The Atlantic

Congress Desperately Needs a Contingency Plan

What will happen if lawmakers can no longer meet because of the coronavirus?
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty

What happens if the coronavirus pandemic reaches a point that requires all travel and mass gatherings in the United States to be suspended—and members of Congress cannot meet in the Capitol or elsewhere in Washington? What happens if enough members of Congress catch the virus, or are quarantined, that there is no longer a quorum to meet and conduct business? How, in such a circumstance, would Congress pass laws to address containment, treatment, and appropriations, or even exercise oversight of an administration that cannot be trusted to act appropriately?

[Read: What you need to know about the coronavirus]

The answer to these questions is frightening. There is no plan in place for Congress to hold remote meetings or otherwise conduct

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