rollcall--2020-07-15--DSCC-backed Sara Gideon wins primary to face Sen. Susan Collins in Maine

National Democrats got their preferred Senate candidate in Maine on Tuesday night , with state House Speaker Sara Gideon set to take on Sen. Susan Collins and reap a windfall raised to defeat her .
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had endorsed Gideon and Air Force veteran MJ Hegar in Texas in races that were decided Tuesday .
Hegar won her primary runoff and will face GOP Sen. John Cornyn in November .
Democrats also found out who their most vulnerable senator will face in November , with Alabama Republicans choosing former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville to challenge Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General Jeff Sessions ’ bid to take back the seat he gave up to join President Donald Trump ’ s administration .
Collins is one of two Republicans running for reelection in states Hillary Clinton carried in 2016 .
She ’ s been campaigning forcefully against Gideon for months , long before the primary officially set the matchup .
The seat is well within Democrats ’ grasp , as Collins ’ reputation for independence and political moderation has foundered in the highly charged , deeply polarized Trump era .
Resistance to the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh , helped fuel her decline as much as Gideon ’ s rise .

National Democrats got their preferred Senate candidate in Maine on Tuesday night, with state House Speaker Sara Gideon set to take on Sen. Susan Collins and reap a windfall raised to defeat her.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had endorsed Gideon and Air Force veteran MJ Hegar in Texas in races that were decided Tuesday. Hegar won her primary runoff and will face GOP Sen. John Cornyn in November.
Democrats also found out who their most vulnerable senator will face in November, with Alabama Republicans choosing former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville to challenge Sen. Doug Jones. Tuberville ended former Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ bid to take back the seat he gave up to join President Donald Trump’s administration.
Collins is one of two Republicans running for reelection in states Hillary Clinton carried in 2016.
She’s been campaigning forcefully against Gideon for months, long before the primary officially set the matchup. The seat is well within Democrats’ grasp, as Collins’ reputation for independence and political moderation has foundered in the highly charged, deeply polarized Trump era. Resistance to the president and nominees Collins voted to confirm, especially Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, helped fuel her decline as much as Gideon’s rise.


rollcall--2020-07-15--Tommy Tuberville defeats Jeff Sessions in Alabama Senate runoff

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions ’ hopes for a political comeback were dashed Tuesday by former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville and President Donald Trump .
Tuberville had Trump ’ s backing in the Republican primary runoff to take on Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones , which likely boosted Tuberville 's campaign .
Sessions ’ defeat is the latest blow to his political career since he was fired from the Trump administration .
Trump has repeatedly criticized Sessions for recusing himself from an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
Sessions sought to make a political comeback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become Trump ’ s attorney general , arguing that politicians in the nation ’ s capital do not get to choose the GOP Senate candidate in Alabama .
Unfortunately for Sessions , Trump remains popular in the Yellowhammer State , which he won by 28 points in 2016 .
Tuberville had 62 percent of the vote to Sessions ’ 38 percent when The Associated Press called the race on Tuesday .
Alabama represents the Republicans ’ best Senate pickup opportunity as they try to thwart Democratic attempts to retake the chamber .

Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ hopes for a political comeback were dashed Tuesday by former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville and President Donald Trump.
Tuberville had Trump’s backing in the Republican primary runoff to take on Alabama Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, which likely boosted Tuberville's campaign.
Sessions’ defeat is the latest blow to his political career since he was fired from the Trump administration. Trump has repeatedly criticized Sessions for recusing himself from an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Sessions sought to make a political comeback by running for the seat he vacated to become Trump’s attorney general, arguing that politicians in the nation’s capital do not get to choose the GOP Senate candidate in Alabama.
Unfortunately for Sessions, Trump remains popular in the Yellowhammer State, which he won by 28 points in 2016. Tuberville had 62 percent of the vote to Sessions’ 38 percent when The Associated Press called the race on Tuesday.
Alabama represents the Republicans’ best Senate pickup opportunity as they try to thwart Democratic attempts to retake the chamber.


rollcall--2020-07-16--Bipartisan letter urges extension of airline payroll support

A bipartisan group of House members is beginning to coalesce around a plan to extend aid to airline employees through @ @ @ @ @ .
House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio , D-Ore. , and Subcommittee on @ @ @ @ @ D-Wash. , are spearheading circulation of a letter to colleagues that includes a draft letter @ @ @ @ @ seeking support to extend the $ 32 billion Payroll Support Program to keep airline employees @ @ @ @ @ $ 25 billion of that aid was for passenger airlines ; the rest went to @ @ @ @ @ In all , 950,000 employees received the aid .
The grants expire Sept. 30 .
@ @ @ @ @ wake of the first round of furlough notices from two airlines anticipating the end of @ @ @ @ @ in March as part of the roughly $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief bill .
Other @ @ @ @ @ have to follow suit .

A bipartisan group of House members is beginning to coalesce around a plan to extend aid to airline employees through March 31 of next year.
House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter A. DeFazio, D-Ore., and Subcommittee on Aviation Chairman Rick Larsen, D-Wash., are spearheading circulation of a letter to colleagues that includes a draft letter to House and Senate leadership seeking support to extend the $32 billion Payroll Support Program to keep airline employees on the payroll.
Some $25 billion of that aid was for passenger airlines; the rest went to cargo airlines and contractors. In all, 950,000 employees received the aid. The grants expire Sept. 30.
The letter comes in the wake of the first round of furlough notices from two airlines anticipating the end of the Payroll Support Program approved in March as part of the roughly $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill. Other airlines have said they may have to follow suit.
[As payroll support nears an end, airline unions seek renewal]


rollcall--2020-07-16--Canceled: Annual Congressional Baseball Game takes a hit

The beloved Congressional Baseball Game for Charity has officially been canceled this year .
The “ friendly ” bipartisan summer @ @ @ @ @ members of Congress against their Democratic colleagues will be put on hold until 2021 as @ @ @ @ @ recover from the coronavirus pandemic .
“ This decision was not made lightly , ” @ @ @ @ @ Ryan Thompson said in a letter .
“ As we work through the realities of @ @ @ @ @ possible for in-person events in the world of the COVID-19 pandemic , it is clear @ @ @ @ @ standards can not be met while also keeping everyone safe and healthy.
” The Congressional @ @ @ @ @ back to 1909 , draws thousands of fans to Nationals Park .
Proceeds from the @ @ @ @ @ charities .
The last time there was an interruption in the annual game was from @ @ @ @ @ Rayburn discontinued it over concerns of injuries to members of Congress .

The beloved Congressional Baseball Game for Charity has officially been canceled this year.
The “friendly” bipartisan summer sporting event that pits Republican members of Congress against their Democratic colleagues will be put on hold until 2021 as the D.C. area continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Congressional Sports for Charity President Ryan Thompson said in a letter. “As we work through the realities of what is and is not possible for in-person events in the world of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear to us that our high standards cannot be met while also keeping everyone safe and healthy.”
The Congressional Baseball Game, which dates back to 1909, draws thousands of fans to Nationals Park. Proceeds from the game are distributed to local charities.
The last time there was an interruption in the annual game was from 1959-61, when Speaker Sam Rayburn discontinued it over concerns of injuries to members of Congress.


rollcall--2020-07-16--At the Races: The end of the beginning

At the Races: The end of the beginning

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 .
After Tuesday ’ s primaries in Maine , Texas and Alabama , the matchups are set in all but four of the Senate races that Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates as competitive .
Still on tap : Arizona , Alaska , Kansas and Georgia ’ s special Senate election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gross are expected to win the Democratic nominations in Arizona and Alaska .
In Georgia ’ s special election featuring appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler , candidates from all parties will compete on the same ballot in November .
If no one wins more than 50 percent of the vote , the race would advance to a January runoff .
So the next Senate primary to watch is in less than three weeks in Kansas , where GOP Sen. Pat Roberts is retiring .
Kansas and national Democrats have largely coalesced around state Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two years ago .
Republicans will choose their Senate nominee on Aug. 4 .
Four of the eleven GOP candidates on the ballot have been running competitive campaigns , but most of the attention has focused on conservative firebrand Kris Kobach and Rep. Roger Marshall .
National Republicans have made no secret of their concern that Kobach could win the primary but fail to capture independent voters in the general election , which is what happened when he ran for governor in 2018 and lost to Democrat Laura Kelly .
Groups aligned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent millions trying to stop Kobach .
In case there are any doubts about Democrats ’ preference , this week a new super PAC with ties to national Democrats launched an $ 850,000 ad apparently designed to boost Kobach ’ s appeal among conservative voters and malign Marshall as “ soft on Trump and weak on immigration .
”

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.
After Tuesday’s primaries in Maine, Texas and Alabama, the matchups are set in all but four of the Senate races that Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates as competitive. Still on tap: Arizona, Alaska, Kansas and Georgia’s special Senate election.
Retired astronaut Mark Kelly and surgeon Al Gross are expected to win the Democratic nominations in Arizona and Alaska. In Georgia’s special election featuring appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler, candidates from all parties will compete on the same ballot in November. If no one wins more than 50 percent of the vote, the race would advance to a January runoff.
So the next Senate primary to watch is in less than three weeks in Kansas, where GOP Sen. Pat Roberts is retiring. Kansas and national Democrats have largely coalesced around state Sen. Barbara Bollier, who switched parties less than two years ago. Republicans will choose their Senate nominee on Aug. 4.
Four of the eleven GOP candidates on the ballot have been running competitive campaigns, but most of the attention has focused on conservative firebrand Kris Kobach and Rep. Roger Marshall. National Republicans have made no secret of their concern that Kobach could win the primary but fail to capture independent voters in the general election, which is what happened when he ran for governor in 2018 and lost to Democrat Laura Kelly. Groups aligned with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have spent millions trying to stop Kobach. In case there are any doubts about Democrats’ preference, this week a new super PAC with ties to national Democrats launched an $850,000 ad apparently designed to boost Kobach’s appeal among conservative voters and malign Marshall as “soft on Trump and weak on immigration.”


rollcall--2020-07-16--Campaign update: Fundraising surges despite pandemic

The latest fundraising reports this week show that money is continuing to flow to congressional campaigns , even amid a @ @ @ @ @ unrest and record unemployment .
Some campaign operatives were bracing for a drop in fundraising @ @ @ @ @ which spanned from April through June , as the coronavirus spread throughout the country , @ @ @ @ @ economic downturn .
But House and Senate candidates have still raised eye-popping figures .
Overall @ @ @ @ @ House and Senate races , and Republicans in Senate races , actually increased from the @ @ @ @ @ quarters , according to a CQ Roll Call analysis of second quarter fundraising reports filed @ @ @ @ @ .
The analysis included races that Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates as competitive @ @ @ @ @ party campaign committees .

