Senators pressed Vice President Pence in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday over the administration’s response to coronavirus, questioning the official charged with leading the administration’s response over a lack of testing for the virus.

Democratic senators in particular asked sharp questions of Pence and administration health officials during a visit to their lunch meeting.

Some Republican senators, in addition, said they shared growing concerns among Democrats and experts that there are not enough tests being made available, hindering the ability of officials to know how widespread the virus is within the United States.

ADVERTISEMENT

The administration officials’ trip to Capitol Hill came as Washington state announced three more deaths from the virus as it continues to spread, bringing the total of U.S. deaths to nine.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn told GOP senators, repeating his public comments, that up to a million tests will be available by the end of the week. But some senators, as well as some public health experts, have expressed skepticism of that total. 

In the Democratic lunch, Sens. Patty MurrayPatricia (Patty) Lynn MurrayPence pressed over coronavirus response in testy Senate briefing Senators press Pence over coronavirus response in private briefing Senators hit Trump health officials over coronavirus testing delays MORE and Maria CantwellMaria Elaine CantwellPence pressed over coronavirus response in testy Senate briefing Overnight Health Care: Senators press Pence over coronavirus response in private briefing | Questions mount over testing delays | WHO says virus death rate higher than thought | Sports leagues take cautious approach amid outbreak Senators press Pence over coronavirus response in private briefing MORE, who represent Washington state, which is at the center of the spread of the virus in the U.S., took a lead role in questioning Pence.

Cantwell asked the vice president, who is leading the administration’s response, about the lack of tests available.

“They keep throwing out numbers like millions of tests and we’re saying, ‘that’s not right,’” Cantwell told reporters afterward. “Millions of tests aren’t available right this second. People are calling their doctors and they’re not being able to get tests.”

Pence responded by saying that the FDA took steps over the weekend to allow academic and commercial labs to test, expanding the sources of testing, Cantwell said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The administration has faced criticism for not ramping up testing quickly enough. It has also been criticized over problems with the tests that prevented some of them from working, and for its initial imposition of strict criteria on who could get testing.

Those criteria have now been loosened and officials say more tests are being sent out.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpDems unlikely to subpoena Bolton Ratcliffe nomination puts Susan Collins in tough spot Meet the adviser shaping foreign policy for Sanders MORE traveled to the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, Md., on Tuesday in a public show of support for the researchers there.

During the trip, Trump backed off the idea of closing the southern border because of the virus. “We’re not looking at it very strongly,” Trump said. “I don’t think we’ve seen any great evidence that that area’s a problem at this moment.”

Democrats said the administration’s response is unorganized.

“They’re scrambling,” said Sen. Debbie StabenowDeborah (Debbie) Ann StabenowPence pressed over coronavirus response in testy Senate briefing Senators press Pence over coronavirus response in private briefing On The Money: GAO to investigate Trump aid for farmers | Bloomberg calls for bolstering Dodd-Frank | Where the 2020 Democrats stand on taxes MORE (D-Mich.), adding that Pence said he “realized that was a concern” when asked about the lack of testing.

Sen. Bill CassidyWilliam (Bill) Morgan CassidyPence pressed over coronavirus response in testy Senate briefing Overnight Health Care: Senators press Pence over coronavirus response in private briefing | Questions mount over testing delays | WHO says virus death rate higher than thought | Sports leagues take cautious approach amid outbreak Senators press Pence over coronavirus response in private briefing MORE (R-La.) said that among Republican senators as well there was “a lot of concern about the testing.”

“Our capacity is not where it needs to be right now,” added Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioRatcliffe nomination puts Susan Collins in tough spot Pence pressed over coronavirus response in testy Senate briefing Overnight Health Care: Senators press Pence over coronavirus response in private briefing | Questions mount over testing delays | WHO says virus death rate higher than thought | Sports leagues take cautious approach amid outbreak MORE (R-Fla.), though he noted that officials are ramping up their efforts on testing.

Experts say the virus could have been circulating in the United States for weeks undetected because a lack of tests meant it simply was not discovered.

Senators said worried constituents, particularly in Washington state, have been trying to get tested but are being met with confusion and a lack of clear answers.

“They didn’t have the answers we needed,” Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerSenators urge British Parliament to reject Huawei from 5G networks Overnight Energy: Lawmakers clamor to add provisions to fast-moving energy bill | EPA board questions replacement of Obama-era emissions rule | Dem senator asks watchdog to investigate two EPA rules Lawmakers clamor to add provisions to fast-moving energy bill MORE (D-N.Y.) told reporters after the meeting. “The biggest question: testing. When and where? They could not answer how soon people would be able to get the tests.”

