csmonitor--2020-08-07--Points of Progress: Urban rooftop farm bears fruit, and more

The Navy welcomed its first Black female tactical jet pilot last month after Lt. j.g .
Madeline Swegle completed her final undergraduate flight .
In the 1980s , Brenda Robinson became the first African American woman to serve as a Navy flight instructor and VIP transport pilot , but she did not fly fighter jets .
In the years since , the Navy has often been criticized for its lack of diversity , especially among fighter units .
A 2018 investigation found that of 1,404 Hornet pilots , only 26 were Black and 33 were female .
The Navy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program prepared Lieutenant Swegle to fly several tactical jets , including the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet .
( CNN ) Conservationists are training ex-combatants to help preserve Colombia ’ s biodiversity .
Researching the country ’ s wildlife was a challenge during the decadeslong civil war , but since the 2016 peace agreement , expeditions in former conflict zones have discovered more than 150 new animal and plant species .
Experts say ex-guerrilla fighters , who once occupied the most remote parts of Colombia ’ s jungles , forests , mountains , and savannas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ongoing conservation efforts .
Wildlife geneticist Jaime Góngora visits Colombia several times a year to conduct workshops training former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ( FARC ) in various conservation skills , including taking biodiversity inventories .
The project isn ’ t just helping scientists – a recent survey of 10,000 former FARC members found that 84 % were interested in terrestrial and river environmental restoration work now that the war has ended .
“ This is a vital step to enable them to contribute to environmental projects , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society , ” says Mr. Góngora .
( Science , The Conversation ) Kick4Life Football Club became the world ’ s first top-tier soccer club to fund men ’ s and women ’ s teams equally , a decision the club hopes will inspire other leagues to step up on behalf of women ’ s sports .
Since Kick4Life ’ s women ’ s team was founded in 2010 , it has rapidly grown into a competitive soccer team while challenging gender stereotypes in Lesotho and beyond .
When coach Puky Ramokoatsi joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kick4Life helped her rethink her own biases and overcome violence from her past , she says .
The decision to match funding for the men ’ s and women ’ s teams is especially poignant as the pandemic has put a financial strain on global sports .
“ These pressures are no reason to hold back , ” says co-founder Steve Fleming .
“ Quite the opposite ; the same crisis has given rise to an epidemic of gender-based violence here and elsewhere .
The responsibility of football is to inspire positive change.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s largest urban rooftop farm , called Nature Urbaine , has started bearing fruit .
On one day recently , young farmers atop Paris Expo ’ s Pavilion 6 picked 3,000 lettuces and 150 pints of strawberries from aeroponic growing towers – plastic columns that are soil-free , use little water , and take up less space than traditional garden beds .
The roof is the size of two soccer fields , but only a third has been planted .
When it ’ s all in use , staff could harvest more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every day .
Pascal Hardy , the engineer behind the garden , says his urban agriculture consultancy is fielding inquiries from around the world .
“ [ This farming method ] is a clean , productive , and sustainable model of agriculture that can in time make a real contribution to the resilience – social , economic , and also environmental – of the kind of big cities where most of humanity now lives , ” said Mr. Hardy .
“ And look , it really works.
” ( The Guardian ) Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world ’ s most successful reintroduction projects .
The fork-tailed bird of prey was protected by royal decree throughout the Middle Ages , but became a target for taxidermists and egg collectors in the centuries that followed .
“ In the 1980s , anyone wanting to see a red kite had to make a special pilgrimage to a handful of sites , ” said Jeff Knott , an operations director with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds .
“ Today it is a daily sight for millions of people.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flown in from Spain took their maiden flight across England .
Thirty years later , there are an estimated 1,800 breeding pairs across England , and red kites are regularly seen flying through most counties .
The United Kingdom is now home to almost 10 % of the global red kite population .
( The Guardian ) Pakistan has met United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 – to take urgent action to combat climate change – a decade before the deadline .
The early achievement shows that progress is possible even for countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target well before 2030 through a series of environmental programs launched over the last decade .
These include the Billion Tree Tsunami project , a nationwide reforestation effort started by Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2014 , and the Clean Green Pakistan Index , which ranks cities and townships based on residents ’ access to clean water and green spaces .
Pakistan has consistently ranked in the top 10 countries most vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change .
( VOSA )

1. United States
The Navy welcomed its first Black female tactical jet pilot last month after Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle completed her final undergraduate flight. In the 1980s, Brenda Robinson became the first African American woman to serve as a Navy flight instructor and VIP transport pilot, but she did not fly fighter jets.
Anne Owens/U.S. Navy/AP View caption Hide caption Lt. J.G. Madeline Swegle exits a T-45C Goshawk training aircraft following her final flight to complete the undergraduate Tactical Air (Strike) pilot training syllabus in Kingsville, Texas, on July 7, 2020.
In the years since, the Navy has often been criticized for its lack of diversity, especially among fighter units. A 2018 investigation found that of 1,404 Hornet pilots, only 26 were Black and 33 were female. The Navy’s Tactical Air (Strike) aviator program prepared Lieutenant Swegle to fly several tactical jets, including the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. (CNN)
Why We Wrote This This is more than feel-good news – it's where the world is making concrete progress. A roundup of positive stories to inspire you.
2. Colombia
Conservationists are training ex-combatants to help preserve Colombia’s biodiversity. Researching the country’s wildlife was a challenge during the decadeslong civil war, but since the 2016 peace agreement, expeditions in former conflict zones have discovered more than 150 new animal and plant species. Experts say ex-guerrilla fighters, who once occupied the most remote parts of Colombia’s jungles, forests, mountains, and savannas, are uniquely prepared to aid scientists with ongoing conservation efforts. Wildlife geneticist Jaime Góngora visits Colombia several times a year to conduct workshops training former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in various conservation skills, including taking biodiversity inventories. The project isn’t just helping scientists – a recent survey of 10,000 former FARC members found that 84% were interested in terrestrial and river environmental restoration work now that the war has ended. “This is a vital step to enable them to contribute to environmental projects, improve their livelihoods, and reincorporate into society,” says Mr. Góngora. (Science, The Conversation)
3. Lesotho
Kick4Life Football Club became the world’s first top-tier soccer club to fund men’s and women’s teams equally, a decision the club hopes will inspire other leagues to step up on behalf of women’s sports. Since Kick4Life’s women’s team was founded in 2010, it has rapidly grown into a competitive soccer team while challenging gender stereotypes in Lesotho and beyond. When coach Puky Ramokoatsi joined as a player a decade ago, Kick4Life helped her rethink her own biases and overcome violence from her past, she says. The decision to match funding for the men’s and women’s teams is especially poignant as the pandemic has put a financial strain on global sports. “These pressures are no reason to hold back,” says co-founder Steve Fleming. “Quite the opposite; the same crisis has given rise to an epidemic of gender-based violence here and elsewhere. The responsibility of football is to inspire positive change.” (The Guardian)
4. France
The world’s largest urban rooftop farm, called Nature Urbaine, has started bearing fruit. On one day recently, young farmers atop Paris Expo’s Pavilion 6 picked 3,000 lettuces and 150 pints of strawberries from aeroponic growing towers – plastic columns that are soil-free, use little water, and take up less space than traditional garden beds. The roof is the size of two soccer fields, but only a third has been planted. When it’s all in use, staff could harvest more than a ton of fruits and vegetables every day. Pascal Hardy, the engineer behind the garden, says his urban agriculture consultancy is fielding inquiries from around the world. “[This farming method] is a clean, productive, and sustainable model of agriculture that can in time make a real contribution to the resilience – social, economic, and also environmental – of the kind of big cities where most of humanity now lives,” said Mr. Hardy. “And look, it really works.” (The Guardian)
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5. United Kingdom
Red kites are thriving in England after one of the world’s most successful reintroduction projects. The fork-tailed bird of prey was protected by royal decree throughout the Middle Ages, but became a target for taxidermists and egg collectors in the centuries that followed. “In the 1980s, anyone wanting to see a red kite had to make a special pilgrimage to a handful of sites,” said Jeff Knott, an operations director with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. “Today it is a daily sight for millions of people.”
Jon Super/AP View caption Hide caption A red kite flies over a Leeds, England, cricket ground, May 31, 2015. Sightings of the once-rare bird are now common.
In July 1990, 13 raptors flown in from Spain took their maiden flight across England. Thirty years later, there are an estimated 1,800 breeding pairs across England, and red kites are regularly seen flying through most counties. The United Kingdom is now home to almost 10% of the global red kite population. (The Guardian)
6. Pakistan
Pakistan has met United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 – to take urgent action to combat climate change – a decade before the deadline. The early achievement shows that progress is possible even for countries with limited resources. Pakistan met the target well before 2030 through a series of environmental programs launched over the last decade. These include the Billion Tree Tsunami project, a nationwide reforestation effort started by Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2014, and the Clean Green Pakistan Index, which ranks cities and townships based on residents’ access to clean water and green spaces. Pakistan has consistently ranked in the top 10 countries most vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change. (VOSA)


csmonitor--2020-08-07--An election with bravery on the ballot

An election with bravery on the ballot

One early sign of a dictator ’ s eventual demise is the moment when people cast off fear of his retribution against opponents .
For Belarus , a small ex-Soviet nation next to Russia , that moment may come Aug. 9 in an election that could be largely rigged to favor its longtime ruler .
For some reason , President Alexander Lukashenko has allowed a candidate that he dismisses as “ just a housewife ” to run against him .
Perhaps he needs a sheen of democracy .
Or he actually believes his statement that Belarus “ has not matured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
Little did he anticipate that Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , a former English teacher and translator , would draw big crowds with this campaign pitch : “ Now is the time when everyone must overcome their fear.
” Ms. Tikhanovskaya certainly has plenty to fear herself .
In May , her activist husband was jailed after he announced his candidacy .
Two other candidates were jailed or went into exile .
At that point she decided to run .
Even then , threats were made against her two children .
She has sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitting the campaign trail , however , the once-shy Ms. Tikhanovskaya realized she could pop a bubble of fear among Belarus ’ 9.5 million people , especially the urban , tech-savvy youth .
“ Do you think I ’ m not scared ?
I ’ m scared every day , ” she told a crowd .
“ But I muster my courage , get over my fear and go to you , and go for victory.
” She also realized that the president ’ s dismissive attitude toward the coronavirus pandemic has awakened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were protected by other people and not by the state , ” she says .
Her popularity has been measured in the size of her crowds – the largest since independence in 1991 .
No political polls are allowed .
In a rare TV appearance , she bravely talked about political prisoners .
She knows the election might be rigged against her .
Mr. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 .
She asks people to show solidarity by wearing something white when they go to vote .
She also asks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and record their vote on an opposition website .
Under authoritarian regimes , such tactics are the tools of the powerless .
Yet real power lies first in setting aside fear and embodying the qualities of democracy , such as equality and freedom .
If she somehow wins , Ms. Tikhanovskaya says her goal would be to quickly hold a legitimate election within six months , one in which freed political prisoners could run and people do not succumb to fear of retribution .
She ’ s already set an example of that @

One early sign of a dictator’s eventual demise is the moment when people cast off fear of his retribution against opponents. For Belarus, a small ex-Soviet nation next to Russia, that moment may come Aug. 9 in an election that could be largely rigged to favor its longtime ruler.
For some reason, President Alexander Lukashenko has allowed a candidate that he dismisses as “just a housewife” to run against him. Perhaps he needs a sheen of democracy. Or he actually believes his statement that Belarus “has not matured enough for a woman” to become president.
Little did he anticipate that Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a former English teacher and translator, would draw big crowds with this campaign pitch: “Now is the time when everyone must overcome their fear.”
Ms. Tikhanovskaya certainly has plenty to fear herself. In May, her activist husband was jailed after he announced his candidacy. Two other candidates were jailed or went into exile. At that point she decided to run. Even then, threats were made against her two children. She has sent them out of the country.
After hitting the campaign trail, however, the once-shy Ms. Tikhanovskaya realized she could pop a bubble of fear among Belarus’ 9.5 million people, especially the urban, tech-savvy youth.
“Do you think I’m not scared? I’m scared every day,” she told a crowd. “But I muster my courage, get over my fear and go to you, and go for victory.”
She also realized that the president’s dismissive attitude toward the coronavirus pandemic has awakened people. “They began to feel that they were protected by other people and not by the state,” she says.
Her popularity has been measured in the size of her crowds – the largest since independence in 1991. No political polls are allowed. In a rare TV appearance, she bravely talked about political prisoners.
She knows the election might be rigged against her. Mr. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994. She asks people to show solidarity by wearing something white when they go to vote. She also asks them to take pictures of their ballot and record their vote on an opposition website.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Under authoritarian regimes, such tactics are the tools of the powerless. Yet real power lies first in setting aside fear and embodying the qualities of democracy, such as equality and freedom.
If she somehow wins, Ms. Tikhanovskaya says her goal would be to quickly hold a legitimate election within six months, one in which freed political prisoners could run and people do not succumb to fear of retribution. She’s already set an example of that.


csmonitor--2020-08-07--Isaias, Bertha, who's next? 2020 hurricane forecast revised.

Already smashing records , this year ’ s hyperactive Atlantic hurricane season is about to get even nastier , forecasters predict .
In the coming months , they expect to run out of traditional hurricane names and see about twice as much storm activity as a normal year .
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday upped its seasonal forecast , now predicting a far-above-average 19 to 25 named storms – seven to 11 of them to become hurricanes and three to six of those to become major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 mph .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency ’ s May forecast .
The agency increased the chance of an above average hurricane season from 60 % to 85 % .
“ It looks like this season could be one of the more active in the historical record , ” but it ’ s unlikely to be beat 2005 ’ s 28 named storms because the oceans were warmer and other conditions were more conducive to storm formation 15 years ago , said NOAA lead forecaster Gerry Bell .
This year ’ s forecast of up to 25 is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beating the 21 predicted for 2005 , Mr. Bell said .
Colorado State University , which pioneered hurricane season forecasts decades ago , on Wednesday amped its forecast to 24 named storms , 12 hurricanes , and 5 major hurricanes – all higher than their June forecast .
An average year , based on 1981 to 2010 data , is 12 named storms , six hurricanes , and three major hurricanes .
Lead Colorado State forecaster Phil Klotzbach said all the factors that cause hurricane seasons to be busy are dialed up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest hurricanes , warmer water that fuels storms , and reduced high level winds that kill storms .
“ Everything looks ready to be a pretty huge year , ” said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy , who said it ’ s likely that there will be more storms than names .
There are 21 names assigned to a hurricane season .
If there are more than 21 storms , meteorologists turn after Wilfred to the Greek alphabet – Alpha , Beta , Gamma , and so on .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of storm activity comes after Aug. 6 , with mid-August to mid-October as peak season .
So far this year , there have been nine named storms , with most setting a record for being early .
The most destructive so far has been this month ’ s Hurricane Isaias which killed at least nine people and left millions of people without power .
“ Nine storms to this date is crazy , ” Mr. Klotzbach said .
Since 1995 , when the Atlantic started a more active period for hurricanes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forming after August 5 , he said .
The number of storms don ’ t matter as much as where they go , MIT meteorology professor Kerry Emanuel said , noting the busy 2010 hurricane season that barely touched the United States .
While the predictions are about the number of storms and don ’ t say where they strike , Mr. Klotzbach ’ s forecast says more storms increases the chance of another U.S. landfall .
It says there ’ s a 74 % chance that yet another storm will hit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % chance of a hit on the East Coast and Florida peninsula and a 48 % chance of a hit on the Gulf Coast .
Most of this year ’ s storms so far have been weak , decapitated by high level winds and dry air , but Mr. Klotzbach said that ’ s about to change .
Sea surface temperatures in the eastern Atlantic are nearly 2 degrees warmer than normal .
That not only provides more fuel for storms but changes air pressure and winds to make favorable conditions for storms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr. Emanuel of MIT pointed to an extra quiet Pacific storm season as another indicator for an active Atlantic .
When the Pacific is quiet , the Atlantic tends to be much busier as they tend to balance out .
Also , water temperatures near the equator in the Pacific are cooling , with a brewing La Nina , which is the flip side of El Niño .
Research shows there are usually more Atlantic storms during a La Niña .
Even though studies predict that a warmer world means generally stronger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Bell and Mr. Emanuel said there are so many complicated factors in an individual season they can ’ t say either way whether man-made climate change is a factor in active years like 2020 .
Mr. Bell said the biggest climatic factor “ that dominates the hurricane trend ” is a 25-to-40-year natural cycle of busy and weak hurricanes connected to large-scale Atlantic ocean and air patterns .
The current active cycle started in 1995 “ and we don ’ t know how long it ’ s going to last , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Already smashing records, this year’s hyperactive Atlantic hurricane season is about to get even nastier, forecasters predict. In the coming months, they expect to run out of traditional hurricane names and see about twice as much storm activity as a normal year.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday upped its seasonal forecast, now predicting a far-above-average 19 to 25 named storms – seven to 11 of them to become hurricanes and three to six of those to become major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 mph. That’s a few more storms than the agency’s May forecast. The agency increased the chance of an above average hurricane season from 60% to 85%.
“It looks like this season could be one of the more active in the historical record,” but it’s unlikely to be beat 2005’s 28 named storms because the oceans were warmer and other conditions were more conducive to storm formation 15 years ago, said NOAA lead forecaster Gerry Bell.
This year’s forecast of up to 25 is the highest number NOAA has ever predicted, beating the 21 predicted for 2005, Mr. Bell said.
Colorado State University, which pioneered hurricane season forecasts decades ago, on Wednesday amped its forecast to 24 named storms, 12 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes – all higher than their June forecast.
An average year, based on 1981 to 2010 data, is 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Lead Colorado State forecaster Phil Klotzbach said all the factors that cause hurricane seasons to be busy are dialed up, including increased storminess in Africa that seeds the biggest hurricanes, warmer water that fuels storms, and reduced high level winds that kill storms.
“Everything looks ready to be a pretty huge year,” said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy, who said it’s likely that there will be more storms than names. There are 21 names assigned to a hurricane season. If there are more than 21 storms, meteorologists turn after Wilfred to the Greek alphabet – Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and so on.
In a normal year, about 90% of storm activity comes after Aug. 6, with mid-August to mid-October as peak season. So far this year, there have been nine named storms, with most setting a record for being early. The most destructive so far has been this month’s Hurricane Isaias which killed at least nine people and left millions of people without power.
“Nine storms to this date is crazy,” Mr. Klotzbach said. Since 1995, when the Atlantic started a more active period for hurricanes, the average season has seen 12 named storms forming after August 5, he said.
The number of storms don’t matter as much as where they go, MIT meteorology professor Kerry Emanuel said, noting the busy 2010 hurricane season that barely touched the United States.
While the predictions are about the number of storms and don’t say where they strike, Mr. Klotzbach’s forecast says more storms increases the chance of another U.S. landfall. It says there’s a 74% chance that yet another storm will hit the U.S. coastline somewhere, with a 49% chance of a hit on the East Coast and Florida peninsula and a 48% chance of a hit on the Gulf Coast.
Most of this year’s storms so far have been weak, decapitated by high level winds and dry air, but Mr. Klotzbach said that’s about to change.
Sea surface temperatures in the eastern Atlantic are nearly 2 degrees warmer than normal. That not only provides more fuel for storms but changes air pressure and winds to make favorable conditions for storms to form and strengthen, he said.
Mr. Emanuel of MIT pointed to an extra quiet Pacific storm season as another indicator for an active Atlantic. When the Pacific is quiet, the Atlantic tends to be much busier as they tend to balance out.
Also, water temperatures near the equator in the Pacific are cooling, with a brewing La Nina, which is the flip side of El Niño. Research shows there are usually more Atlantic storms during a La Niña.
Even though studies predict that a warmer world means generally stronger and wetter hurricanes, NOAA’s Mr. Bell and Mr. Emanuel said there are so many complicated factors in an individual season they can’t say either way whether man-made climate change is a factor in active years like 2020.
Mr. Bell said the biggest climatic factor “that dominates the hurricane trend” is a 25-to-40-year natural cycle of busy and weak hurricanes connected to large-scale Atlantic ocean and air patterns. The current active cycle started in 1995 “and we don’t know how long it’s going to last,” Mr. Bell said.
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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--2020-08-07--As relief bill talks stall, Americans ask: Can I pay the rent?

