Polybius
Polybius's JournalStimulus update: Pelosi says Congress plans to announce COVID-19 relief deal today
Source: ABC News
WASHINGTON -- Negotiators are down to a handful of remaining issues as they seek to finalize an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package on Saturday, still optimistic the overdue talks would soon produce an agreement. The Senate convened a Saturday session, while House members stood by for a vote that will come no earlier than Sunday.
When asked if Congress will announce a deal on the almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package by end of the day Saturday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, responded: "That's the plan, that's the plan."
She said a provision by Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., that would curb emergency Federal Reserve powers was the biggest hurdle to a sealing a deal.
"That has to be resolved. And then everything will fall into place," she said. "It's a very significant difference."
Read more: https://6abc.com/did-congress-pass-the-stimulus-bill-today-second-package-600-check-update-covid-relief/8894618/
Some good news for a change. Cross your fingers!
What's taking the Covid relief bill so long?
I’m unemployed and am extremely worried that it won’t be extended. I could also use the enhanced benefits, even if it is only half of the $600 they we originally got.
What are the chances they can come to an agreement?
Tillis Pushes Prison Time for Online Streamers After Pre-Election Hollywood Cash Blitz
Source: The American Prospect
Congress has once again put itself in a situation of having to pass a last-minute omnibus bill to fund the government and prevent a shutdown. These truly are must-pass bills since much of the government grinds to a halt without them, so they often get used as vehicles for controversial bills that can’t pass on their own. Senators and representatives work out backroom deals to attach their pet measures to funding for things like food inspections and airport safety and then dare their colleagues to object.
This time around, one of the measures being crammed into the omnibus is a proposal from Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to turn unauthorized commercial streaming of copyrighted material like an album on YouTube, a video clip on Twitch, or a song in an Instagram story into a felony offense with a possible prison sentence rather than a misdemeanor, according to Protocol. The text of the measure has not been publicly released yet, but it is expected to be broadly similar to past entertainment industry-backed attempts to criminalize unauthorized streaming, such as the provisions of the SOPA/PIPA bills in 2012 that sparked an unprecedented internet “blackout” protest or the Commercial Felony Streaming Act, which prompted Justin Bieber to say that its sponsor, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), should be “locked up.”
“A felony streaming bill would likely be a chill on expression,” said Katharine Trendacosta, associate director of policy and activism with the Electronic Frontier Foundation. “We already see that it’s hard enough in just civil copyright and the DMCA for people to feel comfortable asserting their rights. The chance of a felony would impact both expression and innovation.”
Tillis, the chairman of the Intellectual Property Subcommittee, was recently re-elected for another six-year term by a margin of less than 2% over his Democratic opponent. In the final stretch of his campaign, Tillis received a surge of campaign contributions from PACs affiliated with entertainment companies and trade groups that lobby Congress for aggressive copyright enforcement against internet users, including prison time for unauthorized streaming.
Read more: https://prospect.org/power/senator-thom-tillis-pushes-prison-time-for-online-streamers/
Don't mess with my Twitch, it's the only social media that I use...
Paul Sarbanes, senator from Maryland who led overhaul of corporate accounting rules, dies at 87
Source: Washington Post
Paul S. Sarbanes, who as a young Maryland congressman drafted and introduced the first article of impeachment against President Richard M. Nixon and as a five-term U.S. senator tightened the regulation of corporate accounting practices after corruption scandals at Enron and other businesses, died Dec. 6 in Baltimore. He was 87.
The death was confirmed by his son Rep. John Sarbanes, who represents Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District.
Unlike many of his contemporary officeholders, Mr. Sarbanes was uncomfortable with the backslapping, glad-handing and grandstanding that often go with public office. He avoided the social and party circuit in the nation’s capital and rarely spent a night in Washington, preferring instead to drive home to his wife and children in Baltimore.
Sometimes described as a “phantom senator,” he often shunned even perfunctory self-promotion tactics such as issuing news releases and holding news conferences. He was widely recognized for a superb intellect and a quick and nimble mind, but he had “an odd lack of sparkle for one so brilliant,” journalist Peter A. Jay once wrote in the Baltimore Sun.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/2020/12/07/a31ca0ac-385a-11eb-bc68-96af0daae728_story.html
Democratic senator says a Covid-19 stimulus proposal could come 'as early as tomorrow'
Washington (CNN)Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia said Sunday that a proposal for another coronavirus stimulus package could come as early as Monday.
