talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-17--What Has Happened To The Promised Doses Of The COVID Vaccine?

Some major problems are already emerging in the initial rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine , and the federal government is not providing any good answers .
• At least twelve states are reporting cuts in their initial allocations of doses .
• One governor is reporting that the total number of doses projected to be available nationwide has been cut by four million monthly .
• The vaccine maker reports it is not having production problems and says it has doses in warehouses , but is awaiting direction from the federal government on where to send them .
The combination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in warehouses suggests some issue with the federal government ’ s oversight of the distribution of the vaccine .
But it ’ s not exactly clear what the hold up is .
The federal government has not offered an explanation for the shortfall in available doses .
The reduction was announced during a “ CDC/OWS all-state call ” Wednesday afternoon , Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin told TPM .
Most disturbingly , Illinois Gov .
J .
B. Pritzker ( D ) suggested that the entire federal vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been expected .
Federal officials with Operation Warp Speed have promised a monthly cadence of 20 million doses per each manufacturer per month .
But Pritzker said that federal officials had told him that the Trump administration would only be able to distribute 4 million doses of the vaccine per week .
He added that his state would receive half of what it has expected of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine over the next two weeks .
In addition to Pritzker ’ s Illinois , California , Kansas , Nebraska , Maryland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Iowa , Oregon , and Florida have said that they expected to receive less vaccine than federal officials had initially promised , offering different reasons for why .
A spokesperson for California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) told TPM that the “ federal government delayed the number of Pfizer vaccines that California will receive in the next shipment.
” The spokesperson had no explanation as to why state ’ s allocation had been reduced .
Gov .
Jay Inslee ( D ) of Washington state said that his state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by around 40 percent , without any explanation from federal officials .
“ This is disruptive and frustrating , ” Inslee said in a Thursday tweet .
Iowa ’ s Department of Public Health released a statement on Wednesday saying that the federal government had told it that Iowa , “ as well as other states , will not receive the volume of vaccine initially anticipated.
” The statement said that Iowa would receive 30 percent fewer doses than expected , and that the state was “ working to gain confirmation and additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nebraska , Gov .
Pete Ricketts ( R ) said that his state had been told that its Pfizer allocation for next week would not come , “ so that will be pushed off to the last week of December.
” Angie Ling , the state ’ s Department of Health and Human Services incident commander , attributed it to a “ supply chain problem , ” but said that she didn ’ t know specifically what the nature of the problem was .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 450,000 doses were “ on hold.
” “ We don ’ t know whether we will get any or not , ” DeSantis said .
“ And we ’ re just going to have to wait.
” The Florida Republican blamed it on manufacturing issues with Pfizer , but the pharmaceutical giant issued a statement denying that it was having problems in its production or delivery to the federal government .
“ This week , we successfully shipped all 2.9 million doses that we were asked to ship by the U.S. Government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement reads .
“ We have millions more doses sitting in our warehouse but , as of now , we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses.
” Under the Trump administration ’ s vaccine distribution plan , federal officials arrange for doses of the vaccine to reach the state level .
State officials then receive the doses and distribute the vaccine locally ; lack of funding for the distribution effort at the state level has stoked fears that the effort to inoculate the country will run into serious problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pfizer suggest that something in the federal distribution effort has led the Trump administration to scale back dose deliveries .
An HHS spokeswoman did not return TPM ’ s requests for comment regarding the Pfizer statement , or the cut dose-rates in general .
In what appears to a response to the reports , OWS denied that there had been any changes to the “ official ” planned allocations of the vaccine .
The OWS statement came out before Pfizer announced it had doses sitting in warehouses awaiting further instructions .
The lighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set incredibly rosy expectations for vaccine distribution , with HHS Secretary Alex Azar predicting that the vaccine would be widely available to the general public by February or March .
This story has been updated .

Some major problems are already emerging in the initial rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the federal government is not providing any good answers.
The early warning signs:
At least twelve states are reporting cuts in their initial allocations of doses. One governor is reporting that the total number of doses projected to be available nationwide has been cut by four million monthly. The vaccine maker reports it is not having production problems and says it has doses in warehouses, but is awaiting direction from the federal government on where to send them.
The combination of no production problems plus doses sitting in warehouses suggests some issue with the federal government’s oversight of the distribution of the vaccine.
But it’s not exactly clear what the hold up is. The federal government has not offered an explanation for the shortfall in available doses.
The reduction was announced during a “CDC/OWS all-state call” Wednesday afternoon, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Lynn Sutfin told TPM.
Most disturbingly, Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker (D) suggested that the entire federal vaccine distribution effort was falling short of what had been expected. Federal officials with Operation Warp Speed have promised a monthly cadence of 20 million doses per each manufacturer per month. But Pritzker said that federal officials had told him that the Trump administration would only be able to distribute 4 million doses of the vaccine per week.
He added that his state would receive half of what it has expected of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine over the next two weeks.
In addition to Pritzker’s Illinois, California, Kansas, Nebraska, Maryland, Michigan, Washington, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Oregon, and Florida have said that they expected to receive less vaccine than federal officials had initially promised, offering different reasons for why.
A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) told TPM that the “federal government delayed the number of Pfizer vaccines that California will receive in the next shipment.” The spokesperson had no explanation as to why state’s allocation had been reduced.
Gov. Jay Inslee (D) of Washington state said that his state’s vaccine allocation had also been slashed by around 40 percent, without any explanation from federal officials.
“This is disruptive and frustrating,” Inslee said in a Thursday tweet.
.@CDCgov has informed us that WA’s vaccine allocation will be cut by 40 percent next week — and that all states are seeing similar cuts. This is disruptive and frustrating. We need accurate, predictable numbers to plan and ensure on-the-ground success. No explanation was given. — Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) December 17, 2020
Iowa’s Department of Public Health released a statement on Wednesday saying that the federal government had told it that Iowa, “as well as other states, will not receive the volume of vaccine initially anticipated.”
The statement said that Iowa would receive 30 percent fewer doses than expected, and that the state was “working to gain confirmation and additional details from our federal partners.”
In Nebraska, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) said that his state had been told that its Pfizer allocation for next week would not come, “so that will be pushed off to the last week of December.” Angie Ling, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services incident commander, attributed it to a “supply chain problem,” but said that she didn’t know specifically what the nature of the problem was.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said on Tuesday that two shipments of around 450,000 doses were “on hold.”
“We don’t know whether we will get any or not,” DeSantis said. “And we’re just going to have to wait.”
The Florida Republican blamed it on manufacturing issues with Pfizer, but the pharmaceutical giant issued a statement denying that it was having problems in its production or delivery to the federal government.
“This week, we successfully shipped all 2.9 million doses that we were asked to ship by the U.S. Government to the locations specified by them,” the statement reads. “We have millions more doses sitting in our warehouse but, as of now, we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses.”
Under the Trump administration’s vaccine distribution plan, federal officials arrange for doses of the vaccine to reach the state level. State officials then receive the doses and distribute the vaccine locally; lack of funding for the distribution effort at the state level has stoked fears that the effort to inoculate the country will run into serious problems.
But statements from state officials and Pfizer suggest that something in the federal distribution effort has led the Trump administration to scale back dose deliveries.
An HHS spokeswoman did not return TPM’s requests for comment regarding the Pfizer statement, or the cut dose-rates in general.
In what appears to a response to the reports, OWS denied that there had been any changes to the “official” planned allocations of the vaccine. The OWS statement came out before Pfizer announced it had doses sitting in warehouses awaiting further instructions.
The lighter shipments come as Trump administration officials have set incredibly rosy expectations for vaccine distribution, with HHS Secretary Alex Azar predicting that the vaccine would be widely available to the general public by February or March.
Operation Warp Speed officials contradicted that claim on Wednesday.
This story has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-17--Pence And Biden Will Get Live Vaccinations Soon. Trump Is Still TBD.

