freebeacon--2020-04-17--Loopholes in Coronavirus Aid Package Could Send Taxpayer Cash to Foreign Workers

Loopholes in Congress 's $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package could end up sending U.S. taxpayer funds to foreign workers in countries such as China and Mexico .
The Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act—known as the CARES Act—fails to place safeguards on how U.S. commercial airline carriers spend the $ 50 billion they received to aid with the cost of maintaining their fleets .
Many carriers rely on cheaper overseas facilities for their maintenance needs , meaning they will likely outsource the work to firms in China , Mexico , and other foreign nations .
Guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treasury Department does not place restrictions on how this cash is used , raising concerns that American aviation workers who have been furloughed during the coronavirus pandemic will not benefit from the billions of dollars set aside for their industry .
The airline loophole is generating scrutiny in light of efforts by Congress and the Trump administration to scale down America 's dependence on China for critical needs , such as the production of medication .
As the airline industry faces an unprecedented collapse in its business , U.S.-based maintenance firms are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting for our lives up here right now , '' Matt Yerbic , CEO of Aviation Technical Services ( ATS ) , recently told the Seattle Times .
`` With the airlines in crisis , our work is at about 50 percent of where we thought we 'd be in the next couple of weeks .
It 's pretty ugly . ''
For years , commercial airline carriers have looked abroad for maintenance needs , attracted by cheaper labor in countries such as China , Mexico , and El Salvador .
U.S. Airways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ El Salvador , while Delta employs a Mexico-based facility , according to a 2015 report in Vanity Fair .
United Airlines repairs its planes in China .
While the coronavirus stimulus bill does place restrictions on how money can be spent with regards to medical and pharmaceutical needs , it does not address the airlines ' reliance on foreign workers .
For instance , Congress ensured that U.S.-based medical manufacturers are given priority funding over manufacturers based in China .
Other safeguards in the bill mandate that midsize businesses that receive funding do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years after repaying their government loan .
The Trump administration could still implement new rules forcing the airlines to rely on U.S.-based companies , a push that is gaining traction as these American firms teeter on the brink of collapse .
`` The CARES Act is all about saving American jobs , yet there is a real likelihood that airlines could accept this taxpayer-backed relief , then turn around and pay foreign companies and workers to service their planes overseas while at the same time , thousands of American aircraft maintenance workers lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] they work for risk going out of business , '' said one aviation industry source who would speak only on background about the ongoing situation .
`` Thankfully , the Trump administration still has the authority to prevent this from happening as they provide additional guidance to airlines seeking relief in the days and weeks ahead , '' the source said , adding that `` without U.S.-based firms to do this work , we would become even more dependent on foreign countries like China to maintain our vital aviation infrastructure . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hewitt earlier this month , ATS CEO Yerbic said the stimulus funding should focus on American workers .
`` One of my missions , '' Yerbic said , `` in all of this , whether it 's the aerospace and aviation or any others , is for—as the CEO of a business—for us to take charge of ourselves and say we can put American workers first , and bring them back to work as we start to fund this incredibly huge bill that is all about that . ''

Loopholes in Congress's $2 trillion coronavirus relief package could end up sending U.S. taxpayer funds to foreign workers in countries such as China and Mexico.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act—known as the CARES Act—fails to place safeguards on how U.S. commercial airline carriers spend the $50 billion they received to aid with the cost of maintaining their fleets. Many carriers rely on cheaper overseas facilities for their maintenance needs, meaning they will likely outsource the work to firms in China, Mexico, and other foreign nations.
Guidance on the stimulus money issued by the Treasury Department does not place restrictions on how this cash is used, raising concerns that American aviation workers who have been furloughed during the coronavirus pandemic will not benefit from the billions of dollars set aside for their industry.
The airline loophole is generating scrutiny in light of efforts by Congress and the Trump administration to scale down America's dependence on China for critical needs, such as the production of medication. As the airline industry faces an unprecedented collapse in its business, U.S.-based maintenance firms are also struggling to survive.
"We are fighting for our lives up here right now," Matt Yerbic, CEO of Aviation Technical Services (ATS), recently told the Seattle Times. "With the airlines in crisis, our work is at about 50 percent of where we thought we'd be in the next couple of weeks. It's pretty ugly."
For years, commercial airline carriers have looked abroad for maintenance needs, attracted by cheaper labor in countries such as China, Mexico, and El Salvador.
U.S. Airways and Southwest contract with firms based in El Salvador, while Delta employs a Mexico-based facility, according to a 2015 report in Vanity Fair. United Airlines repairs its planes in China.
While the coronavirus stimulus bill does place restrictions on how money can be spent with regards to medical and pharmaceutical needs, it does not address the airlines' reliance on foreign workers.
For instance, Congress ensured that U.S.-based medical manufacturers are given priority funding over manufacturers based in China. Other safeguards in the bill mandate that midsize businesses that receive funding do not outsource jobs for at least two years after repaying their government loan.
The Trump administration could still implement new rules forcing the airlines to rely on U.S.-based companies, a push that is gaining traction as these American firms teeter on the brink of collapse.
"The CARES Act is all about saving American jobs, yet there is a real likelihood that airlines could accept this taxpayer-backed relief, then turn around and pay foreign companies and workers to service their planes overseas while at the same time, thousands of American aircraft maintenance workers lose their jobs and the American [firms] they work for risk going out of business," said one aviation industry source who would speak only on background about the ongoing situation.
"Thankfully, the Trump administration still has the authority to prevent this from happening as they provide additional guidance to airlines seeking relief in the days and weeks ahead," the source said, adding that "without U.S.-based firms to do this work, we would become even more dependent on foreign countries like China to maintain our vital aviation infrastructure."
When speaking to radio show host Hugh Hewitt earlier this month, ATS CEO Yerbic said the stimulus funding should focus on American workers.
"One of my missions," Yerbic said, "in all of this, whether it's the aerospace and aviation or any others, is for—as the CEO of a business—for us to take charge of ourselves and say we can put American workers first, and bring them back to work as we start to fund this incredibly huge bill that is all about that."


freebeacon--2020-04-17--Congressional Republicans Fire Back at Calls to Loosen Abortion Restrictions

Democratic leaders and activists are attempting to use the coronavirus pandemic to loosen restrictions on abortion pills and the use of human fetal tissue in taxpayer-sponsored research , spurring accusations of political opportunism from Republican lawmakers .
Senate and House Republicans have petitioned the White House and the Food and Drug Administration to safeguard rules regulating at-home abortions and the use of organs obtained from aborted babies in research .
Democratic representatives Jared Huffman ( Calif. ) , Jan Schakowsky ( Ill. ) , and Diana DeGette ( Colo. ) asked Department of Health and Human Services secretary Alexander Azar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on the use of human fetal tissue in experimental research—echoing complaints the three made soon after the agency adopted the ban in June 2019 .
Sen. Roger Wicker ( R. , Miss . )
accused the Democrats of attempting to exploit the pandemic in a letter signed by 34 other Senate Republicans .
`` These attempts to exploit the current crisis faced by our nation undermine your leadership and the promising research that is already underway , '' the senators wrote in a letter to the White House .
`` In reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to put resources toward better science that is already showing promise against the coronavirus . ''
Rep. Doug Lamborn ( R. , Colo. ) said in a separate letter signed by more than 120 House Republicans that alternative forms of medical research , such as the use of adult stem cells , have already shown greater medical promise than the use of harvested fetal tissue .
He said attempts to resuscitate the use of taxpayer funds to encourage more organ harvesting would be `` unethical and wrong . ''
`` During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should do is try and advance the left 's radical abortion agenda .
Life is precious at all stages and any claim to the contrary is unconscionable , '' Lamborn said in a statement .
`` We will find a cure for the current coronavirus , but using tissue from aborted babies to do so is unethical and wrong . ''
DeGette , Huffman , and Schakowsky did not respond to requests for comment .
Additionally , congressional Republicans are battling efforts from state-level Democratic officials to create loopholes for at-home abortions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to waive regulations on an abortion pill because the regulations on the bill are `` onerous and medically unnecessary . ''
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith ( R. , Miss . )
authored a bicameral letter with Rep. Bob Latta ( R. , Ohio ) urging the FDA to maintain prohibitions on do-it-yourself abortions .
The letter argued that at-home abortions , which `` half of abortion providers do not consider [ to be ] safe , '' are even riskier in situations where emergency medical care can not be easily accessed because of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure from the virus should not have to face the added pressure of complications brought on by at-home abortions .
`` Representative Latta and I , with many of our colleagues , believe the FDA must maintain strict enforcement of the [ drug safety standards ] for abortion drugs , '' Hyde-Smith said in a statement .
`` With hospitals pushed to their limits by the COVID-19 health emergency , we should minimize , not increase , unrelated pressures on health care providers . ''
The pandemic 's impact on abortion continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who clashed over the initial coronavirus stimulus package 's language regarding the Hyde Amendment , which prohibits taxpayer-funded abortions .

