Coronavirus Hits Congress: Two House Members Test Positive

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.

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.” 

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee is reportedly looking into remote voting. 

More In Politics

Vaccines and Masks: Biden Plan Aims to Break Pandemic Cycle

A coronavirus action plan from President-elect Joe Biden centers on a mass vaccination campaign and closer coordination among all levels of government.

Trump Impeached After Capitol Riot in Historic Second Charge

President Donald Trump has been impeached by the U.S. House over the violent siege of the Capitol.

U.S. Capitol Attack Exposes Urgency for DC Statehood, Says Shadow Representative

U.S. Shadow Representative of the District of Columbia Oye Owolewa spoke to Cheddar about his belief that the recent attack on the Capitol building underlined the need for DC's statehood.

I Thought It Was Impossible to Breach the U.S. Capitol. I Was Wrong.

Cheddar's Megan Pratz reflects on the chaotic day of the counting of the electoral votes when the U.S. Capitol building became overrun by rioters.

U.S. Budget Deficit up 60.7 Percent in First 3 Months of Budget Year

The U.S. government’s deficit in the first three months of the budget year was a record-breaking $572.9 billion.

Airbnb to Block, Cancel Reservations Ahead of Inauguration

Airbnb says it will be blocking and canceling reservations in the Washington, D.C. area during the week of the presidential inauguration.

NYC to Terminate Trump Contracts After Capitol Insurrection

Mayor Bill de Blasio says New York City will terminate business contracts with President Donald Trump after last week’s insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Biden's Budget: How the Politics of the Federal Deficit Are Changing

A look at how President-elect Joe Biden's budgetary concerns will fit in with people's changing perceptions of the federal deficit and deficit spending.

House Races to Oust Trump; He Blames Accusers for U.S. 'Anger'

Impeachment ahead, the House will first try Tuesday to push the vice president and Cabinet to act even more quickly to remove President Donald Trump from office.

2021 Cannabis Industry Outlook: M&A, Capital Thaw and Global Opportunity

Experts and insiders agree the coming year could have a lot in store for the maturing cannabis industry, from acceleration of M&A and funding in the capital markets to continuing momentum toward legalization on the state level.

Load More