freebeacon--2020-05-26--Report: Democrats Concerned Economy Will Recover

Top Democrats are starting to get concerned .
Their hysterical assertions that Republican governors who gradually reopened their economies would have `` blood on their hands '' proved to be hysterical assertions .
And now Democrats worry about the prospect of a strong economic recovery .
Politico reports that Barack Obama 's former economic adviser , Jason Furman , has been terrifying Democratic colleagues with predictions that the next few months could bring `` the best economic data we 've seen in the history of this country . ''
The downside of millions of Americans rejoining the workforce , Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could take credit in the final weeks of his reelection campaign .
Furman has been making his case to Democratic policymakers who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations , as well as senior members of Joe Biden 's presidential campaign .
Many are understandably panicking at the thought of the American economy starting to rebound .
`` This is my big worry , '' a former Obama White House official told Politico , adding that positive economic data heading into November was a `` high , high , high , high , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The official said a growing economy was the biggest challenge for the Biden campaign and said , `` If they can ’ t figure this out they should all just go home . ''
Biden 's campaign is reportedly `` very much aware '' of the devastating impact a booming economy could have on Democratic politicians .
Recent polling suggests that , even amidst the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic , Trump is still viewed as the better candidate when it comes to handling the economy .
Still , some Democrats are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In absolute terms , the economy will look historically terrible come November , '' said Democratic strategist Kenneth Baer .
Sen. Chris Coons ( Del . )
was also optimistic .
`` It seems pretty unlikely to me that we ’ re going to have a really robust recovery in the next few months , '' he said .
`` Of course , we all hope there will be . ''
Perhaps that 's true .
It just does n't jibe with much of the political commentary and media coverage these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad news and get perplexed by good news .
MSNBC 's Nicolle Wallace reflected the sentiment of many by celebrating the `` silver lining '' of the deadly pandemic : It makes Trump look bad .

Top Democrats are starting to get concerned. Their hysterical assertions that Republican governors who gradually reopened their economies would have "blood on their hands" proved to be hysterical assertions. And now Democrats worry about the prospect of a strong economic recovery.
Politico reports that Barack Obama's former economic adviser, Jason Furman, has been terrifying Democratic colleagues with predictions that the next few months could bring "the best economic data we've seen in the history of this country." The downside of millions of Americans rejoining the workforce, Democrats fear, is that President Donald Trump could take credit in the final weeks of his reelection campaign.
Furman has been making his case to Democratic policymakers who served in the Clinton and Obama administrations, as well as senior members of Joe Biden's presidential campaign. Many are understandably panicking at the thought of the American economy starting to rebound.
"This is my big worry," a former Obama White House official told Politico, adding that positive economic data heading into November was a "high, high, high, high," concern among Democratic Party leaders. The official said a growing economy was the biggest challenge for the Biden campaign and said, "If they can’t figure this out they should all just go home."
Biden's campaign is reportedly "very much aware" of the devastating impact a booming economy could have on Democratic politicians. Recent polling suggests that, even amidst the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic, Trump is still viewed as the better candidate when it comes to handling the economy.
Still, some Democrats are choosing to look on the bright side. "In absolute terms, the economy will look historically terrible come November," said Democratic strategist Kenneth Baer. Sen. Chris Coons (Del.) was also optimistic. "It seems pretty unlikely to me that we’re going to have a really robust recovery in the next few months," he said. "Of course, we all hope there will be."
Perhaps that's true. It just doesn't jibe with much of the political commentary and media coverage these days, which seems to root for bad news and get perplexed by good news. MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace reflected the sentiment of many by celebrating the "silver lining" of the deadly pandemic: It makes Trump look bad.


freebeacon--2020-05-26--Pro-Abortion Group Joins Liberal Effort to Meddle in GOP Primary

Liberal super PACs are pouring more than $ 200,000 into a contested Republican primary in New Mexico in an attempt to help the candidate they view as less electable clinch the GOP nomination .
Campaign finance reports show Women Vote !
, a super PAC affiliated with EMILY 's List focused on electing pro-abortion Democratic women to Congress , is distributing $ 22,856 worth of mailers to Republican voters throughout New Mexico 's Second Congressional District .
Images of the mailers obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show the group praising Yvette Herrell as `` loyal to President Trump '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a `` lobbyist . ''
The mailers come alongside a $ 192,928 ad buy by Patriot Majority PAC , another liberal super PAC that is flooding the airwaves with an attack ad against Chase that will run through the June 2 primary , according to an ad buy report reviewed by the Free Beacon .
The ad follows the same playbook as the mailers , portraying Herrell as the candidate loyal to Trump and Chase as a lobbyist .
The effort by liberal groups comes in a district that Trump carried by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is widely viewed as one of the best pickup opportunities for Republicans .
Democrat Xochitl Torres Small won the seat in 2018 , narrowly defeating Herrell , who became the first Republican to lose there since 2008 .
The Chase campaign says liberal groups are attempting to boost Herrell because the Democratic establishment believes it can beat her again .
`` These Nancy Pelosi allies clearly view Yvette Herrell as weak and unelectable , '' said Chase 's campaign manager Mike Berg .
`` They 're trying to drag her across the finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` Pelosi and her allies are supporting Herrell because she is the Todd Akin of New Mexico , '' Berg continued .
`` Unelectable , plain and simple . ''
Women Vote !
spent more than $ 28 million last cycle in support of Democratic candidates such as Torres Small , who is officially endorsed by Emily 's List .
The group spent $ 128,500 on independent expenditures for Torres Small and $ 396,524 attacking Herrell , according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics .
Herrell 's campaign did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She told the Associated Press that `` liberal super PACs have no business getting involved in this primary '' and called for the ads to `` stop immediately . ''
Patriot Majority PAC denied that its ad highlighting Herrell 's loyalty to Trump was an attempt to boost Herrell in the primary .
`` Our goal is to define two unqualified candidates in preparation for the general election , regardless of who wins the primary , and that 's what our ad does , '' said Craig Varoga , a longtime Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The primary between Herrell and Chase has emerged as one of the most competitive in the country and grown increasingly hostile as the June 2 primary approaches .
Earlier this month , the Free Beacon obtained text messages and call logs showing Herrell collaborating with a controversial conservative meme-maker to push a claim that Chase had an affair while her husband was deployed .
Chase called on Herrell , who despite the text messages has denied having any involvement in the mudslinging , to drop out of the race .
Chase ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegation and provided documentation to back up the denial .
Voting began in the primary on May 6 and will conclude next Tuesday .

