usatoday--2020-03-14--Coronavirus relief deal agreed by Pelosi, Trump overwhelmingly passes House as president declares na

Coronavirus relief deal agreed by Pelosi, Trump overwhelmingly passes House as president declares national emergency

WASHINGTON – The House overwhelmingly passed legislation to provide economic relief to Americans affected by coronavirus after President Donald Trump said Friday he would support the sweeping measure .
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was adopted 363-40 with every Democrat and most Republicans voting in favor of the measure .
The vote was conducted shortly after midnight Friday following two days of around-the-clock negotiations between Democratic leaders and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin .
The bill now heads to the Senate for an expected vote Monday .
“ I fully support H.R .
6201 : Families First CoronaVirus Response Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House this evening .
This Bill will follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests , and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers , ” Trump tweeted .
Trump said he encouraged Republican and Democratic lawmakers to `` VOTE YES '' on the package .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced an agreement earlier Friday , but Trump appeared to cast doubt on that measure during a Rose Garden press conference where he declared the coronavirus outbreak a national emergency .
For several hours White House aides declined to offer clear guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic package .
Trump ’ s remarks and the subsequent silence from the White House left the fate of the legislation unclear .
Rank-and-file Republicans in the House were unlikely to go along with an agreement without a clear understanding that the president would sign it .
`` We do n't think the Democrats are giving enough , '' Trump said .
The legislation would ensure sick leave for affected workers and include money for testing for Americans , including the uninsured .
Trump and lawmakers have been under pressure to ease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , which has halted many parts of public life , forced the closure of schools and pummeled financial markets .
But Trump appears to have not won a key provision he had sought : a payroll tax holiday .
Trump blamed Democrats for opposing the idea , but it also drew a chilly response from a number of Senate Republicans .
Republicans won at least one concession : Small businesses with 50 employees or fewer would not be required to provide more than 14 days of paid sick leave if it `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The federal government would cover the cost if businesses that qualify for the exemption choose to provide this support to their employees .
After days of criticism of his handling of the coronavirus , President Donald Trump sought to regain his footing with his Rose Garden news conference laying out his most specific plans yet to fight the pandemic .
His declaration of a national emergency added momentum to Friday 's rebound in the battered stock market .
Flanked by senior public health and private industry officials , Trump ran through a other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expand hospital capacity and suspending interest payments on federal student loans.. Trump was seeking a reboot after his Wednesday prime-time address when he stumbled over his words and later had to correct misstatements .
His Oval Office remarks led to a massive selloff on Wall Street .
'This will pass.
’ Trump seeks to regain footing as he declares coronavirus emergency From 'great ' to 'blindsided ' : How Trump changed his coronavirus message amid fear , confusion in the White House In the Rose Garden , Trump repeatedly cut off reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or following up on his claims .
At one point , reporters questioned whether Trump felt any responsibility for an initial slow federal response after he removed White House officials charged with pandemic response , Trump said he did not , and quickly moved on to the next question .
“ I just think it ’ s a nasty question , ” Trump said .
“ We ’ re doing a great job.
” Trump was unapologetic about the test shortages and other problems with the response .
And he took several swipes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while also criticizing Democrats on Capitol Hill .
Third person who visited Trump 's resort tests positive for coronavirus The Brazilian Embassy identified a second official late Friday who tested positive with coronavirus and interacted with President Donald Trump .
Brazil 's Chargé d'Affaires Ambassador Nestor Forster sat Trump ’ s table and posed for multiple photos with the president last weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida .
“ Following medical advice , Amb .
Forster will extend his self-quarantine , which he had already placed himself into as a precautionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the embassy said .
This makes Forster the third person who has tested positive that visited Trump 's Florida resort .
Fabio Wajngarten , a senior adviser to Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro , tested positive for the novel coronavirus five days after he was among a group of officials who met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago .
Additionally , Trump Victory , a super PAC that supports the president , sent an email to supporters about a donor who was at Mar-A-Lago on Sunday who tested positive for COVID-19 .
When asked if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters after these potential exposures , Trump said he `` most likely '' will be tested , despite not having symptoms .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin appeared to signal Friday that the White House is on board with a coronavirus response legislation announced earlier by House Democrats , despite some pushback from President Donald Trump .
`` We have an agreement that reflects what the president talked about in his speech the other night , '' Mnuchin told Fox Business Network .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , who spent days negotiating with Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an economic package to help Americans cope with the impact of the coronavirus .
Stocks soar after wild week : In rebound , Dow up 1,900 points as Trump frees up aid to fight coronavirus But at a news conference earlier Friday where Trump announced a national emergency over the virus , the president suggested he had concerns about the progress of the talks with Democrats , and White House aides have so far declined to say whether they agree with Pelosi 's assessment that a deal has been reached .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re giving enough , '' Trump said in his Rose Garden news conference .
`` We do n't think the Democrats are giving enough . ''
President Donald Trump announced that several major cruise lines – Carnival , Royal Caribbean , Norwegian and MSC – would suspend operations for 30 days beginning at midnight Friday at his request .
“ It is a great and important industry – it will be kept that way !
” Trump said in a tweet .
Trump ’ s request came after two companies – Princess Cruises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 60 days .
Passengers of two Princess Cruises ships , Diamond Princess and Grand Princess , have been quarantined abroad .
In the U.S. , nearly 700 people contracted coronavirus after being quarantined on board the Diamond Princess and at least 21 people have tested positive after being on Grand Princess .
The leading trade group , Cruise Lines International Association , had proposed greater screening for passengers and to deny boarding for people at higher risk from the virus .
But Vice President Mike Pence said during a news conference announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more steps were expected from the industry .
Democratic congressional leaders and the Trump administration have reached a deal on an economic package to help Americans cope with the impact of the coronavirus , according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who spent days negotiating it with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin .
The legislation would ensure sick leave for affected workers and include money for testing for Americans , including the uninsured .
Trump and lawmakers have been under pressure to ease fears over the spread of the deadly coronavirus , which has halted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the closure of schools and pummeled financial markets .
President Donald Trump , who has declared a national emergency , is expected to sign off on the deal shortly .
And a vote in the House on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act could come within hours .
• Provide two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave .
• Beef up food assistance for needy families , including seniors , students and food banks .
• Increase Medicaid funding for local , state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems , to help cover response to the emergency which has claimed dozens of lives and infected hundreds across the country .
“ This legislation is about testing , testing , testing , ” Pelosi , D-CA , said in a news release announcing the deal .
“ To stop the spread of the virus , we have secured free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test , including the uninsured .
We can not fight coronavirus effectively unless everyone in our country who needs to be tested can get their test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'most likely ' will be tested for coronavirus President Donald Trump said Friday that he would most likely be tested for coronavirus , though he said he had no symptoms of infection and offered no timeline for being tested .
Speaking at a Rose Garden news conference , Trump was pressed about his interactions with officials who have tested positive , including an official from Brazil who met with Trump recently at his Florida resort , Mar-a-Lago .
At one point a reporter asked if Trump was being “ selfish ” for not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think I ’ ll do it anyway , ” Trump responded .
“ We ’ re working on a schedule.
” Help for cruise companies and airlines President Trump said Friday he has waived all interest on federal student loans .
He said the suspension would be in effect “ until further notice.
” Such a move could provide financial aid to workers experiencing reduced hours or layoffs .
Trump also said that with oil historically inexpensive after a recent plunge in prices , he has ordered the Energy Department to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve .
Such a move can help support prices for the beleaguered oil industry and ensure the nation has sufficient reserve stockpiles in the event of an international crisis .
The strategic reserve has about 645 million barrels of oil .
Benchmark U.S. crude prices have fallen more than 30 % the past 10 days on shrinking global demand .
And Trump suggested the government could provide financial assistance to the ailing cruise line industry .
“ It ’ s an industry that ’ s very badly impacted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus , ” he said , adding that the administration would probably help the cruise industry and the airlines if they ask .
Trump : ' I do n't take responsibility at all ' for testing shortages When asked if he is responsible for the delay in availability of coronavirus tests , President Donald Trump said : `` I do n't take any responsibility at all . ''
`` We were given a set of circumstances , given rules , regulations , and specifications from a different time .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event , with the kind of numbers that we are talking about , '' Trump said .
`` What we 've done is redesign it very quickly , '' he added .
The president has repeatedly blamed the Obama administration for a rule that limited third-party laboratories from developing and running tests , but the rule was actually put in place under the Trump administration , according to an Associated Press fact check this month .
New coronavirus website : Trump announces that Google will launch site The Trump administration reversed one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that previously only authorized tests made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The new regulation allows labs to develop coronavirus tests before the FDA reviews them .
Draft FDA guidance considered during the Obama administration called for tighter regulation of lab tests , but that guidance , which did n't pertain to public health emergencies , never went into effect , according to the Associated Press .
