cnbc--2020-02-05--Ponzi scheme king Bernie Madoff says he is dying, seeks early release from prison

Bernie Madoff , the notorious Ponzi schemer , says that he is dying from kidney disease , and is seeking an early release from prison on compassionate grounds so that he can die at home .
A lawyer for Madoff , in a new legal filing Wednesday , says the fraudster has `` less than 18 months to live , '' and is suffering from `` numerous other serious medical conditions '' including cardiovascular disease and hypertension .
Madoff , 81 , currently is serving a 150-year prison sentence in a North Carolina federal facility for orchestrating the largest Ponzi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded guilty in 2009 .
Madoff , while running Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities in New York City , swindled thousands of investors out of billions of dollars in the decades-long scam .
`` I 'm terminally ill , '' Madoff told The Washington Post in an article published Wednesday about his request .
`` There 's no cure for my type of disease .
So , you know , I 've served .
I 've served 11 years already , and , quite frankly , I 've suffered through it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he has been moved to palliative care in the Federal Medical Center prison in Butner , N.C. His attorney , Brandon Sample , in a filing Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan , said , `` Madoff does not dispute the severity of his crimes nor does he seek to minimize the suffering of his victims .
Madoff has expressed remorse for his crimes . ''

Bernie Madoff, the notorious Ponzi schemer, says that he is dying from terminal kidney disease, and on Wednesday asked a judge to grant him an early release from prison on compassionate grounds so that he can live out his remaining days with a friend.
A lawyer for Madoff, in a legal filing, says the fraudster has "less than 18 months to live," and is suffering from "numerous other serious medical conditions" including cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
On Thursday, a lawyer for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, which prosecuted Madoff, filed a court document asking a judge to set a March 4 deadline for them to submit a response to Madoff's request.
Under their proposal, Madoff would have until March 11 to reply to the U.S. Attorney's Office's position. Madoff's lawyers agreed with that tentative schedule, according to the court document.
Madoff, 81, is serving a 150-year prison sentence in a North Carolina federal facility for orchestrating the largest Ponzi scheme in history at his firm, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities in New York City.
He pleaded guilty in 2009 to 11 crimes related swindling of billions of dollars from thousands of investors over several decades.
"I'm terminally ill," Madoff told The Washington Post in an article Wednesday.
"There's no cure for my type of disease. So, you know, I've served. I've served 11 years already, and, quite frankly, I've suffered through it," Madoff told the newspaper.
But one of Madoff's victims, Gregg Felsen, had no sympathy for the arch-scammer who decimated his savings.
"He's terminally ill? I'm terminally broke," Felsen told the Washington Post. "He ruined a lot of people's lives and changed them forever. He deserves no leniency whatsoever."
Madoff last summer was moved into palliative care in the Federal Medical Center prison in Butner, N.C., according to the filing by his lawyer in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
Madoff has refused to undergo dialysis treatment and is confined to a wheelchair, the lawyer, Brandon Sample, wrote.
If a judge sets him free, Madoff, who forfeited all his financial assets when he pleaded guilty, would "financially support himself through Social Security and Medicare benefits," according to Sample.
"If released, he will live with a friend," said the filing, which did not identify that person willing to host Madoff.
Sample wrote, "Madoff does not dispute the severity of his crimes nor does he seek to minimize the suffering of his victims. Madoff has expressed remorse for his crimes."


cnbc--2020-02-05--GOP Sen. Mitt Romney will vote to remove Trump from office in impeachment trial

Romney , who was the Republican nominee for president against Barack Obama in 2012 , has been a fierce critic of Trump 's dating back to the 2016 presidential campaign .
Romney was one of just two GOP senators to vote in favor of allowing additional witnesses and documents in the Trump 's impeachment trial .
The other senator , Susan Collins of Maine , announced Tuesday that she would vote to acquit Trump on both articles .
On the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon , Romney said that `` the grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and so egregious '' that it warrants impeachment .
Romney concluded : `` Yes , he did . ''
`` The president 's purpose was personal and political .
Accordingly , the president is guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust , '' Romney said .
`` What he did was not perfect .
No , it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights , our national security , and our fundamental values , '' Romney continued .
`` Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oath of office that I can imagine . ''
Romney acknowledged that his vote will not change the outcome of the trial , in which Trump is virtually guaranteed to be acquitted .
The GOP holds a 53-47 majority in the Senate ; It would take 67 votes convict Trump .
But he said that the pressure to side with Trump was nonetheless immense .
`` In the last several weeks , I 've received numerous calls and texts , many demanding with their words that I stand with the team .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very much on my mind , '' Romney said .
`` I support a great deal of what the president had done .
I voted with him 80 percent of the time .
But my promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and political biases aside . ''
The reaction from Trump 's supporters was swift and severe .
`` Mitt Romney 's actions today are wildly out of step with his own constituents , '' the Republican National Committee told NBC in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Utah than Mitt Romney . ''
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh told CNBC , `` The President did nothing wrong and the Republican Party is united behind him . ''
Trump 's son , Donald Trump Jr. , claimed in a tweet that Romney is `` forever bitter that he will never be '' president .
`` He 's now officially a member of the resistance & should be expelled from the @ GOP . ''
GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel — who is Romney 's niece — also criticized her uncle 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time I have disagreed with Mitt , and I imagine it will not be the last , '' she tweeted .
`` I , along with the @ GOP , stand with President Trump . ''
The White House nor the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC 's requests for comment on Romney 's announcement and Trump Jr. 's call for the senator 's expulsion from the GOP .
Romney had already received a backlash from other Republican Party figures after he voted Friday for new witnesses in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American Conservative Union , tweeted at that time that Romney was `` formally NOT invited '' to this year 's Conservative Political Action Conference .
The Constitution is at the foundation of our Republic 's success , and we each strive not to lose sight of our promise to defend it .
The Constitution established the vehicle of impeachment that has occupied both houses of Congress for these many days .
We have labored to faithfully execute our responsibilities to it .
We have arrived at different judgments , but I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The allegations made in the articles of impeachment are very serious .
As a Senator-juror , I swore an oath , before God , to exercise `` impartial justice . ''
I am a profoundly religious person .
I take an oath before God as enormously consequential .
I knew from the outset that being tasked with judging the President , the leader of my own party , would be the most difficult decision I have ever faced .
I was not wrong .
The House Managers presented evidence supporting their case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
In addition , the President 's team presented three defenses : first , that there can be no impeachment without a statutory crime ; second , that the Bidens ' conduct justified the President 's actions ; and third that the judgement of the President 's actions should be left to the voters .
Let me first address each of those defenses .
The historic meaning of the words `` high crimes and misdemeanors , '' the writings of the Founders and my own reasoned judgement convince me that a president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust that are so egregious that while they are not statutory crimes , they would demand removal from office .
To maintain that the lack of a codified and comprehensive list of all the outrageous acts that a president might conceivably commit renders Congress powerless to remove a president defies reason .
The President 's counsel noted that Vice President Biden appeared to have a conflict of interest when he undertook an effort to remove the Ukrainian Prosecutor General .
If he knew of the exorbitant compensation his son was receiving from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President should have recused himself .
While ignoring a conflict of interest is not a crime , it is surely very wrong .
With regards to Hunter Biden , taking excessive advantage of his father 's name is unsavory but also not a crime .
Given that in neither the case of the father nor the son was any evidence presented by the President 's counsel that a crime had been committed , the President 's insistence that they be investigated by the Ukrainians is hard to explain other than as a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my mind that were their names not Biden , the President would never have done what he did .
The defense argues that the Senate should leave the impeachment decision to the voters .
While that logic is appealing to our democratic instincts , it is inconsistent with the Constitution 's requirement that the Senate , not the voters , try the president .
Hamilton explained that the Founders ' decision to invest senators with this obligation rather than leave it to voters was intended to minimize—to the extent possible—the partisan sentiments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to render .
The people will judge us for how well and faithfully we fulfilled our duty .
The grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the President committed an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a `` high crime and misdemeanor . ''
Yes , he did .
The President asked a foreign government to investigate his political rival .
The President withheld vital military funds from that government to press it to do so .
The President delayed funds for an American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The President 's purpose was personal and political .
Accordingly , the President is guilty of an appalling abuse of the public trust .
What he did was not `` perfect '' — No , it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights , our national security interests , and our fundamental values .
Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one 's oath of office that I can imagine .
In the last several weeks , I have received numerous calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their words , `` I stand with the team . ''
I can assure you that that thought has been very much on my mind .
I support a great deal of what the President has done .
I have voted with him 80 % of the time .
But my promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and biases aside .
Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented , and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end , it would , I fear , expose my character to history 's rebuke and the censure of my own conscience .
I am aware that there are people in my party and in my state who will strenuously disapprove of my decision , and in some quarters , I will be vehemently denounced .
I am sure to hear abuse from the President and his supporters .
Does anyone seriously believe I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from John Bolton not only because I believed he could add context to the charges , but also because I hoped that what he said might raise reasonable doubt and thus remove from me the awful obligation to vote for impeachment .
Like each member of this deliberative body , I love our country .
I believe that our Constitution was inspired by Providence .
I am convinced that freedom itself is dependent on the strength and vitality of our national character .
As it is with each senator , my vote is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to different conclusions , fellow senators , but I trust we have all followed the dictates of our conscience .
I acknowledge that my verdict will not remove the President from office .
The results of this Senate Court will in fact be appealed to a higher court : the judgement of the American people .
Voters will make the final decision , just as the President 's lawyers have implored .
My vote will likely be in the minority in the Senate .
But irrespective of these things , with my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability , believing that my country expected it of me .
I will only be one name among many , no more or less , to future generations of Americans who look at the record of this trial .
They will note merely that I was among the senators who determined that what the President did was wrong , grievously wrong .
We 're all footnotes at best in the annals of history .
But in the most powerful nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberty and justice , that is distinction enough for any citizen .

