Senate to Reconvene May 4 to Address Coronavirus Needs

The Senate plans to reconvene May 4 and will work on the next steps of coronavirus relief, which Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said must include liability protections for business owners who reopen.

McConnell said the Senate will modify its routines “in ways that are smart and safe” so members can “conduct critical business in person.”

“If it is essential for doctors, nurses, health care workers, truck drivers, grocery-store workers, and many other brave Americans to keep carefully manning their own duty stations, then it is essential for senators to carefully man ours and support them,” he said in a statement.

McConnell said health care workers and business owners could end up with years of lawsuits over their efforts to cope with the virus.

“Our response must not be slowed, weakened, or exploited to set up the biggest trial lawyer bonanza in history,” he said.

He also warned against partisan wish lists and “left-wing daydreams” as part of the next virus response package.

House leaders haven’t announced a schedule for their return to Washington. Democrats are scheduled to participate in a conference call Monday at which the topic may come up.