Several auto companies, including General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota and others, are siding with the Trump administration in the legal battle over whether California has the authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards.

The companies, along with the Association of Global Automakers, said Monday that they plan to intervene in the lawsuit, which aims to roll back the Obama-era emissions regulation, the Associated Press reports.

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The Coalition for Sustainable Automotive Regulation, which also includes Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Isuzu, Maserati, Ferrari and others, also declared it stood with the Trump administration in the legal dispute.

“The certainty of one national program, with reasonable, achievable standards, is the surest way to reduce emissions in the timeliest manner,” John Bozzella, CEO of Global Automakers and spokesman for the coalition, told the AP. “With our industry facing the possibility of multiple, overlapping and inconsistent standards that drive up costs and penalize consumers, we had an obligation to intervene.”

Trump announced the rollback in September, citing lower costs and safety as two reasons for the proposal. Since then, a coalition of 24 state attorneys general, including California, launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration.

For decades, California has been issued waivers to allowing it to set air pollution standards higher than that of the federal government due to its unique and significant struggle with air pollution and smog. A dozen other states and the District of Columbia follow its fuel economy standards.

Four car companies — Honda, Volkswagen, Ford and BMW — have already pledged to meet stronger tailpipe emissions standards, despite the rollback effort.

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The fight over the Pentagon’s $10 billion “war cloud” contract is entering a new phase after the Department of Defense (DOD) awarded the lucrative contract to Microsoft over rival Amazon in a shocking move.

All eyes are now on Amazon, which is seen as likely to take the fight over the Pentagon’s decision to court or before the government’s top auditing office.

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Democrats and industry watchers are raising the possibility that the process was swayed by President TrumpDonald John TrumpJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry READ: Army officer to tell investigators he twice reported concerns over Trump’s Ukraine dealings Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution MORE, who publicly called on the DOD to investigate the contract over the summer. Trump questioned if the process unfairly favored Amazon, long seen as the front-runner.

A challenge from Amazon’s cloud-computing arm, Amazon Web Services (AWS), involving allegations that the president improperly intervened in the contract process would be unprecedented. Some of the top federal contracting experts in the country told The Hill they can’t think of any similar case in recent history.

“We’ve had other contracts that have had major issues which were fought out in the public but none of which I’m aware where the president is alleged to have somehow tried to influence the procurement process,” Dave Drabkin, a former top procurement executive at the General Services Administration, told The Hill.

Steven Kelman, former head of the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Federal Procurement and current professor of public management at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, called the president’s involvement in a specific contract “extremely unusual, close to unheard of.”

“It’s against the norms and expectations of a system,” Kelman said.

For months, market analysts and tech experts predicted that Amazon would receive the highly sought-after contract, called the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI), noting Amazon is the No. 1 player in the cloud-computing space with an approximately 48 percent market share. The military has given AWS, which provides cloud-computing for the CIA, its highest data management certification.

Microsoft, which has a slightly lower data certification, is a close second in the cloud computing wars and has been stepping up its outreach to government agencies.

Kelman called Microsoft a “plausible” contender. But Friday’s news of the decision came as a shock to everyone watching the JEDI saga unfold. It appeared to also catch Microsoft by surprise. The company did not offer a statement until the next day.

“We brought our best efforts to the rigorous JEDI evaluation process and appreciate that DoD has chosen Microsoft,” Toni Townes-Whitley, Microsoft’s president of U.S. regulated industries, said in a statement.

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The process has been mired in controversy.

Over the summer, Trump publicly questioned whether the JEDI contract was written with Amazon in mind, touting the argument that had been circulated for months by Amazon’s cloud-computing rival Oracle and a procession of Republican lawmakers.

During a news conference, Trump said, “I’m getting tremendous complaints about the contract with the Pentagon and with Amazon. They’re saying it wasn’t competitively bid.”

“Some of the greatest companies in the world are complaining about it, having to do with Amazon and the Department of Defense, and I will be asking them to look at it very closely to see what’s going on,” he added.

Meanwhile, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.Donald (Don) John TrumpTrump Jr. sending copies of ‘Triggered’ book to Romney, top Democrats Transgender cyclist responds to Trump Jr. criticizing her women’s world championship win Trump says he doesn’t want NYT in the White House MORE, has publicly referred to the JEDI contract as the “corrupt #BezosBailout,” claiming it was written to bolster profits for the Amazon chief. Several government investigations have cleared Amazon and the Pentagon of any allegations of bias or conflicts of interest.

