PLAYBOOK PM: After we reported that @replouiegohmert was positive, we got an email from a Gohmert aide.
A FEW THINGS ARE CLEAR after covering Washington for four months in the coronavirus era:
Most take this seriously, but not everyone. all it takes is one irresponsible person -- an armchair scientist who decides masks aren’t for them, or their entire office should work in person in the middle of a pandemic -- for many of us to get sick with a virus that could kill us.
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS arrive here from all over America nearly every week. They can’t conduct their business from afar -- fair enough. But neither can we -- journalists -- or the House and Senate floor staff, maintenance workers or anyone who has to keep this massive complex afloat
YET, THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP refuses to require testing or masks for the people who come into the building each week.
LET’S BE REAL: The Capitol has superspreader written all over it. People are coming off planes, out of cars, and many of them can’t be relied upon to follow basic masking rules that are mandatory across the country.
TESTING FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS is up to Speaker NANCY PELOSI and Senate Majority Leader MITCH MCCONNELL. The White House has offered it to the Hill.
CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE, @pkcapitol says it the best: If you’re a caddy on the PGA Tour or professional baseball player, you’re facing a tougher Covid testing regime than members of Congress.