talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-24--Birx Punts To CDC Guidelines When Pressed On Trump’s Demand To Reopen Churches

White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx pointed to CDC guidelines when pressed on President Trump ’ s demand for houses of worship to reopen , during Sunday morning interviews .
After Fox News Sunday ’ s Chris Wallace mentioned the spread of COVID-19 from people going to houses of worship in Arkansas and California , he then asked Birx whether it is now safe to open all houses of worship across the country .
Birx replied that “ two things ” happened during Friday ’ s press conference when Trump declared houses of worship as “ essential.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the President asking the CDC to “ make sure there were guidelines posted ” that clearly communicate how churches could open safely .
Birx then added that she “ made it clear ” during Friday ’ s press conference that “ it ’ s very important ” for governors and communities to inform people of areas with high level cases of the novel coronavirus and to “ really ensure that those with vulnerabilities are protected.
” “ So although it may be safe for some to go to churches and social distance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with pre-existing conditions , ” Birx said .
“ And that ’ s why in phase one and phase two , we ’ ve ask for those individuals with vulnerabilities to really ensure that they are protected and sheltering in place while we open up America.
” Birx similarly pointed out “ two pieces that are important ” during an interview on ABC News Sunday morning , when asked about her concerns about churches being found to be “ one of the biggest super-spreaders ” of COVID-19 .
“ I think there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Birx said .
“ Before the President made that announcement , he asked the CDC to get their guidance to churches up , so that churches could reopen safely .
So that guidance is up there and available to all churches and congregates to understand how to worship together safely.
” Birx then told ABC News ’ Martha Raddatz that “ difficult behavioral changes ” need to continue before mentioning that the CDC ’ s guidance for churches was released prior to Trump ’ s demand that they reopen .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that both with opening up America again , those guidelines went out before we stopped the ’ 30-day stop the spread ’ that was again after the 15 , which was 45 days total , ” Birx said .
“ This only works if we all follow the guidelines and protect one another .
”

White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx pointed to CDC guidelines when pressed on President Trump’s demand for houses of worship to reopen, during Sunday morning interviews.
After Fox News Sunday’s Chris Wallace mentioned the spread of COVID-19 from people going to houses of worship in Arkansas and California, he then asked Birx whether it is now safe to open all houses of worship across the country.
Birx replied that “two things” happened during Friday’s press conference when Trump declared houses of worship as “essential.”
The first thing, Birx said, is the President asking the CDC to “make sure there were guidelines posted” that clearly communicate how churches could open safely.
Birx then added that she “made it clear” during Friday’s press conference that “it’s very important” for governors and communities to inform people of areas with high level cases of the novel coronavirus and to “really ensure that those with vulnerabilities are protected.”
“So although it may be safe for some to go to churches and social distance, it may not be safe for those with pre-existing conditions,” Birx said. “And that’s why in phase one and phase two, we’ve ask for those individuals with vulnerabilities to really ensure that they are protected and sheltering in place while we open up America.”
Birx says places of worship "may not be safe for those with preexisting conditions" pic.twitter.com/JMZU3GOgXF — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) May 24, 2020
Birx similarly pointed out “two pieces that are important” during an interview on ABC News Sunday morning, when asked about her concerns about churches being found to be “one of the biggest super-spreaders” of COVID-19.
“I think there’s two pieces that are important,” Birx said. “Before the President made that announcement, he asked the CDC to get their guidance to churches up, so that churches could reopen safely. So that guidance is up there and available to all churches and congregates to understand how to worship together safely.”
Birx then told ABC News’ Martha Raddatz that “difficult behavioral changes” need to continue before mentioning that the CDC’s guidance for churches was released prior to Trump’s demand that they reopen.
“And I think that’s really important that both with opening up America again, those guidelines went out before we stopped the ’30-day stop the spread’ that was again after the 15, which was 45 days total,” Birx said. “This only works if we all follow the guidelines and protect one another.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-24--Trump Blasts Former AG He Nominated For Not Being ‘Mentally Qualified’

President Trump continued his ongoing spat with former Attorney General Jeff Sessions during an interview with Sharyl Attkinson that aired Sunday morning .
After praising both acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grennell and the newly Senate-confirmed John Ratcliffe as “ superstars , ” Trump proceeded to slam Sessions — who he nominated upon entering office in 2017 — for being a “ disaster ” during his term as attorney general .
The President ’ s latest remarks come amid his relentless bashing of Sessions for recusing himself from Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’ s Russia investigation .
“ Should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not qualified .
He ’ s not mentally qualified to be attorney general , ” Trump told Attkinson .
“ He was the biggest problem .
I mean , look Jeff Sessions put people in place that were a disaster.
” Trump ’ s latest takedown of Sessions aired the morning after he lashed out at his former attorney general in a Saturday evening tweet .
The President ’ s tweet urged Sessions to drop out of the Alabama Senate race after he unexpectedly issued a bold rebuke in a tweet the night @ @

President Trump continued his ongoing spat with former Attorney General Jeff Sessions during an interview with Sharyl Attkinson that aired Sunday morning.
After praising both acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grennell and the newly Senate-confirmed John Ratcliffe as “superstars,” Trump proceeded to slam Sessions — who he nominated upon entering office in 2017 — for being a “disaster” during his term as attorney general. The President’s latest remarks come amid his relentless bashing of Sessions for recusing himself from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation.
“Should have never been attorney general, was not qualified. He’s not mentally qualified to be attorney general,” Trump told Attkinson. “He was the biggest problem. I mean, look Jeff Sessions put people in place that were a disaster.”
Trump’s latest takedown of Sessions aired the morning after he lashed out at his former attorney general in a Saturday evening tweet. The President’s tweet urged Sessions to drop out of the Alabama Senate race after he unexpectedly issued a bold rebuke in a tweet the night before.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-24--WH Adviser: Unemployment Will Be In Double Digits By November Election

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett shared a grim outlook on unemployment claims by the time of the November election during an interview on CNN Sunday morning .
After CNN ’ s Dana Bash mentioned that the Congressional Budget Office predicted that unemployment could still be at 9 % at the end of 2021 , she asked Hassett whether it ’ s possible for the number of unemployment claims to remain in double digits in November .
“ Yes , I do , ” Hassett said , before quickly adding that he thinks “ all the signs of economic recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hassett then argued that “ the only thing ” economists will debate about is whether the country will “ get back to where we were ” or if it will “ be a long haul to get there , ” before launching into an anecdote involving two of his friends who are Harvard professors .
Pressed again on whether unemployment claims will remain in the double digits by the time President Trump appears on the ballot in November , Hassett replied “ yes ” due to unemployment being “ something that moves back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be better than that.
” “ You ’ re going to be starting at a number in the 20s and working your way down .
So of course , you could still not be back to full employment by September or October , ” Hassett said .
“ If there were a vaccine in July , then I would be way more optimistic about it .
”

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett shared a grim outlook on unemployment claims by the time of the November election during an interview on CNN Sunday morning.
After CNN’s Dana Bash mentioned that the Congressional Budget Office predicted that unemployment could still be at 9% at the end of 2021, she asked Hassett whether it’s possible for the number of unemployment claims to remain in double digits in November.
“Yes, I do,” Hassett said, before quickly adding that he thinks “all the signs of economic recovery” will be “raging everywhere.”
Hassett then argued that “the only thing” economists will debate about is whether the country will “get back to where we were” or if it will “be a long haul to get there,” before launching into an anecdote involving two of his friends who are Harvard professors.
Pressed again on whether unemployment claims will remain in the double digits by the time President Trump appears on the ballot in November, Hassett replied “yes” due to unemployment being “something that moves back slower” but that “it could be better than that.”
“You’re going to be starting at a number in the 20s and working your way down. So of course, you could still not be back to full employment by September or October,” Hassett said. “If there were a vaccine in July, then I would be way more optimistic about it.”
Watch Hassett’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-25--WHO Halts Trial Of Trump’s Anti-Malaria Drug After Study Finds Higher Mortality Rate In COVID Cases

World Health Organization ( WHO ) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu announced on Monday that the organization is temporarily suspending its drug trial of hydroxychloroquine , an anti-malaria drug President Donald Trump has persistently claimed to treat COVID-19 despite having no scientific evidence .
Ghebreyesu said during a press briefing that researchers heading the WHO ’ s Solidarity Trial will stop the trial to hold a review after the Lancet ’ s sweeping study on hydroxychloroquine found that not only did the drug fail to yield any benefits in the 96,000 COVID-19 cases in the study , it actually caused an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The review will consider data collected so far in the Solidarity Trial and in particular robust randomised available data , to adequately evaluate the potential benefits and harms from this drug , ” the WHO leader said .
“ The Executive Group has implemented a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm within the Solidarity Trial while the safety data is reviewed by the Data Safety Monitoring Board , ” he continued .
Despite even his own Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) warning Americans to refrain from taking hydroxychloroquine to treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters last week that he was taking the drug with zinc .
“ And all I can tell you is , so far I seem to be okay , ” he said .

