“I know this is shocking, but I’m in public service because I like people. After a year of Zooms and socially distanced, smaller events, I can’t wait to get back on the road across Virginia, shake some hands, give some hugs, take some selfies, and just generally be out there with my constituents in a way that just isn’t the same during COVID,” he said.
Much of the growing optimism comes from both the increased rate of vaccinations and recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC this week said fully vaccinated people can gather indoors with each other without masks. The agency also said that vaccinated people can visit with someone in a single household who is unvaccinated, without protections.
She said that under House guidelines, legislation can’t be considered by unanimous consent unless there is bipartisan approval from House floor and committee leadership.
Thursday’s effort by House Democrats to provide $2,000 direct payments won’t be their last. Speaker Nancy Pelosi
“To vote against this bill is to deny the financial hardship that families face and to deny them the relief they need,” she said in a statement. “Hopefully by then the President will have already signed the bipartisan and bicameral legislation to keep the government open and to deliver coronavirus relief.”
Trump has not explicitly said he would veto the year-end legislation, and it’s unclear how he will ultimately proceed. He could still sign the bill, despite his misgivings.