I'm Brian Lehrer. This is my daily politics podcast from WNYC Studios. It's Tuesday, March 9th.

New Jersey Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman is back with us. You may remember that the last time she was on the show,

the Congresswoman had just gotten COVID from hiding out in the Capitol during the January 6th

insurrection with Republicans who refused to wear masks. Now she's deciding whether to vote

for the new version of the COVID relief bill that is back in the House today after getting a little water down in the Senate over the weekend. And while the COVID relief bill that is back in the House today after getting a little

water down in the Senate over the weekend. And while the COVID relief bill isn't getting any

Republican support, Bonnie Watson Coleman is an example of how bipartisanship is not dead. She has a

bill to address disparities in mental health coverage that is sorely needed in the shadow of the pandemic,

and that's being co-sponsored by Republican John Katgo of Syracuse. New Jersey's 12th

congressional district runs from Princeton and Trenton in the south, up closer to New York City,

up to around Fanwood and Scotch Plains, so it's parts of Union,

Mercer, Somerset, and Middlesex counties. Congresswoman, great to have you on the show again.

Welcome back to WNYC. Thank you for having me. It's good to be here.

And first of all, we're just past two months since the country's insurrection, I don't have to tell you, and your

infection. I'm sure our listeners would like to know how your recovery is going. How are you?

I'm very well, thank you. I am waiting for eligibility for my second vaccine, which was delayed

because I got the infection. So in terms of symptoms, I'm

pretty much okay, a little fatigued every now and then, but nothing that I want to complain

about. Did anyone ever apologize to you or have more House Republicans begun to wear masks

when they're around other human beings?

Well, I have not voted in person in Washington since I got the infection.

And it's my intention to vote there after I get my second shot.

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