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu announced on Monday that the organization is temporarily suspending its drug trial of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug President Donald Trump has persistently claimed to treat COVID-19 despite having no scientific evidence.
Ghebreyesu said during a press briefing that researchers heading the WHO’s Solidarity Trial will stop the trial to hold a review after the Lancet’s sweeping study on hydroxychloroquine found that not only did the drug fail to yield any benefits in the 96,000 COVID-19 cases in the study, it actually caused an increased mortality rate among hospitalized patients.
“The review will consider data collected so far in the Solidarity Trial and in particular robust randomised available data, to adequately evaluate the potential benefits and harms from this drug,” the WHO leader said.
“The Executive Group has implemented a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm within the Solidarity Trial while the safety data is reviewed by the Data Safety Monitoring Board,” he continued.
Despite even his own Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning Americans to refrain from taking hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 due to heart complications, Trump told reporters last week that he was taking the drug with zinc.
“And all I can tell you is, so far I seem to be okay,” he said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-25--Trump Marks Memorial Day By Calling Rep. Who Is A Marine Vet An ‘American Fraud’

Besides the misspelling , Lamb can hardly be called a “ puppet ” of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s @ @ @ @ @ was one of 15 Democrats who did not vote for her for speaker in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ a veteran , is running unopposed in the Republican primary on June 2 .
The @ @ @ @ @ race “ likely Democratic , ” though the district , Pennsylvania ’ s 17th , @ @ @ @ @ +3 .

President Donald Trump marked Memorial Day by calling Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA), a Marine Corps veteran, an “American fraud.”
Sean Parnell is an American Hero. Connor Lamm has proven to be an American fraud, and a puppet for Crazy Nancy Pelosi. He said he would NOT vote for her for Speaker, and did. Will kill 2A. Voted to impeach (on nothing). A TOTAL & COMPLETE Sean Parnell Endorsement! https://t.co/v1OnY0MI8m — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
Besides the misspelling, Lamb can hardly be called a “puppet” of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) — he was one of 15 Democrats who did not vote for her for speaker in 2019.
Sean Parnell, also a veteran, is running unopposed in the Republican primary on June 2.
The Cook Political Report ranks the race “likely Democratic,” though the district, Pennsylvania’s 17th, has a Republican lean of +3.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-25--‘It Feels Good To Be Out Of My House’: Biden Makes First In-Person Appearance In 2 Months

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden attended his first in-person event in months Monday since he started self-isolating at his Wilmington @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden wore a mask , in stark contrast to President Donald Trump , and @ @ @ @ @ good to be out of my house ” after laying a wreath for Memorial Day @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden has been campaigning from a home TV studio since the coronavirus pandemic made @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden has advised Americans to listen to the guidance of scientists and doctors , @ @ @ @ @ pushing for a rapid reopening without sufficiently preparing states to do so .
Trump , @ @ @ @ @ played golf at one of his clubs over the weekend and has been urging governors @ @ @ @ @ quickly .
Maskless , he visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington @ @ @ @ @ He also visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore after the city ’ s mayor urged him @ @ @ @ @ and to set a good example by following the stay-at-home order .

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden attended his first in-person event in months Monday since he started self-isolating at his Wilmington home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden wore a mask, in stark contrast to President Donald Trump, and told reporters it “feels good to be out of my house” after laying a wreath for Memorial Day at a Delaware veterans park.
From a Bloomberg reporter:
Biden says his message to the country on Memorial Day is “Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made. Never, ever, ever forget.” Asked about leaving home for the first time in two months, he says, “It feels good to be out of my house.” pic.twitter.com/BpXABWKTOt — Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) May 25, 2020
Biden has been campaigning from a home TV studio since the coronavirus pandemic made traditional rallies and events impossible. Biden has advised Americans to listen to the guidance of scientists and doctors, and has critiqued Trump for pushing for a rapid reopening without sufficiently preparing states to do so.
Trump, on the other hand, played golf at one of his clubs over the weekend and has been urging governors to open their states more quickly. Maskless, he visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. He also visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore after the city’s mayor urged him to cancel the trip, and to set a good example by following the stay-at-home order.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-25--Trump And Pence Threaten To Yank RNC Out NC If Guv Doesn’t Allow Full Attendance At Event

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are holding the upcoming Republican National Convention ( RNC ) hostage to force North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper ( D ) to reopen his state enough to let the event space in Charlotte reach full capacity even during the COVID-19 outbreak .
“ Unfortunately , Democrat Governor , @ RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena , ” Trump tweeted on Monday morning .
He demanded that Cooper “ immediately ” inform GOP conventiongoers as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for August 24 – 27 , will be “ allowed to be fully occupied ” at Charlotte ’ s Spectrum Center .
“ If not , we will be reluctantly forced to find , with all of the jobs and economic development it brings , another Republican National Convention site , ” the President tweeted .
Several hours later , Trump denied having any plans to relocate the convention to his property in Doral , Florida , saying that its ballroom “ is not nearly big enough.
” “ I have zero interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doral in Miami , as falsely reported by the Fake News @ nytimes in order to stir up trouble , ” he tweeted ( the New York Times reported only that Trump was privately asking why the RNC couldn ’ t be held in a hotel ballroom in Florida , not that he wanted it specifically in Doral ) .
Pence backed Trump ’ s threat on “ Fox and Friends ” on Monday morning , saying the President had made a “ a very reasonable request.
” “ We all want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina , but having a sense now is absolutely essential because of the immense preparations that are involved , ” he said .
“ And we look forward to working with Governor Cooper , getting a swift response and if needs be , if needs be , moving the national convention to a state that is farther along on reopening and can say with confidence that we can gather there.
” Dory MacMillan , Cooper ’ s press secretary , told TPM in an emailed statement that North Carolina health officials are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its plans as they make decisions about how to hold the convention in Charlotte.
” “ North Carolina is relying on data and science to protect our state ’ s public health and safety , ” she said .
The Republican National Committee concurs with Trump and Pence , committee spokesperson Steve Guest said in a statement .
“ The RNC wants to hold a full in-person convention in Charlotte , but we need the governor to provide assurances that it can occur , ” Guest said .
“ We will need some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will be forced to consider other options.
” Last week , Republican Party chair Ronna McDaniel told reporters that the GOP “ will not be holding a virtual convention.
” The convention ’ s communications department did not respond to request for comment .

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are holding the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC) hostage to force North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) to reopen his state enough to let the event space in Charlotte reach full capacity even during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Unfortunately, Democrat Governor, @RoyCooperNC is still in Shutdown mood & unable to guarantee that by August we will be allowed full attendance in the Arena,” Trump tweeted on Monday morning.
He demanded that Cooper “immediately” inform GOP conventiongoers as to whether the event, which is scheduled for August 24 – 27, will be “allowed to be fully occupied” at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center.
“If not, we will be reluctantly forced to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site,” the President tweeted.
Several hours later, Trump denied having any plans to relocate the convention to his property in Doral, Florida, saying that its ballroom “is not nearly big enough.”
“I have zero interest in moving the Republican National Convention to Doral in Miami, as falsely reported by the Fake News @nytimes in order to stir up trouble,” he tweeted (the New York Times reported only that Trump was privately asking why the RNC couldn’t be held in a hotel ballroom in Florida, not that he wanted it specifically in Doral).
Pence backed Trump’s threat on “Fox and Friends” on Monday morning, saying the President had made a “a very reasonable request.”
“We all want to be in Charlotte, we love North Carolina, but having a sense now is absolutely essential because of the immense preparations that are involved,” he said. “And we look forward to working with Governor Cooper, getting a swift response and if needs be, if needs be, moving the national convention to a state that is farther along on reopening and can say with confidence that we can gather there.”
Dory MacMillan, Cooper’s press secretary, told TPM in an emailed statement that North Carolina health officials are “working with the RNC and will review its plans as they make decisions about how to hold the convention in Charlotte.”
“North Carolina is relying on data and science to protect our state’s public health and safety,” she said.
The Republican National Committee concurs with Trump and Pence, committee spokesperson Steve Guest said in a statement.
“The RNC wants to hold a full in-person convention in Charlotte, but we need the governor to provide assurances that it can occur,” Guest said. “We will need some answers sooner rather than later, or we will be forced to consider other options.”
Last week, Republican Party chair Ronna McDaniel told reporters that the GOP “will not be holding a virtual convention.”
The convention’s communications department did not respond to request for comment.
Watch Pence below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-25--Protesters Hang Beshear In Effigy Outside Governor’s Mansion

During a rally trumpeting Second Amendment rights outside the Governor ’ s Mansion at the state capitol in Frankfort , Kentucky , protesters hanged Gov .
Andy Beshear ( D ) in effigy , earning bipartisan condemnation .
The figure had a sign slung around its neck reading : “ Sic Semper Tyrannis , ” or “ thus always to tyrants.
” Per CNN , a man cut the effigy down from the tree it was tied to , saying that it had “ no place ” at the rally .
“ The act that was displayed on Capitol grounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his young children live , was wrong and offensive , ” Beshear ’ s communication director Crystal Staley told TPM in a statement .
“ This type of behavior must be condemned .
As Kentuckians we should be able to voice our opinions without turning to hate and threats of violence .
Put simply – we are and should be better than this.
” “ I am outraged that a group hung an effigy of Governor Beshear at the Capitol and the House Majority Caucus condemns this act of hatred , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the significance of Memorial Day weekend , he added that “ Today ’ s actions are an insult to their sacrifice and the kind of incendiary action that can only cause harm.
” The Kentucky Senate Minority Leader , a Democrat , expressed his lack of surprise .
This post has been updated with a statement from the Governor ’ s office .

