rollcall--2020-06-23--Appeals court allows Trump’s expansion of fast-track deportation

A federal appeals court in Washington sided with the way the Trump administration expanded its fast-track deportation process last year to a broader swath of immigrants who enter the country illegally , including those found anywhere in the U.S. within two years of crossing the border .
The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit ruled that the Department of Homeland Security did not have to go through federal rule-making procedures before making the change in July 2019 .
The ruling would lift a lower court ’ s preliminary injunction that sided with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expansion nationwide in September .
The lower court found in part that Congress had not intended to give so much discretion to DHS .
But the D.C .
Circuit majority pointed to how Congress had given the secretary of Homeland Security “ sole and unreviewable discretion ” about whether to expand expedited removal .
Since 2004 , that had applied to immigrants encountered within 100 miles of a land border or within 14 days of an illegal crossing .
“ There could hardly be a more definitive expression of congressional intent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expedited removal , within statutory bounds , to the Secretary ’ s independent judgment , ” the majority opinion , written by Judge Patricia Millett , an Obama appointee , said .

A federal appeals court in Washington sided with the way the Trump administration expanded its fast-track deportation process last year to a broader swath of immigrants who enter the country illegally, including those found anywhere in the U.S. within two years of crossing the border.
The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that the Department of Homeland Security did not have to go through federal rule-making procedures before making the change in July 2019.
The ruling would lift a lower court’s preliminary injunction that sided with a trio of immigrant rights groups and stopped the expansion nationwide in September. The lower court found in part that Congress had not intended to give so much discretion to DHS.
But the D.C. Circuit majority pointed to how Congress had given the secretary of Homeland Security “sole and unreviewable discretion” about whether to expand expedited removal. Since 2004, that had applied to immigrants encountered within 100 miles of a land border or within 14 days of an illegal crossing.
“There could hardly be a more definitive expression of congressional intent to leave the decision about the scope of expedited removal, within statutory bounds, to the Secretary’s independent judgment,” the majority opinion, written by Judge Patricia Millett, an Obama appointee, said.


rollcall--2020-06-23--A second look at the Colorado Senate race

ANALYSIS — For the last week , national Republican strategists have been unloading on Colorado Democratic Senate hopeful John Hickenlooper , a former two-term governor and mayor of Denver .
Their goals ?
First , to damage the Democratic front-runner going into a June 30 primary against former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff , who is running from Hickenlooper ’ s left .
And second , to weaken Hickenlooper for the general election against GOP incumbent Cory Gardner should the former governor make it to the fall .
Hickenlooper has plenty of assets , but he also has some political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a campaigner as Gardner , who is poised , personable and invariably smiling .
According to a recent Associated Press story , the state Ethics Commission found Hickenlooper “ guilty of violating ethics laws by accepting a flight on a private plane to a ceremony naming the USS Colorado and by accepting a limousine ride at the exclusive Bilderberg meetings in Rome .
The commission fined Hickenlooper $ 2,750 — the highest fine in its history and twice the estimated cost of the two trips.
” Republicans portray the relatively minor violations as @ @ @ @ @ @

ANALYSIS — For the last week, national Republican strategists have been unloading on Colorado Democratic Senate hopeful John Hickenlooper, a former two-term governor and mayor of Denver.
Their goals? First, to damage the Democratic front-runner going into a June 30 primary against former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, who is running from Hickenlooper’s left. And second, to weaken Hickenlooper for the general election against GOP incumbent Cory Gardner should the former governor make it to the fall.
Hickenlooper has plenty of assets, but he also has some political baggage and isn’t as good a campaigner as Gardner, who is poised, personable and invariably smiling.
Can Gardner pick his opponent?
According to a recent Associated Press story, the state Ethics Commission found Hickenlooper “guilty of violating ethics laws by accepting a flight on a private plane to a ceremony naming the USS Colorado and by accepting a limousine ride at the exclusive Bilderberg meetings in Rome. The commission fined Hickenlooper $2,750 — the highest fine in its history and twice the estimated cost of the two trips.”
Republicans portray the relatively minor violations as disastrous for the former governor.


rollcall--2020-06-23--Delayed COVID-19 aid spurs search for faster payments

Financial aid meant to assist Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic has been slow to reach the most vulnerable , who are often disconnected from the banking system , sparking conversations in Congress about making the aging U.S. payments system faster and more accessible .
Although many Americans received federal assistance within a couple of weeks through direct deposits , about 34 million people waited a month or more for paper checks .
The Treasury estimates that an additional 30 million to 35 million are still waiting on their payments .
“ Too many people , especially Black and brown people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of our financial system , ” Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio , the ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee , told CQ Roll Call in a statement .
“ How much money you have or where you live shouldn ’ t determine whether you can get a bank account.
” Brown introduced a bill in March that would allow individuals to open free bank accounts with the Federal Reserve , avoiding the fees and minimum-balance requirements that often block the poorest from traditional banking .
[ Fintechs try old bank charters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ]

Financial aid meant to assist Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic has been slow to reach the most vulnerable, who are often disconnected from the banking system, sparking conversations in Congress about making the aging U.S. payments system faster and more accessible.
Although many Americans received federal assistance within a couple of weeks through direct deposits, about 34 million people waited a month or more for paper checks. The Treasury estimates that an additional 30 million to 35 million are still waiting on their payments.
“Too many people, especially Black and brown people in this country, have been shut out of our financial system,” Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, told CQ Roll Call in a statement. “How much money you have or where you live shouldn’t determine whether you can get a bank account.”
Brown introduced a bill in March that would allow individuals to open free bank accounts with the Federal Reserve, avoiding the fees and minimum-balance requirements that often block the poorest from traditional banking.
[Fintechs try old bank charters as ‘everything old is new again’]


rollcall--2020-06-23--Long lines at the polling place? This group sends pizza

They tried burritos , but it just wasn ’ t the same .
So it ’ s back to pizza @ @ @ @ @ .
The mission of the group is exactly what it sounds like — send pizza @ @ @ @ @ when lines get long and start to wind around the block .
“ As reports @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ll have volunteers standing by to order pizza , ” says Scott Duncombe @ @ @ @ @ a close eye on wait times in New York and Kentucky as elections proceed there @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be the only one watching those primaries , which were postponed and then @ @ @ @ @ But as the pandemic continues to reshape voting in America , his team may be @ @ @ @ @ hot ’ za ” has an important role to play .

They tried burritos, but it just wasn’t the same. So it’s back to pizza for Pizza to the Polls.
The mission of the group is exactly what it sounds like — send pizza to polling places, specifically when lines get long and start to wind around the block.
“As reports of lines come in, we’ll have volunteers standing by to order pizza,” says Scott Duncombe, who plans to keep a close eye on wait times in New York and Kentucky as elections proceed there on Tuesday.
He won’t be the only one watching those primaries, which were postponed and then rescheduled amid coronavirus fears. But as the pandemic continues to reshape voting in America, his team may be alone in thinking “piping hot ’za” has an important role to play.


rollcall--2020-06-23--NYPD may soon have to divulge surveillance technologies

The New York City Police Department may soon be required to divulge information about its use of electronic surveillance tools amid growing concern that government agencies are using largely unregulated technology to monitor nationwide protests against police brutality .
The City Council overwhelmingly approved legislation , known as the POST Act , that would require the NYPD to issue a report for the first time to explain the tools at its disposal and their uses .
The department maintains one of the country ’ s largest networks of surveillance cameras and has other tools such as facial recognition software , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The legislation passed Thursday is one of a handful of NYPD changes that have been approved since protests broke out after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in late May .
Privacy and civil liberties advocates say the bill , which was first introduced in 2018 but had lain dormant without a commitment that Mayor Bill de Blasio would sign it into law , may not have passed without the protests .
“ People have been pushed too far to the limit , and they ’ re tired , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation , said at a news conference before the vote .
“ We have seen too many of our brothers and sisters who have been victims of police surveillance for far too long.
” De Blasio , under pressure by activists to support policing overhaul measures , last week signaled his support for the bill over the objection of the NYPD , which has said the bill would cripple anti-terrorist investigations and leave police officers exposed .
Contacted by CQ Roll Call , a spokesperson for de Blasio declined to say when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .

The New York City Police Department may soon be required to divulge information about its use of electronic surveillance tools amid growing concern that government agencies are using largely unregulated technology to monitor nationwide protests against police brutality.
The City Council overwhelmingly approved legislation, known as the POST Act, that would require the NYPD to issue a report for the first time to explain the tools at its disposal and their uses. The department maintains one of the country’s largest networks of surveillance cameras and has other tools such as facial recognition software, license plate readers and mobile phone trackers.
The legislation passed Thursday is one of a handful of NYPD changes that have been approved since protests broke out after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in late May. Privacy and civil liberties advocates say the bill, which was first introduced in 2018 but had lain dormant without a commitment that Mayor Bill de Blasio would sign it into law, may not have passed without the protests.
“People have been pushed too far to the limit, and they’re tired,” Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, who sponsored the legislation, said at a news conference before the vote. “We have seen too many of our brothers and sisters who have been victims of police surveillance for far too long.”
De Blasio, under pressure by activists to support policing overhaul measures, last week signaled his support for the bill over the objection of the NYPD, which has said the bill would cripple anti-terrorist investigations and leave police officers exposed. Contacted by CQ Roll Call, a spokesperson for de Blasio declined to say when the mayor plans to sign the bill into law.


rollcall--2020-06-23--GOP rejects Trump pick for Meadows seat in North Carolina

Rejecting the candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump for a seat previously held by Trump ’ s current chief of staff , Republican voters in North Carolina ’ s 11th District nominated 24-year-old motivational speaker Madison Cawthorn in a primary runoff Tuesday .
Cawthorn , 24 , a real estate investor who survived a near-fatal car crash and now uses a wheelchair , beat party activist Lynda Bennett by campaigning as an outsider and utilizing social media to reach voters .
He will face Democrat Moe Davis in November .
Cawthorn was leading with 65 percent of the vote with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press called the race at 8:47 p.m. Bennett , 62 , a GOP activist and real estate agent , had former Rep. Mark Meadows ’ endorsement and support from such groups as the House Freedom Action super PAC , but she kept a lower profile and refused a debate .
In the March 3 primary , Bennett was the top vote-getter , and the only woman , in a 12-candidate field .
She got 23 percent to Cawthorn ’ s 20 percent .
A candidate in North Carolina primaries needs to exceed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top two meet in a runoff .

