cnbc--2020-04-18--Trump demands states 'LIBERATE' after he issues new coronavirus guidelines and protests pop up

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

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


cnbc--2020-04-17--Op-Ed: We haven't shaken the rust off the Rust Belt

One thing is certain – Covid-19 has drastically changed the way Americans go about their daily lives .
From rethinking that trip to the grocery store to working from home for the foreseeable future , life as we know it is different .
As a result , the U.S. and world economies are suffering .
In the midst of this pandemic , the U.S. stock market experienced historic losses and unemployment claims have crushed previous records , leading economists to brace for `` the deepest recession on record . ''
But here 's the thing .
In certain parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other rural areas , things have n't been good for a while , despite President Donald Trump 's claims that manufacturing is up .
In fact , U.S. manufacturing activity is at its lowest level in more than a decade and manufacturing jobs continue to decline month over month .
Further , rural areas still have higher rates of poverty when compared to urban areas and farm debt continues to increase and hit historic highs .
In response to Covid-19 , Congress has passed three stimulus packages aimed at helping Americans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there are talks of a fourth infrastructure-focused package .
But before that can happen , the first three stimulus packages need to start working .
That means Americans need to receive their direct payments as soon as possible , unemployment claims need to start being processed in a timely fashion , and small businesses need to receive loans so they can keep their doors open and their employees paid .
Once that happens , the conversation around the fourth stimulus package should address correcting the underlying issues faced by those in rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty levels in rural areas , more reliance on WIC and SNAP benefits , and less access to health care .
More so , special attention needs to be given to small , rural businesses .
To do so , more banks and lenders in rural areas need to be certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as 7 ( a ) lenders in order to quickly process loan applications from small businesses .
And as congressional Democrats look to the fourth package as a way to steer more money into infrastructure projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effects of COVID-19 , the needs of rural America and Rust Belt states must be included .
In order to have a successful fourth stimulus package , it must include funding for rural broadband infrastructure , funds to create an affordable and reliable power grid , and increased budgets to improve our nation 's roads , bridges , and transit networks .
These projects will not only put thousands of Americans back to work , they would also help shake the rust off the Rust Belt .
With more and more companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students to work from home , a strong , reliable broadband infrastructure needs to be prioritized .
Only 63 percent of rural Americans have a broadband connection at home , and they are 12 percent less likely than other Americans to even have an internet connection .
School districts are scrambling to shift to online learning , and for those in rural areas , are scrambling to teach students who do n't have access to the internet .
During this pandemic , it is clear internet access is now a basic need , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has access to it .
It 's not just broadband infrastructure that needs improving in rural areas , it 's power infrastructure too .
Without a strong power grid , no other industry can thrive .
According to the Department of Homeland Security , `` Without a stable energy supply , health and welfare are threatened , and the U.S. economy can not function . ''
With more Americans forced to stay home due to shelter-in-place and stay at home orders , the United States needs to ensure every home across America is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and keep them on .
Finally , we need a transportation system that works .
Roads and highways need to be repaired and bridges and tunnels need to be structurally sound .
Without a well-oiled network of roads , bridges , and railways , we can not transport the made in America goods manufactured by those in Rust Belt states and the agricultural products that keeps Americans , and the world , fed .
A crumbling infrastructure risks putting dents into an already fragile supply chain .
Infrastructure has been a traditionally bipartisan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans need Congress to come together to agree on a fourth stimulus package that stems the bleeding caused by the COVID-19 pandemic coming from Rust Belt states and other rural areas – but we also need a plan that ensures the sustainability and modernization of Rust Belt states .
We can only hope Trump puts his false claims aside and realizes that rural communities in our country 's Midwest needs our help , and fast .
Heidi Heitkamp served as the first female senator from North Dakota from 2013-2019 .

Bethlehem Steel's massive furnace remains closed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Andrew Lichtenstein | Corbis via Getty Images
One thing is certain – Covid-19 has drastically changed the way Americans go about their daily lives. From rethinking that trip to the grocery store to working from home for the foreseeable future, life as we know it is different. As a result, the U.S. and world economies are suffering. In the midst of this pandemic, the U.S. stock market experienced historic losses and unemployment claims have crushed previous records, leading economists to brace for "the deepest recession on record." But here's the thing. In certain parts of the U.S., like the Rust Belt and other rural areas, things haven't been good for a while, despite President Donald Trump's claims that manufacturing is up. In fact, U.S. manufacturing activity is at its lowest level in more than a decade and manufacturing jobs continue to decline month over month. Further, rural areas still have higher rates of poverty when compared to urban areas and farm debt continues to increase and hit historic highs. In response to Covid-19, Congress has passed three stimulus packages aimed at helping Americans, businesses, and the economy generally, and there are talks of a fourth infrastructure-focused package. But before that can happen, the first three stimulus packages need to start working. That means Americans need to receive their direct payments as soon as possible, unemployment claims need to start being processed in a timely fashion, and small businesses need to receive loans so they can keep their doors open and their employees paid.
Focus on rural America
Once that happens, the conversation around the fourth stimulus package should address correcting the underlying issues faced by those in rural areas. This means accounting for higher poverty levels in rural areas, more reliance on WIC and SNAP benefits, and less access to health care. More so, special attention needs to be given to small, rural businesses. To do so, more banks and lenders in rural areas need to be certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as 7(a) lenders in order to quickly process loan applications from small businesses. And as congressional Democrats look to the fourth package as a way to steer more money into infrastructure projects and help the economy slowly recover from the effects of COVID-19, the needs of rural America and Rust Belt states must be included. In order to have a successful fourth stimulus package, it must include funding for rural broadband infrastructure, funds to create an affordable and reliable power grid, and increased budgets to improve our nation's roads, bridges, and transit networks. These projects will not only put thousands of Americans back to work, they would also help shake the rust off the Rust Belt. With more and more companies and schools relying on their workers and students to work from home, a strong, reliable broadband infrastructure needs to be prioritized. Only 63 percent of rural Americans have a broadband connection at home, and they are 12 percent less likely than other Americans to even have an internet connection. School districts are scrambling to shift to online learning, and for those in rural areas, are scrambling to teach students who don't have access to the internet. During this pandemic, it is clear internet access is now a basic need, and that means making sure every American has access to it.
Connecting to the grid


cnbc--2020-04-17--Trump and Cuomo fight over federal assistance on coronavirus: 'This is mayhem'