During a rally trumpeting Second Amendment rights outside the Governor’s Mansion at the state capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, protesters hanged Gov. Andy Beshear (D) in effigy, earning bipartisan condemnation.
The figure had a sign slung around its neck reading: “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” or “thus always to tyrants.”
Per CNN, a man cut the effigy down from the tree it was tied to, saying that it had “no place” at the rally.
“The act that was displayed on Capitol grounds today, near where the Governor and his young children live, was wrong and offensive,” Beshear’s communication director Crystal Staley told TPM in a statement. “This type of behavior must be condemned. As Kentuckians we should be able to voice our opinions without turning to hate and threats of violence. Put simply – we are and should be better than this.”
The move engendered bipartisan blowback.
Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne (R) expressed his “outrage.”
“I am outraged that a group hung an effigy of Governor Beshear at the Capitol and the House Majority Caucus condemns this act of hatred,” he said in a statement. Pointing to the significance of Memorial Day weekend, he added that “Today’s actions are an insult to their sacrifice and the kind of incendiary action that can only cause harm.”
Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) chimed in Sunday night.
.@SenateMajLdr: “As a strong defender of the First Amendment, I believe Americans have the right to peacefully protest. However, today’s action toward Governor Beshear is unacceptable. There is no place for hate in Kentucky.” — Senator McConnell Press (@McConnellPress) May 25, 2020
The Kentucky Senate Minority Leader, a Democrat, expressed his lack of surprise.
This is a new low and it is disgusting and wrong. I wish I were more surprised but this vitriol comes from the top. I hope Republican leaders join me in condemning violent threats against any elected official. https://t.co/BS9WlWzmxN — Morgan McGarvey (@MorganMcGarvey) May 24, 2020
This post has been updated with a statement from the Governor’s office.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-25--Judge Knocks Down Law Requiring Fine Payment Before Voting In Florida Felons Case

A federal judge ruled Sunday that a Florida law requiring people with felony convictions to pay off all their court fines and fees before being able to register to vote is unconstitutional .
Calling the fee requirements “ taxes in substance though not in name , ” Judge Robert Hinkle of the Northern District of Florida decried the “ pay-to-vote system ” as failing to stand up to constitutional scrutiny .
He said that the law can not discriminate against people who , after serving out their sentences , are only barred from the franchise of voting by their inability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Ron DeSantis ’ ( R ) office did not respond to inquiries about an appeal .
However , if the state does appeal the decision , it would go to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals — the very court whose previous order much of Hinkle ’ s decision is built on top of .
“ The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed , squarely holding that Florida can not prevent an otherwise-eligible felon from voting just because the felon has failed to pay LFOs the felon is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
Saying that the court is following the Eleventh Circuit ’ s decision , though it would come to the same conclusion anyway , Hinkle added that “ on the inability-to-pay claim , the Eleventh Circuit ’ s analysis is more important than anything included in this order.
” The state has found itself in this position after Republican lawmakers fought tooth and nail to have the fines and fees restriction added to a sweeping voting rights amendment Florida voters approved in 2018 .
That amendment , known as Amendment 4 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — except those sentenced for felony murder or sex crimes — when they finished serving out their sentences .
Some 1.4 residents with felony convictions could register to vote , under the amendment .
But the Republican-majority legislature wasted no time in its attempt to narrow the scope of the re-enfranchisement , passing a law later signed by DeSantis that forced those who completed their sentences to pay off a slew of fees before they could register .
The Republican lawmakers argued that Florida voters understood that the payments would be part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendment .
Judge Hinkle took the knees out from that argument , taking an almost derisive tone in his response to the lawmakers ’ argument .
“ Surely very few Florida voters knew that fees and costs were imposed regardless of ability to pay , that the overwhelming majority of felons who would otherwise be eligible to vote under Amendment 4 owed amounts they were unable to pay , and that the State had no ability to determine who owed how much , ” he wrote .
He also laid out the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charging fees and fines .
Voting rights advocates are trumpeting the decision as a huge win .
“ The court recognized that conditioning a person ’ s right to vote on their ability to pay is unconstitutional , ” Julie Ebenstein , senior staff attorney with ACLU ’ s Voting Rights Project , said in a statement .
“ This ruling means hundreds of thousands of Floridians will be able to rejoin the electorate and participate in upcoming elections .
This is a tremendous victory for voting rights.
” Daniel Tilley , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that while the state is “ likely ” to appeal the decision , “ we ’ re ready to take this fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court .
”

A federal judge ruled Sunday that a Florida law requiring people with felony convictions to pay off all their court fines and fees before being able to register to vote is unconstitutional.
Calling the fee requirements “taxes in substance though not in name,” Judge Robert Hinkle of the Northern District of Florida decried the “pay-to-vote system” as failing to stand up to constitutional scrutiny. He said that the law cannot discriminate against people who, after serving out their sentences, are only barred from the franchise of voting by their inability to afford the various fees.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) office did not respond to inquiries about an appeal. However, if the state does appeal the decision, it would go to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals — the very court whose previous order much of Hinkle’s decision is built on top of.
“The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed, squarely holding that Florida cannot prevent an otherwise-eligible felon from voting just because the felon has failed to pay LFOs the felon is genuinely unable to pay,” he wrote. Saying that the court is following the Eleventh Circuit’s decision, though it would come to the same conclusion anyway, Hinkle added that “on the inability-to-pay claim, the Eleventh Circuit’s analysis is more important than anything included in this order.”
The state has found itself in this position after Republican lawmakers fought tooth and nail to have the fines and fees restriction added to a sweeping voting rights amendment Florida voters approved in 2018.
That amendment, known as Amendment 4, automatically restored voting rights to all felons — except those sentenced for felony murder or sex crimes — when they finished serving out their sentences. Some 1.4 residents with felony convictions could register to vote, under the amendment.
But the Republican-majority legislature wasted no time in its attempt to narrow the scope of the re-enfranchisement, passing a law later signed by DeSantis that forced those who completed their sentences to pay off a slew of fees before they could register. The Republican lawmakers argued that Florida voters understood that the payments would be part of the deal when they voted for the amendment.
Judge Hinkle took the knees out from that argument, taking an almost derisive tone in his response to the lawmakers’ argument.
“Surely very few Florida voters knew that fees and costs were imposed regardless of ability to pay, that the overwhelming majority of felons who would otherwise be eligible to vote under Amendment 4 owed amounts they were unable to pay, and that the State had no ability to determine who owed how much,” he wrote. He also laid out the state’s “byzantine” procedure of charging fees and fines.
Voting rights advocates are trumpeting the decision as a huge win.
“The court recognized that conditioning a person’s right to vote on their ability to pay is unconstitutional,” Julie Ebenstein, senior staff attorney with ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, said in a statement. “This ruling means hundreds of thousands of Floridians will be able to rejoin the electorate and participate in upcoming elections. This is a tremendous victory for voting rights.”
Daniel Tilley, the ACLU of Florida legal director, added that while the state is “likely” to appeal the decision, “we’re ready to take this fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Read Judge Hinkle’s decision here:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-25--Trump Pats Himself On The Back For Waiting Longer Than Usual To Visit His Golf Club

President Donald Trump was on the defensive on the morning of Memorial Day after he spent the weekend at his golf club in Sterling , Virginia amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Some stories about the fact that in order to get outside and perhaps , even a little exercise , I played golf over the weekend , ” Trump tweeted .
“ The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin – I knew this would happen !
” He bragged about the two and a half months that had passed between his golf excursion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took on March 8 at Mar-a-Lago .
“ What they don ’ t say is that it was my first golf in almost 3 months and , if I waited 3 years , they would do their usual ‘ hit ’ pieces anyway , ” the President tweeted .
Per NBC News ’ tracker that follows Trump ’ s visits to his own properties in real time , the President has spent 245 days at his golf clubs during his first term thus far despite promising his supporters in 2016 that he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go play golf ” because because “ I ’ m going to be working for you.
” Trump , whose administration is fumbling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic , obsessively attacked former President Barack Obama for playing golf during the 44th president ’ s tenure .
“ Can you believe that , with all of the problems and difficulties facing the U.S. , President Obama spent the day playing golf , ” he tweeted on October 13 , 2014 .

President Donald Trump was on the defensive on the morning of Memorial Day after he spent the weekend at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some stories about the fact that in order to get outside and perhaps, even a little exercise, I played golf over the weekend,” Trump tweeted. “The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin – I knew this would happen!”
He bragged about the two and a half months that had passed between his golf excursion this weekend and the last one he took on March 8 at Mar-a-Lago.
“What they don’t say is that it was my first golf in almost 3 months and, if I waited 3 years, they would do their usual ‘hit’ pieces anyway,” the President tweeted.
Per NBC News’ tracker that follows Trump’s visits to his own properties in real time, the President has spent 245 days at his golf clubs during his first term thus far despite promising his supporters in 2016 that he’s “not going to have time to go play golf” because because “I’m going to be working for you.”
Trump, whose administration is fumbling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, obsessively attacked former President Barack Obama for playing golf during the 44th president’s tenure.
“Can you believe that,with all of the problems and difficulties facing the U.S., President Obama spent the day playing golf,” he tweeted on October 13, 2014.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-25--Columbia Doctor Defends University After Trump Bashes ‘Liberal’ Institution Over Damning COVID Study

Dr. Craig Spencer , the director of Global Health in Emergency Medicine at Columbia University , defend his colleagues on Sunday night after President Donald Trump attacked the university for discovering that tens of thousands of American lives could ’ ve been saved had action on COVID-19 been taken sooner in March .
“ For months , me & my colleagues at Columbia University ’ s medical center have treated thousands of # COVID19 patients , ” Spencer tweeted .
“ Every one with dignity .
Never disgracefully.
” The doctor linked to the Washington Post op-ed he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in treating COVID-19 patients .
“ I still choke up when I read it , ” he tweeted .
“ We are not disgraceful.
” Trump bashed Columbia after its researchers found in a study that approximately 36,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. could ’ ve been prevented by May 2 if social distancing measures had been put in place a week sooner on March 1 .
“ Columbia ’ s a liberal , disgraceful institution to write that , ” he told “ Full Measure ” host Sharyl Attkisson in a pre-taped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ playing right to their little group of people that tell them what to do ” without specifying who exactly he was referring to .
The death toll from the outbreak in the U.S. had reached nearly 98,000 by Monday morning , per John Hopkins University .
Correction : The original post erroneously stated the COVID-19 death toll reported by John Hopkins was close to 78,000 .
The correction number is 98,000 .

