Trump backs Blackburn's Tennessee Senate bid

President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE backed Rep. Marsha BlackburnMarsha BlackburnGOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police GOP senators dodge on treatment of White House protesters Five things to know about Trump’s legal power under the Insurrection Act MORE (R-Tenn.) on Thursday in her bid to replace retiring Sen. Bob CorkerRobert (Bob) Phillips CorkerGOP lawmakers stick to Trump amid new criticism Trump asserts his power over Republicans Romney is only GOP senator not on new White House coronavirus task force MORE (R). 

The endorsement isn’t surprising — Blackburn faces no serious challenge in the GOP primary, where she’s run as an unapologetic conservative and Trump supporter. But the endorsement still gives Blackburn a boost in her bid against former Gov. Phil Bredesen (D), who is shaping up to be a tough contender for the seat.  Blackburn “is a wonderful woman who has always been there when we have needed her. Great on the Military, Border Security and Crime. Loves and works hard for the people of Tennessee. She has my full endorsement and I will be there to campaign with her!” Trump tweeted Thursday.  

Trump’s move comes months after Vice President Pence’s political action committee donated to Blackburn’s Senate bid last year. 

Click Here: PuttersIn her early months as a candidate, Blackburn has highlighted shared views with Trump on issues like immigration and the debate over athletes kneeling in protest during the national anthem.  Blackburn initially faced a primary challenge from Rep. Stephen FincherStephen Lee FincherTrump announces, endorses ambassador to Japan’s Tennessee Senate bid Lamar Alexander’s exit marks end of an era in evolving Tennessee Tensions on immigration erupt in the House GOP MORE, but Fincher ended his bid earlier this year and called on Corker to reverse his decision and run again. That call came as some Republicans fretted behind the scenes about whether Blackburn could win. But Blackburn and her allies furiously pushed back against the doubters, and Corker ultimately announced that he wouldn’t reverse-course and enter the race Blackburn raised $2 million in the first fundraising quarter of 2018, giving her $6 million in cash on hand. Bredesen raised $3.2 million over that same period — but $1.4 million of that total came from a personal loan — and his campaign hasn’t yet released its total cash on hand.  The latest public poll in the race, from Middle Tennessee State University, found Bredesen up 10 points — a surprisingly strong figure for Democrats. Bredesen’s supporters hope that his deep pockets, well-considered tenure in office and strong name identification will put the seat in play for the party.  But Republicans aren’t sounding the alarms just yet, noting that, while Blackburn still needs to introduce herself to voters in the state, she has more than enough time and resources to get that done. 

Blankenship blames 'the establishment' after Trump Jr. criticism

Don Blankenship, the controversial Republican candidate for Senate in West Virginia, responded on Thursday to sharp criticism from Donald Trump Jr.Don John TrumpTrump Jr. calls elderly supporter who was assaulted Trump Jr. hits Howard Stern for going ‘establishment,’ ‘acting like Hillary’ Trump Jr., GOP senator lash out at Facebook for taking down protest pages on stay-at-home orders MORE, by blaming “the establishment” for mounting attacks against his campaign.  “The establishment is doing everything they can to keep Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinTrump administration seeks to use global aid for nuclear projects Shelley Moore Capito wins Senate primary West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice wins GOP gubernatorial primary MORE in office,” Blankenship said in a statement to CNN, referring to the state’s vulnerable Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin.  Blankenship, who trails significantly behind his primary opponents, West Virginia Republican Rep. Evan JenkinsEvan Hollin JenkinsWest Virginia New Members 2019 Republican Carol Miller holds off Democrat in West Virginia House race Trump to fundraise for 3 Republicans running for open seats: report MORE and Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, is facing increasing pressure from Washington Republicans who fear that his run could hurt their plans to oust Manchin in November. The GOP primary is Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT “No other Republican can beat Manchin without my full support, and neither Morrisey nor Jenkins is deserving of my support,” Blankenship said in the statement. “West Virginians should be able to decide for themselves who we send to the U.S. Senate.” The defiant remarks come after President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s son warned that the GOP doesn’t want to see another Alabama in the West Virginia Senate race. The former Republican candidate for Senate in red-state Alabama, Roy MooreRoy Stewart MooreSessions goes after Tuberville’s coaching record in challenging him to debate The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip Sessions fires back at Trump over recusal: ‘I did my duty & you’re damn fortunate I did” MORE, lost the general election to a Democrat amid allegations of past sexual misconduct.  “I hate to lose. So I’m gonna go out on a limb here and ask the people of West Virginia to make a wise decision and reject Blankenship! No more fumbles like Alabama,” Donald Jr. posted on Twitter on Thursday. “We need to win in November.” Blankenship, a former executive at coal company Massey Energy who spent a year in prison, is running as an outsider and says he is the only candidate in the race able to help the president “drain the swamp.” He has also feuded with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote GOP senator to try to reverse requirement that Pentagon remove Confederate names from bases No, ‘blue states’ do not bail out ‘red states’ MORE (R-Ky.). Trump Jr. responded to Blankenship by saying, “ha!” “Now I’m establishment?” he tweeted. “No, I’m realistic & I know the first thing Manchin will do is run ads featuring the families of those 29 miners killed due to actions that sent you to prison. Can’t win the general… you should know that & if others in the GOP won’t say it, I will.”

