Kamala Harris Introduces Legislation to Expand Access to Disaster Assistance During Pandemics

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) on Thursday introduced the Pandemic Assistance Disaster Act, legislation to expand the ability of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide financial assistance directly to individuals during a pandemic, including the current coronavirus outbreak. Currently, FEMA can only provide individual assistance during natural disasters, such as wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.

“At a time when a global pandemic is threatening the financial stability of working families across our country, there is no reason for FEMA to treat those impacted by biological threats any differently than when a natural disaster strikes,” said Harris. “FEMA is not currently allowed to assist individuals who have been impacted by a pandemic, and that needs to change. I’m introducing this legislation to ensure the federal government can use every tool available to help the American people recover from the impact of the coronavirus.”

Specifically, at the discretion of a governor and the president, individuals impacted in any way will be eligible to apply directly to federal agencies for, among other forms of assistance:

• Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

• If already on SNAP, automatically puts individual at full SNAP benefits
• If not already on SNAP, provides access to SNAP, with expanded eligibility
• Benefits initially good for one month, but can be extended by the President
• Directs USDA to provide options other than an in-person interview

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)  

• Eligible if an individual’s job is shut down, they lose hours, or they cannot reach their place of work because of the pandemic
  • Eligibility rules are more flexible than traditional Unemployment Insurance (e.g. individual does not have to be technically unemployed)
• State unemployment office is conduit for beneficiary
• Good for 26 weeks, can be extended by the President
• Creates a national floor for benefits at 1.5x the national weekly average
• Provides waiver to requirement to exhaust state Unemployment Insurance options

• “Other Needs Assistance” through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program
  • Includes multiple ancillary assistance, but three critical pieces for a pandemic would be:
    • Medical Assistance – assistance with medical expenses as a result of a disaster.
    • Funeral Assistance – available to families with loved ones that die from the disaster
    • Child Care Assistance – up to 8 weeks of child care expenses

Full bill text is available here. 

Republican Sen. Tim Scott votes against coronavirus stimulus package

Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott voted against a $100 billion stimulus package to blunt the economic impact of the coronavirus that has sent the American economy into a free fall.

The Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure with a 90-8 vote Wednesday, sending it to President Donald Trump who later signed the package.

Though the legislation provides free testing, expands unemployment benefits and provides paid sick leave to some displaced workers due to the COVID-19 virus emergency, Scott, the junior senator from South Carolina, was one of eight Republicans to vote against it.

In a statement released after the vote, Scott said the “well-meaning” legislation would have a “disastrous effects for South Carolina’s small businesses.”

Later Wednesday night he issued an updated response.

“The provisions in the bill as it relates to paid leave place a mandate on small businesses without a corresponding immediate cash flow,” he said.

“We all agree that paid leave needs to play a significant role in relief packages, but to mandate paid leave and then tell businesses they will get it back in a tax credit, is not a good path ...,” he added.

[SOURCE: POST&COURIER]

Former Prosecutor Sues Ava Duvernay Over We They See Us Portrayal

Linda Fairstein, the former prosecutor who led the case against the five men wrongfully convicted in the Central Park jogger case, has now filed a lawsuit against Netflix over her portrayal in the 2019 limited series “When They See Us.”

In the suit, which also names series creator Ava DuVernay and writer-producer Attica Locke, Fairstein accuses the show of wrongfully portraying her as “a racist, unethical villain who is determined to jail innocent children of color at any cost.”

Fairstein’s lawyer Andrew Miltenberg elaborated in a statement, adding that the limited series “falsely portrays Ms. Fairstein as in charge of the investigation and prosecution of the case against The Five, including the development of the prosecution’s theory of the case. In truth, and as detailed in the lawsuit, Ms. Fairstein was responsible for neither aspect of the case.”

“Ms. Fairstein’s reputation and career – in the law and in literature – have been irreparably damaged by the Defendants’ actions. We believe strongly in the merits of this litigation and intend to pursue the case vigorously,” Miltenberg said.

In their own statement, Netflix slammed the lawsuit as “frivolous” and “without merit.” The streamer pledged to stand by DuVernay and Locke in defending the series.

[SOURCE: THE WRAP]

Howard University cancels graduation

Howard University is canceling its graduation and will transition to online coursework after the school announced its first case of coronavirus.

A guest who attended the Howard University Charter Day Dinner tested positive for COVID-19. The DC Department of Health is investigating the case and as a precaution, the university is asking everyone who attended the March 7 dinner to monitor and report to their doctor if they experience flu like-symptoms, according to a letter from Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick.

Howard is canceling its graduation and all class reunions as a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

[SOURCE: WLJA]

Cook County State Attorney Kim Fox wins democratic primary

ILLINOIS-Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx survived a well-financed challenge from newcomer Bill Conway in the Democratic primary Tuesday.

Foxx was surrounded by her husband and four daughters as she took the stage to the sounds of their cheers in a downtown hotel conference room. The space was kept largely empty as a precaution due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

“I want to help make Cook County a more inclusive and thriving community, where everyone is welcome,” she said. “I pledge to keep pushing for that change, that is fair, that is just, that is equitable, that will keep our communities safe,” she said.

With about 85% of precincts reporting at 10:30 p.m., Foxx had 48% of the vote and Conway had 33%. Two other challengers were polling a distant third and fourth.

Foxx is set to face the winner of a Republican primary between former prosecutors Christopher Pfannkuche and Pat O’Brien. O’Brien had a substantial lead as of late Tuesday, winning 73% of the vote with 85% of precincts reporting.

[SOURCE: CHICAGO TRIBUNE]