Democratic leaders and activists are attempting to use the coronavirus pandemic to loosen restrictions on abortion pills and the use of human fetal tissue in taxpayer-sponsored research, spurring accusations of political opportunism from Republican lawmakers.
Senate and House Republicans have petitioned the White House and the Food and Drug Administration to safeguard rules regulating at-home abortions and the use of organs obtained from aborted babies in research. Democratic representatives Jared Huffman (Calif.), Jan Schakowsky (Ill.), and Diana DeGette (Colo.) asked Department of Health and Human Services secretary Alexander Azar in an April 6 letter to waive restrictions on the use of human fetal tissue in experimental research—echoing complaints the three made soon after the agency adopted the ban in June 2019. Sen. Roger Wicker (R., Miss.) accused the Democrats of attempting to exploit the pandemic in a letter signed by 34 other Senate Republicans.
"These attempts to exploit the current crisis faced by our nation undermine your leadership and the promising research that is already underway," the senators wrote in a letter to the White House. "In reality, holding the line ethically gives us the ability to put resources toward better science that is already showing promise against the coronavirus."
Rep. Doug Lamborn (R., Colo.) said in a separate letter signed by more than 120 House Republicans that alternative forms of medical research, such as the use of adult stem cells, have already shown greater medical promise than the use of harvested fetal tissue. He said attempts to resuscitate the use of taxpayer funds to encourage more organ harvesting would be "unethical and wrong."
"During this crisis, the last thing anyone should do is try and advance the left's radical abortion agenda. Life is precious at all stages and any claim to the contrary is unconscionable," Lamborn said in a statement. "We will find a cure for the current coronavirus, but using tissue from aborted babies to do so is unethical and wrong."
DeGette, Huffman, and Schakowsky did not respond to requests for comment.
Additionally, congressional Republicans are battling efforts from state-level Democratic officials to create loopholes for at-home abortions. Twenty-one Democratic attorneys general asked government agencies to waive regulations on an abortion pill because the regulations on the bill are "onerous and medically unnecessary." Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R., Miss.) authored a bicameral letter with Rep. Bob Latta (R., Ohio) urging the FDA to maintain prohibitions on do-it-yourself abortions.
The letter argued that at-home abortions, which "half of abortion providers do not consider [to be] safe," are even riskier in situations where emergency medical care cannot be easily accessed because of coronavirus.
Hyde-Smith added that hospitals already under pressure from the virus should not have to face the added pressure of complications brought on by at-home abortions.
"Representative Latta and I, with many of our colleagues, believe the FDA must maintain strict enforcement of the [drug safety standards] for abortion drugs," Hyde-Smith said in a statement. "With hospitals pushed to their limits by the COVID-19 health emergency, we should minimize, not increase, unrelated pressures on health care providers."
The pandemic's impact on abortion continues to be a source of conflict between legislators, who clashed over the initial coronavirus stimulus package's language regarding the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits taxpayer-funded abortions.


freebeacon--2020-04-17--AOC Thankful People Now See ‘Fragility of Our System’ Because of Coronavirus

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) said in a new interview she is `` thankful '' people see the `` fragility of our system '' in light of the coronavirus pandemic and are thus more receptive to government remedies .
`` Government at its best is an instrument to the public and the public 's means of taking care of itself , and this pandemic has just exposed us [ to ] the fragility of our system , '' she said on `` The Daily , '' a New York Times podcast .
`` I already hear people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe I did n't see this before .
I can not believe I did n't see this before , ' and I 'm just thankful that people are seeing it now . ''
Ocasio-Cortez pointed to increased support for Medicare for All , the single-payer health care system championed by fellow democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .
A recent Morning Consult poll found 55 percent of registered voters support it , the highest recorded in the survey since June 2019 .
Her New York City district , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is among the worst affected by the virus in the United States .
`` Do you think this moment represents an opportunity for the progressive [ movement ] ? ''
podcast host Michael Barbaro asked , adding it was `` weird '' to think of a tragedy that way .
`` Yeah , '' Ocasio-Cortez said , noting progressive movements flourished following President Donald Trump 's victory in 2016 .
Other Democrats have made similar remarks about the disease that has killed more than 30,000 Americans .
House Majority Whip James Clyburn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus gave Democrats a `` tremendous opportunity '' to advance their policy goals .
California governor Gavin Newsom ( D. ) said the virus presented a chance for a new `` progressive era '' and could `` reshape the way we do business and how we govern . ''
Ocasio-Cortez , who supported Sanders in the 2020 presidential primary , told Barbaro she would vote for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in November , in spite of her past critical remarks about him .
She previously said if she lived in a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belong to the same political party .

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) said in a new interview she is "thankful" people see the "fragility of our system" in light of the coronavirus pandemic and are thus more receptive to government remedies.
"Government at its best is an instrument to the public and the public's means of taking care of itself, and this pandemic has just exposed us [to] the fragility of our system," she said on "The Daily," a New York Times podcast. "I already hear people telling me, 'I can't believe I didn't see this before. I cannot believe I didn't see this before,' and I'm just thankful that people are seeing it now."
Ocasio-Cortez pointed to increased support for Medicare for All, the single-payer health care system championed by fellow democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.). A recent Morning Consult poll found 55 percent of registered voters support it, the highest recorded in the survey since June 2019.
Her New York City district, which covers parts of Queens and the Bronx, is among the worst affected by the virus in the United States.
"Do you think this moment represents an opportunity for the progressive [movement]?" podcast host Michael Barbaro asked, adding it was "weird" to think of a tragedy that way.
"Yeah," Ocasio-Cortez said, noting progressive movements flourished following President Donald Trump's victory in 2016.
Other Democrats have made similar remarks about the disease that has killed more than 30,000 Americans. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D., S.C.) said the coronavirus gave Democrats a "tremendous opportunity" to advance their policy goals. California governor Gavin Newsom (D.) said the virus presented a chance for a new "progressive era" and could "reshape the way we do business and how we govern."
Ocasio-Cortez, who supported Sanders in the 2020 presidential primary, told Barbaro she would vote for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden in November, in spite of her past critical remarks about him. She previously said if she lived in a different country, she and Biden wouldn't belong to the same political party.


freebeacon--2020-04-17--POLL: Thanks to Mitch McConnell’s Courageous Leadership, Congress Has Highest Approval Since 2009

The United States Congress , under the bold leadership of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) —aka `` Midnight Mitch , '' `` Cocaine Mitch , '' `` Moscow Mitch , '' etc.—has achieved its highest approval rating in more than a decade , according to a Gallup survey published this week .
A solid 30 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing on McConnell 's watch .
According to Gallup , the last time Congress had an approval rating this high was September 2009 .
The legislative body 's numbers tanked thereafter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamacare .
The current figure might be even higher if not for the fact that Congress has two chambers .
McConnell 's upper , more refined chamber , the Senate , has been working hard to save the American economy during the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic while still finding time to nominate judges to the federal bench .
Meanwhile , the House of Representatives—the lower , angrier chamber—has been flailing haphazardly under the so-called leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) , who recently celebrated her 80th birthday .
Instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's small businesses , Pelosi has been giving kitchen tours to celebrities and showing off the expensive stash of ice cream in her millionaire 's freezer .
There 's only so much Mighty Mitch can do to prevent the harmful consequences of the Pelosi Recession , but patriotic Americans know in their hearts that he 's fighting for them and will never give up .

The United States Congress, under the bold leadership of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.)—aka "Midnight Mitch," "Cocaine Mitch," "Moscow Mitch," etc.—has achieved its highest approval rating in more than a decade, according to a Gallup survey published this week.
A solid 30 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing on McConnell's watch. According to Gallup, the last time Congress had an approval rating this high was September 2009. The legislative body's numbers tanked thereafter, presumably due to the unpopularity of Obamacare.
The current figure might be even higher if not for the fact that Congress has two chambers. McConnell's upper, more refined chamber, the Senate, has been working hard to save the American economy during the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic while still finding time to nominate judges to the federal bench.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives—the lower, angrier chamber—has been flailing haphazardly under the so-called leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.), who recently celebrated her 80th birthday. Instead of trying to prevent the collapse of America's small businesses, Pelosi has been giving kitchen tours to celebrities and showing off the expensive stash of ice cream in her millionaire's freezer.
After today, Small Business workers and employees aren’t going to get a paycheck to feed their families because of the Democrats. But here’s a video Nancy Pelosi’s team put out of her showcasing a (very fancy) freezer full of ice cream and a house full of chocolate. pic.twitter.com/265mKC7q9v — Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) April 15, 2020
There's only so much Mighty Mitch can do to prevent the harmful consequences of the Pelosi Recession, but patriotic Americans know in their hearts that he's fighting for them and will never give up.


