dailysignal--2020-11-09--George W. Bush Congratulates Joe Biden, Says Donald Trump Has Right to Request Recounts

Former President George W. Bush congratulated former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate , Kamala Harris , in a statement Sunday after several outlets projected the Democrats ’ election victory .
Bush also congratulated President Donald Trump and his supporters for their “ hard-fought campaign ” and for earning more than 70 million votes .
Multiple outlets , including Fox News and The Associated Press , projected Biden ’ s win , though the Trump campaign is fighting several legal battles regarding election results .
“ Though we have political differences , I know Joe Biden to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his opportunity to lead and unify our country , ” Bush said in the statement .
“ The President-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat , he will govern for all Americans.
” Bush extended an offer of prayers for Biden ’ s success and pledged to help in any way he could .
Bush said the voter turnout for this election shows a healthy democracy .
“ President Trump has the right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges , and any unresolved issues will be properly adjudicated , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can have confidence that this election was fundamentally fair , its integrity will be upheld , and its outcome is clear.
” Bush urged unity for all Americans to extend their best to Biden and Harris .
“ There is no problem that will not yield to the gathered will of a free people , ” Bush said .
“ Laura and I pray for our leaders and their families .
We ask for God ’ s continued blessings on our country.
” The George W. Bush Presidential Center did not immediately respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s request for comment .
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Former President George W. Bush congratulated former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, in a statement Sunday after several outlets projected the Democrats’ election victory.
Bush also congratulated President Donald Trump and his supporters for their “hard-fought campaign” and for earning more than 70 million votes. Multiple outlets, including Fox News and The Associated Press, projected Biden’s win, though the Trump campaign is fighting several legal battles regarding election results.
“Though we have political differences, I know Joe Biden to be a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country,” Bush said in the statement. “The President-elect reiterated that while he ran as a Democrat, he will govern for all Americans.”
Bush extended an offer of prayers for Biden’s success and pledged to help in any way he could. Bush said the voter turnout for this election shows a healthy democracy.
“President Trump has the right to request recounts and pursue legal challenges, and any unresolved issues will be properly adjudicated,” Bush said. “The American people can have confidence that this election was fundamentally fair, its integrity will be upheld, and its outcome is clear.”
JUST IN: Former President George W. Bush says he has called Joe Biden to congratulate him on his election victory. https://t.co/g31lrZcB3W — Axios (@axios) November 8, 2020
Bush urged unity for all Americans to extend their best to Biden and Harris.
“There is no problem that will not yield to the gathered will of a free people,” Bush said. “Laura and I pray for our leaders and their families. We ask for God’s continued blessings on our country.”
The George W. Bush Presidential Center did not immediately respond to The Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities for this original content, email licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


dailysignal--2020-11-09--Pfizer’s Coronavirus Vaccine Over 90% Effective, Company Says

A promising coronavirus vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech , a German biotechnology firm , was over 90 % effective compared to a placebo injection and did not produce any safety concerns , according to an analysis by a third-party data monitoring committee .
“ I would say it ’ s a historical moment , ” said Kathrin Jansen , Pfizer ’ s head of vaccine research and development .
“ First of all , the world was faced with such a terrible situation , the pandemic , and being able in such a short time to go through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that at the interim analysis we are over 90 % effective—it was almost stunning to hear , ” she told The Washington Post .
In the company ’ s nearly 44,000-person trial , only 94 cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , were recorded .
Fewer than nine were from those who received two doses of the vaccine , according to the report .
Though there were no serious safety concerns , some infrequent side effects reported included fatigue , chills , and fever , though they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report said .
Pfizer ’ s announcement is optimistic news as coronavirus cases surge in many states across the United States .
The U.S. passed 10 million confirmed COVID-19 cases Sunday , fueled by consecutive days of over 100,000 new cases , according to a Johns Hopkins University database .
The two companies said that they plan to apply for emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration later this month once they complete two months of safety follow-up data and data on their manufacturing process .
The report is especially promising since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own regulatory bar , which required a vaccine to be at least 50 % effective , according to the Post .
The vaccine requires two doses given three weeks apart , and the companies said that they hope to develop enough doses for 25 million people by the end of 2020 and approximately 650 million people by the end of 2021 .
Unlike other pharmaceutical companies , Pfizer did not partner with Operation Warp Speed , the U.S. government ’ s initiative to fund and develop an effective coronavirus vaccine as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 billion and then signed a $ 1.95 billion federal contract to provide 100 million doses to Americans , assuming its vaccine proved effective .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities for this original content , email [ email protected ] .

A promising coronavirus vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, a German biotechnology firm, was over 90% effective compared to a placebo injection and did not produce any safety concerns, according to an analysis by a third-party data monitoring committee.
“I would say it’s a historical moment,” said Kathrin Jansen, Pfizer’s head of vaccine research and development. “First of all, the world was faced with such a terrible situation, the pandemic, and being able in such a short time to go through what usually takes many years. Hearing that at the interim analysis we are over 90% effective—it was almost stunning to hear,” she told The Washington Post.
In the company’s nearly 44,000-person trial, only 94 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, were recorded. Fewer than nine were from those who received two doses of the vaccine, according to the report.
Though there were no serious safety concerns, some infrequent side effects reported included fatigue, chills, and fever, though they were more common in younger participants, the report said.
Pfizer’s announcement is optimistic news as coronavirus cases surge in many states across the United States. The U.S. passed 10 million confirmed COVID-19 cases Sunday, fueled by consecutive days of over 100,000 new cases, according to a Johns Hopkins University database.
The two companies said that they plan to apply for emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration later this month once they complete two months of safety follow-up data and data on their manufacturing process.
The report is especially promising since it far exceeds the FDA’s own regulatory bar, which required a vaccine to be at least 50% effective, according to the Post.
The vaccine requires two doses given three weeks apart, and the companies said that they hope to develop enough doses for 25 million people by the end of 2020 and approximately 650 million people by the end of 2021.
Unlike other pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer did not partner with Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. government’s initiative to fund and develop an effective coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible. Instead, Pfizer spent $2 billion and then signed a $1.95 billion federal contract to provide 100 million doses to Americans, assuming its vaccine proved effective.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities for this original content, email licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


dailysignal--2020-11-11--After the Election, the Left Demands Purges

Joe Biden is calling for unity following the 2020 presidential election , but it ’ s clear that many of the former vice president ’ s supporters view postelection unity as something to create by force and intimidation .
That sort of unity is enforced by ruthless institutional pressure and cancel culture .
It ’ s a tactic that the left already uses through its power in America ’ s elite institutions , but is looking to redouble if it indeed captures the presidency and the executive branch .
Numerous liberals and left-wingers have demanded punishment of anyone who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally supported President Donald Trump .
Some want to destroy the Republican Party .
“ You can ’ t heal or reform the GOP who are now an extremist party , ” Wajahat Ali , a contributing writer for The New York Times , said on Twitter .
“ They have to be broken , burned down and rebuilt .
When Biden is in power treat them like the active threats to democracy they are .
If those who committed crimes aren ’ t punished then they will be more emboldened.
” Clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much for some to bear .
It was no surprise to see openly socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , sound exactly like other socialists in history when they ’ ve amassed power .
In other words , the nice-sounding “ democratic ” part of socialism gets dropped for the purer variety .
That is the true face of socialism , at its core .
Socialism is not just about higher taxes , redistribution of wealth , and a generous welfare state .
To fulfill its true aims , it requires an enforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonder so many Venezuelan immigrants , many of whom escaped the brutal socialist regimes of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro , voted for Trump .
But it isn ’ t just fringe radicals calling for purges .
It ’ s “ moderates ” and mainstream liberals too .
Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin , who used to call herself a “ conservative , ” has demanded a “ list ” of all those who think election fraud may have had a significant impact on the presidential election .
One wonders if it ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would mean , if we apply this standard consistently , for those in the media who pursued the debunked Russia collusion accusation from 2016 for the past four years ?
In that case , Rubin would very much be on the list .
Perhaps most disturbing of all is the newly created Trump Accountability Project , which aims to catalog every person who ever worked for the Trump administration , even in the smallest and most indirect ways .
Various Democratic staffers and Twitter blue check marks touted this project .
The Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been privatized but may be found in archives , explains that the Trump administration was so monstrous that any of those associated with it must be prevented from “ profiting from their experience , ” an ambiguous but ominous phrase in context .
So , who made the Trump Accountability Project ’ s list ?
Jordan Davidson at The Federalist spells out the categories of people compiled on one of the website ’ s documents : Even those who turned on Trump are to be deemed complicit .
Regardless of how the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetoric and action literally days after Election Day demonstrates how important it is not to give the left every lever of governmental power .
The message they are sending Americans who don ’ t agree with them is “ Join us , or else.
” It shouldn ’ t be a surprise to see such a movement appear .
Unpersoning political “ enemies ” is entirely in line with the ideology of a militant left that increasingly is becoming mainstream and normalized .
And liberal institutions , one after another , are buckling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far left for conformity and enforced solidarity .
Predictably , the mob no longer is just interested in the statues of long dead figures of America ’ s past .
They are coming for you , and a generous slice of the American “ elite ” apparently is happy to relent and give them their way .

