rollcall--2020-08-04--Highway work at risk as Congress considers next recovery bill

As Congress wrangles with the latest attempt at a coronavirus relief package , state highway departments are increasingly alarmed at the possibility of some $ 37 billion in budget shortfalls .
Most states pay for their highways with federal support and a state gas tax .
But with a precipitous drop in driving since March , they ’ ve struggled .
And while empty airports and subway cars have provided very visible symbols of the decline in travel caused by COVID-19 , empty highways have not yet ignited the imagination of lawmakers trying to figure out where to throw federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not included in the roughly $ 2 trillion relief bill that passed Congress in March , though that bill provided $ 150 billion to states and localities to use as they needed .
Some 75 percent of that money has been allocated , according to the National Association of State Budget Officers , with the delays largely spurred by states awaiting guidance from the Treasury Department .
And while the House included $ 15 billion for state departments of transportation in the bill it passed May 15 , a series of bills introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to the crisis included nothing for them .

As Congress wrangles with the latest attempt at a coronavirus relief package, state highway departments are increasingly alarmed at the possibility of some $37 billion in budget shortfalls.
Most states pay for their highways with federal support and a state gas tax. But with a precipitous drop in driving since March, they’ve struggled.
And while empty airports and subway cars have provided very visible symbols of the decline in travel caused by COVID-19, empty highways have not yet ignited the imagination of lawmakers trying to figure out where to throw federal dollars during this crisis.
Highways were not included in the roughly $2 trillion relief bill that passed Congress in March, although that bill provided $150 billion to states and localities to use as they needed. About 75 percent of that money has been allocated, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers, with the delays largely spurred by states awaiting guidance from the Treasury Department.


rollcall--2020-08-04--Warren asks SEC about insider trading in Trump’s Kodak pharmaceuticals announcement

Shares of Kodak began to soar last week even before President Donald Trump ’ s announcement that the company was in line for a $ 765 million government loan to support the manufacture of pharmaceutical ingredients .
But , was any of the unusual volume attributable to insider trading ?
That ’ s what Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants the Securities and Exchange Commission to explore .
“ The Monday , July 27 , trades are not the only questionable stock trade involving Kodak and the company ’ s Defense Production Act deal with the Trump administration .
The Kodak chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board of directors appear to have purchased substantial amounts of company stock last month , ahead of the public announcement , at a time when Kodak and the Trump administration were negotiating the deal in secret , ” the Massachusetts Democrat wrote in a letter to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton .
Warren ’ s letter , dated Monday and shared with CQ Roll Call ahead of its public release , pointed to reporting that some of the stock trading might be attributable to disclosures by local media in upstate New York , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transparency by Kodak even before the president ’ s announcement on July 28 .
“ While the report may resolve questions about the individuals who purchased the stock after seeing those public disclosures , it also opens up new questions about how Kodak handled what appears to be ‘ non-intentional disclosure of material nonpublic information , ’ ” Warren wrote .

Shares of Kodak began to soar last week even before President Donald Trump’s announcement that the company was in line for a $765 million government loan to support the manufacture of pharmaceutical ingredients.
But, was any of the unusual volume attributable to insider trading? That’s what Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants the Securities and Exchange Commission to explore.
“The Monday, July 27, trades are not the only questionable stock trade involving Kodak and the company’s Defense Production Act deal with the Trump administration. The Kodak chairman and other members of Kodak’s board of directors appear to have purchased substantial amounts of company stock last month, ahead of the public announcement, at a time when Kodak and the Trump administration were negotiating the deal in secret,” the Massachusetts Democrat wrote in a letter to SEC Chairman Jay Clayton.
Warren’s letter, dated Monday and shared with CQ Roll Call ahead of its public release, pointed to reporting that some of the stock trading might be attributable to disclosures by local media in upstate New York, but she suggested that should have triggered more transparency by Kodak even before the president’s announcement on July 28.
“While the report may resolve questions about the individuals who purchased the stock after seeing those public disclosures, it also opens up new questions about how Kodak handled
what appears to be ‘non-intentional disclosure of material nonpublic information,’” Warren wrote.


rollcall--2020-08-04--Wirecard vs. the Twitter hack

Wirecard vs. the Twitter hack

Charles Delingpole , the founder of Complyadvantage , and Jonathan Levin , the co-founder of Chainalysis , demystify the historic @ @ @ @ @ role of Bitcoin in the massive hack of Twitter and its most high-profile customers .
@ @ @ @ @ Tuesday ’ s primaries • ‘ Blood on the Wall ’ walks thousands of miles @ @ @ @ @ the Capitol start COVID-19 testing for staff and members ?
• Spending on Christmas parties @ @ @ @ @ on Sanford Bishop

Charles Delingpole, the founder of Complyadvantage, and Jonathan Levin, the co-founder of Chainalysis, demystify the historic Wirecard accounting scandal and the role of Bitcoin in the massive hack of Twitter and its most high-profile customers.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-08-04--Coronavirus Special Report: NIH reveals new antibody drug trial to combat COVID-19

In tonight ’ s episode , we delve into promising news on a drug trial from the National Institutes of @ @ @ @ @ unions , and a conversation with CQ Roll Call ’ s Caroline Brehman about what @ @ @ @ @ plebes at the Naval Academy in Annapolis , Md .
who have been impacted by @ @ @ @ @ McConnell to support White House-Democrats deal , if one can be struck • Citing worsening @ @ @ @ @ for another delay in reporting to prison • What to watch in Tuesday ’ s @

In tonight’s episode, we delve into promising news on a drug trial from the National Institutes of Health, the power of unions, and a conversation with CQ Roll Call’s Caroline Brehman about what it was like to photograph plebes at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-08-04--Citing worsening pandemic, Chris Collins asks for another delay in reporting to prison

Former Rep. Chris Collins , who was sentenced to over two years in federal prison for insider trading and lying to the FBI , is asking Judge Vernon S. Broderick to push his report date back to Oct. 13 , marking the fourth time the New York Republican has asked to delay his reporting date amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Collins , 70 , was originally scheduled to report to FPC Pensacola in Florida on March 17 .
However , a processing lag with the Bureau of Prisons delayed that date to April and then the health crisis provided an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is currently set to report to the minimum-security prison camp on Aug. 18 , a nine-hour drive from his San Marco Island home , where he counts among his neighbors former Speaker John A. Boehner .
Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president .
Trump has been downplaying the toll the coronavirus has taken on the country , but lawyers for his earliest congressional supporter argue the worsening nature of the virus domestically — a death tally of more than 155,000 American lives lost and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong reason to keep Collins , a senior citizen , out of the prison system until later .
Collins ’ lawyer , Jonathan B .
New of BakerHostetler , noted in a statement to the court that the prison system has endured 106 inmate deaths due to COVID-19 and tallied over 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases .
New said these figures are “ almost certainly underreported .
”

Former Rep. Chris Collins, who was sentenced to over two years in federal prison for insider trading and lying to the FBI, is asking Judge Vernon S. Broderick to push his report date back to Oct. 13, marking the fourth time the New York Republican has asked to delay his reporting date amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Collins, 70, was originally scheduled to report to FPC Pensacola in Florida on March 17. However, a processing lag with the Bureau of Prisons delayed that date to April and then the health crisis provided an avenue for Collins to request subsequent delays.
He is currently set to report to the minimum-security prison camp on Aug. 18, a nine-hour drive from his San Marco Island home, where he counts among his neighbors former Speaker John A. Boehner.
Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse Donald Trump for president. Trump has been downplaying the toll the coronavirus has taken on the country, but lawyers for his earliest congressional supporter argue the worsening nature of the virus domestically — a death tally of more than 155,000 American lives lost and 4.7 million confirmed cases — is a strong reason to keep Collins, a senior citizen, out of the prison system until later.
Collins’ lawyer, Jonathan B. New of BakerHostetler, noted in a statement to the court that the prison system has endured 106 inmate deaths due to COVID-19 and tallied over 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. New said these figures are “almost certainly underreported.”


rollcall--2020-08-04--Virus aid talks inch forward; Mnuchin says deal possible by end of week

Democratic leaders and top Trump administration officials cited real progress on coronavirus aid talks Tuesday , though both sides said @ @ @ @ @ .
In the first indication of a timeline from either side , Treasury Secretary Steven @ @ @ @ @ reach an agreement by the end of this week so both chambers of Congress could @ @ @ @ @ week .
“ We ’ re going to work around the clock for the next @ @ @ @ @ we can bridge the issues .
Some issues we 've been able to agree on @ @ @ @ @ still open , ” Mnuchin said .
Among the offers Republicans made was a moratorium @ @ @ @ @ end of the calendar year , Mnuchin said .
White House Chief of Staff Mark @ @ @ @ @ critical of Democrats thus far in talks , characterized Tuesday ’ s hour-and-a-half meeting as @ @ @ @ @ a step in the right direction .
”

Democratic leaders and top Trump administration officials cited real progress on coronavirus aid talks Tuesday, though both sides said there are significant unresolved issues.
In the first indication of a timeline from either side, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said negotiators hope to reach an agreement by the end of this week so both chambers of Congress could vote on a package next week.
“We’re going to work around the clock for the next few days to see if we can bridge the issues. Some issues we've been able to agree on. Some significant issues are still open,” Mnuchin said.
Among the offers Republicans made was a moratorium on rental evictions through the end of the calendar year, Mnuchin said.
White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, who has been critical of Democrats thus far in talks, characterized Tuesday’s hour-and-a-half meeting as “productive” and “a step in the right direction.”


rollcall--2020-08-04--COVID-19 relief talks progress slowly

COVID-19 relief talks progress slowly

Trump administration officials and congressional leaders seem to be making some progress on the next COVID-19 relief bill after more @ @ @ @ @ .
But key issues remain , including unemployment insurance , schools reopening , and state @ @ @ @ @ Roll Call ’ s David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt break down the recent negotiations , @ @ @ @ @ look at where negotiations go from here .
• Highway work at risk as Congress @ @ @ @ @ What to watch in Tuesday ’ s primaries

