cnbc--2020-08-17--Private equity giant Blackstone hires pro-Trump lobbyist David Urban to target Pentagon, State Depar

Private equity giant Blackstone hires pro-Trump lobbyist David Urban to target Pentagon, State Department

One of the largest private equity firms in the world has hired a lobbyist with deep ties to President Donald Trump , with the intention of targeting the Department of Defense and State Department .
Blackstone , a massive investment firm that has more than $ 500 billion in assets under management , brought on David Urban earlier this year to join its ranks of outside lobbyists , according to a disclosure report .
Urban is president of the American Continental Group , a Washington , D.C.-based lobbying firm .
He is also a member of Trump 's reelection advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president 's successful campaign in Pennsylvania during the 2016 run .
Since Urban registered to lobby for Blackstone 's administrative services arm in February , the firm has paid at least $ 120,000 for the Trump ally to engage with the Department of Defense and State Department on what the disclosures call `` issues related to military preparedness and training . ''
Blackstone 's CEO is Steve Schwarzman , who recently gave $ 3 million to the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action , and has been a close confidant of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated requests for comment , neither Blackstone nor Urban would say what they 're hoping to see from either the Pentagon or the State Department .
The company does n't have any publicly listed government contracts , and its known investments do n't appear to have direct links to the defense industry .
Blackstone does have a `` veterans network , '' according to its website .
The network launched in 2019 .
`` It gives transitioning military personnel the support and guidance needed to enter the financial services industry , '' Blackstone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans are at Blackstone , the network provides an extended community to not only act as a support system , but to better educate our employees . ''
Blackstone lobbyists contacted the Pentagon and State Department in 2014 , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
However , since then there is no sign that Blackstone representatives have engaged with them and there are no lobbying reports showing that the private equity giant has , in fact , ever spoken with officials from those agencies through lobbyists until Urban was hired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired by Blackstone .
The firm has also tapped Jeff Miller , a lobbyist that 's bundled more than $ 2.7 million for Trump Victory , a joint fundraising operation between the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee .
Miller 's firm was paid $ 90,000 by the same Blackstone office as Urban in the first quarter and an additional $ 140,000 the following three months .
Miller 's team mainly focused on coronavirus relief legislation at the time .
Blackstone has previously told CNBC the firm was not lobbying Congress on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was instead using lobbyists as a way to mainly monitor the coronavirus legislation .
The payments to Miller and Urban are only pieces of Blackstone 's larger lobbying expenditures .
In the first half of 2020 , the firm paid lobbyists $ 2.7 million , according to data gathered by CRP .
That 's the most paid in the first half of a year for lobbying by Blackstone since 2012 .
Beyond Urban 's direct ties to Trump himself , he has extensive experience lobbying both the DOD and State Department .
American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8.4 million from Urban clients including TikTok parent ByteDance , Lockheed Martin , Oracle , Raytheon , Roche and Zoom Video Communications .

One of the largest private equity firms in the world has hired a lobbyist with deep ties to President Donald Trump, with the intention of targeting the Department of Defense and State Department.
Blackstone, a massive investment firm that has more than $500 billion in assets under management, brought on David Urban earlier this year to join its ranks of outside lobbyists, according to a disclosure report. Urban is president of the American Continental Group, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm.
He is also a member of Trump's reelection advisory committee and was a key architect of the president's successful campaign in Pennsylvania during the 2016 run.
Since Urban registered to lobby for Blackstone's administrative services arm in February, the firm has paid at least $120,000 for the Trump ally to engage with the Department of Defense and State Department on what the disclosures call "issues related to military preparedness and training."
Blackstone's CEO is Steve Schwarzman, who recently gave $3 million to the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action, and has been a close confidant of the president's since his inauguration.
After repeated requests for comment, neither Blackstone nor Urban would say what they're hoping to see from either the Pentagon or the State Department. The company doesn't have any publicly listed government contracts, and its known investments don't appear to have direct links to the defense industry.
Blackstone does have a "veterans network," according to its website. The network launched in 2019.
"It gives transitioning military personnel the support and guidance needed to enter the financial services industry," Blackstone's website said. "Once our veterans are at Blackstone, the network provides an extended community to not only act as a support system, but to better educate our employees."
Blackstone lobbyists contacted the Pentagon and State Department in 2014, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. However, since then there is no sign that Blackstone representatives have engaged with them and there are no lobbying reports showing that the private equity giant has, in fact, ever spoken with officials from those agencies through lobbyists until Urban was hired.
Urban is the latest Trump-linked lobbyist hired by Blackstone. The firm has also tapped Jeff Miller, a lobbyist that's bundled more than $2.7 million for Trump Victory, a joint fundraising operation between the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee. Miller's firm was paid $90,000 by the same Blackstone office as Urban in the first quarter and an additional $140,000 the following three months.
Miller's team mainly focused on coronavirus relief legislation at the time. Blackstone has previously told CNBC the firm was not lobbying Congress on any of the Covid-19 loan programs and was instead using lobbyists as a way to mainly monitor the coronavirus legislation.
The payments to Miller and Urban are only pieces of Blackstone's larger lobbying expenditures. In the first half of 2020, the firm paid lobbyists $2.7 million, according to data gathered by CRP. That's the most paid in the first half of a year for lobbying by Blackstone since 2012.
Beyond Urban's direct ties to Trump himself, he has extensive experience lobbying both the DOD and State Department.
American Continental Group has made close to $8.4 million from Urban clients including TikTok parent ByteDance, Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Raytheon, Roche and Zoom Video Communications.


cnbc--2020-08-17--Here is the speaker lineup for the Democratic National Convention tonight

The 2020 Democratic National Convention kicks off Monday night as the party prosecutes its case against a second term for President Donald Trump .
The events , originally slated to take place in Milwaukee , will go on mostly remotely from around the country due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Former Vice President Joe Biden plans to accept the party 's presidential nomination on Thursday night .
Speakers will start at 9 p.m .
ET on Monday .
Popular former first lady Michelle Obama will headline the group along with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont , the runner-up to Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also speaking is Republican former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , who was one of the last GOP candidates to drop out of the 2016 race against Trump .
CNBC.com will livestream the event , as will the DNC 's website .
C-SPAN , CNN , MSNBC and PBS will show the full two hours of the convention each night .
Fox News , CBS , ABC and NBC will show the 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. hour .
Sanders ' speaking slot underscores the party 's efforts to reach out to more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jim Clyburn of South Carolina , the House majority whip whose endorsement helped to propel Biden to the nomination , and Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who leads the critical swing state of Michigan .

The 2020 Democratic National Convention kicks off Monday night as the party prosecutes its case against a second term for President Donald Trump.
The events, originally slated to take place in Milwaukee, will go on mostly remotely from around the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. Former Vice President Joe Biden plans to accept the party's presidential nomination on Thursday night.
Speakers will start at 9 p.m. ET on Monday. Popular former first lady Michelle Obama will headline the group along with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the runner-up to Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary race. Also speaking is Republican former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who was one of the last GOP candidates to drop out of the 2016 race against Trump.
CNBC.com will livestream the event, as will the DNC's website.
C-SPAN, CNN, MSNBC and PBS will show the full two hours of the convention each night. Fox News, CBS, ABC and NBC will show the 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. hour.
Sanders' speaking slot underscores the party's efforts to reach out to more liberal voters. Other speakers include Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the House majority whip whose endorsement helped to propel Biden to the nomination, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who leads the critical swing state of Michigan.


cnbc--2020-08-17--Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and other top Democrats demand USPS board reverse chief's policy ch

Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and other top Democrats demand USPS board reverse chief's policy changes

Demonstrators with Shut Down DC protest prepare to march to the home of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Saturday , Aug. 15 , 2020 .
Leading Democratic senators called for the U.S .
Postal Service Board of Governors on Monday to reverse sweeping operational changes implemented by new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy — and remove him if he does n't comply .
The cost-cutting measures put in place by DeJoy , a major donor to Republicans and committees supporting President Donald Trump 's reelection , have been blamed for reports of widespread mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the Post Office 's ability to handle an expected flood of mail-in ballots in the November election .
Democrats have wondered aloud whether the changes are a political tactic to undermine USPS , a federal agency , in ways that could impact ballot-counting in the November race between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
`` Mr. DeJoy appears to be engaged in a partisan effort , with the support of President Trump , to delay and degrade mail service and undermine the mission of the United States Postal Service , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York , in a letter to the USPS Board of Governors .
The request is hardly the first entreaty from Congress to reverse DeJoy 's overhaul of the Post Office .
Members of both parties have called on the postmaster general to reel in his new policies , which reportedly include major cuts in overtime and crackdowns on making late trips to deliver mail .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said Sunday she is calling the House back from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney 's bill to block DeJoy 's changes from taking effect until the coronavirus pandemic has ended .
Trump , an aggressive critic of mail-in voting , denied that he is encouraging DeJoy to slow down the mail .
`` I have encouraged everybody , 'speed up the mail , ' '' he told reporters outside the White House on Monday morning .
DeJoy said this month the USPS has `` ample capacity '' to handle election mail .
But the senators wrote that DeJoy `` has rapidly taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrity of the Postal Service . ''
`` Mr. DeJoy 's short tenure has endangered millions of Americans who rely on the Postal Service to keep in touch with their friends and family , obtain prescription drugs and other daily needs , and access their Social Security , Veterans Affairs , and other benefits , '' they wrote .
`` And his efforts threaten the ability of Americans to vote in the 2020 elections . ''
A spokesman for the USPS did not respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Bernie Sanders , Ron Wyden of Oregon , Gary Peters of Michigan , and Minnesota 's Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar , told the board they `` have the authority and responsibility to act . ''
`` Should he not cooperate with these efforts , you have the authority , under the Postal Reorganization Act , 'to remove the Postmaster General , ' with ' a favorable vote of an absolute majority of the Governors in office , ' '' the letter said .
Warren doubled down on that point in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service Board of Governors should use their authority to reverse DeJoy 's changes that sabotage USPS operations – and remove DeJoy as Postmaster General if he does n't cooperate , '' she wrote .
The letter was sent to six members of the board , all of whom were appointed by Trump .

