cnbc--2020-11-29--Trump says his election challenges probably won't make it to the Supreme Court

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington , U.S. , November 24 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump acknowledged his vanishing path to overturning the results of the 2020 election in court on Sunday during his first full interview since losing to President-elect Joe Biden earlier this month .
`` Well , the problem is , it 's hard to get into the Supreme Court , '' Trump said on Fox News ' `` Sunday Morning Futures , '' after host Maria Bartiromo asked him when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the justices .
`` I 've got the best Supreme Court advocates , lawyers , that want to argue the case , if it gets there .
They said , 'It 's very hard to get a case up there , ' '' Trump added .
`` Can you imagine , Donald Trump , president of the United States , files a case , and I probably ca n't get a case . ''
Trump said that his cases , which legal experts have described as far-fetched , should make it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predict that they would .
`` It sounds like if you ca n't be heard by the Supreme Court , you lose .
Do you believe you will win this ? ''
Bartiromo asked at one point .
`` We should be heard by the Supreme Court .
Something has to be able to get up there , otherwise , what is the Supreme Court ? ''
Trump said .
Asked if he still had a path to victory , Trump said he hoped so .
Trump has refused to concede although NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the race for Biden .
Biden is projected to win 306 Electoral College votes , well above the 270 needed to win .
The president 's assessment on Sunday was more downcast than public statements from his legal team , and seemed to suggest that he is inching closer to acknowledging his loss , if not offering a concession .
On Thursday , Trump said for the first time that he will leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for the Democrat .
Electors will cast their ballots on Dec. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday when he might relinquish his challenges .
The president and his campaign have pressed courts around the country to delay the certification of election results , arguing baselessly that the contest was marred by widespread fraud .
Those suits have been rejected by nearly every judge to review them .
More than two dozen cases filed by Republican interests challenging voting and counting processes have been denied , dismissed , or withdrawn , according to an NBC News tally .
Many of the cases have been filed in Pennsylvania , a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a federal appeals court based in Philadelphia rejected a Trump campaign challenge in a scathing opinion that found that the `` claims have no merit . ''
The president 's legal advisor Jenna Ellis subsequently put out a statement on Twitter that she attributed to herself and Rudy Giuliani , another member of the president 's legal team , pledging to go `` On to SCOTUS ! ''
The president spent the bulk of Sunday 's interview , which lasted approximately 45 minutes , falsely claiming that the 2020 election was fraudulent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nine justices of the Supreme Court to agree to hear a case , and a majority to issue a decision .
Three of the justices on the court were appointed to the bench by Trump , though justices do not always rule in favor of the president who appointed them .
Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh , both Trump appointees , have sided against the president in the past .
Ahead of the election , Trump had predicted that the race would ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed to the bench ahead of time .
Democrats pressed for Barrett to recuse herself from any disputes related to the race , though she declined to commit herself to doing so .
The Supreme Court weighed in on a contested presidential election in the 2000 case Bush v. Gore , though the results of the race were much closer that year .
While Trump has yet to formally concede , his administration began providing Biden with transition resources last week as required by law .

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 24, 2020.
President Donald Trump acknowledged his vanishing path to overturning the results of the 2020 election in court on Sunday during his first full interview since losing to President-elect Joe Biden earlier this month.
"Well, the problem is, it's hard to get into the Supreme Court," Trump said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," after host Maria Bartiromo asked him when he expected his challenges to make it to the justices.
"I've got the best Supreme Court advocates, lawyers, that want to argue the case, if it gets there. They said, 'It's very hard to get a case up there,'" Trump added. "Can you imagine, Donald Trump, president of the United States, files a case, and I probably can't get a case."
Trump said that his cases, which legal experts have described as far-fetched, should make it to the high court, but did not predict that they would.
"It sounds like if you can't be heard by the Supreme Court, you lose. Do you believe you will win this?" Bartiromo asked at one point.
"We should be heard by the Supreme Court. Something has to be able to get up there, otherwise, what is the Supreme Court?" Trump said. Asked if he still had a path to victory, Trump said he hoped so.


cnbc--2020-11-30--Joe Biden's inaugural committee will accept corporate donations up to $100,000, but bar lobbyists an

Joe Biden's inaugural committee will accept corporate donations up to $100,000, but bar lobbyists and fossil fuels

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden dance during the Comander-in-Chief 's Inaugural Ball at the Walter Washington Convention Center January 21 , 2013 in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON -- President-elect Joe Biden 's newly formed inaugural committee will accept donations from both individuals and corporations up to $ 100,000 , but will bar contributions from registered lobbyists and the fossil fuel industry .
The donation rules were published Monday on the new inauguration website , and they reflect a continuation of the Biden presidential campaign 's rules , which banned donations from registered lobbyists and foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from fossil fuel company employees .
The inaugural committee goes a step further , barring any donations from `` fossil fuel companies ( i.e.
, companies whose primary business is the extraction , processing , distribution or sale of oil , gas or coal ) , their executives , or from PACs organized by them . ''
But by green-lighting corporate contributions up to $ 100,000 , the committee offers American businesses and trade associations their first real opportunity to visibly , and monetarily , show support for the incoming administration .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leadership team for the inaugural committee .
Tony Allen , the president of Delaware State University , a prominent historically black college , was named chief executive officer of the committee .
Former Biden campaign senior advisor and chief operating officer Manu Varghese will serve as the executive director , joined by two deputy executive directors : Erin Wilson , a former Biden campaign aide , and Yvanna Cancela , a Nevada state senator .
The team Biden announced Monday will be tasked with an unprecedented challenge : How to put on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of Biden 's core values during the presidential campaign was his insistence on responsible public health precautions , so it 's unlikely that this January 's events will feature the kinds of balls and mass gatherings on the National Mall that have traditionally accompanied American presidential inaugurations .
And while plans for Biden 's swearing-in are still in the early stages , incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain recently suggested that virtual inauguration events , similar to this year 's Democratic National Convention , might be the way to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have an inauguration that honors the importance and the symbolic meaning of the moment , but also does not result in the spread of disease .
That 's our goal , '' Klain said during a Nov. 22 appearance on ABC 's `` This Week . ''
`` You know , we ran a very effective and I think engaging Democratic convention this year in August , in a way that was safe for the people to participate and watch it , in a way that communicates with the American people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraising rules represent a stark departure from the inauguration of President Donald Trump , Biden 's predecessor .
Trump 's 2017 inaugural committee placed no limits on the amount of money corporations and individuals were permitted to donate , as long as they were not foreign .
As a result , Trump raised a staggering $ 107 million for his inaugural events , which included three official inaugural balls and a bevy of VIP events in and around Trump 's Washington , D.C. hotel .
How , exactly , Trump 's team spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been the subject of controversy ever since it happened .
In January of this year , Washington , D.C. , Attorney General Karl Racine sued the Trump inaugural committee , alleging that it misused funds in violation of District of Columbia law .
The suit is ongoing .

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden dance during the Comander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball at the Walter Washington Convention Center January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden's newly formed inaugural committee will accept donations from individuals up to $500,000 and from corporations up to $1 million, a transition official told CNBC on Monday.
The committee will bar any contributions from registered lobbyists, foreign agents and the fossil fuel industry.
A newly created inaugural committee website released Monday initially limited online donations to $100,000. But a Biden transition official later clarified to CNBC that this figure reflected a limit set by the ActBlue fundraising platform that the inaugural committee is using for online donations, and not a limit set by the inaugural committee itself.
The inaugural committee's ban on donations from lobbyists and the oil and gas industry represents a continuation of the Biden presidential campaign's rules, which banned donations from registered lobbyists and foreign agents, and anything over $200 from fossil fuel company employees.
The inaugural committee goes a step further than the campaign, however, barring any donations from "fossil fuel companies (i.e., companies whose primary business is the extraction, processing, distribution or sale of oil, gas or coal), their executives, or from PACs organized by them."
But by green-lighting corporate contributions up to $1 million, the committee offers American businesses and trade associations their first real opportunity to visibly, and monetarily, show support for the incoming administration.
Also on Monday, the Biden transition announced the leadership team for the inaugural committee. Tony Allen, the president of Delaware State University, a prominent historically black college, was named chief executive officer of the committee.
Former Biden campaign senior advisor and chief operating officer Manu Varghese will serve as the executive director, joined by two deputy executive directors: Erin Wilson, a former Biden campaign aide, and Yvanna Cancela, a Nevada state senator.
The team Biden announced Monday will be tasked with an unprecedented challenge: How to put on a presidential inauguration during a pandemic.
One of Biden's core values during the presidential campaign was his insistence on responsible public health precautions, so it's unlikely that this January's events will feature the kinds of balls and mass gatherings on the National Mall that have traditionally accompanied American presidential inaugurations.
And while plans for Biden's swearing-in are still in the early stages, incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain recently suggested that virtual inauguration events, similar to this year's Democratic National Convention, might be the way to go.
"They're going to try to have an inauguration that honors the importance and the symbolic meaning of the moment, but also does not result in the spread of disease. That's our goal," Klain said during a Nov. 22 appearance on ABC's "This Week."
"You know, we ran a very effective and I think engaging Democratic convention this year in August, in a way that was safe for the people to participate and watch it, in a way that communicates with the American people," Klain added.
Biden's new fundraising rules represent a stark departure from the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Biden's predecessor. Trump's 2017 inaugural committee placed no limits on the amount of money corporations and individuals were permitted to donate, as long as they were not foreign.
As a result, Trump raised a staggering $107 million for his inaugural events, which included three official inaugural balls and a bevy of VIP events in and around Trump's Washington, D.C. hotel.
How, exactly, Trump's team spent all that money on relatively few events has been the subject of controversy ever since it happened. In January of this year, Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine sued the Trump inaugural committee, alleging that it misused funds in violation of District of Columbia law. The suit is ongoing.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that contributions would be limited to $100,000.