David Lerman, Jennifer Shutt, and Evan Campbell

Trump administration officials and congressional leaders seem to be making some progress on the next COVID-19 relief bill after more than a week of talks. But key issues remain, including unemployment insurance, schools reopening, and state and local aid. CQ Roll Call’s David Lerman and Jennifer Shutt break down the recent negotiations, discuss the sticking points and look at where negotiations go from here.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-08-04--Census Bureau to halt counting efforts a month early

Corrected 5:15 p.m. | The Census Bureau said it will cut short its counting efforts by a full month , a move experts say risks a massive undercount of immigrants , minorities , rural residents and other hard-to-count groups .
The agency had planned to conduct its largest operation — 500,000 or more staff knocking on the doors of households that have n't completed the census questionnaire — from now through October , and delay the delivery of results to March .
However , the agency will now stop counting on Sept. 30 to meet its original Dec. 31 deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Monday night statement .
“ The Census Bureau ’ s new plan reflects our continued commitment to conduct a complete count , provide accurate apportionment data , and protect the health and safety of the public and our workforce , ” Dillingham said .
Congressional Democrats and advocates blasted the administration ’ s move , saying it would shortchange the census for political advantage .
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney , D-N.Y. , introduced legislation Tuesday to mandate the agency follow its planned extended timeline and asked eight agency officials to sit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reform Committee she chairs .
“ I am concerned that the administration is seeking to rush the process and sacrifice the accuracy of the census for political gain , that the president 's intent is to have all of this done before he leaves office , so that he can do what I believe is an illegal action , ” Maloney said last week during a hearing she chaired .

Corrected 5:15 p.m. | The Census Bureau said it will cut short its counting efforts by a full month, a move experts say risks a massive undercount of immigrants, minorities, rural residents and other hard-to-count groups.
The agency had planned to conduct its largest operation — 500,000 or more staff knocking on the doors of households that haven't completed the census questionnaire — from now through October, and delay the delivery of results to March. However, the agency will now stop counting on Sept. 30 to meet its original Dec. 31 deadline, Census Bureau Director Steven Dillingham said in a Monday night statement.
“The Census Bureau’s new plan reflects our continued commitment to conduct a complete count, provide accurate apportionment data, and protect the health and safety of the public and our workforce,” Dillingham said.
Congressional Democrats and advocates blasted the administration’s move, saying it would shortchange the census for political advantage. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., introduced legislation Tuesday to mandate the agency follow its planned extended timeline and asked eight agency officials to sit for interviews before the House Oversight and Reform Committee she chairs.
“I am concerned that the administration is seeking to rush the process and sacrifice the accuracy of the census for political gain, that the president's intent is to have all of this done before he leaves office, so that he can do what I believe is an illegal action,” Maloney said last week during a hearing she chaired.


rollcall--2020-08-05--Pandemic’s effect on already rising suicide rates heightens worry

Officers in Los Alamos , New Mexico , were called to check on an individual earlier this year , and after breaching the door realized they were too late .
“ One of our suicides we had just barely missed , ” said Oliver Morris , operations commander for the Los Alamos Police Department , who had conducted countless checks as an officer for almost 17 years .
Like many other Americans during the pandemic , the person had begun to work remotely , Morris said , and his co-workers asked police to check on him .
Los Alamos has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , rising from just two last year to triple that many so far this year .
The problem isn ’ t limited to that community .
Cook County , Illinois , and Fresno , California , are among those reporting similar spikes , with suicides up 13 percent in Cook County so far compared with the same period last year .
In Fresno , suicides were 70 percent higher in June than in the same month last year .
The nation ’ s suicide rate reached historic highs prior to the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels since World War II .
Economic and social pressures this year have heightened the risks , worrying experts , health officials and lawmakers .

The nation’s suicide rate reached historic highs prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with rates at the highest levels since World War II. Economic and social pressures this year have heightened the risks, worrying experts, health officials and lawmakers.
Suicide mortality rates that were rising over the past two decades combined with the current pandemic are a “perfect storm,” found a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in April. Factors include economic stress, social isolation, reduced access to religious services, overall national anxiety, increased firearm sales and increases in health care provider suicides.
“We have people now who don’t know how to feed their family who have not had that thought for a very long time. That’s different than the last recession,” said American Psychiatric Association President Jeffrey Geller. “There are masses of people who are quite worried today because they don’t know what is going to happen to their benefits. That kind of anxiety exacerbates fragility.”
The National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine has seen a 65 percent increase in calls and emails since March, according to the organization, though it is not a crisis hotline.
It’s still early for government data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but some experts point to similar rises in suicide deaths during other health crises and economic recessions. Suicide increased in the United States during the influenza pandemic in 1918-19 and in 2003 in older populations in Hong Kong during the SARS epidemic.


rollcall--2020-08-05--Arizona primaries set matchups in targeted House races

Arizona will be a crucial battleground in the race for the White House and the Senate , but each party is also targeting a House seat in the Grand Canyon State .
Tuesday ’ s primaries set the matchups in the 1st District , which Democrats are defending , and the 6th District , where a scandal-plagued Republican is running for reelection .
Also on Tuesday , retired astronaut and Navy veteran Mark Kelly officially won the Democratic nod , running unopposed in the primary to take on appointed GOP Sen. Martha McSally .
While the Senate race may grab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House races also underscore where each party is looking to make gains .
Republicans believe their path to the House majority runs through Democratic-held seats that President Donald Trump carried in 2016 , including the expansive 1st District , which covers much of northern and eastern Arizona .
Democratic Rep. Tom O ’ Halleran , a former police officer and co-chairman of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition , fended off a primary challenge from his left in former Flagstaff City Councilmember Eva Putzova on Tuesday .
O ’ Halleran was leading with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race .

Arizona will be a crucial battleground in the race for the White House and the Senate, but each party is also targeting a House seat in the Grand Canyon State.
Tuesday’s primaries set the matchups in the 1st District, which Democrats are defending, and the 6th District, where a scandal-plagued Republican is running for reelection. Also on Tuesday, retired astronaut and Navy veteran Mark Kelly officially won the Democratic nod, running unopposed in the primary to take on appointed GOP Sen. Martha McSally.
While the Senate race may grab more attention ahead of November, the House races also underscore where each party is looking to make gains.
Republicans believe their path to the House majority runs through Democratic-held seats that President Donald Trump carried in 2016, including the expansive 1st District, which covers much of northern and eastern Arizona.
Democratic Rep. Tom O’Halleran, a former police officer and co-chairman of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, fended off a primary challenge from his left in former Flagstaff City Councilmember Eva Putzova on Tuesday. O’Halleran was leading with 59 percent when The Associated Press called the race.


rollcall--2020-08-05--The fight for the Senate is not over yet

ANALYSIS — There are good reasons for Democrats to be upbeat about their chances of netting at least three Senate seats in the fall , which , combined with a Joe Biden presidential victory , would flip the chamber .
But while Democrats are on the offense in more states than a year ago , they haven ’ t quite locked down the four overall takeovers they need .
( Or three , plus a Democratic vice president to break ties . )
In a June 4 , 2019 , column , I wrote , “ The Senate is broadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need things to break just right to flip the chamber.
” In a Sept. 4 , 2019 column , I wrote that the “ Senate landscape hasn ’ t shifted dramatically , but the small change benefits Democrats .
They currently have about a 4-in-10 chance to net at least three seats and win the presidency.
” On April 20 , 2020 , I observed significant developments had occurred and Democrats no longer need an upset or two to win the Senate .
The presidential race was looking better for them , newly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the Democrats ’ initial top prospects have succeeded in proving their fundraising mettle and have taken advantage of Donald Trump ’ s GOP .
”

ANALYSIS — There are good reasons for Democrats to be upbeat about their chances of netting at least three Senate seats in the fall, which, combined with a Joe Biden presidential victory, would flip the chamber.
But while Democrats are on the offense in more states than a year ago, they haven’t quite locked down the four overall takeovers they need. (Or three, plus a Democratic vice president to break ties.)
In a June 4, 2019, column, I wrote, “The Senate is broadly ‘in play,’ but Democrats need things to break just right to flip the chamber.”
In a Sept. 4, 2019 column, I wrote that the “Senate landscape hasn’t shifted dramatically, but the small change benefits Democrats. They currently have about a 4-in-10 chance to net at least three seats and win the presidency.”
On April 20, 2020, I observed significant developments had occurred and Democrats no longer need an upset or two to win the Senate. The presidential race was looking better for them, newly developing Senate opportunities appeared interesting, and “the Democrats’ initial top prospects have succeeded in proving their fundraising mettle and have taken advantage of Donald Trump’s GOP.”


rollcall--2020-08-05--Demeaned, overlooked, fighting back: What it’s like to be a woman in Congress

I was an [ Equal Employment Opportunity ] investigator prior to coming to Congress , and I had a case where it was an allegation of discrimination .
When I went to investigate it , [ one of the men ] wasn ’ t very happy to see a Black woman walking in .
So he slammed his hand down on the table and said , ‘ Look , let me tell you something .
I don ’ t like your kind , and there ’ s not a damn thing you can do about it.
’ And I smiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely right .
I can ’ t stop you from being prejudiced .
But I can stop you from discriminating , because there are laws .
If you want to work here , you ’ re going to have to change your behavior.
’ I remember being a young girl walking down the street and the guys would scream out their little comments , ‘ Hey , baby , ’ and you just go , ‘ Get a life , go away.
’ But you become a survivor .
I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplished badass woman .
And I want to be treated that way .
I don ’ t think you can talk to a woman in my age bracket who has not endured some form of sexual harassment in the workplace .
Because it was a culture , we just fought through it .
We shook it off .
It is incumbent upon me , in my stage in my life , in my years of experience , and now in my leadership position in the Congressional Women ’ s Caucus , to correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopefully the next class of women coming into Congress won ’ t have someone saying , ‘ This little girl doesn ’ t understand.
’ My Republican co-chair in the Women ’ s Caucus is Debbie Lesko .
So we sat down at the beginning of the term and said , ‘ What can we work together on ?
’ We could work together on child care .
We talked about maternal mortality .
There are a lot of things we don ’ t agree on , but there are things we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party .
They have so few women on the Republican side , only 13 in the House .
Why do you have so few ?
Do you nurture within your party ?
You have all these women who are Republicans [ around the country ] .
Are you putting them in positions of leadership ?

