cnbc--2020-08-10--The new challenge for state election officials? How much hand sanitizer is enough

Election officials in states across the nation are wrestling with a critical issue for the upcoming presidential contest : how much hand sanitizer will be enough for each polling place on Nov. 3 .
The coronavirus pandemic has already disrupted voting in 2020 , forcing state officials across the country to institute new procedures and policies meant to maintain turnout while keeping voters safe .
Several states have expanded vote-by-mail access , providing an alternative for those who fear that voting in person will increase their risk of contracting or spreading the virus .
But to protect those who choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , states have been planning for months to deliver personal protective equipment like hand sanitizer and masks to individual polling sites .
The challenge , officials say , is determining how much PPE to send to each site .
There is no single metric that states are using to figure out the appropriate amount of PPE .
In the United States , elections are run at the local or state level , meaning there is considerable variation from state to state on administrative decisions .
There is also no single way to disperse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , some states like Indiana and Iowa deployed the National Guard to distribute supplies across drop-off points statewide .
County officials were then responsible for picking up the PPE and transporting it themselves to polling sites .
It 's not yet clear whether this will be the case for the upcoming general election , state officials from both Indiana and Iowa told CNBC , but the option remains on the table .
In Arkansas , the staff of Secretary of State John Thurston will `` package those supplies and deliver the items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Niehaus , public relations director .
`` Once the county has the PPE , those county election officials are responsible for getting it to each polling site , '' Niehaus added .
In other states like California , Delaware , Minnesota and South Carolina , PPE will be packaged with normal election materials like voting sheets and machines .
Additional PPE will be made available separately in some Delaware counties like New Castle .
`` You can either pick up the gloves/masks/gowns/hand sanitizer here at the government center ( our town hall ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our local township police stations , fire departments , '' Brian Cunningham , New Castle County director of strategic communications , said in an email .
`` Sometimes the county executive likes to deliver the materials himself .
Depends on his bandwith [ sic ] . ''
Minnesota counties are splitting up PPE deliveries by size , with county staff distributing larger items like plexiglass shields and poll workers distributing smaller items like tape , masks , hand sanitizer and pens to polling sites , according to Kathryn Smith , elections manager for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier elections , Michigan 's Secretary of State 's Office sent out PPE in `` state delivery trucks '' and via UPS and plans to do the same in November , according to Jake Rollow , director of communications and external affairs for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson .
But distributing the PPE is just one of the challenges .
State election officials are also trying to determine how much equipment to get to each county , a figure that depends on the amount of funding available and a range of other factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 million to the Election Assistance Commission to provide states with grants `` to prevent , prepare for , and respond to coronavirus , domestically or internationally , for the 2020 Federal election cycle . ''
According to a breakdown of the funding , almost all states and territories , as well as the District of Columbia , received either the amount they requested or slightly more in funding from the CARES Act .
Most states are not yet sure how much of this funding will specifically go toward PPE , but initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of dollars .
Minnesota has spent over $ 330,000 on PPE for its upcoming elections in August and November , according to Risikat Adesaogun , press secretary and deputy communications director at the Minnesota secretary of state 's office .
That sum provides more than 50,000 masks for poll workers , more than 225,000 disposable masks for voters who show up without one , and 8,000 gallons of hand sanitizer , Adesaogun said .
Election officials in Vermont expect to spend about $ 60,000 on PPE for the November election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the secretary of state 's office , adding that he expects another $ 10,000 to be spent on protective shields .
State and local officials have been urging Congress to appropriate more money , contending funds are rapidly depleting .
`` It 's looking like I spent close to 60 % of my CARES Act funding on the primary election , '' Jared Dearing , executive director of the Kentucky State Board of Elections , said late last month .
`` To put that in context , we are expecting turnout to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record high for a primary election , to as much as 70 % . ''
But as negotiations over the latest coronavirus stimulus bill intensify , Republican and Democratic lawmakers remain at odds over election spending .
House Democrats in May proposed an additional $ 3.6 billion to go toward helping state and local officials carry out elections this year .
But the Republican-led Senate proposal had no election funding , and it is unclear if the two sides have moved closer in the latest talks .
How much PPE is enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time a presidential election will be carried out this way , there 's no uniform standard on how much PPE each polling site receives .
Some states are basing the amount of PPE needed in November on data from past elections that show how many people came out to the polls to vote in person .
`` Each County Clerk , Election Coordinator , and/or county election commission will make this determination based largely on previous vote counts in the prior presidential election , '' said Executive Director Chris Villines and legal counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Counties in an email to CNBC .
The AAC is responsible for getting the PPE to each individual polling site throughout Arkansas ' 75 counties .
But the challenge with that method is that turnout numbers from past elections may not correlate with the number of people who will come out to vote in person in November .
This year 's in-person voting numbers might be substantially lower as states expand vote-by-mail access and encourage people to avoid showing up at the polls unless absolutely necessary .
Minnesota officials are also using previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPE to send each polling site .
`` In partnership with the Secretary of State , a working group determined estimates for quantities of each item .
Those estimates get a little complex in terms of a formula but we think it is a good starting point , '' said Michael Stalberger , director of property and environmental resources at Blue Earth County in Minnesota .
`` For example , the state has provided 8,000 gallon bottles ( with spray pumps ) of hand sanitizer for all the polling places across the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minimum of two bottles ( so voters can sanitize as they enter and exit the polling place ) , and additional bottles are allocated with the goal of having minimum of one bottle per 500 voters , '' Stalberger added .
Other Minnesota counties like Olmsted County are following `` recommendations from the MN Office of Secretary of State , CDC , and MN Department of Health in determining what to send out to our polling sites , '' Smith , Olmsted 's election manager said .
Some counties in Ohio are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each poll worker .
`` We are giving each worker 1 face shield , 2 masks , 6 pairs of gloves and a ton of hand sanitizer , '' said Brian Sleeth , Director of Elections in Ohio 's Warren County , adding that there will be extra PPE available onsite .
Despite the uncertainties , officials across the country say they are committed to providing the safest polling places possible come November .
`` Preserving the voting rights of Vermont voters , while protecting the health and safety of every voter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our top priorities , '' said Covey from the Vermont secretary of state 's office .

An election worker opens envelopes containing vote-by-mail ballots for the August 4 Washington state primary at King County Elections in Renton, Washington on August 3, 2020. Jason Redmond | AFP | Getty Images
Election officials in states across the nation are wrestling with a critical issue for the upcoming presidential contest: how much hand sanitizer will be enough for each polling place on Nov. 3. The coronavirus pandemic has already disrupted voting in 2020, forcing state officials across the country to institute new procedures and policies meant to maintain turnout while keeping voters safe. Several states have expanded vote-by-mail access, providing an alternative for those who fear that voting in person will increase their risk of contracting or spreading the virus. But to protect those who choose to vote in person on November 3rd, states have been planning for months to deliver personal protective equipment like hand sanitizer and masks to individual polling sites. The challenge, officials say, is determining how much PPE to send to each site. There is no single metric that states are using to figure out the appropriate amount of PPE. In the United States, elections are run at the local or state level, meaning there is considerable variation from state to state on administrative decisions.
The distribution methods
There is also no single way to disperse PPE to polling sites. Earlier this year, some states like Indiana and Iowa deployed the National Guard to distribute supplies across drop-off points statewide. County officials were then responsible for picking up the PPE and transporting it themselves to polling sites. It's not yet clear whether this will be the case for the upcoming general election, state officials from both Indiana and Iowa told CNBC, but the option remains on the table. In Arkansas, the staff of Secretary of State John Thurston will "package those supplies and deliver the items to the counties," said Kevin Niehaus, public relations director. "Once the county has the PPE, those county election officials are responsible for getting it to each polling site," Niehaus added. In other states like California, Delaware, Minnesota and South Carolina, PPE will be packaged with normal election materials like voting sheets and machines. Additional PPE will be made available separately in some Delaware counties like New Castle. "You can either pick up the gloves/masks/gowns/hand sanitizer here at the government center (our town hall), or we have delivered some to our local township police stations, fire departments," Brian Cunningham, New Castle County director of strategic communications, said in an email. "Sometimes the county executive likes to deliver the materials himself. Depends on his bandwith [sic]." Minnesota counties are splitting up PPE deliveries by size, with county staff distributing larger items like plexiglass shields and poll workers distributing smaller items like tape, masks, hand sanitizer and pens to polling sites, according to Kathryn Smith, elections manager for Minnesota's Olmsted County.
Elections Chief Inspector Mary Magdalen Moser runs a polling location in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in full hazmat gear as the Wisconsin primary kicks off despite the coronavirus pandemics on April 7, 2020. Derek R. Henkle | AFP | Getty Images
For its earlier elections, Michigan's Secretary of State's Office sent out PPE in "state delivery trucks" and via UPS and plans to do the same in November, according to Jake Rollow, director of communications and external affairs for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. But distributing the PPE is just one of the challenges. State election officials are also trying to determine how much equipment to get to each county, a figure that depends on the amount of funding available and a range of other factors. In March, Congress allocated $400 million to the Election Assistance Commission to provide states with grants "to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally, for the 2020 Federal election cycle." According to a breakdown of the funding, almost all states and territories, as well as the District of Columbia, received either the amount they requested or slightly more in funding from the CARES Act. Most states are not yet sure how much of this funding will specifically go toward PPE, but initial costs reveal that it can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Minnesota has spent over $330,000 on PPE for its upcoming elections in August and November, according to Risikat Adesaogun, press secretary and deputy communications director at the Minnesota secretary of state's office. That sum provides more than 50,000 masks for poll workers, more than 225,000 disposable masks for voters who show up without one, and 8,000 gallons of hand sanitizer, Adesaogun said. Election officials in Vermont expect to spend about $60,000 on PPE for the November election, said Eric Covey, chief of staff to the secretary of state's office, adding that he expects another $10,000 to be spent on protective shields. State and local officials have been urging Congress to appropriate more money, contending funds are rapidly depleting. "It's looking like I spent close to 60% of my CARES Act funding on the primary election," Jared Dearing, executive director of the Kentucky State Board of Elections, said late last month. "To put that in context, we are expecting turnout to go from 30%, which was a record high for a primary election, to as much as 70%." But as negotiations over the latest coronavirus stimulus bill intensify, Republican and Democratic lawmakers remain at odds over election spending. House Democrats in May proposed an additional $3.6 billion to go toward helping state and local officials carry out elections this year. But the Republican-led Senate proposal had no election funding, and it is unclear if the two sides have moved closer in the latest talks.
How much PPE is enough?


