News: POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: MOULTON’S SECRET MISSION to AFGHANISTAN — WHY CHURCHES get MASK EXEMPTIONS

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: MOULTON’S SECRET MISSION to AFGHANISTAN — WHY CHURCHES get MASK EXEMPTIONS — SNIFFING out COVID

Aug 25, 2021

MOULTON'S SECRET MISSION — Rep. Seth Moulton has been one of the most outspoken Democratic critics of the Biden administration's troop withdrawal and evacuation efforts from Afghanistan. Then he boarded a flight to Kabul.

This week's "secret" trip by Moulton and first-term Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.), in the middle of a dangerous and at-times-chaotic airlift, prompted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to warn members to "not travel to Afghanistan" so as not to "unnecessarily divert needed resources" and reportedly sent the Biden administration into a tizzy.

"It's as moronic as it is selfish," a senior administration official told the Washington Post . "They're taking seats away from Americans and at-risk Afghans — while putting our diplomats and service members at greater risk — so they can have a moment in front of the cameras."

Moulton and Meijer dismissed notions of grandstanding. The two military veterans said in a joint statement last night that they worked to "minimize the risk and disruption to the people on the ground" during their visit and sat in crew-only seats on charter aircraft to ensure "nobody who needed a seat would lose one."

Moulton spokesperson Tim Biba told me the congressman's office has a list of almost 2,000 people, including Americans and Afghan interpreters, who are trying to escape the country and said Moulton's "been personally working around the clock" to help get people out.

"Washington should be ashamed of the position we put our service members in, but they represent the best in America," Moulton and Meijer said, adding that while they went to Kabul intending to push Biden to extend the Aug. 31 deadline for the airlift, "it is obvious that because we started the evacuation so late, that no matter what we do, we won't get everyone out on time, even by September 11."

Moulton had been pushing to accelerate special immigrant visa processing, and even released his own evacuation plan in the run-up to U.S. troops' formal withdrawal date from Afghanistan. He's since been sharply critical of the president's handling of the situation, calling Kabul's fall and the ensuing chaos a "disaster" that was "avoidable."

His opprobrium earned him plaudits earlier this week from Boston Globe columnist Joan Vennochi . His international excursion could earn him the opposite from his own party. Already last night Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., who serves on the House Armed Services committee with Moulton, tweeted: "Whether it is Haiti or Afghanistan, taking up space in a disaster zone for your own ego helps no one."

Moulton's used to taking heat from members of his own party. He's long been a thorn in the Democratic establishment's side, and he shows no signs of backing down now.

Other members of the all-Democratic Massachusetts delegation are hewing closer to the party line. As news of Moulton's international excursion swirled, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, an Afghanistan veteran, was on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" keeping up his newfound role as one of Biden's staunchest defenders amid the Kabul crisis.

"This is the military at its finest right now. They are evacuating 1,000 people every hour, more than 60,000 to date," Auchincloss said. "We should be able to get all Americans out by Aug. 31. But make no mistake, this president has been clear: every American who wants to leave Afghanistan will leave Afghanistan, and the Taliban do not have a say in that." Read more from the Associated Press, which first reported the news, and the Wall Street Journal, which spoke to Moulton on the ground.

GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Days after columnist Marcela García asked why there wasn't an "education candidate" in this year's mayoral race, City Councilor Annissa Essaibi George is out with a new television ad highlighting her 13 years as a Boston Public Schools teacher.

Essaibi George pledges to "close the opportunity gap," "repair school buildings" and "invest in child literacy" in the 15-second spot titled "Teacher, Mom, Mayor." The ad is Essaibi George's second, dropping a day after POLITICO first reported an internal campaign poll showed her tied for second with Acting Mayor Kim Janey, but trailing City Councilor Michelle Wu by 12 points. The campaign's initial $50,000 buy covers broadcast, cable, streaming services and digital platforms.

Essaibi George isn't the only candidate focused on education today. City Councilor Andrea Campbell is holding a press conference this morning to push for clearer BPS reopening guidelines amid the pandemic's resurgence.

