| | | | | |  | | By Anna Palmer, Jake Sherman, Eli Okun and Garrett Ross | Presented by |  | | NEW … PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP is going to Camp David this weekend. Here's who is going with him: House Minority Leader KEVIN MCCARTHY, White House chief of staff MARK MEADOWS and GOP Reps. DAN CRENSHAW (Texas), MATT GAETZ (Fla.), DEVIN NUNES (Calif.), JIM JORDAN (Ohio), ELISE STEFANIK (N.Y.) and LEE ZELDIN (N.Y.). WELL, THE HOUSE IS BACK, and the vast majority of lawmakers showed up for the votes today, which will stretch into the evening. Speaker NANCY PELOSI needs somewhere in the neighborhood of 204 votes to pass a bill if the numbers stay steady, which we expect they will. FOURTEEN House Dems voted against a procedural motion, which is, at times, a good proxy for the no votes on the final bill. (Voting against leadership on a procedural motion is quite the statement.) PELOSI has a 17-vote margin here. It's going to be relatively close. -- WE TOLD YOU THIS MORNING to watch out for the TRUMP-district Democrats. Reps. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER from the Richmond area and JOE CUNNINGHAM from Charleston, S.C., will both be noes on the HEROES Act -- the $3 TRILLION spending package. So will progressive leader Rep. PRAMILA JAYAPAL from Seattle. The bill is getting squeezed by both sides, but our sources still believe it will pass. More from Heather Caygle, Sarah Ferris and John Bresnahan MOST LAWMAKERS are wearing masks in the Capitol, but there are still clutches of Republicans who are not wearing facial coverings. A group of GOP lawmakers were standing feet from each other on the floor without masks. BERNIE'S BACK! -- "Sanders rekindles Democrats' health coverage feud before key House vote," by Alice Miranda Ollstein: "Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders reignited Democrats' feud over health care coverage Friday, the day of a House vote on a $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill, by criticizing the plan as a 'massive giveaway' to the health industry and proposing a pandemic-specific version of 'Medicare for All.'" GOP OUT ON A LIMB … NYT'S CARL HULSE: "With Go-Slow Approach, Republicans Risk Political Blowback on Pandemic Aid": "[T]heir resistance — born of spending fatigue and policy divisions — is proving increasingly unsustainable, given tens of millions of anxious Americans out of work, businesses and schools shuttered and an election looming. … [T]he parties remain in their corners shouting, but Democrats believe the clamor will ultimately cause Republicans to relent." NYT NEW -- New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware will open their beaches for Memorial Day. They will be limited to 50% occupancy. Happy Friday afternoon. TALKER -- "What 74 former Biden staffers think about Tara Reade's allegations," by PBS NewsHour's Daniel Bush and Lisa Desjardins: "None of the people interviewed said that they had experienced sexual harassment, assault or misconduct by Biden. All said they never heard any rumors or allegations of Biden engaging in sexual misconduct, until the recent assault allegation made by Tara Reade. Former staffers said they believed Reade should be heard, and acknowledged that their experiences do not disprove her accusation. … "The interviews revealed previously unreported details about the Biden office when Reade worked there, such as an account that she lost her job because of her poor performance, not as retaliation for lodging complaints about sexual harassment, as Reade has said. "Other recollections from former staffers corroborated things she has described publicly, such as Biden's use of the Senate gym and a supervisor admonishing her for dressing inappropriately. Overall, the people who spoke to the NewsHour described largely positive and gratifying experiences working for Biden, painting a portrait of someone who was ahead of his time in empowering women in the workplace." PBS NewsHour | | A message from UnitedHealth Group: The United Health Foundation is collaborating with the AARP Foundation to provide meals and social connection support to more than one million seniors impacted by COVID-19. Learn more. | | | LATEST ECONOMIC NUMBERS -- "Retail sales plunge a record 16.4% in April, far worse than predicted," by CNBC's Jeff Cox: "Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expected the advanced retail sales number to fall 12.3% after March's reported 8.3% dive already had set a record for data going back to 1992. … "Clothing stores took the biggest hit with a 78.8% tumble. Other big losers were electronics and appliances (-60.6%), furniture and home furnishing (-58.7%) sporting goods (-38%), and bars and restaurants (-29.5%). Nonstore retailers rose 8.4%. … The retail industry, particularly brick and mortar stores, already had been in a state of peril, and the coronavirus measures have only added to the misery." HUNT FOR A VACCINE -- "NIH director: Large-scale vaccine testing expected by July," by AP's Lauran Neergaard … "New Coronavirus Vaccine Czar Says Finding One by January Is a 'Credible' Goal," by NYT's Maggie Haberman and Noah Weiland NEW RESEARCH -- "Scientists Are Working On 'Antibody Cocktails' To Treat The Coronavirus," by HuffPost's Julia Ries: "This therapy is thought to provide temporary immunity for at least a