cnbc--2020-06-10--George Floyd's brother testifies before Congress: 'Stop the pain'

Philonise Floyd , brother of George Floyd , implored lawmakers Wednesday to act so that his brother 's death after being brought into police custody was `` not in vain . ''
`` I 'm tired .
I 'm tired of the pain I 'm feeling now and I 'm tired of the pain I feel every time another black person is killed for no reason , '' Floyd said in prepared remarks at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on police brutality and racial profiling .
`` I 'm here today to ask you to make it stop .
Stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tired , '' Floyd said .
`` George 's calls for help were ignored , '' he continued .
`` Please listen to the call I 'm making to you now , to the calls of our family , and to the calls ringing out in the streets across the world . ''
The hearing comes as the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man who was in the custody of Minneapolis police , has prompted a new national dialogue on police reform .
Derek Chauvin , the former Minneapolis police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restrain him for nearly nine minutes , has been charged with Floyd 's murder .
Three other former cops have been charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter .
The police had originally been called on Floyd on suspicion he had used a counterfeit bill .
`` George was n't hurting anyone that day , '' his brother said .
`` He did n't deserve to die over $ 20 .
I 'm asking you , is that what a black man 's life is worth ?
$ 20 ?
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' On Monday , top congressional Democrats unveiled a bill to overhaul police practices .
Proposals include the creation of a federal registry of police misconduct and an end to the qualified immunity protections afforded police officers that make it harder to prosecute alleged violations of constitutional rights .
It would also ban police use of chokeholds and carotid restraints .
`` Honor George , '' said his brother , `` and make the necessary changes that make law enforcement the solution – and not the problem . ''
He added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong .
Teach them what it means to treat people with empathy and respect .
Teach them what necessary force is .
Teach them that deadly force should be used rarely and only when life is at risk . ''
Later , Angela Underwood-Jacobs , whose brother Dave Patrick Underwood , a federal officer , was killed outside a courthouse in Oakland , California , pleaded for change so that her own brother did not die in vain .
`` I want America to make a change , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress to make a change so that no one ever has to wake up to the phone call that I received telling me that my brother was shot dead and murdered .
How my brother died was wrong and I am praying that we learn something about how he lived . ''
In later prepared testimony , experts debated best changes to make to the police force , some of which are part of the Democrats ' proposal , and some of which are not .
Darrell Scott , a member of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior pastor of the New Spirit Revival Center , warned of the risks of defunding the police .
While some mayors , including Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , have supported limiting police budgets , a broad-based movement to defund the police does not have backing from either Democratic leaders in Congress or presidential candidate Joe Biden .
`` An absence of police presence could potentially give rise to acts of domestic terrorism , mob rule , neighborhood intimidation and oppression , and vigilante-ism , '' said Scott .
He warned that cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Detroit did after it cut the city 's police budget .
Detroit filed for bankruptcy in 2013 .

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Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, implored lawmakers Wednesday to act so that his brother's death after being brought into police custody was "not in vain." "I'm tired. I'm tired of the pain I'm feeling now and I'm tired of the pain I feel every time another black person is killed for no reason," Floyd said in prepared remarks at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on police brutality and racial profiling. "I'm here today to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain. Stop us from being tired," Floyd said. "George's calls for help were ignored," he continued. "Please listen to the call I'm making to you now, to the calls of our family, and to the calls ringing out in the streets across the world."
Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, gives his opening statement during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Policing Practices and Law Enforcement Accountability at the U.S. Capitol on June 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. Michael Reynolds | Getty Images
The hearing comes as the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who was in the custody of Minneapolis police, has prompted a new national dialogue on police reform. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck to restrain him for nearly nine minutes, has been charged with Floyd's murder. Three other former cops have been charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter. The police had originally been called on Floyd on suspicion he had used a counterfeit bill. "George wasn't hurting anyone that day," his brother said. "He didn't deserve to die over $20. I'm asking you, is that what a black man's life is worth? $20? This is 2020. Enough is enough." On Monday, top congressional Democrats unveiled a bill to overhaul police practices. Proposals include the creation of a federal registry of police misconduct and an end to the qualified immunity protections afforded police officers that make it harder to prosecute alleged violations of constitutional rights. It would also ban police use of chokeholds and carotid restraints. "Honor George," said his brother, "and make the necessary changes that make law enforcement the solution – and not the problem." He added: "Hold them accountable when they do something wrong. Teach them what it means to treat people with empathy and respect. Teach them what necessary force is. Teach them that deadly force should be used rarely and only when life is at risk." Later, Angela Underwood-Jacobs, whose brother Dave Patrick Underwood, a federal officer, was killed outside a courthouse in Oakland, California, pleaded for change so that her own brother did not die in vain.
Lancaster (California) City Council member Angela Underwood-Jacobs gives her opening statement during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Policing Practices and Law Enforcement Accountability at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S. June 10, 2020. Michael Reynolds | Reuters


cnbc--2020-06-10--HBO Max temporarily removes 'Gone With the Wind,' says it shows 'racial prejudices'

New streaming service HBO Max has removed the epic 1939 movie `` Gone With the Wind '' from its schedule , saying it showed `` ethnic and racial prejudices . ''
The movie will return to the platform with a `` discussion of its historical context and a denouncement of those very depictions , '' an HBO Max spokesperson said in an email to CNBC on Wednesday .
The removal comes amid anti-racism protests ignited by the death of George Floyd .
The unarmed black man died while a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck from more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Ridley , in an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times on Monday , urged HBO Max parent company WarnerMedia to temporarily take it down .
`` Gone With the Wind '' is set in Georgia during the Civil War , and has been previously criticized for its depiction of slavery .
Its stars included Vivien Leigh , Clark Gable , Leslie Howard and Hattie McDaniel , who portrayed the slave `` Mammy '' and became the first African American to win an Oscar .
Ridley , who wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said of `` GWTW : `` It is a film that , when it is not ignoring the horrors of slavery , pauses only to perpetuate some of the most painful stereotypes of people of color . ''
HBO Max 's spokesperson told CNBC : `` 'Gone With the Wind ' is a product of its time and depicts some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that have , unfortunately , been commonplace in American society .
These racist depictions were wrong then and are wrong today , and we felt that to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a denouncement of those depictions would be irresponsible . ''
The film will return , the spokesperson added , with a discussion of its context but will be shown in its original form `` because to do so otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed . ''
Elsewhere , ViacomCBS has canceled the long-running reality TV show `` Cops '' in the wake of the protests against police brutality .
A & E has pulled episodes of its reality police show `` Live PD , '' and Discovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the network 's broadcast schedule .
In the U.K. , comedy TV show `` Little Britain '' has been taken down from the BBC 's iPlayer streaming service .
Created by Matt Lucas and David Walliams , some episodes showed the men , who are both white , playing black characters .
Lucas and Walliams have previously stated they would not make a similar show now .
It aired on TV as a series from 2003 to 2007 .
HBO Max launched on May 27 and a press release listed `` Gone With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would feature on the platform .
HBO 's parent company WarnerMedia ( then TimeWarner ) was bought by AT & T in 2018 .
AT & T shares were down 1.3 % in trading Wednesday morning .

