The House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on the federal government's role in protecting workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Loren Sweatt said her organization has received 5,000 coronavirus-related complaints and has issued one related citation. Lawmakers questioned the practice of releasing safety guidelines versus updating safety standards. Ms. Sweatt said OSHA has updated guidelines multiple times throughout the pandemic, which she said has allowed the agency to be nimble in providing up-to-date information for workplace safety. Also discussed during the hearing were protections for whistleblowers, the changing safety standards regarding mask usage, and the federal response to workplace safety during previous infectious disease outbreaks.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell discussed the U.S. economy and his agency's response to the coronavirus pandemic at a virtual event hosted by Princeton University. He announced the Federal Reserve was "days away" from making the first loans to small and medium-sized businesses as part of its Mainstreet Lending Program. In addition, Chairman Powell said the central bank "crossed a lot of red lines" to help the economy during the pandemic. The conversation was moderated by Princeton University economics and public affairs professor Alan Blinder.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins discussed the latest coronavirus research during a virtual event with the Economic Club of Washington, DC. Dr. Collins talked about the origins of the coronavirus, fears about a resurgence in the fall, and his optimism about a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, Dr. Collins spoke about the intersection of science and faith and his own personal religious journey.
Senate Chaplain Barry Black opened the session with a prayer for peace and justice in relation to the unrest across the country. He was followed by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who spoke about the murder of George Floyd, and then the Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, who discussed the civil unrest and also talked about pandemic response, blaming China for the spread of the disease.
Senate Minority Leader Schumer spoke about the murder of George Floyd and the civil unrest. He talked about the history of racism and slavery, and why it's still relevant today.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) spoke about the death of George Floyd and civil unrest around the country. He calls for the creating of jobs to help quell social unrest
Sens. Cornyn (R-TX) calls for remedies to address social injustices to help prevent violence. He also talks about outside forces are stirring up people to act with violence and also discusses the coronavirus and reopening. Sen. Durbin (D-IL) recommends policing reform and economic programs, and mentions Pres. Obama several times.
The Senate will consider the nomination of Brian Miller to be Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery at the Treasury Department, a new position created by the CARES Act. He currently serves as White House Senior Associate Counsel.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) delivered a statement on President Trump's handling of protests and civil unrest that broke out across the country following the death of George Floyd. Holding a bible like the president did the day before, the speaker quoted from the text and other presidents, arguing the president could have chosen a more appropriate response to be a "healer-in-chief." She also commented on the protests, saying 'it's long overdue time for us to make some of that change that people were calling out for." She also condemned the destruction done by some of the protesters in several cities.
2020 Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden delivered remarks at Philadelphia's City Hall on the civil unrest that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Mr. Biden said the protests were the result of years of systematic racism in the U.S. which needed to be addressed. He also called on those destroying property to cease, saying such destruction was distracting from the central goals of the protesters. During his remarks, Mr. Biden also critiqued President Trump's handling of the protests in the nation's capital, and called on Congress to immediately start acting on ways to address racial inequities in law enforcement.
Three Democrats vying for the party nomination to take on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in the 2020 election joined a special edition of Kentucky Educational Television's "Kentucky Tonight" program to discuss their campaign platforms and why they're running. Much of the program focused on the nationwide protests that erupted following the death of George Floyd, a Black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis. The candidates talked about the response to protests in Louisville, Kentucky's largest city, and about ways they would address racism if elected to the Senate. They also fielded questions on a variety of topics including abortion, the coronavirus response, and gun rights, many of them submitted by viewers of the program.
Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman spoke about the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed. He discussed various legislative options to address the root causes of the issue, and calls for the re-establishment of a National Commission on Race to be co-Chaired by Presidents Obama and Bush.
Wyoming Republican John Barrasso spoke about the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest across the country, before turning to Coronavirus response, and called for reopening of the country.
The Senate will consider the nomination of Brian Miller to be Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery at the Treasury Department, a new position created by the CARES Act. He currently serves as White House Senior Associate Counsel.
Senators Charles Schumer & Mitch McConnell spoke on the floor to offer legislation regarding the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest across the country.
Republican Whip John Thune spoke about the death of George Floyd and the subsequent civil unrest. While calling for change, he also highlighted instances of police working with protesters to protect their First Amendment rights.
Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman spoke about the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed. He discussed various legislative options to address the root causes of the issue, and calls for the re-establishment of a National Commission on Race to be co-Chaired by Presidents Obama and Bush.