Romney, who was the Republican nominee for president against Barack Obama in 2012, has been a fierce critic of Trump's dating back to the 2016 presidential campaign.
Romney was one of just two GOP senators to vote in favor of allowing additional witnesses and documents in the Trump's impeachment trial. The other senator, Susan Collins of Maine, announced Tuesday that she would vote to acquit Trump on both articles.
On the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon, Romney said that "the grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the president committed an act so extreme and so egregious" that it warrants impeachment.
Romney concluded: "Yes, he did."
"The president's purpose was personal and political. Accordingly, the president is guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust," Romney said.
"What he did was not perfect. No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security, and our fundamental values," Romney continued. "Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine."
Romney acknowledged that his vote will not change the outcome of the trial, in which Trump is virtually guaranteed to be acquitted. The GOP holds a 53-47 majority in the Senate; It would take 67 votes convict Trump.
But he said that the pressure to side with Trump was nonetheless immense.
"In the last several weeks, I've received numerous calls and texts, many demanding with their words that I stand with the team. I can assure you that thought has been very much on my mind," Romney said.
"I support a great deal of what the president had done. I voted with him 80 percent of the time. But my promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and political biases aside."
The reaction from Trump's supporters was swift and severe.
"Mitt Romney's actions today are wildly out of step with his own constituents," the Republican National Committee told NBC in a statement. "President Donald Trump is more popular in Utah than Mitt Romney."
Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh told CNBC, "The President did nothing wrong and the Republican Party is united behind him."
Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., claimed in a tweet that Romney is "forever bitter that he will never be" president. "He's now officially a member of the resistance & should be expelled from the @GOP."
Trump JR TWEET
GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel — who is Romney's niece — also criticized her uncle's decision.
"This is not the first time I have disagreed with Mitt, and I imagine it will not be the last," she tweeted. "I, along with the @GOP, stand with President Trump."
McDaniel TWEET
The White House nor the Trump campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment on Romney's announcement and Trump Jr.'s call for the senator's expulsion from the GOP.
Romney had already received a backlash from other Republican Party figures after he voted Friday for new witnesses in the Senate trial.
Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, tweeted at that time that Romney was "formally NOT invited" to this year's Conservative Political Action Conference.
Schlapp TWEET
Read Romney's full remarks as prepared for delivery.
The Constitution is at the foundation of our Republic's success, and we each strive not to lose sight of our promise to defend it. The Constitution established the vehicle of impeachment that has occupied both houses of Congress for these many days. We have labored to faithfully execute our responsibilities to it. We have arrived at different judgments, but I hope we respect each other's good faith.
The allegations made in the articles of impeachment are very serious. As a Senator-juror, I swore an oath, before God, to exercise "impartial justice." I am a profoundly religious person. I take an oath before God as enormously consequential. I knew from the outset that being tasked with judging the President, the leader of my own party, would be the most difficult decision I have ever faced. I was not wrong.
The House Managers presented evidence supporting their case; the White House counsel disputed that case. In addition, the President's team presented three defenses: first, that there can be no impeachment without a statutory crime; second, that the Bidens' conduct justified the President's actions; and third that the judgement of the President's actions should be left to the voters. Let me first address each of those defenses.
The historic meaning of the words "high crimes and misdemeanors," the writings of the Founders and my own reasoned judgement convince me that a president can indeed commit acts against the public trust that are so egregious that while they are not statutory crimes, they would demand removal from office. To maintain that the lack of a codified and comprehensive list of all the outrageous acts that a president might conceivably commit renders Congress powerless to remove a president defies reason.
The President's counsel noted that Vice President Biden appeared to have a conflict of interest when he undertook an effort to remove the Ukrainian Prosecutor General. If he knew of the exorbitant compensation his son was receiving from a company actually under investigation, the Vice President should have recused himself. While ignoring a conflict of interest is not a crime, it is surely very wrong.
With regards to Hunter Biden, taking excessive advantage of his father's name is unsavory but also not a crime. Given that in neither the case of the father nor the son was any evidence presented by the President's counsel that a crime had been committed, the President's insistence that they be investigated by the Ukrainians is hard to explain other than as a political pursuit. There is no question in my mind that were their names not Biden, the President would never have done what he did.
The defense argues that the Senate should leave the impeachment decision to the voters. While that logic is appealing to our democratic instincts, it is inconsistent with the Constitution's requirement that the Senate, not the voters, try the president. Hamilton explained that the Founders' decision to invest senators with this obligation rather than leave it to voters was intended to minimize—to the extent possible—the partisan sentiments of the public.
This verdict is ours to render. The people will judge us for how well and faithfully we fulfilled our duty. The grave question the Constitution tasks senators to answer is whether the President committed an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a "high crime and misdemeanor."
Yes, he did.
The President asked a foreign government to investigate his political rival.
The President withheld vital military funds from that government to press it to do so.
The President delayed funds for an American ally at war with Russian invaders.
The President's purpose was personal and political.
Accordingly, the President is guilty of an appalling abuse of the public trust.
What he did was not "perfect"— No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security interests, and our fundamental values. Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine.
In the last several weeks, I have received numerous calls and texts. Many demand that, in their words, "I stand with the team." I can assure you that that thought has been very much on my mind. I support a great deal of what the President has done. I have voted with him 80% of the time. But my promise before God to apply impartial justice required that I put my personal feelings and biases aside. Were I to ignore the evidence that has been presented, and disregard what I believe my oath and the Constitution demands of me for the sake of a partisan end, it would, I fear, expose my character to history's rebuke and the censure of my own conscience.
I am aware that there are people in my party and in my state who will strenuously disapprove of my decision, and in some quarters, I will be vehemently denounced. I am sure to hear abuse from the President and his supporters. Does anyone seriously believe I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me?
I sought to hear testimony from John Bolton not only because I believed he could add context to the charges, but also because I hoped that what he said might raise reasonable doubt and thus remove from me the awful obligation to vote for impeachment.
Like each member of this deliberative body, I love our country. I believe that our Constitution was inspired by Providence. I am convinced that freedom itself is dependent on the strength and vitality of our national character. As it is with each senator, my vote is an act of conviction. We have come to different conclusions, fellow senators, but I trust we have all followed the dictates of our conscience.
I acknowledge that my verdict will not remove the President from office. The results of this Senate Court will in fact be appealed to a higher court: the judgement of the American people. Voters will make the final decision, just as the President's lawyers have implored. My vote will likely be in the minority in the Senate. But irrespective of these things, with my vote, I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability, believing that my country expected it of me. I will only be one name among many, no more or less, to future generations of Americans who look at the record of this trial. They will note merely that I was among the senators who determined that what the President did was wrong, grievously wrong.
We're all footnotes at best in the annals of history. But in the most powerful nation on earth, the nation conceived in liberty and justice, that is distinction enough for any citizen.


cnbc--2020-02-05--Epidemiologist warns lawmakers: US can't keep coronavirus 'out of our border'

U.S. travel restrictions implemented in recent days to keep a fast-moving virus that has crippled much of China from spreading across America wo n't work , a top epidemiologist told U.S. lawmakers Wednesday .
`` I have never seen instances where that has worked when we are talking about a virus at this scale , '' epidemiologist Jennifer Nuzzo , a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University 's Center for Health Security , testified before the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee .
Respiratory viruses like the one that 's sickened more than 24,300 across the globe and killed at least 490 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` They are hard to spot because they look like many other diseases .
It 's very hard to interrupt them at borders .
You would need to have complete surveillance in order to do that .
And we simply do n't have that , '' she said .
In China , physicians are looking for sick people , while other countries are looking for people from China .
Somewhere in between , infected people are going to be missed , she said .
`` For that , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're going to be able to keep the virus out of our border , '' she said , adding that a bigger concern is that the travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines are diverting resources away from fighting the virus .
One public health department has 31 health-care workers monitoring two quarantined patients 24 hours a day , she said .
`` As this epidemic grows , that 's not likely to scale , '' she said .
Other witnesses included Jennifer Bouey , senior policy researcher at the Rand Corporation , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response coordinator .
Rep. Ami Bera , D-Calif. , chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia , the Pacific , and Nonproliferation , announced the hearing last week .
`` While the threat of the coronavirus is relatively low in the United States at this time , we must be vigilant and prepared , '' Bera said in a statement .
`` I look forward to hearing from our expert witnesses on ways in which we can plan and respond to this virus .
Congress needs to ensure the administration has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and limit the outbreak . ''
In response to the outbreak , the U.S. government has implemented travel restrictions and issued federal quarantine orders for the first time in about 50 years , health officials said last week .
Flights from mainland China are being funneled through 11 U.S. airports , officials said , where all passengers are being screened for symptoms .
Travelers from Hubei province are being quarantined for 14 days .
[ To see the latest updates on the coronavirus , visit CNBC 's live updates here . ]