freebeacon--2020-04-17--Schumer Defends Blocking Small Business Aid

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) defended blocking small business aid one day after the Paycheck Protection Program ran out of money and the Senate adjourned for the weekend .
`` First of all , to give the money to the PPP program without correcting it would make no sense .
You would still have more than half of the businesses left out and getting no money , '' Schumer said on Morning Joe Friday morning .
`` Do n't just ask Democrats .
Eight Republican senators said that in a letter to Mitch McConnell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic organization , also agreed .
So we 've got to fix that program as we give it more money . ''
Schumer also pushed back on claims that Democrats were blocking funding , saying the claims were n't true and the program should be funded .
He said Democrats were delaying the aid because they want to expand funding to include more priorities .
He added that lawmakers are making progress towards an agreement .
Schumer 's comments come one day after the $ 350 billion Paycheck Protection Program , which gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic , ran out of funding .
Senate Republicans introduced a measure to provide the program with an additional $ 250 billion last week , only for Democrats to block the measure .
The Senate adjourned Thursday without coming to an agreement on additional funding for the program .
It will not reconvene until Monday .
Senate Democrats Tina Smith ( Minn. ) and Kyrsten Sinema ( Ariz. ) called for immediate small business funding after their colleagues resisted Republican efforts to fund the program .
Schumer tried to address concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party leadership .
`` I spoke to Senator Sinema .
Look at her Twitter .
She 's very smart .
She said both sides ought to come together and come to an agreement .
That 's what we think , '' Schumer said .
Other Senate Democrats denounced Republican efforts to fund the program .
Sens .
Brian Schatz ( Hawaii ) , Doug Jones ( Ala. ) and Ben Cardin ( Md . )
accused McConnell of conducting a political stunt and `` dumping money '' to preserve the program .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) defended blocking small business aid one day after the Paycheck Protection Program ran out of money and the Senate adjourned for the weekend.
"First of all, to give the money to the PPP program without correcting it would make no sense. You would still have more than half of the businesses left out and getting no money," Schumer said on Morning Joe Friday morning. "Don't just ask Democrats. Eight Republican senators said that in a letter to Mitch McConnell. The Chamber of Commerce, hardly a Democratic organization, also agreed. So we've got to fix that program as we give it more money."
Schumer also pushed back on claims that Democrats were blocking funding, saying the claims weren't true and the program should be funded. He said Democrats were delaying the aid because they want to expand funding to include more priorities. He added that lawmakers are making progress towards an agreement.
Schumer's comments come one day after the $350 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which gives forgivable loans to small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, ran out of funding. Senate Republicans introduced a measure to provide the program with an additional $250 billion last week, only for Democrats to block the measure.
The Senate adjourned Thursday without coming to an agreement on additional funding for the program. It will not reconvene until Monday.
Senate Democrats Tina Smith (Minn.) and Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) called for immediate small business funding after their colleagues resisted Republican efforts to fund the program.
Schumer tried to address concerns that lawmakers in his party were bucking party leadership.
"I spoke to Senator Sinema. Look at her Twitter. She's very smart. She said both sides ought to come together and come to an agreement. That's what we think," Schumer said.
Other Senate Democrats denounced Republican efforts to fund the program. Sens. Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Doug Jones (Ala.) and Ben Cardin (Md.) accused McConnell of conducting a political stunt and "dumping money" to preserve the program.


freebeacon--2020-04-18--Support Surges in House for Bringing Back Supply Chains From China

Support for returning medical manufacturing from China to the United States is building in the House of Representatives , as lawmakers look to disengage from the country that gave the world the novel coronavirus .
At least three proposals have emerged in recent weeks that would use government purchasing and regulatory authority to encourage production of pharmaceutical ingredients , personal protective equipment , and other medical goods to return to the United States .
Republicans have led the charge , but House Republican Conference chair Liz Cheney ( Wyo . )
told the Washington Free Beacon , `` there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House . ''
The push for repatriation comes as the PRC faces increased scrutiny for its mishandling of and propaganda about the coronavirus epidemic .
A new generation of congressional China hawks , meanwhile , sees the crisis as a chance to awaken their colleagues to the threat of supply chain dependence .
As Rep. Michael Waltz ( R. , Fla. ) told the Free Beacon , `` the current crisis has put a gigawatt spotlight '' on the entanglement between the United States and its biggest geopolitical adversary .
Waltz is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Strengthening America 's Supply Chain and National Security Act , one of several competing proposals that would require pharmaceutical firms to label the country of origin of the ingredients they use , as well as reimposing `` buy American '' mandates for pharmaceuticals on the DoD , VA , and other government agencies .
Waltz 's bill , like others , aims to reduce the extent to which key parts of the American medical system are now made in China .
An estimated 40 percent of the world 's active pharmaceutical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China also makes many American generic drug imports , including 95 percent of ibuprofen , 70 percent of acetaminophen , and 40 to 45 percent of penicillin .
The slowdown attributable to the coronavirus 's effect on Chinese manufacturing has already created the possibility of a shortage of over 150 drugs , according to an FDA report .
From Waltz 's perspective , this arrangement poses two risks .
`` It 's one thing to have an overdependency on any one country for a critical supply chain , '' he said , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adversary with an opaque communist authoritarian regime is a whole different issue altogether . ''
Cheney , who has been outspoken about supply chain dependency in recent weeks , put it in starker terms : `` By depending on China for life-saving medicines , the U.S. is giving the Chinese Communist Party a major source of leverage—the same Chinese Communist Party that created the global pandemic we now face through its lies ; that is continuing to cover up information about coronavirus to this day ; that has continued to conduct pernicious military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; that steals U.S. intellectual property ; that engages in predatory economic behavior ; that is committing gross human rights violations in Xinjiang ; and more . ''
Similar thinking drives Rep. Mike Gallagher ( R. , Wis. ) , the House sponsor of both the Protecting our Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Act—which similarly requires active pharmaceutical ingredient labeling and prohibits government agencies from buying Chinese drugs—and the Medical Supply Chain Security Act , which gives the FDA broad powers to reduce the risk of shortages .
Gallagher told the Free Beacon that proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no-brainer on both sides of the aisle .
`` When it comes to China more broadly , I think the new bipartisan consensus is a hawkish position on China , '' he said .
`` And domestically , economically , I can see no obvious reason political or policy-wise why the Democrats would n't support more domestic manufacturing in general . ''
Although all three bills are led by Republicans , they each command at least some bipartisan support .
Three of Waltz 's eight cosponsors are Democrats , while Gallagher introduced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin delegation colleague Rep. Mark Pocan ( D. ) .
While there are no Democratic cosponsors on his other bill , Gallagher said he was `` pretty optimistic '' about that changing .
Rep. Jim Banks ( R. , Ind . )
, who has been an outspoken critic of the Chinese regime , told the Free Beacon that new interest among Democrats was almost certainly due to a broader hardening on China in the face of the coronavirus crisis .
`` Recently , Democrats have been talking more about it ; likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over our medical-supply chain , '' Banks said .
`` For members like me , who sit on Armed Services , and have been paying attention to the risks of relying on Chinese supply chains for a long time—it was like , ‘ finally , you noticed ! '
'' Banks lobbied House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) to make supply chain repatriation a priority in the most recent coronavirus stimulus .
The final bill did require an official report on U.S. supply chain dependency , but stopped short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Banks said .
Any such efforts , however , may run aground against the Democratic Party 's progressive wing .
Rep. Elise Stefanik ( R. , N.Y. ) , a cosponsor on Gallagher 's bill , said that while some Democrats want to work on the issue in a bipartisan fashion , they have `` been ridiculed by the far left . ''
As an example , Stefanik pointed to the case of Rep. Seth Moulton ( D. , Mass. )
.
Moulton initially partnered with Banks on a resolution condemning China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but was forced to withdraw amid criticism from his primary opponents and Rep. Judy Chu ( D. , Calif. ) .
`` Democrats can choose to side with the Chinese Communist Party , or they can choose to work in a bipartisan fashion , '' Stefanik said .
While supply chain repatriation has taken a back seat to congressional efforts to bail out the stuttering economy , it is likely to gain more attention in the coming months .
Waltz told the Free Beacon he will try to include his bill in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expects to push for it as part of a package when the crisis has receded .
`` If Pelosi is being responsible—that 's a big if—she will consider a variety of pieces of legislation not only holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable , or at least supporting an investigation into the origin of the crisis , but figure out how we never find ourselves in this position again , '' he said .

