Congress Modifies Operating Status

In response to the spread of COVID-19, the Office of the Sergeant At Arms has limited access to the Capitol Complex. The Capitol Visitor Center is closed to all tours, including member and staff led tours, and the Capitol and House and Senate Office Buildings are open to only Members, staff and official business visitors. Member offices expecting official business visitors are required to meet them at the door and escort them to the office for the meeting.

The House is in a scheduled recess this week and members have been advised that previously scheduled votes on March 23 would not take place. The House is considering how it might conduct floor votes without all members being present in the chamber simultaneously. Majority Leader McConnell on Monday rejected the notion that the Senate would work or vote remotely and canceled recess until the Senate passes relief legislation.

NRMCA Government Affairs is adapting its advocacy procedures and efforts to ensure that our representation of the industry’s priorities is not compromised. In person meetings are converted to conference calls and we are relying on e-mail communication with staff. Interestingly, without the internal bustle, staff are quick to respond and communication overall has not suffered materially. NRMCA Government Affairs staff is also monitoring the status of industry fly-ins and expects them to be canceled or postponed, but no determination has been made.

For more information, contact Andrew Tyrrell at atyrrell@nrmca.org.