The federal government had provided `` zero , zilch , nada in unrestricted aid '' in its first three Covid-19 rescue bills even as it asks states to up their efforts , Cuomo said .
Cuomo , a Democrat , complained that the guidelines Trump announced the day before , which shifted the onus of reopening parts of the economy to the states , amounted to passing the buck `` without passing the bucks . ''
The back-and-forth kicked off after the president responded on Twitter to comments Cuomo made during a press briefing on the public health crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Andrew Cuomo resumed their war of words on Friday over the federal government 's efforts to provide assistance to the state as it struggles to contain the coronavirus .
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gives his a press briefing about the coronavirus crisis on April 17 , 2020 in Albany , New York .
`` The state should this , the state should this , the state should this .
Yes , well , what support have you given the states ? ''
Cuomo said .
`` None .
How can that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complained that the federal government was competing with states to buy coronavirus testing kits .
`` This is mayhem , '' Cuomo said .
`` We need a coordinated approach between the federal government and the states . ''
The president took to Twitter even as Cuomo was speaking , writing : `` Governor Cuomo should spend more time 'doing ' and less time complaining ' .
Get out there and get the job done .
Stop talking ! ''
`` We built you thousands of hospital beds that you did n't need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ventilators that you should have had , and helped you with testing that you should be doing , '' Trump continued .
`` We have given New York far more money , help and equipment than any other state , by far , & these great men & women who did the job never hear you say thanks , '' he wrote .
`` Your numbers are not good .
Less talk and more action ! ''
The two New Yorkers have feuded throughout the crisis even as the state became the hardest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12,000 in New York have died from Covid-19 , according to state health officials .
The number dying per day has remained largely flat , Cuomo said Friday , noting that 630 had died from coronavirus the day before .
Pressed by reporters to respond to Trump 's commentary , Cuomo said it was true that the state did not end up needing all of the hospital beds that it had asked for , but noted that the projections were from the White House , not New York .
`` The number came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he should read the reports he issues , Cuomo said .
`` Were we foolish for relying on your projections , Mr .
President ? ''
Cuomo said that if Trump wanted to punish someone over those projections , he could start by firing members of his coronavirus task force , the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and White House trade advisor Peter Navarro , who wrote memos in January and February warning of a devastating toll from the virus .
The governor also thanked the White House for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing its role in establishing a temporary hospital at the Javits Center , sending the Navy hospital ship , Comfort , and for helping source protective medical gear and ventilators .
But he said that providing such assistance came with the job .
`` I 've said a number of times : What am I supposed to do , send a bouquet of flowers ? ''
Cuomo said .
And , he added , the crisis was not yet over , and New York needed more help .
At the moment , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the federal government is help with testing .
`` I do n't care about his politics , but if we do n't have federal help on testing , that is a real problem , '' Cuomo said .
Trump , in another tweet Friday , put that responsibility on the states .

The federal government had provided "zero, zilch, nada in unrestricted aid" in its first three Covid-19 rescue bills even as it asks states to up their efforts, Cuomo said.
Cuomo, a Democrat, complained that the guidelines Trump announced the day before, which shifted the onus of reopening parts of the economy to the states, amounted to passing the buck "without passing the bucks."
The back-and-forth kicked off after the president responded on Twitter to comments Cuomo made during a press briefing on the public health crisis.
President Donald Trump and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo resumed their war of words on Friday over the federal government's efforts to provide assistance to the state as it struggles to contain the coronavirus.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gives his a press briefing about the coronavirus crisis on April 17, 2020 in Albany, New York.
"The state should this, the state should this, the state should this. Yes, well, what support have you given the states?" Cuomo said. "None. How can that even be?"
The governor also complained that the federal government was competing with states to buy coronavirus testing kits.
"This is mayhem," Cuomo said. "We need a coordinated approach between the federal government and the states."
The president took to Twitter even as Cuomo was speaking, writing: "Governor Cuomo should spend more time 'doing' and less time complaining'. Get out there and get the job done. Stop talking!"
Trump tweet
"We built you thousands of hospital beds that you didn't need or use, gave large numbers of Ventilators that you should have had, and helped you with testing that you should be doing," Trump continued.
"We have given New York far more money, help and equipment than any other state, by far, & these great men & women who did the job never hear you say thanks," he wrote. "Your numbers are not good. Less talk and more action!"
The two New Yorkers have feuded throughout the crisis even as the state became the hardest hit in the nation. More than 12,000 in New York have died from Covid-19, according to state health officials. The number dying per day has remained largely flat, Cuomo said Friday, noting that 630 had died from coronavirus the day before.
Pressed by reporters to respond to Trump's commentary, Cuomo said it was true that the state did not end up needing all of the hospital beds that it had asked for, but noted that the projections were from the White House, not New York.
"The number came from a projection from him. So he should read the reports he issues, Cuomo said. "Were we foolish for relying on your projections, Mr. President?"
Cuomo said that if Trump wanted to punish someone over those projections, he could start by firing members of his coronavirus task force, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, who wrote memos in January and February warning of a devastating toll from the virus.
The governor also thanked the White House for the assistance it had already provided, citing its role in establishing a temporary hospital at the Javits Center, sending the Navy hospital ship, Comfort, and for helping source protective medical gear and ventilators.
But he said that providing such assistance came with the job.
"I've said a number of times: What am I supposed to do, send a bouquet of flowers?" Cuomo said.
And, he added, the crisis was not yet over, and New York needed more help. At the moment, he said, what the state needs most from the federal government is help with testing.
"I don't care about his politics, but if we don't have federal help on testing, that is a real problem," Cuomo said.
Trump, in another tweet Friday, put that responsibility on the states.
TWEET


cnbc--2020-04-17--Coronavirus bill talks will go through the weekend after small business funds dry up, Schumer says