President Donald Trump said Friday there is no deal yet on an emergency package to respond to the economic damage from the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations .
“ We just don ’ t think they ’ re giving enough , ” he said , but did not give specifics .
“ We thought we had something .
All of a sudden , they didn ’ t agree to certain things they agreed to .
… They ’ re not doing what ’ s right for the country.
” Trump ’ s remarks in the Rose Garden came about an hour after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-CA , announced the House would move forward with a vote Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
The bill would include free testing for all Americans , including those uninsured , as well as two weeks of paid sick leave for those who have to skip work due to the virus .
It would also included expanded food assistance , such as seniors ’ meals , student lunches and food banks .
National emergency : What does Trump 's emergency declaration for coronavirus mean ?
Pelosi has spoken numerous times with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin in an effort to reach a deal .
One of the sticking points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisions .
Drew Hamill , Pelosi 's spokesman , tweeted that the House speaker and Mnuchin had their latest conversation during the news conference .
Stocks recovered Friday following a brutal week of selling after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to free up about $ 50 billion in federal aid to fight the fast-spreading coronavirus .
The Dow Jones industrial average finished the day up 1,985 points , or 9.4 % , a day after plunging 2,352 points , for its worst loss since its nearly 23 % drop on Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shook hands with an array of company executive who were invited to join him at his Rose Garden news conference to discuss the coronavirus response – despite repeated advice from his own public health experts against such contact .
Only one company official , Bruce Greenstein of the home healthcare provider LHC Group , moved his hand away from Trump ’ s outstretched hand and offered an elbow instead .
“ I like that .
That 's good , '' Trump said a bit awkwardly after elbow-bumping Greenstein . '
I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says he 's not worried as coronavirus arrives in DC area Trump himself may have been exposed to the virus ; he had contact with Fabio Wajngarten , the communications secretary for Brazil 's president , who has tested positive for coronavirus .
Wajngarten was in Florida last weekend at Trump 's Mar-a-Lago resort , and he posted a photo of himself standing next to the American leader .
Trump has said publicly that he 's `` not concerned '' about the potential exposure , and the White House has said there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I do n't have any of the symptoms , '' Trump said .
President Donald Trump said the emergency declaration would give broad authority for Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to waive provisions of laws and regulations to give doctors and hospital `` maximum flexibility to respond to the virus . ''
Under the declaration , Azar can : • Waive certain federal licensing requirements so doctors from other states can provide services • Waive requirements limiting hospitals to 25 beds or a stay of 96 hours • Allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and obtain additional office space • Waive rules that restrict hospital care of patients within the hospital itself President Donald Trump , whose administration has been criticized heavily over a shortage of tests for coronavirus , promised to increase the number of tests but said administering them to everyone was not necessary .
`` Our overriding goal is to stop the spread of the virus and to help all Americans who have been impacted by this , '' Trump said .
`` Again , we do n't want everybody taking this test .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will pass .
This will pass through and we 're going to be stronger for it . ''
Trump ’ s emergency declaration will come with more than just money The most significant element of President Donald Trump ’ s emergency declaration will be federal disaster aid .
Trump said up to $ 50 billion would be made available .
Democrats and the Federal Emergency Management Agency had earlier estimated the number to be closer to $ 40 billion .
But it ’ s not just money .
Trump said his order would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • The order would waive rules so that telehealth can be more easily accessed , providing care in ways that will not require patients to come into a doctor ’ s office .
• The order would waive rules limiting the number of beds and length of stays in hospitals .
• The the order would waive rules about which parts of a hospital can treat patients , a move designed to deal with capacity and space if a large number of patients show up seeking care .
President Donald Trump announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies to set up drive-through test sites for coronavirus in an effort to catch up to a nationwide demand and deliver on the administration 's promise for wider access to testing .
He met with company executives Friday to discuss expanding access to testing through drive-through testing .
`` The goal is for individuals to drive up and be swabbed without having to leave your car , '' he said in a Rose Garden news conference .
By allowing people to remain in their car , health officials say it limits the chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is working with Google to create a web portal to direct people to those locations .
The administration has faced mounting pressure from lawmakers to increase testing access as the coronavirus pandemic continues to intensify , prompting travel restrictions , school closures , suspension of professional sports leagues and market turmoil .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , admitted to lawmakers on Capitol Hill Wednesday that limited access to testing was `` a failing . ''
New Rochelle , a New York City suburb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast to open a drive-through testing facility Friday after it was designated a coronavirus containment zone following a recent outbreak .
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Friday to free up billions of dollars to combat the coronavirus as he sought to persuade anxious Americans and battered financial markets that he was responding forcefully to the crisis .
`` I am officially declaring a national emergency .
Two very big words , '' Trump told reporters in the Rose Garden .
As the outbreak has shuttered schools , sporting events and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism for his handling of the pandemic , including an Oval Office address he delivered Wednesday that was marred by factual errors .
Medical experts say there ’ s an acute shortage of coronavirus testing kits , the number of infections has soared and Wall Street suffered its worst day Thursday since the financial crash of 1987 .
” The action I ’ m taking will open access up to $ 50 billion for states in our shared fight against his disease , ” Trump said , adding that he was ordering every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This will pass , '' Trump said of the outbreak .
`` We ’ ll be even stronger for it We ’ ve learned a lot.
” The emergency declaration comes as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has been negotiating with Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill on legislation to stem the economic fallout from the coronavirus .
About an hour before the president delivered his remarks , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the House would move forward with a vote Friday on a sweeping package to confront the coronavirus .
The bill would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including those uninsured , as well as two weeks of paid sick leave who have to skip work due to the virus .
It would also include expanded food assistance , such as seniors ’ meals , student lunches and food banks .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House would move forward with a vote Friday on a sweeping package to confront the coronavirus .
The bill would include free virus testing for all Americans , including the uninsured , as well as two weeks of paid sick leave for those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
It would also included expanded federal food assistance , such as seniors ’ meals , student lunches and food banks .
`` The three most important parts of this bill are : testing , testing , testing , ” she said in her televised remarks at the U.S. Capitol .
Pelosi has been in constant communication with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , who is leading negotiations for the Trump administration .
Her remarks came amid reports that President Donald Trump is expected to declare a national emergency Friday over the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal officials to direct billions of dollars in federal disaster money to responders fighting the virus .
The pandemic has killed dozens in the U.S. , canceled major sporting events , limited commercial travel , roiled stock markets and transformed everyday life around the globe .
President Donald Trump is expected to declare a national emergency Friday over the coronavirus outbreak , a move that would enable federal officials to direct billions of dollars in disaster money to responders fighting the virus , according to a senior administration official .
The declaration would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration is taking to try to boost the confidence of the American public and the financial markets in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump , who is scheduled to hold a news conference at 3 p.m. EDT , has been heavily criticized for the administration 's response , including problems rolling out test kits for the virus and an Oval Office speech he delivered Wednesday that exacerbated huge losses on Wall Street .
Investors were shaken by misstatements in the speech and what many saw as the lack of a broader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 3 p.m. news conference , Trump is also expected to weigh in on a relief package negotiated between Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that would provide paid sick leave to workers , among other steps to blunt the impact on the economy of virus-related disruptions .
The national emergency is expected to be declared under the 1988 Stafford Act , which authorizes federal assistance to local governments , usually for natural disasters .
The Stafford Act is one several laws in a president 's extensive emergency powers toolkit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azar declared a public health emergency over the virus in late January .
That step made it easier for states to redirect staff responding to the virus .
The nation 's Disaster Relief Fund has a balance of about $ 42 billion , according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency .
Debt relief , airline help under consideration , Mnuchin says Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said debt relief for student loans and help for the hard-hit airline industry are under consideration for the next coronavirus rescue package .
Speaking to CNBC as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near-term package that includes paid emergency leave , Mnuchin said President Donald Trump has no intention of closing financial markets .
• Congress and the administration have `` 100 things on our list ” for the next possible package , and added “ The president wants a stimulus package . ''
• Financial authorities are ready to provide liquidity to parts of the economy taking a hit from shutdowns .
• A “ big rebound ” in economic activity could come by the end of the year , drawing a contrast with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market meltdown .
• `` This is not like financial crisis where people do n't know when this will end .
... By the end of the year , we 're going to expect we 're going to have a big rebound in economic activity , '' he said .
• Asked about suspending student debt of three months , Mnuchin said : `` That 's on our list of 50 different items we 're bringing to the president for a decision . ''
He added : “ We 're like in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 'll be passing more legislation . ''
• He ’ s spoken to the airlines : `` That is the next priority on my list , '' Mnuchin said while also mentioning hotels , the cruise industry and small businesses .
• Tariff rollbacks are not under consideration by Trump .
Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced Friday he has requested to delay the state 's presidential primary for two months due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic .
The presidential primary was slated for April 4 , but will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : :How coronavirus is changing the 2020 presidential campaign for Trump , Biden and Sanders Ardoin , during a press conference , said there are provisions in place that allow for the delay of primaries and early voting in “ declared states of emergency '' as a way to `` protect the integrity of the electoral process ” “ Today I have certified that the state of emergency exists and requested that the government issue an executive order postponing the elections this spring , ” he said .
According to the Monroe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Bel Edwards will grant the delay .
Louisiana is the only state that has announced it will delay its primaries due to coronavirus .
Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s campaign released a statement in response to Louisiana ’ s primary delay , saying that “ our elections can be conducted safely in consultation with public health officials.
” “ Voting is at the very heart of who we are as a democracy , ” Biden deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield said in a statement .
“ If voters are feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t believe they 've been exposed to COVID-19 , please vote on Tuesday.
” President Donald Trump and six other world leaders will hold a virtual summit Monday to coordinate a global response to the coronavirus , French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday .
The videoconference of G-7 leaders will focus on research efforts to find a vaccine , as well as an economic response to the crisis , which has rocked global markets and sparked fears of a recession .
Following a call with Trump , “ we agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference on Monday on Covid-19 , ” Macron announced on Twitter .
President Donald Trump will speak on the coronavirus on Friday , he announced on Twitter .
Trump said he would hold a press conference at 3 p.m. EDT .
It comes as the White House is negotiating with House Democrats on a bill intended to limit the economic impact of the virus , and as the administration is scrambling to increase the number of coronavirus tests available to the public .
Trump has significantly ramped up the number of times he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting since the coronavirus spread to the U.S .
He has twice appeared in the briefing room to take questions on his administration ’ s response .
He appeared in the briefing room again earlier this week but did not take questions .
The president otherwise has a relatively light public schedule , though the White House official schedule rarely reflects the totality of the president ’ s activities .
Other than the press conference , Trump is expected to meet with “ industry executives ” on the virus at 1:30 p.m. EDT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive note Friday morning , saying a deal on a coronavirus response package with Congress was imminent .
“ We ’ re very close to getting this done , ” he told CNBC .
Mnuchin has been the lead negotiator for the White House on the deal , speaking frequently with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , over the past 24 hours .
Pelosi said the deal , which is expected to provide free coronavirus testing , paid emergency leave and increased unemployment coverage , is expected to come to the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin ’ s optimism about a sweeping deal , he also echoed health officials ’ warnings of a worsening situation .
“ People should understand the numbers ( of infections ) are going to go up before they go down , ” he said Mnuchin said after this deal is reached , he expects the administration will come back to Congress in the coming weeks for a package of economic stimulus measures ( Trump has been pushing for a payroll tax cut ) which he predicted would lift the country .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be stronger than ever when we get through this , ” he said .
“ By the end of the year , we ’ re going to have a big rebound in economic activity.
” President Donald Trump lashed out at Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell to lower rates after repeating his call for Congress to include a payroll tax cut in a sweeping , multibillion-dollar package in response to the growing coronavirus pandemic .
`` The Federal Reserve must FINALLY lower the Fed Rate to something comparable to their competitor Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Jay Powell and group are putting us at a decided economic & physiological disadvantage .
Should never have been this way .
Also , STIMULATE ! ''
Trump also renewed calls for a payroll tax cut holiday on Friday as House Democrats and administration officials signaled they were close to reaching a deal .
`` If you want to get money into the hands of people quickly & efficiently , let them have the full money that they earned , APPROVE A PAYROLL TAX CUT until the end of the year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Then you are doing something that is really meaningful .
Only that will make a big difference ! ''
Democrats dismissed the proposal of payroll tax cuts , which are taken from workers ' paychecks to fund Social Security and Medicare .
The president has particularly failed to shore up support among Senate Republicans .
He first pitched the idea to Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill Monday and again proposed it during an Oval Office address to the nation Wednesday The House appears close to approving a massive federal response to confront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens across the U.S. , roiled financial markets and disrupted the lives of millions of Americans .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Thursday said congressional leaders and the White House were close to finalizing a deal on a sweeping , multibillion-dollar package that would guarantee free testing for all Americans – including the uninsured – and expand worker protections such as sick leave and unemployment insurance .
Final details of the sweeping package could be unveiled by late Friday morning , with a vote by the full House possibly later in the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You asked us tons of questions about the coronavirus .
We 're answering them .
“ Time is of the essence , and this bill must be passed and sent to the Senate , ” she said in a statement issued late Thursday .
“ The House will then get to work on a third emergency response package that will take further effective action that protects the health , economic security and well-being of the American people.
” According to a press release from Pelosi , the measure would : • Mandate free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test , including the uninsured . ''
• Set aside up to 14 days of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave for workers affected by the coronavirus contamination .
• Expand unemployment benefits to workers sent home due to the crisis .
• Ensure availability of food assistance such as SNAP , student meals , seniors ’ nutrition and food banks .
Democrats were able to place a temporary hold on work requirements under SNAP during the public health crisis .
• Provide federal Medicaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the crisis .
Even if it passes Friday and gets taken up by the Senate early next week , enacting all the measures will take time .
The tremendous shortage of fully complete test kits , for example , means access remains a major hurdle even if the cost of the procedure is covered by private insurers or the government .
Still , the deal would represent a major breakthrough and a shot of confidence intended to calm rattled markets and anxious Americans .
Pelosi , who had several conversations throughout Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters outside her office Thursday night that both sides have “ resolved most of our differences ” and the remaining issues can be settled in future bills .
Pelosi said she was particularly stunned by the sudden cratering of the financial markets , which have nosedived in recent weeks and deepened worries about a possible recession due to the rapidly spreading virus .
The Standard & Poor 's 500 entered a bear market for the first time since the financial crisis , and the Dow endured its biggest one-day percentage drop since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shocking , ” Pelosi said of the markets .
“ I 'm not going to go into that because what we 're trying to do is be a positive . ''
The aggressive approach comes a day after Trump announced a suspension of all air travel from the European Union to the U.S. for 30 days , starting midnight Friday .
The bill is being considered a week after Congress passed an $ 8.3 billion package that includes more than $ 3 billion for research and the development of vaccines and $ 2.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparedness and response .
It also allocates $ 1 billion for state and local response , about half of which would go to specific cities .
Each state would receive no less than $ 4 million .
Phoning into `` CBS This Morning '' from a self-imposed quarantine , Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , said he would extend his self-quarantine after learning he came into contact with another individual who tested positive for the coronavirus .
Cruz , who self-quarantined earlier this month after interacting with a person at the Conservative Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told CBS he would self-quarantine until March 17 .
The Texas Republican said he had `` no symptoms '' but had interacted with a `` second individual who has tested positive – a Spanish government official who came to my office in D.C. '' '' On March 3 I had a meeting in the conference room with him for about 20 minutes , '' Cruz said , noting he had not been tested for the virus because he had no symptoms .
Cruz and two other Republican lawmakers quarantined themselves after coming into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in National Harbor , Maryland .
Rep. Paul Gosar , R-Ariz , Rep. Doug Collins , R-Ga. , Rep. Mark Meadows , R-N.C. , and Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Fla. , have also self-quarantined .
Facing pressure for his own administration ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic , President Donald Trump is increasingly slamming the efforts under his predecessor to prepare for an outbreak – often with dubious claims .
Trump started his latest attack on President Barack Obama with a tweet late Thursday that repeated a narrative that has increasingly cropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took 6 months ” to declare a national emergency to respond to the 2009 Swine Flu outbreak .
The claim overlooks the fact that Obama , just like Trump , declared a public health emergency early in the swine flu outbreak .
That designation from Obama came in April 2009 , before the H1N1 virus was declared a pandemic and at a time when there were only 20 cases in the U.S. For the coronavirus , the Trump administration declared a public health emergency in January .
A public health emergency is different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national emergency .
Obama declared a national emergency about six months into the swine flu outbreak .
Trump has yet to declare a national emergency for coronavirus .
Trump continued the attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a tweet early Friday morning .
“ For decades the @ CDCgov looked at , and studied , its testing system , but did nothing about it , ” Trump claimed .
“ President Obama made changes that only complicated things further.
” The Trump administration has been under enormous pressure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own party , to speed up the distribution of coronavirus tests .
Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , acknowledged Thursday that the testing system is “ failing.
” But it ’ s not accurate that an Obama-era rule limited third-party laboratories from developing and running tests for the coronavirus during an emergency , according to an Associated Press fact check this month .
The Trump administration reversed a policy that its own Food and Drug Administration put in place , the Associated Press said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus tests before the agency reviews them .
Previously , the FDA only authorized tests made by the CDC .
Draft FDA guidance considered during the Obama administration called for tighter regulation of laboratory tests but that guidance , which did not pertain to public health emergencies , never went into effect , the Associated Press said .

