Butterflying the Bat (Timeline)

Butterflying the Bat is a timeline on alternate-timelines.com, centering on had the SARS-CoV-2 virus not began circulating in Wuhan, People's Republic of China. SARS-CoV-2 in our timeline caused the disease that became known as COVID-19, and massively changed the history of the United States. It is written by American2006 and started in May 2021

Timeline Canon
January 2020

As 2020 began for America and Americans in the United States, two stories where in the headlines: Iran and a great deal of drama around the state as well as the Middle East in general (in other words, Tuesday) and the impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump in the United States Senate. However, this is not to say other things did not occur.

Some foreign media and certain domestic media covered a certain curiosity in China. While Chinese Officials met with President Trump in the White House, at home they had issues of there own, in the city of Wuhan. A SARS-like illness had begun spreading in the area, with signs that it had human-to-human transmission. Chinese officials managed to get on top of the issue fairly quickly by closing down the city with a militant force, which sparked strong condemnation from across the world and served as a narrative for political leaders across the nation. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson used the Wuhan Crackdown as a reason why the U.K. should leave the European Union. In the United States, Trump quickly made political ads suggesting that, if in power, Democrats would try to do the same. Likewise, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and his progressive allies suggested that this is what moderates such as Joe Biden or Conservatives such as the Republicans would do if given the chance. However, the issue came and went in the headlines.

In the meantime, the U.S. Senate did not convict Donald Trump, it was never likely too. However, history was made as Utah Senator (and 2012 GOP Presidential Nominee) Mitt Romney became the first Senator to vote to impeach a President of his own party. However, this resulted in a 52 not guilty, 48 guilty vote, far below the requisite 67 votes needed.

February 2020

February 2020 became the main primary season for the Democrats. In the Iowa Caucuses, former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg carried the state in a surprise win over runner-up former Vice President Joe Biden. Buttigieg won just under 30% of the vote, followed by Biden who managed a mere 12%. Sanders, Warren, and Klobuchar all managed to get roughly 8% of the vote, while Yang, Steyer, Gabbard, Bennet, and Patrick failed to win more then 1% of the vote. Much controversy surrounded the way the Caucus was done, and many questioned whether Iowa, which no longer seemed a swing state, should have the honor of holding the first primary. Delegates where assigned overwhelmingly to Buttigieg, Biden, and Sanders.

The next leg in the primary race rested in New Hampshire. Buttigieg, Biden, Sanders, Warren, Klobuchar, Yang, Steyer, Gabbard, Bennet, and Patrick all remained in the race, although it was widely expected many would drop out after the primary. Buttigieg managed to build on his win in Iowa to get a second consecutive win the New Hampshire, securing his frontrunner status. Buttigieg managed to get 30% of the vote again, while Sanders managed to get 25%. Klobuchar managed to get a surprisingly high 20%, followed by lower performances from Warren and Biden, and dismale performances from the rest. Deval Patrick and Michael Bennet each received few votes then the total of the write-in candidates and dropped out soon after. It was widely reported that Yang, Steyer, Gabbard, and even Biden considered dropping out after the New Hampshire primary.

Nevada was the next leg of the race. Sanders was widely expected to carry the state after polling showed that minority candidates flocked around him generally (with a notable asterisk besides the African-American demographic, which leaned toward Biden ever so narrowly.), however, Buttigieg hit the state hard campaigning, and went viral after holding a rally entirely in Spanish, a language he was partially fluent in. Buttigeig shocked the world when he carried Nevada with 27% of the vote, narrowly edging out Sanders by a few dozen votes. Klobuchar was not far behind. Biden's candidacy was deemed to be on life support in Nevada, where he received only 12% of the vote. Warren's candidacy received 10% of the vote. Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer dropped out after it seemed there candidacy was dead. Biden reportedly told aides that if he could not get a win in South Carolina, he would drop out of the race.

