House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, marking 32 lawmakers having contracted the virus this year.
The Maryland Democrat, who is fully vaccinated, said that he is experiencing mild symptoms and will continue to work from home until he is cleared to return to the Capitol.
“This afternoon, I tested positive for COVID-19, and I am experiencing mild symptoms. Thankfully, I am fully vaccinated and already received my booster shot. I’m very grateful to the researchers, scientists, and medical experts who worked hard to develop the COVID-19 vaccines and to all the extraordinary public health workers and volunteers in our communities who have tirelessly worked to get shots into arms,” he said in a statement.
“In line with CDC guidelines and guidance from the Office of the Attending Physician, I will be working from home this week during my isolation period, and in order to protect the safety of other Members, staff, employees, and visitors to the Capitol, I will utilize proxy voting. I look forward to returning to the Capitol once my isolation period is over to continue carrying out the important work of leading House Democrats as we govern responsibly For the People.”
Hoyer, 82, is the second member of House leadership to contract the virus, with House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) announcing he tested positive in December.
In the wake of the surge of breakthrough cases, House Democrats have kept pandemic-related rules in place including requiring masks to be worn on the House floor and continuing to allow members to vote by proxy.
