cnbc--2020-06-23--Financial advisory firm Signum tells clients Senate will flip to Democrats as Biden surges past Trum

Financial advisory firm Signum tells clients Senate will flip to Democrats as Biden surges past Trump

Financial advisory firm Signum Global Advisors is telling clients that it now believes the U.S. Senate is going to flip blue as presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden continues to surge past President Donald Trump in the polls .
In a note to Signum 's clients , Chairman Charles Myers and senior partner Lew Lukens said that while they were initially convinced Republicans would maintain control of the upper chamber , they have changed their minds and think Democrats are going to take it back .
`` As Joe Biden 's lead over Trump in national and battleground polling has widened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are changing our call and now predict the Democrats will take the Senate , '' they wrote on Tuesday .
The firm has a massive policy and research arm , with its leaders all having experience that ranges from working on Wall Street to government posts in Washington .
Myers was the vice chairman at investment firm Evercore before he founded Signum .
He 's currently a financial supporter of Biden 's campaign for president .
Lukens was a U.S. ambassador under Hillary Clinton when she was secretary of state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George W. Bush .
They have offices in New York , Washington and London .
Myers explained to CNBC that while they tell clients to expect a blue wave in November , they 're also warning them that Biden and a Democratic-led Congress will likely lead to higher corporate taxes , including for tech , pharmaceutical and energy companies .
Signum 's flip suggests that firms on Wall Street and in the financial industry could start preparing for the end of Republican control , both in the White House and Senate .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Representatives .
Signum says its new prediction is based on current Senate and presidential polling , as well as historical trends .
Biden is ahead in most national polls , with a Real Clear Politics polling average showing Trump down by 10 points .
The firm believes Sen. Doug Jones , D-Ala. , will lose his Senate seat , but it is convinced Democrats can pick up the seats necessary to take control in the toss-up states of Arizona , Colorado and Maine , where vulnerable GOP incumbents are facing Democratic challengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Senate races Signum argues are within reach for Democrats , including in Montana and North Carolina .
`` For us to call the Senate flipping blue , we should feel confident that at least one of these six will go blue , '' the note reads .

Financial advisory firm Signum Global Advisors is telling clients that it now believes the U.S. Senate is going to flip blue as presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden continues to surge past President Donald Trump in the polls.
In a note to Signum's clients, Chairman Charles Myers and senior partner Lew Lukens said that while they were initially convinced Republicans would maintain control of the upper chamber, they have changed their minds and think Democrats are going to take it back.
"As Joe Biden's lead over Trump in national and battleground polling has widened, several Senate races have become closer. We are changing our call and now predict the Democrats will take the Senate," they wrote on Tuesday.
The firm has a massive policy and research arm, with its leaders all having experience that ranges from working on Wall Street to government posts in Washington.
Myers was the vice chairman at investment firm Evercore before he founded Signum. He's currently a financial supporter of Biden's campaign for president. Lukens was a U.S. ambassador under Hillary Clinton when she was secretary of state and also worked on national security under President George W. Bush. They have offices in New York, Washington and London.
Myers explained to CNBC that while they tell clients to expect a blue wave in November, they're also warning them that Biden and a Democratic-led Congress will likely lead to higher corporate taxes, including for tech, pharmaceutical and energy companies.
Signum's flip suggests that firms on Wall Street and in the financial industry could start preparing for the end of Republican control, both in the White House and Senate. Democrats currently hold a majority in the House of Representatives.
Signum says its new prediction is based on current Senate and presidential polling, as well as historical trends. Biden is ahead in most national polls, with a Real Clear Politics polling average showing Trump down by 10 points.
The firm believes Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., will lose his Senate seat, but it is convinced Democrats can pick up the seats necessary to take control in the toss-up states of Arizona, Colorado and Maine, where vulnerable GOP incumbents are facing Democratic challengers. Then there are at least six other Senate races Signum argues are within reach for Democrats, including in Montana and North Carolina.
"For us to call the Senate flipping blue, we should feel confident that at least one of these six will go blue," the note reads.


cnbc--2020-06-23--Warren, Booker investigate Tyson, other pork companies over China exports, coronavirus

Sen. Cory Booker ( D-NJ ) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) take part in the first night of the Democratic presidential debate on June 26 , 2019 in Miami , Florida .
Democratic Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker said Tuesday they are opening an investigation of Tyson Foods , JBS USA , Cargill and Smithfield Foods related to their handling of pork exports and worker safety during the coronavirus pandemic .
The move comes after reports that the meatpacking companies were exporting a record amount of pork to China , while warning of impending meat shortages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pork is an integral part of the U.S.-China trade agreement , which President Donald Trump has touted as one of his prime accomplishments .
But while China buys some pork products and parts that Americans do not consume , the decision to export in large quantities to China comes as American workers have fallen sick − or died − from coronavirus in pork plants across the country .
In letters to the CEOs of Tyson , Cargill , JBS and Smithfield Foods , Warren , of Massachusetts , and Booker , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each company protects workers who have or may contract the coronavirus , and how much meat they each export to China .
`` Your companies created the conditions that left your workers and the supply chain vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic – but instead of addressing them , you used the prospect of food shortages to secure a federal license to put your workers in harm 's way , '' the former presidential candidates wrote .
A spokesperson for Tyson told CNBC in a statement `` in recent months , we 've prioritized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have voluntarily curtailed shipping those pork export items that are also used by domestic consumers to try to meet U.S .
demand . ''
The spokesperson added that `` many of the pork products we sell internationally are specialty products that have extremely limited use in the United States such as snouts , feet , ears and organ meats , '' the exports of which `` adds considerable value to the overall price of hogs for U.S .
farmers . ''
Through Tyson 's fiscal year , its exports to China represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production .
Representatives JBS and Smithfield did n't immediately respond to a request for comment .
Cargill said it was still reviewing the letter .
In April , Billionaire John Tyson , chairman of the nation 's largest meat processor , Tyson Foods , took out a full-page ad in several of the nation 's most-read newspapers warning `` the food supply chain is breaking , '' days before Trump issued an executive order requiring the plants to remain open .
His order came as a growing number of workers reported being infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that required frequent close contact in tight quarters .
Still , a number of grocers told CNBC at the time they had yet see signs of the shortage that Tyson had warned of .
A spokesperson for Kroger said there was `` plenty of protein in the supply chain , '' while a spokesperson for Texas grocer H-E-B said they were adding new limits for customers ' meat purchases after John Tyson 's ad , over fears of stockpiling .
Those actions were cited by Booker and Warren .
`` In April , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill due to your own inability or unwillingness to implement worker protections , your companies warned that the 'country [ was ] perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply ' and that 'the food supply chain is breaking , ' while publicly pressing federal , state , and local officials to keep plants open , '' they wrote .
`` Your warnings of potential shortages prompted retailers to place limits on the amount of meat that customers could purchase . ''
In phase one of the U.S.-China deal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in agricultural goods this year from the United States , and another $ 19.5 billion in 2021 .
That agreement was viewed as a boon to meat processors and the farmers that supply them , many of whom are located in key swing states like Iowa .
Trump reassured major meat industry CEOs in a private call in April he was not interested in restricting pork exports to China , despite warnings of potential shortages .
On Monday , Trump tweeted that the `` The China Trade Deal is fully intact '' after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peter Navarro that implied the deal was off .
Navarro later said his comments were taken out of context .
Through February , pork and pork variety meat exports accounted for 31 % of all U.S. production , according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation .
Just over one-third of those exports went to China , CNBC previously reported .
Through the first four months of 2020 , the U.S. was on pace to export 1.1 million metric tons of pork meat , up 35 % from a year ago , according to @ @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) take part in the first night of the Democratic presidential debate on June 26, 2019 in Miami, Florida.
Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker said Tuesday they are opening an investigation of Tyson Foods , JBS USA, Cargill and Smithfield Foods related to their handling of pork exports and worker safety during the coronavirus pandemic.
The move comes after reports that the meatpacking companies were exporting a record amount of pork to China, while warning of impending meat shortages and raising prices in the United States.
Pork is an integral part of the U.S.-China trade agreement, which President Donald Trump has touted as one of his prime accomplishments. But while China buys some pork products and parts that Americans do not consume, the decision to export in large quantities to China comes as American workers have fallen sick − or died − from coronavirus in pork plants across the country.
In letters to the CEOs of Tyson, Cargill, JBS and Smithfield Foods, Warren, of Massachusetts, and Booker, of New Jersey, demanded information about how each company protects workers who have or may contract the coronavirus, and how much meat they each export to China.
"Your companies created the conditions that left your workers and the supply chain vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic – but instead of addressing them, you used the prospect of food shortages to secure a federal license to put your workers in harm's way," the former presidential candidates wrote.
A spokesperson for Tyson told CNBC in a statement "in recent months, we've prioritized supplying meat to the U.S. domestic market and have voluntarily curtailed shipping those pork export items that are also used by domestic consumers to try to meet U.S. demand."
The spokesperson added that "many of the pork products we sell internationally are specialty products that have extremely limited use in the United States such as snouts, feet, ears and organ meats," the exports of which "adds considerable value to the overall price of hogs for U.S. farmers."
Through Tyson's fiscal year, its exports to China represent about 3% of its total pork production.
Representatives for JBS and Smithfield didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Cargill said it was still reviewing the letter.
In April, Billionaire John Tyson, chairman of the nation's largest meat processor, Tyson Foods , took out a full-page ad in several of the nation's most-read newspapers warning "the food supply chain is breaking," days before Trump issued an executive order requiring the plants to remain open. His order came as a growing number of workers reported being infected by the virus, amid working conditions that required frequent close contact in tight quarters.
Still, a number of grocers told CNBC at the time they had yet to see signs of the shortage that Tyson had warned of. A spokesperson for Kroger said there was "plenty of protein in the supply chain," while a spokesperson for Texas grocer H-E-B said they were adding new limits for customers' meat purchases after John Tyson's ad, over fears of stockpiling.
Those actions were cited by Booker and Warren.
"In April, while thousands of your workers were falling ill due to your own inability or unwillingness to implement worker protections, your companies warned that the 'country [was] perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply' and that 'the food supply chain is breaking,' while publicly pressing federal, state, and local officials to keep plants open," they wrote.
"Your warnings of potential shortages prompted retailers to place limits on the amount of meat that customers could purchase."
In phase one of the U.S.-China deal, Beijing agreed to buy $12.5 billion in agricultural goods this year from the United States, and another $19.5 billion in 2021. That agreement was viewed as a boon to meat processors and the farmers who supply them, many of whom are located in key swing states like Iowa.
Trump reassured major meat industry CEOs in a private call in April he was not interested in restricting pork exports to China, despite warnings of potential shortages. On Monday, Trump tweeted that the "The China Trade Deal is fully intact" after comments made by White House trade advisor Peter Navarro that implied the deal was off. Navarro later said his comments were taken out of context.
Through February, pork and pork variety meat exports accounted for 31% of all U.S. production, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Just over one-third of those exports went to China, CNBC previously reported. Through the first four months of 2020, the U.S. was on pace to export 1.1 million metric tons of pork meat, up 35% from a year ago, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation.


