talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--Senate Cancels Its Planned Recess Next Week As Coronavirus Outbreak Worsens

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) announced Thursday afternoon that the chamber has canceled its scheduled recess next week .
It is currently unclear whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) will follow suit by canceling her chamber ’ s recess next week .
Earlier this week , Pelosi told Capitol Hill reporters that “ there ’ s no reason ” to change the House ’ s schedule .
Pelosi also said in a closed-door meeting earlier this week that “ we are the captains of the ship ” and “ we are the last to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House would not depart the Capitol any earlier than the scheduled spring recess starting Thursday , according to The Hill .
TPM reported earlier Thursday about rank-and-file Senate Republicans becoming increasingly vocal about their opposition to going on recess without a having voted on a measure addressing COVID-19 .
McConnell ’ s recess cancelation announcement came on the heels of Senate Republicans expressing their opposition .
Before McConnell ’ s announcement , it was unclear whether the Senate would try to push through a coronavirus-related measure in the next day or two , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week ’ s break altogether .
Senators will now have the ability to go home for the weekend , many of them flying to and from Washington , and interact with their constituents .
Some lawmakers have already said they planned on going back to their states after Thursday ’ s final vote .
It ’ s unclear if others will try to reduce the chance of them spreading the virus by staying in Washington through the weekend .
In addition to the coronavirus crisis , the Senate also must deal with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewal of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act , the law that allows law enforcement to seek certain surveillance warrants .
The law expires this weekend .
House and Senate leadership had reached a bipartisan deal on a renewal bill that ’ s passed the House already .
But a handful of Senate Republicans have objected to it , and President Trump also suggested on Twitter he might not sign it .
There was some discussion of the Senate doing a short-term extension of the law that would give the Senate time to let the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bipartisan proposal .
It doesn ’ t appear that the Senate will vote on a short-term extension before lawmakers leave town .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced Thursday afternoon that the chamber has canceled its scheduled recess next week.
Notwithstanding the scheduled state work period, the Senate will be in session next week. I am glad talks are ongoing between the Administration and Speaker Pelosi. I hope Congress can pass bipartisan legislation to continue combating the coronavirus and keep our economy strong. — Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) March 12, 2020
It is currently unclear whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will follow suit by canceling her chamber’s recess next week. Earlier this week, Pelosi told Capitol Hill reporters that “there’s no reason” to change the House’s schedule. Pelosi also said in a closed-door meeting earlier this week that “we are the captains of the ship” and “we are the last to leave” when expressing her conviction that the House would not depart the Capitol any earlier than the scheduled spring recess starting Thursday, according to The Hill.
TPM reported earlier Thursday about rank-and-file Senate Republicans becoming increasingly vocal about their opposition to going on recess without a having voted on a measure addressing COVID-19. McConnell’s recess cancelation announcement came on the heels of Senate Republicans expressing their opposition.
Before McConnell’s announcement, it was unclear whether the Senate would try to push through a coronavirus-related measure in the next day or two, or if it would just cancel next week’s break altogether.
Senators will now have the ability to go home for the weekend, many of them flying to and from Washington, and interact with their constituents. Some lawmakers have already said they planned on going back to their states after Thursday’s final vote. It’s unclear if others will try to reduce the chance of them spreading the virus by staying in Washington through the weekend.
In addition to the coronavirus crisis, the Senate also must deal with a mess that has broken out over the renewal of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, the law that allows law enforcement to seek certain surveillance warrants. The law expires this weekend.
House and Senate leadership had reached a bipartisan deal on a renewal bill that’s passed the House already. But a handful of Senate Republicans have objected to it, and President Trump also suggested on Twitter he might not sign it.
Many Republican Senators want me to Veto the FISA Bill until we find out what led to, and happened with, the illegal attempted “coup” of the duly elected President of the United States, and others! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2020
There was some discussion of the Senate doing a short-term extension of the law that would give the Senate time to let the objecting Republicans to offer amendments to the bipartisan proposal. It doesn’t appear that the Senate will vote on a short-term extension before lawmakers leave town.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--Porter Strong-Arms CDC Director Into Committing To Free Coronavirus Testing For All Americans

Rep. Katie Porter ( D-CA ) , armed with a whiteboard , held Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield ’ s feet to the fire on whether or not he would exercise his authority to make coronavirus testing free for all Americans , regardless of insurance coverage .
After first pop-quizzing Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec on the various costs for the out-of-pocket costs associated with the illness , Porter turned her attention to Redfield .
She asked repeatedly if he would exercise the provision in the Code of Federal Regulations that gives him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and treatment of individuals subject to “ medical examination , quarantine , isolation and conditional release ” to make the coronavirus testing free .
Redfield offered up that CDC is working with the Department of Health and Human Services to “ operationalize ” that power — but Porter wasn ’ t having it .
“ Dr .
Redfield , ” she said solemnly .
“ I hope that answer weighs heavily on you .
Because it is going to weigh very heavily on me and on every American family.
” She kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have to do “ any work , ” that he could figure out how to operationalize the payment structure tomorrow .
She said that she was looking for a commitment from him that all Americans would be able to be tested free of charge .
“ I think you ’ re an excellent questioner , so my answer is yes , ” he finally conceded .
The CDC did not immediately respond to questions about when and how free testing will go into effect .
Some states , including New York and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to charge people for the tests .
Certain health providers , including Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield , have also pledged to waive out-of-pocket costs .
But the uninsured have enjoyed far fewer breaks .
The House plans to vote on the “ Families First ” bill Thursday , which includes many coronavirus measures , including free testing for the uninsured .
However , it is unlikely to ever become law now , after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) called it an “ ideological wish list not tailored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has cancelled its planned recess to continue working on coronavirus legislation .
The House has not yet announced any change in plans — members are expected to leave for their home districts on Thursday .

Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), armed with a whiteboard, held Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield’s feet to the fire on whether or not he would exercise his authority to make coronavirus testing free for all Americans, regardless of insurance coverage.
After first pop-quizzing Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec on the various costs for the out-of-pocket costs associated with the illness, Porter turned her attention to Redfield.
She asked repeatedly if he would exercise the provision in the Code of Federal Regulations that gives him “sole discretion” over payment for care and treatment of individuals subject to “medical examination, quarantine, isolation and conditional release” to make the coronavirus testing free.
Redfield offered up that CDC is working with the Department of Health and Human Services to “operationalize” that power — but Porter wasn’t having it.
“Dr. Redfield,” she said solemnly. “I hope that answer weighs heavily on you. Because it is going to weigh very heavily on me and on every American family.”
She kept pushing, saying that Redfield didn’t have to do “any work,” that he could figure out how to operationalize the payment structure tomorrow. She said that she was looking for a commitment from him that all Americans would be able to be tested free of charge.
“I think you’re an excellent questioner, so my answer is yes,” he finally conceded.
“Excellent!” Porter exclaimed. “Everybody in America hear that?”
The CDC did not immediately respond to questions about when and how free testing will go into effect.
Some states, including New York and California, have already ordered insurance companies not to charge people for the tests. Certain health providers, including Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield, have also pledged to waive out-of-pocket costs.
But the uninsured have enjoyed far fewer breaks. The House plans to vote on the “Families First” bill Thursday, which includes many coronavirus measures, including free testing for the uninsured. However, it is unlikely to ever become law now, after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called it an “ideological wish list not tailored closely to the circumstances.”
The Senate has cancelled its planned recess to continue working on coronavirus legislation. The House has not yet announced any change in plans — members are expected to leave for their home districts on Thursday.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--DNC Relocates Upcoming Dem Debate From Arizona To DC Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

The Democratic National Committee announced on Thursday that the Democratic primary debate between 2020 presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) on Sunday will be held in Washington , D.C. instead of Phoenix , Arizona as a cautionary measure against COVID-19 .
“ Out of an abundance of caution and in order to reduce cross-country travel , all parties have decided that the best path forward is to hold Sunday ’ s debate at CNN ’ s studio in Washington , D.C. , with no live audience , ” DNC communication director Xochitl Hinojosa said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the debate moderators , Univision anchor Jorge Ramos , would not be attending the event after it was discovered he had been “ in proximity ” with an individual who was in contact with a coronavirus patient .
He will be replaced by Univision reporter Ilia Calderón .
The DNC had announced on Wednesday that there would be no live audience at the debate .
CNN , which is hosting the debate , also announced that there would be no spin room or press filing center either .
The debate is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 .

