The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the $2.2 trillion coronavirus aid package Friday afternoon, but what was expected to be a smooth confirmation process devolved into a mad dash in the Capitol after one of the House’s own threatened to derail the vote with a procedural objection.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky. 4th Dist.) announced he would call for a recorded vote, which requires quorum — 216 members — to pass the relief bill. Lawmakers who had left Washington rushed back to make sure there were enough representatives to make a quorum, many of them furious about the health risk of traveling and meeting in a large group.
When Massie stood up to request the recorded vote during Friday’s session, he was the only member to do so. With quorum met, the bill was permitted to pass by voice vote, which it did to cheers from the socially-distanced House members. The bill will now go to the president’s desk for his signature.
In the absence of remote voting, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had tried to give members the option to stay home by calling for a voice vote. That plan would have allowed most members, many in the high-risk category for coronavirus complications, to stay home while still providing a forum for members who wanted to speak on the floor. C-SPAN had even agreed to provide air time for members to broadcast short video statements if they did not wish to return to Washington D.C.
House members, instead, debated while staying as far from each other as possible, with members standing in doorways, stairwells and even on the upper floor.
Two RollColl reporters compiled a spreadsheet to keep track of which members had returned, and how they arrived in D.C. As of 1 pm ET Friday, it had been noted that at least 11 members had driven, some of whom said they had been on the road all night.
One of those members, Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.11th Dist.) made a nearly nine-hour drive overnight and said “I rise for every American who is scared now,” raising her voice on the floor as a gavel signaled her time was over. Stevens, showing the latex gloves on her hands, said she wore them “not for personal attention, but to encourage you to take this disease seriously.” Her district is just outside Detroit, one of the regions dealing with an outbreak.
“You will see darkness. You will be pushed. And our society needs you to stand together at this time,” she said.
Massie did seem to bring together politicians across the aisle in their anger. President Trump called Massie a “third rate Grandstander” and former Secretary of State John Kerry said “congressman Massie has tested positive for being an asshole.”
In a Cheddar Special Report, anchors Baker Machado and J.D. Durkin bring you all the latest ahead of President Trump’s first State of the Union address.
RNC National Spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany says that the media leans left and isn't giving President Trump a fair shot. The Daily Beast's Andrew Desiderio discusses McEnany's claims and takes a look at what he expects from President Trump's first State of the Union address.
After one year in office, President Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address. Immigration and the economy are expected to take center stage during the night. RNC National Spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany previews what she expects to hear from the president.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) is one of a group of Democrats who will be boycotting President Trump's State of the Union address. She talks to Cheddar about the reasons why.
President Trump is one year into his term. The stock markets are at historically high levels, and unemployment at the lowest levels in years. Washington Examiner's Breaking News Reporter Melissa Quinn gives her take on what we can expect to hear from President Trump during the State of the Union.
Vimeo coming off a big year of changes in 2017. The company's CEO Anjali Sud explains how these changes are driving growth for the company. A look at the business of marijuana on Cheddar's Cannabiz. The New York Times released an investigative piece on the dark world of buying followers and bots for social media fame and recognition. Facebook faces calls to remove its messenger app for kids. The Dow closed today down more than 300 points. The major dip occurred on the same day as President Trump's first State of the Union address.
Amazon is joining forces with Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase to bring their employees better and cheaper healthcare. EasyJet's CEO is giving himself a pay cut to match the salary of his female predecessor. Actor Jeff Hiller joins us to discuss stepping into a critically-acclaimed off-Broadway solo show already in progress. Plus, we talk to Chat Sports about the Cleveland Indians' decision to do away with their controversial logo.
New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera points out that having nearby states change taxation and other laws around marijuana could help convince lawmakers in his own state to legalize recreational use as well.
After years of protest, the Cleveland Indians will remove Chief Wahoo from their uniforms starting in 2019. Chat Sports Founder and CEO James Yoder explains the timing behind the team's decision.
President Trump has five days to decide whether to release a classified memo to the public that alleges abuses of power by the Justice Department and FBI in the Russia investigation.
