cnbc--2020-09-16--What would Biden's White House economic team look like? Here are some key contenders

Despite an uncertain economic outlook and a diverse array of advisors on Joe Biden 's economic team , Wall Street speculators and Beltway wonks have nonetheless drummed up a list of policymakers who could play roles in a potential Biden White House .
The cast ranges from progressive favorite Sen. Elizabeth Warren to equitability economist Heather Boushey .
Longtime Biden confidant Jared Bernstein is also thought to be a top contender for a role , while others speculate that Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard could be on the short list .
CNBC reached out to several economists and politicians who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All declined to offer comment for this story and on their interactions with the campaign .
The economy — along with the coronavirus crisis itself — are likely to be Biden 's top priorities should he defeat President Donald Trump in November .
The former vice president holds a lead of approximately 7 percentage points in polling averages and narrowly edges Trump in several swing-state polls .
The U.S. unemployment rate is still over 8 % , more than 13 million American workers continue to receive unemployment benefits , and Covid-19 remains far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as people spend more time indoors .
So whom Biden chooses to lead the White House 's economic policy will likely have more impact than usual for a newly elected president .
`` Steven Mnuchin emerged as the key negotiator between House Democrats and the White House , and demonstrated the key role the secretary of Treasury can play , '' wrote Tom Block , policy analyst at FundStrat Global Advisors .
`` If VP Biden wins , getting the economy back on track will undoubtedly be his highest priority . ''
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading candidates for economic roles in a potential Biden administration .
No conversation about Biden 's future Cabinet would be complete without a mention of Sen. Elizabeth Warren , whose crusader-like devotion to holding Wall Street accountable has made her something of a progressive icon .
Though she was among Biden 's challengers in the Democratic primary , her deep knowledge of the U.S. financial system and bankruptcy law makes her a compelling contender for Treasury secretary .
She and Biden now reportedly hold regular phone calls to discuss policy .
Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as personal bankruptcy and expanding Social Security to ending student-loan debt for millions .
But a key force that could potentially doom Warren 's appointment to lead the Treasury is her indisputable value to Democrats as a senator .
Even if Biden wins the White House , the composition of the Senate is far less certain and Democrats may be hard-pressed to surrender Warren 's seat .
The situation is further complicated given that Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker is a Republican , meaning that he could nominate another member of the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she accept a role in the Cabinet .
`` I believe whom [ Biden ] picks could be determined by which party controls the Senate , '' Fundstrat 's Block wrote in an email .
`` If Republicans maintain control , just like Mnuchin worked well with House Democrats , Biden will need a [ Treasury ] secretary who can work with Senate Republicans . ''
`` Senator Warren may not fit that profile , '' Block added .
Another name tossed around in conversations about Biden 's short list for Treasury secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Federal Reserve 's Board of Governors .
As one of just five members on the Fed 's board , Brainard has become a key lieutenant to Chairman Jerome Powell thanks to her deep knowledge of fiscal and monetary policy .
Her comments on the state of the economy , though not as frequent as those of other Fed officials , nonetheless carry weight on Wall Street and among fellow policymakers .
Respect for her outlook comes both from her time at the Fed and after her tenure as the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until 2013 during one of the most turbulent times in modern U.S. economics .
She served as deputy national economic advisor and deputy assistant to the president from 1998 to 2000 .
Her appointment to the Treasury Department 's top job could also prove politically savvy : It would spare the Biden administration from risking Warren 's Senate seat without irking either centrist or progressive Democrats .
She has `` broad experience with international financial issues [ and ] would be first female Treasury secretary , '' wrote Charles Myers , chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring a more centrist approach without alienating progressives . ''
Though not necessarily a contender for Treasury secretary , Quibi CEO Meg Whitman could prove one of Biden 's more centrist Cabinet picks .
Whitman , a longtime Republican and former California gubernatorial candidate , is experienced in the technology and media sectors .
That could make her a compelling pick to lead the Commerce Department .
Whitman has led a number of companies in the private sector , including as CEO of both eBay and Hewlett Packard Enterprise .
She was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1980s .
A senior advisor to Mitt Romney 's 2012 presidential campaign , Whitman has allies on both sides of the political aisle and could make a good liaison for U.S. business interests .
During an interview with CNBC in August , Whitman criticized the Trump administration and praised portions of Biden 's economic plans , including modest tax increases .
She also skirted a question from host David Faber on whether she 'd accept a role in a Biden White House , saying she enjoys her time in the private sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton in 2016 , Whitman , CEO of Quibi , is supporting Biden 's campaign and spoke at the Democratic National Convention , '' Myers wrote .
`` Biden would use her as an example of 'reaching across the aisle . '
'' Bernstein testified before the U.S. Joint Economic Committee in late July that Covid-19 and its economic impact has hit certain demographics harder than others and advised Congress to factor that in to subsequent relief packages .
`` While most Americans are experiencing some extent of these problems , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color , '' he said in his remarks .
`` Congress can once again throw struggling people , places , and businesses the lifeline they need to make it to other side of this crisis , '' he added .
`` Along with uninterrupted enhanced UI benefits , I 've argued for increased nutritional support , state and local fiscal relief , and help for smaller , more vulnerable businesses .
Shortchanging such temporary fiscal relief due to deficit concerns would be , I have argued , highly misguided . ''
Heather Boushey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden campaign as the Democratic Party moves leftward into more progressive policies .
Boushey is one of Washington 's leading voices in labor and workplace reform , and much of her work centers on how best to improve women 's economic outcomes : Fighting wage discrimination and ensuring paid family leave .
Her works , including a 2017 essay for The Hamilton Project , are dotted with citations to some of the globe 's premier labor and inequality economists , including Harvard University 's Raj Chetty , who is also said to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's John Friedman and University of California at Berkeley 's Emmanuel Saez .
A key common thread to Boushey 's work is an argument against the notion that legislation that benefits marginalized demographics , e.g.
, the working class , racial minorities and women , is bad for the economy and leads to market inefficiencies .
Fairer and modernized labor laws , she argues , would not only benefit those groups , but in turn would benefit the broader national economy .
`` Despite the central role women play in the U.S. economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little to address the various ways in which women are held back at work , '' Boushey wrote in 2017 .
`` This not only hampers women 's economic well-being , but also has implications for U.S. productivity , labor force participation , and economic growth . ''
A longtime ally of Warren 's , Cordray is considered one of the nation 's top financial watchdogs and an expert on banking law .
When he was Ohio 's attorney general , he helped lead a suit against Bank of America in 2009 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conceal information about Merrill Lynch 's deteriorating financials ahead of a shareholder vote on their merger .
`` Cordray is a critic of corporate power and saw his jurisdiction as Director be minimized over time following various court battles , '' wrote Aidan Smith , a lead researcher at left-leaning Data For Progress .
`` Cordray has notably stated that America 'must supplement [ its ] base political and legal equality with some more robust measures of economic equality and economic rights as well . '
'' `` In the wake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , Cordray has sounded the alarm on both the current and impending consumer debt crisis and proposed measures to rein in what he describes as 'vehement ' debt collectors , '' Smith added .
Cordray left the CFPB in 2017 as the Trump administration looked for ways to erode the bureau 's influence and refocused his efforts on Ohio politics .
He suffered a defeat at the hands of Gov .
Mike DeWine in the state 's 2018 gubernatorial election , but could find a new role in financial enforcement back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Democratic presidential hopefuls Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Vice President Joe Biden shake hands as they arrive onstage for the third Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season. Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images
Despite an uncertain economic outlook and a diverse array of advisors on Joe Biden's economic team, Wall Street speculators and Beltway wonks have nonetheless drummed up a list of policymakers who could play roles in a potential Biden White House. The cast ranges from progressive favorite Sen. Elizabeth Warren to equitability economist Heather Boushey. Longtime Biden confidant Jared Bernstein is also thought to be a top contender for a role, while others speculate that Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard could be on the short list. CNBC reached out to several economists and politicians who reportedly are advising the Biden campaign. All declined to offer comment for this story and on their interactions with the campaign. The economy — along with the coronavirus crisis itself — are likely to be Biden's top priorities should he defeat President Donald Trump in November. The former vice president holds a lead of approximately 7 percentage points in polling averages and narrowly edges Trump in several swing-state polls. The U.S. unemployment rate is still over 8%, more than 13 million American workers continue to receive unemployment benefits, and Covid-19 remains far from contained and could rebound this fall as people spend more time indoors. So whom Biden chooses to lead the White House's economic policy will likely have more impact than usual for a newly elected president. "Steven Mnuchin emerged as the key negotiator between House Democrats and the White House, and demonstrated the key role the secretary of Treasury can play," wrote Tom Block, policy analyst at FundStrat Global Advisors. "If VP Biden wins, getting the economy back on track will undoubtedly be his highest priority." Here some of the people considered to be leading candidates for economic roles in a potential Biden administration.
Elizabeth Warren
No conversation about Biden's future Cabinet would be complete without a mention of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whose crusader-like devotion to holding Wall Street accountable has made her something of a progressive icon. Though she was among Biden's challengers in the Democratic primary, her deep knowledge of the U.S. financial system and bankruptcy law makes her a compelling contender for Treasury secretary. She and Biden now reportedly hold regular phone calls to discuss policy. Biden has touted Warren-endorsed ideas ranging from topics such as personal bankruptcy and expanding Social Security to ending student-loan debt for millions. But a key force that could potentially doom Warren's appointment to lead the Treasury is her indisputable value to Democrats as a senator.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivers a campaign speech at East Los Angeles College on March 2, 2020 in Monterey Park, California. Mario Tama | Getty Images
Even if Biden wins the White House, the composition of the Senate is far less certain and Democrats may be hard-pressed to surrender Warren's seat. The situation is further complicated given that Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is a Republican, meaning that he could nominate another member of the GOP to fill Warren's Senate seat should she accept a role in the Cabinet. "I believe whom [Biden] picks could be determined by which party controls the Senate," Fundstrat's Block wrote in an email. "If Republicans maintain control, just like Mnuchin worked well with House Democrats, Biden will need a [Treasury] secretary who can work with Senate Republicans." "Senator Warren may not fit that profile," Block added.
Lael Brainard
Another name tossed around in conversations about Biden's short list for Treasury secretary is Lael Brainard, a current member of the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. As one of just five members on the Fed's board, Brainard has become a key lieutenant to Chairman Jerome Powell thanks to her deep knowledge of fiscal and monetary policy. Her comments on the state of the economy, though not as frequent as those of other Fed officials, nonetheless carry weight on Wall Street and among fellow policymakers.
Lael Brainard, governor of the U.S. Federal Reserve with Fed Governors, Jerome Powell and Stanley Fischer. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Respect for her outlook comes both from her time at the Fed and after her tenure as the United States undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs until 2013 during one of the most turbulent times in modern U.S. economics. She served as deputy national economic advisor and deputy assistant to the president from 1998 to 2000. Her appointment to the Treasury Department's top job could also prove politically savvy: It would spare the Biden administration from risking Warren's Senate seat without irking either centrist or progressive Democrats. She has "broad experience with international financial issues [and] would be first female Treasury secretary," wrote Charles Myers, chairman of Signum Global Advisors. She'd "bring a more centrist approach without alienating progressives."
Meg Whitman
Though not necessarily a contender for Treasury secretary, Quibi CEO Meg Whitman could prove one of Biden's more centrist Cabinet picks. Whitman, a longtime Republican and former California gubernatorial candidate, is experienced in the technology and media sectors. That could make her a compelling pick to lead the Commerce Department. Whitman has led a number of companies in the private sector, including as CEO of both eBay and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. She was an executive at the Walt Disney Company in the 1980s.
Meg Whitman of Quibi at CES Source: CNBC
A senior advisor to Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, Whitman has allies on both sides of the political aisle and could make a good liaison for U.S. business interests. During an interview with CNBC in August, Whitman criticized the Trump administration and praised portions of Biden's economic plans, including modest tax increases. She also skirted a question from host David Faber on whether she'd accept a role in a Biden White House, saying she enjoys her time in the private sector. "A Republican who campaigned for Clinton in 2016, Whitman, CEO of Quibi, is supporting Biden's campaign and spoke at the Democratic National Convention," Myers wrote. "Biden would use her as an example of 'reaching across the aisle.'"
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Jared Bernstein
Economist Jared Bernstein is thought to be almost assured a position in a Biden administration should he accept. Bernstein was a top economic advisor to the vice president during the Obama White House and continues to advise Biden on the campaign trail. His expertise in income inequality, class mobility and other employment outcomes makes him a good fit for either the National Economic Council or the Council of Economic Advisors.
Jared Bernstein Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Bernstein testified before the U.S. Joint Economic Committee in late July that Covid-19 and its economic impact has hit certain demographics harder than others and advised Congress to factor that in to subsequent relief packages. "While most Americans are experiencing some extent of these problems, they are particularly acute for persons and communities of color," he said in his remarks. "Congress can once again throw struggling people, places, and businesses the lifeline they need to make it to other side of this crisis," he added. "Along with uninterrupted enhanced UI benefits, I've argued for increased nutritional support, state and local fiscal relief, and help for smaller, more vulnerable businesses. Shortchanging such temporary fiscal relief due to deficit concerns would be, I have argued, highly misguided."
Heather Boushey
Heather Boushey has become a regular briefer to the Biden campaign as the Democratic Party moves leftward into more progressive policies. Boushey is one of Washington's leading voices in labor and workplace reform, and much of her work centers on how best to improve women's economic outcomes: Fighting wage discrimination and ensuring paid family leave. Her works, including a 2017 essay for The Hamilton Project, are dotted with citations to some of the globe's premier labor and inequality economists, including Harvard University's Raj Chetty, who is also said to be advising the Biden campaign; Brown University's John Friedman and University of California at Berkeley's Emmanuel Saez.
Heather Boushey, Executive Director and Chief Economist, Equitable Growth, gives remarks, at The White House Summit on The United State of Women. Cheriss May | NurPhoto | Getty Images
A key common thread to Boushey's work is an argument against the notion that legislation that benefits marginalized demographics, e.g., the working class, racial minorities and women, is bad for the economy and leads to market inefficiencies. Fairer and modernized labor laws, she argues, would not only benefit those groups, but in turn would benefit the broader national economy. "Despite the central role women play in the U.S. economy, our labor laws and institutions do little to address the various ways in which women are held back at work," Boushey wrote in 2017. "This not only hampers women's economic well-being, but also has implications for U.S. productivity, labor force participation, and economic growth."
Tom Nides
A former member of the Obama administration, Tom Nides later turned to a career on Wall Street after his time in the State Department. Nides, former deputy secretary of State under President Barack Obama and currently an executive at Morgan Stanley, has the experience to be a potential strong representative for U.S. trade interests in a Biden White House.
Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley Tom Nides speaks on stage during the 2015 Concordia Summit at Grand Hyatt New York on October 2, 2015 in New York City. Leigh Vogel | Getty Images
As the deputy secretary of State for Management and Resources, he was a close advisor to then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Those who hold that position often focus on U.S. foreign aid and diplomatic issues overseas. Nides is a vice chairman at Morgan Stanley, where he focuses on the firm's global clients. Nides has relationships with business leaders around the world, including being close to many on Wall Street. He's been a staunch financial supporter of many Democrats who ran for president in 2020, including Joe Biden himself, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. "Currently Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, Nides has deep experience in banking and in the government," Myers wrote, noting his trade and State Department experience in the Clinton and Obama administrations.
Richard Cordray
Richard Cordray, the first and former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, may have a chance to return to Washington from his native Ohio if Biden wins in November.
Richard Cordray, director of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Getty Images


