washingtontimes--2020-10-27--General plans campaign to deliver coronavirus vaccine quickly

The Pentagon general spearheading President Trump ’ s drive to ensure a coronavirus vaccine gets to the American people in record time said Tuesday that Operation Warp Speed can only work if there is full buy-in from the public when the vaccine becomes available .
Army Gen. Gustave Perna , a military logistics specialist who got a shoutout from Mr. Trump himself at last week ’ s presidential debate , described his mission at a session organized by the conservative Heritage Foundation was “ our world ’ s best scientists and doctors working beside the world ’ s best military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academia.
” “ It ’ s the collective effort that will ensure we ’ re successful .
I ’ m proud to be a part of it , ” Gen. Perna said .
Operation Warp Speed is pushing ahead in the face of an at times angry political debate over the government ’ s handling of the virus crisis and whether the urgency of the mission will affect the safety of the process .
Thousands of volunteers will be needed after pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson announced this week they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine candidates following a temporary stand-down over possible safety issues .
Officials at Operation Warp Speed — a public-private partnership to develop therapeutics and ultimately a vaccine for COVID-19 — said locating a large number of volunteers for the trials is absolutely crucial .
In the past , about 5,000 to 8,000 people agreed to take part in clinical trials , Dr. Matthew Hepburn , head of program ’ s vaccine development , told the Heritage gathering .
“ Our standard has been 30,000 volunteers for our clinical trials .
We want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly can , ” Dr. Hepburn said Tuesday .
“ We want to know if [ the vaccine candidates ] work .
The more people you enroll , the sooner you ’ re going to be able to evaluate the effectiveness.
” Dr. Hepburn said biotech firm Moderna has already completed its Phase 3 clinical trials with more than 30,000 volunteers enrolled in the testing .
The New York-based pharmaceutical company Pfizer has signed up more than 40,000 people to take part in currently ongoing testing .
“ That shows me that over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ I will volunteer .
I don ’ t know if I ’ m going to receive the vaccine or if I receive a placebo .
But I ’ m going to do my part , ’ ” Dr. Hepburn said .
“ We ’ re very proud of the spirit of volunteerism that we see in America.
” Medical researchers will be keeping in contact with those who received the initial COVID-19 vaccine candidates .
“ The people that are vaccinated in the clinical trial now , our intention is to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can get a better idea on that critically important question of duration of protection , ” Dr. Hepburn said .
Past campaigns against viruses such as smallpox , polio and the measles made it possible for researchers to move more quickly to the coronavirus finish line , officials said .
“ These efforts have gone on for decades .
We stand on the shoulder of giants , ” Dr. Hepburn said .
“ There was massive progress even before we started Operation Warp Speed.
” VA medical centers around the country will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take part in the testing program .
“ This is another way they can continue to serve by fighting the pandemic as a volunteer , ” Dr. Hepburn said .
“ But it ’ s a personal choice .
Everyone makes that choice individually.
” U.S. troops won ’ t be administering any COVID-19 vaccines to American residents once the vaccines are approved for use .
Most will get a vaccine that no federal employee — including the military — has ever touched , authorities said .
Dr. Hepburn acknowledged that some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
“ For product development , this is why we don ’ t cut corners , ” he said .
“ This is why we make sure we maintain the highest ethical quality and regulatory standards and that we ’ re transparent throughout the process , ” he said .
“ It would just be shameful if we get a vaccine out to the American people and they don ’ t take it because there are doubts or concerns .
”

The Pentagon general spearheading President Trump’s drive to ensure a coronavirus vaccine gets to the American people in record time said Tuesday that Operation Warp Speed can only work if there is full buy-in from the public when the vaccine becomes available.
Army Gen. Gustave Perna, a military logistics specialist who got a shoutout from Mr. Trump himself at last week’s presidential debate, described his mission at a session organized by the conservative Heritage Foundation was “our world’s best scientists and doctors working beside the world’s best military with the support of American industry and academia.”
“It’s the collective effort that will ensure we’re successful. I’m proud to be a part of it,” Gen. Perna said.
Operation Warp Speed is pushing ahead in the face of an at times angry political debate over the government’s handling of the virus crisis and whether the urgency of the mission will affect the safety of the process.
Thousands of volunteers will be needed after pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson announced this week they were restarting U.S. clinical trials on their coronavirus vaccine candidates following a temporary stand-down over possible safety issues. Officials at Operation Warp Speed — a public-private partnership to develop therapeutics and ultimately a vaccine for COVID-19 — said locating a large number of volunteers for the trials is absolutely crucial.
In the past, about 5,000 to 8,000 people agreed to take part in clinical trials, Dr. Matthew Hepburn, head of program’s vaccine development, told the Heritage gathering.
“Our standard has been 30,000 volunteers for our clinical trials. We want to gather as much safety information as we possibly can,” Dr. Hepburn said Tuesday. “We want to know if [the vaccine candidates] work. The more people you enroll, the sooner you’re going to be able to evaluate the effectiveness.”
Dr. Hepburn said biotech firm Moderna has already completed its Phase 3 clinical trials with more than 30,000 volunteers enrolled in the testing. The New York-based pharmaceutical company Pfizer has signed up more than 40,000 people to take part in currently ongoing testing.
“That shows me that over 60,000 Americans have decided to say, ‘I will volunteer. I don’t know if I’m going to receive the vaccine or if I receive a placebo. But I’m going to do my part,’” Dr. Hepburn said. “We’re very proud of the spirit of volunteerism that we see in America.”
Medical researchers will be keeping in contact with those who received the initial COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
“The people that are vaccinated in the clinical trial now, our intention is to follow them for up to two years so we can get a better idea on that critically important question of duration of protection,” Dr. Hepburn said.
Past campaigns against viruses such as smallpox, polio and the measles made it possible for researchers to move more quickly to the coronavirus finish line, officials said.
“These efforts have gone on for decades. We stand on the shoulder of giants,” Dr. Hepburn said. “There was massive progress even before we started Operation Warp Speed.”
VA medical centers around the country will be enrolling military veterans who want to take part in the testing program.
“This is another way they can continue to serve by fighting the pandemic as a volunteer,” Dr. Hepburn said. “But it’s a personal choice. Everyone makes that choice individually.”
U.S. troops won’t be administering any COVID-19 vaccines to American residents once the vaccines are approved for use. Most will get a vaccine that no federal employee — including the military — has ever touched, authorities said.
Dr. Hepburn acknowledged that some people might even be hesitant about taking the vaccine.
“For product development, this is why we don’t cut corners,” he said. “This is why we make sure we maintain the highest ethical quality and regulatory standards and that we’re transparent throughout the process,” he said. “It would just be shameful if we get a vaccine out to the American people and they don’t take it because there are doubts or concerns.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Edwards rejects bill to give lawmakers more emergency power

