose Garden Wednesday. “The Senate should either fulfill its duty and vote on my nominees or it should formally adjourn so that I can make recess appointments.”
Adjournment resolutions must be adopted by both chambers of Congress, and with Speaker Nancy Pelosi leading a Democratic-controlled House, it is almost unthinkable that such a resolution would be adopted there.


rollcall--2020-04-15--Trump’s World Health Organization funding cutoff: It’s complicated

Democrats promised to challenge President Donald Trump ’ s decision to withhold funding for the World Health Organization , opening a new partisan battle over how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic .
A senior Democratic aide likened Trump ’ s action to his temporary freezing of military aid for Ukraine last year , which the Government Accountability Office , a legislative agency , said was illegal .
“ The President ’ s halting of funding to the WHO as it leads the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic is senseless , ” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , illegal and will be swiftly challenged.
” Democrats will be “ reviewing all of our options , ” including seeking a legal opinion from the GAO , according to the senior aide , who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss strategy .
Trump on Tuesday called for a halt on roughly $ 400 million or more in annual U.S. aid to the World Health Organization , a United Nations agency created after World War II to help provide medical assistance around the globe .
He accused the WHO of mismanaging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough for all the information it had .

Democrats promised to challenge President Donald Trump’s decision to withhold funding for the World Health Organization, opening a new partisan battle over how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
A senior Democratic aide likened Trump’s action to his temporary freezing of military aid for Ukraine last year, which the Government Accountability Office, a legislative agency, said was illegal.
“The President’s halting of funding to the WHO as it leads the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic is senseless,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Wednesday. “This decision is dangerous, illegal and will be swiftly challenged.”
Democrats will be “reviewing all of our options,” including seeking a legal opinion from the GAO, according to the senior aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss strategy.
‘So much death’
Trump on Tuesday called for a halt on roughly $400 million or more in annual U.S. aid to the World Health Organization, a United Nations agency created after World War II to help provide medical assistance around the globe. He accused the WHO of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic by not pressing China hard enough for all the information it had.


rollcall--2020-04-15--DHS gives farmers latitude in hiring foreign workers

The Homeland Security Department , reacting to what it called an “ unprecedented crisis , ” will allow farmers facing @ @ @ @ @ petitions for foreign agricultural labor to hire farmworkers holding H-2A visas and already in the @ @ @ @ @ farmers this will help is unknown .
The temporary final rule announced Wednesday comes after @ @ @ @ @ for access to H-2A workers primarily to plant and harvest fruits and vegetables .
The @ @ @ @ @ themselves short-handed as the State Department maintains COVID-19 protections , such as social distancing , @ @ @ @ @ reviews new and returning H-2A applicants .
Segments of U.S. agriculture rely on a mix @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. and seasonal workers admitted under the H-2A visa program into the country @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , U.S. agriculture employed an estimated 250,000 H-2A guest workers .

The Homeland Security Department, reacting to what it called an “unprecedented crisis,” will allow farmers facing delays in getting approval for petitions for foreign agricultural labor to hire farmworkers holding H-2A visas and already in the United States.
How many farmers this will help is unknown.
The temporary final rule announced Wednesday comes after mounting pressure from agriculture groups for access to H-2A workers primarily to plant and harvest fruits and vegetables. The organizations said farmers might find themselves short-handed as the State Department maintains COVID-19 protections, such as social distancing, for embassy staff as it reviews new and returning H-2A applicants.
[Farm group warns of ‘bare shelves’ without expedited work visas]
Segments of U.S. agriculture rely on a mix of largely undocumented workers living in the U.S. and seasonal workers admitted under the H-2A visa program into the country for limited periods. In 2019, U.S. agriculture employed an estimated 250,000 H-2A guest workers.


rollcall--2020-04-15--Coronavirus Special Report: Sen. Marco Rubio, 4/15

CQ Roll Call ’ s Jim Saksa speaks with Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida on what Congress ’ next @ @ @ @ @ small businesses during the pandemic .
Then , we explore why senate Democrats are questioning @ @ @ @ @ supplies to states .
• Remote voting , hearing changes for House may come too @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon IG says giant cloud computing contract properly went to Microsoft • Democrats want $ @ @ @ @ @ s ‘ failed ’ COVID-19 testing before reopening the country

Jason Dick, Jim Saksa, and Evan Campbell

CQ Roll Call’s Jim Saksa speaks with Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida on what Congress’ next steps should be to help small businesses during the pandemic. Then, we explore why Senate Democrats are questioning the doling out of medical supplies to states.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-04-15--Labor officials see uneven progress on jobless benefits

Labor Department officials reported progress by state agencies in paying newly authorized unemployment benefits at a press call on Wednesday , but they also acknowledged wide gaps in state implementation that have delayed payments .
Officials said that 29 states are now paying the 13 weeks of extended benefits authorized by the third economic rescue package , or the additional $ 600 weekly benefit , or both .
Congress enacted the benefits to contain the economic damage of the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses closed amid health officials ’ efforts to reduce social contact .
Yet the Labor officials also reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers who don ’ t qualify for regular unemployment first must apply and be denied , before applying for expanded benefits aimed at workers who fall outside traditional eligibility .
“ We learned of that and we explicitly told the states that they should not require that futile initial step , ” said a senior department official , who could n't be named under the ground rules for the call .
“ The requirement is merely that they are ineligible for traditional UI [ unemployment insurance ] , not that they have gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied .
”

Labor Department officials reported progress by state agencies in paying newly authorized unemployment benefits at a press call on Wednesday, but they also acknowledged wide gaps in state implementation that have delayed payments.
Officials said that 29 states are now paying the 13 weeks of extended benefits authorized by the third economic rescue package, or the additional $600 weekly benefit, or both. Congress enacted the benefits to contain the economic damage of the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses closed amid health officials’ efforts to reduce social contact.
Yet the Labor officials also reported correcting states that have been insisting that workers who don’t qualify for regular unemployment first must apply and be denied, before applying for expanded benefits aimed at workers who fall outside traditional eligibility.
[States have differing speeds on jobless pay boost]
“We learned of that and we explicitly told the states that they should not require that futile initial step,” said a senior department official, who couldn't be named under the ground rules for the call. “The requirement is merely that they are ineligible for traditional UI [unemployment insurance], not that they have gone through the full application process and been denied.”


rollcall--2020-04-15--Pentagon IG says giant cloud computing contract properly went to Microsoft

A top Pentagon watchdog said Wednesday that the Defense Department acted properly when it awarded a potential $ 10 billion contract for cloud computing to Microsoft over Amazon and other competitors .
The contract is known in Pentagon circles as the JEDI — the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure Cloud , or JEDI Cloud .
The Defense Department Inspector General released a 313-page report summarizing the findings of the 10-month investigation that began in June 2019 .
The report concluded that the Pentagon 's October 2019 decision to award the contract to Microsoft and no other contractors was “ consistent with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract , which is potentially worth up to $ 10 billion over a 10-year period , allows the Defense Department to obtain cloud computing services and overhaul its old computer systems .
However , the report did not provide an unvarnished exoneration of the procurement process .
Amazon accused President Donald Trump in December last year of applying “ improper pressure ” on the Pentagon to keep the contract away from Amazon Web Services , and the inspector general ’ s office concluded that it could not “ definitively determine the full extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence on the contract process .

A top Pentagon watchdog said Wednesday that the Defense Department acted properly when it awarded a potential $10 billion contract for cloud computing to Microsoft over Amazon and other competitors.
The contract is known in Pentagon circles as the JEDI — the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure Cloud, or JEDI Cloud.
The Defense Department Inspector General released a 313-page report summarizing the findings of the 10-month investigation that began in June 2019. The report concluded that the Pentagon's October 2019 decision to award the contract to Microsoft and no other contractors was “consistent with applicable law and acquisition standards.”
The contract, which is potentially worth up to $10 billion over a 10-year period, allows the Defense Department to obtain cloud computing services and overhaul its old computer systems.
However, the report did not provide an unvarnished exoneration of the procurement process. Amazon accused President Donald Trump in December last year of applying “improper pressure” on the Pentagon to keep the contract away from Amazon Web Services, and the inspector general’s office concluded that it could not “definitively determine the full extent or nature” of any White House influence on the contract process.


rollcall--2020-04-15--Democrats seek info on how Trump officials distribute life-saving supplies

