The Hill Articles: December 2, 2020

Federal watchdog accuses VOA parent company of wrongdoing under Trump appointee California sheriff tests positive for COVID-19 after refusing to enforce state restrictions Former French president dies after contracting COVID-19 Google illegally surveilled and fired organizers, NLRB complaint alleges Lawsuit alleges 200K Georgia voters were wrongly purged from registration list Ivanka Trump gives deposition in lawsuit alleging misuse of inauguration funds Pro-Trump attorneys tell Georgians not to vote in runoff until votes are ‘secure’ GOP lawmaker blasts incoming freshman over allegations of presidential voter fraud Haaland has competition to be first Native American to lead Interior  US coronavirus hospitalizations surpass 100K for first time Despite veto threat, Congress presses ahead on defense bill Images emerge of group removing mysterious Utah monolith Progressive candidate Deborah Gonzalez wins race to become Georgia’s first Latina DA US to temporarily withdraw some embassy personnel in Baghdad: report Caring for our seniors during and after coronavirus This calculator can tell you how much your period will cost you Illinois Republican elected to serve as next ranking member of House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Couple arrested for knowingly boarding flight while COVID-19 positive Pompeo to host indoor holiday parties at State Department despite warning to employees to hold some missions virtually Thompson named top Republican on Agriculture Middle East: Quick start for Biden diplomacy Hillicon Valley: GOP chairman says defense bill leaves out Section 230 repeal | Senate panel advances FCC nominee | Krebs says threats to election officials ‘undermining democracy’ Overnight Defense: Defense bill moving forward despite Trump veto threat over tech fight | Government funding bill hits snag | Top general talks Afghanistan, Pentagon budget On The Money: Funding bill hits snag as shutdown deadline looms | Pelosi, Schumer endorse $908 billion plan as basis for stimulus talks | Poll: Most Americans support raising taxes on those making at least $400K US aims to distribute vaccines to 100 million by end of February The White House is hosting indoor holiday parties despite top health officials’ warnings Overnight Health Care: White House warns COVID-19 cases at dire levels | CDC director: Winter could be ‘most difficult time in the public health history of this nation’ | US plans for 100 million vaccines by March Choking — not cheating — was Trump’s undoing Top intelligence official says China targeting foreign influence at incoming Biden administration Star Tribune sees 40 percent increase in pages dedicated to obituaries in November Battle heats up for House Foreign Affairs gavel List of Republicans breaking with Trump grows longer Who will take over for Chris Krebs? Pharrell Williams launches nonprofit for Black and Latino entrepreneurs Trump blasts special counsel Durham for moving too slowly Law enforcement training guide calls Black Lives Matter activists ‘terrorist trained troops’ Obama says he may take coronavirus vaccine on TV to build trust in it This winter could be ‘the most difficult time in the public health history’ of America, says CDC head Virginia county board votes against Northam’s coronavirus restrictions Trump rants against election results for 46 minutes in new video post Biden warns Americans against traveling for Christmas Nearly one-third of US adults expect to lose employment income: Census Bureau Austin mayor regrets vacation to Mexico where he filmed video instructing residents that they ‘need to stay home’ OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Westerman tapped as top Republican on House Natural Resources Committee | McMorris Rodgers wins race for top GOP spot on Energy and Commerce | EPA joins conservative social network Parler Nike ad sparks controversy about teenage bullying and racism Moderna to begin testing COVID-19 vaccine in children EPA chief quarantining after exposure to someone who later tested positive for COVID-19 Pelosi, Schumer endorse $908 billion plan as basis for stimulus talks Iran set to increase uranium enrichment, bar UN inspectors after scientist’s killing 5 minutes to midnight in the United Kingdom ‘It’s going to get worse:’ surgeon general warns new COVID-19 cases are en route Lujan Grisham turned down Interior post, says transition source Funding bill hits snag as shutdown deadline looms Democrats introduce legislation to strike slavery exception in 13th Amendment Grassley suggests moderate Democrats for next Agriculture secretary Mexican avocado imports booming during pandemic Putin says doctors and teachers will get first COVID-19 vaccines in new immunization campaign European strategic autonomy? Let’s start with national autonomy No-kill, lab-grown meat gets world’s first regulatory approval Mo Brooks planning to challenge Electoral College votes Top US general: Pentagon needs ‘reality check’ for 2021 military spending Romance authors raise thousands to help Democrats in Georgia elections Rhode Island facilities moving COVID-19 patients to field hospital to free up beds Clinton offers congratulations over Elliot Page announcement John Mulaney says Secret Service investigated him over SNL joke The big lie from Donald Trump Merkel extends