Dr. Craig Spencer, the director of Global Health in Emergency Medicine at Columbia University, defend his colleagues on Sunday night after President Donald Trump attacked the university for discovering that tens of thousands of American lives could’ve been saved had action on COVID-19 been taken sooner in March.
“For months, me & my colleagues at Columbia University’s medical center have treated thousands of #COVID19 patients,” Spencer tweeted. “Every one with dignity. Never disgracefully.”
The doctor linked to the Washington Post op-ed he’d written in April about doctors’ sacrifices in treating COVID-19 patients.
“I still choke up when I read it,” he tweeted. “We are not disgraceful.”
Trump bashed Columbia after its researchers found in a study that approximately 36,000 COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. could’ve been prevented by May 2 if social distancing measures had been put in place a week sooner on March 1.
“Columbia’s a liberal, disgraceful institution to write that,” he told “Full Measure” host Sharyl Attkisson in a pre-taped interview.
The President accused the university of “playing right to their little group of people that tell them what to do” without specifying who exactly he was referring to.
The death toll from the outbreak in the U.S. had reached nearly 98,000 by Monday morning, per John Hopkins University.
Correction: The original post erroneously stated the COVID-19 death toll reported by John Hopkins was close to 78,000. The correction number is 98,000.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-25--Trump Ramps Up His War On Vote By Mail

Trump Ramps Up His War On Vote By Mail

President Trump took his war on vote-by-mail to the next level last week with a pair of tweets Wednesday morning threatening to hold federal funding for Michigan and Nevada hostage due to the states ’ moves to expand absentee voting .
Both states are mailing out absentee ballot applications to registered voters ( Trump , in his initial tweet targeting Michigan , claimed falsely that the state was universally mailing out ballots ) .
The White House refused to provide an explanation for the tweets , nonsensically claiming it was a question for the campaign .
If Trump makes good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly face a legal challenge .
Speaking of legal challenges , here ’ s what ’ s new in the court battles over pandemic voting : • A federal court ordered Texas to expand absentee voting in a decision that was quickly appealed and put on hold by the conservative 5th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
The Texas Supreme Court is also weighing a lawsuit to open up absentee voting for the pandemic .
• This coming Wednesday , a federal judge in Virginia will hear a challenge brought by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state from implementing no-excuse absentee voting for its June primary .
• Louisiana ’ s League of Women Voters is challenging the limited pandemic voting plan the legislature passed , in a lawsuit alleging the plan doesn ’ t go far enough to protect voters from the outbreak .
• Michigan ’ s League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit challenging the state ’ s witness requirement for absentee voting .
• California faces a lawsuit from conservatives for its plans to mail every voter a ballot .
MT ’ s Ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 Montana measure that imposed severe conditions on ballot collection practices was put on hold for the June primary , with a judge siding with tribal groups who alleged that the law disenfranchised them , given their limited access to mailing services .
Their lawsuit predated the pandemic , but elsewhere lawsuits have popped up targeting state ballot harvesting given the expansion in absentee voting the outbreak is expected to prompt .
N.C. Unveils Bipartisan Proposal For Pandemic Absentee Voting : The latest election measure being considered in North Carolina ’ s statehouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state that has had some of the most contentious voting fights in the country .
It would make some tweaks designed to ease the process for election officials to deal with the increase in absentee voting .
Census Case Wraps Up With A Judge Scolding The DOJ : The Justice Department got a scolding from a judge for a discovery flub that led to more than 10 percent of relevant Trump administration documents being withheld in the litigation over the census citizenship question .
But U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman said Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further other claims made by the challengers of misconduct in the litigation process , which included accusations that two administration-linked witnesses misled the court in their depositions in the case .

President Trump took his war on vote-by-mail to the next level last week with a pair of tweets Wednesday morning threatening to hold federal funding for Michigan and Nevada hostage due to the states’ moves to expand absentee voting. Both states are mailing out absentee ballot applications to registered voters (Trump, in his initial tweet targeting Michigan, claimed falsely that the state was universally mailing out ballots). The White House refused to provide an explanation for the tweets, nonsensically claiming it was a question for the campaign. If Trump makes good on the threat, he will almost certainly face a legal challenge.
Speaking of legal challenges, here’s what’s new in the court battles over pandemic voting:
A federal court ordered Texas to expand absentee voting in a decision that was quickly appealed and put on hold by the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Texas Supreme Court is also weighing a lawsuit to open up absentee voting for the pandemic.
This coming Wednesday, a federal judge in Virginia will hear a challenge brought by a voter fraud alarmist group seeking to block the state from implementing no-excuse absentee voting for its June primary.
Louisiana’s League of Women Voters is challenging the limited pandemic voting plan the legislature passed, in a lawsuit alleging the plan doesn’t go far enough to protect voters from the outbreak.
Michigan’s League of Women Voters filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s witness requirement for absentee voting.
California faces a lawsuit from conservatives for its plans to mail every voter a ballot.
MT’s Ballot Collection Restrictions Put On Hold: A 2018 Montana measure that imposed severe conditions on ballot collection practices was put on hold for the June primary, with a judge siding with tribal groups who alleged that the law disenfranchised them, given their limited access to mailing services. Their lawsuit predated the pandemic, but elsewhere lawsuits have popped up targeting state ballot harvesting given the expansion in absentee voting the outbreak is expected to prompt.
N.C. Unveils Bipartisan Proposal For Pandemic Absentee Voting: The latest election measure being considered in North Carolina’s statehouse has bipartisan support, a rarity in a state that has had some of the most contentious voting fights in the country. It would make some tweaks designed to ease the process for election officials to deal with the increase in absentee voting.
Census Case Wraps Up With A Judge Scolding The DOJ: The Justice Department got a scolding from a judge for a discovery flub that led to more than 10 percent of relevant Trump administration documents being withheld in the litigation over the census citizenship question. But U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman said Thursday that he won’t probe any further other claims made by the challengers of misconduct in the litigation process, which included accusations that two administration-linked witnesses misled the court in their depositions in the case.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--Biden: Twitter Should Call Out Trump For Tweeting ‘Outlandish’ Conspiracies

Former Vice President Joe Biden expressed dissatisfaction over Twitter refusing to take action against President Trump in light of his tweets stoking baseless conspiracy theories , during an interview that aired on CNN Tuesday afternoon .
When asked about the President tweeting “ some pretty outlandish comments ” over the weekend such as conspiracy theories — which include baselessly suggesting that MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was complicit in the death of his congressional staff member Lori Klausutis in 2001 — Biden agreed that social media companies like Twitter should take action against him and “ reexamine ” his posts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ something out saying that same outlandish thing that the President thinks — a talk show host on cable committed murder — I mean you say there ’ s no evidence for that at all , zero , ” Biden said .
Biden then added that Twitter “ should say when things are patently not true.
” The former VP ’ s latest remarks come just hours after Twitter refused remove Trump ’ s tweets a stoking baseless conspiracy against Scarborough , despite an emotional plea from Klausutis ’ widower for the social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s airing of Biden ’ s interview on Tuesday afternoon also comes on the heels of Twitter attaching a “ get the facts ” disclaimer to his false tweets asserting that widespread voting by mail would lead to “ substantial ” fraud .

Former Vice President Joe Biden expressed dissatisfaction over Twitter refusing to take action against President Trump in light of his tweets stoking baseless conspiracy theories, during an interview that aired on CNN Tuesday afternoon.
When asked about the President tweeting “some pretty outlandish comments” over the weekend such as conspiracy theories — which include baselessly suggesting that MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was complicit in the death of his congressional staff member Lori Klausutis in 2001 — Biden agreed that social media companies like Twitter should take action against him and “reexamine” his posts.
“For example, if you put something out saying that same outlandish thing that the President thinks — a talk show host on cable committed murder — I mean you say there’s no evidence for that at all, zero,” Biden said.
Biden then added that Twitter “should say when things are patently not true.”
The former VP’s latest remarks come just hours after Twitter refused remove Trump’s tweets a stoking baseless conspiracy against Scarborough, despite an emotional plea from Klausutis’ widower for the social media company to do so.
CNN’s airing of Biden’s interview on Tuesday afternoon also comes on the heels of Twitter attaching a “get the facts” disclaimer to his false tweets asserting that widespread voting by mail would lead to “substantial” fraud.
Watch Biden’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--Twitter Attaches ‘Get The Facts’ Disclaimer To False Trump Tweets About Vote-By-Mail

President Donald Trump ’ s Twitter page on Tuesday included disclaimers from the social media giant alerting readers that Trump wasn ’ t telling the truth .
Underneath two tweets from Trump asserting that widespread voting by mail would lead to “ substantial ” fraud , Twitter attached a notice in blue text , next to an exclamation mark : “ Get the facts about mail-in ballots.
” The notice linked to a separate page on the site that fact-checked the President , including the headline , “ Trump makes unsubstantiated claim that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered the kind of fact-check that ’ s become routine in media outlets , given Trump ’ s pattern of claiming , incorrectly , that voting by mail invites fraud .
Nonetheless , it was an unprecedented step for the tech giant .
It was unclear if the fact check appeared for all users , or appeared on other posts by public figures beyond the two by Trump .
The company did not immediately respond to TPM ’ s request for comment .
“ Trump falsely claimed that mail-in ballots would lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the linked Twitter page read .
“ However , fact-checkers say there is no evidence that mail-in ballots are linked to voter fraud.
” A series of tweets below linked to media coverage of Trump ’ s tweets .
The Twitter page divided tweets responding to Trump into subheadings , including “ Experts point out that mail-in voting is very rarely linked to fraud , ” “ Others pointed out that mail-in ballots are used in other states , ” “ Other issues with Trump ’ s claim ” and “ Background.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that Twitter said earlier this month that it would begin applying “ get the facts ” labels to tweets “ containing potentially harmful , misleading information related to COVID-19.
” It was not immediately clear if Twitter applied the label to Trump ’ s tweets as part of the same initiative .
Calls on Twitter to delete some of the President ’ s tweets — or to suspend his account entirely — grew to a fever pitch this weekend after Trump boosted a baseless conspiracy theory about the 2001 death of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klausutis , was working in a district office for then-Rep. Joe Scarborough ( R-FL ) at the time of her passing .
Though Klausutis ’ death was determined to be the result of head trauma after she suddenly lost consciousness due to a heart condition , Trump insinuated in multiple tweets that Scarborough had murdered Klausutis .
Trump ’ s tweets about Scarborough remained public and unadorned by any Twitter disclaimers as of Tuesday afternoon .