A month after President Donald Trump turned control of the national stockpile over to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and tasked the agency with sending states life-saving supplies , Senate Democrats are demanding more information about how distribution decisions are made .
Led by Sens .
Tammy Baldwin , D-Wis. , and Patty Murray , D-Wash. , 19 Democrats say in a letter to Trump Wednesday that they need details about the process for providing supplies such as masks and ventilators to states struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ How is the Administration prioritizing requests from states ?
Who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” they asked .
The letter underscores how details about one of the most urgent aspects of the federal response to COVID-19 — providing personal protective equipment to front-line workers and ventilators to hospitals — are unclear to those outside of the Trump administration .
The senators are pushing for more information about which areas of the country are getting supplies first and more transparency about how FEMA and the White House are making those decisions .
They ask whether some supplies have been distributed based on political favoritism , not need @

A month after President Donald Trump turned control of the national stockpile over to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and tasked the agency with sending states life-saving supplies, Senate Democrats are demanding more information about how distribution decisions are made.
Led by Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Patty Murray, D-Wash., 19 Democrats say in a letter to Trump Wednesday that they need details about the process for providing supplies such as masks and ventilators to states struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“How is the Administration prioritizing requests from states? Who is making decisions about current distribution practices?” they asked.
The letter underscores how details about one of the most urgent aspects of the federal response to COVID-19 — providing personal protective equipment to front-line workers and ventilators to hospitals — are unclear to those outside of the Trump administration.
The senators are pushing for more information about which areas of the country are getting supplies first and more transparency about how FEMA and the White House are making those decisions. They ask whether some supplies have been distributed based on political favoritism, not need.


rollcall--2020-04-15--Remote voting, hearing changes for House may come too late for pandemic use

House Democratic leaders appear to be accelerating the consideration of options for remote voting and hearings , but any decisions on how to proceed may still come too late for use during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We can ’ t do any of them right now because the rules will have to be modified , ” House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer told reporters on a conference call Wednesday .
“ There will have to be agreement between the parties.
” House rules do not allow for the chamber to vote remotely or for committees to conduct formal hearings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A rules change would require lawmakers to be in Washington to adopt a resolution for remote work procedures — unless there was unanimous consent among members , which is unlikely .
The House is not expected to return earlier than May 4 except to pass emergency legislation related to coronavirus relief if the parties can reach agreement on additional funding .
There ’ s an effort under way to clear legislation as soon as this week to provide more money for a popular small business forgivable loan program , but the parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are demanding for states , hospitals and expanding testing capabilities should be included or wait for another bill .
Even if a vote on that measure does occur this week or next , there is no expectation that the House would be ready to consider any rules changes to allow for remote work at that time .

House Democratic leaders appear to be accelerating the consideration of options for remote voting and hearings, but any decisions on how to proceed may still come too late for use during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We can’t do any of them right now because the rules will have to be modified,” House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer told reporters on a conference call Wednesday. “There will have to be agreement between the parties.”
House rules do not allow for the chamber to vote remotely or for committees to conduct formal hearings or business meetings without a physical presence. A rules change would require lawmakers to be in Washington to adopt a resolution for remote work procedures — unless there was unanimous consent among members, which is unlikely.
The House is not expected to return earlier than May 4 except to pass emergency legislation related to coronavirus relief if the parties can reach agreement on additional funding. There’s an effort under way to clear legislation as soon as this week to provide more money for a popular small business forgivable loan program, but the parties have not yet agreed whether funding Democrats are demanding for states, hospitals and expanding testing capabilities should be included or wait for another bill.
Even if a vote on that measure does occur this week or next, there is no expectation that the House would be ready to consider any rules changes to allow for remote work at that time.


rollcall--2020-04-16--GOP super PAC enters special election battle in California

“ CLF is investing in this race because we believe with a highly-targeted , surgical approach we can make a real difference , ” the group ’ s president , Dan Conston , said in a statement .
“ Californians need the proven and steady leadership of Navy fighter pilot Mike Garcia to lead our country out of these turbulent times — not another career politician only looking out for herself , like Christy Smith.
” Smith called similar attacks on her education record from the National Republican Congressional Committee misleading .
The California Federation of Teachers has endorsed her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disingenuous .
CLF ’ s effort underscores how important the 25th District seat , which Hill won in 2018 by defeating Republican Rep. Steve Knight by 9 percentage points , is to the GOP .
Since the March 3 primary , both the NRCC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have aired ads in the expensive Los Angeles media market focused on the race .
Knight ’ s loss in 2018 came two years after Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump in the 25th District by 7 points .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcia ’ s campaign announced Tuesday that he raised just over $ 1 million in the first three months of this year , and his campaign had $ 500,000 on March 31 .
Smith ’ s campaign did not respond to a request for comment on her fundraising totals .
Disclosures to the Federal Election Commission were due by midnight on Wednesday .

“CLF is investing in this race because we believe with a highly-targeted, surgical approach we can make a real difference,” the group’s president, Dan Conston, said in a statement. “Californians need the proven and steady leadership of Navy fighter pilot Mike Garcia to lead our country out of these turbulent times — not another career politician only looking out for herself, like Christy Smith.”
Smith called similar attacks on her education record from the National Republican Congressional Committee misleading. Smith's campaign has noted that layoff notices were issued to teachers in 2010 after school budgets were cut due to the recession, but the teachers that were issued the notices were eventually rehired. Marc Winger, the superintendent of Newhall School District at the time noted that the school board voted unanimously to issue layoff notices and furlough staff for "short periods" and the votes were "fiscally conservative actions that were necessary under very difficult circumstances."
Smith also has the backing of several teacher unions, including the the National Education Association, California Teachers Association, California School Employees Association, California Federation of Teachers, and Education Workers United.
CLF’s effort underscores how important the 25th District seat, which Hill won in 2018 by defeating Republican Rep. Steve Knight by 9 percentage points, is to the GOP. Since the March 3 primary, both the NRCC and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have aired ads in the expensive Los Angeles media market focused on the race.
Knight’s loss in 2018 came two years after Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump in the 25th District by 7 points. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Likely Democratic.


rollcall--2020-01-07--US wine and cosmetic importers fear harm in response to French digital services tax

A worker collects grapes in September 2019 in a vineyard near Rauzan in the Entre-Deux-Mers region near Bordeaux , southwestern France .
The U.S Trade Representative wants to impose tariffs on French products from wine and cheese to cosmetics and cookware because of a tax that France imposed on U.S. companies providing digital services .
( Georges Gobet/AFP via Getty Images ) Hundreds of wine merchants and other importers delivered a common complaint to the U.S. Trade Representative ahead of a Tuesday hearing on proposed retaliatory tariffs for France ’ s tax on digital services : Our products should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over services .
“ I know that both the Digital Tax and the Airbus subsidies are by all accounts unfair , but our business and many , many others right here in the US ( ! )
will be collateral damage to other industries that we have nothing to do with , ” Douglas Polaner , a wine importer in Mt .
Kisco , New York , complained in comments filed in the pre-hearing docket .
“ The proposed tariffs would target cosmetic and personal care products , which are consumer end products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Administration ’ s Section 301 investigation concerns , ” said Francine Lamoriello , vice president at the Personal Care Products Council .
“ Imposing the proposed tariffs , at any level , would aggravate the already considerable negative impact that the many rounds of China tariffs have had on our industry , and would do more harm than good to the U.S. economy.
” [ Long wait for China tariff exemptions pays off for some ] The USTR has proposed duties of up to 100 percent on French products , ranging from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheese .
The hearing follows a Dec. 2 determination that the 3 percent tax imposed by France on digital advertising and marketplace services offered by U.S. tech companies is “ unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce.
” Several of the wine merchants complained that they already face tariffs imposed in retaliation for subsidies to Airbus , a trade measure explicitly sanctioned by a World Trade Organization decision .
But the USTR ’ s proposed action against the digital tax under Section 301 of 1974 U.S. trade law would be unilateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impose these tariffs on the wine distribution and hospitality industry for problems we did n't cause , ” said Jeffrey Hickenlooper , an Ohio wine wholesaler .
“ It would help if you punished those responsible .
Punishing Airbus and their suppliers and French digital services companies would be much more effective , as well as fair.
” A comment from one U.S. trade group that supports tariff increases highlighted the often arbitrary patterns of trade retaliation , with goods in one sector paying the price for seemingly unrelated actions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of geographic indications ( GI ) by EU cheese producers and burdensome certification measures .
“ Considering this clear disparity of treatment , we encourage the U.S. to ensure that the tariff codes under which French cheeses with unreasonable GI protection fall are adequately captured on USTR ’ s final retaliation list , in addition to the dairy product tariff lines already included , ” the association wrote in comments filed in the regulatory database .
Another trade association countered with a more general criticism of the proposed tariffs that captured the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , caught up in Trump administration trade actions .
“ The widespread use of Section 301 tariffs has created real problems for companies who source inputs from all over the world and manufacture finished goods in the United States for the domestic market or export to foreign markets , ” wrote Marianne Rowden , of the American Association of Exporters and Importers .
“ The lack of predictability concerning input costs places a lot of pressure on U.S. companies ’ profit margins.
” Testimony from the Information Technology Industry Council sidestepped the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the digital tax and said that “ the simplest way to avoid further escalation ” would be for France and other countries to withdraw the tax measures and focus on negotiations to reach a multilateral agreement at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development .
“ Let me reiterate that the significance of this issue goes well beyond the French DST , or tax policy in general , ” Sam Rizzo , director of policy for ITI , said in prepared testimony .
“ It is about preventing the widescale application of targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a functioning international tax system and compromise predictability for businesses locally .
”

