Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell held a virtual news conference to discuss the U.S. economy and monetary policy actions amid the coronavirus pandemic. Chair Powell announced that interest rates would remain unchanged and economic activity remains "well below" its level before the pandemic. In addition, he told reporters, "We have seen some signs in recent weeks that the increase in virus cases and the renewed measures to control it are starting to weigh on economic activity."
The Wilson Center hosted a virtual conversation with Fiona Hill, the former National Security Council director for Russia under President Trump on Russian politics. They discussed Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and whether they will continue their disinformation campaign in the 2020 election cycle. Other topics covered were comparisons between Russia and China, Vladimir Putin's need to be seen as a global leader, and how best to stabilize relations with the United States.
The Center for Conservative Women hosted a discussion on mail-in voting and accountability. The conversation focused on issues with voter rolls, voter fraud and possible problems with mail-in ballots.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says Democrats are unwilling to negotiate on the $1 trillion Senate Republican economic recovery plan. He said Democrats are using the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic downfall as an election issue.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer held a moment of silence on the Senate floor to mark the passing of more than 150,000 people due to Covid-19. He said Republicans introduced their $1 trillion economic recovery plan as political cover, adding that White House negotiations with Democratic leaders are going nowhere because Republicans are divided on a second recovery package.
U.S. Senators debated the Republican plan to reduce emergency unemployment benefits allowed under the first Coronavirus response package. The $600 weekly payments end as of August 1. The Senate Republican plan lowers it to $200. Senate Financial Committee Chair Ron Johnson started the debate. Also speaking, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow and Banking & Housing Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown. Efforts to bring up Democratic coronavirus response bills were blocked.
The Senate voted, 47-42, to officially begin floor on extending emergency unemployment benefits during the Coronavirus pandemic. Republicans led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have proposed reducing the amount of the weekly check from $600 to $200. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that's too low.
Liberty University kicked off its Freedom Summit Conference focusing on preservation and restoring the rule of law, free-market economics and Judeo-Christian principles. In this panel discussion Rep. Daniel Crenshaw (R-TX) ad Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) spoke about China's influence in the U.S.
A funeral service held for Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) in Atlanta, Georgia. Friends and family paid tribute to the civil rights leader as well as former President Barack Obama. President Obama hailed Rep. Lewis as a "founding father" of a "fuller, fairer, better America." He also called for revitalization of the Voting Rights Act, increase voter turnout, and eliminating the filibuster, saying its, "a Jim Crow relic."
A funeral service held for Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) in Atlanta, Georgia. Friends and family paid tribute to the civil rights leader as well as former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. The presidents remembered the life and legacy of Rep. Lewis and shared personal stories. President Obama hailed Rep. Lewis as a "founding father" of a "fuller, fairer, better America." He also called for revitalization of the Voting Rights Act, increase voter turnout, and eliminating the filibuster, saying its, "a Jim Crow relic."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) says Democrats are unwilling to negotiate on the $1 trillion Senate Republican economic recovery plan. He said Democrats are using the coronavirus pandemic and resulting economic downfall as an election issue.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer held a moment of silence on the Senate floor to mark the passing of more than 150,000 people due to Covid-19. He said Republicans introduced their $1 trillion economic recovery plan as political cover, adding that White House negotiations with Democratic leaders are going nowhere because Republicans are divided on a second recovery package.
U.S. Senators debated the Republican plan to reduce emergency unemployment benefits allowed under the first Coronavirus response package. The $600 weekly payments end as of August 1. The Senate Republican plan lowers it to $200. Senate Financial Committee Chair Ron Johnson started the debate. Also speaking, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow and Banking & Housing Committee Ranking Member Sherrod Brown. Efforts to bring up Democratic coronavirus response bills were blocked.
A funeral service held for Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) in Atlanta, Georgia. Friends and family paid tribute to the civil rights leader as well as former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. The presidents remembered the life and legacy of Rep. Lewis and shared personal stories. President Obama hailed Rep. Lewis as a "founding father" of a "fuller, fairer, better America." He also called for revitalization of the Voting Rights Act, increase voter turnout, and eliminating the filibuster, saying its, "a Jim Crow relic."