Shortly after Trump made his remarks, newly appointed Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperPentagon: 2 suspects captured in raid that killed ISIS leader Dog injured in al-Baghdadi raid that killed ISIS leader returns to service: report Trump says he may release video of al-Baghdadi raid MORE opened up a review of the JEDI program in August, pumping the brakes on a process that was already stalled by an unsuccessful court challenge from Oracle and several government investigations.

The president’s public remarks about JEDI, paired with his open antagonism toward Bezos, has raised serious questions over whether Trump weighed in on Microsoft’s behalf in order to burn Amazon.

Last week, a speechwriter for former Defense Secretary James MattisJames Norman MattisTrump’s unimpeachable foreign policy Trump told Mattis to ‘screw Amazon’ out of Defense contract: book Retired four-star general blasts White House over NYTimes, WaPost cancelations MORE alleged just that, claiming in an excerpt of his upcoming book that Trump wanted to “screw” Amazon by giving the contract to another company.

“The President’s public comments about the JEDI contract have been well outside the norm,” Rep. Jim LangevinJames (Jim) R. LangevinAmazon poised to escalate Pentagon ‘war cloud’ fight House Dems introduce bill to fight social media disinformation Hillicon Valley: Senate passes bill to boost cyber help for agencies, businesses | Watchdog warns Energy Department failing to protect grid | FTC sues Match for allegedly conning users MORE (D-R.I.) said in a statement to The Hill. “If the President in fact took additional steps to influence the contract award, that would be a deeply disturbing development.”

If Amazon decides to protest the bid, they’re likely to do so either in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the court that hears monetary claims against the government, or before the Government Accountability Office, the country’s top auditing body.

Franklin Turner, a top government contracting lawyer and partner with the law firm McCarter & English, said Amazon will face a “steep uphill battle” as it seeks to prove any nefarious conduct by the president.

It’s technically legal for a president to be involved in a federal contracting process, experts said, but it’s against well-established regulations for a contract award decision to involve any factors other than what is laid out in the original solicitation.

In order to prove wrongdoing in court under those rules, Amazon would have to prove Trump’s feelings toward Bezos factored into the Pentagon’s decision.

“The red flags here … are that it’s highly atypical for the president of the United States to express such clear disdain for a competitor in a major acquisition like this,” Turner said.

The protest process will likely hold up the contract for several more months, if AWS chooses to file a lawsuit or complaint.

Republican lawmakers have lobbied the Pentagon and White House with a flurry of letters and statements about the JEDI contract over the past several months. While members of the House Armed Services Committee warned against holding up the JEDI contract award process any further, top GOP lawmakers — most prominently Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioDem lawmaker raises concerns over ‘eavesdropping’ smart speakers Schumer, Cotton request TikTok security assessment House passes bill taking aim at anonymous shell companies MORE (Fla.) — called on Esper and Trump to freshly review the investigation over allegations that it unfairly favored Amazon.

In a July letter, Reps. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Paul CookPaul Joseph CookThe Hill’s Morning Report – Trump eyes narrowly focused response to Iran attacks Pelosi: Democrats will ‘certainly’ beat Trump in 2020 GOP struggles with retirement wave MORE (R-Calif.), two members of the House Armed Services Committee, urged Trump to step back, claiming “further delays make DOD fall behind.”

“My stance hasn’t changed,” Banks said in a statement to The Hill on Monday. “DOD is already lagging to implement critical IT improvements. We cannot delay this program any further if we want to compete and win against our adversaries.

Republicans are finding themselves backed into a corner as the swirling allegations around the JEDI contract heat up. Several Republican lawmakers who have previously weighed in on the contract, including Rep. Mac ThornberryWilliam (Mac) McClellan ThornberryWalden retirement adds to GOP election woes Overnight Energy: Automakers group sides with Trump in emissions lawsuit | Latest on California wildfires | Walden won’t seek reelection | Park Service scraps plan to charge protesters for security Oregon GOP Rep. Greg Walden won’t seek reelection MORE (R-Texas), the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, declined to comment on Monday.

Meanwhile, Democrats are likely to pounce on any allegations of misconduct as they accuse the president of abusing the power of his office to spurn a rival.

The JEDI contract will allow Microsoft to develop cloud-computing infrastructure for the U.S. military for up to 10 years, ending in October 2029, though it begins at only two. And it’s a “paradigm-changer” for the company’s business, said Wedbush Securities equity analyst Dan Ives, as the top tech firms in the world duke it out over the “$1 trillion of cloud spending expected to happen over the next decade.”

With billions of dollars on the line and intense competition for the array of federal cloud-computing contracts that are certain to follow JEDI, Amazon is likely to fight hard.