An unemployed makeup artist with two toddlers and a disabled husband needs help with food and rent .
A hotel manager says his unemployment has deepened his anxiety and kept him awake at night .
A dental hygienist , pregnant with her second child , is struggling to afford diapers and formula .
Around the country , across industries and occupations , millions of Americans thrown out of work because of the coronavirus are straining to afford the basics now that an extra $ 600 a week in federal unemployment benefits has expired .
“ My worst nightmare is coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a laid-off recruiter at a New Orleans staffing agency who fears she will be evicted next month without the added help from Washington .
“ Summer 2020 could be next year ’ s horror movie.
” Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are struggling to work out an agreement that would restore some federal jobless aid .
A marathon meeting in the Capitol on Thursday night generated lots of recriminations but little progress on the top issues confronting negotiators .
“ There ’ s a handful of very big issues that we are still very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
He talked of impasses on aid to states and local governments and renewing supplemental unemployment benefits in the Thursday night meetings .
Both sides said the future of the talks is uncertain .
No meeting is scheduled so far for Friday , an informal deadline to reach the broad outlines of an agreement .
Even if they do reach a deal , the amount is likely to be less than $ 600 .
And by the time the money starts flowing , it could be too late for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Members of Congress may have the luxury to come to an agreement this week and vote next week and then roll it out over several weeks , ” said Brian Gallagher , CEO of United Way Worldwide .
“ Families don ’ t have that luxury – they are out of money tomorrow.
” In the meantime , up to 30 million Americans , their jobs lost or income slashed by an outbreak that has paralyzed the economy and killed close to 160,000 people in the United States , are trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits , which on average are less than $ 400 a week .
On Thursday , the government said nearly 1.2 million laid-off Americans applied for unemployment last week .
That is a decline from the previous week .
Still , it was the 20th straight week that at least 1 million people sought jobless aid .
Before the coronavirus , the number had never surpassed 700,000 in a single week .
The rescue package being worked out in Washington would contain more than $ 100 billion to help reopen schools , another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most people , and hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments to help them avoid furloughing workers and cutting services as tax revenues shrivel .
Some Republicans in Congress argue that the extra $ 600 in unemployment benefits is so generous that it is discouraging people from going back to work .
Several university studies have cast doubt on that .
Economists and labor experts say that the benefits certain jobs carry , such as health care , can be enough for people to go back to work even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the makeup artist with two small children , said the $ 600 had been a “ lifeline.
” The Dallas resident was just entering the busy wedding season , when she typically earns the bulk of her income , when the outbreak struck , and she lost her job .
Her state unemployment aid amounts to only about $ 828 a month .
“ I don ’ t know what we ’ re going to do now , ” she said .
Fearing eviction from their home , Ms. Racobs-Ashford and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She worries about taking on a new job that could compromise her family ’ s health .
Jackilyn Lopez of Tucson , Arizona , said the $ 600 had been a “ godsend ” for her family since she lost her job as a hygienist in March , when most dental practices shut down .
She and her husband have an 18-month old daughter , and Ms. Lopez is due to give birth in three weeks .
Her employer has reopened but has yet to recall Ms. Lopez .
She feels fortunate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an assembly worker at a laser manufacturer .
But Ms. Lopez just received her first weekly unemployment check without the $ 600 , and it was only $ 213 .
“ Our groceries are more than that each week , with the diapers and formula , ” she said .
Food banks , pantries , and other safety net organizations report soaring demand from people in need .
Charitable groups worry the problem will worsen with the end of the $ 600 and the expiration of coronavirus-era moratoriums on evictions .
Up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being evicted by the end of September , according to COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project , a coalition of economic researchers and legal experts .
“ We are going to have tens of millions of families not just in desperate need , but they are going to be out of their home , and it ’ s going to be catastrophic , ” the United Way ’ s Gallagher said .
United Way , which runs the 211 network , a service that connects the needy with help , typically receives 11 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it foresees 20 million calls .
The Greater Boston Food Bank , one of the nation ’ s largest food banks and a supplier for hundreds of pantries , soup kitchens , and senior centers , said it is seeing the highest demand in its 40-year history .
Many people are seeking help for the first time .
So far , food banks and pantries that rely heavily on donations say giving has been strong since the outbreak hit .
In Florida , whose tourism industry has been pummeled , John Brenner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager and has been out of work for four months .
Florida ’ s weekly unemployment aid is capped at $ 275 a week , so “ I ’ m quite reliant on that extra $ 600 , ” he said .
“ The anxiety the Senate is giving me isn ’ t helping much , ’ ’ Mr. Brenner said .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writers Andrew Taylor and Christopher Rugabar in Washington ; Candice Choi in New York ; Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tulp , and Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta 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 .

