csmonitor--2020-05-14--Sen. Burr leaves Senate Intelligence team amid FBI probe

Sen. Richard Burr , R-N.C. , temporarily stepped aside as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday after the FBI served a search warrant for his cellphone as part of an ongoing insider-trading investigation tied to the coronavirus pandemic .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced the move , saying he and Mr. Burr had agreed that it was in the committee 's best interests .
FBI officials showed up at Mr. Burr 's home with the warrant on Wednesday , two people familiar with the investigation said on Thursday , marking a significant escalation into the Justice Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law with a well-timed sale of stocks before the coronavirus caused markets to plummet .
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation .
The search warrant was served on Mr. Burr 's lawyers , and FBI agents went to Mr. Burr 's home in the Washington area to retrieve the cellphone , a senior Justice Department official said .
The decision to obtain the warrant , which must be authorized by a judge , was approved at the highest levels of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold a significant percentage of his stock portfolio in 33 different transactions on Feb. 13 , just as his committee was receiving daily coronavirus briefings and a week before the stock market declined sharply .
Much of the stock was invested in businesses that in subsequent weeks were hit hard by the plunging market .
Burr and other senators received briefings from U.S. public health officials before the stock sales .
A spokesperson for the FBI did not return phone messages seeking comment .
A spokeswoman for Burr declined to comment .
Burr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run for reelection in 2022 .
Burr ’ s sell-off — which was publicly disclosed in ranges — amounted to between $ 628,000 and $ 1.72 million .
The stock trades were first reported by the Center for Responsive Politics and ProPublica .
After the sales became public , Burr said that he would ask the Senate Ethics Committee to review them .
The Los Angeles Times first reported the search warrant .
The official could not discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ His attorney did not respond to phone and email messages , but said in a statement last month that the law is clear that any senator can participate in stock market trading based on public information `` as Sen. Burr did . ''
The attorney , Alice Fisher , said that Mr. Burr welcomed a review of the stock sales , `` which will establish that his actions were appropriate . ''
Mr. Burr has denied wrongdoing but has also requested an ethics review of the stock sales .
Mr. Burr is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his quick call for an Ethics investigation and willingness to cooperate with authorities appears to have bought him some goodwill among colleagues tapping down immediate calls for him to step aside .
Mr. Burr has acknowledged selling the stocks because of the coronavirus but said he relied `` solely on public news reports , '' specifically CNBC 's daily health and science reporting out of Asia , to make the financial decisions .
Mr. Burr was not the only lawmaker to sell off stocks before the market slide .
Sen. Kelly Loeffler , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection this year , sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stock in late January and February , as senators began to get briefings on the virus , according to records .
So did fellow Georgia Sen. David Perdue , another Republican lawmaker running for reelection , and also Republican Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma and Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California .
Senators did receive a closed-door briefing on the virus on Jan. 24 , which was public knowledge .
A separate briefing was held on Feb. 12 by the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee , which Mr. Burr is a member of .
It 's unclear if he attended either session .
Mr. Burr 's six-year term ends in 2023 and he does not plan to run for reelection .
He was first elected to the Senate in 2004 and chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee as the panel conducted its own investigation into Russian election interference in the 2016 presidential election .
The committee recently issued a report supporting the intelligence community 's conclusion that Russia had interfered on Trump 's behalf .
This story was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from The Los Angeles Times was used in this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Eric Tucker, Michael Balsamo, and Mary Clare Jalonick

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., temporarily stepped aside as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday after the FBI served a search warrant for his cellphone as part of an ongoing insider-trading investigation tied to the coronavirus pandemic.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced the move, saying he and Mr. Burr had agreed that it was in the committee's best interests.
FBI officials showed up at Mr. Burr's home with the warrant on Wednesday, two people familiar with the investigation said on Thursday, marking a significant escalation into the Justice Department's investigation into whether Mr. Burr broke the law with a well-timed sale of stocks before the coronavirus caused markets to plummet. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation.
The search warrant was served on Mr. Burr's lawyers, and FBI agents went to Mr. Burr's home in the Washington area to retrieve the cellphone, a senior Justice Department official said. The decision to obtain the warrant, which must be authorized by a judge, was approved at the highest levels of the department, the official said.
The Los Angeles Times reported:
Burr sold a significant percentage of his stock portfolio in 33 different transactions on Feb. 13, just as his committee was receiving daily coronavirus briefings and a week before the stock market declined sharply. Much of the stock was invested in businesses that in subsequent weeks were hit hard by the plunging market. Burr and other senators received briefings from U.S. public health officials before the stock sales. A spokesperson for the FBI did not return phone messages seeking comment. A spokeswoman for Burr declined to comment. Burr has said he does not plan to run for reelection in 2022. Burr’s sell-off — which was publicly disclosed in ranges — amounted to between $628,000 and $1.72 million. The stock trades were first reported by the Center for Responsive Politics and ProPublica. After the sales became public, Burr said that he would ask the Senate Ethics Committee to review them.
The Los Angeles Times first reported the search warrant.
The official could not discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The Justice Department declined to comment. His attorney did not respond to phone and email messages, but said in a statement last month that the law is clear that any senator can participate in stock market trading based on public information "as Sen. Burr did."
The attorney, Alice Fisher, said that Mr. Burr welcomed a review of the stock sales, "which will establish that his actions were appropriate."
Mr. Burr has denied wrongdoing but has also requested an ethics review of the stock sales. Mr. Burr is an amiable member of the Senate, and his quick call for an Ethics investigation and willingness to cooperate with authorities appears to have bought him some goodwill among colleagues tapping down immediate calls for him to step aside.
Mr. Burr has acknowledged selling the stocks because of the coronavirus but said he relied "solely on public news reports," specifically CNBC's daily health and science reporting out of Asia, to make the financial decisions.
Mr. Burr was not the only lawmaker to sell off stocks before the market slide.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a new senator from Georgia up for reelection this year, sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stock in late January and February, as senators began to get briefings on the virus, according to records. So did fellow Georgia Sen. David Perdue, another Republican lawmaker running for reelection, and also Republican Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma and Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California.
Senators did receive a closed-door briefing on the virus on Jan. 24, which was public knowledge. A separate briefing was held on Feb. 12 by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which Mr. Burr is a member of. It's unclear if he attended either session.
Mr. Burr's six-year term ends in 2023 and he does not plan to run for reelection.
He was first elected to the Senate in 2004 and chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee as the panel conducted its own investigation into Russian election interference in the 2016 presidential election. The committee recently issued a report supporting the intelligence community's conclusion that Russia had interfered on Trump's behalf.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. Material from The Los Angeles Times was used in this report.
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csmonitor--2020-05-14--Even as states reopen, unemployment climbs to 36 million

Nearly 3 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as the viral outbreak led more companies to slash jobs even though most states have begun to let some businesses reopen under certain restrictions .
The wave of layoffs may not subside until Congress can agree on providing rescue aid for financially desperate state and local governments as well as further help for households .
Republicans and the Trump administration are locked in a standoff with Democrats , who have proposed trillions more in aid beyond the nearly $ 3 trillion already allocated to individuals and businesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see how previous aid affects the economy and have expressed skepticism about approving much more spending now .
Roughly 36 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the two months since the coronavirus first forced millions of businesses to close their doors and shrink their workforces , the Labor Department said Thursday .
An additional 842,000 people applied for aid last week through a separate federal program set up for the self-employed and gig workers .
All told , the figures point to a job market gripped by its worst crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sinking into a severe downturn .
The report suggests the tentative reopening of some businesses in many states has done little to reverse the flow of mass layoffs .
Last week 's pace of new applications for aid is four times the record high that prevailed before the coronavirus struck hard in March .