“We need to know where people can get it, how people can get it and we need to make sure it’s not so costly that people don’t get it,” Schumer added. “And there were no answers to those vital questions.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Jennifer Nuzzo, an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said the administration’s estimate of one million tests available by the end of the week is “overly optimistic.”

“Some U.S. states still don’t have testing capabilities,” she said. “They are working on it, but it will take time.”

Health officials say that about 80 percent of people who get the virus do not require hospitalization, and that the greatest risk is for elderly people and those with underlying health conditions. 

Democratic senators raised concern that Trump has publicly downplayed the threat in a misleading way.

“The administration on a whole has denied this is happening,” said Sen. Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterPence pressed over coronavirus response in testy Senate briefing Senators press Pence over coronavirus response in private briefing Senators see tide turning toward Biden after big win MORE (D-Mont.). “There’s not enough test kits, we don’t know how wide it is because the president dropped the ball early.”

On a call with reporters on Tuesday, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, a top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, declined to discuss the criticism of the strict criteria for testing that the agency initially had.

ADVERTISEMENT

“What we really need to focus on now is where we are today,” she said.

Murray also pressed officials at a hearing earlier on Tuesday.

“I have people in my state who may have been exposed,” she said. “They cannot get answers about where to go, and health officials are telling us that they fear that this virus has been circulating for weeks undetected. We need to get these tests out. People need to know answers.”

Nathaniel Weixel, Jessie Hellmann, Jordain Carney and Brett Samuels contributed.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has lost more than half of its Washington-based employees who were slated to move out West as the agency pushes ahead with a controversial plan to relocate staff.

New internal numbers from the Interior Department obtained by The Hill show 69 employees have left the agency rather than accept the new assignment. Another 18 left after the plans were announced but before they could be reassigned.

Those 87 employees outnumber the 80 who have agreed to the move.

ADVERTISEMENT

The figures are at odds with the ones referenced in December by acting BLM Director William Perry Pendley, who said in an email that roughly two-thirds of staffers had agreed to move.

“This is a huge brain drain,” said Steve Ellis, who retired from BLM’s top career-level post in 2016. “There is a lot of really solid expertise walking out the door.”

The Interior Department, which oversees BLM, did not immediately respond to request for comment.

The BLM move would uproot nearly all of the agency’s dwindling Washington staff out West, leaving just 61 of 10,000 employees in the nation’s capital.

Under the relocation plan, roughly 25 employees would work at BLM’s new headquarters in Grand Junction, Colo., while another 150 or so would be placed in the agency’s existing offices out West.

The new internal figures show the agency is experiencing an exodus similar to the ones at two U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies. One of the two agencies, the Economic Research Service, lost nearly 80 percent of its staff last year and had to cancel several projects as a result.

ADVERTISEMENT

BLM first announced its Western relocation plans in July 2019, sparking objections from Democratic lawmakers and condemnation from agency retirees who argued that career staffers would flee the agency and leave BLM with a dearth of experience on top of its numerous vacancies.

In a meeting with Senate appropriators Wednesday, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt told lawmakers he was confident the agency would find quality candidates to replace the departing staffers, including those needed to fill top positions at the new headquarters.

“The caliber of people and number of people applying for these positions is through the roof and phenomenal,” he said.

But Ellis said the relocation “removes BLM from the sphere of direct influence in the nation’s capital and critically weakens the agency’s ability for career leadership and their staff to collaborate across disciplines and work closely with other key agencies.”

“The administration is solving a problem that isn’t there while creating new ones. It will weaken the agency by marginalizing leadership in a relatively small western community,” he added.

BLM is hoping to complete the move by the summer. BLM employees have told The Hill that some staffers have accepted reassignment but plan to keep looking until they have to report to their new location.

Previous reporting from The Hill found the move would split apart a key team that reviews the environmental effects of major land decisions, spreading them across seven states.

The move is one potential topic for a subpoena from the House Natural Resources Committee, which gave its chairman subpoena power last month.

“The Trump administration is destroying the Bureau of Land Management by mistreating its staff and politicizing its mission and then lying to Congress and the public about the damage it’s causing. This is what happens when you put fossil fuel industry lobbyists and anti-public lands extremists in charge of government agencies,” Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva said in a statement Thursday to The Hill.

“We can expect more loss of expertise that will hurt public lands for years to come,” he added.

