The United States now has the most detected cases in the world. States are pleading for supplies as cases spike outside of New York City. And health workers, short on protective gear, face growing dangers the world over.

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Stocks fell after a three-day rally on Wall Street, as investors who had cheered progress on a U.S. aid package saw signs of further economic troubles.

President Trump lashed out at a lawmaker who is threatening to delay passage of the relief bill.

President Trump on Friday attacked Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, for threatening to hold up passage of a $2 trillion stimulus package scheduled for a House vote at noon.

Calling Mr. Massie, a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, a “third rate Grandstander,” Mr. Trump defended the economic stabilization bill passed unanimously in the Senate on Wednesday, and said Mr. Massie should be booted from the Republican Party.

House leaders will try at noon to pass the measure by voice vote, but they could fail if Mr. Massie follows through on his threats to object. That would mean a majority of the chamber would have to cast votes in person.

Dozens of House members rushed back to Washington on Friday from every corner of the country — defying public health advice to avoid traveling and congregating in groups — to be on hand in case that happens.

Leaders had hoped to pass the bill without a recorded vote, so that lawmakers would not be required to return to Washington.

Technically, the House cannot legislate without the presence of a quorum, defined by the Constitution as a simple majority. (The House currently has 430 members; 216 are required for a quorum.)

f even one member asserted that the House lacked a quorum and called for a recorded vote, the House would have to cease its business until 216 lawmakers arrived.

Mr. Massie’s threats to object have stoked anger among fellow lawmakers.

“If you intend to delay passage of the #coronavirus relief bill tomorrow morning, please advise your 428 colleagues RIGHT NOW so we can book flights and expend ~$200,000 in taxpayer money to counter your principled but terribly misguided stunt,” Representative Dean Phillips, Democrat of Minnesota, wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

Source：https://www.nytimes.com