cnbc--2020-09-15--Pelosi blasts GOP 'skinny' deals, doubles down on call for large coronavirus stimulus package

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday morning that she remains opposed to Republican efforts to pass a smaller version of her party 's coronavirus stimulus plan despite the looming 2020 election and economic fallout from the pandemic .
Asked by CNBC 's Jim Cramer if she 'd be willing to pass a `` skinny '' deal now and reconvene with Republicans on outstanding issues later , Pelosi fired back that `` there is no later with this administration . ''
`` This is the opportunity .
And the skinny deal is a Republican bill : That 's not a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Squawk on the Street . ''
`` They 're making a skinny — in fact , Chuck Schumer and I call it an emaciated — proposal for a massive problem . ''
`` We can fiscally spend the appropriate amount of money to meet the needs of the American people , '' she added .
`` And by the way : It 's stimulus .
We are a consumer economy and the more we have , whether it 's food stamps or unemployment insurance ... that is stimulus to the economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to a request for comment .
The speaker touted the $ 3 trillion bill the House passed in May known as the Heroes Act .
That legislation would allot nearly $ 1 trillion in relief for state and local governments , a second round of direct payments of $ 1,200 per person and an extension of the $ 600 per week federal unemployment insurance benefit that expired at the end of July .
Republicans looking for a compromise , such as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , have said they want to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around $ 1 trillion thanks to better economic data and out of budgetary concerns .
The cumulative federal budget deficit for the first 11 months of fiscal 2020 was $ 3 trillion , according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office , a result of intensified government spending to support the economy through the Covid-19 shutdown .
But Pelosi 's insistence on a larger deal may put fellow Democrats in a tough position , with many members of the House who won seats from Republicans in 2018 in tough reelection battles .
Those representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they return home to voters without any additional pandemic assistance enacted into law .
For their part , Republicans failed to advanced their own `` skinny '' bill last week in the Senate after all Democrats present voted against a procedural measure .
That bill , though far smaller than the Heroes Act , would have reimposed enhanced federal unemployment insurance at a rate of $ 300 per week , half of the $ 600 weekly payment that expired at the end of July .
Democrats said it did n't go far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations and underscoring the need to return to voters with a material boost to Covid relief , the House Problem Solvers Caucus on Tuesday released a coronavirus relief plan produced with input from both parties .
`` Having seen no progress on a new COVID-19 relief package in four months , and in recognition of Americans ' increasing suffering , the Problem Solvers Caucus ( PSC ) has developed a comprehensive , bipartisan framework to meet the nation 's needs for the next 6-12 months , that can pass both chambers of Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President , '' the caucus said in a release .
The caucus 's proposal includes $ 450 per week in federal unemployment benefits for eight weeks , $ 500 billion in state and local relief , direct payments to American workers and additional Paycheck Protection Program funds .
As the proposal includes provisions both major parties have opposed , it is unclear whether it can gain traction with congressional leaders .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday morning that she remains opposed to Republican efforts to pass a smaller version of her party's coronavirus stimulus plan despite the looming 2020 election and economic fallout from the pandemic.
Asked by CNBC's Jim Cramer if she'd be willing to pass a "skinny" deal now and reconvene with Republicans on outstanding issues later, Pelosi fired back that "there is no later with this administration."
"This is the opportunity. And the skinny deal is a Republican bill: That's not a deal at all," Pelosi said on "Squawk on the Street." "They're making a skinny — in fact, Chuck Schumer and I call it an emaciated — proposal for a massive problem."
"We can fiscally spend the appropriate amount of money to meet the needs of the American people," she added. "And by the way: It's stimulus. We are a consumer economy and the more we have, whether it's food stamps or unemployment insurance ... that is stimulus to the economy."
The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The speaker touted the $3 trillion bill the House passed in May known as the Heroes Act. That legislation would allot nearly $1 trillion in relief for state and local governments, a second round of direct payments of $1,200 per person and an extension of the $600 per week federal unemployment insurance benefit that expired at the end of July.
Republicans looking for a compromise, such as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, have said they want to keep the price tag of the developing bill around $1 trillion thanks to better economic data and out of budgetary concerns.
The cumulative federal budget deficit for the first 11 months of fiscal 2020 was $3 trillion, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, a result of intensified government spending to support the economy through the Covid-19 shutdown.
But Pelosi's insistence on a larger deal may put fellow Democrats in a tough position, with many members of the House who won seats from Republicans in 2018 in tough reelection battles. Those representatives may find their races even more difficult if they return home to voters without any additional pandemic assistance enacted into law.
For their part, Republicans failed to advanced their own "skinny" bill last week in the Senate after all Democrats present voted against a procedural measure. That bill, though far smaller than the Heroes Act, would have reimposed enhanced federal unemployment insurance at a rate of $300 per week, half of the $600 weekly payment that expired at the end of July. Democrats said it didn't go far enough.
Hoping to restart the stalled negotiations and underscoring the need to return to voters with a material boost to Covid relief, the House Problem Solvers Caucus on Tuesday released a coronavirus relief plan produced with input from both parties.
"Having seen no progress on a new COVID-19 relief package in four months, and in recognition of Americans' increasing suffering, the Problem Solvers Caucus (PSC) has developed a comprehensive, bipartisan framework to meet the nation's needs for the next 6-12 months, that can pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by the President," the caucus said in a release.
The caucus's proposal includes $450 per week in federal unemployment benefits for eight weeks, $500 billion in state and local relief, direct payments to American workers and additional Paycheck Protection Program funds. As the proposal includes provisions both major parties have opposed, it is unclear whether it can gain traction with congressional leaders.


cnbc--2020-09-16--WTO says U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods violated international trade rules