President Donald Trump’s Twitter page on Tuesday included disclaimers from the social media giant alerting readers that Trump wasn’t telling the truth.
Underneath two tweets from Trump asserting that widespread voting by mail would lead to “substantial” fraud, Twitter attached a notice in blue text, next to an exclamation mark: “Get the facts about mail-in ballots.”
The notice linked to a separate page on the site that fact-checked the President, including the headline, “Trump makes unsubstantiated claim that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud.”
A text box on the page offered the kind of fact-check that’s become routine in media outlets, given Trump’s pattern of claiming, incorrectly, that voting by mail invites fraud. Nonetheless, it was an unprecedented step for the tech giant.
It was unclear if the fact check appeared for all users, or appeared on other posts by public figures beyond the two by Trump. The company did not immediately respond to TPM’s request for comment.
“Trump falsely claimed that mail-in ballots would lead to ‘a Rigged Election,'” the linked Twitter page read. “However, fact-checkers say there is no evidence that mail-in ballots are linked to voter fraud.”
A series of tweets below linked to media coverage of Trump’s tweets.
The Twitter page divided tweets responding to Trump into subheadings, including “Experts point out that mail-in voting is very rarely linked to fraud,” “Others pointed out that mail-in ballots are used in other states,” “Other issues with Trump’s claim” and “Background.”
The New York Times columnist Ben Smith noted that Twitter said earlier this month that it would begin applying “get the facts” labels to tweets “containing potentially harmful, misleading information related to COVID-19.”
It was not immediately clear if Twitter applied the label to Trump’s tweets as part of the same initiative.
Calls on Twitter to delete some of the President’s tweets — or to suspend his account entirely — grew to a fever pitch this weekend after Trump boosted a baseless conspiracy theory about the 2001 death of a congressional staffer.
The staffer, Lori Klausutis, was working in a district office for then-Rep. Joe Scarborough (R-FL) at the time of her passing. Though Klausutis’ death was determined to be the result of head trauma after she suddenly lost consciousness due to a heart condition, Trump insinuated in multiple tweets that Scarborough had murdered Klausutis.
Trump’s tweets about Scarborough remained public and unadorned by any Twitter disclaimers as of Tuesday afternoon.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--Democratic Congressman Calls for Probe Into Former White House Official’s $3 Million Mask Deal

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 .
A senior Democratic congressman on Tuesday called for a watchdog probe into a $ 3 million Indian Health Service contract given to a former White House official to provide masks to Navajo Nation hospitals hit hard by the coronavirus .
ProPublica reported on Friday that IHS granted the contract for 1 million respirator masks to Zach Fuentes , a former deputy chief of staff to President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company .
The contract was granted with limited competitive bidding .
IHS told ProPublica last week that 247,000 of the masks delivered by Fuentes ’ company may be unsuitable for medical use , and that an additional 130,400 were not the type specified in the procurement data .
During testimony on Tuesday by the Department of Health and Human Services ’ principal deputy inspector general , Christi Grimm , before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform , Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia mentioned the ProPublica report and asked Grimm if her office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it was awarded .
IHS is housed within HHS .
“ We ’ ve talked about waste , fraud and abuse , ” Connolly said .
“ Here is a prime candidate — don ’ t want to prejudge — but there ’ s something suspicious about awarding a contract to somebody who has no experience , who formed his company 11 days before the award of the contract , and provided unsuitable equipment reportedly to just a devastated community , the Navajo Nation .
It seems to me a prime candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grimm said she could not “ confirm the existence of an investigation ” and said her office would be in touch with Connolly ’ s to get more information after the hearing .
“ We will take a look at that issue , ” she said .
A spokeswoman for the HHS inspector general ’ s office , Katherine Harris , said in a brief phone call that her office is in touch with Connolly ’ s and other stakeholders in Congress on contracting issues related to the coronavirus .
A second Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also called for an investigation into the contract , in a statement to ProPublica on Tuesday .
” Since the start of this crisis the Trump administration has failed to provide adequate and timely assistance to the Navajo Nation and the rest of Indian Country to fight the COVID-19 pandemic , ” Gallego said .
“ Now it seems like this administration awarded contracts for critical PPE supplies to Trump cronies that they couldn ’ t even deliver on .
This is a disgrace that must be fully investigated.
” Fuentes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Fuentes previously said that connections to the Trump White House played no role in his winning the contract .
On Sunday , IHS told ProPublica that 130,400 masks that Fuentes provided were being reviewed “ due to a potential discrepancy between the outer package labeling and the labeling on the actual product inside the package.
” The 247,000 “ non-medical ” KN95 masks that Fuentes ’ company delivered will be accepted by IHS , but they “ will not be used in a surgical environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about whether the masks met contract specifications , IHS said it decided to formally purchase an extra 58,300 masks that Fuentes ’ company delivered beyond the 1 million masks it had ordered , the agency said .
The agency said it is purchasing the masks because it still needs protective equipment .
Fuentes charged $ 3.24 per mask under the contract .
The Trump administration has been under sustained pressure from members of Congress to provide more funding and help for tribal communities in their fight against the pandemic .
The Navajo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona and Utah , has been hit hard by the coronavirus .
Last month , the Navajo Nation and other tribes sued the U.S. Treasury over what it called its “ fair share ” of federal coronavirus funding .
A federal judge ruled in favor of the tribes in late April .

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.
A senior Democratic congressman on Tuesday called for a watchdog probe into a $3 million Indian Health Service contract given to a former White House official to provide masks to Navajo Nation hospitals hit hard by the coronavirus.
ProPublica reported on Friday that IHS granted the contract for 1 million respirator masks to Zach Fuentes, a former deputy chief of staff to President Donald Trump, 11 days after Fuentes formed his company. The contract was granted with limited competitive bidding.
IHS told ProPublica last week that 247,000 of the masks delivered by Fuentes’ company may be unsuitable for medical use, and that an additional 130,400 were not the type specified in the procurement data.
During testimony on Tuesday by the Department of Health and Human Services’ principal deputy inspector general, Christi Grimm, before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia mentioned the ProPublica report and asked Grimm if her office would be looking into the contract and how it was awarded. IHS is housed within HHS.
“We’ve talked about waste, fraud and abuse,” Connolly said. “Here is a prime candidate — don’t want to prejudge — but there’s something suspicious about awarding a contract to somebody who has no experience, who formed his company 11 days before the award of the contract, and provided unsuitable equipment reportedly to just a devastated community, the Navajo Nation. It seems to me a prime candidate for your office to look at.”
Grimm said she could not “confirm the existence of an investigation” and said her office would be in touch with Connolly’s to get more information after the hearing.
“We will take a look at that issue,” she said. A spokeswoman for the HHS inspector general’s office, Katherine Harris, said in a brief phone call that her office is in touch with Connolly’s and other stakeholders in Congress on contracting issues related to the coronavirus.
A second Democratic congressman, Rep. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, also called for an investigation into the contract, in a statement to ProPublica on Tuesday.
”Since the start of this crisis the Trump administration has failed to provide adequate and timely assistance to the Navajo Nation and the rest of Indian Country to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gallego said. “Now it seems like this administration awarded contracts for critical PPE supplies to Trump cronies that they couldn’t even deliver on. This is a disgrace that must be fully investigated.”
Fuentes, IHS and Connolly’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Fuentes previously said that connections to the Trump White House played no role in his winning the contract.
On Sunday, IHS told ProPublica that 130,400 masks that Fuentes provided were being reviewed “due to a potential discrepancy between the outer package labeling and the labeling on the actual product inside the package.”
The 247,000 “non-medical” KN95 masks that Fuentes’ company delivered will be accepted by IHS, but they “will not be used in a surgical environment,” the agency said.
Despite questions about whether the masks met contract specifications, IHS said it decided to formally purchase an extra 58,300 masks that Fuentes’ company delivered beyond the 1 million masks it had ordered, the agency said. The agency said it is purchasing the masks because it still needs protective equipment.
Fuentes charged $3.24 per mask under the contract.
The Trump administration has been under sustained pressure from members of Congress to provide more funding and help for tribal communities in their fight against the pandemic. The Navajo Nation, which spans New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, has been hit hard by the coronavirus. Last month, the Navajo Nation and other tribes sued the U.S. Treasury over what it called its “fair share” of federal coronavirus funding. A federal judge ruled in favor of the tribes in late April.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--Report: Burr Stock Probe Continues As DOJ Clears Three Senators

The Justice Department ’ s investigation into Sen. Richard Burr ’ s ( R-NC ) pre-coronavirus stock trading activity continues , despite dropping similar stock sale probes into three other senators .
According to a Wall Street Journal report on Tuesday , federal prosecutors are informing attorneys who represent Sens .
Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) , Jim Inhofe ( R-OK ) and Diane Feinstein ( D-CA ) that the Justice Department is closing its investigations into their trading that began two months ago .
The FBI launched the investigations following reports that several members of Congress , their spouses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of dollars in stock upon attending closed-door briefings that discussed pandemic-related threats .
“ Today ’ s clear exoneration by the Department of Justice affirms what Senator Loeffler has said all along—she did nothing wrong , ” a spokesperson for Loeffler said in a statement shared with TPM .
“ This was a politically-motivated attack shamelessly promoted by the fake news media and her political opponents.
” Earlier this month , Burr ’ s cellphone was seized as part of a criminal investigation .
Burr then temporarily stepped down as the chair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
All four senators have denied any wrongdoing related to selling off their shares prior to the stock market crash as a result of the spread of COVID-19 .

