cnbc--2020-03-06--Trump's visit to CDC in Atlanta is back on, hours after it was canceled due to coronavirus worry

U.S. President Donald Trump waves to reporters as he departs for travel to Scranton , Pennsylvania from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington , U.S. , March 5 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is once again planning to travel Friday to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta , the White House said .
Hours after an administration official said the trip was off , press secretary Stephanie Grisham told reporters that the president would indeed visit the CDC .
Vice President Mike Pence , who is leading the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump was planning to sign an $ 8.3 billion emergency spending bill at the CDC .
`` The president is no longer traveling to Atlanta today , '' an administration official , who declined to be identified , said earlier Friday .
`` The CDC has been proactive and prepared since the very beginning and the president does not want to interfere with the CDC 's mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency . ''
A representative for the CDC did n't immediately respond to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill at the White House on Friday morning before he left for Nashville , Tennessee .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said he would go to the CDC in the president 's stead .
However , Trump said after he signed the bill that he could still end up visiting the CDC .
He said there was a person suspected to have coronavirus at CDC on Thursday , but the test had come back negative .
`` I may be going .
We 're going to see if they can turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after he signed the bill .
Indeed , Grisham said that a woman at the CDC who had been suspected of having coronavirus ultimately tested negative .
The disease has infected more than 100,000 people worldwide , killing at least 3,383 .
In the United States , there have been at least 233 infections and 14 fatalities .
The Senate passed the funding bill Thursday a day after it sailed through the House .
The spending package is aimed at helping local and federal authorities battle the coronavirus outbreak as numbers of confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it together over the past week , after a dispute over vaccine pricing held things up .
The final package far exceeds the $ 2.5 billion proposal that the White House put forward last week .
Trump has since said he would be willing to sign orders for a larger package , and it has been widely expected he would approve the funds with little pushback .
This bill includes more than $ 3 billion in vaccine research and $ 2.2 billion in prevention and preparedness efforts .
It also helps reimburse states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through resources to fight the outbreak .
Trump in February put Pence in charge of the federal response to coronavirus , after criticism from lawmakers that the administration 's initial response was slow and disorganized .
According to the White House 's official schedule , Trump will travel to Nashville on Friday to survey the damage and the response to deadly tornadoes earlier this week .
He will then head to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach , Florida , to speak at a fundraiser .
Now he will travel to Atlanta between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

U.S. President Donald Trump waves to reporters as he departs for travel to Scranton, Pennsylvania from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 5, 2020.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is once again planning to travel Friday to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, the White House said.
Hours after an administration official said the trip was off, press secretary Stephanie Grisham told reporters that the president would indeed visit the CDC.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the government's response to coronavirus, had said Thursday that Trump was planning to sign an $8.3 billion emergency spending bill at the CDC.
"The president is no longer traveling to Atlanta today," an administration official, who declined to be identified, said earlier Friday. "The CDC has been proactive and prepared since the very beginning and the president does not want to interfere with the CDC's mission to protect the health and welfare of their people and the agency."
A representative for the CDC didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump signed the bill at the White House on Friday morning before he left for Nashville, Tennessee. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said he would go to the CDC in the president's stead.
However, Trump said after he signed the bill that he could still end up visiting the CDC. He said there was a person suspected to have coronavirus at CDC on Thursday, but the test had come back negative. "I may be going. We're going to see if they can turn it around," Trump told reporters after he signed the bill.
Indeed, Grisham said that a woman at the CDC who had been suspected of having coronavirus ultimately tested negative.
The disease has infected more than 100,000 people worldwide, killing at least 3,383. In the United States, there have been at least 233 infections and 14 fatalities.
The Senate passed the funding bill Thursday a day after it sailed through the House. The spending package is aimed at helping local and federal authorities battle the coronavirus outbreak as numbers of confirmed cases mount. Congress scrambled to put it together over the past week, after a dispute over vaccine pricing held things up.
The final package far exceeds the $2.5 billion proposal that the White House put forward last week. Trump has since said he would be willing to sign orders for a larger package, and it has been widely expected he would approve the funds with little pushback.
This bill includes more than $3 billion in vaccine research and $2.2 billion in prevention and preparedness efforts. It also helps reimburse states like Washington that have already been burning through resources to fight the outbreak.
Trump in February put Pence in charge of the federal response to coronavirus, after criticism from lawmakers that the administration's initial response was slow and disorganized.
According to the White House's official schedule, Trump will travel to Nashville on Friday to survey the damage and the response to deadly tornadoes earlier this week. He will then head to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, to speak at a fundraiser.
Now he will travel to Atlanta between his stops in Nashville and Palm Beach.


cnbc--2020-03-07--GOP Rep. Ken Buck wields AR-15 in office, dares Joe Biden and Beto O'Rourke to 'come and take it'

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck , a Colorado Republican , wielded an AR-15 rifle in his office and dared former Vice President Joe Biden and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke to `` come and take it '' in a jaw-dropping video posted online Friday .
`` I have a message for Joe Biden and Beto O'Rourke , if you want to take everyone 's AR-15s in America , why do n't you swing by my office in Washington , D.C. and start with this one , '' Buck said in the video on his office 's website .
`` Come and take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the rifle , which was wrapped in an American flag design , was in response to O'Rourke 's stance against high-powered assault rifles being in civilian hands , and Biden 's reference earlier this week that he would tap O'Rourke to help him `` take care of the gun problem . ''
Buck 's office noted that O'Rourke , a former Texas congressman who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination last year , had said in a Democratic debate , `` hell yes , we 're going to take your AR-15 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that comment , O'Rourke had been asked at the debate whether he proposed to take away those types of weapons .
He answered , `` I am if it is a weapon that was designed to kill people on a battlefield ; if they high impact high velocity round when it hits your body shreds everything inside of your body because it was designed to do that so that you would bleed to death on a battlefield and not be able to get up and kill one of our soldiers . ''
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Monday said at a rally of O'Rourke that `` I want to make something clear — I 'm gon na guarantee you , this is not the last you 're seeing of this guy — you 're gon na take care of the gun problem with me , you 're gon na be the one who leads this effort . ''
O'Rourke fired back at Buck on Twitter on Friday , writing , `` This guy makes the case for both an assault weapons ban and a mandatory buyback program better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These are weapons of war that have no place in our communities , in our politics or in our public discourse , '' O'Rourke wrote .
Biden 's campaign spokesman Andrew Bates issued the following statement on Buck 's video : '' Joe Biden is the only candidate in this race who has taken on the NRA and beaten them .
Mass shootings have become an epidemic that is devastating communities across our country - especially children in schools - which is a crisis we have to stop as soon as possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun safety reform , and as president Joe Biden would demand a ban on assault weapons .
Weapons of war have no place in our streets , and absolutely no place in our schools .
It 's long past time for elected officials to value the lives of our children over the interests of gun manufacturers . ''
Fred Guttenberg , whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime died in the Parkland , Florida , school shooting in 2018 , replied to Buck on Twitter , saying that if he had seen the congressman 's video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have '' visited his office .
`` My daughter died from a single AR 15 bullet .
You may find joy in that , I do n't , '' wrote Guttenberg , who has endorsed Biden 's candidacy .
`` I will gladly come back to DC to discuss your AR 15 and removing it for safe storage .
Do not make threats of AR 15 violence . ''
Buck said in a statement on his office website , `` I have always been a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on the law-abiding gun owners of Colorado 's Fourth District . ''
Buck was just one of two House members , the other being Andy Biggs , R-Ariz. , who voted Wednesday against the $ 8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
That funding passed the House 415-2 , and was signed by President Donald Trump on Friday .
Buck 's fellow congressman , Rep. Ruben Gallego , D-Ariz. , blasted him in a Twitter reply for violating a cardinal rule of handling a gun by pointing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` You literally flagged the camera man .
First rule of weapons handling , treat every weapon as if it were loaded , '' wrote Gallego , who served as a Marine in Iraq .
`` Second rule , never point the weapon at anything you do n't intend to shoot . ''
Buck has permission to have the AR-15 in the U.S. Capitol because he is a member of Congress .
It is illegal for nonmembers of Congress to bring a gun into the Capitol .
Buck told The Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his office is unloaded and has a trigger lock .
He said he also had the bolt carrier assembly , which is required to actually fire the rifle , removed before it came to Washington .
In June 2017 , a left-wing activist from Illinois named James Hodgkinson , who was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a 9 mm pistol shot then-House Minority Whip Steve Scalise , R-La.
, U.S Capitol police officer Chrystal Griner , congressional aide Zack Barth and a lobbyist , Matt Mika , while they were practicing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Alexandria , Virginia .
They all survived the shooting .
In January 2011 , then-Rep. Gabby Giffords , D-Ariz. , was shot in the head while meeting with constituents outside a supermarket in her home state .
Giffords , who survived , was shot by a man , Jared Lee Loughner , who was armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol that had a 33-round magazine .
Six other people died in the attack .
Correction : James Hodgkinson was the shooter at a congressional baseball practice in June 2017 .
An @ @ @ @ @ @

