cnbc--2020-12-18--Prosecutors say no bail stiff enough for Ghislaine Maxwell, accused Jeffrey Epstein madam

Ghislaine Maxwell appears via video link during her arraignment hearing where she was denied bail for her role aiding Jeffrey Epstein to recruit and eventually abuse of minor girls , in Manhattan Federal Court , in New York , July 14 , 2020 in this courtroom sketch .
Federal prosecutors on Friday urged a judge to reject a new bail request by Ghislaine Maxwell , saying there are no conditions that can ensure that the British socialite will not flee to avoid trial for allegedly abetting Jeffrey Epstein 's sexual abuse of children .
`` The defendant poses an extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Manhattan federal court filing submitted days after Maxwell proposed being freed from a Brooklyn federal jail on $ 28.5 million bail .
`` The offense conduct outlined in the Indictment remains incredibly serious , the evidence against the defendant remains strong , and the defendant continues to have extensive financial resources and foreign ties , as well as the demonstrated ability to live in hiding for the long term , '' prosecutors wrote .
The filing includes a letter that includes a statement from Annie Farmer , a woman who says both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Farmer wrote that she did not believe that she or `` any of the women [ Maxwell ] exploited will see justice if she is released on bail . ''
`` She has lived a life of privilege , abusing her position of power to live beyond the rules .
Fleeing the country in order to escape once more would fit with her long history of anti-social behavior , '' Farmer wrote .
Judge Alison Nathan rejected Maxwell 's first bid for bail after she was arrested in July on charges that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later were abused by the late money manager Epstein , a former boyfriend of hers .
Nathan at the time said she represented an extreme flight risk because of her holding citizenship in France and Britain and her significant wealth .
In her new bail request , Maxwell asked to be released on a bail package that would be secured by $ 22.5 million personal recognizance bond , equivalent to the value of her and her husband 's declared assets , and millions more pledged from seven relatives and close friends .
Maxwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she stays in a New York City residence and that she be monitored with an electronic device .
`` Ms. Maxwell vehemently maintains her innocence and is committed to defending herself , '' her lawyers wrote .
`` She wants nothing more than to remain in this country to fight the allegations against her , which are based on the uncorroborated testimony of a handful of witnesses about events that took place over 25 years ago . ''
Prosecutors in their filing Friday said that Maxwell 's new bail request largely `` rehashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her first bail application was rejected .
And prosecutors said her offer to effectively waive extradition from France in the event that she skipped bail was not worth any weight because the French Ministry of Justice has reiterated to prosecutors that the nation does not extradite its citizens for criminal prosecution .
The filing also noted that while Maxwell 's bail motion `` now claims that her marriage would keep in her the United States , her motion does not address the plainly inconsistent statements she made to Pretrial Services at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she was `` 'in the process of divorcing her husband . '
'' `` Accordingly , the defendant 's foreign ties , wealth , and skill at avoiding detection continue to weigh in favor of detention , '' prosecutors wrote .
Epstein , 66 , died in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail from what officials have ruled was a suicide by hanging .
He had been arrested the prior month on federal child sex-trafficking charges .
Epstein was a former friend of Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Ghislaine Maxwell appears via video link during her arraignment hearing where she was denied bail for her role aiding Jeffrey Epstein to recruit and eventually abuse of minor girls, in Manhattan Federal Court, in New York, July 14, 2020 in this courtroom sketch.
Federal prosecutors on Friday urged a judge to reject a new bail request by Ghislaine Maxwell, saying there are no conditions that can ensure that the British socialite will not flee to avoid trial for allegedly abetting Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of children.
"The defendant poses an extreme flight risk," prosecutors wrote in a Manhattan federal court filing submitted days after Maxwell proposed being freed from a Brooklyn federal jail on $28.5 million bail.
"The offense conduct outlined in the Indictment remains incredibly serious, the evidence against the defendant remains strong, and the defendant continues to have extensive financial resources and foreign ties, as well as the demonstrated ability to live in hiding for the long term," prosecutors wrote.
The filing includes a letter that includes a statement from Annie Farmer, a woman who says both Maxwell and Epstein sexually abused her.
Farmer wrote that she did not believe that she or "any of the women [Maxwell] exploited will see justice if she is released on bail."
"She has lived a life of privilege, abusing her position of power to live beyond the rules. Fleeing the country in order to escape once more would fit with her long history of anti-social behavior," Farmer wrote.
Maxwell denies committing any crimes.
Judge Alison Nathan rejected Maxwell's first bid for bail after she was arrested in July on charges that she recruited and groomed several underage girls who later were abused by the late money manager Epstein, a former boyfriend of hers.
Nathan at the time said she represented an extreme flight risk because of her holding citizenship in France and Britain and her significant wealth.
In her new bail request, Maxwell asked to be released on a bail package that would be secured by $22.5 million personal recognizance bond, equivalent to the value of her and her husband's declared assets, and millions more pledged from seven relatives and close friends.
Maxwell has proposed having armed guards ensure that she stays in a New York City residence and that she be monitored with an electronic device.
"Ms. Maxwell vehemently maintains her innocence and is committed to defending herself," her lawyers wrote.
"She wants nothing more than to remain in this country to fight the allegations against her, which are based on the uncorroborated testimony of a handful of witnesses about events that took place over 25 years ago."
Prosecutors in their filing Friday said that Maxwell's new bail request largely "rehashes" arguments she made in July when her first bail application was rejected.
And prosecutors said her offer to effectively waive extradition from France in the event that she skipped bail was not worth any weight because the French Ministry of Justice has reiterated to prosecutors that the nation does not extradite its citizens for criminal prosecution.
The filing also noted that while Maxwell's bail motion "now claims that her marriage would keep in her the United States, her motion does not address the plainly inconsistent statements she made to Pretrial Services at the time of her arrest," when she said she was "'in the process of divorcing her husband.'"
"Accordingly, the defendant's foreign ties, wealth, and skill at avoiding detection continue to weigh in favor of detention," prosecutors wrote.
Epstein, 66, died in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail from what officials have ruled was a suicide by hanging. He had been arrested the prior month on federal child sex-trafficking charges.
Epstein was a former friend of Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, as well as of Britain's Prince Andrew.


cnbc--2020-12-18--Last-minute fight over the Fed's lending powers is hampering Covid stimulus deal

A last-minute fight over the Federal Reserve 's lending powers has become the latest hurdle for lawmakers of both parties hoping to pass a $ 900 billion coronavirus stimulus bill .
Though the atmosphere on Capitol Hill remained upbeat on the odds of a deal , Democrats are criticizing Sen. Pat Toomey , R-Pa. , in the hopes he will drop stipulations about a new sticking point : the Fed 's lending programs .
If the Pennsylvania senator 's language is adopted , it would ensure that the incoming administration wo n't be able to revive the Fed 's emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important thing to me , '' Toomey told reporters on Thursday .
He added that his stance is about `` preventing the Fed from being politicized '' and `` not at all an effort to in any way hamstring the Biden administration or weaken our economy . ''
Democrats worried about record-setting levels of new Covid infections say Toomey and other Republicans are working to tie President-elect Joe Biden 's hands before his inauguration .
`` While we are encouraged by the bipartisan effort underway to provide critical relief to millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnecessary provisions that would hamper the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve 's ability to fight economic crises , '' Brian Deese , Biden 's incoming National Economic Council director , said in a statement .
`` Undermining that authority could mean less lending to Main Street businesses , higher unemployment , and greater economic pain across the nation , '' he added .
A spokesman for Toomey did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
Congress granted the Fed extraordinary lending powers in March through the $ 2.2 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide loans to small- and medium-sized business , as well as to state and local governments , as many struggled with sharp revenue losses thanks to Covid-19 .
The Fed said it wanted the programs extended but will now have to return the unused capital committed to the facilities .
Those expanded lending powers will expire at the end of the year after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined to ask Congress for an extension .
Janet Yellen , Biden 's nominee for Treasury secretary , could in theory ask lawmakers for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's language is omitted .
Mnuchin said in November that up to $ 800 billion in potential firepower can be deployed if needed through the Exchange Stabilization Fund and elsewhere , adding `` we do n't need to buy more corporate bonds .
The municipal market is working , people are able to borrow lots of money in the markets . ''
Just a few minutes before Mnuchin 's interview on Nov. 20 , Chicago Fed President Charles Evans told CNBC the Treasury move was `` disappointing . ''
Most of the original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were not used or lent out and will instead be repurposed to pay for a large portion of the current bill that is being negotiated .

