cnbc--2020-12-12--Supreme Court rejects Trump backed lawsuit that sought to overturn Biden election victory

US President Donald Trump looks on during a ceremony presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to wrestler Dan Gable in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington , DC on December 7 , 2020 .
The Supreme Court of the United States on Friday rejected a bid launched by Texas and backed by President Donald Trump that sought to undo Joe Biden 's election wins in the key swing states of Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
The ruling dealt a death blow to Trump 's desperate and unsuccessful efforts to reverse Biden 's projected Electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before electors are set to cast their ballots in their respective states , finalizing Biden 's win .
Election law experts from the outset said that the suit was unlikely to succeed .
But Trump , who himself even filed a motion to intervene in the case , had hyped up Paxton 's lawsuit as `` the big one . ''
The court Friday rejected Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 's attempt to file the lawsuit against the four battleground states .
The justices said that Paxton did not have the grounds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made to their voting procedures in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The State of Texas 's motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied for lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution , '' the court said .
`` Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections .
All other pending motions are dismissed as moot . ''
Trump , who has appointed three justices to the nine-member court , had said before the Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court would ultimately decide the race .
`` I think it 's very important that we have nine justices '' for that reason , Trump had said shortly after the death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September .
Biden spokesman Mike Gwin in a statement Friday evening said the court `` decisively and speedily rejected the latest of Donald Trump and his allies ' attacks on the democratic process . ''
`` This is no surprise — dozens of judges , election officials from both parties , and Trump 's own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deny that he lost the election , '' Gwin said .
`` President-elect Biden 's clear and commanding victory will be ratified by the Electoral College on Monday , and he will be sworn in on January 20th . ''
Texas ' suit made the unprecedented request for the Supreme Court to invalidate the election results of the four battleground states by declaring that their Electoral College votes `` can not be counted . ''
Biden 's wins in the four states , which together held 62 electoral votes , had put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes needed to secure the presidency .
Biden is projected to win 306 electoral votes , compared with 232 for Trump .
If Texas had won the suit , it would have nullified Biden 's victory .
Two of the high court 's most conservative justices , Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas , in a brief dissent said that they would have allowed Paxton 's lawsuit to be filed , but added that they would `` not grant other relief '' sought in the case .
`` In my view , we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a bill of complaint in a case that falls within our original jurisdiction , '' Alito wrote in a statement that Thomas backed .
`` I would therefore grant the motion to file the bill of complaint but would not grant other relief , and I express no view on any other issue . ''
More than a dozen states where Trump won the popular vote filed briefs in support of Texas ' action .
More than 120 Republican members of Congress , including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' briefs soon after .
But about two dozens states and territories that Biden won filed their own briefs in opposition to Texas ' complaint .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , in a scathing Dear Colleague letter Friday afternoon accused Republicans supporting the case of engaging in `` election subversion that imperils our democracy . ''
`` This lawsuit is an act of flailing GOP Desperation , which violates the principles enshrined in our American Democracy , '' Pelosi wrote .
`` As Members of Congress , we take a solemn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' her letter said .
`` Republicans are subverting the Constitution by their reckless and fruitless assault on our democracy which threatens to seriously erode public trust in our most sacred democratic institutions , and to set back our progress on the urgent challenges ahead . ''
Rudy Giuliani , the lawyer who has been leading Trump 's effort to undo Biden 's win through court actions , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Sen. Ben Sasse , a Nebraska Republican who has clashed with Trump , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has finally `` closed the book on the nonsense . ''
`` Since Election Night , a lot of people have been confusing voters by spinning Kenyan Birther-type , 'Chavez rigged the election from the grave ' conspiracy theories , but every American who cares about the rule of law should take comfort that the Supreme Court — including all three of President Trump 's picks — closed the book on the nonsense , '' he said .
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel , who had represented her state against Paxton 's suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important reminder that we are a nation of laws , and though some may bend to the desire of a single individual , the courts will not . ''
NBC News legal analyst Benjamin Wittes noted that while Alito and Thomas dissent in the decision , they likely would have rejected on the merits .

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a bid launched by Texas and backed by President Donald Trump that sought to undo President-elect Joe Biden's wins in the key swing states of Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The ruling dealt a death blow to Trump's desperate and unsuccessful efforts to reverse Biden's projected Electoral College victory.
It came three days before electors are set to cast their ballots in their respective states, finalizing the Democratic former vice president's win.
Election law experts from the outset said that the suit was unlikely to succeed. But Trump, who himself even filed a motion to intervene in the case, had hyped up Paxton's lawsuit as "the big one."
In denying Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's request to file the lawsuit against the four battleground states, the Supreme Court justices said that Texas did not have the grounds to sue the other states over changes they made to their voting procedures in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
"The State of Texas's motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied for lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution," the court said. For a person or entity such as a state to have legal standing to sue, they must be able to show that they were harmed by another's actions.
"Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections. All other pending motions are dismissed as moot," the Supreme Court said.
Trump in a tweet late Friday said, "The Supreme Court really let us down."
"No Wisdom, No Courage!"
Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who has led his campaign's efforts to challenge the election results, told Newsmax in an interview, "We're not finished. Believe me."
Giuliani told the news outlet that the Texas "case wasn't rejected on the merits, the case was rejected on standing. So the answer to that is to bring the case now to the district court by the president, by some of the electors, alleging some of the same facts where there would be standing."
"There's nothing that prevents us from filing these cases immediately in the district court in which the president of course would have standing, some of the electors would have standing in that their constitutional rights have been violated," added the former New York City mayor.
But Trump, who has appointed three justices to the nine-member court, said before the Nov. 3 election that he believed the Supreme Court ultimately would decide the race.
"I think it's very important that we have nine justices" for that reason, Trump had said shortly after the death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September.
Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to replace Ginsburg. She was approved by the Republican-controlled Senate over fierce objections by Democrats who said the appointment was improper because it was so close to the election.
Biden spokesman Mike Gwin in a statement Friday evening said the court "decisively and speedily rejected the latest of Donald Trump and his allies' attacks on the democratic process."
"This is no surprise — dozens of judges, election officials from both parties, and Trump's own Attorney General have dismissed his baseless attempts to deny that he lost the election," Gwin said. "President-elect Biden's clear and commanding victory will be ratified by the Electoral College on Monday, and he will be sworn in on January 20th."
Texas' suit made the unprecedented request for the Supreme Court to invalidate the election results of the four battleground states by declaring that their Electoral College votes "cannot be counted."
Biden's wins in the four states, which together held 62 electoral votes, had put him over the threshold of 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency. Biden is projected to win 306 electoral votes, compared with 232 for Trump.
If Texas had won the suit, it would have nullified Biden's victory.
Two of the high court's most conservative justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, in a brief dissent said that they would have allowed Paxton's lawsuit to be filed, but added that they would "not grant other relief" sought in the case.
"In my view, we do not have discretion to deny the filing of a bill of complaint in a case that falls within our original jurisdiction," Alito wrote in a statement that Thomas backed. "I would therefore grant the motion to file the bill of complaint but would not grant other relief, and I express no view on any other issue."
NBC News legal analyst Benjamin Wittes said that although Alito and Thomas dissented from the decision to allow the suit, they would have rejected Texas's claims on the merits of the case, along with the seven other justices on the Supreme Court.
More than a dozen states where Trump won the popular vote filed briefs in support of Texas' action, as did over 120 Republican members of Congress, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in "friend of the court" briefs.
But about two dozens states and territories that Biden won filed their own briefs in opposition to Texas' complaint.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a scathing Dear Colleague letter Friday afternoon accused Republicans supporting the case of engaging in "election subversion that imperils our democracy."
"This lawsuit is an act of flailing GOP Desperation, which violates the principles enshrined in our American Democracy," Pelosi wrote.
"As Members of Congress, we take a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution," her letter said. "Republicans are subverting the Constitution by their reckless and fruitless assault on our democracy which threatens to seriously erode public trust in our most sacred democratic institutions, and to set back our progress on the urgent challenges ahead."
Sen. Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican who has clashed with Trump, said in a statement that the Supreme Court has finally "closed the book on the nonsense."
"Since Election Night, a lot of people have been confusing voters by spinning Kenyan Birther-type, 'Chavez rigged the election from the grave' conspiracy theories, but every American who cares about the rule of law should take comfort that the Supreme Court — including all three of President Trump's picks — closed the book on the nonsense," he said.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who had represented her state against Paxton's suit, said the ruling "is an important reminder that we are a nation of laws, and though some may bend to the desire of a single individual, the courts will not."


cnbc--2020-12-11--Trump signs one-week government funding bill as Congress buys time for Covid relief