cnbc--2020-06-23--Trump says he's open to more stimulus checks. What to know before you count on the money

A political fight is brewing on Capitol Hill over what the next coronavirus stimulus package will look like .
But President Donald Trump made it clear this week another round of stimulus checks should be on the table .
Trump answered affirmatively when asked in an interview this week whether Americans will receive more checks .
`` We will be doing another stimulus package , '' Trump said .
`` It 'll be very good .
It 'll be very generous . ''
Yet before any checks go out in the mail , they would need a green light from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another wait before they see the money .
What comes next There are several possibilities for what could go into the next stimulus package , including expanded unemployment benefits and back-to-work bonuses .
The support for these initiatives are drawn very clearly along party lines .
House Democrats passed a generous bill called the HEROES Act , which would include extending the extra $ 600 per week in federal unemployment benefits to January and sending another round of $ 1,200 stimulus checks worth up to $ 6,000 per family .
Meanwhile , Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending , calling for prioritizing incentives like back-to-work bonuses instead of enhanced unemployment benefits , which they say could discourage people from returning to work .
Now , however , talk of more direct payments to individuals is gaining steam within the administration .
White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said this week that both tax rebates and more stimulus checks are on the table for consideration in the next relief bill .
The first round of stimulus checks cost an estimated $ 300 billion .
Despite the hefty price tag , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second set of checks , said Bill Hoagland , senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center .
`` While such payments are not always best targeted on those needing such payments and will add to an already significant federal deficit for the current year , in a recession and an election year , the probability of them be enacted with the president 's support is high , '' Hoagland said .
What the timeline could look like Washington lawmakers may not get started on negotiations until late July , so the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until August at the earliest .
The good news is that a second round of checks would likely have a quicker deployment time than the first , said Garrett Watson , senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation .
As with the first round of checks , those who have their direct deposit information on file with the IRS will likely be first in line to get the money .
`` Folks who have that information with the IRS probably would get it within a few weeks after the legislation passed , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Will Americans get another round of stimulus payments ?
14 % of businesses expect layoffs after using their PPP loan funds Can I get unemployment after refusing a job ?
Others may get the second checks more quickly , he noted .
That includes beneficiaries of Social Security , Supplemental Security Income ( SSI ) and the Veterans Administration , following the government 's efforts to get information on those individuals .
Notably , some people are still waiting to get their first checks .
That could portend another wait for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 15 federal income tax filing deadline approaches .
That could give taxpayers who do n't have their direct deposit information on file with the IRS the chance to do so .
`` I think that is a good opportunity to get that information in ahead of the rebate , '' Watson said .

Sarah Silbiger | Bloomberg | Getty Images
A political fight is brewing on Capitol Hill over what the next coronavirus stimulus package will look like. Trump answered affirmatively when asked in an interview this week whether Americans will receive more checks. "We will be doing another stimulus package," Trump said. "It'll be very good. It'll be very generous." Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin echoed that sentiment Tuesday and said legislation could get passed by Congress by late July. But Americans may face another wait before they see the money from a second set of stimulus checks.
watch now
What comes next
There are several possibilities for what could go into the next stimulus package, including expanded unemployment benefits and back-to-work bonuses. The support for these initiatives are drawn very clearly along party lines. House Democrats passed a generous bill called the HEROES Act, which would include extending the extra $600 per week in federal unemployment benefits to January and sending another round of $1,200 stimulus checks worth up to $6,000 per family. Meanwhile, Republicans have taken a more cautious view on spending, calling for prioritizing incentives like back-to-work bonuses instead of enhanced unemployment benefits, which they say could discourage people from returning to work. Now, however, talk of more direct payments to individuals is gaining steam within the administration.
watch now
White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said this week that both tax rebates and more stimulus checks are on the table for consideration in the next relief bill. The first round of stimulus checks cost an estimated $300 billion. Despite the hefty price tag, Trump's blessing may help usher in a second set of checks, said Bill Hoagland, senior vice president at the Bipartisan Policy Center. "While such payments are not always best targeted on those needing such payments and will add to an already significant federal deficit for the current year, in a recession and an election year, the probability of them be enacted with the president's support is high," Hoagland said.
What the timeline could look like
The good news is that a second round of checks would likely have a quicker deployment time than the first, said Garrett Watson, senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation. As with the first round of checks, those who have their direct deposit information on file with the IRS will likely be first in line to get the money. "Folks who have that information with the IRS probably would get it within a few weeks after the legislation passed," Watson said. More from Personal Finance:
Will Americans get another round of stimulus payments?
14% of businesses expect layoffs after using their PPP loan funds
Can I get unemployment after refusing a job? Others may get the second checks more quickly, he noted. That includes beneficiaries of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the Veterans Administration, following the government's efforts to get information on those individuals. Notably, some people are still waiting to get their first checks. That could portend another wait for some people. The discussions come as the July 15 federal income tax filing deadline approaches. Mnuchin also said this week that that deadline could be extended again, though he didn't elaborate on how far it could get pushed out. Moving the deadline could help make room for the IRS and Treasury Department to focus on the deployment of a second set of checks, Watson said. On the other hand, filing income taxes with the IRS now could help taxpayers who want to get their direct deposit information on record in order to get their stimulus payments quicker. "I think that is a good opportunity to get that information in ahead of the rebate," Watson said.


cnbc--2020-06-24--Warren, Booker investigate Tyson, other pork companies over China exports, coronavirus

