Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) took a pause to scold three Republican committee members for failing to wear masks during Attorney General William Barr’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
Nadler singled out Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), and Mike Johnson (R-La.) for violating rules of the committee.
“I would remind Mr. Jordan, Mr. Biggs, and Mr. Johnson to stop violating the rules of the committee, to stop violating the safety of the members of the committee, to stop holding themselves out as not caring by refusing to wear their masks,” Nadler said.
A member of the committee responded to Nadler’s comments asking him if it is “permissible to drink a sip of coffee.”
Nadler answered, “It is not permissible.”
Watch his comments below:
.@JerryNadler scolds @Jim_Jordan, @RepAndyBiggsAZ, and @RepMikeJohnson for removing their masks.
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 28, 2020
"Is it permissible to drink a sip of coffee?"
Nadler: "It is not permissible!" pic.twitter.com/XzTvCivxa1
Barr’s hearing comes amid the coronavirus pandemic as it continues to wreak havoc across the nation infecting more than 4.3 million Americans and causing over 148,000 deaths.
After months of receiving criticism for not wearing a mask in public, President Donald Trump was seen wearing one during a trip to Walter Reed National Medical Center, as IJR previously reported.
Shortly after shifting his rhetoric surrounding masks, Trump told Americans, at his first coronavirus briefing in months, they should wear masks if they are unable to socially distance, as IJR previously reported.
Some lawmakers believe Trump should issue a nationwide mask mandate including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D).
Whitmer penned an op-ed in The New York Times titled “Mask Up, America,” where she applauded Trump for his endorsement of masks and encouraged him to back up his statement by implementing a nationwide mandate.
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suggested the decision to issue a mask mandate is up to the individual governors.
Dr. Anthony Fauci recently received criticism for a photo showing him partially wearing a mask at the Washington Nationals game.
Fauci pushed back explaining he pulled the mask down to drink water and called the comments from those on social media “mischievous.”
