WASHINGTON – As Americans confront a crisis unlike any in modern times, the Senate, which prides itself on being the world's greatest deliberative body, is doing almost anything but deliberate the coronavirus.
It's as though the challenge has split the chamber into two. On one side is a Senate clamoring for a quick response to the virus outbreak at its door.
On the other is the wait-and-see Senate hitting pause on swift action and carrying on with non-pandemic business. “Every aspect of American society has been changed by this crisis — except, perhaps, the Republican Senate,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in the chamber Wednesday.