A Japan Airlines worker (C) wears a face mask while working inside a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on January 23, 2020 in Los Angeles. Mario Tama | Getty Images
U.S. travel restrictions implemented in recent days to keep a fast-moving virus that has crippled much of China from spreading across America won't work, a top epidemiologist told U.S. lawmakers Wednesday. "I have never seen instances where that has worked when we are talking about a virus at this scale," epidemiologist Jennifer Nuzzo, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins University's Center for Health Security, testified before the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee. Respiratory viruses like the one that's sickened more than 24,300 across the globe and killed at least 490 in China "just move quickly," she said. "They are hard to spot because they look like many other diseases. It's very hard to interrupt them at borders. You would need to have complete surveillance in order to do that. And we simply don't have that," she said.
watch now
In China, physicians are looking for sick people, while other countries are looking for people from China. Somewhere in between, infected people are going to be missed, she said. "For that, and other reasons, I do not believe we're going to be able to keep the virus out of our border," she said, adding that a bigger concern is that the travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines are diverting resources away from fighting the virus. One public health department has 31 health-care workers monitoring two quarantined patients 24 hours a day, she said. "As this epidemic grows, that's not likely to scale," she said. Other witnesses included Jennifer Bouey, senior policy researcher at the Rand Corporation, and Ron Klain, former White House Ebola response coordinator. Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation, announced the hearing last week. "While the threat of the coronavirus is relatively low in the United States at this time, we must be vigilant and prepared," Bera said in a statement. "I look forward to hearing from our expert witnesses on ways in which we can plan and respond to this virus. Congress needs to ensure the administration has the tools it needs to respond to and limit the outbreak."
watch now


cnbc--2020-02-05--Joe Biden says he took a 'gut punch' in Iowa, targets Sanders and Buttigieg before NH primary

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event in Nashua , New Hampshire , February 4 , 2020 .
Joe Biden gave his most frank assessment yet Wednesday of his poor showing in the Iowa caucuses as he urged New Hampshire voters to help him regain his footing in the 2020 presidential race .
During remarks in Somersworth , New Hampshire , the former vice president also targeted the two men leading in Iowa as delayed results trickle in from Monday 's botched caucuses .
Former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are vying for first place in the Hawkeye State with 71 % of precincts reporting .
Biden stands in a distant fourth place behind Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, according to partial data released by the Iowa Democratic Party .
He entered Iowa as a 2020 Democratic primary front-runner after leading national polls for most of the race .
`` I am not going to sugarcoat it , we took a gut punch in Iowa .
The whole process took a gut punch , '' Biden said about the first-in-the-nation nominating contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an app used to report results .
`` But , look , this is n't the first time in my life I 've been knocked down . ''
Biden later said an `` awful lot of folks '' want to `` write off this campaign . ''
`` But I tell you what , they 've been trying to do that from the moment I entered the race , '' he said .
`` Well , I got news for them , I 'm not going anywhere .
And I 'm counting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come back . ''

Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event in Nashua, New Hampshire, February 4, 2020.
Joe Biden gave his most frank assessment yet Wednesday of his poor showing in the Iowa caucuses as he urged New Hampshire voters to help him regain his footing in the 2020 presidential race.
During remarks in Somersworth, New Hampshire, the former vice president also targeted the two men leading in Iowa as delayed results trickle in from Monday's botched caucuses. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., are vying for first place in the Hawkeye State with 71% of precincts reporting.
Biden stands in a distant fourth place behind Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., according to partial data released by the Iowa Democratic Party. He entered Iowa as a 2020 Democratic primary front-runner after leading national polls for most of the race.
"I am not going to sugarcoat it, we took a gut punch in Iowa. The whole process took a gut punch," Biden said about the first-in-the-nation nominating contest, which was dogged by issues with an app used to report results. "But, look, this isn't the first time in my life I've been knocked down."
Biden later said an "awful lot of folks" want to "write off this campaign."
"But I tell you what, they've been trying to do that from the moment I entered the race," he said. "Well, I got news for them, I'm not going anywhere. And I'm counting on New Hampshire. We're going to come back."


cnbc--2020-02-05--Trump's impeachment boosts fourth-quarter fundraising for key lawmakers on both sides of the aisle

Adam Schiff ( C ) , the House Democrat who led the Trump investigation speaks during a press conference where U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( R ) announced impeachment managers for the articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill on January 15 , 2020 , in Washington , DC , United States .
Several key lawmakers involved in President Donald Trump 's impeachment got big boosts in fundraising in the final quarter of 2019 .
Democratic and Republican Congress members , including Rep. Adam Schiff , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase significantly in the fourth quarter as Trump 's impeachment process unfolded in the House of Representatives .
Schiff , D-Ca.
, raised more than $ 2.5 million in the last quarter of 2019 , his largest quarterly haul for 2019 , according to Federal Election Commission filings released late Tuesday .
Schiff 's fundraising bonanza , collected between October and December of last year , overlapped with his leadership role during the House impeachment investigation into Trump 's Ukraine dealings .
His fourth-quarter sum , which makes up about a third of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eclipsed that of several Democratic fundraising powerhouses , including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi .
Ocasio-Cortez of New York brought in more than $ 1.9 million , and Pelosi of California brought in almost $ 1.8 million , according to filings with the FEC .
Like Schiff 's latest fundraising quarter , Pelosi 's fourth-quarter haul represents her most profitable quarter of 2019 .
Schiff , the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , was the lead impeachment manager in Trump 's impeachment trial in the Senate that began Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Throughout the proceedings , Schiff argued for Trump 's removal from office .
Trump was impeached by the House on Dec. 18 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Schiff 's office did not immediately return a request for comment .
The impeachment process also bolstered Republican coffers , with McConnell , R-KY , and Stefanik , R-N.Y. , closing 2019 with their largest hauls of the year .
Both McConnell , who received more than $ 3.8 million in the final quarter , and Stefanik , whose contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time period , have championed Trump throughout the impeachment process .
McConnell , who is normally a hard-hitting fundraiser , almost doubled his take in the fourth quarter from the third , according to FEC data filed on Jan. 31 .
The Kentucky senator said in December that he would not be `` an impartial juror '' in Trump 's impeachment trial and that he would coordinate with White House lawyers in charge of leading Trump 's defense .
Stefanik 's fundraising took off during the fourth quarter , FEC fillings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose to fame following her ardent defenses of Trump in the House impeachment probe .
In the third quarter , she only raised about $ 400,000 .
In the first half of 2019 , Stefanik raised about $ 257,000 in the first quarter and about $ 407,000 in the second quarter .
Stefanik was `` overwhelmed by the historic level of support I received in Q4 from my constituents in the North Country and from Americans across the nation who were stunned by Adam Schiff 's utter mishandling of the impeachment charade in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement to Politico .

