usatoday--2020-10-19--Will a COVID-19 relief deal be struck by Tuesday? What we know about negotiations

WASHINGTON – The clock is ticking for Democrats and Republicans to reach a COVID-19 relief deal after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi set a Tuesday deadline for both sides to come together to restore urgently needed benefits before Election Day .
Both sides are struggling to cut a deal weeks before the election .
Democrats and Republicans are hundreds of billions of dollars apart in their proposals and unable to resolve major policy differences on COVID-19 testing , child tax credit provisions and funding for state and local governments .
Congress passed a comprehensive aid package in March , and many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal boost to unemployment benefits ran out in July , airline assistance expired in October , and Americans weathering an economic recession eagerly await another round of relief checks .
President Donald Trump ended relief talks at the beginning of the month , telling Senate Republicans to focus instead on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett , but he reversed course , reopening negotiations with congressional Democrats .
More : The final debate could be Trump 's last chance to turn the race around , and he 's already attacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tamp down Republican dissent , lashes out at GOP Sen. Ben Sasse at Nevada rally How much funding does each side want ?
Democrats want about $ 2.2 trillion in funding , and the White House proposed about $ 1.8 trillion .
Senate Republicans are set to act on a $ 500 billion plan Wednesday .
Trump said he wants more funding than Democrats and his own negotiators offered .
What do Democrats want ?
Congressional Democrats have held fast to their $ 2.2 trillion proposal outlined in legislation the Democratic-controlled House passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had initially proposed a $ 3.4 trillion plan Republicans rejected as too expensive , so Democrats lowered the price tag on their offer .
Pelosi , D-Calif. , said Sunday on ABC News ' `` This Week '' that both sides had until Tuesday to reach a deal if they wanted a package passed before the election .
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , one of the lead White House negotiators , spoke for almost an hour Monday afternoon , Pelosi spokesperson Drew Hammill said .
They `` continued to narrow their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are set to speak again Tuesday .
Both sides gridlocked over provisions such as the amount of the federal unemployment boost and aid for state and local governments .
The Democratic proposal includes $ 600 per week in unemployment benefits , which Senate Republicans said would serve as a disincentive to work .
Democrats want $ 436 billion in assistance for state and local governments , many of which have seen their budgets stretched by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Republicans fear such a large allocation of funding would add to the deficit and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized Pelosi ’ s position , calling for the House to take the White House ’ s $ 1.8 trillion offer and use it as a foundation for more aid if Democrats win the White House , keep control of the House and flip control of the Senate .
Rep. Ro Khanna , D-Calif. , said last week in a CNN interview that he and many other members of Congress believe “ what is unacceptable is for us to go away with no deal.
” More : Nancy Pelosi calls CNN 's Wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position ' in tense interview What does the White House want ?
The White House ’ s position has shifted several times over the past month .
At the beginning of October , Trump halted months of negotiations , then reversed course , calling for standalone aid bills to provide another round of checks to Americans and relief for airlines .
He reopened negotiations with Democrats , and White House negotiators offered a $ 1.8 trillion deal .
The White House acknowledged Senate Republicans are more unlikely to support a relief bill the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration has not publicly released details of its plan or text of proposed legislation .
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows , one of the lead White House negotiators , said Monday , “ The Senate Republicans have been very vocal in terms of their lack of support of a number that isn ’ t even close to what the president has already supported at the $ 1.8 trillion range.
” Whether enough Republican senators would support a deal is “ up to Leader ( Mitch ) McConnell , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate majority leader .
Trump said he wants a deal even larger than what his negotiators proposed .
“ I want to do it at a bigger number than ( Pelosi ) wants , ” he said Sunday , expecting Senate Republicans would go along with him if a deal were reached .
What do Senate Republicans want ?
The Republican-controlled Senate is set to return from its recess and vote this week on two related bills , though Republicans probably lack the votes to overcome Democrats ’ objections .
They will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paycheck Protection Program for small-business loan forgiveness Tuesday and a $ 500 billion relief bill Wednesday .
McConnell said Saturday their plan would include more unemployment benefits and more than $ 100 billion for schools and vaccine funding , among other provisions .
Both bills require the support of at least 60 senators to break a procedural roadblock called a filibuster , an unlikely scenario given Democrats ’ opposition .
The 53-47 composition of the Senate between Republicans and Democrats means at least seven Democrats would need to break from their party to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a final vote on a bill .
Republicans are also unlikely to support more expensive bills .
Sen. John Thune , R-S.D.
, the second-ranking Senate Republican , told reporters on Capitol Hill `` it would be hard '' to secure the support of enough Republicans to advance a package at $ 1.8 trillion or higher .
Democrats have refused to support standalone bills unless they receive guarantees a larger bill would be considered , and they criticized Republicans ’ relief plan as too small to respond to the pandemic .
Republicans attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priced at about $ 300 billion in September , but Senate Democrats blocked it .
Saturday , McConnell left the door open to considering a larger package brokered by the White House and Democrats , saying in a statement , `` If Speaker Pelosi ever lets the House reach a bipartisan agreement with the administration , the Senate would of course consider it . ''
Do any of these plans have more relief checks ?
The Democrats ’ plan includes another round of $ 1,200 checks .
The White House has not released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said he wants $ 1,200 checks .
The Senate Republicans ’ $ 500 billion plan does not include more individual payments .
What do Congress members say ?
Some lawmakers are pessimistic .
Sen. Chris Coons , D-Del.
, told CNBC on Monday morning he would put the chances of a deal before the election at “ 50/50 at best , frankly , ” calling the situation “ frustrating.
” Pelosi told House Democrats in a letter Sunday she was `` optimistic that we can reach agreement before the election . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Problem Solvers Caucus , a bipartisan group of lawmakers who introduced their own coronavirus relief framework in September , said Monday it was `` unconscionable that it not get done '' before the election .
`` We ca n't wait until February .
It 's unacceptable , '' he said .
Some members of Congress are unhappy with the lack of input rank-and-file lawmakers get in the drafting of legislation .
Rep. David Joyce , R-Ohio , a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus , criticized the `` bull -- -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from party leadership , noting that members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers were able to come up with a framework by negotiating with each other .
Asian Americans in San Francisco die at alarming rates from COVID-19 : Racism is to blame

