Three Texas Democrats have tested positive for COVID-19 five days after they packed onto private jets without wearing face masks and snapp...
Three Texas Democrats have tested positive for COVID-19 five days after they packed onto private jets without wearing face masks and snapped selfies intended to taunt their Republican rivals.
Meanwhile, a Texas state representative alleged that the three lawmakers were lying and 'playing games' just to stay in DC - and away from a vote on an election reform bill - in Texas.
On Monday, 60 left-wing lawmakers fled Texas in order to block a 'restrictive' voting reform bill proposed by conservatives. They chartered two flights to Washington, DC that purportedly cost a whopping $100,000.
The group has since been staying at a plush hotel in the nation's capital and schmoozing with many high-powered politicians. They even met with Vice President Kamala Harris during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday.
Several of the Texas Democrats have publicly endorsed wearing face masks, but it seems they are not so enthused about using the coverings in private. The Austin American Statesman claims that the group has only used masks 'sparingly' at meetings in DC.
Officials have not released the names of the three Democrats who have contracted the coronavirus, but they are now in self-isolation and will stay there for at least 10 days.
The outbreak was discovered on Friday, when one of the lawmakers tested positive after taking a rapid COVID test.
Others from the group were subsequently tested on Saturday morning, and two more were found to be positive. One of them is said to be experiencing 'mild' symptoms.
All three of the infected officials are fully vaccinated.
Texas State. Rep. Briscoe Cain told Fox News he thought the news of the COVID positive tests was an 'excuse to avoid coming back' and face a vote on the elections overhaul bill.
'I say prove it,' Cain said of the positive results. 'They want a reason to do a 14-day quarantine; they don’t want to come back and do their jobs. If they really have it, prove it.'
Three Texas Democrats who fled the Lone Star state in a private jet in order to block election integrity bills have now tested positive for COVID- 19
The Democrats left Austin to avoid the vote on two election bills, touching down in Washington D.C. on Monday evening in two private jets (pictured)
The group was also seen on board a bus without a face mask in sight
The Texas Democrats have since been staying at a plush hotel in Washington, DC and have been out and about in the community. Many of them even met with Vice President Kamala Harris during a closed-door meeting near the Capitol on Tuesday
According to the Austin American Statesman, 'there was a notable increase in the use of face coverings among lawmakers and Democratic staffers at their hotel on Saturday morning'.
In statement on Saturday, Rep. Chris Turner, the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said: 'The House Democratic Caucus is following all CDC guidance and protocols.
'This is a sober reminder that COVID is still with us, and though vaccinations offer tremendous protection, we still must take necessary precautions. We are in touch with public health experts in Texas to provide additional guidance. Our caucus will follow all recommendations from public health experts as we continue our work.'
The Texas Democrats fled the Lone Star State in order to break a quorum and block the Republican-controlled Texas State House from passing new voting rights legislation.
Republicans are seeking to pass two new 'election integrity' bills, whereby voting would be allowed on election days from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and mail voters would also be asked to verify their identities with a state ID number or the last four digits of their Social Security number.
But Democrats have called the bills 'restrictive' and say they are designed to turn citizens off voting and restrict access to the polls in minority communities.
The group fled from Texas before the bills could be voted on, and they plan to wait out the full 30-day legislative session in Washington D.C.
The group are staying at the Washington Plaza Hotel, where rooms start at $199 a night.
Their decision to flee infuriated their Republican rivals, who have voted to arrest them when they return to the state.
Massachusetts progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren met with the group of runaway Texas lawmakers at the Capitol on Wednesday
The Washington Plaza is located in Northwest Washington, D.C. The cost of rooms on Tuesday night starts at $199
Texas Democrats exit the $199-a-night Washington Plaza hotel on Tuesday morning to board coach buses en route to the Capitol
'Members, a sergeant-at-arms and any officer appointed by him are directed to send for all absentees whose attendance is not excused for the purpose of securing and maintaining their attendance under warrant of arrest if necessary,' Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan announced from the State House floor after the vote on Tuesday.
Texas House rules allow the sergeant-at-arms to arrest members who are not present at the Capitol for a vote.
Meanwhile, the Democrats have been in D.C. portraying themselves as heroes in the fight against voter suppression.
VP Harris praised the group, as did Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who met with them on Wednesday.
President Biden has not met with the lawmakers but, in a statement, 'praised their courage'.
The Texas State House adjourned on Tuesday morning. The remaining lawmakers – mostly Republican – voted 76-4 to arrest Democrat members who broke the quorum by fleeing to Washington D.C.
Several of the Democratic Reps have also been active on social media, including Rep. Donna Howard who posted a picture of her wet laundry after she was forced to clean it in the sink at her hotel.
'You bet we're recognizing & honoring our country's heritage', she wrote on Twitter. 'As most Texans, tho, this is what we're doing tonight - using whatever is accessible, washing our clothes in the sink'.
She included a picture of her leopard print t-shirt and panties, three plain pairs of underpants, and a bra drying over the shower rail in her hotel room.
Howard was widely mocked for sharing the picture from her hotel bedroom, with many pointing out she had plenty of time to pack before leaving Texas.
'You had plenty of to pack a bag tho', one user wrote.
Another pointed out she could easily have had her clothes washed at a nearby laundromat, and suggested the tweet was a joke.
'I can walk two blocks to a laundromat and have them wash, dry, and fold my clothes in like 3 hours for $.75/lb. How is this not a bit?'
Others responded sarcastically to the runaway Texan Democrat, saying: 'We are in awe of your sacrifice. I cannot even fathom how you are staying strong through these difficult times. A true hero', one user wrote.
Democratic State Representative Donna Howard was mocked on Thursday after posting a picture of her clothes, saying she washed them in her sink
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