Democrats are debating over how the House should make its return to Washington, with a majority preferring to remain in their districts given the public health risks but other restive lawmakers saying the party needs to have a presence at the Capitol.
Most Democrats argue the risks of traveling back-and-forth to Washington, D.C., during a pandemic — and the bad example it would set for a country that’s largely been asked to shelter in place — is reason enough to stay away.
This group argues the focus needs to be on remote voting to allow Congress to do its work while social distancing.
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“The way to do that responsibly is to allow for remote-voting procedures,” said Rep. Tom Malinowski
Thomas (Tom) MalinowskiHillicon Valley: Scammers target stimulus checks | Amazon workers protest changes to paid time off policy | Commerce tightens export controls on military technologies | Lawmakers aim to combat global censorship Lawmakers introduce legislation to combat global censorship, boost internet freedom How the GOP hopes to overcome steep odds in House battle MORE, a New Jersey Democrat who flipped a GOP seat in 2018. “It allows us to fulfill our responsibility while also setting a good example for Americans.”
Other Democrats worry that would leave them sidelined for weeks, allowing President Trump
Donald John TrumpWest Virginia announces six-week reopening process Americans receive signed Trump letters in the mail explaining coronavirus stimulus checks Coronavirus warnings appeared repeatedly in classified presidential briefings in January, February: report MORE to dictate the coronavirus dialogue. They say it would also complicate efforts to draft emergency legislation and prevent the kind of aggressive oversight demanded of Congress as almost $3 trillion in emergency funding flies out the door.
“If we are legislating with respect to the pandemic, yes, yes, Congress should be open and we should be prepared to have hearings as well as voting on the floor,'' said Rep. G.K. Butterfield
George (G.K.) Kenneth ButterfieldHouse Republicans push back against proxy voting House approves bill banning flavored tobacco products Bill banning menthol in cigarettes divides Democrats, with some seeing racial bias MORE (D-N.C.).
Those contrasting sentiments were on full display last week, when House GOP leaders forced lawmakers back to Capitol Hill to vote on Congress’s latest coronavirus relief bill, providing almost $500 billion to help small businesses and hospitals weather the crisis. That legislation had passed through the Senate unanimously, meaning most senators could avoid a return to Washington. But Republicans in the House sought a recorded vote, largely to reinforce Trump’s calls to reopen the national economy amid cratering retail spending and historic spikes in unemployment.
Some Democrats welcomed the opportunity to return to Washington, not least to demonstrate that Congress is working to confront the massive devastation — both economic and health-related — caused by the global pandemic.
“There’s a strong sentiment, not just among the Republicans, but there's a strong sentiment that we should be here working, doing our job,” said Rep. Jim Himes
James (Jim) Andres HimesDemocrats get assurances from Cuccinelli on immigrants, coronavirus care Gaetz wears gas mask on House floor during vote on bill to fight coronavirus Democrats press World Bank chief on meeting with Ukrainian president amid Trump pressure MORE (D-Conn.). “And we have been working. But it's sort-of hard for us to really do what we need to do if we’re not available to each other.
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“We're doing the right things,” Himes added, referring to the face masks and other safety precautions lawmakers have adopted. “But I think there was pressure to actually be here.”
Another group of Democrats, however, was up in arms that Republicans would force lawmakers to return to the Capitol to vote on legislation that passed with virtually no opposition.
“I don't know what this need is to show that we’re hopping on planes, flying across the country, despite what the public health officials are advising,” said Rep. Cheri Bustos
Cheryl (Cheri) Lea BustosCoronavirus culture war over reopening economy hits Capitol Hill Democrats ask Trump for evidence that medical supplies are available Annual Congressional Dinner pushed back to June amid coronavirus concerns MORE (Ill.), head of the Democrats’ campaign arm. “If you want to look at a clear differentiation between the parties, we believe through-and-through in science. And it seems like maybe there's not the same belief in science [among Republicans] that we have.”
Just a month ago, House leaders in both parties had agreed to pass a $2.2 trillion relief package by voice vote, which allowed hundreds of lawmakers to steer clear of Washington amid fears of public travel and gathering in crowds.
Since then, however, Trump and outside conservative groups have amplified their concerns that restrictions are causing more damage than the coronavirus itself.
Caught in the middle of the debate are Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiHannity demands retraction, threatens legal action over NYT column linking him to COVD-19 death Democratic House leaders plan vote next week on allowing proxy voting during pandemic The Hill's Campaign Report: New York cancels primary amid coronavirus MORE (D-Calif.) and her leadership team, who are straddling a fine line between keeping lawmakers at home and bringing them back to the Capitol to show they are actively responding to the crisis and monitoring the administration's emergency spending.
Pelosi hailed last week’s roll call votes as a demonstration that the full House can reconvene safety to move crucial legislation, provided that strict health precautions are followed.
“It was an example that we can get it done,” Pelosi said afterwards.
