buzzfeed--2020-12-16--This Newly Released Letter Details The Criminal Referral On Donald Trump Over His Ukraine Phone Call

Nearly one year after the House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump , the federal government has released the criminal referral alleging Trump committed crimes related to his phone call with Ukraine ’ s President Volodymyr Zelensky , a conversation that sparked the historic proceedings .
The document , obtained by BuzzFeed News from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit , is a letter dated September 4 , 2019 , and signed by Michael Atkinson , inspector general for the intelligence community .
It was sent to Stacey Moy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI ’ s counterintelligence division .
Moy ’ s involvement in the Ukraine matter has not been previously disclosed .
The inspector general “ is formally referring allegations received from an individual regarding , among other things , alleged violations of law related to a telephone call on July 25 , 2019 , between President Donald J. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , ” Atkinson wrote .
“ This referral is a follow-up to my secure telephone call on August 27 , 2019 , with FBI Director Christopher A. Wray ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , during which I provided to Mr. Murphy a summary of the Complainant ’ s allegations.
” On Aug. 12 , 2019 , an anonymous CIA official had filed a formal whistleblower complaint with the House and Senate Intelligence committees and Atkinson , the inspector general , alleging Trump pressured Zelensky to publicly announce investigations into his political rival while withholding $ 400 million in military aid .
Trump wanted Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden , then the Democratic presidential frontrunner , and his son Hunter , related to unsubstantiated claims that Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop an investigation into the Ukrainian gas company Hunter sat on the board of .
Atkinson also sent a copy of his letter to Brian Benczkowski , the head of the Justice Department ’ s criminal division , after learning that “ other authorities ” had also sent the office information about the whistleblower ’ s allegation .
However , the Justice Department declined to investigate whether Trump had violated a campaign finance law that prohibits foreign contributions to US politicians .
Three weeks after Atkinson sent the letter , House Speaker Nancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an impeachment inquiry into Trump .
Following impeachment in the House , the Senate acquitted Trump on Feb. 5 on obstruction of Congress and abuse of power .
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the letter .
In addition to the criminal referral , the Office of the Director of National Intelligence also turned over another previously undisclosed document : a four-page letter Atkinson sent to White House counsel Pat Cipollone on Aug. 26 , 2019 , requesting access to all documents from the White House related to the Ukraine phone call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stating that “ intentional failure to meet the obligations may result in charges of obstruction of justice.
” Irvin McCullough , a national security analyst at the Government Accountability Project , told BuzzFeed News the document preservation letter is noteworthy because it is “ extraordinarily rare for an inspector general to investigate the White House and issue document preservation holds . ''
“ There is usually a hesitancy to go after the White House because the White House can fire you , ” McCullough said .
That ’ s what happened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
BuzzFeed News also sued the CIA , seeking a copy of the criminal referral that the agency ’ s top lawyer reportedly sent the Justice Department about the whistleblower ’ s complaint .
Responding to that request , the CIA issued what is known as a Glomar response : The agency can neither confirm nor deny that such a document exists .

Nearly one year after the House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump, the federal government has released the criminal referral alleging Trump committed crimes related to his phone call with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, a conversation that sparked the historic proceedings.
The document, obtained by BuzzFeed News from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, is a letter dated September 4, 2019, and signed by Michael Atkinson, inspector general for the intelligence community. It was sent to Stacey Moy, the deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counterintelligence division. Moy’s involvement in the Ukraine matter has not been previously disclosed.
The inspector general “is formally referring allegations received from an individual regarding, among other things, alleged violations of law related to a telephone call on July 25, 2019, between President Donald J. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky,” Atkinson wrote. “This referral is a follow-up to my secure telephone call on August 27, 2019, with FBI Director Christopher A. Wray’s Chief of Staff, Paul B. Murphy, during which I provided to Mr. Murphy a summary of the Complainant’s allegations.”
On Aug. 12, 2019, an anonymous CIA officer had filed a formal whistleblower complaint with the House and Senate Intelligence committees and Atkinson, the inspector general, alleging Trump pressured Zelensky to publicly announce investigations into then-Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, while withholding $400 million in military aid to Ukraine.
"According to the Complainant's allegations, 'the President of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election,' which 'includes, among other things, pressuring a foreign country to investigate one of the President's main domestic political rivals,'" Atkinson wrote.
Trump wanted Zelensky to investigate unsubstantiated claims that Biden had pressured Ukraine’s prosecutor to drop an investigation into the Ukrainian gas company Hunter sat on the board of.
Atkinson's criminal referral said he determined "there are reasonable grounds to believe" that the whistleblower's allegations against Trump "appear credible."
Atkinson also sent a copy of his letter to Brian Benczkowski, the head of the Justice Department’s criminal division, after learning that “other authorities” had also sent the office information about the whistleblower’s allegation. However, the Justice Department declined to investigate whether Trump had violated a campaign finance law that prohibits foreign contributions to US politicians.
Three weeks after Atkinson sent the letter, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the House would launch an impeachment inquiry into Trump. Following impeachment in the House, the Senate acquitted Trump on Feb. 5 on obstruction of Congress and abuse of power.
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the letter.
In addition to the criminal referral, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence also turned over another previously undisclosed document: a four-page letter Atkinson sent to White House counsel Pat Cipollone on Aug. 26, 2019, requesting access to all documents from the White House related to the Ukraine phone call as well as the preservation of records, stating that “intentional failure to meet the obligations may result in charges of obstruction of justice.”
Irvin McCullough, a national security analyst at the Government Accountability Project, told BuzzFeed News the document preservation letter is noteworthy because it is “extraordinarily rare for an inspector general to investigate the White House and issue document preservation holds."
“There is usually a hesitancy to go after the White House because the White House can fire you,” McCullough said.
That’s what happened to Atkinson. Trump fired him in April.
BuzzFeed News also sued the CIA, seeking a copy of the criminal referral that the agency’s top lawyer reportedly sent the Justice Department about the whistleblower’s complaint. Responding to that request, the CIA issued what is known as a Glomar response: The agency can neither confirm nor deny that such a document exists.


buzzfeed--2020-12-17--People Are Sharing Their Before And After Veneers Pics, Not Realizing That They Didn't Actually Get

People Are Sharing Their Before And After Veneers Pics, Not Realizing That They Didn't Actually Get Veneers

So , why are getting crowns on all of your teeth so dangerous ?
Well , there are several reasons @ @ @ @ @ once you remove tooth structure , you can never get it back .
Another reason @ @ @ @ @ inside your tooth that can get damaged .
Dr. Manouchehri explained , `` The tooth @ @ @ @ @ outer layer , which is the enamel , and underneath the enamel is dentine — @ @ @ @ @ has tiny little channels that communicate with the pulp of the tooth .
This is @ @ @ @ @ supply of the tooth reside .
Every time we take a drill to the tooth @ @ @ @ @ get closer to the nerve and risk compromising its integrity .
Additionally , the increase @ @ @ @ @ as a result of using the drill can also compromise the nerve . ''

So, why are getting crowns on all of your teeth so dangerous? Well, there are several reasons. First of all, once you remove tooth structure, you can never get it back. Another reason is that you have nerves inside your tooth that can get damaged. Dr. Manouchehri explained, "The tooth is made up of the outer layer, which is the enamel, and underneath the enamel is dentine — a slightly softer mineral that has tiny little channels that communicate with the pulp of the tooth. This is where the nerves and blood supply of the tooth reside. Every time we take a drill to the tooth and remove enamel, we get closer to the nerve and risk compromising its integrity. Additionally, the increase in temperature that is generated as a result of using the drill can also compromise the nerve."


buzzfeed--2020-12-17--People On TikTok Are Losing Their Minds After Learning Mucinex Might Help You Get Pregnant

Using Guaifenesin and Mucinex to get pregnant is actually a practice that 's been around for years.
`` Studies have @ @ @ @ @ and it has been written about in fertility books since the '70s .
There is @ @ @ @ @ fertility doctors would be recommending it for everyone .
That being said , it has @ @ @ @ @ that makes sense with very few risks — and it is inexpensive !
There are @ @ @ @ @ people who may have improved natural fertility rates by taking an expectorant , like Mucinex @ @ @ @ @

Using Guaifenesin and Mucinex to get pregnant is actually a practice that's been around for years. " Studies have been published looking at this and it has been written about in fertility books since the '70s. There is no conclusive help — or fertility doctors would be recommending it for everyone. That being said, it has a hypothetical mechanism of action that makes sense with very few risks — and it is inexpensive! There are probably a small subset of people who may have improved natural fertility rates by taking an expectorant, like Mucinex," she said.


buzzfeed--2020-12-17--Mike And Karen Pence Will Get The COVID Vaccine Before Cameras This Friday

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Incoming .
Vice President Mike Pence is set to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the White House on Friday , officials announced Wednesday , making him the highest-ranking person in government to receive a dosage .
Pence and second lady Karen Pence are expected to get the vaccine in public before media `` to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and build confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office said in a statement .
The couple will be joined by Surgeon General Jerome Adams , who will also take the vaccine .
The news was first reported by Axios .
Earlier this week , the White House had confirmed members of the administration would be among the first people to get the long-awaited coronavirus vaccination , which rolled out from Pfizer 's Michigan facility on Sunday to be distributed among the 50 states .
That news seemed to prompt a change of heart from President Donald Trump .
`` People working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine somewhat later in the program , unless specifically necessary .
I have asked that this adjustment be made , '' he tweeted .
`` I am not scheduled to take the vaccine , but look forward to doing so at the appropriate time . ''
The White House did not immediately respond to questions on when the president , who was infected with COVID-19 in October , would take the vaccine .
News of the Pences receiving their vaccine came the same day a record 3,400 deaths were recorded , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come as more than 306,000 people have died of COVID-19 across the US after White House officials mismanaged and for months downplayed the deadly impact of the virus , grinding multiple sectors of the economy to a near halt and killing hundreds of thousands of people .