couple of months and treat those who are infected and experiencing symptoms. Scientists study plasma from recovered patients to identify which types of antibodies work best against the coronavirus. Then, they're mass-produced in a lab and those winning antibodies are packed into an injectable treatment. "The pharmaceutical company Regeneron is currently leading the fight, having announced it expects to have an antibody cocktail widely available by late summer. New York's Mount Sinai Health System also recently revealed it has teamed up with the drug-maker Sorrento to create a cocktail that could protect someone against the coronavirus for up to two months." HuffPost A HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE MANUFACTURER -- "A Drug Company Wagers the U.S. Won't Dare Charge It With Crimes: Teva, the world's largest maker of generic drugs, recently pulled out of settlement talks with the Justice Department," by NYT's Katie Benner, David Enrich and Katie Thomas THE REOPENING QUESTION -- "States are letting stay-at-home orders expire, regardless of virus metrics," by Nolan McCaskill: "Stay-at-home orders or business restrictions are set to expire between Friday and Monday … in a dozen states, at the same time that other states surpass the two-week point since reopening, marking a critical checkpoint in the nation's recovery. … "[W]hile just two states, Kentucky and North Dakota, have met the health criteria for reopening society that have been recommended by the White House, the majority of state leaders have now signaled they are ready to begin lifting restrictions. … One of the outliers: Washington, D.C., and its suburbs." POLITICO DON'T LET A CRISIS GO TO WASTE ... NYT'S ERICA GREEN: "Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is using the $2 trillion coronavirus stabilization law to throw a lifeline to education sectors she has long championed, directing millions of federal dollars intended primarily for public schools and colleges to private and religious schools. … "The Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential, a private college in Wisconsin that has a website debunking claims that it is a cult, received about $495,000." NYT | | | | OUR NEIGHBORS NEED HELP: Another 3.2 million Americans filed for unemployment last week. Our neighbors need our help now more than ever. From grab-and-go dinners for kids to boxes of groceries for seniors, you can help provide critical support for people in the greater DMV community who need it most. No one should go hungry during this pandemic. Together, we can make sure no one has to. Please support the Capital Area Food Bank's Covid-19 response today. | | | | | WHO'S ON FIRST -- "Caught in Trump-China feud, WHO's leader is under siege," by Reuters' Kate Kelland and Stephanie Nebehay: "Interviews with WHO insiders and diplomats reveal that the U.S. offensive has shaken Tedros [Adhanom Ghebreyesus] at an already difficult time for the agency as it seeks to coordinate a global response to the pandemic. … "Tedros knew there was a risk of upsetting China's political rivals with his visit and his public show of support … But the agency chief saw a greater risk - in global health terms - of losing Beijing's cooperation as the new coronavirus spread beyond its borders … Two Western diplomats said the U.S. funding suspension is more harmful politically to the WHO than to the agency's current programmes, which are funded for now. But they also voiced concern that the freeze could have long-term impact." Reuters TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECTS -- "Hospitals Knew How to Make Money. Then Coronavirus Happened," by NYT's Sarah Kliff: "The disruption to hospital operations may ultimately leave Americans with less access to medical care, according to financial analysts, health economists and policy experts. Struggling hospitals may close or shut down unprofitable departments. Some may decide to merge with nearby competitors or sell to larger hospital chains. … "The decline affects large, elite hospital systems like Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins — which estimates a loss of nearly $300 million into next year and has adopted cost reductions — as well as suburban hospitals and small rural facilities that were already financially stressed." NYT TOUGH EDITORIAL from top British medical journal THE LANCET: "The Administration is obsessed with magic bullets—vaccines, new medicines, or a hope that the virus will simply disappear. But only a steadfast reliance on basic public health principles, like test, trace, and isolate, will see the emergency brought to an end, and this requires an effective national public health agency. … "The Trump administration's further erosion of the CDC will harm global cooperation in science and public health, as it is trying to do by defunding WHO. A strong CDC is needed to respond to public health threats, both domestic and international, and to help prevent the next inevitable pandemic. Americans must put a president in the White House come January, 2021, who will understand that public health should not be guided by partisan politics." IMMIGRATION FILES -- "Trump administration weighs suspending program for foreign students, prompting backlash from business, tech: The Trump administration may suspend OPT, a program for foreign students