TSA screened 8% of the passengers it usually does yesterday
From CNN's Gregory Wallace
worker staffs a security checkpoint in the international terminal at O'Hare Airport on March 12, in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/Getty Images
Airport security screeners are currently seeing only a sliver of the traffic they saw this time last year.
Yesterday, the Transportation Security Administration screened only 8% of the people that it did on the same day in 2019, according to newly-released numbers from the agency.
It counted 203,858 people passing through its checkpoints.
This marked the first day in the coronavirus outbreak that the agency has screened less than 10% of last year’s traffic.
The figures are one way to measure the dramatic drop in people traveling. When March began, the agency was screening slightly more people than it did on the same day last year.
10:39 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
Members of both parties are angry with this GOP lawmaker who could delay the stimulus bill vote
From CNN's Haley Byrd, Manu Raju and Betsy Klein
Rep. Thomas Massie J. Scott Applewhite/AP/FILE
Members of political parties are furious with Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, for not being clear about whether he will object to the coronavirus stimulus bill passing on voice vote, with some former top aides also saying the Kentucky Republican is endangering the safety of his colleagues.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a House Democrat from California, said about Rep. Massie: “It’s not about him. I don’t want to make an insignificant person more significant.”
"Dear @RepThomasMassie: 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. #thankyou,” Rep. Dean Phillips, a Minnesota Democrat, tweeted Thursday night.
Rep. Pete King, a New York Republican, tweeted on Friday morning: “Heading to Washington to vote on pandemic legislation. Because of one Member of Congress refusing to allow emergency action entire Congress must be called back to vote in House. Risk of infection and risk of legislation being delayed. Disgraceful. Irresponsible.”
And Brendan Buck, a former top aide to House Speaker Paul Ryan, said Friday that Massie is “legitimately threatening the health of his colleagues, many in their 60s or 70s even 80s, for a stunt on a bill he knows is going to pass.”
“I hope no one forgets what he’s done here,” Buck wrote.
Democratic congressman Thomas Suozzi of New York said his message to Massie is: “Cut it out.” He also said there’s “anxiety” about being here and his family isn’t happy that he’s here.
Now President Trump has weighed in on Massie. In a Tweet this morning, Trump called on Republicans to “throw Massie out” of the party.
Some context: The House is currently debating the $2 trillion stimulus bill for the next couple hours. Leadership is hoping to pass the measure by a voice-vote shortly thereafter. The fear right now is that Massie — who has not committed to voting yes — could prevent the House from approving the bill by voice vote, forcing them instead to cast a roll-call vote in person.
Massie is among about 50 members who are in the House chamber now, sitting quietly. He has not responded to multiple requests for comment from CNN.
9:41 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
US stocks open lower
From CNN’s Anneken Tappe
US stocks kicked the day off lower on Friday, paring some of their gains from the monstrous rally over the past three days.
Here's what happened at the opening:
The Dow opened 3.9%, or 885 points, lower.
The S&P 500 fell 3.5%.
The Nasdaq Composite opened down 3.1%.
Some context: Despite the weaker open, all three indexes are still on track for strong weekly performances. As of Thursday’s close, the Dow was on track for its best week since the 1930s.
Pelosi talks to reporters at a news conference on Thursday, March 26. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/FILE
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNN that while she can’t say for sure how or when the bill will pass, it will be approved Friday.
“There are a few scenarios but at the end of the period of time, we will have passed the bill so I am excited about that with strong bipartisan enthusiasm,” she said as she walked from her office to open the House floor.
Some context: There is some concern that a member of Congress could block allowing a voice vote to quickly clear a massive stimulus bill,
Pelosi said debate was supposed to run until 11 a.m. ET today, but an extra hour was requested so it now will end at noon. At that point it’s not clear if a voice vote will be allowed or if it will be blocked Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky who has threatened to force a roll call vote.
“Yes,” Pelosi said, acknowledging the uncertainty in the chamber she leads. “There are some asking for one thing or another but we will be prepared for what ever it is."
Asked to confirm the bill will definitely pass Friday, she said: “Yes.”
About the bill: The Senate approved the package on Wednesday. The legislation represents the largest emergency aid package in US history and the most significant legislative action taken to address the rapidly intensifying coronavirus crisis, which is overwhelming hospitals and grinding much of the economy to a halt.
Trump has indicated he will sign the measure.
9:33 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
Italy has not reached coronavirus peak, health official says
From CNN's Livia Borghese in Rome and Sharon Braithwaite in London
In this photograph taken from behind a window, doctors work on Covid-19 patients in the intensive care unit of San Matteo Hospital, in Pavia, Italy, Thursday, March 26 Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP
Italy has not reached the peak of coronavirus contagion, director of Italy's National Health Institute Silvio Brusaferro said Friday during a press conference.
Brusaferro said that Italy "has not reached the peak [of contagion], we have signs that the curve is slowing down which make us assume that we are close to this. We expect that we could reach the peak these coming days. We are not in a descending phase, but the growth is slowing down."
"We must not delude ourselves that a slowdown of the spread may lead us to slow down the measures of social distancing that we have adopted," Brusaferro added.
"If we had to decide today, I consider inevitable the extension of the measures, because we are not in a markedly declining phase, we are still in a containment phase," Franco Locatelli, president of the National Health institute said referring to the government containment measure that are in force till April 3.
Both Locatelli and Brusaferro are part of the technical and scientific committee that advises the government on the measures to take to stop the spread of the virus.
9:18 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
US House debates $2 trillion stimulus bill
From Haley Byrd and Manu Raju
House TV
Floor debate on the economic stimulus bill has started in the US House.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said in his opening remarks that it will be an “unusual” but “critical” session.
There are now up to three hours of debate, and a vote is expected around noon.
The Senate approved the package on Wednesday. The legislation represents the largest emergency aid package in US history and the most significant legislative action taken to address the rapidly intensifying coronavirus crisis, which is overwhelming hospitals and grinding much of the economy to a halt.
Trump has indicated he will sign the measure.
9:14 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
UK's Health Secretary tests positive for coronavirus
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock leaves 10 Downing Street in London on March 25. WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Matt Hancock, the UK's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has tested positive for coronavirus, he confirmed in a video posted to Twitter on Friday.
"Following medical advice, I was advised to test for #Coronavirus," Hancock said in a statement published to Twitter.
"I've tested positive. Thankfully my symptoms are mild and I’m working from home & self-isolating," he added.
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8:54 a.m. ET, March 27, 2020
Brexit talks will resume via video conference
From CNN's Luke McGee
Negotiators from the UK and the European Union will hold a joint committee meeting via video conference on Monday, Boris Johnson's spokesman told reporters Friday.
