The U.S. House of Representatives expects to pass a nearly $500 billion coronavirus relief bill on Thursday but will put off any decision on changing its voting rules during the pandemic, avoiding a potential partisan fight, Reuters reported.
The bill, which will provide funds to small businesses and hospitals struggling with the economic toll of a pandemic that has killed more than 45,000 Americans, is expected to be the fourth coronavirus measure passed by Congress, boosting the overall federal financial response to almost $3 trillion.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi backed away from calling for a vote on a measure that would allow members to cast proxy votes on colleagues’ behalf during the crisis to promote social distancing and limit the risk of members being exposed to the virus, a Democratic leadership aide said Wednesday, Reuters noted.
The response to the pandemic has become a political flashpoint with some Republican governors and President Donald Trump saying the widespread closures of businesses, schools and social institutions are causing economic dislocation that outweighs the damage caused by the virus.
Instead, Pelosi told other leading Democrats on a call that she and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy would have a bipartisan group of House lawmakers review remote voting by proxy and reopening the House, the aide said.
Congress has not met in regular session since last month, and is in recess until at least May 4 because of the pandemic. But House leaders have called members back to Washington for a Thursday vote on the coronavirus aid.
The Republican-controlled Senate approved it on a voice vote Tuesday, but with some opposition expected in the House, leaders decided to bring members back for a roll call vote.
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