Welcome to Tuesday, March 24th, heads, and shoulders, and knees, and toes...

House Democrats have released a “phase 3” coronavirus relief bill of their own as bipartisan negotiations continue in the Senate.

While Democratic leaders haven't indicated when or if they will recall the House from recess for a vote (which typically requires 24 hours of notice), the circulation of the 1,404 page bill at the very least lays down a marker for negotiations going forward.

We compare the House and Senate bill here, which includes:

Assistance for Corporations

The House Democrats’ bill would authorize emergency relief up to $250 billion to corporations through interest-bearing loans and loan guarantees, or the purchase of warrants for preferred or common stock. Corporations receiving federal aid would be prohibited from providing more than $425,000 in total annual compensation or “golden parachutes” to executives until their assistance is repaid.
The Senate bill would authorize emergency relief for corporations up to $500 billion through interest-bearing loans and loan guarantees, or the purchase of warrants for preferred or common stock. Corporations receiving federal aid would be prohibited from increasing executive compensation for two years or providing “golden parachutes."

How optimistic are you that Congress will compromise on the “phase 3” bill?

For a politics-free guide to how to protect you and your loved ones from corona, click on over to our Coronavirus Info Center.

On the Radar

Eat, Play, Stretch

Even if you’re a reclusive shut-in like this writer, you may be losing your sanity ("Going all Shining") over your ordered or elective stay-at-home strategy to combat COVID-19.

You'll find some of the best activities we've discovered - or enacted - in our quest against boredom in our article Eat, Play, Stretch: Free, Fun Things to Do Online While You’re Social Distancing – What Are Yours?

And we want to hear from you. Let us know how you're combatting corona by staying at home—we'll be running another piece with your ideas soon.

Under the Radar

Remote Vote

COVID-19’s impact on Congress has extended beyond the legislation it considers, as a number of lawmakers in both chambers have been unable to cast votes on bills addressing the crisis because they’re stuck at home under quarantine.

Remote voting in Congress has been discussed at various times as a way to let the legislative branch function when lawmakers’ physical presence in the Capitol is impractical because of terrorism or another form of national emergency, such as the ongoing pandemic.

However, neither the House nor the Senate currently have a system in place to allow for remote voting—even under exigent circumstances.

While it's unclear how quickly either chamber could change its rules to accommodate remote voting, there are growing discussions about what remote voting might look like in Congress.

Read some of the ideas being floated here, then tell your reps:

Do you support remote voting by members of Congress?