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican, wielded an AR-15 rifle in his office and dared former Vice President Joe Biden and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke to "come and take it" in a jaw-dropping video posted online Friday.
"I have a message for Joe Biden and Beto O'Rourke, if you want to take everyone's AR-15s in America, why don't you swing by my office in Washington, D.C. and start with this one," Buck said in the video on his office's website.
"Come and take it."
Tweet
Buck's office called Biden and O'Rourke "the gun-grabbing duo."
The video of Buck with the rifle, which was wrapped in an American flag design, was in response to O'Rourke's stance against high-powered assault rifles being in civilian hands, and Biden's reference earlier this week that he would tap O'Rourke to help him "take care of the gun problem."
Buck's office noted that O'Rourke, a former Texas congressman who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination last year, had said in a Democratic debate, "hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47."
Before he made that comment, O'Rourke had been asked at the debate whether he proposed to take away those types of weapons.
He answered, "I am if it is a weapon that was designed to kill people on a battlefield; if they high impact high velocity round when it hits your body shreds everything inside of your body because it was designed to do that so that you would bleed to death on a battlefield and not be able to get up and kill one of our soldiers."
Biden, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, on Monday said at a rally of O'Rourke that "I want to make something clear — I'm gonna guarantee you, this is not the last you're seeing of this guy — you're gonna take care of the gun problem with me, you're gonna be the one who leads this effort."
O'Rourke fired back at Buck on Twitter on Friday, writing, "This guy makes the case for both an assault weapons ban and a mandatory buyback program better than I ever could."
"These are weapons of war that have no place in our communities, in our politics or in our public discourse," O'Rourke wrote.
Tweet
Biden's campaign spokesman Andrew Bates issued the following statement on Buck's video:
"Joe Biden is the only candidate in this race who has taken on the NRA and beaten them. Mass shootings have become an epidemic that is devastating communities across our country - especially children in schools - which is a crisis we have to stop as soon as possible. The American people are crying out for gun safety reform, and as president Joe Biden would demand a ban on assault weapons. Weapons of war have no place in our streets, and absolutely no place in our schools. It's long past time for elected officials to value the lives of our children over the interests of gun manufacturers."
Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime died in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting in 2018, replied to Buck on Twitter, saying that if he had seen the congressman's video "yesterday when in DC I gladly would have" visited his office.
"My daughter died from a single AR 15 bullet. You may find joy in that, I don't," wrote Guttenberg, who has endorsed Biden's candidacy. "I will gladly come back to DC to discuss your AR 15 and removing it for safe storage. Do not make threats of AR 15 violence."
Buck said in a statement on his office website, "I have always been a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and will continue to stand up to any attacks on the law-abiding gun owners of Colorado's Fourth District."
Buck was just one of two House members, the other being Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., who voted Wednesday against the $8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the coronavirus outbreak. That funding passed the House 415-2, and was signed by President Donald Trump on Friday.
Buck's fellow congressman, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., blasted him in a Twitter reply for violating a cardinal rule of handling a gun by pointing it at the person who shot the video.
"You literally flagged the camera man. First rule of weapons handling, treat every weapon as if it were loaded," wrote Gallego, who served as a Marine in Iraq. "Second rule, never point the weapon at anything you don't intend to shoot."
Buck has permission to have the AR-15 in the U.S. Capitol because he is a member of Congress. It is illegal for nonmembers of Congress to bring a gun into the Capitol.
Buck told The Washington Post in 2015 that the AR-15 he keeps in his office is unloaded and has a trigger lock. He said he also had the bolt carrier assembly, which is required to actually fire the rifle, removed before it came to Washington.
In June 2017, a left-wing activist from Illinois named James Hodgkinson, who was armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a 9 mm pistol shot then-House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., U.S Capitol police officer Chrystal Griner, congressional aide Zack Barth and a lobbyist, Matt Mika, while they were practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity in Alexandria, Virginia. They all survived the shooting.
Hodgkinson died after a shootout with police.
In January 2011, then-Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head while meeting with constituents outside a supermarket in her home state. Giffords, who survived, was shot by a man, Jared Lee Loughner, who was armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol that had a 33-round magazine. Six other people died in the attack.
Correction: James Hodgkinson was the shooter at a congressional baseball practice in June 2017. An earlier version misspelled his name.


cnbc--2020-03-09--Former Obama fundraising chief calls on over 700 bundlers to back Joe Biden's surging campaign

The architect of President Barack Obama 's 2012 fundraising juggernaut has reached out to more than 700 bundlers in a bid to convince them to back Joe Biden 's candidacy as he rides momentum from his Super Tuesday triumphs .
Rufus Gifford , who was the finance director for Obama 's reelection campaign , sent an email just before Super Tuesday to hundreds of fundraisers who combined to help raise millions of dollars in 2012 .
Most of the email recipients were on Obama 's national finance committees for both his 2008 and 2012 runs for office , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
`` If you believe as I do that Vice President Joe Biden is our best ( and perhaps last ? )
hope to defeat Donald Trump and recapture the soul of our nation , we need to ensure that the Biden Campaign is well funded , '' Gifford , who was also the ambassador to Denmark under Obama , said in the email to his network .
`` I am hoping that all of you will consider signing up this week – I will introduce you to your regional staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will win this if we can put this team back together . ''
In 2012 , Obama outraised his Republican opponent , Mitt Romney , by a margin of almost 2 to 1 , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
Obama finished the election cycle bringing in over $ 720 million while Romney raised just under $ 450 million .
Obama 's massive haul came in part from small-dollar donors : $ 234 million came from contributors giving $ 200 or less .
These new efforts for Biden come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders in the battle for delegates .
Polls show that the former vice president is on the verge of a dominating performance in Michigan 's primary on Tuesday .
The overall goal is to turn Biden 's campaign , that struggled to raise money at the outset , into a national fundraising juggernaut that will have the ability to continue to fend off Sanders and eventually overtake President Donald Trump .
Last week , as Biden picked up hundreds of delegates on Super Tuesday , the campaign saw millions of dollars in commitments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidelines of the 2020 Democratic primary .
While Gifford would not say who has signed up in the wake of his email , he explained that it is clear that the response he has received shows establishment Democrats are rallying around Biden .
`` There does seem to be a meeting of the minds to back the Joe Biden candidacy , '' Gifford said .
There has been a round of cohesion around Biden . ''
Beyond the attempt to recruit former Obama financiers , Gifford and other Biden allies have been speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former vice president and the party as a whole .
Anthony Mercurio , the former national investment director for Pete Buttigieg 's presidential campaign , has spoken with Gifford about getting back into the 2020 election and either working for Biden 's operation , the super PAC Unite the Country or the Democratic National Committee .
Buttigieg dropped out of the race just before Super Tuesday and later endorsed Biden for president .
Another Biden supporter , who declined to be named as these discussions were deemed private , said allies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign to hire Shari Yost Gold , a fundraising consultant for Sen. Kamala Harris .
Gold signed on to help former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg 's campaign for president .
Bloomberg dropped out of the race on Wednesday and endorsed Biden .
As for Biden 's current crop of fundraisers , the campaign 's list notes a bunch of former Obama fundraisers , including Hollywood executive Jeffrey Katzenberg .
Yet there are some who have yet to start fundraising solely for the former vice president as they were backing or advising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with her husband , Netflix executive Ted Sarandos , helped raise at least $ 500,000 for Obama 's 2012 reelection .
Avant was listed as one of Buttigieg 's bundlers .
Brian Mathis , the founding partner of asset management firm Pine Street , was a member of Obama 's 2008 national finance committee .
He had helped Harris before she dropped out .
Martin Nesbitt , a co-CEO of Chicago-based private equity firm the Vistria Group , hosted a fundraiser for former Massachusetts Gov .
Deval Patrick before he dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of Obama 's 2008 national finance committee .

