rollcall--2020-12-03--Justice Department sues Facebook over H-1B workers

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit Thursday against Facebook , alleging the social media company discriminated against Americans by favoring temporary foreign workers .
The lawsuit alleges that between January 2018 until at least Sept. 18 , 2019 , Facebook refused to recruit or actively hire qualified U.S. workers for more than 2,600 positions .
Instead , the company reserved those spots for H-1B visa holders and other temporary immigrant workers , according to the lawsuit filed by the Justice Department .
U.S. businesses that want to hire foreign workers must go through the permanent labor certification process , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no qualified and available U.S. workers for the positions they seek to fill .
The Justice Department said its nearly two-year investigation determined that Facebook failed to conduct a genuine search for qualified domestic workers and intentionally saved thousands of positions for foreigners .
“ Facebook ’ s discriminatory recruitment and hiring practice is routine , ongoing , and widespread , ” it said in its lawsuit .
“ It discriminates against U.S. workers because of their immigration or citizenship status , and it harms them by limiting their ability to apply , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired for all ( qualified ) jobs at Facebook .
”

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit Thursday against Facebook, alleging the social media company discriminated against Americans by favoring temporary foreign workers.
The lawsuit alleges that between January 2018 until at least Sept. 18, 2019, Facebook refused to recruit or actively hire qualified U.S. workers for more than 2,600 positions. Instead, the company reserved those spots for H-1B visa holders and other temporary immigrant workers, according to the lawsuit filed by the Justice Department.
U.S. businesses that want to hire foreign workers must go through the permanent labor certification process, which requires companies to first prove there are no qualified and available U.S. workers for the positions they seek to fill.
The Justice Department said its nearly two-year investigation determined that Facebook failed to conduct a genuine search for qualified domestic workers and intentionally saved thousands of positions for foreigners.
“Facebook’s discriminatory recruitment and hiring practice is routine, ongoing, and widespread,” it said in its lawsuit. “It discriminates against U.S. workers because of their immigration or citizenship status, and it harms them by limiting their ability to apply, to be considered, and to be hired for all (qualified) jobs at Facebook.”


rollcall--2020-12-03--Conferees unveil NDAA as veto threat looms

A House-Senate conference committee has finished work on a $ 731.6 billion defense authorization conference report that would authorize near-record spending on national defense .
President Donald Trump has promised to veto the fiscal 2021 measure , known as the NDAA .
But the legislation is mostly filled with military spending proposals that both parties embrace .
Trump opposes this year ’ s NDAA because of one thing it contains , a mandate to change military base names that commemorate Confederates , and another thing it lacks : a repeal of legal protections for social media companies .
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Senate almost certainly have the votes to override the veto or , alternatively , to clear a newly minted version of essentially the same NDAA early in the next Congress .
First , lawmakers must clear this bill .
The House voted Thursday by unanimous consent to take up the NDAA conference report at any time and to vote on it after an hour of debate .
It appears the vote will happen next week .
It is not yet clear when the Senate might take it up for a vote .

A House-Senate conference committee has finished work on a $731.6 billion defense authorization conference report that would authorize near-record spending on national defense.
President Donald Trump has promised to veto the fiscal 2021 measure, known as the NDAA. But the legislation is mostly filled with military spending proposals that both parties embrace.
Trump opposes this year’s NDAA because of one thing it contains, a mandate to change military base names that commemorate Confederates, and another thing it lacks: a repeal of legal protections for social media companies.
If the president vetoes the bill, the House and Senate almost certainly have the votes to override the veto or, alternatively, to clear a newly minted version of essentially the same NDAA early in the next Congress.
First, lawmakers must clear this bill. The House voted Thursday by unanimous consent to take up the NDAA conference report at any time and to vote on it after an hour of debate. It appears the vote will happen next week. It is not yet clear when the Senate might take it up for a vote.


rollcall--2020-12-03--Jason Smith plans focus on ‘security’ issues in new Budget panel role

Rep. Jason Smith wants Republicans to be the party of “ security ” with an emphasis on the “ working class ” as he prepares to take the top GOP slot on the House Budget Committee next year .
Referring to what he terms economic , community and educational security , the three-term Missouri Republican said he will stump for minimizing taxes , guaranteeing funding for the military and law enforcement and providing parents with more school choices .
Smith said he ’ ll be aggressive in attacking what he considers far-left policies advocated by House Democrats , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the more narrowly divided House in the 2022 midterms .
“ We will win the majority in two years , ” he told CQ Roll Call after his election as ranking member Thursday .
Democrats , he said , “ just keep dividing themselves in an internal war where it ’ s the progressives vs. the normal , what I would say back home in Missouri is the regular Democrats versus the progressive socialists.
” Smith , the outgoing House GOP conference secretary , edged out the more senior Bill Johnson of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job .
Smith also serves on the Ways and Means Committee , which has jurisdiction over tax policy and major entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare .

Rep. Jason Smith wants Republicans to be the party of “security” with an emphasis on the “working class” as he prepares to take the top GOP slot on the House Budget Committee next year.
Referring to what he terms economic, community and educational security, the three-term Missouri Republican said he will stump for minimizing taxes, guaranteeing funding for the military and law enforcement and providing parents with more school choices.
Smith said he’ll be aggressive in attacking what he considers far-left policies advocated by House Democrats, and he is convinced Republicans will win back control of the more narrowly divided House in the 2022 midterms.
“We will win the majority in two years,” he told CQ Roll Call after his election as ranking member Thursday. Democrats, he said, “just keep dividing themselves in an internal war where it’s the progressives vs. the normal, what I would say back home in Missouri is the regular Democrats versus the progressive socialists.”
Smith, the outgoing House GOP conference secretary, edged out the more senior Bill Johnson of Ohio to win the Budget ranking member job. Smith also serves on the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy and major entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.


rollcall--2020-12-03--Georgia’s Scott to make history in taking Agriculture gavel

Georgia lawmaker David Scott won his campaign for chairman of the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday with a majority of @ @ @ @ @ lead the panel in the 117th Congress .
Scott makes committee history in becoming the @ @ @ @ @ the committee ’ s top post in the panel 's 200 years .
He will @ @ @ @ @ D-Minn. , who lost his race for a 16th term in Congress on Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ in the Democratic caucus and Jim Costa of California received 83 votes .
Scott attributed @ @ @ @ @ diverse coalition of members from across our nation ” and said he has several priorities @ @ @ @ @ “ I will use this critical opportunity to represent the values of our entire caucus @ @ @ @ @ trade , disaster aid , climate change , sustainable agriculture , SNAP , crop insurance @ @ @ @ @ specialty crops , and rural broadband , ” he said in a statement , using @ @ @ @ @ Nutrition Assistance Program once known as food stamps .

Georgia lawmaker David Scott won his campaign for chairman of the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday with a majority of House Democrats selecting him to lead the panel in the 117th Congress.
Scott makes committee history in becoming the first African American to take the committee’s top post in the panel's 200 years. He will replace Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., who lost his race for a 16th term in Congress on Nov. 3.
Scott received 144 votes in the Democratic caucus and Jim Costa of California received 83 votes.
Scott attributed his victory “to a diverse coalition of members from across our nation” and said he has several priorities for the next Congress.
“I will use this critical opportunity to represent the values of our entire caucus and advance our priorities for trade, disaster aid, climate change, sustainable agriculture, SNAP, crop insurance, small family farms, specialty crops, and rural broadband,” he said in a statement, using the acronym for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program once known as food stamps.


rollcall--2020-12-03--Meeks to be first Black lawmaker to lead House Foreign Affairs

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks will make history next year by becoming the first Black lawmaker to lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee .
He was elected to the job on Thursday by his Democratic peers .
Meeks , an 11-term member from New York , bested two others to win the gavel .
Rep. Brad Sherman of California had the most seniority on the committee but dropped out of the race Tuesday after coming in third place in the Democratic Steering Committee ’ s endorsement voting .
Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas , who came in a distant second in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race even though he was significantly junior in seniority to Meeks and Sherman on the committee .
The final secret ballot vote by the Democratic Caucus on Thursday was 148-78 .
“ Serving many years together on the committee , I ’ ve seen up close Greg ’ s deep knowledge of foreign policy issues , his profound commitment to an American foreign policy rooted in our values , and his understanding of the importance of Congress ’ s role in these matters , ” outgoing Chairman Eliot L. Engel of New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reelection primary this summer .
“ I ’ m confident that he will also carry forward the committee ’ s tradition of legislating and oversight driven by what ’ s best for American interests , not partisan gain , ” he said .

