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US Congress abandons return to Washington after lawmakers revolt US Congress abandons return to Washington after lawmakers revolt
(about 1 hour later)
The US House of Representatives will not reconvene next week following a revolt from lawmakers who complained that it was too soon to return.The US House of Representatives will not reconvene next week following a revolt from lawmakers who complained that it was too soon to return.
On Monday, members were told to return to the Democratic-controlled chamber.On Monday, members were told to return to the Democratic-controlled chamber.
However, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said on Tuesday the plan was scrapped after consulting the House doctor.However, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said on Tuesday the plan was scrapped after consulting the House doctor.
The volte-face came as the confirmed number of US Covid-19 cases passed 1m.The volte-face came as the confirmed number of US Covid-19 cases passed 1m.
The Republican-controlled Senate still plans to return on 4 May.The Republican-controlled Senate still plans to return on 4 May.
"We made a judgement that we will not come back next week but that we hope to come back very soon," Mr Hoyer said."We made a judgement that we will not come back next week but that we hope to come back very soon," Mr Hoyer said.
Washington DC remains under a stay-at-home order until 15 May. Officials say the infection rate is still climbing.Washington DC remains under a stay-at-home order until 15 May. Officials say the infection rate is still climbing.
Confirmed coronavirus cases in Washington DC have passed 13,600 and 764 people have died. Confirmed coronavirus cases in Washington DC are approaching 4,000 and 185 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University website.
The number of Americans who have tested positive for the virus stood at 1,002,498 on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Johns Hopkins University website, and over 56,700 people in the US have died. The number of Americans who have tested positive for the virus stood at 1,002,498 on Tuesday afternoon, according to the website, and over 56,700 people in the US have died.
Democrat leaders were faced with a backlash from members of their own party over the plans to return next week.Democrat leaders were faced with a backlash from members of their own party over the plans to return next week.
On a private call with House members, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a congresswoman from Florida, told party leaders the plan was "dangerous" and several complained that they had no way of managing childcare, according to the Politico US media outlet.On a private call with House members, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a congresswoman from Florida, told party leaders the plan was "dangerous" and several complained that they had no way of managing childcare, according to the Politico US media outlet.
On Tuesday, Mr Hoyer announced that the return to Washington would be postponed. "The House physician's view was that there was a risk to members that was one he would not recommend taking," he said.On Tuesday, Mr Hoyer announced that the return to Washington would be postponed. "The House physician's view was that there was a risk to members that was one he would not recommend taking," he said.
However, there is pressure to reconvene the chamber in order to pass key legislation amid the coronavirus pandemic.However, there is pressure to reconvene the chamber in order to pass key legislation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
President Donald Trump, who called for Congress to return, scorned the decision, saying: "Democrats are enjoying their vacation".President Donald Trump, who called for Congress to return, scorned the decision, saying: "Democrats are enjoying their vacation".
The questions over how to reopen Congress for business are likely to renew calls for proxy sessions and remote voting, said BBC North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher. Currently, rules prevent members of Congress from voting remotely, though there are efforts to change.The questions over how to reopen Congress for business are likely to renew calls for proxy sessions and remote voting, said BBC North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher. Currently, rules prevent members of Congress from voting remotely, though there are efforts to change.