usatoday--2020-03-12--Trump, lawmakers spar over details of economic package to address coronavirus fallout

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would use emergency authority to defer payments on federal loans to small businesses and to defer taxes for businesses hurt by coronavirus .
Trump also said in a prime-time address that he would ask Congress to approve an immediate payroll tax holiday , although he did n't say for how long .
“ Hopefully , they will consider this very strongly , ” he said .
And he will ask lawmakers for $ 50 billion for for the Small Business Administration loan program .
He said deferring taxes for certain businesses would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This is not a financial crisis , '' Trump said .
But lawmakers have opposed suspending the payroll tax because it would starve Social Security of funding and wouldn ’ t help hourly workers who lose work from reduced demand .
Even without losing revenue this year , Social Security is scheduled to deplete its balance by 2034 .
`` I would prefer they exercise other options before going down that path , '' Sen. John Thune of South Dakota , the second-ranking Republican in the Senate , has said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed free testing for the virus and enhanced paid sick leave , unemployment insurance and food assistance .
`` The best way to deal with the economic problems is focusing on the people who have suffered from the virus , not some scattershot approach that the ideologues in the White House may want , '' said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. Trump appeared to agree with lawmakers on the need to help the ill with health care costs and with sick leave , but he did n't spell out details .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ executives that they would waive copayments for coronavirus treatments and `` prevent surprise medical billing . ''
Trump said he would be taking emergency action soon to provide financial relief for paid sick leave , and would ask .
Senate Democrats proposed emergency legislation Wednesday for 14 days of paid sick leave , but action on the bill was blocked .
`` If you are sick or not feeling well , stay home , '' Trump said .
`` To ensure that working Americans impacted by the virus can stay home without fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taking emergency action , which is unprecedented , to provide financial relief .
This will be targeted for workers who are ill , quarantined or caring for others due to coronavirus . ''
The administration has also studied aid to the airline and cruise ship industries as travelers cancel trips amid what the World Health Organization is now calling a pandemic .
The number of U.S. cases surpassed 1,000 , with 31 deaths , federal health officials said .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield told a congressional committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38 states .
Legislative proposals are the first step in negotiating an economic stimulus package .
Reaching a deal could take weeks .
While Democrats focused on individuals losing wages or benefits , Trump sought to tackle the effects on smaller businesses and larger industries , as more people quarantine themselves to avoid getting sick .
`` We are working on details right now , ” said Larry Kudlow , a senior economic adviser to Trump .
“ We ’ re checking with the leaders of both parties of both houses to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , R-Fla. , chairman of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee , said he would hold a hearing Thursday about expanding the loan program as Trump proposed .
“ I look forward to working with President Trump on bipartisan legislation that will give the SBA additional resources and authority to infuse billions of dollars into our nation ’ s small businesses to help Americans deal with the coronavirus , ” Rubio said .
'Working on detail ' : 'Trump delays release of economic package for businesses , workers hurt by coronavirus House Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address the economic impact on individuals due to the coronavirus .
The bill is set to include issues like paid sick leave , bolstering unemployment insurance and free testing for the virus .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , who is leading the negotiations for the White House , spoke `` briefly by phone '' Wednesday about proposals for the next coronavirus legislative response , Pelosi 's deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill tweeted .
Hoyer told reporters that lawmakers were expected to vote Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to individuals to assure that they do not fall through the cracks.
” In the Senate , Democrats are preparing to send a letter urging the Trump administration to formally declare coronavirus a national emergency , to help state and local governments fight the virus .
The goal is to allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use more than $ 40 billion in the Disaster Relief Fund to assist state and local governments to fight the virus named COVID-19 .
Senate Democrats proposed emergency unemployment insurance to replace lost wages from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with children whose schools close .
They also proposed requiring employers to allow workers to accumulate seven days of paid sick leave , allowing them to stay home to prevent the spread of disease , and also 14 days of paid sick leave at the beginning of any public health emergency .
Sen. Patty Murray of Washington , the top Democrat on the labor committee , proposed that the Senate immediately consider legislation for paid sick leave .
But she was blocked by a Republican objection .
Murray said employees such as restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers shouldn ’ t face the choice of working while sick or losing their pay .
“ This is not a choice we should be asking anyone to make in the United States of American in the 21st Century , but 32 million people in our country today – or about one out of every four private sector workers – are faced with this impossible choice every time they get sick , ” Murray said .
Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , who chairs the Health , Education , Labor and Pensions Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He acknowledged workers are struggling but said businesses are also struggling and that an expensive federal mandate wouldn ’ t help them .
“ The idea of paid sick leave is a good idea , ” Alexander said .
“ But if Washington , D.C. , thinks it ’ s a good idea , Washington , D.C. , should pay for it.
” Democrats also sought to ensure food for low-income children who might miss breakfasts or lunches at schools that are closed during the crisis .
Lawmakers proposed several enhancements to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional aid during health emergencies , boosting SNAP benefits and allowing students to take meals home from closed schools or have them delivered .
`` We believe the help should be aimed at people , not at corporations .
We believe the help should be targeted at the people who have suffered from this coronavirus problem – directly or indirectly , '' Schumer said .
`` We don ’ t think they should just throw money out of an airplane and hope some of it lands on the people who are affected .
@