cnbc--2020-11-30--Arizona and Wisconsin officially declare Biden beat Trump in those states

Election workers count ballots at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center ( MCTEC ) , in Phoenix , Arizona , November 6 , 2020 .
Arizona and Wisconsin on Monday officially declared that Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump in each of those states ' elections , damaging Trump 's long-shot efforts to reverse his projected loss in the Electoral College .
Trump , who won both states in the 2016 election , failed to invalidate votes for Biden in legal challenges in Arizona and through a recount of two counties ' results in Wisconsin .
Biden , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incumbent Republican in both states .
Arizona , which has 11 Electoral College votes at state earlier Monday certified its election results .
Biden had beat Trump by more than 10,000 votes there .
Wisconsin Elections Commission Chairperson Ann Jacobs later in the day signed a so-called determination of the results in that state , which has 10 electoral votes .
Biden outpolled Trump by more than 20,000 votes in the Badger State .
A determination gives the losing candidate , in this case Trump , the right to appeal the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has five days to do so .
Trump 's campaign already had paid $ 3 million for a recount of the votes in Wisconsin 's Milwaukee and Dane counties , which went heavily for the Democratic nominee Biden in the election .
On Sunday , officials said the recount found that Biden had actually gained 87 more votes in both counties .
Biden is projected to clinch 306 such votes nationwide , compared with 232 for Trump .
Biden is the first Democrat since 1996 to win Arizona 's presidential contest .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Arizona 's Secretary of State Katie Hobbs praised her state for conducting `` easily the smoothest '' and `` most secure election in recent history '' even amid the coronavirus pandemic .

Election workers count ballots at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center (MCTEC), in Phoenix, Arizona, November 6, 2020.
Arizona and Wisconsin on Monday officially declared that Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump in each of those states' elections, damaging Trump's long-shot efforts to reverse his projected loss in the Electoral College.
Trump, who won both states in the 2016 election, failed to invalidate votes for Biden in legal challenges in Arizona and through a recount of two counties' results in Wisconsin. Biden, the former Democratic vice president, narrowly defeated the incumbent Republican in both states.
Arizona, which has 11 Electoral College votes at state earlier Monday certified its election results. Biden had beat Trump by more than 10,000 votes there.
Wisconsin Elections Commission Chairperson Ann Jacobs later in the day signed a so-called determination of the results in that state, which has 10 electoral votes.
Biden outpolled Trump by more than 20,000 votes in the Badger State.
A determination gives the losing candidate, in this case Trump, the right to appeal the results and to seek a recount. Trump has five days to do so.
Trump's campaign already had paid $3 million for a recount of the votes in Wisconsin's Milwaukee and Dane counties, which went heavily for the Democratic nominee Biden in the election.
On Sunday, officials said the recount found that Biden had actually gained 87 more votes in both counties.
Biden is projected to clinch 306 such votes nationwide, compared with 232 for Trump.
Biden is the first Democrat since 1996 to win Arizona's presidential contest.
Before signing the canvass documents certifying the election, Arizona's Secretary of State Katie Hobbs praised her state for conducting "easily the smoothest" and "most secure election in recent history" even amid the coronavirus pandemic.


cnbc--2020-11-30--Congress returns facing government shutdown deadline, calls for stimulus amid coronavirus surge

Congress comes back to Washington this week with two thorny issues to resolve before the end of the year .
Lawmakers need to pass a spending bill by Dec. 11 to prevent a government shutdown .
Meanwhile , they will have to decide whether to approve another coronavirus relief bill as rampant infections stress hospitals and trip up the U.S. economic recovery .
The challenges will test a divided Capitol 's capacity to govern after months of gridlock fueled in part by a contentious 2020 election .
Congress ' ability to pass legislation this month will shape the federal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damage caused by the pandemic in the coming months .
The GOP-controlled Senate convened on Monday afternoon following its Thanksgiving break .
The Democratic-held House will meet Wednesday .
Appropriators have reached agreement on an overall $ 1.4 trillion price tag for a spending bill , according to NBC News .
They still need to decide where all of the money will go .
Both Republican and Democratic leaders want to approve legislation to keep the government running through the end of the fiscal year , September 2021 .
Failure to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a short-term bill with spending set at current levels .
Meanwhile , Congress will have to decide whether and how to address overlapping health and economic crises worsened by a recent wave of Covid-19 infections across the country .
Twenty-one states recorded records for coronavirus hospitalizations Sunday , and more state and local officials have tightened restrictions to slow the spread .
An expansion of unemployment benefits , moratorium on federal student loan payments and some protections from eviction will expire at the end of the year .
Millions of Americans are already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats have disagreed for months on the steps Congress needs to take to address the virus and the economic damage it has caused .
Democratic congressional leaders and President-elect Joe Biden have pushed for Congress to approve a bill that costs at least $ 2.2 trillion this year .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he wants to send more aid in the coming weeks — but aims to include about $ 500 billion in new spending .
The sides have not held formal talks on a stimulus package since the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate floor Monday , McConnell called for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses and money to streamline coronavirus vaccine distribution , saying `` there 's no reason '' Congress can not approve a `` major '' aid package .
McConnell criticized Democratic leaders for what he called a refusal to compromise .
He cited comments from Democratic lawmakers who said their party should consider some smaller , immediate relief provisions .
`` The American people need more help and they need it right now , '' McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , contended Monday that the majority leader wants to pass a bill that addresses only provisions Republicans support , instead of a true compromise plan .
The top Senate Democrat said `` both sides must give . ''
While congressional leaders have not met about a stimulus package , a small group of Republican and Democratic senators have held discussions about a possible compromise , NBC News reported .
Despite a lack of progress , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly said she thinks Congress can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both chambers .
`` I 'm optimistic that we will have bipartisanship to put something together to go forward because I do believe that many of our colleagues understand what 's happening in their districts and want to make a difference , '' she told reporters on Nov. 20 before the Thanksgiving break .
While some members of McConnell 's Republican caucus have resisted spending any more money on relief efforts , others have pushed for aid during the virus surge .
Sen. Chuck Grassley , an Iowa Republican who returned to Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and quarantine period , called on his colleagues Monday to `` pass long overdue relief legislation . ''
House Democrats passed a $ 2.2 trillion stimulus in October .
Among other measures , it would have reinstated the $ 600-per-week federal unemployment insurance that expired earlier this year , sent a second $ 1,200 direct payment to most Americans , set up a second round of PPP loans and authorized more than $ 400 billion in state and local government aid .
A $ 500 billion Senate GOP bill that Democrats blocked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit , more PPP funding and liability protections for businesses .
It would not have allocated money for state and local aid and stimulus checks .

watch now
Congress comes back to Washington this week with two thorny issues to resolve before the end of the year. Lawmakers need to pass a spending bill by Dec. 11 to prevent a government shutdown. Meanwhile, they will have to decide whether to approve another coronavirus relief bill as rampant infections stress hospitals and trip up the U.S. economic recovery. The challenges will test a divided Capitol's capacity to govern after months of gridlock fueled in part by a contentious 2020 election. Congress' ability to pass legislation this month will shape the federal government and private sector's power to reduce the damage caused by the pandemic in the coming months. The GOP-controlled Senate convened on Monday afternoon following its Thanksgiving break. The Democratic-held House will meet Wednesday. Appropriators have reached agreement on an overall $1.4 trillion price tag for a spending bill, according to NBC News. They still need to decide where all of the money will go.
watch now
Both Republican and Democratic leaders want to approve legislation to keep the government running through the end of the fiscal year, September 2021. Failure to reach a deal in time could mean passing a short-term bill with spending set at current levels. Meanwhile, Congress will have to decide whether and how to address overlapping health and economic crises worsened by a recent wave of Covid-19 infections across the country. Twenty-one states recorded records for coronavirus hospitalizations Sunday, and more state and local officials have tightened restrictions to slow the spread. An expansion of unemployment benefits, moratorium on federal student loan payments and some protections from eviction will expire at the end of the year. Millions of Americans are already struggling to cover costs. Republicans and Democrats have disagreed for months on the steps Congress needs to take to address the virus and the economic damage it has caused. Democratic congressional leaders and President-elect Joe Biden have pushed for Congress to approve a bill that costs at least $2.2 trillion this year. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he wants to send more aid in the coming weeks — but aims to include about $500 billion in new spending.
watch now
The sides have not held formal talks on a stimulus package since the 2020 election on Nov. 3. Speaking on the Senate floor Monday, McConnell called for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses and money to streamline coronavirus vaccine distribution, saying "there's no reason" Congress cannot approve a "major" aid package. McConnell criticized Democratic leaders for what he called a refusal to compromise. He cited comments from Democratic lawmakers who said their party should consider some smaller, immediate relief provisions. "The American people need more help and they need it right now," McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., contended Monday that the majority leader wants to pass a bill that addresses only provisions Republicans support, instead of a true compromise plan. The top Senate Democrat said "both sides must give." While congressional leaders have not met about a stimulus package, a small group of Republican and Democratic senators have held discussions about a possible compromise, NBC News reported.
watch now


cnbc--2020-11-30--Sen. Chuck Grassley returns to work after positive coronavirus test and quarantine