New streaming service HBO Max has removed the epic 1939 movie "Gone With the Wind" from its schedule, saying it showed "ethnic and racial prejudices."
The movie will return to the platform with a "discussion of its historical context and a denouncement of those very depictions," an HBO Max spokesperson said in an email to CNBC on Wednesday.
The removal comes amid anti-racism protests ignited by the death of George Floyd. The unarmed black man died while a white police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck from more then eight minutes. Screenwriter and director John Ridley, in an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times on Monday, urged HBO Max parent company WarnerMedia to temporarily take it down .
"Gone With the Wind" is set in Georgia during the Civil War, and has been previously criticized for its depiction of slavery. Its stars included Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard and Hattie McDaniel, who portrayed the slave "Mammy" and became the first African American to win an Oscar.
Ridley, who wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for "12 Years A Slave," said of "GWTW: "It is a film that, when it is not ignoring the horrors of slavery, pauses only to perpetuate some of the most painful stereotypes of people of color."
HBO Max's spokesperson told CNBC: "'Gone With the Wind' is a product of its time and depicts some of the ethnic and racial prejudices that have, unfortunately, been commonplace in American society. These racist depictions were wrong then and are wrong today, and we felt that to keep this title up without an explanation and a denouncement of those depictions would be irresponsible."
The film will return, the spokesperson added, with a discussion of its context but will be shown in its original form "because to do so otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed."
Elsewhere, ViacomCBS has canceled the long-running reality TV show "Cops" in the wake of the protests against police brutality. A&E has pulled episodes of its reality police show "Live PD," and Discovery's "Body Cam" is off the network's broadcast schedule.
In the U.K., comedy TV show "Little Britain" has been taken down from the BBC's iPlayer streaming service. Created by Matt Lucas and David Walliams, some episodes showed the men, who are both white, playing black characters. Lucas and Walliams have previously stated they would not make a similar show now. It aired on TV as a series from 2003 to 2007.
HBO Max launched on May 27 and a press release listed "Gone With the Wind" as a movie that would feature on the platform. HBO's parent company WarnerMedia (then TimeWarner) was bought by AT&T in 2018.
AT&T shares were down 1.3% in trading Wednesday morning.


cnbc--2020-06-11--Liquor stores face new challenges as states reopen after coronavirus lockdowns

As restaurants and stores begin to reopen after months of closure , liquor stores will be forced to make even more extreme adjustments .
While much of the country stayed at home , liquor store owners and employees continued to run these businesses , but with fewer resources .
Staffers have had to respond to high-stress incidents more frequently , often the result of people who were frustrated with staying indoors most of the time .
The coronavirus pandemic pressured wine and liquor sellers , which were deemed essential businesses by certain state guidelines , to limit in-person capacity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But these restrictions were not received well in many locations .
Customers in some cases became enraged by being asked to wear a mask inside , one store manager told CNBC .
Restaurant closures have also forced several liquor stores to lose a large income source once food establishments stopped ordering bulk alcohol shipments .
`` Walk-in and retail business has increased by 22 % from March 16th to today , '' said Alex Le , co-owner of Nasa Liquor in Houston , Texas .
`` However , overall business is at average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restaurant businesses . ''
Multiple shop owners and employees told CNBC about the challenges of running a liquor store during a pandemic , including fears about tension with customers and concerns about demand returning to pre-virus levels .
Here is what they had to say .
In New York , Park Avenue Liquor Shop , which normally caters to residents in the area , saw many of its usual customers flee the city once the coronavirus struck , said the business 's vice president , Jonathan Goldstein .
The store has still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but in fewer quantities than ever .
To cope with fewer orders , Goldstein had to lay off a few employees .
`` I reduced my numbers and have no idea if business will warrant an increase in the upcoming months , '' he said .
`` The people I still have here are braving the unknown but are being extremely careful . ''
In the store , employees wear masks and gloves and sanitize after each transaction .
Other New York liquor establishments , like bars , have offered takeout drinks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and standing around or near the vicinity to consume it .
In normal circumstances , alcohol can not be consumed in public spaces , including on streets and in parks .
Because of shelter-in-place guidelines and because many stores and restaurants closed to stop the spread of the virus , liquor stores have become a reliable way to break the day 's flow .
`` Being open and with people working from home , we are seeing people we 're not used to seeing during the day , whether it be professionals who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are usually in the classroom , '' said Le of Houston-based Nasa Liquors .
Le brought on an extra employee to help with inventory and cashier duties and respond to the influx of people entering the store .
`` We 've also implemented sneeze guards , are wiping counters and door handles after every customer , and are limiting to 10 people in at once , '' Le told CNBC .
`` Overall , operational costs now include increased expenditures on cleaning supplies , which is an estimated $ 200 a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Bourbon Street Wine and Spirits in Phillipsburg , New Jersey , said her store has also been busier than usual .
There are nine stores in the Bourbon Street chain , but her store , located near the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania , has been fielding people from both states during the pandemic .
For at least eight weeks , `` we 've been experiencing Christmas holiday-level crowds , '' Trueman said .
`` It 's been absolutely insane .
We 're all working extra hours and it 's crazy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some liquor shops have also struggled with replenishing supply or selling smaller brands , which have lost ground to the more familiar ones that usually sell out in stores .
`` There is no way for a small brand to make itself [ known ] without hand-selling , '' said Goldstein .
Hand-selling can consist of offering in-store samples or playing up a smaller brand to make a sale through word of mouth or employee recommendation .
These practices have paused in liquor stores across the country to avoid spreading the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels .
The pandemic has affected the supply chain at Nasa Liquor .
Once the pandemic hit , distilleries worldwide have either limited or stopped production entirely .
`` We often purchase barrels of bespoke whiskey , brandy , or rum from all parts of the world .
The challenge is that each geographic location has their own stance on social distancing , reopening , and even guidelines on importing and exporting , '' Le said .
`` We have several of these barrels stuck in pipeline , which we were excited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase , but have now been delayed until 2021 . ''
Some customers are reluctant to wear personal protective equipment or ignore personal space when in stores , agitations that shop owners and workers fear will become routine throughout the reopening process .
Trueman of Bourbon Street said she experienced a lot of customer pushback about wearing a mask indoors .
Her shop has marked designated standing areas with X 's to encourage safe social distancing , but customers frequently take no notice of or disregard them , she said .
Customers `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers , she said , but with staff , they `` just walk right up . ''
Nobody on staff has gotten sick yet , she said .
`` When people come in , they do n't necessarily respect the staff here like they would a doctor or a nurse , '' Trueman said .
`` We have lots of gun nuts out here and I 'm waiting for someone to walk in who 's got a real chip on his shoulder and start waving their gun around . ''
Despite all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been impressed with his staff across the chain during the pandemic .
`` Our staff , scared or not , showed up EVERY day for over three months and adapted to a brand new and very unknown environment , '' Wade said in an email to CNBC .
`` And they did it with a smile on their faces .
I have never been more proud in my life . ''
At Park Avenue Liquor Shop , Goldstein took limiting in-store capacity to another level .
Instead of allowing people to browse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his employees make suggestions and transactions at the door .
`` Just as this virus was making headlines , we became concerned with people roaming throughout the store and touching things , sneezing , etc.
, '' he wrote in an email to CNBC .
`` We made a decision to stop them at the entry and if a purchase decision needed some help then we would bring the options to them . ''
Around the country , there 's strong support for continuing to wear masks indoors as states begin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barbershops and liquor stores have announced they plan to uphold this guidance .
State governments have put forth requirements for businesses to follow in order to reopen successfully .
But these concerns take out all the predictability and planning out of reopening , as liquor stores across the country continue to face tests .
Some liquor store employees and owners are concerned that patrons will choose to ignore protocol .
And some fret that a second wave of the coronavirus , which health experts have warned about for months , will exacerbate this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit again , people are going to be over it and tired of it , '' said Trueman of Bourbon Street Wine and Spirits .
`` I just feel like tensions are going to get crazy . ''
Trueman also said she worries that the 2020 presidential election will add to the tension .
Other stores , like Nasa Liquors in Texas , are thinking about the business perspective .
`` The main concern is how bars and restaurants – a considerable part of our revenue , will respond to re-opening , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work close with have delayed opening , even past government reopening phase dates , until they feel it 's safe to reopen .
Others ca n't wait to reopen and unfortunately , some wo n't reopen . ''
But beyond the opening of supporting establishments , it 's still unclear whether people will feel safe enough to shop as they did before the pandemic .
The coronavirus has heightened the fear of engaging with people in close contact , and some shop owners are wondering if this behavior will stick around .
Additionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening will affect people 's finances – and what toll that will have on their businesses .
`` Going forward we have no idea what will happen with our corporate business – will people continue to work in the city from an office ? ''
Goldstein asked .
`` Tourism ?
Will people feel comfortable shopping in person ?
Inside a retail environment ?
Will there be any foot traffic ?
What about the upcoming holiday season ?
Will people feel comfortable spending money on gifts ?
Corporate spending ? ''