Hundreds of wine merchants and other importers delivered a common complaint to the U.S. Trade Representative ahead of a Tuesday hearing on proposed retaliatory tariffs for France’s tax on digital services: Our products should not be collateral damage in a trade war over services.
“I know that both the Digital Tax and the Airbus subsidies are by all accounts unfair, but our business and many, many others right here in the US(!) will be collateral damage to other industries that we have nothing to do with,” Douglas Polaner, a wine importer in Mt. Kisco, New York, complained in comments filed in the pre-hearing docket.
U.S. cosmetic importers echoed wine industry complaints.
“The proposed tariffs would target cosmetic and personal care products, which are consumer end products entirely unrelated to the underlying issue that the Administration’s Section 301 investigation concerns,” said Francine Lamoriello, vice president at the Personal Care Products Council. “Imposing the proposed tariffs, at any level, would aggravate the already considerable negative impact that the many rounds of China tariffs have had on our industry, and would do more harm than good to the U.S. economy.”
[Long wait for China tariff exemptions pays off for some]


rollcall--2020-01-07--Road ahead: House to debate Iran war powers as impeachment articles hold continues

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell heads to a briefing with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Capitol on Monday .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) Lawmakers hope a partisan dispute over Senate trial procedures for considering the House ’ s impeachment charges against President Donald Trump will be resolved this week .
But a solution to the impasse could be complicated by another fight brewing in Congress over whether to restrain Trump ’ s ability to go to war with Iran .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding the impeachment articles in the House in an effort to force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands for certain witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed in the trial .
The California Democrat has yet to indicate when she would transmit the articles to the Senate or lay out explicit conditions under which she would do so .
[ Pelosi shrugs off GOP gripes about her holding onto articles of impeachment ] Pelosi has been more clear about her views on increasing U.S. tensions with Iran .
The speaker announced Sunday that the House will vote this week on a war powers resolution to limit the president ’ s military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Trump authorized the killing in Iraq of Gen. Qassem Soleimani , leader of the Quds Force of Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps .
Trump and the administration say the drone strike that killed Soleimani — which comes after Iran led a rocket attack on a military base in Iraq that killed an American contractor and pro-Iranian militia groups swarmed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad — was justified because the Iranian general was plotting an imminent attack on Americans .
Democrats say Trump lacked congressional authorization to launch such a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi called it , and are expressing concern that Trump could start a full-blown war with Iran .
The administration is expected to separately brief House and Senate members Wednesday on the Solemani killing and next steps regarding Iran .
The House war powers resolution , which would likely be voted on after the congressional briefings , will mandate that the administration cease military hostilities with regard to Iran within 30 days if no further congressional action is taken during that time , Pelosi said in a “ Dear Colleague ” letter Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House resolution will be led by Michigan freshman Rep. Elissa Slotkin , a former intelligence and defense analyst specializing in Shiite militias who served multiple tours in the Middle East .
It will be similar to a Senate resolution introduced by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine .
Earlier Sunday , Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Barbara Lee of California had announced plans to introduce a House companion to Kaine ’ s resolution .
Kaine ’ s resolution would direct the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran within 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force.
” The resolution would provide an exception for the U.S. to defend itself from imminent attack .
The Democratic resolutions seem designed to force Congress to debate and pass a new authorization for use of military force , or AUMF , within 30 days .
This is where the congressional debate over war powers could get mixed with the one over the impeachment trial .
If Pelosi wants the Senate to debate and consider an AUMF within 30 days , she may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can do so .
A Pelosi spokesman did not return a request for comment .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been unmoved , calling Pelosi ’ s attempt to “ dictate ” how the Senate runs its trial a “ non-starter.
” The Senate ’ s rules don ’ t allow the body to hold a trial without the articles , the Kentucky Republican said in a tweet Monday .
“ So , for now , we are content to continue the ordinary business of the Senate while House Democrats continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ For now.
” McConnell is sticking with his promise that the Senate will return to ordinary business while they wait for the House to send the impeachment articles , which means more nominations are on the schedule this week .
On Monday , McConnell filed cloture on two nominees for the U.S. Federal Claims Court , Eleni Maria Roumel and Matthew H. Solomson , and the nomination of Michael DeSombre to be U.S. ambassador to Thailand , setting up votes later this week on all three .
The Senate may also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate at some point in the near future .
Under the War Powers Resolution , it will be possible for Kaine or another senator to make a motion to discharge the Foreign Relations Committee in the coming weeks and force a floor vote .
Most Republicans have shown little interest in constraining Trump ’ s authority to take action against Iran .
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham , one of the few members of Congress who had advance notice about the plan to strike Soleimani , said in a tweet Monday that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war powers resolution .
“ The last thing America needs is 535 Commanders in Chief , ” he said .
“ Americans elected one : @ realDonaldTrump.
” Another matter that could influence Pelosi ’ s decision-making over when to transmit the impeachment articles to the Senate is the news from former national security adviser John Bolton on Monday that he will testify in the trial if subpoenaed .
Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer both cited Bolton ’ s willingness to testify as more reason the Senate should adopt trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key witnesses to appear .
“ The President & Sen. McConnell have run out of excuses , ” Pelosi said in a tweet .
“ They must allow key witnesses to testify , and produce the documents Trump has blocked , so Americans can see the facts for themselves.
” Schumer characterized the Bolton news as “ momentum ” for his demand that the Senate hear from four key witnesses , which besides Bolton includes acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney , senior Mulvaney adviser Robert Blair and Michael Duffey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for national security .
“ Given that Mr. Bolton ’ s lawyers have stated he has new relevant information to share , if any Senate Republican opposes issuing subpoenas to the four witnesses and documents we have requested they would make absolutely clear they are participating in a cover up , ” the New York Democrat said in a statement .
“ Make no mistake .
There will be votes on each of the four witnesses we proposed , ” Schumer said on the floor Monday .
“ Your constituents and history are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to formally dispense with impeachment , it is moving onto other legislative business .
In addition to the war power resolution , the House this week will vote on legislation to require the EPA to designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , known as PFAS , as hazardous substances .
“ Many of us were deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans blocked the inclusion of provisions in the NDAA conference report to clean up communities affected by PFAS contamination and protect Americans from these harmful ‘ forever ’ chemicals , which can cause cancer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said in a “ Dear Colleague ” letter Friday outlining the January floor schedule .
“ When that language was excluded , I vowed to bring the PFAS Action Act to the Floor for a vote when the House reconvened in January , and I am proud to make good on that pledge.
” The House is also considering four bills this week under the fast track process known as suspension of the rules to protect U.S. consumers and national security as 5G telecommunications expand around the globe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .

Lawmakers hope a partisan dispute over Senate trial procedures for considering the House’s impeachment charges against President Donald Trump will be resolved this week. But a solution to the impasse could be complicated by another fight brewing in Congress over whether to restrain Trump’s ability to go to war with Iran.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding the impeachment articles in the House in an effort to force Senate Republicans to agree to Democrats’ demands for certain witnesses and documents to be subpoenaed in the trial. The California Democrat has yet to indicate when she would transmit the articles to the Senate or lay out explicit conditions under which she would do so.
[Pelosi shrugs off GOP gripes about her holding onto articles of impeachment]
Pelosi has been more clear about her views on increasing U.S. tensions with Iran. The speaker announced Sunday that the House will vote this week on a war powers resolution to limit the president’s military response to Iran. The move comes after Trump authorized the killing in Iraq of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, leader of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.


rollcall--2020-01-07--Outside group attacks Maine’s Susan Collins on prescription drug pricing