Will a COVID-19 relief deal be struck by Tuesday? What we know about negotiations
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID stimulus deal: What Democrats, Republicans and Trump want A new coronavirus stimulus deal is still in the works between Democrats and Republicans, bu they can't agree on a conclusion. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The clock is ticking for Democrats and Republicans to reach a COVID-19 relief deal after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi set a Tuesday deadline for both sides to come together to restore urgently needed benefits before Election Day.
Both sides are struggling to cut a deal weeks before the election. Democrats and Republicans are hundreds of billions of dollars apart in their proposals and unable to resolve major policy differences on COVID-19 testing, child tax credit provisions and funding for state and local governments.
Congress passed a comprehensive aid package in March, and many of its provisions have lapsed. The federal boost to unemployment benefits ran out in July, airline assistance expired in October, and Americans weathering an economic recession eagerly await another round of relief checks.
President Donald Trump ended relief talks at the beginning of the month, telling Senate Republicans to focus instead on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, but he reversed course, reopening negotiations with congressional Democrats.
More: The final debate could be Trump's last chance to turn the race around, and he's already attacking the moderator
More: Trump tries to tamp down Republican dissent, lashes out at GOP Sen. Ben Sasse at Nevada rally
Here’s the latest on negotiations:
How much funding does each side want ?
Democrats want about $2.2 trillion in funding, and the White House proposed about $1.8 trillion. Senate Republicans are set to act on a $500 billion plan Wednesday. Trump said he wants more funding than Democrats and his own negotiators offered.
What do Democrats want?
Congressional Democrats have held fast to their $2.2 trillion proposal outlined in legislation the Democratic-controlled House passed at the beginning of October. They had initially proposed a $3.4 trillion plan Republicans rejected as too expensive, so Democrats lowered the price tag on their offer.
Pelosi, D-Calif., said Sunday on ABC News' "This Week" that both sides had until Tuesday to reach a deal if they wanted a package passed before the election.
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, one of the lead White House negotiators, spoke for almost an hour Monday afternoon, Pelosi spokesperson Drew Hammill said. They "continued to narrow their differences," Hammill said, and are set to speak again Tuesday.
Both sides gridlocked over provisions such as the amount of the federal unemployment boost and aid for state and local governments. The Democratic proposal includes $600 per week in unemployment benefits, which Senate Republicans said would serve as a disincentive to work. Democrats want $436 billion in assistance for state and local governments, many of which have seen their budgets stretched by the COVID-19 pandemic. Republicans fear such a large allocation of funding would add to the deficit and bail out mismanaged governments.
Some Democrats criticized Pelosi’s position, calling for the House to take the White House’s $1.8 trillion offer and use it as a foundation for more aid if Democrats win the White House, keep control of the House and flip control of the Senate.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said last week in a CNN interview that he and many other members of Congress believe “what is unacceptable is for us to go away with no deal.”
More: Nancy Pelosi calls CNN's Wolf Blitzer an 'apologist' for the 'Republican position' in tense interview
What does the White House want?
The White House’s position has shifted several times over the past month.
At the beginning of October, Trump halted months of negotiations, then reversed course, calling for standalone aid bills to provide another round of checks to Americans and relief for airlines. He reopened negotiations with Democrats, and White House negotiators offered a $1.8 trillion deal.
The White House acknowledged Senate Republicans are more unlikely to support a relief bill the higher the price tag goes. The administration has not publicly released details of its plan or text of proposed legislation.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, one of the lead White House negotiators, said Monday, “The Senate Republicans have been very vocal in terms of their lack of support of a number that isn’t even close to what the president has already supported at the $1.8 trillion range.” Whether enough Republican senators would support a deal is “up to Leader (Mitch) McConnell," he said, referring to the Kentucky Republican and Senate majority leader.
Trump said he wants a deal even larger than what his negotiators proposed.
“I want to do it at a bigger number than (Pelosi) wants,” he said Sunday, expecting Senate Republicans would go along with him if a deal were reached.
What do Senate Republicans want?
The Republican-controlled Senate is set to return from its recess and vote this week on two related bills, though Republicans probably lack the votes to overcome Democrats’ objections.
They will take up a bill that would reauthorize the Paycheck Protection Program for small-business loan forgiveness Tuesday and a $500 billion relief bill Wednesday. McConnell said Saturday their plan would include more unemployment benefits and more than $100 billion for schools and vaccine funding, among other provisions.
Both bills require the support of at least 60 senators to break a procedural roadblock called a filibuster, an unlikely scenario given Democrats’ opposition. The 53-47 composition of the Senate between Republicans and Democrats means at least seven Democrats would need to break from their party to agree to end debate and advance to a final vote on a bill.
Republicans are also unlikely to support more expensive bills. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the second-ranking Senate Republican, told reporters on Capitol Hill "it would be hard" to secure the support of enough Republicans to advance a package at $1.8 trillion or higher.
Democrats have refused to support standalone bills unless they receive guarantees a larger bill would be considered, and they criticized Republicans’ relief plan as too small to respond to the pandemic. Republicans attempted to pass a similar, smaller bill priced at about $300 billion in September, but Senate Democrats blocked it.
Saturday, McConnell left the door open to considering a larger package brokered by the White House and Democrats, saying in a statement, "If Speaker Pelosi ever lets the House reach a bipartisan agreement with the administration, the Senate would of course consider it."
Do any of these plans have more relief checks?
The Democrats’ plan includes another round of $1,200 checks. The White House has not released the text of its proposal, though Trump said he wants $1,200 checks. The Senate Republicans’ $500 billion plan does not include more individual payments.
What do Congress members say?
Some lawmakers are pessimistic. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., told CNBC on Monday morning he would put the chances of a deal before the election at “50/50 at best, frankly,” calling the situation “frustrating.”
Pelosi told House Democrats in a letter Sunday she was "optimistic that we can reach agreement before the election."
Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers who introduced their own coronavirus relief framework in September, said Monday it was "unconscionable that it not get done" before the election.
"We can't wait until February. It's unacceptable," he said.
Some members of Congress are unhappy with the lack of input rank-and-file lawmakers get in the drafting of legislation.
Rep. David Joyce, R-Ohio, a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, criticized the "bull----" of having a plan handed down from party leadership, noting that members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers were able to come up with a framework by negotiating with each other.
Asian Americans in San Francisco die at alarming rates from COVID-19: Racism is to blame


usatoday--2020-10-19--After Fauci said he's not surprised Trump got COVID-19, president calls top disease expert a 'disast

President Donald Trump blasted Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government 's top infectious disease expert , as a `` disaster '' on Monday , a day after Fauci said in an interview that it came as no shock to him when the president tested positive for COVID-19 because Trump regularly eschewed the use of masks `` as a statement of strength . ''
During a conference call with his campaign staff on Monday , Trump said Fauci drops a `` bomb '' every time he goes on television , but it would be `` a bigger bomb if you fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Trump added that people do n't want to hear about the pandemic and are saying `` just leave us alone '' to public health experts like Fauci , who has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 .
`` People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots , '' Trump said .
Later Monday , the president also posted a tweet criticizing Fauci .
A day earlier , Fauci had been asked in a CBS News `` 60 Minutes '' interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
`` I was worried that he was going to get sick when I saw him in a completely precarious situation of crowded – no separation between people , and almost nobody wearing a mask , '' he said , referring to the White House Rose Garden event where Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
`` When I saw that on TV , I said , 'Oh my goodness .
Nothing good can come outta that , that 's got ta be a problem . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned out to be a superspreader event . ''
Of the people who attended the Sept. 26 White House ceremony , nearly a dozen tested positive for the coronavirus including Trump , first lady Melania Trump , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway , former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , Utah Sen. Mike Lee and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis .
'The data speak for themselves ' : Dr. Anthony Fauci says White House held a 'superspreader event ' for coronavirus The `` 60 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time Fauci had expressed concern about the president 's lack of social distancing since the outbreak began .
It also was not the first time Trump had criticized the renowned immunologist , whose dire predictions have often contradicted the presidents ' more rosy assessments about how the U.S. was managing the pandemic .
One area where they have not always seen eye to eye is the importance of mask wearing to combat the spread of the virus .
Fauci told `` 60 Minutes '' he believes Trump – who rarely wears a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected – avoids masks because he sees it as `` a statement of strength , like , 'We 're strong , we do n't need a mask , ' that kind of thing . ''
`` He sometimes equates wearing a mask with weakness , '' added Fauci , who said that view made no sense to him .
But he did not believe the president 's reluctance to wear a mask was rooted in general opposition to science .
`` I think deep down , he believes in science , '' Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he would not have entrusted his health to the very competent physicians at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center . ''
Trump has publicly questioned the efficacy of masks and frequently points to Fauci 's initial advice to avoid them during the early days of the pandemic to support his claim that there is wide debate about their effectiveness .
But Fauci said Sunday there was `` no doubt '' that `` masks really do work in preventing infection . ''
Fauci , who said he wished to `` put this to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained that his early statements telling people not to rush out and buy masks were rooted in a concern about hospitals experiencing a shortage of surgical or N95 masks .
Since then , studies have shown that masks are more effective than he thought , and that cloth coverings work , reducing the strain on the supply of masks like those used in hospitals .
`` When you find out you 're wrong , it 's a manifestation of your honesty to say , 'Hey , I was wrong .
I did subsequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ' '' Fauci said .
In another instance where the president misrepresented his position , Fauci said it was `` stunning '' the Trump campaign had taken one of his statements out of context in an ad to imply he was praising Trump 's handling of the pandemic .
`` I do not , and nor will I ever , publicly endorse any political candidate .
And here I am , they 're sticking me right in the middle of a campaign ad .
Which I thought was outrageous .
I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci said .
`` I was referring to the grueling work of the task force that , 'God , we were knocking ourselves out seven days a week .
I don ’ t think we could have possibly have done any more than that . '
'' When asked if the ad made him angry , Fauci said , `` It did , quite frankly . ''
`` I got really ticked off . ''
Trump defended his comments about Fauci while speaking to reporters before a rally in Prescott , Arizona .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ man '' who `` loves being on television . ''
`` Sometimes he says things that are a little bit off , and they get built up , unfortunately , '' Trump said .
`` But he ’ s a nice guy .
I like him .
But he ’ s called a lot of bad calls . ''
When asked why he did n't fire Fauci , Trump told reporters , `` I don ’ t want to .
I don ’ t want to hurt him .
He ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the rally , Trump criticized his Democratic opponent Joe Biden for wanting `` to listen to Dr .
Fauci . ''
`` ... yes , '' Biden tweeted in response to what CNN reporter Daniel Dale called Trump 's `` new attack line . ''
Biden also responded to Trump 's attacks on Fauci in a statement .
`` Coronavirus infections are spiking across the country , but President Trump decided to attack Dr. Fauci again today as a 'disaster ' and call public health experts 'idiots ' instead of laying out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heeding their advice about how we can save lives and get our economy moving again , '' Biden said .
Biden was not the only Democrat to seize on Trump 's criticism of Fauci as an opportunity to lambaste the president for his handling of the coronavirus .
`` 220,000 Americans are dead and infection rates are climbing in 43 states .
After deceptively using Dr. Fauci ’ s words in a TV ad last week , now Trump is attacking him as a 'disaster . '
For what ?
For telling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. `` We all know who the disaster is here , Mr. President .
You . ''
Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee also came to Fauci 's defense amid the president 's criticism .
`` Dr. Fauci is one of our country ’ s most distinguished public servants .
He has served six presidents , starting with Ronald Reagan .
If more Americans paid attention to his advice , we ’ d have fewer cases of COVID-19 , and it would be safer to go back to school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eat , '' Alexander said in a statement .
Trump 's criticism of Fauci on Monday came the same day the National Academy of Medicine awarded the disease expert with its first-ever Presidential Citation for Exemplary Leadership .
Presenting the award , academy president Victor J. Dzau praised Fauci 's `` firm and steady leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic '' and lauded him for `` offering an unwavering , trusted voice to the nation and world on behalf of science-based policy and public health . ''
Biden : For Democratic nominee , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the era of COVID-19