U.S .
Senator Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) walks through Capitol Hill in Washington , U.S. September 30 , 2020 .
Sen. Chuck Grassley returned to the Capitol on Monday after he finished a quarantine period following a positive coronavirus test .
In a statement , the 87-year-old Iowa Republican said he `` did not experience symptoms '' after his positive test on Nov. 17 .
Grassley , the oldest GOP senator , is the president pro tempore of the Senate and third in the line of presidential succession .
The senator encouraged Americans to wear masks and practice social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approve another aid package .
`` Congress must do its part and pass long overdue relief legislation to help families , businesses and communities get through this crisis , '' he said .
`` I hope my colleagues reach the same conclusion and a bipartisan bill can pass very soon . ''
At least seven U.S. senators have tested positive for Covid-19 as a surge in infections grips the country .
Grassley is the second-oldest member of the chamber and faced an increased risk of a severe illness .
When he went into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate for the first time since 1993 .

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) walks through Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. September 30, 2020.
Sen. Chuck Grassley returned to the Capitol on Monday after he finished a quarantine period following a positive coronavirus test.
In a statement, the 87-year-old Iowa Republican said he "did not experience symptoms" after his positive test on Nov. 17. Grassley, the oldest GOP senator, is the president pro tempore of the Senate and third in the line of presidential succession.
The senator encouraged Americans to wear masks and practice social distancing as he called for Congress to approve another aid package.
"Congress must do its part and pass long overdue relief legislation to help families, businesses and communities get through this crisis," he said. "I hope my colleagues reach the same conclusion and a bipartisan bill can pass very soon."
At least seven U.S. senators have tested positive for Covid-19 as a surge in infections grips the country. Grassley is the second-oldest member of the chamber and faced an increased risk of a severe illness.
When he went into quarantine, Grassley missed a vote in the Senate for the first time since 1993.
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cnbc--2020-11-30--Biden announces economic team, confirms Janet Yellen as Treasury nominee

President-elect Joe Biden and his transition team announced on Monday several nominees and appointments for the incoming administration 's top economic posts .
The transition team confirmed CNBC 's earlier report that former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen would be Biden 's official nominee for Treasury secretary .
If confirmed by the Senate , Yellen would be the first woman to serve as the department 's leader in its 231-year history .
As part of the same announcement , Biden nominated Neera Tanden to serve as director of the Office of Management and Budget .
If confirmed , Tanden would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead the OMB .
In prepared remarks , Biden said , `` As we get to work to control the virus , this is the team that will deliver immediate economic relief for the American people during this economic crisis and help us build our economy back better than ever . ''
`` They will work tirelessly to ensure every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead , and that our businesses can thrive and outcompete the rest of the world , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Yellen took to Twitter to describe the critical state of the U.S. economy .
`` We face great challenges as a country right now .
To recover , we must restore the American dream — a society where each person can rise to their potential and dream even bigger for their children , '' she wrote .
`` As Treasury Secretary , I will work every day towards rebuilding that dream for all . ''
Macroeconomic and national security advisor Wally Adeyemo was nominated to serve as deputy secretary of the Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , the deputy director of the National Economic Council and deputy national security advisor .
If confirmed , Adeyemo would be the first African American deputy secretary of the Treasury .
`` I think the first thing to say is they 're all experienced and qualified , '' Michael Feroli , chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan , said of Biden 's picks in an email .
`` In most cases they will need little learning curve and can do their jobs from day one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but these are not radicals , '' he added .
`` We wo n't be talking about MMT or other heterodox or untried approaches to economic policymaking . ''

President-elect Joe Biden and his transition team announced on Monday several nominees and appointments for the incoming administration's top economic posts.
The transition team confirmed CNBC's earlier report that former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen would be Biden's official nominee for Treasury secretary. If confirmed by the Senate, Yellen would be the first woman to serve as the department's leader in its 231-year history.
As part of the same announcement, Biden nominated Neera Tanden to serve as director of the Office of Management and Budget. If confirmed, Tanden would be the first woman of color to lead the OMB.
In prepared remarks, Biden said, "As we get to work to control the virus, this is the team that will deliver immediate economic relief for the American people during this economic crisis and help us build our economy back better than ever."
"They will work tirelessly to ensure every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead, and that our businesses can thrive and outcompete the rest of the world," he added.
Following the transition team's announcement, Yellen took to Twitter to describe the critical state of the U.S. economy. The Twitter post was also notable as Yellen's first ever.
"We face great challenges as a country right now. To recover, we must restore the American dream — a society where each person can rise to their potential and dream even bigger for their children," she wrote. "As Treasury Secretary, I will work every day towards rebuilding that dream for all."
Macroeconomic and national security advisor Wally Adeyemo was nominated to serve as deputy secretary of the Treasury. He previously served as the chief of staff at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the deputy director of the National Economic Council and deputy national security advisor.
If confirmed, Adeyemo would be the first African American deputy secretary of the Treasury.
"I think the first thing to say is they're all experienced and qualified," Michael Feroli, chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan, said of Biden's picks in an email. "In most cases they will need little learning curve and can do their jobs from day one."
"Of course they lean left, but these are not radicals," he added. "We won't be talking about MMT or other heterodox or untried approaches to economic policymaking."


cnbc--2020-11-30--Trump says his election challenges probably won't make it to the Supreme Court

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington , U.S. , November 24 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump acknowledged his vanishing path to overturning the results of the 2020 election in court on Sunday during his first full interview since losing to President-elect Joe Biden earlier this month .
`` Well , the problem is , it 's hard to get into the Supreme Court , '' Trump said on Fox News ' `` Sunday Morning Futures , '' after host Maria Bartiromo asked him when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the justices .
`` I 've got the best Supreme Court advocates , lawyers , that want to argue the case , if it gets there .
They said , 'It 's very hard to get a case up there , ' '' Trump added .
`` Can you imagine , Donald Trump , president of the United States , files a case , and I probably ca n't get a case . ''
Trump said that his cases , which legal experts have described as far-fetched , should make it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predict that they would .
`` It sounds like if you ca n't be heard by the Supreme Court , you lose .
Do you believe you will win this ? ''
Bartiromo asked at one point .
`` We should be heard by the Supreme Court .
Something has to be able to get up there , otherwise , what is the Supreme Court ? ''
Trump said .
Asked if he still had a path to victory , Trump said he hoped so .


cnbc--2020-12-01--Joe Biden's inaugural committee will accept corporate donations up to $1 million, but bar lobbyists

Joe Biden's inaugural committee will accept corporate donations up to $1 million, but bar lobbyists and fossil fuels


cnbc--2020-12-02--Rep. Mike Kelly asks Supreme Court to nullify Biden win over Trump in Pennsylvania as he challenges

Rep. Mike Kelly asks Supreme Court to nullify Biden win over Trump in Pennsylvania as he challenges mail-in ballot rule

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly ( R-PA ) speaks during a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington , DC .
A Republican congressman from Pennsylvania on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to issue an emergency order that would block his state from taking further action to certify its election results showing a win for President-elect Joe Biden over President Donald Trump .
Rep. Mike Kelly 's request comes after Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Wolf certified that the Democratic former vice president won the state and its 20 Electoral College votes .
Given that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nullify '' Wolf 's certification and all other actions that would legally confirm Biden 's victory .
His filing Tuesday also asked the Supreme Court to hear an appeal of his challenge to a change in mail-in ballot rules in the state .
The request is related to an earlier case filed in state courts , where Kelly claimed that the Pennsylvania legislature violated the state 's constitution when it allowed no-excuse absentee voting in light of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected that claim earlier this week .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Electoral College , 36 more than he needs to clinch a victory in the White House race .
Trump has refused to concede to Biden , claiming falsely that he won the election and that there was widespread ballot fraud .
Earlier Tuesday , U.S. Attorney General William Barr said that the Department of Justice had not found any evidence of wide-scale fraud that would have overturned Biden 's projected victory .
Trump 's campaign and his allies have repeatedly lost or withdrawn lawsuits that sought to invalidate ballots for Biden @ @ @ @ @