Ledyard King, John Fritze and Courtney Subramanian, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-03-15--Trump, Congress negotiating next economic stimulus as coronavirus recession fears grow

WASHINGTON – As the Senate prepares to vote on a coronavirus stimulus bill in the coming days , President Donald Trump 's administration is acknowledging the bipartisan package wo n't be nearly enough to stem the pandemic 's potential economic impact .
Senior White House aides said Sunday they will be pressing Congress as early as this week on a plan to target relief to airlines , hotels and other travel-related industries expected to be hard hit by COVID-19 .
The president , meanwhile , has continued to push for a payroll tax cut that was jettisoned from a bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan opposition emerged .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter Sunday that lawmakers had already started work on `` a third emergency response package . ''
The rapid push for a more robust economic stimulus follows some forecasts predicting a global slowdown as Americans abandon travel plans , sporting events are cancelled and state governments prohibit mass gatherings .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin downplayed talk of a recession Sunday and predicted the economy would bounce back .
`` We are now going back to Congress , and focusing this week on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the cruise ship – there 's no question that the travel industry has been impacted like we 've never seen before , '' Mnuchin told FOX News Sunday .
`` Whatever tools we need , we will go to Congress and get , and there 's a lot of bipartisan support . ''
Mnuchin and other administration officials are developing next-step plans even as Senate leaders are negotiating the timing of a vote on a pending coronavirus relief deal approved by the House .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far lawmakers have n't agreed to schedule a vote .
House lawmakers approved the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on a 363-40 vote with every Democrat and most Republicans backing the measure .
The legislation would ensure sick leave for affected workers and include money for testing for Americans , including the uninsured .
Administration officials said Sunday they do not yet know how much those provisions would cost but hoped to have estimates this week .
Several White House officials said they would begin pressing for more in the coming days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the Hill this week , '' Trump senior economic adviser Larry Kudlow told CBS ' Face the Nation .
`` We will have a number of new proposals . ''
The contours of the new effort remained in flux over the weekend , but Trump and other administration officials have previously discussed offering tax breaks to the airline , cruise and other travel-related industries .
The sectors have been particularly hard hit by a spate of travel restrictions put in place in an effort to limit exposure to the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a payroll tax holiday , an idea that has so far met with a chilly reception on Capitol Hill – including some Republicans .
A two-month suspension of the payroll tax cost would about $ 120 billion and , according to critics such as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities , would be too slow to have much impact .
Trump has disputed that analysis and several members of his administration continued to press for the idea as they made the rounds on Sunday television programs .
`` If you want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly & efficiently , let them have the full money that they earned , APPROVE A PAYROLL TAX CUT until the end of the year , '' he tweeted on Friday as lawmakers were putting the final touches on the pending bill .
Some leading economists are forecasting a recession this year , though the nation could still avoid one if the outbreak begins abating this summer .
If the number of global cases peaks at 1 million and the U.S. total tops out at 50,000 to 100,000 , the nation may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Zandi , chief economist of Moody ’ s Analytics .
Diane Swonk , chief economist at Grant Thornton , said that if the outbreak continues to accelerate into the summer , a downturn lasting six months or so becomes more likely .
Despite a rally late Friday after the president declared a national emergency to pump billions of dollars from the Disaster Relief Fund into the response effort , markets have been in a free-fall over coronavirus fears for days .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed off more than 6,000 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have also indicated that the president is working toward additional unilateral efforts on the economy .
The president is expected to sign an executive order as early as this week intended to ensure that more medical supplies used domestically are made in the United States rather than overseas .
That order , officials said , would require the government to purchase drugs and supplies from American companies in an effort to drive up demand for domestic products .
`` We 're going to put in motion a long-term trend to bring our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical supplies home , on domestic soil , '' Peter Navarro , assistant to the president for trade and manufacturing told Fox News .
`` We wo n't have to worry every time we have a crisis whether that supply chain is going to break down . ''

John Fritze and David Jackson, USA TODAY

Trump, Congress negotiating next economic stimulus as coronavirus recession fears grow
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Trump says he took coronavirus test; no results yet Trump told reporters his temperature was "totally normal." He said he took the test, and the results would take a "few days." Associated Press, Wochit
WASHINGTON – As the Senate prepares to vote on a coronavirus stimulus bill in the coming days, President Donald Trump's administration is acknowledging the bipartisan package won't be nearly enough to stem the pandemic's potential economic impact.
Senior White House aides said Sunday they will be pressing Congress as early as this week on a plan to target relief to airlines, hotels and other travel-related industries expected to be hard hit by COVID-19. The president, meanwhile, has continued to push for a payroll tax cut that was jettisoned from a bill passed by the House early Saturday after bipartisan opposition emerged.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter Sunday that lawmakers had already started work on "a third emergency response package."
The rapid push for a more robust economic stimulus follows some forecasts predicting a global slowdown as Americans abandon travel plans, sporting events are cancelled and state governments prohibit mass gatherings. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin downplayed talk of a recession Sunday and predicted the economy would bounce back.
"We are now going back to Congress, and focusing this week on the airlines industry, the hotel industry, the cruise ship – there's no question that the travel industry has been impacted like we've never seen before," Mnuchin told FOX News Sunday. "Whatever tools we need, we will go to Congress and get, and there's a lot of bipartisan support."
Mnuchin and other administration officials are developing next-step plans even as Senate leaders are negotiating the timing of a vote on a pending coronavirus relief deal approved by the House. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said last week he hopes to move swiftly, but so far lawmakers haven't agreed to schedule a vote.
House lawmakers approved the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on a 363-40 vote with every Democrat and most Republicans backing the measure. The legislation would ensure sick leave for affected workers and include money for testing for Americans, including the uninsured. Administration officials said Sunday they do not yet know how much those provisions would cost but hoped to have estimates this week.
Several White House officials said they would begin pressing for more in the coming days.
"We're gonna go up to the Hill this week," Trump senior economic adviser Larry Kudlow told CBS' Face the Nation. "We will have a number of new proposals."
The contours of the new effort remained in flux over the weekend, but Trump and other administration officials have previously discussed offering tax breaks to the airline, cruise and other travel-related industries. The sectors have been particularly hard hit by a spate of travel restrictions put in place in an effort to limit exposure to the virus.
Trump has also continued to push for a payroll tax holiday, an idea that has so far met with a chilly reception on Capitol Hill – including some Republicans. A two-month suspension of the payroll tax cost would about $120 billion and, according to critics such as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, would be too slow to have much impact.
Weekend work: Donald Trump's Sunday: An online church service, Twitter attacks
Trump clear: Trump tests negative for coronavirus, White House doctor says
Trump has disputed that analysis and several members of his administration continued to press for the idea as they made the rounds on Sunday television programs.
"If you want to get money into the hands of people quickly & efficiently, let them have the full money that they earned, APPROVE A PAYROLL TAX CUT until the end of the year," he tweeted on Friday as lawmakers were putting the final touches on the pending bill.
Some leading economists are forecasting a recession this year, though the nation could still avoid one if the outbreak begins abating this summer. If the number of global cases peaks at 1 million and the U.S. total tops out at 50,000 to 100,000, the nation may be able to avoid a recession, said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics.
Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton, said that if the outbreak continues to accelerate into the summer, a downturn lasting six months or so becomes more likely.
Despite a rally late Friday after the president declared a national emergency to pump billions of dollars from the Disaster Relief Fund into the response effort, markets have been in a free-fall over coronavirus fears for days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed off more than 6,000 points Friday compared to mid-February.
Economic forecast: What economists predict about the coronavirus impact
Trump administration officials have also indicated that the president is working toward additional unilateral efforts on the economy. The president is expected to sign an executive order as early as this week intended to ensure that more medical supplies used domestically are made in the United States rather than overseas.
That order, officials said, would require the government to purchase drugs and supplies from American companies in an effort to drive up demand for domestic products.
"We're going to put in motion a long-term trend to bring our pharmaceuticals, our medical equipment, our medical supplies home, on domestic soil," Peter Navarro, assistant to the president for trade and manufacturing told Fox News. "We won't have to worry every time we have a crisis whether that supply chain is going to break down."


usatoday--2020-03-16--Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders face off in one-on-one Democratic primary debate

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders face off in one-on-one debate In what may be the final debate of the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ , Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders faced off in a CNN television studio .

Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders face off in one-on-one debate
In what may be the final debate of the Democratic primary for 2020 election cycle, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders faced off in a CNN television studio.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-03-16--OnPolitics: When can we go outside again? Trump has a guess.

We might be doing this until August President Donald Trump said Monday that Americans could be hunkered down and practicing social distancing at least until July or August to confront the coronavirus pandemic .
Trump announced a list of new guidelines .
During a White House briefing , Trump was asked whether the administration had any estimate of how quickly the country would “ turn this corner.
” Many Americans have been working from home , and states are increasingly closing schools , businesses and prohibiting large gatherings of people .
“ People are talking about July , August – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters , who were spaced in every other seat in the White House briefing room to practice distancing .
The sweeping coronavirus relief bill the House rushed to pass early Saturday is being delayed over technical issues and could take days to reach President Donald Trump 's desk .
A bill to fix some of the language related to the paid family leave portion of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act is being held up in the House while negotiations on the issue are resolved .
The issue is being compounded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Texas Republican , who was one of 40 GOP lawmakers who voted against the bill early Saturday morning .
The measure passed 363-40 .
But it 's unclear when it will reach Trump 's desk Even the Supreme Court is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic that has much of the country cancelling events and living in isolation .
The impact for politics has been significant , so get caught up on what happened today .
• Supreme Court , for the first time since 1918 , postpones oral arguments • Mike Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested yet ’ for coronavirus • Trump acknowledges the U.S. 'may be ' headed for recession Want to get this in your email ?
Subscribe to On Politics here

OnPolitics: When can we go outside again? Trump has a guess.
We might be doing this until August
President Donald Trump said Monday that Americans could be hunkered down and practicing social distancing at least until July or August to confront the coronavirus pandemic. Trump announced a list of new guidelines.
During a White House briefing, Trump was asked whether the administration had any estimate of how quickly the country would “turn this corner.” Many Americans have been working from home, and states are increasingly closing schools, businesses and prohibiting large gatherings of people.
“People are talking about July, August – or something like that,” Trump told reporters, who were spaced in every other seat in the White House briefing room to practice distancing.
Relief will come, eventually
The sweeping coronavirus relief bill the House rushed to pass early Saturday is being delayed over technical issues and could take days to reach President Donald Trump's desk.
A bill to fix some of the language related to the paid family leave portion of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act is being held up in the House while negotiations on the issue are resolved. The issue is being compounded by the objections of Rep. Louis Gohmert, a Texas Republican, who was one of 40 GOP lawmakers who voted against the bill early Saturday morning.
The measure passed 363-40. But it's unclear when it will reach Trump's desk
The pandemic reaches SCOTUS
Even the Supreme Court is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic that has much of the country cancelling events and living in isolation.
The impact for politics has been significant, so get caught up on what happened today.
Want to get this in your email? Subscribe to On Politics here


usatoday--2020-03-16--Coronavirus pandemic will delay Kentucky primary election, pushing it to June

FRANKFORT — Gov .
Andy Beshear is delaying Kentucky 's primary election , which was supposed to be held May 19 , because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The primary will be pushed back to June 23 , as requested by Secretary of State Michael Adams .
On Monday , Adams sent Beshear a letter formally recommending that he issue an executive order delaying the primary .
Beshear made the announcement Monday evening at a press conference at the Capitol .
“ There were numerous factors that led to this point , '' the governor said .
“ The coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it means is that it ’ s very important that we all do our patriotic duty as we move forward to model the type of behavior that we need.
” More : Several states have altered their primary election plans due to coronavirus .
Here 's how For most people , coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia .
The vast majority of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has preached the importance of social distancing , the need to postpone community gatherings and proper hygiene to help curb spread of the virus .
“ We all have a duty to do everything we can that it takes to beat this virus , '' he said .
“ This is our duty as Kentuckians .
This is our patriotic duty .
... And to me , it is our Christian duty . ''
More : Delays until June , a lack of poll workers : How coronavirus is affecting Tuesday 's election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
The latest case Monday was that of a woman in Jefferson County .
Beshear also ordered the state Capitol to close to non-essential personnel , starting Tuesday .
Beshear said the state is working to waive the waiting period for unemployment insurance for those who lose their jobs because of coronavirus .
State lawmakers were not in session Monday but are scheduled to reconvene at the statehouse on Tuesday in Frankfort .

