3 Texas House Democrats test positive for Covid-19 in Washington, DC

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Washington DC CNN –

The Texas House Democratic Caucus said in a statement Saturday that three Texas House Democrats who traveled to Washington, D.C. this week have tested positive for Covid-19.

The lawmakers are part of the group that has left Texas, heading from Austin to Washington to breach the state assembly quorum and prevent Republicans from passing a new vote-restricted law. The three members who tested positive were fully vaccinated, according to the pool. Their identities were not disclosed in Saturday’s statement.

One member tested positive Friday night, prompting all party group members and staff to get tested quickly for Covid-19. On Saturday, two other members tested positive with rapid tests.

The Austin Statesman first reported on lawmakers’ positive tests.

Texas House Democratic Caucus President Chris Turner said in the statement that his group is following the guidelines and protocols of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and has contacted Texas public health experts for additional guidance.

“This is a sobering reminder that COVID is still with us, and while vaccines offer tremendous protection, we still have to take precautions,” he said.

Fully vaccinated people who have been exposed to Covid-19 but are asymptomatic do not need to be quarantined or tested for the virus after exposure, according to current CDC guidelines, unless they are in a correctional facility, detention facility or homeless shelter.

While in Washington this week, members of the Texas House of Representatives Democratic Caucus met with Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as members of Congress, including West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin.

CNN has reached out to the Texas House of Representatives Democratic Caucus about whether members who have tested positive for the virus have participated in those meetings.

Texas Representative James Tallarico told CNN reporter Jim Acosta on Saturday that he and his fellow Texas delegates knew their trip to Washington would “bring some risks.”

“It has brought health risks because there is an active pandemic and many of our members are over 65, but they chose to travel because this is so much more than one politician. It’s about the American experience and whether it will survive for future generations,” Tallarico said of their fight to protect access to the polls. .”

This story was updated with additional details on Saturday.

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