Vice President Mike Pence is set to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the White House on Friday, officials announced Wednesday, making him the highest-ranking person in government to receive a dosage.
Pence and second lady Karen Pence are expected to get the vaccine in public before media "to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and build confidence among the American people," his office said in a statement.
The couple will be joined by Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who will also take the vaccine. The news was first reported by Axios.
Earlier this week, the White House had said that members of the administration would be among the first people to get the long-awaited coronavirus vaccination, which rolled out from Pfizer's Michigan facility on Sunday to be distributed among the 50 states. That news seemed to prompt a change of direction from President Donald Trump, who tweeted that White House staffers would instead get vaccinated "somewhat later."
"People working in the White House should receive the vaccine somewhat later in the program, unless specifically necessary. I have asked that this adjustment be made," he tweeted. "I am not scheduled to take the vaccine, but look forward to doing so at the appropriate time."
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about when the president, who was infected with COVID-19 in October, would take the vaccine.
News of the Pences receiving their vaccine came the same day a record 3,400 deaths were reported by the COVID Tracking Project.
More than 306,000 people in the US have died of COVID-19 across the US; for months, the White House officials have mismanaged the outbreak and downplayed the deadly impact of the virus.


buzzfeed--2020-12-17--This Newly Released Letter Details The Criminal Referral On Donald Trump Over His Ukraine Phone Call


buzzfeed--2020-12-17--Sophie Turner Had A Message For People Who Don't Wear Masks And It's Simple Yet Effective

`` You could be infecting other people — other vulnerable people — around you by doing this , '' Sophie @ @ @ @ @ stay inside , guys ! ''
`` It 's not cool , it 's not @ @ @ @ @ not clever , '' she concluded .

This isn't the first time Sophie has emphasised the importance of wearing masks and social distancing during the pandemic — in fact, she was speaking on it all the way back in March.


buzzfeed--2020-12-17--People Who've Woken Up Mid-Surgery Are Sharing Their Horror Stories, And It's Nightmare Fuel

`` I had to get knee surgery as I had 'chipped ' off a part of my kneecap and the @ @ @ @ @ and remove the bone .
He was a pretty playful guy , obviously worked with @ @ @ @ @ I was getting prepped , he was asking if I wanted to see the bone @ @ @ @ @ me being 13 and thinking that was cool as hell , I said yes .
@ @ @ @ @ to show the bone to me after the surgery .
But he actually patted me @ @ @ @ @ still open to show me the bloody piece of bone . ''

15.
"Well, while you are supposed to be awake for cornea transplant surgery, your eye is numb. However during this surgery on my left eye, I felt the cut into my old cornea. I said I felt it and the surgeon said 'You felt what?' I said I felt a sting like a cut and he did a few things and then started to cut again, and I said there it was again. So they had to give me a shot in my eyeball and that hurt! But I didn’t feel anything else after the shot. It was very unnerving!"


buzzfeed--2020-12-17--Sophie Turner Had A Simple Yet Effective Message For People Who Don't Wear Masks In Public


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--People Are Sharing Their Before And After Veneers Pics, Not Realizing That They Didn't Actually Get


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--20 Times The Female Anatomy Was Lost On Men In 2020

Today I discovered BOTH of my brothers thought that panty liners/sanitary towels were stuck directly onto the wearer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ underwear .
Apparently they thought the adhesive was to “ seal it shut ” .
@ @ @ @ @ .

Today I discovered BOTH of my brothers thought that panty liners/sanitary towels were stuck directly onto the wearer’s flaps, not to their underwear. Apparently they thought the adhesive was to “seal it shut”. One of them is married.


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--People Who've Woken Up Mid-Surgery Are Sharing Their Horror Stories, And It's Nightmare Fuel


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--Biden's Pick Of Deb Haaland Could Make Her The First Native American Cabinet Secretary

If confirmed by the Senate to lead the Department of the Interior , Haaland would oversee the Bureau of Indian Affairs as well as federal land management .
President-elect Joe Biden has picked Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico as head the Department of the Interior , making her the first-ever Native American to oversee the management of federal lands and resources .
If confirmed by the Senate , she would also be the first Native American Cabinet secretary and would oversee the Bureau of Indian Affairs , which sits under the Interior Department .
`` A voice like mine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the head of the Department of Interior , '' Haaland wrote on Twitter Thursday evening .
`` Growing up in my mother 's Pueblo household made me fierce .
I 'll be fierce for all of us , our planet , and all of our protected land . ''
Haaland is a 35th-generation resident of New Mexico and member of the Pueblo Laguna .
She is the daughter of a Marine Vietnam veteran and served as the first Native American leader of a state party in New Mexico .
She has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as secretary of the interior could signal an about-face for the department that under the Trump administration has prioritized fossil fuel extraction instead of preservation .
She was one of six appointments announced Thursday by Biden 's transition team as part of the incoming administration team meant to address the impacts of climate change .
`` This brilliant , tested , trailblazing team will be ready on day one to confront the existential threat of climate change with a unified national response rooted in science and equity , '' Biden said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we have no time to waste to confront the climate crisis , protect our air and drinking water , and deliver justice to communities that have long shouldered the burdens of environmental harms . ''
As secretary of the interior , Haaland would oversee hundreds of millions of acres of public federal lands , including national parks , national monuments , and wildlife refuges .
Haaland served as vice chair of the House Natural Resources Committee and , according to the Washington Post , has introduced bills to address the high rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Biden transition team also pointed to Haaland 's work with Tribal Nations , rural communities , and communities of color .
Currently , the Interior Department is headed by David Bernhardt , a former energy industry lobbyist who has worked in the agency since 2001 .
Before Bernhardt , Trump had appointed Ryan Zinke to the position .
Under both secretaries , the department has widely expanded the extraction of natural gas and oil .
Zinke left in December 2018 after the agency 's inspector general found he had violated rules by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government vehicles , that the agency had spent more than $ 25,000 on security for his vacations to Turkey and Greece , and that he had tried to give his wife a position in the agency .
During his tenure , Politico also reported on Zinke 's role in a development project that involved a foundation headed by his wife and a group backed by the chair of Halliburton .
Haaland was the top pick for interior secretary by the youth climate group Sunrise Movement and the Justice Democrats political action committee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some of Biden 's other nominees .
News of Haaland 's possible appointment has already been applauded by conservation groups .
`` Rep. Haaland 's historic appointment means a new era for protection for our wildlife , public lands and waters from the rapacious extractive industries that have ruled the day under the Trump administration , '' Kierán Suckling , executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity , said in a statement .
`` It 's critical for Native American leaders to be part of all decision-making about public lands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But Haaland 's possible appointment to head the Interior Department could also leave fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives with an even slimmer majority after Biden is sworn on Jan. 20 .
Talking to reporters , House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi called Haaland `` one of the most respected and one of the best members of Congress I have served with , '' and said she would not stop her possible appointment .
`` If she is the president-elect 's choice for interior secretary , then he will have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden made another historic pick earlier this week by selecting former primary rival Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary .
If confirmed , he would be the first openly LGBTQ member of a presidential Cabinet .

