usatoday--2020-07-08--Biden-Sanders unity task forces release proposals to overhaul criminal justice, immigration

WASHINGTON – The proposed Democratic Party platform includes a series of police reforms including banning choke holds , ending racial profiling and allowing victims of abuse to pursue civil litigation , according to the document released Wednesday by the party 's presumptive nominee , former Vice President Joe Biden .
The platform also committed Democrats to support legislation from Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee , D-Texas , that would create a commission to develop proposals for reparations for slavery and discrimination since 1619 .
`` Our criminal justice system is failing to keep communities safe — and failing to deliver justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats are committed to a comprehensive agenda to achieve racial equity .
That means improving economic mobility for people of color , including by addressing the racial wealth gap . ''
The 110-page Democratic document resulted from a half-dozen task forces appointed by Biden and his former rival , Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vermont , to unify the party ’ s moderate and progressive wings in the campaign against Trump .
More : How Joe Biden is working to win over progressive voters “ While Joe Biden and I , and our supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most important issues facing our country , we also understand that we must come together in order to defeat Donald Trump , the most dangerous president in modern American history , ” Sanders said in a statement .
Law enforcement has become a flashpoint between Biden and President Donald Trump because of protests following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody .
Biden became the presumptive nominee with support from Black voters in key states who are demanding police reforms .
Trump has campaigned as the law-and-order president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden said the platform could unify the party to win lasting change in the Nov. 3 election .
“ For the millions of Americans facing hardship due to President Trump ’ s failed coronavirus response , this election offers the chance to usher in a stronger , fairer economy that works for our working families , ” Biden said in a statement .
• Combating climate change .
Goals include making energy-saving updates to 2 million low-income households within five years and reaching zero greenhouse-gas emissions from new buildings by 2030 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Priorities include investing in police training to prevent unnecessary deaths , establishing standards such as using deadly force only as a last resort to prevent imminent threat to life and requiring application of the standards in exchange for federal funding .
• Building a stronger economy .
The platform decried lower average wages for women and minorities , and proposed investments in infrastructure , care work and clean energy .
• Improving education .
Proposals include expanding Head Start for preschoolers , fully funding special education and ending federal funding to for-profit charter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In contrasts to Trump administration policies , Democrats would travel and immigration restrictions that largely affect Muslims , expand protections for the children of undocumented immigrants to remain in the country and reduce restrictions on refugees seeking entry .
The co-chair of the climate task force , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , said she was pleased the platform moved Biden 's goal to eliminate carbon emissions from power plants by 2035 – 15 years earlier than he had previously supported .
Varshini Prakash , co-founder of the Sunrise Movement and a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the policies put forth by the groups and gave credit for the progress to the young voters and activists , saying that `` the power of our generation is beginning to show . ''
`` We now have a Democratic unity position that begins to reflect what young people have been shouting relentlessly – that the climate crisis is not some far off threat , '' Prakash said in a statement .
`` We ’ re no longer just setting far off goals for 30 years from now , but ready to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the next decade . ''
More : Young Black voters say they are n't enthusiastic about a Joe Biden presidency Prakash noted , however , that young people are still going to make their voices heard `` in the streets and at the ballot box , until we win a Green New Deal .
`` This movement is just getting started , '' she said .
Mijente director Marisa Franco , a member of the Biden campaign ’ s unity task force on immigration , said in a statement that she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were able to bring to the table '' and celebrate them as wins .
She added that `` a Biden presidency will stand in stark contrast to Trump ’ s policies . ''
Going into these task force negotiations , we knew we were going to have to push Biden past his comfort zone , both to reconcile with past offenses and to carve a new path forward , '' Franco said .
`` That is exactly what we did , unapologetically . ''

Bart Jansen and Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY

Biden-Sanders unity task forces release proposals to overhaul criminal justice, immigration
Show Caption Hide Caption Biden: Floyd's death shows 'open wound' of racism Joe Biden said Friday that the "open wound" of systemic racism was behind the police killing of a handcuffed black man in Minnesota. Biden also accused President Donald Trump, without mentioning him by name, of inciting violence with a tweet. (May 29) AP
WASHINGTON – The proposed Democratic Party platform includes a series of police reforms including banning choke holds, ending racial profiling and allowing victims of abuse to pursue civil litigation, according to the document released Wednesday by the party's presumptive nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden.
The platform also committed Democrats to support legislation from Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, that would create a commission to develop proposals for reparations for slavery and discrimination since 1619.
"Our criminal justice system is failing to keep communities safe — and failing to deliver justice," the platform says. "Democrats are committed to a comprehensive agenda to achieve racial equity. That means improving economic mobility for people of color, including by addressing the racial wealth gap."
The 110-page Democratic document resulted from a half-dozen task forces appointed by Biden and his former rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, to unify the party’s moderate and progressive wings in the campaign against Trump.
More: How Joe Biden is working to win over progressive voters
“While Joe Biden and I, and our supporters, have strong disagreements about some of the most important issues facing our country, we also understand that we must come together in order to defeat Donald Trump, the most dangerous president in modern American history,” Sanders said in a statement.
Law enforcement has become a flashpoint between Biden and President Donald Trump because of protests following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Biden became the presumptive nominee with support from Black voters in key states who are demanding police reforms. Trump has campaigned as the law-and-order president fighting chaos that erupted at some protests.
Biden said the platform could unify the party to win lasting change in the Nov. 3 election.
“For the millions of Americans facing hardship due to President Trump’s failed coronavirus response, this election offers the chance to usher in a stronger, fairer economy that works for our working families,” Biden said in a statement.
The platform covered provisions including:
Combating climate change. Goals include making energy-saving updates to 2 million low-income households within five years and reaching zero greenhouse-gas emissions from new buildings by 2030.
Goals include making energy-saving updates to 2 million low-income households within five years and reaching zero greenhouse-gas emissions from new buildings by 2030. Reforming the criminal justice system. Priorities include investing in police training to prevent unnecessary deaths, establishing standards such as using deadly force only as a last resort to prevent imminent threat to life and requiring application of the standards in exchange for federal funding.
Priorities include investing in police training to prevent unnecessary deaths, establishing standards such as using deadly force only as a last resort to prevent imminent threat to life and requiring application of the standards in exchange for federal funding. Building a stronger economy . The platform decried lower average wages for women and minorities, and proposed investments in infrastructure, care work and clean energy.
. The platform decried lower average wages for women and minorities, and proposed investments in infrastructure, care work and clean energy. Improving education. Proposals include expanding Head Start for preschoolers, fully funding special education and ending federal funding to for-profit charter schools.
Proposals include expanding Head Start for preschoolers, fully funding special education and ending federal funding to for-profit charter schools. Updating immigration policies. In contrasts to Trump administration policies, Democrats would travel and immigration restrictions that largely affect Muslims, expand protections for the children of undocumented immigrants to remain in the country and reduce restrictions on refugees seeking entry.
The co-chair of the climate task force, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said she was pleased the platform moved Biden's goal to eliminate carbon emissions from power plants by 2035 – 15 years earlier than he had previously supported.
Today the 6 Biden-Sanders Unity Task Forces are unveiling final language.
The Climate Task Force accomplished a great deal. It was an honor to serve as co-chair w/ Sec. @JohnKerry.
Among the notable gains: we shaved *15 years* off Biden’s previous target for 100% clean energy. https://t.co/pnLj7uufeg — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 8, 2020
Varshini Prakash, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement and a member of the climate task force, praised the policies put forth by the groups and gave credit for the progress to the young voters and activists, saying that "the power of our generation is beginning to show."
"We now have a Democratic unity position that begins to reflect what young people have been shouting relentlessly – that the climate crisis is not some far off threat," Prakash said in a statement. "We’re no longer just setting far off goals for 30 years from now, but ready to take immediate action – and achieve drastic transformation in the next decade."
More: Young Black voters say they aren't enthusiastic about a Joe Biden presidency
Prakash noted, however, that young people are still going to make their voices heard "in the streets and at the ballot box, until we win a Green New Deal.
"This movement is just getting started," she said.
Mijente director Marisa Franco, a member of the Biden campaign’s unity task force on immigration, said in a statement that she is "proud of the community demands we were able to bring to the table" and celebrate them as wins. She added that "a Biden presidency will stand in stark contrast to Trump’s policies."
Going into these task force negotiations, we knew we were going to have to push Biden past his comfort zone, both to reconcile with past offenses and to carve a new path forward," Franco said. "That is exactly what we did, unapologetically."


