Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert tested positive for the coronavirus.
Gohmert, a Republican, was set to travel to Texas with President Trump on Wednesday morning when he tested positive for COVID-19 during a pre-screening at the White House, according to a report from Politico.
The congressman has resisted wearing a face covering on Capitol Hill, including during the House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing with Attorney General William Barr on Tuesday.
During the hearing, Chairman Jerry Nadler scolded members of the committee for not having their masks on while they were waiting for their turn to speak.
“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 to Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, and either Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson or Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia.
Gohmert told CNN last month that he did not believe in wearing a mask because he is tested frequently.
“If I get it, you’ll never see me without a mask,” Gohmert said. “I keep being tested, and I don’t have it. So, I’m not afraid of you, but if I get it, I’ll wear a mask.”
Nine other members of Congress have contracted and recovered from cases of COVID-19, including Rep. Ben McAdams, a Utah Democrat, Rep. Mike Kelly, a Pennsylvania Republican, and Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican.
Kerri Kupec, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said Barr will be tested for the coronavirus on Wednesday after a video surfaced of the attorney general walking near Gohmert just before Tuesday’s hearing.