Joe Biden is calling for unity following the 2020 presidential election, but it’s clear that many of the former vice president’s supporters view postelection unity as something to create by force and intimidation.
That sort of unity is enforced by ruthless institutional pressure and cancel culture. It’s a tactic that the left already uses through its power in America’s elite institutions, but is looking to redouble if it indeed captures the presidency and the executive branch.
Numerous liberals and left-wingers have demanded punishment of anyone who has worked for, allied with, or generally supported President Donald Trump.
Some want to destroy the Republican Party.
“You can’t heal or reform the GOP who are now an extremist party,” Wajahat Ali, a contributing writer for The New York Times, said on Twitter. “They have to be broken, burned down and rebuilt. When Biden is in power treat them like the active threats to democracy they are. If those who committed crimes aren’t punished then they will be more emboldened.”
Clearly, a two-party system is just too much for some to bear.
It was no surprise to see openly socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., sound exactly like other socialists in history when they’ve amassed power.
In other words, the nice-sounding “democratic” part of socialism gets dropped for the purer variety.
Is anyone archiving these Trump sycophants for when they try to downplay or deny their complicity in the future? I foresee decent probability of many deleted Tweets, writings, photos in the future — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 6, 2020
That is the true face of socialism, at its core. Socialism is not just about higher taxes, redistribution of wealth, and a generous welfare state. To fulfill its true aims, it requires an enforced equality that defies human nature.
No wonder so many Venezuelan immigrants, many of whom escaped the brutal socialist regimes of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro, voted for Trump.
But it isn’t just fringe radicals calling for purges. It’s “moderates” and mainstream liberals too.
Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin, who used to call herself a “conservative,” has demanded a “list” of all those who think election fraud may have had a significant impact on the presidential election.
Any R now promoting rejection of an election or calling to not to follow the will of voters or making baseless allegations of fraud should never serve in office, join a corporate board, find a faculty position or be accepted into "polite" society. We have a list. — Jennifer 'the people have decided' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) November 6, 2020
One wonders if it ever crossed Rubin’s mind what it would mean, if we apply this standard consistently, for those in the media who pursued the debunked Russia collusion accusation from 2016 for the past four years?
In that case, Rubin would very much be on the list.
Perhaps most disturbing of all is the newly created Trump Accountability Project, which aims to catalog every person who ever worked for the Trump administration, even in the smallest and most indirect ways.
Various Democratic staffers and Twitter blue check marks touted this project.
The Trump Accountability Project website, which since has been privatized but may be found in archives, explains that the Trump administration was so monstrous that any of those associated with it must be prevented from “profiting from their experience,” an ambiguous but ominous phrase in context.
So, who made the Trump Accountability Project’s list?
Jordan Davidson at The Federalist spells out the categories of people compiled on one of the website’s documents:
Tabs on the document separate those listed into categories such as ‘Campaign Staff,’ ‘Administration,’ ‘Appointees,’ ‘Donors,’ ‘Law Firms,’ ‘Endorsers’ and ‘Denouncers.’ The ‘Administration’ tab contained names of senior advisors in the White House all the way down to ‘Chief Calligrapher.’ Under ‘Denouncers,’ the project listed Miles Taylor, the low-level bureaucrat [and] anonymous source published and promoted by the New York Times as a ‘senior administration official.’
Even those who turned on Trump are to be deemed complicit.
Regardless of how the presidential contest turns out, this sort of rhetoric and action literally days after Election Day demonstrates how important it is not to give the left every lever of governmental power.
The message they are sending Americans who don’t agree with them is “Join us, or else.”
It shouldn’t be a surprise to see such a movement appear. Unpersoning political “enemies” is entirely in line with the ideology of a militant left that increasingly is becoming mainstream and normalized.
And liberal institutions, one after another, are buckling and relenting to the demands of the far left for conformity and enforced solidarity.
Predictably, the mob no longer is just interested in the statues of long dead figures of America’s past. They are coming for you, and a generous slice of the American “elite” apparently is happy to relent and give them their way.


dailysignal--2020-11-10--Press’ Premature Biden Celebration Fuels American Mistrust

When residents in Washington , D.C. , heard the media call the election for Joe Biden , they erupted in celebration—whooping and hollering , banging pots together on their front steps , honking car horns , and generally behaving as if Munchkin Land had been freed from the wicked witch .
The media , too , gleefully danced upon President Donald Trump ’ s alleged political grave .
The Associated Press , which sets the standards for journalistic writing and distributes stories widely for recirculation in other outlets , ran pro-Biden propaganda in what it claimed to be a straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily edited , but the original version editorialized : Journalism is supposed to be about reporting the facts .
Notice how these “ reporters ” instead impute motives to the candidates—good motives to Biden and bad motives to Trump .
Before the election , mainstream media organizations published polls so inaccurate they seemed designed to influence the outcome more than project it .
For example , an ABC News-Washington Post poll showed Biden leading by 17 percentage points in Wisconsin less than a week before the election ; Biden currently leads Wisconsin by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to predict as the weather , but that ’ s like predicting a sunny afternoon during a hurricane .
Perhaps the media “ calling ” the election for Biden is designed to influence the outcome in the same way .
Or perhaps it ’ s wishful thinking .
Or perhaps it ’ s accurate .
We will soon find out .
But there ’ s nothing official about the media “ calling ” a race .
According to Article II of the U.S. Constitution , the next president is elected by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day Congress chooses ( Dec. 14 ) .
State legislatures appoint the electors based on the final vote tallies .
And most states have yet to certify their official election results .
In most elections , the final result is clear enough .
But while past elections have seen one or two close states , the 2020 election will be decided by six states : Arizona , Georgia , Nevada , Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin .
While the media has declared a victory for Biden in most of these states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
It will doubtless be an uphill climb for the Trump campaign to prove that either voter fraud or election tampering occurred on a scale to tip the election in these states .
But , as America is a nation of laws , it has every right to try .
And while formerly reputable media organizations are abusing their platforms to engage in such one-sided behavior , social media giants Twitter and Facebook continue to quash dissenting voices .
On Sunday morning , upstart social media platform Parler became the most popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and TikTok .
Parler identifies its brand with freedom of speech and avoiding the censorship employed by other social media platforms .
It seems that many people are turning to alternative social media platforms , which could indicate increasing dissatisfaction with Twitter and Facebook ’ s censorship of conservatives .
In any event , the unification and healing Biden called for on Saturday will remain a pipe dream while urban dwellers and powerful media corporations continue to display open hostility for the other half of the country .

When residents in Washington, D.C., heard the media call the election for Joe Biden, they erupted in celebration—whooping and hollering, banging pots together on their front steps, honking car horns, and generally behaving as if Munchkin Land had been freed from the wicked witch.
The media, too, gleefully danced upon President Donald Trump’s alleged political grave.
The Associated Press, which sets the standards for journalistic writing and distributes stories widely for recirculation in other outlets, ran pro-Biden propaganda in what it claimed to be a straight news story. The report has been heavily edited, but the original version editorialized:
Trump seized on delays in processing the vote in some states to falsely allege voter fraud and argue that his rival was trying to seize power—an extraordinary charge by a sitting president trying to sow doubt about a bedrock democratic process. As the vote count played out, Biden tried to ease tensions and project an image of presidential leadership, hitting notes of unity that were seemingly aimed at cooling the temperature of a heated, divided nation.
Journalism is supposed to be about reporting the facts. Notice how these “reporters” instead impute motives to the candidates—good motives to Biden and bad motives to Trump.
Before the election, mainstream media organizations published polls so inaccurate they seemed designed to influence the outcome more than project it.
For example, an ABC News-Washington Post poll showed Biden leading by 17 percentage points in Wisconsin less than a week before the election; Biden currently leads Wisconsin by 0.6 points.
Elections may be as hard to predict as the weather, but that’s like predicting a sunny afternoon during a hurricane. Perhaps the media “calling” the election for Biden is designed to influence the outcome in the same way. Or perhaps it’s wishful thinking. Or perhaps it’s accurate. We will soon find out.
But there’s nothing official about the media “calling” a race. According to Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the next president is elected by a vote of the Electoral College on a day Congress chooses (Dec. 14). State legislatures appoint the electors based on the final vote tallies. And most states have yet to certify their official election results.
In most elections, the final result is clear enough. But while past elections have seen one or two close states, the 2020 election will be decided by six states: Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
While the media has declared a victory for Biden in most of these states, none of these states have certified official results. It will doubtless be an uphill climb for the Trump campaign to prove that either voter fraud or election tampering occurred on a scale to tip the election in these states. But, as America is a nation of laws, it has every right to try.
And while formerly reputable media organizations are abusing their platforms to engage in such one-sided behavior, social media giants Twitter and Facebook continue to quash dissenting voices.
On Sunday morning, upstart social media platform Parler became the most popular free app on Apple, surpassing YouTube and TikTok. Parler identifies its brand with freedom of speech and avoiding the censorship employed by other social media platforms.
It seems that many people are turning to alternative social media platforms, which could indicate increasing dissatisfaction with Twitter and Facebook’s censorship of conservatives.
In any event, the unification and healing Biden called for on Saturday will remain a pipe dream while urban dwellers and powerful media corporations continue to display open hostility for the other half of the country.
Originally published by the Family Research Council


dailysignal--2020-11-10--Mayor Bill de Blasio Says New Yorkers Should Avoid ‘Big Meals Together’ as COVID-19 Cases Spike

Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city ’ s residents should avoid “ large meals together ” as the area experienced a recent uptick in coronavirus cases .
“ The holidays we associate with travel and the holidays we associate with big indoor gatherings , big meals together—that , unfortunately , this year can ’ t be the case , ” de Blasio said in a Monday press conference .
The Democrat warned that the city is “ dangerously close ” to seeing a “ second wave ” of the virus in the boroughs .
De @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s positivity rate has exceeded 2 % in the media briefing .
“ We see the presence of the coronavirus in this city and it ’ s trying to reassert itself , ” the mayor said in the briefing .
“ We need to do everything in our power to stop the coronavirus from reasserting in New York City .
We have to stop a second wave from happening here , it is getting dangerously close.
” “ We ’ re seeing household transmission , ” he continued .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re seeing things we have not seen in a long time—and we have to stop them.
” Residents of the city gathered en masse to celebrate numerous media outlets calling the presidential election for Joe Biden on Saturday .
De Blasio maintained that the biggest virus threat to the boroughs is indoor gatherings .
“ But again , the key problem here is indoors and not wearing masks , ” he said in the briefing .
“ Let ’ s really emphasize that if people avoid indoor gatherings and wear a mask , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turning this around.
” The Democrat said it ’ s “ not yet time ” for broader restrictions to combat COVID-19 , as the city continues to implement 25 % indoor capacity limits at restaurants , according to the New York Post .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities for this original content , email [ email protected ] .

Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city’s residents should avoid “large meals together” as the area experienced a recent uptick in coronavirus cases.
“The holidays we associate with travel and the holidays we associate with big indoor gatherings, big meals together—that, unfortunately, this year can’t be the case,” de Blasio said in a Monday press conference.
The Democrat warned that the city is “dangerously close” to seeing a “second wave” of the virus in the boroughs. De Blasio also indicated that New York City’s positivity rate has exceeded 2% in the media briefing.
“We see the presence of the coronavirus in this city and it’s trying to reassert itself,” the mayor said in the briefing. “We need to do everything in our power to stop the coronavirus from reasserting in New York City. We have to stop a second wave from happening here, it is getting dangerously close.”
“We’re seeing household transmission,” he continued. “We’re seeing community spread. We’re seeing things we have not seen in a long time—and we have to stop them.”
Residents of the city gathered en masse to celebrate numerous media outlets calling the presidential election for Joe Biden on Saturday.
De Blasio maintained that the biggest virus threat to the boroughs is indoor gatherings.
“But again, the key problem here is indoors and not wearing masks,” he said in the briefing. “Let’s really emphasize that if people avoid indoor gatherings and wear a mask, that’s going to be crucial to turning this around.”
The Democrat said it’s “not yet time” for broader restrictions to combat COVID-19, as the city continues to implement 25% indoor capacity limits at restaurants, according to the New York Post.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities for this original content, email licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


dailysignal--2020-11-10--Jordanians Head to the Polls Amid Mounting Economic and Health Crisis

A spike in COVID-19 cases and deteriorating economic conditions has cast a shadow over Tuesday ’ s parliamentary elections in Jordan .
These elections are widely seen as a political mechanism to mitigate the growing anger over COVID-19-related hardships , which have recently taken a turn for the worst .
Jordan ’ s strict lockdown measures in the beginning of the pandemic were largely seen as successful in preventing a large-scale outbreak , as the number of cases reported every month remained under 100 infected and even fewer death rates .
However , after gradually easing restrictions over the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 cases beginning in September .
> > > What ’ s the best way for America to reopen and return to business ?
The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission , a project of The Heritage Foundation , assembled America ’ s top thinkers to figure that out .
So far , it has made more than 260 recommendations .
Learn more here .
Now , the country ’ s infection and death rates have surpassed nearby countries in the Middle East , with widespread community transmission that has hit approximately 16 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed prime minister , Bisher al Khasawneh , has stated that the country will not return to complete lockdowns .
Instead , overnight curfews and Friday short-term lockdowns will continue for the rest of the year .
However , the rise in cases does not show signs of slowing down , which is an alarming development for a country whose strained health care system and fragile economy are being hit hard by the pandemic .
The economy is expected to detract by 6 % , while unemployment has risen to 23 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in tourism revenues in the first nine months of 2020 .
Jordanian citizens are feeling the impact of this deepening economic crisis .
A recent UNDP rapid assessments report found that nearly 75 % of people in Jordan reported difficulty in meeting basic needs such as rent , food , heating , and medicine , and have faced challenges accessing health care under lockdown .
The election of parliament on Tuesday will do little to change the deepening economic crisis , as the status quo is likely to remain the same .
Voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , with a continuation of the 2016 electoral system .
The kingdom is divided into electoral districts where candidates are chosen based on a proportional , open-list system where major parties or blocs must provide a list of candidates for each district .
During the election , voters are then required to choose one list , and can cast multiple votes for candidates within that list .
The seats are then allocated proportionally based on the percentage of votes received by each list .
While this was meant to strengthen political party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lists , dividing Islamist party supporters while empowering tribal candidates and business elite in rural areas .
Even so , the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islamic Action Front has stated that it will participate in the upcoming elections , hoping to improve on the 16 seats it gained in the 2016 elections .
Regardless of the outcome , all eyes will remain on King Abdullah , whose government appointments will determine the country ’ s next steps .
Jordan ’ s stability is vital for U.S. interests in the region .
As the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and health crisis , the United States must closely monitor the evolving situation .

A spike in COVID-19 cases and deteriorating economic conditions has cast a shadow over Tuesday’s parliamentary elections in Jordan. These elections are widely seen as a political mechanism to mitigate the growing anger over COVID-19-related hardships, which have recently taken a turn for the worst.
Jordan’s strict lockdown measures in the beginning of the pandemic were largely seen as successful in preventing a large-scale outbreak, as the number of cases reported every month remained under 100 infected and even fewer death rates.
However, after gradually easing restrictions over the summer, Jordan saw an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases beginning in September.
>>> What’s the best way for America to reopen and return to business? The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, a project of The Heritage Foundation, assembled America’s top thinkers to figure that out. So far, it has made more than 260 recommendations. Learn more here.
Now, the country’s infection and death rates have surpassed nearby countries in the Middle East, with widespread community transmission that has hit approximately 16% of the population.
Jordan’s recently appointed prime minister, Bisher al Khasawneh, has stated that the country will not return to complete lockdowns. Instead, overnight curfews and Friday short-term lockdowns will continue for the rest of the year.
However, the rise in cases does not show signs of slowing down, which is an alarming development for a country whose strained health care system and fragile economy are being hit hard by the pandemic.
The economy is expected to detract by 6%, while unemployment has risen to 23%, with an estimated $3 billion lost in tourism revenues in the first nine months of 2020.
Jordanian citizens are feeling the impact of this deepening economic crisis. A recent UNDP rapid assessments report found that nearly 75% of people in Jordan reported difficulty in meeting basic needs such as rent, food, heating, and medicine, and have faced challenges accessing health care under lockdown.
The election of parliament on Tuesday will do little to change the deepening economic crisis, as the status quo is likely to remain the same. Voter turnout is projected to be around 30%, with a continuation of the 2016 electoral system.
The kingdom is divided into electoral districts where candidates are chosen based on a proportional, open-list system where major parties or blocs must provide a list of candidates for each district. During the election, voters are then required to choose one list, and can cast multiple votes for candidates within that list. The seats are then allocated proportionally based on the percentage of votes received by each list.
While this was meant to strengthen political party formation, it essentially caused competition between the lists, dividing Islamist party supporters while empowering tribal candidates and business elite in rural areas.
Even so, the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islamic Action Front has stated that it will participate in the upcoming elections, hoping to improve on the 16 seats it gained in the 2016 elections.
Regardless of the outcome, all eyes will remain on King Abdullah, whose government appointments will determine the country’s next steps. Jordan’s stability is vital for U.S. interests in the region. As the country faces mounting pressure amid a spiraling economic and health crisis, the United States must closely monitor the evolving situation.


dailysignal--2020-11-11--Justices Hint That Obamacare May Survive Another Legal Challenge

Most of the Affordable Care Act appeared likely to survive yet another legal challenge as five justices indicated that they were not inclined to strike down the law .
The court on Tuesday heard Texas v. California , a suit brought by multiple Republican attorneys general that argues that the individual mandate , a signature part of the health care law , is unconstitutional and that the entire law must be struck down as a result .
At least five justices , however , seemingly said that even if the mandate is found to be unconstitutional , it can likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
“ It does seem fairly clear that the proper remedy would be to sever the mandate provision and leave the rest of the law in place , ” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said during arguments .
Though the mandate originally imposed a fine on those who opted out of receiving insurance , the fine was lowered to zero in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , rendering it largely unenforceable .
This was echoed by Chief Justice John Roberts , who said that “ Congress left the rest of the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero.
” Opponents of the suit allege that if the Supreme Court were to side with the plaintiffs , millions of Americans would lose their health coverage in the middle of a pandemic as a result .
One study by the Urban Institute estimated that if the law is overturned over 20 million Americans would risk losing their health insurance .
Texas v. California is the third time the Affordable Care Act has appeared before the Supreme Court .
In 2012 , the court upheld the individual mandate as a tax , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 the court ruled that the federal government could provide tax subsidies to facilitate lower-income Americans in buying health insurance .
Greater speculation has surrounded Texas v. California because the Trump administration has supported the plaintiffs in their push to overturn the Affordable Care Act and because three new justices have joined the court since it last heard a case related to the law .
In addition to Kavanaugh , who was confirmed in October 2018 , Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett joined the court in April 2017 and October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note : “ No matter what the Supreme Court decides , this case reminds us that Congress needs to return to health reform , ” says Marie Fishpaw , director of domestic policy studies at The Heritage Foundation .
“ The misnamed Affordable Care Act resulted in higher costs , fewer choices , and more barriers between patients and doctors .
“ “ Congress needs to deliver reform that lowers costs , improves choices , and makes sure the sick can see the doctor of their choice , ” Fishpaw adds .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Health Care Choices Proposal to do just that , and independent estimates show it will lower premiums , increase the number of people with private coverage , and increase access to care.
“ Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities for this original content , email [ email protected ] .

