Advocates estimate the U.S. needs $2 billion to protect voters from coronavirus. Congress approved a fraction of that
Sen. Amy Klobuchar is pushing a bill that would have the federal government foot the cost of nationwide vote-by-mail.
National
On voter suppression, Trump says the quiet part out loud (again)
Trump understands that making it easier to vote is bad for Republicans. But, unlike most Republicans who hide behind various arguments that things that make it easier to vote will lead to voter fraud, Trump adorably admits the open secret.
What went wrong with U.S. COVID-19 testing: WaPo Fact Checker lays it out
The Washington Post focuses specifically on the actions taken (and not taken) regarding the development and deployment of a reliable test for the virus.
State Government
Here’s how much money Minnesota will get from the $2.2 trillion federal coronavirus response bill — and what it will pay for
The state will receive $2.187 billion as its share of a $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund — as well as millions more from a variety of other federal sources.
D.C. Memo
D.C. Memo: A COVID operation
Federal stimulus bill; Rep. Angie Craig’s HUMBLE Act gets new attention; Klobuchar’s husband sick with coronavirus infection; and more.
National
Direct payments, unemployment extensions and small business loans: what’s in the $2 trillion federal stimulus bill
On Wednesday night, the Senate passed the third and largest coronavirus (COVID-19) response package: a $2 trillion bill.
Eric Black Ink
Trump’s approval ratings rise in several polls
You can decide for yourself whether this reflects an abiding belief that he is handling the crisis well, or is something more like a reflexive rally-round-the-leader impulse.
National
Rep. Angie Craig wants to ban members of Congress from owning stocks. After coronavirus-related trading by senators, her bill’s getting renewed attention
While the conspicuous coronavirus stock sales drew attention to her bill, Craig said there’s a lot of information members of Congress are privy to that should prompt concern.
Eric Black Ink
Message to Kellyanne Conway: Criticizing Trump is finding fault with him, period
Trump did everything he could to minimize and dismiss the COVID-19 threat from mid-February to mid-March, which was roughly the opposite of what his experts were trying to get him to say and do.
Health
Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s husband, John Bessler, sick with COVID-19
Klobuchar wrote that Bessler started to feel sick when Klobuchar was in Minnesota and he was still in Washington.
National
A new Super PAC wants to raise $1 million to re-elect Rep. Collin Peterson. It’s already halfway there
The committee has close ties to the American sugar industry.
Business
What internet providers are doing to keep Minnesotans online during the pandemic
Internet providers in Minnesota have signed on to the Keep Americans Connected Pledge, which says that the companies won’t terminate internet service to residential or small business customers for reasons connected to the coronavirus crisis.
D.C. Memo
D.C. Memo: An unexpected recess
The COVID-19 pandemic in D.C.; Hagedorn on climate change; and more.