cnbc--2020-08-10--China sanctions Rubio, Cruz, and others over U.S. action on Hong Kong

China imposed sanctions on 11 U.S. citizens including legislators on Monday in response to the U.S. imposition of sanctions on 11 Hong Kong and Chinese officials accused of curtailing political freedoms in the former British colony .
Among those targeted were Senators Ted Cruz , Marco Rubio , Tom Cotton , Josh Hawley and Pat Toomey and Representative Chris Smith , as well as individuals at non-profit and rights groups .
`` In response to that wrong U.S. behaviour , China has decided to impose sanctions on individuals who have behaved egregiously on Hong Kong-related issues , '' Chinese foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press briefing on Monday .
He did not specify what the sanctions entail .
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply in recent months over issues ranging from trade , to Hong Kong and China 's handling of the novel coronavirus .
China 's sanctions of the 11 U.S. citizens is the latest in a tit-for-tat round of measures between China and the United States over accusations of rights abuses and interference .
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam as well as the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump .
Those sanctions freeze any U.S. assets owned by those people and generally bar Americans from doing business with them .
The U.S. lawmakers targeted by China on Monday have been vocal critics of a new national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in late June , expanding its authority in the financial hub .

China imposed sanctions on 11 U.S. citizens including legislators on Monday in response to the U.S. imposition of sanctions on 11 Hong Kong and Chinese officials accused of curtailing political freedoms in the former British colony.
Among those targeted were Senators Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Tom Cotton, Josh Hawley and Pat Toomey and Representative Chris Smith, as well as individuals at non-profit and rights groups.
"In response to that wrong U.S. behaviour, China has decided to impose sanctions on individuals who have behaved egregiously on Hong Kong-related issues," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular press briefing on Monday.
He did not specify what the sanctions entail.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply in recent months over issues ranging from trade, to Hong Kong and China's handling of the novel coronavirus.
China's sanctions of the 11 U.S. citizens is the latest in a tit-for-tat round of measures between China and the United States over accusations of rights abuses and interference.
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam as well as the city's current and former police chiefs, under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
Those sanctions freeze any U.S. assets owned by those people and generally bar Americans from doing business with them.
The U.S. lawmakers targeted by China on Monday have been vocal critics of a new national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in late June, expanding its authority in the financial hub.


cnbc--2020-08-11--Trump evacuated from press briefing after Secret Service officer shoots man outside White House

President Donald Trump was abruptly evacuated from a press briefing at the White House on Monday evening after a man who claimed he had a weapon was shot by a U.S. Secret Service officer just outside the White House complex .
`` There was an actual shooting , and somebody has been taken to the hospital .
I do n't know the condition of the person , '' Trump told reporters after returning to the White House briefing room about nine minutes after he was asked to leave that room by a Secret Service officer .
`` It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
He said that no one else was injured , but also said that it was his understanding that the suspect had been armed .
The shooting took place near the White House fence , Trump said .
The Secret Service hours later said that a 51-year-old man approached a Secret Service officer at the officer 's post on 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House complex , and told the officer that he had a weapon .
The man then turned and ran toward the officer , withdrawing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as if he was about to fire a weapon in a `` shooter 's stance , '' according to the Secret Service , which is responsible for protecting the president and his family .
The officer then shot the man , striking him in the torso .
The man was immediately given first aid , and Washington , D.C. , police and fire units were called to the scene , the Secret Service said .
The man and the officer then were taken to George Washington University Hospital .
The agency did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a gun , or if the officer was injured , according to NBC News .
Nor did the Secret Service identify the man who was shot .
Trump 's press conference was interrupted almost as soon as it began after an aide approached the president and appeared to tell him that he would have to step outside .
Trump followed the aide out of the room and sheltered in the Oval Office , he said .
The briefing room was placed on lockdown immediately after the president exited , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told reporters the reason he had been ushered out of the room .
`` I feel very safe with Secret Service , they 're fantastic people , they 're the best of the best , they 're highly trained , '' Trump said .
Trump said that he was not shaken by the incident .
`` I do n't know , do I seem rattled ? ''
he said when a reporter asked if he was rattled .
`` The world has been , you look back over the centuries , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very dangerous place . ''
The president then resumed talking to reporters on the state of the economy after taking questions on the shooting , touting the rising stock market .

President Donald Trump was abruptly evacuated from a press briefing at the White House on Monday evening after a man who claimed he had a weapon was shot by a U.S. Secret Service officer just outside the White House complex.
"There was an actual shooting, and somebody has been taken to the hospital. I don't know the condition of the person," Trump told reporters after returning to the White House briefing room about nine minutes after he was asked to leave that room by a Secret Service officer.
"It was the suspect that was shot," Trump added.
He said that no one else was injured, but also said that it was his understanding that the suspect had been armed.
The shooting took place near the White House fence, Trump said.
The Secret Service hours later said that a 51-year-old man approached a Secret Service officer at the officer's post on 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House complex, and told the officer that he had a weapon.


cnbc--2020-08-11--Bill O'Reilly is on the verge of landing a new show on radio station owned by a Trump ally

Former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly is in talks with a radio station owned by a longtime ally of President Donald Trump to host a new show that would place him in a programming lineup heavily populated by leading conservative pundits .
O'Reilly , according to his attorney Fred Newman , is in the final stages of contract negotiations with New York-based radio station 77 WABC to host a show that is expected to debut in the fall .
That network is owned by John Catsimatidis , who also owns the Gristedes grocery chain and is a vocal advocate for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final stages of a contract and a program should be on in the fall , '' Newman told CNBC through his assistant .
O'Reilly 's representative also confirmed the talks were being held with 77 WABC .
Catsimatidis confirmed the ongoing negotiations to CNBC .
`` I wll confirm that , and I think he is one common-sense American , '' Catsimatidis said of O'Reilly .
He declined to comment further .
The New York businessman bought the radio station from Cumulus Media in June 2019 .
He is currently exploring a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2021 and recently told the New York Post that he would be willing to spend $ 100 million if he decides to get into the race .
Catsimatidis ran for mayor in 2013 but ended up losing in the Republican primary .
The show would mark the latest stage of O'Reilly 's attempted comeback since he left Fox News under controversial circumstances .
O'Reilly , 70 , has been accused by multiple former Fox News employees of sexual harassment .
The network ended his show in 2017 after the revelation of several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before he left the network , his show had been a major ratings driver since 1996 .
Since his departure from Fox , O'Reilly called reporting of the accusations and settlements by The New York Times a `` smear '' and has moved on from his `` O'Reilly Factor '' into a show called `` No Spin News . ''
It airs on his website , YouTube , and on a conservative OTT streaming network known as `` The First . ''
The channel streams on several platforms , including Pluto TV , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He already makes appearances on the radio network , including for a segment titled `` The O'Reilly Update . ''
There , he gives his take on a wide range of political topics that often revolve around Trump .
The update , according to the magazine Radio Ink , can be heard on over 200 radio stations .
O'Reilly has also interviewed Trump himself after leaving Fox News .
If he seals the deal to appear on 77 ABC , O'Reilly will be joining several other conservative hosts with just under 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominee in Joe Biden .
The other hosts include Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani , Fox News host Brian Kilmeade and Mark Levin .
Some of these hosts have their shows syndicated on other stations .