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) makes a statement after meetings to wrap up work on coronavirus economic aid legislation , during the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak , in Washington , U.S. , March 22 , 2020 .
Congressional Democrats and the Trump administration will talk through the weekend to try to strike a deal on an emergency bill to replenish a program to buoy small businesses pummeled by the coronavirus , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Friday .
The New York Democrat sounded optimistic about reaching an agreement a day after the Small Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program approved last month had reached its cap of commitments .
Senate Republicans tried to pass a plan last week to inject $ 250 billion more into it , but Democrats blocked it as they pushed for tweaks to the program along with funding for hospitals and state and local governments .
It is unclear how many small businesses have received money from the program .
Staff from Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's offices have held discussions with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin this week on an interim rescue bill — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support .
`` We 've had constructive talks .
They 're going to continue through the weekend , and I do n't see any reason why we ca n't come to an agreement soon , '' Schumer told the MSNBC program `` Morning Joe . ''
Schumer has faced criticism for delaying more funding for the program , which is designed to keep workers on small business payrolls .
On Friday , he said , `` it 's vital we help small business , but if we do n't deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't deal with local government problems , small business may have enough money to get back , although we 've got to fix that program , but people wo n't go out on the streets . ''
The senator noted that President Donald Trump sounded more hopeful about talks on Thursday night .
At a White House coronavirus briefing , the president said he expected `` something 's going to be happening . ''
Democrats pushed for at least another $ 250 billion for hospitals , states and municipalities fighting the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also wanted to put only $ 125 billion directly into the existing small business loan program , and direct another $ 125 billion to community-based lenders and SBA disaster assistance loans and grants .
The party 's leaders have said the structure of the relief in the $ 2 trillion package passed last month left out businesses who do not already have a banking relationship .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) makes a statement after meetings to wrap up work on coronavirus economic aid legislation, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2020.
Congressional Democrats and the Trump administration will talk through the weekend to try to strike a deal on an emergency bill to replenish a program to buoy small businesses pummeled by the coronavirus, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Friday.
The New York Democrat sounded optimistic about reaching an agreement a day after the Small Business Administration said the $349 billion loan program approved last month had reached its cap of commitments. Senate Republicans tried to pass a plan last week to inject $250 billion more into it, but Democrats blocked it as they pushed for tweaks to the program along with funding for hospitals and state and local governments.
It is unclear how many small businesses have received money from the program.
Staff from Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's offices have held discussions with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin this week on an interim rescue bill — which Senate Republicans may or may not choose to support.
"We've had constructive talks. They're going to continue through the weekend, and I don't see any reason why we can't come to an agreement soon," Schumer told the MSNBC program "Morning Joe."
Schumer has faced criticism for delaying more funding for the program, which is designed to keep workers on small business payrolls. On Friday, he said, "it's vital we help small business, but if we don't deal with the testing and health-care problems, if we don't deal with local government problems, small business may have enough money to get back, although we've got to fix that program, but people won't go out on the streets."
The senator noted that President Donald Trump sounded more hopeful about talks on Thursday night. At a White House coronavirus briefing, the president said he expected "something's going to be happening."
Democrats pushed for at least another $250 billion for hospitals, states and municipalities fighting the pandemic, along with food assistance programs. They also wanted to put only $125 billion directly into the existing small business loan program, and direct another $125 billion to community-based lenders and SBA disaster assistance loans and grants.
The party's leaders have said the structure of the relief in the $2 trillion package passed last month left out businesses who do not already have a banking relationship.


cnbc--2020-04-17--Op-Ed: The smart way to get US employees back to work

The coronavirus outbreak is creating widespread suffering and uncertainty as the nation grapples with grave and interconnected challenges to our health and economy .
We are a long way from returning to full employment .
Missing in the planning to return to work is a response to a very fundamental challenge : how do we ensure that the return to economic activity better positions American workers for success – particularly those most profoundly hurt by this pandemic .
One key way to achieve this is to provide effective training to move to better jobs .
The businesses that come back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that means disruption to the jobs that employers will fill .
There will not be a perfect match between those who can safely return to work and the workers who are needed for the businesses ready to reopen .
America needs a plan to skill up the workers it will take to reopen .
President Donald Trump has announced a task force to get America back to work ; former Vice President and apparent Democratic nominee Joe Biden has written an op-ed framing his views ; and governors have begun to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ideas have included removing restrictions based on the local severity of the disease , allowing people to come back to work in waves based on their risk profile , or first reopening certain sectors that can maintain social distancing .
While we do n't know when health realities will make it viable to resume economic activity , it is critical for our nation 's leaders to start planning immediately to increase the chances of success for workers as well as businesses .
Of course , the goal has to be to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their prior jobs , and to provide income support for those who do n't have that opportunity .
But the disruption to the workforce is profound and additional action is essential .
The Wall Street Journal reported that `` we have already seen the fastest reallocation of labor since WWII . ''
Government leadership is needed to identify which sectors or geographies are most necessary to bring back first , the characteristics of their work force and the skills needed for the most critical jobs , and how we can get available workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
Many businesses will not reopen and others will shrink dramatically , leaving many workers disconnected from good jobs .
Other workers may choose not to pursue their previous role .
For those who can not regain their previous role or want to pursue a better opportunity , federal policy should empower them with information and training to pursue the good jobs that become available as some sectors surge and others collapse .
This is a short-term imperative and a long-term objective .
It would be tragic if we failed to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can pursue higher paying jobs in the labor market ahead .
This moment will either widen the divide in opportunity or make the first break at narrowing it .
First , within the context of public health realities , what jobs will come back first , and what skills are required to actually perform those jobs successfully ?
In the short-term those may be critical jobs in healthcare and other sectors that are needed for the public health response or community safety .
In the next wave , some jobs will come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in place .
In the longer term , entirely new trends will change the direction of industries and sectors , increasing the demand for some skill sets while decreasing others .
Second , who can fill these jobs , and what skills do they have ?
Again , the answer has to take into account who can first return to work without health risks .
The federal and state governments can use their job boards in partnership with on-line job search sites to make transparent to workers the skills in demand so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sectors in which they have not previously worked .
Third , how can we address the mismatch by powering rapid learning for available workers tied to available jobs ?
Many employers use online learning delivery partners today and we need to scale the availability of that training and provide the funds workers need to pursue it .
Australia is ahead of us in pursuing this in response to Covid-19 .
We should consider a major federal program to increase funding for unemployed or furloughed workers to help them access online education and training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should partner in providing training .
Companies like Verizon have already found that transitioning people has required rapid online retraining .
We can scale current programs with a track record of helping participants get good jobs with higher wages or by encouraging the creation of new programs where there is unmet need .
Effective digital learning should be made available to people who want to pursue both non-degree and degree programs .
Colleges are ramping up on-line courses .
Organizations like Per Scholas and Year Up have been helping people get into in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade .
Companies like IBM , Google , Microsoft and LinkedIn are also offering training programs to people outside of their company to help them prepare for technology jobs .
Our nation 's future health and prosperity will be shaped by the decisions our leaders make today .
Understanding and addressing the critical need our workforce has to train for the most valuable work in the economy ahead is an essential component of any plan to reopen businesses .
Workers must be better prepared to fill higher value jobs , strengthening both their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success .
Zoe Baird is the CEO and president of the Markle Foundation .
David Marsh is the senior manager for state and federal policy at the Markle Foundation .

