House Republicans stage rebellion over mask rules

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

A group of House Republicans revolted over their chamber's mask rules on Tuesday, the latest sign of tensions boiling over as Congress wrestles with how and when to return to pre-pandemic routines.

Around a dozen Republicans refused to wear masks during the evening vote series and strategically stood at the well of the chamber, which appears on the C-SPAN cameras, and seemed to encourage other members to join in.

Lawmakers face hefty fines if they don't wear masks on the House floor: $500 for the first offense and $2,500 for the second offense. The money is deducted from their salaries.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) snapped a selfie with a few other maskless members and posted it to social media. Taking pictures on the House floor is against longstanding rules due to security concerns.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/18/house-republicans-mask-rule-rebellion-489273

[TheBlackAdder]

1. MTG and Boebart are just using Trump's playbook to get attention and stay in the media.

.

Boebart always plays the second fiddle to Greene.

At least she knows her place in the pecking order.

.

[riversedge]

2. All 219 Democrats reported to CNN that they're vaccinated, but only 95 out of 212 Republicans report

toddler behavior on display by congressional repugs





Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/18/house-republicans-mask-rule-rebellion-489273


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But Pelosi and Democrats have said lawmakers could resume normal life more quickly if more of their Republican colleagues got vaccinated. Democrats say they feel uncomfortable being in closed-door settings without facial coverings until they know more GOP lawmakers have gotten the shot.

Roughly 75 percent of the House has been vaccinated, according to estimates from the Capitol physician that McCarthy has cited. All 219 Democrats reported to CNN that they're vaccinated, but only 95 out of 212 Republicans reported being vaccinated, while 112 did not respond to the survey.

“CDC guidelines are also very clear that the workplace can decide [their rules] based on their own unique conditions. I think we can acknowledge that the House floor is a very unique condition,” Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, vice chair of the Democratic caucus, said at a press conference. “Until we receive further guidance from the office of attending physician, we will be required to wear masks."

There have been signs that the Capitol is slowly creaking back to life: Votes are now 30 minutes rather than 45 minutes, and Democrats are expecting to resume their in-person caucus meetings after the recess, Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries of New York announced Tuesday. House GOP meetings have already taken place in the Capitol, with mask and social distancing requirements in place.

[Warpy]

3. What a bunch of big fucking babies

This has nothing to do with speech, nothing will stop their squawking, this is about public health.

Maybe we ought to start sending them pacifiers and rattles to soothe them down a bit.

[Bayard]

4. Yes--House Republicans are revolting