It feels as though events are moving faster than ever, just as our capacity to keep track of them has been reduced.
Unfortunately, the decisions that are being made as we speak are likely to fundamentally shape our economy for a generation.
(1/?)
Unfortunately, the decisions that are being made as we speak are likely to fundamentally shape our economy for a generation.
(1/?)
That is why it is more important now than ever that Congress remain vigilant to incursions by this administration and its corporate allies as they rewrite the rules that govern our economy
(2/?)
(2/?)
Since Fall of 2018, we at RDP have emphasized the role of congressional oversight:
https://rewire.news/article/2018/10/17/to-win-democrats-must-focus-on-accountability/
https://rewire.news/article/2... href=" https://washingtonmonthly.com/2019/04/24/house-democrats-are-failing-to-investigate-the-white-house/
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2019/04/2... href=" https://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/impeachment-further-trump-oversight
(3/?)">https://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/impe...
https://rewire.news/article/2018/10/17/to-win-democrats-must-focus-on-accountability/
https://rewire.news/article/2... href=" https://washingtonmonthly.com/2019/04/24/house-democrats-are-failing-to-investigate-the-white-house/
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2019/04/2... href=" https://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/impeachment-further-trump-oversight
(3/?)">https://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/impe...
AFTER announcing they would stand down after narrow impeachment for Trump’s political war on the Biden family, House Democrats have now signalled a greater interest in oversight amidst coronavirus (4/?)
With that in mind, we will be offering a running list of suggestions for targets that are deserving of congressional scrutiny
(5/?)
(5/?)
First up, lawmakers should definitely be going over Kushner’s separate, private sector coronavirus response team with a fine-toothed comb
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/01/jared-kushner-coronavirus-response-160553
(6/?)">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/01/jared-kushner-coronavirus-response-160553
(6/?)">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
As @CREWcrew & #39;s Jordan Libovitz told @Politico:
"They& #39;re not necessarily doing something nefarious, but if they were, this is what they would do to hide it"
See our separate thread on this: https://twitter.com/revolvingdoorDC/status/1245753237594144769?s=20
(7/?)">https://twitter.com/revolving...
"They& #39;re not necessarily doing something nefarious, but if they were, this is what they would do to hide it"
See our separate thread on this: https://twitter.com/revolvingdoorDC/status/1245753237594144769?s=20
(7/?)">https://twitter.com/revolving...
Speaking of Kushner, it sure would be nice to know more about how his family’s real estate company stands to benefit from the stimulus package
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/03/jared-kushner-company-benefit-recovery-bill-162652
(8/?)">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/03/jared-kushner-company-benefit-recovery-bill-162652
(8/?)">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
Lawmakers might also do well to ask how it is that OscarHealth, a company Kushner’s brother Joshua co-founded and remains a major investor in, got the nod to build a coronavirus testing information website (the project has since been scrapped)
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/03/kushner-coronavirus-testing-oscar-company/609139/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
(9/?)">https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/...
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/03/kushner-coronavirus-testing-oscar-company/609139/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
(9/?)">https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/...
For even more on Kushner’s role in coronavirus response, see the project’s @MaxMoranHi’s latest piece:
https://www.alternet.org/2020/04/jared-kushner-is-the-point-man-for-private-profiteering-on-the-coronavirus-response/
(10/?)">https://www.alternet.org/2020/04/j...
https://www.alternet.org/2020/04/jared-kushner-is-the-point-man-for-private-profiteering-on-the-coronavirus-response/
(10/?)">https://www.alternet.org/2020/04/j...
Of course, there’s more to look into than just crisis profiteering. While some lawmakers attempt to remake voting procedures to withstand the threat of coronavirus, like vote by mail, Trump& #39;s campaign operation is fighting them tooth and nail.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/03/trump-2020-election-legal-battle-coronavirus-162152
(11/?)">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/03/trump-2020-election-legal-battle-coronavirus-162152
(11/?)">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
Trump’s obsession with the potential for a malaria drug to treat coronavirus has seemed odd. That is, until you learn that he has a financial interest in the company that makes it.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-reportedly-has-financial-interest-in-hydroxychloroquine-manufacturer?via=twitter_page
(12/?)">https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-rep...
