Massie could foil quick passage of coronavirus relief, again – By Jim Saksa, Lindsey McPherson, and Jennifer Shutt (Roll Call) / April 7 2020
McConnell toys with vote for more small business relief this week
An emergency cash infusion for a hugely popular small-business lending program at the heart of the new $2.3 trillion economic aid package could run into a familiar roadblock this week: Rep. Thomas Massie.
Massie is the Kentucky Republican who objected to clearing the massive relief bill by voice vote on March 27, citing the constitutional requirement that a quorum, or majority, of House members be present for a recorded vote.
After plans to ram through some $250 billion in additional aid for the new Small Business Administration program became clear on Tuesday, Massie voiced his frustration via Twitter. “Folks, this isn’t some esoteric House rule,” Massie wrote. “This is the US Constitution.”
Massie’s objection on the previous bill forced House leaders to bring a majority of lawmakers back to Washington in the midst of various stay-at-home orders for the March 27 vote. Two days later Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez, D-N.Y., announced she had symptoms of COVID-19.
The House ultimately cleared the measure on a voice vote, after denying Massie sufficient numbers to insist on a recorded vote.
This time, there are no such plans to ensure a quorum of members are back in Washington amid what public health officials are calling a critical week to remain at home.
Massie’s comments cast doubt on the quick timeline congressional leaders had discussed earlier in the day, with Senate passage as soon as Thursday and the House clearing the new SBA funds as early as Friday.
Continue to article: https://www.rollcall.com/2020/04/07/another-250-billion-in-small-business-funds-eyed-democrats-want-changes-2344/
