As senators fall, safety fears rise
Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said Friday he had tested positive for the coronavirus and was isolating at home with “very mild symptoms.”
He’s the second senator, along with Iowa’s Chuck Grassley, and at least the eighth member of Congress to announce a positive test this week.
Scott, 67, has been quarantining at home all week after coming into contact in Florida on Nov. 13 with someone who subsequently tested positive. His office said he had “multiple negative rapid tests earlier in the week” but a separate test he took Tuesday came back positive Friday morning.
Scott, a Republican, said he was “feeling good” and would be working at his home in Naples.
“I want to remind everyone to be careful and do the right things to protect yourselves and others,” Scott said in a statement. “Wear a mask. Social distance. Quarantine if you come in contact with someone positive like I did. As we approach Thanksgiving, we know this holiday will be different this year. But, listen to public health officials and follow their guidance.”
The former Florida governor was recently elected as the chairman of Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, leading GOP fundraising and recruiting efforts for the next two years.
Although Scott’s office said he was quarantining after being exposed in Florida on Nov. 13, Scott was also in Georgia earlier that day campaigning for Republican Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, who are facing January Senate runoffs. The crowded campaign event was held indoors with little distancing, and Scott wore a mask only part of the time. Several people in the room also were not wearing masks.
Scott’s announcement came three days after Grassley, the longest-serving Republican senator and third in the line of presidential succession, also said he has tested positive. Grassley, 87, was in the Senate on Monday — and spoke on the Senate floor without a mask — but is now quarantining in his Virginia home.
The increasing number of cases among members of Congress has raised questions about the safety of the Capitol complex, as cases have spiked in most states and politicians are flying back and forth weekly. House members could be tested regularly in the Capitol starting this week, but there is still no testing protocol for senators.
The senators’ absences this week also threatened the progress of legislation and other work as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is trying to wrap up business in the remaining weeks of President Donald Trump’s term. The absence of Scott and Grassley on Tuesday helped Democrats block the nomination of Judy Shelton, Trump’s controversial pick for the Federal Reserve.
At least six other members of the House have announced they tested positive in the past week: Republican Reps Don Young of Alaska, Dan Newhouse of Washington, Doug Lamborn of Colorado and Tim Walberg of Michigan and Democratic Reps. Ed Perlmutter of Colorado and Cheri Bustos of Illinois.