President TrumpDonald John TrumpHouse Judiciary chairman hints at subpoenaing Barr Florida election supervisors urge DeSantis to ‘act immediately’ to make voting safe amid pandemic Paul claims Biden ‘caught red-handed’ eavesdropping on Flynn MORE said in an interview aired on Fox Business early Thursday that he was criticized by “everybody,” including Anthony FauciAnthony FauciOvernight Health Care: Ousted Trump official will warn of ‘unprecedented illness and fatalities’ | Experts tell coronavirus panel that more testing needed to reopen US | Pelosi pushes to unite party on coronavirus bill despite grumbling from left Trump says he was ‘surprised’ by Fauci’s warnings on reopening To get Congress and the economy back to work, jump in the testing pool MORE, for restricting travel to China to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“I was criticized by everybody, including Dr. Fauci. I put in a wall. We put in a pretty strong wall. Only a small number of people were allowed in and they were all U.S. citizens,” Trump told Fox Business’s Maria BartiromoMaria Sara BartiromoTrump says he was ‘surprised’ by Fauci’s warnings on reopening Axl Rose, Steven Mnuchin exchange insults in COVID Twitter feud Florida governor: Coronavirus pandemic ‘should not be used to bail out state obligations’ that preceded outbreak MORE. “And then I put up a barrier to Europe, too.”

“By doing this, we actually acted very early,” the president continued.

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Trump’s remarks are at odds with Fauci’s public statements crediting the restrictions, which went into effect in early February, with helping to slow the spread of the virus in the United States. They also come as Trump has broken with Fauci in recent days on his cautious tone on reopening the country amid the pandemic, something the president has been eager to do in order to help revive the U.S. economy.

“I don’t think it’s going to be that worse because I think what we’re doing is going to have an effect. And — and, for example, the president’s decision to essentially have a major blocking of travel from China, that already had an effect of not seeding the way, in Europe — Italy didn’t do that,” Fauci told ABC’s “This Week” in March.

“What we’re doing now with the other travel restrictions — so you block infections from coming in,” Fauci continued. “And then within is when you have containment and mitigation. And that’s the reason why the kinds of things we’re doing that may seem like an overreaction will keep us away from that worst-case scenario.”

Trump has repeatedly pointed to his decision to restrict incoming travel from China as evidence he was quick to act to address the coronavirus pandemic. The president has come under scrutiny for initially downplaying the threat of the virus and his administration has been faulted for delays in testing that experts say cost critical time at the outset of the outbreak.

Trump broke with Fauci, a top U.S. infectious disease expert and member of the White House coronavirus task force, on Wednesday over his remarks Tuesday to a Senate panel warning about the adverse effects of reopening states too early.

“Look, he wants to play all sides of the equation,” Trump told reporters in the Cabinet Room when asked about Fauci’s comments, noting he disagreed with Fauci’s cautious tone on reopening schools.

“I was surprised by his answer actually,” Trump said. “It’s just, to me it’s not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to schools.”

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Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell declassified a list of Obama administration officials believed to be involved in the “unmasking” of former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to ABC News.

U.S. law requires identifying information of U.S. persons picked up during foreign surveillance be hidden, or “masked.” Only high-ranking intelligence officials, such as Grenell, can request those identities be revealed.

Grenell brought the list with him to a visit to the Justice Department last week, according to the network. His visit was the same week that Attorney General William BarrWilliam Pelham BarrChuck Todd apologizes for airing edited William Barr clip List of Obama officials allegedly involved in Flynn ‘unmasking’ declassified: ABC Trump abruptly ends press conference after heated exchange with reporters MORE decided to drop charges against Flynn of lying to the FBI about his contacts with Russia shortly before President TrumpDonald John TrumpNew York Times: Reporter who called for CDC chief’s resignation went ‘too far’ GOP’s Don Bacon and challenger neck-and-neck in Democratic poll Cheney defends Fauci: ‘We need his expertise’ to defeat coronavirus MORE took office.

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The dismissal of charges led to widespread criticism of the Justice Department. 

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In May 2019, Trump gave Barr the power to declassify government intelligence before the Justice Department audited the Russia probe. 

Republican Rep. Devin NunesDevin Gerald NunesList of Obama officials allegedly involved in Flynn ‘unmasking’ declassified: ABC Sunday shows preview: As states loosen social distancing restrictions, lawmakers address dwindling state budgets Hillicon Valley: Amazon VP resigns in protest | Republicans eye university ties to China | Support rises for vote by mail MORE (Calif.), ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, has accused the Obama administration of improper unmasking of Trump transition officials.

Former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice said she unmasked the identities of Trump officials during the transition, according to ABC.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Hill. 

Updated: 10:56 a.m.

Welcome to Hillicon Valley, The Hill’s newsletter detailing all you need to know about the tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. If you don’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter with this LINK.

Welcome! Follow our cyber reporter, Maggie Miller (@magmill95), and tech reporter, Chris Mills Rodrigo (@chrisismills), for more coverage.

ONLINE VOTING WOES: Experts are sounding alarms about potential security risks as several states consider allowing online voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Delaware, New Jersey and West Virginia are planning to allow overseas military personnel and voters with disabilities to return their ballots electronically for elections this year amid concerns about voting in person during a pandemic. 

But federal officials and cybersecurity experts are strongly urging states to stay away from online voting, arguing that it could open up new avenues for interference less than four years after Russia meddled in the 2016 elections. 

New guidelines: The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) joined a group of federal agencies in condemning the idea of online voting in guidelines first reported by The Guardian.

The guidelines, sent to states privately, described online voting as “high risk.”

“Electronic ballot return, the digital return of a voted ballot by the voter, creates significant security risks to voted ballot integrity, voter privacy, ballot secrecy, and system availability,” the agencies wrote in the guidelines. “Securing the return of voted ballots via the internet while maintaining voter privacy is difficult, if not impossible, at this time.”

The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine has also warned against electronic voting, and members of Congress have railed against the practice, citing security concerns.

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Concerns: Russian state-backed actors targeted U.S. election infrastructure, including voter registration systems, in all 50 states in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, according to the Intelligence Community (IC) and former special counsel Robert MuellerRobert (Bob) MuellerCNN’s Toobin warns McCabe is in ‘perilous condition’ with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill’s 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE.

In February, reports emerged that IC officials had told the House Intelligence Committee that Russia was again attempting to interfere in the 2020 presidential election. 

But despite concerns around the ability of foreign actors to target online systems, some states are forging ahead with limited electronic voting, while highlighting the security controls in place. 

Read more about election concerns here.

 

MUSK FINDS ALLIES: Elon MuskElon Reeve MuskHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Tesla says workers’ unemployment benefits could be impacted if they choose not to return to work The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Former RNC chief Michael Steele says Trump isn’t telling the truth on testing; Fed chair wants Congress to do more MORE is escalating his public opposition to government efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and in doing so he’s found a cheerleader in President TrumpDonald John TrumpHouse Judiciary chairman hints at subpoenaing Barr Florida election supervisors urge DeSantis to ‘act immediately’ to make voting safe amid pandemic Paul claims Biden ‘caught red-handed’ eavesdropping on Flynn MORE.

The Tesla founder and CEO recently announced that he would reopen a plant for the electric car maker in California against county orders and would move operations out of the state if he meets resistance. On Monday night, he tweeted that he would reopen the facility in Fremont, Calif., offering himself up to arrest if Alameda County officials decided to block his move.

Trump chimes in: The tweets this week from the mercurial CEO were the latest in a series of outbursts that have drawn attention and scrutiny. But this time, his efforts were met with support from Trump, whose administration is eager to move past the pandemic and reopen businesses across the country.

“California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW,” Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinOvernight Energy: 600K clean energy jobs lost during pandemic, report finds | Democrats target diseases spread by wildlife | Energy Dept. to buy 1M barrels of oil Hillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Trump administration to buy 1 million barrels of oil for national stockpile MORE also voiced his support for Musk, telling CNBC on Monday that “California should prioritize doing whatever they need to do to solve those health issues so that he can open quickly and safely, or they’re going to find, as he’s threatened, he’s moving his production to a different state.”

Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzMichigan suspends license of barber who vowed to keep his shop open ‘until Jesus comes’ Hillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Musk finds Trump in his corner MORE (R-Texas) encouraged Musk to move Tesla’s operations to Texas, where residents “very much want to open up and get back to work.”

Trump has praised Musk before, calling him one of the world’s “great geniuses” during a CNBC interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this year.

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Early in Trump’s presidency, Musk joined a White House advisory council but later left when Trump announced he would be pulling out of the Paris climate accord.

That move by Musk was more in line with his earlier views on Trump. A few days before the 2016 election, Musk told CNBC that Trump “is probably not the right guy” to be president, adding that then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Republican flips House seat in California special election Justice Clarence Thomas brings up Frodo Baggins during Supreme Court oral arguments MORE’s economic and environmental policies “are the right ones.”

But whether Trump’s latest embrace of Musk will help the entrepreneur prevail in California is yet to be seen.

Read more here.

