Trump and 2 senators test positive for COVID-19, Congress reconsiders testing its own

WASHINGTON: Congressional leaders said Friday (Oct 2) they are taking a fresh look at requiring virus testing on Capitol Hill after President Donald Trump's virus infection revived fears of an outbreak in the close, increasingly tense quarters of the House and Senate.

Just hours after news of Trump's diagnosis shook Washington and the 2020 campaign, Senators Mike Lee of Utah, and North Carolina's Thom Tillis became the latest members of Congress to test positive for the virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans. All three attended the White House Rose Garden introduction Saturday of Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett.

Lee, who did not wear a mask at the White House event, said he had “symptoms consistent with longtime allergies". Tillis, who did wear a mask, said he has no symptoms. Both said they will quarantine for 10 days — ending just before Barrett's confirmation hearings begin on Oct 12.

The positive tests come as Senate Republicans are pushing to quickly confirm Barrett in the few weeks they have before the Nov 3 election. There is little cushion in the schedule set out by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who want to put Trump's third hand-picked justice on the court immediately in case they lose any of their power in the election.

Democrats immediatly siezed on the announcements to call for a delay in the hearings.

"We now have two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who have tested positive for COVID, and there may be more," tweeted Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “I wish my colleagues well. It is irresponsible and dangerous to move forward with a hearing, and there is absolutely no good reason to do so.”

Barrett, who was with Trump and many others on Saturday and met with Lee, Tillis and other members of the Judiciary panel this week, tested negative, the White House said Friday. It was confirmed that she had a mild case of COVID earlier this year and has now recovered.

As Trump's campaign canceled or postponed in-person events, anxiety spiked on Capitol Hill, where testing and tracing is offered, but not required, for anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

READ: Worries behind the scenes at White House after Trump COVID-19 diagnosis

“We simply cannot allow the administration’s cavalier attitude to adversely affect this branch of government," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement. "It is imperative that all results be made public in order to contain a possible outbreak and so we can determine the need for senators and staff to quarantine or self-isolate.”

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said he spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Friday morning about boosting or requiring testing in the Capitol.

“We haven’t made a decision on that. In light of that we need to consult with our medical people,” Hoyer told reporters. He said one concern was doing reliable tests.

Later, Pelosi's office referred to a statement from the Capitol physician reiterating the current policy.

The dilemma facing Congress remains similar to what confronts schools, houses of worship, workplaces and the White House as the virus rampages across the United States. Nationally and on Capitol Hill, there are no comprehensive plans requiring testing or wearing masks.

For months, leaders in Congress have resisted boosting the voluntary testing system there or accepting tests from the White House, saying supplies should go to frontline workers and the rest of America. But they've taken other precautions. The Capitol has been closed to visitors since March, and most offices and committee hearings are at least partially conducted remotely. House members can vote by proxy through their colleagues, to cut down on the number of people milling around.

READ: Trump, stricken by COVID-19, heads to military hospital

But Capitol Hill remains a potential disease vector by any measure. It is a warren of tunnels, parlors, tiny elevators and odd staircases traversed by chatty lawmakers who have flown in from all over. Many members are older and more vulnerable to infection. A few Republicans have refused to wear masks at times.

The potential for the virus to spread was abundant just in the last few days. Barrett visited with dozens of senators, including Lee and Tillis, ahead of her confirmation hearings expected to begin Oct 12.

Both men are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee that will handle Barrett's confirmation hearings. Lee, Tillis and other Republican members of the panel were among those who attended the Rose Garden event on Saturday. Photographs of the event show very few people wearing masks.

Several members of Congress attended the first presidential debate Tuesday in Cleveland, where members of the President's family removed their masks during the 95-minute exchange. And then there was Friday's House session.

Trump's diagnosis amped up the atmosphere.

“I think it’s time my colleagues who are, you know, denying the science to, you know, stop their flat earth nonsense and, and protect themselves and others," said US representative Sean Patrick Maloney

“Everyone in the Capitol complex needs to be tested,” tweeted Senator Chris Murphy. “Every Republican Senator or staff member who was in close contact with Trump needs to quarantine. No business should proceed in the Senate until we understand the scope of this crisis.”

READ: US Vice President Pence tests negative for COVID-19: Spokesman

Republicans were far more muted on the need for additional COVID-19 precautions.

Representative Brad Wenstrup, a podiatrist, pointed out that some tests have been unreliable. Asked if his colleagues should wear masks more often, he replied, “It would help.”

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