House Democratic and Republican leaders announced that the chamber will no longer reconvene on Monday, March 23, and members would have 24 hours' notice to return to Washington pending any developments that require votes, suggesting that the chamber will not reconvene before a third coronavirus relief package is ready.

The announcements came from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), and added that plans are being developed to coordinate votes to limit the number of members voting on the floor at any one time, in a move designed to prevent spread of the virus as Congress works.

A third legislative package is already being eyed in Congress, and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told his members today he is eyeing a package of at least $750 billion and may present a plan as soon as March 17 that seeks to put money in the peoples' hands and provide federal funding towards priorities like hospital and treatment capacity issues, affordability of treatment, additional Unemployment Insurance (UI) and increased Medicaid funding, help to small businesses, emergency child care, etc.

Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD) is also soliciting ideas for an additional response/stimulus package.

Similar to the figure cited by Senator Schumer, Politico reported that the White House is aiming to deploy about $800 billion to fight the virus and its effects, including through potential loans, tax deferments and payments to affected industries; and that a plan could be outlined as soon as March 17.

The latest developments come as the second congressional package, the House-passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), has yet to reach the Senate as work continues to address technical corrections to the bill, with the hope that such changes could be nailed down and agreed to by unanimous consent soon.

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