William Cummings and David Jackson, USA TODAY

After Fauci said he's not surprised Trump got COVID-19, president calls top disease expert a 'disaster'
Show Caption Hide Caption Dr. Anthony Fauci: Who is America's leading medical expert? Dr. Anthony Fauci’s longtime official title is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, but there is more to know. USA TODAY
President Donald Trump blasted Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, as a "disaster" on Monday, a day after Fauci said in an interview that it came as no shock to him when the president tested positive for COVID-19 because Trump regularly eschewed the use of masks "as a statement of strength."
During a conference call with his campaign staff on Monday, Trump said Fauci drops a "bomb" every time he goes on television, but it would be "a bigger bomb if you fire him. This guy's a disaster."
Trump added that people don't want to hear about the pandemic and are saying "just leave us alone" to public health experts like Fauci, who has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984.
"People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots," Trump said.
Later Monday, the president also posted a tweet criticizing Fauci.
A day earlier, Fauci had been asked in a CBS News "60 Minutes" interview if he was surprised the president contracted the coronavirus.
"Absolutely not," Fauci replied.
"I was worried that he was going to get sick when I saw him in a completely precarious situation of crowded – no separation between people, and almost nobody wearing a mask," he said, referring to the White House Rose Garden event where Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. "When I saw that on TV, I said, 'Oh my goodness. Nothing good can come outta that, that's gotta be a problem.' And then, sure enough, it turned out to be a superspreader event."
Of the people who attended the Sept. 26 White House ceremony, nearly a dozen tested positive for the coronavirus including Trump, first lady Melania Trump, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Utah Sen. Mike Lee and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis.
'The data speak for themselves': Dr. Anthony Fauci says White House held a 'superspreader event' for coronavirus
The "60 Minutes" interview was not the first time Fauci had expressed concern about the president's lack of social distancing since the outbreak began. It also was not the first time Trump had criticized the renowned immunologist, whose dire predictions have often contradicted the presidents' more rosy assessments about how the U.S. was managing the pandemic.
One area where they have not always seen eye to eye is the importance of mask wearing to combat the spread of the virus.
Fauci told "60 Minutes" he believes Trump – who rarely wears a mask in public, particularly before he became infected – avoids masks because he sees it as "a statement of strength, like, 'We're strong, we don't need a mask,' that kind of thing."
"He sometimes equates wearing a mask with weakness," added Fauci, who said that view made no sense to him.
But he did not believe the president's reluctance to wear a mask was rooted in general opposition to science.
"I think deep down, he believes in science," Fauci said, "If he didn't, he would not have entrusted his health to the very competent physicians at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center."
Trump has publicly questioned the efficacy of masks and frequently points to Fauci's initial advice to avoid them during the early days of the pandemic to support his claim that there is wide debate about their effectiveness. But Fauci said Sunday there was "no doubt" that "masks really do work in preventing infection."
Fauci, who said he wished to "put this to rest once and for all," explained that his early statements telling people not to rush out and buy masks were rooted in a concern about hospitals experiencing a shortage of surgical or N95 masks. Since then, studies have shown that masks are more effective than he thought, and that cloth coverings work, reducing the strain on the supply of masks like those used in hospitals.
"When you find out you're wrong, it's a manifestation of your honesty to say, 'Hey, I was wrong. I did subsequent experiments and now it's this way,'" Fauci said.
In another instance where the president misrepresented his position, Fauci said it was "stunning" the Trump campaign had taken one of his statements out of context in an ad to imply he was praising Trump's handling of the pandemic.
"I do not, and nor will I ever, publicly endorse any political candidate. And here I am, they're sticking me right in the middle of a campaign ad. Which I thought was outrageous. I was referring to something entirely different," Fauci said. "I was referring to the grueling work of the task force that, 'God, we were knocking ourselves out seven days a week. I don’t think we could have possibly have done any more than that.'"
When asked if the ad made him angry, Fauci said, "It did, quite frankly."
"I got really ticked off."
Trump defended his comments about Fauci while speaking to reporters before a rally in Prescott, Arizona. He called Fauci a "very nice man" who "loves being on television."
"Sometimes he says things that are a little bit off, and they get built up, unfortunately," Trump said. "But he’s a nice guy. I like him. But he’s called a lot of bad calls."
When asked why he didn't fire Fauci, Trump told reporters, "I don’t want to. I don’t want to hurt him. He’s been there for about 350 years."
During the rally, Trump criticized his Democratic opponent Joe Biden for wanting "to listen to Dr. Fauci."
" ... yes," Biden tweeted in response to what CNN reporter Daniel Dale called Trump's "new attack line."
Biden also responded to Trump's attacks on Fauci in a statement.
"Coronavirus infections are spiking across the country, but President Trump decided to attack Dr. Fauci again today as a 'disaster' and call public health experts 'idiots' instead of laying out a plan to beat this virus or heeding their advice about how we can save lives and get our economy moving again," Biden said.
Biden was not the only Democrat to seize on Trump's criticism of Fauci as an opportunity to lambaste the president for his handling of the coronavirus.
"220,000 Americans are dead and infection rates are climbing in 43 states. After deceptively using Dr. Fauci’s words in a TV ad last week, now Trump is attacking him as a 'disaster.' For what? For telling the truth," tweeted House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif. "We all know who the disaster is here, Mr. President. You."
220,000 Americans are dead and infection rates are climbing in 43 states.
After deceptively using Dr. Fauci’s words in a TV ad last week, now Trump is attacking him as a “disaster.”
For what? For telling the truth.
We all know who the disaster is here, Mr. President.
You. https://t.co/WjC0Uw4VbF — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) October 19, 2020
Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee also came to Fauci's defense amid the president's criticism.
"Dr. Fauci is one of our country’s most distinguished public servants. He has served six presidents, starting with Ronald Reagan. If more Americans paid attention to his advice, we’d have fewer cases of COVID-19, and it would be safer to go back to school and back to work and out to eat," Alexander said in a statement.
Trump's criticism of Fauci on Monday came the same day the National Academy of Medicine awarded the disease expert with its first-ever Presidential Citation for Exemplary Leadership.
Presenting the award, academy president Victor J. Dzau praised Fauci's "firm and steady leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic" and lauded him for "offering an unwavering, trusted voice to the nation and world on behalf of science-based policy and public health."
Biden: For Democratic nominee, two face masks are better than one in the era of COVID-19


usatoday--2020-10-19--Trump tweet about 'BOFFO'  leaves many scratching their heads. Here's what it means

