Sep 18, 2017

Pence picks Freedom Caucus spokeswoman as press secretary

Vice President Pence whispers to President Trump during a meeting with Kuwaiti officials. Photo: Evan Vucci / AP

Alyssa Farah, the spokesperson and a senior advisor for the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has been tapped as Vice President Mike Pence's new press secretary, Axios can confirm. The news was first reported by Politico.

  • One big thing: Farah's move gives the Trump administration a direct line of communication to one of the more obstinate wings of the GOP, just as the Freedom Caucus looks set to put up a fight over tax reform.

Go deeper

Axios
Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

  1. Politics: Chris Christie: Wear a mask "or you may regret it — as I did"
  2. Senate Democrats block vote on McConnell's targeted COVID relief bill
  3. Economy: Why the stimulus delay isn't a crisis (yet).
  4. Health: New York reports most COVID cases since May — Studies show drop in coronavirus death rate
  5. Education: San Francisco public schools likely won't reopen before the end of the year.
  6. World: Spain becomes first nation in Western Europe to exceed 1 million cases — France becomes the second
Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Jacob Knutson
Updated 6 hours ago - Politics & Policy

U.S. officials: Iran and Russia aim to interfere in election

Iran and Russia have obtained voter registration information that can be used to undermine confidence in the U.S. election system, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced at a press conference Wednesday evening.

Why it matters: The revelation comes roughly two weeks before Election Day. Ratcliffe said Iran has sent threatening emails to Democratic voters this week in states across the U.S. and spread videos claiming that people can vote more than once.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Rebecca Falconer
Updated 8 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Supreme Court blocks Alabama curbside voting measure

Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The Supreme Court on Wednesday evening blocked a lower court order that would have allowed voters to cast ballots curbside at Alabama polling places on Election Day.

Whit it matters: With less than two weeks until Election Day, the justices voted 5-3 to reinstate the curbside voting ban and overturn a lower court judge's ruling designed to protect people with disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow