Clyburn pledges not to recognize committee members who don't wear masks

[demmiblue]

Source: The Hill

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the chairman of the select committee overseeing the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic, is vowing to no longer recognize members of the panel who do not cover their faces after Republicans refused to wear masks during a recent hearing.

In a letter sent to the committee’s ranking member, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), Clyburn emphasized that the Capitol physician issued new guidance requiring lawmakers to wear masks while participating in any House meetings "in a limited enclosed space, such as a committee hearing room." He said that Republicans' refusal to wear the facial coverings during a hearing on Friday "undermined the safety of everyone" in the vicinity.

"Going forward, as long as the Attending Physician’s requirement to wear masks is in place, I will not recognize any Member of this Subcommittee to participate in person in any Subcommittee meeting or hearing unless the Member is wearing a mask and strictly adheres to the Attending Physician’s guidance," he wrote.

The pledge from Clyburn comes as parts of the U.S. experience a resurgence in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. The U.S. on Friday reported more than 40,000 COVID-19 cases in a single day for the first time in more than a month, with states such as Texas and Florida pausing reopening plans due to a consistent uptick in infections.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/505024-clyburn-pledges-not-to-recognize-committee-members-who-dont-wear-masks

[groundloop]

1. GOOD. It's about time the stupid bastards get some pushback for endangering everyone around them.

Not only that, but their actions are encouraging right wingnuts to act irresponsibly as well.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

2. Good on ya, my friend.....

Near 80 himself, my friend Jim Clyburn, is taking no chances.

Any Republican who does NOT follow the rules, gets NO right to speak. Simple as that.

[soothsayer]

3. Good but they should be removed too

[BComplex]

4. That's what pisses me off about the dems. The Sgt. at Arms should remove these idiots

and the Dems should insist on it. After it happened a few times, the republicans would figure it out.

[bottomofthehill]

9. Not sure the Sgt at Arms has the authority to remove

The House Rules may need changing before that happens. The Chairman does have the power to recognize but I am not so sure about removalll

[flibbitygiblets]

17. From what I recall, the SAA only has the authority wave a mace

and not the kind that is used to ward off attackers (although that would be awesome in this case).

Mandated under the current House Rule II, the Sergeant at Arms also enforces protocol and ensures decorum during floor proceedings. The Mace, which symbolizes the authority of the House, is maintained by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms. On occasion, the Sergeant at Arms has presented the Mace to restore order on the floor. The Sergeant at Arms also is empowered to compel absent Members onto the House floor to conduct business. Over time, the office’s duties have encompassed administrative functions: arranging Capitol funerals, managing parking facilities, and issuing identification to Members and staff.

[bottomofthehill]

22. Correct, At the instruction of the Speaker, the Sergeant at Arms is charged with preserving order

ON THE FLOOR

The Committee Hearings are not on the Floor, also, House Rules do not take precedence over Article One which establishes the Legislative Branch

[aggiesal]

18. It appears that Clyburn is only going half way ...

... the Capitol physician issued new guidance requiring lawmakers to wear masks while participating in any House meetings "in a limited enclosed space, such as a committee hearing room. ...

Participating in House Meetings, means anytime you are in attendance at the meeting.

Clyburn chose to ignore the meaning and will only recognize a member while wearing a mask.
This means that the members could come in without a mask, sit through the whole meeting
without a mask, and only when they have something to say, put the mask on and be recognized.
Afterwards the mask will come off until recognition is again requested.

Am I missing something?

[bottomofthehill]

24. Pretty sure Doctor Monahan can Reccommend

But the Attending Physician has little authority to Order anything. He is the Doctor for both the House and the Senate. The exact same building with two sets of rules and the same Doc issuing guidance.

