Good evening. We would like to welcome listeners. We utilize our inclusion requirements which are on the website. The candidates meeting the criteria are here tonight. Welcome. And montanas Lieutenant Governor, democrat mike cooney. Welcome as well. We appreciate having everyone here in person. We are safely distanced and ready for a debate. We have a slightly different format tonight. Each candidate will have an initial 90 seconds to answer the question. Afterwards, there will be an open discussion period with a chance of rebuttals and direct exchanges. We will then finish the debate with a 90 second closing statement from each candidate. The pandemic. Montana is seeing a recent spike in covid19 cases. Just today, the states i record 504 new cases. According to covid act now, a group that tracks Coronavirus Infections across the u. S. , we are currently fourth in the nation for infection rate. If elected governor, with there be aould there be you take more drastic measures to contain
That is not going to take place because of the slowdown in china and what that could mean for the economy. Also lets look at european equities at this early hour. You will see now things are in the green. Dax up about. 2 . The ftsi about. 3 . And opec ministers meeting. A live report in a bit. And todays squawk planet. Waiting to hear from the ecb. Decision due at 7 45. Followed by a draghi News Conference about 45 minutes later. The central bank expected to keep rates on hold but perhaps raise inflation forecasts. Two notes. Adp private payrolls due this morning. The private sector forecasts have added 170,000 jobs in maybe. Adp not always a reliable indicator for the jobs number but last month correctly fore shadowed. And a pair of central bankers to watch. Fed governor jay powell and rob caplan both speaking. In Corporate News uber in the biggest 3. 5 billion. That is just the total in saudi arabia. The total i think 5 billion. Ride sharing most recent funding gives uber a valuation
Our lawmakers to advance your providential purposes. May they think your thoughts striving always to do your will. Lord, lead them together to find solutions to the problems that beset our nation and world. Calm their fears and strengthen their faith, as you use them to accomplish your will. Let your peace guard their hearts. We pray in your strong name. Amen. The president pro tempore please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Mcconnell mr. President . The president pro tempore the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell today the senate is continuing to consider s. 1 a bill to approve the keystone x. L. Pipeline. Chairman murkowski and senator cantwell are here this morning to manage debate and there are several amendments pending. Well begin voting on those and any other amendments in the queue s
Mr. Inhofe i ask unanimous consent that the quorum call in progress be vitiated. The presiding officer without objection. Under the previous order the leadership time is reserved. Under the previous order, the senate will be in a period of morning business for one hour with the senators permitted to speak therein for up to ten minutes each, with the democrats controlling the first half and the republicans controlling the final half. Mr. Inhofe mr. President . I suggest the absence of a quorum. The presiding officer the clerk will call the roll. Quorum call mr. Mcconnell mr. President . The presiding officer the majority leader is recognized. Mr. Mcconnell i ask that further proceedings under the quorum call be dispensed with. The presiding officer without objection. Mr. Mcconnell mr. President many have now heard the sad news that one of the giants of kentucky politics passed away last night. Wendell ford first came to the senate in the 1970s, calling himself just a dumb country boy wi
Like the members of congress that have spoken today i long advocated for modernizing our relationship with cuba. I led a bipartisan bill to make it easier to finance exports to cuba. The bill is led in the house by ranking agriculture chair colin peterson. My home state of minnesota digs into exports while we export to cuba in 2o 13. With the president s action alone, the Minnesota Department of agriculture estimates that exports could increase by another 20 million. Increasing agriculture exports and promoting normal commercial relations with cuba will ensure cubans can provide for their families. The growing community of cuban Small Farmers and coops need advice and assistance to aid in the large Stateowned Enterprises to a more entrepreneurial system u. S. Agriculture can develop a new generation of cuban agriculture. The success of this policy shift and the potential for openings does not hinge solely on the u. S. The government must take serious steps to reform politically and eco