Coronavirus has hit Capitol Hill, as the first members of Congress have tested positive for the virus.
Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Ben McAdams (D-Utah) announced diagnoses late Wednesday. Diaz-Balart’s office said he had developed symptoms Saturday evening and was notified Wednesday of a positive test. Both had voted on the House floor as recently as Saturday morning, to pass the coronavirus relief bill.
Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah (Left), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. (Right)
At least five other members of Congress are quarantining because they had contact with the lawmakers, including Rep. Steve Scalise, the second-highest ranking Republican in the House.
Some lawmakers had been pushing for ways to vote remotely, particularly since congressional members are disproportionately in higher-risk categories for coronavirus complications. Forty-eight senators are over the age of 65, the age at which some states have recommended individuals to stay inside their homes.
Senator Dick Durban (D-Ill.) has said “it’s time for the Senate to wake up to the 21st century and make sure we’re using technology that allows us to communicate with each other without any danger or risk to public health.”
Members of the House returned to Washington, DC, on Tuesday to vote on a short-term increase of the U.S. debt limit. The temporary measure will allow the federal government to pay its bills until December 3.
Futures rebounded this morning in reaction to positive news from Merck that its covid-19 treatment pill is 50 percent effective at preventing hospitalizations and death. It comes after a rocky month on Wall Street, which saw all the major averages post their worst months in over a year. Chris Vecchio, Senior Analyst, at DailyFX joined Wake Up with Cheddar for more.
Makena Kelly, Politics reporter at The Verge, joined Cheddar News to break down Thursday's congressional testimony from Facebook's global head of security, as the company comes under fire for its plans to attract kids.