Warner, who is part of a bipartisan group of senators hashing out a compromise on a stimulus bill, told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" that they are close to an agreement.
"I think we have got the top line numbers done. We are working right now on language so that we can have -- as early as tomorrow -- a piece of legislation," he said.
Warner said it will be a four-month emergency relief package with a $908 billion price tag. It remains uncertain whether Congress will vote on such a package as Republican and Democratic leadership negotiate how much of a stimulus plan to include in a separate, massive funding bill to keep the government open.
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Yes! Hopefully the votes will be there.
Staten Island Bar GM Arrested After Defying Closure Again, Hitting Deputy With Car
Source: NBC NY
The general manager of a Staten Island bar that repeatedly defied public health orders to close is now under arrest for allegedly reopening again, and then striking a sheriff's deputy while fleeing in his car.
The NYC Sheriff's Office said deputies attempted to take Danny Presti, 34, into custody just after midnight Sunday after observing patrons entering Mac's Public House via an empty commercial space next door.
Upon identifying themselves, the Sheriff's Office said, Presti allegedly fled on foot, got into his car, drove into one of the deputies, and then continued driving with the injured deputy clinging to the hood.
Deputies were eventually able to stop the car and take Presti into custody; charges are pending, and the injured deputy was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Read more: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/staten-island-bar-gm-arrested-after-defying-closure-again-hitting-deputy-with-car/2763715/
He's actually the co-owner, not the GM. This is the same guy who defied a court order last week and kept his restaurant/bar open for indoor dining, despite his location being in NYC's Orange Zone (takeouts/deliveries only). He declared it an "autonomous zone", thinking he wouldn't have to abide by NYC's laws. It's about 15 minutes from where I am, and has been getting massive news. A State Senator (Andrew Lanza) supported him the other day at a rally. Wonder what he'll say about him now...
Does the $900 billion Covid relief bill have retroactive unemployment?
I know it has enhanced $300 a week unemployment, but is it retroactive?
Speaker Pelosi says there is 'momentum' to reach Covid relief deal
Source: NBC News
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Friday that there is "momentum" on Capitol Hill to reach a deal on coronavirus relief, further optimism that legislation could be approved before the end of the year.
"There is momentum," Pelosi told reporters. "I am pleased that the tone of our conversation is one that is indicative of the decision to get the job done."
The deal would provide for augmented unemployment payments through March but would not send another round of checks to the nation.
Pelosi said she spoke with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Thursday about attaching the Covid-19 relief to the government funding bill, which needs to be passed by Dec. 11 to avoid a shutdown. That means lawmakers negotiating another round of aid are working on a tight deadline after months of deadlocked negotiations.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/speaker-pelosi-says-there-momentum-reach-covid-relief-deal-n1250020
Is Richard Shelby (R) running for re-election or retiring in 2022?
He'll be 88. Not that we'll have much of a chance at his Senate seat, because hey, it's Alabama.
Iowa officials certify Republican Miller-Meeks's 6-vote victory
Source: The Hill
Iowa officials on Monday certified the results showing state Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) defeating former state Sen. Rita Hart (D) by just six votes in the race for Iowa’s open 2nd Congressional District.
Miller-Meeks will succeed seven-term Rep. David Loebsack (D-Iowa), who announced his retirement last year. She previously lost to him in the 2008, 2010 and 2014 general elections, but with Loebsack's retirement, the district was considered a swing district.
Miller-Meeks was elected to the state Senate in 2018. Her term was set to end in 2023.
Polling showed the 2nd District as one of the most competitive races in the state, with Hart leading 49 percent to 43 percent in an October poll but Miller-Meeks leading 48 percent to 44 percent in an August survey.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/523573-republican-miller-meeks-wins-race-for-open-iowa-house-race
A 6 vote victory was certified? This is absurd. Is no one challenging this? We can not afford to lose another seat.
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