"We have decided we will not come back next week, but we will come back very soon to pass the CARES 2 piece of legislation, and at that time we will be asking members to return to the Congress, to Washington," Hoyer told reporters on a call.
He said the Capitol attending physician Brian Monahan "forcefully" emphasized that the numbers of novel coronavirus infections in DC are still going up and that some surrounding areas in Maryland are hotspots.
"The House physician's view was that there was a risk to members that was one he would not recommend taking," said Hoyer.
In light of Monahan's stance, as well as the fact that the next coronavirus relief package will not be "definitely ready to be considered next week," Democratic leaders chose not to call the House back next week.
Hoyer's announcement came after a number of House Democrats expressed strong concerns over the plan to return to DC.
Members on a Democratic caucus call Monday cited safety issues about returning so soon, arguing it would send the wrong message as states remain under lockdown. On the call, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat, sharply criticized the move to bring the House back next week, calling it dangerous, according to two sources.
"This makes no sense," one House Democrat told CNN on Monday.
And others made the case directly to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, her staff and others in the leadership that it would be the wrong decision to bring the House back now, according to one Democratic source.
The Senate is still expected to return to Washington next week.
Asked if he is worried about the optics of the House remaining in recess while the Senate and White House officials will be in town working, Hoyer pushed back on the notion.
"As I understand it, the Senate's coming back so they can confirm judges and confirm executive appointments," he said. "Now whether they're going to do any substantive legislation is another question."
Hoyer also hit President Donald Trump's nightly press conferences, saying they could be considered working, "but one could argue that point."
"I think the White House leadership has been negative in my opinion, not positive in terms of bringing the country together and giving them solid information on which they can rely," Hoyer said.
He added that most House members "are working harder than they would work if they were at the Capitol."
"They have been working daily to help their communities deal with the coronavirus crisis," he said.
This story has been updated with additional developments Tuesday.
"House" - Google News
April 28, 2020 at 11:25PM
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House reverses plans and is no longer scheduled to return next week - CNN
"House" - Google News
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