President Donald Trump signed a one-week government funding extension Friday as Congress rushes to reach spending and coronavirus relief deals .
The Senate passed the measure in a voice vote earlier in the day , and the House approved it this week .
Funding would have lapsed Saturday if Washington failed to pass a spending plan .
The law funds the government through Dec. 18 .
Congressional leaders hope to pass both a full-year appropriations package and pandemic aid before then .
They have struggled to reach agreement on both fronts .
Appropriators have agreed on a $ 1.4 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government running through Sept. 30 , 2021 .
However , they have failed to agree on where exactly the money will go .
Despite the most frantic efforts in months to craft a coronavirus rescue package , Congress has several major disputes to resolve to reach a deal .
Millions of Americans await help as an uncontrolled outbreak ravages communities across the country and leads to hunger unseen in years .
If lawmakers can not pass relief legislation in the coming days , about 12 million people will lose unemployment benefits on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and family leave provisions put in place earlier this year will also expire at the end of December .
Two senators , independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Josh Hawley of Missouri , threatened to block the spending measure from passing as they pushed Congress to send more aid to Americans .
The lawmakers wanted a vote on a proposal to send another direct payment of up to $ 1,200 for individuals and $ 500 per child .
Sanders said he decided not to object to funding the government Friday but would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide more relief .
`` We have more hunger in America today than at any time in the modern history of this country , '' the senator said in pushing for direct payments .
Congress has failed to send more help to Americans for months despite sustained health-care and economic crises .
A GOP-backed proposal to give businesses immunity from coronavirus-related lawsuits and a plan to send more aid to state and local governments supported by Democrats and many Republicans remain the biggest sticking points in reaching an agreement .
Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House 's latest $ 916 billion aid offer , which GOP congressional leaders blessed , does not include any additional federal unemployment insurance money .
It has a $ 600 direct payment , half of the total of the stimulus checks Congress approved in March .
Democrats have put their weight behind a $ 908 billion package that a bipartisan group is crafting .
The measure would include a $ 300 per week federal jobless benefit but no direct payments .

President Donald Trump signed a one-week government funding extension Friday as Congress rushes to reach spending and coronavirus relief deals.
The Senate passed the measure in a voice vote earlier in the day, and the House approved it this week. Funding would have lapsed Saturday if Washington failed to pass a spending plan.
The law funds the government through Dec. 18. Congressional leaders hope to pass both a full-year appropriations package and pandemic aid before then. They have struggled to reach agreement on both fronts.
Appropriators have agreed on a $1.4 trillion price tag for legislation to keep the government running through Sept. 30, 2021. However, they have failed to agree on where exactly the money will go.
Despite the most frantic efforts in months to craft a coronavirus rescue package, Congress has several major disputes to resolve to reach a deal. Millions of Americans await help as an uncontrolled outbreak ravages communities across the country and leads to hunger unseen in years.
If lawmakers cannot pass relief legislation in the coming days, about 12 million people will lose unemployment benefits on the day after Christmas. An eviction moratorium and family leave provisions put in place earlier this year will also expire at the end of December.
Two senators, independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Josh Hawley of Missouri, threatened to block the spending measure from passing as they pushed Congress to send more aid to Americans. The lawmakers wanted a vote on a proposal to send another direct payment of up to $1,200 for individuals and $500 per child.
Sanders said he decided not to object to funding the government Friday but would next week if Congress has not moved to provide more relief.
"We have more hunger in America today than at any time in the modern history of this country," the senator said in pushing for direct payments.
Congress has failed to send more help to Americans for months despite sustained health-care and economic crises. A GOP-backed proposal to give businesses immunity from coronavirus-related lawsuits and a plan to send more aid to state and local governments supported by Democrats and many Republicans remain the biggest sticking points in reaching an agreement.
Democrats have also criticized the fact that the White House's latest $916 billion aid offer, which GOP congressional leaders blessed, does not include any additional federal unemployment insurance money. It has a $600 direct payment, half of the total of the stimulus checks Congress approved in March.
Democrats have put their weight behind a $908 billion package that a bipartisan group is crafting. The measure would include a $300 per week federal jobless benefit but no direct payments.
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cnbc--2020-12-11--Biden's domestic Cabinet picks pledge to use federal powers to aid those struggling during Covid pan

Biden's domestic Cabinet picks pledge to use federal powers to aid those struggling during Covid pandemic

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden speaks to reporters as he announces nominees and appointees during a news conference at his transition headquarters in Wilmington , Delaware , December 11 , 2020 .
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden introduced several of his nominees to lead domestic policy agencies on Friday , emphasizing how members of his Cabinet would harness the powers of the federal government to help Americans in need .
Accompanied by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the event in a Wilmington , Delaware hotel , Biden began with brief remarks about the coronavirus pandemic before presenting his nominee to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also introduced his nominee for secretary of Housing and Urban Development , Rep. Marcia Fudge , D-Ohio ; his nominee for secretary of Veterans ' Affairs , Denis McDonough ; and for U.S. trade representative , Katherine Tai .
Biden also announced that Susan Rice , a former national security adviser to President Barack Obama , had agreed to serve as the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council , a powerful West Wing position which will give Rice broad sway over a range of issues .
Taken together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep experience and bold new thinking '' to federal agencies and the White House .
`` Above all , they know how government should and can work for all Americans . ''
Biden emphasized how each member of his Cabinet would help Americans facing multiple overlapping crises : The coronavirus pandemic , a deep recession , and a looming surge in evictions and food insecurity .
Fudge , for instance , will use `` every lever at her disposal to help the millions of Americans facing eviction — trying to pay their mortgage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Biden .

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden speaks to reporters as he announces nominees and appointees during a news conference at his transition headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, December 11, 2020.
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden introduced several of his nominees to lead domestic policy agencies on Friday, emphasizing how members of his Cabinet would harness the powers of the federal government to help Americans in need.
Accompanied by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the event in a Wilmington, Delaware hotel, Biden began with brief remarks about the coronavirus pandemic before presenting his nominee to lead the Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.
He also introduced his nominee for secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio; his nominee for secretary of Veterans' Affairs, Denis McDonough; and for U.S. trade representative, Katherine Tai.
Biden also announced that Susan Rice, a former national security adviser to President Barack Obama, had agreed to serve as the director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, a powerful West Wing position which will give Rice broad sway over a range of issues.
Taken together, Biden said, his nominees "bring deep experience and bold new thinking" to federal agencies and the White House. "Above all, they know how government should and can work for all Americans."
Biden emphasized how each member of his Cabinet would help Americans facing multiple overlapping crises: The coronavirus pandemic, a deep recession, and a looming surge in evictions and food insecurity.
Fudge, for instance, will use "every lever at her disposal to help the millions of Americans facing eviction — trying to pay their mortgage and find their way through this crisis," said Biden.


cnbc--2020-12-11--Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy backs Texas' long-shot Supreme Court bid to overturn Biden wins

U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) speaks during a news conference with other House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , December 10 , 2020 .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , on Friday joined 125 other congressional Republicans in supporting Texas ' long-shot Supreme Court lawsuit challenging Joe Biden 's projected presidential victory .
McCarthy , the top-ranking Republican in the House and a close ally of President Donald Trump , was included in a `` friend of the court '' brief led by Rep. Mike Johnson , R-La.
, urging the high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton earlier this week .
Paxton 's case accused Pennsylvania , Michigan , Georgia and Wisconsin — four key swing states where Biden defeated Trump — of certifying `` unlawful election results . ''
Texas is asking the Supreme Court to declare that the Electoral College votes cast by electors in those four swing states `` can not be counted . ''
The alignment of the majority of the House GOP conference behind the Supreme Court bid to effectively reverse the outcome of the 2020 election came after all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certified their election results .
Biden is projected to win 306 electoral votes , compared with 232 for Trump .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , in a scathing Dear Colleague letter accused Republicans supporting the case of engaging in `` election subversion that imperils our democracy . ''
`` This lawsuit is an act of flailing GOP Desperation , which violates the principles enshrined in our American Democracy , '' Pelosi wrote .
`` As Members of Congress , we take a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are subverting the Constitution by their reckless and fruitless assault on our democracy which threatens to seriously erode public trust in our most sacred democratic institutions , and to set back our progress on the urgent challenges ahead . ''
The Supreme Court has given no indication it will hear the case , and election law experts say the justices are highly unlikely to take it up .
The unprecedented request by one state to have other states ' votes invalidated in a presidential election has never before been granted .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , who is falsely claiming he won reelection while refusing to concede to Biden .
Trump on Wednesday asked to intervene in Paxton 's case .
Numerous other states where Trump won the popular vote have also signaled their support for Paxton 's lawsuit , as have dozens of sitting Republican members of the House — a group that now includes McCarthy .
Despite news outlets calling the election for Biden weeks earlier , and with less than a week left until electors in their respective states cast their votes , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the election .
Asked point-blank on CNBC 's `` Squawk Box '' on Thursday whether he accepts Biden 's victory , McCarthy refused to give a yes-or-no answer .

