Nov 18, 2020 - Politics & Policy

At least six cases in six days: Newhouse and Lamborn test positive for COVID-19

Shawna Chen

Photo of Congress members sitting socially distanced in an assembly wearing masks — Photo: Chip Somodevilla via Getty

Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) and Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) have tested positive for COVID-19, increasing the tally of lawmakers across the U.S. who have contracted the virus.

The big picture: The two announcements on Wednesday follow positive tests for Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) in the latest string of outbreaks.

The state of play: More than 25 members of Congress have tested positive for or were presumed to have COVID-19 since March, per GovTrack.

82 have quarantined or come into contact with someone with COVID-19.
The latest cases come amid increased scrutiny of government officials, some of whom have flouted their own issued guidelines.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revised plans recently for an in-person dinner honoring newly elected Democratic members of Congress after facing backlash.

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to reflect that Dan Newhouse is a Republican representative from Washington (not a Democrat).

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At least six cases in six days: Newhouse and Lamborn test positive for COVID-19

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