freebeacon--2020-03-25--Coronavirus Takes Backseat to Campaigning for Dem Congressional Hopeful

The California legislature 's emergency management committee has failed to hold a single meeting on the coronavirus , but that has not stopped its Democratic chairwoman from touting her handling of the pandemic on the campaign trail .
California assemblywoman Christy Smith is seeking to serve the remainder of former representative Katie Hill 's ( D. , Calif. ) term following Hill 's resignation amid sexual misconduct allegations .
Though Smith has boasted of her ability to campaign `` while working through this crisis for [ her ] community , '' her emergency management committee has yet to address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 people in California and led to a statewide shutdown .
Hill 's resignation in November sent Democrats scrambling to hold on to California 's hotly contested 25th Congressional District .
The emergence of the coronavirus has further complicated those efforts , with Republicans accusing Smith of ignoring the committee that should be responding to the lethal virus .
Smith chairs California 's Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management , which handles `` disaster preparedness , emergency management , and homeland security issues . ''
The committee held a hearing on February 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's first confirmed coronavirus case and 10 days after President Donald Trump restricted travel from China .
The meeting focused on wildfires rather than the pandemic .
Another committee hearing was scheduled for March 4 .
Though five California counties and one city had declared states of emergency to combat coronavirus at the time , the hearing 's agenda did not mention the virus .
The hearing was postponed as California governor Gavin Newsom ( D. ) confirmed the state 's first coronavirus death and declared a state of emergency .
The committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took over as chair in 2018 .
A 2015 hearing discussed California 's ability to respond to a widespread infectious disease amid the Ebola epidemic .
As Smith 's emergency management committee failed to address the coronavirus , the Democrat continued to hold campaign events with prominent California liberals .
Smith held a rally in early March featuring Sen. Kamala Harris ( D. , Calif. ) , Rep. Jimmy Gomez ( D. , Calif. ) , and Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti , as well as NARAL Pro-Choice America president Ilyse Hogue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment .
She has previously issued statements assuring voters she is `` focused on [ her ] work as this community 's public servant . ''
The California GOP accused the Democrat of prioritizing her congressional bid `` at the expense of Californians who rely on her . ''
`` Christy Smith is the chair of the committee on emergency management yet has n't held one hearing on the coronavirus , '' Republican political director Bryan Watkins said .
`` While other state leaders are looking for ways to combat the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigning . ''
The race to replace Hill has tightened in recent weeks , with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report moving it from `` Likely Democrat '' to `` Lean Democrat '' on Thursday .
Cook said turnout concerns caused by the coronavirus have left Democrats `` increasingly worried about their prospects '' in the election , which is still scheduled for May 12 despite the viral outbreak .
Newsom issued an executive order Friday saying the election shall `` be held as an all-mail ballot election , '' though some polling places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith will face former Navy fighter pilot Mike Garcia in the May runoff after the pair finished first and second in their March special election primary .
California 's election system pits the two leading candidates against each other regardless of party in a general election , unless a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary .
Smith received 36 percent of the vote and Garcia received 25 , with former Republican representative Steve Knight earning 17 percent .
No other candidate received more than 7 percent support @

The California legislature's emergency management committee has failed to hold a single meeting on the coronavirus, but that has not stopped its Democratic chairwoman from touting her handling of the pandemic on the campaign trail.
California assemblywoman Christy Smith is seeking to serve the remainder of former representative Katie Hill's (D., Calif.) term following Hill's resignation amid sexual misconduct allegations. Though Smith has boasted of her ability to campaign "while working through this crisis for [her] community," her emergency management committee has yet to address the coronavirus outbreak that has killed more than 40 people in California and led to a statewide shutdown.
Hill's resignation in November sent Democrats scrambling to hold on to California's hotly contested 25th Congressional District. The emergence of the coronavirus has further complicated those efforts, with Republicans accusing Smith of ignoring the committee that should be responding to the lethal virus.
Smith chairs California's Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management, which handles "disaster preparedness, emergency management, and homeland security issues." The committee held a hearing on February 11, more than two weeks after California's first confirmed coronavirus case and 10 days after President Donald Trump restricted travel from China. The meeting focused on wildfires rather than the pandemic.
Another committee hearing was scheduled for March 4. Though five California counties and one city had declared states of emergency to combat coronavirus at the time, the hearing's agenda did not mention the virus. The hearing was postponed as California governor Gavin Newsom (D.) confirmed the state's first coronavirus death and declared a state of emergency.
The committee held hearings on viral outbreaks before Smith took over as chair in 2018. A 2015 hearing discussed California's ability to respond to a widespread infectious disease amid the Ebola epidemic.
As Smith's emergency management committee failed to address the coronavirus, the Democrat continued to hold campaign events with prominent California liberals. Smith held a rally in early March featuring Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D., Calif.), and Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, as well as NARAL Pro-Choice America president Ilyse Hogue.
Smith did not respond to a request for comment. She has previously issued statements assuring voters she is "focused on [her] work as this community's public servant." The California GOP accused the Democrat of prioritizing her congressional bid "at the expense of Californians who rely on her."
"Christy Smith is the chair of the committee on emergency management yet hasn't held one hearing on the coronavirus," Republican political director Bryan Watkins said. "While other state leaders are looking for ways to combat the coronavirus, Christy Smith remains focused only on campaigning."
The race to replace Hill has tightened in recent weeks, with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report moving it from "Likely Democrat" to "Lean Democrat" on Thursday. Cook said turnout concerns caused by the coronavirus have left Democrats "increasingly worried about their prospects" in the election, which is still scheduled for May 12 despite the viral outbreak. Newsom issued an executive order Friday saying the election shall "be held as an all-mail ballot election," though some polling places will remain open to assist voters.
Smith will face former Navy fighter pilot Mike Garcia in the May runoff after the pair finished first and second in their March special election primary. California's election system pits the two leading candidates against each other regardless of party in a general election, unless a candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary. Smith received 36 percent of the vote and Garcia received 25, with former Republican representative Steve Knight earning 17 percent. No other candidate received more than 7 percent support.


freebeacon--2020-03-25--11th-Hour Stand-Off Could Sink Coronavirus Deal

The Senate 's long-awaited coronavirus bailout is once again at risk , as a trio of Republican senators vie with Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) in a tug-of-war that could further upend the American economy .
After almost a week of negotiations , the Senate was expected Wednesday evening to finally pass a revised version of the plan hashed out between Senators Mitch McConnell ( R. , Ky. ) , Chuck Schumer ( D. , N.Y. ) , and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin .
On Wednesday morning , however , Senators Tim Scott ( R. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R. , S.C. ) , and Ben Sasse ( R. , Neb . )
announced their opposition to the bill 's unemployment provisions , which they argued could unintentionally pay workers more than their incomes , driving them out of the job market and on to the dole .
Sanders , in response , announced that unless the trio drop their objections , he too would put a hold on the bill over its $ 500 billion bailout provision .
Now , at the 11th hour , the conflict between the four could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the millions of Americans laid off at work or sheltered at home in the face of the deadly coronavirus .
That added stress could bolster the push by some to end the state-imposed shutdown in many communities , bringing to the fore a deadly tradeoff between public health and the lifeblood of the economy .
Before this hitch , Wednesday looked to be smooth sailing for the Senate .
The bill , based on text seen by the Washington Free Beacon Wednesday afternoon , is broadly similar to the version hashed out by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2-trillion total offers an all-of-economy approach , aimed at both shoring up payrolls and , when people are laid off anyway , pouring money into their pockets to keep them afloat until the crisis is over .
For taxpayers , the bill offers an advance rebate on 2020 taxes to the tune of $ 1,200 per adult plus $ 500 per child , capped at $ 75,000 for single filers and $ 150,000 for joint filers ( a controversial `` phase-in '' provision has been dropped ) .
To help the expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the unemployment insurance system , including a $ 600 per week payment to all recipients for the next four months .
The bill provides substantial support for employers as well .
It creates a pot of $ 350 billion to provide loans to small businesses struggling to meet payroll .
It also specifically earmarks $ 29 billion for a bailout of the airline industry , which has seen revenues plummet , and $ 17 billion for `` businesses important to maintaining national security . ''
Another $ 454 billion is earmarked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lending , aimed at shoring up banks and keeping liquidity flowing in a hunkered down system .
All of this would be afforded congressional oversight—an addition on which Schumer insisted .
Although they had the assent of leadership , the details of the bill—which were still being finalized Wednesday afternoon—apparently did not fly well with Sasse , Scott , and Graham .
They specifically objected to the bolstered unemployment provisions which , they said in an announcement , served as `` a strong incentive for employees to be laid off instead of going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid out by unemployment could exceed the amount paid by some employers .
This , the trio said , could mean `` life-threatening shortages in sectors where doctors , nurses , and pharmacists are trying to care for the sick , and where growers and grocers , truckers and cooks are trying to get food to families ' tables . ''
The move seems to have fractured the delicate bipartisan accord that has kept Republicans and Democrats working together through a nearly unprecedented crisis .
Sanders responded Wednesday afternoon with a volley of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Scott , and Sasse backed off , he would place a hold on the legislation over his concerns about the $ 500 billion `` corporate welfare fund . ''
`` In my view , it would be an outrage to prevent working-class Americans to receive the emergency unemployment assistance included in this legislation , '' Sanders said .
The response , however , only emboldened the trio .
As Graham put it Wednesday , `` The reason I know I ’ m right is that Bernie Sanders has just threatened me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dragged-out process .
On Sunday evening , Senate Democrats blocked an initial version of the bill after House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) returned from recess to pitch in on negotiating .
Pelosi subsequently floated a 1,400-page version rife with diversity handouts .
Few appear to be in the final bill , but the attempt prompted widespread criticism of Pelosi , who was perceived as using a crisis as pretext for her preexisting political agenda .
Even if the Senate does pass its bill Wednesday evening , Pelosi still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's desk .
The House will not take up the bill before Thursday , as Pelosi ended its pro forma session Wednesday after just two minutes .
There is still the risk that she , or another member , will block it—leaving in the lurch those Americans desperately waiting on a check from the government .