Blankenship is also under fire from a conservative group tied to Washington Republicans that has spent hundreds of thousands on attack ads against him.  Democrats have funneled money into a series of ads in West Virginia against Jenkins and Morissey, in a strategy Trump Jr. and others see as as benefiting Blankenship in order to set up Republicans for failure in the general election. 

Dem peace deal reached in crucial House district

California and national Democrats have brokered an agreement between two House candidates to cease negative campaigning ahead of the June 5 primary in a key race that had gotten increasingly nasty.

California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman announced that he had helped to engineer a deal between health insurance executive Andy Thorburn and veteran and lottery winner Gil Cisneros.

Bauman said Cisneros and Thorburn agreed to stop attacking each other and instead will focus on “promoting their positive visions” and “highlighting their contrast with the corrupt, incompetent Trump Republicans.”

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Both candidates are running in a crowded Democratic primary in the race to replace retiring GOP Rep. Ed RoyceEdward (Ed) Randall RoyceGil Cisneros to face Young Kim in rematch of 2018 House race in California The most expensive congressional races of the last decade Mystery surrounds elusive sanctions on Russia MORE. The race is seen as leaning Democrat given Royce’s retirement.

Democrats are growing fearful that they’ll get boxed out of the general election, however, thanks to California’s unique election laws.

The state’s “jungle primary” puts all candidates, regardless of party, in a single primary, with the top two vote-getters moving on to the general election. Democrats worry that the crowded primary fields could split up the party’s vote and lead to two Republicans moving on to the November election.

“I am pleased to announce that, after many productive and cooperative discussions and good-faith gestures by both candidates, we have reached an extraordinary agreement between candidates Gil Cisneros and Andy Thorburn that will ensure our voters can make an informed choice, free from the corrosive and divisive tactics that have hurt Democratic candidates in the past,” Bauman said in a statement that includes a photo of both candidates smiling and shaking hands.

“The last thing our Party needs, and the last thing the voters want, is a divisive and negative Primary campaign that undermines our chances in November. Thanks to this unusual agreement between these candidates, we will have the contest our Party needs and the voters deserve in the 39th District.”

Bauman, who mediated the agreement, noted that the agreement was also supported by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the House Democrats’ campaign arm. The DCCC elevated Cisneros to its “Red to Blue” program, which offers financial and organizational support to promising candidates.

The primary for Royce’s seat had taken a brutal turn in recent weeks.

The Intercept recently published an allegation from Thorburn, who accused Cisneros of leaving a voicemail threatening to “go negative.”

But Cisneros’s team pushed back, arguing that voice recognition analysis it commissioned suggested it wasn’t his voice on the recording.

The candidates had also launched dueling negative websites about their opponent, but as of Friday, both sites were taken down.

In an effort to boost Democrats’ chances in the district, the DCCC purchased $274,000 in cable and radio ads to target two Republicans running for Royce’s seat. One ad attacks former state Sen. Bob Huff for supporting taxes hikes, while the other spot targets Republican Shawn Nelson, a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, accusing him of hypocrisy over pensions.

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Stocks plunge in wild week of trading

U.S. stock market plunged Wednesday morning, continuing a period of volatility that has seen sudden drops and spikes in recent weeks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened down 350 points, or 1.2 percent, while the S&P 500 fell 50 points, or 1.5 percent.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 200 points, or 1.9 percent, as tech stocks retreated.