Morgan Watkins, Louisville Courier Journal

Coronavirus pandemic will delay Kentucky primary election, pushing it to June
Show Caption Hide Caption Is the U.S. prepared for a coronavirus pandemic? A previous version of this video incorrectly stated how many people the 1918 Spanish influenza killed. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
FRANKFORT — Gov. Andy Beshear is delaying Kentucky's primary election, which was supposed to be held May 19, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The primary will be pushed back to June 23, as requested by Secretary of State Michael Adams.
On Monday, Adams sent Beshear a letter formally recommending that he issue an executive order delaying the primary.
Beshear made the announcement Monday evening at a press conference at the Capitol.
“There were numerous factors that led to this point," the governor said. “The coronavirus was only a factor. But what it means is that it’s very important that we all do our patriotic duty as we move forward to model the type of behavior that we need.”
More: Several states have altered their primary election plans due to coronavirus. Here's how
For most people, coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.
Beshear has preached the importance of social distancing, the need to postpone community gatherings and proper hygiene to help curb spread of the virus.
“We all have a duty to do everything we can that it takes to beat this virus," he said. “This is our duty as Kentuckians. This is our patriotic duty. ... And to me, it is our Christian duty."
More: Delays until June, a lack of poll workers: How coronavirus is affecting Tuesday's election
Kentucky has had 22 confirmed cases of the virus. The latest case Monday was that of a woman in Jefferson County.
Beshear also ordered the state Capitol to close to non-essential personnel, starting Tuesday.
Beshear said the state is working to waive the waiting period for unemployment insurance for those who lose their jobs because of coronavirus.
State lawmakers were not in session Monday but are scheduled to reconvene at the statehouse on Tuesday in Frankfort.
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-03-16--Ahead of Florida primary, 1.4 million former felons unsure whether they can vote in 2020

MIAMI — It 's been 16 months since Floridians voted to restore voting rights for roughly 1.4 million felons who had been permanently banned from casting a ballot by a law passed during the Jim Crow era , yet the vast majority of those felons will not be able to vote in Florida 's primary Tuesday and may not be able to vote come November , either .
The reason ?
Florida 's Republican-controlled Legislature and its Republican governor passed a law last year that , they said , was designed to implement the voters ' will by requiring that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — be paid before felons can vote .
Civil rights and advocacy groups sued the state arguing that requiring court costs be paid in full was unconstitutional , tantamount to a poll tax .
That disagreement has thrown the voter registration process into a prolonged legal battle that may not be resolved until it 's decided by the U.S. Supreme Court .
The clash has led to accusations of racism against GOP legislators in Tallahassee , the unusual situation of state attorneys trying to help register people they had previously locked away , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle with little clarity on who can and ca n't vote .
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit gave felons a legal victory last month , ruling that the state can not bar felons from registering to vote based solely on their failure to pay all of their court costs and fees .
But the ongoing legal battle has left many confused and resulted in a small number of felons successfully registering to vote .
That means hundreds of thousands of potential voters are unable to participate in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race in a state notorious for its slim voting margins .
`` We 're thinking what everybody else is thinking : What is going on in Florida ? ''
said Desmond Meade , a former homeless man who founded the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition that led the charge to regain voting right for felons .
Even if all 1.4 million eventually return to the voter rolls , political experts are unsure which party will benefit the most .
About a third of those felons are African American , and it 's unclear how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felons lean politically .
`` There ’ s a tendency to make it seem like they ’ re all minorities , they ’ re all Democrats , '' said Susan MacManus , a professor emeritus at the University of South Florida who has studied Florida 's politics for decades .
`` But be careful , there 's a lot of diversity in that population . ''
The debate over felons ' voting rights has a long and ugly history that dates back to the years following the Civil War , when some states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rolls after the abolition of slavery .
One of the ways they did so was barring people convicted of felonies from ever voting again .
Over the decades , most states limited or eliminated those laws , freeing up more felons to cast their votes .
In many states , felons automatically regain their voting rights the moment they complete their prison sentence .
And in some states like Maine and Vermont , felons can even vote from prison .
But Florida 's law banning felons from the ballot box endured , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in voter disenfranchisement .
As of 2016 , there were 3.1 million people across the nation who had completed their prison sentences but remained ineligible to vote .
Nearly half of those — 48 percent — were in Florida , according to a report from The Sentencing Project , a Washington , D.C. , -based group that advocates for criminal justice reform .
In 2018 , it appeared that would come to an end when 65 % of Florida voters approved Amendment 4 to the state 's constitution .
The bill allowed all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or sexual offenses , to regain their voting rights .
But the ensuing legal and moral debate over what voters intended when they approved that amendment came down to one phrase in the ballot question .
Voters were asked if the state should restore voting rights for felons `` after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation . ''
To many , the message seemed clear : do your time and you can regain your right to vote .
But Republican legislators argued that `` all terms of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their sentence , such as restitution to victims , fines , courts costs and fees .
Florida does not have an income tax , so courts are largely funded by court costs and fees paid by defendants that can cost $ 500 per case at the minimum .
GOP members of the state Legislature , who control both chambers by sizable margins , set out to craft an `` implementation bill '' that requires felons to pay off every nickel they owe before they can regain their right to vote .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims , but complained that requiring courts costs and fees be paid in full was a Republican attempt to get around the will of the voters .
They , along with the ACLU , the NAACP and other groups , argued that the payment requirement represented a `` modern-day poll tax '' that was forbidden by the Civil Rights Act of 1965 and deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court the following year .
Republicans denied those accusations , saying they were simply trying to formalize an undefined process called for in Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' office did not respond to a request for comment .
But the bill 's sponsor , GOP state Rep. James Grant of Tampa , said it 's been exhausting and insulting to hear people repeatedly call him a racist .
He said just showing his family 's Christmas card , which includes children from `` all over the world '' adopted by his relatives , would be all the proof people need to know he 's not a racist .
`` You either let liars and frauds affect you or you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Grant said he sponsored the bill because the amendment approved by voters clearly stated that all terms of a sentence must be completed , and court costs and fees are part of any sentence , written into sentencing documents and approved by judges .
His bill passed in 2019 along a party-line vote that required all payment of all financial obligations before felons could register to vote .
`` I do n't see a scenario where we 're wrong , '' Grant said .
DeSantis signed the bill into law and within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal lawsuit challenging the law .
In October , felons got their first legal victory when U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle called the bill `` an administrative nightmare , '' issued a temporary injunction and ordered the state to fix it .
Republican leaders appealed that ruling and asked for an advisory opinion from the state Supreme Court , which sided with the GOP leadership in Tallahassee .
But in February , a 3-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upheld Hinkle 's injunction , finding that punishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off their court costs is an unconstitutional punishment .
`` These plaintiffs are punished more harshly than those who committed precisely the same crime — by having their right to vote taken from them likely for their entire lives , '' the justices wrote .
`` And this punishment is linked not to their culpability , but rather to the exogenous fact of their wealth . ''
The state has vowed to appeal that ruling , and a full trial is scheduled for April in Tallahassee .
In the meantime , voters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what comes next .
`` We 're not getting any guidance from the secretary of state , '' Stephen Todd , a lawyer representing the Hillsborough County supervisor of elections , said during a court hearing last month .
`` We have an election in a month .
We 're trying to register people . ''
In the midst of that confusion , felons have gotten support from an unlikely source — state prosecutors .
In Florida 's largest counties , state attorneys have been working to remove court costs and fees from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach County , State Attorney Dave Aronberg has already changed his sentencing documents so future court costs are not tied to sentences , and is helping felons remove existing courts fees from sentences already imposed .
`` The state law was more about voter suppression than about fulfilling the intent of the electorate , '' said Aronberg , who previously served as a Democrat senator in the state Legislature .
`` The amendment did not need enacting .
It was self-enacting .
The Legislature went out of their way to throw a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populous county — Miami-Dade — State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle convened a grand jury to study the effects of Amendment 4 .
It found that felons who regain their right to vote commit fewer crimes and become more active members of their communities .
That 's why her office has been allowing felons to modify their sentences to remove , or restructure , their courts costs and fees so they can register .
`` Restoring eligible felons ' right to vote is not just permitted , but right , just and smart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current level of confusion , only about 300 felons have regained their voting rights in Miami-Dade County , according to the county supervisor of elections office .
It 's impossible to know how many others have registered across Florida because the state has no centralized database of felons and no easy way of knowing who owes courts costs .
Meade , the head of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition , estimates that up to 50,000 people have tried to register so far across the state and he hopes to get 100,000 signed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't know how many of those attempts have been successful and what impact they 'll have come November .
For now , Meade said he will continue fighting .
His organization is urging felons to approach the court to try and modify their sentences to remove their court costs to free them up to register to vote .
For those who ca n't , the organization is raising money — over $ 500,000 so far — to pay off their court costs so they can register to vote .
`` We celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a returning citizen registering to vote , '' he said .
`` That means we 're spreading our democracy one vote at a time . ''
And after successfully registering himself last year , Meade is looking forward to Nov. 3 when he 'll finally cast his first vote .
`` It 's going down , '' he said with a chuckle .
`` It 's happening . ''