US President Donald Trump and Chinas Vice Premier Liu He , the country 's top trade negotiator , hold a press conference before they sign a trade agreement with the US and China during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington , DC on January 15 , 2020 .
`` The multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core is the cornerstone of international trade , '' a spokesperson for China 's Ministry of Commerce told reporters during a news conference .
`` The United States has not met its burden of demonstrating that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the panel said in a report .
The panel offered an additional observation , saying the group was `` very much aware of the wider context in which the WTO system currently operates , which is one reflecting a range of unprecedented global trade tensions . ''
A three-person panel of WTO trade experts said Washington broke with global regulations in 2018 when it slapped more than $ 200 billion in levies on a slew of Chinese goods .
Since March 2018 , the U.S. has imposed tariffs on $ 400 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Trade Organization ruled Tuesday that additional tariffs imposed in 2018 by the United States on Chinese goods violated international trading rules , a blow to the Trump administration 's trade war against the world 's second-largest economy .
`` China has always firmly supported and maintained this cornerstone and respected WTO rules and rulings , '' the spokesperson said , adding that Beijing `` hopes that the United States will fully respect the rulings of the expert panel and the rules-based multilateral trading system , take practical actions to meet China and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multilateral trading system , and promote the stable and healthy development of the world economy . ''
The Trump administration has previously claimed that the tariffs on China were necessary to curb Beijing 's unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft .
The United States trade representative reiterated those claims Tuesday on the heels of the WTO 's decision .
`` This panel report confirms what the Trump administration has been saying for four years : The WTO is completely inadequate to stop China 's harmful technology practices , '' U.S. Trade Representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The United States must be allowed to defend itself against unfair trade practices , and the Trump Administration will not let China use the WTO to take advantage of American workers , businesses , farmers , and ranchers . ''
All told , Washington has 60 days to appeal the decision under WTO rules .
The move could trigger Beijing to ask the organization to adjudicate which , could last over a period of several years .
Nearly a year ago , in an address to the United Nations General Assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued that the Geneva-based WTO needs `` drastic change '' to counter cheating from China and other nations .
`` For years these abuses were tolerated , ignored or even encouraged , '' Trump said in September 2019 .
He also said that the United States will not accept a `` bad deal '' in trade talks with China and that he did not need a deal before the 2020 election .
`` Hopefully we can reach an agreement that will be beneficial for both countries .
But as I have made very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal for the American people , '' Trump said , prompting no reaction from the Chinese delegation watching .

US President Donald Trump and Chinas Vice Premier Liu He, the country's top trade negotiator, hold a press conference before they sign a trade agreement with the US and China during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on January 15, 2020.
"The multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core is the cornerstone of international trade," a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce told reporters during a news conference.
"The United States has not met its burden of demonstrating that the measures are provisionally justified," the panel said in a report. The panel offered an additional observation, saying the group was "very much aware of the wider context in which the WTO system currently operates, which is one reflecting a range of unprecedented global trade tensions."
A three-person panel of WTO trade experts said Washington broke with global regulations in 2018 when it slapped more than $200 billion in levies on a slew of Chinese goods. Since March 2018, the U.S. has imposed tariffs on $400 billion in Chinese exports.
NEW YORK — The World Trade Organization ruled Tuesday that additional tariffs imposed in 2018 by the United States on Chinese goods violated international trading rules, a blow to the Trump administration's trade war against the world's second-largest economy.
"China has always firmly supported and maintained this cornerstone and respected WTO rules and rulings," the spokesperson said, adding that Beijing "hopes that the United States will fully respect the rulings of the expert panel and the rules-based multilateral trading system, take practical actions to meet China and other WTO members, jointly maintain the multilateral trading system, and promote the stable and healthy development of the world economy."
The Trump administration has previously claimed that the tariffs on China were necessary to curb Beijing's unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft. The United States trade representative reiterated those claims Tuesday on the heels of the WTO's decision.
"This panel report confirms what the Trump administration has been saying for four years: The WTO is completely inadequate to stop China's harmful technology practices," U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer said in a statement. "The United States must be allowed to defend itself against unfair trade practices, and the Trump Administration will not let China use the WTO to take advantage of American workers, businesses, farmers, and ranchers."
All told, Washington has 60 days to appeal the decision under WTO rules. The move could trigger Beijing to ask the organization to adjudicate which, could last over a period of several years.
Nearly a year ago, in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Donald Trump argued that the Geneva-based WTO needs "drastic change" to counter cheating from China and other nations.
"For years these abuses were tolerated, ignored or even encouraged," Trump said in September 2019. He also said that the United States will not accept a "bad deal" in trade talks with China and that he did not need a deal before the 2020 election.
"Hopefully we can reach an agreement that will be beneficial for both countries. But as I have made very clear I will not accept a bad deal for the American people," Trump said, prompting no reaction from the Chinese delegation watching.


cnbc--2020-09-15--Corporate leaders expect taxes to go up no matter who wins in 2020, new survey says

Most business leaders are preparing for corporate taxes to go up following the 2020 presidential election , regardless of who becomes the next commander in chief , according to a new survey .
PricewaterhouseCoopers recently conducted a survey focused on 578 U.S. executives , including chief financial officers , chief operating officers and various risk management officers .
The poll , reviewed by CNBC , shows that 70 % of participants expect that , under either another term of President Donald Trump or possibly with Joe Biden at the helm , business tax rates are going to go up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal stimulus funds that have been used to help those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic .
Thirty-five percent `` strongly agree '' that corporate taxes will go up under Trump or Biden , the poll said .
Respondents were from a wide range of industries : financial services to energy , utilities and mining .
The findings give a glimpse into how executives are looking at the election with just under 50 days to go until Nov. 3 .
`` Their views likely reflect concerns that eventually there will be a price to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tax deferrals and other forms of relief , '' PwC wrote .
In a briefing with reporters , Rohit Kumar , a leader of PwC 's Washington national tax services , said he was `` surprised '' to see a majority of those surveyed believing that corporate taxes are going up regardless of who wins in November .
He noted that if Republicans keep the Senate , lawmakers from the party would not be open to raising corporate taxes .

Most business leaders are preparing for corporate taxes to go up following the 2020 presidential election, regardless of who becomes the next commander in chief, according to a new survey.
PricewaterhouseCoopers recently conducted a survey focused on 578 U.S. executives, including chief financial officers, chief operating officers and various risk management officers.
The poll, reviewed by CNBC, shows that 70% of participants expect that, under either another term of President Donald Trump or possibly with Joe Biden at the helm, business tax rates are going to go up to pay for the trillions of dollars in federal stimulus funds that have been used to help those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Thirty-five percent "strongly agree" that corporate taxes will go up under Trump or Biden, the poll said.
Respondents were from a wide range of industries: financial services to energy, utilities and mining.
The findings give a glimpse into how executives are looking at the election with just under 50 days to go until Nov. 3.
"Their views likely reflect concerns that eventually there will be a price to pay for the increase in federal spending, tax deferrals and other forms of relief," PwC wrote.
In a briefing with reporters, Rohit Kumar, a leader of PwC's Washington national tax services, said he was "surprised" to see a majority of those surveyed believing that corporate taxes are going up regardless of who wins in November. He noted that if Republicans keep the Senate, lawmakers from the party would not be open to raising corporate taxes.


cnbc--2020-09-15--Two-thirds of Florida voters support $15-an-hour minimum wage ballot measure, poll finds

