The Hill Articles: May 19, 2020

Oregon Republican Cliff Bentz wins House primary to replace Greg Walden Workers file class-action lawsuit against McDonald’s over coronavirus precautions GOP lawmakers call for new sanctions on senior Chinese officials Pro-Trump outside groups raise $16.8 million in April Biden wins Oregon primary Graham to release report on his probe into Russia investigation before election Democrats to probe Trump’s replacement of top Transportation Dept. watchdog CDC director says US ready to reopen, predicts thousands more contact tracers Susan Rice calls for Flynn-Kislyak transcripts to be released Texas judge rules all Texans can apply to vote by mail Trump escalates funding fight with WHO Trump draws experts’ backlash for using controversial medicine Senate chairman schedules vote on Trump nominee under investigation Trump tries to soothe anxious GOP senators On The Money: Powell, Mnuchin split on benefits of easing COVID-19 restrictions | Warren, Mnuchin spar over Treasury’s $500B bailout fund | Fight emerges over unemployment benefits in next relief bill Administration awards $1.3 billion border wall contract to firm favored by Trump Overnight Defense: Pentagon memo warns pandemic could go until summer 2021 | Watchdog finds Taliban violence is high despite US deal | Progressive Dems demand defense cuts IRS plans to bring some employees back to their offices in June Dietary guidelines should Include a bacon warning Trump tells Senate GOP he’s frustrated on pace of nominations Respect your Elders — a call to action Two Southern churches forced to reclose after leaders, congregants get coronavirus Senators press Mnuchin, Powell over scope of coronavirus bailouts Trump says number of US coronavirus cases is ‘badge of honor’ showing high testing Michigan secretary of state says all voters will get absentee ballot applications by mail Leaked Pentagon memo warns coronavirus pandemic could last until summer 2021: report Overnight Health Care: Trump defends hydroxychloroquine use after meeting with GOP senators | Trump administration picks US firm to manufacture COVID-19 drugs now made overseas | Study projects US COVID-19 deaths to triple by end of year If Trump says it, does that mean it’s not true? Hillicon Valley: 9 million easyJet accounts hacked | Rhode Island launches contact tracing app | Trey Trainor gives FEC quorum OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump orders cuts in regulations that ‘inhibit economic recovery’ | Green group calls for Energy secretary to step down over ‘redlining’ comment | Daily carbon emissions drop 17 percent Neil Cavuto responds to Trump by citing hydroxychloroquine studies White House withdraws ATF nominee after GOP pushback EPA effort to limit guidance could undermine past administration policy NASA head of human space flight resigns one week before SpaceX launch Trump administration finalizes indefinite extension of coronavirus border restrictions   Avoiding coronavirus isn’t just about hygiene and distance. It’s about time, too. The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: CDC Director Redfield responds to Navarro criticism; Mnuchin and Powell brief Senate panel Coronavirus Report: The Hill’s Steve Clemons interviews Robert Redfield Family shares photo of nurses offering condolences through window after father dies of COVID-19 FEC regains authorities after Senate confirms Trump nominee as commissioner Palestinian Authority president says no longer bound to commitments with US, Israel Johnson & Johnson to discontinue sales of talc-based baby powder in the US and Canada Pollution is down during the coronavirus pandemic, but not by much says one analysis US-Mexico border restrictions extended to June 22 Trump orders agencies to cut regulations that ‘inhibit economic recovery’ Pelosi on calling Trump ‘morbidly obese’: ‘I didn’t know that he would be so sensitive’ Trump calls Pelosi a ‘sick woman’ after her remarks on his weight COVID-19 policies place liberty in peril Joe Rogan announces exclusive deal with Spotify 14 things to know today about coronavirus Poll: 80 percent of African Americans say Trump has done ‘fair’ or ‘poor’ job handling coronavirus The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden leads Trump by 6 points in new poll Patients who tested positive again for COVID-19 weren’t infectious, South Korean health officials say Trump says he is considering travel restrictions on Brazil Downturn in the economy, uptick in exploitation Mnuchin shows Trump debit card like those for coronavirus relief payments Ocasio-Cortez primary opponent Caruso-Cabrera goes on fierce attack in online debate: ‘AOC is always MIA’ Michigan sheriff claims stay-at-home order is like placing residents under arrest Celebrity Cruises sued by passenger who got coronavirus Stimulating the US economy with more than money Flynn lawyers file petition asking for dismissal of criminal charges Biden says he opposes Israel annexing territory Democrats call on DHS to allow free