freebeacon--2020-04-01--U.S. Does Not Have More Coronavirus Deaths Than China, Senator Says

The United States does not currently have more coronavirus-related deaths than China , despite media claims , according to a senator on the Select Committee on Intelligence .
Sen. Ben Sasse ( R. , Neb . )
, who sits on the committee that deals with classified intelligence , said the Chinese Communist Party continues to lie about the actual death toll from coronavirus in its own country .
While the senator would not discuss specific intelligence , citing classification reasons , he said information he has viewed shows the United States does not surpass China in terms of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States has more coronavirus deaths than China is false , '' Sasse said on Wednesday in a statement sent to the Washington Free Beacon .
`` Without commenting on any classified information , this much is painfully obvious : The Chinese Communist Party has lied , is lying , and will continue to lie about coronavirus to protect the regime .
Beijing 's garbage propaganda should n't be taken seriously by the World Health Organization , by independent journalists , or by the American epidemiologists who are going to beat this terrible virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and 3,300 deaths , according to publicly available data .
The U.S. infection number stands at 191,000 with more than 4,000 deaths , making it the worldwide leader if the public numbers are to be trusted .
Lawmakers and senior U.S. officials have charged China with lying since the coronavirus first exploded .
The United States estimates that the number of those killed in China , Iran , and other repressive regimes far exceeds the numbers officially reported .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been among the senior U.S. officials pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a call with foreign media outlets on Wednesday , Pompeo said China and a number of other countries are downplaying the disease 's impact .
`` We have certainly seen them , '' Pompeo said , referring to `` disinformation campaigns '' by a number of countries .
`` We have seen it not only from Iran and Russia but from China and others as well trying to tell a narrative .
And the narratives are different , but each of them has the same component , which is to avoid responsibility and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , confusion about where the virus began but also confusion about how countries are responding to it and which countries are actually providing assistance throughout the world . ''
One GOP congressional aide familiar with ongoing debate over international coronavirus figures told the Free Beacon reports of mass alarm in China contradict the Communist regime 's public rhetoric .
`` The CCP has a legitimacy problem here .
The Chinese people feel it and the rest of the world is seeing it , '' said the source , who would only speak on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the start .
Shutting down movie theaters and reports of massively increased cremations just do n't square with the nothing-to-see-here numbers they ’ re pushing . ''
Classified U.S. intelligence reports indicate that China has not only hidden the number of infections in the country , but also the number of deaths .
U.S. officials have concluded that information provided by China has been forged to mislead the international community .

The United States does not currently have more coronavirus-related deaths than China, despite media claims, according to a senator on the Select Committee on Intelligence.
Sen. Ben Sasse (R., Neb.), who sits on the committee that deals with classified intelligence, said the Chinese Communist Party continues to lie about the actual death toll from coronavirus in its own country. While the senator would not discuss specific intelligence, citing classification reasons, he said information he has viewed shows the United States does not surpass China in terms of deaths.
"The claim that the United States has more coronavirus deaths than China is false," Sasse said on Wednesday in a statement sent to the Washington Free Beacon. "Without commenting on any classified information, this much is painfully obvious: The Chinese Communist Party has lied, is lying, and will continue to lie about coronavirus to protect the regime. Beijing's garbage propaganda shouldn't be taken seriously by the World Health Organization, by independent journalists, or by the American epidemiologists who are going to beat this terrible virus."
China has reported some 81,500 cases and 3,300 deaths, according to publicly available data. The U.S. infection number stands at 191,000 with more than 4,000 deaths, making it the worldwide leader if the public numbers are to be trusted.
Lawmakers and senior U.S. officials have charged China with lying since the coronavirus first exploded. The United States estimates that the number of those killed in China, Iran, and other repressive regimes far exceeds the numbers officially reported.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been among the senior U.S. officials pushing back against China's disinformation.
In a call with foreign media outlets on Wednesday, Pompeo said China and a number of other countries are downplaying the disease's impact.
"We have certainly seen them," Pompeo said, referring to "disinformation campaigns" by a number of countries. "We have seen it not only from Iran and Russia but from China and others as well trying to tell a narrative. And the narratives are different, but each of them has the same component, which is to avoid responsibility and try and place confusion in the world, confusion about where the virus began but also confusion about how countries are responding to it and which countries are actually providing assistance throughout the world."
One GOP congressional aide familiar with ongoing debate over international coronavirus figures told the Free Beacon reports of mass alarm in China contradict the Communist regime's public rhetoric.
"The CCP has a legitimacy problem here. The Chinese people feel it and the rest of the world is seeing it," said the source, who would only speak on background. "They lied about COVID-19 from the start. Shutting down movie theaters and reports of massively increased cremations just don't square with the nothing-to-see-here numbers they’re pushing."
Classified U.S. intelligence reports indicate that China has not only hidden the number of infections in the country, but also the number of deaths. U.S. officials have concluded that information provided by China has been forged to mislead the international community.


freebeacon--2020-04-01--White House Reporter Rips Acosta for Acting Like ‘Opposition Party’

The president of the White House Correspondents ' Association criticizes CNN 's Jim Acosta in a new book , writing that the combative reporter 's `` soapbox '' approach to journalism has bolstered President Donald Trump .
Acosta has at times acted like an `` opinion journalist '' who has played `` right into the explicit Trump strategy of portraying the press as the opposition party , '' ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl writes in Front Row at the Trump Show , his account of reporting on the president since the early 1990s .
Karl told the Washington Free Beacon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for journalism since Trump took office .
`` A sub-sub theme [ of the book ] is those of us reporters make a mistake if they appear to be too much like an opposition to the president or the resistance , '' Karl , who is also president of the White House Correspondents ' Association , told the Free Beacon .
`` That 's not our job .
We 're not the opposition party .
We 're supposed to report and report aggressively on the president , on any president , but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Karl singles out Acosta for his dramatic sparring match with then-White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2018 .
The CNN correspondent insisted Sanders tell the assembled press they were n't the `` enemy of the people . ''
Acosta took to the airwaves to propose reporters should make bumper stickers or gather outside the White House and chant , `` We are not the enemy of the people . ''
Karl said it was a moment that could have been scripted by Trump , adding he 's also been tempted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Acosta did .
`` The surest way to undermine the credibility of the White House press corps is to behave like the political opposition , '' Karl writes .
`` Do n't give speeches from the White House briefing room… .
Do n't talk about holding protests against the president in Lafayette Square . ''
Karl is the latest veteran reporter to take issue with Acosta 's behavior .
The Atlantic ‘ s Todd Purdum wrote that Acosta 's back-and-forth with Sanders played `` directly into Trump 's received narrative about a hostile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Karl also criticizes Acosta for a 2017 incident in which then-president-elect Trump called Acosta `` fake news . ''
Trump was angry over CNN 's report on unsubstantiated allegations that Russian operatives had compromising information about him .
He refused to call on Acosta , who interrupted NPR 's Mara Liasson and repeatedly tried to ask his question .
`` Acosta was portraying himself as some kind of righteous advocate for the press , '' Karl wrote , but to most reporters he was `` just rudely interrupting a colleague .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no personal grudge against Acosta .
`` It 's a pretty collegial atmosphere in the briefing room , '' he said .
The CNN anchor has clashed repeatedly with Trump .
He insisted Trump was wrong to call the Central American migrant caravan an `` invasion '' at a Nov. 7 , 2018 , press conference .
When a Trump aide tried to take the microphone from him , Acosta refused to relinquish it and his press pass was temporarily revoked .
It was restored after a brief legal battle .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host Chris Wallace to call Acosta a `` showboat '' who `` embarrassed himself . ''
CBS White House correspondent Major Garrett said at the time that he would give up the microphone when asked .
Poynter 's Al Tompkins wrote that Acosta became the news story rather than doing his job .
Wallace also said in February he was `` horrified '' by Acosta 's conduct at press conferences .
In 2017 , MSNBC 's Joe Scarborough , a fierce Trump critic , said Acosta sounded like he was comparing the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with administration official Stephen Miller over immigration policy .
`` But when Jim Acosta used the language , ‘ It seems like your policies are trying to engineer racial and ethnic percentages ' or something , it sure sounded like something that you would read out of Mein Kampf or something , '' Scarborough said .
Acosta has received some praise for his performance in the Trump era , including from former ABC News reporter Sam Donaldson , who told the Daily Beast in 2018 Acosta was `` as good as it gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's rhetoric against the media and has n't been shy to express personal criticism of Trump 's policies , such as when he claimed Americans would find Trump 's Oval Office coronavirus March address xenophobic or said celebrity Kim Kardashian West should n't be in the White House in 2018 to discuss criminal justice reform .
Acosta , who declined comment , defended his reporting style and ripped Trump 's temperament and rhetoric in his 2019 book , The Enemy of the People : A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in @ @