Jobless workers in some states are still reporting difficulty applying for or receiving benefits .
These include free-lance , gig , and self-employed workers , who became newly eligible for jobless aid this year .
In Georgia , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its economy , the number of unemployment claims rose last week to 241,000 .
In Florida , which has allowed restaurants to reopen at one-quarter capacity , claims jumped to nearly 222,000 , though the state 's unemployment agency has struggled to process claims .
Other states that have lifted some restrictions , such as South Carolina and Texas , reported large declines in claims .
President Donald Trump appeared to respond to the report by tweeting , `` Good numbers coming out of States that are opening .
America is getting its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims follow a devastating jobs report last week .
The government said the unemployment rate soared to 14.7 % in April , the highest rate since the Great Depression , and employers shed a stunning 20.5 million jobs .
A decade 's worth of job growth was wiped out in a single month .
Even those figures failed to capture the full scale of the damage .
The government said many workers in April were counted as employed but absent from work , but should have been counted as temporarily unemployed .
Millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a new job in April , likely discouraged by their prospects in a mostly shuttered economy , and were n't included , either .
If all those people had been counted as unemployed , the jobless rate would have reached nearly 24 % .
Most economists have forecast that the official unemployment rate could hit 18 % or higher in May before potentially declining by summer .
The job market 's collapse has occurred with dizzying speed .
As recently as February , the unemployment rate was 3.5 % , a half-century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record 9½ years .
Even in March , unemployment was just 4.4 % .
Now , with few Americans shopping , traveling , eating out , or otherwise spending normally , economists are projecting that the gross domestic product – the broadest gauge of economic activity – is shrinking in the April-June quarter at a roughly 40 % annual rate .
That would be the deepest quarterly contraction on record .
The states that are now easing lockdowns are doing so in varied ways .
Ohio has permitted warehouses , most offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen , but restaurants and bars remain closed for indoor sit-down service .
A handful of states have gone further , including Georgia , which has opened barber shops , bowling alleys , tattoo parlors , and gyms .
South Carolina has reopened beach hotels , and Texas has reopened shopping malls .
Data from private firms suggest that some previously laid-off workers have started to return to small businesses in those states , though the number of applications for unemployment benefits remains high .
Few analysts expect a quick rebound .
Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus-induced recession could turn into a prolonged downturn that would erode workers ' skills and employment connections while bankrupting many small businesses .
Mr. Powell urged Congress and the White House to consider additional spending and tax measures to help small businesses and households avoid bankruptcy .
Mr. Powell spoke a day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a California Democrat , proposed a $ 3 trillion aid package that would direct money to state and local governments , households , and health-care workers .
Mr. Trump is applauding the moves to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reducing unemployment .
So far , there is limited evidence on how that is working .
Homebase , a software company that provides time-clock technology to small businesses , has tracked how many employees have clocked in and for how many hours since the pandemic struck .
Though Homebase 's data suggests that some people have returned to work in states that have partially reopened , it 's unclear how sustainable that trend can be unless many more customers return .
All states remain far below their pre-virus employment levels .
In Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the number of people working at small businesses on Tuesday was down 37 % compared with the beginning of March , according to Homebase 's data .
That is an improvement from mid-April , when the number of employees working had fallen by half .
In New York , which remains mostly shut down , employment at small businesses is down 63 % as of Tuesday , only slightly better than in mid-April .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Nearly 3 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as the viral outbreak led more companies to slash jobs even though most states have begun to let some businesses reopen under certain restrictions.
The wave of layoffs may not subside until Congress can agree on providing rescue aid for financially desperate state and local governments as well as further help for households. Republicans and the Trump administration are locked in a standoff with Democrats, who have proposed trillions more in aid beyond the nearly $3 trillion already allocated to individuals and businesses. Republican leaders say they want to first see how previous aid affects the economy and have expressed skepticism about approving much more spending now.
Roughly 36 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the two months since the coronavirus first forced millions of businesses to close their doors and shrink their workforces, the Labor Department said Thursday. An additional 842,000 people applied for aid last week through a separate federal program set up for the self-employed and gig workers.
All told, the figures point to a job market gripped by its worst crisis in decades and an economy that is sinking into a severe downturn. The report suggests the tentative reopening of some businesses in many states has done little to reverse the flow of mass layoffs. Last week's pace of new applications for aid is four times the record high that prevailed before the coronavirus struck hard in March.
Jobless workers in some states are still reporting difficulty applying for or receiving benefits. These include free-lance, gig, and self-employed workers, who became newly eligible for jobless aid this year.
In Georgia, one of the first states to partially reopen its economy, the number of unemployment claims rose last week to 241,000. In Florida, which has allowed restaurants to reopen at one-quarter capacity, claims jumped to nearly 222,000, though the state's unemployment agency has struggled to process claims. Other states that have lifted some restrictions, such as South Carolina and Texas, reported large declines in claims.
President Donald Trump appeared to respond to the report by tweeting, "Good numbers coming out of States that are opening. America is getting its life back!"
The latest jobless claims follow a devastating jobs report last week. The government said the unemployment rate soared to 14.7% in April, the highest rate since the Great Depression, and employers shed a stunning 20.5 million jobs. A decade's worth of job growth was wiped out in a single month.
Even those figures failed to capture the full scale of the damage. The government said many workers in April were counted as employed but absent from work, but should have been counted as temporarily unemployed.
Millions of other laid-off workers didn't look for a new job in April, likely discouraged by their prospects in a mostly shuttered economy, and weren't included, either. If all those people had been counted as unemployed, the jobless rate would have reached nearly 24%.
Most economists have forecast that the official unemployment rate could hit 18% or higher in May before potentially declining by summer.
The job market's collapse has occurred with dizzying speed. As recently as February, the unemployment rate was 3.5%, a half-century low. Employers had added jobs for a record 9½ years. Even in March, unemployment was just 4.4%.
Now, with few Americans shopping, traveling, eating out, or otherwise spending normally, economists are projecting that the gross domestic product – the broadest gauge of economic activity – is shrinking in the April-June quarter at a roughly 40% annual rate. That would be the deepest quarterly contraction on record.
The states that are now easing lockdowns are doing so in varied ways. Ohio has permitted warehouses, most offices, factories, and construction companies to reopen, but restaurants and bars remain closed for indoor sit-down service.
A handful of states have gone further, including Georgia, which has opened barber shops, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, and gyms. South Carolina has reopened beach hotels, and Texas has reopened shopping malls.
Data from private firms suggest that some previously laid-off workers have started to return to small businesses in those states, though the number of applications for unemployment benefits remains high.
Few analysts expect a quick rebound. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Wednesday that the virus-induced recession could turn into a prolonged downturn that would erode workers' skills and employment connections while bankrupting many small businesses. Mr. Powell urged Congress and the White House to consider additional spending and tax measures to help small businesses and households avoid bankruptcy.
Mr. Powell spoke a day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, proposed a $3 trillion aid package that would direct money to state and local governments, households, and health-care workers.
Mr. Trump is applauding the moves to reopen states' economies in hopes of reducing unemployment. So far, there is limited evidence on how that is working.
Homebase, a software company that provides time-clock technology to small businesses, has tracked how many employees have clocked in and for how many hours since the pandemic struck. Though Homebase's data suggests that some people have returned to work in states that have partially reopened, it's unclear how sustainable that trend can be unless many more customers return. All states remain far below their pre-virus employment levels.
In Georgia, which began reopening in late April, the number of people working at small businesses on Tuesday was down 37% compared with the beginning of March, according to Homebase's data. That is an improvement from mid-April, when the number of employees working had fallen by half.
