cnbc--2020-07-21--Op-ed: The Fed has a 'responsibility' to help reduce high unemployment in the Black community

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testifies during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on `` Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy '' in Washington , July 10 , 2019 .
In the 1970s , as economic prospects for Black communities deteriorated , civil rights leaders including Coretta Scott King and Congressman Augustus Hawkins renewed calls for a federal jobs guarantee .
By 1978 , a coalition led by Mrs. King helped push through a bill authored by Hawkins and Senator Hubert Humphrey affirming the Fed 's dual mandate for maximum employment and price stability—a point that Fed Chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Fed 's responsibility lies with what historian Carol Anderson calls `` the kindling '' —the preparation for the fire—rather than its catalyst .
The kindling , she said recently , `` is that bureaucratic violence that systematically destroys Black communities , that systematically erodes their citizenship . ''
Raphael Bostic , President of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank , recently argued that the Fed `` can play an important role in helping to reduce racial inequities and bring about a more inclusive economy . ''
During a recent appearance before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerome Powell testified that he was `` tempted to say all of [ the Fed 's ] policies are focused on that problem . ''
As uprisings against police brutality and systemic racism grip our nation , every institution must reckon with its contributions to the problem of black and brown unemployment and take responsibility towards crafting the solution .
Workers who lose their job due to public sector layoffs are 20 % more likely to be Black , as opposed to workers laid off in the private sector .
But by 1979 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill 's mandate was being violated , as it quickly became clear that the Fed was more interested in guarding against inflation than pursuing maximum employment—sacrificing the economic prospects of Black workers along the way .
In Professor Anderson 's terms , the Fed had , in effect , systemically eroded their citizenship .
So , what could the Fed do in this moment ?
First , the Federal Reserve must expand its municipal liquid facility to ensure that big corporations are n't getting a better deal than our communities .
That means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered to states and municipalities , allowing facility access to U.S. territories currently ineligible , and going beyond simply reversing population requirements that would have excluded many cities with large Black communities .
It is unconscionable that as cities and states battle these dual public health and economic crises , relief would be conditioned on accepting punitive interest rates .
Without these necessary changes , budget shortfalls will cause states and municipalities to hemorrhage jobs in a public sector that never recovered from the last recession , with particularly dire consequences for Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to public sector layoffs are 20 % more likely to be Black , as opposed to workers laid off in the private sector .
As Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib noted to Powell , just as Congress must do more to ease state and municipal budget shortfalls , so too must the Federal Reserve .
Second , the Fed must heed the Humphrey-Hawkins Act provision requiring efforts to reduce disparities in unemployment rates between marginalized labor groups and the overall population .
Today , there are between 65 and 100 million people who face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal legal system , yet there is very little evidence the Fed has focused on this or other marginalized groups like Black workers in its approach to maximum employment .
As Janelle Jones and Jared Bernstein have recently proposed , it is time for the Federal Reserve to directly target the Black unemployment rate—a much better indicator of the country 's true economic health that will also prevent misguided action , like raising interest rates too soon .
Finally , the Federal Reserve must not stand in the way of the only true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Just as the Fed stabilized the world economy in 2008 by operating as the global lender of last resort , with the possibility of up to 25-30 % unemployment in the United States , it is clear the federal government will also have to fulfill the goals of Mrs. King and Congressman Hawkins and step up as an employer of last resort today .
It should go without saying , that all of this must be in addition to the Fed confronting its abysmal record on race , gender , and sectoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Bostic—the first and only Black president of a regional reserve bank—to highlight these critical issues .
As we assess the economic and social crisis that started this fire , we must also confront the history , the kindling and the institutions that have fanned its flames .
Ayanna Pressley has served as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts ' 7th congressional district since 2019 .
David Stein is a UC President 's Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of African American Studies at UCLA .
He is the author of the forthcoming book , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Civil Rights Struggle for Full Employment and the Rise of the Carceral State , 1929-1986 .

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testifies during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on "Monetary Policy and the State of the Economy" in Washington, July 10, 2019.
In the 1970s, as economic prospects for Black communities deteriorated, civil rights leaders including Coretta Scott King and Congressman Augustus Hawkins renewed calls for a federal jobs guarantee. By 1978, a coalition led by Mrs. King helped push through a bill authored by Hawkins and Senator Hubert Humphrey affirming the Fed's dual mandate for maximum employment and price stability—a point that Fed Chair Jerome Powell was reminded of in February.
The Fed's responsibility lies with what historian Carol Anderson calls "the kindling"—the preparation for the fire—rather than its catalyst. The kindling, she said recently , "is that bureaucratic violence that systematically destroys Black communities, that systematically erodes their citizenship."
Raphael Bostic, President of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, recently argued that the Fed "can play an important role in helping to reduce racial inequities and bring about a more inclusive economy."
During a recent appearance before the House Financial Services Committee, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell testified that he was "tempted to say all of [the Fed's] policies are focused on that problem."
As uprisings against police brutality and systemic racism grip our nation, every institution must reckon with its contributions to the problem of black and brown unemployment and take responsibility towards crafting the solution.
Workers who lose their job due to public sector layoffs are 20% more likely to be Black, as opposed to workers laid off in the private sector.
But by 1979, Hawkins was already warning that the bill's mandate was being violated, as it quickly became clear that the Fed was more interested in guarding against inflation than pursuing maximum employment—sacrificing the economic prospects of Black workers along the way. In Professor Anderson's terms, the Fed had, in effect, systemically eroded their citizenship.
So, what could the Fed do in this moment?
First, the Federal Reserve must expand its municipal liquid facility to ensure that big corporations aren't getting a better deal than our communities. That means eliminating the "penalty rates" currently offered to states and municipalities, allowing facility access to U.S. territories currently ineligible, and going beyond simply reversing population requirements that would have excluded many cities with large Black communities.
It is unconscionable that as cities and states battle these dual public health and economic crises, relief would be conditioned on accepting punitive interest rates.
Without these necessary changes, budget shortfalls will cause states and municipalities to hemorrhage jobs in a public sector that never recovered from the last recession, with particularly dire consequences for Black workers.
Workers who lose their job due to public sector layoffs are 20% more likely to be Black, as opposed to workers laid off in the private sector. As Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib noted to Powell, just as Congress must do more to ease state and municipal budget shortfalls, so too must the Federal Reserve.
Second, the Fed must heed the Humphrey-Hawkins Act provision requiring efforts to reduce disparities in unemployment rates between marginalized labor groups and the overall population. Today, there are between 65 and 100 million people who face discrimination due to prior involvement in the criminal legal system, yet there is very little evidence the Fed has focused on this or other marginalized groups like Black workers in its approach to maximum employment.
As Janelle Jones and Jared Bernstein have recently proposed, it is time for the Federal Reserve to directly target the Black unemployment rate—a much better indicator of the country's true economic health that will also prevent misguided action, like raising interest rates too soon.
Finally, the Federal Reserve must not stand in the way of the only true path to maximum employment—a federal jobs guarantee.
Just as the Fed stabilized the world economy in 2008 by operating as the global lender of last resort, with the possibility of up to 25-30% unemployment in the United States, it is clear the federal government will also have to fulfill the goals of Mrs. King and Congressman Hawkins and step up as an employer of last resort today.
It should go without saying, that all of this must be in addition to the Fed confronting its abysmal record on race, gender, and sectoral diversity.
It must not only fall to Bostic—the first and only Black president of a regional reserve bank—to highlight these critical issues. As we assess the economic and social crisis that started this fire, we must also confront the history, the kindling and the institutions that have fanned its flames.
Ayanna Pressley has served as the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts' 7th congressional district since 2019. David Stein is a UC President's Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of African American Studies at UCLA. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Fearing Inflation, Inflating Fears: The Civil Rights Struggle for Full Employment and the Rise of the Carceral State, 1929-1986.


cnbc--2020-07-21--Trump ex-lawyer Michael Cohen gets quick court hearing on prison release bid after suing Attorney Ge

Trump ex-lawyer Michael Cohen gets quick court hearing on prison release bid after suing Attorney General Barr

Michael Cohen , President Donald Trumps former personal attorney , arrives at his Park Avenue apartment on May 21 , 2020 , in New York City .
A federal judge Tuesday quickly granted President Donald Trump 's former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen a hearing on his new lawsuit seeking his release from prison .
He was returned to a cell in early July after refusing to agree not to publish a damning book about Trump while serving a criminal sentence in home confinement .
The hearing on Cohen 's request for a temporary restraining order will be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court in Manhattan .
If the order is granted , Cohen could be sprung , for the second time in two months , from the federal prison in Otisville , N.Y. '' This case is about a brazen assault on the First Amendment and the rule of law , '' said Danya Perry , the attorney representing Cohen in the lawsuit , along with lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union .
`` We trust that our Constitution will prevail and that free speech will continue to be protected , for our client @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Perry said .
The Justice Department , a defendant in the suit , had no immediate comment .
The Bureau of Prisons , which is another named defendant , declined to comment .
Cohen , 53 , was in the middle of serving a three-year sentence when he was released from Otisville in late May due to concerns that the Manhattan resident 's pulmonary health issues put him at elevated risk from the coronavirus .
He had pleaded guilty in 2018 to financial crimes , lying to Congress about a planned Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finance crimes related to hush money payments to two women who claim to have had sex with Trump , who denies their allegations .
On July 9 , Cohen and his lawyer appeared at U.S .
Probation offices in Manhattan to review the conditions of his home confinement , which would include electronic location monitoring .
Cohen 's lawyer Jeffrey Levine has said that they were surprised to be presented at that meeting with restrictions that would bar Cohen from speaking to news reporters or to posting on social media during his release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book .
Cohen soon after was taken into custody , without warning , by Bureau of Prisons personnel and shipped back to Otisville , despite saying he would agree to the restrictions , Levine has said .
The bureau has said Cohen was remanded to prison after refusing to sign the agreement .

