McConnell Defends Lawmakers Receiving COVID-19 Vaccinations Ahead of the Public

As the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines are being shipped out to states around the country, first-line workers and elderly Americans are lining up to get vaccinated against the virus.

And they are not the only ones. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are also receiving their first doses of the vaccine — including those who are not in high-risk categories for the virus.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) offered an explanation for why members of Congress are getting access to the vaccine before the general public.

“Well, look, in terms of the order of taking it, we were designated by a public health outside group because of continuity of government concerns,” he said during an interview on Fox News on Monday.

He continued, “Second, I think it’s important for the leaders in the country to step up, take the vaccine and help reassure the American public. Because polls indicate about half the public is either skeptical about taking the vaccine or doesn’t want to take it at all.”

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Politico reports that lawmakers were not expecting to be vaccinated so soon in the process. The outlet noted that lawmakers and staff were informed on Thursday that vaccinations would begin soon, with members of Congress being prioritized followed by “continuity-essential staff members.”

Such staff could include police officers and others who have helped keep the Capitol running during the pandemic.

The Capitol physician, Brian Monahan, encouraged lawmakers to get their first dose of the vaccine in a letter