Congress has done relatively little to prevent the spread of the virus in its own confines. Does that change now that a virus-skeptic has contracted it?
As word spread on Wednesday that another lawmaker had contracted COVID-19, initial concern for his well-being was quickly overwhelmed with a tide of anger and frustration. Because it wasn’t just any lawmaker who contracted the disease. It was Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX).
The conservative firebrand has steadfastly refused to wear a face mask while conducting his Capitol Hill business—including while greeting Attorney General William Barr before testimony in the Judiciary Committee just this Tuesday. Gohmert even took pains to force his COVID denialism on his aides, with one staffer suggesting to Politico that those in the office were berated for wearing masks and revealing that Gohmert forced his entire staff to work in his D.C. office as an example of how to safely reopen.
Gohmert’s colleagues—on both sides of the aisle—were aghast at the turn of events and spared nothing in their condemnations of his carelessness. One GOP aide described the mood on the Hill as “pissed.” Continue reading.