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-reportedly-has-financial-interest-in-hydroxychloroquine-manufacturer?via=twitter_page
(12/?)">https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-rep...
Is Trump pushing an unproven and potentially dangerous treatment for personal gain?
(13/?)
(13/?)
No wonder he’s already working to muzzle the new bailout Inspector General
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/us/trump-signing-statement-coronavirus.html
(14/?)">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/2...
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/us/trump-signing-statement-coronavirus.html
(14/?)">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/2...
That didn’t take long…
“President Trump has removed the chairman of the federal panel Congress created to oversee his administration’s management of the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package”
(15/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-removes-inspector-general-who-was-to-oversee-2-trillion-stimulus-spending/2020/04/07/2f0c6cb8-78ea-11ea-9bee-c5bf9d2e3288_story.html">https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-...
“President Trump has removed the chairman of the federal panel Congress created to oversee his administration’s management of the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package”
(15/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-removes-inspector-general-who-was-to-oversee-2-trillion-stimulus-spending/2020/04/07/2f0c6cb8-78ea-11ea-9bee-c5bf9d2e3288_story.html">https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-...
Trump has moved with frightening speed to dismantle even the limited accountability mechanisms that made it into the last stimulus package.
(16/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/us/trump-signing-statement-coronavirus.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/2...
(16/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/us/trump-signing-statement-coronavirus.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/2...
Congress should consider how future mechanisms could be better insulated from presidential discretion
(17/?) https://www.thedailybeast.com/heres-how-congress-can-stop-trump-and-his-gang-from-plundering-the-coronavirus-bailout?ref=author">https://www.thedailybeast.com/heres-how...
(17/?) https://www.thedailybeast.com/heres-how-congress-can-stop-trump-and-his-gang-from-plundering-the-coronavirus-bailout?ref=author">https://www.thedailybeast.com/heres-how...
In addition to monitoring ongoing developments, Congress should be investigating past administrative actions that have made us more vulnerable in this time of crisis
Exhibit A:
https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-04-02/coronavirus-trump-pandemic-program-viruses-detection?_amp=true&__twitter_impression=true
(18/?)">https://www.latimes.com/science/s...
Exhibit A:
https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-04-02/coronavirus-trump-pandemic-program-viruses-detection?_amp=true&__twitter_impression=true
(18/?)">https://www.latimes.com/science/s...
Also, Trump& #39;s successful effort to transform the Presidential Personnel Office from a mechanism for rapid vetting to “a vehicle for enforcing loyalty and carrying out vendettas”
(19/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/04/07/covid-19-white-house-personnel-fauci-birx-atkinson/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2...
(19/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/04/07/covid-19-white-house-personnel-fauci-birx-atkinson/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2...
Unfortunately, Rep. Jim Clyburn, who will lead the new House committee charged with overseeing the coronavirus response, has said the body will only be "forward looking"
(20/?) https://thehill.com/homenews/house/491223-clyburn-says-stimulus-spending-oversight-committee-will-be-forward-looking">https://thehill.com/homenews/...
(20/?) https://thehill.com/homenews/house/491223-clyburn-says-stimulus-spending-oversight-committee-will-be-forward-looking">https://thehill.com/homenews/...
How, for example, will legislators understand how Trump& #39;s policies made nursing home residents more vulnerable to death if not by looking backwards?
(21/?) https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1147661?__twitter_impression=true">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/...
(21/?) https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1147661?__twitter_impression=true">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/...
Speaking of those who are particularly vulnerable, Congress would do well to examine the threat facing federal inmates.
What is the Trump administration doing to combat it (this article would suggest very little) and what more needs to be done?
(22/?) https://theintercept.com/2020/04/05/coronavirus-federal-prison-mdc-mcc-new-york/">https://theintercept.com/2020/04/0...