On Monday morning , the word “ BOFFO ’ ’ got a boost from the commander in chief .
Not sure what it means ?
You 're not alone .
President Donald Trump tweeted , “ Early voting reports look far stronger than originally anticipated .
Every RALLY is BOFFO.
’ ’ So what exactly did the president mean by boffo ?
On Twitter , many users said they had to look up the definition of boffo .
Merriam-Webster tweeted that shortly after the president used the word it became a top trending search on the online dictionary .
Thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not linger like Trump ’ s use of “ covfefe ’ ’ on May 31 , 2017 , when in a tweet he wrote , “ Despite the constant negative press covfefe.
” “ Who can figure out the true meaning of “ covfefe ” ?
?
?
’ ’ Trump later wrote .
“ Enjoy !
” Of boffo , the online Merriam-Webster dictionary identifies the word as an adjective and defines it as “ extremely successful : SENSATIONAL.
’ ’ Courtesy of Fortune magazine , a sample sentence incorporating boffo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoom flexed its muscles last week with a boffo earnings report .
’ ’

Trump tweet about 'BOFFO' leaves many scratching their heads. Here's what it means
On Monday morning, the word “BOFFO’’ got a boost from the commander in chief. Not sure what it means? You're not alone.
President Donald Trump tweeted, “Early voting reports look far stronger than originally anticipated. Every RALLY is BOFFO.’’
So what exactly did the president mean by boffo? On Twitter, many users said they had to look up the definition of boffo.
Well I just found out what “Boffo” meant. If Trump succeeded at anything today, he got us all to pick up the dictionary 😭🤣 https://t.co/N8mHHxivW4 — Elijha 🇯🇲🐬 (@LeftistElijha) October 19, 2020
Merriam-Webster tweeted that shortly after the president used the word it became a top trending search on the online dictionary.
Thanks to Merriam-Webster, the mystery of boffo will not linger like Trump’s use of “covfefe’’ on May 31, 2017, when in a tweet he wrote, “Despite the constant negative press covfefe.”
“Who can figure out the true meaning of “covfefe” ???’’ Trump later wrote. “Enjoy!”
Of boffo, the online Merriam-Webster dictionary identifies the word as an adjective and defines it as “extremely successful: SENSATIONAL.’’
@maggieNYT There has never been a time in either of my two Campaigns when I felt we had a stronger chance of winning than we do right now. Early voting reports look far stronger than originally anticipated. Every RALLY is BOFFO. @MarkMeadows & team are doing a fantastic job.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 19, 2020
Synonyms include “A-OK,’’ “bang-up,’’ “gangbusters’’ and “out-of-sight.’’
Courtesy of Fortune magazine, a sample sentence incorporating boffo and published during the pandemic: “Zoom flexed its muscles last week with a boffo earnings report.’’


usatoday--2020-10-20--Supreme Court allows Pennsylvania to count ballots received up to 3 days after Election Day

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled Monday that absentee ballots in Pennsylvania can be received up to three days beyond Election Day , setting a precedent that could apply to some other states as well .
A shorthanded court , functioning with only eight members since the death of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , split 4-4 on the decision .
Chief Justice John Roberts joined liberal Associate Justices Stephen Breyer , Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan while conservative Associate Justices Clarence Thomas , Samuel Alito , Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh formed the opposing bloc .
Because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Pennsylvania state Supreme Court stands and that court had ruled in favor of a three-day extension .
The justices ' order establishes the ground rules for mail-in voting in one of the nation 's key battleground states , where President Donald Trump and former vice president Joe Biden are fighting hard for its 20 electoral votes .
The ruling could have an impact in other states where the deadline for mail-in ballots has been the subject of court battles .
Those include Michigan , North Carolina , Wisconsin , Minnesota , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Supreme Court is shorthanded but could play role in election The state 's Democratic Party initiated the legal action in Pennsylvania , urging state courts to extend the Nov. 3 ballot return deadline in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that presents risks for in-person voting .
State Attorney General Josh Shapiro , a Democrat , also said the date should be extended , and the state Supreme Court agreed .
That left the state Republican Party and state Senate leaders to defend the original Election Day deadline .
They asked the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ruling as a violation of federal law , which sets Election Day as the first Tuesday in November .
They also said the extension violates the Constitution .
`` This is an open invitation to voters to cast their ballots after Election Day , thereby injecting chaos and the potential for gamesmanship into what was an orderly and secure schedule of clear , bright-line deadlines , '' Jason Torchinsky , the lawyer for state Senate leaders , said in court papers .
`` In a year where there is a very real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hinges on Pennsylvania , the new rules imposed by the decision of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ( a body elected in partisan elections ) could destroy the American public ’ s confidence in the electoral system as a whole , '' he wrote .
Democrats countered that because of the state court ruling , officials already have advised voters that ballots can be received until Friday , Nov. 6 .
As a result , they said , a reversal would add to confusion and invite additional litigation in other states .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state election laws on the eve of the election , '' Clifford Levine , the state Democratic Party 's attorney , said in court papers .
Nationwide , more than 300 election-related lawsuits have been filed , largely as a result of problems associated with COVID-19 and the expansion of voting by mail .
Republicans , including Trump 's reelection campaign , generally seek to limit such voting , while Democrats want to expand it .
More : Election lawsuits set record pace amid COVID-19 pandemic as results decide who votes and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved since April , when it ruled 5-4 along ideological lines that absentee voting in Wisconsin could not be extended past the primary election date .
Most recently , it ruled that South Carolina can keep its requirement that absentee ballots include witness signatures .
More cases are headed to the court over the way mail-in ballots are distributed , delivered and counted in an election that Trump claims , without proof , has been rigged against him .

Supreme Court allows Pennsylvania to count ballots received up to 3 days after Election Day
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled Monday that absentee ballots in Pennsylvania can be received up to three days beyond Election Day, setting a precedent that could apply to some other states as well.
A shorthanded court, functioning with only eight members since the death of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, split 4-4 on the decision. Chief Justice John Roberts joined liberal Associate Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan while conservative Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh formed the opposing bloc.
Because of the 4-4 tie, the lower court ruling by the Pennsylvania state Supreme Court stands and that court had ruled in favor of a three-day extension.
The justices' order establishes the ground rules for mail-in voting in one of the nation's key battleground states, where President Donald Trump and former vice president Joe Biden are fighting hard for its 20 electoral votes.
The ruling could have an impact in other states where the deadline for mail-in ballots has been the subject of court battles. Those include Michigan, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Georgia, Indiana and Montana.
More: Supreme Court is shorthanded but could play role in election
The state's Democratic Party initiated the legal action in Pennsylvania, urging state courts to extend the Nov. 3 ballot return deadline in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that presents risks for in-person voting. State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, also said the date should be extended, and the state Supreme Court agreed.
That left the state Republican Party and state Senate leaders to defend the original Election Day deadline. They asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block the state court's ruling as a violation of federal law, which sets Election Day as the first Tuesday in November. They also said the extension violates the Constitution.
"This is an open invitation to voters to cast their ballots after Election Day, thereby injecting chaos and the potential for gamesmanship into what was an orderly and secure schedule of clear, bright-line deadlines," Jason Torchinsky, the lawyer for state Senate leaders, said in court papers.
"In a year where there is a very real possibility that the final presidential election result hinges on Pennsylvania, the new rules imposed by the decision of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (a body elected in partisan elections) could destroy the American public’s confidence in the electoral system as a whole," he wrote.
Democrats countered that because of the state court ruling, officials already have advised voters that ballots can be received until Friday, Nov. 6. As a result, they said, a reversal would add to confusion and invite additional litigation in other states.
"Their argument would almost certainly invalidate multiple state election laws on the eve of the election," Clifford Levine, the state Democratic Party's attorney, said in court papers.
Nationwide, more than 300 election-related lawsuits have been filed, largely as a result of problems associated with COVID-19 and the expansion of voting by mail. Republicans, including Trump's reelection campaign, generally seek to limit such voting, while Democrats want to expand it.
More: Election lawsuits set record pace amid COVID-19 pandemic as results decide who votes and how Nov. 3
The Supreme Court has been involved since April, when it ruled 5-4 along ideological lines that absentee voting in Wisconsin could not be extended past the primary election date. Most recently, it ruled that South Carolina can keep its requirement that absentee ballots include witness signatures.
More cases are headed to the court over the way mail-in ballots are distributed, delivered and counted in an election that Trump claims, without proof, has been rigged against him.