In New York, which remains mostly shut down, employment at small businesses is down 63% as of Tuesday, only slightly better than in mid-April.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-05-14--Obama takes the stage as Biden's wingman in 2020 election

Nearly eight years after he was last on the ballot , Barack Obama is emerging as a central figure in the 2020 presidential election .
Democrats are eagerly embracing Mr. Obama as a political wingman for Joe Biden , who spent two terms by his side as vice president .
Mr. Obama remains the party 's most popular figure , particularly with black voters and younger Democrats , and Mr. Biden 's presidential campaign is planning for him to have a highly visible role in the months to come .
For President Donald Trump , that means an opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite political foils .
In recent days , Mr. Trump and his allies have aggressively pushed conspiracy theories about Mr. Obama designed to fire up the president 's conservative base , taint Mr. Biden by association , and distract from the glut of grim health and economic news from the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Partisans on both sides want to make this about Obama , '' said Ned Price , who served as spokesperson for glut of Mr. Obama 's White House National Security Council .
The renewed political focus on Mr. Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation 's future that will also be about its past .
As Mr. Biden looks to Mr. Obama for personal validation , he 's also running to restore some of the former president 's legacy , which has been systematically dismantled by Mr. Trump .
The current president is running in part to finish that job .
Yet Mr. Trump 's anti-Obama push also frequently takes on a darker , more conspiratorial tone that goes far beyond differences in health care policy and America 's role in the world .
His current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr. Biden , and their national security advisers took in the closing days of their administration , as they viewed intelligence reports about Michael Flynn .
Mr. Flynn had a short-lived stint as Mr. Trump 's national security adviser before being fired for lying to Vice President Mike Pence about his interactions with Russia 's ambassador to the U.S. Mr. Trump 's own administration acknowledged on Wednesday that Obama advisers followed proper procedures in privately `` unmasking '' Mr. Flynn 's name , which was redacted in the intelligence reports for privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lying to the FBI , though Mr. Trump 's Justice Department moved last week to drop the case against him .
Despite there being no evidence of wrongdoing by Mr.Obama , Mr. Biden , or other administration officials , Mr. Trump is eagerly pushing the notion of an unspecified crime against the former president , branding it `` Obamagate . ''
He 's being backed up by Republican allies , including Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley who took to the Senate floor this week to ask of the Flynn matter : `` What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when did they know it ? ''
Mr. Trump 's zeal has sparked fears among some former Obama and Biden advisers about how far he may be willing to go in using the levers of government to push his case against them in an election year .
The Justice Department is conducting an investigation into the origins of the Russia probe that ensnared Mr. Flynn and other Trump associates .
Mr. Trump 's renewed focus on Mr. Obama comes as Republicans grow increasingly anxious that the rising coronavirus death toll and cratering economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November .
More than 84,000 Americans have died from the virus , and more than 30 million have claimed unemployment .
Mr. Biden 's campaign drew a direct connection between the president 's attacks on Mr. Obama and the twin crises battering his administration .
`` It 's no surprise that the president is erratically lashing out at President Obama , desperate to distract from his own failures as commander in chief that have cost thousands of Americans their lives during this crisis , '' said TJ Ducklo , a Biden campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Obama also comes as the former president begins to emerge from a three-year period of political restraint as he prepares to embrace his role as leading surrogate for Mr. Biden .
Last week , Mr. Obama told a large gathering of alumni from his administration that DOJ 's decision to drop the Flynn case put the `` rule of law at risk . ''
He also criticized the Trump White House 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
Mr. Biden 's campaign has been eager to get Mr. Obama involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still forming , particularly given that the pandemic has upended the campaign 's plans for rallies and other in-person events in battleground states .
The former president is also expected to campaign for Democratic House and Senate candidates across the country .
Though Mr. Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates in the 2018 midterms , he has mostly tried to avoid overt politics since leaving the White House .
He 's spoken out publicly against Mr. Trump on rare occasions , frustrating many Democrats who have wanted him to be more aggressive in calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election has always loomed as the moment when Mr. Obama would step off the sidelines , and he 's told advisers he 's eager to do so .
Despite his strident public neutrality during the Democratic primary , he spoke to Mr. Biden regularly and has continued to do so as the campaign moves into the general election , according to aides .
Mr. Biden 's campaign sees Mr. Obama as a clear asset as they seek to not only energize Democrats , but to also appeal to independents and more moderate Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of Mr. Trump in the White House .
A recent Monmouth University poll found 57 % of Americans say they have a favorable opinion of Mr. Obama .
That includes 92 % of Democrats and 19 % of Republicans .
Mr. Obama 's favorable ratings are higher than either of the men who will be on the ballot in November .
The same poll showed 41 % of Americans had a favorable opinion of Mr. Biden , and 40 % viewed Mr. Trump in a favorable light .
This story was reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mary Clare Jalonick and Emily Swanson in Washington contributed to this report .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Nearly eight years after he was last on the ballot, Barack Obama is emerging as a central figure in the 2020 presidential election.
Democrats are eagerly embracing Mr. Obama as a political wingman for Joe Biden, who spent two terms by his side as vice president. Mr. Obama remains the party's most popular figure, particularly with black voters and younger Democrats, and Mr. Biden's presidential campaign is planning for him to have a highly visible role in the months to come.
For President Donald Trump, that means an opportunity to focus the spotlight on one of his favorite political foils. In recent days, Mr. Trump and his allies have aggressively pushed conspiracy theories about Mr. Obama designed to fire up the president's conservative base, taint Mr. Biden by association, and distract from the glut of grim health and economic news from the coronavirus pandemic.
"Partisans on both sides want to make this about Obama," said Ned Price, who served as spokesperson for glut of Mr. Obama's White House National Security Council.
The renewed political focus on Mr. Obama sets the stage for an election about the nation's future that will also be about its past. As Mr. Biden looks to Mr. Obama for personal validation, he's also running to restore some of the former president's legacy, which has been systematically dismantled by Mr. Trump. The current president is running in part to finish that job.
Yet Mr. Trump's anti-Obama push also frequently takes on a darker, more conspiratorial tone that goes far beyond differences in health care policy and America's role in the world. His current focus is on the actions Mr. Obama, Mr. Biden, and their national security advisers took in the closing days of their administration, as they viewed intelligence reports about Michael Flynn. Mr. Flynn had a short-lived stint as Mr. Trump's national security adviser before being fired for lying to Vice President Mike Pence about his interactions with Russia's ambassador to the U.S.
Mr. Trump's own administration acknowledged on Wednesday that Obama advisers followed proper procedures in privately "unmasking" Mr. Flynn's name, which was redacted in the intelligence reports for privacy reasons. Mr. Flynn ultimately pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, though Mr. Trump's Justice Department moved last week to drop the case against him.
Despite there being no evidence of wrongdoing by Mr.Obama, Mr. Biden, or other administration officials, Mr. Trump is eagerly pushing the notion of an unspecified crime against the former president, branding it "Obamagate." He's being backed up by Republican allies, including Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley who took to the Senate floor this week to ask of the Flynn matter: "What did Obama and Biden know, and when did they know it?"
Mr. Trump's zeal has sparked fears among some former Obama and Biden advisers about how far he may be willing to go in using the levers of government to push his case against them in an election year. The Justice Department is conducting an investigation into the origins of the Russia probe that ensnared Mr. Flynn and other Trump associates.
Mr. Trump's renewed focus on Mr. Obama comes as Republicans grow increasingly anxious that the rising coronavirus death toll and cratering economy will damage the president's reelection prospects in November. More than 84,000 Americans have died from the virus, and more than 30 million have claimed unemployment.
Mr. Biden's campaign drew a direct connection between the president's attacks on Mr. Obama and the twin crises battering his administration.