Adam Schiff (C), the House Democrat who led the Trump investigation speaks during a press conference where U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (R) announced impeachment managers for the articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill on January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC, United States.
Several key lawmakers involved in President Donald Trump's impeachment got big boosts in fundraising in the final quarter of 2019.
Democratic and Republican Congress members, including Rep. Adam Schiff, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, saw their fundraising increase significantly in the fourth quarter as Trump's impeachment process unfolded in the House of Representatives.
Schiff, D-Ca., raised more than $2.5 million in the last quarter of 2019, his largest quarterly haul for 2019, according to Federal Election Commission filings released late Tuesday.
Schiff's fundraising bonanza, collected between October and December of last year, overlapped with his leadership role during the House impeachment investigation into Trump's Ukraine dealings.
His fourth-quarter sum, which makes up about a third of total contributions received in 2019, handily eclipsed that of several Democratic fundraising powerhouses, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Ocasio-Cortez of New York brought in more than $1.9 million, and Pelosi of California brought in almost $1.8 million, according to filings with the FEC.
Like Schiff's latest fundraising quarter, Pelosi's fourth-quarter haul represents her most profitable quarter of 2019.
Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, was the lead impeachment manager in Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate that began Jan. 21 and will end on Wednesday. Throughout the proceedings, Schiff argued for Trump's removal from office.
Trump was impeached by the House on Dec. 18 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Schiff's office did not immediately return a request for comment.
The impeachment process also bolstered Republican coffers, with McConnell, R-KY, and Stefanik, R-N.Y., closing 2019 with their largest hauls of the year.
Both McConnell, who received more than $3.8 million in the final quarter, and Stefanik, whose contributions soared to about $3.1 million during the same time period, have championed Trump throughout the impeachment process.
McConnell, who is normally a hard-hitting fundraiser, almost doubled his take in the fourth quarter from the third, according to FEC data filed on Jan. 31.
The Kentucky senator said in December that he would not be "an impartial juror" in Trump's impeachment trial and that he would coordinate with White House lawyers in charge of leading Trump's defense.
Stefanik's fundraising took off during the fourth quarter, FEC fillings from Jan. 31 show, as she rose to fame following her ardent defenses of Trump in the House impeachment probe.
In the third quarter, she only raised about $400,000. In the first half of 2019, Stefanik raised about $257,000 in the first quarter and about $407,000 in the second quarter.
Stefanik was "overwhelmed by the historic level of support I received in Q4 from my constituents in the North Country and from Americans across the nation who were stunned by Adam Schiff's utter mishandling of the impeachment charade in the House Intelligence Committee," she said in a statement to Politico.


cnbc--2020-02-05--Don't count Biden out in 2020 presidential race — Democratic megadonor looks past Iowa

It 's too early to write off former Vice President Joe Biden 's White House bid despite a likely fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses , Democratic megadonor and tech investor Alan Patricof told CNBC on Wednesday .
Biden trails ex-Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sens .
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in Iowa state delegate equivalents with 71 % of precincts reporting .
A tech glitch delayed the results of the first-in-the-nation nominating contest , which was held on Monday night .
`` I think that Joe never expected to really win Iowa .
I 'm sure he expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wealthy founder of venture capital giant Greycroft .
He endorsed Biden back in September .
Biden , who unsuccessfully ran for president twice before , hopes for strong showings the Nevada caucuses , on Feb. 22 , and the South Carolina primary , on Feb. 29 .
He leads the pack in those states .
However , the former vice president is polling well behind Sanders in New Hampshire ahead of Tuesday 's primary .
`` After South Carolina , then this discussion will change if [ Biden ] he does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patricof .
`` But I think he 's still very much in the race .
Do n't discount him . ''
Patricof said he was in Iowa about two weeks ago , knocking on doors in support of Biden .
He said his takeaway at the time was that many voters were undecided .
Biden 's campaign recently tried to reassure top donors that the candidate was still in a position to win in Nevada and South Carolina , states with significantly more diverse electorates than Iowa and New Hampshire .
Patricof said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but suggested he could eventually support former New York City Mayor and billionaire businessman Mike Bloomberg if Biden were no longer be a formidable candidate .
`` You could probably guess who my No .
2 would be , '' Patricof said , never mentioning Bloomberg by name but saying he liked the letter `` B . ''
But Patricof stressed that he thinks Biden still `` has a good chance of pulling this out . ''
Patricof and his wife , Susan , bundled at least $ 100,000 for Hillary Clinton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
He also helped raise money for Democrats during their successful effort to gain a majority in the House of Representatives during the 2018 midterm elections .

It's too early to write off former Vice President Joe Biden's White House bid despite a likely fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, Democratic megadonor and tech investor Alan Patricof told CNBC on Wednesday.
Biden trails ex-Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in Iowa state delegate equivalents with 71% of precincts reporting. A tech glitch delayed the results of the first-in-the-nation nominating contest, which was held on Monday night.
"I think that Joe never expected to really win Iowa. I'm sure he expected to do better," said Patricof, the wealthy founder of venture capital giant Greycroft. He endorsed Biden back in September.
Biden, who unsuccessfully ran for president twice before, hopes for strong showings the Nevada caucuses, on Feb. 22, and the South Carolina primary, on Feb. 29. He leads the pack in those states.
However, the former vice president is polling well behind Sanders in New Hampshire ahead of Tuesday's primary.
"After South Carolina, then this discussion will change if [Biden] he doesn't show a dramatic change," said Patricof. "But I think he's still very much in the race. Don't discount him."
Patricof said he was in Iowa about two weeks ago, knocking on doors in support of Biden. He said his takeaway at the time was that many voters were undecided.
Biden's campaign recently tried to reassure top donors that the candidate was still in a position to win in Nevada and South Carolina, states with significantly more diverse electorates than Iowa and New Hampshire.
Patricof said he remains in Biden's camp, but suggested he could eventually support former New York City Mayor and billionaire businessman Mike Bloomberg if Biden were no longer be a formidable candidate.
"You could probably guess who my No. 2 would be," Patricof said, never mentioning Bloomberg by name but saying he liked the letter "B."
But Patricof stressed that he thinks Biden still "has a good chance of pulling this out."
Patricof and his wife, Susan, bundled at least $100,000 for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential run, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. He also helped raise money for Democrats during their successful effort to gain a majority in the House of Representatives during the 2018 midterm elections.


cnbc--2020-02-05--New York charges the NRA with violating insurance laws, deceiving members

Wayne LaPierre , chief executive officer of the National Rifle Association ( NRA ) , speaks during the NRA annual meeting of members in Indianapolis , Indiana , U.S. , on Saturday , April 27 , 2019 .
A New York regulator on Wednesday filed civil charges against the National Rifle Association ( NRA ) , accusing the gun-rights group of acting as an unlicensed insurance producer and deceiving its members with misleading marketing practices .
New York 's Department of Financial Services accused the NRA of having worked with insurance broker Lockton Companies to offer insurance products such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group 's members without a license .
It said the NRA misrepresented to its members that the products were being sold at the lowest possible cost , when in fact the group kept `` substantial '' royalties , sometimes exceeding 20 % of premiums paid .
The regulator is seeking civil fines and other remedies , and scheduled an April 6 hearing at its office .
Spokespeople for the NRA did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Lockton was fined $ 7 million by the New York regulator in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The NRA sued the regulator and Governor Andrew Cuomo the same month , accusing them of illegally trying to pressure banks and insurers to stop doing business with it , in what it called `` blacklisting . ''

Wayne LaPierre, chief executive officer of the National Rifle Association (NRA), speaks during the NRA annual meeting of members in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., on Saturday, April 27, 2019.
A New York regulator on Wednesday filed civil charges against the National Rifle Association (NRA), accusing the gun-rights group of acting as an unlicensed insurance producer and deceiving its members with misleading marketing practices.
New York's Department of Financial Services accused the NRA of having worked with insurance broker Lockton Companies to offer insurance products such as the NRA-branded "Carry Guard" to the group's members without a license.
It said the NRA misrepresented to its members that the products were being sold at the lowest possible cost, when in
fact the group kept "substantial" royalties, sometimes exceeding 20% of premiums paid.
The regulator is seeking civil fines and other remedies, and scheduled an April 6 hearing at its office.
Spokespeople for the NRA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Lockton was fined $7 million by the New York regulator in May 2018 over its involvement with Carry Guard.
The NRA sued the regulator and Governor Andrew Cuomo the same month, accusing them of illegally trying to pressure banks and insurers to stop doing business with it, in what it called "blacklisting."


cnbc--2020-02-05--Trump, Venezuelan opposition leader Guaidó to meet Wednesday

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido ( C ) pumps his fist as he is acknowledged by US President Donald Trump during his the State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington , DC , on February 4 , 2020 .
( Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP ) ( Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images ) Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó is getting a long-sought meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday and another show of U.S. support for the Venezuelan people , the White House said .
Guaidó was a guest Tuesday night at Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawmakers applauded as Trump introduced Guaidó as Venezuela 's `` true and legitimate '' leader and called President Nicolas Maduro a `` tyrant . ''
The White House said Guaido 's visit Wednesday is an `` opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to the people of Venezuela . ''
The leaders will also discuss how the U.S. can work with Guaidó to `` expedite a democratic transition in Venezuela that will end the ongoing crisis , '' the White House said .
The U.S. and nearly 60 other governments say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Guaidó , as leader of the country 's National Assembly , should be named interim president under the Venezuelan constitution .
Maduro , however , remains in control , having faced down a failed military uprising , a brief renewal of mass anti-government protests , and sanctions and other efforts by the U.S. to force him to leave office .
`` Mr. President , please take this message back to your homeland , '' Trump said to Guaidó during the speech .
`` All Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The White House said the U.S. will continue to work with other countries in the region to `` confront the illegitimate dictatorship in Venezuela '' and ensure a `` democratic and prosperous '' future for the Venezuelan people .
Guaidó 's attendance at Tuesday 's speech came as a surprise as he has sought for some time to secure a meeting with Trump , his most important international ally .
Guaidó visited Miami on Saturday , rounding out a two-week world tour that took him first to Colombia , then across Europe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help to oust Maduro .
Venezuela has been a top priority in Latin America for the Trump administration , which a year ago was the first among a coalition of governments to recognize Guaidó as president .