Haaland is a 35th-generation resident of New Mexico and member of the Pueblo Laguna. She is the daughter of a Marine Vietnam veteran and served as the first Native American leader of a state party in New Mexico. She has been in Congress since 2019.
Her appointment as secretary of the interior could signal an about-face for the department that under the Trump administration has prioritized fossil fuel extraction instead of preservation.
She was one of six appointments announced Thursday by Biden's transition team as part of the incoming administration team meant to address the impacts of climate change.
"This brilliant, tested, trailblazing team will be ready on day one to confront the existential threat of climate change with a unified national response rooted in science and equity," Biden said in a statement. "They share my belief that we have no time to waste to confront the climate crisis, protect our air and drinking water, and deliver justice to communities that have long shouldered the burdens of environmental harms."
As secretary of the interior, Haaland would oversee hundreds of millions of acres of public federal lands, including national parks, national monuments, and wildlife refuges.
Haaland served as vice chair of the House Natural Resources Committee and, according to the Washington Post, has introduced bills to address the high rate of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
The Biden transition team also pointed to Haaland's work with Tribal Nations, rural communities, and communities of color.


buzzfeed--2020-12-17--Trump Filled The Courts With Conservative Judges. It Won't Be As Easy For Biden To Do The Same With

Trump Filled The Courts With Conservative Judges. It Won't Be As Easy For Biden To Do The Same With Liberal Ones.

Biden will inherit far fewer judicial vacancies than Trump did when he takes office , but liberals are pinning their hopes on a wave of Clinton-appointed judges stepping down .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ’ s own judicial nominees handed down some of his biggest postelection losses , but the confirmation of more than 220 judges over the last four years is a Republican achievement that will far outlast his presidency — and one that President-elect Joe Biden will have a hard time undoing .
The numbers are there on paper for Biden to leave his own , sizable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll start at a disadvantage .
There are 60 open judgeships — less than half of what Trump inherited in January 2017 — and Republicans are racing to fill as many of those seats as they can before Biden is sworn in .
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed a judge for Justice Amy Coney Barrett ’ s former seat , and the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing for an appeals court nominee on Wednesday .
If every remaining active judge confirmed under former president Bill Clinton stepped down over the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 87 seats , according to judiciary records .
Most of the 164 active judges confirmed under former president George W. Bush will be eligible for “ senior status ” — a type of quasi-retirement that frees seats for new nominees — over the next four years , but it ’ s hard to predict how many will take the option .
A small number of the 315 active judges confirmed under former president Barack Obama are eligible for senior status , but most won ’ t meet the criteria until 2024 .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate for four years .
If Democrats fail to capture both of Georgia ’ s Senate seats in the January runoff election , Biden will have to reckon with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for at least two years — possibly four depending on the midterm elections — an arrangement that could force compromises and concessions at best .
With a Senate majority , McConnell will control when to bring Biden ’ s nominees to a vote , if at all .
If you have a news tip , we ’ d like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to us via one of our tip line channels .
Not all judges factor in politics in deciding when to step down .
But it ’ s not a coincidence that many of the seats Trump filled were previously held by past Republican nominees — the administration and Senate Republicans actively reached out to at least some senior-eligible judges , a practice that predates Trump — and Democrat-appointed judges who want some assurance that their successor will match their ideological leanings and judicial philosophy are doing the math .
They also know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can control ; Trump was able to fill the seats of two liberal legal icons , the late justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the late 9th Circuit judge Stephen Reinhardt , who were both in their eighties and still in active service on the bench when they died .
“ If Democrats get the Senate , I would take [ senior status ] maybe at the end of January , might hold off until April , ” said a Clinton-nominated federal appeals judge who was eligible to take senior status under Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules restrict judges from speaking about politics .
“ If they don ’ t get the Senate , it will depend on what kind of deal is worked out between the president and the Senate.
” The judge explained that if Democrats didn ’ t win the Senate and they couldn ’ t have “ confidence ” in the qualifications of their successor , they were prepared to stay put as an active judge for two more years .
But the judge said they wouldn ’ t wait indefinitely , given the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2024 election as he did during Obama ’ s final years in office .
“ I ’ d have to go in two years , ” the judge said .
“ I could be locking myself into a life on the bench.
” Biden ’ s transition team is already building out lists of possible nominees .
According to two sources familiar with the transition team ’ s work who weren ’ t authorized to speak publicly , that effort is being led by two Senate veterans with years of judicial nominations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for both Vice President–elect Kamala Harris and Sen. Patrick Leahy , and Paige Herwig , who worked in the Obama administration and for Sen. Dianne Feinstein before joining Demand Justice , an advocacy group that launched in 2018 to oppose Trump ’ s judicial nominees .
Unlike Trump , Biden hasn ’ t committed to releasing a list of potential Supreme Court nominees .
But , during the campaign , he pledged that if a vacancy opened up , he would nominate a Black woman , which would be a first on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the intricacies of judicial nominations , having spent much of his Senate career as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee , including 17 years either as the chair or ranking Democrat .
Harris spent the past four years opposing Trump ’ s nominees as a member of the committee .
“ Joe Biden proudly championed the historic confirmations of Justices Ginsburg , Sotomayor , and Kagan , and reshaped the Senate Judiciary Committee to reflect the diversity and breadth of America , ” transition spokesperson Jamal Brown said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he will nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court , and appoint judges who share his commitment to the rule of law , and upholding individual civil rights and civil liberties.
” Advocacy groups have wasted no time sending Biden ’ s team their own lists .
They ’ re not only pitching specific names , but also broadly making the case for Biden to quickly fill vacancies — liberals faulted Obama for not moving fast enough in his first term when Democrats controlled the Senate — and to prioritize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal background and professional experience : more public defenders and civil rights lawyers , fewer prosecutors and corporate attorneys .
A coalition of 71 groups signed an open letter to that effect shortly after the election .
The Trump administration ’ s laserlike focus on judicial nominations was the result of decades of successful organizing and pipeline-building by the right , and liberal advocacy groups spent the last four years trying to catch up .
The American Constitution Society , the main membership organization for liberal lawyers , and legacy liberal advocacy groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruitment projects , and new courts-focused groups like Demand Justice emerged .
The American Constitution Society , created in 2001 as a counterpoint to the conservative judicial juggernaut , the Federalist Society , gave Biden ’ s transition team a list of 352 potential federal judges — more than half are women , just under half are BIPOC , and many have backgrounds working in legal aid , civil rights , academia , and public defender offices .
ACS President Russ Feingold , a former Democratic senator from Wisconsin , said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts so far and that they seemed “ very methodical , very careful in terms of making sure the ball isn ’ t dropped.
” “ We believe President Biden and some of his top people are particularly well versed in this issue , ” Feingold said .
“ Whether the complete damage that ’ s been done by Trump can be undone is unlikely , but a substantial amount can be.
” Alliance for Justice also shared lists of several hundred potential nominees with Biden ’ s team shortly after the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped Biden would begin announcing nominees as soon as he ’ s sworn in , and expected a wave of judicial retirement and senior status announcements to follow in early 2021 .
“ We ’ re asking [ the Biden administration ] to be ready to fight for the nominees and to abide by the rules that were put in place by Senate Republicans to fast track the confirmation process , ” Aron said .
Liberal advocates are bracing for bitter Senate battles if Republicans keep the majority .
Demand Justice Executive Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to devote substantial resources to ad campaigns , pressure campaigns on senators , and other grassroots organizing to support “ bold and forward-leaning ” nominees who might face Republican opposition .
Fallon , who served in the Justice Department during the Obama administration and previously worked in the Senate , said some Obama alumni felt they didn ’ t have enough “ air cover ” for politically divisive picks .
“ We want to make sure that type of thinking does not work against any of the types of nontraditional lawyers that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send a clear signal that we will have the backs of those types of nominees , ” Fallon said .
Assuming Republicans keep control of the Senate , Sen. Chuck Grassley will return as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee , taking over from Sen. Lindsey Graham .
Grassley can control the pace of confirmation proceedings but brushed off Democratic concerns that Biden nominees wouldn ’ t move at all through the committee .
“ I would say the clock starts ticking the minute the White House sends some nominees up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know .
Then there ’ s generally two to three weeks after that before we vet everything and then you have hearings , ” Grassley said .
“ We ’ re obviously going to hear judges.
” There ’ s also the question of what happens to the calls for structural court reform that new Trump-era liberal groups like Demand Justice and Take Back the Court pushed to make part of the Democratic presidential primaries , such as adding seats to the US Supreme Court and to the lower courts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that with the White House and Congress , as well as keep up grassroots organizing to build momentum around the issue with the Democratic base .
The federal judiciary has asked Congress for years to add judgeships to keep up with caseloads in certain courts .
Democrats also worry that Biden ’ s policies could be blocked or hamstrung by Trump-appointed judges and by the Supreme Court , which now has a deeper conservative majority following Barrett ’ s confirmation .
Fallon said that will become part of their messaging as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that builds around these issues and enough public outrage that can be stoked about Trump judges trying to uphold Trump policies even after Trump ’ s been evicted from office , it sort of prods McConnell to act on judges he might otherwise hold up , ” Fallon said .
“ Or builds up resolve among Democrats to do something structural.
” Trump inherited 19 appeals court vacancies in January 2017 , but there are just two open seats on the federal appeals courts now , and the Senate Judiciary Committee held a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them on Wednesday ; there is no nominee yet for the other one .
There were 60 total federal court vacancies as of mid-December — with more than 30 nominees pending at various stages of the confirmation process — which is less than half of the 128 seats open when Trump took office .
The Senate has confirmed more than a dozen federal judges since Election Day , and more votes are expected before the Senate recesses at the end of the month .
Federal judges are eligible to take senior status once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as the Rule of 80 .
They must be at least 65 years old and have served 15 years as a federal judge .
Senior judges keep a full salary , but they can reduce their caseload .
The tradeoff is reduced power , especially on the appeals courts .
Senior judges generally can ’ t participate when the full or “ en banc ” circuit court hears a case and potentially sets new precedent , for instance .
There are 79 federal appeals judges who are either eligible to take senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the next four years , according to a review by BuzzFeed News .
Of those judges , 47 were confirmed under a Democratic president and 32 under a Republican ; it ’ s unlikely all of those judges will step down over the next four years , however .
Federal judges enjoy lifetime tenure and often keep their active status for years , or even decades , after they ’ re eligible for senior status , regardless of who is in the White House .
Trump nominated enough judges to flip the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeals courts — the 2nd , 3rd , and 11th Circuits ; those majorities are slim enough that Biden could flip those courts back , but that would depend on Republican-appointed judges stepping down .
Trump also dramatically narrowed the gap between Democratic and Republican nominees on the 9th Circuit , which covers the western United States and has long been a liberal powerhouse court .
Judges don ’ t always rule in ways that match the politics and legal philosophies of the president who appointed them , but it can be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or liberal leanings of a court when it comes to cases that traditionally divide judges along those lines , such as executive power , abortion access , gun rights , and civil rights .
Biden has a chance to shore up the liberal majorities on several courts , including the 9th Circuit and the powerful DC Circuit .
The three remaining Clinton nominees on the DC Circuit are already senior-eligible , including Judge Merrick Garland , a reported contender for attorney general under Biden , and Obama ’ s unsuccessful Supreme Court nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak with BuzzFeed News , some for attribution and some not , said politics can be a factor , but it ’ s not always the driving force in their decision-making around retirements and senior status .
US District Chief Judge John Jones III , who was confirmed under George W. Bush , became eligible for senior status when he turned 65 this summer .
He said that last year a Senate aide — he declined to identify the aide or the senator , but said it was “ really an emissary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ reminded ” him that he could open up his seat for Trump .
Jones said he declined , citing the fact that he was next in line for chief judge , a job that he took over in the spring .
District judgeships tend to be less politicized than appeals court nominations , but there are occasionally fierce partisan battles over those seats .
Jones said he has no plans to leave now that he ’ s chief judge , but said the party of the president wouldn ’ t control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations with colleagues that other judges felt the same way .
“ I would n't have any hesitation whatsoever ” about stepping down under a Democratic president , Jones said .
“ Elections mean something , presidents nominate people .
I ’ ve been at this 18-plus years , and I think you have to do what ’ s right for your court and what ’ s right for yourself at the appropriate time.
” The Trump administration prioritized tapping young judicial nominees with strong conservative credentials .
Jones had positive things to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court but said generally that he was “ concerned ” by the lack of practice experience of some of Trump ’ s district court nominees , and hoped Biden would take a different approach .
“ I would hope that , and I think this will be true in the Biden administration , they ’ ll be a little bit more circumspect — not criticizing any single appointee by President Trump , but you want to give a nod to experience .
Relative youth is OK , but particularly in the trial bench @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Jones said .
Judge Michael Kanne , who was confirmed to the 7th Circuit under then-president Ronald Reagan in 1987 and has been eligible to take senior status since 2003 , said he didn ’ t have plans to leave but wouldn ’ t rule out stepping down under a Democratic president .
“ I wouldn ’ t say it ’ s a deal breaker , ” the 82-year-old Kanne said .
“ The main reason I ’ m staying on and I didn ’ t take senior status earlier when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in relatively good health .
It gives me a purpose and I like what I do and I think I can add something to the work of the court .
So the fact of the political aspect of it might have something to do with it , too , but it 's only part of it .
I don ’ t say , ‘ Oh , well , we ’ ve got a Democrat in the office now , and I ’ m never taking senior status because of that.
’ ” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s seat .
At the start of 2018 , Kanne agreed to take senior status based on an understanding that Trump would nominate Kanne ’ s former clerk Tom Fisher .
But a few months later , Kanne ’ s name disappeared with no explanation from the judiciary ’ s public list of vacancies .
Contacted by BuzzFeed News at the time , Kanne revealed that he was staying on because Fisher was no longer in the running , and the judge had no interest in leaving his seat open for just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Mike Pence had scuttled the nomination .
Kanne is one of 26 federal appeals judges nominated by Republican presidents who were eligible to take senior status over the past four years but have stayed in active service .
The list includes 9th Circuit Judge Milan Smith Jr. , a George W. Bush nominee .
As a lawyer in private practice , Smith had clashed with Trump in a California land dispute case .
According to an NPR report recounting the fight , Smith was quoted in a local newspaper calling Trump “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ like a big bag of wind ” ; Trump later reportedly called Smith “ an obnoxious asshole.
” Smith declined an interview request .
Another one of the newly senior-eligible Republican-appointed judges , 5th Circuit Judge Leslie Southwick , who was also confirmed under George W. Bush , wrote a law review article earlier this year about the recent history of federal court nominations .
In that piece , he confirmed that he was approached about stepping down and knew another colleague was approached , too .
“ My answer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact being urged to do the right thing and make room for the kind of exceptional judges being selected now is : Believe in it ?
I ’ ve seen it ... or , at least , heard it .
I just did not find it a sufficiently encouraging idea in my case , ” Southwick wrote .
“ It was my impression that the person urging me and the individual who talked to another colleague were prompted from Washington .
I did not ask , though.
” Asked to elaborate , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply wasn ’ t ready to give up the work of being an active judge .
Asked if the politics of the president would affect his decision-making when he did feel ready to step down , he replied , “ not particularly.
” “ I would certainly be aware of who the president is and the kind of judges that person is selecting , ” Southwick said .
“ But it wouldn ’ t weigh very heavily on me.
” Kanne said the prospect of a Democrat potentially winning the White House in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about staying on after Fisher ’ s nomination fell through .
“ I ’ m more , I guess , selfish in the sense that I enjoy what I do and I don ’ t have any real hobbies , ” he said .
●