3.2 Encourage Use of Face Coverings. Unless required by specific Agency policy, the use of face coverings (approved surgical masks or cloth face covers) completely covering the nose and mouth is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to be worn when an individual is in an enclosed Congressional building public space with at least one other person for greater than 15 minutes. Examples may include during the use of community services, such as the office supply store, banking facilities, barbershop, etc., among others.
3.2.1 For U.S. House of Representatives meetings in a limited enclosed space, such as a committee hearing room, for greater than 15 minutes, face coverings are REQUIRED. Face covers will be provided by the meeting sponsor to individuals arriving without face covers. Waterless hand cleanser should be used by individuals on entry and exit. Seating arrangements in accordance with social distancing guidelines and contact surface cleaning procedures will be facilitated by committee staff.
3.2.2 Individual entry will be denied to those House of Representatives limited enclosed spaces where face coverings are required but not used by the individual (unless presenting a valid medical waiver approved by OAP). Individuals not admitted to the space have the option to participate by virtual/electronic means from their office.
3.3 Face coverings are NOT required in public indoor spaces when an individual is alone or occupying a space for less than 15 minutes. Limited exceptions are also permissible. For example, if addressing the media from a committee room during an event, brief removal to facilitate lip reading by hearing impaired viewers is acceptable.Additionally, individuals with an exemption to face covering use due to a specific health reason are not required to wear a covering. However, six-foot minimum separation must be accommodated in all cases of exemption.
3.4 Face coverings are not required in outdoor settings when six-foot separation between individuals is able to be maintained. If unable to maintain separation in outdoor public spaces, the use of face coverings is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
3.5 Use of a face covering is a separate secondary method of lowering transmission risk. It is NOT a substitute for social distancing. Even if you wear a face covering, every effort should be made adhere to six-foot social distancing guidelines.

[MuchBetterThanThis]

11. Maybe the "dems" recognize that they cannot REMOVE those idiots.

And in trying to do so , would look foolish maybe?

[Sucha NastyWoman]

14. Yes otherwise they'll take them off when it's not their turn to be recognized.

Also must stipulate that they have to cover their mouth AND nose

[Mr.Bill]

5. They could build a glass enclosure

in the meeting room just large enough to seat all the republicans shoulder to shoulder. If they want to participate in the meeting without masks, that's where they have to sit. Let's see if they think that is safe.

[ret5hd]

6. Seat? I say stand...shoulder to shoulder, dick to butt.

[George II]

12. In Navy basic training the Petty Officer said we should line up "nuts to butts"!

[Zambero]

13. And, one can hope, a soundproof booth for Louie Gohmert

As he'll be likely wearing more rings than Liberace.

[lagomorph777]

23. I don't understand why Congress is still meeting in person.

With all those COVIDIOT Reputins running around, that's way too hazardous. Switch to Zoom or Teams, already. Sheesh.

[Thekaspervote]

7. It's time!! Now, all the rest, follow suit

[onecaliberal]

8. Don't allow them in the hearing room to begin with.

[bottomofthehill]

16. Article 1 Section 6 of the Constitution would make that difficult

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

[Traildogbob]

10. Good, but

Make damn sure we recognize them in November. Plaster those unmasked faces all over the country to see. If we are alive then.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

15. Make anyone without a mask wear a dunce hat.

That would make for some great campaign ads on TV........ ...... .....

[SeattleVet]

19. Hmmm...how about a dunce hat, with an attached mask!

a.k.a. a KKK hood.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

21. That would work. They wear them while out playing golf!

Prevents the press from knowing who they are.

KY.........

[bottomofthehill]

25. I like that

[oldsoftie]

20. The evidence is SO clear on this. Its just ridiculous how some refuse to see it.

And its all trump

[William Seger]

26. If taken completely out of context...

... that headline would be hilarious.

[riversedge]

27. You go Cly

[Cha]

28. Imagine if the GD repubs were in charge of the House NOW?

Thank You 2018 Blue Wave Victory! Moderates Flipping Red Seats to BLUE.. May it continue in 2020!

Thank you, James Clyburn!