“We’re surprised about this conclusion,” an AWS spokesperson said on Friday night. “AWS is the clear leader in cloud computing and a detailed assessment purely on the comparative offerings clearly lead to a different conclusion.”

President TrumpDonald John TrumpJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry READ: Army officer to tell investigators he twice reported concerns over Trump’s Ukraine dealings Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution MORE called Rep. Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Top Republicans say impeachment resolution is too little too late Ex-Trump official’s refusal to testify escalates impeachment tensions MORE (D-Calif.) “the biggest leaker in Washington” to explain why he did not inform the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee ahead of time about the raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. 

Trump made his comments during a press gaggle as he arrived in Chicago on Monday, one day after he confirmed al-Baghdadi died in a U.S. raid. The president said he didn’t tell Schiff about because “he’s a corrupt politician” and “a leaker like nobody has ever seen before.”

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Click Here: State of Origin Jerseys“Well, I guess the only thing is they were talking about why didn’t I give the information to Adam Schiff and his committee,” Trump told reporters. “And the answer is: Because I think Adam Schiff is the biggest leaker in Washington.”

Schiff is a member of the Gang of Eight, a group of intelligence leaders typically informed of classified raids before they occur. The president had announced Sunday that some Washington leaders were not kept in the loop for fear of “Washington leaks,” saying “leaks could have caused the death of all of them,” referring to the special forces troops carrying out the operation.

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Pelosi calls for Congress to pass resolution supporting two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict MORE (D-Calif.) was also not told of the raid in advance. The president did report telling Sens. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution There is no prize in Syria for the US McConnell, McCarthy not notified ahead of Baghdadi raid MORE (R-S.C.) and Richard BurrRichard Mauze BurrMcConnell, McCarthy not notified ahead of Baghdadi raid Trump: ‘Schiff is the biggest leaker in Washington’ Former North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan dies at 66 MORE (R-N.C.) after the raid was successful.

Schiff has led the initial hearings of the impeachment inquiry against the president, increasing the animosity between the two. In an early hearing, Schiff exaggerated the conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A whistleblower’s report detailing how Trump asked Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Army officer twice reported concerns about Trump’s Ukraine tactics Ex-Trump official’s refusal to testify escalates impeachment tensions MORE sparked the impeachment inquiry.

“Adam Schiff went before Congress, and Adam Schiff, what he did, will never be forgotten,” Trump told reporters. “He made up a conversation that was a phony fabrication. It was a fraud. And people shouldn’t be allowed to get away. They say he has immunity because he’s a member of Congress.”  

Schiff has defended his comments, saying they were partly made in jest.

The top two Republicans on Capitol Hill say they were not notified by the administration ahead of the weekend raid that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Senate rejects Paul effort to cut spending Overnight Defense: Latest on al-Baghdadi’s death | Trump weighs releasing raid video | Pentagon reveals 2 suspects captured in raid | House to vote on impeachment procedures | Border wall fight stalls defense bill MORE (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyTop Republicans say impeachment resolution is too little too late Shimkus says he’s been asked to reconsider retirement Overnight Defense: Latest on al-Baghdadi’s death | Trump weighs releasing raid video | Pentagon reveals 2 suspects captured in raid | House to vote on impeachment procedures | Border wall fight stalls defense bill MORE (R-Calif.) separately told reporters on Monday that they were not given a heads up — a day after Democrats criticized President TrumpDonald John TrumpJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry READ: Army officer to tell investigators he twice reported concerns over Trump’s Ukraine dealings Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution MORE for failing to notify them. 

 

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“I wasn’t, but I was in the similar position when President Obama ordered the attack on Osama bin Laden. I was not called in advance then, nor do I expect to be called in advance now,” McConnell told reporters. 

 

McCarthy separately told CNN that he was not notified in advance but was notified after the fact. A spokesperson for McCarthy confirmed his comments. 

 

McConnell added that the administration reached out to him before the operation went public, but after the raid occurred, but they failed to connect. McConnell was spotted talking with Trump during Sunday night’s World Series baseball game. 

 

“The administration attempted to let me know. I didn’t connect with them before the president’s press conference, but they attempted to let me know before he went public. So the two situations were handled exactly the same from my point of view,” McConnell added. 

 

The disclosure that top members of congressional GOP leadership weren’t notified comes after top Democrats noted on Sunday that Trump failed to give them advanced notice despite being members of the Gang of Eight — the group of lawmakers with the highest access to classified information. 

