Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is the first US senator to be infected by the dreaded coronavirus.
According to a statement posted on Twitter, “He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person.”
The senator’s deputy chief of staff, Sergio Gor, expanded the tweet, stating that the senator “expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time.”
Paul is the third member of Congress to test positive for the novel coronavirus as the pandemic spreads across the country.
The first two was Republican Florida Representative Mario Diaz-Balart and Democratic Utah Representative Ben McAdams.
Other members of the Congress have self-quarantined after being exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, including the President’s incoming chief of staff, North Carolina Representative Mark Meadows.
Because of this, Paul may miss a vote on Sunday afternoon about the massive coronavirus package.
The announcement was made in the midst of working around the clock to reach a negotiation on a coronavirus economic stimulus bill, which aims to support the economy during the pandemic.
Previously, he spoke out against providing $1,000 to all Americans, pointing out that the payment should be based on unemployment and those who are out of work due to containment policies.
He argued, “If you’re still employed and doing well, why would we want to send you $1,000?”
He believes that it is “fiscally irresponsible” for the government to “just send everybody money.”
Paul announced his plans to introduce his own proposed package, which includes a 60-day payroll tax holiday and propose to change paid sick leave to expanded unemployment insurance.