Coronavirus updates: CDC forecasts up to 232K US deaths by Oct. 24

The House of Representatives now officially gaveled out and is not set to return until well after Election Day. 

The move comes despite Speaker Nancy Pelosi having said earlier in the day that the House could potentially pass a standalone bill to extend the Payroll Support Program to help airline workers.

Tens of thousands of airline employees have lost their jobs and many are on furlough.

American Airlines, one of the hardest-hit airlines, told ABC News that “if the Payroll Support Program is extended in the next few days … we will reverse our furlough process and recall any impacted members.” 

In her statement, Pelosi urged airlines to hold off on planned furloughs and layoffs because absent a comprehensive stimulus package agreement, the House would move forward to pass a standalone bill to extend PPP another six months, which would keep airline employees on the payroll.

Before the chamber adjourned, House Transportation Chair Peter DeFazio asked unanimous consent on the House floor for the House to pass his standalone airline relief legislation, but the request was denied by the chair.

Members are officially on their way home to campaign for the next month and are not set to return to Washington until Nov. 16. 

However, the lawmakers have been given instructions to return to Washington within 24 hours if a coronavirus relief deal is reached. 

- ABC News’ Mariam Khan and Mina Kaji

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar appeared on Capitol Hill Friday morning after testing negative for the coronavirus.

He tweeted that out of an abundance of caution he was tested and would testify before Congress as scheduled. He also wished the Trumps and “all those with COVID-19 a swift and complete recovery.”

Azar repeated that sentiment in his opening statement before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.

He also said the U.S. is making progress on the health crisis and encouraged people to “wear a face covering when you can’t watch your distance.”

Chairman James Clyburn, D-S.C., sent along his well wishes to the Trumps, but then quickly blamed the president for his response to the virus as “a failure of historic proportions.”

“We wish for all of them a speedy and complete recovery. As Americans, we pride ourselves on being the most scientifically advanced nation in the world with the best doctors and public health experts,” Clyburn said. “That is why it has been so heartbreaking to watch the administration squander this legacy by refusing to lead, ignoring our scientists and putting politics over the health of the American people.”

He later said it was a mistake that Trump refused to coordinate a national strategy and left up the response to the states.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., had a tense exchange with Azar when she pressed him about whether the president’s rallies have contributed to a rise in coronavirus cases and whether the HHS secretary has ever privately advised the president to stop or to wear a mask.

Azar said he wouldn’t discuss his conversations with the president.

“Are you proud of the job you have done?” Waters asked.

“I don’t like to speak in those terms,” Azar responded, “206,000 people have died.”

--ABC News’ Anne Flaherty and Mariam Khan

The House passed a $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus relief bill late Thursday night, with a close 214-207 vote. 

In some last-minute drama, 18 Democrats voted no on the bill. Many who were against the bill are moderates who are very unhappy with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and leadership for staging what they call a “show” vote on a bill that will never become law. 

The Republican-led Senate is not expected to take up the measure.

The House bill is largely symbolic and puts on the record what Democrats have been calling for for months; economic relief for those impacted by the pandemic.

The bill would restore the $600 federal unemployment benefits that expired in July and would include another round of direct checks to Americans at $1,200 per taxpayer and $500 per dependent.

It would also extend the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses, a benefit that expired in early August.

A bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill is still possible. Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are still having discussions. Pelosi announced late Thursday that she and Mnuchin have exchanged paper and are still deep in negotiations.

"We made a lot of progress over the last few days, we still don't have an agreement, but we have more work to do. And we're going to see where we end up," Mnuchin told reporters Wednesday.

ABC News' Mariam Khan contributed to this report.