Rejecting the candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump for a seat previously held by his current chief of staff, Republican voters in North Carolina’s 11th District nominated 24-year-old motivational speaker Madison Cawthorn in a primary runoff Tuesday.
Cawthorn, 24, a real estate investor who survived a near-fatal car crash and now uses a wheelchair, beat party activist Lynda Bennett by campaigning as an outsider and utilizing social media to reach voters. He will face Democrat Moe Davis in November.
Cawthorn was leading with 65 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race with 56 percent of precincts reporting.
Bennett, 62, a GOP activist and real estate agent, had former Rep. Mark Meadows’ endorsement and support from such groups as the tea party-aligned House Freedom Action, but she kept a lower profile and refused a debate.
In the March 3 primary, Bennett was the top vote-getter, and the only woman, in a 12-candidate field, finishing ahead of Cawthorn 23 percent to 20 percent. A candidate in North Carolina needs to exceed 30 percent in a primary to avoid a runoff.


rollcall--2020-06-23--Virginia primaries: GOP taps Taylor for rematch with Luria; Democrats back Webb vs. Good

Former Rep. Scott Taylor won a three-way GOP primary Tuesday in Virginia 's 2nd District , securing a chance at a rematch against freshman Rep. Elaine Luria in a district on both parties ’ radar .
And in the competitive Democratic primary in Virginia ’ s 5th District , physician and health policy professor Cameron Webb won the nomination to face Republican Bob Good , who beat incumbent GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman in a party convention earlier this month .
Taylor , a former Navy SEAL had 48 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting .
Ben Loyola was in second with 28 percent and Jarome Bell was in third with 24 percent .
Loyola and Bell are both small business owners and Navy veterans .
Taylor represented the district for two years before his reelection campaign became embroiled in a signature forgery scandal and he lost to Luria by 2 points in the 2018 midterms .
Two members of his 2018 campaign staff have since been indicted for election fraud for helping to collect fake signatures for an independent candidate in an attempt to siphon votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the investigation , has claimed “ complete vindication .
”

Former Rep. Scott Taylor won a three-way Republican primary Tuesday in Virginia’s 2nd District, securing a chance at a rematch against freshman Democrat Elaine Luria in a district on both parties’ radar.
And in the competitive Democratic primary in Virginia’s 5th District, physician and health policy professor Cameron Webb won the nomination to face Republican Bob Good, who beat incumbent Rep. Denver Riggleman at a party convention earlier this month.
With 61 percent of precincts reporting in the 2nd District, Taylor, a former Navy SEAL, was leading with 48 percent when The Associated Press called the race. Navy veterans Ben Loyola and Jarome Bell trailed with 28 percent and 24 percent respectively.
Taylor represented the Virginia Beach-anchored district for two years before his reelection campaign became embroiled in a signature forgery scandal and he lost to Luria by 2 points in the 2018 midterms.
Two members of his 2018 campaign staff have since been indicted for election fraud for helping to collect fake signatures for an independent candidate in an attempt to siphon votes from Luria. Taylor, who cooperated with the investigation, has claimed “complete vindication.”


rollcall--2020-06-23--Census Bureau riles Democrats with pair of new political appointees

The Trump administration added two political appointees to the Census Bureau in newly created positions Tuesday , increasing concerns among @ @ @ @ @ the largely apolitical data agency may be tipping to Republican advantage .
The Census Bureau @ @ @ @ @ an assistant professor of political science at Tarleton State University in Texas , would serve @ @ @ @ @ deputy director for policy .
It said Adam Korzeniewski would work as an adviser .
@ @ @ @ @ Prewitt said the unexpected additions “ quite seriously disturbed ” him .
He said it @ @ @ @ @ agency may conduct the remainder of the 2020 census , which already is dealing with @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
“ This is not only unprecedented , but it is a @ @ @ @ @ and affect what the Census Bureau is trying to implement in the next two or @ @ @ @ @ said .
Prewitt pointed out that there now are only a handful of political appointees @ @ @ @ @ and Tuesday ’ s additions basically doubles them .

The Trump administration added two political appointees to the Census Bureau in newly created positions Tuesday, increasing concerns among census experts and Democrats that the largely apolitical data agency may be tipping to Republican advantage.
The Census Bureau announced that Nathaniel Cogley, an assistant professor of political science at Tarleton State University in Texas, would serve as the agency’s deputy director for policy. It said Adam Korzeniewski would work as an adviser.
Former Census Bureau Director Kenneth Prewitt said the unexpected additions “quite seriously disturbed” him. He said it raised concerns over how the agency may conduct the remainder of the 2020 census, which already is dealing with unprecedented schedule disruptions because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is not only unprecedented, but it is a potential disaster if they try and affect what the Census Bureau is trying to implement in the next two or three months,” he said.
Prewitt pointed out that there now are only a handful of political appointees at the Census Bureau, and Tuesday’s additions basically doubles them.


rollcall--2020-06-23--Tech industry, lawmakers criticize Trump’s immigration order

Influential business leaders , especially those in Silicon Valley , joined lawmakers in both parties in criticizing the Trump administration 's latest order restricting immigrants and foreign workers from seeking U.S. jobs .
`` Immigration has contributed immensely to America ’ s economic success , making it a global leader in tech , and also Google the company it is today , '' tweeted its CEO Sundar Pichai , who said he was `` disappointed '' by the order .
`` We 'll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all . ''
The proclamation President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on immigrant visas through the end of the year .
But it also expands them to include temporary work visas such as the H-1B visas , most well-known for employing foreign workers in the tech and business sectors .
It also further blocks exchange students and visitors on J-1 visas , and foreign workers who use L-1 workers to transfer to a U.S. office .
The nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute estimates the proclamation could block an overall 325,000 people — both immigrants and temporary workers .
In a series of tweets , Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate Judiciary Committee and has been an ardent supporter of Trump in Congress , said legal immigration has been a `` positive '' for the U.S. economy .

Influential business leaders, especially those in Silicon Valley, joined lawmakers in both parties in criticizing the Trump administration's latest order restricting immigrants and foreign workers from seeking U.S. jobs.
"Immigration has contributed immensely to America’s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google the company it is today," tweeted its CEO Sundar Pichai, who said he was "disappointed" by the order. "We'll continue to stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all."
The proclamation President Donald Trump issued Monday extends existing restrictions on immigrant visas through the end of the year. But it also expands them to include temporary work visas such as the H-1B visas, most well-known for employing foreign workers in the tech and business sectors. It also further blocks exchange students and visitors on J-1 visas, and foreign workers who use L-1 workers to transfer to a U.S. office.
The nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute estimates the proclamation could block an overall 325,000 people — both immigrants and temporary workers.
In a series of tweets, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and has been an ardent supporter of Trump in Congress, said legal immigration has been a "positive" for the U.S. economy.


rollcall--2020-06-23--Fauci says no slowdown in testing, despite Trump’s non-joke

Anthony Fauci and other health officials contradicted President Donald Trump ’ s claim that they would be scaling back coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ and Commerce hearing Tuesday .
See the video for CQ Roll Call health care reporter @ @ @ @ @ breakdown of what we learned from the lengthy hearing .

Mary Ellen McIntire and Thomas McKinless

Anthony Fauci and other health officials contradicted President Donald Trump’s claim that they would be scaling back coronavirus testing during a House Energy and Commerce hearing Tuesday.
See the video for CQ Roll Call health care reporter Mary Ellen McIntire’s breakdown of what we learned from the lengthy hearing.
[Health officials: US not scaling back COVID-19 testing capacity ]
(Video thumbnail: Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg/POOL)


rollcall--2020-06-23--White House, GOP plot next moves on coronavirus relief

Senate Republicans began to turn their attention back to COVID-19 relief Tuesday , huddling with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to discuss when they might begin negotiations with Democrats on another aid package .
Republicans didn ’ t appear ready to coalesce around any specific set of policies at this point , however , opting to continue to wait for more data .
“ We ’ re talking about a bunch of different ideas that we may need to do in another bill , and we want to take our time and make sure we ’ re thoughtful , ” Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ So whatever we do , it will be much more targeted , much more focused on jobs , bringing back jobs and making sure we take care of our kids.
” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said Republicans will assess economic conditions next month and draft legislation then if necessary .
The chamber is currently scheduled to be in recess for two weeks starting after the July Fourth holiday .
White House National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said earlier Tuesday on Fox Business that the Trump administration would likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments in an upcoming package to “ folks who lost their jobs and are most in need .
”

Senate Republicans began to turn their attention back to COVID-19 relief Tuesday, huddling with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to discuss when they might begin negotiations with Democrats on another aid package.
Republicans didn’t appear ready to coalesce around any specific set of policies at this point, however, opting to continue to wait for more data.
“We’re talking about a bunch of different ideas that we may need to do in another bill, and we want to take our time and make sure we’re thoughtful,” Mnuchin told reporters after the closed-door lunch meeting. “So whatever we do, it will be much more targeted, much more focused on jobs, bringing back jobs and making sure we take care of our kids.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said Republicans will assess economic conditions next month and draft legislation then if necessary. The chamber is currently scheduled to be in recess for two weeks starting after the July Fourth holiday.
White House National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said earlier Tuesday on Fox Business that the Trump administration would likely want to target another round of direct payments in an upcoming package to “folks who lost their jobs and are most in need.”