The Democratic National Committee announced on Thursday that the Democratic primary debate between 2020 presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Sunday will be held in Washington, D.C. instead of Phoenix, Arizona as a cautionary measure against COVID-19.
“Out of an abundance of caution and in order to reduce cross-country travel, all parties have decided that the best path forward is to hold Sunday’s debate at CNN’s studio in Washington, D.C., with no live audience,” DNC communication director Xochitl Hinojosa said in a statement.
She also said that one of the debate moderators, Univision anchor Jorge Ramos, would not be attending the event after it was discovered he had been “in proximity” with an individual who was in contact with a coronavirus patient. He will be replaced by Univision reporter Ilia Calderón.
The DNC had announced on Wednesday that there would be no live audience at the debate. CNN, which is hosting the debate, also announced that there would be no spin room or press filing center either.
The debate is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST on March 15.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-12--Trump ‘Not Concerned’ About Bolsonaro Aide Who Tested Positive For Coronavirus

President Trump isn ’ t worried that he recently came into contact with an aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who tested positive for the coronavirus .
Trump spoke with White House reporters Thursday morning , just days after Bolsonaro and his press aide met with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in South Florida over the weekend .
On Thursday morning , Brazilian newspapers reported that Bolsonaro press aide Fabio Wajngarten tested positive for the virus after returning to Brazil from the U.S. with flu-like symptoms .
Both the Brazilian Health Ministry and Bolsonaro ’ s office confirmed Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Instagram of him standing close to Trump and Pence in Mar-a-Lago — tested positive for COVID-19 .
When asked whether he was aware of the Bolsonaro aide who may have contracted the coronavirus , Trump replied that he “ did hear something about that.
” “ We had dinner together in Florida at Mar-a-Lago , with the entire delegation , ” Trump said .
“ I don ’ t know if the press aide was there — if he was there , he was there .
But we did nothing very unusual.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ sat next to each other for a period of time , ” Trump went on to tout how they had a “ great conversation ” and that the Brazilian president is is “ doing a terrific job.
” “ We ’ ll find out what happens , ” Trump said .
“ I guess they ’ re being tested right now.
” Later Thursday , White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham issued a statement confirming that it ’ s aware of reports saying Wajngarten tested positive for the virus , but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in the statement that next steps will be determined as “ exposures from the case are being assessed ” and that given how both Trump and Pence barely interacted with Wajngarten , they “ do not require being tested at this time.
” Grisham also wrote that the White House Medical Unit and the United States Secret Service are working closely with various agencies to ensure the health of the First & Second Families as well as White House staff .
Pointing to CDC guidelines , Grisham wrote that there is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who aren ’ t displaying symptoms , and that self-quarantine should only apply to “ people with prolonged close exposure .
”

President Trump isn’t worried that he recently came into contact with an aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who tested positive for the coronavirus.
Trump spoke with White House reporters Thursday morning, just days after Bolsonaro and his press aide met with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in South Florida over the weekend.
On Thursday morning, Brazilian newspapers reported that Bolsonaro press aide Fabio Wajngarten tested positive for the virus after returning to Brazil from the U.S. with flu-like symptoms. Both the Brazilian Health Ministry and Bolsonaro’s office confirmed Thursday that Wajngarten — who posted a photo on Instagram of him standing close to Trump and Pence in Mar-a-Lago — tested positive for COVID-19.
When asked whether he was aware of the Bolsonaro aide who may have contracted the coronavirus, Trump replied that he “did hear something about that.”
“We had dinner together in Florida at Mar-a-Lago, with the entire delegation,” Trump said. “I don’t know if the press aide was there — if he was there, he was there. But we did nothing very unusual.”
After saying that he and Bolsonaro “sat next to each other for a period of time,” Trump went on to tout how they had a “great conversation” and that the Brazilian president is is “doing a terrific job.”
“We’ll find out what happens,” Trump said. “I guess they’re being tested right now.”
Trump then added that he’s “not concerned.”
Later Thursday, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham issued a statement confirming that it’s aware of reports saying Wajngarten tested positive for the virus, but that “confirmatory testing is pending.”
Grisham said in the statement that next steps will be determined as “exposures from the case are being assessed” and that given how both Trump and Pence barely interacted with Wajngarten, they “do not require being tested at this time.”
Grisham also wrote that the White House Medical Unit and the United States Secret Service are working closely with various agencies to ensure the health of the First & Second Families as well as White House staff.
Pointing to CDC guidelines, Grisham wrote that there is “currently no indication” to test patients who aren’t displaying symptoms, and that self-quarantine should only apply to “people with prolonged close exposure.”
Watch Trump’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--Pelosi Says She Has Deal With Trump Admin On COVID-19 Package

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday evening that she reached an agreement with the Trump administration on a package of legislative measures that would address the coronavirus outbreak .
Pelosi had announced plans earlier Friday that the House would vote on the set of proposals Democrats were pushing .
But President Trump and House Republicans in the hours after that announcement signaled that they weren ’ t yet bought in on in the legislation , called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act .
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , who had been tasked with leading the negotiations with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the afternoon , according to Pelosi ’ s spokesperson .
The Friday evening push to secure an agreement the administration supported culminated with a Mnuchin Oval Office meeting with Trump to get the President ’ s sign-off , CNN reported .
“ We are proud to have reached an agreement with the Administration to resolve outstanding challenges , and now will soon pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act , ” Pelosi said in a letter to Democratic House members that was released soon after the meeting The exact details of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s summary of the proposals was very similar to what Pelosi previously put forward : paid family leave , additional food program assistance , expended unemployment insurance and increased federal funding for Medicaid .
President Trump , who refused to support the bill at a press conference earlier Friday , has not yet expressed his public support for the agreement Pelosi says she has worked out with the administration .
A senior administration official told the New York Times that Trump would tweet about the agreement soon .
It is also unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more inclined to adopt the House ’ s legislation , after Senate Republicans this week showed extreme skepticism to what House Democrats were proposing .
As you know , the coronavirus crisis presents a grave and accelerating threat to public health and to the economic security and well-being of the American people .
As Members of Congress , we have a solemn and urgent responsibility to take strong , serious action to confront and control this crisis and to put Families First and stimulate the economy .
To put Families First , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step : passing a strong , bipartisan $ 8.3 billion emergency funding package of entirely new funds .
Today , the House is taking the next step to put Families First .
We are proud to have reached an agreement with the Administration to resolve outstanding challenges , and now will soon pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act .
We take great pride in the leadership of Chairs Lowey , Neal , Pallone , Scott , Peterson and McGovern , all the Committee and Subcommittee Chairs of Jurisdiction and the Rules Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families , which contains the priorities and provisions that Leader Schumer and I called for last weekend .
We are especially grateful to the staffs of the Committees .
This legislation is about testing , testing , testing .
To stop the spread of the virus , we have secured free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs a test , including the uninsured .
We can not fight coronavirus effectively unless everyone in our country who needs to be tested can get their test free of charge .
This legislation takes additional smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Families First : • For families ’ economic security : we secured paid emergency leave with two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave .
We have also secured enhanced Unemployment Insurance , a step that will extend protections to furloughed workers .
• For families ’ food security : we strengthened nutrition security initiatives , including SNAP , student meals , seniors ’ nutrition and food banks .
22 million children rely on free or reduced-price school meals for their food security ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eat .
• For families ’ health security : we increased federal funds for Medicaid to support our local , state , tribal and territorial governments and health systems , so that they have the resources necessary to combat this crisis .
As the Senate works to pass this bill , the House will begin work on a third emergency response package to protect the health , economic security and well-being of the American people .
We will do so in continued consultation with scientists , researchers , health care professionals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that we can craft the most effective , evidence-based response .
Thank you for your patriotism and leadership to put Families First .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday evening that she reached an agreement with the Trump administration on a package of legislative measures that would address the coronavirus outbreak.
Pelosi had announced plans earlier Friday that the House would vote on the set of proposals Democrats were pushing. But President Trump and House Republicans in the hours after that announcement signaled that they weren’t yet bought in on in the legislation, called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who had been tasked with leading the negotiations with the House, had several phone calls throughout the afternoon, according to Pelosi’s spokesperson. The Friday evening push to secure an agreement the administration supported culminated with a Mnuchin Oval Office meeting with Trump to get the President’s sign-off, CNN reported.
“We are proud to have reached an agreement with the Administration to resolve outstanding challenges, and now will soon pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act,” Pelosi said in a letter to Democratic House members that was released soon after the meeting
The exact details of the new deal are still unknown and the letter’s summary of the proposals was very similar to what Pelosi previously put forward: paid family leave, additional food program assistance, expended unemployment insurance and increased federal funding for Medicaid.
President Trump, who refused to support the bill at a press conference earlier Friday, has not yet expressed his public support for the agreement Pelosi says she has worked out with the administration. A senior administration official told the New York Times that Trump would tweet about the agreement soon.
It is also unclear whether the the Senate will now be more inclined to adopt the House’s legislation, after Senate Republicans this week showed extreme skepticism to what House Democrats were proposing.
Read Pelosi’s full letter below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--Maryland’s GOP Governor Will Decide Soon Whether To Make April Primary Mail-In Only

