(Update 13:45 ET): McConnell has canceled the Senate recess over the coronavirus, saying on Tuesday that they will remain in town to craft COVID-19 legislation.
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(Update 11:11 ET): President Trump says he does not support House Democrats’ coronavirus bill because it includes ‘unrelated goodies.’
He added that he won’t invoke emergency powers under the stafford act over the outbreak at this time.
Meanwhile, Trump’s former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Bossert has some thoughts on what should be done right now
I have a great public health colleague who manages outbreaks by asking: Two weeks from now, what will we wish we had done today. He puts that question in a little time capsule, and asks you two weeks later what you wish you had said, in retrospect.
— Thomas P. Bossert (@TomBossert) March 12, 2020
“In two weeks, we will regret wasting time and energy on travel restrictions and wish we focused more on hospital preparation and large scale community mitigation.”
Update: McConnell responds
I applaud Sec. Mnuchin and the Administration for engaging in bipartisan talks with Speaker Pelosi. Following the billions in health funding we approved last week, the Senate is ready and eager to consider bipartisan policies to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus.
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) March 12, 2020
Fortunately, we do not need to choose between Speaker Pelosi’s first draft and doing nothing. I am glad the Administration is continuing talks. The Senate is ready to consider a bipartisan, bicameral package if House Democrats return to the table & work with the President's team.
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) March 12, 2020
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has slammed legislation introduced by House Democrats to tackle coronavirus as an “ideological wish list” which he vowed to block because it creates a “needless thicket of bureaucracy.”
“Instead of focusing on immediate relief to affected individuals, families and businesses, the House Democrats chose to wander into various areas of policy that are barely related, if at all, to the issue before us.” he said.