últimas notícias

Republicans gathered for a closed-door caucus lunch when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSticking points force stimulus package talks to spill into Sunday GOP drafting stimulus package without deal with Democrats No. 2 Republican: ‘Loose ends’ but there is agreement on ‘general contours’ of stimulus deal MORE (R-Ky.) broke the news: One of their own, Sen. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulSenate closes in on trillion-dollar coronavirus stimulus bill Democrats balk at ,200 rebate checks in stimulus plan Senior GOP senators object to direct payments at caucus meeting MORE (R-Ky.), had tested positive for the coronavirus.

“Colleagues, as everyone now knows, the coronavirus has arrived in the Senate. There are at least five senators who are in self-quarantine at the moment,” McConnell said, making a public announcement from the Senate floor.

The first known case of a senator contracting the disease set off a domino effect throughout the chamber as colleagues tried to recall the last time they were in close contact with Paul, who was in the Capitol complex as recently as Sunday.

Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyFive sticking points to a T coronavirus deal Coronavirus anxiety spreads across Capitol Hill GOP senators raise concerns over smaller checks for lower earners MORE (R-Utah) told reporters on Sunday afternoon that senators would have to weigh whether they would need to self-quarantine. Only hours later, he announced that he would.

“Since Senator Romney sat next to Senator Paul for extended periods in recent days and consistent with [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidance, the attending physician has ordered him to immediately self-quarantine and not to vote on the Senate floor,” Romney’s office said in a statement on Sunday.

He was preceded by Sen. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeSenate passes House’s coronavirus aid bill, sending it to Trump Senate clears 77-day extension of surveillance powers This week: Senate balances surveillance fight with growing coronavirus concerns MORE (R-Utah), who became the first senator to announce he would self-quarantine because of Paul.

“Upon learning that my colleague Sen. Paul tested positive for COVID-19, I consulted the Attending Physician of the U.S. Congress Dr. Harding,” Lee said in a statement. “Given the timing, proximity, and duration of my exposure to Sen. Paul, she directed me to self-quarantine for 14 days.”  

They join a handful of their colleagues who have had to isolate after being exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. Sens. Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerCory Gardner to self-quarantine President Trump called on senators to deliver on conservation bill — they listened Giffords endorses Biden as gun safety choice for president MORE (R-Colo.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) are already self-quarantined for exposure unrelated to Paul. Sens. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamThe Memo: Democrats grapple with virus response Five sticking points to a T coronavirus deal Democrats balk at ,200 rebate checks in stimulus plan MORE (R-S.C.) and Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzPence, second lady test negative for coronavirus Trump triggers Defense Production Act in coronavirus fight Rep. Gonzalez to self-quarantine after coming in contact with COVID-19 case MORE (R-Texas) had also self-quarantined for unrelated cases but are out of isolation. With five GOP senators in quarantine, the margin in the Senate is temporarily 48 Republicans and 47 Democrats.

After McConnell’s announcement, Sen. Jerry MoranGerald (Jerry) MoranHillicon Valley: Facebook, Twitter dismantle Russian interference campaign targeting African Americans | YouTube to allow ads on coronavirus videos | Trump signs law banning federal funds for Huawei equipment Senate Republicans poised to reject House coronavirus relief bill GOP senator introduces privacy legislation after bipartisan talks break down MORE (R-Kan.) made an observation to his colleagues during the lunch: that he had seen Paul in the Senate gym just that morning.

The disclosure sparked two questions: Why was the Senate gym still operating while gyms across the country have shuttered, and why had Paul decided to come to the Capitol even though he was awaiting test results?

“I’ve never commented about a fellow Senator’s choices/actions. Never once. This, America, is absolutely irresponsible. You cannot be near other people while waiting for coronavirus test results. It endangers others & likely increases the spread of the virus,” Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) tweeted on Sunday.

Sen. Kevin CramerKevin John CramerGOP plan provides ,200 in cash assistance amid coronavirus Senate GOP looking at ,200 in coronavirus cash payments Overnight Energy: Democratic lawmakers seek emissions reductions in airline bailout | House Dems warn Trump against oil industry bailout | GOP senators ask Saudis to stabilize oil market MORE (R-N.D.) added that Paul’s decision to come to the Senate gym was “peculiar.”

“He’s a physician. He’s able to do his own risk assessment, and he evidently miscalculated,” Cramer said. “People have self-quarantined for less.”

Scott, during an interview with CNN from quarantine, added that he would “like to understand exactly where Rand was and what the risk is.”

“I think everybody ought to be talking to the Senate physician about what their risk is and whether they need to be quarantined,” he said.

Paul’s office stressed that he left the Capitol once he found out that he had tested positive.

“We want to be clear, Senator Paul left the Senate IMMEDIATELY upon learning of his diagnosis. He had zero contact with anyone & went into quarantine. Insinuations such as those below that he went to the gym after learning of his results are just completely false & irresponsible!” Paul’s office said in a tweet.

Asked when Paul got tested, and why did not self-quarantine until he got his results, Gor told The Hill that Paul “decided to get tested after attending an event where two individuals subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, even though he wasn’t aware of any direct contact with either one of them.”

“Additionally, due to a prior lung injury, and subsequent surgery on his lung, Senator Paul is in a higher risk category as it relates to pulmonary issues,” he added.

