This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/may/15/coronavirus-us-live-house-vote-stimulus-package-donald-trump-latest-news-updates

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Coronavirus US live: Trump's press conference disrupted by trucker protest Coronavirus US live: Trump's press conference disrupted by trucker protest
(32 minutes later)
The president claimed honking was ‘showing support’ for him but earlier this month truckers protested against the president over low rates of shippingThe president claimed honking was ‘showing support’ for him but earlier this month truckers protested against the president over low rates of shipping
Debate is underway for the $3tn House stimulus bill – the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or HEROES Act.
Members have two hours to discuss the bill, after they spent the morning voting on rules.
The bill includes assistance to state and local governments, hazard pay for frontline health care workers, forgiveness of student debt and boosts to the health insurance programs, Medicaid and Medicare.
Trump has threatened to veto the bill, but more progressive Democrats have also said they would vote against it.
A reporter asked McEnany why Donald Trump accused Barack Obama of committing a crime this week and asked McEnany to name the crime.A reporter asked McEnany why Donald Trump accused Barack Obama of committing a crime this week and asked McEnany to name the crime.
After listing issues with people in office while Obama was president, she said it was reporters responsibility to “answer the question” of what Obama did that was against the law.After listing issues with people in office while Obama was president, she said it was reporters responsibility to “answer the question” of what Obama did that was against the law.
She ignored the reporter pointing out it is the White House press secretary’s duty to respond to questions about something the president said.She ignored the reporter pointing out it is the White House press secretary’s duty to respond to questions about something the president said.
White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany began today’s White House briefing with a theatrical dismissal of the pandemic plans Barack Obama’s administration left the Trump White House.White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany began today’s White House briefing with a theatrical dismissal of the pandemic plans Barack Obama’s administration left the Trump White House.
McEnany is responding to questions about gaps in the Trump administration’s readiness by criticizing the Obama administration.McEnany is responding to questions about gaps in the Trump administration’s readiness by criticizing the Obama administration.
A reporter asks about one of today’s top issues - that the FDA has issued concerns about the type of test kit being used in the White House. McEnany said the issue raised about the kits, false negatives, have been tied to user error and that if people get a negative but are presenting symptoms like fever or coughing, they will be tested again.A reporter asks about one of today’s top issues - that the FDA has issued concerns about the type of test kit being used in the White House. McEnany said the issue raised about the kits, false negatives, have been tied to user error and that if people get a negative but are presenting symptoms like fever or coughing, they will be tested again.
Never Trump Republicans are holding a rival gathering during the Republican National Convention this year, reports the Washington Post.Never Trump Republicans are holding a rival gathering during the Republican National Convention this year, reports the Washington Post.
It will take place in the same city as the RNC – Charlotte, North Carolina – and happen on the same days:It will take place in the same city as the RNC – Charlotte, North Carolina – and happen on the same days:
Add a new name to the list of possible running mates for Joe Biden.Add a new name to the list of possible running mates for Joe Biden.
The VoteVets pac has floated Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth as their pick for the vice presidency. Duckworth, a veteran, is the first senator to give birth while in office.The VoteVets pac has floated Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth as their pick for the vice presidency. Duckworth, a veteran, is the first senator to give birth while in office.
“We seem to have this view that paid family leave is some sort of touchy-feely women’s only policy,” Duckworth told the Guardian in 2018. “This isn’t just an entitlement. It’s really an economic imperative for our nation.”“We seem to have this view that paid family leave is some sort of touchy-feely women’s only policy,” Duckworth told the Guardian in 2018. “This isn’t just an entitlement. It’s really an economic imperative for our nation.”
Thanks to Guardian senior politics correspondent, Lauren Gambino, for the tip. Her insights on the Veep race from earlier this month, here:Thanks to Guardian senior politics correspondent, Lauren Gambino, for the tip. Her insights on the Veep race from earlier this month, here:
If you would like to experience the sound of a trucker protest, Newsday White House correspondent Laura Figueroa Hernandez has you covered:If you would like to experience the sound of a trucker protest, Newsday White House correspondent Laura Figueroa Hernandez has you covered:
And NBCNews White House Correspondent, Geoff Bennett, shared a photo of the impressive line-up of trucks near the White House.And NBCNews White House Correspondent, Geoff Bennett, shared a photo of the impressive line-up of trucks near the White House.
Donald Trump says he “assumes” the reported coronavirus death toll in the US is accurate.Donald Trump says he “assumes” the reported coronavirus death toll in the US is accurate.
A reporter asked if he was worried it could be higher, and he said “or lower.”A reporter asked if he was worried it could be higher, and he said “or lower.”
But, despite concerns Trump would try and downplay the death toll, he said the number should be accurate. Then, he launched into a tirade against China.But, despite concerns Trump would try and downplay the death toll, he said the number should be accurate. Then, he launched into a tirade against China.
“I’d be happier if they were lower... this should never have happened ... this came from China.”“I’d be happier if they were lower... this should never have happened ... this came from China.”
Trump is now taking questions from the press.Trump is now taking questions from the press.
He’s insisting the US has “no ego” when it comes to vaccine trials and that the US will work with other countries to create a vaccine. Other countries have said this is not happening.He’s insisting the US has “no ego” when it comes to vaccine trials and that the US will work with other countries to create a vaccine. Other countries have said this is not happening.
A reporter asks if the president is concerned about the Abbott Labs’ coronavirus test, which is being used in the White House but has been reported to show false positives. He says it’s a “great” test and is not concerned.A reporter asks if the president is concerned about the Abbott Labs’ coronavirus test, which is being used in the White House but has been reported to show false positives. He says it’s a “great” test and is not concerned.
