GOP senator in quarantine after being exposed to staffer with COVID-19

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has put himself in quarantine after meeting with a staff member last week in Indiana who later tested positive for COVID-19.

Young announced Monday afternoon he is halting all in-person activities until further notice and he did not attend the regular Monday afternoon Senate GOP leadership meeting.

“Out of an abundance of caution, I have decided to-self quarantine to protect the health and safety of my fellow Hoosiers, Senate colleagues, and staff. I am feeling healthy, working from home, and not experiencing any symptoms, but I will be tested this week and halt all in-person activities until further notice,” he said in a statement.

Several Republican senators have tested positive for coronavirus this year, including Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

Republican senators have continued to hold regular lunch meetings on Capitol Hill this year but have done so in a large room in the Senate Hart Office Building so as to meet social-distancing requirements.