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan ( R ) will decide “ in the next few days ” whether to make the state ’ s April 28th presidential primary mail-in ballot only as the coronavirus outbreak spreads .
His press secretary Michael Ricci also told TPM Friday that the governor ’ s office “ believes ” he has the power to make the decision unilaterally , ever since Hogan declared Maryland to be in a state of emergency .
He pointed to a portion of Maryland ’ s election law that grants the governor the power to make a proclamation postponing elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances .
Maryland had 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Friday afternoon .
Other states are also considering extreme measures for holding elections amid the pandemic .
On Friday , Louisiana delayed its April 4 primary by two months in the hope that the outbreak will die down in meantime .
North Carolina , whose presidential primary has already passed , is considering amending the requirements for absentee voting for an upcoming May congressional primary .
There have also been efforts on the federal level .
Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-OR ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow all Americans to vote by mail , as well as apportion $ 500 million in federal funds to help states prepare for coronavirus-related election disruptions .
But there does not seem to be much Republican hunger for Wyden ’ s bill , despite the senator ’ s attempt to frame it as a bipartisan solution .
Hogan , though , is a different brand of Republican than his Senate colleagues .
A wildly popular Republican governor in a blue state with a Democratic statehouse , he walks a more moderate line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elections assistant deputy for election policy , declined to provide insight into ongoing conversations with the governor , but pointed out that state law currently permits “ no excuse ” absentee voting , as well as requesting a ballot online .
Regular absentee ballots require voters to account for their inability to vote in person ; no-excuse absentee ballots let any registered voter request one .
And requesting a ballot online , instead of having to physically pick it up , already cuts down on the human-to-human contact .
That infrastructure Maryland already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to smoothly transitioning to an all-mail primary .
Louisiana considered going all-mail , but the secretary of state said it would be impossible to switch their system — which only has regular , excuse-required absentee ballot voting — before the April primary .
“ Maybe they can pull it off , ” John Fortier , director of the Bipartisan Policy Center ’ s Democracy Project , told TPM of Maryland .
“ It ’ s not necessarily a bad idea to go to all vote by mail .
But it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can ramp up some , but to transform the whole system to vote by mail will cause some issues.
” One particular problem Fortier foresees is a drawn-out ballot tabulation process that will inevitably delay reporting of the election results .
“ Since the race is pretty well decided and we understand that this is a crisis , the longer reporting time worries me less , ” he said , adding that it ’ s extremely lucky that the most contested part of the Democratic primary has passed , as former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear frontrunner .
Otherwise , he said , a slow reporting process could rouse people ’ s suspicions .
Another logistical issue will be the dissemination of ballots themselves .
Michael Hanmer , director of graduate studies in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland , said that it ’ ll be a “ stress on the system ” that will require a comprehensive plan to alert the public of the change .
For their part , the state Democratic party has already shouldered some of that burden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke with the State Board of Elections earlier in the week , and is awaiting a final decision .
“ We have a pretty robust absentee voting program , ” she said .
“ It ’ s not like we ’ ve never done voting by mail , ” she added , admitting , though , that those operations will have to be significantly scaled up .
She said that she approves of any method that cuts down on disenfranchisement and protects voters from factors beyond their control .
The party has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already , Lewis said , adding that she actually expects turnout to go up if the governor does switch systems , since there will be such a widespread effort to alert people to the new method .

A spokesperson for Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s (R) office said it will soon decide, “in the next few days or so,” whether to make the state’s April 28th presidential primary mail-in ballot only as the coronavirus outbreak spreads.
State law allows the governor’s office the power to make the decision unilaterally, ever since Hogan declared Maryland to be in a state of emergency.
Press secretary Michael Ricci pointed to a portion of Maryland’s election law that grants the governor the power to make a proclamation postponing elections or specifying alternate voting systems during extraordinary circumstances.
Maryland had 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Friday afternoon.
Other states are also considering extreme measures for holding elections amid the pandemic. On Friday, Louisiana delayed its April 4 primary by two months in the hope that the outbreak will die down in meantime. North Carolina, whose presidential primary has already passed, is considering amending the requirements for absentee voting for an upcoming May congressional primary.
There have also been efforts on the federal level. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has been pushing his bill that would allow all Americans to vote by mail, as well as apportion $500 million in federal funds to help states prepare for coronavirus-related election disruptions.
But there does not seem to be much Republican hunger for Wyden’s bill, despite the senator’s attempt to frame it as a bipartisan solution.
Hogan, though, is a different brand of Republican than his Senate colleagues. A wildly popular Republican governor in a blue state with a Democratic statehouse, he walks a more moderate line.
Donna Duncan, the state Board of Elections assistant deputy for election policy, declined to provide insight into ongoing conversations with the governor, but pointed out that state law currently permits “no excuse” absentee voting, as well as requesting a ballot online.
Regular absentee ballots require voters to account for their inability to vote in person; no-excuse absentee ballots let any registered voter request one. And requesting a ballot online, instead of having to physically pick it up, already cuts down on the human-to-human contact.
That infrastructure Maryland already has in place may be the key to smoothly transitioning to an all-mail primary. Louisiana considered going all-mail, but the secretary of state said it would be impossible to switch their system — which only has regular, excuse-required absentee ballot voting — before the April primary.
“Maybe they can pull it off,” John Fortier, director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Democracy Project, told TPM of Maryland. “It’s not necessarily a bad idea to go to all vote by mail. But it’s not so easy to ramp up the system. You can ramp up some, but to transform the whole system to vote by mail will cause some issues.”
One particular problem Fortier foresees is a drawn-out ballot tabulation process that will inevitably delay reporting of the election results.
“Since the race is pretty well decided and we understand that this is a crisis, the longer reporting time worries me less,” he said, adding that it’s extremely lucky that the most contested part of the Democratic primary has passed, as former Vice President Joe Biden is now the clear frontrunner. Otherwise, he said, a slow reporting process could rouse people’s suspicions.
Another logistical issue will be the dissemination of ballots themselves.
Michael Hanmer, director of graduate studies in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, said that it’ll be a “stress on the system” that will require a comprehensive plan to alert the public of the change.
For their part, the state Democratic party has already shouldered some of that burden.
Chairwoman Yvette Lewis told TPM that she spoke with the State Board of Elections earlier in the week, and is awaiting a final decision.
“We have a pretty robust absentee voting program,” she said. “It’s not like we’ve never done voting by mail,” she added, admitting, though, that those operations will have to be significantly scaled up. She said that she approves of any method that cuts down on disenfranchisement and protects voters from factors beyond their control.
The party has been proactive about steering people towards absentee voting already, Lewis said, adding that she actually expects turnout to go up if the governor does switch systems, since there will be such a widespread effort to alert people to the new method.
This article has been updated to clarify the powers the governors office holds under a state of emergency.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--Look Closely: What Exactly Did Trump Promise On COVID-19 Testing Capacity?

President Trump ’ s Rose Garden press conference was a self-congratulatory , glad-handing celebration of what Vice President Mike Pence called a “ historic public-private partnership ” to roll out nationwide testing for COVID-19 starting … wait , when exactly ?
That ’ s the question after the national TV broadcast where the President , top government officials and business leaders extolled the virtues of the new program but failed to offer a specific timeframe for when mass testing for the novel coronavirus can begin .
At the start of the presser , President Trump said that he expects “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to be “ available early next week , ” after Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche received expedited approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a test the company developed .
But later on in the press conference , Roche-North America CEO Matthew Sause offered a far vaguer and less committed view , saying instead that his firm would be “ working with laboratories to get it up and going in the near future , which will bring hundreds of thousands of tests available to patients in the United States.
” When is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said about a separate test , brought to you by life sciences company Thermo Fisher .
The President said that the FDA ’ s “ goal ” was to authorize the company ’ s application for a test “ within 24 hours , ” and that it would “ bring additionally 1.4 million tests on board next week.
” To be clear , no country has managed to bring 1.4 million tests online that fast , from nothing .
Later , Pence contradicted Trump in his own remarks .
Pence said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ make hundreds of thousands of tests available and being processed with results to patients in the very near future.
” When is the very near future ?
It ’ s not clear .
During questions from reporters , Trump refused to specify when the test would be made available , saying only that the country would “ have the ability to do in the millions over a very , very quick period of time.
” Trump did , however , say that a public-private partnership with Google would set up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could go for immediate , drive-in testing .
But that was also seemingly contradicted by Pence .
Pence ’ s own remarks provide a clarification : “ By this Sunday evening we ’ ll be able to give specific guidance on when the website will be available.
” We ’ ll know when the website will be up on Sunday , not the site itself .
That ’ s the future for you .