partial lockdown in Germany through Jan. 10 CDC urges Americans not to travel for Christmas Poll: Most Americans support raising taxes on those making at least $400,000 Joint Chiefs chair: US has ‘achieved a modicum of success’ in Afghanistan Arizona chief medical officers call for curfew, ban on indoor dining Amazon in talks to purchase podcast startup Wondery: WSJ ‘Angel’ star David Boreanaz responds: ‘Stacey Abrams, I disagree’ on Buffy Rhode Island governor reportedly a finalist to be Biden’s Health secretary Trump to stump for Loeffler, Perdue amid tensions with Georgia officials Bowling alley manager assaulted after he asked customers to wear masks, police say Katko announces bid to serve as top Republican on Homeland Security panel How a US coup in Iran led to ‘Death to America’ Prince Harry criticized for appearing to link Mother Nature’s punishment with pandemic Katie Porter in heated exchange with Mnuchin: ‘You’re play-acting to be a lawyer’ EPA joins conservative social network Parler  Iowa Democrat who lost by six votes will appeal to House McConnell chokes up saying goodbye to ‘friend’ Lamar Alexander in floor speech Fox News records highest November ratings in its history Appeals court reverses injunction on North Carolina voter ID law Raffensperger on second recount: ‘It looks like Vice President Biden will be carrying Georgia’ House Armed Services chairman, top Republican urge passage of compromise defense bill without Section 230 repeal Bruce Westerman tapped as top Republican on House Natural Resources Committee Constitution doesn’t allow special burdens on pro-life speech, US Supreme Court should say so Longtime Illinois House Speaker in jeopardy as Dems break ranks Gabby Giffords congratulates Mark Kelly with throwback photo of her own swearing-in GOP urges Trump not to tank defense bill over tech fight UPS drivers told not to pick up shipments from major retailers amid pandemic-fueled holiday surge: report Hundreds removed by police from gathering in rented NY mansion McEnany hits Democratic leaders for not following their own COVID-19 restrictions Sotomayor says she worried Obama just had her on Supreme Court short list ‘for show’ Raising the required minimum distribution age for America’s seniors CDC cuts length of COVID-19 quarantine time after exposure Mark Kelly sworn in to Senate seat New clues emerge on disappearance of mystery monolith found in the desert Watch live: Senate Homeland Security committee holds hearing Watch live: Biden holds virtual roundtable on economic impact of COVID-19 CVS Health partnering with government to administer coronavirus antibody therapy Hoyer releases 2021 House calendar Transportation Dept: Preparations in place for ‘immediate mass shipment’ of COVID-19 vaccines Michael Morell deserves to lead Biden’s CIA Wisconsin governor: Trump election lawsuit an ‘assault on democracy’ White House condemns threats against election workers White House brushes off COVID-19 concerns surrounding holiday parties Poll: Majority of voters say Trump has behaved poorly post-election China successfully lands space probe on the moon Biden asks ‘Hamilton’ creator Lin-Manuel Miranda to write another musical about Yellen Harry Styles hits back at criticism over wearing dress on Vogue cover Watch Live: Sen.-elect Mark Kelly sworn in ‘It’s not a slogan’: Progressives push back on Obama’s comments on ‘defund the police’ movement Protecting child health now and in the future GOP chairman: Defense bill to include renaming Confederate bases, but not Section 230 repeal GOP chairman says repeal of tech shield not in defense bill despite Trump veto threat New Jersey lawmakers include ‘social equity’ tax in marijuana legalization bill How Cher helped save the world’s loneliest elephant 41 people who attended New Orleans swingers convention have COVID-19 Author Ryan Girdusky: Trump involvement ‘critical’ for GOP win in Georgia Senate runoff elections Former Sanders press secretary: ‘Principal concern’ of Biden appointments should be policy McMorris Rodgers wins race for top GOP spot on Energy and Commerce Krebs describes threats to election officials as ‘undermining democracy’ What America’s Thinking: December 02, 2020 CDC director: Winter could be ‘most difficult time in the public health history of this nation’ EU recommends curfews, online teaching, but not banning cross-border travel Give the ultimate holiday gift this year: a hopeful future Making foreign aid work for the Heartland Biden plans to keep Wray as FBI director: report Three Nashville women charged after hosting football watch party at their home New York will receive COVID-19 vaccine for 170K people: Cuomo New Jersey COVID-19 hospitalizations surge 34 percent in the past 2 weeks UN says 2020 expected to be one of three hottest years on record Democrats eye Dec. 11 exit for House due to COVID-19 Liquid biopsies could lead to early cancer detection The Hill’s 12:30 Report — Presented by Capital One — Pressure builds as UK approves COVID-19 vaccine With 2024 launch, get ready for the never-ending Trump Show Elon Musk boldly says he’ll put people on Mars by 2026 Save over 60% on a lifetime subscription to Jillian Michaels fitness app Longtime GOP lawmaker urges Senate to restore itself in farewell speech ACLU sues DHS for records on purchased cell phone data to track immigrants Save