The Senate's long-awaited coronavirus bailout is once again at risk, as a trio of Republican senators vie with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) in a tug-of-war that could further upend the American economy.
After almost a week of negotiations, the Senate was expected Wednesday evening to finally pass a revised version of the plan hashed out between Senators Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin.
On Wednesday morning, however, Senators Tim Scott (R., S.C.), Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.), and Ben Sasse (R., Neb.) announced their opposition to the bill's unemployment provisions, which they argued could unintentionally pay workers more than their incomes, driving them out of the job market and on to the dole. Sanders, in response, announced that unless the trio drop their objections, he too would put a hold on the bill over its $500 billion bailout provision.
Now, at the 11th hour, the conflict between the four could further delay a $2-trillion lifeline to the millions of Americans laid off at work or sheltered at home in the face of the deadly coronavirus. That added stress could bolster the push by some to end the state-imposed shutdown in many communities, bringing to the fore a deadly tradeoff between public health and the lifeblood of the economy.
Before this hitch, Wednesday looked to be smooth sailing for the Senate. The bill, based on text seen by the Washington Free Beacon Wednesday afternoon, is broadly similar to the version hashed out by Senate negotiators over the weekend. Its $2-trillion total offers an all-of-economy approach, aimed at both shoring up payrolls and, when people are laid off anyway, pouring money into their pockets to keep them afloat until the crisis is over.
For taxpayers, the bill offers an advance rebate on 2020 taxes to the tune of $1,200 per adult plus $500 per child, capped at $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers (a controversial "phase-in" provision has been dropped). To help the expected wave of unemployment, it pours cash into the unemployment insurance system, including a $600 per week payment to all recipients for the next four months.
The bill provides substantial support for employers as well. It creates a pot of $350 billion to provide loans to small businesses struggling to meet payroll. It also specifically earmarks $29 billion for a bailout of the airline industry, which has seen revenues plummet, and $17 billion for "businesses important to maintaining national security." Another $454 billion is earmarked for backstopping the Federal Reserve's bonanza of lending, aimed at shoring up banks and keeping liquidity flowing in a hunkered down system. All of this would be afforded congressional oversight—an addition on which Schumer insisted.
Although they had the assent of leadership, the details of the bill—which were still being finalized Wednesday afternoon—apparently did not fly well with Sasse, Scott, and Graham. They specifically objected to the bolstered unemployment provisions which, they said in an announcement, served as "a strong incentive for employees to be laid off instead of going to work," because the amount paid out by unemployment could exceed the amount paid by some employers. This, the trio said, could mean "life-threatening shortages in sectors where doctors, nurses, and pharmacists are trying to care for the sick, and where growers and grocers, truckers and cooks are trying to get food to families' tables."
The move seems to have fractured the delicate bipartisan accord that has kept Republicans and Democrats working together through a nearly unprecedented crisis. Sanders responded Wednesday afternoon with a volley of his own, promising that unless Graham, Scott, and Sasse backed off, he would place a hold on the legislation over his concerns about the $500 billion "corporate welfare fund."
"In my view, it would be an outrage to prevent working-class Americans to receive the emergency unemployment assistance included in this legislation," Sanders said.
The response, however, only emboldened the trio. As Graham put it Wednesday, "The reason I know I’m right is that Bernie Sanders has just threatened me."
The stand-off could explode an already dragged-out process. On Sunday evening, Senate Democrats blocked an initial version of the bill after House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) returned from recess to pitch in on negotiating. Pelosi subsequently floated a 1,400-page version rife with diversity handouts. Few appear to be in the final bill, but the attempt prompted widespread criticism of Pelosi, who was perceived as using a crisis as pretext for her preexisting political agenda.
Even if the Senate does pass its bill Wednesday evening, Pelosi still stands between it and President Donald Trump's desk. The House will not take up the bill before Thursday, as Pelosi ended its pro forma session Wednesday after just two minutes. There is still the risk that she, or another member, will block it—leaving in the lurch those Americans desperately waiting on a check from the government.


freebeacon--2020-03-25--ANALYSIS: The Journos Are Out of Control

The China-caused coronavirus is sweeping the globe , and America 's journalists are losing their minds .
In fact , they are dangerously out of control , a Washington Free Beacon analysis discovered .
The virus is starting to spread among members of the White House press corps .
But even that does n't explain the media 's hysterical aggrievement in response to the crisis , which China 's communist government could have dramatically curtailed , but did n't .
Now they 're essentially accusing him of murder because an Arizona couple decided to ingest aquarium cleaner .
When they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being forced to work from home without a comfortable office chair , journalists have been conducting `` analysis '' suggesting the president wants U.S. media to behave more like China 's .
For reasons unknown , U.S. media have been doing just that all on their own , at least when it comes to regurgitating Chinese propaganda .
CNN and NBC , for example , were recently cited by Chinese state-run media in an effort to downplay China 's responsibility for the pandemic .
The nerds at Vox published a piece on `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries in confirmed coronavirus cases '' that does n't mention China once .
CNN in particular has been eager to promote authoritarian propaganda , even if it means shilling for Vladimir Putin , enemy of the anti-Trump `` resistance . ''
The media 's early coverage of the coronavirus outbreak was rife with efforts to downplay its seriousness , a message Chinese authorities were eager to promote as well .
The Washington Post published multiple pieces attempting to reassure Americans that the virus was no worse than the flu , warning against an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak.Vox tweeted on Jan. 31 : `` Is this going to be a deadly pandemic ?
No . ''
The tweet was deleted this week because it `` no longer reflects the reality of the coronavirus story . ''
Even naming the source of the virus drives journalists over the edge .
In late January , the New York Times was tweeting updates on the spread of the `` Wuhan virus . ''
By March , the once-storied publication was calling Republicans `` racist and xenophobic '' for using that term .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were denouncing Trump 's decision to ban travel from China as ineffective and racist—echoing former vice president Joe Biden 's attack on the president 's `` hysterical xenophobia . ''
Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health recently praised the travel ban for helping the United States avoid a more disastrous outbreak like the one seen in Italy .
But what does he know ?
He 's not a journalist .
To the surprise of no one outside the media bubble , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to trust President Trump than the media to provide accurate information on the coronavirus , according to a recent poll from CBS News .
Trump 's approval rating is at an all-time high , and a majority of Americans approve of his handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
Accordingly , our nation 's journalists responded by lashing out at the American people .
Former Obama bro Jon Favreau , for example , argued that Trump 's rising poll numbers were evidence that `` There is something deeply , deeply broken about the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country . ''
New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie mused that Trump 's high approval rating was the result of the dramatic increase in viewership of evening newscasts during the coronavirus outbreak , and the airing of clips `` featuring a truncated Trump who appears more competent than he is as a result of editing . ''
Perpetually in denial about the erosion of public trust in the media , members of the media persist in considering themselves the primary drivers of public opinion—and thinking Trump is only popular because they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's bad .
They ca n't accept , or even consider , that their outlook `` no longer reflects the reality , '' to borrow a phrase .
As such , American journalists are currently debating the risks of airing the president 's coronavirus briefings in a `` live and unedited '' format .
Seattle 's NPR station on Wednesday became one of the first outlets to announce they would stop airing Trump 's briefings `` due to a pattern of false or misleading information , '' a move that was celebrated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent there is a difference .
Hysteria over the briefings had more to do with the state of the national media than with the president .
`` These are not rallies .
These are press briefings .
The idea that networks should consider not airing them is more an indictment of the fecklessness of the journalists in the room than of Trump himself , '' said former CNN producer Steve Krakauer .
Meanwhile , the media are covering congressional negotiations over a coronavirus stimulus bill slightly differently than they covered Republican `` obstruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best efforts of Democratic lawmakers to pack the bill with superfluous liberal priorities , including an entire section that would require corporate recipients of federal aid to submit `` diversity data '' to a congressional panel , the media have been reluctant to portray Democrats as obstructionist , even when they are blocking legislation .
Earlier this week , when Senate Democrats prevented passage of a nearly $ 2 trillion stimulus package , the Washington Post reported : `` GOP stimulus bill fails an early test . ''
The New York Times declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue bill . ''
Now that the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) , has adjourned for the day .
She 's unlikely to feel pressure to act quickly .
At least not from the media .
They have more pressing concerns , like keeping Joe Biden alive .

The China-caused coronavirus is sweeping the globe, and America's journalists are losing their minds. In fact, they are dangerously out of control, a Washington Free Beacon analysis discovered.
All of this concern - and someone sticks their gum under a @whitehouse briefing room seat. Beyond gross. pic.twitter.com/2dRRhic1VB — John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) March 24, 2020
The virus is starting to spread among members of the White House press corps. But even that doesn't explain the media's hysterical aggrievement in response to the crisis, which China's communist government could have dramatically curtailed, but didn't. Now they're essentially accusing him of murder because an Arizona couple decided to ingest aquarium cleaner.
When they aren't complaining about the indignity of being forced to work from home without a comfortable office chair, journalists have been conducting "analysis" suggesting the president wants U.S. media to behave more like China's. For reasons unknown, U.S. media have been doing just that all on their own, at least when it comes to regurgitating Chinese propaganda.
CNN and NBC, for example, were recently cited by Chinese state-run media in an effort to downplay China's responsibility for the pandemic. The nerds at Vox published a piece on "How the US stacks up to other countries in confirmed coronavirus cases" that doesn't mention China once. CNN in particular has been eager to promote authoritarian propaganda, even if it means shilling for Vladimir Putin, enemy of the anti-Trump "resistance."
Does Russia have coronavirus under control? According to information released by Russian officials, Putin's strategy seems to have worked. https://t.co/eWIulAXYnn — CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2020
The media's early coverage of the coronavirus outbreak was rife with efforts to downplay its seriousness, a message Chinese authorities were eager to promote as well. The Washington Post published multiple pieces attempting to reassure Americans that the virus was no worse than the flu, warning against an "aggressive government response" to the outbreak.Vox tweeted on Jan. 31: "Is this going to be a deadly pandemic? No." The tweet was deleted this week because it "no longer reflects the reality of the coronavirus story."
Even naming the source of the virus drives journalists over the edge. In late January, the New York Times was tweeting updates on the spread of the "Wuhan virus." By March, the once-storied publication was calling Republicans "racist and xenophobic" for using that term. At the same time, most media outlets were denouncing Trump's decision to ban travel from China as ineffective and racist—echoing former vice president Joe Biden's attack on the president's "hysterical xenophobia." Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health recently praised the travel ban for helping the United States avoid a more disastrous outbreak like the one seen in Italy. But what does he know? He's not a journalist.
To the surprise of no one outside the media bubble, the American people are slightly more inclined to trust President Trump than the media to provide accurate information on the coronavirus, according to a recent poll from CBS News. Trump's approval rating is at an all-time high, and a majority of Americans approve of his handling of the coronavirus outbreak. Accordingly, our nation's journalists responded by lashing out at the American people.
Former Obama bro Jon Favreau, for example, argued that Trump's rising poll numbers were evidence that "There is something deeply, deeply broken about the way Americans get their news and information in this country." New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie mused that Trump's high approval rating was the result of the dramatic increase in viewership of evening newscasts during the coronavirus outbreak, and the airing of clips "featuring a truncated Trump who appears more competent than he is as a result of editing."
Perpetually in denial about the erosion of public trust in the media, members of the media persist in considering themselves the primary drivers of public opinion—and thinking Trump is only popular because they aren't doing enough to persuade everyone he's bad. They can't accept, or even consider, that their outlook "no longer reflects the reality," to borrow a phrase.
As such, American journalists are currently debating the risks of airing the president's coronavirus briefings in a "live and unedited" format. Seattle's NPR station on Wednesday became one of the first outlets to announce they would stop airing Trump's briefings "due to a pattern of false or misleading information," a move that was celebrated by journalists and liberal activists, to the extent there is a difference.
Hysteria over the briefings had more to do with the state of the national media than with the president. "These are not rallies. These are press briefings. The idea that networks should consider not airing them is more an indictment of the fecklessness of the journalists in the room than of Trump himself," said former CNN producer Steve Krakauer.
Meanwhile, the media are covering congressional negotiations over a coronavirus stimulus bill slightly differently than they covered Republican "obstruction" under President Obama. Despite the best efforts of Democratic lawmakers to pack the bill with superfluous liberal priorities, including an entire section that would require corporate recipients of federal aid to submit "diversity data" to a congressional panel, the media have been reluctant to portray Democrats as obstructionist, even when they are blocking legislation.
Earlier this week, when Senate Democrats prevented passage of a nearly $2 trillion stimulus package, the Washington Post reported: "GOP stimulus bill fails an early test." The New York Times declared: "Partisan divide threatens deal on rescue bill." Now that the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) has adjourned for the day. She's unlikely to feel pressure to act quickly. At least not from the media. They have more pressing concerns, like keeping Joe Biden alive.


freebeacon--2020-03-25--Airline Set to Give Massive Pay Hikes as Taxpayer Bailout Advances

As the airline industry is poised to receive billions in federal handouts amid the coronavirus pandemic , union members working for American Airlines will vote Thursday to approve a new collective bargaining agreement that includes immediate pay hikes and a $ 6,000 signing bonus .
Top airlines in March asked congressional leaders for $ 29 billion in handouts , warning of `` draconian measures such as furloughs '' caused by the outbreak .
But behind the scenes , American Airlines moved forward with an expensive new agreement .
A union guide on the deal obtained by the Washington Free Beacon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 percent , a bonus of up to $ 6,000 for all members , and increased vacation time .
As members geared up for the Thursday vote , Congress reached a deal on a stimulus bill that would include $ 25 billion in subsidies to industry giants , including American Airlines .
Transport Workers Union of America president John Samuelsen told the Washington Free Beacon that he welcomed the bailout package , though he criticized airline carriers for resisting worker protections and giving the government equity until the bailout is paid back .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the agreement before the outbreak began shutting down air travel and taking a heavy toll on the industry .
`` When people first started taking notice of coronavirus , that 's right around the time we settled .
Had we not settled , and we were still in this ambiguous no man 's land of no contract , we would have been in trouble , '' he said .
`` The timing was inadvertently perfect for us , to be honest . ''
Critics of the bailout have pointed to American Airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Though the company noted in its 2019 report to the Securities and Exchange Commission that `` an outbreak of contagious disease … could materially affect the airline industry , '' leading to a `` rapid and unexpected change '' in operations , it nonetheless spent $ 12.4 billion on stock buybacks over the past six years .
The company is carrying $ 29 billion in debt , according to the Dallas Morning News .
One former American Airlines employee , speaking to the Free Beacon on background , criticized the company for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money '' while not doing enough to address the spread of the virus .
`` Behind the scenes , American Airlines seems unaware of the coronavirus pandemic .
They 're signing expensive contracts and committing to maintain non-U.S. supply chains , '' the former employee said .
`` Their only acknowledgment of the pandemic has been to ask for money . ''
American Airlines did not respond to a request for comment .
Samuelsen said the agreement will place stricter limits on the outsourcing of jobs and begin to restore job protections for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly reliant on mechanical maintenance work on their aircraft being done overseas—in , by the way , dangerous places—both in the geopolitical sense and in the sense that the technicians are not certified in the same way as U.S. soil technicians , '' he said .
`` We brought a lot of that work back in-house . ''
Though American Airlines union members usually vote on new collective bargaining agreements in person , union leadership last Tuesday announced online voting `` due to worsening circumstances surrounding the coronavirus crisis . ''
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the collective bargaining agreement to members ahead of the vote .
`` The most frequently asked question is the bonus check , '' general chair John Coveny said .
`` The bonus check has been signed off by the company and the union , so you will receive the bonus check . ''
Coveny also discussed the agreement 's pay hikes , noting that the wage increases will come immediately if the agreement is approved .
`` Everyone will receive an increase of pay [ the ] date of ratification .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first Monday following [ the ] date of ratification , which will be March 30 , pending ratification , '' he said .
`` Vacation has been enhanced .
There are increases throughout the scale , '' he said .
`` Anyone that is due a vacation , that would have earned a vacation this year from last year , will receive a check in the amount of one week 's pay for those vacation weeks that would have accrued . ''
The union negotiating team voted unanimously to endorse the five-year contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratify it .
Voting on the new agreement will conclude Thursday .

As the airline industry is poised to receive billions in federal handouts amid the coronavirus pandemic, union members working for American Airlines will vote Thursday to approve a new collective bargaining agreement that includes immediate pay hikes and a $6,000 signing bonus.
Top airlines in March asked congressional leaders for $29 billion in handouts, warning of "draconian measures such as furloughs" caused by the outbreak. But behind the scenes, American Airlines moved forward with an expensive new agreement. A union guide on the deal obtained by the Washington Free Beacon lists immediate pay raises of up to 18 percent, a bonus of up to $6,000 for all members, and increased vacation time. As members geared up for the Thursday vote, Congress reached a deal on a stimulus bill that would include $25 billion in subsidies to industry giants, including American Airlines.
Transport Workers Union of America president John Samuelsen told the Washington Free Beacon that he welcomed the bailout package, though he criticized airline carriers for resisting worker protections and giving the government equity until the bailout is paid back. Samuelsen said the union finalized the terms of the agreement before the outbreak began shutting down air travel and taking a heavy toll on the industry.
"When people first started taking notice of coronavirus, that's right around the time we settled. Had we not settled, and we were still in this ambiguous no man's land of no contract, we would have been in trouble," he said. "The timing was inadvertently perfect for us, to be honest."
Critics of the bailout have pointed to American Airlines' haphazard financial decisions in recent years. Though the company noted in its 2019 report to the Securities and Exchange Commission that "an outbreak of contagious disease … could materially affect the airline industry," leading to a "rapid and unexpected change" in operations, it nonetheless spent $12.4 billion on stock buybacks over the past six years. The company is carrying $29 billion in debt, according to the Dallas Morning News.
One former American Airlines employee, speaking to the Free Beacon on background, criticized the company for using the crisis to "ask for money" while not doing enough to address the spread of the virus.
"Behind the scenes, American Airlines seems unaware of the coronavirus pandemic. They're signing expensive contracts and committing to maintain non-U.S. supply chains," the former employee said. "Their only acknowledgment of the pandemic has been to ask for money."
American Airlines did not respond to a request for comment.
Samuelsen said the agreement will place stricter limits on the outsourcing of jobs and begin to restore job protections for American workers.
"The industry is increasingly reliant on mechanical maintenance work on their aircraft being done overseas—in, by the way, dangerous places—both in the geopolitical sense and in the sense that the technicians are not certified in the same way as U.S. soil technicians," he said. "We brought a lot of that work back in-house."
Though American Airlines union members usually vote on new collective bargaining agreements in person, union leadership last Tuesday announced online voting "due to worsening circumstances surrounding the coronavirus crisis." On Sunday, union leaders released a video explaining the collective bargaining agreement to members ahead of the vote.
"The most frequently asked question is the bonus check," general chair John Coveny said. "The bonus check has been signed off by the company and the union, so you will receive the bonus check."
Coveny also discussed the agreement's pay hikes, noting that the wage increases will come immediately if the agreement is approved.
"Everyone will receive an increase of pay [the] date of ratification. The new raise of pay will take place the first Monday following [the] date of ratification, which will be March 30, pending ratification," he said.
Finally, Coveny highlighted increased vacation time proposed in the agreement.
"Vacation has been enhanced. There are increases throughout the scale," he said. "Anyone that is due a vacation, that would have earned a vacation this year from last year, will receive a check in the amount of one week's pay for those vacation weeks that would have accrued."
The union negotiating team voted unanimously to endorse the five-year contract and is pushing its 20,000 members to ratify it. Voting on the new agreement will conclude Thursday.


