Rep. Jayapal Positive For COVID-19 Following Capitol Lockdown

SEATTLE — U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) confirms she has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, which she believes she contracted while sheltering in place with other members of Congress during the insurrection in the Capitol last week.

Jayapal is now the second member of Congress to test positive following the riot. The first was Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), who also confirmed her diagnosis Monday. Both Jayapal and Watson Coleman have laid the blame on their Republican colleagues, who they say refused to wear masks, even when offered free ones during the lockdown.

"Only hours after Trump incited a deadly assault on our Capitol, many Republicans still refused to take the bare minimum COVID-19 precaution and simply wear a damn mask in a crowded room during a pandemic — creating a superspreader event ON TOP of a domestic terrorist attack," Jayapal saidin a Twitter thread announcing her test result.

During Wednesday's attack in the Capitol, more than 100 members of Congress were locked down in the same secured room as Jayapal.

Now that she has tested positive, the congresswoman is entering self-isolation on the advice of the Capitol physician. But while she does so, she says she will continue the fight for the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

"I share the outrage and anger of my constituents and those across this country who have watched Donald Trump fail to combat this raging pandemic and refuse to take care of Americans who are suffering, dying and devastated," Jayapal said. "Now, we have also watched him openly fuel and incite these insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol and our democracy on Jan. 6 — so I will not rest until I do everything in my power to remove this president from office."

Jayapal, and all of Washington's Democrats in Congress, have announced their support for removing Trump from office for his involvement in Wednesday's riot.

Read more: Trump, Called An 'Imminent Threat,' Headed For 2nd Impeachment

In addition, Jayapal is also calling for fines for members of Congress who refuse to wear masks and follow COVID-19 safety guidelines.

"Any Member who refuses to wear a mask should be immediately removed from the floor by the Sergeant at Arms," Jayapal said. "This is not a joke. Our lives and our livelihoods are at risk, and anyone who refuses to wear a mask should be fully held accountable for endangering our lives because of their selfish idiocy."