cnbc--2020-04-20--Sen. Bob Menendez accuses Trump media agency nominee Michael Pack of possible self-dealing, illegal

Sen. Bob Menendez accuses Trump media agency nominee Michael Pack of possible self-dealing, illegal activity

Senator Robert Menendez , a Democrat from New Jersey and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 11 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
The ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is telling the White House that President Donald Trump 's nominee to lead a federal media organization could have been involved with self-dealing and illegal activity .
Sen. Bob Menendez , the most senior Democrat on the committee that 's reviewing the nomination of Michael Pack to be CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media , told White House chief of staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious concerns about the man Trump picked to lead a federal organization dedicated to funding various media groups , according to a letter first reviewed by CNBC .
The move by Menendez comes after Trump mentioned Pack during a recent tirade against lawmakers who have n't confirmed a number of his nominees to key positions .
Formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors , the agency oversees Voice of America , Radio Free Europe and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting .
`` Michael Pack , he would do a great job but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because we ca n't get him approved , '' Trump said at a recent press conference .
`` If you heard what 's coming out of the Voice of America , it 's disgusting , '' he noted .
Congress is currently in recess in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
Pack is a conservative documentary filmmaker who once worked on two films with former White House chief strategist and 2016 Trump campaign boss Steve Bannon .
The `` problematic revelations '' that Menendez says he discovered just before Pack 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr .
Pack engaged in inappropriate or unlawful activity related to transactions between his business ( Manifold Productions ) and his non-profit ( Public Media Lab ) '' and `` whether Mr .
Pack engaged in self-dealing while in a leadership position at the Claremont Institute through the awarding of a contract to Manifold '' even though that company does n't appear to have any qualifications to act as a vendor to the conservative think tank .
The letter to Meadows also sheds light on another aspect of Pack 's confirmation , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked Pack to provide documents and answers to a variety of questions that could clear up these issues , only for Trump 's nominee to respond in a `` perfunctory and inadequate '' way .
`` More than seven months have gone by since my initial questions .
Mr .
Pack has yet to provide the Committee with the requested information or to engage in a good-faith and serious effort to do so , '' Menendez said .

Senator Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 11, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is telling the White House that President Donald Trump's nominee to lead a federal media organization could have been involved with self-dealing and illegal activity.
Sen. Bob Menendez, the most senior Democrat on the committee that's reviewing the nomination of Michael Pack to be CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, told White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Monday that he has serious concerns about the man Trump picked to lead a federal organization dedicated to funding various media groups, according to a letter first reviewed by CNBC.
The move by Menendez comes after Trump mentioned Pack during a recent tirade against lawmakers who haven't confirmed a number of his nominees to key positions. Formerly known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the agency oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.
"Michael Pack, he would do a great job but he's been waiting for two years, because we can't get him approved," Trump said at a recent press conference. "If you heard what's coming out of the Voice of America, it's disgusting," he noted. Congress is currently in recess in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Pack is a conservative documentary filmmaker who once worked on two films with former White House chief strategist and 2016 Trump campaign boss Steve Bannon.
The "problematic revelations" that Menendez says he discovered just before Pack's confirmation hearing in 2019 include "whether Mr. Pack engaged in inappropriate or unlawful activity related to transactions between his business (Manifold Productions) and his non-profit (Public Media Lab)" and "whether Mr. Pack engaged in self-dealing while in a leadership position at the Claremont Institute through the awarding of a contract to Manifold" even though that company doesn't appear to have any qualifications to act as a vendor to the conservative think tank.
The letter to Meadows also sheds light on another aspect of Pack's confirmation, which is that the Democratic committee leader has asked Pack to provide documents and answers to a variety of questions that could clear up these issues, only for Trump's nominee to respond in a "perfunctory and inadequate" way.
"More than seven months have gone by since my initial questions. Mr. Pack has yet to provide the Committee with the requested information or to engage in a good-faith and serious effort to do so," Menendez said.


cnbc--2020-04-20--Retailers are begging for the government's help — but Treasury might not listen

Pedestrians pass in front of a Macy 's Inc. store in the Midtown neighborhood of New York , U.S. , on Friday , March 20 , 2020 .
Many mid-sized retailers do not qualify for programs the government has begun to roll out to save ailing companies .
They are too big to qualify for the Main Street lending program aimed at companies with fewer than 10,000 employees or $ 2.5 billion in sales .
Their debt is too distressed to qualify for the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility aimed at larger companies .
Now , the Treasury Department must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toppling is worth putting taxpayer money where many others would not .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has shown little appetite for risk and losses , even as he attempts to support a cratering economy .
That means companies like Macy 's may be in a bind .
Macy 's has roughly $ 25 billion in sales , likely excluding it from the Main Street lending program .
But its credit was downgraded to junk by the S & P Global Ratings in February , before the pandemic fully unleashed its wrath .
Its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of three credit rating agencies prior to late March .
Macy 's is working with investment bank Lazard to restructure its debt , according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is confidential .
They added that the company is not focusing on bankruptcy .
Retail lobbyists are pushing for modifications for existing programs , as well as for new ones that would more directly help the industry .
The lobbyists argue that without aid , tens of thousands of jobs could be lost .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which could upend the commercial mortgage market .
They also note that retailers traditionally do business on razor-thin margins , so employing tough credit standards for lending across all industries may unfairly cut them out .
`` The NRF urges you to take steps now to ensure that our nation 's largest retailers can rely on the same economic support programs that have been made available to America 's small businesses and largest corporations , '' lobbying group National Retail Federation wrote to Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell last week in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prompt access to financial relief should be available to hard-hit businesses of all sizes .
If appropriate attention is not paid to the financial needs of this important sector , the disruptions of the pandemic on retailers and their workers may have adverse long-term consequences on the larger economy . ''
The retail industry is the largest private-sector employer , providing jobs for 29 million people , according to the NRF .
It is a key contributor to the U.S. economy , supplying the consumer with daily essentials of food , gas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailers like Best Buy and Walmart were strong before the pandemic , many more , particularly specialty retailers such as Victoria 's Secret and J.Crew , were already buckling .
Eighty-one retailers have filed for bankruptcy since 2015 , including 23 last year .
Broader challenges facing the retail industry — changing shopping habits , excess store footprints , bigger chains that compete on rock bottom prices — are n't going away .
More money helps keeps the lights on for a time , but it 's unclear for how long .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is uncertain how many consumers will want to shop in public spaces .
New social habits are being formed by coronavirus mitigation efforts , as well as heightened concern about the disease 's spread in the absence of a vaccine .
It is a quandary also facing restaurants , bars and gyms .
`` If we prop up those retailers , it will just delay their fade into oblivion , said Erik Gordon , a professor at the University of Michigan 's Ross School of Business .
`` Covid gives the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but unless we think bailing out CEOs is a good use of taxpayer money , the money will be wasted . ''

Pedestrians pass in front of a Macy's Inc. store in the Midtown neighborhood of New York, U.S., on Friday, March 20, 2020.
Many mid-sized retailers do not qualify for programs the government has begun to roll out to save ailing companies. They are too big to qualify for the Main Street lending program aimed at companies with fewer than 10,000 employees or $2.5 billion in sales. Their debt is too distressed to qualify for the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility aimed at larger companies.
Now, the Treasury Department must decide whether the risk of the industry toppling is worth putting taxpayer money where many others would not. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has shown little appetite for risk and losses , even as he attempts to support a cratering economy.
That means companies like Macy's may be in a bind. Macy's has roughly $25 billion in sales, likely excluding it from the Main Street lending program. But its credit was downgraded to junk by the S&P Global Ratings in February, before the pandemic fully unleashed its wrath. Its debt was investment grade for two out of three credit rating agencies prior to late March.
Macy's is working with investment bank Lazard to restructure its debt, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information is confidential. They added that the company is not focusing on bankruptcy.
Retail lobbyists are pushing for modifications for existing programs, as well as for new ones that would more directly help the industry. The lobbyists argue that without aid, tens of thousands of jobs could be lost. Landlords could be stripped of rent, which could upend the commercial mortgage market. They also note that retailers traditionally do business on razor-thin margins, so employing tough credit standards for lending across all industries may unfairly cut them out.
"The NRF urges you to take steps now to ensure that our nation's largest retailers can rely on the same economic support programs that have been made available to America's small businesses and largest corporations," lobbying group National Retail Federation wrote to Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell last week in a letter obtained by CNBC.
"Prompt access to financial relief should be available to hard-hit businesses of all sizes. If appropriate attention is not paid to the financial needs of this important sector, the disruptions of the pandemic on retailers and their workers may have adverse long-term consequences on the larger economy."
The retail industry is the largest private-sector employer, providing jobs for 29 million people, according to the NRF. It is a key contributor to the U.S. economy, supplying the consumer with daily essentials of food, gas, clothes and more.
But while some retailers like Best Buy and Walmart were strong before the pandemic, many more, particularly specialty retailers such as Victoria's Secret and J.Crew, were already buckling. Eighty-one retailers have filed for bankruptcy since 2015, including 23 last year.
Broader challenges facing the retail industry — changing shopping habits, excess store footprints, bigger chains that compete on rock bottom prices — aren't going away. More money helps keeps the lights on for a time, but it's unclear for how long. Once retailers are allowed to reopen their stores, it is uncertain how many consumers will want to shop in public spaces. New social habits are being formed by coronavirus mitigation efforts, as well as heightened concern about the disease's spread in the absence of a vaccine. It is a quandary also facing restaurants, bars and gyms.
"If we prop up those retailers, it will just delay their fade into oblivion, said Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. "Covid gives the CEOs of those retailers their latest excuse, but unless we think bailing out CEOs is a good use of taxpayer money, the money will be wasted."


