Graham MacGillivray
Washington, D.C.
Video Production at @atlanticcouncil | Alum: @CSIS, @RollCall, @CSPAN, @UofDenver & #NPFPaulMiller Reporting Fellowship | Left my heart in the Rockies
Articles by Graham MacGillivray
Haley Stevens' mic turned off after passionate speech runs long - Roll Call
Wearing pink disposable gloves, Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., yelled into the House chamber when her microphone was turned off Friday during debate on the coronavirus stimulus legislation. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer had given the congresswomen one minute—the same as other members—for her remarks. Rep. Anthony Brown was presiding over the chamber and attempted to recognize the next speaker when Stevens' microphone cut out on the House Recordings Studio feed.
Fed Chairman: The U.S. may be in a recession
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that the country “may well be in a recession,” in response to a question from Savannah Guthrie on NBC’s “Today” show. Guthrie defined a recession as “two straight quarters of negative growth.” While the definition of the term varies, the chairman did not dispute it. Powell did point out a difference between, what he called, a “normal recession” and what the U.S. economy is currently experiencing.
McConnell on stimulus: ‘We’re going to pass this legislation later today’
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., announced a deal early Wednesday morning on an approximately $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package. “Help is on the way,” both leaders said in their speeches from the Senate floor.
Schumer calls procedural votes ‘irrelevant’ as coronavirus aid bill negotiations continue
Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said the procedural votes on the coronavirus relief bill, which took place Monday at 1:30 p.m., were “irrelevant” because negotiations between congressional leaders were ongoing. Schumer said Democrats would be willing to “speed up consideration” of a deal once one is reached between the two parties. His comments came after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had earlier cited the urgent nature of the crisis as an impetus for action on the procedural vote.
Trump says national lockdown won't be necessary - Roll Call
President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that his administration is not considering a national lockdown to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Referring to certain cities and states as “hotspots,” the president noted that some governors and mayors had already issued stay-at-home orders for key locations.
McConnell: Don't ‘let perfection be the enemy’ of House’s coronavirus bill - Roll Call
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., started Wednesday’s Senate session by announcing that he would support a coronavirus response bill championed by Democrats and passed by the House despite “imperfections” in the bill. “This is a time for urgent bipartisan action, and in this case, I do not believe we should let perfection be the enemy of something that will help even a subset of workers,” McConnell said.
Trump to cut patient privacy protections, making remote doctor visits easier
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration would curtail enforcement of the federal law restricting the release of medical information. The president said this move would allow for greater use of telehealth services to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pelosi announces coronavirus-response bill
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced Thursday afternoon that the House would seek to advance a bill aimed at quelling the spread and mitigating the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Fauci tells lawmakers to keep distance from constituents
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on Thursday told members of the House Oversight and Reform Committee that they should be practicing “social distancing” to protect against the coronavirus transmission. In an exchange with Rep.
Schumer: Trump's coronavirus response ‘out of touch;’ proposes competing plan - Roll Call
Unhappy with the Trump administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer joined a group of senior senators in proposing a policy prescription for mitigating its economic impact. “We don't think they should just throw money out of an airplane and hope some of it lands on the people who are affected” the New York Democrat said, criticizing the options proposed by the administration.
Leahy to Ben Carson: 'Be honest with the American people'
"That's a no," Leahy said. Leahy then pointed to a quote from President Donald Trump, who suggested, “anyone who wants a test can get a test” for the novel coronavirus, and asked Carson if patients in states like Washington or Vermont can get tested. The former pediatric neurosurgeon said testing in some places has proven easier than others. After further questioning, Carson said in places like Vermont and Washington state, "many" people are able to get testing.
Trump talks about his contact with now self-quarantined members
President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that getting tested for COVID-19 is “not a big deal” after recently coming in contact with two members of Congress who are now under self-imposed quarantine. GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz and Doug Collins were informed that they had come in contact with an attendee at the CPAC conference who later tested positive for the disease transmitted by the novel coronavirus.
Trump urges calm amid coronavirus concerns
The president was on Capitol Hill to speak to Senate Republicans as he and lawmakers mulled over ways to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 disease and its spread.