usatoday--2020-07-08--10 things that are selling out everywhere this summer

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed ’ s editors .
Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission .
Summer is in full swing—but following months of quarantine due to the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic , it looks a little bit different this year .
People have been spending more time in their own backyards , and outdoor recreation—like biking and roller skating—is more popular than ever .
Here at Reviewed , we 've spent the last few months tracking where to buy hard-to-find products , from hand sanitizer and toilet paper at the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more recently .
While many of us have now adapted to the `` new normal , '' there are still some things that are in high demand ( and low supply ) , including bikes , inflatable pools , and face masks .
Below are 10 popular products that continue to sell out at retailers across the country and where you can still find them online right now .
Trying to find an inflatable pool or even a pool float this summer is no easy feat , as all types of backyard and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To help you stay cool ( and have a little fun ) all season long , we 've compiled a list of some of the best pools and the best floats you can buy , including the trendy floating cabana from `` designer '' brand Funboy and these chic adult-friendly kiddie pools from Minnidip .
• Get the Bali Cabana Lounger from Funboy for $ 199 • Get the Minnidip Blushing Palms Pool from Target for $ 52.99 According to some experts , bikes are the new toilet paper .
I.e .
there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While some are shockingly on back-order until 2021 , our experts have rounded up all of the retailers where you can still get bikes right now for less than $ 1,000—and they 'll deliver your new wheels straight to your door .
• Get the Sixthreezero Men 's Single Speed Hybrid Cruiser Bicycle at Amazon for $ 421.75 • Get the Electra Cruiser 1 Step-Through Women 's Bike from REI for $ 319.95 More and more people are going out to shops and restaurants as many states lift stay-at-home orders—so face masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) recommends that you wear a cloth face covering whenever you 're in public , many retailers have begun selling fabric masks in all different styles , colors , and prints .
After scouring the Internet for the 70+ top places to buy face masks online , our experts tested some of the most popular ones and ranked the best face masks you can buy ( our favorites are from Athleta and Tom Bihn ) .
• Get the Athleta Non Medical Face Masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 • Get the Tom Bihn V1 Reusable Cloth Face Mask ( Individual ) from Tom Bihn for $ 13 Roller skating is one of the most unexpected—but also one of the biggest—trends right now .
Many retailers are sold out of skates but you can still get them from places like Amazon ( this classic pair has a 4.4-star rating from thousands of reviewers ) and Target ( these retro-style skates will give you all the nostalgic vibes ) .
• Get the Chicago Women 's Classic Roller Skates from Amazon for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Candy Adjustable Skate from Target for $ 49.99 As the weather has warmed up and people have moved from being inside to being outside , sprucing up your backyard space has become a popular hobby .
Hence why gardening supplies—including soil , seeds , and tools—are sold out at many retailers .
If you 're looking to stock up on things for your own garden , you can still have luck at both Home Depot and Amazon .
• Get the Scuddles Garden Tools Set from Amazon for $ 26.99 • Get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 8.47 Parents are desperate to keep their kids entertained this summer , so backyard games and toys are flying off the shelves .
Trampolines in particular have been selling out .
But they 're still available at a few retailers , including Amazon and Walmart , and are an activity the whole family can enjoy .
• Get the Shizz Trampoline from Amazon for $ 949.99 • Get the Bounce Pro 7-Foot Trampoline from Walmart for $ 229.98 With people still anxious about traveling and staying in hotels or rented homes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
As a result , there 's been a spike in sales for camping equipment and other outdoor gear , like tents , coolers , hammocks , and kayaks .
One of the most popular hammocks you can get is the Vivere hammock , which a few of our writers have tried and loved .
Get the Vivere Brazilian Double Sunbrella Hammock from Amazon for $ 149.97 People are spending more time in their backyards this summer , so patio furniture is in high demand—especially fire pits .
No matter your budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as $ 500 , you can buy all different styles of fire pits online at places like Wayfair and Amazon .
• Get the KINGSO Outdoor Fire Pit from Amazon for $ 59.99 • Get the Terrill Concrete Propane Fire Pit from Wayfair for $ 249.99 Workout gear like dumbbells , kettlebells , bands , and bars has been tough to find since the pandemic first forced gyms across the country to shutter their doors back in early spring .
And home gym equipment remains low in supply .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bands at a few retailers online , including Dick 's Sporting Goods and Target .
• Get the Fitness Gear 10-lb Dumbbell from Dick 's Sporting Goods for $ 11.99 • Get the GoFit Flat Power Resistance Bands from Target for $ 14.99 Alcohol delivery rose in popularity during quarantine as people opted for ordering online instead of heading to the local liquor store .
One of the most popular boozy products that is still high in demand is boxed wine .
Sales have jumped over 36 % in June , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of choice from top-rated service Drizly .
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered .
Follow Reviewed on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram for the latest deals , product reviews , and more .
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time .

10 things that are selling out everywhere this summer
— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.
Summer is in full swing—but following months of quarantine due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it looks a little bit different this year. People have been spending more time in their own backyards, and outdoor recreation—like biking and roller skating—is more popular than ever. Here at Reviewed, we've spent the last few months tracking where to buy hard-to-find products, from hand sanitizer and toilet paper at the start of quarantine to bike helmets and loungewear more recently.
While many of us have now adapted to the "new normal," there are still some things that are in high demand (and low supply), including bikes, inflatable pools, and face masks. Below are 10 popular products that continue to sell out at retailers across the country and where you can still find them online right now.
1. Inflatable pools and floats
Trying to find an inflatable pool or even a pool float this summer is no easy feat, as all types of backyard and water inflatables have been selling out. To help you stay cool (and have a little fun) all season long, we've compiled a list of some of the best pools and the best floats you can buy, including the trendy floating cabana from "designer" brand Funboy and these chic adult-friendly kiddie pools from Minnidip.
2. Bikes
According to some experts, bikes are the new toilet paper. I.e. there's a major shortage in the U.S. While some are shockingly on back-order until 2021, our experts have rounded up all of the retailers where you can still get bikes right now for less than $1,000—and they'll deliver your new wheels straight to your door.
3. Face masks
More and more people are going out to shops and restaurants as many states lift stay-at-home orders—so face masks have become a hot commodity. Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you wear a cloth face covering whenever you're in public, many retailers have begun selling fabric masks in all different styles, colors, and prints. After scouring the Internet for the 70+ top places to buy face masks online, our experts tested some of the most popular ones and ranked the best face masks you can buy (our favorites are from Athleta and Tom Bihn).
4. Roller skates
Roller skating is one of the most unexpected—but also one of the biggest—trends right now. Many retailers are sold out of skates but you can still get them from places like Amazon (this classic pair has a 4.4-star rating from thousands of reviewers) and Target (these retro-style skates will give you all the nostalgic vibes).
5. Gardening supplies
As the weather has warmed up and people have moved from being inside to being outside, sprucing up your backyard space has become a popular hobby. Hence why gardening supplies—including soil, seeds, and tools—are sold out at many retailers. If you're looking to stock up on things for your own garden, you can still have luck at both Home Depot and Amazon.
6. Trampolines
Parents are desperate to keep their kids entertained this summer, so backyard games and toys are flying off the shelves. Trampolines in particular have been selling out. But they're still available at a few retailers, including Amazon and Walmart, and are an activity the whole family can enjoy.
7. Camping gear
With people still anxious about traveling and staying in hotels or rented homes, outdoor vacations are on the rise this year. As a result, there's been a spike in sales for camping equipment and other outdoor gear, like tents, coolers, hammocks, and kayaks. One of the most popular hammocks you can get is the Vivere hammock, which a few of our writers have tried and loved.
Get the Vivere Brazilian Double Sunbrella Hammock from Amazon for $149.97
8. Fire pits
People are spending more time in their backyards this summer, so patio furniture is in high demand—especially fire pits. No matter your budget, from less than $100 to as much as $500, you can buy all different styles of fire pits online at places like Wayfair and Amazon.
9. Fitness equipment
Workout gear like dumbbells, kettlebells, bands, and bars has been tough to find since the pandemic first forced gyms across the country to shutter their doors back in early spring. And home gym equipment remains low in supply. However, you can still find weights and resistance bands at a few retailers online, including Dick's Sporting Goods and Target.
10. Boxed wine
Alcohol delivery rose in popularity during quarantine as people opted for ordering online instead of heading to the local liquor store. One of the most popular boozy products that is still high in demand is boxed wine. Sales have jumped over 36% in June, according to reports—and you can currently order your box of choice from top-rated service Drizly.
Shop boxed wine from Drizly
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.


usatoday--2020-07-08--Dolphins 'bless' surfer off Australian coast

Surfer has close encounter with pod of dolphins The surfer said he was `` blessed '' to encounter the dolphins @

Surfer has close encounter with pod of dolphins
The surfer said he was "blessed" to encounter the dolphins.
USA TODAY, Storyful


usatoday--2020-07-08--Facebook removes Roger Stone accounts linked to 'inauthentic behavior'

Facebook removed more than 100 pages and accounts affiliated with convicted Republican operative Roger Stone , a former adviser to President Donald Trump , for trafficking in false information dating to at least 2015 .
Nathaniel Gleicher , the social media giant 's chief of security policy , said Stone used Facebook to manipulate the public conversation in the U.S. That kind of `` coordinated inauthentic behavior '' violates Facebook 's rules .
Much of the activity , according to Gleicher , occurred just before and after the 2016 presidential election and included the posting of Democratic Party emails released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Hillary Clinton 's presidential campaign , were stolen by Russian hackers .
`` We first started looking into this network as part of our investigation into the Proud Boys , '' Gleicher said , referring to the far right extremist group with ties to white nationalism that was banned from the platform in 2018 .
`` We identified the full scope of this network following the recent public release of search warrants pertaining to the investigation by ( Russia ) Special Counsel Robert Mueller ... Our investigation linked this network to Roger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment : DOJ gave Roger Stone favorable treatment because he is an ally of the president , prosecutor says Ahead of the November election , Facebook is under growing pressure to police misinformation , hate speech , white nationalism and other harmful and divisive content on its platforms .
A civil rights audit released Wednesday found that Facebook 's hands-off approach to problematic content , including posts from Trump , could suppress voter turnout .
Stone was sentenced to a little over three years in prison earlier this year , following his conviction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers to protect Trump and his campaign and obstructing Congress ' investigation on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race .
The flamboyant political adviser , who has sought to delay serving his sentence because of the risk posed by the coronavirus pandemic , is scheduled to report to prison next week .
The deadly virus has killed nearly 100 federal prison inmates .
In all , Facebook said it took down 54 associated accounts , 50 pages and four Instagram accounts .
`` The people behind this activity used fake accounts ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post and comment on their own content to make it appear more popular than it is , evade enforcement , and manage pages , '' according to the Facebook statement .
More : Will the Facebook advertising boycott force the social media giant to change ?
Not likely