Liberal super PACs are pouring more than $200,000 into a contested Republican primary in New Mexico in an attempt to help the candidate they view as less electable clinch the GOP nomination.
Campaign finance reports show Women Vote!, a super PAC affiliated with EMILY's List focused on electing pro-abortion Democratic women to Congress, is distributing $22,856 worth of mailers to Republican voters throughout New Mexico's Second Congressional District. Images of the mailers obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show the group praising Yvette Herrell as "loyal to President Trump" and attacking her Republican opponent Claire Chase as a "lobbyist."
The mailers come alongside a $192,928 ad buy by Patriot Majority PAC, another liberal super PAC that is flooding the airwaves with an attack ad against Chase that will run through the June 2 primary, according to an ad buy report reviewed by the Free Beacon. The ad follows the same playbook as the mailers, portraying Herrell as the candidate loyal to Trump and Chase as a lobbyist.
The effort by liberal groups comes in a district that Trump carried by double digits in 2016. The race is widely viewed as one of the best pickup opportunities for Republicans. Democrat Xochitl Torres Small won the seat in 2018, narrowly defeating Herrell, who became the first Republican to lose there since 2008.
The Chase campaign says liberal groups are attempting to boost Herrell because the Democratic establishment believes it can beat her again.
"These Nancy Pelosi allies clearly view Yvette Herrell as weak and unelectable," said Chase's campaign manager Mike Berg. "They're trying to drag her across the finish line so they can beat her again."
"Pelosi and her allies are supporting Herrell because she is the Todd Akin of New Mexico," Berg continued. "Unelectable, plain and simple."
Women Vote! spent more than $28 million last cycle in support of Democratic candidates such as Torres Small, who is officially endorsed by Emily's List. The group spent $128,500 on independent expenditures for Torres Small and $396,524 attacking Herrell, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics.
Herrell's campaign did not respond to a request for comment. She told the Associated Press that "liberal super PACs have no business getting involved in this primary" and called for the ads to "stop immediately."
Patriot Majority PAC denied that its ad highlighting Herrell's loyalty to Trump was an attempt to boost Herrell in the primary.
"Our goal is to define two unqualified candidates in preparation for the general election, regardless of who wins the primary, and that's what our ad does," said Craig Varoga, a longtime Democratic operative who founded Patriot Majority in 2005.
The primary between Herrell and Chase has emerged as one of the most competitive in the country and grown increasingly hostile as the June 2 primary approaches. Earlier this month, the Free Beacon obtained text messages and call logs showing Herrell collaborating with a controversial conservative meme-maker to push a claim that Chase had an affair while her husband was deployed. Chase called on Herrell, who despite the text messages has denied having any involvement in the mudslinging, to drop out of the race. Chase’s campaign has strongly denied the affair allegation and provided documentation to back up the denial.
Voting began in the primary on May 6 and will conclude next Tuesday.


freebeacon--2020-05-26--U.S. Military Says Russia Deployed Fighter Jets to Libya

TUNIS ( Reuters ) – The U.S. military said on Tuesday that Russia has deployed fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for eastern forces , adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict .
`` Russian military aircraft are likely to provide close air support and offensive fire , '' the United States Africa command said in a statement it posted on its website and on Twitter .
Libya ’ s civil war has drawn in regional and global powers with what the United Nations has called a huge influx of weapons and fighters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the United Arab Emirates and Egypt support the eastern-based Khalifa Haftar ’ s Libyan National Army , which launched an offensive last year to seize the capital Tripoli .
However , in recent weeks the internationally recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) has with extensive Turkish backing pushed Haftar back from his foothold in southern Tripoli and from some other parts of the northwest .
The United States has played a less prominent role in the Libyan war than it did at an earlier stage , when NATO helped rebels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muammar Gaddafi .
The statement said the aircraft had arrived from an airbase in Russia after transiting via Syria , where they were repainted to conceal their Russian origin .
There was no immediate response from the Russian Defence Ministry to a request for comment .
On Saturday , Russian fighters in Libya were flown out of a town south of Tripoli by their Libyan allies after retreating from frontlines in Tripoli , the town ’ s mayor said .
The LNA has denied any foreigners are fighting with it , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private military contractor Wagner Group had up to 1,200 people in Libya .
`` Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions , '' the U.S. statement said .
It quoted U.S. Air Force General Jeff Harrigian as warning that if Russia seized bases on Libya ’ s coast , it would `` create very real security concerns on Europe ’ s southern flank '' .
The statement said neither the LNA nor mercenaries would be able to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' — meaning fighter aircraft — without the support they had from Russia.Last week the LNA announced it would be launching a major new air campaign against the GNA and said it had refurbished four war jets .

TUNIS (Reuters) - The U.S. military said on Tuesday that Russia has deployed fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for eastern forces, adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict.
"Russian military aircraft are likely to provide close air support and offensive fire," the United States Africa command said in a statement it posted on its website and on Twitter.
Libya’s civil war has drawn in regional and global powers with what the United Nations has called a huge influx of weapons and fighters in violation of an arms embargo.
Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt support the eastern-based Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army, which launched an offensive last year to seize the capital Tripoli.
However, in recent weeks the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) has with extensive Turkish backing pushed Haftar back from his foothold in southern Tripoli and from some other parts of the northwest.
The United States has played a less prominent role in the Libyan war than it did at an earlier stage, when NATO helped rebels overthrow the country’s autocratic ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
The statement said the aircraft had arrived from an airbase in Russia after transiting via Syria, where they were repainted to conceal their Russian origin. There was no immediate response from the Russian Defence Ministry to a request for comment.
On Saturday, Russian fighters in Libya were flown out of a town south of Tripoli by their Libyan allies after retreating from frontlines in Tripoli, the town’s mayor said.
The LNA has denied any foreigners are fighting with it, but the United Nations said this month that Russian private military contractor Wagner Group had up to 1,200 people in Libya.
"Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions," the U.S. statement said.
It quoted U.S. Air Force General Jeff Harrigian as warning that if Russia seized bases on Libya’s coast, it would "create very real security concerns on Europe’s southern flank".
The statement said neither the LNA nor mercenaries would be able to "arm, operate and sustain these fighters" — meaning fighter aircraft — without the support they had from Russia.Last week the LNA announced it would be launching a major new air campaign against the GNA and said it had refurbished four war jets.
(Reporting by Angus McDowall; additional reporting by Andrew Osborne in Moscow; Editing by Alison Williams, William Maclean)


freebeacon--2020-05-27--White House Pushes Back on Chinese Claims it Gives Most in Global Health Aid

The Trump administration is aggressively working to counter China 's claims that it has overtaken the United States as a global health aid leader , with a senior administration official telling the Washington Free Beacon that Beijing 's newfound generosity is part of an effort to distract the world from its early cover-up of the coronavirus .
Western media outlets have praised China in recent weeks for pledging some $ 2 billion over the next two years in global health aid , fueling claims that the Communist regime is poised to overtake America as the world 's leading aid provider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the claim , pointing to the fact that China still borrows more money from the United States and international donors than it has pledged to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
`` China is trying to claim the mantle of leadership for the world while it 's also coming hat in hand to the U.S. taxpayer and other industrialized nations ' taxpayers , '' a senior administration official told the Free Beacon , speaking only on background about the administration 's efforts to challenge China 's narrative .
The Communist Party has received an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each year from the World Bank , which is subsidized in part by the U.S. taxpayer .
Additionally , officials say China 's $ 2 billion aid guarantee is just a small fraction of what the United States spends each year to combat health crises abroad .
China 's claims about the dramatic aid efforts it is undertaking to stop the spread of the coronavirus have won it plaudits from Western analysts and some in the media who have amplified Beijing 's rhetoric in a bid to portray the Trump administration as pulling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China puts on a global show of goodwill—which includes sending doctors and medical supplies to a host of countries—those analysts say the Trump administration risks allowing China to assume a role historically played by the United States .
But administration officials say the United States has dwarfed China ’ s efforts , giving more than $ 9.9 billion to world health causes each year , totaling nearly 40 percent of the entire world 's allocation to those issues .
The rest of the world combined contributes $ 16 billion .
The White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut funding to the World Health Organization has not diminished America 's leading role in providing health care services around the world .
Before President Trump cut U.S. funding to the WHO over its response to the coronavirus , the United States contributed one quarter of the WHO 's annual dues for member nations , and private U.S. charities remain the WHO 's second-largest contributor .
The millions of dollars the United States allocated to the WHO each year is just a fraction of the total money spent for global health issues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a range of other deadly viruses that largely impact developing nations .
China , by comparison , gives less than 1 percent of the WHO 's annual allocation , according to the administration official .
This amounts to around $ 400 million .
The vast majority of U.S. aid is allocated directly to nations in need , meaning that , unlike with money given to the WHO , the U.S. government has oversight over how the money is spent .
`` More than 20 times what we put into the WHO we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S , '' the administration official said .
This money is delivered through an array of vehicles , including the United Nations and other localized health agencies .
The United States continues to move forward with its coronavirus response , which officials say has not been hindered by the administration 's conflict with the WHO .
This includes working with other countries to ensure they get much-needed supplies and medical devices .
The United States is on pace to produce more than 100,000 ventilators by the end of July , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a single American patient who needed a ventilator has failed to get one .
The United States has committed more than 16,000 ventilators to a host of nations .
Around 1,200 have already been shipped to Austria , Canada , Mexico , Russia , South Africa , Switzerland , and several other countries .