Christal Hayes, Nicholas Wu and Bart Jansen, USA TODAY

Trump, lawmakers spar over details of economic package to address coronavirus fallout
Show Caption Hide Caption Is the U.S. prepared for a coronavirus pandemic? A previous version of this video incorrectly stated how many people the 1918 Spanish influenza killed. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Wednesday he would use emergency authority to defer payments on federal loans to small businesses and to defer taxes for businesses hurt by coronavirus.
Trump also said in a prime-time address that he would ask Congress to approve an immediate payroll tax holiday, although he didn't say for how long. “Hopefully, they will consider this very strongly,” he said.
And he will ask lawmakers for $50 billion for for the Small Business Administration loan program. He said deferring taxes for certain businesses would provide the economy with $200 billion.
“This is not a financial crisis," Trump said.
But lawmakers have opposed suspending the payroll tax because it would starve Social Security of funding and wouldn’t help hourly workers who lose work from reduced demand. Even without losing revenue this year, Social Security is scheduled to deplete its balance by 2034.
"I would prefer they exercise other options before going down that path," Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, has said.
"It's a non-starter," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.
Trump's proposal came as congressional Democrats proposed free testing for the virus and enhanced paid sick leave, unemployment insurance and food assistance.
"The best way to deal with the economic problems is focusing on the people who have suffered from the virus, not some scattershot approach that the ideologues in the White House may want," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Trump appeared to agree with lawmakers on the need to help the ill with health care costs and with sick leave, but he didn't spell out details. The president said after meeting with health-insurance executives that they would waive copayments for coronavirus treatments and "prevent surprise medical billing."
Trump said he would be taking emergency action soon to provide financial relief for paid sick leave, and would ask . Senate Democrats proposed emergency legislation Wednesday for 14 days of paid sick leave, but action on the bill was blocked.
"If you are sick or not feeling well, stay home," Trump said. "To ensure that working Americans impacted by the virus can stay home without fear of financial hardship, I will soon be taking emergency action, which is unprecedented, to provide financial relief. This will be targeted for workers who are ill, quarantined or caring for others due to coronavirus."
The administration has also studied aid to the airline and cruise ship industries as travelers cancel trips amid what the World Health Organization is now calling a pandemic.
The number of U.S. cases surpassed 1,000, with 31 deaths, federal health officials said. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield told a congressional committee the virus has spread to at least 38 states.
Legislative proposals are the first step in negotiating an economic stimulus package. Reaching a deal could take weeks. While Democrats focused on individuals losing wages or benefits, Trump sought to tackle the effects on smaller businesses and larger industries, as more people quarantine themselves to avoid getting sick.
"We are working on details right now,” said Larry Kudlow, a senior economic adviser to Trump. “We’re checking with the leaders of both parties of both houses to see what is doable.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., chairman of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, said he would hold a hearing Thursday about expanding the loan program as Trump proposed.
“I look forward to working with President Trump on bipartisan legislation that will give the SBA additional resources and authority to infuse billions of dollars into our nation’s small businesses to help Americans deal with the coronavirus,” Rubio said.
'Working on detail': 'Trump delays release of economic package for businesses, workers hurt by coronavirus
House Democrats are planning to introduce a package Wednesday to address the economic impact on individuals due to the coronavirus. The bill is set to include issues like paid sick leave, bolstering unemployment insurance and free testing for the virus.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who is leading the negotiations for the White House, spoke "briefly by phone" Wednesday about proposals for the next coronavirus legislative response, Pelosi's deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill tweeted.
Hoyer told reporters that lawmakers were expected to vote Thursday on legislation addressing “the economic consequences to individuals to assure that they do not fall through the cracks.”
In the Senate, Democrats are preparing to send a letter urging the Trump administration to formally declare coronavirus a national emergency, to help state and local governments fight the virus. The goal is to allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use more than $40 billion in the Disaster Relief Fund to assist state and local governments to fight the virus named COVID-19.
Senate Democrats proposed emergency unemployment insurance to replace lost wages from a quarantine or the need to stay home with children whose schools close. They also proposed requiring employers to allow workers to accumulate seven days of paid sick leave, allowing them to stay home to prevent the spread of disease, and also 14 days of paid sick leave at the beginning of any public health emergency.
Trump floats payroll tax cut: Administration working on economic package as coronavirus spreads
US coronavirus outbreak: Tracking the outbreak
Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the labor committee, proposed that the Senate immediately consider legislation for paid sick leave. But she was blocked by a Republican objection.
Murray said employees such as restaurant workers, truck drivers and service industry workers shouldn’t face the choice of working while sick or losing their pay.
“This is not a choice we should be asking anyone to make in the United States of American in the 21st Century, but 32 million people in our country today – or about one out of every four private sector workers – are faced with this impossible choice every time they get sick,” Murray said.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who chairs the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, objected to fast-tracking the legislation. He acknowledged workers are struggling but said businesses are also struggling and that an expensive federal mandate wouldn’t help them.
“The idea of paid sick leave is a good idea,” Alexander said. “But if Washington, D.C., thinks it’s a good idea, Washington, D.C., should pay for it.”
Democrats also sought to ensure food for low-income children who might miss breakfasts or lunches at schools that are closed during the crisis. Lawmakers proposed several enhancements to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to provide additional aid during health emergencies, boosting SNAP benefits and allowing students to take meals home from closed schools or have them delivered.
"We believe the help should be aimed at people, not at corporations. We believe the help should be targeted at the people who have suffered from this coronavirus problem – directly or indirectly," Schumer said. "We don’t think they should just throw money out of an airplane and hope some of it lands on the people who are affected."
Contributing: Courtney Subramanian


usatoday--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: President Trump suspends travel from Europe to U.S. for 30 days

Coronavirus : Trump bans travel from Europe to U.S. for 30 days In hopes of limiting the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ suspension of all travel from Europe to the United States .

Coronavirus: Trump bans travel from Europe to U.S. for 30 days
In hopes of limiting the spread of COVID-19, President Trump orders a suspension of all travel from Europe to the United States.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-03-11--OnPolitics: Will Trump declare a national emergency tonight?

Are we in a state of emergency ?
President Trump and his administration have been under scrutiny since the coronavirus began to spread to what are now officially pandemic levels .
So his planned speech tonight at 9 pm EST is expected to be highly-watched because of the possibility that Trump will declare a national emergency .
Follow USA TODAY on social media or this article to stay updated on Trump 's speech : • Lawmakers consider a temporary halt to visitors in the Capitol • Trump campaign announces Wisconsin event shortly after White House advises to 'avoid crowding' • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 'bigoted ' coronavirus language Biden close to locking this thing up Joe Biden tightened his grasp on the Democratic nomination Tuesday , racking up significant wins in ways that could make it almost impossible for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to catch him in the coming weeks .
Biden collected the biggest prize – Michigan – delivering a symbolic blow to Sanders while depriving him of a chance to regain momentum .
The former vice president ’ s big night was punctuated by decisive victories in Missouri and Mississippi , continuing his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first win less than two weeks ago .
He carried Idaho Tuesday , despite Sanders ' blowout victory there in 2016 .
• Sanders vows to stay in the Democratic race

OnPolitics: Will Trump declare a national emergency tonight?
Show Caption Hide Caption What is a national emergency? President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Here's what that actually means. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Are we in a state of emergency?
President Trump and his administration have been under scrutiny since the coronavirus began to spread to what are now officially pandemic levels.
So his planned speech tonight at 9 pm EST is expected to be highly-watched because of the possibility that Trump will declare a national emergency.
Follow USA TODAY on social media or this article to stay updated on Trump's speech:
Biden close to locking this thing up
Joe Biden tightened his grasp on the Democratic nomination Tuesday, racking up significant wins in ways that could make it almost impossible for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to catch him in the coming weeks.
Biden collected the biggest prize – Michigan – delivering a symbolic blow to Sanders while depriving him of a chance to regain momentum. The former vice president’s big night was punctuated by decisive victories in Missouri and Mississippi, continuing his campaign's turnaround, which began with his first win less than two weeks ago.
He carried Idaho Tuesday, despite Sanders' blowout victory there in 2016.


usatoday--2020-03-12--Trump campaign says Biden using coronavirus as 'an excuse to get off the campaign trail'