A worker helps a customer at the Presidente Supermarket in Miami on April 13, 2020. Joe Raedle | Getty Images
The coronavirus outbreak is creating widespread suffering and uncertainty as the nation grapples with grave and interconnected challenges to our health and economy. We are a long way from returning to full employment. Missing in the planning to return to work is a response to a very fundamental challenge: how do we ensure that the return to economic activity better positions American workers for success – particularly those most profoundly hurt by this pandemic. One key way to achieve this is to provide effective training to move to better jobs. The businesses that come back will not look like the businesses before, and that means disruption to the jobs that employers will fill. There will not be a perfect match between those who can safely return to work and the workers who are needed for the businesses ready to reopen. America needs a plan to skill up the workers it will take to reopen. President Donald Trump has announced a task force to get America back to work; former Vice President and apparent Democratic nominee Joe Biden has written an op-ed framing his views; and governors have begun to form alliances to plan reopening their economies. Ideas have included removing restrictions based on the local severity of the disease, allowing people to come back to work in waves based on their risk profile, or first reopening certain sectors that can maintain social distancing. While we don't know when health realities will make it viable to resume economic activity, it is critical for our nation's leaders to start planning immediately to increase the chances of success for workers as well as businesses. Of course, the goal has to be to get as many workers as possible back into their prior jobs, and to provide income support for those who don't have that opportunity. But the disruption to the workforce is profound and additional action is essential.
While we don't know when health realities will make it viable to resume economic activity, it is critical for our nation's leaders to start planning immediately to increase the chances of success for workers as well as businesses.
The Wall Street Journal reported that "we have already seen the fastest reallocation of labor since WWII." Government leadership is needed to identify which sectors or geographies are most necessary to bring back first, the characteristics of their work force and the skills needed for the most critical jobs, and how we can get available workers the training they need to perform that work. Many businesses will not reopen and others will shrink dramatically, leaving many workers disconnected from good jobs. Other workers may choose not to pursue their previous role. For those who cannot regain their previous role or want to pursue a better opportunity, federal policy should empower them with information and training to pursue the good jobs that become available as some sectors surge and others collapse. This is a short-term imperative and a long-term objective. It would be tragic if we failed to use this moment to get people training so they can pursue higher paying jobs in the labor market ahead. This moment will either widen the divide in opportunity or make the first break at narrowing it. Where to start? First, within the context of public health realities, what jobs will come back first, and what skills are required to actually perform those jobs successfully? In the short-term those may be critical jobs in healthcare and other sectors that are needed for the public health response or community safety. In the next wave, some jobs will come back with some level of social distancing still in place. In the longer term, entirely new trends will change the direction of industries and sectors, increasing the demand for some skill sets while decreasing others. Second, who can fill these jobs, and what skills do they have? Again, the answer has to take into account who can first return to work without health risks. The federal and state governments can use their job boards in partnership with on-line job search sites to make transparent to workers the skills in demand so people can apply for jobs perhaps in sectors in which they have not previously worked. Third, how can we address the mismatch by powering rapid learning for available workers tied to available jobs? Many employers use online learning delivery partners today and we need to scale the availability of that training and provide the funds workers need to pursue it. Australia is ahead of us in pursuing this in response to Covid-19.
Money for training


cnbc--2020-04-17--Trump issues guidelines to open up parts of US where coronavirus cases are in decline, testing rampe

Trump issues guidelines to open up parts of US where coronavirus cases are in decline, testing ramped up

