Lawmakers on Wednesday called for expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to help small businesses and the education system remain competitive in the global economy.

“The future of our competitiveness, on a global level, is dependent upon us embracing this technology,” said Rep. Brenda LawrenceBrenda Lulenar LawrenceLawmakers call for expanded AI role in education, business to remain competitive The Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association – Pence lauds Harris as ‘experienced debater’; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep The Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association – Trump, Biden couldn’t be more different on climate change MORE (D-Mich.) at The Hill’s “Powering America’s Economy with AI” event.

Lawrence, a member of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, told The Hill’s Steve Clemons that while AI should be promoted in schools to help build a competitive workforce, there are built-in biases in algorithms that must be addressed and removed.

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Rep. Jerry McNerneyGerlad (Jerry) Mark McNerneyLawmakers call for expanded AI role in education, business to remain competitive The Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association – Pence lauds Harris as ‘experienced debater’; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep The Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association – Trump, Biden couldn’t be more different on climate change MORE (D-Calif.), co-chair of the AI Caucus, added that there must be transparency regarding data in order to prevent bias from impacting negatively any one group over another.

“It is up to [the government] to make sure that this opportunity is shared equally and grows the economy in a fair way,” he added.

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In a voice vote Monday, the House passed the AI in Government Act of 2019, which would establish an AI Center of Excellence with the General Services Administration in order to promote the efforts of the federal government in developing innovative uses of AI. The center would also increase the awareness of the meaning of AI to Congress.

“We want to make sure that members of Congress and their staff are educated about what AI can do,” he said at the event sponsored by Intuit, adding that the legislation would “not only create the ability of the federal government to use AI in a responsible way, but it will also empower small businesses.”

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AI has become more commonplace in certain parts of the economy, posing both opportunities and challenges for small businesses.

Rep. Steve ChabotSteven (Steve) Joseph ChabotLawmakers call for expanded AI role in education, business to remain competitive The Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association – Pence lauds Harris as ‘experienced debater’; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep The Hill’s Morning Report – Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association – Trump, Biden couldn’t be more different on climate change MORE (R-Ohio), who also spoke at the event, said technology is playing a major role in how small firms are able to adapt during the pandemic.

“We need to make sure that they’re successful to get this economy moving in the right direction,” he said.

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Voters in 12 battleground states rank fighting global pandemics as a greater concern than standing up to China, according to a survey by Democratic pollster Geoff Garin.

Forty-five percent of likely voters in the survey called protecting against pandemics their top priority, compared to 25 percent who said the same in March.

Twenty-nine percent, including 41 percent of Republicans, named terrorism as a top concern in the election, making it the second-highest concern.

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The poll was conducted for the anti-Trump advocacy group National Security Action.

“The fact that terrorism’s been replaced in this way, at least for this election, by keeping Americans safe from pandemics is a very significant development,” Garin told NBC News.

The poll found 59 percent of respondents disapprove of President TrumpDonald John TrumpNew Biden campaign ad jabs at Trump’s reported 0 income tax payments Ocasio-Cortez: Trump contributed less in taxes ‘than waitresses and undocumented immigrants’ Third judge orders Postal Service to halt delivery cuts MORE’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Among those listing the virus as their top issue, 71 percent disapproved of the president’s handling of the pandemic.

Trump has frequently framed the pandemic not as a failure of U.S. policy but as an illustration of the threat of China, where the virus is believed to have originated in a wet market in the city of Wuhan. He has also depicted Democratic nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenNew Biden campaign ad jabs at Trump’s reported 0 income tax payments Biden campaign sells ‘I paid more income taxes than Trump’ stickers Trump, Biden have one debate goal: Don’t lose MORE as being soft on China and himself as standing up to Beijing on behalf of U.S. interests.

However, the poll found 60 percent of respondents want the U.S. to “maintain a constructive relationship with China and resolve our differences diplomatically,” while 40 percent believe it should be “aggressive in confronting China on trade and security issues, even at the risk of a more hostile relationship.”

The divisions on U.S.-China policy are predominantly partisan, with most GOP respondents supporting a more aggressive tack compared to a majority of Democrats who back a diplomatic approach, according to the survey.

The poll surveyed 1,228 likely voters from Sept. 4-11 in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. It has a 3-point margin of error.

Dozens of congressional Democrats are urging committee chairs to limit the types of military-grade equipment sent to local police departments amid ongoing protests over racial injustice.

More than 40 Democrats signed onto a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services committees calling on them to include the restrictions in the final version of the annual defense policy bill.

