usatoday--2020-03-18--OnPolitics: It was another big night for Biden

It was a clean sweep for former Vice President Joe Biden , who earned decisive wins in Florida , Illinois and Arizona .
Like , it was n't even close .
Tuesday night gave the nation the first series of primaries to take place amid the national state of emergency President Donald Trump declared over the coronavirus pandemic , a circumstance that had the potential to upend the candidates ’ messages as well as the technical process of running a primary election .
Which reminds , us .
Here is all the coronavirus news you need to know this morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Trump calls for pumping $ 1 trillion into economy to counter coronavirus hit • Mnuchin says proposal would inject ' a trillion dollars into the economy , ' includes giving checks to Americans • As coronavirus pandemic delays 2020 primaries , is it time to worry about the November election ?
• None Prisons restrict inmates , staffers ' movements as they try to keep coronavirus out A federal judge Tuesday sentenced former California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter to 11 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to stealing his campaign funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends and his daughter ’ s birthday party , among other things .
The ex-Marine ’ s defense attorneys had asked for home confinement , citing his military service including fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan , and his nearly six terms in Congress .
Hunter resigned from Congress in January after representing one of Southern California ’ s last solidly Republican districts .

OnPolitics: It was another big night for Biden
Biden won all the things
It was a clean sweep for former Vice President Joe Biden, who earned decisive wins in Florida, Illinois and Arizona.
Like, it wasn't even close.
Tuesday night gave the nation the first series of primaries to take place amid the national state of emergency President Donald Trump declared over the coronavirus pandemic, a circumstance that had the potential to upend the candidates’ messages as well as the technical process of running a primary election.
Which reminds, us. Here is all the coronavirus news you need to know this morning if you're also into politics.
Jail time for former lawmaker
A federal judge Tuesday sentenced former California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter to 11 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to stealing his campaign funds and spending the money on outings with friends and his daughter’s birthday party, among other things.
The ex-Marine’s defense attorneys had asked for home confinement, citing his military service including fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his nearly six terms in Congress. Hunter resigned from Congress in January after representing one of Southern California’s last solidly Republican districts.


usatoday--2020-03-20--Stimulus check: What we know (and don't)

Senate Republicans on Thursday released a $ 1-trillion economic stimulus plan , which details a proposal to distribute a $ 1,200 payment for each individual or $ 2,400 for joint returns .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell confirmed early Thursday that `` the second major pillar of our legislation will be even more straightforward : Direct financial help for Americans . ''
A lot of the details of this proposal , titled the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act or CARES , could still change as the bill goes through the approval process .
Here 's what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Details are subject to change .
We will update , as needed .
Your money is important : All the money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox .
Sign up here How much would each person get ?
The proposal was put together by Senate Republicans .
Individuals would receive up to $ 1,200 ( $ 2,400 for joint returns ) and no less than $ 600 ( $ 1,200 for joint returns ) .
Families would receive an additional $ 500 for each qualifying child .
The check would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for individuals and $ 150,000 for joint return .
The amount that individuals would receive would be reduced by 5 % of the amount of a taxpayer 's income that exceeds $ 75,000 .
The federal government is likely going to utilize tax filings as a deciding factor on who qualifies for a stimulus check .
People are encouraged to file their 2019 taxes and if you 're owed a refund ( or owe money to the Internal Revenue Service ) it will ostensibly not affect the stimulus check .
The current proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Previously , officials floated the idea of a second stimulus check , which could still be on the table if economic conditions do not improve .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Thursday said on Fox Business that `` as soon as Congress passes this , we will get this out in three weeks . ''
However , specific dates would most likely change during the appropriations process in Congress .
Individuals who have set up a direct deposit with the IRS can expect the sum quicker than those who have to wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The last time the federal government sent checks to Americans was in 2008 , under President George W. Bush .
The Economic Stimulus Act was signed into law on Feb. 13 , 2008 , and provided individual tax relief in the form of tax rebates – as much as $ 600 for individuals , $ 1,200 for married couples , and additional rebates for families with children .
But the money did n't start going out until late April .
Where is this money coming from ?
The previous bill signed by Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two . ''
The stimulus checks , if considered and approved , would come as part of the $ 1-trillion `` phase three '' package .
What other financial assistance efforts is the government putting forward ?
The aid package signed by Trump will provide paid sick and family leave , offer free coronavirus testing and bolster unemployment insurance .
Payments on student loan interest are also on hold , as the president said last week during his declaration of a national emergency .
`` I 've waived interest on all student loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will be until further notice , '' Trump said .
McConnell added on Thursday that the Department of Housing and Urban Development would suspend foreclosures and evictions on FHA-insured mortgages .

Stimulus check: What we know (and don't)
Show Caption Hide Caption 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
President Donald Trump has signed a $2 trillion relief package that aims to soften the blow of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy.
Now the Trump administration must rapidly pump hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy in the form of direct payments, loans and grants to hard-hit industries such as the airlines.
The stimulus package will provide $1,200 checks to many Americans – and more for families – while making available hundreds of billions of dollars for companies to maintain payroll through the crisis. It significantly expands the nation’s unemployment safety net and it directs a huge infusion of cash to hospitals and other medical facilities on the front line of fighting the pandemic.
Here's what we know – and don't. Details are subject to change. We will update, as needed.
What we know: How the $2T coronavirus stimulus will affect you and the economy
Your money is important: All the money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here
How much would each person get?
Individuals with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will be eligible for up to $1,200 ($2,400 for joint tax returns) and $500 for each qualifying child. Those with little or no tax liability also will get $1,200 ($2,400 for joint returns).
The payments will start to phase out for Americans who earn more than $75,000, or $150,000 for a joint return. The amount you receive will be decreased by 5% of the amount your income exceeds $75,000. For example, a single person with an $85,000 salary would get $700 after subtracting 5% of $10,000, or $500.
The payments will phase out completely for single filers with incomes exceeding $99,000, $136,500 for head of household filers with one child, and $198,000 for joint filers with no children.
If you've already filed your 2019 taxes, the IRS will use those returns to determine your rebate. If not, your 2018 returns will be used to calculate your check.
When would checks arrive?
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin last week said on Fox Business that "as soon as Congress passes this, we will get this out in three weeks."
However, specific dates would most likely change during the appropriations process in Congress.
Individuals who have set up a direct deposit with the IRS can expect the sum quicker than those who have to wait for a check in the mail.
The last time the federal government sent checks to Americans was in 2008, under President George W. Bush. The Economic Stimulus Act was signed into law on Feb. 13, 2008, and provided individual tax relief in the form of tax rebates – as much as $600 for individuals, $1,200 for married couples, and additional rebates for families with children. But the money didn't start going out until late April.
Where is this money coming from?
Taxes, in short.
The previous bill signed by Trump on is known as "phase two." The stimulus checks come as part of the $2-trillion "phase three" package.
What other financial assistance efforts is the government putting forward?
The Senate agreed to an expansion of unemployment benefits that would extend jobless insurance by 13 weeks and include a four-month enhancement of benefits and include freelancers, furloughed employees and the self-employed.
The previous aid bill signed by Trump provides paid sick and family leave, offers free coronavirus testing and bolsters unemployment insurance.
As reported by USA TODAY's Chris Quitana: The federal government will no longer withhold portions of borrowers' tax returns and Social Security payments, the Education Department said Wednesday. And borrowers whose paychecks were garnished will be entitled to their full wage — although their employers must make the change to their paycheck.
McConnell added last week that the Department of Housing and Urban Development would suspend foreclosures and evictions on FHA-insured mortgages.
Contributing: Nicholas Wu
Follow Josh Rivera on Twitter: @Josh1Rivera


usatoday--2020-03-19--NIH director on coronavirus: 'There's going to be a very rough road in the weeks and months ahead of

NIH director on coronavirus: 'There's going to be a very rough road in the weeks and months ahead of us.'