cnbc--2020-09-17--NJ Gov. Phil Murphy strikes deal for 'millionaires tax' to address fiscal crisis

New Jersey Gov .
Phil Murphy announced a deal Thursday with lawmakers to hike taxes on the state 's wealthiest residents as part of a plan to provide relief to the middle class from the coronavirus crisis .
If it 's signed into law , it would be one of the first in the country to address state revenue shortfalls caused by the economic crisis by upping collections on the rich .
Murphy , a Democrat , said he aims to have the tax finalized by October .
States across the country have been hit hard by the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending sales tax revenue plummeting .
Democratic calls for federal assistance to states have stalled , with President Donald Trump and other Republicans blaming governors and other local leaders for their budget problems .
Even some Democrats have been wary of raising taxes on the rich to fill the gaps .
In neighboring New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has rejected similar calls , fearing they would cause the wealthy to flee .
Murphy , in contrast , said at a press conference announcing the plan that he was simply calling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' that would help `` undo years of tax inequities . ''
The deal would raise the tax rate on those earning more than $ 1 million per year to 10.75 % from 8.97 % and provide a rebate of up to $ 500 to households earning less than $ 150,000 if they have a child .
The income cap for single-parent households would be $ 75,000 .
Previously , the 10.75 % rate had applied only to those earning more than $ 5 million .
The rebate checks would go out next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as 800,000 families , Murphy said .
His administration had previously estimated that the tax increase could bring in $ 390 million in revenue .
`` This is money our families need and money that will help spur our recovery and our future resiliency , '' Murphy said .
State Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin , Democrats who had resisted the millionaires tax , said they had come on board with the plan .
`` I bet a lot of you did n't expect to see me here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke .
Sweeney said he previously had a problem with the timing of the millionaires tax , but a `` pandemic hit , and things have changed . ''
`` Helping middle class families to me makes all the sense in the world at this time , '' Sweeney said .
Murphy , a former Goldman Sachs executive whose wealth is estimated at more than $ 50 million , campaigned for governor on a plan to raise taxes on millionaires and doubled down amid the coronavirus pandemic , which has strained state coffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , he emphasized that the new tax was not driven by animosity toward the well-off .
`` We do not hold any grudge at all against those who have been successful in life , but in this unprecedented time when so many middle class families and others have sacrificed so much , now is the time to ensure that the wealthiest among us are also called to sacrifice , '' Murphy said .
Doug Steinhardt , chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party , said in a statement that `` these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same place every other Democratic tax scheme lands : in the pockets of New Jersey 's middle class . ''
`` Blink and you 'll miss the next Trenton tax hike , '' Steinhardt said .
`` That 's how fast Phil Murphy and his Democrats are spending your money . ''