The Justice Department’s investigation into Sen. Richard Burr’s (R-NC) pre-coronavirus stock trading activity continues, despite dropping similar stock sale probes into three other senators.
According to a Wall Street Journal report on Tuesday, federal prosecutors are informing attorneys who represent Sens. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) that the Justice Department is closing its investigations into their trading that began two months ago.
The FBI launched the investigations following reports that several members of Congress, their spouses or their investment advisers sold hundreds of thousands of dollars in stock upon attending closed-door briefings that discussed pandemic-related threats.
“Today’s clear exoneration by the Department of Justice affirms what Senator Loeffler has said all along—she did nothing wrong,” a spokesperson for Loeffler said in a statement shared with TPM. “This was a politically-motivated attack shamelessly promoted by the fake news media and her political opponents.”
Earlier this month, Burr’s cellphone was seized as part of a criminal investigation. Burr then temporarily stepped down as the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee the next day.
All four senators have denied any wrongdoing related to selling off their shares prior to the stock market crash as a result of the spread of COVID-19.
Read the Wall Street Journal’s report here.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--Demoted HHS Watchdog Gives Careful Testimony In Dangerous Times For IGs

If House Oversight Committee Democrats were hoping for colorful quotes and angry fodder with which to investigate the Trump administration ’ s response to the novel coronavirus , they didn ’ t get them Tuesday .
Christi Grimm , principal deputy inspector general at the Department of Health and Human Services , brought little fire to the Committee ’ s hearing after being replaced by Trump in early May .
Trump was livid after Grimm ’ s office released a report detailing the dire shortages in personal protective equipment and coronavirus testing in hospitals , saying that the findings were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Obama administration .
She has actually worked in the apolitical IG ’ s office under both Republican and Democratic presidents .
During Tuesday ’ s hearing , multiple Democratic lawmakers asked her questions about the “ chilling ” effect Trump ’ s spate of firings would have on the inspectors general community , and about the administration ’ s failings in its coronavirus response .
On the first , she declined to speak about her personal experience , instead emphasizing the general importance of watchdogs ’ independence and protection from political retaliation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community views , the independence and effectiveness of an inspector general as a key safeguard for the programs we oversee , ” she said in response to Rep. Gerry Connolly ’ s ( D-VA ) question about the effect of Trump ’ s statements on the IG community .
“ It ’ s what allows us to bring our subjective judgment to bear on problems without worrying whether those running the programs are hearing what they want to hear.
” And on the administration ’ s slow and shoddy response to the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so ill-equipped , as documented in the report that infuriated Trump — Grimm consistently avoided placing blame on the administration and repeated that things had gotten better since the report was published in April .
“ Now , we believe , is not the time to be looking at issues like that , ” she said to Rep. James Comer ’ s ( R-KY ) question about the Trump administration ’ s response .
“ A look back at some of the decisions and what actions were taken as result of information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially consider down the road.
” Grimm ’ s caution makes sense given her own situation .
While she will no longer be spearheading the HHS ’ office of the inspector general — Trump has nominated Jason Weida , an assistant United States attorney in Boston , as permanent inspector general — she ’ ll remain in her deputy role .
Meanwhile , Trump has removed from leadership or fired outright five inspectors general this spring alone .
Congressional committees , including Oversight , have launched investigations into the most recent firing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose ouster seemingly has deep ties to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
And even as Grimm spoke Tuesday , Trump ’ s actions claimed another employee in the IG community .
Glenn Fine , Grimm ’ s counterpart at the Pentagon who had also been abruptly replaced as acting leader , resigned after over a decade of service in inspectors general offices .

If House Oversight Committee Democrats were hoping for colorful quotes and angry fodder with which to investigate the Trump administration’s response to the novel coronavirus, they didn’t get them Tuesday.
Christi Grimm, principal deputy inspector general at the Department of Health and Human Services, brought little fire to the Committee’s hearing after being replaced by Trump in early May.
Trump was livid after Grimm’s office released a report detailing the dire shortages in personal protective equipment and coronavirus testing in hospitals, saying that the findings were politically motivated since Grimm had served during the Obama administration. She has actually worked in the apolitical IG’s office under both Republican and Democratic presidents.
During Tuesday’s hearing, multiple Democratic lawmakers asked her questions about the “chilling” effect Trump’s spate of firings would have on the inspectors general community, and about the administration’s failings in its coronavirus response.
On the first, she declined to speak about her personal experience, instead emphasizing the general importance of watchdogs’ independence and protection from political retaliation.
“I view, and the community views, the independence and effectiveness of an inspector general as a key safeguard for the programs we oversee,” she said in response to Rep. Gerry Connolly’s (D-VA) question about the effect of Trump’s statements on the IG community. “It’s what allows us to bring our subjective judgment to bear on problems without worrying whether those running the programs are hearing what they want to hear.”
And on the administration’s slow and shoddy response to the pandemic — the shortcomings that left the hospitals so ill-equipped, as documented in the report that infuriated Trump — Grimm consistently avoided placing blame on the administration and repeated that things had gotten better since the report was published in April.
“Now, we believe, is not the time to be looking at issues like that,” she said to Rep. James Comer’s (R-KY) question about the Trump administration’s response. “A look back at some of the decisions and what actions were taken as result of information, that would be something that we would potentially consider down the road.”
Grimm’s caution makes sense given her own situation. While she will no longer be spearheading the HHS’ office of the inspector general — Trump has nominated Jason Weida, an assistant United States attorney in Boston, as permanent inspector general — she’ll remain in her deputy role.
Meanwhile, Trump has removed from leadership or fired outright five inspectors general this spring alone. Congressional committees, including Oversight, have launched investigations into the most recent firing of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, whose ouster seemingly has deep ties to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
And even as Grimm spoke Tuesday, Trump’s actions claimed another employee in the IG community. Glenn Fine, Grimm’s counterpart at the Pentagon who had also been abruptly replaced as acting leader, resigned after over a decade of service in inspectors general offices.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--Report: Trump Blindsided RNC Planners With His Threat To Pull Convention From NC

President Donald Trump reportedly went rogue on Monday when he threatened to pull the Republican National Convention out of its @ @ @ @ @ North Carolina if the state ’ s governor did not roll back the restrictions of @ @ @ @ @ hamper full attendance at the convention in August .
Unnamed sources told CNN on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ tweets on the issue , convention CEO Marcia Kelly and White House Chief of Staff @ @ @ @ @ cordial conversations with Gov .
Roy Cooper ( D ) last week about the logistics @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 outbreak .
During Kelly ’ s call with Cooper , the CEO discussed @ @ @ @ @ conventions .
There reportedly had not been threatening demands made for a full convention .
@ @ @ @ @ by surprise when Trump fired off the tweets declaring that “ we will be reluctantly @ @ @ @ @ all of the jobs and economic development it brings , another Republican National Convention site @ @ @ @ @ governor did not allow the convention to run as normal .

President Donald Trump reportedly went rogue on Monday when he threatened to pull the Republican National Convention out of its planned venue in Charlotte, North Carolina if the state’s governor did not roll back the restrictions of his stay-at-home order that would hamper full attendance at the convention in August.
Unnamed sources told CNN on Tuesday that before Trump’s tweets on the issue, convention CEO Marcia Kelly and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows had actually had cordial conversations with Gov. Roy Cooper (D) last week about the logistics of holding the convention amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
During Kelly’s call with Cooper, the CEO discussed strategies for in-person and virtual conventions. There reportedly had not been threatening demands made for a full convention.
RNC officials were thus taken by surprise when Trump fired off the tweets declaring that “we will be reluctantly forced to find, with all of the jobs and economic development it brings, another Republican National Convention site” if the North Carolina governor did not allow the convention to run as normal.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--Here’s The WH’s Baffling Defense Of Trump Going After Biden For Wearing A Mask

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Tuesday defended President Trump ’ s retweet that criticized former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing a mask on Memorial Day .
When asked about the President retweeting Fox News commentator Brit Hume ’ s criticism of Biden ’ s mask-wearing during his first in-person event in months on Monday , McEnany sarcastically replied that Trump is “ excited to see ” that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee “ emerged from the basement.
” McEnany then confusingly argued that it is “ a bit peculiar ” that Biden has not worn a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been recorded in his basement .
“ He ’ s not wearing a mask but he ’ s wearing one outdoors when he ’ s socially distant , ” McEnany said .
“ So I think there was discrepancy there.
” McEnany added that Trump is “ not shaming anyone ” and pointed out that Trump claimed to wear a mask in private while visiting a Ford facility outside of Detroit last week .
After McEnany said that the President would be “ open to it if the circumstance mandates it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CDC ’ s guidance recommends wearing masks outside .
“ The guidance is recommended but not required , ” McEnany said .
“ It ’ s the personal choice of the individual , but it didn ’ t strike him as a very data-driven decision in that particular incidence.
” Shortly after Tuesday ’ s White House briefing , Biden campaign director of rapid response Andrew Bates told TPM in a statement that Trump ’ s “ historic disregard ” for the guidance of public health experts is responsible for a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the country nears 100,000 fatalities and continues suffering from devastating job losses .
“ Joe Biden will continue to provide the leadership that Donald Trump has failed to throughout this crisis — because the starkest difference between them is that Joe Biden actually cares about people , ” Bates said in the statement .