Across the Capitol, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOn The Money: Coronavirus exposes scars of Great Recession | House, Senate return next week for next coronavirus relief bill | McConnell state bankruptcy remarks raise questions | Small business coronavirus loan program reopens Overnight Health Care: Trump health official says US will 'easily' perform 8M tests in May | White House shifts messaging strategy on coronavirus | Louisiana extends shelter-in-place order while Iowa, Texas and Ohio plan to ease restrictions McConnell: Battle for control of the Senate will be a 'dogfight' MORE (R-Ky.) pledged Monday that his chamber would return to Washington in exactly one week, on May 4, to begin working on ways to improve the coronavirus response, including protecting small business owners and hospital workers from frivolous lawsuits. The House is also scheduled to return that day.
Yet with social distancing guidelines still in place for most of the country, the idea of adopting a system of remote voting is rising in popularity, at least in the lower chamber.
Last week, after GOP objections, Pelosi abruptly called off a vote that would allow House lawmakers to hold virtual committee hearings and vote by proxy from their home districts. But Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
Steny Hamilton HoyerOn The Money: Coronavirus exposes scars of Great Recession | House, Senate return next week for next coronavirus relief bill | McConnell state bankruptcy remarks raise questions | Small business coronavirus loan program reopens Overnight Health Care: Trump health official says US will 'easily' perform 8M tests in May | White House shifts messaging strategy on coronavirus | Louisiana extends shelter-in-place order while Iowa, Texas and Ohio plan to ease restrictions Overnight Defense: USS Kidd coronavirus outbreak jumps to 47 sailors | Senate Dems pan Esper's coronavirus response | US military acknowledges civilian casualties in Somalia airstrike MORE (D-Md.) is now working with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Kevin Owen McCarthyDemocratic House leaders plan vote next week on allowing proxy voting during pandemic House to return to DC next Monday Clyburn says panel will look at how publicly traded companies got PPP loans MORE (R-Calif.) to examine ways to implement remote voting during a national crisis.
It’s an idea that’s gaining favor with many rank-and-file Democrats, even among centrist leaders concerned about protecting their frontline members with tough races in the fall. The New Democrats, led by Rep. Derek Kilmer
Derek Christian KilmerCornell to launch new bipartisan publication led by former Rep. Steve Israel Tech groups call on Congress to boost state funds for cybersecurity during pandemic Trump taps members of Congress to advise on reopening MORE (D-Wash.), sent a letter to congressional leaders over the weekend calling for the adoption of proxy voting and virtual committee hearings before the House’s scheduled return on May 4.
Moderate Rep. Josh Gottheimer
Joshua (Josh) GottheimerCornell to launch new bipartisan publication led by former Rep. Steve Israel How to better prepare us for the next pandemic Pelosi backs remote voting for House MORE (D-N.J.), the co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus who has seen 1,500 of his constituents die from coronavirus and 25,000 test positive, also backs changes to allow the House to operate remotely.
“I agree that we need public debate and hearings which is key to accountability, transparency and oversight. It’s also essential to fulfilling our constitutional responsibility,” Gottheimer told The Hill. “Every district has different challenges. It’s why I believe we need remote debate, hearings and voting without delay.”
The debate comes as the number of documented cases of coronavirus on Capitol Hill continues to rise, even as many working within the sprawling complex follow social-distancing practices.
At least a dozen U.S. Capitol Police have now tested positive for COVID-19 — up from two officers just a month ago, Gus Papathanasiou, the Capitol Police union leader, told The Hill on Monday.
And nearly a dozen construction workers renovating a Cannon House Office Building have also tested positive, according to the Architect of the Capitol, which is overseeing the project. It’s home to scores of congressional offices.
At least six lawmakers — including Sen. Rand Paul
Randal (Rand) Howard PaulMcConnell: Senate will return on May 4 to start next coronavirus relief bill Senate expected to return to Washington next week after coronavirus-sparked break GOP sounds alarm bell over coronavirus-fueled debt MORE (R-Ky.) and freshman Reps. Ben McAdams (D-Utah) and Joe Cunningham
Joseph CunninghamHow the GOP hopes to overcome steep odds in House battle Here's where things stand 200 days before Election Day Florida Republican becomes sixth member of Congress to test positive for coronavirus MORE (D-S.C.) — have tested positive, though most have fully recovered.
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Those growing statistics have alarmed many who work on Capitol Hill and may be part of the reason Democrats aren’t in any hurry to get back. Rep. Donna Shalala
Donna Edna ShalalaDemocrats roll out national plan to reopen America Watchdog group files ethics complaint against Rep. Shalala Controversial idea to speed coronavirus vaccine gains ground MORE (D-Fla.) told reporters she was shocked returning to D.C. last week when she observed that only one Transportation Security Administration agent was wearing a mask as she passed through Reagan National Airport.
“Members are focused on delivering critical aid to families, small businesses and state and local governments. And leadership is in agreement,” a House Democratic aide said in a text message Monday. “There is no pressure to prematurely rush back to the halls of the (possibly infected) Capitol.”
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