Michigan Congressman will seek the @LPNational’s nomination for president of the United States.

WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) announced Tuesday that he has launched an exploratory committee to seek the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination, his strongest indication yet that he will mount a third party White House bid.

Read the developing report here

WASHINGTON, DC - Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will endorse presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday, according to a source familiar.

Clinton, the 2016 Democratic nominee who lost to President Trump, is expected to make the announcement on Tuesday afternoon. She will appear with Biden during a virtual town hall later in the day to discuss the effects of the coronavirus on women.

Read the developing report here

MADISON – Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement after Senator Janet Bewley (D-Mason) was selected by her colleagues to lead the Senate Democratic Caucus as Minority Leader:

“I congratulate Senator Bewley on being chosen to lead the Senate Democrats. I served with Janet during her time in the Assembly and I admired her tenacity, intelligence, and commitment to her district. She will bring a unique perspective to this position, and will fight tirelessly for our shared values of fairness, opportunity, and community.

“Senator Bewley has some big shoes to fill after Senator Shilling’s distinguished years in leadership, but I am confident she is up to the task based on her experience and integrity. I look forward to working with Senator Bewley and her office in her new role.”

Shilling steps down as Senate Democratic Leader, congratulates Senator Bewley as her replacement.

MADISON, WI – Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement after Senator Janet Bewley (D-Mason) was elected the Senate Democratic Leader:

“It has been an honor to serve in the Senate and I’ve been humbled that my Democratic colleagues put their trust in me to be a leading voice for our caucus and state these past five years. I want to congratulate Senator Bewley and am happy to pass the baton as she takes on this new role. I know that Janet’s strong and pragmatic leadership will provide a smooth transition and lead to success over the coming months. Democrats will continue fighting for Wisconsin families, workers, and the opportunity of a brighter tomorrow.”

In addition to unanimously electing Sen. Janet Bewley as the Senate Democratic Leader, Sen. Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) was unanimously elected as Assistant Democratic Leader.

Is it any wonder why Trump has continuously rolled over for China, say Wisconsin Dems.

MADISON, WI - A new report Friday shows Trump has continuously rolled over for China, in part, because he owes their national bank $211 million dollars in the coming months.

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, Trump has continuously praised Chinese President Xi and his government, taking their word over that of the US Intelligence community. Trump went so far as to send China 18 tons of PPE in February -- equipment that is now desperately needed by frontline workers in Wisconsin and across America.

“Donald Trump is China’s favorite lap dog as he has rolled over for them on everything from the Coronavirus pandemic to a trade deal that hardly changes the playing field for Wisconsin’s farmers, manufacturers, and families. Trump has always put his personal interests ahead of the American people, and it is now clearer than ever he is doing so because of his own financial shortcomings. It is monstrous that as 50,000 Americans lay dead with sadly thousands of more to perish from the coronavirus, Trump is prioritizing his wallet over the health and safety of our country. November can’t come soon enough.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-2020-sou-s5.pngWisconsin Republicans are obstructing progress in the fight against Coronavirus as President Trump refuses to mobilize a national testing and contact tracing program.

Wisconsinites blast the administration for putting people at risk. Congressman Mark Pocan, State Senator Dave Hansen, and two women who lost jobs due to coronavirus call out the administration for their failure to properly respond to the pandemic.

MADISON, WI - Yesterday, just over one month after the Trump administration promised there’d be over 27 million tests in the US market by the end of March, Mike Pence badgered Wisconsin with a publicity stunt to distract from Donald Trump's failed COVID-19 response and his refusal to enact a nationwide testing a contact tracing program.

Wisconsinites didn’t let this go unchallenged, blasting the administration for putting people at risk. Congressman Mark Pocan, State Senator Dave Hansen, Madison area nurse Shari Signer, and Susan Berna, who lost both jobs due to coronavirus, called out the administration for their failure to properly respond to the pandemic.

See, in part, what Wisconsinites said about the administration’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic:

WPR: "Shari Signer, an inpatient nurse in Madison, spoke with reporters on the Tuesday call organized by Pocan’s office. She and her husband are both nurses. Signer said she was recently told to keep reusing masks 'until there are visible holes or broken straps on them.' 'I’m expected to wear the same mask from patient room to patient room, despite their isolation, despite their health care conditions,' she said. At the end of the day, she puts the mask in a brown paper bag to be re-worn the next day. 'It is outrageous that health care workers continue to show up for a battle against a deadly virus without the protection, resources and support that we need to safely do our jobs,' she said."