The U.S. Capitol building is seen following the 2020 U.S. presidential election in Washington, U.S., November 6, 2020. Erin Scott | Reuters
A last-minute fight over the Federal Reserve's lending powers has become the latest hurdle for lawmakers of both parties hoping to pass a $900 billion coronavirus stimulus bill. Though the atmosphere on Capitol Hill remained upbeat on the odds of a deal, Democrats are criticizing Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., in the hopes he will drop stipulations about a new sticking point: the Fed's lending programs. If the Pennsylvania senator's language is adopted, it would ensure that the incoming administration won't be able to revive the Fed's emergency lending programs.
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"This is the most important thing to me," Toomey told reporters on Thursday. He added that his stance is about "preventing the Fed from being politicized" and "not at all an effort to in any way hamstring the Biden administration or weaken our economy." Democrats worried about record-setting levels of new Covid infections say Toomey and other Republicans are working to tie President-elect Joe Biden's hands before his inauguration. "While we are encouraged by the bipartisan effort underway to provide critical relief to millions of Americans, the package should not include unnecessary provisions that would hamper the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve's ability to fight economic crises," Brian Deese, Biden's incoming National Economic Council director, said in a statement. "Undermining that authority could mean less lending to Main Street businesses, higher unemployment, and greater economic pain across the nation," he added.
Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., Bill Clark | CQ Roll Call | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-12-18--Pelosi and McConnell receive Covid vaccine as shots are reserved for senior U.S. officials

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) receives a COVID-19 vaccination shot by Dr. Brian Monahan ( R ) , attending physician of the Congress of the United States , in her office on Capitol Hill on December 18 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell received Pfizer 's Covid vaccine on Friday after the attending physician in Congress urged lawmakers to sign up .
The physician , Dr. Brian Monahan , cited federal guidelines designed to ensure the U.S. government functions during the pandemic .
Senior U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine , with Vice President Mike Pence , his wife , Karen , and Surgeon General Jerome Adams getting the shot live on national television Friday morning .
The general public , however , is not expected to receive the vaccine for months as doses remain limited while Pfizer ramps up production .
Moderna 's vaccine could receive emergency authorization as soon as Friday .
Congress is currently negotiating a Covid relief package that is expected to provide several billion dollars for vaccine distribution .
Monahan , who is also attending physician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Security Council informed him that Congress , the court , and executive branch agencies will receive a small number of vaccine doses for essential personnel .
`` My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal : there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine , '' Monahan told Congress in a letter Thursday .
`` The benefit far exceeds any small risk . ''
Monahan emphasized in his letter that `` the small number of COVID19 vaccine doses we will be provided reflects a fraction of the first tranche of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country . ''
U.S. logistic plans during the first week of the vaccine rollout call for 2.9 million doses to go to sites across all 50 states .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) receives a COVID-19 vaccination shot by Dr. Brian Monahan (R), attending physician of the Congress of the United States, in her office on Capitol Hill on December 18, 2020 in Washington, DC.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell received Pfizer's Covid vaccine on Friday after the attending physician in Congress urged lawmakers to sign up.
The physician, Dr. Brian Monahan, cited federal guidelines designed to ensure the U.S. government functions during the pandemic.
Senior U.S. government officials have already started to receive the vaccine, with Vice President Mike Pence, his wife, Karen, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams getting the shot live on national television Friday morning.
The general public, however, is not expected to receive the vaccine for months as doses remain limited while Pfizer ramps up production. Moderna's vaccine could receive emergency authorization as soon as Friday. Congress is currently negotiating a Covid relief package that is expected to provide several billion dollars for vaccine distribution.
Monahan, who is also attending physician for the Supreme Court, said the National Security Council informed him that Congress, the court, and executive branch agencies will receive a small number of vaccine doses for essential personnel.
"My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal: there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine," Monahan told Congress in a letter Thursday. "The benefit far exceeds any small risk."
Monahan emphasized in his letter that "the small number of COVID19 vaccine doses we will be provided reflects a fraction of the first tranche of vaccines as it is distributed throughout the country." U.S. logistic plans during the first week of the vaccine rollout call for 2.9 million doses to go to sites across all 50 states.


cnbc--2020-12-18--Congress working on two-day funding extension hours before government shutdown

US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Republican of Kentucky , walks to his office from the Senate Floor at the US Capitol in Washington , DC on December 18 , 2020 .
Congress moved perilously close to letting the government shut down as lawmakers failed Friday to put the finishing touches on a massive spending and coronavirus rescue package .
Ahead of the midnight Friday deadline to pass a spending bill , the House introduced a two-day stopgap bill to keep the government running .
Lawmakers gave themselves about seven-and-a-half hours to get it through both chambers of Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's objection can block its passage .
Leaders on Capitol Hill have said for days they are close to a deal on a $ 900 billion relief proposal that would accompany a $ 1.4 trillion spending bill .
However , some new disputes have prevented Washington from sending fresh aid to struggling Americans for the first time in nearly nine months .
Reaching a deal on an enormous spending and pandemic aid plan , let alone stopping government spending from lapsing , looked challenging by Friday afternoon .
While bipartisan House officials including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed the temporary funding bill , the Senate will pose bigger problems .
Passing a temporary spending measure known as a continuing resolution `` could prove to be a pretty heavy lift , '' No .
2 Senate Republican John Thune of South Dakota told reporters Friday .
To approve the measure quickly , the Senate would need the support of every senator .
A handful of lawmakers have suggested they could hold up passage of a short-term spending bill .
Thune also signaled it could take days more to iron out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans await help .
`` It 's coming together , it 's just taking time , but it 's slower , '' he said .
`` And you know I think we have to assume that even when there 's a deal announced , that by the time it gets written up and processed , we 're going to be pushing through the weekend . ''
Just after 2 p.m .
ET on Friday , House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, said the chamber would go into a recess until 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` clearer picture '' of how to move forward .
He told representatives to keep Friday night , Saturday and Sunday free .
If lawmakers can approve a spending bill before Monday , the damage from a lapse in federal funding would be limited .
Congressional leaders have pledged to work through the weekend and pass a bill before they head home for the holidays .
The health and livelihoods of millions of Americans depend on Congress sending out more aid before the end of the year .
Only hours earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described an agreement as imminent .
`` The talks remain productive , '' McConnell said Friday morning .
`` In fact , I am even more optimistic now than I was last night that a bipartisan , bicameral framework for a major rescue package is very close at hand . ''
As health-care workers start to receive Covid-19 vaccinations during a crushing wave of infections across the country , continued distribution of shots will require federal funding .
The outbreak has killed more than 310,000 people nationwide as the U.S. struggles to contain @ @ @

