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WASHINGTON (AP) – Three of the Democratic state lawmakers who fled Texas to thwart a Republican-backed effort to impose new broad voting restrictions have tested positive for COVID-19 and are being quarantined, said Texas House Democratic Caucus Director Saturday.
One lawmaker tested positive on Friday and the other two did so on Saturday, according to caucus director Phillip Martin. All three were fully vaccinated against the disease, according to Martin, who refused to disclose their names or conditions to “respect members’ privacy and personal health.”
More than 50 Texas lawmakers arrived in Washington on Monday after leaving their home country on a private charter flight. They received criticism from Republicans and others after a photo showed them without a mask on the plane, although federal pandemic guidelines do not require masks to be worn on private planes.
Representative Chris Turner, chairman of the caucus, said in a statement that the caucus is consulting with health experts in Texas for additional advice.
“It’s a sober reminder that COVID is always with us, and while vaccinations offer tremendous protection, we still need to take the necessary precautions,” Turner said.
COVID-19 infections in people who have been fully vaccinated against the disease – also called “breakthrough” infections – are rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Democrats left the state to deny the Republican-controlled legislature the quorum necessary to pass a bill that would impose new restrictions on voting in Texas.
Caucus members met with Vice President Kamala Harris, including two of the three lawmakers who tested positive, Harris spokesman Symone Sanders said a statement on Twitter.
“Based on the timeline of these positive tests, it was determined that the Vice President and her staff present at the meeting were not at risk of exposure as they were not in close contact with those who had have tested positive and therefore do not need to be tested or quarantined, ”Sanders wrote.
“The vice president and her staff are fully immunized,” Sanders said.
Martin said it is not known where or when the three Texas lawmakers were infected.
” We do not know. To be on the plane, everyone had to be fully vaccinated, ”Martin said.
Members of the group also met with Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, but none of the three infected attended the meeting and Schumer’s office was informed of the positive tests, according to Martin.
Turner said the White House had also been notified.
Texas House Speaker Dade McPhelan, a Republican, released a statement saying he and his wife pray for the health and safety of sick lawmakers.
“My staff contacted Dr John Hellerstedt, Texas State Department Commissioner of Health Services, and his epidemiology team for further advice on protocols for people exposed to COVID-19 after vaccination,” Phelan wrote.
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Miller reported from Oklahoma City.
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