An unemployed makeup artist with two toddlers and a disabled husband needs help with food and rent. A hotel manager says his unemployment has deepened his anxiety and kept him awake at night. A dental hygienist, pregnant with her second child, is struggling to afford diapers and formula.
Around the country, across industries and occupations, millions of Americans thrown out of work because of the coronavirus are straining to afford the basics now that an extra $600 a week in federal unemployment benefits has expired.
“My worst nightmare is coming true,” said Liz Ness, a laid-off recruiter at a New Orleans staffing agency who fears she will be evicted next month without the added help from Washington. “Summer 2020 could be next year’s horror movie.”
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are struggling to work out an agreement that would restore some federal jobless aid. A marathon meeting in the Capitol on Thursday night generated lots of recriminations but little progress on the top issues confronting negotiators. “There’s a handful of very big issues that we are still very far apart” on, said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. He talked of impasses on aid to states and local governments and renewing supplemental unemployment benefits in the Thursday night meetings.
Both sides said the future of the talks is uncertain. No meeting is scheduled so far for Friday, an informal deadline to reach the broad outlines of an agreement. Even if they do reach a deal, the amount is likely to be less than $600. And by the time the money starts flowing, it could be too late for many Americans who are already in dire straits.
“Members of Congress may have the luxury to come to an agreement this week and vote next week and then roll it out over several weeks,” said Brian Gallagher, CEO of United Way Worldwide. “Families don’t have that luxury – they are out of money tomorrow.”
In the meantime, up to 30 million Americans, their jobs lost or income slashed by an outbreak that has paralyzed the economy and killed close to 160,000 people in the United States, are trying to get by solely on state unemployment benefits, which on average are less than $400 a week.
On Thursday, the government said nearly 1.2 million laid-off Americans applied for unemployment last week. That is a decline from the previous week. Still, it was the 20th straight week that at least 1 million people sought jobless aid. Before the coronavirus, the number had never surpassed 700,000 in a single week.
The rescue package being worked out in Washington would contain more than $100 billion to help reopen schools, another round of $1,200 direct payments to most people, and hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments to help them avoid furloughing workers and cutting services as tax revenues shrivel.
Some Republicans in Congress argue that the extra $600 in unemployment benefits is so generous that it is discouraging people from going back to work. Several university studies have cast doubt on that. Economists and labor experts say that the benefits certain jobs carry, such as health care, can be enough for people to go back to work even if the pay is low.
Bethany Racobs-Ashford, the makeup artist with two small children, said the $600 had been a “lifeline.”
The Dallas resident was just entering the busy wedding season, when she typically earns the bulk of her income, when the outbreak struck, and she lost her job. Her state unemployment aid amounts to only about $828 a month.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do now,” she said.
Fearing eviction from their home, Ms. Racobs-Ashford and her family moved in with her mother. She worries about taking on a new job that could compromise her family’s health.
Jackilyn Lopez of Tucson, Arizona, said the $600 had been a “godsend” for her family since she lost her job as a hygienist in March, when most dental practices shut down. She and her husband have an 18-month old daughter, and Ms. Lopez is due to give birth in three weeks.
Her employer has reopened but has yet to recall Ms. Lopez. She feels fortunate that her husband has kept his job as an assembly worker at a laser manufacturer. But Ms. Lopez just received her first weekly unemployment check without the $600, and it was only $213.
“Our groceries are more than that each week, with the diapers and formula,” she said.
Food banks, pantries, and other safety net organizations report soaring demand from people in need. Charitable groups worry the problem will worsen with the end of the $600 and the expiration of coronavirus-era moratoriums on evictions.
Up to 23 million renters nationwide are at risk of being evicted by the end of September, according to COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, a coalition of economic researchers and legal experts.
“We are going to have tens of millions of families not just in desperate need, but they are going to be out of their home, and it’s going to be catastrophic,” the United Way’s Gallagher said.
United Way, which runs the 211 network, a service that connects the needy with help, typically receives 11 million calls a year. This year, it foresees 20 million calls.
The Greater Boston Food Bank, one of the nation’s largest food banks and a supplier for hundreds of pantries, soup kitchens, and senior centers, said it is seeing the highest demand in its 40-year history. Many people are seeking help for the first time.
So far, food banks and pantries that rely heavily on donations say giving has been strong since the outbreak hit.
In Florida, whose tourism industry has been pummeled, John Brenner of Plantation lost his position as a hotel manager and has been out of work for four months. Florida’s weekly unemployment aid is capped at $275 a week, so “I’m quite reliant on that extra $600,” he said.
“The anxiety the Senate is giving me isn’t helping much,’’ Mr. Brenner said.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writers Andrew Taylor and Christopher Rugabar in Washington; Candice Choi in New York; Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Suman Naishadham, Sophia Tulp, and Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta 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--2020-08-07--Life in prison for smashing windows? Utah charges BLM protestors.

Some Black Lives Matter protesters in Salt Lake City could face up to life in prison if they ’ re convicted of splashing red paint and smashing windows during a protest , a potential punishment that stands out among demonstrators arrested around the country and one that critics say doesn ’ t fit the alleged crime .
The felony criminal mischief charges are more serious because they carry a gang enhancement .
Prosecutors said Wednesday that ’ s justified because the protesters worked together to cause thousands of dollars in damage , but watchdogs called the use of the 1990s-era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of criminal justice reform and minority communities .
“ This is so far beyond just the enforcement of the law , it feels retaliatory , ” said Madalena McNeil , who is facing a potential life sentence over felony criminal mischief and riot charges .
Charging documents say she bought red paint at a Home Depot before the July 9 demonstration sparked by a fatal police shooting ruling .
She later yelled at and shifted her weight as if to slam into police during the demonstration , charges state .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just feel so much concern for what this means for the right to protest in general.
” The charges have Democratic leaders at odds in Salt Lake City , the liberal-leaning capital of conservative Utah , with the top county prosecutor arguing vandalism crossed a line and the mayor calling the charges too extreme .
The potential life sentence stands out as harsh punishment even among other people facing felony charges stemming from protests around the country .
In Portland , Oregon , for instance , a man is facing up to 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke into a building that houses the police headquarters and set an office on fire .
The Utah demonstrators are unlikely to serve prison time , said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill .
Though they ’ d get at least five years if convicted as charged , criminal cases often end with a plea to lesser counts .
“ I don ’ t think anyone is going to be going to prison on this , ” he said .
Mr. Gill is a generally reform-minded Democrat who said he has participated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to charge dozens of protesters accused of curfew violations .
Still , he argued “ there ’ s some people who want to engage in protest , but they want to be absolved of any behavior , ” he said .
“ This is not about protest , this is about people who are engaging in criminal conduct.
” But for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah , invoking a law aimed at street gangs is troubling , especially against demonstrators of color .
“ You are calling participants in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jason Groth .
And there are other side effects to criminal charges , he said .
Ms. McNeil tweeted Thursday she was asked resign from her job in the nonprofit sector and all the defendants have to post $ 50,000 bail to get out of jail .
“ This is the highest degree felony .
This is usually reserved for murders and rapists , ” said attorney Brent Huff , who represents co-defendant Madison Alleman .
Another defense attorney Jesse Nix , who represents protester Viviane Turman , questioned whether Mr. Gill should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ No one should get life in prison for putting paint on a building , ” he said .
Mr. Gill countered that short staffing during the coronavirus pandemic necessitated that but others will handle the case going forward .
More than 30 people have been charged with various crimes in Salt Lake County since the national wave of protests over George Floyd ’ s death began in late May .
Similar first-degree felony counts have also been filed against people accused of flipping and burning a police car on May 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement of what constitutes protected First Amendment speech , ” Mr. Gill said .
“ When you cross that threshold , should you be held accountable or not ?
” This story was reported by The Associated Press .
AP writer Jake Bleiberg in Dallas 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 .

Some Black Lives Matter protesters in Salt Lake City could face up to life in prison if they’re convicted of splashing red paint and smashing windows during a protest, a potential punishment that stands out among demonstrators arrested around the country and one that critics say doesn’t fit the alleged crime.
The felony criminal mischief charges are more serious because they carry a gang enhancement. Prosecutors said Wednesday that’s justified because the protesters worked together to cause thousands of dollars in damage, but watchdogs called the use of the 1990s-era law troubling, especially in the context of criminal justice reform and minority communities.
“This is so far beyond just the enforcement of the law, it feels retaliatory,” said Madalena McNeil, who is facing a potential life sentence over felony criminal mischief and riot charges. Charging documents say she bought red paint at a Home Depot before the July 9 demonstration sparked by a fatal police shooting ruling. She later yelled at and shifted her weight as if to slam into police during the demonstration, charges state. “It’s really frustrating and scary ... I just feel so much concern for what this means for the right to protest in general.”
The charges have Democratic leaders at odds in Salt Lake City, the liberal-leaning capital of conservative Utah, with the top county prosecutor arguing vandalism crossed a line and the mayor calling the charges too extreme.
The potential life sentence stands out as harsh punishment even among other people facing felony charges stemming from protests around the country. In Portland, Oregon, for instance, a man is facing up to 20 years on an arson charge alleging he broke into a building that houses the police headquarters and set an office on fire.
The Utah demonstrators are unlikely to serve prison time, said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. Though they’d get at least five years if convicted as charged, criminal cases often end with a plea to lesser counts.
“I don’t think anyone is going to be going to prison on this,” he said. Mr. Gill is a generally reform-minded Democrat who said he has participated in Black Lives Matter protests himself and declined to charge dozens of protesters accused of curfew violations.
Still, he argued “there’s some people who want to engage in protest, but they want to be absolved of any behavior,” he said. “This is not about protest, this is about people who are engaging in criminal conduct.”
But for the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, invoking a law aimed at street gangs is troubling, especially against demonstrators of color. “You are calling participants in a protest gang members,” said attorney Jason Groth.
And there are other side effects to criminal charges, he said. Ms. McNeil tweeted Thursday she was asked resign from her job in the nonprofit sector and all the defendants have to post $50,000 bail to get out of jail.
“This is the highest degree felony. This is usually reserved for murders and rapists,” said attorney Brent Huff, who represents co-defendant Madison Alleman.
Another defense attorney Jesse Nix, who represents protester Viviane Turman, questioned whether Mr. Gill should have filed charges involving his own office. “No one should get life in prison for putting paint on a building,” he said.
Mr. Gill countered that short staffing during the coronavirus pandemic necessitated that but others will handle the case going forward.
More than 30 people have been charged with various crimes in Salt Lake County since the national wave of protests over George Floyd’s death began in late May. Similar first-degree felony counts have also been filed against people accused of flipping and burning a police car on May 30.
“We have to have some agreement of what constitutes protected First Amendment speech,” Mr. Gill said. “When you cross that threshold, should you be held accountable or not?”
This story was reported by The Associated Press. AP writer Jake Bleiberg in Dallas 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--2020-08-07--'We seek to dissolve the NRA': NY attorney general sues NRA