US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, walks to his office from the Senate Floor at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on December 18, 2020.
Congress moved perilously close to letting the government shut down as lawmakers failed Friday to put the finishing touches on a massive spending and coronavirus rescue package.
Ahead of the midnight Friday deadline to pass a spending bill, the House introduced a two-day stopgap bill to keep the government running. Lawmakers gave themselves about seven-and-a-half hours to get it through both chambers of Congress, including a Senate where one member's objection can block its swift passage.
Leaders on Capitol Hill have said for days they are close to a deal on a $900 billion relief proposal that would accompany a $1.4 trillion spending bill. However, some new disputes have prevented Washington from sending fresh aid to struggling Americans for the first time in nearly nine months.
Reaching a deal on an enormous spending and pandemic aid plan, let alone stopping government spending from lapsing, looked challenging by Friday afternoon. While bipartisan House officials including Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., backed the temporary funding bill, the Senate will pose bigger problems.
Passing a temporary spending measure known as a continuing resolution "could prove to be a pretty heavy lift," No. 2 Senate Republican John Thune of South Dakota told reporters Friday. To approve the measure quickly, the Senate would need the support of every senator. A handful of lawmakers have suggested they could hold up passage of a short-term spending bill.
Thune also signaled it could take days more to iron out a final coronavirus aid package as millions of Americans await help.
"It's coming together, it's just taking time, but it's slower," he said. "And you know I think we have to assume that even when there's a deal announced, that by the time it gets written up and processed, we're going to be pushing through the weekend."
Just after 2 p.m. ET on Friday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said the chamber would go into a recess until 5 p.m. while congressional leaders try to get a "clearer picture" of how to move forward. He told representatives to keep Friday night, Saturday and Sunday free.
If lawmakers can approve a spending bill before Monday, the damage from a lapse in federal funding would be limited.
Congressional leaders have pledged to work through the weekend and pass a bill before they head home for the holidays. The health and livelihoods of millions of Americans depend on Congress sending out more aid before the end of the year.
Only hours earlier, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. described an agreement as imminent.
"The talks remain productive," McConnell said Friday morning. "In fact, I am even more optimistic now than I was last night that a bipartisan, bicameral framework for a major rescue package is very close at hand."
As health-care workers start to receive Covid-19 vaccinations during a crushing wave of infections across the country, continued distribution of shots will require federal funding. The outbreak has killed more than 310,000 people nationwide as the U.S. struggles to contain its spread.


cnbc--2020-12-18--The stock market will face a big test early in 2021 with the Georgia runoffs

Voters line up for the first day of early voting outside of the High Museum polling station on December 14 , 2020 in Atlanta , Georgia .
Georgians are headed to the polls to vote in a run off election for two U.S. Senate seats .
Two incumbent Republican senators are in a tight race to retain their own seats , but more importantly , they are battling to hold onto the Republican majority in the Senate in the Jan. 5 election .
The latest Emerson College poll shows the incumbents with a slight edge each of 3 percentage points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each party would have 50 seats , leaving Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to break any tie in favor of Democrats .
The Georgia Senate runoff elections are a wild card for markets in the first days of the new year , and it has the potential to reshape not only the national political agenda but also the course of the markets and the economy in the year ahead .
`` It 's a binary event , '' said Ed Mills , Washington policy analyst at Raymond James .
Sen. David Perdue is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler is running against Raphael Warnock .
None of the candidates had more than 50 % of the vote in the Nov. 3 vote , so Georgia law requires a runoff election between the two leading candidates for each seat .
`` Anyone who says they have an honest edge understanding how this is going to turn out , I would honestly discount , '' said Mills .
`` I think structurally you would give an edge to Republicans winning at least one of the seats .
With the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inaccuracy of polls over the last number of years , with a presidential election being as close as possible in a polarized environment , this easily could be that both Republicans win .
It 's also conceivable that both Democrats win . ''
Markets have reacted favorably to the current split Congress with a Democrat in the White House , trading on the view that the Senate majority would limit Democratic efforts to raise taxes and carry out some of the more progressive policies of the party .
But if Democrats were to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that Democrats could raise taxes but also pass a much larger stimulus package to help the economy .
Democrats have promised another stimulus package will follow the current $ 900 billion proposal , now under consideration in Congress .
`` I think the markets are going to have the knee jerk reaction of Democrats winning the control of the Senate would be negative for the market , '' said Ethan Harris , head of global economic research at Bank of America .
`` But I think as the fiscal stimulus rolls out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to be at the high end of the range , I think the market will like that .
Everyone always talks about how the markets do n't like a progressive agenda , but they do like fiscal stimulus . ''
Harris said the economy could grow faster than expected in 2021 if the next stimulus package was larger .
But the U.S. would also face the longer term issue of higher debt .
That could also be a negative for the bond market , which had sold off on the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and higher debt load when there was the potential for a Democratic sweep before the November election .
Rick Rieder , BlackRock chief investment officer of global fixed income , said the election could be one of the bigger influences on markets early in the year .
`` I think it 's one of the things markets will pivot to and focus on in the beginning of the month , '' said Rieder .
`` It 's going to be a big contentious race , and I think it 's going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats would have a narrow edge , if they did win , could temper some of the more progressive policies , according to some analysts .
`` Let 's say we get a surprise , Democrats capture both seats ...
It 's difficult to envision moderate Democrats lining up to stack the court and change filibuster rules , pass universal health care and have sweeping tax hikes , '' said said Michael Arone , chief investment strategist at State Street Global Advisors .

Voters line up for the first day of early voting outside of the High Museum polling station on December 14, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgians are headed to the polls to vote in a run off election for two U.S. Senate seats.
Two incumbent Republican senators are in a tight race to retain their own seats, but more importantly, they are battling to hold onto the Republican majority in the Senate in the Jan. 5 election. The latest Emerson College poll shows the incumbents with a slight edge each of 3 percentage points, but should both Republicans lose, each party would have 50 seats, leaving Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to break any tie in favor of Democrats.
The Georgia Senate runoff elections are a wild card for markets in the first days of the new year, and it has the potential to reshape not only the national political agenda but also the course of the markets and the economy in the year ahead.
"It's a binary event," said Ed Mills, Washington policy analyst at Raymond James.
Sen. David Perdue is being challenged by Democrat Jon Ossoff, while GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler is running against Raphael Warnock. None of the candidates had more than 50% of the vote in the Nov. 3 vote, so Georgia law requires a runoff election between the two leading candidates for each seat.
"Anyone who says they have an honest edge understanding how this is going to turn out, I would honestly discount," said Mills. "I think structurally you would give an edge to Republicans winning at least one of the seats. With the political environment we're in, with the inaccuracy of polls over the last number of years, with a presidential election being as close as possible in a polarized environment, this easily could be that both Republicans win. It's also conceivable that both Democrats win."
Markets have reacted favorably to the current split Congress with a Democrat in the White House, trading on the view that the Senate majority would limit Democratic efforts to raise taxes and carry out some of the more progressive policies of the party. But if Democrats were to win both Georgia seats, the view is that Democrats could raise taxes but also pass a much larger stimulus package to help the economy.
Democrats have promised another stimulus package will follow the current $900 billion proposal, now under consideration in Congress.
"I think the markets are going to have the knee jerk reaction of Democrats winning the control of the Senate would be negative for the market," said Ethan Harris, head of global economic research at Bank of America. "But I think as the fiscal stimulus rolls out, and it's pretty clear you're going to be at the high end of the range, I think the market will like that. Everyone always talks about how the markets don't like a progressive agenda, but they do like fiscal stimulus."
Harris said the economy could grow faster than expected in 2021 if the next stimulus package was larger. But the U.S. would also face the longer term issue of higher debt. That could also be a negative for the bond market, which had sold off on the idea of a bump up for the economy and higher debt load when there was the potential for a Democratic sweep before the November election.
Rick Rieder, BlackRock chief investment officer of global fixed income, said the election could be one of the bigger influences on markets early in the year.
"I think it's one of the things markets will pivot to and focus on in the beginning of the month," said Rieder. "It's going to be a big contentious race, and I think it's going to be significant."
The fact that the Democrats would have a narrow edge, if they did win, could temper some of the more progressive policies, according to some analysts.
"Let's say we get a surprise, Democrats capture both seats...It's difficult to envision moderate Democrats lining up to stack the court and change filibuster rules, pass universal health care and have sweeping tax hikes," said said Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Global Advisors.


cnbc--2020-12-19--Trump signs two-day funding bill as Congress rushes to finalize spending, Covid relief deal

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi leaves a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington , DC on December 18 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump signed a two-day government funding bill into law Friday night as Congress tries to buy time to strike a spending and coronavirus relief deal .
The president inked the legislation to keep the government running about an hour-and-a-half before a midnight deadline to pass spending legislation .
The stopgap measure would fund federal operations through Sunday until 12:01 a.m .
ET Monday morning while congressional leaders try to finalize a full-year funding and coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shutdown , Congress again finds itself on a tight deadline .
The House will meet again on Sunday at noon ET and will not vote earlier than 1 p.m .
The Senate will return at 11 a.m .
ET Saturday and will likely address nominations .
Senators including independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Josh Hawley of Missouri had warned they could delay approval of a spending bill as they lobby for leadership to include a $ 1,200 direct payment in a pandemic aid package .
Neither lawmaker followed through on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed the spending bill , Sanders said he would `` object to any attempt '' by the chamber to pass a full-year spending plan without also approving a pandemic relief package that includes `` substantial direct payments . ''
Hawley earlier tweeted that he would not block the legislation after top Republicans assured him a final relief deal would include `` direct assistance to working people . ''
Lawmakers are expected to include $ 600 payments , down from the $ 1,200 checks approved as part of the CARES Act in March .

