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| House Democrats Retreat on Remote Voting as Republicans Clamor to Reopen | House Democrats Retreat on Remote Voting as Republicans Clamor to Reopen |
| (3 days later) | |
| WASHINGTON — Democratic leaders backed away on Wednesday from a plan to change the rules of the House to allow lawmakers to cast votes remotely for the first time in history, after Republicans who are clamoring to reopen Congress registered their sharp opposition. | WASHINGTON — Democratic leaders backed away on Wednesday from a plan to change the rules of the House to allow lawmakers to cast votes remotely for the first time in history, after Republicans who are clamoring to reopen Congress registered their sharp opposition. |
| Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats on a conference call that the House would no longer vote on Thursday as planned on a proposal to allow members to designate another lawmaker to cast votes for them by proxy, according to two officials familiar with the announcement. Instead, she said she and Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the Republican leader, would have a bipartisan group of lawmakers consider remote voting proposals and plans to reopen the House. | Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats on a conference call that the House would no longer vote on Thursday as planned on a proposal to allow members to designate another lawmaker to cast votes for them by proxy, according to two officials familiar with the announcement. Instead, she said she and Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the Republican leader, would have a bipartisan group of lawmakers consider remote voting proposals and plans to reopen the House. |
| The turnabout on Wednesday, a day after the vote was announced, underscores how bitterly partisan the debate over remote voting has become as Republican lawmakers increasingly push to have Congress return to its usual routine in Washington. The fight mirrors those raging across the nation as governors struggle to balance the economic pain and disruption of shuttering their states with public health guidelines to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, and as small but angry protests reflect a fierce strain of conservative disaffection with the restrictions. | The turnabout on Wednesday, a day after the vote was announced, underscores how bitterly partisan the debate over remote voting has become as Republican lawmakers increasingly push to have Congress return to its usual routine in Washington. The fight mirrors those raging across the nation as governors struggle to balance the economic pain and disruption of shuttering their states with public health guidelines to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, and as small but angry protests reflect a fierce strain of conservative disaffection with the restrictions. |
| President Trump has stoked that anger, tweeting his support for protests of state-issued stay-at-home orders. | President Trump has stoked that anger, tweeting his support for protests of state-issued stay-at-home orders. |
| In a letter on Tuesday, Mr. McCarthy called on Ms. Pelosi to work with him to create “a clear, safe and effective plan for reopening Congress,” and argued that lawmakers’ jobs were “essential work” that should continue during the pandemic. | In a letter on Tuesday, Mr. McCarthy called on Ms. Pelosi to work with him to create “a clear, safe and effective plan for reopening Congress,” and argued that lawmakers’ jobs were “essential work” that should continue during the pandemic. |
| “I think we can agree that our institution’s current posture cannot and should not become the norm,” he wrote. | “I think we can agree that our institution’s current posture cannot and should not become the norm,” he wrote. |
| Ms. Pelosi announced the decision to delay the move to remote voting after speaking with Mr. McCarthy for just over an hour, according to a leadership aide who said Ms. Pelosi had reversed course to ensure that such a monumental change to the rules would be bipartisan. Mr. McCarthy and Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland and the majority leader, will sit on the bipartisan task force, along with the top lawmakers on the Rules and Administration Committees, to study voting options and a reopening plan. | Ms. Pelosi announced the decision to delay the move to remote voting after speaking with Mr. McCarthy for just over an hour, according to a leadership aide who said Ms. Pelosi had reversed course to ensure that such a monumental change to the rules would be bipartisan. Mr. McCarthy and Representative Steny H. Hoyer, Democrat of Maryland and the majority leader, will sit on the bipartisan task force, along with the top lawmakers on the Rules and Administration Committees, to study voting options and a reopening plan. |
| “The part I did not want to see is it change more than 200 years of history just by one party,” Mr. McCarthy said Wednesday at a news conference outside the Capitol. “We’ve been through war and others, and this body has still been able to meet. Whatever we do, when it comes to voting and others, should be bipartisan.” | “The part I did not want to see is it change more than 200 years of history just by one party,” Mr. McCarthy said Wednesday at a news conference outside the Capitol. “We’ve been through war and others, and this body has still been able to meet. Whatever we do, when it comes to voting and others, should be bipartisan.” |
| Mr. McCarthy raised concerns about allowing one lawmaker to vote on behalf of an absent colleague, saying it distorted congressional representation, and that voters “don’t lend their voice to another member of Congress.” | Mr. McCarthy raised concerns about allowing one lawmaker to vote on behalf of an absent colleague, saying it distorted congressional representation, and that voters “don’t lend their voice to another member of Congress.” |
| “Would you want one member of Congress to have 30 votes or more,” he asked. “That’s why it needs to be thought out — what is the best way to deal with this?” | “Would you want one member of Congress to have 30 votes or more,” he asked. “That’s why it needs to be thought out — what is the best way to deal with this?” |
| The proposal put forward by Democrats would have required lawmakers to sign a letter to the House clerk designating a lawmaker to vote on their behalf and how they would vote, a designation that would be publicly available. | The proposal put forward by Democrats would have required lawmakers to sign a letter to the House clerk designating a lawmaker to vote on their behalf and how they would vote, a designation that would be publicly available. |
| Some Republicans have chafed in recent days at the notion that remote voting was needed at all, arguing that lawmakers should return to Washington to conduct business as usual. Several were agitating to stage a protest of sorts on the House floor this week, to demand answers from Democrats about when Congress would resume normal operations. | Some Republicans have chafed in recent days at the notion that remote voting was needed at all, arguing that lawmakers should return to Washington to conduct business as usual. Several were agitating to stage a protest of sorts on the House floor this week, to demand answers from Democrats about when Congress would resume normal operations. |
| “If we can have our ambulances, our health care workers and folks in grocery stores — and all of those brave Americans out there taking those risks — I’m ready to take those risks, too,” said Representative Michael Waltz, Republican of Florida. “I can’t overstate how desperate things are becoming. We have to get to work.” | “If we can have our ambulances, our health care workers and folks in grocery stores — and all of those brave Americans out there taking those risks — I’m ready to take those risks, too,” said Representative Michael Waltz, Republican of Florida. “I can’t overstate how desperate things are becoming. We have to get to work.” |
| Republican leaders echoed the sentiment, implicitly criticizing Democrats in a sign that the debate over reopening Congress was likely to devolve into a highly politicized brawl in the weeks to come. | Republican leaders echoed the sentiment, implicitly criticizing Democrats in a sign that the debate over reopening Congress was likely to devolve into a highly politicized brawl in the weeks to come. |
| “Every day the president goes to work in the White House,” said Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the minority whip, ticking off a list of administration officials who also show up. “Yet you see the House of Representatives — the people’s House — shut down.” | “Every day the president goes to work in the White House,” said Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the minority whip, ticking off a list of administration officials who also show up. “Yet you see the House of Representatives — the people’s House — shut down.” |
| Democratic leaders, after initially expressing reluctance to upend House rules to accommodate remote legislating, had framed the proxy voting arrangement as a common-sense solution that would allow lawmakers to do their jobs while following public health guidance. | Democratic leaders, after initially expressing reluctance to upend House rules to accommodate remote legislating, had framed the proxy voting arrangement as a common-sense solution that would allow lawmakers to do their jobs while following public health guidance. |
| As the pandemic has taken hold, Congress has shifted into a nebulous state — not quite shuttered but not quite in regular session either — with both chambers taking extended recesses and returning only to pass legislation on a consensus basis, hoping that, given the extraordinary circumstances, nobody would object. That precarious arrangement is increasingly untenable as mounting partisan divisions over how to respond to the crisis make broad legislative agreements less and less likely. | As the pandemic has taken hold, Congress has shifted into a nebulous state — not quite shuttered but not quite in regular session either — with both chambers taking extended recesses and returning only to pass legislation on a consensus basis, hoping that, given the extraordinary circumstances, nobody would object. That precarious arrangement is increasingly untenable as mounting partisan divisions over how to respond to the crisis make broad legislative agreements less and less likely. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | Updated June 12, 2020 |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| 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. | |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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.) |
| 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. |
| At the same time, many states have put in place strict social distancing restrictions, and public health experts are still advising people to avoid unnecessary travel and congregating in large groups, making the idea of a return to Washington by 429 House members problematic. | At the same time, many states have put in place strict social distancing restrictions, and public health experts are still advising people to avoid unnecessary travel and congregating in large groups, making the idea of a return to Washington by 429 House members problematic. |
| “This virus has forced us to do things in different ways and become radically different in many respects for the safety and security of the health of all of our country,” Mr. Hoyer told reporters on Tuesday. “Therefore, we have to look at ways that perhaps we can still accomplish our business, but do it in a way that is safe and secure for our members.” | “This virus has forced us to do things in different ways and become radically different in many respects for the safety and security of the health of all of our country,” Mr. Hoyer told reporters on Tuesday. “Therefore, we have to look at ways that perhaps we can still accomplish our business, but do it in a way that is safe and secure for our members.” |
| But he also said any decision to adopt a remote voting policy should be bipartisan, and made in consultation with Republican leadership, a position he said he had shared with the Rules Committee. | But he also said any decision to adopt a remote voting policy should be bipartisan, and made in consultation with Republican leadership, a position he said he had shared with the Rules Committee. |
| “We don’t want that to be perceived as trying to get some partisan gain by providing for that alternative,” Mr. Hoyer said, adding that he had been in touch with Mr. McCarthy. | “We don’t want that to be perceived as trying to get some partisan gain by providing for that alternative,” Mr. Hoyer said, adding that he had been in touch with Mr. McCarthy. |
| Efforts to adopt similar remote voting procedures in the Senate are unlikely to be successful. An attempt by Senator Rand Paul to change the rules to allow it was stymied on Tuesday by his fellow Kentucky Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader. | Efforts to adopt similar remote voting procedures in the Senate are unlikely to be successful. An attempt by Senator Rand Paul to change the rules to allow it was stymied on Tuesday by his fellow Kentucky Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader. |
| The action came just after the Senate passed its latest coronavirus relief package — a $484 billion bill to replenish a depleted small-business loan program and provide funds for hospitals and testing — with only a half-dozen senators on hand for a voice vote, the only option since most senators were not in Washington. | The action came just after the Senate passed its latest coronavirus relief package — a $484 billion bill to replenish a depleted small-business loan program and provide funds for hospitals and testing — with only a half-dozen senators on hand for a voice vote, the only option since most senators were not in Washington. |
| “I do think that the next time we pass a coronavirus rescue bill, we need to have everyone here and everyone engaged,” Mr. McConnell said afterward. | “I do think that the next time we pass a coronavirus rescue bill, we need to have everyone here and everyone engaged,” Mr. McConnell said afterward. |