Rep. Gregory W. Meeks will make history next year by becoming the first Black lawmaker to lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He was elected to the job on Thursday by his Democratic peers.
Meeks, an 11-term member from New York, bested two others to win the gavel. Rep. Brad Sherman of California had the most seniority on the committee but dropped out of the race Tuesday after coming in third place in the Democratic Steering Committee’s endorsement voting.
Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas, who came in a distant second in Steering Committee votes, stayed in the race even though he was significantly junior in seniority to Meeks and Sherman on the committee.
The final secret ballot vote by the Democratic Caucus on Thursday was 148-78.
“Serving many years together on the committee, I’ve seen up close Greg’s deep knowledge of foreign policy issues, his profound commitment to an American foreign policy rooted in our values, and his understanding of the importance of Congress’s role in these matters,” outgoing Chairman Eliot L. Engel of New York said in a statement. Engel lost a reelection primary this summer. “I’m confident that he will also carry forward the committee’s tradition of legislating and oversight driven by what’s best for American interests, not partisan gain,” he said.


rollcall--2020-12-03--Interior pushes ahead on drilling in Alaska refuge, but hurdles await

The Bureau of Land Management said Thursday it was pushing ahead to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska for oil and gas drilling , meeting a provision of the 2017 tax law , a decision environmental and indigenous groups condemned as dangerous for the climate and offensive to local tradition .
BLM said details about the lease sale , including an official notice , will be published Monday and the auction to drill in the ecologically sensitive region will occur via livestream on Jan. 6 .
The announcement follows a spate of deregulatory moves by the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October to lift logging protections on the majority of the nearly 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest , the approval of ConocoPhillips to build three drill sites in the Arctic tundra and a separate decision from Interior to allow seismic tests in ANWR .
Technicians conduct seismic surveys — they blast loud sounds in the direction of potential petroleum deposits — to scout for oil .
Through the tax law President Donald Trump signed in 2017 , Congress directed the Interior Department , the parent agency of BLM , to hold at least two lease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region of the refuge known as the “ coastal plain ” — a stretch of land in northeast Alaska along the Arctic Ocean .
The territory is home to migratory caribou herds , polar bears , snow geese , waterfowl and endangered whales .

The Bureau of Land Management said Thursday it was pushing ahead to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska for oil and gas drilling, meeting a provision of the 2017 tax law, a decision environmental and indigenous groups condemned as dangerous for the climate and offensive to local tradition.
BLM said details about the lease sale, including an official notice, will be published Monday and the auction to drill in the ecologically sensitive region will occur via livestream on Jan. 6.
The announcement follows a spate of deregulatory moves by the Trump administration in Alaska, including a step in October to lift logging protections on the majority of the nearly 17-million-acre Tongass National Forest, the approval of ConocoPhillips to build three drill sites in the Arctic tundra and a separate decision from Interior to allow seismic tests in ANWR. Technicians conduct seismic surveys — they blast loud sounds in the direction of potential petroleum deposits — to scout for oil.
Through the tax law President Donald Trump signed in 2017, Congress directed the Interior Department, the parent agency of BLM, to hold at least two lease auctions of 400,000 acres apiece in a region of the refuge known as the “coastal plain” — a stretch of land in northeast Alaska along the Arctic Ocean.
The territory is home to migratory caribou herds, polar bears, snow geese, waterfowl and endangered whales.


rollcall--2020-12-03--Michelle Fischbach on the year of the GOP woman

Rep.-elect Michelle Fischbach was one of nearly 20 new Republican women elected to the House in 2020 , and one @ @ @ @ @ Democratic districts .
The winding road that led her to topple longtime Democratic Rep. Collin @ @ @ @ @ s 7th District seat includes becoming the first female president of the Minnesota Senate and @ @ @ @ @ ’ s lieutenant governor .
See the video for Fischbach ’ s story and her @ @ @ @ @ .
[ Also watch : Kai Kahele won ’ t have trouble with Hawaii to @ @ @ @ @ : Rep.-elect Michelle Fischbach arrives at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 13 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ Samuel Corum/Getty Images ) .

Rep.-elect Michelle Fischbach was one of nearly 20 new Republican women elected to the House in 2020, and one of a handful who flipped Democratic districts.
The winding road that led her to topple longtime Democratic Rep. Collin C. Peterson for Minnesota’s 7th District seat includes becoming the first female president of the Minnesota Senate and eventually being named the state’s lieutenant governor.
See the video for Fischbach’s story and her top priorities once taking office.
[ Also watch: Kai Kahele won’t have trouble with Hawaii to DC jetlag ]
Thumbnail photo: Rep.-elect Michelle Fischbach arrives at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 13, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images).


rollcall--2020-12-03--Hoyer sets Saturday deadline for omnibus spending deal

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer told fellow Democrats on a conference call Thursday he wants an omnibus spending deal reached by midnight on Saturday to avoid a partial government shutdown next week .
In theory , that timeline would give lawmakers and staff time to put the text into legislative form and post it publicly , in advance of a House floor vote no later than next Thursday .
That would give the Senate a day to process it before current stopgap funding runs dry after 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 11 .
The Maryland Democrat ’ s push for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing doubts that an omnibus package wrapping up $ 1.4 trillion in spending for the current fiscal year could be completed in time .
Senate appropriators have begun considering the need for another stopgap funding measure .
“ I think it ’ s going to take longer , but I hope it won ’ t , ” Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby , R-Ala. , told reporters Thursday .
While Hoyer has a “ worthy goal , ” Shelby said , “ I don ’ t know if it ’ s realistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Caucus on Thursday 's call to urge top negotiators to get moving and avoid the need to remain in Washington any longer than necessary to wrap up the year 's business .
He dismissed Senate Republicans ' pessimism , according to an aide 's account of the discussion , saying : `` If we think it will not get done , it will not get done . ''

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer told fellow Democrats on a conference call Thursday he wants an omnibus spending deal reached by midnight on Saturday to avoid a partial government shutdown next week.
In theory, that timeline would give lawmakers and staff time to put the text into legislative form and post it publicly, in advance of a House floor vote no later than next Thursday. That would give the Senate a day to process it before current stopgap funding runs dry after 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 11.
The Maryland Democrat’s push for quick action on long-stalled negotiations came amid growing doubts that an omnibus package wrapping up $1.4 trillion in spending for the current fiscal year could be completed in time. Senate appropriators have begun considering the need for another stopgap funding measure.
“I think it’s going to take longer, but I hope it won’t,” Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala., told reporters Thursday. While Hoyer has a “worthy goal,” Shelby said, “I don’t know if it’s realistic or not.”
Hoyer told the House Democratic Caucus on Thursday's call to urge top negotiators to get moving and avoid the need to remain in Washington any longer than necessary to wrap up the year's business. He dismissed Senate Republicans' pessimism, according to an aide's account of the discussion, saying: "If we think it will not get done, it will not get done."


rollcall--2020-12-04--CQ Future: Democratic Party

CQ Future: Democratic Party

It 's no secret that in the corridors of power there is a struggle for the soul of the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ won the presidency , there certainly was n't a blue wave .
Moreover , House @ @ @ @ @ the fate of the Senate will be decided by two runoffs in Georgia in January @ @ @ @ @ versus the moderates .
CQ Roll Call 's Shawn Zeller speaks to Donna Shalala and @ @ @ @ @ lost their seats , to talk about why and what 's next for the party @

Shawn Zeller, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

It's no secret that in the corridors of power there is a struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party. While Joe Biden won the presidency, there certainly wasn't a blue wave. Moreover, House Democrats lost seats, and the fate of the Senate will be decided by two runoffs in Georgia in January. It's the progressives versus the moderates. CQ Roll Call's Shawn Zeller speaks to Donna Shalala and Ben McAdams, Democrats who lost their seats, to talk about why and what's next for the party.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-04--Sage grouse, biomass riders trip up omnibus spending bill

Protections for the greater sage grouse and language addressing the carbon neutrality of forest biomass have thrown a wrench into negotiations on a $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending package that is also expected to carry pandemic aid .
Negotiators still have numerous open items to resolve , according to two sources familiar with the negotiations who were n't authorized to speak publicly .
But these people said Democrats ' push to remove two provisions that have been in spending law for years could stall the talks .
The matter has been kicked upstairs for congressional leaders to resolve .
Until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ omnibus talks have come to a “ full stop , ” according to a GOP aide familiar with the situation .
A House Democratic aide countered that `` negotiators have been making good progress '' on the package overall and pushed back on the notion that the two Interior-Environment policy riders would hamstring the talks .
“ But as with all congressional talks there are differences between the two sides over a number of policy issues , ” the aide said .
“ To narrow those differences , Democrats presented a new offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gap between the two sides , and we are hopeful that Republicans will swiftly provide a constructive response .
”

Protections for the greater sage grouse and language addressing the carbon neutrality of forest biomass have thrown a wrench into negotiations on a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending package that is also expected to carry pandemic aid.
Negotiators still have numerous open items to resolve, according to two sources familiar with the negotiations who weren't authorized to speak publicly. But these people said Democrats' push to remove two provisions that have been in spending law for years could stall the talks.
The matter has been kicked upstairs for congressional leaders to resolve. Until appropriators hear back from leadership, the omnibus talks have come to a “full stop,” according to a GOP aide familiar with the situation.
A House Democratic aide countered that "negotiators have been making good progress" on the package overall and pushed back on the notion that the two Interior-Environment policy riders would hamstring the talks.
“But as with all congressional talks there are differences between the two sides over a number of policy issues,” the aide said. “To narrow those differences, Democrats presented a new offer to Republicans this afternoon that narrowed the gap between the two sides, and we are hopeful that Republicans will swiftly provide a constructive response.”


rollcall--2020-12-04--House poised to vote to decriminalize marijuana

The House is poised to vote Friday on a stand-alone bill to decriminalize cannabis for the first time since President @ @ @ @ @ during his `` war on drugs '' a half-century ago .
The bill is unlikely @ @ @ @ @ as Republicans control the Senate , but the vote is a symbolic victory for opponents @ @ @ @ @ approach to the popular drug that has led to the imprisonment of millions of Americans @ @ @ @ @ The bill would remove marijuana from the schedule of illegal drugs established under the 1970 @ @ @ @ @ it remains classified as a highly dangerous drug without health benefits , despite ongoing research @ @ @ @ @ a tide of state legalization measures .
The House floor debate on the issue Thursday @ @ @ @ @ pandemic relief amid devastating unemployment , a looming eviction crisis and spiking COVID-19 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ is frivolous , while Democrats called it overdue .
The bill is meant to end @ @ @ @ @ state policies and the federal restrictions .

The House passed, 228-164, a standalone bill Friday to decriminalize cannabis for the first time since President Richard Nixon imposed severe penalties during his "war on drugs" a half-century ago.
The bill is unlikely to become law as long as Republicans control the Senate, but the vote is a symbolic victory for opponents of a “tough-on-crime” approach to the popular drug that has led to the imprisonment of millions of Americans, disproportionately Black men.
The bill would remove marijuana from the schedule of illegal drugs established under the 1970 Controlled Substances Act, where it remains classified as a highly dangerous drug without health benefits, despite ongoing research about its medicinal potential and a tide of state legalization measures.
The House floor debate on the issue Thursday and Friday was overshadowed by paralysis on pandemic relief amid devastating unemployment, a looming eviction crisis and spiking COVID-19 deaths. Republicans argued that the bill is frivolous, while Democrats called it overdue.
The bill is meant to end the tension between increasingly liberal state policies and the federal restrictions.


rollcall--2020-12-04--Loeffler, Perdue face pressure in Georgia Senate runoffs over pandemic relief delays

As the country was shutting down in the early throes of the coronavirus pandemic , Georgia Sens .
David Perdue @ @ @ @ @ in Congress to register their opposition to targeted aid to individuals and families .
Both @ @ @ @ @ for a $ 2 trillion package that included those provisions that passed with bipartisan support @ @ @ @ @ , with the two fighting to keep their seats in January runoffs that will decide @ @ @ @ @ their Democratic opponents , Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock , have seized on that early @ @ @ @ @ unemployment benefits .
The challengers are also hammering the incumbents , both wealthy business people @ @ @ @ @ in a bet that voters will hold them accountable for months of congressional inaction while @ @ @ @ @ .
Those attacks gained new momentum last month amid reports raising new questions about Perdue @ @ @ @ @ Perdue and Loeffler say their portfolios are managed by third parties and note they have @ @ @ @ @ by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Senate Ethics Committee .

As the country was shutting down in the early throes of the coronavirus pandemic, Georgia Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler joined Republicans in Congress to register their opposition to targeted aid to individuals and families.
Both Perdue and Loeffler eventually voted for a $2 trillion package that included those provisions that passed with bipartisan support in March.
But now, with the two fighting to keep their seats in January runoffs that will decide control of the Senate, their Democratic opponents, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, have seized on that early opposition, especially to expanded unemployment benefits.
The challengers are also hammering the incumbents, both wealthy business people, for pandemic-related stock trades in a bet that voters will hold them accountable for months of congressional inaction while “working families” suffered. Those attacks gained new momentum last month amid reports raising new questions about Perdue’s stock transactions.
Perdue and Loeffler say their portfolios are managed by third parties and note they have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Senate Ethics Committee.


rollcall--2020-12-03--House passes ‘Tiger King’ bill to ban private ownership of big cats

The House on Thursday passed a bill that could prevent the emergence of another “ Tiger King.
” Joe Exotic , the other nickname for “ Tiger King ” Joseph Maldonado-Passage for whom the infamous Netflix docuseries is named , is in prison serving a 22-year sentence for wildlife crimes and a murder-for-hire scheme .
But some in Congress want to make sure no one else can ever allow the public to interact with big cats like the “ Tiger King ” did at the former Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma .
[ How ‘ Tiger King ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King ’ ] The House in a 272-114 vote Thursday passed legislation known as the Big Cat Public Safety Act , which would ban private ownership of big cats such as tigers , lions , leopards , cheetahs , jaguars or cougars .
The measure would make it illegal for someone to breed or own big cats without an animal exhibition license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture but would grandfather in current owners if they register with the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service and abide by federal regulations .
The bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tiger King ” — had he not got into financial and legal trouble that forced him to transfer ownership of his zoo to Jeff Lowe and ultimately led to his imprisonment — would have been minimal .
Maldonado-Passage had an exhibitor license so he could have remained in operation but would have had to stop his controversial practice of cub petting , as the bill would ban licensed exhibitors from allowing visitors to interact with big cats .
USDA suspended the zoo ’ s license this summer , and shortly after , Lowe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an action court battles had already set in motion .

The House on Thursday passed a bill that could prevent the emergence of another “Tiger King.”
Joe Exotic, the other nickname for “Tiger King” Joseph Maldonado-Passage for whom the infamous Netflix docuseries is named, is in prison serving a 22-year sentence for wildlife crimes and a murder-for-hire scheme. But some in Congress want to make sure no one else can ever allow the public to interact with big cats like the “Tiger King” did at the former Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma.
[How ‘Tiger King’ wooed Congress before it was ‘Tiger King’]
The House in a 272-114 vote Thursday passed legislation known as the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which would ban private ownership of big cats such as tigers, lions, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars or cougars. The measure would make it illegal for someone to breed or own big cats without an animal exhibition license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture but would grandfather in current owners if they register with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and abide by federal regulations.
The bill’s actual impact on the “Tiger King” — had he not got into financial and legal trouble that forced him to transfer ownership of his zoo to Jeff Lowe and ultimately led to his imprisonment — would have been minimal. Maldonado-Passage had an exhibitor license so he could have remained in operation but would have had to stop his controversial practice of cub petting, as the bill would ban licensed exhibitors from allowing visitors to interact with big cats. USDA suspended the zoo’s license this summer, and shortly after, Lowe announced he would permanently close operations, an action court battles had already set in motion.


rollcall--2020-12-05--Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore DACA

The Homeland Security Department will have to reopen applications for an Obama-era program that protects children brought to the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ order issued Friday by a New York federal judge .
U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis @ @ @ @ @ previous ruling that Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf was not lawfully appointed when he @ @ @ @ @ for Childhood Arrivals program in July with a memorandum that rejected any new applications .
@ @ @ @ @ to accept new applications for deferred action work permits to undocumented immigrants brought illegally to @ @ @ @ @ Garaufis said .
The order also forces DHS to extend previously granted work permits from @ @ @ @ @ as the program originally allowed , and produce a report about the impacts the illegally-issued @ @ @ @ @ Garaufis noted that “ under normal circumstances , ” it would be enough to vacate @ @ @ @ @ DACA with his July memorandum .
Noting the impact it had on the plaintiffs in @ @ @ @ @ the steps beyond simply throwing out the memorandum .

The Homeland Security Department will have to reopen applications for an Obama-era program that protects children brought to the U.S. illegally from deportation under an order issued Friday by a New York federal judge.
U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis built his order on a previous ruling that Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf was not lawfully appointed when he shook up the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in July with a memorandum that rejected any new applications.
The agency will now have to accept new applications for deferred action work permits to undocumented immigrants brought illegally to the country as children, Garaufis said.
The order also forces DHS to extend previously granted work permits from one year to two, as the program originally allowed, and produce a report about the impacts the illegally-issued changes had on applicants.
Garaufis noted that “under normal circumstances,” it would be enough to vacate the changes Wolf made to DACA with his July memorandum. Noting the impact it had on the plaintiffs in the case, he took the steps beyond simply throwing out the memorandum.


rollcall--2020-12-04--The Transition: Congress is racing to finish must-pass bills before the new year

As the holiday season is upon us , so too is a time-honored tradition — Congress working at the last @ @ @ @ @ .
CQ Roll Call 's Jim Saksa talks with budget tracker David Lerman on the @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 relief package .
• Gideon ’ s conundrum : What to do with all @ @ @

Jim Saksa, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

As the holiday season is upon us, so too is a time-honored tradition — Congress working at the last minute to move must-pass bills. CQ Roll Call's Jim Saksa talks with budget tracker David Lerman on the latest on appropriations and a COVID-19 relief package.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-04--Cats and cannabis: Congressional Hits and Misses

“ This week is only about cats and cannabis , ” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy lamented Thursday , in @ @ @ @ @ on the “ Tiger King ” bill and a bill to decriminalize marijuana .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ a height-assist from Sen. Bill Cassidy and there were tearful goodbyes for Sens .
Lamar @ @ @ @ @ Accountant ” Enzi .
[ Also watch : Mask heckling , Bono and ‘ My @ @ @ @ @ Hits and Misses ]

“This week is only about cats and cannabis,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy lamented Thursday, in reference to the chamber voting on the “Tiger King” bill and a bill to decriminalize marijuana.
Meanwhile, Rep. Josh Gottheimer got a height-assist from Sen. Bill Cassidy and there were tearful goodbyes for Sens. Lamar Alexander and Michael “The Accountant” Enzi.
[ Also watch: Mask heckling, Bono and ‘My Cousin Vinny’ — Congressional Hits and Misses ]


rollcall--2020-12-04--Will Biden retain any top Trump officials?