"It's no surprise that the president is erratically lashing out at President Obama, desperate to distract from his own failures as commander in chief that have cost thousands of Americans their lives during this crisis," said TJ Ducklo, a Biden campaign spokesman.
Mr. Trump's emphasis on Mr. Obama also comes as the former president begins to emerge from a three-year period of political restraint as he prepares to embrace his role as leading surrogate for Mr. Biden. Last week, Mr. Obama told a large gathering of alumni from his administration that DOJ's decision to drop the Flynn case put the "rule of law at risk." He also criticized the Trump White House's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr. Biden's campaign has been eager to get Mr. Obama involved in the election, though his exact role is still forming, particularly given that the pandemic has upended the campaign's plans for rallies and other in-person events in battleground states. The former president is also expected to campaign for Democratic House and Senate candidates across the country.
Though Mr. Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates in the 2018 midterms, he has mostly tried to avoid overt politics since leaving the White House. He's spoken out publicly against Mr. Trump on rare occasions, frustrating many Democrats who have wanted him to be more aggressive in calling out his successor.
But the 2020 election has always loomed as the moment when Mr. Obama would step off the sidelines, and he's told advisers he's eager to do so. Despite his strident public neutrality during the Democratic primary, he spoke to Mr. Biden regularly and has continued to do so as the campaign moves into the general election, according to aides.
Mr. Biden's campaign sees Mr. Obama as a clear asset as they seek to not only energize Democrats, but to also appeal to independents and more moderate Republicans who may be wary of four more years of Mr. Trump in the White House.
A recent Monmouth University poll found 57% of Americans say they have a favorable opinion of Mr. Obama. That includes 92% of Democrats and 19% of Republicans.
Mr. Obama's favorable ratings are higher than either of the men who will be on the ballot in November. The same poll showed 41% of Americans had a favorable opinion of Mr. Biden, and 40% viewed Mr. Trump in a favorable light.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Emily Swanson in Washington contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-05-17--Democrats cry 'retaliation' as Trump fires federal watchdog

Democrats demanded on Saturday that the White House hand over all records related to President Donald Trump 's latest firing of a federal watchdog , this time at the State Department .
They also suggested Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was responsible , in what “ may be an illegal act of retaliation.
” '' We unalterably oppose the politically-motivated firing of inspectors general and the President 's gutting of these critical positions , '' the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee wrote in a letter to the administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Friday that he was firing the inspector general , Steve Linick , an Obama administration appointee whose office was critical of what it saw as political bias in the State Department 's management .
The ouster was one more move by the president against independent executive branch watchdogs who have found fault with his administration .
New York Rep. Eliot Engel and New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez sent letters to the White House , the State Department , and the inspector general ’ s office asking that administration officials preserve all records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and provide them to the committees by this coming Friday .
They promised to “ look deeply into this matter '' and said they would seek to interview White House officials .
They said they “ trust that the White House will cooperate fully with our investigation . ''
A senior department official said Mr. Trump removed Mr. Linick from his job on Friday but gave no reason for the action .
In a letter to Congress , Mr. Trump said Mr. Linick , who had held the job since 2013 , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his removal would take effect in 30 days .
Mr. Trump did not mention Mr. Linick by name in his letter .
Democrats soon cried foul .
Mr. Engel suggested Mr. Linick was fired in part in retaliation for opening an unspecified investigation into Mr. Pompeo .
Mr. Engel offered no details .
Two congressional aides said it involved allegations that Mr. Pompeo may have improperly treated staff .
Mr. Linick ’ s office has issued several reports critical of the department ’ s handling of personnel matters during the Trump administration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against career officials .
Mr. Engel and Mr. Menendez said it was ” their understanding '' that Mr. Pompeo recommended that Mr. Linick be fired because the watchdog was investigating “ wrongdoing ” by the Cabinet officer .
They gave no specifics , but said such a move “ may be an illegal act of retaliation.
” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said Mr. Linick was “ punished for honorably performing his duty to protect the Constitution and our national security.
” She said Mr. Trump ” must cease his pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ servants who are working to keep Americans safe , particularly during this time of global emergency.
” Mr. Linick , whose office also took issue with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 's use of a private email server while she served as America 's top diplomat , played a minor role in the Ukraine impeachment investigation into Mr. Trump .
In October , Linick turned over documents to House investigators that he had received from State Department Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbuhl , a close Pompeo associate , which contained information from debunked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2016 election .
In the Senate , Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa on Saturday defended the role of the inspector general in the federal government and noted that Congress requires written reasons to justify removal .
`` A general lack of confidence simply is not sufficient detail to satisfy Congress , ” Mr. Grassley said in a statement that did not mention Mr. Trump or Mr. Pompeo .
On Twitter , Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah wrote Saturday : “ The firings of multiple Inspectors General is unprecedented ; doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential to their purpose .
It is a threat to accountable democracy and a fissure in the constitutional balance of power.
” Sen. Jack Reed , a Rhode Island Democrat , cited both the president and a possible investigation of the secretary of state in his broadside against the firing .
“ I hope Republicans will join us in standing up for taxpayers and getting to the bottom of this .
There must be a bipartisan commitment to upholding our system of checks and balances and ensuring accountability and oversight at the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
Mr. Linick will replaced by Stephen Akard , a former career foreign service officer who has close ties to Vice President Mike Pence , said the official , who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
Mr. Akard currently runs the department 's Office of Foreign Missions .
He had been nominated to be the director general of the foreign service but withdrew after objections he was n't experienced enough .
The lawmakers ' request for information from the White House includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance and any assessment of Mr. Akard 's job qualifications .
Mr. Linick , a former assistant U.S. attorney in California and Virginia , had overseen inspector general reports that were highly critical of the department 's management policies during the Trump administration .
His office had criticized several Trump appointees for their treatment of career staff for apparently being insufficiently supportive of Trump and his policies .
Under Mr. Linick , the State Department 's inspector general office was also critical of former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson 's hiring freeze and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its funding and personnel .
Mr. Trump has been taking aim lately at inspectors general .
In April , he fired Michael Atkinson , the inspector general for the intelligence community , for his role in the whistleblower complaint that led to Mr. Trump ’ s impeachment .
Then Mr. Trump removed Glenn Fine as acting inspector general at the Defense Department .
The move stripped him of his post as chairman of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee , which is among those overseeing the vast economic relief law pass in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing on COVID-19 , Mr. Trump questioned the independence of an inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services over a report that said there was a shortage of supplies and testing at hospitals .
Mr. Trump has since moved to replace the HHS official , Christi A. Grimm .
She is a career person who has held the position in an acting capacity , but now Mr. Trump has nominated a permanent replacement .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Democrats demanded on Saturday that the White House hand over all records related to President Donald Trump's latest firing of a federal watchdog, this time at the State Department. They also suggested Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was responsible, in what “may be an illegal act of retaliation.”
"We unalterably oppose the politically-motivated firing of inspectors general and the President's gutting of these critical positions," the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee wrote in a letter to the administration announcing their investigation.
Mr. Trump announced late Friday that he was firing the inspector general, Steve Linick, an Obama administration appointee whose office was critical of what it saw as political bias in the State Department's management. The ouster was one more move by the president against independent executive branch watchdogs who have found fault with his administration.
New York Rep. Eliot Engel and New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez sent letters to the White House, the State Department, and the inspector general’s office asking that administration officials preserve all records related to Mr. Linick’s dismissal and provide them to the committees by this coming Friday. They promised to “look deeply into this matter" and said they would seek to interview White House officials. They said they “trust that the White House will cooperate fully with our investigation."
