washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Highlights of COVID-19, government funding law taking effect

The massive , year-end catchall bill that President Donald Trump signed into law combines $ 900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes , energy , education and health care .
Highlights of the measure with overall funding amounts and specific amounts for some but not necessarily all initiatives .
Unemployment insurance ( $ 120 billion ) .
Revives supplemental federal pandemic unemployment benefits but at $ 300 per week - through March 14 - instead of the $ 600 per week benefit that expired in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gig ” workers and extends the maximum period for state-paid jobless benefits to 50 weeks .
Direct payments ( $ 166 billion ) .
Provides $ 600 direct payments to individuals making up to $ 75,000 per year and couples making up to $ 150,000 per year - with payments phased out for higher incomes — with $ 600 additional payments per dependent child .
Paycheck Protection Program ( $ 284 billion ) .
Revives the Paycheck Protection Program , which provides forgivable loans to qualified businesses .
Especially hard-hit businesses that received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second round .
Ensures that PPP subsidies are not taxed .
Vaccines , testing , health providers ( $ 69 billion ) .
Delivers more than $ 30 billion for procurement of vaccines and treatments , distribution funds for states , and a strategic stockpile .
Adds $ 22 billion for testing , tracing and mitigation , $ 9 billion for health care providers , and $ 4.5 billion for mental health .
Schools and universities ( $ 82 billion ) .
Delivers $ 54 billion to public K-12 schools affected by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and universities ; $ 4 billion would be awarded to a Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund ; nearly $ 1 billion for Native American schools .
Rental assistance ( $ 25 billion ) .
Provides money for a first-ever federal rental assistance program ; funds to be distributed by state and local governments to help people who have fallen behind on their rent and may be facing eviction .
Food/farm aid ( $ 26 billion ) .
Increases stamp benefits by 15 % for six months and provides funding to food banks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Provides an equal amount ( $ 13 billion ) to farmers and ranchers .
Child Care ( $ 10 billion ) .
Provides $ 10 billion to the Child Care Development Block Grant to help families with child care costs and help providers cover increased operating costs .
Postal Service ( $ 10 billion ) .
Forgives a $ 10 billion loan to the Postal Service provided in earlier relief legislation .
The omnibus measure wraps 12 spending bills into one and funds agency operating budgets through Sept. 30 of next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 12.5 billion increase over existing budget limits for domestic programs while cutting Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention and removal costs by $ 431 million .
COVID-19 has contributed to sharply lower costs .
Republicans supported sustained defense spending , energy provisions and longstanding bans on federal funding of abortion .
The measure also provides President Donald Trump with a last , $ 1.4 billion installment for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border .
The measure also contains more than 3,000 pages of miscellaneous legislation , such as : Surprise medical billing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from huge surprise medical bills after receiving treatment from out-of-network providers .
Community health centers .
Reauthorizes , for three years , funding for community health centers and extends a variety of expiring health care policies , including reimbursement rates for various health care providers and procedures under Medicare and Medicaid Tax extenders .
Extends a variety of expiring tax breaks , including lower excise taxes on craft brewers and distillers .
Renewable energy sources would see tax breaks extended , as would motorsport facilities , and people making charitable contributions .
Business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2022 and out-of-pocket health care costs would be deductible after they reach 7.5 % of income .
It would also extend favorable tax treatment for “ look through ” entities of offshore subsidiaries of U.S. corporations .
Water projects .
Includes an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $ 10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control , environmental and coastal protection projects .
Clean energy .
Boosts “ clean energy ” programs like research and development , efficiency incentives and tax credits .
Phases out “ superpollutant ” hydrochlorofluorocarbons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to forgive about $ 1.3 billion in federal loans to historically Black colleges and universities and simplify college financial aid forms .
Boosts the maximum Pell Grant for low-income college students by $ 150 to $ 6,495 .
Offers “ second chance ” Pell Grants to incarcerated prisoners .
Horse racing “ doping.
” Adds bipartisan legislation by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , to create national medication and safety standards for the horse racing industry as lawmakers move to clamp down on the use of performance-enhancing drugs that can lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museums .
Establishes the Women ’ s History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino as new Smithsonian museums located near the National Mall .
Pipeline safety .
Folds in pipeline safety legislation reauthorizing operating grants and safety standards for oil and gas pipelines .
Aircraft safety .
Adds , after the scandal involving Boeing 737 MAX crashes , legislation to beef up the Federal Aviation Administration ’ s aircraft certification process .
Addresses human factors , automation in the cockpit , and international pilot training while authorizing nearly $ 275 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry out the legislation .

The massive, year-end catchall bill that President Donald Trump signed into law combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care.
Highlights of the measure with overall funding amounts and specific amounts for some but not necessarily all initiatives.
COVID-19 RELIEF
Unemployment insurance ($120 billion). Revives supplemental federal pandemic unemployment benefits but at $300 per week - through March 14 - instead of the $600 per week benefit that expired in July. Extends special pandemic benefits for “gig” workers and extends the maximum period for state-paid jobless benefits to 50 weeks.
Direct payments ($166 billion). Provides $600 direct payments to individuals making up to $75,000 per year; $1,200 for couples making up to $150,000 per year - with payments phased out for higher incomes — and $600 additional payments per dependent child.
Paycheck Protection Program ($284 billion). Revives the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans to qualified businesses. Especially hard-hit businesses that received PPP grants would be eligible for a second round. Ensures that PPP subsidies are not taxed.
Vaccines, testing, health providers ($69 billion). Delivers more than $30 billion for procurement of vaccines and treatments, distribution funds for states, and a strategic stockpile. Adds $22 billion for testing, tracing and mitigation, $9 billion for health care providers, and $4.5 billion for mental health.
Schools and universities ($82 billion). Delivers $54 billion to public K-12 schools affected by the pandemic and $23 billion for colleges and universities; $4 billion would be awarded to a Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund; nearly $1 billion for Native American schools.
Rental assistance ($25 billion). Provides money for a first-ever federal rental assistance program; funds to be distributed by state and local governments to help people who have fallen behind on their rent and may be facing eviction.
Food/farm aid ($26 billion). Increases stamp benefits by 15% for six months and provides funding to food banks, Meals on Wheels and other food aid. Provides an equal amount ($13 billion) to farmers and ranchers.
Child Care ($10 billion). Provides $10 billion to the Child Care Development Block Grant to help families with child care costs and help providers cover increased operating costs.
Postal Service ($10 billion). Forgives a $10 billion loan to the Postal Service provided in earlier relief legislation.
___
OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ($1.4 TRILLION)
The omnibus measure wraps 12 spending bills into one and funds agency operating budgets through Sept. 30 of next year. It combines Democratic priorities such as a $12.5 billion increase over existing budget limits for domestic programs while cutting Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention and removal costs by $431 million. COVID-19 has contributed to sharply lower costs. Republicans supported sustained defense spending, energy provisions and longstanding bans on federal funding of abortion. The measure also provides President Donald Trump with a last, $1.4 billion installment for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
___
MISCELLANEOUS
The measure also contains more than 3,000 pages of miscellaneous legislation, such as:
Surprise medical billing. Includes bipartisan legislation to protect consumers from huge surprise medical bills after receiving treatment from out-of-network providers.
Community health centers. Reauthorizes, for three years, funding for community health centers and extends a variety of expiring health care policies, including reimbursement rates for various health care providers and procedures under Medicare and Medicaid
Tax extenders. Extends a variety of expiring tax breaks, including lower excise taxes on craft brewers and distillers. Renewable energy sources would see tax breaks extended, as would motorsport facilities, and people making charitable contributions. Business meals would be 100% deductible through 2022 and out-of-pocket health care costs would be deductible after they reach 7.5% of income. It would also extend favorable tax treatment for “look through” entities of offshore subsidiaries of U.S. corporations.
Water projects. Includes an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control, environmental and coastal protection projects.
Clean energy. Boosts “clean energy” programs like research and development, efficiency incentives and tax credits. Phases out “superpollutant” hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
Education. Includes a bipartisan agreement to forgive about $1.3 billion in federal loans to historically Black colleges and universities and simplify college financial aid forms. Boosts the maximum Pell Grant for low-income college students by $150 to $6,495. Offers “second chance” Pell Grants to incarcerated prisoners.
Horse racing “doping.” Adds bipartisan legislation by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to create national medication and safety standards for the horse racing industry as lawmakers move to clamp down on the use of performance-enhancing drugs that can lead to horse injuries and deaths.
New Smithsonian museums. Establishes the Women’s History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino as new Smithsonian museums located near the National Mall.
Pipeline safety. Folds in pipeline safety legislation reauthorizing operating grants and safety standards for oil and gas pipelines.
Aircraft safety. Adds, after the scandal involving Boeing 737 MAX crashes, legislation to beef up the Federal Aviation Administration’s aircraft certification process. Addresses human factors, automation in the cockpit, and international pilot training while authorizing nearly $275 million over the next five years to carry out the legislation.
Intelligence programs. Reauthorizes intelligence programs for 2021.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Jay Jacobs warns AOC against Chuck Schumer challenge

If Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is serious about mounting a challenge to Sen. Charles Schumer , New York state ’ s top Democrat has some advice .
Jay Jacobs , chairman of the state Democratic Party , told the New York Post over the weekend that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez , who just won her second term in the House , will lose if she tries to unseat the veteran New York senator .
“ I think it would be a primary driven by ambition more than by need , ” Mr. Jacobs said .
“ Chuck Schumer has been a progressive force in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a constituency that admires her and supports her , and they ’ re in her community , and I think it would be a loss for them if she were to do that.
” The New York City congresswoman , whose district is in the borough of Queens , has been the subject of speculation regarding her political future since unexpectedly winning the seat in 2018 .
She ’ s among the harshest critics of President Trump , but the New York billionaire has said she would defeat the Senate minority leader in @ @ @ @

If Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is serious about mounting a challenge to Sen. Charles Schumer, New York state’s top Democrat has some advice.
Don’t.
Jay Jacobs, chairman of the state Democratic Party, told the New York Post over the weekend that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, who just won her second term in the House, will lose if she tries to unseat the veteran New York senator.
“I think it would be a primary driven by ambition more than by need,” Mr. Jacobs said. “Chuck Schumer has been a progressive force in the state for decades. She has a constituency that admires her and supports her, and they’re in her community, and I think it would be a loss for them if she were to do that.”
The New York City congresswoman, whose district is in the borough of Queens, has been the subject of speculation regarding her political future since unexpectedly winning the seat in 2018.
She’s among the harshest critics of President Trump, but the New York billionaire has said she would defeat the Senate minority leader in a primary challenge.
• David Eldridge can be reached at deldridge@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Asia Today: No watching NYE fireworks from Sydney harborside

SYDNEY ( AP ) - Authorities have banned New Year ’ s Eve revelers from congregating in Sydney ’ s downtown harborside to see the celebrated fireworks due to the pandemic risk .
New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Monday people who live in the city center can invite up to 10 guests to their homes to celebrate .
The guests will have to apply for permits to enter the area .
Australia ’ s largest city recorded five new cases of COVID-19 connected to a cluster in the northern beaches region , bringing the total to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 million people usually congregate on the harbor foreshore to see the annual fireworks that center on the Sydney Harbor Bridge .
In other developments around the Asia-Pacific region : - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga says he plans to submit legislation that will make coronavirus measures legally binding for businesses , punish violators and include economic compensation as his government struggles to slow the ongoing upsurge .
Japan had a state of emergency in April and May with non-binding requests for people to stay home and business to close , but people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners have become less cooperative due to the economic impact .
Suga said experts are discussing the legislation to make coronavirus more effectively enforced and hoped to submit the bill for parliamentary approval “ as soon as possible ” next year .
- South Korea has confirmed its first cases of a more contagious variant of COVID-19 that was first identified in the United Kingdom .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Monday the cases are a family of three people who came to South Korea on Dec. 22 .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air travel from Britain until Dec. 31 to guard against the new version of the virus .
The three people , who reside in the U.K. , are under quarantine in South Korea .
South Korea on Monday registered 808 new coronavirus cases , raising its national caseload to 57,680 with 819 deaths .

BANGKOK (AP) - The governor of a province at the center of an expanding COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand has been confirmed infected with the coronavirus after meeting with public health officials including the deputy prime minister.
The meeting Sunday attended by the Samut Sakhon governor, Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul and others was considered a low risk of spreading the virus because everyone wore masks, said Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyotin, a spokesperson for the COVID-19 response center.
The governor, Weerasak Wijitsaengsri, did not have symptoms but would be treated at a hospital, Taweesilp said.
Anutin, who is also Thailand’s public health minister, wrote on Facebook that he has tested negative for the virus and is isolating at home for 14 days.
Thailand reported 144 new cases Monday, most of them locally transmitted, and its total has reached 6,285.
The Southeast Asian country had virtually no cases beyond quarantined travelers for months, but its totals have surged since an outbreak among migrant workers at a seafood market in Samut Sakhon was detected in mid-December.
The province was put under lockdown on Dec. 19. Confirmed cases related to the seafood market have been found in 43 other provinces, including the capital, Bangkok.
Taweesilp said every province has to work hard to control the virus and the number of new infections could reach the thousands daily if nothing is done to prevent the spread. “The best way is to avoid traveling and meetings.”
In other developments around the Asia-Pacific region:
- Authorities have banned New Year’s Eve revelers from congregating in Sydney’s downtown harborside to see the celebrated fireworks due to the pandemic risk. New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Monday people who live in the city center can invite up to 10 guests to their homes to celebrate. The guests will have to apply for permits to enter the area. Australia’s largest city recorded five new cases of COVID-19 connected to a cluster in the northern beaches region, bringing the total to 126 infections since Dec. 10. Around 1 million people usually congregate on the harbor foreshore to see the annual fireworks that center on the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga says he plans to submit legislation that will make coronavirus measures legally binding for businesses, punish violators and include economic compensation as his government struggles to slow the ongoing upsurge. Japan had a state of emergency in April and May with non-binding requests for people to stay home and business to close, but people have complacent about the pandemic and store owners have become less cooperative due to the economic impact. Suga said experts are discussing the legislation to make coronavirus more effectively enforced and hoped to submit the bill for parliamentary approval “as soon as possible” next year.
- Japan on Monday reported its first member of parliament to die from the coronavirus. Yuichiro Hata, 53, also had served as transport minister under a now-defunct opposition party. He developed a slight fever on Thursday and planned to be tested for the virus as a precaution, but his condition suddenly worsened on Sunday, said Tetsuro Fukuyama, secretary general of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, to which Hata belonged. Hata was the son of late Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata, who headed an opposition-led government in 1994. Fukuyama said he hopes Hata’s death will raise public awareness of the danger of the virus. “He was still just over 50 and his condition worsened so quickly. I feel strongly that we really should not underestimate the risk of the coronavirus,” he said. Japan is struggling with a surge in infections that is showing no signs of slowing. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s government has been reluctant to impose tougher restrictions that would further damage the pandemic-hit economy. Japan has reported 220,236 cases, including 3,252 deaths, as of Sunday. Three other national lawmakers have contracted the virus and recovered.
- South Korea has confirmed its first cases of a more contagious variant of COVID-19 that was first identified in the United Kingdom. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Monday the cases are a family of three people who came to South Korea on Dec. 22. They arrived a day before South Korea halted air travel from Britain until Dec. 31 to guard against the new version of the virus. The three people, who reside in the U.K., are under quarantine in South Korea. South Korea on Monday registered 808 new coronavirus cases, raising its national caseload to 57,680 with 819 deaths.
- A member of the security staff and a cleaner at Hong Kong’s international airport have tested positive for the coronavirus. The Airport Authority said Monday that all cleaning staff have been ordered to undergo testing and keep isolated while awaiting results, and that all areas that might have been exposed to the virus have been disinfected. The authority said it is also instituting measures to keep a distance between staff and passengers in the terminal, including designating separate dining areas. Hong Kong’s airport is among the world’s busiest and the economy of the city known as an international business center has taken a severe hit from pandemic control measures and the downturn in international travel. The local government, meanwhile, has struggled to control a new surge in cases, with another 70 announced on Monday for a total of 8,610, including 137 deaths.
- Sri Lanka’s government announced Monday that cinemas will be allowed to reopen throughout the country on Jan. 1 after being closed for three months because of the coronavirus. The reopening, which will require the following of strict health guidelines, is part of the island nation’s efforts to return to normalcy despite lockdowns in different parts of the country. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa decided to reopen the cinemas because of the hardships faced by the industry, his office said in a statement. Patrons will be required to wear face masks and have their body temperatures taken before entering the cinemas. Seats will also be kept vacant between patrons and cinemas can admit only 25% of their normal capacity. Consumption of food and drinks will not be allowed because that would require the removal of face masks. Sri Lanka has confirmed 41,053 coronavirus cases, including 191 fatalities.
- Indonesia’s government plans to ban foreigners from entering the country for 14 days starting Jan. 1 in an attempt to keep out a new coronavirus variant that is believed to spread more rapidly. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said the Cabinet made the decision on Monday. The government also announced 5,854 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, bringing the country’s total to 719,219 confirmed cases, including 21,452 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Trump signs coronavirus relief bill after days of tension