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced a deal Thursday with lawmakers to hike taxes on the state's wealthiest residents as part of a plan to provide relief to the middle class from the coronavirus crisis.
If it's signed into law, it would be one of the first in the country to address state revenue shortfalls caused by the economic crisis by upping collections on the rich. Murphy, a Democrat, said he aims to have the tax finalized by October.
States across the country have been hit hard by the pandemic, which has forced businesses to close, sending sales tax revenue plummeting. Democratic calls for federal assistance to states have stalled, with President Donald Trump and other Republicans blaming governors and other local leaders for their budget problems.
Even some Democrats have been wary of raising taxes on the rich to fill the gaps. In neighboring New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has rejected similar calls, fearing they would cause the wealthy to flee.
Murphy, in contrast, said at a press conference announcing the plan that he was simply calling for "pennies on their top dollars earned" that would help "undo years of tax inequities."
The deal would raise the tax rate on those earning more than $1 million per year to 10.75% from 8.97% and provide a rebate of up to $500 to households earning less than $150,000 if they have a child. The income cap for single-parent households would be $75,000. Previously, the 10.75% rate had applied only to those earning more than $5 million.
The rebate checks would go out next summer and are expected to benefit as many as 800,000 families, Murphy said. His administration had previously estimated that the tax increase could bring in $390 million in revenue.
"This is money our families need and money that will help spur our recovery and our future resiliency," Murphy said.
State Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Democrats who had resisted the millionaires tax, said they had come on board with the plan.
"I bet a lot of you didn't expect to see me here today," Sweeney said after Murphy spoke.
Sweeney said he previously had a problem with the timing of the millionaires tax, but a "pandemic hit, and things have changed."
"Helping middle class families to me makes all the sense in the world at this time," Sweeney said.
Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs executive whose wealth is estimated at more than $50 million, campaigned for governor on a plan to raise taxes on millionaires and doubled down amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has strained state coffers and left millions out of work. On Thursday, he emphasized that the new tax was not driven by animosity toward the well-off.
"We do not hold any grudge at all against those who have been successful in life, but in this unprecedented time when so many middle class families and others have sacrificed so much, now is the time to ensure that the wealthiest among us are also called to sacrifice," Murphy said.
State Republicans blasted the plan.
Doug Steinhardt, chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party, said in a statement that "these newest tax schemes will land in the same place every other Democratic tax scheme lands: in the pockets of New Jersey's middle class."
"Blink and you'll miss the next Trenton tax hike," Steinhardt said. "That's how fast Phil Murphy and his Democrats are spending your money."


cnbc--2020-09-17--Trump suggests he could back a bigger coronavirus stimulus, top aide says he's more optimistic about

Trump suggests he could back a bigger coronavirus stimulus, top aide says he's more optimistic about a deal

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington , U.S. , September 16 , 2020 .
Shortly after Trump first tweeted , White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told CNBC 's `` Squawk on the Street `` that he is `` probably more optimistic about the potential for a deal in the last 72 hours than I have been in the last 72 days . ''
The comment from Meadows , one of the two leading Trump administration negotiators in stimulus talks , followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Problem Solvers Caucus .
Asked later in the day if he backed roughly $ 1.5 trillion legislation put forward by a bipartisan House group , Trump said he supports `` something like that '' and likes `` the larger amount '' of spending .
He added that `` some Republicans disagree , but I think I can convince them to go along with that . ''
In a tweet , the president told GOP lawmakers to `` go for the much higher numbers '' in legislation designed to boost an economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
Many Republicans have embraced limited relief — or backed no new spending at all — as the major parties struggle to break a stalemate over a fifth relief bill .
President Donald Trump urged Republicans on Wednesday to embrace a larger coronavirus stimulus package , and a top White House aide showed more optimism about striking a deal with Democrats .
Democratic House committee chairs rejected the proposal Tuesday as party leaders call to inject at least $ 2.2 trillion into the coronavirus fight .
Speaking to CNBC on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Calif. , again opposed a more limited relief proposal .
In a statement Wednesday afternoon , Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said they were `` encouraged '' by Trump 's tweet .
They added that they `` look forward to hearing from the President 's negotiators that they will finally meet us halfway with a bill that is equal to the massive health and economic crises gripping our nation . ''
Negotiations over more aid to Americans collapsed last month despite the expiration of financial lifelines including an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a federal moratorium on evictions .
While the U.S. job market has recovered as states gradually ease public health restrictions , millions of people still feel sharp pain with a jobless rate hovering above 8 % .
Pressure on officials in Washington to act has increased as they hurtle toward reelection fights in November .
Some House Democrats have increasingly pushed Pelosi to relent and pass a smaller relief package than the party initially desired .
Senate Republican leaders attempted to pass their own aid bill last week , both to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden on vulnerable GOP senators .
Democrats blocked the legislation , which they said was inadequate to address the crisis .
Trump 's tweet Wednesday , in which he pushed for `` stimulus payments , '' also showed the political benefit he sees in sending more relief before the election .
The bill that failed in the Senate last week did not include a second round of direct payments to Americans .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Trump 's tweet referred to the need for a bigger relief package than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP proposed .
Speaking to CNBC , Meadows did not outright support the bipartisan House bill .
However , he called it a `` serious thought for consideration . ''
`` I think it at least provides a foundation for us to come back to the table , '' he said .
Meadows said he was willing to stay engaged in talks but wanted to see a deal happen within `` a week to 10 days . ''
Aid to state and local governments has posed a stumbling block in negotiations .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief for states and municipalities facing budget crunches because of the pandemic .
The White House has pushed for $ 150 billion in new spending .
The bipartisan House bill released this week would allocate $ 500 billion for those governments .
However , Meadows opposed spending that much , saying , `` hopefully that number is closer '' to $ 250 billion to $ 300 billion .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 16, 2020.
Shortly after Trump first tweeted, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told CNBC's " Squawk on the Street " that he is "probably more optimistic about the potential for a deal in the last 72 hours than I have been in the last 72 days." The comment from Meadows, one of the two leading Trump administration negotiators in stimulus talks, followed the Tuesday release of the plan from the House Problem Solvers Caucus.
Asked later in the day if he backed roughly $1.5 trillion legislation put forward by a bipartisan House group, Trump said he supports "something like that" and likes "the larger amount" of spending. He added that "some Republicans disagree, but I think I can convince them to go along with that."
In a tweet, the president told GOP lawmakers to "go for the much higher numbers" in legislation designed to boost an economy and health-care system struggling under the weight of the pandemic. Many Republicans have embraced limited relief — or backed no new spending at all — as the major parties struggle to break a stalemate over a fifth relief bill.
President Donald Trump urged Republicans on Wednesday to embrace a larger coronavirus stimulus package, and a top White House aide showed more optimism about striking a deal with Democrats.
Democratic House committee chairs rejected the proposal Tuesday as party leaders call to inject at least $2.2 trillion into the coronavirus fight. Speaking to CNBC on Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., again opposed a more limited relief proposal.
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said they were "encouraged" by Trump's tweet. They added that they "look forward to hearing from the President's negotiators that they will finally meet us halfway with a bill that is equal to the massive health and economic crises gripping our nation."
Negotiations over more aid to Americans collapsed last month despite the expiration of financial lifelines including an extra $600 per week unemployment benefit and a federal moratorium on evictions. While the U.S. job market has recovered as states gradually ease public health restrictions, millions of people still feel sharp pain with a jobless rate hovering above 8%.
Pressure on officials in Washington to act has increased as they hurtle toward reelection fights in November. Some House Democrats have increasingly pushed Pelosi to relent and pass a smaller relief package than the party initially desired.
Senate Republican leaders attempted to pass their own aid bill last week, both to put pressure on Democrats and to ease the burden on vulnerable GOP senators. Democrats blocked the legislation, which they said was inadequate to address the crisis.
Trump's tweet Wednesday, in which he pushed for "stimulus payments," also showed the political benefit he sees in sending more relief before the election. The bill that failed in the Senate last week did not include a second round of direct payments to Americans.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Trump's tweet referred to the need for a bigger relief package than the roughly $500 billion plan the Senate GOP proposed.
Speaking to CNBC, Meadows did not outright support the bipartisan House bill. However, he called it a "serious thought for consideration."
"I think it at least provides a foundation for us to come back to the table," he said.
Meadows said he was willing to stay engaged in talks but wanted to see a deal happen within "a week to 10 days."
Aid to state and local governments has posed a stumbling block in negotiations. Democrats want more than $900 billion in relief for states and municipalities facing budget crunches because of the pandemic. The White House has pushed for $150 billion in new spending.
The bipartisan House bill released this week would allocate $500 billion for those governments. However, Meadows opposed spending that much, saying, "hopefully that number is closer" to $250 billion to $300 billion.
— CNBC's Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report
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cnbc--2020-09-17--Barr blasts his own DOJ prosecutors, equates them to preschoolers and 'headhunters'