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House upon his return to Washington from Camp David, November 29, 2020.
President Donald Trump signed a two-day government funding bill into law Friday night as Congress tries to buy time to strike a spending and coronavirus relief deal.
The president inked the legislation to keep the government running about an hour-and-a-half before a midnight deadline to pass spending legislation. The stopgap measure would fund federal operations through Sunday until 12:01 a.m. ET Monday morning while congressional leaders try to finalize a full-year funding and coronavirus relief package.
Even after lawmakers avoided a shutdown, Congress again finds itself on a tight deadline. The House will meet again on Sunday at noon ET and will not vote earlier than 1 p.m. The Senate will return at 11 a.m. ET Saturday and will likely address nominations.
Senators including independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Josh Hawley of Missouri had warned they could delay approval of a spending bill as they lobby for leadership to include a $1,200 direct payment in a pandemic aid package. Neither lawmaker followed through on the warning.
Before the Senate unanimously passed the spending bill, Sanders said he would "object to any attempt" by the chamber to pass a full-year spending plan without also approving a pandemic relief package that includes "substantial direct payments."
Hawley earlier tweeted that he would not block the legislation after top Republicans assured him a final relief deal would include "direct assistance to working people." Lawmakers are expected to include $600 payments, down from the $1,200 checks approved as part of the CARES Act in March.


cnbc--2020-12-21--Congress agrees to $900 billion Covid stimulus deal after months of failed negotiations

Congress reached a deal Sunday on a $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package , a long-delayed effort to boost an American health-care system and economy buckling under the weight of the pandemic .
Congressional leaders announced agreement on a bill — which would send new federal assistance to households , small businesses and health-care providers for the first time in months and provide $ 1.4 trillion to fund the government through Sept. 30 — after days of start-and-stop efforts to finish a deal .
They have not yet released text of the legislation , which they hope to pass in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last , we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said on the Senate floor Sunday .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , called the plan a `` package that delivers urgently needed funds to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people as the virus accelerates . ''
They called the plan inadequate and noted they would soon push for more relief spending after President-elect Joe Biden takes office on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relief and funding bill on Monday .
To avoid a government shutdown that would have started at 12:01 a.m .
ET on Monday , Congress approved a one-day spending measure to keep the lights on until 12:01 a.m .
ET on Tuesday .
President Donald Trump signed that bill late Sunday , according to a tweet from White House spokesman Judd Deere .
The deal on one of the largest rescue bills in U.S. history follows months of sniping on Capitol Hill over how best to fight a once-in-a-century crisis .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more in assistance only two months after Congress passed the more than $ 2 trillion CARES Act in March .
The GOP at first downplayed the need for more aid , then in the summer embraced a more limited approach than Democrats desired .
A new round of help can not come soon enough for the millions of Americans who have tried to scrape together enough money to afford food and housing during sustained public health restrictions .
The coming help will not reverse the closures of small businesses across the country or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months while Congress failed to act .
`` The American people have a great deal to celebrate in this legislation .
But of course , the agreement we reached is far from perfect , '' Schumer said .
The relief plan includes direct payments of $ 600 to most adults and $ 600 per child , Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement .
The Democrats said it would put $ 284 billion into Paycheck Protection Program small business loans , and include funds for loans from small and minority-owned lenders .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small business grants and $ 15 billion to live event venues .
It would also add a $ 300 federal unemployment supplement and temporarily keep in place pandemic-era programs that expanded unemployment insurance eligibility .
It was not immediately clear how long each of those measures would last .
If the jobless benefits expansion expires the day after Christmas , 12 million people would lose unemployment insurance .
The measure was also set to put critical funding into the distribution of the two FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccines .
Schumer said the bill would direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribution '' of vaccines .
Health-care workers and top government officials have started to receive shots , and widespread inoculation in the coming months will help the world to emerge from the pandemic 's shadow .
The rescue package was also set to send relief to hospitals , many of which have struggled to keep up with a flood of Covid patients .
It also would put $ 82 billion into schools and colleges , according to Pelosi and Schumer , and would expand Pell Grants .
The plan directs $ 25 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eviction moratorium for an unspecified amount of time , the Democrats said .
The measure aims to strengthen the low-income housing , earned income and child tax credits .
It also would put $ 13 billion into enhanced Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits .
The plan includes $ 45 billion for transportation , including $ 15 billion for airline payroll assistance .
The deal came after a last-second fight over a Republican-backed provision that would have restricted the Federal Reserve 's emergency lending powers .
Lawmakers eventually reached a deal to wind down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the year , repurpose more than $ 400 billion left over in the programs and bar the creation of identical provisions in the future .
The deal comes too late for the nearly 8 million people estimated to have fallen into poverty since June .
Many in Congress say the proposal will not go nearly far enough to address the scope of the health and economic crises .
Progressives and some Republicans have pushed for larger direct payments and retroactive federal unemployment payments .
A $ 600 weekly supplement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early months of the pandemic expired over the summer , and it took Congress months to agree to reinstate it .
Schumer stressed that Democrats would push for more relief in the new year .
Their ability to approve another bill will be shaped by the two Georgia Senate runoffs on Jan. 5 , which will determine whether the GOP keeps control of the chamber .
In a statement , Biden said the $ 900 billion plan `` provides critical temporary support '' but `` is just the beginning . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Congress will need to get to work on support for our COVID-19 plan , for support to struggling families , and investments in jobs and economic recovery , '' he said .
`` There will be no time to waste . ''
Schumer signaled they would again request aid for state and local governments , a provision many Republicans support but McConnell opposes .
The Senate majority leader has called for liability protections for businesses , but lawmakers cast aside both issues as part of the year-end talks .
Both will likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks that take place after Congress passes the $ 900 billion package .
`` It can not be the final word on congressional relief , '' Schumer said of the bill .

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Congress reached a deal Sunday on a $900 billion coronavirus relief package, a long-delayed effort to boost an American health-care system and economy buckling under the weight of the pandemic. Congressional leaders announced agreement on a bill — which would send new federal assistance to households, small businesses and health-care providers for the first time in months and provide $1.4 trillion to fund the government through Sept. 30 — after days of start-and-stop efforts to finish a deal. They released text of the legislation Monday afternoon and aim to pass it before midnight.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) conducts a news conference in the U.S. Capitol after the Senate Republican Policy luncheon on December 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. Caroline Brehman | Getty Images
"At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on the Senate floor Sunday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the plan a "package that delivers urgently needed funds to save the lives and livelihoods of the American people as the virus accelerates." They called the plan inadequate and noted they would soon push for more relief spending after President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, wears a protective mask while speaking during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. Ting Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Lawmakers plan to pass the relief and funding bill on Monday. To avoid a government shutdown that would have started at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, Congress approved a one-day spending measure to keep the lights on until 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday. President Donald Trump signed that bill late Sunday, according to a tweet from White House spokesman Judd Deere. The deal on one of the largest rescue bills in U.S. history follows months of sniping on Capitol Hill over how best to fight a once-in-a-century crisis. Democrats moved quickly to pass trillions of dollars more in assistance only two months after Congress passed the more than $2 trillion CARES Act in March. The GOP at first downplayed the need for more aid, then in the summer embraced a more limited approach than Democrats desired. A new round of help cannot come soon enough for the millions of Americans who have tried to scrape together enough money to afford food and housing during sustained public health restrictions. The coming help will not reverse the closures of small businesses across the country or the poverty and hunger that spread for months while Congress failed to act. "The American people have a great deal to celebrate in this legislation. But of course, the agreement we reached is far from perfect," Schumer said.
What's in the bill
The relief plan includes direct payments of $600 to most adults and $600 per child, Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement. The Democrats said it would put $284 billion into Paycheck Protection Program small business loans, and include funds for loans from small and minority-owned lenders. It would direct another $20 billion to small business grants and $15 billion to live event venues. It would also add a $300 federal unemployment supplement and temporarily keep in place pandemic-era programs that expanded unemployment insurance eligibility. It was not immediately clear how long each of those measures would last. If the jobless benefits expansion expires the day after Christmas, 12 million people would lose unemployment insurance.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters on an agreement of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) aid package on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S. December 20, 2020. Ken Cedeno | Reuters


cnbc--2020-12-20--Trump campaign files long shot Supreme Court challenge to Biden's Pennsylvania win

