Northwest Iowa — Republican Joni Ernst says she and other members of the Senate committee should be tested for Covid before they convene confirmation hearings this week for President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.
(as said) “I actually do think that it would be smart to do that,” Ernst said. “I hate to do it without having reasons to do so, but I think if we’re going to be working in close proximity over long hours, it’s probably not a bad idea.”
The hearings are scheduled to start Monday. Both of Iowa’s U.S. Senators are on the Judiciary Committee. During a news conference Sunday, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley was asked if he agrees with Ernst about having all members take a Covid test before Monday’s hearing.
(as said) “I suppose there’s 99 other ways to answer the question. I can only answer Chuck Grassley’s way,” Grassley said. “I follow the protocols that are given out by the attending physician on Capitol Hill and I’ll continue to follow those.”
Two other members of the committee who attended the White House event for nominee Amy Coney Barrett tested positive for the virus last weekend. Grassley says he has been tested for Covid but hasn’t revealed when that test was taken. Ernst took a Covid test before she debated her Democratic opponent, Theresa Greenfield, on September 28th. Greenfield says Covid tests for Ernst and other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee makes sense.
(as said) “That’s a great place to start, absolutely,” Greenfield says. “They should be wearing masks and following public health guidelines. If they’ve been exposed they should be quarantining.”
Greenfield and Ernst made their comments at separate events Saturday and both candidates wore face coverings as they spoke with reporters.