Assuming Republicans keep control of the Senate, Sen. Chuck Grassley will return as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, taking over from Sen. Lindsey Graham. Grassley can control the pace of confirmation proceedings but brushed off Democratic concerns that Biden nominees wouldn’t move at all through the committee.
“I would say the clock starts ticking the minute the White House sends some nominees up. When that is, I don’t know. Then there’s generally two to three weeks after that before we vet everything and then you have hearings,” Grassley said. “We’re obviously going to hear judges.”
There’s also the question of what happens to the calls for structural court reform that new Trump-era liberal groups like Demand Justice and Take Back the Court pushed to make part of the Democratic presidential primaries, such as adding seats to the US Supreme Court and to the lower courts. Fallon said they’ll advocate for that with the White House and Congress, as well as keep up grassroots organizing to build momentum around the issue with the Democratic base. The federal judiciary has asked Congress for years to add judgeships to keep up with caseloads in certain courts.
Democrats also worry that Biden’s policies could be blocked or hamstrung by Trump-appointed judges and by the Supreme Court, which now has a deeper conservative majority following Barrett’s confirmation. Fallon said that will become part of their messaging as well.
“Either there’s enough salience that builds around these issues and enough public outrage that can be stoked about Trump judges trying to uphold Trump policies even after Trump’s been evicted from office, it sort of prods McConnell to act on judges he might otherwise hold up,” Fallon said. “Or builds up resolve among Democrats to do something structural.”
Trump inherited 19 appeals court vacancies in January 2017, but there are just two open seats on the federal appeals courts now, and the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a nominee for one of them on Wednesday; there is no nominee yet for the other one. There were 60 total federal court vacancies as of mid-December — with more than 30 nominees pending at various stages of the confirmation process — which is less than half of the 128 seats open when Trump took office.
The Senate has confirmed more than a dozen federal judges since Election Day, and more votes are expected before the Senate recesses at the end of the month.
Federal judges are eligible to take senior status once they’ve satisfied what’s known as the Rule of 80. They must be at least 65 years old and have served 15 years as a federal judge. Senior judges keep a full salary, but they can reduce their caseload. The tradeoff is reduced power, especially on the appeals courts. Senior judges generally can’t participate when the full or “en banc” circuit court hears a case and potentially sets new precedent, for instance.
There are 79 federal appeals judges who are either eligible to take senior status now or who will become eligible over the next four years, according to a review by BuzzFeed News. Of those judges, 47 were confirmed under a Democratic president and 32 under a Republican; it’s unlikely all of those judges will step down over the next four years, however. Federal judges enjoy lifetime tenure and often keep their active status for years, or even decades, after they’re eligible for senior status, regardless of who is in the White House.
Trump nominated enough judges to flip the ideological balance of judges on three federal appeals courts — the 2nd, 3rd, and 11th Circuits; those majorities are slim enough that Biden could flip those courts back, but that would depend on Republican-appointed judges stepping down. Trump also dramatically narrowed the gap between Democratic and Republican nominees on the 9th Circuit, which covers the western United States and has long been a liberal powerhouse court. Judges don’t always rule in ways that match the politics and legal philosophies of the president who appointed them, but it can be a reliable way to suss out the conservative or liberal leanings of a court when it comes to cases that traditionally divide judges along those lines, such as executive power, abortion access, gun rights, and civil rights.
Biden has a chance to shore up the liberal majorities on several courts, including the 9th Circuit and the powerful DC Circuit. The three remaining Clinton nominees on the DC Circuit are already senior-eligible, including Judge Merrick Garland, a reported contender for attorney general under Biden, and Obama’s unsuccessful Supreme Court nominee.
A handful of judges who agreed to speak with BuzzFeed News, some for attribution and some not, said politics can be a factor, but it’s not always the driving force in their decision-making around retirements and senior status.
US District Chief Judge John Jones III, who was confirmed under George W. Bush, became eligible for senior status when he turned 65 this summer. He said that last year a Senate aide — he declined to identify the aide or the senator, but said it was “really an emissary from the president” — approached him and “reminded” him that he could open up his seat for Trump. Jones said he declined, citing the fact that he was next in line for chief judge, a job that he took over in the spring.