Former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly is in talks with a radio station owned by a longtime ally of President Donald Trump to host a new show that would place him in a programming lineup heavily populated by leading conservative pundits.
O'Reilly, according to his attorney Fred Newman, is in the final stages of contract negotiations with New York-based radio station 77 WABC to host a show that is expected to debut in the fall. That network is owned by John Catsimatidis, who also owns the Gristedes grocery chain and is a vocal advocate for the president.
"We are in the final stages of a contract and a program should be on in the fall," Newman told CNBC through his assistant. O'Reilly's representative also confirmed the talks were being held with 77 WABC. Catsimatidis confirmed the ongoing negotiations to CNBC.
"I wll confirm that, and I think he is one common-sense American," Catsimatidis said of O'Reilly. He declined to comment further.
The New York businessman bought the radio station from Cumulus Media in June 2019. He is currently exploring a run for mayor of New York City in 2021 and recently told the New York Post that he would be willing to spend $100 million if he decides to get into the race. Catsimatidis ran for mayor in 2013 but ended up losing in the Republican primary.
The show would mark the latest stage of O'Reilly's attempted comeback since he left Fox News under controversial circumstances. O'Reilly, 70, has been accused by multiple former Fox News employees of sexual harassment. The network ended his show in 2017 after the revelation of several expensive settlements for the alleged harassment. Before he left the network, his show had been a major ratings driver since 1996.
Since his departure from Fox, O'Reilly called reporting of the accusations and settlements by The New York Times a "smear" and has moved on from his "O'Reilly Factor" into a show called "No Spin News." It airs on his website, YouTube, and on a conservative OTT streaming network known as "The First." The channel streams on several platforms, including Pluto TV, an internet television service owned by ViacomCBS.
He already makes appearances on the radio network, including for a segment titled "The O'Reilly Update." There, he gives his take on a wide range of political topics that often revolve around Trump. The update, according to the magazine Radio Ink, can be heard on over 200 radio stations.
O'Reilly has also interviewed Trump himself after leaving Fox News.
If he seals the deal to appear on 77 ABC, O'Reilly will be joining several other conservative hosts with just under 90 days until Trump faces the presumptive Democratic nominee in Joe Biden.
The other hosts include Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, Fox News host Brian Kilmeade and Mark Levin. Some of these hosts have their shows syndicated on other stations.


cnbc--2020-08-11--Wall Street executives are glad Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris to be his VP running mate

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden is greeted by U.S .
Senator Kamala Harris during a campaign stop in Detroit , Michigan , March 9 , 2020 .
Wall Street leaders on Tuesday cheered Joe Biden 's selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate in the presidential election .
Finance executives , confident the ticket has what it takes to topple President Donald Trump , raved about her experience in government , as well as her fundraising prowess .
`` I think it 's great , '' said Marc Lasry , the CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She 's going to help Joe immensely .
He picked the perfect partner . ''
Lasry is also a part owner of the NBA 's Milwaukee Bucks .
Blair Effron , the co-founder of Centerview Partners , texted `` GREAT CHOICE '' to CNBC .
Citigroup 's Ray McGuire sent a similar message .
When she ran for president last year , Harris saw contributions from executives in a wide range of industries , including film , TV , real estate and finance , according to data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 40 million .
Harris , who dropped out of the race in December , opened up a joint fundraising committee with the Democratic National Committee earlier this year , allowing her to raise six figure checks that mainly went to the party as a whole .
Harris , a former California attorney general , also overcame headwinds from a group of Biden allies who privately tried to block her from becoming the nominee for vice president .
Financial advisory firm Signum Global is already telling its clients that the choice of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket is more moderate than progressive .
Jon Henes , a partner at corporate restructuring firm Kirkland & Ellis who was Harris ' national finance chairman when she ran for president , told CNBC that the choice shows Biden 's strong judgement .
He added that her supporters are ready to give Democrats the backing they need to defeat Trump .
`` Vice President Biden 's first decision is the perfect one and demonstrates his excellent judgement , '' Henes said .
`` Kamala 's supporters will follow her lead and work non-stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic and critical election . ''
Prior to Biden 's announcement , his fundraisers were plotting a virtual fundraising blitz that is now set to feature Harris .
Her addition to the ticket could help push the Biden campaign over the top in the cash race with Trump .
Last month , Biden and the Democratic National Committee combined to raise $ 140 million , while Trump and the Republican National Committee brought in $ 165 million .
Biden and the DNC went into August with $ 295 million on hand and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` She has a strong and active fundraising organization .
She will be an important and immediate addition to the Biden fundraising effort .
She is a fundraising star , '' Kempner said .
`` Her experience as a prosecutor makes her uniquely qualified to deliver the case against Trump . ''
Charles Myers , the founder of Signum and a former vice chair of Evercore , told CNBC that the choice eased the nerves of clients who were questioning whether Biden would stay in the moderate lane .
`` Our clients really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay in the center , and his pick of Harris reinforces that , '' he said on Tuesday .
A note he sent to his clients reinforced that point .
`` Harris , who generally could be called a centrist , will not push Biden to the left or the right on major policy issues .
She will be supportive of Biden and the Democratic Party 's policy platform , '' the note reads .

Wall Street leaders on Tuesday cheered Joe Biden's selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate in the presidential election.
Finance executives, confident the ticket has what it takes to topple President Donald Trump, raved about her experience in government, as well as her fundraising prowess.
"I think it's great," said Marc Lasry, the CEO of investment firm Avenue Capital Group. "She's going to help Joe immensely. He picked the perfect partner." Lasry is also a part owner of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.
Blair Effron, the co-founder of Centerview Partners, texted "GREAT CHOICE" to CNBC. Citigroup's Ray McGuire sent a similar message.
When she ran for president last year, Harris saw contributions from executives in a wide range of industries, including film, TV, real estate and finance, according to data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Her campaign finished raising close to $40 million.
Harris, who dropped out of the race in December, opened up a joint fundraising committee with the Democratic National Committee earlier this year, allowing her to raise six figure checks that mainly went to the party as a whole.
Harris, a former California attorney general, also overcame headwinds from a group of Biden allies who privately tried to block her from becoming the nominee for vice president.
Financial advisory firm Signum Global is already telling its clients that the choice of Harris reinforces the notion that the Democratic ticket is more moderate than progressive.
Jon Henes, a partner at corporate restructuring firm Kirkland & Ellis who was Harris' national finance chairman when she ran for president, told CNBC that the choice shows Biden's strong judgment. He added that her supporters are ready to give Democrats the backing they need to defeat Trump.
"Vice President Biden's first decision is the perfect one and demonstrates his excellent judgement," Henes said. "Kamala's supporters will follow her lead and work non-stop to help Biden and Harris win this historic and critical election."
Prior to Biden's announcement, his fundraisers were plotting a virtual fundraising blitz that is now set to feature Harris. Her addition to the ticket could help push the Biden campaign over the top in the cash race with Trump.
Last month, Biden and the Democratic National Committee combined to raise $140 million, while Trump and the Republican National Committee brought in $165 million. Biden and the DNC went into August with $295 million on hand and Trump's team had $300 million.
Mike Kempner, the founder of public relations juggernaut, MWWPR, lauded Harris' fundraising track record.
"She has a strong and active fundraising organization. She will be an important and immediate addition to the Biden fundraising effort. She is a fundraising star," Kempner said. "Her experience as a prosecutor makes her uniquely qualified to deliver the case against Trump."
Charles Myers, the founder of Signum and a former vice chair of Evercore, told CNBC that the choice eased the nerves of clients who were questioning whether Biden would stay in the moderate lane.
"Our clients really wanted to know if Biden was going to stay in the center, and his pick of Harris reinforces that," he said on Tuesday.
A note he sent to his clients reinforced that point.
"Harris, who generally could be called a centrist, will not push Biden to the left or the right on major policy issues. She will be supportive of Biden and the Democratic Party's policy platform," the note reads.


cnbc--2020-08-11--Joe Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris to be his vice presidential running mate, making her the first Bl

Joe Biden picks Sen. Kamala Harris to be his vice presidential running mate, making her the first Black woman on a major ticket