The architect of President Barack Obama's 2012 fundraising juggernaut has reached out to more than 700 bundlers in a bid to convince them to back Joe Biden's candidacy as he rides momentum from his Super Tuesday triumphs.
Rufus Gifford, who was the finance director for Obama's reelection campaign, sent an email just before Super Tuesday to hundreds of fundraisers who combined to help raise millions of dollars in 2012. Most of the email recipients were on Obama's national finance committees for both his 2008 and 2012 runs for office, according to Gifford, who spoke with CNBC on Monday.
"If you believe as I do that Vice President Joe Biden is our best (and perhaps last?) hope to defeat Donald Trump and recapture the soul of our nation, we need to ensure that the Biden Campaign is well funded," Gifford, who was also the ambassador to Denmark under Obama, said in the email to his network. "I am hoping that all of you will consider signing up this week – I will introduce you to your regional staff and get you set up. We can and will win this if we can put this team back together."
In 2012, Obama outraised his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, by a margin of almost 2 to 1, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Obama finished the election cycle bringing in over $720 million while Romney raised just under $450 million. Obama's massive haul came in part from small-dollar donors: $234 million came from contributors giving $200 or less.
These new efforts for Biden come as he surges ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders in the battle for delegates. Polls show that the former vice president is on the verge of a dominating performance in Michigan's primary on Tuesday. The overall goal is to turn Biden's campaign, that struggled to raise money at the outset, into a national fundraising juggernaut that will have the ability to continue to fend off Sanders and eventually overtake President Donald Trump.
Last week, as Biden picked up hundreds of delegates on Super Tuesday, the campaign saw millions of dollars in commitments from donors who were waiting on the sidelines of the 2020 Democratic primary.
While Gifford would not say who has signed up in the wake of his email, he explained that it is clear that the response he has received shows establishment Democrats are rallying around Biden.
"There does seem to be a meeting of the minds to back the Joe Biden candidacy," Gifford said. There has been a round of cohesion around Biden."
Beyond the attempt to recruit former Obama financiers, Gifford and other Biden allies have been speaking to potential staffing recruits that could help the former vice president and the party as a whole. Anthony Mercurio, the former national investment director for Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign, has spoken with Gifford about getting back into the 2020 election and either working for Biden's operation, the super PAC Unite the Country or the Democratic National Committee. Buttigieg dropped out of the race just before Super Tuesday and later endorsed Biden for president.
Another Biden supporter, who declined to be named as these discussions were deemed private, said allies of the former vice president's are encouraging the campaign to hire Shari Yost Gold, a fundraising consultant for Sen. Kamala Harris. Gold signed on to help former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg's campaign for president. Bloomberg dropped out of the race on Wednesday and endorsed Biden.
As for Biden's current crop of fundraisers, the campaign's list notes a bunch of former Obama fundraisers, including Hollywood executive Jeffrey Katzenberg. Yet there are some who have yet to start fundraising solely for the former vice president as they were backing or advising multiple campaigns.
Music producer Nicole Avant, along with her husband, Netflix executive Ted Sarandos, helped raise at least $500,000 for Obama's 2012 reelection. Avant was listed as one of Buttigieg's bundlers.
Brian Mathis, the founding partner of asset management firm Pine Street, was a member of Obama's 2008 national finance committee. He had helped Harris before she dropped out.
Martin Nesbitt, a co-CEO of Chicago-based private equity firm the Vistria Group, hosted a fundraiser for former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick before he dropped out the race. He was a member of Obama's 2008 national finance committee.


cnbc--2020-03-09--Trump had contact with congressmen Collins and Gaetz before they self-quarantined over coronavirus c

Trump had contact with congressmen Collins and Gaetz before they self-quarantined over coronavirus concerns

President Donald Trump had contact with two Republican congressmen before their announcements Monday that they were entering self-quarantine after learning they had been previously exposed to someone since diagnosed with coronavirus .
Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia shook hands with Trump last Friday when the president traveled to Atlanta to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , where officials there briefed him on their response to coronavirus .
Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida flew on Air Force One with Trump on Monday on a flight from Orlando , Fla. , to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with knowledge of the situation , reported that Gaetz learned shortly after the plane was airborne that he , like Collins , had been in contact with a person at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland in late February who since has been diagnosed with coronavirus .
Gaetz then sat in a section of the plane by himself , the newspaper reported .
Gaetz publicly revealed he was entering self-quarantining about an hour after he got off the plane with Trump .
Video footage shows Gaetz on the tarmac at Joint Base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as if to keep a man approaching at a distance from him .

watch now
watch now
The White House said later Monday that Trump had not been tested for coronavirus. "The President has not received COVID-19 testing because he has neither had prolonged close contact with any known confirmed COVID-19 patients, nor does he have any symptoms," Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said. "President Trump remains in excellent health, and his physician will continue to closely monitor him." She added: "Per current CDC guidelines, medical professionals should base testing decisions on patient symptoms and exposure history." There is no need for Trump to self-quarantine because of his contact with Gaetz and Collins, according to Dr. Ali Khan, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the College of Public Health of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Khan told CNBC that people need to self-quarantine if they have "direct contact with a confirmed infected person, not contact with a contact." Both congressmen said they had no symptoms of the virus. Gaetz has been tested for the virus "and expects results soon," according to his tweets.
President Donald Trump greets Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., as he arrives on Air Force One Friday, March 6, 2020, at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Ga. Alex Brandon | AP


cnbc--2020-03-09--White House to invite Wall Street executives to meet over coronavirus concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Larry Kudlow , director of the U.S. National Economic Council , right , in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington , D.C .
The White House is inviting Wall Street executives to discuss the response to the new coronavirus outbreak , an administration official told CNBC .
President Donald Trump is expected to attend the meeting , which is scheduled to be held Wednesday .
Invitations were being sent out as of Monday afternoon , the official told CNBC .
The Washington Post first reported the gathering .
The meeting was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by fears about the impact of the coronavirus .
The plummeting S & P index forced a trading halt early in Monday 's session , as coronavirus fears gripped global industries and plunging oil prices deepened the strain on the market .
The virus has infected more than 100,000 people around the world and killed at least 3,892 , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
CNBC 's Wilfred Frost reported later Monday that the meeting will take place at 3 p.m .
ET on Wednesday , and that at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. have been invited .
The Trump administration 's coronavirus task force , led by Vice President Mike Pence , has scrambled to respond as more Americans test positive for the disease .
White House aides are set to meet with Trump and present economic stimulus ideas to him after he returns to Washington , D.C. , from Florida later Monday afternoon .
On Tuesday , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow are set to brief Senate Republicans at a lunch event on the administration 's economic options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior GOP leadership aide .
It was not immediately clear which Wall Street big wigs were invited to the Wednesday meeting .
But one key figure in the world of finance is unlikely to attend : JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon , who underwent an unplanned heart surgery late last week and is currently in recovery .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Larry Kudlow, director of the U.S. National Economic Council, right, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C.
The White House is inviting Wall Street executives to discuss the response to the new coronavirus outbreak, an administration official told CNBC.
President Donald Trump is expected to attend the meeting, which is scheduled to be held Wednesday. Invitations were being sent out as of Monday afternoon, the official told CNBC.
The Washington Post first reported the gathering.
The meeting was arranged amid a punishing market rout spurred by fears about the impact of the coronavirus. The plummeting S&P index forced a trading halt early in Monday's session, as coronavirus fears gripped global industries and plunging oil prices deepened the strain on the market.
The virus has infected more than 100,000 people around the world and killed at least 3,892, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
CNBC's Wilfred Frost reported later Monday that the meeting will take place at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and that at least seven of the largest banks in the U.S. have been invited.
Wilf TWEET
The Trump administration's coronavirus task force, led by Vice President Mike Pence, has scrambled to respond as more Americans test positive for the disease. White House aides are set to meet with Trump and present economic stimulus ideas to him after he returns to Washington, D.C., from Florida later Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow are set to brief Senate Republicans at a lunch event on the administration's economic options, NBC News reported, citing a senior GOP leadership aide.
It was not immediately clear which Wall Street big wigs were invited to the Wednesday meeting. But one key figure in the world of finance is unlikely to attend: JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who underwent an unplanned heart surgery late last week and is currently in recovery.


cnbc--2020-03-09--Biden has big lead over Sanders in Tuesday's make-or-break Michigan primary, polls say