The president of the White House Correspondents' Association criticizes CNN's Jim Acosta in a new book, writing that the combative reporter's "soapbox" approach to journalism has bolstered President Donald Trump.
Acosta has at times acted like an "opinion journalist" who has played "right into the explicit Trump strategy of portraying the press as the opposition party," ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl writes in Front Row at the Trump Show, his account of reporting on the president since the early 1990s. Karl told the Washington Free Beacon that many media figures have mistaken editorializing for journalism since Trump took office.
"A sub-sub theme [of the book] is those of us reporters make a mistake if they appear to be too much like an opposition to the president or the resistance," Karl, who is also president of the White House Correspondents' Association, told the Free Beacon. "That's not our job. We're not the opposition party. We're supposed to report and report aggressively on the president, on any president, but not to go over the top."
Karl singles out Acosta for his dramatic sparring match with then-White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in 2018. The CNN correspondent insisted Sanders tell the assembled press they weren't the "enemy of the people." Acosta took to the airwaves to propose reporters should make bumper stickers or gather outside the White House and chant, "We are not the enemy of the people."
Karl said it was a moment that could have been scripted by Trump, adding he's also been tempted to "get on my soapbox" like Acosta did.
"The surest way to undermine the credibility of the White House press corps is to behave like the political opposition," Karl writes. "Don't give speeches from the White House briefing room.... Don't talk about holding protests against the president in Lafayette Square."
Karl is the latest veteran reporter to take issue with Acosta's behavior. The Atlantic's Todd Purdum wrote that Acosta's back-and-forth with Sanders played "directly into Trump's received narrative about a hostile, combative, and even unfair press."
Karl also criticizes Acosta for a 2017 incident in which then-president-elect Trump called Acosta "fake news." Trump was angry over CNN's report on unsubstantiated allegations that Russian operatives had compromising information about him. He refused to call on Acosta, who interrupted NPR's Mara Liasson and repeatedly tried to ask his question.
"Acosta was portraying himself as some kind of righteous advocate for the press," Karl wrote, but to most reporters he was "just rudely interrupting a colleague."
Karl told the Free Beacon he has no personal grudge against Acosta.
"It's a pretty collegial atmosphere in the briefing room," he said.
The CNN anchor has clashed repeatedly with Trump. He insisted Trump was wrong to call the Central American migrant caravan an "invasion" at a Nov. 7, 2018, press conference. When a Trump aide tried to take the microphone from him, Acosta refused to relinquish it and his press pass was temporarily revoked. It was restored after a brief legal battle.
That skirmish led the usually measured Fox News host Chris Wallace to call Acosta a "showboat" who "embarrassed himself." CBS White House correspondent Major Garrett said at the time that he would give up the microphone when asked. Poynter's Al Tompkins wrote that Acosta became the news story rather than doing his job. Wallace also said in February he was "horrified" by Acosta's conduct at press conferences.
In 2017, MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, a fierce Trump critic, said Acosta sounded like he was comparing the Trump administration to Nazi Germany during an exchange with administration official Stephen Miller over immigration policy.
"But when Jim Acosta used the language, ‘It seems like your policies are trying to engineer racial and ethnic percentages' or something, it sure sounded like something that you would read out of Mein Kampf or something," Scarborough said.
Acosta has received some praise for his performance in the Trump era, including from former ABC News reporter Sam Donaldson, who told the Daily Beast in 2018 Acosta was "as good as it gets."
Acosta is sharply critical of Trump's rhetoric against the media and hasn't been shy to express personal criticism of Trump's policies, such as when he claimed Americans would find Trump's Oval Office coronavirus March address xenophobic or said celebrity Kim Kardashian West shouldn't be in the White House in 2018 to discuss criminal justice reform.
Acosta, who declined comment, defended his reporting style and ripped Trump's temperament and rhetoric in his 2019 book, The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America.


freebeacon--2020-04-01--Report: U.S. Intelligence Concludes China Is Lying About Coronavirus

A U.S. intelligence report concluded that China lied about the impact of the coronavirus within its borders , under-reporting total case numbers and deaths in public figures , according to Bloomberg News .
China today claims to have roughly 82,000 confirmed cases and 3,300 deaths , but skeptics have long doubted the veracity of those figures , citing accounts from Chinese crematoriums that are processing thousands of urns with coronavirus remains every day .
The classified report , which Bloomberg said was submitted to the White House , found that China 's coronavirus figures are `` intentionally incomplete , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures .
`` A *single mortuary* in Wuhan reportedly ordered more urns in two days than the Chinese Communist Party has reported total deaths in the whole country , '' Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
tweeted on Sunday .
`` I ’ m sure you ’ re shocked by evidence of Chinese lies . ''
Beijing has reported a steady drop in new COVID-19 cases over the last few weeks , painting a rosy picture while the rest of the world struggles to fight the pandemic .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day as the Chinese Communist Party routinely shifts the standards for who is included in the statistics .
For instance , the country started to release its daily tally of new asymptomatic patients starting Wednesday , after the public expressed concerns that asymptomatic carriers might unwittingly transmit the disease .
The report comes as Republican congressional leaders such as Rep. Jim Banks ( Ind . )
and Rep. Elise Stefanik ( N.Y. ) push to hold China accountable for exacerbating the coronavirus outbreak .
These measures have encountered pushback from Democrats , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to falsifying its figures , China also launched an aggressive disinformation campaign in March , accusing the U.S. military of bringing the virus into Wuhan .
The legislation being pushed by Banks seeks to counter those efforts by urging China to disavow that falsehood .
`` The House of Representatives calls on the Chinese Government to ( A ) publicly state that there ’ s no evidence that COVID–19 originated anywhere else but China ; ( B ) denounce the baseless conspiracy that the United States Army placed COVID–19 in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @

A U.S. intelligence report concluded that China lied about the impact of the coronavirus within its borders, under-reporting total case numbers and deaths in public figures, according to Bloomberg News.
China today claims to have roughly 82,000 confirmed cases and 3,300 deaths, but skeptics have long doubted the veracity of those figures, citing accounts from Chinese crematoriums that are processing thousands of urns with coronavirus remains every day. The classified report, which Bloomberg said was submitted to the White House, found that China's coronavirus figures are "intentionally incomplete," corroborating circumstantial evidence that China falsified its figures.
"A *single mortuary* in Wuhan reportedly ordered more urns in two days than the Chinese Communist Party has reported total deaths in the whole country," Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) tweeted on Sunday. "I’m sure you’re shocked by evidence of Chinese lies."
Beijing has reported a steady drop in new COVID-19 cases over the last few weeks, painting a rosy picture while the rest of the world struggles to fight the pandemic. However, China's official count changes by the day as the Chinese Communist Party routinely shifts the standards for who is included in the statistics. For instance, the country started to release its daily tally of new asymptomatic patients starting Wednesday, after the public expressed concerns that asymptomatic carriers might unwittingly transmit the disease.
The report comes as Republican congressional leaders such as Rep. Jim Banks (Ind.) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.) push to hold China accountable for exacerbating the coronavirus outbreak. These measures have encountered pushback from Democrats, who accuse Republicans of inflaming racial animosity.
In addition to falsifying its figures, China also launched an aggressive disinformation campaign in March, accusing the U.S. military of bringing the virus into Wuhan. The legislation being pushed by Banks seeks to counter those efforts by urging China to disavow that falsehood.
"The House of Representatives calls on the Chinese Government to (A) publicly state that there’s no evidence that COVID–19 originated anywhere else but China; (B) denounce the baseless conspiracy that the United States Army placed COVID–19 in Wuhan," the bill states.


freebeacon--2020-04-01--Pro-Life Dem Takes Shot at Biden for Sharp Move Left on Abortion

Rep. Dan Lipinski ( Ill. ) , one of the few pro-life Democrats in Congress , said special interest groups have pushed Joe Biden to an extreme position on abortion during the Democratic primary .
`` [ Biden ] was always in favor of the Hyde Amendment and opposed to taxpayer funding of abortion , but when he announced he was running for president , he felt running in the Democratic presidential primary he had to change his position , '' Lipinski told the National Catholic Register .
`` I think that exemplifies the pressure now that is put by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme position on the abortion issue and certainly something that 's new in the last couple of years . ''
Lipinski ripped the influence of pro-abortion special interest groups , which bankrolled primary opponent Marie Newman 's campaign .
Planned Parenthood Action Fund , NARAL Pro-Choice America , and EMILY ’ s List spent a combined $ 1.5 million to support Newman , who narrowly defeated Lipinski in last month 's Democratic primary .
Lipinski said a pro-life Democrat who wants to run for office should prepare for these special interest groups to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-abortion candidates .
`` Democrats running for president understand that they ca n't have these groups opposing them , '' he said .
`` That 's why they take the extreme position on abortion . ''
Biden repeatedly voted for the Hyde Amendment , which prohibits federal funding of abortion , during his time in the Senate before changing his stance last June in the face of pressure from the left .
He also vowed to codify Roe v. Wade into law as president .
Biden 's newfound opposition to the Hyde Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , who are largely supportive of the ban on federal funding of abortion .
Lipinski also warned that the Democratic Party 's extremism on the issue will push young pro-life voters away .
He said he often speaks to young pro-life people who tell him they are `` turned off '' by the party 's stance on abortion .
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , legal battles are raging over whether abortions should continue as elective surgery bans are enacted across the country .
Authorities in several states are arguing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that should be directed towards helping treat coronavirus patients , but abortion providers have argued abortions are essential health care .

Rep. Dan Lipinski (Ill.), one of the few pro-life Democrats in Congress, said special interest groups have pushed Joe Biden to an extreme position on abortion during the Democratic primary.
"[Biden] was always in favor of the Hyde Amendment and opposed to taxpayer funding of abortion, but when he announced he was running for president, he felt running in the Democratic presidential primary he had to change his position," Lipinski told the National Catholic Register.
"I think that exemplifies the pressure now that is put by outside groups on Democrats to take an extreme position on the abortion issue and certainly something that's new in the last couple of years."
Lipinski ripped the influence of pro-abortion special interest groups, which bankrolled primary opponent Marie Newman's campaign. Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and EMILY’s List spent a combined $1.5 million to support Newman, who narrowly defeated Lipinski in last month's Democratic primary.
Lipinski said a pro-life Democrat who wants to run for office should prepare for these special interest groups to spend large amounts of money supporting extreme pro-abortion candidates.
"Democrats running for president understand that they can't have these groups opposing them," he said. "That's why they take the extreme position on abortion."
Biden repeatedly voted for the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding of abortion, during his time in the Senate before changing his stance last June in the face of pressure from the left. He also vowed to codify Roe v. Wade into law as president.
Biden's newfound opposition to the Hyde Amendment is out of step with the American people, who are largely supportive of the ban on federal funding of abortion.
Lipinski also warned that the Democratic Party's extremism on the issue will push young pro-life voters away. He said he often speaks to young pro-life people who tell him they are "turned off" by the party's stance on abortion.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, legal battles are raging over whether abortions should continue as elective surgery bans are enacted across the country. Authorities in several states are arguing that abortion facilities use vital medical equipment that should be directed towards helping treat coronavirus patients, but abortion providers have argued abortions are essential health care.


freebeacon--2020-04-01--Biden Plugs Labor Ally’s Charity In Face of Corruption Probe

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden used his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live !
to fundraise for a close union ally that is under investigation for misappropriating millions of dollars from firefighters ' dues .
`` [ The firefighters ] have now over 2,000 people affected by the virus , '' Biden told viewers of the late-night show .
He urged them to donate to the International Association of Fire Fighters ( IAFF ) Foundation .
`` I think they need help because they 're the ones who are picking those folks up , dragging them out of a burning car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by one of his most important political allies , General President Harold Schaitberger .
The IAFF—the first union to endorse Biden 's presidential campaign—suffers from a `` systematic misrepresentation in financial reporting , '' according to an internal probe penned by the union 's general secretary-treasurer .
Schaitberger himself has faced corruption accusations .
The probe found that his administration misallocated millions of dollars from their designated purposes .
Despite reviews from an auditing firm , the investigation still can not account for $ 6 million , raising questions about how IAFF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` [ W ] e also found millions of dollars in financial misreporting and millions of dollars in nondiscretionary funds that were utilized for purposes unrelated to their designation , '' the audit found .
`` These problems and more are beyond our internal capabilities to address.… Note that these problems directly involve the General President of the International . ''
The IAFF Foundation was created to `` help members and their families in their time of need , including assistance following natural disasters . ''
Records show that the foundation spent twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did helping firefighters .
The group spent approximately $ 222,000 of its $ 1.8 million expenditure in 2018 for grants and other assistance for its members , roughly 14 percent of total spending .
Meanwhile , it paid roughly $ 483,000 on wages , pension accruals , and other benefits for its officials .
Neither the foundation nor the union returned requests for comment .
Biden made those comments on Thursday , the same day the Washington Free Beacon informed the Biden campaign about the findings of the internal probe , and weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden campaign has not responded to repeated requests for comment .
New Haven Fire Department battalion chief Frank Ricci , who also leads the Fire Union Local 825 , questioned Biden 's judgment for soliciting donations for a labor group with a poor financial track record .
`` Joe Biden once again demonstrates poor judgment , '' Ricci told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` Why would anyone donate money to an organization where its own treasurer alleged that millions of dollars are unaccounted for at the hands of the IAFF president ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Free Beacon , also found that Schaitberger collected an estimated $ 878,060 from the union 's pension fund since taking office in 2000 , even though he did not qualify for the payouts because he had yet to retire .
`` Three separate law firms have advised in writing … that this was not allowed under the Internal Revenue Code , '' the audit said .
Ricci has previously raised concerns about how IAFF operates its foundation .
Local 825 successfully cut ties from the state IAFF affiliate after lawyers from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what a judge declared a `` plainly improper loan the state union took ( and repaid ) from its charitable affiliate . ''
Schaitberger sided with state officials in the dispute , according to an affidavit filed in court .
Ricci , whose executive board is still reviewing the union probe 's findings , said his handling of the legal battle raised alarm bells .
`` IAFF President Schaitberger stood by the CT UPFFA ( Uniform Professional Fire Fighters Association ) when the Fairness Center uncovered an improper loan taken from its charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have n't infested the entire organizational structure ? ''
Ricci said in an email .
Schaitberger and the IAFF are among Biden 's closest allies in organized labor .
Under Schaitberger 's leadership , the union endorsed Biden on the first day of his campaign in April 2019 .
Its support continued well past the launch .
Schaitberger frequently made appearances on Biden 's behalf .
The IAFF spent nearly $ 80,000 in campaign contributions and outside spending to bolster Biden 's candidacy , according to disclosures filed with the Department of Labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union do n't all share the union leadership 's affinity for Joe Biden .
More than 18,000 people signed onto an online petition demanding that IAFF withdraw the endorsement .

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden used his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to fundraise for a close union ally that is under investigation for misappropriating millions of dollars from firefighters' dues.
"[The firefighters] have now over 2,000 people affected by the virus," Biden told viewers of the late-night show. He urged them to donate to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Foundation. "I think they need help because they're the ones who are picking those folks up, dragging them out of a burning car."
The foundation Biden cited is led by one of his most important political allies, General President Harold Schaitberger. The IAFF—the first union to endorse Biden's presidential campaign—suffers from a "systematic misrepresentation in financial reporting," according to an internal probe penned by the union's general secretary-treasurer. Schaitberger himself has faced corruption accusations. The probe found that his administration misallocated millions of dollars from their designated purposes. Despite reviews from an auditing firm, the investigation still cannot account for $6 million, raising questions about how IAFF will handle donations that Biden requested.
"[W]e also found millions of dollars in financial misreporting and millions of dollars in nondiscretionary funds that were utilized for purposes unrelated to their designation," the audit found. "These problems and more are beyond our internal capabilities to address.… Note that these problems directly involve the General President of the International."
The IAFF Foundation was created to "help members and their families in their time of need, including assistance following natural disasters." Records show that the foundation spent twice as much on its staff as it did helping firefighters. The group spent approximately $222,000 of its $1.8 million expenditure in 2018 for grants and other assistance for its members, roughly 14 percent of total spending. Meanwhile, it paid roughly $483,000 on wages, pension accruals, and other benefits for its officials. Neither the foundation nor the union returned requests for comment.
Biden made those comments on Thursday, the same day the Washington Free Beacon informed the Biden campaign about the findings of the internal probe, and weeks after the probe was released. The Biden campaign has not responded to repeated requests for comment.
New Haven Fire Department battalion chief Frank Ricci, who also leads the Fire Union Local 825, questioned Biden's judgment for soliciting donations for a labor group with a poor financial track record.
"Joe Biden once again demonstrates poor judgment," Ricci told the Washington Free Beacon. "Why would anyone donate money to an organization where its own treasurer alleged that millions of dollars are unaccounted for at the hands of the IAFF president?"
The internal probe, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, also found that Schaitberger collected an estimated $878,060 from the union's pension fund since taking office in 2000, even though he did not qualify for the payouts because he had yet to retire. "Three separate law firms have advised in writing … that this was not allowed under the Internal Revenue Code," the audit said.
Ricci has previously raised concerns about how IAFF operates its foundation. Local 825 successfully cut ties from the state IAFF affiliate after lawyers from the nonprofit law firm Fairness Center uncovered what a judge declared a "plainly improper loan the state union took (and repaid) from its charitable affiliate." Schaitberger sided with state officials in the dispute, according to an affidavit filed in court. Ricci, whose executive board is still reviewing the union probe's findings, said his handling of the legal battle raised alarm bells.
"IAFF President Schaitberger stood by the CT UPFFA (Uniform Professional Fire Fighters Association) when the Fairness Center uncovered an improper loan taken from its charity. What makes Biden think the rats haven't infested the entire organizational structure?" Ricci said in an email.
Schaitberger and the IAFF are among Biden's closest allies in organized labor. Under Schaitberger's leadership, the union endorsed Biden on the first day of his campaign in April 2019. Its support continued well past the launch. Schaitberger frequently made appearances on Biden's behalf. The IAFF spent nearly $80,000 in campaign contributions and outside spending to bolster Biden's candidacy, according to disclosures filed with the Department of Labor.
But the 300,000 members of the union don't all share the union leadership's affinity for Joe Biden. More than 18,000 people signed onto an online petition demanding that IAFF withdraw the endorsement.