Kevin Johnson and Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY

Facebook removes Roger Stone accounts linked to 'inauthentic behavior'
Show Caption Hide Caption Roger Stone sentenced to 40 months in prison for obstructing Congress Roger Stone's sentence marks a downfall for the longtime political consultant who worked on political campaigns and reelection committees stretching back to Richard Nixon. USA TODAY
Facebook removed more than 100 pages and accounts affiliated with convicted Republican operative Roger Stone, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, for trafficking in false information dating to at least 2015.
Nathaniel Gleicher, the social media giant's chief of security policy, said Stone used Facebook to manipulate the public conversation in the U.S. That kind of "coordinated inauthentic behavior" violates Facebook's rules.
Much of the activity, according to Gleicher, occurred just before and after the 2016 presidential election and included the posting of Democratic Party emails released by Wikileaks. The emails, damaging to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, were stolen by Russian hackers.
"We first started looking into this network as part of our investigation into the Proud Boys," Gleicher said, referring to the far right extremist group with ties to white nationalism that was banned from the platform in 2018. "We identified the full scope of this network following the recent public release of search warrants pertaining to the investigation by (Russia) Special Counsel Robert Mueller... Our investigation linked this network to Roger Stone and his associates."
Favored treatment: DOJ gave Roger Stone favorable treatment because he is an ally of the president, prosecutor says
Ahead of the November election, Facebook is under growing pressure to police misinformation, hate speech, white nationalism and other harmful and divisive content on its platforms. A civil rights audit released Wednesday found that Facebook's hands-off approach to problematic content, including posts from Trump, could suppress voter turnout.
Stone was sentenced to a little over three years in prison earlier this year, following his conviction on seven criminal counts including lying to lawmakers to protect Trump and his campaign and obstructing Congress' investigation on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race.
The flamboyant political adviser, who has sought to delay serving his sentence because of the risk posed by the coronavirus pandemic, is scheduled to report to prison next week.
The deadly virus has killed nearly 100 federal prison inmates.
In all, Facebook said it took down 54 associated accounts, 50 pages and four Instagram accounts.
"The people behind this activity used fake accounts ... to pose as residents of Florida, post and comment on their own content to make it appear more popular than it is, evade enforcement, and manage pages," according to the Facebook statement.
More: Will the Facebook advertising boycott force the social media giant to change? Not likely


usatoday--2020-07-08--Re-opening federal death chamber: Victim opposition, pandemic threaten first execution in 17 years

Fifteen years after Daniel Lewis Lee was sentenced to die for his role in the brutal slaying of an Arkansas family , a letter arrived at the Justice Department from a surprising source .
G. Thomas Eisele , the federal judge who presided over the case , conceded that he had often questioned his work during the combined trial , lamenting that Lee ’ s co-defendant , Chevie Kehoe , was “ more culpable ” yet was spared by the jury and sentenced to life in prison .
“ I frequently have second-guessed my own decisions in this case and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have done differently that might have resulted in a more rational outcome , ” Eisele , then 91 and retired , wrote in 2014 .
“ I have no doubt that all involved did the best they could at the time with the knowledge that they had .
Still , the end result leaves me with the firm conviction that justice was not served in this particular case , solely with regard to the sentence of death imposed on Daniel Lewis Lee.
” Death penalty : Supreme Court clears way for federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not been solely Eisele 's burden , despite his death three years ago .
Dan Stripling , the lead prosecutor in the case , also has written about the arbitrary nature of the sentences returned against Lee and Kehoe , whose victims included an 8-year-old girl .
The loudest voices , however , belong to the victims ’ closest family members , who don ’ t doubt Lee ’ s involvement , but maintain that it would be “ unfair '' to execute the 47-year-old once-avowed white supremacist while the undisputed ringleader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is wrong , '' said Earlene Peterson , whose daughter , granddaughter and son-in-law were murdered .
“ We feel Mr. Lee ’ s execution would dishonor the memory of my daughter , Nancy Ann , and my granddaughter , Sarah Elizabeth.
” Barring a reprieve , Lee would be the first person executed by the federal government in nearly a generation .
His execution is scheduled for July 13 in Terre Haute , Indiana .
While the effective moratorium of 17 years has mostly centered on disputes involving the drugs used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s case – the first of three scheduled in quick succession next week – highlights a decades-long national struggle over the application of the ultimate punishment .
Battle for authority : DOJ says it has authority to carry out federal executions regardless of state rules The timing of Lee ’ s execution also has become particularly fraught for many involved , as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the country , particularly the federal prison system , where nearly 100 inmates and one staffer have died .
At the federal prison complex in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber is located , one inmate has died and four others are infected , according prison system records .
On Tuesday , Peterson , 81 , and two other family members went to court seeking at least a delay of execution until the virus threat eases .
Peterson and the other relatives plan to witness the execution even though they oppose it .
`` They ca n't make it safe , '' said Peterson , whose doctor has advised her not to attend because of her age and underlying heart and lung conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Lee 's attorney , Ruth Friedman , said Tuesday that the health risk could also prevent her from guiding her client through what could be his last moments alive .
`` I do n't know whether I can go there or not , '' Friedman said .
`` It 's shocking that we are talking about doing this in the middle of a pandemic . ''
With few exceptions , state executions have largely ground to a halt since the first surge of the coronavirus earlier this year .
Texas ' death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been dark since Feb. 6 , though that could change if Wednesday 's scheduled execution goes forward as planned .
Last month , the Supreme Court cleared the way for the federal government to resume executions .
The last federal inmate to be executedwas in 2003 , when Louis Jones , a Gulf War veteran , was put to death for the murder of another soldier .
Attorney General William Barr announced last year that the federal government would resume executions using the single drug pentobarbital .
The drug is used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The justices denied a challenge from Lee and three other convicted murderers , who argued that federal executions must adhere to the specific protocols used by the states where each man was sentenced , including the method of execution .
Fourteen states , led by Arizona , had sided with the Justice Department , telling the high court that pentobarbital `` is a fast-acting barbiturate that can reliably induce and maintain a coma-like state that renders a person insensate to pain . ''
“ The American people , acting through Congress and presidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructed that defendants convicted of the most heinous crimes should be subject to a sentence of death , ” Barr said last month .
“ The four murderers whose executions are scheduled ... have received full and fair proceedings under our Constitution and laws . ''
Bureau of Prisons : Feds reassign warden at Louisiana prison hit hard by coronavirus At the time of the Barr 's statement , Peterson and other victims ' family members had publicly expressed their opposition to Lee 's execution , yet the attorney general referred to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a central reason for proceeding .
`` We owe it to the victims of these horrific crimes , and to the families left behind , to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system , '' Barr said then .
Within days of Barr 's statement , Peterson , who describes herself as a `` Trump supporter , '' appealed again to the administration to remove Lee from death row and assign him a life sentence .
`` Please take our family ’ s feelings into consideration and grant clemency to Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thank you and God Bless You.
” There is no dispute over the heinous nature of the crimes that resulted in the deaths of William Mueller , his wife , Nancy , and her daughter , Sarah .
The family , according to court records , was targeted as part of 1996 robbery in which the pair sought to help fund the creation of a white supremacist community in the Pacific Northwest .
Plastic bags were placed over the victims ' heads and secured with tape , while their hands and feet were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bayou after being weighed down with rocks .
Kehoe , described by federal authorities as the more articulate of the two , was sentenced first and escaped the death penalty .
Lee , who had lost his left eye in a bar fight , cut a more menacing appearance in court with a swastika tattoo on his neck .
`` Kehoe was unquestionably the leader of the organization and plotter of the ( Mueller ) murders , '' the lead prosecutor , Stripling , said in a 2014 letter to then-Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Lee 's death sentence .
`` Lee 's role was that of the 'Aryan Hit Man . '
Evidence presented at trial established that Lee killed the two adults but was unable to execute the little girl .
This Kehoe did after insulting Lee for his weakness . ''
When an Arkansas federal court jury returned with a life sentence for Kehoe , Stripling said , prosecutors sought to withdraw their intent to seek death for Lee .
`` The decision to seek DOJ approval to withdraw the capital designation in Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Stripling wrote .
`` I do not feel that capital punishment is inherently wrong or that death rows are teeming with innocent people .
However , I find very disturbing the randomness with which defendants are charged , convicted , and sentenced in capital cases .
This case perfectly illustrates this unexplainable randomness .
It is this unpreventable disparity in outcomes that convinced me that the Lee capital designation should have been de-certified . ''
Eisele , the presiding judge , also believed that Lee 's fate had been settled when Kehoe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It was surprising to learn that this was not the case and that formal permission to withdraw the death penalty as to Lee had to be received from Washington , D.C. , '' Eisele wrote in a separate letter to Holder .
`` It was even more surprising to learn that permission was being denied , in direct conflict with the recommendation of the local United States Attorney and her assistants in Little Rock , all of them very capable prosecutors . ''
The fight goes on Friedman , Lee 's attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the judge are extraordinary .
`` This case is flabbergasting in many ways , '' Friedman said .
`` To have the judge and lead prosecutor in the case come the same conclusion – and for the family who was there every day at the trial to agree – that 's problematic .
`` And they ( the government ) want to go forward in the midst of a pandemic – who is this for ? ''
Although the Supreme Court shut down a challenge last week , Friedman said attorneys are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to the lethal injection protocol .
In Arkansas , meanwhile , Peterson said the loss , the prosecution , the sentencing dispute and the waiting has taken its toll .
Peterson said a nun who had been ministering to Lee during his time on death row had reached out to indicate that he had `` turned his life around . ''
Peterson said there has been no contact , however , with Lee directly .
`` It 's been a lot , '' Peterson said , emphasizing that her opposition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinterpreted .
`` He ( Lee ) is guilty , '' Peterson .
`` He does need to pay for what he did . ''
More : Coronavirus was Paul Manafort 's ticket home .
Many other old , ill , nonviolent inmates are still in prison