Click Here: Cardiff Blues Store

Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoTrump insists Taliban wants to ‘make a deal’ after surge in violence in Afghanistan Overnight Defense: Pompeo calls spike in Afghan violence ‘unacceptable’ | Concerns grow over Taliban peace deal | Military screening recruits for coronavirus The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Warren drops out of 2020 race MORE called a surge in violence in Afghanistan this week “unacceptable” and warned both the Taliban and the Afghan government to “stop posturing” ahead of intra-Afghan peace talks.

“The upsurge in violence in parts of Afghanistan over the last couple days is unacceptable,” Pompeo told reporters at the State Department on Thursday. “In no uncertain terms, violence must be reduced immediately for the peace process to move forward.”

The Taliban has resumed offensive operations against Afghan government forces after last week’s reduction in violence and after signing a deal Saturday with the United States that lays out a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

ADVERTISEMENT

On Wednesday, in response to an attack on an Afghan military checkpoint in Helmand province, the U.S. military conducted an airstrike against the Taliban for the first time since before the reduction in violence.

Following the airstrike, Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperOvernight Defense: Pompeo calls spike in Afghan violence ‘unacceptable’ | Concerns grow over Taliban peace deal | Military screening recruits for coronavirus Pompeo: Increase in Afghanistan violence after deal with Taliban ‘unacceptable’ Esper says he asked commanders for ‘a heads up’ on major coronavirus decisions, but denies NY Times story MORE said the U.S.-Taliban deal is seeing “mixed” results.

Meanwhile, the Afghan government has rejected a provision in the U.S.-Taliban agreement that requires it to release up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners ahead of negotiations to reconcile the Taliban and the Afghan government. In exchange, the Taliban would release 1,000 Afghan government prisoners.

“While a reduction in violence is paramount, we also continue to press all sides to stop posturing and start a practical discussion about prisoner releases,” Pompeo said Thursday. “Knuckle down and prepare for the upcoming intra-Afghan negotiations.”

In a message to all Afghans, Pompeo added: “Do not squander this opportunity.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Even as Pompeo criticized the increase in violence, he insisted senior Taliban leaders remain committed to their deal with the United States.

“I can’t say much about what we’ve seen the Taliban do … but we have seen senior Taliban leadership working diligently to reduce violence from previous levels during similar time periods,” Pompeo said. “So we still have confidence the Taliban leadership is working to deliver on its commitments. We’re working to deliver on ours.”

He also insisted the Trump administration is “not naive” and that it knows “everything’s got to be verified.”

U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who led negotiations with the Taliban, is in Kabul on Thursday to work on the prisoner exchanges, Pompeo added.

“All the parties understand that it’s time for prisoner exchanges to take place. A number of the prisoners being held have served their full sentences. We need to move that process forward,” Pompeo said. “It will be political. Both sides think they have leverage. But we have urged all the parties to do is stop posturing. It’s time to move forward. It’s time to reduce violence. It’s time to sit down and talk.”

Click Here: Cheap Chiefs Rugby Jersey 2019

Lawmakers are struggling to come up with a deal to extend expiring intelligence programs.

With Congress out of session until Monday, lawmakers now have just four working days to get legislation through both chambers and to President TrumpDonald John TrumpSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms Coronavirus fears disrupt daily life The Memo: Biden poised for gains in next waves of primaries MORE’s desk by the March 15 deadline.

How that gets done, or what a final bill would like, remains unclear as the surveillance fight has sparked deep political and policy divisions on both sides of the aisle and in the House and Senate.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sen. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms Schumer, Roberts clash inflames partisan rift over Supreme Court As Biden surges, GOP Ukraine probe moves to the forefront MORE (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, acknowledged that debate over expiring provisions in the USA Freedom Act, as well as whether to tackle broader surveillance reforms, was an open question this late in the game.

Click Here: United Kingdom Rugby Jerseys

“I think, as you know, we’re not all in the same place,” Thune said. “I would say the consensus position in the conference is that everybody wants to explore reforms … the question is what’s the best way to get that done.”

In the House, leadership is trying to quietly negotiate a larger deal that they believe could get through the House before they leave town on Thursday.

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms Hillicon Valley: Barr offers principles to prevent online child exploitation | Facebook removes misleading Trump census ads | House passes bill banning TSA use of TikTok Women ask ‘if not now when?’ after Warren exits presidential race MORE (D-Calif.) said she is pushing for a reauthorization, not just an extension, of the three expiring provisions that deal with roving wiretaps, lone wolf surveillance and a controversial records program that allows the government to request phone metadata.