War of words over aid is the latest sally in the Trump administration’s efforts to counteract Chinese propaganda
The Trump administration is aggressively working to counter China's claims that it has overtaken the United States as a global health aid leader, with a senior administration official telling the Washington Free Beacon that Beijing's newfound generosity is part of an effort to distract the world from its early cover-up of the coronavirus.
Western media outlets have praised China in recent weeks for pledging some $2 billion over the next two years in global health aid, fueling claims that the Communist regime is poised to overtake America as the world's leading aid provider.
The White House is aggressively denying the claim, pointing to the fact that China still borrows more money from the United States and international donors than it has pledged to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
"China is trying to claim the mantle of leadership for the world while it's also coming hat in hand to the U.S. taxpayer and other industrialized nations' taxpayers," a senior administration official told the Free Beacon, speaking only on background about the administration's efforts to challenge China's narrative.
The Communist Party has received an average of more than $2 billion each year from the World Bank, which is subsidized in part by the U.S. taxpayer. Additionally, officials say China's $2 billion aid guarantee is just a small fraction of what the United States spends each year to combat health crises abroad.
China's claims about the dramatic aid efforts it is undertaking to stop the spread of the coronavirus have won it plaudits from Western analysts and some in the media who have amplified Beijing's rhetoric in a bid to portray the Trump administration as pulling back from the international stage.
As China puts on a global show of goodwill—which includes sending doctors and medical supplies to a host of countries—those analysts say the Trump administration risks allowing China to assume a role historically played by the United States.
But administration officials say the United States has dwarfed China’s efforts, giving more than $9.9 billion to world health causes each year, totaling nearly 40 percent of the entire world's allocation to those issues. The rest of the world combined contributes $16 billion.
The White House further maintains that its recent decision to cut funding to the World Health Organization has not diminished America's leading role in providing health care services around the world.
Before President Trump cut U.S. funding to the WHO over its response to the coronavirus, the United States contributed one quarter of the WHO's annual dues for member nations, and private U.S. charities remain the WHO's second-largest contributor.
The millions of dollars the United States allocated to the WHO each year is just a fraction of the total money spent for global health issues, such as AIDS, the flu, and a range of other deadly viruses that largely impact developing nations.
China, by comparison, gives less than 1 percent of the WHO's annual allocation, according to the administration official. This amounts to around $400 million.
The vast majority of U.S. aid is allocated directly to nations in need, meaning that, unlike with money given to the WHO, the U.S. government has oversight over how the money is spent.
"More than 20 times what we put into the WHO we are putting towards global health funding outside the U.S," the administration official said. This money is delivered through an array of vehicles, including the United Nations and other localized health agencies.
The United States continues to move forward with its coronavirus response, which officials say has not been hindered by the administration's conflict with the WHO. This includes working with other countries to ensure they get much-needed supplies and medical devices.
The United States is on pace to produce more than 100,000 ventilators by the end of July, according to the White House, which maintains that not a single American patient who needed a ventilator has failed to get one.
The United States has committed more than 16,000 ventilators to a host of nations. Around 1,200 have already been shipped to Austria, Canada, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, and several other countries.


freebeacon--2020-05-27--Former Pelosi Aides Cash in as Coronavirus Lobbyists

Former aides to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) have raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars this year as registered lobbyists on coronavirus-related issues and legislation , according to federal disclosure records reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon .
At least seven ex-Pelosi aides , including her former chief of staff , senior counsel , and senior policy adviser , have registered as lobbyists on behalf of dozens of companies seeking benefits from coronavirus-related legislation .
The former aides lobbied on policies related to the coronavirus pandemic for over 50 clients in the first quarter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 million from these clients during this time .
These fees were for lobbying on multiple issues in addition to coronavirus legislation and policies .
The records illustrate how coronavirus relief legislation sparked a lobbying bonanza in Washington , D.C. , this spring , benefiting well-connected former political staffers on both sides of the aisle .
At least 25 former Trump officials also registered to lobby on coronavirus legislation , the Washington Post reported last month .
Former Pelosi aides who have registered to lobby on coronavirus issues include special assistant Shanti Stanton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and senior policy adviser Anne MacMillan .
The clients ranged from Delta Airlines to Uber Technologies Inc. , with most focusing their lobbying efforts on the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act ( CARES Act ) , the $ 2 trillion stimulus bill that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in late March .
The legislation , which included $ 1,200 direct payments to millions of Americans , plus hundreds of billions of dollars in loans and other financial support to industries and businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies spending `` near-record levels '' on influence-buying in Washington , D.C. , this year , according to the Center for Responsive Politics .
Stanton , the former special assistant to Pelosi who now works at the government relations firm Subject Matter , was tasked by clients Delta Airlines , Facebook Inc. , and Verizon Communications Inc. to lobby on `` issues related to the coronavirus , '' including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act .
Delta received $ 5.4 billion in federal aid from the CARES Act last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had written to the Department of the Treasury in defense of the airlines in early April , asking that the department not impose `` unreasonable conditions '' on the payouts to airline companies .
The department had previously emphasized that any financial support to airlines would not be a `` bailout '' and that the funding would have to be repaid to taxpayers .
Pelosi 's office did not respond to a request for comment .
The Investigative Research Center reported earlier this month that former Pelosi staffers were profiting from coronavirus-related lobbying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbying dating back to 2018 .
Stanton is registered to lobby on coronavirus-related issues for at least 22 clients , according to disclosure records .
Those clients paid her firm over $ 1 million combined in the first quarter of 2020 , according to records .
Elshami , Pelosi 's chief of staff until 2017 who now works at Brownstein , Hyatt , Farber , Schreck LLP , is registered to lobby on coronavirus-related issues for at least 10 clients , including the U.S. Travel Association and Walgreen Co. Those clients have paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , according to records .
MacMillan , the former senior policy adviser who now works at Invariant LLC , was hired by Bayer Corp. to `` educate members [ of Congress ] on efforts to develop a treatment for COVID-19 , '' by McDonald 's Corp. for `` efforts to stabilize the restaurant industry workforce through COVID-19 , '' and by Apple Inc. to identify `` federal funding for distance learning resources during COVID-19 . ''
She has at least 12 clients lobbying on coronavirus policy issues , who paid her firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to federal records .
Arshi Siddiqui , a former senior policy adviser to Pelosi , has registered to lobby on these issues for at least seven clients as a partner at Akin , Gump , Strauss , Hauer & Feld LLP , including the Internet & Television Association and Restaurant Brands International Inc .
The firm received a total of $ 330,000 from these clients this year .
Pelosi 's former senior counsel Joe Onek , former senior adviser Dean Aguillen , and former staff assistant Christopher Matthiesen also registered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris County Sheriff 's Office ( Texas ) , the Economic Security Project Action , and Compassion & Choices .
Stanton could not be reached for comment .
Elshami , MacMillan , Siddiqui , Onek , Aguillen , and Matthiesen did not respond to requests for comment .
Earlier this month , House Democrats passed another $ 3 trillion stimulus bill called the HEROES Act despite Trump 's promise to veto it .
The legislation has yet to be approved by the Senate .
Note : This post was originally published at 2:30 @ @

Former aides to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) have raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars this year as registered lobbyists on coronavirus-related issues and legislation, according to federal disclosure records reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon.
At least seven ex-Pelosi aides, including her former chief of staff, senior counsel, and senior policy adviser, have registered as lobbyists on behalf of dozens of companies seeking benefits from coronavirus-related legislation.
The former aides lobbied on policies related to the coronavirus pandemic for over 50 clients in the first quarter of 2020. Their firms received over $2 million from these clients during this time. These fees were for lobbying on multiple issues in addition to coronavirus legislation and policies.
The records illustrate how coronavirus relief legislation sparked a lobbying bonanza in Washington, D.C., this spring, benefiting well-connected former political staffers on both sides of the aisle. At least 25 former Trump officials also registered to lobby on coronavirus legislation, the Washington Post reported last month.
Former Pelosi aides who have registered to lobby on coronavirus issues include special assistant Shanti Stanton, chief of staff Nadeam Elshami, and senior policy adviser Anne MacMillan.
The clients ranged from Delta Airlines to Uber Technologies Inc., with most focusing their lobbying efforts on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the $2 trillion stimulus bill that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in late March.
The legislation, which included $1,200 direct payments to millions of Americans, plus hundreds of billions of dollars in loans and other financial support to industries and businesses, kicked off a lobbying frenzy with companies spending "near-record levels" on influence-buying in Washington, D.C., this year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Stanton, the former special assistant to Pelosi who now works at the government relations firm Subject Matter, was tasked by clients Delta Airlines, Facebook Inc., and Verizon Communications Inc. to lobby on "issues related to the coronavirus," including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the CARES Act.
Delta received $5.4 billion in federal aid from the CARES Act last month. Pelosi and other Democratic leaders had written to the Department of the Treasury in defense of the airlines in early April, asking that the department not impose "unreasonable conditions" on the payouts to airline companies. The department had previously emphasized that any financial support to airlines would not be a "bailout" and that the funding would have to be repaid to taxpayers.
Pelosi's office did not respond to a request for comment.
The Investigative Research Center reported earlier this month that former Pelosi staffers were profiting from coronavirus-related lobbying as well as pharmaceutical and airline industry lobbying dating back to 2018.
Stanton is registered to lobby on coronavirus-related issues for at least 22 clients, according to disclosure records. Those clients paid her firm over $1 million combined in the first quarter of 2020, according to records.
Elshami, Pelosi's chief of staff until 2017 who now works at Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck LLP, is registered to lobby on coronavirus-related issues for at least 10 clients, including the U.S. Travel Association and Walgreen Co. Those clients have paid his firm a combined $260,000 this year, according to records.
MacMillan, the former senior policy adviser who now works at Invariant LLC, was hired by Bayer Corp. to "educate members [of Congress] on efforts to develop a treatment for COVID-19," by McDonald's Corp. for "efforts to stabilize the restaurant industry workforce through COVID-19," and by Apple Inc. to identify "federal funding for distance learning resources during COVID-19." She has at least 12 clients lobbying on coronavirus policy issues, who paid her firm a total of $620,000 this year, according to federal records.
Arshi Siddiqui, a former senior policy adviser to Pelosi, has registered to lobby on these issues for at least seven clients as a partner at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP, including the Internet & Television Association and Restaurant Brands International Inc. The firm received a total of $330,000 from these clients this year.
Pelosi's former senior counsel Joe Onek, former senior adviser Dean Aguillen, and former staff assistant Christopher Matthiesen also registered to lobby on coronavirus policies for clients including Harris County Sheriff's Office (Texas), the Economic Security Project Action, and Compassion & Choices.
Stanton could not be reached for comment. Elshami, MacMillan, Siddiqui, Onek, Aguillen, and Matthiesen did not respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this month, House Democrats passed another $3 trillion stimulus bill called the HEROES Act despite Trump's promise to veto it. The legislation has yet to be approved by the Senate.
Note: This post was originally published at 2:30 p.m.


freebeacon--2020-05-27--GOVS GONE WILD: Naughty Dems Keep Breaking Their Own Lockdown Rules

Democratic governors who have imposed some of the country 's most restrictive lockdown orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic keep getting busted trying to violate their own rules .
New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham , for example , is under fire after a local news outlet reported Wednesday that the Democrat skirted her own lockdown order to buy some fancy jewelry .
Just days after Grisham ordered all nonessential businesses to close , she ordered jewelry over the phone , after which an employee went into the store and placed the jewelry outside for pickup .
The store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the order and insisted that no one was allowed inside due to the governor 's shutdown order .
Grisham 's office offered a slightly different version of events , citing a `` longstanding personal relationship '' with the store employee who fulfilled the jewelry order .
After initially saying a campaign staffer made the pickup , the governor 's office said an unnamed friend performed the task at Grisham 's request .
The governor 's office denied the jewelry order was an example of a politician receiving special treatment , suggesting instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` urging New Mexicans to find ways to support local businesses . ''
`` We are in really tough financial times as a state .
It mirrors the incredible , personal sacrifices that happen every single day because people have limited their ability to work , telecommuting and many people , in fact , have lost their jobs , '' Grisham said when she announced the shutdown on April 3 .
Grisham is in the running to be Joe Biden 's vice presidential nominee , as is Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband , Marc Mallory , invoked his wife 's title while attempting to get his boat in the water in time for Memorial Day weekend .
`` I am the husband to the governor , will this make a difference ? ''
Mallory reportedly asked dock owner Tad Dowker after being told there was no way his request could be fulfilled .
Meanwhile , the governor was urging residents to avoid popular vacation sites and activities during the pandemic .
Whitmer 's office dismissed the incident as a personal matter and said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every rumor spread online . ''
That 's not the only coronavirus-related scandal Whitmer is facing .
Internal emails revealed that the governor 's office gave the `` green light '' to award a lucrative contract to a Democratic consulting firm that worked on the Whitmer campaign .
Whitmer publicly claimed to have had no knowledge of the contract , which would have enabled the firm to collect sensitive health care data from Michigan residents .
The contract was canceled after the Washington Free Beacon reported on the firm 's connection to Whitmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is still in office after weathering a blackface scandal , was also caught violating his own rules over the weekend .
Just moments before announcing a state-wide order mandating the use of face masks in public spaces , Northam was seen mingling with residents and taking selfies in Virginia Beach .
He was n't wearing a mask .
Northam was quick to apologize , presumably confident in his ability to weather controversy .
`` I was outside , saw people who wanted to take pictures and I was n't prepared , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was there to talk to officials and the media .
I was n't prepared to talk to the public . ''
No Democratic governor , however , has as much to answer for as New York 's Andrew Cuomo , who has presided over the worst coronavirus outbreak in the country but has nonetheless received glowing press coverage .
Cuomo 's role in accelerating the outbreak by ordering seniors infected with the virus back into vulnerable nursing home communities is only starting to receive media attention .
Meanwhile , Republican governors such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Ron DeSantis were excoriated in the press for their efforts to gradually reopen their economies .
Their states were the subject of hysterical predictions of mass death that have not come to pass .
It 's almost as if the media treat certain politicians differently from others .