freebeacon--2020-03-25--Nicolle Wallace Is Stunned By That

Nicolle Wallace Is Stunned By That

The most dramatic host on cable news MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace is frequently stunned , shocked , chilled , and @ @ @ @ @ at the Trump administration , which she melodramatically covers at Deadline : White House .

The most dramatic host on cable news
MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace is frequently stunned, shocked, chilled, and left speechless by the goings-on at the Trump administration, which she melodramatically covers at Deadline: White House.


freebeacon--2020-03-25--Coronavirus Shutdowns Could Close Gun Stores in 12 States

Many states and localities are attempting to slow the spread of novel coronavirus through emergency shutdown orders that have effectively barred millions of Americans from legally purchasing guns .
While some states have deemed gun retailers `` essential '' and allowed them to remain open alongside grocery stores and medical supply companies , others have ordered shops to close .
Some state governments have left the decision up to localities .
A few areas have even shut gun stores down , only to reopen them again following public backlash and legal action .
Shutdown orders in 12 states have prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guns , even as demand for firearms , especially among first-time buyers , has soared in recent weeks .
The shutdowns raise questions about the constitutionality of temporarily denying access to firearms , even in an emergency situation .
The legal cases that have followed have the potential to set significant precedents on how much protection the Second Amendment and state constitutions provide to firearms sales , as well as the legal limitations of executive emergency power in the United States .
The National Shooting Sports Foundation ( NSSF ) , the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun dealers are constitutionally protected and provide a vital service .
Larry Keane , the group 's general counsel , recently asked the Department of Homeland Security to designate the industry as `` essential '' in the federal disaster response plan it provides to states .
NSSF said strong federal action can convince state and local authorities to follow suit .
`` I am also respectfully requesting that your agency designate the firearm and ammunition industry as a ‘ National Critical Infrastructure Industry ' and the employees who work in our industry should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers , ' '' Keane wrote .
`` While we are facing a different kind of war in combating an unprecedented public health crisis , it is imperative that we maintain a strong national defense and maintain public order . ''
In a resource for licensed gun dealers , NSSF said California , Delaware , Massachusetts , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , New Mexico , New York , Oregon , Vermont , and Washington have not given gun stores an `` essential '' designation in their shutdown orders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone a step further , shutting down not only gun stores but the state 's background check system—a decision that has made it nearly impossible to purchase a gun in the state .
Other states have said gun stores will remain open even as they begin lockdowns to address the deadly pandemic .
Arizona , Connecticut , Hawaii , Illinois , Indiana , Kentucky , Louisiana , Ohio , West Virginia , and Wisconsin have deemed gun stores `` essential '' or specifically exempted them from their shutdowns .
Some government officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles County Sheriff backtracked on shutting down gun stores after the county council intervened .
Pennsylvania Democratic governor Tom Wolf reversed course to allow gun stores to stay open on a limited basis , even after the state Supreme Court denied a lawsuit from Second Amendment activists seeking to overturn a shutdown order .
Gun-rights groups are hoping to force more reversals .
The National Rifle Association and NSSF have threatened to file suits against localities that close stores , while the Firearms Policy Coalition and Second Amendment Foundation ( SAF ) have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alan Gottlieb told the Washington Free Beacon his group has been `` really busy '' pursuing lawsuits in `` Washington , California , Massachusetts , and North Carolina . ''
The group already identified a plaintiff in Washington and filed a `` show cause '' motion in its federal case against New Jersey , according to Gottlieb .
Gov .
Murphy said he was `` comfortable '' with listing gun stores as `` nonessential '' during an exchange with Alex Roubian , president of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society .
New Jersey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that the state would defend the order in court and falsely claimed every other state had denied gun stores the `` essential '' designation .
`` The governor 's executive order tracks every other executive order that has a stay-at-home provision and none of those—none of those—contain an exemption for firearm stores and nor does the federal guidance from Homeland Security contain that type of exemption when it comes to essential facilities and nonessential facilities , '' Grewal said .
The New Jersey Second Amendment Society has joined SAF to challenge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcome efforts to contain the virus but emphasized that shutting down access to firearms during uncertain times is unacceptable .
`` Those who think suspending a constitutional right is acceptable because a virus is a health threat are truly mixing the proverbial apples and oranges to suit their own agendas , '' he said .
`` Gun dealers and their customers will do the right thing .
Nobody is looking to make this situation worse .
At the same time , citizens must be allowed to exercise their rights , especially during a @ @ @ @

Many states and localities are attempting to slow the spread of novel coronavirus through emergency shutdown orders that have effectively barred millions of Americans from legally purchasing guns.
While some states have deemed gun retailers "essential" and allowed them to remain open alongside grocery stores and medical supply companies, others have ordered shops to close. Some state governments have left the decision up to localities. A few areas have even shut gun stores down, only to reopen them again following public backlash and legal action.
Shutdown orders in 12 states have prevented millions of Americans from legally purchasing new guns, even as demand for firearms, especially among first-time buyers, has soared in recent weeks. The shutdowns raise questions about the constitutionality of temporarily denying access to firearms, even in an emergency situation. The legal cases that have followed have the potential to set significant precedents on how much protection the Second Amendment and state constitutions provide to firearms sales, as well as the legal limitations of executive emergency power in the United States.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the industry's trade group, has argued that gun dealers are constitutionally protected and provide a vital service. Larry Keane, the group's general counsel, recently asked the Department of Homeland Security to designate the industry as "essential" in the federal disaster response plan it provides to states. NSSF said strong federal action can convince state and local authorities to follow suit.
"I am also respectfully requesting that your agency designate the firearm and ammunition industry as a 'National Critical Infrastructure Industry' and the employees who work in our industry should be clearly identified and listed as 'Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers,'" Keane wrote. "While we are facing a different kind of war in combating an unprecedented public health crisis, it is imperative that we maintain a strong national defense and maintain public order."
In a resource for licensed gun dealers, NSSF said California, Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington have not given gun stores an "essential" designation in their shutdown orders. New Jersey Democratic governor Phil Murphy has gone a step further, shutting down not only gun stores but the state's background check system—a decision that has made it nearly impossible to purchase a gun in the state.
Other states have said gun stores will remain open even as they begin lockdowns to address the deadly pandemic. Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have deemed gun stores "essential" or specifically exempted them from their shutdowns.
Some government officials have waffled on the decision. The Los Angeles County Sheriff backtracked on shutting down gun stores after the county council intervened. Pennsylvania Democratic governor Tom Wolf reversed course to allow gun stores to stay open on a limited basis, even after the state Supreme Court denied a lawsuit from Second Amendment activists seeking to overturn a shutdown order.
Gun-rights groups are hoping to force more reversals. The National Rifle Association and NSSF have threatened to file suits against localities that close stores, while the Firearms Policy Coalition and Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) have already filed legal challenges. SAF founder Alan Gottlieb told the Washington Free Beacon his group has been "really busy" pursuing lawsuits in "Washington, California, Massachusetts, and North Carolina." The group already identified a plaintiff in Washington and filed a "show cause" motion in its federal case against New Jersey, according to Gottlieb.
Gov. Murphy said he was "comfortable" with listing gun stores as "nonessential" during an exchange with Alex Roubian, president of the New Jersey Second Amendment Society. New Jersey attorney general Gurbir Grewal (D.) added that the state would defend the order in court and falsely claimed every other state had denied gun stores the "essential" designation.
"The governor's executive order tracks every other executive order that has a stay-at-home provision and none of those—none of those—contain an exemption for firearm stores and nor does the federal guidance from Homeland Security contain that type of exemption when it comes to essential facilities and nonessential facilities," Grewal said.
The New Jersey Second Amendment Society has joined SAF to challenge the shutdown order. Gottlieb said gun stores welcome efforts to contain the virus but emphasized that shutting down access to firearms during uncertain times is unacceptable.
"Those who think suspending a constitutional right is acceptable because a virus is a health threat are truly mixing the proverbial apples and oranges to suit their own agendas," he said. "Gun dealers and their customers will do the right thing. Nobody is looking to make this situation worse. At the same time, citizens must be allowed to exercise their rights, especially during a national emergency."


freebeacon--2020-03-25--Biden: Green New Deal Could Come in Next Round of Coronavirus Relief

Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden said Wednesday that a version of the Green New Deal could come `` in the next round '' of coronavirus relief .
`` We 're going to have an opportunity , I believe , in the next round here to use my green economy , my green deal , to be able to generate both economic growth consistent with the kind of infusion of monies we need into the system to keep it going , '' Biden said during a livestream .
`` One of the ways to make sure these jobs are available , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meantime , is to provide the kind of jobs that are prevailing wages where people are making $ 45 , $ 50 an hour plus benefits , by building new infrastructure , '' Biden continued .
`` We 're going to need new infrastructure going down the road here . ''
Biden also advocated for $ 10,000 in student loan debt forgiveness `` across the board '' to help combat the coronavirus crisis .
The Biden campaign 's website describes the Green New Deal as a `` crucial framework '' for dealing with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's climate plan would cost $ 1.7 trillion over the next decade .
He has dismissed the possibility of eliminating all carbon emissions by 2030 , one of the primary proposals of the original Green New Deal proposed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) and Sen. Ed Markey ( D. , Mass. )
.
The Senate and the White House agreed to a massive $ 2 trillion stimulus package on Wednesday morning , despite Democratic resistance to Senate Republicans ' initial version of the bill .
Speaker of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjourned the House of Representatives in less than two minutes on Wednesday , meaning that a vote on the stimulus package will likely not occur later in the day .

Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden said Wednesday that a version of the Green New Deal could come "in the next round" of coronavirus relief.
"We're going to have an opportunity, I believe, in the next round here to use my green economy, my green deal, to be able to generate both economic growth consistent with the kind of infusion of monies we need into the system to keep it going," Biden said during a livestream.
"One of the ways to make sure these jobs are available, that may get lost or hurt in the meantime, is to provide the kind of jobs that are prevailing wages where people are making $45, $50 an hour plus benefits, by building new infrastructure," Biden continued. "We're going to need new infrastructure going down the road here."
Biden also advocated for $10,000 in student loan debt forgiveness "across the board" to help combat the coronavirus crisis.
The Biden campaign's website describes the Green New Deal as a "crucial framework" for dealing with climate change.
The former vice president's climate plan would cost $1.7 trillion over the next decade. He has dismissed the possibility of eliminating all carbon emissions by 2030, one of the primary proposals of the original Green New Deal proposed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D., Mass.).
The Senate and the White House agreed to a massive $2 trillion stimulus package on Wednesday morning, despite Democratic resistance to Senate Republicans' initial version of the bill.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) adjourned the House of Representatives in less than two minutes on Wednesday, meaning that a vote on the stimulus package will likely not occur later in the day.


freebeacon--2020-03-25--Biden Corrected for Claiming Trump’s Approval Hasn’t Risen During Crisis Response

Associated Press reporter Alexandra Jaffe fact-checked former vice president Joe Biden Wednesday when the presumptive Democratic nominee said President Donald Trump 's approval rating has n't gone up during the coronavirus pandemic .
Biden said he knew that most Americans approved of Trump ’ s handling of the crisis , but that had n't led to an increase in his overall job approval numbers .
`` Gallup did show he is now at 49 percent job approval , '' Jaffe said .
`` Which is a reversal from a few weeks ago .
So it ’ s just an interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people see him as a stronger leader than you ’ ve been characterizing him . ''
Biden responded that he hopes Trump 's job approval rating only improves .
`` Well I hope that he ’ s so strong that he ’ s up way above that , because we need the help now , '' Biden said .
Biden said that there is a need for a quicker response in preparing for the spread of the virus .
The former vice president has been a vocal critic of Trump 's emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no intention to criticize the president .

Associated Press reporter Alexandra Jaffe fact-checked former vice president Joe Biden Wednesday when the presumptive Democratic nominee said President Donald Trump's approval rating hasn't gone up during the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden said he knew that most Americans approved of Trump’s handling of the crisis, but that hadn't led to an increase in his overall job approval numbers.
"Gallup did show he is now at 49 percent job approval," Jaffe said. "Which is a reversal from a few weeks ago. So it’s just an interesting development, it does suggest that the American people see him as a stronger leader than you’ve been characterizing him."
Biden responded that he hopes Trump's job approval rating only improves.
"Well I hope that he’s so strong that he’s up way above that, because we need the help now," Biden said.
Biden said that there is a need for a quicker response in preparing for the spread of the virus. The former vice president has been a vocal critic of Trump's emergency response, even while saying he has no intention to criticize the president.


freebeacon--2020-03-25--CA Dem Candidate Deletes Tweet Criticizing Pelosi’s Coronavirus Bill

Ammar Campa-Najjar , who is running to fill the seat vacated by former Republican congressman Duncan Hunter , attacked Pelosi 's plan in a now-deleted Tuesday tweet , saying voters in his district were `` enraged '' by the proposal and its inclusion of `` unimportant items . ''
`` From the House bill : $ 35 million to the JFK Center .
Can someone explain why this is a priority right now ? ''
Campa-Najjar said .
`` I 'm getting emails from voters in # CA50 who are enraged about some of [ the ] price tags attached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House proposal . ''
Pelosi has faced bipartisan criticism for including expensive provisions unrelated to the coronavirus crisis in her stimulus bill .
In addition to conditioning bailouts on corporate diversity and decreased airline emissions , Pelosi 's bill called for $ 35 million for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington , D.C. Pelosi circulated the legislation after House Democrats derailed a bipartisan bill aimed at boosting the economy amid the ongoing pandemic .
Campa-Najjar deleted his tweet on the `` enraged '' emails he was receiving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critique of Pelosi 's legislation .
`` Instead of itemizing $ 35 million to the Kennedy Center when it 's closed until May 10th , the House bill should be helping to provide relief to gig workers ( like drivers ) who have zero protections , '' Campa-Najjar said .
Campa-Najjar is currently making his second run for office in the district after narrowly falling last cycle to Hunter , who was indicted on dozens of criminal charges months before voters went to the polls .
The Democrat will now face former Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to the House after retiring from the neighboring 49th district two years ago .
The Issa campaign attacked Campa-Najjar for walking back his criticism of Pelosi , saying the Democrat will `` fall in line with whatever Pelosi says . ''
`` Ammar Campa-Najjar initially did the right thing in calling her out on it in a statement , '' Issa 's campaign manager Eric Hollander said in a statement .
`` But then Campa-Najjar deleted that statement , showing he 's nothing more than a Nancy Pelosi lapdog who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Campa-Najjar defended his decision to delete his initial tweet questioning the decision by Pelosi to include a $ 35 million provision for the Kennedy Center in the House stimulus proposal .
`` That tweet was a question , after I got an answer , I replaced it with a criticism and a solution , '' Campa-Najjar wrote on Twitter .
His campaign further told the Free Beacon that Campa-Najjar `` stood by his criticism , and has never had a problem standing up to his party when he felt necessary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ two top candidates from the district 's early March jungle primary and will face off in November .

The Democratic nominee in California's 50th Congressional District deleted a tweet criticizing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D., Calif.) coronavirus stimulus bill.
Ammar Campa-Najjar, who is running to fill the seat vacated by former Republican congressman Duncan Hunter, attacked Pelosi's plan in a now-deleted Tuesday tweet, saying voters in his district were "enraged" by the proposal and its inclusion of "unimportant items."
"From the House bill: $35 million to the JFK Center. Can someone explain why this is a priority right now?" Campa-Najjar said. "I'm getting emails from voters in #CA50 who are enraged about some of [the] price tags attached to some comparatively unimportant items in the House proposal."
Pelosi has faced bipartisan criticism for including expensive provisions unrelated to the coronavirus crisis in her stimulus bill. In addition to conditioning bailouts on corporate diversity and decreased airline emissions, Pelosi's bill called for $35 million for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Pelosi circulated the legislation after House Democrats derailed a bipartisan bill aimed at boosting the economy amid the ongoing pandemic.
Campa-Najjar deleted his tweet on the "enraged" emails he was receiving, replacing it with a much more subdued critique of Pelosi's legislation.
"Instead of itemizing $35 million to the Kennedy Center when it's closed until May 10th, the House bill should be helping to provide relief to gig workers (like drivers) who have zero protections," Campa-Najjar said.
Campa-Najjar is currently making his second run for office in the district after narrowly falling last cycle to Hunter, who was indicted on dozens of criminal charges months before voters went to the polls. The Democrat will now face former Republican congressman Darrell Issa, who is looking to return to the House after retiring from the neighboring 49th district two years ago. The Issa campaign attacked Campa-Najjar for walking back his criticism of Pelosi, saying the Democrat will "fall in line with whatever Pelosi says."
"Ammar Campa-Najjar initially did the right thing in calling her out on it in a statement," Issa's campaign manager Eric Hollander said in a statement. "But then Campa-Najjar deleted that statement, showing he's nothing more than a Nancy Pelosi lapdog who will fall in line with whatever Pelosi says."
Campa-Najjar defended his decision to delete his initial tweet questioning the decision by Pelosi to include a $35 million provision for the Kennedy Center in the House stimulus proposal.
"That tweet was a question, after I got an answer, I replaced it with a criticism and a solution," Campa-Najjar wrote on Twitter. His campaign further told the Free Beacon that Campa-Najjar "stood by his criticism, and has never had a problem standing up to his party when he felt necessary."
Issa and Campa-Najjar emerged as the two top candidates from the district's early March jungle primary and will face off in November.