A person leaves a liquor store in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn during the coronavirus pandemic on May 7, 2020 in New York City. Rob Kim | Getty Images
As restaurants and stores begin to reopen after months of closure, liquor stores will be forced to make even more extreme adjustments. While much of the country stayed at home, liquor store owners and employees continued to run these businesses, but with fewer resources. Staffers have had to respond to high-stress incidents more frequently, often the result of people who were frustrated with staying indoors most of the time. The coronavirus pandemic pressured wine and liquor sellers, which were deemed essential businesses by certain state guidelines, to limit in-person capacity to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. But these restrictions were not received well in many locations. Customers in some cases became enraged by being asked to wear a mask inside, one store manager told CNBC. Restaurant closures have also forced several liquor stores to lose a large income source once food establishments stopped ordering bulk alcohol shipments. "Walk-in and retail business has increased by 22% from March 16th to today," said Alex Le, co-owner of Nasa Liquor in Houston, Texas. "However, overall business is at average pace, with the loss of bar and restaurant businesses." Multiple shop owners and employees told CNBC about the challenges of running a liquor store during a pandemic, including fears about tension with customers and concerns about demand returning to pre-virus levels. Here is what they had to say.
Operating under quarantine
In New York, Park Avenue Liquor Shop, which normally caters to residents in the area, saw many of its usual customers flee the city once the coronavirus struck, said the business's vice president, Jonathan Goldstein. The store has still been fulfilling resident orders and delivering, but in fewer quantities than ever. To cope with fewer orders, Goldstein had to lay off a few employees. "I reduced my numbers and have no idea if business will warrant an increase in the upcoming months," he said. "The people I still have here are braving the unknown but are being extremely careful." In the store, employees wear masks and gloves and sanitize after each transaction. Other New York liquor establishments, like bars, have offered takeout drinks, resulting in people lining up to order and standing around or near the vicinity to consume it. In normal circumstances, alcohol cannot be consumed in public spaces, including on streets and in parks. Because of shelter-in-place guidelines and because many stores and restaurants closed to stop the spread of the virus, liquor stores have become a reliable way to break the day's flow. "Being open and with people working from home, we are seeing people we're not used to seeing during the day, whether it be professionals who are usually in the office or teachers who are usually in the classroom," said Le of Houston-based Nasa Liquors. Le brought on an extra employee to help with inventory and cashier duties and respond to the influx of people entering the store. "We've also implemented sneeze guards, are wiping counters and door handles after every customer, and are limiting to 10 people in at once," Le told CNBC. "Overall, operational costs now include increased expenditures on cleaning supplies, which is an estimated $200 a month." Anna Trueman, wine manager at Bourbon Street Wine and Spirits in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, said her store has also been busier than usual. There are nine stores in the Bourbon Street chain, but her store, located near the border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has been fielding people from both states during the pandemic. For at least eight weeks, "we've been experiencing Christmas holiday-level crowds," Trueman said. "It's been absolutely insane. We're all working extra hours and it's crazy how much busier we are." Some liquor shops have also struggled with replenishing supply or selling smaller brands, which have lost ground to the more familiar ones that usually sell out in stores. "There is no way for a small brand to make itself [known] without hand-selling," said Goldstein. Hand-selling can consist of offering in-store samples or playing up a smaller brand to make a sale through word of mouth or employee recommendation. These practices have paused in liquor stores across the country to avoid spreading the coronavirus and also to respond to the new demand levels. The pandemic has affected the supply chain at Nasa Liquor. Once the pandemic hit, distilleries worldwide have either limited or stopped production entirely. "We often purchase barrels of bespoke whiskey, brandy, or rum from all parts of the world. The challenge is that each geographic location has their own stance on social distancing, reopening, and even guidelines on importing and exporting," Le said. "We have several of these barrels stuck in pipeline, which we were excited to release in the summer where sales usually increase, but have now been delayed until 2021."
Pat ODonnell, 34, buys a 1.75 liter bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey at Supreme Liquor in Cambridge, MA on April 28, 2020. Mathew J. Lee | Boston Globe | Getty Images
Respecting social distancing
Some customers are reluctant to wear personal protective equipment or ignore personal space when in stores, agitations that shop owners and workers fear will become routine throughout the reopening process. Trueman of Bourbon Street said she experienced a lot of customer pushback about wearing a mask indoors. Her shop has marked designated standing areas with X's to encourage safe social distancing, but customers frequently take no notice of or disregard them, she said. Customers "barely" respect social distancing around other customers, she said, but with staff, they "just walk right up." Nobody on staff has gotten sick yet, she said. "When people come in, they don't necessarily respect the staff here like they would a doctor or a nurse," Trueman said. "We have lots of gun nuts out here and I'm waiting for someone to walk in who's got a real chip on his shoulder and start waving their gun around." Despite all the pressures, Bourbon Street co-founder Michael Wade has been impressed with his staff across the chain during the pandemic. "Our staff, scared or not, showed up EVERY day for over three months and adapted to a brand new and very unknown environment," Wade said in an email to CNBC. "And they did it with a smile on their faces. I have never been more proud in my life." At Park Avenue Liquor Shop, Goldstein took limiting in-store capacity to another level. Instead of allowing people to browse the store's liquor contents, Goldstein and his employees make suggestions and transactions at the door. "Just as this virus was making headlines, we became concerned with people roaming throughout the store and touching things, sneezing, etc.," he wrote in an email to CNBC. "We made a decision to stop them at the entry and if a purchase decision needed some help then we would bring the options to them."
The challenges of reopening


cnbc--2020-06-11--As new data shows early signs of economic recovery, black workers are being left out