The latest fundraising reports this week show that money is continuing to flow to congressional campaigns, even amid a global health crisis, nationwide unrest and record unemployment.
Some campaign operatives were bracing for a drop in fundraising in the second quarter, which spanned from April through June, as the coronavirus spread throughout the country, shuttering businesses and sparking an economic downturn. But House and Senate candidates have still raised eye-popping figures.
Overall fundraising for Democrats in competitive House and Senate races, and Republicans in Senate races, actually increased from the first to the second fundraising quarters, according to a CQ Roll Call analysis of second quarter fundraising reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. The analysis included races that Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates as competitive and those targeted by the party campaign committees.


rollcall--2020-07-16--For Rep. G.K. Butterfield, the fight for voting rights goes way back

The struggle to ensure people have access to the ballot box is one that G.K. Butterfield and his family have @ @ @ @ @ to the early 20th century .
The North Carolina Democrat ’ s history in Wilson @ @ @ @ @ shaped by his immigrant father and his decadeslong advocacy on behalf of Black suffrage in @ @ @ @ @ it .
It extends through Butterfield ’ s own place in the civil rights era @ @ @ @ @ present day with his own legislative priorities , particularly a voting rights bill the House @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate .

The struggle to ensure people have access to the ballot box is one that G.K. Butterfield and his family have been involved in dating back to the early 20th century.
The North Carolina Democrat’s history in Wilson, N.C., is indelibly shaped by his immigrant father and his decadeslong advocacy on behalf of Black suffrage in a place notoriously resistant to it.
It extends through Butterfield’s own place in the civil rights era, and continues to the present day with his own legislative priorities, particularly a voting rights bill the House has passed that awaits action in the Senate.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-16--Trump’s move on key environment law feeds Democrats’ strategy

With an eye on the November elections , top Democrats are ramping up criticism of President Donald Trump ’ s deregulatory environmental agenda , including his move Wednesday to weaken a bedrock environmental law from the 1970s .
At a UPS warehouse in Atlanta , the president trumpeted changes to the National Environmental Policy Act , which requires that federal agencies analyze the environmental impact of major projects , such as chemical plants , pipelines , mines , highways and dredging .
It also established the White House ’ s Council on Environmental Quality , which released the new NEPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is part of my administration ’ s fierce commitment to slashing the web of needless bureaucracy that was holding back our citizens , ” Trump said , telling the audience the rule would make it easier to build and use highways .
“ I ’ ve been wanting to do this since day one.
” Considered a foundational piece of U.S. environmental law , NEPA has long irritated conservative Republicans and fossil energy company officials by tripping up the approval of major pipelines and other projects because of the environmental harm they would @ @

With an eye on the November elections, top Democrats are ramping up criticism of President Donald Trump’s deregulatory environmental agenda, including his move Wednesday to weaken a bedrock environmental law from the 1970s.
At a UPS warehouse in Atlanta, the president trumpeted changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires that federal agencies analyze the environmental impact of major projects, such as chemical plants, pipelines, mines, highways and dredging. It also established the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality, which released the new NEPA rule.
“Today’s action is part of my administration’s fierce commitment to slashing the web of needless bureaucracy that was holding back our citizens,” Trump said, telling the audience the rule would make it easier to build and use highways. “I’ve been wanting to do this since day one.”
[Trump administration proposal would ease environmental impact reviews for federal projects]
Considered a foundational piece of U.S. environmental law, NEPA has long irritated conservative Republicans and fossil energy company officials by tripping up the approval of major pipelines and other projects because of the environmental harm they would cause.


rollcall--2020-07-15--Negotiators seem open to trade-offs for coronavirus relief deal

As Congress finds itself two weeks away from unemployment benefits expiring and the annual August recess in the balance , @ @ @ @ @ concessions on issues that could otherwise stand in the way of a bipartisan coronavirus relief @ @ @ @ @ a deal on two of the thorniest issues is becoming increasingly clear : Democrats will @ @ @ @ @ business liability protections they 're demanding , and in exchange the GOP will have to @ @ @ @ @ to protect workers .
Republicans will have to agree to extend unemployment insurance provisions with @ @ @ @ @ federal government .
Democrats will likely agree to a number below the current $ 600 @ @ @ @ @ more generous direct payments to individuals and families .
Key negotiators like Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ McConnell have both offered hints in recent days that talks are headed in that direction @ @ @ @ @ out their demands while still leaving room for compromise .

As Congress finds itself two weeks away from unemployment benefits expiring and the annual August recess in the balance, lawmakers are signaling openness to concessions on issues that could otherwise stand in the way of a bipartisan coronavirus relief deal.
The path to a deal on two of the thorniest issues is becoming increasingly clear: Democrats will have to give Republicans some business liability protections they're demanding, and in exchange the GOP will have to agree to stronger federal regulations to protect workers.
Republicans will have to agree to extend unemployment insurance provisions with some extra aid from the federal government. Democrats will likely agree to a number below the current $600 federal benefit in exchange for more generous direct payments to individuals and families.
Key negotiators like Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have both offered hints in recent days that talks are headed in that direction, as they've laid out their demands while still leaving room for compromise.


rollcall--2020-07-15--Police car torched outside Supreme Court, suspect burned and in custody

An unmarked police vehicle was set ablaze Wednesday afternoon next to the Supreme Court , and a badly burned suspect @ @ @ @ @ .
A man poured an accelerant over an unmarked Supreme Court police vehicle parked on @ @ @ @ @ Northeast and set fire to it , according to Kathleen Arberg , a spokeswoman for @ @ @ @ @ congressional staffer , who was enjoying a lunch break on the lawn of the Capitol @ @ @ @ @ fire and response , recounted hearing a series of loud bangs and saw flames licking @ @ @ @ @ , before the fire engulfed the vehicle .
“ A second later , the whole @ @ @ @ @ , ” the staffer told CQ Roll Call .
The staffer preferred not to be @ @ @ @ @ was among those who posted videos and photos of the incident on social media .
@ @ @ @ @ Twitter at around 1:50 p.m. Eastern time , and Hill staffers received by email an @ @ @ @ @ avoid the area at 2 p.m .

An unmarked police vehicle was set ablaze Wednesday afternoon next to the Supreme Court, and a badly burned suspect was taken to the hospital.
A man poured an accelerant over an unmarked Supreme Court police vehicle parked on Maryland Avenue near First Street Northeast and set fire to it, according to Kathleen Arberg, a spokeswoman for the high court.
A congressional staffer, who was enjoying a lunch break on the lawn of the Capitol with friends and witnessed the fire and response, recounted hearing a series of loud bangs and saw flames licking the underside of the car, before the fire engulfed the vehicle.
“A second later, the whole thing was literally a fireball,” the staffer told CQ Roll Call. The staffer preferred not to be identified by name, but was among those who posted videos and photos of the incident on social media.
Witnesses began sharing videos on Twitter at around 1:50 p.m. Eastern time, and Hill staffers received by email an initial Capitol Police alert to avoid the area at 2 p.m.


rollcall--2020-07-15--Coronavirus Special Report: The debate over masks comes to Congress

In tonight ’ s episode , we examine how a congressman testing positive for the coronavirus has highlighted a split @ @ @ @ @ And Rep. G.K. Butterfield , a member of the House Administration Committee , discusses his @ @ @ @ @ in Congress and some of the challenges that COVID-19 poses to voters .
• Rep. @ @ @ @ @ days after speaking with unmasked members • As Arizona COVID-19 cases surge , this mom @ @ @ @ @ with disabilities • Trump ’ s former doctor wins Texas primary as one of several @ @ @ @ @ House

In tonight’s episode, we examine how a congressman testing positive for the coronavirus has highlighted a split between Democrats and Republicans. And Rep. G.K. Butterfield, a member of the House Administration Committee, discusses his thoughts on wearing a mask in Congress and some of the challenges that COVID-19 poses to voters.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-15--Rep. Steve Watkins not giving up committee posts amid felony charges on voter fraud

Clarified , 6 p.m. | Kansas Republican Rep. Steve Watkins is not planning to resign from his committee assignments after @ @ @ @ @ voter fraud .
House GOP Conference rules say that any member “ indicted for a @ @ @ @ @ of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed , shall submit his or her @ @ @ @ @ to the House promptly.
” The rules allow for the member to be reinstated to @ @ @ @ @ the charges are dismissed or reduced to less than a felony .
Watkins faces three @ @ @ @ @ following an investigation into allegations he illegally voted in a Topeka election in 2019 ; @ @ @ @ @ The charges were filed after the Shawnee County district attorney received a charging affidavit from @ @ @ @ @ .
The filing of charges is subject to approval by a judge .

