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On Politics: The Next Round of Pandemic Relief On Politics: The Next Round of Pandemic Relief
(about 20 hours later)
Good morning and welcome to On Politics, a daily political analysis of the 2020 elections based on reporting by New York Times journalists.Good morning and welcome to On Politics, a daily political analysis of the 2020 elections based on reporting by New York Times journalists.
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The House on Friday passed $3 trillion in new stimulus legislation, full of funding for state and local governments, workers and struggling families — but so far it’s met with crickets in the Republican-controlled Senate. Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, has mostly focused on criticizing Nancy Pelosi’s legislation, without offering a proposal of his own, and President Trump has said he is more focused on getting the country’s economy to reopen. Some Republicans have suggested that they won’t be open to working on a new stimulus package until the nearly $500 billion of small-business funding that passed last month dries up, possibly in late May or early June. “In terms of what the timing would look like, I suspect that doesn’t happen until sometime after Memorial Day,” John Thune, the Senate majority whip, told Politico.The House on Friday passed $3 trillion in new stimulus legislation, full of funding for state and local governments, workers and struggling families — but so far it’s met with crickets in the Republican-controlled Senate. Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, has mostly focused on criticizing Nancy Pelosi’s legislation, without offering a proposal of his own, and President Trump has said he is more focused on getting the country’s economy to reopen. Some Republicans have suggested that they won’t be open to working on a new stimulus package until the nearly $500 billion of small-business funding that passed last month dries up, possibly in late May or early June. “In terms of what the timing would look like, I suspect that doesn’t happen until sometime after Memorial Day,” John Thune, the Senate majority whip, told Politico.
McConnell has said he would like to tie any new stimulus funding to protections for businesses that reopen amid the pandemic, making it harder for workers and consumers to sue. Pelosi immediately shot down that idea when it first came up, but on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday, she said she would draw “no red lines.” Still, even if the two chambers reached an agreement on that point, the Senate seems unlikely to swiftly take up the legislation, which would be the most expensive single bill in history. House and Senate leaders are reportedly not holding any formal discussions yet about the legislation. The head of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, said last week that he thought Congress should be willing to spend more money to keep the economy afloat.McConnell has said he would like to tie any new stimulus funding to protections for businesses that reopen amid the pandemic, making it harder for workers and consumers to sue. Pelosi immediately shot down that idea when it first came up, but on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday, she said she would draw “no red lines.” Still, even if the two chambers reached an agreement on that point, the Senate seems unlikely to swiftly take up the legislation, which would be the most expensive single bill in history. House and Senate leaders are reportedly not holding any formal discussions yet about the legislation. The head of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, said last week that he thought Congress should be willing to spend more money to keep the economy afloat.
The 2020 campaign may remain a two-person race after all. Justin Amash, the Michigan congressman who left the Republican Party last year in disgust over Trump’s influence on its policies, has decided against seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination. “I continue to believe that a candidate from outside the old parties, offering a vision of government grounded in liberty and equality, can break through in the right environment,” Amash wrote on Twitter on Saturday. “But this environment presents extraordinary challenges,” he added, mentioning the current polarization of the electorate and the difficulties of mounting an insurgent campaign in a time of social distancing. Amash did not mention having a preference between Trump or Joe Biden — but early polling indicated that his presence in the race might have pulled more votes away from Biden, though not by a huge margin. The Libertarian Party still plans to hold its convention (virtually) later this month, but none of the candidates currently in the running for its nomination are as high-profile as Amash, so their ability to play the spoiler is widely seen as much lower.The 2020 campaign may remain a two-person race after all. Justin Amash, the Michigan congressman who left the Republican Party last year in disgust over Trump’s influence on its policies, has decided against seeking the Libertarian Party’s nomination. “I continue to believe that a candidate from outside the old parties, offering a vision of government grounded in liberty and equality, can break through in the right environment,” Amash wrote on Twitter on Saturday. “But this environment presents extraordinary challenges,” he added, mentioning the current polarization of the electorate and the difficulties of mounting an insurgent campaign in a time of social distancing. Amash did not mention having a preference between Trump or Joe Biden — but early polling indicated that his presence in the race might have pulled more votes away from Biden, though not by a huge margin. The Libertarian Party still plans to hold its convention (virtually) later this month, but none of the candidates currently in the running for its nomination are as high-profile as Amash, so their ability to play the spoiler is widely seen as much lower.
Barack Obama unleashed his most public criticism yet of the Trump administration on Saturday, but without naming any names. In two video addresses — one to high school seniors, carried on major television networks, and another to this year’s graduates of 74 historically black colleges and universities — the former president criticized the country’s leaders for botching the response to the virus. “This pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” he told the college seniors. And in his remarks to high schoolers, he was just as sharp. “Doing what feels good, what’s convenient, what’s easy — that’s how little kids think,” he said. “Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs, still think that way — which is why things are so screwed up.” These remarks, in an otherwise-apolitical scenario, provided evidence of how tensely polarized the pandemic has become, while also hinting at a possible role for Obama as the Biden campaign seeks to improve its still-feeble popularity among young voters.Barack Obama unleashed his most public criticism yet of the Trump administration on Saturday, but without naming any names. In two video addresses — one to high school seniors, carried on major television networks, and another to this year’s graduates of 74 historically black colleges and universities — the former president criticized the country’s leaders for botching the response to the virus. “This pandemic has fully, finally torn back the curtain on the idea that so many of the folks in charge know what they’re doing,” he told the college seniors. And in his remarks to high schoolers, he was just as sharp. “Doing what feels good, what’s convenient, what’s easy — that’s how little kids think,” he said. “Unfortunately, a lot of so-called grown-ups, including some with fancy titles and important jobs, still think that way — which is why things are so screwed up.” These remarks, in an otherwise-apolitical scenario, provided evidence of how tensely polarized the pandemic has become, while also hinting at a possible role for Obama as the Biden campaign seeks to improve its still-feeble popularity among young voters.
