Schumer called on Republicans to acknowledge the danger and join in preventing the spread of the virus.
Klobuchar said that it has been her goal since the beginning of the pandemic to make sure the legislature can function safely.
“This resolution will require mandatory masks and a reliable testing protocol in the Senate. These are common-sense measures our government must have in place to protect the Senate community, including our staff, and to fully function during this pandemic,” Klobuchar said in the statement.
Besides universal mask-wearing, the resolution calls for regular testing in the capitol complex and contact-tracing protocols. It would require anyone who knows they have been exposed to the virus to quarantine for 14 days.
It also calls for those who test positive to quarantine for at least 10 days following the appearance of symptoms and having not had a fever for 24 hours, before being allowed to return to the Capitol complex, they would have to have two separate negative test results on two different days.
The Democrats’ demands for improved health protocols come after three Republican senators tested positive for the CCP virus, and another three are quarantining due to exposure to their colleagues.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a recent interview that there are tests available on Capitol Hill for those needing them, but regular testing for the thousands of Capitol Hill employees is not yet possible.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Pelosi in May rejected an offer from the White House for rapid testing for lawmakers, arguing that resources should go toward those on the front lines.
McConnell’s office did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment.
Schumer and Klobuchar have also criticized Republican senators for pushing forward with the Senate Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett given that a number of White House officials and senators have recently tested positive for the virus.
Schumer has publicly admonished the GOP leadership for proceeding with the confirmation hearings.