JUICE - Florida Politics' Juicy Read -12.1.20 - DeSantis Says 'NO' To Mask Mandate - Rubio, Communism, Murphy's Friend , Freedom Force, Trump 2021- More...

 

COVID Relief Disaster

For those of you so naive to think that once the election was over that Republicans and Democrats would make nice and pass another much-needed coronavirus stimulus bill, you are better off betting on pigs being able to fly.

All indications from both sides of the aisle are that a stimulus bill will not be agreed upon before the end of the year. Legislators are scheduled to be in Washington for two abbreviated sessions this week and next.

Senator Marco Rubio and Republicans are pointing the finger at Democrats, and Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Stephanie Murphy and other Democrats are pointing the finger right back at Republicans.

In all honesty, Democrats have refused to put up a stand-alone Covid stimulus bill. President Trump says he would immediately sign it if it landed on his desk, but Democrats have refused to entertain the notion of a 'clean bill."

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NO! NIETE! NADA!

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has said that he will not lock down the state, nor will he authorize mask mandates even as the virus continues to spread. Rep. Stephanie Murphy is not all too happy about this. THIS IS PRETTY BOLD. READ MORE

Rick Scott @SenRickScott-Communist China can no longer hide behind its lies. I’ve been saying it for months: China lied about Coronavirus from the start (with the help of the WHO). This isn’t about pointing fingers; it’s about accountability & taking responsibility for the damage this pandemic has done.

Marco Rubio @marcorubio The Communist Party of #China lied and as a result #COVID19 virus spread to the U.S. & the entire world.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz @RepDWStweets-Holiday travels and worsening weather threatens a "surge upon a surge" of COVID cases. Now is the time for even more diligence, to reconsider any travel plans you’ve made for December, and to get tested if you travelled for Thanksgiving. Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rep. Stephanie Murphy's close friend celebrating Communism in 2014 — READ MORE

“Biden’s National Security Nominee Jake Sullivan Advocated For U.S. To Support China’s Economic Rise” by The Floridian’s Mona Salama – President-elect Joe Biden nominated Jake Sullivan to serve as White House national security advisor, a former foreign policy advisor under the Obama administration who previously advocated for the United States to “strike a middle course” that “create an environment more conducive to a peaceful and positive-sum” China economic rise as means to improve the two powerful nations relationship and prevents confrontation. During a June 2107 lecture on U.S. foreign policy in the Asia Pacific under President Trump delivered at the Lowy Institute, Sullivan said that the United States should “encourages China’s rise” economically and that the U.S. shouldn’t view a relationship as an enemy or a friend. “[Leading foreign policy expert] Owen Harries was right when he warned against containment of China. That is a self-defeating policy. But so is acquiescence. We need to strike a middle course, one that encourages China’s rise in a manner consistent with an open, fair, rules-based regional order,” Sullivan said, explaining the idea as a “new model,” a “tagline” former President Obama and Chinese President Xi announced during a summit in 2013. “This requires care, and prudence, and strategic foresight. Even more fundamentally, it requires sustained attention. These are not in ample supply in Washington right now,” Sullivan added.

“Rubio Accuses Democrats of Blocking COVID Relief” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – Americans continue to face financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Republicans and Democrats have been embroiled in a fight for a second stimulus check since before the November 3rd elections, accusing one another of blocking relief efforts. In turn, President Trump (R) signaled that lawmakers should set their differences aside and solely vote on providing financial relief for Americans, but lawmakers still couldn’t come to an agreement. Nearly one month after the elections, lawmakers are still arguing over which side is responsible for stalling COVID relief. Senator Kamala Harris (D) voiced her concern over the damage that lack of relief is causing on Americans, commenting that “small businesses, especially Black and minority-owned businesses, urgently need relief to survive the effects of coronavirus this winter,” adding that Vice President Joe Biden (D) is “committed to helping these businesses during this pandemic and get them the support they need to thrive in years to come.” After being the projected winner of the November 3rd election, Vice President Joe Biden has moved forward with announcing cabinet picks and discussing how he plans to help Americans during this process. However, Republicans have countered, laying blame on Democrats for stalling relief to Americans, and one lawmaker who’s been critical of Democratic leadership is Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R).