“We have to have a reauthorization,” Pelosi told reporters. “We’re having our own negotiations within our own group, but also among the Democrats and vis a vis the Republicans.”

She said she is “hoping” they will have a bill ready for a floor vote next week.

ADVERTISEMENT

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthySurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms McCarthy: Senate Democrats should reevaluate leadership after Schumer comments Garth Brooks accepts Library of Congress’s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song MORE (R-Calif.) has been negotiating with Democrats, including House Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms Garth Brooks accepts Library of Congress’s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song House passes .3 billion measure to fight coronavirus MORE (D-Md.), on a potential agreement, though McCarthy told reporters on Thursday that he was still waiting to hear back from his counterparts on the latest GOP offer.

“I would like to … get us to a point where we can find some compromise, find some reforms. I believe that we can get there. We have been talking with Steny Hoyer on the Democrats in the appropriate committees. We have made ideas across to them,” McCarthy said.

A Democratic leadership aide said they responded to the GOP offer on Thursday “and staff from the committees and leadership are continuing to meet.” Hoyer described the talks as “ongoing.”

The House Judiciary Committee last week pulled a bill, negotiated by Chairman Jerrold NadlerJerrold (Jerry) Lewis NadlerDigital rights activists raise money for billboard criticizing Schiff over surveillance fight This week: House to vote on legislation to make lynching a federal hate crime Congress set for clash over surveillance reforms MORE (D-N.Y.) and Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam SchiffAdam Bennett SchiffSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms Could America’s diplomats function under President Sanders? Dems unlikely to subpoena Bolton MORE (D-Calif.), that would have extended most of the expiring provisions after Rep. Zoe LofgrenZoe Ellen LofgrenSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms GOP lawmaker introduces bipartisan guest worker bill Trump tells Republicans he won’t extend surveillance law without FISA reforms MORE (D-Calif.) threatened to force votes on several amendments related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Schiff said negotiators have “considerably narrowed the gap,” but “have more work to do.” He declined to provide specifics.

“I certainly hope we can get a deal by next week, but I don’t know,” Nadler added.

Progressives and libertarian-minded GOP lawmakers have warned for years that they do not believe the FISA Court provides enough transparency or privacy protections for individuals targeted for surveillance.

But those concerns about surveillance abuse found a broader audience among Republicans after Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found 17 “significant inaccuracies and omissions” as part of the warrants for Trump campaign adviser Carter Page.

Hoyer said both sides had “agreed on a number of items,” but warned that Horowitz’s report had “nothing to do with” the USA Freedom provisions that were set to expire.

“The focus on a non-related … issue is slowing up this process. And I would hope that in the coming days, because the 15th is upon us, we come to an agreement,” Hoyer said.

Trump, during an interview Wednesday night with Sean HannitySean Patrick HannitySurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms Coronavirus mortality rate likely to drop, health experts warn Pelosi knocks Trump, accusing president of spreading falsehoods about coronavirus MORE, argued that the FBI “weaponized FISA” and “used it horribly.”

Trump met with several Republicans and Attorney General William BarrWilliam Pelham BarrSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms Hillicon Valley: Barr offers principles to prevent online child exploitation | Facebook removes misleading Trump census ads | House passes bill banning TSA use of TikTok Judge demands unredacted Mueller report, questions Barr’s ‘credibility’ MORE at the White House this week to try to break the stalemate over the path forward on the expiring intelligence provisions. Barr and McConnell, who also attended the meeting, have backed a “clean” reauthorization of the expiring programs.

McConnell told reporters that his “preference” would be to extend the expiring provisions of the USA Freedom Act without making any changes.

“But there are differences among my members and among the Democrats on the way forward. Whether we can resolve those and pass new legislation is unclear,” McConnell said during a weekly leadership press conference.

The meeting with Trump made clear that broader FISA reforms were inevitable, according to attendees.

“I think we stand with the president in this,” Rep. Doug CollinsDouglas (Doug) Allen CollinsSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden riding wave of momentum after stunning Super Tuesday Lawmakers grill Amazon, eBay executives over online counterfeits MORE (R-Ga.), who was in the meeting, told Fox News. “As President Trump has said, this should not happen to anybody.”

But locking in broad surveillance reforms before the March 15 deadline would be a significant lift, according to lawmakers. The House and Senate already have other legislation scheduled for the floor next week, including a mammoth energy bill in the Senate and a war powers resolution in the House.

