Politics
How To Watch Tonight’s Vice Presidential Debate and What To Expect From Both Pence and Harris
Published
4 months agoon
By
Cory Ray
- The vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris will begin in Salt Lake City Wednesday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time (6:00 p.m. PST).
- All major TV networks — including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, and C-SPAN — will be airing the debate live. Those networks will also be streaming the debate live on YouTube.
- Vice President Pence has now agreed to have a plexiglass barrier between him and Harris, the Democratic candidate. Originally, Pence’s team said a barrier was unnecessary.
- Concerns over whether there will be a second presidential debate next week are also mounting. President Donald Trump has indicated that he still plans to debate Democratic challenger Joe Biden on the same stage, but Biden has said he doesn’t think there should be another debate while Trump still has COVID-19.
When and Where to Watch Wednesday’s VP Debate
The first and only 2020 vice presidential debate between incumbent Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris will be held in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night.
The debate will begin at 9:00 p.m. EST (6:00 p.m. PST) and will be streamed by all major TV networks. That list includes C-SPAN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. Most of those outlets will also be providing live streams on YouTube.
What Can We Expect?
Harris will almost certainly challenge Pence and the Trump administration on its handling of the coronavirus. This week, the number of Americans killed by the novel virus climbed to 210,000.
In addition to defending that handling, one of Pence’s biggest challenges will be, of all things, remaining calm and collected. Last week’s presidential debate was condemned by many as the worst presidential debate in history, thanks in no small part to President Donald Trump’s incessant interrupting of Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
Pence will also likely be faced with the task of addressing Trump’s most recent tweets, where he told Americans not to be afraid of COVID-19, erroneously compared the virus to the flu, and halted any coronavirus relief package negotiations until “immediately after I win” the election.
…request, and looking to the future of our Country. I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business. I have asked…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2020
Pence is also expected to challenge Harris on her past as attorney general of California, as well as press her on some of her past healthcare positions, such as her previous support of a “Medicare for All” platform.
Pence may also press Harris over whether she and Biden would potentially support increasing the number of U.S. Supreme Court justices from nine, a question Biden failed to answer when pressed by Trump at the first presidential debate last week.
Susan Page, USA TODAY’s Washington Bureau chief, will moderate.
Pence Agrees to Plexiglass Barrier
On Tuesday night, Pence’s team agreed to erect a plexiglass barrier between him and Harris.
Harris originally called for a barrier to be erected following the still-growing superspreader event at the White House that has led to positive COVID-19 diagnoses for many in the Trump administration, including the president himself. Pence has repeatedly tested negative for the coronavirus.
Because of that, his team originally opposed the calls to erect a barrier, calling such a move unnecessary.
“We are not going to let a barrier prevent the Vice President from making the case for four more years of Donald Trump,” his team said after agreeing to erect the barrier.
While they will be on the same stage, both candidates will stand 12 feet apart, and each will be separated by curved plexiglass barriers.
Will There Be a Second Presidential Debate?
In addition to this Wednesday’s debate, concerns are also mounting around the potential for a second debate between Trump and Biden.
That debate is still technically scheduled for next week in Miami, but with Trump having contracted COVID, many have wondered if it will still happen.
To that point, Tuesday, Trump tweeted that he was looking forward to this next debate, essentially indicating that he wasn’t going to miss it.
I am looking forward to the debate on the evening of Thursday, October 15th in Miami. It will be great!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 6, 2020
Just hours later, Biden told reporters that he doesn’t think there should be a second debate if Trump still has COVID, though he added that his decision would be guided by medical experts.
“I think we were gonna have to follow very strict guidelines,” he said if a debate does happen. “Too many people have been infected. It’s a very serious problem.”
See what others are saying: (The Hill) (CNN) (The New York Times)
Politics
House To Send Impeachment Article Monday, Starting Impeachment Trial Process
Published
2 days agoon
January 22, 2021By
Lili Stenn
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the House will send the impeachment article against former President Donald Trump to the Senate on Monday, triggering the start of the impeachment trial process.
- The news comes one day after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell requested that the trial be delayed until mid-February so that Trump’s legal team could have two weeks to prepare.
- The senators could still come to their own agreement to delay the start of oral arguments and give Trump’s team more time to file pretrial briefs.
- Some Democrats have signaled support for this move because it would give them extra time to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominations before the trial starts.
Pelosi To Send Impeachment Article
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Wednesday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca.) will send the impeachment article against former President Donald Trump to the Senate on Monday.