President Donald Trump 's reelection campaign made a long shot bid at the Supreme Court on Sunday to challenge President-elect Joe Biden 's victory in Pennsylvania in a petition that asked the justices to effectively reverse the outcome of the race .
The case , filed nearly seven weeks after Election Day and just a month before Biden is set to be inaugurated , will almost certainly be turned aside by the justices .
It comes as Trump continues to deny his loss even as judges around the country have resoundingly rejected his and his allies ' baseless allegations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit brought by Texas which the justices refused to hear earlier this month .
The court rejected Trump-backed arguments from the state challenging the elections in Pennsylvania and other swing states .
All nine justices signaled at the time that they disagreed with Texas 's central arguments .
The justices have not taken any action in a separate Supreme Court challenge brought by the Pennsylvania Republican Party , which is contesting the state 's extended absentee ballot deadline .
That case was originally brought before Election Day .
The Trump campaign announced its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani , the former New York mayor .
Giuliani said the case was the campaign 's first `` independent '' Supreme Court challenge .
The filing asks the justices to reverse three decisions from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court easing some of the state 's election rules related to signature verification , Election Day observation and mail-in ballot declarations .
It says the state 's top court encroached on the authority given to state legislatures by the U.S. Constitution to carry out elections .
`` Collectively , these three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail ballots in violation of the law as enacted by the Pennsylvania Legislature , '' Trump 's attorney John Eastman wrote in the filing .
Eastman wrote that the cases involved `` more than enough '' ballots to have affected the outcome of the election .
`` The outcome of the election for the Presidency of the United States hangs in the balance , '' he added in a separate motion urging the justices to take up the matter swiftly , citing the upcoming Jan. 6 congressional deadline to tally electoral college votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eastman , a law professor at Chapman University Fowler School of Law , caused controversy in August when he published an article questioning Vice President-elect Kamala Harris ' eligibility to be president in a Newsweek opinion article .
An editor 's note was later appended noting that the article was `` being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia . ''
Eastman asked the justices to schedule more briefs before Christmas .
In a motion for expedited consideration , he wrote that a delay could harm not only Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole may suffer injury from the resulting confusion . ''
`` Indeed , the intense national and worldwide attention on the 2020 Presidential election only foreshadows the disruption that may well follow if the uncertainty and unfairness shrouding this election are allowed to persist , '' Eastman wrote .
Eastman asked that the court require Kathy Boockvar , the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , to respond to the campaign 's filing by noon on Wednesday .
The last-ditch legal effort is unlikely to have very much practical impact , though it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold onto power .
On Friday , the president reportedly asked aides in the Oval Office about naming a special counsel to investigate election fraud , and posed a question about potentially implementing martial law to seize voting machines .
He later denied the reports .
Meanwhile , the formal mechanisms of transition have continued apace .
On Jan. 6 , Congress is set to meet in a joint session to formally count the Electoral College votes and declare Biden the winner .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , the top Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his party not to attempt to block the announcement of Biden 's victory .
A spokesperson for the Biden transition team did not respond to a request for comment .

President Donald Trump's reelection campaign made a long shot bid at the Supreme Court on Sunday to challenge President-elect Joe Biden's victory in Pennsylvania in a petition that asked the justices to effectively reverse the outcome of the race.
The case, filed nearly seven weeks after Election Day and just a month before Biden is set to be inaugurated, will almost certainly be turned aside by the justices. It comes as Trump continues to deny his loss even as judges around the country have resoundingly rejected his and his allies' baseless allegations of fraud.
The challenge follows a similar suit brought by Texas which the justices refused to hear earlier this month. The court rejected Trump-backed arguments from the state challenging the elections in Pennsylvania and other swing states. All nine justices signaled at the time that they disagreed with Texas's central arguments.
The justices have not taken any action in a separate Supreme Court challenge brought by the Pennsylvania Republican Party, which is contesting the state's extended absentee ballot deadline. That case was originally brought before Election Day.
The Trump campaign announced its latest filing alongside a statement from the president's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor. Giuliani said the case was the campaign's first "independent" Supreme Court challenge.
The filing asks the justices to reverse three decisions from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court easing some of the state's election rules related to signature verification, Election Day observation and mail-in ballot declarations. It says the state's top court encroached on the authority given to state legislatures by the U.S. Constitution to carry out elections.
"Collectively, these three decisions resulted in counting approximately 2.6 million mail ballots in violation of the law as enacted by the Pennsylvania Legislature," Trump's attorney John Eastman wrote in the filing.
Eastman wrote that the cases involved "more than enough" ballots to have affected the outcome of the election.
"The outcome of the election for the Presidency of the United States hangs in the balance," he added in a separate motion urging the justices to take up the matter swiftly, citing the upcoming Jan. 6 congressional deadline to tally electoral college votes, and the Jan. 20 inauguration.
Eastman, a law professor at Chapman University Fowler School of Law, caused controversy in August when he published an article questioning Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' eligibility to be president in a Newsweek opinion article. An editor's note was later appended noting that the article was "being used by some as a tool to perpetuate racism and xenophobia."
Eastman asked the justices to schedule more briefs before Christmas. In a motion for expedited consideration, he wrote that a delay could harm not only Trump, "but the Nation as а whole may suffer injury from the resulting confusion."
"Indeed, the intense national and worldwide attention on the 2020 Presidential election only foreshadows the disruption that may well follow if the uncertainty and unfairness shrouding this election are allowed to persist," Eastman wrote.
Eastman asked that the court require Kathy Boockvar, the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to respond to the campaign's filing by noon on Wednesday.
The last-ditch legal effort is unlikely to have very much practical impact, though it comes as Trump is becoming increasingly desperate to hold onto power. On Friday, the president reportedly asked aides in the Oval Office about naming a special counsel to investigate election fraud, and posed a question about potentially implementing martial law to seize voting machines. He later denied the reports.
Meanwhile, the formal mechanisms of transition have continued apace.
On Jan. 6, Congress is set to meet in a joint session to formally count the Electoral College votes and declare Biden the winner. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in Congress, has warned members of his party not to attempt to block the announcement of Biden's victory.
A spokesperson for the Biden transition team did not respond to a request for comment.


cnbc--2020-12-20--Trump reportedly asked about naming far-right conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell to investigate elect

Trump reportedly asked about naming far-right conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell to investigate election fraud