Re-opening federal death chamber: Victim opposition, pandemic threaten first execution in 17 years
Show Caption Hide Caption William Barr speeds release of vulnerable inmates as coronavirus surges Attorney General William Barr has ordered the release of vulnerable inmates from three federal prisons. Buzz60
Fifteen years after Daniel Lewis Lee was sentenced to die for his role in the brutal slaying of an Arkansas family, a letter arrived at the Justice Department from a surprising source.
G. Thomas Eisele, the federal judge who presided over the case, conceded that he had often questioned his work during the combined trial, lamenting that Lee’s co-defendant, Chevie Kehoe, was “more culpable” yet was spared by the jury and sentenced to life in prison.
“I frequently have second-guessed my own decisions in this case and wondered what, if anything, I could have done differently that might have resulted in a more rational outcome,” Eisele, then 91 and retired, wrote in 2014. “I have no doubt that all involved did the best they could at the time with the knowledge that they had. Still, the end result leaves me with the firm conviction that justice was not served in this particular case, solely with regard to the sentence of death imposed on Daniel Lewis Lee.”
Death penalty: Supreme Court clears way for federal executions to resume
The years of unease have not been solely Eisele's burden, despite his death three years ago. Dan Stripling, the lead prosecutor in the case, also has written about the arbitrary nature of the sentences returned against Lee and Kehoe, whose victims included an 8-year-old girl.
The loudest voices, however, belong to the victims’ closest family members, who don’t doubt Lee’s involvement, but maintain that it would be “unfair" to execute the 47-year-old once-avowed white supremacist while the undisputed ringleader serves a life sentence.
“This is wrong," said Earlene Peterson, whose daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law were murdered. “We feel Mr. Lee’s execution would dishonor the memory of my daughter, Nancy Ann, and my granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth.”
Barring a reprieve, Lee would be the first person executed by the federal government in nearly a generation. His execution is scheduled for July 13 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
While the effective moratorium of 17 years has mostly centered on disputes involving the drugs used to carry out lethal injection, Lee’s case – the first of three scheduled in quick succession next week – highlights a decades-long national struggle over the application of the ultimate punishment.
Battle for authority: DOJ says it has authority to carry out federal executions regardless of state rules
The timing of Lee’s execution also has become particularly fraught for many involved, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the country, particularly the federal prison system, where nearly 100 inmates and one staffer have died. At the federal prison complex in Terre Haute, where the federal execution chamber is located, one inmate has died and four others are infected, according prison system records.
On Tuesday, Peterson, 81, and two other family members went to court seeking at least a delay of execution until the virus threat eases. Peterson and the other relatives plan to witness the execution even though they oppose it.
"They can't make it safe," said Peterson, whose doctor has advised her not to attend because of her age and underlying heart and lung conditions. "This now totally unfair."
Coronavirus risk: Death row inmate seeks execution delay, says coronavirus endangers Buddhist priest
Lee's attorney, Ruth Friedman, said Tuesday that the health risk could also prevent her from guiding her client through what could be his last moments alive.
"I don't know whether I can go there or not," Friedman said. "It's shocking that we are talking about doing this in the middle of a pandemic."
With few exceptions, state executions have largely ground to a halt since the first surge of the coronavirus earlier this year. Texas' death chamber, the busiest in the nation, has been dark since Feb. 6, though that could change if Wednesday's scheduled execution goes forward as planned.
Supreme Court clears path
Last month, the Supreme Court cleared the way for the federal government to resume executions. The last federal inmate to be executed was in 2003, when Louis Jones, a Gulf War veteran, was put to death for the murder of another soldier.
Attorney General William Barr announced last year that the federal government would resume executions using the single drug pentobarbital. The drug is used in many but not all states.
Coronavirus outbreak: Hundreds of infected inmates challenging officials
The justices denied a challenge from Lee and three other convicted murderers, who argued that federal executions must adhere to the specific protocols used by the states where each man was sentenced, including the method of execution.
Fourteen states, led by Arizona, had sided with the Justice Department, telling the high court that pentobarbital "is a fast-acting barbiturate that can reliably induce and maintain a coma-like state that renders a person insensate to pain."
“The American people, acting through Congress and presidents of both political parties, have long instructed that defendants convicted of the most heinous crimes should be subject to a sentence of death,” Barr said last month. “The four murderers whose executions are scheduled... have received full and fair proceedings under our Constitution and laws."
Bureau of Prisons: Feds reassign warden at Louisiana prison hit hard by coronavirus
At the time of the Barr's statement, Peterson and other victims' family members had publicly expressed their opposition to Lee's execution, yet the attorney general referred to the government's obligation to the family as a central reason for proceeding.
"We owe it to the victims of these horrific crimes, and to the families left behind, to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system," Barr said then.
Within days of Barr's statement, Peterson, who describes herself as a "Trump supporter," appealed again to the administration to remove Lee from death row and assign him a life sentence.
"Please take our family’s feelings into consideration and grant clemency to Mr. Lee," Peterson said. "Thank you and God Bless You.”
A 'ghastly' crime; uneven punishment
There is no dispute over the heinous nature of the crimes that resulted in the deaths of William Mueller, his wife, Nancy, and her daughter, Sarah.
The family, according to court records, was targeted as part of 1996 robbery in which the pair sought to help fund the creation of a white supremacist community in the Pacific Northwest.
Plastic bags were placed over the victims' heads and secured with tape, while their hands and feet were bound. Their bodies were then dumped in a bayou after being weighed down with rocks. Kehoe, described by federal authorities as the more articulate of the two, was sentenced first and escaped the death penalty. Lee, who had lost his left eye in a bar fight, cut a more menacing appearance in court with a swastika tattoo on his neck.
"Kehoe was unquestionably the leader of the organization and plotter of the (Mueller) murders," the lead prosecutor, Stripling, said in a 2014 letter to then-Attorney General Eric Holder, expressing his concern for Lee's death sentence. "Lee's role was that of the 'Aryan Hit Man.' Evidence presented at trial established that Lee killed the two adults but was unable to execute the little girl. This Kehoe did after insulting Lee for his weakness."
When an Arkansas federal court jury returned with a life sentence for Kehoe, Stripling said, prosecutors sought to withdraw their intent to seek death for Lee.
"The decision to seek DOJ approval to withdraw the capital designation in Lee's case was not lightly made," Stripling wrote. "I do not feel that capital punishment is inherently wrong or that death rows are teeming with innocent people. However, I find very disturbing the randomness with which defendants are charged, convicted, and sentenced in capital cases. This case perfectly illustrates this unexplainable randomness. It is this unpreventable disparity in outcomes that convinced me that the Lee capital designation should have been de-certified."
Eisele, the presiding judge, also believed that Lee's fate had been settled when Kehoe was sentenced to life in prison.
"It was surprising to learn that this was not the case and that formal permission to withdraw the death penalty as to Lee had to be received from Washington, D.C.," Eisele wrote in a separate letter to Holder. "It was even more surprising to learn that permission was being denied, in direct conflict with the recommendation of the local United States Attorney and her assistants in Little Rock, all of them very capable prosecutors."
The fight goes on
Friedman, Lee's attorney, said the letters from the prosecutor and the judge are extraordinary.
"This case is flabbergasting in many ways," Friedman said. "To have the judge and lead prosecutor in the case come the same conclusion – and for the family who was there every day at the trial to agree – that's problematic.
"And they (the government) want to go forward in the midst of a pandemic – who is this for?"
Although the Supreme Court shut down a challenge last week, Friedman said attorneys are pursuing other options, including unresolved issues related to the lethal injection protocol.
In Arkansas, meanwhile, Peterson said the loss, the prosecution, the sentencing dispute and the waiting has taken its toll.
Peterson said a nun who had been ministering to Lee during his time on death row had reached out to indicate that he had "turned his life around." Peterson said there has been no contact, however, with Lee directly.
"It's been a lot," Peterson said, emphasizing that her opposition to the Lee's death sentence should not be misinterpreted.
"He (Lee) is guilty," Peterson. "He does need to pay for what he did."
More: Coronavirus was Paul Manafort's ticket home. Many other old, ill, nonviolent inmates are still in prison


usatoday--2020-07-08--VP Pence is encouraged by flattening curve in Arizona, Texas, and Florida

VP Pence : We are working toward opening America 's schools While visiting the Dep .
of Education , VP @ @ @ @ @ by the flattening number of new virus cases in Arizona , Texas and Florida .

