Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) said he won’t attend a reception for freshmen lawmakers at the White House because of the “arbitrary and unscientific” COVID-19 prevention policies, including mandatory testing and masking for unvaccinated guests.
Several other freshmen said they won’t attend the Tuesday reception for various reasons. The new Republican House majority did away with all remaining pandemic measures after taking over the lower chamber.
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“Out of protest, I will not be attending President Biden’s gathering of Freshman House Members at the White House this week. Even though four months ago the President told 60 Minutes that the pandemic is over, the White House is today enforcing arbitrary, outdated and unscientific pandemic protocols upon Members of Congress who accepted the President’s invitation to meet him at the White House,” LaLota said in a statement.
LaLota continued that the requirements “include Members being tested for COVID 24 hours prior to visiting the White House coupled with each Member either attesting to being vaccinated or being subject to mandatory masking and social distancing.”
Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) also said he would “politely decline” his invitation due to the COVID-19 requirements.
5 months ago, President Biden declared on national television that the pandemic was over. However, the White House is requiring a negative COVID test to attend tonight’s taxpayer funded soirée. I politely decline.
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) January 24, 2023
Embattled Rep. George Santos (R-NY), who admitted to fabricating major aspects of his resume and personal history, told reporters he would also not attend the reception but declined to give a reason.
Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) told the White House in a letter she would be prioritizing other commitments.
“While I believe in building good relationships with my colleagues in both parties, at this time, my time is best spent advancing policies that will help South Texans prosper and live safely,” De La Cruz wrote. “I would welcome a meeting at The White House to discuss the issues impacting my community with you and your staff on another occasion.”
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She added that the event conflicts with a scheduled call with her children.
There are 83 first-term members of the House — 36 Democrats and 47 Republicans.