rollcall--2020-06-23--Coronavirus Special Report: Dr. Fauci goes to Washington

In today ’ s episode we listen to Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and @ @ @ @ @ star witness at a House Energy and Commerce hearing .
Fauci hasn ’ t testified @ @ @ @ @ .
He was joined by other public health officials , including the heads of the @ @ @ @ @ the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
• Experts outline how to prepare for @ @ @ @ @ next pandemic

Jason Dick, Mary Ellen McIntire, Joanne Levine, and Thomas McKinless

In today’s episode we listen to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the star witness at a House Energy and Commerce hearing. Fauci hasn’t testified on Capitol Hill since mid-May. He was joined by other public health officials, including the heads of the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Show notes:


rollcall--2020-06-24--Oil companies press legal challenge to butane tax credit denial

Congress ’ $ 50 billion battle with oil companies over whether butane mixed with gasoline should qualify for alternative fuels tax credits appears to be heading to its next phase — a court challenge to what critics say amounts to unconstitutional retroactive taxation .
Companies including San Antonio-based refiner Valero Energy Corp. and Appleton , Wisconsin-based fuel distributor U.S. Venture Inc. , seeking refunds on back taxes have gone to court to battle lawmakers ’ December move to deny their claims .
That argument could be a tough sell as courts have long recognized lawmakers ’ right to rewrite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is explicitly retroactive .
That ’ s what Congress did in December when a year-end spending package barred the IRS from paying butane-related claims that came in after the agency ruled on Jan. 8 , 2018 , that they wouldn ’ t qualify .
The law also includes “ no inference ” language declaring that it was never lawmakers ’ intent to allow alternative fuels tax credits for such butane-gasoline mixtures , even prior to the formal IRS guidance in early 2018 .
That ’ s meant as a message to the courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and companies shouldn ’ t expect to win their cases .
To press the point further , Senate Finance Chairman Charles E. Grassley , R-Iowa , and the panel ’ s ranking member , Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , engaged in a floor colloquy for the record on Dec. 19 , the day the omnibus spending bill passed the Senate .

Congress’ $50 billion battle with oil companies over whether butane mixed with gasoline should qualify for alternative fuels tax credits appears to be heading to its next phase — a court challenge to what critics say amounts to unconstitutional retroactive taxation.
Companies including San Antonio-based refiner Valero Energy Corp. and Appleton, Wisconsin-based fuel distributor U.S. Venture Inc., seeking refunds on back taxes have gone to court to battle lawmakers’ December move to deny their claims.
That argument could be a tough sell as courts have long recognized lawmakers’ right to rewrite the past, as long as the fix is explicitly retroactive. That’s what Congress did in December when a year-end spending package barred the IRS from paying butane-related claims that came in after the agency ruled on Jan. 8, 2018, that they wouldn’t qualify.
The law also includes “no inference” language declaring that it was never lawmakers’ intent to allow alternative fuels tax credits for such butane-gasoline mixtures, even prior to the formal IRS guidance in early 2018. That’s meant as a message to the courts that the IRS’ interpretation is correct and companies shouldn’t expect to win their cases.
To press the point further, Senate Finance Chairman Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, and the panel’s ranking member, Ron Wyden, D-Ore., engaged in a floor colloquy for the record on Dec. 19, the day the omnibus spending bill passed the Senate.


rollcall--2020-06-24--Left out of rescue bills, smaller oil firm bankruptcies surge

Oil allies in Congress appear to have eased pressure on the administration to help the struggling industry as states start @ @ @ @ @ demand .
Still , the number of oil industry bankruptcies jumped in the second quarter @ @ @ @ @ more are expected , a sign that earlier efforts by lawmakers and the recent rise @ @ @ @ @ been enough to relieve the distress in the industry .
Even though demand is picking @ @ @ @ @ reopen , a recent rise in coronavirus cases across the globe and in several states @ @ @ @ @ edge and could further slow its recovery .
As he pushed for help , Sen. @ @ @ @ @ said he worried that struggling independent domestic oil producers could be gobbled up by larger @ @ @ @ @ find markets mean more than policy in oil industry ]

Oil allies in Congress appear to have eased pressure on the administration to help the struggling industry as states start to reopen and help increase demand.
Still, the number of oil industry bankruptcies jumped in the second quarter of this year and many more are expected, a sign that earlier efforts by lawmakers and the recent rise in prices haven’t been enough to relieve the distress in the industry.
Even though demand is picking up as economies start to reopen, a recent rise in coronavirus cases across the globe and in several states has the industry on the edge and could further slow its recovery.
As he pushed for help, Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said he worried that struggling independent domestic oil producers could be gobbled up by larger multinational corporations.
[Lawmakers find markets mean more than policy in oil industry]


rollcall--2020-06-24--The Bank for International Settlements tackles Central Bank Digital Currencies

Benoît Cœuré , the fintech lead at the Bank for International Settlements - the global “ Central Bank for Central @ @ @ @ @ first interview concerning its highly anticipated annual economic report , and discusses how the organization @ @ @ @ @ along with the very definition of money .
• Is fintech the future of the @ @ @ @ @ women and the underserved during COVID-19 • Could a CBDC topple the US dollar ?

Benoît Cœuré, the fintech lead at the Bank for International Settlements - the global “Central Bank for Central Banks” - offers the first interview concerning its highly anticipated annual economic report, and discusses how the organization’s role has evolved along with the very definition of money.
More podcast content
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-24--Mailing it in: No calls in key Kentucky and New York races

The winners of some of the most closely contested primaries in Kentucky and New York Tuesday may not be known for several days , thanks in part to a surge in absentee ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Democratic battle to be Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s challenger and the fate of longtime New York City Reps. Eliot Engel and Carolyn Maloney were among the races that remained uncalled early Wednesday as ballots were still being counted , and making their way through the mail .
In both states , absentee ballots could be postmarked by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as late as Saturday in Kentucky and June 30 in New York .
As a result , only in races where the margin of votes was overwhelming was the winner clear .
One example was in Kentucky ’ s 4th District where Rep. Thomas Massie , a Republican who President Donald Trump angrily tweeted in March should be thrown out of the party for being a “ granstander ” on a coronavirus relief bill , coasted to victory in his primary with 88 percent of the vote .
Another was New York Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced a challenge from her right from former CNBC anchor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera , who was backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce .
Ocasio-Cortez , who pulled off an upset primary win of her own in 2018 , had won 74 percent of the vote compared to Caruso Cabrera 's 19 percent when The Associated Press called the race Tuesday night .

Updated 3 p.m. | The winners of some of the most closely contested primaries in Kentucky and New York Tuesday may not be official for several days, thanks in part to a surge in absentee ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Democratic battle to be Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s challenger and the fate of longtime New York City Reps. Eliot Engel and Carolyn Maloney were among the races that remained uncalled early Wednesday as ballots were still being counted, and making their way through the mail.
In both states, absentee ballots could be postmarked by Election Day. Ballots can be received as late as Saturday in Kentucky and June 30 in New York.
As a result, only in races where the margin of votes was overwhelming was the winner clear. One example was in Kentucky’s 4th District where Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican who President Donald Trump angrily tweeted in March should be thrown out of the party for being a “granstander” on a coronavirus relief bill, coasted to victory in his primary with 88 percent of the vote.
Another was New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The high-profile freshman faced a challenge from her right from former CNBC anchor Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, who was backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Ocasio-Cortez, who pulled off an upset primary win of her own in 2018, had won 74 percent of the vote compared to Caruso Cabrera's 19 percent when The Associated Press called the race Tuesday night.


rollcall--2020-06-24--Does Congress have the leverage to force a name change for Washington’s football team?

Washington ’ s football team is still named what it ’ s named , and some members of Congress are trying to change that … again .
In the wake of George Floyd ’ s killing and the racial justice movement it sparked , a reckoning has come .
Institutions are publicly grappling with how to handle their portraits , flags and statues honoring men or causes no longer considered worth honoring .
At first glance , that includes the Redskins , an NFL franchise that has vehemently opposed calls to change its name , an offensive slur against Native @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that had memorialized franchise founder George Preston Marshall , a notorious racist who resisted integration until his team was the last holdout in the league .
But the team had nothing to do with its removal .
Workers toppled the monument at the direction of Events DC , which now owns and operates RFK Stadium , where the team played for years .
“ This symbol of a person who didn ’ t believe all men and women were created equal and who actually worked against integration is counter to all that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nation represent , ” Events DC said in a statement .