Sidney Powell , an attorney later disavowed by the Trump campaign , participates in a news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani ( not pictured ) at the Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington , November 19 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump told advisors that he is considering appointing the far right attorney and conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell as special counsel to investigate allegations of fraud in the 2020 election , multiple outlets reported .
The president floated the idea at a contentious White House meeting on Friday , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported the news .
Multiple advisors , including some who have been sympathetic to the president 's baseless claims about the election , rejected the idea fiercely , according to the paper .
Trump also reportedly asked about the idea of imposing martial law at the meeting .
He later denied doing so in a post on Twitter .
Powell , who was reported to be present at the meeting , is the attorney for former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn , who was facing charges for lying to the Federal Bureau of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president last month .
A conservative legal personality , Powell has spun up elaborate and false theories about how Trump lost to President-elect Joe Biden , including the suggestion that voting software was developed on the orders of Hugo Chavez , the Venezuelan leader who died in 2013 .
Flynn was also reported to be at the meeting .
The retired Army lieutenant general has taken to conservative media in recent days to urge Trump to impose martial law as part of an effort to overturn the results of November 's contest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rightwing news channel Newsmax and said that Trump could `` seize '' voting machines and use the military to `` basically rerun an election in each of those states '' '' These people are out there talking about martial law like it 's something that we 've never done , '' Flynn said .
`` Martial law has been instituted 64 times . ''
Flynn added that he was `` not calling for that . ''
In a post on Twitter later on Sunday , Trump wrote : `` Martial law = Fake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
`` There is no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of an American election , '' Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said in a statement .
In the Oval Office , Powell and Flynn both pressed Trump to do more to support their efforts to overturn the results of the election , Politico reported , citing a person familiar with the meeting .
The New York Times reported that Trump advisors forcefully pushed back on the idea of naming Powell as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought up in the meeting .
Among those who rejected the ideas were Trump lawyer and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani , White House counsel Pat Cipollone and chief of staff Mark Meadows .
Cipollone told Trump that there was no constitutional authority for the ideas under discussion , according to The New York Times .
According to Politico , the meeting grew tense , and involved yelling .
The White House and Powell did not return requests for comment on the meeting .
Trump has yet to concede the Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in both the popular vote and the legally significant electoral college .
The electoral college formally voted for Biden on Monday by a margin of 306 to 232 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who delayed publicly congratulating Biden on his win for weeks , did so on Tuesday .
While Trump has continued to contest the results of the election , last month his campaign distanced itself from the claims that Powell was putting forward .
In a statement , Giuliani and Jenna Ellis , another Trump attorney , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own . ''
Trump , though , has remained in contact with Powell , according to The New York Times .
The paper said that Trump asked about the attorney receiving security clearances in order to pursue her potential probe .
Earlier , Trump had unsuccessfully pushed for Attorney General William Barr to appoint a special counsel to look into the election .
Barr has decline to do so and said that the government has not found evidence of widespread fraud .
On Monday , Trump announced that Barr was resigning effective Dec. @ @

Sidney Powell, an attorney later disavowed by the Trump campaign, participates in a news conference with U.S. President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani (not pictured) at the Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 19, 2020.
President Donald Trump told advisors that he is considering appointing the far right attorney and conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell as special counsel to investigate allegations of fraud in the 2020 election, multiple outlets reported.
The president floated the idea at a contentious White House meeting on Friday, according to The New York Times, which first reported the news. Multiple advisors, including some who have been sympathetic to the president's baseless claims about the election, rejected the idea fiercely, according to the paper.
Trump also reportedly asked about the idea of imposing martial law at the meeting. He later denied doing so in a post on Twitter.
Powell, who was reported to be present at the meeting, is the attorney for former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn, who was facing charges for lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation until receiving a pardon from the president last month.
A conservative legal personality, Powell has spun up elaborate and false theories about how Trump lost to President-elect Joe Biden, including the suggestion that voting software was developed on the orders of Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan leader who died in 2013.
Flynn was also reported to be at the meeting. The retired Army lieutenant general has taken to conservative media in recent days to urge Trump to impose martial law as part of an effort to overturn the results of November's contest.
On Thursday, Flynn appeared on the rightwing news channel Newsmax and said that Trump could "seize" voting machines and use the military to "basically rerun an election in each of those states"
"These people are out there talking about martial law like it's something that we've never done," Flynn said. "Martial law has been instituted 64 times." Flynn added that he was "not calling for that."
In a post on Twitter later on Sunday, Trump wrote: "Martial law = Fake News. Just more knowingly bad reporting!"
Senior military leaders rejected Flynn's calls in a statement on Friday.
"There is no role for the U.S. military in determining the outcome of an American election," Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said in a statement.
In the Oval Office, Powell and Flynn both pressed Trump to do more to support their efforts to overturn the results of the election, Politico reported, citing a person familiar with the meeting.
The New York Times reported that Trump advisors forcefully pushed back on the idea of naming Powell as special counsel as well as other ideas brought up in the meeting.
Among those who rejected the ideas were Trump lawyer and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, White House counsel Pat Cipollone and chief of staff Mark Meadows.
Cipollone told Trump that there was no constitutional authority for the ideas under discussion, according to The New York Times. According to Politico, the meeting grew tense, and involved yelling.
The White House and Powell did not return requests for comment on the meeting.
Trump has yet to concede the Nov. 3 election, despite Biden's clear victory in both the popular vote and the legally significant electoral college.
The electoral college formally voted for Biden on Monday by a margin of 306 to 232. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who delayed publicly congratulating Biden on his win for weeks, did so on Tuesday.
While Trump has continued to contest the results of the election, last month his campaign distanced itself from the claims that Powell was putting forward. In a statement, Giuliani and Jenna Ellis, another Trump attorney, said that Powell was "practicing law on her own."
Trump, though, has remained in contact with Powell, according to The New York Times. The paper said that Trump asked about the attorney receiving security clearances in order to pursue her potential probe.
Earlier, Trump had unsuccessfully pushed for Attorney General William Barr to appoint a special counsel to look into the election. Barr has decline to do so and said that the government has not found evidence of widespread fraud. On Monday, Trump announced that Barr was resigning effective Dec. 23.


cnbc--2020-12-22--House set to pass long-awaited Covid relief bill and government funding plan

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) walks back to her office after opening the House floor following an agreement of a coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) aid package the night before on Capitol Hill , Washington , D.C. , December 21 , 2020 .
At the same time , lawmakers are set to prevent a government shutdown that would start at 12:01 a.m .
ET on Tuesday .
The House will vote on the more than $ 2 trillion legislation first , and the Senate will follow in a vote that will likely drag late into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in pandemic aid to a $ 1.4 trillion measure to fund the government through Sept. 30 .
Congress plans to pass a mammoth coronavirus relief and government spending package Monday night , injecting long-delayed aid into the fight against a once-in-a-century health and economic crisis .
The bill would send needed help to Americans for the first time since the spring — though it will come too late for families that have struggled to eat and stay in their homes , or small businesses that have already had to close their doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost to jobless benefits , more small business loans , another $ 600 direct payment and funds to streamline critical distribution of Covid-19 vaccines , among a bevy of other provisions .
President Donald Trump is expected to sign it into law , weeks before he will leave office .
As Congress rushed to approve one of the biggest rescue plans in American history , lawmakers had only a few hours to digest the more than 5,000-page legislation .
They aimed to beat two key deadlines : the expiration of pandemic-era unemployment programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose benefits the day after Christmas , and the lapse of a federal eviction moratorium that could leave tens of millions of people vulnerable to losing their homes at the end of the month .
Among the key provisions in the bill , it adds a $ 300 per week federal unemployment supplement through mid-March and extends programs making freelancers and gig workers eligible for benefits .
It sends payments of $ 600 to individuals who earn up to $ 75,000 and couples filing jointly who make up to $ 150,000 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child .
The measure puts $ 284 billion into Paycheck Protection Program small business loans .
It directs more than $ 8 billion into vaccine distribution .
The bill would extend the federal eviction moratorium through Jan. 31 and fund $ 25 billion in rental assistance .
It would direct $ 13 billion to food aid , $ 82 billion to education and $ 45 billion to transportation .
While most of Congress has cheered the bill as at least an initial step to buoy the country during the crises , economists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more relief .
President-elect Joe Biden and his allies in Congress have stressed they will immediately push for more aid after the incoming president takes office on Jan. 20 — including new aid for state and local governments .
`` We advance this bill today as a first step .
... We are ready for the next step , '' House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , wrote to House Democrats on Monday .
This story is developing .
Please check back for updates .