Support for returning medical manufacturing from China to the United States is building in the House of Representatives, as lawmakers look to disengage from the country that gave the world the novel coronavirus.
At least three proposals have emerged in recent weeks that would use government purchasing and regulatory authority to encourage production of pharmaceutical ingredients, personal protective equipment, and other medical goods to return to the United States.
Republicans have led the charge, but House Republican Conference chair Liz Cheney (Wyo.) told the Washington Free Beacon, "there is bipartisan support for repatriating supply chains in the House."
The push for repatriation comes as the PRC faces increased scrutiny for its mishandling of and propaganda about the coronavirus epidemic. A new generation of congressional China hawks, meanwhile, sees the crisis as a chance to awaken their colleagues to the threat of supply chain dependence. As Rep. Michael Waltz (R., Fla.) told the Free Beacon, "the current crisis has put a gigawatt spotlight" on the entanglement between the United States and its biggest geopolitical adversary.
Waltz is the main sponsor of the House version of the Strengthening America's Supply Chain and National Security Act, one of several competing proposals that would require pharmaceutical firms to label the country of origin of the ingredients they use, as well as reimposing "buy American" mandates for pharmaceuticals on the DoD, VA, and other government agencies.
Waltz's bill, like others, aims to reduce the extent to which key parts of the American medical system are now made in China. An estimated 40 percent of the world's active pharmaceutical ingredients are sourced in the PRC. China also makes many American generic drug imports, including 95 percent of ibuprofen, 70 percent of acetaminophen, and 40 to 45 percent of penicillin. The slowdown attributable to the coronavirus's effect on Chinese manufacturing has already created the possibility of a shortage of over 150 drugs, according to an FDA report.
From Waltz's perspective, this arrangement poses two risks. "It's one thing to have an overdependency on any one country for a critical supply chain," he said, "but then to have it on an adversary with an opaque communist authoritarian regime is a whole different issue altogether."
Cheney, who has been outspoken about supply chain dependency in recent weeks, put it in starker terms: "By depending on China for life-saving medicines, the U.S. is giving the Chinese Communist Party a major source of leverage—the same Chinese Communist Party that created the global pandemic we now face through its lies; that is continuing to cover up information about coronavirus to this day; that has continued to conduct pernicious military operations despite the spread of the virus; that steals U.S. intellectual property; that engages in predatory economic behavior; that is committing gross human rights violations in Xinjiang; and more."
Similar thinking drives Rep. Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.), the House sponsor of both the Protecting our Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Act—which similarly requires active pharmaceutical ingredient labeling and prohibits government agencies from buying Chinese drugs—and the Medical Supply Chain Security Act, which gives the FDA broad powers to reduce the risk of shortages. Gallagher told the Free Beacon that proposals like these were increasingly seen as a no-brainer on both sides of the aisle.
"When it comes to China more broadly, I think the new bipartisan consensus is a hawkish position on China," he said. "And domestically, economically, I can see no obvious reason political or policy-wise why the Democrats wouldn't support more domestic manufacturing in general."
Although all three bills are led by Republicans, they each command at least some bipartisan support. Three of Waltz's eight cosponsors are Democrats, and Gallagher introduced the Medical Supply Chain Security Act alongside his Wisconsin delegation colleague Rep. Mark Pocan (D.). While there are no Democratic cosponsors on his other bill, Gallagher said he was "pretty optimistic" about that changing.
Rep. Jim Banks (R., Ind.), who has been an outspoken critic of the Chinese regime, told the Free Beacon that new interest among Democrats was almost certainly due to a broader hardening on China in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
"Recently, Democrats have been talking more about it; likely because of coronavirus and China's hold over our medical-supply chain," Banks said. "For members like me, who sit on Armed Services, and have been paying attention to the risks of relying on Chinese supply chains for a long time—it was like, 'finally, you noticed!'"
Banks lobbied House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) to make supply chain repatriation a priority in the most recent coronavirus stimulus. The final bill did require an official report on U.S. supply chain dependency, but stopped short of anything "substantive about supply chains," Banks said.
Any such efforts, however, may run aground against the Democratic Party's progressive wing. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), a cosponsor on Gallagher's bill, said that while some Democrats want to work on the issue in a bipartisan fashion, they have "been ridiculed by the far left."
As an example, Stefanik pointed to the case of Rep. Seth Moulton (D., Mass.). Moulton initially partnered with Banks on a resolution condemning China for spreading misinformation about the coronavirus, but was forced to withdraw amid criticism from his primary opponents and Rep. Judy Chu (D., Calif.).
"Democrats can choose to side with the Chinese Communist Party, or they can choose to work in a bipartisan fashion," Stefanik said.
While supply chain repatriation has taken a back seat to congressional efforts to bail out the stuttering economy, it is likely to gain more attention in the coming months. Waltz told the Free Beacon he will try to include his bill in the next defense reauthorization bill, while Gallagher expects to push for it as part of a package when the crisis has receded.
"If Pelosi is being responsible—that's a big if—she will consider a variety of pieces of legislation not only holding the Chinese Communist Party accountable, or at least supporting an investigation into the origin of the crisis, but figure out how we never find ourselves in this position again," he said.


freebeacon--2020-04-18--Soros-Funded Muslim Group Associated With Homophobia, Terrorist Defenders Endorses Biden

A George Soros-backed Muslim group , which cohosts a conference that in recent years drew speakers who called homosexuality a `` disease '' and defended terrorist groups , announced its endorsement of Joe Biden for president .
Emgage , which bills itself as the largest Muslim PAC in the country , on Thursday announced it would switch its endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) to Biden .
The group cited Biden 's promises to end President Donald Trump 's travel bans , increase the refugee admissions cap , and overhaul the immigration system .
Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the endorsement .
Emgage has collaborated with a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group on events that in recent years attracted speakers who openly opposed LGBT rights and supported terror groups .
Last year , Emgage became an official cohost of Islamic Society of North America ( ISNA ) conferences .
ISNA was previously revealed to be part of the Muslim Brotherhood network—though it claims it is no longer associated with the group .
The 2018 ISNA conference featured an array of homophobic speakers .
One was Omar Suleiman , an imam who has called homosexuality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroy your children . ''
Another , former ISNA president Muzammil Siddiqi , said he `` supported laws in countries where homosexuality is punishable by death . ''
Imam Shamsi Ali , an attendee who was described as a `` moderate '' on ISNA 's website , has stated that homosexuality is an `` unbearable plague . ''
Meanwhile , ISNA has disinvited pro-LGBT groups Muslims for Progressive Values and the Human Rights Campaign , because they `` don ’ t fit in . ''
The 2018 conference also featured individuals who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One speaker , Council on American-Islamic Relations executive Zahra Billoo , has regularly defended Hamas and refers to Israel as an `` apartheid state . ''
Khalid Griggs , who spoke on a panel with Billoo , has referred to al Qaeda as the `` presumed perpetrators '' of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and said the U.S. government used the tragedy to wage war on `` legitimate resistance fighters '' in the Middle East .
Griggs previously launched a petition calling on the Obama administration to pardon former Black Panther Jamil Abdullah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brown .
Brown is serving a life sentence as a convicted cop killer .
Also included in that year 's speaker lineup was Suhaib Webb , a Boston-based imam who held a fundraiser for Brown 's criminal defense fund .
Webb hosted the event with Anwar al-Awlaki , an imam who preached to two of the 9/11 hijackers , joined al Qaeda , and was eventually killed in a drone strike .
Anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour , who in 2004 called for a violent `` intifada '' in the United States , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During the panel Sarsour warned against `` humanizing '' Israelis , according to audio published by the Algemeiner .
Hatem Bazian , head of American Muslims for Palestine , the agent of which has defended terrorists in court , was on the panel with Sarsour .
Emgage sponsored an `` Organizing Engagement in the Age of Hate '' panel at the event that year and became a cohost of the conference the following year .
The gathering has attracted politicians , including Sanders , former presidential candidate Julian Castro , and Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as speakers .
Emgage Action , the group 's nonprofit arm , received a $ 1 million donation for organizational support from the Open Society Policy Center , Soros 's lobbying shop , in late 2019 .
The group 's PAC received just $ 3,775 in contributions this cycle .
Its activities are primarily focused in Florida , Michigan , Virginia , Pennsylvania , Texas , and the District of Columbia .
Biden 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment .

A George Soros-backed Muslim group, which cohosts a conference that in recent years drew speakers who called homosexuality a "disease" and defended terrorist groups, announced its endorsement of Joe Biden for president.
Emgage, which bills itself as the largest Muslim PAC in the country, on Thursday announced it would switch its endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) to Biden. The group cited Biden's promises to end President Donald Trump's travel bans, increase the refugee admissions cap, and overhaul the immigration system. Biden said he was "honored" to receive the endorsement.
Emgage has collaborated with a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group on events that in recent years attracted speakers who openly opposed LGBT rights and supported terror groups. Last year, Emgage became an official cohost of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) conferences. ISNA was previously revealed to be part of the Muslim Brotherhood network—though it claims it is no longer associated with the group.
The 2018 ISNA conference featured an array of homophobic speakers. One was Omar Suleiman, an imam who has called homosexuality a "disease" that will "destroy your children." Another, former ISNA president Muzammil Siddiqi, said he "supported laws in countries where homosexuality is punishable by death." Imam Shamsi Ali, an attendee who was described as a "moderate" on ISNA's website, has stated that homosexuality is an "unbearable plague."
Meanwhile, ISNA has disinvited pro-LGBT groups Muslims for Progressive Values and the Human Rights Campaign, because they "don’t fit in."
The 2018 conference also featured individuals who have come to the defense of terrorist organizations. One speaker, Council on American-Islamic Relations executive Zahra Billoo, has regularly defended Hamas and refers to Israel as an "apartheid state."
Khalid Griggs, who spoke on a panel with Billoo, has referred to al Qaeda as the "presumed perpetrators" of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and said the U.S. government used the tragedy to wage war on "legitimate resistance fighters" in the Middle East. Griggs previously launched a petition calling on the Obama administration to pardon former Black Panther Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, better known as H. Rap Brown. Brown is serving a life sentence as a convicted cop killer.
Also included in that year's speaker lineup was Suhaib Webb, a Boston-based imam who held a fundraiser for Brown's criminal defense fund. Webb hosted the event with Anwar al-Awlaki, an imam who preached to two of the 9/11 hijackers, joined al Qaeda, and was eventually killed in a drone strike.
Anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour, who in 2004 called for a violent "intifada" in the United States, also spoke on a panel at the conference. During the panel Sarsour warned against "humanizing" Israelis, according to audio published by the Algemeiner. Hatem Bazian, head of American Muslims for Palestine, the agent of which has defended terrorists in court, was on the panel with Sarsour.
Emgage sponsored an "Organizing Engagement in the Age of Hate" panel at the event that year and became a cohost of the conference the following year. The gathering has attracted politicians, including Sanders, former presidential candidate Julian Castro, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.), as speakers.
Emgage Action, the group's nonprofit arm, received a $1 million donation for organizational support from the Open Society Policy Center, Soros's lobbying shop, in late 2019.
The group's PAC received just $3,775 in contributions this cycle. Its activities are primarily focused in Florida, Michigan, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas, and the District of Columbia.
Biden's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-04-19--First-Time Buyers Explain Why Coronavirus Drove Them to Gun Stores in Record Numbers

