Following a Wednesday announcement, the Capitol was shuttered to all but lawmakers, staff, and the media to stop the coronavirus from invading Congress.
Under the dome, the House and Senate grappled with how to fund the federal response to the spreading virus, which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization and has caused the stock market to crash.
The virus’s spread in the United States last week moved quickly, creating a sense of urgency in the efforts by the White House and Congress to pass a federal spending bill to help states and communities deal with the coronavirus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned lawmakers that the spread of the virus is worsening and that “many, many millions” would be infected “if we’re complacent and don’t do really aggressive containment and mitigation.”
At the same time, lawmakers started to worry about the threat of catching it in the Capitol, where tourists, the media, and other visitors from all over the country pack the halls every day.
A least a half-dozen lawmakers entered self-quarantine due to their exposure to infected individuals. A congressional aide to Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington state Democrat, was diagnosed with the virus late in the week, prompting Cantwell to close her D.C. office.
“I think it’s time for us to take some steps, for us to figure out some other ways to get our business done in the Capitol, but also not have us coming back and forth and not be conducting business as it’s business as usual,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, another Washington Democrat, said after a briefing with the Capitol officials who outlined the risks of working in the building.
Jayapal’s Seattle-area district was one of the first and most heavily impacted by COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, after it swept through an area nursing home, infecting dozens.
She conducted a telephone town hall meeting with 4,000 constituents about efforts to contain the illness, which causes the most severe and deadly symptoms for those over the age of 60.
“People are really concerned,” Jayapal said. “They are worried.”
Despite the spreading fear, House and Senate lawmakers struggle to agree on a spending package to address the impact of the virus. Congress already passed an $8.3 billion spending bill to fund the development of a vaccine and to help local governments pay for the effects of diagnosing and treating the sick.
House lawmakers, who were scheduled for a recess this week, canceled town hall meetings, switching to telephone town halls like the one Jayapal held in Seattle.
House Democrats proposed additional spending in a bill released late Thursday night. It would pay for sick leave, broaden unemployment insurance, provide extra food stamps, and ensure testing and care for those infected with the coronavirus who cannot afford medical help.
Republicans were unhappy with parts of the measure, and Pelosi delayed floor consideration to work out a bipartisan deal with Trump administration officials, who want additional economic stimulus provisions. Trump floated a significant payroll tax cut, but lawmakers in both parties are not enthusiastic about it.
But Pelosi said she might agree to other provisions to get a bipartisan deal on the House bill.
“They made suggestions to the language,” Pelosi said, describing ongoing negotiations with the Trump Administration. “We’re agreeing to most of them because they’re not that different.”
The Senate declared it would remain in session this week to consider coronavirus legislation passed by the House.
The House is scheduled to gavel back in on March 23.
Pelosi, who turns 80 this month, said there is no plan so far to extend the recess.
Lawmakers cannot vote remotely, but they could stay home and work in their districts if the spread of the coronavirus makes opening the Capitol for business a serious health risk.
Many House members and Senators are over the age of 60.
For now, Pelosi warned everyone in the Capitol to employ social distancing, even skipping elbow bumps.
“Forget any physical contact greetings,” Pelosi said. “Bow, Eastern style.”