freebeacon--2020-03-25--Exclusive: Iran Imprisoning Coronavirus Whistleblowers, State Department Says

Tehran is lying to the international community about the number of citizens infected and killed by coronavirus and imprisoning dissenters for speaking out , the U.S. State Department tells the Washington Free Beacon .
`` The regime has imprisoned dozens of Iranians for sharing statistics and forced hospital officials across Iran to falsify the number of cases and deaths , '' said State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus .
The Iranian regime claims the numbers of those infected and dead stand at 24,811 and 1,934 , respectively .
But the United States and other observers say there are far more casualties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual infection rate and death toll secret , Iranian officials have resorted to violence and subterfuge .
Their efforts include enlisting U.S. allies in a campaign to weaken the Trump administration 's tough economic sanctions on the country , a move that could provide the regime with billions in cash .
`` We can be sure that the same regime that lied about shooting down a passenger jet and that still has n't revealed the number of protesters killed last November is not being transparent with the number of cases and deaths from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to Iran 's downing of a commercial airliner last year that killed everyone on board .
Iran , through its state-controlled press organs , claims 8,913 citizens have recovered from the coronavirus as of Tuesday evening .
Several senior Iranian leaders have already died from the illness , while others have been forced to admit they are infected .
The National Council of Resistance of Iran , an exiled opposition group that seeks to depose the hardline government , alleges that nearly 6,000 Iranians have died from coronavirus as of last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collected by dissidents operating inside the country .
As Iranian officials mislead the international media about the scope of the situation in their country , they also have seized on the virus as an opportunity to push for full-scale sanctions relief .
The European Union is already poised to send Iran more than 20 million euros in relief funds .
Tehran also has petitioned the International Monetary Fund to provide at least $ 5 billion in emergency funds—a lifeline that sources say European allies will support .
This money has emerged as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its allies on Capitol Hill .
Critics in the administration are concerned the cash will not be used for medical purposes , but to fund Tehran 's terrorist proxies across the Middle East .
The Iranian regime already stands accused of stealing more than $ 1 billion in humanitarian aid .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo challenged Iranian leaders on Monday in a blunt statement outlining the regime 's lies .
Billing his statement as a fact check on the regime , Pompeo accused Iranian officials of pocketing more than a billion dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to combat the coronavirus .
`` Regime officials stole over a billion euros intended for medical supplies , '' Pompeo said .
The secretary of state also accused Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei of spreading conspiracy theories alleging the United States is responsible for creating the virus and infecting the world .
Iran 's pleas for sanctions relief have received attention in the U.S. media .
Former officials from the Obama administration 's so-called echo chamber—a network of pro-Iran activists , media figures , and government officials who coordinated to ink the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the nature of U.S. sanctions , which do not limit humanitarian aid to the country .
While Tehran has rebuffed repeated Trump administration overtures to aid its coronavirus response , it has falsely claimed that American sanctions are blocking the delivery of medical supplies .
Iran `` rejected this offer because [ Khamenei ] works tirelessly to concoct conspiracy theories and prioritizes ideology over the Iranian people , '' Pompeo said earlier in the week .
Richard Goldberg , who served as a senior Iran adviser on Trump 's National Security Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is seeking to dupe Europe into giving it cash assets .
`` What 's really happening is that everything America said about the Islamic Republic is proving true , '' said Goldberg , who is now a senior adviser to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies .
`` Rather than invest in their own people , the mullahs spend money on terrorist proxies outside Iran 's borders , expensive missile tests , and costly nuclear expansions .
Now they have to choose whether to keep funding their illicit activities or spend money on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international bailout or sanctions relief so they wo n't have to choose . ''

Tehran is lying to the international community about the number of citizens infected and killed by coronavirus and imprisoning dissenters for speaking out, the U.S. State Department tells the Washington Free Beacon.
"The regime has imprisoned dozens of Iranians for sharing statistics and forced hospital officials across Iran to falsify the number of cases and deaths," said State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.
The Iranian regime claims the numbers of those infected and dead stand at 24,811 and 1,934, respectively. But the United States and other observers say there are far more casualties. In a bid to keep the actual infection rate and death toll secret, Iranian officials have resorted to violence and subterfuge. Their efforts include enlisting U.S. allies in a campaign to weaken the Trump administration's tough economic sanctions on the country, a move that could provide the regime with billions in cash.
"We can be sure that the same regime that lied about shooting down a passenger jet and that still hasn't revealed the number of protesters killed last November is not being transparent with the number of cases and deaths from coronavirus today," Ortagus said, referring to Iran's downing of a commercial airliner in January that killed everyone on board.
Iran, through its state-controlled press organs, claims 8,913 citizens have recovered from the coronavirus as of Tuesday evening. Several senior Iranian leaders have already died from the illness, while others have been forced to admit they are infected. The National Council of Resistance of Iran, an exiled opposition group that seeks to depose the hardline government, alleges that nearly 6,000 Iranians have died from coronavirus as of last week. The group said its data were collected by dissidents operating inside the country.
As Iranian officials mislead the international media about the scope of the situation in their country, they also have seized on the virus as an opportunity to push for full-scale sanctions relief.
The European Union is already poised to send Iran more than 20 million euros in relief funds. Tehran also has petitioned the International Monetary Fund to provide at least $5 billion in emergency funds—a lifeline that sources say European allies will support.
This money has emerged as a flashpoint within the Trump administration and among its allies on Capitol Hill. Critics in the administration are concerned the cash will not be used for medical purposes, but to fund Tehran's terrorist proxies across the Middle East. The Iranian regime already stands accused of stealing more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo challenged Iranian leaders on Monday in a blunt statement outlining the regime's lies. Billing his statement as a fact check on the regime, Pompeo accused Iranian officials of pocketing more than a billion dollars in humanitarian funds that should have been used to combat the coronavirus.
"Regime officials stole over a billion euros intended for medical supplies," Pompeo said.
The secretary of state also accused Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei of spreading conspiracy theories alleging the United States is responsible for creating the virus and infecting the world.
Iran's pleas for sanctions relief have received attention in the U.S. media.
Former officials from the Obama administration's so-called echo chamber—a network of pro-Iran activists, media figures, and government officials who coordinated to ink the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran—have disseminated falsehoods about the nature of U.S. sanctions, which do not limit humanitarian aid to the country.
While Tehran has rebuffed repeated Trump administration overtures to aid its coronavirus response, it has falsely claimed that American sanctions are blocking the delivery of medical supplies.
Iran "rejected this offer because [Khamenei] works tirelessly to concoct conspiracy theories and prioritizes ideology over the Iranian people," Pompeo said earlier in the week.
Richard Goldberg, who served as a senior Iran adviser on Trump's National Security Council, told the Free Beacon that Tehran is seeking to dupe Europe into giving it cash assets.
"What's really happening is that everything America said about the Islamic Republic is proving true," said Goldberg, who is now a senior adviser to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "Rather than invest in their own people, the mullahs spend money on terrorist proxies outside Iran's borders, expensive missile tests, and costly nuclear expansions. Now they have to choose whether to keep funding their illicit activities or spend money on the people—and they'd rather get an international bailout or sanctions relief so they won't have to choose."


freebeacon--2020-03-25--Pelosi Ends House Session in Less Than Two Minutes

Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) ended the House 's session Wednesday within two minutes and did not @ @ @ @ @ a vote on the coronavirus stimulus bill .
The House was set to approve the @ @ @ @ @ unanimous consent was expected after Senate leaders and the White House struck a deal Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ statement on Wednesday saying the bill had moved closer to helping the American worker but @ @ @ @ @ the process of review .
`` House Democrats will now review the final provisions and @ @ @ @ @ to determine a course of action , '' Pelosi said .
Politico senior writer Jake @ @ @ @ @ the House is not likely to vote on the bill on Wednesday as anticipated .
@ @ @ @ @ reporter Chad Pergram that the House will not be meeting again for the rest of @ @ @

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) ended the House's session Wednesday within two minutes and did not indicate when there will be a vote on the coronavirus stimulus bill.
The House was set to approve the $2 trillion package and unanimous consent was expected after Senate leaders and the White House struck a deal Tuesday night.
Pelosi released a statement on Wednesday saying the bill had moved closer to helping the American worker but added that it is in the process of review.
"House Democrats will now review the final provisions and legislative text of the agreement to determine a course of action," Pelosi said.
Politico senior writer Jake Sherman wrote on Twitter that the House is not likely to vote on the bill on Wednesday as anticipated.
To be abundantly, 100% clear: This means the House is not likely to vote on the Senate’s coronavirus bill today. https://t.co/nl71PF1jLn — Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 25, 2020
Sources also told Fox News reporter Chad Pergram that the House will not be meeting again for the rest of the day.


freebeacon--2020-03-25--New Pro-Biden Super PAC Ad Spreads Two Debunked Claims Against Trump

A new advertisement from a pro-Joe Biden super PAC makes two debunked claims about President Donald Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Donald Trump did n't create the coronavirus .
But he is the one who called hoax [ sic ] .
Who eliminated the pandemic response team .
And who let the virus spread unchecked across America , '' a voiceover in Unite the Country 's ad states .
`` Crisis comes to every president .
This one failed . ''
The claims that Trump called the virus a `` hoax '' and `` eliminated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact-checked and found to be misleading , at best .
A Washington Post fact-check gave a Biden advertisement that was edited to show Trump calling the virus a `` hoax '' four Pinocchios , the fact-check 's worst rating .
The advertisement edited a speech from a Trump rally on Feb. 28 to show him referring to the coronavirus as `` their new hoax . ''
Trump was referring , however , to Democratic attacks against his administration 's response to the virus , not the virus itself .
`` This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact-check states .
`` It edits out large portions of a video but still presents it as a complete narrative . ''
Trump clarified on Feb. 29 that he was specifically referring to the Democrats ' attempts to blame him for the virus .
`` ‘ Hoax ' referring to the action that [ Democrats ] take to try and pin this on somebody , because we ’ ve done such a good job .
The hoax is on them , '' he said .
Unite the Country 's claim that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also misleading .
Another Washington Post fact-check concluded former national security adviser John Bolton eliminated the office in 2018 but reorganized its responsibilities into another existing office .
Tim Morrison , a former administration official , defended the reorganization in an op-ed , writing that while it is true the administration reduced staff , `` the current staffing level is fully up to the job . ''
Other Trump administration officials have also defended the reorganization .
`` The Global Health Security directorate was absorbed into another directorate where similar responsibilities still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under different titles , '' one official told Time .
Unite the Country claimed Wednesday that Fox News declined to run the advertisement .

A new advertisement from a pro-Joe Biden super PAC makes two debunked claims about President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Donald Trump didn't create the coronavirus. But he is the one who called hoax [sic]. Who eliminated the pandemic response team. And who let the virus spread unchecked across America," a voiceover in Unite the Country's ad states. "Crisis comes to every president. This one failed."
The claims that Trump called the virus a "hoax" and "eliminated the pandemic response team" have both been fact-checked and found to be misleading, at best.
A Washington Post fact-check gave a Biden advertisement that was edited to show Trump calling the virus a "hoax" four Pinocchios, the fact-check's worst rating.
The advertisement edited a speech from a Trump rally on Feb. 28 to show him referring to the coronavirus as "their new hoax." Trump was referring, however, to Democratic attacks against his administration's response to the virus, not the virus itself.
"This is a clear example of deceptive editing," the fact-check states. "It edits out large portions of a video but still presents it as a complete narrative."
Trump clarified on Feb. 29 that he was specifically referring to the Democrats' attempts to blame him for the virus.
"'Hoax' referring to the action that [Democrats] take to try and pin this on somebody, because we’ve done such a good job. The hoax is on them," he said.
Unite the Country's claim that Trump "eliminated the pandemic response team" is also misleading. Another Washington Post fact-check concluded former national security adviser John Bolton eliminated the office in 2018 but reorganized its responsibilities into another existing office.
Tim Morrison, a former administration official, defended the reorganization in an op-ed, writing that while it is true the administration reduced staff, "the current staffing level is fully up to the job."
Other Trump administration officials have also defended the reorganization.
"The Global Health Security directorate was absorbed into another directorate where similar responsibilities still exist at the National Security Council but under different titles," one official told Time.
Unite the Country claimed Wednesday that Fox News declined to run the advertisement.


freebeacon--2020-03-26--‘Economist’ Runs Chinese Coronavirus Propaganda Disguised as News

The Economist is running Chinese propaganda from an outlet that is violating U.S. law to spread the message that Chinese president Xi Jinping has done a masterful job handling the coronavirus pandemic .
The propaganda advertorials , which are ads designed to look like news stories , come from the Beijing Review , an entity backed by the Chinese Communist Party .
The outlet has never registered with the Department of Justice as required by the Foreign Agents Registration Act ( FARA ) and does not include a legally required disclaimer that the ad is being pushed by a foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] leads the battle against COVID-19 outbreak toward victory , '' an advertorial published in the March 21 edition of the Economist reads .
`` China has rolled out ‘ probably the most ambitious , agile , and aggressive disease containment effort in history . '
'' The Chinese government has routinely placed propaganda articles intended to mimic news reports .
Most Chinese official mouthpieces , however , are registered as foreign agents in the United States and include the necessary disclaimer in their publications .
The Beijing Review does not , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States the most egregious violation of law thus far .
The State Department has sharply condemned the advertorials , which China pays American media to disseminate , arguing that the outlets that published the advertorials are complicit in the spread of Chinese influence in the United States .
`` This Administration has been very clear that all Americans need to become familiar with , and guard against , the Chinese Communist Party 's tools of influence and interference in our politics , '' State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People 's Republic of China ] state media , they are helping the PRC to propagandize the American people . ''
Beijing Review is an English-language weekly magazine published by the China International Publishing Group , China 's largest foreign publishing company that is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party .
The magazine , which claims to have a circulation of more than 70,000 per issue , has published advertorials in the Economist since at least 2018 , according to the Economist ‘ s own reporting .
Neither Beijing Review nor the China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Justice , according to FARA public records .
And the advertorial that appeared on March 21 did not have the legally required `` conspicuous statement '' that the information is disseminated on behalf of a foreign power .
Neither entity responded to requests for comment .
Dr. Ben Freeman , a director at the Center for International Policy , said that the Chinese propagandists violated the law .
He raised concerns that the lack of the legally required disclaimer could mislead and misinform readers .
`` Without this statement , readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're just reading another article in the Economist , when in fact they 're reading the Chinese Communist Party 's propaganda , '' he told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` That deception—propaganda being passed off as journalism—is precisely what FARA is meant to stop . ''
It remains unclear when the first CCP propaganda appeared in the pages of the Economist .
The outlet did not respond to request for comment .
The Economist advertorial is just one of the publications that have published this type of propaganda .
The Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dozen Chinese propaganda articles about the coronavirus on its website since January .
Many of the articles in the Journal downplay the pandemic 's impact on the Chinese economy while touting the regime 's successful response .
Some of the advertorial headlines include : `` China 's Virus Containment Wins Praise '' ; `` Epidemic Impact to Be Limited '' ; `` Apple CEO : China Getting Outbreak Under Control . ''
The Journal did not respond to a request for comment .
China has intermixed the ads in the Economist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States as part of its larger propaganda campaign to deflect blame for the outbreak .
As part of this propaganda blitz , China 's foreign ministry and other officials recently pushed a lie that the virus actually originated in the United States—a claim that was later disavowed by China 's ambassador to the United States .
Dr. Zack Cooper , a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute , said China 's decision to deploy aggressive lies against the United States `` is n't just business as usual , '' but a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different '' type of a disinformation campaign .
He said that while China 's more outlandish claims are unconvincing , the more soft-spoken Chinese advertorials , including those in the Economist , may find a more receptive audience in the United States .
`` Some of the Chinese messaging that is most effective in my view is the messaging that takes a slight twist … and uses something that is a little bit true , '' he said .
`` I think some of the comments about how China handled the disease well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not true .
But if you 're not following this closely , maybe it will add some doubt in your mind . ''
Despite the claims espoused by Chinese propagandists , China 's botched initial response to COVID-19 exacerbated the outbreak .
Chinese authorities ignored mounting signs of an imminent public health emergency for weeks and punished doctors who spoke up .
The cover-up wasted valuable time that could have gone toward containing the virus : One estimate found that 95 percent of coronavirus cases worldwide could have been avoided if China launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China has routinely published its propaganda articles in the pages of major newspapers , including the New York Times , Washington Post , and the Journal for at least the last three decades .
A Free Beacon review found that China Daily , an official communist party mouthpiece , had flouted FARA laws as it published more than 500 pages of propaganda articles in major U.S. outlets .
In response , Rep. Jim Banks ( R. , Ind . )
and 34 other members of Congress called for a Justice Department probe into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a longstanding practice at American news outlets and it infuriates me , '' Banks told the Free Beacon .
`` So to see this sort of propaganda now , right after the Chinese Communist Party has expelled American journalists and jailed Chinese whistleblowers for accurately reporting on coronavirus—it defies belief . ''