 

“The House must be briefed on this raid, which the Russians but not top Congressional Leadership were notified of in advance, and on the Administration’s overall strategy in the region. Our military and allies deserve strong, smart and strategic leadership from Washington,” House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Pelosi calls for Congress to pass resolution supporting two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict MORE (D-Calif.) said on Sunday. 

 

Trump also didn’t notify House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Top Republicans say impeachment resolution is too little too late Ex-Trump official’s refusal to testify escalates impeachment tensions MORE (D-Calif.), another member of the Gang of Eight. 

 

Trump has defended the decision, calling Schiff the “biggest leaker in Washington.”

 

“Well, I guess the only thing is they were talking about why didn’t I give the information to Adam Schiff and his committee,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “And the answer is: Because I think Adam Schiff is the biggest leaker in Washington.”

The president had announced Sunday that some Washington leaders were not kept in the loop for fear of “Washington leaks,” saying “leaks could have caused the death of all of them,” referring to the special operations forces carrying out the operation.

The president did report telling Sens. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution There is no prize in Syria for the US McConnell, McCarthy not notified ahead of Baghdadi raid MORE (R-S.C.) and Richard BurrRichard Mauze BurrMcConnell, McCarthy not notified ahead of Baghdadi raid Trump: ‘Schiff is the biggest leaker in Washington’ Former North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan dies at 66 MORE (R-N.C.) after the raid was successful.

-Rebecca Kheel contributed 

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Welcome to Monday’s Overnight Health Care. 

GOP Rep. Greg WaldenGregory (Greg) Paul WaldenShimkus says he’s been asked to reconsider retirement Walden retirement adds to GOP election woes Overnight Energy: Automakers group sides with Trump in emissions lawsuit | Latest on California wildfires | Walden won’t seek reelection | Park Service scraps plan to charge protesters for security MORE (Ore.) is retiring, Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Hillicon Valley: FCC chief aims to ban Huawei, ZTE from federal program | DOJ to allow body cameras in joint task forces | Facebook workers push back over political ads Left-leaning group: Taxes on financial trades could reduce inequality MORE spoke about her changing positions on “Medicare for All,” the country’s largest migrant children’s shelter is closing, and there’s drama in the Senate over ObamaCare and drug pricing.

We’ll start with today’s big Republican retirement news:

 

Oregon GOP Rep. Greg Walden won’t seek reelection

Big news for the health care sector: Walden, the top Republican on the Energy & Commerce Committee, will not seek reelection in 2020. 

In the last Congress, Walden was chairman of the full committee, which has immense power over health care issues in the House. 

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Even though he oversaw the GOP’s failed attempts to repeal and replace ObamaCare in 2017, he has prided himself on bipartisanship, and has been praised by Democrats as someone willing to work across the aisle on health issues. He was instrumental in the House’s 2018 passage of a bipartisan bill to combat the opioid epidemic and has worked to try to bring down prescription drug prices. 

“I will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, nor election to any other office, but instead I will close the public service chapter of my life,” Walden said in a statement Monday.

Reaction… From Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.): “When Greg became Chairman of the full Committee, he focused on the growing national opioid epidemic, and we worked closely together to pass the Support for Patients and Communities Act and to investigate opioid distributors and pill dumping in West Virginia. 

“I look forward to completing our bipartisan work over the next year and wish Greg nothing but the best in the future.”

The politics: Walden’s decision is yet another challenge for House Republicans. Walden is the 20th House Republican to decide to not seek reelection in 2020, compared with just seven Democrats.

Read more on Walden’s decision here.

 

Senate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves

Senate Democratic leaders said they will force a floor vote as early as Wednesday in an attempt to overturn a Trump administration rule that allows states to ignore parts of ObamaCare.

The resolution from Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerSenate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves Man explains refusing to shake McConnell’s hand at Cummings memorial: ‘I couldn’t do it’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Better Medicare Alliance – ISIS leader dead; Congresswoman resigns MORE (D-N.Y.) needs a simple majority to pass, meaning Democrats would need four GOP senators to vote against the Trump policy. It’s not likely to happen, but the vote is a symbolic attempt to put vulnerable GOP senators in a tough spot.

The policy: Senate Democrats are forcing a vote to overturn an administration guidance that lets states apply for waivers so they can prioritize cheaper, leaner plans than the ones offered on the ObamaCare exchanges. Basically, it would let states do an end run around the law. The plans don’t need to cover some of ObamaCare’s “essential” benefits such as mental-health services and prenatal care, and they can refuse to cover people with preexisting conditions. The Trump administration has made it a point to tout state flexibility from ObamaCare, but so far, there haven’t been any states to apply. 

