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What We’re Reading this Week (October 12th-16th, 2020)

Keep up with what’s happening in DC. Below is a selection of articles the Federal Relations team read this week.

SCOTUS Hearings: Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett was questioned for 3 days in what many label as a relatively tame hearing. The vote on her nomination is scheduled for October 22, just 12 days before the election. Live updates.

Trump Recovery: The President’s medical team has stated that the President is negative for COVID-19 as he continues to participate in large events. Messaging from the White House has now turned to reopening. Full story.

Harris Limits Travel: VP nominee Senator Kamala Harris is limiting her travel after two staffers test positive for COVID-19. More.

Biden Article Blocked: Both Facebook and Twitter have taken controversial steps to limit distribution of an article claiming to reveal details of the Biden family’s relationship with Ukraine. The facts of the article are unverified. Twitter initially claimed the information was from hacked sources, however later backtracked and changed their policy. They now claim because the article contains personal contact information, it cannot be distributed. More.

Stimulus Strategy: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will again bring to the floor a $500 billion “targeted” COVID relief bill which includes supplement to the Paycheck Protection Program. Both the Administration and House Democrats oppose such a small bill, however Speaker Pelosi is facing internal pressure to accept a compromise. Read more.

Town Halls: On Thursday evening, President Trump and candidate Joe Biden held competing town halls. Recap here.

California Ballot Boxes: The California GOP has stated it will not comply with a cease-and-desist order from the State after setting up ballot collection boxes marked “official”. The GOP claims the boxes are legal, however the State contests that they are not. Full story.

Census Ends: The US Census will end counting on Thursday, after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Administration. Link here.

Detention Center Lawsuit: Former detainees are filing a class action lawsuit after alleging they were punished with solitary confinement for not cleaning the facility without pay. The lawsuit against CEO Group, Inc., a private ICE detention center operator, claims the punishment contradicts US Government standards and that company executives lied to Congress. Full story.