rollcall--2020-08-20--Schumer: Ditching filibuster not ‘off the table’ if Biden, Democrats win

On the day that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden delivers his acceptance speech , Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer made clear that eliminating the chamber ’ s legislative filibuster will be on the table if Democrats sweep into the majority with Biden in November .
“ We have a moral imperative to the people of America to get a whole lot done if we get the majority , which , God willing , we will , and keep it in the House , and Biden becomes president , and nothing is off the table , ” the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do what it takes to get this done .
I ’ m hopeful , maybe if [ President Donald ] Trump goes and [ Mitch ] McConnell is no longer leader , some Republicans might work with us .
But we ’ re going to have to get it done , whether they work with us or not , ” he added .
While Schumer did not make an unequivocal declaration about doing away with the Senate ’ s rule requiring 60 votes to limit debate on legislation and other related procedural motions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in an interview with radio host Joe Madison on SiriusXM .
Schumer was asked about the filibuster , officially Senate Rule XXII , in the context of former President Barack Obama deriding it as an impediment to reviving protections of the Voting Rights Act .

On the day that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden delivers his acceptance speech, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer made clear that eliminating the chamber’s legislative filibuster will be on the table if Democrats sweep into the majority with Biden in November.
“We have a moral imperative to the people of America to get a whole lot done if we get the majority, which, God willing, we will, and keep it in the House, and Biden becomes president, and nothing is off the table,” the New York Democrat said Thursday.
“We will do what it takes to get this done. I’m hopeful, maybe if [President Donald] Trump goes and [Mitch] McConnell is no longer leader, some Republicans might work with us. But we’re going to have to get it done, whether they work with us or not,” he added.
While Schumer did not make an unequivocal declaration about doing away with the Senate’s rule requiring 60 votes to limit debate on legislation and other related procedural motions, he did not shy away from it in an interview with radio host Joe Madison on SiriusXM.
Schumer was asked about the filibuster, officially Senate Rule XXII, in the context of former President Barack Obama deriding it as an impediment to reviving protections of the Voting Rights Act.


rollcall--2020-08-20--Biden’s immigration plan: Cancel Trump orders, seek bill in Congress

Not only would President Donald Trump ’ s border wall come to an end if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden defeats him in November , Biden would quickly move to roll back many of Trump ’ s executive orders and actions on immigration , according to the candidate and the party platform .
“ There will not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration , No .
1 , ” Biden told Black and Hispanic journalists during a press briefing in early August .
“ I ’ m going to make sure that we have border protection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on making sure that we use high-tech capacity to deal with it .
And at the ports of entry — that ’ s where all the bad stuff is happening , ” he said .
Biden also has vowed to pursue comprehensive immigration legislation , something that Congress hasn ’ t been able to do since 1986 and failed notably in 2013 , when House Republicans rebuffed a Senate-passed bill .
Passing legislation would likely be a heavy lift , but Biden could move quickly to rescind the executive orders and actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pegged at more than 400 by the Migration Policy Institute .

Not only would President Donald Trump’s border wall come to an end if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden defeats him in November, Biden would quickly move to roll back many of Trump’s executive orders and actions on immigration, according to the candidate and the party platform.
“There will not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration, No. 1,” Biden told Black and Hispanic journalists during a press briefing in early August.
“I’m going to make sure that we have border protection, but it’s going to be based on making sure that we use high-tech capacity to deal with it. And at the ports of entry — that’s where all the bad stuff is happening,” he said.
Biden also has vowed to pursue comprehensive immigration legislation, something that Congress hasn’t been able to do since 1986 and failed notably in 2013, when House Republicans rebuffed a Senate-passed bill.
Passing legislation would likely be a heavy lift, but Biden could move quickly to rescind the executive orders and actions that Trump has signed, a total pegged at more than 400 by the Migration Policy Institute.


rollcall--2020-08-20--Postal chief in Dems’ crosshairs has long record of Republican contributions

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , a Trump megadonor set to appear before congressional committees starting Friday to explain his controversial @ @ @ @ @ also has longstanding financial ties to Republicans on Capitol Hill .
DeJoy has given more @ @ @ @ @ Republicans currently serving in Congress , according to a CQ Roll Call review of Federal @ @ @ @ @ includes $ 36,000 in contributions since 2014 to committees supporting North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis @ @ @ @ @ $ 8,100 to Arizona ’ s Martha McSally since 2018 ; and gave $ 5,200 @ @ @ @ @ campaign of Missouri ’ s Josh Hawley .
DeJoy contributed $ 37,100 to the unsuccessful @ @ @ @ @ Romney , now a Utah senator .
Representatives for Tillis , McSally and Romney did @ @ @ @ @ comment .
Hawley and Romney both sit on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs @ @ @ @ @ examine the finances and operations of the U.S .
Postal Service amid the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ elections .

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Trump megadonor set to appear before congressional committees starting Friday to explain his controversial changes to postal operations, also has longstanding financial ties to Republicans on Capitol Hill.
DeJoy has given more than $214,000 to 15 Republicans currently serving in Congress, according to a CQ Roll Call review of Federal Election Commission records.
That includes $36,000 in contributions since 2014 to committees supporting North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis. DeJoy has also given $8,100 to Arizona’s Martha McSally since 2018; and gave $5,200 in 2018 to the Senate campaign of Missouri’s Josh Hawley. DeJoy contributed $37,100 to the unsuccessful 2012 presidential bid by Mitt Romney, now a Utah senator.
Representatives for Tillis, McSally and Romney did not respond to requests for comment.
Hawley and Romney both sit on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs panel that on Friday will examine the finances and operations of the U.S. Postal Service amid the coronavirus pandemic and its role in upcoming elections.


rollcall--2020-08-20--Sen. Bill Cassidy tests positive for COVID-19

Sen. Bill Cassidy is under quarantine for 14 days after testing positive for COVID-19 .
The Louisiana Republican said he @ @ @ @ @ he ’ d been exposed to someone with the disease .
“ I am strictly @ @ @ @ @ medical experts and strongly encourage others to do the same , ” Cassidy said in @ @ @ @ @ said he is adhering to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations and is @ @ @ @ @ has been in contact recently .
Cassidy is among the 1,034 COVID-19 cases reported to @ @ @ @ @ since Wednesday .
The total number of cases reported to the state is 140,821 , @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Bill Cassidy is under quarantine for 14 days after testing positive for COVID-19.
The Louisiana Republican said he was notified Wednesday evening that he’d been exposed to someone with the disease.
“I am strictly following the direction of our medical experts and strongly encourage others to do the same,” Cassidy said in a statement.
His office said he is adhering to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations and is notifying people with whom he has been in contact recently.
Cassidy is among the 1,034 COVID-19 cases reported to the Louisiana Department of Health since Wednesday. The total number of cases reported to the state is 140,821, according to the department.


rollcall--2020-08-20--At the Races: Will there still be balloons?

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election .
Know someone who ’ d like to get this newsletter ?
They can subscribe here .
Corrected , 4:31 p.m | Democrats have one last night of their all-virtual political convention featuring presidential nominee Joe Biden , as Republicans prepare for their own show next week .
Democrats have been stressing that Biden is the candidate who can bring together a broad coalition to defeat President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s supporters think his ability to work with Republicans in Congress will also help him make deals , even though most of the senators he served with are no longer there .
Trump has struggled to make his own bipartisan deals with Congress , which Nancy Pelosi alluded to at the convention last night by noting that , as speaker , she ’ s “ seen firsthand Donald Trump ’ s disrespect for facts , for working families , and for women in particular.
” Pelosi wanted to highlight more of the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance , but as CQ Roll Call ’ s Lindsey McPherson reports , convention operatives wanted her to “ tell more about what it ’ s like dealing with Donald Trump.
” Pelosi did talk about Democrats ’ “ For the People ” agenda of lowering health care costs , rebuilding the country through green infrastructure investments and cleaning up corruption in government , which vulnerable House Democrats will be touting on the campaign trail .
A few Democrats in competitive House races also made prime-time convention appearances , serving as reminders ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also working to hold onto their chamber majority .
Some vulnerable lawmakers opted to appear at virtual watch parties .
Others , including Reps. Joe Cunningham of South Carolina , Kendra Horn of Oklahoma and Max Rose of New York , participated in industry events , a sign that some lobbyists are embracing the Zoom panels as a way of staying plugged in for clients .