BATON ROUGE , La .
( AP ) - Gov .
John Bel Edwards on Tuesday vetoed the centerpiece bill of Louisiana ’ s just-ended special session , a measure seeking to give lawmakers more authority in a governor ’ s emergency decisions , including the ability to jettison individual coronavirus restrictions .
The Democratic governor ’ s decision was expected .
But Edwards ‘ official announcement that he had rejected the bill was confirmation that lawmakers had held a nearly four-week special session - costing taxpayers an estimated $ 1 million - with little to show for one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill allows for legislators to cast votes on life or death decisions from their homes via text message , ” the governor wrote in his veto letter .
“ This bill simply does not represent a serious approach to responding to a public health emergency.
” The Republican-passed bill sponsored by Covington Rep. Mark Wright would have given lawmakers the ability to nullify individual pieces of a governor ’ s emergency order by a majority vote through a ballot for any emergency declaration extended beyond 30 days .
GOP lawmakers said it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the decisions related to the pandemic seven months after the virus outbreak began in Louisiana .
Edwards has loosened his restrictions several times , but the governor said Wright ’ s legislation “ would put at risk all of the gains the state of Louisiana has made ” in combating the virus outbreak .
Edwards also rejected a separate measure sponsored by House GOP leader Blake Miguez to prohibit the use of private grant dollars for election-related expenses .
Lawmakers passed the measure on a largely party-line vote after Republican Attorney General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollars in grants offered to Louisiana ’ s local elections officials through a nonprofit backed by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg .
Lawmakers could seek to hold a veto session to try to override the governor ’ s action , but Republicans don ’ t have enough votes in the House to reach the two-thirds threshold to overturn a gubernatorial veto .
With the emergency powers legislation scrapped , lawmakers are awaiting a court ’ s decision on House Republicans ’ effort to rescind all of Edwards ‘ coronavirus restrictions through a never-before-used state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of legislators in either the House or Senate to sign a petition to revoke a governor ’ s emergency declaration - and all the restrictions and rules tied to it .
Republican lawmakers convened the session themselves , with many GOP lawmakers in the House pushing to curb the governor ’ s COVID-19 mask mandate and restrictions on businesses , high school sports and other activities .
Republican Senate President Page Cortez , however , suggested lawmakers faced constitutional limits of what they could do to revoke Edwards ‘ emergency rules .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor ’ s coronavirus restrictions - or suspend his administration ’ s enforcement ability of them - stalled in the Senate .
Republicans in the House and Senate spent weeks haggling over just how much they would try to rein in the governor ’ s powers .
And the deal they finally struck couldn ’ t survive Edwards ‘ veto pen .
With the veto announced , attention moves squarely to the petition delivered to Edwards on Friday .
Sixty-five Republican lawmakers in the 105-member House signed the petition , scrapping the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from enacting another coronavirus emergency proclamation for seven days .
Edwards said he doesn ’ t believe the law allowing legislators in only one chamber to overturn a governor ’ s emergency declaration is constitutional .
He ’ s asserted his restrictions remain in place , and his administration continues to enforce them .
And the governor filed a lawsuit challenging the petition ’ s legality .
A judge has yet to rule on the challenge .
The bills are filed as House Bills 4 and 51 .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday vetoed the centerpiece bill of Louisiana’s just-ended special session, a measure seeking to give lawmakers more authority in a governor’s emergency decisions, including the ability to jettison individual coronavirus restrictions.
The Democratic governor’s decision was expected. But Edwards’ official announcement that he had rejected the bill was confirmation that lawmakers had held a nearly four-week special session - costing taxpayers an estimated $1 million - with little to show for one of their main agenda items.
“This bill allows for legislators to cast votes on life or death decisions from their homes via text message,” the governor wrote in his veto letter. “This bill simply does not represent a serious approach to responding to a public health emergency.”
The Republican-passed bill sponsored by Covington Rep. Mark Wright would have given lawmakers the ability to nullify individual pieces of a governor’s emergency order by a majority vote through a ballot for any emergency declaration extended beyond 30 days.
GOP lawmakers said it’s inappropriate for Edwards to continue making all the decisions related to the pandemic seven months after the virus outbreak began in Louisiana.
Edwards has loosened his restrictions several times, but the governor said Wright’s legislation “would put at risk all of the gains the state of Louisiana has made” in combating the virus outbreak.
Edwards also rejected a separate measure sponsored by House GOP leader Blake Miguez to prohibit the use of private grant dollars for election-related expenses. Lawmakers passed the measure on a largely party-line vote after Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry sought to block millions of dollars in grants offered to Louisiana’s local elections officials through a nonprofit backed by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Lawmakers could seek to hold a veto session to try to override the governor’s action, but Republicans don’t have enough votes in the House to reach the two-thirds threshold to overturn a gubernatorial veto.
With the emergency powers legislation scrapped, lawmakers are awaiting a court’s decision on House Republicans’ effort to rescind all of Edwards’ coronavirus restrictions through a never-before-used state law. The statute allows a majority of legislators in either the House or Senate to sign a petition to revoke a governor’s emergency declaration - and all the restrictions and rules tied to it.
Republican lawmakers convened the session themselves, with many GOP lawmakers in the House pushing to curb the governor’s COVID-19 mask mandate and restrictions on businesses, high school sports and other activities.
Republican Senate President Page Cortez, however, suggested lawmakers faced constitutional limits of what they could do to revoke Edwards’ emergency rules. All House Republican efforts to immediately end the governor’s coronavirus restrictions - or suspend his administration’s enforcement ability of them - stalled in the Senate.
Republicans in the House and Senate spent weeks haggling over just how much they would try to rein in the governor’s powers. And the deal they finally struck couldn’t survive Edwards’ veto pen.
With the veto announced, attention moves squarely to the petition delivered to Edwards on Friday.
Sixty-five Republican lawmakers in the 105-member House signed the petition, scrapping the governor’s emergency declaration and prohibiting him from enacting another coronavirus emergency proclamation for seven days.
Edwards said he doesn’t believe the law allowing legislators in only one chamber to overturn a governor’s emergency declaration is constitutional. He’s asserted his restrictions remain in place, and his administration continues to enforce them. And the governor filed a lawsuit challenging the petition’s legality.
A judge has yet to rule on the challenge.
___
The bills are filed as House Bills 4 and 51.
___
Follow Melinda Deslatte on Twitter at http://twitter.com/melindadeslatte


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--California warns of virus uptick, names vaccine ethics panel

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California has seen an uptick in coronavirus-related hospitalizations and intensive care admissions in the last two weeks , prompting renewed warnings Tuesday from Gov .
Gavin Newsom and the state ’ s top health official even as newly confirmed cases remain well below the recent surge across much of the nation .
While officials set up a panel that will determine who gets vaccinated once one is available , progress remained such that the state allowed seven more counties to advance to fewer business restrictions under its four-tier color-coded system .
Still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles remain mired in the most restrictive purple category with widespread transmissions .
Los Angeles County ’ s health department issued an official public health advisory and a set of safety tips aimed at fans of baseball ’ s LA Dodgers ahead of Tuesday night ’ s World Series game six against the Tampa Bay Rays .
It included a set of safety tips urging fans to celebrate at home or take particular precautions if they gather in groups .
The county ’ s public health director on Monday said fans gathering to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have contributed to an increase in average daily cases in October from about 940 per day to nearly 1,200 per day .
The county said Tuesday that contact tracing over the last three weeks found 55 % of those who knew of a possible exposure to the coronavirus had attended an event or gathering where two or more people were sick .
Statewide , hospitalizations increased 4.7 % over the last 14 days and intensive care cases are up 5.9 % over the same period .
That contrasts with more than a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state retrenched this summer and began what officials call a “ slow and stringent ” approach to reopening businesses .
“ Now you ’ re seeing modest increases as we reverse that a little bit , ” Newsom said .
“ We ’ re watching this closely.
” The numbers are still well below where the state had been when cases spiked this summer , and there is ample treatment capacity , he said .
As one result , seven of the state ’ s 58 counties advanced to allowing more businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reduced virus transmissions , increased testing and maintained hospital capacity .
Glenn and Mendocino counties moved from the most restrictive purple category to red .
Contra Costa , Marin , San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties moved from red , which means there is “ substantial ” transmission , to the orange “ moderate ” category .
And Calaveras County moved to the least restrictive yellow tier .
The state recently said it will work more intensively with Los Angeles , Riverside and San Bernardino counties to help some of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most restrictive category , but they have shown little progress .
The state also is naming a new 16-member ethics advisory task force to help develop standards for how an anticipated early limited supply of vaccines would be distributed .
The new task force adds to a recently named task force of experts from the state ’ s top universities that Newsom said must sign off on the safety of any federally approved vaccine before it can be distributed in California .
Washington , Oregon and Nevada announced Tuesday that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety review workgroup ” and will lend their own experts to sign off on the safety of any vaccine before it is made available to the public in any of the Western states .
Dr. Mark Ghaly , California ’ s health and human services secretary , said the goal of the expert advisory panels is not to delay distribution of the vaccines , but to speed them in part by building community trust .
The related ethics panel , Ghaly said , will “ really talk about some of those hard questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses , who should get them.
” Newsom said he plans to highlight on Friday a new testing agreement worth up to $ 1.4 billion with Massachusetts-based diagnostics company PerkinElmer that he previously said will double the state ’ s virus testing capacity and speed results while substantially reducing cost .
Kaiser Health News , meanwhile , reported Alameda and San Francisco counties have ended their ties with another company , Google-affiliated Verily , after the state announced $ 55 million in contracts with the firm in March .
County officials cited privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure testing in poor and underserved communities was instead going to wealthier areas .
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 .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California has seen an uptick in coronavirus-related hospitalizations and intensive care admissions in the last two weeks, prompting renewed warnings Tuesday from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s top health official even as newly confirmed cases remain well below the recent surge across much of the nation.
While officials set up a panel that will determine who gets vaccinated once one is available, progress remained such that the state allowed seven more counties to advance to fewer business restrictions under its four-tier color-coded system. Still, three big Southern California counties including Los Angeles remain mired in the most restrictive purple category with widespread transmissions.
Los Angeles County’s health department issued an official public health advisory and a set of safety tips aimed at fans of baseball’s LA Dodgers ahead of Tuesday night’s World Series game six against the Tampa Bay Rays. It included a set of safety tips urging fans to celebrate at home or take particular precautions if they gather in groups.
The county’s public health director on Monday said fans gathering to watch and celebrate professional sports appear to have contributed to an increase in average daily cases in October from about 940 per day to nearly 1,200 per day.
The county said Tuesday that contact tracing over the last three weeks found 55% of those who knew of a possible exposure to the coronavirus had attended an event or gathering where two or more people were sick.
Statewide, hospitalizations increased 4.7% over the last 14 days and intensive care cases are up 5.9% over the same period. That contrasts with more than a month of double-digit declines in both categories after the state retrenched this summer and began what officials call a “slow and stringent” approach to reopening businesses.
“Now you’re seeing modest increases as we reverse that a little bit,” Newsom said. “We’re watching this closely.”
The numbers are still well below where the state had been when cases spiked this summer, and there is ample treatment capacity, he said.
As one result, seven of the state’s 58 counties advanced to allowing more businesses to reopen with fewer restrictions because they have reduced virus transmissions, increased testing and maintained hospital capacity.
Glenn and Mendocino counties moved from the most restrictive purple category to red.
Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties moved from red, which means there is “substantial” transmission, to the orange “moderate” category.
And Calaveras County moved to the least restrictive yellow tier.
The state recently said it will work more intensively with Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties to help some of the state’s most populous counties advance out of the most restrictive category, but they have shown little progress.
The state also is naming a new 16-member ethics advisory task force to help develop standards for how an anticipated early limited supply of vaccines would be distributed.
The new task force adds to a recently named task force of experts from the state’s top universities that Newsom said must sign off on the safety of any federally approved vaccine before it can be distributed in California.
Washington, Oregon and Nevada announced Tuesday that they have joined California’s “scientific safety review workgroup” and will lend their own experts to sign off on the safety of any vaccine before it is made available to the public in any of the Western states.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s health and human services secretary, said the goal of the expert advisory panels is not to delay distribution of the vaccines, but to speed them in part by building community trust.
The related ethics panel, Ghaly said, will “really talk about some of those hard questions about when we only have handfuls of doses, who should get them.”
Newsom said he plans to highlight on Friday a new testing agreement worth up to $1.4 billion with Massachusetts-based diagnostics company PerkinElmer that he previously said will double the state’s virus testing capacity and speed results while substantially reducing cost.
Kaiser Health News, meanwhile, reported Alameda and San Francisco counties have ended their ties with another company, Google-affiliated Verily, after the state announced $55 million in contracts with the firm in March.
County officials cited privacy concerns and complaints that money intended to ensure testing in poor and underserved communities was instead going to wealthier areas.
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--2020-10-27--Ken Paxton to investigate Texas election-fraud scheme in Project Veritas sting