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden arrives for a visit at Detroit One Coney Island Restaurant on August 01 , 2019 in Detroit , Michigan .
Joe Biden leads Bernie Sanders by a comfortable margin in a series of Michigan polls released before the state 's pivotal Democratic primary on Tuesday .
The Vermont senator has looked for a win in Michigan as he tries to keep pace with the former vice president in the pledged delegate race and stem Biden 's rise after a strong Super Tuesday showing earlier this month .
Biden appears well positioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Sanders has focused on winning in recent days , according to surveys .
A Monmouth University poll released Monday found Biden leading Sanders 51 % to 36 % among likely Democratic primary voters .
It follows surveys from Mitchell Research and Epic-MRA and the Detroit Free Press in recent days showing a more than 20 percentage point lead for Biden in Michigan .
A Biden victory of that magnitude would deal a potentially crippling blow to Sanders ' chances .
Sanders won Michigan in 2016 .
He fell behind Biden in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
He also could lose a few of the other five states voting Tuesday , particularly Mississippi and Missouri , by big margins .
Michigan awards 125 pledged delegates , the most among the states voting Tuesday .
Four big states will then hold primaries on March 17 .
Polling indicates Biden is poised to win that day 's biggest delegate haul , Florida , by a healthy margin .
There 's reason to be skeptical of Michigan polling .
Surveys showed Hillary Clinton beating Sanders by an average of about 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders narrowly won Michigan .
`` Biden appears to have the advantage because he is doing well among some groups that Sanders won four years ago .
But as we learned in 2016 , Michigan can defy expectations , '' Patrick Murray , director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute , said in a statement .
A shrinking primary field has appeared to help Biden in Michigan polls .
Former rivals Sen. Amy Klobuchar , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg all dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month .
The Monmouth poll gives fodder for both Biden and Sanders as they each make the case that they are best suited to defeat President Donald Trump in November .
In hypothetical Michigan general election matchups , Biden and Sanders hold 7- and 5-percentage point leads , respectively , over the president .
Michigan was one of the states that narrowly helped to send Trump to the White House in 2016 .

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden arrives for a visit at Detroit One Coney Island Restaurant on August 01, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan.
Joe Biden leads Bernie Sanders by a comfortable margin in a series of Michigan polls released before the state's pivotal Democratic primary on Tuesday.
The Vermont senator has looked for a win in Michigan as he tries to keep pace with the former vice president in the pledged delegate race and stem Biden's rise after a strong Super Tuesday showing earlier this month. Biden appears well positioned to carry Michigan, a delegate-rich state that Sanders has focused on winning in recent days, according to surveys.
A Monmouth University poll released Monday found Biden leading Sanders 51% to 36% among likely Democratic primary voters. It follows surveys from Mitchell Research and Epic-MRA and the Detroit Free Press in recent days showing a more than 20 percentage point lead for Biden in Michigan.
A Biden victory of that magnitude would deal a potentially crippling blow to Sanders' chances. Sanders won Michigan in 2016. He fell behind Biden in the pledged delegate race after Super Tuesday this year. He also could lose a few of the other five states voting Tuesday, particularly Mississippi and Missouri, by big margins.
Michigan awards 125 pledged delegates, the most among the states voting Tuesday. Four big states will then hold primaries on March 17. Polling indicates Biden is poised to win that day's biggest delegate haul, Florida, by a healthy margin.
There's reason to be skeptical of Michigan polling. Surveys showed Hillary Clinton beating Sanders by an average of about 20 percentage points in the 2016 primary. Sanders narrowly won Michigan.
"Biden appears to have the advantage because he is doing well among some groups that Sanders won four years ago. But as we learned in 2016, Michigan can defy expectations," Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, said in a statement.
A shrinking primary field has appeared to help Biden in Michigan polls. Former rivals Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg all dropped out of the race and endorsed Biden this month.
The Monmouth poll gives fodder for both Biden and Sanders as they each make the case that they are best suited to defeat President Donald Trump in November. In hypothetical Michigan general election matchups, Biden and Sanders hold 7- and 5-percentage point leads, respectively, over the president.
Michigan was one of the states that narrowly helped to send Trump to the White House in 2016.
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cnbc--2020-03-09--Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Paul Gosar, Rep. Doug Collins self-quarantine after interaction with CPAC attend

Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Paul Gosar, Rep. Doug Collins self-quarantine after interaction with CPAC attendee who tested positive for coronavirus

Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , Rep. Paul Gosar , R-Ariz. , and Rep. Doug Collins , R-GA are in self-quarantine after interacting with an attendee infected with coronavirus at the Conservative Political Action Conference in late February .
Gosar said he , along with three of his senior staff , are officially under self-quarantine after sustained contact at CPAC with the person who has since been hospitalized .
He said they are all asymptomatic .
Collins said in a statement Monday afternoon he was notified by CPAC `` that they discovered a photo of myself and the patient who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Cruz said his interaction with an infected person consisted of `` a brief conversation and a handshake . ''
Cruz said he does not meet the CDC criteria for a self-quarantine , but he is opting to anyway .
`` Nevertheless , out of an abundance of caution , and because of how frequently I interact with my constituents as a part of my job and to give everyone peace of mind , I have decided to remain at my home in Texas this week , until a full 14 days have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
The Republican senator said he has been advised that his odds of having contracted the disease from the infected person were `` extremely low , '' given his lack of symptoms and brevity of their interaction .
Those with whom he has interacted in the 10 days since the conference should `` not be concerned about potential transmission , '' he added .
American Conservative Union said Saturday that a person who attended the annual meeting of political activists tested positive for the coronavirus .
The person is now under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and Vice President Mike Pence also attended the event .
A White House spokeswoman said on Saturday said there was no indication that either had met with or were in close proximity to the attendee .
The news followed reports that individuals at another high-profile policy conference , the American Israel Public Affairs Committee gathering , had also come down with the illness .
Two of those individuals were confirmed to now be in New York and to be asymptomatic at AIPAC .
Members of Congress and other AIPAC attendees were reassured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk for anyone exposed to them . ''
A third individual at the conference also contracted the illness and is now in Los Angeles .
In an update posted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's office , the Office of the Attending Physician in Congress said the fact that an infected individual was sick and asymptomatic at CPAC led authorities to come to a different risk `` assessment '' than for AIPAC .
`` The ill individual at CPAC was able to recall specific names of people he had contact with during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Members of the Congress , were identified and were contacted on the evening of March 7 by Office of Attending Physician , '' according to the notice .
The announcement comes as experts are increasingly warning that certain Americans may need to reconsider public activities as the disease continues to spread .
`` If we continue to see the community spread go up , I think you need to seriously look at anything that 's a large gathering , '' Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Press '' on Sunday .

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and Rep. Doug Collins, R-GA are in self-quarantine after interacting with an attendee infected with coronavirus at the Conservative Political Action Conference in late February.
Gosar said he, along with three of his senior staff, are officially under self-quarantine after sustained contact at CPAC with the person who has since been hospitalized. He said they are all asymptomatic.
Collins said in a statement Monday afternoon he was notified by CPAC "that they discovered a photo of myself and the patient who has tested positive for #COVID19."
Cruz said his interaction with an infected person consisted of "a brief conversation and a handshake." Cruz said he does not meet the CDC criteria for a self-quarantine, but he is opting to anyway.
"Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, and because of how frequently I interact with my constituents as a part of my job and to give everyone peace of mind, I have decided to remain at my home in Texas this week, until a full 14 days have passed since the CPAC interaction," he said.
The Republican senator said he has been advised that his odds of having contracted the disease from the infected person were "extremely low," given his lack of symptoms and brevity of their interaction. Those with whom he has interacted in the 10 days since the conference should "not be concerned about potential transmission," he added.
American Conservative Union said Saturday that a person who attended the annual meeting of political activists tested positive for the coronavirus. The person is now under quarantine in New Jersey. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence also attended the event. A White House spokeswoman said on Saturday said there was no indication that either had met with or were in close proximity to the attendee.
The news followed reports that individuals at another high-profile policy conference, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee gathering, had also come down with the illness. Two of those individuals were confirmed to now be in New York and to be asymptomatic at AIPAC. Members of Congress and other AIPAC attendees were reassured this weekend there was "no identifiable risk for anyone exposed to them."
A third individual at the conference also contracted the illness and is now in Los Angeles.
In an update posted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office, the Office of the Attending Physician in Congress said the fact that an infected individual was sick and asymptomatic at CPAC led authorities to come to a different risk "assessment" than for AIPAC.
"The ill individual at CPAC was able to recall specific names of people he had contact with during the meeting. Several of these individuals, Members of the Congress, were identified and were contacted on the evening of March 7 by Office of Attending Physician," according to the notice.
The announcement comes as experts are increasingly warning that certain Americans may need to reconsider public activities as the disease continues to spread.
"If we continue to see the community spread go up, I think you need to seriously look at anything that's a large gathering," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday.


cnbc--2020-03-09--Trump downplays oil plunge, coronavirus as markets tank: 'Life & the economy go on'