The way Norton sees it, now is the time for Congress to flex its muscles and force the change she and others have long wanted to see — a new name for the team itself. “We’re going to take full advantage of this moment, and not leave the name of the Washington football team out there, the way it is.”
Snyder has indicated he wants to move back into the District when the team’s lease in Maryland is up in 2027, but that path runs through Congress, since RFK Stadium sits on land owned by the federal government. Norton has proposed legislation that would allow D.C. to buy the land and bring the team back to the city, but said her fellow lawmakers are turned off by the “Redskins” moniker.
“I have to tell you that I cannot get that bill through the House for one reason only, and that is because of the name of the team,” she said.
Marshall started the Boston Braves franchise in 1932 before settling on the current name and relocating to Washington. He had the marching band play “Dixie” during halftime. Once, when asked why he refused to desegregate, Marshall reportedly said he’d hire Black players when the Harlem Globetrotters hired white ones.
Snyder has been just as steadfast when it comes to the team name. “We will never change the name of the team,” Snyder told USA Today in 2013. “Redskins fans understand the great tradition and what it’s all about and what it means, so we feel pretty fortunate to be just working on next season.”


rollcall--2020-06-24--‘I look forward to having that extra star’ — Eleanor Holmes Norton shows off American flag with 51 s

‘I look forward to having that extra star’ — Eleanor Holmes Norton shows off American flag with 51 stars

“ People are going to have to buy new flags , ” said D.C. Del .
Eleanor Holmes Norton , @ @ @ @ @ the American flag displaying 51 stars .
The extra star , symbolizing her decades-long quest @ @ @ @ @ Columbia a U.S. state , is hard to notice .
“ If you look at @ @ @ @ @ see much difference , ” the Democrat told CQ Roll Call during an interview back @ @ @ @ @ think I like that , even as I extol , and look forward to , @ @ @ @ @ The House is voting on a bill to make D.C. the 51st state this Friday @ @ @ @ @ to pass the Democrat-controlled chamber , but is unlikely to get a vote in the @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump .
Norton ’ s flag was given to her by the local @ @ @ @ @ , Mayor Muriel Bowser presented Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer a similar flag during a @ @ @ @ @ vote .

“People are going to have to buy new flags,” said D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, describing an alternate version of the American flag displaying 51 stars.
The extra star, symbolizing her decades-long quest to make the District of Columbia a U.S. state, is hard to notice.
“If you look at it you won’t see much difference,” the Democrat told CQ Roll Call during an interview back in February. “I think I like that, even as I extol, and look forward to, having that extra star.”
The House is voting on a bill to make D.C. the 51st state this Friday. The bill is expected to pass the Democrat-controlled chamber, but is unlikely to get a vote in the Senate or be signed by President Donald Trump.
Norton’s flag was given to her by the local D.C. government. Last week, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer a similar flag during a news briefing announcing the House vote.


rollcall--2020-06-24--After jobless cases soared, states seek to root out the fraud

Organized fraud rings have allegedly bilked state unemployment agencies as they distribute billions of dollars of federal pandemic aid , but hard data available is mostly coming from states publicizing their own effort to combat the losses .
Maine 's Labor Department reported last week that it had rejected 3,500 initial claims and 8,400 continuing claims as likely imposter fraud , with more than 20,000 suspect claims overall .
The department said some benefits will be held up while claimants verify their identities .
“ We regret that some people with legitimate claims must take this extra step to receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do this verification in order to ensure that criminals stealing innocent people ’ s personal information are not receiving money meant for the people of Maine , ” Commissioner Laura Fortman said in a June 18 statement .
As state agencies distribute funds Congress provided to contain the economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic , changes in the caseload in some states in recent weeks suggest that suspected fraud was an ingredient in the soaring claims of the past three months .
And reduced caseloads may to some extent reflect success in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , the nearly 12,000 cases of rejected benefits reported last week represent a significant portion of a caseload of 65,600 as of June 6 .
That caseload was down almost 13,000 from the week before , but is still more than seven times the 8,732 receiving benefits in the week ending March 7 before the pandemic set off widespread business shutdowns .

Organized fraud rings have allegedly bilked state unemployment agencies as they distribute billions of dollars of federal pandemic aid, but hard data available is mostly coming from states publicizing their own effort to combat the losses.
Maine's Labor Department reported last week that it had rejected 3,500 initial claims and 8,400 continuing claims as likely imposter fraud, with more than 20,000 suspect claims overall. The department said some benefits will be held up while claimants verify their identities.
“We regret that some people with legitimate claims must take this extra step to receive their benefits, but it is necessary to do this verification in order to ensure that criminals stealing innocent people’s personal information are not receiving money meant for the people of Maine,” Commissioner Laura Fortman said in a June 18 statement.
As state agencies distribute funds Congress provided to contain the economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in the caseload in some states in recent weeks suggest that suspected fraud was an ingredient in the soaring claims of the past three months. And reduced caseloads may to some extent reflect success in detecting the fraud.
In Maine, for example, the nearly 12,000 cases of rejected benefits reported last week represent a significant portion of a caseload of 65,600 as of June 6. That caseload was down almost 13,000 from the week before, but is still more than seven times the 8,732 receiving benefits in the week ending March 7 before the pandemic set off widespread business shutdowns.


rollcall--2020-06-24--Democrats’ new push: Cleanse Confederacy from military in a year

Senate Democrats are about to drive a harder bargain than expected in negotiations over how quickly to expunge Confederate names @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and 35 of her fellow Democrats plan to unveil legislation Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ within one year of the law ’ s enactment , of any Confederate names , @ @ @ @ @ and paraphernalia from any Defense Department asset .
An exception would be made for grave @ @ @ @ @ similar provision that became part of the Senate Armed Services Committee-approved defense authorization bill , @ @ @ @ @ The provision in the NDAA would have to be implemented within three years of the @ @ @ @ @ The Senate committee filed its NDAA bill Tuesday evening , and the Senate could take @ @ @ @ @ days .
Warren ’ s latest legislation is an attempt to lay down a dramatically @ @ @ @ @ floor debate , with the country still reeling from nationwide protests over police brutality against @ @

Senate Democrats are about to drive a harder bargain than expected in negotiations over how quickly to expunge Confederate names from military bases.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and 35 of her fellow Democrats plan to unveil legislation Wednesday that would require removal, within one year of the law’s enactment, of any Confederate names, symbols, displays, monuments and paraphernalia from any Defense Department asset. An exception would be made for grave markers.
Warren wrote a similar provision that became part of the Senate Armed Services Committee-approved defense authorization bill, with one key difference: The provision in the NDAA would have to be implemented within three years of the law’s enactment.
The Senate committee filed its NDAA bill Tuesday evening, and the Senate could take it up in the coming days.
Warren’s latest legislation is an attempt to lay down a dramatically firmer position ahead of that floor debate, with the country still reeling from nationwide protests over police brutality against Black people.


rollcall--2020-06-24--K Street may mostly skip political conventions this year

Lobbyists from K Street ’ s biggest firms and associations may end up skipping this year ’ s political conventions @ @ @ @ @ fears of the coronavirus and fallout from related location and date changes .
Discombobulated from @ @ @ @ @ influence sector ’ s plans , with conventions set to begin in about two months @ @ @ @ @ .
Typically , this close to the nominating conventions , lobbyists would have booked hotel @ @ @ @ @ spaces to host receptions and scored passes to attend high-profile speeches , including those of @ @ @ @ @ announced plans to move part of their convention — including a “ celebration ” with @ @ @ @ @ Charlotte , North Carolina , to Jacksonville , Florida , amid squabbles with the Tar @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Roy Cooper over the number of people who would be in an indoor @ @ @ @ @ , postponed their Milwaukee convention from July to the week of Aug. 17 because of @ @ @

Lobbyists from K Street’s biggest firms and associations may end up skipping this year’s political conventions, as they grapple with fears of the coronavirus and fallout from related location and date changes.
Discombobulated from all the uncertainty, the influence sector’s plans, with conventions set to begin in about two months, are totally in flux.
Typically, this close to the nominating conventions, lobbyists would have booked hotel rooms, arranged for event spaces to host receptions and scored passes to attend high-profile speeches, including those of the party nominees.
Not this year.
Republicans announced plans to move part of their convention — including a “celebration” with President Donald Trump — from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida, amid squabbles with the Tar Heel State’s Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper over the number of people who would be in an indoor venue. Democrats, meanwhile, postponed their Milwaukee convention from July to the week of Aug. 17 because of the pandemic.


rollcall--2020-06-24--Prison-bound ex-Rep. Chris Collins replaced in New York election

Republican state Sen. Chris Jacobs won Tuesday ’ s special election in New York ’ s 27th District to replace @ @ @ @ @ , who resigned last year and has been sentenced to more than two years in @ @ @ @ @ Jacobs was leading Democrat Nate McMurray , 69 percent to 30 percent , when The @ @ @ @ @ for the upstate New York district outside Buffalo .
McMurray , a former town supervisor @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 .
Jacobs was endorsed by President Donald Trump , who carried the seat @ @ @ @ @ .
Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse Trump that year .
Jacobs @ @ @ @ @ the AP made its call , said he was “ deeply grateful ” to Trump @ @ @ @ @ consistent support throughout this entire election.
” “ It has been a long , challenging @ @ @ @ @ the people of Western New York made their voices heard overwhelmingly for strong , conservative @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .

Republican state Sen. Chris Jacobs won Tuesday’s special election in New York’s 27th District to replace former GOP Rep. Chris Collins, who resigned last year and has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for insider trading.
Jacobs was leading Democrat Nate McMurray, 69 percent to 30 percent, when The Associated Press called the race for the upstate New York district outside Buffalo. McMurray, a former town supervisor, narrowly lost to Collins in 2018.
Jacobs was endorsed by President Donald Trump, who carried the seat by 24 points in 2016. Collins was the first member of Congress to endorse Trump that year.
Jacobs, who declared victory before the AP made its call, said he was “deeply grateful” to Trump for his “early and consistent support throughout this entire election.”
“It has been a long, challenging and ever-changing election, nevertheless the people of Western New York made their voices heard overwhelmingly for strong, conservative leadership!” he said in a statement.


rollcall--2020-06-24--Republicans ready counterpunch over Confederate-named military bases

A GOP member of the Senate Armed Services Committee proposed legislation Wednesday that is aimed at countering a campaign to expunge from Defense Department property homages to the Confederacy .
The measure — an amendment to the defense authorization bill by Josh Hawley of Missouri — could become the principal conservative answer to a call for removing commemorations of the South ’ s “ lost cause ” such as the name of Fort Bragg in North Carolina or of ships such as the USS Chancellorsville .
The campaign to do away with Confederate names in the U.S. military is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Confederates , driven by the anger sparked by the police killing of George Floyd and other Black people .
Those tensions are reflected on Capitol Hill .
The friction over this question will loom large when the Senate takes up the defense bill , or NDAA , which is queued up for debate next week .
The $ 731.3 billion measure , made public Tuesday by the Senate Armed Services Committee , contains a provision that would require the Pentagon to remove from its assets within three years any “ names , symbols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that honor or commemorate ” the Confederacy or anyone who voluntarily served with it .