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) speaks during a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
A Republican congressman from Pennsylvania on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to issue an emergency order that would block his state from taking further action to certify its election results showing a win for President-elect Joe Biden over President Donald Trump.
Rep. Mike Kelly's request comes after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf certified that the Democratic former vice president won the state and its 20 Electoral College votes.
Given that, Kelly asked the Supreme Court to "nullify" Wolf's certification and all other actions that would legally confirm Biden's victory. His filing Tuesday also asked the Supreme Court to hear an appeal of his challenge to a change in mail-in ballot rules in the state.


cnbc--2020-12-01--Biden's pick to lead OMB could face scrutiny for Wall Street ties, clashes with progressives

President-elect Joe Biden 's choice to lead the Office of Management and Budget has been a political insider for well over a decade , and the alliances she has developed as an influential leader within the Democratic Party could come under scrutiny during her confirmation process — from both sides of the aisle .
Tanden , the 50-year-old daughter of immigrants from India , would be the first woman of color to lead the OMB if she is confirmed .
Since 2011 , Neera Tanden has been CEO of the Center for American Progress , a Washington-based liberal think tank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center for American Progress Action Fund .
The nonprofit was originally founded by John Podesta , Hillary Clinton 's 2016 campaign chairman .
The examination of Tanden 's record has already focused on her Twitter posts critical of President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers as well as her clashes with Sen. Bernie Sanders and his progressive allies .
Many of those progressives have pointed to her ties to corporate and establishment political leaders as one reason she should not be part of Biden 's Cabinet .
Tanden was critical of Sanders in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race after Biden secured key victories during Super Tuesday and as the coronavirus made its way to the United States .
`` You know who could have stopped the primary ?
Sanders !
Biden is the plurality winner already , which was Sanders standard .
He could have quit but instead he pushed people to vote , '' Tanden tweeted at the time in response to what appeared to be a Sanders supporter .
`` That endangered people a lot more than my tweeted question . ''
However , she also repeatedly tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as CEO of CAP , she advised Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama during the 2008 election .
She served as an advisor to Kathleen Sebelius , the Obama administration 's secretary of Health and Human Services , and later played an advisory role for Clinton during her 2016 campaign against Trump .
If Democrats ca n't pick up key victories during the Jan. 5 U.S. Senate runoffs in Georgia , Tanden 's confirmation is no slam dunk .
Even if Democrats do take the majority , she could still face tough questions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ against her being selected to lead OMB .
Still , as a potential OMB chief , Tanden will be responsible for preparing and introducing to Congress the administration 's budget .
The agency , as former Ronald Reagan administration advisor Bill Kristol tweeted , is `` where Cabinet secretaries ' ill-considered projects go to die , where programs are evaluated , where trade-offs are made . ''
Over the years in Washington , Tanden and the nonprofit she runs have developed strong relationships with business and political leaders .
She intends to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive through the confirmation process , according to a person briefed on the matter .
`` She 's smart as a whip and knows the architecture of government cold , '' Orin Kramer , a hedge fund founder and board member of CAP Action Fund , told CNBC in a recent interview .
Under Tanden , the center and its political arm have raised millions from those with ties to Wall Street and Silicon Valley .
In an email from February 2016 , Tanden informed CAP 's board that she was recommending Jonathan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ juggernaut Bain Capital , to join the body .
`` Jonathan is a longtime donor to CAP , but is interested in becoming a substantial investor .
He has also supported Media Matters and other progressive organizations , '' Tanden wrote at the time .
`` Based on his distinguished career , philanthropy , and work on progressive causes , I believe he would be an excellent addition to the board , '' she said .
Lavine 's foundation gave at least $ 1 million to the foundation last year .
CAP publicizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for CAP and Tanden did not return requests for comment for this story .
Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , co-founded Bain .
During Romney 's failed 2012 election against Obama , Tanden appeared to take aim at the company .
CAP 's 990 tax returns show that Lavine was on the board in 2018 but not in 2019 .
Eric Mindich , a longtime hedge fund executive , is listed as a member of the board as of the most recent tax return , for 2019 .
Others who gave big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his wife ; Stewart Bainum Jr. , the chairman of Choice Hotels International , a foundation with ties to the late co-CEO 's of Golden West Financial Corp. ; and former Goldman Sachs executive Lawrence Linden .
Others include major financial firms such as BlackRock , Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Bank of America .
Facebook gave $ 100,000 to $ 499,999 last year , the website says .
Another CAP board member from the finance community is Donald Sussman , a Democratic megadonor and hedge fund manager .
His daughter , Emily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 as a `` managing director of campaigns , '' the 990 return at that time says .
Even with CAP 's allegiances in the business world , Tanden has at times pushed back on Hillary Clinton critics who take aim at the former secretary of State 's previous speaking engagement at financial firms .
CAP has previously advocated for a financial transaction tax , closing the carried interest loophole and changes to antitrust policies and enforcement , among other key proposals .
The Center for American Progress Action Fund , CAP 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year to push what it says on its return as a move to `` shape the national policy debate and transform progressive concepts into policy . ''
CAP donated over $ 8 million in 2019 to the action fund , almost double from a year earlier .
CAP Action doubled its overall fundraising last year to $ 16 million , and over $ 8 million partially went toward its now defunct news organization ThinkProgress .
CAP Action 's infusion of cash into ThinkProgress came the same year the news outlet closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ThinkProgress was in the midst of a $ 3 million hole between revenues and expenses .
It also came during the Democratic presidential primaries and while CAP Action continued to target Trump .
CAP and the news outlet came under scrutiny earlier that year for publishing a video that took aim at Sanders .
Tanden insisted at the time that the news group is editorially independent of CAP , and CAP Action and called the video `` overly harsh . ''
Many of Sanders ' top lieutenants from his 2016 and 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for such attacks on Tanden .
They have vocally opposed her selection as OMB chief since it was announced on Monday .

Office of Management and Budget nominee Neera Tanden speaks after US President-elect Joe Biden announced his economic team at The Queen Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware, on December 1, 2020.
President-elect Joe Biden's choice to lead the Office of Management and Budget has been a political insider for well over a decade, and the alliances she has developed as an influential leader within the Democratic Party could come under scrutiny during her confirmation process — from both sides of the aisle.
Tanden, the 50-year-old daughter of immigrants from India, would be the first woman of color to lead the OMB if she is confirmed.
Since 2011, Neera Tanden has been CEO of the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based liberal think tank, and its political arm, the Center for American Progress Action Fund. The nonprofit was originally founded by John Podesta, Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign chairman.
The examination of Tanden's record has already focused on her Twitter posts critical of President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers as well as her clashes with Sen. Bernie Sanders and his progressive allies. Many of those progressives have pointed to her ties to corporate and establishment political leaders as one reason she should not be part of Biden's Cabinet.
Tanden was critical of Sanders in March for not dropping out of the Democratic race after Biden secured key victories during Super Tuesday and as the coronavirus made its way to the United States.
"You know who could have stopped the primary? Sanders! Biden is the plurality winner already, which was Sanders standard. He could have quit but instead he pushed people to vote," Tanden tweeted at the time in response to what appeared to be a Sanders supporter. "That endangered people a lot more than my tweeted question." However, she also repeatedly tweeted support for Sanders.
Before her tenure as CEO of CAP, she advised Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama during the 2008 election. She served as an advisor to Kathleen Sebelius, the Obama administration's secretary of Health and Human Services, and later played an advisory role for Clinton during her 2016 campaign against Trump.
If Democrats can't pick up key victories during the Jan. 5 U.S. Senate runoffs in Georgia, Tanden's confirmation is no slam dunk. Even if Democrats do take the majority, she could still face tough questions. Numerous Republican senators have already come out against her being selected to lead OMB.
Still, as a potential OMB chief, Tanden will be responsible for preparing and introducing to Congress the administration's budget. The agency, as former Ronald Reagan administration advisor Bill Kristol tweeted, is "where Cabinet secretaries' ill-considered projects go to die, where programs are evaluated, where trade-offs are made."
Over the years in Washington, Tanden and the nonprofit she runs have developed strong relationships with business and political leaders. She intends to stay on as CAP's president and chief executive through the confirmation process, according to a person briefed on the matter.
"She's smart as a whip and knows the architecture of government cold," Orin Kramer, a hedge fund founder and board member of CAP Action Fund, told CNBC in a recent interview.
Under Tanden, the center and its political arm have raised millions from those with ties to Wall Street and Silicon Valley.
In an email from February 2016, Tanden informed CAP's board that she was recommending Jonathan Lavine, a co-managing partner at investment juggernaut Bain Capital, to join the body.
"Jonathan is a longtime donor to CAP, but is interested in becoming a substantial investor. He has also supported Media Matters and other progressive organizations," Tanden wrote at the time. "Based on his distinguished career, philanthropy, and work on progressive causes, I believe he would be an excellent addition to the board," she said.
Lavine's foundation gave at least $1 million to the foundation last year. CAP publicizes its donors on their website.
A spokesperson for CAP and Tanden did not return requests for comment for this story.
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, co-founded Bain. During Romney's failed 2012 election against Obama, Tanden appeared to take aim at the company.
CAP's 990 tax returns show that Lavine was on the board in 2018 but not in 2019.
Eric Mindich, a longtime hedge fund executive, is listed as a member of the board as of the most recent tax return, for 2019.
Others who gave big last year to the organization include Mindich and his wife; Stewart Bainum Jr., the chairman of Choice Hotels International, a foundation with ties to the late co-CEO's of Golden West Financial Corp.; and former Goldman Sachs executive Lawrence Linden. Others include major financial firms such as BlackRock, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Bank of America. Facebook gave $100,000 to $499,999 last year, the website says.
Another CAP board member from the finance community is Donald Sussman, a Democratic megadonor and hedge fund manager. His daughter, Emily Sussman was paid over $60,000 in 2018 as a "managing director of campaigns," the 990 return at that time says.
Even with CAP's allegiances in the business world, Tanden has at times pushed back on Hillary Clinton critics who take aim at the former secretary of State's previous speaking engagement at financial firms. CAP has previously advocated for a financial transaction tax, closing the carried interest loophole and changes to antitrust policies and enforcement, among other key proposals.
The Center for American Progress Action Fund, CAP's political arm, ramped up its efforts last year to push what it says on its return as a move to "shape the national policy debate and transform progressive concepts into policy."
CAP donated over $8 million in 2019 to the action fund, almost double from a year earlier. CAP Action doubled its overall fundraising last year to $16 million, and over $8 million partially went toward its now defunct news organization ThinkProgress.
CAP Action's infusion of cash into ThinkProgress came the same year the news outlet closed. The Daily Beast reported at the time that ThinkProgress was in the midst of a $3 million hole between revenues and expenses.
It also came during the Democratic presidential primaries and while CAP Action continued to target Trump.
CAP and the news outlet came under scrutiny earlier that year for publishing a video that took aim at Sanders. Tanden insisted at the time that the news group is editorially independent of CAP, and CAP Action and called the video "overly harsh."
Many of Sanders' top lieutenants from his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns have publicly cast the blame for such attacks on Tanden. They have vocally opposed her selection as OMB chief since it was announced on Monday.