The politics: Just because no state has applied, doesn’t mean Democrats will give Trump a pass. In this case, it really is the thought that counts. Democrats see health care and protecting people with preexisting conditions as one of their biggest advantages heading into 2020 and want to put vulnerable Republicans like Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Senate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves Advocates warn kids’ privacy at risk in GOP gun violence bill MORE (Ariz.) and Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Senate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves This week: House to vote on Turkey sanctions bill MORE (Colo.) on record.

“It is preposterous that the Trump administration claims to care about preserving pre-existing condition protections for millions of Americans while simultaneously peddling shoddy, substandard junk plans that undermine and weaken those very protections,” Schumer said.  

Read more on the vote here.

 

Harris: ‘I knew I’d be called a flip-flopper’ on ‘Medicare for All’ 

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is addressing the sometimes winding road she has taken on health care in the presidential race. 

“I said to my team, ‘I know we’re gonna take a political hit for it,'” Harris said in an interview with “Axios on HBO” that aired Sunday. “I knew that. I knew we were. I knew I’d be called a flip-flopper for that.”

Harris said her health proposal was in response to voters who told her they did not want to lose the choice of having a private plan.

“I heard from people, ‘Kamala, don’t take away my choice if I want a private plan. Please don’t take away my choice.’ And I said, you know what? That is fair,” Harris added.

Background: She originally said in January, “Let’s eliminate all that,” in reference to private insurance. In July, she released her own plan that maintained some role for private insurance and would allow privately administered Medicare plans under strict rules.

Big picture: Harris has positioned herself in between staunch Medicare for All supporters like Sens. Bernie SandersBernie Sanders2020 Democrats tackle US aid to Israel Overnight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Why do environmental Democrats ignore massive Chinese pollution? MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenWalden retirement adds to GOP election woes Overnight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Warren’s careful approach with media pays off MORE (D-Mass.) and those who want an optional government-run plan, like South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPeter (Pete) Paul Buttigieg2020 Democrats tackle US aid to Israel Overnight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Krystal Ball dismisses Rahm Emanuel’s ‘Medicare for All’ criticism as a ‘corporatist mantra’ MORE and former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Army officer twice reported concerns about Trump’s Ukraine tactics Ex-Trump official’s refusal to testify escalates impeachment tensions MORE.

Read more on Harris here. 

 

Largest migrant children’s shelter to close by end of November

The controversial Homestead Shelter, the only for-profit migrant children’s shelter in the country, will close.

The private military contractor which runs Homestead will not have its contract renewed, the administration confirmed Monday.

The contract with Caliburn International, which operates the massive Homestead Shelter in Florida, will end Nov. 30, and the facility will be essentially shuttered. However, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said the shelter is being placed on “warm status,” which means the agency will retain access to the Homestead site and could reopen it for temporary use in the future in the event of an increase in unaccompanied child referrals or an emergency situation.

“In our ongoing efforts to ensure fiscal prudence, following a sustained decrease in referrals, HHS operations at the Homestead Temporary Influx facility will be transitioned into warm status effective immediately,” the agency said in a statement to The Hill. 

Caliburn referred requests to comment to HHS. The company has come under fire from activists and lawmakers who objected to a for-profit, private prison contractor running a children’s shelter at taxpayer expense. Congressional Democrats have also criticized the company for hiring former Trump White House chief of staff John KellyJohn Francis KellyMORE to serve on its board of directors.

Read more here.

 

Missouri to begin hearing on state’s last abortion clinic

A hearing over Missouri’s last standing abortion clinic will begin Monday to determine whether it can keep its license to provide abortions.

Administrative Hearing Commissioner Sreenivasa Rao Dandamudi will preside over the hearing as an “independent trial judge,” the Associated Press reported, citing a commission official.

Missouri would become the first state since 1974, the year after the Roe v. Wade decision, to not have a functioning abortion clinic, if the clinic is shut down. 

The Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis region had its license officially expire at the end of May. A court ordered the clinic to continue providing abortions until the dispute with the state health department is resolved. 

What’s next: The hearings will take five days and will include testimony from state health officials and Planned Parenthood employees.  

Read more on the hearing here.

 

Vulnerable Republicans balk at Trump-backed drug pricing bill

Sen. Chuck GrassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Vulnerable Republicans balk at Trump-backed drug pricing bill Senators concerned impeachment will consume agenda MORE (R-Iowa) is pitching his drug pricing bill as a good way for Republicans to keep control of the Senate next year. 

But many vulnerable Senate Republicans don’t seem to agree as of yet. 