Most of the Affordable Care Act appeared likely to survive yet another legal challenge as five justices indicated that they were not inclined to strike down the law.
The court on Tuesday heard Texas v. California, a suit brought by multiple Republican attorneys general that argues that the individual mandate, a signature part of the health care law, is unconstitutional and that the entire law must be struck down as a result.
At least five justices, however, seemingly said that even if the mandate is found to be unconstitutional, it can likely be separated from the rest of the law.
“It does seem fairly clear that the proper remedy would be to sever the mandate provision and leave the rest of the law in place,” Justice Brett Kavanaugh said during arguments.
Though the mandate originally imposed a fine on those who opted out of receiving insurance, the fine was lowered to zero in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, rendering it largely unenforceable. This was echoed by Chief Justice John Roberts, who said that “Congress left the rest of the law intact when it lowered the penalty to zero.”
Opponents of the suit allege that if the Supreme Court were to side with the plaintiffs, millions of Americans would lose their health coverage in the middle of a pandemic as a result. One study by the Urban Institute estimated that if the law is overturned over 20 million Americans would risk losing their health insurance.
Texas v. California is the third time the Affordable Care Act has appeared before the Supreme Court. In 2012, the court upheld the individual mandate as a tax, with Roberts writing the majority opinion, and in 2015 the court ruled that the federal government could provide tax subsidies to facilitate lower-income Americans in buying health insurance.
Greater speculation has surrounded Texas v. California because the Trump administration has supported the plaintiffs in their push to overturn the Affordable Care Act and because three new justices have joined the court since it last heard a case related to the law.
In addition to Kavanaugh, who was confirmed in October 2018, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett joined the court in April 2017 and October 2020, respectively.
Editor’s note: “No matter what the Supreme Court decides, this case reminds us that Congress needs to return to health reform,” says Marie Fishpaw, director of domestic policy studies at The Heritage Foundation. “The misnamed Affordable Care Act resulted in higher costs, fewer choices, and more barriers between patients and doctors. “
“Congress needs to deliver reform that lowers costs, improves choices, and makes sure the sick can see the doctor of their choice,” Fishpaw adds. “A broad spectrum of conservatives have developed the Health Care Choices Proposal to do just that, and independent estimates show it will lower premiums, increase the number of people with private coverage, and increase access to care.“
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities for this original content, email licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


dailysignal--2020-11-12--Problematic Women: Why Election 2020 Is a ‘Proud Lady Moment’ in History

