A Dozen Capitol Hill Lawmakers Have Tested Positive For Coronavirus In The Past Two Weeks

Topline

Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.) said Tuesday he would quarantine after learning he had been infected with coronavirus, making him the twelfth member of Congress to test positive for the virus in less than two weeks as Capitol Hill grapples with a steep jump in infections while lawmakers quarrel over safety precautions.

Key Facts

Key Background

The uptick in congressional coronavirus comes in the midst of tension on the floors of both chambers over social distancing measures and mask wearing. Lawmakers have argued over masking and even blamed their colleagues for spreading the virus to other congressmen. The coronavirus surge on Capitol Hill isn’t unique—coronavirus infections are ramping up in most U.S. states, and on Tuesday, Johns Hopkins University counted more than 12.5 million confirmed cases in the country since the beginning of the pandemic.