cnbc--2020-04-20--Senate nears $370 billion deal for coronavirus small business loan programs

( L-R ) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hold a meeting to discuss a potential economic bill in response to the coronavirus , COVID-19 , in Washington , DC , on March 20 , 2019 .
Senate Democrats and Republicans are nearing a deal Sunday that could inject roughly $ 370 billion into loan programs for small businesses , a person familiar with the negotiations told CNBC .
The talks come after the $ 349 billion Paycheck Protection Program , which offers forgivable loans to small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats rejected a proposal to refill the fund two weeks ago .
They instead argued for changes , including adding more money to support federal testing , hospitals and local governments .
They 've also pushed to ensure groups without banking relationships get access to the program and SNAP benefits .
As of Sunday night , Democrats and Republicans were negotiating a deal that would allocate $ 310 billion more into the Paycheck Protection Program , setting aside $ 60 billion of that sum for rural and minority groups .
Another $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Injury Disaster Loan program , a separate program offering loans for small businesses administered by the Small Business Association .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-KY , hosted a call Sunday afternoon to provide an update on the package for members , along with President Donald Trump , Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , a senior Republican aide told CNBC .
In the call , Mnuchin said the program will not include the Democrats ' push for state and local government funding , the senior Republican aide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and local funding , the person familiar with the negotiations said .
Mnuchin also said SNAP demands will not be in the package , the senior Republican aide said .
He said discussions continue over federal funding for coronavirus testing , which he is discussing with McConnell , Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-TN , and Sen. Roy Blunt , R-MO .
Earlier in the day , Mnuchin said the deal could include $ 75 billion in funding for hospitals and $ 25 billion in funding for testing .
Rep. Steny Hoyer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening saying `` pending agreement '' the House could take up the bill as soon as Wednesday .

(L-R) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hold a meeting to discuss a potential economic bill in response to the coronavirus, COVID-19, in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2019.
Senate Democrats and Republicans are nearing a deal Sunday that could inject roughly $370 billion into loan programs for small businesses, a person familiar with the negotiations told CNBC.
The talks come after the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which offers forgivable loans to small businesses, ran out of money on Thursday. Democrats rejected a proposal to refill the fund two weeks ago. They instead argued for changes, including adding more money to support federal testing, hospitals and local governments. They've also pushed to ensure groups without banking relationships get access to the program and SNAP benefits.
As of Sunday night, Democrats and Republicans were negotiating a deal that would allocate $310 billion more into the Paycheck Protection Program, setting aside $60 billion of that sum for rural and minority groups. Another $60 billion would go to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, a separate program offering loans for small businesses administered by the Small Business Association.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, hosted a call Sunday afternoon to provide an update on the package for members, along with President Donald Trump, Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, a senior Republican aide told CNBC.
In the call, Mnuchin said the program will not include the Democrats' push for state and local government funding, the senior Republican aide said. Democrats are still pushing for state and local funding, the person familiar with the negotiations said.
Mnuchin also said SNAP demands will not be in the package, the senior Republican aide said. He said discussions continue over federal funding for coronavirus testing, which he is discussing with McConnell, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-TN, and Sen. Roy Blunt, R-MO.
Earlier in the day, Mnuchin said the deal could include $75 billion in funding for hospitals and $25 billion in funding for testing.
Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-MD, sent out a note Sunday evening saying "pending agreement" the House could take up the bill as soon as Wednesday.


cnbc--2020-04-20--Trump to use Defense Production Act to increase swab production amid coronavirus testing shortage

US President Donald Trump holds up swabs as he speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House in Washington , DC , on April 19 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he plans to use the Defense Production Act to increase the nation 's swab production by at least 20 million per month for coronavirus tests .
Trump said the administration is close to finalizing a partnership with one manufacturer to produce an additional 10 million swabs per month for coronavirus test kits , which are used to collect specimens from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he is preparing to use the Defense Production Act on another manufacturer to increase its swab production by over 20 million per month .
Trump did not disclose the names of the manufacturer .
A FEMA spokesperson was not immediately available for comment .
The president previously enacted the Defense Production Act on companies like General Motors and General Electric to manufacturer additional ventilators , although many had already ramped up production .
`` We 've had a little difficulty with one so we 're calling in , as in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Defense Production Act and we 'll be getting swabs very easily , '' Trump said .
`` Swabs are easy .
Ventilators are hard . ''
Trump 's announcement comes after some governors cited a lack of swabs and reagents as hampering their ability to conduct more coronavirus tests .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer told NBC 's `` Meet the Press '' on Sunday that her state could triple the number of tests conducted if the key components were made available .
Whitmer called on the Trump administration to enact the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reagent production .
`` We do n't even have enough swabs believe it or not and we 're ramping that up , '' Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam , a Democrat , told CNN 's `` State of the Union '' Sunday .
`` But , for the national level to say that we have what we need and really to have no guidance to the state levels is just irresponsible because we 're not there yet . ''
At the White House press briefing Sunday , Trump said that the swabs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of them `` do n't know where they are . ''
`` We have them coming by the tens of millions .
We have them coming at a level that you 'll have so many swabs you wo n't know what to do with them , '' Trump said .
Earlier on Sunday , Vice President Mike Pence said the administration has `` laid a strong foundation for testing for phase one . ''
He said that there are enough tests for any governor who meets the 14-day criteria of declining case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move into phase one and begin reopening their state 's economy .
Experts have warned , however , against opening the country before widespread testing is available .
Some say that as many as 20 to 30 million people per day will need tested before the nation can return to a semblance of economic normality .
There are currently more than 150,000 tests being conducted per day , Pence said , but that number could `` double '' once laboratories across the country are activated .

US President Donald Trump holds up swabs as he speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 19, 2020.
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he plans to use the Defense Production Act to increase the nation's swab production by at least 20 million per month for coronavirus tests.
Trump said the administration is close to finalizing a partnership with one manufacturer to produce an additional 10 million swabs per month for coronavirus test kits, which are used to collect specimens from a patient's throat or nose. Trump said he is preparing to use the Defense Production Act on another manufacturer to increase its swab production by over 20 million per month.
Trump did not disclose the names of the manufacturer. A FEMA spokesperson was not immediately available for comment. The president previously enacted the Defense Production Act on companies like General Motors and General Electric to manufacturer additional ventilators, although many had already ramped up production.
"We've had a little difficulty with one so we're calling in, as in the past you know, we're calling in the Defense Production Act and we'll be getting swabs very easily," Trump said. "Swabs are easy. Ventilators are hard."
Trump's announcement comes after some governors cited a lack of swabs and reagents as hampering their ability to conduct more coronavirus tests. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that her state could triple the number of tests conducted if the key components were made available.
Whitmer called on the Trump administration to enact the Defense Production Act to ramp up swab and reagent production.
"We don't even have enough swabs believe it or not and we're ramping that up," Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, told CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday. "But, for the national level to say that we have what we need and really to have no guidance to the state levels is just irresponsible because we're not there yet."
At the White House press briefing Sunday, Trump said that the swabs were previously shipped to the states but some of them "don't know where they are."
"We have them coming by the tens of millions. We have them coming at a level that you'll have so many swabs you won't know what to do with them," Trump said.
Earlier on Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence said the administration has "laid a strong foundation for testing for phase one." He said that there are enough tests for any governor who meets the 14-day criteria of declining case numbers outlined by the White House to move into phase one and begin reopening their state's economy.
Experts have warned, however, against opening the country before widespread testing is available. Some say that as many as 20 to 30 million people per day will need tested before the nation can return to a semblance of economic normality.
There are currently more than 150,000 tests being conducted per day, Pence said, but that number could "double" once laboratories across the country are activated.


cnbc--2020-04-20--Trump demands states 'LIBERATE' after he issues new coronavirus guidelines and protests pop up

