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.”
In New York City, residents are lining up for the vaccine even as the distribution chain becomes strained. Cheddar's Chloe Aiello follows the reservation process and how the state will manage its supply of vaccines.
For many homeless people, in NYC, the overnight subway shutdown is leaving them with nowhere to go especially as coronavirus infections spread throughout shelters.
Biden press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the Treasury Department is taking steps to resume efforts to put the 19th century abolitionist leader on the $20 bill
White House officials say President Joe Biden will order the Department of Justice to end its reliance on private prisons and acknowledge the central role the government has played implementing discriminatory housing policies.
Fort Collins, Colorado Mayor Wade Troxell, a member of the FAA drone advisory committee, spoke with Cheddar about how the recently implemented rules will affect the use of drones going forward.