A senior department official said Mr. Trump removed Mr. Linick from his job on Friday but gave no reason for the action. In a letter to Congress, Mr. Trump said Mr. Linick, who had held the job since 2013, no longer had his full confidence and that his removal would take effect in 30 days. Mr. Trump did not mention Mr. Linick by name in his letter.
Democrats soon cried foul. Mr. Engel suggested Mr. Linick was fired in part in retaliation for opening an unspecified investigation into Mr. Pompeo.
Mr. Engel offered no details. Two congressional aides said it involved allegations that Mr. Pompeo may have improperly treated staff. Mr. Linick’s office has issued several reports critical of the department’s handling of personnel matters during the Trump administration, including accusing some political appointees of retaliating against career officials.
Mr. Engel and Mr. Menendez said it was ”their understanding" that Mr. Pompeo recommended that Mr. Linick be fired because the watchdog was investigating “wrongdoing” by the Cabinet officer. They gave no specifics, but said such a move “may be an illegal act of retaliation.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Mr. Linick was “punished for honorably performing his duty to protect the Constitution and our national security.” She said Mr. Trump ”must cease his pattern of reprisal and retaliation against the public servants who are working to keep Americans safe, particularly during this time of global emergency.”
Mr. Linick, whose office also took issue with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while she served as America's top diplomat, played a minor role in the Ukraine impeachment investigation into Mr. Trump.
In October, Linick turned over documents to House investigators that he had received from State Department Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbuhl, a close Pompeo associate, which contained information from debunked conspiracy theories about Ukraine’s role in the 2016 election.
In the Senate, Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa on Saturday defended the role of the inspector general in the federal government and noted that Congress requires written reasons to justify removal. "A general lack of confidence simply is not sufficient detail to satisfy Congress,” Mr. Grassley said in a statement that did not mention Mr. Trump or Mr. Pompeo.
On Twitter, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah wrote Saturday: “The firings of multiple Inspectors General is unprecedented; doing so without good cause chills the independence essential to their purpose. It is a threat to accountable democracy and a fissure in the constitutional balance of power.”
Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, cited both the president and a possible investigation of the secretary of state in his broadside against the firing. “I hope Republicans will join us in standing up for taxpayers and getting to the bottom of this. There must be a bipartisan commitment to upholding our system of checks and balances and ensuring accountability and oversight at the highest levels,” Mr. Reed said in a statement.
Mr. Linick will replaced by Stephen Akard, a former career foreign service officer who has close ties to Vice President Mike Pence, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Mr. Akard currently runs the department's Office of Foreign Missions. He had been nominated to be the director general of the foreign service but withdrew after objections he wasn't experienced enough.
The lawmakers' request for information from the White House includes any evaluations of Mr. Linick's job performance and any assessment of Mr. Akard's job qualifications.
Mr. Linick, a former assistant U.S. attorney in California and Virginia, had overseen inspector general reports that were highly critical of the department's management policies during the Trump administration. His office had criticized several Trump appointees for their treatment of career staff for apparently being insufficiently supportive of Trump and his policies.
Under Mr. Linick, the State Department's inspector general office was also critical of former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's hiring freeze and attempts to streamline the agency by slashing its funding and personnel.
Mr. Trump has been taking aim lately at inspectors general.
In April, he fired Michael Atkinson, the inspector general for the intelligence community, for his role in the whistleblower complaint that led to Mr. Trump’s impeachment.
Then Mr. Trump removed Glenn Fine as acting inspector general at the Defense Department. The move stripped him of his post as chairman of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, which is among those overseeing the vast economic relief law pass in response to the coronavirus.
During a White House briefing on COVID-19, Mr. Trump questioned the independence of an inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services over a report that said there was a shortage of supplies and testing at hospitals. Mr. Trump has since moved to replace the HHS official, Christi A. Grimm. She is a career person who has held the position in an acting capacity, but now Mr. Trump has nominated a permanent replacement.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-05-20--As grilling season hits, could regulation rethink help with meat shortages?

It ’ s one of several alternative meat models gaining traction , but questions remain about the efficacy , feasibility , safety , and impact on U.S. meat exports .
“ Instead of blaming the people who are processing 80 % of the meat right now , why don ’ t we enable their competition to flourish ?
” asks GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky , who introduced the PRIME Act with his Democratic colleague Chellie Pingree of Maine and has attracted 42 co-sponsors , from libertarian Justin Amash to progressive Rashida Tlaib .
The solution is simple , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of allowing smaller producers , who can ’ t afford USDA inspection , to take their livestock to local butchers and sell the meat directly to local restaurants and supermarkets .
But now , with bottlenecks at USDA-inspected facilities resulting in farmers euthanizing their animals while grocery shelves stand empty , some of today ’ s Republicans are looking for workarounds to the law .
They say it favors big producers and has made the system less resilient and flexible in a crisis .
If the U.S. Army hadn ’ t served rotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish-American War , perhaps he wouldn ’ t have pressed Congress to pass the 1906 Meat Inspection Act – a law that has made U.S. meat one of the most trusted brands in the world .
When the “ most hated man in Washington ” suddenly gains 20 new co-sponsors for his bill , it must signal a pressing need .
And among the countless problems created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic , perhaps one of the most urgent has been the strain on America ’ s meat supply chain .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , farmers across the country have had to euthanize tens of thousands of animals , and face the wrenching prospect of far larger culling .
Meanwhile , U.S. weekly red meat production has dropped by as much as 34.9 % compared with last year , causing prices to surge and grocery store shelves to lie empty .
The crisis has lately prompted nearly two dozen lawmakers to add their names to legislation put forward by Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky , an MIT-educated Republican who owns 63 cattle and became persona non grata @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic after he forced them all to come back to the nation ’ s capital for a key vote .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
Five years ago , he and Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine first introduced the PRIME Act , designed to create more flexibility and resiliency in the meat supply system .
The bill would allow smaller meat producers to utilize local butchers and sell their products directly to consumers , restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting funneled through USDA-inspected facilities and the handful of corporations that make up 80 % of America ’ s meat market .
“ What you ’ re seeing right now is not the result of an efficient capitalist system , ” says Representative Massie , who faults U.S. regulations for creating a “ monopoly ” of big meat companies .
He says removing some of the red tape will enable their competition to flourish , paving the way for shuttered or new local butchers to open and existing ones to expand to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The bill , which now has 42 co-sponsors from libertarians to progressives , is one of a growing number of alternative models to industrial meat production that have been gaining traction in recent years , driven by everything from animal welfare and “ eat local ” movements to constitutional concerns about federal overreach .
Now , COVID-19 ’ s intense strain on the supply chain is generating wider interest in rethinking the system .
Representative Massie admits the bill ’ s chances at passing were slim five years ago , but says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month as consumers learn more about how the food supply pipeline works .
“ Because the people are now interested , the congressmen are getting interested , ” he says .
Still , it ’ s unclear how much such initiatives would alleviate the current bottlenecks , with many local butchers already booked into 2021 and freezer space largely maxed out .
And while federal inspection is undoubtedly more burdensome for smaller producers and processors , it ’ s just one aspect of a larger equation involving economies of scale .
Above all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sterling reputation for meat safety among its trade partners – and some say it would be shortsighted to undermine in any way the federal oversight on which that trust is founded .
“ Am I in favor of less red tape that would add flexibility to the supply chain ?
Yes , ” says Glynn Tonsor , a professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University in Manhattan , Kansas .
He says the PRIME Act would help , but cautions , “ It ’ s not a magic bullet.
” If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beef to Teddy Roosevelt when he was a colonel in the Spanish-American War , perhaps he wouldn ’ t have pressed as hard for Congress to pass the Meat Inspection Act during his presidency .
