The Takeaway

Last Friday, the world learned of the death of Congressman John Lewis. A civil rights icon and hero, John Lewis was known as the "conscience of the Congress," where he served for more than 30 years. In the week following his death, we’ve seen countless tributes across social media and from his colleagues on the House floor. There is a growing movement for Alabama’s Edmund Pettus Bridge to be renamed in his honor and on Wednesday, The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was introduced in the Senate.

Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence of Michigan, Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina, and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood of Illinois share their remembrances and reflect on the legacy of John Lewis. 

In the last year, the Congressional Black Caucus, one of the most powerful blocks in Congress, has lost three veteran members after the deaths of Elijah Cummings, John Conyers, and John Lewis. John Bresnahan, Congressional Bureau Chief at Politico, weighs in on this moment for the CBC as it sits at the forefront of the national effort to enact police reform.

Conventional wisdom had most people thinking that any gains that Democrats made in the Senate would be nominal. But, unexpected events over the last six months have turned a long-shot into the very real possibility that Democrats take control of the Senate in November. Seats that were formerly considered safe for the GOP are now in play as a result of the Trump administration’s failure to handle the coronavirus crisis and provide a national plan for recovery while simultaneously stoking racial tensions at a moment of national reckoning.

In Iowa, a state that President Trump easily won in 2016, Democrat Theresa Greenfield is challenging Republican Senator Joni Ernst, where the latest polling has her up by a few points. Greenfield shared her motivation for getting in the race and what she thinks Iowans want to see in Washington. 

Senator Joni Ernst will join Politics with Amy Walter next week.

Also, this week President Trump announced new guidelines for school reopenings. He said that public schools in coronavirus hotspots could delay reopening for a few weeks but ultimately that decision will fall to governors. As many schools across the country are expected to begin the academic year in the next month or so, school districts have been grappling with how to manage the reality of COVID-19 with the expectations for curriculum.  

In Iowa, Republican Governor Kim Reynolds recently announced limitations on remote learning and mandated that at least 50% of the time students spend on learning core subjects must take place in-person. Grant Gerlock, a reporter for Iowa Public Radio, shares how schools are dealing with balancing the governor's latest requirements against the well-being of their students and staff.

Guests:

Theresa Greenfield, Democratic Candidate for Senate in Iowa

Grant Gerlock, Reporter for Iowa Public Radio

How Communities in Chicago Are Combating Rising Gun Violence Amid COVID-19

Overall crime is down in Chicago, but homicides and shootings have increased by nearly 50 percent compared to the same time period last year. How are communities handling the increase?

The Militarization of the Police Continues Mostly Unimpeded

The Senate rejected a proposal on Tuesday to end a program that supplies police departments with surplus military equipment.

The Border Patrol Has Been Policing U.S. Cities for Years

The Trump administration wants to deploy the DHS officers to different cities around the country.

The Push for More Latino Representation in Journalism

Earlier this week, Latino journalists at the Los Angeles Times sent an open letter to leadership demanding better newsroom representation.

Why Are People So Angry About Wearing Masks?

On social media, videos have gone viral featuring combative scenes where people refuse to comply with masking mandates.

Teachers Share Their Thoughts on the Upcoming School Year

Two teachers speak with The Takeaway about returning, or not returning, to teach for the 2020 school year. 

Federal Judges Face Rise in Threats Around the Country

A deadly attack on the family of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas left her 20-year-old son Daniel Anderl dead and her husband, Mark Anderl in critical condition.

Where Have All the Quiet Places Gone?

Truly quiet places are becoming increasingly rare, even in some of the most remote parts of the world. 

How Schools Across the Country Plan to Reopen this Fall

Plans to reopen schools vary from state to state, while school districts still have a lot of planning to do before they are ready for the 2020 school year. 

How Teachers Are Feeling About a Return to In-Person Learning

The Takeaway speaks with two teachers about how their districts are planning for potential in-person learning this fall and how they’re feeling heading into the school year.

Puerto Rico Pulls Back on Reopening as COVID-19 Cases Spike

New measures are being taken to control the rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases after the island officially reopened for tourism.

How John Lewis Brought Civil Rights History to Life in Graphic Novels

Just a few years ago, Rep. Lewis co-authored an autobiographical graphic novel trilogy called "March," which chronicled America’s struggle for civil rights.

Tension Between the CDC and White House

The Trump administration has continued to sidestep the CDC and tensions reached a fever pitch.

What's Going On in Portland?

In Portland, Oregon, protests against police brutality and racism have continued for over 50 consecutive days.

How Native Communities Are Dealing with COVID-19

How is Navajo Nation doing in light of ongoing tensions between cities and states in the region over masks and other COVID-19 protection measures?

John Lewis and C.T. Vivian: The Loss of Two Civil Rights Giants

Last Friday, Reverend C.T. Vivian and Representative John Lewis, two prominent civil rights leaders, passed away.

With its 15 electoral votes, North Carolina is one of a handful of states truly up for grabs come November. Since 2008, no presidential candidate has carried the state by more than three points. The most recent polls show Vice President Joe Biden ahead of President Donald Trump by about two points. And, only one Democrat running for president has been able to build a winning coalition in the state in the last 10 elections, and that was Barack Obama in 2008. Associate Professor, Jarvis Hall from North Carolina Central University explains North Carolina’s political geography.

North Carolina is significant for another reason, it is one of a handful of states with two other top offices on the ballot; Governor, Roy Cooper, a Democrat is up for reelection as is US Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican. The race for Senate is of national prominence, Republicans are fighting to hold onto the seat and Democrats are hoping a win here puts them on the path back to majority control. Cal Cunningham, the Democrat who is challenging Tillis tells us why he thinks he’s the right choice for North Carolinians. We’ve reached out to the Tillis Campaign for an interview but have yet to receive a response. 

Of course, all of this is happening amid a global health crisis, putting increased scrutiny on the voting process in every state. Legislators and election officials in North Carolina have been working to ensure a safe and accessible election, Rusty Jacobs a political reporter at WUNC explains what changes have been made to both absentee and in-person voting ahead of the election. 

Finally, recent polling has put President Trump behind Joe Biden in the general and re-energized Democrats about their chances for winning both the White House and Senate. Amy talks with Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors Editor for The Cook Political Report about this year’s competitive Senate races and what the senate map might look like come November.

Some of the music on this pod by Gypsy George. 

It’s been four months since the U.S. economy shut down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Since then, more than three million Americans have been infected by the virus and tens of millions have lost their jobs. In March, Congress passed a $2 trillion economic relief package tasked with getting money to individuals and businesses after coronavirus brought the global economy to a halt. The CARES act expanded unemployment benefits, provided direct stimulus payments, and assistance with federal student loans.

And while wishful thinking had many hoping that by now we’d have a better grip on the virus and the economic downturn, the reality is just the opposite. At the end of this month the additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits that many have come to depend on is set to expire. Congressional reporters Nick Fandos from The New York Times and Li Zhou from Vox share what we can expect as Congress prepares to return from their July recess.