Wyoming Republican John Barrasso spoke about the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest across the country, before turning to Coronavirus response, and called for reopening of the country.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) spoke about the next coronavirus stimulus package and the White House response to George Floyd's death during a virtual conversation with Politico. Sen. Scott said the president's comments about Mr. Floyd's death were what the nation "needed to hear," but he expressed concern about using the U.S. military to control protesters. Sen. Scott also talked about his legislative priorities for the next coronavirus stimulus package and said he's spoken to the White House about attracting investors to opportunity zones, which are areas struggling with high unemployment and low wages.
At a news conference in Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to a question on the racial tensions and civil unrest in the U.S. After taking a long pause, the prime minister said racism was a "lived reality" for many. He added, "We need to be allies in the fight against discrimination. We need to listen. We need to learn."
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) was the featured speaker at a virtual event on diversity in politics hosted by Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service. She talked about the roles diverse leaders played in both political parties and legislative bodies, and why she believed diversity made lawmakers more aware of their constituents' needs. She also talked about why she was withdrawing from consideration as a potential running mate to 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, saying she was honored to be considered, but wanted to focus on the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic, which hit Nevada's tourism-dependent economy particularly hard.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) discussed economic disparities and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic during a virtual conversation hosted by Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Sen. Brown spoke about passing legislation to address inequities facing essential workers and help Americans who have lost their job because of the coronavirus. He also talked about his expectations for the 2020 general election and the importance of secure voting.
The Senate Finance Committee holds a hearing with drug manufacturers and FDA officials on the agency's foreign drug manufacturing inspection process. The witnesses discussed vulnerabilities the supply chain faces with foreign markets, the important of surprise inspections on foreign manufacturers, and the how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to manufacture more critical pharmaceuticals in the United States. They also addressed how the needs associated with the pandemic have provided further stress and challenges to the current U.S. drug supply.
Senate Chaplain Barry Black opened the day with a prayer about the civil unrest in the nation. He was followed by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who talked about the disruption caused by the pandemic. Majority Leader McConnell then spoke about the civil unrest and pandemic response, including comments on economic stimulus.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer spoke about the civil unrest across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd. He implored the President to watch Speaker Pelosi's remarks from earlier in the day. He went on to comment on the clearing of protesters yesterday to allow the President's photo op in front of St. John's Church, and asked for an investigation into what happened.
Republican Whip John Thune spoke about the death of George Floyd and the subsequent civil unrest. While calling for change, he also highlighted instances of police working with protesters to protect their First Amendment rights.
Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman spoke about the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed. He discussed various legislative options to address the root causes of the issue, and calls for the re-establishment of a National Commission on Race to be co-Chaired by Presidents Obama and Bush.
Senators Charles Schumer & Mitch McConnell spoke on the floor to offer legislation regarding the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest across the country.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) spoke about the next coronavirus stimulus package and the White House response to George Floyd's death during a virtual conversation with Politico. Sen. Scott said the president's comments about Mr. Floyd's death were what the nation "needed to hear," but he expressed concern about using the U.S. military to control protesters. Sen. Scott also talked about his legislative priorities for the next coronavirus stimulus package and said he's spoken to the White House about attracting investors to opportunity zones, which are areas struggling with high unemployment and low wages.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) was the featured speaker at a virtual event on diversity in politics hosted by Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service. She talked about the roles diverse leaders played in both political parties and legislative bodies, and why she believed diversity made lawmakers more aware of their constituents' needs. She also talked about why she was withdrawing from consideration as a potential running mate to 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, saying she was honored to be considered, but wanted to focus on the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic, which hit Nevada's tourism-dependent economy particularly hard.
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) discussed economic disparities and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic during a virtual conversation hosted by Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Sen. Brown spoke about passing legislation to address inequities facing essential workers and help Americans who have lost their job because of the coronavirus. He also talked about his expectations for the 2020 general election and the importance of secure voting.
Senate Chaplain Barry Black opened the day with a prayer about the civil unrest in the nation. He was followed by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who talked about the disruption caused by the pandemic. Majority Leader McConnell then spoke about the civil unrest and pandemic response, including comments on economic stimulus.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer spoke about the civil unrest across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd. He implored the President to watch Speaker Pelosi's remarks from earlier in the day. He went on to comment on the clearing of protesters yesterday to allow the President's photo op in front of St. John's Church, and asked for an investigation into what happened.
Senators Charles Schumer & Mitch McConnell spoke on the floor to offer legislation regarding the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest across the country.