Some lawmakers are warning they will need to pass a short-term extension, ranging from a month to three months, to buy themselves more time to negotiate the larger surveillance reforms.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I don’t think … you’re going to have a meeting of the minds about what a statue looks like” before the deadline, said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms Hillicon Valley: Barr offers principles to prevent online child exploitation | Facebook removes misleading Trump census ads | House passes bill banning TSA use of TikTok The Hill’s Campaign Report: Warren exits, setting up Sanders, Biden battle MORE (R-S.C.).

Sen. John CornynJohn CornynSurveillance deal elusive as deadline looms Hillicon Valley: Barr offers principles to prevent online child exploitation | Facebook removes misleading Trump census ads | House passes bill banning TSA use of TikTok Senators urge Americans to ‘wake up’ to security threats of Chinese-made metros, buses MORE (R-Texas), a member of the Intelligence Committee, pitched a three-month extension, which would be similar to the 90-day provision that was put into a government funding bill last year.

“I think the only thing we’re talking about is a short-term reauthorization,” he said.

Trump told Republicans that he would not sign an extension of the expiring USA Freedom Act provisions without changes to the surveillance court, sources told The Hill. How long of a short-term patch Trump would be willing to sign remains unclear.

“I think that will be one of the uncertain aspects on all this: what the president would sign,” Thune said.

Mike Lillis contributed.

Conservation funding would get a dramatic boost under a coming bill from a bipartisan group of senators following a major policy reversal from President TrumpDonald John TrumpAs Biden surges, GOP Ukraine probe moves to the forefront Republicans, rooting for Sanders, see Biden wins as setback Trump says Biden Ukraine dealings will be a ‘major’ campaign issue MORE. 

The legislation would permanently direct $900 million in oil and gas revenue to fully fund the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), ensuring resources for a program Trump previously proposed gutting.

“There are very few things that we as legislators do that we can rightly say are permanent. This is one of those things where we’re doing something for the people of America and for generations yet unborn that’s going to make a real difference,” said Sen. Angus KingAngus KingOvernight Energy: Senate seeks massive boost in conservation funding | White House raises objections over plan to reduce heat-trapping chemicals | Interior chief defends budget amid heated criticism Senate seeks massive permanent boost in conservation funding Overnight Energy: EPA revamps ‘secret science’ rule | Scientists warn rule still limits research | Trump calls for full funding for conservation program | 19 states sue over border wall funding MORE (I-Maine).

ADVERTISEMENT

“It was said that this is the most important piece of conservation legislation in 50 years. I think it may even go beyond that,” he added.

LWCF funds a variety of conservation efforts, such as securing land for parks. The legislation would be paired with a revived bill offering up $6.5 billion to address a more than $12 billion maintenance backlog at national parks. The bills could come to the floor as early as next week.

After years of similar efforts, an election-year reversal from Trump is giving lawmakers new momentum. 

Despite suggesting cutting LWCF funds by as much as 97 percent year after year, including in his most recent budget proposal, Trump on Tuesday called for a bill to fully fund the program.

His Tuesday tweet specifically thanked Sen. Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerOvernight Energy: Senate seeks massive boost in conservation funding | White House raises objections over plan to reduce heat-trapping chemicals | Interior chief defends budget amid heated criticism Senate seeks massive permanent boost in conservation funding Overnight Energy: EPA revamps ‘secret science’ rule | Scientists warn rule still limits research | Trump calls for full funding for conservation program | 19 states sue over border wall funding MORE (R-Colo.), whose Senate seat is considered one of the most vulnerable of the 2020 election cycle. Sen. Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesRepublicans, rooting for Sanders, see Biden wins as setback Montana’s Democratic governor plans last-minute run for Senate Overnight Energy: Senate seeks massive boost in conservation funding | White House raises objections over plan to reduce heat-trapping chemicals | Interior chief defends budget amid heated criticism MORE (R-Mont.) could also face a tough reelection campaign if former Montana Gov. Steve BullockSteve BullockRepublicans, rooting for Sanders, see Biden wins as setback Montana’s Democratic governor plans last-minute run for Senate Overnight Energy: Senate seeks massive boost in conservation funding | White House raises objections over plan to reduce heat-trapping chemicals | Interior chief defends budget amid heated criticism MORE (D) enters the race, as reported by The New York Times. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“While some may want to dwell on politics, I’m going to dwell on the good [that] the great outdoors does for the American people,” Gardner said at a press conference, flanked by 11 other lawmakers. 