In scathing remarks against his own staff , Attorney General William Barr said Wednesday that the Justice Department has recently acted `` more like a trade association for federal prosecutors than the administrator of a fair system of justice '' and equated some prosecutors to preschoolers and `` headhunters . ''
Too much deference is given to career prosecutors , rather than to politically appointed leaders who can be held accountable at the ballot box , he said in remarks likely to further strain relations between Barr and some of the Justice Department 's career prosecutors .
Barr did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been criticized by current and former government lawyers for moving to abandon the prosecution of President Donald Trump 's former national security adviser Michael Flynn and seeking a less harsh sentence for Roger Stone , a former Trump campaign adviser .
Career Justice Department lawyers quit the prosecution teams in both cases .
`` The notion that line prosecutors should make the final decisions within the Department of Justice is completely wrong , and it is antithetical to the basic values underlying our system , '' Barr said .
Prosecutors too often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down their targets , '' he said .
`` In case after case , we have advanced and defended hyperaggressive extensions of the criminal law .
This is wrong , and we must stop doing it , '' he said in a speech at Hillsdale College 's annual Constitution Day Celebration , which this year was held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington , VA. Barr said he is annoyed by the claim that political officials interfere in criminal prosecutions , given that all prosecutorial power is vested by law in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not partisan , he said , but they are often less experienced than their supervisors .
`` Name one successful organization where the lowest-level employees ' decisions are deemed sacrosanct , '' he said .
`` There are n't any .
Letting the most junior members set the agenda might be a good philosophy for a Montessori preschool , but it 's no way to run a federal agency . ''
Barr did not mention Robert Mueller 's special counsel investigation in his prepared remarks .
During the speech , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes been described as lawless even though , he said , it had a better record of wins in the Supreme Court than the Obama administration .
`` Obama had some of the people who were in Mueller 's office writing their briefs in the Supreme Court , so maybe that explains something , '' he said .
The Obama record of wins at the Supreme Court was the worst in six decades , but Trump has fared even worse , according to an analysis by legal scholars Lee Epstein and Eric Posner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been steadily less deferential to each successive administration since President Ronald Reagan 's two terms .

In scathing remarks against his own staff, Attorney General William Barr said Wednesday that the Justice Department has recently acted "more like a trade association for federal prosecutors than the administrator of a fair system of justice" and equated some prosecutors to preschoolers and "headhunters."
Too much deference is given to career prosecutors, rather than to politically appointed leaders who can be held accountable at the ballot box, he said in remarks likely to further strain relations between Barr and some of the Justice Department's career prosecutors.
Barr did not mention any specific cases, but he has been criticized by current and former government lawyers for moving to abandon the prosecution of President Donald Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn and seeking a less harsh sentence for Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign adviser. Career Justice Department lawyers quit the prosecution teams in both cases.
More from NBC News
"The notion that line prosecutors should make the final decisions within the Department of Justice is completely wrong, and it is antithetical to the basic values underlying our system," Barr said. Prosecutors too often become "headhunters, consumed with taking down their targets," he said.
"In case after case, we have advanced and defended hyperaggressive extensions of the criminal law. This is wrong, and we must stop doing it," he said in a speech at Hillsdale College's annual Constitution Day Celebration, which this year was held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA.
Barr said he is annoyed by the claim that political officials interfere in criminal prosecutions, given that all prosecutorial power is vested by law in the attorney general.
Some career attorneys are not partisan, he said, but they are often less experienced than their supervisors.
"Name one successful organization where the lowest-level employees' decisions are deemed sacrosanct," he said. "There aren't any. Letting the most junior members set the agenda might be a good philosophy for a Montessori preschool, but it's no way to run a federal agency."
Barr did not mention Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation in his prepared remarks. During the speech, however, he noted that the Trump administration has sometimes been described as lawless even though, he said, it had a better record of wins in the Supreme Court than the Obama administration.
"Obama had some of the people who were in Mueller's office writing their briefs in the Supreme Court, so maybe that explains something," he said.
The Obama record of wins at the Supreme Court was the worst in six decades, but Trump has fared even worse, according to an analysis by legal scholars Lee Epstein and Eric Posner. But they note that the court has been steadily less deferential to each successive administration since President Ronald Reagan's two terms.


cnbc--2020-09-16--Sheldon Adelson is plotting a spending spree to help Trump with under 50 days left until the electio

Sheldon Adelson is plotting a spending spree to help Trump with under 50 days left until the election

CEO and chairman of casino company Las Vegas Sands Sheldon Adelson ( L ) listens as US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a Keep America Great rally in Las Vegas , Nevada , on February 21 , 2020 .
Casino magnate and Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson is plotting a spending blitz to support President Donald Trump with just under 50 days to go until Election Day , CNBC has learned .
Adelson , CEO of Las Vegas Sands , is looking to spend around $ 20 million to $ 50 million in a last-ditch effort to help Trump overcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the matter .
Most of the money is expected to go toward the new pro-Trump super PAC , Preserve America , these people added .
Other organizations , including the Trump campaign , the Republican National Committee and groups helping Republicans in Congress , could also see some of Adelson 's money .
One of the people noted that Adelson 's team has recently been in touch with GOP officials close to Trump about where best to deploy the cash .
Another person noted that Adelson was a major donor who helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The people declined to be named as these efforts are private .
A person with Preserve America said the group would not confirm any donor information with anybody but the Federal Election Commission .
Representatives for Adelson did not return repeated requests for comment .
The development comes after Axios recently reported that Adelson 's top advisor , Andy Abboud , told a group of Republican donors that Adelson and his wife , Miriam , are planning to jump in to help Trump .
`` I just want to say that I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly said last month .
`` They are 110 % behind the president .
And that 's going to become apparent shortly . ''
Adelson , according to The New York Times , previously had a tense phone call with Trump , who accused the casino executive of not doing enough to help him .
Still , since their efforts to help Trump in 2016 , the Adelsons have remained close to the president .
Miriam Adelson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom two years ago , and Trump named Sheldon Adelson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus-related `` Opening Our Country Council . ''
Trump may need more fundraising support from a big donor like Adelson than he lets on .
His campaign was behind Biden 's in the overall amount they raised in August , with the former vice president and the Democratic National Committee bringing in $ 364.5 million last month .
Trump and the Republican National Committee raised $ 210 million over the same period .
Democratic super PACs are combining to outspend many of the pro-Trump super PACs at the moment .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts being made by the pro-Trump PAC America First Action , which , as Politico reported , led to the creation of Preserve America and the expectation that Adelson would give to the PAC .
Trump trails Biden by 6.6 points , according to a Real Clear Politics national polling average .
The developments also come after Democratic billionaire Mike Bloomberg pledged to spend $ 100 million supporting Biden in swing state Florida .
Bloomberg 's money will go toward a mix of television and digital ads targeting voters in that state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and other Florida election efforts already underway , an aide told CNBC .
Bloomberg has a net worth of just over $ 54 billion and Adelson has a net worth of $ 33 billion , according to Forbes .
Trump 's Preserve America is in the midst of a $ 30 million ad blitz that , in part , is also targeting Florida voters .
Adelson 's potential spending spree could end up surpassing the amount he put up during the 2016 presidential election .
Data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined to contribute over $ 82 million to mostly Republican causes that cycle .
They were ranked second that cycle behind Democratic donor Tom Steyer and his wife , Kathryn , who gave $ 91 million to Democrats .
The Adelsons have given just over $ 27 million this cycle , CRP data shows .
They were the top donors during the 2018 congressional midterms , giving over $ 120 million , as the GOP lost its majority in the House and expanded its edge in the Senate .

CEO and chairman of casino company Las Vegas Sands Sheldon Adelson (L) listens as US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a Keep America Great rally in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 21, 2020.
Casino magnate and Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson is plotting a spending blitz to support President Donald Trump with just under 50 days to go until Election Day, CNBC has learned.
Adelson, CEO of Las Vegas Sands, is looking to spend around $20 million to $50 million in a last-ditch effort to help Trump overcome Joe Biden, according to people familiar with the matter.
Most of the money is expected to go toward the new pro-Trump super PAC, Preserve America, these people added. Other organizations, including the Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee and groups helping Republicans in Congress, could also see some of Adelson's money.
One of the people noted that Adelson's team has recently been in touch with GOP officials close to Trump about where best to deploy the cash. Another person noted that Adelson was a major donor who helped get Preserve America up and running. The people declined to be named as these efforts are private.
A person with Preserve America said the group would not confirm any donor information with anybody but the Federal Election Commission.
Representatives for Adelson did not return repeated requests for comment.
The development comes after Axios recently reported that Adelson's top advisor, Andy Abboud, told a group of Republican donors that Adelson and his wife, Miriam, are planning to jump in to help Trump.
"I just want to say that I just spoke to the Adelsons," Abboud reportedly said last month. "They are 110% behind the president. And that's going to become apparent shortly." Adelson, according to The New York Times, previously had a tense phone call with Trump, who accused the casino executive of not doing enough to help him.
Still, since their efforts to help Trump in 2016, the Adelsons have remained close to the president. Miriam Adelson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom two years ago, and Trump named Sheldon Adelson, along with several other business leaders, to the coronavirus-related "Opening Our Country Council."
Trump may need more fundraising support from a big donor like Adelson than he lets on. His campaign was behind Biden's in the overall amount they raised in August, with the former vice president and the Democratic National Committee bringing in $364.5 million last month. Trump and the Republican National Committee raised $210 million over the same period.
Democratic super PACs are combining to outspend many of the pro-Trump super PACs at the moment. Some Republican donors have been critical about the efforts being made by the pro-Trump PAC America First Action, which, as Politico reported, led to the creation of Preserve America and the expectation that Adelson would give to the PAC.
Trump trails Biden by 6.6 points, according to a Real Clear Politics national polling average.
The developments also come after Democratic billionaire Mike Bloomberg pledged to spend $100 million supporting Biden in swing state Florida. Bloomberg's money will go toward a mix of television and digital ads targeting voters in that state, plus money earmarked for Democratic super PACs, and other Florida election efforts already underway, an aide told CNBC.
Bloomberg has a net worth of just over $54 billion and Adelson has a net worth of $33 billion, according to Forbes.
Trump's Preserve America is in the midst of a $30 million ad blitz that, in part, is also targeting Florida voters.
Adelson's potential spending spree could end up surpassing the amount he put up during the 2016 presidential election. Data from the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics shows that he and his wife combined to contribute over $82 million to mostly Republican causes that cycle. They were ranked second that cycle behind Democratic donor Tom Steyer and his wife, Kathryn, who gave $91 million to Democrats.
The Adelsons have given just over $27 million this cycle, CRP data shows.
They were the top donors during the 2018 congressional midterms, giving over $120 million, as the GOP lost its majority in the House and expanded its edge in the Senate.