I was an [Equal Employment Opportunity] investigator prior to coming to Congress, and I had a case where it was an allegation of discrimination. When I went to investigate it, [one of the men] wasn’t very happy to see a Black woman walking in. So he slammed his hand down on the table and said, ‘Look, let me tell you something. I don’t like your kind, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.’ And I smiled and said, ‘You’re absolutely right. I can’t stop you from being prejudiced. But I can stop you from discriminating, because there are laws. If you want to work here, you’re going to have to change your behavior.’
I remember being a young girl walking down the street and the guys would scream out their little comments, ‘Hey, baby,’ and you just go, ‘Get a life, go away.’ But you become a survivor. I’m not a baby. I’m an accomplished badass woman. And I want to be treated that way.
I don’t think you can talk to a woman in my age bracket who has not endured some form of sexual harassment in the workplace. Because it was a culture, we just fought through it. We shook it off. It is incumbent upon me, in my stage in my life, in my years of experience, and now in my leadership position in the Congressional Women’s Caucus, to correct behaviors, to set a tone. Hopefully the next class of women coming into Congress won’t have someone saying, ‘This little girl doesn’t understand.’
My Republican co-chair in the Women’s Caucus is Debbie Lesko. So we sat down at the beginning of the term and said, ‘What can we work together on?’ We could work together on child care. We talked about maternal mortality. There are a lot of things we don’t agree on, but there are things we do agree on.
I question the Republican Party. They have so few women on the Republican side, only 13 in the House. Why do you have so few? Do you nurture within your party? You have all these women who are Republicans [around the country]. Are you putting them in positions of leadership?


rollcall--2020-08-05--Naval Academy’s ‘Plebe Summer’ looks a bit different this year

As the national debate rages over how to safely reopen schools this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic , one institution @ @ @ @ @ others : the United States Naval Academy .
Each year , the Naval Academy takes @ @ @ @ @ a seven-week physical and mental training regimen known as Plebe Summer .
The goal , @ @ @ @ @ is to turn civilians into midshipmen .
This summer , that process looks a little @ @ @ @ @ a lot of hand sanitizer .
For plebes , or freshmen , the changes began @ @ @ @ @ issued a face mask and tested for the virus and immediately began a 14-day quarantine @ @ @ @ @ they underwent a temperature check and a screening for possible symptoms of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ of the summer , all midshipmen are required to stay on the Naval Academy campus @ @ @ @ @

As the national debate rages over how to safely reopen schools this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic, one institution has forged ahead before most others: the United States Naval Academy.
Each year, the Naval Academy takes in roughly 1,200 students for a seven-week physical and mental training regimen known as Plebe Summer. The goal, according to the academy, is to turn civilians into midshipmen.
This summer, that process looks a little different. And has involved a lot of hand sanitizer.
Detailers give instructions to plebes at the rifle range at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. on July 28, 2020. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
For plebes, or freshmen, the changes began immediately. Incoming plebes were issued a face mask and tested for the virus and immediately began a 14-day quarantine period.
Each morning, they underwent a temperature check and a screening for possible symptoms of the virus. And, for the duration of the summer, all midshipmen are required to stay on the Naval Academy campus in Annapolis, Maryland.


rollcall--2020-08-05--Photos: Plebe Summer in the COVID-19 era

The U.S .
Naval Academy in Annapolis welcomed its Class of 2024 on June 29 in the middle of the @ @ @ @ @ two-week mandatory quarantine , training for the new appointees , or “ plebes , ” @ @ @ @ @ .
CQ Roll Call spent a day at the academy last week documenting how the @ @ @ @ @ ’ s future leaders .
Their day begins at dawn with an hour of physical @ @ @ @ @ depart into their respective companies for a series of activities around physical training , marksmanship @ @ @ @ @ the six weeks of training aren ’ t too different from years past , COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ be done .

The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, welcomed its Class of 2024 on June 29 in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Following a two-week mandatory quarantine, training for the new appointees, or “plebes,” kicked off on July 20. CQ Roll Call spent a day at the academy last week documenting how the pandemic is affecting the Navy’s future leaders.
Their day begins at dawn with an hour of physical training. The plebes then depart into their respective companies for a series of activities around physical training, marksmanship and character development. While the six weeks of training aren’t too different from years past, COVID-19 has changed how activities can be done.
Plebes do pushups as part of a morning session of physical training. Approximately 1,200 men and women make up this year’s plebe class.


rollcall--2020-08-05--Missouri Rep. William Lacy Clay ousted by Black Lives Matter activist Cori Bush

Missouri Rep. William Lacy Clay lost the Democratic primary Tuesday to nurse and Black Lives Matter activist Cori Bush , @ @ @ @ @ scion of a political dynasty that has represented the St. Louis-based 1st District for more @ @ @ @ @ Bush was leading Clay 49 percent to 46 percent when The Associated Press called the @ @ @ @ @ time .
Clay , 64 , is the third Democrat this cycle to lose his @ @ @ @ @ plugged in with the party ’ s most progressive wing .
Clay ’ s defeat @ @ @ @ @ a Black lawmaker who focused on civil rights issues throughout his 10 terms in Congress @ @ @ @ @ L. Clay , was a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus .
Both candidates supported @ @ @ @ @ New Deal and “ Medicare for All.
” But Bush argued that it was time @ @ @ @ @ Clay for taking campaign contributions from political action committees and corporations .

Missouri Rep. William Lacy Clay lost the Democratic primary Tuesday to nurse and Black Lives Matter activist Cori Bush, a stunning defeat for the scion of a political dynasty that has represented the St. Louis-based 1st District for more than half a century.
Bush was leading Clay 49 percent to 46 percent when The Associated Press called the race at 11:18 p.m. Central time.
Clay, 64, is the third Democrat this cycle to lose his seat to a challenger more plugged in with the party’s most progressive wing.
Clay’s defeat stands out because he is a Black lawmaker who focused on civil rights issues throughout his 10 terms in Congress. His father, William L. Clay, was a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Both candidates supported progressive causes like the Green New Deal and “Medicare for All.” But Bush argued that it was time for a change and criticized Clay for taking campaign contributions from political action committees and corporations.


rollcall--2020-08-04--Rep. Steve Watkins ousted in Kansas Republican primary

Embattled Kansas Rep. Steve Watkins on Tuesday became the fourth House Republican to be denied his party ’ s nomination @ @ @ @ @ , losing the 2nd District primary to state Treasurer Jake LaTurner three weeks after being @ @ @ @ @ charges .
Republicans also chose Amanda Adkins , a former state GOP chairwoman , to @ @ @ @ @ Sharice Davids in the 3rd District .
And former Lt. Gov .
Tracey Mann won @ @ @ @ @ open deep-red 1st District .
LaTurner , who said 2nd District voters needed a representative @ @ @ @ @ values , ” was leading the three-way field with 49 percent of the vote when @ @ @ @ @ race at 9:30 p.m. Central time .
Watkins was in second with 34 percent followed @ @ @ @ @ Taylor at 17 percent .
The win comes after Watkins was charged with three counts @ @ @ @ @ one misdemeanor on July 14 for listing a UPS store post office box as his @ @ @ @ @ voter registration form .
He subsequently gave up his House committee assignments .

Embattled Kansas Rep. Steve Watkins on Tuesday became the fourth House Republican to be denied his party’s nomination for another term this cycle, losing the 2nd District primary to state Treasurer Jake LaTurner three weeks after being hit with felony vote fraud charges.
Republicans also chose Amanda Adkins, a former state GOP chairwoman, to take on targeted freshman Democrat Sharice Davids in the 3rd District. And former Lt. Gov. Tracey Mann won the GOP nomination for the open deep-red 1st District.
[Missouri Rep. William Lacy Clay loses primary]
LaTurner, who said 2nd District voters needed a representative who shared their “conservative values,” was leading the three-way field with 49 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race at 9:30 p.m. Central time. Watkins was in second with 34 percent followed by lawyer and businessman Dennis Taylor at 17 percent.
The win comes after Watkins was charged with three counts of felony voter fraud and one misdemeanor on July 14 for listing a UPS store post office box as his home address on a 2019 voter registration form. He subsequently gave up his House committee assignments.


rollcall--2020-08-04--Rep. Roger Marshall wins GOP Senate nomination in Kansas

Rep. Roger Marshall has defeated conservative firebrand Kris Kobach to win the Republican nomination for the open Senate seat in Kansas .
The win comes as a giant relief to national Republicans , who had lobbied for months against Kobach out of fears that his deep unpopularity with the state ’ s moderate voters could put the seat in play as they struggle to hold on to their Senate majority .
Kobach lost a 2018 race for governor to Democrat Laura Kelly , after knocking off the sitting GOP overnor in the primary .
Marshall , an obstetrician , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race at 9:07 p.m. Central time .
Kobach , the former Kansas secretary of state who earned his credibility with the GOP base as the face of President Donald Trump ’ s short-lived voter fraud panel , was in second with 26 percent .
Bob Hamilton , the former owner of a well-known plumbing business who funneled millions into his campaign , was in third with 20 percent .
Marshall , who serves on the House Agriculture Committee , was endorsed by retiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dole .
Both once held Marshall ’ s current House seat in Kansas ’ sprawling “ Big 1st ” District , which is seen as a stepping stone to higher office in the state .
Marshall also had the backing of the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Livestock Association , which represent powerful agricultural interests in the state .