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Tuesday that his election-fraud unit is investigating what he called a “ shocking ” election-fraud scheme shown in a hidden-camera investigation released by Project Veritas .
The 18-minute expose showed a female “ ballot chaser ” in San Antonio describing an elaborate multi-person operation involving thousands of voters in which she convinces them to vote for her candidates , helps them change their ballots , picks up and drops off ballots , and even gives voters gifts .
The video showed her arriving at an elderly woman ’ s house and challenging her vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing her how to alter her ballot to vote for Democrat Senate candidate M.J. Hegar instead .
The “ ballot chaser ” then gave the woman a shawl .
“ What ’ s shown in the video is shocking and should alarm all Texans who care about election integrity , ” Mr. Paxton said in a statement .
“ We are aggressively investigating the serious allegations and potential crimes that Project Veritas ’ s documentary audio and video recordings shed light on today.
” Project Veritas said in the video that its undercover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow her and watch her at work .
The “ ballot chaser , ” who was identified by name by Project Veritas but whose identity has not been confirmed by the Washington Times , also said that she was bringing “ at least 7,000 ballots to the polls ” in the San Antonio area .
Under Texas law , it is a crime to influence or improperly assist a voter while voting , while federal law prohibits voter coercion .
Texas law also allows only family members to “ harvest ” or drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney Jered Ede .
“ My office is fiercely committed to ensuring that the voting process is secure and fair in all Texas elections—a process that this video unfortunately casts a The woman said she was a “ consultant ” for Republican congressional candidate Mauro Garza , but that she was trying to convince voters to cast their ballots for Mr. Garza and then vote Democrat the rest of the ballot , in conjunction with another organizer named Tom .
“ So Tom and I sat down , and I said , look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is register every mother—r in that area , everybody in that district , and then I ’ ve got to flip all these Dems , but I ’ ve got to flip them only for him , only for him , ” she said .
She also said that Mr. Garza allotted her $ 2,500 to buy gifts such as shawls , diabetic socks and rosaries for voters , saying , “ this is what ’ s what you call flipping people.
” In a Facebook statement , Mr. Garza said that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded alleging voter fraud in our local elections.
” “ I do not endorse or support any wrongdoing or voter fraud , ” said the statement .
“ If any member of my campaign team , paid or volunteer , engages in or gives the perception of any negligent behavior or threatens the integrity of voter registration or engages in voter fraud , they will be immediately fired and turned over to the County elections office and law enforcement.
” Texas Republican Party chairman Allen West condemned the activity shown on the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those who violate Texas election law should be punished accordingly in order to preclude future actions such as this , ” said Mr. West .
“ It ’ s quite regrettable that anyone would resort to such measures rather than winning on the merit of principles and the issues.
” The woman said that she had a team of “ five girls that are really , really good , and I ’ ve got two that I ’ m training.
” She also talked about holding barbecues and beer parties to register voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots , and having voters fill out affidavits so that she could accompany them into the voting booth and help them fill out ballots .
“ We ’ ve just seen that a small handful of people are able to manipulate thousands of votes in one of the most important elections of our time , ” said Project Veritas president James O ’ Keefe .
“ If we don ’ t stop this abhorrent illegal activity , buying elections here in Texas may become the new normal , and voters ’ rights may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Tuesday that his election-fraud unit is investigating what he called a “shocking” election-fraud scheme shown in a hidden-camera investigation released by Project Veritas.
The 18-minute expose showed a female “ballot chaser” in San Antonio describing an elaborate multi-person operation involving thousands of voters in which she convinces them to vote for her candidates, helps them change their ballots, picks up and drops off ballots, and even gives voters gifts.
The video showed her arriving at an elderly woman’s house and challenging her vote for Republican Sen. John Cornyn, then showing her how to alter her ballot to vote for Democrat Senate candidate M.J. Hegar instead. The “ballot chaser” then gave the woman a shawl.
“What’s shown in the video is shocking and should alarm all Texans who care about election integrity,” Mr. Paxton said in a statement. “We are aggressively investigating the serious allegations and potential crimes that Project Veritas’s documentary audio and video recordings shed light on today.”
Project Veritas said in the video that its undercover investigator paid the woman $500 to follow her and watch her at work.
The “ballot chaser,” who was identified by name by Project Veritas but whose identity has not been confirmed by The Washington Times, also said that she was bringing “at least 7,000 ballots to the polls” in the San Antonio area.
Under Texas law, it is a crime to influence or improperly assist a voter while voting, while federal law prohibits voter coercion. Texas law also allows only family members to “harvest” or drop off ballots, according to Project Veritas attorney Jered Ede.
“My office is fiercely committed to ensuring that the voting process is secure and fair in all Texas elections — a process that this video unfortunately casts a shadow of doubt on,” Mr. Paxton said.
The woman said she was a “consultant” for Republican congressional candidate Mauro Garza, but that she was trying to convince voters to cast their ballots for Mr. Garza and then vote Democrat the rest of the ballot, in conjunction with another organizer named Tom.
“So Tom and I sat down, and I said, look, the only thing you can do is register every mother—r in that area, everybody in that district, and then I’ve got to flip all these Dems, but I’ve got to flip them only for him, only for him,” she said.
She also said that Mr. Garza allotted her $2,500 to buy gifts such as shawls, diabetic socks and rosaries for voters, saying, “this is what’s what you call flipping people.”
BREAKING: TX “Republican” consultant & ‘Ballot Chaser’ ILLEGALLY pressures voter to change vote to Dem candidate with GIFT!
“If I go to prison, I do not look cute in stripes…I will hate you forever.”
“You know on here you chose a Rep, not a Dem right?”#RiggedElection pic.twitter.com/npn4CbJzIi — James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) October 27, 2020
In a Facebook statement, Mr. Garza said that a “former Mauro Garza campaign volunteer was recorded alleging voter fraud in our local elections.”
“I do not endorse or support any wrongdoing or voter fraud,” said the statement. “If any member of my campaign team, paid or volunteer, engages in or gives the perception of any negligent behavior or threatens the integrity of voter registration or engages in voter fraud, they will be immediately fired and turned over to the County elections office and law enforcement.”
Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West condemned the activity shown on the video and called for an investigation.
“Those who violate Texas election law should be punished accordingly in order to preclude future actions such as this,” said Mr. West. “It’s quite regrettable that anyone would resort to such measures rather than winning on the merit of principles and the issues.”
The woman said that she had a team of “five girls that are really, really good, and I’ve got two that I’m training.”
She also talked about holding barbecues and beer parties to register voters and get them to fill out their ballots, and having voters fill out affidavits so that she could accompany them into the voting booth and help them fill out ballots.
“We’ve just seen that a small handful of people are able to manipulate thousands of votes in one of the most important elections of our time,” said Project Veritas President James O’Keefe. “If we don’t stop this abhorrent illegal activity, buying elections here in Texas may become the new normal, and voters’ rights may become a relic of the past.”
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Joe Biden, Democrats falling short in swing states, early voting data shows