What is the Trump administration doing to combat it (this article would suggest very little) and what more needs to be done?
(22/?) https://theintercept.com/2020/04/05/coronavirus-federal-prison-mdc-mcc-new-york/">https://theintercept.com/2020/04/0...
From essentially the moment the CARES Act was signed into law, people were warning that its small business lending program could be a logistical disaster
(23/?) https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/02/banks-small-business-lending-program-launch-161106">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
(23/?) https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/02/banks-small-business-lending-program-launch-161106">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
By all accounts, those warnings have been borne out, as we document in a separate thread
(24/?) https://twitter.com/revolvingdoorDC/status/1248599584072499200?s=20">https://twitter.com/revolving...
(24/?) https://twitter.com/revolvingdoorDC/status/1248599584072499200?s=20">https://twitter.com/revolving...
Meanwhile, the administration continues to get everything about their response to the underlying problem wrong. On Wednesday, the administration announced that it would be ending federal funding for testing sites, meaning that many will close
(25/?) https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/08/829955099/federal-support-for-coronavirus-testing-sites-end-as-peak-nears">https://www.npr.org/sections/...
(25/?) https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/08/829955099/federal-support-for-coronavirus-testing-sites-end-as-peak-nears">https://www.npr.org/sections/...
The CDC, as a part of its effort to “reopen” the country, also recently released guidance stating that essential workers who had been exposed to COVID-19 could still go to work (!?!) so long as they aren’t showing symptoms
(26/?) https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/08/830310903/white-house-announces-new-guidance-for-how-critical-employees-can-return-to-work">https://www.npr.org/sections/...
(26/?) https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/08/830310903/white-house-announces-new-guidance-for-how-critical-employees-can-return-to-work">https://www.npr.org/sections/...
Why is our public health authority releasing guidance that directly contradicts science? Shouldn’t somebody be looking into this???
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(27/?)
SPECIAL AFTERNOON ADDITION
Major banks are asking regulators to allow them to directly own oil & gas companies. The institutions seem to be hoping to take advantage of federal bailout money to restore these companies to profitability
@StopMoneyPipe
(28/?) https://stopthemoneypipeline.com/private-banks-owning-oil-companies-is-a-recipe-for-disaster/">https://stopthemoneypipeline.com/private-b...
Major banks are asking regulators to allow them to directly own oil & gas companies. The institutions seem to be hoping to take advantage of federal bailout money to restore these companies to profitability
@StopMoneyPipe
(28/?) https://stopthemoneypipeline.com/private-banks-owning-oil-companies-is-a-recipe-for-disaster/">https://stopthemoneypipeline.com/private-b...
This crisis cannot be used as an opportunity to prop up a failing industry. It is Congress& #39; responsibility to monitor the bailout to identify and prevent such corporate incursions
Where there are disaster-driven public policy puzzles, Congress should be asking, what more can the administration be doing to fix it? And, what changes can we make to make that task easier?
(30/?)
(30/?)
One such puzzle, as stores face shortages, farmers are being forced to destroy thousands of lbs of crops
How could USDA step in to overcome the logistical barriers that keep foods destined for restaurant supply chains out of consumer ones?
(31/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/business/coronavirus-destroying-food.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/1...
How could USDA step in to overcome the logistical barriers that keep foods destined for restaurant supply chains out of consumer ones?
(31/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/business/coronavirus-destroying-food.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/1...
But it’s not just Agriculture committee oversight we need.
With this administration, there’s room for every committee to get in on the oversight action.
(32/?)
With this administration, there’s room for every committee to get in on the oversight action.
(32/?)
The Education and Labor committee should, for example, be keeping a close eye on the Ed. Dept. which may soon be dispensing bailout funds to predatory for-profit colleges
(33/?) https://www.marketwatch.com/story/exclusive-these-for-profit-colleges-could-reap-up-to-1-billion-in-federal-bailout-money-2020-04-08">https://www.marketwatch.com/story/exc...
