House members race back to Washington amid fears the $2 trillion coronavirus bill could be delayed

[SunSeeker]

Source: NBC News

Democratic and Republican leaders were scrambling members of Congress back to Washington late Thursday because they suddenly believe the $2 trillion economic relief package might not pass by the voice vote planned for Friday and could be delayed if at least 216 members don't show up to vote on the floor.

Members are now racing to get back to Washington by Friday morning — in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic — because leaders fear that at least one member, likely to be Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., will demand a recorded vote.

The office of Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., wrote in an advisory to members Thursday night: "Members are advised that it is possible this measure will not pass by voice vote."

"You might have one grandstander," President Donald Trump said at his news briefing Thursday. "It will pass. It will just take a little longer." He has said he would sign the bill once it passes.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-members-race-back-washington-amid-fears-2-trillion-bill-n1170051

---

Douchebag Massie is needlessly causing taxpayers to incur thundreds of thousands of dollars in travel costs to get representatives back to the House on short notice for a vote.

[beachbumbob]

1. the House may need to revamp the bill and send back to the Senate

there is a play by trump that needs to be negated

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. I wouldn't mind a bit of a delay, being selfish on behalf of a friend.

He just mailed his 2019 taxes, which are far less than 2018. I think the payment is based on 2019 taxes, IF the taxes have been processed. Otherwise, it's based on 2018 return.

Others, whose 2019 AGI is high, while 2018 was low, would benefit by delaying their filing until this check is cashed, and will benefit by speedy passage and signing.

I don't know what's in the bill, in the way of appeal after lower 2019 taxes are processed, or govt demand for repayment after higher 2019 taxes are processed, if anything.

It's better than the original Repug senate offer, which is to give Mnuchin a few pallets of Benjamins to pass out to his friends, with no oversight or accounting.

[klook]

2. Not only travel costs, but danger.

Air travel at this time is quite risky.
smdh

[Baclava]

19. They will be on private jets most likely, but travel will have other risks, lg groups of people

[George II]

3. Unfortunately there was a Democratic representative threatening to do the same thing, too.

This isn't a time for partisanship or grandstanding or getting headlines. There are people dying out there who need help, and people worried about whether or not they'll be able to survive financially.

Let's get this done today.

[EarthFirst]

4. +1 nt

[flibbitygiblets]

5. +2

[jimlup]

7. That was AOC and had she decided that it was necessary

I trust her judgement. She didn't.

[gab13by13]

9. Maybe she's the only one who read The Shock Doctrine?

[Tom Rinaldo]

24. I view it as a well timed "shot across the bow" from AOC.

For far too long Congress has been swayed to self correct legislative priorities prior to votes ever being taken out of fear of obstructionist tactics from the Right. If Congressional leaders believe that those on the relative left will always simply fall into line as "good soldiers" whenever compromises are being considered, whereas those on the Right are more likely to "act up" if they don't get their way, then those compromises will inevitably shade toward the Right in the formulative stages.

The exact compromises that make it into legislation are hugely important, hundreds of thousands if not millions of lives can be negatively impacted by where the lines get drawn.

[Thekaspervote]

33. Yes.. and that dem rep is aoc...disgusting!

[abqtommy]

6. So what are House members doing out of town at this time? What do they think they are, the

Senate?

[George II]

8. The House hasn't been in session since March 14.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. They actually listed being in session this week

https://www.house.gov/legislative-activity

[George II]

29. The activity this week was by committees, not the full House. They are now in session this morning,

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Probably several reasons in addition to their schedule

The House schedule is here - https://www.house.gov/legislative-activity

There were originally no votes scheduled for today (Friday), although often they'll have hearings going on... but a regular session was to continue Monday (this is common). However the issue with the Senate bill negotiations/debate/vote being delayed meant this was handed off to the House late in the week and Pelosi gave a heads-up yesterday. Normally they could have gone on and passed with a voice vote of whoever was left in town today but assholes who decided to gum up the works appeared (similar to how someone can scuttle a "unanimous consent" vote in the Senate to force debate and a roll call vote), were threatening to require a recorded vote.

The other reasons for going home are -

-Social distancing within the chamber is becoming harder and harder
-Dealing directly with the constituents in their districts with respect to the responses to the various restriction orders

IMHO - both chambers need to work out "temporary" rules changes to allow votes and even hearings, to be done remotely. The more they interact with each other, the higher the chance they have to "self-quarantine" for 2 weeks, which precludes their ability to even participate anyway.

[abqtommy]

13. Thanks, BumRushDaShow. You've helped dispel my ignornace about this in the best DU

tradition.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. You are welcome!

I am a "CSPAN junky" so I try to follow what Congress is doing but with the way things are going, all the schedules will probably be continually changing to try to adapt to circumstances.

[George II]

30. It's been a confusing week or two - most of them went home last week. As you point out....

....today's vote could have been a voice vote of those in Washington but for the obstinate ones who want to "prove a point".

The Senate rule is even stricter though. One Senator can cause a delay of hours with a meaningless "debate" and then recorded vote.

It's good to see

On your last point, we're now conducting meeting through teleconference, and it's likely that our nominating conventions for state legislature candidates will also be held via teleconference. Unfortunate, because those conventions are always interesting and give local people an opportunity to participate.

[BumRushDaShow]

31. It's sad but I expect this year will be a wash

for just about anything.

[lagomorph777]

18. Excuse me? We are all supposed to be isolating. Especially those who set an example.

[abqtommy]

20. Hmmm...can politicians isolate themselves and still conduct business necessary to our

survival? Maybe, maybe not... Seems to me that the politicians have a job to do and have the perks of rapid and effective healthcare for themselves and their families. Unlike me...don't know about you.

[lagomorph777]

21. Of course they can. Politics is talk and documents.

There is widely available technology for that.

[getagrip_already]

26. nurses, doctors, grocery clerks, uber drivers....

Are supposed to be isolating also. But they are right there, in sick peoples faces.

I hear the outrage. Some jobs come with a great deal of responsibility, and a great deal of privilege. If politicians are afraid, I'm not impressed. They first and foremost, are in a position to help.

Show up and do their damn jobs.

[lagomorph777]

27. All those workers can't do their essential jobs from home. Congress can.

Members of Congress forcing Congress to meet in person is shockingly irresponsible.

[getagrip_already]

28. that I agree with.....

But we have a system that is designed to give voice to the minority. Sometimes, that is a good thing.

But in this case it's just some wing nut trying to be important for a few hours.

The system works. It's the people that screw it up.

[GreydeeThos]

12. Congress is burning 2000000000000 dollar bills; They better sign their names to it!

They should not be allowed to duck an expenditure like this on an anonymous voice vote.

[lagomorph777]

17. So you're fine with having every Member of Congress risk their lives because...tradition?

[lagomorph777]

16. Murderous Massie will pay for this.

He is risking the lives of the entire Congress.

Nancy needs to change the procedures. Pronto.

[Rebl2]

25. Maybe

Mr. Massie will suffer the consequences if you get my drift.

[turbinetree]

22. Let's see a orange hair grandstander saying another grandstander it might

take a little bit longer................yeah just like your management skills, when it comes to ventilators and having a dog eat dog mentality with state governors, just so that you can sit on your golden toilet and gloat with yourself and your team on the chaos you are causing...................you and him are both sick fuckers......................

November 3, 2020 cannot get here fast enough.......................

[47of74]

23. Can we please expel Kentucky from the union

[BlueIdaho]

32. While there - they need to authorize distance voting for the House.

It’s time we get ahead of the curve. This - rush back to Washington thing - is so 19th century it’s not even funny. Its dangerous and it’s paralyzing.