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump 's campaign spokeswoman , Kayleigh McEnany , claimed Wednesday that former Vice President Joe Biden was canceling political events as `` an excuse to get off the campaign trail '' and not over coronavirus fears , as recommended by health officials .
Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , who are competing for the Democratic nomination , both canceled campaign rallies in Cleveland on Tuesday night following multiple primary contests , citing public health and safety concerns from the coronavirus .
More : Bernie Sanders vows to stay in the Democratic race after disappointing showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'blindsided ' : How Trump changed his coronavirus message amid fear , confusion in the White House In an interview Wednesday on FOX Business , McEnany claimed that `` the media ’ s best hope is for Donald Trump to suspend his rallies .
They ’ ve been wanting him to stop this , they know it ’ s his avenue to speak directly to the American people , so we ’ re going to follow the president ’ s lead , we ’ re not going to cave to the media .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re certainly not going to follow his lead as he tries to hide from the American people , ” she said .
Coronavirus live updates : WHO declares pandemic ; US death toll rises to 31 ; 'it 's going to get worse' 'Abundance of caution ' : Several lawmakers self-quarantine out of fear of contact with coronavirus Trump 's campaign announced an event in Wisconsin hours after the two Democratic presidential candidates canceled the rallies , and the White House has suggested people `` avoid crowding '' due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign announcement , the administration 's coronavirus task force held a briefing at the White House in which Vice President Mike Pence and the nation 's leading public health officials were flanked by a sign that cautioned people to `` avoid crowding '' and to consider limiting attendance at large gatherings .
However , the campaign reversed course 24 hours after the announcement Trump would be attending the event .
Shortly following his Oval Office address , Tim Murtaugh , director of communications for Trump 's reelection campaign , tweeted that the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholics for Trump event at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee on March 19 , citing an `` abundance of caution because of the coronavirus outbreak , “ and that it would be rescheduled .
When further discussing Trump 's choice to hold a campaign event , McEnany said that Trump `` is the best authority on this issue .
He takes into consult the words of everyone around him , that would include ( Health and Human Services Secretary ) Alex Azar , that would include ( Director of the National Institute of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that would include others .
So , I ’ ll leave it to the president .
Right now , we ’ re proceeding as normal.
” Fauci recommended to U.S lawmakers Wednesday `` that there not be large crowds '' when discussing events happening amid the coronavirus outbreak .
Biden 's campaign announced Wednesday that they would be doing virtual events in Florida and Illinois , following the recommendations of health officials .
More : Bernie Sanders will keep pursuing presidential nomination with eyes on Sunday debate , despite narrow path ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic as the global death toll rose above 4,300 and the number of confirmed cases exceeded 121,000 .

Trump campaign says Biden using coronavirus as 'an excuse to get off the campaign trail'
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Social distancing key to fighting COVID-19 Social distancing matters. Here is how to do it and how it can help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's campaign spokeswoman, Kayleigh McEnany, claimed Wednesday that former Vice President Joe Biden was canceling political events as "an excuse to get off the campaign trail" and not over coronavirus fears, as recommended by health officials.
Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who are competing for the Democratic nomination, both canceled campaign rallies in Cleveland on Tuesday night following multiple primary contests, citing public health and safety concerns from the coronavirus.
More: Bernie Sanders vows to stay in the Democratic race after disappointing showing Tuesday – updates
From 'great' to 'blindsided': How Trump changed his coronavirus message amid fear, confusion in the White House
In an interview Wednesday on FOX Business, McEnany claimed that "the media’s best hope is for Donald Trump to suspend his rallies. They’ve been wanting him to stop this, they know it’s his avenue to speak directly to the American people, so we’re going to follow the president’s lead, we’re not going to cave to the media."
"And, Joe Biden, we’re certainly not going to follow his lead as he tries to hide from the American people,” she said.
Coronavirus live updates: WHO declares pandemic; US death toll rises to 31; 'it's going to get worse'
'Abundance of caution': Several lawmakers self-quarantine out of fear of contact with coronavirus
Trump's campaign announced an event in Wisconsin hours after the two Democratic presidential candidates canceled the rallies, and the White House has suggested people "avoid crowding" due to the virus.
About an hour before that campaign announcement, the administration's coronavirus task force held a briefing at the White House in which Vice President Mike Pence and the nation's leading public health officials were flanked by a sign that cautioned people to "avoid crowding" and to consider limiting attendance at large gatherings.
However, the campaign reversed course 24 hours after the announcement Trump would be attending the event.
Shortly following his Oval Office address, Tim Murtaugh, director of communications for Trump's reelection campaign, tweeted that the president would now not make it to the Catholics for Trump event at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee on March 19, citing an "abundance of caution because of the coronavirus outbreak,“ and that it would be rescheduled.
When further discussing Trump's choice to hold a campaign event, McEnany said that Trump "is the best authority on this issue. He takes into consult the words of everyone around him, that would include (Health and Human Services Secretary) Alex Azar, that would include (Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) Dr. Fauci, that would include others. So, I’ll leave it to the president. Right now, we’re proceeding as normal.”
Fauci recommended to U.S lawmakers Wednesday "that there not be large crowds" when discussing events happening amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Biden's campaign announced Wednesday that they would be doing virtual events in Florida and Illinois, following the recommendations of health officials.
More: Bernie Sanders will keep pursuing presidential nomination with eyes on Sunday debate, despite narrow path ahead
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic as the global death toll rose above 4,300 and the number of confirmed cases exceeded 121,000.
Contributing: John Fritze, John Bacon


usatoday--2020-03-11--Biden has vastly outperformed Clinton in some primaries. Is that bad news for Trump come November?