U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks during a news conference with other House Republicans at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, December 10, 2020.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., on Friday joined 125 other congressional Republicans in supporting Texas' long-shot Supreme Court lawsuit challenging Joe Biden's projected presidential victory.
McCarthy, the top-ranking Republican in the House and a close ally of President Donald Trump, was included in a "friend of the court" brief led by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., urging the high court to review the case filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton earlier this week.
Paxton's case accused Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia and Wisconsin — four key swing states where Biden defeated Trump — of certifying "unlawful election results." Texas is asking the Supreme Court to declare that the Electoral College votes cast by electors in those four swing states "cannot be counted."
The alignment of the majority of the House GOP conference behind the Supreme Court bid to effectively reverse the outcome of the 2020 election came after all 50 states and Washington, D.C., certified their election results. Biden is projected to win 306 electoral votes, compared with 232 for Trump.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a scathing Dear Colleague letter accused Republicans supporting the case of engaging in "election subversion that imperils our democracy."
"This lawsuit is an act of flailing GOP Desperation, which violates the principles enshrined in our American Democracy," Pelosi wrote.
"As Members of Congress, we take a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution," her letter said. "Republicans are subverting the Constitution by their reckless and fruitless assault on our democracy which threatens to seriously erode public trust in our most sacred democratic institutions, and to set back our progress on the urgent challenges ahead."
The Supreme Court has given no indication it will hear the case, and election law experts say the justices are highly unlikely to take it up. The unprecedented request by one state to have other states' votes invalidated in a presidential election has never before been granted.
But the lawsuit has nevertheless been hyped up by Trump, who is falsely claiming he won reelection while refusing to concede to Biden. Trump on Wednesday asked to intervene in Paxton's case.
Numerous other states where Trump won the popular vote have also signaled their support for Paxton's lawsuit, as have dozens of sitting Republican members of the House — a group that now includes McCarthy.
Despite news outlets calling the election for Biden weeks earlier, and with less than a week left until electors in their respective states cast their votes, many Republicans have been reluctant to acknowledge Biden won the election.
Asked point-blank on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Thursday whether he accepts Biden's victory, McCarthy refused to give a yes-or-no answer.


cnbc--2020-12-11--Senate overwhelmingly passes $740 billion defense bill as Trump's veto threat looms

An F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron ( VMM ) 265 ( Reinforced ) , 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit ( MEU ) , prepares to take off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America ( LHA 6 ) prior to a strike exercise of an inflatable maritime target .
WASHINGTON — The Senate approved a colossal defense policy bill Friday despite multiple threats from President Donald Trump that he would veto the measure .
At least 75 members of the Republican-led Senate voted for the sweeping $ 740 billion annual defense bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would be needed to defeat Trump 's promised veto .
With the weight of the House and the Senate behind the National Defense Authorization Act , or NDAA , the bill breezes from Congress to Trump 's desk with overwhelming support .
The NDAA , which typically passes with strong bipartisan support and veto-proof majorities , authorizes a topline of $ 740 billion in spending and outlines Pentagon policy .
Earlier this month , Trump threatened to veto the must-pass defense bill if lawmakers do not include a measure eliminating legal protections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for the repeal of a federal law , known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , which protects tech giants like Facebook and Twitter from being held legally liable for what is posted on their platforms .

An F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares to take off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) prior to a strike exercise of an inflatable maritime target.
WASHINGTON — The Senate approved a colossal defense policy bill Friday despite multiple threats from President Donald Trump that he would veto the measure.
At least 75 members of the Republican-led Senate voted for the sweeping $740 billion annual defense bill, a number larger than the two-thirds majority that would be needed to defeat Trump's promised veto.
With the weight of the House and the Senate behind the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, the bill breezes from Congress to Trump's desk with overwhelming support.
The NDAA, which typically passes with strong bipartisan support and veto-proof majorities, authorizes a topline of $740 billion in spending and outlines Pentagon policy.
Earlier this month, Trump threatened to veto the must-pass defense bill if lawmakers do not include a measure eliminating legal protections for social media companies.
Trump is calling for the repeal of a federal law, known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects tech giants like Facebook and Twitter from being held legally liable for what is posted on their platforms.


cnbc--2020-12-12--Trump official Mick Mulvaney's hedge fund seeking at least $1 million from investors

Mick Mulvaney , a former acting chief of staff for President Donald Trump , aims to raise at least $ 1 million from outside investors for his newly established hedge fund .
Mulvaney , who now represents the outgoing administration in Northern Ireland , and his business partner , Andrew Wessel , disclosed that they 're seeking that minimum amount in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing first reviewed by CNBC .
The filing gives a fresh glimpse into how Mulvaney 's fund , called Exegis Capital , is planning to operate in the post-Trump era .
The SEC form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Democrat Joe Biden was determined to be president-elect .
Mulvaney , a Republican former congressman from South Carolina , also served as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau within the Trump administration .
The investments appear to be going toward the funds limited partnership titled the `` Exegis Financial Sector Fund , '' the document says .
The SEC form lists the same address in North Carolina for both the limited partnership and Exegis Capital .
Mulvaney and Wessel 's names are both on the form .
The document also shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SEC 's 506 ( b ) rule .
According to the SEC 's website , that rule allows companies to `` raise an unlimited amount of money and can sell securities to an unlimited number of accredited investors . ''
Mulvaney and Wessel , who has extensive experience as the former portfolio manager at the North Carolina based Sterling Capital Management , first disclosed the creation of the fund in an August interview with S & P Global .
They said at the time they were looking to make investments into small- to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview Friday , Wessel confirmed that the $ 1 million was just the minimum they are asking for from investors .
The hedge fund , he said , is trying to raise money from both `` high-net-worth '' and `` ultra-high-net- worth '' individuals , who can have at least $ 30 million in assets .
Wessel declined to say who has invested or who has signaled interest in investing .
`` The fundraising is going well , '' he said .
`` We have soft interest from a number of high-net-worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous investor pitches both in-person and over Zoom , Wessel added .
Wessel said that , so far , they 're aiming to invest into small and mid-cap financial stocks , with less of a focus on banks and more interest in consumer lenders and fintech businesses , among others .
Mulvaney 's role at the firm includes offering guidance on the best companies to invest in , based on what Exegis expects to be tighter regulation on the financial services industry under the Biden administration .
Wessel says Mulvaney 's experience in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau , the director of the Office of Management and Budget and his time on the Financial Services Committee during his tenure in Congress – gives the firm strong insight into what incoming regulations could mean for their potential investments .
`` For the Biden administration we are probably looking at more regulation , not less , and we are going to pick our spots there , '' Wessel said regarding their investment tactics .
Wessel said that Mulvaney had cleared the creation of the fund with both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that `` he has n't been over to Ireland in quite some time . ''
He referred other questions about any possible ethics hurdles Mulvaney may have faced to the former South Carolina congressman .
A State Department representative told CNBC after publication that Mulvaney is considered a Special Government Employee ( SGE ) and is limited to 130 calendar days of official work per year .
He is not prohibited from seeking external employment , the spokesperson said .
Mulvaney did not return a request for comment before publication .

Mick Mulvaney, a former acting chief of staff for President Donald Trump, aims to raise at least $1 million from outside investors for his newly established hedge fund.
Mulvaney, who now represents the outgoing administration in Northern Ireland, and his business partner, Andrew Wessel, disclosed that they're seeking that minimum amount in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing first reviewed by CNBC.
The filing gives a fresh glimpse into how Mulvaney's fund, called Exegis Capital, is planning to operate in the post-Trump era. The SEC form was signed on December 1, weeks after Democrat Joe Biden was determined to be president-elect.
Mulvaney, a Republican former congressman from South Carolina, also served as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau within the Trump administration.
The investments appear to be going toward the funds limited partnership titled the "Exegis Financial Sector Fund," the document says. The SEC form lists the same address in North Carolina for both the limited partnership and Exegis Capital. Mulvaney and Wessel's names are both on the form.
The document also shows that Exegis is raising funds following the SEC's 506(b) rule. According to the SEC's website, that rule allows companies to "raise an unlimited amount of money and can sell securities to an unlimited number of accredited investors."
Mulvaney and Wessel, who has extensive experience as the former portfolio manager at the North Carolina based Sterling Capital Management, first disclosed the creation of the fund in an August interview with S&P Global. They said at the time they were looking to make investments into small- to mid- cap financial sector stocks.
In an interview Friday, Wessel confirmed that the $1 million was just the minimum they are asking for from investors. The hedge fund, he said, is trying to raise money from both "high-net-worth" and "ultra-high-net- worth" individuals, who can have at least $30 million in assets.
Wessel declined to say who has invested or who has signaled interest in investing.
"The fundraising is going well," he said. "We have soft interest from a number of high-net-worth individuals." The fund has had numerous investor pitches both in-person and over Zoom, Wessel added.
Wessel said that, so far, they're aiming to invest into small and mid-cap financial stocks, with less of a focus on banks and more interest in consumer lenders and fintech businesses, among others.
Mulvaney's role at the firm includes offering guidance on the best companies to invest in, based on what Exegis expects to be tighter regulation on the financial services industry under the Biden administration.
Wessel says Mulvaney's experience in Washington – as the acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the director of the Office of Management and Budget and his time on the Financial Services Committee during his tenure in Congress – gives the firm strong insight into what incoming regulations could mean for their potential investments.
"For the Biden administration we are probably looking at more regulation, not less, and we are going to pick our spots there," Wessel said regarding their investment tactics.
Wessel said that Mulvaney had cleared the creation of the fund with both the White House and the U.S. State Department, and that "he hasn't been over to Ireland in quite some time." He referred other questions about any possible ethics hurdles Mulvaney may have faced to the former South Carolina congressman.
A State Department representative told CNBC after publication that Mulvaney is considered a Special Government Employee (SGE) and is limited to 130 calendar days of official work per year. He is not prohibited from seeking external employment, the spokesperson said.
Mulvaney did not return a request for comment before publication.