President Trump signed the massive coronavirus relief and government spending bill Sunday , ending nearly a week of suspense that flustered governors and lawmakers of both parties .
Mr. Trump put pen to paper after a Christmas period marked by anger and confusion over his demands for bigger payments than what his Treasury secretary and GOP leaders agreed to in intense talks earlier this month .
“ As president , I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful spending and more money going to the American people in the form of $ 2,000 checks per adult and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
He also said he will send Congress a list of “ rescissions , ” or wasteful budget items that he wants removed , and that Senate Republicans will “ start the process ” that provides for $ 2,000 stimulus checks — a provision the House Democratic majority already agreed to .
He said his Senate allies will go a step further and consider repealing the liability protections that shield social media from lawsuits over their content and the voter fraud allegations that he ’ s pointed to as the reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must not get protections of Section 230 !
Voter Fraud must be fixed !
” Mr. Trump said .
“ Much more money is coming .
I will never give up my fight for the American people !
” Word of the signing broke after policymakers spent much of Sunday and the preceding days bemoaning Mr. Trump ’ s “ switcheroo ” on the bill , saying he needed to sign it to avoid a government shutdown Tuesday and economic woe from coast to coast .
Unemployment benefits for many Americans battered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and eviction protections were set to expire in the new year .
Mr. Trump , in Florida for the holiday , had stopped short of a veto threat over the weekend but reprised his demand for $ 2,000 checks instead of the “ measly ” $ 600 in the bill .
Flustered Republican critics said Mr. Trump had pulled the rug out from under his own negotiators and that $ 2,000 checks could come in a supplemental push .
“ Sign the bill , get it done .
And then if the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s get that done , too , ” Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican , told CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont said he fully endorsed bigger checks but that delaying other relief was “ unbelievably cruel .
“ Many millions of people are losing their extended unemployment benefits .
They ’ re going to be evicted from their apartments because the eviction moratorium is ending , ” Mr. Sanders , an independent and leading progressive , told ABC ’ s “ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way to get the vaccine distributed to tens of millions of people .
There ’ s money in that bill.
” Though Mr. Trump signed the legislation , Democrats said there were real-life consequences to the dithering because states were unable to process initial request for benefits .
“ His one day delay cost people $ 300 this week in unemployment support .
Pure arrogance and evil , ” tweeted Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin .
Congress sent the massive bill on Thursday to the president in Florida , where he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and his golf property a few miles inland .
Besides bigger checks , the president told Congress to eliminate billions of dollars of “ pork ” in the measure , though at times Mr. Trump conflated the government-spending portion of the legislation with COVID-19 relief .
Some Republicans were skittish about cutting larger checks .
Sen. Pat Toomey , Pennsylvania Republican , said he would oppose them .
But like others , he insisted that Mr. Trump sign the existing measure .
“ I understand he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big checks , ” Mr. Toomey said on “ Fox News Sunday.
” “ But the danger is he ’ ll be remembered for chaos and misery and erratic behavior if he allows this to expire.
” The coronavirus pandemic prompted Congress to pass a sweeping relief measure in March that featured direct payments to Americans and stimulus dollars to keep businesses afloat .
But the virus kept circulating through the warmer months and surged by the fall , prompting another round of business closures and prompting a long-running debate on Capitol Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throw a lifeline to Americans suddenly out of a job .
Democrats accused Senate Republicans of waffling after the House passed a major relief bill in May , though the GOP said it amounted to a liberal wish-list instead of targeted relief and that House leaders wanted to make Mr. Trump look bad ahead of the election .
Running out of time as jobs slumped , benefits neared expiration and U.S. deaths attributed to COVID-19 topped 300,000 , congressional leaders and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin reached a December deal .
The breakthrough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of centrist Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate said they ’ d worked out their own $ 900 billion deal , forcing those on their right and left to come back to the table and authorize $ 600 checks for adults making $ 75,000 or less and another round of business loans , rental assistance and an eviction moratorium .
But Mr. Trump shocked Washington on Tuesday by calling the bill a “ disgrace ” and ordering lawmakers to revise the just-passed bill , saying it contained too much foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
Members of both parties also said they were frustrated by the sequence of events , in which Mr. Mnuchin negotiated a bill on the White House ’ s behalf only to be undercut by the president .
Rep. Adam Kinzinger , Illinois Republican , said nobody liked everything in the bill but that $ 600 was the final deal .
“ It ’ s the nature of legislating , you ’ re not going to end up with anything perfect , ” he told CNN .
“ But we passed it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s what the president negotiated .
And then for him to come out and say , now I ’ m going to veto it for the $ 2,000 checks , fine .
If you want to make it $ 2,000 checks , negotiate that from the beginning .
“ We ’ re at a point where people are left out in the dark , ” he said .
“ But to play this old switcheroo game , which is just kind of like , I don ’ t get the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s being done , why , unless it ’ s just to create chaos and show power and be upset because you lost the election.
” Rep.-elect Jamaal Bowman , New York Democrat , said Mr. Trump is “ posturing to bring himself back as the hero of the American people , asking for $ 2,000 ” after his defeat .
“ He ’ s a privileged person who rose to power as a reality TV star and now he ’ s trying to drive this country into chaos , ” Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s public schedule did not include any events but included this message : “ During the Holiday season , President Trump will continue to work tirelessly for the American People .
His schedule includes many meetings and calls.
” The president did repeat his instructions to Congress via Twitter , writing the day after Christmas : “ I simply want to get our great people $ 2000 , rather than the measly $ 600 that is now in the bill .
Also , stop the billions of dollars in ‘ pork.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time Sunday , Monday was shaping into a do-or-die day .
Government funding will lapse without action , and there will be further delays in states looking to issue unemployment benefits .
The nation is also nearing the Dec. 31 expiration of an eviction moratorium .
The group of centrists who led the way to the deal implored Mr. Trump on Sunday to either sign the bill or veto it immediately , allowing those who agree with his position to adjust accordingly .
“ Never before in your personal , professional , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man of inaction .
Now is not the time to sit idly by — please do the right thing and sign or veto this bill immediately , ” said the statement led by Sen. Joe Manchin III , West Virginia Democrat , and leading Problem Solvers Caucus Reps. Josh Gottheimer , New Jersey Democrat , and Tom Reed , New York Republican .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered her chamber back on Monday to vote to override Mr. Trump ’ s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act and take a recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 checks — a way to increase pressure on Senate Republicans who normally support Mr. Trump but have opposed that level of spending on stimulus .
Mrs. Pelosi said the vote will still occur .
“ Every Republican vote against this bill is a vote to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny the American people the relief they need , ” she said .
President-elect Joseph R. Biden said Mr. Trump is guilty of an “ abdication of responsibility ” for sitting on the bill .
The Democrat says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of a government shutdown while forcing Americans to worry about expiring eviction protections and unemployment benefits .
He also says businesses might not survive the winter without the extra help .
“ It is the day after Christmas , and millions of families don ’ t know if they ’ ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump ’ s refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority , ” Mr. Biden said in a Saturday statement .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be signed into law now.
” • Dave Boyer and Gabriella Muñoz contributed to this report .