New early voting data showed Democrats failing to hit their mark in several battleground states , giving Trump campaign officials more reasons for optimism Tuesday as President Trump rallied voters in key Midwestern states and Democrat Joseph R. Biden made a play for traditionally red Georgia .
In Florida , Iowa , North Carolina , Pennsylvania and Arizona , Democrats are falling short of their target of 70 % of early votes cast either in-person or by mail .
That ’ s the lead they hoped to build up to stave off an expected higher Republican turnout on Election Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up a large enough lead in the early vote totals , and they know it , ” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh .
“ They have now realized that they put too many eggs in the vote-by-mail basket , and they ’ re not hitting the marks they need.
” Campaigning in battleground Michigan , which does not track partisan affiliation of early voting , Mr. Trump said he ’ s pulled ahead by 3 percentage points , apparently referring to internal campaign polling .
Mr. Biden leads by an average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re going to have a great red wave , ” said Mr. Trump , who also had campaign stops on Tuesday in Wisconsin and Nebraska .
“ It ’ s happening in Florida .
Right now we ’ re leading almost everywhere .
I got ta say , I ’ m working my ass off.
” “ There is one week left .
Over 60 million Americans have already voted and millions more by the end of this week , ” Mr. Biden said at a drive-in rally in Atlanta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your power , the power to vote , it will change the course of this country right here in Georgia with all of you .
These are the final days , so keep that sense of empowerment with you , that sense of optimism , what we can do , what we will do , what we can overcome , what we will overcome.
” First lady Melania Trump also made her campaign solo debut Tuesday , telling an audience in Pennsylvania that her husband has taken the responsible approach to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sham impeachment.
” She said Mr. Biden ’ s “ socialist agenda ” would destroy the economic progress of the past four years under Mr. Trump .
The president , mindful of the early voting trends , surveyed supporters at his rally in Lansing , Michigan , on Tuesday .
Most of them indicated that they intend to vote in person on Election Day .
That ’ s how Mr. Trump and his campaign advisers are hoping the election plays out , to erase Mr. Biden ’ s presumed lead among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far .
In Florida , Democrats ’ lead in early voting over the GOP has dwindled from 19 percentage points when voting began Oct. 19 to less than five percentage points on Tuesday , 41.8 % to 37.1 % , according to the U.S .
Elections Project .
Another 20 % of early voters specified no party affiliation .
In Iowa , Democrats ’ edge over the GOP in early voting has fallen to a margin of 49.3 % to 31.9 % .
In North Carolina , Democrats have cast about 39 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared with 30 % for GOP voters and 30 % by people with no party affiliation .
Pennsylvania ’ s early vote totals show Democrats nearly reaching the magic threshold of 70 % , casting 68.9 percent of the 1.8 million mail ballots returned so far .
Republicans account for 21.3 % of the ballots returned , while 9.1 % have no party affiliation .
But Rep. Mike Kelly , Pennsylvania Republican and a Trump surrogate , said the Biden campaign shouldn ’ t count on all those votes by registered Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue-collar Democrats who are voting for Mr. Trump .
“ There are a tremendous number of generational Democrats who have decided that their party left them a long time ago , ” Mr. Kelly said .
“ There ’ s some kind of a misconception throughout the country right now that somehow , every Democrat who mailed in their ballot was a vote for Joe Biden .
I think that is way off the mark.
” While Mr. Trump and his campaign advisers are sounding optimistic about the trends in early voting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday that they won ’ t know for certain until Election Day whether they ’ re right .
He said some of the better-than-expected early voting by Republicans could translate into fewer GOP voters on Nov. 3 .
“ We have enormous amounts of early voting , ” Mr. Lewandowski said on Fox News .
“ Traditionally , Republican vote on Election Day .
We ’ re not sure yet if all of our voters are turning out early and we ’ re going to have a massive Election Day push , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being consumed right now .
No one knows the answer.
” The Texas Democratic Party said Tuesday that 860,000 people under the age of 29 have cast votes in the state , and said nearly half of those were voters who had never participated in a general election .
“ Young voters will decide this election , ” said Texas Democrats ’ spokesman Abhi Rahman .
“ We couldn ’ t be more thrilled with the records being broken every single day from young voters making their voices heard .
For Texas Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we need every youth voter to turn out to the polls.
” In Georgia , a state that Mr. Trump won in 2016 by about five percentage points , Mr. Biden tried to put the president on defense on Tuesday .
The state is essentially tied in public polls , and the Democrat showed that he ’ s closing out the presidential race the same way he started it , framing his showdown with Mr. Trump as a “ battle for the soul of the nation.
” “ Time and again throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ con men , phony populists who sought to play on our fears , appeal to our worst appetites , and pick at the oldest scabs we have for their own political gain , ” Mr. Biden said .
“ Pope Francis warns us against this phony populism that appeals to ‘ the basest and the most selfish instincts.
’ ” Mr. Biden said by contrast he is running to “ unite this nation and to heal this nation.
” “ God and history have called us to this moment and this mission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voices and our votes we must free us from the forces of darkness , the forces of division and the forces of yesterday , and the forces that pull us apart hold us down , and hold us back.
” David Johnson , a Georgia-based GOP strategist , said Mr. Biden has been “ very smart ” to stick with the same basic message throughout the campaign .
“ He realizes this is a referendum on Trump .
And when I say ‘ a referendum on Trump , ’ it is not Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s personality , ” Mr. Johnson said .
“ If you took away Trump from the race and put a generic Republican with Trump ’ s policies in , it wouldn ’ t even be a race .
The Republican would be beating Biden .
The problem is that it all comes down to Trump ’ s personality .
That is what is driving voters to Biden right now , and Biden ’ s people know that.
” In Warm Springs , the former retreat of President Franklin D. Roosevelt , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave the white flag of surrender ” in the battle against the coronavirus .
He said the U.S. needs a president “ who cares less about his TV ratings and more about the American people.
” “ I ’ m ready to act .
We know what to do .
And starting on day one of my presidency , we will do it , ” he said .
Mrs. Trump , at a campaign stop in Atglen , Pa. , said Democrats “ cared more about removing our elected president ” through impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis last winter .
“ This sham was led by opposition , and their display of hatred is on display to this day , ” the first lady said .
“ Children watching and learning about politics in our country deserved a better display of political responsibility and respect for our sacred institutions.
” She said Democrats “ have chosen to put their own agendas ahead of the American people ’ s well-being .
Instead , they attempt to create a divide — a divide on something that should be nonpartisan and noncontroversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear instead of hope and security .
That is not leadership.
” The first lady tested positive for COVID-19 in early October , as did Mr. Trump and their son Barron .
She thanked the audience “ for all the love and support you gave us.
” “ We are all feeling so much better now thanks to healthy living and some of the amazing therapeutic options available in our country , ” Mrs. Trump said .
“ Like many of you , I have experienced the first-hand effects of COVID-19 , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a worried mother and wife .
I know there are many people who have lost loved ones or know people who have been forever impacted by this silent enemy — my family ’ s thoughts and prayers are with all of you through this difficult time.
” She said , “ We all know the American spirit is stronger than this virus .
We have proven that we can and will overcome this unexpected challenge .
This administration chooses to keep moving forward during this pandemic , not backward .
”

Dave Boyer, Seth McLaughlin and Dave Boyer, Seth McLaughlin

New early voting data showed Democrats failing to hit their mark in several battleground states, giving Trump campaign officials more reasons for optimism Tuesday as President Trump rallied voters in key Midwestern states and Democrat Joseph R. Biden made a play for traditionally red Georgia.
In Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Arizona, Democrats are falling short of their target of 70% of early votes cast either in person or by mail. That is the lead they hoped to build up to stave off an expected higher Republican turnout on Election Day.
“The Democrats have not opened up a large enough lead in the early vote totals, and they know it,” said Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh. “They have now realized that they put too many eggs in the vote-by-mail basket, and they’re not hitting the marks they need.”
Campaigning in battleground Michigan, which does not track partisan affiliation of early voting, Mr. Trump said he has pulled ahead by 3 percentage points. He apparently was referring to internal campaign polling. Mr. Biden leads by an average of 9 points in public polls.
“We’re going to have a great red wave,” said Mr. Trump, who also had campaign stops Tuesday in Wisconsin and Nebraska. “It’s happening in Florida. Right now, we’re leading almost everywhere. I’ve got to say, I’m working my ass off.”
Mr. Biden, campaigning in Georgia, told supporters that it’s “‘go’ time.”
“Please vote. Help get out the vote,” Mr. Biden said at a rally in Atlanta. “If you are voting by mail, return your ballot as soon as possible and make sure everyone you know does the same.”
Mr. Biden urged voters in Georgia to remember the late Rep. John Lewis.
“The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society,” said Mr. Biden, referencing words of the civil rights icon. “Use it. You have the power to win this election.”
First lady Melania Trump also made her campaign solo debut. She told an audience in Pennsylvania that her husband was taking a responsible approach to the COVID-19 pandemic while Democrats were focused on “a sham impeachment.” She said Mr. Biden’s “socialist agenda” would destroy the economic progress of the past four years under Mr. Trump.
The president, mindful of the early voting trends, surveyed supporters at his rally in Lansing, Michigan. Most of them indicated that they intend to vote in person on Election Day.
That is how Mr. Trump and his campaign advisers are hoping the election plays out to erase Mr. Biden’s presumed lead among the more than 67 million votes cast so far.
In Florida, Democrats’ lead in early voting over Republicans has dwindled from 19 percentage points when voting began Oct. 19 to less than 5 percentage points Tuesday, 41.8% to 37.1%, according to the United States Elections Project. Another 20% of early voters specified no party affiliation.
In Iowa, Democrats’ edge over Republicans in early voting has fallen to a margin of 49.3% to 31.9%. In North Carolina, Democrats have cast about 39% of the state’s early votes, compared with 30% for Republican voters and 30% by people with no party affiliation.
Pennsylvania’s early vote totals show Democrats nearly reaching the goal of 70%, casting 68.9% of the 1.8 million mail ballots returned so far. Republicans account for 21.3% of the ballots returned, while 9.1% have no party affiliation.
Rep. Mike Kelly, a Pennsylvania Republican who speaks on behalf of the Trump campaign, said the Biden team shouldn’t count on all those votes by registered Democrats. He said many blue-collar Democrats in his state are voting for Mr. Trump.
“There are a tremendous number of generational Democrats who have decided that their party left them a long time ago,” Mr. Kelly said. “There’s some kind of a misconception throughout the country right now that somehow, every Democrat who mailed in their ballot was a vote for Joe Biden. I think that is way off the mark.”
Although Mr. Trump and his campaign advisers sound optimistic about the trends in early voting, former Trump campaign manger Corey Lewandowski said they won’t know anything for certain until Election Day. He said some of the better-than-expected early voting by Republicans could translate into fewer Republican voters on Nov. 3.
“We have enormous amounts of early voting,” Mr. Lewandowski said on Fox News. “Traditionally, Republicans vote on Election Day. We’re not sure yet if all of our voters are turning out early and we’re going to have a massive Election Day push, or [whether] some of those are being consumed right now. No one knows the answer.”
The Texas Democratic Party said 860,000 people younger than 29 had cast ballots in the state and nearly half of those had never before participated in a general election.
“Young voters will decide this election,” said Texas Democratic Party spokesman Abhi Rahman. “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the records being broken every single day from young voters making their voices heard. For Texas Democrats to win up and down the ballot, we need every youth voter to turn out to the polls.”
In Georgia, a state that Mr. Trump won in 2016 by about 5 percentage points, Mr. Biden tried to put the president on the defensive. The race there is essentially tied in public polls, and the Democrat showed he is finishing it the same way he started: by framing his showdown with Mr. Trump as a “battle for the soul of the nation.”
“Time and again throughout our history, we have seen charlatans, con men, phony populists who sought to play on our fears, appeal to our worst appetites, and pick at the oldest scabs we have for their own political gain,” Mr. Biden said. “Pope Francis warns us against this phony populism that appeals to ‘the basest and the most selfish instincts.’”
Mr. Biden said he, in contrast, is running to “unite this nation and to heal this nation.”
“God and history have called us to this moment and this mission,” he said. “With our voices and our votes, we must free us from the forces of darkness, the forces of division and the forces of yesterday, and the forces that pull us apart hold us down and hold us back.”
David Johnson, a Georgia-based Republican Party strategist, said Mr. Biden has been “very smart” to stick with the same basic message throughout the campaign.
“He realizes this is a referendum on Trump. And when I say ‘a referendum on Trump,’ it is not Trump’s policies. It is Trump’s personality,” Mr. Johnson said. “If you took away Trump from the race and put a generic Republican with Trump’s policies in, it wouldn’t even be a race. The Republican would be beating Biden. The problem is that it all comes down to Trump’s personality. That is what is driving voters to Biden right now, and Biden’s people know that.”
In Warm Springs, the retreat of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Mr. Biden said he won’t “wave the white flag of surrender” in the battle against COVID-19. He said the U.S. needs a president “who cares less about his TV ratings and more about the American people.”
“I’m ready to act. We know what to do. And starting on Day One of my presidency, we will do it,” he said.
Mrs. Trump, at a campaign stop in Atglen, Pennsylvania, said Democrats “cared more about removing our elected president” through impeachment than they cared about the public health crisis last winter.
“This sham was led by opposition, and their display of hatred is on display to this day,” the first lady said. “Children watching and learning about politics in our country deserved a better display of political responsibility and respect for our sacred institutions.”
She said Democrats “have chosen to put their own agendas ahead of the American people’s well-being. Instead, they attempt to create a divide — a divide on something that should be nonpartisan and noncontroversial. A divide that causes confusion and fear instead of hope and security. That is not leadership.”
The first lady tested positive for COVID-19 in early October, as did Mr. Trump and their son, Barron. She thanked the audience “for all the love and support you gave us.”
“We are all feeling so much better now thanks to healthy living and some of the amazing therapeutic options available in our country,” Mrs. Trump said. “Like many of you, I have experienced the firsthand effects of COVID-19, not only as a patient but as a worried mother and wife. I know there are many people who have lost loved ones or know people who have been forever impacted by this silent enemy. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with all of you through this difficult time.”
She said, “We all know the American spirit is stronger than this virus. We have proven that we can and will overcome this unexpected challenge. This administration chooses to keep moving forward during this pandemic, not backward.”
• David Sherfinski contributed to this report.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com. • Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Colorado's largest wildfire has burned more than 200 homes

