To view past editions of The Hill’s 12:30 Report, click here: http://bit.ly/1M1mIfw
To receive The Hill’s 12:30 Report in your inbox, please sign up here: http://bit.ly/1Tt4hqN
–> A midday take on what’s happening in politics and how to have a sense of humor about it.*
*Ha. Haha. Hahah. Sniff. Haha. Sniff. Ha–breaks down crying hysterically.
The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Obama endorses Biden in video message | Obama says ‘Joe has all the qualities we need in a president’ | Speculation grows over Fauci’s future | Trump lashes out during coronavirus briefing | Growing fears over food supply chain after Smithfield plant closure | Mnuchin, Schumer expected to reach relief deal | Pelosi shows off her chocolate ice cream stash (!)
BREAKING
Thanks, Obama! -Joe:
Former President Barack Obama
Barack Hussein ObamaJon Huntsman qualifies for GOP gubernatorial primary ballot in Utah Obama calls for keeping ‘our most vulnerable communities at the forefront’ during coronavirus pandemic Obama wishes country a ‘blessed and joyful Easter’ MORE just endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenDemocrat-backed candidate wins Wisconsin Supreme Court race Trump uses coronavirus briefing to fire back at critics Biden beats Sanders in Wisconsin primary MORE‘s presidential campaign in a video message. https://bit.ly/3chy6cf
From Obama’s announcement: “Choosing Joe to be my Vice President was one of the best decisions I ever made, and he became a close friend. And I believe Joe has all the qualities we need in a President right now.”
Obama on Biden’s platform: “Joe already has what is the most progressive platform of any major party nominee in history. Because even before the pandemic turned the world upside down, it was already clear that we needed real structural change.”
Watch the video message: https://bit.ly/2z15OEJ
Obama on Sen. Bernie Sanders
Bernie SandersDemocrat-backed candidate wins Wisconsin Supreme Court race Biden beats Sanders in Wisconsin primary The Hill’s Campaign Report: Sanders endorses Biden for president MORE (I-Vt.): “Bernie’s an American original. A man who has devoted his life to giving voice to working peoples’ hopes, dreams and frustrations. He and I haven’t always agreed on everything, but we’ve always shared a conviction that we have to make America a fairer, more just, more equitable society.”
Timing: Obama had said he would not endorse until a clear nominee had emerged. Sanders dropped out of the race last week, making Biden the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
It’s Tuesday. I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com — and follow along on Twitter @CateMartel and Facebook.
Did someone forward this to you? Want your own copy? Sign up here to receive The Hill’s 12:30 Report in your inbox daily: http://bit.ly/2kjMNnn
IN THE WHITE HOUSE
Where everyone’s favorite Uncle Tony stands:
Via The Hill’s Niall Stanage, “Anthony Fauci
Anthony FauciOvernight Health Care: Trump fires back at critics during briefing | Trump claims he has authority on when to reopen states | Governors form groups to discuss plans | Fauci offers support to Trump | House delays return 18 things to know for today on coronavirus CNN cuts away from ‘propaganda’ briefing as Trump plays video hitting press MORE looks to be skating on thin ice with President Trump
Donald John TrumpSenate committee to investigate origin of, response to coronavirus pandemic Amash teases possibility of third-party presidential bid Overnight Health Care: Trump fires back at critics during briefing | Trump claims he has authority on when to reopen states | Governors form groups to discuss plans | Fauci offers support to Trump | House delays return MORE, despite — or perhaps because of — a growing sense that he is the most trusted expert on the coronavirus crisis.” https://bit.ly/2K6Mt7n
How the White House is pushing back: The White House has actively dismissed the suggestions that Fauci could be removed from the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Fauci has even walked back his comments from this weekend that earlier social distancing measures could have saved lives.
WHAT SPARKED THIS:
“During a CNN interview on Sunday, Fauci had suggested that mitigation measures would have been more effective had they been put in place earlier, but that there had been ‘pushback’ against them.”
Fauci walked back his comments yesterday: “After Trump invited Fauci to the lectern within minutes of beginning Monday’s press briefing, the doctor said that his reference to ‘pushback’ was ‘the wrong choice of words.'”