President Donald Trump on Friday urged Michigan , Minnesota and Virginia to `` LIBERATE , '' compounding the pressure on state leaders to start loosening their strict social distancing measures amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The president 's exhortations on Twitter came a day after the White House issued new federal guidelines on `` reopening '' the economy , providing states and regions with a broad pathway toward easing their restrictions on businesses and individual residents .
The tweets — which marked Trump 's most aggressive calls yet for state economies to reopen — also echoed an increasing number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by his supporters , demanding governors change their social distancing rules .
The three states Trump targeted have Democratic governors .
`` I think elements of what they 've done are too much , '' Trump said of those states when asked about his tweets at a White House press briefing Friday night .
Trump also said he was not concerned that the large gatherings of protesters could spread the disease to others .
`` No , these are people expressing their views .
I see who they are and I see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` They seem to be very responsible people to me .
They 've been treated , a little bit rough . ''
Some health experts disagreed .
`` Gathering unprotected can only result in increased numbers of [ Covid-19 ] infections and stressing the health-care system even more , '' said Karen Hoffmann , the immediate past president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology , in an interview with CNBC .
A group calling itself `` Liberate Minnesota '' staged a protest Friday afternoon outside the residence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walz .
Live-streamed video of the protest showed throngs of people packed closely outside the residence , many waving pro-Trump signs and flags .
Few participants appeared to be wearing masks or other protective gear .
`` There are safe ways that we should all be able to go outside and enjoy ourselves a little bit , '' said Meshawn Maddock , an activist with the Michigan Conservative Coalition , which organized a massive protest in Lansing , Michigan , on Wednesday .
`` There 's also safe businesses that should be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing and hygiene , and get back to work because right now Michigan is decimated , '' Maddock told CNBC in a phone interview .
`` I mean , we 're at a standstill , and I 'm actually terrified for our economy . ''
Michigan has the fourth-highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the U.S. , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
More than 29,000 people in Michigan have been infected and more than 2,000 people have died .
Health experts , business leaders and politicians have warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be much more widespread before Americans can safely start returning to their normal lives .
Roughly 1 % of the U.S. population has been tested for the coronavirus so far , with only about 120,000 tests performed each day , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
But experts say that millions of people will have to be tested each day , even as many as 20 million to 30 million people , before the nation can return to a semblance of economic normality .
Lifting social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge in infections , prolonging and deepening the impact of the virus , experts say .
Even the White House guidelines for an economic reopening say that states or regions should have a `` robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers , including emerging antibody testing , '' prior to starting the first `` phase '' of the plan .
Click here to read the new federal guidelines .
State leaders such as Gov .
Andrew Cuomo of New York , which is the epicenter of the crisis in the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help their testing efforts .
But Trump tweeted later Friday that `` the States have to step up their TESTING ! ''
and attacked Cuomo directly .
`` Your numbers are not good .
Less talk and more action ! ''
Trump tweeted .
Recent polls show Americans overwhelmingly support keeping up the social distancing measures , such as ordering residents to stay at home and closing nonessential businesses .
Democrats are more likely than Republicans to support the measures , which have devastated the U.S. economy and led to an unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties support the measures .
Still , protests against the rules have popped up in at least half a dozen states , including Michigan , Minnesota and Virginia , and local reports say more could soon be coming elsewhere , including in Pennsylvania and New Jersey .
`` I think they 're listening .
I think they listen to me .
They seem to be protesters that like me and respect this opinion , '' Trump said of the protesters in Michigan during a White House press briefing Thursday .
The Lansing rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dubbed `` Operation Gridlock , '' drew thousands , most of whom demonstrated from inside their cars — but some gathered in person , defying the social distancing rules .
Protesters waved pro-Trump flags and signs from sidewalks , while others hung messages from their vehicles supporting the president and decrying Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer 's rules , which they say infringe on their civil liberties .
`` This actually looks like a Trump rally , '' a man at the protest said on one livestreamed video feed of the event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest focused too much on `` a couple of yahoos that stood on the Capitol steps shoulder to shoulder and took pictures with guns . ''
`` That 's not what this protest was , '' she said .
Whitmer 's latest orders aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus are among the strictest in the country .
The new rules tighten business restrictions and prohibit some activities , such as using motor boats .
`` I know that there are a lot of businesses and people that are hurting right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is it 's better to be six feet apart right now than six feet under , '' Whitmer said Friday on ABC News ' `` Good Morning America . ''
Trump has previously attacked Whitmer , who is reportedly on the short list to become apparent Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's vice presidential pick .
At a briefing in late March , Trump said he instructed Vice President Mike Pence , who leads the U.S. response to the coronavirus , not to call governors who are n't `` appreciative '' of his efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Michigan .
It does n't make any difference what happens , '' Trump said he told Pence .
The president 's criticism and Whitmer 's status as a potential figure in the 2020 election `` probably '' helped to stoke partisanship in Michigan , said Matt Grossmann , director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University .
`` There 's a fairly long-term pattern of partisans on each side being mobilized by their president and changing their ideas based on what the president says , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era , '' Grossmann said .
That could also be the case in Pennsylvania , where local reports say a mass gathering is being organized for next week in front of the state Capitol building in Harrisburg .
`` I think this has a lot more to do with the psyche of folks , '' said Ray Zaborney , a Republican political strategist based in Pennsylvania .
`` I think everyone is willing to do what is needed to be done , '' but some leaders `` have n't communicated it well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that an economic `` boom '' will arrive once the pandemic blows over , resonates with more Americans , Zaborney said .
`` No one 's prioritizing reopening except the president , '' Zaborney said .
Pennsylvania and Michigan have been pummeled especially hard by the virus and the containment measures clamping down their economies .
The two battleground states posted some of the highest jobless claims in the nation over the past four weeks of Labor Department releases .
If Trump continues to press for economic relief while governors keep their draconian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expects protests to spread throughout the country .
`` As people get more frustrated , it could get more intense , '' he said .