Is there anyone in a top role in President Donald Trump ’ s administration whom President-elect Joe Biden might keep @ @ @ @ @ Obama was elected , he retained the services of President George W. Bush ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
Gates was viewed as a steady hand at the Pentagon .
But given the @ @ @ @ @ levels of the Trump administration , there aren ’ t many figures with that kind @ @ @ @ @ Gates was already Senate-confirmed , there was no need for a nomination .
Asked during @ @ @ @ @ the incoming Biden administration wants a “ clean break ” from the Trump era , @ @ @ @ @ Kate Bedingfield indicated that was part of the ongoing agency review process .
Bedingfield praised @ @ @ @ @ employees at departments and agencies , as well as some political appointees of the outgoing @ @

Is there anyone in a top role in President Donald Trump’s administration whom President-elect Joe Biden might keep around?
After President Barack Obama was elected, he retained the services of President George W. Bush’s Defense secretary, Robert Gates.
Gates was viewed as a steady hand at the Pentagon. But given the constant upheaval at the top levels of the Trump administration, there aren’t many figures with that kind of nonpartisan gravitas. Because Gates was already Senate-confirmed, there was no need for a nomination.
Asked during a press briefing Friday whether the incoming Biden administration wants a “clean break” from the Trump era, incoming White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield indicated that was part of the ongoing agency review process.
Bedingfield praised the cooperation of career federal employees at departments and agencies, as well as some political appointees of the outgoing president.


rollcall--2020-12-04--Timeline for massive year-end bill slipping

Congressional leaders are expected to introduce a one-week stopgap funding bill running through Dec. 18 , according to aides familiar with the decision who asked for anonymity .
The move comes as it became apparent the current Dec. 11 government funding deadline would be difficult to meet , with more work needed both on coronavirus relief deal and the underlying omnibus appropriations package .
The two chambers are likely to take up the one-week interim bill next week as negotiations continue , a House Democratic leadership aide said .
`` I was hopeful we 'd accomplish those objectives by next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ H. Hoyer , D-Md.
, said on the floor Friday .
`` Unfortunately , things are not moving as rapidly as I think they ought to . ''
Leaders on both sides of the aisle don ’ t want to leave town for the year without completing work on a COVID-19 aid package , and they need the omnibus spending bill for a vehicle .
`` Do n't worry about a date .
It will be in sufficient time for us to get it done , '' Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not at the expense of the initiatives that we need to address in the bills .
”

Lindsey McPherson, Paul M. Krawzak, and David Lerman

Congressional leaders are expected to introduce a one-week stopgap funding bill running through Dec. 18, according to aides familiar with the decision who asked for anonymity.
The move comes as it became apparent the current Dec. 11 government funding deadline would be difficult to meet, with more work needed both on coronavirus relief deal and the underlying omnibus appropriations package. The two chambers are likely to take up the one-week interim bill next week as negotiations continue, a House Democratic leadership aide said.
"I was hopeful we'd accomplish those objectives by next Thursday," House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said on the floor Friday. "Unfortunately, things are not moving as rapidly as I think they ought to."
Leaders on both sides of the aisle don’t want to leave town for the year without completing work on a COVID-19 aid package, and they need the omnibus spending bill for a vehicle.
"Don't worry about a date. It will be in sufficient time for us to get it done," Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Friday. “The sooner the better but not at the expense of the initiatives that we need to address in the bills.”


rollcall--2020-12-04--House marks 150 years of Black members

House marks 150 years of Black members

After a year spent reckoning with the nation ’ s deeply rooted racism , a new exhibit in the House @ @ @ @ @ of Black representation in the chamber , starting with Joseph Rainey , who blazed a @ @ @ @ @ House members .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi stopped by the exhibit Friday morning , joined by @ @ @ @ @ and House Clerk Cheryl Johnson , who both shared details and context beyond what is @ @ @ @ @ of photos , images and documents on display .
“ That is just fabulous , @ @ @ @ @ large blue panels lining the first-floor hallway on the House side of the Capitol .
@ @ @ @ @ ” A video showing the first African American representatives of each state brought surprise and @ @ @ @ @ House officials .
“ It ’ s astounding , ” Johnson said when Steven Horsford @ @ @ @ @ screen .
Horsford was the first Black person elected to the House from the Silver @ @ @ @ @

After a year that saw a national reckoning with the country’s deeply rooted racism, a new exhibit in the House honors and commemorates 150 years of Black representation in the chamber, starting with Joseph Rainey, who blazed a trail for generations of Black House members.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi stopped by the exhibit Friday morning, joined by Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and House Clerk Cheryl Johnson, who both shared details and context beyond what is included in the nine panels of photos, images and documents on display.
“That is just fabulous,” Pelosi said of the large blue panels lining the first-floor hallway on the House side of the Capitol. “This is so timely.”
A video showing the first African American representatives of each state brought surprise and some head-shaking from the three House officials.
“It’s astounding,” Johnson said when Steven Horsford of Nevada flashed onto the screen. Horsford was the first Black person elected to the House from the Silver State, in 2013.


rollcall--2020-12-04--Durbin quest for Judiciary sparks opportunity debate

Interest in the Senate Judiciary Committee ’ s top Democratic spot by Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin , D-Ill. , has sparked a larger conversation about who gets leadership opportunities in the caucus .
“ It ’ s not about Senator Durbin .
He ’ s terrific , but I think it ’ s legitimate to talk about various ways to give more people opportunities .
So I ’ ll have to see what all of it looks like , ” said Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow , the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee chairwoman .
Durbin , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein , 87 , announced last month she would be stepping aside as the top Democrat on Judiciary .
He said in a statement that he has served on the committee for 22 years , and is “ its most senior member who does not currently serve atop another Senate Committee.
” Durbin also said he would seek to retain his position in leadership .
There are no rules disallowing someone to be in Democratic leadership and chairman or ranking member of a committee , which is generally determined by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington Sen. Patty Murray , both 70 , hold ranking positions on Senate committees and serve in Democratic leadership .
Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer , 70 , Durbin , Feinstein , Stabenow and Murray are in at least their fourth Senate terms .

Interest in the Senate Judiciary Committee’s top Democratic spot by Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., has sparked a larger conversation about who gets leadership opportunities in the caucus.
“It’s not about Senator Durbin. He’s terrific, but I think it’s legitimate to talk about various ways to give more people opportunities. So I’ll have to see what all of it looks like,” said Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow, the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee chairwoman.
Durbin, who is 76, raised his hand after California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 87, announced last month she would be stepping aside as the top Democrat on Judiciary. He said in a statement that he has served on the committee for 22 years, and is “its most senior member who does not currently serve atop another Senate Committee.” Durbin also said he would seek to retain his position in leadership.
There are no rules disallowing someone to be in Democratic leadership and chairman or ranking member of a committee, which is generally determined by seniority.
Several Democrats including Stabenow and Washington Sen. Patty Murray, both 70, hold ranking positions on Senate committees and serve in Democratic leadership. Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, 70, Durbin, Feinstein, Stabenow and Murray are in at least their fourth Senate terms.


rollcall--2020-12-04--Gideon’s conundrum: What to do with all that extra money

The failed Senate bid of Sara Gideon , the Maine Democrat who challenged Sen. Susan Collins , hauled in nearly $ 75 million and , after the election , still held an embarrassment of riches to rival even the biggest pile of Thanksgiving leftovers : $ 14.8 million .
The Gideon campaign did not respond to requests for comment about what the candidate might plan to do with all that cash .
The campaign did say in a news release the state house speaker planned to donate a about $ 350,000 to two charities , Full Plates , Full Potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plates , Full Potential and Keep ME Warm work every day to help Maine families through this difficult time , and I ’ m proud to support them , ” Gideon said in the news release .
“ I ’ ve always believed that public service is about making a difference and improving the lives of people in your community .
Helping Maine people is what inspired me to run for office and it ’ s what continues to guide me today.
” Gideon 's left over cash was disclosed in a nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 15 through Nov. 23 , filed shortly after 1 a.m. Friday with the Federal Election Commission .
The report shows that from Oct. 15 through Election Day , Gideon collected more than $ 6 million , including $ 2.5 million in `` unitemized '' contributions , or small donations of less than $ 200 .
Though numerous polls showed Gideon leading going into the election , Collins won comfortably , with 51 percent to Gideon 's 42 percent .

The failed Senate bid of Sara Gideon, the Maine Democrat who challenged Sen. Susan Collins, hauled in nearly $75 million and, after the election, still held an embarrassment of riches to rival even the biggest pile of Thanksgiving leftovers: $14.8 million.
The Gideon campaign did not respond to requests for comment about what the candidate might plan to do with all that cash. The campaign did say in a news release the state house speaker planned to donate a about $350,000 to two charities, Full Plates, Full Potential and Keep ME Warm.
“Full Plates, Full Potential and Keep ME Warm work every day to help Maine families through this difficult time, and I’m proud to support them,” Gideon said in the news release. “I’ve always believed that public service is about making a difference and improving the lives of people in your community. Helping Maine people is what inspired me to run for office and it’s what continues to guide me today.”
Gideon's left over cash was disclosed in a nearly 26,000-page report, covering the period from Oct. 15 through Nov. 23, filed shortly after 1 a.m. Friday with the Federal Election Commission. The report shows that from Oct. 15 through Election Day, Gideon collected more than $6 million, including $2.5 million in "unitemized" contributions, or small donations of less than $200.
Though numerous polls showed Gideon leading going into the election, Collins won comfortably, with 51 percent to Gideon's 42 percent.


rollcall--2020-12-04--Photos of the week ending Dec. 4, 2020

Photos of the week ending Dec. 4, 2020

One week remains on the official congressional schedule for 2020 .
As lawmakers look to head out of town for @ @ @ @ @ 116th sine die , there are still a few items left on their agenda — @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the fiscal year .
This week , a few new members were @ @ @ @ @ got busy packing up their offices to move up or out .
Here is how @ @ @ @ @ lenses of the CQ Roll Call photojournalists .

