3 Texas Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block GOP bills tested positive for COVID-19 in Washington, DC

• Texas House Democrats fled the state earlier this week to block GOP bills.
• Three of the lawmakers, all of whom were vaccinated, tested positive for COVID-19 while in DC.
• It is rare but possible for vaccinated people to get COVID-19, but cases are typically mild.
• See more stories on Insider’s business page.

Three Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday while in Washington, DC, the Texas House Democratic Caucus said in a statement Saturday.

The lawmakers fled Texas in a dramatic walkout earlier this week to block a number of Republican bills from passing in a legislative special session. They said they were heading to the nation’s capital to pressure Congress to pass voting rights bills.

In a statement provided to Insider, the caucus said the members, who have not been identified, were fully vaccinated.

After one tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, other members of the delegation were given rapid tests. Two more tested positive on Saturday.

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“The House Democratic Caucus is following all CDC guidance and protocols. This is a sober reminder that COVID is still with us, and though vaccinations offer tremendous protection, we still must take necessary precautions,” Rep. Chris Turner, chairman of the caucus, said in a statement. “We are in touch with public health experts in Texas to provide additional guidance. Our caucus will follow all recommendations from public health experts as we continue our work.”

It is possible to test positive for COVID-19 after getting fully vaccinated. Known as “breakthrough” infections, cases like these are typically mild and possibly less contagious, Insider’s Andrea Michelson and Mia de Graaf previously reported.

According to the CDC, while the risk of contracting the virus while vaccinated is low, vaccinated people who experience COVID-19 symptoms should isolate themselves from others and get clinically evaluated and tested. Vaccinated people without symptoms do not need to isolate or get tested after possible exposure.

Vice President Kamala Harris met with members of the caucus Tuesday. In a statement, her spokesperson said she was not in close contact with the members who tested positive and therefore does not need to be tested or quarantined.