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--This Newly Released Letter Details The Criminal Referral On Donald Trump Over His Ukraine Phone Call

Nearly one year after the House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump , the federal government has released the criminal referral alleging Trump committed crimes related to his phone call with Ukraine ’ s President Volodymyr Zelensky , a conversation that sparked the historic proceedings .
The document , obtained by BuzzFeed News from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit , is a letter dated September 4 , 2019 , and signed by Michael Atkinson , inspector general for the intelligence community .
It was sent to Stacey Moy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI ’ s counterintelligence division .
Moy ’ s involvement in the Ukraine matter has not been previously disclosed .
The inspector general “ is formally referring allegations received from an individual regarding , among other things , alleged violations of law related to a telephone call on July 25 , 2019 , between President Donald J. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , ” Atkinson wrote .
“ This referral is a follow-up to my secure telephone call on August 27 , 2019 , with FBI Director Christopher A. Wray ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , during which I provided to Mr. Murphy a summary of the Complainant ’ s allegations.
” On Aug. 12 , 2019 , an anonymous CIA officer had filed a formal whistleblower complaint with the House and Senate Intelligence committees and Atkinson , the inspector general , alleging Trump pressured Zelensky to publicly announce investigations into then-Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden and his son , Hunter , while withholding $ 400 million in military aid to Ukraine .
`` According to the Complainant 's allegations , 'the President of the United States is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. election , ' which 'includes , among other things , pressuring a foreign country to investigate one of the President 's main domestic political rivals , ' '' Atkinson wrote .
Trump wanted Zelensky to investigate unsubstantiated claims that Biden had pressured Ukraine ’ s prosecutor to drop an investigation into the Ukrainian gas company Hunter sat on the board of .
Atkinson 's criminal referral said he determined `` there are reasonable grounds to believe '' that the whistleblower 's allegations against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also sent a copy of his letter to Brian Benczkowski , the head of the Justice Department ’ s criminal division , after learning that “ other authorities ” had also sent the office information about the whistleblower ’ s allegation .
However , the Justice Department declined to investigate whether Trump had violated a campaign finance law that prohibits foreign contributions to US politicians .
Three weeks after Atkinson sent the letter , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the House would launch an impeachment inquiry into Trump .
Following impeachment in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Feb. 5 on obstruction of Congress and abuse of power .
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment on the letter .
In addition to the criminal referral , the Office of the Director of National Intelligence also turned over another previously undisclosed document : a four-page letter Atkinson sent to White House counsel Pat Cipollone on Aug. 26 , 2019 , requesting access to all documents from the White House related to the Ukraine phone call as well as the preservation of records , stating that “ intentional failure to meet the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of justice.
” Irvin McCullough , a national security analyst at the Government Accountability Project , told BuzzFeed News the document preservation letter is noteworthy because it is “ extraordinarily rare for an inspector general to investigate the White House and issue document preservation holds . ''
“ There is usually a hesitancy to go after the White House because the White House can fire you , ” McCullough said .
That ’ s what happened to Atkinson .
Trump fired him in April .
BuzzFeed News also sued the CIA , seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency ’ s top lawyer reportedly sent the Justice Department about the whistleblower ’ s complaint .
Responding to that request , the CIA issued what is known as a Glomar response : The agency can neither confirm nor deny that such a document exists .


buzzfeed--2020-12-17--Here Are The Names Of 126 Members Of The House Who Refuse To Accept That Biden Won

House Republicans gather on the steps of the US Capitol for a press conference .
All 50 states have officially certified the results of the 2020 presidential election as of this week , reaffirming what has been known for over a month now : Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States .
And yet , on Thursday , 106 Republican members of Congress signed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to allow the state of Texas to file a lawsuit that seeks to invalidate the election results in the states of Georgia , Michigan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which President Donald Trump lost .
On Friday , Republicans filed an updated brief to include an additional 20 members .
Several hours later on Friday evening , the court rejected Texas 's challenge , saying the state lacked standing to sue .
With electors scheduled to meet on Monday to officially name Biden the victor , it was a long shot that the court would step in .
On Tuesday , the Supreme Court justices denied a Republican effort to challenge a 2019 Pennsylvania law that expanded mail-in voting .
Among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have just won races in the very states whose elections they now allege are so rife with `` irregularities '' that they want the court to throw out the results .
There is no evidence of widespread electoral fraud .
Here are their names :