The move will officially trigger the start of the impeachment trial process. The announcement comes one day after Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) requested that the trial be delayed until mid-February so that Trump’s legal team could have two weeks to prepare.
Despite Pelosi’s decision, the senators still could come to their own agreement to start the ceremonial proceedings but delay the start of oral arguments and give Trump’s team more time to file pretrial briefs.
In fact, Democrats, who have been pushing for a schedule that would allow them to still confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees before the trial proceedings start each day, have signaled that they might not oppose a delay because it would give them extra time for confirmations.
During his announcement this morning, Schumer indicated that the details were still being hashed out.
“I’ve been speaking to the Republican leader about the timing and duration of the trial,” he said. “But make no mistake a trial will be held in the United States Senate and there will be a vote on whether to convict the president.”
"I've been speaking to the Republican leader about the time and the duration of the trial," Schumer said https://t.co/uXg3JFKGuY pic.twitter.com/ie8AgIZlkD
— POLITICO (@politico) January 22, 2021
McConnell, for his part, responded by reiterating that his party will continue to press for Trump’s team to be given enough time.
“This impeachment began with an unprecedentedly fast and minimal process over in the House,” he said. “Senate Republicans strongly believe we need a full and fair process where the former president can mount a defense.”
While the leaders may not have worked out the particulars yet, according to reports, both parties have already agreed that this trial will be shorter than Trump’s first impeachment, which lasted three weeks.
Implications for Power-Sharing Deal
The new impeachment trial deadline could also speed up the currently stalled negotiations between Schumer and McConnell regarding how power will be shared in a Senate with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats.
Democrats effectively control the Senate because Vice President Kamala Harris will be the deciding vote, but she cannot always be there to resolve every dispute.
As a result, McConnell and Schumer have been working to come up with a power-sharing deal for day to day operations, similar to one that was struck in 2001 the last time the Senate was split 50-50. However, those negotiations have hit a roadblock: the legislative filibuster.
The filibuster is the long-standing Senate rule that requires a supermajority of at least 60 senators to vote to end debate on a given piece of legislation before moving to a full floor vote. Technically, all 50 Democrats and Vice President Harris could agree to change the rule to just require a simple majority to legislation advance, or what’s known as the “nuclear option.”
That move, in effect, would allow them to get through controversial legislation without any bipartisan support, as long as every Democrat stays within party lines. Many more progressive Democrats have pushed for this move, arguing that the filibuster stands in the way of many of their and Biden’s top priorities.
Given this possibility, McConnell has demanded that Democrats agree to protect the filibuster and promise not to pursue the nuclear option as part of the power-sharing deal.
But top Democrats have rejected that demand, with many arguing that having the threat of filibuster is necessary to get Republicans to compromise.
In other words: if Republicans fear that Democrats will “go nuclear,” they will be more likely to agree to certain bills and measures to avoid that.
See what others are saying: (The New York Times) (Politico) (The Wall Street Journal)
Politics
Biden Signs 17 Executive Order During His First Day in Office. Here’s What You Need to Know
Published
3 days agoon
January 21, 2021By
Lili Stenn
- In the first hours of his presidency, Joe Biden signed 17 executive orders and proclamations, many of which focused on rolling back Trump administration policies regarding immigration, the environment, and protections for minority groups.
- Biden also implemented several measures to tackle the coronavirus, including requiring masks to be worn on federal property and by federal employees. He is also expected to announce a new national strategy aimed at restructuring the federal response to the pandemic.
- On Thursday, Biden will also invoke the Defense Production Act, which would speed up the development and distribution of vaccine-related equipment.
Biden Rolls Back Trump Policies
President Joe Biden signed 17 executive actions and proclamations Wednesday afternoon. Many of his first acts in office are focused on rolling back several policies implemented by former President Donald Trump that Biden’s aides said have caused the “greatest damage” to the country.
“I thought there’s no time to wait, get to work immediately,” Biden told reporters present during the signed of several of the orders.
Here is a breakdown of some of the key measures Biden implemented.
Immigration
Biden immediately ended all construction on the border wall by overhauling the national emergency declaration Trump had enacted to divert billions in federal funds to his central campaign promise.
The new president also expanded protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) and overturned a Trump policy that made immigration enforcement more strict and
In similar actions, he also ended the travel ban on multiple Muslim-majority countries and revoked a Trump administration order that would have excluded non-citizens from the 2020 Census count.
The Environment
One of the most significant actions Biden took was signing a letter to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. It will take 30 days for the return to go into effect.
The president also issued a sweeping order that reversed a number of the Trump administration’s environmental policies, including revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, re-establishing a working group to look into the social costs of greenhouse gasses, and temporarily banning oil and natural gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Justice for Minority Groups
