The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on how infrastructure legislation can help the economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Senators and panelists discussed the best way to fund infrastructure, providing jobs to those laid off due to coronavirus and the importance of public transportation. Throughout the hearing, there was bipartisan agreement for solutions to the various issues surrounding infrastructure.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was critical of mass protests during the coronavirus pandemic while large religious gatherings are still prohibited. He said it's a First Amendment issue of giving freedom of speech more importance than freedom of religion.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer called on the Senate to bring up a coronavirus economic response bill before July 4th and a police reform bill after Senators return from their Independence Day recess.
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) spoke about the nationwide protests in response to the death of George Floyd and his opposition to recent calls for defunding the police.
The Senate will resume work on a public lands package to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and establish a fund for maintenance of national parks and other public lands.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell spoke out on the Senate floor in support of Senator Tom Cotton's New York Times editorial calling for a military response to protesters. Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer started the day on the Senate floor calling for the Senate to take up police reform legislation before July 4th.
Earlier today, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders spoke on the Senate floor about the death of George Floyd and police reform legislation, expected to be debated before July 4th.
Senators continued debate on the Great American Outdoors Act, legislation to earmark funds from private oil and gas leases on federal lands for national parks and conservation lands maintenance.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell held a virtual news conference to discuss the economy and monetary policy actions amid the coronavirus pandemic. He announced that interest rates will remain near zero for the foreseeable future in order to support economic growth. Chairman Powell also said that indicators point to an economic recovery starting in the second half of this year, which will carry through to the next couple of years.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza testified before the Senate Small Business Committee on the implementation of the CARES Act coronavirus relief law. Committee members asked about the rollout and efficacy of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the use of the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which lawmakers of both parties agreed were major stabilizing factors in the economy, keeping many businesses afloat and employees on the payroll. Senators also asked about some of the glitches in the CARES Act and what further action Congress could take with additional relief legislation.
President Trump met with black conservative talk show hosts and community leaders to discuss policies that benefit their communities. They talked about criminal justice reform, opportunity zones and funding to historically black colleges and universities. They also discussed the need for the Republican party to be more present in their communities.
Marc Caputo, a political reporter covering the presidential campaigns in Florida, was interviewed about the forces at play and issues motivating voters in the 2020 presidential race in the Sunshine State. He talked about the impact the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and protests against police violence could have on the presidential election in Florida. Also discussed were efforts to relocate part of the Republican Party's national convention to Florida from Charlotte, North Carolina, and the potential pick of Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) as a running mate for Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Earlier today, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders spoke on the Senate floor about the death of George Floyd and police reform legislation, expected to be debated before July 4th.
Earlier today, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow spoke on the Senate floor about the death of George Floyd and police reform legislation, expected to be debated before July 4th.
Earlier today, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke about Senator Cotton's New York Times editorial calling for a military response to protesters.
Earlier today, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan spoke on the Senate floor about race relations in the U.S. and police reform legislation, expected to be debated before July 4th.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced his NATO 2030 initiative during a virtual conversation hosted by the Atlantic Council and the German Marshall Fund of the United States. The secretary general said NATO must "stay strong militarily, be more united politically, and take a broader approach globally." Secretary General Stoltenberg also discussed the role NATO is playing during the coronavirus pandemic and accused Russia and China of spreading disinformation and warned that could complicate mediating the crisis. When asked about President Trump's recent threats to remove U.S. troops from Germany, the secretary general emphasized the military partnership between the U.S. and European allies saying they are, "doing more together now in Europe than they've done for many, many years."
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell held a virtual news conference to discuss the economy and monetary policy actions amid the coronavirus pandemic. He announced that interest rates will remain near zero for the foreseeable future in order to support economic growth. Chairman Powell also said that indicators point to an economic recovery starting in the second half of this year, which will carry through to the next couple of years.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza testified before the Senate Small Business Committee on the implementation of the CARES Act coronavirus relief law. Committee members asked about the rollout and efficacy of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the use of the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, which lawmakers of both parties agreed were major stabilizing factors in the economy, keeping many businesses afloat and employees on the payroll. Senators also asked about some of the glitches in the CARES Act and what further action Congress could take with additional relief legislation.
Earlier today, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders spoke on the Senate floor about the death of George Floyd and police reform legislation, expected to be debated before July 4th.
Earlier today, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow spoke on the Senate floor about the death of George Floyd and police reform legislation, expected to be debated before July 4th.
Earlier today, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke about Senator Cotton's New York Times editorial calling for a military response to protesters.
Earlier today, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan spoke on the Senate floor about race relations in the U.S. and police reform legislation, expected to be debated before July 4th.
The Senate Budget Committee held a confirmation hearing for Russell Vought to serve as White House Budget Director. Mr. Vought is currently the deputy director. Topics discussed included the debt and deficit, the budget process, health care costs and coronavirus funding oversight.
