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Welcome to The Hills Morning Report. Its Thursday. We get you up to speed on the most important developments in politics and policy, plus trends to watch. Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver are the daily co-creators, so find us @asimendinger and @alweaver22 on Twitter and recommend the Morning Report to your friends. CLICK HERE to subscribe!
Total U.S. coronavirus deaths reported each morning this week: Monday, 9,648; Tuesday, 10,993; Wednesday, 12,911; Thursday, 14,808.
Its official: former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenOvernight Energy: Trump says US will cut oil production to secure global deal | Green groups press Biden on climate plans after Sanders exit | EPA looks to suspend hazardous waste cleanups during outbreak Trump campaign, RNC reach 17 million voters with digital efforts Kyle Kulinski: What went wrong for the Sanders campaign MORE will take on President TrumpDonald John TrumpCalifornia governor praises Trump's efforts to help state amid coronavirus crisis Trump threatens to withhold visas for countries that don't quickly repatriate citizens Trump admin looks to cut farmworker pay to help industry during pandemic: report MORE in November after Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersOvernight Energy: Trump says US will cut oil production to secure global deal | Green groups press Biden on climate plans after Sanders exit | EPA looks to suspend hazardous waste cleanups during outbreak Kyle Kulinski: What went wrong for the Sanders campaign The Hill's Campaign Report: Debate over mail-in voting heats up MORE (I-Vt.) dropped out of the 2020 race on Wednesday.
Sanders made the announcement to supporters, lamenting that a path to winning the Democratic nomination had closed for him. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic hastened his decision to drop out, he said, although he initially considered it last month after a string of losses.
I wish I could give you better news, but I think you know the truth. And that is that we are now some 300 delegates behind Vice President Biden and the path to victory is virtually impossible, Sanders said, announcing the suspension of his campaign (The Hill).
I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour, Sanders continued. While this campaign is coming to an end, our movement is not.
READ: Sanderss message to supporters as he dropped out of presidential race.
The Vermont Independents announcement came after more than a month of struggles inside his campaign, sparked by Bidens massive win in South Carolina, the subsequent rallying of support behind Bidens campaign by top Democrats, and major losses on Super Tuesday and March 10 that all but closed off Sanderss chances of amassing enough delegates to win the nomination. The pandemic made it impossible for Sanders to hold large rallies to sustain momentum.
Sanderss decision to exit the primary is a disappointment for many progressives who held out hope when the senator was briefly the frontrunner with his Nevada caucuses victory in mid-February. As Jonathan Easley writes, Sanders and his allies could taste the nomination six weeks ago, not just for the candidate but also for a progressive movement eager to establish itself in the mainstream.
Since the launch of his first presidential bid in 2016, the Vermont senator morphed into a political force that reshaped the Democratic Party. However, the millions raised from small-dollar donors and the mini army he created was not enough to push him over the finish line and become the partys standard-bearer in Milwaukee this summer, much to the chagrin of his supporters.
Its a huge disappointment, said Bill Press, one of a small cadre of advisers Sanders consulted before launching his 2016 presidential bid and also a columnist with The Hill. After doing better than anyone could have possibly imagined in 2016, he came into 2020 with a head full of steam. It was going so well, moving so fast, and then there was a perfect storm that gathered against him.
Niall Stanage: The Memo: Sanders's influence endures as campaign ends.
The Hill: Biden credits Sanders for starting a movement.
According to the latest delegate count, Biden led with 1,217 to Sanderss 914. Because many states moved their primaries out of April, the former VP is expected to officially hit the 1,991 delegate threshold on June 2.
With Sanders out of the way, attention will now shift to a general election matchup between Trump and Biden, on whom the president and his team trained their expectations for more than a year. The race, however, has a different dynamic because of the impact of COVID-19, including the unexpected challenges to traditional campaigning and voting.
Earlier this week, Biden called Trump to discuss the virus and potential remedies for it. The call came after months of criticisms from each side, especially over Trumps impeachment and subsequent trial that centered around his push for investigations into Bidens son, Hunter Biden.
The New York Times: Biden vs. Trump: The general election is here, and transformed.
The Washington Post: Trump campaign greets end of Democratic primary with two distinct campaigns against Biden.
The Associated Press: VP talk could intensify with Harris fundraising moves.
The general election is also exciting Democrats as it is expected to bring former President Obama off the sidelines and into the political fray with a likely endorsement of his former vice president.
As Amie Parnes reports, sources close to Obama and Biden say the two men have spoken quite frequently, as one put it, in recent days as Biden shifts gears towards the general election. While Obama steered clear of the Democratic primary, Democrats are antsy for him to reenter the political fray. According to sources, Obama is too.
Hes eager to go, said one source close to Obama. Hes been waiting for this election for almost four years.
Democrats arent the only ones with Obama on their radar. During Wednesdays coronavirus task force briefing, Trump raised questions about the Democratic primary, saying that Obama knows something that you dont know.
It does amaze me that President Obama has not supported Sleepy Joe. It just hasnt happened. When is it going to happen? Trump said. He knows something that you dont know. That I think I know. But you dont know (The Hill).