Related: Colorado governor pitches Musk on moving Tesla operations out of state

 

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CHINESE HACKING FEARS: The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s cyber agency on Wednesday warned that Chinese government-backed hackers are targeting U.S. organizations developing vaccines and treatments for the COVID-19 virus.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI said in the joint alert that the agencies hoped to “raise awareness” of threats posed to research groups by Chinese malicious actors. 

“These actors have been observed attempting to identify and illicitly obtain valuable intellectual property and public health data related to vaccines, treatments, and testing from networks and personnel affiliated with COVID-19-related research,” the agencies warned. “The potential theft of this information jeopardizes the delivery of secure, effective, and efficient treatment options.”

The agencies recommended that organizations conducting research into COVID-19 automatically assume they will be a major target of hackers, and that they increase cybersecurity. Tips included using multifactor authorization for accounts and patching vulnerabilities as quickly as possible.

“The FBI and CISA urge all organizations conducting research in these areas to maintain dedicated cybersecurity and insider threat practices to prevent surreptitious review or theft of COVID-19-related material,” the agencies wrote.

Some key leaders on Capitol Hill have pushed for action to be taken to push back against Chinese cyberattacks.

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Read more here.

 

CYBER DEFENSE MEASURES: Sen. Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonPaul claims Biden ‘caught red-handed’ eavesdropping on Flynn Hillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Lawmakers move to boost federal cybersecurity in annual defense bill MORE (R-Wis.) said Wednesday that he was pushing for inclusion of measures meant to defend the United States against cyber threats in the upcoming annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

Johnson, the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said during a virtual committee hearing on cyber threats that he hoped to include a provision creating a federal national cybersecurity leadership position in the NDAA. 

“We are working hard to get included in the NDAA so it can become law, there is the need to put someone in charge, a national cyber director,” Johnson said.

Lack of cyber leadership: There is currently no central federal leader for cybersecurity. The departments of Defense and Homeland Security (DHS), along with the intelligence community and the FBI, address cyber threats, but the Trump administration has lacked a central lead since the White House cybersecurity coordinator position was eliminated in 2018. 

Johnson also voiced his support for including a provision that would give DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) the ability to subpoena internet service providers for information on vulnerabilities detected critical infrastructure networks. A House committee approved a bill around this issue in January. 

“It’s a very necessary authority that CISA needs, and I am going to ask everybody on our committee to do everything, by hook or by crook, to hopefully get into the NDAA as well,” Johnson said. 

Cyber commission recommendations: Both recommendations were backed by the Cybersecurity Solarium Commission (CSC), a group created by Congress in 2018 to evaluate the cyber risks to the United States. The group, which includes members of Congress and federal agency leaders, was charged with laying out recommendations on how to defend the nation against these threats. 

The CSC submitted its report, which included over 75 recommendations on how to prevent a cyber doomsday scenario, in March as the coronavirus pandemic began to sweep the world. 

Sen. Angus KingAngus KingHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Lawmakers move to boost federal cybersecurity in annual defense bill McConnell under mounting GOP pressure to boost state aid MORE (I-Maine), a co-chair of the commission, testified Wednesday that cyber threats were only “magnified” by COVID-19, as attempted hacks on healthcare and research groups involved in fighting the virus have spiked.

“We have to communicate that to our colleagues, that this isn’t something academic, this is coming at us, this isn’t something that may come at us, it’s coming at today,” King said, adding that the private sector is “being pinged millions of times a day by malicious actors.”

Read more here.

 

AMAZON EXTENDS HAZARD PAY: Amazon is extending a $2 hourly pay raise for workers through the end of May, company spokesman Timothy Carter told The Hill on Tuesday.

It will also extend double overtime pay in the U.S. and Canada.

“These extensions increase our total investment in pay during COVID-19 to nearly $800 million for our hourly employees and partners,” Carter said in a statement.

The online retail giant first instituted the hazard pay for warehouse and fulfillment center workers in March. It was set to expire at the end of April before being extended through May 16.

Amazon has seen demand for its services surge during the coronavirus pandemic and has hired well over 100,000 new workers.

Workers at warehouses and fulfillment centers — as well as tech workers — have been critical of Amazon’s handling of that new demand and the pandemic more broadly.

Read more here.

 

DEMS PUSH FOR COLLEGE INTERNET ACCESS: Democrats in both chambers introduced legislation on Wednesday aimed at ensuring that all college students have internet access amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act allocates $1 billion for a fund at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration targeted for students lacking internet access.

The funding would be used directly for internet connections as well as equipment like hot spots and Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Schools receiving funding would be required to prioritize students eligible for financial aid.

Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Obama criticism gets under GOP’s skin MORE (D-Minn.), who is leading the bill’s introduction in the Senate, said in a statement that “ensuring college and university students have access to high-speed internet is critical” during the pandemic.

Klobuchar was joined by Sens. Mazie HironoMazie Keiko HironoHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Esper escalates war of words with Warren, Democratic senators MORE (D-Hawaii), Gary PetersGary Charles PetersHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups McConnell acknowledges GOP faces ‘challenging’ political environment GOP Senate chairman to hold subpoena vote next week in Biden-Burisma probe MORE (D-Mich.) and Jacky RosenJacklyn (Jacky) Sheryl RosenHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Lawmakers move to boost federal cybersecurity in annual defense bill Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students MORE (D-Nev.) in introducing the Senate bill.

Democratic Reps. Anna EshooAnna Georges EshooHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Trump trade adviser declines House invitation to testify on whistleblower complaint MORE (Calif.), Doris MatsuiDoris Okada MatsuiHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students National service will give thousands of Americans a chance to recover and rebuild their communities MORE (Calif.), G.K. ButterfieldGeorge (G.K.) Kenneth ButterfieldHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Democrats debate how and when to get House back in action MORE (N.C.), Marcia FudgeMarcia Louise FudgeHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups The Hill’s Campaign Report: Democrat concedes in California House race USDA appeals order blocking purge of SNAP benefits recipients  MORE (Ohio), Joaquin CastroJoaquin CastroHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says public health threat of loneliness compounded by COVID-19; Trump says task force will ‘evolve’ MORE (Texas), Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.) and Alma AdamsAlma Shealey AdamsHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Democrats introduce legislation to ensure internet access for college students Senate Democrats revive 2017 bill to expand SNAP benefits  MORE (N.C.) introduced the House companion legislation.

Read more.

 

Lighter click: Good neighbor

An op-ed to chew on: America’s digital Sputnik moment

NOTABLE LINKS FROM AROUND THE WEB: 

Current and ex-employees allege Google drastically rolled back diversity and inclusion programs (April Glaser / NBC News)

Widening rift on mergers during pandemic divides Democrats and Republicans (Politico / Cristiano Lima and Betsy Woodruff Swan)

COVID-19 is fueling a boom in the doomsday bunker market, thanks to some dubious marketing claims (Verge / Zoe Schiffer)

Gig Workers Say Most Restaurants Have Banned Them From Using Their Bathrooms (Motherboard / Lauren Kaori Gurley)

Tesla reportedly informed California-based employees on Wednesday that it is ramping up operations this week at its Fremont factory and that furloughed workers’ unemployment benefits could be “impacted” if they choose not to return to work. 

Valerie Workman, Tesla’s head of human resources, informed employees in an email that local officials had given the company the green light to begin resuming operations at its main U.S. car plant, according to a copy obtained by CNBC. She added that once employees were asked to return to work that they would no longer be on furlough. 

“So if you choose not to work, it may impact your unemployment benefits as determined by your local government agency – and not by Tesla,” she said. “We completely respect your decision and will support you, without any penalties from us. If you have been called back to work, but have not received your last unemployment check, you can continue to work and expect to receive your final check from your state.”

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Tesla did not immediately return a request for comment from The Hill.  

Tesla’s Fremont factory was shut down on March 23 shortly after California Gov. Gavin NewsomGavin Christopher NewsomTesla says workers’ unemployment benefits could be impacted if they choose not to return to work Local officials allowing Tesla to restart California factory with conditions Musk finds Trump in his corner MORE (D) issued a statewide stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus outbreak. Restrictions around the country caused Tesla to furlough all hourly workers and slash pay for salaried employees. 

CEO Elon MuskElon Reeve MuskHillicon Valley: Experts raise security concerns about online voting | Musk finds supporter in Trump | Officials warn that Chinese hackers targeting COVID-19 research groups Tesla says workers’ unemployment benefits could be impacted if they choose not to return to work The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Former RNC chief Michael Steele says Trump isn’t telling the truth on testing; Fed chair wants Congress to do more MORE has repeatedly spoken out about the quarantine measures and over the weekend opened the Fremont-based plant in defiance of a local health order from the Alameda County Public Health Department. He also threatened to move the company’s operations outside of California over the dispute. 

“Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules,” the Tesla CEO wrote in a tweet on Monday. “I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me.”

The Alameda County Public Health Department said in a statement late Tuesday night that it was prepared to allow Tesla to reopen its Fremont plant as soon as next week, so long as it followed a coronavirus prevention plan it devised and public health indicators remained stable.