usatoday--2020-10-20--Today in History for October 20th

Today in History for October 20th

Highlights of this day in history : 'Saturday Night Massacre ' takes place during Watergate scandal ; Gen. Douglas MacArthur @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy weds Aristotle Onassis ; Three Lynyrd Skynyrd members die in plane crash .
( @ @ @

Today in History for October 20th
Highlights of this day in history: 'Saturday Night Massacre' takes place during Watergate scandal; Gen. Douglas MacArthur returns to Philippines; Jacqueline Kennedy weds Aristotle Onassis; Three Lynyrd Skynyrd members die in plane crash. (Oct. 20)
AP


usatoday--2020-10-19--Tropical Storm Epsilon forms in Atlantic, expected to reach hurricane strength this week

• The storm is forecast to approach Bermuda as a hurricane later this week .
• Epsilon is not expected to impact the U.S. East Coast .
• A total of 26 systems have reached tropical storm strength or greater so far in the Atlantic Ocean this season .
Tropical Storm Epsilon formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday and should reach hurricane strength by Thursday , the National Hurricane Center said .
As of Monday afternoon , Epsilon had maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and was located about 730 miles southeast of Bermuda .
Gradual strengthening is forecast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the storm is forecast to approach Bermuda as a hurricane later this week .
`` While it is too soon to determine the exact details of Epsilon 's track and intensity near the island , there is a risk of direct impacts from wind , rainfall and storm surge on Bermuda , and interests there should closely monitor the progress of Epsilon , '' the Hurricane Center said .
Epsilon is not expected to impact the U.S. East Coast .
Another system in the Caribbean has a low chance for development over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some gradual development of this system is possible late this week while it moves slowly northwestward or north-northwestward over the western Caribbean Sea , '' the Hurricane Center said .
The strength or final track of this potential system remains highly uncertain , the Weather Channel said .
`` It 's too soon to know if this potential system will affect any other land areas in the long-term future , '' the Weather Channel reported .
If it develops into a tropical storm , it would take on the name Zeta .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 systems have reached tropical storm strength or greater in the Atlantic Ocean this season .
This season – which runs through Nov. 30 – is closing in on the record of 28 named storms set in 2005 , according to AccuWeather .
That year was the only other year the Greek alphabet has been used .
Epsilon also represents a record for the earliest 26th named storm , beating out Nov. 22 in 2005 , according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach .

Cheryl McCloud and Doyle Rice, USA TODAY NETWORK

Tropical Storm Epsilon forms in Atlantic, expected to reach hurricane strength this week
Show Caption Hide Caption National Hurricane Center is nearly out of storm names, so now what? This year's Atlantic hurricane season has been so active, forecasters are almost out of names so now they will be moving on to the Greek alphabet. USA TODAY
The storm is forecast to approach Bermuda as a hurricane later this week.
Epsilon is not expected to impact the U.S. East Coast.
A total of 26 systems have reached tropical storm strength or greater so far in the Atlantic Ocean this season.
Tropical Storm Epsilon formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday and should reach hurricane strength by Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said.
As of Monday afternoon, Epsilon had maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and was located about 730 miles southeast of Bermuda.
Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next 72 hours, and the storm is forecast to approach Bermuda as a hurricane later this week.
"While it is too soon to determine the exact details of Epsilon's track and intensity near the island, there is a risk of direct impacts from wind, rainfall and storm surge on Bermuda, and interests there should closely monitor the progress of Epsilon," the Hurricane Center said.
Epsilon is not expected to impact the U.S. East Coast.
Another system in the Caribbean has a low chance for development over the next few days. However, "some gradual development of this system is possible late this week while it moves slowly northwestward or north-northwestward over the western Caribbean Sea," the Hurricane Center said.
The strength or final track of this potential system remains highly uncertain, the Weather Channel said. "It's too soon to know if this potential system will affect any other land areas in the long-term future," the Weather Channel reported.
If it develops into a tropical storm, it would take on the name Zeta.
With Epsilon's formation, a total of 26 systems have reached tropical storm strength or greater in the Atlantic Ocean this season.
This season – which runs through Nov. 30 – is closing in on the record of 28 named storms set in 2005, according to AccuWeather. That year was the only other year the Greek alphabet has been used.
Epsilon also represents a record for the earliest 26th named storm, beating out Nov. 22 in 2005, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-10-19--CDC issues new guidance, advises travelers on public transportation to wear a mask

CDC issues new guidance , advises travelers on public transportation to wear a mask As the U.S. surpassed 220,000 COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance about wearing masks while traveling .

CDC has new guidance for travelers using public transportation
As the U.S. surpassed 220,000 COVID-19 deaths, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance about wearing masks while traveling.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-10-19--Cheerleader's emotional reaction to making the squad

When the competition got tighter because of COVID-19 , Kayla Kosmaski had her doubts about making the cheer team .
@ @ @ @ @ the tears when she saw the results .

Cheerleader's emotional reaction to making the squad
When the competition got tighter because of COVID-19, Kayla Kosmaski had her doubts about making the cheer team. She couldn't hold back the tears when she saw the results.
Sportskind, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-10-19--Government agency will investigate Trump administration political influence over FDA, CDC

WASHINGTON – An independent government watchdog agency has agreed to investigate alleged political influence from the Trump administration over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration .
The Government Accountability Office , an independent legislative agency that investigates , audits and evaluates government operations for Congress , accepted a Senate request on Monday to examine potential political interference and `` determine whether this interference has violated the agencies ’ scientific integrity and communication policies.
” '' We expect the work will start in January , as staff who cover those issues become available , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GAO , told USA TODAY .
More : Trump slammed China for COVID-19 'secrecy ' ; critics slam White House for lack of transparency Both agencies have been caught in political crossfire since the start of the pandemic , as preventative health measures such as mask-wearing , social distancing and the effectiveness of different drugs in combating the COVID-19 outbreak have become politicized .
President Donald Trump and others in the administration have publicly contradicted health experts at both agencies on such issues , hurting the agencies ' credibility .
Fact check : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incorrectly in misleading claims The GOA move comes after Democratic Senators Patty Murray , Gary Peters and Elizabeth Warren wrote a letter asking the agency to `` determine whether the CDC and FDA ’ s scientific integrity and communications policies have been violated '' amidst the coronavirus pandemic .
The senators requested the investigation earlier this month following reports of political meddling in the coronavirus response at both the FDC and CDC , including a report by the New York Times found that the White House blocked new coronavirus vaccine guidelines for non-scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine is coming `` momentarily '' and would be ready for distribution in time for Election Day , despite health officials saying publicly that is unlikely .
More : A COVID-19 vaccine by Election Day ?
Here are the 3 things that would need to happen , and soon .
In June , the FDA revoked its emergency authorization for hydroxychloroquine , a controversial malaria drug , after Trump had called for and promoted it despite little evidence of success .
The agency said the drug posed a greater risk to patients than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House appointees have reportedly interfered with basic national public health reports and information coming out of the agencies when it conflicted with Trump 's coronavirus messaging .
`` The CDC and FDA ’ s independence as scientific agencies is crucial to safeguarding the public health and saving lives .
These agencies must be able to develop , review , and disseminate public health data , guidelines , and other information that are based on science , facts , and medical principles—and not the political imperatives and moods of a president and his advisors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request .
In early October , a House Oversight subcommittee also opened its own investigation into potential political interference around coronavirus messaging .
The subcommittee took particular aim at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs , a subagency within the Executive Office of the President .
Fact check : CDC report does n't show mask-wearers more likely to contract COVID-19 “ We are concerned the process lacks clear structure , gives undue weight to the opinions of non-expert political appointees , weakens guidance , and delays its publication , ” Rep. Raja @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy , said in a press release .
Since the start of the pandemic , the CDC and FDA have been under fire for purportedly mixed messaging on social distancing , mask-wearing and reported COVID-19 statistics .
`` The GAO 's decision to conduct an independent audit is a good first step towards making sure that guidance coming from federal agencies is based on science and facts , not on the Trump Administration 's political agenda or the President 's whims , '' the senators said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and science experts should be able to do their jobs to steer us through crises like this pandemic without political interference , and we must ensure that the American people receive fact-based information so that they can make well-informed decisions for themselves and their families amidst this national public health emergency . ''
The GAO said the investigation is expected to take approximately three months .

Savannah Behrmann and Matthew Brown, USA TODAY

Government agency will investigate Trump administration political influence over FDA, CDC
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump contradicts CDC director about face masks and vaccines CDC Director Robert Redfield testified at a Senate panel on coronavirus and gave his opinion on face masks, but then President Trump contradicted him. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – An independent government watchdog agency has agreed to investigate alleged political influence from the Trump administration over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.
The Government Accountability Office, an independent legislative agency that investigates, audits and evaluates government operations for Congress, accepted a Senate request on Monday to examine potential political interference and "determine whether this interference has violated the agencies’ scientific integrity and communication policies.”
"We expect the work will start in January, as staff who cover those issues become available," Charles Young, a spokesman for GAO, told USA TODAY.
More: Trump slammed China for COVID-19 'secrecy'; critics slam White House for lack of transparency
Both agencies have been caught in political crossfire since the start of the pandemic, as preventative health measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing and the effectiveness of different drugs in combating the COVID-19 outbreak have become politicized.
President Donald Trump and others in the administration have publicly contradicted health experts at both agencies on such issues, hurting the agencies' credibility.
Fact check: CDC's data on COVID-19 deaths used incorrectly in misleading claims
The GOA move comes after Democratic Sens. Patty Murray, Gary Peters and Elizabeth Warren wrote a letter asking the agency to "determine whether the CDC and FDA’s scientific integrity and communications policies have been violated" amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
The senators requested the investigation earlier this month following reports of political meddling in the coronavirus response at both the FDC and CDC, including a report by the New York Times found that the White House blocked new coronavirus vaccine guidelines for non-scientific reasons.
Trump repeatedly has stated a vaccine is coming "momentarily" and would be ready for distribution in time for Election Day, despite health officials saying publicly that is unlikely.
More: A COVID-19 vaccine by Election Day? Here are the 3 things that would need to happen, and soon.
In June, the FDA revoked its emergency authorization for hydroxychloroquine, a controversial malaria drug, after Trump had called for and promoted it despite little evidence of success. The agency said the drug posed a greater risk to patients than any potential benefits.
Additionally, White House appointees have reportedly interfered with basic national public health reports and information coming out of the agencies when it conflicted with Trump's coronavirus messaging.
"The CDC and FDA’s independence as scientific agencies is crucial to safeguarding the public health and saving lives. These agencies must be able to develop, review, and disseminate public health data, guidelines, and other information that are based on science, facts, and medical principles – and not the political imperatives and moods of a president and his advisors," the Democrats said in their request.
In early October, a House Oversight subcommittee also opened its own investigation into potential political interference around coronavirus messaging.
The subcommittee took particular aim at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a subagency within the Executive Office of the President.
Fact check: CDC report doesn't show mask-wearers more likely to contract COVID-19
“We are concerned the process lacks clear structure, gives undue weight to the opinions of non-expert political appointees, weakens guidance, and delays its publication,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illin., Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, said in a press release.
Since the start of the pandemic, the CDC and FDA have been under fire for purportedly mixed messaging on social distancing, mask-wearing and reported COVID-19 statistics.
More: How the CDC failed public health officials fighting the coronavirus
"The GAO's decision to conduct an independent audit is a good first step towards making sure that guidance coming from federal agencies is based on science and facts, not on the Trump Administration's political agenda or the President's whims," the senators said in a statement.
They continued, "Health and science experts should be able to do their jobs to steer us through crises like this pandemic without political interference, and we must ensure that the American people receive fact-based information so that they can make well-informed decisions for themselves and their families amidst this national public health emergency."
The GAO said the investigation is expected to take approximately three months.


usatoday--2020-10-20--Election 2020 live updates: Early voting begins in Florida; Trump and Fauci spar; 6 Russian operativ