President Trump signed the massive coronavirus relief and government spending bill Sunday, ending nearly a week of suspense that flustered governors and lawmakers of both parties.
Mr. Trump put pen to paper after a Christmas period marked by anger and confusion over his demands for bigger payments than what his Treasury secretary and GOP leaders agreed to in intense talks earlier this month.
“As president, I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful spending and more money going to the American people in the form of $2,000 checks per adult and $600 per child,” Mr. Trump said.
He also said he will send Congress a list of “rescissions,” or wasteful budget items that he wants removed, and that Senate Republicans will “start the process” that provides for $2,000 stimulus checks — a provision the House Democratic majority already agreed to.
He said his Senate allies will go a step further and consider repealing the liability protections that shield social media from lawsuits over their content and the voter fraud allegations that he’s pointed to as the reason for his election loss.
“Big Tech must not get protections of Section 230! Voter Fraud must be fixed!” Mr. Trump said. “Much more money is coming. I will never give up my fight for the American people!”
Word of the signing broke after policymakers spent much of Sunday and the preceding days bemoaning Mr. Trump’s “switcheroo” on the bill, saying he needed to sign it to avoid a government shutdown Tuesday and economic woe from coast to coast.
Unemployment benefits for many Americans battered by the coronavirus expired over the weekend, and eviction protections were set to expire in the new year.
Mr. Trump, in Florida for the holiday, had stopped short of a veto threat over the weekend but reprised his demand for $2,000 checks instead of the “measly” $600 in the bill.
Irritated Republican critics said Mr. Trump had pulled the rug out from under his own negotiators and that $2,000 checks could come in a supplemental push.
“Sign the bill, get it done. And then if the president wants to get more, let’s get that done, too,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, told CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont said he fully endorsed bigger checks but that delaying other relief was “unbelievably cruel.
“Many millions of people are losing their extended unemployment benefits. They’re going to be evicted from their apartments because the eviction moratorium is ending,” Mr. Sanders, an independent and leading progressive, told ABC’s “This Week.” “We are looking at a way to get the vaccine distributed to tens of millions of people. There’s money in that bill.”
Though Mr. Trump signed the legislation, Democrats said there were real-life consequences to the dithering because states were unable to process initial requests for benefits.
“One day late cost people $300 for food this week. Pure arrogance,” tweeted Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin.
Congress sent the massive bill on Thursday to the president in Florida, where he spent the past few days shuttling between his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and his golf property a few miles inland.
Besides bigger checks, the president told Congress to eliminate billions of dollars of “pork” in the measure, though at times Mr. Trump conflated the government-spending portion of the legislation with COVID-19 relief.
Some Republicans were skittish about cutting larger checks.
Sen. Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania Republican, said he would oppose them. But like others, he insisted that Mr. Trump sign the existing measure.
“I understand he wants to be remembered for advocating for big checks,” Mr. Toomey said on “Fox News Sunday.” “But the danger is he’ll be remembered for chaos and misery and erratic behavior if he allows this to expire.”
The coronavirus pandemic prompted Congress to pass a sweeping relief measure in March that featured direct payments to Americans and stimulus dollars to keep businesses afloat.
But the virus kept circulating through the warmer months and surged by the fall, fueling another round of business closures and prompting a long-running debate on Capitol Hill about ways to stimulate the economy and throw a lifeline to Americans suddenly out of a job.
Democrats accused Senate Republicans of waffling after the House passed a major relief bill in May, though the GOP said it amounted to a liberal wish-list instead of targeted relief and that House leaders wanted to make Mr. Trump look bad ahead of the election.
Running out of time as jobs slumped, benefits neared expiration and U.S. deaths attributed to COVID-19 topped 300,000, congressional leaders and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin reached a December deal.
The breakthrough came earlier in the month when a group of centrist Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate said they’d worked out their own $900 billion deal, forcing those on their right and left to come back to the table and authorize $600 checks for adults making $75,000 or less and another round of business loans, rental assistance and an eviction moratorium.
But Mr. Trump shocked Washington on Tuesday by calling the bill a “disgrace” and ordering lawmakers to revise the just-passed bill, saying it contained too much foreign aid and not enough help for struggling Americans.
Members of both parties also said they were frustrated by the sequence of events, in which Mr. Mnuchin negotiated a bill on the White House’s behalf only to be undercut by the president.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Illinois Republican, said nobody liked everything in the bill but that $600 was the final deal.
“It’s the nature of legislating, you’re not going to end up with anything perfect,” he told CNN. “But we passed it because this was the agreed-upon number. It’s what the president negotiated. And then for him to come out and say, now I’m going to veto it for the $2,000 checks, fine. If you want to make it $2,000 checks, negotiate that from the beginning.
“We’re at a point where people are left out in the dark,” he said. “But to play this old switcheroo game, which is just kind of like, I don’t get the point. I don’t understand what’s being done, why, unless it’s just to create chaos and show power and be upset because you lost the election.”
Rep.-elect Jamaal Bowman, New York Democrat, said Mr. Trump is “posturing to bring himself back as the hero of the American people, asking for $2,000” after his defeat.
“He’s a privileged person who rose to power as a reality TV star and now he’s trying to drive this country into chaos,” Mr. Bowman told CNN.
Mr. Trump’s public schedule over the weekend did not include any events but included this message: “During the Holiday season, President Trump will continue to work tirelessly for the American People. His schedule includes many meetings and calls.”
The president did repeat his instructions to Congress via Twitter, writing the day after Christmas: “I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill. Also, stop the billions of dollars in ‘pork.’”
Until Sunday night’s action, Monday was shaping into a do-or-die day.
Government funding was set to lapse without action, states looking to issue unemployment benefits faced delays.
The nation was also nearing the Dec. 31 expiration of an eviction moratorium.
The group of centrists who led the way to the deal implored Mr. Trump on Sunday to either sign the bill or veto it immediately, allowing those who agree with his position to adjust accordingly.
“Never before in your personal, professional, or political life have you been characterized as a man of inaction. Now is not the time to sit idly by — please do the right thing and sign or veto this bill immediately,” said the statement led by Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, and leading Problem Solvers Caucus Reps. Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey Democrat, and Tom Reed, New York Republican.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered her chamber back on Monday to vote to override Mr. Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act and take a recorded vote on a measure to approve $2,000 checks — a way to increase pressure on Senate Republicans who normally support Mr. Trump but have opposed that level of spending on stimulus.
On Sunday night, Mrs. Pelosi said the vote will still occur.
“Every Republican vote against this bill is a vote to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny the American people the relief they need,” she said.
President-elect Joseph R. Biden said Mr. Trump was guilty of an “abdication of responsibility” for sitting on the bill and forcing Americans to worry about expiring eviction protections and unemployment benefits.
• Dave Boyer and Gabriella Muñoz contributed to this report.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--2-year-old colt fatally injured in race at Santa Anita

ARCADIA , Calif. ( AP ) - A 2-year-old colt racing in the $ 80,150 Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita was fatally injured Sunday , becoming the Southern California track ’ s first fatality since June .
Trained by Peter Miller , Ebeko was lagging the field when he injured his left front leg at the top of the stretch in the 1-mile turf race , throwing jockey Joel Rosario to the ground .
The colt was triaged on the turf course , but a statement from Santa Anita said veterinarians determined it was an unrecoverable injury .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mandatory necropsy at the University of California , Davis , School of Veterinary Medicine .
Rosario was examined by first aid staff and although he skipped the next race , he was approved to ride the rest of the day .
Ebeko had two wins in eight career starts and earnings of $ 122,930 , according to Equibase .
It was the first racing fatality at Santa Anita since June 20 .
The track didn ’ t have any racing or training incidents during the fall meet and hasn ’ t had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during racing this year .
The track ’ s winter-spring meet opened on Saturday .
The track located in Arcadia had 23 fatalities between Dec. 26 , 2018 , and March 31 , 2019 .

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - A 2-year-old colt racing in the $80,150 Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita was fatally injured Sunday, becoming the Southern California track’s first fatality since June.
Trained by Peter Miller, Ebeko was lagging the field when he injured his left front leg at the top of the stretch in the 1-mile turf race, throwing jockey Joel Rosario to the ground.
The colt was triaged on the turf course, but a statement from Santa Anita said veterinarians determined it was an unrecoverable injury. The colt was euthanized. Ebeko will undergo a mandatory necropsy at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.
Rosario was examined by first aid staff and although he skipped the next race, he was approved to ride the rest of the day.
Ebeko had two wins in eight career starts and earnings of $122,930, according to Equibase.
It was the first racing fatality at Santa Anita since June 20. The track didn’t have any racing or training incidents during the fall meet and hasn’t had a fatality on the main dirt track during racing this year. The track’s winter-spring meet opened on Saturday.
The track located in Arcadia had 23 fatalities between Dec. 26, 2018, and March 31, 2019.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Trump blasted for coronavirus relief bill 'switcheroo'