VP Pence: We are working toward opening America's schools
While visiting the Dep. of Education, VP Pence says he is encouraged by the flattening number of new virus cases in Arizona, Texas and Florida.
Associated Press, Wochit


usatoday--2020-07-08--Supreme Court to rule Thursday on President Trump's effort to keep taxes, financial records secret

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court will complete its 2019 term Thursday with rulings on President Donald Trump 's effort to keep his tax returns and other financial records away from congressional investigators and New York prosecutors .
The long-awaited decisions are important for several reasons : They could result in Trump 's finances becoming public in the midst of his re-election campaign .
They could redefine the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches .
And they could determine if a sitting president , unlike other citizens , is above the law .
The court announced Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning at 10 a.m .
ET .
The two cases involving Trump 's finances were heard on May 12 , the second to last day of oral arguments , and were conducted by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The justices ' rulings will carry political , legal and constitutional implications for the president , Congress and law enforcement officials who have argued the records could reveal evidence of criminal wrongdoing or lead to new legislation on Capitol Hill .
More : Supreme Court grills both sides in landmark battle over Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his personal legal team , has refused to comply with subpoenas from three House committees controlled by Democrats , as well as Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. , seeking information from his accounting firm and banks .
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform issued a subpoena to Mazars USA , Trump 's accounting firm , more than a year ago seeking financial records from the president , his family business , a trust and the company that runs Trump International Hotel in Washington , D.C .
Thus far , two federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's former personal lawyer , Michael Cohen , testified before Congress that as a private citizen , Trump routinely overstated or understated his holdings for financial gain .
The panel wants to compare eight years of financial documents to Cohen 's testimony and government disclosures .
The House Financial Services Committee and the House Intelligence Committee issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and Capital One more than a year ago seeking records from Trump , his three oldest children and the Trump Organization .
The panels are probing risky lending practices by major financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. elections .
They , too , have been upheld twice in lower courts .
The Manhattan district attorney 's subpoenas came later as part of a criminal probe of hush-money payments that Cohen said were made to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal , who claimed they had affairs with Trump that he has denied .
Once again , two lower courts upheld the subpoenas .
Trump 's lawyers have argued that the president has absolute immunity while in office from grand jury investigations of criminal conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit , they contended Trump could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and escape prosecution until he leaves office .
In previous separation-of-powers battles over documents or testimony , the Supreme Court ruled unanimously against Presidents Richard Nixon in 1974 and Bill Clinton in 1997 , with their nominees in agreement .
The decisions led eventually to Nixon 's resignation and Clinton 's impeachment , though he was not ultimately removed from office by the Senate .

Supreme Court to rule Thursday on President Trump's effort to keep taxes, financial records secret
Show Caption Hide Caption Chief Justice John Roberts is not a sure bet for conservative rulings Chief Justice John Roberts has been a conservative vote in important past rulings, but recent decisions have some wondering if he's now a swing vote. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court will complete its 2019 term Thursday with rulings on President Donald Trump's effort to keep his tax returns and other financial records away from congressional investigators and New York prosecutors.
The long-awaited decisions are important for several reasons: They could result in Trump's finances becoming public in the midst of his re-election campaign. They could redefine the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. And they could determine if a sitting president, unlike other citizens, is above the law.
The court announced Wednesday that it would release its final opinions Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. ET. The two cases involving Trump's finances were heard on May 12, the second to last day of oral arguments, and were conducted by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The justices' rulings will carry political, legal and constitutional implications for the president, Congress and law enforcement officials who have argued the records could reveal evidence of criminal wrongdoing or lead to new legislation on Capitol Hill.
More: Supreme Court grills both sides in landmark battle over Trump's financial records
Trump, acting through his personal legal team, has refused to comply with subpoenas from three House committees controlled by Democrats, as well as Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., seeking information from his accounting firm and banks.
The House Committee on Oversight and Reform issued a subpoena to Mazars USA, Trump's accounting firm, more than a year ago seeking financial records from the president, his family business, a trust and the company that runs Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C. Thus far, two federal courts have upheld the subpoena.
Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, testified before Congress that as a private citizen, Trump routinely overstated or understated his holdings for financial gain. The panel wants to compare eight years of financial documents to Cohen's testimony and government disclosures.
The House Financial Services Committee and the House Intelligence Committee issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and Capital One more than a year ago seeking records from Trump, his three oldest children and the Trump Organization. The panels are probing risky lending practices by major financial institutions and efforts by Russia to influence U.S. elections. They, too, have been upheld twice in lower courts.
The Manhattan district attorney's subpoenas came later as part of a criminal probe of hush-money payments that Cohen said were made to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who claimed they had affairs with Trump that he has denied. Once again, two lower courts upheld the subpoenas.
Trump's lawyers have argued that the president has absolute immunity while in office from grand jury investigations of criminal conduct. During oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, they contended Trump could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and escape prosecution until he leaves office.
In previous separation-of-powers battles over documents or testimony, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously against Presidents Richard Nixon in 1974 and Bill Clinton in 1997, with their nominees in agreement. The decisions led eventually to Nixon's resignation and Clinton's impeachment, though he was not ultimately removed from office by the Senate.


usatoday--2020-07-08--Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander: Trump's WHO withdrawal could interfere with vaccine development

WASHINGTON – A top Senate Republican sharply criticized President Donald Trump 's decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization , saying it could jeopardize the development of a COVID-19 vaccine and impair efforts to stop the global pandemic .
`` Withdrawing U.S. membership could , among other things , interfere with clinical trials that are essential to the development of vaccines , which citizens of the United States as well as others in the world need , '' Sen. Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , chairman of the Senate health committee , said in a statement Tuesday after the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WHO withdrawal process .
Alexander also said withdrawing from the organization could make it harder for the United States to work with other countries to stop the spread of coronavirus and other diseases before they hit the U.S. '' If the administration has specific recommendations for reforms of the WHO , it should submit those recommendations to Congress , and we can work together to make those happen , ” he said .
Alexander said he agrees the WHO may have made mistakes in its handling of the pandemic , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the crisis has been dealt with , not in the middle of it . ''
The White House officially triggered the withdrawal process on Tuesday , notifying Congress and the United Nations that the United States would end its ties with the organization .
The White House said the withdrawal would take effect on July 6 , 2021 .
The formal notification came even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the globe and infections spike in many states across the U.S. Trump and his advisers have blasted the WHO as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to press China for full transparency about the scope and severity of the novel coronavirus .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that the WHO failed `` to perform its basic core mission of preventing a global pandemic spread . ''
Pompeo declined to say whether the Trump administration would fulfill its obligation to pay WHO membership dues through this year or to disclose how much U.S. owes the international health body .
`` We will work with Congress with respect to the appropriated funds .
We ’ ll get it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference .
`` But the president has made very clear we are not going to underwrite an organization that has historically been incompetent and not performed its fundamental function . ''
More : Trump has officially begun to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization as pandemic spikes Democrats and global health experts have condemned Trump 's decision , saying it will give China more influence at the WHO , not less , and will hurt Americans .
`` This wo n't protect American lives or interests – it leaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez , the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee , tweeted Tuesday after receiving the White House 's notification .
Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , said he would rejoin the WHO immediately if he wins the presidential race in November .
`` Americans are safer when America is engaged in strengthening global health .
On my first day as President , I will rejoin the @ WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage , '' the former vice president tweeted .

Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander: Trump's WHO withdrawal could interfere with vaccine development
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump officially plans to withdraw US from WHO Congress received formal notification of the decision after President Trump announced his intention to end the U.S. relationship with WHO. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – A top Senate Republican sharply criticized President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization, saying it could jeopardize the development of a COVID-19 vaccine and impair efforts to stop the global pandemic.
"Withdrawing U.S. membership could, among other things, interfere with clinical trials that are essential to the development of vaccines, which citizens of the United States as well as others in the world need," Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate health committee, said in a statement Tuesday after the White House formally notified Congress it had begun the WHO withdrawal process.
Alexander also said withdrawing from the organization could make it harder for the United States to work with other countries to stop the spread of coronavirus and other diseases before they hit the U.S.
"If the administration has specific recommendations for reforms of the WHO, it should submit those recommendations to Congress, and we can work together to make those happen,” he said.
Alexander said he agrees the WHO may have made mistakes in its handling of the pandemic, but the time to examine its performance "is after the crisis has been dealt with, not in the middle of it."
The White House officially triggered the withdrawal process on Tuesday, notifying Congress and the United Nations that the United States would end its ties with the organization.
The White House said the withdrawal would take effect on July 6, 2021. The formal notification came even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the globe and infections spike in many states across the U.S.
Trump and his advisers have blasted the WHO as a tool of China, saying its leaders failed to press China for full transparency about the scope and severity of the novel coronavirus.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that the WHO failed "to perform its basic core mission of preventing a global pandemic spread."
Pompeo declined to say whether the Trump administration would fulfill its obligation to pay WHO membership dues through this year or to disclose how much U.S. owes the international health body.
"We will work with Congress with respect to the appropriated funds. We’ll get it right," he told reporters at a news conference. "But the president has made very clear we are not going to underwrite an organization that has historically been incompetent and not performed its fundamental function."
More: Trump has officially begun to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization as pandemic spikes
Democrats and global health experts have condemned Trump's decision, saying it will give China more influence at the WHO, not less, and will hurt Americans.
"This won't protect American lives or interests – it leaves Americans sick & America alone," New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, tweeted Tuesday after receiving the White House's notification.
Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said he would rejoin the WHO immediately if he wins the presidential race in November.
"Americans are safer when America is engaged in strengthening global health. On my first day as President, I will rejoin the @WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage," the former vice president tweeted.