Vice President Mike Pence and President-elect Joe Biden have signaled that they ’ re set to receive a COVID-19 vaccine on camera in the coming days — but how about President Trump , who ’ s more than two months out since his hospitalization for coronavirus at Walter Reed Medical Center ?
On Wednesday , the White House announced that the VP , second lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams will publicly receive a COVID-19 vaccine “ to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and build confidence among the American people.
” Pence , who leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set to be the highest-profile recipient of a COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic that has killed more than 300,000 Americans .
Biden is expected to be publicly vaccinated next week , according to transition officials .
“ I don ’ t want to get ahead of the line , but I want to make sure we demonstrate to the American people that it is safe to take , ” Biden told reporters on Wednesday in Wilmington , Delaware .
On the other hand , we still don ’ t know when Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said during a briefing that Trump is “ absolutely open ” to taking a COVID-19 vaccine .
After noting that Trump “ did recently recover from COVID ” and that he “ has the continued protective effects of the monoclonal antibody cocktail ” that he received during his stay at Walter Reed , McEnany said that Trump will receive the vaccine “ as soon as his medical team determines it ’ s best.
” “ But his priority is frontline workers , those in long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure that the vulnerable get access first , ” McEnany said .
Asked whether Trump will take the vaccine in public , in light of White House coronavirus officials Dr. Anthony Fauci and Moncef Slaoui saying that Trump should get the vaccine as well , McEnany dodged by replying that Trump wants to show the public that his administration ’ s priority is the “ most vulnerable.
” As she tried to spin Trump ’ s denial of reports that senior White House officials would be among the first to get access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selflessness , McEnany admitted that “ some senior administration officials ” will get early vaccine access .
TPM reached out to the White House for an update on Trump ’ s COVID-19 vaccination status .
A day after McEnany issued her remarks , CNN echoed the White House secretary ’ s statement by reporting that Trump won ’ t be inoculated until he gets the clear to do so by the White House medical team , citing an unnamed White House official .
The official also reiterated McEnany ’ s remarks by telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits of the monoclonal antibody cocktail he was given while hospitalized at Walter Reed in October .
According to CNN , the official said that Trump is likely to get vaccinated once he moves into a timing window to receive vaccination , which he is open to .
Much like McEnany , the official stressed to CNN that Trump wants to ensure that frontline medical workers are the first in line to receive the vaccine .

Vice President Mike Pence and President-elect Joe Biden have signaled that they’re set to receive a COVID-19 vaccine on camera in the coming days — but how about President Trump, who’s more than two months out since his hospitalization for coronavirus at Walter Reed Medical Center?
On Wednesday, the White House announced that the VP, second lady Karen Pence and Surgeon General Jerome Adams will publicly receive a COVID-19 vaccine “to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and build confidence among the American people.”
Pence, who leads the White House coronavirus task force, is set to be the highest-profile recipient of a COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic that has killed more than 300,000 Americans.
Biden is expected to be publicly vaccinated next week, according to transition officials.
“I don’t want to get ahead of the line, but I want to make sure we demonstrate to the American people that it is safe to take,” Biden told reporters on Wednesday in Wilmington, Delaware.
On the other hand, we still don’t know when Trump would receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
On Tuesday, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said during a briefing that Trump is “absolutely open” to taking a COVID-19 vaccine.
After noting that Trump “did recently recover from COVID” and that he “has the continued protective effects of the monoclonal antibody cocktail” that he received during his stay at Walter Reed, McEnany said that Trump will receive the vaccine “as soon as his medical team determines it’s best.”
“But his priority is frontline workers, those in long-term care facilities, and he wants to make sure that the vulnerable get access first,” McEnany said.
Asked whether Trump will take the vaccine in public, in light of White House coronavirus officials Dr. Anthony Fauci and Moncef Slaoui saying that Trump should get the vaccine as well, McEnany dodged by replying that Trump wants to show the public that his administration’s priority is the “most vulnerable.”
As she tried to spin Trump’s denial of reports that senior White House officials would be among the first to get access to COVID-19 vaccines into an act of selflessness, McEnany admitted that “some senior administration officials” will get early vaccine access.
TPM reached out to the White House for an update on Trump’s COVID-19 vaccination status.
A day after McEnany issued her remarks, CNN echoed the White House secretary’s statement by reporting that Trump won’t be inoculated until he gets the clear to do so by the White House medical team, citing an unnamed White House official.
The official also reiterated McEnany’s remarks by telling CNN that Trump is still receiving the benefits of the monoclonal antibody cocktail he was given while hospitalized at Walter Reed in October.
According to CNN, the official said that Trump is likely to get vaccinated once he moves into a timing window to receive vaccination, which he is open to.
Much like McEnany, the official stressed to CNN that Trump wants to ensure that frontline medical workers are the first in line to receive the vaccine.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-17--Federal Judge Tosses GOP Attempt To Restrict Drop Box Use For GA Runoff

A federal judge quickly put an end to one of three Republican attempts to curtail absentee voting in the Georgia runoffs Thursday after a brief hearing by teleconference .
This one , lodged by Georgia ’ s Twelfth Congressional District Republican Committee against Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other election officials , was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia .
It sought to block the use of drop boxes , keep officials from opening ballots until Election Day and invalidate guidance from Raffensperger ’ s office about verifying signature matches .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , ” said Judge J. Randal Hall during the hearing , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
“ We are , as it relates to this particular election , closing in on halftime.
” He added that absentee ballots had already been printed , mailed and in some cases , returned .
He also found GOP claims that the rules facilitated voter fraud “ highly speculative.
” Ultimately , he found that the plaintiffs lacked standing and rejected their emergency motion for a restraining order and injunction .
“ These plaintiffs are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court , and our Eleventh Circuit , have cautioned against , ” he said , per Politico .
“ I am not willing to go there.
” Another lawsuit in federal court , brought by the Georgia Republican Party , National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senators Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) and David Perdue ( R-GA ) , seeks to make signature matching procedures more restrictive .
That is also due to be heard on Thursday .
A third suit , filed by the Republican National Committee and state Republican Party on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ box usage to the hours of the local election offices and make changes to how poll watchers operate .
It ’ s still pending in Fulton County Superior Court .
As Republicans attempt to restrict voting at the eleventh hour , Georgia voters are already heading to the polls .
Early in-person voting started with a record-shattering day Monday , and more than 378,000 voters have returned their absentee ballots .

A federal judge quickly put an end to one of three Republican attempts to curtail absentee voting in the Georgia runoffs Thursday after a brief hearing by teleconference.
This one, lodged by Georgia’s Twelfth Congressional District Republican Committee against Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and other election officials, was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. It sought to block the use of drop boxes, keep officials from opening ballots until Election Day and invalidate guidance from Raffensperger’s office about verifying signature matches.
“We are not even on the eve of an election,” said Judge J. Randal Hall during the hearing, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We are, as it relates to this particular election, closing in on halftime.”
He added that absentee ballots had already been printed, mailed and in some cases, returned.
He also found GOP claims that the rules facilitated voter fraud “highly speculative.”
Ultimately, he found that the plaintiffs lacked standing and rejected their emergency motion for a restraining order and injunction.
“These plaintiffs are asking me to do what the Supreme Court, and our Eleventh Circuit, have cautioned against,” he said, per Politico. “I am not willing to go there.”
Another lawsuit in federal court, brought by the Georgia Republican Party, National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senators Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA), seeks to make signature matching procedures more restrictive. That is also due to be heard on Thursday.
A third suit, filed by the Republican National Committee and state Republican Party on the state level, seeks to limit drop box usage to the hours of the local election offices and make changes to how poll watchers operate. It’s still pending in Fulton County Superior Court.
As Republicans attempt to restrict voting at the eleventh hour, Georgia voters are already heading to the polls. Early in-person voting started with a record-shattering day Monday, and more than 378,000 voters have returned their absentee ballots.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-17--Dominion Lawyers Send Scathing Letter To Ex-Trump Lawyer Demanding She Retract ‘Lies’

Lawyers representing Dominion Voting Systems addressed a scathing letter on Wednesday night to former Trump election steal lawyer Sidney Powell , demanding that she publicly retract a series of false statements that the election technology supplier has said she wittingly made about its voting machines .
The baseless claims have been weaponized in conspiracy theories pushed by President Donald Trump and his allies about voter fraud and have invited threats of violence on Dominion employees .
Dominion lawyers Thomas Clare and Megan Meier rebuked Powell in the letter for waging a campaign of “ reckless disinformation ” about Dominion ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the machines at news conferences , pro-Trump rallies and on Trump-friendly conservative news networks .
Powell has also filed unsuccessful federal lawsuits seeking to overturn election results in four key swing states , Dominion ’ s lawyers said , making “ wild , knowingly baseless and false accusations ” that have “ endangered Dominion ’ s business and the lives of its employees.
” Dominion has been a scapegoat for declarations “ predicated on lies ” by the President and his allies that the company ’ s machines switched votes from Trump to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Although the indisputable facts all point to the conclusion that this was a free and fair election , you launched a media circus and fundraising campaign that undermined confidence in American democracy and peddled false , inherently improbably , and defamatory claims about Dominion participating in an international conspiracy to rig the election , ” Clare and Meier wrote .
They added that the effort by the former federal prosecutor , who once represented Trump ’ s first National Security Adviser Michael Flynn in a criminal case related to the Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ hard-earned reputation.
” The letter comes after John Poulos , Dominion ’ s chief executive , told the State Senate Oversight Committee in Michigan on Tuesday that the company had been the victim of “ a dangerous and reckless disinformation campaign aimed at sowing doubt and confusion.
” “ It would be impractical to address every one of your falsehoods in this letter , ” the lawyers said , demanding instead that Powell , who Trump dumped from his election gambit last month , publicly retract several of the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recent few weeks .
Among them , a wild claim that suggested the company ’ s voting machines were made with Cuban money in Venezuela to help Hugo Chavez win elections in the country .
The lawyers noted that it has no connection to Venezuela , to Chavez or to “ Big Foot or the Loch Ness monster.
” Powell has also been called on to disavow false statements she has made suggesting that the company paid Georgia officials to use its machines and that the company had manipulated votes to rig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of her most bizarre claims for news conferences — never formally making the wild allegations in her formal court filings , the lawyers noted .
The move has been a common post-election tactic by the Trump campaign that wins approval from supporters without taking any genuine legal standing .

