Pelosi and McConnell moving towards halting U.S. Capitol tours
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are moving toward temporarily halting tours of the U.S. Capitol as a result of rising concerns over the spread of coronavirus. This decision was made jointly by the two leaders with input from the attending physician of the Capitol, a Senate leadership aide told CBS News.
Senator Dianne Feinstein, of California, told reporters earlier Wednesday that she believes the U.S. Capitol should be temporarily closed as a precaution. At 86, Feinstein is the oldest member of Congress and in an age group that is at higher risk of becoming very ill from COVID-19. Many lawmakers in Congress are over the age of 65.
"I'm worried about the fact that we need to close this place down," Feinstein said. "I really believe that now."
She added that the number of cases is "serious and it's increasing."
However, Senator John Kennedy, of Louisiana, said he would "fight like a tiger" against closure of the Capitol.
"I'm against shutting down the Capitol. I will fight that. I will fight that like a tiger. It may not make any difference but I don't think we ought to shut down. We are expected to lead," Kennedy said.
At least one senator's office is telling staff to telecommute for now. Capitol Hill staffers for Senator Mitt Romney, of Utah, have been "instructed to work from home for now as a preventative measure" but "Senator Romney will continue to follow his regular schedule."
Romney's communications director, Liz Johnson insists this is "just a preventative measure" and not linked to any illnesses.
Grace Segers contributed to this report.