South Carolina would be the most contentious and would depend purely on the Black vote. That was why one key endorsement- that of House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, the highest African-American in Congress, was so key. Clyburn announced that he would announce his endorsement at a rally in Columbia on February 21st, 2020. However, he would never make it. Clyburn died in a car wreck caused by a combination of bad weather and a drunk driver. His funeral was held on February 28th. All candidates on the ballot in South Carolina attended, as well as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, South Carolina's entire congressional delegation and many others, President Trump, Vice President Pence, and former Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama (former President Carter could not attend due to a medical emergency). The South Carolina primary occurred in a grim environment and much quieter then in the Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada caucus/primaries. Sanders and Biden effectively split the state's Black vote 30-30, with Buttigieg winning 20% of the Black vote and larger sections of the white vote, giving him a win in the primary. Klobuchar and Warren preformed poorly and dropped out after the primary.

March 2020

The diverse and broad field of candidates in the 2020 Democratic Primaries had narrowed down to three White men- granted one of them, Buttigieg, was gay. As March 2020 began, the most feared date in primary season came... Super Tuesday. 14 states, including the largest two, California and Texas, where up for grabs. Buttigieg, Biden, and Sanders campaigned hard and heavy to win as many states and delegates as possible.

When the dreaded date of Super Tuesday came, Buttigieg's long shot candidacy that had now won four key contests was projected to the nominee-presumptive. Biden won the states of North Carolina and Virginia while Sanders won California, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine. Buttigieg masterfully won the other 8 states up. He also won American Samoa and the Democrats Abroad Primary. Buttigieg had secured the endorsements of key figures, including former Presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar, Beto O'Rourke, and Julian Castro. Biden's dismal performance finally encouraged the former Vice President, once considered the frontrunner, to drop out. Sander's campaign was seriously threatened as well. Buttigieg went from a political unknown to very likely the nominee of the Democrats. Buttigieg's campaign dealt the knockout blow to Biden in the March 10th primaries, where Buttigieg won all 6 contests. Sanders dropped out of the race, effectively making Buttigieg the nominee presumptive. Buttigeig would win every remaining primary of the campaign season.

www.yapms.com/app/?m=a0c7

April 2020

With the focus now off of the 2020 Democratic primaries, the nation began to look at other major issues at home and abroad. Trump announced America was going to pull all troops out of Afghanistan by July 4th, 2020. At home, an unarmed Black man by the name of J.J. Smith was killed in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Mayor Michael Duggan announced that the City of Detroit would slash there police budget by 20%. In addition, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan announced that the state was cutting the police funding provided by the state by 20%. While it was heralded positively by progressives, backlash began to come as murder rates and crimes rates shot up in Detroit. Detroit Police Chief James Craig fought these budgets cuts as best he could, however his efforts where futile. When two Black Lives Matter protestors shot and killed two Detroit Police deputies, Craig and 1,600 Detroit police officers resigned. This left only 600 officers to police at city of 674,841 people, with an officer-to-resident ratio of one Officer to every 1,125 people. Detroit deteriorated quickly, with President Trump issuing a state of emergency and dispatching the National Guard to regain control. The Michigan House of Representatives began the rare process of impeaching Governor Whitmer for Corrupt Conduct in Office. In a 60-50 vote, all Republicans and two Democrats voted to convict while 50 Democrats voted to keep Whitmer in office. The charges advanced to the Michigan State Senate. With 22 Republicans and 16 Democrats in the State Senate, and a needed 26 votes to convict, it seemed unlikely that Governor Whitmer would be removed from office. On the day of the vote, 3 Democrats in the State Senate voted to convict, an one Democrat abstained. With the abstention removed, Governor Gretchen Whitmer was impeached and removed from office, shocking the world.

Polling at the end of April 2020

www.yapms.com/app/?m=a0dc

May 2020

With various primaries over and a proper mourning period, Democrats began to focus on who would replace the late Representative and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn. The instant frontrunner for the position was Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York's 8th Congressional District. However, other house Democrats wanted a more moderate candidate to represent them, fearing that having Progressives in leadership would hurt them in the next elections. The co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition Stephanie Murphy of Florida's 7th Congressional district ran for the position. The House Democrats in a 2-1 vote choose Jeffries, leaving Murph and the Blue Dogs in the cold. Some suggested leaving the party all together, and one representative, Jared Golden of Maine's Second Congressional District, went as far as to switch his party affiliation to independent. Additionally, seeing a progressive come to power in leadership led to the only Libertarian in Congress, Representative Justin Amash of Michigan's 3rd Congressional District, announcing his run for re-election.