President Trump’s Rose Garden press conference was a self-congratulatory, glad-handing celebration of what Vice President Mike Pence called a “historic public-private partnership” to roll out nationwide testing for COVID-19 starting … wait, when exactly?
That’s the question after the national TV broadcast where the President, top government officials and business leaders extolled the virtues of the new program but failed to offer a specific timeframe for when mass testing for the novel coronavirus can begin.
At the start of the presser, President Trump said that he expects “up to half a million additional tests” to be “available early next week,” after Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche received expedited approval from the Food and Drug Administration for a test the company developed.
But later on in the press conference, Roche-North America CEO Matthew Sause offered a far vaguer and less committed view, saying instead that his firm would be “working with laboratories to get it up and going in the near future, which will bring hundreds of thousands of tests available to patients in the United States.”
When is the near future?
Take what Trump said about a separate test, brought to you by life sciences company Thermo Fisher.
The President said that the FDA’s “goal” was to authorize the company’s application for a test “within 24 hours,” and that it would “bring additionally 1.4 million tests on board next week.”
To be clear, no country has managed to bring 1.4 million tests online that fast, from nothing.
Later, Pence contradicted Trump in his own remarks.
Pence said that the commercial laboratories were “literally” going to “make hundreds of thousands of tests available and being processed with results to patients in the very near future.”
When is the very near future?
It’s not clear. During questions from reporters, Trump refused to specify when the test would be made available, saying only that the country would “have the ability to do in the millions over a very, very quick period of time.”
Trump did, however, say that a public-private partnership with Google would set up a website by Sunday telling every American where they could go for immediate, drive-in testing.
But that was also seemingly contradicted by Pence.
Pence’s own remarks provide a clarification: “By this Sunday evening we’ll be able to give specific guidance on when the website will be available.”
We’ll know when the website will be up on Sunday, not the site itself.
That’s the future for you.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--The Bucks Stops Over There Somewhere: Trump Refuses To Own COVID-19 Failures

That was the line from the President of the United States Friday , pressed twice on his leadership in the government ’ s tumultuous and politicized response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trump belatedly declared the pandemic a national emergency at a Rose Garden event Friday , but when he began taking questions from reporters after his remarks , it was clear he did not believe the buck stopped with him .
“ I don ’ t take responsibility at all , ” Trump told NBC ’ s Kristen Welker , after Welker asked about the top U.S. infectious disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We were given a set of circumstances , and we were given rules , regulations and specifications from a different time , ” Trump added .
He seemed to be referring to the “ Emergency Use Authorization ” procedure that has slowed FDA approval of testing capacity at a local and national scale .
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn lifted regulatory barriers of academic and research labs to do their own testing on Feb. 29 , and the FDA on Friday further approved large-scale automated testing by the diagnostics company Roche .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing New York state to approve its own local testing vendors , after intense pressure from the state .
But nothing explains the weeks-long delay from the administration to implement these measures after the CDC ’ s initial testing regimen proved inadequate in February .
“ There ’ s been a lot of disorganization and lack of coordination on the federal level for quite some time , ” Rachel Sachs , a professor of health law and food and drug regulation at the University of Washington in St. Louis , told TPM last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newshour White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor for asking about the elimination of the White House National Security Council ’ s Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense .
“ The officials that worked in that office said that the White House lost valuable time because that office was disbanded , ” Alcindor said .
“ What do you make of that ?
” “ I just think it ’ s a nasty question , ” Trump responded , before praising himself for unrelated actions he ’ d taken on the novel coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ I didn ’ t do it , ” Trump said .
“ We have a group of people.
” He swiveled to Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government ’ s top infectious disease expert , who shrugged his shoulders .
In fact , Fauci said during congressional testimony two days ago that it “ would be nice ” if the White House hadn ’ t eliminated the NSC global health unit .
The NSC group , which was focused on public health from a national security standpoint , was dissolved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tenure .
When Alcindor pressed Trump on the group ’ s elimination — “ You don ’ t know anything about the reorganization ?
” — Trump shrugged off the question .
“ You say we did that , I don ’ t know anything about it .
… It ’ s the administration , perhaps they did that , you know , ” Trump said .
“ People let people go.
” “ You used to be with a different newspaper than you are now , you know , things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to Alcindor .

It’s not my fault!
That was the line from the President of the United States Friday, pressed twice on his leadership in the government’s tumultuous and politicized response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump belatedly declared the pandemic a national emergency at a Rose Garden event Friday, but when he began taking questions from reporters after his remarks, it was clear he did not believe the buck stopped with him.
“I don’t take responsibility at all,” Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker, after Welker asked about the top U.S. infectious disease expert calling testing capacity “a failing.”
“We were given a set of circumstances, and we were given rules, regulations and specifications from a different time,” Trump added.
He seemed to be referring to the “Emergency Use Authorization” procedure that has slowed FDA approval of testing capacity at a local and national scale.
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn lifted regulatory barriers of academic and research labs to do their own testing on Feb. 29, and the FDA on Friday further approved large-scale automated testing by the diagnostics company Roche. The government also announced that it was allowing New York state to approve its own local testing vendors, after intense pressure from the state.
But nothing explains the weeks-long delay from the administration to implement these measures after the CDC’s initial testing regimen proved inadequate in February.
“There’s been a lot of disorganization and lack of coordination on the federal level for quite some time,” Rachel Sachs, a professor of health law and food and drug regulation at the University of Washington in St. Louis, told TPM last week.
Trump: "No I don't take responsibility at all." pic.twitter.com/iT3Fj2JT6T — Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) March 13, 2020
Trump then attacked the PBS Newshour White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor for asking about the elimination of the White House National Security Council’s Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense.
“The officials that worked in that office said that the White House lost valuable time because that office was disbanded,” Alcindor said. “What do you make of that?”
“I just think it’s a nasty question,” Trump responded, before praising himself for unrelated actions he’d taken on the novel coronavirus.
“And when you say ‘me,’ I didn’t do it,” Trump said. “We have a group of people.”
He swiveled to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, who shrugged his shoulders.
In fact, Fauci said during congressional testimony two days ago that it “would be nice” if the White House hadn’t eliminated the NSC global health unit.
The NSC group, which was focused on public health from a national security standpoint, was dissolved in 2018 under then-National Security Adviser John Bolton’s tenure.
When Alcindor pressed Trump on the group’s elimination — “You don’t know anything about the reorganization?” — Trump shrugged off the question.
“You say we did that, I don’t know anything about it. … It’s the administration, perhaps they did that, you know,” Trump said. “People let people go.”
“You used to be with a different newspaper than you are now, you know, things like that happened,” he added, to Alcindor.
“We’re going a great job,” Trump said, ignoring Alcindor’s follow-up


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--Full Appeals Court Will Rehear Two Major Separation Of Powers Cases

The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit said Friday that it would rehear the House ’ s Don McGahn subpoena case — a sign that the full court is inclined to reverse the ruling by a panel of judges on the court that stood to severely hamper congressional oversight of the Trump administration .
The three-judge appellate panel ruled last month that the courts did not have the authority to decide subpoena disputes between Congress and the executive branch .
Friday ’ s order set aside that decision .
Both cases have to do with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing to go to court to settle such disputes .
“ A vote was taken and a majority of the judges eligible to participate voted to rehear McGahn and Mnuchin en banc , ” the order Friday said .
( En banc is the term for when a full appeals court reviews the decision of a three-judge panel ) .
Circuit Judges Gregory Katsas and Naomi Rao , who both previously worked in the Trump administration , did not participate in those matters , the order said .
The court will hold oral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , according to the order .
Both cases bring up major separation of power issues that have implications for the current administration and for Presidents in the future .
The McGahn case deals with the ability of Congress to enforce its own subpoena to conduct oversight of the administration .
The Trump administration ’ s efforts to prevent McGahn from testifying was part of a larger stonewalling strategy that has protected the President from congressional investigation .
The House brought the lawsuit seeking enforcement of its McGahn subpoena last summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his deposition .
The House was seeking McGahn ’ s testimony as part of its investigation into Trump ’ s alleged obstruction of justice as laid out in special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s report .
The Trump administration claimed that as former close advisor to the President , McGahn was shielded by an “ absolute immunity ” from being compelled by Congress to testify .
A district court judge rejected that argument last year .
However , when the administration appealed the case , the three-judge appellate panel reversed the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the subpoena because the panel claimed it was not the court ’ s role to settle disputes over the sharing of information between government branches .
The House ’ s Mnuchin lawsuit arose from Trump ’ s emergency declaration last year to secure funding for a border wall , after Congress refused to authorize the spending .
A district court judge ruled in Trump ’ s favor by concluding the House did not have the standing to bring the lawsuit , and a three judge-panel had heard arguments in the House ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Friday ’ s order said that the appellate panel had requested a vote from the full appeals court on taking the case en banc “ in light of the common issue of Article III standing presented in that case and McGahn .
”