President Donald Trump unveiled broad new federal guidelines Thursday that lay out conditions for parts of the U.S. to start relaxing some of the strict social distancing measures imposed to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
The 18-page plan for `` Opening Up America Again '' identifies the circumstances necessary for areas of the country to allow employees to start returning to work – but the decision to lift restrictions will ultimately be made by state governors .
Click here to read the new federal guidelines .
`` We must have a working economy .
And we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very quickly .
And that 's what 's going to happen , '' Trump said at a White House press briefing after announcing the new guidance .
As many as 29 states `` will be able to open relatively soon , '' Trump said later in the briefing .
`` We have a lot of states that , through location , through luck and also through a lot of talent ... are in a very good position . ''
But `` it could be that sometime in the fall there could be some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president added .
States , which have imposed their own containment measures to try to slow the spread of the disease , are not legally required to follow the White House 's instructions .
But the new guidance nevertheless ramps up pressure on governors to loosen their restrictions , even as health experts and business leaders alike warn that widespread testing systems are needed before Americans can safely start returning to their normal lives .
`` America wants to be open and Americans want to be open , '' Trump said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of the world , and we closed it in order to win this war .
And we 're in the process of winning now . ''
Despite the president saying earlier this week that he believed some states may be able to `` reopen '' their economies before May , the White House guidelines do not offer any specific dates .
Rather , the plan lays out three `` phases '' aimed at guiding parts of the country to move incrementally toward loosening restrictions on businesses and individuals .
Before entering the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of cases , positive tests and reports of flu- or Covid 19-like symptoms in a state or region should be trending downward .
There should also be a `` robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers , including emerging antibody testing , '' according to the guidelines .
Phase One of the plan says that `` all vulnerable individuals '' should continue to shelter in place , and it encourages everyone to maintain various social distancing practices when in public .
But it also advises employers to `` return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while taking precautions such as closing common areas and minimizing nonessential travel .
Phase Two , which begins in areas with `` no evidence of a rebound '' in cases , further loosens the restrictions .
Even by the final phase , however , the guidelines still suggest that low-risk individuals `` consider minimizing time spent in crowded environments '' – an indication that a return to daily life untainted by the coronavirus may not be coming for a long time , if at all .
The guidelines also list `` Core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ section on so-called contact tracing , the process of pinpointing the interactions an infected person has had in order to trace the path of the disease .
The plan is a `` natural evolution from what we have said before , '' said Dr. Anthony Fauci , a top health expert on the White House coronavirus task force and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
`` By the time we get into the fall , I think we 're going to be in pretty good shape , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined to declare a nationwide lockdown order , opting instead to issue nonbinding social distancing guidelines that were originally set to expire at the end of March .
The president even said last month that he hoped to see `` packed churches '' on Easter Sunday – a comment quickly condemned by health experts .
The White House later revised its timeline , extending the guidance through the end of April .
But at a coronavirus press briefing Tuesday , Trump said he expects that some of the less-affected states will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The availability of coronavirus tests remains a key issue , however .
While roughly 120,000 to 140,000 Covid-19 tests are reportedly taken each day in the U.S. – about 3.5 million tests in total so far , Trump said – that rate lags behind other countries on a per-capita basis .
Without being able to screen employees and customers for the virus , Americans wo n't be `` confident enough to return to work , eat at restaurants or shop in retail establishments , '' business executives told the president Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In phone conferences earlier Thursday , Democratic House and Senate members urged Trump to wait for Covid-19 testing to become more widely available before giving advice on reopening the economy , NBC reported .
But Trump pushed back , insisting that the economy must be reopened first , according to NBC .
The Infectious Diseases Society of America , meanwhile , recommended Thursday that government leaders should only start changing their social distancing policies `` when widespread testing allows accurate surveillance of the coronavirus spread . ''
A `` significant expansion '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed before the country can safely be reopened , the organization said .
Trump had previously asserted `` total '' authority over the country 's reopening .
Legal experts say that claim is false because the federal government ca n't override state-issued public health rules – and since the White House never imposed any social distancing measures itself , there 's nothing for it to reverse now .
Governors have implemented unprecedented restrictions to try to contain the spread of the virus .
Nonessential businesses have been forced to shutter their doors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been ordered to stay in their homes except to perform necessary activities .
Those policies are working , say governors such as Andrew Cuomo of New York , the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak in the U.S. Cuomo has pointed to the recent decline in daily numbers of intubations and hospitalizations as evidence that widespread adherence to social distancing works .
But Cuomo on Thursday extended his state 's strict containment measures through May 15 and expanded his order for people to wear masks in public .
The global efforts to blunt the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and ravaged the economy .
In just four weeks , the U.S. has erased virtually all the jobs gained since the Great Recession , according to Labor Department figures released Thursday .
The coronavirus first appeared near the city of Wuhan in China 's Hubei province .
It has since spread around the world , infecting more than 2 million people and killing at least 138,008 , data from Johns Hopkins University show .
The U.S. has reported more Covid-19 cases and deaths than any other country .
More than 639,600 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died from the virus , according to Johns Hopkins .
On Monday , numerous states banded together to form their own working groups focused on coordinating their actions to combat the crisis and developing plans for reviving their economies .
Still , Trump said a day later that he will be `` authorizing each individual governor of each individual state to implement a reopening and a very powerful reopening plan of their state at a time and in a manner as most appropriate . ''
-- CNBC 's Amanda Macias , Tucker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .

watch now
President Donald Trump unveiled broad new federal guidelines Thursday that lay out conditions for parts of the U.S. to start relaxing some of the strict social distancing measures imposed to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The 18-page plan for "Opening Up America Again" identifies the circumstances necessary for areas of the country to allow employees to start returning to work – but the decision to lift restrictions will ultimately be made by state governors. Click here to read the new federal guidelines. "We must have a working economy. And we want to get it back. Very, very quickly. And that's what's going to happen," Trump said at a White House press briefing after announcing the new guidance. As many as 29 states "will be able to open relatively soon," Trump said later in the briefing. "We have a lot of states that, through location, through luck and also through a lot of talent ... are in a very good position." But "it could be that sometime in the fall there could be some flare-ups" of the virus, the president added. States, which have imposed their own containment measures to try to slow the spread of the disease, are not legally required to follow the White House's instructions. But the new guidance nevertheless ramps up pressure on governors to loosen their restrictions, even as health experts and business leaders alike warn that widespread testing systems are needed before Americans can safely start returning to their normal lives. "America wants to be open and Americans want to be open," Trump said. "We took the greatest economy in the history of the world, and we closed it in order to win this war. And we're in the process of winning now." Despite the president saying earlier this week that he believed some states may be able to "reopen" their economies before May, the White House guidelines do not offer any specific dates. Rather, the plan lays out three "phases" aimed at guiding parts of the country to move incrementally toward loosening restrictions on businesses and individuals.
watch now
Before entering the first phase, the guidelines say that the number of cases, positive tests and reports of flu- or Covid 19-like symptoms in a state or region should be trending downward. There should also be a "robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing," according to the guidelines. Phase One of the plan says that "all vulnerable individuals" should continue to shelter in place, and it encourages everyone to maintain various social distancing practices when in public. But it also advises employers to "return to work in phases" if possible, while taking precautions such as closing common areas and minimizing nonessential travel. Phase Two, which begins in areas with "no evidence of a rebound" in cases, further loosens the restrictions. Even by the final phase, however, the guidelines still suggest that low-risk individuals "consider minimizing time spent in crowded environments" – an indication that a return to daily life untainted by the coronavirus may not be coming for a long time, if at all. The guidelines also list "Core State Preparedness Responsibilities" that include a section on so-called contact tracing, the process of pinpointing the interactions an infected person has had in order to trace the path of the disease. The plan is a "natural evolution from what we have said before," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, a top health expert on the White House coronavirus task force and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "By the time we get into the fall, I think we're going to be in pretty good shape," Fauci said.
watch now
The Trump administration declined to declare a nationwide lockdown order, opting instead to issue nonbinding social distancing guidelines that were originally set to expire at the end of March. The president even said last month that he hoped to see "packed churches" on Easter Sunday – a comment quickly condemned by health experts. The White House later revised its timeline, extending the guidance through the end of April. But at a coronavirus press briefing Tuesday, Trump said he expects that some of the less-affected states will be able to lift their restrictions before May 1. The availability of coronavirus tests remains a key issue, however. While roughly 120,000 to 140,000 Covid-19 tests are reportedly taken each day in the U.S. – about 3.5 million tests in total so far, Trump said – that rate lags behind other countries on a per-capita basis. Without being able to screen employees and customers for the virus, Americans won't be "confident enough to return to work, eat at restaurants or shop in retail establishments," business executives told the president Wednesday, according to The Wall Street Journal. In phone conferences earlier Thursday, Democratic House and Senate members urged Trump to wait for Covid-19 testing to become more widely available before giving advice on reopening the economy, NBC reported. But Trump pushed back, insisting that the economy must be reopened first, according to NBC. The Infectious Diseases Society of America, meanwhile, recommended Thursday that government leaders should only start changing their social distancing policies "when widespread testing allows accurate surveillance of the coronavirus spread." A "significant expansion" of tests and other medical supplies is still needed before the country can safely be reopened, the organization said.
watch now
Trump had previously asserted "total" authority over the country's reopening. Legal experts say that claim is false because the federal government can't override state-issued public health rules – and since the White House never imposed any social distancing measures itself, there's nothing for it to reverse now. Governors have implemented unprecedented restrictions to try to contain the spread of the virus. Nonessential businesses have been forced to shutter their doors, schools have been closed and residents have been ordered to stay in their homes except to perform necessary activities. Those policies are working, say governors such as Andrew Cuomo of New York, the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak in the U.S. Cuomo has pointed to the recent decline in daily numbers of intubations and hospitalizations as evidence that widespread adherence to social distancing works. But Cuomo on Thursday extended his state's strict containment measures through May 15 and expanded his order for people to wear masks in public. The global efforts to blunt the impact of the crisis have upended daily life and ravaged the economy. In just four weeks, the U.S. has erased virtually all the jobs gained since the Great Recession, according to Labor Department figures released Thursday. The coronavirus first appeared near the city of Wuhan in China's Hubei province. It has since spread around the world, infecting more than 2 million people and killing at least 138,008, data from Johns Hopkins University show. The U.S. has reported more Covid-19 cases and deaths than any other country. More than 639,600 people have been infected and at least 30,985 have died from the virus, according to Johns Hopkins. On Monday, numerous states banded together to form their own working groups focused on coordinating their actions to combat the crisis and developing plans for reviving their economies. Still, Trump said a day later that he will be "authorizing each individual governor of each individual state to implement a reopening and a very powerful reopening plan of their state at a time and in a manner as most appropriate." -- CNBC's Amanda Macias, Tucker Higgins, Dan Mangan and Christina Wilkie contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-04-19--Senate nears $370 billion deal for coronavirus small business loan programs