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing at the National Institutes of Health Vaccine Research Center in Bethesda , Maryland , U.S. , on Tuesday , March 3 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump sought to play down the plunging price of oil and the global spread of the new coronavirus as markets tanked Monday , saying that lower gas prices were good for consumers and comparing COVID-19 to the common flu .
`` Good for the consumer , gasoline prices coming down ! ''
Trump wrote in one of a series of posts on Twitter .
In another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37,000 Americans last year , compared with 22 known deaths from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
The market slid Monday amid an all-out oil price war and fears over the economic pain to come from the coronavirus .
The sell-off triggered market `` circuit breakers '' shortly after trading opened , after the major indexes fell by 7 % in less than 15 minutes .
Oil prices were down more than 20 % after Saudi Arabia announced major price cuts and production increases .
The Saudi move came after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut 1.5 million barrels of production per day .
Trump said the collapse was caused by Saudi Arabia and Russia `` arguing over the price and flow of oil . ''
`` That , and the Fake News , is the reason for the market drop ! ''
Trump tweeted .
`` Nothing is shut down , life & the economy go on , '' he said .
The president 's downplaying of the coronavirus comes even as other parts of his administration signaled that containing the disease was his top priority .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is leading a whole of government approach , '' Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told Fox Business on Monday .
`` It is the number one priority of this administration . ''

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a briefing at the National Institutes of Health Vaccine Research Center in Bethesda, Maryland, U.S., on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
President Donald Trump sought to play down the plunging price of oil and the global spread of the new coronavirus as markets tanked Monday, saying that lower gas prices were good for consumers and comparing COVID-19 to the common flu.
"Good for the consumer, gasoline prices coming down!" Trump wrote in one of a series of posts on Twitter. In another, he wrote that the flu killed 37,000 Americans last year, compared with 22 known deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The market slid Monday amid an all-out oil price war and fears over the economic pain to come from the coronavirus. The sell-off triggered market "circuit breakers" shortly after trading opened, after the major indexes fell by 7% in less than 15 minutes.
Oil prices were down more than 20% after Saudi Arabia announced major price cuts and production increases. The Saudi move came after Russia rejected a proposal by OPEC to cut 1.5 million barrels of production per day.
Trump said the collapse was caused by Saudi Arabia and Russia "arguing over the price and flow of oil."
"That, and the Fake News, is the reason for the market drop!" Trump tweeted. "Nothing is shut down, life & the economy go on," he said.
The president's downplaying of the coronavirus comes even as other parts of his administration signaled that containing the disease was his top priority.
"The American people should know President Trump is leading a whole of government approach," Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told Fox Business on Monday. "It is the number one priority of this administration."


cnbc--2020-03-09--Prince Andrew refuses to cooperate in Jeffrey Epstein probe, reportedly hires top extradition lawyer

The Duke of York , in his role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards , at a memorial in Bruges to mark the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of the Belgian town .
Prince Andrew has reportedly hired a top extradition lawyer in Britain and is refusing to assist federal prosecutors investigating alleged child sex trafficking by his one-time friend Jeffrey Epstein .
Those prosecutors in New York now are considering their `` options '' for dealing with Andrew , a top official said Monday .
Andrew , a son of Britain 's Queen Elizabeth II , claimed in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their investigations of the wealthy investor who killed himself in a federal jail last August while awaiting trial .
But Geoffrey Berman , the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York , told reporters on Monday that the Duke of York has ruled out cooperating with investigators from his office .
`` Contrary to Prince Andrew 's very public offer to cooperate with our investigation into Epstein 's co-conspirators , an offer that was conveyed via press release , Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference .
`` And our office is considering our options , '' said Berman .
It is not clear whether Berman would wd be able to force Andrew 's cooperation .
On Friday , the Daily Telegraph in Britain reported that Andrew had hired Clare Montgomery , a lawyer whom the newspaper described as `` the leading expert on extradition law . ''
A spokeswoman for Montgomery 's law firm , Matrix Chambers , declined to comment on the Telegraph 's report when contacted Monday by CNBC .
Montgomery 's clients have include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ultimately successful fight against extradition from Britain on human rights violations charges issed by a Spanish magistrate , as well as fugitive India diamond merchant Nirav Modi in his bid to avoid extradition on fraud and money laundering charges .
And `` she has successfully represented a string of prominent Russian citizens who have been the focus of requests from the Russian Federation , '' according to her biography says on Matrix Chambers 's website .
Montgomery also represented the Swedish Judicial Authority in its effort to have WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex assault charges there lodged by two women .
Berman had told reporters in January that `` to date , Prince Andrew has provided zero cooperation '' to federal law enforcement invesrtigators .
`` Jeffrey Epstein could n't have done what he did without the assistance of others , and I can assure you that the investigation is moving forward , '' Berman said at the time .
Buckingham Palace has not responded to Berman 's comments on Monday .
Berman 's office last summer obtained an indictment against Epstein charging the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton with child sex trafficking .
Epstein , 66 , was accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls in New York and in Palm Beach , Florida , from 2002 through 2005 .
After Epstein died , Berman said the investigation into other people who may have abetted Epstein 's crimes would continue .
But no one else has been charged .
Months after Epstein 's death , Andrew sparked a furor with a disastrous interview with the BBC about his relationship with Epstein .
Andrew , among other things , denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epstein 's accusers , Virginia Giuffre , as she has claimed .
He said he was as incapable of sweating , as Giuffre described him doing when they were dancing at a London nightclub .

The Duke of York, in his role as colonel of the Grenadier Guards, at a memorial in Bruges to mark the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of the Belgian town.
Prince Andrew has reportedly hired a top extradition lawyer in Britain and is refusing to assist federal prosecutors investigating alleged child sex trafficking by his one-time friend Jeffrey Epstein.
Those prosecutors in New York now are considering their "options" for dealing with Andrew, a top official said Monday.
Andrew, a son of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, claimed in November he was willing to help law-enforcement officials in their investigations of the wealthy investor who killed himself in a federal jail last August while awaiting trial.
But Geoffrey Berman, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, told reporters on Monday that the Duke of York has ruled out cooperating with investigators from his office.
"Contrary to Prince Andrew's very public offer to cooperate with our investigation into Epstein's co-conspirators, an offer that was conveyed via press release, Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary cooperation," Berman said at a press conference.
"And our office is considering our options," said Berman.
It is not clear whether Berman would wd be able to force Andrew's cooperation.
On Friday, the Daily Telegraph in Britain reported that Andrew had hired Clare Montgomery, a lawyer whom the newspaper described as "the leading expert on extradition law."
A spokeswoman for Montgomery's law firm, Matrix Chambers, declined to comment on the Telegraph's report when contacted Monday by CNBC.
Montgomery's clients have include Chile's former dictator Augusto Pinochet in his ultimately successful fight against extradition from Britain on human rights violations charges issed by a Spanish magistrate, as well as fugitive India diamond merchant Nirav Modi in his bid to avoid extradition on fraud and money laundering charges.
And "she has successfully represented a string of prominent Russian citizens who have been the focus of requests from the Russian Federation," according to her biography says on Matrix Chambers's website.
Montgomery also represented the Swedish Judicial Authority in its effort to have WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange extradited from Long to Sweden to face sex assault charges there lodged by two women.
Berman had told reporters in January that "to date, Prince Andrew has provided zero cooperation" to federal law enforcement invesrtigators.
"Jeffrey Epstein couldn't have done what he did without the assistance of others, and I can assure you that the investigation is moving forward," Berman said at the time.
Buckingham Palace has not responded to Berman's comments on Monday.
Berman's office last summer obtained an indictment against Epstein charging the former friend of Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton with child sex trafficking.
Epstein, 66, was accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls in New York and in Palm Beach, Florida, from 2002 through 2005.
After Epstein died, Berman said the investigation into other people who may have abetted Epstein's crimes would continue.
But no one else has been charged.
Months after Epstein's death, Andrew sparked a furor with a disastrous interview with the BBC about his relationship with Epstein.
Andrew, among other things, denied having sex years ago with one of Epstein's accusers, Virginia Giuffre, as she has claimed. He said he was as incapable of sweating, as Giuffre described him doing when they were dancing at a London nightclub.


cnbc--2020-03-09--Trump and Pence try to reassure GOP donors they have coronavirus response under control

