In the News
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEXSTAR) – Lawmakers in the US House and Senate are trying to protect consumers from scammers and price gouging in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
They say it's time to stop those playing on the public's fear for profit.
Thirty dollar toilet paper, seventy dollar hand sanitizer.
"We see amazing mark-ups of common items that many people need," Representative Ted Lieu, D-California, said.
Some online sellers have been price gouging trying to profit off Americans' coronavirus fears.
U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse joined a trio of fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives and Senate this week in calling for the swift passage of a bill aimed at banning price-gouging practices that have led sellers to jack up the prices on items such as masks and hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 outbreak.
In Malibu … US Congressman Ted Lieu is offering assistance to small businesses that have already submitted loan applications but have not yet heard back. Those businesses can fill out an online form and submit it to his office via email. A caseworker in his office will be assigned to investigate the application status of all forms received.
Three prominent South Bay Democrats will host a virtual town hall Thursday, April 16, to discuss programs and resources available to local residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
State Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica; Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Los Angeles; and Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, will headline the event.
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., fired back on Twitter Friday after a social media user accused him of being an "agent of China."
Lieu, who served in the Air Force and is currently in the reserve, had a sharp response after being accused of spreading Chinese propaganda. The Twitter user also called for Lieu to be charged with treason.
"I served on active duty in the United States military to defend your right to say stupid, racist s--t about me," he tweeted.
Democrats in both chambers of Congress are calling for an investigation into the Navy's firing of an aircraft carrier commander who had pleaded for help with a coronavirus outbreak on his ship.
At a time when most people are staying inside fearing the same thing – coronavirus – one group is fearing for their safety in the outside world because of something else: Racism.
One group in California documenting hate crimes and discrimination targeting Asian-Americans said it had received reports of 550 instances in the week after it launched the effort.
"I cannot stand idly by while the president uses his pulpit to exacerbate xenophobia in a time of crisis," wrote the California Democrat.
Hong Kong (CNN)As the coronavirus pandemic spreads around the world and many governments prove themselves less than prepared to cope, the blame game is heating up.