June 2020

As the Presidential race began to heat up, polling showed that Trump led over Buttigieg by a margin of 54-46. Many Democrats feared that Trump could continue his 2020 streak of breaking the so-called Blue Wall, especially as New Jersey began to get significantly closer in polling then Democrats where comfortable with, with Buttigieg having a 9 point lead over Trump in the state carried by Clinton had won by just over 14 points. Buttigieg's running mate seemed to be of the upmost importance. Additionally, Buttigieg's support in the South seemed to be slipping, with Arizona polling at 6 points in Trumps favor, Nevada polling at 4 in Trumps favor, Colorado polling at 1 point in Trumps favor, and Texas polling at 11. Buttigieg announced that he would pick New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham as his running mate, the third time a women, first time a women of color, first time a Hispanic, and first time a Latina where picked for the ticket. With that, New Mexico and the Southwest began to move slightly in Buttigieg's favor.

Presidential Polling: www.yapms.com/app/?m=a17t

Senate Polling: www.yapms.com/app/?m=a17w

Gubernatorial Polling: www.yapms.com/app/?m=a17x

July 2020

The DNC and RNC conventions in 2020 occurred in July 2020. Democrats had there's first keeping with tradition, with the the keyline speaker being Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin. The next week Republican held there convention, and Michigan Senatorial Candidate John James was the headliner. The campaign began to focus on healthcare, crime, and ballot access. Additionally, Trump pushed an immigration agenda, pointing to his current success at the border. Buttigieg pushed an LGBTQIA+ Rights and equality agenda, with himself being gay and the DNC's headliner, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin was lesbian.

August 2020

As the campaign entered the fall, the world looked at the Middle East. Trump's agenda on foreign policy when the United Arab Emirates and Dubai agreed to recognize the State of Israel and agreed to normalize relations. Soon, nations began lining up for peace deals with Israel. Sudan and Morocco followed only two weeks later, after the United States agreed to remove Sudan from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. At the end of the month, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia agreed to normalize relations with Israel while Algeria and Indonesia said they would be open to it.

September 2020

Algeria and Indonesia normalized relations with Israel, but Trump began to spread concerns that election fraud would allow Democrats to stop Republicans from overcoming the filibuster. Republicans seemed likely to get at least 56 seats in the Senate, 4 short of the 60 needed to overcome the filibuster. Republicans path to the Senate included winning swing states in Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New Mexico- something the Republicans could easily do- but the 60th seat would likely be Illinois, were the incumbent was the Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin. Millions where poured into the key Senate race, but polling showed Durbin with a narrow advantage over U.S. Representative Darin LaHood.

October 2020

As the election season entered its final months, Republicans where heavily favored as Buttigieg began to make a final push to win the Presidency. Billions of dollars where poured into Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Illinois, New Jersey, and Arizona. Trump saw an opportunity and made a push to get the 400 Electoral Votes traditionally called a landslide.

Election Night 2020

As November 3rd, 2020 rolls along, composite polls show the polling about the election:

Donald J. Trump (R-NY, Incumbent President)/Michael R. Pence (R-IN, Incumbent Vice President): 56%

Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg (D-IN, Former Mayor of South Bend, IN)/Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM, Incumbent Governor of New Mexico): 39%

Jo Jorgensen (L-SC, Lecturer at Clemson University)/Jeremy "Spike" Cohen (L-MD, Activist, Entrepreneur, and Podcaster): 2%

Howard Gresham Hawkins (G-NY, Trade Unionist and Environmentalist)/Ajamu Sibeko Baraka (G-IL, Activist): 1%

Others: 1%

Undecided: 1%

6:00 EST: Polls close in parts of Indiana and Kentucky. Neither is called as portions of each state still have polls open. Trump is up in both states.