Secret Service agents at the White House awaiting President Trump’s return from Camp David.Secret Service agents at the White House awaiting President Trump’s return from Camp David.
Hear that? It’s the sound of another inspector general being felled by President Trump, whose approach to government watchdogs has started to resemble the Brazilian president’s approach to the Amazon rainforest.Hear that? It’s the sound of another inspector general being felled by President Trump, whose approach to government watchdogs has started to resemble the Brazilian president’s approach to the Amazon rainforest.
Trump told Pelosi on Friday that he was going to oust the State Department’s head inspector, Steve Linick, who had been leading an investigation into Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state.Trump told Pelosi on Friday that he was going to oust the State Department’s head inspector, Steve Linick, who had been leading an investigation into Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state.
It’s the latest in a string of inspector firings — most, but not all, in positions related to foreign policy and national security — that have come in the wake of Trump’s impeachment and subsequent acquittal by the Senate.It’s the latest in a string of inspector firings — most, but not all, in positions related to foreign policy and national security — that have come in the wake of Trump’s impeachment and subsequent acquittal by the Senate.
For a better understanding of what happened here, and what it all means in the broader context of the Trump administration, we turned to Catie Edmondson, who covered Linick’s firing in an article with Michael D. Shear that ran in the Sunday paper.For a better understanding of what happened here, and what it all means in the broader context of the Trump administration, we turned to Catie Edmondson, who covered Linick’s firing in an article with Michael D. Shear that ran in the Sunday paper.
Here’s what Catie told us.Here’s what Catie told us.
Hi Catie, thanks for talking to me. The president told Nancy Pelosi on Friday that he was firing the head inspector general at the State Department — but why? Tell us what led up to that.Hi Catie, thanks for talking to me. The president told Nancy Pelosi on Friday that he was firing the head inspector general at the State Department — but why? Tell us what led up to that.
The reason the president gave to Speaker Pelosi was that he no longer had “the fullest confidence” in the inspector general, Steve Linick. But top Democrats in Congress came forward shortly after Linick’s dismissal and said that they believed Mike Pompeo had recommended that the president fire Linick because his office was investigating whether Pompeo had misused his staff to perform personal tasks for himself and his wife. Over the weekend, a White House official told us that Pompeo indeed had recommended the firing, but the secretary himself has so far declined to comment on the situation.The reason the president gave to Speaker Pelosi was that he no longer had “the fullest confidence” in the inspector general, Steve Linick. But top Democrats in Congress came forward shortly after Linick’s dismissal and said that they believed Mike Pompeo had recommended that the president fire Linick because his office was investigating whether Pompeo had misused his staff to perform personal tasks for himself and his wife. Over the weekend, a White House official told us that Pompeo indeed had recommended the firing, but the secretary himself has so far declined to comment on the situation.
Democrats in both houses of Congress immediately opened an investigation into Trump’s decision to fire Linick. It seems like a classic example of “checks and balances” at work, but can you explain what exactly they can do if they find evidence of wrongdoing? What could happen?Democrats in both houses of Congress immediately opened an investigation into Trump’s decision to fire Linick. It seems like a classic example of “checks and balances” at work, but can you explain what exactly they can do if they find evidence of wrongdoing? What could happen?
The main focus of the inquiry, for now, is to determine exactly what led to Linick’s firing. It’s worth noting that, by law, the administration has to notify Congress 30 days before formally terminating an inspector general. That’s intended to provide Congress with the opportunity to safeguard against the removal of inspectors general in cases deemed politically motivated or inappropriate. But we have heard very little from Senate Republicans on that front.The main focus of the inquiry, for now, is to determine exactly what led to Linick’s firing. It’s worth noting that, by law, the administration has to notify Congress 30 days before formally terminating an inspector general. That’s intended to provide Congress with the opportunity to safeguard against the removal of inspectors general in cases deemed politically motivated or inappropriate. But we have heard very little from Senate Republicans on that front.
This is all part of a pattern, isn’t it? Trump has removed inspectors general from other positions in recent weeks. Why now?This is all part of a pattern, isn’t it? Trump has removed inspectors general from other positions in recent weeks. Why now?
Part of that pattern is to dismiss the inspectors general late on Friday nights! Linick is just the latest in a recent purge of inspectors general who the president has deemed insufficiently supportive of his administration and agenda. We started seeing an acceleration in that effort just after his impeachment trial.Part of that pattern is to dismiss the inspectors general late on Friday nights! Linick is just the latest in a recent purge of inspectors general who the president has deemed insufficiently supportive of his administration and agenda. We started seeing an acceleration in that effort just after his impeachment trial.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Looking at Trump’s removal of these investigators, what are the material consequences? What’s the effect of all this turnover, when it comes to the roles these investigators can play?Looking at Trump’s removal of these investigators, what are the material consequences? What’s the effect of all this turnover, when it comes to the roles these investigators can play?
Inspectors general are supposed to serve as a nonpartisan check on the federal government’s agencies. They are designed to be an independent watchdog, alerting the heads of agencies and Congress to instances of waste and abuse they find. The repeated curbing of these investigators certainly sends a message about how the administration views their independence.Inspectors general are supposed to serve as a nonpartisan check on the federal government’s agencies. They are designed to be an independent watchdog, alerting the heads of agencies and Congress to instances of waste and abuse they find. The repeated curbing of these investigators certainly sends a message about how the administration views their independence.
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Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at onpolitics@nytimes.com.