Flood of Lawmakers Test Positive for COVID After Supreme Court Vote

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, according to their offices. News of Collins and Warnock’s diagnoses came just hours after both were on the Senate floor to vote on Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. Collins’ office said in a statement that the Republican senator, who wore a KN95 face mask on the floor, was “experiencing mild symptoms.” Warnock was unmasked. “If you haven't gotten your shot yet,” he said, “I encourage you to do so.” DeFazio, who has represented Oregon for more than three decades, said Thursday he was experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms and fatigue.” The trio’s infections are the latest in a spate of breakthrough cases among lawmakers, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) earlier on Thursday. Attorney General Merrick Garland, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Assistant House Speaker Katherine Clark (D-MA) all announced they’d tested on Wednesday.