Rep. Roger Marshall has defeated conservative firebrand Kris Kobach to win the Republican nomination for the open Senate seat in Kansas.
The win comes as a giant relief to national Republicans, who had lobbied for months against Kobach out of fears that his deep unpopularity with the state’s moderate voters could put the seat in play as they struggle to hold on to their Senate majority. Kobach lost a 2018 race for governor to Democrat Laura Kelly, after knocking off the sitting GOP overnor in the primary.
Marshall, an obstetrician, was leading the 11-way GOP primary with 37 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race at 9:07 p.m. Central time. Kobach, the former Kansas secretary of state who earned his credibility with the GOP base as the face of President Donald Trump’s short-lived voter fraud panel, was in second with 26 percent. Bob Hamilton, the former owner of a well-known plumbing business who funneled millions into his campaign, was in third with 20 percent.
Marshall, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, was endorsed by retiring Sen. Pat Roberts and former Sen. Bob Dole. Both once held Marshall’s current House seat in Kansas’ sprawling “Big 1st” District, which is seen as a stepping stone to higher office in the state.
Marshall also had the backing of the Kansas Farm Bureau and the Kansas Livestock Association, which represent powerful agricultural interests in the state.


rollcall--2020-08-04--Carolyn Maloney prevails in primary after weeks of vote counting

New York Democratic Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney has won her primary after six weeks of vote counting in the 12th @ @ @ @ @ Board of Elections spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez confirmed Tuesday night that the board certified Maloney as @ @ @ @ @ board also certified that New York City Councilmember Ritchie Torres won the Democratic primary in @ @ @ @ @ Maloney led Suraj Patel , a former hotel executive and ex-campaign aide for President Barack @ @ @ @ @ when the results were certified on Tuesday , according to Maloney 's campaign .
`` @ @ @ @ @ election , with historic turnout and participation — and a historic wait time for results @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
`` We ’ ve learned many lessons for November , and must @ @ @ @ @ to protect the safety of our vote in the general election.
” Maloney was one @ @ @ @ @ New York City facing challenges from their own party .
Patel also ran unsuccessfully against @ @ @ @ @ she defeated him by more than 8,600 votes .

New York Democratic Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney has won her primary after six weeks of vote counting in the 12th District.
New York City Board of Elections spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez confirmed Tuesday night that the board certified Maloney as the primary winner. The board also certified that New York City Councilmember Ritchie Torres won the Democratic primary in the open 15th District.
Maloney led Suraj Patel, a former hotel executive and ex-campaign aide for President Barack Obama, by 3,700 votes when the results were certified on Tuesday, according to Maloney's campaign.
"This has been a historic election, with historic turnout and participation — and a historic wait time for results," Maloney said in a statement. "We’ve learned many lessons for November, and must take a number of actions to protect the safety of our vote in the general election.”
Maloney was one of several Democratic incumbents in New York City facing challenges from their own party. Patel also ran unsuccessfully against Maloney in 2018, but she defeated him by more than 8,600 votes.


rollcall--2020-08-05--Anatomy of an upset: How progressives learned to embrace traditional tactics

Activist and nurse Cori Bush pulled off one of the biggest primary upsets of the election cycle on Tuesday .
While the Missouri Democrat ’ s win showed that voters are clamoring for change , her victory also demonstrated that progressive insurgents and their liberal allies are embracing traditional campaign tactics — and it ’ s working .
Bush ’ s shocking defeat of longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay in the St. Louis-based 1st District , after losing to him by 20 points in 2018 , shows that primary challengers have figured out how to raise the money necessary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .
That shift has also collided with political upheaval due to the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide protests against racism and police brutality .
“ It ’ s a great example just how much pretty basic ‘ block and tackle ’ campaign stuff matters , ” said Sean McElwee , co-founder of Data for Progress , which conducted polling for progressive group Justice Democrats , which endorsed Bush in the race .
“ The [ progressive ] movement actually winning ends up being a bit less sexy , ” McElwee said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the right time.
” Progressives have long decried the influence of money in politics , but unsuccessful primary challenges have shown that money does matter in campaigns .

Activist and nurse Cori Bush pulled off one of the biggest primary upsets of the election cycle on Tuesday. While the Missouri Democrat’s win showed that voters are clamoring for change, her victory also demonstrated that progressive insurgents and their liberal allies are embracing traditional campaign tactics — and it’s working.
Bush’s shocking defeat of longtime Rep. William Lacy Clay in the St. Louis-based 1st District, after losing to him by 20 points in 2018, shows that primary challengers have figured out how to raise the money necessary to compete and spend it strategically to reach voters. That shift has also collided with political upheaval due to the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide protests against racism and police brutality.
“It’s a great example just how much pretty basic ‘block and tackle’ campaign stuff matters,” said Sean McElwee, co-founder of Data for Progress, which conducted polling for progressive group Justice Democrats, which endorsed Bush in the race.
“The [progressive] movement actually winning ends up being a bit less sexy,” McElwee said. “It’s mostly good strategic investments at the right time.”
Back to basics
Progressives have long decried the influence of money in politics, but unsuccessful primary challenges have shown that money does matter in campaigns.


rollcall--2020-08-05--White House: Friday or bust for virus aid deal

Top Trump administration officials say they need to reach an agreement in principle on the major issues hanging up COVID-19 relief talks by Friday or there 's little point in continuing the discussions .
That was the message White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin delivered to Democratic leaders in their latest meeting Wednesday , which would leave just two days to broker a bipartisan deal .
Mnuchin told reporters that if there 's no such accord by the end of the week , the Trump administration would look at taking executive actions to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set an objective to see if we can deal with the major issues by Friday , ” Mnuchin said after meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer .
“ If we can reach a compromise on these big issues , I think everything else will fall in place .
If we ca n't reach an agreement on these big issues , then I do n't see us coming to an overall deal .
And then we 'll have to look at the president taking actions under his executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what to do about state and local government assistance , for which Democrats are seeking over $ 900 billion while Republicans have officially put forward zero .
They are also hung up on how to handle an extension of emergency unemployment benefits after a $ 600 weekly add-on lapsed last week .

Jennifer Shutt, Lindsey McPherson, and Katherine Tully-McManus

Top Trump administration officials say they need to reach an agreement in principle on the major issues hanging up COVID-19 relief talks by Friday or there's little point in continuing the discussions.
That was the message White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin delivered to Democratic leaders in their latest meeting Wednesday, which would leave just two days to broker a bipartisan deal.
Mnuchin told reporters that if there's no such accord by the end of the week, the Trump administration would look at taking executive actions to provide some limited pandemic relief.
“We set an objective to see if we can deal with the major issues by Friday,” Mnuchin said after meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer. “If we can reach a compromise on these big issues, I think everything else will fall in place. If we can't reach an agreement on these big issues, then I don't see us coming to an overall deal. And then we'll have to look at the president taking actions under his executive authority.”
Big-ticket dividing lines have included what to do about state and local government assistance, for which Democrats are seeking over $900 billion while Republicans have officially put forward zero. They are also hung up on how to handle an extension of emergency unemployment benefits after a $600 weekly add-on lapsed last week.


rollcall--2020-08-05--Interest groups press Senate appropriators to allow livestream video

Government oversight and taxpayer watchdog groups say it 's time for the Senate Appropriations Committee to follow its House counterparts and start letting cameras into its markup sessions .
A group of nearly 20 organizations led by Demand Progress , which advocates for government transparency , released a letter Wednesday urging the panel to livestream video of its proceedings .
That would be a change from Senate appropriators ' traditional practice of only making audio available online for markups , though video webcasts are allowed for committee hearings .
“ During the COVID-19 pandemic , the Capitol building and hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press access is limited , ” they wrote .
“ An audio-only broadcast provides an inferior experience to attending in person , as it can be difficult to identify who is speaking , hard to follow the conversation and nearly impossible to perceive how remarks are being received by committee members.
” Alyssa Pettus , a spokeswoman for Senate Appropriations Republicans , said the panel does n't plan to change its tradition of keeping its markups audio-only for observers following along remotely .
`` The committee ’ s approach on that will remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Meanwhile , it 's not even clear Senate appropriators will hold any markups this year at all , which would make the outside groups ' contention a moot point at least for now .

Government oversight and taxpayer watchdog groups say it's time for the Senate Appropriations Committee to follow its House counterparts and start letting cameras into its markup sessions.
A group of nearly 20 organizations led by Demand Progress, which advocates for government transparency, released a letter Wednesday urging the panel to livestream video of its proceedings. That would be a change from Senate appropriators' traditional practice of only making audio available online for markups, though video webcasts are allowed for committee hearings.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Capitol building and hearing rooms are closed to the public and press access is limited,” they wrote. “An audio-only broadcast provides an inferior experience to attending in person, as it can be difficult to identify who is speaking, hard to follow the conversation and nearly impossible to perceive how remarks are being received by committee members.”
Alyssa Pettus, a spokeswoman for Senate Appropriations Republicans, said the panel doesn't plan to change its tradition of keeping its markups audio-only for observers following along remotely. "The committee’s approach on that will remain consistent with longstanding practice," she said.
Meanwhile, it's not even clear Senate appropriators will hold any markups this year at all, which would make the outside groups' contention a moot point at least for now.


rollcall--2020-08-05--Tennessee primaries: Lots of candidates, and some ugliness, in GOP fights for open seats

Primaries in Tennessee for Senate and the 1st District have attracted big fields , a lot of money and some ugliness as voters pick nominees Thursday to replace a pair of retiring Republicans , Sen. Lamar Alexander and Rep. Phil Roe .
Millions have been spent in the Republican Senate primary , which drew high-profile endorsements for Bill Hagerty , a former ambassador to Japan , and insurgent candidate Manny Sethi , an orthopedic surgeon .
The two have exchanged blows over the airwaves challenging each other ’ s conservative bona fides .
A Trafalgar Group poll , released in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slim 42 percent to 39 percent lead over Sethi .
The poll had a margin of error of 2.92 points .
Plenty of money has flown in the GOP primary so far .
Hagerty raised $ 12.3 million ( including $ 6.5 million in personal loans ) and spent $ 9.7 million on the race through July 15 .
Sethi ’ s $ 4.6 million fundraising haul included $ 1.9 million in personal contributions to his campaign , and he spent $ 4.2 million through mid-July .
A third candidate , former Shelby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign to the tune of $ 4.9 million .
The primary also saw another $ 4.2 million in independent expenditure spending , with $ 1.7 million going to support Hagerty and $ 2.5 million on Sethi ’ s behalf .
One of Hagerty ’ s newest ads accuses Sethi of not contributing to President Donald Trump ’ s 2016 campaign and says he ’ s “ too liberal for Tennessee.
” Trump carried the Volunteer State by 26 points .