Michael Cohen, President Donald Trumps former personal attorney, arrives at his Park Avenue apartment on May 21, 2020, in New York City.
A federal judge Tuesday quickly granted President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen a hearing on his new lawsuit seeking his release from prison.
He was returned to a cell in early July after refusing to agree not to publish a damning book about Trump while serving a criminal sentence in home confinement.
The hearing on Cohen's request for a temporary restraining order will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
If the order is granted, Cohen could be sprung, for the second time in two months, from the federal prison in Otisville, N.Y.
"This case is about a brazen assault on the First Amendment and the rule of law," said Danya Perry, the attorney representing Cohen in the lawsuit, along with lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union.
"We trust that our Constitution will prevail and that free speech will continue to be protected, for our client and for all others by extension," Perry said.
The Justice Department, a defendant in the suit, had no immediate comment. The Bureau of Prisons, which is another named defendant, declined to comment.
Cohen, 53, was in the middle of serving a three-year sentence when he was released from Otisville in late May due to concerns that the Manhattan resident's pulmonary health issues put him at elevated risk from the coronavirus.
He had pleaded guilty in 2018 to financial crimes, lying to Congress about a planned Trump Tower in Moscow, and to campaign finance crimes related to hush money payments to two women who claim to have had sex with Trump, who denies their allegations.
On July 9, Cohen and his lawyer appeared at U.S. Probation offices in Manhattan to review the conditions of his home confinement, which would include electronic location monitoring.
Cohen's lawyer Jeffrey Levine has said that they were surprised to be presented at that meeting with restrictions that would bar Cohen from speaking to news reporters or to posting on social media during his release, as well as from publishing a book.
Cohen soon after was taken into custody, without warning, by Bureau of Prisons personnel and shipped back to Otisville, despite saying he would agree to the restrictions, Levine has said.
The bureau has said Cohen was remanded to prison after refusing to sign the agreement.


cnbc--2020-07-22--U.S. charges two Chinese nationals in coronavirus vaccine hacking scheme, other crimes

The U.S. Department of Justice building is pictured in Washington , U.S. , March 21 , 2019 .
A California technology and defense company , a Maryland technology and manufacturing company , the Department of Energy 's Hanford site in Washington , a Texas engineering firm , a Virginia defense contractor , a Massachusetts software firm , a California gaming software company and several U.S. drugmakers were among the 13 U.S. businesses that were targeted , the DOJ said .
The DOJ said in a statement that high-tech manufacturing processes , gaming software , solar energy engineering , pharmaceuticals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hack .
According to the 11-count indictment , Li Xiaoyu , 34 , and Dong Jiazhi , 33 , conducted a global hacking campaign for more than a decade .
The indictment alleges that the defendants were able to successfully steal terabytes of data from the United States as well as Australia , Belgium , Germany , Japan , Lithuania , the Netherlands , Spain , South Korea , Sweden and the United Kingdom .
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice on Tuesday accused two Chinese nationals , who it said were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of stealing trade secrets and hacking into computer systems of firms working on the Covid-19 vaccine .
`` In at least one instance , the hackers sought to extort cryptocurrency from a victim entity , by threatening to release the victim 's stolen source code on the Internet .
More recently , the defendants probed for vulnerabilities in computer networks of companies developing Covid-19 vaccines , testing technology , and treatments , '' the DOJ statement said .
The news comes amid a global race to create a vaccine for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year before spreading across the globe , infecting millions .
More than 140,000 people have died from the virus in the United States , according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University .
`` China has now taken its place , alongside Russia , Iran and North Korea , in that shameful club of nations that provide a safe haven for cybercriminals in exchange for those criminals being 'on-call ' to work for the benefit of the state , here to feed the Chinese Communist party 's insatiable hunger for American and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Covid-19 research , '' John Demers , assistant attorney general for national security , said Tuesday .
In order to conceal their efforts , the DOJ alleges , the hackers packaged victim data in encrypted Roshal Archive compressed files ; changed the names of the files , victim documents and system time stamps ; and concealed programs and documents .
The defendants revictimized companies , government entities , and organizations from which they had previously stolen data .
The defendants are each charged with : • one count of conspiracy to commit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence of five years in prison , • one count of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets , which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison , • one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud , which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison , • one count of unauthorized access of a computer , which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison , and • seven counts of aggravated identity theft , which each carries a mandatory sentence of two non-consecutive years in prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
The latest revelation comes on the heels of a string of speeches made by Trump administration officials blasting China 's use of espionage and cyberattacks to steal intellectual property from American businesses .
In blistering remarks earlier this month , FBI Director Chris Wray said Chinese tactics have created `` one of the largest transfers of wealth in human history . ''
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security .
Beijing maintains that it does not engage in intellectual property theft .

The U.S. Department of Justice building is pictured in Washington, U.S., March 21, 2019.
A California technology and defense company, a Maryland technology and manufacturing company, the Department of Energy's Hanford site in Washington, a Texas engineering firm, a Virginia defense contractor, a Massachusetts software firm, a California gaming software company and several U.S. drugmakers were among the 13 U.S. businesses that were targeted, the DOJ said.
The DOJ said in a statement that high-tech manufacturing processes, gaming software, solar energy engineering, pharmaceuticals and defense industries were among those targeted in the hack.
According to the 11-count indictment, Li Xiaoyu, 34, and Dong Jiazhi, 33, conducted a global hacking campaign for more than a decade. The indictment alleges that the defendants were able to successfully steal terabytes of data from the United States as well as Australia, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice on Tuesday accused two Chinese nationals, who it said were working on behalf of the Chinese government, of stealing trade secrets and hacking into computer systems of firms working on the Covid-19 vaccine.
"In at least one instance, the hackers sought to extort cryptocurrency from a victim entity, by threatening to release the victim's stolen source code on the Internet. More recently, the defendants probed for vulnerabilities in computer networks of companies developing Covid-19 vaccines, testing technology, and treatments," the DOJ statement said.
The news comes amid a global race to create a vaccine for the coronavirus, which originated in China late last year before spreading across the globe, infecting millions. More than 140,000 people have died from the virus in the United States, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University.
"China has now taken its place, alongside Russia, Iran and North Korea, in that shameful club of nations that provide a safe haven for cybercriminals in exchange for those criminals being 'on-call' to work for the benefit of the state, here to feed the Chinese Communist party's insatiable hunger for American and other non-Chinese companies' hard-earned intellectual property, including Covid-19 research," John Demers, assistant attorney general for national security, said Tuesday.
In order to conceal their efforts, the DOJ alleges, the hackers packaged victim data in encrypted Roshal Archive compressed files; changed the names of the files, victim documents and system time stamps; and concealed programs and documents. The defendants revictimized companies, government entities, and organizations from which they had previously stolen data.
The defendants are each charged with:
one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison,
one count of conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison,
one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison,
one count of unauthorized access of a computer, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and
seven counts of aggravated identity theft, which each carries a mandatory sentence of two non-consecutive years in prison.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
The latest revelation comes on the heels of a string of speeches made by Trump administration officials blasting China's use of espionage and cyberattacks to steal intellectual property from American businesses. In blistering remarks earlier this month, FBI Director Chris Wray said Chinese tactics have created "one of the largest transfers of wealth in human history."
U.S. officials have long complained that Chinese intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue and thousands of jobs and that it threatens national security. Beijing maintains that it does not engage in intellectual property theft.


cnbc--2020-07-21--White House seeks to block funds for coronavirus testing and tracing in relief bill