Markets cheered on Friday as new data showed a surprising decline in unemployment , but black workers have little to celebrate .
The black unemployment rate rose slightly in May despite a decline of nearly two percentage points for white workers , a grim but familiar reminder of economic inequality that could serve as an early warning sign for the recovery to come .
The new data comes as protests over the death of George Floyd , a black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis last week , continue in dozens of cities around the country .
While protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they have also pointed to systemic problems of income and wealth inequality , which were exacerbated during the recovery from the 2008 financial crisis .
White unemployment fell to 12.4 % from 14.2 % in May , while black unemployment rose to 16.8 % from 16.7 % .
President Donald Trump , who is up for reelection in November , has touted his record overseeing an economy in which black workers have prospered , noting that under his watch the unemployment rate for that group hit record lows while wages rose .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address the new economic data , Trump said he hoped that Floyd was looking down from heaven , pleased with what he saw .
`` It 's a great day for him , it 's a great day for everybody .
It 's a great day for everybody .
This is a great , great day , in terms of equality , '' Trump said .
The president refused to answer questions from reporters on the rise in the black unemployment rate .
While Trump paints a picture of a recovery where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more dour outcome could be in store .
Economists are warning that the devastation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic , which has already killed disproportionate numbers of black Americans , could also inflict long lasting economic damage , undoing the gains made by African-Americans over the last decade .
`` The thing that disturbs me is how much longer it will take them to make up the gap , '' said Jared Bernstein , a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities , who served on President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May sees biggest jobs increase ever of 2.5 million as economy starts to recover from coronavirus `` It took 10 years to make back what they 'd lost in the Great Recession , '' Bernstein said , referring to African Americans .
`` They lost that in two months , in March and April .
It 's the staircase up and the elevator down . ''
Bernstein warned that , for black workers , the recovery from the current downturn could take even longer than the recovery from the last crisis .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its speed and severity , the trend of employment inequity along demographic lines is not new .
The unemployment rate has historically been twice as high for black workers as for white workers , a disparity seen in the data as far back as is available .
The unemployment rate , while widely cited as a key measure of U.S. economic health , is seen by some as a narrow definition that does not capture the full picture of the labor market .
This official rate published by the Bureau of Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a percentage of the labor force , '' which only includes those working or actively seeking work .
Americans who have given up on looking for a job or have a part-time job without benefits , such as an Uber driver or Instacart shopper , are not included in the measure .
For this reason economists also look at broader measures of unemployment such as the underemployment rate , also known as the U-6 rate , for a more complete picture of the employment level .
This measure includes those previously mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but have stopped searching and those who would work more if they could — in addition to those traditionally defined as unemployed .
Looking past the headline measure of unemployment paints an even bleaker picture for black workers .
While BLS does not publish monthly demographic data on underemployed workers , Bernstein estimates the underemployment rate for African Americans could now be above 30 % .
Economists point to a variety of factors to explain the racial employment gap , such as exclusive housing policies , unequal access to education , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generations .
But the conventional explanations may not tell the full story .
`` If you factor in all the things that you can explain using conventional economic tools — education , age , gender , experience — you will explain only a relatively small part of that difference , '' said Bernstein , who has advised apparent Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden during the campaign .
`` So you have to ask yourself what are you left with , and the answer is discrimination . ''
Valerie Wilson , director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ethnicity , and the Economy , pointed to the same explanation .
`` I ca n't call it anything other than racial discrimination in the labor market , '' she said .
For Wilson , one of the strongest signals of discrimination is the racial disparity in unemployment rates by education level .
At every level of education , more black workers are unemployed than their white counterparts .
As the U.S. struggles to make its way past the damage done by the coronavirus pandemic , lawmakers are considering policies that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the near-term , such as an extension of the unemployment benefits supplied by the CARES Act , and a possible second round of stimulus checks .
For programs designed to provide temporary relief or make longer-term contributions to narrowing the employment gap , Wilson notes the importance of making sure policies actually hit their targets .
`` We really need to be aware and have to assume that no policy is race neutral because of all of these preexisting and underlying disparities generated by previous policy and legal decisions , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should always be an eye toward how it will impact different communities . ''
Many , particularly on the left , say that regardless of specific policies , change will require the recognition of systemic inequalities , a point that has been central in the protests over George Floyd 's death .
At Floyd 's Minneapolis memorial service held on Thursday , the civil rights leader Rev .
Al Sharpton made such a point by analogizing widespread systemic injustice against black Americans to the officer 's knee held against Floyd 's neck during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have alleged contributed to his death .
`` Ever since 401 years ago , the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed of being is you kept your knee on our neck , '' Sharpton said , referring to 1619 , the year generally understood as the beginning of black slavery in the colonies that would become the United States .
He added : `` We could run corporations and not hustle in the street , but you had your knee on our neck .
We had creative skills , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , but we could n't get your knee off our neck . ''
Nicole Smith , the chief economist at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce , said that it 's frustrating that `` most people recognize what it is , but are still reluctant to do anything about it . ''
`` And that 's because doing anything about it would really require us to engage in a serious conversation about social justice , '' she said .
On that point , Trump and Biden , the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrasts .
While Trump has argued that an economic recovery will , on its own , benefit black Americans , Biden has pressed for specifically targeting black communities with economic assistance , and collecting data on the race and sex of beneficiaries of federal recovery programs .
During an address in Philadelphia on Tuesday , Biden , who has faced scrutiny over his record on race , said the `` moment has come for our nation to deal with systemic racism . ''
`` To deal with the growing economic inequality in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denial of the promise of this nation — to so many , '' Biden said .

A Dana assembly technician as she assembles axles for automakers, at the Dana plant in Toledo, Ohio, May 18, 2020. Rebecca Cook | Reuters
Markets cheered on Friday as new data showed a surprising decline in unemployment, but black workers have little to celebrate. The black unemployment rate rose slightly in May despite a decline of nearly two percentage points for white workers, a grim but familiar reminder of economic inequality that could serve as an early warning sign for the recovery to come. The new data comes as protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis last week, continue in dozens of cities around the country. While protesters are directly responding to disparities in policing, they have also pointed to systemic problems of income and wealth inequality, which were exacerbated during the recovery from the 2008 financial crisis. White unemployment fell to 12.4% in May from 14.2% the previous month, while black unemployment rose to 16.8% from 16.7%. President Donald Trump, who is up for reelection in November, has touted his record overseeing an economy in which black workers have prospered, noting that under his watch the unemployment rate for that group hit record lows while wages rose. During a White House event on Friday to address the new economic data, Trump said he hoped that Floyd was looking down from heaven, pleased with what he saw.
Hopefully George is looking down right now and saying, ‘This is a great thing that’s happening for our country.’ It’s a great day for him, it’s a great day for everybody. It’s a great day for everybody. This is a great, great day, in terms of equality. Donald Trump President of the United States
"It's a great day for him, it's a great day for everybody. It's a great day for everybody. This is a great, great day, in terms of equality," Trump said. The president refused to answer questions from reporters on the rise in the black unemployment rate. While Trump paints a picture of a recovery where gains are equally shared, experts suggest a more dour outcome could be in store. Economists are warning that the devastation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has already killed disproportionate numbers of black Americans, could also inflict long lasting economic damage, undoing the gains made by African-Americans over the last decade. "The thing that disturbs me is how much longer it will take them to make up the gap," said Jared Bernstein, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, who served on President Barack Obama's economic team. Read more: May sees biggest jobs increase ever of 2.5 million as economy starts to recover from coronavirus "It took 10 years to make back what they'd lost in the Great Recession," Bernstein said, referring to African Americans. "They lost that in two months, in March and April. It's the staircase up and the elevator down." Bernstein warned that, for black workers, the recovery from the current downturn could take even longer than the recovery from the last crisis. Though the most recent slide has been unique in its speed and severity, the trend of employment inequity along demographic lines is not new. The unemployment rate has historically been twice as high for black workers as for white workers, a disparity seen in the data as far back as is available.
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The unemployment rate, while widely cited as a key measure of U.S. economic health, is seen by some as a narrow definition that does not capture the full picture of the labor market. This official rate published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the "number of unemployed as a percentage of the labor force," which only includes those working or actively seeking work. Americans who have given up on looking for a job or have a part-time job without benefits, such as an Uber driver or Instacart shopper, are not included in the measure. For this reason economists also look at broader measures of unemployment such as the underemployment rate, also known as the U-6 rate, for a more complete picture of the employment level. This measure includes those previously mentioned groups — people who want to work but have stopped searching and those who would work more if they could — in addition to those traditionally defined as unemployed. Looking past the headline measure of unemployment paints an even bleaker picture for black workers. While BLS does not publish monthly demographic data on underemployed workers, Bernstein estimates the underemployment rate for African Americans could now be above 30%.
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Economists point to a variety of factors to explain the racial employment gap, such as exclusive housing policies, unequal access to education, and a lack of wealth passed on from prior generations. But the conventional explanations may not tell the full story. "If you factor in all the things that you can explain using conventional economic tools — education, age, gender, experience — you will explain only a relatively small part of that difference," said Bernstein, who has advised apparent Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden during the campaign. "So you have to ask yourself what are you left with, and the answer is discrimination." Valerie Wilson, director of the Economic Policy Institute's Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy, pointed to the same explanation. "I can't call it anything other than racial discrimination in the labor market," she said. For Wilson, one of the strongest signals of discrimination is the racial disparity in unemployment rates by education level. At every level of education, more black workers are unemployed than their white counterparts.
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"At least in theory, they're doing everything they were told they should do," said Wilson of black Americans with high levels of education. "Yet they still face significantly higher levels of unemployment and gaps in wages."
A long road to recovery
As the U.S. struggles to make its way past the damage done by the coronavirus pandemic, lawmakers are considering policies that may offer additional relief to disadvantaged workers in the near-term, such as an extension of the unemployment benefits supplied by the CARES Act, and a possible second round of stimulus checks. For programs designed to provide temporary relief or make longer-term contributions to narrowing the employment gap, Wilson notes the importance of making sure policies actually hit their targets. "We really need to be aware and have to assume that no policy is race neutral because of all of these preexisting and underlying disparities generated by previous policy and legal decisions," she said. "In making policy, there should always be an eye toward how it will impact different communities." Many, particularly on the left, say that regardless of specific policies, change will require the recognition of systemic inequalities, a point that has been central in the protests over George Floyd's death. At Floyd's Minneapolis memorial service held on Thursday, the civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton made such a point by analogizing widespread systemic injustice against black Americans to the officer's knee held against Floyd's neck during his Memorial Day arrest, which prosecutors have alleged contributed to his death. "Ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed of being is you kept your knee on our neck," Sharpton said, referring to 1619, the year generally understood as the beginning of black slavery in the colonies that would become the United States. He added: "We could run corporations and not hustle in the street, but you had your knee on our neck. We had creative skills, we could do whatever anybody else could do, but we couldn't get your knee off our neck." Nicole Smith, the chief economist at the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, said that it's frustrating that "most people recognize what it is, but are still reluctant to do anything about it." "And that's because doing anything about it would really require us to engage in a serious conversation about social justice," she said. On that point, Trump and Biden, the former vice president, are a study in contrasts. While Trump has argued that an economic recovery will, on its own, benefit black Americans, Biden has pressed for specifically targeting black communities with economic assistance, and collecting data on the race and sex of beneficiaries of federal recovery programs. During an address in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Biden, who has faced scrutiny over his record on race, said the "moment has come for our nation to deal with systemic racism." "To deal with the growing economic inequality in our nation. And to deal with the denial of the promise of this nation — to so many," Biden said.
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cnbc--2020-06-11--Trump proposal avoids committing to major police reform as protesters call out brutality and racism