People gather together to ask the McDonald ’ s corporation to raise workers wages to a $ 15 minimum wage as well as demanding the right to a union on May 23 , 2019 in Fort Lauderdale , Florida .
About two-thirds of Florida voters back a 2020 ballot initiative to gradually hike the state 's minimum wage to $ 15 per hour , which would be enough support for the measure to pass , a new poll released Tuesday found .
In the Sunshine State , 67 % of registered voters said they would vote to raise the pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Monmouth University survey .
Only 26 % responded that they would oppose the initiative .
The measure needs 60 % of the vote for approval .
If voters pass it in November , Florida would increase its $ 8.56-an-hour minimum wage to $ 10 next year .
The state would then hike it by $ 1 an hour every year until it hits $ 15 in 2026 .
Previous surveys have also found the minimum wage initiative clearing the 60 % support threshold for passage .
Seven states and Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15-per-hour pay floor as labor advocates push for what they call a living wage .
Florida , if it approves the ballot measure , would become the second most populous state to take that step .
Workers ' rights groups have cheered state and local policies to increase the minimum wage , as the federal government has not increased the $ 7.25 an hour pay floor in more than a decade .
Democrats have almost universally embraced raising the minimum wage to $ 15 per hour , and the House passed a bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year .
Republican leaders in the GOP-held Senate have opposed the legislation .
Business groups in Florida opposed the ballot measure even before the coronavirus pandemic hit .
The state 's chamber of commerce now argues passing the wage increases would hurt small businesses struggling to recover from the outbreak .
The first hike would take place in September 2021 .
John Morgan , a well-known Florida personal injury attorney who advocated for a 2016 ballot measure legalizing medical marijuana , put millions of dollars into efforts to get a $ 15-an-hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Monmouth 's poll Tuesday also found Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump by a 50 % to 45 % margin in Florida .
The survey of 428 registered voters , taken by telephone Thursday through Sunday , has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.7 percentage points .

People gather together to ask the McDonald’s corporation to raise workers wages to a $15 minimum wage as well as demanding the right to a union on May 23, 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
About two-thirds of Florida voters back a 2020 ballot initiative to gradually hike the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour, which would be enough support for the measure to pass, a new poll released Tuesday found.
In the Sunshine State, 67% of registered voters said they would vote to raise the pay floor to $15 an hour, according to the Monmouth University survey. Only 26% responded that they would oppose the initiative.
The measure needs 60% of the vote for approval. If voters pass it in November, Florida would increase its $8.56-an-hour minimum wage to $10 next year. The state would then hike it by $1 an hour every year until it hits $15 in 2026.
Previous surveys have also found the minimum wage initiative clearing the 60% support threshold for passage.
Seven states and Washington, D.C., have approved a $15-per-hour pay floor as labor advocates push for what they call a living wage. Florida, if it approves the ballot measure, would become the second most populous state to take that step.
Workers' rights groups have cheered state and local policies to increase the minimum wage, as the federal government has not increased the $7.25 an hour pay floor in more than a decade. Democrats have almost universally embraced raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and the House passed a bill to do so at the federal level last year. Republican leaders in the GOP-held Senate have opposed the legislation.
Business groups in Florida opposed the ballot measure even before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The state's chamber of commerce now argues passing the wage increases would hurt small businesses struggling to recover from the outbreak. The first hike would take place in September 2021.
John Morgan, a well-known Florida personal injury attorney who advocated for a 2016 ballot measure legalizing medical marijuana, put millions of dollars into efforts to get a $15-an-hour minimum wage on Florida's ballot this year.
Monmouth's poll Tuesday also found Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump by a 50% to 45% margin in Florida.
The survey of 428 registered voters, taken by telephone Thursday through Sunday, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.
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cnbc--2020-09-15--Schumer calls for HHS Secretary Azar to resign immediately as Democrats probe coronavirus reporting

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for HHS Secretary Alex Azar on Tuesday to resign immediately as Democrats investigate whether Trump administration appointees meddled with coronavirus reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
`` The secretary of Health and Human Services , Alex Azar , has not only failed to push back against these outrageous moves by President Trump , he has been almost entirely silent about the chaos and mismanagement in his own agency , '' Schumer said on the Senate floor .
`` In Trump 's administration , the most important skill is the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resist political influence . ''
Democrats in the House launched an investigation Monday into a report from Politico that said Trump political appointees have demanded the right to review and change weekly scientific reports from the CDC on the coronavirus pandemic .
HHS oversees the CDC and other health agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration .
`` It has become abundantly clear that the leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services has allowed perhaps the most important federal agency right now to become subservient to the president 's daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So today , I 'm calling on Secretary Azar to resign immediately .
We need a secretary of Health and Human Services who will look out for the American people , not President Trump 's political interests . ''
Caitlin Oakley , an HHS spokeswoman , called Schumer 's `` uninformed '' and `` an attempt to mislead the American people and discredit the historic work of the Trump Administration to combat COVID-19 . ''
`` Secretary Azar has always stood up for balanced , scientific , public health information and insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at HHS and across our operating divisions , '' Oakley said in a statement .
`` Secretary Azar has repeatedly briefed President Trump alongside the nation 's top doctors and insisted that President Trump have direct access to these doctors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic . ''
`` It 's stunning that the Democratic Leader of the Senate would call for the resignation of the secretary of HHS in the midst of a pandemic , '' White House spokesman Judd Deere said .
`` Secretary Azar and HHS has been working hand-in-hand with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's number one priority : the health and safety of the American people . ''
According to Politico , HHS public affairs chief Michael Caputo had sought to meddle in the CDC 's Covid-19 work .
In a Facebook Live broadcast Sunday , Caputo accused scientists of `` sedition '' and claimed the CDC was trying to undermine the president with a `` resistance unit , '' The New York Times reported .
He also predicted President Donald Trump would win reelection and `` when Donald Trump refuses to stand down at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' according to the Times .
Caputo did not respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
HHS told the Times that `` Mr. Caputo is a critical , integral part of the president 's coronavirus response , leading on public messaging as Americans need public health information to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic . ''
Schumer 's call comes after mounting concern from Democrats that data and vaccine approval could be influenced by the White House .
In July , the Trump administration ordered hospitals to send coronavirus data directly to HHS , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions of how the integrity of the data would be maintained .
Later on Tuesday , Politico published a new report claiming Azar overruled objections from FDA chief Stephen Hahn and prevented the agency from checking the quality of lab-developed tests created for their own use .
HHS did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment on the report , which was based on information from nearly a dozen current and former Trump administration officials and others familiar with the matter .
In a statement to Politico , HHS chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven by legal considerations about the FDA 's authority to regulate individual labs running their own tests .
Trump 's statement that a vaccine could be ready before Election Day raised flags for lawmakers and infectious disease experts who worried the process would be rushed for political gain .
But Trump has denied that would be the case .
White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said it 's unlikely the vaccine would be ready prior to the election .
This is not the first time Azar has come under fire this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has killed nearly 200,000 Americans .
Tapped in January by Trump to lead the administration 's coronavirus response , Azar lasted in that role a little over a month before he was replaced by Vice President Mike Pence .
By April , as the true consequences of the U.S. failure to deploy an effective coronavirus test became clear , Azar again found himself in the crosshairs .
Late that month , reports emerged that Trump was planning to replace Azar at HHS .
This decision was prompted in part by Azar 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who later filed a damning whistleblower complaint alleging retaliation against him by HHS .
At the time , the list of people shortlisted for Azar 's job included White House coronavirus coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx or Medicare chief Seema Verma .
But Trump denied the reports of Azar 's imminent firing , calling them `` fake news . ''