US President Donald Trump speaks during a tour of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) in Atlanta , Georgia , on March 6 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence sought to reassure top Republican donors over the weekend that they have everything under control when it comes to the coronavirus outbreak .
Trump , who attended a Republican National Committee donor retreat at his private resort at Mar-a-Lago in Florida , told financiers Friday that his administration is making public health and safety a No .
1 priority , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They declined to be named since these remarks were delivered in private .
The virus has infected more than 550 people in the United States , killing more than 20 .
More than 111,000 people have been infected worldwide , while more than 3,800 have died .
Pence , who was tapped by Trump to lead the White House coronavirus task force , spoke to donors at the retreat on Saturday .
He echoed what the president said a day earlier , these people added .
The retreat followed Trump 's visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention in Atlanta , where the president told reporters that anyone who wants to be tested for the coronavirus `` gets a test . ''
Pence had noted Thursday that he does n't anticipate the administration will be able to meet the demand for the tests .
Trump 's and Pence 's words of assurance to donors come as the president is facing political backlash for what his critics describe as a sluggish response from the federal government .
The comments to the donors suggest that Trump 's political operation is concerned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could hurt his standing with donors as well as voters .
The Trump campaign , along with joint fundraising committees and the RNC itself , has had historic returns from donors in the 2020 election cycle .
They 've brought in $ 86 million , combined , in February .
Since the beginning of 2019 , the four entities have raked in over $ 600 million , with over $ 225 million on hand .
Representatives from the White House , Trump campaign and RNC did not respond to requests for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraising event Monday , at the Florida home of businessman Bob Dello Russo .
After that meeting , he plans to head back to the White House to huddle with economic aides to discuss how to possibly inject some form of economic stimulus while the market tanks on coronavirus fears .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average tanked more than 1,900 points at the open on Monday , while the S & P 500 plunged more than 7 % .
The massive sell-off triggered a key market circuit breaker in morning trading .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took aim at one of his chief political rivals , former Vice President Joe Biden .
Jon Cooper , one of Biden 's close allies , tweeted out a day earlier that if the former vice president is elected president , he will `` re-open the White House office for global health security and boost its funding . ''

US President Donald Trump speaks during a tour of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 6, 2020.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence sought to reassure top Republican donors over the weekend that they have everything under control when it comes to the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump, who attended a Republican National Committee donor retreat at his private resort at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, told financiers Friday that his administration is making public health and safety a No. 1 priority, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. They declined to be named since these remarks were delivered in private.
The virus has infected more than 550 people in the United States, killing more than 20. More than 111,000 people have been infected worldwide, while more than 3,800 have died.
Pence, who was tapped by Trump to lead the White House coronavirus task force, spoke to donors at the retreat on Saturday. He echoed what the president said a day earlier, these people added.
The retreat followed Trump's visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, where the president told reporters that anyone who wants to be tested for the coronavirus "gets a test." Pence had noted Thursday that he doesn't anticipate the administration will be able to meet the demand for the tests.
Trump's and Pence's words of assurance to donors come as the president is facing political backlash for what his critics describe as a sluggish response from the federal government. The comments to the donors suggest that Trump's political operation is concerned that the administration's handling of the virus could hurt his standing with donors as well as voters.
The Trump campaign, along with joint fundraising committees and the RNC itself, has had historic returns from donors in the 2020 election cycle. They've brought in $86 million, combined, in February. Since the beginning of 2019, the four entities have raked in over $600 million, with over $225 million on hand.
Representatives from the White House, Trump campaign and RNC did not respond to requests for comment.
Trump was scheduled to appear at another fundraising event Monday, at the Florida home of businessman Bob Dello Russo. After that meeting, he plans to head back to the White House to huddle with economic aides to discuss how to possibly inject some form of economic stimulus while the market tanks on coronavirus fears.
Tweet:
The Dow Jones Industrial Average tanked more than 1,900 points at the open on Monday, while the S&P 500 plunged more than 7%. The massive sell-off triggered a key market circuit breaker in morning trading.
Before the market started to decline, Trump took aim at one of his chief political rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden. Jon Cooper, one of Biden's close allies, tweeted out a day earlier that if the former vice president is elected president, he will "re-open the White House office for global health security and boost its funding."
Tweet:


cnbc--2020-03-08--Trump enlists Big Pharma to stem the coronavirus crisis — and the industry hopes to win him over for

Trump enlists Big Pharma to stem the coronavirus crisis — and the industry hopes to win him over for good

Flanked by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence ( L ) and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar , U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with the White House Coronavirus Task Force and pharmaceutical executives in Cabinet Room of the White House on March 2 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
As confirmed cases of the coronavirus continue to rise , President Donald Trump has quickly embraced the pharmaceutical industry he once vilified for its high prices .
The industry has , in turn , jumped on the opportunity .
COVID-19 has killed at least 19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 .
It 's also rattled the stock market that Trump will likely use as the centerpiece of his reelection campaign in 2020 .
The crisis is throwing together the pharmaceutical industry and Trump as unlikely bedfellows : The pharma industry is seeking to get back in the administration 's good graces , while Trump is hoping it will help stop the damage .
On Monday , Trump hosted executives from Gilead Sciences , Regeneron Pharmaceuticals , Moderna , GlaxoSmithKline , Pfizer , Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi to discuss efforts to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are meeting with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies — the biggest in the world , most prestigious , the ones that get down to the bottom line very quickly , '' Trump declared at the meeting 's onset .
As the meeting closed , Trump called out J & J and Pfizer as being among the `` greatest in the world , '' nearly two years after his tweet that Pfizer `` should be ashamed '' of itself raising its prices .
He 's also threatened to implement a drug pricing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off .
Drug companies have for years argued that higher list prices are needed to help pay for important research and development .
Critics have said the revenue they 've generated by increasing the price of their drugs far exceeds that which they spend on research .
While meeting with Trump , pharmaceutical executives sought to hammer the point that they are well prepared for the crisis , because of the money they 've already invested in R & D , said two people familiar with the industry 's strategy .
That message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business model and pushback against regulation .
`` They 're trying to make that subtle point of : 'you ca n't tie one arm behind our back , ' '' said one of the people .
Already , efforts to by some members of Congress to add in certain vaccine pricing limits to the $ 8.3 billion emergency coronavirus spending package were thwarted .
Some of the debate was hinged on `` march-in rights , '' which declare that the government has the right to take an intellectual property patent if you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded research , people familiar with the discussions said .
The final bill did restate a `` fair and reasonable '' provision that gives the HHS secretary responsibility for ensuring vaccines are affordable in the commercial market .
`` I am happy we have a mandate to ensure that Big Pharma must offer a 'fair and reasonable ' price for any coronavirus diagnostics , vaccines , or treatments that they are selling to the federal government , '' Rep. Jan Schakowsky , D-Ill. , said in a statement when the bill passed Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folded to Big Pharma and prevented us from including a clause that would have prevented drug manufacturers from pricing a vaccine or treatment out of reach in the commercial market as well . ''
The bill , which Trump signed Friday , siphons more than $ 3 billion to the research and development of vaccines , as well as therapeutics and diagnostics .
Pharmaceutical companies , meantime , have said they do not make money in outbreaks .
Ron Klain , who was former President Barack Obama 's `` Ebola czar , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panel at the Aspen Institute , saying that while he is `` not like a drug company fan , '' there is `` no question that a lot of them lost a lot of money trying to produce an Ebola vaccine . ''
Regeneron CEO Leonard Schleifer has told CNBC the company is committed to making the coronavirus vaccine it is working on affordable for patients .
`` It does n't do us any good , if we want to save lives , to make something that 's not affordable , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug affordable . ''