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The drop comes despite news that typically would boost markets. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday signaled that it would keep interest rates depressed through 2023.

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Initial unemployment claims on Thursday showed a drop in claims, a move in the right direction in a time of continued tough economic conditions.

Meanwhile, Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPowell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could ‘scar and damage’ economy Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump’s military controversies Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings MORE (D-Calif.) said she would keep Congress in session to work out a stimulus deal economists say will be key to keeping the economic recovery going in the right direction. Republicans and Democrats remain miles apart in their positions, however, even as President TrumpDonald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power ‘is invested in the attorney general’ Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could ‘scar and damage’ economy MORE urged Congress to pass a large bill, pushing Republicans closer to the Democratic position.

Trump administration pressing Russia on nuclear weapons treaty concessions ahead of election

The Trump administration is pressing Russia on nuclear arms treaty concessions. 

The administration is threatening Russia with the possibility of extending one of its remaining nuclear weapons treaties between the countries if Moscow does not commit to U.S. demands before the Nov. 3 election, CNN reported.

Washington and Moscow have deliberated for months over negotiating the renewal of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), with Russia saying it wants a five-year renewal, while the U.S. is reluctant without additional commitments from the Kremlin.

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“What we have suggested to the Russians in terms of the way ahead is — in our view precisely that the Russians have a choice to make,” Marshall Billingslea, the top Trump administration nuclear negotiator, told CNN. “But they may find the price of admission goes up after November.”

While administration officials have expressed confidence in their negotiating strategy, some experts are unsure Russia would buckle under the pressure of Washington.

“The Trump administration is playing a risky game of chicken with the New START treaty, which has proven to be effective, which both sides are complying with and which is essential for U.S. and Russian national security,” said Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association.

“They can see the polls,” Kimball said. “Why should they say yes to something right now when Trump may be out of office and they think they know the Biden administration will agree to an extension and follow on talks?”

Democrat Joe Biden is leading Trump in national and swing-state polls, though the margins in most swing states are tight.

Biden has said that he would sign the renewal of the New START if he is elected president.

The deadline for the extension is Feb. 5, 2021.

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On the Money: Administration to ban TikTok, WeChat | House moves toward bill to avoid government shutdown | Coronavirus relief bills boosted GDP, CBO says

Happy Friday and welcome back to On The Money. I’m Niv Elis, filling in for Sylvan Lane, with your nightly guide to everything affecting your bills, bank account and bottom line.

See something I missed? Let me know at nelis@thehill.com or tweet me @NivElis. And if you like your newsletter, you can subscribe to it here: http://bit.ly/1NxxW2N.

Write us with tips, suggestions and news: slane@thehill.com, njagoda@thehill.com and nelis@thehill.com. Follow us on Twitter: @SylvanLane, @NJagoda and @NivElis.

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THE BIG DEAL—Trump pulls the plug on TikTok

The Trump administration announced Friday that it will ban WeChat and TikTok from U.S. app stores starting Sunday. The order is a significant escalation against the two Chinese-owned apps that have massive user bases in the U.S.

WeChat users will also be banned from transferring funds and processing payments through the messaging apps starting Sunday.

The Commerce Department restrictions will also bar companies from providing internet hosting, content delivery networks or peering services for WeChat or use any of the app’s code, functions or services within the U.S. as of Sunday. The same restrictions will apply to TikTok starting Nov. 12.

The stock market did not react favorably to the news. 

Read more from Chris Mills Rodrigo here.

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LEADING THE DAY: Lawmakers move toward government funding deal

Congressional leaders and the White House inched toward finalizing a stopgap spending bill on Friday to avert a government shutdown on Oct. 1.

House Democrats plan to introduce legislation later Friday that would fund the government through Dec. 11, two aides confirmed.

Lawmakers were aiming to reach a deal by midday Friday, but the House held a brief pro forma session at noon without any spending legislation filed.

The main hangups had included the expiration date and aid for farmers who’ve been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more from Cristina Marcos here.

CBO: COVID-19 rescue packages saved 4.7 percent in GDP

A string of emergency COVID-19 relief bills passed earlier in the year added 4.7 percent to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020 and will add another 3.1 percent to the economy in 2021, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

The report could also give a boost to Democrats in stalled negotiations over an additional COVID-19 relief package.