cnbc--2020-12-01--DOJ has not found fraud that would reverse Biden win over Trump, Attorney General William Barr says

The U.S. Department of Justice has not found evidence of large-scale ballot fraud that would reverse President-elect Joe Biden 's projected win over President Donald Trump in the election , Attorney General William Barr said in a new interview Tuesday .
Barr 's statement to The Associated Press undercuts claims by Trump , his lawyers and many of his political allies that he was the victim of massive voting fraud that swindled the Republican incumbent out of a win over the Democratic challenger .
`` To date , we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Barr told the AP .
Barr , who is head of the DOJ , told the news wire service that federal prosecutors and FBI agents have looked into complaints they have received about possible fraud .
But investigators have not found problems with anywhere near the number of ballots that would have to be invalidated to deny Biden a win .
`` Most claims of fraud are very particularized to a particular set of circumstances or actors or conduct .
They are not systemic allegations .
... And those have been run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Barr said .
`` Some have been broad and potentially cover a few thousand votes .
They have been followed up on , '' the attorney general said .
Barr authorized federal prosecutors after Election Day to look into any `` substantial '' voting irregularities or fraud allegations that were brought to their attention before the presidential race is certified .
Shortly after The Associated Press published its story , Barr was seen entering the White House .
There had been no previously scheduled meeting between Barr and Trump on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the White House for a matter unrelated to his comments .

The U.S. Department of Justice has not found evidence of large-scale ballot fraud that would reverse President-elect Joe Biden's projected win over President Donald Trump in the election, Attorney General William Barr said in a new interview Tuesday.
Barr's statement to The Associated Press undercuts claims by Trump, his lawyers and many of his political allies that he was the victim of massive voting fraud that swindled the Republican incumbent out of a win over the Democratic challenger.
"To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election," Barr told the AP.
Barr, who is head of the DOJ, told the news wire service that federal prosecutors and FBI agents have looked into complaints they have received about possible fraud. But investigators have not found problems with anywhere near the number of ballots that would have to be invalidated to deny Biden a win.
"Most claims of fraud are very particularized to a particular set of circumstances or actors or conduct. They are not systemic allegations. ... And those have been run down; they are being run down," Barr said.
"Some have been broad and potentially cover a few thousand votes. They have been followed up on," the attorney general said.
Barr authorized federal prosecutors after Election Day to look into any "substantial" voting irregularities or fraud allegations that were brought to their attention before the presidential race is certified.
Shortly after The Associated Press published its story, Barr was seen entering the White House. There had been no previously scheduled meeting between Barr and Trump on Tuesday. NBC News reported that he was at the White House for a matter unrelated to his comments.


cnbc--2020-12-02--Trump sues to reverse Biden win in Wisconsin

U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay , Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ .
President Donald Trump 's campaign filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Wisconsin seeking to invalidate @ @ @ @ @ there , the latest long-shot court battle aimed at overturning the presidential election .
The @ @ @ @ @ Court to disqualify more than 221,000 ballots in the state ’ s two most Democratic @ @ @ @ @ state by nearly 20,700 votes .
It asks the court to order Democratic Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ 's elections commission to exclude swaths of absentee ballots , which the campaign asserts are @ @ @ @ @ plaintiffs , who include the campaign , the president himself and Vice President Mike Pence @ @ @ @ @ block the certification of the presidential election until those ballots are cut from the final @ @ @ @ @ has lost or withdrawn lawsuits in other battleground states that sought to invalidate ballots for @ @

U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin, October 30, 2020.
President Donald Trump's campaign filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Wisconsin seeking to invalidate President-elect Joe Biden's win there, the latest long-shot court battle aimed at overturning the presidential election.
The suit asks the Wisconsin Supreme Court to disqualify more than 221,000 ballots in the state’s two most Democratic counties. Biden won the state by nearly 20,700 votes.
It asks the court to order Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the state's elections commission to exclude swaths of absentee ballots, which the campaign asserts are "illegal."
The plaintiffs, who include the campaign, the president himself and Vice President Mike Pence, ask the court to block the certification of the presidential election until those ballots are cut from the final vote tally.
The campaign has lost or withdrawn lawsuits in other battleground states that sought to invalidate ballots for Biden.


cnbc--2020-12-01--Rudy Giuliani discussed getting preemptive pardon from Trump before president leaves White House, re

Rudy Giuliani discussed getting preemptive pardon from Trump before president leaves White House, report says

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani , personal attorney to U.S. President Donald Trump , gestures as he speaks after media announced that Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden has won the 2020 U.S. presidential election , in , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , U.S. , November 7 , 2020 .
Giuliani , who has not been charged with any crime , was known as far back as a year ago to be under investigation by the U.S. Attorney 's Office for the Southern District of New York .
That 's the office Giuliani led in the 1980s , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1993 .
`` Not true , '' Giuliani told CNBC via a text message when asked about the Times ' report .
The discussions , detailed by The New York Times , come as Giuliani leads last-ditch legal efforts by Trump 's campaign to reverse President-elect Joe Biden ' s projected win in the Electoral College .
President Donald Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani recently talked to the president about possibly receiving a preemptive pardon before Trump leaves office , according to a report Tuesday .
The probe reportedly was focused on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he for months tried to dig up damaging information about Biden and his son Hunter Biden .
The status of that investigation is not known .
Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives last year , and ultimately acquitted after a Senate trial , for pressuring the president of Ukraine to launch an investigation of Hunter Biden 's business dealings in that country while Trump was withholding congressionally approved military aid to that nation .
The Times , citing two people familiar with the matter , reported that Giuliani talked to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week .
The men previously had discussed that possibility , according to the newspaper .
Giuliani 's lawyer , Robert Costello , did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC .
A White House spokesman declined to comment .
Although rare , it is legal for a president to pardon people for federal crimes before those people have actually been charged with such acts .
The most famous example of that occurred in 1974 , when President Gerald Ford pardoned his immediate predecessor , Richard Nixon , who resigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nixon was the target of a criminal investigation but had not been charged at the time Ford granted the pardon .
Ford 's successor in the White House , President Jimmy Carter , issued preemptive pardons to hundreds of thousands of American men who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War .
Trump last week pardoned his first national security advisor , Michael Flynn , for lying to FBI agents about his conversations with a Russian diplomat before Trump 's inauguration .
Flynn , who had pleaded guilty in that case before later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced .
The Justice Department was seeking to reverse that conviction and dismiss the charge at the time of the pardon .
Giuliani and other lawyers for Trump 's campaign have claimed for weeks that the president was swindled out of a win in the 2020 election .
But they have failed to produce any evidence of significant fraud .
And the campaign and its allies have either lost or withdrawn lawsuits seeking to invalidate ballots for Biden , who was victorious in both the Electoral College and popular votes .
Giuliani has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of their elections and nominate slates of electors for Trump to the Electoral College , nullifying Biden 's projected win in those states .