‘Plan now’ Rep. Davis warns as Capitol prepares for coronavirus
Rep. Rodney Davis warned colleges Tuesday that they should create a plan “now” in case the coronavirus spread causes Capitol Hill to shut down. As the top Republican on the House Administration Committee, he has been working with Congress's coronavirus task force to ensure legislative operations and constituent services are to continue.
Schumer's mea culpa splits senators - Roll Call
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer walked back and clarified comments he made at an abortion rights rally in front of the Supreme Court on Wednesday after Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. called them “inappropriate” and “dangerous.” The New York Democrat said Thursday morning that he “should not of used the words I used yesterday” and that they didn’t come out as intended.
LGBTQ children books honored on House floor
Reps. Angie Craig, D-Minn., and Jackie Speier, D-Calif., honored two children's books by reading them aloud on the House floor Thursday morning. The illustrated books — “I Am Jazz” by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, as well as “They, She, He Easy as ABC” by Maya Christina Gonzalez — focus on transgender acceptance and gender Identity. Noting that Feb.
Senators split on coronavirus money
Dr. Anthony Faucci and other health officials briefed senators Tuesday morning on the coronavirus and its spread. Lawmakers were divided on the White House’s $2.5 billion supplemental funding request and if it provides federal agencies with enough resources to combat the outbreak. Several also took issue with the administration’s response at large and that the briefing was classified. [Senators: Trump coronavirus request just a down payment]
15th coronavirus case in U.S. confirmed
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar confirmed the 15th case of the coronavirus in the United States Thursday. He noted that the individual “came from” the city of Wuhan, China and is now in quarantine. The secretary made the announcement during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the President's proposed budget for his department in Fiscal Year 2021.
New Hampshire candidates' speeches in just 2 minutes
New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary wrapped up Tuesday night with clearer results than the Iowa caucuses provided. As numbers began coming out in the evening, candidates addressed supporters gathered at watch parties throughout the state. Leaders of the pack Sen. Bernie Sanders and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg celebrated the moment as pivotal for their respective campaigns.
Footraces, odysseys and waning decorum: View of impeachment trial from the gallery
Coverage of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump has been famously restrictive, specifically if you're trying to capture visuals in the room. Watch as CQ Roll Call's Griffin Connolly breaks down some of the weird, wonky and devolving atmosphere that you're not seeing on camera. [Read more of Griffin Connolly's impeachment coverage]
Auction off Pelosi’s ripped speech? Only he would think of it
Rep. Billy Long, the proud owner of verified Twitter handle “auctnr1,” reminded us again this week why his colleagues call him Congress’ “auctioneer in residence.” As President Donald Trump finished his third State of the Union speech Tuesday night and Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore her copy in half, Long was stationed in the center-right aisle of the chamber to get the president to sign his tie. The idea was to auction off the tie for charity, so Long was already in an auctioneering state of mind.
Five made-for-TV moments from the State of the Union
President Donald Trump’s address on Tuesday night was brimming with carefully crafted moments that drove home specific policy points. From a deployed soldier being reunited with his family inside the gallery, to a 13-year-old student being awarded a federal scholarship, they seemed to be designed by the internet itself to tug on the emotional heartstrings of viewers at home. However, the audience watching on TV, or the internet, wasn’t the only one affected.
Soldier reunited with family during State of the Union
Sgt. 1st Class Townsend Williams kisses his wife, Amy Williams, after surprising his family during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call) President Donald Trump used part of Tuesday night’s State of the Union address to surprise Amy Williams, a Fort Bragg-based wife of a deployed Army sergeant, and her two young children. While the president highlighted her volunteer work, he invited Sgt.
Barr's call for law enforcement access to commercial encryption
Attorney General William Barr cited widespread access to “military grade encryption” as a key challenge in fighting human trafficking. “We have to do something about this” he said Friday morning. The cabinet official told attendees at the White House human trafficking summit that he recently met with his counterparts in the “Five Eyes” — a group of five countries the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, that share intelligence.
Wonky Watch: Dershowitz's ‘public interest’ defense
Alan Dershowitz, left, and Rep. Adam Schiff, right, respond to questions from senators Wednesday. (Screenshots/Senate Recording Studio) A line of questioning that senators kept circling back to in Thursday’s session of the Senate court of impeachment was an argument made by President Donald Trump's attorney Alan Dershowitz more than 24 hours earlier. The lawyer was answering a question from Sen.
