L’obésité est devenue un véritable problème de santé publique durant la dernière décennie, augmentant les risques d’hypertension, de maladies cardiovasculaires, d’accident vasculaire cérébral, de diabète et de divers cancers. Face à ce fléau, de nombreuses recherches médicamenteuses ont tenté de mettre au point le remède miracle… jusqu’alors sans véritables résultats. Aujourd’hui, des scientifiques américains proposent un vaccin capable de réduire la masse corporelle et d’augmenter la perte de poids. Une nouvelle arme testée avec succès… sur des souris.

Un vaccin contre l'obésité a été testé avec succès chez la souris.

Double action : réduire la masse corporelle et limiter la prise de poidsLes chercheurs se sont intéressés à deux hormones liées à la satiété et la prise de poids : l’hormone de croissance (GH) et l’IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor). Cette dernière est secrétée par le foie après stimulation par GH et a des effets métaboliques spécifiques. De précédentes études ont montré qu’un traitement avec de l’hormone de croissance exogène a un effet bénéfique sur le poids. Ces deux hormones permettent en fait d’activer le métabolisme (et donc d’utiliser de l’énergie) et favorisent ainsi la perte de masse grasse. A l’état naturel, la production d’hormone de croissance est inhibée par la somatostatine, une autre hormone produite au niveau de l’hypothalamus et de certaines portions du système digestif.L’équipe de Keith Haffer du Braasch Biotech LLC (laboratoire vaccinal américain) s’est logiquement tournée vers la mise au point d’un vaccin anti-somastatine, qui permettrait d’accroitre indirectement la production des deux hormones GHet IGF-1. Cette procédure a l’avantage d’éviter l’utilisation directe de ces deux hormones qui ont des effets anabolisants. Deux sérums, JH17 et JH18, ont été mis au point.Une perte de plus de 10 % du poids initial dès le 4e jour
Pour tester leurs produits, une trentaine de souris mâles ont été alimentées avec un repas contenant des matières grasses à hauteur de 60 % pendant 8 semaines avant le début de l’étude. Dix d’entre elles ont été vaccinées* à J1 et J22 avec la formulation vaccinale JH 17; dix avec la formulation JH 18; un dernier groupe, servant de comparaison, a reçu des injections de solution saline. Pour les formulations vaccinales, des adjuvants compatibles avec une utilisation chez l’homme (la tragacanthine et l’arabinogalactane) ont été choisis par les chercheurs. Toutes les souris ont continué à prendre leur alimentation très riche en graisses pendant 6 semaines.
Résultat : quatre jours après la première injection, les souris avaient perdu 12,2 % de leur poids avec JH17 et 13,1 % avec JH18 ! Ce qui a conduit les chercheurs à réduire la dose pour la deuxième injection (à J22). Après cette deuxième injection, le poids initial des souris a été réduit de 2,1 % chez JH17 et de 1,8 % chez JH18. Dix jours plus tard, les souris vaccinées avaient retrouvé leur poids initial, alors que celles du groupe témoin avaient pris 4,1 grammes par rapport à leur poids au début de l’expérience. Pour juger de cette prise de poids, il est utile de rappeler que le poids de telles souris oscille normalement entre 20 et 50 g. A la fin de l’expérience (39 jours après la première injection), cette différence de poids entre les souris vaccinées et les autres était toujours significative (+ 3,43 g pour le groupe JH17, + 3,78 g pour JH18).Une vaccination qui nécessiterait des rappels fréquentsDes tests sanguins ont révélé la présence d’anticorps anti-somatostatine entre 4 et 10 jours après injection, confirmant ainsi le principe de vaccination. Mais leur durée de vie apparaît courte, ce qui impliquerait des injections de rappel fréquentes. Les taux d’insuline contrôlés tout au long de l’expérience sont restés comparables dans les trois groupes. Un argument qui plaide en faveur de l’innocuité du vaccin. “Cette étude démontre  la possibilité de traiter l’obésité avec la vaccination, conclue le chercheur, même si des études supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour découvrir les implications à long terme de ces vaccins“.De nombreuses études complémentaires (explorant notamment le maintien de l’effet au long cours et l’absence d’effets secondaires gênants) seront néanmoins nécessaires avant de savoir si cette voie thérapeutique pourra, d’dici quelques années, déboucher sur un traitement efficace chez l’homme. Mais la possibilité de disposer d’un vaccin thérapeutique contre l’obésité représente un réel espoir face à ce fléau.Yamina Saïdj* Les injections ont été faites à J1 et J22 par voie intrapéritonéaleSource : Effects of novel vaccines on weight loss in diet-induced-obese (DIO) mice – Keith Haffer – Journal of animal science and biotechnology“, 9 juillet 2012 (