Demonstrators with Shut Down DC protest prepare to march to the home of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020.
Leading Democratic senators called for the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors on Monday to reverse sweeping operational changes implemented by new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy — and remove him if he doesn't comply.
The cost-cutting measures put in place by DeJoy, a major donor to Republicans and committees supporting President Donald Trump's reelection, have been blamed for reports of widespread mail delays. They are also raising fears about the Post Office's ability to handle an expected flood of mail-in ballots in the November election.
Democrats have wondered aloud whether the changes are a political tactic to undermine USPS, a federal agency, in ways that could impact ballot-counting in the November race between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
"Mr. DeJoy appears to be engaged in a partisan effort, with the support of President Trump, to delay and degrade mail service and undermine the mission of the United States Postal Service," said seven senators, led by Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, in a letter to the USPS Board of Governors.
The request is hardly the first entreaty from Congress to reverse DeJoy's overhaul of the Post Office. Members of both parties have called on the postmaster general to reel in his new policies, which reportedly include major cuts in overtime and crackdowns on making late trips to deliver mail.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Sunday she is calling the House back from summer recess in order to vote on House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney's bill to block DeJoy's changes from taking effect until the coronavirus pandemic has ended.
Trump, an aggressive critic of mail-in voting, denied that he is encouraging DeJoy to slow down the mail. "I have encouraged everybody, 'speed up the mail,'" he told reporters outside the White House on Monday morning.
DeJoy said this month the USPS has "ample capacity" to handle election mail.
But the senators wrote that DeJoy "has rapidly taken numerous actions that threaten the service and integrity of the Postal Service."
"Mr. DeJoy's short tenure has endangered millions of Americans who rely on the Postal Service to keep in touch with their friends and family, obtain prescription drugs and other daily needs, and access their Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and other benefits," they wrote. "And his efforts threaten the ability of Americans to vote in the 2020 elections."
A spokesman for the USPS did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.
The group of senators, which also includes Vermont's Bernie Sanders, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Gary Peters of Michigan, and Minnesota's Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, told the board they "have the authority and responsibility to act."
"Should he not cooperate with these efforts, you have the authority, under the Postal Reorganization Act, 'to remove the Postmaster General,' with 'a favorable vote of an absolute majority of the Governors in office,'" the letter said.
Warren doubled down on that point in a tweet later Monday. "The Postal Service Board of Governors should use their authority to reverse DeJoy's changes that sabotage USPS operations – and remove DeJoy as Postmaster General if he doesn't cooperate," she wrote.
TWEET
The letter was sent to six members of the board, all of whom were appointed by Trump.


cnbc--2020-08-17--Biden outspends Trump on Facebook ads for the first time since June

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden ; and vice presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris take the stage at a campaign event , their first joint appearance since Biden named Harris as his running mate , at Alexis Dupont High School in Wilmington , Delaware , Aug. 12 , 2020 .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden last week outspent President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Facebook advertisements for the first time since June 6 , following the selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate .
Biden 's Facebook page spent $ 6.1 million between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Facebook Ad Library Report , and the Harris campaign spent about $ 5,000 after joining the ticket on Aug. 11 .
That surpassed the spend from Trump and Pence 's Facebook pages of $ 4.76 million during the same period .
The last time Biden outspent Trump and Pence was the week of May 31 through June 6 when his Facebook page spent $ 5.24 million while Trump and Pence collectively spent $ 1.76 million on Facebook ads .
The surge in Biden 's Facebook ad spending comes after selecting Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Biden campaign raised $ 48 million in the 48 hours following that announcement , according to Reuters .
Earlier this month , the Biden campaign also announced a $ 280 million fall ad buy , with $ 60 million of it going toward digital ads in 15 battleground states , according to the New York Times .

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden; and vice presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris take the stage at a campaign event, their first joint appearance since Biden named Harris as his running mate, at Alexis Dupont High School in Wilmington, Delaware, Aug. 12, 2020.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden last week outspent President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Facebook advertisements for the first time since June 6, following the selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate.
Biden's Facebook page spent $6.1 million between Aug. 9 and Aug. 15, according to the Facebook Ad Library Report, and the Harris campaign spent about $5,000 after joining the ticket on Aug. 11. That surpassed the spend from Trump and Pence's Facebook pages of $4.76 million during the same period.
The last time Biden outspent Trump and Pence was the week of May 31 through June 6 when his Facebook page spent $5.24 million while Trump and Pence collectively spent $1.76 million on Facebook ads.
The surge in Biden's Facebook ad spending comes after selecting Harris to be his pick for vice president. The Biden campaign raised $48 million in the 48 hours following that announcement, according to Reuters.
Earlier this month, the Biden campaign also announced a $280 million fall ad buy, with $60 million of it going toward digital ads in 15 battleground states, according to the New York Times.


cnbc--2020-08-17--Jared Kushner defends administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic

White House senior advisor and the U.S. president 's son-in-law , Jared Kushner , has defended the Trump administration 's strategy to combat the coronavirus pandemic , saying others have tried to use the crisis to `` play politics '' — but not President Donald Trump .
`` Some people have chosen to play politics with the pandemic , President Trump has opted not to politicize it and he 's done everything possible to try to figure how to help people get whatever care they need , '' Kushner told CNBC in an exclusive interview on Friday .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China into our country .
It 's ravaged many countries throughout the world and I think President Trump has dealt with it in a very responsible way , '' he added .
In February , when there were just three cases of Covid-19 in the U.S. , Trump accused the Democrats of politicizing the virus and using it as a `` new hoax '' to damage his reputation .
Since then , the coronavirus has infected more than 21.5 million people worldwide and killed at least 773,000 people , according to data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. is the worst-hit nation and accounts for about 25 % of the global cases reported so far .
Since then , Trump has repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of the virus as the epidemic it has wrought in the United States — the worst in the developed world — has apparently damaged his re-election chances .
He has even claimed coronavirus will `` go away '' on its own , though those statements and countless others like them directly contradict the consensus among epidemiologists and other medical professionals .
Asked by CNBC 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistake for the U.S. not to have a national program to fight the virus , Kushner said the government oversaw the procurement , production and distribution of resources needed during the pandemic , such as masks and ventilators .
`` With regards to a national strategy , the job of the federal government was to get the resources that the country needed , '' he said .
`` You heard all these hysterical reports about doctors on the front lines not being able to get masks , not having enough ventilators , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than they needed , and again , every patient in America that needed a ventilator got a ventilator , President Trump distributed them properly , '' Kushner told CNBC 's Hadley Gamble .
The U.S. government has been criticized over its handling of the coronavirus epidemic , where over 5.4 million confirmed cases of the virus have now been recorded and where there have been over 170,000 deaths , according to Hopkins ' data on Sunday .
Kushner led a coronavirus response task force aimed at securing protective gear for medical workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force , which parallels the government 's official task force spearheaded by Vice President Mike Pence , was accused of inexperience and a lack of transparency over its dealings .
It was widely reported that a national strategy over testing was dropped in favor of a state-by-state response to make the Democratic governors in some of the hardest-hit states look bad .
The White House denied those allegations .
Kushner insisted that the Trump administration had ensured an adequate supply of resources to states , but that it did not want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government has done a lot to stimulate the supply ( of resources ) .
Every governor that has needed resources , we 've dealt with them and we 've done it .
Governors run the states ... President Trump from Washington is not going to tell them how to run their states . ''
Asked if there were any regrets about the White House 's approach , Kushner said , `` there 's always things you could do differently . ''
He did not elaborate further .
`` But again , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's ( Trump 's ) made a lot of right decisions ... we have 50 states , which means you have 50 CEOs , and his job is to work with all of them , '' he added .

