House leaders were scrambling to bring back enough legislators to form a quorum to pass a $2 trillion economic rescue package after a Republican lawmaker suggested he might object to holding the vote using a procedure that avoids putting members on the record, the Wall Street Journal reported. Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) told a local radio station that he would vote against the bill, and suggested that he might object to allowing the bill to pass by voice vote. If Massie forced a roll-call vote, the House would need a majority of the chamber — 216 votes — in order to proceed with a vote. Otherwise, voting would be delayed until enough lawmakers could return to Washington, D.C. “We have notified our Members of the possibility that the bill may not pass by voice vote,” the press office for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.) said in a statement. “The Majority Leader’s Office has sent a notice to Members that if they are able and willing to be in Washington, DC by 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, they are encouraged to do so, while exercising all due caution.” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R., La.) echoed that sentiment. Many lawmakers had planned to stay away from the Capitol because of the risks of traveling during the coronavirus pandemic.