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Congress passed a mammoth coronavirus relief and government spending package late Monday as it moves to inject long-delayed aid into the fight against a once-in-a-century health and economic crisis. Both chambers easily approved the more than $2 trillion legislation in votes that dragged late into the night. Congressional leaders attached $900 billion in pandemic aid to a $1.4 trillion measure to fund the government through Sept. 30. The House approved the package in a 359-53 vote. The Senate then passed it by a 92-6 margin. The six GOP senators who voted against the bill were Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ted Cruz of Texas, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.
Dusty Johnson, (R-SD), with the Problem Solvers Caucus and other members speak at a news conference on the forthcoming passage of the bipartisan emergency COVID-19 relief bill in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 21, 2020. Ken Cedeno | Reuters
At the same time, Congress passed a seven-day stopgap spending bill to keep the government open during the time it takes for the full-year legislation to get to President Donald Trump's desk. Trump signed the temporary spending bill, keeping the government funded through Dec. 28. The bill would send needed help to Americans for the first time since the spring — though it will come too late for families that have struggled to eat and stay in their homes, or small businesses that have already had to close their doors for good. The package includes a boost to jobless benefits, more small business loans, another $600 direct payment and funds to streamline critical distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, among a bevy of other provisions.
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Trump is expected to sign it into law in the coming days, weeks before he will leave office. Ahead of the votes, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC that Americans who qualify for direct payments could see the money in their bank accounts early next week. As Congress rushed to approve one of the biggest rescue plans in American history, lawmakers had only a few hours to digest the more than 5,000-page legislation. They aimed to beat two key deadlines: the expiration of pandemic-era unemployment programs that would cause 12 million people to lose benefits the day after Christmas, and the lapse of a federal eviction moratorium that could leave tens of millions of people vulnerable to losing their homes at the end of the month.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks at a press conference on Capitol Hill on December 20, 2020 in Washington, DC. Republicans and Democrats in the Senate finally came to an agreement on the coronavirus relief bill and a vote is expected on Monday. Tasos Katopodis | Getty Images
Lawmakers, particularly Democrats, likely will not wait long to seek more aid. On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it "a good bill" but said it "cannot be the end of the story." Among the key provisions in the legislation, it adds a $300 per week federal unemployment supplement through mid-March and extends programs making freelancers and gig workers eligible for benefits. It sends payments of $600 to individuals who earn up to $75,000 and couples filing jointly who make up to $150,000. The bill adds another $600 for every child. The measure puts $284 billion into Paycheck Protection Program small business loans. It directs more than $8 billion into vaccine distribution, along with $20 billion to ensure Americans receive shots for free. The bill also puts at least $20 billion more into Covid-19 testing and contact tracing. The bill extends the federal eviction moratorium through Jan. 31 and fund $25 billion in rental assistance. It directs $13 billion to food aid to increase the maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit by 15%. The bill also puts $82 billion into education and $45 billion into transportation. The package includes $15 billion in payroll support for U.S. air carriers that are reeling from the pandemic. The additional funding requires airlines to call back more than 32,000 workers they furloughed this fall and keep employees on payroll through the end of March. The new round of aid comes on top of the $25 billion carriers received under the CARES Act last March.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, wears a protective mask while walking to his office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. Oliver Contreras | Bloomberg | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-12-21--What's in the $900 billion coronavirus relief plan: Stimulus checks, unemployment aid and more

Congress ' deal on a $ 900 billion coronavirus relief plan includes more small business aid , another round of direct payments to Americans , an additional unemployment supplement and funding to streamline Covid vaccine distribution .
Lawmakers aim to pass the package by Monday night , attached to a $ 1.4 trillion government funding proposal in one colossal bill .
The badly needed aid comes as millions of Americans struggle to pay for food and housing , and face the potential loss of unemployment benefits and eviction protections in the coming days .
Many economists and lawmakers say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go nearly far enough to curb the damage households and small businesses have suffered during the pandemic .
Democrats have already stressed they will push for another aid package after President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20 .
The more than 5,000-page bill , which lawmakers released Monday afternoon only hours before expected votes , would address many facets of the health and economic crisis .
• It would add a $ 300 per week federal unemployment insurance supplement through mid-March .
The plan would also extend the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded jobless benefits eligibility and allowed people to continue to receive payments after their state assistance ran out , through mid-March .
• The bill would put $ 284 billion into Paycheck Protection Program loans , which can be forgiven , and allow hard-hit small businesses to draw a second round of funding .
It would include $ 20 billion in grants for companies in low-income areas and money set aside for loans from community-based and minority-owned lenders .
• The package would send direct payments of $ 600 to most Americans — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March as part of the CARES Act .
Families will also get $ 600 per child .
Individuals who earned up to $ 75,000 per year and couples filing jointly who made up to $ 150,000 in 2019 will receive the full sum .
The payments will phase out until they stop for individuals and couples who made $ 99,000 and $ 198,000 , respectively .
Mixed-status households , in which a member of the family does not have a Social Security number , will also receive payments , retroactive to the CARES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal eviction moratorium through Jan. 31 .
It would put $ 25 billion into a rental assistance fund , which state and local governments would allocate to people to use for past due and future rent or utilities payments .
• The plan would put more than $ 8 billion into distribution of the two FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccines .
It would also set aside $ 20 billion to make sure Americans get the shot for free .
It would direct at least $ 20 billion to states for testing and contact tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis the U.S. has seen in years , the measure would put $ 13 billion into boosting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits by 15 % and funding food banks , among other programs .
• The bill would put $ 45 billion into transportation , including at least $ 15 billion for airline payroll assistance , $ 14 billion for transit systems and $ 10 billion for state highways .
• The legislation would direct $ 82 billion into education , including more than $ 54 billion for public K-12 schools and nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schools require additional resources such as personal protective equipment to stay open safely .
• The proposal would send $ 15 billion in aid to live event venues , movie theaters and cultural museums .
• The measure sets aside $ 7 billion to increase broadband access .
• It would phase out emergency Federal Reserve lending powers established by the CARES Act at the end of the year , and repurpose $ 429 billion in unused funds .
A proposal backed by GOP Sen. Pat Toomey to prevent the Fed from setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future temporarily tripped up the final push to craft a rescue package .
The parties eventually settled on language that would not allow the Fed to set up identical lending provisions .
The deal followed months of dispute over how best to buoy a health-care system and economy ravaged by the pandemic .
After Democrats pushed for trillions more in assistance during the spring and early summer while Republicans called for a delay in spending , the parties then clashed over how much money to put into the federal response .
Leading up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass several temporary funding bills in order to buy time to strike a final deal .
The dysfunction dragged into Monday , when issues with printing and uploading the massive legislation delayed the process of voting on it .
Lawmakers appeared poised to work late into Monday night to approve the legislation , which would not only send another round of relief but also keep the government running through Sept. 30 .
`` We are going to stay until we finish tonight , '' McConnell told NBC News .
The Senate would need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push the legislation through Monday .
Sen. Rand Paul , a Kentucky Republican who has criticized the $ 900 billion plan and other large spending packages , told reporters he would not hold up the legislation .
Sens .
Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , and Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, previously threatened to hold up legislation as they pushed for $ 1,200 direct payments , instead of $ 600 checks .
It is unclear if they have any plans to delay the bill .
In a tweeted statement Monday , Sanders said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes nowhere near far enough . ''
He called the Biden administration to , on its first day , `` bring forth a major economic relief bill that addresses the severe economic pain of working families— including more direct payments . ''
Biden in a statement Sunday said Congress should `` immediately , starting in the new year '' work on more legislation to contain the virus and boost the economic recovery .
The willingness to do so on Capitol Hill will partly depend on whether the GOP can win both Jan. 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Senate .
Their push for more direct relief to individuals and families reflects Democrats ' broad desire to quickly approve more aid in the new year .
`` The bill today is a good bill .
Today is a good day , '' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said Monday .
`` But it is certainly not the end of the story , and it can not be the end of the story . ''

