Cato Institute's Walter Olson discusses the Trump administration's use of federal law enforcement and Pew Charitable Trusts' Marcia Argust discusses the future of national parks.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor testified about disaster preparedness during the coronavirus pandemic during a House Oversight and Reform subcommittee hearing. Administrator Gaynor addressed how the agency has responded to COVID-19 and also preparing to respond to multiple, simultaneous disasters during the 2020 hurricane and wildfire season. He discussed how FEMA has addressed a shortage of personal protective equipment and how future shortages can be avoided. Mr. Gaynor also answered questions about the agency's continued response to Hurricanes Maria and Erma, which caused significant damage to Puerto Rico in 2017.
A Senate Commerce subcommittee examined the various scams that have surfaced during the coronavirus pandemic. Witnesses included federal and state officials who offered recommendations on how to protect the public, especially the senior population. Several questions were posed to officials on contact tracing apps, false claims of curing the coronavirus, stringent enforcement laws, and working with sellers, like Amazon, on taking down false products from their websites.
Pharmaceutical company officials testified at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee virtual hearing on COVID-19 vaccine research and development. Witnesses included representatives from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Merck, and Johnson and Johnson. They were asked about efforts to develop a safe and effective vaccine as well as the timeline for market availability. Other topics addressed included vaccine distribution plans, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety standards, drug pricing, and COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials involving the elderly. Due to minor technical issues, the very start of the hearing could not be shown.
Florida Republican Ted Yoho spoke on the floor and apologized for a confrontation he had with Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez earlier this week. Majority Leader Hoyer followed with his thoughts on the incident.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and some of her colleagues came to the floor to condemn the remarks made by Rep. Ted Yoho earlier in the week. She accused the Florida Republican of perpetuating a culture of sexism.
We note the July 14, 1913 birthday of President Gerald Ford with a conversation with his son Steven and his half brother Richard. This 2010 American History TV program took place at the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A funeral service was held for civil rights activist Rev. C.T. Vivian in Atlanta. Fellow civil rights activist and friends, including Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and Oprah Winfrey spoke about Rev. Vivian's impact on the country.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) discussed U.S.-China relations and the coronavirus response during a virtual conversation with the Hoover Institution. Sen. Rubio talked about the growth of China as a superpower and its efforts to spread its influence in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and in South America. He also talked about Congress' response to the coronavirus pandemic and the next round of stimulus legislation and the importance of reopening schools.
Historians David Blight & Annette Gordon-Reed talked about recent debates over historical monuments, discussing how people could make decisions about removing or contextualizing them based on historical information and public sentiment.The American Historical Association hosted and recorded this event.
University of California Hastings College of Law professor Hadar Aviram looked at California's parole system through the life sentences given to those involved in the Manson Family murders. This was a virtual event hosted by Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver.
Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge reported on the capture, imprisonment, and death of Boston mafia boss Whitey Bulger. This was a virtual event hosted by Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, Massachusetts.
American Interest contributing editor Tara Burton offered her thoughts on why some Americans are moving away from traditional religion. This virtual program was sponsored by the Strand Bookstore in New York City.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) spoke about her life growing up in Iowa, her military career and her journey in becoming the first female combat veteran to serve as a United States Senator.
Purdue University history professor John Larson looked at how colonial Americans utilized industry to benefit themselves to the detriment of the environment. This was a virtual program hosted by the Massachusetts Historical Society.
David Horowitz offered his thought on how President Trump can win re-election in 2020. This was a virtual event hosted by the David Horowitz Freedom Center in Sherman Oaks, California.
University of Illinois at Chicago history and Latino studies professor Adam Goodman provided a history of deportation in America over the past 140 years. This was a virtual event hosted by Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
60 Minutes correspondent John Dickerson examined the duties and stressors on the Presidency. This was a virtual event hosted by Sixth and I Historic Synagogue in Washington, DC