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, personal attorney to U.S. President Donald Trump, gestures as he speaks after media announced that Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Joe Biden has won the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., November 7, 2020.
Giuliani, who has not been charged with any crime, was known as far back as a year ago to be under investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. That's the office Giuliani led in the 1980s, before getting elected New York City mayor in 1993.
Giuliani later added in a tweet that he "never had the discussion" that the newspaper's reporters "falsely attribute to an anonymous source."
"Not true," Giuliani told CNBC via a text message when asked about the Times report, which is based on two people with knowledge of the matter.
The discussions, detailed by The New York Times, come as Giuliani leads last-ditch legal efforts by Trump's campaign to reverse President-elect Joe Biden' s projected win in the Electoral College.
President Donald Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani recently talked to the president about possibly receiving a preemptive pardon before Trump leaves office, according to a report Tuesday.
The probe reportedly was focused on Giuliani's actions in Ukraine, where he for months tried to dig up damaging information about Biden and his son Hunter Biden. The status of that investigation is not known.
Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives last year, and ultimately acquitted after a Senate trial, for pressuring the president of Ukraine to launch an investigation of Hunter Biden's business dealings in that country while Trump was withholding congressionally approved military aid to that nation.
The Times reported that Giuliani talked to Trump about a preemptive pardon as recently as last week.
The men previously had discussed that possibility, according to the newspaper.
Giuliani's lawyer, Robert Costello, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC. A White House spokesman declined to comment.
Although rare, it is legal for a president to pardon people for federal crimes before those people have actually been charged with such acts.
The most famous example of that occurred in 1974, when President Gerald Ford pardoned his immediate predecessor, Richard Nixon, who resigned in disgrace after the Watergate scandal. Nixon was the target of a criminal investigation but had not been charged at the time Ford granted the pardon.
Ford's successor in the White House, President Jimmy Carter, issued preemptive pardons to hundreds of thousands of American men who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War.
Trump last week pardoned his first national security advisor, Michael Flynn, for lying to FBI agents about his conversations with a Russian diplomat before Trump's inauguration.
Flynn, who had pleaded guilty in that case before later reversing himself, had yet to be sentenced. The Justice Department was seeking to reverse that conviction and dismiss the charge at the time of the pardon.
Giuliani and other lawyers for Trump's campaign have claimed for weeks that the president was swindled out of a win in the 2020 election. But they have failed to produce any evidence of significant fraud. And the campaign and its allies have either lost or withdrawn lawsuits seeking to invalidate ballots for Biden, who was victorious in both the Electoral College and popular votes.
Giuliani has suggested that state legislatures can overturn the results of their elections and nominate slates of electors for Trump to the Electoral College, nullifying Biden's projected win in those states.


cnbc--2020-12-01--McConnell shoots down bipartisan $900 billion coronavirus stimulus plan as stalemate drags on

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected a proposed bipartisan coronavirus stimulus package Tuesday amid months of congressional inaction on curbing the economic damage from the outbreak .
The Kentucky Republican , who has supported about $ 500 billion in new aid spending , said he wants to pass what he called a `` targeted relief bill '' this year .
McConnell said he spoke to White House officials about what President Donald Trump would sign into law .
He plans to offer potential solutions to GOP senators and get their feedback .
`` We just do n't have time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to the roughly $ 908 billion plan put together by bipartisan members of the GOP-controlled Senate and Democratic-held House .
McConnell said a must-pass spending bill and pandemic relief provisions will `` all likely come in one package . ''
Congress needs to approve funding legislation by Dec. 11 to avoid a government shutdown .
The framework of the bipartisan relief bill released Tuesday includes $ 288 billion in small business aid such as Paycheck Protection Program loans , $ 160 billion in state and local government relief , and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per week supplemental unemployment benefit through March .
It would put $ 16 billion into vaccine distribution , testing and contact tracing , funnel $ 82 billion into education , and put $ 45 billion into transportation .
It would allocate funds for rental assistance , child care and broadband .
The proposal would not include another direct payment to most Americans .
It also would offer temporary federal protection from coronavirus-related lawsuits — a provision Democrats have opposed — while states determine their own laws .
Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has discussed a new relief plan , earlier called it an `` interim package '' to provide support until President-elect Joe Biden takes office in January .
`` If there 's one thing I 'm hearing uniformly it 's : 'Congress , do not leave town for the holidays leaving the country and the economy adrift with all these initial CARES [ Act ] programs running out , ' '' Warner told CNBC 's `` Squawk Box '' on Tuesday .
It is unclear whether lawmakers can craft a plan that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year , when many programs expire .
Democrats have opposed liability protections and pushed for a $ 600 per week supplemental jobless benefit , while the GOP is against new state and local aid .
Sen. Joe Manchin , D-W.Va. , who worked on the proposal , said the group had no assurances from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , that they would vote on the plan .
Still , the proposal 's release underscored the rumbling among rank-and-file @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party leaders fail to break a monthslong impasse .
`` It is absolutely essential that we pass emergency relief , '' said Sen. Susan Collins , a Maine Republican who worked on the plan , at a news conference announcing the proposal .
The pandemic has rampaged through the country , straining hospitals and forcing state and local officials to implement new business restrictions to slow infections .
At the same time , lifelines put in place by Congress earlier this year will expire at the end of 2020 hitting Americans already struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of December include an unemployment insurance extension , a federal student loan payment moratorium and eviction protections .
Pelosi and McConnell have not yielded ground from their respective $ 2.2 trillion and $ 500 billion aid bills .
Leaders of the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate have not held formal talks on stimulus since the 2020 election on Nov. 3 .
Talks between the Trump administration and Democrats collapsed before the election .
On Tuesday , Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke for the first time since late October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin told her he would review a proposal she and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , sent to Republicans on Monday .
She did not specify what the plan includes .
Mnuchin also said he would look over the bipartisan plan put out Tuesday , according to Pelosi .
`` Additional COVID relief is long overdue and must be passed in this lame duck session , '' she said in a statement .
Mnuchin said during congressional testimony Tuesday that he spoke with McConnell , Trump , House Minority Leader Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief of staff Mark Meadows .
They agreed that Congress should craft a targeted fiscal response , he added .
The Treasury secretary said he wants to focus on `` what we can pass quickly on a bipartisan basis '' to get relief to `` the most difficult parts of the economy . ''
During the stalemate , members of both parties have urged compromise to ease some of the pressure on the economy and health-care system .
On top of the economic programs , the federal government will likely need to approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coming months .
Senators who have joined in the discussions about the aid proposal include Warner , Collins , Manchin , Sen. Lisa Murkowski , R-Alaska , Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , Sen. Maggie Hassan , D-N.H. , and Sen. Bill Cassidy , R-La .
House members including Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Republican Rep. Tom Reed of New York , leaders of the Problem Solvers Caucus , were also involved .

