Senate returns to D.C., House still at home but top Republicans are ready to return

Senate returns prepared for partisan face-off over more stimulus spending, while House still squabbling over how to reopen, work remotely

By Sophie Mann

Published: May 4, 2020 8:08am

Updated: May 4, 2020 8:40am

The Senate fully returns Monday to Washington, D.C., for official business following an extended recess because of the coronavirus. The upper chamber has not been on Capitol Hill in full force since March 26, and members are gearing up to face off in person over the next pandemic relief bill.

Last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke about the need for a “targeted response” stimulus spending bill that patched up holes created by previous legislation. Republicans have also drawn a “red line” over the inclusion of liability protections for health care workers and businesses in the next package.

Democrats have signaled that this is not to their liking, and unlike the time crunch Congress was in during the last round of bills, they have some time set aside to fight this one out.

Meanwhile, the debate continues over when the House will return to the Hill. The lower chamber was set to join the Senate in reopening Monday. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D.-Md.) delayed the reopening on the advice of the Capitol physician.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) thinks it’s time for Congress to open for business and has drafted a four point plan for his colleagues to at least attempt some version of in-person business as normal.

The plan’s suggestions include ramped up safety precautions, taking into account the health realities that apply to a great many of the congress’s largely 65+ population.

As Just the News reported last week, the plan also suggests a phased committee return. Suggesting that, depending on what pressing legislation a given committee may be working on, large committee meetings can be staggered across a business calendar to ensure that large groups can use large hearing rooms to maintain social distancing while meeting.

“This pandemic has claimed too many lives and livelihoods already. We must not allow the institution we are tasked with safeguarding to be nest,” reads McCarthy’s letter.