freebeacon--2020-04-01--NIP ALERT: Andrew Cuomo’s Curious Breast Bulge Could Be Piercing, Analysis Finds

Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D. , N.Y. ) is facing suspicion of having at least one of his nipples pierced after an internet analysis of several photos taken last week revealed a curious breast bulge protruding from the governor 's white polo shirt .
A subsequent Free Beacon investigation determined that the suspicion is justified .
After analyzing the images in question using a variety of enhancement techniques , it became clear that proponents of the piercing theory might be on to something .
Cuomo wore an almost identical white polo shirt during a Memorial Day parade in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The strange bulge is nowhere to be found .
Further analysis , including an extrapolation of the enhanced visual data , suggest that Cuomo is hiding something under that shirt .
Is it a piercing ?
Probably .
Additional investigation is required .
Finally , the Free Beacon conducted a comparative visual analysis to examine whether the previously discussed examples of Cuomo 's nipple bulges resembles the bulge on an individual confirmed to have a nipple piercing—in this case , Kendall Jenner , daughter of Caitlyn .
The results raise further questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retain the trust of New Yorkers , and the American people , during this time of crisis .

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D., N.Y.) is facing suspicion of having at least one of his nipples pierced after an internet analysis of several photos taken last week revealed a curious breast bulge protruding from the governor's white polo shirt.
A subsequent Free Beacon investigation determined that the suspicion is justified. After analyzing the images in question using a variety of enhancement techniques, it became clear that proponents of the piercing theory might be on to something.
Cuomo wore an almost identical white polo shirt during a Memorial Day parade in 2016 (pictured below, with analysis). The strange bulge is nowhere to be found.
Further analysis, including an extrapolation of the enhanced visual data, suggest that Cuomo is hiding something under that shirt. Is it a piercing? Probably. Additional investigation is required.
Finally, the Free Beacon conducted a comparative visual analysis to examine whether the previously discussed examples of Cuomo's nipple bulges resembles the bulge on an individual confirmed to have a nipple piercing—in this case, Kendall Jenner, daughter of Caitlyn. The results raise further questions that Cuomo must answer in order to retain the trust of New Yorkers, and the American people, during this time of crisis.


freebeacon--2020-04-01--L.A., North Carolina Sheriffs Back Off Gun Shutdowns

Sheriffs in California and North Carolina reversed course Monday and lifted emergency policies that prevented people from purchasing firearms .
Los Angeles County sheriff Alex Villanueva ( D. ) announced he would allow gun dealers to reopen .
Wake County , North Carolina , sheriff Gerald Baker ( D. ) reached an agreement to reopen the pistol purchase permit process .
Second Amendment activists had launched lawsuits against both sheriffs over their attempts to prevent firearm purchases during the national coronavirus outbreak .
Gun-rights activists and retailers have been at the forefront of several legal battles as they seek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curtail civil liberties to fight the coronavirus .
While most of the lawsuits are still making their way through the courts , state and local officials have walked back shutdown attempts .
In March , Pennsylvania , Delaware , and New Jersey all reopened gun stores in a limited capacity after attempting to implement statewide shutdowns .
The Second Amendment Foundation ( SAF ) led a coalition of activists , including the California Gun Rights Foundation , National Rifle Association , and Firearms Policy Coalition , to file lawsuits across California .
SAF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy forced the hands of local officials .
`` Our lawsuits had a direct impact on their reversals , '' Gottlieb told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` This is about winning firearms freedom one lawsuit at a time . ''
Gun-rights activists have used a combination of lawsuits and lobbying to convince most jurisdictions to preserve gun sales during the pandemic .
Advocates successfully petitioned the Department of Homeland Security to include the industry in the federal `` essential '' business guidelines issued to state and local governments .
Sheriff Villanueva cited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen gun stores .
`` Although explicitly advisory in nature , nonetheless the federal memorandum is persuasive given its national scope , '' Villanueva said of the updated DHS guidance .
`` Based on this further input from the federal government , the Los Angeles County Sheriff 's Department will not order or recommend closure of businesses that sell or repair firearms or sell ammunition . ''
While gun-rights groups have praised the updated federal guidance and celebrated the reopening of gun stores , gun-control groups have criticized both developments .
`` During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the health and safety of all Americans—not the bottom line of the gun industry , '' Adam Skaggs , Giffords Law Center chief counsel , said in a statement .
`` Public health experts are the ones best positioned to make vital choices about what businesses should remain open for our nation 's well being .
The Administration 's guidance should reflect that , without limiting the options for local and state officials to take necessary actions that can limit the spread of the coronavirus and save lives . ''
The spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little time for Second Amendment groups to celebrate policy or legal victories .
The Virginia Citizens Defense League threatened to sue Governor Ralph Northam ( D. ) on Friday if he does not reverse a shutdown of indoor gun ranges .
The NRA , SAF , and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a new federal case against a group of Northern California officials on Tuesday over their shutdowns .
`` Local governments are n't promoting safety or ‘ common sense ' by targeting gun stores for closure ; the closures only serve to disarm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Jason Ouimet , executive director of the NRA 's Institute for Legislative Action , said in a statement .
`` Because these closures violate our Second Amendment rights when we need them most , the National Rifle Association continues to fight such infringements in court alongside fellow Second Amendment groups . ''

Sheriffs in California and North Carolina reversed course Monday and lifted emergency policies that prevented people from purchasing firearms.
Los Angeles County sheriff Alex Villanueva (D.) announced he would allow gun dealers to reopen. Wake County, North Carolina, sheriff Gerald Baker (D.) reached an agreement to reopen the pistol purchase permit process. Second Amendment activists had launched lawsuits against both sheriffs over their attempts to prevent firearm purchases during the national coronavirus outbreak.
Gun-rights activists and retailers have been at the forefront of several legal battles as they seek to keep stores open while government agencies temporarily curtail civil liberties to fight the coronavirus. While most of the lawsuits are still making their way through the courts, state and local officials have walked back shutdown attempts. In March, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey all reopened gun stores in a limited capacity after attempting to implement statewide shutdowns.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) led a coalition of activists, including the California Gun Rights Foundation, National Rifle Association, and Firearms Policy Coalition, to file lawsuits across California. SAF founder Alan Gottlieb said the aggressive legal strategy forced the hands of local officials.
"Our lawsuits had a direct impact on their reversals," Gottlieb told the Washington Free Beacon. "This is about winning firearms freedom one lawsuit at a time."
Gun-rights activists have used a combination of lawsuits and lobbying to convince most jurisdictions to preserve gun sales during the pandemic. Advocates successfully petitioned the Department of Homeland Security to include the industry in the federal "essential" business guidelines issued to state and local governments. Sheriff Villanueva cited those recommendations when he announced he would reopen gun stores.
"Although explicitly advisory in nature, nonetheless the federal memorandum is persuasive given its national scope," Villanueva said of the updated DHS guidance. "Based on this further input from the federal government, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will not order or recommend closure of businesses that sell or repair firearms or sell ammunition."
While gun-rights groups have praised the updated federal guidance and celebrated the reopening of gun stores, gun-control groups have criticized both developments.
"During this crisis, we should be focused on the health and safety of all Americans—not the bottom line of the gun industry," Adam Skaggs, Giffords Law Center chief counsel, said in a statement. "Public health experts are the ones best positioned to make vital choices about what businesses should remain open for our nation's well being. The Administration's guidance should reflect that, without limiting the options for local and state officials to take necessary actions that can limit the spread of the coronavirus and save lives."
The spread of the coronavirus—and corresponding lockdown orders—has left little time for Second Amendment groups to celebrate policy or legal victories. The Virginia Citizens Defense League threatened to sue Governor Ralph Northam (D.) on Friday if he does not reverse a shutdown of indoor gun ranges. The NRA, SAF, and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a new federal case against a group of Northern California officials on Tuesday over their shutdowns.
"Local governments aren't promoting safety or 'common sense' by targeting gun stores for closure; the closures only serve to disarm law-abiding families while criminals roam free," Jason Ouimet, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement. "Because these closures violate our Second Amendment rights when we need them most, the National Rifle Association continues to fight such infringements in court alongside fellow Second Amendment groups."


freebeacon--2020-04-02--As World Struggles to Contain COVID-19, Malaysia Offers Bold Solutions

The coronavirus pandemic may have started in China , but its effects are being felt the world over .
Authorities struggling to contain the virus have proposed a variety of solutions aimed at preventing its spread .
But while many governments have confined citizens to their homes during the crisis , few have offered guidance on how to behave in quarantine .
Malaysia , which has seen the largest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia , has emerged as a world leader when it comes to establishing guidelines for how citizens can cope with the stress of pandemic-related confinement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Community Development posted a series of public service announcements on social media advising citizens on how to survive and thrive during the country 's partial lockdown .
The posts , using the hashtag # WomenPreventCOVID19 , offered a series of sensible suggestions for how to cope with the unique challenges of social distancing and isolation .
As the hashtag suggests , the advice was primarily aimed at citizens who identify as female .
Malaysia suggested , for example , that women dress up and wear makeup to maintain a sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with husbands were advised to refrain from nagging or being `` sarcastic '' while asking for help with household chores .
It was recommended that women lighten the mood by mimicking the high-pitched voice of Doraemon , an anime cat robot popular in the region .
Regrettably , the Malaysian government was widely ridiculed for its bold , innovative response to the once-in-a-lifetime global crisis .
As the ministry explained on Tuesday in a forced apology , the suggestions were merely aimed at `` maintaining positive relationships among family members during the period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Who can argue with that ?
President Donald J. Trump should at least consider how the Malaysian model might inform the United States ' response to the pandemic .
To do otherwise would be an abdication of leadership .