(33/?) https://www.marketwatch.com/story/exclusive-these-for-profit-colleges-could-reap-up-to-1-billion-in-federal-bailout-money-2020-04-08">https://www.marketwatch.com/story/exc...
And, given many of these institutions’ histories, and the Education Department’s lack of interest in holding predatory actors accountable, it is important that lawmakers remain vigilant in following how the schools spend any bailout funds they may receive.
(34/?)
(34/?)
Ed. and Labor must also conduct oversight of Eugene Scalia, who seems to be willfully working to make workers *less* safe.
(35/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/10/labor-secretary-eugene-scalia-faces-blowback-he-curtails-scope-worker-relief-unemployment-crisis/?ceid=5898612&emci=2e457973-d77c-ea11-a94c-00155d03b1e8&emdi=37b0b975-d97c-ea11-a94c-00155d03b1e8">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...
(35/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/10/labor-secretary-eugene-scalia-faces-blowback-he-curtails-scope-worker-relief-unemployment-crisis/?ceid=5898612&emci=2e457973-d77c-ea11-a94c-00155d03b1e8&emdi=37b0b975-d97c-ea11-a94c-00155d03b1e8">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...
His department significantly narrowed paid family leave provisions and is failing to release guidance that would make clear what employers are required to do to keep workers safe
(36/?)
(36/?)
The Trump administration has formed another unqualified, nepotistic task force, this time to “reopen the economy”
Would be nice if Congress lifted a finger at this latest show of corruption
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/04/ivanka-trump-jared-kushner-council-to-reopen-america
(37/?)">https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020...
Would be nice if Congress lifted a finger at this latest show of corruption
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/04/ivanka-trump-jared-kushner-council-to-reopen-america
(37/?)">https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020...
As Trump puts unqualified family members in charge, he refuses to to fill hundreds of vacancies across the breadth of the federal government, including areas critical to COVID-19 response
(38/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/us/politics/coronavirus-expertise-trump.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/2...
(38/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/us/politics/coronavirus-expertise-trump.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/2...
We joined many other groups to ask Congress to reassert its advice and consent role and compel the administration to offer qualified nominees. The letter also calls for updates to the FVRA to guard against future vacancies on this scale
(39/?) https://www.peer.org/agencies-leadership-vacancies-tied-to-poor-pandemic-response/">https://www.peer.org/agencies-...
(39/?) https://www.peer.org/agencies-leadership-vacancies-tied-to-poor-pandemic-response/">https://www.peer.org/agencies-...
While the House cannot confirm nominees, it can help force the administration to start filling positions by, for example, withholding funds until it does.
It can also begin gathering the information that will be necessary to effectively update the FVRA
(40/?)
It can also begin gathering the information that will be necessary to effectively update the FVRA
(40/?)
Unfortunately, none of this (nor any of the suggestions that came before it) will be getting a look anytime soon. Remarkably, the House will not be coming back to Washington until at least May.
(41/?) https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/13/coronavirus-update-house-wont-return-to-washington-until-may.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/1...
(41/?) https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/13/coronavirus-update-house-wont-return-to-washington-until-may.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/1...
Speaking of vacancies, this deep dive into FEMA’s capacity issues ahead of the pandemic is sobering
(42/?) https://www.wsj.com/articles/fema-joined-coronavirus-fight-with-posts-unfilled-and-parent-agency-shifting-funds-to-immigration-11586827506?mod=hp_lead_pos6">https://www.wsj.com/articles/...
(42/?) https://www.wsj.com/articles/fema-joined-coronavirus-fight-with-posts-unfilled-and-parent-agency-shifting-funds-to-immigration-11586827506?mod=hp_lead_pos6">https://www.wsj.com/articles/...
The Trump admin has been shifting resources away from disaster-preparedness & towards immigration enforcement, leaving FEMA with about 20% of its 5000 full-time positions unfilled
(43/?)
(43/?)
How did these vacancies, budget constraints, and leadership turnover contribute to our lack of preparedness for this crisis? What can be done, both in the short- and long- terms to fix these problems?