Lawyers representing Dominion Voting Systems addressed a scathing letter on Wednesday night to former Trump election steal lawyer Sidney Powell, demanding that she publicly retract a series of false statements that the election technology supplier has said she wittingly made about its voting machines.
The baseless claims have been weaponized in conspiracy theories pushed by President Donald Trump and his allies about voter fraud and have invited threats of violence on Dominion employees.
Dominion lawyers Thomas Clare and Megan Meier rebuked Powell in the letter for waging a campaign of “reckless disinformation” about Dominion’s machines and touting QAnon-related conspiracies about the machines at news conferences, pro-Trump rallies and on Trump-friendly conservative news networks.
Powell has also filed unsuccessful federal lawsuits seeking to overturn election results in four key swing states, Dominion’s lawyers said, making “wild, knowingly baseless and false accusations” that have “endangered Dominion’s business and the lives of its employees.”
Dominion has been a scapegoat for declarations “predicated on lies” by the President and his allies that the company’s machines switched votes from Trump to President-elect Joe Biden, the lawyers said.
“Although the indisputable facts all point to the conclusion that this was a free and fair election, you launched a media circus and fundraising campaign that undermined confidence in American democracy and peddled false, inherently improbably, and defamatory claims about Dominion participating in an international conspiracy to rig the election,” Clare and Meier wrote.
They added that the effort by the former federal prosecutor, who once represented Trump’s first National Security Adviser Michael Flynn in a criminal case related to the Russia investigation, had deeply damaged the company’s “hard-earned reputation.”
The letter comes after John Poulos, Dominion’s chief executive, told the State Senate Oversight Committee in Michigan on Tuesday that the company had been the victim of “a dangerous and reckless disinformation campaign aimed at sowing doubt and confusion.”
“It would be impractical to address every one of your falsehoods in this letter,” the lawyers said, demanding instead that Powell, who Trump dumped from his election gambit last month, publicly retract several of the more serious false claims she has repeated in the recent few weeks. Among them, a wild claim that suggested the company’s voting machines were made with Cuban money in Venezuela to help Hugo Chavez win elections in the country. The lawyers noted that it has no connection to Venezuela, to Chavez or to “Big Foot or the Loch Ness monster.”
Powell has also been called on to disavow false statements she has made suggesting that the company paid Georgia officials to use its machines and that the company had manipulated votes to rig the recent election.
Powell notably reserved some of her most bizarre claims for news conferences — never formally making the wild allegations in her formal court filings, the lawyers noted.
The move has been a common post-election tactic by the Trump campaign that wins approval from supporters without taking any genuine legal standing.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-18--Members Of Congress Will Be Offered COVID-19 Vaccine In First Round

Members of Congress will be among the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine in the coming days under the banner of continuity-of-government requirements as laid out by intelligence experts .
Capitol physician Brian Monahan said in a letter to members of Congress and their staff on Thursday that the White House ’ s National Security Council told him Congress would be designated “ a specific number of COVID-19 vaccine doses to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations.
” Monahan said that once members of Congress are vaccinated , “ continuity-essential ” staff members will be next in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to other staff members “ until the small vaccine supply is exhausted.
” Spouses and family members will not be eligible to receive a vaccine from the congressional supply , the physician said .
The physician urged lawmakers not to delay getting the vaccine , even after President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday said he would not rush to get the COVID-19 vaccine , also tweeting at the time that people working in the White House should receive the vaccine “ somewhat later in the program , unless specifically necessary.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine , ” Monahan said .
“ The benefit far exceeds any small risk.
” Vice President Mike Pence received the COVID-19 vaccine on live television early Friday , touting the vaccine ’ s rapid development and the beginnings of its distribution as a “ medical miracle.
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) praised the vaccine in a floor speech Monday , before adding : “ I will not skip the line.
” But both Senate Majority Leader Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi ( D-CA ) issued statements on Thursday confirming they would take the vaccine in the coming days with McConnell urging Americans to have faith in the vaccine and citing “ government continuity requirements ” for being offered the shot early .
Pelosi similarly noted that “ with confidence in the vaccine ” and at the direction of the attending physician she would get her first round of the vaccination in the next few days .
“ It is imperative that we ensure that the vaccine will be free and delivered in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans as soon as possible , ” she added .
Here ’ s the most relevant part of Monahan ’ s letter , released by Pelosi ’ s office : Availability of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID19 Vaccine for US Congress Continuity of Government Purpose The Food and Drug Administration granted an Emergency Use Authorization to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID19 vaccine on December 12 , 2020 .
I have been notified by the National Security Council that consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 40 ( 2016 ) , Congress and the Supreme Court , along with Executive Branch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific number of COVID19 vaccine doses to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations .
These requirements are focused on essential operations and personnel .
PPD-40 establishes continuity requirements for the Federal Government and states that continuity actions for the Executive Branch should be undertaken in parallel with the Legislative and Judicial branches of government .
The small number of COVID19 vaccine doses we will be provided reflects a fraction of the first tranche of vaccines as it is distributed throughout the country .
The following are some questions and answer format @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual judgment about participating in this voluntary vaccination .
My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal : there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine .
The benefit far exceeds any small risk .

Members of Congress will be among the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine in the coming days under the banner of continuity-of-government requirements as laid out by intelligence experts.
Capitol physician Brian Monahan said in a letter to members of Congress and their staff on Thursday that the White House’s National Security Council told him Congress would be designated “a specific number of COVID-19 vaccine doses to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations.”
Monahan said that once members of Congress are vaccinated, “continuity-essential” staff members will be next in line. Remaining doses will then be made available to other staff members “until the small vaccine supply is exhausted.”
Spouses and family members will not be eligible to receive a vaccine from the congressional supply, the physician said.
The physician urged lawmakers not to delay getting the vaccine, even after President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday said he would not rush to get the COVID-19 vaccine, also tweeting at the time that people working in the White House should receive the vaccine “somewhat later in the program, unless specifically necessary.”
“My recommendation to you is absolutely unequivocal: there is no reason why you should defer receiving this vaccine,” Monahan said. “The benefit far exceeds any small risk.”
Vice President Mike Pence received the COVID-19 vaccine on live television early Friday, touting the vaccine’s rapid development and the beginnings of its distribution as a “medical miracle.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) praised the vaccine in a floor speech Monday, before adding: “I will not skip the line.”
But both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) issued statements on Thursday confirming they would take the vaccine in the coming days with McConnell urging Americans to have faith in the vaccine and citing “government continuity requirements” for being offered the shot early.
Pelosi similarly noted that “with confidence in the vaccine” and at the direction of the attending physician she would get her first round of the vaccination in the next few days.
“It is imperative that we ensure that the vaccine will be free and delivered in a fair, equitable manner to as many Americans as soon as possible,” she added.
Here’s the most relevant part of Monahan’s letter, released by Pelosi’s office:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-18--Pence Gets COVID-19 Vaccination On Live TV