The CBO found that direct assistance to state and local governments had the largest effect on the economy. For every dollar spent on state and local aid, the economy saw an 89 cent increase through 2023, well above the 59 cent average of all the measures.

Read more details from me here.

Trump administration announces $13 billion in aid to Puerto Rico

The Trump administration on Friday announced an additional $13 billion in assistance to help Puerto Rico rebuild its infrastructure in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island in 2017.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will award grants designed to bolster Puerto Rico’s electrical grid and spur recovery of its education system.

The move comes as President TrumpDonald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg’s vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: ‘The fate of our rights’ depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE seeks to win over as many voters as possible in must-win Florida, home to about a million former residents of Puerto Rico, many of whom still have family on the island. 

But that’s not all…

Trump also announced another $13B in aid to farmers affected by COVID-19

Virtual Event Announcement — Monday, Sept. 21: Ecommerce and the American Small Business

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“Online everything” continues to be an essential component of daily life, especially now, as Americans take safety precautions in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. How will the introduction of more small businesses to the digital, global marketplace change the way we buy and sell goods? On Monday, Sept. 21 at 1PM, The Hill Virtually Live discusses steps that can be taken to improve our digital infrastructure, and by extension, our digital economy. House Small Business Committee members Adriano EspaillatAdriano de Jesus Espaillat CabralOn the Money: Administration to ban TikTok, WeChat | House moves toward bill to avoid government shutdown | Coronavirus relief bills boosted GDP, CBO says Hispanic Caucus members embark on ‘virtual bus tour’ with Biden campaign On the Money: Pelosi draws line at .2T | Jobless claims dip | Swing-state jobless numbers an issue for Trump MORE (D-N.Y.) and Kevin HernKevin HernOn the Money: Administration to ban TikTok, WeChat | House moves toward bill to avoid government shutdown | Coronavirus relief bills boosted GDP, CBO says On the Money: Pelosi draws line at .2T | Jobless claims dip | Swing-state jobless numbers an issue for Trump What we learned from COVID: Telehealth is here to stay MORE (R-Okla.) join The Hill’s Steve Clemons. RSVP now for event reminders.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • United Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid
  • Markets lose ground for third straight week
  • Working from home meant Americans saved a collective 60 million hours from commuting per day, according to a new study

OPINION

  • California’s embrace of socialism should serve as a warning
  • Biden’s fiscal program: What is the likely market impact?
  • As economic storm clouds gather abroad, are US policymakers paying attention?

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Airbus attempting to create zero-carbon passenger plane by 2035

Airbus unveiled three designs for zero-emission aircraft on Monday, including one potential design that ditches the traditional fuselage design for a modified “blade” shape.

A press release touted the new designs and stressed the viability of hydrogen as a fuel source for aircraft going forward as the industry seeks to reduce its impact on the climate.

“This is a historic moment for the commercial aviation sector as a whole and we intend to play a leading role in the most important transition this industry has ever seen. The concepts we unveil today offer the world a glimpse of our ambition to drive a bold vision for the future of zero-emission flight,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury in the press release.

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“I strongly believe that the use of hydrogen — both in synthetic fuels and as a primary power source for commercial aircraft — has the potential to significantly reduce aviation’s climate impact,” Faury added.

The United Nations predicts that emissions from commercial aircraft could triple by 2050. Such emissions now account for about 2.5 percent of global carbon emissions.

The designs released Monday feature two different engine designs, including a modified gas-turbine engine and a turboprop engine. Two of the versions are designed to accommodate hydrogen storage tanks which would be necessary for longer journeys.

Faury added in his statement that the designs would require airports around the world to build infrastructure to help the industry expand to hydrogen-powered aircraft.

“These concepts will help us explore and mature the design and layout of the world’s first climate-neutral, zero-emission commercial aircraft, which we aim to put into service by 2035,” said Faury. “The transition to hydrogen, as the primary power source for these concept planes, will require decisive action from the entire aviation ecosystem.”

“Together with the support from government and industrial partners we can rise up to this challenge to scale-up renewable energy and hydrogen for the sustainable future of the aviation industry,” he said.

