WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley’s historic 8,927 vote streak since 1993 came to an end on Tuesday when he had to miss a vote quarantining at home. He announced on Tuesday morning that he was exposed to COVID-19 and had to quarantine at home awaiting test results at the recommendation of his doctors and CDC guidelines.
Update: The 87-year-old U.S. Senator announced on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon that he did test positive for COVID-19.
“I’m disappointed I wasn’t able to vote today in the Senate, but the health of others is more important than any record. My voting streak reflects how seriously I take my commitment to represent Iowans. Choosing not to potentially expose others to this deadly virus is obviously the right and responsible thing to do,” Grassley said. “While I await the results of my coronavirus test, I’m continuing to work for Iowans from home. After my quarantine ends, I’ll be back in the Senate to represent Iowans and vote on their behalf. I urge my fellow Iowans and all Americans to follow public health guidelines for their own sake and for the sake of their friends, families and communities.”
Due to his quarantine, Tuesday marks the first votes Grassley has not cast in service to Iowans in more than 27 years.
Grassley has cast 8,927 consecutive votes and continues to hold the record for longest length of time without missing a vote in the history of the Senate. Grassley broke this record in January 2016, which was previously held by the late Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire.
July 20, 1993, marks the date when Grassley’s current consecutive voting streak began. The last vote Grassley missed occurred in 1993 when he was in Iowa with President Bill Clinton due to the terrible floods that ravaged the state.