Aaron Eaton learned how to shoot in the Army back in 2006 but holstered a pistol for the last time when he left in 2009 and took a job as a technician for a sewer company .
That all changed on March 26 when the father of four walked out of an Alabama gun store with a Beretta 92FS , the same gun he handled as a military policeman at the height of the Iraq war .
`` Simply put : I wanted peace of mind when it comes to the safety of my family , '' Eaton said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million firearms to fly off the shelves in March , the single busiest month for gun sales ever .
The Washington Free Beacon spoke to half a dozen new gun owners who purchased a total of six handguns and two shotguns .
All of the new gun owners provided proof of purchase , though some asked not to have their last names published because of potential career backlash .
`` To me , it 's all about protecting my family , and if a gun makes that easier , so be it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a wife and daughter , said .
Many of the new gun owners cited concerns about personal protection as states began emptying jail cells and police departments announced they would no longer enforce certain laws .
Jake Wilhelm , a Virginia-based environmental consultant and lacrosse coach , purchased a Sig Sauer P226 after seeing Italy enact a nationwide lockdown on March 9 .
`` [ My fiancée and I ] came to the conclusion in early March that if a nation like Italy was going into full lockdown , we in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Wilhelm said .
`` Given that , and knowing that police resources would be stretched to the max , I decided to purchase a handgun . ''
The National Shooting Sports Foundation , the gun industry 's trade group , said new customers represented a large swath of new gun sales even as gun stores faced depleted stocks and shutdown orders from state and local governments across the country .
`` A large portion of the 2.3 million sales during the month of March were to first-time buyers is what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mark Oliva , a spokesman for the group , said .
Retailers told the Free Beacon they 'd never experienced anything like the recent surge of new buyers .
Brandon Wexler of Wex Gunworks in Delray Beach , Fla. , said `` at least 50 percent '' of his sales in March were to first-time buyers .
Michael Cargill of Central Texas Gun Works in Austin , Texas , said he was getting `` 100 calls an hour '' at the peak and most were from new customers .
Wayne Viden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shop in Glassboro , N.J. , said he also noticed an influx of new buyers .
`` I think a lot of people were afraid of exactly what 's happening now , '' Viden said .
`` They 're afraid if it continues to go on longer , things are going to get worse . ''
Charrie Derosa , a saleswoman at Wex Gunworks , said shopworkers attempted to alleviate the unease caused by the lethal virus .
`` ‘ We 're here for you . '
That 's the exact feeling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you 're looking at them , '' she said .
`` And you can see it .
You saw fear .
You saw desperation . ''
The fear extended past the disease to how communities would bear the strain of job loss , lockdown orders , and law enforcement policies adopted in the wake of the spread .
One Tampa inmate who was released over coronavirus concerns has now been accused of murder , according to the Tampa Bay Times .
Brian , a 40-year-old living near Tampa , lost his full-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough about deteriorating public safety that he dipped into his savings to purchase a Smith & Wesson M & P Shield .
`` My biggest fear is that our local police force comes down with the virus , '' he said .
`` If the good guys are all out sick , who is going to stop the bad guys ?
When people have no hope , they get desperate .
And we fear the worst is to come . ''
Scott , the California tech worker , said he is preparing not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a potential uptick in hate crimes against his family .
While he is not Asian , his wife and daughter are .
He said they have already faced racial harassment during the outbreak .
`` Just walking on the street , folks have honked and yelled at us [ for ] wearing masks , '' he said .
`` And robberies are common in Asian communities .
I worry about them . ''
Matthew Rosky , a North Carolinian who bought a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun for himself and a 20-gauge shotgun for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't `` plan on being relieved of my property or my life if it comes to that . ''
He said the couple lost their home to a landslide in 2019 and the threat of a national emergency pushed them to follow through on the purchase they had already been considering .
`` I am not real enthused with politicians letting criminals out of jails , nor will I be surprised to see crime go up since many police departments are not responding to anything but the worst emergencies , '' Rosky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pessimistic outlook but , ‘ Hope for the best , prepare for the worst , ' seems like a good mantra at the moment . ''
Andrew , a federal contractor living in Virginia who bought a Heckler & Koch VP9 for himself and one for his wife on March 21 , said he had already experienced societal breakdown firsthand .
He was a student at the University of Southern California during the Los Angeles riots and witnessed some of the destruction .
He recalled `` the acrid smell of smoke and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LAPD choppers '' as `` the most poignant and searing memories '' of his lifetime .
`` The sad reality [ is ] that civil order can break down in less than 12 hours and the overwhelmed police ca n't help you , '' he said .
`` As I explained to my wife , I 've seen things go sideways quickly—and with unpredictable results . ''
Some of the new gun owners now find themselves caught in the political battles that have emerged in the wake of the coronavirus .
Santa Clara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could pick up his Smith & Wesson .357 revolver .
`` To me , it 's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it , '' he said .
`` That 's why it 's frustrating to have that right taken away . ''
Retailers said customers like Scott are the reason they have resisted shutdown orders .
The stay-at-home order in Texas did not include an exemption for gun stores , but Cargill of Central Texas Gun Works kept his doors open even before state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not shutter gun stores .
`` I 'm refusing to shut down because a lot of people lost their jobs , '' Cargill said .
`` They do n't know where their next paycheck is coming from but they do know it 's up to them to protect their family .
And they 're coming to me and they 're saying , ‘ Hey , I have food for now and I have water and I have medicine but what I do n't have is a firearm to protect my house . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun owner has been easy for Eaton , the Alabama veteran .
`` It 's the weapon the Army trained me with .
I figured I should go back to something I 'm familiar with , '' he said .
He is an outlier among those the Free Beacon spoke to .
A majority said they want to pursue further training—including those needed for carry-permits—once lockdowns are lifted and classes are available again .
With closures in place , Scott has turned to online communities and video training .
He said he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from gun owners both in-person and online .
`` It 's all about safety first and practice , practice , practice , '' he said .