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected a proposed bipartisan coronavirus stimulus package Tuesday amid months of congressional inaction on curbing the economic damage from the outbreak. The Kentucky Republican, who has supported about $500 billion in new aid spending, said he wants to pass what he called a "targeted relief bill" this year. McConnell said he spoke to White House officials about what President Donald Trump would sign into law. He plans to offer potential solutions to GOP senators and get their feedback. "We just don't have time to waste time," he told reporters in response to the roughly $908 billion plan put together by bipartisan members of the GOP-controlled Senate and Democratic-held House. McConnell said a must-pass spending bill and pandemic relief provisions will "all likely come in one package." Congress needs to approve funding legislation by Dec. 11 to avoid a government shutdown.
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The framework of the bipartisan relief bill released Tuesday includes $288 billion in small business aid such as Paycheck Protection Program loans, $160 billion in state and local government relief, and $180 billion to fund a $300 per week supplemental unemployment benefit through March. It would put $16 billion into vaccine distribution, testing and contact tracing, funnel $82 billion into education, and put $45 billion into transportation. It would allocate funds for rental assistance, child care and broadband. The proposal would not include another direct payment to most Americans. It also would offer temporary federal protection from coronavirus-related lawsuits — a provision Democrats have opposed — while states determine their own laws. Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, a member of the congressional group that has discussed a new relief plan, earlier called it an "interim package" to provide support until President-elect Joe Biden takes office in January. "If there's one thing I'm hearing uniformly it's: 'Congress, do not leave town for the holidays leaving the country and the economy adrift with all these initial CARES [Act] programs running out,'" Warner told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday.
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It is unclear whether lawmakers can craft a plan that can get through both chambers of Congress before the end of the year, when many programs expire. Democrats have opposed liability protections and pushed for a $600 per week supplemental jobless benefit, while the GOP is against new state and local aid. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who worked on the proposal, said the group had no assurances from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that they would vote on the plan.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McMcConnell (R-KY) speaks to reporters as Senate Republican leaders hold a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, December 1, 2020. Kevin Lamarque | Pool | Reuters
Still, the proposal's release underscored the rumbling among rank-and-file lawmakers to pass more aid even as party leaders fail to break a monthslong impasse. "It is absolutely essential that we pass emergency relief," said Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican who worked on the plan, at a news conference announcing the proposal. The pandemic has rampaged through the country, straining hospitals and forcing state and local officials to implement new business restrictions to slow infections. At the same time, lifelines put in place by Congress earlier this year will expire at the end of 2020 hitting Americans already struggling to cover costs. The programs lapsing at the end of December include an unemployment insurance extension, a federal student loan payment moratorium and eviction protections. Pelosi and McConnell have not yielded ground from their respective $2.2 trillion and $500 billion aid bills. Leaders of the Democratic-held House and GOP-controlled Senate have not held formal talks on stimulus since the 2020 election on Nov. 3. Talks between the Trump administration and Democrats collapsed before the election. On Tuesday, Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke for the first time since late October.
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After the call, Pelosi said Mnuchin told her he would review a proposal she and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sent to Republicans on Monday. She did not specify what the plan includes. Mnuchin also said he would look over the bipartisan plan put out Tuesday, according to Pelosi. "Additional COVID relief is long overdue and must be passed in this lame duck session," she said in a statement. Mnuchin said during congressional testimony Tuesday that he spoke with McConnell, Trump, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. They agreed that Congress should craft a targeted fiscal response, he added. The Treasury secretary said he wants to focus on "what we can pass quickly on a bipartisan basis" to get relief to "the most difficult parts of the economy." During the stalemate, members of both parties have urged compromise to ease some of the pressure on the economy and health-care system. On top of the economic programs, the federal government will likely need to approve funds to streamline distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in the coming months. Senators who have joined in the discussions about the aid proposal include Warner, Collins, Manchin, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. House members including Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Republican Rep. Tom Reed of New York, leaders of the Problem Solvers Caucus, were also involved.
Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) holds a chart as bipartisan members of the Senate and House gather to announce a framework for fresh coronavirus relief legislation at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Dec. 1, 2020. Kevin Lemarque | Reuters


cnbc--2020-12-02--Alleged Jeffrey Epstein procurer Ghislaine Maxwell to seek bail again, wants closed hearing

Ghislaine Maxwell , the British socialite accused of procuring young girls to be abused by sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein , will again seek bail in her criminal case , and wants related court hearings conducted out of sight of reporters , victims and the public , federal prosecutors revealed Wednesday .
Maxwell , 58 , has been held without bail in a Brooklyn federal jail since shortly after her arrest in July , when a judge ruled that she was a substantial flight risk .
Maxwell 's lawyers that month had asked that she be freed on a $ 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court filing , prosecutors said Maxwell is expected to file a `` renewed application for bail . ''
And her lawyers are asking for `` sealing and for an in camera hearing in connection '' with that application , prosecutors wrote .
Such a hearing would bar members of the public from attending .
Prosecutors in their filing objected to a sealed hearing `` to discuss further sealing requests from the judge . ''
They noted that any request to seal the names of people , such as individuals who might co-sign Maxwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in writing with narrowly tailored redactions . ''
Prosecutors said that in light of that option they saw no reason to have a hearing `` conducted without the opportunity for the public or the victims in this case to observe . ''
`` Indeed , given that crime victims have a statutory right to be present and heard at any proceeding regarding the defendant 's 'release ' ... the Government would object to any proceeding addressing aspects of a renewed bail application that was conducted entirely in camera , '' the filing said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sealed filings made earlier this week by Maxwell 's lawyer about the bail effort and sealing requests .
Maxwell as of last week was in quarantine in jail because of her exposure to a staffer who tested positive for the coronavirus .
She tested negative for Covid-19 , prosecutors said in an earlier filing .
Maxwell 's lawyer Bobbi Sternheim did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday .
Last week , Sternheim complained to Judge Alison Nathan that Maxwell is being `` overmanaged '' by staff in the jail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 minutes by guards with a flashlight checking to see whether she is still breathing .
Sternheim also said Maxwell is not being given enough time to review documents related to her criminal case and to `` prepare the defense of her life . ''
Nathan on Wednesday ordered lawyers for the Metropolitan Detention Center , the facility where Maxwell is detained , to respond to Sternheim 's concerns by Friday .

Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite accused of procuring young girls to be abused by sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein, will again seek bail in her criminal case and wants related court hearings conducted out of sight of reporters, victims and the public, federal prosecutors revealed Wednesday.
Maxwell, 58, has been held without bail in a Brooklyn federal jail since shortly after her arrest in July, when a judge ruled that she was a substantial flight risk. Maxwell's lawyers that month had asked that she be freed on a $5 million bond.
In a Manhattan federal court filing, prosecutors said Maxwell is expected to file a "renewed application for bail."
And her lawyers are asking for "sealing and for an in camera hearing in connection" with that application, prosecutors wrote. Such a hearing would bar members of the public from attending.
Prosecutors in their filing objected to a sealed hearing "to discuss further sealing requests from the judge."
They noted that any request to seal the names of people, such as individuals who might co-sign Maxwell's bail, "can be made in writing with narrowly tailored redactions."
Prosecutors said that in light of that option they saw no reason to have a hearing "conducted without the opportunity for the public or the victims in this case to observe."
"Indeed, given that crime victims have a statutory right to be present and heard at any proceeding regarding the defendant's 'release' ... the Government would object to any proceeding addressing aspects of a renewed bail application that was conducted entirely in camera," the filing said.
The prosecutors' letter refers to sealed filings made earlier this week by Maxwell's lawyer about the bail effort and sealing requests.
Maxwell as of last week was in quarantine in jail because of her exposure to a staffer who tested positive for the coronavirus. She tested negative for Covid-19, prosecutors said in an earlier filing.
Maxwell's lawyer Bobbi Sternheim did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Last week, Sternheim complained to Judge Alison Nathan that Maxwell is being "overmanaged" by staff in the jail, which includes having her sleep interrupted every 15 minutes by guards with a flashlight checking to see whether she is still breathing.
Sternheim also said Maxwell is not being given enough time to review documents related to her criminal case and to "prepare the defense of her life."
Nathan on Wednesday ordered lawyers for the Metropolitan Detention Center, the facility where Maxwell is detained, to respond to Sternheim's concerns by Friday.


cnbc--2020-12-02--White House refuses to say Trump has faith in Attorney General William Barr

President Donald Trump 's spokeswoman refused to say Wednesday whether Trump still has faith in Attorney General William Barr , a day after Barr said the Justice Department has not found evidence that widespread ballot fraud led to President-elect Joe Biden 's victory .
Barr 's statement badly undercut baseless allegations by Trump and his campaign legal team that the Republican president was swindled out of reelection by voting fraud .
`` To date , we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election , '' Barr told the Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sparked immediate speculation that Trump would fire Barr , who until Tuesday was seen as a staunchly loyal supporter of the president .
During a press conference Wednesday , a reporter asked White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , `` Does [ Trump ] still have faith in Attorney General Bill Barr ?
Does he still have confidence in Bill Barr ? ''
McEnany did not directly answer that question .
`` If we have any personnel announcements , I 'll let you know , '' she replied .
That answer from Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been followed by the termination of the administration official being asked about .
McEnany said that she had not spoken to the president about the attorney general 's statement , after a reporter asked if Trump was upset by Barr 's comments .
The press secretary said she was unaware of whether Trump has spoken to the attorney general since the AP 's interview was published .
`` I know the attorney general was here yesterday for a preplanned meeting with the chief of staff [ Mark Meadows ] and they discussed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware if the president has spoken to him directly , '' McEnany said .
The Justice Department , which Barr leads , did not immediately respond to CNBC 's requests for comment on McEnany 's remarks .