Bill Clark, Caroline Brehman, and Tom Williams

One week remains on the official congressional schedule for 2020. As lawmakers look to head out of town for the holidays and adjourn the 116th sine die, there are still a few items left on their agenda — including funding the government for the rest of the fiscal year.
This week, a few new members were sworn in, while others got busy packing up their offices to move up or out. Here is how the week looked through the lenses of the CQ Roll Call photojournalists.
Visitors gather at the Capitol Christmas tree at sunset on Thursday evening. This year's tree, an Engelmann Spruce, came from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
People dine in outdoor pods at Ted's Bulletin on 14th Street NW in Washington on Saturday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
The Washington Monument is silhouetted at sunset on Monday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., center, arrives for a news conference with a group of bipartisan lawmakers from the House and Senate to unveil a COVID-19 emergency relief framework in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Tuesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin arrives for a House Financial Services Committee hearing on "Oversight of the Treasury Department's and Federal Reserve's Pandemic Response" in the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., holds a virtual meeting with President-elect Joe Biden's DHS Secretary-Designate Alejandro Mayorkas in the LBJ Room in the Capitol on Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., exits the Senate floor after a vote in the Capitol on Wednesday. The retiring senator delivered his farewell speech in the Senate on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen.-elect Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., arrives in the Capitol to be sworn in on Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., checks his phone on the second floor of the Capitol before a vote on Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
A worker carries a box of packing tape through a hallway in the Rayburn House Office Building on Thursday. Some members of Congress are moving into new offices while others are moving out. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds a ceremonial swearing in of Rep. Kwanza Hall, D-Ga., as he fills the congressional seat of the late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., on Thursday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., center, and members of the House Freedom Caucus gather to hold a news conference to call on Attorney General William Barr to release findings of an "investigation into allegations of 2020 election fraud" outside the Capitol on Thursday. Reps. Randy Weber, R-Texas, right, Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, left, and Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., also appear. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)


rollcall--2020-12-04--Lawmakers pitch in money for Georgia Senate runoffs

New campaign finance reports show that some lawmakers are funneling their own campaign money to party committees to assist with the two runoff elections in Georgia , with Senate control on the line .
Both parties are mobilizing ahead of the Jan. 5 runoffs .
Republicans are defending two seats , with Sen. David Perdue facing Democrat Jon Ossoff , and Sen. Kelly Loeffler facing Democratic pastor Raphael Warnock in a special election .
A full fundraising picture will not be clear until Dec. 24 , when the runoff candidates file their campaign finance reports .
But transfers to party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers are engaging in the races .
After Election Day , more Republicans than Democrats transferred campaign funds to their party , according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission Thursday , covering the period from Oct. 15 through Nov. 23 .
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham led the pack , sending $ 1 million to the National Republican Senatorial Committee after Election Day .
“ Republican control of the U.S. Senate is critical to preventing our country from going down a path towards socialism , ” Graham said in a Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything I can to propel my colleagues David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler to victory in the Georgia senate runoffs .
”

New campaign finance reports show that some lawmakers are funneling their own campaign money to party committees to assist with the two runoff elections in Georgia, with Senate control on the line.
Both parties are mobilizing ahead of the Jan. 5 runoffs. Republicans are defending two seats, with Sen. David Perdue facing Democrat Jon Ossoff, and Sen. Kelly Loeffler facing Democratic pastor Raphael Warnock in a special election.
A full fundraising picture will not be clear until Dec. 24, when the runoff candidates file their campaign finance reports. But transfers to party committees disclosed this week show one way lawmakers are engaging in the races. After Election Day, more Republicans than Democrats transferred campaign funds to their party, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission Thursday, covering the period from Oct. 15 through Nov. 23.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham led the pack, sending $1 million to the National Republican Senatorial Committee after Election Day.
“Republican control of the U.S. Senate is critical to preventing our country from going down a path towards socialism,” Graham said in a Thursday night statement. “I am doing everything I can to propel my colleagues David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler to victory in the Georgia senate runoffs.”


rollcall--2020-12-05--Luke Letlow wins runoff to succeed his boss, Ralph Abraham, in Louisiana’s 5th District

Luke Letlow , the chief of staff for retiring Louisiana Republican Ralph Abraham , is heading to Congress as his @ @ @ @ @ winning an all-GOP runoff election Saturday for his 5th District seat .
Letlow was leading @ @ @ @ @ a leader in the state GOP for decades , 62 percent to 38 percent when @ @ @ @ @ race at 10:18 p.m. Eastern time .
Letlow ’ s win capped a contentious runoff @ @ @ @ @ candidates clashed over experience and political style even as they agreed on core conservative policy @ @ @ @ @ gun rights and opposition to abortion .
Letlow , who turns 41 on Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ of Washington , while Harris , 59 , attacked his opponent for his youth and @ @ @ @ @ would bring an outsider ’ s perspective to the job .
Abraham has represented the @ @ @ @ @ Arkansas and Mississippi borders since 2014 .
He decided not to run for a fourth @ @ @ @ @ bid .

Luke Letlow, the chief of staff for retiring Louisiana Republican Ralph Abraham, is heading to Congress as his boss’s successor after winning an all-GOP runoff election Saturday for his 5th District seat.
Letlow was leading state Rep. Lance Harris, a leader in the state GOP for decades, 62 percent to 38 percent when The Associated Press called the race at 10:18 p.m. Eastern time.
Letlow’s win capped a contentious runoff campaign in which the two candidates clashed over experience and political style even as they agreed on core conservative policy issues such as support for gun rights and opposition to abortion.
Letlow, who turns 41 on Sunday, campaigned on his insider knowledge of Washington, while Harris, 59, attacked his opponent for his youth and Washington connections, saying he would bring an outsider’s perspective to the job.
Abraham has represented the largely rural district along the Arkansas and Mississippi borders since 2014. He decided not to run for a fourth term after an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid.


rollcall--2020-12-06--Becerra expected to be named HHS secretary

President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to become the Health and Human Services secretary next year , a source familiar with the plan confirmed late Sunday .
Becerra , a former 12-term congressman , sat on the House Ways and Means Committee and chaired the House Democratic Caucus .
He left Congress to assume the role of California attorney general in 2017 .
As attorney general , he led a coalition of states defending the 2010 health care law in Texas v. California , the lawsuit seeking to overturn the health care law brought by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration .
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in that case by the end of June .
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus praised the pick , noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Latinos .
`` As Attorney General , Becerra led the charge to defend the Affordable Care Act , lower prescription drug costs , and protect immigrant families , '' Rep. Joaquin Castro , D-Texas , the group 's chairman , said in a statement .
`` We welcome the news of Becerra ’ s nomination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to appoint five Latinos in the Cabinet , including Latinas in prominent positions . ''
Beccera will face the daunting task of continuing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the wake of a poor performance by the United States when compared to other industrialized nations .

Mary Ellen McIntire and Niels Lesniewski

President-elect Joe Biden formally announced his health care team on Monday, naming his choice for Health and Human Services secretary and six other people who would guide the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic starting next year.
The formal announcement comes a day after a source told CQ Roll Call that Biden planned to nominate California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as HHS secretary.
Becerra, a former 12-term congressman, sat on the House Ways and Means Committee and chaired the House Democratic Caucus. He left Congress to become California's attorney general in 2017. As attorney general, he led a coalition of states defending the 2010 health care law in Texas v. California, the lawsuit seeking to overturn that law that was brought by conservative state officials and backed by the Trump administration. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in that case by the end of June.
[Will Biden retain any top Trump officials?]
Becerra's legal background could also be helpful if Republicans control the Senate and the incoming Biden administration is forced to make major policy changes through regulations, rather than legislation.


rollcall--2020-12-07--Capitol Insiders Survey finds staffers pessimistic on virus relief

ANALYSIS — In the waning days of the 116th Congress , after reflecting over a Thanksgiving break , lawmakers changed @ @ @ @ @ .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer sent a secret @ @ @ @ @ Leader Mitch McConnell .
McConnell conferred with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows , @ @ @ @ @ House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , then circulated a proposal to the Senate GOP caucus @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump would sign .
A bipartisan group led by Sens .
Joe Manchin @ @ @ @ @ Susan Collins , R-Maine , offered a compromise that split the difference between the $ @ @ @ @ @ demanded and the $ 300 billion in new spending that Republican senators most recently offered @ @ @ @ @ said they ’ d be happy to use it as the starting point for negotiation @ @ @ @ @ plagued the debate about appropriating more money to fight the virus before Election Day softened @ @ @ @ @ industries , from hoteliers to restaurateurs , ramped up their pressure campaigns .

ANALYSIS — In the waning days of the 116th Congress, after reflecting over a Thanksgiving break, lawmakers changed their tone on virus relief.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer sent a secret compromise offer to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
McConnell conferred with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, then circulated a proposal to the Senate Republican Conference based on what he said President Donald Trump would sign.
A bipartisan group led by Sens. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, offered a compromise that split the difference between the $2.2 trillion that Democrats have demanded and the $300 billion in new spending that Republican senators most recently offered. Then Pelosi and Schumer said they’d be happy to use it as the starting point for negotiation.
The caustic tone that plagued the debate about appropriating more money to fight the virus before Election Day softened. Lobbying groups for crumbling industries, from hoteliers to restaurateurs, ramped up their pressure campaigns.


rollcall--2020-12-07--Photo of the day: A trip to the Mall

Photo of the day: A trip to the Mall

Sen. Mark Warner , D-Va. , right , and Will Shafroth , president and CEO of the National Park Foundation @ @ @ @ @ on the National Mall on Monday .
Warner was presented the foundation 's Hero Award @ @ @ @ @ passing the Great American Outdoors Act and his overall extraordinary service and commitment to the @ @ @ @ @ ” during a ceremony at the monument .
Sens .
Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , @ @ @ @ @ and Rob Portman , R-Ohio , also received the award for their work on the @ @