étude accessible en ligne)

L’agence européenne du médicament (EMA) vient d’approuver la commercialisation du premier vaccin contre la méningiteB, Bexsero®, apprend-on dans un communiqué de l’EMA. Développé par le laboratoire suisse Novartis, il est indiqué chez les personnes de plus de 2mois.

Enfin un vaccin contre la méningite B !

La

méningite est une

infection à méningocoque qui touche essentiellement les

bébés et les jeunes enfants. Elle peut aussi, parfois, survenir chez des enfants plus âgés ou chez de jeunes adultes.Chaque année, environ 1,2 million de méningites sont recensées dans le monde. La très grande majorité (90 %) des cas sont causées par l’un des 5 sérogroupes de méningocoques A, B, C, W135 et Y. En Europe, c’est le sérogroupe B qui est le plus fréquemment en cause, puisqu’on le retrouve chez au moins un malade sur deux (entre 3 406 et 4 819 sur les 7 000 cas répertoriés annuellement entre 2003 et 2007). Certains pays sont en outre plus touchés que d’autres, comme la Belgique, l’Irlande, l’Espagne et le Royaume-Uni.Contrairement aux méningites liées aux autres sérogroupes, contre lesquelles il existe des vaccins, il n’y avait jusqu’à présent aucun moyen de se prémunir contre la méningite de type B. Les seuls traitements existants sont thérapeutiques mais, même s’ils sont relativement efficaces, la mortalité atteint 8 % des patients et 11 à 19 % des survivants gardent des séquelles, notamment au niveau du cerveau, qui se traduisent par des difficultés d’apprentissage et une perte de l’audition.Les choses devraient donc changer avec l’arrivée de Bexsero ® (Novartis). L’EMA va faire parvenir son avis à la Commission européenne pour l’obtention de l’autorisation de mise sur le marché de ce vaccin. C’est ensuite à chaque pays, en fonction des recommandations sanitaires qui sont en vigueur, de donner son avis sur le vaccin Bexsero ®, indique l’autorité européenne.Amélie Pelletier
Source
“European Medicines Agency recommends approval of first vaccine for meningitis B“, communiqué de l’Agence européenne du médicament, 16 novembre 2012.Click Here: Cheap QLD Maroons Jersey

A national immigrant advocacy group has launched a fund for immigrant workers who are ineligible for federal coronavirus stimulus funds.

Faith in Action, a national community organizing network, told Newsweek that various workers have been forced to continue as essential workers but been ineligible for aid due to rules that restrict immigrants without a Social Security number from receiving CARES Act funds.

Richard Morales, policy and program director for Faith in Action’s LA RED campaign, told the publication that “excluding immigrants from financial support forces people to work, putting them directly in the path of the virus.”

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“Asking people to choose between their health and putting food on their tables is not a real choice,” Morales said. “Instead of ensuring that members of all communities in this country had the support and protection they need from the virus, Congress went out of its way to exclude immigrants from receiving a stimulus check, making a clear choice about who is disposable.”

The funds the group raises will be distributed throughout pre-established funds in the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona and California. The group plan to set up further accounts in other states in the days ahead, according to Newsweek.

Recipients of the money will include parts of the “essential workforce” like health care workers, grocery clerks, farmworkers, and workers at dairy and meatpacking plants. The latter industry, which is largely composed of immigrant workers, has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, including an Iowa Tyson Foods plant where over half the workforce has tested positive.