Governors and lawmakers in both parties bemoaned President Trump ‘ s “ switcheroo ” on coronavirus relief and government funding and implored him Sunday to sign the massive bill to avert a federal shutdown and keep economic misery from billowing across the nation .
Mr. Trump , while vacationing in Florida for the holiday weekend , stopped short of a veto threat but reprised his demand for $ 2,000 checks instead of the “ measly ” $ 600 in the bill .
He tweeted late Sunday there was “ good news ” on the relief bill , with “ information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further .
The stakes couldn ’ t be higher for the millions of Americans losing unemployment benefits over the weekend .
Other safety-net protections are also set to lapse in the coming days , and normal government funding expires Tuesday .
Flustered Republicans said Mr. Trump pulled the rug out from under his own negotiators with his Christmas-week demand , while governors in both parties said $ 2,000 checks can come in a supplemental push .
“ Sign the bill , get it done .
And then if the president wants to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done , too , ” Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican , told CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” “ The president needs to sign it.
” Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont said he fully endorses bigger checks but that delaying other relief is “ unbelievably cruel .
“ Many millions of people are losing their extended unemployment benefits .
They ’ re going to be evicted from their apartments because the eviction moratorium is ending , ” Mr. Sanders , an independent and leading progressive , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are looking at a way to get the vaccine distributed to tens of millions of people .
There ’ s money in that bill .
This president is diddling around and he may actually veto it .
“ Sign the bill , Mr. President , and then immediately — Monday , Tuesday — we can pass a $ 2,000 direct payment to the working families of this country , ” Mr. Sanders said .
Congress sent the massive bill on Thursday to the president in Florida , where Mr. Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and his golf property a few miles inland .
Besides bigger checks , the president told Congress to eliminate billions of dollars of “ pork ” in the measure , though at times Mr. Trump conflated the government-spending portion of the legislation with COVID-19 relief .
Congressional Democrats say they ’ re on board with bigger checks , so Mr. Trump “ should get back to Washington and get that piece done as well , ” Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat , told CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said he would oppose bigger checks but like the others insisted that Mr. Trump sign the existing measure .
“ I understand he wants to be remembered for advocating for big checks , ” Mr. Toomey said on “ Fox News Sunday.
” “ But the danger is he ’ ll be remembered for chaos and misery and erratic behavior if he allows this to expire.
” The coronavirus pandemic prompted Congress to pass a sweeping relief measure in March that featured direct payments to Americans and stimulus dollars to keep businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the warmer months and surged by the fall , prompting another round of business closures and prompting a long-running debate on Capitol Hill about ways to stimulate the economy and throw a lifeline to Americans suddenly out of a job .
Democrats accused Senate Republicans of waffling after the House passed a major relief bill in May , though the GOP said it amounted to a liberal wish-list instead of targeted relief and that House leaders wanted to make Mr. Trump look bad ahead of the election .
Running out of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and U.S. deaths attributed to COVID-19 topped 300,000 , congressional leaders and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin reached a December deal .
The breakthrough came earlier in the month when a group of centrist Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate said they ’ d worked out their own $ 900 billion deal , forcing those on their right and left to come back to the table and authorize $ 600 checks for adults making $ 75,000 or less and another round of business loans , rental assistance and an eviction moratorium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday by calling the bill a “ disgrace ” and ordering lawmakers to revise the just-passed bill , saying it contained too much foreign aid and not enough help for struggling Americans .
Members of both parties also said they were frustrated by the sequence of events , in which Mr. Mnuchin negotiated a bill on the White House ’ s behalf only to be undercut by the president .
Rep. Adam Kinzinger , Illinois Republican , said nobody liked everything in the bill but that $ 600 was the final deal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislating , you ’ re not going to end up with anything perfect , ” he told CNN .
“ But we passed it because this was the agreed-upon number .
It ’ s what the president negotiated .
And then for him to come out and say , now I ’ m going to veto it for the $ 2,000 checks , fine .
If you want to make it $ 2,000 checks , negotiate that from the beginning .
“ We ’ re at a point where people are left out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But to play this old switcheroo game , which is just kind of like , I don ’ t get the point .
I don ’ t understand what ’ s being done , why , unless it ’ s just to create chaos and show power and be upset because you lost the election.
” Rep.-elect Jamaal Bowman , New York Democrat , said Mr. Trump is “ posturing to bring himself back as the hero of the American people , asking for $ 2,000 ” after his defeat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who rose to power as a reality TV star and now he ’ s trying to drive this country into chaos , ” Mr .
Bowman told CNN .
Mr. Trump ‘ s public schedule did not include any events but included this message : “ During the Holiday season , President Trump will continue to work tirelessly for the American People .
His schedule includes many meetings and calls.
” The president did repeat his instructions to Congress via Twitter , writing the day after Christmas : “ I simply want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than the measly $ 600 that is now in the bill .
Also , stop the billions of dollars in ‘ pork.
’ ” With no action as of press time Sunday , Monday was shaping into a do-or-die day .
Government funding will lapse without action , and there will be further delays in states looking to issue unemployment benefits .
The nation is also nearing the Dec. 31 expiration of an eviction moratorium .
The group of centrists who led the way to the deal implored Mr. Trump on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it immediately , allowing those who agree with his position to adjust accordingly .
“ Never before in your personal , professional , or political life have you been characterized as a man of inaction .
Now is not the time to sit idly by — please do the right thing and sign or veto this bill immediately , ” said the statement led by Sen. Joe Manchin III , West Virginia Democrat , and leading Problem Solvers Caucus Reps. Josh Gottheimer , New Jersey Democrat , and Tom Reed , New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her chamber back on Monday to vote to override Mr. Trump ‘ s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act and take a recorded vote on a measure to approve $ 2,000 checks — a way to increase pressure on Senate Republicans who normally support Mr. Trump but have opposed that level of spending on stimulus .
“ Hopefully by then the president will have already signed the bipartisan and bicameral legislation to keep the government open and to deliver coronavirus relief , ” Mrs. Pelosi told members on Christmas Eve .
President-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty of an “ abdication of responsibility ” for sitting on the bill .
The Democrat says Mr. Trump is putting the U.S. at risk of a government shutdown while forcing Americans to worry about expiring eviction protections and unemployment benefits .
He also says businesses might not survive the winter without the extra help .
“ It is the day after Christmas , and millions of families don ’ t know if they ’ ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump ‘ s refusal to sign an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overwhelming and bipartisan majority , ” Mr. Biden said in a Saturday statement .
“ This bill is critical .
It needs to be signed into law now.
” ⦁ Dave Boyer and Gabriella Muñoz contributed to this report .

Governors and lawmakers in both parties bemoaned President Trump’s “switcheroo” on coronavirus relief and government funding and implored him Sunday to sign the massive bill to avert a federal shutdown and keep economic misery from billowing across the nation.
Mr. Trump, while vacationing in Florida for the holiday weekend, stopped short of a veto threat but reprised his demand for $2,000 checks instead of the “measly” $600 in the bill.
He tweeted late Sunday there was “good news” on the relief bill, with “information to follow,” raising the intrigue further.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the millions of Americans losing unemployment benefits over the weekend. Other safety-net protections are also set to lapse in the coming days, and normal government funding expires Tuesday.
Flustered Republicans said Mr. Trump pulled the rug out from under his own negotiators with his Christmas-week demand, while governors in both parties said $2,000 checks can come in a supplemental push.
“Sign the bill, get it done. And then if the president wants to get more, let’s get that done, too,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “The president needs to sign it.”
Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont said he fully endorses bigger checks but that delaying other relief is “unbelievably cruel.
“Many millions of people are losing their extended unemployment benefits. They’re going to be evicted from their apartments because the eviction moratorium is ending,” Mr. Sanders, an independent and leading progressive, told ABC’s “This Week.” “We are looking at a way to get the vaccine distributed to tens of millions of people. There’s money in that bill. This president is diddling around and he may actually veto it.
“Sign the bill, Mr. President, and then immediately — Monday, Tuesday — we can pass a $2,000 direct payment to the working families of this country,” Mr. Sanders said.
Congress sent the massive bill on Thursday to the president in Florida, where Mr. Trump has spent the past few days shuttling between his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and his golf property a few miles inland.
Besides bigger checks, the president told Congress to eliminate billions of dollars of “pork” in the measure, though at times Mr. Trump conflated the government-spending portion of the legislation with COVID-19 relief.
Congressional Democrats say they’re on board with bigger checks, so Mr. Trump “should get back to Washington and get that piece done as well,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, told CNN.
Sen. Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania Republican, said he would oppose bigger checks but like the others insisted that Mr. Trump sign the existing measure.
“I understand he wants to be remembered for advocating for big checks,” Mr. Toomey said on “Fox News Sunday.” “But the danger is he’ll be remembered for chaos and misery and erratic behavior if he allows this to expire.”
The coronavirus pandemic prompted Congress to pass a sweeping relief measure in March that featured direct payments to Americans and stimulus dollars to keep businesses afloat.
But the virus kept circulating through the warmer months and surged by the fall, prompting another round of business closures and prompting a long-running debate on Capitol Hill about ways to stimulate the economy and throw a lifeline to Americans suddenly out of a job.
Democrats accused Senate Republicans of waffling after the House passed a major relief bill in May, though the GOP said it amounted to a liberal wish-list instead of targeted relief and that House leaders wanted to make Mr. Trump look bad ahead of the election.
Running out of time as jobs slumped, benefits neared expiration and U.S. deaths attributed to COVID-19 topped 300,000, congressional leaders and Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin reached a December deal.
The breakthrough came earlier in the month when a group of centrist Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate said they’d worked out their own $900 billion deal, forcing those on their right and left to come back to the table and authorize $600 checks for adults making $75,000 or less and another round of business loans, rental assistance and an eviction moratorium.
But Mr. Trump shocked Washington on Tuesday by calling the bill a “disgrace” and ordering lawmakers to revise the just-passed bill, saying it contained too much foreign aid and not enough help for struggling Americans.
Members of both parties also said they were frustrated by the sequence of events, in which Mr. Mnuchin negotiated a bill on the White House’s behalf only to be undercut by the president.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Illinois Republican, said nobody liked everything in the bill but that $600 was the final deal.
“It’s the nature of legislating, you’re not going to end up with anything perfect,” he told CNN. “But we passed it because this was the agreed-upon number. It’s what the president negotiated. And then for him to come out and say, now I’m going to veto it for the $2,000 checks, fine. If you want to make it $2,000 checks, negotiate that from the beginning.
“We’re at a point where people are left out in the dark,” he said. “But to play this old switcheroo game, which is just kind of like, I don’t get the point. I don’t understand what’s being done, why, unless it’s just to create chaos and show power and be upset because you lost the election.”
Rep.-elect Jamaal Bowman, New York Democrat, said Mr. Trump is “posturing to bring himself back as the hero of the American people, asking for $2,000” after his defeat.
“He’s a privileged person who rose to power as a reality TV star and now he’s trying to drive this country into chaos,” Mr. Bowman told CNN.
Mr. Trump’s public schedule did not include any events but included this message: “During the Holiday season, President Trump will continue to work tirelessly for the American People. His schedule includes many meetings and calls.”
The president did repeat his instructions to Congress via Twitter, writing the day after Christmas: “I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill. Also, stop the billions of dollars in ‘pork.’”
With no action as of press time Sunday, Monday was shaping into a do-or-die day.
Government funding will lapse without action, and there will be further delays in states looking to issue unemployment benefits. The nation is also nearing the Dec. 31 expiration of an eviction moratorium.
The group of centrists who led the way to the deal implored Mr. Trump on Sunday to either sign the bill or veto it immediately, allowing those who agree with his position to adjust accordingly.
“Never before in your personal, professional, or political life have you been characterized as a man of inaction. Now is not the time to sit idly by — please do the right thing and sign or veto this bill immediately,” said the statement led by Sen. Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, and leading Problem Solvers Caucus Reps. Josh Gottheimer, New Jersey Democrat, and Tom Reed, New York Republican.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered her chamber back on Monday to vote to override Mr. Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act and take a recorded vote on a measure to approve $2,000 checks — a way to increase pressure on Senate Republicans who normally support Mr. Trump but have opposed that level of spending on stimulus.
“Hopefully by then the president will have already signed the bipartisan and bicameral legislation to keep the government open and to deliver coronavirus relief,” Mrs. Pelosi told members on Christmas Eve.
President-elect Joseph R. Biden said Mr. Trump is guilty of an “abdication of responsibility” for sitting on the bill.
The Democrat says Mr. Trump is putting the U.S. at risk of a government shutdown while forcing Americans to worry about expiring eviction protections and unemployment benefits. He also says businesses might not survive the winter without the extra help.
“It is the day after Christmas, and millions of families don’t know if they’ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump’s refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority,” Mr. Biden said in a Saturday statement. “This bill is critical. It needs to be signed into law now.”
⦁ Dave Boyer and Gabriella Muñoz contributed to this report.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Inside the Beltway: Americans reject more Trump investigations