FORT COLLINS , Colo. ( AP ) - A wildfire that has scorched more than 326 square miles ( 844 square kilometers ) since it started in mid-August , becoming the largest in Colorado history , has damaged or destroyed more than 200 homes , officials said .
As of Monday , the Cameron Peak Fire in northern Colorado had destroyed 426 buildings and damaged another eight , said David Moore , a spokesman for the Larimer County Sheriff ’ s Office .
The affected buildings include 209 homes , 208 outbuildings and 17 buildings that were designated as businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a meditation retreat in the mountains northwest of Fort Collins .
The fire ignited in arid and rugged terrain near Rocky Mountain National Park on Aug. 13 and has charred some of the most pristine land in the state .
Fire investigators have not said what caused the blaze , which is 64 % contained .
Damage assessment crews were combing the area after snow and cold weather put a damper on the fire over the weekend .
Meanwhile , crews were trying to determine how many homes were damaged and destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which forced evacuations and closed Rocky Mountain National Park .
The East Troublesome Fire , just southwest of the Cameron Peak Fire , has destroyed about 301 square miles ( 780 square kilometers ) and is 20 % contained .
The blaze forced thousands of people to flee their homes and burned part of Rocky Mountain National Park , but the full extent of the damages is not yet known .
Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin has previously said there was “ lots of structural loss ” because of the fire but has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost .
The town of Grand Lake , which was evacuated last week after the fire exploded in size , was not damaged , and no one is unaccounted for in the area burned by the fire .
Lyle and Marylin Hileman , aged 86 and 84 , were found dead Friday after refusing to leave their home near Grand Lake .
Their last known words were in a call to their son , saying calmly and adamantly that they would stay in their basement .
Gov .
Jared Polis said Friday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported Oct. 14 , was likely caused by human activity .

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - A wildfire that has scorched more than 326 square miles (844 square kilometers) since it started in mid-August, becoming the largest in Colorado history, has damaged or destroyed more than 200 homes, officials said.
As of Monday, the Cameron Peak Fire in northern Colorado had destroyed 426 buildings and damaged another eight, said David Moore, a spokesman for the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. The affected buildings include 209 homes, 208 outbuildings and 17 buildings that were designated as businesses as part of the Shambhala Mountain Center, a meditation retreat in the mountains northwest of Fort Collins.
The fire ignited in arid and rugged terrain near Rocky Mountain National Park on Aug. 13 and has charred some of the most pristine land in the state. Fire investigators have not said what caused the blaze, which is 64% contained.
Damage assessment crews were combing the area after snow and cold weather put a damper on the fire over the weekend.
Meanwhile, crews were trying to determine how many homes were damaged and destroyed by Colorado’s second-largest recorded wildfire which forced evacuations and closed Rocky Mountain National Park.
The East Troublesome Fire, just southwest of the Cameron Peak Fire, has destroyed about 301 square miles (780 square kilometers) and is 20% contained.
The blaze forced thousands of people to flee their homes and burned part of Rocky Mountain National Park, but the full extent of the damages is not yet known. Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin has previously said there was “lots of structural loss” because of the fire but has declined to estimate the number of homes lost.
The town of Grand Lake, which was evacuated last week after the fire exploded in size, was not damaged, and no one is unaccounted for in the area burned by the fire.
Lyle and Marylin Hileman, aged 86 and 84, were found dead Friday after refusing to leave their home near Grand Lake. Their last known words were in a call to their son, saying calmly and adamantly that they would stay in their basement.
Gov. Jared Polis said Friday that the East Troublesome Fire, which was reported Oct. 14, was likely caused by human activity.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Peru's Machu Picchu reopening Sunday after pandemic closure

MACHU PICCHU , Peru ( AP ) - Except workers repairing roads and signs , Peru ’ s majestic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is eerily empty ahead of its reopening Sunday after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The long closure of Peru ’ s No .
1 tourist draw , which has hammered the local economy , marks the second time it has been shut down since it opened its doors to tourism in 1948 .
The first time was in 2010 when torrential and prolonged rains forced it to close .
The stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive 675 visitors a day starting Sunday , the director of Machu Picchu archaeological park , José Bastante , told The Associated Press during an exclusive visit to the near-empty ruin ahead of its reopening .
“ We have a limited 30 % admission capacity in compliance with biosafety measures and protocols , ” Bastante said while supervising final preparations to open the UNESCO World Heritage Site .
The site is accustomed to receiving 3,000 tourists a day , though it recently passed regulations limiting visitors to 2,244 visitors a day to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given experts belief that in the 15th century a maximum of 410 people lived in the citadel on the limits of the Andes mountains and the Amazon .
Before entering , visitors will have their temperatures taken and will be required to wear masks and stand at least 2 meters apart .
Groups , including a guide , can not be larger than eight people , and children under 12 will not be allowed .
To avoid crowding , visitors will travel on four circuits .
Tour operators are offering packages costing $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the pandemic would have cost at least $ 750 .
Peru ’ s tourism revenues have been frozen since it decreed a general lockdown March 16 to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus .
So far , 34,197 people have died from COVID-19 in the country .
Machu Picchu is Peru ’ s tourism jewel and in 2018 drew 1.5 million visitors .
The citadel was built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas at an altitude of 2,490 meters ( 8,170 feet ) .

MACHU PICCHU, Peru (AP) - Except workers repairing roads and signs, Peru’s majestic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is eerily empty ahead of its reopening Sunday after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The long closure of Peru’s No. 1 tourist draw, which has hammered the local economy, marks the second time it has been shut down since it opened its doors to tourism in 1948. The first time was in 2010 when torrential and prolonged rains forced it to close.
The stone complex built in the 15th century will receive 675 visitors a day starting Sunday, the director of Machu Picchu archaeological park, José Bastante, told The Associated Press during an exclusive visit to the near-empty ruin ahead of its reopening.
“We have a limited 30% admission capacity in compliance with biosafety measures and protocols,” Bastante said while supervising final preparations to open the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The site is accustomed to receiving 3,000 tourists a day, though it recently passed regulations limiting visitors to 2,244 visitors a day to protect the ruins. Still a large number given experts belief that in the 15th century a maximum of 410 people lived in the citadel on the limits of the Andes mountains and the Amazon.
Before entering, visitors will have their temperatures taken and will be required to wear masks and stand at least 2 meters apart. Groups, including a guide, cannot be larger than eight people, and children under 12 will not be allowed. To avoid crowding, visitors will travel on four circuits.
Tour operators are offering packages costing $250 to visit Machu Picchu, which before the pandemic would have cost at least $750.
Peru’s tourism revenues have been frozen since it decreed a general lockdown March 16 to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. So far, 34,197 people have died from COVID-19 in the country.
Machu Picchu is Peru’s tourism jewel and in 2018 drew 1.5 million visitors. The citadel was built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas at an altitude of 2,490 meters (8,170 feet).


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Wisconsin Dells man arrested on 12th drunken driving charge

BARABOO , Wis. ( AP ) - A Wisconsin Dells man arrested on suspicion of drunken driving is facing his @ @ @ @ @ .
Walter Decorah , 51 , made his initial appearance Tuesday in Sauk County Circuit @ @ @ @ @ set bail at $ 15,000 cash , the Baraboo News Republic reported .
Authorities say @ @ @ @ @ asleep behind the steering wheel at a stop sign .
He was charged with driving @ @ @ @ @ a prohibited alcohol content and driving with a revoked license .