Just another manic Mondayyy:
Via The Hill’s Brett Samuels, “President Trump on Monday used the White House briefing room to lash out at critics of his response to the coronavirus outbreak, rattling off a litany of grievances about press coverage and airing a reel of cable news footage that portrayed his actions in a positive light.” https://bit.ly/2V6gsCI
What happened: https://bit.ly/2V6gsCI
WHERE THINGS STAND
Cases in the U.S.: 583,330
Deaths in the U.S.: 23,654
Breakdown of the numbers: https://cnn.it/2UAgW3y
WHAT THE SUMMER MAY LOOK LIKE:
Via The Atlantic’s Ed Yong: https://bit.ly/3bcaMwo
Growing worries over the food supply chain:
Via The Hill’s Alex Gangitano, “Pork processor Smithfield Foods’ decision to shut down a major U.S. plant after a coronavirus outbreak among workers is putting a spotlight on the food supply chain during the pandemic.” https://bit.ly/3eo5lfM
The worry: “Consumer and worker safety groups say the Smithfield incident highlights that more must be done to ensure the welfare of those working in the industry as well as those buying food. And there are worries that if more plants close, American consumers could be hit by shortages.”
What some groups think would help: “Some industry groups say the Trump administration must provide more protections for essential workers, a category that includes food suppliers.”
BACK STORY:
One of the U.S.’s biggest pork processing plants is closing after hundreds of employees tested posted for COVID-19. https://bit.ly/3enBBQb
TIDBIT — SHOULD PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT TRANSMISSION THROUGH FOOD?:
The Hill’s Alex Gangitano tweeted, “The FDA has said that the food supply is not a source of transmission for the coronavirus. ‘The biggest risk about buying a Smithfield ham is going to the grocery store and getting that ham,’ a professor of food microbiology at Rutgers University tells me.” https://bit.ly/2XyQxVL
LATEST WITH CORONAVIRUS RELIEF
A possible deal this week — You can do it, guys!!:
Via The Hill’s Alexander Bolton, “Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer
Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerDozens of progressive organizations call on Congress to fund vote-by-mail efforts Senior Democrat casts doubt on House returning next week Pelosi, Schumer to GOP: ‘Stop posturing’ on stalled coronavirus aid MORE (D-N.Y.) are expected to reach a deal this week on an interim coronavirus relief bill that would provide money to businesses, hospitals and state governments.” https://bit.ly/34BT57h
Timing once there is a deal: “The deal could lead to legislation being passed quickly through the Senate on Thursday, and through the House no later than early next week.”
Think about next year’s health insurance premiums…:
Via The Hill’s Jessie Hellmann, health insurance companies are warning that without financial help from Congress, COVID-19 treatment and testing may raise premiums next year. https://bit.ly/3aa2ofN
Think of it this way — from Ilyse Schuman, senior vice president for health policy at the American Benefits Council: “Without a doubt, employers are facing significant unknowns with regards to the COVID-19 crisis, while at the same time they themselves are under financial stress … They’ll be left with no option but to pass costs along to employees in the form of higher premiums next year. That’s really why we’re asking Congress to step in and protect employer-sponsored coverage.”
Op-ed on ending the lockdown: https://bit.ly/2RC3pXv
NOTABLE TWEETS
Respect, Speaker Pelosi. Respect.:
This is a very entertaining clip: Here is Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiMore than 180 groups urge Congress to pass 0 billion in unrestricted aid to state, local governments Overnight Health Care: Trump fires back at critics during briefing | Trump claims he has authority on when to reopen states | Governors form groups to discuss plans | Fauci offers support to Trump | House delays return On The Money: Trump claims he has power to decide when to reopen states | Governors forming groups to discuss reopening | Senate caught in standoff over relief bill MORE (D-Calif.) giving a tour of the chocolate situation in her kitchen. Watch: https://bit.ly/2Ka2WYd
^ My favorite line from Pelosi — this is so relatable: “I don’t know what I would have done if ice cream were not invented.”
*Cue everyone immediately checking their bank accounts*:
The full story: https://bit.ly/2yaSRI7
ON TAP
The House and Senate are out. President Trump and Vice President Pence are in Washington, D.C.
11:30 a.m. EDT: President Trump met with recovered COVID-19 patients in the Cabinet Room.
2 p.m. EDT: President Trump receives an intelligence briefing.
3:30 p.m. EDT: President Trump meets with health care executives.
WHAT TO WATCH
2:30 p.m. EDT: Defense Secretary Mark Esper
Mark EsperPentagon awards 5M contract for machines to disinfect N95 masks Overnight Defense: Roosevelt sailor dies from coronavirus complications | House delays return to DC | Lawmakers fret over fate of surveillance flight treaty Roosevelt sailor with coronavirus dies MORE and Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley hold a press briefing on the coronavirus. Livestream: https://cs.pn/2ycLxLV
5 p.m. EDT: The White House Coronavirus Task Force holds its daily press briefing. Livestream: https://bit.ly/3a5l3sZ
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF…
Today is National Pecan Day.
And to brighten your Tuesday afternoon, here are two chimpanzee brothers reuniting: https://bit.ly/2yfYbts