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for HHS Secretary Alex Azar on Tuesday to resign immediately as Democrats investigate whether Trump administration appointees meddled with coronavirus reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, has not only failed to push back against these outrageous moves by President Trump, he has been almost entirely silent about the chaos and mismanagement in his own agency," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "In Trump's administration, the most important skill is the ability to stand up to the president and resist political influence."
Democrats in the House launched an investigation Monday into a report from Politico that said Trump political appointees have demanded the right to review and change weekly scientific reports from the CDC on the coronavirus pandemic. HHS oversees the CDC and other health agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration.
"It has become abundantly clear that the leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services has allowed perhaps the most important federal agency right now to become subservient to the president's daily whims," said Schumer, D-N.Y. "So today, I'm calling on Secretary Azar to resign immediately. We need a secretary of Health and Human Services who will look out for the American people, not President Trump's political interests."
Caitlin Oakley, an HHS spokeswoman, called Schumer's "uninformed" and "an attempt to mislead the American people and discredit the historic work of the Trump Administration to combat COVID-19."
"Secretary Azar has always stood up for balanced, scientific, public health information and insisted that science and data drive the decisions at HHS and across our operating divisions," Oakley said in a statement. "Secretary Azar has repeatedly briefed President Trump alongside the nation's top doctors and insisted that President Trump have direct access to these doctors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic."
"It's stunning that the Democratic Leader of the Senate would call for the resignation of the secretary of HHS in the midst of a pandemic," White House spokesman Judd Deere said. "Secretary Azar and HHS has been working hand-in-hand with the White House to carry out the President's number one priority: the health and safety of the American people."
According to Politico, HHS public affairs chief Michael Caputo had sought to meddle in the CDC's Covid-19 work. In a Facebook Live broadcast Sunday, Caputo accused scientists of "sedition" and claimed the CDC was trying to undermine the president with a "resistance unit," The New York Times reported. He also predicted President Donald Trump would win reelection and "when Donald Trump refuses to stand down at the inauguration, the shooting will begin," according to the Times.
Caputo did not respond to CNBC's request for comment. HHS told the Times that "Mr. Caputo is a critical, integral part of the president's coronavirus response, leading on public messaging as Americans need public health information to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic."
Schumer's call comes after mounting concern from Democrats that data and vaccine approval could be influenced by the White House. In July, the Trump administration ordered hospitals to send coronavirus data directly to HHS, bypassing the CDC. That change raised questions of how the integrity of the data would be maintained.
Later on Tuesday, Politico published a new report claiming Azar overruled objections from FDA chief Stephen Hahn and prevented the agency from checking the quality of lab-developed tests created for their own use.
HHS did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the report, which was based on information from nearly a dozen current and former Trump administration officials and others familiar with the matter. In a statement to Politico, HHS chief of staff Brian Harrison said the move was driven by legal considerations about the FDA's authority to regulate individual labs running their own tests.
Trump's statement that a vaccine could be ready before Election Day raised flags for lawmakers and infectious disease experts who worried the process would be rushed for political gain. But Trump has denied that would be the case. White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said it's unlikely the vaccine would be ready prior to the election.
This is not the first time Azar has come under fire this year over his handling of the pandemic, which has killed nearly 200,000 Americans. Tapped in January by Trump to lead the administration's coronavirus response, Azar lasted in that role a little over a month before he was replaced by Vice President Mike Pence.
By April, as the true consequences of the U.S. failure to deploy an effective coronavirus test became clear, Azar again found himself in the crosshairs.
Late that month, reports emerged that Trump was planning to replace Azar at HHS. This decision was prompted in part by Azar's mismanagement of vaccine expert Dr. Rick Bright, who later filed a damning whistleblower complaint alleging retaliation against him by HHS. At the time, the list of people shortlisted for Azar's job included White House coronavirus coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx or Medicare chief Seema Verma. But Trump denied the reports of Azar's imminent firing, calling them "fake news."
-CNBC's Christina Wilkie contributed to this report.
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WATCH: Here's where stimulus talks currently stand


cnbc--2020-09-15--Justice Department subpoenas publisher of John Bolton's tell-all book about Trump, reports say