watch now
White House senior advisor and the U.S. president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has defended the Trump administration's strategy to combat the coronavirus pandemic, saying others have tried to use the crisis to "play politics" — but not President Donald Trump. "Some people have chosen to play politics with the pandemic, President Trump has opted not to politicize it and he's done everything possible to try to figure how to help people get whatever care they need," Kushner told CNBC in an exclusive interview on Friday. "This is a global pandemic, it came from China into our country. It's ravaged many countries throughout the world and I think President Trump has dealt with it in a very responsible way," he added. In February, when there were just three cases of Covid-19 in the U.S., Trump accused the Democrats of politicizing the virus and using it as a "new hoax" to damage his reputation. Since then, the coronavirus has infected more than 21.5 million people worldwide and killed at least 773,000 people, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. is the worst-hit nation and accounts for about 25% of the global cases reported so far.
Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Trump, listens to the president during a listening session with cybersecurity experts in the Roosevelt Room the White House in Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017. Jabin Botsford | The Washington Post | Getty Images
Since then, Trump has repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of the virus as the epidemic it has wrought in the United States — the worst in the developed world — has apparently damaged his re-election chances. He has even claimed coronavirus will "go away" on its own, though those statements and countless others like them directly contradict the consensus among epidemiologists and other medical professionals. Asked by CNBC's Hadley Gamble whether it had been a mistake for the U.S. not to have a national program to fight the virus, Kushner said the government oversaw the procurement, production and distribution of resources needed during the pandemic, such as masks and ventilators. "With regards to a national strategy, the job of the federal government was to get the resources that the country needed," he said. "You heard all these hysterical reports about doctors on the front lines not being able to get masks, not having enough ventilators, you had governors requesting a lot more ventilators than they needed, and again, every patient in America that needed a ventilator got a ventilator, President Trump distributed them properly," Kushner told CNBC's Hadley Gamble. The U.S. government has been criticized over its handling of the coronavirus epidemic, where over 5.4 million confirmed cases of the virus have now been recorded and where there have been over 170,000 deaths, according to Hopkins' data on Sunday.
watch now


cnbc--2020-08-17--U.S. tightens restrictions on Huawei access to technology and chips

The Trump administration announced on Monday it will further tighten restrictions on Huawei Technologies , aimed at cracking down on the Chinese telecommunications giant access to commercially available chips .
The Commerce Department actions , first reported by Reuters , will expand restrictions announced in May aimed at preventing Huawei from obtaining semiconductors without a special license — including chips made by foreign firms that have been developed or produced with U.S. software or technology .
In a statement Monday , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Commerce Department added 38 Huawei affiliates to the U.S. government 's economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 152 affiliates since Huawei was first added in May 2019 .
`` The Trump Administration sees Huawei for what it is — an arm of the Chinese Communist Party 's ( CCP 's ) surveillance state — and we have taken action accordingly , '' Pompeo said in the statement .
`` We will not tolerate efforts by the CCP to undermine the privacy of our citizens , our businesses ' intellectual property , or the integrity of next-generation networks worldwide . ''
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told Fox Business the restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to do some evasive measures .
They were going through third parties , '' Ross said .
`` The new rule makes it clear that any use of American software or American fabrication equipment is banned and requires a license . ''
Pompeo said the rule change `` will prevent Huawei from circumventing U.S. law through alternative chip production and provision of off-the-shelf chips . ''
He added : `` Huawei has continuously tried to evade '' U.S. restrictions .
`` Expect much more of this president defending this country against China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth and prosperity , '' White House trade advisor Peter Navarro said in an interview Monday on CNBC 's `` Squawk Box . ''

The Trump administration announced on Monday it will further tighten restrictions on Huawei Technologies, aimed at cracking down on the Chinese telecommunications giant access to commercially available chips.
The Commerce Department actions, first reported by Reuters, will expand restrictions announced in May aimed at preventing Huawei from obtaining semiconductors without a special license — including chips made by foreign firms that have been developed or produced with U.S. software or technology.
In a statement Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Commerce Department added 38 Huawei affiliates to the U.S. government's economic blacklist. That raises the total to 152 affiliates since Huawei was first added in May 2019.
"The Trump Administration sees Huawei for what it is — an arm of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) surveillance state — and we have taken action accordingly," Pompeo said in the statement. "We will not tolerate efforts by the CCP to undermine the privacy of our citizens, our businesses' intellectual property, or the integrity of next-generation networks worldwide."
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told Fox Business the restrictions on Huawei-designed chips imposed in May "led them to do some evasive measures. They were going through third parties," Ross said. "The new rule makes it clear that any use of American software or American fabrication equipment is banned and requires a license."
Pompeo said the rule change "will prevent Huawei from circumventing U.S. law through alternative chip production and provision of off-the-shelf chips." He added: "Huawei has continuously tried to evade" U.S. restrictions.
"Expect much more of this president defending this country against China['s] efforts to steal our wealth and prosperity," White House trade advisor Peter Navarro said in an interview Monday on CNBC's "Squawk Box."


cnbc--2020-08-17--Belarus' president remains defiant after largest protest in country's history, NATO 'closely monitor

Belarus' president remains defiant after largest protest in country's history, NATO 'closely monitoring' situation

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has rejected calls to quit following his contested re-election , warning that the former Soviet republic would `` perish as a state '' if it was forced to repeat the vote .
Opposition protesters took to the streets for the eighth consecutive day of anti-government demonstrations on Sunday , demanding the departure of the country 's embattled authoritarian leader .
It comes as anger grows over reports of police violence and allegations of electoral fraud and poll-rigging in the August 9 presidential election .
Lukashenko , who has been in power since 1994 , claimed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him his sixth term in office and has denied allegations of fraud .
`` Until you kill me , there will be no other elections , '' Lukashenko told workers at a tractor plant on Monday , Reuters reported , citing local independent media outlet Tut.by .
Official results indicate he received around 80 % of the vote earlier this month , while main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 37 , was said to have received around 10 % of the vote .
Tikhanovskaya , who challenged the 65-year-old president after her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities , has condemned the result and called for the creation of a legal mechanism that can ensure a new , fair presidential election can be held .
Speaking in a video address from Lithuania on Monday , the former English teacher said security and law enforcement officers loyal to the president would be forgiven for their past behavior so long as they immediately scrap their allegiance to the president .
Thousands of people have been detained during recent protests , which the police have sought to stamp out by using clubs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least two demonstrators have been killed .
The opposition has also called for a general strike from Monday .
It comes after thousands of workers at state-controlled factories , a traditional support base for Lukashenko , went on strike late last week .

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has rejected calls to quit following his contested re-election, warning that the former Soviet republic would "perish as a state" if it was forced to repeat the vote.
Opposition protesters took to the streets for the eighth consecutive day of anti-government demonstrations on Sunday, demanding the departure of the country's embattled authoritarian leader.
It comes as anger grows over reports of police violence and allegations of electoral fraud and poll-rigging in the August 9 presidential election.
Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, claimed a landslide victory in the vote that gave him his sixth term in office and has denied allegations of fraud.
"Until you kill me, there will be no other elections," Lukashenko told workers at a tractor plant on Monday, Reuters reported, citing local independent media outlet Tut.by.
Official results indicate he received around 80% of the vote earlier this month, while main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, 37, was said to have received around 10% of the vote.
Tikhanovskaya, who challenged the 65-year-old president after her husband was barred from running and jailed by authorities, has condemned the result and called for the creation of a legal mechanism that can ensure a new, fair presidential election can be held.
Speaking in a video address from Lithuania on Monday, the former English teacher said security and law enforcement officers loyal to the president would be forgiven for their past behavior so long as they immediately scrap their allegiance to the president.
Thousands of people have been detained during recent protests, which the police have sought to stamp out by using clubs, rubber bullets and flash grenades. At least two demonstrators have been killed.
The opposition has also called for a general strike from Monday. It comes after thousands of workers at state-controlled factories, a traditional support base for Lukashenko, went on strike late last week.


cnbc--2020-08-18--The top moments from day one of the Democratic National Convention