US President Donald Trump holds up swabs as he speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House in Washington , DC , on April 19 , 2020 .
The White House is trying to block billions of dollars for coronavirus testing and contact tracing in the upcoming stimulus relief bill , two Republican sources told NBC News , even as infections surge across the country and Americans face long wait times to receive test results amid high demand .
Senate GOP lawmakers , in a break with the administration , are pushing back and trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the bill , the sources told NBC News .
Some White House officials reportedly believe new money should n't be allocated for testing because previous funds remain unspent .
The White House declined CNBC 's request for comment .
The Washington Post first reported the news .
The Trump administration also wants to block billions of dollars that would go toward bolstering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the Pentagon and the State Department to combat the pandemic , The Post reported Saturday , citing people familiar with the deliberations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Trump administration is trying to use the legislation to fund priorities unrelated to the pandemic such as a new FBI building , according to the Post .
The White House effort to block funding for testing comes after the administration relied on overly optimistic models which suggested the U.S. moved past the peak of the outbreak in the spring , according to a report in The New York Times .
As a result , the administration pushed to reopen the economy and shifted responsibility for responding to the pandemic from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results , according to the Times .
President Trump has called coronavirus testing a `` double-edged sword '' and suggested at a campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma that officials should slow testing down .
White House officials later said Trump was joking .
The Times ' report portrayed a president who feels trapped politically because cases counts inevitably increase as more people are tested , jeopardizing the reopening of the economy and damaging his re-election chances .
Trump , when confronted with a chart showing surging infections , dismissed the data in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Wallace that if the nation tested less there would be fewer cases .
The U.S. hit a record 77,225 new cases on July 16 , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
`` Chris , that 's because we have great testing , because we have the best testing in the world , '' Trump told Wallace .
`` If we did n't test , you would n't be able to show that chart .
If we tested half as much , those numbers would be down . ''
`` Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those cases should n't even be cases , '' the president said .
`` Cases are up because we have the best testing in the world and we have the most testing . ''
Trump said many infected people `` automatically '' recover from the virus .
Health officials have repeatedly pointed out that new cases have outpaced the increase in testing , which indicates that the virus is spreading rapidly in communities across the country .
When Wallace pointed to the European Union , which he said is reporting about 6,000 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's because `` they do n't test '' and declined to acknowledge differences in policy responses between Europe and the U.S .
The U.S. has reported on average 66,498 new cases of the coronavirus per day over the past seven days , up more than 15 % compared with a week ago , according to a CNBC analysis of data from Hopkins .
Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have reported growth in cases by at least 5 % , on average over the past week .
And Covid-19 deaths , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begun to tick up nationally , driven by a number of states with expanding outbreaks .
`` No country has ever done what we 've done in terms of testing .
We are the envy of the world , '' Trump said .
`` You look at other countries , they do n't even do tests .
They do tests if somebody walks into the hospital . ''
When asked about his relationship with White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci , one of the nation 's top infectious disease experts , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but added that `` he 's a little bit of an alarmist . ''
Trump also said that he does n't agree with Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield , who said earlier this week that if everyone wore a mask , the U.S. could bring the virus under control in one to two months .
The president continued to tout the strength of the economy before the virus arrived in the U.S. in January , adding that Democratic officials are `` purposefully '' keeping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many states have implemented costly public health measures to curb the spread of the virus such as shutting down bars and other businesses , closing schools and banning large gatherings .
Trump specifically bemoaned his campaign 's inability to host campaign rallies in Michigan , Minnesota and Nevada .
`` The Democrats are purposely keeping their schools closed , keeping their states closed , '' he said .
`` We 're not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states . ''
Sen .
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to unveil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the Senate returns from its two-week Fourth of July recess .
The Republican last week said that `` kids in school , jobs and health care are likely to be the focus of the bill . ''
Leaders in the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate acknowledged earlier this month that they need to approve more aid to combat the disease 's spread while supporting the economy and schools .
The White House deliberations come as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to spike nationally .
Dozens of states encountered resurgences after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states have the virus under control and just three are on track to contain Covid-19 , according to the tracking project Covid Act Now .
On Friday , the United States reported 71,558 new cases , according to data from Johns Hopkins University , marking the second consecutive day that the country has seen at least 70,000 new cases .
Average daily new cases have increased 18.34 % nationwide compared to one week ago as of Friday , according to a CNBC analysis of Johns Hopkins ' data .
The coronavirus outbreak has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million confirmed cases and over 600,000 deaths , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
The U.S. has had more than 3.7 million cases and at least 140,131 deaths , according to the latest tallies , more than any other country .
— CNBC 's Jacob Pramuk and Will Feuer contributed to this report .
Correction : The U.S. reported new 71,558 cases Friday and average daily new cases increased 18.34 % as of Friday compared with one week prior .
A previous version misstated the day .

US President Donald Trump holds up swabs as he speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 19, 2020.
The White House is trying to block billions of dollars for coronavirus testing and contact tracing in the upcoming stimulus relief bill, two Republican sources told NBC News, even as infections surge across the country and Americans face long wait times to receive test results amid high demand.
Senate GOP lawmakers, in a break with the administration, are pushing back and trying to keep the money for testing and tracing in the bill, the sources told NBC News. Some White House officials reportedly believe new money shouldn't be allocated for testing because previous funds remain unspent.
The White House declined CNBC's request for comment. The Washington Post first reported the news.
The Trump administration also wants to block billions of dollars that would go toward bolstering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pentagon and the State Department to combat the pandemic, The Post reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the deliberations.
While moving to block testing assistance, the Trump administration is trying to use the legislation to fund priorities unrelated to the pandemic such as a new FBI building, according to the Post.
The White House effort to block funding for testing comes after the administration relied on overly optimistic models which suggested the U.S. moved past the peak of the outbreak in the spring, according to a report in The New York Times. As a result, the administration pushed to reopen the economy and shifted responsibility for responding to the pandemic from the federal government to the states with disastrous results, according to the Times.
President Trump has called coronavirus testing a "double-edged sword" and suggested at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma that officials should slow testing down. White House officials later said Trump was joking.
The Times' report portrayed a president who feels trapped politically because cases counts inevitably increase as more people are tested, jeopardizing the reopening of the economy and damaging his re-election chances.
Trump, when confronted with a chart showing surging infections, dismissed the data in a Fox News interview, telling anchor Chris Wallace that if the nation tested less there would be fewer cases. The U.S. hit a record 77,225 new cases on July 16, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
"Chris, that's because we have great testing, because we have the best testing in the world," Trump told Wallace. "If we didn't test, you wouldn't be able to show that chart. If we tested half as much, those numbers would be down."
"Well, cases are up -- many of those cases shouldn't even be cases," the president said. "Cases are up because we have the best testing in the world and we have the most testing."
Trump said many infected people "automatically" recover from the virus. Health officials have repeatedly pointed out that new cases have outpaced the increase in testing, which indicates that the virus is spreading rapidly in communities across the country.
When Wallace pointed to the European Union, which he said is reporting about 6,000 new cases per day, Trump said it's because "they don't test" and declined to acknowledge differences in policy responses between Europe and the U.S.
The U.S. has reported on average 66,498 new cases of the coronavirus per day over the past seven days, up more than 15% compared with a week ago, according to a CNBC analysis of data from Hopkins. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have reported growth in cases by at least 5%, on average over the past week. And Covid-19 deaths, which lag the diagnosis of cases, have begun to tick up nationally, driven by a number of states with expanding outbreaks.
"No country has ever done what we've done in terms of testing. We are the envy of the world," Trump said. "You look at other countries, they don't even do tests. They do tests if somebody walks into the hospital."
When asked about his relationship with White House health advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the nation's top infectious disease experts, Trump said he spoke with him on Saturday, but added that "he's a little bit of an alarmist." Trump also said that he doesn't agree with Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Robert Redfield, who said earlier this week that if everyone wore a mask, the U.S. could bring the virus under control in one to two months.
The president continued to tout the strength of the economy before the virus arrived in the U.S. in January, adding that Democratic officials are "purposefully" keeping the economy shutdown to hurt his reelection effort. Many states have implemented costly public health measures to curb the spread of the virus such as shutting down bars and other businesses, closing schools and banning large gatherings. Trump specifically bemoaned his campaign's inability to host campaign rallies in Michigan, Minnesota and Nevada.
"The Democrats are purposely keeping their schools closed, keeping their states closed," he said. "We're not allowed to have rallies in these Democrat-run states."
Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to unveil a coronavirus relief plan this coming week when the Senate returns from its two-week Fourth of July recess. The Republican last week said that "kids in school, jobs and health care are likely to be the focus of the bill."
Leaders in the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate acknowledged earlier this month that they need to approve more aid to combat the disease's spread while supporting the economy and schools.
The White House deliberations come as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to spike nationally. Dozens of states encountered resurgences after reopening their economies. Only nine U.S. states have the virus under control and just three are on track to contain Covid-19, according to the tracking project Covid Act Now.
On Friday, the United States reported 71,558 new cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, marking the second consecutive day that the country has seen at least 70,000 new cases. Average daily new cases have increased 18.34% nationwide compared to one week ago as of Friday, according to a CNBC analysis of Johns Hopkins' data.
The coronavirus outbreak has spread worldwide, with more than 14.3 million confirmed cases and over 600,000 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. has had more than 3.7 million cases and at least 140,131 deaths, according to the latest tallies, more than any other country.
— CNBC's Jacob Pramuk and Will Feuer contributed to this report.
Correction: The U.S. reported new 71,558 cases Friday and average daily new cases increased 18.34% as of Friday compared with one week prior. A previous version misstated the day.


cnbc--2020-07-22--Trump says U.S. 'in the process' of crafting coronavirus strategy that has 'developed as we go along

Trump says U.S. 'in the process' of crafting coronavirus strategy that has 'developed as we go along'