New York ’ s attorney general sued the National Rifle Association on Thursday , seeking to put the powerful gun advocacy organization out of business over allegations that high-ranking executives diverted millions of dollars for lavish personal trips , no-show contracts for associates , and other questionable expenditures .
Attorney General Letitia James ’ lawsuit , filed in state court in Manhattan after an 18-month investigation , highlighted misspending and self-dealing allegations that have roiled the NRA and its longtime leader , Wayne LaPierre , in recent years – from hair and makeup for his wife to a $ 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Washington , D.C. , attorney general sued the NRA Foundation , a charitable arm of the organization designed to provide programs for firearm safety , marksmanship , and hunting safety , accusing it of diverting funds to the NRA to help pay for lavish spending by its top executives .
The troubles , which Ms. James said were long cloaked by loyal lieutenants and a pass-through payment arrangement with a vendor , started to come to light as the NRA ’ s deficit piled up and it struggled to find its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eroded support for its pro-gun agenda .
The organization went from a nearly $ 28 million surplus in 2015 to a $ 36 million deficit in 2018 .
Ms. James , a Democrat , argued that the organization ’ s prominence and cozy political relationships had lulled it into a sense of invincibility and enabled a culture where nonprofit rules were routinely flouted and state and federal laws were violated .
Even the NRA ’ s own bylaws and employee handbook were ignored , she said .
“ The NRA ’ s influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went unchecked for decades while top executives funneled millions into their own pockets , ” Ms. James said in a statement announcing the lawsuit .
“ The NRA is fraught with fraud and abuse , which is why , today , we seek to dissolve the NRA , because no organization is above the law.
” A spokesman for the NRA ’ s legal team had no immediate comment .
Ms. James is taking aim at the NRA after her office last year dismantled President Donald Trump ’ s charitable foundation and fined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he used donations meant for worthy causes to further his own business and political interests .
Though it is headquarters in Virginia , the NRA was chartered as a nonprofit in New York in 1871 and continues to be incorporated in the state .
The Washington , D.C. , attorney general has been investigating the NRA Foundation for more than a year .
It said its investigation determined that low membership and lavish spending left the NRA with financial problems and so it exploited the foundation to remain afloat .
It offered as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the NRA Foundation board approved in 2017 and 2018 despite the NRA ’ s financial problems , and then repeatedly granted requests to extend and modify the loan .
“ Charitable organizations function as public trusts – and District law requires them to use their funds to benefit the public , not to support political campaigns , lobbying , or private interests , ” Washington Attorney General Karl Racine said in a news release .
“ With this lawsuit , we aim to recover donated funds that the NRA Foundation wasted.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LaPierre and three other current and former executives as defendants : corporate secretary and general counsel John Frazer , retired treasurer and chief financial officer Wilson Phillips , and Mr. LaPierre ’ s former chief of staff Joshua Powell .
While the lawsuit accuses all four men of wrongdoing and seeks fines and remuneration , none of them have been charged with a crime .
Mr. LaPierre , who has been in charge of the NRA ’ s day-to-day operations since 1991 , is accused of spending millions of dollars on private travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as African safaris , and use of a 107-foot yacht from vendors and setting himself up with a $ 17 million contract with the NRA , if he were to exit the organization , without board approval .
The lawsuit said Mr. LaPierre spent millions of the NRA ’ s dollars on travel consultants , including luxury black car services , and hundreds of thousands of dollars on private jet flights for himself and his family , including more than $ 500,000 on eight trips to the Bahamas over a three-year span @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excess spending was kept secret , the lawsuit said , under an arrangement with the organization ’ s former advertising agency , Ackerman McQueen .
The advertising firm would pick up the tab for various expenses for Mr. LaPierre and other NRA executives and then send a lump sum bill to the organization for “ out-of-pocket expenses , ” the lawsuit said .
Mr. Frazer , the corporate secretary and general counsel , is accused of aiding the alleged misconduct by certifying false or misleading annual regulatory filings , failing to comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict of interest policy , and failing to ensure that board members were reviewing transactions or that the organization was following the law .
Mr. Phillips is accused of overseeing the pass-through arrangement .
The lawsuit said he ignored or downplayed whistleblower complaints and made a deal to enrich himself in retirement – a bogus $ 1.8 million contract to consult for the incoming treasurer and a deal worth $ 1 million for his girlfriend .
Mr. Powell , the former LaPierre chief of staff , is accused of getting his father a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vendor , arranging a $ 5 million contract for a consulting firm where his wife worked , and pocketing $ 100,000 more in housing and relocation reimbursements than the organization ’ s rules allowed .
He was fired after 3½ years for allegedly misappropriating NRA funds .
The lawsuit comes at a time when the NRA is trying to remain relevant and a force in the 2020 presidential election as it seeks to help President Donald Trump secure a second term .
There has been an ongoing factional war within organization , pitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and loyalists against one another .
The NRA has traded lawsuits with Ackerman McQueen , which crafted some of its most prominent messages for decades , eventually severing ties with it last year and scrapping its controversial NRA-TV , which aired many of its most controversial messages .
The internal battles reached a fevered pitch at its 2019 annual meeting where its then-president , Oliver North , was denied a traditional second term amid a tussle with Mr. LaPierre as he sought to independently review the NRA ’ s expenses and operations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dictatorial ” control .
Chris Cox , the NRA ’ s longtime lobbyist and widely viewed as a likely successor to Mr. LaPierre , left after being accused of working behind the scenes with Mr. North to undermine Mr. LaPierre .
This story was reported by The Associated Press .
Tom Hays also contributed from New York .
Editor ’ s note : As a public service , the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage .
It ’ s free .

Michael R. Sisak, Larry Neumeister, and Lisa Marie Pane

New York’s attorney general sued the National Rifle Association on Thursday, seeking to put the powerful gun advocacy organization out of business over allegations that high-ranking executives diverted millions of dollars for lavish personal trips, no-show contracts for associates, and other questionable expenditures.
Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit, filed in state court in Manhattan after an 18-month investigation, highlighted misspending and self-dealing allegations that have roiled the NRA and its longtime leader, Wayne LaPierre, in recent years – from hair and makeup for his wife to a $17 million post-employment contract for himself.
Simultaneously, the Washington, D.C., attorney general sued the NRA Foundation, a charitable arm of the organization designed to provide programs for firearm safety, marksmanship, and hunting safety, accusing it of diverting funds to the NRA to help pay for lavish spending by its top executives.
The troubles, which Ms. James said were long cloaked by loyal lieutenants and a pass-through payment arrangement with a vendor, started to come to light as the NRA’s deficit piled up and it struggled to find its footing after a spate of mass shootings eroded support for its pro-gun agenda. The organization went from a nearly $28 million surplus in 2015 to a $36 million deficit in 2018.
Ms. James, a Democrat, argued that the organization’s prominence and cozy political relationships had lulled it into a sense of invincibility and enabled a culture where nonprofit rules were routinely flouted and state and federal laws were violated. Even the NRA’s own bylaws and employee handbook were ignored, she said.
“The NRA’s influence has been so powerful that the organization went unchecked for decades while top executives funneled millions into their own pockets,” Ms. James said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. “The NRA is fraught with fraud and abuse, which is why, today, we seek to dissolve the NRA, because no organization is above the law.”
A spokesman for the NRA’s legal team had no immediate comment.
Ms. James is taking aim at the NRA after her office last year dismantled President Donald Trump’s charitable foundation and fined him $2 million to settle allegations he used donations meant for worthy causes to further his own business and political interests. Though it is headquarters in Virginia, the NRA was chartered as a nonprofit in New York in 1871 and continues to be incorporated in the state.
The Washington, D.C., attorney general has been investigating the NRA Foundation for more than a year. It said its investigation determined that low membership and lavish spending left the NRA with financial problems and so it exploited the foundation to remain afloat. It offered as an example two $5 million loans that the NRA Foundation board approved in 2017 and 2018 despite the NRA’s financial problems, and then repeatedly granted requests to extend and modify the loan.
“Charitable organizations function as public trusts – and District law requires them to use their funds to benefit the public, not to support political campaigns, lobbying, or private interests,” Washington Attorney General Karl Racine said in a news release. “With this lawsuit, we aim to recover donated funds that the NRA Foundation wasted.”
The New York lawsuit also named Mr. LaPierre and three other current and former executives as defendants: corporate secretary and general counsel John Frazer, retired treasurer and chief financial officer Wilson Phillips, and Mr. LaPierre’s former chief of staff Joshua Powell. While the lawsuit accuses all four men of wrongdoing and seeks fines and remuneration, none of them have been charged with a crime.
Mr. LaPierre, who has been in charge of the NRA’s day-to-day operations since 1991, is accused of spending millions of dollars on private travel and personal security, accepting expensive gifts such as African safaris, and use of a 107-foot yacht from vendors and setting himself up with a $17 million contract with the NRA, if he were to exit the organization, without board approval.
The lawsuit said Mr. LaPierre spent millions of the NRA’s dollars on travel consultants, including luxury black car services, and hundreds of thousands of dollars on private jet flights for himself and his family, including more than $500,000 on eight trips to the Bahamas over a three-year span.
Some of the NRA’s excess spending was kept secret, the lawsuit said, under an arrangement with the organization’s former advertising agency, Ackerman McQueen.
The advertising firm would pick up the tab for various expenses for Mr. LaPierre and other NRA executives and then send a lump sum bill to the organization for “out-of-pocket expenses,” the lawsuit said.
Mr. Frazer, the corporate secretary and general counsel, is accused of aiding the alleged misconduct by certifying false or misleading annual regulatory filings, failing to comply with governance procedures, failing to enforce a conflict of interest policy, and failing to ensure that board members were reviewing transactions or that the organization was following the law.
Mr. Phillips is accused of overseeing the pass-through arrangement. The lawsuit said he ignored or downplayed whistleblower complaints and made a deal to enrich himself in retirement – a bogus $1.8 million contract to consult for the incoming treasurer and a deal worth $1 million for his girlfriend.
Mr. Powell, the former LaPierre chief of staff, is accused of getting his father a $90,000 photography gig through an NRA vendor, arranging a $5 million contract for a consulting firm where his wife worked, and pocketing $100,000 more in housing and relocation reimbursements than the organization’s rules allowed. He was fired after 3½ years for allegedly misappropriating NRA funds.
The lawsuit comes at a time when the NRA is trying to remain relevant and a force in the 2020 presidential election as it seeks to help President Donald Trump secure a second term.
There has been an ongoing factional war within organization, pitting some of its most ardent gun-rights supporters and loyalists against one another. The NRA has traded lawsuits with Ackerman McQueen, which crafted some of its most prominent messages for decades, eventually severing ties with it last year and scrapping its controversial NRA-TV, which aired many of its most controversial messages.
The internal battles reached a fevered pitch at its 2019 annual meeting where its then-president, Oliver North, was denied a traditional second term amid a tussle with Mr. LaPierre as he sought to independently review the NRA’s expenses and operations. He accused Mr. LaPierre of exerting “dictatorial” control.
Chris Cox, the NRA’s longtime lobbyist and widely viewed as a likely successor to Mr. LaPierre, left after being accused of working behind the scenes with Mr. North to undermine Mr. LaPierre.
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This story was reported by The Associated Press. Tom Hays also contributed from New York.
Editor’s note: As a public service, the Monitor has removed the paywall for all our coronavirus coverage. It’s free.