cnbc--2020-12-11--Trump delay tactics in rape defamation case show weakness and fear, E. Jean Carroll lawyer says

E. Jean Carroll visits 'Tell Me Everything ' with John Fugelsang in the SiriusXM Studios on July 11 , 2019 in New York .
President Donald Trump 's `` desperation '' to avoid the justice system `` is a sign of weakness and fear , '' a lawyer for writer E. Jean Carroll on Friday told the judge presiding over her rape defamation suit against Trump .
Carroll 's attorney , Joshua Matz , delivered the critique as he urged Manhattan federal Judge Lewis Kaplan to reject Trump 's latest effort to stall the case pending an appeal .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse Kaplan 's decision barring the department from swapping the U.S. government into the case as the defendant .
That bid to halt proceedings came from Trump attorney Marc Kasowitz on Thursday evening , well after the Trump team knew that they had a conference scheduled with the judge and Carroll 's lawyers to discuss next steps in the case .
Trump 's lawyers say that the appeal should automatically suspend proceedings in the civil case , where Carroll says Trump defamed her by claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she said he raped her in a department store changing room in the 1990s .
But Matz countered in a teleconference with the judge Friday morning that the move from Trump 's legal team is only the latest in a long line of cynical delay tactics .
`` Mr. Trump sure seems desperate to avoid the justice system , '' Matz said .
`` That desperation is a sign of weakness and fear . ''
`` In fact , Mr. Trump is so desperate here that his counsel have undertaken the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us lawyers a bad name , '' Matz said , arguing that the stall tactics should weigh on Kaplan 's decision whether to grant Trump 's request .
Matz noted that in addition to a variety of efforts to delay proceedings in the case , the Justice Department had waited for months to seek to replace Trump as a defendant .
Additionally , DOJ lawyers had refused to make oral arguments in that bid at a court hearing , Matz said .
Carroll herself had previously knocked the delays , writing on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realDonaldTrump delays , the harder he will fall . ''
In a statement later Friday , Carroll said , `` With each step forward in my lawsuit against Donald Trump , Trump 's lawyers try to drag the case three steps back . ''
`` I wo n't be silenced , and I look forward to having my lawyers respond to Trump 's latest attempt to deny me my day in court , '' she said in the statement .
Carroll , a former Elle magazine advice columnist and Hunter S. Thompson biographer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manhattan in November 2019 for his statements .
That case proceeded in state court , where a judge made rulings that set the stage for Trump to be deposed and to be compelled to give a DNA sample to be checked against a dress that Carroll has said she was wearing on the day that he allegedly raped her .
The Justice Department in September abruptly had the case removed to federal court in Manhattan , where it argued that the government and not Trump should be the defendant in the case because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a government official or employee when he made the statements .
Kaplan in October ruled that Trump must remain the defendant , rejecting the DOJ 's bid to substitute itself into Carroll 's case .
`` The President of the United States is not an employee of the Government within the meaning of the relevant statutes , '' Kaplan wrote in a 59-page ruling released in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Oct. 27 .
`` Even if he were such an employee , President Trump 's allegedly defamatory statements concerning Ms. Carroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his employment , '' Kaplan wrote .
In November , the Justice Department appealed that ruling .
But the DOJ did not appear in Friday 's teleconference with Kaplan — an absence that appeared to surprise the judge .
`` Is there counsel for the Justice Department on this call ? ''
Kaplan asked after requesting that the agency state its arguments , only to be met with an awkward silence .
A lawyer noted to the judge that the Justice Department appeared to be respecting his ruling that its attorneys no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
Kaplan on the call granted Matz 's request to file a legal brief opposing the effort to delay the case , to which Trump 's lawyers will be allowed to respond .
Trump has a history of using a delay strategy in other legal cases .
The president for more than a year has fought efforts by the Manhattan District Attorney 's Office to obtain his tax records from an accounting firm as part of a criminal investigation of his company .
Trump currently is asking the Supreme Court , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , to block the DA 's subpoena based on new arguments that lower federal courts have already rejected .
The Trump Organization and Eric Trump recently tried to delay the president 's son being deposed by the New York Attorney General 's office as part of a civil investigation into how the company stated the values of certain real estate assets .
Eric Trump asked a judge to postpone the questioning session until after the presidential election but was denied that request .
He was deposed in October .

E. Jean Carroll visits 'Tell Me Everything' with John Fugelsang in the SiriusXM Studios on July 11, 2019 in New York.
President Donald Trump's "desperation" to avoid the justice system "is a sign of weakness and fear," a lawyer for writer E. Jean Carroll on Friday told the judge presiding over her rape defamation suit against Trump.
Carroll's attorney, Joshua Matz, delivered the critique as he urged Manhattan federal Judge Lewis Kaplan to reject Trump's latest effort to stall the case pending an appeal.
Last month, the Department of Justice asked the federal 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse Kaplan's decision barring the department from swapping the U.S. government into the case as the defendant.
That bid to halt proceedings came from Trump attorney Marc Kasowitz on Thursday evening, well after the Trump team knew that they had a conference scheduled with the judge and Carroll's lawyers to discuss next steps in the case.
Trump's lawyers say that the appeal should automatically suspend proceedings in the civil case, where Carroll says Trump defamed her by claiming she was lying and motivated by money when she said he raped her in a department store changing room in the 1990s.
But Matz countered in a teleconference with the judge Friday morning that the move from Trump's legal team is only the latest in a long line of cynical delay tactics.
"Mr. Trump sure seems desperate to avoid the justice system," Matz said. "That desperation is a sign of weakness and fear."
"In fact, Mr. Trump is so desperate here that his counsel have undertaken the kind of gamesmanship that gives the rest of us lawyers a bad name," Matz said, arguing that the stall tactics should weigh on Kaplan's decision whether to grant Trump's request.
Matz noted that in addition to a variety of efforts to delay proceedings in the case, the Justice Department had waited for months to seek to replace Trump as a defendant. Additionally, DOJ lawyers had refused to make oral arguments in that bid at a court hearing, Matz said.
Carroll herself had previously knocked the delays, writing on Twitter last month: "The longer @realDonaldTrump delays, the harder he will fall."
In a statement later Friday, Carroll said, "With each step forward in my lawsuit against Donald Trump, Trump's lawyers try to drag the case three steps back."
"I won't be silenced, and I look forward to having my lawyers respond to Trump's latest attempt to deny me my day in court," she said in the statement.
Carroll, a former Elle magazine advice columnist and Hunter S. Thompson biographer, sued Trump in state court in Manhattan in November 2019 for his statements.
That case proceeded in state court, where a judge made rulings that set the stage for Trump to be deposed and to be compelled to give a DNA sample to be checked against a dress that Carroll has said she was wearing on the day that he allegedly raped her.
Matz told Kaplan on Friday's call that the proceedings should not be entirely frozen, but he suggested that Carroll's team could temporarily pause their efforts to seek depositions and the DNA sample from Trump.
In a statement after the conference, Matz again said that Trump's apparent desperation to delay is telling "for someone who has so emphatically denied sexually assaulting Ms. Carroll, and has so brazenly slandered her for daring to speak up."
The Justice Department in September abruptly had the case removed to federal court in Manhattan, where it argued that the government and not Trump should be the defendant in the case because he was acting in his role as a government official or employee when he made the statements.
Kaplan in October ruled that Trump must remain the defendant, rejecting the DOJ's bid to substitute itself into Carroll's case.
"The President of the United States is not an employee of the Government within the meaning of the relevant statutes," Kaplan wrote in a 59-page ruling released in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Oct. 27.
"Even if he were such an employee, President Trump's allegedly defamatory statements concerning Ms. Carroll would not have been within the scope of his employment," Kaplan wrote.
In November, the Justice Department appealed that ruling.
But the DOJ did not appear in Friday's teleconference with Kaplan — an absence that appeared to surprise the judge.
"Is there counsel for the Justice Department on this call?" Kaplan asked after requesting that the agency state its arguments, only to be met with an awkward silence.
A lawyer noted to the judge that the Justice Department appeared to be respecting his ruling that its attorneys no longer were to be involved in the case.
Kaplan on the call granted Matz's request to file a legal brief opposing the effort to delay the case, to which Trump's lawyers will be allowed to respond.
Trump has a history of using a delay strategy in other legal cases.
The president for more than a year has fought efforts by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office to obtain his tax records from an accounting firm as part of a criminal investigation of his company. Trump currently is asking the Supreme Court, which already ruled against him once in that case, to block the DA's subpoena based on new arguments that lower federal courts have already rejected.
The Trump Organization and Eric Trump recently tried to delay the president's son being deposed by the New York Attorney General's office as part of a civil investigation into how the company stated the values of certain real estate assets.
Eric Trump asked a judge to postpone the questioning session until after the presidential election but was denied that request. He was deposed in October.


cnbc--2020-12-10--Biden will travel to Georgia to boost Democrats in crucial Senate runoff elections

WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden will travel to Atlanta , Georgia , on Tuesday to stump for Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock , his first campaign trip since he was elected president in November .
The stakes could hardly be higher : Ossoff and Warnock are challenging incumbent Republican Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , respectively , in runoff elections on Jan. 5 , the outcomes of which will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate .
Following November 's election , the initial makeup of the Senate is 50 Republicans , 46 Democrats and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If Warnock and Ossoff both win their races , Democrats will have 50 reliable votes , with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris providing a tie-breaking 51st vote .
With 51 votes in the Senate , Biden could realistically hope to enact some of his most sweeping ( and expensive ) domestic policy proposals , including a massive green jobs program .
He would also be granted carte blanche confirmations for his nominees , greatly accelerating the pace at which a Biden administration could take the reins of the federal bureaucracy .
Despite decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats have a reason this year to be optimistic : Biden narrowly won Georgia 's popular vote , a surprise victory that made him the first Democrat in more than 20 years to clinch the state in a presidential race .
But there is no guarantee that Biden 's good fortune will repeat itself in the Senate races .
Polling averages currently show both races as neck-and-neck .
But Loeffler and Perdue benefit from incumbency and a historical advantage : Georgia has n't sent a Democratic senator to Washington in a generation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democrats are reprising many of the same tactics that worked to their advantage in November , emphasizing early voting , public health and grassroots outreach .
Biden 's trip will coincide with the start of early voting , which begins on Monday in Georgia .
Democrats are investing heavily in turning their voters out early , rather than expecting people to wait in line at crowded polling stations on Jan. 5 .
This effort is especially urgent given the current coronavirus surge , which is expected to peak early next year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the details of Tuesday 's event , but during the final weeks of the presidential campaign Biden held drive-in rallies which attracted large crowds and kept people at a safe distance from one another .
So far in the runoff race , Democrats have n't sent their party 's stars to Georgia in person , preferring to hold virtual events .
Former President Barack Obama , arguably the party 's biggest star , headlined a virtual rally with Ossoff and Warnock on Dec. 4 , where he was candid with supporters about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the line .
January 's results , Obama said , are `` going to determine the course of the Biden presidency and whether Joe Biden and Kamala Harris can deliver legislatively all the commitments they 've made . ''
`` If you do n't have a majority , if the Senate is controlled by Republicans who are interested in obstruction and gridlock rather than progress and helping people , they can block just about anything , '' said Obama .
While Democrats prioritize public health and early voting in the runoffs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , flooding the state with high-profile surrogates while at the same time firing up their base voters by promoting false conspiracies that President Donald Trump , not Biden , was the rightful winner of the state 's popular vote .
In recent weeks , several popular Republican senators have visited Georgia to campaign for Loeffler and Perdue : Sens .
Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida , Tom Cotton of Arkansas , Joni Ernst of Iowa and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee , as well as Senator-elect Bill Hagerty of Tennessee .
Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daines of Montana and former Alaska Gov .
Sarah Palin , all Republicans , are also reportedly planning to swing through the state in the coming days .
But no one embodies the Republican Party 's two-part strategy in Georgia more than Trump , who has made the state a centerpiece of his conspiracy theories about the presidential election — and his efforts to overturn the legitimate results .
Last weekend , Trump headlined a massive rally in Valdosta , Georgia , that was ostensibly a campaign event to boost Loeffler and Perdue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time on stage airing his own grievances than he did talking about the two Republican senators .
Attendees were packed in close to one another , with hardly a mask in sight .
For nearly two hours , Trump veered back and forth between insisting that fraud and corruption amounted to a `` stolen '' victory in Georgia in the presidential election , while also imploring his supporters to fight for him by voting in the state 's Jan. 5 runoffs .
`` You know , you 're angry because so many votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And you say , 'Well , we 're not going to [ vote ] , ' '' Trump said .
`` We ca n't do that .
We have to actually do just the opposite .
If you do n't vote , the socialists and the communists win , they win .
Georgia patriots must show up and vote for these two incredible people . ''
Trump also stoked his ongoing battle with his former ally Brian Kemp , Georgia 's Republican governor , who has so far refused to take steps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the popular vote .

Democratic U.S. presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign stop in Atlanta, Georgia, October 27, 2020. Brian Snyder | Reuters
WASHINGTON — President-elect Joe Biden will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, on Tuesday to stump for Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, his first campaign trip since he was elected president in November. The stakes could hardly be higher: Ossoff and Warnock are challenging incumbent Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, respectively, in runoff elections on Jan. 5, the outcomes of which will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Following November's election, the initial makeup of the Senate is 50 Republicans, 46 Democrats and two independents who caucus with the Democrats. If Warnock and Ossoff both win their races, Democrats will have 50 reliable votes, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris providing a tie-breaking 51st vote. With 51 votes in the Senate, Biden could realistically hope to enact some of his most sweeping (and expensive) domestic policy proposals, including a massive green jobs program. He would also be granted carte blanche confirmations for his nominees, greatly accelerating the pace at which a Biden administration could take the reins of the federal bureaucracy. Despite decades of Republican dominance in Georgia politics, Democrats have a reason this year to be optimistic: Biden narrowly won Georgia's popular vote, a surprise victory that made him the first Democrat in more than 20 years to clinch the state in a presidential race. But there is no guarantee that Biden's good fortune will repeat itself in the Senate races. Polling averages currently show both races as neck-and-neck. But Loeffler and Perdue benefit from incumbency and a historical advantage: Georgia hasn't sent a Democratic senator to Washington in a generation.
Democrats reprise the 2020 playbook
With just under a month to go, Democrats are reprising many of the same tactics that worked to their advantage in November, emphasizing early voting, public health and grassroots outreach. Biden's trip will coincide with the start of early voting, which begins on Monday in Georgia. Democrats are investing heavily in turning their voters out early, rather than expecting people to wait in line at crowded polling stations on Jan. 5. This effort is especially urgent given the current coronavirus surge, which is expected to peak early next year. The Biden campaign has not yet released the details of Tuesday's event, but during the final weeks of the presidential campaign Biden held drive-in rallies which attracted large crowds and kept people at a safe distance from one another.
Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Jon Ossoff (R) and Raphael Warnock (L) of Georgia wave to supporters during a rally on November 15, 2020 in Marietta, Georgia. Jessica McGowan | Getty Images
So far in the runoff race, Democrats haven't sent their party's stars to Georgia in person, preferring to hold virtual events. Former President Barack Obama, arguably the party's biggest star, headlined a virtual rally with Ossoff and Warnock on Dec. 4, where he was candid with supporters about the fact that Biden's domestic agenda is on the line. January's results, Obama said, are "going to determine the course of the Biden presidency and whether Joe Biden and Kamala Harris can deliver legislatively all the commitments they've made." "If you don't have a majority, if the Senate is controlled by Republicans who are interested in obstruction and gridlock rather than progress and helping people, they can block just about anything," said Obama.
Republicans flood the zone
While Democrats prioritize public health and early voting in the runoffs, Republicans are taking a radically different approach, flooding the state with high-profile surrogates while at the same time firing up their base voters by promoting false conspiracies that President Donald Trump, not Biden, was the rightful winner of the state's popular vote. In recent weeks, several popular Republican senators have visited Georgia to campaign for Loeffler and Perdue: Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, as well as Senator-elect Bill Hagerty of Tennessee. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Sen. Steve Daines of Montana and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, all Republicans, are also reportedly planning to swing through the state in the coming days. But no one embodies the Republican Party's two-part strategy in Georgia more than Trump, who has made the state a centerpiece of his conspiracy theories about the presidential election — and his efforts to overturn the legitimate results. Last weekend, Trump headlined a massive rally in Valdosta, Georgia, that was ostensibly a campaign event to boost Loeffler and Perdue. But the president spent far more time on stage airing his own grievances than he did talking about the two Republican senators. Attendees were packed in close to one another, with hardly a mask in sight.
U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Republican U.S. senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, arrive to attend a campaign rally, in Valdosta, Georgia, U.S., December 5, 2020. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
For nearly two hours, Trump veered back and forth between insisting that fraud and corruption amounted to a "stolen" victory in Georgia in the presidential election, while also imploring his supporters to fight for him by voting in the state's Jan. 5 runoffs. "You know, you're angry because so many votes were stolen. It was taken away. And you say, 'Well, we're not going to [vote],'" Trump said. "We can't do that. We have to actually do just the opposite. If you don't vote, the socialists and the communists win, they win. Georgia patriots must show up and vote for these two incredible people." Trump also stoked his ongoing battle with his former ally Brian Kemp, Georgia's Republican governor, who has so far refused to take steps Trump wants him to take to overturn the popular vote.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosts a campaign event with U.S. Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler at Valdosta Regional Airport in Valdosta, Georgia, U.S., December 5, 2020. Dustin Chambers | Reuters


cnbc--2020-12-11--Op-Ed: Long-term unemployment is skyrocketing — here’s how we stop it