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

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


cnbc--2020-04-19--Trump to use Defense Production Act to increase swab production amid coronavirus testing shortage

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

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


cnbc--2020-04-19--Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan slams Trump claim states have enough coronavirus testing to reopen as 'abs

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan slams Trump claim states have enough coronavirus testing to reopen as 'absolutely false'

Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican and chair of the National Governors Association , on Sunday dismissed as `` absolutely false '' Trump administration claims that states have adequate coronavirus testing capacity to begin gradually reopening their economies .
Hogan , speaking on CNN 's `` State of the Union , '' described the lack of testing as the biggest problem in the nation since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States .
The Maryland governor said he has `` repeatedly '' made that argument on behalf of America 's governors on both sides of the political aisle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration I think is trying to ramp up testing , they are doing some things with respect to private labs , but to try to push this off to say that the governors have plenty of testing and they should just to get to work on testing , somehow we are not doing our job -- is just absolutely false , '' said Hogan , who once considered challenging Trump for the 2020 Republican presidential nomination .
`` Every governor in America has been pushing and fighting and clawing to get more tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from every private lab in America and from all across the world and we continue to do so , '' Hogan added .
The Trump administration released guidelines for opening up America on Thursday .
President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence said at a press briefing Friday that U.S. states are ready to begin reopening — and insisted that they have the testing ability and capacity to do so .
During the press briefing , Pence told reporters : `` We believe today that we have the capacity in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for states to move into phase one in a time and manner that they deem to be appropriate .
Our best scientists and health experts assess that today we have a sufficient amount of testing to meet the requirements of a phase one reopening if state governors should choose to do that . ''
Trump also commented on the issue and told reporters : `` As our experts said yesterday , America 's capability and capacity is fully sufficient to begin opening up the country totally . ''
It 's not just Hogan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration 's rush to reopen .
Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam , a Democrat , called the Trump administration 's claims on testing `` delusional . ''
`` We 've been fighting for testing , it 's not a straightforward test , '' Northam told CNN 's State of the Union .
`` We do n't even have enough swabs believe it or not and we 're ramping that up .
But , for the national level to say that we have what we need and really to have no guidance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're not there yet . ''
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer told NBC 's `` Meet the Press '' the amount of daily testing could triple if the key components were available .
She called for the Trump administration to use the Defense Production Act to manufacture those components .
`` We could double or triple the number of tests we could be doing daily , if we had the swabs and reagents , '' Whitmer said .
`` It would be incredibly helpful if the federal government would use the Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reagants so we can improve testing . ''
After Trump issued these new coronavirus guidelines for reopening the country , he also called for states , such as , Michigan , Minnesota and Virginia to `` LIBERATE '' as protests took place in various parts of the country calling for states to reopen their economies .
These gatherings were mainly led by Trump 's supporters and conservative activists .
Trump has been accused of encouraging social unrest at a time when state governments are trying to keep residents at home to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican and chair of the National Governors Association, on Sunday dismissed as "absolutely false" Trump administration claims that states have adequate coronavirus testing capacity to begin gradually reopening their economies.
Hogan, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union," described the lack of testing as the biggest problem in the nation since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States. The Maryland governor said he has "repeatedly" made that argument on behalf of America's governors on both sides of the political aisle to leaders in Washington.
"The administration I think is trying to ramp up testing, they are doing some things with respect to private labs, but to try to push this off to say that the governors have plenty of testing and they should just to get to work on testing, somehow we are not doing our job -- is just absolutely false," said Hogan, who once considered challenging Trump for the 2020 Republican presidential nomination.
"Every governor in America has been pushing and fighting and clawing to get more tests not only from the federal government but from every private lab in America and from all across the world and we continue to do so," Hogan added.
The Trump administration released guidelines for opening up America on Thursday. President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence said at a press briefing Friday that U.S. states are ready to begin reopening — and insisted that they have the testing ability and capacity to do so.
During the press briefing, Pence told reporters: "We believe today that we have the capacity in the United States to do a sufficient amount of testing for states to move into phase one in a time and manner that they deem to be appropriate. Our best scientists and health experts assess that today we have a sufficient amount of testing to meet the requirements of a phase one reopening if state governors should choose to do that."
Trump also commented on the issue and told reporters: "As our experts said yesterday, America's capability and capacity is fully sufficient to begin opening up the country totally."
It's not just Hogan who's been pushing back against the Trump administration's rush to reopen. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, called the Trump administration's claims on testing "delusional."
"We've been fighting for testing, it's not a straightforward test," Northam told CNN's State of the Union. "We don't even have enough swabs believe it or not and we're ramping that up. But, for the national level to say that we have what we need and really to have no guidance to the state levels is just irresponsible because we're not there yet."
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told NBC's "Meet the Press" the amount of daily testing could triple if the key components were available. She called for the Trump administration to use the Defense Production Act to manufacture those components.
"We could double or triple the number of tests we could be doing daily, if we had the swabs and reagents," Whitmer said. "It would be incredibly helpful if the federal government would use the Defense Production Act to start producing these swabs and reagants so we can improve testing."
After Trump issued these new coronavirus guidelines for reopening the country, he also called for states, such as, Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia to "LIBERATE" as protests took place in various parts of the country calling for states to reopen their economies. These gatherings were mainly led by Trump's supporters and conservative activists.
Trump has been accused of encouraging social unrest at a time when state governments are trying to keep residents at home to prevent the coronavirus outbreak from escalating.


