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
UK Says Russia Behind "Petya" Cyberattack
The UK is pinning the blame on Russia for the "PETYA" cyberattack that crippled firms, including FedEx and Merck. Stu Woo, Reporter at The Wall Street Journal, joined us to break down the implications of the claim.
Headlines: 2/16/18
Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is doubling down on the app redesign. Shake Shack plans to open 32-35 new locations this year. Miso Robotics, the firm behind automated burger-flipper, "Flippy," The company behind a patty-flipping robot just got a major influx of cash.
Opening Bell: February 16, 2018
The FCC Chairman is being investigated for potential collusion. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is defending the controversial app redesign after growing backlash. The much-anticipated Marvel film "Black Panther" hits theaters Friday. Skip Kodak, SVP of LEGO Americas Group, joins Cheddar to discuss the 60th anniversary of the company.
Gun Reform and The Trump Administration
Gersh Kuntzman, deputy politics editor at Newsweek, discusses President Trump's remarks on the Parkland school shooting that left 17 students and faculty members dead. President Trump made headlines when he failed to even use the word "gun" in his speech following the massacre.
Parkland and 'Never Again'
On today's episode of VF Hive Kristen Scholer and Jon Kelly discuss the shooting in Parkland, CNN's turmoil and the future of Trump's Chief-of-Staff.
Closing Bell: February 15, 2018
Stories of heroism inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The mass shooting killed 17 people, and injured many others. Facebook is teaming up with organizations such as Lyft to make it easier to help people during a crisis. The Dow closes 300 points higher. McDonald's change its Happy Meal.
Between Bells: February 15, 2018
Amazon surpassed Microsoft in market cap. McDonald's is making its Happy Meals healthier. Washington D.C. reacts to the Florida high school massacre. Plus, we hear from an entrepreneur who started the first studio of its kind in the fitness industry.
The Gatekeeper: Reince Priebus' Agony
Chris Whipple, Author of "The Gatekeepers" joins VF Hive to discuss his conversation with former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. It's been 6 months since he left Trump's side and his time in Washington, DC was certainly a wild one.
Load More