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a coronavirus response news briefing at the White House in Washington , U.S. , July 21 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration is `` in the process of developing a strategy '' to combat the coronavirus pandemic , adding that that plan of action has `` developed as we go along . ''
Trump 's remarks came more than six months after the first coronavirus cases were reported in the United States .
At least 141,000 people in the U.S. have now died from Covid-19 and more than 3.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from Johns Hopkins University .
`` We 've learned so much about this disease and we know who the vulnerable are , and we are going to indeed shield them , '' Trump said during his first news conference on Covid-19 from the White House briefing room in nearly three months .
The virus `` is a vicious and dangerous illness , but we 've learned a great deal about it and who it targets , '' the president said .
`` We are in the process of developing a strategy that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful .
We 've developed as we go along , '' he said .
`` Some areas of our country are doing very well , others are doing less well . ''
Trump then laid out a list of actions his administration has taken , such as boosting the availability of tests for the virus and deploying thousands of National Guard members to states dealing with the most severe outbreaks .
`` Ultimately our goal is not merely to manage the pandemic but to end it , '' Trump said , noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration is developing and distributing an effective vaccine .
Trump , who faces a tough reelection fight in November , has previously urged state leaders to quickly reopen their state economies , many of which had been devastated by the strict lockdown measures implemented to try to slow the spread of the virus .
But with multiple states reporting record-breaking surges in infections and hospitalizations in recent weeks , Trump acknowledged Tuesday that the pandemic will probably `` get worse before it gets better . ''
`` That 's something I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the way it is , it 's what we have , '' said Trump , who has previously called himself a `` cheerleader '' for the country .
`` You look over the world , it 's all over the world . ''
Still , Trump repeated at the news conference his belief that `` the virus will disappear .
It will disappear . ''
The White House coronavirus task force , which is led by Vice President Mike Pence and includes coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx and Dr. Anthony Fauci , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had regularly held briefings on Covid-19 earlier this year .
The president had attended those near-daily briefings .
But they all but ended in late April , shortly after Trump speculated about whether disinfectants could be injected to treat the virus .
He later claimed he had posed that question sarcastically .
On Monday , Trump announced he would resume the briefings .
But no members of the White House coronavirus task force accompanied him at the Tuesday evening briefing on the virus .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a coronavirus response news briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 21, 2020.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration is "in the process of developing a strategy" to combat the coronavirus pandemic, adding that that plan of action has "developed as we go along."
Trump's remarks came more than six months after the first coronavirus cases were reported in the United States. At least 141,000 people in the U.S. have now died from Covid-19 and more than 3.8 million have been infected, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
"We've learned so much about this disease and we know who the vulnerable are, and we are going to indeed shield them," Trump said during his first news conference on Covid-19 from the White House briefing room in nearly three months.
The virus "is a vicious and dangerous illness, but we've learned a great deal about it and who it targets," the president said.
"We are in the process of developing a strategy that's going to be very, very powerful. We've developed as we go along," he said. "Some areas of our country are doing very well, others are doing less well."
Trump then laid out a list of actions his administration has taken, such as boosting the availability of tests for the virus and deploying thousands of National Guard members to states dealing with the most severe outbreaks.
"Ultimately our goal is not merely to manage the pandemic but to end it," Trump said, noting that a "top priority" of his administration is developing and distributing an effective vaccine.
Trump, who faces a tough reelection fight in November, has previously urged state leaders to quickly reopen their state economies, many of which had been devastated by the strict lockdown measures implemented to try to slow the spread of the virus.
But with multiple states reporting record-breaking surges in infections and hospitalizations in recent weeks, Trump acknowledged Tuesday that the pandemic will probably "get worse before it gets better."
"That's something I don't like saying about things, but that's the way it is, it's what we have," said Trump, who has previously called himself a "cheerleader" for the country. "You look over the world, it's all over the world."
Still, Trump repeated at the news conference his belief that "the virus will disappear. It will disappear."
The White House coronavirus task force, which is led by Vice President Mike Pence and includes coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, had regularly held briefings on Covid-19 earlier this year.
The president had attended those near-daily briefings. But they all but ended in late April, shortly after Trump speculated about whether disinfectants could be injected to treat the virus. He later claimed he had posed that question sarcastically.
On Monday, Trump announced he would resume the briefings. But no members of the White House coronavirus task force accompanied him at the Tuesday evening briefing on the virus.


cnbc--2020-07-22--U.S. State Department orders China to close consulate in Houston as Beijing vows retaliation

Chinese and US national flags flutter at the entrance of a company office building in Beijing .
The U.S. State Department confirmed on Wednesday it had ordered China to close its consulate in Houston , Texas , prompting Beijing to insist on firm countermeasures unless Washington immediately reverses its decision .
The move comes as political tensions between the world 's two largest economies continue to escalate .
U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the directive to close China 's Consulate General Houston had been made to protect American intellectual property and the private information of its citizens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State '' and `` have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State , '' Ortagus continued .
She added that Washington would not tolerate the People 's Republic of China 's violations of U.S. sovereignty and intimidation of our people , just as we have not tolerated the PRC 's unfair trade practices , theft of American jobs , and other egregious behavior .
China has since condemned the decision , warning of firm countermeasures if the U.S. failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unilateral closure of China 's consulate general in Houston within a short period of time is an unprecedented escalation of its recent actions against China , '' Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily news briefing , Associated Press reported .
The U.S. has given China three days to close the consulate in the Texas city , China 's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said .

The State Department confirmed on Wednesday the U.S. has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, prompting Beijing to insist on firm countermeasures unless Washington immediately reverses its decision.
The move is an escalation of political tensions between the world's two largest economies.
State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the directive to close China's consulate general Houston was made to protect American intellectual property and the private information of its citizens.
The Vienna Convention says diplomats must "respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State" and "have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State," Ortagus continued.
She added that Washington would not tolerate the People's Republic of China's violations of U.S. sovereignty and intimidation of our people, just as we have not tolerated the PRC's unfair trade practices, theft of American jobs, and other egregious behavior.
China condemned the decision, warning of firm countermeasures if the U.S. fails to urgently rescind the order.
"The unilateral closure of China's consulate general in Houston within a short period of time is an unprecedented escalation of its recent actions against China," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily news briefing, The Associated Press reported.
Washington has given China three days to close the consulate in the fourth largest U.S. city, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
Alongside the embassy in Beijing, the U.S. has five consulates in mainland China, according to its website, in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan, where the coronavirus pandemic started. A possible closure of the Wuhan consulate could complicate efforts to share information about the virus.


cnbc--2020-07-22--GOP considers extending unemployment benefit at reduced level of $100 a week through December

Republicans are considering extending the enhanced unemployment insurance benefit at a dramatically reduced level of $ 400 per month , or $ 100 a week , through the rest of the year , sources told CNBC .
Congress passed a $ 600 per week , or $ 2,400 a month , boost to jobless benefits in March to deal with a wave of unemployment unseen in decades as states shut down their economies to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
The policy expires at the end of July as the U.S. unemployment rate stands above 11 % , despite two strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has not made a final decision on how it will craft unemployment insurance in a bill set to be released this week , previously discussed extending the benefit at an additional $ 200 per week instead of $ 600 .
Democrats want to make the $ 600 per week sum available at least until next year .
The level Republicans are mulling would slash the amount of money beneficiaries receive at a time when roughly 30 million people are receiving unemployment insurance in some form .
The additional assistance has helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak , and many economists say it has boosted household spending and buoyed the economy .
The GOP contends the $ 600 per week sum deters people from returning to work because many make more at home than they otherwise would have at work .
Lawmakers initially set the threshold because certain states ' outdated unemployment systems may have been unable to process setting payments at 100 % of an applicant 's wages .
As congressional leaders acknowledge they will likely miss the July deadline to pass a broad coronavirus relief package , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily extend the strengthened unemployment insurance .
Democrats appear unlikely to support a short-term extension .
Responding to a potential temporary extension , Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , said Wednesday in a statement that `` Republicans have had months to propose a plan for extending supercharged unemployment benefits , and they still have nothing to offer , '' according to NBC News .
The senator previously proposed a plan to phase out the $ 600 per week benefit as state unemployment rates fall .
Unemployment insurance is only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate and Democratic-controlled House aim to hash out in the next coronavirus aid bill .
Lawmakers will also have to decide how to handle direct payments to individuals , aid for state and local governments , funding to help schools reopen , rent and mortgage assistance , and liability protections for doctors and businesses .
Republicans hope to keep the cost of the package around $ 1 trillion , though Democrats have argued that level of spending would be insufficient .