Kim Hjelmgaard , a London-based world-affairs correspondent for USA TODAY , interviewed Francis Collins , the director of the National Institutes of Health , as part of ongoing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic .
This is a lightly edited transcript of that interview .
When will there be a vaccine ?
We are flat out on this .
But everyone needs to recognize that even flat out for a vaccine means we 're a year to a year-and-a-half away .
And that would be breaking the record by a factor of three or so given how long it usually takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distributed to the public .
Two days ago ( March 16 ) , the first volunteers were injected with a vaccine that is a collaboration between the NIH research center and a company called Moderna .
There are 45 volunteers in Washington state and this will be our opportunity to find out whether it generates any good and safe responses .
Depending on how that goes , and if it 's remarkably positive also provides efficacy , it will move on to a phase 2 trial with larger numbers .
Following that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd expect to see a phase 3 trial , and possibly an opportunity to scale this up because if it works we may need hundreds of millions of doses .
But it would need at least a year for wide deployment , which is why people should not be waiting to take actions that will help minimize the impact of this growing pandemic .
Race is on : Scientists in all-out global effort to find a vaccine for coronavirus Can the U.S. 'flatten its curve ' – slow down the spread of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , South Korea , Singapore , Taiwan – we can take very significant lessons from these places .
Anyone who looks at the experiences in Asia will see highly activated systems to avoid further transmission by having people shelter in place , avoid interactions , hand washing and all the other things that we know make a difference ( easy access to testing and tracing ) .
That lesson should apply to any circumstance where this virus is spreading .
It may be that a country like China has a more top-down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior changes .
But we ought to be able to do it in our way , in a bottom-up fashion .
Americans are smart .
They now have some data they can look at it to know how important this is .
We just have to get together and say , as a people , this is so important for saving what may otherwise be a million lives lost .
USA TODAY analysis : America 's coronavirus 'curve ' may be at most dangerous point Can the U.S. avoid the dire Italy-like situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
But let 's be clear : There 's going to be a very rough road in the weeks and months ahead of us .
They are trying to manage the situation and make awful decisions about who gets a ventilator and who does n't .
God help us if this happens more broadly across the world and we certainly hope that it does n't happen here .
When you make a decision about one of these measures , such as social distancing , and it 's front of mind for everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see an immediate consequence .
Right now , in the U.S. , we supposedly have 6,500 cases ( as of March 16 ) .
That 's got to be a vast underestimate because we have not been able to sample all the people who may be infected or who have no symptoms at all .
Some of these people are already destined to become very sick .
If we did everything right today , you would still see the numbers going up over the next two weeks because of what 's out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , what we might be able to do is change what 's going to happen three or four weeks from now .
That 's our challenge .
When you 're on an exponential curve every moment is dangerous .
This is a particularly critical moment for us to try to bring all the resources and determination of government and the American people to try to get off of it .
How concerned are you about a second wave of infections when restrictions are lifted ?
The risk of a second wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immune because they did n't get it in the first place is always there .
China will be watching this closely ( now that it has started to ease restrictions in some areas and reported no new cases ) .
Until we have a vaccine , and we get herd immunity with 90 % -95 % of the population immunized , this risk of another wave is not going away .
We have to think about that , too .
If we 're organized enough , if we 're smart enough , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flatten our curve this year , and , say , only 10 % of the U.S. population gets it this year , then when the next wave comes along we 'll be better off .
But only if we have the vaccine .
What does coronavirus do to your body ?
: Everything to know about the infection Should the U.S. impose a total lockdown now ?
It 's so hard to answer that but what I would say is what Anthony Fauci ( director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent days and that is that the approach we should be taking right now is one that most people would find to be too drastic because otherwise it is not drastic enough .
Social distancing through August ?
: Trump suggests it may be needed to help confront coronavirus Does the U.S. have enough medical staff for this ?
We 're getting there .
Hospital ships are being placed on the West and East coasts .
The next few months will determine whether we are outstripping our capabilities or not .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't running around trying to maximize what it can do .
Here at NIH we run a hospital and we stopped elective admissions ten days ago to make sure we have all the resources we may need for extremely ill patients .
I imagine most hospitals have done the same .
But when it comes down to it , will we have enough physicians , nurses , respiratory therapists , laboratory technicians , ventilators ?
We do n't know what the need is going to look like and we should be doing everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a few months instead of having it hit in one terrible crisis , which is what we are seeing happening in Italy .
It would be almost impossible to look at the situation in Asia and just say they were lucky their curves flattened .
We are at a point in the U.S where we are doubling the number of new cases about every two to three days .
That 's called an exponential curve .
If you map that up next to Italy you might say we 're about eight to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections .
We better get busy .
Outlook in US : Too many coronavirus patients , too few ventilators It got off to a rocky start .
We ca n't fix that now .
What we can do now is to make sure it 's available much more broadly for people with symptoms .
Drive-thru testing should help .
But it may also freak everyone out when these facilities are widely set up because the number of known cases will take a sudden leap up .
Although nobody should assume that means that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of a sudden .

NIH chief Francis Collins on COVID-19: Best response one people would find 'too drastic'
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Social distancing key to fighting COVID-19 Social distancing matters. Here is how to do it and how it can help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Kim Hjelmgaard, a London-based world affairs correspondent for USA TODAY, interviewed Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health, as part of ongoing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
This is a lightly edited transcript of that interview.
When will there be a vaccine?
We are flat out on this. But everyone needs to recognize that even flat out for a vaccine means we're a year to a year-and-a-half away. And that would be breaking the record by a factor of three or so given how long it usually takes to get something fully ready to be distributed to the public. Two days ago (March 16), the first volunteers were injected with a vaccine that is a collaboration between the NIH research center and a company called Moderna. There are 45 volunteers in Washington state and this will be our opportunity to find out whether it generates any good and safe responses. Depending on how that goes, and if it's remarkably positive also provides efficacy, it will move on to a phase two trial with larger numbers. Following that, but not until the fall, you'd expect to see a phase three trial, and possibly an opportunity to scale this up because if it works, we may need hundreds of millions of doses. But it would need at least a year for wide deployment, which is why people should not be waiting to take actions that will help minimize the impact of this growing pandemic. (Editor's note: Scientists, companies and governments around the world are racing to develop and test other vaccines.)
Race is on: Scientists in all-out global effort to find a vaccine for coronavirus
Coronavirus: How vaccines are developed and tested Pressure to create a coronavirus vaccine is increasing by the day, but for a safe vaccine to enter the market, it takes time. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Can the U.S. 'flatten its curve' – slow down the spread of coronavirus – as places in Asia have?
China, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan – we can take very significant lessons from these places. Anyone who looks at the experiences in Asia will see highly activated systems to avoid further transmission by having people shelter in place, avoid interactions, hand-washing and all the other things that we know make a difference (easy access to testing and tracing). That lesson should apply to any circumstance where this virus is spreading. It may be that a country like China has a more top-down ability to insist on certain sets of behavior changes. But we ought to be able to do it in our way, in a bottom-up fashion. Americans are smart. They now have some data they can look at it to know how important this is. We just have to get together and say, as a people, this is so important for saving what may otherwise be a million lives lost.
USA TODAY analysis: America's coronavirus 'curve' may be at most dangerous point
Can the U.S. avoid the dire Italy-like situation?
We should be able to blunt it. But let's be clear: There's going to be a very rough road in the weeks and months ahead of us. They are trying to manage the situation and make awful decisions about who gets a ventilator and who doesn't. God help us if this happens more broadly across the world and we certainly hope that it doesn't happen here. When you make a decision about one of these measures, such as social distancing, and it's front of mind for everybody, don't expect that you can see an immediate consequence. Right now, in the U.S., we supposedly have 6,500 cases (as of March 16). That's got to be a vast underestimate because we have not been able to sample all the people who may be infected or who have no symptoms at all. Some of these people are already destined to become very sick. If we did everything right today, you would still see the numbers going up over the next two weeks because of what's out there already. We can't change that. But, what we might be able to do is change what's going to happen three or four weeks from now. That's our challenge. When you're on an exponential curve, every moment is dangerous. This is a particularly critical moment for us to try to bring all the resources and determination of government and the American people to try to get off of it.
Grim milestone: Italy's coronavirus deaths surpass China's
How concerned are you about a second wave of infections when restrictions are lifted?
The risk of a second wave when much of the population is still not immune because they didn't get it in the first place is always there. China will be watching this closely (now that it has started to ease restrictions in some areas and reported no new cases). Until we have a vaccine, and we get herd immunity with 90%-95% of the population immunized, this risk of another wave is not going away. We have to think about that, too. If we're organized enough, if we're smart enough, if we're motivated enough, to flatten our curve this year, and, say, only 10% of the U.S. population gets it this year, then when the next wave comes along we'll be better off. But only if we have the vaccine.
What does coronavirus do to your body?: Everything to know about the infection
Should the U.S. impose a total lockdown now?
It's so hard to answer that but what I would say is what Anthony Fauci (director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) has said a few times in recent days and that is that the approach we should be taking right now is one that most people would find to be too drastic because otherwise, it is not drastic enough.
Social distancing through August?: Trump suggests it may be needed to help confront coronavirus
Does the U.S. have enough medical staff for this?
We're getting there. Hospital ships are being placed on the West and East coasts. The next few months will determine whether we are outstripping our capabilities or not. I don't know any hospital that isn't running around trying to maximize what it can do. Here at NIH, we run a hospital and we stopped elective admissions ten days ago to make sure we have all the resources we may need for extremely ill patients. I imagine most hospitals have done the same. But when it comes down to it, will we have enough physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, laboratory technicians, ventilators? We don't know what the need is going to look like and we should be doing everything we can to spread this need out over a few months instead of having it hit in one terrible crisis, which is what we are seeing happening in Italy. It would be almost impossible to look at the situation in Asia and just say they were lucky their curves flattened. We are at a point in the U.S where we are doubling the number of new cases about every two to three days. That's called an exponential curve. If you map that up next to Italy you might say we're about eight to 10 days behind them in terms of infections. We better get busy.
Outlook in US: Too many coronavirus patients, too few ventilators
Is testing improving?
It got off to a rocky start. We can't fix that now. What we can do now is to make sure it's available much more broadly for people with symptoms. Drive-thru testing should help. But it may also freak everyone out when these facilities are widely set up because the number of known cases will take a sudden leap up. Although nobody should assume that means that a lot more people just got infected all of a sudden.


