By Melanie Zanona | CNN
Two key reasonable senators — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — introduced Monday that they've examined constructive for Covid-19.
“This morning I examined constructive for COVID-19,” Manchin tweeted. “I'm totally vaccinated and boosted and am experiencing delicate signs. I'll isolate and comply with CDC pointers as I proceed to work remotely to serve West Virginians.”
A number of hours later, Murkowski tweeted, “After experiencing flu like signs I lately examined constructive for COVID-19. I can be following steering and recommendation from medical doctors and can be quarantining at dwelling in Alaska whereas persevering with my work remotely.”
It’s unclear what impact, if any, Manchin’s isolation can have on Democrats’ efforts to make progress on their legislative agenda. The Senate has slightly beneath two weeks earlier than it’s scheduled to begin its August recess, and Democrats have indicated hopes in passing payments — from defending same-sex marriage to growing funding for semiconductor manufacturing within the US and altering legal guidelines surrounding prescription drug costs amongst different points — earlier than leaving city for a couple of month.
As one of the vital reasonable Democrats in Congress, Manchin represents an vital vote within the Senate that's cut up 50-50, and his assist is important for many laws that's divided alongside partisan traces. Maybe most notably, Manchin has been a key negotiator in a bundle to overtake Medicare prescription drug costs and lengthen well being care subsidies for Inexpensive Care Act protection.
Whereas Republicans are within the minority within the chamber, Murkowski has been supportive of the laws defending same-sex marriage, a invoice for which a minimum of 10 GOP senators would wish to again with all 50 Democrats so as to overcome a filibuster.
Whereas Manchin and Murkowski can proceed to work remotely, Senate flooring votes should happen in particular person. The chamber doesn't have a proxy voting system for flooring votes just like the Home of Representatives adopted at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Manchin is simply the newest Washington lawmaker sidelined from Capitol Hill resulting from Covid. Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer examined constructive and needed to isolate earlier this month, as did a handful of others. Democratic Sens. Tom Carper of Delaware and Tina Smith of Minnesota each introduced final week that they had examined constructive, as did President Joe Biden.
Biden’s doctor mentioned Monday that the President’s signs have “nearly utterly resolved.” He's isolating on the White Home.
And Covid-19 isn’t the one medical difficulty affecting the Democrats’ numbers within the chamber this summer season. Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy has been recuperating from a damaged hip in June, rehabilitation which included surgical procedure as lately as final week. Leahy’s workplace has mentioned the senator can be accessible for votes if wanted.