The coronavirus pandemic may have started in China, but its effects are being felt the world over. Authorities struggling to contain the virus have proposed a variety of solutions aimed at preventing its spread. But while many governments have confined citizens to their homes during the crisis, few have offered guidance on how to behave in quarantine.
Malaysia, which has seen the largest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia, has emerged as a world leader when it comes to establishing guidelines for how citizens can cope with the stress of pandemic-related confinement. The Ministry for Women, Family, and Community Development posted a series of public service announcements on social media advising citizens on how to survive and thrive during the country's partial lockdown.
The posts, using the hashtag #WomenPreventCOVID19, offered a series of sensible suggestions for how to cope with the unique challenges of social distancing and isolation. As the hashtag suggests, the advice was primarily aimed at citizens who identify as female.
Malaysia suggested, for example, that women dress up and wear makeup to maintain a sense of normalcy while working from home. Women with husbands were advised to refrain from nagging or being "sarcastic" while asking for help with household chores. It was recommended that women lighten the mood by mimicking the high-pitched voice of Doraemon, an anime cat robot popular in the region.
Ministry’s #MCO advice to women: Wear make-up while working at home, speak like Doraemon & don't nag husbands https://t.co/aluuaGTopW The posts by @KPWKM have since been panned not only by women's rights groups, but also members of the public. #WanitaCegahCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/had3nXIJwc — Zurairi A.R. (@zurairi) March 31, 2020
Regrettably, the Malaysian government was widely ridiculed for its bold, innovative response to the once-in-a-lifetime global crisis. As the ministry explained on Tuesday in a forced apology, the suggestions were merely aimed at "maintaining positive relationships among family members during the period they are working from home."
Who can argue with that? President Donald J. Trump should at least consider how the Malaysian model might inform the United States' response to the pandemic. To do otherwise would be an abdication of leadership.


freebeacon--2020-04-02--Federal Judge OKs Gun-Store Shutdowns Near Los Angeles

A federal judge on Tuesday denied a request to force Ventura County , Calif. , to reopen gun stores forced to close in response to the coronavirus .
Judge Consuelo B. Marshall , a Jimmy Carter appointee , of the District Court for the Central District of California , said she would not grant a temporary restraining order against the county 's shutdown order .
Her decision is one of the first in the legal battle over pandemic-related closures of gun businesses .
It may indicate the court fights could drag on for weeks and produce mixed results even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record pace .
`` While the public interest is served by protecting Second Amendment rights , the public interest is also served by protecting the public health by limiting the spread of a virulent disease , '' Marshall said in a ruling .
Marshall 's ruling is one of at least three legal opinions that have come out in the wake of the outbreak , though state and federal courts have disagreed about the extent to which the Second Amendment protects against emergency closures .
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court allowed Gov .
Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his shutdown—though the governor later reversed course .
Meanwhile , a North Carolina court ordered Wake County sheriff Gerald Baker ( D. ) to abide by an agreement that reopens the pistol-purchase permitting process in the county .
Gun-rights activists have been able to convince most jurisdictions to allow gun businesses to remain open during emergency shutdowns using a combination of lobbying and lawsuits .
On Saturday , the Department of Homeland Security updated its nonbinding guidance to add gun manufacturers , stores , and ranges to the list of `` essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the federal government had originally left gun businesses off of their `` essential '' business lists , a number of states , including Pennsylvania , New Jersey , and Delaware , reversed course on their gun-store shutdowns over the past 10 days .
Massachusetts is the only state to move in the other direction when it revised its `` essential '' business list to exclude gun stores on Wednesday , effectively cutting off most legal gun sales in the state .
Judge Marshall said Ventura County 's shutdown order was not as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handgun sales at issue in the landmark Supreme Court case District of Columbia v. Heller ( 2008 ) and should , therefore , be subject to a less rigorous judicial test for constitutionality .
`` The County Order does not specifically target handgun ownership , does not prohibit the ownership of a handgun outright , and is temporary , '' she said .
`` Therefore , the burden of the County Order on the Second Amendment , if any , is not substantial , so intermediate scrutiny is appropriate . ''
She went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case did not provide evidence that the coronavirus-shutdowns would be as effective if they exempted gun stores .
`` Plaintiff does not dispute that mitigation of the spread of the COVID-19 virus is a compelling interest but offers no evidence or argument disputing the County 's determination that its mitigation effort would be as effective without closure of nonessential businesses , '' Judge Marshall said .
`` Plaintiff has not demonstrated he is likely to succeed on the merits of his claim . ''
The suit , filed by a firearms instructor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was separate from a suit filed by the nation 's leading gun-rights groups .
The Second Amendment Foundation , which partnered with the National Rifle Association and Firearms Policy Coalition to bring a suit against the Los Angeles County sheriff and California governor , said the organization believes its challenge is better suited to win and is continuing to move forward .
`` Our lawsuits are moving ahead and we expect to win , '' Alan Gottlieb , founder of the Second Amendment Foundation , told the Washington Free Beacon .

A federal judge on Tuesday denied a request to force Ventura County, Calif., to reopen gun stores forced to close in response to the coronavirus.
Judge Consuelo B. Marshall, a Jimmy Carter appointee, of the District Court for the Central District of California, said she would not grant a temporary restraining order against the county's shutdown order. Her decision is one of the first in the legal battle over pandemic-related closures of gun businesses. It may indicate the court fights could drag on for weeks and produce mixed results even as Americans buy guns for self-protection at a record pace.
"While the public interest is served by protecting Second Amendment rights, the public interest is also served by protecting the public health by limiting the spread of a virulent disease," Marshall said in a ruling.
Marshall's ruling is one of at least three legal opinions that have come out in the wake of the outbreak, though state and federal courts have disagreed about the extent to which the Second Amendment protects against emergency closures. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court allowed Gov. Tom Wolf (D.) to include stores in his shutdown—though the governor later reversed course. Meanwhile, a North Carolina court ordered Wake County sheriff Gerald Baker (D.) to abide by an agreement that reopens the pistol-purchase permitting process in the county.
Gun-rights activists have been able to convince most jurisdictions to allow gun businesses to remain open during emergency shutdowns using a combination of lobbying and lawsuits. On Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security updated its nonbinding guidance to add gun manufacturers, stores, and ranges to the list of "essential" businesses. While a dozen states and the federal government had originally left gun businesses off of their "essential" business lists, a number of states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, reversed course on their gun-store shutdowns over the past 10 days.
Massachusetts is the only state to move in the other direction when it revised its "essential" business list to exclude gun stores on Wednesday, effectively cutting off most legal gun sales in the state.
Judge Marshall said Ventura County's shutdown order was not as "sweeping" as the ban on handgun sales at issue in the landmark Supreme Court case District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and should, therefore, be subject to a less rigorous judicial test for constitutionality.
"The County Order does not specifically target handgun ownership, does not prohibit the ownership of a handgun outright, and is temporary," she said. "Therefore, the burden of the County Order on the Second Amendment, if any, is not substantial, so intermediate scrutiny is appropriate."
She went on to argue that the plaintiff in the case did not provide evidence that the coronavirus-shutdowns would be as effective if they exempted gun stores.
"Plaintiff does not dispute that mitigation of the spread of the COVID-19 virus is a compelling interest but offers no evidence or argument disputing the County's determination that its mitigation effort would be as effective without closure of nonessential businesses," Judge Marshall said. "Plaintiff has not demonstrated he is likely to succeed on the merits of his claim."
The suit, filed by a firearms instructor and gun-rights activists living in the county, was separate from a suit filed by the nation's leading gun-rights groups. The Second Amendment Foundation, which partnered with the National Rifle Association and Firearms Policy Coalition to bring a suit against the Los Angeles County sheriff and California governor, said the organization believes its challenge is better suited to win and is continuing to move forward.
"Our lawsuits are moving ahead and we expect to win," Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, told the Washington Free Beacon.