The rotten beef scandal precipitated a series of hearings on meat safety , federal inspection practices ( or lack thereof ) , and unsanitary conditions in meatpacking plants , further exposed in Upton Sinclair ’ s 1906 novel “ The Jungle.
” Sinclair , who sought to spark a socialist movement in support of plant workers , instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure meat safety .
“ I aimed at the public ’ s heart , ” he wrote , “ and by accident I hit it in the stomach.
” Roosevelt , after sending investigators to the packinghouses to verify Sinclair ’ s depiction , used the ensuing report to push the stalled Meat Inspection Act through Congress in 1906 .
Under that law , all meat sold across state lines must be processed in a USDA-inspected facility , where an inspector is on hand at all times to examine livestock , ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ processing of meat .
Meat for sale within a state can be processed at a state-inspected facility , provided its standards are at least as stringent as the U.S. Department of Agriculture ’ s .
Currently , the only exemption to that inspection regime is for owners of livestock who get meat processed at custom processors for their own consumption , or to share with family , employees , and nonpaying guests .
With a limited number of USDA-inspected facilities , smaller producers often have to drive their livestock hundreds of miles to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the cost and running the risk that their product could be mingled with industrially produced meat .
This spring , Wyoming passed a pioneering law that would allow ranchers to sell meat to their neighbors – while the cattle are still alive .
By buying shares in a herd , customers would be considered “ owners ” at the time of slaughter and thus allowed to consume the meat without inspection by the USDA .
“ I don ’ t think [ the USDA is ] this nefarious organization plotting in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from buying T-bone steaks from their next-door neighbors , ” says state Rep. Tyler Lindholm , who spearheaded the bill .
But , he adds , citing the 10th Amendment of the Constitution , “ What authority do you have to tell Wyoming citizens that [ they ] can ’ t sell steak to each other ?
” The PRIME Act , short for Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption , seeks to go one step further than Wyoming ’ s law by giving states the option of permitting custom-slaughtered meat to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also to restaurants , grocery stores , and other outlets within their borders .
Introduced in May 2019 for the third time in four years , the bill has yet to move forward .
In a May 14 letter , Representative Pingree urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi to take up the bill in response to the current processing and supply shortages .
“ I am not advocating for relaxing the standards that the USDA has set , ” wrote the Maine congresswoman , an organic farmer who raises vegetables , pigs , and chickens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we address the needs of communities in a way that supports them both economically and morally during this unprecedented time , by allowing America ’ s family farms to do what they do best – feed their neighbors.
” Still , many in the meat industry caution against such a move .
Colin Woodall , CEO of the National Cattlemen ’ s Beef Association , says the association opposes the PRIME Act because of how it could undermine years of investment in making USDA-inspected meat the “ gold standard ” around the globe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety issue that breaks out ... that ’ s not going to be the problem of Johnny ’ s local [ meat ] locker ; that ’ s a beef industry problem , ” he says .
A central aspect of the debate is about who is responsible for ensuring safety .
Advocates of less regulation say that greater transparency in packaging , such as where meat was raised and processed , could give consumers the opportunity to make informed decisions about the food they ’ re purchasing , rather than depending solely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never intended government to be so ingrained in our life that it became ... the preserver of safety , ” says Ben Adams , a Marine running for the Idaho state legislature as a Republican , who has been in touch with state Representative Lindholm about using Wyoming ’ s new law as a model for his state .
Critics of federal regulations also call into question aspects of USDA inspection they see as excessive – such as a requirement that all USDA inspectors be furnished with an office and a bathroom for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current rules as arbitrary .
“ Right now , I could step out on my deck and butcher 1,000 chickens on my deck ... and I could sell those directly to consumers without any inspection , labeling , or licensing .
But I can ’ t sell one T-bone steak , ” says state Representative Lindholm in Wyoming .
“ It ’ s not actually about safety anymore ; it ’ s about protecting a monopoly.
” Others say only the federal government is in a position to guarantee consistency of standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are key for trade relationships .
Darci Vetter , who grew up eating uninspected meat on her family farm in Nebraska and served as chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. trade representative under President Barack Obama , says it ’ s vital not to put exports at risk .
As of 2017 , the United States exported nearly 13 % of the beef and 27 % of the pork it produced , with market development activities in more than 80 countries .
“ From a former trade negotiator perspective , what we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destination for U.S. meat to say , ‘ Hey , wait a minute , ... How do I know if the rules are actually being followed ?
’ ” says Ms. Vetter , now the vice chair for food and agriculture at Edelman North America .
The 2003 outbreak of BSE ( popularly referred to as mad cow disease ) in the U.S. prompted nearly all international markets to stop accepting American beef , incurring losses of $ 16 billion over a decade .
“ It ’ s 17 years later , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those markets being closed to us .
You can understand the hesitation , ” she says .
In addition , the World Trade Organization prohibits member nations from creating preferential markets for domestic products .
If local producers are seen as gaining an advantage over foreign exporters of meat to the U.S. , such as being exempted from the cost of USDA inspection , that could run afoul of WTO rules .
Some cattlemen say the system is stacked against them .
But Trent Loos , a sixth-generation farmer in Nebraska and radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West , says that while deep-pocketed corporations have a greater ability to hire lobbyists , he doesn ’ t buy the idea that American cattlemen are disadvantaged .
“ I just think we ’ re not loud enough .
I think we got ta get louder , ” says Mr. Loos , before meeting with a Nebraska state senator interested in Wyoming ’ s model .
Even under the current USDA inspection regime , some local meat markets are finding ways to thrive .
Walden Meat , which delivers locally raised meat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has seen a tenfold increase in the rate of new customer sign-ups over the past couple of months .
They co-own and operate a regional slaughterhouse in Vermont , and everything they sell is USDA-inspected , which CEO Charley Cummings says lends their product a certain credibility .
“ We really value the USDA as a partner in that regard , and see them as playing a really important role in establishing universal standards , ” he says .
“ We have not found it overly constraining to the viability of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that such a model wouldn ’ t be workable in a less densely populated area like Wyoming .
Mr. Cummings says Walden Meat , which aims to price its products at 10 % to 15 % less than Whole Foods , delivers 55 cents to farmers and butchers per dollar of meat sold , compared with 10 to 11 cents in the commodity world .
“ We ’ re all for everything that delivers more dollars to farmers ’ pockets , ” he says .
“ What this crisis has laid bare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meat production above all else – animal welfare , environment , farmers , processors , and employees in every step of that value chain.
” As customers have increasingly sought local meat , whether out of animal welfare concerns or nutritional considerations , they have found creative ways to work within the USDA law – such as going in with a friend on a pig or a cow before it ’ s slaughtered , and then splitting the meat .
Wyoming ’ s state Representative Lindholm has made that somewhat easier with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlimited number of people to “ own ” the animal .
But Representative Massie says such workarounds are cumbersome .
Plus , he says , the USDA exemption is regressive ; not everyone has $ 1,000 or the necessary freezer space .
He argues there ’ s an untapped potential for local producers to make a far greater contribution , and bring local meat within the reach of average Americans .
“ You ’ re forcing people that should be able to engage in legitimate commerce to come up with these crazy constructs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You shouldn ’ t feel like you ’ re exploiting a loophole to sell your neighbor a hamburger.
” Editor ’ s note : As a public service , all our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .

It’s one of several alternative meat models gaining traction, but questions remain about the efficacy, feasibility, safety, and impact on U.S. meat exports.
“Instead of blaming the people who are processing 80% of the meat right now, why don’t we enable their competition to flourish?” asks GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who introduced the PRIME Act with his Democratic colleague Chellie Pingree of Maine and has attracted 42 co-sponsors, from libertarian Justin Amash to progressive Rashida Tlaib.
