See it: CDC director Mandy Cohen wears mask in photos with Democratic senators, but not in photo with Republican Sen. Mitt Romney



Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Mandy Cohen recently shared an eyebrow-raising post that included four photos of her with U.S. senators. While she was wearing a mask in photos with Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Cohen was maskless in a photo with Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah.

"Busy day meeting with Senators - appreciate the support and partnership!" Cohen's post read, seemingly indicating that all of the photos had been taken on the same day.

People on social media took notice of Cohen's inconsistent masking.

"Why the mask, but then also why no mask with Romney?" Chuck Ross of the Washington Free Beacon tweeted.

— (@)

"Mandy Cohen wears masks when meeting with Democrats but not @SenatorRomney," Matthew Foldi of The Specator World wrote. "Why?"

"Masked meeting the Dems // unmasked meeting Romney," Josh Kraushaar of Jewish Insider noted.

"What happened to your useless mask in the first photo dear?" someone else tweeted.

Cohen began serving as CDC director earlier this year.

Back in 2020, she shared a photo of herself sporting a face mask emblazoned with a photo of Dr. Anthony Fauci.

"Did you know it’s #WorldMaskWeek?" Cohen wrote on that August 2020 post. "Face coverings are one of our strongest tools to slow the spread of #COVID19 in our communities... and like my Dr. Fauci mask, they can be fun too! Join me in masking up this week & beyond – every time you leave the house."

— (@)

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As Americans get hammered by roaring inflation, 80 senators vote to confirm Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell to another term



The Senate on Thursday voted 80-19 in favor of confirming Jerome Powell to a second term as chair of the Federal Reserve.

While lawmakers from both parties voted to confirm Powell, there were also senators on both sides of the political aisle who voted against confirmation — Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) were some of the 19 lawmakers who voted against confirmation.

"Today, I voted no on the reconfirmation of Jay Powell to be Chairman of the @FederalReserve," Sen. Shelby said in a statement. "American families are facing rampant inflation and historically high prices. Powell and the rest of the Fed have failed the American people. We should not reward failure."

Today, I voted no on the reconfirmation of Jay Powell to be Chairman of the @FederalReserve. American families are facing rampant inflation and historically high prices. Powell and the rest of the Fed have failed the American people. We should not reward failure.
— Richard Shelby (@Richard Shelby) 1652379737

"I like and respect Chairman Powell," Ossoff said in a statement. "But 8.3 percent inflation is hurting my constituents a year after the Fed predicted inflation was 'transitory.' The Fed persisted in massive quantitative easing even after it was clear inflation was worse than forecast. These are policy errors that have worsened inflation and hurt low-income people the most. I recognize that Chairman Powell has a difficult job in challenging times, and I sincerely hope for his success in his second term."

Sen. @ossoff statement on his vote against Fed Chair Powell:pic.twitter.com/39Er2gNwnZ
— Miryam Lipper (@Miryam Lipper) 1652382554

Americans have been getting hammered by high prices as soaring inflation eats away at the purchasing power of their hard-earned dollars. The Fed has been hiking interest rates in a bid to combat the roaring inflation.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released consumer price index data on Wednesday: "The all items index increased 8.3 percent for the 12 months ending April, a smaller increase than the 8.5-percent figure for the period ending in March," the BLS press release noted.

Then-President Donald Trump nominated Powell to his first term as Federal Reserve chair, and President Joe Biden nominated Powell to a second term. Powell's initial term ended in early February, but he has been serving as chair pro tempore.

Susan Sarandon warns Democrats could lose in 2022 and 2024, blasts Biden: 'Where are the $2K checks you promised?'



Actress Susan Sarandon called out President Joe Biden over his promise of $2,000 COVID-19 stimulus checks. The Hollywood activist also warned the Democrats that they could lose elections in 2022 and 2024 if they attempt to do a "bait and switch" with the coronavirus relief package.

With Americans struggling financially because of the coronavirus lockdowns, Sarandon took to Twitter to take Democrats to task.

"Where are the $2K checks you promised @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris @ReverendWarnock @ossoff? At a time when only 39% of Americans could afford a $1,000 emergency & over 15 million have lost employer-sponsored health insurance, the diff between $1,400 & $2K is a matter of survival," Sarandon tweeted.

The progressive activist tagged President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as newly elected senators from Georgia Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. All four of the Democrats promised $2,000 coronavirus stimulus checks, and promoted the funds heavily during the campaign for Ossoff and Warnock.

