Mask Wars Erupt in the House of Representatives: A Look at the Divide Over Mask Mandates and Vaccine Refusal

Strategic Insights -

The House of Representatives has become a microcosm of the nation's mask wars, with a sharp divide between those who need to wear masks and those who don't, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The conflict has erupted over a proposed removal of the mask mandate in the House chamber, with Republican members rebelling against the requirement, while Democratic lawmakers are continuing to adhere to it.

Key Takeaways:

  • A CNN survey found that fewer than half of House Republican members have agreed to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, with around 45% having been vaccinated, compared to at least 92% of Senate Republicans and all Senate and House Democrats.
  • A dozen GOP lawmakers refused to put on masks in the House chamber this week, and three of them, including Representative Brian Mast (Fla.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa), and Beth Van Duyne (Tex.), face $500 fines for breaking the rules.
  • House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is pushing for an anti-mask resolution, which urges the attending Capitol physician to update mask-wearing guidance for vaccinated lawmakers and staff in the House chamber and committee spaces, in line with new CDC guidelines.
  • Pelosi has cited the high rates of vaccine refusal among Republican members as a reason to continue the masking requirement in the House chamber, with her spokesman Drew Hammill saying McCarthy should "get to work vaccinating his members" if he wants to be maskless on the House floor.

Statistics:

  • 92% of Senate Republicans have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
  • 100% of Senate and House Democrats have been vaccinated.
  • 45% of House Republican members have been vaccinated.
  • 12 GOP lawmakers refused to wear masks in the House chamber this week.
  • $500 is the fine faced by three anti-mask GOP lawmakers, including Representatives Mast, Miller-Meeks, and Van Duyne.

Sources:

  • CNN
  • The Post's Christopher Rowland
  • The Post's Felicia Sonmez
  • Politico's Melanie Zanona
  • NBC's Haley Talbot
  • House Oversight select subcommittee on the coronavirus crisis
  • The Texas Tribune's Shannon Najmabadi
  • The Indian Medical Association
  • The Daily Mail
  • The New York Times' John Schwartz
  • The Associated Press's Kimberlee Kruesi