Schumer advises members to avoid congregating on Senate floor after reports of positive COVID-19 tests
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in a "Dear Colleague" letter to Democrats Sunday morning urged them to cast their votes on the Senate floor quickly and avoid congregating in the chamber following reports of Senate staff and members of the vice president's team contracting the novel coronavirus.
The Senate convened Sunday afternoon to resume debate on Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court ahead of Monday's expected final confirmation vote.
Five individuals in Vice President Mike Pence's orbit have tested positive for the coronavirus, including his chief of staff Marc Short and political aide Marty Obst. The vice president and his wife tested negative for the coronavirus Sunday morning.
Pence anticipates continuing his campaign schedule Sunday and said he will be in the Senate Monday for Barrett's confirmation vote.
"While CDC guidelines would dictate contract tracing a quarantining be practiced, our colleagues and the Vice President have indicated that they do not intend to follow such protocols. The Vice President is maintaining his campaign schedule and, inexplicably, intends to preside over the Senate chamber tomorrow evening. Their carelessness with the health and safety of their colleagues and Capitol employees mirrors their carelessness with the health and safety of Americans during this crisis," Schumer wrote.
"Therefore, considering the Republicans’ refusal follow CDC guidelines regarding quarantining and contact tracing, I would recommend that you not congregate in the Senate chamber today and that you cast your votes quickly and from a safe distance," he continued.
-ABC News' Allison Pecorin