“Many of the folks that have been affected by the current situation find themselves with no job or working fewer hours–this creates anxiety and uncertainty,” Pastor Leo Castro, a clergy member with Nevada ACTIONN, said in a statement, according to Newsweek.

“When the income decreases, something at home has to go and many times what goes is food or medicine,” he added. “I don’t see fear among the people, instead I see concern regarding provision. It is critical that those of us who can donate do, so that we can continue to provide the urgent support immigrants need so that nobody is deciding between food and medicine.”

Happy Wednesday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I’m Rebecca Kheel, and here’s your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the newsletter.

THE TOPLINE: In a move that was widely expected but was delayed because of the ongoing pandemic, President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump ally named next postmaster general Biden says he’ll reverse DeVos rule bolstering protections for those accused of campus sexual assault Reopen America — and repeal the SALT limitation MORE has vetoed a resolution aimed at constraining his ability to take military action against Iran.

In a statement Wednesday, Trump said he vetoed the Iran war powers resolution that “purported to direct me to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces in hostilities against Iran.”

“This was a very insulting resolution, introduced by Democrats as part of a strategy to win an election on November 3 by dividing the Republican Party,” Trump added. “The few Republicans who voted for it played right into their hands.”

“Congress should not have passed this resolution,” he concluded.

Congress is not expected to have the two-thirds majority needed to override Trump’s veto, but the Senate is slated to take an override vote Thursday afternoon.

Reminder: The House approved the resolution in a 227-186 vote in March as one of its last votes before leaving town amid the coronavirus pandemic. Six Republicans joined with Democrats in approving the measure.

That followed the Senate’s 55-45 approval in February, when eight Republicans voted with Democrats to support the resolution.

Congress took up the resolution — which directed the president to “terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against” Iran unless Congress specifically authorizes it — after Washington and Tehran appeared to be on the brink of war earlier this year.

The delay: Despite Congress passing the resolution nearly two months ago, it was delayed in being officially sent to the White House as lawmakers stayed out of D.C. amid the coronavirus pandemic. The House officially enrolled the measure during a pro forma session in April, but the Senate did not enroll it until after the chamber fully returned to town this week.

Reaction: Sen. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineOvernight Defense: Trump vetoes Iran war powers resolution | Pentagon awards 6M contract to 3M to boost mask production | Space Force chief advises Steve Carell to ‘get a haircut’ Senate to attempt to override Trump’s Iran war powers veto Thursday Trump vetoes resolution seeking to prevent military action against Iran MORE (D-Va.), who sponsored the resolution, urged his colleagues to override the veto in a statement Wednesday.

“Last year, in President Trump’s State of the Union remarks, he said: ‘Great nations do not fight endless wars,’” Kaine said. “But instead of following through on his word, President Trump vetoed legislation that would help avoid unnecessary war in the Middle East. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to override his veto. Unless there’s a carefully reached consensus in Congress that war is necessary, we should not be sending our troops into harm’s way.”

CORONAVIRUS LATEST: The Defense Department has given 3M a $126 million contract to boost production of N95 respirator masks in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

Under the contract, 3M will speed up the existing delivery schedule “and increase N95 respirator production by at least 312 million annually within the next twelve months,” Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Andrews said in a statement.

“This increased production/industrial capacity will continue to ensure a sustainable supply chain of N95 respirators and resupply the Strategic National Stockpile in response to the increased national demand caused by the COVID 19 pandemic.”

The deal — made in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services and funded through the CARES Act — will have 3M increase its mask production by 26 million per month starting in October. To do so, the company will expand its facility in Aberdeen, S.D., and also perform initial production in Wisconsin. 

Latest numbers: The number of U.S. troops who have gotten the coronavirus surpassed 5,000 on Wednesday.

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Specifically, the Pentagon reported a total of 5,019 coronavirus cases in the military, including 105 who have been hospitalized and 1,887 who have recovered.

Adding in civilians, dependents and contractors, Wednesday’s report said there have been a total of 7,604 coronavirus cases related to the Pentagon.

No new deaths were reported Wednesday.

IN LIGHTER NEWS: The leaders of Space Force have some thoughts about the trailer for the upcoming Netflix comedy “Space Force.”