freebeacon--2020-04-02--Trump Invokes Defense Production Act for Ventilator Manufacturing

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday invoked the Defense Production Act to aid companies building ventilators for coronavirus patients to receive the supply of materials they need .
In a memo released by the White House , Trump directed the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary to use his authority to help facilitate the supply of ventilator materials for six companies – General Electric Co ( GE.N ) , Hill-Rom Holdings Inc ( HRC.N ) , Medtronic Plc ( MDT.N ) , Resmed Inc ( RMD.N ) , Royal Philips N.V. and Vyaire Medical Inc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invoke the act to end or at least reduce the country ’ s yawning shortage of ventilators .
Because the fast-spreading coronavirus is a respiratory disease , the need for ventilators is multiplying by the hundreds each day .
On Thursday Johns Hopkins University said more than 1 million people around the world currently have the coronavirus .
State officials and health experts said the United States will ultimately need tens of thousands of additional ventilators .
`` I am grateful to these and other domestic manufacturers for ramping up their production of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said in a short statement released alongside the memo .
`` Today ’ s order will save lives by removing obstacles in the supply chain that threaten the rapid production of ventilators . ''
Last week Trump first invoked the emergency powers to compel auto giant General Motors ( GM.N ) to produce ventilators .
Reporting by Eric Beech and Lisa Lambert ; Editing by Mohammad Zargham and David Gregorio

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday invoked the Defense Production Act to aid companies building ventilators for coronavirus patients to receive the supply of materials they need.
In a memo released by the White House, Trump directed the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary to use his authority to help facilitate the supply of ventilator materials for six companies - General Electric Co (GE.N), Hill-Rom Holdings Inc (HRC.N), Medtronic Plc (MDT.N), Resmed Inc (RMD.N), Royal Philips N.V. and Vyaire Medical Inc.
Lawmakers have clamored for Trump to invoke the act to end or at least reduce the country’s yawning shortage of ventilators. Because the fast-spreading coronavirus is a respiratory disease, the need for ventilators is multiplying by the hundreds each day. On Thursday Johns Hopkins University said more than 1 million people around the world currently have the coronavirus.
State officials and health experts said the United States will ultimately need tens of thousands of additional ventilators.
"I am grateful to these and other domestic manufacturers for ramping up their production of ventilators during this difficult time," Trump said in a short statement released alongside the memo. "Today’s order will save lives by removing obstacles in the supply chain that threaten the rapid production of ventilators."
Last week Trump first invoked the emergency powers to compel auto giant General Motors (GM.N) to produce ventilators.
Reporting by Eric Beech and Lisa Lambert; Editing by Mohammad Zargham and David Gregorio


freebeacon--2020-04-02--Biden Calls for Iran Sanctions Relief Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Former vice president Joe Biden is calling on the Trump administration to provide economic sanctions relief to Iran , falsely claiming the administration 's measures are preventing Iran from importing medicine and humanitarian aid to combat the coronavirus .
Biden , in a statement issued Thursday , said that despite the Iranian regime spending billions of dollars on arming regional terror groups , the United States should create special financial channels to allow Tehran access to the global banking system .
`` Iran is struggling to contain one of the deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks in the world , '' Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to respond effectively to this crisis , including lying and concealing the truth from its own people , and it continues to act provocatively in the region , the Iranian people are hurting desperately . ''
`` It makes no sense , in a global health crisis , to compound that failure with cruelty by inhibiting access to needed humanitarian assistance , '' Biden continued .
`` Whatever our profound differences with the Iranian government , we should support the Iranian people . ''
While Biden stated during an interview Sunday on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have enough information to take a stance on sanctions relief , he is now pressuring the Trump administration to drop its `` maximum pressure '' campaign on Iran .
`` The Trump administration abandoned the Iran nuclear deal in favor of a ‘ maximum pressure ' strategy that has badly backfired , encouraging Iran to become even more aggressive and restart its nuclear program , '' Biden said in the statement .
The Trump administration has never applied sanctions to humanitarian aid or medicine .
It also made several offers of assistance to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down .
`` There are already humanitarian exceptions in place for sanctions , '' Biden admitted .
`` But in practice , most governments and organizations are too concerned about running afoul of U.S. sanctions to offer assistance .
As a result , our sanctions are limiting Iran 's access to medical supplies and needed equipment . ''
There is little evidence that U.S. sanctions have stymied the Iranian regime 's response to coronavirus .
Expert analysis shows that Iran 's importation of medicine and other humanitarian goods from Europe has remained mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions in November 2018 .
`` We have not faced a shortage of special drugs needed to treat this disease , '' Saeed Namaki , the Islamic Republic 's health minister said earlier this week .
The Republican Jewish Coalition ( RJC ) criticized Biden 's statement as `` absurd & tone deaf '' on Twitter .
`` You know full well that Iran has refused US aid .
Iran refuses to spend the mullah 's money on medical supplies , equipment , and basic needs , '' RJC said .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of this stuff , it 's [ Supreme Leader Ali ] Khamenei 's greed . ''
The State Department estimates that Iranian regime officials stole more than $ 1 billion in humanitarian aid since mid-2019 .

Former vice president Joe Biden is calling on the Trump administration to provide economic sanctions relief to Iran, falsely claiming the administration's measures are preventing Iran from importing medicine and humanitarian aid to combat the coronavirus.
Biden, in a statement issued Thursday, said that despite the Iranian regime spending billions of dollars on arming regional terror groups, the United States should create special financial channels to allow Tehran access to the global banking system.
"Iran is struggling to contain one of the deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks in the world," Biden said. "While the Iranian government has failed to respond effectively to this crisis, including lying and concealing the truth from its own people, and it continues to act provocatively in the region, the Iranian people are hurting desperately."
"It makes no sense, in a global health crisis, to compound that failure with cruelty by inhibiting access to needed humanitarian assistance," Biden continued. "Whatever our profound differences with the Iranian government, we should support the Iranian people."
While Biden stated during an interview Sunday on Meet the Press that he did not have enough information to take a stance on sanctions relief, he is now pressuring the Trump administration to drop its "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran.
"The Trump administration abandoned the Iran nuclear deal in favor of a 'maximum pressure' strategy that has badly backfired, encouraging Iran to become even more aggressive and restart its nuclear program," Biden said in the statement.
The Trump administration has never applied sanctions to humanitarian aid or medicine. It also made several offers of assistance to Iranian leadership, which the regime turned down.
"There are already humanitarian exceptions in place for sanctions," Biden admitted. "But in practice, most governments and organizations are too concerned about running afoul of U.S. sanctions to offer assistance. As a result, our sanctions are limiting Iran's access to medical supplies and needed equipment."
There is little evidence that U.S. sanctions have stymied the Iranian regime's response to coronavirus. Expert analysis shows that Iran's importation of medicine and other humanitarian goods from Europe has remained mostly level since the Trump administration reapplied wide-ranging sanctions in November 2018.
"We have not faced a shortage of special drugs needed to treat this disease," Saeed Namaki, the Islamic Republic's health minister said earlier this week.
The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) criticized Biden's statement as "absurd & tone deaf" on Twitter.
"You know full well that Iran has refused US aid. Iran refuses to spend the mullah's money on medical supplies, equipment, and basic needs," RJC said. "The sanctions don't restrict Iran from buying any of this stuff, it's [Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei's greed."
The State Department estimates that Iranian regime officials stole more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid since mid-2019.


freebeacon--2020-04-02--Rep. James Clyburn, Who Touted Coronavirus As ‘Tremendous’ Political Opportunity, to Take Helm of Pa

Rep. James Clyburn, Who Touted Coronavirus As ‘Tremendous’ Political Opportunity, to Take Helm of Pandemic Oversight Committee