In one far-reaching order, Biden directed all federal agencies to review equity in their programs and policies. They are required to issue a report within 200 days that, among other things, details how each will remove barriers to opportunities and ensure all Americans have equal access to federal resources.
Biden also ended Trump’s policy that limited federal agencies, contractors, and other organizations from holding diversity and inclusion training. The same order also disbanded the 1776 Commission created by Trump to study his claims that the education system was too liberal in its teaching of American history.
In a separate order, the president issued changes that will broaden federal protections against sex discrimination to include LGBTQ+ Americans, reversing a previous action by Trump.
Government Accountability
As part of a broad measure aimed at general accountability in the executive branch, Biden issued an order that will establish ethics rules for all people in his administration. The same order will also require all executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge.
Separately, the president additionally froze all new regulations Trump had put in place during his last few weeks in office until they can be further evaluated.
Economy and Coronavirus
Chief among Biden’s first acts in office were his plans for the coronavirus pandemic and the damage it has caused to the American people.
In terms of financial relief, Biden extended the ban on evictions and foreclosures and paused student loan payments until September.
As for direct actions concerning the pandemic, the president imposed a mask mandate for all federal employees and anyone on federal property. He also signed an extensive order aimed at restructuring the federal response to the pandemic.
Biden is expected to enact more policies in regards to the coronavirus in the coming days, including taking more executive actions to ramp up testing and vaccine distribution, safely reopening schools and businesses, and provide more money to states to help carry out those efforts, among other things.
To achieve these goals, he will also invoke the Defense Production Act, which will compel American companies to manufacture supplies for the pandemic response such as PPE and other items needed for vaccines.
See what others are saying: (The New York Times) (ABC News) (The Washington Post)
Politics
U.S. To Join WHO-led Vaccine Distribution Plan as Biden Implements a Flurry of COVID-19 Executive Orders
Published
3 days agoon
January 21, 2021By
Cory Ray
- Dr. Anthony Fauci indicated Thursday that President Joe Biden will join COVAX, a World Health Organization-led COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.
- Fauci’s announcement comes one day after Biden signed an executive order reversing former President Donald Trump’s plan to remove the United States from the WHO.
- Among other orders, Biden plans to implement a mask mandate for airports, planes, trains, and other forms of interstate travel. He has already ordered masks to be worn on all federal property.
- Biden is also expected to invoke the Defense Production Act on Thursday, which would speed up the development and distribution of vaccine-related equipment.
U.S. To Join COVAX
Just one day after President Joe Biden signed an order to keep the United States in the World Health Organization, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the country will join its global COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan.
That plan, COVAX, is a collaborative effort between 92 countries to ensure that COVID vaccines aren’t only distributed in wealthy countries.
The idea behind the plan is that establishing a global herd immunity will be much more effective at curbing the spread of the virus than just establishing herd immunity in countries that can afford to buy large quantities of the vaccine, especially when international travel picks back up.
The plan is not without its shortcomings. Earlier this week, the WHO stated that some countries participating in COVAX have been disregarding the plan and buying large quantities of vaccines for themselves.
Nonetheless, in a video conference call Thursday morning with the WHO’s executive board, Fauci — now chief medical advisor to the president — said the Biden administration believes it can inoculate every American while also helping people in other countries.
Biden’s plan to join COVAX is a stark contrast from the Trump administration, which refused to participate in the program.
Fauci said Biden will issue the directive to join COVAX later Thursday.
Additionally, Fauci noted that the U.S. once again “intends to fulfill its financial obligations” to the WHO.
In his attempt to leave the organization, Trump cut off payments from the U.S.; however, his administration never got the chance to fully cut ties with the organization because the U.S. wasn’t scheduled to officially leave until July of this year.
Biden Signs Mask Mandate, Other Orders To Come
Among other COVID-related executive orders signed Wednesday, Biden implemented a national mask mandate for people on federal property.
Sometime Thursday, Biden is also expected to sign another order requiring masks to be worn in airports, as well as on airplanes, trains, and other interstate transit systems.
Also on Thursday, Biden is also expected to sign an order that will establish a COVID-19 testing board. Once implemented, the board will be responsible for increasing testing rates, addressing supply shortfalls, and determining the rules and regulations for international travelers coming into the U.S. It will also have the power to distribute resources to minority communities that have been disproportionately affected by the virus.
On top of that, Biden plans to sign an order that will direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse states and Native American tribes for their emergency response efforts. Notably, those reimbursements include costs related to reopening schools.
Finally, Biden is expected to invoke the Defense Production Act on Thursday. Such a move would speed up the production of masks and other equipment needed to help administer vaccines.
See what others are saying: (Business Insider) (Reuters) (CNBC)