Clarified, 6 p.m. | Kansas Republican Rep. Steve Watkins is not planning to resign from his committee assignments after being charged Tuesday with felony voter fraud.
House GOP Conference rules say that any member “indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed, shall submit his or her resignation from any such committees to the House promptly.” The rules allow for the member to be reinstated to committees on acquittal or if the charges are dismissed or reduced to less than a felony.
[Kansas GOP Rep. Steve Watkins charged with voter fraud]
Watkins faces three felony charges and one misdemeanor following an investigation into allegations he illegally voted in a Topeka election in 2019; he has denied wrongdoing.
The charges were filed after the Shawnee County district attorney received a charging affidavit from the sheriff’s office. The filing of charges is subject to approval by a judge.


rollcall--2020-07-16--Trump pitches Trump as suburbs’ guardian, foe of climate rules

For the third time in as many days , President Donald Trump set his sights on a familiar target : regulations .
In a rambling and fear-mongering speech Thursday afternoon at the White House , Trump , fresh from a trip to Atlanta where he unveiled new rules to make construction projects easier to build by limiting the study of their environmental ramifications , touted his administration ’ s moves to cut regulations .
He said his loss at the ballot box in November to former Vice President Joe Biden , the likely Democratic presidential nominee , would destroy suburban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radical left want to significantly multiply what they ’ re doing now , ” Trump said of his campaign opponent .
“ What the end result will be is you will totally destroy the beautiful suburbs , ” he said .
“ Suburbia will be no longer as we know it.
” National polls consistently show Trump trailing Biden by a double-digit margin .
Winning back suburban voters , a key bloc that swept House Democrats to victory in 2018 , is critical for Trump to secure a second term .
Trump also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweeping plan many Democrats support to decarbonize the U.S. economy , would spell disaster for the nation .

For the third time in as many days, President Donald Trump set his sights on a familiar target: regulations.
In a rambling and fear-mongering speech Thursday afternoon at the White House, Trump, fresh from a trip to Atlanta where he unveiled new rules to make construction projects easier to build by limiting the study of their environmental ramifications, touted his administration’s moves to cut regulations. He said his loss at the ballot box in November to former Vice President Joe Biden, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, would destroy suburban America.
“Joe Biden and the radical left want to significantly multiply what they’re doing now,” Trump said of his campaign opponent. “What the end result will be is you will totally destroy the beautiful suburbs,” he said. “Suburbia will be no longer as we know it.”
National polls consistently show Trump trailing Biden by a double-digit margin. Winning back suburban voters, a key bloc that swept House Democrats to victory in 2018, is critical for Trump to secure a second term.
Trump also said the Green New Deal, a sweeping plan many Democrats support to decarbonize the U.S. economy, would spell disaster for the nation.


rollcall--2020-07-16--Coronavirus Special Report: Democrats up their demands for next COVID-19 relief bill

In tonight ’ s episode , we look at how Democrats in Congress are making the push for far more @ @ @ @ @ trillion price tag that Republicans put forth for the next COVID-19 relief bill .
Then @ @ @ @ @ the airline industry , which has been hit especially hard by the pandemic , might @ @ @ @ @ a group of bipartisan lawmakers .
• ICYMI : Democrats well positioned to take the @

In tonight’s episode, we look at how Democrats in Congress are making the push for far more aid than the $1 trillion price tag that Republicans put forth for the next COVID-19 relief bill. Then, we look at how the airline industry, which has been hit especially hard by the pandemic, might be getting some help from a group of bipartisan lawmakers.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-16--State, local coronavirus aid fight may hinge on school funds

Republican lawmakers may be more open to additional funding for state and local governments in the next coronavirus relief package — if they can say it was set aside for schools .
Education funding is shaping up to be a big component of the next federal aid package , with both parties saying schools will need more resources for things like personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies if they are going to safely reopen in the next few months .
That bipartisan priority could provide grounds for a truce of sorts in the dispute over aid to state and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying they don ’ t want to bail out states that were poorly managed even before the COVID-19 pandemic .
On Friday , Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer will make another push for the $ 1 trillion in state and local aid they want in a news conference with the American Federation of State , County and Municipal Employees .
Democrats have started arguing that much of the $ 1 trillion will end up being funneled to school systems , which account for a large portion of state and local budgets @

Republican lawmakers may be more open to additional funding for state and local governments in the next coronavirus relief package — if they can say it was set aside for schools.
Education funding is shaping up to be a big component of the next federal aid package, with both parties saying schools will need more resources for things like personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies if they are going to safely reopen in the next few months.
That bipartisan priority could provide grounds for a truce of sorts in the dispute over aid to state and local governments. Republicans have resisted additional aid, saying they don’t want to bail out states that were poorly managed even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer will make another push for the $1 trillion in state and local aid they want in a news conference with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Democrats have started arguing that much of the $1 trillion will end up being funneled to school systems, which account for a large portion of state and local budgets.


rollcall--2020-07-16--Ukraine again emerges as wedge issue, now on defense money bill

A House spending bill ’ s proposal to wrest from the White House control over aid money for Ukraine could @ @ @ @ @ bill , a senior GOP lawmaker said this week .
If it does , it @ @ @ @ @ funding of far-off armies in Ukraine close to the center of politics in Washington .
@ @ @ @ @ the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee , said during Tuesday ’ s markup @ @ @ @ @ billion draft defense money bill that she is concerned the Ukraine issue , in addition @ @ @ @ @ , would draw a veto threat from President Donald Trump .
Accordingly , Granger and @ @ @ @ @ panel voted against approving the bill , which passed only on the strength of the @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ ll have to drop or modify any controversial language that could @ @ @ @ @ chance of being signed into law , ” Granger said .

A House spending bill’s proposal to wrest from the White House control over aid money for Ukraine could jeopardize the annual defense spending bill, a senior GOP lawmaker said this week.
If it does, it would once again move the funding of far-off armies in Ukraine close to the center of politics in Washington.
Kay Granger of Texas, the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, said during Tuesday’s markup of the nearly $695 billion draft defense money bill that she is concerned the Ukraine issue, in addition to three other hot-button topics, would draw a veto threat from President Donald Trump.
Accordingly, Granger and all other Republicans on the panel voted against approving the bill, which passed only on the strength of the Democratic majority’s votes.
“We’ll have to drop or modify any controversial language that could jeopardize this bill’s chance of being signed into law,” Granger said.


rollcall--2020-07-16--Rep. Lori Trahan cleared by House Ethics Committee

The House Ethics Committee has closed an inquiry into Massachusetts Democrat Lori Trahan , over allegations that her campaign accepted contributions in excess of federal limits and failed to make appropriate disclosures .
The panel voted unanimously to dismiss the inquiry , and released a full report Thursday .
“ The Committee did not find that Representative Trahan acted in violation of House Rules , laws , regulations , or other standards of conduct , ” the report states .
The matter began with complaints to the Office of Congressional Ethics about late injections of hundreds of thousands of dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , prompting questions about where the funds originated .
Trahan went on to narrowly prevail in a crowded 10-person Democratic race ; she loaned her campaign $ 300,000 from a joint checking account she shares with her husband , David , en route to her win .
[ Ethics office report says Trahan may have concealed loans by husband from FEC ] Federal law places no limit on the amount candidates can contribute to their own campaign accounts .
But spouses are bound by the same individual contribution limit — $ 2,700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donors .

The House Ethics Committee has closed an inquiry into Massachusetts Democrat Lori Trahan, over allegations that her campaign accepted contributions in excess of federal limits and failed to make appropriate disclosures. The panel voted unanimously to dismiss the inquiry, and released a full report Thursday.
“The Committee did not find that Representative Trahan acted in violation of House Rules, laws, regulations, or other standards of conduct,” the report states.
The matter began with complaints to the Office of Congressional Ethics about late injections of hundreds of thousands of dollars to Trahan’s primary campaign in 2018, prompting questions about where the funds originated. Trahan went on to narrowly prevail in a crowded 10-person Democratic race; she loaned her campaign $300,000 from a joint checking account she shares with her husband, David, en route to her win.
[Ethics office report says Trahan may have concealed loans by husband from FEC]
Federal law places no limit on the amount candidates can contribute to their own campaign accounts. But spouses are bound by the same individual contribution limit — $2,700 during the 2018 cycle — as other donors.


rollcall--2020-07-16--Russian hacking group said to target COVID-19 vaccine development

A Russian cyber espionage group , code-named Cozy Bear , has been targeting organizations involved in the development of a vaccine for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom , Canada , and the United States , the top cybersecurity agencies of all three countries said in a joint notification issued Thursday .
The Russian group also known as APT 29 or Advanced Persistent Threat 29 has been using custom malware code-named WellMess and WellMail to extract information from companies and institutions involved in vaccine development , the U.K ’ s National Cyber Security Centre , Canada ’ s Communications Security Establishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Agency said in an unusual joint advisory .
The findings and the results were also backed by the U.S. National Security Agency , according to the U.K. agency .
The joint U.K. , U.S. , and Canadian notice said that the Russian group “ conducted basic vulnerability scanning against specific external IP addresses ” operated by the target organizations .
“ The group then deployed public exploits against the vulnerable services identified.
” The cyber group is connected to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service , also known as SVR , which typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to researchers .