All 50 states have officially certified the results of the 2020 presidential election as of this week, reaffirming what has been known for over a month now: Joe Biden will be the next president of the United States.
And yet, on Thursday, 106 Republican members of Congress signed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to allow the state of Texas to file a lawsuit that seeks to invalidate the election results in the states of Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, all of which President Donald Trump lost. On Friday, Republicans filed an updated brief to include an additional 20 members.
Several hours later on Friday evening, the court rejected Texas's challenge, saying the state lacked standing to sue.
With electors scheduled to meet on Monday to officially name Biden the victor, it was a long shot that the court would step in. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court justices denied a Republican effort to challenge a 2019 Pennsylvania law that expanded mail-in voting.
Among the representatives who signed on are several members who have just won races in the very states whose elections they now allege are so rife with "irregularities" that they want the court to throw out the results. There is no evidence of widespread electoral fraud.
Here are their names:
Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Ralph Abraham of Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District
Rep. Rick W. Allen of Georgia’s 12th Congressional District
Rep. James R. Baird of Indiana’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Jack Bergman of Michigan’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona’s 5th Congressional District
Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida’s 12th Congressional District
Rep. Dan Bishop of North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District
Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois’s 12th Congressional District
Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas’s 8th Congressional District
Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama’s 5th Congressional District
Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Ted Budd of North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District
Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Michael C. Burgess of Texas’s 26th Congressional District
Rep. Bradley Byrne of Alabama’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Ken Calvert of California’s 42nd Congressional District
Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter of Georgia’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Ben Cline of Virginia’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. Michael Cloud of Texas’s 27th Congressional District
Rep. Mike Conaway of Texas’s 11th Congressional District
Rep. Rick Crawford of Arkansas’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida’s 25th Congressional District
Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Neal P. Dunn of Florida’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Drew Ferguson of Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Bill Flores of Texas’s 17th Congressional District
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District
Rep. Russ Fulcher of Idaho’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Greg Gianforte of Montana’s at-large congressional district
Rep. Bob Gibbs of Ohio’s 7th Congressional District
Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas’s 5th Congressional District
Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. Mark Green of Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District
Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth of Indiana’s 9th Congressional District
Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District
Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Bill Johnson of Ohio’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. John Joyce of Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District
Rep. Fred Keller of Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District
Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District
Rep. Trent Kelly of Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Steve King of Iowa’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. David Kustoff of Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District
Rep. Darin LaHood of Illinois’s 18th Congressional District
Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado’s 5th Congressional District
Rep. Robert E. Latta of Ohio’s 5th Congressional District
Rep. Debbie Lesko of Arizona’s 8th Congressional District
Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Kenny Marchant of Texas’s 24th Congressional District
Rep. Roger Marshall of Kansas’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Tom McClintock of California’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington’s 5th Congressional District
Rep. Dan Meuser of Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District
Rep. Carol D. Miller of West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Alex X. Mooney of West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Gregory Murphy of North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District
Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District
Rep. Tom Rice of South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District
Rep. John Rose of Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. David Rouzer of North Carolina’s 7th Congressional District
Rep. John Rutherford of Florida’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Austin Scott of Georgia’s 8th Congressional District
Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri’s 8th Congressional District
Rep. Ross Spano of Florida’s 15th Congressional District
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York’s 21st Congressional District
Rep. Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District
Rep. Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District
Rep. William Timmons of South Carolina’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan’s 7th Congressional District
Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. Randy Weber of Texas’s 14th Congressional District
Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida’s 11th Congressional District
Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Roger Williams of Texas’s 25th Congressional District
Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Ron Wright of Texas’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. Ted S. Yoho of Florida’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California’s 23rd Congressional District
Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Jodey Arrington of Texas’s 19th Congressional District
Rep. Brian Babin of Texas’s 36th Congressional District
Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia’s 9th Congressional District
Rep. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Morgan Griffith of Virginia’s 9th Congressional District
Rep. Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District
Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia’s 10th Congressional District
Rep. Billy Long of Missouri’s 7th Congressional District
Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia’s 11th Congressional District
Rep. Steven Palazzo of Mississippi’s 4th Congressional District
Rep. Greg Pence of Indiana’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. Bill Posey of Florida’s 8th Congressional District
Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Pete Stauber of Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District
Rep. W. Gregory Steube of Florida’s 17th Congressional District
Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Mark Walker of North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District
Rep. Jackie Walorski of Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--Sophie Turner Had A Simple Yet Effective Message For People Who Don't Wear Masks In Public


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--People On TikTok Are Losing Their Minds After Learning Mucinex Might Help You Get Pregnant


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--Mike And Karen Pence Will Get The COVID Vaccine Before Cameras This Friday

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Incoming .
Vice President Mike Pence is set to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the White House on Friday , officials announced Wednesday , making him the highest-ranking person in government to receive a dosage .
Pence and second lady Karen Pence are expected to get the vaccine in public before media `` to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and build confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office said in a statement .
The couple will be joined by Surgeon General Jerome Adams , who will also take the vaccine .
The news was first reported by Axios .
Earlier this week , the White House had said that members of the administration would be among the first people to get the long-awaited coronavirus vaccination , which rolled out from Pfizer 's Michigan facility on Sunday to be distributed among the 50 states .
That news seemed to prompt a change of direction from President Donald Trump , who tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated `` somewhat later . ''
`` People working in the White House should receive the vaccine somewhat later in the program , unless specifically necessary .
I have asked that this adjustment be made , '' he tweeted .
`` I am not scheduled to take the vaccine , but look forward to doing so at the appropriate time . ''
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about when the president , who was infected with COVID-19 in October , would take the vaccine .
News of the Pences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record 3,400 deaths were reported by the COVID Tracking Project .
More than 306,000 people in the US have died of COVID-19 across the US ; for months , the White House officials have mismanaged the outbreak and downplayed the deadly impact of the virus .


buzzfeed--2020-12-19--Chainsaws Were First Invented To Be Used During Childbirth, And It's As Horrifying As It Sounds

At this point , I did n't want to know more , but at the same time , I kind @ @ @ @ @ to know who invented it , what the thought process was behind it , how @ @ @ @ @ , and why it was ever believed to be a safe method for childbirth .

At this point, I didn't want to know more, but at the same time, I kind of did. I wanted to know who invented it, what the thought process was behind it, how it was supposed to work, and why it was ever believed to be a safe method for childbirth.


buzzfeed--2020-12-19--People Are Sharing Tips That Make Shaving Your Butthole Easier, So We Had An Expert Weigh In

`` Anal bleaching also seems to be on the rise lately as well .
There are a lot of questions @ @ @ @ @ of this treatment .
There is nothing wrong or dangerous with the dark color of @ @ @ @ @ utilizes a variety of acids or other lightening agents to strip away some of the @ @ @ @ @ Think of these agents as removing the 'stained ' skin .
The problem is that @ @ @ @ @ are quite harsh on the skin .
Remember , the skin of the genitals is @ @ @ @ @ most delicate on the body .
I would urge extreme caution before putting a potentially @ @ @ @ @ anus .
That being said , most bleaching agents are not permanent .
The durability @ @ @ @ @ person to person , but may last up to six months .
You should talk @ @ @ @ @ methods and definitely consult a dermatologist before bleaching , '' Dr. Charles added .

In addition, Dr. Charles said that often times people are over-aggressive when shaving sensitive areas, like the anus. "Over-aggressive shaving, either too often or incorrectly done, can lead to irritation and acne-like bumps in that area," he said. So, be gentle!!!
Remember, shaving is a risk for infection, bleeding, scarring. Dr. Charles said, "Folliculitis is a small collection of infections and are one of the risks of shaving your butt. Another risk is hemorrhage. The skin of the anus and butt is extremely vascular. A sharp object can do a tremendous amount of damage to that area. Similarly, if bleeding is a risk, so is scarring. Any time that the skin is injured and the wound is deep enough, you run the risk of causing a scar to form. And all of these risks are increased if you can’t see what you are doing, so use a mirror!"


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--Lizzo Delivered A Powerful Message On TikTok For Anyone Who's Had "Negative Thoughts" About Body Ima

Lizzo Delivered A Powerful Message On TikTok For Anyone Who's Had "Negative Thoughts" About Body Image

She continued , `` Normally , I would have some positive thing to say to get me out of this @ @ @ @ @ , and that 's okay too .
[ It 's ] normal , and [ @ @ @ @ @ .
It happens to the best of us . ''

She continued, "Normally, I would have some positive thing to say to get me out of this, but I don't, and that's okay too. [It's] normal, and [it happens] to everybody. It happens to the best of us."


buzzfeed--2020-12-19--Mitch McConnell Is Trying To Block Mandatory Paid Sick Leave For Workers Who Get COVID

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Incoming .
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pushing to let businesses and governments deny sick leave to workers who fall ill with COVID-19 .
As Congress negotiates an end-of-year pandemic aid bill , McConnell is trying to block an extension of a paid sick leave program for people who get COVID that expires in two weeks , according to multiple Hill sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March , Congress passed a law mandating that workers are able to draw two weeks of paid sick leave if they contract COVID , two weeks of paid sick leave to care for a quarantining relative , and up to 10 weeks of paid family leave to care for a child whose school or daycare is closed for COVID-related reasons .
Those provisions are set to expire at the end of the year .
Democrats initially sought to broaden the scope of the program and extend it .
Those goals were lowered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more months due to Republican opposition , according to one Senate aide .
Now Republicans , led by McConnell , are opposing an expansion of the program altogether .
Paid sick leave was already watered down to exempt big businesses .
Any company with over 500 employees does not fall under the requirement to provide paid leave .
“ That was a concession that Democrats made to Republicans , ” a Democratic aide said of the March negotiations .
Businesses with under 50 employees can also apply for exemptions to the requirement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the entirety of paid leave costs for businesses through refundable tax credits .
But state and local governments are not eligible for the tax credit and must bear the sick leave costs on their own .
Sen. Lamar Alexander , the powerful Republican chair of the Senate Health Committee , said this is why he opposes an extension of the program .
“ Paid sick leave is a good idea .
We do it in my office , the federal government now does it , and many businesses do it .
Unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars in an unfunded mandate on state and local governments , ” Alexander said in a statement to BuzzFeed News .
“ If the federal government wants to require paid leave , the federal government should pay for it.
” The federal government can ’ t pay for it , however , because Republicans are also blocking funding for state and local governments from being included in the bill .
This funding was one of the key demands from Democratic negotiators .
But it was stripped out of the package , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID lawsuits for businesses , because these were seen as the two most contentious negotiating points .
If you 're someone who is seeing the impact of the coronavirus firsthand , we ’ d like to hear from you .
Reach out to us via one of our tip line channels .
The paid sick leave requirement was projected to cost $ 105 billion , but as of the end of October , businesses had only claimed $ 1.3 billion in tax credits , according to a Health Affairs study .
The study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID and projected an extension of four to six months would cost $ 8 billion to $ 13 billion .
That is a small fraction of the overall COVID bill , which is expected to come in around $ 900 billion .
“ There is absolutely no reason , and no excuse , for failing to extend the lifesaving and bipartisan paid leave policy that is already on the books .
Anything less would make absolutely no sense and be a catastrophe for millions of workers who shouldn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paycheck , ” said Sen. Patty Murray , the ranking Democrat on the Senate Health Committee .
McConnell ’ s office did not respond to a request for comment .
Negotiations are expected to continue through the weekend .