BARABOO, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin Dells man arrested on suspicion of drunken driving is facing his 12th charge for drunken driving.
Walter Decorah, 51, made his initial appearance Tuesday in Sauk County Circuit Court. Judge Patricia Barrett set bail at $15,000 cash, the Baraboo News Republic reported.
Authorities say Decorah was arrested for falling asleep behind the steering wheel at a stop sign. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, operating with a prohibited alcohol content and driving with a revoked license.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Facebook's Zuckerberg to call for 'more active' government role regulating social media

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will call for a “ more active role for governments and regulators ” in testimony to a Senate committee on Wednesday , The Washington Times has learned .
Mr. Zuckerberg will tell lawmakers that he supports their efforts to change Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , which protects social media companies from legal liability for content posted by users on their platforms .
The protection is a target for lawmakers who want to rein in Big Tech ’ s power and limit the companies ’ ability to restrict speech online .
Mr. Zuckerberg also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protection shows that Americans are unhappy with the status quo .
“ I believe Congress should update the law to make sure it ’ s working as intended , ” Mr. Zuckerberg will say , according to the prepared remarks .
“ We support the ideas around transparency and industry collaboration that are being discussed in some of the current bipartisan proposals , and I look forward to a meaningful dialogue about how we might update the law to deal with the problems we face today.
” Alongside Mr. Zuckerberg , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee is scheduled to hear from Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey .
Mr. Dorsey is expected to take the opposite view of Mr. Zuckerberg and warn that undermining Section 230 could result in the removal of more speech online instead of less , according to reports .
While the commerce committee hearing is intended to focus on Section 230 , the spotlight will fall squarely on the companies ’ alleged censorship of political speech in the final days of the 2020 campaign .
Senate Republicans are expected to place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and center at Wednesday ’ s hearing , but the timing of the hearing less than one week before Election Day has many observers doubting its value to policymakers .
“ In the past , these hearings have more been an opportunity for members of Congress to make speeches and chastise the companies and for the companies to appear cowed by it and regretful , ” said David Greene , Electronic Frontier Foundation senior staff attorney .
Republican lawmakers have relentlessly pursued Mr. Dorsey and Mr. Zuckerberg ’ s testimony before the November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heads of Facebook and Twitter over their companies ’ blocks of the distribution of news reports about Hunter Biden ’ s alleged emails that reveal new details of his overseas business deals and threaten to damage the presidential campaign of his father , Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden .
Last week , the Senate Judiciary Committee authorized subpoenas for Mr. Dorsey and Mr. Zuckerberg to testify about their blocks .
Then , in an about-face on Friday evening , the judiciary committee announced that the CEOs would voluntarily testify after the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday ’ s showdown is almost certainly the only venue for congressional scrutiny of the tech CEOs before Election Day .
Facebook , Google , and Twitter have all taken actions since the hearings were scheduled to attempt to show that they are good stewards of online speech .
Facebook ’ s new oversight board charged with reviewing the company ’ s content enforcement decisions across its platforms began accepting cases for review on Thursday .
The board ’ s new activity may give Mr. Zuckerberg ammunition to argue that he is making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in to do it for him .
Google , meanwhile , announced Tuesday that it will “ temporarily pause ” ads referring to the 2020 election or its outcome as soon as the polls close next week .
Google also said it is partnering with the Associated Press to provide authoritative election results next week and is taking additional steps to fight the spread of bad information on its platform .
Twitter updated its policies that affect when and how it moderates content online after its restrictions on anti-Biden news became fodder for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labeled a tweet by former Obama administration Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. about voting procedures with a warning that it might be misleading .
The company later withdrew the warning .

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will call for a “more active role for governments and regulators” in testimony to a Senate committee on Wednesday, The Washington Times has learned.
Mr. Zuckerberg will tell lawmakers that he supports their efforts to change Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects social media companies from legal liability for content posted by users on their platforms.
The protection is a target for lawmakers who want to rein in Big Tech’s power and limit the companies’ ability to restrict speech online. Mr. Zuckerberg also will say that the ongoing debate about the protection shows that Americans are unhappy with the status quo.
“I believe Congress should update the law to make sure it’s working as intended,” Mr. Zuckerberg will say, according to the prepared remarks. “We support the ideas around transparency and industry collaboration that are being discussed in some of the current bipartisan proposals, and I look forward to a meaningful dialogue about how we might update the law to deal with the problems we face today.”
Alongside Mr. Zuckerberg, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee is scheduled to hear from Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.
Mr. Dorsey is expected to take the opposite view of Mr. Zuckerberg and warn that undermining Section 230 could result in the removal of more speech online instead of less, according to reports.
While the commerce committee hearing is intended to focus on Section 230, the spotlight will fall squarely on the companies’ alleged censorship of political speech in the final days of the 2020 campaign.
Senate Republicans are expected to place conservative outrage over Big Tech censorship front and center at Wednesday’s hearing, but the timing of the hearing less than one week before Election Day has many observers doubting its value to policymakers.
“In the past, these hearings have more been an opportunity for members of Congress to make speeches and chastise the companies and for the companies to appear cowed by it and regretful,” said David Greene, Electronic Frontier Foundation senior staff attorney.
Republican lawmakers have relentlessly pursued Mr. Dorsey and Mr. Zuckerberg’s testimony before the November elections. Senate Republicans are furious with the heads of Facebook and Twitter over their companies’ blocks of the distribution of news reports about Hunter Biden’s alleged emails that reveal new details of his overseas business deals and threaten to damage the presidential campaign of his father, Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden.
Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee authorized subpoenas for Mr. Dorsey and Mr. Zuckerberg to testify about their blocks. Then, in an about-face on Friday evening, the judiciary committee announced that the CEOs would voluntarily testify after the election on Nov. 17.
The change means Wednesday’s showdown is almost certainly the only venue for congressional scrutiny of the tech CEOs before Election Day.
Facebook, Google, and Twitter have all taken actions since the hearings were scheduled to attempt to show that they are good stewards of online speech.
Facebook’s new oversight board charged with reviewing the company’s content enforcement decisions across its platforms began accepting cases for review on Thursday. The board’s new activity may give Mr. Zuckerberg ammunition to argue that he is making good-faith efforts to self-regulate before governments step in to do it for him.
Google, meanwhile, announced Tuesday that it will “temporarily pause” ads referring to the 2020 election or its outcome as soon as the polls close next week. Google also said it is partnering with the Associated Press to provide authoritative election results next week and is taking additional steps to fight the spread of bad information on its platform.
Twitter updated its policies that affect when and how it moderates content online after its restrictions on anti-Biden news became fodder for congressional scrutiny. On Tuesday, Twitter labeled a tweet by former Obama administration Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. about voting procedures with a warning that it might be misleading. The company later withdrew the warning.
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Democrats poised to cement hold of majority in House

Democrats appear to be improving the odds of cementing their hold on the majority as Nov. 3 draws closer .
Republicans would need a net gain of 17 seats to retake the House this year , but they are more likely to lose seats in an anticipated Democratic surge .
For months , strategists and pollsters have detected Democratic momentum amid the raging pandemic and President Trump ’ s struggles in the polls .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is so confident in the Democrats ’ odds for this upcoming election in her chamber that she already is planning for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m trying to win it two years in advance — by being so substantial in this election that as soon as we start into the next year , people will see our strength , ” Mrs. Pelosi told The Associated Press .
“ We intend to hold the House and grow our numbers.
” The California Democrat also committed to running again for speaker in the next Congress .
Mr. Trump , however , remains confident — arguing there will be a surprise red surge .
“ We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll hold the Senate , we ’ ll hold the White House , ” he told reporters at the White House .
“ If you look at the polls that came out today and yesterday , and I guess a lot had to do with the debate or a lot had to with the rallies , I don ’ t know , but you take a look at the polls , ” he said .
“ Look how we ’ re doing in Wisconsin , look how we ’ re doing in Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ohio , look how we ’ re doing in Florida .
Look how we ’ re doing everywhere , practically.
” The latest sign of an approaching blue wave came when Democrats ’ odds improved in 11 House races last week , according to The Cook Political Report , either making Democratic incumbents safer or by whittling away at a Republican ’ s standing .
In July , 20 seats shifted in their favor .
There are some glimmers of hope for Republicans .
Reps. Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Peter DeFazio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the Democratic leadership team , find themselves in tougher races than was expected earlier in the year , though they remain the heavy favorites .
A Republican strategist highlighted several swing-district Democrats — including Reps. Collin Peterson of Minnesota , Kendra Horn of Oklahoma , Max Rose of New York and Anthony Brindisi of New York — who are in highly competitive races as some of their top targets .
In the Cook Political Report analysis , it was estimated that Democrats stood to gain anywhere from 5 to 15 seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t the only forecaster to have their models point in that direction .
The political statistics website FiveThirtyEight predicts Democrats will expand their majority with a net gain of four seats .
An analysis by The Economist magazine predicted Democrats could come into the 117th Congress with 243 seats — a whopping gain of 11 seats .
Democrats are defending about 30 seats in districts where Mr. Trump won in 2016 .
At this point last year , Republicans banked on Mr. Trump ’ s coattails to help flip some of them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a drag on the rest of the GOP ticket .
Michael McAdams , press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee , said not to trust the polls and political forecasts .
“ They ’ ve been wrong before and they ’ re gon na be wrong again .
Pundits don ’ t decide elections , voters do , ” he said .
“ We ’ re going to continue highlighting the radical agenda that House Democrats are trying to pass .
Whether it ’ s defunding the police , raising taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care and the Green New Deal.
” Last month , House Republicans rolled out their fall campaign agenda , with an emphasis on rebuilding the economy , spending on policing and providing resources to combat the coronavirus .
Even with the odds as they are , the GOP hopes for more success stories like Rep. Mike Garcia , who won back a swing district in California during a special election to replace former Rep. Katie Hill .
He ’ s in a heated race of his own though , fighting for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans are hammering on the Democrats ’ on their record in the majority , Democrats are emphasizing health care as their top priority as the Supreme Court prepares to take up another challenge to the Affordable Care Act .
“ Democrats have outworked , out-hustled , and out-raised Republicans all cycle long .
Our candidates will keep using their resource advantage they have built over the last 22 months to push deep into Republican territory and hold Republicans for trying to rip away Americans ’ health coverage during a deadly pandemic , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @

House Republicans’ fate on Election Day looks grim.
Democrats appear to be improving the odds of cementing their hold on the majority as Nov. 3 draws closer.
Republicans would need a net gain of 17 seats to retake the House this year, but they are more likely to lose seats in an anticipated Democratic surge.
For months, strategists and pollsters have detected Democratic momentum amid the raging pandemic and President Trump’s struggles in the polls.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is so confident in the Democrats’ odds for this upcoming election in her chamber that she already is planning for the 2022 midterm elections.
“This year, I’m trying to win it two years in advance — by being so substantial in this election that as soon as we start into the next year, people will see our strength,” Mrs. Pelosi told The Associated Press. “We intend to hold the House and grow our numbers.”
The California Democrat also committed to running again for speaker in the next Congress.
Mr. Trump, however, remains confident — arguing there will be a surprise red surge.
“We’ll take back the House, we’ll hold the Senate, we’ll hold the White House,” he told reporters at the White House. “If you look at the polls that came out today and yesterday, and I guess a lot had to do with the debate or a lot had to with the rallies, I don’t know, but you take a look at the polls,” he said. “Look how we’re doing in Wisconsin, look how we’re doing in Iowa, look how we’re doing in Ohio, look how we’re doing in Florida. Look how we’re doing everywhere, practically.”
The latest sign of an approaching blue wave came when Democrats’ odds improved in 11 House races last week, according to The Cook Political Report, either making Democratic incumbents safer or by whittling away at a Republican’s standing. In July, 20 seats shifted in their favor.
There are some glimmers of hope for Republicans.
Reps. Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Peter DeFazio of Oregon, both of whom are members of the Democratic leadership team, find themselves in tougher races than was expected earlier in the year, though they remain the heavy favorites.
A Republican strategist highlighted several swing-district Democrats — including Reps. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, Kendra Horn of Oklahoma, Max Rose of New York and Anthony Brindisi of New York — who are in highly competitive races as some of their top targets.
In the Cook Political Report analysis, it was estimated that Democrats stood to gain anywhere from 5 to 15 seats in 2020.
And they aren’t the only forecaster to have their models point in that direction.
The political statistics website FiveThirtyEight predicts Democrats will expand their majority with a net gain of four seats. An analysis by The Economist magazine predicted Democrats could come into the 117th Congress with 243 seats — a whopping gain of 11 seats.
Democrats are defending about 30 seats in districts where Mr. Trump won in 2016.
At this point last year, Republicans banked on Mr. Trump’s coattails to help flip some of them. But now, strategists see the president as a drag on the rest of the GOP ticket.
Michael McAdams, press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said not to trust the polls and political forecasts.
“They’ve been wrong before and they’re gonna be wrong again. Pundits don’t decide elections, voters do,” he said. “We’re going to continue highlighting the radical agenda that House Democrats are trying to pass. Whether it’s defunding the police, raising taxes or pushing for socialized programs like government-run health care and the Green New Deal.”
Last month, House Republicans rolled out their fall campaign agenda, with an emphasis on rebuilding the economy, spending on policing and providing resources to combat the coronavirus.
Even with the odds as they are, the GOP hopes for more success stories like Rep. Mike Garcia, who won back a swing district in California during a special election to replace former Rep. Katie Hill. He’s in a heated race of his own though, fighting for a full term in that seat.
While Republicans are hammering on the Democrats’ on their record in the majority, Democrats are emphasizing health care as their top priority as the Supreme Court prepares to take up another challenge to the Affordable Care Act.
“Democrats have outworked, out-hustled, and out-raised Republicans all cycle long. Our candidates will keep using their resource advantage they have built over the last 22 months to push deep into Republican territory and hold Republicans for trying to rip away Americans’ health coverage during a deadly pandemic,” said DCCC press secretary Robyn Patterson.
• Tom Howell Jr. contributed to this report.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--GOP candidate's campaign donations went illegally over limit

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - Republican Burgess Owens is refunding and reallocating illegal campaign donations that went above contribution limits .
The former football player challenging first-term Congressman Ben McAdams collected about $ 135,000 in excess contributions , the New York Times reported Tuesday .
The news comes shortly after he raised a large $ 2.5 million haul between July and October .
Owens has had more than 50,000 donors , many of whom donated electronically , so excess contributions can happen “ without the campaign ’ s knowledge , ” said spokesman Jesse Ranney .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice , ” he said .
The Federal Election Commission ’ s legal limit on campaign contributions is $ 2,800 per individual .
McAdams campaign , though , said it was part of “ a pattern of financial mismanagement.
” Campaign manager Andrew Roberts said , “ It ’ s clear he has taken illegal donations that he can not spend .
He should come clean and refund all the money he is holding illegally.
” McAdam ’ s predecessor , Republican Mia Love , also faced criticism for improperly accepting campaign contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t face a competitor .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Republican Burgess Owens is refunding and reallocating illegal campaign donations that went above contribution limits.
The former football player challenging first-term Congressman Ben McAdams collected about $135,000 in excess contributions, the New York Times reported Tuesday.
The news comes shortly after he raised a large $2.5 million haul between July and October.
Owens has had more than 50,000 donors, many of whom donated electronically, so excess contributions can happen “without the campaign’s knowledge,” said spokesman Jesse Ranney. “This isn’t unusual and is common practice,” he said.
The Federal Election Commission ’s legal limit on campaign contributions is $2,800 per individual.
McAdams campaign, though, said it was part of “a pattern of financial mismanagement.”
Campaign manager Andrew Roberts said, “It’s clear he has taken illegal donations that he cannot spend. He should come clean and refund all the money he is holding illegally.”
McAdam’s predecessor, Republican Mia Love, also faced criticism for improperly accepting campaign contributions for a primary even though she didn’t face a competitor.


washingtontimes--2020-10-27--Joe Biden energy plan, Paris climate deal reentry would benefit China

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden ’ s plans to rejoin the Paris accord and transition to 100 % renewable energy are popular with climate advocates , but perhaps nobody stands to gain more from the Biden vision than China .
Not only does China lead the world in the manufacture of solar panels and wind turbines , the Chinese control an estimated 80 % of the rare-earth minerals crucial to the production of lithium batteries , electric vehicles , and solar and wind equipment .
The 2015 Paris Agreement is also Beijing-friendly .
While the U.S. pledged to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China only agreed to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and increase its non-fossil fuel energy sources to “ around 20 % by 2030 , ” according to the Climate Action Tracker .
“ It should be called the Paris-China agreement because China is the largest beneficiary , ” said James Taylor , president of the free-market Heartland Institute .
“ China is not bound to make any carbon dioxide emissions reductions , nor is it bound to cap its emissions.
” What particularly galls critics is that China is considered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s second-largest economy , meaning that Beijing is eligible for grants under the Green Climate Fund , which channels “ climate finance ” from the haves to the have nots .
The U.S. initially pledged $ 3 billion to the fund , launched in 2010 , although President Barack Obama kicked in only $ 1 billion and President Trump has refused to contribute .
The GCF ’ s goal is to mobilize $ 100 billion per year for “ mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.
” Mr. Biden has promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even as Mr. Trump steams ahead with the U.S. exit strategy .
He launched the departure process last year , meaning that the earliest withdrawal date is Nov. 4 , the day after the presidential election .
While Mr. Trump has long railed against the U.N.-sponsored accord , saying it would put the nation at a competitive advantage and cost trillions , Mr. Biden has argued that the agreement is needed to combat climate change , which he calls “ the existential crisis of our time.
” “ While he [ Mr. Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll bring us back into the Paris Agreement , ” Mr. Biden said in a Sept. 14 speech in California .
“ I ’ ll put us back into the business of leading the world on climate change and I ’ ll challenge every other country to up the ante on climate commitments.
” At the same time , Mr. Biden has insisted that he will not ban hydraulic fracturing , the key to the U.S. shale boom and energy independence , although his $ 2 trillion plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse-gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ transition from the oil industry , ” as he said in last week ’ s debate .
The former vice president has argued that his plan would create “ millions of jobs ” by building green energy , which generated last year $ 57 billion in annual investment and supported 550,000 “ high quality renewable energy jobs here in the U.S. , ” said Gregory Wetstone , president and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy .
“ American wins in a transition to renewable resources , ” Mr. Wetstone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smart policies in place , we can continue to accelerate the renewable transition , driving America ’ s economic recovery and fulfilling the clean energy future that Americans want and scientists say we need.
” The shift to wind and solar also “ frees us from the gyrations of global oil markets , which leave us vulnerable to foreign actors , ” he said , although critics worry that Mr. Biden ’ s plan would leave the nation reliant on China and its renewable-energy dominance .
The U.S. recently became energy independent for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ we finally produce more energy than we consume , ” said Dan Kish , senior vice president for policy at the American Energy Alliance .
The U.S. does still import about some crude , about 9.14 million barrels a day from 90 countries , mainly Canada , which accounted for 48 % in 2019 , according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency .
“ What they ’ re talking about is exchanging [ our former ] dependence on the Middle East and OPEC , which was at one point close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost total dependence or twice as much dependency on China , ” Mr. Kish said .
“ I ’ ve got friends who are geologists who are saying , why are we doing this ?
This is crazy.
” Government and business officials have long warned of the potential for a clash between U.S. clean-energy push — about 30 states now have renewable-portfolio mandates — and China ’ s grip on cobalt and lithium mining in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Argentina and Chile .
Mr. Trump signed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency on the “ threat to the domestic supply chain from reliance on critical minerals from foreign adversaries , ” accusing China of using “ aggressive economic practices ” to keep the upper hand .
He ordered the Interior Department to report back in 60 days with recommendations that “ may include the imposition of tariffs or quotas , other import restrictions against China and other non-market foreign adversaries.
” China has periodically threatened to curb its rare-earth exports while seeking to increase its position in high-tech manufacturing .
“ China could severely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of electric vehicles , hybrid vehicles , wind turbines , MRIs by reserving the use of Chinese domestically produced rare earths for the Chinese domestic manufacturing industries , ” according to a report by Curtin University professor Dudley Kingsnorth , as reported July 27 by the Financial Times .
“ Effectively , this would force the rest of the world to purchase rare earths embedded in the [ original equipment manufacturers ] made in China ; destroying millions of jobs , ” he said .
The industry has moved to address the imbalance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pilot plant in Wheat Ridge , Colorado , described as “ the first processing facility outside of China with the ability to separate the full range of rare earths.
” China is also the world ’ s biggest polluter , responsible for about 28 % of global emissions .
President Xi Jinping sought to polish his climate image last month by pledging that China would move up its 2030 emissions peak and reach “ carbon neutrality ” by 2060 .
At the same time , China continues to approve coal-fired plants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s energy use came from coal , according to Carbon Brief , versus 23.5 % of U.S. electricity generation .
“ China ’ s economy is much more reliant on coal and hydropower than is the United States economy , ” said Mr. Taylor .
“ In that regard , they ’ re being very smart .
They ’ re utilizing the most efficient , affordable energy sources , and they ’ re benefiting from the Western democracies ’ self-defeating restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions.
” He added : “ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us at a competitive economic disadvantage by dramatically raising our energy costs.
” Chris Horner , attorney for the public-interest law group Government Accountability & Oversight , posted a State Department document last week indicating that disputes between the Paris parties would be referred to a “ conciliation commission , ” which would then issue recommendations .
He said the document , obtained through an open-records request for the Energy Policy Advocates , raised concerns that the U.S. would be subject to challenges to its energy policies from its global adversaries .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can also expect a forum for antagonistic nations to bring their complaints about U.S. policy and claims of non-compliance with Paris ’ s required ‘ Net Zero ’ agenda for resolution , ” said Mr. Horner .
Even without the Paris accord , the U.S. leads the world in reducing greenhouse gases .
In 2019 , U.S. emissions fell by 2.9 % , continuing a trend that began in 2005 as coal was increasingly replaced by natural gas made cheaper and more abundant by hydraulic fracturing .
“ The one major country that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States — and we are not part of the Paris Treaty , ” said Stephen Moore , co-founder of the free-market Committee to Unleash Prosperity .
“ The Climate Accord is simply a shakedown of American taxpayers to pay for Europe and Asia.
” The Paris agreement has been ratified by 188 nations and the European Union , representing countries responsible for about 97 % of greenhouse-gas emissions .
The accord seeks to limit the global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius by 2100 from pre-industrial levels .

