Illinois Republican Rodney Davis, the most senior Republican on the House Administration Committee, sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday asking for a comprehensive vaccine program specifically for essential Hill workers.
He asked for the House’s “high-risk and frontline workers” to get the vaccine.
“Offering immunity vaccinations to the high-risk and vital employees of the House is not only fundamental to the continuity of the institution’s operations, but it is also its duty to ensure the health and safety of its staff and members,” wrote he in the letter, obtained by CNN. “In addition, the implementation of a clear plan to both the private and public sectors will send a signal that the House has confidence in the vaccine. I am confident in our ability to roll out a successful program by the end of January based on the The House’s existing flu vaccination model – a tried and trusted program that many house and staff members know and have benefited from. “
This letter comes a week after CNN asked House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer during a phone call with reporters when members of Congress would be vaccinated. He said discussions were going on at the time but was unable to provide details.
CNN has contacted the speaker’s office for more information on a possible vaccination program. Pelosi has not yet said when members would receive a vaccine, but stressed in a statement when it was approved for distribution that Americans should continue to wear face masks and social distance.
“Until the vaccine is widely available, it is essential that we continue to embrace the testing, tracking, treating, wearing masks, and social distancing that are essential to prevent thousands of Americans from dying every day from the pandemic,” she said.
Separately, a Capitol official told CNN that Congress has not been notified of how many doses of the vaccine will be available.
On the Senate side, Chuck Schumer, leader of the House minorities, said in a ground-based speech that he will hold off on taking the vaccine until it is available to lawmakers and not “skip the line.”
“But make no mistake: we must all lead by example, commit to taking the vaccine, and tell our constituents to take it too,” he added.
CNN’s Sunlen Serfaty contributed to this report.