The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit said Friday that it would rehear the House’s Don McGahn subpoena case — a sign that the full court is inclined to reverse the ruling by a panel of judges on the court that stood to severely hamper congressional oversight of the Trump administration.
The three-judge appellate panel ruled last month that the courts did not have the authority to decide subpoena disputes between Congress and the executive branch. Friday’s order set aside that decision.
The full court of appeals announced that it was rehearing that case alongside a separate appeal in a case the House brought against Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin over the administration’s efforts to fund President Trump’s border wall.
Both cases have to do with the issue of whether the House has the standing to go to court to settle such disputes.
“A vote was taken and a majority of the judges eligible to participate voted to rehear McGahn and Mnuchin en banc,” the order Friday said. (En banc is the term for when a full appeals court reviews the decision of a three-judge panel).
Circuit Judges Gregory Katsas and Naomi Rao, who both previously worked in the Trump administration, did not participate in those matters, the order said.
The court will hold oral arguments in the cases on April 28, 2020, according to the order.
Both cases bring up major separation of power issues that have implications for the current administration and for Presidents in the future. The McGahn case deals with the ability of Congress to enforce its own subpoena to conduct oversight of the administration. The Trump administration’s efforts to prevent McGahn from testifying was part of a larger stonewalling strategy that has protected the President from congressional investigation.
The House brought the lawsuit seeking enforcement of its McGahn subpoena last summer, after McGahn refused to even show up for his deposition. The House was seeking McGahn’s testimony as part of its investigation into Trump’s alleged obstruction of justice as laid out in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.
The Trump administration claimed that as former close advisor to the President, McGahn was shielded by an “absolute immunity” from being compelled by Congress to testify. A district court judge rejected that argument last year. However, when the administration appealed the case, the three-judge appellate panel reversed the district court’s order demanding he comply with the subpoena because the panel claimed it was not the court’s role to settle disputes over the sharing of information between government branches.
The House’s Mnuchin lawsuit arose from Trump’s emergency declaration last year to secure funding for a border wall, after Congress refused to authorize the spending. A district court judge ruled in Trump’s favor by concluding the House did not have the standing to bring the lawsuit, and a three judge-panel had heard arguments in the House’s appeal of the decision last month.
Friday’s order said that the appellate panel had requested a vote from the full appeals court on taking the case en banc “in light of the common issue of Article III standing presented in that case and McGahn.”
Read the order below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--Trump Says He Will ‘Most Likely’ Get Tested For Coronavirus

During a press conference on Friday afternoon , President Donald Trump said he might finally undergo a test for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ t say I wasn ’ t going to be tested , ” he told a @ @ @ @ @ not taking a test was selfish , given that he had made contact with a @ @ @ @ @ to have the coronavirus .
“ Are you going to be ?
” the reporter @ @ @ @ @ , yeah , ” Trump replied .
“ Not for that reason , but because @ @ @ @ @ it anyway.
” He said he was “ working out a schedule ” to eventually @ @ @ @ @ the Brazilian official , Trump has also made contact with many conservatives who have had @ @ @ @ @ to a coronavirus patient at the Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ) several weeks @ @ @ @ @ has previously said that Trump does not need to be tested .

During a press conference on Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump said he might finally undergo a test for COVID-19.
“I didn’t say I wasn’t going to be tested,” he told a reporter after she asked whether not taking a test was selfish, given that he had made contact with a Brazilian official who turned out to have the coronavirus.
“Are you going to be?” the reporter asked.
“Most likely, yeah,” Trump replied. “Not for that reason, but because I think I will do it anyway.”
He said he was “working out a schedule” to eventually release the results.
Besides the Brazilian official, Trump has also made contact with many conservatives who have had to self-quarantine after being exposed to a coronavirus patient at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) several weeks ago.
The White House has previously said that Trump does not need to be tested.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--Trump Noncommittal On Legislative Package For Coronavirus, Says Dems Aren’t ‘Giving Enough’

President Donald Trump on Friday was noncommittal when asked about a legislative package making its way through Congress to address the COVID-19 pandemic .
Instead of discussing details of the proposal , which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) championed at a press conference earlier in the day , the President said Democrats were not “ giving enough.
” At a Rose Garden ceremony announcing an emergency declaration for the pandemic , a reporter asked the President what the hold up was with the coronavirus package .
“ Well , we just don ’ t think they are giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We don ’ t think the Democrats are giving enough .
We are negotiating .
We thought we had something and all of the sudden they didn ’ t agree to certain things that they agreed to .
So we could having so but we don ’ t think they are giving enough .
They are not doing what ’ s right for the country.
” The senior Trump administration official negotiating with Pelosi , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin , said Friday morning that he and Pelosi were “ very close ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and congressional Republicans were in-the-loop .
Trump has publicly hinted a few times that he wants payroll tax relief of some kind to goose the economy , which has plunged in response to the outbreak and the administration ’ s response to it .
But economists told TPM that the measure would be ineffective , and it ’ s not clear there would be sufficient congressional support to such a tax break to Trump ’ s desk .

President Donald Trump on Friday was noncommittal when asked about a legislative package making its way through Congress to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of discussing details of the proposal, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) championed at a press conference earlier in the day, the President said Democrats were not “giving enough.”
At a Rose Garden ceremony announcing an emergency declaration for the pandemic, a reporter asked the President what the hold up was with the coronavirus package.
“Well, we just don’t think they are giving enough,” Trump responded. “We don’t think the Democrats are giving enough. We are negotiating. We thought we had something and all of the sudden they didn’t agree to certain things that they agreed to. So we could having so but we don’t think they are giving enough. They are not doing what’s right for the country.”
The senior Trump administration official negotiating with Pelosi, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, said Friday morning that he and Pelosi were “very close” to an agreement, and that top administration and congressional Republicans were in-the-loop.
Trump has publicly hinted a few times that he wants payroll tax relief of some kind to goose the economy, which has plunged in response to the outbreak and the administration’s response to it.
But economists told TPM that the measure would be ineffective, and it’s not clear there would be sufficient congressional support to such a tax break to Trump’s desk.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--Trump Finally Declares National Emergency Over Coronavirus Outbreak

President Donald Trump officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a national emergency on Friday afternoon after weeks of downplaying the disease .
“ I am officially declaring a state of emergency , ” he said in a press conference front of the White House .
“ Two very big words.
” The President said the move will grant up to $ 50 billion dollars in funding .
He also announced that he would be waiving interest on federal student loans indefinitely and that the Energy Department would be buying large quantities of crude oil “ at a very good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ helping our oil industry ” would save taxpayers “ billions and billions of dollars.
” “ We ’ ll remove or eliminate every obstacle necessary to deliver our people the care that they need and that they ’ re entitled to , ” he said .
“ No resource will be spared , nothing whatsoever.
” Trump quoted doctors apparently telling him that the disease could “ wash through ” over the next several weeks .
“ ‘ It will flow through.
’ Interesting terms , and very accurate I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of weeks , ” he said .
But even as he was giving his speech , Trump kept shaking the hands of the business leaders and health experts behind him as he was introducing them to the podium .
One executive , Bruce Greenstein of LHC Group , opted to bump elbows with the President .
Trump stayed on the defensive throughout the press conference , saying he did not take responsibility “ at all ” for the administration ’ s lagging test system .
When PBS Newshour reporter Yamiche Alcindor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to his administration ’ s botched response to the outbreak , including the fact that he had disbanded the National Security Council ’ s pandemic office before the disease struck , Trump complained she had asked a “ nasty question.
” He then claimed he had nothing to do with those staffing cuts , saying “ I don ’ t know anything about it.
” During the Q & A portion of the press conference , Trump tried to portray his response to the coronavirus as superior to the Obama administration ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as he had done earlier in the day on Twitter .
“ They had a very big failure with swine flu .
Very big failure , ” he said , then had the reporter cut off as she was pointing out that the Obama administration had had a million people tested for the swine flu at this point .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) said in a statement that he was “ pleased ” by Trump ’ s decision , but warned the President not to abuse his power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the president must not overstep his authority or indulge his autocratic tendencies for purposes not truly related to this public health crisis , ” said Schumer .
At 4 p.m .
ET , the S & P 500 closed up more than 9 % as Trump was making the announcement .
Trump finally made the declaration amid growing pressure from states urging for federal assistance .
The President was reportedly reluctant to do so because he was worried that such a declaration would undermine his repeated claim that the coronavirus was less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had failed to provide clear communication on the outbreak to state leaders or a sufficient number of testing tools to state and local health care workers