usatoday--2020-03-19--Senate Republicans propose $1,200 cash payments in coronavirus economic rescue package

WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday unveiled a historic stimulus package that includes direct payments of $ 1,200 to individuals and assistance to businesses to deal with the health and economic harm from the novel coronavirus .
“ We need to have the American people ’ s backs , '' said McConnell , R-Ky. Married couples would be eligible for up to $ 2,400 in assistance with an additional $ 500 for every child .
Assistance would begin phasing out for individuals earning at least $ 75,000 and would not be available to those with adjusted gross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couples phases out after $ 150,000 and is not available to those with joint incomes of more than $ 198,000 .
The proposal , which does not yet have a price tag , would also extend the tax filing deadline until July 15 .
The IRS has already extended the payment deadline until that date .
Small businesses would be eligible to receive a private bank loan equal to four months of their expenses that they would n't have to pay back if they stayed open , maintained their workforce and paid their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions with Democrats Friday , along with administration officials .
Senate Democrats have priorities of their own , and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer complained Thursday that they 've been left out of discussions .
`` It had virtually no input from Democrats , '' Schumer said after McConnell released his plan .
`` We will look at it and read it tonight .
But from what I 'm told , it provides a bailout for a number of industries . ''
McConnell said the package Senate Republicans are working on would : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of federally guaranteed loans for small businesses .
• “ Direct financial help for Americans ” in the form of payments that would complement unemployment insurance for laid-off Americans , Social Security for seniors , and provide “ extra certainty ” for Americans still working .
McConnell said it would be a “ form of emergency tax relief.
” • “ Targeted lending ” for “ industries of national importance ” like airlines that have been hard-hit by the outbreak .
• More resources for hospitals , health centers and others on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the virus.
” Democrats share some of the same goals but not necessarily the same methods of assistance .
Schumer , for example , called it a `` must '' that the package include sick leave benefits that expand beyond what was included in emergency legislation the president signed into law Wednesday , an issue that Republicans have been skeptical of due to the impacts on small business .
Democrats also want an additional expansion of unemployment insurance and to temporarily cancel student loan payments .
“ A one-time cash payment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover rent , groceries , for a month , but then what ? ''
Schumer said .
`` The pandemic requires bold structural changes to our society ’ s safety net to give people a lifeline for months , not just weeks.
” In a conference call House Democrats held Thursday to talk about the package , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , encouraged everyone to `` think big '' about how to use federal dollars to help people , according to a summary of the call provided by a participant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
Democrats on the call expressed varying views about the best way to provide direct assistance to families and businesses .
While members of both parties want to speed assistance to small businesses to help them pay workers ' salaries , there 's bipartisan concern about support for large corporations .
Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott said the next stimulus package should focus solely on helping individual workers and restaurants , travel agencies and other mom-and-pop operations before moving on to large industries .
“ Right now , Congress needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt most by the coronavirus – our small businesses , hourly workers and individuals whose livelihoods depend on tips , ” said Scott , the former governor of Florida who once ran the nation ’ s largest hospital company .
“ We shouldn ’ t be bailing out large corporations that have enjoyed years of growth and prosperity.
” Some Democrats have particularly complained about bailing out airlines after they 've stockpiled debt and spent billions buying back stock to drive up stock prices .
`` If there is so much as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next relief package , it should include a reinstated ban on stock buybacks , '' Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , tweeted Tuesday .
Indiana Sen. Todd Young , a member of Senate GOP leadership , said that while airlines `` may not be a sympathetic industry , '' they are essential to commerce .
Young said he was the only passenger on his commercial flight from Indianapolis to Washington on Monday .
`` It was me , a pilot , a co-pilot and a flight attendant , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model . ''
The industry employs roughly 750,000 pilots , flight attendants and other workers .
Prior to the coronavirus crisis , U.S. airlines were transporting a record 2.5 million passengers and 58,000 tons of cargo each day .
Today , planes are only 20-30 % full and new bookings are implying 70-80 % declines in traffic even as airlines make dramatic cuts in capacity , according to an industry trade group .
Still , public anger at the 2008 bank bailout contributed to the rise of the Tea Party movement that helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Young , who was first elected to Congress as part of that wave , opposed the 2008 bailout .
Young , and others , say the current pandemic is a different situation from the 2008 financial crisis , which was caused by `` bad decisions by bankers . ''
But Sen. Mike Braun , R-Ind.
, who has worried about comparisons with 2008 and `` bailouts for big companies , '' said he would prefer that the latest package stay focused on assistance to individuals and small businesses .
Braun , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the package if it 's not completely to his liking .
`` It 's an unusual situation , '' he said .
But there 's already blowback from key officials to the payment proposal .
South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham , a key Trump confidant , told Republican colleagues Thursday both he and new White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows are trying to persuade the president to scrap the idea , according to Politico .

