SALT LAKE CITY — Doctors directed Utah Republican Sens. Mike Lee and Mitt Romney to self-quarantine Sunday after being around Sen. Rand Paul, who tested positive for COVID-19.
Also Sunday, Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah, who tested positive for the virus last week, said in a statement that he has been hospitalized since Friday evening due to “severe” shortness of breath.
Being quarantined will keep Lee and Romney from voting on the economic relief package lawmakers will consider this week.
Lee said on social media that after learning that Paul, R-Ky., tested positive, he consulted with Congress’ attending physician. He said the doctor told him that because he has no symptoms or risk factors, a COVID-19 test was not warranted.
“However, given the timing, proximity, and duration of my exposure to Sen. Paul, he directed me to self-quarantine for 14 days. That means no traveling or voting. But I will continue to make sure Utah’s voice is heard as we shape the federal response to the Coronavirus through phone, text, email and whatever other means are available,” Lee wrote.
Like Lee, Romney said he has no symptoms but will be tested for the virus. He told his Washington, D.C., staff to work from home more than a week ago as a preventative measure.
“Since Sen. Romney sat next to Sen. Paul for extended periods in recent days and consistent with CDC guidance, the attending physician has ordered him to immediately self-quarantine and not to vote on the Senate floor. He has no symptoms but will be tested,” according to Romney’s office.
Romney told reporters he was at lunch with Paul last Friday.
When a reporter informed President Donald Trump at a White House press briefing Sunday that Romney is among a four senators in isolation, the president replied, “Romney is in isolation? Gee, that’s too bad.”
“Is that sarcasm there, sir?” the reporter asked.
“No,” Trump, shaking his head. “None whatsoever.”
Some on social media criticized Romney seeking a coronavirus test, saying ordinary Americans without symptoms don’t qualify for testing.
McAdams tested positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday as did Rep. Marco Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., the first two members of Congress to come down with the virus.
McAdams said he followed public health guidelines and called the COVID-19 hotline when he experienced “severe” shortness of breath Friday. He said he was told to go to the hospital and check in with the isolation unit to be seen by health care providers equipped to receive him.
He received oxygen as he struggled to maintain appropriate blood oxygen levels. He said he is now off oxygen and feeling “relatively” better and expects to be released as soon as his doctors deem appropriate.
Earlier Sunday, Paul became the first U.S. senator to test positive for COVID-19.
In a tweet the senator said he is “feeling fine” and is in quarantine.
“He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person,” the tweet said.
Trump tweeted about Paul saying, “M friend (always there when I’ve needed him!), Senator @randpaul, was just tested “positive” from the Chinese Virus. That is not good! He is strong and will get better. Just spoke to him and he was in good spirits.”
Because of their quarantine, Romney and Lee will not be able to vote on any COVID-19 relief package because Senate rules call for votes to be made on the floor. Last week, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend Senate rules to allow senators to vote remotely during a national crisis, such as the current pandemic. No action has been taken on the proposal.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is pushing for a Monday vote in the Senate on an economic rescue package that could total at least $1.5 trillion. Democrats blocked the measure Sunday in a dispute with Republicans over corporate bailout provisions and aid to displaced workers.
Romney, who urged Congress to pass a relief package as quickly as possible, expressed his displeasure about Sunday’s vote on Twitter.
“Nothing in the Senate has shocked me, until today. Standing in the way of a critically needed rescue package is irresponsible and reckless. Dems say not enough money to states: nearly $200 billion isn’t chump change. Hospitals get at least $75 billion,” he tweeted.
Lee made a plea for the coronavirus relief package to include a “massive,” one-year expansion of the tax deduction for charitable giving.
“It’s not just the for-profit economy that is suffering and will suffer from the COVID outbreak. Civil society — all those millions of non-profits around the country — are getting hammered too,” he posted on Facebook.
Lee said the $300 deduction in the draft proposal is short at least one zero. Americans, he said, are prepared to “go big” with contributions to the national relief effort, but Congress has to help them do it.
“This year, we’re going to *want* all Americans — especially rich ones! — pouring their money into local charities. If there must be a cap, $300,000 or $30,000 makes *much* more sense than $300,” the senator wrote.
Lee said that based on conversations with Republicans and Democrats, he is “morally” certain that there is bipartisan support for a huge-but-temporary, one-year policy fix for the charitable giving deduction.
“This morning, millions are attending virtual church services in their living rooms, praying that this crisis passes. And it will. And when it does, we’re going to need those churches, and all our service orgs, back on the front lines to rebuild and renew our communities,” he wrote.