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Republicans are considering extending the enhanced unemployment insurance benefit at a dramatically reduced level of $400 per month, or $100 a week, through the rest of the year, sources told CNBC. Congress passed a $600 per week, or $2,400 a month, boost to jobless benefits in March to deal with a wave of unemployment unseen in decades as states shut down their economies to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The policy expires at the end of July as the U.S. unemployment rate stands above 11%, despite two strong months of job growth. The GOP, which has not made a final decision on how it will craft unemployment insurance in a bill set to be released this week, previously discussed extending the benefit at an additional $200 per week instead of $600. Democrats want to make the $600 per week sum available at least until next year.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., conducts a news conference after the Senate Republican Policy luncheon in Hart Building on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
The level Republicans are mulling would slash the amount of money beneficiaries receive at a time when roughly 30 million people are receiving unemployment insurance in some form. The additional assistance has helped Americans cover food and rent during the outbreak, and many economists say it has boosted household spending and buoyed the economy. The GOP contends the $600 per week sum deters people from returning to work because many make more at home than they otherwise would have at work. Lawmakers initially set the threshold because certain states' outdated unemployment systems may have been unable to process setting payments at 100% of an applicant's wages. As congressional leaders acknowledge they will likely miss the July deadline to pass a broad coronavirus relief package, Republicans are considering passing separate legislation to temporarily extend the strengthened unemployment insurance. Democrats appear unlikely to support a short-term extension.
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Responding to a potential temporary extension, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Wednesday in a statement that "Republicans have had months to propose a plan for extending supercharged unemployment benefits, and they still have nothing to offer," according to NBC News. The senator previously proposed a plan to phase out the $600 per week benefit as state unemployment rates fall. Unemployment insurance is only one of the thorny issues the Republican-held Senate and Democratic-controlled House aim to hash out in the next coronavirus aid bill. Lawmakers will also have to decide how to handle direct payments to individuals, aid for state and local governments, funding to help schools reopen, rent and mortgage assistance, and liability protections for doctors and businesses. Republicans hope to keep the cost of the package around $1 trillion, though Democrats have argued that level of spending would be insufficient. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.


cnbc--2020-07-22--Trump denies telling Jets owner, Ambassador Johnson, to ask U.K. for help getting British Open at pr

Trump denies telling Jets owner, Ambassador Johnson, to ask U.K. for help getting British Open at president's golf course

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood Johnson attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9 , 2020 in London , England .
President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied telling his ambassador to Great Britain , the New York Jets football team owner Woody Johnson , to speak to United Kingdom officials about possibly helping Trump 's Turnberry golf course in Scotland be chosen as a site for the British Open tournament .
`` No .
I never spoke to Woody Johnson about Turnberry , '' Trump said at press conference , a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Johnson raised the issue with a British official at the president 's behest .
Trump added , `` It is a highly respected course , one of the best in the world . ''
`` I read a story about it today .
I never spoke to him about it . ''
Johnson , who is also an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune , additionally is facing allegations that he reportedly has made racist and sexist comments while serving as Trump 's ambassador to the Court of St. James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues may have been the subject of an inquiry by the U.S. State Department 's internal ethics watchdog , who last October opened an inspection of the U.S. embassy in London .
The resulting report from the State Department 's inspector general was completed but marked classified as of May .
A former State Department official with first-hand knowledge told NBC News that Johnson informed multiple colleagues at the embassy that Trump asked him to find out if the British government would assist in efforts to have the British Open played at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ex-official said that Johnson did so , despite his deputy twice warning him not to because such a request would be unethical .
Johnson was a major donor to the president 's 2016 campaign before Trump appointed him ambassador .

United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert Wood Johnson attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday denied telling his ambassador to Great Britain, the New York Jets football team owner Woody Johnson, to speak to United Kingdom officials about possibly helping Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland be chosen as a site for the British Open tournament.
"No. I never spoke to Woody Johnson about Turnberry," Trump said at press conference, a day after The New York Times first reported that Johnson raised the issue with a British official at the president's behest.
Trump added, "It is a highly respected course, one of the best in the world."
"I read a story about it today. I never spoke to him about it," the president said of Johnson, who was a major donor to the Trump's 2016 campaign before being appointed ambassador.
Johnson, who is also an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune, additionally is facing allegations that he reportedly has made racist and sexist comments while serving as Trump's ambassador to the Court of St. James.
The comments and the golf course issues may have been the subject of an inquiry by the U.S. State Department's internal ethics watchdog, who last October opened an inspection of the U.S. embassy in London.
The resulting report from the State Department's inspector general was completed but marked classified as of May.
Lewis Lukens, the American London embassy's former second-in-command, after Trump spoke confirmed to NBC News the report by The New York Times on Trump and Turnberry.
Lukens declined to comment on " all the other allegations" as his understanding is that they were still the subject of the pending report by the State Department's Office of Inspector General.
Lukens told National Public Radio that he had advised Johnson it would "would violate federal ethics rules and be generally inappropriate" if the ambassador acted on Trump's request toto find out if the British government would assist in efforts to have the British Open played at Turnberry course.


cnbc--2020-07-22--Obama and Biden meet up to talk about Trump's coronavirus response: 'He just can't relate in any way

Obama and Biden meet up to talk about Trump's coronavirus response: 'He just can't relate in any way'

VP Joe Biden made remarks , with President Barack Obama by his side , before the signing of the 21st Century Cures Act , in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington , DC .
on December 13 , 2016 .
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden teams up with his old boss , former President Barack Obama in a new video that draws a sharp contrast between President Donald Trump 's approach to voters and Biden 's style .
Biden and Obama met at Obama 's Washington office .
After sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden asks Obama whether he could imagine standing up as president and saying , `` It 's not my responsibility , I take no responsibility , '' as Trump has previously done .
`` Those words did n't come out of our mouths when we were in office , '' Obama says in the video clip from the Biden campaign .
The full-length video will be released Thursday .
Biden criticizes Trump for `` his inability to get a sense of what people are going through . ''
`` He just ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Biden .
`` One of the things that I have always known about you , Joe , it 's the reason why I wanted you to be my vice president and the reason why you were so effective .
It all starts with being able to relate , '' Obama tells Biden .
`` If you can sit down with a family and see your own family and the struggles that you 've gone through or your parents went through or your kids are going through , if you can connect those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then you 're going to work hard for them .
And that 's always what 's motivated you to get into public service , '' says Obama .
In March , Trump was asked whether he took responsibility for his administration 's lagging rate of coronavirus testing in the United States .
`` I do n't take responsibility at all , '' he said .
The White House sharply pushed back against Obama and Biden 's characterization of Trump 's response .
`` Any suggestion that President Trump did not take the threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety of the American people is blatantly false , '' spokesman Judd Deere said .
`` During these uncertain times , Americans are receiving comfort , hope and resources from President Trump . ''

VP Joe Biden made remarks, with President Barack Obama by his side, before the signing of the 21st Century Cures Act, in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House in Washington, DC. on December 13, 2016.
Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden teams up with his old boss, former President Barack Obama in a new video that draws a sharp contrast between President Donald Trump's approach to voters and Biden's style.
Biden and Obama met at Obama's Washington office. After sitting down across the room from one another, Biden asks Obama whether he could imagine standing up as president and saying, "It's not my responsibility, I take no responsibility," as Trump has previously done.
"Those words didn't come out of our mouths when we were in office," Obama says in the video clip from the Biden campaign. The full-length video will be released Thursday.
Biden criticizes Trump for "his inability to get a sense of what people are going through."
"He just can't relate in any way," says Biden.
Tweet of video
"One of the things that I have always known about you, Joe, it's the reason why I wanted you to be my vice president and the reason why you were so effective. It all starts with being able to relate," Obama tells Biden.
"If you can sit down with a family and see your own family and the struggles that you've gone through or your parents went through or your kids are going through, if you can connect those struggles to somebody else's struggles, then you're going to work hard for them. And that's always what's motivated you to get into public service," says Obama.
In March, Trump was asked whether he took responsibility for his administration's lagging rate of coronavirus testing in the United States.
"I don't take responsibility at all," he said.
The White House sharply pushed back against Obama and Biden's characterization of Trump's response.
"Any suggestion that President Trump did not take the threat of COVID-19 seriously or prioritize the health and safety of the American people is blatantly false," spokesman Judd Deere said. "During these uncertain times, Americans are receiving comfort, hope and resources from President Trump."


cnbc--2020-07-22--Prosecutors deny Michael Cohen was sent back to prison over dispute about Trump book