The 2020 election was a major win for conservative women in the House of Representatives .
Come January , more women will have seats in Congress than ever before in the history of the nation .
Jessica Anderson , executive director of Heritage Action for America , the grassroots partner organization of The Heritage Foundation , joins “ Problematic Women ” to discuss the 13 newly elected Republican female representatives and how their leadership will affect America .
Anderson also breaks down what might happen next in the presidential election as claims of voter fraud and litigation both continue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Signal , Kate Trinko , about what she saw on her trip to Philadelphia last weekend as voters reacted to the election news .
And , as always , we ’ ll crown our Problematic Woman of the Week .
Listen to the podcast below or read the lightly edited transcript .
Lauren Evans : We are so excited to welcome back Jessica Anderson , executive director of Heritage Action for America , to “ Problematic Women.
” Jessica , it ’ s so great to have you on the show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having me .
It ’ s great to be here today .
Evans : Today , we are breaking down the election and why the 2020 election was a big win for conservative women in the House .
I want to begin by just chatting a little bit about the ways Heritage Action supported strong conservative candidates throughout the election .
So , what was your mission as an organization going into the election ?
Anderson : So , going into the election , Heritage Action really wanted to tell the story of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at stake this election .
It wasn ’ t just candidates on the ballot .
It really was and is two different choices for the future of America and really two different choices on who you trust most when you look at things like health care , economic recovery , to holding China accountable , providing safety and security in your neighborhoods .
So , all of these issues matter .
We know that they matter to voters , and so , Heritage Action sought to make those issues really permeate in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters saw past just the “ red team , blue team ” on the ticket and really voted on their policy issues .
Virginia Allen : So , Penny Nance , she ’ s the president of Concerned Women for America , she wrote in a recent Fox News op-ed that the only wave in 2020 was the election of conservative women to the U.S. House of Representatives , the 11 conservative women running for reelection won , and then at least another 13 conservative women were newly elected , which really doubles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s huge , so exciting .
Why do you think that we saw such a significant number of conservative women elected ?
Anderson : Well , I think 2020 is the year of the woman , but for real this time .
Allen : Yes , I love that .
Anderson : … And I think the story has to go back to Justice Amy Coney Barrett as the first-ever female originalist now to sit on the Supreme Court .
She really embodied , and I think paved the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who care about their country and their families to succeed and following her or the 11 incumbent GOP House women that kept their seats and then now 13 new women that were successful at the ballot box .
And I think that they were successful because they made their election about policy .
They made their election about here ’ s who ’ s going to Washington to get the job done for you , not for a special interest , not for business as usual , but to advance commonsense kitchen-table issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And the larger story of all of this that I think is super-interesting right now is that these women really represent , I think , a complete new shift and rebirth , if you will , of feminism , that it ’ s no longer about choosing between a career and family or between empowerment or conservatism , between freedom or servitude .
It really is an opportunity that you can choose to do both , and you can do it in a way that protects your family , strengthens your family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fulfilling and lasting professional career .
And I , for one , am just thrilled that we have shattered kind of all of the norms around feminism that ’ s only celebrated one type of woman , the liberal , pro-choice woman .
We ’ ve basically turned that on its head , and we ’ re celebrating Justice Barrett just as much as I ’ m celebrating these new 13 conservative women that have just been elected to the House .
Evans : Jess , I couldn ’ t agree more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up Judge Barrett , because it ’ s like a one-two punch .
You ’ ve got to get so hyped thinking about all these wonderful women now being part of the United States government .
I want to pivot a little bit and talk about one of the great programs you have over at Heritage Action , which is your Sentinel Program .
Can you tell me a little bit about that ?
Anderson : So , Heritage Action Sentinels are basically the front line for freedom in congressional districts across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They lead in their communities .
They ’ re grassroots all-stars .
They ’ ve got relationships with their members of Congress .
And in the case of 13 very brave individuals , Sentinels actually ran for elected office this cycle .
And so we had Sentinels that won positions from a soil and water conservation job in Florida , two county commissioners , multiple state representatives and state senators , and then now the incoming congresswoman from New Mexico 2nd District , Yvette Herrell , who has been a Sentinel with us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re so excited to welcome her here to Washington to serve in the U.S. Congress .
Allen : I am so excited that she was elected .
Actually , we ’ re hoping to interview her on “ The Daily Signal Podcast ” sometime soon .
She is just fantastic .
Could you just take a minute to tell us a little bit more about Herrell , and who she is , and what her vision is , coming into Congress ?
Anderson : Well , she is fantastic .
I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later .
She fought an incredibly hard race in New Mexico ’ s 2nd District , and she ’ s really unique .
She ’ s a member of the Cherokee Nation , for real .
She will be the first Native American Republican woman to serve in the U.S. Congress .
But even more than any of that , she ’ s an entrepreneur , she ’ s a strong and fierce defender of the Second Amendment , she ’ s unabashedly pro-life , and she is going to be a leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues here in Washington .
She knows what it takes to stand up for conservative policy , and I ’ m so excited to work with her in her professional capacity now as she hopes to represent New Mexico , too .
It ’ s been a long time coming , and we ’ re really proud of her .
Allen : Among other congresswomen who have been elected , newly elected , are there others that you think , gosh , you really , as a conservative woman , you have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Who should we be watching out for ?
Anderson : Oh , for sure .
So , there ’ s actually a long list .
Marjorie Greene is the next congressman from Georgia ’ s 14th District .
She ’ s a mom .
I think she has three kids .
She ’ s a business owner .
She ’ s super-strong on border security , fierce advocate for Second Amendment rights .
I ’ m looking forward to seeing what she does .
Mary Miller out of [ Illinois ’ 15th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother of seven , grandmother of 17 grandchildren .
She teaches Sunday school .
She ’ s run her family farm for the last 40 years .
I mean , just a testament of someone that chose to pursue a career and to have a loving family .
And then , let ’ s not overlook Senator-elect [ Cynthia ] Lummis [ of Wyoming ] on the Senate side .
This is a woman that is well-known .
She previously served in the House .
She was a founding member of the conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But she also is a mother , a grandmother .
She ’ s a cattle rancher , and she ’ s now going to be Wyoming ’ s senator .
So we ’ re super-excited for her and eager to see her joining the ranks of Senator Joni Ernst [ R-Iowa ] and Marsha Blackburn [ R-Tenn. ] and Kelly Loeffler [ R-Ga. ] , all strong women that have come into the Senate to lead for conservative issues on everything from life issues to really interesting things in finance and [ agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care .
So , I ’ m looking forward to working with her as well .
Evans : I know I ’ m such a nerd .
I love the House Freedom Caucus , and I just can ’ t wait for the day where we do conversations with conservatives at The Daily Signal and with The Heritage Foundation .
And that ’ s where the House Freedom Caucus comes and do a press conference , and I just can ’ t wait for the day I show up and it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women are represented there .
It ’ s just going to be such a … I don ’ t know , a “ proud lady moment ” for me .
Anderson : A proud … lady moment .
I mean , that ’ s an awesome way to think about it , right ?
Conservative women are resolute , and it seems like we ’ ve finally come to the other side of the very harsh and extreme feminist movement of the last 30 years , and we ’ re ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started in Seneca Falls [ in New York ] and take it back for conservative women and be what it ’ s really supposed to be about , which is providing opportunity and advancement for all women , not just a specific type of women .
And I think that ’ s why so many people are so excited about Justice Barrett , about these 13 new House members , about Senator Lummis .
I mean , these are a lot of reasons to be proud of the movement right now .
Evans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great segue to my next question , which is , how do you think this will affect the pro-life movement and pro-life legislation on Capitol Hill ?
Anderson : Well , I think it ’ s certainly going to help .
I think that first and foremost women have more issues than just life issues that we care about .
Life is a huge issue , and women in particular have such a strength to talk about it , to talk about the unique role of being a mom , of delivering a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most early phase in the womb .
So , I think when you have women talking about this issue , it really attacks the left that tries to say , “ No women should have their abortion and put aside their family to pursue their career.
” We ’ re going to be able to talk directly about that and kind of push that in the corner , which I think is going to be really strong .
But even more so than that , I think not only would the women coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members writ large , I think is more so evidence of just pushing back against the extremism of the liberal left right now in their complete celebration of abortion , shouting their abortion , being comfortable with things like infanticide .
I mean , [ Democrats are ] no longer the party of [ abortion being ] “ rare and safe.
” This is the party of extreme and celebratory .
So , having pro-life members supporting the Hyde Amendment , trying to get Planned Parenthood funding out of the federal government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really limiting all of that and working back at the state level , I think , is significant .
It ’ s certainly a moment in this country where things are changing , and I ’ m excited for this new wave of women to come in and speak authoritatively on this issue .
Allen : So , Jessica , let ’ s talk just for a moment kind of “ big picture ” presidential election .
We ’ re still watching this election unfold and that there are a number of lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Party have filed in an effort to make sure that there was no voter fraud .
So , can you just explain what exactly is happening with these lawsuits right now ?
Anderson : Absolutely .
So , right now we are in a situation where not every state has officially certified the election .
Yes , you have the major media networks that have come in and called the election , but that ’ s not really their role .
It really is the role of the states to certify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that to come through , but we ’ re also waiting on the recount in a state like Georgia .
So , there ’ s going to be a lot of balls up in the air for the litigation and recount efforts , and it ’ s important to be patient .
It ’ s important to recognize as [ former Vice President Joe Biden ] has said that democracy takes time , and time is what we need right now to make sure .
So , when you look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what ’ s trying to be done is an assessment of whether or not legal votes were counted .
So , you look at a state like Pennsylvania that has had on record fraud where absentee ballots don ’ t have dual signatures , where they were sent in and postmarked after the date .
Those are the types of ballots that should be thrown out and not counted .
Unfortunately , it looks like that they were counted , and so what litigation will do is , it ’ ll reach back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state board of elections and basically go through and certify whether or not the votes were legal or not .
So , that takes time , and it also takes people to be in the room helping count these ballots and ensure the sanctity of our election .
So , I think we all need to just be really patient to see this process unfold .
If we rewind back to 2000 with Bush v. Gore , it took 36 days for the country to basically be on pins and needles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you remember then , Vice President [ Al ] Gore thought he had won , started resuming activities as if he had won , but he was never president .
Right ?
So , I think we need to let the legal system run its course and recognize that there is fraud that exists , and whether or not it ’ s enough to flip the election or not , we don ’ t know , and that ’ s the point of the litigation .
So , that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it means we ’ re going to have to be patient a little bit longer , but in the meantime , all eyes are definitely turning to Georgia .
We recognize that , regardless of what happens with the presidential , that the two Senate races in Georgia are paramount to the future of the Senate , and in many ways the future of our republic , because of everything that the Senate will be responsible for , going forward the next two to four years .
Evans : Jess , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these election results .
The Electoral College doesn ’ t meet until December , correct ?
Anderson : Right , the Electoral College meets in December , and they would certify the official votes the first week of January .
And so , there is a little bit of a rush when you look at how much time between now and then , and how much time it takes to go county to county .
But in terms of the major media networks jumping the gun before these states were able to finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that they were premature , and they need to slow down , and we need to wait , and we have a legal system in place for a reason , and that is what needs to run its course right now .
Allen : What happens if voter fraud does go unchecked ?
What does that ultimately mean for the future of our democracy ?
Anderson : Well , let ’ s hope that never happens , right ?
We know that voter fraud exists .
We know that there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then there ’ s simple slip-ups like people forgetting to do a double signature or having the witness signature , or they postmark their absentee at a later date , or in a state like Nevada where you had a state send out mail-in ballots to every single voter without even their requests .
So , some of this stuff is going to have to be fixed at the state level , and I think that you see a model of state legislation of changes that were made to a state like Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a model for other states in the country that need to tighten up on some of their voter laws .
You also look at states that continue to have same-day registration , no voter ID , and of course there ’ s going to be fraud because there ’ s no safeguards in place to safeguard against it .
So , ultimately , if this fraud is allowed to run unchecked for years and years and years to come , I think that just deteriorates our trust in the electoral system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ process itself , but that ’ s why we ’ re working so hard to make sure that this election is not built on the backs of fraud , but that it is actually fair and reflective of what voters want .
And that ’ s ultimately what we want , right ?
At the end of the day , we want to have confidence that whoever is representing us , whether in the House , in the Senate , or as president , that they ’ ve got there legally , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manipulation .
Evans : Well , and then on the left , the goal post keeps shifting .
Before the election , it was , “ Voter fraud doesn ’ t happen .
It ’ s just voter suppression.
” And now that Biden is up in some states , it ’ s now , “ Oh , OK , voter fraud happens , but it ’ s not enough to sway the election , ” and they ’ ll never talk about voter suppression again .
Anderson : Yeah .
The hypocrisy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if I could count the list of things , I mean , we need a whole other show for that guy .
It has just been wild .
I mean , one , go back to this issue of feminism that we started talking about .
I mean , you would have thought that [ Sen. ] Kamala Harris [ of California ] is the end-all , be-all for everything women .
I mean , look no further on this hypocrisy than the just the complete contrast between the praise for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Barrett .
One is completely lauded for shattering the glass ceiling and every little girl ’ s dream has come true , and the other is smeared and made to be a character .
On Kamala Harris , I ’ ve seen so many posts of , “ Well , regardless of what you believe , just be glad that a woman is there , ” and it ’ s like two things .
One , if everyone on the left really believes so much in women and race , why is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in the primary ?
She wasn ’ t able to be at the top of the ticket .
She wasn ’ t elected at the top of the ticket , she was appointed as the running mate to Joe Biden .
So , let ’ s just be clear about how much people actually wanted to elevate her versus Joe Biden .
So that ’ s one .
But then , two , I mean , at the end of the day , I ’ m not sure that I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I completely disagree with their views and beliefs on everything from life to economic issues .
I mean , at a certain point , we have to celebrate the people that most align with what we believe in .
Yes , we should be respectful .
Yes , we should find places to work together , but going out of our way to celebrate anyone that we are fundamentally opposed to with our belief system I think is a step too far .
And at the end of the day , we probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people really just cheer for the people they agree with .
Allen : Yeah .
Well said .
Yeah , I think there ’ s such a need to get back to a concrete focus on the policy issues and actually looking at where do these individuals stand on the issues that I care about , on the issues that are going to affect generations to come .
It ’ s really critical .
We have to do our homework on that .
