Leader Sykes to Speaker Cupp: "Act like a leader"

COLUMBUS— Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) issued a statement following a flurry of reports that multiple House members have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days. So far, one Democratic member has tested positive today though many other Democrats await test results tonight. To date, House Dems have learned of multiple Republicans lawmakers testing positive through news reports, though no direct information has been shared with the House Democrat Caucus from the Speaker’s Office.

“The Republican Majority should cancel session this week and follow the lead of Arizona, another Republican-led legislature. At the very least, they could pretend to care about the health, safety and well-being of those who enter the state’s legislative halls and share information with everyone who is affected in a timely manner.

I am incredibly concerned  for my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as our staff, journalists and citizens who frequent the Statehouse. House Dems have been very clear with the Speaker that there will be an outbreak if he doesn’t act. He hasn’t acted, and now there is an outbreak. He should be ashamed. This is indefensible.”