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden’s plans to rejoin the Paris accord and transition to 100% renewable energy are popular with climate advocates, but perhaps nobody stands to gain more from the Biden vision than China.
Not only does China lead the world in the manufacture of solar panels and wind turbines, the Chinese control an estimated 80% of the rare-earth minerals crucial to the production of lithium batteries, electric vehicles, and solar and wind equipment.
The 2015 Paris Agreement is also Beijing-friendly. While the U.S. pledged to reduce emissions by 26-28% by 2025, China only agreed to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and increase its non-fossil fuel energy sources to “around 20% by 2030,” according to the Climate Action Tracker.
“It should be called the Paris-China agreement because China is the largest beneficiary,” said James Taylor, president of the free-market Heartland Institute. “China is not bound to make any carbon dioxide emissions reductions, nor is it bound to cap its emissions.”
What particularly galls critics is that China is considered a developing nation by international standards despite having the world’s second-largest economy, meaning that Beijing is eligible for grants under the Green Climate Fund, which channels “climate finance” from the haves to the have nots.
The U.S. initially pledged $3 billion to the fund, launched in 2010, although President Barack Obama kicked in only $1 billion and President Trump has refused to contribute. The GCF’s goal is to mobilize $100 billion per year for “mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.”
Mr. Biden has promised if elected to reenter the Paris agreement even as Mr. Trump steams ahead with the U.S. exit strategy. He launched the departure process last year, meaning that the earliest withdrawal date is Nov. 4, the day after the presidential election.
While Mr. Trump has long railed against the U.N.-sponsored accord, saying it would put the nation at a competitive advantage and cost trillions, Mr. Biden has argued that the agreement is needed to combat climate change, which he calls “the existential crisis of our time.”
“While he [Mr. Trump] turns against our allies, I’ll bring us back into the Paris Agreement,” Mr. Biden said in a Sept. 14 speech in California. “I’ll put us back into the business of leading the world on climate change and I’ll challenge every other country to up the ante on climate commitments.”
At the same time, Mr. Biden has insisted that he will not ban hydraulic fracturing, the key to the U.S. shale boom and energy independence, although his $2 trillion plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050 would all but require a “transition from the oil industry,” as he said in last week’s debate.
The former vice president has argued that his plan would create “millions of jobs” by building green energy, which generated last year $57 billion in annual investment and supported 550,000 “high quality renewable energy jobs here in the U.S.,” said Gregory Wetstone, president and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy.
“American wins in a transition to renewable resources,” Mr. Wetstone said in an email. “With smart policies in place, we can continue to accelerate the renewable transition, driving America’s economic recovery and fulfilling the clean energy future that Americans want and scientists say we need.”
The shift to wind and solar also “frees us from the gyrations of global oil markets, which leave us vulnerable to foreign actors,” he said, although critics worry that Mr. Biden’s plan would leave the nation reliant on China and its renewable-energy dominance.
‘Self-defeating restrictions’
The U.S. recently became energy independent for the first time since 1957, meaning that “we finally produce more energy than we consume,” said Dan Kish, senior vice president for policy at the American Energy Alliance.
The U.S. does still import about some crude, about 9.14 million barrels a day from 90 countries, mainly Canada, which accounted for 48% in 2019, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency.
“What they’re talking about is exchanging [our former] dependence on the Middle East and OPEC, which was at one point close to 50% of our energy, for almost total dependence or twice as much dependency on China,” Mr. Kish said. “I’ve got friends who are geologists who are saying, why are we doing this? This is crazy.”
Government and business officials have long warned of the potential for a clash between U.S. clean-energy push — about 30 states now have renewable-portfolio mandates — and China’s grip on cobalt and lithium mining in places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Argentina and Chile.
Mr. Trump signed an executive order Sept. 30 declaring a national emergency on the “threat to the domestic supply chain from reliance on critical minerals from foreign adversaries,” accusing China of using “aggressive economic practices” to keep the upper hand.
He ordered the Interior Department to report back in 60 days with recommendations that “may include the imposition of tariffs or quotas, other import restrictions against China and other non-market foreign adversaries.”
China has periodically threatened to curb its rare-earth exports while seeking to increase its position in high-tech manufacturing.
“China could severely limit the rest of the world production of electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, wind turbines, MRIs by reserving the use of Chinese domestically produced rare earths for the Chinese domestic manufacturing industries,” according to a report by Curtin University professor Dudley Kingsnorth, as reported July 27 by the Financial Times.
“Effectively, this would force the rest of the world to purchase rare earths embedded in the [original equipment manufacturers] made in China; destroying millions of jobs,” he said.
The industry has moved to address the imbalance. USA Rare Earth announced in December a pilot plant in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, described as “the first processing facility outside of China with the ability to separate the full range of rare earths.”
China is also the world’s biggest polluter, responsible for about 28% of global emissions. President Xi Jinping sought to polish his climate image last month by pledging that China would move up its 2030 emissions peak and reach “carbon neutrality” by 2060.
At the same time, China continues to approve coal-fired plants. In 2019, nearly 58% of China’s energy use came from coal, according to Carbon Brief, versus 23.5% of U.S. electricity generation.
“China’s economy is much more reliant on coal and hydropower than is the United States economy,” said Mr. Taylor. “In that regard, they’re being very smart. They’re utilizing the most efficient, affordable energy sources, and they’re benefiting from the Western democracies’ self-defeating restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions.”
He added: “So they sell us the equipment that puts us at a competitive economic disadvantage by dramatically raising our energy costs.”
Chris Horner, attorney for the public-interest law group Government Accountability & Oversight, posted a State Department document last week indicating that disputes between the Paris parties would be referred to a “conciliation commission,” which would then issue recommendations.
He said the document, obtained through an open-records request for the Energy Policy Advocates, raised concerns that the U.S. would be subject to challenges to its energy policies from its global adversaries.
“Now we are reminded that the U.S. can also expect a forum for antagonistic nations to bring their complaints about U.S. policy and claims of non-compliance with Paris’s required ‘Net Zero’ agenda for resolution,” said Mr. Horner.
Even without the Paris accord, the U.S. leads the world in reducing greenhouse gases. In 2019, U.S. emissions fell by 2.9%, continuing a trend that began in 2005 as coal was increasingly replaced by natural gas made cheaper and more abundant by hydraulic fracturing.
“The one major country that has reduced its carbon emissions is the United States — and we are not part of the Paris Treaty,” said Stephen Moore, co-founder of the free-market Committee to Unleash Prosperity. “The Climate Accord is simply a shakedown of American taxpayers to pay for Europe and Asia.”
The Paris agreement has been ratified by 188 nations and the European Union, representing countries responsible for about 97% of greenhouse-gas emissions. The accord seeks to limit the global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius by 2100 from pre-industrial levels.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.