Pelosi Institutes House Floor Mask Mandate After Gohmert Tests Positive For Covid-19

Gohmert was admonished at a House Judiciary Committee Hearing on Tuesday for taking off his mask while questioning Attorney General Bill Barr, whose office said he will be tested after he was seen on video walking closely with Gohmert without either wearing a mask.

Gohmert also reportedly frequently interacted with aides and fellow lawmakers on the House floor without a mask.

Despite Gohmert's diagnosis, numerous GOP House members including Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.), Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.) were spotted by CNN's Manu Raju on the House floor without masks on Wednesday.

Pelosi said earlier Wednesday that she was "talking to the Capitol physician" about a mask requirement, something both she and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have resisted.

Pelosi, who has also expressed support for a national mask mandate, reportedly told House Democrats during a phone call that she would institute a mask mandate for the House floor out of "respect for the well-being of others."

I am a news desk reporter covering politics and the 2020 election. I have previously worked for MSNBC and Chronogram Magazine. I attended Vassar College and the London

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