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Vice President Mike Pence was vaccinated for COVID-19 on Friday in a live-television event aimed at reassuring Americans the vaccine is safe .
He celebrated the shot as “ a medical miracle ” that could eventually contain the raging coronavirus pandemic .
Pence , the highest profile official yet to receive the vaccine , has taken an increasingly visible role in highlighting the safety of the shot , including touring a vaccine production facility this week .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both said Thursday that they will get vaccinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden expects to receive his shot as soon as next week .
“ The American people can be confident : we have one and perhaps within hours two ” safe vaccines , ” Pence said after being injected with Pfizer-BioNTech ’ s shot and , referring to expected FDA approval for Moderna ’ s vaccine .
“ Building confidence in the vaccine is what brings us here this morning , ” he added .
Pence ’ s wife Karen and Surgeon General Jerome Adams also received shots during the televised White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Adams , who is Black , emphasized the “ the importance of representation ” in outreach to at-risk communities and encouraged Americans to avoid disinformation around the vaccines .
Five days into the largest vaccination campaign in the nation ’ s history , and after his administration helped deliver vaccinations earlier than even some in his administration thought possible , President Donald Trump has held no public events to trumpet the rollout .
He hasn ’ t been inoculated himself .
He has tweeted fewer than a handful of times about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes as he continues to stew about his defeat in the Nov. 3 election and embraces increasingly extreme efforts to overturn the people ’ s will .
He ’ s pushed aside the plans of aides who wanted him to be the public face of the vaccination campaign , eschewing visits to labs and production facilities to thank workers , or hosting efforts to build public confidence in the shot , according to people familiar with the conversations .
The sheepish approach has been surprising , especially for a president rarely shy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professor at Georgetown Law who focuses on public health .
“ The president ’ s relatively low profile on the COVID response since the election is curious and counter to Mr. Trump ’ s own interests , ” he said .
Gostin , who has criticized Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic in the past , said that he “ deserves a great deal of credit ” for Operation Warp Speed and placing a bet on two vaccines that use groundbreaking mRNA technology .
“ Having exhibited leadership in the vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pride in publicly demonstrating his trust in COVID vaccines , ” he said .
Trump did appear at a White House “ summit ” ahead of the Food and Drug Administration ’ s approval of the Pfizer vaccine last week .
That event included an introductory video highlighting the past comments of those — including top government infectious-disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci — who doubted a shot would be ready this year .
But many Trump aides are puzzled by his low profile now that the vaccine is actually being injected .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president , who leaves office at noon on Jan. 20 , to claim credit for helping oversee the speedy development and deployment of the vaccine that is expected to finally contain the virus that has killed more than 310,000 Americans .
Trump himself has tried to minimize any credit that might go to his successor , Biden , who will preside over the bulk of the nationwide injection campaign next year .
“ Don ’ t let Joe Biden take credit for the vaccines , ” Trump has told reporters .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the vaccines because the vaccines were me , and I pushed people harder than they ’ ve ever been pushed before.
” Despite Trump ’ s claims , FDA scientists were the ones who came up with the idea for Operation Warp Speed , the White House-backed effort through which millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines and treatments are being manufactured even as they are still being evaluated .
And much of the groundwork for the shots was laid over the past decade , including through research on messenger RNA , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by both Pfizer and Moderna .
Pfizer developed its vaccine outside Operation Warp Speed but is partnering with the federal government on manufacturing and distribution .
Trump ’ s low-key approach could have an impact on public health .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , told NBC News this week that 75 % to 85 % of the nation needs to be vaccinated to achieve “ herd immunity , ” making the public education campaign about the vaccine ’ s safety all the more pressing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Public Affairs Research found that only about half of Americans want to get the vaccine as soon as possible .
Another quarter of the public isn ’ t sure , while the remaining quarter say they aren ’ t interested .
Some simply oppose vaccines in general .
Others are concerned that the injections have been rushed and want to see how the rollout goes .
As Trump sat on the sidelines , some of his favored commentators , including Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson , were questioning the safety of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brian Morgenstern said Trump “ will continue to update the country through a variety of means while giving medical professionals and hardworking staff at OWS the space to do their jobs and save lives.
” While senior officials are beginning to make plans to receive the vaccine in public to help build public confidence , Trump , who was hospitalized with COVID-19 in October , is taking his time .
According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , there is not yet enough information to determine whether those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should get the vaccine .
Still , Fauci recommended that Trump take it publicly without delay .
“ Even though the president himself was infected , and he has , likely , antibodies that likely would be protective , we ’ re not sure how long that protection lasts .
So , to be doubly sure , I would recommend that he get vaccinated as well as the vice president , ” Fauci told ABC News .
It was not clear whether first lady Melania Trump , who came down with COVID-19 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be vaccinated .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters this week that Trump , who has previously spread misinformation about other vaccines , was trying to send a message about priorities by delaying his own inoculation .
“ The president wants to send a parallel message which is , you know , our long-term care facility residents and our front-line workers are paramount in importance , ” she said .
Gostin disagreed .
” It will be enormously damaging to public trust in the vaccine if President Trump isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot on national television , ” he argued .
“ It simply isn ’ t good enough to have Vice President Pence as a proxy.
” Presidents and their family members have often made a display of their vaccinations to boost public confidence .
President Dwight Eisenhower highlighted that one of his grandchildren was among the first wave of American children vaccinated for polio .
In 2009 , President Barack Obama and his wife , Michelle , vaccinated both their young daughters , who were in a higher risk group , for the @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence was vaccinated for COVID-19 on Friday in a live-television event aimed at reassuring Americans the vaccine is safe. He celebrated the shot as “a medical miracle” that could eventually contain the raging coronavirus pandemic.
Pence, the highest profile official yet to receive the vaccine, has taken an increasingly visible role in highlighting the safety of the shot, including touring a vaccine production facility this week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both said Thursday that they will get vaccinated in the next few days. President-elect Joe Biden expects to receive his shot as soon as next week.
“The American people can be confident: we have one and perhaps within hours two” safe vaccines,” Pence said after being injected with Pfizer-BioNTech’s shot and, referring to expected FDA approval for Moderna’s vaccine. “Building confidence in the vaccine is what brings us here this morning,” he added.
Pence’s wife Karen and Surgeon General Jerome Adams also received shots during the televised White House event in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Adams, who is Black, emphasized the “the importance of representation” in outreach to at-risk communities and encouraged Americans to avoid disinformation around the vaccines.
Five days into the largest vaccination campaign in the nation’s history, and after his administration helped deliver vaccinations earlier than even some in his administration thought possible, President Donald Trump has held no public events to trumpet the rollout. He hasn’t been inoculated himself. He has tweeted fewer than a handful of times about the shot.
Trump’s relative silence comes as he continues to stew about his defeat in the Nov. 3 election and embraces increasingly extreme efforts to overturn the people’s will. He’s pushed aside the plans of aides who wanted him to be the public face of the vaccination campaign, eschewing visits to labs and production facilities to thank workers, or hosting efforts to build public confidence in the shot, according to people familiar with the conversations.
The sheepish approach has been surprising, especially for a president rarely shy to take credit, said Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown Law who focuses on public health.
“The president’s relatively low profile on the COVID response since the election is curious and counter to Mr. Trump’s own interests,” he said. Gostin, who has criticized Trump’s handling of the pandemic in the past, said that he “deserves a great deal of credit” for Operation Warp Speed and placing a bet on two vaccines that use groundbreaking mRNA technology.
“Having exhibited leadership in the vaccines’ development, he should take great pride in publicly demonstrating his trust in COVID vaccines,” he said.
Trump did appear at a White House “summit” ahead of the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine last week. That event included an introductory video highlighting the past comments of those — including top government infectious-disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci — who doubted a shot would be ready this year.
But many Trump aides are puzzled by his low profile now that the vaccine is actually being injected. They see it as a missed opportunity for the president, who leaves office at noon on Jan. 20, to claim credit for helping oversee the speedy development and deployment of the vaccine that is expected to finally contain the virus that has killed more than 310,000 Americans.
Trump himself has tried to minimize any credit that might go to his successor, Biden, who will preside over the bulk of the nationwide injection campaign next year.
“Don’t let Joe Biden take credit for the vaccines,” Trump has told reporters. “Don’t let him take credit for the vaccines because the vaccines were me, and I pushed people harder than they’ve ever been pushed before.”
Despite Trump’s claims, FDA scientists were the ones who came up with the idea for Operation Warp Speed, the White House-backed effort through which millions of doses of coronavirus vaccines and treatments are being manufactured even as they are still being evaluated. And much of the groundwork for the shots was laid over the past decade, including through research on messenger RNA, or mRNA, used in the vaccines developed by both Pfizer and Moderna. Pfizer developed its vaccine outside Operation Warp Speed but is partnering with the federal government on manufacturing and distribution.
Trump’s low-key approach could have an impact on public health. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told NBC News this week that 75% to 85% of the nation needs to be vaccinated to achieve “herd immunity,” making the public education campaign about the vaccine’s safety all the more pressing.
A survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only about half of Americans want to get the vaccine as soon as possible. Another quarter of the public isn’t sure, while the remaining quarter say they aren’t interested. Some simply oppose vaccines in general. Others are concerned that the injections have been rushed and want to see how the rollout goes.
As Trump sat on the sidelines, some of his favored commentators, including Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, were questioning the safety of the vaccine.
White House deputy press secretary Brian Morgenstern said Trump “will continue to update the country through a variety of means while giving medical professionals and hardworking staff at OWS the space to do their jobs and save lives.”
While senior officials are beginning to make plans to receive the vaccine in public to help build public confidence, Trump, who was hospitalized with COVID-19 in October, is taking his time.
According to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is not yet enough information to determine whether those who have had COVID-19, like Trump, should get the vaccine. Still, Fauci recommended that Trump take it publicly without delay.
“Even though the president himself was infected, and he has, likely, antibodies that likely would be protective, we’re not sure how long that protection lasts. So, to be doubly sure, I would recommend that he get vaccinated as well as the vice president,” Fauci told ABC News.
It was not clear whether first lady Melania Trump, who came down with COVID-19 at the same time as her husband, would be vaccinated.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters this week that Trump, who has previously spread misinformation about other vaccines, was trying to send a message about priorities by delaying his own inoculation.
“The president wants to send a parallel message which is, you know, our long-term care facility residents and our front-line workers are paramount in importance,” she said.
Gostin disagreed. ”It will be enormously damaging to public trust in the vaccine if President Trump isn’t visibly enthusiastic, including getting his shot on national television,” he argued. “It simply isn’t good enough to have Vice President Pence as a proxy.”
Presidents and their family members have often made a display of their vaccinations to boost public confidence. President Dwight Eisenhower highlighted that one of his grandchildren was among the first wave of American children vaccinated for polio. In 2009, President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, vaccinated both their young daughters, who were in a higher risk group, for the swine flu.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-18--Report: WH Aides Talked Trump Out Of Demanding $2,000 Stimulus Checks