Maine Sen. Susan Collins is facing what ’ s likely to be her toughest reelection in 2020 .
( Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo ) While national Democrats are keeping up the pressure on Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins over her 2018 vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and her impending role in the Senate impeachment trial , one national issue advocacy group is keeping its anti-Collins message more local .
Majority Forward , the nonprofit arm of the Senate Majority PAC , which is aligned with Senate Democratic leadership , is hitting Collins over prescription drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital ad campaign beginning Tuesday .
Collins , who announced she ’ s running for a fifth term late last month , is a top Democratic target as one of just two Republican senators up for reelection this year in a state Hillary Clinton carried in 2016 .
Trump lost Maine by about 3 points in 2016 , but he overwhelmingly carried the northern 2nd District , where Collins is from , which earned him an additional electoral vote .
Collins ’ vote for Kavanaugh has energized progressives and moderate voters , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her eventual Democratic challenger .
But Majority Forward ’ s latest ad , like its first Maine TV spot launched in November , focuses on health care and accountability .
“ Thousands of Mainers are forced to cut their medications in half just to get by , ” the narrator says in the ad , which launches Tuesday , as viewers watch an elderly man use a knife to saw his pills in two .
“ But Susan Collins voted against measures that would have lowered the cost of prescription drugs.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in 2010 and another in 2012 , on amendments that Majority Forward says would have allowed brand-name drug companies to continue paying generic drug companies to delay introducing cheaper alternatives into the market .
The ad also cited Collins ’ 2015 vote to invoke cloture on an amendment to repeal the 2010 health care law .
( She voted against the 2017 repeal of the law . )
While Majority Forward ’ s first Maine ad hit Collins for not holding town hall meetings , this one goes after her for taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insurance industries , citing data from the Center for Responsive Politics .
“ Collins should work for Mainers , not donors , ” the ad says .
As an issue advocacy group , Majority Forward can ’ t explicitly advocate the election of a particular candidate .
The group launched a similarly themed ad last month defending Michigan ’ s Gary Peters , one of two Democratic senators facing reelection in Trump states .
A Maine-based issue advocacy group called the 16 Counties Coalition has also been shying away from high-profile issues such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choosing instead to attack Collins in TV ads for voting for the GOP tax overhaul in 2017 .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also hit Collins and other vulnerable senators with digital ads on the anniversary of the passage of the GOP tax law .
Collins ranked fifth on CQ Roll Call ’ s most recent list of the 10 most vulnerable senators .
Democratic state House Speaker Sara Gideon , who ’ s running with the support of the DSCC and EMILY ’ s List , outraised Collins during the third quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cash-on-hand advantage .
Neither candidate has released her hauls for the fourth quarter , which ended Dec. 31 .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Tilts Republican .
Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to retake the chamber , or three if they win the White House since the vice president would be a tie-breaker .

While national Democrats are keeping up the pressure on Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins over her 2018 vote for Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and her impending role in the Senate impeachment trial, one national issue advocacy group is keeping its anti-Collins message more local.
Majority Forward, the nonprofit arm of the Senate Majority PAC, which is aligned with Senate Democratic leadership, is hitting Collins over prescription drug costs with a statewide six-figure TV and digital ad campaign beginning Tuesday.
Collins, who announced she’s running for a fifth term late last month, is a top Democratic target as one of just two Republican senators up for reelection this year in a state Hillary Clinton carried in 2016.
Trump lost Maine by about 3 points in 2016, but he overwhelmingly carried the northern 2nd District, where Collins is from, which earned him an additional electoral vote. Collins’ vote for Kavanaugh has energized progressives and moderate voters, who have raised nearly $4 million for her eventual Democratic challenger.
But Majority Forward’s latest ad, like its first Maine TV spot launched in November, focuses on health care and accountability.


rollcall--2020-01-07--Fintech Beat sits down with the former chief of the Federal Reserve’s open banking unit.

Open banking ’ s benefits involve using customer consent to develop new financial products to revolutionize financial services .
But @ @ @ @ @ at times bypass customer consent by using digital avatars and other online tools to infiltrate @ @ @ @ @ Fintech Beat sits down with the former chief of the Federal Reserve ’ s open @ @ @ @ @ .
• Fintech Beat sits down for a one-on-one with Maxine Waters • The transfer @ @ @ @ @ how blockchain technology can help capital markets Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll @ @ @ @ @

Open banking’s benefits involve using customer consent to develop new financial products to revolutionize financial services. But critics claim open banking can at times bypass customer consent by using digital avatars and other online tools to infiltrate and collect customer data. Fintech Beat sits down with the former chief of the Federal Reserve’s open banking unit to get answers.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-01-06--Hawley proposes Senate rule change forcing House to deliver impeachment articles

Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley unveiled text of a resolution seeking to change the Senate rules to make it in @ @ @ @ @ impeachment starting 25 calendar days after their adoption in the House , even if the @ @ @ @ @ and send over the paperwork .
A group of 10 Republican senators signed on as @ @ @ @ @ s proposed rules change .
Under the regular order , a two-thirds vote is required @ @ @ @ @ to change the Senate rules .
Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call @ @ @ @

“In the real world when a prosecutor brings a case but refuses to try it, the court has the ability and the defendant has the right, a constitutional right I might add, to have those articles, those indictments, those charges dismissed,” he said in a Monday Senate speech.


rollcall--2020-01-06--Congress readies for Iran briefings and vote in House on war powers

The specter of military escalation with Iran will take center stage for lawmakers this week as they return to Capitol Hill for briefings on the Trump administration ’ s justification for last week ’ s targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and the House holds a vote on a resolution that would restrict the president ’ s ability to go to war with Tehran .
Aftereffects from the drone strike on Soleimani , who as the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ’ Quds Force was seen as Iran ’ s second-most powerful official , continued to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vote by the Iraqi parliament to order the expulsion of U.S. military forces , although no deadline was specified ; warnings from senior Iranian figures and proxies like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah that retaliation could take the form of attacks on U.S. military sites ; and Tehran ’ s announcement that it would cease abiding by the 2015 multinational nuclear deal not to enrich uranium .
In response , the Pentagon has ordered a pause in its campaign against Islamic State terrorists , who are attempting to rebuild in Iraq and Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up resources to focus on protecting deployed coalition troops from retaliatory attacks by Iran and its proxies .
The Defense Department also ordered the deployment of more than 3,000 additional U.S. forces to the Middle East , and President Donald Trump took to Twitter to threaten strikes on 52 important sites inside Iran , including “ cultural sites , ” if Tehran retaliates for the Soleimani assassination .
The targeted destruction of cultural sites is a war crime under international law .
Trump also told reporters Sunday that he could impose “ very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces the withdrawal of U.S. forces .
Up until this month , the administration welcomed popular unrest in Iraq against the growing influence of Iranian-backed militias and political parties , which many Iraqis feared threatened their country ’ s sovereignty .
Amid this flurry of news developments , lawmakers are pushing to get more information from the administration regarding the intelligence about “ imminent ” threats to U.S. lives , which officials say justified the killing of Soleimani .
Both the House and Senate will receive all-hands briefings Wednesday afternoon .
Briefers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo , Defense Secretary Mark Esper , Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and CIA Director Gina Haspel .
Pursuant to the 1973 War Powers Act , the White House on Saturday officially notified Congress in a classified document of the drone strike on Soleimani .
The law requires Congress to be notified within 48 hours of the initiation of any hostilities not covered by a declaration of war or congressional military authorization .
Democrats criticized the secret notification , arguing it was important for Americans and their congressional representatives to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could escalate to a full-blown war with Iran .
And others , particularly those in the anti-war community with memories of how the Bush administration manipulated U.S. intelligence findings to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq – - saw in the Trump administration ’ s reticence to disclose the intelligence as one more reason to be skeptical .
[ Political fallout from Soleimani could be biggest for Senate ] “ It is critical that national security matters of such import be shared with the American people in a timely manner , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York and Senate Foreign Relations ranking member Bob Menendez of New Jersey in a Monday letter to Trump calling on him to declassify his War Powers Act notification .
“ An entirely classified notification is simply not appropriate in a democratic society , and there appears to be no legitimate justification for classifying this notification.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House would vote later this week on a privileged resolution soon to be introduced under the War Powers Act by Rep. Elissa Slotkin , D-Mich. , that would require the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military hostilities toward Iran within 30 days of enactment if Congress does not pass a new authorization for the use of military force .
“ Last week , the Trump administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military airstrike targeting high-level Iranian military officials , ” the speaker said in a Sunday letter to her caucus .
“ This action endangered our service members , diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran.
” Slotkin , who served three tours in Iraq as a CIA analyst focusing on Iranian-backed militias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon , noted that both the Bush and Obama administrations considered but ultimately rejected killing Soleimani , who is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. service members , after they concluded such a strike carried too great a risk of resulting in a protracted conflict with Iran .
“ The Iranian government has vowed to retaliate and avenge Soleimani ’ s death , and could do so in any number of ways : against our diplomats and service members or high-ranking military officers , against our allies and partners in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Western world , ” Slotkin said in a Friday statement .
“ It is critical that the administration has thought out the moves and counter-moves this attack will precipitate.
” Slotkin ’ s resolution is similar to a measure introduced on Friday by Sen. Tim Kaine under the War Powers Act .
While the Virginia Democrat ’ s privileged resolution is entitled to a floor vote , Senate passage is uncertain .
Last summer , Kaine secured a vote on a bipartisan amendment he introduced to the Senate ’ s version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate voted 50-40 in favor of the amendment , which would have required congressional approval before the U.S. entered a conflict with Iran , it was not adopted as it failed to meet a required 60-vote threshold .
And so even though the House , including 27 Republicans , also voted last year to limit Trump ’ s scope of action toward Iran , that language was deleted by Republican leaders during final conference negotiations for the fiscal 2020 defense authorization measure .
“ This action does risk further military escalation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be side-lined , ” Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine , said in a statement after Soleimani ’ s assassination .
“ The administration must quickly brief Congress on all available intelligence and its strategy to protect American citizens and service members against Iran.
” Still , the state of play is much different this year for Republicans , primarily as it is an election year , and many GOP members are loath to criticize their party ’ s standard-bearer .
At the same time , some small number of Republicans such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the potential for all-out war with Iran , which is generally unpopular with the American public .
In fact , Republicans are largely seen to have lost both the House and the Senate in the 2006 midterms over voter dissatisfaction with Bush ’ s handling of the Iraq war .

