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Two Staffers of Senator Russ Feingold Test Positive for Anthrax

Aired October 17, 2001 - 14:39   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
AARON BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: I want to direct your eye to the lower part of the screen. There's a lot of business going on on that screen right now, where we are reporting that two staffers of Senator Russ Feingold, the Democrat from the state of Wisconsin, have now tested positive for anthrax exposure as well -- this just developing. They are obviously doing a lot of tests on a lot of people in Washington. We are trying to find out the location of Senator Feingold's office, whether it is in the same building, whether it is right behind Senator Daschle's office.

I have just been told, in the Hart office building -- they are sweeping all of those buildings now, the three buildings where Senate staffers and senators have their offices. They are obviously doing tests on scores off people.

Kate Snow joins us.

Kate, we'll put you on the left side of the screen. We'll keep an eye on the president as well. Tell me what you've learned.

KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Aaron, first, let me tell you, Senator Feingold's office is right next to Tom Daschle's office, where that letter was opened on Monday morning. It is in the Hart building, which is right behind me here, the Hart Senate Office Building -- this building and all of the other Senate buildings due to be closed at the close of business today so that they can begin an environmental sweep.

Let me read for you a statement from Senator Feingold. He says -- quote -- "On Monday, a letter was sent, as we know, to Senator Daschle's office. My staff was tested. So far, the results for two of my staffers have come back positive. This does not mean that they were infected, but only that they have been exposed" -- Senator Feingold saying that they've been put on a 60-day regimen of antibiotics, which, as we understand, is the typical regimen for anyone who has been exposed to the disease.

BROWN: Kate, I am going to interrupt you here, but I want to come back to you.

(INTERRUPTED FOR LIVE EVENT)

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