House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) is questioning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) over the House of Representatives not returning next week.
On Thursday during her weekly press conference, Pelosi spoke on the postponement of the House’s return to Washington, D.C.
“We’re not coming back next week. Our plan is to come back the following week,” Pelosi said.
During an interview with Fox News on Friday, Scalise was asked about the decision to not return and the delays they will likely face since there is not a remote voting system in place.
The Louisiana Republican expressed concern about Pelosi’s decision to delay the House’s return to Washington noting that their previous return to vote on the second phase of the Payment Protection Plan (PPP) was safe and successful.
“I’ve been very vocal when Speaker Pelosi canceled votes that we were going to have next week, that she shouldn’t be afraid of bringing members back. We just went back to D.C. last week to vote on the next round of relief package for the Paycheck Protection Program. It went smooth. You didn’t see major incidents. And, again, the Senate’s going to be in next week.”
Noting that the Senate plans to return next week, Scalise asked, “Is there some reason why Nancy Pelosi doesn’t think the House should be working, as well?” adding, “There are ways to do this safely.”
See Scalise’s remarks below:
Scalise went on to criticize the speaker’s stance as he noted how Congress should operate.
“Congress, by the way, should be leading. Congress shouldn’t be the last people to come back. We should be the first to come back safer, showing those safer protocols and getting our job done… and holding China accountable too, by the way,” he said.
The decision made by House leaders comes amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.