Anderson : Absolutely .
Allen : Jessica , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re going to let you go .
Thank you so much for joining this show .
It ’ s been great to chat about both the successes that we ’ ve seen and some of just the exciting news that you ’ re seeing during this election , and then also just this ongoing process as we ’ re continuing to watch things litigated and this whole process unfold .
Anderson : Absolutely .
Thank you so much for having me , and I would say , “ Go , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The 2020 election was a major win for conservative women in the House of Representatives. Come January, more women will have seats in Congress than ever before in the history of the nation.
Jessica Anderson, executive director of Heritage Action for America, the grassroots partner organization of The Heritage Foundation, joins “Problematic Women” to discuss the 13 newly elected Republican female representatives and how their leadership will affect America. Anderson also breaks down what might happen next in the presidential election as claims of voter fraud and litigation both continue.
We also chat with the editor-in-chief of The Daily Signal, Kate Trinko, about what she saw on her trip to Philadelphia last weekend as voters reacted to the election news.
And, as always, we’ll crown our Problematic Woman of the Week.
Listen to the podcast below or read the lightly edited transcript.
Lauren Evans: We are so excited to welcome back Jessica Anderson, executive director of Heritage Action for America, to “Problematic Women.” Jessica, it’s so great to have you on the show.
Jessica Anderson: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here today.
Evans: Today, we are breaking down the election and why the 2020 election was a big win for conservative women in the House.
I want to begin by just chatting a little bit about the ways Heritage Action supported strong conservative candidates throughout the election. So, what was your mission as an organization going into the election?
Anderson: So, going into the election, Heritage Action really wanted to tell the story of all of the policy issues that were at stake this election. It wasn’t just candidates on the ballot.
It really was and is two different choices for the future of America and really two different choices on who you trust most when you look at things like health care, economic recovery, to holding China accountable, providing safety and security in your neighborhoods.
So, all of these issues matter. We know that they matter to voters, and so, Heritage Action sought to make those issues really permeate in a district at the local level so that voters saw past just the “red team, blue team” on the ticket and really voted on their policy issues.
Virginia Allen: So, Penny Nance, she’s the president of Concerned Women for America, she wrote in a recent Fox News op-ed that the only wave in 2020 was the election of conservative women to the U.S. House of Representatives, the 11 conservative women running for reelection won, and then at least another 13 conservative women were newly elected, which really doubles the number of conservative women in Congress.
That’s huge, so exciting. Why do you think that we saw such a significant number of conservative women elected?
Anderson: Well, I think 2020 is the year of the woman, but for real this time.
Allen: Yes, I love that.
Anderson: … And I think the story has to go back to Justice Amy Coney Barrett as the first-ever female originalist now to sit on the Supreme Court.
She really embodied, and I think paved the way for, these strong, smart women who care about their country and their families to succeed and following her or the 11 incumbent GOP House women that kept their seats and then now 13 new women that were successful at the ballot box.
And I think that they were successful because they made their election about policy. They made their election about here’s who’s going to Washington to get the job done for you, not for a special interest, not for business as usual, but to advance commonsense kitchen-table issues amidst a very chaotic and crazy Washington.
And the larger story of all of this that I think is super-interesting right now is that these women really represent, I think, a complete new shift and rebirth, if you will, of feminism, that it’s no longer about choosing between a career and family or between empowerment or conservatism, between freedom or servitude.
It really is an opportunity that you can choose to do both, and you can do it in a way that protects your family, strengthens your family with a partner, and still have a fulfilling and lasting professional career. And I, for one, am just thrilled that we have shattered kind of all of the norms around feminism that’s only celebrated one type of woman, the liberal, pro-choice woman.
We’ve basically turned that on its head, and we’re celebrating Justice Barrett just as much as I’m celebrating these new 13 conservative women that have just been elected to the House.
Evans: Jess, I couldn’t agree more, and I love that you brought up Judge Barrett, because it’s like a one-two punch. You’ve got to get so hyped thinking about all these wonderful women now being part of the United States government.
I want to pivot a little bit and talk about one of the great programs you have over at Heritage Action, which is your Sentinel Program. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
Anderson: So, Heritage Action Sentinels are basically the front line for freedom in congressional districts across the country. They know the issues. They lead in their communities. They’re grassroots all-stars. They’ve got relationships with their members of Congress. And in the case of 13 very brave individuals, Sentinels actually ran for elected office this cycle. And so we had Sentinels that won positions from a soil and water conservation job in Florida, two county commissioners, multiple state representatives and state senators, and then now the incoming congresswoman from New Mexico 2nd District, Yvette Herrell, who has been a Sentinel with us for over five years, and we’re so excited to welcome her here to Washington to serve in the U.S. Congress.
Allen: I am so excited that she was elected. Actually, we’re hoping to interview her on “The Daily Signal Podcast” sometime soon. She is just fantastic. Could you just take a minute to tell us a little bit more about Herrell, and who she is, and what her vision is, coming into Congress?
Anderson: Well, she is fantastic. I hope you can spend some time with her later. She fought an incredibly hard race in New Mexico’s 2nd District, and she’s really unique.
She’s a member of the Cherokee Nation, for real. She will be the first Native American Republican woman to serve in the U.S. Congress. But even more than any of that, she’s an entrepreneur, she’s a strong and fierce defender of the Second Amendment, she’s unabashedly pro-life, and she is going to be a leader amongst many women coming in for conservative issues here in Washington.
She knows what it takes to stand up for conservative policy, and I’m so excited to work with her in her professional capacity now as she hopes to represent New Mexico, too. It’s been a long time coming, and we’re really proud of her.
Allen: Among other congresswomen who have been elected, newly elected, are there others that you think, gosh, you really, as a conservative woman, you have to keep your eye on these new representatives? Who should we be watching out for?
Anderson: Oh, for sure. So, there’s actually a long list. Marjorie Greene is the next congressman from Georgia’s 14th District. She’s a mom. I think she has three kids. She’s a business owner. She’s super-strong on border security, fierce advocate for Second Amendment rights. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does.
Mary Miller out of [Illinois’ 15th District], she’s the mother of seven, grandmother of 17 grandchildren. She teaches Sunday school. She’s run her family farm for the last 40 years. I mean, just a testament of someone that chose to pursue a career and to have a loving family.
And then, let’s not overlook Senator-elect [Cynthia] Lummis [of Wyoming] on the Senate side. This is a woman that is well-known. She previously served in the House.
She was a founding member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus at the time. But she also is a mother, a grandmother. She’s a cattle rancher, and she’s now going to be Wyoming’s senator. So we’re super-excited for her and eager to see her joining the ranks of Senator Joni Ernst [R-Iowa] and Marsha Blackburn [R-Tenn.] and Kelly Loeffler [R-Ga.], all strong women that have come into the Senate to lead for conservative issues on everything from life issues to really interesting things in finance and [agriculture] and certainly in the efforts of health care.
So, I’m looking forward to working with her as well.
Evans: I know I’m such a nerd. I love the House Freedom Caucus, and I just can’t wait for the day where we do conversations with conservatives at The Daily Signal and with The Heritage Foundation.
And that’s where the House Freedom Caucus comes and do a press conference, and I just can’t wait for the day I show up and it’s half women, half men, and women are represented there. It’s just going to be such a … I don’t know, a “proud lady moment” for me.
Anderson: A proud … lady moment. I mean, that’s an awesome way to think about it, right? Conservative women are resolute, and it seems like we’ve finally come to the other side of the very harsh and extreme feminist movement of the last 30 years, and we’re ready to reclaim the original type of feminism that started in Seneca Falls [in New York] and take it back for conservative women and be what it’s really supposed to be about, which is providing opportunity and advancement for all women, not just a specific type of women.
And I think that’s why so many people are so excited about Justice Barrett, about these 13 new House members, about Senator Lummis. I mean, these are a lot of reasons to be proud of the movement right now.
Evans: And that’s such a great segue to my next question, which is, how do you think this will affect the pro-life movement and pro-life legislation on Capitol Hill?
Anderson: Well, I think it’s certainly going to help. I think that first and foremost women have more issues than just life issues that we care about. Life is a huge issue, and women in particular have such a strength to talk about it, to talk about the unique role of being a mom, of delivering a child, and protecting life at its most early phase in the womb.
So, I think when you have women talking about this issue, it really attacks the left that tries to say, “No women should have their abortion and put aside their family to pursue their career.” We’re going to be able to talk directly about that and kind of push that in the corner, which I think is going to be really strong.
But even more so than that, I think not only would the women coming in, but this wave of pro-life members writ large, I think is more so evidence of just pushing back against the extremism of the liberal left right now in their complete celebration of abortion, shouting their abortion, being comfortable with things like infanticide.
I mean, [Democrats are] no longer the party of [abortion being] “rare and safe.” This is the party of extreme and celebratory. So, having pro-life members supporting the Hyde Amendment, trying to get Planned Parenthood funding out of the federal government, out of taxpayers’ pockets, and really limiting all of that and working back at the state level, I think, is significant.
It’s certainly a moment in this country where things are changing, and I’m excited for this new wave of women to come in and speak authoritatively on this issue.
Allen: So, Jessica, let’s talk just for a moment kind of “big picture” presidential election. We’re still watching this election unfold and that there are a number of lawsuits, which both the Trump campaign and the Republican Party have filed in an effort to make sure that there was no voter fraud. So, can you just explain what exactly is happening with these lawsuits right now?
Anderson: Absolutely. So, right now we are in a situation where not every state has officially certified the election. Yes, you have the major media networks that have come in and called the election, but that’s not really their role.
It really is the role of the states to certify it, and we are still waiting on that to come through, but we’re also waiting on the recount in a state like Georgia.
So, there’s going to be a lot of balls up in the air for the litigation and recount efforts, and it’s important to be patient. It’s important to recognize as [former Vice President Joe Biden] has said that democracy takes time, and time is what we need right now to make sure.
So, when you look at the litigation that’s going on, what’s trying to be done is an assessment of whether or not legal votes were counted.
So, you look at a state like Pennsylvania that has had on record fraud where absentee ballots don’t have dual signatures, where they were sent in and postmarked after the date.
Those are the types of ballots that should be thrown out and not counted. Unfortunately, it looks like that they were counted, and so what litigation will do is, it’ll reach back in at the most local level to the state board of elections and basically go through and certify whether or not the votes were legal or not.
So, that takes time, and it also takes people to be in the room helping count these ballots and ensure the sanctity of our election. So, I think we all need to just be really patient to see this process unfold.
If we rewind back to 2000 with Bush v. Gore, it took 36 days for the country to basically be on pins and needles and wait for Florida to be officially called.
If you remember then, Vice President [Al] Gore thought he had won, started resuming activities as if he had won, but he was never president. Right?
So, I think we need to let the legal system run its course and recognize that there is fraud that exists, and whether or not it’s enough to flip the election or not, we don’t know, and that’s the point of the litigation.
So, that’s where we are. Unfortunately, I think it means we’re going to have to be patient a little bit longer, but in the meantime, all eyes are definitely turning to Georgia.
We recognize that, regardless of what happens with the presidential, that the two Senate races in Georgia are paramount to the future of the Senate, and in many ways the future of our republic, because of everything that the Senate will be responsible for, going forward the next two to four years.
Evans: Jess, it’s certainly a rush to get these election results. The Electoral College doesn’t meet until December, correct?
Anderson: Right, the Electoral College meets in December, and they would certify the official votes the first week of January. And so, there is a little bit of a rush when you look at how much time between now and then, and how much time it takes to go county to county.
But in terms of the major media networks jumping the gun before these states were able to finish counting and get their results out, I think that they were premature, and they need to slow down, and we need to wait, and we have a legal system in place for a reason, and that is what needs to run its course right now.
Allen: What happens if voter fraud does go unchecked? What does that ultimately mean for the future of our democracy?
Anderson: Well, let’s hope that never happens, right? We know that voter fraud exists. We know that there are manipulations at the local level, and then there’s simple slip-ups like people forgetting to do a double signature or having the witness signature, or they postmark their absentee at a later date, or in a state like Nevada where you had a state send out mail-in ballots to every single voter without even their requests.
So, some of this stuff is going to have to be fixed at the state level, and I think that you see a model of state legislation of changes that were made to a state like Florida after the 2000 election that can really be a model for other states in the country that need to tighten up on some of their voter laws.
You also look at states that continue to have same-day registration, no voter ID, and of course there’s going to be fraud because there’s no safeguards in place to safeguard against it.
So, ultimately, if this fraud is allowed to run unchecked for years and years and years to come, I think that just deteriorates our trust in the electoral system. It deteriorates our trust in the election process itself, but that’s why we’re working so hard to make sure that this election is not built on the backs of fraud, but that it is actually fair and reflective of what voters want. And that’s ultimately what we want, right?
At the end of the day, we want to have confidence that whoever is representing us, whether in the House, in the Senate, or as president, that they’ve got there legally, they got there legally—not through fraud and voter manipulation.
Evans: Well, and then on the left, the goal post keeps shifting. Before the election, it was, “Voter fraud doesn’t happen. It’s just voter suppression.” And now that Biden is up in some states, it’s now, “Oh, OK, voter fraud happens, but it’s not enough to sway the election,” and they’ll never talk about voter suppression again.
Anderson: Yeah. The hypocrisy of the left the last 10 days, if I could count the list of things, I mean, we need a whole other show for that guy. It has just been wild.
I mean, one, go back to this issue of feminism that we started talking about. I mean, you would have thought that [Sen.] Kamala Harris [of California] is the end-all, be-all for everything women. I mean, look no further on this hypocrisy than the just the complete contrast between the praise for her versus the response from the media to Justice Barrett.
One is completely lauded for shattering the glass ceiling and every little girl’s dream has come true, and the other is smeared and made to be a character. On Kamala Harris, I’ve seen so many posts of, “Well, regardless of what you believe, just be glad that a woman is there, ” and it’s like two things.
One, if everyone on the left really believes so much in women and race, why is it that Kamala Harris only got 1% in the primary? She wasn’t able to be at the top of the ticket. She wasn’t elected at the top of the ticket, she was appointed as the running mate to Joe Biden.
So, let’s just be clear about how much people actually wanted to elevate her versus Joe Biden. So that’s one. But then, two, I mean, at the end of the day, I’m not sure that I’m in a place to celebrate someone that I completely disagree with their views and beliefs on everything from life to economic issues.
I mean, at a certain point, we have to celebrate the people that most align with what we believe in.
Yes, we should be respectful. Yes, we should find places to work together, but going out of our way to celebrate anyone that we are fundamentally opposed to with our belief system I think is a step too far. And at the end of the day, we probably should recognize that as a society, that people really just cheer for the people they agree with.
Allen: Yeah. Well said. Yeah, I think there’s such a need to get back to a concrete focus on the policy issues and actually looking at where do these individuals stand on the issues that I care about, on the issues that are going to affect generations to come.
It’s really critical. We have to do our homework on that.
Anderson: Absolutely.
Allen: Jessica, we could keep going and going on this. We’re going to let you go. Thank you so much for joining this show. It’s been great to chat about both the successes that we’ve seen and some of just the exciting news that you’re seeing during this election, and then also just this ongoing process as we’re continuing to watch things litigated and this whole process unfold.
Anderson: Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me, and I would say, “Go, women! Go, women!”