usatoday--2020-07-08--Supreme Court upholds autonomy of religious employers in employment discrimination cases

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that religious schools are exempt from most employment discrimination claims , doubling down on the autonomy religious employers enjoy to choose their leaders .
The 7-2 ruling came in two disputes between Catholic schools in California and the teachers they fired .
Under a so-called ministerial exception , religious employers are given autonomy over their workers that is not available to other employers .
`` The religious education and formation of students is the very reason for the existence of most private religious schools , and therefore the selection and supervision of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this work lie at the core of their mission , '' Alito wrote .
`` Judicial review of the way in which religious schools discharge those responsibilities would undermine the independence of religious institutions in a way that the First Amendment does not tolerate . ''
Sotomayor argued that the school 's opinion regarding the teachers ' religious role should not be the final word .
`` That simplistic approach has no basis in law and strips thousands of school teachers of their legal protections , '' she said .
Chief Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unanimous opinion in 2012 that allowed religious organizations to choose their leaders regardless of federal job discrimination laws .
The latest question was whether the fired teachers performed enough religious duties to be considered `` ministers '' exempt from those laws .
It was one of three major cases the high court considered this year in the area of religious freedom and decided in favor of religious groups .
On Wednesday , the court ruled 7-2 that nonprofit employers with religious or moral objections do not have to help provide insurance coverage for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June that a state may not grant financial support to children in private secular schools while denying the same support to families who have chosen private religious education for their children .
Obamacare : Supreme Court allows religious exemption for employers opposed to contraceptives In the employment discrimination cases , 5th grade teacher Kristen Biel was let go from St. James Catholic School after developing breast cancer and seeking medical leave to undergo chemotherapy .
She sued successfully under the Americans with Disabilities Act , and the school appealed .
Biel lost her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving her husband Darryl to carry on her challenge .
The other teacher , Agnes Morrissey-Berru , who is not a practicing Catholic , taught for 16 years at Our Lady of Guadalupe School but was let go , the school said , based on her performance .
She claimed age discrimination .
The schools relied on the Supreme Court 's 2012 ruling , but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled the teachers deserved their day in court .
The Trump administration took the schools ' side .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and liberal justices expressed concern about drawing lines among job descriptions .
If a religion teacher can be fired notwithstanding workplace anti-discrimination laws , some wondered , what about a general curriculum teacher , a nurse , a coach , a janitor or a bus driver ?
A telling moment came when Ginsburg , a four-time cancer patient , questioned whether religious schools should be able to fire workers for reasons that have “ absolutely nothing to do with religion , like needing to take care of chemotherapy.
” But in the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his way to note that `` religious education is vital to many faiths practiced in the United States , '' including Catholics , Protestants , Jews , Muslims , Mormons and Seventh-day Adventists .
`` When a school with a religious mission entrusts a teacher with the responsibility of educating and forming students in the faith , judicial intervention into disputes between the school and the teacher threatens the school ’ s independence in a way that the First Amendment does not allow , '' he said .

Supreme Court upholds autonomy of religious employers in employment discrimination cases
Show Caption Hide Caption Chief Justice John Roberts is not a sure bet for conservative rulings Chief Justice John Roberts has been a conservative vote in important past rulings, but recent decisions have some wondering if he's now a swing vote. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that religious schools are exempt from most employment discrimination claims, doubling down on the autonomy religious employers enjoy to choose their leaders.
The 7-2 ruling came in two disputes between Catholic schools in California and the teachers they fired. Under a so-called ministerial exception, religious employers are given autonomy over their workers that is not available to other employers.
Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote the court's majority opinion. Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented.
"The religious education and formation of students is the very reason for the existence of most private religious schools, and therefore the selection and supervision of the teachers upon whom the schools rely to do this work lie at the core of their mission," Alito wrote.
"Judicial review of the way in which religious schools discharge those responsibilities would undermine the independence of religious institutions in a way that the First Amendment does not tolerate."
Sotomayor argued that the school's opinion regarding the teachers' religious role should not be the final word.
"That simplistic approach has no basis in law and strips thousands of school teachers of their legal protections," she said.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the high court's unanimous opinion in 2012 that allowed religious organizations to choose their leaders regardless of federal job discrimination laws. The latest question was whether the fired teachers performed enough religious duties to be considered "ministers" exempt from those laws.
It was one of three major cases the high court considered this year in the area of religious freedom and decided in favor of religious groups. On Wednesday, the court ruled 7-2 that nonprofit employers with religious or moral objections do not have to help provide insurance coverage for contraceptives. And the court ruled in June that a state may not grant financial support to children in private secular schools while denying the same support to families who have chosen private religious education for their children.
Obamacare: Supreme Court allows religious exemption for employers opposed to contraceptives
In the employment discrimination cases, 5th grade teacher Kristen Biel was let go from St. James Catholic School after developing breast cancer and seeking medical leave to undergo chemotherapy. She sued successfully under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the school appealed. Biel lost her battle with the disease last year, leaving her husband Darryl to carry on her challenge.
The other teacher, Agnes Morrissey-Berru, who is not a practicing Catholic, taught for 16 years at Our Lady of Guadalupe School but was let go, the school said, based on her performance. She claimed age discrimination.
The schools relied on the Supreme Court's 2012 ruling, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled the teachers deserved their day in court. The Trump administration took the schools' side.
During oral argument in May, both conservative and liberal justices expressed concern about drawing lines among job descriptions. If a religion teacher can be fired notwithstanding workplace anti-discrimination laws, some wondered, what about a general curriculum teacher, a nurse, a coach, a janitor or a bus driver?
A telling moment came when Ginsburg, a four-time cancer patient, questioned whether religious schools should be able to fire workers for reasons that have “absolutely nothing to do with religion, like needing to take care of chemotherapy.”
But in the court's majority opinion, Alito went out of his way to note that "religious education is vital to many faiths practiced in the United States," including Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Mormons and Seventh-day Adventists.
"When a school with a religious mission entrusts a teacher with the responsibility of educating and forming students in the faith, judicial intervention into disputes between the school and the teacher threatens the school’s independence in a way that the First Amendment does not allow," he said.


usatoday--2020-07-09--Layoffs: 1.3M workers file for unemployment as COVID-19 spikes and businesses close again

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits continues to dwindle yet remains remarkably high as recently reopened businesses shut their doors amid spikes of the coronavirus .
1.3 million workers filed first time claims for unemployment insurance last week , the Labor Department said Thursday .
That latest round of applications means roughly 50 million Americans have made initial jobless benefits claims in just 16 weeks .
Jobs added:4.8M jobs added and unemployment falls to 11.1 % as more states reopen after COVID-19 shutdowns Extra federal benefits about to run out : Think that extra $ 600 in unemployment benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Think again .
Initial jobless claims are the nation 's most reliable gauge of layoffs and there has been progress .
About 1.43 million sought such aid the previous week , and the latest number marks the 14th week in a row that initial claims have declined .
But it 's also the 16th week in a row that first time applications for unemployment insurance hovered above 1 million .
The continuing high number of jobless claims punctures the positive news last week that the U.S. economy added a record 4.8 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses to reopen after they closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus , and a growing number of Americans returned to work .
The jobless rate fell to 11.1 % from 13.3 % in May , the Labor Department said .
The economy has still suffered a net loss of 14.7 million jobs during the downturn sparked by the pandemic , and the data for the most recent monthly jobs report was collected in mid-June before the spike in virus cases that is occurring in dozens of states .
`` Initial state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , and are only 16 % lower than on June 6 , '' Andrew Stettner , senior fellow at The Century Foundation , said in a statement .
`` Equally concerning , initial state claims increased in 23 states last week , including those with major virus spikes , such as Texas and Louisiana . ''
Now , more layoffs loom .
United Airlines warned this week that it may lay off 36,000 employees in the U.S. , including flight attendants and customer service agents , if travel does n't rebound .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if stores like Bed , Bath & Beyond continue to shutter locations .