Sen. Bernie Sanders and former first lady Michelle Obama headlined the first night of the all-virtual Democratic National Convention on Monday , testing out a new format for the quadrennial event made necessary by the spreading coronavirus .
Day one focused on unity , featuring speeches by Republicans in addition to a full-throated endorsement from Sanders , the leader of the party 's progressive wing , for onetime rival Joe Biden .
President Donald Trump was in the speakers ' crosshairs .
`` Whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , division , and a total and utter lack of empathy , '' the former first lady said at one point , offering an unusually blunt assessment .
The two-hour event was emceed by the actress and activist Eva Longoria .
It will continue each night through Thursday starting at 9 p.m .
ET .
The virtual gathering came less than a week after Biden announced that his running mate would be Sen. Kamala Harris of California , making the former state attorney general the first Black woman and the first Asian American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a statement responding to the convention , the Trump campaign said it was a `` Hollywood-produced infomercial '' and accused Biden of falling under the sway of the party 's `` radical socialist '' left .
Here are the night 's top moments .
`` If you think things can not possibly get worse , trust me , they can ; and they will if we do n't make a change in this election . ''
This was former first lady Michelle Obama 's unvarnished message for Americans in her keynote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what she said young people see around them in America today .
`` They see our leaders labeling fellow citizens enemies of the state while emboldening torch-bearing white supremacists .
They watch in horror as children are torn from their families and thrown into cages , and pepper spray and rubber bullets are used on peaceful protesters for a photo-op , '' said Obama .
And while the purpose of the Democratic convention this week is to nominate and celebrate the party 's presidential ticket , Obama only mentioned Biden halfway into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in on Biden Few Democrats can forget how awkward and prickly Sen. Bernie Sanders ' Democratic convention speech was four years ago , when he boasted about how many delegates he had won in the primary against nominee Hillary Clinton .
But there was no hint of the bitterness of 2016 on Monday night , when Sanders again endorsed a candidate who beat him in the Democratic primary .
Instead , Sanders gave Joe Biden a full-throated endorsement , sending a clear signal to progressives who might still be reluctant to vote for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need Joe Biden as our next president , '' Sanders said before warning that `` authoritarianism has taken root in our country , '' under Trump .
`` We must build a nation that is more equitable , more compassionate and more Inclusive .
I know that Joe Biden will begin that fight on day one , '' Sanders said , before listing a half dozen examples of `` how Joe will move us forward . ''
These included Biden 's support for a $ 15 an hour minimum wage , his pledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his plan to fund universal prekindergarten .
`` To heal the soul of our nation , Joe Biden will end the hate and division Trump has created , '' Sanders said .
`` He will stop the demonization of immigrants , the coddling of white nationalists , the racist dog whistling , the religious bigotry , and the ugly attacks on women . ''
Sanders closed by appealing directly to his progressive supporters and to disaffected Democrats who might be hesitant to vote for Biden .
`` To everyone who supported other candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election : The future of our democracy is at stake .
The future of our economy is at stake .
The future of our planet is at stake .
We must come together , defeat Donald Trump and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our next president and vice president , '' he said .
Cuomo : 'We need a leader as good as our people' New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo delivered some of the sharpest barbs of the evening , accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mishandling the coronavirus pandemic , which hit New York harder than perhaps anywhere else in the country .
`` Covid is the symptom , not the illness .
Our nation is in crisis , and in many ways Covid is just a metaphor , '' Cuomo said .
`` A virus attacks when the body is weak and when it can not defend itself .
Over these past few years America 's body politic has been weakened . ''
Cuomo added that Trump `` did n't create the initial division .
The division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse . ''
`` Our collective strength is exercised through government .
It is , in effect , our immune system .
And our current federal government is dysfunctional and incompetent , '' Cuomo said .
Republican Kasich says it 's time to 'take off our partisan hats' It was n't just Democrats at the Democratic National Convention .
Former Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , who sought the Republican nomination in 2016 , took a turn on the virtual dais to ask Americans to `` take off our partisan hats and put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , for our children . ''
`` I 'm sure there are Republicans and Independents who could n't imagine crossing over to support a Democrat .
They fear Joe may turn sharp left and leave them behind , '' Kasich said .
`` I do n't believe that because I know the measure of the man .
It 's reasonable , faithful , respectful , and , you know , no one pushes Joe around . ''
Not everyone was pleased with Kasich 's inclusion in the event , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez just hours beforehand .
The freshman congresswoman fired back on Twitter after Kasich was quoted saying that Ocasio-Cortez did not represent the Democratic Party .
`` It 's great that Kasich has woken up & realized the importance of supporting a Biden-Harris ticket .
I hope he gets through to GOP voters , '' Ocasio-Cortez wrote .
`` Yet also , something tells me a Republican who fights against women 's rights does n't get to say who is or is n't representative of the Dem party . ''
George Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silence early in the evening , saying that his brother `` always made sacrifices for his family , friends and even complete strangers . ''
`` George had a giving spirit .
A spirit that has shown up on streets around our nation , and around the world — people of all races , all ages , all genders , all backgrounds — peacefully protesting in the name of love and unity , '' Philonise Floyd said , speaking from Houston .
George Floyd was killed in police custody in Minneapolis in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police violence around the globe .
The theme of racial justice played a key role throughout the first night of the Democratic convention .
At another point in the night , Gwen Carr , whose son Eric Garner died after being placed in a police chokehold in 2014 , called on viewers to `` go to the politicians and we have to hold their feet to the fire . ''

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Sen. Bernie Sanders and former first lady Michelle Obama headlined the first night of the all-virtual Democratic National Convention on Monday, testing out a new format for the quadrennial event made necessary by the spreading coronavirus. Day 1 focused on unity, featuring speeches by Republicans in addition to a full-throated endorsement from Sanders, the leader of the party's progressive wing, for onetime rival Joe Biden. President Donald Trump was in the speakers' crosshairs. "Whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy," the former first lady said at one point, offering an unusually blunt assessment. The two-hour event was emceed by the actress and activist Eva Longoria. It will continue each night through Thursday starting at 9 p.m. ET. The virtual gathering came less than a week after Biden announced that his running mate would be Sen. Kamala Harris of California, making the former state attorney general the first Black woman and the first Asian American to run on a major party ticket. In a statement responding to the convention, the Trump campaign said it was a "Hollywood-produced infomercial" and accused Biden of falling under the sway of the party's "radical socialist" left. Here are the night's top moments.
Michelle Obama delivers a stern warning
Former First Lady Michelle Obama speaking during the opening night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention on Aug. 17th, 2020. CNBC
"If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don't make a change in this election." This was former first lady Michelle Obama's unvarnished message for Americans in her keynote speech, which offered a bleak picture of what she said young people see around them in America today. "They see our leaders labeling fellow citizens enemies of the state while emboldening torch-bearing white supremacists. They watch in horror as children are torn from their families and thrown into cages, and pepper spray and rubber bullets are used on peaceful protesters for a photo-op," said Obama. And while the purpose of the Democratic convention this week is to nominate and celebrate the party's presidential ticket, Obama only mentioned Biden halfway into her speech.
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Bernie Sanders goes all in on Biden
Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-VT, speaking during the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention on Aug. 17th, 2020. CNBC
Few Democrats can forget how awkward and prickly Sen. Bernie Sanders' Democratic convention speech was four years ago, when he boasted about how many delegates he had won in the primary against nominee Hillary Clinton. But there was no hint of the bitterness of 2016 on Monday night, when Sanders again endorsed a candidate who beat him in the Democratic primary. Instead, Sanders gave Joe Biden a full-throated endorsement, sending a clear signal to progressives who might still be reluctant to vote for a moderate like Biden. "We need Joe Biden as our next president," Sanders said before warning that "authoritarianism has taken root in our country," under Trump. "We must build a nation that is more equitable, more compassionate and more Inclusive. I know that Joe Biden will begin that fight on Day 1," Sanders said, before listing a half dozen examples of "how Joe will move us forward." These included Biden's support for a $15 an hour minimum wage, his pledge to reform the criminal justice system and his plan to fund universal prekindergarten. "To heal the soul of our nation, Joe Biden will end the hate and division Trump has created," Sanders said. "He will stop the demonization of immigrants, the coddling of white nationalists, the racist dog whistling, the religious bigotry, and the ugly attacks on women."
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Sanders closed by appealing directly to his progressive supporters and to disaffected Democrats who might be hesitant to vote for Biden. "To everyone who supported other candidates in the primary and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election: The future of our democracy is at stake. The future of our economy is at stake. The future of our planet is at stake. We must come together, defeat Donald Trump and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our next president and vice president," he said.
Cuomo: 'We need a leader as good as our people'
Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaking on the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention on Aug. 17th, 2020. CNBC
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered some of the sharpest barbs of the evening, accusing the president of dividing the country and mishandling the coronavirus pandemic, which hit New York harder than perhaps anywhere else in the country. "Covid is the symptom, not the illness. Our nation is in crisis, and in many ways Covid is just a metaphor," Cuomo said. "A virus attacks when the body is weak and when it cannot defend itself. Over these past few years America's body politic has been weakened." Cuomo added that Trump "didn't create the initial division. The division created Trump. He only made it worse." "Our collective strength is exercised through government. It is, in effect, our immune system. And our current federal government is dysfunctional and incompetent," Cuomo said.
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Republican Kasich says it's time to 'take off our partisan hats'
Former Governor of Ohia John Kasich speaking during the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention on Aug. 17th, 2020. CNBC
It wasn't just Democrats at the Democratic National Convention. Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who sought the Republican nomination in 2016, took a turn on the virtual dais to ask Americans to "take off our partisan hats and put our nation first for ourselves and, of course, for our children." "I'm sure there are Republicans and Independents who couldn't imagine crossing over to support a Democrat. They fear Joe may turn sharp left and leave them behind," Kasich said. "I don't believe that because I know the measure of the man. It's reasonable, faithful, respectful, and, you know, no one pushes Joe around." Not everyone was pleased with Kasich's inclusion in the event, and the former governor sparred with progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just hours beforehand. The freshman congresswoman fired back on Twitter after Kasich was quoted saying that Ocasio-Cortez did not represent the Democratic Party. "It's great that Kasich has woken up &realized the importance of supporting a Biden-Harris ticket. I hope he gets through to GOP voters," Ocasio-Cortez wrote. "Yet also, something tells me a Republican who fights against women's rights doesn't get to say who is or isn't representative of the Dem party." AOC tweet
A moment of silence for George Floyd
In this screenshot from the DNCC’s livestream of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, The brothers of George Floyd, Rodney Floyd (L) and Philonise Floyd address the virtual convention on August 17, 2020. DNCC | Getty Images
George Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd led a moment of silence early in the evening, saying that his brother "always made sacrifices for his family, friends and even complete strangers." "George had a giving spirit. A spirit that has shown up on streets around our nation, and around the world — people of all races, all ages, all genders, all backgrounds — peacefully protesting in the name of love and unity," Philonise Floyd said, speaking from Houston. George Floyd was killed in police custody in Minneapolis in May, and his death spurred protests against police violence around the globe. The theme of racial justice played a key role throughout the first night of the Democratic convention. At another point in the night, Gwen Carr, whose son Eric Garner died after being placed in a police chokehold in 2014, called on viewers to "go to the politicians and we have to hold their feet to the fire."