Roberts blocks Rand Paul's attempt to name alleged whistleblower
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., talks on his phone Thursday, before the start of the Senate impeachment trial proceedings. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) Sen. Rand Paul submitted a question to Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Thursday afternoon that included the possible name of the intelligence community whistleblower. Roberts passed on reading the question to the chamber. Immediately after, Paul left the chamber and held a news conference reading the question in front of the TV cameras.
Senate's electronic-device ban bars Parnas from chamber
Lev Parnas, a Rudy Giuliani associate with ties to Ukraine, right, and his attorney Joseph Bondy, walk through a Senate office building Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call) Lev Parnas, the indicted associate of President Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani, visited Capitol Hill to push for a “fair trial” in the Senate.
‘Love of the game’: Congress honors Kobe
The House paused briefly Tuesday to honor NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday alongside his daughter and seven others. California Reps. Maxine Water and Harley Rouda were joined in the well of the House by 16 other members for the moment of silence, which lasted 33 seconds. Before the remembrance, Rouda read the names of all nine people who died in a crash he called “horrific.” Those who lost their lives “were all connected by the love of the game,” he said.
‘Love of the game’: Congress honors Kobe
The House paused briefly Tuesday to honor NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash Sunday alongside his daughter and seven others. California Reps. Maxine Waters and Harley Rouda were joined in the well of the House by 16 other members for the moment of silence, which lasted 33 seconds. Before the remembrance, Rouda read the names of all nine people who died in a crash he called “horrific.” Those who lost their lives “were all connected by the love of the game,” he said.
Hakeem Jeffries responds to protester disrupting Senate impeachment trial
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., at a press conference in April 2019. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo) A protester in the Senate gallery interrupted Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., shortly before the Senate Court of Impeachment’s dinner break at 6:30 p.m., by yelling comments at the senators seated a floor below. The comments were not audible in their in entirety, but the protester could be heard yelling “Jesus Christ” and “Schumer is the devil” before being removed.
Reporter’s Notebook: Precedent, the reason Senate rules feel ‘made up’
CQ Roll Call reporter Niels Lesniewski took a deep dive into the history of impeachment ahead of the Senate trial for President Donald Trump. He found some pertinent parallels in a 1936 impeachment case of a federal judge from Florida that involved the House adding articles of impeachment after a Senate trial began. Watch as he takes us through the weird rabbit hole he jumped down for this archived story. [Read the original story] Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone.
Watch: Chief Justice Roberts swears in senators, starts impeachment trial
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. officially began the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history Thursday. Shortly after arriving at the Capitol, Senate President Pro Tempore Charles E. Grassley swore in the justice on the Senate rostrum. Roberts then administered the oath to lawmakers.
Rep. Billy Long fractures shoulder chasing daughter’s poodle
Tex, a 6-month-old poodle belonging to Rep. Billy Long’s oldest daughter, Kaleen. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Billy Long’s office) Rep. Billy Long returned to Capitol Hill last week with a new accessory — a sling. While he was in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri, for the holidays, the congressman fractured his shoulder while “wrangling” the family puppy. The incident occurred on Dec. 20, while Long was dog-sitting his daughter’s 6-month-old poodle named Tex.
Watch President Trump's full statement on Iran
President Trump threatened new sanctions against Iran and called on several countries to leave the international agreement known as the JCPOA or “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action” Wednesday morning in a televised address from the White House. It comes less than 24 hours after Tehran struck U.S. military targets inside Iraq. The president said that those attacks caused “minimal damage” and no loss of life.
Hawley proposes Senate rule change forcing House to deliver impeachment articles
Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley unveiled text of a resolution seeking to change the Senate rules to make it in order to dismiss articles of impeachment starting 25 calendar days after their adoption in the House, even if the House does not appoint managers and send over the paperwork. A group of 10 Republican senators signed on as original co-sponsors of Hawley’s proposed rules change. Under the regular order, a two-thirds vote is required to break filibusters of proposals to change the Senate rules.
McConnell, Schumer respond to killing of Iranian Quds commander
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., joined senators from both parties Friday in addressing the recent killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. While the senior senators agreed they would not mourn Soleimani’s death, they differed on process.
‘The kids are watching’: Democrats’ impeachment message geared to future generations
Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III, D-Mass., explained his plan to vote to impeach President Donald Trump to his two children from the House floor Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo) It didn’t take long for a theme to emerge in the House floor debate on articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. The theme was simply summed up by Rep.