“As House and Senate conferees negotiate the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we encourage you to ensure that the conference report includes provisions requiring reform of the Sec. 1033 Program by imposing additional conditions and limitations on the transfer of Department of Defense property for law enforcement activities,” the lawmakers wrote.

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The letter, a draft of which was obtained by The Hill ahead of its release, was sent to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jim InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofeChamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection 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 Top admiral: ‘No condition’ where US should conduct nuclear test ‘at this time’ MORE (R-Okla.), House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam SmithDavid (Adam) Adam Smith40 groups call on House panel to investigate Pentagon’s use of coronavirus funds When ‘Buy American’ and common sense collide Overnight Defense: Marine Corps brushes off criticism of Marines’ appearance in GOP convention video | US troops injured in collision with Russian vehicle in Syria | Dems ask for probe of Vindman retaliation allegations MORE (D-Wash.), top Senate Armed Services Democrat Sen. Jack ReedJohn (Jack) Francis ReedWhen ‘Buy American’ and common sense collide Hillicon Valley: Russia ‘amplifying’ concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election Top Democrats press Trump to sanction Russian individuals over 2020 election interference efforts MORE (R.I.) and top House Armed Services Republican Rep. Mac ThornberryWilliam (Mac) McClellan ThornberryTrump payroll-tax deferral for federal workers sparks backlash Overnight Defense: Woodward book causes new firestorm | Book says Trump lashed out at generals, told Woodward about secret weapons system | US withdrawing thousands of troops from Iraq Top Armed Services Republican ‘dismayed’ at Trump comments on military leaders MORE (Texas).

The letter was organized by House Armed Services Committee member Rep. Anthony BrownAnthony Gregory BrownPelosi seeks to put pressure on GOP in COVID-19 relief battle Democrats demand Esper explicitly ban Confederate flag and allow Pride, Native Nations flags Trump tweets key GOP lawmaker has committed to not changing Confederate base names MORE (D-Md.), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Karen BassKaren Ruth BassOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Patients are dying unnecessarily from organ donation policy failures Hispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 MORE (D-Calif.) and co-signed by 41 other House Democrats. Several outside groups, including the progressive group Demand Progress, also backed the letter.

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“While Demand Progress supports ending the Pentagon’s 1033 Program, Rep. Brown’s letter is an important step to limiting the transfer of military equipment to law enforcement while restoring accountability and transparency,” Yasmine Taeb, senior policy counsel, said in a statement to The Hill. “Demilitarizing the police is a crucial step towards the broader goals of ending institutional racism and stopping police brutality. Weapons of war have absolutely no place in our communities or anywhere else.”

Renewed attention has come to what’s known as the 1033 program amid nationwide protests against racial injustice and police violence. The program allows the Pentagon to transfer excess military equipment to U.S. police departments.

Former President Obama curtailed the program in 2015 after local police suppressed protests in Ferguson, Mo., using military-grade equipment. But the Trump administration rescinded the restrictions in 2017.

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In July, the Senate rejected an amendment to the NDAA that would have placed broad restrictions on the 1033 program.

But the chamber did approve a more narrow NDAA amendment from Inhofe that would limit the transfer of bayonets, grenades, weaponized tracked combat vehicles and weaponized drones. The amendment would also require law enforcement to be trained in de-escalation and citizens’ constitutional rights.

A separate section of the Senate NDAA would require the Pentagon to give preference to “disaster-related emergency preparedness” in deciding whether to transfer equipment in addition to the current preferences for counterdrug, counterterrorism or border security activities.

The House did not include 1033 reforms in its version of the NDAA. But the chamber did approve broad 1033 restrictions as part of a separate, sweeping police reform bill it passed in June.

The House and Senate have yet to formally convene a conference committee to reconcile the two versions of the NDAA, but staffers on the House and Senate Armed Services committees have been conducting informal negotiations since the chambers passed their bills in July.

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In their letter to the committees, the House Democrats called the restrictions in the Inhofe amendment “common sense reforms will ensure American cities and streets are not transformed into war zones.”

“Furthermore, the provision ensures that any law enforcement agency receiving defense property conducts training on ‘respect for the rights of citizens under the Constitution of the United States and de-escalation of force,’” they wrote. “Incorporating the training required by Sec. 1054 will bolster the understanding of law enforcement officers on the Constitutional rights of all Americans and ensure peaceful protests are not met with unnecessary force.”

The lawmakers also asked for further changes to the 1033 program to be included in the final NDAA, including guaranteeing that local authorities have “accountability, jurisdiction and oversight” of any transfers; requiring more notifications to Congress about the program; requiring annual accounting for the excess property that’s given to law enforcement; and creating avenues for redress if the equipment is used to violate civil liberties.