A Russian cyber espionage group, code-named Cozy Bear, has been targeting organizations involved in the development of a vaccine for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, the top cybersecurity agencies of all three countries said in a joint notification issued Thursday.
The Russian group also known as APT 29 or Advanced Persistent Threat 29 has been using custom malware code-named WellMess and WellMail to extract information from companies and institutions involved in vaccine development, the U.K’s National Cyber Security Centre, Canada’s Communications Security Establishment, and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in an unusual joint advisory.
The findings and the results were also backed by the U.S. National Security Agency, according to the U.K. agency.
The joint U.K., U.S., and Canadian notice said that the Russian group “conducted basic vulnerability scanning against specific external IP addresses” operated by the target organizations. “The group then deployed public exploits against the vulnerable services identified.”
The cyber group is connected to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, also known as SVR, which typically engages in long-term espionage activities, according to researchers.


rollcall--2020-07-16--Supreme Court allows Florida to enforce felon voting rights law

A divided Supreme Court declined Thursday to stop a Florida law about felon voting rights , a decision that could leave tens of thousands of people without clarity about whether they are eligible to vote in the state ’ s Aug. 18 primary election .
The high court ’ s decision is the fourth ahead of the 2020 election that cuts against access to the ballot — adding to decisions about elections in Wisconsin , Texas and Alabama — and it drew sharp criticism from three justices on the court ’ s liberal wing .
“ This Court ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissent , which was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan .
The Florida law requires prior felons to pay all outstanding fines and fees from their criminal sentences before they can reestablish their right to vote .
The state ’ s voters had approved a constitutional amendment to allow previous felons to regain the right to vote , but then the state ’ s Republican-led Legislature passed a law with the financial requirement .
A federal district court judge determined that such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to voting based on whether the felons had the ability to pay , in part because the state gives those felons inconsistent information and the state ’ s records on what they owe are incomplete and unreliable .

A divided Supreme Court declined Thursday to stop a Florida law about felon voting rights, a decision that could leave tens of thousands of people without clarity about whether they are eligible to vote in the state’s Aug. 18 primary election.
The high court’s decision is the fourth ahead of the 2020 election that cuts against access to the ballot — adding to decisions about elections in Wisconsin, Texas and Alabama — and it drew sharp criticism from three justices on the court’s liberal wing.
“This Court’s inaction continues a trend of condoning disfranchisement,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissent, which was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan.
The Florida law requires prior felons to pay all outstanding fines and fees from their criminal sentences before they can reestablish their right to vote. The state’s voters had approved a constitutional amendment to allow previous felons to regain the right to vote, but then the state’s Republican-led Legislature passed a law with the financial requirement.
A federal district court judge determined that such a pay-to-vote system creates an unconstitutional barrier to voting based on whether the felons had the ability to pay, in part because the state gives those felons inconsistent information and the state’s records on what they owe are incomplete and unreliable.


CQ Future: Telehealth

In this edition of CQ Future , we address how the pandemic has pushed medicine and how it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Telehealth , which allows doctors to visit with patients using technology delivered by video or @ @ @ @ @ touted as a new way of practicing medicine .
But what happens to those who @ @ @ @ @ technology or its infrastructure ?
CQ Roll Call sits down with Dr. Julia Arnsten , @ @ @ @ @ Medical Center in the Bronx , New York , for nearly 25 years and is @ @ @ @ @ General Internal Medicine .
• ICYMI : Democrats well positioned to take the Senate • @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus relief deal • Rep. Steve Watkins not giving up committee posts amid felony @ @ @ @

Shawn Zeller, Evan Campbell, and Joanne Levine

In this edition of CQ Future, we address how the pandemic has pushed medicine and how it’s practiced into the future. Telehealth, which allows doctors to visit with patients using technology delivered by video or phone, is now being touted as a new way of practicing medicine. But what happens to those who may not have access to technology or its infrastructure? CQ Roll Call sits down with Dr. Julia Arnsten, who has been at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, for nearly 25 years and is director of the Division of General Internal Medicine.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-17--By the numbers: New fundraising reports and the battle for Congress

Campaign fundraising reports filed this week provide the latest look at who has a financial advantage in the battle for Congress .
The second quarter , which spanned from April through June , saw an uptick in cash hauls over the previous three months , surprising campaign operatives who expected fundraising to drop amid the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn .
A CQ Roll Call analysis of the second-quarter fundraising reports showed that House Democrats still have a sizable financial advantage as they defend their majority .
So do Senate Republicans , but some Democratic challengers are closing the gap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 100 House and 15 Senate races that were rated as competitive by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales or were targeted by the party committees .
Candidates who lost primaries during the quarter were excluded .
House Democrats continued their prolific fundraising in the second quarter , with the average Democratic incumbent raising $ 774,000 , nearly three times as much as the average Republican challenger , who raised $ 270,000 .
On average , a Democratic House member in a competitive race has a campaign war chest eight times the size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In dollar terms , the average competitive Democrat had $ 2.8 million on June 30 , compared with $ 347,000 for the average Republican opponent .

Campaign fundraising reports filed this week provide the latest look at who has a financial advantage in the battle for Congress.
The second quarter, which spanned from April through June, saw an uptick in cash hauls over the previous three months, surprising campaign operatives who expected fundraising to drop amid the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn.
A CQ Roll Call analysis of the second-quarter fundraising reports showed that House Democrats still have a sizable financial advantage as they defend their majority. So do Senate Republicans, but some Democratic challengers are closing the gap. This analysis covered reports from candidates in 100 House and 15 Senate races that were rated as competitive by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales or were targeted by the party committees. Candidates who lost primaries during the quarter were excluded.


rollcall--2020-07-17--Parking lots and projection screens: Drive-ins make case for the new ‘night out’

“ It ’ s really about showing up , ” says Brandon McEachern .
“ How do you show up @ @ @ @ @ McEachern is co-founder of Broccoli City , an organization that mobilizes and educates urban millennials @ @ @ @ @ a better world , ” according to its website .
For the community group , @ @ @ @ @ like a digital university that means business , a fitness event and 5K , and @ @ @ @ @ ( which has featured hip-hop artists like Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ of Roddy Ricch and Doja Cat making headlines at this year ’ s Broccoli City @ @ @ @ @ so organizers took to another trend .
“ The best way we can show up @ @ @ @ @ RFK , ” McEachern told Heard on the Hill .

“It’s really about showing up,” says Brandon McEachern. “How do you show up in these times?”
McEachern is co-founder of Broccoli City, an organization that mobilizes and educates urban millennials on “how to create a better world,” according to its website.
For the community group, “showing up” looks like a digital university that means business, a fitness event and 5K, and an eponymous annual music festival (which has featured hip-hop artists like Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B).
The COVID-19 pandemic canceled any chance of Roddy Ricch and Doja Cat making headlines at this year’s Broccoli City Festival in Southeast D.C., so organizers took to another trend.
A family sits in their trunk before the start of a movie as they and other health care professionals and their families gather for the soft opening of the drive-in movie theater at RFK Stadium in Washington on July 15, 2020. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call)
“The best way we can show up is a movie theater at RFK,” McEachern told Heard on the Hill.


rollcall--2020-07-17--House lawmakers agree that secure remote voting is possible, but implementation still divides

House lawmakers agreed Friday that the chamber could implement a comprehensive and secure electronic remote voting system , but divisions remain over whether such a move , even in the midst of a global health crisis , is prudent .
The House Administration Committee heard from the House clerk , a pioneering former speaker and a roster of academics and business leaders on the technological feasibility of electronic remote voting and keeping it safe from hackers and other bad actors aiming to sow distrust in government .
“ It is critical that we ensure complete confidence — both contemporaneously and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public in the way House votes are recorded , ” Clerk of the House Cheryl L. Johnson told the committee .
Johnson pledged that her office , as it has done since its inception in 1789 , will support the legislative functions of the House , no matter how it evolves .
“ However the House decides to proceed on how it conducts voting , our office will be prepared to advise on the associated costs , benefits and challenges , and we will be prepared to implement whatever decisions it makes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Johnson said .

House lawmakers agreed Friday that the chamber could implement a comprehensive and secure electronic remote voting system, but divisions remain over whether such a move, even in the midst of a global health crisis, is prudent.
The House Administration Committee heard from the House clerk, a pioneering former speaker and a roster of academics and business leaders on the technological feasibility of electronic remote voting and keeping it safe from hackers and other bad actors aiming to sow distrust in government.
“It is critical that we ensure complete confidence — both contemporaneously and historically — of the Members and the public in the way House votes are recorded,” Clerk of the House Cheryl L. Johnson told the committee.
Johnson pledged that her office, as it has done since its inception in 1789, will support the legislative functions of the House, no matter how it evolves.
“However the House decides to proceed on how it conducts voting, our office will be prepared to advise on the associated costs, benefits and challenges, and we will be prepared to implement whatever decisions it makes to ensure the continuity of this irreplaceable institution,” Johnson said.


rollcall--2020-07-17--Health care coverage for laid-off workers splits Republicans

As Senate Republicans write their next pandemic relief bill , they ’ ve run into a dilemma of how to provide health care support to workers who have lost their jobs because of COVID-19 .
The divide pits two key groups of GOP backers — business interests and abortion foes — against each other , according to several people with knowledge of the deliberations who were not authorized to speak publicly .
One option being discussed is a federal subsidy for premiums that unemployed workers pay to continue their employer-provided health insurance after losing their jobs .
Known as COBRA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law that established the program : the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act .
Under that 1986 law , employees at firms with 20 or more workers are eligible for the continuation of coverage for up to 18 months after they lose their jobs but they have to pay the full , and usually costly , premium to keep the insurance .
But that proposal has led to a tug of war between the business community and anti-abortion groups , who note that the proposal would likely allow federal funds to be used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion is currently prohibited by riders attached every year to the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill under the so-called Hyde amendment , but the prohibition doesn ’ t apply to private COBRA insurance .

