The Senate canceled a critical hearing on Monday concerning the ongoing effort to combat the coronavirus after the federal government urged a ban on large gatherings.
“Based on recommendations from HHS, CDC and NIH, Ranking Member Patty Murray and I are postponing until further notice the Senate Health Committee hearing that was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 18 at 10am ET,” Sen. Lamar Alexander said in a statement Monday.
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Panel lawmakers planned to examine the federal government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
“The hearing is another opportunity for senators to hear an update from officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration, about steps the federal government and state and local health officials are taking to respond to this public health threat and mitigate the spread of disease in the United States,” Alexander said last week.
Lawmakers had planned to limit seating at the hearing and to livestream the event. Now it is postponed indefinitely.
The Senate will gavel into session this afternoon and will hold at least one vote at 5:30 p.m., which will summon all 100 senators to the chamber.