These sorts of questions should be Congress’ top priority
(44/?)
These sorts of questions should be Congress’ top priority
(44/?)
Also at the top of the list should be the Treasury Department’s decision to allow banks and other creditors to claim people’s government stimulus checks
(45/?) https://prospect.org/coronavirus/banks-can-grab-stimulus-check-pay-debts/">https://prospect.org/coronavir...
(45/?) https://prospect.org/coronavirus/banks-can-grab-stimulus-check-pay-debts/">https://prospect.org/coronavir...
This, of course, could have been avoided had Congress been paying attention over the last year and not elected to trust in the goodness of Steven Mnuchin’s heart by instead exempting stimulus checks from private debt collection via statute
(46/?) https://prospect.org/politics/congress-failure-of-oversight-trump-first-term/">https://prospect.org/politics/...
(46/?) https://prospect.org/politics/congress-failure-of-oversight-trump-first-term/">https://prospect.org/politics/...
But with that vastly superior option gone, they can still put pressure on the Treasury Department to reverse this horrendous decision
(47/?)
(47/?)
Others are also vying for a piece of the stimulus check pie. Taxpayers who use TurboTax to access their stimulus check may be steered to paid services that they could be getting for free
(48/?) https://www.propublica.org/article/millions-of-americans-might-not-get-stimulus-checks-some-might-be-tricked-into-paying-turbotax-to-get-theirs">https://www.propublica.org/article/m...
(48/?) https://www.propublica.org/article/millions-of-americans-might-not-get-stimulus-checks-some-might-be-tricked-into-paying-turbotax-to-get-theirs">https://www.propublica.org/article/m...
And now many hedge funds seem to be angling for small business loans, claiming they are “just like hair salons, restaurants, and dry cleaners”
(49/?) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-14/hedge-fund-managers-are-claiming-bailouts-as-small-businesses">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...
(49/?) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-14/hedge-fund-managers-are-claiming-bailouts-as-small-businesses">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...
Except that, as this Bloomberg piece points out: “hedge funds are designed to employ as few people as possible so star traders don’t have to share millions of dollars in fees.” And “the industry gets its name from the premise it can generate gains even when markets fall"
(50/?)
(50/?)
Under the terms of the Fed’s new bond-buying program, fossil fuel companies could win big. A @foe_us report found that:
- Up to $19.4 bn could go to ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Conoco
- Up to $24.1 bn could go to 12 fracking-focused companies
(51/?)
http://foe.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Big-Oils-Lifeline.pdf">https://foe.org/wp-conten...
- Up to $19.4 bn could go to ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Conoco
- Up to $24.1 bn could go to 12 fracking-focused companies
(51/?)
http://foe.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Big-Oils-Lifeline.pdf">https://foe.org/wp-conten...
Congress needs to step in and make clear that the Fed should not be accelerating the next collapse by propping up fossil fuel companies in this one.
(52/?)
(52/?)
For those interested in finding other areas that require oversight on their own, this new resource from @accountable_us is sure to be a big help
(51/?) https://twitter.com/accountable_us/status/1250461647690440705?s=20">https://twitter.com/accountab...
(51/?) https://twitter.com/accountable_us/status/1250461647690440705?s=20">https://twitter.com/accountab...
The Fed also shouldn’t be propping up private equity firms’ investments or be facilitating new takeovers. That is, however, exactly what its new lending program is set to do.
(52/?) https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/fed-stimulus-offers-relief-to-private-equity-despite-critics-objections">https://pitchbook.com/news/arti...
(52/?) https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/fed-stimulus-offers-relief-to-private-equity-despite-critics-objections">https://pitchbook.com/news/arti...
According to @WaPo, workers across the country have filed at least 3000 complaints with OSHA of unsafe conditions that put them at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
(53/?) https://twitter.com/JStein_WaPo/status/1250939200955994113?s=20">https://twitter.com/JStein_Wa...
(53/?) https://twitter.com/JStein_WaPo/status/1250939200955994113?s=20">https://twitter.com/JStein_Wa...