Bridget Bowman, Kate Ackley, and Stephanie Akin

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
Corrected, 4:31 p.m | Democrats have one last night of their all-virtual political convention featuring presidential nominee Joe Biden, as Republicans prepare for their own show next week.
Democrats have been stressing that Biden is the candidate who can bring together a broad coalition to defeat President Donald Trump that even includes Republicans. Biden’s supporters think his ability to work with Republicans in Congress will also help him make deals, even though most of the senators he served with are no longer there.
Trump has struggled to make his own bipartisan deals with Congress, which Nancy Pelosi alluded to at the convention last night by noting that, as speaker, she’s “seen firsthand Donald Trump’s disrespect for facts, for working families, and for women in particular.” Pelosi wanted to highlight more of the party’s policy agenda during her prime-time appearance, but as CQ Roll Call’s Lindsey McPherson reports, convention operatives wanted her to “tell more about what it’s like dealing with Donald Trump.”
Pelosi did talk about Democrats’ “For the People” agenda of lowering health care costs, rebuilding the country through green infrastructure investments and cleaning up corruption in government, which vulnerable House Democrats will be touting on the campaign trail. A few Democrats in competitive House races also made prime-time convention appearances, serving as reminders (albeit brief ones) that Democrats are also working to hold onto their chamber majority. Some vulnerable lawmakers opted to appear at virtual watch parties. Others, including Reps. Joe Cunningham of South Carolina, Kendra Horn of Oklahoma and Max Rose of New York, participated in industry events, a sign that some lobbyists are embracing the Zoom panels as a way of staying plugged in for clients.


rollcall--2020-08-20--Blue Dogs call for restart of relief negotiations

The Blue Dog Coalition of moderate House Democrats is circulating a letter they plan to send to congressional leaders urging @ @ @ @ @ the bargaining table on a new round of coronavirus relief legislation .
The coalition , @ @ @ @ @ difficult reelection races , outlines areas of potential compromise between the parties including on unemployment @ @ @ @ @ government aid and direct payments to households .
The effort comes as Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ legislation for a vote Saturday that would provide funds for the U.S .
Postal Service @ @ @ @ @ other aid measures that are still hung up in a dispute with the White House @ @ @ @ @ As the House prepares to vote this weekend on a bill to protect the United @ @ @ @ @ urge you to restart bipartisan , bicameral negotiations on a fifth COVID-19 relief package that @ @ @ @ @ of this public health and economic crisis , ” the group wrote in the draft @ @ @ @ @ Call .

The Blue Dog Coalition of moderate House Democrats is circulating a letter they plan to send to congressional leaders urging them to get back to the bargaining table on a new round of coronavirus relief legislation.
The coalition, which includes several lawmakers in difficult reelection races, outlines areas of potential compromise between the parties including on unemployment benefits, state and local government aid and direct payments to households.
The effort comes as Speaker Nancy Pelosi is preparing to bring up legislation for a vote Saturday that would provide funds for the U.S. Postal Service, but wouldn't address other aid measures that are still hung up in a dispute with the White House and Senate Republicans.
“As the House prepares to vote this weekend on a bill to protect the United States Postal Service, we urge you to restart bipartisan, bicameral negotiations on a fifth COVID-19 relief package that is commensurate with the scale of this public health and economic crisis,” the group wrote in the draft letter obtained by CQ Roll Call.
[Postal Service bill unveiled in House as Democrats ponder sweeteners]


rollcall--2020-08-20--Pelosi backs Kennedy over incumbent Markey

Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has made a pick in her party 's Massachusetts Senate contest , endorsing Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III in his challenge of incumbent Sen. Edward J. Markey .
The news , first reported by the Boston Globe , comes as voters have already begun to cast ballots in advance of the state ’ s Sept. 1 congressional primaries .
“ Never before have the times demanded that we elect courageous leaders as today , which is why I ’ m pleased to join so many of my colleagues in endorsing Joe Kennedy III for Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email sent by the Kennedy campaign .
“ In 2018 , when we took back the House , Joe campaigned across America to make that victory possible and that ’ s why so many of his supporters are Freshman Members of Congress who Joe helped elect , ” Pelosi added .
“ He knows that to achieve progressive change , you must be on the front lines leading movements of people .
Massachusetts and America need Joe Kennedy ’ s courage and leadership in the Senate.
” Kennedy , a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President John F. Kennedy , took an early lead in the polls , but Markey had closed the gap in recent months .

Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has made a pick in her party's Massachusetts Senate contest, endorsing Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III in his challenge of incumbent Sen. Edward J. Markey.
The news, first reported by the Boston Globe, comes as voters have already begun to cast ballots in advance of the state’s Sept. 1 congressional primaries.
“Never before have the times demanded that we elect courageous leaders as today, which is why I’m pleased to join so many of my colleagues in endorsing Joe Kennedy III for Senate,” said Pelosi, according to an email sent by the Kennedy campaign.
“In 2018, when we took back the House, Joe campaigned across America to make that victory possible and that’s why so many of his supporters are Freshman Members of Congress who Joe helped elect,” Pelosi added. “He knows that to achieve progressive change, you must be on the front lines leading movements of people. Massachusetts and America need Joe Kennedy’s courage and leadership in the Senate.”
Kennedy, a member of the storied political family that also included President John F. Kennedy, took an early lead in the polls, but Markey had closed the gap in recent months.


rollcall--2020-08-20--Can Joe Biden revive bipartisanship as president?

`` You would not see what you see at the White House now , basically where you have legislation that got through because of the work of Democrats , and when Trump signs it he invites only Republicans to the signing , ” Leahy said .
`` The way the most effective presidents of both parties have done , they have members of both parties there for the signing . ''
The Vermont senator pointed to the recent example of the Great American Outdoors Act , a big bipartisan public lands package that Trump signed with only GOP lawmakers present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties .
`` It would never have gotten through if the Democratically controlled House had not supported it , '' Leahy said .
`` In a way , I felt sorry for Trump that he is that childish and does n't realize the importance of the presidency . ''
Mike Sozan , a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress who was chief of staff to former Sen. Mark Udall , D-Colo. , and who also worked for Democratic Sens .
Jim Webb and Bill Nelson , said Biden ’ s willingness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharp contrast with Trump , who despite being in the middle of a global pandemic has not personally met with or spoken to Speaker Nancy Pelosi in months .
`` Biden seems comfortable talking to any member of Congress of either party ; in fact , he thrives on it , '' Sozan said .
`` I saw it countless times , how much he thrives on those personal relationships , on always trying to find ways to talk to his colleagues , to try to broker deals , and ultimately to try @ @ @ @ @ @

"You would not see what you see at the White House now, basically where you have legislation that got through because of the work of Democrats, and when Trump signs it he invites only Republicans to the signing,” Leahy said. "The way the most effective presidents of both parties have done, they have members of both parties there for the signing."
The Vermont senator pointed to the recent example of the Great American Outdoors Act, a big bipartisan public lands package that Trump signed with only GOP lawmakers present despite the work of members of both parties.
"It would never have gotten through if the Democratically controlled House had not supported it," Leahy said. "In a way, I felt sorry for Trump that he is that childish and doesn't realize the importance of the presidency."
Mike Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress who was chief of staff to former Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and who also worked for Democratic Sens. Jim Webb and Bill Nelson, said Biden’s willingness to work with the GOP is a sharp contrast with Trump, who despite being in the middle of a global pandemic has not personally met with or spoken to Speaker Nancy Pelosi in months.
"Biden seems comfortable talking to any member of Congress of either party; in fact, he thrives on it," Sozan said. "I saw it countless times, how much he thrives on those personal relationships, on always trying to find ways to talk to his colleagues, to try to broker deals, and ultimately to try to keep Congress functioning."


rollcall--2020-08-20--Virtual conventions are almost lobbyist-free, and some of them are OK with that

The quadrennial political conventions usually offer K Street lobbyists a sleep-deprived whirlwind of in-person schmoozing , from bleary-eyed morning meet-and-greets @ @ @ @ @ night .
This year ’ s virtual gathering because of the COVID-19 pandemic has made @ @ @ @ @ for the influence set .
Some lobbyists are embracing the relaxed schedule of an online @ @ @ @ @ breakout sessions for donors and policy panels .
Others are logging in all day , @ @ @ @ @ pass along to clients in an attempt to recreate the networking opportunities of in-person events @ @ @ @ @ in and out of the party ’ s convention ] Republicans say they 're still @ @ @ @ @ tap for next week , as Democrats prepare to wrap up their nominating convention Thursday @

The quadrennial political conventions usually offer K Street lobbyists a sleep-deprived whirlwind of in-person schmoozing, from bleary-eyed morning meet-and-greets to concerts late into the night.
This year’s virtual gathering because of the COVID-19 pandemic has made for a totally different experience for the influence set.
Some lobbyists are embracing the relaxed schedule of an online convention and opting out of breakout sessions for donors and policy panels. Others are logging in all day, seeking out political intelligence to pass along to clients in an attempt to recreate the networking opportunities of in-person events.
[Vulnerable Democrats zoom in and out of the party’s convention]
Republicans say they're still figuring out what's on tap for next week, as Democrats prepare to wrap up their nominating convention Thursday.


rollcall--2020-08-20--Biden would largely discard Trump’s foreign policies on Day 1

With sights set on retaking the White House in November , Democrats are fleshing out foreign policy priorities that would largely reverse and scrub the plate clean of President Donald Trump ’ s `` America First '' agenda .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden 's initial changes would include restoring funding for the World Health Organization ; reversing some immigration policies ; dismantling Trump 's travel ban ; pursuing an extension of the New START arms accord with Russia ; undoing the exit from the Paris climate agreement ; and ending a policy that bans aid from going to foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden would use his first day in office to call up key foreign allies to let them know , “ We ’ re back , ” said Carlyn Reichel , foreign policy director for the Biden campaign , speaking Tuesday at a panel discussion with foreign policy groups .
With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to spread , the former vice president and longtime Delaware senator would focus heavily on working with foreign nations and multilateral bodies like WHO to cooperatively develop and distribute a vaccine .
The Democratic Party ’ s platform , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention this week , pledges to ensure that the United States remains WHO ’ s “ leading funder and technical partner , ” reversing a yearlong process Trump initiated this spring to pull support from the organization .