GOP Sens. Thom TillisThomas (Thom) Roland TillisOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Former North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan dies at 66 Advocates warn kids’ privacy at risk in GOP gun violence bill MORE (N.C.), Martha McSally (Ariz.), Cory Gardner (Colo.) and Joni ErnstJoni Kay ErnstOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Advocates warn kids’ privacy at risk in GOP gun violence bill Vulnerable Republicans balk at Trump-backed drug pricing bill MORE (Iowa), who all face potentially tough races next year, have either expressed concerns about the legislation or declined to back it. Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Overnight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Senate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves MORE (Maine) is the lone vulnerable Republican to endorse the measure.

The calculation: On the one hand, the bill has the support of President TrumpDonald John TrumpJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry READ: Army officer to tell investigators he twice reported concerns over Trump’s Ukraine dealings Murkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution MORE, and lowering drug prices is a popular issue with voters. But on the other hand, supporting the bill breaks with GOP orthodoxy and invites a backlash from both conservatives and the pharmaceutical industry.

The most controversial provision for Republicans requires drug companies to pay money back to Medicare if their prices rise faster than inflation, something some Republicans view as too close to a “price control.”

Read more here. 

 

House moving PBM transparency bill

The House on Monday night is expected to pass a bipartisan bill to require pharmacy benefit managers to post the total rebates that drug companies pay to them on a public website to help increase transparency around PBMs. 

Context: The passage of this bipartisan bill, shows that the House is moving forward on at least some small, noncontroversial measures at the same time that Democrats push forward on their sweeping, signature drug pricing legislation. 

The moderate Blue Dog Coalition endorsed this bill and had called for a vote on it and other measures. 

Swing-district Democratic Reps. Abigail SpanbergerAbigail Davis SpanbergerOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill Democrats say they have game changer on impeachment House Dems introduce bill to fight social media disinformation MORE (D-Va.) and Elissa SlotkinElissa SlotkinOvernight Health Care: Walden won’t seek reelection | Senate Dems to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves | Largest children’s migrant shelter to close | Vulnerable Republicans balk at drug pricing bill House passes third bill aimed at preventing foreign election interference Avoiding the snake in the grass: Let’s not allow impeachment to divide us MORE (D-Mich.) are sponsors. The lead Republican is Rep. Jodey ArringtonJodey Cook ArringtonDemocrats need to abandon their impeachment inquisition Lawmakers beat Capitol Police in Congressional Football Game Conservatives call on Pelosi to cancel August recess MORE (R-Texas).  

 

Coming up this week: 

The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on compliance with Medicaid eligibility requirements, Wednesday at 2 pm. 

The Senate health committee will markup several bills Thursday at 10 a.m.

 

What we’re reading

2020 ObamaCare premiums are on track for smallest increases ever (Vox.com) 

Democrats’ new logic on drug pricing: Developing slightly fewer medicines is OK if it means lower prices (Stat News) 

Elizabeth Warren’s ambiguity on health care comes with some side effects (NPR) 

 

State by state

States try a gentler approach to getting Medicaid enrollees to work (Kaiser Health News)

Medicaid patients sick and stranded after Florida state-provided rides fail to show  (WFLA) 

Farmworkers face daunting health risks in California’s wildfires (Kaiser Health News) 

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From The Hill’s opinion page:

Another Chinese threat to our national security: Prescription drugs

The Senate on Monday rejected an effort by Sen. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulSenate rejects Paul effort to cut spending This week: House to vote on Turkey sanctions bill On The Money: Lawmakers hammer Zuckerberg over Facebook controversies | GOP chair expects another funding stopgap | Senate rejects Dem measure on SALT deduction cap workarounds MORE (R-Ky.) to place an across-the-board spending cut in a domestic funding package being debated by lawmakers. 

 

Senators voted 24-67 on the amendment from Paul, which would reduce spending by 2 percent compared to fiscal 2019 levels. 

 

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The amendment, had Paul been successful, would have been added to a spending package that includes commerce, science and justice; transportation and housing and urban development; agriculture; and interior. 

 

Sen. Patrick LeahyPatrick Joseph LeahySenate rejects Paul effort to cut spending Democrats must question possible political surveillance Overnight Energy: Interior sees rise in revenue from drilling on public lands | Officials propose easing pesticide rule for farms | Trump prepares to formally leave Paris climate deal MORE (D-Vt.), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, urged senators to oppose Paul’s amendment. 

 

“His amendment will slash spending below the bipartisan budget act that we all negotiated,” Leahy said from the Senate floor ahead of the vote. 

