usatoday--2020-07-21--Trump says of sex trafficking suspect Ghislaine Maxwell, 'I wish her well'

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump sent well wishes to accused child abuser – and close friend of Jeffrey Epstein – Ghislaine Maxwell on Tuesday but said he has not been following her case .
`` I wish her well , '' Trump said during a White House news conference otherwise devoted to COVID-19 .
Maxwell , Epstein 's former girlfriend and longtime confidante , is accused of helping lure girls as young as 14 to be sexually abused by Epstein , the financier who died by hanging in his jail cell last year .
Maxwell , who lived with Epstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , is accused of facilitating his crimes at his estate in Palm Beach , Florida , and other locations and in some cases joining in the sexual abuse , according to a grand jury indictment .
Maxwell pleaded not guilty last week to the charges .
Not guilty plea : Ghislaine Maxwell pleads not guilty , ordered held without bond in case tied to Epstein child sex trafficking ring Trump and Maxwell sometimes ran in the same social circles .
After her arrest , Trump 's critics circulated photos of the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company of Epstein and first lady Melania Trump .
In raising the Maxwell case with Trump , a reporter asked : `` Do you feel she 's going to turn in powerful men ? ''
Trump said he had met Maxwell `` numerous times '' over the years because he lived in Palm Beach .
But he said he knows nothing about the charges against her , including an allegation that she arranged an assignation between a young girl and Prince Andrew of Great Britain .
`` I have n't really been following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I just wish her well , frankly . ''
As for the British prince , `` whatever it is , I do n't know the situation with Prince Andrew , '' Trump said .
`` I just do n't know .
I 'm not aware of it . ''
Maxwell is the daughter of Robert Maxwell , a publishing tycoon and former member of the British Parliament who died in 1991 after falling overboard from his luxury yacht , Lady Ghislaine , named after the youngest of his nine children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire on perjury and conspiracy charges , accusing her of helping Epstein “ recruit , groom , and ultimately abuse victims ” between 1994 and 1997 .
The six-count indictment against Maxwell outlines an alleged years-long partnership between Epstein and Maxwell in which the pair went to great lengths to procure young victims .
Epstein 's 'co-conspirators ' : Barr cites 'serious irregularities ' at jail , says Epstein 'co-conspirators should not rest easy '

Michael Collins, David Jackson and Courtney Subramanian, USA TODAY

Trump says of sex trafficking suspect Ghislaine Maxwell, 'I wish her well'
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump says of Ghislaine Maxwell, 'I wish her well' President Donald Trump offered sympathetic words to Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime companion who stands accused of facilitating the abuse of girls by the sex offender. But Trump says he hasn't been following her case closely. (July 21) AP
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump sent well wishes to accused child abuser – and close friend of Jeffrey Epstein – Ghislaine Maxwell on Tuesday but said he has not been following her case.
"I wish her well," Trump said during a White House news conference otherwise devoted to COVID-19.
Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend and longtime confidante, is accused of helping lure girls as young as 14 to be sexually abused by Epstein, the financier who died by hanging in his jail cell last year.
Maxwell, who lived with Epstein for years and traveled the world with him, is accused of facilitating his crimes at his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and other locations and in some cases joining in the sexual abuse, according to a grand jury indictment.
Maxwell pleaded not guilty last week to the charges.
Not guilty plea: Ghislaine Maxwell pleads not guilty, ordered held without bond in case tied to Epstein child sex trafficking ring
Trump and Maxwell sometimes ran in the same social circles. After her arrest, Trump's critics circulated photos of the two of them together, sometimes in the company of Epstein and first lady Melania Trump.
In raising the Maxwell case with Trump, a reporter asked: "Do you feel she's going to turn in powerful men?"
Trump said he had met Maxwell "numerous times" over the years because he lived in Palm Beach. But he said he knows nothing about the charges against her, including an allegation that she arranged an assignation between a young girl and Prince Andrew of Great Britain.
"I haven't really been following it too much," Trump said. "I just wish her well, frankly."
As for the British prince, "whatever it is, I don't know the situation with Prince Andrew," Trump said. "I just don't know. I'm not aware of it."
Maxwell is the daughter of Robert Maxwell, a publishing tycoon and former member of the British Parliament who died in 1991 after falling overboard from his luxury yacht, Lady Ghislaine, named after the youngest of his nine children.
Maxwell was arrested earlier this month in New Hampshire on perjury and conspiracy charges, accusing her of helping Epstein “recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims” between 1994 and 1997.
The six-count indictment against Maxwell outlines an alleged years-long partnership between Epstein and Maxwell in which the pair went to great lengths to procure young victims.
Epstein's 'co-conspirators': Barr cites 'serious irregularities' at jail, says Epstein 'co-conspirators should not rest easy'


usatoday--2020-07-21--Chinese hackers charged in theft of trade secrets also probed for coronavirus research, DOJ says

Two Chinese hackers have been accused of stealing trade secrets from hundreds of global targets and , more recently , probing for vulnerabilities in U.S. companies involved in the development of testing , treatments and vaccines to combat the deadly coronavirus .
Assistant Attorney General John Demers , chief of the Justice Department 's National Security Division , said that while the suspects ' activities resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses , there is no evidence to indicate that they had actually obtained virus-related research or slowed the operations of the targeted firms .
Yet as recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hackers had been surveying a California company dealing in coronavirus test kits .
The 11-count indictment charges Ll Xiaoyu , 34 , and Dong Jiazhi , 33 , in a far-reaching computer intrusion campaign that spanned more than 10 years , leaving a trail of victims in nearly a dozen countries .
The accused hackers , both Chinese citizens , worked for their own benefit and at the direction of Chinese intelligence services , said Demers and FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich .
The relationship between criminal hackers and the Chinese government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seek a global economic advantage across industries , the officials said .
Demers said the government has provided a `` safe haven '' for those who are willing to provide assistance to Chinese authorities .
`` In this manner , China has now taken its place , alongside Russia , Iran , and North Korea , in that shameful club of nations that provide a safe haven for cyber criminals in exchange for those criminals being 'on call ' to work for the benefit of the state , '' the Justice Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future ' : AG Barr suggests China is 'stealing the future ' as he pushes Trump administration 's attacks on Beijing The suspects ' alleged targets included high-tech manufacturers , pharmaceutical companies , engineering firms , defense contractors , and the electronic gaming and solar energy industries .
At the same time , according to court documents , the hackers allegedly sought information from individual Chinese dissidents and human rights activists in the United States , China and Hong Kong .
Federal authorities said the suspects , who remain in China and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their activities even as the charges were being disclosed .
`` We are bringing these charges to put Chinese authorities on notice , '' Bowdich said .
The Justice action comes as the Trump administration has been hammering Beijing as a chief adversary in escalating cyber and trade wars .
President Donald Trump also has repeatedly blamed China for not being forthcoming as the country responded to the coronavirus outbreak .
Trump and congressional Republicans also have made criticism of China a major campaign theme for the Nov. 3 election .
Last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decades-old special trade status reserved for Hong Kong and approved bipartisan legislation to impose sanctions on Chinese officials believed to be undermining Hong Kong 's autonomy .
At the same time , administration officials have taken turns in recent weeks pummeling China for targeting U.S. firms for valuable intellectual property .
Attorney General William Barr offered a searing assessment last week , denouncing China as `` stealing the future '' from the next generation of Americans .
During an address in Michigan , he claimed that Beijing was `` engaged in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies in the global marketplace , free and fair competition with China has long been a fantasy , '' he said .

Chinese hackers charged in theft of trade secrets also probed for coronavirus research, DOJ says
Show Caption Hide Caption US: Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research The Justice Department on Tuesday accused two Chinese hackers of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars of trade secrets from companies across the world and more recently targeting firms developing a vaccine for the coronavirus. (July 21) AP
Two Chinese hackers have been accused of stealing trade secrets from hundreds of global targets and, more recently, probing for vulnerabilities in U.S. companies involved in the development of testing, treatments and vaccines to combat the deadly coronavirus.
Assistant Attorney General John Demers, chief of the Justice Department's National Security Division, said that while the suspects' activities resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, there is no evidence to indicate that they had actually obtained virus-related research or slowed the operations of the targeted firms.
Yet as recently as May, federal prosecutors said the hackers had been surveying a California company dealing in coronavirus test kits.
The 11-count indictment charges Ll Xiaoyu, 34, and Dong Jiazhi, 33, in a far-reaching computer intrusion campaign that spanned more than 10 years, leaving a trail of victims in nearly a dozen countries.
The accused hackers, both Chinese citizens, worked for their own benefit and at the direction of Chinese intelligence services, said Demers and FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich. The relationship between criminal hackers and the Chinese government has become increasingly common as China has continued to seek a global economic advantage across industries, the officials said.
Demers said the government has provided a "safe haven" for those who are willing to provide assistance to Chinese authorities.
"In this manner, China has now taken its place, alongside Russia, Iran, and North Korea, in that shameful club of nations that provide a safe haven for cyber criminals in exchange for those criminals being 'on call' to work for the benefit of the state," the Justice Department said in a written statement.
'Stealing the future': AG Barr suggests China is 'stealing the future' as he pushes Trump administration's attacks on Beijing
The suspects' alleged targets included high-tech manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, engineering firms, defense contractors, and the electronic gaming and solar energy industries. At the same time, according to court documents, the hackers allegedly sought information from individual Chinese dissidents and human rights activists in the United States, China and Hong Kong.
Federal authorities said the suspects, who remain in China and out of U.S. reach, were continuing their activities even as the charges were being disclosed.
"We are bringing these charges to put Chinese authorities on notice," Bowdich said.
The Justice action comes as the Trump administration has been hammering Beijing as a chief adversary in escalating cyber and trade wars. President Donald Trump also has repeatedly blamed China for not being forthcoming as the country responded to the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump and congressional Republicans also have made criticism of China a major campaign theme for the Nov. 3 election. Last week,Trump signed an executive order revoking a decades-old special trade status reserved for Hong Kong and approved bipartisan legislation to impose sanctions on Chinese officials believed to be undermining Hong Kong's autonomy.
At the same time, administration officials have taken turns in recent weeks pummeling China for targeting U.S. firms for valuable intellectual property.
Attorney General William Barr offered a searing assessment last week, denouncing China as "stealing the future" from the next generation of Americans.
During an address in Michigan, he claimed that Beijing was "engaged in an economic blitzkrieg."
"For American companies in the global marketplace, free and fair competition with China has long been a fantasy," he said.