Aaron Eaton learned how to shoot in the Army back in 2006 but holstered a pistol for the last time when he left in 2009 and took a job as a technician for a sewer company. That all changed on March 26 when the father of four walked out of an Alabama gun store with a Beretta 92FS, the same gun he handled as a military policeman at the height of the Iraq war.
"Simply put: I wanted peace of mind when it comes to the safety of my family," Eaton said.
Eaton's pistol was one of 2.3 million firearms to fly off the shelves in March, the single busiest month for gun sales ever. The Washington Free Beacon spoke to half a dozen new gun owners who purchased a total of six handguns and two shotguns. All of the new gun owners provided proof of purchase, though some asked not to have their last names published because of potential career backlash.
"To me, it's all about protecting my family, and if a gun makes that easier, so be it," Scott, a California tech worker with a wife and daughter, said.
Many of the new gun owners cited concerns about personal protection as states began emptying jail cells and police departments announced they would no longer enforce certain laws. Jake Wilhelm, a Virginia-based environmental consultant and lacrosse coach, purchased a Sig Sauer P226 after seeing Italy enact a nationwide lockdown on March 9.
"[My fiancée and I] came to the conclusion in early March that if a nation like Italy was going into full lockdown, we in the U.S. were likely on the same path," Wilhelm said. "Given that, and knowing that police resources would be stretched to the max, I decided to purchase a handgun."
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the gun industry's trade group, said new customers represented a large swath of new gun sales even as gun stores faced depleted stocks and shutdown orders from state and local governments across the country. "A large portion of the 2.3 million sales during the month of March were to first-time buyers is what we're hearing back from our retailers," Mark Oliva, a spokesman for the group, said.
Retailers told the Free Beacon they'd never experienced anything like the recent surge of new buyers.
Brandon Wexler of Wex Gunworks in Delray Beach, Fla., said "at least 50 percent" of his sales in March were to first-time buyers. Michael Cargill of Central Texas Gun Works in Austin, Texas, said he was getting "100 calls an hour" at the peak and most were from new customers. Wayne Viden, vice president of Bob's Little Gun Shop in Glassboro, N.J., said he also noticed an influx of new buyers.
"I think a lot of people were afraid of exactly what's happening now," Viden said. "They're afraid if it continues to go on longer, things are going to get worse."
Charrie Derosa, a saleswoman at Wex Gunworks, said shopworkers attempted to alleviate the unease caused by the lethal virus.
"'We're here for you.' That's the exact feeling that you have when you're standing there and you're looking at them," she said. "And you can see it. You saw fear. You saw desperation."
The fear extended past the disease to how communities would bear the strain of job loss, lockdown orders, and law enforcement policies adopted in the wake of the spread. One Tampa inmate who was released over coronavirus concerns has now been accused of murder, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Brian, a 40-year-old living near Tampa, lost his full-time bartending job in March but was concerned enough about deteriorating public safety that he dipped into his savings to purchase a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield.
"My biggest fear is that our local police force comes down with the virus," he said. "If the good guys are all out sick, who is going to stop the bad guys? When people have no hope, they get desperate. And we fear the worst is to come."
Scott, the California tech worker, said he is preparing not just for thinned policing, but for a potential uptick in hate crimes against his family. While he is not Asian, his wife and daughter are. He said they have already faced racial harassment during the outbreak.
"Just walking on the street, folks have honked and yelled at us [for] wearing masks," he said. "And robberies are common in Asian communities. I worry about them."
Matthew Rosky, a North Carolinian who bought a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun for himself and a 20-gauge shotgun for his wife on April 4, said he doesn't "plan on being relieved of my property or my life if it comes to that." He said the couple lost their home to a landslide in 2019 and the threat of a national emergency pushed them to follow through on the purchase they had already been considering.
"I am not real enthused with politicians letting criminals out of jails, nor will I be surprised to see crime go up since many police departments are not responding to anything but the worst emergencies," Rosky said. "Obviously, this is a pessimistic outlook but, 'Hope for the best, prepare for the worst,' seems like a good mantra at the moment."
Andrew, a federal contractor living in Virginia who bought a Heckler & Koch VP9 for himself and one for his wife on March 21, said he had already experienced societal breakdown firsthand. He was a student at the University of Southern California during the Los Angeles riots and witnessed some of the destruction. He recalled "the acrid smell of smoke and the ceaseless police and fire sirens and LAPD choppers" as "the most poignant and searing memories" of his lifetime.
"The sad reality [is] that civil order can break down in less than 12 hours and the overwhelmed police can't help you," he said. "As I explained to my wife, I've seen things go sideways quickly—and with unpredictable results."
Some of the new gun owners now find themselves caught in the political battles that have emerged in the wake of the coronavirus. Santa Clara County shut down gun stores before Scott could pick up his Smith & Wesson .357 revolver.
"To me, it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it," he said. "That's why it's frustrating to have that right taken away."
Retailers said customers like Scott are the reason they have resisted shutdown orders. The stay-at-home order in Texas did not include an exemption for gun stores, but Cargill of Central Texas Gun Works kept his doors open even before state attorney general Ken Paxton said localities cannot shutter gun stores.
"I'm refusing to shut down because a lot of people lost their jobs," Cargill said. "They don't know where their next paycheck is coming from but they do know it's up to them to protect their family. And they're coming to me and they're saying, 'Hey, I have food for now and I have water and I have medicine but what I don't have is a firearm to protect my house.'"
The adjustment to being a new gun owner has been easy for Eaton, the Alabama veteran.
"It's the weapon the Army trained me with. I figured I should go back to something I'm familiar with," he said.
He is an outlier among those the Free Beacon spoke to. A majority said they want to pursue further training—including those needed for carry-permits—once lockdowns are lifted and classes are available again. With closures in place, Scott has turned to online communities and video training. He said he had been impressed by what he's seen from gun owners both in-person and online.
"It's all about safety first and practice, practice, practice," he said.


freebeacon--2020-04-19--BEASTMODE: Trump Mocks Coronavirus Stats From Iran and China

China and Iran have both reported a tiny number of coronavirus cases compared to other affected nations , and on @ @ @ @ @ anyone actually believes the rosy situations both those dictatorships are describing .
`` You see @ @ @ @ @ there , '' Trump said about the outbreak in Iran , gesturing at a bar @ @ @ @ @ affected populations .
`` Does anyone believe [ Iran 's ] number ?
Does anyone @ @ @ @ @ number ? ''
`` We saw more bags on television than that , '' he @ @ @ @ @ , who is on Trump 's coronavirus task force , said she placed China on @ @ @ @ @ its rate , which is 0.33 per 100,000 deaths , is `` unrealistic . ''
@ @ @ @ @ rate being below many other developed nations demonstrates the superior care being given to Americans @ @ @ @ @ also said the fight is being won due to Americans ' willingness to strictly adhere @ @ @ @

China and Iran have both reported a tiny number of coronavirus cases compared to other affected nations, and on Saturday President Trump asked if anyone actually believes the rosy situations both those dictatorships are describing.
"You see what's going on over there," Trump said about the outbreak in Iran, gesturing at a bar graph showing different countries' affected populations. "Does anyone believe [Iran's] number? Does anyone believe [China's] number?"
"We saw more bags on television than that," he added.
Dr. Deborah Birx, who is on Trump's coronavirus task force, said she placed China on the graph to show how its rate, which is 0.33 per 100,000 deaths, is "unrealistic."
Birx said the U.S. fatality rate being below many other developed nations demonstrates the superior care being given to Americans hospitalized by coronavirus. She also said the fight is being won due to Americans' willingness to strictly adhere to social distancing.


freebeacon--2020-04-19--Pelosi: My Chinatown Visit Didn’t Downplay Coronavirus. It Helped Prevent It

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) claimed on Sunday that her late February visit to San Francisco 's Chinatown did nothing to understate the threat of the coronavirus pandemic and argued that her trip even helped prevent a worse outbreak .
Fox News Sunday ‘ s Chris Wallace had asked the speaker whether she was culpable for a delayed national response to the virus .
Pelosi has alleged in recent weeks that President Trump 's initial downplaying of the virus lost valuable time for the federal government to adequately respond to the crisis and needlessly cost Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underplayed the threat in the early days , Speaker Pelosi , did n't you as well ? ''
Wallace asked .
`` No , '' Pelosi responded .
`` What we were trying to do is end the discrimination , the stigma that was going out against the Asian-American community .
And in fact , if you will look , the record will show that our Chinatown has been a model of containing and preventing the virus , '' she said .
She added that her `` confidence '' in Chinatown residents prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` offset some of the things that the president and others were saying about Asian Americans and making them a target . ''
`` Forgive me , '' Wallace said .
`` Do n't you think that when you 're out walking without any masks—I understand this is February , not April , when this happened—and saying that there 's no threat [ and ] it 's perfectly safe there , were n't you also adding to this perception that there was n't such a threat generally ? ''
`` No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discriminate against Chinese Americans as some in our administration were doing , '' she said .
The speaker visited her home city 's Chinatown district on Feb. 24 to protest Trump 's travel restrictions against China by urging residents to go out and patronize the neighborhood 's businesses .
The restrictions , which were enacted on Jan. 31 , were implemented as a public health measure to stop the global spread of coronavirus .
While visiting Chinatown , Pelosi said , `` We think it 's very safe to be in Chinatown and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that she encouraged people to be `` careful '' but to `` come join us . ''

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) claimed on Sunday that her late February visit to San Francisco's Chinatown did nothing to understate the threat of the coronavirus pandemic and argued that her trip even helped prevent a worse outbreak.
Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace had asked the speaker whether she was culpable for a delayed national response to the virus. Pelosi has alleged in recent weeks that President Trump's initial downplaying of the virus lost valuable time for the federal government to adequately respond to the crisis and needlessly cost Americans their lives.
"If the president underplayed the threat in the early days, Speaker Pelosi, didn't you as well?" Wallace asked.
"No," Pelosi responded. "What we were trying to do is end the discrimination, the stigma that was going out against the Asian-American community. And in fact, if you will look, the record will show that our Chinatown has been a model of containing and preventing the virus," she said.
She added that her "confidence" in Chinatown residents prompted her trip, saying it was intended to "offset some of the things that the president and others were saying about Asian Americans and making them a target."
"Forgive me," Wallace said. "Don't you think that when you're out walking without any masks—I understand this is February, not April, when this happened—and saying that there's no threat [and] it's perfectly safe there, weren't you also adding to this perception that there wasn't such a threat generally?"
"No, I was saying that you should not discriminate against Chinese Americans as some in our administration were doing," she said.
It is unclear what discriminatory actions Pelosi was referring to.
President Trump enacted travel restrictions on China on Jan. 31 as a public health measure to stop the global spread of coronavirus.
Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar announced in a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing that the president would be "temporarily suspending the entry into the United States of foreign nationals who pose a risk of transmitting the 2019 novel coronavirus." Those posing a risk were defined as all foreign nationals who had been to China in the last 14 days.
The speaker visited her home city's Chinatown district on Feb. 24 and urged residents to go out and patronize the neighborhood's businesses. She also emphasized the importance of being "unified with our community."
"We think it's very safe to be in Chinatown and hope that others will come," she said, adding that she encouraged people to be "careful" but to "come join us."
CORRECTION 4/20/20, 12:13 p.m.: This article was updated to reflect that Pelosi's visit to Chinatown was not intended to protest the president's travel ban, but rather to take a public stand against discrimination toward Asian Americans.


freebeacon--2020-04-19--Pelosi Claims ‘Businesses Will Have Money in a Timely Fashion’ Despite Lending Program Drying Up

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) said Sunday that small businesses seeking funding from a coronavirus-relief lending program will receive it in a `` timely fashion '' after reports showed the funds dried up Thursday .
`` I will say overwhelmingly my caucus—and we 're working closely with the Senate Democrats—knows that we have an opportunity and an urgency to do something for our hospitals , our teachers and firefighters , and the rest right now , '' she said in an interview on ABC 's This Week .
`` Everything we 've done—three bills in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be too , and businesses will have the money in a timely fashion . ''
ABC 's George Stephanopoulos had asked the speaker why the Democratic leadership did not immediately support passing additional measures in the House and Senate to provide small businesses relief , noting that some Democratic representatives supported this .
The Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) , a bipartisan measure in the CARES Act , deployed $ 350 billion to small businesses across the country in March .
According to a Washington Free Beacon report , massive applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Democrats blocked an additional $ 250 billion in funding for the PPP a week before funds ran out , calling the Republican effort to pass the funding bill a `` partisan stunt . ''
Since the PPP 's depletion , some Democratic senators and the media have criticized Democratic Party leadership for not ending the stalemate and providing immediate small business relief .
Democratic leadership has defended stalling the bill , arguing its provisions neglect a large portion of small businesses .
Pelosi said Sunday that Congress is `` very close '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would replenish PPP funding , and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) confirmed it could be reached as early as tonight .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said Sunday that small businesses seeking funding from a coronavirus-relief lending program will receive it in a "timely fashion" after reports showed the funds dried up Thursday.
"I will say overwhelmingly my caucus—and we're working closely with the Senate Democrats—knows that we have an opportunity and an urgency to do something for our hospitals, our teachers and firefighters, and the rest right now," she said in an interview on ABC's This Week. "Everything we've done—three bills in March were all bipartisan. This interim package will be too, and businesses will have the money in a timely fashion."
ABC's George Stephanopoulos had asked the speaker why the Democratic leadership did not immediately support passing additional measures in the House and Senate to provide small businesses relief, noting that some Democratic representatives supported this.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a bipartisan measure in the CARES Act, deployed $350 billion to small businesses across the country in March. According to a Washington Free Beacon report, massive applications depleted its funds by last Thursday.
Senate Democrats blocked an additional $250 billion in funding for the PPP a week before funds ran out, calling the Republican effort to pass the funding bill a "partisan stunt."
Since the PPP's depletion, some Democratic senators and the media have criticized Democratic Party leadership for not ending the stalemate and providing immediate small business relief.
Democratic leadership has defended stalling the bill, arguing its provisions neglect a large portion of small businesses.
Pelosi said Sunday that Congress is "very close" to an agreement on a bill that would replenish PPP funding, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) confirmed it could be reached as early as tonight.


freebeacon--2020-04-20--Trump Withholding Over $350 Million From the WHO, But Congress Still Key to Investigating Internatio

Trump Withholding Over $350 Million From the WHO, But Congress Still Key to Investigating International Coronavirus Response

The Trump administration has decided to withhold hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars from the World Health Organization over its complicity in helping China avoid responsibility for the coronavirus pandemic , but it will be up to Congress to ramp up pressure on the organization to enact reforms .
President Donald Trump promised to repurpose WHO funding to support other international causes after a review , but the hold only affects a portion of funding that has yet to be transferred to the international organization .
A senior White House official said America has already sent about $ 98 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a fraction of the remaining $ 365 to $ 465 million that would have been available to the WHO in 2020 .
The money gives the United States some leverage , but a more permanent and all-encompassing change to America 's relationship with the WHO must come from Congress , pitting congressional Republicans against their Democratic counterparts as the former seek to condition future aid on the resignation of top WHO official Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
`` Congressional action is not necessary to implement the President 's policy during the 60- to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help immensely in convincing the WHO that U.S. concerns are not ephemeral , '' Brett Schaefer , a fellow at the Heritage Foundation , said .
`` WHO leadership may be hoping that Congress or a new administration could restore funding .
If the President wants to apply pressure on the WHO to reform , having Congress include reform demands in legislation would be very helpful . ''
The WHO has faced bipartisan criticism for its botched handling of the pandemic that has killed more than 30,000 Americans , as critics argue that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing .
For instance , the organization repeated regime claims that there are no documented cases of person-to-person transmission of the new coronavirus as late as mid-January , ignoring December reports from Taiwan about such cases .
The WHO continued to praise China 's coronavirus response for its `` transparency , '' despite mounting evidence that the Chinese government continues to censor and suppress information about the deadly disease .
U.S. donations to the WHO , which account for roughly 20 percent of the organization 's budget , are given through assessed contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ membership fees calculated based on a country 's wealth and population , while voluntary contributions are additional donations made on top of the assessed contributions .
A senior administration official told the Washington Free Beacon that the United States has already paid roughly $ 58 million but withholds $ 65 million in assessed contributions .
As for voluntary contributions , the official said roughly $ 40 million has already been transferred to the WHO , while $ 300 to $ 400 million is being reprogrammed to sponsor different organizations , totaling over $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House can divert money away from the WHO because the legislative language in the U.S. budget is broad enough that the allocated funds could be diverted to alternative institutions .
The administration official expressed concern that Congress might undermine the administration 's attempt to pressure international organizations to resist Chinese influence—if congressional leaders mandate increased funding specifically for the WHO , it would undermine the White House push for reforms .
`` Is Congress going to keep trying to appropriate WHO , U.N. money at much higher levels than the [ White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably yes , let 's be honest , '' the official said .
`` If you want us to spend this money , we are going to spend it with people on the ground who do this the right way , not the World Health Organization . ''
Despite the misgivings of the White House , Republicans in both houses have pushed forward a variety of measures to hold the WHO accountable beginning in March .
Republican congressman Guy Reschenthaler ( Pa. ) introduced sense-of-the-House legislation on April 7 demanding that the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO until Tedros resigns and an international commission is set up to investigate the organization 's conduct .
The nonbinding resolution left untouched the U.S. government 's assessed dues , which amount to roughly 25 percent of its total contribution .
`` Dr. Tedros truly mishandled this pandemic .
He was either , I 'd say , grossly negligent or worse , he worked hand-in-glove with the Chinese Communist Party to cover this up early on , '' Reschenthaler told the Free Beacon .
`` I felt that it was my duty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization reforms itself , as long as Americans are paying money into it . ''
Democrats have so far refused to join Republicans in the effort .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) said on Wednesday that the White House 's funding hold was `` illegal '' and vowed to challenge it .
Reschenthaler has pushed for bipartisanship but Democrats have been unwilling to publicly sign on to his legislation .
`` Sadly , the Democrats are putting politics first and frankly apologizing for the CCP above what 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good for the United States , '' he said .
`` I think that if they did put the health of the world first … they would join my resolution and stop funding the World Health Organization . ''
Congressional Republicans appear intent on holding the WHO accountable with or without Democratic support .
Sen. Todd Young ( R. , Ind . )
has called on Tedros to appear before Congress , while several Republican senators have called for his resignation .
The House Oversight Committee has also demanded documents from the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taiwan , and Rep. Jim Banks ( R. , Ind . )
has demanded that the WHO withdraw several `` highly misleading statements of support for the Chinese Government 's response to COVID-19 . ''
It remains unclear how cooperative the WHO will be with Republican oversight efforts since Congress lacks formal jurisdiction over international institutions .
The last time Congress conducted an all-encompassing investigation into an international organization—the 2004-2006 Senate probe into the U.N. 's corrupt Oil-for-Food program—U.N .
officials `` were n't very cooperative , '' according to Steven Groves , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe .
He said that the Senate investigation was stonewalled by U.N. officials .
Many of the records included in the report were obtained from American officials .
`` I do n't think we ended up actually issuing a subpoena on them—they have immunity , '' Groves said about the U.N. officials .
`` The bottom line is that since international organizations are not under our jurisdiction and have immunity from compelled disclosure of anything … you ca n't force them . ''
Groves said that while congressional oversight over the WHO will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress might be able to convince the WHO to cooperate by leveraging its financial dependency on U.S. contributions .
`` [ Congress ] is in no position to compel the WHO to turn over anything , '' he said .
`` Now , the reality of the situation is that the U.S. is the largest funder of WHO .
So the WHO will feel some type of obligation to cooperate at some level or another . ''
The White House review of WHO activity is expected to be completed by July .