Uninsured Americans increased even before pandemic, Census finds

The number of people without health insurance increased last year, even before the coronavirus pandemic struck, according to new federal figures released Tuesday.

The Census Bureau found nearly 30 million people were not covered by health insurance at the time they were interviewed in 2019, up from 28.6 million in 2018. 

The number of uninsured Americans has been increasing for the past three years, after seeing a massive decline in the wake of the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

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According to the Census report, there has been an increase of more than 2 million uninsured people since 2016. The number of uninsured people decreased by 20 million after the law was passed in 2010.

However, because of the law’s large coverage gains, all states and the District of Columbia still had a lower uninsured rate in 2019 than in 2010.

The report did not speculate why the numbers have been rising, but some experts point to a steady attack on the health law by the Trump administration and congressional Republicans. 

The law’s individual mandate, which requires people to have health insurance or pay a fine, was eliminated as part of the GOP tax bill.

Federal advertising and outreach for the law’s open enrollment period has been slashed, and the administration has allowed states enormous amounts of flexibility to make it harder for people to obtain Medicaid coverage. 

Health care has consistently polled as one of the top issues among Americans leading up to the 2020 election, though the pandemic has also catapulted the economy to the forefront as well. 

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The Census survey was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but the findings show just how vulnerable millions of Americans were, and why many have been unable to afford treatment.

Notably, the survey showed Hispanics experienced the largest change in uninsured rates between 2018 and 2019,  increasing from 17.9 percent in 2018 to 18.7 percent in 2019.

Hispanic people are among the groups most vulnerable to COVID-19.

The Census survey found the majority of people were covered by private insurance, and 56.4 percent were covered through their employer. 

Public coverage through Medicare and Medicaid was mixed. The percent of people insured through Medicaid fell slightly from 17.9 percent in 2018 to 17.2 percent last year. 

But the percentage of people covered by Medicare grew from 17.8 percent in 2018 to 18.1 percent in 2019, largely due to an aging population.

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CDC tells Congress it urgently needs $6 billion for vaccine distribution

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it needs $6 billion that it does not currently have in order to distribute a coronavirus vaccine, highlighting a new hurdle in a massive logistical undertaking. 

The agency had previously privately informed Congress of the need for more funds, according to congressional aides, but CDC Director Robert Redfield made the request public for the first time at a Senate hearing on Wednesday, calling it “urgent.”

“Right now we’ve leveraged about $600 million, but we do not have the resources to support 64 jurisdictions to get this plan operational, so to me it’s an urgency,” Redfield said. 

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“The time is now for us to be able to get those resources out to the state, and we currently don’t have those resources,” he added. 

The need for vaccine distribution funding raises the stakes for Congress to come together on a broader coronavirus deal. While both parties support the vaccine funding, there is no clear path for enacting it outside of a larger deal, which has been stalled for months. 

“If you have the vaccine and don’t have either the plan or the resources to distribute it, that’s a huge failure on the part of the Congress to provide the resources that we know are going to be necessary,” Sen. Roy BluntRoy Dean BluntOn The Money: Trump undercuts GOP, calls for bigger COVID-19 relief package | Communities of color hit hardest financially by COVID-19 | Businesses, states pass on Trump payroll tax deferral Trump undercuts GOP, calls for bigger COVID-19 relief package Businesses, states pass on Trump payroll tax deferral MORE (R-Mo.), the chairman of the Senate panel that funds health care, said in response to Redfield. “I hope it’s part of whatever package we put together this very month to be sure you have the capacity to do that.”

He noted that the coronavirus package that the Senate voted on last week, and which was blocked by Democrats for being too small, included the $6 billion for vaccine distribution, as well as an additional $20 billion that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says it needs for further vaccine manufacturing and development. 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled McConnell accuses Democrats of sowing division by ‘downplaying progress’ on election security Warren, Schumer introduce plan for next president to cancel ,000 in student debt MORE (R-Ky.) last week also pointed to vaccine funding in pressuring Democrats to support the GOP bill. “They’re going to vote against finding and distributing vaccines because they are afraid the breakthrough that our nation is praying for might possibly help President TrumpDonald John TrumpHR McMaster says president’s policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is ‘unwise’ Cast of ‘Parks and Rec’ reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE?” McConnell said on the Senate floor. 

