Senate Democrats wrote to Vice President Mike Pence on Monday and asked him to stay away from the chamber during the vote to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
Pence had planned to preside over the vote in his role as Senate president.
But his chief of staff, Marc Short, and four other employees in the vice president’s office have contracted coronavirus, and Democrats fear he could be contagious.
“Not only would your presence in the Senate Chamber tomorrow be a clear violation of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, it would also be a violation of common decency and courtesy,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats wrote to Pence on Monday. “Your presence alone could be very dangerous to many people — not just Senators, but to all the truly essential staff — both Democratic and Republican, who must be physically present inside the U.S. Capitol for it to function.”
While Pence can serve a critical role in breaking a tie vote, his vote won’t be needed on Monday night. Barrett is poised to be confirmed with the support of at least 52 Republicans.
Pence tested negative for coronavirus on Sunday and has continued with his campaign schedule.
The final vote to confirm Barrett is slated for about 7:30 p.m. but could occur earlier if Democrats yield back debate time.