The Economist is running Chinese propaganda from an outlet that is violating U.S. law to spread the message that Chinese president Xi Jinping has done a masterful job handling the coronavirus pandemic.
The propaganda advertorials, which are ads designed to look like news stories, come from the Beijing Review, an entity backed by the Chinese Communist Party. The outlet has never registered with the Department of Justice as required by the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and does not include a legally required disclaimer that the ad is being pushed by a foreign nation.
"President Xi [Jinping] leads the battle against COVID-19 outbreak toward victory," an advertorial published in the March 21 edition of the Economist reads. "China has rolled out 'probably the most ambitious, agile, and aggressive disease containment effort in history.'"
The Chinese government has routinely placed propaganda articles intended to mimic news reports. Most Chinese official mouthpieces, however, are registered as foreign agents in the United States and include the necessary disclaimer in their publications. The Beijing Review does not, making the dissemination of its materials in the United States the most egregious violation of law thus far.
The State Department has sharply condemned the advertorials, which China pays American media to disseminate, arguing that the outlets that published the advertorials are complicit in the spread of Chinese influence in the United States.
"This Administration has been very clear that all Americans need to become familiar with, and guard against, the Chinese Communist Party's tools of influence and interference in our politics," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. "When media organizations host ads from PRC [People's Republic of China] state media, they are helping the PRC to propagandize the American people."
Beijing Review is an English-language weekly magazine published by the China International Publishing Group, China's largest foreign publishing company that is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. The magazine, which claims to have a circulation of more than 70,000 per issue, has published advertorials in the Economist since at least 2018, according to the Economist's own reporting.
Neither Beijing Review nor the China International Publishing Group is registered with the Department of Justice, according to FARA public records. And the advertorial that appeared on March 21 did not have the legally required "conspicuous statement" that the information is disseminated on behalf of a foreign power. Neither entity responded to requests for comment.
Dr. Ben Freeman, a director at the Center for International Policy, said that the Chinese propagandists violated the law. He raised concerns that the lack of the legally required disclaimer could mislead and misinform readers.
"Without this statement, readers can be easily tricked into believing that they're just reading another article in the Economist, when in fact they're reading the Chinese Communist Party's propaganda," he told the Washington Free Beacon. "That deception—propaganda being passed off as journalism—is precisely what FARA is meant to stop."
It remains unclear when the first CCP propaganda appeared in the pages of the Economist. The outlet did not respond to request for comment.
The Economist advertorial is just one of the publications that have published this type of propaganda. The Wall Street Journal has also published more than a dozen Chinese propaganda articles about the coronavirus on its website since January. Many of the articles in the Journal downplay the pandemic's impact on the Chinese economy while touting the regime's successful response. Some of the advertorial headlines include: "China's Virus Containment Wins Praise"; "Epidemic Impact to Be Limited"; "Apple CEO: China Getting Outbreak Under Control." The Journal did not respond to a request for comment.
China has intermixed the ads in the Economist and the Journal with aggressive accusations targeting the United States as part of its larger propaganda campaign to deflect blame for the outbreak. As part of this propaganda blitz, China's foreign ministry and other officials recently pushed a lie that the virus actually originated in the United States—a claim that was later disavowed by China's ambassador to the United States.
Dr. Zack Cooper, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, said China's decision to deploy aggressive lies against the United States "isn't just business as usual," but a serious escalation to a "new and different" type of a disinformation campaign. He said that while China's more outlandish claims are unconvincing, the more soft-spoken Chinese advertorials, including those in the Economist, may find a more receptive audience in the United States.
"Some of the Chinese messaging that is most effective in my view is the messaging that takes a slight twist … and uses something that is a little bit true," he said. "I think some of the comments about how China handled the disease well, early on—we all know that's not true. But if you're not following this closely, maybe it will add some doubt in your mind."
Despite the claims espoused by Chinese propagandists, China's botched initial response to COVID-19 exacerbated the outbreak. Chinese authorities ignored mounting signs of an imminent public health emergency for weeks and punished doctors who spoke up. The cover-up wasted valuable time that could have gone toward containing the virus: One estimate found that 95 percent of coronavirus cases worldwide could have been avoided if China launched a serious response to the outbreak.
China has routinely published its propaganda articles in the pages of major newspapers, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Journal for at least the last three decades. A Free Beacon review found that China Daily, an official communist party mouthpiece, had flouted FARA laws as it published more than 500 pages of propaganda articles in major U.S. outlets. In response, Rep. Jim Banks (R., Ind.) and 34 other members of Congress called for a Justice Department probe into China Daily in February.
"This is a longstanding practice at American news outlets and it infuriates me," Banks told the Free Beacon. "So to see this sort of propaganda now, right after the Chinese Communist Party has expelled American journalists and jailed Chinese whistleblowers for accurately reporting on coronavirus—it defies belief."


freebeacon--2020-03-26--LinkedIn’s Reid Hoffman Is Bankrolling Biden’s Super PAC

A Silicon Valley billionaire who helped rehab the image of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is now pouring major cash into the super PAC supporting Joe Biden 's candidacy .
The Unite the Country PAC , which launched in late October as Biden was posting low fundraising totals , hauled in $ 4.2 million in February , its newest records show .
Its largest donation was $ 1 million from LinkedIn founder and Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman , who previously apologized for `` helping to repair '' Epstein 's reputation and for funding a pro-Democrat disinformation campaign in Alabama .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost to Biden 's bid for the nomination .
Biden initially chastised the PAC 's formation , leading the group to shut down .
Biden 's communications director said at the time the candidate `` does not welcome assistance from super PACs . ''
The former vice president later reversed course after fundraising troubles , and the PAC began operations again .
Unite the Country has since poured millions into Iowa and Super Tuesday states .
It is currently running advertisements repeating two debunked claims about President Donald Trump 's handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donor with $ 1.5 million in contributions—acknowledged he had several interactions with Epstein .
The billionaire tech mogul said he put Epstein in contact with others for fundraising purposes after the child molester had been charged with sex crimes .
In August 2015 , Hoffman invited Epstein and Joi Ito , the former director of MIT 's Media Lab , to dinner in California .
`` Prior to these interactions , I was told by Joi that Epstein had cleared the MIT vetting process , which was the basis for my participation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published by Axios last September .
`` My last interaction with Epstein was in 2015 .
Still , by agreeing to participate in any fundraising activity where Epstein was present , I helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice . ''
Nearly a month after Epstein was found dead in his prison cell while facing federal sex-trafficking charges , Ito said he took $ 1.2 million from the disgraced financier for his own investment funds and another $ 525,000 for the Media Lab .
He resigned as director .
Hoffman also came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he admitted was a `` highly disturbing '' pro-Democrat disinformation campaign three years ago in Alabama , for which he later apologized .
Hoffman gave $ 750,000 to American Engagement Technologies , which undertook online campaigns to mislead Republicans in the state .
The tech billionaire was also an early supporter of ACRONYM , the dark money group in charge of the botched Iowa caucus app .
Tara McGowan , executive director of ACRONYM , said Hoffman and other billionaires `` took a chance '' on the group prior to its February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 865,000 contribution to the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund , a joint venture between the Democratic National Committee , 50 state Democratic parties , and the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee .
He also gave $ 250,000 to Stacey Abrams 's Fair Fight PAC and $ 250,000 to the House Majority PAC , among other committees .
Unite the Country did not respond to requests for comment .
The pro-Biden PAC was launched by D.C. fundraisers Mark Riddle and Matt Tompkins .
Tompkins submitted paperwork to the Federal Election Commission on April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden PAC .
The two also established Future Majority , a dark money entity that planned to spend $ 60 million in the 2020 elections .
The PAC 's name later changed to `` For the People PAC , '' identical to Future Majority 's `` For the People '' plan that was posted on its website at the time .
Riddle called the connection `` an interesting coincidence '' when questioned on it by RealClearPolitics .
He did not respond to inquiries last April from the Free Beacon on Tompkins 's involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark money group .
Future Majority has been active in the Midwest alongside other Democratic groups who are pouring tens of millions of dollars into the region in attempts to defeat President Trump in November .

A Silicon Valley billionaire who helped rehab the image of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is now pouring major cash into the super PAC supporting Joe Biden's candidacy.
The Unite the Country PAC, which launched in late October as Biden was posting low fundraising totals, hauled in $4.2 million in February, its newest records show. Its largest donation was $1 million from LinkedIn founder and Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman, who previously apologized for "helping to repair" Epstein's reputation and for funding a pro-Democrat disinformation campaign in Alabama.
The pro-Biden PAC has provided an outside cash boost to Biden's bid for the nomination. Biden initially chastised the PAC's formation, leading the group to shut down. Biden's communications director said at the time the candidate "does not welcome assistance from super PACs." The former vice president later reversed course after fundraising troubles, and the PAC began operations again. Unite the Country has since poured millions into Iowa and Super Tuesday states. It is currently running advertisements repeating two debunked claims about President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hoffman—the PAC's largest donor with $1.5 million in contributions—acknowledged he had several interactions with Epstein. The billionaire tech mogul said he put Epstein in contact with others for fundraising purposes after the child molester had been charged with sex crimes. In August 2015, Hoffman invited Epstein and Joi Ito, the former director of MIT's Media Lab, to dinner in California.
"Prior to these interactions, I was told by Joi that Epstein had cleared the MIT vetting process, which was the basis for my participation," Hoffman said in an apology letter published by Axios last September. "My last interaction with Epstein was in 2015. Still, by agreeing to participate in any fundraising activity where Epstein was present, I helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice."
Nearly a month after Epstein was found dead in his prison cell while facing federal sex-trafficking charges, Ito said he took $1.2 million from the disgraced financier for his own investment funds and another $525,000 for the Media Lab. He resigned as director.
Hoffman also came under fire for his hand in bankrolling what he admitted was a "highly disturbing" pro-Democrat disinformation campaign three years ago in Alabama, for which he later apologized. Hoffman gave $750,000 to American Engagement Technologies, which undertook online campaigns to mislead Republicans in the state.
The tech billionaire was also an early supporter of ACRONYM, the dark money group in charge of the botched Iowa caucus app. Tara McGowan, executive director of ACRONYM, said Hoffman and other billionaires "took a chance" on the group prior to its February meltdown.
Hoffman has provided a maximum $865,000 contribution to the Democratic Grassroots Victory Fund, a joint venture between the Democratic National Committee, 50 state Democratic parties, and the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee. He also gave $250,000 to Stacey Abrams's Fair Fight PAC and $250,000 to the House Majority PAC, among other committees.
Unite the Country did not respond to requests for comment.
The pro-Biden PAC was launched by D.C. fundraisers Mark Riddle and Matt Tompkins. Tompkins submitted paperwork to the Federal Election Commission on April 24 to form a committee called the Biden PAC. The two also established Future Majority, a dark money entity that planned to spend $60 million in the 2020 elections. The PAC's name later changed to "For the People PAC," identical to Future Majority's "For the People" plan that was posted on its website at the time.
Riddle called the connection "an interesting coincidence" when questioned on it by RealClearPolitics. He did not respond to inquiries last April from the Free Beacon on Tompkins's involvement with both the Biden PAC and the dark money group.
Future Majority has been active in the Midwest alongside other Democratic groups who are pouring tens of millions of dollars into the region in attempts to defeat President Trump in November.