Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, becoming the youngest lawmaker to be infected with the virus.
Cheney said in a statement that she was fully vaccinated and refreshed and was experiencing mild symptoms.
“Even though I am fully vaccinated and refreshed, I received a positive test result for COVID-19 early Wednesday morning. I am currently experiencing mild symptoms and will be following the CDC’s guidance as I continue to work for the people of Wyoming,” Cheney said in a statement.
The news comes days after the Wyoming Republican accepted the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award on Sunday. At the in-person event, she delivered maskless remarks.
Cheney — one of the two Republican lawmakers who sit on the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol — made headlines for this speech, in which she said the country faces “a threat that we never been exposed before – a former president trying to unravel our constitutional republic.”
“At this moment we all have to find the courage to stand up against it. The question for each of us in this testing time is, will we do our duty? Will we defend our constitution? Will we stand up for the truth? Are we going to put oath duty above partisan politics? Or will we look away from the danger, ignore the threat, embrace the lies and empower the liar?” she added.
She also criticized former President Trump without naming him, saying, “And that sacred commitment to defending the peaceful transfer of power has been honored by every American president … save one.”
Cheney’s COVID-19 diagnosis comes about two weeks before the select committee is scheduled to hold its first of eight public hearings on Jan. 6.
In her statement Wednesday, Cheney referenced the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas that killed 21 people, including 19 children.
The congresswoman said she prays for the people of the community.
“I continue to pray for the people of Uvalde, TX, especially the mothers and fathers who lost their young children in this horrific attack,” Cheney wrote.
Cheney is the latest lawmaker to test positive for COVID-19 in the past few days. On Monday, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) announced positive diagnoses, as did the Reps. David Price (DN.C.) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.) over the weekend.