usatoday--2020-07-22--Time to get serious about COVID-19 testing

As recently as May , President Donald Trump boasted of how his administration would embark on “ the most advanced and robust testing system anywhere in the world , by far.
” “ My administration ” he said , “ marshaled every resource at our nation ’ s disposal : public , private , military , economic , scientific , and industrial — all at your disposal .
We launched the largest manufacturing ramp-up since the Second World War .
There ’ s been nothing like it since.
” Today , America 's ability to test for COVID-19 is well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in some places it is failing miserably .
In parts of the country that have seen recent upsurges in cases , people are lining up for hours to get tested .
In Phoenix , Equality Health reported car lines earlier this month stretching for miles .
The University of Central Florida reported lines that were `` incredibly long . ''
And the wait time for results can be days , even weeks .
Often this is the result of one or two missing links .
The University of Louisville Hospital , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its testing machines .
That makes these tests virtually worthless and means the United States is unable to replicate one of the chief strategies used by other countries , which is to find people who are infected and isolate them before they can infect others .
South Korea has been especially effective in this regard .
It began ramping up its testing capacity as early as January , when it had just four reported cases , and has remained well ahead of the curve ever since .
To some extent the failures of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall response to COVID-19 .
Testing has increased quite rapidly by any measure .
As of Tuesday more than 48 million had been completed , up from fewer than a million in mid-May .
The problems is that the testing numbers , though up , are struggling to keep up with the rapid increase of new cases , which results largely from people flouting social distancing and declining to wear masks .
But in the testing itself there is failure .
The government has had more than four months since COVID-19 reached the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since it was first identified .
During that time the federal government could have , and should have , thrown more resources at the problem , building up a capacity to test and process results that could be used to supplement local efforts in the hardest hit regions .
It could have been clearer in its messaging to states and private entities that they need to get ready .
While the surge in June and July may have caught some by surprise it has long been understood that new outbreaks were a distinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all levels should be partnering with private companies to ramp up testing and processing capacity .
This is currently being done in a few places around the country , such as in the Greater Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network .
It should be everywhere .
Government should also be transitioning from cumbersome nasal swabs to saliva , a technology that is already commercially available .
This would make the testing itself easier .
It would also open up some possibilities for faster processing of results .
One very promising technique the Trump administration is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this scenario an institution , a school perhaps , collects two samples from all its people .
One is thrown into a common pot with roughly 14 others and they are collectively tested .
If the test comes back negative it essentially amounts to 15 tests for the price of one .
If it comes back positive , the samples are tested individually to find the persons who are infected .
Until there 's a vaccine or cure , rapid-result testing remains a key component of the effort to limit the awful toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the below poll , please refresh your story page :

Time to get serious about COVID-19 testing America's ability to test is well below what is needed. In fact, in some places it is failing miserably: Our view
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: How R-0 can be used to fight COVID-19 R-0 may be the most important scientific term you’ve never heard of when it comes to stopping the coronavirus pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
As recently as May, President Donald Trump boasted of how his administration would embark on “the most advanced and robust testing system anywhere in the world, by far.”
“My administration” he said, “marshaled every resource at our nation’s disposal: public, private, military, economic, scientific, and industrial — all at your disposal. We launched the largest manufacturing ramp-up since the Second World War. There’s been nothing like it since.”
Today, America's ability to test for COVID-19 is well below what is needed. In fact, in some places it is failing miserably.
In parts of the country that have seen recent upsurges in cases, people are lining up for hours to get tested. In Phoenix, Equality Health reported car lines earlier this month stretching for miles. The University of Central Florida reported lines that were "incredibly long."
And the wait time for results can be days, even weeks. Often this is the result of one or two missing links. The University of Louisville Hospital, for instance, reported lacking needed cartridges for its testing machines.
That makes these tests virtually worthless and means the United States is unable to replicate one of the chief strategies used by other countries, which is to find people who are infected and isolate them before they can infect others. South Korea has been especially effective in this regard. It began ramping up its testing capacity as early as January, when it had just four reported cases, and has remained well ahead of the curve ever since.
To some extent the failures of testing are failures of the nation's overall response to COVID-19. Testing has increased quite rapidly by any measure. As of Tuesday more than 48 million had been completed, up from fewer than a million in mid-May.
The problems is that the testing numbers, though up, are struggling to keep up with the rapid increase of new cases, which results largely from people flouting social distancing and declining to wear masks.
But in the testing itself there is failure. The government has had more than four months since COVID-19 reached the United States and more than six months since it was first identified. During that time the federal government could have, and should have, thrown more resources at the problem, building up a capacity to test and process results that could be used to supplement local efforts in the hardest hit regions.
It could have been clearer in its messaging to states and private entities that they need to get ready. While the surge in June and July may have caught some by surprise it has long been understood that new outbreaks were a distinct possibility.
Going forward, governments at all levels should be partnering with private companies to ramp up testing and processing capacity. This is currently being done in a few places around the country, such as in the Greater Seattle Coronavirus Assessment Network. It should be everywhere.
Government should also be transitioning from cumbersome nasal swabs to saliva, a technology that is already commercially available. This would make the testing itself easier. It would also open up some possibilities for faster processing of results.
One very promising technique the Trump administration is belatedly adopting is pooled testing. Under this scenario an institution, a school perhaps, collects two samples from all its people. One is thrown into a common pot with roughly 14 others and they are collectively tested. If the test comes back negative it essentially amounts to 15 tests for the price of one. If it comes back positive, the samples are tested individually to find the persons who are infected.
Until there's a vaccine or cure, rapid-result testing remains a key component of the effort to limit the awful toll from COVID-19.
USA TODAY's editorial opinions are decided by its Editorial Board, separate from the news staff and the USA TODAY Network. Most editorials are coupled with an Opposing View, a unique USA TODAY feature. To read more editorials, go to the Opinion front page or sign up for the daily Opinion email newsletter. To respond to this editorial, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.
If you don't see the below poll, please refresh your story page:


usatoday--2020-07-21--Former CDC chief Tom Frieden says states should make more COVID-19 data easily accessible