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido (C) pumps his fist as he is acknowledged by US President Donald Trump during his the State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó is getting a long-sought meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday and another show of U.S. support for the Venezuelan people, the White House said.
Guaidó was a guest Tuesday night at Trump's State of the Union address. Lawmakers applauded as Trump introduced Guaidó as Venezuela's "true and legitimate" leader and called President Nicolas Maduro a "tyrant."
The White House said Guaido's visit Wednesday is an "opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to the people of Venezuela." The leaders will also discuss how the U.S. can work with Guaidó to "expedite a democratic transition in Venezuela that will end the ongoing crisis," the White House said.
The U.S. and nearly 60 other governments say Maduro's 2018 election was illegitimate and that Guaidó, as leader of the country's National Assembly, should be named interim president under the Venezuelan constitution.
Maduro, however, remains in control, having faced down a failed military uprising, a brief renewal of mass anti-government protests, and sanctions and other efforts by the U.S. to force him to leave office.
"Mr. President, please take this message back to your homeland," Trump said to Guaidó during the speech. "All Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom."
The White House said the U.S. will continue to work with other countries in the region to "confront the illegitimate dictatorship in Venezuela" and ensure a "democratic and prosperous" future for the Venezuelan people.
Guaidó's attendance at Tuesday's speech came as a surprise as he has sought for some time to secure a meeting with Trump, his most important international ally.
Guaidó visited Miami on Saturday, rounding out a two-week world tour that took him first to Colombia, then across Europe and Canada, where he sought more international help to oust Maduro.
Venezuela has been a top priority in Latin America for the Trump administration, which a year ago was the first among a coalition of governments to recognize Guaidó as president.


cnbc--2020-02-05--Impeachment trial: Senators expected to acquit Trump in final vote

The final vote in President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial is set for Wednesday afternoon , with the Senate expected to acquit Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Trump , just the third president in history to face the threat of removal by the Senate , was impeached in the House in December in the wake of revelations about his efforts to pressure Ukraine to announce investigations into his political opponents .
But the chance of a Republican-led Senate ousting Trump was widely considered remote from the outset .
After the Senate voted against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial , acquittal became a virtual certainty .
The GOP holds a 53-47 majority in the Senate .
It would take 67 votes to convict Trump .
Seven Democratic House impeachment managers , led by Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California , had argued throughout their roughly two weeks on the floor that Trump 's actions threatened U.S. institutions .
Schiff warned , in his sweeping closing argument Monday , that Trump can not be trusted to do the right thing : '' He will not change , and you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final appeal to the Senate .
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine , one of only two GOP members to vote alongside Democrats in favor of the new evidence , said Tuesday she would vote for acquittal on both articles .
She said later in the day that she believed Trump has `` learned '' his `` lesson '' and that he `` will be much more cautious in the future '' — eliciting groans from her critics .
Meanwhile , Alabama Sen. Doug Jones , a red-state Democrat who faces a tough reelection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would vote to convict Trump on both articles of impeachment .
`` I fear that moral courage , country before party , is a rare commodity these days , '' Jones said on the Senate floor .
`` Very early on in this process , I implored my colleagues on both sides of the aisle ... to stay out of their political and partisan corners .
Many did , but so many did not . ''
The 4 p.m .
ET vote comes a day after Trump gave his State of the Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress .

The final vote in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial is set for Wednesday afternoon, with the Senate expected to acquit Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Trump, just the third president in history to face the threat of removal by the Senate, was impeached in the House in December in the wake of revelations about his efforts to pressure Ukraine to announce investigations into his political opponents.
But the chance of a Republican-led Senate ousting Trump was widely considered remote from the outset. After the Senate voted against even allowing additional witnesses and documents into the trial, acquittal became a virtual certainty.
The GOP holds a 53-47 majority in the Senate. It would take 67 votes to convict Trump.
Seven Democratic House impeachment managers, led by Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of California, had argued throughout their roughly two weeks on the floor that Trump's actions threatened U.S. institutions. Schiff warned, in his sweeping closing argument Monday, that Trump cannot be trusted to do the right thing:
"He will not change, and you know it," Schiff said in his final appeal to the Senate.
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of only two GOP members to vote alongside Democrats in favor of the new evidence, said Tuesday she would vote for acquittal on both articles. She said later in the day that she believed Trump has "learned" his "lesson" and that he "will be much more cautious in the future" — eliciting groans from her critics.
Meanwhile, Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, a red-state Democrat who faces a tough reelection fight, said Wednesday morning that he would vote to convict Trump on both articles of impeachment.
"I fear that moral courage, country before party, is a rare commodity these days," Jones said on the Senate floor. "Very early on in this process, I implored my colleagues on both sides of the aisle ... to stay out of their political and partisan corners. Many did, but so many did not."
The 4 p.m. ET vote comes a day after Trump gave his State of the Union address in a highly polarized joint session of Congress.


cnbc--2020-02-05--State of the Union highlights: Trump honors Limbaugh, and Pelosi rips up speech

In the chamber where he was impeached , President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered his third State of the Union address , boasting of his record on jobs and warning against Democratic policy proposals .
The speech came in the thick of the president 's 2020 reelection campaign , and one day before he is expected to be acquitted by the Senate on impeachment charges brought by the Democratic-led House .
The ceremonial address to the joint session of Congress resembled a campaign speech , with the president claiming to have created `` the greatest economy that we 've had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect Social Security and warning against Democratic policy proposals .
Republicans led a chant of `` four more years '' at the start .
The president did not mention impeachment .
Among those in attendance was Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido , whom the Trump administration has supported in his efforts to topple President Nicolas Maduro , the country 's socialist leader .
Notably absent from the speech was a slate of high-profile Democrats , including the progressive freshmen Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts .
Here are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't shake Pelosi 's hand , she rips up his speech The night began and ended with dramatic acts of partisanship .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought to shake the president 's hand after Trump handed her what appeared to be a copy of his remarks .
But Trump did not shake her hand .
At the end of the speech , Pelosi ripped up the papers and cast them aside .
Asked why she did so , Pelosi explained to reporters afterwards : `` It was the courteous thing to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't elaborate .
Pelosi and Trump have tangled over politics and matters of temperament , with tensions rising particularly high during the impeachment process .
But the Pelosi-Trump feud began much earlier .
In May , even as she resisted calls for impeachment , Pelosi suggested that Trump 's staff should stage `` an intervention . ''
The president awarded the conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh America 's highest civilian honor , with the first lady affixing the honor herself .
Limbaugh , a close ally of the president , announced on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has advanced lung cancer .
`` This is not good news , '' Trump said , referring to the diagnosis .
`` But what is good news is that he is the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet .
Rush Limbaugh : Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country . ''
Trump has also awarded Presidential Medals of Freedom to former Sen. Orrin Hatch , the late Justice Antonin Scalia , long-dead music legend Elvis Presley and star golfer Tiger Woods .
One of the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition leader Juan Guaido , who is pushing to overthrow Nicolas Maduro , the country 's president .
`` Maduro is an illegitimate ruler , a tyrant who brutalizes his people .
But Maduro 's grip of tyranny will be smashed and broken , '' Trump said .
`` Here this evening is a man who carries with him the hopes , dreams and aspirations of all Venezuelans .
Joining us in the gallery is the true and legitimate president of Venezuela , Juan Guaido . ''
Bloomberg News reported in December that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guaido 's ability to oust Maduro .
The White House has been upping its pressure campaign on Maduro in recent weeks .
The administration last month announced new sanctions on more than a dozen aircraft operated by the country 's state-owned oil company that transport senior members of the Maduro regime .