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Tuesday defended President Trump’s retweet that criticized former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing a mask on Memorial Day.
When asked about the President retweeting Fox News commentator Brit Hume’s criticism of Biden’s mask-wearing during his first in-person event in months on Monday, McEnany sarcastically replied that Trump is “excited to see” that the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee “emerged from the basement.”
McEnany then confusingly argued that it is “a bit peculiar” that Biden has not worn a mask during recent virtual appearances with his wife that have been recorded in his basement.
“He’s not wearing a mask but he’s wearing one outdoors when he’s socially distant,” McEnany said. “So I think there was discrepancy there.”
McEnany added that Trump is “not shaming anyone” and pointed out that Trump claimed to wear a mask in private while visiting a Ford facility outside of Detroit last week.
After McEnany said that the President would be “open to it if the circumstance mandates it,” a reporter pointed out that the CDC’s guidance recommends wearing masks outside.
“The guidance is recommended but not required,” McEnany said. “It’s the personal choice of the individual, but it didn’t strike him as a very data-driven decision in that particular incidence.”
Shortly after Tuesday’s White House briefing, Biden campaign director of rapid response Andrew Bates told TPM in a statement that Trump’s “historic disregard” for the guidance of public health experts is responsible for a “failed response” to the COVID-19 pandemic as the country nears 100,000 fatalities and continues suffering from devastating job losses.
“Joe Biden will continue to provide the leadership that Donald Trump has failed to throughout this crisis — because the starkest difference between them is that Joe Biden actually cares about people,” Bates said in the statement.
Watch McEnany’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--Pentagon Watchdog That Trump Sidelined From COVID Oversight Resigns

The government watchdog picked to oversee trillions in COVID-19 relief spending — until he was sidelined by President Donald Trump — resigned Tuesday .
Glenn Fine had served as the principal deputy inspector general at the Pentagon , filling in as the military ’ s top watchdog for months , until April .
A few days earlier , colleagues of Fine ’ s had chosen him to chair the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee , or PRAC .
But after he was selected for that post , Trump replaced him as the Pentagon ’ s acting inspector general — making him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time has come for me to step down and allow others to perform this vital role , ” Fine said in a statement , as Axios first reported .
CNN reported that Fine resigned on his own accord rather than being told to do so , according to an unnamed Pentagon official .
Notably , former Defense Secretary James Mattis told CNN that Fine ’ s resignation was “ regrettable.
” “ It ’ s regrettable seeing such a highly competent , non-partisan patriot and public servant leaving government service , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr .
Glenn Fine represents all that is noble in taking on the hard work of keeping government honest and responsive .
He will be missed.
” Fine ’ s resignation is yet another chip away at the network of inspectors general tasked with keeping an eye on the federal government .
In recent weeks , the President has led a crusade against the government watchdogs .
In April , Trump fired the intelligence community inspector general Michael Atkinson , who informed Congress of the whistleblower complaint that led to Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House announced a nominee to replace the Health department ’ s acting inspector general Christi Grimm , whose office released a damning report detailing the administration ’ s shortcomings in supplying hospitals for the COVID-19 pandemic .
A couple weeks later , Trump canned the State Department Inspector General Steve Linick upon the recommendation of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — who himself answered questions for an investigation from Linick ’ s office regarding the “ emergency ” approval of a weapons sale to Saudi Arabia .
Last week , Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed by former President Barack Obama “ in pretty much all cases.
” CNN cited unnamed sources who claimed Trump had long sought to remove Fine , viewing him as an Obama holdover .
While it is the case , according to Fine ’ s Pentagon bio , that he began serving in the Pentagon inspector general ’ s office during Obama ’ s second term , he ’ d previously served under other presidents .
Fine was director of the Justice Department ’ s Special Investigations and Review Unit during the Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general from 2000 to 2011 .

The government watchdog picked to oversee trillions in COVID-19 relief spending — until he was sidelined by President Donald Trump — resigned Tuesday.
Glenn Fine had served as the principal deputy inspector general at the Pentagon, filling in as the military’s top watchdog for months, until April.
A few days earlier, colleagues of Fine’s had chosen him to chair the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, or PRAC. But after he was selected for that post, Trump replaced him as the Pentagon’s acting inspector general — making him ineligible to lead PRAC.
“The time has come for me to step down and allow others to perform this vital role,” Fine said in a statement, as Axios first reported. CNN reported that Fine resigned on his own accord rather than being told to do so, according to an unnamed Pentagon official.
Notably, former Defense Secretary James Mattis told CNN that Fine’s resignation was “regrettable.”
“It’s regrettable seeing such a highly competent, non-partisan patriot and public servant leaving government service,” he told CNN in a statement. “Mr. Glenn Fine represents all that is noble in taking on the hard work of keeping government honest and responsive. He will be missed.”
Fine’s resignation is yet another chip away at the network of inspectors general tasked with keeping an eye on the federal government. In recent weeks, the President has led a crusade against the government watchdogs.
In April, Trump fired the intelligence community inspector general Michael Atkinson, who informed Congress of the whistleblower complaint that led to Trump’s impeachment.
Earlier this month, the White House announced a nominee to replace the Health department’s acting inspector general Christi Grimm, whose office released a damning report detailing the administration’s shortcomings in supplying hospitals for the COVID-19 pandemic.
A couple weeks later, Trump canned the State Department Inspector General Steve Linick upon the recommendation of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — who himself answered questions for an investigation from Linick’s office regarding the “emergency” approval of a weapons sale to Saudi Arabia.
Last week, Trump said he was willing to fire inspectors general appointed by former President Barack Obama “in pretty much all cases.” CNN cited unnamed sources who claimed Trump had long sought to remove Fine, viewing him as an Obama holdover.
While it is the case, according to Fine’s Pentagon bio, that he began serving in the Pentagon inspector general’s office during Obama’s second term, he’d previously served under other presidents.
Fine was director of the Justice Department’s Special Investigations and Review Unit during the Clinton administration and served as Justice Department inspector general from 2000 to 2011.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--Clyburn ‘Cringed’ At Biden’s ‘You Ain’t Black’ Comment

House Majority Whip James Clyburn ( D-SC ) , now the highest-ranking black member of Congress , said he “ cringed ” when he heard former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s remark to voters that they “ ain ’ t black ” if they are considering a vote for President Trump in November .
“ I cringed , no question about that , ” the South Carolina lawmaker said in an interview with “ The View ” Tuesday morning .
Biden appeared on “ The Breakfast Club , ” a radio show that has gained popularity among black millennials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cohort of young black voters .
But Biden ended up having to apologize after sparking criticism for telling host Charlamagne tha God “ if you have a problem figuring out whether you ’ re for me or Trump , then you ain ’ t black.
” Clyburn , who made an emotional early endorsement of Biden ahead of the South Carolina primary , has been credited with helping the former vice president by mobilizing black voters in the state and effectively helping Biden win more than 60 percent of black voters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That victory was repeated days later on Super Tuesday , when Biden claimed 10 of the 14 states on the ballot .
Despite Biden ’ s recent missteps , Clyburn seized the opportunity on “ The View ” to urge voters to compare the former vice president “ to the alternative , not the almighty.
” “ He knows the African American community very well , ” Clyburn said .
“ I would not have supported him if I did not think he was best suited to be the next president of @ @ @ @ @

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), now the highest-ranking black member of Congress, said he “cringed” when he heard former Vice President Joe Biden’s remark to voters that they “ain’t black” if they are considering a vote for President Trump in November.
“I cringed, no question about that,” the South Carolina lawmaker said in an interview with “The View” Tuesday morning.
Rep. James Clyburn tells us he “cringed” at Joe Biden’s “ain’t black” comment, but says Biden “is not a perfect person — none of us are.” “I would not have supported him if I did not think he was best suited to be the next president of the United States.” https://t.co/pmnCrwmnmq pic.twitter.com/5ZZmgghlvd — The View (@TheView) May 26, 2020
Biden appeared on “The Breakfast Club,” a radio show that has gained popularity among black millennials, no doubt hoping to win over a cohort of young black voters. But Biden ended up having to apologize after sparking criticism for telling host Charlamagne tha God “if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.”
Clyburn, who made an emotional early endorsement of Biden ahead of the South Carolina primary, has been credited with helping the former vice president by mobilizing black voters in the state and effectively helping Biden win more than 60 percent of black voters in South Carolina amid a then-crowded Democratic primary. That victory was repeated days later on Super Tuesday, when Biden claimed 10 of the 14 states on the ballot.
Despite Biden’s recent missteps, Clyburn seized the opportunity on “The View” to urge voters to compare the former vice president “to the alternative, not the almighty.”
“He knows the African American community very well,” Clyburn said. “I would not have supported him if I did not think he was best suited to be the next president of the United States.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-05-26--The Financial Catastrophe That Coronavirus Brought to Small Towns