With sights set on retaking the White House in November, Democrats are fleshing out foreign policy priorities that would largely reverse and scrub the plate clean of President Donald Trump’s "America First" agenda.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's initial changes would include restoring funding for the World Health Organization; reversing some immigration policies; dismantling Trump's travel ban; pursuing an extension of the New START arms accord with Russia; undoing the exit from the Paris climate agreement; and ending a policy that bans aid from going to foreign organizations that support or offer abortions.
Biden would use his first day in office to call up key foreign allies to let them know, “We’re back,” said Carlyn Reichel, foreign policy director for the Biden campaign, speaking Tuesday at a panel discussion with foreign policy groups.
With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to spread, the former vice president and longtime Delaware senator would focus heavily on working with foreign nations and multilateral bodies like WHO to cooperatively develop and distribute a vaccine.
The Democratic Party’s platform, adopted at the party’s national convention this week, pledges to ensure that the United States remains WHO’s “leading funder and technical partner,” reversing a yearlong process Trump initiated this spring to pull support from the organization.


CQ Future: Cash

In this episode of CQ Future we muse on whether cash is a thing of the past .
CQ Roll @ @ @ @ @ why paper dollars are out of vogue and , in a conversation with fintech expert @ @ @ @ @ America is ready to catch up with much of the world and what to expect @ @ @ @ @ Ditching filibuster not ‘ off the table ’ if Biden , Democrats win

In this episode of CQ Future we muse on whether cash is a thing of the past. CQ Roll Call's Jim Saksa explains why paper dollars are out of vogue and, in a conversation with fintech expert Chris Brummer, explores if America is ready to catch up with much of the world and what to expect next.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-08-21--Showcasing GOP support isn’t just for the Democratic convention

Throughout the four-day convention that ended in fireworks in a Delaware parking lot Thursday night , it was clear that @ @ @ @ @ is working to build a broad coalition that even includes disaffected Republicans .
And he @ @ @ @ @ The day after she won the Democratic nomination in Iowa ’ s 2nd District , @ @ @ @ @ released a list of 20 Republicans supporting her campaign .
After winning the Democratic nod @ @ @ @ @ , state Sen. Barbara Bollier , a former Republican herself , released a TV ad @ @ @ @ @ who said he was voting for her .
Biden showcased his own GOP support during @ @ @ @ @ , where he officially became the Democratic presidential nominee .
The convention featured Republicans from @ @ @ @ @ Kasich to rank-and-file GOP voters who were supporting Biden over President Donald Trump , and @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan bond with the late Arizona Sen. John McCain .
Biden began his acceptance speech @ @ @ @ @ to work for all Americans .

Throughout the four-day convention that ended in fireworks in a Delaware parking lot Thursday night, it was clear that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is working to build a broad coalition that even includes disaffected Republicans.
And he isn’t alone.
The day after she won the Democratic nomination in Iowa’s 2nd District, former state Sen. Rita Hart released a list of 20 Republicans supporting her campaign. After winning the Democratic nod in the Kansas Senate race, state Sen. Barbara Bollier, a former Republican herself, released a TV ad featuring a GOP state legislator who said he was voting for her.
Biden showcased his own GOP support during the national convention this week, where he officially became the Democratic presidential nominee. The convention featured Republicans from former Ohio Gov. John Kasich to rank-and-file GOP voters who were supporting Biden over President Donald Trump, and a video highlighting Biden's bipartisan bond with the late Arizona Sen. John McCain.


rollcall--2020-08-21--A reality check on Joe Biden’s Democratic convention promises

Presidential nominee Joe Biden and other speakers at the Democratic National Convention laid out a bold and ambitious to-do list this week .
Some of it was thematic , like the promises to unify the country and make the government more accountable to the public .
But there were also specific plans in Biden ’ s speech accepting the nomination Thursday night , many contained in one section building off the theme to “ build back better ” from the current economic downturn .
Those plans likely rely on his party winning control of the Senate and House in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fruit , others are a reach even with solid control and the elimination of the filibuster in the Senate .
Here ’ s a look at what he said — and the reality confronting those promises .
“ We ’ ll develop and deploy rapid tests with results available immediately .
We 'll make the medical supplies and protective equipment our country needs .
And we ’ ll make them here in America .
So we will never again be at the mercy of China and other foreign countries in order to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. ’ s capacity to conduct COVID-19 tests has greatly improved since the early days of the pandemic .
New testing technologies , like rapid tests , pooled testing and saliva-based tests , are helping boost capacity .
President Donald Trump ’ s administration announced this week it was invoking the Defense Production Act to gain first priority to ship rapid tests to nursing homes .
Democrats have criticized Trump for not using the Defense Production Act more aggressively to develop medical supplies and equipment that have been in high demand and sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have expressed concern since before the health crisis about the U.S. ’ s dependence on foreign countries , particularly China , for medical supplies .

Presidential nominee Joe Biden and other speakers at the Democratic National Convention laid out a bold and ambitious to-do list this week. Some of it was thematic, like the promises to unify the country and make the government more accountable to the public.
But there were also specific plans in Biden’s speech accepting the nomination Thursday night, many contained in one section building off the theme to “build back better” from the current economic downturn. Those plans likely rely on his party winning control of the Senate and House in November.
But while some might be low-hanging fruit, others are a reach even with solid control and the elimination of the filibuster in the Senate. Here’s a look at what he said — and the reality confronting those promises.
COVID-19
“We’ll develop and deploy rapid tests with results available immediately. We'll make the medical supplies and protective equipment our country needs. And we’ll make them here in America. So we will never again be at the mercy of China and other foreign countries in order to protect our own people.”
Reality: The U.S.’s capacity to conduct COVID-19 tests has greatly improved since the early days of the pandemic. New testing technologies, like rapid tests, pooled testing and saliva-based tests, are helping boost capacity. President Donald Trump’s administration announced this week it was invoking the Defense Production Act to gain first priority to ship rapid tests to nursing homes.
Democrats have criticized Trump for not using the Defense Production Act more aggressively to develop medical supplies and equipment that have been in high demand and sometimes short supply. Lawmakers in both parties have expressed concern since before the health crisis about the U.S.’s dependence on foreign countries, particularly China, for medical supplies.


rollcall--2020-08-21--Congressional Hits and Misses: Democratic Convention edition

Cursing , Conventions , and the U.S .
Postal service — the congressional recess looks a little different this week @ @ @ @ @ was caught with his audio on ( warning : strong language ) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus @ @ @ @ @ everyone seems to have forgotten what 's truly important : Shark Week .
Watch the @ @ @ @ @ unconventional Hits and Misses .
[ Virtually the same ?
This year ’ s unconventional @ @ @ @

Cursing, Conventions, and the U.S. Postal service — the congressional recess looks a little different this week.
Sen. Thomas R. Carper was caught with his audio on (warning: strong language) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus joked about church. Meanwhile everyone seems to have forgotten what's truly important: Shark Week.
Watch the video for this week's unconventional Hits and Misses.
[Virtually the same? This year’s unconventional Democratic National Convention]


rollcall--2020-08-21--Gaetz admonished by Ethics Committee for threatening tweet directed at Michael Cohen

The House Ethics Committee on Friday admonished Rep. Matt Gaetz for a threatening tweet last year directed at Michael Cohen , President Donald Trump ’ s former lawyer .
Gaetz suggested it was a good idea for Cohen to talk to his wife and father-in-law about “ your girlfriends ” a day before Cohen was to testify before the House Oversight Committee about his former boss .
At that hearing , Cohen referred to Trump as a “ racist ” and “ con man ” and said he came forward because he was concerned Trump would not accept the result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Florida Republican and ardent supporter of Trump , initially refused to sit for an interview with the Ethics Committee , which resulted in the panel establishing an investigative subcommittee .
Gaetz eventually testified and told the committee he was “ not comfortable with the language ” he used , that he acted “ improperly regarding [ his ] own standards ” and was “ sorry.
” The Ethics panel found Gaetz ’ s tweet “ did not violate witness tampering and obstruction of Congress laws , but Representative Gaetz ’ s actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Representatives.
” Admonishment is essentially a public warning .
It is also one of the lesser forms of discipline the committee can dole out .
Harsher punishments such as recommending censure or even expulsion , which require votes by the full House , are much less common .

The House Ethics Committee on Friday admonished Rep. Matt Gaetz for a threatening tweet last year directed at Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former lawyer.
Gaetz suggested it was a good idea for Cohen to talk to his wife and father-in-law about “your girlfriends” a day before Cohen was to testify before the House Oversight Committee about his former boss. At that hearing, Cohen referred to Trump as a “racist” and “con man” and said he came forward because he was concerned Trump would not accept the result of the 2020 election.
Gaetz, a Florida Republican and ardent supporter of Trump, initially refused to sit for an interview with the Ethics Committee, which resulted in the panel establishing an investigative subcommittee. Gaetz eventually testified and told the committee he was “not comfortable with the language” he used, that he acted “improperly regarding [his] own standards” and was “sorry.”
The Ethics panel found Gaetz’s tweet “did not violate witness tampering and obstruction of Congress laws, but Representative Gaetz’s actions did not reflect creditably upon the House of Representatives.”


rollcall--2020-08-21--Postmaster general: ‘Dramatic’ changes ahead, but confidence in election mail is strong

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday that post offices will continue to prioritize ballots and expressed support for voting by mail , but he previewed `` dramatic '' changes planned for after the election .
The embattled Postal Service leader answered lawmakers ' questions about mail delays widely attributed to cost-cutting policies put in place in recent weeks .
The slowdowns have spurred concerns about delivery and receipt of ballots for the November elections , when a record number of votes are expected to be cast by mail due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` voted by mail for a number of years '' and plans to do so again this fall .
He offered an endorsement of the same process that President Donald Trump has said leads to massive voter fraud , a claim that remains unsubstantiated .
DeJoy urged the public to `` vote early . ''
“ I ’ m going to vote by mail myself , ” the Trump megadonor said under questioning from Republican Sen .
Rob Portman of Ohio , who also said he plans to vote by mail .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require state and local governments to send out ballots using more expensive first-class mail , DeJoy said the Postal Service would deploy “ processes and procedures to advance the election mail , in some cases ahead of first-class mail .
”