People walk by a store going out of business along 125th street in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City , August 7 , 2020 .
Our nation 's employment has taken a nosedive since the pandemic .
The number of long-term unemployed American workers increased more in October of this year than in any other month on record .
The number of Americans who reported they 've been seeking work unsuccessfully for at least twenty-seven weeks has quadrupled from nearly 1 million in April to more than 3.9 million now .
That 's more than six times the population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The facts are clear .
We must act now to provide emergency relief to American workers facing long-term unemployment .
But we ca n't stop there .
It 's also past time we put in place practical solutions to eliminate long-term unemployment altogether .
Ignoring this issue risks inflicting permanent damage on our workforce and our economy .
Our first priority must be to help these Americans make it through the pandemic .
The CARES Act expanded eligibility for unemployment assistance , increased the weekly benefit by $ 600 , and provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the $ 600 increase expired at the end of July , and the other measures will run out at the end of December .
The House-passed HEROES Act would extend all of these programs , but Senate Republicans have refused for months to allow even a vote on the measure .
It 's time for Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to come back to the negotiating table and vote on emergency relief : 3.9 million long-term unemployed workers are counting on us to act .
But passing the HEROES Act is just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of long-term unemployment .
Those out of a job for six months or more often struggle to find work because employers are reluctant to hire applicants with large gaps in their résumé .
Gallup polling found that 19 % of workers who were unemployed for over a year suffered from depression , compared to 5.6 % of workers with full-time jobs .
The longer someone is unemployed , the lower their wages are if they do find a job – a pay cut that can persist up to twenty years down the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptom of the pandemic – it 's a chronic problem that keeps Americans out of work and stunts economic growth .
We do n't have to accept long-term unemployment .
Last year , I introduced the Long-Term Unemployment Elimination Act with my colleague Senator Ron Wyden .
This bill would tackle this issue head-on by creating good-paying , year-long jobs for long-term unemployed workers .
Local workforce development boards and community-based organizations would implement the jobs program , using federal dollars to help employers generate new opportunities and get people back to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that keep people out of the workforce – like transportation , childcare , and substance abuse – and cultivate skills for permanent employment .
The legislation also includes extra support for communities with persistent , high unemployment to jumpstart new enterprises and create jobs .
This common-sense legislation would help men and women locked out of jobs for too long get on a path to fully re-enter the workforce .
And we can fund it by revising the international tax changes in the 2017 Trump plan that gave windfalls to big corporations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Enacting a strong minimum tax on foreign profits would stop tax haven abuse and remove offshoring incentives , while the revenues would fully fund my plan to tackle long-term unemployment by creating jobs here at home As Congress reconvenes this must be a priority .
The good news is that experts on both sides of the aisle agree on the basis of this approach .
In 2017 , President Trump 's top economic advisor Kevin Hassett voiced his support for creating federal jobs for long-term unemployed workers .
And , following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud to receive the endorsement of Jared Bernstein , who president-elect Joe Biden recently nominated to be a Member of the Council of Economic Advisors .
Republicans and Democrats alike should be able to find consensus in the need for this proposal , and I 'll be pushing my colleagues to take it up immediately .
During the Great Depression , President Franklin Roosevelt recognized that , `` No country , however rich , can afford the waste of its human resources .
Demoralization caused by vast unemployment is our greatest extravagance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hope .
Like FDR , we must now commit ourselves to helping struggling men and women get back on their feet and into the workforce .
The statistics are depressing , but even more so is the thought of not utilizing the human capital and full potential of American workers and their families .
Together , we can build a dynamic economy where jobs are available to anyone who 's ready to work rather than a dynastic economy where wealthy people are making money off of money while others are out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. senator from Maryland and a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee .

People walk by a store going out of business along 125th street in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, August 7, 2020.
Our nation's employment has taken a nosedive since the pandemic. The number of long-term unemployed American workers increased more in October of this year than in any other month on record.
The number of Americans who reported they've been seeking work unsuccessfully for at least twenty-seven weeks has quadrupled from nearly 1 million in April to more than 3.9 million now. That's more than six times the population of Maryland's largest city, Baltimore.
The facts are clear. We must act now to provide emergency relief to American workers facing long-term unemployment. But we can't stop there. It's also past time we put in place practical solutions to eliminate long-term unemployment altogether. Ignoring this issue risks inflicting permanent damage on our workforce and our economy.
Our first priority must be to help these Americans make it through the pandemic. The CARES Act expanded eligibility for unemployment assistance, increased the weekly benefit by $600, and provided an extra thirteen weeks of support.
But the $600 increase expired at the end of July, and the other measures will run out at the end of December. The House-passed HEROES Act would extend all of these programs, but Senate Republicans have refused for months to allow even a vote on the measure. It's time for Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to come back to the negotiating table and vote on emergency relief: 3.9 million long-term unemployed workers are counting on us to act.
But passing the HEROES Act is just the first step towards addressing the broader consequences of long-term unemployment. Those out of a job for six months or more often struggle to find work because employers are reluctant to hire applicants with large gaps in their résumé.
Gallup polling found that 19% of workers who were unemployed for over a year suffered from depression, compared to 5.6% of workers with full-time jobs. The longer someone is unemployed, the lower their wages are if they do find a job – a pay cut that can persist up to twenty years down the road. Long-term unemployment isn't simply a symptom of the pandemic – it's a chronic problem that keeps Americans out of work and stunts economic growth.
We don't have to accept long-term unemployment. Last year, I introduced the Long-Term Unemployment Elimination Act with my colleague Senator Ron Wyden. This bill would tackle this issue head-on by creating good-paying, year-long jobs for long-term unemployed workers. Local workforce development boards and community-based organizations would implement the jobs program, using federal dollars to help employers generate new opportunities and get people back to work.
The legislation would also address barriers that keep people out of the workforce – like transportation, childcare, and substance abuse – and cultivate skills for permanent employment. The legislation also includes extra support for communities with persistent, high unemployment to jumpstart new enterprises and create jobs.
This common-sense legislation would help men and women locked out of jobs for too long get on a path to fully re-enter the workforce. And we can fund it by revising the international tax changes in the 2017 Trump plan that gave windfalls to big corporations and created new incentives to ship jobs overseas.
Enacting a strong minimum tax on foreign profits would stop tax haven abuse and remove offshoring incentives, while the revenues would fully fund my plan to tackle long-term unemployment by creating jobs here at home
As Congress reconvenes this must be a priority. The good news is that experts on both sides of the aisle agree on the basis of this approach. In 2017, President Trump's top economic advisor Kevin Hassett voiced his support for creating federal jobs for long-term unemployed workers. And, following the introduction of my legislation, I was proud to receive the endorsement of Jared Bernstein, who president-elect Joe Biden recently nominated to be a Member of the Council of Economic Advisors. Republicans and Democrats alike should be able to find consensus in the need for this proposal, and I'll be pushing my colleagues to take it up immediately.
During the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt recognized that, "No country, however rich, can afford the waste of its human resources. Demoralization caused by vast unemployment is our greatest extravagance." Roosevelt's New Deal brought jobs and hope. Like FDR, we must now commit ourselves to helping struggling men and women get back on their feet and into the workforce.
The statistics are depressing, but even more so is the thought of not utilizing the human capital and full potential of American workers and their families. Together, we can build a dynamic economy where jobs are available to anyone who's ready to work rather than a dynastic economy where wealthy people are making money off of money while others are out of work.
Chris Van Hollen is a U.S. senator from Maryland and a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.


cnbc--2020-12-11--Congress risks government shutdown as senators threaten to hold up funding bill

Update : The Senate passed the one-week government funding bill Friday afternoon .
A previous version of this story is below .
The Senate had only hours to prevent a government shutdown Friday as lawmakers threatened to hold up swift passage of a spending bill .
Funding will lapse if the chamber fails to approve an appropriations measure and President Donald Trump does not sign it before midnight .
The House already approved a one-week government spending extension through Dec. 18 .
Lawmakers hope the bill will give them more time to strike elusive full-year funding and coronavirus relief deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on for another week became more complicated Friday .
To pass before the shutdown , the measure needs unanimous consent .
It means any senator can delay its approval , and several lawmakers have suggested they could do so .
Sens .
Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , and Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, have pushed for a vote on a proposal to send direct payments of up to $ 1,200 per individual and $ 500 per child .
They have criticized Congress ' failure to put more money in Americans ' pockets for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` In the midst of so much economic desperation , Congress can not go on recess without providing this $ 1,200 emergency assistance to the American people in their time of need , '' Sanders said in a statement Thursday night in introducing the amendment that he and Hawley hope the Senate will attach to the funding measure .
Meanwhile , NBC News reported that Republican Sens .
Rick Scott of Florida and Mike Braun of Indiana want to tie a bill to end government shutdowns to the one-week funding measure .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers will actually delay the spending bill 's passage and let funding lapse .
The Senate cleared one potential hurdle when Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , told reporters he would not hold up the appropriations bill .
He delayed passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act by a day over concerns about its $ 740 billion cost and a provision that would limit the president 's power to pull troops from overseas .
A prior protest from Paul led to a brief shutdown in 2018 .
Passage of the spending measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another week .
Appropriators have failed to come to a final agreement on a plan to fund the government through Sept. 30 , 2021 , but congressional leaders have said they hope they can do so before next week .
Republicans and Democrats previously agreed on a $ 1.4 trillion overall price tag for a full-year spending package .

