Cabbage News Network Week #164.2

Monday 3/16

• Most Monday news along with last weekend are in the previous post.
  
• New White House guidance is to avoid groups larger than 10 (source).
  
• DJT tells states that they are on their own (source).
  
• ACLU sues ICE to try and gain release for immigrants in detention that are high-risk for Covid-19 (source).
  
• Dept. of Justice dismisses charges against Russian hackers for 2016 election meddling (source).
  

Tuesday 3/17

• Fed to buy up corporate bonds to provide more short-term relief to corporations (source).
  

Wednesday 3/18

• U.S. - Canada border closed to non-essential travel, goods can still go through (source).
  
• Congress passes bill to provide some economic relief to those impacted by Covid-19, a follow-up bill is already in the works (source).
  
• Foreclosures and evictions are suspended (source).
  
• State Dept. suspends visa services (source).
  
• IRS allowing deferred tax payments (source).
  
• Federal agencies asked to limit themselves to "mission-critical" activities (source).
  
• China restricts U.S. journalists in retaliation for U.S. ban on Chinese journalists (source)
  
• Kushner just doing his own thing, which is mostly confusing people (source).
  
• USDA to appeal court ruling preventing it from kicking people off food stamps (source).

Thursday 3/19

• Unemployment claims surge thanks to pandemic related layoffs (source).
  
• State Dept. warns Americans not to travel abroad (source).
  
• Congress is considering direct cash payments to Americans (source).
  
• U.S. orders mortgage relief for homeowners that have lost income (source).
  
• Congress may allow remote voting (source).

Friday 3/20

• Federal government is outbidding states for Covid-19 supplies, running up the prices (source).
  
• GOP senators engaged in insider trading, selling off stocks before crash (source).
  
• DJT blames China and the media for lack of U.S. preparedness for the pandemic, nevermind that China and the media did try to warn him (source).
  
• U.S. - Mexico border to close to non-essential travel (source).
  
• Tax filing deadline moved to July 15 (source).

Map of the week

• Current status of Covid-19 pandemic

Legislative update

• Legislation signed into law
  
  • Covid-19 response bill, this one expands testing and expands various safety net programs https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr6201
    
  • 2 minor bills
  
  
• Legislation awaiting DJT's signature
  
  • 1 new minor bill
    
  • 10 total pending bills sitting on DJT's desk
  
  
• Legislation passed in the House, awaiting Senate
  
  • 1 minor bill
    
  • 419 total pending bills sitting on McConnell's desk
  
  
• Legislation passed in the Senate, awaiting House
  
  • Short-term extension of FISA https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s3501
    
  • 122 total pending bills sitting on Pelosi's desk