WOW! Joe Rogan COVID Controversy, National Guard Outrage, Megan Thee Stallion Fake News, & More News

House To Send Impeachment Article Monday, Starting Impeachment Trial Process

Russia Orders Social Media Sites To Block Calls for Navalny Protests

Joe Rogan Says Grimes Did Not Give Dave Chappelle COVID-19

Florida Cracks Down on “Vaccine Tourism”

Black Mirror or Reality? Microsoft Granted Patent for Tech That Lets It Create Chatbots of Dead People

Biden Signs 17 Executive Order During His First Day in Office. Here’s What You Need to Know

U.S. To Join WHO-led Vaccine Distribution Plan as Biden Implements a Flurry of COVID-19 Executive Orders

Accusations Against Chinese Actress Shine Light on the Nation’s Surrogacy Laws

JoJo Siwa Fans Caution Against Labeling the Star’s Sexuality

Amanda Gorman Wows the Nation With “The Hill We Climb”

Cosplay Instagram Star Belle Delphine Trolls Followers With PornHub Account

Mia Khalifa Shuts Down Death Rumors, Sparks Conversations About Plastic Surgery and Adult Film Industry

Instagram Users Tell Skai Jackson to Stop Posting About Cameron Boyce

Billie Eilish Fans Call Out Twitter User for Sexualizing the Underage Singer

Ace Family’s Austin McBroom and Team Accused of Rape

Joe Rogan Denies Spotify Censorship Rumors, According to Alex Jones

YouTuber MrBeast Responds to Criticism of Massive Tree Planting Project

Man Kills 17-Year-Old Bianca Devins and Posts Photos Online

Netflix Apologizes and Changes Marketing Materials for “Cuties” After Backlash

YouTuber Coffee Break Accuses Kurzgesagt of Being Untrustworthy, Founder Responds

The Onision Controversy Explained

WOW! Joe Rogan COVID Controversy, National Guard Outrage, Megan Thee Stallion Fake News, & More News

Trump OUT. Biden IN. What Happens Now? Inauguration 2021, Last Second Pardons, & More News

Dear Jamie, BE HONEST! ARE YOU KILLING THOSE CATS?! Also Barstool, Cody Ko, MrBeast, Navalny, &

Why Joe Rogan is Scared, Strange Armie Hammer Allegations, Justice League, Flint, UFOs, & More News