Even as some colleagues raised eyebrows about the disclosure that Paul had tested positive, there were few signs that senators were going to take extra steps to distance themselves in the immediate wake of the news.

Senators were spotted in close clusters on the Senate floor during a 6 p.m. vote. Only one senator, Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersDemocrats grow nervous over primary delays Obama ebola czar hits Trump virus response in Biden campaign video House Democratic campaign arm outraises GOP counterpart in February MORE (I-Vt.), missed the vote in addition to the five senators who are quarantined.

Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) made a cross with his fingers as a reporter approached him in the Senate basement. Sen. Jack ReedJohn (Jack) Francis ReedMcConnell sets Friday night deadline for bipartisan deal on stimulus Senators press EU to sanction Putin associate for election meddling Overnight Defense: Pentagon confirms Iran behind recent rocket attack | Esper says ‘all options on the table’ | Military restricts service member travel over coronavirus MORE (D-R.I.) extended an arm and jokingly told a reporter to “stay away.”

Sens. Todd YoungTodd Christopher YoungGOP lukewarm on talk of airline bailout Trump, GOP scramble to keep economy from derailing Vulnerable Republicans dodge questions on support for ObamaCare lawsuit MORE (R-Ind.), Mike CrapoMichael (Mike) Dean CrapoSticking points force stimulus package talks to spill into Sunday GOP seeks up to 0 billion to maximize financial help to airlines, other impacted industries McConnell sets Friday night deadline for bipartisan deal on stimulus MORE (R-Idaho), John BarrassoJohn Anthony BarrassoStimulus plan hinges on McConnell, Schumer repairing toxic relationship Overnight Energy: Democratic lawmakers seek emissions reductions in airline bailout | House Dems warn Trump against oil industry bailout | GOP senators ask Saudis to stabilize oil market GOP senators ask Saudis to stabilize oil market MORE (R-Wyo.) and Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyNSA improperly collected US phone records in October, new documents show Overnight Defense: Pick for South Korean envoy splits with Trump on nuclear threat | McCain blasts move to suspend Korean military exercises | White House defends Trump salute of North Korean general WH backpedals on Trump’s ‘due process’ remark on guns MORE (R-Pa.) were standing shoulder to shoulder on their way up to the vote.

Sen. John KennedyJohn Neely KennedyMORE (R-La.) told reporters that “we’re getting advice so far from the attending physician’s office that we don’t need to quarantine.”

Graham added that the attending physician had greenlighted the Senate GOP lunch that was held on Sunday.

“That’s good enough for me,” Graham said. “If I can go to a lunch, I can keep going to my job. And if I have any symptoms, I’ll go take a test.”

Sen. John CornynJohn CornynStimulus plan hinges on McConnell, Schumer repairing toxic relationship McConnell takes reins of third coronavirus bill Senate GOP expects vote on third coronavirus package next week MORE (R-Texas) said he wished Paul “well” and that although he had been in the same room as Paul, he hadn’t “been in close proximity.”

Asked if it was appropriate for Paul to go to the gym, Cornyn, a member of the informal “gym caucus,” added, “I wasn’t there, so it doesn’t affect me.”

But Sen. Brian SchatzBrian Emanuel SchatzSenators consider proxy voting during coronavirus outbreak Hillicon Valley: HHS hit by cyberattack amid coronavirus outbreak | Senators urge FCC to shore up internet access for students | Sanders ramps up Facebook ad spending | Dems ask DHS to delay Real ID deadline Democratic senators urge FCC to let schools use funds for student internet access MORE (D-Hawaii) tweeted that he was wearing a surgical mask out of an abundance of caution.

“I have no specific reason to worry any more than anyone else, but given the physical proximity to members, staff, and especially people who could be vulnerable, I decided to be as careful as possible. Stay safe all,” he said.

And Paul’s disclosure has sparked renewed discussion about the Senate’s schedule. The chamber is supposed to be in schedule through the first week of April, but rumors have swirled for days that McConnell will let senators leave town once they pass a mammoth stimulus package.

“I believe that our first obligation is to finish our work for the American people. After that, I think it would be wise to accelerate the break that was scheduled for April,” said Sen. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsSmall-business rescue package expected to swell to 0 billion or more NRSC outraises DSCC in February Senate coronavirus stimulus talks spill into Saturday MORE (R-Maine).

Sens. Dick DurbinRichard (Dick) Joseph DurbinMcConnell sets Friday night deadline for bipartisan deal on stimulus The Hill’s Morning Report — ,000,000,000,000: GOP unveils historic US rescue effort Coronavirus anxiety spreads across Capitol Hill MORE (D-Ill.) and Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanSticking points force stimulus package talks to spill into Sunday McConnell sets Friday night deadline for bipartisan deal on stimulus The Hill’s Morning Report — ,000,000,000,000: GOP unveils historic US rescue effort MORE (R-Ohio) also reupped their push for the Senate to adopt remote voting, something McConnell has objected to so far.

Durbin said on Sunday that the prospect of five senators self-quarantining was inevitable and could grow.

“This could grow. Let’s be very honest about it, and the numbers could grow to the point it could reach an extreme where there’s a question of an actual quorum on the floor of the Senate,” he added.