Tag Archives : Build House

Campaign Report — All eyes on Wyoming

Welcome to The Hill’s Campaign Report, tracking all things related to the 2022 midterm elections. You can expect this newsletter in your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday leading up to November’s election.   

Email us tips and feedback: Max Greenwood (mgreenwood@thehill.com), Julia Manchester (jmanchester@thehill.com), and Caroline Vakil (cvakil@thehill.com).

Cheney gears up for big primary night  

All eyes will be on Wyoming tonight as Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) goes head-to-head with Trump-backed challenger Harriet Hageman in the GOP primary for Wyoming’s at-large congressional district. 

Cheney drew the ire of former President Trump for voting to impeach him — one of 10 House Republicans to do so — and later for helping lead the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The panel has scrutinized efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election results and his behavior on the day of the Capitol riot. 

Trump has spent the past 18 months in an all-out effort to oust any Republican he believes crossed him after the 2020 election and Capitol riot — especially Cheney, who has been among the most vocal. 

“More than anyone, he wants Cheney gone,” one former Trump aide told Max Greenwood. “I think with him, politics is always personal, but the Cheney thing — I think he sees that as being even more important because she didn’t just vote to impeach him, right? She tried to destroy him.” 

Polling in the last few months shows Cheney’s trailing Hageman by double digits. A poll out Thursday from the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center showing Hageman with the support of 57 percent of Wyoming residents identified as likely voters in the primary. Cheney received 28 percent support.  

Republican strategists have acknowledged Cheney’s messaging puts her in a difficult position, and one that is unlikely to jive with Wyoming primary voters. 

“I do think it’s debatable whether she should have gone out and blown herself up this way, because it’s obviously going to cost her her seat and her platform, but she chose a different path. And I think everybody’s got to make their own decisions in life,” said Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist and ex-special assistant to former President George W. Bush who called Dick Cheney, the father of the Wyoming congresswoman, a “hero” of his. 

But Cheney is marching to the beat of her own drum, and she hasn’t stopped grilling the former president or lambasting dubious claims that the 2020 election.  

“Like many candidates across this country, my opponents in Wyoming have said that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen. No one who understands our nation’s laws, no one with an honest, honorable, genuine commitment to our Constitution would say that. It is a cancer that threatens our great Republic,” she says in her latest ad.  

Read more:

• Liz Cheney approaches likely Wyoming primary loss with defiance
• Trump eyes big prize in taking down Cheney
• Cheney looks to cling on in Wyoming despite polls
• Five things to watch in Alaska, Wyoming primaries

Alaska features its own tests

Meanwhile, in Alaska, voters will head to the polls in the state’s Senate primary and the special House race to fill the late Rep. Don Young’s (R-Alaska) seat.  

The Senate primary will feature the other pro-impeachment Republican on the ballot today: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the only GOP senator who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial who is up for reelection this year. 

Unlike Cheney, however, Alaska’s new electoral system could work to propel Murkowski to the general election, and perhaps even another term.  

The Hill’s Julia Manchester writes that while Murkowski may not come in first in the all-party primary, she will likely be among the top four voter-getters to advance to the general election in November.  

Murkowski is not expected to lead in Tuesday’s primary, because the environment will likely favor more partisan candidates such as Kelly Tshibaka, her Trump-backed GOP opponent. However, experts say that once it’s time for the general election, Murkowski will gain more support from Democratic and independent voters, giving her an advantage over Tshibaka. 

Alaska is also holding a special election tonight, which will mark the first time voters in the state use its new ranked-choice system of voting. In that race, former Gov. Sarah Palin is seeking Young’s former seat along with fellow Republican Nick Begich III and Democrat Mary Peltola. All three are also running in a separate primary to win a full term in November. Politicos argue that the new voting system could end up working against Palin, who has Trump’s endorsement.  

Additionally, recent polls show Palin trailing Begich and Peltola.  

Regardless, both the Senate and the House races will be viewed as a test of Trump-backed candidates.  

Read more here.

GIULIANI: ‘WE’RE STARTING TO LIVE IN A FASCIST STATE’ 

Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani minced no words on Monday after he found out he was the target of a Georgia special grand jury investigation, which is looking into efforts that former President Trump and his allies took to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. 

