Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) canceled all Senate votes for the next two weeks following news that three GOP Senators tested positive for COVID-19.

Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) said Friday they have tested positive for coronavirus. On Saturday, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) also announced that he had contracted the coronavirus.

The Senators tested positive for the coronavirus after attending President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nomination ceremony last weekend in the Rose Garden.

The news caused something of panic on Capitol Hill as the three lawmakers participated in hearings throughout the week, where they interacted with their colleagues on multiple occasions. Multiple lawmakers who came into contact with the aforementioned senators have placed themselves under quarantine as a precautionary measure.

“Every precaution needs to be taken because we don’t anticipate any Democratic support at all, either in committee or in the full Senate, and therefore, everybody needs to be in an all-hands-on-deck mind-set,” said McConnell during an interview with "The Hugh Hewitt Show" on Friday.

McConnell will not delay confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee

While McConnell has put any votes on district judges on hold, he has said that Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearing will go on as planned, beginning on Oct. 12, even if lawmakers have to attend the hearing virtually.

On top of Amy Coney's Barrett's confirmation hearing, McConnell has made it abundantly clear that the Senate may be called back into session if a deal could be reached with House Democrats on a second COVID-19 relief package. Senators will be given 24-hour notice if McConnell decides to reconvene and hold a vote on the package.

This has drawn criticism from Democrats in Congress, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) saying, "If it’s too dangerous to have the Senate in session, it’s also too dangerous for committee hearings to continue.”

While a handful of senators have opted to quarantine themselves after having contact with the infected individuals, not all senators have decided to do so, or at least it is unknown at this time. A prime example being Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who reportedly sat in close proximity to Senator Lee earlier this week without wearing a mask. It remains unknown at this time whether Cruz has placed himself under quarantine.

McConnell's statement follows news that President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania both tested positive for COVID-19. Trump was sent to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday to undergo treatment.

----------------------------------------

Have a story you want USA Herald to cover? Submit a tip here and if we think it's newsworthy, we'll follow up on it.

Want to contribute a story? We also accept article submissions -- check out our writer's guidelines here.