Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert tests positive for the coronavirus after refusing to wear a mask in the Capitol
Business Insider
Eliza Relman
Jul 29th 2020 11:32AM
Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Texas Republican, has tested positive for the coronavirus after refusing to wear a mask on the House floor and around the Capitol, Politico first reported Wednesday.
Gohmert defended not wearing a mask, even when he's not able to social distance, in an interview with CNN last month, saying he'd only wear a face covering regularly if he contracted the virus.
"I don't have the coronavirus, turns out as of yesterday I've never had it," he said. "But if I get it, you'll never see me without a mask."
The 66-year-old congressman was planning to fly to Texas on Wednesday morning with President Donald Trump, but tested positive at the White House.
The conservative lawmaker attended Attorney General William Barr's House hearing on Tuesday and was filmed walking within six feet of Barr while both men were mask-less. A reporter says she also saw the two men speaking with each other while not social distancing.
A spokesperson for Barr said the attorney general will be tested for the virus on Wednesday because of his contact with Gohmert.
Five other Republican House lawmakers and one Democratic member of Congress have also tested positive for Covid-19. One senator, Republican Rand Paul, has tested positive.
Gohmert's office didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.