In January, Sarandon told Ossoff and Warnock to "please fight for the $2,000 check" that the politicians had promised.

Sarandon, 74, included a video compilation of Democrats saying they will provide Americans with $2,000 stimulus checks.

Currently, the government is expected to issue $1,400 stimulus checks as part of the $1.9 trillion emergency aid package that was passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress early Friday morning. A Politico report said Biden "remained firm on the size of the $1,400 payment."

The upcoming stimulus checks are expected to be more targeted, and "upper-income taxpayers" will likely be barred from receiving payment or the total amount will be diminished for high earners.

If voters feel like Dems are pulling a bait and switch, don't be surprised when they don't show up in 2022 or 2024.
— Susan Sarandon (@Susan Sarandon)1612450106.0

Sarandon, who is an ardent supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), warned that if Democrats don't issue $2,000 coronavirus stimulus checks then they could be voted out in the 2022 midterms and the 2024 general election.

"If voters feel like Dems are pulling a bait and switch, don't be surprised when they don't show up in 2022 or 2024," she wrote.

Commenters noted that the $600 stimulus check that was issued in December and the anticipated $1,400 check adds up to $2,000.

The Oscar-winning actress asked, "Even if Dems meant $1,400 the entire time, the fact is that voters heard and were expecting $2,000 'IMMEDIATELY,' not maybe $1,400 some time in late spring. Is it really worth it to lose Dem voters in 2022 and 2024 over $600?"

The Daily Wire reported that some Democrats attacked Sarandon for demanding the Biden administration keep its promise of $2,000 checks.

One Twitter user blasted Sarandon, "God, here we go... The Dems will lose votes when hardcore leftist ideologues like yourself tweet nonsense like this out."

The actress replied, "Got it. So if Dems lose in 2022 and 2024 it's because I Tweeted and not because voters who desperately need $2,000 think they lied."

Got it. So if Dems lose in 2022 and 2024 it’s because I Tweeted and not because voters who desperately need $2,000… https://t.co/Z0W2rKnM9c
— Susan Sarandon (@Susan Sarandon)1612452143.0

Last week, President Biden and the Democratic Party were ripped by their own supporters over the amount of the COVID-19 stimulus checks. Democratic voters voiced their displeasure online and demanded $2,000 stimulus checks that they were promised. One person even threatened, "Never voting D again."

Leftists want folks to move to Georgia to increase Democratic votes for US Senate runoffs — but tactic could be a felony



All eyes will be on Georgia Jan. 5 when a pair of runoff elections will determine the fate of the state's two U.S. Senate seats presently held by Republicans.

In short, if the Democratic candidates flip the seats, the Senate's 100 seats will be evenly split between the GOP and Democrats with the deciding vote going to the vice president — and that would be Democrat Kamala Harris assuming Joe Biden takes the presidential oath of office.

With the makeup of the Senate on the line — as well as future U.S. policies — the notion of people actually moving to Georgia so they can vote in the runoff and influence its outcome has become a discussion point on the left.

What are the details?

"I hope everybody moves to Georgia, you know, in the next month or two, registers to vote, and votes for these two Democratic senators," New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman told CNN on Monday night, according to Fox News.

"These run-offs will decide which party controls the Senate, and thus, whether we'll have any hope of a large stimulus/climate bill. If you have the means and fervor to make a temporary move to GA, [I] believe anyone who registers by Dec 7 can vote in these elections," Eric Levitz of New York Magazine's Intelligencer wrote in a "mostly in jest" now-deleted tweet captured by Washington Examiner reporter Jerry Dunleavy:

“mostly in jest” https://t.co/a71Xy0grOV
— JERRY DUNLEAVY (@JERRY DUNLEAVY)1604594968.0

And former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang announced on Twitter that he and his wife are moving to Georgia to campaign for the Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock who are facing off against incumbent Republicans David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Great news #yanggang - Evelyn and I are moving to Georgia to help @ossoff and @ReverendWarnock win! This is our onl… https://t.co/KxIk38BWcz
— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸)1604798863.0

Yang didn't indicate if he plans to register to vote in Georgia, the paper said.

Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has taken notice of the move-to-Georgia trend: "My understanding, I learned last night, is they're even inviting people to move here to come vote," he said at an event for Loeffler in Georgia on Wednesday, Fox News said, which incited boos from the crowd.