Specifically, Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond thinks Steve Carell, who plays the Space Force chief in the series, needs a haircut.

“The one piece of advice I’d give to Steve Carell is to get a haircut. You’re looking a little too shaggy if you want to play the Space Force chief,” Raymond, who is bald, said Wednesday during a webinar hosted by the Space Foundation.

While Raymond said he was hoping the Space Force chief would be played by fellow bald man Bruce Willis, he added he thinks Carell is a “great actor, and I love his shows. So we’re looking forward” to watching.

The first trailer for the show, which debuts May 29, was released Tuesday.

In one scene, a stressed Carell, who plays fictional Space Force head Gen. Mark Naird, begins singing “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys when he is alone in his office.

Asked during Wednesday’s webinar if the real Space Force would adopt the show’s theme song as its own, Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett joked that “we’re all into ‘Kokomo.’”

ON TAP FOR TOMORROW

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Kenneth Braithwaite
to be secretary of the Navy, James Anderson, to be deputy under secretary of Defense for policy and Gen. Charles Brown, Jr., to ce chief of staff of the Air Force at 9:30 a.m. https://bit.ly/2yAolrp

ICYMI

— The Hill: Pentagon: US military operations killed 132 civilians in 2019

— The Hill: Senate expected to approve House-passed surveillance powers bill next week

— The Hill: Trump administration negotiating with Iran for release of Navy veteran: NYT

— The Hill: Pompeo defends Wuhan lab claims in combative press conference

— The Hill: Opinion: Trump picks the worst possible moment to attack China

— The Hill: Opinion: The postal service is essential to national security

— Task and Purpose: The inside story behind the Pentagon’s ill-fated quest for a real life ‘Iron Man’ suit

— Foreign Policy: Trump taps point man to remove Pentagon officials seen as disloyal

— C4ISRNET: The Pentagon made its case against Ligado. What comes next isn’t clear.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump ally named next postmaster general Biden says he’ll reverse DeVos rule bolstering protections for those accused of campus sexual assault Reopen America — and repeal the SALT limitation MORE said Wednesday his administration is sticking with Republican state attorneys general who are suing to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA) after reports indicated U.S. Attorney General William Barr wanted to modify the Justice Department’s stance on the lawsuit. 

“We’re staying with Texas and the group,” Trump told reporters, referring to the coalition of GOP attorneys general, led by Texas, who argue the law is now unconstitutional because Congress repealed the penalty on individuals who don’t have health insurance in 2017.

“ObamaCare is a disaster but we’ve made it barely acceptable,” Trump added. 

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CNN reported this week that Barr had pushed to modify the administration’s stance on the lawsuit to preserve parts of the law rather than fully repealing it. Filings are due Wednesday for the Supreme Court case, which is expected to be heard in the next term. 

The administration’s position on the lawsuit has changed several times since it was filed in 2018. The Justice Department said last year the entire law should be struck down after initially saying some protections should be preserved. 

Trump’s comments about standing by the lawsuit come as Democrats again seek to mobilize voters on the issue of health care ahead of the November elections by arguing the president is trying to rip away coverage from millions of Americans. That strategy helped Democrats win back the House majority in 2018, but is arguably more damaging to Trump now as the U.S. deals with a deadly pandemic. 

“The protections of the Affordable Care Act are more important than ever,” Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOn The Money: House hits gas, Senate pumps brakes on T more in relief | Battle brewing over how to get more relief money to Americans | Private sector lost 20.2 million jobs in April: ADP Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy says public health threat of loneliness compounded by COVID-19; Trump says task force will ‘evolve’ White House sticks with Republican attorneys general fighting to overturn ObamaCare MORE (D-Calif.) told reporters on a call Wednesday. 

“Yet, in an act of staggering cruelty and senselessness, the president is still in court suing to tear down the ACA and dismantle every one of its protections and benefits.” 

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Because the Trump administration declined to defend the law against legal challenges in a break from standard protocol, Democratic attorneys general, led by California, have mounted the defense of the ACA. 