“All Eyes Still On Key Senate Races In Georgia” by The Floridian’s Daniel Molina – This past weekend former Vice President Joe Biden (D) suffered a hairline fracture in his right foot after he slipped while playing with his dog Major. Biden is expected to wear a walking boot for “several weeks” just and as Democrats continue their efforts to try to win the two contentious Georgia senate seats. President Trump (R) is still full speed ahead in terms of contesting the 2020 election results, has signaled that he will be holding rallies in Georgia to support the Republican candidates. Outside of the presidential race, Democrats lost an unprecedented amount of state and federal seats across the country, and are expected to lose these two Georgia seats regardless of the all-hands-on-deck efforts to try to win back the majority in the Senate. Jon Ossof (D), who’s running against Senator David Purdue (R) in the upcoming January runoff, was interviewed on CNN’s “State of the Union,” and he argued that a potential President-elect Biden administration has “the capacity… to govern in the midst of a crisis.” Because of this, he warned that Republicans maintaining control of the Senate would hinder any chances of Democrats advancing any measures until the 2022 midterm elections. Ossoff explained that “we all know what’s going to happen if McConnell holds the Senate,” adding that “he will try to do to Biden and Harris just like he tried to do to President Obama.”

“Florida Supreme Court refuses to reinstate death penalty for 2 convicted murders” by News4Jax’s Mike Vasilinda – In a surprising ruling, the Florida Supreme Court has refused the state’s efforts to reinstate the death penalty for two convicted murders, and the decision will mean at least 100 other murderers facing death will get another chance at life in prison. In 2016, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that anyone sentenced to death by a less than unanimous jury after 2002 was entitled to a new sentence. Then earlier this year, it backtracked, saying only some parts of a jury decision must be unanimous. FIU law professor Hanna Gorman says the defense community was worried. “There was a new court. The composition changed and changed significantly, and what that meant to Flordia death penalty jurisprudence, is that we were seeing a number of decisions that were increasingly concerning,” said Gorman, who works on criminal justice issues. Following that January ruling, the state moved to send two murderers back to death row on their old death sentence. But in a ruling that surprised many, the court said no. Pete Mills is the Chair of the Florida Public Defenders Death Penalty Steering Committee. “We did not anticipate this ruling. We expected the court would do something else” says Mills. This decision leaves 100 convicted killers awaiting a new sentence.

“COVID-19 hospitalizations rise in Florida, data trackers warn” by Local 10’s Christina Vazquez and Andrea Torres – Coronavirus pandemic data trackers warn there was an increase of 30% in COVID-19 patients who required hospitalization in the past two weeks in Florida. The pandemic continues to test hospitals’ resources. Nurses and doctors have bared the brunt of the upward trend in cases, so they are bracing for the possibility of a surge in new hospitalizations as a result of the holiday travel season. “It is kind of frightening for us because we have been at this for a long time and our nurses are getting a little bit tired,” said Maggie Hansen, the senior vice president and chief nurse executive at the Memorial Healthcare System. “We want to make sure our nurses on the frontline don’t wear out.” Data shows the 30% increase was a rise from 3,118 new hospitalizations to 4,059 in the past two weeks, according to the COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer organization launched by journalists at The Atlantic. The COVID Tracking Project reports 55,393 people have been hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment since the state started to gather data on the pandemic. The trackers’ data shows there were 4,059 hospitalized in Florida on Sunday. Florida’s highest test on capacity was after the Fourth of July when daily hospitalizations ranged from 6,974 on July 10 to 9,520 on July 21st, the data shows. David Zarco, the communications manager, at Baptist Health South Florida, released a statement on Monday afternoon reporting there has been a steady increase in COVID-19 cases at the system’s 11 hospitals during the last few weeks.

