Rep. Jayapal blames COVID-19 diagnosis on lawmakers who didn’t wear masks in U.S. Capitol during insurrection
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., speaks during a House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, in Washington.
WASHINGTON — A Washington state representative says she has tested positive for COVID-19.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said she received the positive test result after being locked in a secure room in the U.S. Capitol during Wednesday’s attack, and blames her Republican colleagues who refused to wear a mask.
The representative broke the news in a Twitter post Monday night, calling the Republican representatives “cruel” for their choice, and also claimed they “recklessly mocked” those who offered them a mask to wear.
Jayapal said she will now ask that any member who refuses to wear a mask to be held accountable, which includes a fine, and to be removed from the House floor by the Sergeant at Arms.
The representative is recovering in isolation.
Governor Jay Inslee wished the representative “good health” in a tweet Monday night. Inslee called Jayapal “one of Washington state’s most dedicated public servants.”
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