By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – U.S. Senate Democrats attempted to advance President Joe Biden’s nominees at the Federal Reserve & Federal Trade Commission, but it was delayed for a second week on Monday after another Democratic lawmaker became positive for COVID-19.

Colorado Senator Michael Bennet stated on Twitter (NYSE 🙂 that on Sunday he was positive for COVID-19. Additionally, he said that he will quarantine in Denver during the week.

Bennet stated, “I am experiencing mild, cold-like symptoms. I plan to work virtually.”

It could also mean additional delays in the renomination Jerome Powell as Fed Chair, nominations to Fed Board for Davidson College’s dean of faculty Philip Jefferson or Michigan State University’s Lisa Cook and the nominating of Alvaro Bedoya, a privacy expert, to the Federal Trade Commission.

Senior Democratic Senate staffer said that it wasn’t immediately known if attendance would be an issue.

With the 100-seat Senate divided 50-50 between Democrats, Republicans and Democrats, and with Vice President Kamala Harir holding a tie-breaking voting vote, Democrats frequently need to have all 48 members of their party and two independents to reach the simple majority required to confirm the nominees.

It is crucial that all members of Congress are present, especially for those nominees who will face a strong Republican opposition.

After positive COVID-19 test results that left out Harris and two Democrats, Republicans managed to stop a Democratic attempt to end debate about Cook’s nomination. Cook would have become the first Black female member of the Fed Board after its establishment in 1913.

Once they had a complete caucus, Democrats would be expected to return to Cook. Democrats oppose Republican efforts to proceed with Powell or Jefferson. They have wide bipartisan support without making any progress on Cook.

Last week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had to cancel a procedure vote for Bedoya.

Bedoya’s confirmation would mean that Democrats have a majority of FTC Commissioners with a vote of 3-2. Current FTC commissioners are comprised of two Democrats, two Republicans and a deadlock.

Schumer said that Bedoya confirmation was a priority, because it would provide enough votes for the agency to examine oil companies Democrats believe are “gouging consumers” with high gasoline prices.