Wisconsin Examiner: “[Senator Dave] Hansen concurred, adding, ‘From reports that the White House was warned as early as November to Trump admitting he knew as early as January about the impending crisis, Trump slow rolled his response to the pandemic that has taken over our lives.’...And [Susan] Berna talked about desperately seeking coverage under the ACA. ‘I feel President Trump has really failed all of us,’ she said, ‘by not allowing the marketplace to be open for a longer period of time so that we could get the insurance not only that we can afford, but that would take care of us if we do catch this horrible virus.’”

The Cap Times: “Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Town of Vermont, goes to the heart of matter when he says, ‘The lack of crucial supplies needed to fight COVID-19 is straining hospitals and putting Wisconsinites and health care workers at risk.’ Pocan speaks an urgent truth when he explains, ‘The federal response has been woefully inadequate to the needs of our state. We need FEMA to step up. Nationwide, we are failing to test people for this deadly virus quick enough. Wisconsin labs are attempting to ramp up capacity and serve the people of our state, but cannot do so without the testing supplies the federal government to provide. States like Wisconsin are doing everything in their power to fight this pandemic, but the federal government’s failures are threatening us all.’

MJS: "U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat who represents Madison and the surrounding area, called the federal response to the pandemic 'pathetic.' 'Where the hell is the federal government response for places like Wisconsin?,' Pocan said. 'If we can’t test, we can’t open up. Where the hell are the supplies for the state of Wisconsin and the people who live here?'"

The AP: Pocan, citing a letter his office received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency earlier on Tuesday, said that Wisconsin has received only a fraction of the supplies that Evers has requested. The White House provided a tally that included supplies provided by FEMA as well as what has been purchased from private vendors ‘It's pathetic what they've delivered us in the state of Wisconsin,’ Pocan said.”

NBC News: “Officials have identified seven [now 19] people who appear to have contracted the coronavirus through activities related to the April 7 election in Wisconsin, Milwaukee's health commissioner said, and advocates worry that they could be just the ‘tip of the iceberg.’...Now, Wisconsin Democrats worry that there may be more yet-to-be-reported cases...‘I fear this is just the beginning,’ Democratic state Sen. Dave Hansen told reporters on a conference call Tuesday.” [Senator Hansen went on to discuss the dire need for Trump and the federal government to step up their PPE and testing support for Wisconsin]

Additional Background on testing failure:

On March 28, The Date By Which Giroir Had Promised 27 Million Tests Kits Would Be Made Available, The U.S. Had Conducted Just 801,416 Tests. “March 28 Tests in the United States: 801,416 (2,442 tests per million people. 16.1 percent positive rate.) Tests in South Korea: 387,925 (7,568 tests per million people. 1.5 percent positive rate.) ...Notice, too, that this was the day mentioned by Giroir on which 27 million test kits would be available. To date, fewer than 1 million tests had been conducted.” [Washington Post, 3/31/20]

During The Week Of April 12, “The Number Of Coronavirus Diagnostic Tests Being Completed Every Day Has Plateaued Over The Last Week — At A Number That Falls Far Short Of What Experts Say Is Needed.” “The number of coronavirus diagnostic tests being completed every day has plateaued over the last week — at a number that falls far short of what experts say is needed… Several factors are holding it back:  Supply shortages for key test ingredients, swabs, test kits, and personal protective equipment. Poor coordination: Some labs have excess testing capacity, but aren’t being sent samples from the providers collecting them. Rules about who gets tested: Many states have limited testing to the sickest patients, and caseloads are dropping overall. But clinicians often have discretion as to who they test.” [Axios, 4/17/20]

Oshkosh area State Representative wants to continue to represent hometown.

OSHKOSH – Gordon Hintz announced today that he will be seeking re-election to the State Assembly in the 54th Assembly District. Representative Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement on the announcement:

“Today, I am excited to announce I will be seeking another term in the State Assembly. I am running to continue serving the people of Oshkosh in the State Capitol, and to be their voice in state government.

“In the midst of a public health and economic crisis, we need experienced leadership in the State Assembly. I am confident my time in public service has prepared me to help find solutions to address the challenges brought on by COVID-19.

“It is an honor and privilege to represent my hometown. It is something I do not take for granted. As a proud Wisconsinite and Oshkosh native, I remain committed to serving the families and businesses that make our community a great place to live and work.”

Representative Hintz was first elected to the Assembly in 2006. He has served on the Joint Committee on Finance and was elected by his colleagues as Assembly Democratic Leader in 2017. During his time in office, Hintz has successfully worked to bring state infrastructure investment to Oshkosh, fought unfair predatory loan practices, and worked to create better public health policy.

TV Ads Will Run in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-covid-natl-emerg-s5.pngDonald Trump wasted months ignoring the coronavirus, and now he's sending Mike Pence here for a photo-op while health professionals and patients in Wisconsin are still scrambling to get the medical equipment they need.