The solution is simple, they say: Give states the option of allowing smaller producers, who can’t afford USDA inspection, to take their livestock to local butchers and sell the meat directly to local restaurants and supermarkets.
The intense strain placed on the supply chain by COVID-19 is generating calls for Congress to give smaller producers more flexibility in getting meat to American dinner tables. A new law in Wyoming is trying to do just that.
But now, with bottlenecks at USDA-inspected facilities resulting in farmers euthanizing their animals while grocery shelves stand empty, some of today’s Republicans are looking for workarounds to the law. They say it favors big producers and has made the system less resilient and flexible in a crisis.
If the U.S. Army hadn’t served rotten beef when Teddy Roosevelt fought in the Spanish-American War, perhaps he wouldn’t have pressed Congress to pass the 1906 Meat Inspection Act – a law that has made U.S. meat one of the most trusted brands in the world.
When the “most hated man in Washington” suddenly gains 20 new co-sponsors for his bill, it must signal a pressing need. And among the countless problems created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps one of the most urgent has been the strain on America’s meat supply chain.
With dozens of meat plants temporarily shut down, farmers across the country have had to euthanize tens of thousands of animals, and face the wrenching prospect of far larger culling. Meanwhile, U.S. weekly red meat production has dropped by as much as 34.9% compared with last year, causing prices to surge and grocery store shelves to lie empty.
The crisis has lately prompted nearly two dozen lawmakers to add their names to legislation put forward by Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, an MIT-educated Republican who owns 63 cattle and became persona non grata among his colleagues in the early weeks of the pandemic after he forced them all to come back to the nation’s capital for a key vote.
Why We Wrote This The intense strain placed on the supply chain by COVID-19 is generating calls for Congress to give smaller producers more flexibility in getting meat to American dinner tables. A new law in Wyoming is trying to do just that.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
Five years ago, he and Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine first introduced the PRIME Act, designed to create more flexibility and resiliency in the meat supply system. The bill would allow smaller meat producers to utilize local butchers and sell their products directly to consumers, restaurants, and grocery stores, rather than getting funneled through USDA-inspected facilities and the handful of corporations that make up 80% of America’s meat market.
“What you’re seeing right now is not the result of an efficient capitalist system,” says Representative Massie, who faults U.S. regulations for creating a “monopoly” of big meat companies. He says removing some of the red tape will enable their competition to flourish, paving the way for shuttered or new local butchers to open and existing ones to expand to meet growing consumer demand for locally raised meat.
The bill, which now has 42 co-sponsors from libertarians to progressives, is one of a growing number of alternative models to industrial meat production that have been gaining traction in recent years, driven by everything from animal welfare and “eat local” movements to constitutional concerns about federal overreach. Now, COVID-19’s intense strain on the supply chain is generating wider interest in rethinking the system. Representative Massie admits the bill’s chances at passing were slim five years ago, but says they have “increased exponentially” this month as consumers learn more about how the food supply pipeline works. “Because the people are now interested, the congressmen are getting interested,” he says.
Still, it’s unclear how much such initiatives would alleviate the current bottlenecks, with many local butchers already booked into 2021 and freezer space largely maxed out. And while federal inspection is undoubtedly more burdensome for smaller producers and processors, it’s just one aspect of a larger equation involving economies of scale. Above all, America has spent years building a sterling reputation for meat safety among its trade partners – and some say it would be shortsighted to undermine in any way the federal oversight on which that trust is founded.
“Am I in favor of less red tape that would add flexibility to the supply chain? Yes,” says Glynn Tonsor, a professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. He says the PRIME Act would help, but cautions, “It’s not a magic bullet.”
Teddy Roosevelt’s run-in with rotten beef
If the U.S. Army hadn’t served rotten beef to Teddy Roosevelt when he was a colonel in the Spanish-American War, perhaps he wouldn’t have pressed as hard for Congress to pass the Meat Inspection Act during his presidency.
The rotten beef scandal precipitated a series of hearings on meat safety, federal inspection practices (or lack thereof), and unsanitary conditions in meatpacking plants, further exposed in Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel “The Jungle.”
Sinclair, who sought to spark a socialist movement in support of plant workers, instead galvanized public demands for increased government regulation to ensure meat safety. “I aimed at the public’s heart,” he wrote, “and by accident I hit it in the stomach.”
Roosevelt, after sending investigators to the packinghouses to verify Sinclair’s depiction, used the ensuing report to push the stalled Meat Inspection Act through Congress in 1906.
Under that law, all meat sold across state lines must be processed in a USDA-inspected facility, where an inspector is on hand at all times to examine livestock, ensure humane slaughtering practices, and observe the processing of meat. Meat for sale within a state can be processed at a state-inspected facility, provided its standards are at least as stringent as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s. Currently, the only exemption to that inspection regime is for owners of livestock who get meat processed at custom processors for their own consumption, or to share with family, employees, and nonpaying guests.
With a limited number of USDA-inspected facilities, smaller producers often have to drive their livestock hundreds of miles to get their meat processed, adding substantially to the cost and running the risk that their product could be mingled with industrially produced meat.
This spring, Wyoming passed a pioneering law that would allow ranchers to sell meat to their neighbors – while the cattle are still alive. By buying shares in a herd, customers would be considered “owners” at the time of slaughter and thus allowed to consume the meat without inspection by the USDA.
“I don’t think [the USDA is] this nefarious organization plotting in the deep state or trying to prevent grandmothers from buying T-bone steaks from their next-door neighbors,” says state Rep. Tyler Lindholm, who spearheaded the bill. But, he adds, citing the 10th Amendment of the Constitution, “What authority do you have to tell Wyoming citizens that [they] can’t sell steak to each other?”
The PRIME Act, short for Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption, seeks to go one step further than Wyoming’s law by giving states the option of permitting custom-slaughtered meat to be sold not only to individual consumers but also to restaurants, grocery stores, and other outlets within their borders.
Introduced in May 2019 for the third time in four years, the bill has yet to move forward. In a May 14 letter, Representative Pingree urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi to take up the bill in response to the current processing and supply shortages.
“I am not advocating for relaxing the standards that the USDA has set,” wrote the Maine congresswoman, an organic farmer who raises vegetables, pigs, and chickens. “I am simply asking that we address the needs of communities in a way that supports them both economically and morally during this unprecedented time, by allowing America’s family farms to do what they do best – feed their neighbors.”
Still, many in the meat industry caution against such a move.
Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says the association opposes the PRIME Act because of how it could undermine years of investment in making USDA-inspected meat the “gold standard” around the globe. “If there is a food safety issue that breaks out ... that’s not going to be the problem of Johnny’s local [meat] locker; that’s a beef industry problem,” he says.
Founding Fathers vs. the WTO
A central aspect of the debate is about who is responsible for ensuring safety. Advocates of less regulation say that greater transparency in packaging, such as where meat was raised and processed, could give consumers the opportunity to make informed decisions about the food they’re purchasing, rather than depending solely on the government.
“Our founders never intended government to be so ingrained in our life that it became ... the preserver of safety,” says Ben Adams, a Marine running for the Idaho state legislature as a Republican, who has been in touch with state Representative Lindholm about using Wyoming’s new law as a model for his state.
Critics of federal regulations also call into question aspects of USDA inspection they see as excessive – such as a requirement that all USDA inspectors be furnished with an office and a bathroom for their exclusive use. Many also see the current rules as arbitrary.
“Right now, I could step out on my deck and butcher 1,000 chickens on my deck ... and I could sell those directly to consumers without any inspection, labeling, or licensing. But I can’t sell one T-bone steak,” says state Representative Lindholm in Wyoming. “It’s not actually about safety anymore; it’s about protecting a monopoly.”
Others say only the federal government is in a position to guarantee consistency of standards and comprehensive oversight, both of which are key for trade relationships.
