Republican calls for the House of Representatives to reconvene continue to mount after the Senate returned amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy yesterday outlined his vision for how the lower house of congress could get back to work, suggesting a phased plan beginning with committees meeting first.

The Senate congregated on Monday, despite stay-at-home measures prompted by COVID-19 remaining in place in Washington, D.C., prompting questions of the House of Representatives.

Lee Zeldin (R-NY) joined the calls for a return, referencing key workers who have been going about their duties despite the outbreak while stating the House should similarly be fulfilling its functions.

"The House of Representatives should be in DC at work right now. There is so much so wrong with the House being AWOL like this," he tweeted. "Health care workers, cops, truckers, farmers, grocery story workers & many others NEVER stopped working. It's time for the House to report back for duty!"

Michael Burgess (R-TX) similarly cited those who have worked throughout lockdowns.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. The House of Representatives has to get back to Washington," he tweeted. "If health care workers, cashiers, and other Americans can return to work, so can we."

Outlining his ideas, McCarthy said his letter, co-written with ranking Republicans Tom Cole (R-OK) and Rodney Davis (R-IL), was "not partisan." He called for some committees to return now, with them held in larger rooms with social distancing.

On Congress returning, he spoke of voting being done in "segments" so those involved can remain distanced, while he also suggested equipment such as plexiglass dividers in "high-trafficked areas."

McCarthy also made the link to key workers, tweeting: "If doctors, dispatchers, and delivery drivers can work, then so can America's representatives."

Greg Walden (R-OR), Republican leader on Energy and Commerce, and Morgan Griffith (R-VA) welcomed the call for committees to begin sitting once again.

"During these unprecedented times, we must be mindful of any precedent we set," they said in a joint statement. "We agree key committees of jurisdiction must explore new ways to meet and conduct business."

As the Senate reconvened, the House had been due to do the same, though this decision was reversed due to safety concerns.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) previously suggested a return is likely in the week commencing May 11.

It comes after she and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell turned down an offer from the Trump administration for congress to be provided with rapid testing for those returning to Capitol Hill. The pair insisted such resources should be directed to "front-line facilities where they can do the most good the most quickly."

Though the Senate has returned, measures have been put in place to limit the risks associated with the move. Those in attendance are asked to distance from each other by six feet, while there has also been guidance on wearing face masks when possible.

McConnell, in a statement outlining the Senate return, described the need to conduct "critical business."

"All across our nation, American workers in essential sectors are following expert advice and taking new precautions while they continue reporting for duty and performing irreplaceable work their country needs," he said.