House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer wrote to Democratic lawmakers Tuesday to tell them he cannot set a date for the House to reconvene for business after adjourning because of the coronavirus.
“We will listen to the advice from medical experts as to when we can proceed with the business of Congress in Washington, so it is not possible to give a definitive return date,” Hoyer wrote to Democrats.
This week, President Trump extended social distancing guidelines until April 30, while Virginia has ordered residents to remain at home until June 10.
Several House lawmakers have contracted the coronavirus.
Rep. Nydia Velazquez, a New York Democrat, is the latest case. Velazquez was in the Capitol last week delivering a floor speech in favor of a $2.2 trillion economic relief bill, and she appeared later at a signing ceremony with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat.
Hoyer, of Maryland, told lawmakers the closure of the Capitol due to the threat of the coronavirus could require House leaders to cancel future recess weeks in order to make up for the lost work days.
“In addition to continuing to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, we need to handle the normal annual business of Congress, as well as the work we have promised in our For the People agenda,” Hoyer wrote.
He urged lawmakers to keep schedules “very flexible,” and said in addition to canceling future recess weeks the House could schedule five-day work weeks, instead of the typical four days.
House Democrats have begun writing a fourth economic relief package they plan to bring to the House floor for a vote at some point.
Congress has passed three relief packages, including a $2.2 trillion measure last week.
“Undoubtedly there is more that we must do, and we will do it,” Hoyer said.
