U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) is joined by others as he speaks outside of the U.S. Postal Service Chicago Headquarters on Aug. 18, 2020.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider announced Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after being confined with members of Congress who refused to wear masks during the violent pro-Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week.
In his statement, Schneider referenced a video from the new Washington-based news outlet, Punchbowl News, that showed Republican members of Congress refusing requests to wear a mask as a woman went around the room handing them out.
“Last Wednesday, after narrowly escaping a violent mob incited by the president of the United States to attack the Capitol and its occupants, I was forced to spend several hours in a secure but confined location with dozens of other members of Congress. Several Republican lawmakers in the room adamantly refused to wear a mask, as demonstrated in video from Punchbowl News, even when politely asked by their colleagues,” Schneider said. “Today, I am now in strict isolation worried that I have risked my wife’s health and angry at the selfishness and arrogance of the anti-maskers who put their own contempt and disregard for decency of the health and safety of their colleagues and our staff.”
Schneider, a Democrat from north suburban Deerfield, is at least the third member of the House to test positive since the violent pro-Trump mob descended on the Capitol building. Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., also have tested positive for the coronavirus. Watson Coleman is a 75-year-old cancer survivor.
“Too many Republicans have refused to take this pandemic and virus seriously, and in doing so, they endanger everyone around them,” Jayapal said in a statement. “Only hours after President Trump incited a deadly assault on our Capitol, our country, and our democracy, many Republicans still refused to take the bare minimum COVID-19 precaution and simply wear a damn mask in a crowded room during a pandemic.”
Jayapal has called for “serious fines to be immediately levied on every single member who refuses to wear a mask in the Capitol.”
Unfortunately, I received a positive COVID-19 test this morning following being tested yesterday on the advice of the House Attending Physician.
— Rep. Brad Schneider (@RepSchneider) January 12, 2021
“Wearing a mask is not a political statement, it is public health guidance, common courtesy, and simply what should be expected of all decent people. We can no longer tolerate members coming to the floor or gathering in the halls of Congress without doing the bare minimum to protect those around them,” Schneider said. “Those that flout public health guidance should be sanctioned and immediately removed from the House floor by the Sergeant at Arms for their reckless endangerment of their colleagues.”
Dozens of lawmakers were rushed to a secure location once the pro-Trump rioters breached the Capitol, some of them huddled there for hours. Over the weekend, all lawmakers were notified of potential exposure to the virus and were urged to be tested. Schneider said he received a positive test Tuesday morning after being tested on Monday at the advice of the House attending physician.
Trump supporters gesture to U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6. Doug Jensen, an Iowa man at center, was jailed early Saturday on federal charges, including trespassing and disorderly conduct counts, for his alleged role in the Capitol riot.
“Since driving home to Deerfield from Washington, I have remained isolated as much as possible from my wife in our house and have not experienced other close contacts since my exposure on Wednesday,” Schneider said. “This week, the House is doing critical work to protect our national security, our democracy, and our Constitution, moving to remove the President from office after he incited this angry mob of domestic terrorists. I regret that I must take these votes by proxy.”
IN THEIR WORDS: Midwest elected officials react to U.S. Capitol breach
Elected officials react to U.S. Capitol breach
Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday and forced lawmakers into hiding, in a stunning attempt to overturn America’s presidential election and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House.
Here's how elected officials in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin reacted to the situation.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Democrat
"I’m disgusted watching the violence playing out inside and around the Capitol," Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, said in a social media post. "First and foremost, I pray for the safety of our first responders, elected officials, staff and the public.
"This violence is abhorrent and is nothing like what the founders envisioned for this nation. The peaceful transition of power is a bedrock of our democracy. It is sacred and must be protected.
"Donald Trump has incited a violent coup attempt. And his enablers share responsibility for this, pure and simple."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Republican of Channahon
As supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol, Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger tweeted: "This is a coup attempt."
He then responded to a tweet by President Donald Trump, who said: "Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!"
Kinzinger responded: "You are not protecting the country. Where is the DC guard? You are done and your legacy will be a disaster."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, Republican of Peoria
"I have always fought for the right to peacefully protest, but there is a stark difference between protesting and rioting," LaHood tweeted Tuesday afternoon. "Lawlessness is never an acceptable answer. This must end now.
"Thank you to Capitol Police and law enforcement for working to keep people safe."
Illinois U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, Republican of Murphysboro
Illinois U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, Republican of Taylorville
"This is a sad day for our country," U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, a Taylorville Republican, said on Twitter. "The lawlessness has got to stop. Protestors must leave the Capitol so Congress can resume the process of confirming the Electoral College vote. My staff and I are currently safe. More to say later."
Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Democrat
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, said in an interview with NBC News that she was evacuated from the Capitol and is safe with a couple of her staff members.
“I never in my wildest dreams would I think Americans would do this,” she said.
Duckworth said she supports peaceful protest but “this is a mob. This is a riot.” She said the mob following “the will of a wannabe tin-pot dictator.”
On Twitter, she said: “I have spent my entire adult life defending our Constitution and people’s rights to peacefully demonstrate. I never thought I’d need to defend democracy from an attempted, violent overthrow in our own nation’s Capitol. I will not yield to those who seek to harm our democracy.”