(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., right, and Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, tour the Jefferson Memorial on the National Mall on Monday.
Warner was presented the foundation's Hero Award for his “leadership in passing the Great American Outdoors Act and his overall extraordinary service and commitment to the betterment of national parks,” during a ceremony at the monument.
Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Angus King, I-Maine, and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, also received the award for their work on the bill.


rollcall--2020-12-07--Despite mounting research, EPA holds soot standards steady

The EPA announced Monday that it will not tighten standards on soot pollution , bucking recommendations from career agency scientists and disregarding an emerging scientific link between dirty air and deaths from COVID-19 .
Environmental and public health groups assailed the decision Monday , pointing out the move came during a global pandemic caused by a respiratory illness .
Soot pollution comes from factories , power plants , burning wood , vehicles , coal power and other sources .
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler telegraphed the move in April when he said the agency would leave in place its 2012 standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type — PM 2.5 , named for tiny particles or droplets 2.5 microns or less in width — overriding recommendations from nonpartisan EPA officials and independent health experts .
( One micron is an infinitesimal fraction of an inch . )
Wheeler said then , in a contentious call with reporters , that there was uncertainty in the research surrounding particulate matter , broadly called soot pollution .
“ I 'm saying that there 's still a lot of uncertainties and that we believe that the current level that was set by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Wheeler said in the spring .
“ We believe that this threshold is protective based on the scientific data that we have .
”

The EPA announced Monday that it will not tighten standards on soot pollution, bucking recommendations from career agency scientists and disregarding an emerging scientific link between dirty air and deaths from COVID-19.
Environmental and public health groups assailed the decision Monday, pointing out the move came during a global pandemic caused by a respiratory illness. Soot pollution comes from factories, power plants, burning wood, vehicles, coal power and other sources.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler telegraphed the move in April when he said the agency would leave in place its 2012 standards on so-called particulate matter of a specific type — PM 2.5, named for tiny particles or droplets 2.5 microns or less in width — overriding recommendations from nonpartisan EPA officials and independent health experts. (One micron is an infinitesimal fraction of an inch.)
Wheeler said then, in a contentious call with reporters, that there was uncertainty in the research surrounding particulate matter, broadly called soot pollution.
“I'm saying that there's still a lot of uncertainties and that we believe that the current level that was set by the Obama administration is protective of public health,” Wheeler said in the spring. “We believe that this threshold is protective based on the scientific data that we have.”


rollcall--2020-12-07--The workhorse legacy of the late Sen. Paul Sarbanes

In his 36 years in Congress , the famously “ low-key ” Maryland Democrat Paul S. Sarbanes nevertheless found himself drafting the first article of impeachment against President Richard Nixon and co-authoring landmark anti-fraud legislation that changed corporate America .
His legacy was on display as news spread about his death Sunday at the age of 87 .
“ Known as the stealth senator , he was low-key but extremely effective .
A leader on a wide-ranging group of issues , from environmental stewardship to consumer privacy to anything having to do with his home state of Maryland .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like iron and worked and worked and worked on issue after issue until he achieved his goals , ” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said on the floor Monday .
“ In Congress , Paul Sarbanes was respected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his humility , tenacity and keen intellect .
It was a source of great pride for me that his Congressional career began in the same House seat held by my father , ” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Monday , referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Alesandro Jr. “ In his five terms in the Senate , Sarbanes lived comfortably in a world of precise details and quiet insistence .
And while he possessed the intellectual skills to leave opponents sputtering , he generally showed little appetite for legislative gamesmanship , relying instead on a methodical approach to policy making , ” read his profile in CQ ’ s “ Politics in America .
”

In his 36 years in Congress, the famously “low-key” Maryland Democrat Paul S. Sarbanes nevertheless found himself drafting the first article of impeachment against President Richard Nixon and co-authoring landmark anti-fraud legislation that changed corporate America.
His legacy was on display as news spread about his death Sunday at the age of 87.
“Known as the stealth senator, he was low-key but extremely effective. A leader on a wide-ranging group of issues, from environmental stewardship to consumer privacy to anything having to do with his home state of Maryland. He was soft-spoken, but he had determination like iron and worked and worked and worked on issue after issue until he achieved his goals,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said on the floor Monday.
“In Congress, Paul Sarbanes was respected by his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his humility, tenacity and keen intellect. It was a source of great pride for me that his Congressional career began in the same House seat held by my father,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Monday, referring to her father, the late Thomas D’Alesandro Jr.
“In his five terms in the Senate, Sarbanes lived comfortably in a world of precise details and quiet insistence. And while he possessed the intellectual skills to leave opponents sputtering, he generally showed little appetite for legislative gamesmanship, relying instead on a methodical approach to policy making,” read his profile in CQ’s “Politics in America.”


rollcall--2020-12-07--The Transition: Let’s make a deal

The Transition: Let’s make a deal

Congress is still in a tug of war over a possible COVID-19 aid package .
CQ Roll Call ’ s @ @ @ @ @ things stand .
Then we turn to CQ Roll Call health reporter Mary Ellen McIntire @ @ @ @ @ President-elect Joe Biden wants on his team to lead the country out of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ hosts this episode of Political Theater ’ s The Transition .
• Adulting might be @ @ @ @ @

Katherine Tully-McManus, Joanne Levine, and Evan Campbell

Congress is still in a tug of war over a possible COVID-19 aid package. CQ Roll Call’s David Lerman talks about where things stand. Then we turn to CQ Roll Call health reporter Mary Ellen McIntire, who breaks down who President-elect Joe Biden wants on his team to lead the country out of the pandemic and why. Katherine Tully-McManus hosts this episode of Political Theater’s The Transition.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-07--Georgia Senate race: Warnock says Loeffler voted to defund police, but proof comes up short

Punching back at GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler ’ s attempts to tie him to progressive calls to “ defund the police , ” Democratic challenger Raphael Warnock is pointing to Loeffler ’ s September vote against an appropriations bill as evidence that she was the one who tried to take money away from police departments .
“ I want to point out that Kelly Loeffler actually voted to defund the police , ” Warnock said during a debate Sunday night .
“ She voted against the COPS program .
She was one of only 10 United States senators who did.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stretch at best .
Loeffler was one of 10 senators to vote Sept. 29 against a catch-all spending bill that kept the government from shutting down .
That bill included money for community policing grants known as the COPS program , but it also paid for thousands of other programs from agriculture to transportation to veterans affairs .
Warnock ’ s campaign did not cite any evidence that COPS funding was the reason for Loeffler ’ s “ no ” vote , though it did cite a statement she gave to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take a stand against the wasteful spending and the way the government is funded .
Loeffler had proposed an amendment to the stopgap spending bill — which was not considered — that would have prohibited federal agencies from using appropriations to pay for racial sensitivity training programs , a pet issue of President Donald Trump ’ s that has nothing to do with police .

Punching back at GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s attempts to tie him to progressive calls to “defund the police,” Democratic challenger Raphael Warnock is pointing to Loeffler’s September vote against an appropriations bill as evidence that she was the one who tried to take money away from police departments.
“I want to point out that Kelly Loeffler actually voted to defund the police,” Warnock said during a debate Sunday night. “She voted against the COPS program. She was one of only 10 United States senators who did.”
But the proof he cites is a stretch at best. Loeffler was one of 10 senators to vote Sept. 29 against a catch-all spending bill that kept the government from shutting down. That bill included money for community policing grants known as the COPS program, but it also paid for thousands of other programs from agriculture to transportation to veterans affairs.
Warnock’s campaign did not cite any evidence that COPS funding was the reason for Loeffler’s “no” vote, though it did cite a statement she gave to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in September that she wanted to take a stand against the wasteful spending and the way the government is funded.
Loeffler had proposed an amendment to the stopgap spending bill — which was not considered — that would have prohibited federal agencies from using appropriations to pay for racial sensitivity training programs, a pet issue of President Donald Trump’s that has nothing to do with police.


rollcall--2020-12-07--A Trump veto of defense bill could cut lawmakers’ holiday break short

Congress should cut short its coming recess , if necessary , to ensure a defense authorization bill becomes law this @ @ @ @ @ said Monday .
Asked if Congress would take a shorter holiday break if it was @ @ @ @ @ veto of the NDAA , House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer , D-Md.
, said @ @ @ @ @ .
That would be my expectation.
” Earlier on Monday , the chairman and ranking @ @ @ @ @ Services Committee said an override during what would otherwise be a holiday recess may be @ @ @ @ @ get authorization for pay raises and to ensure other important provisions become law .
“ @ @ @ @ @ , we will come back to vote to override , ” said Adam Smith , @ @ @ @ @ , in a conference call with reporters .
“ We would be rightly and fairly @ @ @ @ @ t come back to deal with military pay , ” said Texas Republican Mac Thornberry @ @ @ @ @ in separate call .

Congress should cut short its coming recess, if necessary, to ensure a defense authorization bill becomes law this year, senior House members said Monday.
Asked if Congress would take a shorter holiday break if it was necessary to override a presidential veto of the NDAA, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., said: “I hope so. That would be my expectation.”
Earlier on Monday, the chairman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee said an override during what would otherwise be a holiday recess may be necessary to enable troops to get authorization for pay raises and to ensure other important provisions become law.
“If the president vetoes it, we will come back to vote to override,” said Adam Smith, D-Wash., the committee chairman, in a conference call with reporters.
“We would be rightly and fairly criticized when we can’t come back to deal with military pay,” said Texas Republican Mac Thornberry, the ranking member, in separate call.


rollcall--2020-12-07--Bipartisan coronavirus relief package hits snags over details

After making a big splash last week and injecting a sense of optimism into long-delayed coronavirus relief talks , a bipartisan $ 908 billion plan was hung up Monday over liability protections for businesses .
Sources familiar with the talks said the group of House and Senate lawmakers working on the text has a general agreement to distribute some $ 160 billion in state and local aid based on population size , revenue loss and expenditures , but negotiators were still finalizing the formula .
But the two issues are inextricably linked given the importance of state and local aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to these sources .
If there ’ s no deal to include liability , it becomes harder for Republicans to agree to keep state and local aid in .
The $ 908 billion plan is being eyed as the baseline for a new aid package lawmakers plan to attach to an omnibus fiscal 2021 spending bill .
A one-week stopgap measure to buy more time to write the massive package is on tap this week , with the House planning to vote on the stopgap Wednesday .
That new deadline gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out its aid proposal , which won high-level support last week .
But the legislative text will reveal whether it can pass both chambers or require further negotiation .