“It’s just a further desecration of the Sixth Amendment. I was his lawyer of record in that case. The statements that I made are either attorney-client privilege, because they were between me and him, or they were being made on his behalf in order to defend him,” the Trump ally told Newsmax. 

“When you start turning around lawyers into defendants when they’re defending their clients, we’re starting to live in a fascist state. Look, I’ve already had my law office raided. I never thought I’d ever see that happen.” 

Back up: Giuliani was given a subpoena back in July, which alleges that he offered testimony and evidence during a Georgia state Senate hearing that attempted to show that election fraud had taken place during the 2020 presidential election cycle. 

Among the evidence he offered, the subpoena alleged he included a video, later debunked by Georgia officials, that claimed to show election workers bringing in large amounts of illegal ballots. Even though that footage was debunked, the document claims that Giuliani kept making those assertions anyway, including using the video as supporting evidence.  

HUSBAND OF LATE REP. WALORSKI ENDORSES IN SPECIAL ELECTION  

The late Rep. Jackie Walorski’s (R) husband, Dean Swihart, announced he is endorsing Rudy Yakym, who served as Walorski’s campaign finance director, in the special election to fill Walorski’s seat in Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District on Monday.  

“He will fight to do the right thing, just as Jackie did every day of her career. I encourage the precinct committeemen to support Rudy in this week’s caucus,” Swihart said in a statement on Monday.  

Other candidates to represent the district include Indiana State Rep. Curt Nisly (R), former state Rep. Christy Stutzman (R), and former Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill (R).  

The special election will take place on the same day as the general election in November. The district leans heavily Republican.  

POLL WATCH 

A Dallas Morning News-University of Texas at Tyler poll shows a tight race between state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and his Democratic challenger, Rochelle Garza. The poll found Paxton with 34 percent support among Texas voters compared to Garza, who received 32 percent. But the poll falls within the margin of error, effectively tying the two. 

Over in New York, former federal prosecutor Daniel Goldman is leading his Democratic opponents in the state’s 10th Congressional District primary, according to a poll out from Emerson College Polling-PIX11-The Hill. The poll found Goldman at 22 percent among primary voters with New York State Assembly Member Yuh-Line Niou coming in second with 17 percent. That’s followed by Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) at 13 percent and New York City Councilmember Carlina Rivera also at 13 percent.  

AD WATCH 

Environmental group Evergreen Collaborative is giving a boost to two Democratic governors, whose races are considered some of the most competitive ahead of November, by launching a six-figure ad buy to showcase their efforts on renewable and clean energy. 

One ad is boosting incumbent Gov. Steve Sisolak in Nevada, highlighting his backing of a 2019 law that upped the percentage of energy taken from energy efficient measures or renewable energy by energy providers. Another ad rallies behind Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan and efforts in the state on electric vehicle manufacturing.  

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) reelection campaign released his first general election ad of the midterm election cycle on Tuesday. The 30-second spot is narrated by first lady Cecilia Abbott, and highlights what she says are the incumbent governor’s commitment to “hard work, perseverance, and family.”  

In Arizona, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee rolled out its first general election campaign against Republican Senate nominee Blake Masters. The advertisements include a television ad in English and Spanish, a digital ad, and a Spanish radio ad.  

Meanwhile, the House Majority PAC rolled out an ad highlighting Biden’s record as president, including the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The ad is titled “Deliver.”

That’s it for today. Thanks for reading and check out The Hill’s Campaign page for the latest news and coverage. See you Thursday. 

Source: TEST FEED1

It's time for a discussion about life after being born in America

While public protests, political debate, controversial legislation and court decisions have embroiled the United States on the issue of life before birth, comparatively little of America’s attention, concerns and demonstrations are being directed to life after birth.

At virtually every age from birth to old age, Americans have lower chances of life than no less than 40 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. 

During the first year of life, for example, the chances of a baby born in America reaching age one are well below those of most developed countries. The U.S. infant mortality rate is double the rates of Austria, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and South Korea, and triple the rates of Finland, Japan, Singapore and Sweden. 