Americans are not interested in any more Democratic investigations of President Trump and his administration .
Such investigations , in fact , rank last as a priority on a wish-list of issues for President-elect Joseph R. Biden to address in the very near future .
So says a new USA Today/Suffolk University poll which asked respondents to rank the importance of the issues that will confront the Biden White House in the coming months .
An expensive , unproductive and unwarranted probe of Mr. Trump ‘ s activities is not one of them — suggesting that Americans have a case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most important priority of all was controlling COVID-19 , cited by 44 % , followed by job creation and preservation , cited by 26 % .
Improving access to health care was deemed most important by 12 % , addressing climate change by 5 % .
Another 7 % were undecided about the issue .
Just 2 % said that investigating the president should be at the top of the list and a top priority .
The survey also found that 7 % were undecided and 3 % refused to answer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted Dec. 6-20 and released Friday .
TRUMP ’ S ON MESSAGE TO THE FINAL CURTAIN As the old 1938 tune “ September Song ” once put it , “ The days dwindle down to a precious few ” — referring to the relentless passage of time , of course .
A “ precious few ” is certainly the case for President Trump , who has about three weeks left in the White House .
He continues to stand fast on his claims of a fraudulent election however , as do his close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also staying on the same message he brought with him in the earliest of days .
Mr. Trump recently vetoed both the National Defense Authorization Act and the $ 2.3 trillion COVID-19 relief and federal spending act to a chorus of criticism from partisan rivals and the hostile press .
Some claim the vetoes are poor judgment and ineffective policy .
One analyst says that this is Mr. Trump doing what he promised to do from the beginning “ Whether the president is right on the policy is an open debate , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes Tristan Justice , who covers politics and campaigns for The Federalist .
The “ brand ” in this case , is the Trump brand .
“ Vetoing the annual defense spending bill and trashing Congress for being too generous to foreign countries and not generous enough to the struggling taxpayers footing the bill , Trump is leaving office on the same note he entered it : decrying the Washington establishment on behalf of the working American , in true Trump form .
Combined with a wave of 20 Christmas pardons with less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency , ” Mr. Justice says .
“ Trump is going out proving that he meant it when claiming since his political entrance in 2015 he has no use for the beltway elites , ” he concludes .
Let us recall that the traditional handshake is a very old practice which assorted historians say was a way for two people to indicate that they were not carrying concealed weapons in ancient Greece , and again started in medieval times .
It has since become a polite custom and a symbolic way to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best photo-op of all for politicians and leaders around the world .
But not all of them .
“ George Washington didn ’ t like shaking hands with his guests , preferring instead to bow .
Thomas Jefferson was the first American politician to bring the handshake to the White House proper , using it to take the office slightly down to earth .
Since then , American politicians have made the handshake a campaign staple , ” notes a history of the “ political handshake ” published in 2016 by Atlas Obscura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But alas : The COVID-19 pandemic has intruded on this longstanding practice .
“ Wave goodbye to handshakes , ” advises a new survey conducted by the Harris Poll for Fast Company , a business publication .
“ Overall , 54 % agreed with the statement , ‘ I would be happy to never shake someone ’ s hand again ’ and 54 % said they would only do so if required in a formal or professional setting , leaving plenty of room for the socially distant elbow bump to grow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 % of respondents said they now prefer to shake hands “ less often ” and 26 % said they don ’ t want to handshake at all .
See more in the Poll du Jour at column ’ s end .
RUDY ’ S NOT DONE YET The Former New York City mayor and current attorney to President Trump continues to produce a frequent video commentary about the state of politics and the nation titled “ Common Sense.
” Indeed , Rudolph W. Giuliani is vocal and lucid about such things in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by his many media critics .
This week , Mr. Giuliani hammers on the Jan. 5 Georgia runoff elections that will determine the leadership of the Senate .
“ Who honestly was elected president of the United States ?
” he asks , combing through evidence that he suggests indicate fraud in the elections in Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
There were 500,000 votes in Pennsylvania , for example , that were “ made up ” or “ phony ” Mr. Giuliani says .
“ So starting after Christmas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he predicts — advising that the nation was in for a “ dramatic ” January .
“ The evidence that all these crooked television networks , newspapers , big tech and the leadership of the Democratic Party have been giving you is false .
And you ’ re going to find that out all at once .
It ’ s going to be very shocking to the country , ” he adds .
• 66 % of Americans say they would continue to wear a mask in public during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic ends .
• 54 % of U.S. adults would be happy to “ never shake someone ’ s hand again ” after the COVID-19 pandemic ends .
• 48 % would like to use telemedicine more often after the pandemic ends .
• 27 % say they would prefer to “ never ” travel for business again .
• 25 % would like to return to a physical office as their workplace .

NEWS AND OPINION:
Americans are not interested in any more Democratic investigations of President Trump and his administration. Such investigations, in fact, rank last as a priority on a wish-list of issues for President-elect Joseph R. Biden to address in the very near future. So says a new USA Today/Suffolk University poll which asked respondents to rank the importance of the issues that will confront the Biden White House in the coming months.
An expensive, unproductive and unwarranted probe of Mr. Trump’s activities is not one of them — suggesting that Americans have a case of impeachment fatigue.
The poll found the most important priority of all was controlling COVID-19, cited by 44%, followed by job creation and preservation, cited by 26%. Improving access to health care was deemed most important by 12%, addressing climate change by 5%. Another 7% were undecided about the issue.
Just 2% said that investigating the president should be at the top of the list and a top priority.
The survey also found that 7% were undecided and 3% refused to answer. The poll of 1,000 U.S. adults was conducted Dec. 6-20 and released Friday.
TRUMP’S ON MESSAGE TO THE FINAL CURTAIN
As the old 1938 tune “September Song” once put it, “The days dwindle down to a precious few” — referring to the relentless passage of time, of course.
A “precious few” is certainly the case for President Trump, who has about three weeks left in the White House. He continues to stand fast on his claims of a fraudulent election however, as do his close allies.
Meanwhile, the president is also staying on the same message he brought with him in the earliest of days. Mr. Trump recently vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act and slammed the $2.3 trillion COVID-19 relief and federal spending act to a chorus of criticism from partisan rivals and the hostile press. Some claim his attacks are poor judgment and ineffective policy. One analyst says that this is Mr. Trump doing what he promised to do from the beginning
“Whether the president is right on the policy is an open debate, but the messaging is on brand,” writes Tristan Justice, who covers politics and campaigns for The Federalist.
The “brand” in this case, is the Trump brand.
“Vetoing the annual defense spending bill and trashing Congress for being too generous to foreign countries and not generous enough to the struggling taxpayers footing the bill, Trump is leaving office on the same note he entered it: decrying the Washington establishment on behalf of the working American, in true Trump form. Combined with a wave of 20 Christmas pardons with less than a month to go in his presidency,” Mr. Justice says.
“Trump is going out proving that he meant it when claiming since his political entrance in 2015 he has no use for the beltway elites,” he concludes.
THE HANDSHAKE FALLS VICTIM TO COVID-19
Let us recall that the traditional handshake is a very old practice which assorted historians say was a way for two people to indicate that they were not carrying concealed weapons in ancient Greece, and again started in medieval times. It has since become a polite custom and a symbolic way to close deals, mend differences and provide the best photo-op of all for politicians and leaders around the world.
But not all of them.
“George Washington didn’t like shaking hands with his guests, preferring instead to bow. Thomas Jefferson was the first American politician to bring the handshake to the White House proper, using it to take the office slightly down to earth. Since then, American politicians have made the handshake a campaign staple,” notes a history of the “political handshake” published in 2016 by Atlas Obscura, a news organization based in Brooklyn.
But alas: The COVID-19 pandemic has intruded on this longstanding practice.
“Wave goodbye to handshakes,” advises a new survey conducted by the Harris Poll for Fast Company, a business publication.
“Overall, 54% agreed with the statement, ‘I would be happy to never shake someone’s hand again’ and 54% said they would only do so if required in a formal or professional setting, leaving plenty of room for the socially distant elbow bump to grow,” the poll analysis reported.
Another 30% of respondents said they now prefer to shake hands “less often” and 26% said they don’t want to handshake at all.
See more in the Poll du Jour at column’s end.
RUDY’S NOT DONE YET
The Former New York City mayor and current attorney to President Trump continues to produce a frequent video commentary about the state of politics and the nation titled “Common Sense.” Indeed, Rudolph W. Giuliani is vocal and lucid about such things in these productions — a quality not acknowledged by his many media critics. This week, Mr. Giuliani hammers on the Jan. 5 Georgia runoff elections that will determine the leadership of the Senate.
“Who honestly was elected president of the United States?” he asks, combing through evidence that he suggests indicate fraud in the elections in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
There were 500,000 votes in Pennsylvania, for example, that were “made up” or “phony” Mr. Giuliani says.
“So starting after Christmas, this is really going to blow up,” he predicts — advising that the nation was in for a “dramatic” January.
“The evidence that all these crooked television networks, newspapers, big tech and the leadership of the Democratic Party have been giving you is false. And you’re going to find that out all at once. It’s going to be very shocking to the country,” he adds.
Find Mr. Giuliani’s videos and frequent podcasts at RudygiulianiCS.com.
POLL DU JOUR
• 66% of Americans say they would continue to wear a mask in public during the pandemic, and “more often” after the pandemic ends.
• 54% of U.S. adults would be happy to “never shake someone’s hand again” after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
• 48% would like to use telemedicine more often after the pandemic ends.
• 27% say they would prefer to “never” travel for business again.
• 25% would like to return to a physical office as their workplace.
Source: A Harris/Fast Company poll of 1,015 U.S. adults conducted Dec. 18-21.
• Helpful information to jharper@washingtontimes.com
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Anthony Warner, Nashville bomber, digital records examined in search for motive