After making a big splash last week and injecting a sense of optimism into long-delayed coronavirus relief talks, a bipartisan $908 billion plan was hung up Monday over liability protections for businesses.
Sources familiar with the talks said the group of House and Senate lawmakers working on the text has a general agreement to distribute some $160 billion in state and local aid based on population size, revenue loss and expenditures, but negotiators were still finalizing the formula.
But the two issues are inextricably linked given the importance of state and local aid to Democrats and liability protections to Republicans, according to these sources. If there’s no deal to include liability, it becomes harder for Republicans to agree to keep state and local aid in.
The $908 billion plan is being eyed as the baseline for a new aid package lawmakers plan to attach to an omnibus fiscal 2021 spending bill. A one-week stopgap measure to buy more time to write the massive package is on tap this week, with the House planning to vote on the stopgap Wednesday.
That new deadline gives the bipartisan group more time to iron out its aid proposal, which won high-level support last week. But the legislative text will reveal whether it can pass both chambers or require further negotiation.


rollcall--2020-12-07--Falling through census cracks could hurt tribes

When the Blackfeet reservation in northern Montana locked down in July because of the coronavirus pandemic — complete with curfews , quarantines and limits on outside visitors — it made the door-to-door counting process of this year ’ s census that much harder .
Alaska Native and Native American communities across the country faced a difficult decision this year : open their lands for the in-person census count and risk infection or keep closed and prepare for another undercount that could choke off federal funds vital to their communities .
Accurately counting native communities also could affect congressional apportionment for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the verge of receiving a second congressional seat .
The Blackfeet Nation , hit hard by the pandemic , allowed census takers on the reservation .
But George Kipp , the director of the Blackfeet Manpower One-Stop Center , said it was a fraught decision .
“ There are a lot of issues .
There was a lot of testing going on , a lot of quarantine , a lot of fear , ” Kipp said .
His organization manages a number of social programs for the tribe , including census outreach .

When the Blackfeet reservation in northern Montana locked down in July because of the coronavirus pandemic — complete with curfews, quarantines and limits on outside visitors — it made the door-to-door counting process of this year’s census that much harder.
Alaska Native and Native American communities across the country faced a difficult decision this year: open their lands for the in-person census count and risk infection or keep closed and prepare for another undercount that could choke off federal funds vital to their communities.
Accurately counting native communities also could affect congressional apportionment for states like Montana, which is on the verge of receiving a second congressional seat.
The Blackfeet Nation, hit hard by the pandemic, allowed census takers on the reservation. But George Kipp, the director of the Blackfeet Manpower One-Stop Center, said it was a fraught decision.
“There are a lot of issues. There was a lot of testing going on, a lot of quarantine, a lot of fear,” Kipp said. His organization manages a number of social programs for the tribe, including census outreach.


rollcall--2020-12-07--Adulting might be alive and well in Congress

OPINION — Politics attracts its fair share of spleen-venters , be they petulant presidents or colicky congressmen .
But two veteran , retiring lawmakers steeped for years in electoral jockeying and no strangers to campaign combat are showing one can do your job in public life while still acting like an adult .
“ Our country needs a United States Senate , to thoughtfully and carefully and intentionally put country before partisanship and personal politics to force broad agreements on controversial issues that become laws that most of us will vote for and that a diverse country will accept , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his farewell speech to the Senate on Dec. 2 .
Such sentiments are commonplace in senators ’ floor speeches .
What makes Alexander ’ s different is that he actually lived that .
A former governor , Education secretary , presidential candidate and Senate GOP conference chairman , Alexander spent the last part of his career bringing ambitious legislation into law .
From his perch as chairman of the Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee , he helped shepherd undertakings such as updating the No Child Left Behind education law in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law the following year .
He could have been following the lead of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy .
The Massachusetts Democrat , some of whose biggest accomplishments came out of his time on the HELP panel , had presidential ambitions of his own and no doubts about his own liberal convictions .

OPINION — Politics attracts its fair share of spleen-venters, be they petulant presidents or colicky congressmen. But two veteran, retiring lawmakers steeped for years in electoral jockeying and no strangers to campaign combat are showing one can do your job in public life while still acting like an adult.
“Our country needs a United States Senate, to thoughtfully and carefully and intentionally put country before partisanship and personal politics to force broad agreements on controversial issues that become laws that most of us will vote for and that a diverse country will accept,” Tennessee Republican Lamar Alexander said in his farewell speech to the Senate on Dec. 2.
Such sentiments are commonplace in senators’ floor speeches. What makes Alexander’s different is that he actually lived that.
A former governor, Education secretary, presidential candidate and Senate GOP conference chairman, Alexander spent the last part of his career bringing ambitious legislation into law. From his perch as chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, he helped shepherd undertakings such as updating the No Child Left Behind education law in 2015 and a landmark biomedical research funding law the following year.
He could have been following the lead of the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. The Massachusetts Democrat, some of whose biggest accomplishments came out of his time on the HELP panel, had presidential ambitions of his own and no doubts about his own liberal convictions.


rollcall--2020-12-07--Congress moves to give Pentagon more say in Energy Department’s nukes budget

Congress is poised to give the Pentagon a new mechanism for influencing the Energy Department ’ s spending on nuclear warheads and bombs .
Critics and proponents alike think the proposed process , set forth in the defense authorization conference report , could lead to pressure to spend more and more on atomic weapons .
And the pending legislation does not sit well with some members of both parties who fear it could exert downward pressure on nonmilitary priorities at the Energy Department .
The final version of the NDAA would empower the Defense Department ’ s Nuclear Weapons Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and top military officers , to certify in writing to the White House and Congress whether the Energy Department ’ s nuclear weapons budget is “ adequate ” each year — even before it is sent to Capitol Hill .
Congress is likely to vote in the coming days to clear the legislation for President Donald Trump ’ s signature .
He has threatened to veto it over other issues .
But precedent favors the bill ’ s eventual enactment : It has happened for 59 straight fiscal years .
The Energy Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or NNSA , oversees spending on nuclear weapons and related research — a proposed $ 19.7 billion in fiscal 2021 , more than half the Energy Department ’ s overall budget .

Congress is poised to give the Pentagon a new mechanism for influencing the Energy Department’s spending on nuclear warheads and bombs.
Critics and proponents alike think the proposed process, set forth in the defense authorization conference report, could lead to pressure to spend more and more on atomic weapons. And the pending legislation does not sit well with some members of both parties who fear it could exert downward pressure on nonmilitary priorities at the Energy Department.
The final version of the NDAA would empower the Nuclear Weapons Council, a group comprised primarily of senior Pentagon civilians and top military officers, to certify in writing to the White House and Congress whether the Energy Department’s nuclear weapons budget is “adequate” each year — even before it is sent to Capitol Hill.
Congress is likely to vote in the coming days to clear the legislation for President Donald Trump’s signature. He has threatened to veto it over other issues. But precedent favors the bill’s eventual enactment: It has happened for 59 straight fiscal years.
Long-running debate
The Energy Department’s National Nuclear Security Administration, or NNSA, oversees spending on nuclear weapons and related research — a proposed $19.7 billion in fiscal 2021, more than half the Energy Department’s overall budget.


rollcall--2020-12-08--Banks look at ‘explainable’ AI systems to boost consumer trust

Banks and other financial firms are investing in “ explainable ” artificial intelligence that lets auditors and analysts trace how decisions about loans and other services are made by financial technologies , experts say .
The increasing use of software with AI capabilities such as machine learning and data mining has automated banking operations , increasing efficiency and providing more services .
But privacy and civil liberties groups contend that has come at a cost , with bias in the AI systems ’ algorithms leading to discrimination in the form of loans or other services denied based on sex or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a big problem for banks , which are investing in technical solutions to solve the problem , Moutusi Sau , an analyst at research and advisory company Gartner Inc. , told CQ Roll Call .
That issue is known as the black box problem with AI systems : software decision-making processes that often are opaque to humans , making it difficult or impossible to determine how a decision was made .
To come to grips with this issue , the finance industry is turning to explainable AI , an emerging technology that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The goal is to ferret out the biased algorithms and other problems with software-based decision-making .
The explainable part is usually in the form of data , often presented visually , such as in a chart that can show how the software reached its conclusions .
The Defense Department ’ s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency launched a multiyear project in 2018 to grapple with the Pentagon ’ s concerns about opaque AI decision-making in weapons systems , one of the first large projects to explore the technology .