Even as frontline workers die of COVID-19, OSHA *still* has not used its authority to create legally binding standards that would help protect workers from the virus
This is shameful. MOCs should be applying overwhelming pressure on the admin to make them take action.
(54/?)
This is shameful. MOCs should be applying overwhelming pressure on the admin to make them take action.
(54/?)
And why, as we struggle to get the resources we need to fight this pandemic, is the administration awarding new contracts (to big GOP donors, no less) to build the border wall?
(55/?) https://www.thedailybeast.com/army-decides-a-coronavirus-pandemic-is-a-good-time-to-give-gop-donors-dollar569-million-to-build-the-wall">https://www.thedailybeast.com/army-deci...
(55/?) https://www.thedailybeast.com/army-decides-a-coronavirus-pandemic-is-a-good-time-to-give-gop-donors-dollar569-million-to-build-the-wall">https://www.thedailybeast.com/army-deci...
Why did the administration choose to tap UnitedHealth Group to administer a crisis response program when, by all accounts, HHS had the capability to do so in house?
(56/?) https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/18/unitedhealth-trump-coronavirus-recovery-funds-193716?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=0000014e-f0ef-dd93-ad7f-f8ef14580001&nlid=630318">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
(56/?) https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/18/unitedhealth-trump-coronavirus-recovery-funds-193716?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=0000014e-f0ef-dd93-ad7f-f8ef14580001&nlid=630318">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
Hint: One of the CEA economists advising the program used to consult for UnitedHealth and has received funding from the company for non-profit ventures
(57/?)
(57/?)
The admin also seems to be taking advantage of the crisis to further harm its favorite scapegoat: immigrants. Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Ag. Secretary Sonny Perdue are pushing to cut the minimum wage for migrant farm workers on H-2A visas
(58/?) https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-seeks-to-cut-wages-smooth-migrant-labor-hiring-for-farms-squeezed-by-coronavirus-11587123000">https://www.wsj.com/articles/...
(58/?) https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-seeks-to-cut-wages-smooth-migrant-labor-hiring-for-farms-squeezed-by-coronavirus-11587123000">https://www.wsj.com/articles/...
Just when you think the Trump administration can’t get any worse…
Just kidding, if there’s one thing we’ve learned by this point, they can always get worse.
Still, today’s line-up of oversight targets is a real doozy.
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Just kidding, if there’s one thing we’ve learned by this point, they can always get worse.
Still, today’s line-up of oversight targets is a real doozy.
(59/?)
The Trump administration is not only failing to ensure that adequate supplies are available to states but is actively *blocking* shipments to states and hospitals. Where is the congressional outrage at this Wild West-style hold up?
(60/?) https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/04/hospitals-face-a-white-house-blockade-for-coronavirus-ppe.html">https://nymag.com/intellige...
(60/?) https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/04/hospitals-face-a-white-house-blockade-for-coronavirus-ppe.html">https://nymag.com/intellige...
Reopening the economy now just means sending low-income workers into harm’s way (& some, to their deaths) to keep profits going. Now, Trump is trying to make it so that corporations aren& #39;t held responsible for endangering their employees’ lives
(61/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/21/white-house-coronavirus-regulations/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...
(61/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/21/white-house-coronavirus-regulations/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...
And even as Trump insists that the crisis is under control and that we will soon be able to reopen, he is using the threat of coronavirus as an excuse to “halt all immigration into the U.S.”
(62/?) https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/20/trump-suspend-immigration-coronavirus-197755">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
(62/?) https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/20/trump-suspend-immigration-coronavirus-197755">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
Where others see a tragic disaster, this administration sees an opportunity to expand corporate profits at regular people& #39;s expense by rapidly rolling back regulations
Congress cannot let this proceed unchallenged!
(63/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/21/white-house-coronavirus-regulations/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...
Congress cannot let this proceed unchallenged!
(63/?) https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/21/white-house-coronavirus-regulations/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...