TODAY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito joins local officials for the Fall River City Pier groundbreaking at 9 a.m. Rep. Jim McGovern kicks off his 11th annual district-wide farm tour at 9 a.m. at Upinngil Farm in Gill. Campbell talks BPS reopening outside the Bolling Building in Roxbury at 10 a.m. Janey hosts a Neighborhood Coffee Hour at Gertrude Howes Playground in Roxbury at 10:30 a.m. and attends a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Major Michael J. O'Connor Way Senior Housing Development in South Boston at noon. Sen. Ed Markey talks fishing industry funding at the Chatham Fish Pier at 11 a.m. and potential funding for bridge repairs at the Sagamore Recreation Area at 1:30 p.m. Rep. Lori Trahan visits The Wish Project in Chelmsford at noon. Boston's mayoral candidates attend a Sexual and Reproductive Freedom and Justice in Boston virtual forum at 12:30 p.m. Wu and Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards talk pedestrian safety improvements at 3 p.m. at Eagle Square.

Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Get in touch: lkashinsky@politico.com.

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THE LATEST NUMBERS

– "Massachusetts coronavirus cases up 1,290 as state reports highest daily count of deaths in months," by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald: "Massachusetts health officials on Tuesday reported a jump of 1,290 coronavirus cases. … State health officials reported 16 new COVID deaths, bringing the state's total recorded death toll to 18,195. The 16 deaths is the most since 19 were reported on May 17."

– "Mass. reports 131 total breakthrough COVID-19 deaths as of Aug. 21, or 0.003 percent of all fully vaccinated people," by Amanda Kaufman, Boston Globe: "The number marks an increase of seven deaths from last week, when the state reported that 124 fully vaccinated people had died as a result of the virus as of Aug. 14."

DATELINE BEACON HILL

– "Senate Requiring Vaccinations for All Senators and Staff," by Katie Lannan, State House News Service: "State senators and Senate employees will need to show proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15, a new requirement Senate President Karen Spilka laid out Tuesday."

VAX-ACHUSETTS

– "Education board clears the way for a statewide mask mandate in Massachusetts schools," by Felicia Gans and Emma Platoff, Boston Globe: "State education board members cleared the way Tuesday for a universal indoor mask mandate in Massachusetts schools, marking a stark pivot for Governor Charlie Baker's administration, which for weeks put the onus of in-school mask policies on local leaders. The vote came just days after Baker and Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley unveiled a proposed mask mandate that would require all students and staff members to mask up inside until at least early October."

– "Protesters rail against masks," by Taylor Ann Bradford, Gloucester Times: "Even though the state announced that masks will be mandated in all public schools this fall because of COVID-19, a group of Cape Ann parents and students aren't done fighting for their rights to choose."

– "Churches have been 'ground zero' for COVID-19 outbreaks. Why do they get an exemption from Boston's new mask mandate?" Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston.com: "When Boston's new indoor mask mandate takes effect Friday, both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals will again be required to wear face coverings in everywhere from restaurants to stores to gyms to private events to museums. However, unlike previous statewide mask mandates in Massachusetts, the new order in Boston includes a curious carveout: Churches."

– "Battling over religion and vaccines," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "Under [Gov. Charlie] Baker's mandate, he ordered all state employees be fully vaccinated by October 17 or face dismissal or disciplinary action. He said exceptions would be made for those with medical disabilities or those with sincere religious beliefs that would prevent them from getting vaccinated. Now opponents of the religious exemption are trying to capitalize on the current vaccine moment. They are mobilizing behind legislation that would do away with the religious vaccine exemption available to parents entering their children in kindergarten."

– "Bristol County Sheriff's Office adds country's first law enforcement COVID-detecting K9s," by Kerri Tallman, Standard-Times: "At just 10 months old, Duke and Huntah, the new four-legged employees at the Bristol County Sheriff's Office have hit the ground running — and sniffing — to detect COVID-19 in schools, offices and other shared common spaces. The Labrador Retrievers are the first law enforcement K9s in the country trained to sniff COVID-19. Based on a program created by scientists at the Florida international University's forensic department, COVID K9s have been trained to detect the chemical odor emitted by those who have the virus."

