This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/us/politics/coronavirus-congress-voting.html
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus Is in the Capitol. Some Lawmakers Think They Shouldn’t Be. | Coronavirus Is in the Capitol. Some Lawmakers Think They Shouldn’t Be. |
| (1 day later) | |
| WASHINGTON — Under pressure to upend centuries of tradition to respond to a growing pandemic, congressional leaders reluctantly agreed on Thursday to at least study the feasibility of allowing lawmakers to vote from home, after two House members tested positive for the coronavirus and a dozen others were quarantined. | WASHINGTON — Under pressure to upend centuries of tradition to respond to a growing pandemic, congressional leaders reluctantly agreed on Thursday to at least study the feasibility of allowing lawmakers to vote from home, after two House members tested positive for the coronavirus and a dozen others were quarantined. |
| Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was staunchly opposed to the idea last week, told House Democrats during a private conference call on Thursday that she had asked the chairman of the Rules Committee, Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, to prepare a report on remote voting and other relevant issues, according to three officials who heard it. | Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was staunchly opposed to the idea last week, told House Democrats during a private conference call on Thursday that she had asked the chairman of the Rules Committee, Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, to prepare a report on remote voting and other relevant issues, according to three officials who heard it. |
| Democratic leaders were also looking at other, less drastic means to limit the number of the House’s 430 members on the floor at a given time, and one raised the possibility that the House could try to move without a vote to adopt a $1 trillion coronavirus rescue bill being negotiated with the White House. Such action, known as a “unanimous consent” request, is normally reserved for the most minor and uncontroversial of bills — not huge and complex pieces of legislation responding to a global crisis. | Democratic leaders were also looking at other, less drastic means to limit the number of the House’s 430 members on the floor at a given time, and one raised the possibility that the House could try to move without a vote to adopt a $1 trillion coronavirus rescue bill being negotiated with the White House. Such action, known as a “unanimous consent” request, is normally reserved for the most minor and uncontroversial of bills — not huge and complex pieces of legislation responding to a global crisis. |
| The reconsideration of the matter came as support was swelling in both parties for the House to amend its rules to allow lawmakers to vote remotely for the first time as long as travel and social restrictions are in place to combat the spread of the virus. A parallel attempt in the tradition-bound Senate was unlikely to persuade Republican leaders there. | The reconsideration of the matter came as support was swelling in both parties for the House to amend its rules to allow lawmakers to vote remotely for the first time as long as travel and social restrictions are in place to combat the spread of the virus. A parallel attempt in the tradition-bound Senate was unlikely to persuade Republican leaders there. |
| The issue became more urgent late Wednesday, after Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, and Ben McAdams, Democrat of Utah, disclosed that they had fallen ill after voting on the House floor early Saturday, and later tested positive for the virus. Between them, the two could have transmitted the virus to colleagues, many of whom are older. Congress’s attending physician was called in to trace their contacts. | The issue became more urgent late Wednesday, after Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, and Ben McAdams, Democrat of Utah, disclosed that they had fallen ill after voting on the House floor early Saturday, and later tested positive for the virus. Between them, the two could have transmitted the virus to colleagues, many of whom are older. Congress’s attending physician was called in to trace their contacts. |
| “In. Person. Voting. Should. Be. Reconsidered,” Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Democrat of Florida, wrote on Twitter late Wednesday. “For the safety of our communities, during this emergency, we must be able to legislate from our districts.” | “In. Person. Voting. Should. Be. Reconsidered,” Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Democrat of Florida, wrote on Twitter late Wednesday. “For the safety of our communities, during this emergency, we must be able to legislate from our districts.” |
| Congress has eschewed its usual voting rules before in times of national emergency, using unanimous consent, for instance, to enact urgent health relief measures to fight the Spanish influenza in the fall of 1918 when many members were either sick or scattered across the country. But the House and Senate have never allowed a member to cast a recorded vote from anywhere but inside their chambers, and any changes could be challenged on legal grounds. | Congress has eschewed its usual voting rules before in times of national emergency, using unanimous consent, for instance, to enact urgent health relief measures to fight the Spanish influenza in the fall of 1918 when many members were either sick or scattered across the country. But the House and Senate have never allowed a member to cast a recorded vote from anywhere but inside their chambers, and any changes could be challenged on legal grounds. |