To get a better handle on the COVID-19 pandemic , every state in the country should be providing more data , Dr. Tom Frieden , former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said Tuesday .
Frieden is now president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives , an initiative designed to prevent epidemics and cardiovascular disease , which recommended Tuesday that states release 15 categories of information deemed `` essential '' to understanding the pandemic .
The categories include things like a rolling average of new cases and deaths , hospitalizations per capita , testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected people traced within 48 hours , and percentage of people wearing masks in indoor settings such as stores and on mass transit .
No state provides all 15 categories of data , only 40 % of essential data points are being monitored and reported publicly , and half is n't made public at all , Frieden said in a video call with reporters .
`` We 're flying blind on the risk and effectiveness of the response , '' Frieden said in a prepared statement .
`` Data are inconsistent , incomplete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , there are not enough tests for everyone who needs or wants one .
Frieden said state governments should `` be frank about that '' and prioritize testing for vulnerable populations , like hospitalized patients , people who work in meat processing plants , and those in nursing homes , prisons and homeless shelters .
`` That 's the kind of meaningful metric that can help us get ahead of the virus , '' he said , `` not just 'oh we 're going to test another 400,000 so we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The federal government should have required this data months ago , he and others on the call said , but in the absence of national leadership , Resolve to Save Lives decided to step into the void .
`` With clear guidance , we can understand our risk better and improve our response rapidly , '' Frieden said .
`` This information was obtained with taxpayer dollars and we should demand that we have access to the information ... on performance and risk . ''
Dr. Georges Benjamin , the executive director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was also on the call , said uniform and consisted data would provide a `` road map '' for measuring success .
`` We 're trying to give a group of metrics that when taken as a whole give you a real picture of whether or not we 're getting our hands around this epidemic . ''
If Arizona had been keeping data on COVID-like illnesses in late May , for example , it would have gotten an early warning that its cases were about to increase dramatically , said Dr. Cyrus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Team at Resolve to Save Live .
Benjamin added that he wished this data collection had been started in March .
`` We 're way behind the curve , '' he said .
But put in place now , the metrics will eventually provide a better picture of the pandemic in the United States , and guide decisions to help combat it .
Individuals also need this information to make good decisions , said Caitlin RIvers , an epidemiologist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more information we can get out to the public , the better we will be able to do on both an official and individual level , '' she said .
Frieden said the CDC made some mistakes in fighting Ebola , when he ran the agency , but because data was made available , those mistakes were identifiable and fixable .
Data has to be available to inform decision making , Benjamin said .
`` What gets measured , what gets seen , gets done , '' he said .
`` Advocacy groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can figure out where to put the money .
The media can hold us accountable . ''
All the speakers also reinforced the importance of increasing funding for the CDC and supporting the experts who work for government – in an implied slap at the current administration , which has often overlooked its own experts .
`` I still trust the CDC , '' Benjamin said .
`` They have n't stopped being smart .
They have n't stopped being innovative .
They 've been silenced . ''
States should n't be worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them look bad , Frieden and the others said .
`` Bad news does not get better with time , '' Benjamin said .
`` This is not an issue of personal pride .
These numbers save lives .
Making them public saves lives . ''
Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics , Innovation and Competition in Healthcare .
The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input .

Former CDC chief Tom Frieden says states should make more COVID-19 data easily accessible
Show Caption Hide Caption Ex-CDC director warns of outbreaks in five states Former CDC director Tom Frieden warns that at least five states have sharply rising cases of COVID-19 and are headed toward 'big outbreaks.' To slow its spread, he said Americans must wear masks, wash their hands and keep their distance. (June 22) AP
To get a better handle on the COVID-19 pandemic, every state in the country should be providing more data, Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Tuesday.
Frieden is now president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, an initiative designed to prevent epidemics and cardiovascular disease, which recommended Tuesday that states release 15 categories of information deemed "essential" to understanding the pandemic.
The categories include things like a rolling average of new cases and deaths, hospitalizations per capita, testing turnaround time, number of contacts of infected people traced within 48 hours, and percentage of people wearing masks in indoor settings such as stores and on mass transit. No state provides all 15 categories of data, only 40% of essential data points are being monitored and reported publicly, and half isn't made public at all, Frieden said in a video call with reporters.
"We're flying blind on the risk and effectiveness of the response," Frieden said in a prepared statement. "Data are inconsistent, incomplete and inaccessible."
Right now, for example, there are not enough tests for everyone who needs or wants one. Frieden said state governments should "be frank about that" and prioritize testing for vulnerable populations, like hospitalized patients, people who work in meat processing plants, and those in nursing homes, prisons and homeless shelters.
"That's the kind of meaningful metric that can help us get ahead of the virus," he said, "not just 'oh we're going to test another 400,000 so we can say we tested another 400,000.'"
The federal government should have required this data months ago, he and others on the call said, but in the absence of national leadership, Resolve to Save Lives decided to step into the void.
"With clear guidance, we can understand our risk better and improve our response rapidly," Frieden said. "This information was obtained with taxpayer dollars and we should demand that we have access to the information...on performance and risk."
Dr. Georges Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association, who was also on the call, said uniform and consistent data would provide a "road map" for measuring success. "We're trying to give a group of metrics that when taken as a whole give you a real picture of whether or not we're getting our hands around this epidemic."
If Arizona had been keeping data on COVID-like illnesses in late May, for example, it would have gotten an early warning that its cases were about to increase dramatically, said Dr. Cyrus Shahpar, director of the Prevent Epidemics Team at Resolve to Save Live.
Benjamin added that he wished this data collection had been started in March. "We're way behind the curve," he said. But put in place now, the metrics will eventually provide a better picture of the pandemic in the United States, and guide decisions to help combat it.
Individuals also need this information to make good decisions, said Caitlin RIvers, an epidemiologist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, who was also on the call. "The more information we can get out to the public, the better we will be able to do on both an official and individual level," she said.
Frieden said the CDC made some mistakes in fighting Ebola, when he ran the agency, but because data was made available, those mistakes were identifiable and fixable.
Data has to be available to inform decision making, Benjamin said. "What gets measured, what gets seen, gets done," he said. "Advocacy groups can add political pressure, resource allocators can figure out where to put the money. The media can hold us accountable."
All the speakers also reinforced the importance of increasing funding for the CDC and supporting the experts who work for government – in an implied slap at the current administration, which has often overlooked its own experts.
"I still trust the CDC," Benjamin said. "They haven't stopped being smart. They haven't stopped being innovative. They've been silenced."
States shouldn't be worried that making COVID-19 data accessible will make them look bad, Frieden and the others said. "Bad news does not get better with time," Benjamin said. "This is not an issue of personal pride. These numbers save lives. Making them public saves lives."
Contact Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.
Health and patient safety coverage at USA TODAY is made possible in part by a grant from the Masimo Foundation for Ethics, Innovation and Competition in Healthcare. The Masimo Foundation does not provide editorial input.


usatoday--2020-07-21--What we know about Joe Biden's plans to announce his running mate

WASHINGTON – As the month begins to wind down , so does Joe Biden ’ s search for a running mate .
The former vice president ’ s search for his own Joe Biden has been underway for several months .
But there have been few updates on the process since he announced his vice presidential selection committee on April 30 .
One thing we do know : The running mate will be a woman .
At the final Democratic primary debate between Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders in March , Biden committed to having a woman on the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly had roughly a dozen women the campaign was considering .
Here ’ s what we know about Biden ’ s vice presidential search : Biden has said he hopes to name his running mate around Aug. 1 .
Last week , Biden told an Arizona news station his team is doing background checks that should be complete in the next week to 10 days .
Biden added he himself plans to interview the remaining candidates .
`` First thing I want to make sure is I have somebody – and I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the United States if something happens , '' Biden told 12 News , an NBC affiliate based in Phoenix .
Biden ’ s pick will likely be announced before the Democratic National Convention scheduled for mid-August .
The Biden campaign declined to offer an update on the time frame for a decision .
More : Biden says he ’ s had intel briefings , warns of vote meddling Who is still in the running ?
Although there were about a dozen women initially on Biden 's list of possible running mates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several names have come to the forefront over the past couple of weeks as the protests seeking justice for George Floyd , a Minnesota man who died in police custody , have continued across the county .
Sen. Kamala Harris , Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms , Rep. Val Demings of Florida , former National Security Adviser Susan Rice , Sen. Tammy Duckworth and New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham have been reported as top candidates on the former vice president 's short list .
Monday evening during an interview with MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black women are under consideration , but he declined to name the women .
He also said four women have already been vetted , and the list will narrow once the process has been completed .
At the same time , several possible candidates have taken their name out of the running .
Poll : Joe Biden leads Donald Trump by 15 points , his widest margin this year Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said in June that she would remove her name from consideration , saying `` I think this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that ticket . ''
`` If you want to heal this nation right now – my party , yes , but our nation – this is sure a hell of a way to do it , '' Klobuchar said on MSNBC .
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada , who was reportedly in Biden 's `` top 3 '' as a running mate , said in late May that she was taking herself out of the running .
“ It is an honor to be considered as a potential running mate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name from consideration , '' she said in a statement .
Does the running mate choice even matter ?
Vice presidential picks have been often been seen as bringing a strength where the top of the ticket has a weakness , whether that 's influence in a certain battleground state or the ability to attract voters from different age groups .
However , it 's rare that the vice presidential choice is seen as heavily influencing voters .
( Lyndon B. Johnson is often cited as a running mate who did help the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy ended up winning Texas , Johnson 's home state . )
But this year , Biden 's choice is being closely examined by several voting blocs .
Biden is being pressed by several groups to choose a running mate who is a woman of color .
Most recently , the advocacy group She The People outlined concerns about Biden 's outreach to women of color , particularly in battleground states .
One way to help gain support among the crucial voting bloc was for Biden to pick a woman of color as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the People memo stated .
'Wake up call ' : Prominent group warns Biden campaign that it 's falling short on outreach to women of color “ For me , a woman of color is a must , ’ ’ said Aimee Allison , founder and president of She the People .
“ We have a deep bench.
” Black women , in particular , have said they would like to see a Black woman as vice president .
Black women are historically one of the Democratic Party 's most loyal voting blocs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our voting investment in 2020 , '' Glynda Carr , president and CEO of Higher Heights for America , which works to get Black women elected into office , told USA TODAY earlier this year .
`` That is in the form of policies that directly center Black women in our family , and it is about us having seats at all decision-making tables . ''
During Monday 's MSNBC interview , Biden did n't fully commit to picking a Black woman as a running mate .
“ I am not committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve named , and among them are four Black women , ” Biden said .
He added that `` Black women have supported me my entire career . ''
“ You all act like all of a sudden there was an epiphany in South Carolina , '' he said , referencing his primary win that revived his campaign and sent him on the path to dominate Super Tuesday .