7:00 EST: Polls close in the remainder of Indiana and Kentucky as well as Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and most of Florida. Indiana, South Carolina and Kentucky are called for Trump and Vermont is called for Buttigieg. Trump is up in Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. Republicans also win Senate elections in Kentucky and South Carolina as well as Gubernatorial elections in Vermont and Indiana.

7:30 EST: Polls close in Ohio, North Carolina, and West Virginia. West Virginia's Presidential, Senate, and Gubernatorial races are all called for Republicans. Trump is up in Ohio and Buttigieg is up in North Carolina.

7:43 EST: Ohio reaches the point of Trump being up by 17 points with 53% of the vote in. Remaining votes are primarily in the area of Columbus and Cleveland.

7:51 EST: The A.P. calls Ohio for Trump, Decision Desk HQ does not yet make the call.

7:53 EST: Decision Desk HQ calls Ohio for Trump

8:00 EST: Polls close in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington D.C., the remainder of Florida, and parts of Kansas, Michigan, North and South Dakota, and Texas. Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee are called for Trump while Buttigieg carries the states of Massachusetts and Washington D.C. Buttigieg leads in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine's first Congressional District, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Trump is up in Florida, Kansas, Maine statewide and the Second Congressional District, Michigan, North and South Dakota, and Texas. Senate elections are called for Republicans in Alabama, Maine, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee while Democrats win Senate elections in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Republicans win the Gubernatorial Election in New Hampshire.

8:08 EST: Maine's Second Congressional District is called for Trump.

8:11 EST: Trump takes the lead in North Carolina.

8:17 EST: Florida is called for Trump.

8:20 EST: Trump takes the lead in New Jersey.

8:23 EST: Trump takes the lead in Pennsylvania

8:27 EST: Delaware is called for Democrats on the Senatorial, and Gubernatorial levels. New Jersey is called for Democrats on the Senatorial level but not the Presidential level. Incumbent Senator Cory Booker is outdoing Buttigieg in the state by 11 points.

8:30 EST: Polls close in Arkansas. The state is immediately called for Republicans on the Presidential and Senatorial levels.

8:37 EST: Georgia's Special Senate election is called to go to a runoff between Democrat Raphael Warnock and incumbent appointed Senator Kelly Loeffler. The runoff will occur on January 5th, 2021.

8:44 EST: Georgia's Senate election is called for incumbent David Purdue. Trump also carries the state.

8:51 EST: Rhode Island is called for Buttigieg on the Presidential level.

8:56 EST: Maryland is called for Buttigieg on the Presidential level.

8:58 EST: Trump takes the lead in New Hamsphire's Presidential race, but Republicans still trail the Democrats in the Senate race. The Gubernatorial race was previously called for Republicans.

9:00 EST: Polls close in Arizona, Colorado, the rest of Kansas, Louisiana, the rest of Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, the rest of the Dakotas and Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Trump carries Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, pushing him past 200 Electoral Votes. Buttigieg carries New York. Republicans win Senate races in South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, and Louisiana as well as a Gubernatorial race in North Dakota.

9:04 EST: Michigan's Senate race is called for John James.

9:05 EST: Republicans take the lead in New Hampshire's Senate race.

9:11 EST: New Hampshire is called for Donald Trump

9:19 EST: Michigan is called for Donald Trump

9:31 EST: Trump leads in the popular vote by 11%. Many attribute this to three West Coast states that likely would go to Buttigieg still had polls open.

9:42 EST: New Hampshire's Senate race is called for Republicans.

9:51 EST: North Carolina's Senate race is called for Republicans. Incumbent Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell makes a victory speech in Kentucky. Nothing out of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

9:56 EST: North Carolina is called for Donald Trump.

10:00 EST: Polls close in Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Idaho and Oregon. Montana and Utah are called for Trump and Utah's Gubernatorial race is called for Republicans. The head of the Republican Governor's Association and Texas Governor Greg Abbott celebrate maintaining a majority of Governorships. The head of the Democratic Governor's Association and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy calls Abbott and concedes.

