Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey says she has tested positive for COVID-19 and believes she was exposed during protective isolation in the U.S. Capitol building as a result of Wednesday’s rioting.
She was among dozens of lawmakers whisked to a secure location when pro-Donald Trump insurrectionists stormed the Capitol. A press release from her office on Monday notes that “a number of members within the space ignored instructions to wear masks.”
Watson Coleman is isolating at home and awaiting the results of another test. She says, “While I am experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms, I remain in good spirits and will continue to work on behalf of my constituents.”
Watson Coleman had received the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID19 vaccine, which has been made available to members of Congress.
Some members of Congress huddled for hours in the large room, while others were there for a shorter period.
Meredith Kelly, the DCCC spokesperson, says the Speaker retired only after he pushed through a tax overhaul, which has been high on Ryan's agenda for the majority of his nearly two decade-long career. The bill, which Kelly claims "prioritized the very richest and the biggest corporations," was signed into law last year. Earlier this week, the CBO stated the bill could contribute to an increase in the deficit to about $1.85 trillion over the next year 10 years.
Michael Avenatti, the attorney for Stormy Daniels, says potential campaign finance violations could find their way to "the doorsteps of the White House."
Michael Avenatti, who represents the adult film star, says the recent FBI raid of President Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen is a telling sign that charges will soon follow.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified on Capitol Hill Tuesday about the massive data scandal at the social media giant. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) shares her reaction, and what she plans to ask Zuckerberg when he speaks to the House of Representatives Wednesday.
During both of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's testimonies on the Cambridge Analytica scandal, lawmakers hinted at the potential for basing regulation off European laws. But the First Amendment might make that difficult, says the New Yorker's Andrew Marantz.
The former House Speaker, who has long been a firm opponent of legalizing marijuana, said Wednesday he'd be joining the board of Acreage Holdings, a company that cultivates and dispenses the drug in 11 states. The President of Acreage told Cheddar that helping veterans was what convinced Boehner to flip.
The congressman, who represents Arizona's 7th District, says sending troops to do the border is expensive and doesn't improve security.
Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) says Ryan's decision not to seek re-election indicates that Republicans face a tough fight in the midterm elections. "He knows he's going to be a minority leader next year." Ryan made the surprise announcement Wednesday, saying he took the speaker position "reluctantly" in the first place.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg returns to Capitol Hill for a second day of questioning. Today, Zuckerberg testifies before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Ahead of the hearing, we spoke to Congressman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) about what she wants to hear from the Facebook CEO. Dingell is concerned about the privacy of Americans who use the social networking site and speculates about what a regulated Facebook would look like.
In other Washington news, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced today that he will not seek re-election this November. Ryan held a press conference to elaborate on his decision. He said he thinks he's done his part and looks forward to spending more time with his family.
Also, Joanna Coles stops by to talk about her new book, "Love Rules." She says her book can help readers find real love in the age of Tinder and Bumble. Coales, who sits on the board of directors for Snap, discusses what it's like to be a woman on the board of a Silicon Valley tech giant.
The Congresswoman admitted that changes won't come in time for the midterm elections in November. But the question is no longer whether social media be regulated but what that regulation should look like, says Dingell. She says European laws serve as good models. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faces a House committee Wednesday for a second round of questioning on the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