What we know about Joe Biden's plans to announce his running mate
Show Caption Hide Caption Joe Biden's vice presidential candidate: 6 possibilities The former vice president will soon begin the process of selecting a running mate as the Democratic primary nears its end. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – As the month begins to wind down, so does Joe Biden’s search for a running mate.
The former vice president’s search for his own Joe Biden has been underway for several months. But there have been few updates on the process since he announced his vice presidential selection committee on April 30.
One thing we do know: The running mate will be a woman. At the final Democratic primary debate between Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders in March, Biden committed to having a woman on the presidential ticket, and at one point he reportedly had roughly a dozen women the campaign was considering.
Here’s what we know about Biden’s vice presidential search:
Announcement expected in early August
Biden has said he hopes to name his running mate around Aug. 1.
Last week, Biden told an Arizona news station his team is doing background checks that should be complete in the next week to 10 days. Biden added he himself plans to interview the remaining candidates.
"First thing I want to make sure is I have somebody – and I think they all are – capable of being president of the United States if something happens," Biden told 12 News, an NBC affiliate based in Phoenix.
Biden’s pick will likely be announced before the Democratic National Convention scheduled for mid-August.
The Biden campaign declined to offer an update on the time frame for a decision.
More: Biden says he’s had intel briefings, warns of vote meddling
Who is still in the running?
Although there were about a dozen women initially on Biden's list of possible running mates, that list has reportedly narrowed. Several names have come to the forefront over the past couple of weeks as the protests seeking justice for George Floyd, a Minnesota man who died in police custody, have continued across the county.
Sen. Kamala Harris, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Rep. Val Demings of Florida, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Sen. Tammy Duckworth and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham have been reported as top candidates on the former vice president's short list.
Monday evening during an interview with MSNBC's Joy Reid, Biden said four Black women are under consideration, but he declined to name the women.
He also said four women have already been vetted, and the list will narrow once the process has been completed.
At the same time, several possible candidates have taken their name out of the running.
Poll: Joe Biden leads Donald Trump by 15 points, his widest margin this year
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said in June that she would remove her name from consideration, saying "I think this is a moment to put a woman of color on that ticket."
"If you want to heal this nation right now – my party, yes, but our nation – this is sure a hell of a way to do it," Klobuchar said on MSNBC.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, who was reportedly in Biden's "top 3" as a running mate, said in late May that she was taking herself out of the running.
“It is an honor to be considered as a potential running mate, but I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration," she said in a statement.
Biden pitches agenda to Black trade unions Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden laid out his agenda for racial and economic justice during an online event with Black trade unionists, telling them "you'll never have a more union friendly president, if I get elected." (July 15) AP
Does the running mate choice even matter?
Vice presidential picks have been often been seen as bringing a strength where the top of the ticket has a weakness, whether that's influence in a certain battleground state or the ability to attract voters from different age groups. However, it's rare that the vice presidential choice is seen as heavily influencing voters. (Lyndon B. Johnson is often cited as a running mate who did help the top of the ticket when John F. Kennedy ended up winning Texas, Johnson's home state.)
But this year, Biden's choice is being closely examined by several voting blocs.
Biden is being pressed by several groups to choose a running mate who is a woman of color. Most recently, the advocacy group She The People outlined concerns about Biden's outreach to women of color, particularly in battleground states. One way to help gain support among the crucial voting bloc was for Biden to pick a woman of color as his running mate, a recent She the People memo stated.
'Wake up call': Prominent group warns Biden campaign that it's falling short on outreach to women of color
“For me, a woman of color is a must,’’ said Aimee Allison, founder and president of She the People. “We have a deep bench.”
Black women, in particular, have said they would like to see a Black woman as vice president. Black women are historically one of the Democratic Party's most loyal voting blocs.
"We are demanding a return on our voting investment in 2020," Glynda Carr, president and CEO of Higher Heights for America, which works to get Black women elected into office, told USA TODAY earlier this year. "That is in the form of policies that directly center Black women in our family, and it is about us having seats at all decision-making tables."
During Monday's MSNBC interview, Biden didn't fully commit to picking a Black woman as a running mate.
“I am not committed to naming any but the people I’ve named, and among them are four Black women,” Biden said.
He added that "Black women have supported me my entire career."
“You all act like all of a sudden there was an epiphany in South Carolina," he said, referencing his primary win that revived his campaign and sent him on the path to dominate Super Tuesday.


usatoday--2020-07-21--Poll: Most Americans don't believe NFL or college football will be played this year

With football season in limbo during the coronavirus pandemic , most Americans don ’ t expect to see NFL or college football games this fall , according to a recent Harris Poll .
Only 32 % think the NFL will have a season and just 24 % think college football will be played , according to data released by The Harris Poll , which said it surveyed 1,970 U.S. adults last weekend .
The poll suggested Americans are pessimistic about the ability of sports leagues play during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis .
Case in point : Only 29 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to finish its season set to start July 30 , and only 45 percent believe MLB will be able to complete its season scheduled to begin Thursday , according to Harris Poll .
The NBA ’ s season will include 22 teams playing eight regular-season games apiece before the playoffs begin and is scheduled to end no later than Oct. 13 .
All 30 MLB teams are set to play a 60-game schedule and the World Series will be complete no later than Oct. 28 , according to the league 's schedule .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they miss watching sports on TV , but gender proved to be a significant factor .
While 58 % of men said they miss watching sports , only 35 % of women shared that sentiment .
OPINION : # BoycottMLB brigade is not the kind of fans baseball wants EXPERTS : As COVID rages on , unlikely Tokyo Olympics can be held in 2021 “ America craves a return to normalcy , and the sports leagues need the fans as much as the fans need to hear the crack of a bat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' John Gerzema , CEO of the Harris Poll , told USA Today via email .
`` But even with quarantine bubbles and daily testing , Americans think the virus may have the final say on if we crown a World Series Champion or see the start of a normal football season this fall.
” Americans essentially were split when asked if they supported NBA players being allowed to put social-justice causes on the backs of their jerseys in lieu of names , with 49 % saying they support the move and 51 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to a followup question , 56 % said they think the move is “ just for PR ” while 44 % say “ it will make an impact.
” Race was a significant factor , with 65 % of Black Americans saying it will have a major impact and 36 % of whites saying it won ’ t , while 64 % of whites said it is just for PR and only 35 % of Black Americans agreed with that .

Poll: Most Americans don't believe NFL or college football will be played this year
Show Caption Hide Caption Is football even possible during a pandemic? Is it worth it? SportsPulse: Between the huddles and collisions there's no escaping the fact that football is a sport that can't avoid close contact. We discuss if the sport is even feasible during a pandemic. USA TODAY
With football season in limbo during the coronavirus pandemic, most Americans don’t expect to see NFL or college football games this fall, according to a recent Harris Poll.
Only 32% think the NFL will have a season and just 24% think college football will be played, according to data released by The Harris Poll, which said it surveyed 1,970 U.S. adults last weekend.
The poll suggested Americans are pessimistic about the ability of sports leagues play during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Case in point: Only 29% of Americans believe the NBA will be able to finish its season set to start July 30, and only 45 percent believe MLB will be able to complete its season scheduled to begin Thursday, according to Harris Poll.
The NBA’s season will include 22 teams playing eight regular-season games apiece before the playoffs begin and is scheduled to end no later than Oct. 13. All 30 MLB teams are set to play a 60-game schedule and the World Series will be complete no later than Oct. 28, according to the league's schedule.
Meanwhile, less than half of Americans say they miss watching sports on TV, but gender proved to be a significant factor. While 58% of men said they miss watching sports, only 35% of women shared that sentiment.
OPINION: NFL, college football will increase strain on COVID-19 testing capacity
OPINION: #BoycottMLB brigade is not the kind of fans baseball wants
EXPERTS: As COVID rages on, unlikely Tokyo Olympics can be held in 2021
“America craves a return to normalcy, and the sports leagues need the fans as much as the fans need to hear the crack of a bat or see a trophy being raised,'' John Gerzema, CEO of the Harris Poll, told USA Today via email. "But even with quarantine bubbles and daily testing, Americans think the virus may have the final say on if we crown a World Series Champion or see the start of a normal football season this fall.”
Americans essentially were split when asked if they supported NBA players being allowed to put social-justice causes on the backs of their jerseys in lieu of names, with 49% saying they support the move and 51% saying they oppose it.
In response to a followup question, 56% said they think the move is “just for PR” while 44% say “it will make an impact.” Race was a significant factor, with 65% of Black Americans saying it will have a major impact and 36% of whites saying it won’t, while 64% of whites said it is just for PR and only 35% of Black Americans agreed with that.


usatoday--2020-07-21--'Anti-feminist lawyer' suspected in shooting at federal judge's home may be suspect in fatal shootin

