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Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., wears a mask during a hearing on Capitol Hill on May 12, 2020. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images.

COVID AND CONGRESS
By Lisa Desjardins, @LisaDNews ([link removed])
Correspondent

Here in the COVID part of the 21st century, the battle between humankind and nature is self-evident.

But the sheer number of our leaders who have been infected is easily missed in the pandemic haze. Which is why we‘ve been keeping track.

In the past week, we have seen a boom in COVID positive cases announced by members of Congress. Five members disclosed they have tested positive, making it the biggest surge in lawmaker cases since the January 6 riot and one of the biggest surges on Capitol Hill since COVID arrived.

Here is a look at the 83 members of Congress who have announced that they had COVID at some point.

Publicly-known Positive Covid Cases - 116th and 117th Congress
(Tweet me if I’ve missed anything here. @LisaDNews ([link removed]) . Appreciate any folos! )

HOUSE
1. Ben McAdams, D-Utah(March 18, 2020) ([link removed])
2. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla. (March 18, 2020) ([link removed])
3. Seth Moulton, D-Mass. (March 25, 2020 ([link removed]) , presumed w/ symptoms)
4. Joe Cunningham, D-S.C. (March 27, 2020) ([link removed])
5. Mike Kelly, R-Pa. (March 27, 2020) ([link removed])
6. Nydia Velaquez, D-N.Y. (Late March, 2020, presumed) ([link removed])
7. Trey Hollingsworth, R-Ind. (Symptoms late March, 2020, announced positive for antibodies in July ([link removed]) .)
8. Neal Dunn, R-Fla. (Early April, 2020) ([link removed])
9. Tom Rice, R-S.C. (June, 2020) ([link removed])
10. Morgan Griffith, R-Va. (July, 2020) ([link removed])
11. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas (July 29, 2020) ([link removed])
12. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. (Tested end of July ([link removed]) , 2020, positive antibody test)
13. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz. (Aug. 1, 2020 ([link removed]) )
14. Rodney Davis, R-Ill. (Aug. 5, 2020 ([link removed]) )
15. Dan Meuser, R-Pa. (Aug. 22, 2020 ([link removed]) )
16. Jennifer Gonzales-Colon, R-P.R. (Aug. 24, 2020 ([link removed]) )
17. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn. (Sept. 20, 2020 ([link removed]) )
18. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif. (Oct. 5, 2020 ([link removed]) )
19. Mike Bost, R-Ill. (Oct. 11, 2020) ([link removed])
20. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich. (Oct. 15, 2020 ([link removed]) )
21. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga. (Oct. 30, 2020 ([link removed]) )
22. Michael Waltz, R-Fla. (Nov. 7, 2020 ([link removed]) )
23. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. (Nov. 7, 2020 ([link removed]) tested positive for antibodies. Unsure when he had COVID.)
24. Don Young, R-Ark. (Nov. 12, 2020) ([link removed])
25. Tim Walberg, R-Mich. (Nov. 15, 2020 ([link removed]) )
26. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill. (Nov. 16, 2020) ([link removed])
27. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo. (Nov. 17, 2020 ([link removed]) )
28. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo. (Nov 18, 2020 ([link removed]) )
29. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash. (Nov 18, 2020 ([link removed]) )
30. Brian Steil, R-Wis. (Nov 22, 2020 ([link removed]) )
31. Joe Courtney, D-Conn. (Nov 22, 2020 ([link removed]) )
32. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. (Week of Nov. 23, 2020 ([link removed]) )
33. Rick Allen, R-Ga. (Nov 24, 2020 ([link removed]) )
34. Susie Lee, D-Nev. (Nov. 25, 2020 ([link removed]) )
35. Austin Scott, R-Ga. (Nov. 30, 2020 ([link removed]) )
36. Ken Calvert, R-Calif. (Late Nov. Announced Dec. 15) ([link removed])
37. Ted Budd, R-N.C. (Dec. 1, 2020 ([link removed]) )
38. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala. (Dec. 4 ([link removed]) )
39. Devin Nunes, R-Calif. (Antibodies, announced test Dec. 11, 2020) ([link removed])
40. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga. (Dec. 15, 2020 ([link removed]) )
41. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. (Dec. 16, 2020 ([link removed]) )
42. Mike Rogers, R-Ala. (Dec. 17, 2020 ([link removed]) )
43. Cedric Richmond, D-La. (Dec. 17, 2020 ([link removed]) )
44. Rick Larsen, D-Wash. (Dec. 23, 2020 ([link removed]) )
45. Maria Salazar, R-Fla. (Dec. 23, 2020 ([link removed]) . Was member-elect then, but was quarantined still when Congress began)
46. Gwen Moore, D-Wis. (Dec. 28, 2020 ([link removed]) )
47. David Valadao, R-Calif. (Dec. 31, 2020 ([link removed]) )
48. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. (Antibodies. Test in December 2020. Story first reported March 2021 ([link removed]) .)
49. Kay Granger, R-Texas (Jan. 3, 2021 ([link removed]) , test)
50. Kevin Brady, R-Texas (Jan. 3, 2021 ([link removed]) , announced)
51. Michelle Steel, R-Calif. (Jan. 6, 2021 ([link removed]) , announced.)
52. Jake LaTurner, R-Kan. (Jan. 6, 2021 ([link removed]) , test)
53. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. (Jan. 6, 2021 ([link removed]) test)
54. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn. (Jan. 10, 2021 ([link removed]) )
55. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. (Jan 11, 2021 ([link removed]) )
56. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J. (Jan. 12, 2021 ([link removed]) )
57. Brad Schneider, D-Ill. (Jan. 12, 2021 ([link removed]) )
58. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y. (Jan. 13, 2021 ([link removed]) )
59. Lou Correa, D-Calif. (Jan. 15 ([link removed]) , 2021 ([link removed]) )
60. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif. (Jan. 19 ([link removed]) ,2021 ([link removed]) )
61. Ron Wright, R-Texas (Jan. 21, 2021 ([link removed]) ) Died. Feb. 7.
62. Lori Trahan, D-Mass. (Jan. 28, 2021 ([link removed]) )
63. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass. (Jan. 30, 2021 ([link removed]) ) Note: he had received both doses of vaccine by Jan. 20.
64. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla. (July 19, 2021 ([link removed]) ) *Fully vaccinated.
65. Steve Scalise, R-La. Antibodies. (Revealed antibodies positive July 20, 2020 ([link removed]) , unclear when was tested or contagious.)
66. Ralph Norman, R-S.C. (Aug. 5, 2021 ([link removed]) ) *Fully vaccinated.
67. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas (Aug. 6, 2021 ([link removed]) ) *Fully vaccinated.
68. Barry Moore, R-Ala. (Aug. 20, 2021 ([link removed]) ) Note: vaccination status unknown.
69. Troy Nehls, R-Texas (Aug. 22, 2021 ([link removed]) ) *Fully vaccinated.

SENATE
1. Rand Paul, R-Ky. (March 22, 2020 ([link removed]) )
2. Tim Kaine, D-Va. (April, 2020 ([link removed]) , antibodies test)
3. Bob Casey, D-Pa. (May, 2020 ([link removed]) , antibodies test)
4. Bill Cassidy, R-La. (Aug. 20, 2020 ([link removed]) )
5. Mike Lee, R-Utah (Oct. 2, 2020 ([link removed]) )
6. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. (Oct. 2, 2020) ([link removed])
7. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. (Oct. 3, 2020 ([link removed]) )
8. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa (Nov 17, 2020 ([link removed]) ) Was president pro tem at this point, highest-ranking Congressional official to test positive.
9. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga. (Nov 20, 2020 ([link removed]) )
10. Rick Scott, R-Fla. (Nov 20, 2020 ([link removed]) )
11. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. (Aug. 2, 2021 ([link removed]) ) *Fully vaccinated
12. Roger Wicker, R-Miss. (Aug. 19, 2021 ([link removed]) ) *Fully vaccinated
13. Angus King, I-Maine (Aug. 19, 2021 ([link removed]) ) *Fully vaccinated
14. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo. (Aug. 19, 2021 ([link removed]) ) *Fully vaccinated

Were in vaccine trials
1. Steve Daines, R-Mont. (enrolled in Pfizer trial, ([link removed]) positive for antibodies)
2. Rob Portman, R-Ohio (enrolled in Johnson & Johnson ([link removed]) trial)

117th Congress-elect
1. Ashley Hinson, RElect-Iowa (Nov. 12, 2020) ([link removed])
2. Luke Letlow, RElect-La. (Dec. 18, 2020 ([link removed]) announced. Died Dec. 29.)

FIVE OVERLOOKED POLITICAL STORIES FROM THE PAST WEEK
By Saher Khan, @SaherMKhan ([link removed])
Politics Producer

After Pandemic Ravaged Nursing Homes, New State Laws Protect Residents ([link removed]) Aug 20. Twenty three states have enacted pandemic-related laws aiming to improve nursing home safety and provide virtual communications with family members. Why it matters: The pandemic took a disproportionate toll on the elderly in nursing homes and long term care facilities and states are still sorting out how to best protect them. . -- Kaiser Health News

Here Are Some Of The Afghans Scrambling To Get Exit Visas After The US Withdrawal ([link removed]) Aug 20. The chaos in Afghanistan is leading to a frantic effort by those trying to exit. . Why it matters: This is a life-and-death effort in real time which could determine the long-term future of tens of thousands of people as well as how America is seen in the world. It also sheds light on the flaws in the Special Immigrant Visa program, a cumbersome process that lacks transparency and is not equipped to efficiently handle the influx of cases. -- Buzzfeed

GOP Senate candidates take page from Trump playbook as they fight for populist title ([link removed]) Aug. 22 Republican candidates in Ohio seeking to replace retiring centrist Senator Rob Portman are vying for President Trump’s endorsement and largely pitching to the conservative base. Why it matters: The upcoming Senate primary could foretell where the Republican party is heading in a midterm year as well as how difficult or easy it will be for Democrats to hold onto the U.S. Senate.t. -- The Columbus Dispatch

Veterans are prized recruits as congressional candidates ([link removed]) Aug. 22. Both parties are aiming to recruit veterans to run for Congress as they try to secure the House majority in next year’s midterm elections. Why it matters: Seen as favorable candidates in swing districts and among moderate voters, the current withdrawal from the war in Afghanistan will test this group’s acumen as they’re thrust back into the center of American politics. -- Associated Press
‘It’s not our fight’ vs. ‘We owe them’: Americans debate what’s right in Afghanistan ([link removed]) Aug. 21. Americans are conflicted and disagree about the decision to leave Afghanistan as well as the administration’s responsibility for the chaos of the departure. Why it matters: How Americans ultimately perceive the decisions and actions on the ground in Afghanistan likely wil have profound implications for the Biden administration as well as the 2024 presidential campaign.. -- Washington Post

#POLITICSTRIVIA
By Tess Conciatori, @tkconch ([link removed])
Politics producer

On this day in 1814, British troops captured and burned the north wing of the U.S. Capitol, an attack largely forgotten by most Americans until the siege of the same building on January 6, 2021. But the damage more than a century ago was significant and expensive enough to warrant intervention by this founding father, who sold his personal library to Congress to aid in covering the damage. The sale totaled almost $24,000.

Our question: Can you name the seller?

Send your answers to or tweet using #PoliticsTrivia. The first correct answers will earn a shout-out next week.

Last week, we asked: Can you name the one ‘“no”’ vote to authorize war in Afghanistan 20 years ago?

The answer: Rep. Barbara Lee

The California Democrat received thousands of letters of approval and disapproval of her decision. They are now housed at Lee’s alma matter, Mills College in Oakland, California.
Congratulations to our winners: Tim Smith and Carol Rutz!

Thank you all for reading and watching. We’ll drop into your inbox next week.

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** WATCH: Why moderate Democrats opposed Pelosi’s plans for two major spending bills ([link removed])
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