Sunday shows - Spotlight shifts to positive tests among Pence aides

Multiple guests on the Sunday morning political talk shows weighed in on news that aides to Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceLoeffler campaign staffer dies in car crash Senate confirms Christopher Waller to Fed board Trump pardon scandal would doom his 2024 campaign MORE have tested positive for COVID-19 and discussed whether he should continue campaigning.

Interviews also focused on Democratic presidential nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenAppeals court OKs White House diverting military funding to border wall construction Federal student loan payment suspension extended another month Pentagon: Tentative meeting between spy agencies, Biden transition set for early next week MORE's comments about oil, and the state of stimulus negotiations.

Read The Hill's complete coverage below.

White House chief of staff defends decision to keep Pence on road By JUSTINE COLEMAN   White House chief of staff Mark MeadowsMark Randall MeadowsThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Mastercard - Congress inches closer to virus relief deal Alyssa Farah resigns as White House communications director Trump hits Barr over voter fraud remarks: 'He hasn't looked' MORE declined to say how many people in Vice President Mike Pence’s office have contracted the coronavirus during a contentious CNN interview, while defending the decision to keep Pence on the road in the presidential campaign's final stretch. Read the full story here

Christie 'surprised' Pence to campaign after aides test positive for COVID-19 By JOSEPH CHOI   Former New Jersey Gov. Chris ChristieChris ChristieTrump transition order follows chorus of GOP criticism Trump relents as GSA informs Biden transition to begin Biden moves forward as GOP breaks with Trump rise MORE, a top GOP ally of President TrumpDonald John TrumpAppeals court OKs White House diverting military funding to border wall construction Pentagon: Tentative meeting between spy agencies, Biden transition set for early next week Conservative policy director calls Section 230 repeal an 'existential threat' for tech MORE, said he's surprised that Vice President Mike Pence is hitting the campaign trail after the vice president's chief of staff and other aides tested positive for the coronavirus. Read the full story here

Lewandowski points to Harris team when asked if Pence should campaign after aides test positive By JORDAN WILLIAMS   Trump campaign adviser Corey LewandowskiCorey R. Lewandowski Overnight Defense: Trump orders troop withdrawal from Somalia | 13th US service member dies from COVID-19 | Trump loyalists added to DOD advisory board Lewandowski, Bossie added to Pentagon advisory board after latest purge Giuliani's son, a White House staffer, tests positive for coronavirus MORE defended Vice President Pence for campaigning after his chief of staff tested positive for COVID-19, noting that Democrat Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisBiden officially clinches Electoral College votes with California certification Hillicon Valley: Senate Intelligence Committee leaders warn of Chinese threats to national security | Biden says China must play by 'international norms' | House Democrats use Markup app for leadership contest voting Trump campaigns as wild card in Georgia runoffs MORE continued to campaign for her ticket after a staffer tested positive.  Read the full story here

Republican National Committee chair warns of 'most progressive, radical takeover of our country' if Biden wins By JORDAN WILLIAMS   Ronna McDanielRonna Romney McDanielTrump campaign, RNC announce 0 million post-election fundraising haul Ronna McDaniel launches bid for third term as GOP chair The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Mastercard - Coast-to-coast fears about post-holiday COVID-19 spread MORE, the chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), warned during an interview on Sunday of the most “progressive, radical takeover of our country” if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins in November.  Read the full story here

Kudlow says Biden wouldn't be able to replace fossil fuels in 15 years By CELINE CASTRONUOVO    White House economic adviser Larry KudlowLarry KudlowMORE argued in an interview broadcast on Sunday that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s plan to end fossil fuels in 15 years would not be feasible, adding that “you couldn’t do it even if you wanted to.”  Read the full story here

Biden campaign aide: Trump trying to distort former vice president's position on oil By JORDAN WILLIAMS   “Donald Trump is trying to distort Joe Biden’s position on this because he’s desperate to be running against anyone but Joe Biden," Kate Bedingfield said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "That’s been true from the start of this primary.”  Read the full story here

Ocasio-Cortez says Democrats must focus on winning White House for Biden By JUSTINE COLEMAN   Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezProgressives push for direct payments to be included in COVID-19 relief deal Rubio and Ocasio-Cortez spar on Twitter: 'Work more, tweet less' Harry Styles hits back at criticism over wearing dress on Vogue cover MORE (D-N.Y.) said on Sunday that Democrats need to focus on winning the election before pushing for specific policies from a potential Joe Biden administration.  Read the full story here

Pelosi commits to running for Speaker if Democrats retain House By JUSTINE COLEMAN   Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOn The Money: Unemployment gains lower than expected | Jobs report lights fire under coronavirus relief talks Hillicon Valley: Senate Intelligence Committee leaders warn of Chinese threats to national security | Biden says China must play by 'international norms' | House Democrats use Markup app for leadership contest voting Bipartisan governors call on Congress to pass coronavirus relief package MORE (D-Calif.) on Sunday committed to running for the leadership position again if Democrats retain their House majority in November's election. Read the full story here

Outgoing Va. Republican: Two-party system is failing Americans By JOSEPH CHOI    Outgoing Rep. Denver RigglemanDenver RigglemanFive Republicans vote for bill to decriminalize marijuana House passes sweeping reform bill to decriminalize marijuana GOP lawmaker blasts incoming freshman over allegations of presidential voter fraud MORE (R-Va.) said on Sunday that being a politician with any party right now is “difficult” and expressed doubts over whether the two-party system is benefitting Americans. Read the full story here

White House security adviser: 'Nothing' foreign adversaries 'can do to change your vote or to stop you from voting' By JUSTINE COLEMAN   White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said Sunday that there is “nothing” foreign adversaries “can do to change your vote or stop you from voting.” Read the full story here

Pelosi dismisses talk of White House compromise on stimulus: They 'keep moving the goal post' By JUSTINE COLEMAN    Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is dismissing talk that the White House has compromised during COVID-19 stimulus talks, saying administration officials “keep moving the goal post.” Read the full story here

Trump's former Homeland Security adviser on COVID-19: 'We could have saved more lives with a different, faster approach' By JOSEPH CHOI   President Trump’s former Homeland Security adviser, Tom Bossert, said on Sunday that not enough has been done to fight COVID-19 in the U.S, calling for a coordinated response to the pandemic. Read the full story here