Maureen Groppe, Nicholas Wu, Ledyard King and Christal Hayes, USA TODAY

Senate Republicans propose $1,200 cash payments in coronavirus economic rescue package
Show Caption Hide Caption Universal basic income: What Andrew Yang and Nixon have in common What would you do if the government gave you $1,000 per month? That’s what democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang wants. We explain UBI. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday unveiled a historic stimulus package that includes direct payments of $1,200 to individuals and assistance to businesses to deal with the health and economic harm from the novel coronavirus.
“We need to have the American people’s backs," said McConnell, R-Ky.
Married couples would be eligible for up to $2,400 in assistance with an additional $500 for every child.
Assistance would begin phasing out for individuals earning at least $75,000 and would not be available to those with adjusted gross incomes above $99,000. Assistance for couples phases out after $150,000 and is not available to those with joint incomes of more than $198,000.
The 247-page bill, which does not yet have a price tag, would also extend the tax filing deadline until July 15. The IRS has already extended the payment deadline until that date.
Small businesses would be eligible to receive a private bank loan equal to four months of their expenses that they wouldn't have to pay back if they stayed open, maintained their workforce and paid their bills.
The government could provide up to $208 billion in collateralized loans to industries hard hit by the outbreak. That includes airlines, which had been hoping for grants instead of loans.
"We are not bailing out the airlines or other industries – period," said Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala.
Proposed help for the health care industry includes higher Medicare payments to providers along with measures to spur the hiring of health care workers, manufacture more personal protective equipment, and speed the development of new vaccines and treatments.
McConnell said Republicans would begin discussions with Democrats Friday, along with administration officials.
"We know this legislation will not be the last word," he said. "But we need to take bold action as soon as possible."
Senate Democrats have priorities of their own, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer complained Thursday that they've been left out of discussions.
"It had virtually no input from Democrats," Schumer said after McConnell released his plan.
A few hours later, Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a joint statement saying their first impression of the proposal is that it is "not at all pro-worker and instead puts corporations way ahead of workers.”
“The number one priority is addressing this health crisis, which requires a Marshall Plan to rebuild our health care infrastructure on a continental scale and ensure the resources are there to test and treat everyone who needs it," they said.
Democrats share some of the same goals but not necessarily the same methods of assistance.
Schumer, for example, called it a "must" that the package include sick leave benefits that expand beyond what was included in emergency legislation the president signed into law Wednesday, an issue that Republicans have been skeptical of due to the impacts on small business.
Democrats also want an additional expansion of unemployment insurance and Medicaid along with temporarily canceling student loan payments.
“A one-time cash payment of $1,000, that might help families cover rent, groceries, for a month, but then what?" Schumer said. "The pandemic requires bold structural changes to our society’s safety net to give people a lifeline for months, not just weeks.”
In a conference call House Democrats held Thursday to talk about the package, Pelosi encouraged everyone to "think big" about how to use federal dollars to help people, according to a summary of the call provided by a participant.
"Time is of the essence," she said.
Democrats on the call expressed varying views about the best way to provide direct assistance to families and businesses.
While members of both parties want to speed help to small businesses to help them pay workers' salaries, there's bipartisan concern about support for large corporations.
Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott said the next stimulus package should focus solely on helping individual workers and restaurants, travel agencies and other mom-and-pop operations before moving on to large industries.
“Right now, Congress needs to focus on the Americans that are hurt most by the coronavirus – our small businesses, hourly workers and individuals whose livelihoods depend on tips,” said Scott, the former governor of Florida who once ran the nation’s largest hospital company. “We shouldn’t be bailing out large corporations that have enjoyed years of growth and prosperity.”
Some Democrats have particularly complained about bailing out airlines after they've stockpiled debt and spent billions buying back stock to drive up stock prices.
"If there is so much as a DIME of corporate bailout money in the next relief package, it should include a reinstated ban on stock buybacks," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., tweeted Tuesday.
Indiana Sen. Todd Young, a member of Senate GOP leadership, said that while airlines "may not be a sympathetic industry," they are essential to commerce.
Young said he was the only passenger on his commercial flight from Indianapolis to Washington on Monday.
"It was me, a pilot, a co-pilot and a flight attendant," he said. "That strikes me as an unsustainable business model."
The industry employs roughly 750,000 pilots, flight attendants and other workers. Prior to the coronavirus crisis, U.S. airlines were transporting a record 2.5 million passengers and 58,000 tons of cargo each day. Today, planes are only 20-30% full and new bookings are implying 70-80% declines in traffic even as airlines make dramatic cuts in capacity, according to an industry trade group.
Still, public anger at the 2008 bank bailout contributed to the rise of the Tea Party movement that helped Republicans take back the House in 2010. Young, who was first elected to Congress as part of that wave, opposed the 2008 bailout.
Young, and others, say the current pandemic is a different situation from the 2008 financial crisis, which was caused by "bad decisions by bankers."
But Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., who has worried about comparisons with 2008 and "bailouts for big companies," said he would prefer that the latest package stay focused on assistance to individuals and small businesses.
Braun, however, said he wouldn't hold up the package if it's not completely to his liking.
"It's an unusual situation," he said.
But there's already blowback from key officials to the payment proposal.
South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham, a key Trump confidant, told Republican colleagues Thursday both he and new White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows are trying to persuade the president to scrap the idea, according to Politico.


usatoday--2020-03-19--OnPolitics: Cash for Americans and a crippled justice system

President Donald Trump signed a measure to ensure paid sick leave for workers and widen coronavirus testing after its passage in the Senate .
Now , Congress is crafting its next emergency relief package : one that would provide checks of $ 1,000 or more for Americans and financial lifelines for businesses socked by the coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the economy and upending daily life .
The coronavirus pandemic has upended the day-to-day operations of the criminal justice system , raising significant questions about what incarceration and access to justice looks like as the virus reaches all 50 states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from judges to defendants , now confronts a stark reality .
Jury trials have been suspended in more than two dozen states , the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands , as well as in dozens more localities .
• How much did it hurt Democratic primary turnout ?
Here 's how to get updates all day USA TODAY creates a daily politics blog that is continually updated with the news of the moment .
The moments nowadays are largely coronavirus .
As an example , here are some updates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signals he 's open to the government taking an equity stake in companies • State Department to Americans : 'Do Not Travel ' abroad

OnPolitics: Cash for Americans and a crippled justice system
Congress weighs cash for Americans
President Donald Trump signed a measure to ensure paid sick leave for workers and widen coronavirus testing after its passage in the Senate.
Now, Congress is crafting its next emergency relief package: one that would provide checks of $1,000 or more for Americans and financial lifelines for businesses socked by the coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the economy and upending daily life.
Upending the criminal justice system
The coronavirus pandemic has upended the day-to-day operations of the criminal justice system, raising significant questions about what incarceration and access to justice looks like as the virus reaches all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Everybody, from judges to defendants, now confronts a stark reality. Jury trials have been suspended in more than two dozen states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as in dozens more localities.
Here's how to get updates all day
USA TODAY creates a daily politics blog that is continually updated with the news of the moment. The moments nowadays are largely coronavirus. As an example, here are some updates from today's blog.


usatoday--2020-03-19--Tradition-bound Congress considers voting remotely as coronavirus illnesses hit home