NORTH BRUNSWICK , N.J. – A men 's rights attorney who is suspected of fatally shooting a federal judge 's son and injuring her husband is being eyed as a possible suspect in the shooting death of a fellow men 's rights attorney in California .
Roy Den Hollander , who was found dead Monday in Sullivan County , New York , is suspected of posing as a FedEx driver , approaching the home of Federal District Court Judge Esther Salas and shooting her husband , defense attorney Mark Anderl , and son , Daniel , 20 , who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking into whether Hollander had any role in the killing of Marc Angelucci , who was killed this month in San Bernardino County , California , a federal law enforcement official told The Associated Press .
The official cautioned the investigation was in its early stages and federal officials were working with homicide detectives .
In both cases , the suspect posed as a delivery driver , the official said .
What we know : The shooting at a federal judge 's home in North Brunswick Investigators are examining Hollander ’ s financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misogynistic screeds he posted online , the official said .
Hollander had a link on his website to a document called `` Girl Jokes '' where a list of sexist jokes were posted .
The official who spoke to the AP could not discuss an ongoing investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity .
Hollander was a self-described “ anti-feminist ” attorney who filed multiple lawsuits challenging what he called unfair treatment of men .
One suit alleged that “ ladies night ” promotions at bars and nightclubs were unconstitutional .
New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in killing of judge 's son

Nick Muscavage, Bridgewater Courier News

'Anti-feminist lawyer' suspected in shooting at federal judge's home may be suspect in fatal shooting of California attorney
Show Caption Hide Caption North Brunswick NJ shooting: federal judge's son killed, husband shot North Brunswick NJ shooting: federal judge's son killed, husband shot at their North Brunswick home. Tanya Breen and Ken Serrano, Bridgewater Courier News
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. – A men's rights attorney who is suspected of fatally shooting a federal judge's son and injuring her husband is being eyed as a possible suspect in the shooting death of a fellow men's rights attorney in California.
Roy Den Hollander, who was found dead Monday in Sullivan County, New York, is suspected of posing as a FedEx driver, approaching the home of Federal District Court Judge Esther Salas and shooting her husband, defense attorney Mark Anderl, and son, Daniel, 20, who died from his injuries.
Federal investigators are looking into whether Hollander had any role in the killing of Marc Angelucci, who was killed this month in San Bernardino County, California, a federal law enforcement official told The Associated Press.
The official cautioned the investigation was in its early stages and federal officials were working with homicide detectives.
In both cases, the suspect posed as a delivery driver, the official said.
What we know: The shooting at a federal judge's home in North Brunswick
Investigators are examining Hollander’s financial and travel records, as well as misogynistic screeds he posted online, the official said.
Hollander had a link on his website to a document called "Girl Jokes" where a list of sexist jokes were posted.
The official who spoke to the AP could not discuss an ongoing investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Hollander was a self-described “anti-feminist” attorney who filed multiple lawsuits challenging what he called unfair treatment of men. One suit alleged that “ladies night” promotions at bars and nightclubs were unconstitutional.
New Jersey shooting:Anti-feminist lawyer is suspect in killing of judge's son
Contributing: The Associated Press
Follow Nick Muscavage on Twitter: @nmuscavage.


usatoday--2020-07-21--Vitamin C sales surge amid COVID-19 pandemic, effectiveness of antioxidant is unknown

Vitamin C for COVID-19 : sales of antioxidant surge amid pandemic Vitamin C has had a surge in popularity amid @ @ @ @ @ though the effectiveness of the antioxidant is unknown .

Vitamin C for COVID-19: sales of antioxidant surge amid pandemic
Vitamin C has had a surge in popularity amid the coronavirus pandemic, even though the effectiveness of the antioxidant is unknown.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-07-21--Vice President Mike Pence `wouldn't hesitate' to send his kids back to school

WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday said he `` would n't hesitate '' to send his own children back to the classroom if they were still school-aged , despite the rise in coronavirus cases in many parts of the country , including in South Carolina where he was speaking .
`` We know to open up America again we need to open up America ’ s schools , but it ’ s also right on the facts , '' Pence said during a discussion with state leaders about reopening .
Pence said the risk to children of getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real costs '' to students not being in the classroom .
The Pences have three adult children .
Second lady Karen Pence , a part-time art teacher who participated in Tuesday 's event , indicated that she is returning to in-person teaching .
Rather than teaching in her own classroom at a Christian elementary school in Virginia , however , Karen Pence said she will be moving `` with a cart , from room to room , because it 's going to keep the kids safer.
`` `` They have their own supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , '' she said .
`` So there are ways that we can make it safe for our kids . ''
The Trump administration has been pushing hard for schools to reopen and President Donald Trump has complained that guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is `` very tough and expensive . ''
After Trump 's criticism earlier this month , Pence said the CDC would be putting out additional guidance .
The update was expected last week .
On Tuesday , Pence said it `` will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was asked at the news conference if the White House task force has discussed what schools should do if a student or teacher dies from COVID-19 .
`` We 're supporting efforts at the state level , and with local schools , to do everything in our power to see that that never happens , '' Pence said .
“ We think we can safely reopen schools . ''
Pence praised South Carolina Gov .
Henry McMaster , saying he was `` 100 % right in making the decision to get our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina . ''
McMaster has called on state Education Superintendent Molly Spearman to reject any local plans that do not include in-person learning , bucking the state Department of Education 's earlier guidance .
The recommendation faced immediate backlash from school leaders and teacher organizations across the state , including the Greenville County Schools , the largest district in South Carolina .
A protester was shouting about public schools as the vice president 's entourage left the University of South Carolina Tuesday .
House Democrats last week complained that the administration would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public hearing to `` provide greater clarity '' on how schools can be safely reopened .
Instead , at the hearing being held Thursday by the House Education and Labor Committee , lawmakers will hear from a superintendent from Dallas , the president of the National Parent Teacher Association ( PTA ) , and a pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases .
Congress still working on next aid : $ 600 unemployment bonus is set to run out in days

Vice President Mike Pence `wouldn't hesitate' to send his kids back to school
Show Caption Hide Caption President Trump believes these CDC school guidelines are too strict President Donald Trump criticizes the CDC guidelines for the upcoming school year. Which includes children, teachers, and staff getting regularly tested. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday said he "wouldn't hesitate" to send his own children back to the classroom if they were still school-aged, despite the rise in coronavirus cases in many parts of the country, including in South Carolina where he was speaking.
"We know to open up America again we need to open up America’s schools, but it’s also right on the facts," Pence said during a discussion with state leaders about reopening.
Pence said the risk to children of getting COVID-19 is low while there are "real costs" to students not being in the classroom.
The Pences have three adult children.
Second lady Karen Pence, a part-time art teacher who participated in Tuesday's event, indicated that she is returning to in-person teaching.
Rather than teaching in her own classroom at a Christian elementary school in Virginia, however, Karen Pence said she will be moving "with a cart, from room to room, because it's going to keep the kids safer. "
"They have their own supplies. I don't set out supplies this year," she said. "So there are ways that we can make it safe for our kids."
The Trump administration has been pushing hard for schools to reopen and President Donald Trump has complained that guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is "very tough and expensive."
After Trump's criticism earlier this month, Pence said the CDC would be putting out additional guidance. The update was expected last week.
On Tuesday, Pence said it "will be forthcoming in the days ahead."
He was asked at the news conference if the White House task force has discussed what schools should do if a student or teacher dies from COVID-19.
"We're supporting efforts at the state level, and with local schools, to do everything in our power to see that that never happens," Pence said. “We think we can safely reopen schools."
Pence praised South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, saying he was "100% right in making the decision to get our kids back in the classroom here in South Carolina."
McMaster has called on state Education Superintendent Molly Spearman to reject any local plans that do not include in-person learning, bucking the state Department of Education's earlier guidance.
The recommendation faced immediate backlash from school leaders and teacher organizations across the state, including the Greenville County Schools, the largest district in South Carolina.
A protester was shouting about public schools as the vice president's entourage left the University of South Carolina Tuesday.
House Democrats last week complained that the administration would not allow CDC officials to testify at a public hearing to "provide greater clarity" on how schools can be safely reopened.
Instead, at the hearing being held Thursday by the House Education and Labor Committee, lawmakers will hear from a superintendent from Dallas, the president of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and a pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases.
Fall without football: Billions lost by colleges, NFL, TV networks, local economies
Congress still working on next aid: $600 unemployment bonus is set to run out in days
COVID-19: Trump to resume coronavirus briefings at the White House President Trump says he'll resume coronavirus briefings at the White House amid the recent spike in cases. USA TODAY
Contributing: Carol Motsinger and Ariel Gilreath, Greenville News.


usatoday--2020-07-21--$600 unemployment bonus is set to run out in days as Congress rushes to negotiate next COVID-19 bill