President Donald Trump officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a national emergency on Friday afternoon after weeks of downplaying the disease.
“I am officially declaring a state of emergency,” he said in a press conference front of the White House. “Two very big words.”
The President said the move will grant up to $50 billion dollars in funding. He also announced that he would be waiving interest on federal student loans indefinitely and that the Energy Department would be buying large quantities of crude oil “at a very good price” for storage.
He claimed that “helping our oil industry” would save taxpayers “billions and billions of dollars.”
“We’ll remove or eliminate every obstacle necessary to deliver our people the care that they need and that they’re entitled to,” he said. “No resource will be spared, nothing whatsoever.”
Trump quoted doctors apparently telling him that the disease could “wash through” over the next several weeks.
“‘It will flow through.’ Interesting terms, and very accurate I think you’re gonna find in a number of weeks,” he said.
But even as he was giving his speech, Trump kept shaking the hands of the business leaders and health experts behind him as he was introducing them to the podium. One executive, Bruce Greenstein of LHC Group, opted to bump elbows with the President.
Trump stayed on the defensive throughout the press conference, saying he did not take responsibility “at all” for the administration’s lagging test system.
When PBS Newshour reporter Yamiche Alcindor pressed him on his refusal to own up to his administration’s botched response to the outbreak, including the fact that he had disbanded the National Security Council’s pandemic office before the disease struck, Trump complained she had asked a “nasty question.”
He then claimed he had nothing to do with those staffing cuts, saying “I don’t know anything about it.”
During the Q&A portion of the press conference, Trump tried to portray his response to the coronavirus as superior to the Obama administration’s response to the swine flu outbreak, as he had done earlier in the day on Twitter.
“They had a very big failure with swine flu. Very big failure,” he said, then had the reporter cut off as she was pointing out that the Obama administration had had a million people tested for the swine flu at this point.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement that he was “pleased” by Trump’s decision, but warned the President not to abuse his power.
“As other steps are considered, the president must not overstep his authority or indulge his autocratic tendencies for purposes not truly related to this public health crisis,” said Schumer.
At 4 p.m. ET, the S&P 500 closed up more than 9% as Trump was making the announcement.
Trump finally made the declaration amid growing pressure from states urging for federal assistance. The President was reportedly reluctant to do so because he was worried that such a declaration would undermine his repeated claim that the coronavirus was less dangerous than the flu.
The administration had failed to provide clear communication on the outbreak to state leaders or a sufficient number of testing tools to state and local health care workers


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--Pelosi Announces COVID-19 Package While Talks With Trump Admin Continue

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) announced that the House would be voting Friday on a package of proposals to address the coronavirus outbreak — a package that she had spent the last day and a half negotiating with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin .
It is unclear whether President Trump would sign such a measure , and House Republicans are reportedly hesitant to back it until Trump shows a public sign of support .
After her remarks , there were indications that she was still negotiating with the administration , Politico reported , as House Republicans balked at getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the votes to pass it with just Democratic support in her chamber , whether the measure stands a chance in the Senate will likely depend on if she can get the buy-in of both House GOP lawmakers and Trump .
In her remarks announcing the bill , the Families First Coronavirus Response Act , Pelosi stressed its provision which will make coronavirus testing free — even for the uninsured .
“ We can only defeat this outbreak if we have an accurate determination of its scale and scope , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 days of paid sick leave , its “ strengthening ” of unemployment insurance , and its expansion of food assistance programs , including those aimed at children whose access to affordable meals at their schools will be cut off by school closures .
The text of the bill has not been released yet , and it ’ s not clear when exactly on Friday the House will vote .
Pelosi made the remarks just an hour before the President is scheduled to hold a press conference , where he is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , medical providers and public health experts have long been calling for .
Pelosi did not answer a reporter ’ s question about whether the White House supported the bill , but throughout the day , her office has been announcing phone calls between the Speaker and Mnuchin .
On Friday morning , Mnuchin said he and Pelosi were “ very close ” to a deal and he claimed he had keep other top Trump officials and Republican legislative leaders in the loop at every step of the negotiation .
Trump is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be included in Friday ’ s measure , Politico reported , even as Hill leadership from both parties have urged him to let them take that up at a later point .
A pay roll tax cut would be costly and ineffective tool for mitigating COVID-19 ’ s economic fallout at this time , economists told TPM .
House Republicans held a conference call after Pelosi ’ s remark , NBC News reported , and so far are not supporting the measure , even if they favor some of the individual proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing , NBC News said .
Update : This story was updated to reflect developments after Speaker Pelosi ’ s remarks .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that the House would be voting Friday on a package of proposals to address the coronavirus outbreak — a package that she had spent the last day and a half negotiating with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
It is unclear whether President Trump would sign such a measure, and House Republicans are reportedly hesitant to back it until Trump shows a public sign of support. After her remarks, there were indications that she was still negotiating with the administration, Politico reported, as House Republicans balked at getting behind the measure.
While Pelosi has the votes to pass it with just Democratic support in her chamber, whether the measure stands a chance in the Senate will likely depend on if she can get the buy-in of both House GOP lawmakers and Trump.
In her remarks announcing the bill, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Pelosi stressed its provision which will make coronavirus testing free — even for the uninsured.
“We can only defeat this outbreak if we have an accurate determination of its scale and scope,” she said. She also touted the measure’s 14 days of paid sick leave, its “strengthening” of unemployment insurance, and its expansion of food assistance programs, including those aimed at children whose access to affordable meals at their schools will be cut off by school closures.
The text of the bill has not been released yet, and it’s not clear when exactly on Friday the House will vote.
Pelosi made the remarks just an hour before the President is scheduled to hold a press conference, where he is expected to announce an emergency declaration that state officials, medical providers and public health experts have long been calling for.
Pelosi did not answer a reporter’s question about whether the White House supported the bill, but throughout the day, her office has been announcing phone calls between the Speaker and Mnuchin. On Friday morning, Mnuchin said he and Pelosi were “very close” to a deal and he claimed he had keep other top Trump officials and Republican legislative leaders in the loop at every step of the negotiation.
Trump is still pushing for a pay roll tax holiday to be included in Friday’s measure, Politico reported, even as Hill leadership from both parties have urged him to let them take that up at a later point.
A pay roll tax cut would be costly and ineffective tool for mitigating COVID-19’s economic fallout at this time, economists told TPM.
House Republicans held a conference call after Pelosi’s remark, NBC News reported, and so far are not supporting the measure, even if they favor some of the individual proposals in the package. The negotiations are continuing, NBC News said.
This doesn’t bode well in this late hour. But we are told negotiations continue https://t.co/pFxs21kmc3 — Leigh Ann Caldwell (@LACaldwellDC) March 13, 2020
Update: This story was updated to reflect developments after Speaker Pelosi’s remarks.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-13--WATCH LIVE: Trump Gives Press Conference On Coronavirus At 3 PM EST

President Donald Trump holds a news conference with members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) @ @ @ @ @ the White House on February 26 , 2020 .
( Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLD ... @ @ @ @ @ news conference with members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) @ @ @ @ @ the White House on February 26 , 2020 .
( Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via @ @ @

President Donald Trump holds a news conference with members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the COVID-19 outbreak at the White House on February 26, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLD...
President Donald Trump holds a news conference with members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the COVID-19 outbreak at the White House on February 26, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
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talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-14--GOP Chair Tested For COVID-19 After Experiencing Flu-Like Symptoms

The chairwoman of the Republican Party was tested for COVID-19 Friday night after experience flu-like symptoms , a party spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ McDaniel went to her local hospital after “ experiencing a fever and flu like symptoms @ @ @ @ @ the GOP ’ s communications director , said in a statement .
When tests for @ @ @ @ @ throat came back negative , McDaniel ’ s doctor determined a COVID-19 test was necessary @ @ @ @ @ the results , out of an abundance of caution , we are contacting everyone the @ @ @ @ @ with in recent days , ” Ahrens ’ statement read .
“ Upon the advice @ @ @ @ @ her family are self-quarantining at their home.
” President Donald Trump also said Saturday that @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 Friday night .
Trump has come into contact with multiple people who ’ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 or otherwise have self-quarantined as a precaution .

The chairwoman of the Republican Party was tested for COVID-19 Friday night after experience flu-like symptoms, a party spokesperson said.
GOP Chair Ronna McDaniel went to her local hospital after “experiencing a fever and flu like symptoms,” Michael Ahrens, the GOP’s communications director, said in a statement.
When tests for the seasonal flu and strep throat came back negative, McDaniel’s doctor determined a COVID-19 test was necessary.
“As she awaits the results, out of an abundance of caution, we are contacting everyone the Chairwoman remembers coming into contact with in recent days,” Ahrens’ statement read. “Upon the advice of doctors, she and her family are self-quarantining at their home.”
President Donald Trump also said Saturday that he’d been tested for COVID-19 Friday night. Trump has come into contact with multiple people who’ve either subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 or otherwise have self-quarantined as a precaution.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-14--WH Continues Confusion Over Google’s Role In COVID-19 Testing Website

Google is making a national coronavirus testing website — or , it ’ s not , actually .
Who can say ?
That was essentially the word from the White House Saturday as confusion reigned over what kind of role the tech giant had agreed to play in the federal government ’ s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic .
On Friday , President Donald Trump portrayed Google as the central player in a website to screen for people who ought to get tested for the disease .
He added that the website would be “ very quickly done.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Alphabet subsidiary actually making the site , responded by painting a much smaller picture of their work , saying the site ’ s use would be confined to the Bay Area , at least at first .
A spokesperson for Verily told The New York Times that Trump ’ s remarks themselves prompted the company to make the website public .
And CNN reported that the program actually began as a collaboration with the state of California , not the federal government .
Vice President Mike Pence , asked about the clashing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that “ Google issued a statement that they are planning to launch a website .
I think they gave a date of Monday , March 16th.
” But he failed to note that the initial roll-out would be confirmed to the Bay Area .
Later on in the press conference , when a reporter pressed Pence on these discrepancies , Pence actually read from Google ’ s statement — articulating for the first time the claims from the company that have clashed with the Trump administration .
“ The objective here is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the vice president said , adding : “ We ’ re going to have very specific details on the roll-out of this new public-private partnership in testing at 5 o ’ clock tomorrow.
” On Friday , announcing the effort publicly for the first time , the White House presented an expansive view of Google ’ s involvement .
Trump said the company was “ helping to develop a website that ’ s going to be very quickly done , unlike websites of the past , to determine whether a test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby convenient location.
” The company had 1,700 engineers on the project , Trump claimed .
After Pence ’ s remarks Friday , The New York Times ’ tech-focused opinion writer Charlie Warzel said no one he ’ d spoken to at Google had said the project was meant to roll out nationwide .
The confusion over the testing website adds to confusion over testing capacity itself from the Trump administration .