WASHINGTON – Congress is in a race against the coronavirus – and not just to help Americans confront the global pandemic .
On Wednesday , two House members , Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart , R-Fla. , and Ben McAdams , D-Utah , announced they had tested positive for the coronavirus .
More than a dozen members have self-quarantined in their homes .
Many staffers are staying away from the Capitol .
Offices have been shuttered as cleaning crews disinfect them .
Suddenly , the idea of changing foundational congressional rules to allow voting from remote locations rather than all together has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that prides itself on following time-honored customs .
“ The Senate is a pretty tradition-bound place , ” said Sen. John Cornyn , R-Texas , the second most powerful Republican in the chamber .
“ But these are extraordinary circumstances.
” Senate rules require a senator to be physically present during a roll call vote .
Senators may vote from their desks or in the well of the chamber , but they must be present so the clerk can record their vote .
Changing that would require a supermajority of 67 votes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential veto .
But the idea of `` remote voting '' is suddenly gaining traction in the marbled halls of Capitol Hill .
Senators Dick Durbin , D-Ill , and Rob Portman , R-Ohio , Thursday proposed a rules change that would permit senators to vote remotely during a national crisis provided the leaders of both parties agree .
Travel advisory : Coronavirus : State Department tells Americans : 'Do not travel ' abroad , come home if overseas “ We live in an age where national emergencies , public health crises , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Senate business , '' Durbin said .
`` We need to bring voting in the Senate into the 21st century so that our important work can continue even under extraordinary circumstances . ''
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell so far opposes such a break from tradition , though he is willing to bend them a little by extending the time senators can cast floor votes .
During Wednesday 's vote to adopt a sweeping coronavirus relief package , senators were given 30 minutes instead of the traditional 15 so they could practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's , Bloomingdale 's , Nordstrom to close all stores because of coronavirus House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who has been resistant to remote voting , is apparently now open to the idea .
She instructed Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern , D-Mass.
, to examine whether it could work .
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told members of his caucus on a call Thursday that leaders are discussing ways to limit the number of lawmakers gathering for votes .
But the call for change grows with each passing announcement of another member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our communities , during this emergency , we must be able to legislate from our districts , '' tweeted Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell , D-Fla .
The news of positive tests by Diaz-Balart and McAdams has brought the crisis to the congressional doorstep .
As of Thursday morning , more than a dozen House members went into self-quarantine because of contact with lawmakers who tested positive.Some have returned to Capitol Hill but more are added to the list daily .
Earlier this week , after a staffer in the office of Rep. David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease , which has been named COVID-19 , several House members , including Rep. Andy Kim , D-N.J. , closed their Washington , D.C. , offices .
A former staffer on the House Intelligence Committee , Daniel Goldman , who played a major public role during Trump 's impeachment proceedings , also tested positive .
Relief plan : Mnuchin says proposal would inject ' a trillion dollars into the economy , ' includes giving checks to Americans And on the Senate side , a staffer in the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forcing the closure of her office , though Cantwell 's office said the staffer had no contact with the senator or other lawmakers .
Several senators , including Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Ark.
, closed their offices in response to the staffer 's positive test .
Other lawmakers like Sen Ted .
Cruz , R-Texas , and Rep. Don Beyer , D-Va. , have self-quarantined after coming into contact with people who later tested positive for the coronavirus .
Cruz came back and voted for the coronavirus relief bill Wednesday .
No more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration issued new guidance Monday recommending against gatherings of more than 10 people at a time .
That 's a problem for the Senate , which has 100 members , and the House of Representatives , which currently has 430 members ( there are five vacancies ) .
And none of that includes the hundreds of staffers , reporters and support staff filtering in and out of the Capitol complex .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people older than 60 to avoid large crowds .
The average age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House .
Durbin noted the `` challenging '' circumstances the Senate faced because it 's not just lawmakers but also aides and staff who are being asked to ignore federal guidelines and assemble in one place .
`` There are policemen .
There are people engaged in basic activates here to keep this magnificent structure functioning And they come here now in the midst of a public health challenge where most every American has been told stay home , '' he said .
More : 'Like preparing for a hurricane ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while helping manage response Need to vote on coronavirus legislation Until Congress decides to allow remote voting , lawmakers will have to come to Washington to consider and vote on the various relief packages being proposed , negotiated and brought to the floor .
Measures to assist workers who find themselves jobless , distressed industries like airlines whose businesses have cratered , and health care providers who need protections continue to be negotiated by lawmakers and their staffs – face-to-face in most cases .
`` The Senate will not leave until we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency , '' McConnell told reporters Tuesday , speaking from a podium that had just been scrubbed down and disinfected .
Much of the heavy lifting on these bills should be done as quickly as possible , Sen. Marco Rubio , R-Fla. , told reporters Monday , in case potential changes to airline and travel schedules make it difficult to bring the Senate back into session .
“ I do n't think we can operate as if we can just bring the Senate and the House back together whenever we want , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-Ala. , told reporters Tuesday there was an eerie feeling around the Capitol , and the lack of face-to-face conversation made it `` tough '' when trying to take a vote .
“ It ’ s really very sparse and people are staying away from each other and trying to do more by email and phone , '' he said .
`` That ’ s a tough thing to do when you ’ ve got to take a vote . ''
Last week , Reps. Eric Swalwell , D-Calif. , and Rick Crawford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House rules , allow members to hold hearings by video conference , and allow absent lawmakers to vote remotely .

Tradition-bound Congress considers voting remotely as coronavirus illnesses hit home
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus response could go through summer, President Trump warns President Donald Trump announced tougher guidelines for battling the coronavirus and a possible time frame for when the worst may be over. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Congress is in a race against the coronavirus – and not just to help Americans confront the global pandemic.
On Wednesday, two House members, Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah, announced they had tested positive for the coronavirus. More than a dozen members have self-quarantined in their homes. Many staffers are staying away from the Capitol. Offices have been shuttered as cleaning crews disinfect them.
Suddenly, the idea of changing foundational congressional rules to allow voting from remote locations rather than all together has become a serious proposition in a body that prides itself on following time-honored customs.
“The Senate is a pretty tradition-bound place,” said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the second most powerful Republican in the chamber. “But these are extraordinary circumstances.”
Senate rules require a senator to be physically present during a roll call vote. Senators may vote from their desks or in the well of the chamber, but they must be present so the clerk can record their vote.
Changing that would require a supermajority of 67 votes, the same number needed to override a presidential veto.
But the idea of "remote voting" is suddenly gaining traction in the marbled halls of Capitol Hill.
Senators Dick Durbin, D-Ill, and Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Thursday proposed a rules change that would permit senators to vote remotely during a national crisis provided the leaders of both parties agree.
Travel advisory: Coronavirus: State Department tells Americans: 'Do not travel' abroad, come home if overseas
“We live in an age where national emergencies, public health crises, and terrorism can threaten the ordinary course of Senate business," Durbin said. "We need to bring voting in the Senate into the 21st century so that our important work can continue even under extraordinary circumstances."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell so far opposes such a break from tradition, though he is willing to bend them a little by extending the time senators can cast floor votes.
During Wednesday's vote to adopt a sweeping coronavirus relief package, senators were given 30 minutes instead of the traditional 15 so they could practice social distancing.
What is a national emergency? President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Here's what that actually means. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Store closings: Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom to close all stores because of coronavirus
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has been resistant to remote voting, is apparently now open to the idea. She instructed Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., to examine whether it could work.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told members of his caucus on a call Thursday that leaders are discussing ways to limit the number of lawmakers gathering for votes.
But the call for change grows with each passing announcement of another member in quarantine.
"For the safety of our communities, during this emergency, we must be able to legislate from our districts," tweeted Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla.
Lawmaker quarantine list growing
The news of positive tests by Diaz-Balart and McAdams has brought the crisis to the congressional doorstep.
As of Thursday morning,more than a dozen House members went into self-quarantine because of contact with lawmakers who tested positive. Some have returned to Capitol Hill but more are added to the list daily.
Earlier this week, after a staffer in the office of Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., tested positive for the disease, which has been named COVID-19, several House members, including Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., closed their Washington, D.C., offices.
A former staffer on the House Intelligence Committee, Daniel Goldman, who played a major public role during Trump's impeachment proceedings, also tested positive.
Relief plan: Mnuchin says proposal would inject 'a trillion dollars into the economy,' includes giving checks to Americans
And on the Senate side, a staffer in the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., also tested positive, forcing the closure of her office, though Cantwell's office said the staffer had no contact with the senator or other lawmakers. Several senators, including Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., closed their offices in response to the staffer's positive test.
Other lawmakers like Sen Ted. Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., have self-quarantined after coming into contact with people who later tested positive for the coronavirus. Cruz came back and voted for the coronavirus relief bill Wednesday.
No more than 10 people at a time
The Trump administration issued new guidance Monday recommending against gatherings of more than 10 people at a time.
That's a problem for the Senate, which has 100 members, and the House of Representatives, which currently has 430 members (there are five vacancies). And none of that includes the hundreds of staffers, reporters and support staff filtering in and out of the Capitol complex.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised people older than 60 to avoid large crowds. The average age is 63 in the Senate and 58 in the House.
Durbin noted the "challenging" circumstances the Senate faced because it's not just lawmakers but also aides and staff who are being asked to ignore federal guidelines and assemble in one place.
"There are policemen. There are people engaged in basic activates here to keep this magnificent structure functioning And they come here now in the midst of a public health challenge where most every American has been told stay home," he said.
More: 'Like preparing for a hurricane': Lawmakers worry about coronavirus hitting them while helping manage response
Need to vote on coronavirus legislation
Until Congress decides to allow remote voting, lawmakers will have to come to Washington to consider and vote on the various relief packages being proposed, negotiated and brought to the floor.
Measures to assist workers who find themselves jobless, distressed industries like airlines whose businesses have cratered, and health care providers who need protections continue to be negotiated by lawmakers and their staffs – face-to-face in most cases.
"The Senate will not leave until we have processed yet another bill to address this emergency," McConnell told reporters Tuesday, speaking from a podium that had just been scrubbed down and disinfected.
Much of the heavy lifting on these bills should be done as quickly as possible, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told reporters Monday, in case potential changes to airline and travel schedules make it difficult to bring the Senate back into session.
“I don't think we can operate as if we can just bring the Senate and the House back together whenever we want," he said.
Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., told reporters Tuesday there was an eerie feeling around the Capitol, and the lack of face-to-face conversation made it "tough" when trying to take a vote.
Coping: Coronavirus preparations: Foods with the longest shelf life
“It’s really very sparse and people are staying away from each other and trying to do more by email and phone," he said. "That’s a tough thing to do when you’ve got to take a vote."
Last week, Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Rick Crawford, R-Ark., introduced legislation to change the House rules, allow members to hold hearings by video conference, and allow absent lawmakers to vote remotely.
Contributing: Christal Hayes and Deborah Berry


usatoday--2020-03-19--President Trump answers when American lives will be back to normal after COVID-19 crisis

Coronavirus : Trump on when American lives will be back to normal President Trump answered questions on when he thinks @ @ @ @ @ return to their normal lives after the coronavirus pandemic ends .

