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A26 U.S. NEWS
Monday 27 July 2020
Mnuchin: Virus aid package soon, $1,200 checks by August

By LISA MASCARO to be suddenly cut off from
AP Congressional Corre- the aid starting Saturday,
spondent they were bracing to pre-
WASHINGTON (AP) — vent social and economic
Treasury Secretary Steven fallout.
Mnuchin said Saturday that The White House floated
Republicans were set to roll plans to cut the additional
out the next COVID-19 aid aid back to $100 a week,
package Monday and as- while Senate Republicans
sured there was backing preferred $200, with gener-
from the White House after al agreement about phas-
he and President Donald ing out the flat boost in fa-
Trump's top aide met to sal- vor of one that ensures no
vage the $1 trillion proposal more than 70% of an em-
that had floundered just ployee's previous pay.
days before. Mnuchin also said the
Mnuchin told reporters at $1,200 direct payments
the Capitol that extend- would be based on the
ing an expiring unemploy- same formula from the
ment benefit — but reduc- earlier aid bill. Individuals
ing it substantially — was a making $75,000 or less, for
top priority for Trump. The example, received the full
secretary called the $600 amount and those mak-
weekly aid "ridiculous" and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks with reporters about the coronavirus relief package ing more than $75,000 re-
a disincentive for people to negotiations, at the White House, Thursday, July 23, 2020, in Washington. Associated Press ceived less than $1,200 de-
go back to work. He also pending on their income.
promised a fresh round which remained only a ing over its size, scope and has been very clear. He Individuals earning above
of $1,200 stimulus checks starting point in negotia- details. It was expected to wants to make sure that $100,000 did not qualify for
would be coming in August. tions with House and Sen- bring $105 billion to help the American people have the payment.
"We're prepared to move ate leaders in the other schools reopen, new mon- what they need during "We'll get the majority of
quickly," Mnuchin said af- party. He said he recently ey for virus testing and ben- this unprecedented time," them out in August and
ter he and Mark Meadows, called House Speaker Nan- efits for businesses, includ- Meadows said, "to make those will help people,"
the president's acting chief cy Pelosi and Senate Minor- ing a fresh round of loans, sure not only the money is Mnuchin said.
of staff, spent several hours ity Leader Chuck Schumer tax breaks and a sweeping there but the programs." The administration officials
with GOP staff at the Capi- ahead of shuttle nego- liability shield from COVID- The expiration of the $600 said the overall package
tol. He said the president tiations next week on the related lawsuits. weekly jobless benefits remained at $1 trillion, ap-
would "absolutely" support broader deal. As Republicans struggled, boost had been propel- parently on par with Sen-
the emerging Republican The White House and Sen- the White House team ling the Republicans to act. ate Majority Leader Mitch
package. ate Republicans were rac- downplayed the differ- Democrats already ap- McConnell's original draft.
Mnuchin's optimistic assess- ing to regroup after plans ences with the GOP sena- proved their sweeping $3 Democrats had warned
ment came before Demo- to introduce a $1 trillion tors as overblown and said trillion plan from Pelosi two time was running out, say-
crats weighed in publicly virus rescue bill collapsed Trump was focused on pro- months ago. But with mil- ing Republicans were in
on the updated proposal, Thursday amid GOP infight- viding relief. "The president lions of Americans about disarray.q

ProPublica posts NYPD records, bypassing judge’s blockade

Failla's temporary restrain- see unproven or false com- harm," ProPublica Editor-in-
ing order because it is not plaints could sully officers' Chief Stephen Engelberg
a party to a union lawsuit reputations and compro- said. "The database gives
challenging the release of mise their safety. the people of New York
such records. A state judge who first han- City a glimpse at how al-
Deputy Managing Edi- dled the case had issued a legations involving police
tor Eric Umansky said Pro- narrower restraining order misconduct have been
Publica requested the in- that temporarily blocked handled, and allows jour-
formation from the city's the public disclosure of re- nalists and ordinary citizens
police watchdog agency, cords concerning unsub- alike to look more deeply
the Civilian Complaint Re- stantiated and non-final- at the records of particular
view Board, soon after last ized allegations or settle- officers."
month's repeal of state law ment agreements. Failla's ruling Wednesday
that for decades had pre- ProPublica said it excluded blocks the CCRB, the po-
vented the disclosure of allegations that investiga- lice department and other
Black Lives Matter protesters are arrested by NYPD officers on disciplinary records. tors deemed unfounded entities from disclosing dis-
the Brooklyn Bridge, Wednesday, July 15, 2020, in New York. Unions representing police from the material it pub- ciplinary records until at
Associated Press officers and other public lished. In all, the searchable least Aug. 18, when she'll
safety workers sued the city database contains 12,056 hear arguments in the
NEW YORK (AP) — Days af- formation for thousands of on July 15 to block Mayor complaints against 3,996 case. In issuing the tempo-
ter a federal judge paused officers. Bill de Blasio from making active NYPD officers. rary restraining order, Failla
the public release of New ProPublica posted the da- good on a pledge to start "We understand the argu- also barred the New York
York City police disciplinary tabase Sunday, explaining posting misconduct com- ments against releasing chapter of the American
records, a news website in a note to readers that it plaints on a government this data. But we believe Civil Liberties Union from
has published a database isn't obligated to comply website. The unions argue the public good it could publicly releasing records it
containing complaint in- with Judge Katherine Polk that allowing the public to do outweighs the potential had already obtained.q