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 .
Kevin Smith , the mayor of Helena-West Helena , Arkansas , feels abandoned by the federal government .
On Easter Sunday , a storm hit his city of 10,000 , one of the poorest in the state .
It knocked out power for most residents ; those who ’ d used SNAP benefits to stock their refrigerators saw their groceries spoil .
Streets flooded .
Sewers overflowed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ debris blocked roads to the hospital .
His city faces a loss of up to 30 % in revenue because of the coronavirus , but doesn ’ t qualify for direct federal stimulus funding , which is reserved for those with populations of 500,000 or more .
So at a time when his city needs infrastructure the most , he is weighing cuts and layoffs .
Smaller cities and towns , already reeling from the pandemic and the resulting financial crisis , face natural disasters like spring floods and the approaching hurricane season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , they ’ ve been left behind as federal coronavirus relief efforts favor larger cities .
The House of Representatives passed another stimulus bill this month that allocates $ 188 billion for local governments , including smaller towns .
It has little chance of passing the Senate .
A separate bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate would provide emergency assistance for local budgets .
The United States Conference of Mayors has a growing database of fiscal impacts in 170 cities .
Santa Monica , California , for example , is eliminating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Florida , has announced that all city employees , including first responders , must take one day off every two weeks without pay .
That list is far from complete .
It doesn ’ t include Midland , Michigan , where 28 % of city workers were furloughed or faced reduced work hours last month .
Midland is now the epicenter of a massive flood that forced 10,000 people to evacuate after heavy rainfall and two collapsed dams sent the Tittabawassee River to record levels .
Noah Ponte , an out-of-work hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Midland , drove into town last Tuesday night to help with volunteer efforts .
He and other volunteers created Google forms to match people offering housing , food and clothing assistance with evacuees who need it .
“ We really can ’ t catch a break right now , ” Ponte said .
The storm is consistent with climate models that predict increasing rainfall for the Midwest .
It ’ s an example of the cascading catastrophes experts have warned about , as weather and climate-related disasters pile on top of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : it ’ s the pandemic , other natural disasters , and the revenue , ” said Colin Wellenkamp , executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative , which represents 96 communities along the river .
Some towns are still recovering from last year ’ s floods .
Greenville , Mississippi , a city in the Delta region , was still fixing streets and sewers after $ 4 million worth of municipal damage .
Mayor Errick Simmons said they won ’ t be able to open the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they ’ re funded by gaming revenues from local casinos that had to close due to the virus .
Last year , Greenville received $ 118,000 of that revenue in April .
This year , he said , the check came to $ 900 .
Simmons faces a $ 3.5 million budget shortfall .
The city just approved furloughs of up to 120 days for as many as 25 city employees , and another 37 crossing guards are out of work due to school closures .
The 2019 flood also left its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent $ 150,000 building a temporary levee that saved the town last year .
The tiny community of 170 residents relies heavily on festivals it hosts , said Mayor Philip Stang .
The spring Strawberry Festival , where vendors sell strawberry cake , pie , jam and “ anything you can do to a damn strawberry , ” supplies a quarter of the budget .
Last year , it was cancelled because of the flood .
The coronavirus forced him to cancel it again this year .
Now he ’ s wondering about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its beehive-shaped Levee High apple pie , stuffed with 18 apples and coated in caramel .
The event usually generates half the city ’ s budget .
Stang hasn ’ t laid off anyone yet , but he ’ s curtailed police presence and deferred all but the most urgent road maintenance , he said .
“ If you get a big enough hole in the street , we ’ ll go find some gravel and fill it in so you don ’ t fall in.
” The mayors said they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The best thing the government can do is pass a package for cities and towns of all sizes , to cover revenue shortfalls , ” Simmons said .
“ We need cash infusions.
” Until then , they are relying on charity .
The most immediate aid for Helena-West Helena came from volunteers with the Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief , a group affiliated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention .
Randy Garrett , its disaster relief director , said they showed up the evening of the storm and began clearing trees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crucially , they brought in a generator to power the water pumps , so the hospital and nursing home could stay open .
A construction company provided a second generator .
Tonya Phillips , who lives in the city with her family , said it took four days to get their electricity restored .
She enjoyed one home-cooked meal at a relative ’ s house in a neighboring town .
The rest of the time she stayed home , opening the fridge as little as possible to preserve their food .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
When she saw workers clearing the trees on her street , it was such a welcome sight that she took a photo .
Smith said he couldn ’ t have managed without the Baptist State Convention .
The state never provided recovery funds .
He applied for FEMA disaster aid after a volunteer suggested it ; more than six weeks after the storm , he is still waiting to see if that will be approved .
“ We need more immediate , direct help , ” said Simmons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do not receive that … we do not see how we will survive into the following year .
”

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.
Kevin Smith, the mayor of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, feels abandoned by the federal government. On Easter Sunday, a storm hit his city of 10,000, one of the poorest in the state. It knocked out power for most residents; those who’d used SNAP benefits to stock their refrigerators saw their groceries spoil. Streets flooded. Sewers overflowed. In the thick of a pandemic, debris blocked roads to the hospital.
His city faces a loss of up to 30% in revenue because of the coronavirus, but doesn’t qualify for direct federal stimulus funding, which is reserved for those with populations of 500,000 or more. So at a time when his city needs infrastructure the most, he is weighing cuts and layoffs.
Smaller cities and towns, already reeling from the pandemic and the resulting financial crisis, face natural disasters like spring floods and the approaching hurricane season, additional blows exacerbated by climate change. Meanwhile, they’ve been left behind as federal coronavirus relief efforts favor larger cities. The House of Representatives passed another stimulus bill this month that allocates $188 billion for local governments, including smaller towns. It has little chance of passing the Senate. A separate bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate would provide emergency assistance for local budgets.
The United States Conference of Mayors has a growing database of fiscal impacts in 170 cities. Santa Monica, California, for example, is eliminating 337 staff positions, and Oakland Park, Florida, has announced that all city employees, including first responders, must take one day off every two weeks without pay.
That list is far from complete. It doesn’t include Midland, Michigan, where 28% of city workers were furloughed or faced reduced work hours last month. Midland is now the epicenter of a massive flood that forced 10,000 people to evacuate after heavy rainfall and two collapsed dams sent the Tittabawassee River to record levels.
Noah Ponte, an out-of-work hotel manager in Detroit who grew up in Midland, drove into town last Tuesday night to help with volunteer efforts. He and other volunteers created Google forms to match people offering housing, food and clothing assistance with evacuees who need it. “We really can’t catch a break right now,” Ponte said.
The storm is consistent with climate models that predict increasing rainfall for the Midwest. It’s an example of the cascading catastrophes experts have warned about, as weather and climate-related disasters pile on top of the coronavirus.
Communities face a “three-front war: it’s the pandemic, other natural disasters, and the revenue,” said Colin Wellenkamp, executive director of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, which represents 96 communities along the river.
Some towns are still recovering from last year’s floods. Greenville, Mississippi, a city in the Delta region, was still fixing streets and sewers after $4 million worth of municipal damage. Mayor Errick Simmons said they won’t be able to open the city’s parks and swimming pool this summer, because they’re funded by gaming revenues from local casinos that had to close due to the virus. Last year, Greenville received $118,000 of that revenue in April. This year, he said, the check came to $900.
Simmons faces a $3.5 million budget shortfall. The city just approved furloughs of up to 120 days for as many as 25 city employees, and another 37 crossing guards are out of work due to school closures.
The 2019 flood also left its mark on Kimmswick, Missouri, which spent $150,000 building a temporary levee that saved the town last year. The tiny community of 170 residents relies heavily on festivals it hosts, said Mayor Philip Stang. The spring Strawberry Festival, where vendors sell strawberry cake, pie, jam and “anything you can do to a damn strawberry,” supplies a quarter of the budget. Last year, it was cancelled because of the flood. The coronavirus forced him to cancel it again this year.
Now he’s wondering about the fall Apple Butter Festival, known for its beehive-shaped Levee High apple pie, stuffed with 18 apples and coated in caramel. The event usually generates half the city’s budget.
Stang hasn’t laid off anyone yet, but he’s curtailed police presence and deferred all but the most urgent road maintenance, he said. “If you get a big enough hole in the street, we’ll go find some gravel and fill it in so you don’t fall in.”
The mayors said they’ve received little state or federal aid. “The best thing the government can do is pass a package for cities and towns of all sizes, to cover revenue shortfalls,” Simmons said. “We need cash infusions.”
Until then, they are relying on charity.
The most immediate aid for Helena-West Helena came from volunteers with the Arkansas Baptist Disaster Relief, a group affiliated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Randy Garrett, its disaster relief director, said they showed up the evening of the storm and began clearing trees, cooking meals and distributing supplies. Crucially, they brought in a generator to power the water pumps, so the hospital and nursing home could stay open. A construction company provided a second generator.
Tonya Phillips, who lives in the city with her family, said it took four days to get their electricity restored. She enjoyed one home-cooked meal at a relative’s house in a neighboring town. The rest of the time she stayed home, opening the fridge as little as possible to preserve their food. “I thank God every day for the volunteers,” she said. When she saw workers clearing the trees on her street, it was such a welcome sight that she took a photo.
Smith said he couldn’t have managed without the Baptist State Convention. The state never provided recovery funds. He applied for FEMA disaster aid after a volunteer suggested it; more than six weeks after the storm, he is still waiting to see if that will be approved.
“We need more immediate, direct help,” said Simmons, the Greenville mayor. “If we do not receive that … we do not see how we will survive into the following year.”