Banks and other financial firms are investing in “explainable” artificial intelligence that lets auditors and analysts trace how decisions about loans and other services are made by financial technologies, experts say.
The increasing use of software with AI capabilities such as machine learning and data mining has automated banking operations, increasing efficiency and providing more services. But privacy and civil liberties groups contend that has come at a cost, with bias in the AI systems’ algorithms leading to discrimination in the form of loans or other services denied based on sex or ethnicity.
This perception of algorithmic bias is a big problem for banks, which are investing in technical solutions to solve the problem, Moutusi Sau, an analyst at research and advisory company Gartner Inc., told CQ Roll Call. That issue is known as the black box problem with AI systems: software decision-making processes that often are opaque to humans, making it difficult or impossible to determine how a decision was made.
To come to grips with this issue, the finance industry is turning to explainable AI, an emerging technology that aims to make decisions more transparent. The goal is to ferret out the biased algorithms and other problems with software-based decision-making. The explainable part is usually in the form of data, often presented visually, such as in a chart that can show how the software reached its conclusions.
The Defense Department’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency launched a multiyear project in 2018 to grapple with the Pentagon’s concerns about opaque AI decision-making in weapons systems, one of the first large projects to explore the technology.


rollcall--2020-12-08--Advocates to press Biden, Congress on facial recognition curbs

Advocates for privacy rights , civil liberties and racial justice are preparing to press the next Congress and the Biden administration to impose stricter regulations on the use of facial recognition tools and other types of biometric surveillance technology .
Amid a national debate over policing and systemic racism , groups such as the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology plan to push lawmakers from both parties as well as President-elect Joe Biden to regulate a technology that experts say poses a disparate threat to communities of color , especially in the hands of law enforcement .
“ President-elect Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the criminal justice system , and that should extend to some of the technological causes of disparity , like facial recognition , that has a disproportionately negative impact on African Americans , ” Greg Nojeim , a senior counsel at CDT and director of its Freedom , Security and Technology Project , told CQ Roll Call .
In a letter last month to the Biden transition team , CDT joined 29 other organizations in urging federal agency review teams to “ prioritize civil rights and technology equities ” when recruiting personnel for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hire dedicated technology and civil rights staff to consider how new regulations would affect vulnerable and underrepresented populations , the letter said .
“ With better understanding of civil rights and technology and a clear directive to address these issues , agencies can create a regulatory environment that encourages companies to design tools with equity impacts in mind , ” the groups said .
“ Without a diverse range of expertise focusing on tech policy , the new administration will not achieve the equitable outcomes it seeks .
”

Advocates for privacy rights, civil liberties and racial justice are preparing to press the next Congress and the Biden administration to impose stricter regulations on the use of facial recognition tools and other types of biometric surveillance technology.
Amid a national debate over policing and systemic racism, groups such as the nonprofit Center for Democracy and Technology plan to push lawmakers from both parties as well as President-elect Joe Biden to regulate a technology that experts say poses a disparate threat to communities of color, especially in the hands of law enforcement.
“President-elect Biden has made a commitment to address disparities in the criminal justice system, and that should extend to some of the technological causes of disparity, like facial recognition, that has a disproportionately negative impact on African Americans,” Greg Nojeim, a senior counsel at CDT and director of its Freedom, Security and Technology Project, told CQ Roll Call.
In a letter last month to the Biden transition team, CDT joined 29 other organizations in urging federal agency review teams to “prioritize civil rights and technology equities” when recruiting personnel for the new administration. Federal departments should hire dedicated technology and civil rights staff to consider how new regulations would affect vulnerable and underrepresented populations, the letter said.
“With better understanding of civil rights and technology and a clear directive to address these issues, agencies can create a regulatory environment that encourages companies to design tools with equity impacts in mind,” the groups said. “Without a diverse range of expertise focusing on tech policy, the new administration will not achieve the equitable outcomes it seeks.”


rollcall--2020-12-08--As Congress talks, businesses try GoFundMe to survive COVID-19

After selling just three drinks on a Sunday in October , Patti Brett worried they might be her last .
For more than 40 years , Doobies Bar has been a communal living room for Philadelphia ’ s Grad Hospital neighborhood , a place to chat with friends and play board games over beers .
Brett started working there before her mother bought it in 1978 .
Doobies ’ meaning to the community is evident on its walls , lined with David Bowie memorabilia given to Brett , arguably the city ’ s biggest fan of the Thin White Duke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave the neighborhood its name , Brett ’ s bar may now succumb to the coronavirus pandemic .
With bills piling up , she turned to the crowdfunding site GoFundMe to solicit donations .
“ I ’ m asking for your help because I don ’ t know what else to do , ” she wrote .
Within 12 hours , she hit her initial goal of $ 10,000 , and the GoFundMe campaign has now raised more than $ 36,700 , “ which is absolutely going to get me through the winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avalanche of new coronavirus cases and renewed restrictions on indoor dining , desperate bar and restaurant owners like Brett are relying on the charity of patrons to survive .

After selling just three drinks on a Sunday in October, Patti Brett worried they might be her last.
For more than 40 years, Doobies Bar has been a communal living room for Philadelphia’s Grad Hospital neighborhood, a place to chat with friends and play board games over beers. Brett started working there before her mother bought it in 1978. Doobies’ meaning to the community is evident on its walls, lined with David Bowie memorabilia given to Brett, arguably the city’s biggest fan of the Thin White Duke.
But after outlasting the hospital that gave the neighborhood its name, Brett’s bar may now succumb to the coronavirus pandemic. With bills piling up, she turned to the crowdfunding site GoFundMe to solicit donations. “I’m asking for your help because I don’t know what else to do,” she wrote.
Within 12 hours, she hit her initial goal of $10,000, and the GoFundMe campaign has now raised more than $36,700, “which is absolutely going to get me through the winter,” Brett says.
Facing an avalanche of new coronavirus cases and renewed restrictions on indoor dining, desperate bar and restaurant owners like Brett are relying on the charity of patrons to survive.


rollcall--2020-12-08--What is digital “infrastructure”?

What is digital “infrastructure”?

Amias Gerety co-hosts Fintech Beat to interview Patricia Kemp , one of the country 's most successful venture capitalists .
@ @ @ @ @ `` infrastructure '' is and what the answer means in the race for the perfect @ @ @ @ @ to make of 2020 ’ s fintech conferences

Amias Gerety co-hosts Fintech Beat to interview Patricia Kemp, one of the country's most successful venture capitalists. They unbundle just what digital "infrastructure" is and what the answer means in the race for the perfect payment platform.
More podcast content
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-12-08--Vilsack on course for encore as Agriculture secretary

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Tom Vilsack , who served as Agriculture secretary for both terms of the @ @ @ @ @ again lead the department .
Vilsack , a former Iowa governor who has argued that @ @ @ @ @ do more outreach to rural and agriculture communities , is currently president and CEO of @ @ @ @ @ Council where he has pushed for greater access to foreign markets for U.S. dairy products @ @ @ @ @ the export council since Feb. 1 , 2017 .
During the campaign , Vilsack said @ @ @ @ @ ignore rural America .
“ A Biden-Harris administration will build back better the American economy @ @ @ @ @ to credit and equity financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs located in rural communities across @ @ @ @ @ .

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Tom Vilsack, who served as Agriculture secretary for both terms of the Obama administration, to once again lead the department.
Vilsack, a former Iowa governor who has argued that the Democratic Party needs to do more outreach to rural and agriculture communities, is currently president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council where he has pushed for greater access to foreign markets for U.S. dairy products. He has been at the export council since Feb. 1, 2017.
Several publications reported Biden's likely choice.
During the campaign, Vilsack said the Biden-Harris ticket would not ignore rural America.
“A Biden-Harris administration will build back better the American economy by strengthening and expanding access to credit and equity financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs located in rural communities across America,” Vilsack said.


rollcall--2020-12-08--‘America First’ order unlikely to save vaccines for Americans

President Donald Trump signed a mostly symbolic executive order Tuesday specifying that the United States should get first access to any vaccine , formalizing with fanfare what experts say is already de facto U.S. policy .
“ We are the most exceptional nation in the history of the world .
Today , we are on the verge of another modern medical miracle , ” Trump said in an address at an elaborate “ vaccine summit ” at the White House .
“ I ’ ll sign an executive order to ensure the United States government prioritizes the getting out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to other nations.
” But the executive order wo n't create any new rules or prevent pharmaceutical companies from entering into bilateral agreements with foreign nations , according to a background briefing with senior administration officials Monday .
It ’ s not clear the administration could prevent pharmaceutical companies from drawing on U.S. plants to satisfy agreements .
“ It is not clear to us that this spells out a significant departure in policy , ” said Peter Maybarduk , an expert in the pharmaceutical industry and trade at Public Citizen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health experts say the “ America first ” message is counterproductive in a pandemic that easily seeps across borders .
Advocates for greater global access to vaccine technology describe this position as “ vaccine nationalism .
”

President Donald Trump signed a mostly symbolic executive order Tuesday specifying that the United States should get first access to any vaccine, formalizing with fanfare what experts say is already de facto U.S. policy.
“We are the most exceptional nation in the history of the world. Today, we are on the verge of another modern medical miracle,” Trump said in an address at an elaborate “vaccine summit” at the White House. “I’ll sign an executive order to ensure the United States government prioritizes the getting out of vaccines to U.S. citizens before sending it out to other nations.”
But the executive order won't create any new rules or prevent pharmaceutical companies from entering into bilateral agreements with foreign nations, according to a background briefing with senior administration officials Monday. It’s not clear the administration could prevent pharmaceutical companies from drawing on U.S. plants to satisfy agreements.
“It is not clear to us that this spells out a significant departure in policy,” said Peter Maybarduk, an expert in the pharmaceutical industry and trade at Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group.
Some global health experts say the “America first” message is counterproductive in a pandemic that easily seeps across borders. Advocates for greater global access to vaccine technology describe this position as “vaccine nationalism.”