cnbc--2020-04-20--Democratic underdog Jaime Harrison picks up bundlers as he sees fundraising success in battle with G

Democratic underdog Jaime Harrison picks up bundlers as he sees fundraising success in battle with GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham

Jaime Harrison sits down with CQ-Roll Call , Inc via Getty Images for an interview on background on Tuesday , Feb. 11 , 2020 .
Sen. Lindsey Graham 's Democratic opponent in this fall 's U.S. Senate election in South Carolina has enlisted a crew of heavy-hitting bundlers to raise large amounts of cash .
Jaime Harrison , the former chairman of the state 's Democratic Party , has the backing of several big-dollar fundraisers as he seeks to unseat the powerful Republican lawmaker and ally of President Donald Trump , according to people with direct knowledge of the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the decisions have yet to be made public by the campaign .
According to the people , Harrison 's list of bundlers includes Jon Henes , a senior partner at legal juggernaut Kirkland & Ellis ; Brian Mathis , a founding partner at investment firm Pine Street ; Mike Kempner , the CEO of public relations juggernaut MWWPR ; Melissa Prober , a senior associate counsel at the New York Genome Project ; Sarah Min , a digital media consultant , and Jonathan Klein , a partner at DLA Piper .
Bundlers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to prospective donors to encourage them to give to the campaigns they 're supporting .
The development comes as Harrison 's campaign reported outraising Graham in the first quarter of 2020 , $ 7.3 million to $ 5.5 million , according to Federal Election Commission filings .
Graham , however , has slightly more cash on hand , with $ 12 million compared with Harrison 's $ 8 million .
The Senate race in South Carolina is still labeled as `` safe Republican '' by Larry Sabato 's Crystal Ball .
Harrison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health care , expanding the child care tax credit and supporting paid family and sick leave .
A spokesman for Harrison and most of the party donors did not return repeated requests for comment .
Min could not be reached .
All campaigns have been forced to go virtual , and Harrison has been one of the candidates leading the way for Democrats with town halls over Facebook .
These fundraisers for Harrison assisted Sen. Kamala Harris , D-Calif. , when she was running for president .
Henes was Harris ' national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' efforts for Harrison include a memo sent to his donor network , imploring donors to tune in to a virtual meet and greet featuring Sen. Cory Booker , D-N.J. , which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday .
`` This video call is an opportunity to meet and get to know a rising star in national Democratic politics as he takes on Senator Lindsey Graham , '' Henes wrote in the note , which also gave potential supporters a glimpse into Harrison 's upbringing and career in politics .
Booker and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the Senate .
The other is Tim Scott , a Republican of South Carolina .
Harrison is also black .
Harris featured Harrison in one of her `` Meet the Candidates '' episodes , which allowed her to introduce him to many of her supporters and donors .
The meeting took place over Zoom in early April and some of Harris ' previous bundlers were inspired to sign on to back Harrison in the wake of the call , a person familiar with the efforts said .
Beyond Harris , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Joe Biden , the apparent Democratic nominee for president , who recently endorsed Harrison 's candidacy , and former President Barack Obama .
Harrison has ties to leaders in the party .
He was once an aide to South Carolina kingmaker and U.S. Rep. James Clyburn .
Harrison also once ran to be the chairman of the Democratic National Committee but eventually dropped out of the race to later endorse Tom Perez .

