Your Daily Roundup for August 3rd

What do you think?

Good morning. As the COVID-19 pandemic takes a toll on life in America, our team at Future Majority is tracking the latest updates:

Lawmakers still have not reached a deal on additional aid as millions struggle:

Roughly 30 million Americans are out of work, and while the government intervened to provide much-needed relief through the CARES Act, they have failed to reach a deal as vital programs expired, including additional unemployment benefits and a pause on evictions.

House Democrats passed the HEROES Act, a comprehensive relief package, in the middle of May. But Republicans have drawn lines in the sand and are hoping for a pared down relief bill. Meanwhile, President Trump spent the weekend golfing, and failed to deliver on the comprehensive healthcare plan he promised to sign by August 2nd.

The U.S. and other countries are racing toward a vaccine:

In the United States, Operation Warp Speed is in full force, with scientists racing to find a vaccine in the next few months. While early results have been promising, the World Health Organization is warning countries around the world that “there’s no silver bullet at the moment and there might never be.”

Moreover, scientists in the U.S. are expressing concern that a vaccine might be rushed to be disseminated in October to deliver the president a “October surprise” that could help boost his reelection chances.

Two Sun Belt states are in close contention:

New polling from CBS/YouGov shows that two states President Trump won in 2016 are being narrowly contested this time around.

In North Carolina, former Vice President Joe Biden leads Trump by 4 points:

  • Biden: 48%
  • Trump: 44%

The race in Georgia is even closer, with Biden leading by a point and within the margin of error:

  • Biden: 46%
  • Trump: 45%