Coronavirus: Trump on when American lives will be back to normal
President Trump answered questions on when he thinks Americans will be able to return to their normal lives after the coronavirus pandemic ends.
USA TODAY, Associated Press


usatoday--2020-03-19--Tulsi Gabbard suspends presidential campaign, endorses former Vice President Joe Biden

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , a member of the House of Representatives and the Hawaii National Guard , has officially ended @ @ @ @ @

Tulsi Gabbard suspends presidential campaign, endorses Biden
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a member of the House of Representatives and the Hawaii National Guard, has officially ended her 2020 presidential campaign.
USA TODAY, Wochit


usatoday--2020-03-19--'Complete chaos': How the coronavirus pandemic is upending the criminal justice system

Claramary Winebrenner had a difficult choice to make : keep two pregnant inmates in jail where they might contract coronavirus , or release them knowing they ’ ll be a danger to themselves and to others .
Both inmates have long histories of methamphetamine abuse .
One , who 's six months pregnant , has no family .
She 'll be high in two days if left on her own , said Winebrenner , the prosecutor in rural DeKalb County in Indiana .
Under normal times , keeping them incarcerated would have been the easy choice for Winebrenner .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The coronavirus pandemic has upended the day-to-day operations of the criminal justice system , raising significant questions about what incarceration and access to justice looks like as the virus reaches all 50 states and the District of Columbia .
Everybody , from judges to defendants , now confronts a stark reality .
Jury trials have been suspended in more than two dozen states , the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands , as well as in dozens more localities .
Courthouses have either been restricted from the public or completely shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the justice system does not grind to a screeching halt , have prioritized more urgent cases , with some holding hearings via video or telephone .
This means defendants who enter the criminal justice system will have to stay there longer , which could raise serious questions about civil liberties and constitutional rights to a speedy trial .
Jo-Ann Wallace , president and chief executive of the National Legal Aid and Defender Association , said this also means defendants who are awaiting trial in jail could lose access to their homes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect '' that destabilizes livelihoods .
On lockdown : Prisons restrict movements as they try to keep coronavirus out Similar disruptions are happening in federal courts that hear some of the country ’ s most controversial and consequential cases .
The Supreme Court postponed oral arguments for the first time in a century .
The executive committee of the Judicial Conference , the policy-making body for federal courts , is asking Congress for $ 7 million in additional funds to pay for mental health and drug treatments that have become costlier because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in groups .
The country 's notoriously backlogged federal immigration court system is now largely at a standstill .
The Justice Department closed several courts and postponed hearings of those who are not in custody .
Meanwhile , prosecutors like Winebrenner face an uneasy , immediate question : whether to release defendants they believe should be incarcerated to avoid viral outbreaks in jails , where close quarters and overcrowding would speed the spread of the deadly and highly contagious COVID-19 .
“ Let ’ s just say we ’ ve kind of moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get some people out of there … and bust through some rules that are very good rules for some reasons , but in this situation , some people need to get out , ” she said .
Winebrenner ultimately did not recommend the release of the pregnant inmates , saying their drug addiction poses a greater danger to them than the virus .
At least in jail , she said , they can get medical care and stay sober .
“ Tough calls are being made on a number of rightfully held inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are balancing safety for the community against the great benefit of a low jail population , which ultimately , is also for the community.
” For Derwyn Bunton , the chief public defender in New Orleans , the worst-case scenario is clear : Arrests will continue as if everything is business as usual , clogging up court dockets that are not moving .
Reluctance to release nonviolent offenders will overcrowd jails .
Defendants , still innocent until proved guilty , will sit there indefinitely .
The epidemic will make its way inside facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing is n't an option .
Bunton has pushed for not arresting people over minor offenses and releasing inmates accused of nonviolent crimes to avoid that worst-case scenario .
But he ’ s been met with resistance from law-enforcement officials who say bending the rules would result in lawlessness .
Such is the conundrum in jurisdictions across the country , where defense attorneys and prosecutors with competing interests are forced to find common ground to help stem the public health crisis .
“ We can maintain public safety without jeopardizing public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost to the community of keeping those folks in jail on nonviolent or technical violations is outweighed by the need to prevent the spread of the virus.
” Winebrenner is on the same page .
She had asked law enforcement officials who patrol her county to bend the norms .
“ If it ’ s not a public safety issue , … if there ’ s not a darn good reason to arrest somebody , don ’ t arrest them , ” she said .
Other counties in Texas and California have started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutor in Kenton County in Kentucky , said he ’ s seeing far more people being released from jail than at any other time in his 21 years in public service .
Nearly every inmate accused of nonviolent offenses is being considered for release , he said .
That includes not only defendants facing minor drug and property crimes , but also felons caught with guns and those accused of drug trafficking .
“ I ’ m apprehensive .
Certainly , we don ’ t want to make any law-abiding citizens get victimized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarcerated .
That ’ s my biggest concern , ” he said .
Sanders also fears that many defendants will not show up to hearings once court operations are back to normal .
But he also acknowledges that these are unprecedented times .
Taking a chance by releasing certain inmates “ is something we need to do , ” he said .
What does coronavirus do to your body ?
: Everything to know about the infection In Erie County in New York , reducing the jail population has not been as pressing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutor .
State bail reforms that took effect this year allowed defendants accused of misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies to go free while awaiting trial , significantly reducing jail population .
More pressing for Flynn is the issue with grand juries .
New York , one of about two dozen states that require grand jury indictments for people charged with serious crimes , has stopped empaneling grand juries in response to the pandemic .
Prosecutors have 45 days to take the case to a grand jury , but they ’ re now unlikely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state should enact emergency laws lifting that 45-day limit , though he also acknowledged it may risk incarcerating defendants indefinitely without an indictment .
“ While I recognize that defendants have their civil liberties , we also have to recognize that we are in a state of emergency , ” he said .
“ I ’ m not saying disregard civil liberties , but we have to have a balance here.
” The mass disruptions will create backlogs that will most certainly burden already strained court systems .
The justice system at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more sluggish than it is now .
“ The new normal is complete chaos right now , ” said Steven Halpert , juvenile division chief for the public defender ’ s office in Harris County , Texas .
In the juvenile system , the delays and backlogs mean some teenagers may age out before their cases are processed , Halpert said .
“ We have to finish the procedure before ( they turn ) 18 , ” he said .
“ We have to do something .
It ’ s a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m concerned about those.
” Fact check : Coronavirus originated in China , researchers and studies say But the disruptions , while painful , are necessary , said Greg Banks , the prosecutor in Island County in Washington state .
“ Yes , we will add to the backlog , and it ’ ll be difficult to dig our way out of it .
But the downside of not acting is the infection rate balloons .
Our public system collapses , ” he said .
“ I ’ d rather fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases than to participate in the mismanagement of this epidemic.
” Anne Marie Schubert , the prosecutor in Sacramento , California , said the difficult adjustments in the criminal justice system are critical to help preserve the country ’ s healthcare infrastructure .
“ We play a part in this role to protect the human race .
… We don ’ t want to be in a position where health systems have to make life and death decisions , ” Schubert said .
“ I can ’ t predict where we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
At the end of the day , the criminal justice system will survive.
” In DeKalb County , where the courthouse is now closed , Winebrenner had spent the last few days jumping from one pretrial hearing to the next , postponing cases that can wait , thinking about how she and her five part-time deputy prosecutors can do their jobs without a courtroom – all while frantically finding laptops so secretaries who keep her office running can work from home .
“ Nobody ’ s prepared for this , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared with a plan for this .
”