BOSTON — Four years ago , Bernie Sanders won big among white blue-collar voters in the Democratic presidential primary , helping fuel his neck-and-neck run against Hillary Clinton that nearly reached the Democratic national convention .
It also exposed a major vulnerability for Clinton that proved damaging for her in the general election against Donald Trump .
But this year , as Joe Biden has taken command in the Democratic primary , some of the same demographic groups that did n't back Clinton in 2016 are delivering for the former vice president as he takes on the same opponent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be critical for Democrats to win back the Rust Belt swing states of Michigan , Wisconsin and Pennsylvania .
Since his breakout win in South Carolina and continuing into his latest romp Tuesday , Biden has vastly outperformed Clinton 's 2016 primary performance with two key groups : college-educated voters in affluent suburbs – where there has been a turnout surge – and rural working-class voters .
It 's why a race many predicted would be a long drawn-out fight is on the verge of collapsing for Sanders , a democratic socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden racks up more big wins and widens delegate lead , but Bernie Sanders says he 'll keep fighting Democrats have reason to be optimistic by voter turnout that 's up across the country , particularly in suburbs , which propelled Democrats to control of the House in 2018 .
And if Biden goes on to the be the nominee , even simply tightening Trump 's margins of victory in some areas could spell victory for the Democrats .
`` The party seems far more united .
( Biden ) seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton was , '' said John Della Volpe , director of polling at the Harvard Institute of Politics .
`` Clearly , he has some work to do , which is around the youth vote , but the good news I think for him and Democrats is there should be a lengthy opportunity to process what 's happened and to reset , repair and rebuild . ''
In just a 10-day span , Biden has taken a stranglehold of the nomination fight by coalescing support among Democrats who see him as the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivated to move on to the general election .
The broad coalition is led by African American support that matches Clinton 's in 2016 , but Biden is performing better than Clinton among white voters across the board .
Michigan , the top prize of Tuesday 's primaries , narrowly went to Sanders four year ago , jump-starting his 2016 surge .
But Tuesday , Biden topped Clinton 's numbers substantially in every subgroup of white voters , helping him sweep each of the state 's 83 counties .
Biden blew out Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite Sanders pumping major resources into the state – and even though Clinton and Biden are both aligned with establishment politics and ideologically , including their support of NAFTA , a perceived vulnerability in Michigan .
In 2016 , Sanders won Michigan 50 % -48 % .
More : Super Tuesday shake-up : The suddenly tough road for Bernie Sanders with Joe Biden as front-runner According to CNN exit polls , Biden netted a 24-percentage point swing among white voters over Clinton 's performance , spanning both men and women .
Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % -42 % in 2016 .
But Biden beat Sanders Tuesday 52 % -42 % .
Biden also netted 20-point gains over Clinton in every sub-group of white Michigan voters : men , women , college-educated and non-college educated .
`` We are learning that some of Bernie Sanders ' support in 2016 was more anti-Hillary Clinton support than pro-Sanders support , '' said Matt Grossman , a political scientist at Michigan State University .
`` It does n't seem to have carried over into 2020 . ''
In 2016 , Clinton was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and routinely faced questions of whether the country was ready to elect a woman .
She also was seen by some as dishonest , and many found her polarizing .
A Quinnipiac University poll this week found 51 % of the electorate nationally views Biden honest today , while only 29 % said the same about Clinton in August 2016 after she secured the nomination .
More : Bernie Sanders will keep pursuing presidential nomination with eyes on Sunday debate , despite narrow path ahead Grossman called the Michigan outcome Tuesday `` surprisingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in college towns like East Lansing , but still not as well as 2016 .
Despite losing black voters overwhelmingly , Sanders actually received slightly better numbers among voters of color in Michigan than four years ago .
`` So it really is a white voter loss that is accounting for Sanders doing a lot worse , '' Grossman said .
He said people should n't `` over-read '' the Michigan results , noting that there 's typically no relationship between how a candidate performs in a state in the primary and general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw it as a bad sign that Clinton was losing some traditionally Democratic voters that did turn out to be echoed in the general election ( for Trump ) , '' Grossman said .
`` So it 's at least a good sign for Biden that he did n't repeat that pattern . ''
A white working-class comeback for Dems ?
Do n't count on it , experts say Biden Tuesday pushed his delegate count to more than 850 out of the 1,991 needed to secure the nomination , building his lead over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clobbered Sanders 60 % -35 % in Missouri , winning every county again after Sanders came less than 1 percentage point from carrying the state in 2016 .
Sanders beat Clinton in Washington by a whopping 73 % -27 % in 2016 , but with votes still being counted Wednesday afternoon , Biden and Sanders are in a dead heat .
Biden also won Idaho , 49 % -43 % .
In Mississippi , which has a large African American electorate , Biden nearly matched Clinton in overall support but unlike 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threshold .
Sanders ' only projected win Tuesday was in North Dakota , which he also won in 2016 .
In all , Biden has won five states where Sanders beat Clinton in 2016 : Minnesota , Maine , Oklahoma , Michigan and Idaho .
Rachel Bitecofer , a political scientist and assistant director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University , said the electorate is different than four years ago because turnout is so much greater .
That could help explain one reason for Biden 's performance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , independents and Republicans can choose to vote in the Democratic primary in open-primary states like Michigan .
`` You also have the sentiment that 's driving the electorate now , too , '' Bitecofer said .
`` In my research , the electorate was very ideological and nitpicking in 2016 , and so it was very anti-establishment and Clinton paid an establishment price .
And now the voter pool is really looking toward an establishment candidate as a safety pick , a super risk-averse pick . ''
More : How Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it means for the next contests with Bernie Sanders But Bitecofer cautioned Democrats from thinking their path to beat Trump is by reversing the loss of white working-class voters who Trump won over .
Instead she said it 's by continuing gains in suburbs – including in the Rust Belt – and turnout among young voters and voters of color .
`` The Democratic victory in 2020 is not going to be on the back of white working-class voters .
It 's going to be from a turnout surge of Millennial , Gen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Bitecofer said .
`` This idea that Biden 's pathway to victory is by reconverting white working-class voters who 've been involved in a long-term coalitional realignment away from the Democratic Party is in my opinion a false narrative . ''
Amy Walter , national editor of the Cook Political Report , tweeted a grim outlook Tuesday night on Democrats ' path to winning the Midwest again .
`` The story of 2018 was the suburbs , '' Walter said , referring to Democratic midterm gains in the House .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is African-American + suburbs .
But , in places like ( Wisconsin ) , suburban vote has not moved as strongly blue and there are still LOTS of small town and rural votes that will be solid red . ''
Sanders did not speak publicly Tuesday night after his early losses .
But he acknowledged at a Wednesday news conference it `` was not a good night '' from a delegate standpoint .
And while he said his campaign is losing the electability debate , they are winning two others – the ideological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks forward to debating Biden in Phoenix on Sunday , which takes place two days before primaries in Arizona and three other highly populated states : Florida , Illinois and Ohio .
Biden will be favored in the latter of three , and considerably so in the biggest draw , Florida , where polling suggests he could be positioned to compete for nearly all of the 219 delegates in play .
Nonetheless , one glaring deficiency in the Biden coalition remains young voters , who overwhelmingly back Sanders , albeit not at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan , Sanders was the choice of 76 % of voters 18 to 29 , according to CNN exit polls , compared to 19 % support for Biden .
Sanders also won voters ages 30 to 44 by a margin of 52 % -42 % .
Della Volpe said the Clinton campaign faced a similar weakness with young voters coming out of the primary , and they knew it .
But he said the Clinton campaign wrongly assumed young voters would be firmly in her corner with Trump as the Republican nominee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was one of the top two or three reasons that she lost , '' Della Volpe said .
`` She took them for granted .
She did n't get the share of the youth vote that she wanted and they did n't turn out at the number she would have liked .
`` So my eyes are going to be looking through that demographic and whether the Biden campaign rebuilds and resets this relationship , because I think there 's more that they have in common that unites them than divides them .
@

