87-Year-Old 'High Risk' GOP Senator Tests Positive For Coronavirus

KEY POINTS

Grassley is the second oldest member of the Senate
The Iowa Republican said he is feeling "fine"
He joins four other GOP senators diagnosed with COVID-19

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the second oldest member of the Senate, has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.

The 87-year-old lawmaker tweeted Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. His admisssion came hours after he said he would quarantine following contact he made with someone infected.

Grassley, who is considered high-risk for severe symptoms, also said that he feels "fine" and will continue his work from home, CNBC reported.

"I've tested positive for coronavirus. I'll b following my doctors' orders/CDC guidelines & continue to quarantine. I'm feeling good + will keep up on my work for the ppl of Iowa from home. I appreciate everyone's well wishes + prayers &look fwd to resuming my normal schedule soon," Grassley tweeted.

The Iowa Republican is president pro tempore of the Senate and third in the presidential line of succession, behind Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. As the second oldest U.S. senator, Grassley is several months younger than 87-year-old California Democrat Dianne Feinstein.

Grassley joins four other Republican senators who tested positive for the virus, including senators Mike Lee of Utah, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.

The Iowa senator's diagnosis comes just days after the White House experienced another coronavirus outbreak involving top officials.

On Nov. 13, more than 130 U.S. Secret Service officers were said to be diagnosed with COVID-19 or quarantining after coming into close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, The Washington Post reported.

"Being down more than 100 officers is very problematic," a former senior Secret Service supervisor said. "That does not bode well for White House security."

While it remains unclear how the officers contracted the coronavirus, three people familiar with the situation said the outbreak might be connected to President Trump's campaign rallies. During the final weeks before the 2020 election, thousands of Trump supporters were seen not following coronavirus preventive guidelines, such as mask wearing and social distancing.

The second outbreak in the White House also infected several people in Trump's inner circle, including chief of staff Mark Meadows, secretary of housing and urban development Ben Carson, and campaign advisers David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski.