Apparently shocked–shocked! I say!–that a republican member of the House would flout the rules regarding wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing and march around the halls of Congress while unwittingly transmitting the coronavirus, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to mandate coronavirus testing for the House, the Washington Post reports.
Congressman Louie Gohmert, a Texas republican who’s a member of McCarthy’s caucus, announced yesterday that he had tested positive for the virus during a routine screening of those invited to travel with President Trump aboard Air Force One.
Gohmert participated in many House events prior to announcing the test results, including a House Judiciary Committee hearing with Attorney General William Barr. During the hearing, Gohmert and other members of the panel, including Committee Minority Leader refused to put masks on. Gohmert was filed repeatedly fiddling a bandana he wore around his neck.
At least two members of the House have self-quarantined after Gohmert announced the positive test results. Gohmert also brought together his entire House staff to inform them that he’s COVID-positive, possibly infecting all of them.
McCarthy sent a letter to Pelosi imploring the Speaker to accept a White House offer to use rapid-result testing.
“The need for testing throughout Capitol Hill campus remains immediate,” McCarthy said in the letter. “Unfortunately, our sensible suggestions were ignored and Congress is still operating without a comprehensive plan for a safe work environment.”
“By failing to adequately protect the people who work in this institution, your majority has created unnecessary risk and confusion for members, staff, press, and all employees of the House,” he added, without an iota of self-awareness that his republican colleagues ignored public health recommendations.