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden has chosen Sen. Kamala Harris of California to join him on the Democratic ticket , fulfilling his pledge to select a female running mate and making Harris the first Black woman ever to appear on a major party ticket .
His campaign announced the pick Tuesday afternoon through its website .
Biden 's selection of Harris , 55 , lends racial diversity , gender parity and generational breadth to his campaign .
It also represents a strategic decision by the 77-year-old former vice president to keep his ticket firmly within the more moderate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Back when Kamala was Attorney General , she worked closely with Beau , '' tweeted Biden , referring to his late son , Beau Biden .
`` I watched as they took on the big banks , lifted up working people , and protected women and kids from abuse .
I was proud then , and I 'm proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign . ''
The selection came despite a monthslong pressure campaign from leftist factions that wanted Biden to pick a progressive star such as Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final few weeks of the search , concerted lobbying by prominent Democrats on behalf of Rep. Karen Bass of California and former Obama National Security Advisor Susan Rice .
Harris said in her own tweet shortly after Biden 's decision , `` Joe Biden can unify the American people because he 's spent his life fighting for us .
And as president , he 'll build an America that lives up to our ideals .
I 'm honored to join him as our party 's nominee for Vice President , and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commander-in-Chief . ''
Former President Barack Obama complimented his vice president 's choice .
`` Joe Biden nailed this decision , '' Obama said in a statement .
`` By choosing Senator Kamala Harris as America 's next vice president , he 's underscored his own judgment and character .
Reality shows us that these attributes are not optional in a president .
They 're requirements of the job .
And now Joe has an ideal partner to help him tackle the very real challenges America faces right now and in the years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rice complimented Harris in a statement , calling her `` a tenacious and trailblazing leader who will make a great partner on the campaign trail . ''
Bass did the same , saying in a tweet that Harris ' `` tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is what is needed right now . ''
Harris has a uniquely American biography : Her mother was a widely respected breast cancer researcher who immigrated to the United States from India in the 1960s .
Her father , Donald Harris , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his career at Stanford University .
Also an immigrant , Harris moved to the United States from Jamaica around the time his future wife came from India .
A first-term senator who served as California 's attorney general from 2010-16 , Harris has drawn on her personal and professional experience to emerge as a leader in the Senate on racial justice issues .
`` We 've all watched her hold the Trump administration accountable for its corruption , stand up to a Justice Department that 's run amok , and be a powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Biden in his announcement Tuesday , touting her experience in the Senate .
`` She 's been a leader on criminal justice and marriage equality .
And she has focused like a laser on the racial disparities as a result of the coronavirus , '' Biden said .
A member of the Judiciary Committee , Harris in 2018 co-sponsored the first-ever bill to make lynching a federal crime .
The bill passed the Senate and the House overwhelmingly , but a final version was blocked by Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ' broader police reform legislation , drafted in response to the national uprising that followed the death of George Floyd , an unarmed Black man killed by Minneapolis police in May , and the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor , a Black EMT , at her home in Louisville , Kentucky , in March .
Yet Harris , like Biden himself , is considered a moderate Democrat and a pragmatic lawmaker rather than an ideologue .
This could complicate incumbent President Donald Trump 's effort to portray Biden as a tool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Already on Tuesday there were signs that the Trump campaign has yet to decide how to attack Harris .
In a written response to Biden 's announcement , a Trump campaign spokeswoman accused Harris of being both too progressive and not progressive enough , saying Harris attempted to `` bury her record as a prosecutor , in order to appease the anti-police extremists '' yet also claiming her selection was proof that Biden would pursue `` the extreme agenda of the radicals on the left . ''
In reality , Harris has repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during her three years in the Senate .
This includes working on an election security bill with Sen. James Lankford , R-Okla. , the anti-lynching bill with Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C. , and a workplace harassment prevention bill with Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska .
Harris has even won plaudits from Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a staunch Trump ally — albeit one whose personal friendship with Biden goes back some 30 years .
Speaking to radio host Hugh Hewitt about Harris in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think she 's the leading candidate [ for Biden 's running mate ] .
I know her .
I did n't like what she did in the Kavanaugh [ Supreme Court confirmation ] hearings by any stretch of the imagination .
But she 's hard-nosed .
She 's smart .
She 's tough . ''
The announcement comes after a four-month selection process that saw at least a dozen prominent women vetted for the position .
The vice presidential selection committee was headed by former Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included Biden campaign co-chair Eric Garcetti , the mayor of Los Angeles ; Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester , who represents Biden 's home state of Delaware in the House , and Cynthia Hogan , who served as counsel to Biden in the Senate and later in the Obama administration .
Throughout the process , insiders say , Biden 's top priority has always been to select a vice president he can trust , someone with whom Biden can have the same deep personal relationship he had with President Barack Obama during his eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy for choosing a running mate has evolved over the past few months as his lead over Trump in national polls and battleground states has increased .
During the late winter and spring , when Biden was still locked in a primary battle against Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , many on his campaign team saw the vice presidential pick primarily as a chance for Biden to name a progressive who could help him unite the establishment arm of the Democratic Party with its left flank .
But as Biden 's lead over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer , progressive Democrats coalesced around him .
By early July , instead of needing a vice presidential candidate who could help galvanize support on the left , Biden 's advisors had come to believe he merely needed one who would `` do no harm '' to his strong standing in the polls .

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WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Joe Biden has chosen Sen. Kamala Harris of California to join him on the Democratic ticket, fulfilling his pledge to select a female running mate and making Harris the first Black woman ever to appear on a major party ticket. His campaign announced the pick Tuesday afternoon through its website. Biden's selection of Harris, 55, lends racial diversity, gender parity and generational breadth to his campaign. It also represents a strategic decision by the 77-year-old former vice president to keep his ticket firmly within the more moderate wing of the Democratic Party. "Back when Kamala was Attorney General, she worked closely with Beau," tweeted Biden, referring to his late son, Beau Biden. "I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted up working people, and protected women and kids from abuse. I was proud then, and I'm proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign." The selection came despite a monthslong pressure campaign from leftist factions that wanted Biden to pick a progressive star such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and in the final few weeks of the search, concerted lobbying by prominent Democrats on behalf of Rep. Karen Bass of California and former Obama National Security Advisor Susan Rice. Harris said in her own tweet shortly after Biden's decision, "Joe Biden can unify the American people because he's spent his life fighting for us. And as president, he'll build an America that lives up to our ideals. I'm honored to join him as our party's nominee for Vice President, and do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief." Former President Barack Obama complimented his vice president's choice. "Joe Biden nailed this decision," Obama said in a statement. "By choosing Senator Kamala Harris as America's next vice president, he's underscored his own judgment and character. Reality shows us that these attributes are not optional in a president. They're requirements of the job. And now Joe has an ideal partner to help him tackle the very real challenges America faces right now and in the years ahead."
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Following the announcement, Rice complimented Harris in a statement, calling her "a tenacious and trailblazing leader who will make a great partner on the campaign trail." Bass did the same, saying in a tweet that Harris' "tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is what is needed right now." Harris has a uniquely American biography: Her mother was a widely respected breast cancer researcher who immigrated to the United States from India in the 1960s. Her father, Donald Harris, is an eminent economist who spent much of his career at Stanford University. Also an immigrant, Harris moved to the United States from Jamaica around the time his future wife came from India. A first-term senator who served as California's attorney general from 2010-16, Harris has drawn on her personal and professional experience to emerge as a leader in the Senate on racial justice issues. "We've all watched her hold the Trump administration accountable for its corruption, stand up to a Justice Department that's run amok, and be a powerful voice against their extreme nominations," said Biden in his announcement Tuesday, touting her experience in the Senate. "She's been a leader on criminal justice and marriage equality. And she has focused like a laser on the racial disparities as a result of the coronavirus," Biden said.
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cnbc--2020-08-12--Here's what Kamala Harris brings to Joe Biden's campaign for president

WASHINGTON — After months of speculation and fierce behind-the-scenes lobbying , the wait is over .
Sen. Kamala Harris of California will be the running mate of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
`` Her record of accomplishment — fighting tooth and nail for what 's right — is why I 'm choosing her , '' Biden said in a statement Tuesday announcing Harris ' selection .
`` There is no door Kamala wo n't knock on , no stone she 'll leave unturned , if it means making life better — for the people . ''
Harris ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She 's been at or near the top of veepstakes lists ever since Biden essentially locked up the nomination in the spring .
During that time , however , several other potential running mates garnered national attention , including Rep. Karen Bass , former Obama National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .
But in the end , every other candidate under consideration lacked attributes that Harris contributes to the ticket .
Several contenders carried political baggage with them that threatened to distract from Biden 's own message .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ selection is `` first do no harm , '' the second rule is `` mobilize and energize key voting blocs . ''
For Biden , Harris does both .
As a Black and Indian American woman raised by her two immigrant parents west of the Mississippi , Harris ' background and biography resonate with huge swaths of the country — and even bigger swaths of Democratic voters — who do n't easily identify with Biden , the 77-year-old son of working-class Irish Catholics in the Northeast .
By contrast , Harris will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a major party 's general election ballot for president .
She is also the first Black person of any gender to be selected as the vice presidential nominee of a major party .
As of Tuesday , Harris is also a standard bearer of the Democratic Party and the face of its future .
Overnight , she has been politically transformed , from a prominent senator in a Senate filled with them , into the person who is statistically most likely to be the next Democratic president of the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the selection benefits Harris , the real winner here is Joe Biden .
By tapping the 55-year-old senator from the nation 's most populous state to run alongside him , Biden has chosen a running mate who possesses many of the qualities that , individually , made other vice presidential contenders stand out .
For example , Harris has a stand-out record of drafting and sponsoring major legislation in the Senate , something that two other potential running mates , Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Tammy Duckworth , had as well .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Democrats , not just those of color , were hoping to see this year in the party ticket .
With the nation at a crossroads over racial justice , the desire to see a woman of color on the ticket helped to elevate several other shortlisted candidates , including Bass and Rice , over other women with similar career trajectories .
Further strengthening Harris ' candidate profile during the vice presidential search was her professional experience enforcing the law , first as San Francisco 's district attorney and later as California 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is especially relevant today , when many Americans are rethinking how law enforcement should work .
Another prospect vetted by the campaign , Rep. Val Demings of Florida , is also a woman of color who spent her career in law enforcement .
But Demings had never run a large national political campaign before , nor did she have experience raising the kind of campaign money that Biden 's running mate will likely be expected to raise .
Then there 's the matter of votes .
Over the course of her career in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Harris has won more than 10 million individual votes , a number that far exceeds the votes won by any of the other legislators Biden considered for his running mate .
Harris has also proven her ability to raise enormous sums of money for her own campaign and for other Democrats .
Since launching her successful 2016 Senate campaign , Harris ' campaign committee has raised more than $ 23 million , according to campaign finance data .
Already on Tuesday , Wall Street executives who are active in politics were publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it 's great , '' Marc Lasry , CEO of investment firm Avenue Capital Group , told CNBC .
`` She 's going to help Joe immensely .
He picked the perfect partner . ''
But perhaps the biggest sign of how much Harris contributes to the Biden campaign can be found in a tweet by one of President Donald Trump 's most ardent supporters , Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. `` Senator Kamala Harris will be a formidable opponent .
She is smart , aggressive , and has fully bought in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda . ''