10:04 EST: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer calls Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

10:11 EST: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer publicly concedes.

10:13 EST: Trump takes the lead in Nevada's Presidential race.

10:15 EST: News networks project that Republicans will gain the U.S. House of Representatives.

10:19 EST: Montana's Gubernatorial race is called for Republicans.

10:23 EST: North Carolina's Gubernatorial race is called for Republicans.

10:27 EST: Arizona is called for Trump on the Presidential level, but the Senatorial race remains uncalled. Buttigieg calls Trump and concedes.

10:38 EST: Trump gives his victory speech from the White House.

10:45 EST: Buttigieg gives his concession speech from his campaign headquarters in Indiana.

10:51 EST: Iowa is called for Trump on the Presidential level and Joni Ernst wins on the Senatorial level. Trump officially surpassed 270 Electoral Votes. Republicans also official secure 50 Senate seats, giving them a majority.

11:00 EST: Polls close in California and Washington and the remainder of Oregon and Idaho. Idaho is called for Trump while California, Washington, and Oregon are called for Buttigieg. Washington's Gubernatorial Election is called for Democrats, finishing off the 2020 Gubernatorial elections. Oregon's Senate race is called for Democrats and Idaho's Senate race is called for Republicans.

11:07 EST: Montana's Senate election is called for Republicans.

11:11 EST: Arizona's Senate election is called for Republicans.

11:17 EST: Wisconsin is called for Trump.

11:24 EST: Trump takes the lead in Illinois.

11:28 EST: Trump takes the lead in Delaware and Connecticut.

11:36 EST: Maine is called for Trump, joining it's Second Congressional District. Buttigieg leads in Maine's First Congressional District.

11:39 EST: Colorado's Senate race is called for Republicans.

11:47 EST: Colorado is called for Trump. This is the first state called for Trump that Trump did not win in 2016.

11:52 EST: Minnesota's Senate and Presidential race are called for Republicans. Trump surpassed 300 Electoral Votes and his total electoral votes from 2016.

12:00 EST (Midnight): Polls close in Hawaii and parts of Alaska. Hawaii is called for Buttigieg while Republicans lead in Presidential and Senatorial races in Alaska.

12:06 EST: Pennsylvania is called for Trump.

12:17 EST: Nevada is called for Trump.

12:24 EST: Virginia is called for Trump, it remains uncalled on the Senate level.

12:28 EST: Maine's First Congressional District sees Trump take the lead. It remains uncalled.

12:31 EST: New Jersey is called for Trump. New Jersey is the first state to split-ticket vote on the Presidential and Senatorial level.

12:38 EST: Illinois is called for Trump on the Presidential level.

12:41 EST: Virginia's Senate election is called for Republicans.

12:52 EST: Two calls from New Mexico, Republicans win on the Presidential and Senatorial level. This was taken as a shock as Buttigieg's running mate was New Mexico's incumbent Governor.

1:00 EST: Alaska's final polls close. It is called for Republicans on the Presidential and Senatorial level by Decision Desk HQ, but not the A.P.

1:06 EST: Connecticut is called for Trump. Delaware and Maine's 1st Congressional District remain uncalled on the Presidential level, while Illinois's Senate election is the only uncalled Senate race (excluding the runoff in Georgia).

1:11 EST: Delaware is called for Trump. Many commentators say that Delaware, as well as New Jersey and Connecticut, would not of gone blue had Biden or Sanders been the nominee. Trump sits at 399 Electoral votes, meaning that should he win Maine's 1st Congressional District he would win in a landslide.

1:17 EST: The A.P. calls both Alaska races for Republicans.

1:35 EST: Illinois's Senate election is called for Republicans in the biggest upset of the cycle. Republicans secure 60 Senate seats on the dot, allowing them to overcome the filibuster.

2:21 EST: Maine's First Congressional District is called for Trump. It puts the final score at Trump 400, Buttigieg 138. It is placed at a Republican landslide, with Republicans gaining a filibuster-proof Senate Majority and a sizable House Majority, plus Governorships in Montana and North Carolina.