| It is that tradition that Ms. Pelosi and other senior lawmakers, many of them in their 70s and 80s, had in mind as they have forcefully shut down talk of voting from afar even as public health officials warned that their demographic was the most at risk. | It is that tradition that Ms. Pelosi and other senior lawmakers, many of them in their 70s and 80s, had in mind as they have forcefully shut down talk of voting from afar even as public health officials warned that their demographic was the most at risk. |
| Instead, they have suggested limiting the number of members on the floor, among other precautions. | Instead, they have suggested limiting the number of members on the floor, among other precautions. |
| Proponents of the changes argued they could be the best way to set an example for millions of constituents around the country who are being told not to travel or congregate in groups larger than 10, as well as to provide continuity at a time when more lawmakers are likely to grow sick or unable to travel. | Proponents of the changes argued they could be the best way to set an example for millions of constituents around the country who are being told not to travel or congregate in groups larger than 10, as well as to provide continuity at a time when more lawmakers are likely to grow sick or unable to travel. |
| Almost 150 members of the House and nearly half of senators are 65 or older, the very group the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising not to travel or convene in large groups. | Almost 150 members of the House and nearly half of senators are 65 or older, the very group the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising not to travel or convene in large groups. |
| Ms. Mucarsel-Powell was among more than 50 House members — almost all Democrats — who signed a letter Wednesday to Ms. Pelosi and the top Republican, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, urging them to authorize remote voting “as necessary.” | Ms. Mucarsel-Powell was among more than 50 House members — almost all Democrats — who signed a letter Wednesday to Ms. Pelosi and the top Republican, Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, urging them to authorize remote voting “as necessary.” |
| “We write to ask that the House of Representatives hold itself to the same high standard that it is asking of the nation: to put public health and safety first,” they wrote in the letter, sent before their two colleagues reported having tested positive. “While Congress is an institution with a proud history, we cannot stand on tradition if it puts lives — and our ability to be the voice of our constituents — at risk.” | “We write to ask that the House of Representatives hold itself to the same high standard that it is asking of the nation: to put public health and safety first,” they wrote in the letter, sent before their two colleagues reported having tested positive. “While Congress is an institution with a proud history, we cannot stand on tradition if it puts lives — and our ability to be the voice of our constituents — at risk.” |
| The leaders appeared to be listening. | The leaders appeared to be listening. |
| On Thursday, Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland and the majority leader, announced that the House would not return from its current recess until it was ready to vote on its third emergency relief bill. And later, on the conference call, he told Democrats they could try to pass that legislation without a vote, though it would be difficult since any single member could object. | On Thursday, Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland and the majority leader, announced that the House would not return from its current recess until it was ready to vote on its third emergency relief bill. And later, on the conference call, he told Democrats they could try to pass that legislation without a vote, though it would be difficult since any single member could object. |
| Both chambers have already sought to limit risks, sending staff home and replacing in-person meetings and town halls with conference calls or video chats. | Both chambers have already sought to limit risks, sending staff home and replacing in-person meetings and town halls with conference calls or video chats. |
| But voting, the most symbolically weighty act any elected official can take, has been another matter, even if the idea of hundreds of House members and 100 senators gathering on crowded chamber floors is an epidemiological nightmare. | But voting, the most symbolically weighty act any elected official can take, has been another matter, even if the idea of hundreds of House members and 100 senators gathering on crowded chamber floors is an epidemiological nightmare. |
| “When we’re in there talking and having those conversations, we make bills better,” Representative Mark Green, Republican of Tennessee and an emergency room doctor, said in explaining why he was no fan of remote voting. Better just to limit the number of lawmakers grouped together at once, he said. | “When we’re in there talking and having those conversations, we make bills better,” Representative Mark Green, Republican of Tennessee and an emergency room doctor, said in explaining why he was no fan of remote voting. Better just to limit the number of lawmakers grouped together at once, he said. |
| The cases of Mr. Diaz Balart and Mr. McAdams clearly illustrated the risk, as their illnesses sent ripples through the House. Both men were on the House floor voting as recently as last Saturday, as Congress worked into the early hours of the morning to pass a coronavirus relief bill including free testing for all Americans. | The cases of Mr. Diaz Balart and Mr. McAdams clearly illustrated the risk, as their illnesses sent ripples through the House. Both men were on the House floor voting as recently as last Saturday, as Congress worked into the early hours of the morning to pass a coronavirus relief bill including free testing for all Americans. |
| At least a dozen members who had met in person or in small groups with the two men announced one by one that they would protectively self-quarantine, including the second-ranking Republican, Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana. | At least a dozen members who had met in person or in small groups with the two men announced one by one that they would protectively self-quarantine, including the second-ranking Republican, Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana. |
| Brian P. Monahan, Congress’s attending physician, told lawmakers that his office had identified individuals and locations in the Capitol that could have been affected and was advising them. He said other members who may have encountered the men on the House floor were likely fine. | Brian P. Monahan, Congress’s attending physician, told lawmakers that his office had identified individuals and locations in the Capitol that could have been affected and was advising them. He said other members who may have encountered the men on the House floor were likely fine. |
| Representative Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, who has been pushing for remote voting since 2013, argues that it could be accomplished relatively simply: Lawmakers could connect via video chat with a House clerk and record their votes on a given issue. Other steps could be taken to verify their identities. | Representative Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, who has been pushing for remote voting since 2013, argues that it could be accomplished relatively simply: Lawmakers could connect via video chat with a House clerk and record their votes on a given issue. Other steps could be taken to verify their identities. |
| Updated June 2, 2020 | |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said. | More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said. |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Prospects appeared narrower in the Senate. | Prospects appeared narrower in the Senate. |
| Two senior senators, Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat, introduced a bill on Thursday that would allow the two party leaders to jointly permit remote voting in times of “extraordinary national crisis.” | Two senior senators, Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio, and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the second-ranking Democrat, introduced a bill on Thursday that would allow the two party leaders to jointly permit remote voting in times of “extraordinary national crisis.” |
| “I go out and I touch 5,000 people a week — that’s probably conservative — and then come back here and talk with people who have touched 5,000 people a week,” said Senator Jon Tester, Democrat of Montana. “Exactly the opposite of what the C.D.C. is recommending.” | “I go out and I touch 5,000 people a week — that’s probably conservative — and then come back here and talk with people who have touched 5,000 people a week,” said Senator Jon Tester, Democrat of Montana. “Exactly the opposite of what the C.D.C. is recommending.” |
| But Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, flatly rejected the idea of remote voting in the Senate this week, telling reporters on Tuesday, “We’ll not be doing that.” | But Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, flatly rejected the idea of remote voting in the Senate this week, telling reporters on Tuesday, “We’ll not be doing that.” |
| His position has the support of some of Congress’s older members, who are firmly against breaking with tradition, regardless of warnings from their younger colleagues. | His position has the support of some of Congress’s older members, who are firmly against breaking with tradition, regardless of warnings from their younger colleagues. |
| “Showing up is part of the vote,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein, 86, Democrat of California, before playing down the threat compared with the killings of two San Francisco officials she witnessed in the early days of her political career. “I’ve been in worse situations, I’ve seen people shot and killed, I’ve found dead people, all of that. So this is not a big deal.” | “Showing up is part of the vote,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein, 86, Democrat of California, before playing down the threat compared with the killings of two San Francisco officials she witnessed in the early days of her political career. “I’ve been in worse situations, I’ve seen people shot and killed, I’ve found dead people, all of that. So this is not a big deal.” |
| Emily Cochrane and Sheryl Gay Stolberg contributed reporting. | Emily Cochrane and Sheryl Gay Stolberg contributed reporting. |