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In the chamber where he was impeached, President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered his third State of the Union address, boasting of his record on jobs and warning against Democratic policy proposals. The speech came in the thick of the president's 2020 reelection campaign, and one day before he is expected to be acquitted by the Senate on impeachment charges brought by the Democratic-led House . The ceremonial address to the joint session of Congress resembled a campaign speech, with the president claiming to have created "the greatest economy that we've had in our history," pledging to protect Social Security and warning against Democratic policy proposals. Republicans led a chant of "four more years" at the start. The president did not mention impeachment. Among those in attendance was Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom the Trump administration has supported in his efforts to topple President Nicolas Maduro, the country's socialist leader. Notably absent from the speech was a slate of high-profile Democrats, including the progressive freshmen Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts. Here are the night's top moments.
Trump doesn't shake Pelosi's hand, she rips up his speech
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The night began and ended with dramatic acts of partisanship. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought to shake the president's hand after Trump handed her what appeared to be a copy of his remarks. But Trump did not shake her hand. At the end of the speech, Pelosi ripped up the papers and cast them aside. Asked why she did so, Pelosi explained to reporters afterwards: "It was the courteous thing to do, considering the alternative." She didn't elaborate. Pelosi and Trump have tangled over politics and matters of temperament, with tensions rising particularly high during the impeachment process. But the Pelosi-Trump feud began much earlier. In May, even as she resisted calls for impeachment, Pelosi suggested that Trump's staff should stage "an intervention." CNBC TWEET
Limbaugh awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
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The president awarded the conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh America's highest civilian honor, with the first lady affixing the honor herself. Limbaugh, a close ally of the president, announced on his radio program on Monday that he has advanced lung cancer. "This is not good news," Trump said, referring to the diagnosis. "But what is good news is that he is the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet. Rush Limbaugh: Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country." Trump has also awarded Presidential Medals of Freedom to former Sen. Orrin Hatch, the late Justice Antonin Scalia, long-dead music legend Elvis Presley and star golfer Tiger Woods.
Trump celebrates Guaido, Venezuela's 'legitimate' leader
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One of the president's special guests on Tuesday was Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is pushing to overthrow Nicolas Maduro, the country's president. "Maduro is an illegitimate ruler, a tyrant who brutalizes his people. But Maduro's grip of tyranny will be smashed and broken," Trump said. "Here this evening is a man who carries with him the hopes, dreams and aspirations of all Venezuelans. Joining us in the gallery is the true and legitimate president of Venezuela, Juan Guaido." Bloomberg News reported in December that Trump was beginning to lose confidence in Guaido's ability to oust Maduro. The White House has been upping its pressure campaign on Maduro in recent weeks. The administration last month announced new sanctions on more than a dozen aircraft operated by the country's state-owned oil company that transport senior members of the Maduro regime.
Trump attacks Democratic health-care proposals as 'socialism'
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cnbc--2020-02-05--Buttigieg and Sanders vie for first place in Iowa caucuses after another results mishap

Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders lead the pack in the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses , according to partial results released by the Iowa Democratic Party .
Caucus data continued to trickle in Wednesday , as the field turned its attention to New Hampshire two days after the first-in-the-nation nominating contest .
The state party released results from 86 % of precincts by Wednesday night .
The former South Bend , Indiana , mayor has 26.7 % of state delegate equivalents , narrowly topping the Vermont senator at 25.4 % , according to the data .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of former Vice President Joe Biden with 15.9 % , according to the data .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , has 12.1 % of support .
Technical glitches in an app used to report caucus data delayed results typically released the night of the Iowa presidential caucuses , which took place Monday .
Candidates started to move on to New Hampshire on Tuesday ahead of its Feb. 11 primary , but not before they put positive spin on the Hawkeye State outcome in the absence of official numbers .
Iowa Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party would `` continue to release the results as we are able to . ''
The first set of data from more than half of the precincts came at about 5 p.m .
ET on Tuesday , followed by more results just before midnight ET .
The next chunks of numbers came Wednesday afternoon .
Adding to confusion and frustration , Iowa Democrats had to update one batch of data Wednesday after acknowledging they needed to make a `` minor correction . ''
The figures the party initially released showed Buttigieg jumping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its three data sets , reallocated preference .
But Sanders once again had an edge in that category when the numbers were reissued .
Just before the party released its first batch of data Tuesday , its chairman , Troy Price , apologized for the botched reporting process .
He called it `` unacceptable . ''
Price said Iowa Democrats would undertake a `` thorough , transparent and independent examination of what occurred . ''
Price said the party faced `` multiple reporting challenges '' including a `` coding error '' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that Iowa Democrats have taken their time out of an `` abundance of caution '' to make sure the data is accurate .
Price said the party has a paper trail to verify electronically reported data .
The party has stressed that a cyberattack or intrusion did not cause the technological issues .
Multiple Democratic campaigns criticized the delay in releasing results .
The chaos fueled more calls from observers to do away with caucuses or Iowa 's first-in-the-nation status .
In the absence of results , campaigns announced internal tallies — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The data suggested some combination of Sanders , Buttigieg and Warren were competing at the top of the caucus field .
Buttigieg declared victory early Tuesday morning — the only candidate to do so before the state party released any data .
Speaking in New Hampshire after Iowa Democrats released results , he said a campaign that `` some said should have no business even making this attempt has taken its place at the front of this race . ''
Speaking before results were released Tuesday , Sanders said `` we 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results started to come out , he said to reporters in New Hampshire , `` I 'm very proud to tell you that last night in Iowa we received more votes on the first and second round than any other candidate . ''
`` For some reason in Iowa , they 're having a little bit of trouble counting votes , '' he continued .
`` But I am confident that here in New Hampshire I know you 'll be able to count those votes on election night . ''
Sanders had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chose their first preference and second alignments in the precincts shared by the state party .
But he trailed in state delegate equivalents .
Warren responded to her third-place position in the initial data , tweeting that `` we are in a strong position heading into New Hampshire , Nevada , South Carolina and Super Tuesday . ''
Biden 's campaign was particularly critical of the state party .
A Biden campaign lawyer sent a letter to the state party on Monday saying `` we believe that the campaigns deserve full explanations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control you are employing , and an opportunity to respond , before any official results are released , '' NBC News reported .
The Biden campaign aimed to persuade donors Tuesday that the former vice president could win the third and fourth nominating contests in Nevada and South Carolina , respectively , after early indications suggested he could trail his top rivals in Iowa .
Biden said Wednesday that `` we took a gut punch '' in Iowa .
But he told supporters in New Hampshire that `` we 're going to come @ @ @

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Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders lead the pack in the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses as a chaotic counting results counting process nears a close. Caucus data from the Iowa Democratic Party continued to trickle in Wednesday, as the presidential primary field turned its attention to New Hampshire two days after the first-in-the-nation nominating contest. The state party released results from 97% of precincts by early Thursday. A New York Times analysis of the data, however, said that the results released Wednesday were "riddled with inconsistencies." The paper said Thursday over 100 precincts reported numbers "that were internally inconsistent, that were missing data or that were not possible under the complex rules of the Iowa caucuses." According to the data released by the Iowa Democratic Party, Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, has 26.2% of state delegate equivalents, narrowly topping the Vermont senator at 26%, according to the data. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., follows at 18.2%, ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden with 15.8%, according to the data. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., has 12.2% of support. Technical glitches in an app used to report caucus data delayed results typically released the night of the Iowa presidential caucuses, which took place Monday. Candidates started to move on to New Hampshire on Tuesday ahead of its Feb. 11 primary, but not before they put positive spin on the Hawkeye State outcome in the absence of official numbers.
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Iowa Democratic Party spokeswoman Mandy McClure said this week that the party would "continue to release the results as we are able to." The first set of data from more than half of the precincts came at about 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, followed by more results just before midnight ET. New chunks of numbers came throughout the day Wednesday. Adding to confusion and frustration, Iowa Democrats had to update one batch of data Wednesday after acknowledging they needed to make a "minor correction." The figures the party initially released showed Buttigieg jumping barely ahead of Sanders in one of its three data sets, reallocated preference. But Sanders once again had an edge in that category when the numbers were reissued. Iowa Democrats tweet Just before the party released its first batch of data Tuesday, its chairman, Troy Price, apologized for the botched reporting process. He called it "unacceptable." Price said Iowa Democrats would undertake a "thorough, transparent and independent examination of what occurred." Price said the party faced "multiple reporting challenges" including a "coding error" in the app used at caucus sites. He noted that Iowa Democrats have taken their time out of an "abundance of caution" to make sure the data is accurate. Price said the party has a paper trail to verify electronically reported data.
Chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party Troy Price exits the stage after speaking about the technical issues that delayed the Iowa Democratic caucuses results during a news conference at the Iowa Events Center on February 4, 2020 in Des Moines, Iowa. Joshua Lott | AFP | Getty Images
The party has stressed that a cyberattack or intrusion did not cause the technological issues. Multiple Democratic campaigns criticized the delay in releasing results. The chaos fueled more calls from observers to do away with caucuses or Iowa's first-in-the-nation status. In the absence of results, campaigns announced internal tallies — which can skew toward their candidates. The data suggested some combination of Sanders, Buttigieg and Warren were competing at the top of the caucus field. Buttigieg declared victory early Tuesday morning — the only candidate to do so before the state party released any data. Speaking in New Hampshire after Iowa Democrats released results, he said a campaign that "some said should have no business even making this attempt has taken its place at the front of this race." Speaking before results were released Tuesday, Sanders said "we're not declaring victory." After the Iowa results started to come out, he said to reporters in New Hampshire, "I'm very proud to tell you that last night in Iowa we received more votes on the first and second round than any other candidate." "For some reason in Iowa, they're having a little bit of trouble counting votes," he continued. "But I am confident that here in New Hampshire I know you'll be able to count those votes on election night."
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Sanders had the highest share of support when caucus voters chose their first preference and second alignments in the precincts shared by the state party. But he trailed in state delegate equivalents. Warren responded to her third-place position in the initial data, tweeting that "we are in a strong position heading into New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina and Super Tuesday." Elizabeth Warren tweet Biden's campaign was particularly critical of the state party. A Biden campaign lawyer sent a letter to the state party on Monday saying "we believe that the campaigns deserve full explanations and relevant information regarding the methods of quality control you are employing, and an opportunity to respond, before any official results are released," NBC News reported. The Biden campaign aimed to persuade donors Tuesday that the former vice president could win the third and fourth nominating contests in Nevada and South Carolina, respectively, after early indications suggested he could trail his top rivals in Iowa. Biden said Wednesday that "we took a gut punch" in Iowa. But he told supporters in New Hampshire that "we're going to come back."
US Presidential candidate and former US Vice President Joe Biden gestures as he addresses supporters and curious voters at the IBEW Local 490 in Concord, New Hampshire on February 4, 2020. Joseph Prezioso | AFP | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-02-05--Video shows Iowa caucus voter pulling support for Pete Buttigieg after learning he's married to a ma