Sen. Cory Booker ( D-NJ ) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) take part in the first night of the Democratic presidential debate on June 26 , 2019 in Miami , Florida .
Democratic Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker said Tuesday they are opening an investigation of Tyson Foods , JBS USA , Cargill and Smithfield Foods related to their handling of pork exports and worker safety during the coronavirus pandemic .
The move comes after reports that the meatpacking companies were exporting a record amount of pork to China , while warning of impending meat shortages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pork is an integral part of the U.S.-China trade agreement , which President Donald Trump has touted as one of his prime accomplishments .
But while China buys some pork products and parts that Americans do not consume , the decision to export in large quantities to China comes as American workers have fallen sick − or died − from coronavirus in pork plants across the country .
In letters to the CEOs of Tyson , Cargill , JBS and Smithfield Foods , Warren , of Massachusetts , and Booker , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each company protects workers who have or may contract the coronavirus , and how much meat they each export to China .
`` Your companies created the conditions that left your workers and the supply chain vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic – but instead of addressing them , you used the prospect of food shortages to secure a federal license to put your workers in harm 's way , '' the former presidential candidates wrote .
A spokesperson for Tyson told CNBC in a statement `` in recent months , we 've prioritized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have voluntarily curtailed shipping those pork export items that are also used by domestic consumers to try to meet U.S .
demand . ''
The spokesperson added that `` many of the pork products we sell internationally are specialty products that have extremely limited use in the United States such as snouts , feet , ears and organ meats , '' the exports of which `` adds considerable value to the overall price of hogs for U.S .
farmers . ''
Through Tyson 's fiscal year , its exports to China represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production .
Representatives for JBS and Smithfield did n't immediately respond to a request for comment .
Cargill said it was still reviewing the letter .
In April , Billionaire John Tyson , chairman of the nation 's largest meat processor , Tyson Foods , took out a full-page ad in several of the nation 's most-read newspapers warning `` the food supply chain is breaking , '' days before Trump issued an executive order requiring the plants to remain open .
His order came as a growing number of workers reported being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions that required frequent close contact in tight quarters .
Still , a number of grocers told CNBC at the time they had yet to see signs of the shortage that Tyson had warned of .
A spokesperson for Kroger said there was `` plenty of protein in the supply chain , '' while a spokesperson for Texas grocer H-E-B said they were adding new limits for customers ' meat purchases after John Tyson 's ad , over fears of stockpiling .
Those actions were cited by Booker and Warren .
`` In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were falling ill due to your own inability or unwillingness to implement worker protections , your companies warned that the 'country [ was ] perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply ' and that 'the food supply chain is breaking , ' while publicly pressing federal , state , and local officials to keep plants open , '' they wrote .
`` Your warnings of potential shortages prompted retailers to place limits on the amount of meat that customers could purchase . ''
In phase one of the U.S.-China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12.5 billion in agricultural goods this year from the United States , and another $ 19.5 billion in 2021 .
That agreement was viewed as a boon to meat processors and the farmers who supply them , many of whom are located in key swing states like Iowa .
Trump reassured major meat industry CEOs in a private call in April he was not interested in restricting pork exports to China , despite warnings of potential shortages .
On Monday , Trump tweeted that the `` The China Trade Deal is fully intact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade advisor Peter Navarro that implied the deal was off .
Navarro later said his comments were taken out of context .
Through February , pork and pork variety meat exports accounted for 31 % of all U.S. production , according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation .
Just over one-third of those exports went to China , CNBC previously reported .
Through the first four months of 2020 , the U.S. was on pace to export 1.1 million metric tons of pork meat , up 35 % from a year ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


cnbc--2020-06-24--Trump will not follow New Jersey coronavirus quarantine order, 'he's not a civilian,' White House sa

Trump will not follow New Jersey coronavirus quarantine order, 'he's not a civilian,' White House says

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about a Trump administration plan aimed at helping to prevent suicides by U.S. veterans and other Americans , in the East Room at the White House in Washington , June 17 , 2020 .
The White House said Wednesday that President Donald Trump will not change his plan to travel to New Jersey this weekend despite a new order by the governor requiring visitors who have been in states with high numbers of coronavirus cases to quarantine for 14 days .
`` The president of the United States is not a civilian , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked about Trump 's compliance with the quarantine order given his travel Tuesday to Arizona , which has seen a rise in the rate of its Covid-19 cases .
`` Anyone who is in close proximity to him , including staff , guests , and press are tested for COVID-19 and confirmed to be negative , '' Deere said in a statement .
`` With regard to Arizona , the White House followed it 's COVID mitigation plan to ensure the President did not come into contact with anyone who was symptomatic or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman added .
`` Anyone traveling in support of the president this weekend will be closely monitored for symptoms and tested for COVID and therefore pose little to no risk to the local populations . ''
Trump is the commander in chief of the U.S. military , but he has never been a member of the military .
The president is expected to travel this weekend to his golf club in Bedminster , New Jersey .
In past visits to the club , he has flown on Air Force One to airports in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Phil Murphy , along with New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont , on Wednesday announced that visitors from states with large numbers of coronavirus cases would be required to quarantine for two weeks , or face fines .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about a Trump administration plan aimed at helping to prevent suicides by U.S. veterans and other Americans, in the East Room at the White House in Washington, June 17, 2020.
"The president of the United States is not a civilian," said White House spokesman Judd Deere, when asked about Trump's compliance with the quarantine order given his travel Tuesday to Arizona, which has seen a rise in the rate of its Covid-19 cases.
The White House said Wednesday that President Donald Trump will not change his plan to travel to New Jersey this weekend despite a new order by the governor requiring visitors who have been in states with high numbers of coronavirus cases to quarantine for 14 days.
"Anyone who is in close proximity to him, including staff, guests, and press are tested for COVID-19 and confirmed to be negative," Deere said in a statement.
"With regard to Arizona, the White House followed it's COVID mitigation plan to ensure the President did not come into contact with anyone who was symptomatic or had not been tested," the spokesman added.
"Anyone traveling in support of the president this weekend will be closely monitored for symptoms and tested for COVID and therefore pose little to no risk to the local populations."
Trump is the commander in chief of the U.S. military, but he has never been a member of the military.
The president is expected to travel this weekend to his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. In past visits to the club, he has flown on Air Force One to airports in Newark and Morristown.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, along with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, on Wednesday announced that visitors from states with large numbers of coronavirus cases would be required to quarantine for two weeks, or face fines.
"This is the smart thing to do. We have taken our people ... through hell and back," Murphy told reporters during a conference call Wednesday.
A spokesman for Murphy declined to comment on the White House's statement about Trump's visit to the Garden State.


cnbc--2020-06-24--HHS spokesman Michael Caputo blasts coronavirus test story, loses temper on call with reporters

A top spokesman for the U.S. Health and Human Services Department angrily unloaded on dozens of journalists Wednesday , accusing them of getting `` spun '' by what he said was a misleading story about federal funding getting eliminated for 13 coronavirus testing sites .
The tirade by Michael Caputo , the spokesman , led to the abrupt termination of a conference call that HHS was hosting for the reporters with Adm. Brett Giroir , the Trump administration 's Covid-19 testing czar .
`` The reason why we put this call together so quickly and why we have upwards of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 've been spun up , '' fumed Caputo , interjecting on the call for the first time after nearly an hour without speaking '' Somebody has given you disinformation , '' Caputo said loudly .
`` Do you understand ?
I 'm old enough to remember when it was considered dishonest to undermine public confidence in the public health system . ''
`` That 's what the people who spun you on this story are trying to do , '' said Caputo , assistant secretary of HHS for public affairs , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after years as a Republican operative in New York and work on President Donald Trump 's 2016 campaign for the White House .
Caputo , and to a less strident degree , Giroir , objected to a number of news stories that detailed how the federal government is eliminating , by June 30 , funding of 13 community-based coronavirus testing sites in five states .
Seven of the sites are in Texas .
Giroir spent a significant amount of time during that call detailing how those sites will remain open , albeit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there already are hundreds of other Covid-19 testing locations run by private entities that are being supported either directly or indirectly with federal money .
Giroir said on the call that testing capacity nationwide would not be reduced by the elimination of funding to the 13 sites , but instead would actually be expanded .

A top spokesman for the U.S. Health and Human Services Department angrily unloaded on dozens of journalists Wednesday, accusing them of getting "spun" by what he said was a misleading story about federal funding getting eliminated for 13 coronavirus testing sites.
The tirade by Michael Caputo, the spokesman, led to the abrupt termination of a conference call that HHS was hosting for the reporters with Adm. Brett Giroir, the Trump administration's Covid-19 testing czar.
"The reason why we put this call together so quickly and why we have upwards of 75 reporters on this call is because you've been spun up," fumed Caputo, interjecting on the call for the first time after nearly an hour without speaking
"Somebody has given you disinformation," Caputo said loudly. "Do you understand? I'm old enough to remember when it was considered dishonest to undermine public confidence in the public health system."
"That's what the people who spun you on this story are trying to do," said Caputo, assistant secretary of HHS for public affairs, who was appointed to his job in April after years as a Republican operative in New York and work on President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign for the White House.
Caputo, and to a less strident degree, Giroir, objected to a number of news stories that detailed how the federal government is eliminating, by June 30, funding of 13 community-based coronavirus testing sites in five states. Seven of the sites are in Texas.
Giroir spent a significant amount of time during that call detailing how those sites will remain open, albeit with state and local funding, and that there already are hundreds of other Covid-19 testing locations run by private entities that are being supported either directly or indirectly with federal money.
Giroir said on the call that testing capacity nationwide would not be reduced by the elimination of funding to the 13 sites, but instead would actually be expanded.


cnbc--2020-06-24--Coronavirus: Federal government will end funding for 13 community-based Covid-19 test sites, most in

Coronavirus: Federal government will end funding for 13 community-based Covid-19 test sites, most in Texas

