WASHINGTON – About one in four members of the House has not been vaccinated against Covid-19 in early March, despite having access to the vaccine since December, according to a letter from Republican Party leader Kevin McCarthy, obtained by NBC News.
The letter reveals the number of vaccinated members of the House. Members of Congress have had access to the vaccine since it was approved and some have chosen to have their doses administered on camera.
The inoculations made by members of the House reflect current public research on the vaccine. A recent NPR-PBS-Marist poll revealed that about 25% of Americans are skeptical of the shooting, including 47% of supporters of former President Donald Trump. Public health experts and political strategists are developing methods to convince Republicans, who continue to tell researchers that they will not receive the vaccine, to receive the vaccines.
In his letter, McCarthy, however, argued that with 75 percent of the chamber vaccinated, the rate is high enough for the Chamber to return to normal business, including opening the Capitol for tours and ending the proxy vote, the which allows members to vote without being present in Washington. Democrats, however, say more members need to be vaccinated.
McCarthy sent the letter to the Mayor, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Last week asking what is her plan to reopen the House and noting “it is time to get back to normal order”.
He says in the letter that “about 75 percent of the members of the House have been fully vaccinated, or will be by the end of this week.” And Republican House Representative Steve Scalise, R-La., Also mentioned that 75 percent of the House was vaccinated during its debate last week with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.
“There is a strong desire to return to a regular floor schedule here on the floor where we conduct our business, we have the ability to interact with each other as colleagues, it is a very different experience than when people need to come in, drip,” said Scalise .
Hoyer replied, “It would have been much simpler if all the members had been vaccinated.”
The Office of the Assistant Physician sent a message Friday to members encouraging lawmakers to receive the vaccine and to continue to practice social detachment and hand washing.
The e-mail also stated that the gym and the pool at the house can open more because of the number of members who were vaccinated.
Washington reporter Kasie Hunt and Dartunorro Clark reported from New York.
