GOP senator tests positive for COVID-19

Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) announced on Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 in a breakthrough case of the virus.

“While asymptomatic, I tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon. I’ve consulted with the Senate Physician and will continue to follow the recommendations of my health care provider,” he said in a statement.

Hoeven’s office noted that the senator is fully vaccinated and also received his booster shot. His quarantine will last through Sunday.

The news comes after Sen. Mitt Romney’s (R-Utah) office announced on Friday that the senator had tested positive for COVID-19 and would be working remotely. Romney’s office noted that he had also been fully vaccinated and received his booster shot. 

The announcement from Hoeven’s office also comes on the same day that Sen. Ben Ray Luján’s (D-N.M.) office announced that the New Mexico senator remained in the hospital after he suffered a stroke last week, though he is expected to recover. 

“Senator Luján was found to have suffered a stroke in the cerebellum, affecting his balance. As part of his treatment plan, he subsequently underwent decompressive surgery to ease swelling,” Luján’s chief of staff Carlos Sanchez said in a statement.

“Senator Luján looks forward to getting back to work for the people of New Mexico. At this time, he and his family would appreciate their privacy, and ask for your continued prayers and well wishes,” he added.

About 20 nominees have been lined up by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) for the coming weeks. If Hoeven and Romney return to the Senate next week, Republicans could have a slight majority in the upper chamber in Luján’s absence. Democrats would then need GOP support to move the nominations along.