The Trump administration will end federal funding for 13 community-based coronavirus testing sites by the end of June as part of a previously announced plan to extend financial support for Covid-19 testing across the nation by other means .
The move , confirmed by NBC News , will affect seven sites in Texas , which has seen a surge of Covid-19 cases .
The six other affected sites are located in Illinois , New Jersey , Colorado and Pennsylvania .
`` We are not withdrawing federal support '' for coronavirus testing , the Trump administration 's testing czar , Adm. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department .
`` We are providing federal support in a different way , '' Giroir said as he outlined how hundreds of other testing locations are providing coronavirus tests funded by federal money .
He also said , `` We are going to increase testing , both in the number and the quality , and in the targeting on social media . ''
Giroir noted that the 13 sites , which will remain open under state and local control , are 28 fewer than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up when the Covid-19 pandemic began spreading aggressively in the U.S. in mid-March .
But Sen. Ted Cruz , a Texas Republican , is pushing back against the decision by the administration to withdraw from direct funding to the sites .
A Cruz spokesman told NBC News that the senator `` has urged and will continue to urge [ health officials ] to extend the community testing sites in Texas . ''
The other Republican who represents Texas in the Senate , John Cornyn , said , `` I know there 's concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the statements being made about withdrawing federal support for coronavirus testing in Texas at the end of June .
It 's pretty clear to me , and I think it 's clear to all of us , that with the uptick of cases , now is not a time to retreat from our vigilance in testing . ''
`` I believe that they need to extend that federal support in Texas , at least until we get this most recent uptick in cases addressed , '' Cornyn said .
Rocky Vaz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Texas , told NBC that the city has `` a plan and the capacity to continue testing . ''
The Trump administration originally announced in April that it would discontinue federal support for the baker 's dozen of community-based Covid-19 test sites , saying the move was part of an effort to broaden community testing and encourage more private-public partnerships for testing .
The administration had delayed the decision , which had met with resistance from lawmakers , until now .
Giroir said that the original 41 community testing sites has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 48 states under a federal bundled payment program to pharmacies , and that more than 1,400 other pharmacy sites , primarily run by CVS , are providing tests `` through regulatory flexibility empowering pharmacists and facilitating billing and reimbursement . ''

The Trump administration will end federal funding for 13 community-based coronavirus testing sites by the end of June as part of a previously announced plan to extend financial support for Covid-19 testing across the nation by other means.
The move, confirmed by NBC News, will affect seven sites in Texas, which has seen a surge of Covid-19 cases. The six other affected sites are located in Illinois, New Jersey, Colorado and Pennsylvania.
"We are not withdrawing federal support" for coronavirus testing, the Trump administration's testing czar, Adm. Brett Giroir, told reporters during a call by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.
"We are providing federal support in a different way," Giroir said as he outlined how hundreds of other testing locations are providing coronavirus tests funded by federal money.
He also said, "We are going to increase testing, both in the number and the quality, and in the targeting on social media."
Giroir noted that the 13 sites, which will remain open under state and local control, are 28 fewer than the original number of community-based testing sites set up when the Covid-19 pandemic began spreading aggressively in the U.S. in mid-March.
But Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, is pushing back against the decision by the administration to withdraw from direct funding to the sites.
A Cruz spokesman told NBC News that the senator "has urged and will continue to urge [health officials] to extend the community testing sites in Texas."
The other Republican who represents Texas in the Senate, John Cornyn, said, "I know there's concern, concern I share, over some of the statements being made about withdrawing federal support for coronavirus testing in Texas at the end of June. It's pretty clear to me, and I think it's clear to all of us, that with the uptick of cases, now is not a time to retreat from our vigilance in testing."
"I believe that they need to extend that federal support in Texas, at least until we get this most recent uptick in cases addressed," Cornyn said.
Rocky Vaz, the director of emergency management for Dallas, Texas, told NBC that the city has "a plan and the capacity to continue testing."
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The Trump administration originally announced in April that it would discontinue federal support for the baker's dozen of community-based Covid-19 test sites, saying the move was part of an effort to broaden community testing and encourage more private-public partnerships for testing.
The administration had delayed the decision, which had met with resistance from lawmakers, until now.
Tweet
Giroir said that the original 41 community testing sites has been expanded to more than 600 testing sites in 48 states under a federal bundled payment program to pharmacies, and that more than 1,400 other pharmacy sites, primarily run by CVS, are providing tests "through regulatory flexibility empowering pharmacists and facilitating billing and reimbursement."


cnbc--2020-06-24--Advisor to federal media CEO nominee had no clear experience with agency

The White House assigned to Michael Pack , the new CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media , an advisor who had little experience with the group that Pack was being asked to run .
That advisor , acting as what 's often called a `` sherpa '' within the halls of the White House and Capitol Hill , was longtime public relations operative Diane Cullo , according to people familiar with the matter .
These people declined to be named as her role had yet to be known in the buildup to his recent Senate confirmation .
Sherpas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are being initially vetted by a congressional committee and going through the confirmation process .
They usually have prior experience working in the department or agency that their nominee is assigned , have helped other nominees through committees , or have worked in a similar field .
Cullo has been an advisor at the Department of Agriculture and works in the Office of Tribal Relations , her LinkedIn page says .
For the 12 years prior to joining the USDA , she ran her own communications shop , DLC Communications , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since guiding Pack , she 's become his new deputy chief of staff .
Senate aides who vetted Pack 's nomination say that her lack of experience with the agency was evident in the buildup to his eventual Foreign Relations committee confirmation earlier this month .
She appeared to have no knowledge on how the agency operated , seemed unclear about it 's overall mission and would often push back on requests for documents , the aides recalled .
After being nominated by President Donald Trump almost two years ago , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take over at USAGM .
Shortly after Pack got the job , he fired or demoted heads and executive board members at media companies under USAGM , such as those at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia .
Trump has regularly taken aim at the Voice of America , another USAGM backed group .
The move to put Cullo on Pack 's confirmation team left congressional aides stunned .
They also came away with feeling that the Trump White House had so much distrust in the agency that they picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the president was elected four years ago .
The White House confirmed to CNBC that Cullo was Pack 's sherpa .
An official defended the choice as someone who has years of experience helping other nominees through their confirmation process and her career in communications .
`` Diane was selected as a sherpa because of prior experience helping shepherd nominees through the confirmation process , her experience in communications , and because she was willing to do it on top her day job at USDA .
She stepped up to the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official explained .
The White House aide did not return follow questions on which other nominees Cullo has previously guided but Politico previously reported that she was chosen to help Sonny Perdue with being confirmed to become the Secretary of Agriculture before she ended up working for his department .
On Cullo 's resume , initially published by ProPublica , it says she was the chief media relations strategist for Perdue when he was being reviewed by the Senate .
Perdue was initially confirmed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture , Nutrition and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate .
Cullo 's resume also lists her as having worked for a non-profit , Take Back Our Republic , and was a consultant for House , Senate and presidential campaigns .
Data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics shows she was paid just over $ 17,000 by party committees for consulting work during the 2014 election cycle and Federal Election Commission records show she once assisted Republican Suzanne Scholte 's run for congress in Virginia 's 11th congressional district .
Scholte ended up losing in that bid for congress .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released a statement to CNBC , defending Cullo 's record .
`` Diane has spent much of her career in our nation 's capital , and boasts an impressive record of achievements in government , most recently at the USDA , as well as in the private sector , '' the agency spokesman said .
`` From these extensive experiences , and over the 22 months she spent assisting Mr .
Pack with his successful confirmation , she acquired a profound knowledge of the mission and operations of the USAGM and its media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr .
Pack 's efforts to implement his vision for the USAGM , communicated throughout his hearing and since taking office as CEO . ''
Cullo and the USDA did not return requests for comment .
The tension prior to Pack 's confirmation has been one of many controversies surrounding his nomination , leading to criticism on both sides of the aisle .
Sen. Bob Menendez , the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee , has had repeated run-ins with Pack .
In April , he wrote a letter to the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pack , a conservative filmmaker with ties to former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon , has a non-profit that 's been under investigation by the Washington , D.C. , attorney general .
Rep. Eliot Engel , chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs , called on Pack to appear for a committee hearing in July about his future plans for the agency and to explain why he moved against longtime USAGM officials .
Sen. Marco Rubio and other GOP lawmakers have also expressed concern with what they 're seeing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Department 's inspector general to investigate the USAGM CEO .
The New York Times reported that a lawsuit filed on behalf of the Open Technology Fund , another USAGM entity , which argued Pack did not have the legal authority to remove staff or its governing board .