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is pushing to let businesses and governments deny sick leave to workers who fall ill with COVID-19.
As Congress negotiates an end-of-year pandemic aid bill, McConnell is trying to block an extension of a paid sick leave program for people who get COVID that expires in two weeks, according to multiple Hill sources with knowledge of the negotiations.
Back in March, Congress passed a law mandating that workers are able to draw two weeks of paid sick leave if they contract COVID, two weeks of paid sick leave to care for a quarantining relative, and up to 10 weeks of paid family leave to care for a child whose school or daycare is closed for COVID-related reasons.
Those provisions are set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats initially sought to broaden the scope of the program and extend it. Those goals were lowered to merely extending the program for several more months due to Republican opposition, according to one Senate aide. Now Republicans, led by McConnell, are opposing an expansion of the program altogether.
Paid sick leave was already watered down to exempt big businesses. Any company with over 500 employees does not fall under the requirement to provide paid leave.
“That was a concession that Democrats made to Republicans,” a Democratic aide said of the March negotiations.
Businesses with under 50 employees can also apply for exemptions to the requirement. The federal government is footing the bill for the entirety of paid leave costs for businesses through refundable tax credits.
But state and local governments are not eligible for the tax credit and must bear the sick leave costs on their own. Sen. Lamar Alexander, the powerful Republican chair of the Senate Health Committee, said this is why he opposes an extension of the program.
“Paid sick leave is a good idea. We do it in my office, the federal government now does it, and many businesses do it. Unfortunately, current paid leave proposals impose billions of dollars in an unfunded mandate on state and local governments,” Alexander said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. “If the federal government wants to require paid leave, the federal government should pay for it.”
The federal government can’t pay for it, however, because Republicans are also blocking funding for state and local governments from being included in the bill. This funding was one of the key demands from Democratic negotiators. But it was stripped out of the package, along with a Republican proposal for immunity from COVID lawsuits for businesses, because these were seen as the two most contentious negotiating points.
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The paid sick leave requirement was projected to cost $105 billion, but as of the end of October, businesses had only claimed $1.3 billion in tax credits, according to a Health Affairs study. The study found that paid sick leave lowered the spread of COVID and projected an extension of four to six months would cost $8 billion to $13 billion. That is a small fraction of the overall COVID bill, which is expected to come in around $900 billion.
“There is absolutely no reason, and no excuse, for failing to extend the lifesaving and bipartisan paid leave policy that is already on the books. Anything less would make absolutely no sense and be a catastrophe for millions of workers who shouldn’t have to choose between their health or their paycheck,” said Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Health Committee.
McConnell’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Negotiations are expected to continue through the weekend.


buzzfeed--2020-12-18--She Collapsed In Her Kitchen From COVID-19. The Next Day She Was Nearly 300 Miles From Home.

Rural hospitals are overwhelmed by the coronavirus , causing patients to be flown hundreds of miles from their homes to get care .
A few days after getting a positive COVID-19 test in late November , Cheri collapsed in her kitchen in rural Wisconsin .
The next day she was at a hospital in North Dakota , a nearly 300-mile drive from her family .
“ ‘ How the fuck am I gon na get home ?
’ ” Cheri ’ s daughter , Erica Balcerek , said her mom told her over the phone from the hospital , laughing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom does not say the f-word , ” she added .
Her local hospital , in St. Croix Falls , Wisconsin , was overwhelmed by the coronavirus surges hitting the region in November and did not have the capacity or resources to treat her .
So they called around and found the closest hospital that did : Essentia Health , in Fargo , North Dakota .
After staying in her local hospital for a few hours , Cheri was put in a futuristic , transparent oxygen hood , driven about 12 miles to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propeller plane .
Cheri ’ s situation is not unique .
As the coronavirus increasingly hammered rural areas in recent months , the small hospitals that serve those areas have found themselves with too many patients , too few beds , and not enough staff to deal with the situation .
So they have started airlifting them to any hospital that can take them , no matter the distance , scattering rural patients all over the country .
Two air medical transport companies that serve the Midwest — Life Link III and Midwestern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic the volume of patients they are airlifting to distant hospitals has increased .
Midwestern Medical said it normally transports between two and eight patients a month , but in November , it transported 21 .
A spokesperson for Essentia Health said in an email that the hospital saw an uptick in patients from “ outside our normal service area , ” and experts on rural hospitals and public health in the Midwest said many hospitals in the region have been significantly overwhelmed .
Rural hospitals often have a small staff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sixty-one percent of rural hospitals don ’ t have intensive care units , the National Rural Health Association ( NRHA ) found .
So even before the pandemic , patients in rural areas facing life-threatening illnesses often had to be transported to faraway urban hospitals .
The rural Midwest was hit hard and early by the massive surge in COVID-19 that rolled across the US from September , as colder weather made people spend more time congregating indoors .
In Wisconsin and across the northern plains states , hospitals were stretched to capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although new cases and the number of hospitalized patients have declined across the region , what happened in the Midwest last month is a dire warning for other rural parts of the country where the virus is continuing to spread .
“ In such a rural area , with so much open air space , where you know everyone and what they ’ re up to , people here kind of think we ’ re invincible , which we ’ re not , ” said Jeff , Cheri ’ s husband .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much invincible until something comes along and bites you in the ass.
” Cheri is 66 , and Jeff is 67 .
They ’ re generally healthy , but their age puts them in one of the groups at risk for more severe cases of the coronavirus .
Their town in northwestern Wisconsin is about 2 square miles and has a population of about 1,100 people .
Because of this , Jeff asked that only his and his wife ’ s first names be used and for their hometown ’ s name to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re a small town , and I don ’ t want a neighbor to read the article and think… ” Jeff trailed off and did not elaborate .
During the first and second waves of the coronavirus spread in the spring and summer , their region was left largely untouched by the virus .
That ’ s part of why his family and the rest of the town thought they were safe , Jeff thinks .
Unlike many in their town , Jeff and his daughter said they had been very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks whenever they went out , even if they sometimes got judgmental or questioning looks from neighbors at the grocery store .
Cheri works at a shelter for people escaping domestic violence , and she was careful at work as well , wearing her mask and social-distancing when she could .
But they weren ’ t always as careful within their family .
Their oldest son , Devin , 43 , was over every weekend helping out around the house without a mask , and Cheri and other members of the family were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby , helping feed the animals and taking care of things around the house .
Then Cheri got sick .
The family isn ’ t completely sure how COVID-19 got into their circle .
Devin was the first to test positive , then Cheri , Jeff , and both of Cheri ’ s parents followed .
“ Devin has been one to believe this is all a hoax until now , ” Jeff said over the phone , pausing for a sigh .
“ I love my kids dearly , every one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , but he ’ s also the first one , if I need anything done , he ’ s the first one that ’ s here .
That ’ s all I really wan na say on that.
” Devin denied he ever thought COVID-19 was a hoax , but over the phone , he said this situation with his mother has definitely changed his mind on aspects of the way the country is dealing with the coronavirus , like wearing masks .
And he said he ’ s felt guilty about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family all week .
“ Yeah , I feel like shit about it , ” Devin said , speaking from a hotel room while on the road for work .
“ To the point where I got a hold of my ex-pastor , even though she is now retired.
” Devin is a calibration technician , meaning , by his own definition , that his job is to “ make sure things measure what they ’ re supposed to measure.
” He ’ s been working through most of the pandemic , traveling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , working in enclosed spaces with different people , often not wearing a mask .
“ Originally I was like , Let people make their own decisions , ” Devin said , explaining that he saw the way the pandemic was ravaging small businesses , like the paintball business he runs in the summer .
“ Before I was like , if the customer required me to wear a mask , I wore a mask ; if they didn ’ t , I didn ’ t .
But now that I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a mask no matter what.
” Devin said that now that he ’ s had the virus , he ’ s looking for a way to donate plasma , so he can potentially help save other people who have had severe reactions to the virus , like his mom .
But he ’ s having a hard time finding a place to donate near where he lives .
Jeff only had mild symptoms , and Cheri ’ s dad had to go to the hospital but didn ’ t need intensive treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region .
But for Cheri it was touch and go .
“ On Saturday evening , she fell , trying to get from one room to the next , ” Jeff said about his wife , Cheri .
“ She was lying and moaning and groaning on the floor .
I said , ‘ Did you hurt yourself ?
’ But she was having a hard time breathing.
” Jeff called 911 , and the EMTs came and took her vitals .
They told Jeff her oxygen was down to 60 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nearest hospital , but quickly realized they couldn ’ t keep her there .
They made an exception to the no-visitors rule most hospitals have adopted during the pandemic , and allowed Jeff to come and sit with his wife before they strapped her to transportable oxygen machines and drove her to the airport .
“ After she got settled in Fargo , the nurse that was taking care of her that day called me and said , ‘ If you don ’ t hear from us that ’ s good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some face time with her , ’ ” Jeff said , taking in a sharp breath .
“ That really set me off , you know — that would mean that they were gon na take her into the ICU , put her on a ventilator , and of course , I didn ’ t even want to think about what that meant.
” There , her husband said , she was given an experimental convalescent plasma therapy treatment — in which blood from people with COVID-19 antibodies is reduced to plasma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hopes it will help fight the virus , and the FDA-approved drug remdesivir .
For a while , Cheri wasn ’ t sure how she would get home .
Much of her family had the virus as well , and though they were feeling OK , they were still under quarantine and shouldn ’ t do a multistate road trip .
But she ended up being in the hospital for longer than she imagined — nearly two weeks .
By the time the hospital was ready to discharge her , Jeff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jeff got the call that Cheri could come home .
He jumped in the car at 5:30 a.m. the next day and drove 13 hours there and back , making pit stops on the way home to make sure Cheri was OK .
The couple is on Medicare , and have supplemental coverage that should mean they won ’ t be charged more than a few hundred dollars for Cheri ’ s treatment and her emergency flight to North Dakota , Jeff said , which they can afford .
Many aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambulance will drive hundreds of miles to drop a patient off at a city hospital that can treat them properly .
Without proper insurance , this can cost the patient thousands of dollars and leave their county without any ambulances for hours at a time , said Brock Slabach , NRHA senior vice president of member services .
Long delays in getting proper care can worsen a patient ’ s condition , especially with the unpredictable crashes that often accompany severe COVID cases , Slabach said .
If the hospital is too far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be looking at even higher bills .
“ The financial component of an air transfer is very difficult .
You ’ re looking at sometimes $ 30,000 or $ 40,000 , ” Slabach , who used to set up similar transfers as a rural hospital administrator , said over the phone .
“ And many times were finding commercial insurances don ’ t pay for air transport , so that ’ s left for the patient to meet.
” Once they ’ ve recovered , insurance often doesn ’ t pay for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital staff who help figure out the best way to transfer a patient out of the hospital — can often help patients navigate this problem , but they have become overwhelmed during the pandemic as well .
Not only do they have more patients than they ’ re used to , but they ’ re from all over the country and have complex , long , and often unpredictable recovery needs .
Then there ’ s the burden on the families , emotional and financial .
“ Families feel so helpless in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you add that distance , ” Alana Knudson , the director of the Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis , said in an interview .
“ Being that far away is even harder because there ’ s no chance to go visit somebody if any last-minute issue arises unless you ’ re staying in a hotel nearby , which isn ’ t financially viable for many people.
” The problem rural hospitals are facing now could have been avoided , or at least mitigated , Slabach and Knudson both said .
These hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Knudson said , meaning the ability to expand capacity , workforce , and equipment for emergencies like the pandemic .
They should have funds to bring in more staff to help , space for extra beds , and stockpiles of personal protective equipment and respirators .
But when state or local governments are looking to cut budgets , Slabach and Knudson said , funding for stockpiles and extra staff are often the first things to go .
Things like that aren ’ t missed until they ’ re needed .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Devin kept themselves busy , trying not to focus on what the future might hold .
Devin said that he ’ s never seen his dad like this , that he ’ s been through a lot of ups and downs , but he ’ s never been this worried .
“ My mom is— She ’ s my lady .
She ’ s my rock , ” Balcerek , Jeff and Cheri ’ s daughter , said over the phone , sitting in her car .
“ I mean , yeah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s my rock , whatever , but a mom is just different.
” “ That ’ s the thing about this : Your loved one goes to the hospital and you can ’ t go see them .
You ’ re left here holding a big bag of What If , ” Devin said .
“ And that stress is huge.
” The virus severely affected Cheri ’ s lungs , Balcerek said , and they don ’ t know if it will lead to permanent damage .
A company set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connected to Cheri by 40 feet of tube , which she ’ ll drag along with her as she moves through the house .
She ’ ll have to stay attached to that tank for the next month or so , her daughter wrote in an email Wednesday .
“ That was a tough pill to swallow , hearing that , ” Balcerek said .
“ But my mom is a tough lady , she ’ ll fight through and be home when she can ... hopefully sooner than later.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were going to be this coming winter , and then this shit hit , ” Jeff said .
“ Now we just want her home .
”