Former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Senator Kamala Harris shake hands before the start of the second night of the second U.S. 2020 presidential Democratic candidates debate in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., July 31, 2019.
WASHINGTON — After months of speculation and fierce behind-the-scenes lobbying, the wait is over. Sen. Kamala Harris of California will be the running mate of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
"Her record of accomplishment — fighting tooth and nail for what's right — is why I'm choosing her," Biden said in a statement Tuesday announcing Harris' selection. "There is no door Kamala won't knock on, no stone she'll leave unturned, if it means making life better — for the people."
Harris' selection wasn't exactly a surprise. She's been at or near the top of veepstakes lists ever since Biden essentially locked up the nomination in the spring. During that time, however, several other potential running mates garnered national attention, including Rep. Karen Bass, former Obama National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
But in the end, every other candidate under consideration lacked attributes that Harris contributes to the ticket. Several contenders carried political baggage with them that threatened to distract from Biden's own message.
While the first rule of vice presidential selection is "first do no harm," the second rule is "mobilize and energize key voting blocs."
For Biden, Harris does both. As a Black and Indian American woman raised by her two immigrant parents west of the Mississippi, Harris' background and biography resonate with huge swaths of the country — and even bigger swaths of Democratic voters — who don't easily identify with Biden, the 77-year-old son of working-class Irish Catholics in the Northeast.
By contrast, Harris will be the first Black woman ever to appear on a major party's general election ballot for president. She is also the first Black person of any gender to be selected as the vice presidential nominee of a major party.
As of Tuesday, Harris is also a standard bearer of the Democratic Party and the face of its future. Overnight, she has been politically transformed, from a prominent senator in a Senate filled with them, into the person who is statistically most likely to be the next Democratic president of the United States, after Biden.
But as much as the selection benefits Harris, the real winner here is Joe Biden.
By tapping the 55-year-old senator from the nation's most populous state to run alongside him, Biden has chosen a running mate who possesses many of the qualities that, individually, made other vice presidential contenders stand out.
For example, Harris has a stand-out record of drafting and sponsoring major legislation in the Senate, something that two other potential running mates, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, had as well.
She also has the diverse racial heritage that many Democrats, not just those of color, were hoping to see this year in the party ticket. With the nation at a crossroads over racial justice, the desire to see a woman of color on the ticket helped to elevate several other shortlisted candidates, including Bass and Rice, over other women with similar career trajectories.
Further strengthening Harris' candidate profile during the vice presidential search was her professional experience enforcing the law, first as San Francisco's district attorney and later as California's attorney general. This kind of experience is especially relevant today, when many Americans are rethinking how law enforcement should work.
Another prospect vetted by the campaign, Rep. Val Demings of Florida, is also a woman of color who spent her career in law enforcement. But Demings had never run a large national political campaign before, nor did she have experience raising the kind of campaign money that Biden's running mate will likely be expected to raise.
Then there's the matter of votes. Over the course of her career in politics at the state and national levels, Harris has won more than 10 million individual votes, a number that far exceeds the votes won by any of the other legislators Biden considered for his running mate.
Harris has also proven her ability to raise enormous sums of money for her own campaign and for other Democrats. Since launching her successful 2016 Senate campaign, Harris' campaign committee has raised more than $23 million, according to campaign finance data.
Already on Tuesday, Wall Street executives who are active in politics were publicly praising Biden's pick. "I think it's great," Marc Lasry, CEO of investment firm Avenue Capital Group, told CNBC. "She's going to help Joe immensely. He picked the perfect partner."
But perhaps the biggest sign of how much Harris contributes to the Biden campaign can be found in a tweet by one of President Donald Trump's most ardent supporters, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. "Senator Kamala Harris will be a formidable opponent. She is smart, aggressive, and has fully bought in to the Democratic Party's very liberal agenda."
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cnbc--2020-08-11--McConnell urges White House, Democrats to restart coronavirus relief negotiations

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Republican from Kentucky , wears a protective mask as he arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Tuesday , Aug. 11 , 2020 .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pushed Democrats and the White House to restart coronavirus relief talks on Tuesday as an impasse over aid leaves millions scrambling to cover bills .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows last met Friday , when their negotiations stalled .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the expiration of lifelines last month leaves many Americans facing the prospect of financial ruin .
McConnell , a Kentucky Republican , has not joined in the talks but set down a marker last month when the Senate GOP released its pandemic aid bill .
On Tuesday , he told Fox News that `` the American people are sick of the stalemate '' after another day passed with no formal discussions between Democrats and the Trump administration .
`` I think it 's time for everybody to get back to the table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done , '' he said .
Activity in Congress has all but stopped as the United States struggles to combat the economic and health-care crises created by the pandemic .
As the country tries to curb ongoing outbreaks , it has reported more than 5.1 million Covid-19 cases and at least 164,000 deaths from the disease .
The unemployment rate stands above 10 % , even after three strong months of job growth .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, wears a protective mask as he arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pushed Democrats and the White House to restart coronavirus relief talks on Tuesday as an impasse over aid leaves millions scrambling to cover bills.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows last met Friday, when their negotiations stalled. The sides have not huddled since, even as the expiration of lifelines last month leaves many Americans facing the prospect of financial ruin.
McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has not joined in the talks but set down a marker last month when the Senate GOP released its pandemic aid bill. On Tuesday, he told Fox News that "the American people are sick of the stalemate" after another day passed with no formal discussions between Democrats and the Trump administration.
"I think it's time for everybody to get back to the table, and let's get a deal done," he said.
Activity in Congress has all but stopped as the United States struggles to combat the economic and health-care crises created by the pandemic. As the country tries to curb ongoing outbreaks, it has reported more than 5.1 million Covid-19 cases and at least 164,000 deaths from the disease.
The unemployment rate stands above 10%, even after three strong months of job growth.


cnbc--2020-08-11--Government lawyer suggests Attorney General Barr had secret reasons for dropping Michael Flynn crimi

Government lawyer suggests Attorney General Barr had secret reasons for dropping Michael Flynn criminal case

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn exits a vehicle as he arrives for his sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court in Washington , U.S. , December 18 , 2018 .
Attorney General William Barr may have had secret information that led the Justice Department to seek to drop its criminal case against Michael Flynn , a government lawyer said Tuesday .
Jeffrey Wall , the acting U.S. solicitor general , revealed the possible existence of that nonpublic information during a full appeals court hearing over whether Flynn 's case in federal court should be dismissed , as the Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 10 who heard the oral arguments signaled they would likely allow a lower court to rule on whether to drop the criminal charge against Flynn .
The DOJ had provided multiple reasons for U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan to throw out its own case against Flynn , who had previously pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. in the weeks before Trump 's inauguration .
But Wall , who was representing the DOJ , told a full panel of judges on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that Barr 's judgment on Flynn 's case came `` in the context of nonpublic information from other investigations . ''
`` I just wanted to make clear that it may be possible that the attorney general had before him information that he was not able to share with the court , '' Wall said , `` and so what we put in front of the court were the reasons that we could , but it may not be the whole picture available to the executive branch . ''
Rather than promptly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charge against Flynn , Sullivan had appointed a former judge to make arguments for the position that the case should not be tossed .
Sullivan also allowed other outside parties to weigh in on the question .