California Attorney General Xavier BecerraXavier BecerraWhite House sticks with Republican attorneys general fighting to overturn ObamaCare Uber to lay off 3,700 employees amid coronavirus pandemic Hillicon Valley: Uber, Lyft sued in California | Ratcliffe refuses to say whether Russian interference favored Trump | Facebook takes down QAnon conspiracy accounts | Airbnb cuts workforce MORE (D) said the coalition of 20 states and Washington, D.C., filed their briefs Wednesday with the Supreme Court, setting up the next phase in the battle over the 10-year-old health care law. 

“In defending the ACA before the Supreme Court, our goal is simple: save affordable healthcare and with it, American lives,” Becerra said in a statement. 

“The Trump Administration is choosing to walk away from its obligation to defend our nation’s laws. This is not a moment to abandon Americans who need to know they have the health coverage to protect their families from the coronavirus.”

The Supreme Court in March agreed to hear the case after the Democrats challenged a federal appeals court ruling that the mandate was unconstitutional. The appeals court punted the case back down to a lower court, which ruled in 2018 that the law is unconstitutional because it can’t stand without the mandate penalty. 

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In the Democratic brief filed Wednesday, Becerra and the other attorneys general argued the benefits of the ACA have “proven indispensable in the context of the current pandemic.”

The Democrats argue the law should stand because even if the mandate is now unconstitutional, it is severable from the rest of the ACA. 

Updated at 2:52 pm.

The Senate voted Wednesday to confirm President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump ally named next postmaster general Biden says he’ll reverse DeVos rule bolstering protections for those accused of campus sexual assault Reopen America — and repeal the SALT limitation MORE‘s counterintelligence chief after the nomination was stuck in limbo for nearly two years.

Senators voted 83-7 on William Evanina’s nomination to be the director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center.

Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Tammy DuckworthLadda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthHillicon Valley: Uber to lay off thousands of employees | Facebook content moderation board announces members | Lawmakers introduce bill to cut down online child exploitation Senate votes to confirm Trump counterintelligence chief Handicapping the Biden VP race: Kamala Harris by a mile MORE (Ill.), Mazie HironoMazie Keiko HironoHillicon Valley: Uber to lay off thousands of employees | Facebook content moderation board announces members | Lawmakers introduce bill to cut down online child exploitation Klobuchar, Warren call on FTC to protect small businesses against coronavirus scams Senate votes to confirm Trump counterintelligence chief MORE (Hawaii), Ed MarkeyEdward (Ed) John MarkeyHillicon Valley: Uber to lay off thousands of employees | Facebook content moderation board announces members | Lawmakers introduce bill to cut down online child exploitation The Hill’s Campaign Report: Trump embraces underdog role Senate votes to confirm Trump counterintelligence chief MORE (Mass.), Jeff MerkleyJeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleyHillicon Valley: Uber to lay off thousands of employees | Facebook content moderation board announces members | Lawmakers introduce bill to cut down online child exploitation Klobuchar, Warren call on FTC to protect small businesses against coronavirus scams Senate votes to confirm Trump counterintelligence chief MORE (Ore.), Chris Van HollenChristopher (Chris) Van HollenHillicon Valley: Uber to lay off thousands of employees | Facebook content moderation board announces members | Lawmakers introduce bill to cut down online child exploitation Warren, Van Hollen press HHS for details on deploying health corps, reserves amid coronavirus Klobuchar, Warren call on FTC to protect small businesses against coronavirus scams MORE (Md.) and Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenHillicon Valley: Uber to lay off thousands of employees | Facebook content moderation board announces members | Lawmakers introduce bill to cut down online child exploitation Klobuchar, Warren call on FTC to protect small businesses against coronavirus scams Senate expected to approve House-passed surveillance powers bill next week MORE (Ore.) voted against the nomination.

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The Senate’s vote comes two days after Sen. Chuck GrassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyHillicon Valley: Uber to lay off thousands of employees | Facebook content moderation board announces members | Lawmakers introduce bill to cut down online child exploitation Senate votes to confirm Trump counterintelligence chief The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Capitol Hill’s new normal MORE (R-Iowa) ended a nearly two-year blockade on the nomination, which he initially placed a hold on in June 2018.