dailysignal--2020-11-12--Meet 5 of the Newly Elected Republican House Members

Conservatives won House races on Election Day and many of these new members are expected to bring fresh perspectives to Capitol Hill as they represent millennials , minorities , the disabled , and immigrants , among others .
Here are five of the House ’ s incoming freshman Republicans .
Kat Cammack defeated Democrat Adam Christensen to win Florida ’ s 3rd Congressional District with 57.2 % of the vote .
Cammack , 32 , is a former aide to Rep. Ted Yoho , R-Fla. , having served as his chief of staff , deputy chief of staff , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yoho , who is retiring after four terms .
Born in Denver into a family of cattle ranchers , Cammack is a strong Second Amendment advocate and committed to supporting farmers and ranchers .
The congresswoman-elect completed her bachelor ’ s degree at Metropolitan State University in Denver before earning a master ’ s of science degree in national defense and strategic studies at the Naval War College .
Cammack says she became active in politics in 2011 after her family lost their ranch , which she blamed on the Obama administration ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program intended to help homeowners refinance underwater mortgages .
During her time working for Yoho , she established four new Veterans Affairs clinics in Florida ; crafted Project Putnam , intended to “ improve the economic , social , educational , and overall development of Putnam County ” ; and oversaw Yoho ’ s North Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force .
Matt Harrison , Cammack ’ s husband , is a firefighter and paramedic .
Together they founded the Grit Foundation , a nonprofit supporting veterans , first responders , and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will become the youngest member of Congress in modern history when he is sworn in in January .
Cawthorn defeated Democratic candidate Morris Davis to win North Carolina ’ s 11th Congressional District with 54.5 % of the vote .
Born and raised in the 11th District , which encompases much of the westernmost part of the state , Cawthorn hoped to join the Navy and attend the U.S .
Naval Academy in Annapolis , Maryland , to which Mark Meadows , former North Carolina congressman and current White House chief of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was forced to change his life plans when he sustained serious injuries in a car accident in the spring of 2014 that put him in the intensive care unit of a hospital for five weeks .
Cawthorn ’ s extensive injuries left him partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair .
The young congressman-elect says he can relate to people who feel they “ have been dealt a bad hand.
” Before running for Congress , he worked as a staff assistant in Meadows ’ district office and attended Patrick Henry College in Purcellville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2019 , he started his own small real estate investment business .
In a campaign video , Cawthorn said that , as a millennial , he plans to bring a fresh perspective to Congress and is committed to saying “ no to high taxes [ and ] no to socialism.
” Byron Donalds defeated his Democratic opponent , Cindy Banyai , in a landslide , capturing 61.3 % of the vote in Florida ’ s 19th Congressional District .
On his website , Donalds , 42 , claims to be “ everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t exist : a Trump-supporting , liberty-loving , pro-life , pro-2nd Amendment black man.
” Donalds was raised by a single mother in Brooklyn , New York , and credits her for instilling in him a passion to “ leave future generations better than the current [ one ] .
” He settled in Florida after graduating from Florida State University in 2002 with degrees in finance and marketing .
He worked in insurance , banking , and finance for a number of years in southwestern Florida and became politically involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve in the state House of Representatives .
In 2017 , he was named a “ Champion of Economic Freedom ” by the nonprofit Americans for Prosperity , and in 2018 , the American Conservative Union Foundation honored him with its Award for Conservative Excellence .
Donalds is chairman of the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives .
Criminal justice reform , education , and elder affairs are three of the issues he has focused on during his time in the state House .
The father of three sons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Naples , Florida .
He has served as a youth leader in his church and serves as a volunteer coach for local youth basketball and football leagues .
Donalds has received a 100 % rating from Florida Right to Life .
New Mexico native and small business champion Yvette Herrell won the election in New Mexico ’ s 2nd Congressional District with 53.9 % of the vote , with 95 % of the vote reported .
This was Herrell ’ s second congressional bid .
In 2018 , she was defeated by Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 3,800 votes out of more than 199,000 cast , according to Ballotpedia.org .
In their rematch , Herrell won the seat despite being outspent 3 to 1 .
Herrell , 56 , has committed to “ take New Mexico ’ s values to Congress and work across party lines , ” noting endorsements on her website from both former Democratic Rep. Harry Teague and former Republican Rep. Steve Pearce .
Herrell , a Heritage Action for America sentinel , served in New Mexico ’ s House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nation , she will be the third Native American woman to serve in Congress , according to the Las Cruces Sun-News .
As an entrepreneur , real estate agent , and former small businesses owner , Herrell says she is prepared to fight against big government overreach .
In 2018 , the Rio Grande Foundation ’ s Freedom Index ranked her in first place for upholding principles of economic freedom among more than 100 political leaders in the state .
Herrell doesn ’ t shy away from a discussion of the border wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and to standing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents .
She also advocates for the growth of America ’ s military and says New Mexico would be an “ ideal location ” for the military to develop its new Space Force branch .
Congresswoman-elect Maria Elvira Salazar was born to immigrant parents who fled Cuba and came to America to escape Fidel Castro ’ s dictatorship .
Salazar , who turned 59 two days before the election , grew up in Miami and Puerto Rico , where her parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She defeated Democratic freshman Rep. Donna Shalala in a rematch of their 2018 contest to win Florida ’ s 27th Congressional District , capturing 51 % of the vote , according to Miami ’ s Channel 4 , a CBS affiliate .
Shalala served as secretary of health and human services for eight years in the administration of then-President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001 .
Salazar has lived the American dream , attending the University of Miami before going on to Harvard University to earn a master ’ s degree in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successful career as a journalist , becoming a prominent anchor for CNN Español and later covering the Persian Gulf War and El Salvador ’ s civil war , the latter for Univision .
Salazar served as a Pentagon and White House correspondent for Univision for a number of years before becoming the bureau chief for its Central America division .
As the senior political correspondent for Telemundo in Cuba , Salazar interviewed Castro at the Cuban mission to the United Nations in 1995 .
The winner of five broadcasting Emmy Awards , Salazar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for freedom and uncovering oppressive , communist , and socialist regimes in Latin America , especially in Cuba , Venezuela , and Nicaragua , ” as noted on her website .
Salazar , who has two daughters and lives in Miami with her husband , is a staunch anti-socialist , writing on her website : “ Socialism isn ’ t a romantic ideal as those on the left want us to believe.
” She promises to “ fight so everyone can pursue the American dream .
”

