May 16, 2018 - Politics & Policy

What's at stake for Democrats if McConnell cancels August recess

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell considers cancelling August recess. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The 10 most vulnerable Democratic senators could lose four weeks of campaigning in their states just two months before the midterm election if Mitch McConnell cancels the August recess.

Driving the news: The Senate Majority Leader is seriously considering doing just that, Politico reports, after President Trump and a group of 16 GOP senators emphasized the need for extra time to work on spending bills and confirming POTUS' nominees.

Why it matters: August is a crucial time for campaigning, and vulnerable Democrats — like Joe Donnelly, Claire McCaskill, Joe Manchin, and Heidi Heitkamp — can't stand to lose time with constituents.

Be smart: Eliminating summer break wouldn't stop President Trump from going to theses states and campaigning himself. And all of their GOP challengers would be free to make appearances throughout August while their state's Democratic incumbents were stuck in Washington.

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Axios
Updated 18 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 19,778,566— Total deaths: 729,768 — Total recoveries — 12,044,654 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 9:30 p.m. ET: 5,044,69 — Total deaths: 162,938 — Total recoveries: 1,656,864 — Total tests: 61,792,571 — Map.
  3. Politics: Pelosi says states don't have the funds to comply with Trump's executive order on unemployment — Mnuchin says Trump executive orders were cleared by Justice Department.
  4. States: New York reports lowest rate of positive coronavirus test results since pandemic began
  5. Public health: Ex-FDA head: U.S. will "definitely" see 200,000 to 300,000 virus deaths by end of 2020. 
  6. Schools: Nine test positive at Georgia school where photo showing packed hallway went viral — How back-to-school is playing out in the South as coronavirus rages on.
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Rebecca Falconer
Updated 37 mins ago - World

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested under national security law

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai at the Next Digital offices in Hong Kong in June. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been arrested for "collusion with foreign powers," said Mark Simon, an executive at the tycoon's media firm Next Digital Monday morning local time.

Why it matters: He was arrested under the new national security law that gives Beijing more powers over the former British colony. Lai is the most prominent person arrested under the law, which prompted the U.S. to sanction Chinese officials, including Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, over Beijing's efforts to strip the territory of its autonomy.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Rebecca Falconer
3 hours ago - Health

New York reports new low positive coronavirus test rate

People physically distancing at tables in New York City's Times Square in June. Photo: Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Sunday 515 people, or 0.78% of those tested, returned a positive reading for COVID-19 the previous day.

Why it matters: It's the lowest single-day positive rate since the start of the pandemic. It's another sign that the state that was once a global coronavirus epicenter is curbing the spread of the virus. "Our daily numbers remain low and steady, despite increasing infection rates across the country, and even in our region," Cuomo said in a statement. "But we must not become complacent: Everyone should continue to wear their masks and socially distance."

Go deeper: Cuomo says all New York schools can reopen for in-person learning