A copy of `` The Room Where It Happened , '' by former national security adviser John Bolton is staged by a television crew at the White House on Thursday , June 18 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
The Department of Justice has opened a criminal inquiry related to the publication of former national security advisor John Bolton 's highly critical tell-all book about his time working for President Donald Trump , multiple outlets reported Tuesday .
The Justice Department convened a grand jury and has subpoenaed publisher Simon & Schuster for documents as it investigates whether Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it Happened , '' mishandled classified information , according to reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal .
The DOJ has also reportedly subpoenaed Javelin , Bolton 's literary agency , for documents .
The subpoenas seek all communications between Bolton and the two companies , the Journal reported .
Bolton has not been hit with a subpoena , according to the outlet .
Charles Cooper , an attorney for Bolton , told CNBC in a statement that he had seen the reports of the grand jury subpoenas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he acted improperly , let alone criminally , in connection with the publication of his book , and he will cooperate fully , as he has throughout , with any official inquiry into his conduct , '' Cooper said .
The book was released in June , after a federal judge denied the DOJ 's request to block its publication .
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports .
Simon & Schuster declined to comment .
The criminal inquiry was made public just seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic rival Joe Biden .
Trump , who has faced allegations of mismanagement and worse from a number of former close advisors , has said that Bolton 's book contains lies `` all intended to make me look bad . ''
Attorneys for the National Security Council and the Justice Department debated whether opening the investigation would come across as political , according to Times , which cited unnamed officials .
But some of the lawyers , according to the Times , pointed to comments from a federal judge in June , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking to halt the publication of Bolton 's book made some valid points .
U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth wrote in a June ruling against the DOJ that , while he would not stop the presses on Bolton 's tell-all , Bolton had nonetheless `` gambled with the national security of the United States '' and `` exposed his country to harm and himself to civil ( and potentially criminal ) liability . ''
Bolton since publishing the memoir has defended himself from criticism from across the political spectrum .
Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book of `` impeachment malpractice '' when he had refused to testify as part of the impeachment proceedings against Trump .
The president was impeached in the House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress but was acquitted in the Senate .
Republicans , meanwhile , have attacked Bolton as a disgruntled ex-employee who was merely trying to profit off his position in power .
`` The Room Where it Happened '' made a slew of damning allegations about Trump , including that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was listed among Amazon 's bestsellers even before its release and reportedly sold 780,000 copies in its first week .
Trump on June 23 tweeted that Bolton `` is a lowlife who should be in jail , money seized , for disseminating , for profit , highly Classified information . ''
Trump in April 2018 had tapped Bolton to succeed H.R .
McMaster as national security advisor .
The president 's first pick for the role , Michael Flynn , had been fired less than a month into Trump 's presidency .
Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted at the time that he had fired Bolton , `` I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions . ''
Bolton , however , said he had `` offered to resign . ''
Earlier this month , Bolton continued to criticize his former boss , telling CNBC that the administration 's `` utter lack of strategy '' in handling the coronavirus pandemic `` made it much worse than it could have been and could foreshadow even more damage . ''

A copy of "The Room Where It Happened," by former national security adviser John Bolton is staged by a television crew at the White House on Thursday, June 18, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The Department of Justice has opened a criminal inquiry related to the publication of former national security advisor John Bolton's highly critical tell-all book about his time working for President Donald Trump, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.
The Justice Department convened a grand jury and has subpoenaed publisher Simon & Schuster for documents as it investigates whether Bolton, author of "The Room Where it Happened," mishandled classified information, according to reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
The DOJ has also reportedly subpoenaed Javelin, Bolton's literary agency, for documents.
The subpoenas seek all communications between Bolton and the two companies, the Journal reported. Bolton has not been hit with a subpoena, according to the outlet.
Charles Cooper, an attorney for Bolton, told CNBC in a statement that he had seen the reports of the grand jury subpoenas.
"Ambassador Bolton emphatically rejects any claim that he acted improperly, let alone criminally, in connection with the publication of his book, and he will cooperate fully, as he has throughout, with any official inquiry into his conduct," Cooper said.
The book was released in June, after a federal judge denied the DOJ's request to block its publication.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reports. Simon & Schuster declined to comment.
The criminal inquiry was made public just seven weeks before Trump will face reelection against Democratic rival Joe Biden. Trump, who has faced allegations of mismanagement and worse from a number of former close advisors, has said that Bolton's book contains lies "all intended to make me look bad."
Attorneys for the National Security Council and the Justice Department debated whether opening the investigation would come across as political, according to Times, which cited unnamed officials. But some of the lawyers, according to the Times, pointed to comments from a federal judge in June, who said that the Justice Department's case seeking to halt the publication of Bolton's book made some valid points.
U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth wrote in a June ruling against the DOJ that, while he would not stop the presses on Bolton's tell-all, Bolton had nonetheless "gambled with the national security of the United States" and "exposed his country to harm and himself to civil (and potentially criminal) liability."
Bolton since publishing the memoir has defended himself from criticism from across the political spectrum. Democrats have excoriated Bolton for accusing them in the book of "impeachment malpractice" when he had refused to testify as part of the impeachment proceedings against Trump. The president was impeached in the House on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress but was acquitted in the Senate.
Republicans, meanwhile, have attacked Bolton as a disgruntled ex-employee who was merely trying to profit off his position in power.
"The Room Where it Happened" made a slew of damning allegations about Trump, including that he asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to help him win reelection.
The book was listed among Amazon's bestsellers even before its release and reportedly sold 780,000 copies in its first week.
Trump on June 23 tweeted that Bolton "is a lowlife who should be in jail, money seized, for disseminating, for profit, highly Classified information."
Trump in April 2018 had tapped Bolton to succeed H.R. McMaster as national security advisor. The president's first pick for the role, Michael Flynn, had been fired less than a month into Trump's presidency.
Bolton had served until September 2019. Trump tweeted at the time that he had fired Bolton, "I disagreed strongly with many of his suggestions." Bolton, however, said he had "offered to resign."
Earlier this month, Bolton continued to criticize his former boss, telling CNBC that the administration's "utter lack of strategy" in handling the coronavirus pandemic "made it much worse than it could have been and could foreshadow even more damage."


cnbc--2020-09-15--Biden receives endorsement from Scientific American, magazine's first in 175-year history

Scientific American has endorsed Joe Biden for president , the first time the venerable science magazine has backed a presidential candidate in its 175-year history .
The endorsement was published in Scientific American 's October issue , in which the magazine 's editors explained their reasons for publicly supporting Biden , adding that they `` do not do this lightly . ''
They said they were motivated to endorse Biden after seeing how science has been ignored and politicized by President Donald Trump and his administration .
`` The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he rejects evidence and science , '' the editors wrote in the endorsement .
They cited , in particular , the president 's response to the coronavirus pandemic , which has killed more than 195,000 Americans and continues to be a public health emergency .
The endorsement comes with less than 50 days to go until the U.S. presidential election and as the country juggles multiple crises in addition to the pandemic — a prolonged economic downturn , catastrophic wildfires on the West Coast and an intense Atlantic hurricane season .
The editors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national strategy to fight the pandemic helped accelerate the spread of the disease across the country and his misrepresentations of the facts have done even more damage .
“ His lies encouraged people to engage in risky behavior , spreading the virus further , and have driven wedges between Americans who take the threat seriously and those who believe Trump 's falsehoods , ” they wrote .
But their concerns went beyond the president ’ s response to the pandemic and included Trump ’ s attempts to end the Affordable Care Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and policies , and his proposed cuts in funding to agencies such as the National Institutes of Health , the National Science Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Biden has prioritized climate change throughout his campaign .
In July , he unveiled a $ 2 trillion plan that experts said would put the country on an ambitious path to building a clean energy economy .
The plan , which includes the goal of achieving a 100 percent clean electricity standard by 2035 , earned high praise from climate scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposal would also help repair the country 's reputation internationally .
Though much of Biden 's plan would require approval from Congress , the magazine 's editors said the candidate `` is acutely aware that we must heed the abundant research showing ways to recover from our present crises and successfully cope with future challenges . ''
They added that Trump 's many attacks on science and the scientific agencies designed to protect the country guided their decision to endorse a presidential candidate for the first time .
`` The 2020 election is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' they tweeted Tuesday .
`` We urge you to vote for health , science and Joe Biden for President . ''