 

It’s the latest attempt by Paul, a libertarian-leaning GOP senator, to slash spending, only to be rebuffed by a majority of his Senate colleagues. The Senate previously rejected a balanced budget proposal from Paul in June. 

 

The Club for Growth, a conservative outside group, tried to build support for Paul’s amendment ahead of Monday’s vote, warning it would factor how senators voted into its legislative scorecard. 

 

Click Here: nrl league jerseys“KEY VOTE ALERT: @club4growth urges all Senators to vote YES on Senator @RandPaul’s Amendment to begin balancing the budget and reign in out-of-control spending #StandWithRand,” Club for Growth tweeted on Monday. 

 

The domestic spending package marks the first fiscal 2020 spending bill to be taken up by the Senate. 

 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMurkowski, Collins say they won’t co-sponsor Graham’s impeachment resolution Senate rejects Paul effort to cut spending Overnight Defense: Latest on al-Baghdadi’s death | Trump weighs releasing raid video | Pentagon reveals 2 suspects captured in raid | House to vote on impeachment procedures | Border wall fight stalls defense bill MORE (R-Ky.) moved to wrap up the bill on Monday evening, paving the way for the chamber to pass it by the end of the week. McConnell is then expected to try to bring up a mammoth defense funding bill. 

“Our commanders need funding. Our men and women in military need support. Congress needs to do its job. So later this week, the Senate is going to vote again to advance defense funding,” McConnell said on Monday. 

But Democrats have pledged to block the bill without a larger deal on top-line spending figures, known as 302(b)s. 

 

They previously blocked McConnell from bringing up a defense spending bill earlier this year. 

“There are certain bills … that we can’t move forward on until we have some bipartisan agreement,” Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerSenate Democrats to vote this week to overturn Trump ObamaCare moves Man explains refusing to shake McConnell’s hand at Cummings memorial: ‘I couldn’t do it’ The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Better Medicare Alliance – ISIS leader dead; Congresswoman resigns MORE (D-N.Y.) said last week. 

Democratic White House contender and former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenJudge schedules hearing for ex-Trump aide who refused to appear in inquiry Army officer twice reported concerns about Trump’s Ukraine tactics Ex-Trump official’s refusal to testify escalates impeachment tensions MORE was reportedly denied communion on Sunday at a South Carolina Catholic church over his abortion stance.

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Biden, a devout Catholic, visited Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Florence for mass, but Father Robert E. Morey denied him Holy Communion because of his views on abortion, the South Carolina Morning News reports.

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“Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other and the Church. Our actions should reflect that,” Morey told the newspaper in a statement. “Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching.

“As a priest, it is my responsibility to minister to those souls entrusted to my care, and I must do so even in the most difficult situations,” the statement continued. “I will keep Mr. Biden in my prayers.”

In order to receive communion, a Catholic must be in a state of grace and cannot participate in what is deemed a mortal sin, such as abortion.

The Biden campaign would not confirm to the South Carolina Morning News that he went to the church but said if he did attend he did so privately.

Biden has said he supports Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision making abortion legal, but has faced some criticism from Democrats for some of his past language and stances on abortion legislation.

The former vice president had a 2006 video unearthed in June that showed him saying, “I do not view abortion as a choice and a right.”

Biden in June was the only Democratic presidential candidate to say he supported the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding for abortions. He faced swift backlash before reversing his stance on the issue.

“If I believe health care is a right, as I do, I can no longer support an amendment that makes that right dependent on someone’s ZIP code,” he said at a Democratic National Committee gala in Atlanta after the controversy.

Biden cited abortion restrictions recently passed by Republican governors for his change in position. 

“I can’t justify leaving millions of women without the access to care they need, and the ability to exercise their constitutionally protected right,” he said.

We’re used to tucking very tight leggings, jeggings and skinnies into tall and mid-calf boots to create a sleek and streamlined look. But what about tucking roomier and wider jeans and pants into boots? The combination is coming through as a fringe trend, and is looking fashion-forward at the moment. 

The outfit above on the left takes me back to 1985, which is when I wore a similar look with the addition of scrunched leg warmers, but with flat boots. I liked it, and still like it. It’s quite dramatic, highlights the waist, but leaves loads of comfy room around the rest of the leg. The outfit on the right is a pair of relaxed straights tucked into tall slouchy dressy boots. I’ve never worn that combination, but I like it too. It would certainly solve my endless fit challenge of tall boots that are too wide in the calves. Both examples are practical by preventing soggy hems in wet weather.