Primaries in Tennessee for Senate and the 1st District have attracted big fields, a lot of money and some ugliness as voters pick nominees Thursday to replace a pair of retiring Republicans, Sen. Lamar Alexander and Rep. Phil Roe.
Millions have been spent in the Republican Senate primary, which drew high-profile endorsements for Bill Hagerty, a former ambassador to Japan, and insurgent candidate Manny Sethi, an orthopedic surgeon. The two have exchanged blows over the airwaves challenging each other’s conservative bona fides.
A Trafalgar Group poll, released in early July, showed Hagerty with a slim 42 percent to 39 percent lead over Sethi. The poll had a margin of error of 2.92 points.
Plenty of money has flown in the GOP primary so far. Hagerty raised $12.3 million (including $6.5 million in personal loans) and spent $9.7 million on the race through July 15. Sethi’s $4.6 million fundraising haul included $1.9 million in personal contributions to his campaign, and he spent $4.2 million through mid-July. A third candidate, former Shelby County Commissioner George Flinn, self-funded his campaign to the tune of $4.9 million. The primary also saw another $4.2 million in independent expenditure spending, with $1.7 million going to support Hagerty and $2.5 million on Sethi’s behalf.
One of Hagerty’s newest ads accuses Sethi of not contributing to President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and says he’s “too liberal for Tennessee.” Trump carried the Volunteer State by 26 points.


rollcall--2020-08-05--Lawmakers are worried about a rise in suicides during the pandemic

Several counties have reported an increase in suicide deaths since the pandemic began .
Economic stress , social isolation and @ @ @ @ @ may all play a role in worsening mental health .
The House Energy and Commerce @ @ @ @ @ of bills related to suicide prevention and education .
A bipartisan group of senators is @ @ @ @ @ care provider suicides .
See the video for CQ Roll Call health care reporter Sandhya @ @ @ @ @ the issue and what Congress may do to help .
[ Also watch : A @ @ @ @ @ mean an immediate return to normal ]

Several counties have reported an increase in suicide deaths since the pandemic began. Economic stress, social isolation and reduced access to religious services may all play a role in worsening mental health.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced a handful of bills related to suicide prevention and education. A bipartisan group of senators is pushing legislation to address health care provider suicides.
See the video for CQ Roll Call health care reporter Sandhya Raman’s breakdown of the issue and what Congress may do to help.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
[ Also watch: A COVID-19 vaccine won’t mean an immediate return to normal ]


rollcall--2020-08-05--Controversial witnesses testify at Senate Judiciary hearing on protests

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution held a hearing Tuesday on free speech and protests , but one witness @ @ @ @ @ for Sen. Mazie K. Hirono , D-Hawaii .
Witness Kyle Shideler is a senior analyst @ @ @ @ @ Policy , a think tank that has been designated as a hate group by the @ @ @ @ @ `` I would like to register my concern that they are represented here , '' @ @ @ @ @ not the only witness with a controversial background .
Andrew Ngo , a Portland-Ore.-based editor-at-large @ @ @ @ @ site The Post Millennial , was introduced as an independent journalist by subcommittee Chairman Ted @ @ @ @ @ has written controversial articles about Islam , including a Wall Street Journal op-ed that had @ @ @ @ @ suggesting that `` alcohol-free zones '' in England were connected to the immigrant Muslim population @ @ @ @ @ hearing above .
Video of the full multi-paneled hearing is also available on the Senate @ @ @ @ @

Updated, Aug. 6 | Diverging views on free speech and protests took center stage Tuesday at the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution's hearing on free speech, protest and anarchist violence.
Witnesses included Kyle Shideler, a senior analyst for the Center for Security Policy, a think tank that has come under fire for its founder’s views on Muslims.
"I would like to record my concern regarding the presence of the Center for Security Policy at this hearing. The Center for Security Policy, the CSP, is an organization that has been spreading anti-Muslim conspiracy theories," said Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii.
Hirono continued, "CSP has been criticized by Republicans and Democrats alike, and organizations that monitor extremist groups, including the Anti-Defamation League … and the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated CSP as a hate group."
Shideler sought to defend the center: "We reject this claim from organizations that are engaging in behavior which is essentially the same that antifa engages in, which is to say that anyone that offers an analysis that disagrees with them must ipso facto be a member of an unacceptable organization or a hate group or what have you."


rollcall--2020-08-05--Michigan primaries: Tlaib wins, and GOP may get another woman in the House

Trailblazer and lightning rod Rep. Rashida Tlaib won the Democratic nomination for a second term in Michigan ’ s 13th District , defeating her short-term predecessor , Brenda Jones , results released Wednesday showed .
Republicans also chose Peter Meijer for the open 3rd District seat now held by Republican-turned-Libertarian Justin Amash , and Lisa McClain snagged the GOP nod for the deep-red 10th District seat now held by Republican Paul Mitchell .
Both Amash and Mitchell are retiring .
National Democrats also got their preferred candidate to take on GOP incumbent Fred Upton in the 6th District .
Meijer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supermarkets , will next face Hillary Scholten , who was unopposed in the Democratic primary .
Meijer was leading a five-person field with 50 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race Tuesday at 11:42 p.m. Eastern time .
State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis was second with 25 percent .
Meijer reported more than $ 400,000 in cash on hand as of July 15 , while Scholten , a lawyer the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added to its Red to Blue program for strong recruits in late June , had about @ @ @

Trailblazer and lightning rod Rep. Rashida Tlaib won the Democratic nomination for a second term in Michigan’s 13th District, defeating her short-term predecessor, Brenda Jones, results released Wednesday showed.
Republicans also chose Peter Meijer for the open 3rd District seat now held by Republican-turned-Libertarian Justin Amash, and Lisa McClain snagged the GOP nod for the deep-red 10th District seat now held by Republican Paul Mitchell. Both Amash and Mitchell are retiring.
National Democrats also got their preferred candidate to take on GOP incumbent Fred Upton in the 6th District.
Meijer, whose family owns a chain of supermarkets, will next face Hillary Scholten, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Meijer was leading a five-person field with 50 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race Tuesday at 11:42 p.m. Eastern time. State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis was second with 25 percent.
Meijer reported more than $400,000 in cash on hand as of July 15, while Scholten, a lawyer the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added to its Red to Blue program for strong recruits in late June, had about $570,000.


rollcall--2020-08-05--National Democrats backed winners in Senate primaries. Now what?

National Democrats continued their perfect primary streak Tuesday with party-backed candidates winning Senate nominations in Arizona and Kansas .
Both retired astronaut Mark Kelly and state Sen. Barbara Bollier were endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee before Tuesday ’ s primaries .
Kelly was unopposed in his bid take on Arizona Republican Sen. Martha McSally , while Bollier easily dispatched a primary challenger in Kansas .
The DSCC has been particularly aggressive in picking favorites this election cycle , endorsing 15 candidates before their primaries .
Eleven have faced primaries so far , and all won their party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contested Senate primaries in the rear-view mirror , the candidates the DSCC endorsed now have to prove the committee was right to weigh in , while also uniting the party after some contentious races .
Some Democrats don ’ t think that will be a problem .
“ If you ’ re a Democrat , you want to send a message to Donald Trump , ” said Jared Leopold , a Democratic strategist who worked for the DSCC in 2010 .
“ Certainly , you should fight for the candidate you believe in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of people recognize the stakes for both the presidential and Senate races this November .
”

National Democrats continued their perfect primary streak Tuesday with party-backed candidates winning Senate nominations in Arizona and Kansas.
Both retired astronaut Mark Kelly and state Sen. Barbara Bollier were endorsed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee before Tuesday’s primaries. Kelly was unopposed in his bid take on Arizona Republican Sen. Martha McSally, while Bollier easily dispatched a primary challenger in Kansas.
The DSCC has been particularly aggressive in picking favorites this election cycle, endorsing 15 candidates before their primaries. Eleven have faced primaries so far, and all won their party’s nominations.
With most of the contested Senate primaries in the rear-view mirror, the candidates the DSCC endorsed now have to prove the committee was right to weigh in, while also uniting the party after some contentious races. Some Democrats don’t think that will be a problem.
“If you’re a Democrat, you want to send a message to Donald Trump,” said Jared Leopold, a Democratic strategist who worked for the DSCC in 2010. “Certainly, you should fight for the candidate you believe in in the primary. But the vast majority of people recognize the stakes for both the presidential and Senate races this November.”


rollcall--2020-08-06--Loeffler leans in to Trump’s culture war in battle with WNBA

When Georgia business executive Kelly Loeffler was appointed to replace the ailing Sen. Johnny Isakson in December , it was clear that her ownership of the WNBA ’ s Atlanta Dream could become an issue during the 2020 special election to fill out the term .
The league , which is 83 percent women of color , is known for its frosty relationship with President Donald Trump , a politician who dominates the political landscape with culturally inflammatory and racist rhetoric .
Some right-wing activists were angry at Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp for not picking Rep. Doug Collins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for defending the president from his perch as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee .
“ The WNBA has been an outspoken supporter of Planned Parenthood , even partnering with the pro-abortion organization in opposing President Trump ’ s pro-life policies , ” the Concerned Women for America , a socially conservative evangelical group , said in a statement at the time .
But winning in conservative-leaning Georgia means fully embracing the president .
The strategy may have been obvious , but that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s been easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a rough crash course for the political neophyte .
She was sworn in at the onset of Trump ’ s heated impeachment trial .
Then the Department of Justice investigated whether she engaged in insider trading after she sold $ 1 million in stock following a February coronavirus briefing .
( DOJ closed its investigation in May . )
Several polls that month showed her tied with Collins , whom she will likely face in a January 2021 runoff if no one gets more than 50 percent in the jungle-style primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation and nationwide social justice protests against racism and police violence , Loeffler seems to have found her voice .