“Proposed Florida bill would eliminate state’s power to mandate vaccines” by WFLA – At least one Florida lawmaker wants to eliminate the state’s power to mandate vaccines during a public health emergency. Republican State Rep. Anthony Sabatini from Howey-in-the-Hills filed the legislation (HB 6003) on Monday, the first day of bill filing for the 2021 legislative session. The session is scheduled for March 2. Sabatini filed several lawsuits over the summer against Florida municipalities over local mask mandates. His newly-proposed bill would remove “the authority of the State Health Officer to order vaccinations upon declaration of a public health emergency,” amending Florida Statute 381.00315. If the bill passes and is signed into law by Gov. DeSantis, it would not take effect till July 1. Gov. DeSantis announced in a press conference on Monday that he went to Washington D.C. a week before Thanksgiving to meet with members of Operation Warp Speed and the Centers for Disease Control to discuss the coronavirus vaccine. “We’re not gonna have unlimited [vaccines] in the first month,” DeSantis said. “I think we pretty much will have one for every American in the first few months.” DeSantis said Florida’s first share of whichever vaccine gets approved would be at least a million, maybe as much as two million. As of Monday evening, Florida has recorded more than 999,000 coronavirus cases since the beginning of the pandemic.

“‘Campus Carry’ Issue For Florida Colleges and Universities Re-Emerges For 2021 Legislative Session” by News Service of Florida – A long-debated proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on Florida college and university campuses was filed Monday for consideration during the 2021 legislative session. Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, refiled the “campus carry” proposal (HB 6001), which did not receive a hearing during the 2019 and 2020 sessions. Similar measures were filed unsuccessfully by other gun-rights supporters in prior sessions. The proposals have drawn opposition from higher-education leaders. As of Oct. 31, Florida had issued more than 2.19 million concealed-weapons licenses. The 2020 legislative session starts in March.

“Gov. DeSantis says Florida schools will remain open to in-person instruction” by WEAR Staff – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday in a press conference that Florida public schools will remain open for in-person instruction in the spring. They will also continue to offer virtual options, although there will be stricter monitoring requirements in virtual classes. "Closing schools due to coronavirus is probably the biggest blunder in modern American history," DeSantis said. When it comes to virtual classes, the new rules will require parents to be notified if the student is struggling with virtual learning. Transitions to in-person learning may then be made, unless a parent objects. The governor and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran spoke at Boggy Creek Elementary School in Kissimmee. During the press conference, DeSantis referred to those in favor of closing schools due to COVID-19 as today's “flat earthers.”

“Florida teens who damaged restaurant water line over mask policy return and apologize, offer payment” by Fox News’ Alexandra Deabler – A group of Florida teens has apologized to a restaurant owner and offered to pay for the damage they caused the business after being asked to leave the restaurant for not wearing a mask over the weekend. Four teenagers were denied entry to Ms. Cheezious in Miami Saturday evening for not wearing masks. Immediately after being turned away, the teens went outside the restaurant and damaged the eatery's water line, surveillance video shows. In the video, the two male parties are seen running away as the water begins to spray all over the sidewalk. The grilled cheese restaurant’s water service reportedly failed after the line was damaged. "We're in a position where we can't afford this," owner Brian Mullins told Fox News in an interview. "We're preparing for our 10 year anniversary in a year where everyone is under a lot of stress." Mullins noted his restaurant, which started as a food truck, had three other outlets -- including two trucks and a stand -- which have all had to be shut down due to the coronavirus. "We basically went from four outlets to one restaurant," he said. After the vandalism, Mullins posted surveillance on social media looking for information about the group. The story went viral and Mullins was inundated with information. The posting has since been removed.