Darci Vetter, who grew up eating uninspected meat on her family farm in Nebraska and served as chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. trade representative under President Barack Obama, says it’s vital not to put exports at risk. As of 2017, the United States exported nearly 13% of the beef and 27% of the pork it produced, with market development activities in more than 80 countries.
“From a former trade negotiator perspective, what we don’t want is for a major destination for U.S. meat to say, ‘Hey, wait a minute, ... How do I know if the rules are actually being followed?’” says Ms. Vetter, now the vice chair for food and agriculture at Edelman North America.
The 2003 outbreak of BSE (popularly referred to as mad cow disease) in the U.S. prompted nearly all international markets to stop accepting American beef, incurring losses of $16 billion over a decade. “It’s 17 years later, and we can still feel the effects from those markets being closed to us. You can understand the hesitation,” she says.
In addition, the World Trade Organization prohibits member nations from creating preferential markets for domestic products. If local producers are seen as gaining an advantage over foreign exporters of meat to the U.S., such as being exempted from the cost of USDA inspection, that could run afoul of WTO rules.
Some cattlemen say the system is stacked against them. But Trent Loos, a sixth-generation farmer in Nebraska and radio show host with a wide following out West, says that while deep-pocketed corporations have a greater ability to hire lobbyists, he doesn’t buy the idea that American cattlemen are disadvantaged.
“I just think we’re not loud enough. I think we gotta get louder,” says Mr. Loos, before meeting with a Nebraska state senator interested in Wyoming’s model.
The Walden Meat model
Even under the current USDA inspection regime, some local meat markets are finding ways to thrive. Walden Meat, which delivers locally raised meat to customers across New England and New York, has seen a tenfold increase in the rate of new customer sign-ups over the past couple of months.
They co-own and operate a regional slaughterhouse in Vermont, and everything they sell is USDA-inspected, which CEO Charley Cummings says lends their product a certain credibility.
“We really value the USDA as a partner in that regard, and see them as playing a really important role in establishing universal standards,” he says. “We have not found it overly constraining to the viability of a farm-to-consumer business.” He notes, however, that such a model wouldn’t be workable in a less densely populated area like Wyoming.
Mr. Cummings says Walden Meat, which aims to price its products at 10% to 15% less than Whole Foods, delivers 55 cents to farmers and butchers per dollar of meat sold, compared with 10 to 11 cents in the commodity world.
“We’re all for everything that delivers more dollars to farmers’ pockets,” he says. “What this crisis has laid bare is that we have prioritized efficiency in meat production above all else – animal welfare, environment, farmers, processors, and employees in every step of that value chain.”
As customers have increasingly sought local meat, whether out of animal welfare concerns or nutritional considerations, they have found creative ways to work within the USDA law – such as going in with a friend on a pig or a cow before it’s slaughtered, and then splitting the meat. Wyoming’s state Representative Lindholm has made that somewhat easier with his herd share law, which allows an unlimited number of people to “own” the animal.
But Representative Massie says such workarounds are cumbersome. Plus, he says, the USDA exemption is regressive; not everyone has $1,000 or the necessary freezer space. He argues there’s an untapped potential for local producers to make a far greater contribution, and bring local meat within the reach of average Americans.
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“You’re forcing people that should be able to engage in legitimate commerce to come up with these crazy constructs to do it,” he says. “You shouldn’t feel like you’re exploiting a loophole to sell your neighbor a hamburger.”
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csmonitor--2020-05-20--Who will be Joe Biden's Joe Biden?

Who will be Joe Biden's Joe Biden?

Dear reader : Who will Joe Biden choose as his running mate ?
The guys at Pod Save America love that question , they say with a sigh .
It ’ s so pre-pandemic , a carry-over from a simpler time – yet highly relevant today .
The former vice president has already told us he ’ ll pick a woman , and he ’ s clearly been auditioning candidates , including Sens .
Amy Klobuchar , Kamala Harris , and Elizabeth Warren , who all ran against him for the Democratic nomination .
All three have been appearing enthusiastically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rallying supporters , joining him on his podcast .
Also in the mix are Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan , a crucial battleground state , and Stacey Abrams , the former Georgia House minority leader who came close to becoming the nation ’ s first black female governor .
In normal times , “ veepstakes ” chatter is mainly just a parlor game ; it ’ s the top of the ticket that wins or loses elections .
In recent cycles , presidential nominees have picked someone with whom they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr. Biden ’ s choice will be analyzed closely for what it means about his politics .
Senator Warren or Ms. Abrams would please progressives .
Senator Klobuchar of Minnesota , a centrist , could help Mr. Biden woo disgruntled Trump voters – of whom there may be more than a few , according to survey data .
Senator Harris , seen as a leading contender , would fall somewhere in between .
But there ’ s an added dimension : Mr. Biden ’ s advanced age means he ’ ll need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day One , ready to address the new pandemic realities as well as operate on the world stage if need be .
Lately , Mr. Biden has been under pressure to choose a woman of color .
Senator Harris and Ms. Abrams both fit that bill - and Ms. Abrams is raising eyebrows by openly campaigning for the job .
Governor Whitmer is playing the more traditional game , saying she ’ s focused on helping her state .
Though she did reveal Tuesday that she ’ s had an “ opening conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women are also being mooted , including Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada .
Aimee Allison , founder of She the People , which aims to engage more than 1 million women of color in swing states , tells USA Today that Mr. Biden has to fire up the Democratic coalition .
`` If he wants us to not just vote but bring our family and communities along in record numbers , ” she says , “ he 's got to put a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let us know what you ’ re thinking at csmpolitics @ csmonitor.com

Dear reader:
Who will Joe Biden choose as his running mate? The guys at Pod Save America love that question, they say with a sigh. It’s so pre-pandemic, a carry-over from a simpler time – yet highly relevant today.
The former vice president has already told us he’ll pick a woman, and he’s clearly been auditioning candidates, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Kamala Harris, and Elizabeth Warren, who all ran against him for the Democratic nomination.
All three have been appearing enthusiastically at virtual Biden events, raising money, rallying supporters, joining him on his podcast. Also in the mix are Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, a crucial battleground state, and Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia House minority leader who came close to becoming the nation’s first black female governor.
In normal times, “veepstakes” chatter is mainly just a parlor game; it’s the top of the ticket that wins or loses elections. In recent cycles, presidential nominees have picked someone with whom they have a good rapport, personally and ideologically. Mr. Biden’s choice will be analyzed closely for what it means about his politics. Senator Warren or Ms. Abrams would please progressives. Senator Klobuchar of Minnesota, a centrist, could help Mr. Biden woo disgruntled Trump voters – of whom there may be more than a few, according to survey data. Senator Harris, seen as a leading contender, would fall somewhere in between.
But there’s an added dimension: Mr. Biden’s advanced age means he’ll need someone seen as having presidential chops on Day One, ready to address the new pandemic realities as well as operate on the world stage if need be.
Lately, Mr. Biden has been under pressure to choose a woman of color. Senator Harris and Ms. Abrams both fit that bill - and Ms. Abrams is raising eyebrows by openly campaigning for the job.
Governor Whitmer is playing the more traditional game, saying she’s focused on helping her state. Though she did reveal Tuesday that she’s had an “opening conversation” with the Biden team.
Hispanic women are also being mooted, including Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada.
Aimee Allison, founder of She the People, which aims to engage more than 1 million women of color in swing states, tells USA Today that Mr. Biden has to fire up the Democratic coalition.
"If he wants us to not just vote but bring our family and communities along in record numbers,” she says, “he's got to put a woman of color on the ticket."
Let us know what you’re thinking at csmpolitics@csmonitor.com
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