The specter of military escalation with Iran will take center stage for lawmakers this week as they return to Capitol Hill for briefings on the Trump administration’s justification for last week’s targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and the House holds a vote on a resolution that would restrict the president’s ability to go to war with Tehran.
Aftereffects from the drone strike on Soleimani, who as the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force was seen as Iran’s second-most powerful official, continued to build over the weekend. Those repercussions include a vote by the Iraqi parliament to order the expulsion of U.S. military forces, although no deadline was specified; warnings from senior Iranian figures and proxies like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah that retaliation could take the form of attacks on U.S. military sites; and Tehran’s announcement that it would cease abiding by the 2015 multinational nuclear deal not to enrich uranium.
In response, the Pentagon has ordered a pause in its campaign against Islamic State terrorists, who are attempting to rebuild in Iraq and Syria. The pause is intended to free up resources to focus on protecting deployed coalition troops from retaliatory attacks by Iran and its proxies.
The Defense Department also ordered the deployment of more than 3,000 additional U.S. forces to the Middle East, and President Donald Trump took to Twitter to threaten strikes on 52 important sites inside Iran, including “cultural sites,” if Tehran retaliates for the Soleimani assassination. The targeted destruction of cultural sites is a war crime under international law.


rollcall--2020-01-06--Customs and Border Protection denies targeting Iranian Americans at border

Rep. Pramila Jayapal , D-Wash. , cast doubt over CBP statements related to Iranian-Americans who said they were held at the U.S.-Canada border .
( Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call ) Customs and Border Protection has denied targeting American citizens and permanent residents of Iranian descent for additional scrutiny at U.S. ports of entry , but a Washington lawmaker who heard multiple accounts of such detentions happening in her district expressed skepticism of the claims .
“ It appears that that was a result of some sort of directive , ” Rep. Pramila Jayapal , a co-chair of the Congressional Progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday at her Seattle office .
“ The discrimination that we seem to be once against veering towards has a deep-rooted history.
” CBP denied numerous reports suggesting it had new orders to detain and question U.S. citizens and green card holders of Iranian descent at border stations .
“ Social media posts that CBP is detaining Iranian-Americans and refusing their entry into the U.S. because of their country of origin are false , ” a spokesperson told CQ Roll Call via email .
“ Reports that DHS/CBP has issued a related directive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations ( CAIR ) issued a press release saying it was “ assisting more than 60 Iranians and Iranian-Americans of all ages who were detained at length and questioned ” at the U.S.-Canada border crossing in Blaine , Wash .
Among the detained was Negah Hekmati , an Iranian immigrant with an American passport whose family drove across the U.S. border around midnight Saturday .
The family was held at the border until around 5 a.m the next morning .
On Monday , Hekmati @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car keys and everyone ’ s passports while they were asked to wait for further questioning .
The agents asked about the family ’ s relatives in Iran and the United States , as well as social media handles the family used .
She said she decided to speak out about the detention because of her children .
“ It ’ s not OK , ” she said .
“ For me , as an immigrant , I ’ m used to it , unfortunately .
But they ’ re U.S.- [ born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of CAIR in Washington state , said other similar detentions at the Blaine port of entry started Saturday morning and appeared to exclusively involve families of Iranian descent .
Many families reported being asked about their political allegiances — what Fouladi called “ loyalty questions , ” which U.S. government asked interned Japanese Americans during World War II .
Accounts of similar vetting came up elsewhere in the country .
At John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York , John Ghazvinian , an American historian of U.S.-Iran relations , tweeted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side room and got asked ( among other things ) how I feel about the situation with Iran.
” In a later tweet , he clarified that the questioning lasted just a few minutes and did not seem aggressive .
“ What I actually said to her was ‘ I don ’ t really see the relevance of that .
It feels a little political .
And she dropped it , ’ ” Ghazvinian said when he reached his destination in Philadelphia .
A CBP official told CQ Roll Call that the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” at all of its ports , in compliance with acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf ’ s Jan. 4 advisory upgrading the threat landscape for the nation .
This followed Iran ’ s vow to retaliate against the U.S. government for its Jan. 3 assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani .
CBP chalked up reports coming out of Blaine to the cumulative effect of staffing levels , volume of traffic , and the heightened threat level .
“ CBP does not discriminate based on religion , race , ethnicity , or sexual orientation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee , a Democrat , dismissed the agency ’ s denials , saying they were “ simply not credible.
” “ There are multiple firsthand accounts of CBP agents seizing people ’ s passports while they waited for up to 12 hours for re-entry into the United States , ” he said in a statement Monday .
“ By all accounts , this is detention , regardless of whether the waiting area has bars on the windows .
And it is in line with this administration ’ s never-ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Customs and Border Protection has denied targeting American citizens and permanent residents of Iranian descent for additional scrutiny at U.S. ports of entry, but a Washington lawmaker who heard multiple accounts of such detentions happening in her district expressed skepticism of the claims.
“It appears that that was a result of some sort of directive,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said at a press conference Monday at her Seattle office. “The discrimination that we seem to be once against veering towards has a deep-rooted history.”
CBP denied numerous reports suggesting it had new orders to detain and question U.S. citizens and green card holders of Iranian descent at border stations.
“Social media posts that CBP is detaining Iranian-Americans and refusing their entry into the U.S. because of their country of origin are false,” a spokesperson told CQ Roll Call via email. “Reports that DHS/CBP has issued a related directive are also false.”


rollcall--2020-01-06--Protesters and police in disarray amid anti-Trump demonstrations

Protesters participate in the `` Swarm the Senate '' rally in the Hart Senate Office Building urging action to `` @ @ @ @ @ and jail '' President Trump on Monday .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) Demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ the prospect of war in Iran occupied the Hart Senate Office building Monday .
Active @ @ @ @ @ Senate office buildings , but demonstrators maintained that they would work within those limitations by @ @ @ @ @ , occasionally invoking the ire of Capitol Police but not the handcuffs .
Get breaking @ @ @ @ @ Roll Call on your iPhone .

Demonstrators protesting President Donald Trump and the prospect of war in Iran occupied the Hart Senate Office building Monday. Active protests are prohibited in the Senate office buildings, but demonstrators maintained that they would work within those limitations by not chanting or waving signs, occasionally invoking the ire of Capitol Police but not the handcuffs.


rollcall--2020-01-06--Political fallout from Soleimani could be biggest for Senate