Democratic governors who have imposed some of the country's most restrictive lockdown orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic keep getting busted trying to violate their own rules.
New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, for example, is under fire after a local news outlet reported Wednesday that the Democrat skirted her own lockdown order to buy some fancy jewelry. Just days after Grisham ordered all nonessential businesses to close, she ordered jewelry over the phone, after which an employee went into the store and placed the jewelry outside for pickup.
The store's owner said she was not aware of the order and insisted that no one was allowed inside due to the governor's shutdown order. Grisham's office offered a slightly different version of events, citing a "longstanding personal relationship" with the store employee who fulfilled the jewelry order.
After initially saying a campaign staffer made the pickup, the governor's office said an unnamed friend performed the task at Grisham's request. The governor's office denied the jewelry order was an example of a politician receiving special treatment, suggesting instead it was part of Grisham's policy of "urging New Mexicans to find ways to support local businesses."
"We are in really tough financial times as a state. It mirrors the incredible, personal sacrifices that happen every single day because people have limited their ability to work, telecommuting and many people, in fact, have lost their jobs," Grisham said when she announced the shutdown on April 3.
Grisham is in the running to be Joe Biden's vice presidential nominee, as is Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is also facing criticism after her husband, Marc Mallory, invoked his wife's title while attempting to get his boat in the water in time for Memorial Day weekend.
"I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?" Mallory reportedly asked dock owner Tad Dowker after being told there was no way his request could be fulfilled. Meanwhile, the governor was urging residents to avoid popular vacation sites and activities during the pandemic. Whitmer's office dismissed the incident as a personal matter and said she wasn't going to respond to "every rumor spread online."
That's not the only coronavirus-related scandal Whitmer is facing. Internal emails revealed that the governor's office gave the "green light" to award a lucrative contract to a Democratic consulting firm that worked on the Whitmer campaign. Whitmer publicly claimed to have had no knowledge of the contract, which would have enabled the firm to collect sensitive health care data from Michigan residents. The contract was canceled after the Washington Free Beacon reported on the firm's connection to Whitmer's campaign.
Virginia governor Ralph Northam, who is still in office after weathering a blackface scandal, was also caught violating his own rules over the weekend. Just moments before announcing a state-wide order mandating the use of face masks in public spaces, Northam was seen mingling with residents and taking selfies in Virginia Beach. He wasn't wearing a mask.
Northam was quick to apologize, presumably confident in his ability to weather controversy. "I was outside, saw people who wanted to take pictures and I wasn't prepared," Northam said on Monday. "I was there to talk to officials and the media. I wasn't prepared to talk to the public."
No Democratic governor, however, has as much to answer for as New York's Andrew Cuomo, who has presided over the worst coronavirus outbreak in the country but has nonetheless received glowing press coverage. Cuomo's role in accelerating the outbreak by ordering seniors infected with the virus back into vulnerable nursing home communities is only starting to receive media attention.
Meanwhile, Republican governors such as Georgia's Brian Kemp and Florida's Ron DeSantis were excoriated in the press for their efforts to gradually reopen their economies. Their states were the subject of hysterical predictions of mass death that have not come to pass. It's almost as if the media treat certain politicians differently from others.


freebeacon--2020-05-27--Biden Confuses D-Day With Pearl Harbor

Biden Confuses D-Day With Pearl Harbor

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden confused D-Day and Pearl Harbor—as well as the date that Delaware declared its independence from neighboring Pennsylvania—at a Wednesday campaign event .
`` We declared our independence on December the 7th .
It 's not just D-Day , '' Biden said in an online townhall with Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf , referring to Delaware 's breakaway from Pennsylvania .
While President Franklin D. Roosevelt did declare December 7 a day that `` will live in infamy , '' the date marks the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor .
D-Day , the Allied invasion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , on June 6 , 1944 .
Biden also confused the anniversary of Delaware 's break from Pennsylvania—June 15 , 1776—with the state 's December 7 , 1787 ratification of the U.S. Constitution .
Biden 's memory has failed him at other times in the 2020 campaign .
Last week , as President Trump drew criticism for firing the State Department 's inspector general , Biden forgot that his former administration fired an inspector general .
At a December campaign event , he could not remember what century he served as vice @ @

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden confused D-Day and Pearl Harbor—as well as the date that Delaware declared its independence from neighboring Pennsylvania—at a Wednesday campaign event.
"We declared our independence on December the 7th. It's not just D-Day," Biden said in an online townhall with Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf, referring to Delaware's breakaway from Pennsylvania.
While President Franklin D. Roosevelt did declare December 7 a day that "will live in infamy," the date marks the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, took place almost three years later, on June 6, 1944.
Biden also confused the anniversary of Delaware's break from Pennsylvania—June 15, 1776—with the state's December 7, 1787 ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Biden's memory has failed him at other times in the 2020 campaign. Last week, as President Trump drew criticism for firing the State Department's inspector general, Biden forgot that his former administration fired an inspector general. At a December campaign event, he could not remember what century he served as vice president.


freebeacon--2020-05-27--Trump Admin Says Hong Kong No Longer Autonomous From China

The Trump administration on Wednesday officially designated Hong Kong as no longer autonomous from China , escalating tensions between the United States and Beijing as it violently cracks down on protesters in the city .
`` No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China , given facts on the ground , '' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an announcement on the official designation , which was formally transmitted to Congress earlier on Wednesday .
The new designation jeopardizes Hong Kong 's special administrative status as the communist regime engages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Trump administration pointed to China 's efforts to implement a stringent new national security law on the city as proof that it is no longer autonomous .
Hong Kong citizens have taken to the streets to protest that law , which they say limits their freedom .
The law would ban secession from and subversion of China as well as foreign acts of interference in Hong Kong .
The decision throws into question the United States ' longstanding trade deals with Hong Kong and could pave the way for the administration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as meddling in the territory .
`` I can no longer certify that Hong Kong continues to warrant such [ special ] treatment , '' Pompeo wrote in a communication to Congress and quoted to the Free Beacon .
`` Authoritarian China has now changed Hong Kong . ''
`` China has shed any pretense that the people of Hong Kong enjoy the high degree of autonomy , democratic institutions , and civil liberties guaranteed to them by the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law , '' the communication states .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I will be able to recertify that the territory once again warrants differential treatment under U.S. law .
Given present circumstances , the chance of that happening is remote .
In the meantime , the United States stands with the people of Hong Kong as they struggle against the CCP ’ s increasing denial of the autonomy they were promised . ''
The United States ' official designation was forced by legislation mandating an assessment of Hong Kong 's status .
The White House had objected to the 2019 law , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R. , Texas ) .
The measure included language mandating the president issue sanctions on those it identifies as meddling in Hong Kong ’ s affairs .
Cruz said China 's curtailing of Hong Kong 's autonomy marks `` a sad day for liberty . ''
`` The Chinese Communist Party and the People 's Republic of China have now undeniably violated Hong Kong 's autonomy at the expense of the precious freedoms the people of Hong Kong fought tirelessly and bravely to preserve , '' Cruz said in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced the Hong Kong Policy Reevaluation Act , a version of which was signed into law last year .
As the Trump administration 's actions make clear , America will not stand by and allow tyrants in China to exploit the special treatment Hong Kong received under U.S .
law . ''
Update 4:21 p.m. : This post has been updated with further information .