Ahead of Florida primary, 1.4 million former felons unsure whether they can vote in 2020
Show Caption Hide Caption Felons emotional as they register to vote in Florida The right to vote was restored for most Florida felons as of Tuesday, increasing the pool of eligible voters by as many as 1.4 million people in a battleground state infamous for its narrow margins in key elections (Jan. 8) AP
MIAMI — It's been 16 months since Floridians voted to restore voting rights for roughly 1.4 million felons who had been permanently banned from casting a ballot by a law passed during the Jim Crow era, yet the vast majority of those felons will not be able to vote in Florida's primary Tuesday and may not be able to vote come November, either.
The reason? Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature and its Republican governor passed a law last year that, they said, was designed to implement the voters' will by requiring that all prison terms — and court costs — be paid before felons can vote. Civil rights and advocacy groups sued the state arguing that requiring court costs be paid in full was unconstitutional, tantamount to a poll tax.
That disagreement has thrown the voter registration process into a prolonged legal battle that may not be resolved until it's decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The clash has led to accusations of racism against GOP legislators in Tallahassee, the unusual situation of state attorneys trying to help register people they had previously locked away, and county supervisors of election stuck in the middle with little clarity on who can and can't vote.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit gave felons a legal victory last month, ruling that the state cannot bar felons from registering to vote based solely on their failure to pay all of their court costs and fees.
But the ongoing legal battle has left many confused and resulted in a small number of felons successfully registering to vote. That means hundreds of thousands of potential voters are unable to participate in an election that could swing the 2020 presidential race in a state notorious for its slim voting margins.
"We're thinking what everybody else is thinking: What is going on in Florida?" said Desmond Meade, a former homeless man who founded the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition that led the charge to regain voting right for felons.
Even if all 1.4 million eventually return to the voter rolls, political experts are unsure which party will benefit the most. About a third of those felons are African American, and it's unclear how they or the other 66% of felons lean politically.
"There’s a tendency to make it seem like they’re all minorities, they’re all Democrats," said Susan MacManus, a professor emeritus at the University of South Florida who has studied Florida's politics for decades. "But be careful, there's a lot of diversity in that population."
The debate over felons' voting rights has a long and ugly history that dates back to the years following the Civil War, when some states tried to keep black citizens off voter rolls after the abolition of slavery. One of the ways they did so was barring people convicted of felonies from ever voting again.
Over the decades, most states limited or eliminated those laws, freeing up more felons to cast their votes. In many states, felons automatically regain their voting rights the moment they complete their prison sentence. And in some states like Maine and Vermont, felons can even vote from prison.
But Florida's law banning felons from the ballot box endured, making the Sunshine State the nation's leader in voter disenfranchisement. As of 2016, there were 3.1 million people across the nation who had completed their prison sentences but remained ineligible to vote. Nearly half of those — 48 percent — were in Florida, according to a report from The Sentencing Project, a Washington, D.C.,-based group that advocates for criminal justice reform.
In 2018, it appeared that would come to an end when 65% of Florida voters approved Amendment 4 to the state's constitution. The bill allowed all felons, except those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, to regain their voting rights.
Electoral College vs. the popular vote, explained President Trump and President George W. Bush won the electoral vote during the election, but not the popular vote. How does the electoral college work? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
But the ensuing legal and moral debate over what voters intended when they approved that amendment came down to one phrase in the ballot question. Voters were asked if the state should restore voting rights for felons "after they complete all terms of their sentence including parole or probation."
To many, the message seemed clear: do your time and you can regain your right to vote.
But Republican legislators argued that "all terms of their sentence" also included all monetary portions of their sentence, such as restitution to victims, fines, courts costs and fees. Florida does not have an income tax, so courts are largely funded by court costs and fees paid by defendants that can cost $500 per case at the minimum.
GOP members of the state Legislature, who control both chambers by sizable margins, set out to craft an "implementation bill" that requires felons to pay off every nickel they owe before they can regain their right to vote.
Democrats agreed that restitution should be paid to victims, but complained that requiring courts costs and fees be paid in full was a Republican attempt to get around the will of the voters. They, along with the ACLU, the NAACP and other groups, argued that the payment requirement represented a "modern-day poll tax" that was forbidden by the Civil Rights Act of 1965 and deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court the following year.
Republicans denied those accusations, saying they were simply trying to formalize an undefined process called for in Amendment 4. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' office did not respond to a request for comment. But the bill's sponsor, GOP state Rep. James Grant of Tampa, said it's been exhausting and insulting to hear people repeatedly call him a racist.
He said just showing his family's Christmas card, which includes children from "all over the world" adopted by his relatives, would be all the proof people need to know he's not a racist. "You either let liars and frauds affect you or you don't," he said.
Instead, Grant said he sponsored the bill because the amendment approved by voters clearly stated that all terms of a sentence must be completed, and court costs and fees are part of any sentence, written into sentencing documents and approved by judges.
His bill passed in 2019 along a party-line vote that required all payment of all financial obligations before felons could register to vote.
"I don't see a scenario where we're wrong," Grant said.
DeSantis signed the bill into law and within hours, civil rights groups filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law.
In October, felons got their first legal victory when U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle called the bill "an administrative nightmare," issued a temporary injunction and ordered the state to fix it. Republican leaders appealed that ruling and asked for an advisory opinion from the state Supreme Court, which sided with the GOP leadership in Tallahassee.
But in February, a 3-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit upheld Hinkle's injunction, finding that punishing felons who cannot afford to pay off their court costs is an unconstitutional punishment.
"These plaintiffs are punished more harshly than those who committed precisely the same crime — by having their right to vote taken from them likely for their entire lives," the justices wrote. "And this punishment is linked not to their culpability, but rather to the exogenous fact of their wealth."
The state has vowed to appeal that ruling, and a full trial is scheduled for April in Tallahassee. In the meantime, voters and election supervisors are struggling to figure out what comes next.
"We're not getting any guidance from the secretary of state," Stephen Todd, a lawyer representing the Hillsborough County supervisor of elections, said during a court hearing last month. "We have an election in a month. We're trying to register people."
In the midst of that confusion, felons have gotten support from an unlikely source — state prosecutors. In Florida's largest counties, state attorneys have been working to remove court costs and fees from the sentences they impose. In Palm Beach County, State Attorney Dave Aronberg has already changed his sentencing documents so future court costs are not tied to sentences, and is helping felons remove existing courts fees from sentences already imposed.
"The state law was more about voter suppression than about fulfilling the intent of the electorate," said Aronberg, who previously served as a Democrat senator in the state Legislature. "The amendment did not need enacting. It was self-enacting. The Legislature went out of their way to throw a huge obstacle."
In Florida's most populous county — Miami-Dade — State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle convened a grand jury to study the effects of Amendment 4. It found that felons who regain their right to vote commit fewer crimes and become more active members of their communities. That's why her office has been allowing felons to modify their sentences to remove, or restructure, their courts costs and fees so they can register.
"Restoring eligible felons' right to vote is not just permitted, but right, just and smart," she said.
But given the current level of confusion, only about 300 felons have regained their voting rights in Miami-Dade County, according to the county supervisor of elections office. It's impossible to know how many others have registered across Florida because the state has no centralized database of felons and no easy way of knowing who owes courts costs.
Meade, the head of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, estimates that up to 50,000 people have tried to register so far across the state and he hopes to get 100,000 signed up by Election Day. But his coalition doesn't know how many of those attempts have been successful and what impact they'll have come November.
For now, Meade said he will continue fighting. His organization is urging felons to approach the court to try and modify their sentences to remove their court costs to free them up to register to vote. For those who can't, the organization is raising money — over $500,000 so far — to pay off their court costs so they can register to vote.
"We celebrate every day because every day there's a returning citizen registering to vote," he said. "That means we're spreading our democracy one vote at a time."
And after successfully registering himself last year, Meade is looking forward to Nov. 3 when he'll finally cast his first vote.
"It's going down," he said with a chuckle. "It's happening."


