Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Pelosi Says She's Finding Out About Trump's Health Through The Media
CNN: Pelosi Says She's Not Being Briefed On Trump's Health
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday said she has not been briefed on President Donald Trump's health since his Covid-19 diagnosis despite her position as second in the presidential line of succession behind Vice President Mike Pence. "We're getting our information the way everyone else is -- in the media," Pelosi said during an interview on CBS' "Face the Nation." "But in terms of the succession, that's an ongoing process. Sadly at this time, it comes to the forefront." (LeBlanc, 10/4)
Fox News: Pelosi Says She Hopes Trump's 'Heart Will Be Opened' And He'll Change Course On Coronavirus
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation" that she hopes the fact President Trump has fallen sick to the coronavirus will cause the White House and congressional Republicans to change their stance on how to handle the pandemic and "listen to the science" after Democrats have criticized the GOP for months for not taking the virus seriously enough. "Prayers are with the president and the first lady," Pelosi, D-Calif., said. "I hope it really will be a signal that we have to do better in preventing the spread of this virus." (Olson, 10/4)
Roll Call: Calls Grow For More COVID-19 Testing Of Lawmakers, Staff
A deluge of positive COVID-19 tests that included Sen. Mike Lee, President Donald Trump and his aide Hope Hicks prompted more calls for a testing program in the Capitol and its surrounding office buildings. “This episode demonstrates that the Senate needs a testing and contact tracing program for Senators, staff, and all who work in the Capitol complex,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said in a statement Friday. “We simply cannot allow the administration's cavalier attitude to adversely affect this branch of government.” (Cioffi, 10/2)
The Hill: GOP Anxiety Grows Over Trump Political Roller Coaster
Senate Republicans are growing weary of the political roller coaster that is President Trump and say their prospects of keeping the Senate in November are as unpredictable as Trump himself. (Bolton, 10/5)
In other developments —
The Washington Post: House Speaker Pelosi Says No Deal Yet On Coronavirus Relief
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Sunday there’s no deal yet on a new coronavirus relief package as Democrats wait to see whether the Trump administration will agree to terms. Pelosi spoke a day after President Trump, hospitalized with covid-19, tweeted his support for more stimulus legislation, writing, “WORK TOGETHER AND GET IT DONE.” (Werner, 10/4)
Politico: Graham, Harrison Spar Over SCOTUS And Covid-19 In Fiery Senate Debate
Jaime Harrison and Lindsey Graham have been battling it out over the airwaves for months. On Saturday night, as the surprisingly competitive South Carolina Senate race has reached a fever pitch, they finally met face-to-face on the debate stage. Harrison accused Graham of flip flopping on his word and breaking the trust of his voters. Graham, the three-term GOP incumbent, warned South Carolinians they wouldn’t recognize their country if Democrats took control in Washington. (Arkin, 10/3)