Summary Coming Soon Results:

Presidential: www.yapms.com/app/?m=a1d1

Senatorial: www.yapms.com/app/?m=a1d2

Gubernatorial: www.yapms.com/app/?m=a1d3

House of Representatives: www.yapms.com/app/?m=a1d4

Popular Vote

Trump: 57%

Buttigieg: 39%

Jorgensen: 2%

Hawkins: 1%

Other: 1%

Summary of the 2020 Elections

President Trump won re-election by a wide margin. Additionally, Republicans gained the House of Representatives and gained a filibuster-proof majority. Many attributed this victory to the popular Trump enjoyed since after his impeachment. It also saw the death of the idea that moderates win elections. Many said that Warren or Sanders or Harris could of won the election. Additionally, many blamed the incumbency factor or the Abraham Accords. Trump was widely popular.

New Senators and Governors

Senators

Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)

Senator Darin LaHood (R-IL)

Senator John James (R-MI)

Senator Jason Lewis (R-MN)

Senator Cory Messner (R-NH)

Senator Mark Ronchetti (R-NM)

Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN)

Senator Daniel Gade (R-VA)

Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)

Governors

Governor Greg Gianforte (R-MT)

Governor Dan Forest (R-NC)

November 2020

Democrats where depressed after the result as eyes turned to 2021, 2022, and 2024. Buttigieg was off the table as a Presidential candidate, although some speculated a Senate run in 2022. Biden and Sanders announced they would not run for President in 2024 while Nancy Pelosi announced she would retire in 2022. Many Senate democrats called for Chuck Schumer to step down and have a more progressive Senator replace him, such as New York’s other senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Candidate recruitment for 2022 began intensively, with Tom Ryan being lobbied to run in Ohio and Val Demings in Florida in there respective Senate races. Katie Hobbs became a high profile recruitment for Arizona Senate and Gubernatorial races, while Stacey Abrams and Beto O’Rourke teased a political comeback.

However, in 2020 the GOP took the victory in stride. They planned a slew of legislation in what Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Speaker-elect McCarthy called “The Plan to Make America Great Again” and would address issues ranging from gun control to abortion to social media.

Also of high note, on November 30th, 2020, Supreme Court Assossiate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was admitted to a hospital with pancreatic cancer. The Justice was a legend on the left and to the American populace in General.

December 2020

RBG’s condition quickly went downhill as it became apparent that she would not survive. President Trump prepared a shortlist of names to replace her. On December 6th, 2020, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is placed under a medically enduced comma following an emergency operation. On December 8th, she was pronounced brain dead. President Trump, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, and Speaker Pelosi announced at a joint press conference that Ginsburg would lie in memorial at the US Capitol, the first Jew to have such an honor. Trump reported to an aide that he would not name a replacement until December 23rd to observe a two week memorial for Ginsburg. At the end of that time, Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. McConnell announced a vote would occur in January.

Additionally, the invisible race for Senate Minority Whip began. Senator Dick Durbin had been defeated in a narrow upset election and his choice for replacement would be key. Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Schumer endorsed Bennet, citing the fact that he could win elections in a swing state and had strong support among moderates. Meanwhile, Klobuchar and Warren each backed Gillibrand. Older Democrats such as California Senator Dianne Feinstein backed Cantwell.

Furthermore, allegations where made by several women regarding the behavior of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Many called on his resignation and two US Representatives, Lee Zeldin and Elise Stefanik, each considered running against Cuomo in the GOP. Additionally, sources close to US Representative Alexandria Ocario-Cortez said that she was considering a primary challenge against either Cuomo or Schumer.

In terms of 2022, announcements began to be made regarding the 2022 Senate Elections. North Carolina Senator Richard Burr and Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, a Republican and a Democrat respectively, announced there retirement. Portman, Johnson, Blunt, Toomey, Shelby, Schumer, and Murray considered retirement and made no announcement. Otherwise, all other Senators announced they would be running for re-election.

Finally, Trump dismissed Attorney General Bill Barr from his post, citing Barr’s age, service under HW Bush, and desire for retirement. He announced Missouri Senator Josh Hawley as his nominee.

