House lawmakers won’t return to the Capitol until May 4 or later due to the threat of the coronavirus Democratic leaders told rank-and-file members on Monday.
The move extends a prolonged recess that began in March 12, and it abandons a plan to reconvene on April 20.
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“Members are further advised if the House is required to take action on critical legislation related to the coronavirus response or other legislative priorities, members will be given sufficient notice to return to Washington D.C.,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat, told Democrats in a letter.
Democrats have been conducting business by teleconference. The Caucus held a call on Monday to discuss a stalled small-business relief package and other matters. Senate Democrats are blocking a $250 billion relief bill and demanding an addition to $100 billion for hospitals, $150 million for states and local governments, and a 15% increase in food stamp benefits. Democrats also seek to fence off half the small-business aid for businesses that traditionally have difficulty obtaining loans.
Pelosi told Democrats Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, would bring up a measure on Thursday, but she does not know if it will satisfy Democrats.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said Monday the small-business fund is nearly depleted. Out of $350 billion funding, $220 has gone out to businesses to cover wages and other expenses needed to keep them in operation. Mnuchin said Monday there is no immediate need for the hospital and state and local funding Democrats are seeking.
“Right now we are just sending out the money to the hospitals and states,” Mnuchin said. “They have not come close to using that money.”
If Congress passes a new spending deal, they will first attempt to do so by unanimous consent or a voice vote, which are actions that do not require lawmakers to show up in the chamber for a roll-call vote. Pelosi told Democrats on the call she does not believe McConnell can get agreement from his own GOP conference to pass a bipartisan spending deal without summoning lawmakers for a roll-call vote.
Similarly, the House may also be forced to call back lawmakers. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, has threatened to block a major spending deal without a roll-call vote. Hoyer warned Democrats on the call he may need to call “an emergency session,” to take up the spending package if Massie moves to block a unanimous consent agreement to pass it.
The House adjourned a month ago amid the growing threat of the coronavirus. Lawmakers on the call expressed frustration at being unable to conduct official business remotely, according to a source.
“With each passing week, I become much more interested in having a fully-functioning, remote Congress,” Rep. Jared Huffman, a California Democrat, said on the call. “This is feeling like an open-ended recess.”
Also on the call, Majority Whip James Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat, told lawmakers he spoke to Anthony Fauci, President Trump’s top coronavirus task force adviser, to propose mobile coronavirus testing units, and Fauci agreed.
Democrats also discussed mortgage forbearance for those who will face having to cover several months of payments once the banks resume collecting them. Payments have been suspended for several months due to the coronavirus.