Biden has vastly outperformed Clinton in some primaries. Is that bad news for Trump come November?
Show Caption Hide Caption Biden confident of of election chances Biden confident of of election chances AP
BOSTON — Four years ago, Bernie Sanders won big among white blue-collar voters in the Democratic presidential primary, helping fuel his neck-and-neck run against Hillary Clinton that nearly reached the Democratic national convention.
It also exposed a major vulnerability for Clinton that proved damaging for her in the general election against Donald Trump.
But this year, as Joe Biden has taken command in the Democratic primary, some of the same demographic groups that didn't back Clinton in 2016 are delivering for the former vice president as he takes on the same opponent. That includes non-college-educated white voters, who could be critical for Democrats to win back the Rust Belt swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Since his breakout win in South Carolina and continuing into his latest romp Tuesday, Biden has vastly outperformed Clinton's 2016 primary performance with two key groups: college-educated voters in affluent suburbs – where there has been a turnout surge – and rural working-class voters. It's why a race many predicted would be a long drawn-out fight is on the verge of collapsing for Sanders, a democratic socialist once considered the front-runner.
More: Joe Biden racks up more big wins and widens delegate lead, but Bernie Sanders says he'll keep fighting
Democrats have reason to be optimistic by voter turnout that's up across the country, particularly in suburbs, which propelled Democrats to control of the House in 2018. And if Biden goes on to the be the nominee, even simply tightening Trump's margins of victory in some areas could spell victory for the Democrats.
"The party seems far more united. (Biden) seems to be a far less divisive figure than Clinton was," said John Della Volpe, director of polling at the Harvard Institute of Politics. "Clearly, he has some work to do, which is around the youth vote, but the good news I think for him and Democrats is there should be a lengthy opportunity to process what's happened and to reset, repair and rebuild."
In just a 10-day span, Biden has taken a stranglehold of the nomination fight by coalescing support among Democrats who see him as the best shot to beat Trump and who are motivated to move on to the general election. The broad coalition is led by African American support that matches Clinton's in 2016, but Biden is performing better than Clinton among white voters across the board.
In Michigan, Biden's inroads on display
Michigan, the top prize of Tuesday's primaries, narrowly went to Sanders four year ago, jump-starting his 2016 surge. But Tuesday, Biden topped Clinton's numbers substantially in every subgroup of white voters, helping him sweep each of the state's 83 counties.
Biden blew out Sanders in Michigan, 53%-36%, despite Sanders pumping major resources into the state – and even though Clinton and Biden are both aligned with establishment politics and ideologically, including their support of NAFTA, a perceived vulnerability in Michigan. In 2016, Sanders won Michigan 50%-48%.
More: Super Tuesday shake-up: The suddenly tough road for Bernie Sanders with Joe Biden as front-runner
According to CNN exit polls, Biden netted a 24-percentage point swing among white voters over Clinton's performance, spanning both men and women. Sanders beat Clinton with white voters in Michigan 56%-42% in 2016. But Biden beat Sanders Tuesday 52%-42%. Biden also netted 20-point gains over Clinton in every sub-group of white Michigan voters: men, women, college-educated and non-college educated.
"We are learning that some of Bernie Sanders' support in 2016 was more anti-Hillary Clinton support than pro-Sanders support," said Matt Grossman, a political scientist at Michigan State University. "It doesn't seem to have carried over into 2020."
In 2016, Clinton was running to be the first woman president and routinely faced questions of whether the country was ready to elect a woman. She also was seen by some as dishonest, and many found her polarizing. A Quinnipiac University poll this week found 51% of the electorate nationally views Biden honest today, while only 29% said the same about Clinton in August 2016 after she secured the nomination.
More: Bernie Sanders will keep pursuing presidential nomination with eyes on Sunday debate, despite narrow path ahead
Grossman called the Michigan outcome Tuesday "surprisingly widespread," with Sanders performing better in college towns like East Lansing, but still not as well as 2016. Despite losing black voters overwhelmingly, Sanders actually received slightly better numbers among voters of color in Michigan than four years ago.
"So it really is a white voter loss that is accounting for Sanders doing a lot worse," Grossman said.
He said people shouldn't "over-read" the Michigan results, noting that there's typically no relationship between how a candidate performs in a state in the primary and general election.
"But people in retrospect saw it as a bad sign that Clinton was losing some traditionally Democratic voters that did turn out to be echoed in the general election (for Trump)," Grossman said. "So it's at least a good sign for Biden that he didn't repeat that pattern."
A white working-class comeback for Dems? Don't count on it, experts say
Biden Tuesday pushed his delegate count to more than 850 out of the 1,991 needed to secure the nomination, building his lead over Sanders to more than 150.
Biden clobbered Sanders 60%-35% in Missouri, winning every county again after Sanders came less than 1 percentage point from carrying the state in 2016. Sanders beat Clinton in Washington by a whopping 73%-27% in 2016, but with votes still being counted Wednesday afternoon, Biden and Sanders are in a dead heat. Biden also won Idaho, 49%-43%.
In Mississippi, which has a large African American electorate, Biden nearly matched Clinton in overall support but unlike 2016, Sanders fell below the 15% delegate threshold. Sanders' only projected win Tuesday was in North Dakota, which he also won in 2016.
In all, Biden has won five states where Sanders beat Clinton in 2016: Minnesota, Maine, Oklahoma, Michigan and Idaho.
Rachel Bitecofer, a political scientist and assistant director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University, said the electorate is different than four years ago because turnout is so much greater. That could help explain one reason for Biden's performance.
Lacking a competitive Republican primary like 2016, independents and Republicans can choose to vote in the Democratic primary in open-primary states like Michigan.
"You also have the sentiment that's driving the electorate now, too," Bitecofer said. "In my research, the electorate was very ideological and nitpicking in 2016, and so it was very anti-establishment and Clinton paid an establishment price. And now the voter pool is really looking toward an establishment candidate as a safety pick, a super risk-averse pick."
More: How Joe Biden roared back on Super Tuesday and what it means for the next contests with Bernie Sanders
But Bitecofer cautioned Democrats from thinking their path to beat Trump is by reversing the loss of white working-class voters who Trump won over. Instead she said it's by continuing gains in suburbs – including in the Rust Belt – and turnout among young voters and voters of color.
"The Democratic victory in 2020 is not going to be on the back of white working-class voters. It's going to be from a turnout surge of Millennial, Gen Z voters and Latinos and African Americans," Bitecofer said. "This idea that Biden's pathway to victory is by reconverting white working-class voters who've been involved in a long-term coalitional realignment away from the Democratic Party is in my opinion a false narrative."
Amy Walter, national editor of the Cook Political Report, tweeted a grim outlook Tuesday night on Democrats' path to winning the Midwest again.
"The story of 2018 was the suburbs," Walter said, referring to Democratic midterm gains in the House. "The ‘comeback’ story for Biden is African-American + suburbs. But, in places like (Wisconsin), suburban vote has not moved as strongly blue and there are still LOTS of small town and rural votes that will be solid red."
The story of 2018 was the suburbs. The ‘comeback’ story for Biden is African-American + suburbs. But, in places like WI, suburban vote has not moved as strongly blue and there are still LOTS of small town and rural votes that will be solid red. — amy walter (@amyewalter) March 11, 2020
Youth vote still lags for Biden
Sanders did not speak publicly Tuesday night after his early losses. But he acknowledged at a Wednesday news conference it "was not a good night" from a delegate standpoint. And while he said his campaign is losing the electability debate, they are winning two others – the ideological and generational debates.
He said he looks forward to debating Biden in Phoenix on Sunday, which takes place two days before primaries in Arizona and three other highly populated states: Florida, Illinois and Ohio.
Biden will be favored in the latter of three, and considerably so in the biggest draw, Florida, where polling suggests he could be positioned to compete for nearly all of the 219 delegates in play.
Nonetheless, one glaring deficiency in the Biden coalition remains young voters, who overwhelmingly back Sanders, albeit not at the turnout rate Sanders has needed. In Michigan, Sanders was the choice of 76% of voters 18 to 29, according to CNN exit polls, compared to 19% support for Biden. Sanders also won voters ages 30 to 44 by a margin of 52%-42%.
Della Volpe said the Clinton campaign faced a similar weakness with young voters coming out of the primary, and they knew it. But he said the Clinton campaign wrongly assumed young voters would be firmly in her corner with Trump as the Republican nominee.
"What we found is that it was one of the top two or three reasons that she lost," Della Volpe said. "She took them for granted. She didn't get the share of the youth vote that she wanted and they didn't turn out at the number she would have liked.
"So my eyes are going to be looking through that demographic and whether the Biden campaign rebuilds and resets this relationship, because I think there's more that they have in common that unites them than divides them."
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison


usatoday--2020-03-11--Biden to hold virtual events in Illinois, Florida due to coronavirus concerns

WASHINGTON – Former Vice President Joe Biden will now hold virtual events in Illinois and Florida due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden was set to host a rally in Chicago on Friday and another in Miami on Monday .
The campaign in a statement Wednesday said that they have been consulting with health officials and as a result , the campaign will no longer hold large crowd events in those two states .
Virtual events will replace the physical campaign events on their respective days .
No additional details about the events have been announced .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio , Tuesday due to concerns with coronavirus , also known as COVID-19 .
More : Bernie Sanders will keep pursuing presidential nomination with eyes on Sunday debate , despite narrow path ahead Earlier Wednesday , Biden announced his campaign formed a Public Health Advisory Committee `` to provide science-based , expert advice regarding steps the campaign should take to minimize health risks for the candidate , staff , and supporters . ''
He is slated to give a speech on coronavirus Thursday .
There are currently 25 cases of coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago area .
In Florida , there are currently 21 residents who have been diagnosed with coronavirus .
Two people have died due to the virus .
Both Illinois and Florida are two of the four states holding contests this upcoming Tuesday , along with Ohio and Arizona .
Sen. Bernie Sanders does not have any events scheduled in the coming days , and it 's unclear whether he will also begin hosting virtual or tele events .
His campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
However , Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cleveland Tuesday .
The Vermont senator has said he will take guidance from local and state health officials while campaigning .

Biden to hold virtual events in Illinois, Florida due to coronavirus concerns
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Social distancing key to fighting COVID-19 Social distancing matters. Here is how to do it and how it can help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Former Vice President Joe Biden will now hold virtual events in Illinois and Florida due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden was set to host a rally in Chicago on Friday and another in Miami on Monday. The campaign in a statement Wednesday said that they have been consulting with health officials and as a result, the campaign will no longer hold large crowd events in those two states.
Virtual events will replace the physical campaign events on their respective days. No additional details about the events have been announced. Biden canceled a primary night event in Cleveland, Ohio, Tuesday due to concerns with coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
More: Bernie Sanders will keep pursuing presidential nomination with eyes on Sunday debate, despite narrow path ahead
Earlier Wednesday, Biden announced his campaign formed a Public Health Advisory Committee "to provide science-based, expert advice regarding steps the campaign should take to minimize health risks for the candidate, staff, and supporters." He is slated to give a speech on coronavirus Thursday.
There are currently 25 cases of coronavirus in Illinois, with several of them in the Chicago area. In Florida, there are currently 21 residents who have been diagnosed with coronavirus. Two people have died due to the virus.
Both Illinois and Florida are two of the four states holding contests this upcoming Tuesday, along with Ohio and Arizona.
More: President Trump to deliver Oval Office address on coronavirus pandemic
Sen. Bernie Sanders does not have any events scheduled in the coming days, and it's unclear whether he will also begin hosting virtual or tele events. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
However, Sanders also canceled a campaign rally scheduled in Cleveland Tuesday. The Vermont senator has said he will take guidance from local and state health officials while campaigning.


usatoday--2020-03-11--DOJ takes new aim at violent Mexican drug cartel CJNG; 250 arrests in the U.S.

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department outlined a far-flung strike against the violent Mexican Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación , announcing the Wednesday arrests of 250 cartel operatives and leaders whose drug trafficking organization has flooded the U.S. with cocaine , heroin , methamphetamine and marijuana , officials said .
The Drug Enforcement Administration operation , dubbed Project Python , is part of a six-month campaign against the cartel known as CJNG that has netted a total of 750 arrests and seizures of $ 20 million .
“ Project Python marks the most comprehensive action to date ... to disrupt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski said Wednesday , casting the cartel as `` one of the highest-priority , transnational organized crime threats we face . ''
Drug Enforcement Administration chief Uttam Dhillon , whose agency has led the government enforcement actions , said the months-long effort represented just the first phase of the government crackdown .
`` This is just the beginning , '' Dhillon said .
Benczkowski described CJNG is one of the fastest growing criminal organizations in Mexico , and among the most prolific methamphetamine producers in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles , New York , Chicago , Houston and Atlanta .
`` At the same time , CJNG has contributed to a catastrophic trail of human and physical destruction in Mexico , '' Benczkowski said .
`` It is the most well-armed cartel in Mexico .
Its members willingly confront rival cartels and even the security forces of the Mexican government . ''
Led by Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes , known as `` El Mencho , '' the cartel is the focus of hundreds of U.S. trafficking investigations involving all of the DEA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The State Department has offered a $ 10 million reward for information leading to El Mencho 's arrest , one of the largest sums posted for a drug kingpin .
The Wednesday enforcement action comes after federal authorities have taken their fight to El Mencho 's inner circle .
Last month , El Mencho ’ s son and top lieutenant , Ruben `` Menchito '' Oseguera Gonzalez , was extradited from Mexico to the United States on drug trafficking and firearm charges .
And Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez , the cartel leader 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. , on charges of providing support to the cartel .