Congress' deal on a $900 billion coronavirus relief plan includes more small business aid, another round of direct payments to Americans, an additional unemployment supplement and funding to streamline Covid vaccine distribution.
Lawmakers aim to pass the package by Monday night, attached to a $1.4 trillion government funding proposal in one colossal bill. The badly needed aid comes as millions of Americans struggle to pay for food and housing, and face the potential loss of unemployment benefits and eviction protections in the coming days.
Many economists and lawmakers say the measure will help, but will not go nearly far enough to curb the damage households and small businesses have suffered during the pandemic. Democrats have already stressed they will push for another aid package after President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20.
The more than 5,000-page bill, which lawmakers released Monday afternoon only hours before expected votes, would address many facets of the health and economic crisis.
It would add a $300 per week federal unemployment insurance supplement through mid-March. The plan would also extend the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs, which expanded jobless benefits eligibility and allowed people to continue to receive payments after their state assistance ran out, through mid-March.
The bill would put $284 billion into Paycheck Protection Program loans, which can be forgiven, and allow hard-hit small businesses to draw a second round of funding. It would include $20 billion in grants for companies in low-income areas and money set aside for loans from community-based and minority-owned lenders.
The package would send direct payments of $600 to most Americans — down from the $1,200 passed in March as part of the CARES Act. Families will also get $600 per child. Individuals who earned up to $75,000 per year and couples filing jointly who made up to $150,000 in 2019 will receive the full sum. The payments will phase out until they stop for individuals and couples who made $99,000 and $198,000, respectively. Mixed-status households, in which a member of the family does not have a Social Security number, will also receive payments, retroactive to the CARES Act.
The bill would extend the federal eviction moratorium through Jan. 31. It would put $25 billion into a rental assistance fund, which state and local governments would allocate to people to use for past due and future rent or utilities payments.
The plan would put more than $8 billion into distribution of the two FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccines. It would also set aside $20 billion to make sure Americans get the shot for free. It would direct at least $20 billion to states for testing and contact tracing efforts.
During the worst hunger crisis the U.S. has seen in years, the measure would put $13 billion into boosting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits by 15% and funding food banks, among other programs.
The bill would put $45 billion into transportation, including at least $15 billion for airline payroll assistance, $14 billion for transit systems and $10 billion for state highways.
The legislation would direct $82 billion into education, including more than $54 billion for public K-12 schools and nearly $23 billion for higher education. Schools require additional resources such as personal protective equipment to stay open safely.
It puts $10 billion into child care assistance.
The proposal would send $15 billion in aid to live event venues, movie theaters and cultural museums.
The measure sets aside $7 billion to increase broadband access.
It would phase out emergency Federal Reserve lending powers established by the CARES Act at the end of the year, and repurpose $429 billion in unused funds. A proposal backed by GOP Sen. Pat Toomey to prevent the Fed from setting up "similar" programs in the future temporarily tripped up the final push to craft a rescue package. The parties eventually settled on language that would not allow the Fed to set up identical lending provisions.
The deal followed months of dispute over how best to buoy a health-care system and economy ravaged by the pandemic. After Democrats pushed for trillions more in assistance during the spring and early summer while Republicans called for a delay in spending, the parties then clashed over how much money to put into the federal response.
Leading up to the agreement, Congress had to pass several temporary funding bills in order to buy time to strike a final deal. The dysfunction dragged into Monday, when issues with printing and uploading the massive legislation delayed the process of voting on it.
Lawmakers appeared poised to work late into Monday night to approve the legislation, which would not only send another round of relief but also keep the government running through Sept. 30.
"We are going to stay until we finish tonight," McConnell told NBC News.
The Senate would need the unanimous support of all senators to push the legislation through Monday. Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who has criticized the $900 billion plan and other large spending packages, told reporters he would not hold up the legislation.
Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., previously threatened to hold up legislation as they pushed for $1,200 direct payments, instead of $600 checks. It is unclear if they have any plans to delay the bill.
In a tweeted statement Monday, Sanders said the legislation "will help many, but goes nowhere near far enough." He called the Biden administration to, on its first day, "bring forth a major economic relief bill that addresses the severe economic pain of working families— including more direct payments."
Biden in a statement Sunday said Congress should "immediately, starting in the new year" work on more legislation to contain the virus and boost the economic recovery. The willingness to do so on Capitol Hill will partly depend on whether the GOP can win both Jan. 5 Senate runoffs in Georgia and keep control of the Senate.
Their push for more direct relief to individuals and families reflects Democrats' broad desire to quickly approve more aid in the new year.
"The bill today is a good bill. Today is a good day," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday. "But it is certainly not the end of the story, and it cannot be the end of the story."
— NBC News contributed to this report
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cnbc--2020-12-21--Americans will get stimulus checks as soon as next week, Mnuchin says

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC on Monday that Americans who qualify for direct payments in new Covid relief legislation could see that money hit their bank accounts in a matter of days .
`` The good news is this is a very , very fast way of getting money into the economy .
Let me emphasize : People are going to see this money at the beginning of next week , '' Mnuchin told CNBC host Jim Cramer .
`` So it 's very fast , it 's money that gets recirculated in the economy , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this money , and that helps small business and that helps getting more people back to work . ''
Mnuchin 's comments came hours before Congress ' expected vote to approve the $ 900 billion Covid-19 relief bill .
The latest bill includes provisions akin to those in the original CARES Act , the $ 2.2 trillion relief package approved in March .
Individuals including children will receive $ 600 in direct payments .
A family of four could end up with $ 2,400 .
The payments decrease for people who made more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would phase out completely for people who made above $ 99,000 that year .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC on Monday that Americans who qualify for direct payments in new Covid relief legislation could see that money hit their bank accounts in a matter of days.
"The good news is this is a very, very fast way of getting money into the economy. Let me emphasize: People are going to see this money at the beginning of next week," Mnuchin told CNBC host Jim Cramer.
"So it's very fast, it's money that gets recirculated in the economy," he added. "People go out and spend this money, and that helps small business and that helps getting more people back to work."
Mnuchin's comments came hours before Congress' expected vote to approve the $900 billion Covid-19 relief bill. The latest bill includes provisions akin to those in the original CARES Act, the $2.2 trillion relief package approved in March.
Individuals including children will receive $600 in direct payments. A family of four could end up with $2,400. The payments decrease for people who made more than $75,000 during 2019. They would phase out completely for people who made above $99,000 that year.
Democrats said the bill would put $284 billion into Paycheck Protection Program small business loans. The new bill would also direct another $20 billion to small business grants and $15 billion to live event venues.


cnbc--2020-12-21--Attorney General Barr says special counsel not needed for Hunter Biden investigation, undercutting T

Attorney General Barr says special counsel not needed for Hunter Biden investigation, undercutting Trump

Outgoing Attorney General William Barr said Monday that he saw no reason for a special counsel to take over the criminal investigation of Hunter Biden , son of President-elect Joe Biden , undercutting President Donald Trump yet again .
Trump has mulled pushing the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel for the probe , which is focused on Hunter Biden 's taxes , and which is currently being handled by the U.S. attorney 's office in Delaware .
`` To the extent that there 's an investigation , I think that it 's being handled responsibly and professionally within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference , two days before his resignation from the Department of Justice takes effect .
`` And to this point I have seen no reason to appoint a special counsel , and I see no reason to do so before I leave , '' Barr said .
`` If I thought a special counsel was the right tool , I would name one , but I have n't . ''
Barr also said that he hopes the Biden administration will handle the Hunter Biden probe `` responsibly . ''
Appointing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent Joe Biden or other officials in his administration from exerting any pressure on the U.S. attorney 's office to go easy on Hunter Biden .
Special counsels are appointed by the attorney general to investigate a person or issue when federal prosecutors or Justice Department divisions have a conflict of interest if they handled the probe .
The incoming acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen last week refused to say whether he would appoint a special counsel for the Hunter Biden investigation .

Outgoing Attorney General William Barr said Monday that he saw no reason for a special counsel to take over the criminal investigation of Hunter Biden, son of President-elect Joe Biden, undercutting President Donald Trump yet again.
Trump has mulled pushing the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel for the probe, which is focused on Hunter Biden's taxes, and which is currently being handled by the U.S. attorney's office in Delaware.
"To the extent that there's an investigation, I think that it's being handled responsibly and professionally within the department," Barr said at a news conference, two days before his resignation from the Department of Justice takes effect.
"And to this point I have seen no reason to appoint a special counsel, and I see no reason to do so before I leave," Barr said.
"If I thought a special counsel was the right tool, I would name one, but I haven't."
Barr also said that he hopes the Biden administration will handle the Hunter Biden probe "responsibly."
Appointing a special counsel is seen as one means to prevent Joe Biden or other officials in his administration from exerting any pressure on the U.S. attorney's office to go easy on Hunter Biden.
Special counsels are appointed by the attorney general to investigate a person or issue when federal prosecutors or Justice Department divisions have a conflict of interest if they handled the probe.
The incoming acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen last week refused to say whether he would appoint a special counsel for the Hunter Biden investigation.