Flanked by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (L) and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with the White House Coronavirus Task Force and pharmaceutical executives in Cabinet Room of the White House on March 2, 2020 in Washington, DC.
As confirmed cases of the coronavirus continue to rise, President Donald Trump has quickly embraced the pharmaceutical industry he once vilified for its high prices. The industry has, in turn, jumped on the opportunity.
COVID-19 has killed at least 19 in the U.S. and infected more than 400. It's also rattled the stock market that Trump will likely use as the centerpiece of his reelection campaign in 2020.
The crisis is throwing together the pharmaceutical industry and Trump as unlikely bedfellows: The pharma industry is seeking to get back in the administration's good graces, while Trump is hoping it will help stop the damage.
On Monday, Trump hosted executives from Gilead Sciences , Regeneron Pharmaceuticals , Moderna , GlaxoSmithKline , Pfizer , Johnson & Johnso n and Sanofi to discuss efforts to create a vaccine and therapeutics.
"Today, we are meeting with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies — the biggest in the world, most prestigious, the ones that get down to the bottom line very quickly," Trump declared at the meeting's onset.
As the meeting closed, Trump called out J&J and Pfizer as being among the "greatest in the world," nearly two years after his tweet that Pfizer "should be ashamed" of itself raising its prices. He's also threatened to implement a drug pricing plan the industry is trying to stave off.
Drug companies have for years argued that higher list prices are needed to help pay for important research and development. Critics have said the revenue they've generated by increasing the price of their drugs far exceeds that which they spend on research.
While meeting with Trump, pharmaceutical executives sought to hammer the point that they are well prepared for the crisis, because of the money they've already invested in R&D, said two people familiar with the industry's strategy. That message came with the implicit defense of their business model and pushback against regulation.
"They're trying to make that subtle point of: 'you can't tie one arm behind our back,'" said one of the people.
Already, efforts to by some members of Congress to add in certain vaccine pricing limits to the $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus spending package were thwarted. Some of the debate was hinged on "march-in rights," which declare that the government has the right to take an intellectual property patent if you can trace the drug's development to federally funded research, people familiar with the discussions said.
The final bill did restate a "fair and reasonable" provision that gives the HHS secretary responsibility for ensuring vaccines are affordable in the commercial market.
"I am happy we have a mandate to ensure that Big Pharma must offer a 'fair and reasonable' price for any coronavirus diagnostics, vaccines, or treatments that they are selling to the federal government," Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., said in a statement when the bill passed Congress.
"I am disappointed that Republicans folded to Big Pharma and prevented us from including a clause that would have prevented drug manufacturers from pricing a vaccine or treatment out of reach in the commercial market as well."
The bill, which Trump signed Friday, siphons more than $3 billion to the research and development of vaccines, as well as therapeutics and diagnostics.
Pharmaceutical companies, meantime, have said they do not make money in outbreaks.
Ron Klain, who was former President Barack Obama's "Ebola czar," last month echoed that sentiment in a panel at the Aspen Institute, saying that while he is "not like a drug company fan," there is "no question that a lot of them lost a lot of money trying to produce an Ebola vaccine."
Regeneron CEO Leonard Schleifer has told CNBC the company is committed to making the coronavirus vaccine it is working on affordable for patients.
"It doesn't do us any good, if we want to save lives, to make something that's not affordable," he said. "We will make this drug affordable."


cnbc--2020-03-09--Port Authority head tests positive for coronavirus, New York Gov. Cuomo says

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivers remarks at a news conference regarding the coronavirus in New York State in New York , March 2 , 2020 New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Monday that Rick Cotton , the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey , has tested positive for the new coronavirus .
Cotton `` is going to be on quarantine '' and will be working at home , Cuomo said at a press briefing .
The team of senior officials who work with Cotton will also be tested , Cuomo said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on quarantine . ''
Cotton has been overseeing the arrival of overseas flights coming into airports in the area , including John F. Kennedy International Airport .
The Port Authority is responsible for oversight of much of the region 's transportation infrastructure .
Cotton `` has been doing a magnificent job handling the airports , '' Cuomo said .
The Port Authority said in a statement that Cotton is `` currently asymptomatic and has self-quarantined at his home while maintaining a full schedule . ''
`` Any staff members who have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also working from home as they follow the guidelines and protocols put in place by the New York State Department of Health , '' the Port Authority said .
The deadly coronavirus , which is believed to have originated in Wuhan , China , has spread across the globe in recent months .
The disease has killed more than 3,800 people worldwide and infected more than 111,000 so far , including more than 500 people in the U.S. across 34 states .
Cuomo on Monday identified the New York city of New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus .
At least 106 cases have been confirmed there so far , the governor said .
Correction : This story has been updated to reflect Cotton 's correct role at the Port Authority .
This is breaking news .
Please check back for updates .

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivers remarks at a news conference regarding the coronavirus in New York State in New York, March 2, 2020
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday that Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Cotton "is going to be on quarantine" and will be working at home, Cuomo said at a press briefing.
The team of senior officials who work with Cotton will also be tested, Cuomo said, adding that "several of them may be on quarantine."
Cotton has been overseeing the arrival of overseas flights coming into airports in the area, including John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Port Authority is responsible for oversight of much of the region's transportation infrastructure.
Cotton "has been doing a magnificent job handling the airports," Cuomo said.
The Port Authority said in a statement that Cotton is "currently asymptomatic and has self-quarantined at his home while maintaining a full schedule."
"Any staff members who have had close contact with him in recent days are also working from home as they follow the guidelines and protocols put in place by the New York State Department of Health," the Port Authority said.
The deadly coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China, has spread across the globe in recent months. The disease has killed more than 3,800 people worldwide and infected more than 111,000 so far, including more than 500 people in the U.S. across 34 states.
Cuomo on Monday identified the New York city of New Rochelle as a "significant hotspot" for the virus. At least 106 cases have been confirmed there so far, the governor said.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect Cotton's correct role at the Port Authority.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.


cnbc--2020-03-09--Montana Gov. Steve Bullock launches Senate bid, a boost in Democrats' push for majority

Steve Bullock , Governor of Montana , speaks at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills , California , U.S. , on Monday , May 1 , 2017 .
Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock launched a Senate campaign Monday , creating another potentially competitive race for a Democratic Party desperately trying to flip control of the chamber .
Bullock , who ran for president in 2020 , repeatedly said he would not challenge Republican Sen. Steve Daines after he left the race in December .
But he apparently had a change of heart after prodding from Washington Democrats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruit and puts Montana on the map in November .
The second-term governor won reelection in 2016 even as President Donald Trump carried his state by about 20 percentage points .
In a video announcing his run , Bullock 's campaign highlighted job and wage growth in Montana , along with the state 's Medicaid expansion to extend insurance coverage to low-income residents .
It highlighted the issues on which he plans to run , including affordable health care , lower prescription drug costs and infrastructure improvements , among other topics .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Bullock 's wife ] Lisa and our kids , we decided now is no time to be on the sidelines , and that 's why I 'm running so we can make Washington work more like Montana , '' the governor said in a statement .
Republicans hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate .
Democrats would have to flip four net seats to gain control of the chamber .
While it has chances in potentially competitive races in Colorado , Arizona , Maine and North Carolina , it also has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing state Michigan .
Control of the Senate will shape which economic policies the next president can pass and who will serve on federal courts .
Democratic Sen. Jon Tester won reelection in Montana in 2018 — though the president did not lead the ticket then .
Winning the state as a Democrat should prove more difficult with Trump on the ballot .
Daines , a first-term senator and former congressman , easily won his 2014 election .
His campaign did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the governor 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement responding to Bullock 's entry into the race , National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Nathan Brand tied Bullock to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , saying `` Washington Democrats rolled out the red carpet for Bullock . ''
He said Daines `` always puts Montana first , is a proven leader and a strong ally for President Trump . ''
To face Daines , Bullock will still need to get through a jammed Democratic primary field .
Other candidates are Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins , Navy veteran John Mues and mathematician Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was running for Senate , dropped out and endorsed Bullock on Monday , according to Politico .
Libertarian candidate Eric Fulton also entered the race recently , according to the Associated Press .

Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana, speaks at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., on Monday, May 1, 2017.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock launched a Senate campaign Monday, creating another potentially competitive race for a Democratic Party desperately trying to flip control of the chamber.
Bullock, who ran for president in 2020, repeatedly said he would not challenge Republican Sen. Steve Daines after he left the race in December. But he apparently had a change of heart after prodding from Washington Democrats.
His decision gives the party a top recruit and puts Montana on the map in November. The second-term governor won reelection in 2016 even as President Donald Trump carried his state by about 20 percentage points.
In a video announcing his run, Bullock's campaign highlighted job and wage growth in Montana, along with the state's Medicaid expansion to extend insurance coverage to low-income residents. It highlighted the issues on which he plans to run, including affordable health care, lower prescription drug costs and infrastructure improvements, among other topics.
Bullock campaign tweet
"After hearing from Montanans and talking to [Bullock's wife] Lisa and our kids, we decided now is no time to be on the sidelines, and that's why I'm running so we can make Washington work more like Montana," the governor said in a statement.
Republicans hold a 53-47 edge in the Senate. Democrats would have to flip four net seats to gain control of the chamber. While it has chances in potentially competitive races in Colorado, Arizona, Maine and North Carolina, it also has to defends seats in deep red Alabama and swing state Michigan.
Control of the Senate will shape which economic policies the next president can pass and who will serve on federal courts.
Democratic Sen. Jon Tester won reelection in Montana in 2018 — though the president did not lead the ticket then. Winning the state as a Democrat should prove more difficult with Trump on the ballot.
Daines, a first-term senator and former congressman, easily won his 2014 election. His campaign did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the governor's entry into the race.
In a statement responding to Bullock's entry into the race, National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Nathan Brand tied Bullock to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, saying "Washington Democrats rolled out the red carpet for Bullock." He said Daines "always puts Montana first, is a proven leader and a strong ally for President Trump."
To face Daines, Bullock will still need to get through a jammed Democratic primary field. Other candidates are Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins, Navy veteran John Mues and mathematician Mike Knoles. Public health advocate Cora Neumann, who was running for Senate, dropped out and endorsed Bullock on Monday, according to Politico.
Libertarian candidate Eric Fulton also entered the race recently, according to the Associated Press.
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cnbc--2020-03-09--Markets are tanking, coronavirus is spreading – and Trump is attacking Biden and the media