With each lawmaker stressing the bipartisan backing behind the two pieces of legislation — 68 senators have signed on to the previous versions of one or both bills — Sen. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinOvernight Energy: Senate seeks massive boost in conservation funding | White House raises objections over plan to reduce heat-trapping chemicals | Interior chief defends budget amid heated criticism White House raises objections to bipartisan proposal to reduce use of heat-trapping chemicals Senate seeks massive permanent boost in conservation funding MORE (D-W.Va.) defended Garner’s long-held interest.

“When we drafted the bill, Cory was the first one to take the lead,” Manchin said. “We’re in a situation where we’re in a crossroads right now. In our lifetime this has never happened. So we got to take advantage of this.”

“So, politics be damned. Let’s get it done,” he said.

Since it was created in 1964, the LWCF has supported more than 42,000 projects, bolstering parks and expanding acres of conservation areas.

ADVERTISEMENT

While the program was made permanent last year, its funding was not. And though lawmakers have repeatedly rejected Trump’s suggestion to massively defund the program, they have not succeeded in fully funding it, instead securing about $450 million last year.

Lawmakers seemed confident this year would be different given both presidential and bipartisan support. 

“We have more than enough votes to move beyond anybody who raises an objection,” Gardner said.

Lawmakers said they were able to convince Trump to reverse his opinion after a meeting where they showed pictures of various landscapes from their states that had benefited from LWCF money. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellRepublicans, rooting for Sanders, see Biden wins as setback Senate seeks massive permanent boost in conservation funding House passes .3 billion measure to fight coronavirus MORE (R-Ky.) has agreed to fast-track the legislation.

“Somehow somebody worked a miracle,” Sen. Maria CantwellMaria Elaine CantwellLawmakers look for 5G competitors to Huawei Senate seeks massive permanent boost in conservation funding Pence pressed over coronavirus response in testy Senate briefing MORE (D-Wash.) said, “because now all of a sudden a White House who hasn’t been for land and water conservation funds … is now seeing the light that this is a great economic investment for the future.”

Click Here: NRL Telstra Premiership

The European Parliament 2014-19: what’s at stake

The European Parliament elections could bring profound change to the EU’s future.

The European Parliament will meet in Strasbourg next week for the last plenary session of a five-year term that has seen it grow more powerful than ever.

In just six weeks’ time, the citizens of the European Union will have the chance to vote for a new Parliament that will shape the future of all the European Union’s institutions for the next five years.

European Voice is stepping up its coverage of the election contests, conscious that the next few weeks could bring profound changes to the EU’s future.

This week we are setting out alternative visions of what kind of European Parliament might emerge from next month’s elections. In the coming weeks we will look at the contests in individual member states – conscious that, whatever the wishes of some federalist politicians for a truly European demos, for the moment the Parliament is not created by a single EU-wide contest, but as the product of 28 national contests.

While many voters will cast their votes according to national preoccupations, the consequences will be far-reaching for the EU. Over the course of four days (22-25 May), voters will determine the composition of the next Parliament. In turn, that assembly of 751 MEPs, once constituted, will have a decisive say, first on the choice of the president of the European Commission, and then on the college of European commissioners. Those choices will then affect the choice of a president of the European Council and the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

Just as importantly, the turnout in the European Parliament elections and the balance of parties within the assembly will influence the thinking of the member states, expressed through the European Council and the Council of Ministers, about the future direction of the EU.

The balance of political forces within the Parliament – on both a left-right spectrum and a federalist-Eurosceptic spectrum – will determine the room for action enjoyed by the next European Commission, which is to take office at the end of 2014 for a term of five years.

The stakes are high and the electoral contests come at a moment of uncertainty and instability for the European Union. The effects of the economic crisis that broke around the world in 2008 are still being felt. During the course of the 2009-14 parliamentary term, the EU’s leaders have staved off a complete collapse of the European single currency, but they have done so at great cost to public finances, to some banks and to some investors. While tens of thousands of people in different EU countries have lost their jobs, public confidence in the EU has been severely shaken.

The elections come while the EU is struggling to maintain its position in the global economy – a point emphasised this week by the International Monetary Fund as it warned of the risk of deflation.

The EU’s position in the world is also threatened by a struggle with Russia over the future of Ukraine. The spectre of armed conflict on the EU’s doorstep has returned, and the EU’s Baltic states are calling for reinforcement of NATO forces in the east.

