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House Democrats decry ‘dangerous’ return to Capitol.

The House and Senate will return on Monday, May 4 after an extended recess to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, even as the pandemic continues to ravage Washington.

The plan is already receiving pushback from some lawmakers, including a vocal group of House Democrats who railed against the “dangerous” idea in a call with Speaker Nancy Pelosi Monday

But leaders in both chambers seem undeterred, plowing ahead with plans to descend on the Capitol next week despite rank-and-file concerns.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was first to solidify the return date, announcing Monday that his chamber will "honor our constitutional duty” and conduct business in person after being on an extended recess since March 26.

“We’re going to take whatever safeguards the Capitol physician recommends that we engage in and we believe we can do that safely,” McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a telephone interview Monday.

“Look, it doesn’t make sense for the Senate to sit on the sidelines while a lot of other people are going to work everyday and trying to get us through this," he said.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) made a similar announcement Monday afternoon on a caucus call with House Democrats.

“Nancy and I have talked a couple of times today … We have decided we will come back on the 4th.”

But the announcement was met with almost sudden resistance, as several Democrats spoke up on the call, raising concerns about the safety of returning while many of their states remain on lockdown with strict social distancing in place.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said returning next week would be "dangerous," according to multiple Democrats on the call.

Other members also spoke up including Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.), Susan Wild (D-Pa.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), with some asking how they were expected to take care of their families — many without childcare at home — and return to Washington for an extended stay.

he House went into recess on March 14 after passing the second in a series of coronavirus relief bills in the wee hours of the morning. But legislating long-distance has proven difficult for both chambers.

It took two weeks for Congress to pass a fourth round of coronavirus aid, an effort complicated by the ability of any one lawmaker to derail speedy passage of bills during brief House and Senate pro forma sessions. And House leaders had to call many members back to Washington to pass the last two rescue bills, despite concerns about spreading the virus.

Hoyer told House Democrats that lawmakers will participate in one vote on Monday evening, coming to the chamber in groups rather than all at once to limit contact and maintain social distancing.

The No. 2 Democrat added that the House could be in session two weeks but he expects limited floor activity during that time, although some committees will meet in larger rooms that allow members to spread out enough to maintain social distancing.

Hoyer and Pelosi also announced plans to move ahead with a rules change to allow proxy voting, with or without Republican support.

But the modifications and cautionary notes weren’t enough to satisfy some Democrats, who were furious at the announcement. Chiefs of staff privately complained they were given no warning ahead of time, their usual weekly call with Pelosi’s office having been canceled Monday.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/27/senate-will-return-to-washington-next-week-211758