cnbc--2020-09-16--Trump says he has no regrets about Covid-19 response, claims he 'up-played' virus despite downplayin

Trump says he has no regrets about Covid-19 response, claims he 'up-played' virus despite downplaying it

U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage with ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos for a town hall event in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , U.S. , September 15 , 2020 .
The president 's assertion that `` in many ways I up-played it in terms of action '' came less than a week after the release of audio from a March interview with veteran journalist Bob Woodward , in which Trump said of the coronavirus : `` I wanted to always play it down ...
I still like playing it down , because I do n't want to create a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ABC News town hall event with voters in Philadelphia , also said he did n't regret anything about his response to the pandemic .
He repeated his refrain that the virus will `` go away '' even without an effective vaccine , saying that over time Americans will develop `` a herd mentality . ''
President Donald Trump on Tuesday denied that he had downplayed the threat of the coronavirus , claiming he `` up-played '' the danger of the disease through his actions — despite privately admitting months earlier that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
That clip was recorded more than a month after Trump reportedly told Woodward that he understood the virus was `` more deadly than even your strenuous flu . ''
Woodward reported in his new book `` Rage '' that Trump national security adviser Robert O'Brien had warned him in late January that the coronavirus `` will be the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency . ''
In Tuesday 's town hall event , the president claimed that his moves early on in the Covid crisis saved lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouth but in actual fact . ''
Trump was asked by a student , `` If you believe it 's the president 's responsibility to protect America , why would you downplay a pandemic that is known to disproportionately harm low income families and minority communities ? ''
The president responded , `` Yeah , well I did n't downplay it .
I actually , in many ways I up-played it in terms of action . ''
The student appeared to reference the president 's recorded comments with Woodward as she began a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admit to it yourself , saying that you ... '' But Trump cut her off .
`` What I did was , with China I put a ban on .
With Europe I put a ban on .
And we would 've lost thousands of more people had I not put the ban on , '' he said .
`` So that was called action , not with the mouth but in actual fact , we did a very , very good job when we put that ban on .
Whether you call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very important .
So we saved a lot of lives when we did that . ''
ABC 's George Stephanopoulos , who hosted the town hall , said , `` There were holes in the ban , and the European ban did n't come for another month . ''
The president replied , `` Well , they were Americans , I mean the holes in were if you have somebody in China that 's an American citizen , we had to let them in . ''
Multiple fact checks of Trump 's claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on China note that thousands of foreign nationals had continued to come into the U.S. in the months after the policy took effect in early February .
The Associated Press in July noted that `` more than 27,000 Americans returned from mainland China in the first month after the restrictions took effect . ''
When pressed on the contradiction between his private statements and his public assurances about the pandemic , Trump likened himself to Brtiain 's World War II prime minister , Winston Churchill , and appeared to reference the controversial `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
`` He said , 'You 're going to be safe .
Be calm , do n't panic . '
And you had bombers dropping bombs all over London , '' Trump said .
`` So I guess you could say that 's not so honest , but it 's still a great leader . ''
`` So do you think it 's OK to be dishonest ? ''
Stephanopoulos asked .
Trump replied : `` I 'm not looking to be dishonest .
I do n't want people to panic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're going to be OK , and it is going away .
And it 's probably going to go away now a lot faster because of the vaccines .
It would go away without the vaccine , George , but it 's going to go away a lot faster with it . ''
The president added , `` With time it goes away — and you 'll develop — you 'll develop herd — like a herd mentality .
It 's going to be — it 's going to be herd-developed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That will all happen . ''
Many public health experts , including White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci , have warned that without a vaccine , herd immunity could only be achieved by accepting a dramatic rise in deaths .
Letting the virus spread uncontrollably to achieve herd immunity would bring the death toll to a level that 's `` totally unacceptable , '' Fauci said in August .
Stephanopoulos later noted the devastating U.S. death toll — nearly 195,000 — and asked Trump if he has any regrets about his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , '' Trump replied .
`` I think we did a great job . ''
ABC 's 90-minute town hall , hosted at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in accordance with Pennsylvania 's social distancing rules , came just seven weeks before the presidential election between Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden .

U.S. President Donald Trump takes the stage with ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos for a town hall event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., September 15, 2020.
The president's assertion that "in many ways I up-played it in terms of action" came less than a week after the release of audio from a March interview with veteran journalist Bob Woodward , in which Trump said of the coronavirus: "I wanted to always play it down ... I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create a panic."
Trump, speaking at an ABC News town hall event with voters in Philadelphia, also said he didn't regret anything about his response to the pandemic. He repeated his refrain that the virus will "go away" even without an effective vaccine, saying that over time Americans will develop "a herd mentality."
President Donald Trump on Tuesday denied that he had downplayed the threat of the coronavirus, claiming he "up-played" the danger of the disease through his actions — despite privately admitting months earlier that "I wanted to always play it down."
That clip was recorded more than a month after Trump reportedly told Woodward that he understood the virus was "more deadly than even your strenuous flu."
Woodward reported in his new book "Rage" that Trump national security adviser Robert O'Brien had warned him in late January that the coronavirus "will be the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency."
In Tuesday's town hall event, the president claimed that his moves early on in the Covid crisis saved lives and demonstrated "action, not with the mouth but in actual fact."
Trump was asked by a student, "If you believe it's the president's responsibility to protect America, why would you downplay a pandemic that is known to disproportionately harm low income families and minority communities?"
The president responded, "Yeah, well I didn't downplay it. I actually, in many ways I up-played it in terms of action."
The student appeared to reference the president's recorded comments with Woodward as she began a follow-up question: "Did you not admit to it yourself, saying that you..."
But Trump cut her off. "What I did was, with China I put a ban on. With Europe I put a ban on. And we would've lost thousands of more people had I not put the ban on," he said.
"So that was called action, not with the mouth but in actual fact, we did a very, very good job when we put that ban on. Whether you call it talent or luck, it was very important. So we saved a lot of lives when we did that."
ABC's George Stephanopoulos, who hosted the town hall, said, "There were holes in the ban, and the European ban didn't come for another month."
The president replied, "Well, they were Americans, I mean the holes in were if you have somebody in China that's an American citizen, we had to let them in."
Multiple fact checks of Trump's claim that he imposed a "ban" on China note that thousands of foreign nationals had continued to come into the U.S. in the months after the policy took effect in early February. The Associated Press in July noted that "more than 27,000 Americans returned from mainland China in the first month after the restrictions took effect."
When pressed on the contradiction between his private statements and his public assurances about the pandemic, Trump likened himself to Brtiain's World War II prime minister, Winston Churchill, and appeared to reference the controversial "herd immunity" approach to fighting the virus.
"He said, 'You're going to be safe. Be calm, don't panic.' And you had bombers dropping bombs all over London," Trump said. "So I guess you could say that's not so honest, but it's still a great leader."
"So do you think it's OK to be dishonest?" Stephanopoulos asked.
Trump replied: "I'm not looking to be dishonest. I don't want people to panic. And we are going to be OK. We're going to be OK, and it is going away. And it's probably going to go away now a lot faster because of the vaccines. It would go away without the vaccine, George, but it's going to go away a lot faster with it."
The president added, "With time it goes away — and you'll develop — you'll develop herd — like a herd mentality. It's going to be — it's going to be herd-developed, and that's going to happen. That will all happen."
Many public health experts, including White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, have warned that without a vaccine, herd immunity could only be achieved by accepting a dramatic rise in deaths.
Letting the virus spread uncontrollably to achieve herd immunity would bring the death toll to a level that's "totally unacceptable," Fauci said in August.
Stephanopoulos later noted the devastating U.S. death toll — nearly 195,000 — and asked Trump if he has any regrets about his administration's handling of the pandemic.
"No," Trump replied. "I think we did a great job."
ABC's 90-minute town hall, hosted at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in accordance with Pennsylvania's social distancing rules, came just seven weeks before the presidential election between Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.