There’s a similar vibe that tucks baggy pleated pants into mid-calf cowboy boots. It’s another flashback to the ‘80s, and looks equally fab to my eye. It’s not just my nostalgic ‘80s heart that makes me like these combinations. It’s also that they look fresh, “new’, and celebrate that almost anything goes in fashion and style these days. It’s harder and harder to look dated, and trends are becoming less and less relevant. Personally, I’m all for this fashion direction.

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I have the baggy bottoms to create a similar vibe, but don’t have the right style of boots. Since I’m just about done with Fall and Winter shopping, I’ll be admiring this trend on others. It’s fun, and I hope to see it on some of our forum members. Over to you. Did you tuck baggy pants and jeans into boots in the ‘80s’, and would you wear the combination today?

Now starring at Anfield, the Senegal international has admitted to having spoken to Louis van Gaal about a possible switch to Old Trafford in 2016

Sadio Mane admits he “couldn’t believe it” when the “wrong team” came after him in 2016, with Manchester United snubbed as he held out for a move to Liverpool.

The 26-year-old has admitted in the past to having rejected the chance to head for Old Trafford as he considered a switch away from Southampton after two productive seasons in England.

He has now revealed that he went as far as holding talks with then United manager Louis van Gaal, with the Dutchman keen to do a deal as he prepared to leave the Red Devils and make way for Jose Mourinho.

Mane was never keen on linking up with the Red Devils, though, with it always his intention to wait on Liverpool to make what was to become a £34 million ($44m) approach for his services.

The Senegal international told Super Sport on an interesting transfer window which delivered an intense battle for his signature: “I couldn’t believe it.

“Some teams wanted me – Manchester (United), the wrong team wanted me.

“Of course, I spoke with Van Gaal, and they even made an offer. But for me it was not the right club, it was not the right moment. To feel this – the right moment, the right coach, the right club.”

Mane eventually got the chance to head for Anfield, allowing him to join an exciting project being pieced together by Jurgen Klopp.

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He could, however, have linked up with the German tactician a couple of years earlier, with Borussia Dortmund having made an attempt to lure him away from Red Bull Salzburg in 2014.

Mane added: “Yes, I met him [Klopp], I spoke with him about it.

“Salzburg were asking for 25 million [euros], that was too expensive at that time, because I was playing in the Austrian league, no disrespect.

“I was not that good for 25 million and that’s why I didn’t go there.”

Mane remains convinced that he has taken the best career path, with Liverpool considered to be the perfect place for him as he continues to star alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

A man who has already netted three times this season told Premier League productions: “Liverpool is different to many clubs I know and I have been.

“It’s like family, the people are so close and especially the players. It’s something that makes us stronger because you can also see on the pitch how close we are, so I think it’s also important for teams to have this kind of friendship in and out of the pitch as well.”

The winger will require another surgery on his left ankle after going off in the first half of Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga opener

Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman will miss “several weeks” after suffering a ligament tear to the same ankle that required surgery in February.

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The France international was on the end of a crude late challenge from Hoffenheim defender Nico Schulz late in the first half of the Bundesliga season opener at Allianz Arena.

It was an unfortunate blemish for the reigning Bundesliga champions, who saw off Hoffenheim 3-1 in the league opener. 

He was initially comforted by team-mates and had to be helped from the pitch by medical staff, having been unable to apply any pressure to his left foot.

“It doesn’t look good for now. He is in severe pain,” Bayern boss Nico Kovac told reporters post-match.

“He will have tests tonight. I hope it’s not serious but we are fearing the worst.”

Those fears have been confirmed by the club as the diagnosis is a syndesmosis ligament tear in his left ankle, which requires surgery.

The 22-year-old was forced to miss three months with last season’s setback and was subsequently left out of France’s World Cup squad.

Despite injury woes last season which limited him to just 21 Bundesliga games, and only 10 starts, Coman still was a hot name in the transfer market.

The winger personally dispelled rumours of a move to Arsenal, speaking to the length of his contract and vowing to return to the form he showed pre-injury.

That promise will now be put on hold with Schulz shown a yellow card for the tackle, one of four Hoffenheim players to be booked in the first half.

Though Coman was lost for the match, his replacement, Arjen Robben, scored in the 90th minute to seal Bayern’s 3-1 victory.

Robben had found the back of the net earlier in the second half after following up a saved Robert Lewandowski penalty, but the goal was ruled out due to an infraction on the penalty. Lewandowski would score on the retry attempt. 

Thomas Muller scored the opener for Bayern, while Adam Szalai briefly had the visitors level before Lewandowski re-established the lead from the spot.

Bayern are next in action in the Bundesliga on September 1 against Stuttgart.