'Complete chaos': How the coronavirus pandemic is upending the criminal justice system
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus response could go through summer, President Trump warns President Donald Trump announced tougher guidelines for battling the coronavirus and a possible time frame for when the worst may be over. USA TODAY
Claramary Winebrenner had a difficult choice to make: keep two pregnant inmates in jail where they might contract coronavirus, or release them knowing they’ll be a danger to themselves and to others.
Both inmates have long histories of methamphetamine abuse. One, who's six months pregnant, has no family. She'll be high in two days if left on her own, said Winebrenner, the prosecutor in rural DeKalb County in Indiana.
Under normal times, keeping them incarcerated would have been the easy choice for Winebrenner. But these aren’t normal times.
The coronavirus pandemic has upended the day-to-day operations of the criminal justice system, raising significant questions about what incarceration and access to justice looks like as the virus reaches all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Everybody, from judges to defendants, now confronts a stark reality. Jury trials have been suspended in more than two dozen states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as in dozens more localities. Courthouses have either been restricted from the public or completely shut down. Judges, forced to ensure that the justice system does not grind to a screeching halt, have prioritized more urgent cases, with some holding hearings via video or telephone.
This means defendants who enter the criminal justice system will have to stay there longer, which could raise serious questions about civil liberties and constitutional rights to a speedy trial. Jo-Ann Wallace, president and chief executive of the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, said this also means defendants who are awaiting trial in jail could lose access to their homes, family and jobs – "the cascading effect" that destabilizes livelihoods.
On lockdown: Prisons restrict movements as they try to keep coronavirus out
Coronavirus updates:Navy hospital ship heading to NYC; stocks fall; death toll climbs
Similar disruptions are happening in federal courts that hear some of the country’s most controversial and consequential cases. The Supreme Court postponed oral arguments for the first time in a century. The executive committee of the Judicial Conference, the policy-making body for federal courts, is asking Congress for $7 million in additional funds to pay for mental health and drug treatments that have become costlier because they must now be given individually instead of in groups.
The country's notoriously backlogged federal immigration court system is now largely at a standstill. The Justice Department closed several courts and postponed hearings of those who are not in custody.
Meanwhile, prosecutors like Winebrenner face an uneasy, immediate question: whether to release defendants they believe should be incarcerated to avoid viral outbreaks in jails, where close quarters and overcrowding would speed the spread of the deadly and highly contagious COVID-19.
“Let’s just say we’ve kind of moved the bar up. We have to get some people out of there … and bust through some rules that are very good rules for some reasons, but in this situation, some people need to get out,” she said.
Winebrenner ultimately did not recommend the release of the pregnant inmates, saying their drug addiction poses a greater danger to them than the virus. At least in jail, she said, they can get medical care and stay sober.
“Tough calls are being made on a number of rightfully held inmates,” Winebrenner said. “We are balancing safety for the community against the great benefit of a low jail population, which ultimately, is also for the community.”
Coronavirus and courts: Supreme Court postpones oral arguments
Public health vs. public safety
For Derwyn Bunton, the chief public defender in New Orleans, the worst-case scenario is clear:
Arrests will continue as if everything is business as usual, clogging up court dockets that are not moving. Reluctance to release nonviolent offenders will overcrowd jails. Defendants, still innocent until proved guilty, will sit there indefinitely. The epidemic will make its way inside facilities, where hygiene products are limited and social distancing isn't an option.
Bunton has pushed for not arresting people over minor offenses and releasing inmates accused of nonviolent crimes to avoid that worst-case scenario. But he’s been met with resistance from law-enforcement officials who say bending the rules would result in lawlessness.
Such is the conundrum in jurisdictions across the country, where defense attorneys and prosecutors with competing interests are forced to find common ground to help stem the public health crisis.
“We can maintain public safety without jeopardizing public health,” Bunton said. “The cost to the community of keeping those folks in jail on nonviolent or technical violations is outweighed by the need to prevent the spread of the virus.”
Winebrenner is on the same page. She had asked law enforcement officials who patrol her county to bend the norms.
“If it’s not a public safety issue, … if there’s not a darn good reason to arrest somebody, don’t arrest them,” she said.
Other counties in Texas and California have started releasing inmates.
Rob Sanders, the prosecutor in Kenton County in Kentucky, said he’s seeing far more people being released from jail than at any other time in his 21 years in public service. Nearly every inmate accused of nonviolent offenses is being considered for release, he said. That includes not only defendants facing minor drug and property crimes, but also felons caught with guns and those accused of drug trafficking.
“I’m apprehensive. Certainly, we don’t want to make any law-abiding citizens get victimized by someone who might otherwise have been incarcerated. That’s my biggest concern,” he said.
Sanders also fears that many defendants will not show up to hearings once court operations are back to normal. But he also acknowledges that these are unprecedented times. Taking a chance by releasing certain inmates “is something we need to do,” he said.
What does coronavirus do to your body?: Everything to know about the infection
In Erie County in New York, reducing the jail population has not been as pressing, said John Flynn, the county prosecutor. State bail reforms that took effect this year allowed defendants accused of misdemeanor and nonviolent felonies to go free while awaiting trial, significantly reducing jail population.
More pressing for Flynn is the issue with grand juries. New York, one of about two dozen states that require grand jury indictments for people charged with serious crimes, has stopped empaneling grand juries in response to the pandemic. Prosecutors have 45 days to take the case to a grand jury, but they’re now unlikely to meet that deadline.
Flynn said the state should enact emergency laws lifting that 45-day limit, though he also acknowledged it may risk incarcerating defendants indefinitely without an indictment.
“While I recognize that defendants have their civil liberties, we also have to recognize that we are in a state of emergency,” he said. “I’m not saying disregard civil liberties, but we have to have a balance here.”
‘Complete chaos’
The mass disruptions will create backlogs that will most certainly burden already strained court systems. The justice system at the end of the pandemic will likely be even more sluggish than it is now.
“The new normal is complete chaos right now,” said Steven Halpert, juvenile division chief for the public defender’s office in Harris County, Texas.
In the juvenile system, the delays and backlogs mean some teenagers may age out before their cases are processed, Halpert said.
“We have to finish the procedure before (they turn) 18,” he said. “We have to do something. It’s a small percentage of the overall kids, but I’m concerned about those.”
Fact check: Coronavirus originated in China, researchers and studies say
But the disruptions, while painful, are necessary, said Greg Banks, the prosecutor in Island County in Washington state.
“Yes, we will add to the backlog, and it’ll be difficult to dig our way out of it. But the downside of not acting is the infection rate balloons. Our public system collapses,” he said. “I’d rather fight my way back from a backlog of cases than to participate in the mismanagement of this epidemic.”
Anne Marie Schubert, the prosecutor in Sacramento, California, said the difficult adjustments in the criminal justice system are critical to help preserve the country’s healthcare infrastructure.
“We play a part in this role to protect the human race. … We don’t want to be in a position where health systems have to make life and death decisions,” Schubert said. “I can’t predict where we’re going to be in three to four weeks. At the end of the day, the criminal justice system will survive.”
In DeKalb County, where the courthouse is now closed, Winebrenner had spent the last few days jumping from one pretrial hearing to the next, postponing cases that can wait, thinking about how she and her five part-time deputy prosecutors can do their jobs without a courtroom – all while frantically finding laptops so secretaries who keep her office running can work from home.
“Nobody’s prepared for this,” she said. “Nobody’s prepared with a plan for this.”
Contributing: Richard Wolf


usatoday--2020-03-19--The coronavirus effect: How much did it hurt Democratic primary turnout?