The White House assigned to Michael Pack, the new CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, an advisor who had little experience with the group that Pack was being asked to run.
That advisor, acting as what's often called a "sherpa" within the halls of the White House and Capitol Hill, was longtime public relations operative Diane Cullo, according to people familiar with the matter. These people declined to be named as her role had yet to be known in the buildup to his recent Senate confirmation.
Sherpas often give counsel to the nominee when they are being initially vetted by a congressional committee and going through the confirmation process. They usually have prior experience working in the department or agency that their nominee is assigned, have helped other nominees through committees, or have worked in a similar field.
Cullo has been an advisor at the Department of Agriculture and works in the Office of Tribal Relations, her LinkedIn page says. For the 12 years prior to joining the USDA, she ran her own communications shop, DLC Communications, while conducting community outreach for Wegmans Food Markets. Since guiding Pack, she's become his new deputy chief of staff.
Senate aides who vetted Pack's nomination say that her lack of experience with the agency was evident in the buildup to his eventual Foreign Relations committee confirmation earlier this month. She appeared to have no knowledge on how the agency operated, seemed unclear about it's overall mission and would often push back on requests for documents, the aides recalled. After being nominated by President Donald Trump almost two years ago, he was recently confirmed by the full Senate to take over at USAGM.
Shortly after Pack got the job, he fired or demoted heads and executive board members at media companies under USAGM, such as those at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia. Trump has regularly taken aim at the Voice of America, another USAGM backed group.
The move to put Cullo on Pack's confirmation team left congressional aides stunned. They also came away with feeling that the Trump White House had so much distrust in the agency that they picked an administration aide who has been loyal since the president was elected four years ago.
The White House confirmed to CNBC that Cullo was Pack's sherpa. An official defended the choice as someone who has years of experience helping other nominees through their confirmation process and her career in communications.
"Diane was selected as a sherpa because of prior experience helping shepherd nominees through the confirmation process, her experience in communications, and because she was willing to do it on top her day job at USDA. She stepped up to the need when asked," a senior administration official explained.
The White House aide did not return follow questions on which other nominees Cullo has previously guided but Politico previously reported that she was chosen to help Sonny Perdue with being confirmed to become the Secretary of Agriculture before she ended up working for his department. On Cullo's resume, initially published by ProPublica, it says she was the chief media relations strategist for Perdue when he was being reviewed by the Senate. Perdue was initially confirmed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry before he moved through the full Senate.
Cullo's resume also lists her as having worked for a non-profit, Take Back Our Republic, and was a consultant for House, Senate and presidential campaigns. Data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics shows she was paid just over $17,000 by party committees for consulting work during the 2014 election cycle and Federal Election Commission records show she once assisted Republican Suzanne Scholte's run for congress in Virginia's 11th congressional district. Scholte ended up losing in that bid for congress.
After publication, a spokesman for the USAGM released a statement to CNBC, defending Cullo's record.
"Diane has spent much of her career in our nation's capital, and boasts an impressive record of achievements in government, most recently at the USDA, as well as in the private sector," the agency spokesman said. "From these extensive experiences, and over the 22 months she spent assisting Mr. Pack with his successful confirmation, she acquired a profound knowledge of the mission and operations of the USAGM and its media organizations. Diane is honored to assist Mr. Pack's efforts to implement his vision for the USAGM, communicated throughout his hearing and since taking office as CEO."
Cullo and the USDA did not return requests for comment.
The tension prior to Pack's confirmation has been one of many controversies surrounding his nomination, leading to criticism on both sides of the aisle.
Sen. Bob Menendez, the ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, has had repeated run-ins with Pack. In April, he wrote a letter to the White House accusing Pack of possible self dealing. Pack, a conservative filmmaker with ties to former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, has a non-profit that's been under investigation by the Washington, D.C., attorney general.
Rep. Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, called on Pack to appear for a committee hearing in July about his future plans for the agency and to explain why he moved against longtime USAGM officials.
Sen. Marco Rubio and other GOP lawmakers have also expressed concern with what they're seeing from Pack. Menendez has called for the State Department's inspector general to investigate the USAGM CEO.
The New York Times reported that a lawsuit filed on behalf of the Open Technology Fund, another USAGM entity, which argued Pack did not have the legal authority to remove staff or its governing board.


cnbc--2020-06-24--Senate Democrats block Republican police reform bill as they push for bipartisan plan

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker ( D-NJ ) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) talk at a news conference following the Democrats weekly policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol June 23 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
`` If you do n't think we 're right , make it better .
Do n't walk way , '' Scott , one of three Black senators , said before the vote .
`` Vote for the motion to proceed so that we have an opportunity to deal with this very real threat to the America that is civil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , led by GOP Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina , did not garner the 60 votes needed to move forward to debate .
It failed in a 55-45 vote .
As Democrats argued the measure did not go far enough to root out failings in policing , Republicans contended they should vote to move ahead with it so they could formally propose amendments .
Senate Democrats blocked a Republican police reform bill from advancing Wednesday as they call for bipartisan talks on a plan to overhaul law enforcement during a national outcry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott , a Republican from South Carolina , listens during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Wednesday , June 17 , 2020 .
The impasse Wednesday leaves Congress no closer to passing any police reform legislation during the biggest public push for change in decades .
During weeks of protests after police killed George Floyd , a 46-year-old Black man , in Minneapolis last month , certain cities and states have taken initial steps to reform departments .
But the divided Congress — though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the local level — has not yet passed a bill to respond to the crisis .
Speaking earlier Wednesday , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it is `` not realistic '' to try to fix the Republican bill 's problems through amendments .
He called for bipartisan talks to draft a police reform bill that would have to make its way through the Senate Judiciary Committee .
`` After this bill goes down , there should be bipartisan discussions with the object of coming together around a constructive starting point for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no doubt that we could come up with a bill that 's ready for the floor in a few weeks , '' the New York Democrat said .
The Democratic and Republican plans differ on several key fronts .
The Democratic proposal would weaken `` qualified immunity '' protections for police and make it easier to prosecute officers who commit abuses .
The GOP bill would not .
The Democratic legislation would ban the use of chokeholds and no-knock search warrants at the federal level and tie state and local funding to barring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make certain exceptions for a chokehold ban and instead require more data collection on the use of no-knock warrants .
While Democrats make the case that their bill takes more serious reform steps than the GOP proposal does , their plan falls short of calls from activists to slash police funding and redirect the money to social services .
As Democrats pushed for bipartisan talks after the Senate vote , Sen. Cory Booker , a New Jersey Democrat and one of the three Black senators , acknowledged the pressure demonstrators have put on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just want to say is to the activists : Stay at it , '' Booker said .
`` Everything that we 're doing right now has been given strength because of your demands for justice .
And I hope that the pressure stays . ''

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) talk at a news conference following the Democrats weekly policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol June 23, 2020 in Washington, DC.
"If you don't think we're right, make it better. Don't walk way," Scott, one of three Black senators, said before the vote. "Vote for the motion to proceed so that we have an opportunity to deal with this very real threat to the America that is civil, that is balanced."
The legislation, led by GOP Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, did not garner the 60 votes needed to move forward to debate. It failed in a 55-45 vote. As Democrats argued the measure did not go far enough to root out failings in policing, Republicans contended they should vote to move ahead with it so they could formally propose amendments.
Senate Democrats blocked a Republican police reform bill from advancing Wednesday as they call for bipartisan talks on a plan to overhaul law enforcement during a national outcry against brutality and racism.
Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, listens during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.
The impasse Wednesday leaves Congress no closer to passing any police reform legislation during the biggest public push for change in decades. During weeks of protests after police killed George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, in Minneapolis last month, certain cities and states have taken initial steps to reform departments.
But the divided Congress — though limited in the change it can bring at the local level — has not yet passed a bill to respond to the crisis.
Speaking earlier Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it is "not realistic" to try to fix the Republican bill's problems through amendments. He called for bipartisan talks to draft a police reform bill that would have to make its way through the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"After this bill goes down, there should be bipartisan discussions with the object of coming together around a constructive starting point for police reform. ... And I have no doubt that we could come up with a bill that's ready for the floor in a few weeks," the New York Democrat said.
The Democratic and Republican plans differ on several key fronts. The Democratic proposal would weaken "qualified immunity" protections for police and make it easier to prosecute officers who commit abuses. The GOP bill would not.
The Democratic legislation would ban the use of chokeholds and no-knock search warrants at the federal level and tie state and local funding to barring the practices. The GOP bill would make certain exceptions for a chokehold ban and instead require more data collection on the use of no-knock warrants.
While Democrats make the case that their bill takes more serious reform steps than the GOP proposal does, their plan falls short of calls from activists to slash police funding and redirect the money to social services. As Democrats pushed for bipartisan talks after the Senate vote, Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat and one of the three Black senators, acknowledged the pressure demonstrators have put on Congress.
"The final thing I just want to say is to the activists: Stay at it," Booker said. "Everything that we're doing right now has been given strength because of your demands for justice. And I hope that the pressure stays."
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cnbc--2020-06-24--Ex-Roger Stone prosecutor tells Congress of pressure from 'highest levels' to give Trump ally 'a bre

Ex-Roger Stone prosecutor tells Congress of pressure from 'highest levels' to give Trump ally 'a break'