A GOP member of the Senate Armed Services Committee proposed legislation Wednesday that is aimed at countering a campaign to expunge from Defense Department property homages to the Confederacy.
The measure — an amendment to the defense authorization bill by Josh Hawley of Missouri — could become the principal conservative answer to a call for removing commemorations of the South’s “lost cause” such as the name of Fort Bragg in North Carolina or of ships such as the USS Chancellorsville.
The campaign to do away with Confederate names in the U.S. military is, like the moves to topple statues honoring Confederates, driven by the anger sparked by the police killing of George Floyd and other Black people. Those tensions are reflected on Capitol Hill.
NDAA debate


rollcall--2020-06-24--Emails show surprise at upheaval in Transportation inspector general’s office

The decision to replace the acting inspector general of the Department of Transportation with a political appointee who already headed @ @ @ @ @ was met with shock , according to newly released emails obtained by an ethics investigative @ @ @ @ @ ” wrote one outside associate to then acting Inspector General Mitch Behm , who appeared @ @ @ @ @ read a White House announcement that he ’ d be returning to his previous role @ @ @ @ @ “ They really only trust their own bench.
” The emails , requested by the @ @ @ @ @ in Washington under the Freedom of Information Act , show that even Behm was stunned @ @ @ @ @ to his prior role as deputy inspector general .
“ Wild , ” he emailed @ @ @ @ @ 10:17 p.m. the night the White House announced that Howard “ Skip ” Elliott , @ @ @ @ @ Hazardous Materials Safety Administration , would serve as acting inspector general instead of Behm .

The decision to replace the acting inspector general of the Department of Transportation with a political appointee who already headed another agency at the department was met with shock, according to newly released emails obtained by an ethics investigative organization.
“Wow,” wrote one outside associate to then acting Inspector General Mitch Behm, who appeared to have been surprised to read a White House announcement that he’d be returning to his previous role as deputy inspector general. “They really only trust their own bench.”
“Interesting times,” wrote a colleague of Behm’s.
The emails, requested by the Center for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington under the Freedom of Information Act, show that even Behm was stunned when he was abruptly returned to his prior role as deputy inspector general.
“Wild,” he emailed an unnamed outside associate at 10:17 p.m. the night the White House announced that Howard “Skip” Elliott, administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, would serve as acting inspector general instead of Behm.


rollcall--2020-06-24--Coronavirus Special Report: Former DHS head Tom Ridge on secure voting and the pandemic

In this episode , we bring you the latest on health policy news and why Tom Ridge , who is @ @ @ @ @ of Pennsylvania , has joined a bipartisan effort to secure voting in November .
• @ @ @ @ @ as Democrats block it on floor , attention swerves to House • Del .
Norton @ @ @ @ @ of DC ’ s football team • Trump wanted him ousted from GOP , but @ @ @ @

In this episode, we bring you the latest on health policy news and why Tom Ridge, who is also a former Republican governor of Pennsylvania, has joined a bipartisan effort to secure voting in November.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-06-24--Judiciary Committee takes aim at Barr over appearance delays

The Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee , tired of Attorney General William Barr once again not agreeing to appear before the panel , held Wednesday ’ s hearing to talk about him anyway .
But their concerns about how Barr has , for more than a year , stymied the Judiciary Committee ’ s oversight efforts — not complying with a subpoena for the full special counsel report , fighting congressional subpoenas in court , standing them up at a hearing last year , declining to testify earlier this month — got scant mention .
Instead , Democrats focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year has used the Justice Department for President Donald Trump ’ s personal and political interests , such as dropping the prosecution of former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler said there is injustice at the Justice Department .
“ He is the president ’ s fixer , ” the New York Democrat said .
“ He has shown us that there is one set of rules for the president 's friends , and then another set of rules for the rest of us.
” And Republicans focused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the problems of the Obama-era department , particularly the investigation of Flynn .

The Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee, tired of Attorney General William Barr once again not agreeing to appear before the panel, held Wednesday’s hearing to talk about him anyway.
But their concerns about how Barr has, for more than a year, stymied the Judiciary Committee’s oversight efforts — not complying with a subpoena for the full special counsel report, fighting congressional subpoenas in court, standing them up at a hearing last year, declining to testify earlier this month — got scant mention.
Instead, Democrats focused on witnesses who said Barr in the last year has used the Justice Department for President Donald Trump’s personal and political interests, such as dropping the prosecution of former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler said there is injustice at the Justice Department. “He is the president’s fixer,” the New York Democrat said. “He has shown us that there is one set of rules for the president's friends, and then another set of rules for the rest of us.”
And Republicans focused on their view that Barr was fixing the problems of the Obama-era department, particularly the investigation of Flynn.


rollcall--2020-06-24--Whistleblower: Probe of California, automakers over emissions deal was a sham

The Justice Department rushed to launch an antitrust investigation of automakers and California last year after President Donald Trump complained about their emissions agreement with the state , according to a whistleblower who told House members the probe “ did not appear to be in good faith '' and began on legally dubious grounds .
John W. Elias , a career attorney at the department , told the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday that political appointees at DOJ directed staff to begin an antitrust investigation against the four car companies and California .
Elias tied that direction to a series of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 , 2019 , in which he criticized an agreement California reached in July with four auto firms — Ford , Honda , BMW and Volkswagen — to meet lower vehicle emission standards than the Trump administration sought .
In a series of statements that day , Trump said Henry Ford would be “ very disappointed ” in his namesake company today and that modern cars are unsafe and expensive because of California regulations .
“ The day after the tweets , Antitrust Division political leadership instructed staff to initiate an investigation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Accordingly , the investigation opening memorandum is dated August 22 , and the August 22 opening date is reflected in internal tracking records .
”

The Justice Department rushed to launch an antitrust investigation of automakers and California last year after President Donald Trump complained about their emissions agreement with the state, according to a whistleblower who told House members the probe “did not appear to be in good faith" and began on legally dubious grounds.
John W. Elias, a career attorney at the department, told the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday that political appointees at DOJ directed staff to begin an antitrust investigation against the four car companies and California.
Elias tied that direction to a series of messages the president posted on Twitter Aug. 21, 2019, in which he criticized an agreement California reached in July with four auto firms — Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen — to meet lower vehicle emission standards than the Trump administration sought.
In a series of statements that day, Trump said Henry Ford would be “very disappointed” in his namesake company today and that modern cars are unsafe and expensive because of California regulations.
“The day after the tweets, Antitrust Division political leadership instructed staff to initiate an investigation that day,” Elias said. “Accordingly, the investigation opening memorandum is dated August 22, and the August 22 opening date is reflected in internal tracking records.”


rollcall--2020-06-24--HHS responds to worries over test site changes

The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday sought to address concerns as the administration shifts the last of its COVID-19 community testing sites to state control , saying federal aid would come in a different form .
The 13 sites in Illinois , Colorado , Pennsylvania , New Jersey and Texas are the last federally run sites out of 41 originally established across the country .
Seven sites are in hard-hit Texas , where cases are climbing .
Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir said the sites were always meant to be a temporary solution as the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional health care settings .
Giroir said the 13 sites will continue to get federal funding through $ 11 billion recently provided to states to aid with testing .
The transitioning sites will also continue to receive federally acquired supplies .
“ Let me say definitively that we are moving to increase testing , both the numbers , the quantity and the targeting on social vulnerability , ” he said .
“ And we will continue to do that and that is what the mantra is of this organization.
” The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 million tests per week , with the goal of performing between 40 million and 50 million this fall .

Corrected July 7 | The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday sought to address concerns as the administration shifts the last of its COVID-19 community testing sites to state control, saying federal aid would come in a different form.
The 13 sites in Illinois, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Texas are the last federally run sites out of 41 originally established across the country. Seven sites are in hard-hit Texas, where cases are climbing. Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir said the sites were always meant to be a temporary solution as the country worked to ramp up testing capacity in traditional health care settings.
Giroir said the 13 sites will continue to get federal funding through $11 billion recently provided to states to aid with testing. The transitioning sites will also continue to receive federally acquired supplies.
“Let me say definitively that we are moving to increase testing, both the numbers, the quantity and the targeting on social vulnerability,” he said. “And we will continue to do that and that is what the mantra is of this organization.”
The United States is currently conducting between 15 million and 20 million tests per week, with the goal of performing between 40 million and 50 million this fall.


rollcall--2020-06-24--Local advocacy groups still pushing for higher census response

Others in the city have started handing out face masks with census information and organized gift card raffles .
They ’ ve emphasized ways the census is used to help with health care funding .
But Shih and others worry they will not persuade enough people in vulnerable populations to participate in a count used to distribute 435 congressional seats and more than $ 1.5 trillion in federal funding annually .
Nationally , the response rate stands at 61.6 percent , according to the Census Bureau , but is considerably lower in some urban neighborhoods and rural areas .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level , according to a report issued Monday by Democrats on the House Oversight and Reform Committee .
The staff report emphasized that an undercount in New York City similar to the one after the 2010 census may cost the city more than $ 10 million in federal funds each year across several programs .
Democrats also worry they ’ re not getting enough insight into how the Census Bureau plans to adapt to the pandemic .
Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney , D-N.Y. , said the agency has not provided the staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how census operations have been adjusted .
“ It is hard for us to make an assessment without being able to contact the people who are doing the work , ” Maloney said .
“ We would like to verify they are doing everything right .
They are not allowing us to do that .
”