Conservatives won House races on Election Day and many of these new members are expected to bring fresh perspectives to Capitol Hill as they represent millennials, minorities, the disabled, and immigrants, among others.
Here are five of the House’s incoming freshman Republicans.
1. Kat Cammack, 3rd District of Florida
Kat Cammack speaks at a campaign fundraiser in Clay County, Florida, Oct. 1. (Photo: Kat Cammack campaign)
Kat Cammack defeated Democrat Adam Christensen to win Florida’s 3rd Congressional District with 57.2% of the vote.
Cammack, 32, is a former aide to Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., having served as his chief of staff, deputy chief of staff, and campaign manager. She now will succeed Yoho, who is retiring after four terms.
Born in Denver into a family of cattle ranchers, Cammack is a strong Second Amendment advocate and committed to supporting farmers and ranchers.
The congresswoman-elect completed her bachelor’s degree at Metropolitan State University in Denver before earning a master’s of science degree in national defense and strategic studies at the Naval War College.
Cammack says she became active in politics in 2011 after her family lost their ranch, which she blamed on the Obama administration’s Home Affordable Modification Program, a program intended to help homeowners refinance underwater mortgages.
During her time working for Yoho, she established four new Veterans Affairs clinics in Florida; crafted Project Putnam, intended to “improve the economic, social, educational, and overall development of Putnam County”; and oversaw Yoho’s North Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force.
Matt Harrison, Cammack’s husband, is a firefighter and paramedic. Together they founded the Grit Foundation, a nonprofit supporting veterans, first responders, and local law enforcement.
2. Madison Cawthorn, 11th District of North Carolina
Madison Cawthorn speaks at the virtual Republican National Convention Aug. 26. (Photo: Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee/Getty Images)
Madison Cawthorn, 25, will become the youngest member of Congress in modern history when he is sworn in in January.
Cawthorn defeated Democratic candidate Morris Davis to win North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District with 54.5% of the vote.
Born and raised in the 11th District, which encompases much of the westernmost part of the state, Cawthorn hoped to join the Navy and attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to which Mark Meadows, former North Carolina congressman and current White House chief of staff, had nominated him.
Cawthorn was forced to change his life plans when he sustained serious injuries in a car accident in the spring of 2014 that put him in the intensive care unit of a hospital for five weeks.
Cawthorn’s extensive injuries left him partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair. The young congressman-elect says he can relate to people who feel they “have been dealt a bad hand.”
Before running for Congress, he worked as a staff assistant in Meadows’ district office and attended Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, Virginia, for a time. In 2019, he started his own small real estate investment business.
In a campaign video, Cawthorn said that, as a millennial, he plans to bring a fresh perspective to Congress and is committed to saying “no to high taxes [and] no to socialism.”
3. Byron Donalds, 19th District of Florida
Byron Donalds defeated his Democratic opponent, Cindy Banyai, in a landslide, capturing 61.3% of the vote in Florida’s 19th Congressional District.
On his website, Donalds, 42, claims to be “everything the fake news media [say] doesn’t exist: a Trump-supporting, liberty-loving, pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment black man.”
Donalds was raised by a single mother in Brooklyn, New York, and credits her for instilling in him a passion to “leave future generations better than the current [one].”
He settled in Florida after graduating from Florida State University in 2002 with degrees in finance and marketing. He worked in insurance, banking, and finance for a number of years in southwestern Florida and became politically involved in 2016 when he was elected to serve in the state House of Representatives.
In 2017, he was named a “Champion of Economic Freedom” by the nonprofit Americans for Prosperity, and in 2018, the American Conservative Union Foundation honored him with its Award for Conservative Excellence.
Donalds is chairman of the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives. Criminal justice reform, education, and elder affairs are three of the issues he has focused on during his time in the state House.
The father of three sons, Donalds and wife Erika live in Naples, Florida. He has served as a youth leader in his church and serves as a volunteer coach for local youth basketball and football leagues.
Donalds has received a 100% rating from Florida Right to Life.
4. Yvette Herrell, 2nd District of New Mexico
Yvette Herrell won the election in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District in her second congressional bid. (Photo: Yvette Herrell campaign)
New Mexico native and small business champion Yvette Herrell won the election in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District with 53.9% of the vote, with 95% of the vote reported.
This was Herrell’s second congressional bid. In 2018, she was defeated by Democrat Xochitl Torres Small by a narrow margin of 3,800 votes out of more than 199,000 cast, according to Ballotpedia.org. In their rematch, Herrell won the seat despite being outspent 3 to 1.
Herrell, 56, has committed to “take New Mexico’s values to Congress and work across party lines,” noting endorsements on her website from both former Democratic Rep. Harry Teague and former Republican Rep. Steve Pearce.
Herrell, a Heritage Action for America sentinel, served in New Mexico’s House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. As a member of the Cherokee Nation, she will be the third Native American woman to serve in Congress, according to the Las Cruces Sun-News.
As an entrepreneur, real estate agent, and former small businesses owner, Herrell says she is prepared to fight against big government overreach. In 2018, the Rio Grande Foundation’s Freedom Index ranked her in first place for upholding principles of economic freedom among more than 100 political leaders in the state.
Herrell doesn’t shy away from a discussion of the border wall and says she is committed to completing it and to standing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents. She also advocates for the growth of America’s military and says New Mexico would be an “ideal location” for the military to develop its new Space Force branch.
5. Maria Elvira Salazar, 27th District of Florida
Maria Elvira Salazar talks with voters at a Miami-Dade County housing facility in Miami Nov. 6, 2018. (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images)
Congresswoman-elect Maria Elvira Salazar was born to immigrant parents who fled Cuba and came to America to escape Fidel Castro’s dictatorship. Salazar, who turned 59 two days before the election, grew up in Miami and Puerto Rico, where her parents instilled in her the value of freedom.
She defeated Democratic freshman Rep. Donna Shalala in a rematch of their 2018 contest to win Florida’s 27th Congressional District, capturing 51% of the vote, according to Miami’s Channel 4, a CBS affiliate. Shalala served as secretary of health and human services for eight years in the administration of then-President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001.
Salazar has lived the American dream, attending the University of Miami before going on to Harvard University to earn a master’s degree in public administration. She has had a successful career as a journalist, becoming a prominent anchor for CNN Español and later covering the Persian Gulf War and El Salvador’s civil war, the latter for Univision.
Salazar served as a Pentagon and White House correspondent for Univision for a number of years before becoming the bureau chief for its Central America division.
As the senior political correspondent for Telemundo in Cuba, Salazar interviewed Castro at the Cuban mission to the United Nations in 1995.
The winner of five broadcasting Emmy Awards, Salazar has been praised for her “passion for freedom and uncovering oppressive, communist, and socialist regimes in Latin America, especially in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua,” as noted on her website.
Salazar, who has two daughters and lives in Miami with her husband, is a staunch anti-socialist, writing on her website: “Socialism isn’t a romantic ideal as those on the left want us to believe.” She promises to “fight so everyone can pursue the American dream.”