Layoffs: 1.3M workers file for unemployment as COVID-19 spikes and businesses close again
Show Caption Hide Caption The CARES Act unemployment benefits ends on or before July 31 Millions of Americans have filed for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The extra federal benefit was allotted "for weeks of unemployment ending on or before July 31," meaning the last full week of July, unless Congress extends it. USA TODAY, Wochit
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits continues to dwindle yet remains remarkably high as reopened businesses shut their doors again amid spikes of the coronavirus.
Last week, 1.3 million workers filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance, the Labor Department said Thursday. That latest round of applications means roughly 50 million Americans have made initial jobless benefits claims in 16 weeks.
Jobs added: 4.8M jobs added, and unemployment falls to 11.1% as more states reopen after COVID-19 shutdowns
Extra federal benefits about to run out: Think that extra $600 in unemployment benefits will last until the end of July? Think again
Initial jobless claims are the nation's most reliable gauge of layoffs, and there has been progress. About 1.43 million sought such aid the previous week, and the latest number marks the 14th week in a row that initial claims have declined.
But it's also the 16th week in a row that first-time applications for unemployment insurance hovered above 1 million.
Coronavirus: What to expect in a recession, depression The coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting the global economy and raising fears of a recession. What causes a recession and what are the signs? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The high number of jobless claims punctures the positive news last week that the U.S. economy added a record 4.8 million jobs in June as states allowed more businesses to reopen and a growing number of Americans returned to work. The jobless rate fell to 11.1% from 13.3% in May, the Labor Department said.
The economy has suffered a net loss of 14.7 million jobs during the downturn sparked by the pandemic, and the data for the most recent monthly jobs report was collected in mid-June before a spike in virus cases in dozens of states.
"Initial state claims have barely budged over the past month, and are only 16% lower than on June 6,'' Andrew Stettner, senior fellow at the Century Foundation, said in a statement. "Equally concerning, initial state claims increased in 23 states last week, including those with major virus spikes, such as Texas and Louisiana."
More layoffs loom. United Airlines warned this week that it may lay off 36,000 employees in the USA, including flight attendants and customer service agents, if travel doesn't rebound. Retailers could shed even more jobs if stores such as Bed, Bath & Beyond continue to shutter locations.
The number of those receiving benefits for consecutive weeks is dropping, sliding by 698,000 to 18.06 million for the week that ended June 27, which confirms "that some rehiring continues to occur," Oxford Economics said in an investors note.
"Still, the number of individuals collecting regular state benefits is nearly three times the Great Recession peak," the note continued. "A full recovery in the labor market is going to be a multi-year process, and we think the resurgence in COVID-19 infections raises the risk that there will be a pause in the progress."
Follow Charisse Jones on Twitter @charissejones


usatoday--2020-07-09--What's next for college sports after a particularly ominous day?

There have been plenty of worrisome developments in the world of college sports since the coronavirus pandemic first struck in March .
Perhaps none in as many distinct areas , and in as rapid succession , as there were Wednesday .
In a span of less than 10 hours , Stanford announced that it is cutting 11 of its 36 varsity sports programs , including field hockey , wrestling and men 's volleyball .
The Ivy League said its schools will not participate in any sporting events through the fall semester , while leaving open the possibility that fall sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the spring .
Then Ohio State announced it was pausing workouts in seven sports , including football , after receiving the results of its latest batch of COVID-19 tests .
North Carolina made a similar move earlier Wednesday after learning of 37 positive tests .
It was a remarkable string of developments , providing reasons for pessimism about the trajectory of college sports at multiple levels .
The positive tests at Ohio State and UNC prompt questions about whether and how offseason workouts can safely continue across the country .
The Ivy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canary in the coal mine for college football season .
And Stanford 's cuts foreshadow the long-term budgetary challenges that may pop up at dozens of top-tier schools in the coming years .
`` As you can imagine , this has been a heartbreaking day for all of us , '' Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir said .
He was speaking specifically about the Cardinal , but the same could be said for the entire industry .
It was a brutal day .
And as COVID-19 continues to spread , with more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 million recorded cases to date , there 's no telling what new challenges might still be on the horizon .
Only twice on the men 's side has a World Cup final been decided by penalty kicks .
One instance occurred on this day in 2006 , when Italy defeated France 5-3 on PKs .
It was arguably one of the craziest World Cup finals ever , or at least one of the most memorable .
You might remember it as the `` Zinedine Zidane headbutt game . ''
PROTEST : Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MLS is Back match NEXT IN LINE : 10 NFL players set to land huge deals after Patrick Mahomes BACK IN THE NBA : Jamal Crawford reportedly agrees with Nets for restart OPTIMISM : Indiana governor still on board with plan for fans at Indy 500 BUBBLE DOUBTS : Joel Embiid does n't think NBA campus is `` safe enough '' FIVE-STAR ?
As NBA teams arrive at Disney World , glitches are expected Basketball ( live ) : The Basketball Tournament , Round of 16 , Herd That vs. TMT , 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live ) : The Basketball Tournament , Round of 16 , Armored Athlete vs. Overseas Elite , 4 p.m .
ET , ESPN Soccer ( live ) : MLS , New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union , 9 p.m .
ET , ESPN Contact Tom Schad at tschad @ usatoday.com or on Twitter @ Tom_Schad .

What's next for college sports after a particularly ominous day?
Show Caption Hide Caption Why fall college sports may be in peril SportsPulse: As Christine Brennan points out, the Ivy League's decisions have often been a tell tale sign for all college sports and it's time to prepare for a fall without college football. USA TODAY
There have been plenty of worrisome developments in the world of college sports since the coronavirus pandemic first struck in March.
Perhaps none in as many distinct areas, and in as rapid succession, as there were Wednesday.
In a span of less than 10 hours, Stanford announced that it is cutting 11 of its 36 varsity sports programs, including field hockey, wrestling and men's volleyball. The Ivy League said its schools will not participate in any sporting events through the fall semester, while leaving open the possibility that fall sports (like football) could be pushed to the spring.
Then Ohio State announced it was pausing workouts in seven sports, including football, after receiving the results of its latest batch of COVID-19 tests. North Carolina made a similar move earlier Wednesday after learning of 37 positive tests.
It was a remarkable string of developments, providing reasons for pessimism about the trajectory of college sports at multiple levels.
The positive tests at Ohio State and UNC prompt questions about whether and how offseason workouts can safely continue across the country. The Ivy League's decision could be the metaphorical canary in the coal mine for college football season. And Stanford's cuts foreshadow the long-term budgetary challenges that may pop up at dozens of top-tier schools in the coming years.
"As you can imagine, this has been a heartbreaking day for all of us," Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir said.
He was speaking specifically about the Cardinal, but the same could be said for the entire industry. It was a brutal day. And as COVID-19 continues to spread, with more than 130,000 Americans dead in its wake and 3 million recorded cases to date, there's no telling what new challenges might still be on the horizon.
Sports video of the day
Only twice on the men's side has a World Cup final been decided by penalty kicks. One instance occurred on this day in 2006, when Italy defeated France 5-3 on PKs. It was arguably one of the craziest World Cup finals ever, or at least one of the most memorable. You might remember it as the "Zinedine Zidane headbutt game."
What we're reading
FOLLOW SUIT: Senator calls on major conference to follow Ivy League decision
PROTEST: Black Players for Change protests on field at MLS is Back match
NEXT IN LINE: 10 NFL players set to land huge deals after Patrick Mahomes
BACK IN THE NBA: Jamal Crawford reportedly agrees with Nets for restart
NBA Q&A: Kenny Smith on virtual camps, season restart and Michael Jordan
OPTIMISM: Indiana governor still on board with plan for fans at Indy 500
BUBBLE DOUBTS: Joel Embiid doesn't think NBA campus is "safe enough"
FIVE-STAR? As NBA teams arrive at Disney World, glitches are expected
Sports on TV
Soccer (live): English Premier League, Bournemouth vs. Tottenham, 12:55 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
Soccer (live): Serie A, SPAL vs. Udinese, 1:25 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Basketball (live): The Basketball Tournament, Round of 16, Herd That vs. TMT, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN
Soccer (live): English Premier League, Aston Villa vs. Manchester United, 3:10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
Basketball (live): The Basketball Tournament, Round of 16, Armored Athlete vs. Overseas Elite, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN
Track & field (encore): Zurich Inspiration Games, 5:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
NASCAR (live): Xfinity Racing Series, Shady Rays 200, 8 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1
Soccer (live): MLS, New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.


usatoday--2020-07-09--Many Mississippi lawmakers opted not to wear masks at the Capitol. Now, 26 have COVID-19.

JACKSON , Miss .
– Gov .
Tate Reeves is warning the public to get tested for coronavirus if they have been in contact with a state lawmaker .
The number of coronavirus cases linked to an outbreak at the Capitol has grown to 36 , which includes 26 legislators , according to the state 's top health official .
Many politicians flouted recommendations to wear a mask inside the Capitol in recent weeks .
Now , about one in six of Mississippi state lawmakers have tested positive for the coronavirus .
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation and that about 290 people were tested at the Capitol this week .
The leaders of both chambers — Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov .
Delbert Hosemann — have tested positive for coronavirus .
On Wednesday , the Enterprise Journal reported that Rep. Sam Mims , R-McComb , had tested positive for coronavirus .
Mims chairs the House Public Health Committee .
The Legislature still has some budget issues to resolve , but Reeves said at a press conference Wednesday it would be too dangerous for lawmakers to come back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` that fishbowl of the Mississippi Capitol . ''

Giacomo Bologna, Mississippi Clarion Ledger

Many Mississippi lawmakers opted not to wear masks at the Capitol. Now, 26 have COVID-19.
Show Caption Hide Caption WATCH: Extra coronavirus precautions taken at MS Capitol Extra precautions are being taken at the Mississippi State Capital as the session resumes after a temporary shut down due to the coronavirus Barbara Gauntt, Clarion-Ledger
JACKSON, Miss. – Gov. Tate Reeves is warning the public to get tested for coronavirus if they have been in contact with a state lawmaker.
The number of coronavirus cases linked to an outbreak at the Capitol has grown to 36, which includes 26 legislators, according to the state's top health official.
Many politicians flouted recommendations to wear a mask inside the Capitol in recent weeks. Now, about one in six of Mississippi state lawmakers have tested positive for the coronavirus.
State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said the Mississippi Department of Health is monitoring the situation and that about 290 people were tested at the Capitol this week.
The leaders of both chambers — Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann — have tested positive for coronavirus. On Wednesday, the Enterprise Journal reported that Rep. Sam Mims, R-McComb, had tested positive for coronavirus. Mims chairs the House Public Health Committee.
The Legislature still has some budget issues to resolve, but Reeves said at a press conference Wednesday it would be too dangerous for lawmakers to come back to Jackson within the next two week to "that fishbowl of the Mississippi Capitol."
Follow Giacomo "Jack" Bologna on Twitter: @gbolognaCL.


