Sen. Joe Manchin tested positive Monday for COVID-19, the West Virginia Democrat said on Twitter.


What You Need To Know

  • Sen. Joe Manchin tested positive Monday for COVID-19, the West Virginia Democrat said on Twitter

  • Manchin, 74, said he’s fully vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms

  • Later Monday, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican, also announced that she has tested positive for COVID-19, the fourth Senate lawmaker to announce a positive test in a week

  • Manchin’s diagnosis comes as lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation before their August recess; He’s been negotiating a spending bill with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that could be passed using the reconciliation process, which would require approval from a simple majority

Manchin, 74, said he’s fully vaccinated and boosted and is experiencing mild symptoms. 

“I will isolate and follow CDC guidelines as I continue to work remotely to serve West Virginians,” he wrote.

Manchin’s diagnosis comes as lawmakers are rushing to pass legislation before their August recess. 

A moderate Democrat, Manchin's vote has been crucial in the 50-50 Senate. He’s been negotiating a bill with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that could be passed using the reconciliation process, which would require approval from a simple majority. It was not immediately clear how, if at all, Manchin’s COVID-19 would impact talks.

Manchin announced earlier this month he would not support a package that includes spending on countering climate change or tax increases on wealthy individuals and corporations. A slimmed-down bill is expected to focus on lowering prescription drug prices and extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. 

Earlier this year, Machin sunk President Joe Biden’s $2.2 trillion social and climate spending plan.

Later Monday, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican, also announced that she has tested positive for COVID-19.

"After experiencing flu like symptoms I recently tested positive for COVID-19," she wrote on Twitter. "I will be following guidance and advice from doctors and will be quarantining at home in Alaska while continuing my work remotely."

The moderate Alaska lawmaker, who has voted with Democrats on a number of bills, including the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a bipartisan gun safety measure passed in the wake of the Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, N.Y., shootings, could be a crucial vote on some legislation party leaders are hoping to tackle in the coming weeks before the August recess, including same-sex marriage codification and a multi-billion dollar bill to bolster domestic semiconductor production.

Murkowski's announcement makes her the fourth Senate lawmaker to announce they've tested positive for COVID-19 in one week; Sens. Tom Carper, D-Del., and Tina Smith, D-Minn., both announced last week that they had tested positive and were isolating. Smith's office said Monday she is back to work and voting.

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