But is it legal?

Sure, anybody can move to Georgia in the next few weeks, establish residency, and register to vote by Dec. 7 — but is it legal?

That depends.

The Journal said those who use this tactic need to stay in the state for a while or risk getting into trouble.

A spokesman for the Georgia Secretary of State's Office cited state law saying it's a felony to vote in the state's elections if one is residing in the state briefly with the intention just to vote and then move away, the paper noted.

"These are sensitive issues, and election officials are going to pay attention to what is happening," Enrijeta Shino, a University of North Florida political science professor who has researched voting issues in Georgia, told the Journal. "People should be very careful about doing that."

Shino told the paper that folks can move to Georgia briefly to work on campaigns and canvass for candidates, but voting in the state without the intention of staying would be considered fraud.

Legal residents of Georgia who turn 18 between now and Dec. 7 would be eligible to register in the runoff, Shino also told the Journal.

More from the paper:

One of the main ways to establish proof of residency is to provide a valid Georgia driver's license. People must bring proof of identification, Social Security number and a Georgia primary residence (such as a utility bill). The state Department of Driver Services sends information on new residents obtaining driver's licenses to the Georgia Secretary of State's Office for voter registration, unless the new driver specifically asks the department not to do so, said department spokeswoman Shevondah Leslie.

If drivers meet the state's requirements, the county board of elections automatically registers new residents to vote. How soon that would take place is not clear.

A sudden influx of new residents could have some impact on what are expected to be close Senate runoff elections.

Eddie Zipperer, assistant professor of political science at Georgia Military College, told Fox News that he's "seen people saying they'll move to Georgia, but it's a lot more difficult than they think. It would be very dangerous and, ultimately, I presume, not worth it."

Liberal activist Andrew Lang's comments raise suspicions that Democrats could exploit Georgia law to win critical runoff elections



As the nation sets its sights on Georgia, where two runoff elections will determine which political party controls the U.S. Senate for the next two years, former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang announced last week that he is moving to the Peach State to aid Democratic efforts there, WAGA-TV reported.

On Twitter, Yang said that "everyone who campaigned for Joe should get ready to head to Georgia."

By Saturday, Yang confirmed he was moving his family to Georgia.

"Great news #yanggang - Evelyn and I are moving to Georgia to help @ossoff and @ReverendWarnock win! This is our only chance to clear Mitch out of the way and help Joe and Kamala get things done in the next 4 years. More details to come but let's go!!!" Yang announced.

Great news #yanggang - Evelyn and I are moving to Georgia to help @ossoff and @ReverendWarnock win! This is our onl… https://t.co/KxIk38BWcz
— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸)1604798863.0

Yang's comments immediately generated questions of whether Democratic voters are looking to exploit Georgia's lenient election laws to give Democrats the edge in both runoff elections.

Specifically, Georgia does not specify a minimum residency requirement for voting, meaning any legal permanent resident of Georgia would be able to participate in the runoff election so long as they register to vote by Dec. 7. Georgia also requires voters to show ID before voting — but state law does not require the identification to be issued by Georgia.

According to the Wall Street Journal, moving to Georgia to participate in the runoff elections is technically legal — but suggested any new residents should stay a while to avoid legal backlash.

Enrijeta Shino, a professor at the University of North Florida, told the Journal that moving to Georgia only to participate in the elections without intentions of staying would constitute fraud.

"People should be very careful about doing that," Shino warned. "These are sensitive issues, and election officials are going to pay attention to what is happening."

More from the Journal:

A spokesman for the Georgia Secretary of State's Office, which oversees voter registrations, declined to comment on how quickly someone could establish legal residency in Georgia, but cited state law that it is a felony to vote in Georgia elections if you are not a legal resident or if you are residing in the state briefly with the intention just to vote and then move away.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Sen. David Purdue (R-Ga.) led his Democratic challenger, Jon Ossoff, by nearly 90,000 votes, or about 1.7 percentage points. Although Purdue won more votes than Ossoff, Georgia law requires a runoff election because neither candidate broke the 50% threshold.

Meanwhile, the other Senate run-off, in which Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R) is the incumbent, was a special election, and more than a dozen candidates ran. No candidate reached the 50% threshold in that race, and the top two finishers — Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock — were sent to the runoff.

Both runoff elections will be held on Jan. 5. Early voting for the runoff will begin Dec. 14.