Mark Leibovich: Can Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden unite the Democratic Party?
The Hill: Trump urges Sanders supporters to join GOP after senator suspends campaign.
The Associated Press: Trump-Biden election off-limits for U.S. bettors (so far).
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LEADING THE DAY
CONGRESS: The Trump administration's effort to swiftly secure an additional $250 billion for small businesses ahead of Easter is progressing, although Democrats want the legislation to add at least another $250 billion for hospitals, states and food stamps.
Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiFauci expects 'real degree of normality' by November election 16 things to know about coronavirus for today Pelosi presses Mnuchin on 0B coronavirus 'interim' package MORE (D-Calif.) says the House cannot pass the small business relief sought by Republicans alone without other provisions because leadership needs a unanimous vote of those present while lawmakers are away from Washington (Reuters). Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellGOP ads hit vulnerable Senate Democrats over small business funding Matt Taibbi: Why this bailout is worse than 2008 The Hill's 12:30 Report: Surgeon general says most of country unlikely to reopen May 1 MORE (R-Ky.) is expected to try to pass a GOP measure today (The Hill). Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerHarris, Ocasio-Cortez among Democrats calling for recurring direct payments in fourth coronavirus bill House Republicans, key administration officials push for additional funding for coronavirus small business loans Rep. Massie threatens to block next relief bill, calls for remote voting MORE (D-N.Y.) negotiated on Wednesday with Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinOvernight Health Care: Trump calls decision on reopening US biggest of his life | Trump to convene council to advise | Health officials push back on May opening | States see virus cases rise | Global death toll passes 100K On The Money: Trump calls decision on reopening economy biggest of his life | IG finds Treasury handled House request for Trump tax returns properly | Federal deficit jumps to 3B in March Los Angeles County extends stay-at-home order through May 15 MORE to seek a short-term deal (The Hill).
I think we have a pretty good understanding with the Democrats, Trump said on Wednesday, adding that small businesses have bipartisan support in Washington and that other needs supported by Democrats could be addressed down the road. We can do a phase four [bill], and a phase four would be later.
The Hill: Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Casey urge protections for disabled and older adults amid coronavirus pandemic Warren, Mass. Democrats call for racial data on Medicare coronavirus patients Senators urge Treasury to protect coronavirus checks from private debt collectors MORE (D-Mass.) urged Congress to eliminate a cap on total funding for small businesses in the coronavirus legislation.
Politico: In phone calls with lawmakers of both parties on Wednesday, Vice President Pence and Anthony FauciAnthony FauciFrench officials report heart incidents in experimental coronavirus treatments with hydroxychloroquine Overnight Health Care: Trump calls decision on reopening US biggest of his life | Trump to convene council to advise | Health officials push back on May opening | States see virus cases rise | Global death toll passes 100K Fauci expects 'real degree of normality' by November election MORE, director of the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told lawmakers that the worst coronavirus hot spots are showing signs of stabilization. Mnuchin (pictured below) used the calls to lobby lawmakers to quickly pass legislation to help the high number of small businesses that need loans to try to stay afloat while the economy remains shuttered.
The Hill: Democratic senators seek federal funding to help local news media outlets as part of the coronavirus stimulus legislation.
The Hill: House Democrats introduced a bill on Wednesday to thwart price gouging.
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U.S. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: Federal officials on Wednesday labored to strike a balance between coronavirus case data hinting at potential improvement and the grim tallies of fatalities in New York, New Jersey and Louisiana.
Fauci said it appears the White House projections of new cases and possible deaths heading into the summer will not be as high as initially estimated, a favorable sign. Part of the explanation appears to be the better-than-expected voluntary compliance by Americans with the guidance to wash hands, practice social distancing and abide by orders to stay home.
Although one of the original models projected 100- to 200,000 deaths, as we're getting more data and seeing the positive effect of mitigation, those numbers are going to be downgraded, Fauci said during a Fox News interview. I don't know exactly what the numbers are going to be, but right now it looks like it's going to be less than the original projection (The Hill).
CNN: Heres why coronavirus case models, revised daily, show fewer deaths than feared: U.S. behaviors have changed.
The Hill: Fauci says, "I don't think we should ever shake hands ever again, to be honest with you. Not only would it be good to prevent coronavirus disease; it probably would decrease instances of influenza dramatically in this country."
The conclusion that mitigation is working prompted Obama to tweet his encouragement along with a news article: Social distancing bends the curve and relieves some pressure on our heroic medical professionals. But in order to shift off current policies, the key will be a robust system of testing and monitoring something we have yet to put in place nationwide.
The Hill: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday issued new guidance for essential workers who have been in proximity to confirmed cases of the coronavirus but were asymptomatic and now want to safely return to work.
Another hypothesis now debunked is that young people do better than seniors when infected with the coronavirus. Scientists looking at early data out of China, South Korea and Italy thought young people might be less at risk from serious respiratory distress and death from COVID-19. But a Washington Post analysis of available state data finds that 759 people younger than 50 have been killed by the virus in the United States, including many patients in their 20s and 30s with no known health vulnerabilities prior to infection.
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