WASHINGTON – The $ 600 boost millions of Americans receive on top of their weekly unemployment benefits is set to run out as Congress dives into what is likely to be contentious negotiations over the future of the program .
The increased benefits mark one of the most divisive issues on Capitol Hill : Republicans say Americans make more money on unemployment – thus disincentivizing many from returning to work ; Democrats and activists point to the still alarmingly high unemployment rate and argue that slashing the benefits could be dire for families who need them .
The additional $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government is officially set to end July 31 .
States will pay it only through Saturday or Sunday , depending on the state , because unemployment payment schedules end on a Saturday or Sunday and the benefits end July 31 , a Friday .
House Democrats pushed for the $ 600 boost , which bolsters state benefits that average $ 370 a week , to be extended until at least January , but many Republicans on Capitol Hill dubbed the extension a nonstarter and want the program changed or replaced with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy and getting shuttered businesses to rehire laid-off workers .
Members of the Trump administration spent the day meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about the next package and the president 's priorities .
President Donald Trump told reporters he would be briefed later Tuesday evening about the discussions , including the future of the boosted unemployment program .
`` I was against that original decision but they did that .
It still worked out well because it gave people a lifeline , a real lifeline , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in benefits .
`` They 're thinking about doing 70 % of the amount .
The amount would be the same but doing it in a little bit smaller initial amounts so that people will want to go back to work as opposed to making so much money that they really do n't have to . ''
It will end sooner than you think : Think that extra $ 600 in unemployment benefits will last until the end of July ?
Think again Moment of truth on unemployment : Some homeowners expect struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While Democrats have pushed to extend unemployment , many acknowledge that the program may be altered .
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
, said Tuesday the $ 600 amount was n't a `` red line , '' but he wanted a longer-term plan for the program `` to give people confidence and the sense of well-being and security in this very troubled time . ''
The extra weekly payment of $ 600 was part of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act , a $ 1.8 trillion package Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather the economic storm brought by the coronavirus pandemic , which shuttered businesses , slowed spending and erased a staggering 22 million jobs in just two months .
The unemployment rate in June fell to 11.1 % , slightly down from its peak in April when it hit a jarring 14.7 % .
The numbers are a far cry from the 3.5 % rate in February before the pandemic started ravaging the U.S. economy .
Many Democrats and activists pointed to the potential impacts on families should the boosted unemployment benefits end .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortgage borrowers say they or someone in their household receive unemployment benefits , and many are concerned about paying their mortgage once the benefits end , according to a report from LendingTree .
Throughout Tuesday , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows met with leaders on both sides of the U.S. Capitol to hash out the specifics in the next package , which Mnuchin said he hoped to have across the finish line by the end of the month .
`` We just are making a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're determined to get this done by the end of next week . ''
Meadows said the meetings outlined the president 's vision for the next package but were also about `` listening '' to the ideas and concerns from lawmakers .
`` We ’ re very early on in the negotiations and the discussions , '' he said .
`` To put it in a football term , we ’ re on our own 20-yard line . ''
The meetings included one with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats on Capitol Hill .
They were the first formal negotiations between Democrats and the administration over the package .
After the meeting , both Pelosi and Schumer told reporters they needed to see the Republicans ' bill before talks could move forward .
`` We have been united in our priorities , '' Pelosi said , pointing to the bill House Democrats passed in May .
`` I think their delay is their disarray . ''
Since the outbreak first hit the USA , Congress and the White House have approved more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passing a series of bills that provided loans and grants to businesses hurt by the pandemic , relief checks to Americans , expanded unemployment for laid-off workers and funds for increased testing and vaccine research .
It has been months since the last package passed , and there are sharp partisan divisions over the next phase .
There are two COVID Americas .
One hopes for an extension of federal unemployment and coronavirus aid , the other is saving and spending More : After Trump meeting , GOP considers payroll tax cut , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Democrats passed a $ 3 trillion bill in May that includes an extension of the $ 600 increase in unemployment benefits , a second $ 1,200 relief check for individuals and families , about $ 1 trillion for state and local governments , additional worker protections and more money for testing and contact tracing .
Senate Republicans rejected the House bill and are likely to release their own proposal this week .
Among their priorities : more funds for schools to reopen in the fall and liability protections for businesses worried about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their reopened restaurants and shops .
The president outlined his own priorities , namely a payroll tax cut that he argued would boost economic growth .
Republicans have pushed back against the proposal for months , but Mnuchin and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , said Republicans planned to include it .
Including it in the bill is likely to add another hurdle as many congressional Republicans continue to resist such a measure .
South Dakota Sen. John Thune , the No .
2 Republican in the Senate , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that . ''
`` I ’ ve made that pretty clear .
I don ’ t think it ’ s something that changes anyone ’ s behavior and has trust fund implications , '' he said .
`` I just think there are better ways to do it .
”

$600 unemployment bonus is set to run out in days as Congress rushes to negotiate next COVID-19 bill
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump defends his response to coronavirus in Fox News interview President Trump defended his response to coronavirus, including his claims that COVID-19 will "disappear." USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The $600 boost millions of Americans receive on top of their weekly unemployment benefits is set to run out as Congress dives into what is likely to be contentious negotiations over the future of the program.
The increased benefits mark one of the most divisive issues on Capitol Hill: Republicans say Americans make more money on unemployment – thus disincentivizing many from returning to work; Democrats and activists point to the still alarmingly high unemployment rate and argue that slashing the benefits could be dire for families who need them.
The additional $600 in weekly jobless benefits provided by the federal government is officially set to end July 31. States will pay it only through Saturday or Sunday, depending on the state, because unemployment payment schedules end on a Saturday or Sunday and the benefits end July 31, a Friday.
House Democrats pushed for the $600 boost, which bolsters state benefits that average $370 a week, to be extended until at least January, but many Republicans on Capitol Hill dubbed the extension a nonstarter and want the program changed or replaced with a back-to-work incentive in hopes of jump-starting the economy and getting shuttered businesses to rehire laid-off workers.
Members of the Trump administration spent the day meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about the next package and the president's priorities. President Donald Trump told reporters he would be briefed later Tuesday evening about the discussions, including the future of the boosted unemployment program.
"I was against that original decision but they did that. It still worked out well because it gave people a lifeline, a real lifeline," the president said of the $600 boost in benefits. "They're thinking about doing 70% of the amount. The amount would be the same but doing it in a little bit smaller initial amounts so that people will want to go back to work as opposed to making so much money that they really don't have to."
It will end sooner than you think: Think that extra $600 in unemployment benefits will last until the end of July? Think again
Moment of truth on unemployment: Some homeowners expect struggle to pay mortgage when extra unemployment ends
While Democrats have pushed to extend unemployment, many acknowledge that the program may be altered. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Tuesday the $600 amount wasn't a "red line," but he wanted a longer-term plan for the program "to give people confidence and the sense of well-being and security in this very troubled time."
The extra weekly payment of $600 was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, a $1.8 trillion package Congress passed in March to help the nation weather the economic storm brought by the coronavirus pandemic, which shuttered businesses, slowed spending and erased a staggering 22 million jobs in just two months.
The unemployment rate in June fell to 11.1%, slightly down from its peak in April when it hit a jarring 14.7%. The numbers are a far cry from the 3.5% rate in February before the pandemic started ravaging the U.S. economy.
Many Democrats and activists pointed to the potential impacts on families should the boosted unemployment benefits end. Roughly half of millennial and Gen X mortgage borrowers say they or someone in their household receive unemployment benefits, and many are concerned about paying their mortgage once the benefits end, according to a report from LendingTree.
Throughout Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows met with leaders on both sides of the U.S. Capitol to hash out the specifics in the next package, which Mnuchin said he hoped to have across the finish line by the end of the month.
"We just are making a lot of progress," Mnuchin said. "We're determined to get this done by the end of next week."
Meadows said the meetings outlined the president's vision for the next package but were also about "listening" to the ideas and concerns from lawmakers.
"We’re very early on in the negotiations and the discussions," he said. "To put it in a football term, we’re on our own 20-yard line."
The meetings included one with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the two top Democrats on Capitol Hill. They were the first formal negotiations between Democrats and the administration over the package.
After the meeting, both Pelosi and Schumer told reporters they needed to see the Republicans' bill before talks could move forward. "We have been united in our priorities," Pelosi said, pointing to the bill House Democrats passed in May. "I think their delay is their disarray."
Since the outbreak first hit the USA, Congress and the White House have approved more than $3 trillion in aid, passing a series of bills that provided loans and grants to businesses hurt by the pandemic, relief checks to Americans, expanded unemployment for laid-off workers and funds for increased testing and vaccine research. It has been months since the last package passed, and there are sharp partisan divisions over the next phase.
Positive result for 1st US COVID-19 vaccine trial The 1st experimental COVID-19 vaccine in the US revved up people's immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported Tuesday. The vaccine will undergo its most important test later around July 27: a 30,000-person study. (July 14) AP
There are two COVID Americas. One hopes for an extension of federal unemployment and coronavirus aid, the other is saving and spending
More: After Trump meeting, GOP considers payroll tax cut, another relief check in next COVID bill
House Democrats passed a $3 trillion bill in May that includes an extension of the $600 increase in unemployment benefits, a second $1,200 relief check for individuals and families, about $1 trillion for state and local governments, additional worker protections and more money for testing and contact tracing.
Senate Republicans rejected the House bill and are likely to release their own proposal this week. Among their priorities: more funds for schools to reopen in the fall and liability protections for businesses worried about being sued by customers who contract COVID-19 in their reopened restaurants and shops.
The president outlined his own priorities, namely a payroll tax cut that he argued would boost economic growth. Republicans have pushed back against the proposal for months, but Mnuchin and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said Republicans planned to include it.
Including it in the bill is likely to add another hurdle as many congressional Republicans continue to resist such a measure.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said he was "not a fan of that."
"I’ve made that pretty clear. I don’t think it’s something that changes anyone’s behavior and has trust fund implications," he said. "I just think there are better ways to do it.”