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Minnesota Governor's Residence. Liberate Minnesota and other groups opposed to Gov. Tim Walz's stay home orders protested outside the governor's residence in St. Paul. Glen Stubbe | Star Tribune | Getty Images
President Donald Trump on Friday urged Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia to "LIBERATE," compounding the pressure on state leaders to start loosening their strict social distancing measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. The president's exhortations on Twitter came a day after the White House issued new federal guidelines on "reopening" the economy, providing states and regions with a broad pathway toward easing their restrictions on businesses and individual residents.
watch now
The tweets — which marked Trump's most aggressive calls yet for state economies to reopen — also echoed an increasing number of protests around the country, led mainly by his supporters, demanding governors change their social distancing rules. The three states Trump targeted have Democratic governors. Trump TWEET MICH TRUMP TWEET VIRGINIA Trump TWEET MINN "I think elements of what they've done are too much," Trump said of those states when asked about his tweets at a White House press briefing Friday night. Trump also said he was not concerned that the large gatherings of protesters could spread the disease to others. "No, these are people expressing their views. I see who they are and I see the way they are working," Trump said. "They seem to be very responsible people to me. They've been treated, a little bit rough." Some health experts disagreed. "Gathering unprotected can only result in increased numbers of [Covid-19] infections and stressing the health-care system even more," said Karen Hoffmann, the immediate past president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, in an interview with CNBC. A group calling itself "Liberate Minnesota" staged a protest Friday afternoon outside the residence of the state's governor, Tim Walz. Live-streamed video of the protest showed throngs of people packed closely outside the residence, many waving pro-Trump signs and flags. Few participants appeared to be wearing masks or other protective gear.
Several hundred protesters gather outside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' official residence Friday, April 17, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn., to call on him to loosen stay-at-home restrictions imposed across the state because of the coronavirus. Jim Mone | AP
"There are safe ways that we should all be able to go outside and enjoy ourselves a little bit," said Meshawn Maddock, an activist with the Michigan Conservative Coalition, which organized a massive protest in Lansing, Michigan, on Wednesday. "There's also safe businesses that should be able to open up, using practices of social distancing and hygiene, and get back to work because right now Michigan is decimated," Maddock told CNBC in a phone interview. "I mean, we're at a standstill, and I'm actually terrified for our economy." Michigan has the fourth-highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins University. More than 29,000 people in Michigan have been infected and more than 2,000 people have died.
Health experts, business leaders and politicians have warned Trump that coronavirus testing in the U.S. needs to be much more widespread before Americans can safely start returning to their normal lives. Roughly 1% of the U.S. population has been tested for the coronavirus so far, with only about 120,000 tests performed each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But experts say that millions of people will have to be tested each day, even as many as 20 million to 30 million people, before the nation can return to a semblance of economic normality. Lifting social distancing restrictions too soon could lead to another surge in infections, prolonging and deepening the impact of the virus, experts say. Even the White House guidelines for an economic reopening say that states or regions should have a "robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing," prior to starting the first "phase" of the plan. Click here to read the new federal guidelines.
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State leaders such as Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, which is the epicenter of the crisis in the U.S., have called on the federal government to help their testing efforts. But Trump tweeted later Friday that "the States have to step up their TESTING!" and attacked Cuomo directly. "Your numbers are not good. Less talk and more action!" Trump tweeted. TWEETS TWEET Recent polls show Americans overwhelmingly support keeping up the social distancing measures, such as ordering residents to stay at home and closing nonessential businesses. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to support the measures, which have devastated the U.S. economy and led to an unprecedented unemployment spike, although majorities of both parties support the measures. Still, protests against the rules have popped up in at least half a dozen states, including Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia, and local reports say more could soon be coming elsewhere, including in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Protesters from a grassroots organization called REOPEN NC demonstrate against the North Carolina coronavirus lockdown at a parking lot adjacent to the North Carolina State Legislature in Raleigh, North Carolina, on April 14, 2020. Logan Cyrus | AFP | Getty Images
"I think they're listening. I think they listen to me. They seem to be protesters that like me and respect this opinion," Trump said of the protesters in Michigan during a White House press briefing Thursday. The Lansing rally outside the state's Capitol building, dubbed "Operation Gridlock," drew thousands, most of whom demonstrated from inside their cars — but some gathered in person, defying the social distancing rules. Protesters waved pro-Trump flags and signs from sidewalks, while others hung messages from their vehicles supporting the president and decrying Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's rules, which they say infringe on their civil liberties. "This actually looks like a Trump rally," a man at the protest said on one livestreamed video feed of the event. Maddock complained that media reports of the protest focused too much on "a couple of yahoos that stood on the Capitol steps shoulder to shoulder and took pictures with guns." "That's not what this protest was," she said.
People take part in a protest for "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine" at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan on April 15, 2020. - Jeff Kowalsky| AFP via Getty Images
Whitmer's latest orders aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus are among the strictest in the country. The new rules tighten business restrictions and prohibit some activities, such as using motor boats. "I know that there are a lot of businesses and people that are hurting right now, but the fact of the matter is it's better to be six feet apart right now than six feet under," Whitmer said Friday on ABC News' "Good Morning America." Trump has previously attacked Whitmer, who is reportedly on the short list to become apparent Democratic nominee Joe Biden's vice presidential pick. At a briefing in late March, Trump said he instructed Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the U.S. response to the coronavirus, not to call governors who aren't "appreciative" of his efforts. "Don't call the woman in Michigan. It doesn't make any difference what happens," Trump said he told Pence. CSPAN Appreciative Video TWEET The president's criticism and Whitmer's status as a potential figure in the 2020 election "probably" helped to stoke partisanship in Michigan, said Matt Grossmann, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University. "There's a fairly long-term pattern of partisans on each side being mobilized by their president and changing their ideas based on what the president says, and that's been amplified in the Trump era," Grossmann said. That could also be the case in Pennsylvania, where local reports say a mass gathering is being organized for next week in front of the state Capitol building in Harrisburg. "I think this has a lot more to do with the psyche of folks," said Ray Zaborney, a Republican political strategist based in Pennsylvania. "I think everyone is willing to do what is needed to be done," but some leaders "haven't communicated it well."
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Trump's more optimistic message, that an economic "boom" will arrive once the pandemic blows over, resonates with more Americans, Zaborney said. "No one's prioritizing reopening except the president," Zaborney said. Pennsylvania and Michigan have been pummeled especially hard by the virus and the containment measures clamping down their economies. The two battleground states posted some of the highest jobless claims in the nation over the past four weeks of Labor Department releases. If Trump continues to press for economic relief while governors keep their draconian measures in place, Zaborney said he expects protests to spread throughout the country. "As people get more frustrated, it could get more intense," he said.
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cnbc--2020-04-22--Senate passes $484 billion coronavirus bill for small business and hospital relief, testing

The bill piles more money into an unprecedented government effort to relieve an economy and health-care system devastated by the coronavirus outbreak .
More than 22 million people filed for unemployment benefits over the latest four-week period as businesses in most of the country remain closed to slow Covid-19 's spread .
The bill passed Tuesday allocates $ 60 billion for small lenders as part of the small business aid program .
It puts another $ 60 billion toward Small Business Administration disaster assistance loans and grants .
It includes $ 75 billion in hospital relief and $ 25 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another $ 310 billion into a key loan program designed to keep employees on small company payrolls .
The initial $ 350 billion in the so-called Paycheck Protection Program , created as part of the $ 2 trillion rescue package passed last month , dried up last week .
It is unclear how many firms have actually received the money .
After the unanimous Senate vote , the bill heads to the House , which aims to approve it by Thursday .
The Senate on Tuesday passed a $ 484 billion package to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic and expand testing for Covid-19 .
An ambulance sits parked outside of U.S. Capitol in Washington , D.C. , on Tuesday , April 21 , 2020 .
The small business loans , forgivable if recipients use the money for wages , benefits , rent and utilities , are designed to keep employees on the payroll .
The money dried up quickly , though , leaving numerous small businesses in limbo .
The fact that some larger chain companies benefited from the first round of funding increased frustrations for firm owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , Democrats rejected a Republican proposal to put $ 250 billion into the existing small business program .
Democrats pushed for tweaks , including more money for rural and minority-owned small businesses and additional funding for SBA disaster assistance loans and grants .
They also sought more money for hospitals , states and municipalities — though Republicans opposed funding for governments , which the bill passed Tuesday did not include .
The GOP accused Democrats of abandoning small business owners and workers by not quickly injecting money into the program .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ took my colleagues in Democratic leadership 12 days to accept the inevitable , and that they shut down emergency support for Main Street in a search for partisan 'leverage ' that never materialized , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday before the Senate passed the legislation .
Speaking ahead of the vote , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the bill `` significantly better and broader '' than the one Democrats blocked earlier this month .
He said it is more `` effective ' and `` inclusive , '' adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding and testing .
Even as the bill passed with no opposition , two senators out of the handful of lawmakers present Tuesday criticized the chamber 's process .
Sen. Mike Lee , R-Utah , argued that the Senate should stop trying to pass legislation by unanimous vote and bring back lawmakers for an official tally .
Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , criticized the staggering sums of taxpayer money Congress has directed toward the crisis , contending the U.S. should reopen its economy instead .
Congress will likely pass one or more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy after it approves the emergency small business bill .
Democrats plan to push to expand vote-by-mail during the pandemic , extend the enhanced unemployment insurance passed last month and increase protections for Americans still required to go into work .
Schumer said he would seek money for the U.S .
Postal Service , assistance for renters and hazard pay for workers .
In tweets Tuesday , President Donald Trump said he wanted to see relief for state and local governments , along with infrastructure funding and a payroll tax cut , in @ @ @ @ @

The bill piles more money into an unprecedented government effort to relieve an economy and health-care system devastated by the coronavirus outbreak. More than 22 million people filed for unemployment benefits over the latest four-week period as businesses in most of the country remain closed to slow Covid-19's spread.
The bill passed Tuesday allocates $60 billion for small lenders as part of the small business aid program. It puts another $60 billion toward Small Business Administration disaster assistance loans and grants. It includes $75 billion in hospital relief and $25 billion for coronavirus testing.
The measure injects another $310 billion into a key loan program designed to keep employees on small company payrolls. The initial $350 billion in the so-called Paycheck Protection Program, created as part of the $2 trillion rescue package passed last month, dried up last week. It is unclear how many firms have actually received the money.
After the unanimous Senate vote, the bill heads to the House, which aims to approve it by Thursday.
The Senate on Tuesday passed a $484 billion package to bolster small businesses and hospitals ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic and expand testing for Covid-19.
An ambulance sits parked outside of U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.
The small business loans, forgivable if recipients use the money for wages, benefits, rent and utilities, are designed to keep employees on the payroll. The money dried up quickly, though, leaving numerous small businesses in limbo. The fact that some larger chain companies benefited from the first round of funding increased frustrations for firm owners who did not receive loans.
Earlier this month, Democrats rejected a Republican proposal to put $250 billion into the existing small business program. Democrats pushed for tweaks, including more money for rural and minority-owned small businesses and additional funding for SBA disaster assistance loans and grants. They also sought more money for hospitals, states and municipalities — though Republicans opposed funding for governments, which the bill passed Tuesday did not include.
The GOP accused Democrats of abandoning small business owners and workers by not quickly injecting money into the program.
"I am just sorry that it took my colleagues in Democratic leadership 12 days to accept the inevitable, and that they shut down emergency support for Main Street in a search for partisan 'leverage' that never materialized," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday before the Senate passed the legislation.
Speaking ahead of the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the bill "significantly better and broader" than the one Democrats blocked earlier this month. He said it is more "effective' and "inclusive," adding that it addressed additional priorities such as hospital funding and testing.
Even as the bill passed with no opposition, two senators out of the handful of lawmakers present Tuesday criticized the chamber's process. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, argued that the Senate should stop trying to pass legislation by unanimous vote and bring back lawmakers for an official tally.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., criticized the staggering sums of taxpayer money Congress has directed toward the crisis, contending the U.S. should reopen its economy instead.
Congress will likely pass one or more additional bills to try to rescue the economy after it approves the emergency small business bill. Democrats plan to push to expand vote-by-mail during the pandemic, extend the enhanced unemployment insurance passed last month and increase protections for Americans still required to go into work.
Schumer said he would seek money for the U.S. Postal Service, assistance for renters and hazard pay for workers.
In tweets Tuesday, President Donald Trump said he wanted to see relief for state and local governments, along with infrastructure funding and a payroll tax cut, in the next congressional package.
Donald Trump tweet
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cnbc--2020-04-21--Mike Bloomberg invested over $20 million in Hawkfish weeks after he dropped out of the 2020 primary