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) announced the formation of a new coronavirus oversight committee led by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn ( D. , S.C. ) , who last month said the pandemic gives Democrats `` a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision . ''
The speaker 's announcement on Thursday comes as her caucus plots another relief package , with a national vote-by-mail requirement as a top priority .
Pelosi faced criticism in March after stalling the then-proposed stimulus bill in favor of her own version , which included increased fuel emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wind and solar credits , and vote-by-mail provisions .
President Donald Trump called the Democrat 's proposal `` crazy . ''
Pelosi said Thursday the committee would monitor the billions in federal money spent fighting the virus and would have subpoena power .
House Republicans immediately expressed concern over Clyburn 's participation , arguing that his March remarks indicate he is looking to use the pandemic as a pretext to advance Democratic policy goals .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R. , Calif. ) on Thursday said he is concerned by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is concerning to me because Congressman Clyburn is the one who thought this crisis was an opportune time to restructure government , '' McCarthy said in a conference call with reporters .
`` That 's not what we should be doing . ''
Pelosi said in a Thursday conference call that the committee would ensure the $ 2 trillion in coronavirus relief is `` spent carefully and effectively , '' but McCarthy indicated that Republicans were given few details on the committee , which will need to be approved by Congress before it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get up and running , it takes a vote of Congress , '' McCarthy said .
`` I do n't know when we 'd go back and vote on this , I do n't know what the budget would be , I do n't know what the responsibility would be . ''
Other top House Republicans argued that existing congressional oversight efforts are sufficient and that a new committee will only hamper the federal response to the pandemic .
`` Our committee has a very rich tradition of both parties doing very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Rep. Greg Walden ( R. , Ore. ) , ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee , said .
`` We 're already conducting oversight , looking at what 's working , what 's not , and how we can learn from any mistakes that we made .
I think creating yet another committee is a big mistake . ''
He added that the committee `` will be costly and cause conflict and delay . ''
The stimulus package already allocates $ 45 million toward oversight , with $ 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tasked with tracking the Department of the Treasury 's stimulus spending .
Another $ 20 million went to the Government Accountability Office , which will `` help Congress conduct oversight of the spending , '' according to the House Committee on Oversight Reform .
Committee chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney ( D. , N.Y. ) praised the bill 's oversight provisions , saying they will `` ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently . ''
Pelosi 's creation of a new oversight committee may highlight a lack of trust in her members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy said .
`` I 'm just wondering , does the speaker not trust the Oversight Committee ?
I know she 's got a new chair on that committee , and all the other committees to go through , or committees being created with the last bill itself , '' McCarthy said .
`` So it mainly questions , to me , what the speaker is trying to do with that . ''
Clyburn did not respond to request for comment .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) announced the formation of a new coronavirus oversight committee led by House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D., S.C.), who last month said the pandemic gives Democrats "a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision."
The speaker's announcement on Thursday comes as her caucus plots another relief package, with a national vote-by-mail requirement as a top priority. Pelosi faced criticism in March after stalling the then-proposed stimulus bill in favor of her own version, which included increased fuel emissions standards for airlines, an expansion of wind and solar credits, and vote-by-mail provisions. President Donald Trump called the Democrat's proposal "crazy."
Pelosi said Thursday the committee would monitor the billions in federal money spent fighting the virus and would have subpoena power. House Republicans immediately expressed concern over Clyburn's participation, arguing that his March remarks indicate he is looking to use the pandemic as a pretext to advance Democratic policy goals.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.) on Thursday said he is concerned by the choice. "[The committee] is concerning to me because Congressman Clyburn is the one who thought this crisis was an opportune time to restructure government," McCarthy said in a conference call with reporters. "That's not what we should be doing."
Pelosi said in a Thursday conference call that the committee would ensure the $2 trillion in coronavirus relief is "spent carefully and effectively," but McCarthy indicated that Republicans were given few details on the committee, which will need to be approved by Congress before it is launched.
"For that committee to get up and running, it takes a vote of Congress," McCarthy said. "I don't know when we'd go back and vote on this, I don't know what the budget would be, I don't know what the responsibility would be."
Other top House Republicans argued that existing congressional oversight efforts are sufficient and that a new committee will only hamper the federal response to the pandemic.
"Our committee has a very rich tradition of both parties doing very effective and aggressive, bipartisan oversight," Rep. Greg Walden (R., Ore.), ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said. "We're already conducting oversight, looking at what's working, what's not, and how we can learn from any mistakes that we made. I think creating yet another committee is a big mistake." He added that the committee "will be costly and cause conflict and delay."
The stimulus package already allocates $45 million toward oversight, with $25 million to establish a special inspector general tasked with tracking the Department of the Treasury's stimulus spending. Another $20 million went to the Government Accountability Office, which will "help Congress conduct oversight of the spending," according to the House Committee on Oversight Reform. Committee chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D., N.Y.) praised the bill's oversight provisions, saying they will "ensure that taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently."
Pelosi's creation of a new oversight committee may highlight a lack of trust in her members who are already charged with oversight, McCarthy said.
"I'm just wondering, does the speaker not trust the Oversight Committee? I know she's got a new chair on that committee, and all the other committees to go through, or committees being created with the last bill itself," McCarthy said. "So it mainly questions, to me, what the speaker is trying to do with that."
Clyburn did not respond to request for comment.


freebeacon--2020-04-02--Tom Cotton Says China Is Due for a ‘Reckoning’

As his colleagues spent January engrossed by impeachment drama , Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
was growing increasingly worried by the stories coming out of Wuhan .
At home over MLK Day weekend , Cotton pored over East Asian and medical news sources , growing more and more concerned .
As the Senate resumed what he called its `` partisan impeachment of the president , '' he was telling his staff to start planning and was stepping out of marathon sessions to lobby the administration to take action before the virus spread .
Cotton 's self-positioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him plenty of abuse from the media .
Two months on , however , as the virus burns through the country , the senator who saw this all coming could be running a victory lap .
Instead , he 's kept a steely-eyed focus on combating the virus at home—and on responding to the Chinese deceit that he thinks ignited the crisis .
`` As we get through this pandemic , there has to be an accounting and a reckoning for China , '' Cotton told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dishonesty and corruption , turned what could have been a manageable local outbreak into a global pandemic that will ultimately cost not only our people , but the world , trillions and trillions of dollars , and hundreds of thousands if not millions of lives . ''
Cotton has already put his legislative money where his mouth is .
He introduced a bill two weeks ago that would aim to onshore America 's pharmaceutical supply chain by banning the federal government from buying Chinese-made drugs .
He and Sen. Josh Hawley ( R. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a proposal to permit the president to sanction foreign actors who conceal or distort information about `` public health emergencies of international concern . ''
The bill is named for Dr. Li Wenliang , an early coronavirus whistleblower who faced sanctions from the Chinese government for his warning before he succumbed to the disease .
( Cotton also cosponsored a resolution honoring Li . )
For Cotton , onshoring is just the start of the post-coronavirus `` reckoning , '' which will entail a full overhaul of America 's relationship with its third-largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` our main geopolitical enemy . ''
`` We should reassess that relationship in every sector of imports .
It 's one thing to import cheap toys or lawn furniture from China , '' he said .
`` But if you get much higher in the value chain , it 's time to reassess it . ''
It was dishonesty from the Chinese government that first tipped Cotton off , he says , to the seriousness of the disease .
The PRC claimed it had the virus under control , reporting the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissenting laboratories .
Its actions , however , told a different story , with a province-wide , and then almost nationwide , shutdown enforced by draconian measures like sealing infected apartment buildings from the outside .
The contrast between China 's messages and actions , Cotton said , `` told me that this was a much more serious virus than was being portrayed by China , and I started following it closely . ''
He also started agitating for the White House to act fast .
Cotton pressed for a travel ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump implemented it—whenever he saw White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland , he would simply point down , signifying `` get the planes down . ''
He told the Free Beacon that while national security officials were in agreement , Trump 's economic advisers were on the fence , as were public health officials— '' Frankly , a lot of these public health bureaucracies do n't like to shut down travel . ''
Cotton 's efforts , particularly aided by Senate colleagues Hawley and Rick Scott ( R. , Fla. ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 , the administration announced it would ban travel from China to the United States ; Trump called Cotton the night before to say the senator would be `` very pleased '' with his announcement .
By then , however , the SARS-CoV-2 virus had spread to Europe and then to the United States , forcing the nationwide lockdowns that have put 10 million Americans out of work over the past two weeks and left millions more sheltered at home .
Cotton emphasized that Americans need to be following the guidance of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is going to get worse in the days and weeks ahead , '' he said .
`` But if we all do our very best to practice good hygiene and social distancing , we can arrest the spread of the virus and hope to get the economy back on its feet while getting the virus under control . ''
What Cotton does not believe—in contrast to many in the media—are the claims by the Chinese government that they have the disease under control .
Asked about the news that the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its coronavirus fatalities , Cotton declined to comment on classified information , but added , `` I do n't need the intelligence community to tell me that China is lying . ''
`` It 's simply what the Chinese Communist Party does , '' he said .
`` They lie incessantly about all topics , and they 've been lying about this virus since early December . ''

