Vaccinated Florida Republican tests positive for COVID-19

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) said Monday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing mild, flu-like symptoms and will be quarantining at home to protect his House colleagues and staffers.

Buchanan, 70, had been fully vaccinated earlier this year.

His positive test comes at a time when United States is seeing a surge of coronavirus cases as the highly transmissible delta variant spreads.

“I look forward to returning to work as soon as possible,” Buchanan said in a statement. “In the meantime, this should serve as a reminder that although the vaccines provide a very high-degree of protection, we must remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19.”

Dozens of House lawmakers tested positive for COVID-19 last year, but cases on Capitol Hill became much more rare this year after the vaccine was made available to all lawmakers.

Buchanan will still be able to vote and attend congressional hearings from Florida.

Despite GOP complaints, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has extended remote, proxy voting through the summer, and House committees still allow their members to participate through video conference.