calls at ICE detention centers READ: Susan Rice’s email discussing Michael Flynn and Russia Senate panel advances Navy secretary nominee Grenell declassifies Susan Rice email sent on Inauguration Day Food delivery driver allegedly drove into woman after being told to wait outside NYU planning to bring students back to campus in the fall Stocks sink as enthusiasm over potential vaccine wanes Trump campaign launches new fundraising program with House Republicans The Federal Reserve’s everything bubble GOP senators not tested for coronavirus before lunch with Trump Trump cites ‘Obamagate’ in urging GOP to get ‘tough’ on Democrats Female CEOs in the Fortune 500 hit an all-time record high Bipartisan group of lawmakers calls on DeVos to issue guidance on child abuse reporting amid pandemic Poll: 58 percent of voters uncomfortable using smartphone data to trace COVID-19 School board member demands Sasse apologize for ‘despicable’ graduation speech McConnell: Trump ‘certainly within his authority’ to fire IGs Florida bee thought to be possibly extinct is spotted again 3 ways to combat addiction during and after COVID-19 FDA head: Taking hydroxychloroquine ‘ultimately a decision between a patient and their doctor’ Powell, Mnuchin split on benefits of easing COVID-19 restrictions DeWine lifts last of Ohio’s stay-at-home order Multiple states sharing info on coronavirus patients with law enforcement: report McCarthy blasts Pelosi’s comments on Trump’s weight GOP lawmaker says his entire family is taking hydroxychloroquine Watch live: Trump holds Cabinet meeting Children in South Florida have been hospitalized with inflammatory illness linked to coronavirus Unemployment to remain above 9 percent into 2021: CBO We can engage Latino voters and redefine elections in the time of COVID-19 Italy reports new spike in coronavirus cases and death toll after brief dip DHS watchdog to investigate COVID-19 cases in ICE detention facilities Poll: Trump and Biden running neck and neck in Georgia One-third of attendees at Arkansas church events contracted COVID-19 during six-day period in March: CDC Lobbyist linked to Manafort released early from probation Ryan Grim on Ronan Farrow’s reporting Author: Biden ‘completely different’ from FDR   Trump defends hydroxychloroquine use after meeting with GOP senators US shouldn’t leave the WTO over China Belmont Stakes set for June with no fans 1 in 8 museums could close permanently due to coronavirus pandemic: UN agency EPA ‘secret science’ proposal garners 76,000 comments, many critical Sweden had most COVID-19 deaths per capita in Europe over last week: report What America’s Thinking: May 19, 2020 Architect of Florida’s COVID-19 dashboard claims she was ousted for refusing to manipulate data Trump to visit Ford plant that requires visitors to wear masks Roe vs. Wade plaintiff says she was paid to switch her stance on abortion in new documentary RI Gov. Raimondo unveils new contact tracing mobile app ‘Crush COVID RI’ Unions file complaint over ‘systemic sexual harassment’ across McDonald’s restaurants Can a united front deal with China? Pence says he’s not taking hydroxychloroquine GOP Alaska legislator apologizes for using Nazi analogy to criticize coronavirus screenings Virginia governor fires back at Trump: ‘I suggest you stop taking hydroxychloroquine’ ‘Obamagate’ backfires: Documents show Biden, Obama acted properly Watchdog: Taliban violence high despite deal with US Lancet knocks Trump for ‘factually incorrect’ statement in letter warning of WHO funding cuts Annie Glenn, widow of former senator and astronaut John Glenn, dies from COVID-19 Watch live: California Gov. Newsom gives coronavirus updates Green group calls for Energy secretary resignation after he accuses banks of ‘redlining’ oil and gas industry Obama to skip portrait unveiling at White House: NBC News Trump’s EPA must strengthen standards for deadly particle pollution GOP senator predicts a ‘less than 50 percent chance of passing another bill’ Study projects US COVID-19 deaths to triple by end of year USAID urges UN to remove abortion access as part of global COVID-19 response The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump heads to Capitol Hill before Memorial Day recess Warren, Mnuchin spar over Treasury’s $500 billion bailout fund Pier 1 plans to end all retail operations, blaming ‘impact of COVID-19’ Fox’s Napolitano: NJ gym owner defying stay-at-home order ‘an American hero and national treasure’ Trump: food chain ‘almost working perfectly again’ McConnell embraces subpoena of Obama-era officials Biden leads Trump by 6 points as voters sour on pandemic response: poll Fighting vulnerable workers instead of the virus Brad Pitt sends congratulations video ‘from quarantine’ to Missouri State graduates Georgia Department of Health under fire for errors in coronavirus data New Jersey gym defies governor’s order by opening second day in a row Former Google chairman donates $4.7M to NPR to develop regional newsrooms Magic Johnson giving $100 