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.”
Congressional candidate and former NFL linebacker Colin Allred says he received former President Barack Obama's endorsement in his bid to unseat the Republican incumbent Pete Sessions because he has run an inclusive campaign worthy of the Obama brand.
Mark Kaufman, science reporter at Mashable, discusses President Trump's surprising pick to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, atmospheric scientist Kelvin Droegemeier.
The administration confirmed Wednesday that it would raise the proposed tax rate on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent, further escalating trade tensions between the two countries.
The chief prosecutor of Jersey City, Jake Hudnut, stopped prosecuting pot possession cases and said a proposed bill legalizing recreational marijuana could mean "conceivably there will never be another person prosecuted in New Jersey for simple marijuana possession."
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia is leading the charge against big tech, but he may not accomplish much unless Democrats make major gains in midterm elections, according to Axios reporter David McCabe.
During a 'Fox And Friends' appearance Monday, President Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani said he's not certain collusion is a crime. Republican strategist Rick Wilson notes on Cheddar that Giuliani's latest comments imply the Trump administration has something to hide.