– "Local maritime ministries provide vaccines to foreign seafarers in port," by Katie Johnston, Boston Globe: "When a cargo ship pulls into the Port of Boston, crew members are often in need of toiletries or electronics, or maybe someone to talk to after a long stretch at sea. These days, however, many of the foreign workers onboard also need something even more urgent: a COVID-19 vaccine."

– "What should you do if you lose your COVID-19 vaccination card?" Emily Sweeney, Boston Globe: "If you lose your COVID-19 vaccination card, the CDC recommends that you contact your vaccination provider directly."

FROM THE HUB

– "As Chinatown changes, community leaders push to preserve its historic legacy as a bastion for immigrants," by Deanna Pan, Boston Globe: "In a city defined by its rich history, the story of Boston's Chinatown is less known. While other small and midsized Chinatowns have vanished — including those in Providence, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Detroit — Boston's has persevered. The neighborhood's survival is a testament to the tenacity of its inhabitants, locked in constant battle with forces of gentrification and displacement."

THE RACE FOR CITY HALL

– "Pro-Wu super PAC stirs, takes to TV with ad," by Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter: "A super PAC supporting Michelle Wu sprang to life this week, with a television ad that mentions her work for the late Mayor Thomas Menino and Sen. Elizabeth Warren's endorsement of her mayoral campaign."

– "MIT's 'Real Talk' campaign gives likely voters a voice in Boston's race for mayor," by Meghan E. Irons, Boston Globe: "...on Monday, a half-dozen residents came together as a part of a new civic engagement campaign, aimed at refocusing the narrative and giving voice to regular people, especially those who feel ignored. The effort, called 'Real Talk for Change,' was launched this summer by MIT researchers, who have enlisted community facilitators to convene roughly 600 residents from different parts of the city to share their stories — and dreams — about the future of Boston."

– "With Three Weeks Remaining, Boston Preps For Election Season," by Saraya Wintersmith, GBH News: "The city's Board of Election Commissioners Tuesday approved 20 drop box sites and 19 early voting sites for this year's September 14 preliminary and November 2 general elections."

– "Three weeks out from the preliminary, Boston's mayoral hopefuls sprint down the home stretch," by Danny McDonald, Boston Globe.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

– "#111 bus now getting attention from the MBTA," by Bruce Mohl, CommonWealth Magazine: "The MBTA'S 111 bus is one of the transit authority's busiest routes. It runs from Everett through Revere and into Chelsea, where it picks up most of its passengers. It continues over the Tobin Bridge into Charlestown before heading to the T's Haymarket Station via the North Washington Street Bridge. For years, passengers have complained about overcrowding and the bus's snail-like pace. … Bridge construction remains an ongoing issue, but the T has built bus-only lanes on three key sections of the 111 route, which allow the bus to move unencumbered through traffic."

DAY IN COURT

– "Lawyers for Bennett Walsh ask for dismissal of charges in Holyoke Soldiers Home COVID-19 deaths," by Patrick Johnson, Springfield Republican: "Attorneys for Bennett Walsh, former superintendent of the Holyoke Soldiers Home, and Dr. David Clinton, the facility's former medical director, argued that the charges against them in connection with resident deaths during a COVID-19 outbreak should be dropped because neither man was directly responsible for day-to-day, hands-on treatment of patients. … Judge Edward J. McDonough will take the matter under advisement. Parties are due back in court for a status hearing on Oct. 28."

– Related: "Sadness and death: Inside the VA's state nursing-home disaster," by Joanne Kenen, Allan James Vestal and Darius Tahir, POLITICO.

WARREN REPORT

– "Warren pushes infrastructure bill during Newburyport visit," by Jim Sullivan, Newburyport Daily News: "Infrastructure, child care and the filibuster were on the mind of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren when she came to the city Tuesday evening. … The senator quickly spoke of U.S. plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by Aug. 31. 'President (Joe) Biden is right to bring American troops home, period,' Warren said. 'The American military is the finest on earth. They do everything that we ask of them to do and more. But the problem of Afghanistan cannot be solved by the military.'"