“Due to the recent actions by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Attorney General to finally respond to my very longstanding oversight requests, I withdraw my objection to Mr. Evanina’s nomination,” Grassley said in a statement.

Grassley announced in 2018 that he was putting a hold on Evanina’s nomination because the intelligence community had been slow to respond to his oversight requests. He placed a hold on the nomination for a second time in March 2019, after the start of the new session of Congress.

Grassley said at the time, and again on Monday, that he was not stonewalling Evanina’s nomination for personal reasons.

“I did not question Mr. Evanina’s credentials in any way, and I put my statement of those reasons in the Record. I have done that consistently, not only since the rules of the Senate first required every Member to do that but even before that rule was put in place,” Grassley said Monday.

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He added that his actions should be a “reminder that when it comes to congressional oversight, I will use all the tools at my disposal to get to the truth of the matter and get access to the records that I believe are necessary to advance my investigations.”

Trump nominated Evanina in February 2018. Evanina has been filling the position since 2014, but lawmakers subsequently decided the post should require Senate confirmation.

His nomination has been approved by the Senate Intelligence Committee twice. But Grassley’s hold meant that if McConnell wanted to schedule a vote he would have to go through procedural loopholes that would eat up days of floor time.

Sen. Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerSenate votes to confirm Trump counterintelligence chief The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Trump doesn’t wear mask as he winds down task force Ratcliffe vows to deliver unvarnished intelligence MORE (D-Va.), the vice chairman of the committee, urged his colleagues to support Evanina’s nomination ahead of Wednesday’s vote.

“Unfortunately, over the last two years, despite universal recognition of Bill’s qualifications for the position, his nomination became entangled in unrelated matters. Despite the delay, Bill stayed the course, committed to the mission above all else,” Warner said.

House Republicans are pushing back on the idea of providing a minimum guaranteed income to Americans amid the financial fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiGOP lawmakers slam proposals for guaranteed income amid pandemic 10 things to know about coronavirus for today Black Caucus moves to front and center in COVID fight MORE (D-Calif.) expressed an openness to the concept on Monday during an interview with MSNBC while discussing the financial aid recently approved by Congress to help bolster the economy. 

“Let’s see what works, what is operational and what needs attention,” she said.

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“Others have suggested a minimum income, a guaranteed income for people. Is that worthy of attention now? Perhaps so,” Pelosi continued. “Because there are many more people than just in small business and hired by small business … that may need some assistance as well.”

While Congress previously passed coronavirus relief measures that included provisions to provide up to $1,200 to individuals and forgivable loans to small businesses, proponents of a universal basic income have argued that Congress needs to do more to help Americans stay afloat. 

However, top GOP lawmakers are accusing Democrats of attempting to use the pandemic to move policy to the left, blasting the proposal as fiscally irresponsible and opportunistic. 

“It’s incredibly tone-deaf of Speaker Pelosi to continue using this crisis to push these radical socialist ideas that have been consistently rejected,” House Minority Whip Steve ScaliseStephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseGOP lawmakers slam proposals for guaranteed income amid pandemic House reverses, but Senate to return despite COVID threat Why oil prices fell into negative territory — and why it might happen again MORE (R-La.) said. “What we should be focused on is responsibly implementing the relief packages we passed to get trillions of dollars directly into the hands of families and businesses so the American people have jobs and an economy to come back to when we finally reopen.”

Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) echoed Scalise’s sentiments, arguing that Congress should be working on a plan to get the economy back on track after the pandemic. 

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“Congressional Democrats already told us they’re taking advantage of a crisis to turn America into a socialist country. They admitted this pandemic is a ‘tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit [their] vision,’” Banks said, referring to a comment made by Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.).  “Republicans, on the other hand, are trying to provide temporary relief to preserve the strong Trump economy we had before the pandemic.” 

Rep. Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) GaetzGOP lawmakers slam proposals for guaranteed income amid pandemic The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Richard Edelman says business has to step in the COVID-19 void left by politicized media and episodic government; US reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: U.S. reaches grim milestone of 50,000 deaths; UAE Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba says COVID-19 crisis creates opportunity with Iran MORE (R-Fla.) also blasted Democrats for considering the idea.