DOJ takes new aim at violent Mexican drug cartel CJNG; 250 arrests in the U.S.
Show Caption Hide Caption New DEA operation focuses on meth trafficking hubs Federal authorities say they are targeting methamphetamine "transportation hubs" around the country in an effort to block the distribution of the highly addictive drug. (Feb. 20) AP
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department outlined a far-flung strike against the violent Mexican Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, announcing the Wednesday arrests of 250 cartel operatives and leaders whose drug trafficking organization has flooded the U.S. with cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, officials said.
The Drug Enforcement Administration operation, dubbed Project Python, is part of a six-month campaign against the cartel known as CJNG that has netted a total of 750 arrests and seizures of $20 million.
“Project Python marks the most comprehensive action to date ... to disrupt, dismantle, and ultimately destroy CJNG,” Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski said Wednesday, casting the cartel as "one of the highest-priority, transnational organized crime threats we face."
Drug Enforcement Administration chief Uttam Dhillon, whose agency has led the government enforcement actions, said the months-long effort represented just the first phase of the government crackdown.
"This is just the beginning," Dhillon said.
Benczkowski described CJNG is one of the fastest growing criminal organizations in Mexico, and among the most prolific methamphetamine producers in the world, with major distribution hubs in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta.
"At the same time, CJNG has contributed to a catastrophic trail of human and physical destruction in Mexico," Benczkowski said. "It is the most well-armed cartel in Mexico. Its members willingly confront rival cartels and even the security forces of the Mexican government."
Led by Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," the cartel is the focus of hundreds of U.S. trafficking investigations involving all of the DEA's field offices in the U.S.
The State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to El Mencho's arrest, one of the largest sums posted for a drug kingpin.
The Wednesday enforcement action comes after federal authorities have taken their fight to El Mencho's inner circle.
Last month, El Mencho’s son and top lieutenant, Ruben "Menchito" Oseguera Gonzalez, was extradited from Mexico to the United States on drug trafficking and firearm charges. And Jessica Johanna Oseguera Gonzalez, the cartel leader's daughter, was arrested in Washington, D.C., on charges of providing support to the cartel.


usatoday--2020-03-12--FISA deal reauthorizing surveillance laws passes in the House, faces uncertain fate in the Senate

WASHINGTON — The House passed a bipartisan bill that would preserve surveillance authority for counterterrorism investigations and add oversight to the process but would n't deliver sweeping reforms demanded by privacy and civil liberties advocates .
The House passed the bill on a 278-136 vote Wednesday , just days before key surveillance laws are set to expire .
But the bill 's future is uncertain in the Senate , where leaders have acknowledged they are unlikely to pass the measure before the provisions expire Sunday .
At least two senators , who say the bill falls short of protecting privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block it .
President Donald Trump , who has attacked the FBI 's surveillance of his 2016 campaign as it investigated Russian election interference , hinted at a veto Thursday .
Key Senate Republicans , including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky , have urged their colleagues to back the bill .
Without an agreement , key provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act , or FISA , that are used to investigate foreign terrorists and espionage will expire .
The bill reauthorizes those provisions until Dec. 1 , 2023 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gap there will be before Senate leaders gather enough support .
`` Eventually , you know , we 're gon na have the votes to pass it , '' Senate Majority Whip John Thune , R-South Dakota , told reporters Thursday , adding that there could be some amendments .
The rare compromise between Republicans and Democrats follows weeks of negotiations over whether to overhaul the country 's surveillance laws .
It follows an inspector general 's report revealing fundamental errors and misstatements in the FBI 's controversial surveillance of a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stiffen criminal penalties for making false statements to the secret court that weighs surveillance requests and give the attorney general authority to sign off on surveillance requests of elected officials and federal candidates .
It also would permanently end a controversial program that collected metadata on phone calls , including more than 430 million in 2018 .
The National Security Agency has since suspended that program .
Attorney General William Barr , who also supports the measure , said it `` will protect against abuse and misuse in the future while ensuring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect the safety of the American people . ''
Calls to overhaul surveillance laws gained momentum last year after the Justice Department 's inspector general revealed several errors in the FBI 's applications to wiretap former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page .
A rare rebuke : Judge says the FBI misled FISA court when seeking permission to wiretap a former Trump campaign aide The three expiring provisions are part of an expansion of the government 's surveillance powers after the September 11 terrorist attacks .
They were not part of the FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation .
The proposed legislation would preserve the so-called `` business records '' provision that allows the government to obtain information from third parties , such as phone and Internet providers , for national security investigations .
It would retain access to `` roving wiretaps , '' which allow the government to eavesdrop on those who switch phone numbers or acquire `` burner '' phones to avoid detection .
And it would maintain the `` lone wolf '' provision that allows investigators to monitor foreigners in the U.S. who are suspected of aiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international terrorist organizations .
Negotiations over the FISA law became thorny after Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found in December that investigators had inflated their justification to monitor Page .
In a blistering report , the inspector general concluded that the FBI omitted information that undermined their suspicions , it overstated the reliability of a former British intelligence officer whose information they used to justify the warrants , and it did not submit documents to back up agents ' assertions .
Horowitz 's voluminous report debunked claims by Trump and his allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russia investigation .
At the same time , it revealed a systemic and equally troubling problem , experts said , and raised questions about the accuracy of more than 1,000 wiretap applications processed every year under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act .
Since the report was released , FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced more than 40 reforms , including additional verification of agents ' assertions , more documentation , training and internal audits .
The secretive court that approves sensitive surveillance operations issued a rare rebuke of the FBI , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court when it sought permission to wiretap Page .
Last week , Judge James Boasberg of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court barred DOJ and FBI employees who are `` under disciplinary or criminal review '' as a result of the Page surveillance from participating in the FISA process before the court .
FISA : FBI wiretap of Trump campaign aide was riddled with errors , but Russia probe was legally justified , IG report finds Across Pennsylvania Avenue , negotiations continued for weeks as the expiration date for the FISA provisions loomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burden of brokering a deal to preserve FISA , casting it as critical to law enforcement .
Late last month , Barr took his case to GOP senators , who pushed back against his efforts .
Perhaps the strongest resistance came from Lee , who said Barr 's pledge to create internal controls was `` not good enough . ''
Republicans , including some of Trump 's fiercest allies , have argued the surveillance law was used to carry out an attack on the Trump campaign .
Without massive reforms , they threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a statement , Republican leaders in the Senate , including McConnell , Thune , Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr of North Carolina , lauded the House action .
“ Our nation ’ s national security professionals and intelligence community work every day to confront grave threats , protect American lives from foreign terrorism , and counter espionage by hostile powers such as China and Russia , '' they said .
`` They are not complacent , and Congress must not be either .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities have helped preserve should not be misunderstood as evidence they are no longer needed .
To the contrary , it is evidence of their necessity . ''
But others are not satisfied .
Rep. Zoe Lofgren , D-Calif. , said by reauthorizing the `` business records '' provision , the bill would still allow intelligence agencies to collect vast amounts of private information on Americans .
Two privacy hawks in the Senate , Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah , also voiced their opposition , saying the bill does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse .
They urged Trump to veto the measure if it reaches his desk .
Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice , said instead of meaningful civil liberties reforms , the bill includes a `` series of 'Carter Page ' fixes designed to appeal to conservative lawmakers . ''
`` FISA is too important , and its impact on Americans ’ privacy rights too significant , to bypass regular procedure and rush through a weak reform bill , Goitein said .
`` Civil liberties shouldn ’ t be held hostage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House members Wednesday , the American Civil Liberties Union said the reforms contained in the bill are `` minimal '' and largely a `` codification of the status quo . ''
The group urged Congress to extend the expiring provisions by six weeks to allow lawmakers to come up with a more meaningful reform bill .