Video shows Iowa caucus voter pulling support for Pete Buttigieg after learning he's married to a man

An Iowa Democratic caucus voter who agreed to back Pete Buttigieg on Monday night dramatically rescinded her support after being stunned to learn what millions of people already knew about the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor — he 's gay and married to another man .
The voter had been a supporter of Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , before joining Buttigieg backers at the caucus site in Crestwood High School in Cresco , Iowa .
The voter then overheard some of the backers mention Buttigieg 's spouse , Chasten Buttigieg , whom he married in June 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the same-sex partner ?
Pete ? ''
the voter said on a video of her electoral about-face that went viral Tuesday after it was posted on Twitter by filmmaker Annabel Park .
`` Are you kidding ? ''
she said .
`` Yes , '' replied Nikki van den Heever , who was wrangling votes for Buttigieg at the caucus .
`` He 's married to him . ''
`` Then I do n't want anybody like that in the White House , '' the voter said .
`` So can I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I never knew that , '' she added .
Van den Heever then told her , `` The whole point of it is , though , he 's a human being , right ?
Just like you and me , and it should n't really matter . ''
But the voter shot back , `` Well , he better read the Bible . ''
`` He does , and he says that God does n't choose a political party , '' van den Heever said .
The voter cut her off , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a man should marry a woman then ? ''
`` How come this has never been brought out before ? ''
`` I never heard it , '' the voter said .
Van den Heever said , `` I guess what I would like you to just think deep inside and think should it matter if it 's a man or if they 're a woman or if they 're heterosexual or homosexual if you believe in what they say . ''
The voter replied , `` It all just went right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it all went . ''

An Iowa Democratic caucus voter who agreed to back Pete Buttigieg on Monday night dramatically rescinded her support after being stunned to learn what millions of people already knew about the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor — he's gay and married to another man.
The voter had been a supporter of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., before joining Buttigieg backers at the caucus site in Crestwood High School in Cresco, Iowa.
The voter then overheard some of the backers mention Buttigieg's spouse, Chasten Buttigieg, whom he married in June 2018.
"Are you saying that he has the same-sex partner? Pete?" the voter said on a video of her electoral about-face that went viral Tuesday after it was posted on Twitter by filmmaker Annabel Park.
"Are you kidding?" she said.
"Yes," replied Nikki van den Heever, who was wrangling votes for Buttigieg at the caucus. "He's married to him."
"Then I don't want anybody like that in the White House," the voter said. "So can I have my card back?"
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"I never knew that," she added.
Van den Heever then told her, "The whole point of it is, though, he's a human being, right? Just like you and me, and it shouldn't really matter."
But the voter shot back, "Well, he better read the Bible."
"He does, and he says that God doesn't choose a political party," van den Heever said.
The voter cut her off, "Why does it say in the Bible that a man should marry a woman then?"
"How come this has never been brought out before?"
"I never heard it," the voter said.
Van den Heever said, "I guess what I would like you to just think deep inside and think should it matter if it's a man or if they're a woman or if they're heterosexual or homosexual if you believe in what they say."
The voter replied, "It all just went right down the toilet, that's where it all went."


cnbc--2020-02-06--Ponzi scheme king Bernie Madoff says he is dying, seeks early release from prison

Bernie Madoff , the notorious Ponzi schemer , says that he is dying from terminal kidney disease , and on Wednesday asked a judge to grant him an early release from prison on compassionate grounds so that he can live out his remaining days with a friend .
A lawyer for Madoff , in a legal filing , says the fraudster has `` less than 18 months to live , '' and is suffering from `` numerous other serious medical conditions '' including cardiovascular disease and hypertension .
Madoff , 81 , is serving a 150-year prison sentence in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest Ponzi scheme in history at his firm , Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities in New York City .
He pleaded guilty in 2009 to 11 crimes related swindling of billions of dollars from thousands of investors over several decades .
`` I 'm terminally ill , '' Madoff told The Washington Post in an article Wednesday .
`` There 's no cure for my type of disease .
So , you know , I 've served .
I 've served 11 years already , and , quite frankly , I 've suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper .
But one of Madoff 's victims , Gregg Felsen , had no sympathy for the arch-scammer who decimated his savings .
`` He 's terminally ill ?
I 'm terminally broke , '' Felsen told the Washington Post .
`` He ruined a lot of people 's lives and changed them forever.He deserves no leniency whatsoever . ''
Madoff last summer was moved into palliative care in the Federal Medical Center prison in Butner , N.C. , according to the filing by his lawyer in U.S. District Court in Manhattan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is confined to a wheelchair , the lawyer , Brandon Sample , wrote .
If a judge sets him free , Madoff , who forfeited all his financial assets when he pleaded guilty , would `` financially support himself through Social Security and Medicare benefits , '' according to Sample .
`` If released , he will live with a friend , '' said the filing , which did not identify that person willing to host Madoff .
Sample wrote , `` Madoff does not dispute the severity of his crimes nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his victims .
Madoff has expressed remorse for his crimes . ''


cnbc--2020-02-06--Buttigieg and Sanders vie for first place in Iowa caucuses after another results mishap

Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders lead the pack in the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses as a chaotic counting results counting process nears a close .
Caucus data from the Iowa Democratic Party continued to trickle in Wednesday , as the presidential primary field turned its attention to New Hampshire two days after the first-in-the-nation nominating contest .
The state party released results from 97 % of precincts by early Thursday .
The former South Bend , Indiana , mayor has 26.2 % of state delegate equivalents , narrowly topping the Vermont senator at 26 % , according to the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows at 18.2 % , ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden with 15.8 % , according to the data .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , has 12.2 % of support .
Technical glitches in an app used to report caucus data delayed results typically released the night of the Iowa presidential caucuses , which took place Monday .
Candidates started to move on to New Hampshire on Tuesday ahead of its Feb. 11 primary , but not before they put positive spin on the Hawkeye State outcome in the absence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mandy McClure said this week that the party would `` continue to release the results as we are able to . ''
The first set of data from more than half of the precincts came at about 5 p.m .
ET on Tuesday , followed by more results just before midnight ET .
New chunks of numbers came throughout the day Wednesday .
Adding to confusion and frustration , Iowa Democrats had to update one batch of data Wednesday after acknowledging they needed to make a `` minor correction . ''
The figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barely ahead of Sanders in one of its three data sets , reallocated preference .
But Sanders once again had an edge in that category when the numbers were reissued .
Just before the party released its first batch of data Tuesday , its chairman , Troy Price , apologized for the botched reporting process .
He called it `` unacceptable . ''
Price said Iowa Democrats would undertake a `` thorough , transparent and independent examination of what occurred . ''
Price said the party faced `` multiple reporting challenges '' including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app used at caucus sites .
He noted that Iowa Democrats have taken their time out of an `` abundance of caution '' to make sure the data is accurate .
Price said the party has a paper trail to verify electronically reported data .
The party has stressed that a cyberattack or intrusion did not cause the technological issues .
Multiple Democratic campaigns criticized the delay in releasing results .
The chaos fueled more calls from observers to do away with caucuses or Iowa 's first-in-the-nation status .
In the absence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which can skew toward their candidates .
The data suggested some combination of Sanders , Buttigieg and Warren were competing at the top of the caucus field .
Buttigieg declared victory early Tuesday morning — the only candidate to do so before the state party released any data .
Speaking in New Hampshire after Iowa Democrats released results , he said a campaign that `` some said should have no business even making this attempt has taken its place at the front of this race . ''
Speaking before results were released Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaring victory . ''
After the Iowa results started to come out , he said to reporters in New Hampshire , `` I 'm very proud to tell you that last night in Iowa we received more votes on the first and second round than any other candidate . ''
`` For some reason in Iowa , they 're having a little bit of trouble counting votes , '' he continued .
`` But I am confident that here in New Hampshire I know you 'll be able to count those votes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest share of support when caucus voters chose their first preference and second alignments in the precincts shared by the state party .
But he trailed in state delegate equivalents .
Warren responded to her third-place position in the initial data , tweeting that `` we are in a strong position heading into New Hampshire , Nevada , South Carolina and Super Tuesday . ''
Biden 's campaign was particularly critical of the state party .
A Biden campaign lawyer sent a letter to the state party on Monday saying `` we believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relevant information regarding the methods of quality control you are employing , and an opportunity to respond , before any official results are released , '' NBC News reported .
The Biden campaign aimed to persuade donors Tuesday that the former vice president could win the third and fourth nominating contests in Nevada and South Carolina , respectively , after early indications suggested he could trail his top rivals in Iowa .
Biden said Wednesday that `` we took a gut punch '' in Iowa .
But he told supporters in New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back . ''


cnbc--2020-02-06--Congressional watchdog slams Homeland Security over election security prep