Indiana U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, Democrat of Indianapolis
"Everything that's happening in DC today — from the political theater inside the Capitol, to the unruly protests outside of it — is an insult to our Democracy," U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indianapolis, wrote on Twitter. "Congress is here to serve the people. The people chose Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and we must uphold their choice."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, Republican of Elkhart
"Every American has the right to exercise their First Amendment rights, but violence and destruction are never the answer," U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Elkhart, said on Twitter. "Stop these attacks on our country now and keep the protests peaceful. Grateful to the U.S. Capitol Police for protecting everyone in our Capitol."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, Republican of Columbia City
"Peaceful protest is healthy, but what is happening at the U.S. Capitol right now is unacceptable and un-American," U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City, said on Twitter. "Those participating in lawlessness and violence must be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, Republican of Evansville
"Supporters of Donald Trump please stand down and leave the Capitol," U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, R-Evansville, said on Twitter. "I do not condone any form of violence. A peaceful protest is your Constitutional right but what is happening now is not lawful. It is un-American."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, Republican of Jeffersonville
"The day started with democracy at the Capitol, people debating and asserting the views of millions of Americans," U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, R-Jeffersonville, wrote on Twitter. "But what happened this afternoon at the Capitol is not democracy and not reflective of the ideals we hold so dear. There is no space in our system of government for violence or vandalism, and none should be tolerated here or anywhere in our great land."
Indiana U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, Republican of Noblesville
"We are a country of laws and the lawlessness in and around the U.S. Capitol today is unacceptable," Indiana U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz said on Twitter. "The actions of those who have stormed the Capitol only hurt their cause. Please let the democratic process play out peacefully."
Indiana U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, Republican
"What we’re seeing at the Capitol is wrong, hurts the cause of election integrity, and needs to stop immediately," U.S. Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana wrote on Twitter. "Rioting and violence are never acceptable."
Indiana U.S. Sen. Todd Young, Republican
"In America we have a right to peacefully protest, but what has occurred today goes against everything we stand for as a nation," U.S. Sen. Todd Young said on Twitter. "This is not a peaceful protest – it is violence and it is reprehensible. This must stop."
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, Republican of Glenbeulah
Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman told the Wisconsin State Journal he wants to see more leadership from Trump to call off the protests, and wants the certification of Biden's win to "wrap up" as soon as possible, potentially without all members of Congress being present. Shortly afterward, Trump posted a short video on Twitter in which he again baselessly claimed he won the election but urged protesters to "go home."
Grothman declined to say whether he supported the objections to Biden's win but added that the certification is largely ceremonial and should be treated as such by Trump's supporters.
"I think it's important there be a little more leadership here, and I wish the president would get on TV and do what he can to encourage people to disperse," Grothman said. "I think people for whatever motivation have implied that this day, which is normally a day for perfunctory ceremony, is going to be a day of great significance, and that I think is irresponsible."
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, Democrat of Milwaukee
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, Democrat of Madison
Some Wisconsin Democrats such as U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, put the blame on Republicans for encouraging the protests and slammed Trump for "inciting domestic terrorism."
"Remember "stand back & stand by"? We saw this violent fascism coming, and the GOP encouraged it," Pocan said, referring to Trump's comments during the campaign when he sidestepped calling out the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist group.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, Republican of Green Bay
"This is banana republic crap that we’re watching happen right now," Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher said, while also condemning fellow Republicans such as U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, who planned to object to the outcome of the election.
"The objectors over the last two days have told me, 'There is no problem with just having a debate. We know we’re not going to succeed, so we’re just going to object; we’re going to have a debate, we’ll voice people’s concerns and then we won’t actually overturn our entire system of representative government so nothing bad will happen. There will be no cost to this effort,'" Gallagher said. "This is the cost of this effort."
Gallagher told CBS News he believes Congress doesn't have the power to overturn the election, as Trump has repeatedly called for since he lost in November.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, Democrat of La Crosse
Democratic U.S. Rep. Ron Kind spoke to reporters Wednesday afternoon, denouncing the chaos erupting at the Capitol in the wake of Congress's confirmation of the election.
The 12-term representative from La Crosse called it a "sad day," but said he was not surprised by the events unfolding.
"I ask my colleagues — who for months now have spread lies about the integrity of the ballot box, unfounded accusations lacking any evidence or facts about voter fraud in this election — what did they expect the reaction to be?" he said.
"They have unleashed dark forces in our society now who think that this is entirely appropriate to attempt a coup d'état of our government because of what they've been led to believe," Kind said.
Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, Republican of Minocqua
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who was joining with Johnson in objecting to the results, said during a phone interview that he was in the House chamber as debate was ongoing.
“And then all hell broke loose," Tiffany said. He was escorted to a safe location.
Although those who stormed the Capitol on Wednesday were Trump supporters, Tiffany, one of Trump's staunchest supporters, said both Democrats and Republicans need to urge calm among their supporters. He pointed to the sometimes violent protests that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody last May and the shooting of another Black man, Jacob Blake, in August by police in Kenosha.
“What needs to happen is people on both sides of the aisle, they need to start calling this out and make people stop it," Tiffany said.
Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Republican
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, said he planned to object to at least some states' electoral votes for Joe Biden, perpetuating baseless claims of election fraud that have in part caused the very protest that descended on the Capitol building.
On Tuesday afternoon, Johnson called for demonstrators to disperse.
"Please, if you are in or around the Capitol, respect law enforcement and peacefully disperse," Johnson tweeted.