“The Speaker’s comments reaffirm that Republicans are the party of working Americans while Democrats prefer diminished productivity, hundreds of millions for illegal aliens, upgrades to the Kennedy Center and bailouts for states that made bad decisions before COVID-19 ever escaped the Wuhan Institute of Virology,” Gaetz told The Hill.

Meanwhile others have argued that they don’t believe creating another safety net is necessary, pointing out that there are already programs in place that can be utilized to help those struggling financially. 

“We already have a universal basic income — it’s called work. We also have [Social Security Disability Insurance] (SSDI) for people who are unable to work physically or due to disabilities. We have security if you’re older, they’ve earned it,” Rep. Paul MitchellPaul MitchellGOP lawmakers slam proposals for guaranteed income amid pandemic House Republicans push back against proxy voting Hundreds of thousands of masks missing from federal shipments to Michigan MORE (R-Mich.) told The Hill.  

“We have a variety of forms of support for people like unemployment compensation and public assistance for purely short term assistance,” Mitchell continued, “so I’m trying to understand exactly what [Pelosi] wants to do besides throw more money at people.”

While the idea of a standard income has faced strong opposition from the GOP, members of both parties have floated proposals for additional federal assistance to be provided to individuals and businesses amid the pandemic. 

Sen. Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyGOP lawmakers slam proposals for guaranteed income amid pandemic Bipartisan pair of senators request antitrust probe into meatpacking industry Privacy hawks willing to see how new contact tracing project plays out MORE (R-Mo.) has proposed for the federal government to pay 80 percent of workers’ wages through the end of the pandemic. And Reps. Tim RyanTimothy (Tim) RyanGOP lawmakers slam proposals for guaranteed income amid pandemic Pelosi: Minimum guaranteed income may now be ‘worthy of attention’ 14 things to know about coronavirus for today MORE (D-Ohio) and Ro KhannaRohit (Ro) KhannaGOP lawmakers slam proposals for guaranteed income amid pandemic The Hill’s Campaign Report: New York cancels primary amid coronavirus Pelosi: Minimum guaranteed income may now be ‘worthy of attention’ MORE (D-Calif.) have proposed for those making less than $130,000 a year to receive a monthly payment of at least $2,000.  

Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalGOP lawmakers slam proposals for guaranteed income amid pandemic The Hill’s Campaign Report: New York cancels primary amid coronavirus Pelosi: Minimum guaranteed income may now be ‘worthy of attention’ MORE (D-Wash.), a co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, introduced a measure that would create a program to provide a federal guarantee for 100 percent of workers’ salaries of up to $100,000 for up to three months. 

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President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump ally named next postmaster general Biden says he’ll reverse DeVos rule bolstering protections for those accused of campus sexual assault Reopen America — and repeal the SALT limitation MORE is sending a White House ally to the Pentagon to vet officials’ loyalty to him, Foreign Policy reported Wednesday.

Michael Cutrone, who has served as Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceSusan Collins says she will vote for Trump’s intelligence chief nominee Trump says he briefly wore a mask at Phoenix factory Trump backs off plans to wind down task force after backlash MORE’s top national security aide for South Asia, is expected to serve in a behind-the-scenes role in the Pentagon to measure how loyal other officials are to Trump, two current administration officials told the Foreign Polcy. 

The timeline of Cutrone’s arrival is unclear at this time. 

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Officials are concerned Cutrone will undermine Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperOvernight Defense: Esper fires back at Senate criticism | Joint Chiefs of Staff chair says evidence suggests coronavirus occurred naturally | DOD identifies casualty Esper shoots back at Senate Democrats’ criticism of coronavirus response Overnight Defense: Esper suggests USS Kidd coronavirus outbreak came from counter-drug operation | US Navy enters Barents Sea for first time since Cold War | Purple Hearts approved for soldiers injured in Iran attack MORE’s authority as Trump attempts to remove disloyal officials from the rankings, according to the report. Some said they worried the few officials left to push back on ideas will be removed from their positions or undercut. 

“He is pushing to replace and remove civilians in OSD [the office of the secretary of Defense] that are not aligned with the White House,” one current senior administration official said. “Esper has no say in who the key people are going into senior positions.”

