Kentucky representative may delay passage of $2.2tn package
Good morning, this is Bryan Armen Graham in New York, covering the latest on the coronavirus in the US and American politics.
The US House of representatives is set to pass a $2.2tn package later Friday to ease the coronavirus pandemic’s devastating toll on the economy and healthcare system following a 96-0 vote in the Senate, though the actions of a single lawmaker could delay proceedings by several hours.
Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie, who has voiced his opposition the bill, has threatened to demand a roll call vote, which would hold up passage until most lawmakers return to Washington for a vote, prompting backlash at a time when Americans have been urged to self-quarantine or maintain distance from one another.
“Heading to Washington to vote on pandemic legislation. Because of one Member of Congress refusing to allow emergency action entire Congress must be called back to vote in House,” New York representative Peter King wrote on Twitter. “Risk of infection and risk of legislation being delayed. Disgraceful. Irresponsible.”
Elsewhere, Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus and will have to work leading the government’s efforts to tackle the pandemic in isolation.
In a video posted on Twitter, the prime minister confirmed he had developed mild symptoms – “a temperature and persistent cough” – over the last 24 hours and, on the advice of the chief medical officer, he took a test which returned positive for coronavirus.
Johnson, 55, said he was now self-isolating and working from home. He said thanks to “the wizardry of modern technology” he would continue to lead the national fightback against the virus.
Updated