Former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg addresses his staff and the media after announcing that he will be ending his campaign on March 04 , 2020 in New York City .
Billionaire and former presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has invested over $ 20 million in his own digital tech company weeks after he dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary .
The $ 20 million investiture went to Hawkfish on March 31 through Bloomberg 's campaign , according to a new Federal Election Commission filing .
That disbursement was for `` digital advertising '' but the Bloomberg campaign had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the process of moving on from a disappointing run for president .
Another $ 1.5 million was spent on Hawkfish on that same day for `` digital advertising . ''
Bloomberg officially dropped out of the race on March 4 after entirely funding the campaign .
The massive sum is on top of the $ 45 million the campaign spent on Hawkfish 's services throughout the firm 's work for its founder Bloomberg , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
The eight-figure spend by Bloomberg in March shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could be of help to any campaign that signs up for its services .
Bloomberg , a billionaire with a net worth of $ 54 billion , seems to have disappeared from the scene after transferring $ 18 million to the Democratic National Committee and walking away from having his own outside entity help the apparent party nominee in Joe Biden .
He ended up laying off his staff who were placed in key battleground states in the wake of his withdrawal in March .
A person close to Bloomberg in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named in order to speak freely , recently told CNBC that the former New York mayor is still disappointed in the way his campaign panned out after spending just over $ 1 billion of his own money , and he 's not yet ready to get back into the public eye of taking on President Donald Trump .
Party donors have been privately hoping that Bloomberg gets more involved sooner rather than later as Trump , along with the Republican National Committee , has an extensive war chest that they 've been building @ @ @

Former Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg addresses his staff and the media after announcing that he will be ending his campaign on March 04, 2020 in New York City.
Billionaire and former presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has invested over $20 million in his own digital tech company weeks after he dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary.
The $20 million investiture went to Hawkfish on March 31 through Bloomberg's campaign, according to a new Federal Election Commission filing. That disbursement was for "digital consulting" but the Bloomberg campaign had already ended by then and his team was in the process of moving on from a disappointing run for president. Another $1.5 million was spent on Hawkfish on that same day for "digital advertising." Bloomberg officially dropped out of the race on March 4 after entirely funding the campaign.
The massive sum is on top of the $45 million the campaign spent on Hawkfish's services throughout the firm's work for its founder Bloomberg, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The eight-figure spend by Bloomberg in March shows that Hawkfish has a ton of financial reserves that could be of help to any campaign that signs up for its services.
Bloomberg, a billionaire with a net worth of $54 billion, seems to have disappeared from the scene after transferring $18 million to the Democratic National Committee and walking away from having his own outside entity help the apparent party nominee in Joe Biden. He ended up laying off his staff who were placed in key battleground states in the wake of his withdrawal in March.
A person close to Bloomberg in the business community, who declined to be named in order to speak freely, recently told CNBC that the former New York mayor is still disappointed in the way his campaign panned out after spending just over $1 billion of his own money, and he's not yet ready to get back into the public eye of taking on President Donald Trump. Party donors have been privately hoping that Bloomberg gets more involved sooner rather than later as Trump, along with the Republican National Committee, has an extensive war chest that they've been building for years.
A spokesman for Bloomberg declined to comment.


cnbc--2020-04-21--Nearly entire crew of coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier tested, 9 treated for symptoms

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is docked at Naval Base Guam in Apra Harbor on April 10 , 2020 .
At least 416 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier , or 8.6 percent of the ships crew of 4,800 , have tested positive for the novel coronavirus , with the numbers increasing daily .
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy said Tuesday that nearly all crewmembers assigned to the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier have been tested for the disease .
`` As of today , 94 % of USS Theodore Roosevelt crewmembers were tested for Covid-19 , with 710 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the service wrote in a release .
Of the total cases , nine are currently being treated at the U.S .
Naval Hospital Guam , 42 sailors have recovered and one sailor died .
A significant number of the Roosevelt crew tested positive but displayed no symptoms .
Read more : US Navy sailor from coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier dies in Guam The growing outbreak threatening the crew aboard the Roosevelt was foreshadowed in a leaked letter penned last month by the ship 's captain .
Capt .
Brett Crozier urged senior military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dramatic steps to safeguard the sailors aboard the Roosevelt .
`` We are not at war .
Sailors do not need to die .
If we do not act now , we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our Sailors , '' Crozier wrote in the letter dated March 30 .
`` The spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating . ''

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is docked at Naval Base Guam in Apra Harbor on April 10, 2020. At least 416 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier, or 8.6 percent of the ships crew of 4,800, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, with the numbers increasing daily.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy said Tuesday that nearly all crewmembers assigned to the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier have been tested for the disease.
"As of today, 94% of USS Theodore Roosevelt crewmembers were tested for Covid-19, with 710 total positive and 3,872 negative results," the service wrote in a release. Of the total cases, nine are currently being treated at the U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, 42 sailors have recovered and one sailor died. A significant number of the Roosevelt crew tested positive but displayed no symptoms.
Read more: US Navy sailor from coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier dies in Guam
The growing outbreak threatening the crew aboard the Roosevelt was foreshadowed in a leaked letter penned last month by the ship's captain.
Capt. Brett Crozier urged senior military leaders in a four-page letter to take dramatic steps to safeguard the sailors aboard the Roosevelt.
"We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our Sailors," Crozier wrote in the letter dated March 30. "The spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating."


cnbc--2020-04-21--Trump DC hotel reportedly seeking government relief amid lost revenue from coronavirus pandemic

A hotel in Washington , D.C. , owned by President Donald Trump is asking the government for a break on its rent payments , according to a new report .
Trump International Hotel , located a few blocks from the White House , has seen revenues plunge in recent weeks because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and is looking to cut costs , The New York Times reported .
The outbreak has crushed the hotel industry as shelter-in-place guidelines issued by state governments encourage people to remain at home and avoid unnecessary travel .
The 263-room hotel is owned and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real estate company currently headed by the president 's sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump .
But the hotel is situated in a federally owned building on Pennsylvania Avenue , and the company makes monthly rent payments to the General Services Administration , a federal agency that manages government buildings .
The company told the Times that it has asked to delay its monthly rent payments of about $ 268,000 a month .
The White House , when reached for comment , referred CNBC to the Trump International Hotel .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment from CNBC .
But Eric Trump , the president 's son and the executive vice president of the Trump Organization , told the Times that the company is seeking relief that might be available to other federal tenants .
`` Just treat us the same , '' Eric Trump in a statement to the Times on Tuesday .
`` Whatever that may be is fine . ''
The GSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC asking whether it 's considering offering relief to Trump International Hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other federal tenants .
Ultimately the agency answers to the White House , and that could make things awkward .
`` Companies across the country have pleaded for relief from lenders and landlords , but the Trump Organization 's submission presents a particular predicament , '' the Times reported .
`` If it denies the request , the agency risks running afoul of the president , who appoints its leader ; but if it accommodates the Trumps , the agency is likely to draw fire from critics . ''
The coronavirus has spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 2.5 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 171,810 deaths so far , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
There are at least 788,900 cases in the United States and at least 42,485 deaths , according to the latest tallies .

A hotel in Washington, D.C., owned by President Donald Trump is asking the government for a break on its rent payments, according to a new report.
Trump International Hotel, located a few blocks from the White House, has seen revenues plunge in recent weeks because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and is looking to cut costs, The New York Times reported.
The outbreak has crushed the hotel industry as shelter-in-place guidelines issued by state governments encourage people to remain at home and avoid unnecessary travel.
The 263-room hotel is owned and operated by the Trump organization, the real estate company currently headed by the president's sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump.
But the hotel is situated in a federally owned building on Pennsylvania Avenue, and the company makes monthly rent payments to the General Services Administration, a federal agency that manages government buildings.
The company told the Times that it has asked to delay its monthly rent payments of about $268,000 a month.
The White House, when reached for comment, referred CNBC to the Trump International Hotel. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC.
But Eric Trump, the president's son and the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, told the Times that the company is seeking relief that might be available to other federal tenants.
"Just treat us the same," Eric Trump in a statement to the Times on Tuesday. "Whatever that may be is fine."
The GSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC asking whether it's considering offering relief to Trump International Hotel and whether it has received requests from other federal tenants.
Ultimately the agency answers to the White House, and that could make things awkward.
"Companies across the country have pleaded for relief from lenders and landlords, but the Trump Organization's submission presents a particular predicament," the Times reported. "If it denies the request, the agency risks running afoul of the president, who appoints its leader; but if it accommodates the Trumps, the agency is likely to draw fire from critics."
The coronavirus has spread to dozens of countries globally, with more than 2.5 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 171,810 deaths so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. There are at least 788,900 cases in the United States and at least 42,485 deaths, according to the latest tallies.
Read the full report here.


cnbc--2020-04-21--Trump draft order requires more from tech workers on H-1B visas, report says

President Donald Trump speaks during a daily briefing of the coronavirus task force at the White House April 20 , @ @ @ @ @ .
President Donald Trump would require technology workers in the United States on H-1B visas @ @ @ @ @ they are not displacing American workers , according to a draft executive order , Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ The executive order would deny entry for people seeking most types of work visas for @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg reported .
It excludes people seeking jobs related to the food supply chain and @ @ @ @ @ care or medical research professionals , according to the draft .