Early in-person voting begins today in Florida , the battleground state where the Trump and Biden campaigns have increasingly dedicated their time and money in the final weeks of the presidential campaign .
The two campaigns have flooded the state with ads as polls show a tight race there .
The Sunshine State 's 29 electoral votes are crucial to a win for both President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden .
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris will be in Orlando and Jacksonville Monday to encourage early voting .
The California senator is restarting live campaigning after she canceled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her staff tested positive for COVID-19 .
The two camps also are looking ahead to Thursday , when Biden and Trump will meet in a final debate in Nashville and the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on the confirmation of Trump 's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
• The latest on stimulus : Will Republicans and Democrats reach a deal by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's Tuesday deadline ?
Here what we know about COVID-19 relief talks .
• Bill Barr : The attorney general 's steadfast defense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department into the middle of partisan politics .
• John Brennan : The ex-CIA director told USA TODAY in an interview he worries about the social and political havoc President Donald Trump may unleash between Election Day and Inauguration Day if Joe Biden wins .
• Where are the candidates ?
: While Harris is in Florida , President Donad Trump holds rallies in Phoenix and Tucson , Arizona .
Vice President Mike Pence campaigns Monday in Maine and Pennsylvania .
• Third debate : Trump attacked NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate in Nashville on Thursday .
📊 What the polls are saying : Joe Biden still holds a commanding lead nationally over President Donald Trump , but Trump regained a slight polling average advantage in Ohio and took a chunk out of Biden 's gains in Pennsylvania and Minnesota .
Meanwhile , Biden made gains in Georgia .
Here 's what we learned from this week 's polls .
📆 15 days until Election Day , three days until the final presidential debate , 93 days until Inauguration Day , 75 days left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA TODAY 's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote , when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues .
We will update this article throughout the day .
You can follow all of USA TODAY 's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter .
Trump will take part in final debate despite microphone mute rule President Donald Trump 's campaign said Monday the president will take part in the final debate Thursday after the Commission on Presidential Debates announced it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their exchanges .
Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will have their microphones suspended while each delivers an opening two-minute answer to questions , a response to a widely panned debate late last month in which Trump repeatedly interrupted his rival .
`` President Trump is committed to debating Joe Biden regardless of last minute rule changes , '' Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien said in a statement , describing the move as the `` latest attempt to provide advantage to their favored candidate . ''
Both campaigns initially agreed to allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other during the first debate on Sept. 29 , though Trump interrupted far more than Biden .
The 90-minute debate , which will take place in Nashville , Tennessee , is divided into six 15-minute segments , with each candidate granted two minutes to deliver uninterrupted remarks before proceeding to open debate .
The open discussion will not feature a mute button , but interruptions by either candidate will count against their time .
A Biden campaign spokesman did n't immediately respond to a request for comment .
Trump campaign aides had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been negotiated by both campaigns earlier this year , should not be changed .
Trump bowed out of a second debate , which had been set for Miami , after the commission changed it to a virtual format following Trump 's COVID-19 diagnosis earlier this month .
One of the world ’ s largest oil companies wants you to know : Its CEO didn ’ t agree to a quid pro quo with President Donald Trump .
The unusual admission came in the form of a tweet from ExxonMobil on Monday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who told a rally crowd in Arizona that he didn ’ t like to raise campaign cash because it involved asking for favors of companies with business before the federal government .
“ So I call some guy -- the head of Exxon .
I call the head of Exxon .
I do n't know .
But -- you know -- I 'll use a company .
‘ Hi , how you doing ?
How 's energy coming ?
When are you doing the exploration ?
Oh , you need a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I call the head of Exxon I say , 'You know , I 'd love to send me $ 25 million for the campaign , ' ” Trump said of the hypothetical call .
“ I would raise a billion dollars in one day if I wanted to .
I do n't wan na do that , ” he said .
“ I do n't wan na do it.
” Trump has been raising the hypothetical scenario for several days to explain his lackluster fundraising compared with Democrat Joe Biden .
Monday was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company as he discussed the hypothetical .
“ We are aware of the President ’ s statement regarding a hypothetical call with our CEO , ” ExxonMobil tweeted Monday in response .
“ And just so we ’ re all clear , it never happened.
” Senate Democrats attempted to adjourn the Senate until after the election – a failed attempt at halting Amy Coney Barrett ’ s confirmation to the Supreme Court .
The maneuver used by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , aiming to adjourn the chamber until Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a 48-42 vote .
It was one of several failed tactics Democrats have enlisted in recent days to slow Barrett ’ s inevitable confirmation to the high court next week by the Senate .
Schumer , in his appeal to adjourn the chamber , noted that Republicans blocked Merrick Garland ’ s nomination by President Barack Obama eight months before the 2016 election but were moving forward on Barrett “ while a presidential election is already underway.
” “ This is the most rushed , most partisan , least legitimate Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- in our nation 's entire history -- and it should not proceed , ” he said .
Schumer on Monday also forced the Senate to vote on moving forward on House-passed resolution that aims to block changes to the Community Reinvestment Act , which Democrats say would harm low-income and minority communities .
The maneuver is rarely used , though can be employed by any senator if no other senator on the floor objects .
The proposal was blocked from moving forward in a party-line vote of 43-48 , failing to secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tactics since Barrett ’ s nomination , including at least one attempt to halt her nomination during hearings last week to vet her nomination .
Such strategies are expected to continue by Democrats throughout the week and into next week as Barrett ’ s confirmation process moves forward .
“ Because our Republican colleagues have made such a mockery of the Supreme Court confirmation process , we are not going to have business as usual in the Senate , ” Schumer promised .
48-42 table Senate Republicans are introducing several measures aimed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Supreme Court should they gain power after the November election .
The proposals backed by six GOP senators and led by Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , offer a response to threats that Democrats could pack the courts after President Donald Trump and Republicans quickly moved to fill the vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Federal appeals judge Amy Coney Barrett has sailed through the confirmation process , with her likely being approved by the full Senate next week and taking her place as the ninth member of the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Washington Post was the first to report the proposals , noting they are mostly symbolic .
The first of the two proposals calls for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require any change in the number of Justices to pass with two-thirds of congressional support then would require three-fourths of states to ratify the changes within seven years .
The second is a bill that would likely make it impossible for Senate Democrats to change the makeup of the court , even if they do take control of the chamber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any proposal altering the number of Justices on the high court from even being considered in the Senate unless there was a supermajority – three-fourths of the chamber – of senators supportive of allowing the legislation from being brought forward .
Cruz , in a statement announcing the two proposals , warned that Democrats expanding the court would be “ destroying the foundations of our democratic system.
” “ We must take action before election day to safeguard the Supreme Court and the constitutional liberties that hang in the balance , ” Cruz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in global hacking operation ; same group linked to 2016 election Six Russian intelligence officers have been charged in a global computer hacking operation that targeted at least three countries and the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea .
The seven-count indictment unsealed Monday outlined what federal authorities described as the most `` disruptive and destructive '' effort attributed to a single operation , said Assistant Attorney General John Demers , chief of the Justice Department 's National Security Division .
Federal authorities said the Russian operatives were associated with the same group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team of military unit 74455 , that was linked to Russia 's campaign to interfere with the 2016 U.S. election .
The action Monday does not include charges of election interference in the current United States election , but it does allege that the group sought to disrupt 2017 elections in France and destablize the governments of Ukraine and Georgia while attempting to sabotage computer networks supporting the 2018 Winter Olympic Games .
6 charged : Six Russian intelligence operatives charged in global hacking operation ; same group linked to 2016 election Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says Fauci is a disaster Facing polls that give Joe Biden double-digit leads – and news reports that some of his aides believe he will lose the election – President Donald Trump sought Monday to boost the morale of his staff with a pep talk .
`` These are suppression stories and suppression polls , '' Trump said during a 25-minute conference call .
Trump claimed `` internal polls '' show him ahead in key states – though he did not share details – and attacked reporters for promoting `` fake news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The incumbent repeated deeply personal attacks on Biden , calling him `` corrupt '' and saying `` he should be in jail , '' despite a lack of any evidence of wrongdoing by the Democratic nominee .
Fauci and Trump : After Fauci said he 's not surprised Trump got COVID-19 , president calls top disease experts a 'disaster' The president also criticized members of his own administration , singling out Dr. Anthony Fauci and saying that firing the infectious diseases expert would be more trouble than it 's worth .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every time he goes on television , but `` there 's a bigger bomb if you fire him .
This guy 's a disaster . ''
Voters in numerous polls have questioned Trump 's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak , but Trump said people do n't want to hear about the pandemic and are saying `` just leave us alone . ''
`` People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots , '' Trump said .
Published polls paint a different picture than the one Trump gave his staff .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden 52.5 % of the national vote , compared to 41.8 % for Trump , a difference of 10.7 percentage points .
The FiveThirtyEight analysis also gives Biden leads of more than 6.5 percentage points in the pivotal states of Pennsylvania , Michigan and Wisconsin .
Fauci says he 's 'absolutely not ' surprised Trump got COVID-19 Anthony Fauci , the government 's top infectious disease expert , said that it came as no shock to him when President Donald Trump announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 because the president regularly eschewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement of strength '' and put himself in `` precarious '' situations .
Fauci , who has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984 , was asked in a CBS News `` 60 Minutes '' interview that aired Sunday if he was surprised the president contracted the coronavirus .
Fauci said he believes Trump – who rarely wears a mask in public , particularly before he became infected – avoids masks because he sees it as `` a statement of strength , like , 'We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask , ' that kind of thing . ''
Anthony Fauci : Fauci says president avoids masks as 'statement of strength' COVID stimulus updates : Pelosi says there 's a 48-hour deadline to get deal done House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said Sunday the White House has 48 hours to reach a deal on COVID-19 relief before the Nov. 3 election .
`` I ’ m optimistic , '' Pelosi told ABC News `` This Week '' host George Stephanopoulos .
`` Because again , we ’ ve been back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' When pressed on whether Americans would see a COVID relief package passed before the Nov. 3 election , Pelosi said “ that depends on the administration . ''
“ With all due respect to some of the people in the president ’ s administration , they are not legislators , ” Pelosi said .
The speaker then said “ we now have agreement in the language , ” though talks remained ongoing .

