House Democrats late Wednesday night introduced emergency legislation to help reduce th…

House Democrats late Wednesday night introduced emergency legislation to help reduce the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak by ensuring workers get paid sick leave and receive assistance if they lose their jobs. 
A vote is expected Thursday, just before lawmakers leave Washington for a previously scheduled week-long recess. The bill is expected to pass easily through the House, though it remains unclear when or if the Republican-controlled Senate will take it up. 
The package comes as lawmakers face mounting pressure to help mitigate the economic hit from the coronavirus as a growing number of airlines cancel flights, travelers cancel plans, sports leagues cancel games, and schools and workplaces announce closures. Even the Capitol is preparing to suspend public tours through at least the rest of this month. 
The legislation largely mirrors the principles laid out by Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiThe Hill’s Morning Report – Biden delivers another devastating blow to SandersElbow bumps, Spock salutes: How Congress is dealing with coronavirusOvernight Health Care Presented by Philip Morris International Trump, Congress struggle for economic deal amid coronavirus threat | Pelosi rejects calls to shutter Capitol | Coronavirus emerges as 2020 flashpointMORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerTrump criticizes congressional election security briefings over Schiff’s involvementCongress debating ways to help boost economy hit by coronavirusBullock announces run for Montana Senate seatMORE (D-N.Y.) earlier this week to ensure paid sick leave for all workers, bolster unemployment insurance, guarantee free coronavirus testing, prevent price gouging on essential consumer items and expand federal food assistance for low-income families and children. 
We have a public health crisis in this country and the best way to help keep the American people safe and ensure their economic security is for the president to focus on fighting the spread of the coronavirus itself,” Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement. “Alarmingly, the president did not say how the administration will address the lack of coronavirus testing kits throughout the United States.”
Democrats unveiled the legislation after Trump announced in an Oval Office address to the nation that he was suspending travel from most of Europe for 30 days beginning Friday. The ban will not include the United Kingdom, even though it currently has nearly 500 coronavirus cases.
Trump also said that he will soon be taking emergency action [to] ensure that working Americans impacted by the virus can stay home without fear of financial hardship.
He added that he will be asking Congress to take legislative action to extend this relief.
Trump also reiterated his call for a payroll tax cut  an idea that hasnt gained much traction in either party on Capitol Hill  as well as asking Congress to increase funding for the Small Business Administration low-interest loan program by $50 billion.
House Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerOvernight Health Care Presented by Philip Morris International Trump floats payroll tax cut, help for hourly workers over coronavirus | Five lawmakers self-quarantine after possible exposure | CDC urges those over 60 to take precautionsHoyer says Congress will stay at work amid coronavirus for nowThis week: Surveillance, travel ban fights play out amid growing coronavirus concernsMORE (D-Md.) on Wednesday called the payroll tax cut idea a non-starter.
Pelosi has been in frequent talks with Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinThe Hill’s Morning Report – Biden delivers another devastating blow to SandersOvernight Health Care Presented by Philip Morris International Trump, Congress struggle for economic deal amid coronavirus threat | Pelosi rejects calls to shutter Capitol | Coronavirus emerges as 2020 flashpointTrump, GOP seek way forward on coronavirusMORE in search of a deal. The pair met in the Capitol on Tuesday and spoke by phone at least twice on Wednesday, when they also exchanged a series of text messages throughout the afternoon. 
Pelosi also spoke by phone with Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceTrump to launch ‘Catholics for Trump’ coalition in Wisconsin next weekPence says he and Trump will continue to shake hands despite coronavirusGOP senators tell Trump to make Fauci face of government’s coronavirus responseMORE who’s in charge of the White House’s coronavirus task force and Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 
But Democrats are determined to press on with their own proposal.
I think there’s an emergency in this country. And I think it’s absolutely essential that someone just light the fire and ignite a proposal,” House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita LoweyNita Sue LoweyTrump, Congress struggle for economic deal under coronavirus threatPelosi rejects calls to shutter Capitol: ‘We are the captains of this ship’Democrats balk at Trump’s payroll tax cut proposalMORE (D-N.Y.) told reporters in the Capitol earlier Wednesday. “And we put the proposal together as effectively as we could, as soon as we can. And I hope all the other parts of government respond.”
The legislation would be in addition to the $8.3 billion emergency spending bill that Trump signed into law last week to boost agencies efforts to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. That initial package focused largely on the most immediate health-related needs stemming from the virus, including provisions to boost public health research and disseminate coronavirus test-kits around the country.
Hoyer said that in talking to Fauci, a member of Trumps coronavirus task force, he believes the $8.3 billion is currently enough to address the immediate challenges from a health perspective.
Fauci testified earlier Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee that the outbreak in the U.S. is only “going to get worse.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) also officially declared on Wednesday that the coronavirus outbreak amounted to a global pandemic. 
The U.S. has surpassed 1,200 cases, with close to 40 deaths as of Wednesday evening. Globally, the coronavirus has infected more than 115,000 and killed more than 4,200.