A similar pattern is observed for the life chances of young children. America’s mortality rate of children under the age of 5 years is markedly higher than the rate of some 35 countries. Moreover, America’s child mortality rate is approximately three times as high as the rates of 10 developed countries.

By age 15, Americans also have fewer years of life remaining than dozens of other countries. In 10 of those countries, including Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, life expectancy at age 15 is about five years greater than America’s.

In addition, America has a much higher rate of maternal mortality than comparable developed countries. Women in the U.S. are more than four times as likely to die due to complications from childbirth than women in other developed countries. 

America’s lower life chances persist throughout adulthood and well into old age. At age 65, the remaining years of life for Americans are a couple of years less than those for approximately 10 countries, again including Australia, France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain and Switzerland.

The lower life chances in the U.S. are largely because for most of the major causes of death, mortality rates are higher in America than in comparable countries. For example, the mortality rate due to diseases of the circulatory system, which include heart diseases and stroke, is 20 percent higher in America than in other developed countries. Also, the death rate for diseases of the respiratory system is 35 percent higher in America than in other developed countries.  

Various studies have confirmed that America spends more on healthcare but has worse outcomes and lower life chances than comparable countries around the world. Several major factors are believed to contribute to America’s comparatively lower life chances. 

Other comparable countries, for example, provide universal healthcare coverage. The U.S. remains the only high-income country lacking universal health insurance coverage. That situation results in millions of Americans being uninsured or underinsured, and consequently, most of them are unable to meet their healthcare needs.

Other developed countries also invest in and strengthen primary care systems. They remove cost barriers and ensure access to healthcare services is available to their respective populations. In addition, administrative burdens for healthcare are reduced in those countries and investments are made in social services, especially for children.  

Another important factor for the comparatively lower life chances in America centers on the prevalence of unhealthy related behaviors and lifestyles. Prominent among those behaviors are cigarette smoking, obesity, alcohol abuse and drug overdoses.

America’s mortality rate for external causes, which include drug overdoses, accidents, intentional self-harm, poisonings and assaults, is the highest among comparable developed countries, with approximately 37 percent more deaths than the comparable country average. 

For many years, America has had the highest obesity rate among high-income countries. High prevalence rates for obesity are seen in U.S. children and in every age group thereafter. Beginning from age 20, American adults have among the highest prevalence rates of diabetes among comparable countries and the U.S. population is facing a Type 2 diabetes epidemic largely due to a lack of exercise and poor diet.

Americans lose more years of life due to alcohol consumption and the use of drugs than people in other comparable countries. Also, U.S. death rates from car crashes and gun violence — leading causes of lower life chances for children, adolescents and young adults — are also higher than the rates of other advanced countries.

In order to increase the life chances of America’s population of roughly 333 million men, women and children, the United States could join other developed countries in providing universal health care. Doing so would not only raise the life chances of Americans, but it would also be advantageous for the overall well-being and economy of the United States. 

Getting Congress to pass universal healthcare legislation, however, remains a challenge. While congressional Democrats are largely in favor of some sort of universal coverage system, congressional Republicans are largely opposed to government-run healthcare, preferring free market approaches.

In addition to universal healthcare, modifying the unhealthy behaviors and lifestyles of most Americans, especially cigarette smoking, diet, alcohol consumption, and drug abuse, would significantly contribute to increasing life chances and improving the health status of America’s population. 

Given the recent Supreme Court decision overturning a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion, it appears certain that for the foreseeable future America will continue to be embroiled with the issue of life from conception to birth. That issue is now being debated, reviewed, negotiated and adjudicated by state legislatures, local officials, U.S. courts and Congress.

The issue of life before birth, however, should not diminish America’s attention from the vital issue for the country of life after being born. Given the country’s wealth, resources and talents, the United States can significantly improve the life chances of Americans after being born so that they are similar to the levels of comparable developed countries.

Joseph Chamie is a consulting demographer, a former director of the United Nations Population Division and the author of numerous publications on population issues, including his book, “Births, Deaths, Migrations and Other Important Population Matters.”