“Would a Trump 2024 announcement freeze out GOP rivals?” by Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser – As he keeps fighting the 2020 election results and refuses to concede to President-elect Joe Biden, President Trump remains quiet about the possibility of running to reclaim the White House in 2024. “I don’t want to talk to 2024 yet,” the president told reporters on Thanksgiving. But behind closed doors, Trump has told advisors that he wants to run again in four years, and could potentially announce his bid before or even during Biden's Inauguration on Jan. 20, according to Fox News’ chief White House correspondent John Roberts, who confirmed a report from The Daily Beast. Such an announcement, or even Trump’s flirtation with a third White House run, would definitely put a damper on what was thought to be a wide open battle for the GOP 2024 presidential nomination. And it could potentially freeze out early moves by other Republicans with national aspirations. Republican strategist and GOP presidential campaign veteran Alex Conant says a Trump 2024 announcement would “absolutely” change the dynamic of the next White House race, “at least at the outset.” “Nobody wants to be the first candidate to challenge Trump in 2024. If it were truly an open race, you’d see a lot of potential candidates making some aggressive early moves, going to Iowa, New Hampshire,” noted Conant, a founding partner of consulting firm Firehouse Strategies. “You would normally see candidates going through the early states before the end of this year.”

“Georgia Senate runoff spurs election probe of groups trying to register out-of-state voters” by Fox News’ Paul Conner – Georgia's top election official says he is opening an investigation into whether third-party groups are trying to register people from other states to illegally vote in Georgia's twin Jan. 5 Senate runoff elections, when the GOP's majority in the chamber is at stake. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced to reporters on Monday that "we have opened an investigation into a group called America Votes, who is sending absentee ballot applications to people at addresses where they have not lived since 1994." Raffensperger, a Republican, also said his investigators are looking into "Vote Forward, who attempted to register a dead Alabama voter, a woman, to vote here in Georgia." He also spotlighted "The New Georgia Project, who sent voter registration applications to New York City." The secretary of state also pinpointed “Operation New Voter Registration Georgia, who is telling college students in Georgia that they can change their residency to Georgia and then change it back after the election.” Raffensperger emphasized that “voting in Georgia when you’re not a resident of Georgia is a felony. And encouraging college students to commit felonies without regard for what it might mean for them is despicable. These third-party groups have a responsibility not to encourage illegal voting. If they do so, they will be held responsible.” Raffensperger's office also has 23 investigators working on 250 open investigations into "credible claims of illegal voting" and election law violations, he said.

“McConnell cranks up heat on Pelosi, says 'no reason' coronavirus relief shouldn't pass by year's end” by CNN’s Thomas Barrabi – Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell turned up the pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Monday, telling colleagues there was “no reason” that Congress should not pass another coronavirus stimulus package before the end of the year. Lawmakers have just weeks to reach terms on an agreement before Congress adjourns for the year on Dec. 21. In an address on the Senate floor, McConnell, R-Ky., called on lawmakers to finalize a relief package before the session ends. “There is no reason – none – why we should not deliver another major pandemic relief package to help the American people through what seems poised to be the last chapters of this battle,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. Negotiations have stalled for months in Congress on additional coronavirus-related relief measures. Pelosi and other Democratic leaders support the passage of a sweeping $2 trillion package with built-in aid for state and local governments, while Republicans, including McConnell support a “skinny” package with targeted relief measures aimed at businesses. In a follow-up post, McConnell pointed out that Pelosi and Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have faced pushback within their own party regarding stimulus negotiations.

