House Speaker Nancy Pelosi repeated a phrase throughout her update this morning on the latest federal response to the coronavirus: "Testing, testing, testing."
The speaker said testing is "so very important, to take inventory, to understand the epidemiological spread of the virus, and also to meet the needs of the people affected."
She confirmed that Democrats and Republicans are working closely to pass a bill today that would provide additional protections, and free testing, following an $8.3 billion aid package last week. "No one will say I can't afford it," she said.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act would ensure free coronavirus testing, paid emergency sick leave, expanded unemployment insurance, increased protections for health care workers on the frontline, and food security initiative for children while schools are closed.
The bill is currently being debated in the House, but the clock is ticking as lawmakers consider whether they should leave the capital out of an abundance of caution.
When asked if House Democrats would stick around if a deal was not made within the next two days, Pelosi insisted lawmakers would get it done.
"We don't need 48 hours. We need to make a decision to help families now," she said.
"If people have to stay home, we have to stay home, but we don't want people to panic," Pelosi added but held off from outlining further plans to address the virus.
"We're here to pass a bill. When we pass a bill, we'll make a judgment about what comes next," she said.
As an addendum to her update on the coronavirus response, the speaker chimed in on the Democratic primary race.
"In case you were going to ask, no, I don't think Bernie Sanders should get out of the race. I'm a grassroots person. I'm chair of the California Democratic Party. I know the enthusiasm of supporters of candidates, and they want to see it play out."
Cook County Commissioner John Fritchey, who holds a medical marijuana card, says the drug's ability to relieve pain makes it a much more effective way to combat opioid addiction. “Why would we continue, in light of the crisis that we have, to prescribe opioids for pain relief?” Fritchey told Cheddar Tuesday.
The legislator has been vocal about getting his medical marijuana card in hopes of getting rid of the stigma around the drug, he told Cheddar. Fritchey is also pushing to legalize recreational use of the cannabis in Illinois and says it should be uses as a tool to fight the opioid crisis.
The Agriculture Department's proposed Farm Bill will kick millions of people off of benefits and take free breakfast and lunches away from hundreds of thousands of kids, says the Democrat from Massachusetts. The new legislation could go to a vote in May.
Colorado Rep. Brittany Pettersen is pushing to expand the state's Medicaid plan to include drug-abuse treatment programs, having witnessed her mother deal with opioid addiction for three decades. "There's really no options for people out there," Pettersen said Monday in an interview with Cheddar.
The fashion designer said she has seen several feminist movements "hit a wall," and women need to work with men to keep the #TimesUp movement going.
Sam Kass, who served as White House Chef during the Obama administration, is out with a new book on healthy eating. He says it encapsulates many of the concepts he and former first lady Michelle Obama espoused.
Sam Kass served as the White House Chef during the Obama administration. He says parents have to demand politicians enact policies that will encourage healthy eating habits.
The investigation into this week's deadly emergency landing of a Southwest Airlines flight is going strong, but how will regulators determine who's at fault? The Points Guy's Emily McNutt weighs in.
The Root's Michael Harriot discusses the road to legalizing marijuana and whether industry support from people like John Boehner will move the process along.
The former governor of Massachusetts, who joined cannabis production company Acreage Holdings last week with former House Speaker John Boehner, says legalizing marijuana should be up to the states to decide.