As Senate Republicans write their next pandemic relief bill, they’ve run into a dilemma of how to provide health care support to workers who have lost their jobs because of COVID-19.
The divide pits two key groups of GOP backers — business interests and abortion foes — against each other, according to several people with knowledge of the deliberations who were not authorized to speak publicly.
One option being discussed is a federal subsidy for premiums that unemployed workers pay to continue their employer-provided health insurance after losing their jobs. Known as COBRA, the coverage is named for the law that established the program: the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.
Under that 1986 law, employees at firms with 20 or more workers are eligible for the continuation of coverage for up to 18 months after they lose their jobs but they have to pay the full, and usually costly, premium to keep the insurance.
But that proposal has led to a tug of war between the business community and anti-abortion groups, who note that the proposal would likely allow federal funds to be used to pay for abortions. Federal funding of abortion is currently prohibited by riders attached every year to the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill under the so-called Hyde amendment, but the prohibition doesn’t apply to private COBRA insurance.


rollcall--2020-07-17--Trump admin must accept new DACA applications, court rules

The Trump administration must resume accepting new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and comply with a recent Supreme Court Court ruling , a federal judge ordered Friday .
U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm of the District of Maryland said his order “ restores the DACA policy to its pre-September 5 , 2017 status , ” a reference to the day the Trump administration announced the president would rescind the program .
Grimm ’ s ruling comes nearly a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the White House ’ s effort to end the Obama-era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
The high court pointed out that it was not ruling on whether DACA is a sound policy , only whether the government had a reasoned explanation for rescinding it .
DACA has given roughly 700,000 immigrants , unlawfully brought to this country as children , the ability to work and live in the United States without fear of deportation .
In its decision , the Supreme Court ordered the government to begin processing new DACA applications .
However , immigration attorneys and advocacy groups have complained that the Trump administration had @ @ @ @ @

The Trump administration must resume accepting new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and comply with a recent Supreme Court ruling, a federal judge ordered Friday.
U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm of the District of Maryland said his order “restores the DACA policy to its pre-September 5, 2017 status,” a reference to the day the Trump administration announced the president would rescind the program.
Grimm’s ruling comes nearly a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the White House’s effort to end the Obama-era program ran afoul of the Administrative Procedure Act. The high court pointed out that it was not ruling on whether DACA is a sound policy, only whether the government had a reasoned explanation for rescinding it.
DACA has given roughly 700,000 immigrants, unlawfully brought to this country as children, the ability to work and live in the United States without fear of deportation. In its decision, the Supreme Court ordered the government to begin processing new DACA applications. However, immigration attorneys and advocacy groups have complained that the Trump administration had failed to do so.
[Dreamers, Congress see hard work ahead despite court ruling]


rollcall--2020-07-17--McCarthy: Liability shield shouldn’t be traded for more regulation

Republicans don ’ t need to agree to worker protection standards they ’ ve repeatedly rejected in exchange for Democratic support for liability protections in the next coronavirus relief package , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Friday .
The top House Republican ’ s position sets up a conflict with Democrats , who have been pushing since March for an emergency Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard to strengthen protections for workers during the pandemic .
Republicans have successfully prevented it from being included in prior packages .
“ That is absolutely essential for us to have to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but an even stronger one at the time of coronavirus , ” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday , noting that Democrats would continue to push for OSHA regulations in the broader aid package that leaders are hoping to reach a deal on in the coming weeks .
House Democrats included the OSHA standard in a $ 3.5 trillion relief bill they passed in May .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is planning to soon release a GOP alternative totaling somewhere around $ 1 trillion that is unlikely to include the OSHA standard but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools , hospitals and more .
Pelosi has argued that the OSHA standard is the best way to protect businesses because if they ensure their employees follow proper health guidelines they won ’ t be held liable for anyone contracting the virus .

Republicans don’t need to agree to worker protection standards they’ve repeatedly rejected in exchange for Democratic support for liability protections in the next coronavirus relief package, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Friday.
The top House Republican’s position sets up a conflict with Democrats, who have been pushing since March for an emergency Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard to strengthen protections for workers during the pandemic. Republicans have successfully prevented it from being included in prior packages.
“That is absolutely essential for us to have to protect our workers, at all times, but an even stronger one at the time of coronavirus,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday, noting that Democrats would continue to push for OSHA regulations in the broader aid package that leaders are hoping to reach a deal on in the coming weeks.
House Democrats included the OSHA standard in a $3.5 trillion relief bill they passed in May. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is planning to soon release a GOP alternative totaling somewhere around $1 trillion that is unlikely to include the OSHA standard but will include liability protections for businesses, schools, hospitals and more.
Pelosi has argued that the OSHA standard is the best way to protect businesses because if they ensure their employees follow proper health guidelines they won’t be held liable for anyone contracting the virus.


rollcall--2020-07-17--Mnuchin gives hints of PPP changes in next COVID-19 relief bill

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin hinted Friday at potential changes to a forgivable loan program that ’ s been a lifeline for small businesses hurt by COVID-19 .
Mnuchin told the House Small Business Committee that the next round of coronavirus relief legislation , which the Senate is expected to begin negotiating in earnest next week , should amend the Paycheck Protection Program , or PPP , to allow the hardest hit companies to apply for a second loan .
Congress created the PPP as part of March ’ s $ 2 trillion economic rescue package .
The program allows small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help them cover payroll during the economic slowdown caused by COVID-19 .
Borrowers who use the money mostly to pay workers won ’ t need to pay the loans back .
The Small Business Administration started accepting applications a week after the law passed , and has since approved nearly 5 million loans worth $ 518 billion .
That still leaves around $ 130 billion available for new loans .
One of the program 's lead architects , Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chairman Marco Rubio of Florida has said he wants the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money for another round of PPP loans .
Businesses that have seen larger revenue declines would be allowed to apply for a larger forgivable loan , which could be used more broadly than current PPP loans .
Mnuchin , who was the White House ’ s lead negotiator for the March law , reiterated his support for those tweaks on Friday .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin hinted Friday at potential changes to a forgivable loan program that’s been a lifeline for small businesses hurt by COVID-19.
Mnuchin told the House Small Business Committee that the next round of coronavirus relief legislation, which the Senate is expected to begin negotiating in earnest next week, should amend the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, to allow the hardest hit companies to apply for a second loan.
Congress created the PPP as part of March’s $2 trillion economic rescue package. The program allows small businesses to apply for forgivable loans to help them cover payroll during the economic slowdown caused by COVID-19. Borrowers who use the money mostly to pay workers won’t need to pay the loans back. The Small Business Administration started accepting applications a week after the law passed, and has since approved nearly 5 million loans worth $518 billion.
That still leaves around $130 billion available for new loans. One of the program's lead architects, Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chairman Marco Rubio of Florida has said he wants the next coronavirus relief package to repurpose that money for another round of PPP loans. Businesses that have seen larger revenue declines would be allowed to apply for a larger forgivable loan, which could be used more broadly than current PPP loans.
Mnuchin, who was the White House’s lead negotiator for the March law, reiterated his support for those tweaks on Friday.


rollcall--2020-07-17--Which lawmaker left their phone in the men’s room? — Congressional Hits and Misses

We ’ ve all been there .
We accidentally leave our phone in the bathroom and sheepishly walk to reception @ @ @ @ @ a coworker turns it in .
But unlike this unlucky lawmaker , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ iPhone walk-of-shame in front of the entire House Appropriations Committee and TV cameras .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ attended a hearing from the street , Sen. Lindsey Graham fixed his collar and the @ @ @ @ @ .
[ Also watch : Convicted by software ?
Not so fast , says California @ @

We’ve all been there. We accidentally leave our phone in the bathroom and sheepishly walk to reception to pick it up after a co-worker turns it in. But unlike this unlucky lawmaker, we’ve never had to do the iPhone walk-of-shame in front of the entire House Appropriations Committee and TV cameras.
Meanwhile, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee attended a hearing from the street, Sen. Lindsey Graham fixed his collar and the world met the Census Cowboy.
[ Also watch: Convicted by software? Not so fast, says California lawmaker ]


rollcall--2020-07-17--Rep. Steve Watkins gives up committee posts after initially resisting

Kansas Republican Rep. Steve Watkins is giving up his committee assignments after initially declining to do so after facing felony @ @ @ @ @ .
Watkins is facing charges for allegedly committing voter fraud in a 2019 Topeka election @ @ @ @ @ store address on his voter registration form .
Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Steve Watkins not giving up committee posts amid felony charges on voter fraud ] @ @ @ @ @ that any member “ indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or @ @ @ @ @ imposed , shall submit his or her resignation from any such committees to the House @ @ @ @ @ reached out to Watkins ’ spokesman Dylan Jones Wednesday to inquire if the congressman had @ @ @ @ @ .