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday that post offices will continue to prioritize ballots and expressed support for voting by mail, but he previewed "dramatic" changes planned for after the election.
The embattled Postal Service leader answered lawmakers' questions about mail delays widely attributed to cost-cutting policies put in place in recent weeks. The slowdowns have spurred concerns about delivery and receipt of ballots for the November elections, when a record number of votes are expected to be cast by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DeJoy said he has "voted by mail for a number of years" and plans to do so again this fall. He offered an endorsement of the same process that President Donald Trump has said leads to massive voter fraud, a claim that remains unsubstantiated. DeJoy urged the public to "vote early."
“I’m going to vote by mail myself,” the Trump megadonor said under questioning from Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who also said he plans to vote by mail.
When pressed to assert that he would not require state and local governments to send out ballots using more expensive first-class mail, DeJoy said the Postal Service would deploy “processes and procedures to advance the election mail, in some cases ahead of first-class mail.”


rollcall--2020-08-21--Leadership races begin as Cárdenas announces bid for assistant speaker

“ If we truly want to have success as a caucus fighting for the American people and ensure that no one gets left behind , we must have diversity at every level of the House , ” Cardenas said in a letter to his colleagues announcing his candidacy .
House Democrats have not yet set a date for their leadership elections but they typically occur a few weeks after the November elections , often timed with new member orientation .
Because members-elect get to participate in the leadership elections , any delay in election results from counting mail-in ballots could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership elections .
Cárdenas has served in leadership before .
In 2016 , Democrats created a seat at the table for a representative of members who ’ ve served five or fewer terms , and Cárdenas was the first member elected to the post .
The position is limited to one term , so Cárdenas could not run again in 2018 .
For the past three Congresses , Cárdenas has served as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus ’ s political arm , BOLD PAC .
In his letter to colleagues , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience , determination , and resourcefulness ” he devoted to that role to Democratic leadership .
“ In two election cycles , we increased the number of Hispanic members from 25 to 39 and raised $ 17 million to elect Democrats , ” he said .
“ In this 2020 cycle , we are on track to raise more than $ 13 million and , once again , increase Hispanic representation in Congress .
I am proud of our achievements and we are sharing our success beyond the CHC as we have endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbents and candidates over the past six years .
”

“If we truly want to have success as a caucus fighting for the American people and ensure that no one gets left behind, we must have diversity at every level of the House,” Cardenas said in a letter to his colleagues announcing his candidacy.
House Democrats have not yet set a date for their leadership elections but they typically occur a few weeks after the November elections, often timed with new member orientation. Because members-elect get to participate in the leadership elections, any delay in election results from counting mail-in ballots could delay new member orientation and the party leadership elections.
Cárdenas has served in leadership before. In 2016, Democrats created a seat at the table for a representative of members who’ve served five or fewer terms, and Cárdenas was the first member elected to the post. The position is limited to one term, so Cárdenas could not run again in 2018.
For the past three Congresses, Cárdenas has served as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’s political arm, BOLD PAC. In his letter to colleagues, he said he hopes to bring the “experience, determination, and resourcefulness” he devoted to that role to Democratic leadership.
“In two election cycles, we increased the number of Hispanic members from 25 to 39 and raised $17 million to elect Democrats,” he said. “In this 2020 cycle, we are on track to raise more than $13 million and, once again, increase Hispanic representation in Congress. I am proud of our achievements and we are sharing our success beyond the CHC as we have endorsed and contributed to more than 130 non-Hispanic incumbents and candidates over the past six years.”


rollcall--2020-08-21--People of color hold small percentage of top jobs in Senate

The Senate has a lot of work to do on bolstering the diversity of its top staffers , a report released Friday by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies found .
Although people of color comprise 40 percent of the total U.S. population , they make up just 11 percent of the most senior positions in personal Senate offices .
The report , written by LaShonda Brenson , considers diversity in three top positions — chief of staff , legislative director and communications director .
Republicans and Democrats fall short when it comes to placing people of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study .
“ While Democrats employ more personal office top staff of color than Republicans , both parties have low numbers , and the Republicans ' percentage is closer to their party ’ s share of voters who are people of color , ” the report said .
Black , Hispanic and Asian people are all underrepresented in the Senate compared to their share of the total population , the study found .
Hispanic individuals are over 18 percent of the U.S. population , but make up just 3.8 percent of top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 percent of the population , but comprise 3.1 percent of top Senate employees .
Asians and Pacific Islanders make up over 6 percent of the total population , but 2.7 percent are represented in the most senior Senate staff jobs .

The Senate has a lot of work to do on bolstering the diversity of its top staffers, a report released Friday by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies found.
Although people of color comprise 40 percent of the total U.S. population, they make up just 11 percent of the most senior positions in personal Senate offices. The report, written by LaShonda Brenson, considers diversity in three top positions — chief of staff, legislative director and communications director.
Republicans and Democrats fall short when it comes to placing people of color in the top spots, according to the study.
“While Democrats employ more personal office top staff of color than Republicans, both parties have low numbers, and the Republicans' percentage is closer to their party’s share of voters who are people of color,” the report said.
Black, Hispanic and Asian people are all underrepresented in the Senate compared to their share of the total population, the study found. Hispanic individuals are over 18 percent of the U.S. population, but make up just 3.8 percent of top Senate staffers. Black people are over 13 percent of the population, but comprise 3.1 percent of top Senate employees. Asians and Pacific Islanders make up over 6 percent of the total population, but 2.7 percent are represented in the most senior Senate staff jobs.


rollcall--2020-08-21--DNC fact check: Biden speech needs context on pandemic, tax cuts and Social Security

Biden is right that in both coronavirus cases and deaths , the U.S. has the most of any other country .
As of Aug. 21 , America ’ s totals stand at 5.6 million cases and more than 174,000 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University ’ s COVID-19 dashboard .
The next-worst nation is Brazil , with 3.5 million cases and around 112,000 deaths .
But by other metrics , the U.S. does not have the worst record .
When population is factored in , seven other countries , per Oxford University ’ s Our World in Data for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
This includes Qatar , with more than 40,000 cases per million people , and Bahrain , San Marino , Chile , Panama , Kuwait and Peru .
The U.S. places eighth , with 16,706 cases per million .
On deaths per capita , the U.S. also does not fare the worst .
Our World in Data shows America with the 10th-highest death rate , better than San Marino , Belgium , Peru , Andorra , Spain , the U.K. , Italy , Sweden and Chile .
In a similar dataset from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than an additional country , Brazil .
Although harder to interpret and heavily influenced by the number of coronavirus tests performed , the U.S. also does substantially better on its observed case-fatality rate , or the proportion of people identified with the virus who have died .
In the U.S. , 3.1 % of those known to be infected with the virus have died — a lower rate than 55 other countries in the Johns Hopkins analysis .
While the COVID-19 statistics for the U.S. are certainly grim — and America is by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ superior COVID-19 “ performance ” — by a variety of metrics , it is not the worst .

Biden is right that in both coronavirus cases and deaths, the U.S. has the most of any other country. As of Aug. 21, America’s totals stand at 5.6 million cases and more than 174,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University’s COVID-19 dashboard. The next-worst nation is Brazil, with 3.5 million cases and around 112,000 deaths.
But by other metrics, the U.S. does not have the worst record. When population is factored in, seven other countries, per Oxford University’s Our World in Data for Aug. 20, have more cumulative COVID-19 cases. This includes Qatar, with more than 40,000 cases per million people, and Bahrain, San Marino, Chile, Panama, Kuwait and Peru. The U.S. places eighth, with 16,706 cases per million.
On deaths per capita, the U.S. also does not fare the worst. Our World in Data shows America with the 10th-highest death rate, better than San Marino, Belgium, Peru, Andorra, Spain, the U.K., Italy, Sweden and Chile. In a similar dataset from Johns Hopkins, the U.S. does better than an additional country, Brazil.
Although harder to interpret and heavily influenced by the number of coronavirus tests performed, the U.S. also does substantially better on its observed case-fatality rate, or the proportion of people identified with the virus who have died. In the U.S., 3.1% of those known to be infected with the virus have died — a lower rate than 55 other countries in the Johns Hopkins analysis.
While the COVID-19 statistics for the U.S. are certainly grim — and America is by no means leading the world with its superior COVID-19 “performance” — by a variety of metrics, it is not the worst.


rollcall--2020-08-22--House passes Postal Service funding, service standards

The House in a rare August Saturday session passed legislation , 257-150 , that would reverse operational changes at the U.S .
Postal Service made since the start of the year and to provide the agency $ 25 billion to help sustain service levels through the COVID-19 pandemic .
Democrats have viewed the slowing of mail delivery in recent weeks as an emergency because of important items the Postal Service delivers like medications and checks .
They also expressed significant concerns about the impact Postal Service delays would have on the November election , with a record number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pandemic .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , deemed the emergency great enough to call the House back from its annual August recess for the Saturday vote , sandwiched between the Democratic and Republican national political conventions .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , has said his chamber won ’ t take up the House bill but that Republicans are open to considering Postal Service funding as part of a COVID-19 relief package .
The White House issued a veto threat , saying the House bill `` seeks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for placing counterproductive restrictions on USPS ’ s already limited operational flexibilities . ''
The Postal Service needs an overhaul that will ensure its long-term financial self-sufficiency , not a $ 25 billion `` bailout , '' the statement of administration policy on the bill argued .