Google is making a national coronavirus testing website — or, it’s not, actually. Who can say?
That was essentially the word from the White House Saturday as confusion reigned over what kind of role the tech giant had agreed to play in the federal government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, President Donald Trump portrayed Google as the central player in a website to screen for people who ought to get tested for the disease. He added that the website would be “very quickly done.”
But Google’s sister company Verily, the Alphabet subsidiary actually making the site, responded by painting a much smaller picture of their work, saying the site’s use would be confined to the Bay Area, at least at first.
Statement from Verily: "We are developing a tool to help triage individuals for Covid-19 testing. Verily is in the early stages of development, and planning to roll testing out in the Bay Area, with the hope of expanding more broadly over time. — Google Communications (@Google_Comms) March 13, 2020
A spokesperson for Verily told The New York Times that Trump’s remarks themselves prompted the company to make the website public. And CNN reported that the program actually began as a collaboration with the state of California, not the federal government.
Vice President Mike Pence, asked about the clashing statements during a press conference Saturday, said that “Google issued a statement that they are planning to launch a website. I think they gave a date of Monday, March 16th.” But he failed to note that the initial roll-out would be confirmed to the Bay Area.
Later on in the press conference, when a reporter pressed Pence on these discrepancies, Pence actually read from Google’s statement — articulating for the first time the claims from the company that have clashed with the Trump administration.
“The objective here is to have a website up very quickly,” the vice president said, adding: “We’re going to have very specific details on the roll-out of this new public-private partnership in testing at 5 o’clock tomorrow.”
On Friday, announcing the effort publicly for the first time, the White House presented an expansive view of Google’s involvement.
Trump said the company was “helping to develop a website that’s going to be very quickly done, unlike websites of the past, to determine whether a test is warranted and to facilitate testing at a nearby convenient location.” The company had 1,700 engineers on the project, Trump claimed.
But Google’s statement contradicted that information.
After Pence’s remarks Friday, The New York Times’ tech-focused opinion writer Charlie Warzel said no one he’d spoken to at Google had said the project was meant to roll out nationwide.
The confusion over the testing website adds to confusion over testing capacity itself from the Trump administration.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-14--Trump Will Add U.K., Ireland To European Travel Suspension

The President announced yesterday that the 30-day European travel ban implemented at midnight Friday would soon be expanded to the include the United Kingdom and Ireland .
Reuters first reported the likely move from the White House , and Trump confirmed the news at a press briefing Saturday .
Asked about the Reuters report , Trump said “ We ’ re looking at it very seriously , yeah , because they ’ ve had a little bit of activity , unfortunately , so we ’ re going to be looking at that– We actually already have looked at it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The White House faced criticism for not initially including the United Kingdom in its travel ban , due to the high number of confirmed cases in the country .
On Saturday , there were more than 1,100 confirmed cases in the country , and 90 confirmed cases in Ireland .
Vice President Mike Pence said later in the press conference that the U.K. and Ireland suspension would begin on Monday at midnight Eastern Time .
“ All of our health experts presented information , ” Pence said , “ and made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspend all travel from the U.K. and Ireland.
” Americans and legal residents in those countries , as is the case with the larger European travel suspension , can still come back to the United States , Pence confirmed .

The President announced yesterday that the 30-day European travel ban implemented at midnight Friday would soon be expanded to the include the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Reuters first reported the likely move from the White House, and Trump confirmed the news at a press briefing Saturday.
Asked about the Reuters report, Trump said “We’re looking at it very seriously, yeah, because they’ve had a little bit of activity, unfortunately, so we’re going to be looking at that– We actually already have looked at it, and that is going to be announced.”
The White House faced criticism for not initially including the United Kingdom in its travel ban, due to the high number of confirmed cases in the country. On Saturday, there were more than 1,100 confirmed cases in the country, and 90 confirmed cases in Ireland.
Vice President Mike Pence said later in the press conference that the U.K. and Ireland suspension would begin on Monday at midnight Eastern Time.
“All of our health experts presented information,” Pence said, “and made a unanimous recommendation to the President that we suspend all travel from the U.K. and Ireland.”
Americans and legal residents in those countries, as is the case with the larger European travel suspension, can still come back to the United States, Pence confirmed.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-14--Trump Says He’s Been Tested For COVID-19

After punting for several days on whether he would be tested for COVID-19 , President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was tested Friday night for the disease .
“ I also took the test last night , and I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday , ” Trump said at a press briefing .
“ People were asking , did I take the test ?
” The President said he expected to receive results within a day or two .
Trump also said he had gotten his temperature taken before Saturday ’ s press conference , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” For the first time Saturday , reporters and others in close contact with the President and vice president had their temperatures taken by a White House doctor .
The President in recent days has interacted with several people who later tested positive for COVID-19 , or otherwise self-quarantined as a precaution , including at his Mar-a-Lago club .
Trump said a press conference Friday that he would “ most likely ” get tested , though his physician subsequently said in a letter released around midnight that a test wasn ’ t necessary @

President Donald Trump has tested negative for COVID-19, his physician said Saturday.
“This evening I received confirmation that the test is negative,” Sean P. Conley, the President’s physician, said in a memo.
Trump announced earlier in the day that he’d been tested Friday night.
”I also took the test last night, and I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday,” he said at a press briefing. “People were asking, did I take the test?”
The President said at the the time that he expected to receive results within a day or two.
Trump also said he had gotten his temperature taken before Saturday’s press conference, and that it was “totally normal.” For the first time Saturday, reporters and others in close contact with the President and vice president had their temperatures taken by a White House doctor.
The President in recent days has interacted with several people who later tested positive for COVID-19, or otherwise self-quarantined as a precaution, including at his Mar-a-Lago club.
Trump said a press conference Friday that he would “most likely” get tested, though Conley subsequently said in a letter released around midnight that a test wasn’t necessary.
This post has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-14--WH Begins Testing Temperatures Of People ‘In Close Contact’ With Trump, Pence

The White House on Saturday began checking the temperatures of people in close contact with the President or vice president , a response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Around 11:30 a.m. Saturday , according to a pool report from McClatchy ’ s Francesca Chambers , someone from the White House physician ’ s office came to the White House press briefing room and adjacent workspaces and began checking the temperatures of reporters in the building with a no-contact thermometer .
“ Out of an abundance of caution , temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President , ” White House spokesperson Judd Deere said , per the pool report .
Several individuals who have had contact with Trump in recent days subsequently have tested positive for COVID-19 , or have otherwise quarantined themselves as a precaution .
Three people who recently visited the President ’ s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida , where the President himself was present , have since tested positive for COVID-19 as well .
On Friday , the President said he would “ most likely ” get tested for the viral disease .
Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press briefing alongside members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force shortly around noon Saturday .
“ We know of at least one individual with a press pass who was turned away , we believe due to temperature level , ” NBC News ’ Kelly O ’ Donnell said a few minutes after noon from the briefing room .
O ’ Donnell said she ’ d been told that staff members who ’ d had direct contact with Trump and Pence had had their temperatures taken , as well .