cnbc--2020-09-17--First volume of Barack Obama's memoir coming Nov. 17

The first volume of former President Barack Obama 's memoir is coming out Nov. 17 , two weeks after Election Day .
It 's called `` A Promised Land '' and will cover his swift and historic rise to the White House and his first term in office .
The publication date for the second volume has not yet been determined .
`` I 've spent the last few years reflecting on my presidency , and in ' A Promised Land ' I 've tried to provide an honest accounting of my presidential campaign and my time in office : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ; my take on what I got right and the mistakes I made ; and the political , economic , and cultural forces that my team and I had to confront then — and that as a nation we are grappling with still , '' Obama said in a statement Thursday .
`` In the book , I 've also tried to give readers a sense of the personal journey that Michelle and I went through during those years , with all the incredible highs and lows .
And finally , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such enormous upheaval , the book offers some of my broader thoughts on how we can heal the divisions in our country going forward and make our democracy work for everybody — a task that wo n't depend on any single president , but on all of us as engaged citizens . ''
Obama 's book , like his previous ones , will be released by Crown .
The 768-page book is the most anticipated presidential memoir in memory , as much or more because of the quality of the writing than for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the most literary president since Abraham Lincoln and has already written two highly praised , million-selling books : `` Dreams from My Father '' and `` The Audacity of Hope , '' both of which have been cited as aiding his presidential run in 2008 and making him the country 's first Black president .
Even with a substantial list price of $ 45 , `` The Promised Land '' is virtually guaranteed to sell millions of copies .
But it will face challenges far different from most presidential memoirs , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's blockbuster book , `` Becoming , '' which came out two years ago .
Because of the pandemic , the former president will likely be unable to have the spectacular arena tour that Michelle Obama had .
Barack Obama also may find his book coming out at a time when the Nov. 3 election is still undecided and the country is far more preoccupied with who the next president will be than with events of the past .

The first volume of former President Barack Obama's memoir is coming out Nov. 17, two weeks after Election Day. It's called "A Promised Land" and will cover his swift and historic rise to the White House and his first term in office.
The publication date for the second volume has not yet been determined.
"I've spent the last few years reflecting on my presidency, and in 'A Promised Land' I've tried to provide an honest accounting of my presidential campaign and my time in office: the key events and people who shaped it; my take on what I got right and the mistakes I made; and the political, economic, and cultural forces that my team and I had to confront then — and that as a nation we are grappling with still," Obama said in a statement Thursday.
"In the book, I've also tried to give readers a sense of the personal journey that Michelle and I went through during those years, with all the incredible highs and lows. And finally, at a time when America is going through such enormous upheaval, the book offers some of my broader thoughts on how we can heal the divisions in our country going forward and make our democracy work for everybody — a task that won't depend on any single president, but on all of us as engaged citizens."
Obama's book, like his previous ones, will be released by Crown.
The 768-page book is the most anticipated presidential memoir in memory, as much or more because of the quality of the writing than for any possible revelations. He has been called the most literary president since Abraham Lincoln and has already written two highly praised, million-selling books: "Dreams from My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope," both of which have been cited as aiding his presidential run in 2008 and making him the country's first Black president.
Even with a substantial list price of $45, "The Promised Land" is virtually guaranteed to sell millions of copies. But it will face challenges far different from most presidential memoirs, and even from former first lady Michelle Obama's blockbuster book, "Becoming," which came out two years ago. Because of the pandemic, the former president will likely be unable to have the spectacular arena tour that Michelle Obama had.
Barack Obama also may find his book coming out at a time when the Nov. 3 election is still undecided and the country is far more preoccupied with who the next president will be than with events of the past.


cnbc--2020-09-16--Trump confirms White House staff member tested positive for Covid-19

President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that a White House staff member tested positive for the coronavirus .
But the unnamed person who contracted the disease did not `` affect '' the large , in-person gathering with a number of world leaders that took place on the White House south lawn a day earlier , Trump 's spokeswoman assured .
Questions had arisen earlier in the day about another Covid-19 infection at the White House , when a journalist there reported hearing about `` a couple of positives today . ''
At a briefing , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members had tested positive , saying , `` I do n't share people 's personal medical information . ''
But Trump , speaking at a news conference in the White House briefing room Tuesday evening , was more willing to discuss what he had been told .
`` I heard about it this morning at a very small level , '' Trump began .
But moments later , he said , `` Last night I heard about it for the first time , and it 's a small number of cases . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting next to the podium , what she could share .
`` We 're not going to confirm the identities , '' she said , `` But it did not affect the event and press was not around '' the infected person .
`` And it 's not anybody that was near me , '' Trump added .
McEnany told Trump that just one person had tested positive for the virus .
`` It was one person , '' Trump repeated , adding , `` not a person that I was associated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House hosted a ceremony on its south lawn for the signing of accords formalizing diplomatic ties between Israel and two Gulf Arab states .
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , along with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain , attended the event in person .
CNN and other outlets noted that the celebratory gathering appeared to disregard most social distancing measures that public health experts , including many within the Trump administration , recommend .
Others who work in the White House have previously tested positive .
In May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump , who among other tasks serves the president his meals , had contracted the virus .
That same month , Vice President Mike Pence 's press secretary Katie Miller also tested positive .

President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that a White House staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.
But the unnamed person who contracted the disease did not "affect" the large, in-person gathering with a number of world leaders that took place on the White House south lawn a day earlier, Trump's spokeswoman assured.
Questions had arisen earlier in the day about another Covid-19 infection at the White House, when a journalist there reported hearing about "a couple of positives today."
At a briefing, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany declined to comment on whether any staff members had tested positive, saying, "I don't share people's personal medical information."
But Trump, speaking at a news conference in the White House briefing room Tuesday evening, was more willing to discuss what he had been told.
"I heard about it this morning at a very small level," Trump began. But moments later, he said, "Last night I heard about it for the first time, and it's a small number of cases."
He then asked McEnany, who was sitting next to the podium, what she could share.
"We're not going to confirm the identities," she said, "But it did not affect the event and press was not around" the infected person.
"And it's not anybody that was near me," Trump added.
McEnany told Trump that just one person had tested positive for the virus. "It was one person," Trump repeated, adding, "not a person that I was associated with."
On Tuesday, the White House hosted a ceremony on its south lawn for the signing of accords formalizing diplomatic ties between Israel and two Gulf Arab states. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, attended the event in person.
CNN and other outlets noted that the celebratory gathering appeared to disregard most social distancing measures that public health experts, including many within the Trump administration, recommend.
Others who work in the White House have previously tested positive. In May, it was revealed that a personal valet for Trump, who among other tasks serves the president his meals, had contracted the virus.
That same month, Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary Katie Miller also tested positive.


cnbc--2020-09-16--House Republicans will try to force vote to restart small business loan program

House Republicans will attempt to quickly force a vote on a bill to replenish a key coronavirus small business aid program , according to congressional aides .
The GOP lawmakers on Wednesday will unveil a two-part proposal designed to restart the Paycheck Protection Program .
Reps. Steve Chabot of Ohio and Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington plan to introduce proposals to reopen applications for the $ 138 billion that remains unspent from the small business loan program , along with a so-called discharge petition to force a vote on the bill .
Under the legislation , companies could apply for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 300 employees and have seen revenue decline by 25 % .
The GOP is expected to be able to start gathering signatures on the petition next Friday , and would need 218 to move toward a vote .
If all 198 Republicans support the move , the party would need 20 Democrats to join .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , has repeatedly said the chamber will only take up a comprehensive coronavirus relief package .
Democratic leaders have previously rejected efforts to renew standalone relief policies such as unemployment insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost at least $ 2.2 trillion .
The Republican maneuver underscores the growing agitation among members of both major parties to approve more pandemic aid ahead of the 2020 election .
GOP senators vulnerable in November have pushed to pass more relief , while House Democrats running in competitive races have reportedly grown increasingly impatient with Pelosi 's strategy .
Coronavirus stimulus talks between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders effectively fell apart last month and have made little progress since .
However , President Donald Trump urged Republicans to support a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House chief of staff Mark Meadows also said he has grown more optimistic about a deal in recent days .
On Tuesday , the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus put forward a $ 1.5 trillion plan , which Democratic leaders opposed .
Last week , Senate Democrats blocked a roughly $ 500 billion Republican relief plan that Democrats called inadequate to address economic and health-care crises .