The House in a rare August Saturday session passed legislation, 257-150, that would reverse operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service made since the start of the year and to provide the agency $25 billion to help sustain service levels through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Democrats have viewed the slowing of mail delivery in recent weeks as an emergency because of important items the Postal Service delivers like medications and checks. They also expressed significant concerns about the impact Postal Service delays would have on the November election, with a record number of people expected to mail in their ballots due to the pandemic.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., deemed the emergency great enough to call the House back from its annual August recess for the Saturday vote, sandwiched between the Democratic and Republican national political conventions.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said his chamber won’t take up the House bill but that Republicans are open to considering Postal Service funding as part of a COVID-19 relief package.
The White House issued a veto threat, saying the House bill "seeks to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext for placing counterproductive restrictions on USPS’s already limited operational flexibilities." The Postal Service needs an overhaul that will ensure its long-term financial self-sufficiency, not a $25 billion "bailout," the statement of administration policy on the bill argued.


rollcall--2020-08-24--Oklahoma GOP runoff will decide challenger to Kendra Horn

Oklahoma Republicans will pick their nominee to challenge vulnerable Democrat Kendra Horn in a primary runoff in the 5th District on Tuesday that pits a Trump-centric businesswoman against a more moderate state lawmaker .
Terry Neese , the former owner of an employment agency , has taken pains to express her loyalty to President Donald Trump , saying that he is “ the best president we have ever had ” and that she is running to “ stand up for Trump and move his agenda through Congress.
” Her opponent , state Sen. Stephanie Bice , also expresses admiration for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t mention him as frequently , focusing instead on her record defending “ conservative values , ” such as fiscal responsibility , abortion opposition and gun rights .
It ’ s a nuanced distinction , but one that displays sharply divergent views within the Republican Party about how to win back suburban districts like this one , in and around Oklahoma City , that Horn flipped in 2018 .
‘ Future of the country ’ at stake “ It ’ s not overstating that the future of the country is determined by elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a debate last week .
“ There is a real difference in this race .
”

Corrected, 11:15 a.m. | Oklahoma Republicans will pick their nominee to challenge vulnerable Democrat Kendra Horn in a primary runoff in the 5th District on Tuesday that pits a Trump-centric businesswoman against a more moderate state lawmaker.
Terry Neese, the former owner of an employment agency, has taken pains to express her loyalty to President Donald Trump, saying that he is “the best president we have ever had” and that she is running to “stand up for Trump and move his agenda through Congress.”
Her opponent, state Sen. Stephanie Bice, also expresses admiration for the president. But she doesn’t mention him as frequently, focusing instead on her record defending “conservative values,” such as fiscal responsibility, abortion opposition and gun rights.
It’s a nuanced distinction, but one that displays sharply divergent views within the Republican Party about how to win back suburban districts like this one, in and around Oklahoma City, that Horn flipped in 2018.
‘Future of the country’ at stake
“It’s not overstating that the future of the country is determined by elections like these,” Bice said at a debate last week. “There is a real difference in this race.”


rollcall--2020-08-24--Biden retirement proposal would upend traditional 401(k) plans

A little-noticed feature of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s tax plan would flip the incentive structure of a retirement system grounded for nearly a century on the tax deductibility of saving .
The former vice president ’ s `` drastic '' proposal , in the words of one industry lobbyist , would upend existing tax preferences for retirement saving in 401 ( k ) -style plans .
The Investment Company Institute , which represents mutual funds , exchange-traded funds and other investment vehicles in the U.S. and abroad , has already promised opposition .
Under current law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their annual taxable income , but they pay full freight when funds are eventually withdrawn in retirement .
The upfront tax break is larger for richer households , however , since deductions are more valuable the higher one ’ s tax bracket is .
For example , take a single filer in the top 37 percent bracket making $ 600,000 ; for each $ 1,000 she contributes to a 401 ( k ) plan , her tax deduction is worth $ 370 .
A single filer earning $ 60,000 , however , would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only receive a $ 220 tax break for that same $ 1,000 contribution .
What ’ s more , upper-income earners tend to save more in 401 ( k ) plans , which have an annual cap that rises with inflation ; in 2020 , the limit is $ 19,500 , with an extra “ catch-up ” contribution of $ 6,500 allowed for those 50 or older .
The more pretax dollars set aside , the larger the tax break is .

A little-noticed feature of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s tax plan would flip the incentive structure of a retirement system grounded for nearly a century on the tax deductibility of saving.
The former vice president’s "drastic" proposal, in the words of one industry lobbyist, would upend existing tax preferences for retirement saving in 401(k)-style plans. The Investment Company Institute, which represents mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other investment vehicles in the U.S. and abroad, has already promised opposition.
Under current law, workers contribute pretax dollars and thereby reduce their annual taxable income, but they pay full freight when funds are eventually withdrawn in retirement. The upfront tax break is larger for richer households, however, since deductions are more valuable the higher one’s tax bracket is.
For example, take a single filer in the top 37 percent bracket making $600,000; for each $1,000 she contributes to a 401(k) plan, her tax deduction is worth $370. A single filer earning $60,000, however, would be in the 22 percent bracket and only receive a $220 tax break for that same $1,000 contribution.
What’s more, upper-income earners tend to save more in 401(k) plans, which have an annual cap that rises with inflation; in 2020, the limit is $19,500, with an extra “catch-up” contribution of $6,500 allowed for those 50 or older. The more pretax dollars set aside, the larger the tax break is.


rollcall--2020-08-24--Trump slams mail-in voting, while DeJoy calls rhetoric ‘not helpful’

Even as Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Monday he had asked people associated with President Donald Trump ’ s campaign to tone down attacks on the U.S .
Postal Service , the president was on a stage in Charlotte , N.C. , attacking the agency .
“ I have put word around to different people , to please , that this is not helpful , ” DeJoy said in response to a question from Rep. Gerald E. Connolly , D-Va. DeJoy said he did not speak to campaign leadership , but spoke with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the campaign.
” At times , DeJoy ’ s exchanges with Democrats got heated as they pressed him for answers on the removal of sorting machines , his stock holdings and his ties to Trump .
Most lawmakers and Postal Service Board of Governors Chairman Robert M. Duncan appeared remotely at a hearing that stretched nearly six hours and was besieged by tech glitches .
As DeJoy testified in person , Trump appeared at the Republican National Committee in Charlotte , continuing to cast doubt on the nation ’ s mail carrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Democrats would somehow skew election results with ballots cast in the mail .
The president himself has voted by mail this year .

Even as Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told the House Oversight and Reform Committee on Monday he had asked people associated with President Donald Trump’s campaign to tone down attacks on the U.S. Postal Service, the president was on a stage in Charlotte, N.C., attacking the agency.
“I have put word around to different people, to please, that this is not helpful,” DeJoy said in response to a question from Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-Va. DeJoy said he did not speak to campaign leadership, but spoke with “friends of mine that are associated with the campaign.”
At times, DeJoy’s exchanges with Democrats got heated as they pressed him for answers on the removal of sorting machines, his stock holdings and his ties to Trump.
Most lawmakers and Postal Service Board of Governors Chairman Robert M. Duncan appeared remotely at a hearing that stretched nearly six hours and was besieged by tech glitches.
As DeJoy testified in person, Trump appeared at the Republican National Committee in Charlotte, continuing to cast doubt on the nation’s mail carrier. He suggested, without evidence, that Democrats would somehow skew election results with ballots cast in the mail. The president himself has voted by mail this year.


rollcall--2020-08-24--Jeff Flake: Conservatives better off with Biden than Trump

Warner , the Virginia Republican and former chairman of the Armed Services Committee , endorsed Biden at the beginning of March .
He also backed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election against Trump .
Flake was among the Republicans who were disillusioned enough with Trump to vote for a third party candidate in protest in 2016 , but his message Monday was that would not be enough this time for like-minded members of the GOP .
“ It ’ s not enough just to register our disapproval of the president .
We need to elect someone else in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Someone who will stop the chaos and reverse the damage.
” Flake cited the president ’ s view of expanded executive power and disregard for the constitutional separation of powers .
“ Those of us of a certain age in this country have also had the rare good fortune of growing up and into adulthood not having to think too much about the consequences of our votes , or even whether we voted at all in a given election , ” he said .
“ These times prove the folly of taking anything @ @ @ @

Warner, the Virginia Republican and former chairman of the Armed Services Committee, endorsed Biden at the beginning of March. He also backed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election against Trump.
Flake was among the Republicans who were disillusioned enough with Trump to vote for a third party candidate in protest in 2016, but his message Monday was that would not be enough this time for like-minded members of the GOP.
“It’s not enough just to register our disapproval of the president. We need to elect someone else in his place,” Flake said. “Someone who will stop the chaos and reverse the damage.”
Flake cited the president’s view of expanded executive power and disregard for the constitutional separation of powers.
“Those of us of a certain age in this country have also had the rare good fortune of growing up and into adulthood not having to think too much about the consequences of our votes, or even whether we voted at all in a given election,” he said. “These times prove the folly of taking anything for granted.”


rollcall--2020-08-24--Shortened census schedule cuts data review time

The Census Bureau has halved the time it has for combing through data from 2020 census results in a verification process that weeds out duplicate responses and finds people who never responded — a step experts say is key to an accurate count .
Under pressure from the Trump administration to end the count early , the agency will conclude all enumeration efforts on Sept. 30 , and then comb through data before wrapping up the whole process by Dec. 31 — half the time the agency originally anticipated after delaying its initial schedule because of the pandemic .
Meghan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s National Advisory Committee , said the Census Bureau risks missing millions by shortening its timeline to meet the year-end statutory deadline .
“ Both sides of the story are very important .
Not counting people in the first place is obviously critically important , but then also not giving the bureau the time it needs to process the data is hugely problematic , ” Maury said .
“ It really has a huge impact on whether or not that data is credible.
” Maury , a policy director for the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau ’ s data-combing process cuts down on overcounts of mostly white people who own multiple homes , or whose college-age children were counted both on campus and at home .
It also helps track people from minority or other historically undercounted groups the agency missed initially .