million in loans to minority-owned businesses Walmart’s online sales up 74 percent as shoppers shelter in place Navajo Nation under strict lockdown with highest coronavirus infection rate in the country COVID-19 patients testing positive for second infection not contagious, study shows Trump’s ‘super duper missile’ is super duper necessary China escaped the trade trap — now Trump should deploy the truth trap EasyJet data breach exposes personal information of 9 million customers César Chávez’s granddaughter joins Biden campaign for Latino outreach Progressives demand defense budget cuts amid coronavirus pandemic Number of women running Fortune 500 companies hits all-time high US sanctions Chinese company for working with Iranian airline Arbery family lawyer calls for arrest of man who filmed shooting US and Canada extend border restrictions to June 21 How to confront China’s threats once the pandemic passes  GOP chairman asks Barr to declassify Susan Rice email Top Senate Democrat asks DOJ to investigate former representative’s Venezuela ties Warren announces slate of endorsements including Wendy Davis and Cornyn challenger Hegar Max Rose slams ‘heartless’ WH decision to end National Guard deployments one day before they can claim benefits Jamie Dimon says coronavirus crisis is ‘wake-up call’ to build more inclusive economy Democratic senator, Mnuchin have testy exchange over people being pushed back to work Whitmer says she had ‘opening conversation’ about Biden VP pick Children’s hospitals ask HHS to release more coronavirus relief funding How Congress should grade the Space Force doctrine Daily carbon emissions drop 17 percent compared to last year: study Watch Live: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gives coronavirus update Kudlow: ‘I don’t expect’ China will sell US debt McEnany: ‘No one seemed to care’ when Obama fired holdover IGs Judge rejects Trump administration attempt to toss endangered species lawsuit White House press secretary: ‘You have to have a prescription’ to take hydroxychloroquine Trump to attend Senate GOP lunch on Tuesday Judge refuses to halt class-action suit accusing Trump of promoting pyramid scheme Ocasio-Cortez endorses progressive Democrat in Georgia congressional primary Scarborough says Trump not taking antimalaria drug, warns against use: ‘Listen to Neil Cavuto’ Will coronavirus help ISIS? Rising: May 19, 2020 Former FDA chief Gottlieb surprised Trump would ‘need’ hydroxychloroquine Watch live: Trump delivers remarks on farmers and ranchers A deadly virus is targeting rabbits in the US Senate panel approves Trump nominee for spy chief Chicago blocks church parking lots to enforce stay-at-home order Poll: Biden leads Trump by double digits in Virginia Trump plans halt to National Guard deployments before retirement benefits kick in: report JP Morgan CEO calls coronavirus an opportunity to rebuild economy that is more inclusive Restart federal revenue sharing to address COVID-19 Disney executive named new CEO of TikTok Stocks stumble following 900-point Dow surge US orders return of ancient tablet bought by Hobby Lobby Air pollution returns to pre-lockdown levels in China after falling 40 percent Watch live: Powell, Mnuchin testify before Senate Banking Committee ‘Unmaskings’ may be common — and that’s the problem Fox News health editor slams Trump for taking hydroxychloroquine: ‘Highly irresponsible’ Survey finds 66 percent worried about climate change even amid coronavirus Square letting employees work from home permanently France reports 70 new coronavirus cases in schools allowed to reopen Poll: Biden leads Trump by 7 points in Arizona California governor: sports can return in June, without fans Klobuchar and Harris could bolster Biden in the Midwest Dozens of corporations call for climate change considerations in coronavirus recovery effort Surgical masks can reduce coronavirus spread by 75 percent: researchers House Democrats’ HEROES Act is a giant political scam Daily death toll in Italy under 100 for first time in months House Democrats ask for Mueller materials in search for evidence against Trump Trump administration picks US firm to manufacture COVID-19 drugs now made overseas Divided America imperils national security and economic prosperity Press: King Donald’s goal – no checks, no balances Coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier returning to sea Republican attorneys general tell judge to dismiss Flynn case A ‘return to normal’ will reverse our progress Feehery: Masks, masking and Montmartre A fair process matters in alleged sexual assault cases The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Trump taking malaria drug; mayor eyes DC reopening Texas, North Carolina, Arizona see rising cases as they reopen Fight emerges over unemployment benefits in next relief bill Congress eyes changes to small business pandemic aid White House, CDC rift spills into the open Coronavirus crisis squeezes ambulance operators The Memo: Virus crisis deepens dangerous divides