The Democrats also said they oppose the section of the Senate NDAA that would expand what activities are given preference to get equipment, arguing the “provision encourages the continued militarization of government activities that should instead be conducted under the principles of community policing.”

“The military is among the most respected institutions in American society, and rightly so,” they wrote. “Congress should both leverage and enhance the military’s reputation by making sure it bolsters democracy at home in a manner consistent with our values.”

President TrumpDonald John TrumpNew Biden campaign ad jabs at Trump’s reported 0 income tax payments Ocasio-Cortez: Trump contributed less in taxes ‘than waitresses and undocumented immigrants’ Third judge orders Postal Service to halt delivery cuts MORE‘s efforts to appeal to his conservative base by banning certain diversity training is butting up against the Pentagon’s efforts to build a more inclusive military.

The conflict has been prominent this week, as Trump signed an executive order that extended his administration’s ban on training involving race- and sex-based discrimination to include the military, federal contractors and grant recipients.

Days later, top Pentagon officials were extolling the virtues of diversity to service members at a virtual town hall and touting the department’s efforts to fight racial bias.

It’s unclear exactly what effect Trump’s order will have on the military’s plans to address racism and discrimination in the ranks, but the messaging coming from the White House and the Pentagon stand in stark contrast to one another.

“The president of the United States is sending the message that training around racial equity and gender equity is something that he devalues,” said Shannon Minter, legal director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which is leading a lawsuit against Trump’s transgender military ban.

Trump and Pentagon officials have been at odds for months about how to respond to nationwide protests against racial injustices.

Pentagon officials initially came under sharp criticism for their handling of the protests after Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperTrump, Pentagon collide over anti-diversity training push Overnight Defense: Stopgap spending measure awaits Senate vote | Trump nominates former Nunes aide for intelligence community watchdog | Trump extends ban on racial discrimination training to contractors, military Overnight Defense: Pentagon redirects pandemic funding to defense contractors | US planning for full Afghanistan withdrawal by May | Anti-Trump GOP group puts ads in military papers MORE and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley accompanied Trump to a photo op at church across from the White House that happened after federal law enforcement forcibly cleared the area of peaceful protesters.

But since then, the department has worked to grapple with its own racial disparities and restore public trust, including by both men expressing regret for their role in Trump’s photo-op.

In June, after Trump threatened to send active-duty troops into cities to quell the protests, Esper held a news conference at the Pentagon announcing his opposition to the idea.

Defense officials have also come out in support of renaming military bases that are named after Confederate leaders, something Trump has adamantly refused to do.

Esper has also announced a series of initiatives aimed at improving inclusion and diversity. In July, he issued a memo that, among other things, called for the department to “develop educational requirements for implementation across the military lifecycle to educate the force on unconscious bias.”

This past week, though, Trump signed an executive order barring the military, federal contractors and federal grant recipients from teaching “divisive concepts,” such as the idea that one race or sex is superior, that the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist, that any individual should feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish” or physiological distress because of their race or sex or that an individual bears responsibility for past actions by others of the same race or sex.

The U.S. Armed Forces “shall not teach, instruct or train any member of the United States Uniformed Services, whether serving on active duty, serving on reserve duty, attending a military service academy, or attending courses conducted by a military department pursuant to a Reserve Officer Corps Training program, to believe any of the divisive concepts” defined in the order, it says.

“No member of the United States Uniformed Services shall face any penalty or discrimination on account of his or her refusal to support, believe, endorse, embrace, confess, act upon or otherwise assent to these concepts,” the order adds.

The order expands on a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) earlier this month that ordered federal agencies to cancel programs that discuss “white privilege” or “critical race theory.” The latter concept teaches that racism and racial inequality are a result of systemic power structures.

The measures are part of a trend of Trump attempting to stoke cultural issues along lines of race that appeal to his socially conservative base.

It comes as polls show Trump faring worse than he did in 2016 with white voters, who carried him to victory that cycle over Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonAppeals court pauses 6-day extension for counting Wisconsin absentee ballots Trump, Pentagon collide over anti-diversity training push Sunday Shows: Trump’s court pick dominates MORE, even as he shows some improvement in polls with Black and Hispanic voters.

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“Americans should be taught to take PRIDE in our Great Country, and if you don’t, there’s nothing in it for you!” Trump tweeted Tuesday about the executive order.

Two days later, Esper, Milley and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Ramón Colón-López held a virtual town hall where they spoke about forging ahead on the department’s diversity initiatives. None directly addressed the executive order, but they all spoke about the importance of the Pentagon’s efforts.

