Thread by @ChadPergram

1) All eyes are on Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) Friday as they House hopes to align with the Senate and approve the $2.2 trillion coronavirus phase three bill.

2) Fox is told there is deep concern on both sides of the aisle that Massie – or others - could try to sidetrack House plans to approve the coronavirus bill via a voice vote.

“It’s the Thomas Massie show,” said one senior Republican source who asked to not be identified.

3) When asked the House leadership was concerned about others besides Massie, one source replied “there are others who are egging him on.”

4) A voice vote is one of three standard methods for approving bills in the House and Senate. A voice vote is where everyone in the chamber shouts “aye!” Those opposed holler “no!” The chair then decides which side is loudest. The most boisterous prevails.

5) The practice unfolds at the end of the debate on almost every bill, resolution or amendment in the House. Any member may then ask for a “recorded vote.” There’s concern from both sides of the aisle that Massie could demand a roll call vote.

6) That’s where House members insert cards into electronic voting machines and vote either yes, no or present. The House then documents and records the ballot of each member.

7) It's clear that the House has wide ranging support for the plan. But there is extreme concern about the health of lawmakers and staff. The demand for a roll call vote, bringing all members into the chamber to vote, is unsettling for members & Capitol health officials

8) That’s why the House developed a protocol to stretch out the vote, perhaps over many hrs, limiting how many members enter the chamber. The House has the votes to pass the coronavirus bill, even if it’s just a limited group and not all 430 current members of the Hse.

But...

9) There could be a deeper problem than that taking a roll call vote.

Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution notes that the House and Senate need “a Majority of each shall constitue a Quorum to do Business.”

10) Massie or any other member could make a "point of order" (that’s where a member asserts that the House or Senate is not operating properly under its own rules) that the House doesn’t have a quorum. Therefore, the House CAN’T vote if it lacks a quorum.

11) With 430 members, 216 constitutes a quorum. This is where things could get very interesting – and very messy.

12) House Rule XX dictates parameters for establishing quorums. Rule XX, Clause 5 (c)(1) deals with the House reducing the number required for a quorum “due to catastrophic circumstances.” But that rule would eventually trigger the House declaring a number of seats vacant

13) In short, the Hse may have the votes (just a simple majority) to pass the coronavirus bill. But if someone makes a point of order about the House lacking a quorum, they will likely have to rustle up 216 members – be that Friday or over the weekend obefore the House could vote

14) On a conference call with Democrats today, Fox is told Pelosi told members the House will vote Friday “if there’s a quorum tomorrow.”

15) Congressional leaders on both sides as well as the Office of Attending Physician, fear elongating House operations any longer than necessary.

Massie did not respond to calls and emails by Fox on Thursday.

16) Massie has suggested to local media close to his district in northern Kentucky that he thinks it’s crucial for the House to follow the Constitution – thus, have a quorum on hand. He’s also scoffed at lawmakers refusing to travel. He noted that 96 senators cast ballots Wed

17) A senior administration source declined to comment to Fox if there was an effort by the Trump Administration to curb any potential parliamentary mischief by Massie.

18) “A lot of members are pissed off,” said one source. “If we don’t have a quroum on tomorrow, we’ll definitely have one by Saturday.”