Rep. Matt Gaetz
Matthew (Matt) GaetzCheney tests Trump grip on GOP post-presidency Florida Republicans close ranks with Trump after Capitol siege The Memo: Historic vote leaves Trump more isolated than ever MORE (R-Fla.) on Wednesday wore a gas mask on the House floor during a vote on an emergency funding bill to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.
“Reviewing the coronavirus supplemental appropriation and preparing to go vote,” Gaetz tweeted ahead of the vote, including a photo of himself wearing the mask.
Reviewing the coronavirus supplemental appropriation and preparing to go vote. pic.twitter.com/wjJ4YY4VZz
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) March 4, 2020
Some scenes from the floor courtesy of a GOP lawmaker. pic.twitter.com/Gmq0xQJXeZ
— Juliegrace Brufke (@juliegraceb) March 4, 2020
Gaetz initially maintained that he was within his rights to wear the device on the House floor despite the sergeant-at-arms requesting that he remove it in the chamber.
"There are provisions in the House rules that permit medically necessary headgear," Gaetz said after walking off the floor.
Gaetz later acknowledged in a statement to The Hill that "House rules do not explicitly allow medical headgear even at this time of heightened concern," adding, "This is a rule that should be revisited."
The moment raised eyebrows on Twitter.
Matt Gaetz, our most normal member of Congress, is wearing a full-on gas mask on the House floor right now, being super normal
— Addy Baird (@addysbaird) March 4, 2020
Rep. Gaetz is wearing a legit gas mask — like the one Bane wore in Batman, not just a paper one — on the House floor right now.
— Tierney Sneed (@Tierney_Megan) March 4, 2020
Rep. Matt Gaetz just sitting on the House floor, wearing a gas mask. #Coronvirus pic.twitter.com/XDF5Xt3wBs
— Graham MacGillivray (@GWMacGillivray) March 4, 2020
You won’t believe the shoes Matt Gaetz is wearing today. #FloridaMan pic.twitter.com/VmFN7t0fjq
— Jim HimesJames (Jim) Andres HimesCOVID-19 could complicate Pelosi's path to Speaker next year Democrats debate fate of Trump probes if Biden wins House Democrats introduce bill to invest 0 billion in STEM research and education MORE (@jahimes) March 4, 2020
During an animated conversation with Rep. Ruben Gallego
Ruben GallegoThe best way to handle veterans, active-duty military that participated in Capitol riot 'I saw my life flash before my eyes': An oral history of the Capitol attack Overnight Defense: National Guard boosts DC presence ahead of inauguration | Lawmakers demand probes into troops' role in Capitol riot | Financial disclosures released for Biden Pentagon nominee MORE, the Arizona Democrat informed Gaetz he was wearing the mask incorrectly.
"Look, bipartisanship," Gallego said of his decision to help his GOP colleague.
"Gallego told me how. He knows how because he's a Marine," Gaetz said, confirming he had since adjusted the device. "He showed me how you wear it correctly."
Rep. Paul Mitchell
Paul MitchellUnnamed law enforcement banned under the new NDAA Growing number of House Republicans warm to proxy voting Juan Williams: The GOP's betrayal of America MORE (R-Mich.) at one point jokingly sat next to Gaetz and covered his air vent.
"Paul Mitchell did cover the air intake hole only momentarily," Gaetz said. "Look, members of Congress are human petri dishes. We fly through the dirtiest airports. We touch everyone we meet. If anyone's gonna get coronavirus, it's gonna be the people on that floor, so I want to be ready.
When asked if he would continue to wear the mask in the chamber in the coming days, Gaetz told reporters, "Great question."
The Florida Republican joined other lawmakers on Wednesday in voting to approve an $8.3 billion emergency funding bill to battle the spread of coronavirus, the first major step by Congress to address the growing number of cases and deaths in the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 80 cases have been reported in the U.S. and nine deaths. The total does not include the more than 40 people who contracted the virus on a cruise ship weeks ago.
The Wednesday vote also comes as the Trump administration continues to face mounting pressure from lawmakers and the public to increase efforts to prevent the virus from taking a stronghold in the country.
Updated: 6:05 p.m.