cnbc--2020-08-18--Michelle Obama tells 'the cold hard truth' in a searing DNC keynote speech

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama had one message for Americans at Monday night 's Democratic National Convention : `` If you think things can not possibly get worse , trust me , they can ; and they will if we do n't make a change in this election . ''
It was a dire warning , but it captured the essence of a speech marked by a sense of urgency and bleak realism .
The former first lady painted a picture of what she said young people , including her two daughters , see around them in America today .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unwilling to wear a mask to keep us all safe , '' Obama said in the prerecorded speech .
`` They see an entitlement that says only certain people belong here , that greed is good , and winning is everything because as long as you come out on top , it does n't matter what happens to everyone else . ''
`` Sadly , this is the America that is on display for the next generation , '' she said .
`` That 's not just disappointing ; it 's downright @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admired on both sides of the aisle for her ability to deliver inspiring and motivating speeches .
To this day , she remains one of the most sought-after campaign surrogates in all of politics .
But if viewers tuned into the Democratic convention Monday expecting to see the same warm , welcoming , `` mom-in-chief '' version of Michelle Obama they had grown accustomed to during her eight years in the White House , they were in for a wake-up call .
Obama herself seemed to acknowledge this , describing how she reframes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they go low , we go high , '' when people ask her today how to `` go high '' in the face of a president like Donald Trump .
`` Going high does not mean putting on a smile and saying nice things when confronted by viciousness and cruelty .
Going high means taking the harder path .
It means scraping and clawing our way to that mountain top , '' Obama said .
`` Going high means standing fierce against hatred .
... And going high means unlocking the shackles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing that can truly set us free : the cold hard truth . ''
`` Somebody please explain to @ MichelleObama that Donald J. Trump would not be here , in the beautiful White House , if it were n't for the job done by your husband , Barack Obama , '' the president wrote .
The purpose of this week 's convention is to nominate , and ostensibly celebrate , the party 's presidential ticket of former Vice President Joe Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris .
But Obama did n't even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama had one message for Americans at Monday night's Democratic National Convention: "If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don't make a change in this election." It was a dire warning, but it captured the essence of a speech marked by a sense of urgency and bleak realism.
The former first lady painted a picture of what she said young people, including her two daughters, see around them in America today.
"They see people shouting in grocery stores, unwilling to wear a mask to keep us all safe," Obama said in the prerecorded speech. "They see an entitlement that says only certain people belong here, that greed is good, and winning is everything because as long as you come out on top, it doesn't matter what happens to everyone else."
"Sadly, this is the America that is on display for the next generation," she said. "That's not just disappointing; it's downright infuriating."
Obama has long been admired on both sides of the aisle for her ability to deliver inspiring and motivating speeches. To this day, she remains one of the most sought-after campaign surrogates in all of politics.
But if viewers tuned into the Democratic convention Monday expecting to see the same warm, welcoming, "mom-in-chief" version of Michelle Obama they had grown accustomed to during her eight years in the White House, they were in for a wake-up call.
Obama herself seemed to acknowledge this, describing how she reframes one of her best-known phrases, "when they go low, we go high," when people ask her today how to "go high" in the face of a president like Donald Trump.
"Going high does not mean putting on a smile and saying nice things when confronted by viciousness and cruelty. Going high means taking the harder path. It means scraping and clawing our way to that mountain top," Obama said.
"Going high means standing fierce against hatred. ... And going high means unlocking the shackles of lies and mistrust with the only thing that can truly set us free: the cold hard truth."
Trump responded to Obama's speech on Twitter Tuesday morning.
"Somebody please explain to @MichelleObama that Donald J. Trump would not be here, in the beautiful White House, if it weren't for the job done by your husband, Barack Obama," the president wrote.
The purpose of this week's convention is to nominate, and ostensibly celebrate, the party's presidential ticket of former Vice President Joe Biden and California Sen. Kamala Harris. But Obama didn't even mention Biden until halfway into her speech.


cnbc--2020-08-18--What to watch for on Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention

WASHINGTON – It 's Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention , and in some ways , convention organizers have already passed their biggest test .
On Monday night , Democrats proved that they could string together enough different formats , speeches and musical acts to make a two-hour , commercial free broadcast both cohesive and compelling .
They were helped in their effort by a theme that ran through all of Monday night : President Donald Trump , his leadership failings and the urgent need to defeat him in November .
Speaker after speaker stressed the importance of creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , progressives and moderates , but also Republicans and even conservatives would be welcome .
On Tuesday night , organizers will need to thread an arguably more difficult needle , to create a unified broadcast around the official theme , `` Leadership Matters . ''
One way to think of Day 2 is that it 's a bridge between the old and new guard of the Democratic party , a chance to give airtime to rising stars in the party like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Stacey Abrams , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton and former Secretary of State John Kerry .
Clinton is known for having delivered memorable convention speeches in the past .
But this year , his remarks will be pre-recorded and much shorter than his usual speaking slot .
It remains to be seen whether the former president can deliver a compelling message in this new format .
`` At a time like this , the Oval Office should be a command center .
Instead , it 's a storm center .
There 's only chaos .
Just one thing never changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shift the blame .
The buck never stops there , '' Clinton will say according to excerpts released Tuesday afternoon .
He adds : `` Our party is united in offering you a very different choice : a go-to-work president .
A down-to-earth , get-the-job-done guy .
A man with a mission : to take responsibility , not shift the blame ; concentrate , not distract ; unite , not divide .
Our choice is Joe Biden . ''
Ocasio-Cortez , meanwhile , has been selected to formally nominate Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a speaking slot that only lasts 60 seconds .
Some progressives complained in recent days that Ocasio-Cortez was effectively being snubbed by only getting a minute to speak .
Still , it 's more time than other freshman House members are getting .
What she does with her minute – stick to the script or shake things up – will be worth watching .
Along with the household name leaders , the evening will also feature local leaders who are making a difference in their own communities .
A total of 57 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's official nominating roll call , which has been recast this year into a montage of leaders , all formally nominating former vice president Joe Biden .
The convention 's keynote address will also be Tuesday night .
A coveted speaking gig , the keynote address is best known as the speaking slot that launched then-Sen. Barack Obama onto the national stage in 2004 .
This year , the slot will be shared by 17 promising young Democratic elected officials , who will each give a slice of the speech .
If it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's because it is .
The highlight of the night is doubtless going to be Jill Biden 's speech , the last of the night .
Biden , a career teacher , will deliver her speech live from the actual classroom in Delaware where she taught English in the early 1990s .
Biden has long been a popular and largely uncontroversial political spouse , who notably continued teaching English at a community college while she was serving as the second lady of the United States .
But this speech will be Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidential nominee , and as the nation 's would-be first lady .
While the speech is expected to present an intimate portrait of Joe Biden as a father , a husband and a leader , it will also be a chance for Biden herself to step into the spotlight on a bigger stage than she ever has before .
`` How do you make a broken family whole ?
The same way you make a nation whole , '' Biden will say .
`` With love and understanding—and with small acts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith . ''
`` There are times when I could n't imagine how he did it—how he put one foot in front of the other and kept going .
But I 've always understood why he did it ...
He does it for you , '' Biden will add .