Volunteers tally votes during the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus at the Southridge Mall in Des Moines , Iowa , U.S. , on Monday , Feb. 3 , 2020 .
A leading federal watchdog agency has admonished the Department of Homeland Security for its lack of election security preparation , with the 2020 presidential primary season already underway .
In a letter Thursday , the Government Accountability Office , which reports to Congress , said DHS 's Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency , or CISA , is behind on its plans for elections security .
CISA took on that mandate in early 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its list of `` critical '' industries with which it should coordinate a response to cyberattacks .
`` Election primaries begin in February .
However , CISA has not yet completed its strategic and operations plans to help state and local officials safeguard the 2020 elections or documented how it will address prior challenges , '' the GAO said .
The recommendations are an alarming addition to uncertainty swirling around technology early in the campaign .
An application failure plunged the Iowa caucuses into chaos earlier this week , and the results have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race between presidential contenders Sen. Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg .
Nevada Democrats announced it had scrapped plans to use a similar app for its caucus Feb. 22 .
The Democratic National Committee has since urged a possible re-canvass in Iowa .
Regarding its part in the primary , DHS said Democrats had declined the agency 's offer to vet the app , a charge the Iowa Democratic Party has denied .
It 's unclear why review of a voting application was not a requirement for DHS , given its purview over election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning in the event of a tech breakdown .
DHS has said that it plans to have a full `` # protect2020 Strategic Plan and 2020 Elections Security Operations Plan '' soon , with detailed answers to the recommended changes by Feb. 14 .
The New Hampshire primary is scheduled for Tuesday , Feb. 11 .
The GAO listed three recommendations for the CISA : • Urgently finalize the strategic plan and the supporting operations plan for securing election infrastructure for the upcoming elections .
• Ensure that the operations plan fully addresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan for securing election infrastructure for the upcoming elections .
• Document how the agency intends to address challenges identified in its prior election assistance efforts and incorporate appropriate remedial actions into the agency 's 2020 planning .
CISA has been attempting to partner with the secretaries of state and other election officials in all U.S. states and territories , to help share threat information in advance of the elections in those states .
`` This whole-of-government effort to secure elections has been unprecedented .
We appreciate GAO 's recognition of these efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Our work is not done , we continue to build and grow every day , but we understand the threat and the need to take action to keep our systems safe , and we are ready for 2020 . ''
Yet CISA has met resistance in some jurisdictions that see the agency as a potential political rival rather than a neutral agency .
This has been a longtime challenge for DHS in both the public and private sectors , as it struggles to unite various factions from industries designated as `` critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water treatment and commercial facilities , among others .

Volunteers tally votes during the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus at the Southridge Mall in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020.
A leading federal watchdog agency has admonished the Department of Homeland Security for its lack of election security preparation, with the 2020 presidential primary season already underway.
In a letter Thursday, the Government Accountability Office, which reports to Congress, said DHS's Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, is behind on its plans for elections security. CISA took on that mandate in early 2017, when election infrastructure was added to its list of "critical" industries with which it should coordinate a response to cyberattacks.
"Election primaries begin in February. However, CISA has not yet completed its strategic and operations plans to help state and local officials safeguard the 2020 elections or documented how it will address prior challenges," the GAO said.
The recommendations are an alarming addition to uncertainty swirling around technology early in the campaign. An application failure plunged the Iowa caucuses into chaos earlier this week, and the results have not been fully tabulated in a tight race between presidential contenders Sen. Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg. Nevada Democrats announced it had scrapped plans to use a similar app for its caucus Feb. 22. The Democratic National Committee has since urged a possible re-canvass in Iowa.
Regarding its part in the primary, DHS said Democrats had declined the agency's offer to vet the app, a charge the Iowa Democratic Party has denied. It's unclear why review of a voting application was not a requirement for DHS, given its purview over election infrastructure security, which should include resiliency planning in the event of a tech breakdown.
DHS has said that it plans to have a full "#protect2020 Strategic Plan and 2020 Elections Security Operations Plan" soon, with detailed answers to the recommended changes by Feb. 14. The New Hampshire primary is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11.
The GAO listed three recommendations for the CISA:
Urgently finalize the strategic plan and the supporting operations plan for securing election infrastructure for the upcoming elections.
Ensure that the operations plan fully addresses all lines of effort in the strategic plan for securing election infrastructure for the upcoming elections.
Document how the agency intends to address challenges identified in its prior election assistance efforts and incorporate appropriate remedial actions into the agency's 2020 planning.
CISA has been attempting to partner with the secretaries of state and other election officials in all U.S. states and territories, to help share threat information in advance of the elections in those states.
"This whole-of-government effort to secure elections has been unprecedented. We appreciate GAO's recognition of these efforts," a CISA representative said. "Our work is not done, we continue to build and grow every day, but we understand the threat and the need to take action to keep our systems safe, and we are ready for 2020."
Yet CISA has met resistance in some jurisdictions that see the agency as a potential political rival rather than a neutral agency.
This has been a longtime challenge for DHS in both the public and private sectors, as it struggles to unite various factions from industries designated as "critical" — including banking, energy, water treatment and commercial facilities, among others.


cnbc--2020-02-06--Andrew Yang fires dozens of campaign staffers after weak showing in Iowa

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and entrepreneur Andrew Yang speaks to voters during a campaign stop in Nevada , Iowa , January 28 , 2020 .
Dozens of staffers were fired from Andrew Yang 's campaign following a poor showing in Iowa , according to NBC News .
The most recent results from the Iowa caucuses cast Yang with 1 % of the delegates , putting him in what appears to be sixth place and well behind Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg who appear to be neck and neck in the standings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have yet to be made official due to election night snafus and reporting problems .
The campaign 's national political and policy directors were among those who got the boot .
In some cases , staffers first became aware that they had been let go when their email access was denied , according to Politico , which first reported the news .
`` As part of our original plans following the Iowa caucuses , we are winding down our Iowa operations and restructuring to compete as the New Hampshire primary approaches , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
`` These actions are a natural evolution of the campaign post-Iowa , same as other campaigns have undertaken , and Andrew Yang is going to keep fighting for the voices of the more than 400,000 supporters who have donated to the campaign and placed a stake in the future of our country . ''
Yang , who before entering the race had worked at nonprofit Venture for America , has exceeded expectations .
According to the latest RealClearPolitics polling average , he has 3.6 % support in national polls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary debates and was the final candidate to qualify for Friday night 's event in New Hampshire .
The businessman has amassed a loyal base of internet-savvy supporters known as the `` Yang Gang '' and has received endorsements from celebrities , including actor and rapper Donald Glover and comedian Dave Chappelle .
Yang 's campaign has focused on his freedom dividend plan , which promises $ 1,000 a month to every American over 18 .
Yang 's campaign in the fourth quarter of 2019 raised a substantial $ 16.5 million .

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and entrepreneur Andrew Yang speaks to voters during a campaign stop in Nevada, Iowa, January 28, 2020.
Dozens of staffers were fired from Andrew Yang's campaign following a poor showing in Iowa, according to NBC News.
The most recent results from the Iowa caucuses cast Yang with 1% of the delegates, putting him in what appears to be sixth place and well behind Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg who appear to be neck and neck in the standings.
The results of the Iowa contest have yet to be made official due to election night snafus and reporting problems.
The campaign's national political and policy directors were among those who got the boot. In some cases, staffers first became aware that they had been let go when their email access was denied, according to Politico, which first reported the news.
"As part of our original plans following the Iowa caucuses, we are winding down our Iowa operations and restructuring to compete as the New Hampshire primary approaches," campaign manager Zach Graumann told CNBC in a statement.
"These actions are a natural evolution of the campaign post-Iowa, same as other campaigns have undertaken, and Andrew Yang is going to keep fighting for the voices of the more than 400,000 supporters who have donated to the campaign and placed a stake in the future of our country."
Yang, who before entering the race had worked at nonprofit Venture for America, has exceeded expectations. According to the latest RealClearPolitics polling average, he has 3.6% support in national polls. He has appeared in most of Democratic primary debates and was the final candidate to qualify for Friday night's event in New Hampshire.
The businessman has amassed a loyal base of internet-savvy supporters known as the "Yang Gang" and has received endorsements from celebrities, including actor and rapper Donald Glover and comedian Dave Chappelle.
Yang's campaign has focused on his freedom dividend plan, which promises $1,000 a month to every American over 18.
Yang's campaign in the fourth quarter of 2019 raised a substantial $16.5 million.