Two House Democrats want there to be fines for members of Congress who refuse to wear a mask on Capitol Hill.
Reps. Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Anthony Brown of Maryland introduced legislation on Tuesday that would implement $1,000 fines shortly after a third Democratic colleague tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Each of the lawmakers blamed Republican colleagues who refused to wear masks while they were sequestered during the breach of the U.S. Capitol that left five dead last week.
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“It is not brave to refuse to wear a mask. It is selfish, stupid, and shameful behavior that puts lives at risk,” Dingell said. “Days ago, a colleague of ours died from this virus and left behind a beautiful, young family to mourn his loss. Yet still, in the midst of a deadly assault on our United States Capitol, a number of our Republican colleagues laughed off rules designed to keep not just their colleagues safe, but to protect the lives of the teams of workers keeping things going, law enforcement, and staff throughout the Capitol. Now, three of our colleagues are suffering from the virus.”
She added: “We’re done playing games. Either have some common sense and wear a damn mask or pay a fine. It’s not that complicated.”
Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington state, Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, and Brad Schneider of Illinois announced they tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and Tuesday.
“Members refusing to mask and distance in the Capitol put other members, aides, support staff, and their families at risk,” Brown said. “There must be consequences for selfish and reckless actions that endanger the lives of others. No member of Congress should be able to ignore the rules or put others at risk without penalty. As the people’s representatives, it is critical that we set an example for the rest of the country. If members jeopardize the safety of others, they should face fines.”
A video recording showed a handful of Republican lawmakers, including Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs and Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, not wearing masks while in the safe room. They declined a mask when offered.
Last weekend, the attending physician for the U.S. Capitol warned that the people who had to be sequestered in close quarters with others during the siege were at risk.
“On Wednesday January 6, many members of the House community were in protective isolation in a room located in a large committee hearing space,” attending physician Dr. Brian Monahan wrote in an email. “The time in this room was several hours for some and briefer for others. During this time, individuals may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection.”
