Some reporters on Capitol Hill felt the need to mask shame what they thought was a run-of-the-mill tour being given by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) on Thursday since a few in the group were not wearing masks.
Masks requirement in the House
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) September 30, 2021
Tours not allowed
Yet here we are — group of 9, only 2 in masks pic.twitter.com/zsdwCoFPSG
The classic dilemma: a member escorts in a tour, clearly not “official business,” Capitol Police are not empowered to enforce much of anything when it comes to members. No one is enforcing masks.
— K Tully-McManus (@ktullymcmanus) September 30, 2021
(See: members cursing out USCP at House chamber metal detectors when they try) https://t.co/TWBTIyojwj
As it turns out, McClintock was not escorting a random group of people. The California congressman was giving a tour of the Capitol building to the family of Sgt. Nicole Gee, who was one of the Marines killed in a terrorist attack during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. A total of 13 U.S. service members were killed in the attack, with over a hundred Afghans also being killed.
The family was also on official business since they were meeting with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
This photo was of @RepMcClintock and the family of fallen Marine Sgt. Gee. They were in the Capitol for an official meeting with @GOPLeader.
— Michele Perez Exner (@michelepexner) September 30, 2021
So, yes, it was “clearly official business.” https://t.co/6VtInbY5RV
Despite being called out for their tattle-telling, Politico's Heather Caygle continued her mask crusade even though members of Congress don't always follow the rule.
Sure thing.
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) September 30, 2021
But could also wear a mask like everyone else here trying to stay safe.
How does that exempt them from wearing a mask?
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) September 30, 2021
In response to the tweets about the Gold Star family, McClintock told Townhall, "Res ipsa loquitur," which is Latin for "the thing speaks for itself."