Roger Stone , departs following a status hearing in the criminal case against him brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller at U.S. District Court in Washington , U.S. , March 14 , 2019 .
A prosecutor who helped win the conviction of President Donald Trump 's friend Roger Stone told Congress on Wednesday that the `` highest levels '' of the Department of Justice pressured officials `` to cut Stone a break . ''
Aaron Zelinsky , one of four prosecutors who withdrew from the case after the department stepped in to lower Stone 's recommended prison sentence , testified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hearing on politicization of the DOJ under Attorney General William Barr .
The panel 's 12 p.m .
ET hearing came as Barr has faced heavy criticism for his handling of high-profile cases involving matters directly related to Trump .
Critics have accused Barr of undermining the independence of the Justice Department by acting in ways that benefit Trump politically .
Barr was not attending Wednesday 's hearing .
But Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec tweeted later Wednesday that the attorney general has accepted an invitation to appear before the House panel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 28 .
Shortly before the start of the hearing , a federal appeals court ordered a lower-court judge to dismiss the criminal case against Michael Flynn , who briefly served as Trump 's first national security advisor .
The Justice Department had filed a motion seeking to dismiss the case , and Flynn 's lawyers argued that Judge Emmet Sullivan did not promptly grant the request .
In his prepared opening statement , Zelinsky said he personally saw the department `` exerting significant pressure '' on prosecutors `` to water down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the events of Stone 's trial and his criminal conduct .
`` What I heard — repeatedly — was that Roger Stone was being treated differently from any other defendant because of his relationship to the president , '' Zelinsky said .
Stone , 67 , was convicted last November of lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential election and for pressuring an associate , Randy Credico , to endorse his lies .
During the campaign , WikiLeaks released emails stolen by Russian agents from the chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Democratic National Committee .
In February , the attorneys prosecuting Stone 's case recommended a severe sentence of up to nine years in prison for Stone , a self-described political trickster and longtime confidant of Trump .
The president had weighed in on Twitter shortly after the recommendation , calling it `` disgraceful ! ''
Prosecutors said at the time that their proposed sentence was in line with federal sentencing guidelines , which are calculated according to a formula that takes into account the severity of the crime , the type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's prior criminal history .
A day after the original proposed sentence was filed , Timothy Shea — the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia — requested a substantially lower prison term .
Zelinsky said he was told that Shea `` was receiving heavy pressure from the highest levels of the Department of Justice to cut Stone a break . ''
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Stone on Feb. 20 to 40 months in prison .
In April , Jackson denied Stone 's request for a new trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has asked a federal court to delay his June 30 prison surrender date , citing concerns for his health due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Zelinsky said in his opening statement that he `` was explicitly told '' that the pressure to change Stone 's sentencing was coming `` because the U.S. attorney was 'afraid of the president . '
'' `` When I learned that the department was going to issue a new sentencing memo , I made the difficult decision to resign from the case and my temporary appointment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than be associated with the Department of Justice 's actions at sentencing , '' Zelinsky said .
`` I returned to the U.S. Attorney 's Office in Maryland , where I work today . ''

Roger Stone, departs following a status hearing in the criminal case against him brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., March 14, 2019.
A prosecutor who helped win the conviction of President Donald Trump's friend Roger Stone told Congress on Wednesday that the "highest levels" of the Department of Justice pressured officials "to cut Stone a break."
Aaron Zelinsky, one of four prosecutors who withdrew from the case after the department stepped in to lower Stone's recommended prison sentence, testified before the Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee in a hearing on politicization of the DOJ under Attorney General William Barr.
The panel's 12 p.m. ET hearing came as Barr has faced heavy criticism for his handling of high-profile cases involving matters directly related to Trump. Critics have accused Barr of undermining the independence of the Justice Department by acting in ways that benefit Trump politically.
Barr was not attending Wednesday's hearing. But Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec tweeted later Wednesday that the attorney general has accepted an invitation to appear before the House panel for a "general oversight hearing" on July 28.
Shortly before the start of the hearing, a federal appeals court ordered a lower-court judge to dismiss the criminal case against Michael Flynn, who briefly served as Trump's first national security advisor. The Justice Department had filed a motion seeking to dismiss the case, and Flynn's lawyers argued that Judge Emmet Sullivan did not promptly grant the request.
In his prepared opening statement, Zelinsky said he personally saw the department "exerting significant pressure" on prosecutors "to water down and in some cases outright distort" the events of Stone's trial and his criminal conduct.
"What I heard — repeatedly — was that Roger Stone was being treated differently from any other defendant because of his relationship to the president," Zelinsky said.
Stone, 67, was convicted last November of lying to Congress about his contacts with WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential election and for pressuring an associate, Randy Credico, to endorse his lies. During the campaign, WikiLeaks released emails stolen by Russian agents from the chief of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign and from the Democratic National Committee.
In February, the attorneys prosecuting Stone's case recommended a severe sentence of up to nine years in prison for Stone, a self-described political trickster and longtime confidant of Trump.
The president had weighed in on Twitter shortly after the recommendation, calling it "disgraceful!"
Prosecutors said at the time that their proposed sentence was in line with federal sentencing guidelines, which are calculated according to a formula that takes into account the severity of the crime, the type of conduct involved, and a defendant's prior criminal history.
A day after the original proposed sentence was filed, Timothy Shea — the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia — requested a substantially lower prison term. Zelinsky said he was told that Shea "was receiving heavy pressure from the highest levels of the Department of Justice to cut Stone a break."
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Stone on Feb. 20 to 40 months in prison. In April, Jackson denied Stone's request for a new trial. Stone appealed his conviction and sentence, and has asked a federal court to delay his June 30 prison surrender date, citing concerns for his health due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Zelinsky said in his opening statement that he "was explicitly told" that the pressure to change Stone's sentencing was coming "because the U.S. attorney was 'afraid of the president.'"
"When I learned that the department was going to issue a new sentencing memo, I made the difficult decision to resign from the case and my temporary appointment in the U.S. Attorney's Office in D.C. rather than be associated with the Department of Justice's actions at sentencing," Zelinsky said. "I returned to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Maryland, where I work today."


cnbc--2020-06-24--U.S. doubles bounty on ISIS leader to $10 million

A fighter of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria , or ISIS , holds a flag and a weapon .
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday that the United States has doubled the bounty for the new ISIS leader to $ 10 million .
The leader of the ISIS terror organization , Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla , also known as Hajji Abdallah , ascended to the top spot within the terror organization following the October 2019 death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a U.S. military operation .
Al-Mawla was previously a senior member in ISIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria , or ISIS .
`` As one of ISIS 's most senior ideologues , al-Mawla helped drive and justify the abduction , slaughter , and trafficking of the Yazidi religious minority in northwest Iraq and also led some of the group 's global terrorist operations , '' the State Department said in a release .
`` This reward is an important moment in our fight against ISIS and its branches and networks around the world .
As ISIS is defeated on the battlefield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find the group 's leaders so that the global coalition of nations fighting to defeat ISIS can continue to destroy ISIS remnants and thwart its global ambitions . ''
President Donald Trump has previously said he is considering withdrawing U.S. troops from war-torn Syria , signaling an early exit to the U.S.-led fight against ISIS .
In December 2018 , Trump , in a surprise announcement , declared victory over ISIS and formally ordered the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria .
A day later , then-Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis handed in @ @ @ @ @

A fighter of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, holds a flag and a weapon.
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday that the United States has doubled the bounty for the new ISIS leader to $10 million.
The leader of the ISIS terror organization, Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla, also known as Hajji Abdallah, ascended to the top spot within the terror organization following the October 2019 death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a U.S. military operation.
Al-Mawla was previously a senior member in ISIS' predecessor organization, al-Qa'ida in Iraq, before joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.
"As one of ISIS's most senior ideologues, al-Mawla helped drive and justify the abduction, slaughter, and trafficking of the Yazidi religious minority in northwest Iraq and also led some of the group's global terrorist operations," the State Department said in a release.
"This reward is an important moment in our fight against ISIS and its branches and networks around the world. As ISIS is defeated on the battlefield, we are determined to identify and find the group's leaders so that the global coalition of nations fighting to defeat ISIS can continue to destroy ISIS remnants and thwart its global ambitions."
President Donald Trump has previously said he is considering withdrawing U.S. troops from war-torn Syria, signaling an early exit to the U.S.-led fight against ISIS.
In December 2018, Trump, in a surprise announcement, declared victory over ISIS and formally ordered the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria. A day later, then-Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis handed in his resignation to Trump.


cnbc--2020-06-24--Two powerful House Democrats from New York are in danger of losing their primaries

U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel ( D-NY ) votes at a school near his home on June 23 , 2020 in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx , New York .
After a strong night for New York City-area progressives in the state 's primary election , two powerful House Democrats , Reps. Eliot Engel and Carolyn Maloney , looked in danger of losing their seats .
As mail-in ballot results trickled in , middle school principal Jamaal Bowman led Engel by a staggering margin of more than 25 percentage points Wednesday morning .
Bowman , a Black man , leveraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair 's absence from the district during the coronavirus pandemic , as well as backlash against the congressman saying he `` would n't care '' about speaking at an event on police brutality if he did not face a primary .
Engel represents the 16th District in parts of the Bronx and Westchester County .
`` We celebrate this movement , '' Bowman , who ran on a sweeping liberal platform and earned endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , said in a de facto victory speech Tuesday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ against a system that 's literally killing us .
It 's killing Black and Brown bodies disproportionately , but it 's killing all of us . ''

