Kay Granger, the top Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, has tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Texas congresswoman, who is 77, had received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine and is not experiencing symptoms.
A spokesperson for Granger said in a statement on Monday that she learned she had tested positive on Sunday and then immediately quarantined.
“When she arrived in DC for the beginning of the 117th Congress, Congresswoman Kay Granger was tested for coronavirus in accordance with the Attending Physician’s guidance for Members when traveling from their home state. She was later notified that she tested positive and immediately quarantined. Having received the vaccine in December, she is asymptomatic and feeling great! She will remain under the care of her doctor,” the statement said.
Granger is the third House Republican currently infected with the virus. Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida and David Valadao of California were absent from Congress on the first day of the session on Sunday due to contracting COVID-19. The House held a moment of silence on the floor in recognition of the death of Republican Rep.-elect Luke Letlow, who died of coronavirus complications last week.
Granger’s quarantine despite being asymptomatic comes as congressional Republicans express discontent with Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore arriving at the Capitol to be sworn in and to vote for Nancy Pelosi to be House speaker after announcing that she had tested positive for COVID-19 just six days earlier. She said that her doctor had cleared her for travel.
Republicans were also surprised on Sunday to see a Plexiglas structure in the House gallery to allow members who were quarantining after being exposed to COVID-19 but had not tested positive to vote and be sworn in.