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn exits a vehicle as he arrives for his sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., December 18, 2018.
Attorney General William Barr may have had secret information that led the Justice Department to seek to drop its criminal case against Michael Flynn, a government lawyer said Tuesday.
Jeffrey Wall, the acting U.S. solicitor general, revealed the possible existence of that nonpublic information during a full appeals court hearing over whether Flynn's case in federal court should be dismissed, as the Department of Justice has requested.
Several judges among the 10 who heard the oral arguments signaled they would likely allow a lower court to rule on whether to drop the criminal charge against Flynn.
The DOJ had provided multiple reasons for U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan to throw out its own case against Flynn, who had previously pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. in the weeks before Trump's inauguration.
But Wall, who was representing the DOJ, told a full panel of judges on the appeals court in Washington, D.C., that Barr's judgment on Flynn's case came "in the context of nonpublic information from other investigations."
"I just wanted to make clear that it may be possible that the attorney general had before him information that he was not able to share with the court," Wall said, "and so what we put in front of the court were the reasons that we could, but it may not be the whole picture available to the executive branch."
Rather than promptly grant the DOJ's request to drop the charge against Flynn, Sullivan had appointed a former judge to make arguments for the position that the case should not be tossed. Sullivan also allowed other outside parties to weigh in on the question.


cnbc--2020-08-11--Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers want her in general jail population, say Jeffrey Epstein's suicide is af

Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyers want her in general jail population, say Jeffrey Epstein's suicide is affecting her treatment

Ghislaine Maxwell , the British socialite accused of abetting sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein 's alleged abuse of underage girls , is being intensely watched in a New York City jail in an apparent effort to keep her from killing herself as Epstein did in another jail last year , her lawyers told a judge in a new court filing .
That scrutiny until recently included Maxwell , 58 , being `` subjected to suicide watch protocols . ''
Those have included `` being woken up every few hours during the night and being forced to wear special clothing '' as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing unit at the Metropolitan Detention Center , her lawyers wrote .
And `` she continues to be surveilled 24 hours a day by security cameras and by multiple prison guards , many of whom do not appear to be regular MDC personnel , '' the filing said .
`` These prison guards constantly observe Ms. Maxwell and take notes on her every activity , including her phone conversations with defense counsel . ''
And , `` her cell is searched multiple times a day and she has been forced to undergo numerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manhattan federal Judge Alison Nathan .
The letter asks Nathan to order that Maxwell , who is being held without bail , be moved into the general inmate population at the Brooklyn , New York , jail `` so that she can meaningfully participate in her defense . ''
They also asked that she be given `` significantly increased access to a computer terminal in order to review '' evidence in the case .
The lawyers wrote that `` Maxwell does not seek special treatment at the MDC ; but she does ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her treatment in detention , especially when it comes to preparing her defense to conduct that allegedly took place over 25 years ago . ''
Maxwell was arrested last month on federal criminal charges that accuse her of recruiting and grooming several underage girls in the mid-1990s so that they could be sexually abused by the wealthy investor Epstein , sometimes with Maxwell 's participation .
Both she and Epstein for years had socialized with rich and powerful people , including former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton , and Britain 's Prince @ @

Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite accused of abetting sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein's alleged abuse of underage girls, is being intensely watched in a New York City jail in an apparent effort to keep her from killing herself as Epstein did in another jail last year, her lawyers told a judge in a new court filing.
That scrutiny until recently included Maxwell, 58, being "subjected to suicide watch protocols."
Those have included "being woken up every few hours during the night and being forced to wear special clothing" as she is kept alone in a special housing unit at the Metropolitan Detention Center, her lawyers wrote.
And "she continues to be surveilled 24 hours a day by security cameras and by multiple prison guards, many of whom do not appear to be regular MDC personnel," the filing said.
"These prison guards constantly observe Ms. Maxwell and take notes on her every activity, including her phone conversations with defense counsel."
And, "her cell is searched multiple times a day and she has been forced to undergo numerous body scans," the lawyers wrote Manhattan federal Judge Alison Nathan.
The letter asks Nathan to order that Maxwell, who is being held without bail, be moved into the general inmate population at the Brooklyn, New York, jail "so that she can meaningfully participate in her defense."
They also asked that she be given "significantly increased access to a computer terminal in order to review" evidence in the case.
The lawyers wrote that "Maxwell does not seek special treatment at the MDC; but she does ask that she not be specially disfavored in her treatment in detention, especially when it comes to preparing her defense to conduct that allegedly took place over 25 years ago."
Maxwell was arrested last month on federal criminal charges that accuse her of recruiting and grooming several underage girls in the mid-1990s so that they could be sexually abused by the wealthy investor Epstein, sometimes with Maxwell's participation.
Both she and Epstein for years had socialized with rich and powerful people, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and Britain's Prince Andrew.


cnbc--2020-08-11--Biden campaign prepares for VP pick announcement

Former Vice President Joe Biden , 2020 Democratic presidential candidate , smiles during an primary night rally in the Baldwin Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles , California , U.S. , on Tuesday , March 3 , 2020 .
Most are familiar faces in Bidenland : Veteran Democratic message crafter Liz Allen will serve as the VP nominee 's communications director , while former Obama White House advance aides Ryan Montoya and Evan Glover will handle her scheduling and advance .
In Wilmington , Delaware , the Biden campaign has assembled a diverse team of nine campaign pros who will serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice presidential pick .
WASHINGTON — The last pieces are in place for the announcement of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's vice presidential running mate .
Biden has reportedly made his choice and informed top aides about it , and an announcement could come as early as Tuesday afternoon .
Former NBC News analyst and Obama White House alum Karine Jean-Pierre will serve as chief of staff for the VP pick .
Policy issues will be overseen by Amanda Perez , who most recently was the policy director for New Jersey Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition to staff for Biden 's running mate , two aides have also been tapped to assist the running mate 's spouse : Sheila Nix , a longtime chief of staff to Dr. Jill Biden , and Gina Lee , a former Obama White House aide who has spent the last three years at the Biden Foundation .
Elsewhere in the Democratic political ecosystem , Biden surrogates and fundraising committees are gearing up to blanket the airwaves with both a charm offensive to promote the pick and a zone defense against what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative attacks from the Trump campaign .
On the offensive front , Unite the Country , a prominent Biden-backing super PAC has reportedly prepared two sets of video ads , one for each of the women widely believed to be the most likely choices : California Sen. Kamala Harris and former national security advisor Susan Rice .
Meanwhile , several of the nation 's most visible women 's groups are ready and waiting to defend Biden 's running mate against attacks they know are coming .
In a letter sent last week to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women 's groups urged reporters and editors covering the vice presidential pick to consider how their coverage could feed stereotypes about women leaders , and especially about women of color .
Both Harris and Rice are Black .
For example , focusing on a woman 's looks , on her past romantic relationships , or on the ethnic heritage of a woman of color , they wrote , are all areas where harmful stereotypes can seep into news coverage consumed by voters .
Signatories include former Obama White House advisor Valerie Jarrett and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Planned Parenthood from 2006-18 .

Former Vice President Joe Biden, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, smiles during an primary night rally in the Baldwin Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
Most are familiar faces in Bidenland: Veteran Democratic message crafter Liz Allen will serve as the VP nominee's communications director, while former Obama White House advance aides Ryan Montoya and Evan Glover will handle her scheduling and advance.
In Wilmington, Delaware, the Biden campaign has assembled a diverse team of nine campaign pros who will serve as the top aides to the as-yet-unannounced vice presidential pick.
WASHINGTON — The last pieces are in place for the announcement of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's vice presidential running mate. Biden has reportedly made his choice and informed top aides about it, and an announcement could come as early as Tuesday afternoon.
Former NBC News analyst and Obama White House alum Karine Jean-Pierre will serve as chief of staff for the VP pick. Policy issues will be overseen by Amanda Perez, who most recently was the policy director for New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker's presidential campaign.
In addition to staff for Biden's running mate, two aides have also been tapped to assist the running mate's spouse: Sheila Nix, a longtime chief of staff to Dr. Jill Biden, and Gina Lee, a former Obama White House aide who has spent the last three years at the Biden Foundation.
Elsewhere in the Democratic political ecosystem, Biden surrogates and fundraising committees are gearing up to blanket the airwaves with both a charm offensive to promote the pick and a zone defense against what they anticipate will be an immediate onslaught of negative attacks from the Trump campaign.
On the offensive front, Unite the Country, a prominent Biden-backing super PAC has reportedly prepared two sets of video ads, one for each of the women widely believed to be the most likely choices: California Sen. Kamala Harris and former national security advisor Susan Rice.
Meanwhile, several of the nation's most visible women's groups are ready and waiting to defend Biden's running mate against attacks they know are coming.
In a letter sent last week to news organizations, leaders of several major women's groups urged reporters and editors covering the vice presidential pick to consider how their coverage could feed stereotypes about women leaders, and especially about women of color. Both Harris and Rice are Black.
For example, focusing on a woman's looks, on her past romantic relationships, or on the ethnic heritage of a woman of color, they wrote, are all areas where harmful stereotypes can seep into news coverage consumed by voters. Signatories include former Obama White House advisor Valerie Jarrett and Cecile Richards, who was president of Planned Parenthood from 2006-18.


cnbc--2020-08-12--The case against Trump is 'open and shut,' says Kamala Harris in her first speech as Biden's VP pick

WASHINGTON — Sen. Kamala Harris delivered a scathing condemnation of President Donald Trump on Wednesday during her first appearance with former Vice President Joe Biden as his running mate on the Democratic ticket .
`` The case against Donald Trump and Mike Pence is open and shut , '' said Harris , a nod to her career as a prosecutor .
`` Just look where they 've gotten us : More than 16 million out of work .
Millions of kids who can not go back to school .
... And tragically , more than 165,000 lives that have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who never got the chance to say goodbye . ''
`` It did n't have to be this way , '' she said .
Harris spoke in Wilmington , Delaware , in a high school gym without an audience there to cheer the applause lines .
Both Biden and Harris wore masks while they were near other people , a grim reminder of how the coronavirus pandemic has upended presidential campaign traditions .
Still , the warmth and personal ease between the two candidates was palpable .
`` As a child of immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrant families enrich our country , as well as the challenges of what it means to grow up Black and Indian-American in the United States of America , '' said Biden .
`` Her story is America 's story .
It 's different from mine in many particulars , but also not so different in the essentials . ''
`` And this morning , all across the nation , little girls woke up , especially little Black and Brown girls , who so often feel overlooked and undervalued in their communities , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're seeing themselves for the first time in a new way , as the stuff of presidents and vice presidents , '' Biden said .
`` My campaign has always been a family affair , every campaign I 've run , '' said Biden , turning to Harris .
`` So I 've got some news for you , you 're all honorary Bidens .
And here 's the best part : Kamala , you 've been an honorary Biden for quite some time . ''
Speaking after Biden , Harris led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late son Beau Biden , whom she considered a friend and colleague .
`` He really was the best of us , and when I would ask him , 'Where did you get that ?
Where did this come from ? '
he would always talk about his dad , '' she said .