The White House on Saturday began checking the temperatures of people in close contact with the President or vice president, a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, according to a pool report from McClatchy’s Francesca Chambers, someone from the White House physician’s office came to the White House press briefing room and adjacent workspaces and began checking the temperatures of reporters in the building with a no-contact thermometer.
“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President,” White House spokesperson Judd Deere said, per the pool report.
Several individuals who have had contact with Trump in recent days subsequently have tested positive for COVID-19, or have otherwise quarantined themselves as a precaution. Three people who recently visited the President’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, where the President himself was present, have since tested positive for COVID-19 as well.
On Friday, the President said he would “most likely” get tested for the viral disease.
Vice President Mike Pence is expected to lead a press briefing alongside members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force shortly around noon Saturday.
“We know of at least one individual with a press pass who was turned away, we believe due to temperature level,” NBC News’ Kelly O’Donnell said a few minutes after noon from the briefing room. O’Donnell said she’d been told that staff members who’d had direct contact with Trump and Pence had had their temperatures taken, as well.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-14--With WH Support, Pressure’s On McConnell To Pass Pelosi’s COVID-19 Package

With President Donald Trump expressing his support for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s ( D-CA ) coronavirus economic response package , the pressure is on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) to quickly get the legislation to Trump ’ s desk .
The legislation passed just before 1 a.m. Saturday morning with overwhelming bipartisan support .
“ Senator McConnell and Republicans should pass this legislation as is immediately so it can get to the president ’ s desk to he can sign it right away , ” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation “ necessary but not sufficient .
That echoed similar sentiments from Sens .
Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) , Amy Klobuchar ( D-MN ) and others .
“ We ’ ll be working with members of the Senate to unpack the bill for them and why President Trump endorsed it yesterday , ” Vice President Mike Pence said at a press briefing Saturday .
“ We believe they should move it expeditiously to passage.
” In a statement released just after the House vote , around 1 a.m. Saturday , McConnell encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House bill but telegraphed support for some form of economic assistance related to the pandemic .
“ Of course , Senators will need to carefully review the version just passed by the House , ” he said .
“ But I believe the vast majority of Senators in both parties will agree we should act swiftly to secure relief for American workers , families , and small businesses.
” The fate of Pelosi ’ s legislative package was uncertain Friday .
McConnell , who ’ d previously maintained that Senate would be on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midday Thursday that it would instead be in session .
But the President — as late as his Rose Garden press conference around 4 p.m. — waffled on whether he would support the legislation .
The House speaker negotiated extensively with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on the package , according to Pelosi ’ s office .
After Pelosi secured a commitment from the White House , things moved ahead with minimal Republican resistance .
Ultimately , 40 members of Congress voted against the package , called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the bill passed with 363 votes in favor .
“ Tonight ’ s deal is proof that if Republicans and Democrats work together , we can get things done for America , ” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) said of the package .
The package includes additional food assistance funding , additional Medicaid funding , funds for diagnostic testing and services for the uninsured , funding for unemployment insurance , and paid leave provisions for some workers .
At his press conference Friday , Trump was noncommittal on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t “ giving enough.
” But in tweets Friday night and Saturday morning , the President threw his weight behind the legislative package .
“ Tonight ’ s legislation presents a strong stimulus to our economy to protect the health and financial security of America ’ s working families as we fight the coronavirus crisis , ” Pelosi told fellow Democrats in a letter Friday night .
This post has been updated .

With President Donald Trump expressing his support for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) coronavirus economic response package, the pressure is on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to quickly get the legislation to Trump’s desk.
The legislation passed just before 1 a.m. Saturday morning with overwhelming bipartisan support.
“Senator McConnell and Republicans should pass this legislation as is immediately so it can get to the president’s desk to he can sign it right away,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement Friday night, calling the legislation “necessary but not sufficient.
That echoed similar sentiments from Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and others.
“We’ll be working with members of the Senate to unpack the bill for them and why President Trump endorsed it yesterday,” Vice President Mike Pence said at a press briefing Saturday. “We believe they should move it expeditiously to passage.”
In a statement released just after the House vote, around 1 a.m. Saturday, McConnell encouraged senators to “carefully review” the House bill but telegraphed support for some form of economic assistance related to the pandemic.
“Of course, Senators will need to carefully review the version just passed by the House,” he said. “But I believe the vast majority of Senators in both parties will agree we should act swiftly to secure relief for American workers, families, and small businesses.”
The fate of Pelosi’s legislative package was uncertain Friday. McConnell, who’d previously maintained that Senate would be on recess in the coming week, announced midday Thursday that it would instead be in session. But the President — as late as his Rose Garden press conference around 4 p.m. — waffled on whether he would support the legislation. The House speaker negotiated extensively with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on the package, according to Pelosi’s office.
After Pelosi secured a commitment from the White House, things moved ahead with minimal Republican resistance. Ultimately, 40 members of Congress voted against the package, called the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. All “no” votes were Republican, and the bill passed with 363 votes in favor.
“Tonight’s deal is proof that if Republicans and Democrats work together, we can get things done for America,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said of the package.
The package includes additional food assistance funding, additional Medicaid funding, funds for diagnostic testing and services for the uninsured, funding for unemployment insurance, and paid leave provisions for some workers.
At his press conference Friday, Trump was noncommittal on the package, saying that Democrats weren’t “giving enough.”
But in tweets Friday night and Saturday morning, the President threw his weight behind the legislative package.
I fully support H.R. 6201: Families First CoronaVirus Response Act, which will be voted on in the House this evening. This Bill will follow my direction for free CoronaVirus tests, and paid sick leave for our impacted American workers. I have directed…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
….the health and well-being of American families FIRST. Look forward to signing the final Bill, ASAP! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
Good teamwork between Republicans & Democrats as the House passes the big CoronaVirus Relief Bill. People really pulled together. Nice to see! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
“Tonight’s legislation presents a strong stimulus to our economy to protect the health and financial security of America’s working families as we fight the coronavirus crisis,” Pelosi told fellow Democrats in a letter Friday night.
This post has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-14--Fox Business Puts Trish Regan On Hiatus After ‘Coronavirus Impeachment Scam’ Monologue

The Fox Business Network anchor Trish Regan has been removed from her prime time slot indefinitely following a troubling monologue earlier this week in which she asserted that the reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic was “ yet another attempt to impeach the President.
” “ Trish Regan Primetime ” is “ on hiatus until further notice , ” Fox Business Network said in a statement shared with TPM .
The New York Times first reported the news .
Regan ’ s 8 p.m. slot and her 9 p.m. neighbor , “ Kennedy , ” will be replaced with “ long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fox Business said .
“ Due to the demands of the evolving pandemic crisis coverage , we are deploying all resources from both shows for staffing needs during critical market hours , ” the network said .
Regan ’ s Monday night monologue was largely in keeping with President Donald Trump ’ s own early claims about the novel coronavirus that has spread across the globe : The media and Democrats ’ reaction to the virus , Regan said , was “ impeachment all over again ” and an attempt to hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SCAM ” read the graphic on screen over Regan ’ s right shoulder .
A few days later , CNN quoted an unnamed Fox News producer who said Regan and other Fox hosts ’ spin on the pandemic was dangerous .
“ The attempt to deflect and blame the media and Democrats from Trish Regan , Sean Hannity , Laura Ingraham , Lou Dobbs , Jesse Watters , and Greg Gutfeld instead of addressing the coronavirus is really irresponsible and hazardous to our viewers , ” the unnamed producer said .
On Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace , announcing upcoming “ programming changes ” as well as logistical measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , including cancelling in-person meetings and reducing in-studio bookings in favor of using Skype or remote studios .
“ Please keep in mind that viewers rely on us to stay informed during a crisis of this magnitude and we are providing an important public service to our audience by functioning as a resource for all Americans , ” the email read @

The Fox Business Network anchor Trish Regan has been removed from her prime time slot indefinitely following a troubling monologue earlier this week in which she asserted that the reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic was “yet another attempt to impeach the President.”
“Trish Regan Primetime” is “on hiatus until further notice,” Fox Business Network said in a statement shared with TPM. The New York Times first reported the news.
Regan’s 8 p.m. slot and her 9 p.m. neighbor, “Kennedy,” will be replaced with “long form programming” for the foreseeable future, Fox Business said.
“Due to the demands of the evolving pandemic crisis coverage, we are deploying all resources from both shows for staffing needs during critical market hours,” the network said.
Regan’s Monday night monologue was largely in keeping with President Donald Trump’s own early claims about the novel coronavirus that has spread across the globe: The media and Democrats’ reaction to the virus, Regan said, was “impeachment all over again” and an attempt to hurt the President politically.
“CORONAVIRUS IMPEACHMENT SCAM” read the graphic on screen over Regan’s right shoulder.
A few days later, CNN quoted an unnamed Fox News producer who said Regan and other Fox hosts’ spin on the pandemic was dangerous.
“The attempt to deflect and blame the media and Democrats from Trish Regan, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Lou Dobbs, Jesse Watters, and Greg Gutfeld instead of addressing the coronavirus is really irresponsible and hazardous to our viewers,” the unnamed producer said.
On Thursday, CNN quoted an email to employees from Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott and President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace, announcing upcoming “programming changes” as well as logistical measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including cancelling in-person meetings and reducing in-studio bookings in favor of using Skype or remote studios.
“Please keep in mind that viewers rely on us to stay informed during a crisis of this magnitude and we are providing an important public service to our audience by functioning as a resource for all Americans,” the email read.