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The county noted that the company could begin to “augment their Minimum Business Operations this week.” 

“We will be working with the Fremont Police Department to verify Tesla is adhering to physical distancing and that agreed upon health and safety measures are in place for the safety of their workers as they prepare for full production,” the department said.

Some Tesla workers have reported that they have yet to receive California unemployment benefits due to lengthy processing times, The Guardian noted. California reportedly only processed one out of eight unemployment claims filed in March. 

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A coalition of conservation groups is suing the Trump administration over its signature border wall, arguing that the transfer of military funds for the wall’s construction is unconstitutional and claiming that the administration did not have the right to waive certain environmental requirements. 

The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed the lawsuit in federal court in D.C. on Tuesday. 

This is not the first time the administration was sued over its February reallocation of $3.8 billion in Pentagon funds for use on the wall. At that time, two additional suits, one by a group of 19 states and another by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Sierra Club and the Southern Border Communities Coalition, were filed. 

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The Tuesday suit, in addition to arguing that the transfer of funds was illegal, also challenged a March decision by the Department of Homeland Security to waive requirements such as environmental impact statements. 

The lawsuit called the waiver of environmental stipulations “an unconstitutional exercise of legislative power by an executive branch official and violation of the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers and non-delegation requirements.”

Their suit also brought up the effect they believe the construction will have on area wildlife, saying it could result in the elimination of jaguars in the U.S. 

“This latest construction proposal would block critical cross-border wildlife corridors and permanently impede recovery efforts for endangered species like the Mexican gray wolf and jaguar,” said a statement from Jason Rylander, the senior counsel for Defenders of Wildlife.

“These areas are home to some of the last remaining undisturbed habitat for wildlife and walling them off would push these species to the brink of extinction. Defenders will continue to fight for the protection of the rule of law against reckless decisions that put our communities and wildlife at risk,” Rylander added. 

This year the administration diverted $3.8 billion in Pentagon funding for the border wall. This follows additional funding taken last year for the wall following President TrumpDonald John TrumpNew York Times: Reporter who called for CDC chief’s resignation went ‘too far’ GOP’s Don Bacon and challenger neck-and-neck in Democratic poll Cheney defends Fauci: ‘We need his expertise’ to defeat coronavirus MORE’s declaration of a national emergency at the border.

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Welcome to Tuesday’s Overnight Health Care. 

There are more than 1.3 million confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S., including 82,000 deaths. 

Anthony FauciAnthony FauciCheney defends Fauci: ‘We need his expertise’ to defeat coronavirus Georgia governor orders bars, night clubs, concert venues to remain closed until end of May Kushner acknowledges ‘risk’ in reopening too quickly MORE, the administration’s top infectious disease expert, testified in the Senate and offered a warning about the consequences of states reopening too soon. 

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House Democrats rolled out a $3 trillion coronavirus response bill that Senate Republicans say is not going anywhere. 

Let’s start with Fauci: 

Fauci warns of ‘really serious’ consequences if nation reopens too quickly

Anthony Fauci had a warning to deliver at a closely-watched Senate hearing on Tuesday: States should not reopen faster than the White House guidelines. 

“My concern is that if some areas, city, states or what have you, jump over those various checkpoints and prematurely open up without having the capability of being able to respond effectively and efficiently, my concern is that we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks,” Fauci said. 

“The consequences could be really serious,” he added. 

What’s needed: Experts say the answer is far more testing and contact tracing capacity before the country can safely reopen. Testing availability varies dramatically from state to state, and some public health departments are still hiring and training workers who will trace contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases and link them to testing.

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Contrast with Trump: President TrumpDonald John TrumpNew York Times: Reporter who called for CDC chief’s resignation went ‘too far’ GOP’s Don Bacon and challenger neck-and-neck in Democratic poll Cheney defends Fauci: ‘We need his expertise’ to defeat coronavirus MORE on Monday all but declared victory over the virus. “We have met the moment, and we have prevailed,” he said, adding that the fight has entered the “next stage,” which is reopening. 

Trump has also attacked governors for not reopening quick enough for him:

“The great people of Pennsylvania want their freedom now, and they are fully aware of what that entails,” Trump tweeted on Monday. “The Democrats are moving slowly, all over the USA, for political purposes. They would wait until November 3rd if it were up to them.”

Read more here.

More from Fauci:

Real coronavirus death toll ‘almost certainly’ higher than official 80,000 count

The theory in some conservative circles is that the U.S. is exaggerating the death toll from COVID-19. 