The Census Bureau has halved the time it has for combing through data from 2020 census results in a verification process that weeds out duplicate responses and finds people who never responded — a step experts say is key to an accurate count.
Under pressure from the Trump administration to end the count early, the agency will conclude all enumeration efforts on Sept. 30, and then comb through data before wrapping up the whole process by Dec. 31 — half the time the agency originally anticipated after delaying its initial schedule because of the pandemic.
Meghan Maury, a member of the agency’s National Advisory Committee, said the Census Bureau risks missing millions by shortening its timeline to meet the year-end statutory deadline.
“Both sides of the story are very important. Not counting people in the first place is obviously critically important, but then also not giving the bureau the time it needs to process the data is hugely problematic,” Maury said. “It really has a huge impact on whether or not that data is credible.”
Maury, a policy director for the National LGBTQ Task Force, said the Census Bureau’s data-combing process cuts down on overcounts of mostly white people who own multiple homes, or whose college-age children were counted both on campus and at home. It also helps track people from minority or other historically undercounted groups the agency missed initially.


rollcall--2020-08-25--Republicans dislike social media fact-checking, Democrats welcome it, survey says

Most Americans , especially Republicans , believe that social media companies censor political views that the platforms consider objectionable , @ @ @ @ @ the Pew Research Center .
While a majority of respondents from both political parties said @ @ @ @ @ growing , “ this belief is especially common — and growing — among Republicans , @ @ @ @ @ report released last week .
Nine out of 10 Republicans and independents who lean Republican @ @ @ @ @ that social media companies curtail objectionable political views , a number that has grown from @ @ @ @ @ views in 2018 , Pew said .
Republicans and those who lean toward Republicans also @ @ @ @ @ liberal views over conservative opinions , Pew found .
The survey results come as social @ @ @ @ @ contentious battlegrounds for political views two months before the November presidential election .

Most Americans, especially Republicans, believe that social media companies censor political views that the platforms consider objectionable, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center.
While a majority of respondents from both political parties said that social media censorship was growing, “this belief is especially common — and growing — among Republicans,” Pew said in a report released last week.
Nine out of 10 Republicans and independents who lean Republican said it was somewhat likely that social media companies curtail objectionable political views, a number that has grown from 85 percent who expressed similar views in 2018, Pew said. Republicans and those who lean toward Republicans also said social media companies favor liberal views over conservative opinions, Pew found.
The survey results come as social media platforms have become highly contentious battlegrounds for political views two months before the November presidential election.


rollcall--2020-08-25--Effort to pry Black voters from Democrats marks start of Republican convention

Viewers tuning into the Republican National Convention this week will see a slate of Black candidates and GOP figures making @ @ @ @ @ failed Black voters .
The appearances , which started Monday with House candidate Kim Klasik @ @ @ @ @ state Rep. Vernon Jones and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott , seek to offer a @ @ @ @ @ heavy focus on diversity at their own convention last week .
Speakers on Monday argued @ @ @ @ @ taxes and promotion of self-sufficiency , had more to offer Black communities than Democratic nominee @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Joe Biden believes we can ’ t think for ourselves , that the @ @ @ @ @ skin dictates their political views , ” Klasik said .
“ We ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ You and your party have neglected us for too long.
” That is a message @ @ @ @ @ to the forefront as their standard bearer has expressed hostility toward the Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ a history of making extreme statements on race and religion .

Viewers tuning into the Republican National Convention this week will see a slate of Black candidates and GOP figures making the case that Democrats have failed Black voters.
The appearances, which started Monday with House candidate Kim Klacik of Maryland, Georgia Democratic state Rep. Vernon Jones and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, seek to offer a counterpoint to the Democrats’ heavy focus on diversity at their own convention last week.
Speakers on Monday argued that Republicans, through lower taxes and promotion of self-sufficiency, had more to offer Black communities than Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his party.
“Joe Biden believes we can’t think for ourselves, that the color of someone’s skin dictates their political views,” Klacik said. “We’re not buying the lies anymore. You and your party have neglected us for too long.”
That is a message Republicans have struggled to bring to the forefront as their standard bearer has expressed hostility toward the Black Lives Matter movement and embraced candidates with a history of making extreme statements on race and religion.


rollcall--2020-08-24--Both parties featured this House battleground at their conventions

Army veteran Sean Parnell didn ’ t mention that he was running for Congress when he took the stage Monday night at the Republican National Convention .
But his stint in the national spotlight underscored his campaign strategy : stress his military service and enthusiastically support President Donald Trump .
The Pennsylvania Republican began his nearly five- minute speech by detailing his service in Afghanistan , when his platoon came under fire , outnumbered by the Taliban .
“ In our darkest hour , when our survival depended on each other , my men and I learned an important lesson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parnell said .
“ Our differences did not define us .
United we were unbeatable.
” Parnell ’ s speech comes less than a week after his opponent , Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb , a Marine veteran , was featured at the Democratic convention as part of a 17-person keynote address .
That both parties chose to spotlight the race for Pennsylvania ’ s 17th District in the Pittsburgh suburbs highlights the importance both Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden have put on the Keystone State in the battle for the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 point in 2016 .
Biden , a Scranton native , launched his presidential run in Philadelphia .

Army veteran Sean Parnell didn’t mention that he was running for Congress when he took the stage Monday night at the Republican National Convention. But his stint in the national spotlight underscored his campaign strategy: stress his military service and enthusiastically support President Donald Trump.
The Pennsylvania Republican began his nearly five- minute speech by detailing his service in Afghanistan, when his platoon came under fire, outnumbered by the Taliban.
“In our darkest hour, when our survival depended on each other, my men and I learned an important lesson: We all bleed red,” Parnell said. “Our differences did not define us. United we were unbeatable.”
Parnell’s speech comes less than a week after his opponent, Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb, a Marine veteran, was featured at the Democratic convention as part of a 17-person keynote address.


rollcall--2020-08-27--Ethics no-no: Doug Collins Senate campaign takes from official page

Rep. Doug Collins , who is in a tightly contested race for a Georgia Senate seat against Sen. Kelly Loeffler , used exact language describing his anti-abortion position from his official House website for use on his campaign page , seemingly a violation of House Ethics rules .
Members are allowed to use materials originally prepared by the official office for campaigning purposes if those materials have been “ exhausted , ” but because Collins ’ stance on abortion is still laid out on his official House website , it would be prohibited from being directly copied for his Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins , a Georgia Republican , lists several examples of efforts he has made under the heading “ Protecting Life.
” The examples he gives under this section on his official website mirror what is listed under the “ Defending the Right to Life ” component of his senate campaign page .
The House Ethics Committee notes that a campaign can not reproduce a member ’ s stance on an issue that is taken verbatim from the official House website if it still appears on the official website : “ On the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement setting out the Member ’ s views on the major issues on its official website , the Member ’ s campaign is not free to reproduce that statement so long as it remains on the official website .
So long as a statement of that nature remains posted on the official site , its official use is not exhausted .
”

Rep. Doug Collins, who is in a tightly contested race for a Georgia Senate seat against Sen. Kelly Loeffler, used exact language describing his anti-abortion position from his official House website for use on his campaign page, seemingly a violation of House Ethics rules.
Members are allowed to use materials originally prepared by the official office for campaigning purposes if those materials have been “exhausted,” but because Collins’ stance on abortion is still laid out on his official House website, it would be prohibited from being directly copied for his Senate campaign.
On his government website, Collins, a Georgia Republican, lists several examples of efforts he has made under the heading “Protecting Life.” The examples he gives under this section on his official website mirror what is listed under the “Defending the Right to Life” component of his senate campaign page.
Collins Senate campaign page.
The House Ethics Committee notes that a campaign cannot reproduce a member’s stance on an issue that is taken verbatim from the official House website if it still appears on the official website:
“On the other hand, when a congressional office posts a statement setting out the Member’s views on the major issues on its official website, the Member’s campaign is not free to reproduce that statement so long as it remains on the official website. So long as a statement of that nature remains posted on the official site, its official use is not exhausted.”


rollcall--2020-08-27--Coronavirus Special Report: COVID-19 aid talks still stalled

In tonight ’ s episode , CQ Roll Call ’ s David Lerman looks at how a phone call between @ @ @ @ @ House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows highlights the disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over the @ @ @ @ @ .
Then , Emily Kopp discusses why the Food and Drug Administration will hold a @ @ @ @ @ on COVID-19 vaccines on October 22nd .
• What a ‘ Biden-Warren ’ policy agenda @ @ @ @ @ ground given in coronavirus aid talks after Pelosi mocks Meadows • At the Races : @ @ @ @ @ • Black staffers on the Hill push for racial justice , using their own voices @ @ @ @ @

In tonight’s episode, CQ Roll Call’s David Lerman looks at how a phone call between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows highlights the disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over the next round of COVID-19 aid. Then, Emily Kopp discusses why the Food and Drug Administration will hold a public meeting of outside experts on COVID-19 vaccines on October 22nd.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-08-27--At the Races: Calamari vs. lobster. Discuss

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election .
Know someone who ’ d like to get this newsletter ?
They can subscribe here .
Republicans are making their pitch to voters at the GOP convention this week by highlighting President Donald Trump ’ s pre-pandemic economic achievements and trying to put a positive spin on his response to COVID-19 , while also warning of impending doom should Democrats win in November .
The battle for Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national party convention .
Neither of the congressional campaign committee chairs was scheduled to speak , and just one vulnerable senator and a handful of candidates in competitive House races landed prime-time speaking slots .
But as the convention grabbed headlines this week , several Republicans in down-ballot races sought to define their own races by launching new TV ads .
The ads ranged from positive bio spots to attacks on Democratic incumbents .
Some candidates in districts that Trump carried in 2016 embraced the “ law and order ” message that dominated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 22nd District , former Rep. Claudia Tenney launched an ad featuring a police officer who was supporting her campaign against Rep. Anthony Brindisi .
In New York ’ s 11th , an ad from state Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis accused her opponent , Rep. Max Rose , of supporting defunding the police .
( He does not . )
The question for Republicans is whether this law-and-order message will work , especially in swing states .
Former Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Robert S. Walker , now a lobbyist , suggested it will .

