The Senate’s return is a test case for the House

If Congress returns too soon and lawmakers contract coronavirus, leaders could face backlash for not keeping members safe. But if Congress doesn’t get back to business, leaders could take heat for sitting on the sidelines in the middle of a crisis. Those are the competing pressures that the Senate and House are under as they make decisions about when — and how — to reopen.

So far, the chambers are taking divergent approaches. But the House will surely be keeping a close eye on operations in the Senate, which is returning today despite D.C.’s stay-at-home order. The Office of Attending Physician is recommending that senators conduct self-health audits and wear face masks, though it is not required; press conferences are being moved to larger rooms; social distancing will be enforced at stakeouts; and only one print pool reporter will be allowed at most committee hearings. More on the guidelines from WSJ’s Lindsay Wise and Natalie Andrews: https://on.wsj.com/2SvQIhu.

Across the Capitol, the House is delaying its return by at least another week. But some lawmakers and senior aides think the House may need to push its return even further: The Capitol physician informed members of the House Administration Committee Friday that coronavirus cases may not peak in the D.C. region until mid- or even late May. And leaders have so far struggled to reach a bipartisan agreement on how to safely function amid the pandemic.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) laid out his own list of ideas this morning on how to reopen, such as bringing back a few committees first and allowing them to work on bills before calling back the rest of the House for a floor vote. His pitch comes as lawmakers in both parties have grown increasingly frustrated that they’ve been asked to vote on massive coronavirus bills that were hashed out by leadership in back-room deals. More on all this from Sarah, your Huddle host and Heather: https://politi.co/2ypfmcF.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE, however, agree on at least one thing. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined forces to issue a rare joint statement denying a White House offer to provide rapid testing in the Capitol, because they don’t want Congress to get special treatment. Trump sounded off on the decision, which might be a politically savvy move but could also be a public health gamble. “No reason to turn it down, except politics,” Trump tweeted. “Crazy Nancy will use it as an excuse not to show up to work!” More from Marianne: https://politi.co/3c2mnyt.