Kansas Republican Rep. Steve Watkins is giving up his committee assignments after initially declining to do so after facing felony charges in his home state.
Watkins is facing charges for allegedly committing voter fraud in a 2019 Topeka election, including listing a UPS store address on his voter registration form. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced the charges Tuesday.
[Rep. Steve Watkins not giving up committee posts amid felony charges on voter fraud]
House GOP Conference rules say that any member “indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed, shall submit his or her resignation from any such committees to the House promptly.”
CQ Roll Call reached out to Watkins’ spokesman Dylan Jones Wednesday to inquire if the congressman had stepped down from his committees.


rollcall--2020-07-17--Ginsburg undergoes another cancer treatment

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg revealed Friday that she has been undergoing treatment for liver cancer , but that she plans @ @ @ @ @ Court and “ can do the job full steam.
” The health concerns of the @ @ @ @ @ which have accelerated in recent years , arise at a critical political moment with a @ @ @ @ @ .
Ginsburg 's latest round with cancer could elevate Supreme Court appointments as a key @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Ginsburg presumably does not want to @ @ @ @ @ an appointment to Trump , whom she criticized and called a “ faker ” in @ @ @ @ @ election that she would later characterize as “ ill-advised.
” Trump already put two relatively @ @ @ @ @ on the court in Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh , and a third @ @ @ @ @ court ’ s conservative tilt .

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg revealed Friday that she has been undergoing treatment for liver cancer, but that she plans to continue on the Supreme Court and “can do the job full steam.”
The health concerns of the consistently liberal 87-year-old justice, which have accelerated in recent years, arise at a critical political moment with a looming presidential election in November.
Ginsburg's latest round with cancer could elevate Supreme Court appointments as a key campaign issue between Republican President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Ginsburg presumably does not want to leave the court and give an appointment to Trump, whom she criticized and called a “faker” in remarks during the 2016 presidential election that she would later characterize as “ill-advised.”
Trump already put two relatively young, consistently conservative justices on the court in Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh, and a third appointment would further solidify the court’s conservative tilt.


rollcall--2020-07-17--Eliot Engel loses to Jamaal Bowman in New York primary

More than three weeks after New York 's primary , it 's now clear that Democratic Rep. Eliot L. Engel @ @ @ @ @ nomination .
A surge of mail-in ballots delayed vote counting after the June 23 primary @ @ @ @ @ Jamaal Bowman led the longtime lawmaker on primary day and declared victory , while Engel @ @ @ @ @ Friday , The Associated Press called the race for Bowman .
Bowman painted Engel , @ @ @ @ @ Committee , as out of touch with the 16th District , which stretches from the @ @ @ @ @ County .
Bowman with 56 percent to Engel 's 40 percent , with three other @ @ @ @ @ when the AP called the race .
The district was one of the early epicenters @ @ @ @ @ also the site of protests against racism and police brutality .
Bowman sought to capitalize @ @ @ @ @ reporting that Engel hadn ’ t returned to the district since the pandemic hit , @ @ @ @ @ personal experience as a Black man .

More than three weeks after New York's primary, it's now clear that Democratic Rep. Eliot L. Engel has lost his party's nomination.
A surge of mail-in ballots delayed vote counting after the June 23 primary. Former middle school principal Jamaal Bowman led the longtime lawmaker on primary day and declared victory, while Engel declined to concede. On Friday, The Associated Press called the race for Bowman.
Bowman painted Engel, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, as out of touch with the 16th District, which stretches from the North Bronx to southern Westchester County.
Bowman with 56 percent to Engel's 40 percent, with three other candidates sharing the rest, when the AP called the race.
The district was one of the early epicenters of the coronavirus pandemic and also the site of protests against racism and police brutality. Bowman sought to capitalize on The Atlantic’s reporting that Engel hadn’t returned to the district since the pandemic hit, and Bowman also emphasized his personal experience as a Black man.


rollcall--2020-07-18--John Lewis, civil rights hero and ‘conscience of Congress,’ dies at 80

John Lewis , a civil rights icon who went on to a career of more than three decades in Congress as a Democrat representing Atlanta , died Friday night .
He was 80 years old and was in treatment for pancreatic cancer .
He enjoyed near-universal respect on Capitol Hill as a hero of the movement that put in him the national spotlight at a young age .
As a lawmaker , he was willing to wield that clout and made his arguments in the stark moral tones of the civil rights era , championing federal programs that advanced his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earning him the moniker , the “ conscience of Congress.
” Lewis burst on to the national spotlight as a civil rights leader in the 1960s .
He organized sit-ins , boycotts and other nonviolent protests in the segregated South and was one of the 13 original Freedom Riders seeking to integrate interstate bus travel .
He helped form , and for several years led , the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee , or SNCC , a youth-driven fulcrum of the civil rights movement that focused on civil disobedience .
Lewis often referenced what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Don ’ t get in trouble ” — as he grew up in rural Alabama .
But his connection with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders inspired a different mantra that he embodied fully throughout his life : good trouble .
“ Get in trouble , good trouble , necessary trouble , ” Lewis would say .

John Lewis, a civil rights icon who went on to a career of more than three decades in Congress as a Democrat representing Atlanta, died Friday night. He was 80 years old and was in treatment for pancreatic cancer.
He enjoyed near-universal respect on Capitol Hill as a hero of the movement that put in him the national spotlight at a young age. As a lawmaker, he was willing to wield that clout and made his arguments in the stark moral tones of the civil rights era, championing federal programs that advanced his notions of economic and social justice and earning him the moniker, the “conscience of Congress.”
Lewis burst on to the national spotlight as a civil rights leader in the 1960s. He organized sit-ins, boycotts and other nonviolent protests in the segregated South and was one of the 13 original Freedom Riders seeking to integrate interstate bus travel.
He helped form, and for several years led, the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, a youth-driven fulcrum of the civil rights movement that focused on civil disobedience.
Lewis often referenced what his parents and grandparents told him — “Don’t get in trouble” — as he grew up in rural Alabama.
But his connection with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders inspired a different mantra that he embodied fully throughout his life: good trouble. “Get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble,” Lewis would say.


rollcall--2020-07-18--Colleagues and leaders remember John Lewis as a humble mentor, in addition to an icon

Outpourings of grief , gratitude and remembrance followed the news of Rep. John Lewis ’ death Friday night , from lawmakers and leaders on both sides of the aisle and a new generation that is holding tight to his mentorship .
Flags at the Capitol , the White House and government buildings across the country flew at half staff Saturday , at the direction of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump .
It is not yet clear how large public tributes , such as a memorial service or a ceremony at the Capitol , will be handled while restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic continues .
Early Saturday morning , former President Barack Obama added his words to the chorus of praise for the Georgia Democrat , referencing a recent virtual meeting together with activists leading demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd 's death .
“ He could not have been prouder of their efforts — of a new generation standing up for freedom and equality , a new generation intent on voting and protecting the right to vote , a new generation running for political office , ” Obama wrote in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned from his example , even if they didn ’ t know it .
”

Katherine Tully-McManus and Lindsey McPherson

Outpourings of grief, gratitude and remembrance followed the news of Rep. John Lewis’ death Friday night, from lawmakers and leaders on both sides of the aisle and a new generation that is holding tight to his mentorship.
Flags at the Capitol, the White House and government buildings across the country flew at half staff Saturday, at the direction of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump.
It is not yet clear how large public tributes, such as a memorial service or a ceremony at the Capitol, will be handled while restrictions on large gatherings remain in place as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Early Saturday morning, former President Barack Obama added his words to the chorus of praise for the Georgia Democrat, referencing a recent virtual meeting together with activists leading demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd's death.
President Barack Obama greets Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., as he arrives in the House chamber for his first address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress. (Scott J. Ferrell/CQ Roll Call)
“He could not have been prouder of their efforts — of a new generation standing up for freedom and equality, a new generation intent on voting and protecting the right to vote, a new generation running for political office,” Obama wrote in a post on Medium. “They had learned from his example, even if they didn’t know it.”


rollcall--2020-07-18--Virginia GOP convention taps Nick Freitas to challenge Rep. Abigail Spanberger

Freitas led in endorsements , which can carry more weight in conventions when delegates are looking for signs of support from party leaders .
He was endorsed by the anti-tax Club for Growth and its political arm , Club for Growth Action , spent more than $ 295,000 on mailings , digital ads , phone banking and get-out-the-vote efforts in the field .
Freitas was also endorsed by the most recent Republican to hold the seat , Dave Brat , who knocked off House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a tea party upset in 2014 before losing to Spanberger four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who served two tours in Iraq , Freitas has built a reputation as a staunch libertarian in the statehouse .
He focused on Spanberger ’ s voting record during the last weeks of his campaign , saying that she could no longer pitch herself as a moderate because she had voted the same way as other House Democrats 96 percent of the time .
In fact , a CQ Vote Watch analysis shows Spanberger had the eighth-lowest “ party unity ” score in the Democratic Caucus since the beginning of 2019 .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her party on 65 of the 571 votes tracked , giving her a two-year party unity score of 88.6 percent .
President Donald Trump won 7th District , which includes the Richmond suburbs , by 7 points in 2016 .
Spanberger beat Brat by 2 points in 2018 , becoming the first Democrat to win the district in fifty years .
Freitas ’ opponents criticized him for missing a June 9 filing deadline to get his name on the November ballot , an oversight that was especially embarrassing after he made the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state House and ran as a write-in candidate .
The Virginia Board of Elections issued a blanket extension earlier this month to every candidate who missed the deadline .