Michael Cohen , President Donald Trumps former personal attorney , arrives at his Park Avenue apartment on May 21 , 2020 , in New York City .
The filing came a day before a judge in federal court in Manhattan is set to hold a hearing on Cohen 's emergency request that he be re-released from the federal prison in Otisville , where he has been for the past two weeks .
Cohen has said he is writing a book about Trump , whom he served for years as a lawyer and fixer .
Prosecutors said in their filing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his book while incarcerated . ''
Court documents state that the decision to take Cohen into custody was `` instigated by the probation officers who observed [ Cohen 's ] behavior at the meeting , and was ultimately made by a [ Bureau of Prisons ] employee who had no knowledge that Petitioner was writing a book . ''
The filing includes affidavits to that effect from those officials .
During that meeting , Cohen said he was `` writing a book 'no matter what happens ' '' and also told a probation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr , '' meaning U.S. Attorney General William Barr , according to the prosecutors ' filing .
Instead , prosecutors said in a new court filing , Cohen was taken into custody on July 9 after becoming `` antagonistic '' and argumentative at a meeting with U.S. probation officials and refusing to agree with a number of other conditions , including being subject to electronic monitoring .
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday strongly denied that Michael Cohen was sent back to prison over a dispute about whether he could publish a critical book about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , while serving the rest of his criminal sentence in home confinement .
Cohen , 53 , pleaded guilty in 2018 to financial crimes , lying to Congress and campaign finance violations related to facilitating hush-money payments to two women who claim to have had sex with Trump , who denies their accounts .
Cohen was in the middle of serving a three-year prison term when he was furloughed in late May over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic .
He was meeting with his lawyer and probation officials on July 9 about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was abruptly taken into custody .
Cohen 's lawyer Jeffrey Levine has said that he was taken into custody after balking at a provision that he not speak with reporters or publish a book during his period of home confinement .
Levine said that Cohen did not refuse to sign the provision but that the issue had been set aside while they discussed other aspects of the probation monitoring agreement .
Levine said that when Bureau of Prison staff showed up during a break in the meeting to detain Cohen , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the provision in order to avoid being sent back to prison .
Levin and Cohen 's other attorneys , who this week filed a lawsuit seeking his release from prison , have said that Cohen is at particular risk from Covid-19 because of preexisting health issues .
Prosecutors , in their reply to that suit Wednesday , wrote that Cohen 's `` contention that he was not placed on home confinement on July 9 , 2020 , in retaliation for a book that he is planning to publish that is critical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not supported by the evidence . ''
`` Cohen and his attorney attempted to negotiate the language of nearly every provision of the agreement , and Cohen stated on at least one occasion that he would not sign the agreement , '' the filing says .
`` In addition to expressing concerns about his book , [ Cohen ] objected to the requirement that any employment be approved in advance by Bureau of Prisons and the Probation Office ; that he refrain from contacting convicted felons ; that he refrain from grocery shopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a family member ) ; and to other language that he found confusing . ''
Cohen 's lawyer `` also objected to Petitioner being placed on electronic monitoring , '' the filing said .
And Cohen `` stated during this discussion with the probation officers that he would not sign the agreement , '' according to the filing .
Cohen 's excursions outside of his Upper East Side home since he was furloughed were mentioned in the filing , which noted that he had been seen dining at Manhattan restaurants .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of [ Cohen 's ] claimed health concerns about COVID-19 , '' prosecutors wrote .
Cohen 's lawsuit over his reimprisonment says that in his book he describes `` first-hand experiences with Mr. Trump , and it provides graphic details about the President 's behavior behind closed doors . ''
`` For example , the narrative describes pointedly certain anti-Semitic remarks against prominent Jewish people and virulently racist remarks against such Black leaders as President Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela . ''

Michael Cohen, President Donald Trumps former personal attorney, arrives at his Park Avenue apartment on May 21, 2020, in New York City.
The filing came a day before a judge in federal court in Manhattan is set to hold a hearing on Cohen's emergency request that he be re-released from the federal prison in Otisville, where he has been for the past two weeks.
Cohen has said he is writing a book about Trump, whom he served for years as a lawyer and fixer. Prosecutors said in their filing that he is "free to work on his book while incarcerated."
Court documents state that the decision to take Cohen into custody was "instigated by the probation officers who observed [Cohen's] behavior at the meeting, and was ultimately made by a [Bureau of Prisons] employee who had no knowledge that Petitioner was writing a book." The filing includes affidavits to that effect from those officials.
During that meeting, Cohen said he was "writing a book 'no matter what happens'" and also told a probation officer to say hello to "Mr. Barr," meaning U.S. Attorney General William Barr, according to the prosecutors' filing.
Instead, prosecutors said in a new court filing, Cohen was taken into custody on July 9 after becoming "antagonistic" and argumentative at a meeting with U.S. probation officials and refusing to agree with a number of other conditions, including being subject to electronic monitoring.
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday strongly denied that Michael Cohen was sent back to prison over a dispute about whether he could publish a critical book about his former legal client, President Donald Trump , while serving the rest of his criminal sentence in home confinement.
Cohen, 53, pleaded guilty in 2018 to financial crimes, lying to Congress and campaign finance violations related to facilitating hush-money payments to two women who claim to have had sex with Trump, who denies their accounts.
Cohen was in the middle of serving a three-year prison term when he was furloughed in late May over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
He was meeting with his lawyer and probation officials on July 9 about the terms of his home confinement when he was abruptly taken into custody.
Cohen's lawyer Jeffrey Levine has said that he was taken into custody after balking at a provision that he not speak with reporters or publish a book during his period of home confinement.
Levine said that Cohen did not refuse to sign the provision but that the issue had been set aside while they discussed other aspects of the probation monitoring agreement.
Levine said that when Bureau of Prison staff showed up during a break in the meeting to detain Cohen, he and Cohen both said Cohen would agree to the provision in order to avoid being sent back to prison.
Levin and Cohen's other attorneys, who this week filed a lawsuit seeking his release from prison, have said that Cohen is at particular risk from Covid-19 because of preexisting health issues.
Prosecutors, in their reply to that suit Wednesday, wrote that Cohen's "contention that he was not placed on home confinement on July 9, 2020, in retaliation for a book that he is planning to publish that is critical of the President of the United States is not supported by the evidence."
"Cohen and his attorney attempted to negotiate the language of nearly every provision of the agreement, and Cohen stated on at least one occasion that he would not sign the agreement," the filing says.
"In addition to expressing concerns about his book, [Cohen] objected to the requirement that any employment be approved in advance by Bureau of Prisons and the Probation Office; that he refrain from contacting convicted felons; that he refrain from grocery shopping (which would be performed for him by a family member); and to other language that he found confusing."
Cohen's lawyer "also objected to Petitioner being placed on electronic monitoring," the filing said.
And Cohen "stated during this discussion with the probation officers that he would not sign the agreement," according to the filing.
Cohen's excursions outside of his Upper East Side home since he was furloughed were mentioned in the filing, which noted that he had been seen dining at Manhattan restaurants.
That "is relevant to assessing the severity of [Cohen's] claimed health concerns about COVID-19," prosecutors wrote.
Cohen's lawsuit over his reimprisonment says that in his book he describes "first-hand experiences with Mr. Trump, and it provides graphic details about the President's behavior behind closed doors."
"For example, the narrative describes pointedly certain anti-Semitic remarks against prominent Jewish people and virulently racist remarks against such Black leaders as President Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela."


cnbc--2020-07-22--Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers seek gag order in case of accused Jeffrey Epstein sex crime accomplice

Lawyers for British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell have asked a judge to issue a gag order barring prosecutors and attorneys for witnesses from making public comments on her criminal case , in which she is accused of helping Jeffrey Epstein procure underage girls to be sexually abused .
Maxwell 's lawyers in a legal filing said that federal prosecutors and witnesses ' attorneys `` have made , and continue to make , statements prejudicial to a fair trial '' for the 58-year-old defendant , who has pleaded not guilty to sex crime and perjury charges .
Judge Alison Nathan has yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan , where the judge last week ordered Maxwell held in jail without bail pending trial next year , citing her extreme risk of flight .
Maxwell 's lawyers noted a local court rule that bars law enforcement officials and lawyers from releasing nonpublic information or opinion which is likely to interfere with a defendant 's right to a fair trial .
`` It appears that given any opportunity lawyers associated with the prosecution of this case will offer any opinion that damages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial , '' the filing said .
The filing came as President Donald Trump , a former friend of the late investor Epstein , said at a White House press conference , `` I just wish her well , '' when asked about Maxwell 's criminal case .
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of New York , which is prosecuting Maxwell , declined to comment .
A spokesman for the law firm of the attorneys David Boies and Sigrid McCawley , who represent an accuser in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to a request for comment .
Boies and McCawley 's recent public comments about Maxwell are cited in the filing , and a gag order could apply to them if granted .
Epstein , 66 , died from what has officially been ruled a suicide by hanging last August in a federal jail , where he was being held without bail on child sex trafficking charges related to his alleged abuse of dozens of underage girls .
That case relates to alleged conduct from 2002 through 2005 at Epstein 's luxurious residences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in Palm Beach , Florida .
Before his conviction on state sex crime charges in Florida in 2008 , Epstein had been a friend of President Bill Clinton and also socialized with Britain 's Prince Andrew .
One of Epstein 's accusers has said that she had sex with Andrew at the direction of Maxwell .
Andrew denies her claim .
Maxwell , who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing , is charged with helping Epstein in the mid-1990s recruit and groom underage girls , at least one as young as 14 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse them at his residences in New York , Palm Beach , and Santa Fe , New Mexico , as well as at Maxwell 's home in London .
She also is accused of lying under oath about her conduct and her knowledge of Epstein 's conduct in depositions taken for a civil lawsuit involving an Epstein accuser .
Maxwell 's lawyers , in their gag order request , cited comments after her July 2 arrest in New Hampshire by acting SDNY U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss and FBI Special Agent William Sweeney at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference had said that Maxwell lied under oath `` because the truth , as alleged , was almost unspeakable . ''
That alleged truth , Strauss went on to say , was that `` Maxwell enticed minor girls , got them to trust her and then delivered them into the trap that she and Epstein had set for them . ''
`` She pretended to be a woman they could trust , all the while she was setting them up to be sexually abused by Epstein and , in some cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maxwell 's attorneys , in their filing , wrote , `` Although Ms. Strauss sprinkled her comments with the phrase 'as alleged , ' she presented certain of her statements as fact . ''
Sweeney , during the same press conference , called Maxwell `` one of the villains in this investigation , '' and also `` compared her to a snake that 'slithered away to a gorgeous property in New Hampshire , ' '' Maxwell 's lawyers noted .
`` Thus , Mr. Sweeney offers the Government 's , again flatly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while , at the same time , invoking a semi-biblical reference involving a snake slithering away to a garden in New Hampshire , '' the filing said .
The accuser 's lawyer Boies , the filing noted , in an ABC News interview after Maxwell was ordered detained without bail , had said : `` Remember these girls were abused twice , once sexually years ago and then a second time when Epstein and Maxwell and all their enablers began these vicious attacks on their credibility . ''
`` No question about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bodies are buried .
If I was somebody who had participated in their sex trafficking , um , I would not be sleeping easily tonight , '' Boies had said .
The filing also noted that Boies ' colleague McCawley , in that same interview , said : `` Ghislaine was really the central figure , so she worked hand-in-hand with Jeffrey Epstein to be able to facilitate these crimes over the course of more than two decades ; and she was the main person who assisted him and allowed him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against young females . ''