As the country grapples with how to address ingrained racial inequities , Trump added that the White House would `` aggressively pursue '' economic development in communities of color by increasing access to capital for small businesses .
He also said his administration would work to address racial health-care disparities and call on Congress to enact school choice legislation .
He did not detail how his administration would require police to meet those standards , or whether he supported any major reforms as lawmakers at the local , state and federal levels consider how to overhaul policing .
Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his Republican allies in Congress consider more significant law enforcement reforms .
At a roundtable event in Dallas , Trump said he is finalizing an executive order to `` encourage police departments nationwide to meet the most current professional standards of force '' and de-escalation .
He said `` that means force , but force with compassion . ''
President Donald Trump did not commit to significant police reform Thursday as the United States faces its biggest reckoning in decades over brutality and racism in law enforcement .
US President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and small business owners at Gateway Church Dallas Campus in Dallas , Texas , on June 11 , 2020 .
Large-scale protests against police brutality and systemic racism have engulfed the nation since the Memorial Day death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man , in the custody of Minneapolis police .
The demonstrations have led cities around the country to consider how to reform their departments , and some have committed to cutting police funding or even replacing their departments entirely .
Trump criticized calls by activists and certain Democratic officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing the U.S. needs to `` invest more energy and resources '' in training and community engagement .
The president appeared to downplay systemic issues with policing : He contended departments have `` bad apples '' but `` not too many of them . ''
Congressional Democrats have already introduced a sweeping police reform plan , but Trump opposes major provisions in it including rolling back `` qualified immunity '' protections for officers that make it harder for victims of abuses to get damages .
The bill would create a federal registry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecute officers who commit abuses and ban chokeholds and `` no-knock '' search warrants , among other provisions .
Sen. Tim Scott , R-S.C. , has led discussions on a Senate Republican proposal .
He met with Trump advisors earlier this week .
Before Trump spoke Thursday , House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy indicated the GOP could back pieces of the Democratic proposal , Politico reported .
The California Republican said `` there 's a lot of concepts that we agree upon '' in changing police practices .
Prior to detailing proposals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said he has `` been fighting for the forgotten men and women of America . ''
He noted that he signed criminal justice reform legislation and secured funding for historically black colleges and universities .
The president also noted that the U.S. had `` the lowest black unemployment in the history '' before the coronavirus pandemic hit .
He said `` we 'll get it back again soon . ''
Unemployment trends show just one of the sustained examples of racial inequity in the U.S .
In May , the unemployment rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16.8 % , while the rate for white people fell to 12.4 % .
The record-low 5.5 % unemployment rate among black people in September 2019 was higher than the 3.2 % rate for whites .

As the country grapples with how to address ingrained racial inequities, Trump added that the White House would "aggressively pursue" economic development in communities of color by increasing access to capital for small businesses. He also said his administration would work to address racial health-care disparities and call on Congress to enact school choice legislation.
He did not detail how his administration would require police to meet those standards, or whether he supported any major reforms as lawmakers at the local, state and federal levels consider how to overhaul policing. Trump's plan for a vague executive order comes as his Republican allies in Congress consider more significant law enforcement reforms.
At a roundtable event in Dallas, Trump said he is finalizing an executive order to "encourage police departments nationwide to meet the most current professional standards of force" and de-escalation. He said "that means force, but force with compassion."
President Donald Trump did not commit to significant police reform Thursday as the United States faces its biggest reckoning in decades over brutality and racism in law enforcement.
US President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable with faith leaders and small business owners at Gateway Church Dallas Campus in Dallas, Texas, on June 11, 2020.
Large-scale protests against police brutality and systemic racism have engulfed the nation since the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in the custody of Minneapolis police. The demonstrations have led cities around the country to consider how to reform their departments, and some have committed to cutting police funding or even replacing their departments entirely.
Trump criticized calls by activists and certain Democratic officials to pull money from police departments, arguing the U.S. needs to "invest more energy and resources" in training and community engagement. The president appeared to downplay systemic issues with policing: He contended departments have "bad apples" but "not too many of them."
Congressional Democrats have already introduced a sweeping police reform plan, but Trump opposes major provisions in it including rolling back "qualified immunity" protections for officers that make it harder for victims of abuses to get damages. The bill would create a federal registry of police violence, make it easier to prosecute officers who commit abuses and ban chokeholds and "no-knock" search warrants, among other provisions.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., has led discussions on a Senate Republican proposal. He met with Trump advisors earlier this week.
Before Trump spoke Thursday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy indicated the GOP could back pieces of the Democratic proposal, Politico reported. The California Republican said "there's a lot of concepts that we agree upon" in changing police practices.
Prior to detailing proposals in Dallas, Trump pointed to the ways he said he has "been fighting for the forgotten men and women of America." He noted that he signed criminal justice reform legislation and secured funding for historically black colleges and universities.
The president also noted that the U.S. had "the lowest black unemployment in the history" before the coronavirus pandemic hit. He said "we'll get it back again soon."
Unemployment trends show just one of the sustained examples of racial inequity in the U.S. In May, the unemployment rate for black Americans ticked slightly higher to 16.8%, while the rate for white people fell to 12.4%.
The record-low 5.5% unemployment rate among black people in September 2019 was higher than the 3.2% rate for whites.
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cnbc--2020-06-12--Here's how Joe Biden would reopen the economy as coronavirus spreads