Freitas led in endorsements, which can carry more weight in conventions when delegates are looking for signs of support from party leaders. He was endorsed by the anti-tax Club for Growth and its political arm, Club for Growth Action, spent more than $295,000 on mailings, digital ads, phone banking and get-out-the-vote efforts in the field. Freitas was also endorsed by the most recent Republican to hold the seat, Dave Brat, who knocked off House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a tea party upset in 2014 before losing to Spanberger four years later.
A former Green Beret who served two tours in Iraq, Freitas has built a reputation as a staunch libertarian in the statehouse. He focused on Spanberger’s voting record during the last weeks of his campaign, saying that she could no longer pitch herself as a moderate because she had voted the same way as other House Democrats 96 percent of the time.
In fact, a CQ Vote Watch analysis shows Spanberger had the eighth-lowest “party unity” score in the Democratic Caucus since the beginning of 2019. She voted against the majority of members of her party on 65 of the 571 votes tracked, giving her a two-year party unity score of 88.6 percent.
President Donald Trump won 7th District, which includes the Richmond suburbs, by 7 points in 2016. Spanberger beat Brat by 2 points in 2018, becoming the first Democrat to win the district in fifty years.
Freitas’ opponents criticized him for missing a June 9 filing deadline to get his name on the November ballot, an oversight that was especially embarrassing after he made the same mistake in his 2019 reelection race for the state House and ran as a write-in candidate. The Virginia Board of Elections issued a blanket extension earlier this month to every candidate who missed the deadline.


rollcall--2020-07-20--Capitol Insiders Survey: Parties are poles apart on virus relief

It will take compromise for lawmakers to coalesce around another coronavirus relief bill .
If congressional aides reflect the views @ @ @ @ @ two parties enter those discussions from opposite poles , seeing eye to eye on none @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll have to resolve in order to pass a new law .
Still , @ @ @ @ @ and perhaps even the contours of a deal .
On July 31 , key provisions @ @ @ @ @ know as the CARES Act are set to expire .
The law is Congress ’ @ @ @ @ @ virus , including pandemic unemployment payments of $ 600 per week and a moratorium on @ @ @ @ @ rental properties with federally backed mortgages .
With nearly 18 million Americans still out of @ @ @ @ @ others earning less than they did before virus-sparked lockdowns sent the economy into recession , @ @ @ @ @ least agree that further government aid is needed .

It will take compromise for lawmakers to coalesce around another coronavirus relief bill.
If congressional aides reflect the views of their bosses, the two parties enter those discussions from opposite poles, seeing eye to eye on none of several major issues they’ll have to resolve in order to pass a new law.
Still, the imperative is there, and perhaps even the contours of a deal.
On July 31, key provisions of the March aid bill know as the CARES Act are set to expire. The law is Congress’ principle enacted response to the virus, including pandemic unemployment payments of $600 per week and a moratorium on evictions from public housing and rental properties with federally backed mortgages.
With nearly 18 million Americans still out of work, and millions of others earning less than they did before virus-sparked lockdowns sent the economy into recession, both Republicans and Democrats at least agree that further government aid is needed.


rollcall--2020-07-20--Lobbyists bundle donations to Senate Democrats, Trump Victory

Lobbyist bundlers rounded up $ 250,000 for the Senate Democrats ’ campaign arm during the second quarter of this year , even as many of the party ’ s candidates run against the corporate interests those K Street denizens represent , new disclosures show .
That sum was a fraction of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee ’ s overall fundraising , which topped $ 20.1 million just in April and May .
And it represented a decline from the $ 1.3 million bundled by lobbyists from January through March , largely before the coronavirus forced many in-person fundraisers into hiatus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission show .
But it highlights how even in a pandemic , advocates trying to influence federal policy are working in support of candidates who may someday vote on it , even though the candidates are keeping their distance from corporate PAC money .
Campaigns are only required to disclose bundlers who are registered federal lobbyists , so it ’ s not possible to track the ebb and flow of other people who gather contributions from groups of donors and pool them together , unless campaigns and committees release them voluntarily .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week to renew their calls on the campaigns of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden to disclose everyone who is bundling contributions together for their campaigns .
The Biden campaign does not accept donations from lobbyists and has refunded such contributions in the past , but last year — when the candidate still had many competitors for the Democratic nomination — it offered the names late last year of people who had bundled at least $ 25,000 for the campaign .
The campaign has not updated the list since @ @

That prompted a cross section of ideological groups last week to renew their calls on the campaigns of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden to disclose everyone who is bundling contributions together for their campaigns. The Biden campaign does not accept donations from lobbyists and has refunded such contributions in the past, but last year — when the candidate still had many competitors for the Democratic nomination — it offered the names late last year of people who had bundled at least $25,000 for the campaign. The campaign has not updated the list since December.
“Basically, President Trump’s campaign has not disclosed anything beyond the lobbyist bundling activity that they are required by law to report,” said Michael Beckel, research director for Issue One, a campaign finance overhaul group that signed on to the letter to the presidential campaigns.
In the letter, the groups asked the Biden campaign to “include in these bundling totals the amounts of money your bundlers raise for any joint fundraising committees that benefit your campaign and any state or national party committees. Precise fundraising disclosures are important at a time when an individual is legally allowed to contribute $620,600 to the Biden Victory Fund joint fundraising committee.”
Like the DSCC, which filed a bundling report this week, the joint fundraising committee Trump Victory disclosed the contributions bundled by lobbyists during the second quarter, totaling more than $2.1 million.
Those lobbyists included Brian Ballard, who runs Ballard Partners and whose recent clients have included foreign governments such as Turkey as well as Amazon.com and General Motors. David Tamasi of the Chartwell Strategy Group was also among the Trump Victory lobbyist bundlers; his recent clients have included iHeartMedia, according to disclosures filed with Congress.


rollcall--2020-07-20--Chaotic week greets lawmakers returning to Capitol Hill as the pandemic continues

Both chambers return Monday for a frenetic week of legislating , highlighted by the annual defense authorization bills in both the Senate and the House and a bundle of spending bills in the House .
And the schedule could change depending on the still developing funeral arrangements for the late Rep. John Lewis , D-Ga .
The Senate began floor consideration of the fiscal 2021 Pentagon policy bill before departing for the Independence Day recess , reaching an agreement for votes on six amendments to the sweeping measure before trying to limit debate on the underlying measure .
The headline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Brian Schatz , D-Hawaii , that seeks to restrict the transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement authorities .
The House Armed Services Committee ’ s version of the same legislation headlines a complicated week on the House floor .
In a normal legislative week , consideration of the NDAA would have consumed most of the House floor time .
This week , however , it ’ s just one of many bills on a packed floor agenda as Democrats try to catch up on weeks missed at the start of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August recess .

In a normal legislative week, consideration of the NDAA would have consumed most of the House floor time. This week, however, it’s just one of many bills on a packed floor agenda as Democrats try to catch up on weeks missed at the start of the pandemic while keeping on schedule for August recess.
House NDAA consideration will kick off the week on Monday, with final passage expected Tuesday.
Wednesday is the busiest day, with four bills on the floor. Two of the bills had been on the House’s agenda for March before the coronavirus pandemic upset the schedule. The No Ban Act would repeal the administration’s Muslim travel ban and prohibit other travel bans based on race or religion.
The Access to Counsel Act would ensure that immigrants and refugees trying to enter the United States with proper documentation have the ability to consult with counsel when subject to inspection.
A Senate-passed lands bill that would permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund will also get a vote Wednesday. Lawmakers in both parties are using the measure as part of their reelection campaigns.


rollcall--2020-07-20--Dr. Anthony Fauci accepts Nationals’ invite to throw first pitch

But as TV viewers tune in at home , the pitch will put Fauci front and center in Washington at a time when President Donald Trump has seemed to want him anyplace else .
Efforts on the part of the White House to call his public health expertise into question are “ bizarre , ” Fauci told The Atlantic last week .
The president himself has not thrown out a first pitch while in office , though many of his predecessors did .
In recent weeks , Fauci has used baseball as an icebreaker .
After arriving at a House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face covering , he pulled a costume change in the middle , strapping on a bold red face mask featuring the Nationals logo .
“ There ’ s quite an uproar on social media about the fact that Dr. Fauci has changed face masks and the implications thereof .
Do you have any comment ?
” asked House Energy and Commerce ranking member Greg Walden on June 23 .
It wasn ’ t exactly a hardball question .
Fauci grinned as he pulled down the mask to answer .
“ I am an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought I would break this up by putting on my Washington Nationals face mask , ” he said .