Two dozen protesters participate in the “ Swarm the Senate ” rally in the Hart Senate Office Building urging action to “ impeach , remove , indict and jail ” President Donald Trump on Jan. 6 .
The protesters held up their hands , on which were written the words “ No war.
” ( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani , and it was rightfully treated as a big deal .
But as with breaking news of any size and scope , it ’ s best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While most of the subsequent conversation revolves around potential future military conflict , retaliatory attacks , the president ’ s standing , the reaction from Democrats and the role of Congress in the use of force , the biggest impact could actually be in the battle for the Senate majority .
Obviously , the situation is still developing , but here are some initial thoughts on the political ramifications of Trump ’ s decision .
Nothing matters , until proven otherwise The media tends to treat every news event as a game-changer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instinct .
Through all the twists and turns of 2019 , Trump ’ s job approval rating was virtually the same at the beginning and end of the year .
It was 43 percent approve/52 percent disapprove on Jan. 1 compared with 44 percent approve/52 percent disapprove on Dec. 30 , according to the RealClearPolitics national polling average .
In terms of political handicapping , Soleimani ’ s death should be treated as an insignificant event until future polling shows a fundamental shift in opinion about Trump or the Democrats running against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it reinforces previous opinion about the president , since that ’ s what everything else has done .
Overall , this is not a new dynamic .
I made the same point earlier in the impeachment process and will make it again .
The biggest political impact could be on the fight for the Senate Some Republican strategists view U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as the party ’ s savior to hold the open Senate seat in Kansas .
There ’ s probably no perfect time for one of the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Soleimani ’ s death and potential for subsequent escalation seems like a particularly bad time for a Pompeo exit .
Republicans have candidates in the race , but Rep. Roger Marshall hasn ’ t inspired confidence from all GOPers , and there ’ s some growing concern that former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach will win the nomination .
That would take an otherwise Solid Republican race and make it much more vulnerable and competitive , increasing Democratic chances of winning Senate control .
In Marshall ’ s defense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican donors outside Kansas .
And now there may not be a final Pompeo resolution for another few weeks or couple of months .
If Pompeo waits until closer to the June 1 filing deadline and decides to run , he should win without a struggle .
But if Pompeo draws out a final decision and declines to run , that would delay anti-Kobach forces from consolidating .
The primary is Aug. 4 .
Incumbents and challengers in other competitive Senate races are also trying to navigate the situation , as explained by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s pretty clear Trump is seeking credit and praise for taking out a longtime adversary of the United States .
And there ’ s precedent of presidents gaining popularity during times of international crisis , such as President George W. Bush in the aftermath of 9/11 .
But it ’ s very unclear whether Trump will benefit from the same phenomenon .
Quite simply , Trump is not like any other president .
Whereas other presidents have benefited from positive economic conditions or military victories over known enemies , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit because of his personal style and other actions .
Democrats who might agree with the outcomes either disagree with the means or prioritize other presidential actions that they don ’ t like .
Most Democrats believe anything positive that happens in this country happens in spite of the president , not because of him .
The political climate could change depending on retaliatory attacks from Iran ( particularly whether they take place overseas or domestically ) , whether the president decides to break long-standing rules of war , and the size and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bigger the force , the more likely individual Americans are directly connected to the conflict .
For now , the situation is obviously very fluid with the potential to affect thousands of lives , but not necessarily with large political consequences .

In terms of political handicapping, Soleimani’s death should be treated as an insignificant event until future polling shows a fundamental shift in opinion about Trump or the Democrats running against him. It’s more likely that it reinforces previous opinion about the president, since that’s what everything else has done. Overall, this is not a new dynamic. I made the same point earlier in the impeachment process and will make it again.
The biggest political impact could be on the fight for the Senate
Some Republican strategists view U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as the party’s savior to hold the open Senate seat in Kansas. There’s probably no perfect time for one of the country’s top diplomats to leave his post, but Soleimani’s death and potential for subsequent escalation seems like a particularly bad time for a Pompeo exit.
Republicans have candidates in the race, but Rep. Roger Marshall hasn’t inspired confidence from all GOPers, and there’s some growing concern that former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach will win the nomination. That would take an otherwise Solid Republican race and make it much more vulnerable and competitive, increasing Democratic chances of winning Senate control.
In Marshall’s defense, Pompeo looming over the race has frozen Republican donors outside Kansas. And now there may not be a final Pompeo resolution for another few weeks or couple of months. If Pompeo waits until closer to the June 1 filing deadline and decides to run, he should win without a struggle. But if Pompeo draws out a final decision and declines to run, that would delay anti-Kobach forces from consolidating. The primary is Aug. 4.
Incumbents and challengers in other competitive Senate races are also trying to navigate the situation, as explained by CQ Roll Call’s Bridget Bowman.


Talking taxes 2020

UNITED STATES - Rep. Nita Lowey , D-N.Y. , leaves a meeting with Sen. Patrick Leahy , D-Vt. , Sen. @ @ @ @ @ and Rep. Kay Granger , R-Texas , in the Capitol after agreeing to a spending @ @ @ @ @ Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call ) Tax reporter Doug Sword sits down with guest host Jennifer @ @ @ @ @ added so many tax bills to a massive spending package and what exactly those provisions @ @ @ @ @ year .
CQ Budget delves into what did n't make it into the package and @ @ @ @ @ will advance in 2020 .
• Congress barreling toward agreement on stopgap funding measure , @ @ @ @ @ Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone .

Tax reporter Doug Sword sits down with guest host Jennifer Shutt to explain why Congress added so many tax bills to a massive spending package and what exactly those provisions will mean during the upcoming year. CQ Budget delves into what didn’t make it into the package and predicts how far those provisions will advance in 2020.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-01-06--Impeachment news roundup: Jan. 6

Impeachment news roundup: Jan. 6

Former national security adviser John Bolton appears at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in September .
( Win McNamee/Getty Images file photo ) Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley unveiled text of a resolution seeking to change the Senate rules in order to dismiss articles of impeachment starting 25 calendar days after their adoption in the House , even if the House does not appoint managers and send over the paperwork .
“ The Constitution gives the Senate sole power to adjudicate articles of impeachment , not the House .
If Speaker Pelosi is afraid to try her case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to prosecute and Congress should get back to doing the people ’ s business , ” Hawley said in a statement .
He advocated for the bill later Monday during a Senate floor speech .
“ In the real world when a prosecutor brings a case but refuses to try it , the court has the ability and the defendant has the right , a constitutional right I might add , to have those articles , those indictments , those charges dismissed , ” he said .
A group of 10 Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawley ’ s proposed rules change .
Under the regular order , a two-thirds vote is required to break filibusters of proposals to change the Senate rules .
Here is the latest on impeachment : Daily Senate protests : A coalition of liberal activists organizing under the group name Remove Trump on Monday launched what they say will be daily protests in and outside the Hart Senate Office Building calling for Trump ’ s removal .
The first protest began Monday at noon .
Progressive groups participating included Indivisible , Women ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By the People , and Democracy For America .
The protests will include recitations of the Constitution ’ s impeachment clause , silent processions and Senate office visits .
“ The reasons why Donald Trump should be removed go far beyond Ukraine , ” L.A. Kauffman , co-founder of Remove Trump , said in a statement .
“ We will be staging daily protests to demand what a clear majority of Americans want : the removal of this dangerous , reckless criminal from office.
” Bolton willing to talk : Former national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is subpoenaed , he is willing to testify as part of an impeachment trial in the Senate .
“ I have concluded that , if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony , I am prepared to testify.
” Bolton previously said he would not testify during the House Intelligence Committee impeachment investigation unless he was subpoenaed and a court ordered him to give testimony against direction from the White House .
Not interested in a long court fight , House investigators proceeded without testimony from Bolton .
Bolton served as President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than a year before he left in September , just weeks before the Ukraine pressure campaign became public .
Bolton is on Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer ’ s short witness wish list for a Senate trial , along with acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney , senior Mulvaney adviser Robert Blair , and Michael Duffey , a political appointee at the Office of Management and Budget who oversaw the process for releasing foreign aid funds .
Schumer said Bolton ’ s announcement gave weight to the argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is now up to four Senate Republicans to support bringing in Mr. Bolton , and the other three witnesses , as well as the key documents we have requested to ensure all the evidence is presented at the onset of a Senate trial , ” Schumer said in a statement .
“ Given that Mr. Bolton ’ s lawyers have stated he has new relevant information to share , if any Senate Republican opposes issuing subpoenas to the four witnesses and documents we have requested they would make absolutely clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fiona Hill , a Russia expert who worked on Trump ’ s National Security Council , testified before the House Intelligence Committee that Bolton raised concerns about the Ukraine effort and that he had serious concerns about actions of Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine .
Hill testified that European Union Ambassador Gordon Sondland was coordinating with Bolton , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney while not working with the NSC .
“ I am not part of whatever drug deal Sondland and Mulvaney are cooking up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House lawyers .
Paying a price : The American Action Network , a political group affiliated with House Republican leadership , released a memo Monday showing that a majority of voters polled in three Democratic districts that Trump won by 10 or more percentage points in 2016 developed a less favorable view of their representative after their votes in favor of impeachment .
The polls were conducted Dec. 18-19 in New York ’ s 22nd District , South Carolina ’ s 1st District and New Mexico ’ s 2nd District , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brinidisi , Joe Cunningham and Xochitl Torres Small , respectively .
Each district poll surveyed 400 likely voters and has a margin of error of 4.9 percent .
The negative opinions of the impeachment vote were greatest in Brindisi ’ s district , where 53 percent of those surveyed said they developed a less favorable impression of him compared to 34 percent who said they have a more favorable opinion .
In Torres Small ’ s district , 52 percent had a less favorable view of her after the impeachment vote , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorable impression .
Cunningham ’ s constituents were a bit more split , with 47 percent saying they had a less favorable opinion and 38 percent saying they had a more favorable view .

Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley unveiled text of a resolution seeking to change the Senate rules in order to dismiss articles of impeachment starting 25 calendar days after their adoption in the House, even if the House does not appoint managers and send over the paperwork.
“The Constitution gives the Senate sole power to adjudicate articles of impeachment, not the House. If Speaker Pelosi is afraid to try her case, the articles should be dismissed for failure to prosecute and Congress should get back to doing the people’s business,” Hawley said in a statement.
He advocated for the bill later Monday during a Senate floor speech.
“In the real world when a prosecutor brings a case but refuses to try it, the court has the ability and the defendant has the right, a constitutional right I might add, to have those articles, those indictments, those charges dismissed,” he said.
A group of 10 Republican senators signed on as original co-sponsors of Hawley’s proposed rules change. Under the regular order, a two-thirds vote is required to break filibusters of proposals to change the Senate rules.


rollcall--2020-01-06--Former Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, brother of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, dead at 56

Former Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick , brother of current Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick , has died at age 56 .
The Pennsylvania Republican represented Bucks County from 2005 to 2007 , losing his seat to Patrick Murphy in a 2006 Democratic wave driven by unrest over the Iraq War .
But he returned to Congress in 2010 , winning his seat back and holding it again from 2011 to 2017 .
His death was confirmed to The Bucks County Courier Times by Pat Poprik , the county Republican Party chairwoman .
Fitzpatrick abided by the term limits he proposed as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House at the end of 2016 , opening the door for his brother Brian to win the seat .
“ My big brother Mike was my hero and my best friend .
Ever since I was little , I wanted to live up to him and be like Mike in every way .
He was the greatest brother and the greatest public servant our community has ever known , ” Brian Fitzpatrick wrote in a tweet Monday .
Michael Fitzpatrick was routinely ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indiana Republican Sen. Richard Lugar , and by Georgetown ’ s McCourt School of Public Policy .
“ While I am a proud Republican , I ’ ve worked in Washington under the belief that good ideas aren ’ t restricted to one party , ” Fitzpatrick said on receiving his bipartisanship ranking in 2015 .
In addition to term limits in Congress , Fitzpatrick pushed to end congressional pensions , to freeze pay for lawmakers and to impose a longer ban on lobbying by former lawmakers .
He pushed legislation that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barriers to airline cockpits , a response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks .
The bill was not enacted during his tenure in Congress , but it was signed into law last year after being reintroduced by his brother .
Fitzpatrick was born in Philadelphia and lived in Levittown , the city ’ s largest suburb .
He and his wife had six children .
He received his bachelor ’ s degree in political science from St. Thomas University in Florida , then his law degree from Dickinson School of Law in 1988 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania House in the early 1990s , then won a seat on the Bucks County Board of Commissioners in 1995 .
The surprise retirement of six-term Republican Rep. James C. Greenwood in 2004 created an opportunity in Pennsylvania ’ s 8th Congressional District .
Because Greenwood had already won the primary when he announced he was leaving Congress to take a lobbying job , party leaders picked the nominee .
Fitzpatrick — the favorite of leaders in Bucks County , the district ’ s dominant jurisdiction — got the nod .
In 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by President George W. Bush ’ s unpopularity .
Democrat Patrick J. Murphy beat him by about 1,500 votes .
Fitzpatrick went back to practicing law and survived a case of colon cancer .
He came back to challenge Murphy in 2010 , when the district was unhappy with Democratic policies such as the 2010 health care overhaul , and won by 7 points .

Former Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick, brother of current Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, has died at age 56.
The Pennsylvania Republican represented Bucks County from 2005 to 2007, losing his seat to Patrick Murphy in a 2006 Democratic wave driven by unrest over the Iraq War. But he returned to Congress in 2010, winning his seat back and holding it again from 2011 to 2017. His death was confirmed to The Bucks County Courier Times by Pat Poprik, the county Republican Party chairwoman.
Fitzpatrick abided by the term limits he proposed as a constitutional amendment and voluntarily retired from the House at the end of 2016, opening the door for his brother Brian to win the seat.
“My big brother Mike was my hero and my best friend. Ever since I was little, I wanted to live up to him and be like Mike in every way. He was the greatest brother and the greatest public servant our community has ever known,” Brian Fitzpatrick wrote in a tweet Monday.


rollcall--2020-01-06--Virginia’s Scott Taylor drops Senate bid for House rematch

Former Rep. Scott Taylor , who lost Virginia ’ s 2nd District in the 2018 midterms , is now running for his old House seat , dropping his challenge to Democratic Sen. Mark Warner .
“ We ’ re going to take the seat back , ” the Republican said Monday morning on local television station WAVY .
The former Navy SEAL is hoping to take on freshman Democrat Elaine Luria , who defeated him by 2 points in 2018 .
President Donald Trump carried the Norfolk-area district by 3 points in 2016 .
Taylor , whose 2018 campaign was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said 2020 will be different since the president will be on the ballot , and he and Luria now both have congressional records .
He pointed to Luria ’ s support for impeachment , accusing her of using her military background to justify that position .
“ The last straw for me was impeachment , ” Taylor said .
Luria , a retired Navy commander , was one of seven freshman Democrats with national security backgrounds who came out in support of opening an impeachment inquiry in a September op-ed in The Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of impeachment against Trump in December .
A special prosecutor has been investigating allegations that Taylor ’ s campaign staff approved forged signatures to try to get an independent candidate on the ballot in 2018 to take votes away from Luria .
The prosecutor indicted one of Taylor ’ s former staffers last year , and a trial is scheduled for February .
“ I would tell you that I ’ m an imperfect person , ” Taylor said Monday .
“ I ’ ve made bad decisions before , just like anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Donald S. Caldwell , the special prosecutor assigned to the case , said Monday that the investigation is ongoing and that Taylor has cooperated .
“ There is no evidence at this point in time that suggests that he participated in an attempt to willfully violate the election laws of Virginia , ” Caldwell said .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race for Virginia ’ s 2nd District as Leans Democratic .

Former Rep. Scott Taylor, who lost Virginia’s 2nd District in the 2018 midterms, is now running for his old House seat, dropping his challenge to Democratic Sen. Mark Warner.
“We’re going to take the seat back,” the Republican said Monday morning on local television station WAVY.
The former Navy SEAL is hoping to take on freshman Democrat Elaine Luria, who defeated him by 2 points in 2018. President Donald Trump carried the Norfolk-area district by 3 points in 2016.
Taylor, whose 2018 campaign was caught up in a signature-forgery scandal, said 2020 will be different since the president will be on the ballot, and he and Luria now both have congressional records. He pointed to Luria’s support for impeachment, accusing her of using her military background to justify that position.
“The last straw for me was impeachment,” Taylor said.


rollcall--2020-01-06--Census estimates: Redistricting ahead for California, New York and Texas