csmonitor--2020-08-07--Mary Baker Eddy founded a religion with equality at its core

Mrs. Eddy ’ s public support of women ’ s empowerment , as well as her many achievements , contributed to the battle for women ’ s rights , though Mrs. Eddy did not associate herself with the suffrage movement .
She is recognized as the founder of a global Christian denomination with equal roles for women and men .
Feminist scholar Susan Lindley remarked on Mrs. Eddy ’ s “ example for other women of one who had broken with cultural limitations on female achievement.
” She published “ Science and Health , with Key to the Scriptures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in 1875 , and founded The Church of Christ , Scientist , in 1879 to “ reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.
” She also started The Christian Science Publishing Society , which produces numerous religious publications as well as the Monitor .
Many people of her day considered Mary Baker Eddy ’ s approach to Christianity as breathtakingly expansive .
Others rejected her ideas because she was a woman , and some because her theology was unconventional , even radical – for example , her theological position that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as masculine .
Think of it for a moment : The story you are reading right now exists because of a woman who wasn ’ t even allowed to vote .
Voting was only one of the ways American women were denied a voice in the 19th century .
So how did a farm girl from New Hampshire come to be considered one of the most influential , accomplished , and controversial women of her era ?
Or , as biographer Gillian Gill noted in a talk , “ What other woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority ... that she could – essentially by the stroke of a pen – decree that a new daily newspaper ... should forthwith come into existence and should be called The Christian Science Monitor ?
” At a time when few women spoke in public , much less encroached upon all-male clerical territory , Mary Baker Eddy ’ s voice was prominent .
Besides founding the Monitor , Mrs. Eddy is best known for establishing the Christian Science Church and the religion behind it .
She published its textbook and her most significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Key to the Scriptures , ” in 1875 , and it became a bestseller .
She gave public talks that , eventually , attracted thousands .
She wrote articles on issues of the day .
Later in life , her every statement and activity were covered by the media .
Scholar Rosemary R. Hicks Corbett , in the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion , wrote that Mrs. Eddy “ participated in enlarging the place of women in ... the male-dominated ‘ public ’ sector.
” Born in 1821 and raised in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a deeply spiritual thinker and seeker , willing to challenge convention .
A turning point came in 1866 , when , walking to a meeting of temperance activists , Mrs. Eddy fell on an icy sidewalk in Lynn , Massachusetts , badly injuring herself .
After three days of suffering , she asked to be left alone , and turned to her Bible .
Pondering one of Jesus ’ healings , she had a flash of insight into the relationship of spiritual understanding to health .
She was suddenly well .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healed , and closeted herself away for years to pray , write , and test her ideas about a scientific system of healing prayer that all could use and understand .
Many people saw her approach to Christianity as breathtakingly expansive , but others found the ideas objectionable : some , simply because she was a woman ; others , because her theology was unconventional , even radical – for example , her theological position that the God of Christianity is feminine as well as masculine .
She founded The Church of Christ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wrote , “ reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.
” Indeed , notes American religions scholar John K. Simmons , healing , “ of both sin and sickness , became a focus of the religion , a practical manifestation of the change in thinking from the material to the spiritual.
” The movement she started grew rapidly .
She started The Christian Science Publishing Society , which produces numerous religious publications as well as the Monitor .
As her prominence grew , Mrs. Eddy came under scrutiny , moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Human Life magazine put it in 1907 , “ the most famous , interesting and powerful woman in America , if not in the world , today.
” Dr. Corbett writes that Mrs. Eddy ’ s public support of women ’ s empowerment , as well as her many achievements , contributed to the battle for women ’ s rights , though Mrs. Eddy did not associate herself with the suffrage movement .
Mrs. Eddy is recognized as the founder of a global Christian denomination with equality at its core .
Feminist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ example for other women of one who had broken with cultural limitations on female achievement.
” Mrs. Eddy has left her mark on women ’ s leadership : • In 1992 , the Women ’ s National Book Association named Science and Health as one of 75 books written by women whose words have changed the world .
• Mrs. Eddy is one of only eight women on The Atlantic ’ s 2006 list of “ The 100 Most Influential Figures in American History.
” • She was on Smithsonian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ 100 Most Significant Americans of All Time.
” When Mrs. Eddy was elected to the National Women ’ s Hall of Fame in 1995 , she was recognized for being “ the only American woman to found a lasting American-based denomination.
” In a nod to the broader sweep of her impact , the Hall of Fame statement noted how she “ emerged from obscurity to make an indelible mark on religion , medicine , and journalism.
” Karla Vallance is author of the forthcoming book “ A Changed Life : The @ @ @ @ @ @

