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.” 

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

Share:
More In Politics
Inside the Republican Backlash to Trump's Gun Control Comments
President Trump stunning his Republican base during a meeting with legislators Wednesday about Gun Control. "Take the guns first, go through due process second," said Trump during a bipartisan meeting at the White House. College Student Kassy Dillon, who founded Lone Conservative, reacts to Trump's departure from his base on this issue.
Is Trump Walking Back His Gun Control Comments?
President Trump "upset a lot of his base" by saying we should confiscate guns, and that's why he seems to be walking back those comments on Twitter, says Kassy Dillon, founder of conservative website Lone Conservative.
Between Bells: March 1, 2018
Vanity Fair's Hive: We’re joined by the crew at Vanity Fair's Hive to discuss Hope Hicks' resignation. On Between Bells: TV reboot fever, and E!'s Seacrest problem. With Diply, The Hollywood Reporter, Zimbio, and more.
Opening Bell: March 1, 2018
Kroger follows Walmart and Dick's Sporting Goods in becoming the third major retailer to impose tighter regulations on gun sales. NBC is cutting back on commercial time to compete with streaming giants like Netflix and Hulu. Hope Hicks, one of President Trump's closest aides, is out as White House communications director. And Congressman John Delaney (D-MD) joins us to discuss the future of artificial intelligence.
Retailers Tighten Gun Sale Policies
Heather Haddon, reporter for The Wall Street Journal, shares her thoughts on Kroger becoming the third retailer to raise the age for buying a firearm to 21. Walmart and Dick's Sporting Goods made similar changes recently.
A Hope-Less Administration
Ben Dreyfuss, senior editor at Mother Jones, discusses the surprise resignation of Hope Hicks, making her the 4th White House communications director to leave the Trump Administration.
Congressman Makes A.I. a National Priority
The bipartisan caucus aims to work with the private sector to make sure technological change "doesn't leave huge parts of the country behind," says Rep. John Delaney (D-MD), who founded the group.
The Flint Crisis Isn't Just About the Water
Jessica Dimmock, Drea Cooper, and Zackary Canepari, directed the upcoming Netflix docu-series "Flint Town". The trio discusses not only the water crisis but the economic struggles and underfunded police department in the Michigan town.
Closing Bell: February 28, 2018
Spotify files to go public. Dick's will immediately stop selling assault rifles. President Trump meets with lawmakers on gun control. White House communications director Hope Hicks is resigning from her post. Facebook launching a new initiative to take on sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor.
Load More