Month: November 2020

On Thursday, an increasing number of senate Republicans and former national security officials pushed to grant President-elect Biden access to presidential-level intelligence briefings, a key step in transitioning to the White House.

The congressional Republicans acknowledged a need for Biden to begin to get critical information about the nation’s security, and over 150 former national security officials in a letter on Thursday urged the GSA to recognize Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as the winners of the election, giving them access to the President’s Daily Briefing and to begin to obtain the security clearances necessary for members of the transition team.

The group, which includes several former Trump administration officials, warned of serious national security risks as a result of the delay in Biden’s transition. Senate Republicans have also voiced support for Biden to receive the briefings.

Growing number of Senate Republicans support intel briefings for Biden

Via abcnews.go.com

A growing number of Republican senators are calling on the Trump administration to grant…

11/12/2020 5:10 PM

 

Editorial credit: VP Brothers / Shutterstock.com

U.S. Republican Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska won re-election on Wednesday, leaving control of the Senate to be determined in January by two runoff elections in Georgia. Sullivan, 55, defeated Al Gross, an independent who ran as a Democrat. Earlier on Wednesday, Democrats clinched their hold on the U.S. House of Representatives, but with a slimmer majority.

Gross, a 58-year-old orthopedic surgeon, emphasized his knowledge of the healthcare system. Coming a day after Republican Senator Thom Tillis won re-election in North Carolina, Sullivan’s victory confirms that Democratic hopes of winning a majority of seats, and with it the power to support Democratic President-elect Joe Biden’s agenda, will come down to two Georgia elections scheduled for Jan. 5. Democrats won Republican seats in Arizona and Colorado in last week’s election. But they lost a seat in Alabama, reducing their net gain to a single seat.

In Georgia, Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler face challenges from Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, respectively.

Sullivan wins Alaska, Senate battle down to Georgia

Via www.reuters.com

Politics Sullivan wins Alaska, Senate battle down to Georgia. Posted [NFA] Senator Dan Sullivan…

11/11/2020 4:48 PM

 

Editorial credit: WDCPhotographer / Shutterstock.com

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced new restrictions as COVID-19 cases increased in their states. The United States set another daily record for new infections, with 136,300 new cases were added nationwide Tuesday, topping the previous mark by about 8,000. Tuesday also saw the most deaths nationwide, about 1,400, since mid-August.

Cases have surged in New York, where Cuomo announced Wednesday that new restrictions would go into effect Friday. Private indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people, and gyms, bars and restaurants must close each night at 10 p.m. The curfew will apply only to restaurants licensed by the state liquor authority. Others may provide take-out after 10 p.m.

DeWine announced Ohio will reinstitute its statewide mask mandate as the state has reported 50,000 new COVID-19 cases within 13 days. Under the new order, retail businesses will be required to post a face covering requirement sign at all public entrances and ensure that employees and customers wear masks.

Indiana Gov. Holcomb said beginning this weekend, orange counties will be limited to social gatherings of 50 people or fewer. Red counties will be limited to gatherings of 25 people or fewer.  Most of the state’s counties are designated orange, including Marion County. Nine counties are red.

In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his state is dealing with the worst surge of the pandemic so far, with hospitalizations spiking to about 4,200 per day. Pritzker urged residents to wear masks and advised against large holiday gatherings for the safety of front-line health workers.

Bars, restaurants and gyms in New York face new restrictions due to Covid-19 increase

Via www.msn.com

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced new restrictions on restaurants, bars and gyms…

11/11/2020 4:24 PM