Scientific American has endorsed Joe Biden for president, the first time the venerable science magazine has backed a presidential candidate in its 175-year history.
The endorsement was published in Scientific American's October issue, in which the magazine's editors explained their reasons for publicly supporting Biden, adding that they "do not do this lightly."
They said they were motivated to endorse Biden after seeing how science has been ignored and politicized by President Donald Trump and his administration.
"The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the U.S. and its people — because he rejects evidence and science," the editors wrote in the endorsement. They cited, in particular, the president's response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 195,000 Americans and continues to be a public health emergency.
More from NBC News
The endorsement comes with less than 50 days to go until the U.S. presidential election and as the country juggles multiple crises in addition to the pandemic — a prolonged economic downturn, catastrophic wildfires on the West Coast and an intense Atlantic hurricane season.
The editors said Trump’s failure to develop a national strategy to fight the pandemic helped accelerate the spread of the disease across the country and his misrepresentations of the facts have done even more damage.
“His lies encouraged people to engage in risky behavior, spreading the virus further, and have driven wedges between Americans who take the threat seriously and those who believe Trump's falsehoods,” they wrote.
But their concerns went beyond the president’s response to the pandemic and included Trump’s attempts to end the Affordable Care Act, his commitment to dismantling environmental protections and policies, and his proposed cuts in funding to agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Biden has prioritized climate change throughout his campaign. In July, he unveiled a $2 trillion plan that experts said would put the country on an ambitious path to building a clean energy economy. The plan, which includes the goal of achieving a 100 percent clean electricity standard by 2035, earned high praise from climate scientists and environmental advocates, who said the proposal would also help repair the country's reputation internationally.
Though much of Biden's plan would require approval from Congress, the magazine's editors said the candidate "is acutely aware that we must heed the abundant research showing ways to recover from our present crises and successfully cope with future challenges."
They added that Trump's many attacks on science and the scientific agencies designed to protect the country guided their decision to endorse a presidential candidate for the first time.
"The 2020 election is literally a matter of life and death," they tweeted Tuesday. "We urge you to vote for health, science and Joe Biden for President."


cnbc--2020-09-15--'I don't think science knows,' Trump responds when challenged on climate change at wildfire briefing

A California environmental official challenged President Donald Trump to believe and follow the science on climate change after Trump suggested @ @ @ @ @ year-round that have led to record-breaking temperatures in the state this month would cool down @ @ @ @ @ It 'll start getting cooler .
You just watch , '' Trump said after Wade @ @ @ @ @ for natural resources , urged him and others not to `` put our head in @ @ @ @ @ ignore the warming climate .
Trump 's remark during a roundtable in McLellan Park , @ @ @ @ @ that have engulfed huge swaths of the state , generated laughs from some of the @ @ @ @ @ : `` I wish science agreed with you . ''
Trump , with a smirk @ @ @ @ @ OK , well , I do n't think science knows , actually . ''

watch now
A California environmental official challenged President Donald Trump to believe and follow the science on climate change after Trump suggested that trends of warmer weather year-round that have led to record-breaking temperatures in the state this month would cool down on their own. "It'll start getting cooler. You just watch," Trump said after Wade Crowfoot, California's secretary for natural resources, urged him and others not to "put our head in the sand" and simply ignore the warming climate. Trump's remark during a roundtable in McLellan Park, California, on the wildfires that have engulfed huge swaths of the state, generated laughs from some of the participants. But Crowfoot responded: "I wish science agreed with you." Trump, with a smirk, shot back: "OK, well, I don't think science knows, actually."
US President Donald Trump(C) listens as FEMA workers speak at Sacramento McClellan Airport in McClellan Park, California on September 14, 2020 during a briefing on wildfires. Brendan Smialowski | AFP | Getty Images
The White House declined CNBC's request for further comment on the president's remarks. Crowfoot tweeted later Monday: "It actually won't get cooler Mr. President. #ClimateChangeIsReal." Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, speaking in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday, struck a very different tone on the issue. "With every bout with nature's fury, caused by our own inaction on climate change, more Americans see and feel the devastation in big cities, small towns, on coastlines and farmlands," Biden said, according to his prepared remarks. "It is happening everywhere. It is happening now. It affects us all," Biden said.
watch now


cnbc--2020-09-15--Trump advisor Kushner defends plan to cut drug prices, says Americans should pay the same as Europea

Trump advisor Kushner defends plan to cut drug prices, says Americans should pay the same as Europeans

President Donald Trump 's senior advisor Jared Kushner told CNBC on Tuesday he supports the president 's plan to cut drug prices , arguing that the U.S. should n't pay more than other European countries for the same treatments .
The comments by the president 's son-in-law came two days after Trump announced that he signed an executive order aiming to lower drug prices .
The president said Sunday his `` Most Favored Nation order '' will guarantee the U.S. receives the same , lower drug prices that the pharmaceutical industry gives to other countries .
Kushner said the order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their pricing policies fairer across the globe .
`` Right now , there 's a disproportionate burden being shared by America , '' Kushner said on `` Squawk Box . ''
`` If you 're the largest customer from somebody , you should be getting the best price , not the worst price . ''
`` We 're not saying give us the same price as Africa , but we are saying give us the same price as other developed countries like the U.K. and Germany , '' he added .
`` Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our drugs than they 're paying ? ''
Trump has throughout his presidency attacked Big Pharma for what he sees as predatory pricing policies .
The president is especially irked by the disparity between the prices paid by Americans and those paid by citizens from other developed countries in Europe .
`` Drug companies , which are being forced by me to substantially reduce Drug Prices , are taking $ millions in ads saying I want to increase Medicare Primiums .
Wrong , just the opposite !
These ads show DRUG PRICES ARE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy !
False advertising ! ''
he tweeted Aug. 13 .
Trump also signed a variety of executive orders in July aimed at reforming the drug industry .
One such order would allow states , pharmacies and wholesalers to import drugs from Canada where they typically cost less than in the U.S .
In most circumstances , it is illegal to import medications from other countries for personal use , according to the Food and Drug Administration .