Trump has frequently replaced Cabinet members and other officials who have disagreed with him. Former Defense Secretary James MattisJames Norman MattisPentagon watchdog unable to ‘definitively’ determine if White House influenced JEDI contract Debrief — America needs a ‘ferociously bipartisan’ coronavirus commission Mattis defends Pentagon IG removed by Trump MORE resigned under pressure after repeated battles with Trump over a number of issues. Trump is on his second secretary of State and third national security adviser. 

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The Pentagon told Foreign Policy it had “no personnel announcement with regard to that person or that position, and we don’t have any information about any other speculation.”

The Pentagon told The Hill that it deferred to the White House on nominations. The White House did not immediately return a request for comment. 

 

BMW on Wednesday warned that the coronavirus pandemic will harm the auto industry “for quite some time to come.”

The automaker reduced its profitability forecast for earnings to zero percent to 3 percent from 2 percent to 4 percent after a drop in demand during the first quarter as the world battled the coronavirus and dealerships shut down, according to a release. 

BMW reported in its quarterly statement that net profit dropped 2.4 percent to $620 million during the first three months of the year, a decrease from about $635 million in 2019. But the year before, BMW was charged approximately $1.9 billion in a European Union trust case. 

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The company expects sales this year to be much lower than last year’s, adding that a quick recovery “is unlikely.” BMW predicts the “highest negative impact” will occur in the second quarter, as governments around the world are just beginning to reopen. 

During the first quarter, vehicles with higher profit margins overshadowed other sales, according to the quarterly statements. 

In a statement, the BMW Group said it is “well prepared to react swiftly and decisively” during the pandemic.

“This approach is all the more important given that the BMW Group expects the consequences of the corona pandemic to constrain the operations of the entire automotive industry for quite some time to come,” the statement read. 

The automaker also said in the statement it will reduce investments to keep cash and extend its $12.9 billion cost-savings plan. Chief Financial Officer Nicolas Peter said in a conference call that plans for a plant in Hungary would be delayed for a year, and other projects “will be carefully reconsidered.”

The Senate will attempt on Thursday to override President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump ally named next postmaster general Biden says he’ll reverse DeVos rule bolstering protections for those accused of campus sexual assault Reopen America — and repeal the SALT limitation MORE‘s veto of a resolution that constrains his ability to take military action against Iran without congressional signoff.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHillicon Valley: Uber to lay off thousands of employees | Facebook content moderation board announces members | Lawmakers introduce bill to cut down online child exploitation Senate to attempt to override Trump’s Iran war powers veto Thursday Durbin: ‘I do feel safe’ at the Capitol MORE (R-Ky.) announced Wednesday that the chamber will hold a veto override vote at 1:30 p.m. It’s expected to fall short of the two-thirds support needed, effectively ending the attempt to nix Trump’s veto.

The Senate’s vote will come less than a day after Trump vetoed the resolution and lashed out at Congress, saying it “should not have passed this resolution.”

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“This was a very insulting resolution, introduced by Democrats as part of a strategy to win an election on November 3 by dividing the Republican Party. The few Republicans who voted for it played right into their hands,” he said in a statement.

The resolution, spearheaded by Sen. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineOvernight Defense: Trump vetoes Iran war powers resolution | Pentagon awards 6M contract to 3M to boost mask production | Space Force chief advises Steve Carell to ‘get a haircut’ Senate to attempt to override Trump’s Iran war powers veto Thursday Trump vetoes resolution seeking to prevent military action against Iran MORE (D-Va.), would require Trump to pull any U.S. troops from any hostilities against Iran within 30 days unless he gets congressional approval for the military action.

“I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to override his veto. Unless there’s a carefully reached consensus in Congress that war is necessary, we should not be sending our troops into harm’s way,” Kaine said in a statement on Wednesday.

The resolution initially passed the Senate in February in a 55-45 vote, with eight GOP senators supporting it. It then passed the House in a 227-186 vote in March as one of its last votes before lawmakers left town amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Democrats had vowed to force a vote on the resolution, which they are able to do under the War Powers Act, after the United States launched an airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, sparking days of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.

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