Others in the city have started handing out face masks with census information and organized gift card raffles. They’ve emphasized ways the census is used to help with health care funding. But Shih and others worry they will not persuade enough people in vulnerable populations to participate in a count used to distribute 435 congressional seats and more than $1.5 trillion in federal funding annually.
Local efforts
Nationally, the response rate stands at 61.6 percent, according to the Census Bureau, but is considerably lower in some urban neighborhoods and rural areas.
That could have serious consequences at the local level, according to a report issued Monday by Democrats on the House Oversight and Reform Committee. The staff report emphasized that an undercount in New York City similar to the one after the 2010 census may cost the city more than $10 million in federal funds each year across several programs.
Democrats also worry they’re not getting enough insight into how the Census Bureau plans to adapt to the pandemic. Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y., said the agency has not provided the staff briefings requested by lawmakers wanting to learn how census operations have been adjusted.
“It is hard for us to make an assessment without being able to contact the people who are doing the work,” Maloney said. “We would like to verify they are doing everything right. They are not allowing us to do that.”


rollcall--2020-06-24--Del. Norton continues push to change name of DC’s football team

Amid protests against racial injustice , Dan Snyder , the owner of Washington ’ s football team , made a @ @ @ @ @ team from its problematic past .
Snyder renamed a section of the team ’ s @ @ @ @ @ segregationist former owner .
But D.C. Del .
Eleanor Holmes Norton is repeating calls for @ @ @ @ @ of the Redskins , a move he has long rejected .
“ [ Fans ] @ @ @ @ @ If you change the name , they will still rally around the team , ” @ @ @ @ @ with Jason Dick during this week ’ s Political Theater podcast .
Snyder said in @ @ @ @ @ s name would “ never ” be changed .
With a vote on D.C. statehood @ @ @ @ @ Friday , Norton is hoping D.C. will have greater clout to change the name and @ @ @ @ @ move the team ’ s stadium from Maryland back to the district .

Amid protests against racial injustice, Dan Snyder, the owner of Washington’s football team, made a small move toward separating the team from its problematic past. Snyder renamed a section of the team’s stadium previously dubbed for a segregationist former owner.
But D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton is repeating calls for Snyder to change the name of the Redskins, a move he has long rejected.
“[Fans] rally around the team. If you change the name, they will still rally around the team,” Norton said in a conversation with Jason Dick during this week’s Political Theater podcast.
Snyder said in 2013 that the team’s name would “never” be changed.
With a vote on D.C. statehood coming to the House floor Friday, Norton is hoping D.C. will have greater clout to change the name and eventually approve a bill to move the team’s stadium from Maryland back to the district.


rollcall--2020-06-24--USCIS informs 13,000 federal employees of potential furloughs without emergency funding

More than 13,000 Homeland Security employees who oversee the nation ’ s citizenship and visa process will be getting furlough notices this week unless Congress comes through with the emergency funding sought by the U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services , according to the union representing the workers .
The USCIS formally notified the American Federation of Government Employees that nearly 70 percent of the agency ’ s employees could face extended furloughs starting as early as Aug. 3 unless Congress provides $ 1.2 billion in emergency funding , a union official said .
“ It is not in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow such a failure — which would have a substantial impact on millions of legal immigrants , permanent residents and US citizens and would be detrimental to American businesses , educational institutions , the economy and our law enforcement and health care systems , ” said Michael Knowles , president of AFGE Local 1924 , which represents about 2,500 USCIS employees in the Washington , D.C. , area .
Government rules require advance notice of any furlough expected to last more than 30 days , the union said .
USCIS , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 20,000 federal employees overall , not including contractors .
USCIS confirmed in a statement that without additional appropriations from Congress , the agency “ will need to administratively furlough approximately 13,400 employees .
”

More than 13,000 Homeland Security employees who oversee the nation’s citizenship and visa process will be getting furlough notices this week unless Congress comes through with the emergency funding sought by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to the union representing the workers.
The USCIS formally notified the American Federation of Government Employees that nearly 70 percent of the agency’s employees could face extended furloughs starting as early as Aug. 3 unless Congress provides $1.2 billion in emergency funding, a union official said.
“It is not in the best interest of the American people to allow such a failure — which would have a substantial impact on millions of legal immigrants, permanent residents and US citizens and would be detrimental to American businesses, educational institutions, the economy and our law enforcement and health care systems,” said Michael Knowles, president of AFGE Local 1924, which represents about 2,500 USCIS employees in the Washington, D.C., area.


rollcall--2020-06-24--Eleanor Holmes Norton’s brass ring: DC statehood

Del .
Eleanor Holmes Norton is a third-generation Washingtonian who has been witness to the biggest turning points in the @ @ @ @ @ struggle for civil and political rights .
In the course of her lifetime , she @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wide demographic shifts , from majority white to majority black to no majority @ @ @ @ @ more than 800,000 in 1950 to 570,000 five decades later , the steady growth of @ @ @ @ @ inched the city back above 700,000 and into a cultural destination .
One thing has @ @ @ @ @ Citizens of the District of Columbia , federal tax-paying citizens , have been denied full @ @ @ @ @

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton is a third-generation Washingtonian who has been witness to the biggest turning points in the capital city’s long struggle for civil and political rights.
In the course of her lifetime, she has also seen the city’s wide demographic shifts, from majority white to majority black to no majority.
From a population of more than 800,000 in 1950 to 570,000 five decades later, the steady growth of the last two decades has inched the city back above 700,000 and into a cultural destination.
One thing has been constant, though: Citizens of the District of Columbia, federal tax-paying citizens, have been denied full voting representation in Congress.


rollcall--2020-06-25--From activist to insider, a former Pelosi staffer watches Black Lives Matter go mainstream

Shortly after the August 2014 killing of Michael Brown , Taylor Griffin began marching with other young people in Washington @ @ @ @ @ .
But there was one thing that set her apart from her fellow marchers .
@ @ @ @ @ for then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi .
Her activism and association with the leader of @ @ @ @ @ a target of right-wing outlets like the Daily Caller , which did a couple of @ @ @ @ @ and an incident involving D.C. police .
But Griffin says that despite the criticism , @ @ @ @ @ “ One of the things she told me was that she was very proud of @ @ @ @ @ , who would become Pelosi ’ s press secretary by age 25 .
“ To @ @ @ @ @ and understood the issues , it really meant the world to me and speaks volumes @ @ @ @ @ ”

Shortly after the August 2014 killing of Michael Brown, Taylor Griffin began marching with other young people in Washington in protest of police violence.
But there was one thing that set her apart from her fellow marchers. She was a press assistant for then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Her activism and association with the leader of the Democratic Party made her a target of right-wing outlets like the Daily Caller, which did a couple of stories on her protest participation and an incident involving D.C. police.
But Griffin says that despite the criticism, Pelosi had her back.
“One of the things she told me was that she was very proud of me,” says Griffin, who would become Pelosi’s press secretary by age 25. “To hear that she supported me and understood the issues, it really meant the world to me and speaks volumes about who she is.”


rollcall--2020-06-25--Marcia Fudge on what it’s like to be a Delta Sigma Theta in DC

“ You ’ d be surprised at how many Deltas work on Capitol Hill today , ” says Rep. Marcia L. Fudge .
The sorority has been a through line of the Ohio Democrat ’ s career .
She first came to Washington in 1999 , as a favor to her friend and Delta sister Stephanie Tubbs Jones , who had just been elected to Congress .
Now Fudge holds the same seat as her former boss and has served in the House for more than a decade .
That wasn ’ t the plan , but it seemed like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who died suddenly in 2008 after suffering a brain aneurysm .
When she looks back to her days as a staffer , Fudge sees a few things that haven ’ t changed since then .
For one , she says , “ there are many , many qualified people of color who never get an opportunity outside of offices of people of color.
” As for her Delta Sigma Theta network , it is going strong , and now includes six other sitting House members .
“ We have very , very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Q : How did you come to work for Tubbs Jones ?

“You’d be surprised at how many Deltas work on Capitol Hill today,” says Rep. Marcia L. Fudge.
The sorority has been a through line of the Ohio Democrat’s career. She first came to Washington in 1999, as a favor to her friend and Delta sister Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who had just been elected to Congress.
Now Fudge holds the same seat as her former boss and has served in the House for more than a decade. That wasn’t the plan, but it seemed like the best way to honor Tubbs Jones, who died suddenly in 2008 after suffering a brain aneurysm.
When she looks back to her days as a staffer, Fudge sees a few things that haven’t changed since then. For one, she says, “there are many, many qualified people of color who never get an opportunity outside of offices of people of color.” As for her Delta Sigma Theta network, it is going strong, and now includes six other sitting House members. “We have very, very strong bonds,” she says.
Q: How did you come to work for Tubbs Jones?


rollcall--2020-06-25--Wait weeks to tally November’s votes? One ex-official says that ‘could be generous’

This week ’ s key primary contests in Kentucky and New York have provided yet more evidence that Election Day will last beyond the first Tuesday in November .
In both states , the abundance of absentee ballots that did not need to be received by Tuesday is leading to lengthy delays in reporting of election results , putting campaigns in a kind of suspended animation .
New York and Kentucky both accepted ballots as long as they were postmarked by election day , and the numbers of absentee voters surged because of precautions taken in light of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late as Saturday in Kentucky and June 30 in New York .
Joe Burns , a former deputy director at the New York State Board of Elections , said the counting of absentee ballots in November could take even longer .
“ I think weeks could potentially be generous if you ’ re talking about the number of absentee ballots in a given race going from , say , 4 or 5 percent to 40 or 50 percent , ” Burns told reporters Wednesday .
“ If you go and increase the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 , you would think it ’ s going to take that much longer .
”

