Senate Democrats are calling for lawmakers to hold a series of oversight hearings aimed at holding the Trump administration “accountable for the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response.”
Republicans, who control the majority, plan to focus on moving Trump administration judicial nominees and have not scheduled any immediate committee oversight hearings related to the coronavirus or the government’s response. The GOP is considering hearings with Trump’s key coronavirus task force members in mid-May.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Friday called the timing “shameful.” Schumer, a New York Democrat, has denounced McConnell’s decision to reconvene the Senate with nominations taking the priority on the agenda.
“The American people deserve to immediately hear from the administration’s top public health and economic officials on why we don’t have enough tests, why so many small businesses are having trouble accessing SBA assistance while larger and well-connected businesses are getting help, why unemployment insurance checks are failing to get to workers, and how to protect front-line workers with the equipment they need during this crisis,” Schumer said.
The Senate is scheduled to return Monday afternoon to hold a vote to confirm Robert Feitel, President Trump’s nominee as inspector general of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Committees are also scheduled to meet to advance Trump nominees.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a Wednesday confirmation hearing, likely for Justin Walker, a former McConnell staffer and now a federal district court judge who is Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
The Senate Intelligence Committee has scheduled a Tuesday confirmation hearing for Rep. John Ratcliffe, a Texas Republican, Trump’s pick as director of national intelligence.
Democrats sent a letter to McConnell this week urging him to postpone nominations and instead focus on legislation related to the pandemic.
Democrats point to problems distributing the nearly $2.8 trillion in federal dollars intended to help small businesses, healthcare facilities, and individuals.
“We respectfully urge you to have the Senate focus on COVID-19 related matters and oversight of all COVID-related legislation enacted by Congress,” Democrats wrote to McConnell.
Schumer provided McConnell with list of 15 oversight concerns related to the Trump administration’s response. They are demanding an immediate hearing next week on federal coronavirus testing capabilities and a hearing on the implementation and access to nearly $700 billion in federal aid to small businesses.
Democrats are criticizing McConnell for convening the Senate at all.
The House backed off a plan to return on Monday, postponing their next session until May 11. The change followed backlash from rank-and-file Democrats who said Monday is too soon to return. Democrats said the House physician warned it would not be safe for the nearly 430 members to travel back to the Capitol.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, wrote to both McConnell and Schumer urging a postponement. Feinstein said that eight Capitol Police officers and 11 other Capitol staff have contracted the coronavirus.
Feinstein, who is 86, is among many Senate lawmakers over the age of 65 and is considered the most vulnerable to becoming seriously ill from the virus.
“Bringing 100 senators from around the country, including many coronavirus hotspots, along with many more staff, credentialed press, and others, to this environment risks all of us,” Feinstein wrote. “It also sends the wrong message to the American people, most of whom are being asked or directed to stay at home.”
source Washington Examiner