WASHINGTON — Sen. Kamala Harris delivered a scathing condemnation of President Donald Trump on Wednesday during her first appearance with former Vice President Joe Biden as his running mate on the Democratic ticket.
"The case against Donald Trump and Mike Pence is open and shut," said Harris, a nod to her career as a prosecutor. "Just look where they've gotten us: More than 16 million out of work. Millions of kids who cannot go back to school. ... And tragically, more than 165,000 lives that have been cut short, many with loved ones who never got the chance to say goodbye."
"It didn't have to be this way," she said.
Harris spoke in Wilmington, Delaware, in a high school gym without an audience there to cheer the applause lines. Both Biden and Harris wore masks while they were near other people, a grim reminder of how the coronavirus pandemic has upended presidential campaign traditions. Still, the warmth and personal ease between the two candidates was palpable.
"As a child of immigrants, [Harris] knows personally how immigrant families enrich our country, as well as the challenges of what it means to grow up Black and Indian-American in the United States of America," said Biden. "Her story is America's story. It's different from mine in many particulars, but also not so different in the essentials."
"And this morning, all across the nation, little girls woke up, especially little Black and Brown girls, who so often feel overlooked and undervalued in their communities, but today — today, just maybe, they're seeing themselves for the first time in a new way, as the stuff of presidents and vice presidents," Biden said.
"My campaign has always been a family affair, every campaign I've run," said Biden, turning to Harris. "So I've got some news for you, you're all honorary Bidens. And here's the best part: Kamala, you've been an honorary Biden for quite some time."
Speaking after Biden, Harris led with an emotional tribute to Biden's late son Beau Biden, whom she considered a friend and colleague. "He really was the best of us, and when I would ask him, 'Where did you get that? Where did this come from?' he would always talk about his dad," she said.


cnbc--2020-08-12--No sign of a stimulus deal in sight as Mnuchin, Pelosi phone call yields no progress

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , a Democrat from New York , left , listens as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , a Democrat from California , speaks to members of the media following a meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Friday , Aug. 7 , 2020 .
The prospects of another round of coronavirus relief appeared even more grim Wednesday after a call between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin moved them no closer to cracking a stalemate .
Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have not met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff Mark Meadows to hash out a pandemic aid package since Friday .
Talks fell apart even as the virus spreads around the country and Americans struggle to find work after two financial lifelines lapsed last month .
Mnuchin reached out to Pelosi by phone on Wednesday , a source familiar with the call said .
In a joint statement , Pelosi and Schumer signaled they would not yet restart discussions after the Treasury secretary again rejected their offer to find a middle ground between the Democrats ' more than $ 3 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 trillion proposal .
`` We have again made clear to the Administration that we are willing to resume negotiations once they start to take this process seriously , '' they added .
Mnuchin later said Pelosi 's comments were `` not an accurate reflection of our conversation . ''
In his own statement , he said she `` made clear that she was unwilling to meet to continue negotiations unless we agreed in advance to her proposal , costing at least $ 2 trillion . ''
`` The Democrats have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During an earlier MSNBC interview in which she said the sides are `` miles apart , '' Pelosi described the gulf between Democrats and Republicans as `` a chasm , because they do not share our values . ''

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, left, listens as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, speaks to members of the media following a meeting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020.
The prospects of another round of coronavirus relief appeared even more grim Wednesday after a call between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin moved them no closer to cracking a stalemate.
Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have not met with Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to hash out a pandemic aid package since Friday. Talks fell apart even as the virus spreads around the country and Americans struggle to find work after two financial lifelines lapsed last month.
Mnuchin reached out to Pelosi by phone on Wednesday, a source familiar with the call said. In a joint statement, Pelosi and Schumer signaled they would not yet restart discussions after the Treasury secretary again rejected their offer to find a middle ground between the Democrats' more than $3 trillion relief package and the GOP's roughly $1 trillion proposal.
"We have again made clear to the Administration that we are willing to resume negotiations once they start to take this process seriously," they added.
Mnuchin later said Pelosi's comments were "not an accurate reflection of our conversation." In his own statement, he said she "made clear that she was unwilling to meet to continue negotiations unless we agreed in advance to her proposal, costing at least $2 trillion."
"The Democrats have no interest in negotiating," Mnuchin said.
During an earlier MSNBC interview in which she said the sides are "miles apart," Pelosi described the gulf between Democrats and Republicans as "a chasm, because they do not share our values."


cnbc--2020-08-12--GOP, Dems share blame for unemployment benefits lapse, voters say in CNBC/Change poll

Francis Stallings tapes signs to her car before participating in a caravan rally down the Las Vegas Strip in support of extending the $ 600 unemployment benefit , August 6 , 2020 in Las Vegas , Nevada .
The poll , taken from Friday through Sunday , surveyed 2,701 likely voters in the states of Arizona , Florida , Michigan , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
It has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points .
Partisan leanings inform voters ' views on who shoulders the responsibility .
The poll found 78 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while 19 % fault both parties equally .
Four-in-five Republicans put the onus on Democrats and 11 % hold both sides equally liable .
Among independents , 40 % blame Democrats , 31 % fault the GOP and 25 % hold both parties responsible , the survey found .
As coronavirus relief talks in Washington stall and millions of people stare down financial ruin , voters in six key 2020 election states put the onus on both parties , according to the survey released Wednesday .
It found 40 % of respondents blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 39 % hold President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans most responsible .
Another 18 % said they blame both parties equally .
The $ 600 per week federal unemployment insurance supplement lapsed at the end of July after lawmakers failed to pass legislation to extend it .
Congress passed the benefit in March to sustain people put out of work by widespread closures designed to curb the outbreak .
As Congress flounders in its attempts to buoy Americans left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic , voters in six swing states blame Republicans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNBC/Change Research poll .
Those six states will play a major role in determining whether Trump or Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden will win the White House in November , and whether Republicans will hold their Senate majority .
The poll indicates that voters there have not yet assigned clear blame for a debacle in Congress that has left millions of people scrambling to cover their costs of living .
House Democrats first passed a bill in May that extended the $ 600 per week jobless benefit into January .
The GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week of July .
It called to cut the extra unemployment insurance to $ 200 a week through September , then set the payment at 70 % wage replacement .
Democrats say Republicans have failed to recognize the gravity of the crisis and waited too long to try to extend the unemployment benefits .
The GOP says Democrats allowed the payments to lapse because they rejected White House offers to temporarily extend the insurance while the sides hashed out a larger relief package .
In an election year shaped by government failure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobless Americans is a critical issue .
Trump recognizes his peril as polling averages show him trailing Biden in most 2020 swing states .
After coronavirus aid talks between his administration and Democrats collapsed on Friday , the president took a series of constitutionally questionable executive actions to try to continue pandemic relief .
The measures extend the extra jobless benefit with payments of at least $ 300 per week , sustain student loan assistance , offer loose protections from eviction and create a payroll tax holiday .
It is unclear now when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal and pass legislation .
Unemployment insurance is one of the thorny issues still holding up talks as Democrats insist on maintaining the $ 600 per week benefit .
Some Republicans oppose even a $ 200 weekly payment .
The White House reportedly offered last week to support extending the supplemental insurance at $ 400 per week into December .
Asked if $ 400 would be sufficient , 33 % of respondents to Wednesday 's swing-state poll said the sum would not be enough .
Another 31 % responded that it is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % said the payment would be too much .
As the parties try to assign blame for Congress ' failure to pass more assistance , the CNBC/Change poll shows a competitive presidential race in the swing states .
Biden leads Trump by a 48 % to 44 % margin across the six states .
Biden has an edge in five of the six individual states , though the matchups in some are closer than others .
As voters prepare to cast a historic number of ballots by mail during the pandemic , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery after campaign donor Louis DeJoy became postmaster general .
Democrats have pushed for additional funding and operational overhauls at the U.S .
Postal Service to ensure timely ballot delivery .