Dr. Jill Biden introduces her husband democratic presidential hopeful former US Vice President Joe Biden during a town hall at the Proulx Community Center in Franklin, New Hampshire on November 8, 2019. Joseph Prezioso | AFP | Getty Images
WASHINGTON – It's Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention, and in some ways, convention organizers have already passed their biggest test. On Monday night, Democrats proved that they could string together enough different formats, speeches and musical acts to make a two-hour, commercial free broadcast both cohesive and compelling. They were helped in their effort by a theme that ran through all of Monday night: President Donald Trump, his leadership failings and the urgent need to defeat him in November. Speaker after speaker stressed the importance of creating one big anti-Trump coalition where everyone, Democrats, progressives and moderates, but also Republicans and even conservatives would be welcome. On Tuesday night, organizers will need to thread an arguably more difficult needle, to create a unified broadcast around the official theme, "Leadership Matters."
Old guard, new guard
One way to think of Day 2 is that it's a bridge between the old and new guard of the Democratic party, a chance to give airtime to rising stars in the party like New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Stacey Abrams, as well as Democratic stalwarts like former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State John Kerry. Clinton is known for having delivered memorable convention speeches in the past. But this year, his remarks will be pre-recorded and much shorter than his usual speaking slot. It remains to be seen whether the former president can deliver a compelling message in this new format. "At a time like this, the Oval Office should be a command center. Instead, it's a storm center. There's only chaos. Just one thing never changes — his determination to deny responsibility and shift the blame. The buck never stops there," Clinton will say according to excerpts released Tuesday afternoon. He adds: "Our party is united in offering you a very different choice: a go-to-work president. A down-to-earth, get-the-job-done guy. A man with a mission: to take responsibility, not shift the blame; concentrate, not distract; unite, not divide. Our choice is Joe Biden."
Former US President Bill Clinton Brian Lawless | PA Images | Getty Images
Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, has been selected to formally nominate Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ahead of the roll call vote, a speaking slot that only lasts 60 seconds. Some progressives complained in recent days that Ocasio-Cortez was effectively being snubbed by only getting a minute to speak. Still, it's more time than other freshman House members are getting. What she does with her minute – stick to the script or shake things up – will be worth watching.
Rising stars
Along with the household name leaders, the evening will also feature local leaders who are making a difference in their own communities. A total of 57 states and territories will participate in the party's official nominating roll call, which has been recast this year into a montage of leaders, all formally nominating former vice president Joe Biden. The convention's keynote address will also be Tuesday night. A coveted speaking gig, the keynote address is best known as the speaking slot that launched then-Sen. Barack Obama onto the national stage in 2004. This year, the slot will be shared by 17 promising young Democratic elected officials, who will each give a slice of the speech. If it sounds like a logistical nightmare, that's because it is.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Don Emmert | AFP | Getty Images
Jill Biden's moment


cnbc--2020-08-18--Some House Democrats urge Pelosi to pass smaller bill focusing on expanded unemployment benefits

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington , D.C. , the United States , on Aug. 13 , 2020 .
A group of House Democrats is pushing Speaker Nancy Pelosi to vote on a bill to extend extra unemployment benefits when the chamber convenes this weekend .
In a letter dated Tuesday , the lawmakers urged the California Democrat and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to take up legislation that would reinstate the lapsed $ 600 per week jobless benefit until the coronavirus public health emergency ends , then phase it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The House , which left Washington for its August recess before Congress could pass a pandemic aid package , will return on Saturday to vote on a bill that would fund the U.S .
Postal Service and reverse changes Democrats worry will make it harder for Americans to vote by mail in November .
`` We owe it to people waiting to get back to work across the country not only to extend unemployment benefits to help them pay their bills , but to tie these benefits to economic conditions so workers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this one , '' Democratic Reps. Scott Peters of California , Don Beyer of Virginia and Derek Kilmer of Washington wrote in the letter shared with CNBC .
They referenced the expiration of enhanced unemployment insurance at the end of July .
It is unclear how many other House Democrats will sign on to the letter .
The request to Pelosi underscores the pressure Congress faces to pass more legislation to try to curb an economic crisis as Washington stands at a stalemate on an aid deal .
Lifelines such as the jobless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the application window for Paycheck Protection Program small business loans have all expired .
Democratic leaders and the Trump administration have not restarted relief talks since they collapsed earlier this month .
Pelosi has put forward a more than $ 3 trillion rescue package , but Republicans have proposed a roughly $ 1 trillion plan .
The sides have failed to find common ground .
`` We have to try to come to that agreement now , '' Pelosi told Politico on Tuesday .
She said Democrats are `` willing to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs right now . ''
Her spokesman Drew Hammill clarified to CNBC that she was reiterating her previous stance .
She has said she would start discussions again if Republicans doubled their roughly $ 1 trillion relief offer .
NBC News reported Tuesday that the House is considering voting on a reined in version of the more than $ 3 trillion legislation it passed in May .

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Aug. 13, 2020.
More than 100 House Democrats are pushing Speaker Nancy Pelosi to vote on a bill to extend extra unemployment benefits when the chamber convenes this weekend.
In a letter dated Tuesday, the 114 lawmakers urged the California Democrat and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to take up legislation that would reinstate the lapsed $600 per week jobless benefit until the coronavirus public health emergency ends, then phase it out as state unemployment rates fall. It would also tie available benefit weeks to the unemployment rate.
The House, which left Washington for its August recess before Congress could pass a pandemic aid package, will return on Saturday to vote on a bill that would fund the U.S. Postal Service and reverse changes Democrats worry will make it harder for Americans to vote by mail in November.
"We owe it to people waiting to get back to work across the country not only to extend unemployment benefits to help them pay their bills, but to tie these benefits to economic conditions so workers are not held hostage by another cliff like this one," the representatives wrote, referencing the expiration of enhanced unemployment insurance at the end of July. The letter, signed by roughly half of the House Democratic caucus, was led by Democratic Reps. Scott Peters of California, Don Beyer of Virginia and Derek Kilmer of Washington.
The request to Pelosi underscores the pressure Congress faces to pass more legislation to try to curb an economic crisis as Washington stands at a stalemate on an aid deal. Lifelines such as the jobless benefits, a federal moratorium on evictions and the application window for Paycheck Protection Program small business loans have all expired.
Democratic leaders and the Trump administration have not restarted relief talks since they collapsed earlier this month. Pelosi has put forward a more than $3 trillion rescue package, but Republicans have proposed a roughly $1 trillion plan.
The sides have failed to find common ground.
"We have to try to come to that agreement now," Pelosi told Politico on Tuesday. She said Democrats are "willing to cut our bill in half to meet the needs right now."
Her spokesman Drew Hammill clarified to CNBC that she was reiterating her previous stance. She has said she would start discussions again if Republicans doubled their roughly $1 trillion relief offer.
NBC News reported Tuesday that the House is considering voting on a reined in version of the more than $3 trillion legislation it passed in May.


cnbc--2020-08-19--Here's who will speak at the Democratic National Convention tonight

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez , Former President Bill Clinton , and Dr. Jill Biden to speak at the 2020 Democratic National Convention on Aug. 18th , 2020 .
Former President Bill Clinton and progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are scheduled to speak Tuesday during the second night of the Democratic National Convention .
The convention , which is being held virtually during the coronavirus pandemic , kicked off Monday with speakers including former first lady Michelle Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders .
The high-profile figures threw the full weight of their support behind Joe Biden , while serving up sizzling criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you think things can not possibly get worse , trust me , they can ; and they will if we do n't make a change in this election , '' Obama said in her remarks .
The speakers for Day 2 of the four-night convention are slated to begin at 9 p.m .
ET .
In addition to Clinton and Ocasio-Cortez , former Secretary of State and 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry is also scheduled to speak , along with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee 's wife , is scheduled to headline the evening .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Former President Bill Clinton, and Dr. Jill Biden to speak at the 2020 Democratic National Convention on Aug. 18th, 2020.
Former President Bill Clinton and progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are scheduled to speak Tuesday during the second night of the Democratic National Convention.
The convention, which is being held virtually during the coronavirus pandemic, kicked off Monday with speakers including former first lady Michelle Obama and Sen. Bernie Sanders. The high-profile figures threw the full weight of their support behind Joe Biden, while serving up sizzling criticism of President Donald Trump.
"If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don't make a change in this election," Obama said in her remarks.
The speakers for Day 2 of the four-night convention are slated to begin at 9 p.m. ET. In addition to Clinton and Ocasio-Cortez, former Secretary of State and 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry is also scheduled to speak, along with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates. Jill Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee's wife, is scheduled to headline the evening.


cnbc--2020-08-18--USPS chief Louis DeJoy says he is suspending some changes to the post office until after the 2020 el

USPS chief Louis DeJoy says he is suspending some changes to the post office until after the 2020 election