House Republicans will attempt to quickly force a vote on a bill to replenish a key coronavirus small business aid program, according to congressional aides.
The GOP lawmakers on Wednesday will unveil a two-part proposal designed to restart the Paycheck Protection Program. Reps. Steve Chabot of Ohio and Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington plan to introduce proposals to reopen applications for the $138 billion that remains unspent from the small business loan program, along with a so-called discharge petition to force a vote on the bill.
Under the legislation, companies could apply for a second loan if they have fewer than 300 employees and have seen revenue decline by 25%. The GOP is expected to be able to start gathering signatures on the petition next Friday, and would need 218 to move toward a vote. If all 198 Republicans support the move, the party would need 20 Democrats to join.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has repeatedly said the chamber will only take up a comprehensive coronavirus relief package. Democratic leaders have previously rejected efforts to renew standalone relief policies such as unemployment insurance as they push for legislation that would cost at least $2.2 trillion.
The Republican maneuver underscores the growing agitation among members of both major parties to approve more pandemic aid ahead of the 2020 election. GOP senators vulnerable in November have pushed to pass more relief, while House Democrats running in competitive races have reportedly grown increasingly impatient with Pelosi's strategy.
Coronavirus stimulus talks between the Trump administration and Democratic leaders effectively fell apart last month and have made little progress since. However, President Donald Trump urged Republicans to support a more ambitious stimulus package on Wednesday. White House chief of staff Mark Meadows also said he has grown more optimistic about a deal in recent days.
On Tuesday, the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus put forward a $1.5 trillion plan, which Democratic leaders opposed.
Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a roughly $500 billion Republican relief plan that Democrats called inadequate to address economic and health-care crises.
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cnbc--2020-09-16--Biden ramps up Latino outreach with appeal to Puerto Rican voters in Florida

WASHINGTON – Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden visited South Florida on Tuesday , seeking to shore up support among Hispanic voters in this crucial swing state .
Biden 's trip came after a poll of Florida voters was released last week that sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party .
The poll , by NBC News and Marist , found President Donald Trump leading Biden among Latino voters by four points , 50-46 .
Four years ago , Democrat Hillary Clinton won Hispanic voters in Florida by 25 points , 60-35 , although she lost the state overall .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton by 29 points with a key demographic in a key state .
Historically , Republicans tend to do better with Hispanic voters in Florida than they do elsewhere , owing to the state 's large concentration of Cuban Americans who lean Republican .
Nonetheless , the NBC survey results coming just 50 days before Election Day set off alarm bells at the Biden campaign .
On Saturday , the Biden campaign unveiled a trio of new Spanish-language ads that will run in Florida , each one directed at a specific group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to billionaire Michael Bloomberg announced that the former Democratic primary candidate will spend $ 100 million to support Biden in Florida , essentially freeing up the campaign to put money allocated for Florida into other battleground states such as Pennsylvania .
Tuesday night was Biden 's first major speech aimed directly at Hispanic voters in Florida .
But not just any Hispanic voters : Puerto Rican voters .
The former vice president delivered his speech at a Hispanic Heritage month celebration in Kissimmee .
While there were no crowds , the location reflected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rican voters .
Kissimmee is the seat of Osceola County , the only county in America where Puerto Ricans outnumber all other ancestral groups .
Before he took the stage , Biden was introduced by two world-famous Puerto Rican performers , Ricky Martin and Luis Fonsi , and by Hispanic American actress and activist Eva Longoria .
In prepared remarks , the former vice president ripped Trump 's approach to the U.S. territory .
`` Even after being president for four years , Donald Trump does not seem to grasp that the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` I 'm running to be president of all Americans , including 3 million American citizens living in Puerto Rico .
I 'm not going to steal the money that is desperately needed to reconstruct the island , in order to build a wall that does nothing to keep Americans safe .
I 'm not going to suggest that we sell or trade Puerto Rico .
I 'm not going to throw paper towels whose lives have been devastated by the hurricane , '' said Biden .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from cash-strapped disaster relief agencies to fund border security projects , including his `` wall '' project on the southern border .
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017 , Trump allegedly wondered aloud whether the United States could `` sell '' the island or `` divest '' from it .
And during a rare visit to Puerto Rico shortly after the hurricanes , Trump tossed rolls of paper towels into a crowd of survivors at a relief center .
Biden also said Tuesday that while he personally supports adding Puerto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with both sides of what is a bitter debate on the island , and let voters there ultimately decide their course .
Along with Biden 's visit , the campaign released a multi-pronged plan Tuesday afternoon to help rebuild and revitalize Puerto Rico , which is home to 3 million American citizens .
Two devastating hurricanes in 2017 left millions of Puerto Ricans without power for months , prompting more than one hundred thousand to move to the mainland .
Today , Florida is home to more than a million people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Puerto Ricans represent the second largest pool of Hispanic voters in the country , after Mexican Americans .
In Florida , more than one in four Latino voters identifies as Puerto Rican .
- Offer Puerto Ricans more access to community-based health care and SNAP food assistance - Ease Puerto Rico 's massive debt burden by reversing austerity measures and restructuring some of the debt In a statement accompanying the new plan , the Biden campaign criticized Trump 's response to the 2017 hurricanes in Puerto Rico .
They also brought up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top official at the Department of Homeland Security .
Earlier this year Duke told The New York Times that in the aftermath of the Hurricane Maria , Trump mused about whether the United States could sell Puerto Rico .
Taken together , Biden 's plan for Puerto Rico and his direct appeal on Tuesday to Puerto Rican voters represent the best example so far of what the Biden campaign says is an ultra-targeted strategy with Hispanic voters .
In response to the concerns raised by the NBC poll last week , Biden campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outreach to Hispanic voters has expanded dramatically in recent weeks , and now includes full-time Hispanic-focused mobilization efforts in Arizona , Colorado , Florida , New Mexico , Nevada and Texas .
`` The pathway to victory includes winning key battleground states and we 're going to do that by building a culturally competent campaign that targets states with heavy Hispanic populations , '' senior political adviser Jorge Neri said on a conference call with reporters Sunday .
Biden aides also stressed how carefully targeted their Spanish language outreach is , up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple versions of each campaign ad , accents that are tailored to the geographic origins of the Hispanic population in different markets .
Below is one of the Spanish language ads Biden launched over the weekend .
Currently , Biden ads appearing in the Miami and Tampa media markets are voiced with Cuban-accented Spanish .
In and around Orlando , voters hear a Puerto Rican accent .
And in West Palm , Fort Myers , and across Arizona , the narrator has a Mexican accent .
`` That is indispensable because we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language , but we have a tremendous diversity of experiences and from those experiences we have similar priorities , but we also have many unique interests , '' Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez told reporters .
It 's impossible to tell at this stage whether Biden 's play for Puerto Rican voters will bear fruit .
But already this week there are signs that perhaps the NBC/Marist poll was merely an outlier , and that Biden is actually doing better with Latino voters in Florida than it seemed he was last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new poll of Florida that showed Biden winning Latino voters 58 to 32 over Trump , a number that 's much closer to Clinton 's 2016 margin .

Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden arrives to participate in a Hispanic Heritage Month event at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida on September 15, 2020. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
WASHINGTON – Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden visited South Florida on Tuesday, seeking to shore up support among Hispanic voters in this crucial swing state. Biden's trip came after a poll of Florida voters was released last week that sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party. The poll, by NBC News and Marist, found President Donald Trump leading Biden among Latino voters by four points, 50-46. Four years ago, Democrat Hillary Clinton won Hispanic voters in Florida by 25 points, 60-35, although she lost the state overall. According to the NBC poll, Biden is underperforming Clinton by 29 points with a key demographic in a key state. Historically, Republicans tend to do better with Hispanic voters in Florida than they do elsewhere, owing to the state's large concentration of Cuban Americans who lean Republican. Nonetheless, the NBC survey results coming just 50 days before Election Day set off alarm bells at the Biden campaign. On Saturday, the Biden campaign unveiled a trio of new Spanish-language ads that will run in Florida, each one directed at a specific group of Hispanic voters. On Sunday, aides to billionaire Michael Bloomberg announced that the former Democratic primary candidate will spend $100 million to support Biden in Florida, essentially freeing up the campaign to put money allocated for Florida into other battleground states such as Pennsylvania. Tuesday night was Biden's first major speech aimed directly at Hispanic voters in Florida. But not just any Hispanic voters: Puerto Rican voters.
Biden's pitch to Puerto Ricans
The former vice president delivered his speech at a Hispanic Heritage month celebration in Kissimmee. While there were no crowds, the location reflected his campaign's effort to court Puerto Rican voters. Kissimmee is the seat of Osceola County, the only county in America where Puerto Ricans outnumber all other ancestral groups. Before he took the stage, Biden was introduced by two world-famous Puerto Rican performers, Ricky Martin and Luis Fonsi, and by Hispanic American actress and activist Eva Longoria.
Musician Ricky Martin speaks before the arrival of Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden at a Hispanic Heritage Month event at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, U.S., September 15, 2020. Leah Millis | Reuters
In prepared remarks, the former vice president ripped Trump's approach to the U.S. territory. "Even after being president for four years, Donald Trump does not seem to grasp that the people of Puerto Rico are American citizens already," he said. "I'm running to be president of all Americans, including 3 million American citizens living in Puerto Rico. I'm not going to steal the money that is desperately needed to reconstruct the island, in order to build a wall that does nothing to keep Americans safe. I'm not going to suggest that we sell or trade Puerto Rico. I'm not going to throw paper towels whose lives have been devastated by the hurricane," said Biden. Last fall, Trump shifted $300 million away from cash-strapped disaster relief agencies to fund border security projects, including his "wall" project on the southern border. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Trump allegedly wondered aloud whether the United States could "sell" the island or "divest" from it. And during a rare visit to Puerto Rico shortly after the hurricanes, Trump tossed rolls of paper towels into a crowd of survivors at a relief center. Biden also said Tuesday that while he personally supports adding Puerto Rico as a state, he will work with both sides of what is a bitter debate on the island, and let voters there ultimately decide their course.
A plan for Puerto Rico
Along with Biden's visit, the campaign released a multi-pronged plan Tuesday afternoon to help rebuild and revitalize Puerto Rico, which is home to 3 million American citizens. Two devastating hurricanes in 2017 left millions of Puerto Ricans without power for months, prompting more than one hundred thousand to move to the mainland.
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Today, Florida is home to more than a million people who identify as Puerto Rican. Nationwide, Puerto Ricans represent the second largest pool of Hispanic voters in the country, after Mexican Americans. In Florida, more than one in four Latino voters identifies as Puerto Rican. Key elements of Biden's Puerto Rico plan: - Provide direct federal investment in infrastructure projects and forgive federal disaster aid - Offer Puerto Ricans more access to community-based health care and SNAP food assistance - Ease Puerto Rico's massive debt burden by reversing austerity measures and restructuring some of the debt In a statement accompanying the new plan, the Biden campaign criticized Trump's response to the 2017 hurricanes in Puerto Rico. They also brought up the account of Elaine Duke, a former top official at the Department of Homeland Security. Earlier this year Duke told The New York Times that in the aftermath of the Hurricane Maria, Trump mused about whether the United States could sell Puerto Rico. Taken together, Biden's plan for Puerto Rico and his direct appeal on Tuesday to Puerto Rican voters represent the best example so far of what the Biden campaign says is an ultra-targeted strategy with Hispanic voters.
Micro-targeted outreach


cnbc--2020-09-16--'Tell the public the truth' — Bob Woodward tells Shepard Smith that Trump failed to rally U.S. aroun

