WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has tested positive for COVID-19, the nine-term House member announced Tuesday night.
The Florida Democrat's symptoms are mild, according to a statement released by her office.
“I was informed this evening that I have tested positive for COVID. Thankfully, I am both vaccinated and boosted, and my symptoms are manageable. Please, if you haven’t yet, don’t wait to get vaccinated and boosted,” Wasserman Schultz said.
Wasserman Schultz had participated in a series of events on Monday in Florida with a member of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. The two officials toured Cypress Bay High School in Weston and held an event at Broward College.
Her spokesman confirmed that she took the test the following day.
The Department of Education did not immediately respond to an inquiry about whether the secretary had been tested following Wasserman Schultz’s positive test result. Neither Wasserman Schultz nor Cardona wore a mask in the Miami Herald’s footage from the visit.
Wasserman Schultz’s positive test also comes as Congress is locked in negotiations over the next round of funding for COVID-19 relief programs.
The White House has repeatedly pointed to the urgency of passing the bill as federal funding for a program to provide free testing and treatment for the uninsured ran out last month.
The U.S. Senate stalled Tuesday on a $10 billion aid package after Republicans pushed for the extension of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention policy that has restricted migrants from entering the country on public health guidelines. The policy is set to be terminated next month.
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