Cheri is 66, and Jeff is 67. They’re generally healthy, but their age puts them in one of the groups at risk for more severe cases of the coronavirus. Their town in northwestern Wisconsin is about 2 square miles and has a population of about 1,100 people. Because of this, Jeff asked that only his and his wife’s first names be used and for their hometown’s name to be left out as well.
“We’re a small town, and I don’t want a neighbor to read the article and think…” Jeff trailed off and did not elaborate.
During the first and second waves of the coronavirus spread in the spring and summer, their region was left largely untouched by the virus. That’s part of why his family and the rest of the town thought they were safe, Jeff thinks.
Unlike many in their town, Jeff and his daughter said they had been very cautious throughout the pandemic. They wore masks whenever they went out, even if they sometimes got judgmental or questioning looks from neighbors at the grocery store. Cheri works at a shelter for people escaping domestic violence, and she was careful at work as well, wearing her mask and social-distancing when she could.
But they weren’t always as careful within their family. Their oldest son, Devin, 43, was over every weekend helping out around the house without a mask, and Cheri and other members of the family were often over at her parents’ farm nearby, helping feed the animals and taking care of things around the house. Then Cheri got sick.
The family isn’t completely sure how COVID-19 got into their circle. Devin was the first to test positive, then Cheri, Jeff, and both of Cheri’s parents followed.
“Devin has been one to believe this is all a hoax until now,” Jeff said over the phone, pausing for a sigh. “I love my kids dearly, every one of them. Devin can be the bullheaded one, but he’s also the first one, if I need anything done, he’s the first one that’s here. That’s all I really wanna say on that.”
Devin denied he ever thought COVID-19 was a hoax, but over the phone, he said this situation with his mother has definitely changed his mind on aspects of the way the country is dealing with the coronavirus, like wearing masks. And he said he’s felt guilty about the possibility he could have infected his family all week.
“Yeah, I feel like shit about it,” Devin said, speaking from a hotel room while on the road for work. “To the point where I got a hold of my ex-pastor, even though she is now retired.”
Devin is a calibration technician, meaning, by his own definition, that his job is to “make sure things measure what they’re supposed to measure.” He’s been working through most of the pandemic, traveling to factories and workplaces all over the country, working in enclosed spaces with different people, often not wearing a mask.
“Originally I was like, Let people make their own decisions,” Devin said, explaining that he saw the way the pandemic was ravaging small businesses, like the paintball business he runs in the summer. “Before I was like, if the customer required me to wear a mask, I wore a mask; if they didn’t, I didn’t. But now that I know where things stand, I’m wearing a mask no matter what.”
Devin said that now that he’s had the virus, he’s looking for a way to donate plasma, so he can potentially help save other people who have had severe reactions to the virus, like his mom. But he’s having a hard time finding a place to donate near where he lives.
Jeff only had mild symptoms, and Cheri’s dad had to go to the hospital but didn’t need intensive treatment that would take him outside of the region. But for Cheri it was touch and go.
“On Saturday evening, she fell, trying to get from one room to the next,” Jeff said about his wife, Cheri. “She was lying and moaning and groaning on the floor. I said, ‘Did you hurt yourself?’ But she was having a hard time breathing.”
Jeff called 911, and the EMTs came and took her vitals. They told Jeff her oxygen was down to 60%, he said. They rushed her to the nearest hospital, but quickly realized they couldn’t keep her there. They made an exception to the no-visitors rule most hospitals have adopted during the pandemic, and allowed Jeff to come and sit with his wife before they strapped her to transportable oxygen machines and drove her to the airport.