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said Tuesday that he is suspending certain changes at the U.S .
Postal Service until after the 2020 election in order to `` avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail . ''
DeJoy , whose sweeping cost-cutting measures at USPS have raised alarms about widespread mail delays that could impact the November vote , said in a statement that he is temporarily halting `` some longstanding operational initiatives '' that `` predate my arrival at the Postal Service . ''
He did n't cite which specific initiatives he was suspending .
He did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeJoy 's statement said that retail hours at post offices will not be changed , mail processing facilities will not be closed and that mail processing equipment will not be moved .
He also said that `` overtime has , and will continue to be , approved as needed . ''
DeJoy is a major donor to Republicans and committees supporting the reelection of President Donald Trump , who has claimed without evidence that an anticipated flood of mail-in ballots in the presidential race will lead to massive levels of voter fraud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the steps DeJoy has taken at USPS in the months since he was selected for the role by the agency 's board of governors , all of whom were appointed by Trump .
Those measures reportedly include crackdowns on making late delivery trips and cuts to overtime pay , among other changes .
The overhaul of the government agency has led to significant delays in mail deliveries , according to mail workers ' advocates and other figures .
USPS has also come under fire amid reports of mail-sorting machines across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement does not make clear if the machines that have already been removed will be returned to service .
`` I came to the Postal Service to make changes to secure the success of this organization and its long-term sustainability , '' DeJoy said in the statement released by USPS on Tuesday .
`` I believe significant reforms are essential to that objective , and work toward those reforms will commence after the election . ''
`` In the meantime , there are some longstanding operational initiatives — efforts that predate my arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic , '' he said .
`` To avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail , I am suspending these initiatives until after the election is concluded . ''
The statement also said that , starting in October , the agency will add `` standby resources in all areas of our operations '' to better handle `` any unforeseen demand . ''
An existing taskforce on election mail will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, said on Twitter in response to DeJoy 's statement that `` we need to keep our eyes on DeJoy so he keeps his promise & does n't find new ways to dismantle the USPS . ''
DeJoy is scheduled to testify before the majority-GOP Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday and the Democrat-led House Oversight Committee on Monday .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , on Sunday said she is calling the House back into session in order to vote on a bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes `` until the COVID-19 pandemic has ended . ''
The coronavirus pandemic is expected to prompt more Americans than ever to cast their ballots for president by mail .
Some state leaders have made plans to expand access to mail-in ballots , including by sending out ballots directly to eligible voters .
Earlier Tuesday , Trump claimed that widespread mail-in voting will lead to `` a disaster the likes of which our country has never seen . ''
`` It 'll end up being a rigged election or they will never come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to do it again , '' Trump said .
`` And nobody wants that . ''
DeJoy is a former supply chain CEO who is reportedly the first postmaster general in decades who has not been a career USPS employee .
In addition to his overhaul of the post office , DeJoy has come under fire for his business investments , which some Democrats say could pose conflicts of interest .
Since taking charge of the agency in mid-June , he has stressed that the Postal Service faces financial oblivion unless `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structure .
Democrats are currently fighting to include $ 25 billion for the post office , as well as $ 3.6 billion in election funding , as part of their proposal for an additional coronavirus relief package .
Trump has strongly signaled that those funds pose an insurmountable obstacle to a deal on additional stimulus money that could impact large swaths of the country .
The president has also recently suggested that he can quash efforts to expand mail-in voting altogether if he refuses to agree to the funding for USPS .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that means they do n't get the money , that means they ca n't have universal mail-in voting .
They just ca n't have it , '' Trump said last week .
`` Sort of a crazy thing .
Very interesting . ''
DeJoy , meanwhile , has insisted that the Postal Service has `` ample capacity '' to handle election mail .
But The Washington Post reported last week that the Postal Service is warning states that it can not guarantee all mail-in ballots will arrive in time to be counted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were issued at the end of July and planned before DeJoy was selected as the new postmaster general , according to the newspaper .
`` The United States Postal Service will play a critical role this year in delivering election mail for millions of voters across the country .
There has been a lot of discussion recently about whether the Postal Service is ready , willing and able to meet this challenge .
I want to make a few things clear : The Postal Service is ready today to handle whatever volume of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even with the challenges of keeping our employees and customers safe and healthy as they operate amid a pandemic , we will deliver the nation 's election mail on time and within our well-established service standards .
The American public should know that this is our number one priority between now and election day .
The 630,000 dedicated women and men of the Postal Service are committed , ready and proud to meet this sacred duty .
I am announcing today the expansion of our current leadership taskforce on election mail to enhance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local election officials in jurisdictions throughout the country .
Leaders of our postal unions and management associations have committed to joining this taskforce to ensure strong coordination throughout our organization .
Because of the unprecedented demands of the 2020 election , this taskforce will help ensure that election officials and voters are well informed and fully supported by the Postal Service .
I came to the Postal Service to make changes to secure the success of this organization and its long-term sustainability .
I believe significant reforms are essential to that objective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commence after the election .
In the meantime , there are some longstanding operational initiatives — efforts that predate my arrival at the Postal Service — that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic .
To avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail , I am suspending these initiatives until after the election is concluded .
I want to assure all Americans of the following : • Retail hours at Post Offices will not change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection boxes will remain where they are .
• No mail processing facilities will be closed .
• And we reassert that overtime has , and will continue to be , approved as needed .
In addition , effective Oct. 1 , we will engage standby resources in all areas of our operations , including transportation , to satisfy any unforeseen demand .
I am grateful for the commitment and dedication of all the men and women of the Postal Service , and the trust they earn from the American public every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the impacts of COVID-19 .
As we move forward , they will have the full support of our organization throughout the election . ''

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Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said Tuesday that he is suspending certain changes at the U.S. Postal Service until after the 2020 election in order to "avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail." DeJoy, whose sweeping cost-cutting measures at USPS have raised alarms about widespread mail delays that could impact the November vote, said in a statement that he is temporarily halting "some longstanding operational initiatives" that "predate my arrival at the Postal Service." He didn't cite which specific initiatives he was suspending. He did, however, provide some assurances. DeJoy's statement said that retail hours at post offices will not be changed, mail processing facilities will not be closed and that mail processing equipment will not be moved. He also said that "overtime has, and will continue to be, approved as needed." DeJoy is a major donor to Republicans and committees supporting the reelection of President Donald Trump, who has claimed without evidence that an anticipated flood of mail-in ballots in the presidential race will lead to massive levels of voter fraud. Democrats in recent weeks have sounded off about the steps DeJoy has taken at USPS in the months since he was selected for the role by the agency's board of governors, all of whom were appointed by Trump. Those measures reportedly include crackdowns on making late delivery trips and cuts to overtime pay, among other changes. The overhaul of the government agency has led to significant delays in mail deliveries, according to mail workers' advocates and other figures. USPS has also come under fire amid reports of mail-sorting machines across the country being removed from facilities. DeJoy's statement does not make clear if the machines that have already been removed will be returned to service.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy departs from a meeting with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows in the Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. Caroline Brehman | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
"I came to the Postal Service to make changes to secure the success of this organization and its long-term sustainability," DeJoy said in the statement released by USPS on Tuesday. "I believe significant reforms are essential to that objective, and work toward those reforms will commence after the election." "In the meantime, there are some longstanding operational initiatives — efforts that predate my arrival at the Postal Service — that have been raised as areas of concern as the nation prepares to hold an election in the midst of a devastating pandemic," he said. "To avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail, I am suspending these initiatives until after the election is concluded." The statement also said that, starting in October, the agency will add "standby resources in all areas of our operations" to better handle "any unforeseen demand." An existing taskforce on election mail will also be expanded, the statement said. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said on Twitter in response to DeJoy's statement that "we need to keep our eyes on DeJoy so he keeps his promise & doesn't find new ways to dismantle the USPS." TWEET DeJoy is scheduled to testify before the majority-GOP Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday and the Democrat-led House Oversight Committee on Monday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Sunday said she is calling the House back into session in order to vote on a bill that would block DeJoy's reported operational changes "until the COVID-19 pandemic has ended." The coronavirus pandemic is expected to prompt more Americans than ever to cast their ballots for president by mail. Some state leaders have made plans to expand access to mail-in ballots, including by sending out ballots directly to eligible voters.
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cnbc--2020-08-18--GOP and Trump ties run deep on the U.S. Postal Service's board of governors