Update: The Senate passed the one-week government funding bill Friday afternoon. A previous version of this story is below.
The Senate had only hours to prevent a government shutdown Friday as lawmakers threatened to hold up swift passage of a spending bill.
Funding will lapse if the chamber fails to approve an appropriations measure and President Donald Trump does not sign it before midnight. The House already approved a one-week government spending extension through Dec. 18.
Lawmakers hope the bill will give them more time to strike elusive full-year funding and coronavirus relief deals. However, even keeping the lights on for another week became more complicated Friday.
To pass before the shutdown, the measure needs unanimous consent. It means any senator can delay its approval, and several lawmakers have suggested they could do so.
Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., have pushed for a vote on a proposal to send direct payments of up to $1,200 per individual and $500 per child. They have criticized Congress' failure to put more money in Americans' pockets for months during health and economic crises.
"In the midst of so much economic desperation, Congress cannot go on recess without providing this $1,200 emergency assistance to the American people in their time of need," Sanders said in a statement Thursday night in introducing the amendment that he and Hawley hope the Senate will attach to the funding measure.
Meanwhile, NBC News reported that Republican Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Mike Braun of Indiana want to tie a bill to end government shutdowns to the one-week funding measure.
It is unclear now whether any of the lawmakers will actually delay the spending bill's passage and let funding lapse.
The Senate cleared one potential hurdle when Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told reporters he would not hold up the appropriations bill. He delayed passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act by a day over concerns about its $740 billion cost and a provision that would limit the president's power to pull troops from overseas.
A prior protest from Paul led to a brief shutdown in 2018.
Passage of the spending measure would only keep the government running for another week. Appropriators have failed to come to a final agreement on a plan to fund the government through Sept. 30, 2021, but congressional leaders have said they hope they can do so before next week.
Republicans and Democrats previously agreed on a $1.4 trillion overall price tag for a full-year spending package.
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cnbc--2020-12-11--Battleground states urge Supreme Court to reject Texas' bid to overturn Biden's wins

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures after delivering a speech at a Double Eagle Energy Holdings LLC oil rig in Midland , Texas , on Wednesday , July 29 , 2020 .
The battleground states whose presidential election results are being challenged by Texas at the Supreme Court urged the justices on Thursday not to take up the case .
The four states targeted in the lawsuit warned in uncharacteristically sharp briefs that granting Texas ' unprecedented request would `` do violence to the Constitution '' and `` disenfranchise millions '' of voters .
Those states — Pennsylvania , Michigan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their election results , with Democrat Joe Biden defeating President Donald Trump .
Nearly simultaneously , Washington , D.C. , Attorney General Karl Racine filed a brief at the court on behalf of the District of Columbia and 22 states and territories defending the four states targeted by Texas .
That friend-of-the-court brief was joined by California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Guam , Hawaii , Illinois , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , Minnesota , Nevada , New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , North Carolina , Oregon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , U.S. Virgin Islands , and Washington .
The flurry of major briefs related to the case — including Trump 's own request to intervene — demonstrated the dramatic and lingering polarization of the U.S. just weeks after one of the most contentious elections in memory .
Pennsylvania in its brief called Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 's long-shot bid to overturn other states ' elections `` legally indefensible '' and `` an affront to principles of constitutional democracy . ''
`` Texas seeks to invalidate elections in four states for yielding results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's scathing brief read .
Dana Nessel , the attorney general of Michigan , told the court in her state 's brief to reject Texas ' case outright .
`` To do otherwise would make this Court the arbiter of all future national elections , '' Nessel wrote .
`` The base of Texas 's claims rests on an assertion that Michigan has violated its own election laws .
Not true , '' Nessel added .
`` That claim has been rejected in the federal and state courts in Michigan , and just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last-ditch effort to request an audit . ''
Christopher Carr , the attorney general of Georgia , told the court that Texas was seeking to `` transfer Georgia 's electoral powers to the federal judiciary . ''
`` Respect for federalism and the constitutional design prohibits that transfer of power , but this Court should never even reach that issue , '' he wrote .
The replies came one day after Trump asked the high court to let him intervene in the case .
The president , who is refusing to concede to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` the big one '' — but election law experts say there 's little if any chance the court will allow it to proceed .
So far , the justices have not taken any action in the case .
Despite Trump 's frequent pleas , the court has not shown an eagerness to get involved in any litigation related to the presidential election .
For instance , the justices have not yet said whether they will hear a GOP challenge to absentee ballots received after Election Day in Pennsylvania .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Trump ally seeking to overturn the results in that state in a one-line order with no noted dissents .
Still , Paxton 's case has fueled hopes among Trump 's supporters who are desperate for a sweeping court order to cancel Biden 's projected victory .
Large swaths of voters are convinced by the president 's repeated claims , unproven and frequently debunked , that widespread electoral fraud tipped the election to Biden .
Seventeen states that Trump won in the popular vote further fueled those views Wednesday , when they filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of Texas ' case .
On Thursday afternoon , 106 Republican members of Congress , led by Rep. Mike Johnson , R-La.
, signed their own brief supporting the suit from Paxton .
That brief was authored by Phillip Jauregui , an attorney at the Judicial Action Group , which says on its website that it works for `` judicial renewal '' and calls for `` a Third Great Awakening . ''
Trump and his campaign legal team have filed dozens of lawsuits in lower courts seeking to void election results and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many of those cases have already been dismissed — but Trump is still pursuing legal challenges in key states , even with less than a week remaining before electors meet to cast their votes .

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures after delivering a speech at a Double Eagle Energy Holdings LLC oil rig in Midland, Texas, on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
The battleground states whose presidential election results are being challenged by Texas at the Supreme Court urged the justices on Thursday not to take up the case.
The four states targeted in the lawsuit warned in uncharacteristically sharp briefs that granting Texas' unprecedented request would "do violence to the Constitution" and "disenfranchise millions" of voters.
Those states — Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia — have all certified their election results, with Democrat Joe Biden defeating President Donald Trump.
Nearly simultaneously, Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine filed a brief at the court on behalf of the District of Columbia and 22 states and territories defending the four states targeted by Texas.
That friend-of-the-court brief was joined by California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington.
The flurry of major briefs related to the case — including Trump's own request to intervene — demonstrated the dramatic and lingering polarization of the U.S. just weeks after one of the most contentious elections in memory.
Pennsylvania in its brief called Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's long-shot bid to overturn other states' elections "legally indefensible" and "an affront to principles of constitutional democracy."
"Texas seeks to invalidate elections in four states for yielding results with which it disagrees," Pennsylvania's scathing brief read.
Dana Nessel, the attorney general of Michigan, told the court in her state's brief to reject Texas' case outright.
"To do otherwise would make this Court the arbiter of all future national elections," Nessel wrote.
"The base of Texas's claims rests on an assertion that Michigan has violated its own election laws. Not true," Nessel added. "That claim has been rejected in the federal and state courts in Michigan, and just yesterday the Michigan Supreme Court rejected a last-ditch effort to request an audit."
Christopher Carr, the attorney general of Georgia, told the court that Texas was seeking to "transfer Georgia's electoral powers to the federal judiciary."
"Respect for federalism and the constitutional design prohibits that transfer of power, but this Court should never even reach that issue," he wrote.
The replies came one day after Trump asked the high court to let him intervene in the case. The president, who is refusing to concede to Biden, has hyped Texas' case as "the big one" — but election law experts say there's little if any chance the court will allow it to proceed.
So far, the justices have not taken any action in the case. Despite Trump's frequent pleas, the court has not shown an eagerness to get involved in any litigation related to the presidential election.
For instance, the justices have not yet said whether they will hear a GOP challenge to absentee ballots received after Election Day in Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, they turned back an appeal from a Trump ally seeking to overturn the results in that state in a one-line order with no noted dissents.
Still, Paxton's case has fueled hopes among Trump's supporters who are desperate for a sweeping court order to cancel Biden's projected victory. Large swaths of voters are convinced by the president's repeated claims, unproven and frequently debunked, that widespread electoral fraud tipped the election to Biden.
Seventeen states that Trump won in the popular vote further fueled those views Wednesday, when they filed a brief to the Supreme Court in support of Texas' case.
On Thursday afternoon, 106 Republican members of Congress, led by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., signed their own brief supporting the suit from Paxton.
That brief was authored by Phillip Jauregui, an attorney at the Judicial Action Group, which says on its website that it works for "judicial renewal" and calls for "a Third Great Awakening."
Trump and his campaign legal team have filed dozens of lawsuits in lower courts seeking to void election results and have state legislatures appoint pro-Trump electors.
Many of those cases have already been dismissed — but Trump is still pursuing legal challenges in key states, even with less than a week remaining before electors meet to cast their votes.


cnbc--2020-12-14--Supreme Court rejects Trump backed lawsuit that sought to overturn Biden election victory

