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Lawmakers Race to Respond to Outbreak; Trump to Go to Hill

Associated Press

   WASHINGTON - Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats on Tuesday that
   Congress should stay at work this week as "captains of the ship"
   despite the risk of coronavirus infection on Capitol Hill as lawmakers
   scramble under enormous pressure to respond to the epidemic. President
   Donald Trump was heading there to confer with Senate Republicans about
   his proposed payroll tax relief.

   Lawmakers were given new instructions on how to protect themselves at
   the Capitol, with the House's attending physician asking them to stop
   shaking hands or touching people during greetings -- he recommended the
   split-fingers Star Trek greeting instead. Trump met health insurers,
   seeking their cooperation in ensuring affordable medical care in the
   public-health emergency.

   With Congress planning to take its scheduled break next week, the time
   for action is short. Democrats are assembling an aid package for
   working families struggling to keep paychecks coming as the outbreak
   disrupts workplaces. Their plan counters one from Trump, who is
   proposing a payroll tax break, small-business loans and other steps.