Senate Cancels Recess as Democrats and White House Seek Virus Relief Deal

Under mounting pressure to remain in Washington as Democrats and the White House hammer out a relief package to address a fast-moving pandemic, Senator Mitch McConnell reversed course on Thursday and canceled a planned one-week recess, saying the Senate would meet next week and be ready to consider a compromise coronavirus relief bill. “I am glad talks are ongoing between the Administration and Speaker Pelosi,” Mr. McConnell, the majority leader, said on Twitter. “I hope Congress can pass bipartisan legislation to continue combating the coronavirus and keep our economy strong.” The announcement offered a glimmer of hope for feverish behind-the-scenes negotiations between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, over the contours of a bipartisan relief package to provide assistance for people affected by the spread of the disease and the resulting economic disruption. Mr. McConnell’s decision averted what had been shaping up as a remarkable collapse of those talks. House Democrats scheduled a Thursday vote on their own package of paid sick leave, enhanced unemployment insurance, free coronavirus testing and food aid, and Senate Republicans, who oppose that legislation, faced the prospect of leaving Washington having taken no action to address the widening crisis...MORE