The White House informed Congress on Monday that members of the administration's coronavirus task force, which includes health experts Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, won't be allowed to testify in May.
Why it matters: The administration argues that having officials spend time testifying diverts critical resources and attention from its pandemic response. The move is likely to draw backlash from Democrats who have already accused the administration of skirting oversight during the coronavirus crisis.
Field organizers for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden's 2020 campaign have ratified a collective bargaining agreement with "overwhelming support," the Biden campaign said in a joint statement with Teamsters Local 238.
Why it matters: It's the first time in history a major party's presumptive nominee will employ a campaign staff that's covered under a union agreement, according to Teamsters Local 238 secretary-treasurer Jesse Case. The deal includes overtime for work past 40 hours a week, 100% employer-paid insurance and a six-day workweek.
The U.S. Treasury will need to borrow a record $2.99 trillion this quarter to pay for coronavirus relief efforts, it announced Monday.
Why it matters: The borrowing is a result of nearly $3 trillion in spending that Congress has enacted since the start of the pandemic. That outlay included direct payments to most U.S. households, the Paycheck Protection Program and other economic relief. It also reflects a dip in revenues because the government delayed the tax filing deadline to June.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced on Monday that some retail businesses will be permitted to reopen this week as part of a phase two easing of coronavirus restrictions, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The state of play: Under new guidelines, which were released in more detail Thursday, Newsom said bookstores, music stores, toy stores, florists, sporting goods retailers and more can reopen for pickup Friday. Retail manufacturers will also be allowed to resume production.
Top Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to FBI director Christopher Wray on Monday demanding he review his agency's handling of its investigation into Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to a copy of the letter obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: Sources familiar with the document tell Axios the letter is a direct rebuke of Wray, and that it reflects a growing frustration among congressional Republicans who question whether he can be trusted to expose what they see as a corrupt FBI.
The leaders of nations, banks and organizations gathered Monday via video conference for a European Union-led summit, collectively pledging 7.4 billion euros ($8 billion) toward research for a coronavirus vaccine, AP reports.
Why it matters: The U.S. was noticeably absent, despite appearances from the "heads of state and government from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Jordan, South Africa and Turkey spoke at the event, along with China’s EU ambassador" among the many European participants.
In a new agenda for African American communities unveiled Monday, Joe Biden is calling for the Justice Department to prioritize prosecuting hate crimes, a $900 million initiative to fight gun violence, and better access to federal relief funds for African Americans struggling due to the coronavirus.
What they're saying: "This is something that has driven his entire campaign. He launched his campaign talking about some of the hate that we saw out in Charlottesville," a senior campaign official told reporters on a call. "He'll make clear that hate has no safe harbor."
Numerous figures close to the president are both privately and publicly urging him to fire FBI director Christopher Wray in the wake of recent revelations about the FBI's handling of its investigation of Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Driving the news:: Former White House official Sebastian Gorka, Trump confidant and conservative commentator Dan Bongino, and Joseph diGenova, an attorney with close ties to the White House, have all publicly gone after Wray in recent days.
The secretary of the Senate said Monday that it cannot comply with Joe Biden's request to release any documents pertaining to a sexual harassment complaint that Tara Reade allegedly made against him in 1993.
The state of play: The office said it had been advised by the Senate's legal counsel that it "has no discretion to disclose" any information pertaining to Reade because of confidentiality requirements under federal law.
Hurricane season begins next month, with officials scrambling to determine the logistics and costs of responding to giant storms in an age of social distancing, safety supply shortages, and already-squeezed budgets. Dan digs in with Axios' Jonathan Swan.
Ranking members of seven House committees asked the Department of Education to disclose the findings of the department's ongoing investigation into Chinese government funding at U.S. universities, according to a letter viewed by Axios.
The big picture: The coronavirus pandemic has deepened the rift between the U.S. and China, andit'srenewed calls fordecoupling across multiple sectors.
Legislatures around the world have been experimenting with remote deliberation during the pandemic, but Congress still insists on in-person voting.
Why it matters: With social distancing rules in place, any physical gathering of a legislative body for voting almost certainly presents a health threat. Unless secure remote voting is permitted, Congress must either largely cease its work — or endanger its members.
Vice President Mike Pence admitted during a Fox News town hall Sunday night that he should have worn a mask when visiting the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, last week — a move that violated the clinic's policy and sparked widespread backlash.