As his colleagues spent January engrossed by impeachment drama, Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) was growing increasingly worried by the stories coming out of Wuhan.
At home over MLK Day weekend, Cotton pored over East Asian and medical news sources, growing more and more concerned. As the Senate resumed what he called its "partisan impeachment of the president," he was telling his staff to start planning and was stepping out of marathon sessions to lobby the administration to take action before the virus spread.
Cotton's self-positioning as the Senate's first corona-hawk earned him plenty of abuse from the media. Two months on, however, as the virus burns through the country, the senator who saw this all coming could be running a victory lap. Instead, he's kept a steely-eyed focus on combating the virus at home—and on responding to the Chinese deceit that he thinks ignited the crisis.
"As we get through this pandemic, there has to be an accounting and a reckoning for China," Cotton told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview. "Because China, through its dishonesty and corruption, turned what could have been a manageable local outbreak into a global pandemic that will ultimately cost not only our people, but the world, trillions and trillions of dollars, and hundreds of thousands if not millions of lives."
Cotton has already put his legislative money where his mouth is. He introduced a bill two weeks ago that would aim to onshore America's pharmaceutical supply chain by banning the federal government from buying Chinese-made drugs.
He and Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) also recently debuted a proposal to permit the president to sanction foreign actors who conceal or distort information about "public health emergencies of international concern." The bill is named for Dr. Li Wenliang, an early coronavirus whistleblower who faced sanctions from the Chinese government for his warning before he succumbed to the disease. (Cotton also cosponsored a resolution honoring Li.)
For Cotton, onshoring is just the start of the post-coronavirus "reckoning," which will entail a full overhaul of America's relationship with its third-largest trading partner, a country Cotton calls "our main geopolitical enemy."
"We should reassess that relationship in every sector of imports. It's one thing to import cheap toys or lawn furniture from China," he said. "But if you get much higher in the value chain, it's time to reassess it."
It was dishonesty from the Chinese government that first tipped Cotton off, he says, to the seriousness of the disease. The PRC claimed it had the virus under control, reporting the disease had not spread from human-to-human while silencing dissenting laboratories.
Its actions, however, told a different story, with a province-wide, and then almost nationwide, shutdown enforced by draconian measures like sealing infected apartment buildings from the outside. The contrast between China's messages and actions, Cotton said, "told me that this was a much more serious virus than was being portrayed by China, and I started following it closely."
He also started agitating for the White House to act fast. Cotton pressed for a travel ban on China more than a week before President Donald Trump implemented it—whenever he saw White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland, he would simply point down, signifying "get the planes down." He told the Free Beacon that while national security officials were in agreement, Trump's economic advisers were on the fence, as were public health officials—"Frankly, a lot of these public health bureaucracies don't like to shut down travel."
Cotton's efforts, particularly aided by Senate colleagues Hawley and Rick Scott (R., Fla.), eventually yielded results. On Jan. 31, the administration announced it would ban travel from China to the United States; Trump called Cotton the night before to say the senator would be "very pleased" with his announcement.
By then, however, the SARS-CoV-2 virus had spread to Europe and then to the United States, forcing the nationwide lockdowns that have put 10 million Americans out of work over the past two weeks and left millions more sheltered at home. Cotton emphasized that Americans need to be following the guidance of the White House's coronavirus task force.
"It is going to get worse in the days and weeks ahead," he said. "But if we all do our very best to practice good hygiene and social distancing, we can arrest the spread of the virus and hope to get the economy back on its feet while getting the virus under control."
What Cotton does not believe—in contrast to many in the media—are the claims by the Chinese government that they have the disease under control. Asked about the news that the U.S. intelligence community believes China was lying about its coronavirus fatalities, Cotton declined to comment on classified information, but added, "I don't need the intelligence community to tell me that China is lying."
"It's simply what the Chinese Communist Party does," he said. "They lie incessantly about all topics, and they've been lying about this virus since early December."
Editor's Note: This story was originally published at 2:40 p.m.


freebeacon--2020-04-02--Gaffe or Grudge? Joe Biden Has at Least Seven Grandchildren But Acknowledges Just Five

During a recent interview with Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon , the former vice president was asked about communicating with his grandkids while locked in a basement due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I talk to them every [ incomprehensible ] day , '' Biden said .
`` I have five grandchildren , and every single day I either talk to them or we text . ''
Biden has at least seven grandchildren .
His renegade son Hunter , a 2019 Washington Free Beacon Man of the Year , celebrated on March 28 the birth of his fifth declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The baby boy is the first child of Hunter 's second wife , Melissa Cohen , whom Hunter married six days after meeting .
Hunter , who is currently trying to make a name for himself in the Los Angeles art scene , has three daughters from a previous marriage .
He was recently determined `` with scientific certainty '' to be the father of a child born in 2018 to an Arkansas woman with whom he denied having a sexual relationship .
Hunter recently settled a child support lawsuit with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to delay court proceedings .
As Joe Biden correctly told Fallon in the interview : `` I got family scattered around . ''
Whether Biden 's false claim about his grandchildren was simply a gaffe , or something more sinister , was not immediately clear .
Biden , 77 , is afflicted with what some experts have dubbed `` verbal diarrhea , '' a condition that causes a steady stream of gibberish to be expelled via the mouth .
During a recent livestream address , for example , Biden described his approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` We need to build an arsenal of democracy , as we did in 1940… .
We can take , we can make a personal productive equipment . ''
It 's also possible that Biden is actively refusing to acknowledge Hunter 's two youngest children , who have done nothing wrong and would like nothing more than to meet their grandfather and be accepted into the family .
Biden snapped at a reporter in November who asked about Hunter 's paternity suit , describing it as a `` private matter . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of grandchildren he has leaves a lot to be desired , both factually and morally .
Journalists should continue to press him on the issue until he can produce a satisfactory response .

Joe Biden has a grandchildren problem.
During a recent interview with Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, the former vice president was asked about communicating with his grandkids while locked in a basement due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"I talk to them every [incomprehensible] day," Biden said. "I have five grandchildren, and every single day I either talk to them or we text."
FACT CHECK: FALSE!
Biden has at least seven grandchildren. His renegade son Hunter, a 2019 Washington Free Beacon Man of the Year, celebrated on March 28 the birth of his fifth declared child—the seventh of Biden's known grandchildren. The baby boy is the first child of Hunter's second wife, Melissa Cohen, whom Hunter married six days after meeting.
Hunter, who is currently trying to make a name for himself in the Los Angeles art scene, has three daughters from a previous marriage. He was recently determined "with scientific certainty" to be the father of a child born in 2018 to an Arkansas woman with whom he denied having a sexual relationship. Hunter recently settled a child support lawsuit with the woman after a judge blasted his repeated attempts to delay court proceedings.
As Joe Biden correctly told Fallon in the interview: "I got family scattered around."
Whether Biden's false claim about his grandchildren was simply a gaffe, or something more sinister, was not immediately clear. Biden, 77, is afflicted with what some experts have dubbed "verbal diarrhea," a condition that causes a steady stream of gibberish to be expelled via the mouth.
During a recent livestream address, for example, Biden described his approach to combating the coronavirus pandemic as follows: "We need to build an arsenal of democracy, as we did in 1940.... We can take, we can make a personal productive equipment."
It's also possible that Biden is actively refusing to acknowledge Hunter's two youngest children, who have done nothing wrong and would like nothing more than to meet their grandfather and be accepted into the family. Biden snapped at a reporter in November who asked about Hunter's paternity suit, describing it as a "private matter."
Either way, Biden's remark on the number of grandchildren he has leaves a lot to be desired, both factually and morally. Journalists should continue to press him on the issue until he can produce a satisfactory response.


freebeacon--2020-04-02--California Governor: Virus Is Opportunity for Progressives

`` I think it 's an opportunity anew for both parties to come together and meet this moment and really start to think more systemically , not situationally , '' Newsom told reporters Wednesday .
`` Not just about getting out of this moment but more sustainably and systemically to consider where we can go together in this historic moment if we meet it at a national level and at a state and subnational level . ''
Newsom 's comments , which were flagged by Grabien 's Tom Elliott , came in response to a question about whether he saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your party do , for a new progressive era . ''
Newsom also said that despite low unemployment in the state before the coronavirus pandemic , wealth distribution and income inequality were a cause for concern .
In January , a group of Democratic lawmakers unveiled a `` California Green New Deal '' to combat climate change and poverty .
However , early last year Newsom canceled a high-speed rail project in his state due to the project 's high cost and expected time to complete .
Newsom was one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address the spread of the coronavirus , issuing a stay-at-home order for the state 's nearly 40 million residents in mid-March .
He urged other state leaders to take similar actions .

Asked whether the coronavirus crisis offered an opportunity for progressives, California governor Gavin Newsom (D.) said it could "reshape the way we do business and how we govern."
"I think it's an opportunity anew for both parties to come together and meet this moment and really start to think more systemically, not situationally," Newsom told reporters Wednesday. "Not just about getting out of this moment but more sustainably and systemically to consider where we can go together in this historic moment if we meet it at a national level and at a state and subnational level."
Newsom's comments, which were flagged by Grabien's Tom Elliott, came in response to a question about whether he saw the "potential, as some others in your party do, for a new progressive era."
Newsom also said that despite low unemployment in the state before the coronavirus pandemic, wealth distribution and income inequality were a cause for concern.
In January, a group of Democratic lawmakers unveiled a "California Green New Deal" to combat climate change and poverty. However, early last year Newsom canceled a high-speed rail project in his state due to the project's high cost and expected time to complete.
Newsom was one of the first governors to take aggressive action to address the spread of the coronavirus, issuing a stay-at-home order for the state's nearly 40 million residents in mid-March. He urged other state leaders to take similar actions.