President Donald Trump , whose administration is under increasing pressure and criticism for its response to the coronavirus outbreak , lashed out in a Twitter tirade Monday morning that came as global markets tumbled from coronavirus fallout and Joe Biden appeared to be surging toward the Democratic nomination .
Trump blasted the media , accusing it of colluding with Democrats in trying to `` inflame the CoronaVirus situation . ''
He accused the Democratic Party of trying to `` smear '' Sen. Bernie Sanders , who lost his front-runner status to Biden in a Super Tuesday rout .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama/Biden Administration is the most corrupt Administration in the history of our Country . ''
The Trump administration and the president himself are under fire for what has been called a sluggish and flawed response to the initial outbreak of the coronavirus .
Critical reports , including by The Atlantic , The Washington Post and NBC News , have painted a portrait of a White House in an enhanced state of chaos .
Some members of the administration , according to reports , have been calling for a more robust response since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Trump and his top economic advisor , Larry Kudlow , have sought to play down the severity of the outbreak .
Later Monday morning on Twitter , Trump lauded his administration 's response to the disease , taking credit for saving `` many lives '' and complimenting the task force being led by Vice President Mike Pence .
He added in a follow up : `` So much FAKE NEWS ! ''
The president had spent the weekend in Florida , and was he scheduled to remain there Monday morning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters before returning to the White House in the afternoon .
CNBC reported that Trump will be presented with a `` full menu '' of economic options to respond to the virus after he gets back to the White House .
The number of coronavirus cases in the United States ballooned to at least 564 over the weekend , while at least 22 people have died from it in the U.S. , according to Johns Hopkins University 's tally .
Globally , more than 111,000 have been infected , and at least 3,890 @ @ @

President Donald Trump, whose administration is under increasing pressure and criticism for its response to the coronavirus outbreak, lashed out in a Twitter tirade Monday morning that came as global markets tumbled from coronavirus fallout and Joe Biden appeared to be surging toward the Democratic nomination.
Trump blasted the media, accusing it of colluding with Democrats in trying to "inflame the CoronaVirus situation." He accused the Democratic Party of trying to "smear" Sen. Bernie Sanders, who lost his front-runner status to Biden in a Super Tuesday rout. And the president attacked his predecessors: "The Obama/Biden Administration is the most corrupt Administration in the history of our Country."
CV TWEET
BERNIE TWEET
OBAMA TWEET
The Trump administration and the president himself are under fire for what has been called a sluggish and flawed response to the initial outbreak of the coronavirus.
Critical reports, including by The Atlantic, The Washington Post and NBC News, have painted a portrait of a White House in an enhanced state of chaos. Some members of the administration, according to reports, have been calling for a more robust response since the early days of the outbreak. Others, including Trump and his top economic advisor, Larry Kudlow, have sought to play down the severity of the outbreak.
Later Monday morning on Twitter, Trump lauded his administration's response to the disease, taking credit for saving "many lives" and complimenting the task force being led by Vice President Mike Pence.
He added in a follow up: "So much FAKE NEWS!"
The president had spent the weekend in Florida, and was he scheduled to remain there Monday morning to participate in a fundraiser and chat with supporters before returning to the White House in the afternoon.
CNBC reported that Trump will be presented with a "full menu" of economic options to respond to the virus after he gets back to the White House.
EAMON TWEET
The number of coronavirus cases in the United States ballooned to at least 564 over the weekend, while at least 22 people have died from it in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University's tally. Globally, more than 111,000 have been infected, and at least 3,890 have died.


cnbc--2020-03-09--Group representing Coke, Clorox, other brands urges Attorney General Barr to fight coronavirus price

Group representing Coke, Clorox, other brands urges Attorney General Barr to fight coronavirus price gouging

A lobbying group representing some of America 's largest consumer brands wants the Justice Department to stop retailers from jacking up prices on hand sanitizer , masks and other coronavirus essentials .
The Consumer Brands Association – which represents brands and companies including Colgate-Palmolive , Coca-Cola , General Mills and Clorox – wrote a letter to Attorney General William Barr on Monday urging him to take action on sellers taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak .
The letter comes as Amazon , Walmart and other e-commerce companies have struggled to curb third-party sellers who are overcharging for products that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
`` If price gouging continues over the coming months , more and more Americans will become unwilling and/or unable to pay excessive prices for these products , '' writes Bryan Zumwalt , executive vice president of public affairs for the Consumer Brands Association .
`` This will decrease the likelihood that individuals will take recommended and necessary preventative actions . ''
The Justice Department has had a department focused on fraud in the wake of disaster ever since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina .
The National Center for Disaster Fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal division , is focused on finding and prosecuting those who take advantage of disasters by manipulation , including price gouging .
`` It is vital that DOJ notify the public that it will work with its state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute sellers who engage in this illegal activity , '' Zumwalt said .
The letter comes amid increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators of retailers looking to take advantage of those panicked and preparing for potential quarantines and the further spread of the coronavirus .
The Food and Drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market for any products that make fraudulent coronavirus prevention and treatment claims .
The agency said it would issue `` warning letters , seizures or injunctions against products on the market that are not in compliance with the law . ''
State attorneys general , including those in Pennsylvania and Texas , have announced price-gouging protections .
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said on Sunday that authorities have fined retailer Scheman & Grant Hardware for jacking up prices of disinfecting sprays , wipes and hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged national coordination .
`` Given the rapid pace with which COVID-19 is spreading and the nationwide prevalence of price gouging , it is vital that the federal government play a role in these efforts , '' he wrote .
`` Accordingly , we urge DOJ to coordinate with state attorneys general to ensure a swift , effective and unified national response to price gouging , '' Zumwalt wrote .
Amazon said Friday that it has removed hundreds of thousands of `` high-priced offers '' and suspended thousands of sellers who have engaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @

William Barr, U.S. attorney general, listens during a roundtable discussion with law enforcement in Wichita, Kansas, U.S., on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. Nick Oxford | Bloomberg | Getty Images
A lobbying group representing some of America's largest consumer brands wants the Justice Department to stop retailers from jacking up prices on hand sanitizer, masks and other coronavirus essentials. The Consumer Brands Association – which represents brands and companies including Colgate-Palmolive , Coca-Cola , General Mills and Clorox – wrote a letter to Attorney General William Barr on Monday urging him to take action on sellers taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak.
watch now
The letter comes as Amazon , Walmart and other e-commerce companies have struggled to curb third-party sellers who are overcharging for products that have spiked in demand amid the spread of the coronavirus. "If price gouging continues over the coming months, more and more Americans will become unwilling and/or unable to pay excessive prices for these products," writes Bryan Zumwalt, executive vice president of public affairs for the Consumer Brands Association. "This will decrease the likelihood that individuals will take recommended and necessary preventative actions." The Justice Department has had a department focused on fraud in the wake of disaster ever since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The National Center for Disaster Fraud, which sits in the DOJ's criminal division, is focused on finding and prosecuting those who take advantage of disasters by manipulation, including price gouging. "It is vital that DOJ notify the public that it will work with its state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute sellers who engage in this illegal activity," Zumwalt said. The letter comes amid increasing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators of retailers looking to take advantage of those panicked and preparing for potential quarantines and the further spread of the coronavirus.
watch now
The Food and Drug Administration has said it is monitoring the market for any products that make fraudulent coronavirus prevention and treatment claims. The agency said it would issue "warning letters, seizures or injunctions against products on the market that are not in compliance with the law." State attorneys general, including those in Pennsylvania and Texas, have announced price-gouging protections. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Sunday that authorities have fined retailer Scheman & Grant Hardware for jacking up prices of disinfecting sprays, wipes and hand sanitizer. But Zumwalt of the CBA urged national coordination. "Given the rapid pace with which COVID-19 is spreading and the nationwide prevalence of price gouging, it is vital that the federal government play a role in these efforts," he wrote. "Accordingly, we urge DOJ to coordinate with state attorneys general to ensure a swift, effective and unified national response to price gouging," Zumwalt wrote. Amazon said Friday that it has removed hundreds of thousands of "high-priced offers" and suspended thousands of sellers who have engaged in price gouging on its marketplace. — CNBC's Annie Palmer contributed to this report. WATCH: Price gouging on Amazon on coronavirus-related goods