Lawmakers, many in masks, debate mammoth new aid package
ANDREW TAYLOR and ALAN FRAM
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A nearly $500 billion measure helping businesses and hospitals cope with the coronavirus' devastation edged toward House passage Thursday, as lawmakers' face masks and bandannas added an eerie tone to Congress' effort to aid a staggered nation.
"Millions of people out of work," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all."
The day's debate was almost overshadowed by social distancing steps that produced a stark image of how the pandemic is changing what used to be normal behavior in Washington.
As Pelosi spoke, she lowered a white scarf that had covered much of her fac