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden holds a roundtable meeting on reopening the economy with community leaders at the Enterprise Center in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , on June 11 , 2020 .
As states reopen businesses and U.S. coronavirus cases tick higher , former Vice President Joe Biden outlined a plan Thursday to reopen the economy .
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee unveiled the proposal as he started a roundtable in Philadelphia about safely lifting public health lockdowns during the pandemic .
While the coronavirus outbreak would likely look much different in January if Biden won the presidency and took office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contrast to President Donald Trump 's reopening policies , which it said fall `` woefully short . ''
Biden 's campaign said the proposal would : • Guarantee coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment for people who go back into work • Cover medical and family leave for people who either get sick with Covid-19 or have to care for loved ones • Temporarily expand workplace safety protections and fine businesses that do not meet the standards • Create a workforce of more than 100,000 coronavirus contact tracers in conjunction with state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies to make specific arrangements for workers who either face a high risk of health complications themselves or have family members who do , or let the employees receive unemployment insurance if they can not work safely • Provide grants for small businesses to cover the costs associated with reopening and ensure companies owned by people of color do not get shut out from federal resources • Cover additional costs schools and child-care centers face as they reopen In explaining why he wants the federal government to provide money for paid leave and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden said the economy would be in `` deeper trouble '' if the U.S. does not spend more .
As states reboot their economies in phases , the White House has downplayed the immediate need for more federal action to either make the process smoother or further aid individuals who have lost jobs or struggled to cover costs during the pandemic .
While Trump has previously endorsed sending another stimulus check to Americans , his administration does not expect to restart relief talks until July .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden holds a roundtable meeting on reopening the economy with community leaders at the Enterprise Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 2020.
As states reopen businesses and U.S. coronavirus cases tick higher, former Vice President Joe Biden outlined a plan Thursday to reopen the economy.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee unveiled the proposal as he started a roundtable in Philadelphia about safely lifting public health lockdowns during the pandemic. While the coronavirus outbreak would likely look much different in January if Biden won the presidency and took office then, his campaign's plan offers a contrast to President Donald Trump's reopening policies, which it said fall "woefully short."
Biden's campaign said the proposal would:
Guarantee coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment for people who go back into work
Cover medical and family leave for people who either get sick with Covid-19 or have to care for loved ones
Temporarily expand workplace safety protections and fine businesses that do not meet the standards
Create a workforce of more than 100,000 coronavirus contact tracers in conjunction with state, local and tribal officials
Require companies to make specific arrangements for workers who either face a high risk of health complications themselves or have family members who do, or let the employees receive unemployment insurance if they cannot work safely
Provide grants for small businesses to cover the costs associated with reopening and ensure companies owned by people of color do not get shut out from federal resources
Cover additional costs schools and child-care centers face as they reopen
In explaining why he wants the federal government to provide money for paid leave and reopening child-care centers, among other initiatives, Biden said the economy would be in "deeper trouble" if the U.S. does not spend more.
As states reboot their economies in phases, the White House has downplayed the immediate need for more federal action to either make the process smoother or further aid individuals who have lost jobs or struggled to cover costs during the pandemic. While Trump has previously endorsed sending another stimulus check to Americans, his administration does not expect to restart relief talks until July.


cnbc--2020-06-11--Senate committee authorizes subpoenas in GOP investigation into origins of Mueller probe

US Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting to consider authorization for subpoenas relating to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation , on Capitol Hill in Washington , June 11 , 2020 .
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Thursday to authorize 53 subpoenas in connection with an investigation into the origins of former special counsel Robert Mueller 's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election .
The afternoon vote along party lines grants the committee chairman , Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , the authority to issue the subpoenas , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
`` We need to look long and hard how the Mueller investigation went off the rails , '' Graham , a close political ally of President Donald Trump , said at the hearing .
Graham is up for reelection this year .
The 12-10 vote is an escalation of the GOP-led probe .
It comes a month after Trump urged Graham to bring in former President Barack Obama to testify on what he called the `` biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA . ''
`` Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No more Mr. Nice Guy .
No more talk ! ''
Trump wrote in the May 14 post on Twitter .
Graham pushed back on the idea at the time , saying `` it 'd be a bad precedent to compel a former president to come before the Congress . ''
`` That would open up a can of worms and for a variety of reasons I do n't think that 's a good idea , '' Graham said .
The committee authorized Graham to subpoena a variety of former government officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former CIA director John Brennan , and James Clapper , former director of national intelligence .
Subpoenas were also authorized for Obama 's former chief of staff , Denis McDonough , Hillary Clinton 's 2016 campaign chair , John Podesta , and Peter Strzok and Lisa Page , the former FBI employees whose texts disparaging Trump during his campaign drew scrutiny .
Democrats on the Judiciary Committee unsuccessfully sought to authorize subpoenas for former members of Trump 's inner circle , including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his former attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for whom subpoenas were authorized on Thursday were also targeted a week ago by the Senate Homeland Security Committee , which is pursuing its own investigation into the origins of Mueller 's probe .
That committee authorized 35 subpoenas on June 4 , NBC News reported .

US Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting to consider authorization for subpoenas relating to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 11, 2020.
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted on Thursday to authorize 53 subpoenas in connection with an investigation into the origins of former special counsel Robert Mueller's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
The afternoon vote along party lines grants the committee chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the authority to issue the subpoenas, which will target a range of former government officials.
"We need to look long and hard how the Mueller investigation went off the rails," Graham, a close political ally of President Donald Trump, said at the hearing. Graham is up for reelection this year.
The 12-10 vote is an escalation of the GOP-led probe. It comes a month after Trump urged Graham to bring in former President Barack Obama to testify on what he called the "biggest political crime and scandal in the history of the USA."
trump tweet
"Do it @LindseyGrahamSC, just do it. No more Mr. Nice Guy. No more talk!" Trump wrote in the May 14 post on Twitter.
Graham pushed back on the idea at the time, saying "it'd be a bad precedent to compel a former president to come before the Congress."
"That would open up a can of worms and for a variety of reasons I don't think that's a good idea," Graham said.
The committee authorized Graham to subpoena a variety of former government officials, including former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA director John Brennan, and James Clapper, former director of national intelligence.
Subpoenas were also authorized for Obama's former chief of staff, Denis McDonough, Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign chair, John Podesta, and Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, the former FBI employees whose texts disparaging Trump during his campaign drew scrutiny.
Democrats on the Judiciary Committee unsuccessfully sought to authorize subpoenas for former members of Trump's inner circle, including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his former attorney Michael Cohen.
Some of the individuals for whom subpoenas were authorized on Thursday were also targeted a week ago by the Senate Homeland Security Committee, which is pursuing its own investigation into the origins of Mueller's probe. That committee authorized 35 subpoenas on June 4, NBC News reported.


cnbc--2020-06-11--Military service, inspirational backstory make Sen. Tammy Duckworth a 'safe' choice for Biden's VP