Kate Ackley, Stephanie Akin, and Bridget Bowman

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
Republicans are making their pitch to voters at the GOP convention this week by highlighting President Donald Trump’s pre-pandemic economic achievements and trying to put a positive spin on his response to COVID-19, while also warning of impending doom should Democrats win in November.
The battle for Congress largely took a back seat during the national party convention. Neither of the congressional campaign committee chairs was scheduled to speak, and just one vulnerable senator and a handful of candidates in competitive House races landed prime-time speaking slots. But as the convention grabbed headlines this week, several Republicans in down-ballot races sought to define their own races by launching new TV ads.
The ads ranged from positive bio spots to attacks on Democratic incumbents. Some candidates in districts that Trump carried in 2016 embraced the “law and order” message that dominated the convention stage. In New York’s 22nd District, former Rep. Claudia Tenney launched an ad featuring a police officer who was supporting her campaign against Rep. Anthony Brindisi. In New York’s 11th, an ad from state Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis accused her opponent, Rep. Max Rose, of supporting defunding the police. (He does not.)
The question for Republicans is whether this law-and-order message will work, especially in swing states. Former Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Robert S. Walker, now a lobbyist, suggested it will.


rollcall--2020-08-27--Black staffers on the Hill push for racial justice, using their own voices, not their bosses’

Clarified , 5:18 p.m. | It look LaVontae Brooks a whole week before he could bring himself to watch the video .
When he finally did , he was disturbed by what he saw , an African American man slowly dying , gasping for breath and calling for his mother while a police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes .
“ It is difficult for me to see Black people abused by anyone , especially by law enforcement , ” he said .
The video “ sickened me to my stomach and I cried a bit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd , I saw myself in him.
” Like many Americans , Brooks watched an apprehended George Floyd die at the hands of a Minneapolis policeman as other officers looked on .
The killing sparked outrage and protests in large cities , suburbs and small towns across the country .
But unlike most Americans , Brooks is a staffer on Capitol Hill , where his proximity to powerful lawmakers gives him a greater opportunity to channel that sense of loss into action through the legislative process .
He ’ s one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force convened by the Congressional Black Associates and the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus , two long-standing professional networks on the Hill .
The new group wants congressional leadership to focus on a set of policy areas that it says will “ begin to address systems of injustice in America .
”

Clarified, 5:18 p.m. | It look LaVontae Brooks a whole week before he could bring himself to watch the video. When he finally did, he was disturbed by what he saw, an African American man slowly dying, gasping for breath and calling for his mother while a police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
“It is difficult for me to see Black people abused by anyone, especially by law enforcement,” he said. The video “sickened me to my stomach and I cried a bit. I cried because although I am not George Floyd, I saw myself in him.”
Like many Americans, Brooks watched an apprehended George Floyd die at the hands of a Minneapolis policeman as other officers looked on. The killing sparked outrage and protests in large cities, suburbs and small towns across the country.
But unlike most Americans, Brooks is a staffer on Capitol Hill, where his proximity to powerful lawmakers gives him a greater opportunity to channel that sense of loss into action through the legislative process.


rollcall--2020-08-27--No ground given in coronavirus aid talks after Pelosi mocks Meadows

An effort to resume bipartisan negotiations on a coronavirus relief package appeared to go nowhere Thursday , as Speaker Nancy Pelosi faulted the Trump administration for refusing to agree to more money .
The California Democrat spoke by phone for 25 minutes with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows , who had reached out to the speaker ’ s office earlier this week to see if there was interest in resuming talks that had been on ice for weeks .
But there was no indication after the call that either side had given any ground .
“ This conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disregard the needs of the American people as the coronavirus crisis devastates lives and livelihoods , ” Pelosi said in a statement .
“ The Administration ’ s continued failure to acknowledge the funding levels that experts , scientists and the American people know is needed leaves our nation at a tragic impasse , ” she said .
While House Democrats passed a $ 3.4 trillion relief package in May , Senate Republicans dismissed it as a “ liberal wish list ” that stood no chance of becoming law .
They offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month that Democrats denounced as inadequate .
Pelosi also set a new red line for any more talks : an agreement by Republicans to provide at least $ 2.2 trillion — a rough midway point between the two partisan packages .

An effort to resume bipartisan negotiations on a coronavirus relief package appeared to go nowhere Thursday, as Speaker Nancy Pelosi faulted the Trump administration for refusing to agree to more money.
The California Democrat spoke by phone for 25 minutes with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who had reached out to the speaker’s office earlier this week to see if there was interest in resuming talks that had been on ice for weeks. But there was no indication after the call that either side had given any ground.
“This conversation made clear that the White House continues to disregard the needs of the American people as the coronavirus crisis devastates lives and livelihoods,” Pelosi said in a statement. “The Administration’s continued failure to acknowledge the funding levels that experts, scientists and the American people know is needed leaves our nation at a tragic impasse,” she said.
While House Democrats passed a $3.4 trillion relief package in May, Senate Republicans dismissed it as a “liberal wish list” that stood no chance of becoming law. They offered a roughly $1 trillion package last month that Democrats denounced as inadequate.
Pelosi also set a new red line for any more talks: an agreement by Republicans to provide at least $2.2 trillion — a rough midway point between the two partisan packages.


rollcall--2020-08-27--What a ‘Biden-Warren’ policy agenda could look like

ANALYSIS — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has proposed about $ 8 trillion in new spending over a decade , with tax increases to cover only around half the cost , based on various independent analyses and campaign materials .
That might limit Democrats ’ bandwidth to implement Biden ’ s agenda even if his party sweeps in November , as current polling and political betting markets indicate .
A likely thin Senate Democratic majority would mean even less margin for error .
The former vice president ’ s climate and health care plans are his most costly , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not certain even an all-Democratic Washington would take on those fights right out of the gate .
But Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, Biden ’ s onetime-rival-turned-influential-surrogate , laid out an alternative playbook for the nominee and his prospective vice president during last week ’ s Democratic convention .
“ Vice President Biden and Kamala Harris — they want to see us expand Social Security , they want to see us cancel a big chunk of student loan debt , they want to see us expand access to child care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Today Show ” last Monday .
Later that night at a watch party for progressives , Warren sounded the refrain again : “ Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will increase Social Security benefits , cancel student loan debt and expand access to affordable , safe and high-quality child care.
” It ’ s a policy trifecta that checks important political boxes : The elderly , who typically vote in droves ; younger voters , whom Biden needs to turn out ; and parents facing tough work-life balance challenges , particularly with COVID-19 @

ANALYSIS — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has proposed about $8 trillion in new spending over a decade, with tax increases to cover only around half the cost, based on various independent analyses and campaign materials. That might limit Democrats’ bandwidth to implement Biden’s agenda even if his party sweeps in November, as current polling and political betting markets indicate. A likely thin Senate Democratic majority would mean even less margin for error.
The former vice president’s climate and health care plans are his most costly, and probably the most contentious; it’s not certain even an all-Democratic Washington would take on those fights right out of the gate. But Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Biden’s onetime-rival-turned-influential-surrogate, laid out an alternative playbook for the nominee and his prospective vice president during last week’s Democratic convention.
“Vice President Biden and Kamala Harris — they want to see us expand Social Security, they want to see us cancel a big chunk of student loan debt, they want to see us expand access to child care,” Warren said on NBC’s “Today Show” last Monday.
Later that night at a watch party for progressives, Warren sounded the refrain again: “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will increase Social Security benefits, cancel student loan debt and expand access to affordable, safe and high-quality child care.”
It’s a policy trifecta that checks important political boxes: The elderly, who typically vote in droves; younger voters, whom Biden needs to turn out; and parents facing tough work-life balance challenges, particularly with COVID-19.


rollcall--2020-08-27--House candidates given convention airtime have common feature: Trump loyalty

GOP campaign officials say they have assembled a slate of candidates who can win back the House in 2020 , but just two of them secured prime time speaking slots during the Republican National Convention this week .
And in a year in which Republicans are touting a historically high number of female recruits — 90 women so far have made it onto the ballot in November , up from the record of 53 in 2004 — every candidate in a competitive House race who has spoken during the convention has been a man .
It ’ s not unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their party ’ s convention .
But a typical year will see more than a dozen candidates on stage , or heading breakout sessions , with special attention given to those considered to be rising stars .
This year , the restrictions of the virtual format forced both parties to make tough decisions about whom to put at the podium .
Rather than provide a boost to candidates who could use a breakout moment or attention from donors , the Republican convention highlighted candidates who passed a different test : All are staunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player and Fox News personality Burgess Owens , who addressed the convention Wednesday night , was one of two candidates with a prime-time spot running in a district Republicans are targeting in the fall .
Owens is taking on Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams , who represents a Utah district President Donald Trump carried by 7 percentage points in 2016 .

Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman, and Chris Cioffi

GOP campaign officials say they have assembled a slate of candidates who can win back the House in 2020, but just two of them secured prime time speaking slots during the Republican National Convention this week.
And in a year in which Republicans are touting a historically high number of female recruits — 90 women so far have made it onto the ballot in November, up from the record of 53 in 2004 — every candidate in a competitive House race who has spoken during the convention has been a man.
It’s not unusual for candidates in competitive races to shun their party’s convention. But a typical year will see more than a dozen candidates on stage, or heading breakout sessions, with special attention given to those considered to be rising stars. This year, the restrictions of the virtual format forced both parties to make tough decisions about whom to put at the podium.
Rather than provide a boost to candidates who could use a breakout moment or attention from donors, the Republican convention highlighted candidates who passed a different test: All are staunch allies of the president.
Campaign trail to convention ‘stage’
Former NFL player and Fox News personality Burgess Owens, who addressed the convention Wednesday night, was one of two candidates with a prime-time spot running in a district Republicans are targeting in the fall. Owens is taking on Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams, who represents a Utah district President Donald Trump carried by 7 percentage points in 2016.


rollcall--2020-08-27--RNC fact check: Pence distorts Biden’s positions

It ’ s true that the economic recovery from 2009 to 2016 was the slowest since World War II , and probably since the 1930s Depression as well .
That ’ s not surprising considering that the country was recovering from the most severe economic downturn since the Depression itself .
But claiming that Trump “ created ” the “ greatest economy ” is a grandiose distortion .
Pence ignores the fact that the economy had been growing without interruption for seven years before Trump took office .
As we noted when he was inaugurated , unemployment was already well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy had already racked up the longest uninterrupted stretch of monthly job gains on record .
Stock prices had doubled and tripled ; the S & P 500 index had gained 166 percent even before Trump ’ s surprise election victory on Nov. 8 , 2016 .
Trump didn ’ t “ create ” any of that ; it was given to him .
Job growth has continued under Trump , but at a slower pace .
The economy added nearly 2.5 million jobs in the 12 months before Trump took office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It added just over 2 million during Trump ’ s first year .
The unemployment rate continued to drop , from 4.7 percent when Trump took office to a 50-year low of 3.5 percent under Trump , before the COVID-19 pandemic sent it shooting up to the worst levels since the 1930s .
It hit 14.7 petcent in April and stood at 10.2 percent last month — still worse than any month of the Obama-Biden administration .

It’s true that the economic recovery from 2009 to 2016 was the slowest since World War II, and probably since the 1930s Depression as well. That’s not surprising considering that the country was recovering from the most severe economic downturn since the Depression itself.
But claiming that Trump “created” the “greatest economy” is a grandiose distortion.
Pence ignores the fact that the economy had been growing without interruption for seven years before Trump took office. As we noted when he was inaugurated, unemployment was already well below the historical norm, and the economy had already racked up the longest uninterrupted stretch of monthly job gains on record. Stock prices had doubled and tripled; the S&P 500 index had gained 166 percent even before Trump’s surprise election victory on Nov. 8, 2016.
Trump didn’t “create” any of that; it was given to him.
Job growth has continued under Trump, but at a slower pace. The economy added nearly 2.5 million jobs in the 12 months before Trump took office, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show. It added just over 2 million during Trump’s first year. The unemployment rate continued to drop, from 4.7 percent when Trump took office to a 50-year low of 3.5 percent under Trump, before the COVID-19 pandemic sent it shooting up to the worst levels since the 1930s. It hit 14.7 petcent in April and stood at 10.2 percent last month — still worse than any month of the Obama-Biden administration.


rollcall--2020-08-26--The lone vulnerable senator at the GOP convention

Surrounded by bales of hay with a tractor in the background , Sen. Joni Ernst took a turn in the national spotlight Wednesday to make her case for reelecting President Donald Trump .
“ Folks , this election is a choice between two very different paths , ” the Iowa Republican said in her address to the GOP convention , which was prerecorded in Des Moines .
“ Freedom , prosperity and economic growth , under a Trump-Pence administration , ” Ernst said .
“ Or the Biden-Harris path , paved by liberal coastal elites and radical environmentalists .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are destroyed and taxes crush the middle class.
” During her four-minute speech , Ernst praised the president ’ s response to a recent derecho , or massive wind storm often described as a “ land hurricane , ” that devastated Iowa .
She also referenced her own relationship with Trump , saying , “ For years , I ’ ve worked closely with the president for farmers in Iowa and across the country.
” While Ernst is among several of the president ’ s allies in Congress featured during this week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only vulnerable GOP senator to make a prime-time appearance .
Several other senators have been featured in a program streamed online before the convention .

Surrounded by bales of hay with a tractor in the background, Sen. Joni Ernst took a turn in the national spotlight Wednesday to make her case for reelecting President Donald Trump.
“Folks, this election is a choice between two very different paths,” the Iowa Republican said in her address to the GOP convention, which was prerecorded in Des Moines.
“Freedom, prosperity and economic growth, under a Trump-Pence administration,” Ernst said. “Or the Biden-Harris path, paved by liberal coastal elites and radical environmentalists. An America where farmers are punished, jobs are destroyed and taxes crush the middle class.”
During her four-minute speech, Ernst praised the president’s response to a recent derecho, or massive wind storm often described as a “land hurricane,” that devastated Iowa. She also referenced her own relationship with Trump, saying, “For years, I’ve worked closely with the president for farmers in Iowa and across the country.”
While Ernst is among several of the president’s allies in Congress featured during this week’s convention, she is also the only vulnerable GOP senator to make a prime-time appearance. Several other senators have been featured in a program streamed online before the convention.


rollcall--2020-08-27--Keynote candidates and no-shows: Who we talk about when we talk about political conventions

One of the few things that is not different about this year ’ s political conventions is that the parties @ @ @ @ @ to candidates for Congress they want to see succeed .
Who shows up — and @ @ @ @ @ provides context for those House and Senate races , even if some of that context @ @ @ @ @ mystifying .
The candidates get exposure and are linked to the spectacle of the convention @ @ @ @ @ fervent supporters and the presidential nominee .
Not everyone wants that .
Sometimes the candidate @ @ @ @ @ who don ’ t really like what the party stands for , or who the @ @ @ @ @ s a long , rich history of folks skipping the convention to tend to the @ @ @ @ @ Just too busy campaigning .
Catch up with you all later .
Then there are @ @ @ @ @ , who do get a nice speaking slot , and it is unclear why , @ @ @ @ @ the very people they need to win .
It can get complicated .

One of the few things that is not different about this year’s political conventions is that the parties are providing valuable national airtime to candidates for Congress they want to see succeed. Who shows up — and who doesn’t — provides context for those House and Senate races, even if some of that context is, quite frankly, mystifying.
The candidates get exposure and are linked to the spectacle of the convention, the parties’ most fervent supporters and the presidential nominee.
Not everyone wants that. Sometimes the candidate wants to appeal to voters who don’t really like what the party stands for, or who the nominee is. There’s a long, rich history of folks skipping the convention to tend to the home fires. Regrets: Just too busy campaigning. Catch up with you all later.
Then there are some folks who do show, who do get a nice speaking slot, and it is unclear why, because they risk turning off the very people they need to win. It can get complicated.


rollcall--2020-08-28--Stefanik, Van Drew lean into roles as impeachment defenders

While Democrats never highlighted impeaching President Donald Trump during their convention last week , House Republican members brought it up three times this week to demonstrate how unfair the opposing party had been to Trump .
New York ’ s Elise Stefanik and New Jersey ’ s Jeff Van Drew arguably would not have been picked to speak at the GOP convention if not for their roles in defending Trump against impeachment .
Both leaned into the topic .
“ Since his first day in office , President Trump has fought tirelessly to deliver results for all Americans , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sham and the media ’ s endless obsession with it , ” Stefanik said Wednesday .
“ I was proud to lead the effort standing up for the Constitution , President Trump and , most importantly , the American people .
This attack was not just on the president , it was an attack on you — your voice and your vote.
” Stefanik said the American people “ were not swayed by these partisan attacks ” and their support for Trump was “ stronger than ever before.
” The impeachment process led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more moderate Republicans in Congress , to become the president ’ s leading female defender in a House Republican Conference full of Trump surrogates who are mostly men .

While Democrats never highlighted impeaching President Donald Trump during their convention last week, House Republican members brought it up three times this week to demonstrate how unfair the opposing party had been to Trump.
New York’s Elise Stefanik and New Jersey’s Jeff Van Drew arguably would not have been picked to speak at the GOP convention if not for their roles in defending Trump against impeachment. Both leaned into the topic.
“Since his first day in office, President Trump has fought tirelessly to deliver results for all Americans, despite the Democrats’ baseless and illegal impeachment sham and the media’s endless obsession with it,” Stefanik said Wednesday. “I was proud to lead the effort standing up for the Constitution, President Trump and, most importantly, the American people. This attack was not just on the president, it was an attack on you — your voice and your vote.”
Stefanik said the American people “were not swayed by these partisan attacks” and their support for Trump was “stronger than ever before.”
The impeachment process led Stefanik, who was previously one of the more moderate Republicans in Congress, to become the president’s leading female defender in a House Republican Conference full of Trump surrogates who are mostly men.