Ghislaine Maxwell attends day 1 of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium at Center 548 on September 20, 2013 in New York City.
A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request for a gag order sought by lawyers for British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, who is charged with helping the late investor Jeffrey Epstein procure underage girls to be sexually abused.
But Judge Alison Nathan warned prosecutors, defense lawyers and attorneys for Maxwell's accuser and other witnesses that she would "not hesitate to take appropriate action in the face of violations of any relevant rules" about making public statements that could affect Maxwell's ability to receive a fair trial.
"The Court will ensure strict compliance with those rules and will ensure that the Defendant's right to a fair trial will be safeguarded," Nathan wrote in a filing in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where last week she ordered the 58-year-old Maxwell held without bail, calling her an extreme flight risk.
Maxwell's lawyers on Wednesday had asked Nathan to issue an order prohibiting prosecutors, FBI agents and lawyers for witnesses from making statements about the case outside of the courtroom or in legal filings.
Maxwell's lawyers said in their request that federal prosecutors and witnesses' attorneys "have made, and continue to make, statements prejudicial to a fair trial" for the defendant, who has pleaded not guilty to sex crime and perjury charges.
Maxwell's lawyers noted a local court rule that bars law enforcement officials and lawyers from releasing nonpublic information or opinion which is likely to interfere with a defendant's right to a fair trial.
"It appears that given any opportunity lawyers associated with the prosecution of this case will offer any opinion that damages Ms. Maxwell's opportunity for a fair trial," the filing said.
But in her ruling Thursday, Nathan said that she "firmly expects that counsel for all involved parties will exercise great care to ensure compliance with this Court's local rules ... and the rules of professional responsibility."
"In light of this clear expectation, the Court does not believe that further action is needed at this time to protect the Defendant's right to a fair trial by an impartial jury," Nathan wrote.
The judge's denial of the gag order request was "without prejudice," meaning that Mawell's lawyers can re-file their gag order request if other grounds arise for it in the future.
Those lawyers had asked for the gag order on the same day that President Donald Trump, a former friend of Epstein, said at a White House press conference, "I just wish her well," when asked about Maxwell's criminal case. Trump had socialized with Epstein and Maxwell years ago.


cnbc--2020-07-22--Op-ed: Let's double down on PPP and save America's endangered small businesses

That 's why we 're working to pass legislation that does two things : First , make PPP funds available to eligible businesses through at least the end of this year , and second , authorize a second round of forgivable loans to the businesses most severely impacted by the pandemic .
Federal aid through the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) and other initiatives enacted by Congress has flowed to small businesses like these , but it has been too little for many .
Thankfully , we were able to extend PPP for another five weeks , but many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not survive , and those on the brink tend to have little cash reserves or access to credit .
Across America , these vulnerable small businesses are also disproportionately women- , veteran- , or minority-owned .
Business owners in our beach towns typically endure losses for as many as 10 months of the year , then staff up for a seasonal frenzy that , hopefully , ekes out enough profit to make it to the next year .
For the iconic surf shops , ice cream parlors , and pizza places that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Del .
and Ocean City , Md.
, though , the COVID-19 pandemic has changed all of that .
Along the Eastern Shore beaches that span our home states of Maryland and Delaware , the summer season – usually a boon to our economy – is a shadow of its normal self .
Without aggressive new support for endangered businesses , this flagship relief program will fail to match the nature of this crisis .
We want to double down on PPP because , despite its bumpy beginning , it has clearly worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and job losses .
Because of the work of some 5,500 banks and community financial institutions , small businesses across America were able to access badly needed cash they 're now using to pay or rehire workers and stay afloat .
Now , with recent changes passed by Congress , businesses have additional flexibility in how they use those funds , enabling more to have their loans forgiven .
Most importantly – the money American small businesses need has already been passed by Congress ; because the PPP program still has $ 130 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can handle a second , targeted round of lending , which we 're calling the Prioritized Paycheck Protection Program , or P4 .
The P4 loan would be available to businesses with fewer than 100 employees that experienced a quarterly revenue loss of 50 % or more , relative to the same quarter in 2019 .
The amount of the loan could be just as large as was allowed for the first round of PPP lending .
To make sure that the very smallest employers receive their share of support , our bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 % of the program 's funding , for businesses with 10 or fewer workers .
Without aggressive new support for endangered businesses , this flagship relief program will fail to match the nature of this crisis .
More than half of workers in the arts , entertainment , and recreation industry lost their jobs between February and April , and nearly half of those in accommodation and food services lost their jobs .
Compare these numbers to those of the finance and insurance industry , which shed only 0.5 % of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's clear that business relief should actually be scaled based on need .
Some of our Senate colleagues have envisioned new small business relief programs altogether , but the reality is that the most endangered small businesses need help now and standing up new federal program takes time .
Consider that the Main Street Lending Program , PPP 's cousin set up by the Federal Reserve to aid midsize businesses , is still getting off the ground .
The federal government has provided hundreds of billions of dollars to help American businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's more work left to do .
By simply repurposing money already passed by Congress for another round of targeted aid to small businesses , we can save thousands of endangered small businesses , the jobs they provide , and the American Main Streets and boardwalks they make possible .
Democratic U.S. Sens .
Ben Cardin and Chris Coons represent Maryland and Delaware respectively .

That's why we're working to pass legislation that does two things: First, make PPP funds available to eligible businesses through at least the end of this year, and second, authorize a second round of forgivable loans to the businesses most severely impacted by the pandemic.
Federal aid through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other initiatives enacted by Congress has flowed to small businesses like these, but it has been too little for many. Thankfully, we were able to extend PPP for another five weeks, but many businesses simply are facing the reality they may not survive, and those on the brink tend to have little cash reserves or access to credit. Across America, these vulnerable small businesses are also disproportionately women-, veteran-, or minority-owned.
Business owners in our beach towns typically endure losses for as many as 10 months of the year, then staff up for a seasonal frenzy that, hopefully, ekes out enough profit to make it to the next year. For the iconic surf shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza places that line the boardwalks of Rehoboth Beach, Del. and Ocean City, Md., though, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed all of that.
Along the Eastern Shore beaches that span our home states of Maryland and Delaware, the summer season – usually a boon to our economy – is a shadow of its normal self.
Without aggressive new support for endangered businesses, this flagship relief program will fail to match the nature of this crisis.
We want to double down on PPP because, despite its bumpy beginning, it has clearly worked and staved off millions of business closures and job losses. Because of the work of some 5,500 banks and community financial institutions, small businesses across America were able to access badly needed cash they're now using to pay or rehire workers and stay afloat.
Now, with recent changes passed by Congress, businesses have additional flexibility in how they use those funds, enabling more to have their loans forgiven. Most importantly – the money American small businesses need has already been passed by Congress; because the PPP program still has $130 billion in unspent funds, the program can handle a second, targeted round of lending, which we're calling the Prioritized Paycheck Protection Program, or P4.
The P4 loan would be available to businesses with fewer than 100 employees that experienced a quarterly revenue loss of 50% or more, relative to the same quarter in 2019. The amount of the loan could be just as large as was allowed for the first round of PPP lending. To make sure that the very smallest employers receive their share of support, our bill reserves either $25 billion, or 20% of the program's funding, for businesses with 10 or fewer workers.
Without aggressive new support for endangered businesses, this flagship relief program will fail to match the nature of this crisis.
More than half of workers in the arts, entertainment, and recreation industry lost their jobs between February and April, and nearly half of those in accommodation and food services lost their jobs. Compare these numbers to those of the finance and insurance industry, which shed only 0.5% of its jobs in the same period, and it's clear that business relief should actually be scaled based on need.
Some of our Senate colleagues have envisioned new small business relief programs altogether, but the reality is that the most endangered small businesses need help now and standing up new federal program takes time. Consider that the Main Street Lending Program, PPP's cousin set up by the Federal Reserve to aid midsize businesses, is still getting off the ground.
The federal government has provided hundreds of billions of dollars to help American businesses get through this crisis, but there's more work left to do. By simply repurposing money already passed by Congress for another round of targeted aid to small businesses, we can save thousands of endangered small businesses, the jobs they provide, and the American Main Streets and boardwalks they make possible.
Democratic U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Coons represent Maryland and Delaware respectively.


