Mitch McConnell. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has temporarily suspended in-person lunches for the GOP caucus, Axios confirmed Saturday.
Driving the news: The move is a precautionary step, according to a Senate leadership aide. The decision comes as the U.S. experiences a surge in coronavirus cases and after several senators tested positive for COVID-19 or self-quarantined due to exposure in recent weeks.
- No COVID-19 cases have been linked to GOP lunches, floor activity or committee activity, the aide noted.
- Senate Republicans have held socially distanced lunches since May, while Senate Democrats have held their weekly caucus lunches by phone.
- Senate Republicans will now also hold their lunches by phone, the leadership aide said.
- Politico was first to report McConnell's decision.
What's next: The Senate is scheduled to return from its Thanksgiving break on Monday.