As if that weren’t enough, the administration is rapidly exporting the virus throughout the world via deportation flights!
(64/?) https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/17/americas/us-migrants-guatemala-coronavirus/index.html">https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/1...
(64/?) https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/17/americas/us-migrants-guatemala-coronavirus/index.html">https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/1...
Meanwhile, as gargantuan restaurant chains easily tap into stimulus money, we’re learning every day of new roadblocks for people to get their checks
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Exhibit A: Today at noon is the deadline for social security recipients to file to receive $500 checks for their children. If they miss it, they’ll have to wait until next year!
(66/?) https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/21/new-roadblock-irs-gives-social-security-recipients-until-wednesday-file-500-payments?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook">https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020...
(66/?) https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/04/21/new-roadblock-irs-gives-social-security-recipients-until-wednesday-file-500-payments?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook">https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020...
. @MotherJones did some digging into the questions that our @MaxMoranHi raised about Jared Kushner last month, which is great!
But why wasn& #39;t Congress doing this?
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https://www.alternet.org/2020/04/jared-kushner-is-the-point-man-for-private-profiteering-on-the-coronavirus-response/">https://www.alternet.org/2020/04/j... https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/04/jared-kushner-nat-turner-coronavirus-conflicts-of-interest/">https://www.motherjones.com/politics/...
But why wasn& #39;t Congress doing this?
(67/?)
https://www.alternet.org/2020/04/jared-kushner-is-the-point-man-for-private-profiteering-on-the-coronavirus-response/">https://www.alternet.org/2020/04/j... https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/04/jared-kushner-nat-turner-coronavirus-conflicts-of-interest/">https://www.motherjones.com/politics/...
Finally, the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program is out of money and House Democrats are busy once again trading away all their leverage for a pittance. See our latest thread on what they should be asking for: https://twitter.com/revolvingdoorDC/status/1252647944869818368?s=20">https://twitter.com/revolving...
In states that are returning to “business as usual” (as if that were possible), many workers will be asked to go back to work or risk losing their unemployment benefits, a fraught choice when the risk of contracting the virus remains high
(69/?) https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/jgewm7/gop-states-reopening-early-will-push-people-scared-to-work-off-unemployment">https://www.vice.com/en_us/art...
(69/?) https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/jgewm7/gop-states-reopening-early-will-push-people-scared-to-work-off-unemployment">https://www.vice.com/en_us/art...
Is there no better way to design benefits to account for these very real concerns? How could Congress get rid of this impossible choice in future legislation? These are questions it should be asking itself.
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(70/?)
The House is getting ready to replenish the PPP’s depleted funds without addressing any of the problems with the program’s design
Newly added to that list of concerns is the fact that large banks prioritized lending to their wealthiest clients
(71/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/business/sba-loans-ppp-coronavirus.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/2...
Newly added to that list of concerns is the fact that large banks prioritized lending to their wealthiest clients
(71/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/business/sba-loans-ppp-coronavirus.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/2...
Private banking clients got the first spot in the line and help filling out the onerous paperwork. Unsurprisingly, that meant most got their loans, while thousands of small businesses couldn’t make it in before funds dried up
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(72/?)
Elsewhere, Trump continues his crusade to oust anyone who is not sufficiently loyal to him.
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(73/?)
This week that meant removing the doctor who led the agency involved in coronavirus vaccine development because he called for rigorous testing of hydroxychloroquine, which Trump has touted as a wonder drug.
(74/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/us/coronavirus-live-coverage.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/2...
(74/?) https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/us/coronavirus-live-coverage.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/2...
Trump has an enthusiastic and consequential foot soldier in Mike Rigas, the Director of OPM. When Rigas is not blowing off requests from Congress, he apparently can be heard advocating for an end to the civil service’s merit system
(75/?) https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/21/democrats-blast-trump-federal-workers-coronavirus-199026">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
(75/?) https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/21/democrats-blast-trump-federal-workers-coronavirus-199026">https://www.politico.com/news/2020...
It is hard to overstate just how detrimental such a move would be