cnbc--2020-07-22--State Department orders China to close consulate in Houston — China vows retaliation

The State Department confirmed on Wednesday the U.S. has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston , prompting Beijing to insist on firm countermeasures unless Washington immediately reverses its decision .
The move is an escalation of political tensions between the world 's two largest economies .
State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the directive to close China 's consulate general Houston was made to protect American intellectual property and the private information of its citizens .
The Vienna Convention says diplomats must `` respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State '' and `` have a duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that State , '' Ortagus continued .
She added that Washington would not tolerate the People 's Republic of China 's violations of U.S. sovereignty and intimidation of our people , just as we have not tolerated the PRC 's unfair trade practices , theft of American jobs , and other egregious behavior .
China condemned the decision , warning of firm countermeasures if the U.S. fails to urgently rescind the order .
`` The unilateral closure of China 's consulate general in Houston within a short period of time is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , '' Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily news briefing , The Associated Press reported .
Washington has given China three days to close the consulate in the fourth largest U.S. city , China 's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said .
Alongside the embassy in Beijing , the U.S. has five consulates in mainland China , according to its website , in Chengdu , Guangzhou , Shanghai , Shenyang and Wuhan , where the coronavirus pandemic started .
A possible closure of the Wuhan consulate could complicate efforts to share @ @ @ @ @


cnbc--2020-07-22--Schumer demands action on coronavirus relief as GOP mulls temporary unemployment benefit extension

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) speaks to reporters during a news conference on Democrats ' demand for an extension of eviction protections in the next coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) aid bill on Capitol Hill in Washington , July 22 , 2020 .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer chided Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for a lack of urgency Wednesday as Republicans try to craft a coronavirus relief bill with only days until financial lifelines expire .
Senate Republicans , meanwhile , have discussed a short-term extension of enhanced unemployment benefits .
In Senate floor remarks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's delays in releasing a plan meant to kickstart negotiations with Democrats would inflict financial pain on Americans struggling to cover costs during the outbreak .
He contended that earlier McConnell remarks that touched on the National Defense Authorization Act and `` cancel culture '' — but not coronavirus aid — showed disorganization within the Republican Party .
`` When Leader McConnell at this crucial moment ca n't even mention [ Covid-19 ] , it shows what a knot the Republicans are tied in , '' Schumer said .
On Tuesday , McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to `` introduce a bill in the next few days that is a starting place '' for talks on a final plan that could pass the GOP-controlled Senate and Democratic-held House .
But congressional leaders indicated that legislation likely would not pass until August — after a federal moratorium on evictions and the $ 600 per week enhanced federal unemployment benefit expire at the end of next week .
McConnell acknowledged Tuesday that his developing proposal `` enjoys fairly significant support among Republican senators , '' but `` probably not everyone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the White House , which wants a payroll tax holiday that 's unpopular on Capitol Hill and to stop additional funding for coronavirus testing .
Leaders of both parties in Congress want more federal money for testing .
Congress ' failure to come to a relief agreement nearly three months since it last passed a coronavirus aid bill threatens to upend stabilizing measures including the extra jobless benefit and eviction moratorium as the U.S. jobless rate stands above 11 % .
The talks come as U.S. Covid-19 cases approach 4 million and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly that even President Donald Trump admitted it is getting worse after weeks of denying its severity .
On Wednesday , Schumer stressed the need to act on legislation `` as we 're on the edge of so many cliffs . ''
A spokesman for McConnell did not immediately respond to a request to comment on Schumer 's remarks .
Republicans and Democrats have to resolve several major issues before they can approve a rescue bill .
Democrats want to either extend the unemployment benefit outright or phase it out as state unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce the sum .
Senate Republicans are discussing the possibility of passing a separate short-term extension of the benefit , which expires at the end of the month , as lawmakers struggle to reach a consensus on broader legislation , NBC News reported , citing three senators .
It is unclear how they would structure the assistance or for how long , and lawmakers have made no final decisions .
Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , said he is `` open '' to a temporary extension of enhanced unemployment insurance , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Wyo.
, added that `` discussions come down to both the duration and at what price point . ''
But Democrats , who have pushed to extend the assistance at least into next year , are unlikely to embrace a temporary fix .
In a statement , Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , said , `` Republicans have had months to propose a plan for extending supercharged unemployment benefits , and they still have nothing to offer . ''
He pushed to tie an ongoing unemployment insurance boost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced with Schumer earlier this year would do .
Democrats also want to approve new relief for states and municipalities , along with rent and mortgage assistance .
GOP leaders have indicated they instead want to give state and local governments more flexibility in how they spend existing federal aid dollars , and have not mentioned the possibility of more housing relief in recent days .
While both parties back another round of direct payments to individuals , it is unclear if Congress will send money as widely as it did when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March .
The GOP has also insisted on liability protections for businesses , doctors and universities , which McConnell has described as a red line in negotiations .
He also said the Republican proposal would include $ 105 billion to help reopen schools in the fall .

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters during a news conference on Democrats' demand for an extension of eviction protections in the next coronavirus disease (Covid-19) aid bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 22, 2020.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer chided Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for a lack of urgency Wednesday as Republicans try to craft a coronavirus relief bill with only days until financial lifelines expire.
Senate Republicans, meanwhile, have discussed a short-term extension of enhanced unemployment benefits.
In Senate floor remarks, the New York Democrat said the GOP's delays in releasing a plan meant to kickstart negotiations with Democrats would inflict financial pain on Americans struggling to cover costs during the outbreak. He contended that earlier McConnell remarks that touched on the National Defense Authorization Act and "cancel culture" — but not coronavirus aid — showed disorganization within the Republican Party.
"When Leader McConnell at this crucial moment can't even mention [Covid-19], it shows what a knot the Republicans are tied in," Schumer said.
On Tuesday, McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said he planned to "introduce a bill in the next few days that is a starting place" for talks on a final plan that could pass the GOP-controlled Senate and Democratic-held House. But congressional leaders indicated that legislation likely would not pass until August — after a federal moratorium on evictions and the $600 per week enhanced federal unemployment benefit expire at the end of next week.
McConnell acknowledged Tuesday that his developing proposal "enjoys fairly significant support among Republican senators," but "probably not everyone." GOP lawmakers have to resolve differences with the White House, which wants a payroll tax holiday that's unpopular on Capitol Hill and to stop additional funding for coronavirus testing. Leaders of both parties in Congress want more federal money for testing.
Congress' failure to come to a relief agreement nearly three months since it last passed a coronavirus aid bill threatens to upend stabilizing measures including the extra jobless benefit and eviction moratorium as the U.S. jobless rate stands above 11%. The talks come as U.S. Covid-19 cases approach 4 million and deaths top 142,000, a crisis so deadly that even President Donald Trump admitted it is getting worse after weeks of denying its severity.
On Wednesday, Schumer stressed the need to act on legislation "as we're on the edge of so many cliffs."
A spokesman for McConnell did not immediately respond to a request to comment on Schumer's remarks.
Republicans and Democrats have to resolve several major issues before they can approve a rescue bill. Democrats want to either extend the unemployment benefit outright or phase it out as state unemployment rates fall, while the GOP aims to reduce the sum.
Senate Republicans are discussing the possibility of passing a separate short-term extension of the benefit, which expires at the end of the month, as lawmakers struggle to reach a consensus on broader legislation, NBC News reported, citing three senators. It is unclear how they would structure the assistance or for how long, and lawmakers have made no final decisions.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he is "open" to a temporary extension of enhanced unemployment insurance, according to NBC. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., added that "discussions come down to both the duration and at what price point."
But Democrats, who have pushed to extend the assistance at least into next year, are unlikely to embrace a temporary fix. In a statement, Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said, "Republicans have had months to propose a plan for extending supercharged unemployment benefits, and they still have nothing to offer." He pushed to tie an ongoing unemployment insurance boost to economic conditions, which a bill he introduced with Schumer earlier this year would do.
Democrats also want to approve new relief for states and municipalities, along with rent and mortgage assistance. GOP leaders have indicated they instead want to give state and local governments more flexibility in how they spend existing federal aid dollars, and have not mentioned the possibility of more housing relief in recent days.
While both parties back another round of direct payments to individuals, it is unclear if Congress will send money as widely as it did when it approved checks of up to $1,200 in March.
The GOP has also insisted on liability protections for businesses, doctors and universities, which McConnell has described as a red line in negotiations.
He also said the Republican proposal would include $105 billion to help reopen schools in the fall.
CORRECTION: A photo caption in this story has been updated to show that Chuck Schumer is Senate Minority Leader.
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