U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) votes at a school near his home on June 23, 2020 in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, New York.
After a strong night for New York City-area progressives in the state's primary election, two powerful House Democrats, Reps. Eliot Engel and Carolyn Maloney, looked in danger of losing their seats.
As mail-in ballot results trickled in, middle school principal Jamaal Bowman led Engel by a staggering margin of more than 25 percentage points Wednesday morning.
Bowman, a Black man, leveraged discontent about the House Foreign Affairs Committee chair's absence from the district during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as backlash against the congressman saying he "wouldn't care" about speaking at an event on police brutality if he did not face a primary. Engel represents the 16th District in parts of the Bronx and Westchester County.
"We celebrate this movement," Bowman, who ran on a sweeping liberal platform and earned endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, said in a de facto victory speech Tuesday night. "A movement designed to push back against a system that's literally killing us. It's killing Black and Brown bodies disproportionately, but it's killing all of us."


cnbc--2020-06-24--Treasury may consider delaying Tax Day to Sept. 15, Mnuchin says

Steven Mnuchin , U.S. Treasury secretary , speaks during a Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Wednesday , June 10 , 2020 .
This tax season may look more like a tax year , as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin weighs delaying the July 15 deadline once again .
`` As of now , we 're not intending on doing that , but it is something that we may consider , '' he said in a June 23 interview at the Bloomberg Invest Global 2020 virtual summit .
He said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treasury has already pushed the April 15 deadline for federal income tax returns to July 15 , giving individuals and professionals some relief as they grappled with coronavirus and stay-at-home orders in the spring .
On that day , federal income returns for 2019 , as well as taxes owed , are due .
The IRS also pushed a series of other deadlines — including taxes for the first and second quarter — to July 15 .
More from Smart Tax Planning : Work-from-home costs may get tax break in these states Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done for free IRS eases rules on retirement savings withdrawals Be aware that your state may have different deadlines .
For tax professionals , a further delay of the tax season would be a mixed blessing .
Accountants are hustling 2019 's tax returns out the door , as well as dissecting the Paycheck Protection Program and all of its tax-planning implications for small-business clients .
The PPP , a federal forgivable loan program established by the CARES Act , has many moving parts , and guidance on obtaining forgiveness continues to evolve @

Steven Mnuchin, U.S. Treasury secretary, speaks during a Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
This tax season may look more like a tax year, as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin weighs delaying the July 15 deadline once again.
"As of now, we're not intending on doing that, but it is something that we may consider," he said in a June 23 interview at the Bloomberg Invest Global 2020 virtual summit. He said he was considering another delay to Sept. 15.
Treasury has already pushed the April 15 deadline for federal income tax returns to July 15, giving individuals and professionals some relief as they grappled with coronavirus and stay-at-home orders in the spring.
On that day, federal income returns for 2019, as well as taxes owed, are due. The IRS also pushed a series of other deadlines — including taxes for the first and second quarter — to July 15.
More from Smart Tax Planning:
Work-from-home costs may get tax break in these states
Here's where to get your tax return done for free
IRS eases rules on retirement savings withdrawals
Be aware that your state may have different deadlines.
For tax professionals, a further delay of the tax season would be a mixed blessing.
Accountants are hustling 2019's tax returns out the door, as well as dissecting the Paycheck Protection Program and all of its tax-planning implications for small-business clients.
The PPP, a federal forgivable loan program established by the CARES Act, has many moving parts, and guidance on obtaining forgiveness continues to evolve.


cnbc--2020-06-24--U.S. appeals court orders judge to dismiss case against former Trump national security advisor Micha

U.S. appeals court orders judge to dismiss case against former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn

A federal appeals court Wednesday ordered a judge to dismiss the charge against President Donald Trump 's former national security advisor Michael Flynn , who had pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents .
The 2-1 ruling by the panel of appellate judges stressed the power of the Department of Justice , which has sought to drop its prosecution of Flynn , to make criminal charging decisions given its status as part of the executive branch .
The ruling came in response to a request for a so-called writ of mandamus , or judicial directive , from Flynn 's lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit after the trial judge did not promptly grant the Justice Department 's highly unusual motion to dismiss the case .
Instead , Judge Emmet Sullivan appointed a lawyer , former federal judge John Gleeson , to make arguments to him about why the case should not be tossed out .
Sullivan also said he would consider arguments for or against the dismissal request from third parties not connected to the case .
Appeals court Judge Neomi Rao , in the decision for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case is about whether a trial court judge can prolong a criminal case and appoint a so-called friend of the court such as Gleeson as a legal advisor after prosecutors have `` explained why a prosecution is no longer in the public interest . ''
`` On that , both the Constitution and [ prior legal ] cases are clear : he may not , '' wrote Rao , who was appointed by Trump .
It is not clear whether the ruling will be the last word in the case .
A judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a review by all the court 's judges .
Such an review , known as an en banc hearing , is not usually granted in the D.C. circuit unless a case `` involves a question of exceptional importance , '' or is needed to `` maintain uniformity of the court 's decisions , '' Beth Wilkinson , an attorney representing Sullivan in the appeals court proceedings , declined CNBC 's request for comment .
Like the Justice Department 's dismissal request , Sullivan 's lack of immediate agreement with it and Flynn 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comply were extremely unusual .
An en banc review would add to the already odd nature of Flynn 's case .
Trump praised Wednesday 's appeals court ruling , tweeting that it was `` Great ! ''
Trump in an Oval Office meeting later Wednesday said he was very happy with the decision .
The president has been highly critical of the prosecution of Flynn , a retired Army lieutenant general who pleaded guilty in late 2017 to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Russia 's ambassador to the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inauguration .
`` We are delighted to see the D.C .
Circuit apply the Rule of Law and appreciate the professionalism of the Department of Justice in producing the exculpatory evidence and moving to dismiss a case that should never have been brought , '' Flynn lawyer Sidney Powell said in an email to CNBC .
Powell , who replaced Flynn 's previous attorneys , had sought to retract his plea since last year , claiming that prosecutors improperly withheld evidence from Flynn and his earlier defense team .
The Justice Department until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It sought to have Flynn sentenced after more than a year of postponements related to his cooperation with then-special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election .
It also opposed Flynn 's subsequent attempts to withdraw his plea .
But in May , the Justice Department asked Sullivan to dismiss the case .

A federal appeals court Wednesday ordered a judge to dismiss the charge against President Donald Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents.
The 2-1 ruling by the panel of appellate judges stressed the power of the Department of Justice, which has sought to drop its prosecution of Flynn, to make criminal charging decisions given its status as part of the executive branch.
The ruling came in response to a request for a so-called writ of mandamus, or judicial directive, from Flynn's lawyers.
The defense attorneys asked the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit after the trial judge did not promptly grant the Justice Department's highly unusual motion to dismiss the case.
Instead, Judge Emmet Sullivan appointed a lawyer, former federal judge John Gleeson, to make arguments to him about why the case should not be tossed out. Sullivan also said he would consider arguments for or against the dismissal request from third parties not connected to the case.
Appeals court Judge Neomi Rao, in the decision for the majority Wednesday, wrote that the case is about whether a trial court judge can prolong a criminal case and appoint a so-called friend of the court such as Gleeson as a legal advisor after prosecutors have "explained why a prosecution is no longer in the public interest."
"On that, both the Constitution and [prior legal] cases are clear: he may not," wrote Rao, who was appointed by Trump.
It is not clear whether the ruling will be the last word in the case. A judge on the appeals court could ask for a review by all the court's judges. Such an review, known as an en banc hearing, is not usually granted in the D.C. circuit unless a case "involves a question of exceptional importance," or is needed to "maintain uniformity of the court's decisions,"
Beth Wilkinson, an attorney representing Sullivan in the appeals court proceedings, declined CNBC's request for comment.
Like the Justice Department's dismissal request, Sullivan's lack of immediate agreement with it and Flynn's request that an appeals court force Sullivan to comply were extremely unusual. An en banc review would add to the already odd nature of Flynn's case.
Trump praised Wednesday's appeals court ruling, tweeting that it was "Great!"
Tweet
Trump in an Oval Office meeting later Wednesday said he was very happy with the decision.
TWEET
The president has been highly critical of the prosecution of Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general who pleaded guilty in late 2017 to lying to the FBI about his conversations with Russia's ambassador to the United States in the weeks before Trump's inauguration.
"We are delighted to see the D.C. Circuit apply the Rule of Law and appreciate the professionalism of the Department of Justice in producing the exculpatory evidence and moving to dismiss a case that should never have been brought," Flynn lawyer Sidney Powell said in an email to CNBC.
Powell, who replaced Flynn's previous attorneys, had sought to retract his plea since last year, claiming that prosecutors improperly withheld evidence from Flynn and his earlier defense team.
The Justice Department until last month had strongly fought that effort. It sought to have Flynn sentenced after more than a year of postponements related to his cooperation with then-special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. It also opposed Flynn's subsequent attempts to withdraw his plea.
But in May, the Justice Department asked Sullivan to dismiss the case.