usatoday--2020-03-17--DraftKings spreads its wings, experiments with Democratic debate as possible outlet for bettors

Four hours before Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders squared off in a nationally televised debate Sunday , DraftKings — the daily fantasy sports company that relies heavily on betting — experimented .
Scrambling after the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a virtual shutdown of sports , DraftKings launched a free-to-enter contest online .
A $ 10,000 prize was offered to the person who provided the most correct answers to questions before the Democratic debate , such as : Will the first question be about coronavirus ?
Who will be the first to mention washing your hands ?
Two people split the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which appeared to be the big winner Sunday after reporting it attracted 60,000 unique entries for the contest .
SPORTS SHUTDOWN : Latest news on sports ’ coronavirus shutdown delivered to you .
Sign up here “ It was bigger than a lot of other sporting events we have , ’ ’ Jason Robins , CEO at DraftKings , said of the participation totals .
“ Somewhere south of football but north of anything other than the biggest sports .
“ It just shows you people are interested in engaging if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously a big part of what we do .
Not having sports content leaves a gap and people are coming up ( with ) ways to fill it.
’ ’ DraftKings will offer another political pool featuring the Biden-Sanders duel during Tuesday ’ s primaries being held in Arizona , Florida , Illinois and Ohio .
DraftKings stepped outside of the sports arena in February with an Oscars contest .
But that was long before President Trump declared a national emergency and the sports world all but ground to a halt .
Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available , DraftKings had to get creative again .
It has offered Daily Fantasy Sports contests for Russian and Turkish soccer , plans to push eSports and will try to capitalize on politics again .
“ We ’ re really forcing ourselves to think outside the box , ’ ’ Robins said .
“ Our customers like to interact with their content .
They don ’ t want to passively consume it .
“ They want to have some kind of prediction or skin in the game and that can be sports , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re consuming that involves any kind of prediction .
’ ’

DraftKings spreads its wings, experiments with Democratic debate as possible outlet for bettors
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: CDC issues information on virus lifespan CDC says coronavirus 'does not spread easily' by touching surfaces or objects. But it still 'may be possible.' USA TODAY
Four hours before Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders squared off in a nationally televised debate Sunday, DraftKings — the daily fantasy sports company that relies heavily on betting — experimented.
Scrambling after the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a virtual shutdown of sports, DraftKings launched a free-to-enter contest online. A $10,000 prize was offered to the person who provided the most correct answers to questions before the Democratic debate, such as:
Will the first question be about coronavirus?
(Answer: Yes.)
Who will be the first to mention washing your hands?
Joe Biden
Neither Candidate
Sanders
(Answer: Biden)
Two people split the $10,000 prize, according to DraftKings, which appeared to be the big winner Sunday after reporting it attracted 60,000 unique entries for the contest.
SPORTS SHUTDOWN: Latest news on sports’ coronavirus shutdown delivered to you. Sign up here
“It was bigger than a lot of other sporting events we have,’’ Jason Robins, CEO at DraftKings, said of the participation totals. “Somewhere south of football but north of anything other than the biggest sports.
“It just shows you people are interested in engaging if you give them good content. Sports is obviously a big part of what we do. Not having sports content leaves a gap and people are coming up (with) ways to fill it.’’
DraftKings will offer another political pool featuring the Biden-Sanders duel during Tuesday’s primaries being held in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio.
DraftKings stepped outside of the sports arena in February with an Oscars contest. But that was long before President Trump declared a national emergency and the sports world all but ground to a halt.
Without the NBA, college basketball and NHL available, DraftKings had to get creative again. It has offered Daily Fantasy Sports contests for Russian and Turkish soccer, plans to push eSports and will try to capitalize on politics again.
“We’re really forcing ourselves to think outside the box,’’ Robins said. “Our customers like to interact with their content. They don’t want to passively consume it.
“They want to have some kind of prediction or skin in the game and that can be sports, that can be politics, anything that they’re consuming that involves any kind of prediction.’’
Follow reporter Josh Peter on Twitter.


usatoday--2020-03-17--Joe Biden wins statewide vote in Washington state

OLYMPIA , Wash. ( AP ) — Former Vice President Joe Biden won the statewide vote in Washington 's vote-by-mail Democratic presidential primary , maintaining the narrow lead he 's held over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders since last week as additional results were counted Monday .
Biden 's victory means he won five of the six states that voted last Tuesday : Washington , Michigan , Missouri , Mississippi and Idaho .
Sanders won North Dakota 's caucuses .
In Washington , Biden led by more than 21,000 votes after more than 2.2 million votes were counted , and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 39 counties .
Of the state ’ s 89 pledged delegates , only 31 are allocated based on the statewide result .
The remaining 58 are determined based on the results of the state ’ s 10 congressional districts .
More : Day One of a campaign transformed : Biden the likely nominee , coronavirus the dominant issue Democrats are using the vote-by-mail presidential primary — moved up this year from May — for the first time to allocate delegates instead of the smaller caucuses used in previous years .
The Washington ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an uncommitted option .
But because almost all of the candidates had dropped out by last week , it was essentially a two-person race between Biden and Sanders .
President Donald Trump was the only candidate listed for Republicans .
Trump received more than 666,600 votes , and more than 11,000 Republicans wrote in an alternate candidate .
More than 391,000 Democrats voted for candidates other than Biden or Sanders .
More : An elbow bump nod to coronavirus , talk of a woman VP and other top moments from Sunday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two-thirds of the delegates from the Washington caucuses , which were attended that year by about 230,000 Democrats .
More than 800,000 Democrats sent in ballots for the primary later that year — which Hillary Clinton won — even though their vote did n't count for the nominating process .
The state Democratic Party 's central committee voted last year to start using a hybrid system that uses the state ’ s vote-by-mail system for a presidential primary to apportion delegates to candidates , and caucuses and conventions to select which delegates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention in Milwaukee in July .
Also last year , Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee signed a measure moving the state 's presidential primary from May to the second Tuesday in March .

Joe Biden wins statewide vote in Washington state
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders face off in one-on-one debate In what may be the final debate of the Democratic primary for 2020 election cycle, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders faced off in a CNN television studio. USA TODAY
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Former Vice President Joe Biden won the statewide vote in Washington's vote-by-mail Democratic presidential primary, maintaining the narrow lead he's held over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders since last week as additional results were counted Monday.
Biden's victory means he won five of the six states that voted last Tuesday: Washington, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho. Sanders won North Dakota's caucuses.
In Washington, Biden led by more than 21,000 votes after more than 2.2 million votes were counted, and was winning in 25 of the state's 39 counties. Of the state’s 89 pledged delegates, only 31 are allocated based on the statewide result. The remaining 58 are determined based on the results of the state’s 10 congressional districts.
More: Day One of a campaign transformed: Biden the likely nominee, coronavirus the dominant issue
Democrats are using the vote-by-mail presidential primary — moved up this year from May — for the first time to allocate delegates instead of the smaller caucuses used in previous years.
The Washington ballot had 13 candidates on it, along with an uncommitted option. But because almost all of the candidates had dropped out by last week, it was essentially a two-person race between Biden and Sanders. President Donald Trump was the only candidate listed for Republicans. Trump received more than 666,600 votes, and more than 11,000 Republicans wrote in an alternate candidate. More than 391,000 Democrats voted for candidates other than Biden or Sanders.
More: An elbow bump nod to coronavirus, talk of a woman VP and other top moments from Sunday's debate
In 2016, Sanders won more than two-thirds of the delegates from the Washington caucuses, which were attended that year by about 230,000 Democrats. More than 800,000 Democrats sent in ballots for the primary later that year — which Hillary Clinton won — even though their vote didn't count for the nominating process.
The state Democratic Party's central committee voted last year to start using a hybrid system that uses the state’s vote-by-mail system for a presidential primary to apportion delegates to candidates, and caucuses and conventions to select which delegates will represent the state at the national convention in Milwaukee in July. Also last year, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure moving the state's presidential primary from May to the second Tuesday in March.