“Biden transition braces for tough Senate confirmation for Neera Tanden” by CNN’s Kate Sullivan and MJ Lee – Joe Biden's transition team is bracing for a tough Senate confirmation battle for the President-elect's nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, who is already facing fierce opposition from Senate Republicans. Neera Tanden, the CEO and president of the left-leaning Center for American Progress, was announced on Monday as Biden's choice for the position. Biden has announced several Cabinet and other top administration officials, but none have received the same level of backlash as Tanden, who has frequently sparred with Republicans and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party on Twitter. The Biden team is well aware Tanden is a challenging nominee, with one person familiar with the matter telling CNN that there is currently widespread acknowledgment in the Biden transition world that she is going to be tough, at best, to get through the Senate confirmation process. Her uphill battle in the Senate was underscored Monday by a wave of criticism aimed at her from Republican senators. Republicans currently hold a majority in the Senate, but two January runoff elections in Georgia will determine which party controls the chamber and could affect the confirmation process. Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said that Tanden has a "problematic path" to confirmation in light of past "combative and insulting comments" about GOP senators.

“Afghan major who helped save US pilot begs Pentagon to 'keep their word' to protect his family and him” by CNN’s Sara Sidner – Mohammed Naiem Asadi and his wife, Rahima, haven't slept well in days. They are too nervous to eat much. They are trying to keep their fear in check for their 4-year-old daughter. But their bodies sometimes betray them. That's because as of Monday, the US Department of Defense has ejected them from their safe hiding place on a US military base in Afghanistan, putting them at risk from the Taliban, who, Asadi says, have targeted them for killing. Asadi is a decorated Afghan helicopter pilot credited with protecting US Air Force pilots in Afghanistan and killing more Taliban than any other pilot in the Afghan air force, according to Stars and Stripes, the US military's independent newspaper. The Pentagon would not confirm the Stars and Stripes report on Asadi's record.

Asadi and his family say they could now be in grave danger because of a Pentagon decision to reverse permission for them to come to the US and force them to leave the safety of the US military base in Kabul where they have been staying since October 28. There are two options awaiting him outside of US protection, Asadi told CNN in a conversation Sunday, hours before being taken off the base. "If I am sent back to Kabul, I'm afraid I will be jailed by the Afghan government or killed by the Taliban," Asadi said. "We are so stressed." He and his family are now in hiding at an undisclosed location.

“Justice Department releases Trump's pardon of Flynn and asks court for dismissal” by CNN’s Katelyn Polantz and Caroline Kelly – The Justice Department on Monday released a copy of President Donald Trump's pardon of former national security adviser Michael Flynn -- giving Flynn far-reaching absolution from lying and foreign lobbying crimes he admitted to in 2017 and any other possible related crimes. The Department also formally asked a federal court to dismiss the case against him. Trump's pardon, announced last week, clears Flynn from anything related to the investigation the FBI conducted into his contacts with Russia; his cooperation during the Mueller investigation and other cases Mueller could have investigated; and his disclosures about secretly lobbying for Turkey in 2016 before becoming Trump's first national security adviser. The specifics of Trump's pardon for Flynn are written very broadly. The pardon also appears to excuse Flynn from telling the federal court under oath that he is guilty of his crimes and, later, claiming he is innocent, which could have resulted in a contempt proceeding, the Justice Department said in a filing with Judge Emmet Sullivan. The pardon absolves Flynn from "any possible future perjury or contempt charge in connection with General Flynn's sworn statements and any other possible future charge that this Court or the court-appointed amicus has suggested might somehow keep this criminal case alive over the government's objection," the Justice Department wrote.

“Navy Will Decommission Ship Damaged in Five-Day Blaze” by WSJ’s Nancy A. Youssef The U.S. Navy will decommission the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard after it was heavily damaged in a five-day fire in July off the coast of San Diego, officials said Monday. Rebuilding the ship would have cost up to $3.2 billion and taken up to seven years, Rear Adm. Eric H. Ver Hage, commander of Navy Regional Maintenance Center, told reporters Monday. About 60% of the ship would have needed replacement, Adm. Ver Hage said. “It will ultimately be scrapped,” Adm. Ver Hage said. Decommissioning the ship will cost $30 million, Adm. Ver Hage said. The Navy didn’t specify where the ship’s sailors would be assigned. A new ship to replace the Bonhomme Richard is slated to cost $4.1 billion and take six years to build, Adm. Ver Hage said. The Bonhomme Richard cost $750 million to build in the 1990s. Within days of the fire, Navy officials feared the ship was beyond repair and said that, at best, it would take months to restore it. The Navy had intended the ship, commissioned in 1998, to be a part of the Navy fleet for roughly 40 years. The Navy is still investigating the cause of the fire, which damaged 11 of the ship’s 14 decks. The 40,000-ton ship listed at different times toward both its port and starboard sides as firefighters battled the blaze, the Navy said, likely due to the massive quantities of water poured into the hull.

