McConnell: ‘Congress will continue to do our work’ amid coronavirus

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday threw his support behind a decision to limit public access to the Capitol while signaling the Senate will otherwise continue business as normal.

“Congress will continue to do our work. Offices will be able to welcome constituents and visitors for meetings and official business by appointment,” McConnell said from the Senate floor. 

“But in deference to the experts, and to protect the health of the many Americans who travel to our nation’s capital, tourism and nonofficial access to the Capitol and the complex will be put on pause,” he added.

McConnell’s comments come after new restrictions were issued for visiting the Capitol complex. In addition to suspending Capitol tours, access to the Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings “will be limited to members, staff, credentialed press and official business visitors.”

“Their decision was made in close consultation with the Attending Physician of the United States Congress, Dr. Brian Monahan. I fully support the decision of these nonpartisan officers,” McConnell added.

McConnell’s comments come after the Capitol Hill community got its first case of coronavirus when Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) announced that a staffer had tested positive.

Congressional leadership has been under growing pressure to limit access to the building, or change the congressional schedule, to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Anxiety on Capitol Hill has been particularly high given the advanced age of a large swath of lawmakers. 

The House has held several meetings with the attending physician to try to encourage best practices including hand-washing, avoiding shaking hands and “social distancing.” But avoiding crowds in the Capitol has been difficult.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) announced on Thursday that they would temporarily close their Washington, D.C., offices and let their staff telework.