Tennessee authorities on Sunday identified a person responsible for the Christmas Day explosion in downtown Nashville that rocked the city following what officials have dubbed its “ hardest year.
” Using DNA evidence , federal authorities said Anthony Quinn Warner was responsible for the bombing and investigators believe the 63-year-old Nashville man died in the explosion .
Officials said they do not believe anyone else was involved in the incident .
Three people were injured during the Friday explosion but are in stable condition .
The officers who were injured at the blast site are recovering , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an AT & T building on Second Avenue , a strip of shops and businesses at the heart of Nashville ‘ s tourist area .
Smoke billowed from the area earlier on Friday and glass shattered in several buildings .
“ Initial evidence does show that the early morning explosion was a deliberate bomb set off in our community and the blast caused injuries and catastrophic damage to this very historic part of Nashville , ” said Nashville Mayor John Cooper .
Authorities attributed the low casualty count to the swift efforts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after they found a suspicious RV with a recorded warning that a bomb would go off in minutes .
“ This is going to tie us together forever , for the rest of my life , ” Officer James Wells , who suffered some hearing loss from the explosion , said during a news conference Sunday .
“ Christmas will never be the same .
“ I just see orange and then I hear a loud boom , ” Officer Wells said tearfully .
“ As I ’ m stumbling around , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet and to stay alive.
” Officer Amanda Topping initially parked her car beside the RV when she responded to the suspicious vehicle call .
“ I felt the waves of heat but I kind of just lost it and started sprinting toward [ Officer Wells ] , ” she said of the explosion .
The man identified as the suspected bomber was a longtime Nashville resident who worked in various IT jobs , and most recently worked as an independent computer technician for real estate firm Fridrich & Clark , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we knew , he was kind of a computer geek that worked at home , ” Steve Schmoldt , a neighbor , told the Nashville newspaper , the Tennessean .
“ You never saw anyone come and go , ” Mr. Schmoldt told the publication , describing his decades-long neighbor as “ kind of low key to the point of , I don ’ t know , I guess some people would say he ’ s a little odd.
” A law enforcement official told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect ’ s digital footprint and financial history .
They are also examining a recent deed transfer of a home in suburban Nashville .
The official said forensic analysts are reviewing evidence collected from the blast site to try to identify the components of the explosives and are also reviewing information from the U.S .
Bomb Data Center for intelligence and investigative leads .
AT & T quickly reported outages related to the explosion and said Sunday that it has been rerouting service to other facilities as the company works to restore a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blast .
The company said power has been restored to four of the building ’ s floors .
Three feet of water was pumped out of the building ’ s basement on Saturday , but access to the lower floors is still limited .
Elevators , beams and columns and the building ’ s facade were also damaged .
Federal agents are examining a number of potential leads and pursuing several theories , including the possibility that an AT & T building was targeted .
The bomb caused damage that affected communications in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other buildings in the area , with the Nashville Fire Department still trying to determine which are structurally sound .
“ It will be some time before Second Avenue is back .
It is not going to be the three days of the curfew , ” Mr. Cooper said .
“ We ’ re not going to rest until those responsible for this outrageous and cowardly attacks are brought to justice.
” Nashville Police Chief John Drake explained earlier on Friday officers were responding to a report of shots fired in the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the suspicious RV with a recorded warning a bomb would go off in minutes .
They were evacuating residents and waiting for the hazardous devices unit when the bomb went off .
The warning blared : “ Evacuate now .
There is a bomb .
A bomb is in this vehicle and will explode.
” Police said the speaker also played the 1963 song “ Downtown ” by Petula Clark in the moments leading up to the blast .
A spokesman for Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen said he was briefed on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all DOJ resources be made available ” to assist in the investigation .
⦁ Gabriella Muñoz contributed to this story , which is based in part on wire service reports .

Tennessee authorities on Sunday identified a person responsible for the Christmas Day explosion in downtown Nashville that rocked the city following what officials have dubbed its “hardest year.”
Using DNA evidence, federal authorities said Anthony Quinn Warner was responsible for the bombing and investigators believe the 63-year-old Nashville man died in the explosion. Officials said they do not believe anyone else was involved in the incident.
Three people were injured during the Friday explosion but are in stable condition. The officers who were injured at the blast site are recovering, officials said.
This is video of Friday morning’s explosion recorded by an MNPD camera at 2nd Ave N & Commerce St. pic.twitter.com/3vaXhoUOAR — Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) December 28, 2020
The blast originated from an RV outside an AT&T building on Second Avenue, a strip of shops and businesses at the heart of Nashville’s tourist area. Smoke billowed from the area earlier on Friday and glass shattered in several buildings.
SEE ALSO: Anthony Quinn Warner, Nashville bombing suspect, died in blast, authorities confirm
“Initial evidence does show that the early morning explosion was a deliberate bomb set off in our community and the blast caused injuries and catastrophic damage to this very historic part of Nashville,” said Nashville Mayor John Cooper.
Authorities attributed the low casualty count to the swift efforts of six police officers who evacuated the area after they found a suspicious RV with a recorded warning that a bomb would go off in minutes.
“This is going to tie us together forever, for the rest of my life,” Officer James Wells, who suffered some hearing loss from the explosion, said during a news conference Sunday. “Christmas will never be the same.
“I just see orange and then I hear a loud boom,” Officer Wells said tearfully. “As I’m stumbling around, I just tell myself to stay on my feet and to stay alive.”
Officer Amanda Topping initially parked her car beside the RV when she responded to the suspicious vehicle call.
“I felt the waves of heat, but I kind of just lost it and started sprinting toward [Officer Wells],” she said of the explosion.
The man identified as the suspected bomber was a longtime Nashville resident who worked in various IT jobs, and most recently worked as an independent computer technician for real estate firm Fridrich & Clark, according to public records.
“As far as we knew, he was kind of a computer geek that worked at home,” Steve Schmoldt, a neighbor, told the Nashville newspaper, the Tennessean.
“You never saw anyone come and go,” Mr. Schmoldt told the publication, describing his decades-long neighbor as “kind of low key to the point of, I don’t know, I guess some people would say he’s a little odd.”
A law enforcement official told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity that federal investigators have started examining the suspect’s digital footprint and financial history. They are also examining a recent deed transfer of a home in suburban Nashville.
The official said forensic analysts are reviewing evidence collected from the blast site to try to identify the components of the explosives and are also reviewing information from the U.S. Bomb Data Center for intelligence and investigative leads.
AT&T quickly reported outages related to the explosion and said Sunday that it has been rerouting service to other facilities as the company works to restore a building that sustained heavy damage from the blast.
The company said power has been restored to four of the building’s floors. Three feet of water was pumped out of the building’s basement on Saturday, but access to the lower floors is still limited. Elevators, beams and columns and the building’s facade were also damaged.
Federal agents are examining a number of potential leads and pursuing several theories, including the possibility that an AT&T building was targeted. The bomb caused damage that affected communications in several states.
The blast also damaged other buildings in the area, with the Nashville Fire Department still trying to determine which are structurally sound.
“It will be some time before Second Avenue is back. It is not going to be the three days of the curfew,” Mr. Cooper said. “We’re not going to rest until those responsible for this outrageous and cowardly attacks are brought to justice.”
Nashville Police Chief John Drake explained earlier on Friday officers were responding to a report of shots fired in the area early in the morning when they found the suspicious RV with a recorded warning a bomb would go off in minutes. They were evacuating residents and waiting for the hazardous devices unit when the bomb went off.
The warning blared: “Evacuate now. There is a bomb. A bomb is in this vehicle and will explode.”
Police said the speaker also played the 1963 song “Downtown” by Petula Clark in the moments leading up to the blast.
A spokesman for acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen said he was briefed on the incident this morning and directed that “all DOJ resources be made available” to assist in the investigation.
• Gabriella Muñoz contributed to this story, which is based in part on wire service reports.
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Human body parts found discarded at 2 sites in Arizona