to stay in the U.S. to get 1 or 2 years of occupational training after their educations," by NBC's Julia Ainsley and Laura Strickler HUAWEI OR THE HIGHWAY -- "U.S. Moves to Cut Off Chip Supplies to Huawei," by WSJ's Katy Stech Ferek: "The restriction stops foreign semiconductor manufacturers whose operations use U.S. software and technology from shipping products to Huawei without getting a license from U.S. officials first. "That new license authority could give the Commerce Department the ability to block the sale of semiconductors manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., for Huawei's HiSilicon unit, which designs chips for the company. Commerce officials have worked on the new restriction for months." WSJ | | | | POLITICO Magazine Justice Reform: The Decarceration Issue, presented by Verizon: Over the past decade, the longstanding challenge of criminal-justice reform has emerged into the spotlight with a new twist: Both Republicans and Democrats are onboard. But if both parties want to lower the incarceration rate, why are our jail and prison populations still so high? The latest series from POLITICO Magazine works to answer this important question and take a deeper look into what it will take to make progress in the policy and politics of justice reform. READ THE FULL ISSUE. | | | | | TROUBLE ON THE LEFT -- "Bernie world descends into disarray," by Holly Otterbein: "Thousands of [Bernie Sanders'] former volunteers publicly warned him that their organizing networks are on the verge of falling apart since he dropped out of the presidential race five weeks ago. Ex-aides fear that the precious data they collected on his supporters, which could be used to elect progressive candidates and oust President Donald Trump, is going to waste. "Even Our Revolution, the group started by Sanders in 2016, lacks access to his new email list that made him the best Democratic fundraiser this year. Many of Sanders' allies were demoralized by what they saw as Our Revolution failing to live up to its potential after his first presidential run. Now, in the wake of a second unsuccessful campaign, some fear they're witnessing a repeat of the 2016 wreck unfold in real time." POLITICO -- WSJ: "Progressive Democrats Frustrated After Setbacks in Congress, Primaries," by Natalie Andrews and Eliza Collins: "Mr. Sanders, however, said those feeling demoralized need to 'take a deep breath.' He said polls that show progressive ideas growing more popular are a sign of success." WSJ AD WARS -- "Political ads expected to explode, even as economy tanks," by Zach Montellaro: "A new, joint report from the ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics and analytics company Cross Screen Media projects that the total ad spending on the 2020 election cycle will reach $6.7 billion, up 12 percent over their initial $6 billion projection for the cycle. … "The bump is due partially to a record level of primary spending, but the coronavirus is also expected to help boost that total … Traditional media is still expected to rule the day, even as campaigns increasingly turn their attention online. … But digital advertising is also experiencing significant growth." POLITICO … The report BATTLE FOR THE SENATE -- COOK POLITICAL REPORT moves Sen. DAVID PERDUE'S Georgia seat from Likely Republican to Lean Republican, via Jessica Taylor VALLEY TALK -- "Facebook to buy Giphy for $400 million," by Axios' Dan Primack, Kia Kokalitcheva and Sara Fischer PLAYBOOK METRO SECTION -- "Amid the pandemic, love finds a way as the D.C. court begins virtual weddings," by WaPo's Keith Alexander: "After a nearly two-month suspension, marriages by the court resumed earlier this month. But like many celebrations since covid-19, they are occurring virtually. Before they began the service, Magistrate Judge Raquel Trabal, officiating through her computer from her home, asked guests to hit their mute buttons. … "According to the court, it seems the stay-at-home order has fueled an increased desire for wedded bliss. From March 18 through May 7, the court's website received 1,225 petitions. During those same months last year, just 1,014 applications were filed." WaPo CORRECTION DU JOUR -- NYT: "An earlier version of this article inaccurately rendered a quote attributed to Yannick de Jager. He said the North Sea is 'a fickle bitch,' not 'a thicker beach.'" (h/t Dan Bilefsky) MEDIAWATCH -- "Vice Media Laying Off 155 Employees," by The Hollywood Reporter's Jeremy Barr: "[CEO Nancy] Dubuc said that 55 staffers will be cut on Friday in the U.S. and that 'approximately' 100 staffers will be cut abroad 'over the coming weeks.'" THR … Poynter's full list of newsroom pandemic cuts -- Chris Livesay is joining CBS News as a foreign correspondent in Rome. He previously has reported from Italy and around the world for PBS, NPR and other outlets. WELCOME TO THE WORLD -- Jade Floyd, VP of comms at the Case Foundation, and Charles Small, federal affairs manager for the city of Los Angeles and Mayor Eric Garcetti, welcomed Jasper Elliott Teagan Small on April 12. Pic | | | | A message from UnitedHealth Group:   The United Health Foundation and AARP Foundation are collaborating to help address food insecurity and social isolation among seniors impacted by COVID-19. Learn more. | | | | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
