Sen. Shaheen says COVID-19 cases in White House, Senate should be 'wake-up call' for nation
Said work must be done on second COVID-19 relief bill, when safe
MANCHESTER, N.H. -
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has said the president and first lady's COVID-19 positive diagnoses are a wake-up call for the country. Shaheen said the slew of cases among top Republicans in the White House and Senate should prompt action on a new relief bill, when it is safe to reconvene.
Shaheen said she wished the president, first lady, her Republican colleagues and everyone testing positive for COVID-19 a full recovery, but she believes the cluster of cases traced to the White House should make everyone take a step back.
"I think this is a reminder of just how critical it is for us to take coronavirus seriously," Shaheen said. "To follow guidelines from CDC, social distancing, wearing masks, being outside whenever possible."
Shaheen spoke in Manchester on Monday and said she believes the Judiciary Committee, with two members currently battling COVID-19, should keep safety in mind before it reconvenes for hearings on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
"I think it raises very serious concerns about the risk that is being taken," Shaheen said. "Three of the oldest Senators in the chamber are on the Judiciary Committee and so we know they are at risk."
Shaheen said the focus now should be on passing a second COVID-19 relief bill with sufficient help for the people and the states.
Her Republican opponent, Corky Messner, said she and the Democrats should have taken the last GOP offer and treated it as a bridge deal.
"There was money in that bill for more testing, contact tracing, PPE and other items," Messner said. "And the enhanced unemployment."