When Georgia business executive Kelly Loeffler was appointed to replace the ailing Sen. Johnny Isakson in December, it was clear that her ownership of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream could become an issue during the 2020 special election to fill out the term.
The league, which is 83 percent women of color, is known for its frosty relationship with President Donald Trump, a politician who dominates the political landscape with culturally inflammatory and racist rhetoric. Some right-wing activists were angry at Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp for not picking Rep. Doug Collins, a staunch Trump ally who became known for defending the president from his perch as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.
“The WNBA has been an outspoken supporter of Planned Parenthood, even partnering with the pro-abortion organization in opposing President Trump’s pro-life policies,” the Concerned Women for America, a socially conservative evangelical group, said in a statement at the time.
But Republicans in Georgia are betting the state is still red enough that they can win by fully embracing the president. The strategy may have been obvious, but that doesn’t mean it’s been easy for Loeffler to pull off. It has been a rough crash course for the political neophyte. She was sworn in at the onset of Trump’s heated impeachment trial. Then the Department of Justice investigated whether she engaged in insider trading after she sold $1 million in stock following a February coronavirus briefing. (DOJ closed its investigation in May.) Several polls that month showed her tied with Collins, who is her most formidable GOP opponent in the crowded race.
But in the wake of the investigation and nationwide social justice protests against racism and police violence, Loeffler seems to have found her voice.


rollcall--2020-08-06--Tennessee Republicans pick Bill Hagerty for Lamar Alexander’s Senate seat

With President Donald Trump pumping up supporters ahead of Thursday ’ s primary , former U.S .
Ambassador to Japan @ @ @ @ @ late surge by orthopedic surgeon Manny Sethi to win the Republican nomination to succeed retiring @ @ @ @ @ Trump , who first endorsed Hagerty last year , reminded voters in a July 31 @ @ @ @ @ and Total Endorsement !
” and called Hagerty an “ outstanding man and one of @ @ @ @ @ Japan ) .
” Trump also did a phone call for Hagerty supporters on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ candidate ’ s work as ambassador and his commitment to conservative values .
“ Go @ @ @ @ @ Hagerty , ” Trump said toward the end of the call .
“ He ’ @ @ @ @ @ exceptional job.
” Hagerty was leading Sethi 52 percent to 38 percent Thursday when The @ @ @ @ @ at 8:09 p.m. Central time .

With President Donald Trump pumping up supporters ahead of Thursday’s primary, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty fended off a late surge by orthopedic surgeon Manny Sethi to win the Republican nomination to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander.
Trump, who first endorsed Hagerty last year, reminded voters in a July 31 tweet of his “Complete and Total Endorsement!” and called Hagerty an “outstanding man and one of the best Ambassadors ever (Japan).”
Trump also did a phone call for Hagerty supporters on Wednesday in which he praised the candidate’s work as ambassador and his commitment to conservative values.
“Go out and vote for Bill Hagerty,” Trump said toward the end of the call. “He’s going to do an exceptional job.”
Hagerty was leading Sethi 52 percent to 38 percent Thursday when The Associated Press called the race at 8:09 p.m. Central time.


rollcall--2020-08-06--Rodney Davis maintains opposition to proxy voting after positive COVID-19 test

Three months ago , House Administration ranking member Rodney Davis led the GOP opposition to Democrats ’ proxy voting rule @ @ @ @ @ votes from their districts during the pandemic .
Now the Illinois Republican , stuck quarantining @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 test , will likely miss his opportunity to vote on the next coronavirus relief @ @ @ @ @ only mechanism for him to safely do so .
Davis announced Wednesday that he tested @ @ @ @ @ test he sought after his twice-daily temperature check produced a reading that was higher than @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday morning , Davis said his temperature usually reads around 97 degrees , but @ @ @ @ @ degrees .
“ Because I had a bunch of public events planned over the next @ @ @ @ @ went ahead and went up to a rapid-scan testing facility we have in our district @ @ @ @ @ surprisingly I tested positive , ” he said .
Davis said in the statement announcing @ @ @ @ @ to continue serving his constituents “ virtually from home while I quarantine .
”

Three months ago, House Administration ranking member Rodney Davis led the GOP opposition to Democrats’ proxy voting rule that allows members to cast votes from their districts during the pandemic. Now the Illinois Republican, stuck quarantining at home after a positive COVID-19 test, will likely miss his opportunity to vote on the next coronavirus relief package because he opposes the only mechanism for him to safely do so.
Davis announced Wednesday that he tested positive for COVID-19, a test he sought after his twice-daily temperature check produced a reading that was higher than normal. Appearing on CNN on Thursday morning, Davis said his temperature usually reads around 97 degrees, but Wednesday morning it was 99 degrees.
“Because I had a bunch of public events planned over the next couple of days, I went ahead and went up to a rapid-scan testing facility we have in our district, got tested, and surprisingly I tested positive,” he said.
Davis said in the statement announcing his diagnosis that he planned to continue serving his constituents “virtually from home while I quarantine.”
[Riggleman, Davis join list of 10 most vulnerable House members]


rollcall--2020-08-06--Democrats press DOT watchdog nominee on independence

Democratic senators Thursday accused the nominee to be inspector general of the Department of Transportation of not being “ straight up ” on whether his position has been politicized , expressing dissatisfaction with his repeated assertions of independence .
During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Commerce , Science and Transportation , Democrats sharply grilled Eric Soskin over how his nomination was handled and whether his position as the watchdog of a federal agency has been politicized .
“ I just don ’ t think you ’ re being straight up , I ’ ll just tell you that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tester , D-Mont.
, who declined to ask Soskin about his nomination because doing so would “ waste my time.
” “ Quite frankly , you ’ ve been put into a position that is highly political now and you need to address that and how you ’ re going to handle that moving forward and you have yet to do that , ” Tester said .
President Donald Trump nominated Soskin to lead the DOT ’ s Office of Inspector General on May 15 , the day he abruptly fired State Department @ @ @ @ @

Democratic senators Thursday accused the nominee to be inspector general of the Department of Transportation of not being “straight up” on whether his position has been politicized, expressing dissatisfaction with his repeated assertions of independence.
During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Democrats sharply grilled Eric Soskin over how his nomination was handled and whether his position as the watchdog of a federal agency has been politicized.
“I just don’t think you’re being straight up, I’ll just tell you that right now,” said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who declined to ask Soskin about his nomination because doing so would “waste my time.”
“Quite frankly, you’ve been put into a position that is highly political now and you need to address that and how you’re going to handle that moving forward and you have yet to do that,” Tester said.
President Donald Trump nominated Soskin to lead the DOT’s Office of Inspector General on May 15, the day he abruptly fired State Department Inspector General Steve Linick.


rollcall--2020-08-06--Virus aid talks teeter on brink of collapse

Negotiations between Democratic leaders and top Trump administration officials began to fall apart Thursday night following a three-hour meeting , @ @ @ @ @ in serious jeopardy .
After nearly two weeks of discussions , it ’ s unclear @ @ @ @ @ , White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows , Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority @ @ @ @ @ meet again Friday .
That 's the deadline administration officials had set for a breakthrough @ @ @ @ @ Trump attempts unilateral action to provide some temporary aid .
“ We ’ re very @ @ @ @ @ we urge our Republican colleagues to come back and continue to negotiate , ” Schumer @ @ @ @ @ up around 8:30 p.m. Mnuchin said negotiators plan to speak by phone again Friday and @ @ @ @ @ in-person meeting was worth it .
“ I think there is a lot of issues @ @ @ @ @ compromise position on , but I think there ’ s handful of very big issues @ @ @ @ @ far apart on , ” Mnuchin said .

Jennifer Shutt and Katherine Tully-McManus

Negotiations between Democratic leaders and top Trump administration officials began to fall apart Thursday night following a three-hour meeting, putting another coronavirus relief package in serious jeopardy.
After nearly two weeks of discussions, it’s unclear if Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer will meet again Friday. That's the deadline administration officials had set for a breakthrough in talks before President Donald Trump attempts unilateral action to provide some temporary aid.
“We’re very disappointed in the meeting but we urge our Republican colleagues to come back and continue to negotiate,” Schumer said after the meeting broke up around 8:30 p.m.
Mnuchin said negotiators plan to speak by phone again Friday and would decide then whether another in-person meeting was worth it.
“I think there is a lot of issues we are close to a compromise position on, but I think there’s handful of very big issues that we are still very far apart on,” Mnuchin said.


rollcall--2020-08-06--At the Races: Three months to go

At the Races: Three months to go

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 .
While it may be hard to believe in this pandemic time warp , Election Day is three months away !
That means we have our new lists of the 10 most vulnerable senators and 10 most vulnerable House members .
While we don ’ t include open seats that are likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to talk to campaign strategists in both parties and get a 30,000-foot view of the battle for Congress .
These lists also provide a snapshot of how much the political environment has — or hasn ’ t — changed .
Three months out , the first half of our list of most vulnerable senators looks identical to our list marking one year until Election Day .
But there ’ s been quite a bit of movement on the second half of the list , underscoring how a tumultuous political environment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are creating headaches for Republicans .
Michigan Democrat Gary Peters falls off our latest list , while Georgia Republican David Perdue was added back on .
There ’ s been an even more dramatic shift in the battle for the House , with some Democrats now thinking 2020 might be an even better year for the party than 2018 .
Eight of the 10 most vulnerable incumbents one year out from Election Day were Democrats .
With three months to go , our list has an even number of Republicans and Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking the top spot .

Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman, and Kate Ackley

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.
By Stephanie Akin, Bridget Bowman and Kate Ackley
While it may be hard to believe in this pandemic time warp, Election Day is three months away! That means we have our new lists of the 10 most vulnerable senators and 10 most vulnerable House members. While we don’t include open seats that are likely to flip, the exercise does give us a chance to talk to campaign strategists in both parties and get a 30,000-foot view of the battle for Congress. These lists also provide a snapshot of how much the political environment has — or hasn’t — changed.
Three months out, the first half of our list of most vulnerable senators looks identical to our list marking one year until Election Day. But there’s been quite a bit of movement on the second half of the list, underscoring how a tumultuous political environment and President Donald Trump’s dropping poll numbers are creating headaches for Republicans. Michigan Democrat Gary Peters falls off our latest list, while Georgia Republican David Perdue was added back on.
There’s been an even more dramatic shift in the battle for the House, with some Democrats now thinking 2020 might be an even better year for the party than 2018. Eight of the 10 most vulnerable incumbents one year out from Election Day were Democrats. With three months to go, our list has an even number of Republicans and Democrats, with California GOP Rep. Mike Garcia taking the top spot.


rollcall--2020-08-06--McConnell won’t force senators to stick around until there’s a coronavirus relief deal

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell won ’ t be forcing senators to stick around the Capitol until there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ relief package .
After today ’ s confirmation vote on the nomination of John Cronan @ @ @ @ @ judge for the Southern District of New York , senators are expected to leave for @ @ @ @ @ Republican said on the floor Thursday , that come Monday , “ I will be @ @ @ @ @ ” but there won ’ t be a whole lot going on absent a deal @ @ @ @ @ 24-hour notice before a vote.
” The Senate ’ s August recess was scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ until after Labor Day in early September .
McConnell ’ s comments indicate the Senate @ @ @ @ @ but a minimum number of members and staff will be around .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ conference with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer that there was “ some progress ” @ @ @ @ @ not there yet .
”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell won’t be forcing senators to stick around the Capitol until there’s a deal on a coronavirus relief package.
After today’s confirmation vote on the nomination of John Cronan to be a U.S. district judge for the Southern District of New York, senators are expected to leave for the week. The Kentucky Republican said on the floor Thursday, that come Monday, “I will be right here in Washington,” but there won’t be a whole lot going on absent a deal and they “will have 24-hour notice before a vote.”
[White House: Friday or bust for virus aid deal]
The Senate’s August recess was scheduled to get underway Friday and last until after Labor Day in early September. McConnell’s comments indicate the Senate will technically be in session but a minimum number of members and staff will be around.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at a Thursday news conference with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer that there was “some progress” but “we’re not there yet.”


rollcall--2020-08-06--‘It is exhausting’: Women in Congress recount shared experiences

Congress has a record number of women in its ranks , and it doesn ’ t matter if they are @ @ @ @ @ members or elected leaders : They share a common set of experiences about being talked @ @ @ @ @ outright scorned .
Heard on the Hill ’ s Kathryn Lyons spoke to some of @ @ @ @ @ in this edition of the Political Theater podcast .
The idea came about after an @ @ @ @ @ steps between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , a freshman Democrat from New York , and Rep. @ @ @ @ @ Republican .
Lyons spoke to several members who discussed their own experiences , including the @ @ @ @ @ Congressional Women ’ s Caucus , Michigan Democrat Brenda Lawrence and Arizona Republican Debbie Lesko @ @ @ @ @ people in their past provided guidance on how to deal with the present .

Congress has a record number of women in its ranks, and it doesn’t matter if they are Democrats or Republicans, junior members or elected leaders: They share a common set of experiences about being talked down to, overlooked or outright scorned.
Heard on the Hill’s Kathryn Lyons spoke to some of them and recounts their stories in this edition of the Political Theater podcast. The idea came about after an ugly incident on the House steps between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a freshman Democrat from New York, and Rep. Ted Yoho, a Florida Republican.
Lyons spoke to several members who discussed their own experiences, including the two women who co-chair the Congressional Women’s Caucus, Michigan Democrat Brenda Lawrence and Arizona Republican Debbie Lesko, who talked about how people in their past provided guidance on how to deal with the present.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-08-06--After a year on job, public lands chief overdue for confirmation hearing, Democrats say

More than a year into the job that is officially still temporary , William Perry Pendley , the acting head of the Bureau of Land Management , is doing things that may be permanent , and Senate Democrats are seeking a chance to hold him to account .
President Donald Trump nominated Pendley , a conservative legal activist , on June 30 , 11 months after the nominee assumed the post on an acting basis in July 2019 .
Whether or not he is confirmed , his legacy will include overseeing the move of the bureau ’ s headquarters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the helm of the BLM for than 12 months without a confirmation hearing has grated Senate Democrats from Western states , where the BLM does the bulk of its work .
Those lawmakers say the delay has allowed Pendley to avoid congressional scrutiny .
Pendley 's situation also underscores a pattern both at the Interior Department , which includes the BLM , and across federal agencies and departments during the Trump administration .
Top posts at NOAA , EPA , the Small Business Administration , the Pentagon , the Department of Homeland Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Health and Human Services , among other departments , have gone without Senate-confirmed leaders for extended periods since Trump took office .
“ After nearly a year as Acting Director , Mr. Pendley ’ s formal nomination is long overdue , and the public deserves the opportunity to hold him accountable for his record of undermining our public lands , ” nine Senate Democrats from Western states said in a July 21 letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the panel 's top Democrat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

More than a year into the job that is officially still temporary, William Perry Pendley, the acting head of the Bureau of Land Management, is doing things that may be permanent, and Senate Democrats are seeking a chance to hold him to account.
President Donald Trump nominated Pendley, a conservative legal activist, on June 30, 11 months after the nominee assumed the post on an acting basis in July 2019. Whether or not he is confirmed, his legacy will include overseeing the move of the bureau’s headquarters to western Colorado.
Pendley's seat at the helm of the BLM for than 12 months without a confirmation hearing has grated Senate Democrats from Western states, where the BLM does the bulk of its work. Those lawmakers say the delay has allowed Pendley to avoid congressional scrutiny.
Pendley's situation also underscores a pattern both at the Interior Department, which includes the BLM, and across federal agencies and departments during the Trump administration. Top posts at NOAA, EPA, the Small Business Administration, the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, among other departments, have gone without Senate-confirmed leaders for extended periods since Trump took office.
“After nearly a year as Acting Director, Mr. Pendley’s formal nomination is long overdue, and the public deserves the opportunity to hold him accountable for his record of undermining our public lands,” nine Senate Democrats from Western states said in a July 21 letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the panel's top Democrat, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia.


rollcall--2020-08-06--Moderate Democrat Strickland takes one of two spots on ballot for open Washington seat

Democrat Marilyn Strickland has claimed the top spot in the primary for Washington ’ s open 10th District , while two more liberal competitors in a crowded field wait for votes to be tallied to find out who would oppose her .
Washington state elections are run entirely by mail , and candidates run on the same primary ballot , with the top two finishers , regardless of party , advancing to the general election .
Strickland , who served as the mayor of Tacoma from 2010 to 2018 , led with 21 percent of the vote Thursday morning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which declared on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Pacific time that she had made the November ballot .
Vying for the second spot were state Rep. Beth Doglio and former state Rep. Kristine Reeves .
As of Thursday morning , Doglio had 14 percent of the vote to Reeves ’ 13 percent , according to AP tallies .
None of the eight GOP candidates appeared to have received enough support to qualify for the November ballot , ensuring that a Democrat would hold the Olympia-anchored seat being vacated by Rep. Denny Heck , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Heck advanced to the general election in that race . )

Democrat Marilyn Strickland has claimed the top spot in the primary for Washington’s open 10th District, while two more liberal competitors in a crowded field wait for votes to be tallied to find out who would oppose her.
Washington state elections are run entirely by mail, and candidates run on the same primary ballot, with the top two finishers, regardless of party, advancing to the general election.
Strickland, who served as the mayor of Tacoma from 2010 to 2018, led with 21 percent of the vote Thursday morning, according to tallies by The Associated Press, which declared on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Pacific time that she had made the November ballot.
Vying for the second spot were state Rep. Beth Doglio and former state Rep. Kristine Reeves. As of Thursday morning, Doglio had 14 percent of the vote to Reeves’ 13 percent, according to AP tallies.
None of the eight GOP candidates appeared to have received enough support to qualify for the November ballot, ensuring that a Democrat would hold the Olympia-anchored seat being vacated by Rep. Denny Heck, who is running for lieutenant governor. (Heck advanced to the general election in that race.)


rollcall--2020-08-06--10 most vulnerable House members: Garcia, Katko and Bacon join the list

