Members of Congress are raising the question of whether the coronavirus vaccine should be prioritized, as the first doses are beginning to be distributed to health workers across the country.
Lawmakers are wary of appearing privileged over its components, a factor that also led Congress leaders to delay the implementation of a testing regime at the Capitol. At the same time, members of Congress are seen as essential to making sure the government continues to function and are in a position to help build public confidence in the vaccine by taking it themselves.
They also face a higher risk of exposure than the average person during the pandemic because they still have to travel frequently between their districts and Washington, DC and meet together at the Capitol.
And many lawmakers, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiCongress closes COVID-19 relief deal, bipartisan senators urge to include surprise billing deal in year-end package Democratic leaders under pressure to agree on reduced COVID-19 relief deal (D-California) and leader of the Senate majority Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellCongress Closes Release of COVID-19, Financing Agreement Bipartisan Senators Urge to Include Surprise Billing Agreement in Year-End Package Democratic Leaders Under Pressure to Agree on COVID-19 Relief Agreement reduced MORE (R-Ky.): They are also over the age of 65, which places them among the highest-risk groups that already have priority for vaccination by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A Capitol official said Tuesday that Congress has not yet been informed of how many doses of vaccine will be available, so distribution plans are not yet determined at this time.
Rep. Rodney Davis
Rodney Lee Davis Lawyers are battling the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine on Capitol Hill House Republicans who did not sign the Texas lawsuit, Republican Party Representative Dan Newhouse, who gives COVID-19 positive MORE (Ill.), The top Republican on the House Administrative Committee, urged Pelosi to establish a vaccination plan for members and essential staff, such as Capitol police officers.
“As an essential branch of government, it is vital that our institution returns to full functionality and that our members and essential staff receive a transparent vaccination plan to not only ensure the continuity of operations, but health and safety. of our committed workforce. ”Davis wrote in a letter to Pelosi on Tuesday.
Anthony Fauci
Anthony FauciLawyers Fight COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation at Capitol Hill Overnight Health Care: FDA Endorses Safety and Efficacy of Modern COVID-19 Vaccine | The FDA authorizes the first over-the-counter test at home Fauci says Trump should be vaccinated soon Biden Pence says he will receive the coronavirus vaccine “in the coming days” MORE, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on Tuesday recommended that senior U.S. officials be vaccinated as soon as possible, including the president-elect Joe Biden
Joe BidenDeVos urges Department of Education staff to “resist” when Biden takes office LGBTQ groups celebrate Buttigieg’s selection for transportation secretary Biden administration needs bipartisan solutions for older Americans, according to say lawmakers. MONTH, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris
Kamala HarrisProgressives focuses around Turner House candidacy Lawmakers fight COVID-19 vaccine implementation at Capitol Hill Overnight Health Care: FDA endorses safety and efficacy of Modern COVID-19 vaccine | The FDA authorizes the first home test without a prescription Fauci says Trump, Biden should be vaccinated soon MORE, President Trump
Donald Derek Lyons, Trump’s chief aide, will leave the White House this month. Judge declares Trump Org must hand over documents to NY AG as part of investigation, GOP longtime strategist Steve Schmidt announces he will register Democrat MORE and Vice President Pence.
“I really feel strongly that we should vaccinate them as soon as we can,” Fauci told ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Biden said he would do it “by the numbers” and publicly, and Pence said he would do it “in the next few days.”
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters Tuesday that Trump would get the vaccine “as soon as his medical team determines it’s better,” but said he wanted to prioritize front-line health care workers. to the elderly in long-term care centers and to other vulnerable populations. Trump contracted COVID-19 in October and may still have antibodies that immunize him against the virus.
At least 36 members of the House and Senate have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, while others have tested positive for antibodies or suspected cases.
The Capitol Medical Office already distributes free annual flu shots to all members and staff. And starting last month, free trials of COVID-19 were conducted following an order from the DC mayor requiring people traveling to Washington to get a test.
While in many test locations across the country there are long lines with people having to wait days at a time for results, the Capitol test site moves people quickly and provides results again within a period of 24 hours, if not the same day.
Still, lawmakers on both sides had been calling for a probation regime at the Capitol for months before it became a reality. Pelosi and McConnell initially turned down an offer in May from the White House to provide quick evidence on Capitol Hill, citing a desire to direct resources to front-line workers.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Chuck Schumer’s bipartisan senators urge to include surprise billing deal in year-end package Progressives increase demands to increase unemployment insurance and direct payments Lawmakers face implementation of COVID vaccine -19 on Capitol Hill (DN.Y.) said Monday in a Senate speech at the plant that he would take a vaccine “as soon as it is convenient and recommended,” but stressed that “I will not skip the line.”
And while lawmakers are sensitive to any appearance of privilege, some argue that they should be in a position to encourage citizens to get vaccinated.
A Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Tuesday found that 71% of Americans are willing to take a free, safe COVID-19 vaccine. But the poll found a split along the party line: 86 percent of Democrats said they would get the vaccine, compared to 56 percent of Republicans.
Survey results indicated that vaccine skepticism is highest among Republicans, rural residents, black adults and essential workers, with people citing concerns about side effects, the role of politics in vaccine development process and novelty.
McConnell, a polio survivor, said Tuesday that he is “a great advocate for the vaccine when you have a substance that you know works.”
“And so when it’s my turn, I’ll be looking forward to getting the vaccine and doing my part to reassure those who doubt that we really need to vaccinate the country,” McConnell told Capitol Hill reporters. “So I think all of us who have at least some fans in the country need to step up, as are the former presidents and how I’m sure people in the entertainment world will do the same, to encourage people to do that. “.
He The District of Columbia government considers members of Congress essential workers, which is also a group considered a priority for early vaccination by the CDC. Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University, suggested that priority be given to certain legislators, such as those in the line of succession, for their protection.
“I think there will be a number of key legislators who, if they get COVID, could cause serious disruption to U.S. politics and government,” Gostin said.
At the same time, Gostin said: “There is a real concern I share in the public, that everyone in the country will have to make agonizing decisions, really life or death choices, about who gets vaccinated and who doesn’t. to the throat, the idea that someone powerful, rich, famous, including politicians, jumps the queue and gets to the front of the line before the everyday Americans. And that will happen. “
Morgan Chalfant contributed.