Democrats say they support additional funding for a vaccine. “Given that the Senate has not begun its appropriations process, we support inclusion of this funding in a supplemental coronavirus appropriations bill,” said a House Democratic aide. 

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But the broader negotiations on a coronavirus package to carry the funding are still deadlocked. Democratic leaders say the GOP bill voted on last week was “emaciated” and lacked needed funding for areas like state and local governments, food aid and rental assistance. 

Asked about the vaccine funding, Henry Connelly, a spokesman for Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiMcConnell focuses on confirming judicial nominees with COVID-19 talks stalled Overnight Defense: Top admiral says ‘no condition’ where US should conduct nuclear test ‘at this time’ | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Pelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership MORE (D-Calif.), said there are a range of priorities that Republicans are refusing to adequately fund. 

“Millions of kids are food insecure, families are facing eviction, schools can’t reopen safely, more money is desperately needed for testing, tracing and vaccines, there’s crisis everywhere you look because Republicans are refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation facing America and pass a bill that meets these needs,” Connelly said. “There are massive, urgent needs that have to be met as soon as possible, and Republicans need to stop focusing on doing as little as possible so we can reach an agreement on a bill that will address the health and economic crises gripping our nation.”

A Senate GOP aide said that based on lawmaker and staff discussions with HHS, the $6 billion would be used for “all parts of the distribution process cold-chain supply (including buying freezers); all the logistics of physically moving the vaccine from manufacturing facilities to states down to pharmacies, or mobile units, or a personal physician,” as well as “establishing distribution centers.”

Two of the leading vaccines, from Moderna and Pfizer, require storage at sub-zero temperatures, making buying sufficient freezers a key concern.

The Trump administration released a distribution plan on Wednesday that relies heavily on states, who will choose the vaccination sites in their area. 

But the plan also requires money. 

“This is a very ambitious endeavor to roll out and vaccinate hundreds of millions of people,” said Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. “States are going to need resources to do that.”

Being able to store the vaccines at the right temperature, in particular, “could be challenging,” he said. 

The proper cold storage “requires the states to invest in such capacity,” said Prashant Yadav, a health supply chain expert at the Center for Global Development. Or as an alternative, he said, the federal government would have to make precise shipments of vaccine every day from its storage areas out to the vaccination sites. 

“That is a humongous effort,” he said. “It’s like taking an Amazon Prime delivery model for a vaccine.”

Another question is whether there will be enough vials, needles and syringes to administer the vaccine. 

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Blunt also said at Wednesday’s hearing that “HHS has told us that to have 300 million copies of vaccine available, they need another $20 billion that they don’t have in any specifically appropriated line.”

HHS Assistant Secretary Robert Kadlec replied that he agreed that $20 billion more is needed, though he did not elaborate. 

A Senate GOP aide said the money would be used to “continue to develop and manufacture vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.”

Plescia, of the state health officials group, said his organization is hoping Congress reaches a deal. 

“We’re all kind of banking on the fact that they’ll come together on this, especially if it’s funding purely for vaccine administration and delivery,” he said. “They don’t really want to be the stumbling block.” 

Supreme Court honors Ginsburg with black crepe, lowered flags

The Supreme Court has draped a black wool crepe over the entrance to the courtroom and the place on the bench formerly occupied by the late Justice Ruth Bader GinsburgRuth Bader GinsburgRegina King accepts Emmy wearing Breonna Taylor shirt, urges viewers to vote Ocasio-Cortez to voters: Tell McConnell ‘he is playing with fire’ with Ginsburg’s seat Mural of Ruth Bader Ginsburg pops up blocks away from White House MORE, a court tradition dating to at least 1873. 

The flags on the court’s front plaza will also be flown at half-staff for 30 days in honor of Ginsburg, who died Friday from pancreatic cancer. 

A court spokesperson said the draping of black crepe traces back at least as far as the death of Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase in 1873.

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“It is believed to have been followed since, with the bench chair and bench draped on the death of each sitting justice, and the courtroom door draped on the death of each justice, sitting or retired,” said court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg.

The solemn tradition was last invoked following the deaths of retired Justice John Paul Stevens in 2019 and Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016.

The announcement comes after the Supreme Court’s eight current justices and two surviving retired justices on Saturday issued statements recalling the grace, fortitude and wit of their late colleague, who was a trailblazer for women’s rights and gender equality.