President Donald Trump's senior advisor Jared Kushner told CNBC on Tuesday he supports the president's plan to cut drug prices, arguing that the U.S. shouldn't pay more than other European countries for the same treatments.
The comments by the president's son-in-law came two days after Trump announced that he signed an executive order aiming to lower drug prices.
The president said Sunday his "Most Favored Nation order" will guarantee the U.S. receives the same, lower drug prices that the pharmaceutical industry gives to other countries.
Kushner said the order is designed to compel drugmakers to make their pricing policies fairer across the globe.
"Right now, there's a disproportionate burden being shared by America," Kushner said on "Squawk Box." "If you're the largest customer from somebody, you should be getting the best price, not the worst price."
"We're not saying give us the same price as Africa, but we are saying give us the same price as other developed countries like the U.K. and Germany," he added. "Why should we be paying substantially more for our drugs than they're paying?"
Trump has throughout his presidency attacked Big Pharma for what he sees as predatory pricing policies. The president is especially irked by the disparity between the prices paid by Americans and those paid by citizens from other developed countries in Europe.
"Drug companies, which are being forced by me to substantially reduce Drug Prices, are taking $millions in ads saying I want to increase Medicare Primiums. Wrong, just the opposite! These ads show DRUG PRICES ARE GOING DOWN, and they are not happy! False advertising!" he tweeted Aug. 13.
Trump also signed a variety of executive orders in July aimed at reforming the drug industry.
One such order would allow states, pharmacies and wholesalers to import drugs from Canada where they typically cost less than in the U.S. In most circumstances, it is illegal to import medications from other countries for personal use, according to the Food and Drug Administration.


cnbc--2020-09-15--City of Louisville reaches settlement with Breonna Taylor's family

A demonstrator holds a sign with the image of Breonna Taylor , a black woman who was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police Department officers , during a protest against the death George Floyd in Minneapolis , in Denver , Colorado on June 3 , 2020 .
The city of Louisville has reached a settlement with Breonna Taylor 's family , six months after she was killed in her home during a police drug raid .
NBC News has confirmed that the settlement is in the millions of dollars and will include a list of police reforms that will address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrants .
The settlement was first reported by The Louisville Courier-Journal .
Taylor 's mother , Tamika Palmer , filed a lawsuit in late April against three officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department , accusing them of wrongfully causing her daughter 's death .
One of the officers , Brett Hankison , who shot 10 rounds blindly into the apartment , where no drugs or money were found , was fired in June .
Officer Myles Cosgrove and Sgt .
Jonathan Mattingly have been placed on administrative leave , along with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the officers involved in the case have been charged .
The investigation is being led by Kentucky ’ s attorney general , Daniel Cameron .
The shooting is also being investigated by the FBI .
Officers killed Taylor , 26 , just after midnight March 13 while serving a no-knock warrant .
Mattingly was shot in the thigh by Taylor ’ s boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , who said he thought an intruder was breaking into the home .
Taylor had no criminal record and was never the target of an inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant in a drug investigation involving Taylor 's ex-boyfriend , Jamarcus Glover , a convicted drug dealer .
He had listed her apartment as his address and used it to receive packages , authorities said .

A demonstrator holds a sign with the image of Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police Department officers, during a protest against the death George Floyd in Minneapolis, in Denver, Colorado on June 3, 2020.
The city of Louisville has reached a settlement with Breonna Taylor's family, six months after she was killed in her home during a police drug raid.
NBC News has confirmed that the settlement is in the millions of dollars and will include a list of police reforms that will address officer accountability and the execution of search warrants.
The settlement was first reported by The Louisville Courier-Journal.
More from NBC News
Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, filed a lawsuit in late April against three officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department, accusing them of wrongfully causing her daughter's death.
One of the officers, Brett Hankison, who shot 10 rounds blindly into the apartment, where no drugs or money were found, was fired in June.
Officer Myles Cosgrove and Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly have been placed on administrative leave, along with the detective who requested the warrant.
None of the officers involved in the case have been charged.
The investigation is being led by Kentucky’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron. The shooting is also being investigated by the FBI.
Officers killed Taylor, 26, just after midnight March 13 while serving a no-knock warrant. Mattingly was shot in the thigh by Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who said he thought an intruder was breaking into the home.
Taylor had no criminal record and was never the target of an inquiry.
Police were executing a no-knock search warrant in a drug investigation involving Taylor's ex-boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover, a convicted drug dealer. He had listed her apartment as his address and used it to receive packages, authorities said.


cnbc--2020-09-18--Scranton vs. Park Avenue: Biden leans into his working class roots to draw a contrast with Trump

