Tom Brenner/Reuters
- 25% of Congress has not been vaccinated for COVID-19, Axios reported.
- It’s not clear if they’re refusing the shot, are unable to get it, or have not reported getting it.
- The discrepancy is making it difficult for Congress to resume full legislative hearings.
- See more stories on Insider’s business page.
Congress is debating how they can go back to normal procedures as only 75% of the body has been vaccinated against COVID-19, Axios reported.
It’s not clear whether or not the quarter of congresspeople who are eligible have yet to get a COVID-19 vaccine have refused the shot, are unable to get it because of medical conditions, or simply have not reported getting it at home, the outlet reported.
In order to ensure social distancing, the House is operating on multiple waves of voting, which is preventing a full legislative session.
Since the start of the pandemic, at least 71 representatives and senators have been diagnosed with COVID-19, GovTrack found. The bulk of the cases occurring in November through January.
Congress members first got access to vaccines at the end of December, NPR reported.
It’s also not apparent yet which party is most hesitant about the vaccine. However, some members, notably Republicans, have previously said they won’t get vaccinated.
In December, GOP Rep. Ken Buck said he won’t be getting the shot. “It is my choice,” he told Fox Business Channel. “I have the freedom to decide if I’m going to take a vaccine or not and in this case I am not going to take the vaccine.”
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