usatoday--2020-07-09--Tom Daschle and Tom Ridge: America is paying a horrific price for neglecting public health

As our nation grapples with the worst public health threat it has ever faced , we do so with a public health infrastructure that is a shadow of what it once was .
Early in the 20th century , public health was part of America ’ s social contract and was broadly considered by leaders and citizens as a foundational tool to keep us safe .
But as the 1918 flu and other epidemics became a distant memory , so , too , did our country ’ s funding for public health departments .
This erosion has accelerated in today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which public health is lionized or demonized based on ideology rather than science .
The public health profession is responsible for remarkable advances that we take for granted today , including clean water , sanitation and control of infectious diseases .
In the past decade alone , public health efforts substantially lowered death rates from vaccine-preventable diseases like rotavirus and pneumonia , childhood lead poisoning , and coronary heart disease and strokes .
And yet , after decades of neglect , spending on public health represents less than 3 % of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After the Great Recession and long before COVID-19 began to spread throughout the world , budget pressures resulted in the elimination of more than 55,000 jobs from state , local , tribal and territorial departments of health , 19 % of the total workforce .
Crucial vaccination and testing programs were reduced or shut down .
Labs were shuttered .
Data collection systems remained on pen , paper and fax machine .
Into this vacuum crept growing skepticism , and with it a resurgence of diseases like measles .
We were left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that public health experts had warned about for decades .
It is time not only to rebuild , but to revitalize our country ’ s commitment to public health .
Congress should be commended for moving quickly to appropriate much-needed federal dollars so that our front line public health personnel can catch up and get ahead of COVID-19 , and to allow innovators to develop new medical countermeasures — therapeutics , antivirals and vaccines — that will eventually allow us to end the pandemic .
However , while significant , these funds provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are expended , public health will remain weak , leaving us vulnerable to the next pandemic or a biological attack .
We must invest in prevention It will take a national commitment to make sure this is never allowed to happen again .
We can not afford the lives lost and trillions of dollars spent .
Just as our federal budget contains an exception to restrictive spending caps for high-priority defense spending , so too should we provide an exception for those critical public health programs that prevent , detect and respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For too long , public health programs have been viewed as nonessential , grouped with other domestic spending programs and subject to strict budget caps that have remained relatively flat in inflation-adjusted dollars .
We must lift these caps .
We propose a new Public Health Defense Operations component of the federal budget to revitalize our county ’ s public health infrastructure and ensure we are never again caught unaware .
This new way of budgeting would require an annual budget that reflects the actual needs of these programs .
This may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s far from the reality .
Typically , budgets sent to Congress are written to fit predetermined spending levels , not the true needs of the country .
We propose that the programs that fall under the Public Health Defense Operations umbrella submit budgets to the Office of Management and Budget that reflect their true resource needs and that OMB includes these in the President ’ s Budget Request to Congress .
Only then can the White House and Congress understand what funding levels are needed to ensure our nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cole , R-Okla. recently referred to COVID-19 as our “ biomedical Pearl Harbor '' and wisely stated , “ It 's a smart thing to spend billions to save trillions .
We know what the cost of this event has been to our economy and our country.
” Indeed , during the late April peak of daily COVID-19 deaths in the United States , more than 3,000 Americans died — more than in the Sept. 11 , 2001 terrorist attacks .
More than 130,000 Americans have now died during the course of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in three months than during the Vietnam War , Iraq War and War in Afghanistan combined .
It is time we recognized that public health is part of what it means to defend the nation against all enemies , foreign and domestic .
And , while states have a moral and fiscal responsibility to support this critical system , the lion ’ s share must be provided by the federal government .
Never again should we be forced to isolate ourselves to protect our families from a pandemic .
Never again should we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to purchase protective equipment for our nation ’ s health care heroes .
Never again should we accept that public health funding is “ nice to have ” instead of a national and economic security requirement .
We must ensure that our children and their children are never allowed to endure this in their lifetimes .
Former Sen. Tom Daschle , D-S.D.
, is a former Senate Majority Leader .
Tom Ridge is a former secretary of Homeland Security and a former Republican governor of Pennsylvania .
They serve on the Bipartisan Commission @ @ @

Tom Daschle and Tom Ridge, Opinion contributors

Tom Daschle and Tom Ridge: America is paying a horrific price for neglecting public health We were left dangerously vulnerable to a pandemic, one that public health experts had warned about for decades.
Show Caption Hide Caption National Institutes of Health director warns against COVID complacency Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health, urges Americans to not get complacent about COVID, continue social distancing. USA TODAY
As our nation grapples with the worst public health threat it has ever faced, we do so with a public health infrastructure that is a shadow of what it once was.
Early in the 20th century, public health was part of America’s social contract and was broadly considered by leaders and citizens as a foundational tool to keep us safe. But as the 1918 flu and other epidemics became a distant memory, so, too, did our country’s funding for public health departments.
This erosion has accelerated in today’s hyper-partisan, hyper-connected world, in which public health is lionized or demonized based on ideology rather than science.
The public health profession is responsible for remarkable advances that we take for granted today, including clean water, sanitation and control of infectious diseases. In the past decade alone, public health efforts substantially lowered death rates from vaccine-preventable diseases like rotavirus and pneumonia, childhood lead poisoning, and coronary heart disease and strokes.
And yet, after decades of neglect, spending on public health represents less than 3% of what the country spends on health care annually.
After the Great Recession and long before COVID-19 began to spread throughout the world, budget pressures resulted in the elimination of more than 55,000 jobs from state, local, tribal and territorial departments of health, 19% of the total workforce. Crucial vaccination and testing programs were reduced or shut down. Labs were shuttered. Data collection systems remained on pen, paper and fax machine.
Into this vacuum crept growing skepticism, and with it a resurgence of diseases like measles. We were left dangerously vulnerable to a pandemic, one that public health experts had warned about for decades.
It is time not only to rebuild, but to revitalize our country’s commitment to public health. Congress should be commended for moving quickly to appropriate much-needed federal dollars so that our front line public health personnel can catch up and get ahead of COVID-19, and to allow innovators to develop new medical countermeasures — therapeutics, antivirals and vaccines — that will eventually allow us to end the pandemic.
However, while significant, these funds provide only temporary relief. Once these dollars are expended, public health will remain weak, leaving us vulnerable to the next pandemic or a biological attack.
We must invest in prevention
It will take a national commitment to make sure this is never allowed to happen again. We cannot afford the lives lost and trillions of dollars spent. Just as our federal budget contains an exception to restrictive spending caps for high-priority defense spending, so too should we provide an exception for those critical public health programs that prevent, detect and respond to health threats, both globally and domestically.
For too long, public health programs have been viewed as nonessential, grouped with other domestic spending programs and subject to strict budget caps that have remained relatively flat in inflation-adjusted dollars. We must lift these caps.
We propose a new Public Health Defense Operations component of the federal budget to revitalize our county’s public health infrastructure and ensure we are never again caught unaware.
Coronavirus: How coronavirus COVID-19 attacks the body How does coronavirus enter the body, and why does it become fatal for some compared to just a cough or fever for others? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
This new way of budgeting would require an annual budget that reflects the actual needs of these programs. This may seem obvious, but in Washington, it’s far from the reality. Typically, budgets sent to Congress are written to fit predetermined spending levels, not the true needs of the country.
We propose that the programs that fall under the Public Health Defense Operations umbrella submit budgets to the Office of Management and Budget that reflect their true resource needs and that OMB includes these in the President’s Budget Request to Congress. Only then can the White House and Congress understand what funding levels are needed to ensure our nation’s public health security.
Health is part of national defense
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. recently referred to COVID-19 as our “biomedical Pearl Harbor" and wisely stated, “It's a smart thing to spend billions to save trillions. We know what the cost of this event has been to our economy and our country.”
Indeed, during the late April peak of daily COVID-19 deaths in the United States, more than 3,000 Americans died — more than in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. More than 130,000 Americans have now died during the course of the pandemic. That is more Americans lost in three months than during the Vietnam War, Iraq War and War in Afghanistan combined.
It is time we recognized that public health is part of what it means to defend the nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And, while states have a moral and fiscal responsibility to support this critical system, the lion’s share must be provided by the federal government.
Never again should we be forced to isolate ourselves to protect our families from a pandemic.
Never again should we be told there was not enough funding to purchase protective equipment for our nation’s health care heroes.
Never again should we accept that public health funding is “nice to have” instead of a national and economic security requirement.
We must ensure that our children and their children are never allowed to endure this in their lifetimes.
Former Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., is a former Senate Majority Leader. Tom Ridge is a former secretary of Homeland Security and a former Republican governor of Pennsylvania. They serve on the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense.