Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is keeping senators in Washington, D.C., to continue working on a stimulus package to address the coronavirus outbreak.
In a tweet on Thursday afternoon, McConnell announced that he was canceling the upcoming week-long recess for the Senate.
“Notwithstanding the scheduled state work period, the Senate will be in session next week. I am glad talks are ongoing between the Administration and Speaker Pelosi. I hope Congress can pass bipartisan legislation to continue combating the coronavirus and keep our economy strong.”
Notwithstanding the scheduled state work period, the Senate will be in session next week. I am glad talks are ongoing between the Administration and Speaker Pelosi. I hope Congress can pass bipartisan legislation to continue combating the coronavirus and keep our economy strong.
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) March 12, 2020
McConnell’s decision comes after House Democrats unveiled a stimulus package of their own, which they hoped to vote on as early as Thursday night.
However, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) raised some issues with the legislation, “There’s a couple major problems with it.”
“This will take more than six months, so it won’t work in time,” McCarthy said, adding, “It will also hamper the administration from putting out social security for those who need it right now that are in harm’s way.”
Finally, McCarthy suggested that the legislation was rushed and said Congress needs to take time to “get this right.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said earlier this week that Democrats hoped to get a proposal together by the end of the week — before lawmakers leave for a week.
However, she indicated that if there was not legislation that was ready to be voted on by the end of the week, she would not cut short the upcoming recess, unless there was a “necessity.”
By Thursday afternoon, Pelosi was still in negotiations with administration officials over the language in the bill. However, Democratic congressional leaders said they were hoping to hold a vote on the bill Thursday night.