“It’s not just diversity for diversity’s sake,” Milley said. “It’s diversity to improve the system, improve the military, improve our problem-solving capabilities and improve our warfighting readiness in order to protect and defend the Constitution.”

The Pentagon had no specifics to provide when asked what effects the executive order would have on its plans for unconscious bias training or any of its other recent diversity initiatives. 

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“Of course DoD is bound to comply with all executive orders. It would be premature to discuss specific actions at this time,” spokesperson Maj. César Santiago said in an email to The Hill.

The Army, for its part, said it did not think the order would affect its diversity training since the service was not planning on teaching critical race theory.

“We wouldn’t have been going down the critical theory road anyway,” Casey Wardynski, assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs, told reporters on a conference call about the Army’s “Project Inclusion” effort. “It would not have aligned with our fundamental strategy and so, no, it’s not a concern for us.”

Wardynski also called critical race theory “at odds with the Constitution” because it is “advocating putting one group ahead of another group.”

The Air Force, though, has taken initial steps to cancel contracts that do not comply with the OMB memo, according to Air Force Times.

Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek told The Hill the service is “reviewing” material to see if it complies with the OMB memo.

“The Department of the Air Force continues to provide unconscious bias training in accordance with Department of Defense directives and is reviewing all course material to ensure it is compliant with the OMB memorandum,” she said in an email.

Minter, at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, called the executive order a “political stunt,” predicting the Pentagon would find a way to work around it.

“I would hope that there’s still room for training that addresses unconscious bias that can comply with the letter of the EO,” he said. “The military has a lot of expertise in how to do diversity training, and they have been in many respects very successful with that. I’m sure they know the importance of that type of training. So I’m sure they will do everything they can to try to both comply with the order and come up with training that will still be effective. It’s so frustrating to have to have to do any workaround around the president of the United States.”

More than the practical effect, Minter lamented the message Trump is sending to the force.

“I can’t imagine what it’s like to be serving the military — especially if you’re a personal of color or a woman or a transgender person — how depressing it must be to see the commander-in-chief sending such a negative message about diversity,” Minter said.

Rep. Anthony BrownAnthony Gregory BrownTrump, Pentagon collide over anti-diversity training push Overnight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon’s use of COVID-19 funds Democrats push to limit transfer of military-grade gear to police MORE (D-Md.), a House Armed Services Committee member who spearheaded a number of provisions on diversity and inclusion in the House version of this year’s annual defense policy bill, accused Trump of trying to “slow walk” progress.

“Congress and military leadership are working hard to create more diverse and inclusive armed services,” Brown said in a statement to The Hill. “As Commander in Chief, President Donald Trump is trying to slow walk this progress – from defending the racist legacy of the Confederacy to ordering an end to race and sex discrimination trainings in the military. While President Trump will take any chance he has to divide us, we can’t let him. We cannot address discrimination by turning our heads and pretending it does not exist.”

 

A federal judge issued a ruling late Friday blocking Texas from eliminating straight-ticket voting as an option for the state’s voters in this year’s election. 

The ruling from District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo comes less than three weeks before early voting begins in the Lone Star State. The decision will keep the option open for voters to vote for all candidates of one party by selecting that choice at the top of their ballots. 

Marmolejo ruled that removing the option would “cause irreparable injury” to voters “by creating mass lines at the polls and increasing the amount of time voters are exposed to COVID-19” and “likely to cause confusion among voters.”

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Most states do not offer a straight-ticket option, but the practice has become popular in Texas, which notoriously has long ballots.

State Republicans passed a law in 2017 barring straight-ticket voting, arguing that removing the option would press voters to make more informed decisions about for whom they cast their ballots. An amendment delayed its implementation until the 2020 general election.

The method of voting has proven to be more popular among Democratic voters, and Democrats feared the removal of straight-ticket voting could particularly impact voter participation in urban areas that lean more liberal but also have significantly longer ballots. Marmolejo also ruled that scrapping the option would “[imposes] a discriminatory burden of African-American and Hispanic voters,” who disproportionately live in urban centers.

Democrats sued Texas in March over the 2017 law’s implementation and were swift to hail Friday’s ruling as a win against voter suppression.

“We committed to voters in Texas that we would fight any obstacle to freely and fairly participating in our elections, and this ruling underscores why that work is so important,” the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a joint statement. 

“Without straight-ticket voting, Texans would have experienced longer lines and wait times at polling places across the state, an unacceptable barrier that would have impacted minority communities,” they added. “We are relieved the court has upheld straight-ticket voting and struck down this harmful law.” 

The ruling comes as Democrats look to boost turnout in Texas as polls show both the presidential and Senate races, as well as a number of House contests, are competitive in the final sprint to Election Day.

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