After strong turnout through the first seven weeks of the Democratic presidential primary , voters in three states faced a new dilemma Tuesday : whether to brave Election Day in the face of a global pandemic .
As expected , significantly fewer voters showed up in-person on Tuesday , and turnout plummeted in Illinois , amid rising health concerns and social-distancing requirements .
But in two other states , Florida and Arizona , overall turnout actually increased because of strong early voting and robust vote-by-mail participation .
Democrats say it shows why voting options need to be expanded before November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driver 's seat , coronavirus changes our elections and other takeaways from Tuesday 's vote Tuesday 's primaries came after a fourth state originally scheduled to vote that day , Ohio , postponed its primary to June because of coronavirus fears .
On a night when the front-runner , former Vice President Joe Biden , swept all three states against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , 1.54 million people voted in Illinois ' Democratic presidential primary , a 25 % decrease from the 2.06 million people who voted in 2016 .
Only 460,465 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 's mayoral elections , a drop from 720,812 four years ago .
Suburban Cook County saw 385,349 people vote , down from 476,26 .
Some Chicago voters showed up at voting sites that suffered from poll worker shortages .
City election officials said they made a last-minute request to the state to postpone voting , but it was denied – an assertion Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's administration rejected .
More : As coronavirus pandemic delays 2020 primaries , is it time to worry about the November election ?
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona .
Both states – which grew significantly in population since 2016 – might have shattered 2016 overall turnout numbers if not for Election Day turnout that lagged .
In Arizona , 531,316 people overall voted in the Democratic primary , an increase of 13.5 % over the 468,461 who voted in 2016 .
More than 380,000 in Arizona voted early .
In Florida , 1.75 million people overall voted in the Democratic primary , a 1.5 % increase over the 1.70 million who voted in 2016 .
That included just about 600,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in person on Tuesday , compared with around 1 million Election Day voters in 2016 .
Making up for the low turnout on Election Day : 693,219 people already voted by mail in Florida and another 438,949 voted early – significantly more than the state 's 489,648 vote-by-mail ballots in 2016 and 243,983 early voters .
Michael McDonald , an associate professor of political science at the University of Florida , manages the United States Elections Project , which tracks voter turnout patterns .
`` Clearly , there was likely a coronavirus effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the polls on Election Day , '' McDonald said .
`` But how large of an effect is difficult to determine . ''
He cited two other factors also at play to explain why Florida 's Election Day turnout dropped by around 400,000 voters from 2016 .
It 's easier to vote by mail in Florida than 2016 , meaning Election Day turnout might have dropped even without the coronavirus threat .
In addition , he said many who voted by mail likely did so when the Democratic primary was still competitive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination .
But following last Tuesday 's results , when Biden won five of six states , McDonald said interest likely decreased .
He said it 's a common pattern in presidential primaries for turnout to drop off once there 's a clear front-runner .
McDonald said it `` seems very reasonable '' that the coronavirus dissuaded people from showing up in person Tuesday , but he ca n't dismiss those other factors , too .
Kate Bedingfield , deputy campaign manager of the Biden campaign , touted Tuesday as `` another decisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early voting numbers in a campaign memo issued Wednesday .
`` Despite lower Election Day turnout , historic early vote meant that overall turnout exceeded 2016 totals in Florida and Arizona , and was about 70 percent of 2016 turnout in Illinois , '' Bedingfield said .
`` Access to vote by mail , early vote , and no-excuse absentee ballots led to increased turnout in the midst of a national crisis , and expanding this access will be an important step in protecting our democracy moving forward . ''
More : List @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Maryland pushes to June Turnout in future primaries is likely to decline , with the calendar upended by the coronavirus outbreak .
Primaries in Louisiana , Georgia , Kentucky , Maryland and Ohio , each previously slated for March or April , are now postponed until either May or June .
Unlike Florida and Arizona , early voting periods in these states could coincide with the coronavirus threat .
The same goes for the next slate of contests set for April 4 – the Alaska and Hawaii primaries , and the Wyoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place , although Wyoming has canceled the in-person portion of its caucus .
But if turnout does drop for Democrats , McDonald said it should n't be a reason for concern .
`` At this point , the nomination contest is over .
Sanders may continue to fight , but for all practical purposes , it 's over , '' McDonald said .
`` Whenever we see this dynamic , once there 's a clear leader , turnout always goes down for the presidential primary .
I think we 've reached that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He warned against using turnout in primaries to predict enthusiasm in the general election .
`` Wait till November happens when Trump is on the ballot .
Things are going to change dramatically . ''

The coronavirus effect: How much did it hurt Democratic primary turnout?
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus concerns in primary voting catapults Joe Biden ahead Coronavirus affects primary voting and catapults Joe Biden ahead, with voters saying they trust him over Bernie Sanders in a crisis. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY
After strong turnout through the first seven weeks of the Democratic presidential primary, voters in three states faced a new dilemma Tuesday: whether to brave Election Day in the face of a global pandemic.
Call it the coronavirus effect.
As expected, significantly fewer voters showed up in-person on Tuesday, and turnout plummeted in Illinois, amid rising health concerns and social-distancing requirements.
But in two other states, Florida and Arizona, overall turnout actually increased because of strong early voting and robust vote-by-mail participation. Democrats say it shows why voting options need to be expanded before November.
More: Biden stays in the driver's seat, coronavirus changes our elections and other takeaways from Tuesday's vote
Tuesday's primaries came after a fourth state originally scheduled to vote that day, Ohio, postponed its primary to June because of coronavirus fears.
On a night when the front-runner, former Vice President Joe Biden, swept all three states against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, 1.54 million people voted in Illinois' Democratic presidential primary, a 25% decrease from the 2.06 million people who voted in 2016.
Only 460,465 people voted in Chicago, on par with the city's mayoral elections, a drop from 720,812 four years ago. Suburban Cook County saw 385,349 people vote, down from 476,26.
Some Chicago voters showed up at voting sites that suffered from poll worker shortages. City election officials said they made a last-minute request to the state to postpone voting, but it was denied – an assertion Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration rejected.
More: As coronavirus pandemic delays 2020 primaries, is it time to worry about the November election?
It was a different story in Florida and Arizona. Both states – which grew significantly in population since 2016 – might have shattered 2016 overall turnout numbers if not for Election Day turnout that lagged.
In Arizona, 531,316 people overall voted in the Democratic primary, an increase of 13.5% over the 468,461 who voted in 2016. More than 380,000 in Arizona voted early.
In Florida, 1.75 million people overall voted in the Democratic primary, a 1.5% increase over the 1.70 million who voted in 2016. That included just about 600,000 Floridians who voted in the Democratic Primary in person on Tuesday, compared with around 1 million Election Day voters in 2016.
Making up for the low turnout on Election Day: 693,219 people already voted by mail in Florida and another 438,949 voted early – significantly more than the state's 489,648 vote-by-mail ballots in 2016 and 243,983 early voters.
Other factors in play?
Michael McDonald, an associate professor of political science at the University of Florida, manages the United States Elections Project, which tracks voter turnout patterns.
"Clearly, there was likely a coronavirus effect that was keeping people from going to the polls on Election Day," McDonald said. "But how large of an effect is difficult to determine."
He cited two other factors also at play to explain why Florida's Election Day turnout dropped by around 400,000 voters from 2016. It's easier to vote by mail in Florida than 2016, meaning Election Day turnout might have dropped even without the coronavirus threat.
In addition, he said many who voted by mail likely did so when the Democratic primary was still competitive, before Biden tightened his grip on the nomination. But following last Tuesday's results, when Biden won five of six states, McDonald said interest likely decreased. He said it's a common pattern in presidential primaries for turnout to drop off once there's a clear front-runner.
McDonald said it "seems very reasonable" that the coronavirus dissuaded people from showing up in person Tuesday, but he can't dismiss those other factors, too.
Biden campaign pushes to expand vote-by-mail
Kate Bedingfield, deputy campaign manager of the Biden campaign, touted Tuesday as "another decisive victory" and singled out the strong early voting numbers in a campaign memo issued Wednesday.
"Despite lower Election Day turnout, historic early vote meant that overall turnout exceeded 2016 totals in Florida and Arizona, and was about 70 percent of 2016 turnout in Illinois," Bedingfield said. "Access to vote by mail, early vote, and no-excuse absentee ballots led to increased turnout in the midst of a national crisis, and expanding this access will be an important step in protecting our democracy moving forward."
More: List of states delaying their presidential primaries grows as Maryland pushes to June
Turnout in future primaries is likely to decline, with the calendar upended by the coronavirus outbreak. Primaries in Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio, each previously slated for March or April, are now postponed until either May or June. Unlike Florida and Arizona, early voting periods in these states could coincide with the coronavirus threat.
The same goes for the next slate of contests set for April 4 – the Alaska and Hawaii primaries, and the Wyoming caucuses. Each is still scheduled to take place, although Wyoming has canceled the in-person portion of its caucus.
But if turnout does drop for Democrats, McDonald said it shouldn't be a reason for concern.
"At this point, the nomination contest is over. Sanders may continue to fight, but for all practical purposes, it's over," McDonald said. "Whenever we see this dynamic, once there's a clear leader, turnout always goes down for the presidential primary. I think we've reached that stage of the nomination cycle."
He warned against using turnout in primaries to predict enthusiasm in the general election. "Wait till November happens when Trump is on the ballot. Things are going to change dramatically."
Reach Joey Garrison and on Twitter: @joeygarrison.