In the Know: December 16, 2020


2020 Election 
Could Congress overturn Biden’s Electoral College win? Possibly. Will it? No., New York Times

Congress
Pelosi warns lawmakers they’ll be barred from speaking on House floor without a mask, The Hill

Environmental News
Trump administration delays endangered species protection for monarch butterfly “on the brink of collapse”, CBS 
America’s last wilderness is about to go to the highest bidder for oil drilling, The Guardian

Governor Tim Walz
Walz to extend in-person dining pause through holidays, allow gyms to reopen with restrictions, MPR
Walz to allow elementary schools to open in exchange for keeping bars, restaurants closed, Pioneer Press

Minnesota Legislature
State officials urge keeping fence around State Capitol well into 2021, Star Tribune
Millions in COVID-19 relief soon headed for Minnesota businesses, workers, Star Tribune

Minnesota News
Hopeful sign: Midwestern states see drop in new virus cases, Star Tribune
Minnesota frees man serving life in child’s 2002 death, MPR
St. Paul, Minneapolis dismantle encampments as officials scramble to house homeless, Star Tribune
Aided by State Patrol helicopter, Minneapolis carjacking crackdown nets 41 felony arrests, Pioneer Press
Eden Prairie, Northfield acknowledge the Native land they’re built on, Star Tribune

President Elect Joe Biden
Biden to name Pete Buttigieg as transportation secretary, Washington Post
Biden poised to nominate former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to lead Department of Energy, CNN
Biden praises Ossoff and Warnock in campaign event in Georgia, CBS
Biden To Name Gina McCarthy, Former EPA Chief, As Domestic Climate Coordinator, NPR

Representative Dean Phillips (CD3)
Congress Pushing for Deal on Economic Stimulus Plan, WNAX

Republican Party News 
How McConnell and the GOP let Trump down gently, Politico
Ron Johnson calls election legitimate and acknowledges Biden victory but still plans hearing on alleged ‘irregularities’, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
DeVos urges career staff to ‘be the resistance’ as Biden takes over, Politico

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Amy Klobuchar calls on federal government to help new businesses survive pandemic, KEYC

Trump News 
Judge rejects Trump Organization’s claim of privilege to shield documents from New York attorney general, ABC
William Barr’s resignation is a final, parting shot to the rule of law, Washington Post
Melania Trump breaks children’s hospital rules by taking her mask off to read to patients, CNN
Pence likely to get the coronavirus vaccine by Friday, CNN
Mar-a-Lago neighbors to Trump: Spend your post-presidency elsewhere, Washington Post

U.S. News
Congressional leaders add stimulus checks to $900 billion relief package as they near deal, Washington Post
Lawmaker’s Death Chills U.S. Statehouses Where Masks Are Shunned, Bloomberg
‘Like a Hand Grasping’: Trump Appointees Describe the Crushing of the C.D.C., New York Times
MAGA-world may resist the vaccine, but it still wants Trump to get credit, Politico

World News 
Hungary passes anti-LGBTQ law effectively barring same-sex couples from adopting, CNN
People affiliated with French military used Facebook to meddle in Africa, Washington Post
City Of Paris Is Fined 90,000 Euros For Naming Too Many Women To Senior Positions, NPR

Upcoming Events:

You can find non-DFL events on our Action Alert post.

  • Today to December 18 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
  • Today through December 18 — Chanukah
  • December 21 — Winter Solstice
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Virtual Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 24 — Christmas Eve
  • December 25 — Christmas Day
  • December 31 — New Year’s Eve
  • January 1 — New Year’s Day
  • January 2 — 116th U.S. Congress ends
  • January 3 — 117th U.S. Congress convenes
  • January 5 — 92nd Minnesota Legislative Session Convenes
  • January 6
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 7, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 14
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 18 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 20 — Inauguration Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available
  • January 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 2 — Groundhog Day
  • February 3
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 4, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information