Election 2020 live updates: Early voting begins in Florida; Trump and Fauci spar; 6 Russian operatives charged in hacking operation
Show Caption Hide Caption Elections 2020: Mail-in voting could decide next president Many states are planning on drastically different elections this year and mail-in ballots could be a big game changer. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Early in-person voting begins today in Florida, the battleground state where the Trump and Biden campaigns have increasingly dedicated their time and money in the final weeks of the presidential campaign.
The two campaigns have flooded the state with ads as polls show a tight race there. The Sunshine State's 29 electoral votes are crucial to a win for both President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris will be in Orlando and Jacksonville Monday to encourage early voting. The California senator is restarting live campaigning after she canceled several weekend campaign events because members of her staff tested positive for COVID-19.
The two camps also are looking ahead to Thursday, when Biden and Trump will meet in a final debate in Nashville and the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on the confirmation of Trump's Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
☕ The latest:
The latest on stimulus: Will Republicans and Democrats reach a deal by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Tuesday deadline? Here what we know about COVID-19 relief talks.
Will Republicans and Democrats reach a deal by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Tuesday deadline? Here what we know about COVID-19 relief talks. Bill Barr: The attorney general's steadfast defense of President Donald Trump has drawn the Justice Department into the middle of partisan politics.
The attorney general's steadfast defense of President Donald Trump has drawn the Justice Department into the middle of partisan politics. John Brennan: The ex-CIA director told USA TODAY in an interview he worries about the social and political havoc President Donald Trump may unleash between Election Day and Inauguration Day if Joe Biden wins.
The ex-CIA director told USA TODAY in an interview he worries about the social and political havoc President Donald Trump may unleash between Election Day and Inauguration Day if Joe Biden wins. Where are the candidates?: While Harris is in Florida, President Donad Trump holds rallies in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Vice President Mike Pence campaigns Monday in Maine and Pennsylvania.
While Harris is in Florida, President Donad Trump holds rallies in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Vice President Mike Pence campaigns Monday in Maine and Pennsylvania. Third debate: Trump attacked NBC News White House Correspondent Kristen Welker days before she moderates the final debate in Nashville on Thursday.
📊 What the polls are saying: Joe Biden still holds a commanding lead nationally over President Donald Trump, but Trump regained a slight polling average advantage in Ohio and took a chunk out of Biden's gains in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. Meanwhile, Biden made gains in Georgia. Here's what we learned from this week's polls.
📆 15 days until Election Day, three days until the final presidential debate, 93 days until Inauguration Day, 75 days left in 2020.
🗳 Voting: See USA TODAY's Voter Guide for information on registering to vote, when your state begins voting and what the candidates think about the issues.
We will update this article throughout the day. You can follow all of USA TODAY's politics reporters on Twitter or subscribe to our daily On Politics newsletter.
President Donald Trump's campaign said Monday the president will take part in the final debate Thursday after the Commission on Presidential Debates announced it would mute candidates' microphones during portions of their exchanges.
Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will have their microphones suspended while each delivers an opening two-minute answer to questions, a response to a widely panned debate late last month in which Trump repeatedly interrupted his rival.
"President Trump is committed to debating Joe Biden regardless of last minute rule changes," Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien said in a statement, describing the move as the "latest attempt to provide advantage to their favored candidate."
Both campaigns initially agreed to allow the rival candidate to speak and both interrupted each other during the first debate on Sept. 29, though Trump interrupted far more than Biden.
The 90-minute debate, which will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, is divided into six 15-minute segments, with each candidate granted two minutes to deliver uninterrupted remarks before proceeding to open debate. The open discussion will not feature a mute button, but interruptions by either candidate will count against their time.
A Biden campaign spokesman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump campaign aides had repeatedly argued that debate rules, which had been negotiated by both campaigns earlier this year, should not be changed. Trump bowed out of a second debate, which had been set for Miami, after the commission changed it to a virtual format following Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis earlier this month.
— John Fritze and Joey Garrison
ExxonMobil tweets at Trump
One of the world’s largest oil companies wants you to know: Its CEO didn’t agree to a quid pro quo with President Donald Trump.
The unusual admission came in the form of a tweet from ExxonMobil on Monday in response to earlier remarks from Trump, who told a rally crowd in Arizona that he didn’t like to raise campaign cash because it involved asking for favors of companies with business before the federal government.
“So I call some guy -- the head of Exxon. I call the head of Exxon. I don't know. But -- you know -- I'll use a company. ‘Hi, how you doing? How's energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits huh? Okay.' But I call the head of Exxon I say, 'You know, I'd love to send me $25 million for the campaign,'” Trump said of the hypothetical call.
“I would raise a billion dollars in one day if I wanted to. I don't wanna do that,” he said. “I don't wanna do it.”
Trump has been raising the hypothetical scenario for several days to explain his lackluster fundraising compared with Democrat Joe Biden. Monday was the first time Trump named a specific company as he discussed the hypothetical.
“We are aware of the President’s statement regarding a hypothetical call with our CEO,” ExxonMobil tweeted Monday in response. “And just so we’re all clear, it never happened.”
—John Fritze
Senate Democrats attempted to adjourn the Senate until after the election – a failed attempt at halting Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.
The maneuver used by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., aiming to adjourn the chamber until Nov. 9 was blocked by Republicans Monday evening in a 48-42 vote. It was one of several failed tactics Democrats have enlisted in recent days to slow Barrett’s inevitable confirmation to the high court next week by the Senate.
Schumer, in his appeal to adjourn the chamber, noted that Republicans blocked Merrick Garland’s nomination by President Barack Obama eight months before the 2016 election but were moving forward on Barrett “while a presidential election is already underway.”
“This is the most rushed, most partisan, least legitimate Supreme Court nomination process in our nation's history -- in our nation's entire history -- and it should not proceed,” he said.
Schumer on Monday also forced the Senate to vote on moving forward on House-passed resolution that aims to block changes to the Community Reinvestment Act, which Democrats say would harm low-income and minority communities. The maneuver is rarely used, though can be employed by any senator if no other senator on the floor objects. The proposal was blocked from moving forward in a party-line vote of 43-48, failing to secure a majority.
Democrats have employed similar tactics since Barrett’s nomination, including at least one attempt to halt her nomination during hearings last week to vet her nomination. Such strategies are expected to continue by Democrats throughout the week and into next week as Barrett’s confirmation process moves forward.
“Because our Republican colleagues have made such a mockery of the Supreme Court confirmation process, we are not going to have business as usual in the Senate,” Schumer promised. 48-42 table
— Christal Hayes
Senate Republicans are introducing several measures aimed at blocking Democrats from potentially adding additional seats to the Supreme Court should they gain power after the November election.
The proposals backed by six GOP senators and led by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, offer a response to threats that Democrats could pack the courts after President Donald Trump and Republicans quickly moved to fill the vacancy left by Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Federal appeals judge Amy Coney Barrett has sailed through the confirmation process, with her likely being approved by the full Senate next week and taking her place as the ninth member of the Supreme Court just days before Election Day.
The Washington Post was the first to report the proposals, noting they are mostly symbolic.
The first of the two proposals calls for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would require any change in the number of Justices to pass with two-thirds of congressional support then would require three-fourths of states to ratify the changes within seven years.
The second is a bill that would likely make it impossible for Senate Democrats to change the makeup of the court, even if they do take control of the chamber after the election. It would block any proposal altering the number of Justices on the high court from even being considered in the Senate unless there was a supermajority – three-fourths of the chamber – of senators supportive of allowing the legislation from being brought forward.
Cruz, in a statement announcing the two proposals, warned that Democrats expanding the court would be “destroying the foundations of our democratic system.”
“We must take action before election day to safeguard the Supreme Court and the constitutional liberties that hang in the balance,” Cruz added.
— Christal Hayes
Six Russian intelligence officers have been charged in a global computer hacking operation that targeted at least three countries and the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
The seven-count indictment unsealed Monday outlined what federal authorities described as the most "disruptive and destructive" effort attributed to a single operation, said Assistant Attorney General John Demers, chief of the Justice Department's National Security Division.
Federal authorities said the Russian operatives were associated with the same group, known as the "Sandworm" team of military unit 74455, that was linked to Russia's campaign to interfere with the 2016 U.S. election.
The action Monday does not include charges of election interference in the current United States election, but it does allege that the group sought to disrupt 2017 elections in France and destablize the governments of Ukraine and Georgia while attempting to sabotage computer networks supporting the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
– Kevin Johnson
6 charged: Six Russian intelligence operatives charged in global hacking operation; same group linked to 2016 election
Facing polls that give Joe Biden double-digit leads – and news reports that some of his aides believe he will lose the election – President Donald Trump sought Monday to boost the morale of his staff with a pep talk.
"These are suppression stories and suppression polls," Trump said during a 25-minute conference call.
Trump claimed "internal polls" show him ahead in key states – though he did not share details – and attacked reporters for promoting "fake news" about doubts within his campaign team.
The incumbent repeated deeply personal attacks on Biden, calling him "corrupt" and saying "he should be in jail," despite a lack of any evidence of wrongdoing by the Democratic nominee.
Fauci and Trump: After Fauci said he's not surprised Trump got COVID-19, president calls top disease experts a 'disaster'
The president also criticized members of his own administration, singling out Dr. Anthony Fauci and saying that firing the infectious diseases expert would be more trouble than it's worth.
Trump claimed Fauci drops a "bomb" every time he goes on television, but "there's a bigger bomb if you fire him. This guy's a disaster."
Voters in numerous polls have questioned Trump's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, but Trump said people don't want to hear about the pandemic and are saying "just leave us alone."
"People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots," Trump said.
Published polls paint a different picture than the one Trump gave his staff.
An analysis of various polls from FiveThirtyEight gives Biden 52.5% of the national vote, compared to 41.8% for Trump, a difference of 10.7 percentage points.
The FiveThirtyEight analysis also gives Biden leads of more than 6.5 percentage points in the pivotal states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
– David Jackson
Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, said that it came as no shock to him when President Donald Trump announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 because the president regularly eschewed the use of masks "as a statement of strength" and put himself in "precarious" situations.
Fauci, who has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984, was asked in a CBS News "60 Minutes" interview that aired Sunday if he was surprised the president contracted the coronavirus.
"Absolutely not," Fauci replied.
Fauci said he believes Trump – who rarely wears a mask in public, particularly before he became infected – avoids masks because he sees it as "a statement of strength, like, 'We're strong, we don't need a mask,' that kind of thing."
– William Cummings
Anthony Fauci: Fauci says president avoids masks as 'statement of strength'
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Sunday the White House has 48 hours to reach a deal on COVID-19 relief before the Nov. 3 election.
"I’m optimistic," Pelosi told ABC News "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos. "Because again, we’ve been back and forth on all of this."
When pressed on whether Americans would see a COVID relief package passed before the Nov. 3 election, Pelosi said “that depends on the administration."
“With all due respect to some of the people in the president’s administration, they are not legislators,” Pelosi said. The speaker then said “we now have agreement in the language,” though talks remained ongoing.
– Matthew Brown