White House aides stepped in to stop President Donald Trump on Thursday from issuing a statement calling for much larger stimulus payments to millions of Americans in a move that would have undermined his own treasury secretary , the Washington Post reported late Thursday .
Two people with knowledge of the exchange told the Post that on a Thursday afternoon phone call to allies Trump said that he believes stimulus payments in the next relief package should be “ at least ” $ 1,200 per person and possibly as big as $ 2,000 per person — a drastic increase from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin released a proposal last week calling for stimulus payments of $ 600 per person .
“ There are a lot of people who like checks , including the President , and there ’ s a lot of support both among Republicans and Democrats , ” Mnuchin told reporters in a video conference last week of the proposal which also included far less in federal unemployment benefits .
But the number on the proposed checks was apparently not big enough for Trump , who was in the middle of formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday when White House officials told him the effort could wreck negotiations over the economic relief package , according to the Post .
One person who heard the exchange described the aides as “ frantic , ” suggesting that the move would blow up negotiations .
The aides successfully discouraged Trump from calling for the larger stimulus payments which will likely he his last major piece of economic legislation before leaving office next month , the Post said .
The demand for larger stimulus checks would likely have ballooned the package ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion which Republicans in Congress have said is their ceiling .
The $ 600 checks are just half of what House Democrats approved in legislation this summer that included another round of $ 1,200 stimulus payments that were shelled out to Americans earlier this year .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) released a plan earlier this month that would have sent no additional stimulus checks .
A $ 600 check per person was added back into negotiations following a push led by Sens .
Josh Hawley ( R-MO ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House spokesman Ben Williamson issued a statement to the Post regarding the revelation about Trump ’ s close call in making the demand , saying , the President had heard from Americans who are “ hurting through no fault of their own , and he ’ s made clear he wants the next round of relief to include stimulus checks at a significant number.
” “ We ’ re working with Congress to settle on an agreement that can pass as soon as possible , ” he added .

White House aides stepped in to stop President Donald Trump on Thursday from issuing a statement calling for much larger stimulus payments to millions of Americans in a move that would have undermined his own treasury secretary, the Washington Post reported late Thursday.
Two people with knowledge of the exchange told the Post that on a Thursday afternoon phone call to allies Trump said that he believes stimulus payments in the next relief package should be “at least” $1,200 per person and possibly as big as $2,000 per person — a drastic increase from the stimulus package underway in Congress after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin released a proposal last week calling for stimulus payments of $600 per person.
“There are a lot of people who like checks, including the President, and there’s a lot of support both among Republicans and Democrats,” Mnuchin told reporters in a video conference last week of the proposal which also included far less in federal unemployment benefits.
But the number on the proposed checks was apparently not big enough for Trump, who was in the middle of formally drafting his demand for the larger payments on Thursday when White House officials told him the effort could wreck negotiations over the economic relief package, according to the Post.
One person who heard the exchange described the aides as “frantic,” suggesting that the move would blow up negotiations.
The aides successfully discouraged Trump from calling for the larger stimulus payments which will likely he his last major piece of economic legislation before leaving office next month, the Post said. The first round of stimulus checks earlier this year featured the President’s name.
The demand for larger stimulus checks would likely have ballooned the package’s total to well over $1 trillion which Republicans in Congress have said is their ceiling.
The $600 checks are just half of what House Democrats approved in legislation this summer that included another round of $1,200 stimulus payments that were shelled out to Americans earlier this year.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released a plan earlier this month that would have sent no additional stimulus checks. A $600 check per person was added back into negotiations following a push led by Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
White House spokesman Ben Williamson issued a statement to the Post regarding the revelation about Trump’s close call in making the demand, saying, the President had heard from Americans who are “hurting through no fault of their own, and he’s made clear he wants the next round of relief to include stimulus checks at a significant number.”
“We’re working with Congress to settle on an agreement that can pass as soon as possible,” he added.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-18--Judge Briskly Tosses Out GOP Georgia Ballot Challenge Hours After It Was Lodged

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Republican group including committees for Sens .
Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) and David Perdue ( R-GA ) and the state party seeking to lay the groundwork to throw out certain ballots , capping off a dismal few days for GOP legal challenges in the state .
The plaintiffs were asking that ballots cast by voters who registered after the November election be segregated from the rest , to allow for investigations into whether those voters had already cast a vote in another state ’ s Senate race during the general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a violation of the Voting Rights Act .
Judge Lisa Wood of the Southern District of Georgia , a George W. Bush appointee , ruled that the plaintiffs didn ’ t have the standing needed to bring the challenge in the first place .
But even if they did , she added , she wouldn ’ t grant their emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction anyway .
“ There ’ s a lot of room for confusion and it really illustrates why there are the fundamental rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t jump into ongoing elections and change the rules , ” she said in her concluding remarks .
She also cited the “ risk of suppressing other voters ” and the “ risk of confusion , ” adding that she ’ s “ not entirely clear why plaintiffs waited until last night to bring forth these issues , but I ’ m concerned on a number levels what it would mean at this point to switch course.
” She put the lead attorney for the plaintiffs , George Meros , a partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowen LLP , on the hot seat as she prodded for how , even if she agreed to silo the ballots , they would prove that a new Georgia registrant specifically had filled out the bubble for a senatorial race when that voter cast a ballot in another state during the general election .
“ Wouldn ’ t we have to rip open that ballot and look at that private vote to prove that ?
” Wood asked , adding later that “ you can ’ t just come in here and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meros did not immediately respond to TPM ’ s question about if the plaintiffs intend to appeal the decision .
Russ Willard , assistant state attorney general and the lead attorney for the defense , opened his time with some sharp jabs at the plaintiffs .
He mocked the many election-related lawsuits in the many different Georgia courts Republicans have lodged “ as they continue their quest to find a judge who will rule in their favor.
” Republicans have filed a flurry of eleventh-hour challenges to the election system , many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Early in-person voting in Georgia started on Monday and hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots have already been returned .
On Thursday , two different federal judges shot down two lawsuits — one brought by this same group of Republicans , and one by the Twelfth Congressional District Republican Committee — going after signature matching procedures and drop box usage , respectively .
“ We are not even on the eve of an election , ” quipped the judge on the latter case .
“ We are , as it relates to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The rejections have followed a similar pattern , with all three judges finding that the defendants lacked standing and being loath to get involved when so many votes have already been cast .

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Republican group including committees for Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA) and the state party seeking to lay the groundwork to throw out certain ballots, capping off a dismal few days for GOP legal challenges in the state.
The plaintiffs were asking that ballots cast by voters who registered after the November election be segregated from the rest, to allow for investigations into whether those voters had already cast a vote in another state’s Senate race during the general election. That, they argued, would be a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
Judge Lisa Wood of the Southern District of Georgia, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that the plaintiffs didn’t have the standing needed to bring the challenge in the first place. But even if they did, she added, she wouldn’t grant their emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction anyway.
“There’s a lot of room for confusion and it really illustrates why there are the fundamental rules peppering the case law that judges shouldn’t jump into ongoing elections and change the rules,” she said in her concluding remarks.
She also cited the “risk of suppressing other voters” and the “risk of confusion,” adding that she’s “not entirely clear why plaintiffs waited until last night to bring forth these issues, but I’m concerned on a number levels what it would mean at this point to switch course.”
She put the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, George Meros, a partner at the Tallahassee office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, on the hot seat as she prodded for how, even if she agreed to silo the ballots, they would prove that a new Georgia registrant specifically had filled out the bubble for a senatorial race when that voter cast a ballot in another state during the general election.
“Wouldn’t we have to rip open that ballot and look at that private vote to prove that?” Wood asked, adding later that “you can’t just come in here and say we think this might have happened.”
Meros did not immediately respond to TPM’s question about if the plaintiffs intend to appeal the decision.
Russ Willard, assistant state attorney general and the lead attorney for the defense, opened his time with some sharp jabs at the plaintiffs. He mocked the many election-related lawsuits in the many different Georgia courts Republicans have lodged “as they continue their quest to find a judge who will rule in their favor.”
Republicans have filed a flurry of eleventh-hour challenges to the election system, many of which met their demise this week. Early in-person voting in Georgia started on Monday and hundreds of thousands of absentee ballots have already been returned.
On Thursday, two different federal judges shot down two lawsuits — one brought by this same group of Republicans, and one by the Twelfth Congressional District Republican Committee — going after signature matching procedures and drop box usage, respectively.
“We are not even on the eve of an election,” quipped the judge on the latter case. “We are, as it relates to this particular election, closing in on halftime.”
The rejections have followed a similar pattern, with all three judges finding that the defendants lacked standing and being loath to get involved when so many votes have already been cast.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-18--Unsolved Mystery: Experts Baffled By The Big Shortfall In COVID Vaccine Doses