At a distant of six weeks, how these issues might affect voters is still a matter of debate. Insecurities and threats might encourage a flight to the fringes but might equally strengthen the centre. Over the course of the next six weeks, European Voice reporters will be dissecting the contests and sharing their analysis. They do so from a position of independence: owing no political allegiance and not tied to one particular national contest. Their task is to understand the complex interchange between the centre of the EU and its component parts. When the votes are counted, on 25 May, that task will have only just begun.

Click Here: cheap sydney roosters jersey

The 34-year-old spent a memorable 13 years at Old Trafford but no love will be lost when he faces his former club at Pride Park on Thursday night

Wayne Rooney faces his former club on Thursday night when Manchester United make the trip to Derby County in the FA Cup.

Click Here: cheap INTERNATIONAL jersey

The 34-year-old signed for Phillip Cocu’s men in January and has scored four times in 12 appearances for the Rams, with bet365 going 21/10 (3.10) that he adds to that tally against his former club on Thursday.

Rooney scored 253 goals in 559 games for the Red Devils and is their highest-scorer of all-time, but failed to strike in either of his two matches against them after leaving the club.

More teams

However, with a goal in three of his last four games at Pride Park, the former United forward will look to keep that run going against the club where he spent 13 years.

Two of the four goals he has scored this season have been the first of their respective matches and he can be backed at 7/1 (8.0) to repeat the feat here.

With Derby floundering in mid-table in the Championship, Cocu will certainly look to continue their FA Cup campaign and they are likely to attract some attention at 5/1 (6.0) to win.

The Rams have not got past the fifth round of the cup since 1999 – when, coincidentally, United lifted the trophy – and are 11/4 (3.75) to qualify for the quarter-finals by any means including extra time and penalties.

Derby’s 3-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday arrested a four-match winless run and so will give them confidence for this one, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, though, are in a rich vein of form.

Indeed, the visitors are unbeaten in their last eight fixtures in all competitions, which is their longest run since they went 11 without defeat from December 2018 to February 2019.

It is little surprise, then, to see bet365 make United just 8/15 (1.53) to win inside 90 minutes and exact revenge for Derby’s Carabao Cup penalty shootout victory at Old Trafford last season.

Backing the Red Devils to qualify pays out at 1/4 (1.25) and although United are still chasing Champions League football, Solskjaer will surely also be targeting his first piece of silverware in charge of the club.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.

Annoncé depuis quelques temps déjà, mis en suspens après ses déboires conjugaux, le retour d’Arnold Schwarzenegger au cinéma se précise. Il va tourner à partir de septembre son premier film depuis qu’il n’est plus gouverneur de Californie, dans un rôle taillé sur mesure.

A force de dire qu’il allait revenir… Il sera bientôt là!

a officialisé ses retrouvailles avec le cinéma. Selon Deadline, l’acteur jouera dans un film intitulé Last Stand et réalisé par le sud-coréen Kim Ji-Woon. Le film ne sera pas à l’affiche avant 2012, mais son tournage débute dès le mois de septembre prochain.

Selon le studio hollywoodien Lionsgate, qui produit ce long-métrage, il s’agira «d’un western à l’ancienne, écrit spécifiquement pour un homme de 63 ans usé, qui doit prendre une décision et défendre sa ville. Il fallait un acteur légendaire pour ce rôle». L’histoire de The Last Stand raconte l’affrontement d’un shérif (campé par Schwarzy) d’une petite ville située à la frontière mexicaine avec un redoutable baron de la drogue. C’est donc un personnage taillé sur mesure qui attend l’acteur dans ce nouveau film.

Deadline affirme que pour revenir au cinéma, Arnold Schwarzenegger a accepté de gros sacrifices financiers en étant payé avec un cachet bien en dessous de celui auquel il aurait pu prétendre. Mais après avoir fait une carrière politique et gouverné l’Etat de Californie, revenir au cinéma ne se fait pas aussi facilement que ça, même quand on s’appelle Arnold Schwarzenegger et qu’on a été grâce à des films comme ceux de la série des Terminator, Total Recall ou True Lies l’un des acteurs les plus bankable au monde pendant plusieurs années. L’homme souffre également d’une image écornée après son divorce avec Maria Shriver et l’histoire de l’enfant qu’il a eu avec sa gouvernante.

Jean-Christian Hay

Mercredi 13 juillet 2011

Suivez l’actu Gala sur Twitter et Facebook

Click Here: kanken kids cheap

Les vacances de et de ne sont pas de tout repos. A bord du bateau du réalisateur, les deux acteurs ont tangué ferme lorsque les garde-côtes italiens leur ont ont donné… Une contravention!