Trump says he gave his task force the option to where masks, which is why some of them are wearing them and some are not. He noted they are outside and standing at a distance from each other.Trump says he gave his task force the option to where masks, which is why some of them are wearing them and some are not. He noted they are outside and standing at a distance from each other.
During the president’s remarks, a low hum can be heard on the video feed.During the president’s remarks, a low hum can be heard on the video feed.
Trump said the sound was truckers “showing support,” but the honking may have actually been a protest.Trump said the sound was truckers “showing support,” but the honking may have actually been a protest.
Earlier this month, a convoy of trucks in Washington DC blasted their air horns to protest low shipping rates, which truckers say threaten their livelihoods.Earlier this month, a convoy of trucks in Washington DC blasted their air horns to protest low shipping rates, which truckers say threaten their livelihoods.
The Washington Post covered the protests earlier this month:The Washington Post covered the protests earlier this month:
Trump is talking about Operation Warp Speed.
He compared it to the Manhattan Project, the US government project which produced the first atomic bombs.
Trump is drumming up the US government’s work to support vaccine trials, but is short on specifics. He says the operation is “risky, it’s expensive” but assures people the vaccine has to be tested and approved before it is distributed.
“They’d better come up with a good vaccine, because we’re ready to deliver it,” Trump said.
He says the US is going to emerge from the coronavirus stronger than ever before. Trump said: “We are going to have a tremendous year, next year.”
Donald Trump has arrived at the White House rose garden.
Members of the coronavirus task force, Dr Deborah Birx and Dr Anthony Fauci, are standing behind the president with masks on. The president doesn’t have a mask on.
We’re minutes away from Donald Trump’s remarks on an attempt to secure a vaccine (while we wait, I strongly recommend this brilliant piece about vaccines by the Guardian’s Tom McCarthy).
Before Trump takes the stage, here’s a look what has happened so far today:
The House is set to vote on a $3tn, 1,800-page stimulus package which has been criticized by the right as well as progressives. At the moment, members are still voting on procedural aspects of the bill vote.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the Covid-19 testing kit used at the White House may be missing positive cases.
Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, said he was wrong earlier this week when he claimed Barack Obama’s administration did not leave a plan for Donald Trump on how to handle a pandemic.
There is also this excellent read from correspondents across the globe writing on how the US response to coronavirus is viewed from abroad:
The Guardian’s Adam Gabbatt has examined how figures on the right are denying the country’s rising coronavirus death toll. And how Donald Trump could soon formally join their ranks.
The situation is beginning to resemble the other major disaster his administration failed to respond adequately to: Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
While numerous studies pin the number of deaths from the hurricane at nearly 3,000 people - Trump has consistently disputed the figure.
An editorial in the prominent medical journal, The Lancet, called for Americans to vote Donald Trump out of the White House in November because of his response to the coronavirus crisis.
The editorial highlighted how the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the country’s premier public health agency, has been sidelined in the response:
Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, said he was wrong earlier this week when he claimed Barack Obama’s administration did not leave a plan for Donald Trump on how to handle a pandemic.
“I was wrong — they did leave behind a plan. So I clearly made a mistake in that regard,” McConnell said in an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Thursday.
“As to whether or not the plan was followed and who’s the critic and all the rest, I don’t have any observation about that because I don’t know enough about the details of that, Bret, to comment on it in any detail.”
In a YouTube interview on Monday with Trump 2020 senior adviser Lara Trump, McConnell said the Obama administration “did not leave to this administration any kind of game plan for something like this.”
His comments were criticized by former members of the administration, including Obama’s former deputy national security advisor, Ben Rhodes.
Nearly six in 10 people who are working outside their homes despite the lockdowns said they were concerned that they could be exposed to coronavirus and infect the people they live with, according to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll.
The survey of more than 8,000 US adults in late April and early May painted a broader picture of the Americans still at work.
For black and Hispanic workers, seven in 10 were concerned about this issue.
Of the people still going to work, 13% said they lack health insurance. And more than one third of those going to work said they our a household member had a serious, chronic illness.
A slew of Guardian correspondents from across the globe to report on how the US response to coronavirus is seen abroad. It’s not good.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the Covid-19 testing kit used at the White House may be missing positive cases.
The agency issued the formal warning on Thursday after New York University researchers found the Abbot Labs’ test kit was missing a third to almost half of positive cases. Their study was not peer-reviewed and the FDA said it would find other methods of testing the kits accuracy.
“We are still evaluating the information about inaccurate results and are in direct communications with Abbott about this important issue,” said Tim Stenzel, director of the Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health at the FDA, in a statement.
Abbott Labs refuted the NYU study in a statement. “While we understand no test is perfect, test outcomes depend on a number of factors including patient selection, specimen type, collection, handling, storage, transport and conformity to the way the test was designed to be run,” the company said Thursday.
Hello and happy Friday,
The House is set to vote on a $3tn, 1,800-page stimulus package today. If it makes it through, however, it is unlikely to get much support in the Senate. Donald Trump has also threatened to veto the bill if it gets through Congress.
This has left Democratic leadership in the House with the job of convincing their members to vote for a bill that won’t become a law. Buried in the 1,800 pages are also points in the bill progressive members of the party don’t think go far enough.
House majority leader, Nancy Pelosi, said the bill was a “starting point” for negotiations.
It includes provisions such as allowing undocumented immigrants, who pay billions in taxes each year, to collect a $1,200 government stimulus check and funding for the beleaguered US Postal Service.
While Congress bickers over the bill, Trump is due to make remarks at two events this afternoon, including a noon briefing about the development of a coronavirus vaccine.