usatoday--2020-07-21--'It's affecting every single bit of my job': Coronavirus, police reform create hurdles in race for c

WASHINGTON – Rich McCormick is balancing two different crises .
He spends his nights as an emergency room doctor , intubating patients as his hospital and others across the nation continue to feel the wrath of COVID-19 .
During the day , he make his pitch to voters in the suburbs of Atlanta , hoping to hold a House seat for Republicans in what had been rated one of the most competitive races in the country .
Republicans are banking on candidates like McCormick to take back the House from Democrats , but a barrage of crises have made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only a few months ago that Republicans were bullish on their chances of retaking the House .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , a progressive boogeyman that Republicans hoped could help their hand , was ahead in the presidential primary race .
The economy was expanding , and unemployment rates were falling to all-time lows .
And House Democrats were focused on impeachment , an act that led to one member changing parties to become a Republican .
But less than four months until November , a lot has changed .
The dozen or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House majority appear to be falling further from their grasp as the coronavirus continues to spread across the globe and a host of polls show President Donald Trump struggling against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden amid a national reckoning with racism and policing .
Republicans have their sights specifically set on 54 House seats across the country .
The districts include about 30 that were won by Trump in 2016 but turned blue in the midterms .
Democrats now control 233 seats out of the chamber ’ s 435 .
Over the months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country and its politics , forcing political newcomers and incumbents in swing districts to adapt .
Challengers are struggling to break out in while they campaign via town halls recorded in their homes , and incumbents in swing districts are walking a tightrope on addressing some of the most controversial political issues , including Trump 's performance .
`` It ’ s almost like the perfect storm , '' said Dennis Goldford , a political science professor at Drake University in Des Moines .
`` The economy , the virus , the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important election . ''
Election lawsuits : Record pace of lawsuits amid COVID-19 pandemic as results decide who votes and how Nov. 3 Economic downturn : There are two COVID Americas .
One hopes for an extension of federal unemployment and stimulus .
The other is saving and spending .
In early spring , Rep. Cindy Axne , D-Iowa , called around to small businesses in her district eager to hear how they were coping as the coronavirus pandemic closed businesses across the country .
One shuttered restaurant owner in Des Moines was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Axne dialed up the head of the state ’ s Small Business Administration .
The three worked it out together on the phone .
“ I said , ‘ We 're going to solve this right now.
’ And so that 's how you get things done .
You do n't ever drop the ball for your constituents , especially when we 're going through a time like this , ” Axne told USA TODAY .
Axne was part of the `` blue wave '' in 2018 that allowed Democrats to take control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican incumbent Rep. David Young , who is running again to reclaim his seat .
For Axne and other swing-district Democrats fighting to keep their seats , the coronavirus has created an unusual situation .
And for freshmen lawmakers , the first reelection battle is often the hardest .
The election marks the first time freshman incumbents have to defend their record , proving their victory was not a fluke and they have real staying power .
But honing in on those constituent connections has been particularly difficult this year with the elimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spotlight on how lawmakers have handled the upheaval gripping the nation .
“ It 's absolutely shifted so much of my life in this position , from the work and how we conduct work on the official side , to campaigning , ” Axne said .
“ It 's affecting every single bit of my job as I represent Iowans and as I go out to try and earn their votes this fall.
” Throughout the pandemic , like much of her time in Congress , Axne has tried to appeal to both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently criticized Iowa ’ s Republican Gov .
Kim Reynolds for not declaring a stay-at-home order and has spoken out about coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants .
But she has also put herself at odds with fellow Democrats , voting against a Democratic-led COVID-19 emergency package she argued would “ waste taxpayer dollars.
” “ This virus issue complicates the landscape for people like Axne , ” Goldford said .
“ It basically complicates what is already a complicated reelection bid.
” Goldford explained that in times of crisis , typically the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to even more partisan lines being drawn , a problem for those in swing districts where hardline partisanship doesn ’ t play well .
Politicization is only one of the extra hurdles facing front-line members as campaigning has been turned upside down .
Rep. Cheri Bustos , D-Ill. , chairwoman of the Democrats ’ House campaign arm , noted they have shifted their hiring to focus on digital and virtual outreach .
`` I think things are very different now .
We have to campaign in a different way .
And we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a different way '' she said in an interview .
She noted efforts to mobilize volunteers working from home and mobile director hires dispatched to campaigns across the country in hopes of increasing virtual efforts .
`` We know this moment that we are living in right now and we ’ re adjusting to it , '' Bustos added .
She said the virus has opened a door for Democrats to focus even more heavily on health care – an issue the party credits with helping them gain the majority in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're the party that is fighting for health care while they become this party encouraging drinking bleach .
I mean , there 's just this clear , clear contrast . ''
Portland protests : Portland protests spur House Democrats to call for probe into use of federal officers against protesters COVID-19 vaccine development : At least 120,000 Americans are needed to test COVID-19 vaccines .
A 'very encouraging ' 107,000 are so far signed up .
It 's not just incumbents who are finding campaigning difficult .
Candidates trying to knock out incumbents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The battleground districts of 2020 vary significantly from the last cycle .
Democrats won many of the seats considered the most competitive in 2018 , so this time , many Democrats are aiming to win seats in redder territory .
But Democrats also are on the defensive in many House districts .
Only three congressional districts won by Hillary Clinton in 2016 are represented by Republicans , and 31 districts won by Trump are represented by Democrats .
More:24 hours in a COVID-19 hot spot leaves no walk of life unscathed .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's crucial for the GOP to break out in these races .
McCormick , the emergency room doctor running in the Atlanta suburbs , says he has resumed some in-person campaign events and meetings , albeit socially distanced .
`` Different people take risks all the time , '' he said .
His campaign was holding events based on the level of comfort people had .
`` We really tried to adapt to every situation given each individual .
What we 've tried to do is also accommodate people in their own environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant going to a synagogue and handing out masks before an event , or holding events through Zoom for those who were uncomfortable with in-person events .
While Republicans are battling an uphill road in races across the country , some have expressed optimism after a surprise win in California 's 25th district in a May special election – the first time the GOP has turned a California district from blue to red in more than 20 years .
Rep. Tom Emmer , R-Minn. , and chairman of House Republicans ' campaign arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said there were dozens of districts where Republicans appear even better positioned to take back seats .
`` After a win in California 's 25th District , which is the suburbs of Los Angeles , I would tell you two things : If we can win in the suburbs of Los Angeles , we can and will win everywhere we need to in the fall , '' he said .
`` In fact , we now have 43 Democrats sitting in seats that are actually better positioned for Republican candidates than California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment with the coronavirus continuing to hit states and the heightened tensions over race and the president 's response but said Republicans were adjusting .
He attacked Democrats ' plans to focus on health care , saying that the party has done `` nothing '' over the past two years to act on their promises .
`` I hope they 've run on their lack of achievement in not only health care but everything else , because all they 've ever done for the last three years plus is try to impeach this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also tied Democrats to the push to defund the police in the aftermath of George Floyd 's death in Minneapolis .
`` I do think that 's going to be on the ballot because I do think the majority of Americans , if not all of us , want to be safe and secure in our home , '' Emmer said .
Sri Kulkarni , a Democrat running in Texas ' 22nd Congressional District , which sits in the south-central suburbs of Houston , said in an interview that he is relying on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own social networks , repeating strategies from his previous run for the seat in 2018 .
The district is seen by Democrats as a pickup opportunity as the district has become more racially diverse and affluent .
The retiring incumbent , Rep. Pete Olson , only won by five percentage points in 2018 when Trump won by 8 points in 2016 , and Romney won nearly two-thirds of the vote in 2012 .
Kulkarni 's campaign has not yet returned in-person events as coronavirus cases spiked in the Houston area , so every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual campaign academy '' to learn how to leverage their own tightly-knit networks , like Vietnamese or Chinese immigrants , Gujarati speakers , or Sunni Muslims .
Other candidates are looking on the bright side of virtual campaigning .
Carolyn Bourdeaux , a college professor running against McCormick as a Democrat in the for the Georgia U.S. House seat , said the pandemic gave her campaign an opportunity to reach out to more young people as internships and summer work dried up .
Bourdeaux ran for the seat in 2018 and only lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , she was confident she could close the gap .
The young people working with her campaign helped her launch an app called `` Electify '' to help people get involved with the campaign through their smartphones , and she launched a weekly Facebook Live show over Zoom called `` Carolyn 's Corner '' featuring conversations with local leaders and constituents .
`` We have over 40 interns , fellows , and organizers , and they help with really massive outreach effort , '' she said .