cnbc--2020-06-24--Treasury sanctions Iranian ship captains after gasoline delivery to Venezuela

Iranian flagged fuel tanker 'Fortune ' is seen after it was docked at El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello , state of Carabobo , Venezuela , on May 26 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department on Wednesday slapped fresh sanctions on five Iranian ship captains who delivered gasoline to Venezuela , whose once-thriving oil industry has suffered a breakdown .
The Iranian shipping sector is a frequent target of the Trump administration for its financial support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro 's regime .
Earlier this week , five Iranian tankers brought approximately 1.5 million barrels to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent fuel exporter .
The move was likely to anger Washington as the two OPEC nations sidestep U.S. sanctions .
`` The Treasury Department will target anyone who supports Iranian attempts to evade United States sanctions and who further enables their destabilizing behavior around the world , '' Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin wrote in a statement .
`` The Iranian regime 's support to the authoritarian and corrupt regime in Venezuela is unacceptable , and the administration will continue to use its authorities to disrupt it . ''
The five Iranian captains ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shipping Lines and National Iranian Tanker Co. and , over the past month , have captained vessels identified as blocked property .
`` Mariners who do business with Iran and Venezuela will face consequences from the United States of America , '' Mike Pompeo , the nation 's top diplomat , said Wednesday at the State Department .
`` The Maduro regime has mismanaged Venezuela 's abundant natural resources to the point that it must import gasoline from Iran , and Maduro 's claims of equal and fair gasoline distribution are fooling no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scarce in Venezuela due to a near-complete breakdown of the OPEC nation 's 1.3 million barrel-per-day refining network .
Oil , the country 's biggest export , has plummeted more than 60 % since Maduro succeeded dictator Hugo Chavez as Venezuela 's president in 2013 .

Iranian flagged fuel tanker 'Fortune' is seen after it was docked at El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, state of Carabobo, Venezuela, on May 26, 2020.
WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department on Wednesday slapped fresh sanctions on five Iranian ship captains who delivered gasoline to Venezuela, whose once-thriving oil industry has suffered a breakdown.
The Iranian shipping sector is a frequent target of the Trump administration for its financial support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime.
Earlier this week, five Iranian tankers brought approximately 1.5 million barrels to the gas-starved country, which was once a prominent fuel exporter. The move was likely to anger Washington as the two OPEC nations sidestep U.S. sanctions.
"The Treasury Department will target anyone who supports Iranian attempts to evade United States sanctions and who further enables their destabilizing behavior around the world," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin wrote in a statement. "The Iranian regime's support to the authoritarian and corrupt regime in Venezuela is unacceptable, and the administration will continue to use its authorities to disrupt it."
The five Iranian captains' designated work for Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and National Iranian Tanker Co. and, over the past month, have captained vessels identified as blocked property.
"Mariners who do business with Iran and Venezuela will face consequences from the United States of America," Mike Pompeo, the nation's top diplomat, said Wednesday at the State Department. "The Maduro regime has mismanaged Venezuela's abundant natural resources to the point that it must import gasoline from Iran, and Maduro's claims of equal and fair gasoline distribution are fooling no one," he added.
Gasoline is scarce in Venezuela due to a near-complete breakdown of the OPEC nation's 1.3 million barrel-per-day refining network. Oil, the country's biggest export, has plummeted more than 60% since Maduro succeeded dictator Hugo Chavez as Venezuela's president in 2013.


cnbc--2020-06-24--U.S. presidential election odds now firmly in Biden's favor, EIU claims

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks about the unrest across the country from Philadelphia City Hall on June 2 , 2020 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania .
The chances of winning November 's presidential election have moved `` firmly '' in favor of Democratic candidate Joe Biden , economists have projected .
In a report published Wednesday , analysts from the Economist Intelligence Unit ( EIU ) said the outlook for the election had changed dramatically in recent months , noting that while it would be closely fought , `` the odds have now shifted firmly in Mr. Biden 's favour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , economists said , Trump looked set to win another term as president thanks to a thriving economy , low unemployment and disarray within the Democratic Party .
However , they said `` all of this has changed '' amid the coronavirus crisis , the resulting recession , and the most serious wave of civil unrest in half a century .
`` Trump 's response to both crises has further exposed his divisive style , which is unpopular among the independent voters who will be critical in deciding the election 's outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , Democratic voters have rallied behind their nominee , Joe Biden . ''
Although Trump still benefited from a strong base , which analysts estimated accounts for 40 % to 44 % of the population , the EIU said the president would need to attract voters from outside of that core base in order to defeat Biden in November .
`` The Trump campaign has lost most of its previous advantages in recent months , '' analysts said .
`` As a result , we do not expect him to be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow the same narrow path to victory in 2020 . ''

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks about the unrest across the country from Philadelphia City Hall on June 2, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The chances of winning November's presidential election have moved "firmly" in favor of Democratic candidate Joe Biden, economists have projected.
In a report published Wednesday, analysts from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) said the outlook for the election had changed dramatically in recent months, noting that while it would be closely fought, "the odds have now shifted firmly in Mr. Biden's favour."
At the beginning of this year, economists said, Trump looked set to win another term as president thanks to a thriving economy, low unemployment and disarray within the Democratic Party. However, they said "all of this has changed" amid the coronavirus crisis, the resulting recession, and the most serious wave of civil unrest in half a century.
"Trump's response to both crises has further exposed his divisive style, which is unpopular among the independent voters who will be critical in deciding the election's outcome," the report noted.
"Meanwhile, Democratic voters have rallied behind their nominee, Joe Biden."
Although Trump still benefited from a strong base, which analysts estimated accounts for 40% to 44% of the population, the EIU said the president would need to attract voters from outside of that core base in order to defeat Biden in November.
"The Trump campaign has lost most of its previous advantages in recent months," analysts said. "As a result, we do not expect him to be able to generate enough support from swing voters to follow the same narrow path to victory in 2020."


cnbc--2020-06-24--Next coronavirus legislation could usher in a second set of stimulus checks. What to know before you

Next coronavirus legislation could usher in a second set of stimulus checks. What to know before you count on the money

A political fight is brewing on Capitol Hill over what the next coronavirus stimulus package will look like .
Trump answered affirmatively when asked in an interview this week whether Americans will receive more checks .
`` We will be doing another stimulus package , '' Trump said .
`` It 'll be very good .
It 'll be very generous . ''
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin echoed that sentiment Tuesday and said legislation could get passed by Congress by late July .
But Americans may face another wait before they see the money from a second set of stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several possibilities for what could go into the next stimulus package , including expanded unemployment benefits and back-to-work bonuses .
The support for these initiatives are drawn very clearly along party lines .
House Democrats passed a generous bill called the HEROES Act , which would include extending the extra $ 600 per week in federal unemployment benefits to January and sending another round of $ 1,200 stimulus checks worth up to $ 6,000 per family .
Meanwhile , Republicans have taken a more cautious view on spending , calling for prioritizing incentives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits , which they say could discourage people from returning to work .
Now , however , talk of more direct payments to individuals is gaining steam within the administration .
White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said this week that both tax rebates and more stimulus checks are on the table for consideration in the next relief bill .
The first round of stimulus checks cost an estimated $ 300 billion .
Despite the hefty price tag , Trump 's blessing may help usher in a second set of checks , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bipartisan Policy Center .
`` While such payments are not always best targeted on those needing such payments and will add to an already significant federal deficit for the current year , in a recession and an election year , the probability of them be enacted with the president 's support is high , '' Hoagland said .
What the timeline could look like The good news is that a second round of checks would likely have a quicker deployment time than the first , said Garrett Watson , senior policy analyst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first round of checks , those who have their direct deposit information on file with the IRS will likely be first in line to get the money .
`` Folks who have that information with the IRS probably would get it within a few weeks after the legislation passed , '' Watson said .
More from Personal Finance : Will Americans get another round of stimulus payments ?
14 % of businesses expect layoffs after using their PPP loan funds Can I get unemployment after refusing a job ?
Others may get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted .
That includes beneficiaries of Social Security , Supplemental Security Income ( SSI ) and the Veterans Administration , following the government 's efforts to get information on those individuals .
Notably , some people are still waiting to get their first checks .
That could portend another wait for some people .
The discussions come as the July 15 federal income tax filing deadline approaches .
Mnuchin also said this week that that deadline could be extended again , though he did n't elaborate on how far it could get pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make room for the IRS and Treasury Department to focus on the deployment of a second set of checks , Watson said .
On the other hand , filing income taxes with the IRS now could help taxpayers who want to get their direct deposit information on record in order to get their stimulus payments quicker .
`` I think that is a good opportunity to get that information in ahead of the rebate , '' Watson said .


cnbc--2020-06-25--HHS spokesman Michael Caputo blasts coronavirus test story, loses temper on call with reporters