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden takes part in an outdoor town hall meeting in Scranton , Pennsylvania , U.S. September 17 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON – Joe Biden embraced his blue collar roots and his political centrism on Thursday night during a town hall hosted by CNN in Biden 's hometown of Scranton , Pennsylvania .
On question after question , Biden replied with answers aimed directly at potential `` Trump-Biden voters , '' whose defection from the Democratic Party in 2016 helped deliver narrow victories to Donald Trump in key Midwestern states .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scranton and Park Avenue , '' said Biden , drawing a contrast between his industrial hometown and Trump 's lavish Manhattan lifestyle .
`` All that President Trump could see from Park Avenue is Wall Street .
All he thinks about is the stock market , '' said Biden .
`` How many of you all own stock in Scranton ?
Not a whole lot of people own stock . ''
As president , Trump has often used equity markets as a barometer for the nation 's overall economic health .
He argues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their 401ks or pensions , even if they do n't necessarily consider themselves investors in the stock market .
Following the town hall , the Trump campaign claimed in a statement that `` virtually every question for Joe Biden was an invitation for him to attack President Trump . ''
And it accused CNN of `` giving Biden a total pass on his lies and misrepresentations . ''
Over the course of more than an hour on Thursday , Biden repeatedly painted Trump as an elite Manhattan mogul , detached and uninterested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a tactic Trump himself used to great effect in his 2016 campaign , to undermine Democrat Hillary Clinton .
Biden also noticeably moved away from a number of issues that animate the left wing of the Democratic Party , most notably the Black Lives Matter movement and the Green New Deal .
Biden defended and sympathized with law enforcement officers , saying `` the vast majority of police are decent , honorable people '' who do n't embrace brutality .
He also called for a `` much more transparent means by which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But Biden did not use the kind of impassioned language about systemic racism in policing that many on the left might have wanted to hear .
And when host Anderson Cooper asked him whether he had personally benefited from `` white privilege , '' Biden said he had but quickly pivoted away from race to talking about privilege as a class issue .
`` Growing up in Scranton , we were used to guys who looked down their noses at us .
Look at us and think we 're not equivalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a college degree , you must be stupid .
If , in fact , you did n't go to an Ivy League school , '' Biden said in response to the question about privilege .
The former vice president said he was bothered by journalists noting that he could be the first president in decades without an Ivy League degree .
`` What the Hell makes you think I need an Ivy League degree to be president ?
Guys like me , the first in my family to go to college … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` And guys like President Trump , who inherited everything and squandered what they inherited , are the people I 've always had a problem with .
Not the people who are busting their necks . ''
Biden also broke with the left flank of his party on the question of fracking , a key source of jobs in northern and western Pennsylvania .
`` There is no rationale right now to eliminate fracking , '' he said , adding that his climate change proposal aims to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it includes a full plan to retrain drillers and miners to work in clean energy fields .
Instead of denying global warming , said Biden , he would approach it as an opportunity to embrace new industries .
`` When Trump hears global warming , he thinks , 'Hoax ! '
When I hear global warming , I think , 'Jobs , ' '' he said .
If it were n't clear enough from his answer about fracking , when the next participant asked him point blank whether he supported the Green New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , he said `` I 've got my own deal . ''
Overall , Biden sought to downplay the divide between the parties that Trump foments with his constant attacks on `` the radical left . ''
`` I 'm running as a Democrat , but I 'm going to be everyone 's president , '' he said .
`` I 'm not going to be a Democratic president .
I 'm going to be America 's president . ''
Expect to hear more of Biden 's pitch to the Trump-Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president travels to Duluth , Minnesota , to tour a union training center and give a speech .
Duluth is formerly industrial city that has branched out into new industries , but remains a key shipping hub for the products mined in Minnesota 's Iron Range .
Trump will also be traveling to northern Minnesota on Friday , a reflection of the state 's outsized significance in a race that both candidates believe will be won or lost in the upper Midwest .
Clinton won Minnesota by fewer than two points in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in on the state as a potential buttress against an electoral college defeat in the event that the president loses states he won four years ago .
Biden currently leads Trump in polls in Minnesota by a comfortable margin .
Any hopes the president has of winning the state would require a big surge in support for Trump from the same blue-collar voters Biden will be targeting Friday .

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden takes part in an outdoor town hall meeting in Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. September 17, 2020.
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden embraced his blue-collar roots and his political centrism during a town hall hosted by CNN in his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
On question after question Thursday night, Biden replied with answers aimed directly at potential "Trump-Biden voters," whose defection from the Democratic Party in 2016 helped deliver narrow victories to Donald Trump in key battleground states.
"I view this as a campaign between Scranton and Park Avenue," said Biden, drawing a contrast between his industrial hometown and Trump's lavish Manhattan lifestyle.
"All that President Trump could see from Park Avenue is Wall Street. All he thinks about is the stock market," said Biden. "How many of you all own stock in Scranton? Not a whole lot of people own stock."
As president, Trump has often used equity markets as a barometer for the nation's overall economic health.
He argues that millions of Americans own stocks through their 401(k)s or pensions, even if they don't necessarily consider themselves investors in the stock market.
Following the town hall, the Trump campaign claimed in a statement that "virtually every question for Joe Biden was an invitation for him to attack President Trump." And it accused CNN of "giving Biden a total pass on his lies and misrepresentations."
Over the course of more than an hour on Thursday, Biden repeatedly painted Trump as an elite Manhattan mogul, detached and uninterested in the challenges facing everyday Pennsylvanians. It's a tactic Trump himself used to great effect in his 2016 campaign, to undermine Democrat Hillary Clinton.
Biden also noticeably moved away from a number of issues that animate the left wing of the Democratic Party, most notably the Black Lives Matter movement and the Green New Deal.
Biden defended and sympathized with law enforcement officers, saying "the vast majority of police are decent, honorable people" who don't embrace brutality. He also called for a "much more transparent means by which we provide for accountability within police departments."
But Biden did not use the kind of impassioned language about systemic racism in policing that many on the left might have wanted to hear. And when host Anderson Cooper asked him whether he had personally benefited from "White privilege," Biden said he had but quickly pivoted away from race to talking about privilege as a class issue.
"Growing up in Scranton, we were used to guys who looked down their noses at us. Look at us and think we're not equivalent to them. If you don't have a college degree, you must be stupid. If, in fact, you didn't go to an Ivy League school," Biden said in response to the question about privilege.
The former vice president said he was bothered by journalists noting that he could be the first president in decades without an Ivy League degree. Trump has a degree from the University of Pennsylvania. "What the hell makes you think I need an Ivy League degree to be president? Guys like me, the first in my family to go to college … we are as good as anybody else," he said.
"And guys like President Trump, who inherited everything and squandered what they inherited, are the people I've always had a problem with. Not the people who are busting their necks."
Biden also broke with the left flank of his party on the question of fracking, a key source of jobs in northern and western Pennsylvania.
"There is no rationale right now to eliminate fracking," he said, adding that his proposal on climate change aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and it includes a full plan to retrain drillers and miners to work in clean energy fields.
Instead of denying global warming, said Biden, he would approach it as an opportunity to embrace new industries.
"When Trump hears global warming, he thinks, 'Hoax!' When I hear global warming, I think, 'Jobs,'" he said.
If it weren't clear enough from his answer about fracking, when the next participant asked him point blank whether he supported the Green New Deal, Biden did not say yes. Instead, he said "I've got my own deal."
Overall, Biden sought to downplay the divide between the parties that Trump foments with his constant attacks on "the radical left."
"I'm running as a Democrat, but I'm going to be everyone's president," he said. "I'm not going to be a Democratic president. I'm going to be America's president."
Expect to hear more of Biden's pitch to the Trump-Biden voters on Friday, when the former vice president travels to Duluth, Minnesota, to tour a union training center and give a speech. Duluth is a former industrial city that has branched out into new industries, but remains a key shipping hub for the products mined in Minnesota's Iron Range.
Trump will also be traveling to Minnesota on Friday, a reflection of the state's outsized significance in a race that both candidates believe will be won or lost in the upper Midwest.
Clinton won Minnesota by fewer than 2 points in 2016, and his campaign has zeroed in on the state as a potential buttress against an electoral college defeat in the event that the president loses states he won four years ago.
Biden leads Trump in polls in Minnesota by a comfortable margin. Any hopes the president has of winning the state would require a big surge in support for Trump from the same blue-collar voters Biden will be targeting Friday.