More than a dozen states are now reporting that the feds slashed their COVID-19 vaccine allocation , leading to questions over the Trump administration ’ s planning for the distribution effort .
Experts in vaccination and medical supply chains whom TPM contacted expressed dismay and confusion at the situation .
States from California to Maine have said that their vaccine allocations have been cut while Pfizer , the manufacturer , has said that it has “ millions more doses sitting in our warehouse but , as of now , we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of health policy at CUNY who helped model the rollout of the H1N1 vaccine , it suggests a logistical issue .
“ When vaccines get produced and they remain in the warehouse , that means something went wrong with the supply chain , ” Lee said .
“ That it was not coordinated.
” He added that the cut in vaccine shipments , in some cases by 30 percent and some cases by far more , comes amid concerns about “ what is the plan with the supply chain and delivery system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear.
” Operation Warp Speed and CDC officials informed states of the reduction in vaccine shipments on a call on Wednesday , blaming the issue on manufacturing issues at Pfizer .
HHS Secretary Alex Azar did the same in an interview Thursday morning .
Pfizer has denied that , saying that it has yet to receive orders on where to send the doses that it has .
“ It ’ s very difficult to plan when you don ’ t have any idea what you ’ re getting , or you have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Claire Hannan , director of the Immunization Action Coalition , told TPM .
Mark Capofari , a former director of global logistics at Merck , said that the supply chain for an effort like national vaccine distribution was extremely complex , and added that it wasn ’ t clear whether the Trump administration had “ overcommitt [ ed ] to how many patients they can fully inoculate from the start.
” The Trump administration has tried to account for the problem by telling the states that they are merely incorrect .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TPM , “ Operation Warp Speed allocation numbers locked in with states have not been changed or adjusted.
” The spokesperson added that Operation Warp Speed provides official allocation numbers to the states for the week ahead , and that any other numbers should not be relied on .
But Hannan said that HHS was effectively defining down the “ official ” allocation number to the final amount in the shipment queue hours before doses arrive .
“ I think it ’ s really tough to then hear HHS come out and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocations weren ’ t cut , ” Hannan said .
“ And then hear them say that that ’ s a planning estimate , and don ’ t count on it until it ’ s actually in the queue to order.
” “ If we do that , if we wait until something is in the queue to order , then there ’ s no planning at all , ” Hannan added , saying that it significantly reduces the amount of time states have to plan to distribute the dose allocations that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by ongoing lack of federal funding or support for those actually injecting the vaccine at the state and local level .
The mystery of where the vaccine doses have gone , and why they haven ’ t been shipped out , remains .
Operation Warp Speed is working with FedEx and UPS to distribute the Pfizer doses ; neither company provided an explanation for what may be happening .
FedEx referred TPM to the government , and said that it ’ s working “ to transport the vaccines as directed by their allocation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t up to us to decide who gets the vaccines.
” UPS said that three vaccine packages on Thursday were delayed , but were expected to be delivered by the end of day .
HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir said in a statement on Friday that the government was withholding doses for the second dose of the two-shot vaccines .
Hannan said that Giroir ’ s numbers would only account for part , but not all , of the doses being withheld .
“ Mathematically , there are more doses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Hannan said .
Operation Warp Speed has committed to deliver 20 million doses by 2021 .
“ If they ’ re holding doses , then how did they come up with that specific number ?
And how does that jibe with the production schedule ?
” Lee asked .
Lee added that it was unclear to him why the Trump administration would coordinate second-dosing at the national level after delegating the rest of local distribution policy to state and local officials .
“ You can ’ t have it both ways : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when people come back for the second shot from the national level , then you need to decide how you ’ re going to distribute from the national level , ” he added .

More than a dozen states are now reporting that the feds slashed their COVID-19 vaccine allocation, leading to questions over the Trump administration’s planning for the distribution effort.
Experts in vaccination and medical supply chains whom TPM contacted expressed dismay and confusion at the situation.
States from California to Maine have said that their vaccine allocations have been cut while Pfizer, the manufacturer, has said that it has “millions more doses sitting in our warehouse but, as of now, we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses.”
To Bruce Y. Lee, a professor of health policy at CUNY who helped model the rollout of the H1N1 vaccine, it suggests a logistical issue.
“When vaccines get produced and they remain in the warehouse, that means something went wrong with the supply chain,” Lee said. “That it was not coordinated.”
He added that the cut in vaccine shipments, in some cases by 30 percent and some cases by far more, comes amid concerns about “what is the plan with the supply chain and delivery system, and that hasn’t been very clear.”
Operation Warp Speed and CDC officials informed states of the reduction in vaccine shipments on a call on Wednesday, blaming the issue on manufacturing issues at Pfizer. HHS Secretary Alex Azar did the same in an interview Thursday morning.
Pfizer has denied that, saying that it has yet to receive orders on where to send the doses that it has.
“It’s very difficult to plan when you don’t have any idea what you’re getting, or you have an idea that’s off,” Claire Hannan, director of the Immunization Action Coalition, told TPM.
Mark Capofari, a former director of global logistics at Merck, said that the supply chain for an effort like national vaccine distribution was extremely complex, and added that it wasn’t clear whether the Trump administration had “overcommitt[ed] to how many patients they can fully inoculate from the start.”
The Trump administration has tried to account for the problem by telling the states that they are merely incorrect. According to an HHS spokesperson’s statement to TPM, “Operation Warp Speed allocation numbers locked in with states have not been changed or adjusted.”
The spokesperson added that Operation Warp Speed provides official allocation numbers to the states for the week ahead, and that any other numbers should not be relied on.
But Hannan said that HHS was effectively defining down the “official” allocation number to the final amount in the shipment queue hours before doses arrive.
“I think it’s really tough to then hear HHS come out and say that’s incorrect, that their allocations weren’t cut,” Hannan said. “And then hear them say that that’s a planning estimate, and don’t count on it until it’s actually in the queue to order.”
“If we do that, if we wait until something is in the queue to order, then there’s no planning at all,” Hannan added, saying that it significantly reduces the amount of time states have to plan to distribute the dose allocations that they receive.
The logistical issues are compounded by ongoing lack of federal funding or support for those actually injecting the vaccine at the state and local level.
The mystery of where the vaccine doses have gone, and why they haven’t been shipped out, remains. Operation Warp Speed is working with FedEx and UPS to distribute the Pfizer doses; neither company provided an explanation for what may be happening.
FedEx referred TPM to the government, and said that it’s working “to transport the vaccines as directed by their allocation and distribution plans. It isn’t up to us to decide who gets the vaccines.”
UPS said that three vaccine packages on Thursday were delayed, but were expected to be delivered by the end of day.
HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir said in a statement on Friday that the government was withholding doses for the second dose of the two-shot vaccines.
No one is letting #CovidVaccines sit in a warehouse! We need to reserve doses for the 2.9 million being vaccinated this week to ASSURE they have supply in 21 days. There is also 500k emergency reserve. Expect 7.9 million vaccines shipped next weeks (Pfizer and Moderna). — ADM Brett P. Giroir (@HHS_ASH) December 18, 2020
Hannan said that Giroir’s numbers would only account for part, but not all, of the doses being withheld.
“Mathematically, there are more doses that need to be accounted for,” Hannan said. Operation Warp Speed has committed to deliver 20 million doses by 2021.
“If they’re holding doses, then how did they come up with that specific number? And how does that jibe with the production schedule?” Lee asked.
Lee added that it was unclear to him why the Trump administration would coordinate second-dosing at the national level after delegating the rest of local distribution policy to state and local officials.
“You can’t have it both ways: if you’re going to coordinate when people come back for the second shot from the national level, then you need to decide how you’re going to distribute from the national level,” he added.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-18--Only Seven of Stanford’s First 5,000 Vaccines Were Designated for Medical Residents