Banned From Youtube! Belle Delphine Outrage, PewDiePie, AOC, Trump Impeached Again, & More News

HOW ARE PEOPLE THIS STUPID?! New Arrests, Rumble, The Rock, Ryan Reynolds, TheGrefg, & More News

This is so Dumb & Scary! Zendaya, Corpse Husband, Bitcoin, 25th Amendment, Parler Sues, & More News

WOW! David Dobrik Scam Accusations, Horrifying Exposé Sparks Deletion, & More Cyberpunk 2077 Fallout

DISGUSTING! What They Aren’t Telling You About This New Ban & Today’s Ws and Ls: Valkyrae, SCOTUS, &

WHO IS LYING? Video Exposes Controversial Florida Raid & Olivia Jade Felony Scandal Redemption Tour

The Truth About Logan Paul: The Most Successful Loser Ever. Gal Gadot, HBO Max, Georgia Runoffs, &

Belle Delphine Responds To Outrage After Tweeting Out Graphic Photos

Black Mirror or Reality? Microsoft Granted Patent for Tech That Lets It Create Chatbots of Dead People

Capitol Officer Used Himself as a Distraction To Lead Mob Away From Elected Officials During Insurrection Attempt

FDA Recalls 11,000 Ice Cream Containers and Sportsmix Pet Food Products

Netflix Will Release a New Movie Every Week in 2021

Vogue Faces Backlash for Using Casual Photo of Kamala Harris on Print Cover

House Impeaches Trump By Largest Bipartisan Margin in History

Petition Calls for Ban on Sexualized Fanfiction in South Korea

Multiple Capitol Police Officers Have Been Suspended, Other Officers Now Under Investigation

Italy Begins Largest Mob Trial in Decades

Signal and Telegram Downloads Surge After WhatsApp Announces It Will Share Data With Facebook

WOW! Joe Rogan COVID Controversy, National Guard Outrage, Megan Thee Stallion Fake News, & More News

House To Send Impeachment Article Monday, Starting Impeachment Trial Process

Russia Orders Social Media Sites To Block Calls for Navalny Protests

Joe Rogan Says Grimes Did Not Give Dave Chappelle COVID-19

Florida Cracks Down on “Vaccine Tourism”

Black Mirror or Reality? Microsoft Granted Patent for Tech That Lets It Create Chatbots of Dead People

Biden Signs 17 Executive Order During His First Day in Office. Here’s What You Need to Know

U.S. To Join WHO-led Vaccine Distribution Plan as Biden Implements a Flurry of COVID-19 Executive Orders

Accusations Against Chinese Actress Shine Light on the Nation’s Surrogacy Laws

JoJo Siwa Fans Caution Against Labeling the Star’s Sexuality

Amanda Gorman Wows the Nation With “The Hill We Climb”

WOW! Joe Rogan COVID Controversy, National Guard Outrage, Megan Thee Stallion Fake News, & More News

Trump OUT. Biden IN. What Happens Now? Inauguration 2021, Last Second Pardons, & More News

Dear Jamie, BE HONEST! ARE YOU KILLING THOSE CATS?! Also Barstool, Cody Ko, MrBeast, Navalny, &

Why Joe Rogan is Scared, Strange Armie Hammer Allegations, Justice League, Flint, UFOs, & More News

Banned From Youtube! Belle Delphine Outrage, PewDiePie, AOC, Trump Impeached Again, & More News

HOW ARE PEOPLE THIS STUPID?! New Arrests, Rumble, The Rock, Ryan Reynolds, TheGrefg, & More News

This is so Dumb & Scary! Zendaya, Corpse Husband, Bitcoin, 25th Amendment, Parler Sues, & More News

WOW! David Dobrik Scam Accusations, Horrifying Exposé Sparks Deletion, & More Cyberpunk 2077 Fallout

DISGUSTING! What They Aren’t Telling You About This New Ban & Today’s Ws and Ls: Valkyrae, SCOTUS, &

WHO IS LYING? Video Exposes Controversial Florida Raid & Olivia Jade Felony Scandal Redemption Tour