This week’s key primary contests in Kentucky and New York have provided yet more evidence that Election Day will last beyond the first Tuesday in November.
In both states, the abundance of absentee ballots that did not need to be received by Tuesday is leading to lengthy delays in reporting of election results, putting campaigns in a kind of suspended animation.
New York and Kentucky both accepted ballots as long as they were postmarked by election day, and the numbers of absentee voters surged because of precautions taken in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ballots can be received as late as Saturday in Kentucky and June 30 in New York.
Joe Burns, a former deputy director at the New York State Board of Elections, said the counting of absentee ballots in November could take even longer.
“I think weeks could potentially be generous if you’re talking about the number of absentee ballots in a given race going from, say, 4 or 5 percent to 40 or 50 percent,” Burns told reporters Wednesday. “If you go and increase the number of absentee ballots by a factor of 10, you would think it’s going to take that much longer.”


rollcall--2020-06-24--House Judiciary members trade barbs over Barr as he agrees to testify before panel


rollcall--2020-06-25--GAO: Stimulus checks sent to dead people among coronavirus response problems

Corrected 6:30 p.m. | The Government Accountability Office criticized the Trump administration 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic on multiple @ @ @ @ @ issuing of more than $ 1 billion in stimulus checks to deceased individuals .
In @ @ @ @ @ before a House Coronavirus Select Committee hearing on the GAO findings , the agency took @ @ @ @ @ actions on testing , protective equipment for medical personnel , and the Paycheck Protection Program @ @ @ @ @ to respond to the pandemic .
The GAO noted that the Treasury Department ’ s @ @ @ @ @ reported that by the end of April , nearly 1.1 million payments , totaling almost @ @ @ @ @ to deceased people .
It also documents problems with receiving requested materials from agencies such @ @ @ @ @ and Human Services , the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration .
@ @ @ @ @ Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis will hear from Gene L. Dodaro , head of @ @ @ @ @ .
House Democrats are likely to seize on the critiques during their questioning .

Corrected 6:30 p.m. | The Government Accountability Office criticized the Trump administration's handling of the coronavirus pandemic on multiple fronts Thursday, including the issuing of more than $1 billion in stimulus checks to deceased individuals.
In a report issued the day before a House Coronavirus Select Committee hearing on the GAO findings, the agency took the administration to task for actions on testing, protective equipment for medical personnel, and the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, created to respond to the pandemic.
The GAO noted that the Treasury Department’s inspector general for tax administration reported that by the end of April, nearly 1.1 million payments, totaling almost $1.4 billion, went to deceased people.
It also documents problems with receiving requested materials from agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration.
The House Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis will hear from Gene L. Dodaro, head of the GAO, on Friday. House Democrats are likely to seize on the critiques during their questioning.


rollcall--2020-06-25--House passes policing bill amid familiar partisan stalemate

The House sent its version of a policing overhaul bill to the Senate late Thursday , as Congress settled into a familiar partisan stalemate in which Democrats and Republicans staked out positions that appear to leave little room for compromise .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats did not allow amendments to their comprehensive bill ahead of a vote just 18 days after it was introduced .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had already said the bill would not go anywhere , and the Trump administration threatened to veto it if it did because it would “ undermine law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi told reporters Thursday that the narrower Senate Republican version would have no effect and “ did nothing ” and is a nonstarter in the House .
Democrats had voted to block it on the Senate floor Wednesday , with complaints that it was flawed and not bipartisan , stopping one key legislative path to compromise that Pelosi said wouldn ’ t work anyway .
[ Senate GOP policing bill might be stranded at the gate ] “ We don ’ t want chokeholds .
They allow chokeholds , what are we going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chokeholds ?
” Pelosi said at a Washington Post event about a provision in the House bill to ban officers from using the maneuver during arrests .
“ This is irreconcilable .
Some things are just not reconcilable .
That ’ s it .
”

The House sent its version of a policing overhaul bill to the Senate late Thursday, as Congress settled into a familiar partisan stalemate in which Democrats and Republicans staked out positions that appear to leave little room for compromise.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats did not allow amendments to their comprehensive bill ahead of a vote just 18 days after it was introduced. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had already said the bill would not go anywhere, and the Trump administration threatened to veto it if it did because it would “undermine law enforcement and make communities less safe.”
And Pelosi told reporters Thursday that the narrower Senate Republican version would have no effect and “did nothing” and is a nonstarter in the House. Democrats had voted to block it on the Senate floor Wednesday, with complaints that it was flawed and not bipartisan, stopping one key legislative path to compromise that Pelosi said wouldn’t work anyway.
[Senate GOP policing bill might be stranded at the gate]
“We don’t want chokeholds. They allow chokeholds, what are we going to compromise? A certain number of chokeholds?” Pelosi said at a Washington Post event about a provision in the House bill to ban officers from using the maneuver during arrests. “This is irreconcilable. Some things are just not reconcilable. That’s it.”


rollcall--2020-06-25--Senate eyes protest-sparked NDAA proposals

Concerns about police abuses and the military 's outsized role in responding to recent protests could roil the Senate 's @ @ @ @ @ policy bill .
Senators have filed scores of amendments to the fiscal 2021 defense authorization @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , the Senate voted , 90-7 , to invoke cloture on the motion @ @ @ @ @ measure , which will consume much of the chamber 's time next week .
The @ @ @ @ @ charged issues is led by the question of whether to rename military bases that honor @ @ @ @ @ displays , signs and symbols .
But the list of potential amendments on protest-related subjects @ @ @ @ @ though senators have not yet said which amendments will be made in order .
A @ @ @ @ @ late May killing of George Floyd , a Black man who had been taken into @ @ @ @ @ several recent police actions that fueled this month 's protests in multiple American cities .

Concerns about police abuses and the military's outsize role in responding to recent protests could roil the Senate's debate on the annual Pentagon policy bill.
Senators have filed scores of amendments to the fiscal 2021 defense authorization bill, or NDAA. On Thursday, the Senate voted, 90-7, to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the sprawling measure, which will consume much of the chamber's time next week.
The list of protest-prompted, racially charged issues is led by the question of whether to rename military bases that honor Confederates and to expunge related displays, signs and symbols.
But the list of potential amendments on protest-related subjects is longer than that, though senators have not yet said which amendments will be made in order.
No-knock warrants
A Minneapolis police officer’s late May killing of George Floyd, a Black man who had been taken into custody, was one of several recent police actions that fueled this month's protests in multiple American cities.


rollcall--2020-06-25--‘Mr. Akaka . . .’ returns — again

‘Mr. Akaka . . .’ returns — again

The late Daniel K. Akaka retired from the Senate in 2013 after a long and distinguished career representing Hawaii , including service as chairman of Committee on Veterans ' Affairs .
But the senator , who died in 2018 , was also perhaps best known for his position at the beginning of the Senate alphabet , with each of the Senate ’ s innumerable time-killing quorum calls beginning “ Mr .
Akaka.
” Seasoned Capitol Hill observers were caught off guard Thursday afternoon when it was not Tennessee GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander whose name was called to kick off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was once again Akaka , a Democrat who was the first Native Hawaiian ever to serve in the chamber .
It was not the first time since Akaka ’ s retirement that a clerk has inadvertently called his name .
On the first day of the 113th Congress , on Jan. 4 , 2013 , the familiar rang out of force of habit in another routine Senate quorum call .
With Alexander retiring at the end of the current Congress , Sen. Tammy Baldwin , D-Wis. , may assume the role at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roll call order next year .

The late Daniel K. Akaka retired from the Senate in 2013 after a long and distinguished career representing Hawaii, including service as chairman of Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
But the senator, who died in 2018, was also perhaps best known for his position at the beginning of the Senate alphabet, with each of the Senate’s innumerable time-killing quorum calls beginning “Mr. Akaka.”
Seasoned Capitol Hill observers were caught off guard Thursday afternoon when it was not Tennessee GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander whose name was called to kick off the calling of the roll, but rather it was once again Akaka, a Democrat who was the first Native Hawaiian ever to serve in the chamber.
It was not the first time since Akaka’s retirement that a clerk has inadvertently called his name. On the first day of the 113th Congress, on Jan. 4, 2013, the familiar rang out of force of habit in another routine Senate quorum call.
With Alexander retiring at the end of the current Congress, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., may assume the role at the top of the Senate’s roll call order next year.


rollcall--2020-06-25--Screening of unaccompanied minors amid pandemic questioned

Nearly 2,000 unaccompanied minors have been turned away at the southern border since the Trump administration implemented a public health order amid the pandemic , according to a top Homeland Security official , who gave lawmakers conflicting answers Thursday on whether those children were first screened for signs of torture , trafficking or other types of abuse .
At a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing , Mark Morgan , the acting Customs and Border Protection commissioner , testified that all of the children were screened to make sure they didn ’ t potentially qualify for asylum .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he submitted in written testimony before Thursday ’ s hearing .
In those remarks , Morgan said initial asylum screenings on unaccompanied minors have been conducted only on a case-by-case basis , “ when it is not possible to return a minor to his or her home country or when an agent or officer suspects trafficking or sees signs of illness.
” But Sen. Jacky Rosen , D-Nev. , noted that “ the regulation is that all unaccompanied minors are screened , ” not just when border agents see signs of abuse or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many children have made it through initial screenings and who would then be processed into the care of a Health and Human Services agency that oversees detained minors .
But Morgan said anytime a child traveling alone is turned back at the border , his agency works with other countries to ensure that minor is safe .