But in response to a question from Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersBiden wins Nebraska primary Overnight Health Care: Fauci warns of reopening too quickly | House Dems unveil trillion relief package | Real death count could be higher than 80,000 Organizing communities of color during COVID-19 MORE (I-Vt.), Fauci said the real toll is “almost certainly higher.”

“Most of us feel that the number of deaths are likely higher than that number because given the situation particularly in New York City, when they were really strapped with a very serious challenge to their health care system, that there may have been people who died at home who were not counted as COVID because they never really got to the hospital,” Fauci said during the hearing.

Read more here

Fauci to Paul: ‘I’ve never made myself out’ as the only voice on the pandemic

Fauci also bluntly told Sen. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulCheney defends Fauci: ‘We need his expertise’ to defeat coronavirus Obama criticism gets under GOP’s skin Overnight Health Care: Fauci warns of reopening too quickly | House Dems unveil trillion relief package | Real death count could be higher than 80,000 MORE (R-Ky.) that despite what Paul may think, he has never put himself up as the definitive authority on the coronavirus pandemic. 

“I’m a scientist, a physician and a public health official. I give advice according to the best scientific evidence,” Fauci said. “I don’t give advice about anything other than public health.”

Fauci was responding to comments from Paul, who said he doesn’t think there will be a surge in infections and deaths if states open their economies too quickly, and scientists should “have a little bit of humility” because they do not know what’s best for the economy.

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Read more here.

Related: Fauci and two other top health officials have been cleared to participate in meetings after possible exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case.

House Democrats unveil $3 trillion coronavirus relief package

House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled their latest round of coronavirus relief legislation as they seek to put pressure on Republicans to start negotiations for additional measures to contain the pandemic’s impact on U.S. workers.

The package, estimated to cost about $3 trillion, is a grab bag of top Democratic priorities ranging from funding for food assistance, state and local governments, contingency plans for vote by mail in the November elections, another round of direct stimulus payments to individuals and hazard pay for essential workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

The House Democrats’ legislation is meant to serve as a documentation of their priorities heading into any future talks with Republicans and the White House, although most of its provisions are not expected to become law.

“We must think big for the people now, because if we don’t it will cost more in lives and livelihood later,” Pelosi said during an address in the Capitol after unveiling the legislation.

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What’s next: The House could pass the bill as soon as Friday along party lines, though the Congressional Progressive Caucus is asking for a delay until next week. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellObama criticism gets under GOP’s skin On The Money: House Democrats unveil trillion coronavirus relief package | SCOTUS divided in Trump financial records case | Fed under pressure to speed up, expand emergency loans McConnell, GOP senators support exempting VA health funds from budget caps MORE (R-Ky.) and the White House have called for a “pause” on considering additional coronavirus relief. 

Read more here

More from The Hill: 

A majority of Americans say the federal government is not doing enough to prevent a potential second wave of the coronavirus, according to a new poll. 

Republican Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyOvernight Health Care: Fauci warns of reopening too quickly | House Dems unveil trillion relief package | Real death count could be higher than 80,000 Five takeaways as Senate panel hears from Fauci, Trump health officials Senator’s dog Rufus steals spotlight during Senate health hearing MORE (Utah) on Tuesday pushed back on a Trump official’s claim that the U.S. is leading the world in COVID-19 testing, beating countries like South Korea, which is regarded by some experts as the testing gold standard. 

What you need to know about four potential COVID-19 vaccines 

What we’re reading

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Covid-19 has streamlined addiction medicine. Will the changes stick? (Stat News)

UnitedHealth Group Plans Return to Obamacare Markets in 2021 (Bloomberg)

As deaths mount, coronavirus testing remains wildly inconsistent in long-term care (Kaiser Health News)

Latin America’s outbreaks now rival Europe’s but its options are worse (The New York Times) 

State by state

Texas AG Ken Paxton: coronavirus restrictions in San Antonio, Bexar County go too far (San Antonio Express News)

California man with 1% chance of survival released from hospital after two-month COVID-19 battle (USA Today)

Illinois reports over 4,000 new coronavirus cases, biggest rise to date as testing expands (WGN) 

The Hill op-eds

The scientific road to recovery

Don’t open businesses until rapid reliable testing available everywhere

Look to the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ as we respond to COVID-19 worldwide  

Anthony FauciAnthony FauciThe Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Sen. Barrasso says it’s too soon to consider more funding for states; White House faces new challenges American Hockey League cancels playoffs for first time in 84-year history The Hill’s 12:30 Report: White House scrambles after Pence aide tests positive for Covid MORE, the nation’s top infectious disease expert and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, said he plans to tell a Senate panel on Tuesday that there will be “needless” fatalities if the country reopens too soon amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

“The major message that I wish to convey to the Senate [Health, Labor and Pensions] committee … is the danger of trying to open the country prematurely,” Fauci wrote in an email to The New York Times.