The founder of the Christian Science Church, and of the Monitor, was a woman ahead of her time. As The Monitor marks 100 years of women's right to vote, we reflect on her leadership, which enabled others to break through societal and religious limitations.
Mrs. Eddy’s public support of women’s empowerment, as well as her many achievements, contributed to the battle for women’s rights, though Mrs. Eddy did not associate herself with the suffrage movement. She is recognized as the founder of a global Christian denomination with equal roles for women and men. Feminist scholar Susan Lindley remarked on Mrs. Eddy’s “example for other women of one who had broken with cultural limitations on female achievement.”
She published “Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures,” the central text of Christian Science, in 1875, and founded The Church of Christ, Scientist, in 1879 to “reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” She also started The Christian Science Publishing Society, which produces numerous religious publications as well as the Monitor.
Many people of her day considered Mary Baker Eddy’s approach to Christianity as breathtakingly expansive. Others rejected her ideas because she was a woman, and some because her theology was unconventional, even radical – for example, her theological position that the God of Christianity is feminine as well as masculine.
Think of it for a moment: The story you are reading right now exists because of a woman who wasn’t even allowed to vote.
Voting was only one of the ways American women were denied a voice in the 19th century. So how did a farm girl from New Hampshire come to be considered one of the most influential, accomplished, and controversial women of her era? Or, as biographer Gillian Gill noted in a talk, “What other woman in American history has ... achieved enough authority ... that she could – essentially by the stroke of a pen – decree that a new daily newspaper ... should forthwith come into existence and should be called The Christian Science Monitor?”
At a time when few women spoke in public, much less encroached upon all-male clerical territory, Mary Baker Eddy’s voice was prominent. Besides founding the Monitor, Mrs. Eddy is best known for establishing the Christian Science Church and the religion behind it. She published its textbook and her most significant work, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” in 1875, and it became a bestseller. She gave public talks that, eventually, attracted thousands. She wrote articles on issues of the day. Later in life, her every statement and activity were covered by the media. Scholar Rosemary R. Hicks Corbett, in the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion, wrote that Mrs. Eddy “participated in enlarging the place of women in ... the male-dominated ‘public’ sector.”
Why We Wrote This The founder of the Christian Science Church, and of the Monitor, was a woman ahead of her time. As The Monitor marks 100 years of women's right to vote, we reflect on her leadership, which enabled others to break through societal and religious limitations.
Born in 1821 and raised in the Congregational Church, Mrs. Eddy had long been a deeply spiritual thinker and seeker, willing to challenge convention. A turning point came in 1866, when, walking to a meeting of temperance activists, Mrs. Eddy fell on an icy sidewalk in Lynn, Massachusetts, badly injuring herself. After three days of suffering, she asked to be left alone, and turned to her Bible. Pondering one of Jesus’ healings, she had a flash of insight into the relationship of spiritual understanding to health. She was suddenly well.
She sought to understand how she had been healed, and closeted herself away for years to pray, write, and test her ideas about a scientific system of healing prayer that all could use and understand. Many people saw her approach to Christianity as breathtakingly expansive, but others found the ideas objectionable: some, simply because she was a woman; others, because her theology was unconventional, even radical – for example, her theological position that the God of Christianity is feminine as well as masculine.
She founded The Church of Christ, Scientist, in 1879 to, she wrote, “reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” Indeed, notes American religions scholar John K. Simmons, healing, “of both sin and sickness, became a focus of the religion, a practical manifestation of the change in thinking from the material to the spiritual.” The movement she started grew rapidly. She started The Christian Science Publishing Society, which produces numerous religious publications as well as the Monitor.
As her prominence grew, Mrs. Eddy came under scrutiny, moving from a once-impoverished outcast to become, as Human Life magazine put it in 1907, “the most famous, interesting and powerful woman in America, if not in the world, today.”
Dr. Corbett writes that Mrs. Eddy’s public support of women’s empowerment, as well as her many achievements, contributed to the battle for women’s rights, though Mrs. Eddy did not associate herself with the suffrage movement. Mrs. Eddy is recognized as the founder of a global Christian denomination with equality at its core. Feminist scholar Susan Lindley remarked on
Mrs. Eddy’s “example for other women of one who had broken with cultural limitations on female achievement.”
Mrs. Eddy has left her mark on women’s leadership:
In 1992, the Women’s National Book Association named Science and Health as one of 75 books written by women whose words have changed the world.
Mrs. Eddy is one of only eight women on The Atlantic’s 2006 list of “The 100 Most Influential Figures in American History.”
She was on Smithsonian Magazine’s 2014 list of the “100 Most Significant Americans of All Time.”
When Mrs. Eddy was elected to the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1995, she was recognized for being “the only American woman to found a lasting American-based denomination.”
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In a nod to the broader sweep of her impact, the Hall of Fame statement noted how she “emerged from obscurity to make an indelible mark on religion, medicine, and journalism.”
Karla Vallance is author of the forthcoming book “A Changed Life: The Mary Baker Eddy Story.”


csmonitor--2020-08-09--Chitchatting in the age of Zoom

Chitchatting in the age of Zoom

It was 9:27 a.m. , three minutes until the Monitor-wide , daily Zoom meeting .
I ’ d been trying to log in early to these , hoping to promote the kind of nondirected conversation ( read : “ chitchat ” ) that can be so valuable and yet is so lacking in this work-from-home era .
The first few people to come online for a teleconference feel free to greet and talk with one another .
As more people join , the conversation slows .
By the time the 12th or 13th person arrives , talk ceases .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes from our bedrooms , kitchens , and living rooms until the meeting host arrives .
I value , and miss , nondirected conversations .
A lot of good ideas can come from them .
They strengthen friendships and build teams .
As editor of the Monitor Weekly , I chose to hand-deliver copies of the magazine to my colleagues in the newsroom when the box of issues arrived .
Sometimes I ’ d be placing a magazine on an empty desk .
But sometimes it was an occasion to compliment writers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom I didn ’ t usually interact , or even stop and – if it seemed OK to interrupt – ask how it was going , what they were up to .
Sometimes I ’ d float an idea : “ What if we used the inside front and back covers of the Weekly to create a poster ?
” “ What do you think about maybe bringing back the Op-Ed section ?
” “ What if we did an entire issue as a comic book ?
” ( Don ’ t worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one as soon as I heard myself say it out loud . )
Communication is so deliberate now .
My eldest son works in business development for a global entrepreneur .
He has a remote team – made even more so now , with no one in his office .
I asked him how he handles chitchat .
My son noted that he has more excuses to tack casual conversations onto regular one-on-one check-in calls .
But when I pressed him he had a suggestion : You might try this team-building exercise I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trips , he said .
I logged into the Monitor ’ s daily Zoom meeting and waited .
Three others joined me : an intern , a photographer , and a graphic designer .
We started chatting .
It was taking a while for others to show up .
That ’ s because , one of us discovered , the meeting had been canceled .
I suddenly had an idea .
Before we go , I said , may I try something ?
“ Rose , thorn , bud ” is my son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re happy about ( rose ) , something that bothers you ( thorn ) , and something you ’ re looking forward to ( bud ) .
After some cajoling on my part , we began .
To all our surprise , three of us had the same thorn and rose : The thorn was the burden of living with the pandemic and all its uncertainty , restrictions , and frustration .
And the rose ?
Being at home with spouses , children , parents .
Two sides of the COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was unexpected , reassuring , unifying .
And it ’ s why I ’ ve strengthened my resolve to show up at Zoom meetings just a little early .
Even if it turns out there isn ’ t one .

It was 9:27 a.m., three minutes until the Monitor-wide, daily Zoom meeting. I’d been trying to log in early to these, hoping to promote the kind of nondirected conversation (read: “chitchat”) that can be so valuable and yet is so lacking in this work-from-home era.
The first few people to come online for a teleconference feel free to greet and talk with one another. As more people join, the conversation slows. By the time the 12th or 13th person arrives, talk ceases. Instead we stare into one another’s eyes from our bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms until the meeting host arrives.
I value, and miss, nondirected conversations. A lot of good ideas can come from them. They strengthen friendships and build teams. As editor of the Monitor Weekly, I chose to hand-deliver copies of the magazine to my colleagues in the newsroom when the box of issues arrived. Sometimes I’d be placing a magazine on an empty desk. But sometimes it was an occasion to compliment writers on their stories, talk with people with whom I didn’t usually interact, or even stop and – if it seemed OK to interrupt – ask how it was going, what they were up to. Sometimes I’d float an idea: “What if we used the inside front and back covers of the Weekly to create a poster?” “What do you think about maybe bringing back the Op-Ed section?” “What if we did an entire issue as a comic book?” (Don’t worry: I realized the folly of that one as soon as I heard myself say it out loud.) Communication is so deliberate now.
My eldest son works in business development for a global entrepreneur. He has a remote team – made even more so now, with no one in his office. I asked him how he handles chitchat.
My son noted that he has more excuses to tack casual conversations onto regular one-on-one check-in calls. But when I pressed him he had a suggestion: You might try this team-building exercise I used when I led those long bike-camping trips, he said.
I logged into the Monitor’s daily Zoom meeting and waited. Three others joined me: an intern, a photographer, and a graphic designer. We started chatting. It was taking a while for others to show up. That’s because, one of us discovered, the meeting had been canceled. I suddenly had an idea. Before we go, I said, may I try something? “Rose, thorn, bud” is my son’s bike-trip exercise: Tell something you’re happy about (rose), something that bothers you (thorn), and something you’re looking forward to (bud).
After some cajoling on my part, we began. To all our surprise, three of us had the same thorn and rose: The thorn was the burden of living with the pandemic and all its uncertainty, restrictions, and frustration. And the rose? Being at home with spouses, children, parents. Two sides of the COVID-19 crisis loomed equally large in our minds. It was unexpected, reassuring, unifying.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
It was a moment.
And it’s why I’ve strengthened my resolve to show up at Zoom meetings just a little early. Even if it turns out there isn’t one.


csmonitor--2020-08-08--Trump signs orders aiding economy, asserting power to bypass Congress

