(CNN) Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, a member of GOP leadership, said Wednesday he supports rapid coronavirus testing for members of the House and Senate in order to curb the disease from spreading from lawmakers to people in airports and back in their home states. His position is at odds with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who last week joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in "respectfully" turning down a White House offer to provide quick tests for lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Pelosi and McConnell cited concerns about taking the tests away from front-line health care providers and other workers who they said needed the tests more than lawmakers. But Blunt said the testing really is less about helping privileged politicians than it is about protecting the public. He explained the dilemma using his travel to and from his homestate as an example.

Source: CNN May 06, 2020 19:41 UTC