President Donald Trump speaks during a daily briefing of the coronavirus task force at the White House April 20, 2020 in Washington, DC.
President Donald Trump would require technology workers in the United States on H-1B visas to provide updated certifications that they are not displacing American workers, according to a draft executive order, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.
The executive order would deny entry for people seeking most types of work visas for at least 90 days, Bloomberg reported.
It excludes people seeking jobs related to the food supply chain and would not apply to health care or medical research professionals, according to the draft.


cnbc--2020-04-21--United Auto Workers union endorses Joe Biden for president

Former Vice President Joe Biden , 2020 Democratic presidential candidate , speaks during a campaign event in Columbus , Ohio @ @ @ @ @ , March 10 , 2020 .
DETROIT — The United Auto Workers union said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Joe Biden for president , citing an `` assault on worker rights to @ @ @ @ @ under President Donald Trump .
The union said it chose to endorse Biden because of @ @ @ @ @ administration during the 2009 auto bailout and `` anti-worker federal appointees '' by the Trump @ @ @ @ @ dangerous and difficult times , the country needs a president who will demonstrate clear , @ @ @ @ @ acrimony and more balance to the rights and protections of working Americans , '' UAW @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
The endorsement by the UAW , which represents more than 400,000 workers @ @ @ @ @ Biden but not unexpected .
The union historically endorses Democrats for president , including Hillary @ @ @ @ @ former President Barack Obama .

Former Vice President Joe Biden, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, speaks during a campaign event in Columbus, Ohio, U.S., on Tuesday, March 10, 2020.
DETROIT — The United Auto Workers union said Tuesday that it is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden for president, citing an "assault on worker rights to organize and fair wages" under President Donald Trump.
The union said it chose to endorse Biden because of his experience under the Obama administration during the 2009 auto bailout and "anti-worker federal appointees" by the Trump administration.
"In these dangerous and difficult times, the country needs a president who will demonstrate clear, stable leadership, less partisan acrimony and more balance to the rights and protections of working Americans," UAW President Rory Gamble said in a statement.
The endorsement by the UAW, which represents more than 400,000 workers, is a win for Biden but not unexpected. The union historically endorses Democrats for president, including Hillary Clinton in 2016 and two-term former President Barack Obama.


cnbc--2020-04-21--North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently had surgery, could be incapacitated, US officials say

U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un recently had cardiovascular surgery , NBC News reported Tuesday , citing American officials .
The intelligence also suggests that Kim could be incapacitated , NBC added , citing some of those officials .
The update came after the South Korean currency , the won , took a hit following an unconfirmed report that Kim was seriously ill. Kim has been out of public view for several days , according to officials cited by NBC .
The new report also seemed to contradict what South Korea 's presidential office had told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman Kim Jong Un is currently touring provincial areas with his close aides and we do not detect evidences to support speculation about his ill health , '' South Korea 's presidential office told NBC News in a statement .
`` Even North Korea 's Worker 's Party , military or cabinet are n't showing any special movements such as emergency decree .
We believe that Chairman Kim is active as normal as he has been , '' the office said .
Robert O'Brien , President Donald Trump 's national security advisor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday that the United States is monitoring Kim 's status .
`` We 're monitoring these reports very closely , '' he said .
`` As you know , North Korea is a very closed society . ''
The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
Speculation about Kim 's health first arose after his absence from the April 15 anniversary birthday celebration of founding father , and Kim 's grandfather , Kim Il Sung .
Daily NK , a South Korean newspaper that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said late Monday that Kim on April 12 received a cardiovascular procedure at Hyangsan Hospital .
The outlet also reported that Kim was recovering in a villa near the hospital .
The latest revelation comes after President Donald Trump said Monday that he wants South Korea to pay more for the U.S. military presence there .
Seoul and Washington are currently negotiating a new agreement specifying how both countries share the costs of the 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea .
`` South Korea is a very wealthy nation .
They make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they make everything .
And , I give them great credit .
We 've been defending them for many , many decades , '' Trump said Monday .
`` I 've gone to them in the past .
Last year I went to them , now they 're paying a billion dollars a year , and I went to them again and I said , 'Look I 'll be back because that 's just a fraction , ' '' he added .
`` Again , the relationship is great , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The Kim dynasty and North Korea under its youngest leader It is unclear how many children Kim Jong Un 's father had , it is believed that the former North Korean leader had six children by four different women .
Kim Jong Un 's mother , named Ko Yong Hui , had a total of three children in the 1980s : two sons , Kim Jong Chul and Kim Jong Un and a daughter named Kim Yo Jong .
Kim Jong Un was put forward as the `` Great Successor '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following year .
His father , Kim Jong Il , died in 2011 and was believed to be about 70 years old at the time of his death .
As planned , Kim took over and was probably around 28 years old .
`` Some speculated that an uncle and an aunt would serve as co-regents of a kind , '' explained Jay Nordlinger , author of `` Children of Monsters : An Inquiry into the Sons and Daughters of Dictators . ''
The uncle was Jang Song Thaek and in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no doubt about who was in charge : He had his uncle arrested and executed .
He then killed all the Jang relatives he could get his hands on , no matter how old they were or where they lived . ''
While little is known about the North Korean leader and his immediate family , Kim is believed to be about 36 years old and is married to a woman named Ri Sol Ju .
He has at least one child , a daughter , named Kim Ju Ae , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star Dennis Rodman .
If Kim dies , analysts believe that Kim 's sister , Kim Yo Jong , will assume control of the nation with a group of loyalists until another successor is named .
In 2018 , Kim became the first North Korean leader to cross the 38th parallel to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-In .
Both Koreas are technically still at war , as the Korean War of 1950-1953 ended in an armistice , not a peace treaty .
Under Kim , the reclusive state has conducted its most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intercontinental ballistic missile and threatened to send missiles into the waters near Guam , a U.S. territory .
North Korea is the only nation known to have tested nuclear weapons this century .
Since 2011 , Kim has launched more than 100 missiles and conducted four nuclear weapons tests , which is more than his father , Kim Jong Il , and grandfather , Kim Il Sung , launched over a 27-year period .
North Korea spent most of President Donald Trump 's first year in office perfecting its nuclear arsenal , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the U.S. and international community offered the possibility of relief from crippling economic sanctions .