Joe Biden 's promise to pick a female running mate has hardly helped him narrow the field : At least a dozen women are currently under consideration for the No .
2 spot on the presumptive Democratic nominee 's ticket .
Reportedly among them is Sen. Tammy Duckworth , the junior senator from Illinois and a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot .
On MSNBC last month , Duckworth signaled she would accept the job if offered .
`` I personally have always answered the call when my country has asked me to serve , '' she said when asked if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duckworth , 52 , has a military background and an inspiring path into politics , both of which could be assets to Biden 's campaign .
She is a Purple Heart recipient who overcame a grievous combat wound – she lost both of her legs in Iraq when her helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade – to become the first-ever Thai American woman elected to Congress .
She 's also been a fierce critic of President Donald Trump and his Republican allies , especially amid the coronavirus pandemic .
But while many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` safe '' choice for Biden , some are n't convinced that she 's the right pick in a political landscape that has been suddenly altered by the death of an unarmed black man in police custody .
Marj Halperin , an Illinois-based Democratic analyst , told CNBC in a phone interview that while Duckworth has been `` terrific '' for her state , `` she sits politically in much the same space '' as Biden .
`` I think if you 're looking for a woman to relate to family issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have sent people of all demographics into the street demanding change , she 's responsive , '' Halperin said , `` but I think you will find other candidates who are more of a leader in that regard . ''
Duckworth is known as a tough competitor .
She described the initial pain from her injuries in Iraq as `` nonstop , unrelenting , seemingly endless agony . ''
But less than two years later in 2006 , Duckworth launched her first campaign for Congress in Illinois ' 6th District .
She narrowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was quickly tapped by then-Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich , a Democrat , to lead the state 's Veterans Affairs Department , and later became the federal VA 's assistant secretary of public and intergovernmental affairs under former President Barack Obama .
She resigned from that post in 2011 to launch her second House bid , unseating Republican incumbent Joe Walsh , who became the subject of controversy when he criticized Duckworth for talking too much about her military service .
`` Our true heroes , the men and women who served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world they talk about , '' said Walsh , who later walked back the remarks .
Duckworth in 2016 won her Senate race against GOP Sen. Mark Kirk , who was roundly criticized after bringing up her heritage in a televised debate .
`` I 'd forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington , '' Kirk had said .
Here are some key biographical details : • Duckworth was born in Bangkok to a Thai mother and an American father , who was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , after a challenging pregnancy , Duckworth at 50 became the first U.S. senator to have a baby while in office .
• Government records watchdog site OpenSecrets estimated Duckworth 's net worth at $ 697,531 in 2018 , placing her 63rd in the Senate .
Trump in January 2019 signed the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act , which Duckworth sponsored with senior Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and Sen. John Kennedy , R-La .
The bill was aimed at increasing entrepreneurial opportunities for veterans , in part by making them eligible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed three of her proposed bills into law as a freshman senator , earning her plaudits from the bipartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking – in contrast to a stinging Chicago Tribune investigation in 2016 , which found that her tenure in the House yielded few legislative successes .
Trump in April added Duckworth , a member of the Senate Small Business Committee , to a bipartisan task force focused on reopening the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The task force included 12 other Democratic senators and every Republican senator , except Mitt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to convict Trump on articles of impeachment .
Trump was acquitted in February by the GOP-led chamber .
Biden 's campaign has kept a tight lid on the vice presidential selection process , but a few names have dominated the conversation .
California Sen. Kamala Harris , whose own 2020 presidential bid started strong but fizzled , is currently the leader on political betting site PredictIt to clinch the VP spot .
She 's 22 years younger than the 77-year old Biden , but is seen as having the experience to take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had served under Vice Presidents Biden and Al Gore when they were in office , told CNBC that he believes Biden 's top priority is finding someone who 's ready to immediately step into the role of president .
Florida Rep. Val Demings , the No .
2 candidate in the PredictIt rankings , could move the ball forward for Biden in Florida , an important swing state that Trump won over Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Duckworth 's price on the political betting site currently sits at 5 cents – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too low , '' said Brian Gaines , a political science professor at the University of Illinois ' Institute of Government and Public Affairs .
Harris is currently 44 cents , and Demings is at 18 cents .
`` There are a lot of compelling reasons '' to pick Duckworth , Gaines said .
A decision is unlikely to come before August .
Historically , presidential nominees have locked down their running mates a median of four days before their conventions begin , according to FiveThirtyEight .
The Democratic convention was rescheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for comment .
A Duckworth spokesman declined to comment and referred CNBC to the Illinois senator 's prior remarks about the Biden campaign .
Biden has seen increasing pressure to put a black woman on his ticket amid the massive protests over George Floyd , an unarmed black man who died after a white police officer held his knee on Floyd 's neck for more than eight minutes .
Harris and Demings are black .
`` If there 's something about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I suppose it could be that for some subset of the voters right now , given the particular focus on racial justice they might think , 'We really do n't just want a nonwhite candidate , we want an African American woman running with him , ' '' Gaines said .
Duckworth , while less vocal about her legislative work on policing than on veterans ' issues , this week co-sponsored the broad police accountability and reform bill introduced in the Senate , along with 34 other Democrats .
Duckworth had previously sponsored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement .
Biden , meanwhile , has pulled further ahead of Trump in the polls in the past few weeks , as both men respond to the ongoing protest movement in starkly different ways .
Trump has reacted aggressively , demanding `` law and order '' from state and city leaders to quash the violence that has sprung up at some demonstrations , while Biden has vowed to work to heal the country 's racial wounds that undergird the unrest .
With his lead in the polls widening , some argue that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duckworth , rather than a more polarizing figure , such as progressive Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, who might alienate some moderate Democrats and on-the-fence Republicans .
But Halperin said that `` when you look at the national dynamic today , there 's great and reasonable pressure for an African American , and from where I sit , I hope [ Biden ] will listen to that . ''
Biden has said that the protests have n't changed his decision-making process in finding a vice president .
`` It 's put a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get someone who is totally simpatico with where I am , '' Biden told CBS News on Tuesday .
Vela , who says he has several friends on Biden 's vice president vetting team , told CNBC that in such an impassioned political moment , he thinks a candidate 's specific policy goals will take a backseat to their character .
`` I think now it 's about , who can add to this ticket and be a partner in unifying the nation ? ''
Vela said .
`` And that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's more about heart and empathy and inspiration and leading . ''