PRESCOTT , Ariz. ( AP ) - Human body parts that authorities say may have been intended for medical research were found this weekend in northern Arizona .
Deputies were notified about the remains near Prescott on Saturday and an examination confirmed they were human , according to a statement released Sunday by the Yavapai County Sheriff ’ s Office .
The area was secured and detectives from the Criminal Investigations Bureau were notified , authorities said .
The investigation continued until dark and resumed Sunday morning with assistance from the Yavapai County Medical Examiner ’ s Office .
Additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wood area off Williamson Valley , northwest of Prescott .
Yavapai County Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine said it appears the remains from both sites are from a medical institution and were intended for use in the educational and research field .
“ There are rigorous standards regarding the control , transportation and use of cadavers and associated body parts , ” the sheriff ’ s office statement said .
“ Abandoning remains in this manner is a serious crime and it is the intent of the Sheriff ’ s Office and Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrespect shown in the cavalier way the remains were discarded.
” The Sheriff ’ s Office said it is treating the investigation as a homicide until proven otherwise .
“ It is not much that could surprise me anymore , but this news makes me sick , especially for the families of those whose remains were found , ” said Sheriff Scott Mascher .
“ I have every assurance the persons responsible will be caught.
” Mascher and Sheriff-elect David Rhodes are working together .
“ This is a bizarre and grisly case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time , ” Rhodes said .
“ I have confidence we will get those answers soon and find those responsible .
”

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) - Human body parts that authorities say may have been intended for medical research were found this weekend in northern Arizona.
Deputies were notified about the remains near Prescott on Saturday and an examination confirmed they were human, according to a statement released Sunday by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
The area was secured and detectives from the Criminal Investigations Bureau were notified, authorities said. The investigation continued until dark and resumed Sunday morning with assistance from the Yavapai County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Additional remains were found Sunday in the Camp Wood area off Williamson Valley, northwest of Prescott.
Yavapai County Medical Examiner Dr. Jeffrey Nine said it appears the remains from both sites are from a medical institution and were intended for use in the educational and research field.
“There are rigorous standards regarding the control, transportation and use of cadavers and associated body parts,” the sheriff’s office statement said. “Abandoning remains in this manner is a serious crime and it is the intent of the Sheriff’s Office and Medical Examiner to find those culpable for such disrespect shown in the cavalier way the remains were discarded.”
The Sheriff’s Office said it is treating the investigation as a homicide until proven otherwise.
“It is not much that could surprise me anymore, but this news makes me sick, especially for the families of those whose remains were found,” said Sheriff Scott Mascher. “I have every assurance the persons responsible will be caught.”
Mascher and Sheriff-elect David Rhodes are working together.
“This is a bizarre and grisly case that has more questions than answers at this time,” Rhodes said. “I have confidence we will get those answers soon and find those responsible.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Trump to stage rally for David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler

President Trump late Sunday said he will rally in Georgia on Monday on behalf of two Republican senators , David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , ahead of races that could determine control of the Senate in the new year .
He said it will be “ a big and wonderful RALLY.
” “ So important for our Country that they win !
” the president tweeted .
The rally will start at 7 p.m. in the northwestern town of Dalton and feature both senators .
Ms. Loeffler and Mr. Perdue are facing Jan. 5 runoffs against Democrats Raphael Warnock and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Democrats would split the Senate , 50-50 , with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaking vote .
Mr. Trump also tweeted about his own battle to overturn the results of the November election he lost to President-elect Joseph R. Biden .
He suggested there is intrigue to come on Jan. 6 , when Congress meets to affirm the results of the Electoral College .
“ See you in Washington , DC , on January 6th .
Don ’ t miss it .
Information to follow !
” he tweeted .

President Trump late Sunday said he will rally in Georgia on Monday on behalf of two Republican senators, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, ahead of races that could determine control of the Senate in the new year.
He said it will be “a big and wonderful RALLY.”
“So important for our Country that they win!” the president tweeted.
The rally will start at 7 p.m. in the northwestern town of Dalton and feature both senators.
Ms. Loeffler and Mr. Perdue are facing Jan. 5 runoffs against Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, respectively.
Victories by both Democrats would split the Senate, 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaking vote.
Mr. Trump also tweeted about his own battle to overturn the results of the November election he lost to President-elect Joseph R. Biden. He suggested there is intrigue to come on Jan. 6, when Congress meets to affirm the results of the Electoral College.
“See you in Washington, DC, on January 6th. Don’t miss it. Information to follow!” he tweeted.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Missouri reports 1,451 new virus cases, 3 COVID-19 deaths

ST. LOUIS ( AP ) - Missouri reported 1,451 new virus cases and three deaths Sunday as the average number @ @ @ @ @ continued to decline .
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases declined to 2,415 @ @ @ @ @ significantly lower than the peak rolling average of 4,723 that was set on Nov. 20 @ @ @ @ @ new cases reported each day has generally been declining since then .
The state said @ @ @ @ @ have now been linked to the virus since the pandemic began .
Statewide , at @ @ @ @ @ with COVID-19 .
That is down slightly from the record of 2,862 that was set @ @ @ @

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Missouri reported 1,451 new virus cases and three deaths Sunday as the average number of cases reported each day continued to decline.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases declined to 2,415 on Sunday. That is significantly lower than the peak rolling average of 4,723 that was set on Nov. 20, and the number of new cases reported each day has generally been declining since then.
The state said 382,094 cases and 5,312 deaths have now been linked to the virus since the pandemic began.
Statewide, at least 2,696 people were hospitalized with COVID-19. That is down slightly from the record of 2,862 that was set two days earlier.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--New Mexico reports 30 additional virus deaths

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting 747 new confirmed coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
That brings the total to around 138,000 documented cases and around 2,300 related @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Officials say around 750 people are hospitalized across New Mexico for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ with COVID-19 are considered to have recovered by the New Mexico Department of Health .
@ @ @ @ @ thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies @ @ @ @ @ with the virus without feeling sick .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes @ @ @ @ @ such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For @ @ @ @ @ and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including @ @ @ @ @

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting 747 new confirmed coronavirus cases and 30 additional deaths Sunday.
That brings the total to around 138,000 documented cases and around 2,300 related deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Officials say around 750 people are hospitalized across New Mexico for COVID-19.
Around 60,500 people diagnosed with COVID-19 are considered to have recovered by the New Mexico Department of Health.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Strong quake strikes off south Chile; no reports of damage

A strong earthquake struck off the coast of southern Chile on Sunday , causing shaking felt in several cities but @ @ @ @ @ , Chilean authorities said .
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary @ @ @ @ @ epicenter was 10 kilometers ( six miles ) beneath the surface and about 140 kilometers @ @ @ @ @ of the town of Corral .
Chile ’ s navy said the quake did not @ @ @ @ @ generate a tsunami .
The tremor was felt with various intensities in the regions of @ @ @ @ @ , Los Lagos and Biobio .
Chile ’ s National Emergency Office said that there @ @ @ @ @ or damage and that basic services were functioning normally .
Rodrigo Holzapel , chief of @ @ @ @ @ the La Araucanía region , said they had not received any emergency calls .

A strong earthquake struck off the coast of southern Chile on Sunday, causing shaking felt in several cities but without any reports of damage, Chilean authorities said.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 and its epicenter was 10 kilometers (six miles) beneath the surface and about 140 kilometers (87.5 miles) west of the town of Corral.
Chile’s navy said the quake did not have the characteristics required to generate a tsunami.
The tremor was felt with various intensities in the regions of La Araucania, Los Rios, Los Lagos and Biobio.
Chile’s National Emergency Office said that there were no reports of injuries or damage and that basic services were functioning normally.
Rodrigo Holzapel, chief of the Tolten fire brigade in the La Araucanía region, said they had not received any emergency calls.


washingtontimes--2020-12-27--Montana reports 284 new COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths

HELENA , Mont .
( AP ) - Montana reported 284 new cases and five new confirmed deaths from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ 6,127 people currently infected by COVID-19 , with 200 of them hospitalized as of Sunday @ @ @ @ @ .
The state has reported 924 total deaths and 3,451 total hospitalizations from the virus @ @ @ @ @ Two out of 10 large hospitals in Montana reported having limited bed availability or being @ @ @ @ @ a report from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services .
Five out @ @ @ @ @ Saturday reported intensive care units with limited availability or nearing capacity .
For most people @ @ @ @ @ mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two @ @ @ @ @ some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia , and death .

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Montana reported 284 new cases and five new confirmed deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday.
There were 6,127 people currently infected by COVID-19, with 200 of them hospitalized as of Sunday, The Billings Gazette reported.
The state has reported 924 total deaths and 3,451 total hospitalizations from the virus since the pandemic began.
Two out of 10 large hospitals in Montana reported having limited bed availability or being near capacity, according to a report from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Five out of 10 large hospitals on Saturday reported intensive care units with limited availability or nearing capacity.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.