Cunningham has been stressing his moderate appeal since narrowly winning this longtime Republican seat in 2018 .
But Republicans argue the pitch falls flat in a district that backed Trump by double digits .
His opposition to offshore drilling helped him win in 2018 , but it might be harder to draw a contrast against Republican Nancy Mace on the issue .
As a state lawmaker , she has sponsored legislation opposing it .
And powerful Republicans in the state appear to be consolidating around Mace after a bruising GOP primary .
Still , Democrats think the suburbs of Charleston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break their way in November , especially with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham facing a formidable challenge that could draw out Democrats already eager to express their opposition to Trump .
Cunningham has a clear fundraising advantage , with $ 3 million in the bank on June 30 compared with Mace ’ s $ 745,000 .
He has been using it to hammer Mace on the airwaves .
Katko faces a rematch from his 2018 opponent , former college professor Dana Balter .
Republicans believe the three-term lawmaker is one of their strongest battleground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
But the national political environment this year could overwhelm the race as the Syracuse-based district shifts even further away from Trump .
Notably both House campaign committees have already started spending in the race .
With $ 1.6 million in the bank at June 30 , Katko has a sizable financial advantage over Balter , who had $ 253,000 after winning a contested primary .
Bacon , a two-term incumbent and retired Air Force brigadier general , narrowly fended off a challenge during the blue wave of 2018 from nonprofit executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Democrat is back this year with a more professional campaign team that has recalibrated her presentation to appeal to the district ’ s more moderate voters .
She will also have the support of outside groups that sat out the 2018 race but now see the potential to increase Democrats ’ grip on the suburbs .
But Eastman has not had the impressive campaign hauls of other Democrats in higher-profile races — she ended June with $ 404,000 on hand compared with Bacon ’ s $ 1 million .
And her support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a liability in a district that depends heavily on the insurance industry .
Even though Trump would have carried Perry ’ s south-central Pennsylvania seat had the current congressional map been in place in 2016 , Democrats are anticipating a close House race in November .
This is just the second time Perry is running under the district 's present configuration , and his Democratic opponent , state Auditor Eugene DePasquale , narrowly carried the seat in his 2016 statewide race .
Democrats believe they can make the case that Perry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freedom Caucus , doesn ’ t fit the relatively new district .
Perry has stepped up his fundraising in recent quarters , but DePasquale has nearly matched him in cash on hand .

Horn has been a top Republican target since her surprise 2018 victory in an Oklahoma City-area district Republicans had held for more than 40 years. But her position has slightly strengthened in recent months, mainly because of Trump’s problems in suburbs. She will face a formidable opponent no matter who wins the Aug. 25 runoff for the Republican nomination. That race features businesswoman Terry Neese, who has run a standard pro-Trump campaign, against state Sen. Stephanie Bice, who has pitched herself as a moderate while also working to woo the Trump voters she needs to secure the GOP nod. Horn had $2.6 million on hand on June 30, which will go far in the region’s cheap advertising market. But outside groups will do their best to make sure voters see a fair share of anti-Horn attacks once the primary is over.
[Here's the 10 most vulnerable senators]
Cunningham has been stressing his moderate appeal since narrowly winning this longtime Republican seat in 2018. But Republicans argue the pitch falls flat in a district that backed Trump by double digits. His opposition to offshore drilling helped him win in 2018, but it might be harder to draw a contrast against Republican Nancy Mace on the issue. As a state lawmaker, she has sponsored legislation opposing it. And powerful Republicans in the state appear to be consolidating around Mace after a bruising GOP primary. Still, Democrats think the suburbs of Charleston and the affluent Hilton Head area will break their way in November, especially with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham facing a formidable challenge that could draw out Democrats already eager to express their opposition to Trump. Cunningham has a clear fundraising advantage, with $3 million in the bank on June 30 compared with Mace’s $745,000. He has been using it to hammer Mace on the airwaves.
Katko faces a rematch from his 2018 opponent, former college professor Dana Balter. Republicans believe the three-term lawmaker is one of their strongest battleground incumbents and he’s beaten Balter before. But the national political environment this year could overwhelm the race as the Syracuse-based district shifts even further away from Trump. Notably both House campaign committees have already started spending in the race. With $1.6 million in the bank at June 30, Katko has a sizable financial advantage over Balter, who had $253,000 after winning a contested primary.
Bacon, a two-term incumbent and retired Air Force brigadier general, narrowly fended off a challenge during the blue wave of 2018 from nonprofit executive Kara Eastman in this Omaha-anchored seat. The Democrat is back this year with a more professional campaign team that has recalibrated her presentation to appeal to the district’s more moderate voters. She will also have the support of outside groups that sat out the 2018 race but now see the potential to increase Democrats’ grip on the suburbs. But Eastman has not had the impressive campaign hauls of other Democrats in higher-profile races — she ended June with $404,000 on hand compared with Bacon’s $1 million. And her support for “Medicare for All” could be a liability in a district that depends heavily on the insurance industry.


CQ Future: Voting

In this episode of CQ Future , we look at voting and the impact the coronavirus pandemic will have on @ @ @ @ @ analyst Nathan Gonzales sits down with CQ Roll Call ’ s Shawn Zeller and explains @ @ @ @ @ that may unfold .
• 10 most vulnerable House members : Garcia , Katko and @ @ @ @ @ Loeffler leans in to Trump ’ s culture war in battle with WNBA • Anatomy @ @ @ @ @ progressives learned to embrace traditional tactics • 10 most vulnerable senators in 2020 : Georgia @ @ @ @ @ , Michigan ’ s Peters drops off • McConnell won ’ t force senators to @ @ @ @ @ s a coronavirus relief deal

Shawn Zeller, Evan Campbell, and Joanne Levine

In this episode of CQ Future, we look at voting and the impact the coronavirus pandemic will have on the 2020 elections. Elections analyst Nathan Gonzales sits down with CQ Roll Call’s Shawn Zeller and explains the potential pitfalls and scenarios that may unfold.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-08-07--Rural tenants, already delaying rent, face pinch without relief

The impasse between the Trump administration and congressional Democratic leaders in negotiations over a COVID-19 relief package worries both advocates for rural low-income housing and owners of Department of Agriculture-financed rental properties .
Advocates and landlords say the now-expired federal $ 600 a week add-on to state unemployment payments probably helped the most vulnerable of rural tenants in USDA-financed rental units — those who don ’ t receive federal rental assistance — to stay mostly current with payments .
In turn , property owners were able to pay expenses such as mortgages .
“ Now we ’ re back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Colleen M. Fisher , executive director for the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing whose members build , finance , manage or own rural housing .
Fisher said the uncertainty over a possible deal on federal unemployment payments leaves her members up in the air .
On Thursday , President Donald Trump said he could intervene in the next day or two with an executive order that might include unemployment benefits , but he offered few details .
Fisher said her organization doesn ’ t have a position on whether benefits should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but some of its members think the $ 200 a week proposed by some Republicans may not be enough to allow tenants to pay rent and feed their families .
The organization also wants a COVID-19 bill that provides additional funding for USDA ’ s rental assistance program , which pays the majority of eligible tenants ’ rent .

The impasse between the Trump administration and congressional Democratic leaders in negotiations over a COVID-19 relief package worries both advocates for rural low-income housing and owners of Department of Agriculture-financed rental properties.
Advocates and landlords say the now-expired federal $600 a week add-on to state unemployment payments probably helped the most vulnerable of rural tenants in USDA-financed rental units — those who don’t receive federal rental assistance — to stay mostly current with payments. In turn, property owners were able to pay expenses such as mortgages.
“Now we’re back to where we were in March,” said Colleen M. Fisher, executive director for the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing whose members build, finance, manage or own rural housing. Fisher said the uncertainty over a possible deal on federal unemployment payments leaves her members up in the air.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump said he could intervene in the next day or two with an executive order that might include unemployment benefits, but he offered few details.
Fisher said her organization doesn’t have a position on whether benefits should remain at $600 a week, but some of its members think the $200 a week proposed by some Republicans may not be enough to allow tenants to pay rent and feed their families. The organization also wants a COVID-19 bill that provides additional funding for USDA’s rental assistance program, which pays the majority of eligible tenants’ rent.


rollcall--2020-08-06--Harshberger’s win in open Tennessee seat means House GOP may get one more woman

Tennessee Republicans on Thursday chose self-funding pharmacist Diana Harshberger as their nominee in the deep-red 1st District , boosting the odds the House GOP will increase its female ranks in 2021 .
Currently , only 13 of the 198 Republicans in the House are women .
And two , Indiana ’ s Susan W. Brooks and Alabama ’ s Martha Roby , are retiring .
Harshberger was leading a crowded 16-candidate field with 19 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race Thursday night at 11:10 p.m. Eastern time .
State Sen. Rusty Crowe was in second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Timothy Hill with 16 percent .
The candidates , who tried to put as little separation as possible between themselves and President Donald Trump , were running for the East Tennessee seat left open by Republican Rep. Phil Roe ’ s retirement .
Harshbarger , a political newcomer , spent over $ 1.3 million of her own money during her campaign , emphasizing her outsider status while attacking Hill and Crowe for their records in the state Legislature .
Hill raised $ 230,000 , partly thanks to a $ 30,000 loan from @ @

Tennessee Republicans on Thursday chose self-funding pharmacist Diana Harshberger as their nominee in the deep-red 1st District, boosting the odds the House GOP will increase its female ranks in 2021.
Currently, only 13 of the 198 Republicans in the House are women. And two, Indiana’s Susan W. Brooks and Alabama’s Martha Roby, are retiring.
Harshberger was leading a crowded 16-candidate field with 19 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race Thursday night at 11:10 p.m. Eastern time. State Sen. Rusty Crowe was in second with 17 percent, followed by state Rep. Timothy Hill with 16 percent.
The candidates, who tried to put as little separation as possible between themselves and President Donald Trump, were running for the East Tennessee seat left open by Republican Rep. Phil Roe’s retirement.
Harshbarger, a political newcomer, spent over $1.3 million of her own money during her campaign, emphasizing her outsider status while attacking Hill and Crowe for their records in the state Legislature. Hill raised $230,000, partly thanks to a $30,000 loan from himself.