“If we skip over the checkpoints in the guidelines to: ‘Open America Again,’ then we risk the danger of multiple outbreaks throughout the country. This will not only result in needless suffering and death, but would actually set us back on our quest to return to normal,” he added.

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Fauci is one of four administration officials appearing remotely as witnesses to answer senators’ questions regarding the pandemic and state openings. 

In his email, Fauci referred to the White House guidelines for states to reopen nonessential businesses. 

States across the country have started reopening, and in some cases states have not met the recommended requirement of having a 14-day downward trajectory in documented COVID-19 cases before starting gradual plans. 

Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar AlexanderAndrew (Lamar) Lamar Alexander11 things to know for today about coronavirus Overnight Defense: National Guard chief negative in third coronavirus test | Pentagon IG probing Navy’s coronavirus response | Democrats blast use of Russia deterrence funds on border wall The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Sen. Barrasso says it’s too soon to consider more funding for states; White House faces new challenges MORE (R-Tenn.) said Saturday that four administration officials, including Fauci, would appear as witnesses at the hearing Tuesday via video conferencing. 

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Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield and Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir will also appear at the hearing. 

The virus has infected more than 1.3 million people and killed 80,684 people in the U.S., according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. 

China and Russia are increasingly cooperating to spread disinformation online about the coronavirus, with Beijing mimicking Moscow’s social media tactics to sow confusion, the U.S. agency tracking propaganda said Friday.

The coordination appears opportunistic and not an indication of government-to-government cooperation to shape the coronavirus narrative, said Lea Gabrielle, the special envoy to the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), the organization charged with analyzing and combating propaganda online.

“We see this convergence as a result of what we consider to be pragmatism between the two actors who want to shape public understanding of the COVID pandemic for their own purposes,” she said in a briefing with reporters.

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U.S. and Chinese relations have deteriorated over the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic, with Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoWHO says animal markets like in Wuhan should not be shut down U.S. says China, Russia cooperating to spread coronavirus disinformation online Pompeo headed to Israel in first trip outside US amid pandemic MORE speculating that the virus came from a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

The U.S. intelligence community has said it agrees with the consensus of public health experts that the virus is not man-made nor genetically modified but can’t definitely rule out the outbreak could have started in a lab.

Beijing has denied such accusations and rebuked calls by Washington to take accountability for the pandemic, and rejected calls for an investigation.

Online, Beijing officials are increasingly shifting their messages from promoting China’s domestic and global response to the virus to attacking U.S. actions, and speculating the virus originated in America.

Gabrielle said the GEC has identified a 22-fold increase in the number of followers that the Chinese Communist Party official accounts are gaining on a daily basis, from an average of 30 to now more than 720 new followers per day.

Many of these accounts are newly created and follow many of the same officials.

“Now based on the characteristics, content, and behavior of these accounts, the GEC assesses linkages to the Chinese Communist Party are highly probable,” Gabrielle said. “We also assess that this is a coordinated and interconnected effort. Nearly every diplomatic account shares at least one follower with every other account, with some instances of diplomatic accounts sharing more than a thousand followers.”

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The GEC says Russia is increasingly aiding amplification of Chinese messaging with its own network of state-backed media and bot accounts. Most recently, the GEC monitored Chinese and Russian accounts retweeting posts that sought to raise concerns about U.S.-funded biolabs in former Soviet Union countries.

“Most recently we saw CCP and Russian proxies recirculate false narratives about U.S.-funded biolabs in the former Soviet Union, as just one example,” Gabrielle said, referring to the Communist Party of China.

“So even before the COVID-19 crisis, we assessed a certain level of coordination between Russia and the PRC in the realm of propaganda, but with this pandemic the cooperation has accelerated rapidly,” she added regarding the People’s Republic of China.

Gabrielle said the Chinese efforts of disinformation are being focused world-wide, but the GEC documented the most shared followers on accounts related to the European region.

China has sought to grow closer with European countries as the U.S. has criticized multilateral bodies, like the World Health Organization of being “China-centric” and adopting Beijing’s narrative around the origins of the coronavirus.

Interpol has issued an international arrest warrant for an American diplomat’s wife accused of killing a British teenager by driving dangerously.

Anne Sacoolas invoked diplomatic immunity after a crash in Northamptonshire in August that killed 19-year-old motorcyclist Harry Dunn near a British military base that houses U.S. troops.