McConnell: ‘I’m not an impartial juror’ on impeachment
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Tuesday that he is “not at all impartial” on impeachment and that it is a “political process,” not a judicial process. The comments follow a call from Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., a member of the House Judiciary Committee, for the Kentucky senator to recuse himself from the likely impeachment trial. McConnell went on to predict that the outcome of a trial would fall along party lines. [Impeachment news roundup for Tuesday, Dec.
Watch live: Rules Committee takes up articles of impeachment
Members of the House Rules Committee are meeting to consider the rules governing the floor debate for H Res 755, “Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald J. Trump.” The committee is made up of nine Democrats and four Republicans.
Gaetz's 2008 DUI resurfaces during impeachment debate
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., cited a New Yorker profile of Hunter Biden during amendment debate Thursday during the House Judiciary Committee’s markup on articles of impeachment. The profile alleged crack cocaine use by Hunter Biden, which Gaetz read out loud to the panel. Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., was quick to respond, saying “The pot calling the kettle black is not something we should do.” The idiom was a nod to Gaetz’s 2008 arrest for driving under the influence.
Livestream: Articles of impeachment markup
The House Judiciary Committee meets to debate the language in articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Opening statements of the markup began Wednesday night. Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone.
Protester interrupts start of impeachment hearing
The House Judiciary Committee’s second day of public hearings in the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump got off to a rocky start Monday morning. A protester disrupted Chairman Jerrold Nadler’s opening statement shortly after the start of the hearing. As seen in a video recorded by CQ Roll Call’s Katherine Tully-McManus, the individual was removed from the room by two Capitol Police officers. Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone.
Livestream: House Judiciary hears impeachment inquiry evidence
Members of the House Judiciary Committee hear evidence from the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. Presenting are lawyers for the majority and minority sides of the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees. Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone.
Word play draws pushback at impeachment hearing
Stanford Law professor Pamela Karlan testifies during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call) A witness in the House Judiciary Committee’s first impeachment inquiry hearing apologized Wednesday afternoon for comments she made during the hearing about President Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump. Responding to a question from Rep.
Live stream: Judiciary Committee’s first impeachment inquiry hearing
The House Judiciary Committee holds its first hearing in the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. Law professors from Harvard, Stanford, the University of North Carolina and George Washington University take questions from members on the Constitution and history of impeachment. Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call on your iPhone.
‘America we’ve got a problem’: Isakson's farewell warning
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., shakes hands with Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., after what is likely his last speech on the Senate floor. (Screenshot via Senate Recording Studio) After 20 years in Congress, Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., spoke Tuesday on the Senate floor for what might be his last time. He delivered a warning to the country and a call for bipartisanship.
Senator talks about personal experience with CBD oil
Stephen Hahn, nominee to be commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, at his Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing Wednesday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) Federal regulation of CBD products briefly became the focus of a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday, as senators questioned Trump’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration. One lawmaker described his own experience with the unregulated market for the hemp-derived product.
Live: House Intelligence impeachment hearing with Fiona Hill and David Holmes
Dr. Fiona Hill, the former senior director for Europe and Russia on the National Security Council, and David Holmes, a Foreign Service officer who works for Ambassador William Taylor at the U.S Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, testify before the House Intelligence Committee Thursday. It's the fifth day of public hearings as part of the impeachment probe into President Donald Trump.
Georgia lawmakers share bipartisan embrace on House floor
Rep. Tom Graves, left, Sen. Johnny Isakson, middle, Rep. John Lewis, right, sit on the House floor during a tribute to the Georgia senator Tuesday. (Screenshot via House Recording Studio) While impeachment hearings consumed the Capitol on Tuesday, about 1,000 feet away there was a rare sight: A senator listening to speeches on the House floor. But Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., wasn't on the wrong side of the Capitol —the speeches were about him.
Live: House Intelligence impeachment hearing with Gordon Sondland
Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union, testifies before the House Intelligence Committee in its fourth day of public hearings as part of the impeachment probe into President Donald Trump. Roll Call’s coverage will continue in the afternoon with testimony from Laura Cooper, the deputy assistant secretary of Defense for Russian, Ukrainian and Eurasian affairs, and David Hale, the undersecretary of State for political affairs.
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