“Biden’s Economic Team Draws on Deep Experience With Focus on Jobs, Wages, Inequality” by WSJ’s Kate Davidson – President-elect Joe Biden’s choices for his White House economic team include an array of advisers with crisis experience, policy chops and a deep focus on labor markets, including how to boost wages, maximize employment and combat discrimination. The picks also suggest an emphasis on personal relationships with the boss: Several of Mr. Biden’s choices are former Obama administration officials or advisers from his 2020 campaign. That could help elevate the influence of White House economists, especially at the Council of Economic Advisers, whose role was diminished during much of the Trump administration. Overall, Mr. Biden’s chosen advisers favor a bigger government role in raising wages and employment. Cecilia Rouse, Mr. Biden’s choice to be CEA chairwoman, and Brian Deese, his pick to lead the National Economic Council, both served in key advisory roles during the aftermath of the 2007-09 financial crisis: she was a member of CEA, and he was deputy NEC director. Ms. Rouse also served during the Clinton administration on the National Economic Council. Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey, Mr. Biden’s choices to round out the CEA, were among a group of economists who regularly briefed Mr. Biden during the campaign as the coronavirus pandemic unfolded. Mr. Bernstein, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, served as Mr. Biden’s chief economist during the Obama administration, and Ms. Boushey, the president and co-founder of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, previously worked on Capitol Hill for the Joint Economic Committee.

“Powell Says Fed Actions Unlocked $2 Trillion to Support Economy” by WSJ’s Nick Timiraos – Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank’s actions to backstop a range of credit markets after the coronavirus convulsed Wall Street this past spring had unlocked almost $2 trillion to support businesses, cities and states. In testimony prepared for delivery at a congressional hearing Tuesday, Mr. Powell said the Fed’s unprecedented steps to stabilize financial markets had largely succeeded in restoring the flow of credit from private lenders. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Nov. 19 told Mr. Powell that he would not grant extensions for five lending programs that have backstopped markets for corporate and municipal debt and to purchase loans made to small businesses and nonprofits when those programs expire on Dec. 31. Mr. Powell didn’t elaborate in his testimony, released on Monday afternoon, about the central bank’s disagreement with Mr. Mnuchin’s decision. The Fed had earlier said it would have preferred the lending programs had stayed open because the pandemic emergency hasn’t receded. Mr. Mnuchin is slated to testify alongside Mr. Powell at Tuesday’s hearing and didn’t address the conflict in his prepared testimony. Mr. Mnuchin’s decision to allow the programs to expire on Dec. 31 intensified a partisan divide over the Fed’s lending activities, which both parties supported as part of the $2 trillion stimulus package known as the Cares Act approved in March. Mr. Mnuchin says the programs are no longer needed because markets have healed. Second, he says he lacks the authority to extend the programs because he believes the Cares Act doesn’t allow for the programs to continue. Third, Mr. Mnuchin says the money would be better spent on other relief measures for which Congress can’t agree on funding.

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Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump-A judge in Nevada has ordered Clark County officials to allow an inspection of the elections equipment and sealed containers used in the 2020 election by 1:00 P.M. tomorrow. @RichardGrenell

@AdamLaxalt

@mschlapp

Joe Biden -Zzzzzz