The Trump administration on Wednesday officially designated Hong Kong as no longer autonomous from China, escalating tensions between the United States and Beijing as it violently cracks down on protesters in the city.
"No reasonable person can assert today that Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy from China, given facts on the ground," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an announcement on the official designation, which was formally transmitted to Congress earlier on Wednesday.
The new designation jeopardizes Hong Kong's special administrative status as the communist regime engages in the violent suppression of protesters. The Trump administration pointed to China's efforts to implement a stringent new national security law on the city as proof that it is no longer autonomous.
Hong Kong citizens have taken to the streets to protest that law, which they say limits their freedom. The law would ban secession from and subversion of China as well as foreign acts of interference in Hong Kong.
The decision throws into question the United States' longstanding trade deals with Hong Kong and could pave the way for the administration to slap sanctions on Chinese officials it views as meddling in the territory.
"I can no longer certify that Hong Kong continues to warrant such [special] treatment," Pompeo wrote in a communication to Congress and quoted to the Free Beacon. "Authoritarian China has now changed Hong Kong."
"China has shed any pretense that the people of Hong Kong enjoy the high degree of autonomy, democratic institutions, and civil liberties guaranteed to them by the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law," the communication states. "I hope that someday in the future, I will be able to recertify that the territory once again warrants differential treatment under U.S. law. Given present circumstances, the chance of that happening is remote. In the meantime, the United States stands with the people of Hong Kong as they struggle against the CCP’s increasing denial of the autonomy they were promised."
The United States' official designation was forced by legislation mandating an assessment of Hong Kong's status. The White House had objected to the 2019 law, which was spearheaded by Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas). The measure included language mandating the president issue sanctions on those it identifies as meddling in Hong Kong’s affairs.
Cruz said China's curtailing of Hong Kong's autonomy marks "a sad day for liberty."
"The Chinese Communist Party and the People's Republic of China have now undeniably violated Hong Kong's autonomy at the expense of the precious freedoms the people of Hong Kong fought tirelessly and bravely to preserve," Cruz said in a statement. "This unacceptable aggression is exactly why I introduced the Hong Kong Policy Reevaluation Act, a version of which was signed into law last year. As the Trump administration's actions make clear, America will not stand by and allow tyrants in China to exploit the special treatment Hong Kong received under U.S. law."
Update 4:21 p.m.: This post has been updated with further information.


freebeacon--2020-05-27--Dem Senator Pushes For Bailout for His Own Pension

Sen. Gary Peters has repeatedly agitated for a federal bailout for his home state , indirectly seeking a rescue for the pension system that pays the millionaire Michigan Democrat five figures annually .
Financial disclosures reveal that Peters collects more than $ 50,000 a year from the Michigan state pension fund , a benefit accrued thanks to his eight years in the state legislature .
Peters has given no sign he will forgo these payments even as nearly 900,000 Michiganders have lost their jobs in the last two months .
Peters 's payments contribute to the obligations of the Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only the 31st-best funded in the nation .
Peters and his Democratic colleagues have pressed for billions in federal dollars to shore up states ' revenue streams—money , congressional Republicans have argued , that would help state governments paper over irresponsible management of their retirement schemes .
Peters supporting a bailout that could affect his own paycheck raises questions about whether his advocacy constitutes a conflict of interest , especially in light of his substantial net worth .
His office did not respond to questions from the Washington Free Beacon as to whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or whether he intended to forgo his pension payment or congressional salary this year .
The senator collected $ 50,207 from the Michigan state pension fund in 2018 , according to his financial disclosures .
That figure is just shy of the state 's median income .
Between 2013 and 2018 Peters received over $ 235,000 from the Michigan pension system .
Peters also receives an annual congressional salary of $ 174,000 .
When a local news anchor asked whether he would forgo that income for the year , Peters demurred .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics estimates his net worth to be almost $ 4.4 million as of 2018 .
The campaign of Republican John James , who is expected to secure the GOP nomination to challenge Peters in November , slammed Peters for the continued payouts amid economic crisis .
`` It 's sad that while millions of Michigan workers are worried about making ends meet , career politician Gary Peters worries about how to keep his $ 50,000 per year pension in addition to his 6-figure government salary , '' James campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more than once called for funds for state and local governments to be included in future stimulus bills .
He told a local news station that `` revenues are dropping and yet the demand continues to go up , so I ’ m going to work to get additional funding for state and local government . ''
Peters also blasted Sen. Mitch McConnell 's ( R. , Ky. ) suggestion that states be allowed to declare bankruptcy , promising to `` continue working in a bipartisan manner to ensure our state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay afloat and emerge from this unprecedented crisis . ''
That puts the Democrat in line with his colleagues in Congress ; the House Democratic caucus 's most recent stimulus proposal includes $ 500 billion for state and local governments .
Those funds would come in addition to the money previous stimulus bills already allocated to states .
But whereas previous stimulus funds were earmarked for coronavirus-related expenses only , the new money Democrats want would be given to states to spend on their general revenue needs .
This measure is necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing major shortfalls in traditional sources of revenue amid the economic downturn .
But the money would also cover shortfalls in underfunded entitlement programs , particularly many states ' hulking pension systems .
That includes Michigan 's .
According to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy , a right-leaning Michigan-based think tank , the state has chronically underfunded its pensions , relying on over-optimistic assumptions about returns and , consequently , risky asset purchases .
Peters has gotten to enjoy this largesse ; his support for a state bailout would help ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Note : This story has been updated to reflect that Peters receives a state pension due to his time in the legislature , not as lottery commissioner .

Sen. Gary Peters has repeatedly agitated for a federal bailout for his home state, indirectly seeking a rescue for the pension system that pays the millionaire Michigan Democrat five figures annually.
Financial disclosures reveal that Peters collects more than $50,000 a year from the Michigan state pension fund, a benefit accrued thanks to his eight years in the state legislature. Peters has given no sign he will forgo these payments even as nearly 900,000 Michiganders have lost their jobs in the last two months.
Peters's payments contribute to the obligations of the Michigan state pension system, which ranked as only the 31st-best funded in the nation. Peters and his Democratic colleagues have pressed for billions in federal dollars to shore up states' revenue streams—money, congressional Republicans have argued, that would help state governments paper over irresponsible management of their retirement schemes.
Peters supporting a bailout that could affect his own paycheck raises questions about whether his advocacy constitutes a conflict of interest, especially in light of his substantial net worth. His office did not respond to questions from the Washington Free Beacon as to whether he was concerned about this potential conflict or whether he intended to forgo his pension payment or congressional salary this year.
The senator collected $50,207 from the Michigan state pension fund in 2018, according to his financial disclosures. That figure is just shy of the state's median income. Between 2013 and 2018 Peters received over $235,000 from the Michigan pension system.
Peters also receives an annual congressional salary of $174,000. When a local news anchor asked whether he would forgo that income for the year, Peters demurred. He also commands substantial personal wealth: The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics estimates his net worth to be almost $4.4 million as of 2018.
The campaign of Republican John James, who is expected to secure the GOP nomination to challenge Peters in November, slammed Peters for the continued payouts amid economic crisis.
"It's sad that while millions of Michigan workers are worried about making ends meet, career politician Gary Peters worries about how to keep his $50,000 per year pension in addition to his 6-figure government salary," James campaign communications director Abby Walls said.
Peters has more than once called for funds for state and local governments to be included in future stimulus bills. He told a local news station that "revenues are dropping and yet the demand continues to go up, so I’m going to work to get additional funding for state and local government."
Peters also blasted Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R., Ky.) suggestion that states be allowed to declare bankruptcy, promising to "continue working in a bipartisan manner to ensure our state and communities across Michigan have the resources needed to stay afloat and emerge from this unprecedented crisis."
That puts the Democrat in line with his colleagues in Congress; the House Democratic caucus's most recent stimulus proposal includes $500 billion for state and local governments. Those funds would come in addition to the money previous stimulus bills already allocated to states. But whereas previous stimulus funds were earmarked for coronavirus-related expenses only, the new money Democrats want would be given to states to spend on their general revenue needs.
This measure is necessary, Democrats argue, because states are seeing major shortfalls in traditional sources of revenue amid the economic downturn. But the money would also cover shortfalls in underfunded entitlement programs, particularly many states' hulking pension systems.
That includes Michigan's. According to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a right-leaning Michigan-based think tank, the state has chronically underfunded its pensions, relying on over-optimistic assumptions about returns and, consequently, risky asset purchases. Peters has gotten to enjoy this largesse; his support for a state bailout would help ensure that the money keeps flowing.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Peters receives a state pension due to his time in the legislature, not as lottery commissioner.


