‘No one wants to be there’: Senators and their staff prepare for return to Washington amid coronavirus

CNN — There is growing anxiety and concern on Capitol Hill that the Senate is set to return next week in the middle of the pandemic, putting hundreds of people at risk – from members, to congressional aides and support staff like Capitol police and cafeteria workers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that he will “scrutinize” McConnell’s safety guidelines for returning to session next week, which he said McConnell will release on Friday. Speaking to reporters on a conference call, the New York Democrat said McConnell never consulted him about returning next week and said he will review the GOP leader’s safety plans “very carefully” to make sure all senators and “workers are protected in every way.” His comment came in response to a question pointing to a highly diverse workforce in Washington D.C. – nearly 50% African American – many who work at the US Capitol in service jobs. But there are several Republican senators who have been vocal about the need for lawmakers to return to DC, including GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas who said, “This idea we were going to hunker down and shelter in place for an indefinite period of time, it’s just it’s just inconsistent with the reality of us needing to do our job.” Senate offices, both Republican and Democratic, that CNN spoke to are quickly readying their own plans for how they will operate next week to keep their staffers as safe as possible. Eva Malecki, a spokeswoman for the US Capitol Police, told CNN, “We will be well prepared for the Senate’s return next week,” saying that they have adapted a progressive staffing posture aimed at preserving employee health and well-being, and “We have issued personal protective equipment to all of our police officers.” Twelve US Capitol Police personnel have tested positive for the virus but nine of them have fully recovered and have returned to work, or are cleared to return to work.