Chuck Grassley, second oldest senator, tests positive for COVID-19

Washington –Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who at 87 is the second oldest member of the Senate, said in a statement he tested positive for coronavirus. Grassley announced he was exposed to someone with the virus earlier on Tuesday.

“This morning, I learned that I had been exposed to the coronavirus. I received a COVID-19 test and immediately began the quarantine. While I still feel good, the test came back positive for the coronavirus. I continue to follow my doctors “commands and guidelines from the CDC,” Grassley said. He added that he would continue to work from home and said his Senate offices would remain open.

Grassley, the longest-serving Republican member of the upper house, is third in the line of succession to the presidency as pro tempore president of the Senate. He is also known for his near-perfect voting record, not having missed a Senate vote in a record 27 years.

In his statement earlier Tuesday, Grassley said he would “immediately quarantine” pending test results.

“I learned today that I have been exposed to the coronavirus. I will follow my doctors’ orders and immediately quarantine pending my test results,” Grassley said. “I feel great and currently have no symptoms, but it’s important that we all follow public health guidelines to keep each other healthy.

Grassley has not been tested for the coronavirus after Senator Mike Lee, a fellow Senate Judiciary Committee member, tested positive last month.

“Sen. Grassley’s doctors did not recommend that he be tested because he has not come into close contact with anyone suspected of having or confirmed to have coronavirus,” Grassley spokesman Michael Zona said, in a statement in the Des Moines register at the time.

Grassley’s announcement comes after Alaska Congressman Don Young, also 87, tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Young is currently the oldest member of the House.

“I tested positive for COVID-19. I am feeling strong, following proper protocols, working from my home in Alaska and asking for privacy right now. God bless Alaska ”, Young written on twitter.