A participant tapes a sign to her car before an Aug. 6, 2020, caravan rally on the Las Vegas Strip in support of extending $600 unemployment benefit.
The poll, taken from Friday through Sunday, surveyed 2,701 likely voters in the states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.
Partisan leanings inform voters' views on who shoulders the responsibility. The poll found 78% of Democrats blame Trump and the GOP, while 19% fault both parties equally. Four-in-five Republicans put the onus on Democrats and 11% hold both sides equally liable. Among independents, 40% blame Democrats, 31% fault the GOP and 25% hold both parties responsible, the survey found.
As coronavirus relief talks in Washington stall and millions of people stare down financial ruin, voters in six key 2020 election states put the onus on both parties, according to the survey released Wednesday. It found 40% of respondents blame Democrats on Capitol Hill most, while 39% hold President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans most responsible. Another 18% said they blame both parties equally.
The $600 per week federal unemployment insurance supplement lapsed at the end of July after lawmakers failed to pass legislation to extend it. Congress passed the benefit in March to sustain people put out of work by widespread closures designed to curb the outbreak.
As Congress flounders in its attempts to buoy Americans left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic, voters in six swing states blame Republicans and Democrats equally, according to a new CNBC/Change Research poll.
Those six states will play a major role in determining whether Trump or Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden will win the White House in November, and whether Republicans will hold their Senate majority. The poll indicates that voters there have not yet assigned clear blame for a debacle in Congress that has left millions of people scrambling to cover their costs of living.
House Democrats first passed a bill in May that extended the $600 per week jobless benefit into January. The GOP then released its counter offer in the last week of July. It called to cut the extra unemployment insurance to $200 a week through September, then set the payment at 70% wage replacement.
Democrats say Republicans have failed to recognize the gravity of the crisis and waited too long to try to extend the unemployment benefits. The GOP says Democrats allowed the payments to lapse because they rejected White House offers to temporarily extend the insurance while the sides hashed out a larger relief package.
In an election year shaped by government failure to contain the virus, relief for jobless Americans is a critical issue. Trump recognizes his peril as polling averages show him trailing Biden in most 2020 swing states.
After coronavirus aid talks between his administration and Democrats collapsed on Friday, the president took a series of constitutionally questionable executive actions to try to continue pandemic relief. The measures extend the extra jobless benefit with payments of at least $300 per week, sustain student loan assistance, offer loose protections from eviction and create a payroll tax holiday.
It is unclear now when negotiators in Washington will strike an aid deal and pass legislation. Unemployment insurance is one of the thorny issues still holding up talks as Democrats insist on maintaining the $600 per week benefit. Some Republicans oppose even a $200 weekly payment.
The White House reportedly offered last week to support extending the supplemental insurance at $400 per week into December. Asked if $400 would be sufficient, 33% of respondents to Wednesday's swing-state poll said the sum would not be enough.
Another 31% responded that it is about the right amount. Meanwhile, 23% said the payment would be too much.
As the parties try to assign blame for Congress' failure to pass more assistance, the CNBC/Change poll shows a competitive presidential race in the swing states. Biden leads Trump by a 48% to 44% margin across the six states.
Biden has an edge in five of the six individual states, though the matchups in some are closer than others.
Arizona: Biden 45%, Trump 44%
Biden 45%, Trump 44% Florida: Biden 50%, Trump 44%
Biden 50%, Trump 44% Michigan: Biden 48%, Trump 43%
Biden 48%, Trump 43% North Carolina: Trump 48%, Biden 47%
Trump 48%, Biden 47% Pennsylvania: Biden 48%, Trump 44%
Biden 48%, Trump 44% Wisconsin: Biden 47%, Trump 43%
As voters prepare to cast a historic number of ballots by mail during the pandemic, Trump has faced criticism for delays in mail delivery after campaign donor Louis DeJoy became postmaster general. Democrats have pushed for additional funding and operational overhauls at the U.S. Postal Service to ensure timely ballot delivery.


cnbc--2020-08-12--Op-ed: Knocking down legal barriers to women's economic empowerment

Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump speaks during an event for the W-GDP , Global Womens Development and Prosperity Initiative plan , at the State Department in Washington , DC on August 11 , 2020 .
This week , the Trump administration announced the release of action plans responding to the December 2019 Presidential Memorandum on Addressing Legal and Societal Barriers to Women 's Global Development and Prosperity ( W-GDP ) .
Ten U.S. Government agencies and departments presented detailed plans on how they would leverage their unique capabilities to remove legal and regulatory barriers to women 's full and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These plans build upon progress already made under the Women 's Global Development and Prosperity ( W-GDP ) Initiative .
W-GDP a whole-of-government effort dedicated to women 's economic empowerment .
It focuses on three pillars : Women Prospering in the Workforce , Women Succeeding as Entrepreneurs , and Women Enabled in the Economy .
W-GDP 's third pillar , `` Women Enabled in the Economy , '' addresses the laws , regulations , policies , and practices that limit women 's ability to reach their economic potential .
According to the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House Council of Economic Advisers , if countries around the world addressed W-GDP 's five foundational areas of legal reform – women 's ability to access institutions ; build credit ; own and manage property ; travel freely ; and work in the same jobs and sectors as men – as much as $ 7.7 trillion could be added to annual global GDP .

Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump speaks during an event for the W-GDP, Global Womens Development and Prosperity Initiative plan, at the State Department in Washington, DC on August 11, 2020.
This week, the Trump administration announced the release of action plans responding to the December 2019 Presidential Memorandum on Addressing Legal and Societal Barriers to Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP).
Ten U.S. Government agencies and departments presented detailed plans on how they would leverage their unique capabilities to remove legal and regulatory barriers to women's full and free participation in the global economy.
These plans build upon progress already made under the Women's Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative. W-GDP a whole-of-government effort dedicated to women's economic empowerment.
It focuses on three pillars: Women Prospering in the Workforce, Women Succeeding as Entrepreneurs, and Women Enabled in the Economy.
W-GDP's third pillar, "Women Enabled in the Economy," addresses the laws, regulations, policies, and practices that limit women's ability to reach their economic potential.
According to the "W-GDP Index," a report by the White House Council of Economic Advisers, if countries around the world addressed W-GDP's five foundational areas of legal reform – women's ability to access institutions; build credit; own and manage property; travel freely; and work in the same jobs and sectors as men – as much as $7.7 trillion could be added to annual global GDP.


cnbc--2020-08-12--Wall Street executives are glad Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris to be his VP running mate

Wall Street leaders on Tuesday cheered Joe Biden 's selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate in the presidential election .
Finance executives , confident the ticket has what it takes to topple President Donald Trump , raved about her experience in government , as well as her fundraising prowess .
`` I think it 's great , '' said Marc Lasry , the CEO of investment firm Avenue Capital Group .
`` She 's going to help Joe immensely .
He picked the perfect partner . ''
Lasry is also a part owner of the NBA 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-founder of Centerview Partners , texted `` GREAT CHOICE '' to CNBC .
Citigroup 's Ray McGuire sent a similar message .
When she ran for president last year , Harris saw contributions from executives in a wide range of industries , including film , TV , real estate and finance , according to data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
Her campaign finished raising close to $ 40 million .
Harris , who dropped out of the race in December , opened up a joint fundraising committee with the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to raise six figure checks that mainly went to the party as a whole .
Harris , a former California attorney general , also overcame headwinds from a group of Biden allies who privately tried to block her from becoming the nominee for vice president .
Financial advisory firm Signum Global is already telling its clients that the choice of Harris reinforces the notion that the Democratic ticket is more moderate than progressive .
Jon Henes , a partner at corporate restructuring firm Kirkland & Ellis who was Harris ' national finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CNBC that the choice shows Biden 's strong judgment .
He added that her supporters are ready to give Democrats the backing they need to defeat Trump .
`` Vice President Biden 's first decision is the perfect one and demonstrates his excellent judgement , '' Henes said .
`` Kamala 's supporters will follow her lead and work non-stop to help Biden and Harris win this historic and critical election . ''
Prior to Biden 's announcement , his fundraisers were plotting a virtual fundraising blitz that is now set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticket could help push the Biden campaign over the top in the cash race with Trump .
Last month , Biden and the Democratic National Committee combined to raise $ 140 million , while Trump and the Republican National Committee brought in $ 165 million .
Biden and the DNC went into August with $ 295 million on hand and Trump 's team had $ 300 million .
`` She has a strong and active fundraising organization .
She will be an important and immediate addition to the Biden fundraising effort .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Her experience as a prosecutor makes her uniquely qualified to deliver the case against Trump . ''
Charles Myers , the founder of Signum and a former vice chair of Evercore , told CNBC that the choice eased the nerves of clients who were questioning whether Biden would stay in the moderate lane .
`` Our clients really wanted to know if Biden was going to stay in the center , and his pick of Harris reinforces that , '' he said on Tuesday .
A note he sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris , who generally could be called a centrist , will not push Biden to the left or the right on major policy issues .
She will be supportive of Biden and the Democratic Party 's policy platform , '' the note reads .


cnbc--2020-08-13--The case against Trump is 'open and shut,' says Kamala Harris in her first speech as Biden's VP pick