Lewis, who fought in the front line of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s, died last week after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The Georgia Democrat will be the second black lawmaker to lie in the state on the United States Capitol, an honor reserved for the most revered Americans. Members were also able to bid farewell to former Rep. Elijah Cummings, who died in October 2019, at the Capitol Rotunda. Only about three dozen people have had the honor.
Lawmakers from both parties expected Lewis to lie in the state, although the plans were not made official until Thursday. The family of the late congressman decided not to announce the arrangements until after the funeral of another civil rights icon, the Rev. CT Vivian, who died the same day.
Pelosi and McConnell also made clear that, in the midst of the pandemic, Lewis’ public monument cannot resemble the massive services of recent years, with thousands of people flocking to Washington, DC, to pay their respects to the former presidents and other national figures.
With coronavirus cases still on the rise across the country, the Lewis family has encouraged members of the public not to travel to Washington and instead direct their tributes virtually.
The memorial will be the first to be held on Capitol Hill since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, which has closed much of the U.S. and infected more than 4 million people.
Pelosi and McConnell reported that masks will be required for members of the public who want to queue to pay their respects to Lewis on the steps of the Capitol. Social distancing will also “be strictly enforced,” they said.