Senator Tammy Duckworth(D-IL), speaks following the Senate voted on the War Powers resolution, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on February 13, 2020. Mandel Ngan | AFP | Getty Images
Joe Biden's promise to pick a female running mate has hardly helped him narrow the field: At least a dozen women are currently under consideration for the No. 2 spot on the presumptive Democratic nominee's ticket. Reportedly among them is Sen. Tammy Duckworth, the junior senator from Illinois and a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot. On MSNBC last month, Duckworth signaled she would accept the job if offered. "I personally have always answered the call when my country has asked me to serve," she said when asked if Biden's campaign had reached out. Duckworth, 52, has a military background and an inspiring path into politics, both of which could be assets to Biden's campaign. She is a Purple Heart recipient who overcame a grievous combat wound – she lost both of her legs in Iraq when her helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade – to become the first-ever Thai American woman elected to Congress. She's also been a fierce critic of President Donald Trump and his Republican allies, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic. But while many experts have been quick to label her a "safe" choice for Biden, some aren't convinced that she's the right pick in a political landscape that has been suddenly altered by the death of an unarmed black man in police custody. Marj Halperin, an Illinois-based Democratic analyst, told CNBC in a phone interview that while Duckworth has been "terrific" for her state, "she sits politically in much the same space" as Biden. "I think if you're looking for a woman to relate to family issues, to relate to the inequities that have sent people of all demographics into the street demanding change, she's responsive," Halperin said, "but I think you will find other candidates who are more of a leader in that regard."
US Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wearing a mask to protect herself and others from COVID-19, known as coronavirus, arrives for a vote at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, May 4, 2020. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images
A terrible injury and a career in service
Duckworth is known as a tough competitor. She described the initial pain from her injuries in Iraq as "nonstop, unrelenting, seemingly endless agony." But less than two years later in 2006, Duckworth launched her first campaign for Congress in Illinois' 6th District. She narrowly lost to Republican Peter Roskam. But she was quickly tapped by then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, to lead the state's Veterans Affairs Department, and later became the federal VA's assistant secretary of public and intergovernmental affairs under former President Barack Obama. She resigned from that post in 2011 to launch her second House bid, unseating Republican incumbent Joe Walsh, who became the subject of controversy when he criticized Duckworth for talking too much about her military service. "Our true heroes, the men and women who served us, it's the last thing in the world they talk about," said Walsh, who later walked back the remarks. Duckworth in 2016 won her Senate race against GOP Sen. Mark Kirk, who was roundly criticized after bringing up her heritage in a televised debate. "I'd forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington," Kirk had said. Here are some key biographical details: Duckworth was born in Bangkok to a Thai mother and an American father, who was also a U.S. Army veteran.
In 2018, after a challenging pregnancy, Duckworth at 50 became the first U.S. senator to have a baby while in office.
Government records watchdog site OpenSecrets estimated Duckworth's net worth at $697,531 in 2018, placing her 63rd in the Senate. In Congress, Duckworth has made veterans a central focus. Trump in January 2019 signed the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act, which Duckworth sponsored with senior Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. The bill was aimed at increasing entrepreneurial opportunities for veterans, in part by making them eligible to receive federal surplus personal property. Duckworth passed three of her proposed bills into law as a freshman senator, earning her plaudits from the bipartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking – in contrast to a stinging Chicago Tribune investigation in 2016, which found that her tenure in the House yielded few legislative successes. Trump in April added Duckworth, a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, to a bipartisan task force focused on reopening the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. The task force included 12 other Democratic senators and every Republican senator, except Mitt Romney of Utah – who had voted to convict Trump on articles of impeachment. Trump was acquitted in February by the GOP-led chamber.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) participates in a reenacted swearing-in with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in the Old Senate Chamber at the U.S. Capitol January 3, 2017 in Washington, DC. Aaron P. Bernstein | Getty Images
Tough competition
Biden's campaign has kept a tight lid on the vice presidential selection process, but a few names have dominated the conversation. California Sen. Kamala Harris, whose own 2020 presidential bid started strong but fizzled, is currently the leader on political betting site PredictIt to clinch the VP spot. She's 22 years younger than the 77-year old Biden, but is seen as having the experience to take the reins if needed. Moe Vela, who had served under Vice Presidents Biden and Al Gore when they were in office, told CNBC that he believes Biden's top priority is finding someone who's ready to immediately step into the role of president. Florida Rep. Val Demings, the No. 2 candidate in the PredictIt rankings, could move the ball forward for Biden in Florida, an important swing state that Trump won over Hillary Clinton in 2016. Duckworth's price on the political betting site currently sits at 5 cents – a figure that "strikes me as much too low," said Brian Gaines, a political science professor at the University of Illinois' Institute of Government and Public Affairs. Harris is currently 44 cents, and Demings is at 18 cents. "There are a lot of compelling reasons" to pick Duckworth, Gaines said. A decision is unlikely to come before August. Historically, presidential nominees have locked down their running mates a median of four days before their conventions begin, according to FiveThirtyEight. The Democratic convention was rescheduled to mid-August from July due to the pandemic. The Biden campaign did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. A Duckworth spokesman declined to comment and referred CNBC to the Illinois senator's prior remarks about the Biden campaign. Biden has seen increasing pressure to put a black woman on his ticket amid the massive protests over George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died after a white police officer held his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes. Harris and Demings are black. "If there's something about Duckworth that's a real drawback, I suppose it could be that for some subset of the voters right now, given the particular focus on racial justice they might think, 'We really don't just want a nonwhite candidate, we want an African American woman running with him,'" Gaines said. Duckworth, while less vocal about her legislative work on policing than on veterans' issues, this week co-sponsored the broad police accountability and reform bill introduced in the Senate, along with 34 other Democrats. Duckworth had previously sponsored a bill to enforce diversity training within law enforcement.
'Heart and empathy'


cnbc--2020-06-11--Trump blasts Fed for being 'wrong so often,' says 2021 will be 'one of our best ever years'

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion with conservative black supporters in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington , U.S. , June 10 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump on Thursday launched his first attack against the Federal Reserve in months , taking issue with the central bank 's subdued economic forecast .
`` The Federal Reserve is wrong so often , '' Trump said in a morning tweet .
The tweet came a day after the Fed ended its June meeting with a statement that markets interpreted as a grim near-term forecast for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' median outlook saw a 6.5 % GDP decline for 2020 and zero interest rates for at least the next two years as the economy struggles with a recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic .
But the forecast also indicated gains of 5 % and 3.5 % in the subsequent years , which actually jibes with Trump 's assertion of `` one of our best ever years '' ahead .
If the 2021 outlook is correct , it indeed would be the best year for the U.S. since 1984 .
Thursday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who recently laid off the Fed following months of blistering attacks .
Trump had complained that the Fed was keeping interest rates too high and not doing enough to help the economy continue what was the longest expansion in U.S. history .
While the central bank had resisted cutting rates as aggressively as Trump wanted previously , the coronavirus pandemic changed that .
Since mid-March , the Fed has slashed its short-term interest rate benchmark to near zero , began aggressively buying bonds again and instituted a series of programs aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Fed 's statement Wednesday showed near-unanimous anticipation that the funds rate would stay near zero as long as the economy is struggling , which would comply with Trump 's preference for lower rates .
`` I think what you see is a very weak second quarter , historically weak , and an expansion that builds momentum over time , '' Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said , adding : `` We 're not even thinking about thinking about raising rates . ''

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion with conservative black supporters in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., June 10, 2020.
President Donald Trump on Thursday launched his first attack against the Federal Reserve in months, taking issue with the central bank's subdued economic forecast.
"The Federal Reserve is wrong so often," Trump said in a morning tweet.
Tweet
The tweet came a day after the Fed ended its June meeting with a statement that markets interpreted as a grim near-term forecast for the recovery. Federal Open Market Committee members' median outlook saw a 6.5% GDP decline for 2020 and zero interest rates for at least the next two years as the economy struggles with a recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
But the forecast also indicated gains of 5% and 3.5% in the subsequent years, which actually jibes with Trump's assertion of "one of our best ever years" ahead. If the 2021 outlook is correct, it indeed would be the best year for the U.S. since 1984.
Thursday's tweet marks a departure for the president, who recently laid off the Fed following months of blistering attacks. Trump had complained that the Fed was keeping interest rates too high and not doing enough to help the economy continue what was the longest expansion in U.S. history.
While the central bank had resisted cutting rates as aggressively as Trump wanted previously, the coronavirus pandemic changed that.
Since mid-March, the Fed has slashed its short-term interest rate benchmark to near zero, began aggressively buying bonds again and instituted a series of programs aimed at keeping the markets and economy running.
The Fed's statement Wednesday showed near-unanimous anticipation that the funds rate would stay near zero as long as the economy is struggling, which would comply with Trump's preference for lower rates.
"I think what you see is a very weak second quarter, historically weak, and an expansion that builds momentum over time," Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said, adding: "We're not even thinking about thinking about raising rates."