DATELINE D.C.

– "Delta Upends U.S. Labor Chief's Plans for Swift Jobs Comeback," by Katia Dmitrieva, Josh Eidelson and Benjamin Penn, Bloomberg: "U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh had high hopes for September: Receding Covid-19 risk, easing restrictions and steadily improving jobs numbers. But the delta variant's aggressive path has shaken his expectations for a rapidly recovering labor market."

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

– "Group to file lawsuit Wednesday against wind farm planned for waters off Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket," by Marie Szaniszlo, Boston Herald: "Nantucket Residents Against Turbines is attempting to first stop Vineyard Wind, which plans to build at least 62 wind turbines 15 miles off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. … The group said it's concerned with the impacts the increased construction vessel traffic, pile driving and operational noise will have on the whales."

FROM THE 413

– "Springfield city councilors criticize delay in COVID merit pay to unionized city employees," by Peter Goonan, Springfield Republican: "Three city councilors urged Mayor Domenic J. Sarno this week to speed up COVID-19 merit pay for unionized city employees, for their duties under the pandemic, saying it is unfair they are on a slower track for the funds than non-union supervisors and workers."

THE LOCAL ANGLE

– "CVS Lost More Controlled Substance Doses Last Year Than All Other Mass. Pharmacies Combined," by Colman M. Herman, GBH News: "Nearly 7,000 doses of controlled substances went missing last year from CVS stores in Massachusetts — almost 70% of all drug doses lost by Massachusetts pharmacies last year, according to records obtained from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy."

– "St. Vincent Hospital adding to its roster of replacement nurses at 'a rapid pace'," by Cyrus Moulton, Worcester Telegram & Gazette: "St. Vincent Hospital is standing by its decision to allow permanent replacement nurses to keep their jobs and has resumed hiring such positions after a week-long hiatus, as return-to-work provisions continue to prolong the nurses' strike."

– "Can Joint Base Cape Cod's proposed machine-gun range contaminate the water? EPA to review," by Asad Jung, Cape Cod Times: "Members of the state's Congressional delegation and area residents praised Tuesday's announcement that the federal Environmental Protection Agency will review the proposed machine gun range at Joint Base Cape Cod and the potential risks it may pose to public drinking water."

– "Newton Joins (Slowly) Growing Group Of Mass. Governments Bringing On Diversity Experts," by Mark Herz, GBH News: "[Hattie Kerwin Derrick] said city officials want to increase diversity in the city's workforce, and to expand the number of city contracts that go to businesses run by people of color. The city also wants to review how people with disabilities and older residents are served. Newton's move is part of an increasing interest in DEI from communities in Massachusetts, who are hoping to address thorny issues of discrimination and inequity."

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD BE READING

– "Afghan ally who aided US 'scared' for life, family as Taliban takes over," by Erin Tiernan, Boston Herald: "'We are hopeless right now. We don't have any plan for the future right now,' said Jan, who the Herald has agreed to identify only by his first name due to security concerns. Jan, an Afghan National Army official who aided the U.S. with English translations, laid out his family's struggle during a 25-minute call with reporters on Tuesday that was set up by 9th Congressional candidate Jesse Brown."

– More from State House News Service's Matt Murphy: "Jan said he was 'surprised' by how quickly the Taliban seized control of the country, blaming corruption in the Afghan government for the quick collapse. He described his own base being overrun by the Taliban while he and his fellow soldiers were under orders not to fight back."

TRANSITIONS – Lauren Miller is now communications director at the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics. She previously was senior adviser to Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Harvard IOP's new resident fellows are: Ashley Allison, CNN political commentator and Biden-Harris 2020 alum; former Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon; Holly Kuzmich, George W. Bush Institute executive director; Arnon Mishkin, Fox News Decision Desk director; Trymaine Lee, MSNBC Correspondent and "Into America" podcast host; and former Texas GOP Rep. William "Mac" Thornberry.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to Maria Nation and Chandra Allard.

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