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises a "strike drill" for multiple launchers and tactical guided weapon into the East Sea on May 4, 2019 KCNA | Reuters
U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un recently had cardiovascular surgery, NBC News reported Tuesday, citing American officials. The intelligence also suggests that Kim could be incapacitated, NBC added, citing some of those officials. The update came after the South Korean currency, the won, took a hit following an unconfirmed report that Kim was seriously ill. Kim has been out of public view for several days, according to officials cited by NBC. The new report also seemed to contradict what South Korea's presidential office had told NBC News. "We confirm that Chairman Kim Jong Un is currently touring provincial areas with his close aides and we do not detect evidences to support speculation about his ill health," South Korea's presidential office told NBC News in a statement. "Even North Korea's Worker's Party, military or cabinet aren't showing any special movements such as emergency decree. We believe that Chairman Kim is active as normal as he has been," the office said. Robert O'Brien, President Donald Trump's national security advisor, said in a Fox News interview on Tuesday that the United States is monitoring Kim's status. "We're monitoring these reports very closely," he said. "As you know, North Korea is a very closed society." The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Kim Jong-Un visiting the People's Theatre to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State Merited Chorus in Pyongyang.
Speculation about Kim's health first arose after his absence from the April 15 anniversary birthday celebration of founding father, and Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung. Daily NK, a South Korean newspaper that focuses its coverage on North Korea, said late Monday that Kim on April 12 received a cardiovascular procedure at Hyangsan Hospital. The outlet also reported that Kim was recovering in a villa near the hospital. The latest revelation comes after President Donald Trump said Monday that he wants South Korea to pay more for the U.S. military presence there. Seoul and Washington are currently negotiating a new agreement specifying how both countries share the costs of the 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea. "South Korea is a very wealthy nation. They make our television sets, they make ships, they make everything. And, I give them great credit. We've been defending them for many, many decades," Trump said Monday. "I've gone to them in the past. Last year I went to them, now they're paying a billion dollars a year, and I went to them again and I said, 'Look I'll be back because that's just a fraction,'" he added. "Again, the relationship is great, but it's just not a fair relationship."
The Kim dynasty and North Korea under its youngest leader
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un salutes during a visit to the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces on the occasion of the new year, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 10, 2016. KCNA | Reuters
It is unclear how many children Kim Jong Un's father had, it is believed that the former North Korean leader had six children by four different women. Kim Jong Un's mother, named Ko Yong Hui, had a total of three children in the 1980s: two sons, Kim Jong Chul and Kim Jong Un and a daughter named Kim Yo Jong. Kim Jong Un was put forward as the "Great Successor" in 2009 and was made a four-star general the following year. His father, Kim Jong Il, died in 2011 and was believed to be about 70 years old at the time of his death. As planned, Kim took over and was probably around 28 years old. "Some speculated that an uncle and an aunt would serve as co-regents of a kind," explained Jay Nordlinger, author of "Children of Monsters: An Inquiry into the Sons and Daughters of Dictators." The uncle was Jang Song Thaek and in December 2013, "Kim Jong Un left no doubt about who was in charge: He had his uncle arrested and executed. He then killed all the Jang relatives he could get his hands on, no matter how old they were or where they lived." While little is known about the North Korean leader and his immediate family, Kim is believed to be about 36 years old and is married to a woman named Ri Sol Ju. He has at least one child, a daughter, named Kim Ju Ae, who was disclosed to the world by former basketball star Dennis Rodman. If Kim dies, analysts believe that Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, will assume control of the nation with a group of loyalists until another successor is named.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. Jorge Silva | Reuters
In 2018, Kim became the first North Korean leader to cross the 38th parallel to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-In. Both Koreas are technically still at war, as the Korean War of 1950-1953 ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. Under Kim, the reclusive state has conducted its most powerful nuclear test, launched its first-ever intercontinental ballistic missile and threatened to send missiles into the waters near Guam, a U.S. territory. North Korea is the only nation known to have tested nuclear weapons this century. Since 2011, Kim has launched more than 100 missiles and conducted four nuclear weapons tests, which is more than his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung, launched over a 27-year period. North Korea spent most of President Donald Trump's first year in office perfecting its nuclear arsenal, but promised to stop testing of its nukes after the U.S. and international community offered the possibility of relief from crippling economic sanctions.
President Donald Trump makes a statement before saying goodbye to North Korea leader Kim Jong Un after their meeting in the Capella Hotel after their working lunch, on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. Susan Walsh | Reuters
In 2018, Trump met Kim Jong Un for the first time in Singapore to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders held a second round of talks in Vietnam in February 2019, but negotiations collapsed after Trump reportedly handed Kim a note demanding he turn over the North's nuclear weapons and bomb fuel. In December, Kim Jong Un said he would continue developing his country's nuclear deterrent and introduce a new strategic weapon in the near future, according to the North's state-run media KCNA. Kim's remarks came after the United States missed a year-end deadline to restart denuclearization talks.


cnbc--2020-04-21--Joe Biden raises over $46 million in March as he faces pressure to attract more small-dollar donors

Joe Biden is facing pressure from his donor ranks to attract more small-dollar contributors even as his fundraising surged in March .
The Biden campaign 's $ 46 million haul last month largely came on the heels of key primary victories in South Carolina on Feb. 29 and his dominant performance during Super Tuesday 's primaries and subsequent contests .
It was the best month of fundraising he has had since he entered the Democratic primary last April .
Still , many of Biden 's top donors are encouraging the campaign to start hosting more virtual fundraising events that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in the gatherings , according to people with direct knowledge of the matter .
They declined to be named as these discussions were in private .
The campaign seems to be taking some of that advice to heart as it has scheduled multiple small-donor events in April and May .
One virtual fundraiser , set for May 1 , is expected to bring in at least 125 co-hosts who are alumni of President Barack Obama 's administration and campaigns , according to a person familiar with the effort .
The co-hosts are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former senior Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett , former White House chief of staff Dennis McDonough , and `` Pod Save America '' hosts Jon Favreau , Tommy Vietor and Dan Pfeiffer , this person added .
Tickets for that event , according to the invitation , start at $ 250 and go up to $ 2,800 , which is the most an individual can donate to a campaign .
Biden and campaigns from both sides of the political spectrum have been forced to go virtual as governments and organizations push for social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Biden 's fundraising last month was fueled by online contributions .
Seventy percent of the contributions came from digital donations , according to the campaign .
The average donation was $ 40 , it added .
Opening up more events to those who could give less than the standard $ 1,000 or $ 2,800 checks would bring in supporters who are n't maxing out just to attend one meeting .
Even with an increased emphasis on small donors , which were a key part of the campaigns of former Democratic rivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden will have a tough time catching up to President Donald Trump 's campaign haul .
While Biden outraised Trump in March , the president 's campaign alone had over $ 98 million on hand going into April .
Biden had $ 26 million .
The latest data from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that Trump has raised close to $ 15 million from donations between $ 200 and $ 499 throughout the 2020 election cycle while Biden has brought in closer to $ 9 million from contributions in that range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has raised a huge amount primarily off of lower dollars , is that they should have a lot more Zoom calls at the $ 100 and $ 250 level ( and maybe some even at less than $ 100 ) , '' one of Biden 's bundlers said .
`` The calls could be with surrogates .
No overhead , limited effort needed .
There are a few $ 250 events , but not nearly enough , '' this person said .
This week , Biden and his wife , Jill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admission fees of at least $ 250 .
Jill Biden 's event , set for Tuesday , is sold out .
The former vice president 's event is set for Wednesday .
The Biden campaign did n't immediately respond to a request for comment .

Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden laughs during the sixth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by PBS NewsHour & Politico at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California on December 19, 2019. Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images
Joe Biden is facing pressure from his donor ranks to attract more small-dollar contributors even as his fundraising surged in March. The Biden campaign's $46 million haul last month largely came on the heels of key primary victories in South Carolina on Feb. 29 and his dominant performance during Super Tuesday's primaries and subsequent contests. It was the best month of fundraising he has had since he entered the Democratic primary last April. Still, many of Biden's top donors are encouraging the campaign to start hosting more virtual fundraising events that will allow small-dollar donors to contribute and take part in the gatherings, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. They declined to be named as these discussions were in private. The campaign seems to be taking some of that advice to heart as it has scheduled multiple small-donor events in April and May. One virtual fundraiser, set for May 1, is expected to bring in at least 125 co-hosts who are alumni of President Barack Obama's administration and campaigns, according to a person familiar with the effort.
The co-hosts are expected to include former Ambassador Rufus Gifford, former senior Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett, former White House chief of staff Dennis McDonough, and "Pod Save America" hosts Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor and Dan Pfeiffer, this person added. Tickets for that event, according to the invitation, start at $250 and go up to $2,800, which is the most an individual can donate to a campaign. Biden and campaigns from both sides of the political spectrum have been forced to go virtual as governments and organizations push for social distancing to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Biden's fundraising last month was fueled by online contributions. Seventy percent of the contributions came from digital donations, according to the campaign. The average donation was $40, it added. Opening up more events to those who could give less than the standard $1,000 or $2,800 checks would bring in supporters who aren't maxing out just to attend one meeting.
Even with an increased emphasis on small donors, which were a key part of the campaigns of former Democratic rivals Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, Biden will have a tough time catching up to President Donald Trump's campaign haul. While Biden outraised Trump in March, the president's campaign alone had over $98 million on hand going into April. Biden had $26 million. The latest data from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that Trump has raised close to $15 million from donations between $200 and $499 throughout the 2020 election cycle while Biden has brought in closer to $9 million from contributions in that range. "My belief, as someone who has raised a huge amount primarily off of lower dollars, is that they should have a lot more Zoom calls at the $100 and $250 level (and maybe some even at less than $100)," one of Biden's bundlers said. "The calls could be with surrogates. No overhead, limited effort needed. There are a few $250 events, but not nearly enough," this person said. This week, Biden and his wife, Jill, are set to host virtual events with admission fees of at least $250. Jill Biden's event, set for Tuesday, is sold out. The former vice president's event is set for Wednesday. The Biden campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.


cnbc--2020-04-21--Trump directs Mnuchin, Energy secretary to create plan to support oil, gas industries as sell-off de

Trump directs Mnuchin, Energy secretary to create plan to support oil, gas industries as sell-off deepens