'Tell the public the truth' — Bob Woodward tells Shepard Smith that Trump failed to rally U.S. around coronavirus fight

Journalist Bob Woodward told CNBC that President Donald Trump lacked a national strategy to bring the U.S. together to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus .
`` If you tell the public the truth , that they will rally 'round .
They will get behind the leadership , '' Woodward said in an interview with CNBC 's Shepard Smith that aired Wednesday on `` Squawk Box . ''
Woodward , who is best known for his role in uncovering the Watergate scandal while at The Washington Post , published his latest book on the Trump presidency , `` Rage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the book , `` Fear , '' which was released two years ago .
In the CNBC interview , Woodward compared Trump 's early response to the intensifying coronavirus — which emerged late last year in Wuhan , China — to how former President George W. Bush responded immediately following the attacks on Sept. 11 , 2001 , that killed nearly 3,000 Americans .
`` This happened in 9/11 after the terrorist attack in New York and the Pentagon .
President George W. Bush actually gave speeches and said , you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour of our choosing , '' Woodward said , likely referring to Bush 's speech at a national prayer service a few days after the attack .
`` The public got behind this .
The Congress got behind it , '' said Woodward , a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize , including an award as part of The Post 's coverage of 9/11 .
`` It was bad news .
People wo n't flee from bad news .
People in this country are problem-solvers , I believe . ''
Asked specifically by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did `` have a plan '' to respond to the eventual pandemic , Woodward said , `` They did n't . ''
`` One of my findings in the book is that President Trump is a one-man band .
He decides things .
He has his impulses .
There are not the kind of serious regular meetings of the National Security Council or the National Economic Council .
And being a one-man band , he acts on the impulse of the moment , '' Woodward added .
Woodward 's book is partly based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump over the course of several months .
Last week , it was reported that Trump told Woodward in mid-March that he `` wanted to always play it down , '' referring to the threat of the coronavirus .
`` I still like playing it down , because I do n't want to create a panic , '' Trump told Woodward on March 19 .
On Feb. 28 , weeks before that interview with Woodward , Trump had said publicly that the virus would `` disappear . ''
Despite those comments to Woodward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said at an ABC town hall event Tuesday that `` in many ways I up-played it in terms of action . ''
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has said Trump `` was expressing calm '' and `` embodied the American spirit '' in his pandemic response .
The U.S. now has more than 6.6 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus and at least 195,961 people have died , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
In addition to the significant health toll , the pandemic has caused significant economic damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed business restrictions intended to slow transmission of the virus .
Millions of Americans lost their jobs , and the stock market also experienced a steep decline , plunging from records highs in late February into bear market territory by late March .
That is generally defined as declining 20 % or more from recent highs .
Wall Street has rapidly recovered since then .
The U.S. unemployment rate was 8.4 % in August , a marked improvement from its 14.7 % coronavirus-era peak in April .
The stock market has recovered tremendously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the fiscal and monetary support unleashed by Congress and the Federal Reserve in hopes of preventing further financial carnage .
As of Tuesday 's close , the S & P 500 is more than 55 % above its March 23 intraday low .
Along the way of Wall Street 's swift rally , Trump has touted the robust recovery in equity markets .
Woodward told Smith the stock market is `` one indicator of what 's going on in the American economy . ''
But , he added , `` for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't have jobs , who do n't have enough food , who have no steady income , this is a crisis like the Great Depression in terms of people who live here and work here . ''
Woodward said he asked Trump whether the president was aware of the economic struggle being faced by Americans during the pandemic .
Woodward said , `` He will acknowledge it .
But he 's not acting on it . ''
In August , after key provisions of earlier stimulus expired , Trump signed a series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide economic relief to Americans , including a partial extension of the weekly federal unemployment insurance enhancement to state benefits .
Trump , who is seeking reelection against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , also initiated action to get the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to invoke authority to halt evictions for some Americans through the end of the year .
Democratic negotiators in Congress and Trump administration officials remain deadlocked on another broader coronavirus relief package .
`` The News with Shepard Smith '' premiers at 7 p.m. Sept. 30 @ @ @

Journalist Bob Woodward told CNBC that President Donald Trump lacked a national strategy to bring the U.S. together to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
"If you tell the public the truth, that they will rally 'round. They will get behind the leadership," Woodward said in an interview with CNBC's Shepard Smith that aired Wednesday on "Squawk Box."
Woodward, who is best known for his role in uncovering the Watergate scandal while at The Washington Post, published his latest book on the Trump presidency, "Rage," on Tuesday. He also authored the book, "Fear," which was released two years ago.
In the CNBC interview, Woodward compared Trump's early response to the intensifying coronavirus — which emerged late last year in Wuhan, China — to how former President George W. Bush responded immediately following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, that killed nearly 3,000 Americans.
"This happened in 9/11 after the terrorist attack in New York and the Pentagon. President George W. Bush actually gave speeches and said, you know, we're going to respond at an hour of our choosing," Woodward said, likely referring to Bush's speech at a national prayer service a few days after the attack.
"The public got behind this. The Congress got behind it," said Woodward, a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, including an award as part of The Post's coverage of 9/11. "It was bad news. People won't flee from bad news. People in this country are problem-solvers, I believe."
Asked specifically by CNBC's Smith if the Trump administration did "have a plan" to respond to the eventual pandemic, Woodward said, "They didn't."
"One of my findings in the book is that President Trump is a one-man band. He decides things. He has his impulses. There are not the kind of serious regular meetings of the National Security Council or the National Economic Council. And being a one-man band, he acts on the impulse of the moment," Woodward added.
Woodward's book is partly based on nearly 20 interviews he conducted with Trump over the course of several months. Last week, it was reported that Trump told Woodward in mid-March that he "wanted to always play it down," referring to the threat of the coronavirus.
"I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create a panic," Trump told Woodward on March 19. On Feb. 28, weeks before that interview with Woodward, Trump had said publicly that the virus would "disappear."
Despite those comments to Woodward, which are on tape, Trump said at an ABC town hall event Tuesday that "in many ways I up-played it in terms of action." White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has said Trump "was expressing calm" and "embodied the American spirit" in his pandemic response.
The U.S. now has more than 6.6 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus and at least 195,961 people have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. In addition to the significant health toll, the pandemic has caused significant economic damage as states and cities around the U.S. imposed business restrictions intended to slow transmission of the virus.
Millions of Americans lost their jobs, and the stock market also experienced a steep decline, plunging from records highs in late February into bear market territory by late March. That is generally defined as declining 20% or more from recent highs. Wall Street has rapidly recovered since then. The U.S. unemployment rate was 8.4% in August, a marked improvement from its 14.7% coronavirus-era peak in April.
The stock market has recovered tremendously from its pandemic-induced lows, in part due to the fiscal and monetary support unleashed by Congress and the Federal Reserve in hopes of preventing further financial carnage. As of Tuesday's close, the S&P 500 is more than 55% above its March 23 intraday low.
Along the way of Wall Street's swift rally, Trump has touted the robust recovery in equity markets.
Woodward told Smith the stock market is "one indicator of what's going on in the American economy." But, he added, "for the tens of millions of people who don't have jobs, who don't have enough food, who have no steady income, this is a crisis like the Great Depression in terms of people who live here and work here."
Woodward said he asked Trump whether the president was aware of the economic struggle being faced by Americans during the pandemic. Woodward said, "He will acknowledge it. But he's not acting on it."
In August, after key provisions of earlier stimulus expired, Trump signed a series of executive actions he said were designed to provide economic relief to Americans, including a partial extension of the weekly federal unemployment insurance enhancement to state benefits. Trump, who is seeking reelection against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, also initiated action to get the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to invoke authority to halt evictions for some Americans through the end of the year.
Democratic negotiators in Congress and Trump administration officials remain deadlocked on another broader coronavirus relief package.
"The News with Shepard Smith" premiers at 7 p.m. Sept. 30 on CNBC.