Christal Hayes and Nicholas Wu, USA TODAY

'It's affecting every single bit of my job': Coronavirus, police reform create hurdles in race for control of House
Show Caption Hide Caption 3 million COVID-19 cases isn't stopping US from reopening Managing pandemic has become a political issue, as US struggles to keep cases from growing. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Rich McCormick is balancing two different crises.
He spends his nights as an emergency room doctor, intubating patients as his hospital and others across the nation continue to feel the wrath of COVID-19. During the day, he make his pitch to voters in the suburbs of Atlanta, hoping to hold a House seat for Republicans in what had been rated one of the most competitive races in the country.
Republicans are banking on candidates like McCormick to take back the House from Democrats, but a barrage of crises have made the path to victory increasingly difficult.
It was only a few months ago that Republicans were bullish on their chances of retaking the House. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a progressive boogeyman that Republicans hoped could help their hand, was ahead in the presidential primary race. The economy was expanding, and unemployment rates were falling to all-time lows. And House Democrats were focused on impeachment, an act that led to one member changing parties to become a Republican.
But less than four months until November, a lot has changed.
The dozen or so seats Republicans need to take the House majority appear to be falling further from their grasp as the coronavirus continues to spread across the globe and a host of polls show President Donald Trump struggling against presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden amid a national reckoning with racism and policing.
Republicans have their sights specifically set on 54 House seats across the country. The districts include about 30 that were won by Trump in 2016 but turned blue in the midterms. Democrats now control 233 seats out of the chamber’s 435.
Over the months, crisis after crisis has rattled the country and its politics, forcing political newcomers and incumbents in swing districts to adapt. Challengers are struggling to break out in while they campaign via town halls recorded in their homes, and incumbents in swing districts are walking a tightrope on addressing some of the most controversial political issues, including Trump's performance.
"It’s almost like the perfect storm," said Dennis Goldford, a political science professor at Drake University in Des Moines. "The economy, the virus, the police issue all leading up to one very important election."
Election lawsuits: Record pace of lawsuits amid COVID-19 pandemic as results decide who votes and how Nov. 3
Economic downturn: There are two COVID Americas. One hopes for an extension of federal unemployment and stimulus. The other is saving and spending.
Virus 'complicates' incumbent races
In early spring, Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, called around to small businesses in her district eager to hear how they were coping as the coronavirus pandemic closed businesses across the country. One shuttered restaurant owner in Des Moines was having trouble accessing a loan, so Axne dialed up the head of the state’s Small Business Administration. The three worked it out together on the phone.
“I said, ‘We're going to solve this right now.’ And so that's how you get things done. You don't ever drop the ball for your constituents, especially when we're going through a time like this,” Axne told USA TODAY.
Axne was part of the "blue wave" in 2018 that allowed Democrats to take control of the House. She beat out Republican incumbent Rep. David Young, who is running again to reclaim his seat.
For Axne and other swing-district Democrats fighting to keep their seats, the coronavirus has created an unusual situation. And for freshmen lawmakers, the first reelection battle is often the hardest. The election marks the first time freshman incumbents have to defend their record, proving their victory was not a fluke and they have real staying power.
But honing in on those constituent connections has been particularly difficult this year with the elimination of traditional in-person campaigning and a bright spotlight on how lawmakers have handled the upheaval gripping the nation.
“It's absolutely shifted so much of my life in this position, from the work and how we conduct work on the official side, to campaigning,” Axne said. “It's affecting every single bit of my job as I represent Iowans and as I go out to try and earn their votes this fall.”
Throughout the pandemic, like much of her time in Congress, Axne has tried to appeal to both partisan branches of her constituency. She frequently criticized Iowa’s Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds for not declaring a stay-at-home order and has spoken out about coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants. But she has also put herself at odds with fellow Democrats, voting against a Democratic-led COVID-19 emergency package she argued would “waste taxpayer dollars.”
“This virus issue complicates the landscape for people like Axne,” Goldford said. “It basically complicates what is already a complicated reelection bid.”
Goldford explained that in times of crisis, typically the country comes together. But the coronavirus has led to even more partisan lines being drawn, a problem for those in swing districts where hardline partisanship doesn’t play well.
Politicization is only one of the extra hurdles facing front-line members as campaigning has been turned upside down. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., chairwoman of the Democrats’ House campaign arm, noted they have shifted their hiring to focus on digital and virtual outreach.
"I think things are very different now. We have to campaign in a different way. And we have to communicate with people we represent in a different way" she said in an interview.
She noted efforts to mobilize volunteers working from home and mobile director hires dispatched to campaigns across the country in hopes of increasing virtual efforts.
"We know this moment that we are living in right now and we’re adjusting to it," Bustos added. She said the virus has opened a door for Democrats to focus even more heavily on health care – an issue the party credits with helping them gain the majority in the House two years ago. "We're the party that is fighting for health care while they become this party encouraging drinking bleach. I mean, there's just this clear, clear contrast."
Portland protests: Portland protests spur House Democrats to call for probe into use of federal officers against protesters
COVID-19 vaccine development: At least 120,000 Americans are needed to test COVID-19 vaccines. A 'very encouraging' 107,000 are so far signed up.
Political newcomers work to break out
It's not just incumbents who are finding campaigning difficult. Candidates trying to knock out incumbents are also facing an unprecedented challenge.
The battleground districts of 2020 vary significantly from the last cycle. Democrats won many of the seats considered the most competitive in 2018, so this time, many Democrats are aiming to win seats in redder territory.
But Democrats also are on the defensive in many House districts. Only three congressional districts won by Hillary Clinton in 2016 are represented by Republicans, and 31 districts won by Trump are represented by Democrats.
More: 24 hours in a COVID-19 hot spot leaves no walk of life unscathed. This is what it's like.
It's crucial for the GOP to break out in these races.
McCormick, the emergency room doctor running in the Atlanta suburbs, says he has resumed some in-person campaign events and meetings, albeit socially distanced.
"Different people take risks all the time," he said. His campaign was holding events based on the level of comfort people had.
"We really tried to adapt to every situation given each individual. What we've tried to do is also accommodate people in their own environment," he said, whether that meant going to a synagogue and handing out masks before an event, or holding events through Zoom for those who were uncomfortable with in-person events.
While Republicans are battling an uphill road in races across the country, some have expressed optimism after a surprise win in California's 25th district in a May special election – the first time the GOP has turned a California district from blue to red in more than 20 years. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and chairman of House Republicans' campaign arm, touted the win in an interview and said there were dozens of districts where Republicans appear even better positioned to take back seats.
"After a win in California's 25th District, which is the suburbs of Los Angeles, I would tell you two things: If we can win in the suburbs of Los Angeles, we can and will win everywhere we need to in the fall," he said. "In fact, we now have 43 Democrats sitting in seats that are actually better positioned for Republican candidates than California 25.”
Emmer acknowledged the shifting campaign environment with the coronavirus continuing to hit states and the heightened tensions over race and the president's response but said Republicans were adjusting.
He attacked Democrats' plans to focus on health care, saying that the party has done "nothing" over the past two years to act on their promises. "I hope they've run on their lack of achievement in not only health care but everything else, because all they've ever done for the last three years plus is try to impeach this president," Emmer said.
Emmer also tied Democrats to the push to defund the police in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis. "I do think that's going to be on the ballot because I do think the majority of Americans, if not all of us, want to be safe and secure in our home," Emmer said.
Sri Kulkarni, a Democrat running in Texas' 22nd Congressional District, which sits in the south-central suburbs of Houston, said in an interview that he is relying on "relational organizing" among volunteers' own social networks, repeating strategies from his previous run for the seat in 2018.
The district is seen by Democrats as a pickup opportunity as the district has become more racially diverse and affluent. The retiring incumbent, Rep. Pete Olson, only won by five percentage points in 2018 when Trump won by 8 points in 2016, and Romney won nearly two-thirds of the vote in 2012.
Kulkarni's campaign has not yet returned in-person events as coronavirus cases spiked in the Houston area, so every Sunday, his campaign holds a "virtual campaign academy" to learn how to leverage their own tightly-knit networks, like Vietnamese or Chinese immigrants, Gujarati speakers, or Sunni Muslims.
Other candidates are looking on the bright side of virtual campaigning. Carolyn Bourdeaux, a college professor running against McCormick as a Democrat in the for the Georgia U.S. House seat, said the pandemic gave her campaign an opportunity to reach out to more young people as internships and summer work dried up.
Bourdeaux ran for the seat in 2018 and only lost by about 400 votes. But this time, she was confident she could close the gap.
The young people working with her campaign helped her launch an app called "Electify" to help people get involved with the campaign through their smartphones, and she launched a weekly Facebook Live show over Zoom called "Carolyn's Corner" featuring conversations with local leaders and constituents.
"We have over 40 interns, fellows, and organizers, and they help with really massive outreach effort," she said.