En Italie, le calme à la mer, c’est sacré. Steven Spielberg l’a bien compris, lorsqu’il a reçu une amende de 172 euros pour «atteinte à la tranquillité de la côte». En vacances près de La Maddalena -au nord de la Sardaigne- avec sa copine Gwyneth Paltrow, le réalisateur a voulu s’approcher de la côte à bord de son bateau pour mieux apprécier la beauté des lieux. Mauvaise idée. Le vacarme du Spielberg-boat a été tel que les vacanciers allongés sous leurs parasols se sont plaints aux garde-côtes!

Aussitôt, les autorités italiennes se sont rendues à proximité du vaisseau fautif et ont constaté qu’un des moteurs externes était la cause du boucan qui perturbait les plagistes. Un PV de 172 euros a été tendu à monsieur Spielberg, a raconté l’un des policiers, qui n’a eu d’autre choix que de verbaliser l’équipée. Sans le savoir, le papa de E.T. a enfreint la loi qui régule le trafic des côtes italiennes.

Pendant que Gwyneth faisait bronzette sur le pont, le malheureux Steven s’est donc fendu de mille excuses, en disant: «Je suis désolé. Je suis Steven Spielberg, je suis désolé, je ne connaissais pas les règles. Je vais payer tout de suite!» Le pauvre Spielberg –qui a annoncé il y a peu se lancer dans un Jurassic Park 4– n’a pourtant pas pu s’acquitter de sa dette, puisqu’en Italie, les amendes doivent être payées à la poste.

Le policier a expliqué qu’il avait reçu un fax le jour suivant, indiquant que l’amende avait été payée. Voilà ce qui arrive, Steven, quand on joue les Indiana Jones de la mer!

Click Here: cheap all stars rugby jersey

M.C.

Mardi 26 juillet 2011

Suivez l’actu Gala sur Twitter et Facebook

Frange épaisse, longueurs sexy… Aux Etats-Unis, on ne demande plus la coupe «Rachel», mais celle, un peu vieillotte, de Sarah Palin. Si, si, vraiment…

Sarah Palin est devenue éditorialiste sur Fox News. Sa célèbre «choucroute» aura bientôt droit, aussi, aux honneurs du petit écran.

Un vent d’«hair-show» souffle en Alaska. TLC présentera à partir du 20 septembre l’émission «Big Hair», une série tournée au Beehive Beauty Shop, le salon de Wasilla où se faisait bichonner la figure de proue du mouvement ultraconservateur Tea party. «Vous découvrirez une enseigne dont les personnalités de la propriétaire (Jessica Steele) et des équipes sont aussi énormes que le style qu’ils ont créé», promet la chaîne, un peu confuse.

Volume ultra-gonflé et laqué, pointes effilées, mèches sur le front, mais visage toujours dégagé… Impossible de nier le putsch fashion. Notre Barbie Réac’ n’a pas la crinière crépue. Elle n’est pas du genre à onduler, à arrondir les angles ou à se voiler la face. La colistière controversée de

ne cherche pas le chic, le fun et le fonctionnel. A 47 ans seulement, elle s’impose comme une beauté «traditionnelle», un modèle d’élégance désuet inspiré par Dallas et les eighties.

?Brushing parfait, cuisse fuselée et mise impeccable, en 2008, la candidate à la vice-présidence est passée en deux mois du statut de «boulet» tueur d’élans à celui d’icône glamour de l’Amérique profonde. ?Fille d’un professeur de sciences naturelles, maman de 5 enfants, Miss Caribou a su amadouer les vieux chevaux des ranchs texans, tout en s’érigeant en icône des valeurs morales et familiales. L’esquimaude plaît aux évangéliques en quête d’esthétique. Femme à lunettes et amatrice de fourrure, son «pelage» a marqué les esprits. Chez le coiffeur, on ne demande plus «le dégradé de Jennifer Aniston» mais le «chignon looké de Sarah Palin»…

Poupée conservatrice et plutôt bien conservée, la diva Crockett a plus d’un tour dans son sac.

En croisant le fer (à friser), Sarah Palin reste omniprésente dans les magazines comme à la télévision. Si les modeuses et autres «stylistes capillaires» s’arrachent les cheveux, la politicienne cache une message sous sa coupe. Mamie Grizzli sait dompter sa tignasse… et pas seulement!

Justine Boivin

Vendredi 5 août 2011

Suivez l’actu Gala sur Twitter et Facebook

Click Here: Cheap France Rugby Jersey