But as TV viewers tune in at home, the pitch will put Fauci front and center in Washington at a time when President Donald Trump has seemed to want him anyplace else. Efforts on the part of the White House to call his public health expertise into question are “bizarre,” Fauci told The Atlantic last week.
The president himself has not thrown out a first pitch while in office, though many of his predecessors did.
In recent weeks, Fauci has used baseball as an icebreaker. After arriving at a House hearing this summer wearing a simple black face covering, he pulled a costume change in the middle, strapping on a bold red face mask featuring the Nationals logo.
“There’s quite an uproar on social media about the fact that Dr. Fauci has changed face masks and the implications thereof. Do you have any comment?” asked House Energy and Commerce ranking member Greg Walden on June 23.
It wasn’t exactly a hardball question. Fauci grinned as he pulled down the mask to answer. “I am an avid Washington Nationals Fan, so I thought I would break this up by putting on my Washington Nationals face mask,” he said.


rollcall--2020-07-20--Democrats raise alarm on election disinformation targeting Congress, seek FBI briefing

Top congressional Democrats , led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi , asked FBI Director Christopher Wray to provide a classified briefing on how the agency was combating what the lawmakers described as a “ concerted foreign interference campaign ” that was targeting Congress as well as the presidential election in November .
In a July 13 letter to Wray and other top intelligence agency chiefs , including Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe , CIA Director Gina Haspel , and Director of the National Security Agency Gen. Paul Nakasone , the lawmakers said the foreign interference was aimed particularly at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned , in particular , that Congress appears to be the target of a concerted foreign interference campaign , which seeks to launder and amplify disinformation in order to influence congressional activity , public debate , and the presidential election in November , ” the lawmakers wrote .
A congressional aide , speaking on condition of anonymity , said that the letter included a classified attachment that drew “ in large part , from the Executive Branch ’ s own reporting and analysis ” of threats .
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-Calif. , chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , and Sen. Mark Warner , D-Va. , the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee joined Pelosi in writing the letter .

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., Rep. Adam B. Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee joined Pelosi in writing the letter.
“Given the seriousness and specificity of these threats, as members of congressional leadership and the congressional intelligence committees we believe it is imperative that the FBI provide a classified defensive briefing to all members of Congress and that the briefing draw on all-source intelligence information and analysis, consistent with due regard for the protection of sensitive intelligence sources and methods,” the lawmakers wrote to Wray.
They wrote that the briefing should be provided before lawmakers leave town for the August recess and asked that the FBI set a date for the briefing by July 20.
The letter comes on the heels of a warning from presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden who last week said he had begun receiving intelligence briefings and was seeing signs that Russia and others were continuing to interfere in the U.S. election process.
“We know from before, and I guarantee you I know now because now I get briefings again. The Russians are still engaged, trying to de-legitimize our electoral process. Fact,” the former vice president said Friday, according to The Associated Press. “China and others are engaged as well in activities designed for us to lose confidence in the outcome.”


rollcall--2020-07-20--Vought confirmed as White House budget director

After running President Donald Trump 's budget office on an acting basis for the past 18 months , Russell Vought can now claim the job is officially his own .
The Senate confirmed Vought ’ s nomination to be director of the Office of Management and Budget on a party-line 51-45 vote .
The outcome was hardly in doubt , since the Senate had agreed to advance Vought on a procedural vote of 47-44 just before the Independence Day recess .
Vought has served as acting director since January 2019 , when his predecessor , Mick Mulvaney , became the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vought had previously served as deputy OMB director under Mulvaney .
Since coming to the White House , Vought has suffered through frosty relations with Democrats , who view him as a conservative firebrand .
Vought was a vice president at Heritage Action , the political arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation .
He previously had served as policy director for the House Republican Conference under Vice President Mike Pence , when Pence was an Indiana lawmaker .
Democrats were further angered by Vought ’ s role in temporarily freezing military aid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s president to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son , Hunter .
The Government Accountability Office , the investigative arm of Congress , said the aid freeze violated budget law , although the White House denied any wrongdoing .

After running President Donald Trump's budget office on an acting basis for the past 18 months, Russell Vought can now claim the job is officially his own.
The Senate confirmed Vought’s nomination to be director of the Office of Management and Budget on a party-line 51-45 vote. The outcome was hardly in doubt, since the Senate had agreed to advance Vought on a procedural vote of 47-44 just before the Independence Day recess.
Vought has served as acting director since January 2019, when his predecessor, Mick Mulvaney, became the acting White House chief of staff. Vought had previously served as deputy OMB director under Mulvaney.
Since coming to the White House, Vought has suffered through frosty relations with Democrats, who view him as a conservative firebrand. Vought was a vice president at Heritage Action, the political arm of the conservative Heritage Foundation. He previously had served as policy director for the House Republican Conference under Vice President Mike Pence, when Pence was an Indiana lawmaker.
Democrats were further angered by Vought’s role in temporarily freezing military aid to Ukraine last year as Trump pushed Ukraine’s president to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. The Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, said the aid freeze violated budget law, although the White House denied any wrongdoing.


rollcall--2020-07-20--Coronavirus Special Report: Republicans meet with Trump to discuss COVID-19 aid

In today ’ s episode , CQ Roll Call ’ s Jennifer Shutt breaks down what was discussed at a @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump over the next round of COVID-19 aid , including liability protections , tax @ @ @ @ @ .
Later , Emily Kopp examines life after a coronavirus vaccine is developed .
• @ @ @ @ @ Zoom is so damn tiring

In today’s episode, CQ Roll Call’s Jennifer Shutt breaks down what was discussed at a meeting between Republicans and President Donald Trump over the next round of COVID-19 aid, including liability protections, tax credits and money for education. Later, Emily Kopp examines life after a coronavirus vaccine is developed.
Show Notes:


rollcall--2020-07-20--Payroll tax cut on menu in coronavirus aid talks, McCarthy says

The provision Republicans are discussing would be structured as a tax deferral , a White House official confirmed .
That means payroll taxes will be due at a later date and the break won ’ t add much to the cost of the overall bill .
Lawmakers could waive the payback requirement in future legislation if they ’ re willing to absorb or offset the cost at that time .
In the $ 2 trillion March aid bill , Congress waived the 6.2 percent payroll tax portion paid by employers into the Social Security Trust Fund through the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 352 billion initial cost , according to the Joint Committee on Taxation .
However , the nonpartisan committee said all but $ 12 billion would be repaid by mid-2022 , with the remaining revenue loss likely due to firms going bust since the pandemic shut down huge swaths of the U.S. economy .
Employees pay the same 6.2 percent of wages into Social Security , up to a maximum amount that grows with inflation each year .
For 2020 , the cap on salary subject to Social Security payroll tax is $ 137,700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new GOP proposal would also waive payroll taxes that fund Medicare , amounting to 1.45 percent of wages paid by both the employer and employee .
That tax is applied without a salary cap .
McCarthy also confirmed that another round of $ 1,200 direct payments to individuals would be included in the GOP proposal , though he did n't address what income cutoff would be part of the bill .
McConnell has suggested $ 40,000 , down from $ 75,000 in the first round of payments that went out under the @ @ @

Lindsey McPherson, David Lerman, and Jennifer Shutt

The provision Republicans are discussing would be structured as a tax deferral, a White House official confirmed. That means payroll taxes will be due at a later date and the break won’t add much to the cost of the overall bill. Lawmakers could waive the payback requirement in future legislation if they’re willing to absorb or offset the cost at that time.
In the $2 trillion March aid bill, Congress waived the 6.2 percent payroll tax portion paid by employers into the Social Security Trust Fund through the end of this year, at an estimated $352 billion initial cost, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. However, the nonpartisan committee said all but $12 billion would be repaid by mid-2022, with the remaining revenue loss likely due to firms going bust since the pandemic shut down huge swaths of the U.S. economy.
Employees pay the same 6.2 percent of wages into Social Security, up to a maximum amount that grows with inflation each year. For 2020, the cap on salary subject to Social Security payroll tax is $137,700.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the new GOP proposal would also waive payroll taxes that fund Medicare, amounting to 1.45 percent of wages paid by both the employer and employee. That tax is applied without a salary cap.
McCarthy also confirmed that another round of $1,200 direct payments to individuals would be included in the GOP proposal, though he didn't address what income cutoff would be part of the bill. McConnell has suggested $40,000, down from $75,000 in the first round of payments that went out under the March law.


rollcall--2020-07-20--Nikema Williams to replace Rep. John Lewis on November ballot

Georgia Democratic leaders selected state party chairwoman Nikema Williams Monday to replace the late Rep. John Lewis on the November ballot .
Lewis , a civil rights icon , died Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer .
He has represented the Atlanta-based 5th District since 1987 .
Because Lewis ’ death occurred after the state ’ s June primary , Democratic leaders were tasked with selecting a nominee to replace Lewis on the November ballot to serve the next two-year term .
GOP Gov .
Brian Kemp has yet to declare a special election for the remainder of Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within 10 days of Lewis ' death , according to state law .
The Georgia Democratic Party received 131 applications to replace Lewis on the November ballot .
A nominating committee that included Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams selected five applicants who made their cases to the party ’ s executive committee on Monday .
Williams , the first Black woman to lead the state party , is also member of the state Senate .
The executive committee overwhelmingly voted to name Williams as the party 's @ @

Georgia Democratic leaders selected state party chairwoman Nikema Williams Monday to replace the late Rep. John Lewis on the November ballot.
Lewis, a civil rights icon, died Friday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He has represented the Atlanta-based 5th District since 1987.
Because Lewis’ death occurred after the state’s June primary, Democratic leaders were tasked with selecting a nominee to replace Lewis on the November ballot to serve the next two-year term. GOP Gov. Brian Kemp has yet to declare a special election for the remainder of Lewis’ term, which he must do within 10 days of Lewis' death, according to state law.
The Georgia Democratic Party received 131 applications to replace Lewis on the November ballot. A nominating committee that included Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams selected five applicants who made their cases to the party’s executive committee on Monday.
Williams, the first Black woman to lead the state party, is also member of the state Senate. The executive committee overwhelmingly voted to name Williams as the party's nominee.