OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
A number of Republicans will not be attending Joe Biden’s first State of the Union because there is a requirement to take a COVID-19 test beforehand.
If anyone refuses, they are unable to enter the chamber for Biden’s address. Republicans are calling it a strictly political stunt.
So far, at least five House Republicans and one Senate Republican have confirmed they will not be attending. This includes Mary Miller of Illinois, Bob Good of Virginia, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Chip Roy of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida.
“I don’t have time to go take a COVID test today,” Rubio told a reporter. “I only take a test if I’m sick.”
“We’re still being forced to test, a fence is up, & Americans can’t visit the Capitol. While I have an obligation to be present to vote for my constituents (vs. ‘proxy’ voting), I don’t have an obligation to be there for political theater,” Roy responded. His office confirmed that he would not be attending.
“Once again, Speaker Pelosi is politicizing the State of the Union to further the Radical Left’s COVID-19 agenda. Members of Congress should not be subject to COVID-19 tests and social distance when it is not necessary, and the entire nation has ended most, if not all, coronavirus restrictions,” Rosendale said
“The Hollywood elite attended the Super Bowl free of COVID-19 restrictions, so why must we, sitting Members of Congress, adhere to the demands of Nancy Pelosi? Montanans knew well over a year ago that these restrictions are pointless, and it is far past time to return to normal. Hate to break it to you, Nancy, but no one is listening to you or Dr. Fauci anymore,” Rosendale added.
“President Biden subjected the country to life altering mandates for over a year. I will not submit to an unnecessary COVID test to attend a State of the Union only to hear this President whisper through a speech that will inevitably fail to take responsibility for the tremendous damage he has and continues to cause to our country,” Good responded.
The mask mandate was conveniently lifted just before Biden is set to give his address to Congress and the nation.
More on this story via Daily Caller:
Miller mentioned Biden’s low poll numbers and the fact the mask mandate was lifted just before Biden’s speech.
“Biden’s poll numbers plummeted to historic lows, so the Democrats are once again changing ‘THE SCIENCE’ on masks to try and use the State of the Union as a reset. The only science the Left cares about is political science!” Miller told the Caller.
President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of congress as Vice President Kamala Harris (L) and Speaker of the House U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (R) look on in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol on April 28, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jim Watson – POOL/Getty Images)
Clyde mentioned the mask mandates on the House floor and the Capitol fence that has been installed around the Capitol before Biden’s speech.
“Political pandemic theater has defined the last two years, and despite Democrats’ attempts to conceal their hypocrisy, tonight’s shenanigans for the State of the Union are not the exception to their preposterous hysteria. Just last week, the presence of my maskless face on the House floor would rack up more fines under my name, but today, conveniently in time for President Biden’s State of the Union address, all members are free to decide whether they wear a mask or not,” Clyde told the Caller.
“The science never changed, but the politics — ahead of the midterm elections — sure did. I’m sick and tired of power-crazed Democrats subjecting Americans to illogical and unlawful medical tyranny, all while breaking or reversing their rules when it suits them. Forcing members to still be tested, walk through magnetometers, and socially distance just to listen to Biden’s speech of spin in the People’s House, that is surrounded by unnecessary metal fencing, feeds into their deranged narrative,” he added.
The United States Capitol attending physician Dr. Brian P. Monahan said Sunday that masks will not be required inside the Capitol beginning Monday, just one day before Biden is set to deliver his State of the Union address.
Monahan reportedly made the decision based on the current rate of positive results at the Capitol’s testing center, which has dropped to 2.7%, according to Politico. House members have been required to wear masks on the House floor, and some members have been fined for violating the mandate put in place by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who tends to follow Monahan’s guidance.