Kristine Phillips and Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

FISA deal reauthorizing surveillance laws passes in the House, faces uncertain fate in the Senate
WASHINGTON — The House passed a bipartisan bill that would preserve surveillance authority for counterterrorism investigations and add oversight to the process but wouldn't deliver sweeping reforms demanded by privacy and civil liberties advocates.
The House passed the bill on a 278-136 vote Wednesday, just days before key surveillance laws are set to expire. But the bill's future is uncertain in the Senate, where leaders have acknowledged they are unlikely to pass the measure before the provisions expire Sunday.
At least two senators, who say the bill falls short of protecting privacy rights of Americans, have threatened to block it. President Donald Trump, who has attacked the FBI's surveillance of his 2016 campaign as it investigated Russian election interference, hinted at a veto Thursday.
Key Senate Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, have urged their colleagues to back the bill. Without an agreement, key provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, that are used to investigate foreign terrorists and espionage will expire. The bill reauthorizes those provisions until Dec. 1, 2023.
It's not clear exactly how long of a gap there will be before Senate leaders gather enough support. "Eventually, you know, we're gonna have the votes to pass it," Senate Majority Whip John Thune, R-South Dakota, told reporters Thursday, adding that there could be some amendments.
The rare compromise between Republicans and Democrats follows weeks of negotiations over whether to overhaul the country's surveillance laws. It follows an inspector general's report revealing fundamental errors and misstatements in the FBI's controversial surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide.
The bill would stiffen criminal penalties for making false statements to the secret court that weighs surveillance requests and give the attorney general authority to sign off on surveillance requests of elected officials and federal candidates. It also would permanently end a controversial program that collected metadata on phone calls, including more than 430 million in 2018. The National Security Agency has since suspended that program.
Attorney General William Barr, who also supports the measure, said it "will protect against abuse and misuse in the future while ensuring that this critical tool is available when appropriate to protect the safety of the American people."
Calls to overhaul surveillance laws gained momentum last year after the Justice Department's inspector general revealed several errors in the FBI's applications to wiretap former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.
A rare rebuke: Judge says the FBI misled FISA court when seeking permission to wiretap a former Trump campaign aide
The three expiring provisions are part of an expansion of the government's surveillance powers after the September 11 terrorist attacks. They were not part of the FBI's surveillance of Page during the Russia investigation.
The proposed legislation would preserve the so-called "business records" provision that allows the government to obtain information from third parties, such as phone and Internet providers, for national security investigations. It would retain access to "roving wiretaps," which allow the government to eavesdrop on those who switch phone numbers or acquire "burner" phones to avoid detection. And it would maintain the "lone wolf" provision that allows investigators to monitor foreigners in the U.S. who are suspected of aiding foreign terrorists but are not connected to international terrorist organizations.
Negotiations over the FISA law became thorny after Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found in December that investigators had inflated their justification to monitor Page.
In a blistering report, the inspector general concluded that the FBI omitted information that undermined their suspicions, it overstated the reliability of a former British intelligence officer whose information they used to justify the warrants, and it did not submit documents to back up agents' assertions.
Horowitz's voluminous report debunked claims by Trump and his allies that political bias played a role in the Russia investigation. At the same time, it revealed a systemic and equally troubling problem, experts said, and raised questions about the accuracy of more than 1,000 wiretap applications processed every year under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Since the report was released, FBI Director Christopher Wray has announced more than 40 reforms, including additional verification of agents' assertions, more documentation, training and internal audits.
The secretive court that approves sensitive surveillance operations issued a rare rebuke of the FBI, saying the bureau misled the Justice Department and the court when it sought permission to wiretap Page.
Last week, Judge James Boasberg of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court barred DOJ and FBI employees who are "under disciplinary or criminal review" as a result of the Page surveillance from participating in the FISA process before the court.
FISA: FBI wiretap of Trump campaign aide was riddled with errors, but Russia probe was legally justified, IG report finds
Across Pennsylvania Avenue, negotiations continued for weeks as the expiration date for the FISA provisions loomed.
Barr has shouldered much of the burden of brokering a deal to preserve FISA, casting it as critical to law enforcement.
Late last month, Barr took his case to GOP senators, who pushed back against his efforts. Perhaps the strongest resistance came from Lee, who said Barr's pledge to create internal controls was "not good enough."
Republicans, including some of Trump's fiercest allies, have argued the surveillance law was used to carry out an attack on the Trump campaign. Without massive reforms, they threatened to allow the surveillance powers to expire.
In a statement, Republican leaders in the Senate, including McConnell, Thune, Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr of North Carolina, lauded the House action.
“Our nation’s national security professionals and intelligence community work every day to confront grave threats, protect American lives from foreign terrorism, and counter espionage by hostile powers such as China and Russia," they said. "They are not complacent, and Congress must not be either. The safety and security which these regularly-used authorities have helped preserve should not be misunderstood as evidence they are no longer needed. To the contrary, it is evidence of their necessity."
But others are not satisfied.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said by reauthorizing the "business records" provision, the bill would still allow intelligence agencies to collect vast amounts of private information on Americans.
Two privacy hawks in the Senate, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah, also voiced their opposition, saying the bill does not go far enough to guard against abuse. They urged Trump to veto the measure if it reaches his desk.
Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice, said instead of meaningful civil liberties reforms, the bill includes a "series of 'Carter Page' fixes designed to appeal to conservative lawmakers."
"FISA is too important, and its impact on Americans’ privacy rights too significant, to bypass regular procedure and rush through a weak reform bill, Goitein said. "Civil liberties shouldn’t be held hostage to deadlines."
In a letter to House members Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union said the reforms contained in the bill are "minimal" and largely a "codification of the status quo." The group urged Congress to extend the expiring provisions by six weeks to allow lawmakers to come up with a more meaningful reform bill.
Contributing: Christal Hayes


usatoday--2020-03-11--Sanders vows to stay in the Democratic race despite falling further behind in the polls

Sanders stays in ; looks forward to `` one-on-one debate '' with Biden Bernie Sanders will soldier on despite a @ @ @ @ @ path to the Democratic presidential nomination narrow considerably .

Sanders stays in; looks forward to "one-on-one debate" with Biden
Bernie Sanders will soldier on despite a disappointing Tuesday that saw his path to the Democratic presidential nomination narrow considerably.
USA TODAY, Wochit