freebeacon--2020-05-27--FLASHBACK: Media Lauded Cuomo, Slammed DeSantis Over Coronavirus Response

Thousands of senior citizens in New York died after Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo forced nursing homes to take in patients @ @ @ @ @ media figures never stopped gushing over his response .
Instead , pundits directed their outrage @ @ @ @ @ ( R. ) for not immediately closing public beaches or implementing lockdowns .
DeSantis signed @ @ @ @ @ from accepting coronavirus patients on March 15 , a decision that garnered little notice from @ @ @ @ @ went the opposite direction , signing a March 25 order that required nursing homes to @ @ @ @ @ Democratic governor reversed the decision on May 10 following the deaths of thousands of elderly @ @ @ @ @ above video to see the marked difference in the coverage of the two governors in @ @ @ @ @ one of them , after all , has a brother on CNN who likes to @ @ @ @ @ Gov . ''

Thousands of senior citizens in New York died after Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo forced nursing homes to take in patients with the coronavirus, but media figures never stopped gushing over his response. Instead, pundits directed their outrage at Florida governor Ron DeSantis (R.) for not immediately closing public beaches or implementing lockdowns.
DeSantis signed an order preventing nursing homes from accepting coronavirus patients on March 15, a decision that garnered little notice from the national press. Cuomo went the opposite direction, signing a March 25 order that required nursing homes to accept such patients. The Democratic governor reversed the decision on May 10 following the deaths of thousands of elderly New Yorkers.
Watch the above video to see the marked difference in the coverage of the two governors in March and April. Only one of them, after all, has a brother on CNN who likes to call him the "Love Gov."


freebeacon--2020-05-27--Internal Emails Contradict Michigan Governor’s Story on Controversial Coronavirus Contracts

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer 's ( D. ) office gave the `` green light '' on a coronavirus-related contract awarded to a Democratic consulting firm that worked for her campaign , according to internal emails obtained by Bridge Magazine .
The documents contradict the Whitmer administration 's public statements denying any knowledge of the lucrative deal , as well as the Democrat 's attempt to blame the state health department when controversy over the contact tracing contract erupted .
The emails also reveal that agency officials expressed doubts about the purpose of the contract and raised questions about the players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sensitive health data from Michigan residents .
In fact , the documents show that Whitmer 's office asked the health department to change the names of the organizations listed in the announcement to appear less partisan .
Both vendors in question , the liberal NGP VAN and local Democratic consultant Mike Kolehouse 's firm , Kolehouse Strategies , had affiliated entities with names less likely to raise eyebrows .
Kolehouse , for example , also runs an organization called Great Lakes Community Engagement , and Whitmer 's office asked that the health department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulting firm .
`` We got the green light from EOG [ executive office of the governor ] to move forward with a slightly different organizational arrangement of the contact tracing volunteer work , '' health department senior adviser Andrea Taverna wrote .
`` This would still be working with Mike Kolehouse , so work there is n't lost—it 's just organized somewhat differently . ''
Whitmer , a potential vice presidential candidate , canceled the contract hours after the Washington Free Beacon revealed that NGP VAN had served as a vendor on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision on the state 's health department , claiming that the agency `` moved forward with the vendor '' on its own and did not seek approval from the State Emergency Operations Center ( SEOC ) and Whitmer 's executive office .
A health department spokeswoman previously told the Free Beacon that neither the SEOC nor Whitmer had a role in the contract , but internal emails reveal that officials from both offices signed off on press releases discussing the contract .
`` Looks good , '' SEOC spokesman Dale George said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press release discussing the contract awarding process .
`` Fine with SEOC/JIC . ''
When the state announced the contract with Kolehouse 's Great Lakes Community Engagement two days later , Whitmer communications director Zack Pohl suggested that the subsequent press release should `` hit the fact that it 's used by [ the Michigan Nonprofit Association ] again '' in an effort to downplay the organization 's partisan ties .
The emails emerge as Whitmer faces accusations of hypocrisy stemming from her rigid shutdown order .
The Democrat admitted Tuesday that her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the family 's boat on the water for Memorial Day weekend even as her administration cracked down on boating during the pandemic lockdown .
According to GOP state senator Tom Barrett , Whitmer 's office first `` adamantly denied '' the accusation .
Whitmer called it `` a failed attempt at humor '' during a Tuesday press conference .
Neither Whitmer 's office nor the state 's health department responded to requests for comment .
A Whitmer spokesperson told Bridge Magazine that the contract was `` ultimately approved '' by officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
But emails from agency staffers show that the administration played a role in moving the arrangement forward .
In an email sent to health department officials just days before the contract was canceled , Taverna said that Whitmer 's office gave the `` green light '' after altering the announcement to list Great Lakes Community Engagement instead of Kolehouse Strategies .
Both are assumed names of Kolehouse 's consulting firm , K2K Strategies .
Taverna noted that while both entities are `` owned and staffed by the same individuals , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Its top client is Fair and Equal Michigan , an LGBTQ advocacy group with ties to Michigan Democratic politics .
One health department official , senior deputy of financial operations Farah Hanley , questioned the difference between Great Lakes Community Engagement and Kolehouse Strategies in an April 17 email .
`` Same organization but a different name ? ''
she said .
Taverna also said the state would list Every Action VAN on the contract instead of NGP VAN .
The two groups share top leadership , but Every Action VAN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VAN serves Democratic campaigns .
Every Action VAN 's other clients include Planned Parenthood and the radical anti-Israel group Jewish Voice for Peace .
The emails also show that health department officials questioned the contract days before it was signed .
Kolehouse was set to earn nearly $ 200,000 from the contract , which some within the agency believed to be redundant .
`` $ 21,000 a week and a pre pay for a firm to do where we should be using employees sitting at home , '' Hanley wrote to Elizabeth Hertel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director .
`` Why are we spending money on this instead of trying to work with google or Microsoft on tracing through smartphones , '' Hertel responded .
`` This seems a bit antiquated . ''
The Free Beacon previously reported that the governor 's office has an existing data storage contract with Microsoft , and other state agencies use Salesforce products for similar purposes .
The states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts announced partnerships with Salesforce for contact tracing projects in early April .
Whitmer has risen to national prominence during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April feud with President Donald Trump .
The attention landed her on presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's vice presidential shortlist , and Whitmer confirmed on May 19 that she had an `` opening conversation '' with the Biden campaign on the VP role .