Sen. Lindsey Graham's Democratic opponent in this fall's U.S. Senate election in South Carolina has enlisted a crew of heavy-hitting bundlers to raise large amounts of cash.
Jaime Harrison, the former chairman of the state's Democratic Party, has the backing of several big-dollar fundraisers as he seeks to unseat the powerful Republican lawmaker and ally of President Donald Trump, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter. These people declined to be named as the decisions have yet to be made public by the campaign.
According to the people, Harrison's list of bundlers includes Jon Henes, a senior partner at legal juggernaut Kirkland & Ellis; Brian Mathis, a founding partner at investment firm Pine Street; Mike Kempner, the CEO of public relations juggernaut MWWPR; Melissa Prober, a senior associate counsel at the New York Genome Project; Sarah Min, a digital media consultant, and Jonathan Klein, a partner at DLA Piper.
Bundlers often help arrange fundraising events and reach out to prospective donors to encourage them to give to the campaigns they're supporting.
The development comes as Harrison's campaign reported outraising Graham in the first quarter of 2020, $7.3 million to $5.5 million, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Graham, however, has slightly more cash on hand, with $12 million compared with Harrison's $8 million.
The Senate race in South Carolina is still labeled as "safe Republican" by Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball. Harrison has been running on lowering the cost of health care, expanding the child care tax credit and supporting paid family and sick leave.
A spokesman for Harrison and most of the party donors did not return repeated requests for comment. Min could not be reached.
All campaigns have been forced to go virtual, and Harrison has been one of the candidates leading the way for Democrats with town halls over Facebook.
These fundraisers for Harrison assisted Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., when she was running for president. Henes was Harris' national finance chair during her campaign.
Henes' efforts for Harrison include a memo sent to his donor network, imploring donors to tune in to a virtual meet and greet featuring Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
"This video call is an opportunity to meet and get to know a rising star in national Democratic politics as he takes on Senator Lindsey Graham," Henes wrote in the note, which also gave potential supporters a glimpse into Harrison's upbringing and career in politics.
Booker and Harris are two of only three black members of the Senate. The other is Tim Scott, a Republican of South Carolina. Harrison is also black.
Harris featured Harrison in one of her "Meet the Candidates" episodes, which allowed her to introduce him to many of her supporters and donors. The meeting took place over Zoom in early April and some of Harris' previous bundlers were inspired to sign on to back Harrison in the wake of the call, a person familiar with the efforts said.
Beyond Harris, most of these donors have helped raised money for Joe Biden, the apparent Democratic nominee for president, who recently endorsed Harrison's candidacy, and former President Barack Obama.
Harrison has ties to leaders in the party. He was once an aide to South Carolina kingmaker and U.S. Rep. James Clyburn. Harrison also once ran to be the chairman of the Democratic National Committee but eventually dropped out of the race to later endorse Tom Perez.


cnbc--2020-04-20--Senate has no deal on the next coronavirus relief bill, but sets up possible Tuesday vote

The Senate did not reach a deal on the next coronavirus relief bill in time for a brief Monday session , but set up a vote as soon as Tuesday afternoon to replenish a key small business aid program .
Congressional Democrats have held discussions with the Treasury Department on the next package to try to rescue an economy and health-care system ravaged by the global pandemic .
On Sunday , negotiators signaled they had come closer to a deal that could include $ 370 billion in loan programs for small businesses , designed to keep employees on the payroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It may also include $ 75 billion for hospitals and $ 25 billion for testing — but not money for state and local governments that Democrats sought , as of now .
The $ 350 billion allocated to a relief program for small firms in the $ 2 trillion stimulus package dried up last week , though it is unclear how much of that money has actually gone to companies so far .
`` At this hour , our Democratic colleagues are still prolonging their discussions with the administration , so the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more funding for Americans ' paychecks today , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said during the pro forma session Monday afternoon .

The Senate did not reach a deal on the next coronavirus relief bill in time for a brief Monday session, but set up a vote as soon as Tuesday afternoon to replenish a key small business aid program.
Congressional Democrats have held discussions with the Treasury Department on the next package to try to rescue an economy and health-care system ravaged by the global pandemic. On Sunday, negotiators signaled they had come closer to a deal that could include $370 billion in loan programs for small businesses, designed to keep employees on the payroll as businesses across the country shutter. It may also include $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing — but not money for state and local governments that Democrats sought, as of now.
The $350 billion allocated to a relief program for small firms in the $2 trillion stimulus package dried up last week, though it is unclear how much of that money has actually gone to companies so far.
"At this hour, our Democratic colleagues are still prolonging their discussions with the administration, so the Senate regretfully will not be able to pass more funding for Americans' paychecks today," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said during the pro forma session Monday afternoon.


cnbc--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: Senator asks Attorney General William Barr to deny early prison release for Bernie Mado

Coronavirus: Senator asks Attorney General William Barr to deny early prison release for Bernie Madoff, Allen Stanford

Sen. John Kennedy , R-La.
, on Monday asked Attorney General William Barr to deny requests from infamous Ponzi schemers Bernie Madoff and R. Allen Stanford for early prison release due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Releasing either of these individuals , or anyone similarly situated , would be an affront to those affected by their evil schemes , and a complete failure in the administration of justice , '' Kennedy wrote in a letter to Barr .
The coronavirus has swept through the U.S. prison system , infecting thousands of inmates and guards .
In federal facilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for Covid-19 , according to the Bureau of Prisons .
Twenty-two federal inmates have died from the virus , the BOP says .
Barr in late March directed the BOP to release eligible nonviolent inmates to home confinement because of the threat the disease posed to vulnerable prisoners .
He expanded that order on April 3 to include more federal inmates .
Madoff , who turns 82 on April 29 , had already asked to be freed from his 150-year prison sentence to live out his final days with a friend before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His lawyer last month called for all inmates threatened by the coronavirus to be released .
Kennedy told Barr that he is `` concerned that it is only a matter of time '' before Stanford , 70 , asks for early release from his 110-year sentence .
`` Our efforts should be focused on protecting those who protected us ; our parents , grandparents , and military veterans who led crime-free lives , '' Kennedy said in the letter .

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., on Monday asked Attorney General William Barr to deny requests from infamous Ponzi schemers Bernie Madoff and R. Allen Stanford for early prison release due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Releasing either of these individuals, or anyone similarly situated, would be an affront to those affected by their evil schemes, and a complete failure in the administration of justice," Kennedy wrote in a letter to Barr.
The coronavirus has swept through the U.S. prison system, infecting thousands of inmates and guards. In federal facilities, 495 inmates and 309 staff have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the Bureau of Prisons. Twenty-two federal inmates have died from the virus, the BOP says.
Barr in late March directed the BOP to release eligible nonviolent inmates to home confinement because of the threat the disease posed to vulnerable prisoners. He expanded that order on April 3 to include more federal inmates.
Madoff, who turns 82 on April 29, had already asked to be freed from his 150-year prison sentence to live out his final days with a friend before succumbing to a terminal kidney disease. His lawyer last month called for all inmates threatened by the coronavirus to be released.
Kennedy told Barr that he is "concerned that it is only a matter of time" before Stanford, 70, asks for early release from his 110-year sentence.
"Our efforts should be focused on protecting those who protected us; our parents, grandparents, and military veterans who led crime-free lives," Kennedy said in the letter.