We have more than i think 760 registered for this meeting and we will do our best to get to as many questions as we can during the period but now a little bit about this event. The independent Task Force Program began in 1995 analyzing issues of critical importance to us Foreign Policy in a nonpartisan way. Once launched task forces are independent of cfr and are solely responsible for the content of their worth. And the task forceprograms 25th year cfr is launching its 78 Task Force Report and id like to welcome you to this discussion of the report and its called improving pandemic preparedness , lessons from covid19. A brief introduction of our panelists, we have cynthia burwell, cochair and president of American University and also former us secretary of health and Human Services under president obama. Welcome to you. Also joining us is frances townsend, also cochair, assistant to president bush in Homeland Security and counterterrorism and is vice chairman on general counsel of vic
Comoimed. Mr. Mcconnell mr. President. The presiding officer the majority leader. Mr. Mcconnell the senate spent the last few days, like all americans have, praying for quick healing and smooth recovery for President Trump and the first lady following their positive covid19 tests. I spoke to the president by phone twice this past weekend. Both times, his spirits were high. Both times, we talked about the peoples business, our nations fight against this pandemic, his exceptional nominee to the Supreme Court, judge barrett, as well as our efforts to continue rebuilding the economy for working families. Were also thinking of our friends and colleague, the senior senator for utah, the senior senator for wisconsin, and the junior senator from North Carolina who are currently working from home. The standard cliche would say that these past few days have provided a stark reminder of the dangers of this terrible virus. But the truth is that our nation did not need any such reminder. More than
Tillis and ron johnson tested positive for covid19 in recent days. They approved all legislative business would be pushed to the week of october 19 with only pro forma sessions scheduled between now and then you live now to the senate floor. The site will come to order. The chaplain will lead the senate in prayer. Let us pray. Mighty god, you are our dwelling place and underneath are your everlasting arms. May our president and first lady feel your healing touch. My our senators who are dealing with the personal Health Challenge of covid19 also experience your divine healing and comfort. Lord, we trust in your support. For you continue to be the source of our hope and peace. To the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the honorable roger f. Wicker, a senator from the state of mississippi, to perform the duties of the chair. Signed chuck grassley, president pro tempore. Comoimed. Mr. Mcconnell mr. President. The presid
That was a grand introduction. If you just want the major accomplishments of David Rice Atchison, thank you, it has been a lovely evening. [laughter] needless to say, his administration is a little less impressive than maybe truman or anyone else who was ever president. However, David Rice Atchison is someone you should know about. He was a significant player in the days leading up to the civil war and the term what we call bleeding kansas. He was one of the people who really began the push to get kansas as a state and he tried to direct it in a certain direction that he felt was beneficial for the union. Was he misguided . Very possibly. Was he successful . Absolutely not. And, but what is important was who this person was and why, unfortunately, he disappeared from everything. The library came up with the davidfor this program, rice atchison, president no one knows. Looking at that, i realized that long ago in another lifetime as a journalist, i wrote a column for the newspaper i wor
Administration of government will continue uninterrupted. Campaign staff are tested positive and she was on air force one and marine one with the president on wednesday. There is a long list of senior officials who came in close contact with her. The risk is some will test positive two. Vice president pence and his wife karen tested negative, so to has Steven Mnuchin. The president will be off the campaign trail for the foreseeable future, his trip to florida has been canceled, it is possible that the next debate will be effective, its 14 days away and the hearings for judge Amy Coney Barrett will be affected, shes been visiting senators all week, yes there is a stock market selloff, this is what happens when you throw more uncertainty into a chaotic election, it is not panic selling, the dow was off 460 points, that is 1. 6 , that is a big drop but not a panic, the nasdaq component down threepoint to percent, a very big drop but not a panic selling. A halfhour ago, 830 eastern time, w