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer's (D.) office gave the "green light" on a coronavirus-related contract awarded to a Democratic consulting firm that worked for her campaign, according to internal emails obtained by Bridge Magazine.
The documents contradict the Whitmer administration's public statements denying any knowledge of the lucrative deal, as well as the Democrat's attempt to blame the state health department when controversy over the contact tracing contract erupted. The emails also reveal that agency officials expressed doubts about the purpose of the contract and raised questions about the players enlisted to carry out the collection of sensitive health data from Michigan residents.
In fact, the documents show that Whitmer's office asked the health department to change the names of the organizations listed in the announcement to appear less partisan. Both vendors in question, the liberal NGP VAN and local Democratic consultant Mike Kolehouse's firm, Kolehouse Strategies, had affiliated entities with names less likely to raise eyebrows. Kolehouse, for example, also runs an organization called Great Lakes Community Engagement, and Whitmer's office asked that the health department contract with that entity rather than his consulting firm.
"We got the green light from EOG [executive office of the governor] to move forward with a slightly different organizational arrangement of the contact tracing volunteer work," health department senior adviser Andrea Taverna wrote. "This would still be working with Mike Kolehouse, so work there isn't lost—it's just organized somewhat differently."
Whitmer, a potential vice presidential candidate, canceled the contract hours after the Washington Free Beacon revealed that NGP VAN had served as a vendor on her gubernatorial campaign. She blamed the decision on the state's health department, claiming that the agency "moved forward with the vendor" on its own and did not seek approval from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and Whitmer's executive office. A health department spokeswoman previously told the Free Beacon that neither the SEOC nor Whitmer had a role in the contract, but internal emails reveal that officials from both offices signed off on press releases discussing the contract.
"Looks good," SEOC spokesman Dale George said on April 18 in response to a draft press release discussing the contract awarding process. "Fine with SEOC/JIC." When the state announced the contract with Kolehouse's Great Lakes Community Engagement two days later, Whitmer communications director Zack Pohl suggested that the subsequent press release should "hit the fact that it's used by [the Michigan Nonprofit Association] again" in an effort to downplay the organization's partisan ties.
The emails emerge as Whitmer faces accusations of hypocrisy stemming from her rigid shutdown order. The Democrat admitted Tuesday that her husband tried to use her name to take the family's boat on the water for Memorial Day weekend even as her administration cracked down on boating during the pandemic lockdown. According to GOP state senator Tom Barrett, Whitmer's office first "adamantly denied" the accusation. Whitmer called it "a failed attempt at humor" during a Tuesday press conference.
Whitmer's office did not respond to a request for comment. A Whitmer spokesperson told Bridge Magazine that the contract was "ultimately approved" by officials in the health department and not the executive office. But emails from agency staffers show that the administration played a role in moving the arrangement forward. The state's health department declined to comment on the new report.
In an email sent to health department officials just days before the contract was canceled, Taverna said that Whitmer's office gave the "green light" after altering the announcement to list Great Lakes Community Engagement instead of Kolehouse Strategies. Both are assumed names of Kolehouse's consulting firm, K2K Strategies. Taverna noted that while both entities are "owned and staffed by the same individuals," Great Lakes Community Engagement "serves non-profits." Its top client is Fair and Equal Michigan, an LGBTQ advocacy group with ties to Michigan Democratic politics.
One health department official, senior deputy of financial operations Farah Hanley, questioned the difference between Great Lakes Community Engagement and Kolehouse Strategies in an April 17 email.
"Same organization but a different name?" she said.
Taverna also said the state would list Every Action VAN on the contract instead of NGP VAN. The two groups share top leadership, but Every Action VAN works with nonprofit organizations, while NGP VAN serves Democratic campaigns. Every Action VAN's other clients include Planned Parenthood and the radical anti-Israel group Jewish Voice for Peace.
The emails also show that health department officials questioned the contract days before it was signed. Kolehouse was set to earn nearly $200,000 from the contract, which some within the agency believed to be redundant.
"$21,000 a week and a pre pay for a firm to do where we should be using employees sitting at home," Hanley wrote to Elizabeth Hertel, the health department's senior deputy director.
"Why are we spending money on this instead of trying to work with google or Microsoft on tracing through smartphones," Hertel responded. "This seems a bit antiquated."
The Free Beacon previously reported that the governor's office has an existing data storage contract with Microsoft, and other state agencies use Salesforce products for similar purposes. The states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts announced partnerships with Salesforce for contact tracing projects in early April.
Whitmer has risen to national prominence during the coronavirus pandemic thanks in part to an April feud with President Donald Trump. The attention landed her on presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's vice presidential shortlist, and Whitmer confirmed on May 19 that she had an "opening conversation" with the Biden campaign on the VP role.


freebeacon--2020-05-27--Dem Leader Calls Republicans ‘Party of Drinking Bleach’

Rep. Cheri Bustos ( D. , Ill. ) , chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ( DCCC ) , last week called Republicans `` the party of drinking bleach . ''
`` Democrats are betting that Americans will vote for the party of health care over the party of drinking bleach , '' Bustos told NPR on May 19 .
Bustos made the comment while discussing a new DCCC strategy memo that calls for the protection and expansion of Obamacare .
The party has faced internal divisions over whether Medicare for All should be part of its platform .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he opposes Medicare for All despite pressure from the party 's left flank .
Bustos criticized President Donald Trump for speculating about using sunlight or disinfectant in coronavirus patients to try to kill the virus .
Trump later said his comment was sarcastic .
He also advocated for treating coronavirus with hydroxychloroquine , an antimalarial drug which has had disparate impacts on coronavirus patients .
Bustos 's claim also follows the highly publicized case of Wanda Lenius , an Arizona woman who ingested fish tank cleaner allegedly after hearing Trump discuss hydroxychloroquine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who ingested the fish tank cleaner with her husband Gary , donated thousands of dollars to Democratic causes .
She said she and her husband `` were n't big supporters '' of the president , although mainstream media reporting alleged it was her trust in Trump that led the couple to drink the chemical .
Her husband died , and Arizona police are investigating the matter .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said current data indicate hydroxychloroquine is largely ineffective in treating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems in some .
Other studies are examining whether the drug could be effective at preventing coronavirus infections altogether or stopping infections from worsening .

Rep. Cheri Bustos (D., Ill.), chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), last week called Republicans "the party of drinking bleach."
"Democrats are betting that Americans will vote for the party of health care over the party of drinking bleach," Bustos told NPR on May 19.
Bustos made the comment while discussing a new DCCC strategy memo that calls for the protection and expansion of Obamacare. The party has faced internal divisions over whether Medicare for All should be part of its platform. Presumptive nominee Joe Biden has repeatedly said he opposes Medicare for All despite pressure from the party's left flank.
Bustos criticized President Donald Trump for speculating about using sunlight or disinfectant in coronavirus patients to try to kill the virus. Trump later said his comment was sarcastic. He also advocated for treating coronavirus with hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug which has had disparate impacts on coronavirus patients.
Bustos's claim also follows the highly publicized case of Wanda Lenius, an Arizona woman who ingested fish tank cleaner allegedly after hearing Trump discuss hydroxychloroquine.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that Lenius, who ingested the fish tank cleaner with her husband Gary, donated thousands of dollars to Democratic causes. She said she and her husband "weren't big supporters" of the president, although mainstream media reporting alleged it was her trust in Trump that led the couple to drink the chemical. Her husband died, and Arizona police are investigating the matter.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said current data indicate hydroxychloroquine is largely ineffective in treating coronavirus patients and can cause serious heart problems in some.
Other studies are examining whether the drug could be effective at preventing coronavirus infections altogether or stopping infections from worsening.