Seizing the power of his podium and his pen , President Donald Trump on Saturday bypassed the nation 's lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and replace an expired unemployment benefit with a lower amount after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed .
At his private country club in Bedminster , New Jersey , Trump signed executive orders to act where Congress has n't .
Not only has the pandemic undermined the economy and upended American lives , it has imperiled the president 's November reelection .
Perhaps most crucially , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak .
However , his order called for up to $ 400 payments each week , one-third less than the $ 600 people had been receiving .
How many people would receive the benefit and how long it might take to arrive were open questions .
Congress had allowed the higher payments to lapse on Aug. 1 , and negotiations to extend them were mired in partisan gridlock , with the White House and Democrats miles apart .
Editor ’ s note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our coronavirus coverage is free .
No paywall .
The Democratic congressional leaders , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , dismissed Trump 's actions as “ meager ” in the face of economic and health crises facing Americans .
Trump 's Democratic opponent in the presidential race , Joe Biden , said the president had issued “ a series of half-baked measures '' and accused him of putting Social Security at risk .
The executive orders could face legal challenges questioning the president 's authority to spend taxpayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump had largely stayed on the sidelines during the administration ’ s negotiations with congressional leaders , leaving the talks on his side to chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
Trump ’ s embrace of executive actions to sidestep Congress ran in sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama ’ s use of executive orders on a more limited basis .
And the president ’ s step-back from talks with Congress broke with his self-assured negotiating skills .
Trump , who has not spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play the role of election-year savior , with the $ 400 weekly assistance , as well as a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on some evictions during the crisis .
“ It 's $ 400 a week , and we 're doing it without the Democrats , ” Trump said , asking states to cover 25 % of the cost .
Trump is seeking to set aside $ 44 billion in previously approved disaster aid to help states maintain supplemental pandemic jobless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be up to states to determine how much , if any of it , to fund , so the benefits could be smaller still .
Many states already faced budget shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic and would have difficulty assuming the new obligation .
The previous unemployment benefit was fully funded by Washington .
Democrats had said they would lower their spending demands from $ 3.4 trillion to $ 2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase its offer .
Republicans had proposed a $ 1 trillion plan .
White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with apprehension , fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down .
Friday ’ s jobs report , though it beat expectations , was smaller than the past two months , in part because a resurgence of the virus led to states rolling back their reopenings .
The president ’ s team believes the economy needs to stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at winning reelection .
Aides were hoping to frame the executive orders as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a time of crisis .
But it also would reinforce the view that the president , who took office declaring he was a dealmaker , was unable to steer the process to an agreement .
Trump said Saturday the orders “ will take care of pretty much this entire situation , as we know it.
” But they are far smaller in scope than congressional legislation , and even aides acknowledged they did n't meet all needs .
“ This is not a perfect answer — we ’ ll be the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Friday as talks broke down and executive orders seemed a certainty .
“ It 's all that we can do and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power.
” Trump said the employee portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year .
The move would not directly aid unemployed workers , who do not pay the tax when they are jobless , and employees would need to repay the federal government eventually without an act of Congress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest-free loan that would have to be repaid .
Trump said he ’ ll try to get lawmakers to extend it , and the timing would line up with a post-election lame-duck session in which Congress will try to pass government funding bills .
“ If I win , I may extend and terminate , ” Trump said , repeating a longtime goal but remaining silent on how he 'd fund the Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7 % tax on employee income covers .
Employers also pay 7.65 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , issued a statement saying he supported Trump “ exploring his options to get unemployment benefits and other relief to the people who need them the most.
” Like Trump , McConnell accused Democrats of using the coronavirus package negotiations to pursue other goals .
Democrats said they were not favorably impressed by Trump 's orders .
In a joint statement , Pelosi and Schumer said that “ these policy announcements provide little real help to families . ''
They added : “ Democrats repeat our call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , meet us halfway and work together to deliver immediate relief to the American people .
Lives are being lost , and time is of the essence.
” Playing off Trump 's reputation as a dealmaker , Biden said : “ This is no art of the deal .
This is not presidential leadership .
These orders are not real solutions .
They are just another cynical ploy designed to deflect responsibility .
Some measures do far more harm than good.
” The Democratic chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , accused Trump of “ brazenly circumventing Congress to institute tax policy that destabilizes Social Security.
” He also cited a threat to Medicare funding .
With no deal in sight , lawmakers went home on instructions to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement .
A stalemate that could stretch well into August and even September was possible , casting doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill .
Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and cause further damage to the economy .
Schumer said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi to curb Democratic demands by about $ 1 trillion .
Schumer urged the White House to “ negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle .
Don ’ t say it ’ s your way or no way.
” The breakdown in negotiations over the last several days was particularly distressing for schools trying to reopen .
But other priorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of $ 1,200 direct payments to most people , a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service and money to help states hold elections in November .
Senate Republicans were split , with roughly half of McConnell 's rank and file opposed to another rescue bill .
Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report .

Seizing the power of his podium and his pen, President Donald Trump on Saturday bypassed the nation's lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and replace an expired unemployment benefit with a lower amount after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed.
At his private country club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump signed executive orders to act where Congress hasn't. Not only has the pandemic undermined the economy and upended American lives, it has imperiled the president's November reelection.
Perhaps most crucially, Trump moved to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak. However, his order called for up to $400 payments each week, one-third less than the $600 people had been receiving. How many people would receive the benefit and how long it might take to arrive were open questions.
Congress had allowed the higher payments to lapse on Aug. 1, and negotiations to extend them were mired in partisan gridlock, with the White House and Democrats miles apart.
Editor’s note: As a public service, all our coronavirus coverage is free. No paywall.
The Democratic congressional leaders, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, dismissed Trump's actions as “meager” in the face of economic and health crises facing Americans. Trump's Democratic opponent in the presidential race, Joe Biden, said the president had issued “a series of half-baked measures" and accused him of putting Social Security at risk.
The executive orders could face legal challenges questioning the president's authority to spend taxpayer dollars without the express approval of Congress. Trump had largely stayed on the sidelines during the administration’s negotiations with congressional leaders, leaving the talks on his side to chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Trump’s embrace of executive actions to sidestep Congress ran in sharp contrast to his criticism of former President Barack Obama’s use of executive orders on a more limited basis. And the president’s step-back from talks with Congress broke with his self-assured negotiating skills.
Trump, who has not spoken with Pelosi since last year, sought to play the role of election-year savior, with the $400 weekly assistance, as well as a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and the continuation of a freeze on some evictions during the crisis.
“It's $400 a week, and we're doing it without the Democrats,” Trump said, asking states to cover 25% of the cost. Trump is seeking to set aside $44 billion in previously approved disaster aid to help states maintain supplemental pandemic jobless benefits, but Trump said it would be up to states to determine how much, if any of it, to fund, so the benefits could be smaller still.
Many states already faced budget shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic and would have difficulty assuming the new obligation. The previous unemployment benefit was fully funded by Washington.
Democrats had said they would lower their spending demands from $3.4 trillion to $2 trillion but said the White House needed to increase its offer. Republicans had proposed a $1 trillion plan.
White House aides watched the talks break down with apprehension, fearful that failure to close a deal could further damage an economic recovery already showing signs of slowing down. Friday’s jobs report, though it beat expectations, was smaller than the past two months, in part because a resurgence of the virus led to states rolling back their reopenings.
The president’s team believes the economy needs to stabilize and show signs of growth for him to have any chance at winning reelection. Aides were hoping to frame the executive orders as a sign that Trump was taking action in a time of crisis. But it also would reinforce the view that the president, who took office declaring he was a dealmaker, was unable to steer the process to an agreement.
Trump said Saturday the orders “will take care of pretty much this entire situation, as we know it.” But they are far smaller in scope than congressional legislation, and even aides acknowledged they didn't meet all needs.
“This is not a perfect answer — we’ll be the first ones to say that,” Meadows said Friday as talks broke down and executive orders seemed a certainty. “It's all that we can do and all the president can do within the confines of his executive power.”
Trump said the employee portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year. The move would not directly aid unemployed workers, who do not pay the tax when they are jobless, and employees would need to repay the federal government eventually without an act of Congress.
In essence, the deferral is an interest-free loan that would have to be repaid. Trump said he’ll try to get lawmakers to extend it, and the timing would line up with a post-election lame-duck session in which Congress will try to pass government funding bills.
“If I win, I may extend and terminate,” Trump said, repeating a longtime goal but remaining silent on how he'd fund the Medicare and Social Security benefits that the 7% tax on employee income covers. Employers also pay 7.65% of their payrolls into the funds.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., issued a statement saying he supported Trump “exploring his options to get unemployment benefits and other relief to the people who need them the most.” Like Trump, McConnell accused Democrats of using the coronavirus package negotiations to pursue other goals.
Democrats said they were not favorably impressed by Trump's orders. In a joint statement, Pelosi and Schumer said that “these policy announcements provide little real help to families." They added: “Democrats repeat our call to Republicans to return to the table, meet us halfway and work together to deliver immediate relief to the American people. Lives are being lost, and time is of the essence.”
Playing off Trump's reputation as a dealmaker, Biden said: “This is no art of the deal. This is not presidential leadership. These orders are not real solutions. They are just another cynical ploy designed to deflect responsibility. Some measures do far more harm than good.”
The Democratic chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts, accused Trump of “brazenly circumventing Congress to institute tax policy that destabilizes Social Security.” He also cited a threat to Medicare funding.
With no deal in sight, lawmakers went home on instructions to be ready to return for a vote on an agreement. A stalemate that could stretch well into August and even September was possible, casting doubt on the ability of the Trump administration and Democrats to come together on a fifth COVID-19 response bill.
Often an impasse in Washington is of little consequence for the public — but this would mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and cause further damage to the economy.
Schumer said the White House had rejected an offer by Pelosi to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. Schumer urged the White House to “negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don’t say it’s your way or no way.”
The breakdown in negotiations over the last several days was particularly distressing for schools trying to reopen. But other priorities were also languishing, including a fresh round of $1,200 direct payments to most people, a cash infusion for the struggling Postal Service and money to help states hold elections in November.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Senate Republicans were split, with roughly half of McConnell's rank and file opposed to another rescue bill.
Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report.