Rep. Katie Porter says she’s self-quarantining while awaiting coronavirus test results

Freshman Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) said Wednesday that she is self-quarantining while awaiting the results of a coronavirus test, becoming yet another member of Congress to report symptoms amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Porter announced that she first developed “cold-like symptoms” last week followed by fatigue and a fever.

“I will remain in self-quarantine until I have the test results back and until directed by my doctor that it is safe for me to leave my home. I am participating by telephone in Congressional business and listening to the concerns of our Orange County community,” Porter said in a series of tweets that included a photo in which she was wearing a mask.

The congresswoman — a single mother of three — noted that her children are healthy and “handling things well.”

P.S. My children are so far healthy and handling things well, and I did make sure to wear a mask! pic.twitter.com/y4wiRL9RHG

— Rep. Katie Porter (@RepKatiePorter) March 25, 2020 

Porter is the second House member in one day to announce that they are currently experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

Earlier Wednesday, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) announced he is also symptomatic but that he was advised by the House physician that he doesn’t qualify for a coronavirus test.

Moulton said he will self-quarantine until at least Saturday but noted that he is “steadily improving.” He also said he even went for a run Tuesday while keeping a distance from others.

At least two House members — Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Ben McAdams (D-Utah) — have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also tested positive but said he is currently asymptomatic.

More than a dozen other members of Congress are self-quarantining as a precaution after exposure to people who tested positive for the virus.

The growing number of lawmakers who are ill or self-quarantining underscores the risks of members of Congress traveling or gathering in the Capitol to vote on legislation, namely the $2 trillion stimulus package.

The Senate is expected to consider a bipartisan bill this week to provide checks to individual workers, bolster unemployment insurance payments for people who have been laid off from their jobs and offer loans to businesses.

It’s unclear when the House will vote, but leaders in both parties are trying to avoid requiring all members to return to Washington, D.C., by passing the bill by unanimous consent or voice vote.

Otherwise, absent a change to House rules, many lawmakers who are currently unable to travel would not be able to cast votes, and those who did physically appear in the House chamber would risk exposure.

Senators have been lengthening the amount of time allotted for floor votes to help reduce the number of people in the chamber at once. Multiple senators have had to miss votes due to self-quarantines.