Offshore oil platforms are seen on April 20 , 2020 in Huntington Beach , California .
Oil prices traded in negative territory for the first time as the spread of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) impacts demand .
President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to put together a plan to get funding to the struggling U.S. oil and gas industry as a historic sell-off in crude continued .
`` I have instructed the Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Treasury to formulate a plan which will make funds available so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be secured long into the future ! ''
Trump tweeted Tuesday morning , as West Texas Intermediate crude futures for May delivery again traded in negative territory .
The president 's tweet did not specify how much money would be made available , or which oil and gas companies would be eligible to receive it .
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the president 's directive .
Trump 's promise that his administration `` will never let the great U.S. Oil & Gas Industry down '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading with a negative price , a day after falling below zero for the first time ever .
The nearest oil futures contract – WTI crude for May delivery , which expires Tuesday – collapsed Monday , settling below negative $ 37 per barrel .
The negative price means producers would have to pay traders to take the oil off their hands .
The contract 's price plunge rippled through the oil market on Tuesday .
The June WTI contract cratered , falling 30 % to less than $ 15 per barrel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a popular exchange-traded security , sunk 20 % after being halted before the opening bell .
The oil and gas industry has seen a historic sell-off amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Government efforts to contain the spread of the virus – by closing nonessential businesses , ordering residents to stay in their homes and banning some travel – have upended daily life for millions and effectively ground economic growth to a halt .
`` The problem is nobody is driving the car anywhere in the world , '' Trump said at a White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening .
`` Factories are closed and businesses are closed .
And so , all of a sudden — we had really a lot of energy to start off with , oil in particular .
We had a lot .
And then , all of a sudden , they lost 40 , 50 % of their markets .
So it just stopped . ''
`` So it 's going to be picking up , and the energy business will be strong , '' Trump said .
`` But they cut back . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was pushing to include funding to buy 75 million barrels of oil as part of an additional small business relief bill being negotiated in Congress , Trump appeared to pour cold water on the idea .
`` No , '' Trump said , adding , `` this is a great time to buy oil .
And we 'd like to have Congress approve it so that we could — instead of just storing it for the big — usually the big companies .
Because I think we have 75 million gallons right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to get — either ask for permission to buy it , or we 'll store it .
One way or the other , it will be full , '' the president said .

President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to put together a plan to get funding to the struggling U.S. oil and gas industry as a historic sell-off in crude continued.
"I have instructed the Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Treasury to formulate a plan which will make funds available so that these very important companies and jobs will be secured long into the future!" Trump tweeted Tuesday morning, as West Texas Intermediate crude futures for May delivery again traded in negative territory.
TWEET
The president's tweet did not specify how much money would be made available, or which oil and gas companies would be eligible to receive it. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the president's directive.
Trump's promise that his administration "will never let the great U.S. Oil & Gas Industry down" came as a crude futures contract continued trading with a negative price, a day after falling below zero for the first time ever.
The nearest oil futures contract – WTI crude for May delivery, which expires Tuesday – collapsed Monday, settling below negative $37 per barrel. The negative price means producers would have to pay traders to take the oil off their hands.
The contract's price plunge rippled through the oil market on Tuesday. The June WTI contract cratered, falling 30% to less than $15 per barrel, and the United States Oil Fund, a popular exchange-traded security, sunk 20% after being halted before the opening bell.
The oil and gas industry has seen a historic sell-off amid the coronavirus pandemic. Government efforts to contain the spread of the virus – by closing nonessential businesses, ordering residents to stay in their homes and banning some travel – have upended daily life for millions and effectively ground economic growth to a halt.
"The problem is nobody is driving the car anywhere in the world," Trump said at a White House press briefing on the virus Monday evening. "Factories are closed and businesses are closed. And so, all of a sudden — we had really a lot of energy to start off with, oil in particular. We had a lot. And then, all of a sudden, they lost 40, 50% of their markets. So it just stopped."
"So it's going to be picking up, and the energy business will be strong," Trump said. "But they cut back."
When asked at that briefing if he was pushing to include funding to buy 75 million barrels of oil as part of an additional small business relief bill being negotiated in Congress, Trump appeared to pour cold water on the idea.
"No," Trump said, adding, "this is a great time to buy oil. And we'd like to have Congress approve it so that we could — instead of just storing it for the big — usually the big companies. Because I think we have 75 million gallons right now, capacity."
"So we're going to get — either ask for permission to buy it, or we'll store it. One way or the other, it will be full," the president said.


cnbc--2020-04-21--Senate strikes deal on $484 billion relief package for small business, hospitals, testing

Another roughly $ 60 billion would go to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program , $ 10 billion of which would be in the form of grants .
The program , which is separate from the PPP , quickly went through the $ 10 billion originally allotted to it as part of the first small business plan .
The deal would allocate $ 320 billion more for the Paycheck Protection Program , which provides small business loans , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said .
$ 60 billion of that would be set aside for small institutions , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Half of the $ 60 billion would go to lenders with assets of less than $ 10 billion , and half would go to those with assets between $ 10 billion and $ 50 billion .
The Senate could vote on legislation as soon as 4 p.m .
ET on Tuesday , and will need unanimous support to pass it .
The House could approve the bill as early as Thursday .
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , Republican of Kentucky , speaks to reporters after leaving the Senate floor following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 250 billion to small business coronavirus relief funds , at the US Capitol in Washington , DC , April 9 , 2020 .
The bill grants $ 75 billion for hospitals and $ 25 billion for coronavirus testing .
Out of the testing funding , $ 11 billion would go to states , people familiar with the deal said .
The remaining funds would go to agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health .
Up to $ 1 billion may be used to cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The bill clarifies that agriculture companies are eligible for the EIDL program , after previous concern they were not .
Here 's what the bill would include : • $ 310 billion total for PPP , with $ 250 billion unrestricted and $ 60 billion set aside for smaller institutions • $ 50 billion for EIDL loans and $ 10 billion for EIDL grants • $ 25 billion for testing , $ 11 billion of which will be distributed to states '' I welcome this bipartisan agreement and hope the Senate will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final text , '' McConnell said in a statement , criticizing Democrats for resisting the passage of additional small business funding earlier this month `` in a search for partisan 'leverage ' that never materialized . ''
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday morning that he believes the Senate will pass an additional relief bill for small businesses later in the day .
Schumer , D-N.Y. , told CNN that he spoke `` well past midnight '' with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to an agreement on just about every issue . ''
The government has been under pressure to replenish a fund allocated to small businesses as part of the $ 2.2 trillion relief bill President Donald Trump signed late last month .
The program offers forgivable loans to companies that agree to maintain payroll .
Its funds , which totaled $ 349 billion , ran out last week , putting pressure on businesses that retained employees in hopes of obtaining the loan .
`` Staff were up all night , writing .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dot and T 's to cross , but we have a deal .
And I believe we 'll pass it today , '' Schumer said .

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Senate Republicans and Democrats reached a deal Tuesday on a $484 billion coronavirus relief package for small businesses, hospitals and testing. The Senate could vote on legislation as soon as 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and will need unanimous support to pass it. The House could approve the bill as early as Thursday. The deal would allocate $310 billion more into the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans for small businesses. $60 billion of that would be set aside for small institutions, according to a bill summary released by his office. Half of the $60 billion would go to lenders with assets of less than $10 billion, and half would go to those with assets between $10 billion and $50 billion. Another roughly $60 billion would go to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, $10 billion of which would be in the form of grants. The program, which is separate from the PPP, quickly went through the $10 billion originally allotted to it as part of the first small business plan.
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, speaks to reporters after leaving the Senate floor following a failed attempt to add an additional $250 billion to small business coronavirus relief funds, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, April 9, 2020. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images
The bill grants $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for coronavirus testing. Out of the testing funding, $11 billion would go to states, people familiar with the deal said. The remaining funds would go to agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. Up to $1 billion may be used to cover the costs of testing for the uninsured. The bill clarifies that agriculture companies are eligible for the EIDL program, after previous concern they were not. Here's what the bill would include: $310 billion total for PPP, with $250 billion unrestricted and $60 billion set aside for smaller institutions
$50 billion for EIDL loans and $10 billion for EIDL grants
$75 billion for hospitals
$25 billion for testing, $11 billion of which will be distributed to states
$2.1 billion for Small Business Administration administrative expenses "I welcome this bipartisan agreement and hope the Senate will quickly pass it once members have reviewed the final text," McConnell said in a statement, criticizing Democrats for resisting the passage of additional small business funding earlier this month "in a search for partisan 'leverage' that never materialized." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday morning that he believes the Senate will pass an additional relief bill for small businesses later in the day. Schumer, D-N.Y., told CNN that he spoke "well past midnight" with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and "came to an agreement on just about every issue." The government has been under pressure to replenish a fund allocated to small businesses as part of the $2.2 trillion relief bill President Donald Trump signed late last month. The program offers forgivable loans to companies that agree to maintain payroll. Its funds, which totaled $349 billion, ran out last week, putting pressure on businesses that retained employees in hopes of obtaining the loan. "Staff were up all night, writing. There's still a few more I's to dot and T's to cross, but we have a deal. And I believe we'll pass it today," Schumer said.
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