Cultural Events in 2020

Sports

The NFL took the lead in news in sports, however the WNBA made headlines shortly for making a deal with it's player's union. However, the Oakland Raiders moved from Oakland, California to Las Vegas, Nevada, renaming itself the Las Vegas Raiders. Shortly after this, tragedy struck Los Angeles when Kobe Bryant and his daughter died in a helicopter crash. The entire nation entered a state of mourning. As February began, the Super Bowl was held between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers beat the Chiefs 27-24.

Other

Following allegations of sexual assault throughout the organization and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leaving the organization, causing an 18% decline in membership and put the number of Boy Scouts at below 2 million for the first time since the Second World War, the Boy Scouts of America organization announced that they had filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The same day, Pier 1 also filed for the same protections.

Meanwhile, the economy hit all-time highs, with an extraordinary rise in the cruising industry.

January 2021

Donald Trump and the GOP opened up 2021 on a high note. With vast margins of control in the Senate and House, and two new Governorships, the policy plans of the GOP where revived. Newly-elected Senators John James of Michigan, Jason Lewis of Minnesota, and Representative Burgess Owens of Utah proposed a spate of new bills. Mitch McConnell prepared 2 hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee, one for the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett and another for the Attorney General nomination of Josh Hawley. Hawley used this instance to put forth his image and name, as many called him a potential 2024 Republican Presidential candidate. The swearing in of a new U.S. Senate saw Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, fresh off of re-election, successfully push the Coney Barrett and Hawley nomination through. The Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed Coney Barrett in a 13-9 vote, with all Republicans voting aye and all Democrats voting nay. The Senate Judiciary Committee also advanced Josh Hawley to the Senate floor in an 11-10 vote, with all but two Republicans voting aye, all Democrats and Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse voting nay, and Hawley, himself on the committee, abstaining. On the Senate floor, all Republicans voted in favor of Coney Barrett in a 60-40 vote along party lines. Hawley was also confirmed mostly along party lines, but 5 Republicans (Ben Sasse (NE), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Susan Collins (ME), and Mitt Romney (UT), plus Hawley himself) voted in favor of Hawley's nomination. Hawley and Coney Barrett both took office January 17th, 2021.

Trump second inauguration was a big event, with thousands of people showing up. Trump gave a speech honoring the achievements of his administration, as did Vice President Pence. Celebrations were broadcast around the country.

The spate of new bills proposed by the new members of Congress then was viewed. It included the following:

-S.R.1: The Minimum Police Funding Act of 2021 (Proposed by Sen. John James (R-MI))

-S.R.2: The Save American Manufacturing Act of 2021 (Proposed by Sen. John Lewis (R-MN))

-S.R.3: The Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 (Proposed by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL))

-S.R.4: The American Healthcare Act of 2021 (Proposed by Sen. John James (R-MI), alongside several others)

-S.R.5: Defund Planned Parenthood Act (proposed by Sen. John James (R-MI))

-S.R.6: The Minimal Voting Requirements Act (Proposed by Sen. John James (R-MI))

-H.R.1: The Flag Act (Proposed by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT-4))

-H.R.2: The American Healthcare Act of 2021 (Proposed by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT-4), alongside several others)

-H.R.3: The Deregulation Act of 2021 (Proposed by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT-4))

-H.R.4: The Tax Act of 2021 (Proposed by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT-4))

Gillian1220's Cultural Events from the Philippines, in timeline
Cultural Events for January 2020 in the Philippines

Traslacion 2020 - The Black Nazarene Feast in the Philippines Baladhay Music Festival was an EDM music festival held in Citi de Mare, Cebu City, Philippines on Friday, January 17, 2020. It was previously known as Life Dance from 2011 to 2018 of which was on hiatus in 2019 due to the lack of available spaces to hold such concert. This festival marked the possible revival of the EDM scene in Cebu as it was on decline since 2017 due to Mayor Tommy Osmeña's ban on street parties 100 meters from the parade route as well as the lack of empty spaces.

Dutch artist Blasterjaxx was the highlight of the show.

