Pelosi, McConnell decline White House offer of rapid COVID-19 tests

[demmiblue]

Source: The Hill

In a rare bipartisan joint statement, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) turned down the White House's offer of rapid COVID-19 testing kits as the Senate returns to the Capitol this week amid concerns about the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

“Congress is grateful for the Administration’s generous offer to deploy rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities to Capitol Hill, but we respectfully decline the offer at this time," the congressional leaders said. "Our country’s testing capacities are continuing to scale up nationwide and Congress wants to keep directing resources to the front-line facilities where they can do the most good the most quickly."

The Senate will reconvene Monday at 5 p.m. on a confirmation vote for Robert Feitel to become inspector general of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

McConnell has been adamant about the Senate returning this week, despite pushback from fellow senators. The House, which was also supposed to return the Capitol this week, pushed back its return date after consulting with Capitol physician Brian Monahan.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/495817-Pelosi-McConnell-decline-White-House-offer-of-rapid-COVID19-tests-

[Freethinker65]

1. Now give those testing materials and machines to areas in the country that need them you asshole

[DrToast]

2. This is dumb

[stillcool]

3. maybe they don't trust Trump

[woodsprite]

4. That's what I was thinking. nt

[NonPC]

15. Maybe Get Some DNA Info Too?

Wouldn't surprise me if Trump wanted his minions to run the DNA of the lawmakers as long as they were at it. Could come in handy when planning a blackmail operation.

[alp227]

5. Full statement from the Speaker's Office

whose website has far fewer bells/whistles/clutter than the Hill - https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/5220

May 2, 2020
Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement:

“Congress is grateful for the Administration’s generous offer to deploy rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities to Capitol Hill, but we respectfully decline the offer at this time. Our country’s testing capacities are continuing to scale up nationwide and Congress wants to keep directing resources to the front-line facilities where they can do the most good the most quickly.

“Consistent with CDC guidelines, Congress will use the current testing protocols that the Office of the Attending Physician has put in place until these speedier technologies become more widely available.”

[RandySF]

6. She should be tested regularly

Last edited Sat May 2, 2020, 08:17 PM - Edit history (1)

Since she’s in the line of succession.

[Rebl2]

11. Agree

but not through WH offer. CA governor should offer it to her.

[former9thward]

16. The Speaker of the House has no need of someone "offering" her a test.

She can get a test anytime she wants. She obviously doesn't want to be tested.

[mr_lebowski]

18. Statement says they want testing pursuant to normal protocols ...

Not that they don't want tests.

Be shocked if she's not been tested numerous times by now.

[flibbitygiblets]

12. Agreed, especially since Trump & Pence are behaving so recklessly

For one she should set a better example by appearing with a mask, social distancing etc.

For another, they really should investigate safe ways to vote remotely. If not for this pandemic, then the even worse one that may come one day. Prepare!

[ancianita]

7. Pelosi & McConnell agree: they don't trust this administration to do anything honestly or right.

The first bipartisan position they've taken on anything.

[PSPS]

8. "The Senate will reconvene Monday at 5 p.m"

Moscow Mitch has to keep frantically jamming through trump's judges.

[totodeinhere]

9. I think they need to do what they have done in the UK.

Allow only a handful of live bodies on the floor of the chambers so they can practice social distancing. And the members on the floor should be required to wear masks. Then the rest of the members would participate via video teleconferencing. That would require a rules change since currently members can only vote when they are physically on the floor.

[flibbitygiblets]

13. Agreed. They're playing Russian Roulette.

[Mr.Bill]

14. I would imagine they would already

have access to any testing they would desire to use. Grandstanding by Trump. Nothing to see here, move along.