Many Hoosier Republicans refused to abide by health measures aimed to stop spread of COVID-19
Holcomb pleas with Hoosiers to wear a mask and stay vigilant on a weekly basis, but won’t hold his own party to the same standard
IndyStar Columnist: “Shout out to the Indiana House Republicans who missed their chance to go goth in high school and are making up for it by going maskless in session so everyone will look at them.”
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today highlighted how elected members of the Indiana Republican Party have repeatedly ignored COVID-19 health recommendations stressed by the state and their own governor, Eric Holcomb. The latest example occurred yesterday at the beginning of the 2021 legislative session where Republican elected officials intentionally chose to defy simple measures that are meant to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, a virus that’s killed more than 8,000 Hoosiers.
The INGOP’s political grandstanding is an arrogant approach to governing at a time when voters are searching for confidence in their politicians to put their best interests first during these uncertain times. What’s worse, Governor Holcomb has refused to hold his Republican Party to the same standards he’s asking everyday Hoosiers abide by on a weekly basis.
WHY IT MATTERS: The Indiana Republican Party’s identity crisis is not just creating an intra-party civil war, but it’s setting an example that values political rhetoric ahead of science, fact, and American democracy. It’s why some are still not taking the COVID-19 seriously, and it’s why many Republicans are planning to overthrow the U.S. Government tomorrow.
Here’s how the Indiana Republican Party’s arrogance and the continuing INGOP civil war is already playing out in the 2021 legislative session:
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: “Rep. John Jacob and Rep. Curt Nisly are chatting in the House – unmasked of course. They also did not wear masks on Organization Day.
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Part Two): Rep. Jim Lucas just came into the House – also not wearing a mask.
Indianapolis Business Journal: The House session just started. Multiple lawmakers either walking around without a mask on or taking it off at their desk. Majority still have the mask on at their seats though.
Associated Press: New GOP Rep. Joanna King of Elkhart County also maskless and seated next to Nisly. All other Indiana House members gathering appear to have masks on. Staffers are required to wear masks
Associated Press (Part Two): King has put a mask on as the House session starts. But GOP Rep. JD Prescott doesn’t have one on. I can’t see many of the members from my seat
Associated Press (Part Three): I also see GOP Reps. Denny Zent and Stephen Bartels without masks. At least 5 Republicans in my view are without masks as House discusses rule changes to accommodate the Legislature’s COVID-19 precautions
IndyStar Columnist: “Shout out to the Indiana House Republicans who missed their chance to go goth in high school and are making up for it by going maskless in session so everyone will look at them.”
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