Rep. Louie Gohmert tests positive for COVID-19

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert has tested positive for the coronavirus after repeatedly refusing to wear a mask on the House floor.
• The Republican lawmaker was tested positive in a compulsory pre-screen at the White House on Wednesday morning as he was scheduled to fly to Texas with President Donald Trump.
• Gohmert attended William Barr’s House hearing on Tuesday and was seen walking within six feet of the Attorney General while both men were mask-less.

Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert has tested positive for the coronavirus after repeatedly refusing to wear a mask on the House floor and around the Capitol, according to Politico.

Last month, the Republican congressman told CNN that he’s not wearing a mask because he’s being tested on a regular basis. Gohmert, who is not a fan of social distancing, said he’d only wear a face-covering if he contracted the coronavirus. 

“I don’t have the coronavirus, turns out as of yesterday I’ve never had it,” Gohmert said on the CNN interview. “But if I get it, you’ll never see me without a mask.”

The lawmaker was scheduled to fly to Texas on Wednesday morning with President Donald Trump when he was tested positive in a pre-screen at the White House.

Gohmert was in attendance during Attorney General William Barr’s House hearing on Tuesday. The 66-year-old congressman was caught on video walking within six feet of the attorney general while both men were mask-less. A female reporter says the two men were speaking to each other while not social distancing. 

Barr’s spokesperson said the attorney general will be tested for COVID-19 because of his close contact with Gohmert. 

Gohmert is now the seventh member of the House (six of whom are Republicans) to test positive for the virus, Politico reported.

Gohmert’s office has not yet responded to Business Insider’s request for comment.

Source: AOL