over 75% on a 1-year subscription to IPVanish VPN Senate committee advances FCC nominee on party-line vote  Michigan funeral home to pay $250K in settlement over transgender discrimination case Norwegian announces suspension of most cruises through March 2021 Trump to award highest civilian honor to Lou Holtz on Thursday Transportation Department finalizes rule limiting service animals on flights to dogs Ronna McDaniel launches bid for third term as GOP chair A second chance for America Watch live: Kayleigh McEnany holds press briefing Captain in California boat fire that killed 34 charged with manslaughter North Korean hackers targeting pharmaceutical companies working on COVID-19 vaccines: report Fauci named among People magazine’s ‘2020 People of the Year’ Rapper shot dead near San Francisco train station, latest in wave of hip hop killings The House’s task will be harder than most appreciate UK becomes first Western nation to authorize COVID-19 vaccine CDC says coronavirus quarantines can be shortened from 14 days Schakowsky to introduce bill to limit reach of tech liability shield S&P Global economist: US economy will fall into double-dip recession without stimulus Biden says he can reach deals with McConnell Interpol warning of fake, stolen vaccines Biden on rejoining Iran deal: ‘The last goddamn thing we need in’ Middle East ‘is a buildup of nuclear capability’ Biden on beating Trump: ‘I feel like I’ve done something good for the country’ DHS watchdog to probe agency’s tracking of Americans’ phone data without a warrant French ambassador: Free speech is our best defense against hate crimes Mortgage applications surge in last week of November Biden brushes off criticism of budget nominee Georgia elections chief blames Trump language for ‘growing threat’ to election workers Trump Organization, Kushner Companies benefited from pandemic relief loans: report CDC decides who will receive first doses of COVID-19 vaccines Colbert compares Trump to herpes: We might still see ‘blossomings of him’ Gallego tapped to run Hispanic Caucus’s campaign arm Georgia secretary of state says elections official who criticized Trump has his ‘full support’ Trump supporters could hand Senate control to Democrats A generational challenge with hope on the horizon Rising: December 2, 2020 White House warns COVID-19 cases at dire levels, says patient care could be compromised Obama says Democrats should make sure Ocasio-Cortez has a platform Susan Rice urges Georgia voters to help Democrats rectify America’s ‘near-death experience’ under Trump Yellen could be Biden’s most important pick A need for reauthorization of the Elder Justice Act Streaming service Quibi officially shuts down ADP: November job growth slowest since July CDC panel chair: US will learn about Pfizer vaccine’s dry ice transport system from UK CDC sets risk of COVID-19 in Mexico at highest level Krebs doubles down after threat: ‘2020 election was most secure in US history’ It’s time to help seniors return to their golden years Four guiding principles to extinguish the public health wildfire Watch live: House committee holds hearing on Treasury Department’s pandemic response Biden says he won’t remove Trump’s tariffs on China immediately United Nations commission votes to remove marijuana from list of most dangerous drugs We must act on lowering cost of prescription drugs Seniors understand climate change challenges For the Trump-haters, everything is a crime Fauci awarded Lifetime Achievement Award for HIV/AIDS work by Elton John Judge rules immigrants must make court appearance within 10 days of being detained Seniors can trust President-Elect Biden on Medicare Passing the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act will help protect elderly from criminals Kwanza Hall wins race to briefly succeed John Lewis in Congress Comey to teach at Columbia Law School Federal judge finds Portland violated order limiting tear gas, other devices during protests At a time of crisis, America’s mayors are ready to partner with President-elect Biden CDC expected to announce decrease in coronavirus quarantine durations Webb: Election integrity is America’s survival WHO tightens mask guidelines We can’t leave LGBTQ+ elders behind UK becomes first nation to approve COVID-19 vaccine Mellman: Mired in Partisanship Ocasio-Cortez hits back after Manchin criticism Budowsky: Biden succeeds as a JFK Democrat Emergency housing assistance for older adults needed now The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Mastercard – Barr splits with Trump on election; pardon controversy Republican frustration builds over Cabinet picks McConnell in tough position as House eyes earmark return California was key factor in House GOP’s 2020 success States plot next moves on redistricting Amazon under pressure to lift ban on e-book library sales The Memo: Economy faces new COVID-19 dangers Iowa losses underscore Democrats’ struggles with attracting rural voters Older Americans face age-related employment challenges amid pandemic COVID-19 damage to Social Security to extend beyond pandemic Scammers step up efforts to target older Americans during pandemic Reflecting on our humanity COVID-19 vaccines give hope for our seniors Congress must act to protect and expand Social Security benefits Virginia to mark first test of post-Trump GOP Lobbying world