California Republicans banned from Capitol after COVID-19 test; can vote from home

Republican California state senators were banned from the Capitol on Thursday after one of their colleagues tested positive for coronavirus this week and potentially exposed others at caucus meetings in the final leg of 2020 legislative session.

Ten of the Senate’s 11 Republican lawmakers will be allowed to debate and vote from home for the remainder of the session. They will not be permitted to return to the Capitol for 14 days even if the results are negative, the Senate announced.

Sen. Brian Jones, R-Santee, who said on Wednesday he’d tested positive for the coronavirus, had been in his chamber Monday for a floor session, and had met with Republican colleagues during a Tuesday caucus lunch.

Only one Republican, Sen. Jim Nielsen of Tehama, was considered not exposed to the infected lawmaker and participated in votes at the Capitol.

He urged Democratic leaders to postpone debates until other GOP senators can safely return to the Capitol. He also suggested Democratic senators had been in contact with Jones and should be tested.

“There is a hypocrisy of the majority that sometimes borders on arrogance,” Nielsen said. “I’m disappointed in the institution.”

But Democratic leaders said they don’t have time to wait. Jones’ coronavirus test marks the third interruption in this year’s legislative session by COVID-19. The Assembly and Senate in March each recessed when the virus first began its spread through the state. The Assembly extended a summer recess in July after two of its members tested positive for COVID-19.

Now, lawmakers are in the final week of session, when both houses usually meet all day on their respective floors to vote on remaining bills, a process that traditionally involves hashing out legislative details face-to-face with fellow lawmakers, lobbyists and key stakeholders.

Senators are expected to soon consider a contentious bill that would provide some rent relief to tenants financially struggling during COVD-19. Negotiations are ongoing, and once a deal is reached and the final bill is in print, lawmakers won’t have time to spare for another interruption.

“We have hundreds of bills to get through...But we also must continue to follow California’s public health guidelines and directives,” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, said. “We have to continue to work and legislate despite all the challenges that this pandemic has presented. We will get through this as well...We have work to do, and we have limited time, and we are losing that time because of our constitutional deadline of midnight on Aug. 31.”

Republicans who’ve been exposed to Jones have been asked to be tested at UC Davis this afternoon, Sen. John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, said. Results are expected on Friday.

“I was on the floor with him Monday afternoon for a few hours,” Moorlach said. “We keep our masks on. But we were also in a caucus meeting, which both sides meet Tuesday at lunch, and so I was with him, socially distanced, large room. But you take your masks off to eat your food.”

Atkins canceled a floor session Wednesday amid news that a “member of the Senate family” had tested positive. Soon, contact tracing was underway to alert anyone who might have been exposed. Atkins said additional measures would be taken, including a deep clean of the house, to keep members safe from the virus.

Staff members have also been asked to get tested.

Moorlach said he was worried about the implications of several Republicans possibly not having the chance to speak on bills or raise concerns or support for legislation.

“I represent a million people. I would be a little frustrated if I couldn’t share my support or opposition to a particular bill,” Moorlach said, adding that he’s been concerned the Legislature is “waiting and waiting” to take up important measures, which has now forced an uncomfortable decision to continue showing up for work despite potential spread.

“Maybe we have to reflect on what’s the priority,” he said. “Public safety, or getting bills done?”

Erika Contreras, secretary of the Senate, sent an email to staff Wednesday saying a California Highway Patrol officer had tested positive for COVID-19 and was last in the building on Aug. 25, though he or she had no contact with members or their staff.

This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 7:55 AM.