Source: TEST FEED1

Air Force tests ICBM after delay over tensions with China

The Air Force on Tuesday said it had successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) nearly two weeks after postponing the launch amid increased tensions with China over Taiwan. 

The unarmed Minuteman III, which is capable of holding a nuclear payload, was launched at 12:49 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., with its reentry vehicle landing roughly 4,200 miles away near the Marshall Islands, according to a statement from Air Force Global Strike Command. 

The statement said the test demonstrated U.S. readiness and reliability as well as the “expertise of our strategic weapons maintenance personnel and of our missile crews who maintain an unwavering vigilance to defend the homeland.” 

The Air Force also stressed that the launch was part of routine and periodic activities and “not the result of current world events,” with such tests occurring more than 300 times before.  

The Pentagon in early August held off for a second time a planned ICBM test launch after China held live fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait in response to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) visit to the island. 

Beijing launched the war games as a message to Washington, which has pursued strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan and is committed to aiding the independently governed island in defending itself against China.  

China, however, considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly refused to rule out using force to bring it under control of the mainland. 

At the time the United States postponed the test launch, the Biden administration said it was demonstrating “the behavior of a responsible nuclear power by reducing the risks of miscalculation and misperception,” according to John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications. 

Minuteman III ICBMs, located in underground silos in five Western states, are tested several times a year, have a range of more than 6,000 miles and can travel up to 15,000 miles per hour. 

The decision to go through with the test less than two weeks after holding off seems to indicate that the administration is confident China will not further escalate the situation beyond its war games.  

Beijing on Monday held additional military exercises near Taiwan, following another visit of a group of U.S. lawmakers to the island. 

Source: TEST FEED1

Former congressman charged with fraud, money laundering

Former Rep. TJ Cox (D-Calif.) has been indicted on 28 counts related to financial and campaign contribution fraud, according to court documents unsealed Tuesday. 

The one-term congressman is charged with “15 counts of wire fraud, 11 counts of money laundering, one count of financial institution fraud, and one count of campaign contribution fraud,” according to a release from the Justice Department (DOJ).

Public sherrif’s office records show Cox was arrested by the FBI in his hometown of Fresno, Calif., on Tuesday.

The 59-year-old is accused of perpetrating fraud schemes and creating “unauthorized off-the-books bank accounts,” according to the DOJ. Cox then “diverted client and company money into those accounts through false representations, pretenses and promises,” for his own use, illicitly obtaining more than $1.7 million. 

During his first race for Congress, Cox allegedly facilitated $25,000 in straw donations and arranged for his family members and associates to be reimbursed for campaign donations. 

Cox won his congressional seat as part of the “blue wave” in 2018, ousting then-Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) by a slim margin. 

In 2020, Valadao won back the seat from Cox by less than 1 percentage point. 

Cox is also under investigation for allegedly lying to get loans for a mortgage and to develop a recreation area in Fresno. 

Cox allegedly used his own company to guarantee the loan, fabricating the consent of his co-owners. The $1.28 million went into default, according to the DOJ.

If convicted, Cox faces high fines and decades in prison for the slate of charges. The congressman could be hit with a quarter-million dollar fine and a maximum 20 years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering, a $1 million fine and maximum 30 years in prison for wire fraud affecting a financial institution and financial institution fraud, and another quarter-million dollar fine and maximum 5 years prison for campaign contribution fraud, according to the DOJ.

Source: TEST FEED1

A look at Biden’s past executive orders on climate change

After weeks of negotiations, President Biden today achieved a milestone of his domestic agenda — infusing billions of federal dollars into the country’s fight against climate change. 

Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act marks a sea change for some advocates who feel the country has finally given the situation the gravity it warrants. 

The United States is among the top emitters of greenhouse gasses and thus contributes significantly to the environmental, health, and economic ramifications of the climate crisis. 

Here is a list of executive orders on climate change issued so far, according to the Federal Register:

• Upon inauguration, President Biden signed executive order 13990 in January 2021 to conduct an immediate review of all agency actions taken throughout former President Trump’s administration as they relate to public health and the environment. The order also placed a temporary moratorium on activities related to the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program.
• Executive order 14007, signed in January 2021, created a council of advisors on science and technology to enable decisions based on evidence. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology would consist of a maximum of 26 members to guide the administration’s decisions. 
• Also in January 2021, the President signed executive order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,” which in part aimed at prioritizing the crisis in foreign policy and national security decisions. Biden also called for a government-wide approach for meeting climate related challenges in the United States, and called on agencies to empower workers to advance reforestation and conservation.
• February of 2021 saw the signing of executive order 14013, “Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs To Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration.” The order directs agencies to report on climate change’s impacts on migration patterns, as well as the security implications of climate migration.
• Also in February of 2021, President Biden signed executive order 14017 to bolster the country’s supply chains in the face of global disruptions such as climate shock and extreme weather events. Rebuilding the countries’ domestic manufacturing capacity will also result in less distance traveled for goods, cutting down on the use of fossil fuels for shipping and transportation.

America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.

• May of 2021 saw the creation of the Climate Change Support Office via executive order 14027. The temporary office will be part of the Department of State and serve to advance the country’s efforts to meet the global climate crisis. It will also support the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, the first of whom is John Kerry.
• Executive order 14030 was also signed in May of 2021. Titled “Climate-related financial risk” the order aimed to advance disclosure of climate-related financial risk information, including that of transitional and physical risks. It would also account for the disparate impact of climate change on underserved communities and communities of color. 
• In August of 2021, President Biden signed executive order 14037 “Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks.” As part of this order, by 2030 half of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in 2030 will be zero-emission. The order also called on the EPA administrator to consider rulemaking under the Clean Air Act to establish new emissions standards for certain vehicles manufactured between 2027 and 2030.
• November 2021 saw the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act via executive order 14052. The Act aims to improve access to safe drinking water, advance environmental justice, and invest in underserved communities. These actions will be achieved through numerous initiatives such as building resilient infrastructure and coordinating with state and tribal governments to better target interventions.

• In December 2021, Biden signed executive order 14057, “Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability.” The move bolsters the country’s efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and aims to achieve 100 percent carbon-pollution free electricity by 2030. The order also involves provisions aimed at training and educating the federal workforce to incorporate sustainability and climate adaptation into their work. 
• As part of executive order 14067, “Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets,” signed in March 2022, the president directed appropriate agencies to research how certain technologies impede or advance efforts to combat climate change and investigate the potential use of blockchain technology to monitor or mitigate climate impacts. 
• Signed on Earth Day, 2022, executive order 14072 looks to strengthen the nation’s forests by pursuing sustainable and science-based land management. The government will collaborate with local and Tribal governments, along with the scientific community to do so. It will also work to promote forest resilience on federal lands and promote sustainable local economic development. 

Source: TEST FEED1

Groups call on judge to clear way for first Latino on upstate New York court

A coalition of Latino advocacy groups on Monday called on an upstate New York federal district judge to move forward with his recently rescinded plans to retire, after President Biden nominated New York Assistant Attorney General Jorge Alberto Rodriguez for the post.

U.S. District Judge David Hurd had announced his retirement from active duty in November, seeking to take “senior status” pending confirmation of a successor.

Biden nominated Rodriguez on July 13, and Hurd rescinded his retirement announcement on July 14, saying he expected his successor to live in the area around Utica, N.Y., and “is permanently assigned to the courthouse” in that city.

Rodriguez is based in Albany and his nomination is still pending in the Senate.

Hurd’s 180 drew ire from Hispanic advocates, who saw Rodriguez’s nomination as an opportunity to advance diversity in the judiciary.

“We urge you to reconsider your decision to effectively block the appointment of Mr. Rodriguez — a highly qualified judicial candidate who would also make history as the first Latino judge to sit on an N.D.N.Y. [Northern District of New York] court,” a grouping of Hispanic community leaders wrote in a letter to Hurd.

“You made the wise decision earlier this year to take senior status and make way for a new generation of jurists,” the advocates added.

“It is unclear what changed between now and then other than President Biden’s decision to nominate the first-ever Latino who would serve on the N.D.N.Y. bench. Your inexplicable about-face raises troubling questions and threatens the legacy you have spent decades of honorable service building.”

Both the White House and officials in Hurd’s chambers declined to comment on this story.

The letter’s co-signers were Maria Teresa Kumar, president of Voto Latino; Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF; Art Motta, national director of policy and legislation at the League of United Latin American Citizens; Andrea Nill Sanchez, director of Latinos for a Fair Judiciary; Lourdes Rosado, president and general counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF; and Héctor Sánchez Barba, CEO and executive director of Mi Familia Vota.

The group includes advocates with influence in both legal affairs and electoral politics within the Hispanic community.

In their letter, the advocates touted Rodriguez’s record particularly in diversifying the legal profession in upstate New York localities that form part of the Northern District of New York.

They added that Rodriguez’s background as an immigrant from Colombia would serve to represent the shifting population of Utica.

“Although the majority of New York’s Latino population lives downstate and in New York City, Latino communities are a significant part of the demographic makeup of northern New York as well. In your hometown of Utica alone, over 12 percent of the population now identifies as Hispanic,” they wrote.

“Refugees and their families make up about a quarter of Utica’s population of about 60,000. Utica’s immigrant population exceeds over 20 percent of the city’s overall population,” they added.

Still, the advocates wrote that Hurd’s reasoning that he wanted a Utica-based judge to replace him “was simply a pretext.”

“We hope that you will reconsider your decision to maintain your full caseload and thwart Mr. Rodriguez’s appointment — if not for the sake of N.D.N.Y. and the people you serve, then at least for the benefit of your own reputation and integrity,” they wrote.

Source: TEST FEED1

The US should reform health care industry to improve life expectancy rates, study says

Americans’ life expectancy has taken a hit with a new report highlighting that despite spending more on health care than any other nation, the U.S. has more preventable deaths than other middle and high-income countries. 

Life expectancy in the U.S. varies drastically depending on where Americans live, with those in the South having the lowest rate. Mississippi and West Virginia both have a life expectancy rate of about 74 years, while California and Hawaii are at almost 81 years. 

That’s according to a report by The Commonwealth Fund, which analyzed life expectancy data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) against those of countries part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCED). Researchers found that even compared to the states that have higher life expectancy, like California and Hawaii, the U.S. was still below other large, developed nations. 

For example, in Japan average life expectancy is 84.4 years, in Spain and Switzerland it’s 84 years and in neighboring Canada its 82.3 years. 

America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news. 

However, researchers stressed that regardless of where Americans live, they are, “more likely to die earlier than people in many other countries. And they’re more likely to die from factors that could have been prevented with the right care provided at the right time.” 

Researchers explained that life expectancy is driven by multiple factors, including socioeconomic circumstances, public health care systems and policy choices. Health care is a big one and an issue the U.S. struggles with, ranking last on access to care, administrative efficiency, equity and health care outcomes — despite spending the most.  

From 1980 to 2019, Commonwealth Fund found that the U.S. spent nearly 17 percent on health care as a percentage of its gross domestic product (GDP). Other countries spent well below that, but still earned higher health care performance scores, like Switzerland, the U.K., Australia, Norway and more. 

One big issue researchers identified was avoidable mortality, defined as death before the age of 75 from conditions that are either preventable through effective public health and primary prevention or treatable when detected early and effective care management is provided.  

Deaths from diabetes, certain infections, breast and colon cancer, appendicitis are some examples of avoidable mortality.  

In the U.S. avoidable mortality rates were found to be much higher, 272 per 100,000 people, than in other OCED countries. In Mississippi and West Virginia, there were more than 400 deaths per 100,000 people, which is higher than all other OCED countries, including Mexico, Lithuania, Latvia and Hungary. 

From 2019 to 2020, the CDC said that a decline in U.S. life expectancy could primarily be attributed to deaths from the pandemic, accidents/unintentional injuries, and drug overdose deaths.  

Commonwealth researchers outlined multiple actions the U.S. can take in order to address its alarming life expectancy rates, starting by offering universal insurance coverage to all Americans with minimal cost barriers. 

They also suggested committing to stronger community-based primary care, addressing administrative burdens that can hinder access to care and developing well sourced social services that can support healthier populations and reduce stress on the health care delivery system.  

One major difference highlighted, most other middle and high-income countries in OCED offer some form of guaranteed health care access through universal health care programs.  

Source: TEST FEED1

Hannity: Trump felony charge 'not a disqualification' from seeking presidency

Fox News host Sean Hannity said during his radio show Monday that if former President Trump is indicted on any felony charge it would not disqualify him from seeking the presidency again in 2024.

“If they think that they’re going to somehow make this about Donald Trump and prevent him from running from office, well they obviously have not read something called the Constitution. Because the Constitution is pretty clear on what qualifies one to be able to run for president,” Hannity said on his radio program.

“Even if Section 2071 in the federal penal code has penalty provisions upon the conviction that a defendant shall forfeit his office and be disqualified from holding any office under the United States.”

The qualifications for being president, Hannity argued, can’t be altered “by any statute precisely because our framers in their wisdom didn’t want the executive branch dominated by the legislature, as would happen if Congress could disqualify any incumbent or potential president simply by passing a law.”

“And the Constitution’s qualifications are simple, you got to be over 35 and a natural born citizen. Being a felon is not a disqualification,” the host continued. “So even crimes potentially far more serious than what is being alleged, potential mishandling of classified information, doesn’t stop somebody from seeking the presidency.”

Hannity, a close personal friend of the former president for years, has defended Trump on his prime-time Fox News show “Hannity” this past week.

The comments from Hannity come after the FBI executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s South Florida estate. The search was carried out in connection with an investigation into classified information reportedly taken from the White House.

“If you are associated with Donald Trump in any way, you better cross all your i’s and dot all your t’s,” Hannity said on his show hours after the search was conducted. “Because they are coming for you with the full force of the federal government.”

Hannity was one of several Fox hosts who the select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol found was texting with former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows during the rioting pleading with him to get Trump to call off the rioters.

Last week’s search at Mar-a-Lago was executed in connection with a warrant that lists three potential criminal violations that investigators suspected they would find evidence of in the search: concealment or removal of federal records, destruction or alteration of records in a federal investigation and transmitting defense information.

Neither the Justice Department nor FBI have explicitly said whether Trump is the focus of a criminal investigation.

“Now what does disqualify them that is also enumerated in the Constitution,” Hannity said. “They do provide a basis for doing that. And that is the conviction by the U.S. Senate on the — on an impeachment article voted on by the House. Again, that’s prescribed by the Constitution. You can’t change that by a mere statute. So I’m not sure exactly where they’re headed with all of this.”

Source: TEST FEED1

To avert a global debt crisis, IMF's reserve assets need greater support

Skyrocketing inflation, economic fallout from Russia’s war in Ukraine and extreme weather are not only rocking the U.S., but also stoking the flames of a looming debt crisis in the Global South. 

As U.S. policymakers seek to mitigate economic pressures at home, they must also consider actions that safeguard global financial stability and stem the tide of a potentially catastrophic debt crisis. Chief among these actions must be vocal support for a new issuance of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), the special reserve asset of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

The World Bank has warned many developing countries are facing a debt crisis similar to that of the 1980s and 1990s while raising the alarm on growing hunger worldwide. Given how interconnected the world economy is today, instabilities seemingly far away could have repercussions here at home. Members of Congress have urged the Biden administration to help stem a global debt crisis by immediately re-issuing $650 billion worth SDRs. The last allocation, one year ago, has been a successful pilot for using this tool to immediately provide relief and comes at no additional cost to the United States. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen can immediately use her voice as the largest shareholder at the IMF and request a new SDR allocation.  

Americans aren’t the only people hurting from escalating prices. Rising interest rates in the U.S., sanctions on Russia and COVID-19 bottlenecks are wreaking havoc in poorer nations. Developing countries are setting a record in sustained capital flight, as investors pull out and seek safer investments. This behavior has strengthened the dollar and weakened exchange rates in poorer countries. Food and fuel shortages run rampant, with protests and social unrest growing around the world. To make matters worse, poorer governments have to choose between purchasing essential goods such as food, fuel and medicine and making their payments to international creditors on time. 

One of the most important multilateral acts since COVID-19 was the issuance of $650 billion worth of SDRs by the IMF in 2021, out of which $210 billion was distributed to developing countries (excluding China), amounting to the largest debt-free form of support. Countries used their allocations extensively: they repaid debts, used funds to supplement their healthcare budgets and staved off pressures on their exchange rates with the additional liquidity. One concern raised, namely that U.S. support of SDRs would amount to the U.S. financing its adversaries has been unfounded. Countries under U.S. sanctions have not been able to exchange or use their SDR allocations. 

For wealthy countries receiving the remainder of the $440 billion allocation, which was distributed based on quota shares, no resources were wasted. SDRs are not money but rather a possible claim on money. Unused SDRs make no claim on money and do not waste real resources. There is also no evidence to expect more SDRs would add to inflationary pressures. Even if the allocation is fully used, the amount of SDRs pales in comparison to the pandemic relief measures adopted by advanced economies. Wealthy countries should nonetheless donate and re-channel their unused allocations by finding ways to do so through mechanisms that maintain the low cost of using SDRs for developing countries. Some rich countries have pledged to contribute parts of their allocations to trust funds at the IMF. Long-term, such a move would support more concessional lending from the IMF, but it would not be enough to meet the urgent need for debt-free support now.  

Last August, Yellen joined her counterparts in calling for and authorizing an SDR issuance at the IMF. Now, amid worsening global prospects, 12 Senators and 31 Representatives have asked Yellen to once again support an allocation, as it’s a proven way to provide relief with no cost to the U.S., or other governments supporting it. The U.S. House of Representatives has also passed multiple bills requesting support for an allocation of at least $1.5 trillion, an amount that requires congressional support. While that might be harder to achieve, Yellen can set in motion a new $650 billion allocation of SDRs. 

Instead of making policymakers in poor countries feel that the U.S. has forgotten them, the U.S. can take the lead and pave the way for a new SDR allocation that ensures these countries quickly receive $210 billion worth of support. Not doing so is a missed opportunity to show that multilateralism can still deliver. 

In an increasingly fragmenting world, preventing financial instability overseas helps the U.S. maintain allies, with the added bonus of also supporting exports and jobs at home. 

Your move, Secretary Yellen. 

Lara Merling is a senior policy advisor at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center and to the Task Force on Climate, Development and the International Monetary Fund. Kevin P. Gallagher is the director of the Boston University Global Development Policy Center and the interim dean of the Boston University Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, where he is also a professor of Global Development Policy.

Source: TEST FEED1

Lyft, Motional roll out new fleet of driverless electric vehicles in Las Vegas

Ride-hailing service Lyft is rolling out a new fleet of autonomous electric vehicles to the streets of Las Vegas as the company aims to launch a fully driverless service in the city next year. 

The move is the latest in the partnership between Lyft and Motional, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and driving software company Aptiv that develops autonomous vehicles. 

Lyft and Motional have been testing autonomous ride-sharing in Las Vegas since 2018 and have reported more than 100,000 rides — which include a safety driver at the wheel — with no reported “at-fault incidents.” 

On Tuesday, the companies announced that members of the public can now catch a ride in a new type of self-driving vehicle based on Hyundai’s electric IONIQ 5 to get around the city. 

This week’s launch is the initial phase in the lead-up to a fully driverless service Motional and Lyft hope to expand to multiple cities using the IONIQ 5 autonomous electric vehicle. Two safety drivers will remain behind the steering wheel in case something goes wrong, but the service expected in 2023 will not include a vehicle operator behind the wheel. 

“Motional and Lyft have a clear path to widespread commercialization of Level 4 autonomous vehicles,” Karl Iagnemma, Motional’s president and CEO, said in a statement. 

“We’ve led the industry in commercial operations for years, and today’s launch signals we’re on track to deliver fully driverless service next year,” he said. 

The two companies are among several that have kicked off autonomous taxi services in cities across the country, most of which are in the testing stage. Waymo, a Google-affiliated self-driving car company, is the only to currently offer truly driverless service in the Phoenix suburbs of Chandler, Tempe, Mesa and Gilbert. 

Source: TEST FEED1