McConnell Says He Hasn't Been To White House Since August, Citing Covid-19 Protocols

“I have never truly been to the White Home since August the sixth as a result of my impression was their method to the best way to deal with that is completely different from mine and what I insisted that we do within the Senate, which is to put on a masks and follow social distancing,” McConnell stated at a Kentucky occasion in response to a query about whether or not he believes President Donald Trump ought to be disclosing extra details about his recent coronavirus diagnosis.

The feedback, which he roughly repeated at a second occasion shortly after, underscore the sharp variations in how the Kentucky Republican has approached the pandemic in comparison with Trump’s White Home. For months, McConnell hasn’t simply worn a masks, however commonly taken alternatives whereas on digital camera to induce others to do the identical. And whereas there are a small variety of senators who forgo masks once in a while, the overwhelming majority within the chamber put on them in Washington.

The White Home, McConnell stated on the second occasion, wasn’t “approaching the safety from this sickness in the identical approach that I believed was acceptable within the Senate.”

The Kentucky Republican is married to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who’s examined commonly and has examined unfavourable, a division spokesman instructed CNN final week. CNN has reached out to the division to ask when Chao was final on the White Home.

McConnell on Thursday made clear that he speaks incessantly with the President by telephone, nonetheless, and added, “I believe he is completely high-quality. He appears regular and we have been discussing the very points that you simply all are discussing with me proper now. After all, the most important factor we’re doing in the intervening time is the Supreme Courtroom.”

The feedback from the bulk chief, who’s up for reelection this cycle, come within the wake of the President’s Covid-19 prognosis in addition to the latest Covid diagnoses of three Senate Republicans, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

In an email to GOP senators after the constructive outcomes had been made public, McConnell once more reiterated the necessity to function safely within the midst of the once-in-a-century pandemic, urging his members to remain wholesome to allow them to all return when the Senate comes again into session on October 19.

“We have to lead now, with further prudence and care, not only for our personal well being and properly being, however to have the ability to carry out our elected duties and to be examples to the nation,” McConnell wrote in final weekend’s e-mail, which was obtained by CNN. “Put on masks, keep distant, and are available again safely on the 19th.”

The information of three GOP senators testing constructive led to calls from some Democrats, together with Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer, for brand spanking new safeguards to be carried out on Capitol Hill, together with a ban on anybody who has examined constructive going to the Senate ground or committees till a subsequent check exhibits the person is unfavourable.

At Thursday’s occasion, McConnell additionally briefly weighed in on the standing of coronavirus stimulus talks, underscoring that vital variations stay.

“We do agree that one other rescue bundle is required. Now we have huge variations about how a lot we must always spend,” he stated.

CNN’s Phil Mattingly contributed to this report.

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