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany takes questions during a press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 2, 2020. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
President Donald Trump's spokeswoman refused to say Wednesday whether Trump still has faith in Attorney General William Barr, a day after Barr said the Justice Department has not found evidence that widespread ballot fraud led to President-elect Joe Biden's victory. Barr's statement badly undercut baseless allegations by Trump and his campaign legal team that the Republican president was swindled out of reelection by voting fraud. "To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election," Barr told the Associated Press in an interview Tuesday. That interview sparked immediate speculation that Trump would fire Barr, who until Tuesday was seen as a staunchly loyal supporter of the president. During a press conference Wednesday, a reporter asked White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, "Does [Trump] still have faith in Attorney General Bill Barr? Does he still have confidence in Bill Barr?"
US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with US Attorney General William Barr (R) during the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor presentation ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC on May 22, 2019. Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images
McEnany did not directly answer that question. "If we have any personnel announcements, I'll let you know," she replied. That answer from Trump press secretaries in the past has sometimes been followed by the termination of the administration official being asked about. McEnany said that she had not spoken to the president about the attorney general's statement, after a reporter asked if Trump was upset by Barr's comments. The press secretary said she was unaware of whether Trump has spoken to the attorney general since the AP's interview was published. "I know the attorney general was here yesterday for a preplanned meeting with the chief of staff [Mark Meadows] and they discussed an array of issues but I'm not aware if the president has spoken to him directly," McEnany said. The Justice Department, which Barr leads, did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment on McEnany's remarks.


cnbc--2020-12-02--Pelosi and Schumer back $900 billion coronavirus stimulus plan as basis for negotiations

McConnell quickly shot down the bipartisan plan after its release Tuesday .
He has endorsed only about $ 500 billion in spending in a new package .
`` While we made a new offer to Leader McConnell and Leader McCarthy on Monday , in the spirit of compromise we believe the bipartisan framework introduced by Senators yesterday should be used as the basis for immediate bipartisan , bicameral negotiations , '' Schumer and Pelosi said .
In a joint statement , the Democratic leaders endorsed a more narrow aid approach than they have previously .
The California and New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least $ 2.2 trillion .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use a $ 908 billion bipartisan coronavirus stimulus plan as the basis for relief talks as Congress scrambles to send aid to Americans before the end of the year .
Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, was set to speak to McConnell on Wednesday about a pandemic relief measure .
Earlier , the No .
2 House Democrat told reporters he hopes the parties can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekend and pass it by next week .
That would require a quick compromise amid lingering disputes over key issues .
McConnell signaled Tuesday that he wants to tie aid to a government funding bill Congress needs to pass by Dec. 11 .
In a possible sign that Democrats could agree to link coronavirus provisions to a spending measure , Hoyer said Wednesday that he wants to finish legislative business in the House by the same date .
`` The need is great , it is immediate , it is urgent and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act , '' he said .
`` By the way , Sen. McConnell agrees on that . ''
The renewed efforts to strike a deal follow a monthslong logjam over relief .
Both parties have called to pass aid legislation before the end of 2020 , but have fundamentally different views about what they need to do to boost the economy and health-care system .
Protections for unemployed Americans , renters and federal student loan borrowers will expire at the end of the year as the U.S. outbreak worsens and states and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward the aid proposal Tuesday .
McConnell then rejected it and offered his own , smaller plan that he said had President Donald Trump 's support .
Pelosi and Schumer did not offer their unequivocal endorsement of the proposal .
They said that `` we and others will offer improvements , but the need to act is immediate and we believe that with good-faith negotiations we could come to an agreement . ''
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke Tuesday for the first time since late October .
The California Democrat said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bipartisan proposal and an unspecified offer that the top congressional Democrats made to GOP leaders on Monday .

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to use a $908 billion bipartisan coronavirus stimulus plan as the basis for relief talks as Congress scrambles to send aid to Americans before the end of the year. In a joint statement, the Democratic leaders endorsed a more narrow aid approach than they have previously. The California and New York Democrats had insisted on legislation that costs at least $2.2 trillion. "While we made a new offer to Leader McConnell and Leader McCarthy on Monday, in the spirit of compromise we believe the bipartisan framework introduced by Senators yesterday should be used as the basis for immediate bipartisan, bicameral negotiations," Schumer and Pelosi said. McConnell quickly shot down the bipartisan plan after its release Tuesday. He has endorsed only about $500 billion in spending in a new package.
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Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., was set to speak to McConnell on Wednesday about a pandemic relief measure. Earlier, the No. 2 House Democrat told reporters he hopes the parties can strike a deal by the end of the weekend and pass it by next week. That would require a quick compromise amid lingering disputes over key issues. McConnell signaled Tuesday that he wants to tie aid to a government funding bill Congress needs to pass by Dec. 11. In a possible sign that Democrats could agree to link coronavirus provisions to a spending measure, Hoyer said Wednesday that he wants to finish legislative business in the House by the same date. "The need is great, it is immediate, it is urgent and I think we certainly have the capacity to act," he said. "By the way, Sen. McConnell agrees on that." The renewed efforts to strike a deal follow a monthslong logjam over relief. Both parties have called to pass aid legislation before the end of 2020, but have fundamentally different views about what they need to do to boost the economy and health-care system. Protections for unemployed Americans, renters and federal student loan borrowers will expire at the end of the year as the U.S. outbreak worsens and states and cities tighten restrictions. Rank-and-file lawmakers put forward the aid proposal Tuesday. McConnell then rejected it and offered his own, smaller plan that he said had President Donald Trump's support. Pelosi and Schumer did not offer their unequivocal endorsement of the proposal. They said that "we and others will offer improvements, but the need to act is immediate and we believe that with good-faith negotiations we could come to an agreement." Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke Tuesday for the first time since late October. The California Democrat said Mnuchin told her he would review both the bipartisan proposal and an unspecified offer that the top congressional Democrats made to GOP leaders on Monday.
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cnbc--2020-12-02--Biden says economic team, each shaped by hardship and perseverance, will focus on needs of families

US President-elect Joe Biden 's economic team at The Queen Theatre in Wilmington , Delaware , on December 1 , 2020 .
( Top L-R ) Chair of Council of Economic Advisers nominee Cecilia Rouse , Treasury secretary nominee Janet Yellen , and Deputy secretary of the Treasury nominee Adewale Wally Adeyemo .
( Bottom L-R ) Council of Economic Advisors nominee Jared Bernstein , Office of Management and Budget nominee Neera Tanden , Council of Economic Advisors nominee Heather Boushey .
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden introduced six key members of his economic team to the nation on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of experts whose personal histories and economic philosophies represent a sharp departure from the past four years of President Donald Trump 's administration .
`` This is a family-oriented team , '' Biden said during an event in Wilmington , Delaware , featuring the nominees .
`` This team will always be there for you and your families . ''
Indeed , family was the consistent , if unexpected , theme that ran through each of the six speeches delivered by the nominees Tuesday .
Biden 's economic advisors described how their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which they still view economic policy as accomplished economists .
Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen , Biden 's nominee for Treasury secretary , described how her father , a family physician , treated patients in the basement of their home in a working-class area of Brooklyn .
At night , she said , her father would talk about `` what work meant to his patients , our friends and neighbors .
Especially if they lost a job , the financial problems , the family problems , the health problems , the loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` I became an economist because I was concerned about the toll of unemployment on people , families and communities . ''
Neera Tanden , a veteran Democratic policy advisor Biden tapped to lead the Office of Management and Budget , described how her single mother , an immigrant from India , relied on food stamps to feed her two daughters and Section 8 housing vouchers to pay the rent .
`` I am here today thanks to my mother 's grit , but also thanks to the country that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her humanity and in our dreams .
I 'm here today because of social programs , because of budgetary choices , because of a government that saw my mother 's dignity and gave her a chance , '' said Tanden .
Stories like Tanden 's and Yellen 's were also striking because of how deeply they differ from the experiences and biographies of Trump 's first slate of economic advisors , announced a few days after the president 's upset victory in the 2016 election .
Composed entirely of white men , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward Wall Street barons and billionaires .

US President-elect Joe Biden's economic team at The Queen Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware, on December 1, 2020. (Top L-R) Chair of Council of Economic Advisers nominee Cecilia Rouse, Treasury secretary nominee Janet Yellen, and Deputy secretary of the Treasury nominee Adewale Wally Adeyemo. (Bottom L-R) Council of Economic Advisors nominee Jared Bernstein, Office of Management and Budget nominee Neera Tanden, Council of Economic Advisors nominee Heather Boushey.
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden introduced six key members of his economic team to the nation on Tuesday. Together, they comprise a diverse group of experts whose personal histories and economic philosophies represent a sharp departure from the past four years of President Donald Trump's administration.
"This is a family-oriented team," Biden said during an event in Wilmington, Delaware, featuring the nominees. "This team will always be there for you and your families."
Indeed, family was the consistent, if unexpected, theme that ran through each of the six speeches delivered by the nominees Tuesday.
Biden's economic advisors described how their early experiences of hardship became windows through which they still view economic policy as accomplished economists.
Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Biden's nominee for Treasury secretary, described how her father, a family physician, treated patients in the basement of their home in a working-class area of Brooklyn.
At night, she said, her father would talk about "what work meant to his patients, our friends and neighbors. Especially if they lost a job, the financial problems, the family problems, the health problems, the loss of dignity and self-worth."
Yellen added: "I became an economist because I was concerned about the toll of unemployment on people, families and communities."
Neera Tanden, a veteran Democratic policy advisor Biden tapped to lead the Office of Management and Budget, described how her single mother, an immigrant from India, relied on food stamps to feed her two daughters and Section 8 housing vouchers to pay the rent.
"I am here today thanks to my mother's grit, but also thanks to the country that had faith in us, that invested in her humanity and in our dreams. I'm here today because of social programs, because of budgetary choices, because of a government that saw my mother's dignity and gave her a chance," said Tanden.
Stories like Tanden's and Yellen's were also striking because of how deeply they differ from the experiences and biographies of Trump's first slate of economic advisors, announced a few days after the president's upset victory in the 2016 election.
Composed entirely of white men, Trump's financial advisory team was heavily weighted toward Wall Street barons and billionaires.