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a bid launched by Texas and backed by President Donald Trump that sought to undo President-elect Joe Biden 's wins in the key swing states of Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
The ruling dealt a death blow to Trump 's desperate and unsuccessful efforts to reverse Biden 's projected Electoral College victory .
It came three days before electors are set to cast their ballots in their respective states , finalizing the Democratic former vice president 's win .
Election law experts from the outset said that the suit was unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself even filed a motion to intervene in the case , had hyped up Paxton 's lawsuit as `` the big one . ''
In denying Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton 's request to file the lawsuit against the four battleground states , the Supreme Court justices said that Texas did not have the grounds to sue the other states over changes they made to their voting procedures in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The State of Texas 's motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Constitution , '' the court said .
For a person or entity such as a state to have legal standing to sue , they must be able to show that they were harmed by another 's actions .
`` Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections .
All other pending motions are dismissed as moot , '' the Supreme Court said .
Trump in a tweet late Friday said , `` The Supreme Court really let us down . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has led his campaign 's efforts to challenge the election results , told Newsmax in an interview , `` We 're not finished .
Believe me . ''
Giuliani told the news outlet that the Texas `` case was n't rejected on the merits , the case was rejected on standing .
So the answer to that is to bring the case now to the district court by the president , by some of the electors , alleging some of the same facts where there would be standing . ''
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these cases immediately in the district court in which the president of course would have standing , some of the electors would have standing in that their constitutional rights have been violated , '' added the former New York City mayor .
But Trump , who has appointed three justices to the nine-member court , said before the Nov. 3 election that he believed the Supreme Court ultimately would decide the race .
`` I think it 's very important that we have nine justices '' for that reason , Trump had said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September .
Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to replace Ginsburg .
She was approved by the Republican-controlled Senate over fierce objections by Democrats who said the appointment was improper because it was so close to the election .
Biden spokesman Mike Gwin in a statement Friday evening said the court `` decisively and speedily rejected the latest of Donald Trump and his allies ' attacks on the democratic process . ''
`` This is no surprise — dozens of judges , election officials from both parties , and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baseless attempts to deny that he lost the election , '' Gwin said .
`` President-elect Biden 's clear and commanding victory will be ratified by the Electoral College on Monday , and he will be sworn in on January 20th . ''
Texas ' suit made the unprecedented request for the Supreme Court to invalidate the election results of the four battleground states by declaring that their Electoral College votes `` can not be counted . ''
Biden 's wins in the four states , which together held 62 electoral votes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency .
Biden is projected to win 306 electoral votes , compared with 232 for Trump .
If Texas had won the suit , it would have nullified Biden 's victory .
Two of the high court 's most conservative justices , Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas , in a brief dissent said that they would have allowed Paxton 's lawsuit to be filed , but added that they would `` not grant other relief '' sought in the case .
`` In my view , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the filing of a bill of complaint in a case that falls within our original jurisdiction , '' Alito wrote in a statement that Thomas backed .
`` I would therefore grant the motion to file the bill of complaint but would not grant other relief , and I express no view on any other issue . ''
NBC News legal analyst Benjamin Wittes said that although Alito and Thomas dissented from the decision to allow the suit , they would have rejected Texas 's claims on the merits of the case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court .
More than a dozen states where Trump won the popular vote filed briefs in support of Texas ' action , as did over 120 Republican members of Congress , including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , in `` friend of the court '' briefs .
But about two dozens states and territories that Biden won filed their own briefs in opposition to Texas ' complaint .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , in a scathing Dear Colleague letter Friday afternoon accused Republicans supporting the case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our democracy . ''
`` This lawsuit is an act of flailing GOP Desperation , which violates the principles enshrined in our American Democracy , '' Pelosi wrote .
`` As Members of Congress , we take a solemn oath to support and defend the Constitution , '' her letter said .
`` Republicans are subverting the Constitution by their reckless and fruitless assault on our democracy which threatens to seriously erode public trust in our most sacred democratic institutions , and to set back our progress on the urgent challenges ahead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican who has clashed with Trump , said in a statement that the Supreme Court has finally `` closed the book on the nonsense . ''
`` Since Election Night , a lot of people have been confusing voters by spinning Kenyan Birther-type , 'Chavez rigged the election from the grave ' conspiracy theories , but every American who cares about the rule of law should take comfort that the Supreme Court — including all three of President Trump 's picks — closed the book on the nonsense , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had represented her state against Paxton 's suit , said the ruling `` is an important reminder that we are a nation of laws , and though some may bend to the desire of a single individual , the courts will not . ''


cnbc--2020-12-15--President-elect Joe Biden wins Electoral College vote, cementing his victory over Trump

WASHINGTON — The Electoral College voted Monday to cement President-elect Joe Biden 's victory over President Donald Trump in this year 's presidential election .
The ballots were cast throughout the day by individual electors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia , and they mirror their state 's popular vote .
Shortly before 5:30 p.m .
ET , California electors cast their 55 votes for Biden , pushing him over the crucial threshold of 270 electoral votes .
At approximately 7:15 p.m. , Hawaii cast the final 4 electoral votes of the day for Biden , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won 232 votes .
Biden plans to address the nation on Monday night , where he will emphasize that `` the integrity of our elections remains intact . ''
`` And so , now it is time to turn the page .
To unite .
To heal , '' Biden will say , according to speech excerpts released by the transition .
The Electoral College vote is typically a formality , occurring more than a month after Election Day votes are cast .
But Trump 's unprecedented legal and legislative efforts to overturn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a greater significance upon the proceedings .
The president , his campaign and his political allies have filed dozens of lawsuits since Election Day , asking federal and state courts to nullify the election results based on myriad unsubstantiated claims of irregularities .
These efforts repeatedly failed , prompting the president to shift tactics in early December and begin personally pressuring Republican state legislators to intervene in the selection of individual electors .
So far , this too has failed .
Yet Trump continues to falsely claim that he , not Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election and that he was the victim of a massive , coordinated nationwide conspiracy to alter votes in Biden 's favor .
In Pennsylvania ( below ) and Arizona , two key swing states that Biden won , Trump supporters convened Monday outside their state capitols to protest the electoral college vote .
In Michigan , electors received police escorts amid threats of violence at the state capitol .
A Republican state representative was stripped of his committee assignments by GOP leaders Monday after refusing to rule out that violence would occur in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
Meanwhile , congressional Republicans fearful of angering their Trump-loving constituents have largely fallen in step behind the president and refused to acknowledge Biden 's victory .
Once electors have formally recorded their votes for president and vice president , the next major event in the Electoral College process is a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6 , during which both chambers will officially count the electoral votes .
Vice President Mike Pence is expected to preside over the Jan. 6 proceedings in his formal role as president of the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results .
Any objections in Congress to the electoral votes must be submitted in writing and signed by at least one member of the House and one senator .
If an objection arises , the two chambers consider the objection separately .
Alabama Republican Rep. Mo Brooks has already said he will challenge the results of the Electoral College count in the House .
In the Senate , Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has not ruled out filing a similar objection .
But not all Republicans approve of Brooks ' plan to jam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to challenge results that is sure to fail .
And several Republican senators who have yet to publicly acknowledge Biden 's win have indicated that they will accept the results of Monday 's vote in the Electoral College as the final judgment on the 2020 presidential election .
Still , the denial of Biden 's victory by some Republicans in Congress is likely to stretch into January and beyond .
In a Washington Post survey of all 249 congressional Republicans , published Dec. 6 , only 27 said they accepted Biden as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers gave an unclear answer or did not respond , and two , Brooks and Rep. Paul A. Gosar of Arizona , said they believed Trump was the rightful winner of the election .
Ever since Election Day , Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have largely tried to stay above the fray of Trump 's increasingly desperate campaign to overturn the results .
While a small team of Biden campaign lawyers monitors Trump 's lawsuits , the former vice president is charging ahead with a formal transition process , announcing his nominees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plan to aggressively combat the coronavirus pandemic during his first 100 days in office .
Biden and Harris are set to be sworn into office as president and vice president of the United States on Jan. 20 , Inauguration Day .

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WASHINGTON — The Electoral College voted Monday to cement President-elect Joe Biden's victory over President Donald Trump in this year's presidential election. The ballots were cast throughout the day by individual electors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and they mirror their state's popular vote. Shortly before 5:30 p.m. ET, California electors cast their 55 votes for Biden, pushing him over the crucial threshold of 270 electoral votes. At approximately 7:15 p.m., Hawaii cast the final four electoral votes of the day for Biden, who won 306 total electoral votes. Trump won 232 votes. Biden addressed the nation later Monday, where he will emphasize that "the integrity of our elections remains intact." "And so, now it is time to turn the page. To unite. To heal," Biden said.
Democratic elector Stacey Abrams leads her fellow electors through the process of casting their votes for President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris in the Georgia State Senate chambers in the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., December 14, 2020. Elijah Nouvelage | Reuters
The Electoral College vote is typically a formality, occurring more than a month after Election Day votes are cast. But Trump's unprecedented legal and legislative efforts to overturn the election results this year have imparted a greater significance upon the proceedings. The president, his campaign and his political allies have filed dozens of lawsuits since Election Day, asking federal and state courts to nullify the election results based on myriad unsubstantiated claims of irregularities. These efforts repeatedly failed, prompting the president to shift tactics in early December and begin to personally pressure Republican state legislators to intervene in the selection of individual electors. This, too, has failed. Yet Trump continues to falsely claim that he, not Biden, is the legitimate winner of the November election and that he was the victim of a massive, coordinated nationwide conspiracy to alter votes in Biden's favor. In Pennsylvania and Arizona, two key swing states that Biden won, Trump supporters convened Monday outside their state capitols to protest the electoral college vote.
A small band of Trump supporters march with flags as electors gathered to cast their votes for the U.S. presidential election at the State Capitol complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 14, 2020. Joanathan Ernst | Reuters