This story first appeared at ProPublica .
ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom .
Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox .
Stanford Medicine residents who work in close contact with COVID-19 patients were left out of the first wave of staff members for the new Pfizer vaccine .
In their place were higher-ranking doctors who carry a lower risk of patient transmission , according to interviews with six residents and two other staff members and e-mail communications obtained by ProPublica .
“ Residents are patient-facing , we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intubate , yet some attendings who have been face-timing us from home are being vaccinated before us , ” said Sarah Johnson , a third-year OB-GYN resident who has delivered babies from COVID-positive patients during the pandemic .
“ This is the final straw to say , ‘ We don ’ t actually care about you.
’ ” Another resident , who asked not to be named , said a nurse who works in an operating room for elective surgeries has been notified she ’ ll get the vaccine in the first wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before elective surgeries , so by definition , we will know if those patients have COVID , ” he said , so to him , it didn ’ t make sense that that nurse would be prioritized .
An algorithm chose who would be the first 5,000 in line .
The residents said they were told they were at a disadvantage because they did not have an assigned “ location ” to plug into the calculation and because they are young , according to an email sent by a chief resident to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a hospital .
Stanford Medicine has about 1,300 across all disciplines .
Only seven made the priority vaccination list , despite the fact that this week , residents were asked to volunteer for ICU coverage in anticipation of a surge in COVID-19 cases .
Stanford Medicine didn ’ t respond to a request for comment on how the vaccines were allocated and whether there was a flaw in the algorithm .
The tumult reflects the difficulties of ethically parceling out a limited supply of vaccine and weighing competing factors , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and comorbidities .
Adding to the challenge is the angst that comes when such decisions are made without all stakeholders involved .
In a letter to Stanford leadership sent on Thursday , the chief resident council wrote , “ While leadership is pointing to an error in an algorithm meant to ensure equity and justice , our understanding is this error was identified on Tuesday and a decision was made not to revise the vaccine allocation scheme before its release today.
” The council asked for a timeline for vaccination of the residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s administrators have begun to apologize .
Dr. Niraj Sehgal , chief medical officer , sent an email to residents saying , “ Please know that the perceived lack of priority for residents and fellows was not the intent at all.
” He added that with the anticipated authorization of Moderna ’ s vaccine , “ we ’ re increasingly confident in getting everyone vaccinated , including all of you.
” He signed off with “ heartfelt apologies.
” Some departments appear to be trying to fix the problem on their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department of surgery , confessed to being “ disturbed and puzzled ” by the vaccination roster that “ included many of the medical staff list that aren ’ t our physicians on the front line.
” She emailed her department asking people slotted for the first wave to “ bring a resident that is patient facing to get the vaccine in your place ” and to ask the program director for their “ buddy ” assignment .
She added : “ Let ’ s get this right .
”

This story first appeared at ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.
Stanford Medicine residents who work in close contact with COVID-19 patients were left out of the first wave of staff members for the new Pfizer vaccine. In their place were higher-ranking doctors who carry a lower risk of patient transmission, according to interviews with six residents and two other staff members and e-mail communications obtained by ProPublica.
“Residents are patient-facing, we’re the ones who have been asked to intubate, yet some attendings who have been face-timing us from home are being vaccinated before us,” said Sarah Johnson, a third-year OB-GYN resident who has delivered babies from COVID-positive patients during the pandemic. “This is the final straw to say, ‘We don’t actually care about you.’”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said a nurse who works in an operating room for elective surgeries has been notified she’ll get the vaccine in the first wave. “We test people for COVID before elective surgeries, so by definition, we will know if those patients have COVID,” he said, so to him, it didn’t make sense that that nurse would be prioritized.
There is an enormous demonstration going on at @Stanford Hospital right now carried out by staff, who are protesting the decision by higher ups to give vaccines to some administrators and physicians who are at home and not in contact with patients INSTEAD of frontline workers. pic.twitter.com/WXVkPR46eU — rat king (@MikeIsaac) December 18, 2020
An algorithm chose who would be the first 5,000 in line. The residents said they were told they were at a disadvantage because they did not have an assigned “location” to plug into the calculation and because they are young, according to an email sent by a chief resident to his peers. Residents are the lowest-ranking doctors in a hospital. Stanford Medicine has about 1,300 across all disciplines.
Only seven made the priority vaccination list, despite the fact that this week, residents were asked to volunteer for ICU coverage in anticipation of a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Stanford Medicine didn’t respond to a request for comment on how the vaccines were allocated and whether there was a flaw in the algorithm. The tumult reflects the difficulties of ethically parceling out a limited supply of vaccine and weighing competing factors, such as age, risk of contracting the disease and comorbidities. Adding to the challenge is the angst that comes when such decisions are made without all stakeholders involved.
In a letter to Stanford leadership sent on Thursday, the chief resident council wrote, “While leadership is pointing to an error in an algorithm meant to ensure equity and justice, our understanding is this error was identified on Tuesday and a decision was made not to revise the vaccine allocation scheme before its release today.” The council asked for a timeline for vaccination of the residents and transparency regarding the algorithm.
Stanford’s administrators have begun to apologize. Dr. Niraj Sehgal, chief medical officer, sent an email to residents saying, “Please know that the perceived lack of priority for residents and fellows was not the intent at all.” He added that with the anticipated authorization of Moderna’s vaccine, “we’re increasingly confident in getting everyone vaccinated, including all of you.” He signed off with “heartfelt apologies.” Some departments appear to be trying to fix the problem on their own. Dr. Mary Hawn, chair of the department of surgery, confessed to being “disturbed and puzzled” by
the vaccination roster that “included many of the medical staff list that aren’t our physicians on the front line.” She emailed her department asking people slotted for the first wave to “bring a resident that is patient facing to get the vaccine in your place” and to ask the program director for their “buddy” assignment.
She added: “Let’s get this right.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-18--ICYMI: Your TPM Weekend News Roundup

ICYMI: Your TPM Weekend News Roundup

What ’ s Up With The Vaccine Distribution ?
• An intensive care nurse in New York on Monday became the first American to receive a vaccination for COVID-19 , offering a bit of hope nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 300,000 people in the U.S. • HHS Secretary Alex Azar said Monday that he expected healthy Americans could begin receiving the vaccination in late February or early March .
• But there are signs that optimistic timeline may not come to pass .
The Trump administration ’ s vaccine distribution plan ends after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the work to states that lack adequate funding for the massive public health effort .
• And Operation Warp Speed officials poured cold water on Azar ’ s rosy timeline , saying Thursday that the general population would likely start receiving the vaccine late in the spring or early summer .
• As the vaccine rollout spreads across the country , some pharmacists noticed extra doses in some of the vials of the Pfizer vaccine .
The FDA said those extra doses can be administered , expanding the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week progressed , at least a dozen states said that their initial allocation of vaccine doses has been slashed .
The Trump administration has not given an explanation for the sudden change .
• Republicans continue aiming friendly fire at their GOP colleagues , especially Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Gov .
Brian Kemp .
• With the January runoff elections weeks away , President-elect Joe Biden implored Georgians to “ turn out the vote so it ’ s not even close ” during a campaign stop on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the quiet part out loud on Thursday , telling Fox Business Network that attracting new voters in the Peach State will “ affect and change the outcome ” of the race — i.e.
, Republicans may not win .
• Speaking of Georgia voters , a federal judge on Wednesday ruled that Georgia doesn ’ t need to restore about 200,000 voters to the rolls in time for the runoffs on Jan. 5 .
• In a separate ruling Thursday , a federal judge ruled against a GOP effort to curtail the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the runoff elections .
• After four years of President Trump ’ s derogatory tweets and crude comments , Republicans are suddenly up in arms over a Biden aide using … a swear word .
• The faux drama unfolded after Jen O ’ Malley Dillon , who will serve as Biden ’ s White House deputy chief of staff , used the word “ fuckers ” to describe the difficulty in working with Republicans .
• Sen. Marco Rubio ( R-FL ) tried to cry foul over the use of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swift round of mockery on Twitter .
• In the end , O ’ Malley Dillon caved to the manufactured outrage on the right .
She expressed regret over her choice of words .
Is this feature useful ?
Let us know .

Start your day with TPM.
What’s Up With The Vaccine Distribution?
An intensive care nurse in New York on Monday became the first American to receive a vaccination for COVID-19, offering a bit of hope nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 300,000 people in the U.S.
HHS Secretary Alex Azar said Monday that he expected healthy Americans could begin receiving the vaccination in late February or early March.
But there are signs that optimistic timeline may not come to pass. The Trump administration’s vaccine distribution plan ends after the President leaves office, leaving the rest of the work to states that lack adequate funding for the massive public health effort.
And Operation Warp Speed officials poured cold water on Azar’s rosy timeline, saying Thursday that the general population would likely start receiving the vaccine late in the spring or early summer.
As the vaccine rollout spreads across the country, some pharmacists noticed extra doses in some of the vials of the Pfizer vaccine. The FDA said those extra doses can be administered, expanding the nation’s supply of the vaccine.
As the week progressed, at least a dozen states said that their initial allocation of vaccine doses has been slashed. The Trump administration has not given an explanation for the sudden change.
Georgia Runoffs Heat Up
Republicans Feign Outrage
After four years of President Trump’s derogatory tweets and crude comments, Republicans are suddenly up in arms over a Biden aide using … a swear word.
The faux drama unfolded after Jen O’Malley Dillon, who will serve as Biden’s White House deputy chief of staff, used the word “fuckers” to describe the difficulty in working with Republicans.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) tried to cry foul over the use of a swear word, which earned him a swift round of mockery on Twitter.
In the end, O’Malley Dillon caved to the manufactured outrage on the right. She expressed regret over her choice of words.
Is this feature useful? Let us know.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-18--Biden Team Denies Pentagon Claim That Both Sides Agreed To ‘Holiday Pause’ Of Meetings