Sacoolas was allowed to leave the United Kingdom following the incident, and Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: National Guard chief negative in third coronavirus test | Pentagon IG probing Navy’s coronavirus response | Democrats blast use of Russia deterrence funds on border wall WHO says it cannot invite Taiwan to upcoming global health meeting International arrest warrant issued for US diplomat’s wife in fatal crash MORE in January rejected an extradition request from the British government. She is alleged to have been driving on the wrong side of the road at the time of the crash.

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“If the United States were to grant the U.K.’s extradition request, it would render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity and would set an extraordinarily troubling precedent,” the State Department said in January.

Dunn’s parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, received an email from Northamptonshire Police informing them of the so-called red notice from the international policing organization, which states that “should she leave the USA the wanted circulations should be enacted,” according to The Independent.

Charles and Dunn have called for a judicial review into how the British Foreign Office handled their son’s death, and their lawyer has accused Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab of a “scandalous attempted cover up of the truth.”

U.S. officials have declined to meet with the family, while Yael Lempert, deputy chief of mission at the American Embassy in London, told Andrea Leadsom, the family’s member of Parliament, that American diplomats meeting with the family “would not be appropriate.”

Gen. Nick Carter, the head of the U.K.’s armed forces, has said he will raise the issue with his American colleagues, telling Dunn and Charles he is “very supportive of positive engagement between you and the US base commander,” according to The Independent.

Raab criticized the United States’ response in January, saying, “We feel this amounts to a denial of justice, and we believe Anne Sacoolas should return to the U.K. The U.K. would have acted differently if this had been a UK diplomat serving in the U.S.”

Portugal’s banking tiff puts Mário Centeno under pressure

Dispute with PM António Costa revives speculation on future of Eurogroup president.

LISBON — The Portuguese government has averted a crisis that sparked speculation Eurogroup President Mário Centeno would resign as finance minister because of a tiff over a €850 million state loan to a loss-making bank.

After a three-hour huddle with Centeno late Wednesday, Prime Minister António Costa issued a statement reaffirming his “personal and political confidence” in the finance minister. The meeting followed days of tension between the two men and opposition calls for Centeno to resign.

“Centeno can’t stay,” Rui Rio, leader of the center-right Social Democratic Party, tweeted earlier Wednesday. “A PM who keeps a disloyal minister is in trouble.”

Although Costa and Centeno patched up their differences, the dispute intensified speculation that Centeno won’t seek a second term as president of the Eurogroup and will step down as minister this summer, possibly in a move to the governor’s office at Portugal’s central bank.

The spat began last week when Costa was embarrassed in parliament, seemingly unaware his government had transferred €850 million to a fund propping up Novo Banco. Costa had previously told parliament there would be no new state aid before the results of an audit into Novo Banco’s finances.

With Costa under pressure, Centeno admitted Tuesday to a “failure in communication” with the PM’s office over the transfer. However, Centeno said the loan was accounted for in the government’s 2020 budget and the state was legally bound to transfer the money under a 2014 plan to support Novo Banco.

“Centeno is weakened by this incident, even if he was in the right as far as the legal contract to support Novo Banco is concerned,” said Helena Garrido, professor of economic journalism at Lisbon’s Universidade Lusófona.

Novo was created from the wreckage of Banco Espírito Santo, Portugal’s second-largest bank, which fell victim to the financial crisis in 2014. The new lender has struggled to avoid losses and continues to receive capital injections through a resolution fund financed by loans from the state and the financial sector.

Despite the dispute, Costa was loath to lose his finance minister as he coordinates efforts to keep the economy afloat through the pandemic. The European Commission’s forecast of a 6.5 percent contraction in Portugal’s economy this year is among the more optimistic.

Centeno is also chairing efforts within the Eurogroup — finance chiefs from the 19 euro countries — to agree on a recovery plan to mitigate COVID-19’s economic impact.

Nicknamed the “Cristiano Ronaldo of finance,” Centeno has been a star in the Socialist administration that came to power in 2015. He’s overseen five years of unbroken growth and was credited last year with securing the first balanced budget since democracy was restored to Portugal in the mid-1970s.

However, Centeno has faced criticism for his handling of sensitive Eurogroup meetings, and there is growing speculation that he will step down at the end of his term in July. In Lisbon, he is touted as a possible replacement for Bank of Portugal Governor Carlos Costa who is also due to leave this summer.

This article is part of POLITICO’s premium policy service: Pro Financial Services. From the eurozone, banking union, CMU, and more, our specialized journalists keep you on top of the topics driving the Financial Services policy agenda. Email pro@politico.eu for a complimentary trial.