The Trump administration has decided to withhold hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars from the World Health Organization over its complicity in helping China avoid responsibility for the coronavirus pandemic, but it will be up to Congress to ramp up pressure on the organization to enact reforms.
President Donald Trump promised to repurpose WHO funding to support other international causes after a review, but the hold only affects a portion of funding that has yet to be transferred to the international organization. A senior White House official said America has already sent about $98 million to the organization, but that is just a fraction of the remaining $365 to $465 million that would have been available to the WHO in 2020. The money gives the United States some leverage, but a more permanent and all-encompassing change to America's relationship with the WHO must come from Congress, pitting congressional Republicans against their Democratic counterparts as the former seek to condition future aid on the resignation of top WHO official Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
"Congressional action is not necessary to implement the President's policy during the 60- to 90-day review period, but it would help immensely in convincing the WHO that U.S. concerns are not ephemeral," Brett Schaefer, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, said. "WHO leadership may be hoping that Congress or a new administration could restore funding. If the President wants to apply pressure on the WHO to reform, having Congress include reform demands in legislation would be very helpful."
The WHO has faced bipartisan criticism for its botched handling of the pandemic that has killed more than 30,000 Americans, as critics argue that its leaders have been excessively deferential to Beijing. For instance, the organization repeated regime claims that there are no documented cases of person-to-person transmission of the new coronavirus as late as mid-January, ignoring December reports from Taiwan about such cases. The WHO continued to praise China's coronavirus response for its "transparency," despite mounting evidence that the Chinese government continues to censor and suppress information about the deadly disease.
U.S. donations to the WHO, which account for roughly 20 percent of the organization's budget, are given through assessed contributions and voluntary contributions. Assessed contributions are membership fees calculated based on a country's wealth and population, while voluntary contributions are additional donations made on top of the assessed contributions. A senior administration official told the Washington Free Beacon that the United States has already paid roughly $58 million but withholds $65 million in assessed contributions. As for voluntary contributions, the official said roughly $40 million has already been transferred to the WHO, while $300 to $400 million is being reprogrammed to sponsor different organizations, totaling over $350 million in withheld funds.
The White House can divert money away from the WHO because the legislative language in the U.S. budget is broad enough that the allocated funds could be diverted to alternative institutions. The administration official expressed concern that Congress might undermine the administration's attempt to pressure international organizations to resist Chinese influence—if congressional leaders mandate increased funding specifically for the WHO, it would undermine the White House push for reforms.
"Is Congress going to keep trying to appropriate WHO, U.N. money at much higher levels than the [White House] budget? The answer is probably yes, let's be honest," the official said. "If you want us to spend this money, we are going to spend it with people on the ground who do this the right way, not the World Health Organization."
Despite the misgivings of the White House, Republicans in both houses have pushed forward a variety of measures to hold the WHO accountable beginning in March. Republican congressman Guy Reschenthaler (Pa.) introduced sense-of-the-House legislation on April 7 demanding that the U.S. government makes no voluntary contributions to the WHO until Tedros resigns and an international commission is set up to investigate the organization's conduct. The nonbinding resolution left untouched the U.S. government's assessed dues, which amount to roughly 25 percent of its total contribution.
"Dr. Tedros truly mishandled this pandemic. He was either, I'd say, grossly negligent or worse, he worked hand-in-glove with the Chinese Communist Party to cover this up early on," Reschenthaler told the Free Beacon. "I felt that it was my duty to try to make sure that the World Health Organization reforms itself, as long as Americans are paying money into it."
Democrats have so far refused to join Republicans in the effort. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said on Wednesday that the White House's funding hold was "illegal" and vowed to challenge it. Reschenthaler has pushed for bipartisanship but Democrats have been unwilling to publicly sign on to his legislation.
"Sadly, the Democrats are putting politics first and frankly apologizing for the CCP above what's good for the world and what's good for the United States," he said. "I think that if they did put the health of the world first ... they would join my resolution and stop funding the World Health Organization."
Congressional Republicans appear intent on holding the WHO accountable with or without Democratic support. Sen. Todd Young (R., Ind.) has called on Tedros to appear before Congress, while several Republican senators have called for his resignation. The House Oversight Committee has also demanded documents from the WHO pertaining to its relationship with China and Taiwan, and Rep. Jim Banks (R., Ind.) has demanded that the WHO withdraw several "highly misleading statements of support for the Chinese Government's response to COVID-19."
It remains unclear how cooperative the WHO will be with Republican oversight efforts since Congress lacks formal jurisdiction over international institutions. The last time Congress conducted an all-encompassing investigation into an international organization—the 2004-2006 Senate probe into the U.N.'s corrupt Oil-for-Food program—U.N. officials "weren't very cooperative," according to Steven Groves, a former Senate counsel who spearheaded the probe. He said that the Senate investigation was stonewalled by U.N. officials. Many of the records included in the report were obtained from American officials.
"I don't think we ended up actually issuing a subpoena on them—they have immunity," Groves said about the U.N. officials. "The bottom line is that since international organizations are not under our jurisdiction and have immunity from compelled disclosure of anything … you can't force them."
Groves said that while congressional oversight over the WHO will be a "long shot," Congress might be able to convince the WHO to cooperate by leveraging its financial dependency on U.S. contributions.
"[Congress] is in no position to compel the WHO to turn over anything," he said. "Now, the reality of the situation is that the U.S. is the largest funder of WHO. So the WHO will feel some type of obligation to cooperate at some level or another."
The White House review of WHO activity is expected to be completed by July.


freebeacon--2020-04-20--Abrams Campaign Manager Laments Voter Suppression, Boasts of Minority Turnout Surge in Same Op-Ed

Three months after Stacey Abrams said Democrats should not relitigate past elections , her 2018 gubernatorial campaign manager penned a New York Times op-ed boasting that the failed campaign showcased Abrams 's unique ability to turn out minority voters .
Lauren Groh-Wargo touted Abrams 's ability to drive black , Latino , and Asian-American voters to the polls at eye-popping levels , while also insisting that the race was marred by `` voter suppression '' that targeted minorities .
`` Sure , turnout was up everywhere and at presidential levels in many states , '' she wrote .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnout was greater than presidential turnout in each group of voters of color .
Any political scientist will tell you this is not something that happens .
Ever . ''
She later added , `` Despite a scourge of voter suppression , Stacey came within 55,000 votes of victory in 2018 , and much has changed in Georgia since… .
More than 600,000 Georgians have registered to vote since 2018 ; half of them are voters of color , and 40 percent of them are under age 30 . ''
Abrams , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mates for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden , similarly cited her ability to increase minority turnout while also blaming her loss on voter suppression during an MSNBC interview in 2019 .
In January , the failed candidate told Democrats that they must focus on future elections , rather than races of the past .
Groh-Wargo 's piece is the latest salvo in the attempt to question the legitimacy of Georgia governor Brian Kemp ( R. ) .
In March , Abrams 's voting-rights nonprofit Fair Fight Action affixed an asterisk to Kemp 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mass suppression stand in contrast to the election results .
Nearly 4 million voters cast ballots in 2018—a surge of nearly 60 percent compared with the 2.5 million voters in the 2014 midterm .
Overall voter registration rose more than 20 percent during Kemp 's eight years as secretary of state , and Abrams won more votes in 2018 than any Democrat in Georgia history .
Abrams never officially conceded to Kemp , though she has repeatedly said Republicans had `` stolen '' the race .
Despite her defeat , Abrams has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2019 Democratic response to President Donald Trump 's State of the Union address and considered running for president .
Groh-Wargo 's op-ed was published as Joe Biden searches for a runningmate for November .
The Georgia Democrat has been open about her desire for the position .
Abrams , who has never held a position above House minority leader in the Georgia legislature , told Elle in an article published April 15 she would make an `` excellent running mate . ''
`` I have the capacity to attract voters by motivating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I have a strong history of executive and management experience in the private , public , and nonprofit sectors .
I ’ ve spent 25 years in independent study of foreign policy . ''
The Biden camp has yet to announce a vice presidential pick , but Biden has pledged to select a woman as his runningmate .

Three months after Stacey Abrams said Democrats should not relitigate past elections, her 2018 gubernatorial campaign manager penned a New York Times op-ed boasting that the failed campaign showcased Abrams's unique ability to turn out minority voters.
Lauren Groh-Wargo touted Abrams's ability to drive black, Latino, and Asian-American voters to the polls at eye-popping levels, while also insisting that the race was marred by "voter suppression" that targeted minorities.
"Sure, turnout was up everywhere and at presidential levels in many states," she wrote. "But Georgia was the only state where midterm turnout was greater than presidential turnout in each group of voters of color. Any political scientist will tell you this is not something that happens. Ever."
She later added, "Despite a scourge of voter suppression, Stacey came within 55,000 votes of victory in 2018, and much has changed in Georgia since.... More than 600,000 Georgians have registered to vote since 2018; half of them are voters of color, and 40 percent of them are under age 30."
Abrams, who is on the shortlist of potential running mates for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, similarly cited her ability to increase minority turnout while also blaming her loss on voter suppression during an MSNBC interview in 2019. In January, the failed candidate told Democrats that they must focus on future elections, rather than races of the past. Groh-Wargo's piece is the latest salvo in the attempt to question the legitimacy of Georgia governor Brian Kemp (R.). In March, Abrams's voting-rights nonprofit Fair Fight Action affixed an asterisk to Kemp's name in an ad.
The claims of mass suppression stand in contrast to the election results. Nearly 4 million voters cast ballots in 2018—a surge of nearly 60 percent compared with the 2.5 million voters in the 2014 midterm. Overall voter registration rose more than 20 percent during Kemp's eight years as secretary of state, and Abrams won more votes in 2018 than any Democrat in Georgia history.
Abrams never officially conceded to Kemp, though she has repeatedly said Republicans had "stolen" the race. Despite her defeat, Abrams has maintained a national profile. She delivered the 2019 Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address and considered running for president.
Groh-Wargo's op-ed was published as Joe Biden searches for a running mate for November. The Georgia Democrat has been open about her desire for the position. Abrams, who has never held a position above House minority leader in the Georgia legislature, told Elle in an article published April 15 she would make an "excellent running mate."
"I have the capacity to attract voters by motivating typically ignored communities," she said. "I have a strong history of executive and management experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. I’ve spent 25 years in independent study of foreign policy."
The Biden camp has yet to announce a vice presidential pick, but Biden has pledged to select a woman as his runningmate.