BALADHAY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020 FEATURING BLASTERJAXX!🔥🔥🔥🔥 #LIFEDANCE2020VLOG

BALADHAY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020 HIGHLIGHTS The grand parade and mass for Sinulog 2020 was held on Sunday, January 19, 2020. There were over 2-3 million visitors for this year. Officials are now focusing for next year's festival (to be held on March 2021 instead of January 2021) to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan reaching the Philippines. It is estimated that the number of visitors would double since the Pope and the King of Spain is expected to visit Cebu to bless the event.

Cebu "One Beat One Dance" Sinulog 2020 Highlights by RJ Production Photo & Film

Sinulog Fireworks 2020 at Ayala Center Cebu

Next Part: Cultural events in the Philippines for February-March 2020

Cultural Events for February to April 2020 in the Philippines

February 2, 2020: Plus 63 Music and Arts Festival is held at SM Seaside Complex Cebu Concert Grounds in Cebu City, Philippines. Featuring three local and one international bands, the star of the concert was the American band LANY which confirmed attendance on December 18, 2019. The concert was originally intended to be held on January 18, 2020 to coincide with Sinulog Saturday but was moved further back to two weeks to accommodate the change of venue and the international band. Organizers estimated that 15,000 people would attend but numbers broke to around 20,000 concert goers. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The performance of LANY in the festival has given speculation that more international bands would perform in Cebu in the future as usually most international bands perform in Manila.

Photo: Official Plus 63 Music and Arts Festival poster

LANY LIVE IN CEBU | Plus63 Music & Arts Festival

Photo: The grand fireworks display as LANY ends their performance on stage at Plus 63 Music and Arts Festival, SM Seaside Complex Cebu Concert Grounds, Cebu City, Philippines, February 3, 2020.

February 3, 2020: The AFP and the U.S. Embassy in Manila commemorate 75 years since the Battle of Manila. United States Ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, speaks at the University of Santo Tomas which was used as an internment camp for foreign nationals during the Japanese occupation.

February 28, 2020: The U.S. Embassy in Manila commemorates to 75th anniversary of raising the Stars and Stripes over Manila City Hall by raising the U.S. flag in the Embassy grounds. The event is attended by Philippine Department of National Defense Assistant Secretary Raul Caballes, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Rene Escalante, and Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan joined American and Filipino veterans and their families, and the Embassy community.

Photo: U.S. Marines raise the American flag on the Embassy grounds while Embassy Staff and Filipino WWII veterans look on, February 28, 2020 (Source: U.S. Embassy in the Philippines).

March 7-8, 2020: Wanderland Music & Arts Festival is held at Filinvest Grounds, Muntinlupa City. The full-line up of artists was released on January 29, 2020. There was an estimate of 150,000+ attendees in the two days of the festival.

Photo: Artist line-up for Wanderland Music and Arts Festival 2020

Photo: The crowd during the first night of Wanderland Music and Arts Festival at Filinvest Grounds, Muntilupa City, Metro Manila, Philippines, March 7, 2020.

March 26, 2020: As part of the 75th anniversary for the liberation of Cebu from the Japanese, the annual Talisay Landing reenactment is held in Talisay City, Cebu, Philippines. Reservists from the Philippine Marine Corps and operators from the Naval Special Operations Group portrayed the American force while a local historical group portrayed as the Japanese soldiers, local Cebuano civilians, and resistance fighters. The event ended with a flyover from a Philippine Air Force UH-1 Huey dropping confetti over the beach.

Photo: Philippine Marine Corps reservists take the role of American soldiers and marines as part of the Talisay landing reenactment, March 26, 2020.

April 8, 2020: The Philippines commemorates the 68th anniversary of the Fall of Bataan.

April 5-11, 2020: Holy Week is observed across the country.

April 27, 2020: Annual Battle of Mactan reenactment and street party celebrations in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

May 1, 2020: Labor Day in the Philippines.

May 6, 2020: The Philippine commemorates the 68th anniversary of the Fall of Corregidor, which was the last bastion of democracy in Asia during the Japanese onslaught.

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