Nearly 2,000 unaccompanied minors have been turned away at the southern border since the Trump administration implemented a public health order amid the pandemic, according to a top Homeland Security official, who gave lawmakers conflicting answers Thursday on whether those children were first screened for signs of torture, trafficking or other types of abuse.
At a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, Mark Morgan, the acting Customs and Border Protection commissioner, testified that all of the children were screened to make sure they didn’t potentially qualify for asylum. But some lawmakers noted that contradicted what he submitted in written testimony before Thursday’s hearing.
In those remarks, Morgan said initial asylum screenings on unaccompanied minors have been conducted only on a case-by-case basis, “when it is not possible to return a minor to his or her home country or when an agent or officer suspects trafficking or sees signs of illness.”
But Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., noted that “the regulation is that all unaccompanied minors are screened,” not just when border agents see signs of abuse or torture.
Morgan did not say how many children have made it through initial screenings and who would then be processed into the care of a Health and Human Services agency that oversees detained minors. But Morgan said anytime a child traveling alone is turned back at the border, his agency works with other countries to ensure that minor is safe.


rollcall--2020-06-25--CDC: COVID-19 cases may be 10 times higher than reported

The number of cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 may be 10 times higher than what has been reported @ @ @ @ @ federal health official .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said Thursday @ @ @ @ @ or testing for antibodies , shows that the rate of infection , including from asymptomatic @ @ @ @ @ than the confirmed number of diagnosed illnesses .
“ Our best estimate right now is @ @ @ @ @ was reported , there actually are 10 other infections , '' Redfield said on a @ @ @ @ @ would mean the number of cases of the coronavirus causing a worldwide pandemic tops 20 @ @ @ @ @ .
There are currently 2.3 million reported cases in the U.S .

The number of cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 may be 10 times higher than what has been reported, according to a top federal health official.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said Thursday that nationwide serological testing, or testing for antibodies, shows that the rate of infection, including from asymptomatic cases, is much higher than the confirmed number of diagnosed illnesses.
“Our best estimate right now is that for every case that was reported, there actually are 10 other infections," Redfield said on a call with reporters.
That would mean the number of cases of the coronavirus causing a worldwide pandemic tops 20 million in the United States. There are currently 2.3 million reported cases in the U.S.


rollcall--2020-06-25--At the Races: The election’s in the mail

Welcome to At the Races !
Each week we ’ ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election .
Know someone who ’ d like to get this newsletter ?
They can subscribe here .
We got yet another reminder of the unpredictability of the 2020 campaign cycle in this week ’ s Democratic primaries , with the decisive victory of Cameron Webb in a House race in Virginia and the possibility that House candidate Jamaal Bowman in New York and Senate hopeful Charles Booker in Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to call .
All three are Black men whose competitors had formidable advantages , leading to much speculation about whether backlash against President Donald Trump ’ s antagonism of recent protesters , combined with the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Black communities and the mainstreaming of the Black Lives Matter movement , could result in a sea change for Black Democrats similar to the wave of women elected in 2018 .
Bowman , a former middle school principal , appeared to embrace that narrative when he declared victory Wednesday over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New York ’ s 16th District .
“ I ’ m a Black man who was raised by a single mother in a housing project .
That story doesn ’ t usually end in Congress , ” Bowman said .
“ But today , that 11-year old boy who was beaten by police is about to be your next representative .
”

Kate Ackley, Stephanie Akin, and Bridget Bowman

Welcome to At the Races! Each week we’ll bring you news and analysis from the CQ Roll Call team that will keep you informed about the 2020 election. Know someone who’d like to get this newsletter? They can subscribe here.
By Kate Ackley, Stephanie Akin and Bridget Bowman
We got yet another reminder of the unpredictability of the 2020 campaign cycle in this week’s Democratic primaries, with the decisive victory of Cameron Webb in a House race in Virginia and the possibility that House candidate Jamaal Bowman in New York and Senate hopeful Charles Booker in Kentucky could win races that were still too close to call.
All three are Black men whose competitors had formidable advantages, leading to much speculation about whether backlash against President Donald Trump’s antagonism of recent protesters, combined with the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Black communities and the mainstreaming of the Black Lives Matter movement, could result in a sea change for Black Democrats similar to the wave of women elected in 2018.
Bowman, a former middle school principal, appeared to embrace that narrative when he declared victory Wednesday over House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot L. Engel in New York’s 16th District. “I’m a Black man who was raised by a single mother in a housing project. That story doesn’t usually end in Congress,” Bowman said. “But today, that 11-year old boy who was beaten by police is about to be your next representative.”


rollcall--2020-06-25--Colorado is turning blue. Will that help Andrew Romanoff?

Andrew Romanoff is about to find out what , if any , difference a decade makes .
The former Colorado @ @ @ @ @ former Gov .
John Hickenlooper in the state ’ s Democratic Senate primary next week @ @ @ @ @ of Romanoff ’ s 2010 Senate primary race against Michael Bennet , now the state @ @ @ @ @ Democrats believe the state has moved in their direction since then , and that shift @ @ @ @ @ Gardner extremely vulnerable in November .
For Romanoff , the question is whether the state @ @ @ @ @ the last decade that voters will rally behind a candidate who supports liberal policies such @ @ @ @ @ ” and the Green New Deal .
Romanoff and his allies believe it has .

Andrew Romanoff is about to find out what, if any, difference a decade makes.
The former Colorado House speaker is taking on former Gov. John Hickenlooper in the state’s Democratic Senate primary next week, in a contest reminiscent of Romanoff’s 2010 Senate primary race against Michael Bennet, now the state’s senior senator.
Democrats believe the state has moved in their direction since then, and that shift has made GOP Sen. Cory Gardner extremely vulnerable in November.
For Romanoff, the question is whether the state has changed so much in the last decade that voters will rally behind a candidate who supports liberal policies such as “Medicare for All” and the Green New Deal.
Romanoff and his allies believe it has.


rollcall--2020-06-25--Activist to insider: Former Pelosi aide watches Black Lives Matter go mainstream


rollcall--2020-06-26--States need money. The Fed has it. Politics may be an obstacle

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hasn ’ t wavered in his warnings to lawmakers since the coronavirus crisis hit : Congress needs to bail out state and municipal governments to avoid an anemic economic revival .
“ It will hold back the economic recovery if [ states and localities ] continue to lay people off , and if they can continue to cut essential services , ” Powell testified to the House Financial Services Committee last week .
“ And in fact , that 's kind of what happened post the global financial crisis.
” But Powell has shown little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power to step in if Congress fails to heed his warnings .
Instead , the central bank has opted to rely on a tool provided by a March law .
That tool , the Municipal Liquidity Facility , announced in April to help state and local governments manage their cash flow , has been designed to avoid central bank losses — and has been used by only one government to date .
“ Would the Fed consider making changes to the municipal liquidity facility that make it more like a grant and provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more assistance to local governments ?
” Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto , D-Nev. , asked Powell at a Senate Banking Committee hearing last week .
“ No .
We can ’ t make grants , ” the Fed chairman replied .
“ That ’ s one thing we can ’ t do .
We can only lend — the law is extremely clear on that .
”

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hasn’t wavered in his warnings to lawmakers since the coronavirus crisis hit: Congress needs to bail out state and municipal governments to avoid an anemic economic revival.
“It will hold back the economic recovery if [states and localities] continue to lay people off, and if they can continue to cut essential services,” Powell testified to the House Financial Services Committee last week. “And in fact, that's kind of what happened post the global financial crisis.”
But Powell has shown little interest in using a long-standing central bank power to step in if Congress fails to heed his warnings. Instead, the central bank has opted to rely on a tool provided by a March law. That tool, the Municipal Liquidity Facility, announced in April to help state and local governments manage their cash flow, has been designed to avoid central bank losses — and has been used by only one government to date.
“Would the Fed consider making changes to the municipal liquidity facility that make it more like a grant and provide that would be able then to provide more assistance to local governments?” Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., asked Powell at a Senate Banking Committee hearing last week.
“No. We can’t make grants,” the Fed chairman replied. “That’s one thing we can’t do. We can only lend — the law is extremely clear on that.”


rollcall--2020-06-26--Border wall funding fight expected to head to Supreme Court

The 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday that the Trump administration does not have the authority to transfer billions of dollars in military funds to help finance the construction of the president ’ s long-promised border wall , potentially sending the fight back to the Supreme Court .
In a 2-1 ruling , the appeals panel said the administration violated the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution , which gives Congress exclusive funding powers , when it transferred $ 2.5 billion slated for other purposes .
“ Here , the Executive Branch lacked independent constitutional authority to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Judge Sidney Thomas wrote in the majority opinion .
“ Therefore , the transfer of funds here was unlawful.
” The panel also affirmed a lower district court ’ s order blocking the transfer of funds for the construction of the wall .
A Supreme Court ruling had allowed the construction to continue with the reshuffled Pentagon funds while the particulars of the case were hammered out in the courts .
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in 2019 on behalf of the Sierra Club and Southern Border @ @ @

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday that the Trump administration does not have the authority to transfer billions of dollars in military funds to help finance the construction of the president’s long-promised border wall, potentially sending the fight back to the Supreme Court.
In a 2-1 ruling, the appeals panel said the administration violated the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution, which gives Congress exclusive funding powers, when it transferred $2.5 billion slated for other purposes.
“Here, the Executive Branch lacked independent constitutional authority to authorize the transfer of funds,” Chief Judge Sidney Thomas wrote in the majority opinion. “Therefore, the transfer of funds here was unlawful.”
The panel also affirmed a lower district court’s order blocking the transfer of funds for the construction of the wall. A Supreme Court ruling had allowed the construction to continue with the reshuffled Pentagon funds while the particulars of the case were hammered out in the courts.
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in 2019 on behalf of the Sierra Club and Southern Border Communities Coalition.