Coronavirus has hit Capitol Hill, as the first members of Congress have tested positive for the virus.
Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Ben McAdams (D-Utah) announced diagnoses late Wednesday. Diaz-Balart’s office said he had developed symptoms Saturday evening and was notified Wednesday of a positive test. Both had voted on the House floor as recently as Saturday morning, to pass the coronavirus relief bill.
Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah (Left), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. (Right)
At least five other members of Congress are quarantining because they had contact with the lawmakers, including Rep. Steve Scalise, the second-highest ranking Republican in the House.
Some lawmakers had been pushing for ways to vote remotely, particularly since congressional members are disproportionately in higher-risk categories for coronavirus complications. Forty-eight senators are over the age of 65, the age at which some states have recommended individuals to stay inside their homes.
Senator Dick Durban (D-Ill.) has said “it’s time for the Senate to wake up to the 21st century and make sure we’re using technology that allows us to communicate with each other without any danger or risk to public health.”
The president's personal attorney recorded a discussion with Trump two months before the election about payments to a former Playboy model who claims she had an affair with Trump, according to a New York Times report. Those payments are under investigation for any potential campaign finance law violations. "The White House is in scramble mode," says Siraj Hashmi, Commentary writer at the Washington Examiner.
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) condemns the President’s behavior at his public meeting with Putin and Trump's remarks in the days that followed. “My greatest concern, really, is what might happen over next few weeks and months where Putin decides to take advantage of this weakness,” he tells Cheddar.
The president, in an interview with CNBC this week, said he's looking to tax every single Chinese good that enters the U.S., which amounts to $505 billion. The tariffs would come at a time when prices for common consumer products, including the Apple Watch, FitBit, and smart speakers, could rise. Cheddar's Tim Stenovec and Kristen Scholer break down the news.
The actor, comedian, and activist created an augmented reality app called "House of Cats," which features an animated, satirical version of the president called "Trump-y Cat." A portion of the proceeds will go to support refugees. "We are going to counter his hostility with support," Takei tells Cheddar.
Economic growth at 4 percent is unsustainable and could pull back, warns Samantha Azzarello, Global Market Strategist at JPMorgan ETFs. GDP has been energized by tax cuts, increased spending, and consumption, and Azzarello predicts the high won't last.
Christopher Wray, who became director of the FBI last August, said in a statement that his assessment of Russia and the 2016 election has not changed, despite what Trump may say. "The President clearly has personal interests, or some sort of interests, that are separate from what the U.S. intelligence community has when it comes to Russia," says Eric Boehm, reporter for Reason.com.