Rep. Veronica Escobar , D-Texas , speaks at a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2019 .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) The Census Bureau gave a peek at a coming battle within states nationwide over the shape of the country ’ s congressional district map , with its latest population estimates hinting at fights within Texas , New York , California , Alabama and other states .
Those estimates give demographers and mapmakers the last hint of how the 2020 census will divvy up 435 congressional seats nationwide before the agency releases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The results will determine winners and losers for both the distribution of the districts as well as $ 1.5 trillion in federal funds each year .
The latest projections suggest that Arizona , Colorado , Florida , Montana , North Carolina , Oregon , and Texas may gain seats following the 2020 census , according to an analysis from Election Data Services .
Those seat gains would come at the expense of 10 others : Alabama , California , Illinois , Michigan , Minnesota , New York , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Rhode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brace , president of EDS , said the numbers reflect long term trends as rural areas empty out into growing cities and suburbs both within their states and in others .
“ The rural population and the rural power is basically diminishing very dramatically I think you see that in Congress , ” Brace said .
The numbers released by the Census Bureau on Dec. 30 represent the best guess at the current population for states in 2019 ; the final numbers will come from the enumeration that begins this month in Alaska @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline to finalize its distribution of all 435 congressional seats , and will release the mapmaking data a few months later .
But inconsistent census results , from problems with the internet response option or fear from the fight over a citizenship question , could shake up the final tally of congressional seats , Brace noted .
“ This projection kind of has a couple of asterisks next to it , ” he said .
For several states , the potential to lose a seat emphasizes the stakes for the 2020 census ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat can be a few thousand people , according to the EDS analysis .
States like California and New York have devoted tremendous census outreach and counting efforts ; $ 180 million worth in the Golden State and $ 60 million in the Empire State .
Justin Levitt , a Loyola Law School professor , said that kind of investment may make the difference in the final census count .
“ They are hoping to preserve or poach a seat at [ a ] state like Texas ’ expense , ” Levitt said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ own underinvestment in census outreach.
” [ New census data : About 1 million same-sex households in US ] The states have substantial variation between the size of their districts — 2018 data shows that districts in Alabama vary by 50,000 or more residents .
The composition of new maps won ’ t simply be determined by erasing the current smallest district , Brace said .
“ There are a whole bunch of factors that come into play and it is not always the fact that this is the smallest district for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Alabama ’ s 2nd District , currently represented by retiring Republican Rep. Martha Roby .
“ It is not going to get cut off to sent to Mississippi or something like that .
It is simply going to be expanded to take in other territory.
” Other considerations , like local politics and majority-minority districts , also come into play .
Alabama has one such district , represented by Democrat Rep. Terri A. Sewell , that straddles Montgomery , Birmingham and the state ’ s western border .
Such districts have legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Brace , Levitt and others said will be a factor for the new maps .
Drawing new districts can force retirements or head-to-head contests between existing representatives .
Brace said the actual line-drawing can go more smoothly when the number of districts shrink , as everyone knows the status quo has changed .
“ The drawing of those seats now get a little bit open , people get open to change , ” Brace said .
“ People aren ’ t saying ‘ this is my territory , don ’ t come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 census will likely give some states , including Texas , new seats , according to the EDS analysis .
That will mean shrinking districts like Texas ’ 22nd district outside of Houston , which the Census Bureau estimated had more than 850,000 people in 2018 .
The district , currently represented by retiring Republican Rep. Pete Olson , has almost 50,000 residents more than the next largest district in the state .
Paul Smith , of the Campaign Legal Center , said the explosive growth of minority populations in the state — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the current 22nd — should be reflected in the final map as a single coherent district .
“ That is a sign of massive population growth in that part of the state , the fair way to do it would be to have that community represented , ” Smith said .
Smith also pointed out that with a new map , Texas ’ population may support another majority-minority district in the Dallas-Fort Worth area , drawing a map with communities currently represented by Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey .
Ultimately , the actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrench in the results the mapmakers have to work with , according to Levitt , who worked as an Obama Justice Department attorney on Voting Rights Act issues .
“ There are real concerns about the equities for minority communities for Texas and elsewhere that the census count won ’ t accurately reflect the real population there , ” Levitt said .
“ The projection say two to three seats and a lot of people wonder whether those are going to actually materialize based on the census count .
”

The Census Bureau gave a peek at a coming battle within states nationwide over the shape of the country’s congressional district map, with its latest population estimates hinting at fights within Texas, New York, California, Alabama and other states.
Those estimates give demographers and mapmakers the last hint of how the 2020 census will divvy up 435 congressional seats nationwide before the agency releases the official results later this year. The results will determine winners and losers for both the distribution of the districts as well as $1.5 trillion in federal funds each year.
The latest projections suggest that Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas may gain seats following the 2020 census, according to an analysis from Election Data Services. Those seat gains would come at the expense of 10 others: Alabama, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
Kim Brace, president of EDS, said the numbers reflect long term trends as rural areas empty out into growing cities and suburbs both within their states and in others.
[Census effort gets $7.6 billion funding, ‘friended’ by Facebook]


rollcall--2020-01-06--Amy Kennedy running to challenge Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey

Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy , D-R.I. , son Owen , wife Amy , and daughter Nora attend the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on the nomination of Victoria Reggie Kennedy to be one of the governors of the U.S .
Postal Service in July 2014 .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) Amy Kennedy announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for New Jersey ’ s 2nd District on Monday .
The wife of former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy is hoping to take on Rep. Jeff Van Drew , who flipped the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midterms but has since changed parties and is now a Republican .
Van Drew opposed articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump , and the president later endorsed the congressman ’ s reelection bid in the southern New Jersey district .
Kennedy , a former public school history teacher in New Jersey and Pennsylvania , invoked Van Drew in her announcement video .
“ Our country is in crisis , and our leaders like Donald Trump and Jeff Van Drew have lost their moral compass , ” Kennedy said .
“ Environmental protections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in for profits .
Race baiting and fear mongering have taken over .
We no longer talk to our families and our neighbors because of our divisive politics.
” Kennedy is the education director of the Kennedy Forum , a mental health advocacy organization her husband founded .
She was born in Atlantic City and grew up in the district .
She married Patrick J. Kennedy , who represented Rhode Island ’ s 1st District from 1995 to 2011 , in July 2011 .
The former congressman , the son of the late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee .
Montclair State University professor Brigid Callahan Harrison is already running for the Democratic nomination .
Trump carried the 2nd District by nearly 5 points in 2016 .
Van Drew won the open seat by 8 points in 2018 after Republican Frank A. LoBiondo declined to seek another term .
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales shifted the race from Tilts Democratic to Tilts Republican after the initial reports of Van Drew ’ s party switch .

Amy Kennedy announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 2nd District on Monday.
The wife of former Rhode Island Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy is hoping to take on Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who flipped the district from red to blue in the 2018 midterms but has since changed parties and is now a Republican.
Van Drew opposed articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, and the president later endorsed the congressman’s reelection bid in the southern New Jersey district.
Kennedy, a former public school history teacher in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, invoked Van Drew in her announcement video.


rollcall--2020-01-06--Arizona’s GOP Sen. Martha McSally target of new super PAC ad

A new super PAC is targeting Arizona GOP Sen. Martha McSally , right , in its first ad campaign .
( Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo ) A new super PAC is targeting GOP Sen. Martha McSally in an early sign that the competitive Arizona Senate race could attract plenty of outside spending .
The group , named “ Middle Class Fighting to Restore Arizona ’ s Unity and Decency , ” or “ McFraud , ” is launching a five-figure TV and digital ad buy with a 30-second spot accusing McSally of changing her positions on immigration issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labeled her as “ disingenuous.
” The ad will air in the Phoenix media market on CNN and Fox News , according to information shared first with CQ Roll Call .
“ Arizonans rejected flip-flopper Martha McSally ’ s brand of anti-worker politics in 2018 and we are confident they will again in 2020 , ” said Frank Hawk , vice president of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters , one of the groups funding the super PAC .
The animated ad features a “ McSally ’ s ” restaurant , similar to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restaurant has “ flip-flopping burgers ” and a “ souvenir Ukraine kamikaze cup , ” a reference to McSally ’ s comments that Democrats ’ effort to impeach President Donald Trump was a “ kamikaze mission.
” The new group ’ s ad buy underscores how the Arizona Senate race is expected to be a top target for outside groups since it is one of Democrats ’ best pickup opportunities in their effort to flip the Senate .
Democrats need a net gain of three or four Senate seats in 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House since the vice president can cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate .
Trump carried Arizona by 4 percentage points in 2016 and McSally narrowly lost a Senate race there in 2018 .
After the election , McSally was appointed to the Senate to replace the late GOP Sen. John McCain .
The 2020 race is for the final two years of McCain ’ s term .
The 2018 Arizona Senate race ranked fourth in outside spending in Senate races , according to OpenSecrets .
Outside groups spent nearly $ 69 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race is also expected to be expensive , although just about $ 132,000 has been spent by outside groups so far , according to Federal Election Commission documents .
McSally has already gotten some support from a super PAC .
The Senate Leadership Fund , which is aligned with Senate GOP leadership , spent about $ 53,000 supporting her last year , but the group spent $ 127 million nationally in the 2018 election cycle .
End Citizens United , a traditional PAC that supports candidates who favor a campaign finance overhaul that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has spent more than $ 78,000 so far supporting McSally ’ s likely opponent , Mark Kelly .
Traditional PACs are subject to contribution limits while super PACs are not .
Kelly , a Navy veteran and former astronaut who is married to former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords , has outraised McSally in the last three fundraising quarters .
He ended the third fundraising quarter of 2019 with more than $ 9.5 million in his campaign account while McSally had nearly $ 5.7 million on hand .
Get breaking news alerts and more from @ @ @ @ @ @

A new super PAC is targeting GOP Sen. Martha McSally in an early sign that the competitive Arizona Senate race could attract plenty of outside spending.
The group, named “Middle Class Fighting to Restore Arizona’s Unity and Decency,” or “McFraud,” is launching a five-figure TV and digital ad buy with a 30-second spot accusing McSally of changing her positions on immigration issues and highlighting an Arizona Republic editorial that labeled her as “disingenuous.”
The ad will air in the Phoenix media market on CNN and Fox News, according to information shared first with CQ Roll Call.
“Arizonans rejected flip-flopper Martha McSally’s brand of anti-worker politics in 2018 and we are confident they will again in 2020,” said Frank Hawk, vice president of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, one of the groups funding the super PAC.
The animated ad features a “McSally’s” restaurant, similar to McDonald’s. The narrator says the restaurant has “flip-flopping burgers” and a “souvenir Ukraine kamikaze cup,” a reference to McSally’s comments that Democrats’ effort to impeach President Donald Trump was a “kamikaze mission.”