The Biden transition team on Friday flatly denied the Pentagon ’ s claim that transition meetings had stopped for a mutually agreed-upon “ holiday pause.
” In fact , the transition ’ s executive director said , the Pentagon ’ s announcement of a holiday meeting break was evidence of “ isolated resistance ” from a handful of political appointees in the Trump administration , including at the Department of Defense .
“ There have been pockets of recalcitrants and DOD is one of them , ” transition director Yohannes Abraham said at a press briefing Friday , distinguishing between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who he said had cooperated with the transition .
Axios first reported Friday that Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller had ordered “ a Pentagon-wide halt to cooperation with the transition of President-elect Biden , ” in the website ’ s words .
Miller was installed in that role last month after the President fired the previous secretary , Mark Esper , in a tweet .
In a statement to TPM and others after that report , Miller said “ After the mutually-agreed upon holiday pause , which begins tomorrow , we will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today.
” But Abraham , at the press briefing soon after , flatly denied that there was any agreement about a break .
“ Let me be clear : There was no mutually agreed-upon holiday break , ” he said .
“ In fact , we think it ’ s important that briefings and other engagements continue during this period as there ’ s no time to spare , and that ’ s particularly true in the aftermath of the ascertainment delay.
” Later , Abraham said Biden ’ s agency review team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that meetings were being pulled down , and they immediately and appropriately escalated it.
” In his earlier statement , Miller said that the Pentagon was “ working to reschedule approximately 20 interviews with 40 officials until after January 1.
” But Abraham said the transition team expected meetings to resume immediately .
TPM has reached out to the Pentagon again to ask for an explanation for the discrepancy .
Asked by PBS NewsHour ’ s Yamiche Alcindor if Miller had been dishonest , transition spokesperson Jen Psaki didn ’ t answer directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your own judgments , Yamiche , about the information we ’ ve provided , ” Psaki said .
“ It ’ s not in our interest to provide inaccurate information about the status of our engagements .
”

The Biden transition team on Friday flatly denied the Pentagon’s claim that transition meetings had stopped for a mutually agreed-upon “holiday pause.”
In fact, the transition’s executive director said, the Pentagon’s announcement of a holiday meeting break was evidence of “isolated resistance” from a handful of political appointees in the Trump administration, including at the Department of Defense.
“There have been pockets of recalcitrants and DOD is one of them,” transition director Yohannes Abraham said at a press briefing Friday, distinguishing between political officials and career federal employees, who he said had cooperated with the transition.
Axios first reported Friday that Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller had ordered “a Pentagon-wide halt to cooperation with the transition of President-elect Biden,” in the website’s words. Miller was installed in that role last month after the President fired the previous secretary, Mark Esper, in a tweet.
In a statement to TPM and others after that report, Miller said “After the mutually-agreed upon holiday pause, which begins tomorrow, we will continue with the transition and rescheduled meetings from today.”
But Abraham, at the press briefing soon after, flatly denied that there was any agreement about a break.
“Let me be clear: There was no mutually agreed-upon holiday break,” he said. “In fact, we think it’s important that briefings and other engagements continue during this period as there’s no time to spare, and that’s particularly true in the aftermath of the ascertainment delay.”
Later, Abraham said Biden’s agency review team at the Pentagon was “informed yesterday that meetings were being pulled down, and they immediately and appropriately escalated it.”
In his earlier statement, Miller said that the Pentagon was “working to reschedule approximately 20 interviews with 40 officials until after January 1.” But Abraham said the transition team expected meetings to resume immediately.
TPM has reached out to the Pentagon again to ask for an explanation for the discrepancy.
Asked by PBS NewsHour’s Yamiche Alcindor if Miller had been dishonest, transition spokesperson Jen Psaki didn’t answer directly.
“I think you can make your own judgments, Yamiche, about the information we’ve provided,” Psaki said. “It’s not in our interest to provide inaccurate information about the status of our engagements.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-12-18--Marjorie Greene Hops On Desperate And Futile Effort To Overturn Electoral College Vote

Rep.-elect Marjorie Greene ( R-GA ) , the right-wing conspiracy theorist and QAnon supporter , said she would play along in President Donald Trump ’ s wildly unsuccessful effort to overturn the election results by objecting to the Electoral College vote during a join congressional session early next month that will reaffirm the win of President-elect Joe Biden .
Greene tweeted a link to the Epoch Times , a far-right , Trump-friendly news organization that cited her decision to object to the Electoral College votes that were cast on Monday in several states , including her own .
“ President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Greene wrote to justify her decision on Friday afternoon .
“ Now is the TIME to fight for him !
” President Trump lavished praise on Greene when she won her GOP primary in August , touting her as a “ rising star ” in the Republican Party .
He even defended her candidacy as she raised eyebrows for tweeting bizarre theories from a group flagged by the FBI as a domestic terror threat .
Greene later urged an “ offense ” against progressive women of color in the House in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Facebook .
Greene later said she was looking for a GOP senator to back the effort : Greene ’ s move would follow what is expected to be a futile attempt by Sen.-elect Tommy Tuberville ( R-AL ) , who suggested on Thursday he may back Trump ’ s election gambit in the Senate when both chambers convene on Jan. 6 .
The traditionally routine ceremony will take place at midday in accord with federal law , as sealed certificates from each state that contain a record of their electoral votes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pence is expected to oversee the session .
Tuberville floating the idea of challenging the Electoral College vote defies Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ’ s ( R-KY ) warning to Republican senators during a GOP caucus call earlier this week .
On Tuesday , McConnell implored his colleagues not to join in any House objection , saying they would have to vote it down and it would be “ terrible.
” The President praised Tuberville in a tweet on Thursday , saying that “ more Republican Senators should follow his lead ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he decisively lost .
In another post , Trump attacked McConnell and GOP senators who have finally lined to adhere to the rules of democracy by accepting loss , saying the Republican leaders “ have to get tougher , or you won ’ t have a Republican Party anymore.
” The effort by Tuberville , Greene and a handful of others is all but certain to fail .
Even if Greene and a GOP senator signed onto an objection in writing , both chambers would then have to agree to it by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of Trump ’ s most reliable allies , Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) , who spent months propping up Trump ’ s election fraud claims and spent Wednesday airing grievances about the election , has “ no plans ” to join a House challenge to the results , his spokesman , Austin Altenburg told the Associated Press .

Rep.-elect Marjorie Greene (R-GA), a right-wing conspiracy theorist and QAnon supporter, said she would play along in President Donald Trump’s wildly unsuccessful effort to overturn the election results by objecting to the Electoral College vote during a join congressional session early next month that will reaffirm the win of President-elect Joe Biden.
Greene tweeted a link to the Epoch Times, a far-right, Trump-friendly news organization that cited her decision to object to the Electoral College votes that were cast on Monday in several states, including her own.
“President @realDonaldTrump has always fought for us,” Greene wrote to justify her decision on Friday afternoon. “Now is the TIME to fight for him!”
President Trump lavished praise on Greene when she won her GOP primary in August, touting her as a “rising star” in the Republican Party. He even defended her candidacy as she raised eyebrows for tweeting bizarre theories from a group flagged by the FBI as a domestic terror threat. Greene later urged an “offense” against progressive women of color in the House in a gun-slinging photo that was later removed from Facebook.
Hours after her initial tweet, Greene said she was looking for a GOP senator to back the effort:
I’m looking for a Senator to join myself, @RepMoBrooks & @RepBarryMoore. RT and tag your Senator to let them know where you stand. https://t.co/aWpOKP7d7J — Marjorie Taylor Greene ?? (@mtgreenee) December 18, 2020
Greene’s move would follow what is expected to be a futile attempt by Sen.-elect Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), who suggested on Thursday he may back Trump’s election gambit in the Senate when both chambers convene on Jan. 6.
The traditionally routine ceremony will take place at midday in accord with federal law, as sealed certificates from each state that contain a record of their electoral votes are opened and counted. Vice President Mike Pence is expected to oversee the session.
Tuberville floating the idea of challenging the Electoral College vote defies Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) warning to Republican senators during a GOP caucus call earlier this week. On Tuesday, McConnell implored his colleagues not to join in any House objection, saying they would have to vote it down and it would be “terrible.”
The President praised Tuberville in a tweet on Thursday, saying that “more Republican Senators should follow his lead” in an effort to steal an election that he decisively lost.
In another post, Trump attacked McConnell and GOP senators who have finally lined to adhere to the rules of democracy by accepting loss, saying the Republican leaders “have to get tougher, or you won’t have a Republican Party anymore.”
The effort by Tuberville, Greene and a handful of others is all but certain to fail. Even if Greene and a GOP senator signed onto an objection in writing, both chambers would then have to agree to it by a simple majority vote. But even one of Trump’s most reliable allies, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), who spent months propping up Trump’s election fraud claims and spent Wednesday airing grievances about the election, has “no plans” to join a House challenge to the results, his spokesman, Austin Altenburg told the Associated Press.