Most members of the U.S .
Postal Service 's board of governors , who were responsible for selecting Louis DeJoy as postmaster general , have numerous ties to the Republican Party as well as to President Donald Trump 's associates and administration .
According to a CNBC review of public documents and disclosures , five of the six members of the board , including Chairman Robert Duncan , are linked to GOP and Trump circles through various campaign , legal and financial connections .
The White House and the USPS did not return a request for comment after CNBC laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Postal Service 's leadership is under increasing scrutiny with just under three months until the general election between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Mail-in ballots could be crucial for some voters to participate in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump himself suggested last week that he was hesitant to agree to another coronavirus relief bill because of an increase in funding for the USPS .
He said it could help Democrats in the November elections with mail-in ballots .
DeJoy and Duncan are slated to head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeJoy will face the Republican-led Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday .
On Monday , he and Duncan will testify before the Democratic-led House Oversight Committee about the cost cutting measures that may impact the election .
Sens .
Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , and other leading lawmakers on the Democratic side have called on the board to push back on DeJoy 's proposals and remove him if necessary .
DeJoy himself was a prolific fundraiser for Trump and the Republican Party before he landed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The board members were all appointed by Trump .
Duncan , who is often called Mike , is listed as a director of American Crossroads , a super PAC that 's backing Trump in the 2020 election .
His position is posted on the PAC 's most recent annual report , which was filed in March .
The committee has spent $ 1.9 million backing Trump this cycle , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
The PAC 's top donor in 2020 is Steve Wynn , the former Republican National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wynn Resorts .
He resigned from both leadership posts in the wake of being accused of sexual harassment , something he has vehemently denied ever since .
Duncan , who was confirmed for his second term to the USPS board in December , is also labeled as a director of the Senate Leadership Fund , a super PAC helping Republicans defend their majority in the U.S. Senate .
The director filings for the committee have yet to be updated since August 2019 .
Both are run by Steven Law , the former chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell , who called Duncan a `` friend , '' after his latest confirmation .
Duncan and representatives for both committees did not return a request for comment .
Then there 's John Barger , a managing director at NorthernCross Partners , a Los Angeles-based private investment firm .
Barger also lists himself as a director on his LinkedIn page of NanoLumens , a company that develops LED displays and headquartered in Georgia .
The company received a $ 1 million to $ 2 million loan from the Paycheck Protection Program , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Administration .
The billions of dollars in loans administered under PPP were distributed as a stopgap for companies in need of assistance due to financial strain from the coronavirus pandemic .
Barger started as a director of NanoLumens in 2018 , his page says .
He was confirmed to the USPS board last year .
He also lists himself as a director at WineDirect , which helps wineries send their products to customers .
Barger did not respond to a request for comment , including a request seeking a list of companies NorthernCross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative at NanoLumens also did not return a request for comment .
William Zollars was confirmed by the Senate in June .
He has extensive experience in the business community , including his two-decade tenure as an executive for trucking company YRC Worldwide .
In May , Sen. Jerry Moran , R-Kan. , asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at a virtual hearing to help YRC , which the lawmaker said was struggling at the time , according to The New York Times .
In July , the Treasury announced that it planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YRC and that it reached an agreement with the company .
In exchange for the financial assistance , the Treasury would `` receive a 29.6 % equity stake in the company . ''
Zollars has also been on the board of Main Street Data , a company that assists those in the agricultural business .
That company received a PPP loan of $ 150,000 to $ 350,000 , according to the public loan list .
Zollars is listed as a director of the company on a Securities and Exchange Commission filing from December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
Donald Moak was confirmed to become a member of the USPS board in June .
He is co-founder of the Moak Group , a public affairs and business consulting firm .
A few years before Moak joined the USPS board , his firm turned to a legal advisor who would join the Trump White House : Stefan Passantino .
Passantino , a deputy White House counsel who focused on policing ethics violations by Trump officials , started at the White House in January 201 and departed the administration in 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's described on his White House disclosure report as `` legal services . ''
Moak Group is under a list of almost 70 clients that have paid Passantino over $ 5,000 in legal fees .
Moak did not return a request for comment , including how Passantino assisted the company .
Passantino declined to comment .

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy (2nd R) arrives for a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on August 5, 2020. Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images
Most members of the U.S. Postal Service's board of governors, who were responsible for selecting Louis DeJoy as postmaster general, have numerous ties to the Republican Party as well as to President Donald Trump's associates and administration. According to a CNBC review of public documents and disclosures, five of the six members of the board, including Chairman Robert Duncan, are linked to GOP and Trump circles through various campaign, legal and financial connections. The White House and the USPS did not return a request for comment after CNBC laid out the details reported in this story.
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The Postal Service's leadership is under increasing scrutiny with just under three months until the general election between Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Mail-in ballots could be crucial for some voters to participate in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Trump himself suggested last week that he was hesitant to agree to another coronavirus relief bill because of an increase in funding for the USPS. He said it could help Democrats in the November elections with mail-in ballots. DeJoy and Duncan are slated to head to Capitol Hill to face lawmakers. DeJoy will face the Republican-led Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday. On Monday, he and Duncan will testify before the Democratic-led House Oversight Committee about the cost cutting measures that may impact the election. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and other leading lawmakers on the Democratic side have called on the board to push back on DeJoy's proposals and remove him if necessary. DeJoy himself was a prolific fundraiser for Trump and the Republican Party before he landed the top USPS job in June. The board members were all appointed by Trump.
Robert Duncan
Duncan, who is often called Mike, is listed as a director of American Crossroads, a super PAC that's backing Trump in the 2020 election. His position is posted on the PAC's most recent annual report, which was filed in March. The committee has spent $1.9 million backing Trump this cycle, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The PAC's top donor in 2020 is Steve Wynn, the former Republican National Committee finance chair and previous CEO of Wynn Resorts. He resigned from both leadership posts in the wake of being accused of sexual harassment, something he has vehemently denied ever since. Duncan, who was confirmed for his second term to the USPS board in December, is also labeled as a director of the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC helping Republicans defend their majority in the U.S. Senate. The director filings for the committee have yet to be updated since August 2019. Both are run by Steven Law, the former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who called Duncan a "friend," after his latest confirmation. Duncan and representatives for both committees did not return a request for comment.
John Barger
Then there's John Barger, a managing director at NorthernCross Partners, a Los Angeles-based private investment firm. Barger also lists himself as a director on his LinkedIn page of NanoLumens, a company that develops LED displays and headquartered in Georgia. The company received a $1 million to $2 million loan from the Paycheck Protection Program, which was implemented by Trump's Small Business Administration. The billions of dollars in loans administered under PPP were distributed as a stopgap for companies in need of assistance due to financial strain from the coronavirus pandemic. Barger started as a director of NanoLumens in 2018, his page says. He was confirmed to the USPS board last year. He also lists himself as a director at WineDirect, which helps wineries send their products to customers. Barger did not respond to a request for comment, including a request seeking a list of companies NorthernCross in which has invested. A marketing representative at NanoLumens also did not return a request for comment.
William Zollars
William Zollars was confirmed by the Senate in June. He has extensive experience in the business community, including his two-decade tenure as an executive for trucking company YRC Worldwide. In May, Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at a virtual hearing to help YRC, which the lawmaker said was struggling at the time, according to The New York Times. In July, the Treasury announced that it planned to make a $700 million loan to YRC and that it reached an agreement with the company. In exchange for the financial assistance, the Treasury would "receive a 29.6% equity stake in the company." Zollars has also been on the board of Main Street Data, a company that assists those in the agricultural business. That company received a PPP loan of $150,000 to $350,000, according to the public loan list. Zollars is listed as a director of the company on a Securities and Exchange Commission filing from December. Zollars could not be reached for comment.
Donald Moak
Donald Moak was confirmed to become a member of the USPS board in June. He is co-founder of the Moak Group, a public affairs and business consulting firm. A few years before Moak joined the USPS board, his firm turned to a legal advisor who would join the Trump White House: Stefan Passantino. Passantino, a deputy White House counsel who focused on policing ethics violations by Trump officials, started at the White House in January 201 and departed the administration in 2018. The Moak Group paid Passantino for what's described on his White House disclosure report as "legal services." Moak Group is under a list of almost 70 clients that have paid Passantino over $5,000 in legal fees. Moak initially did not return a request for comment, including how Passantino assisted the company. Passantino declined to comment. After publication, Moak and his company's chief operating officer, Michael Robbins, told CNBC he was appointed to the board by Trump after a recommendation by Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Robbins said Moak is a Democratic member of the USPS board.
Roman Martinez
Roman Martinez was confirmed to the USPS board last year. Beyond his prior work on boards of various nonprofits, Martinez had a more under-reported role two years ago, as a representative for a Florida estate owned by Damon Mezzacappa, a wealthy investment banker. Prior to his death, Mezzacappa, a former vice chairman of Lazard, contributed to both political parties, but his biggest checks, for $15,000, went to the Republican National Committee in the late 1990s, according to data from CRP. The estate is just about a five-minute drive from the president's exclusive club, Mar-a-Lago. After Mezzacappa died, the home was reportedly sold for $41 million to Thompson Dean, a managing partner at investment firm Avista Capital Partners. Since 2008, Dean has given over $330,000 to Republican causes, including over $66,000 to the RNC in 2015 before Trump captured the Republican nomination. Martinez did not return a request for comment.


cnbc--2020-08-18--Peace deal between UAE and Israel could lead to more U.S. arms business, GOP Sen. Tom Cotton says

WASHINGTON — Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Ark.
, told CNBC on Tuesday he expects the new peace deal between the United Arab Emirates and Israel , brokered in part by President Donald Trump , to lead to more U.S. arms sales .
`` The UAE has been an outstanding partner of the United States , '' Cotton said on `` Squawk Box . ''
`` They 've long invested in United States military articles and I suspect that they will do even more of that now . ''
Last week , the Trump administration announced a peace deal between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move is the latest effort to normalize diplomatic ties between Arab nations and Israel .
The pact makes the UAE the first Persian Gulf state to normalize ties with Israel and the third Arab country , after Egypt and Jordan , to do so .
Cotton , who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee , added that the new ties could attract other Middle Eastern countries to buy more U.S. defense material .
`` I also suspect that there could be other Arab nations that follow in this path and that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms sales to our allies to defend against enemies like Iran , '' he said .

WASHINGTON — Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., told CNBC on Tuesday he expects the new peace deal between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, brokered in part by President Donald Trump, to lead to more U.S. arms sales.
"The UAE has been an outstanding partner of the United States," Cotton said on "Squawk Box." "They've long invested in United States military articles and I suspect that they will do even more of that now."
Last week, the Trump administration announced a peace deal between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. The move is the latest effort to normalize diplomatic ties between Arab nations and Israel. The pact makes the UAE the first Persian Gulf state to normalize ties with Israel and the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to do so.
Cotton, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, added that the new ties could attract other Middle Eastern countries to buy more U.S. defense material.
"I also suspect that there could be other Arab nations that follow in this path and that could also open up the opportunities for more arms sales to our allies to defend against enemies like Iran," he said.