May 13, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Pelosi says masks will still be required on House floor, despite CDC guidance

Ivana Saric

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told CNN Thursday that members will still be required to wear masks on the House floor, despite new CDC guidance allowing fully vaccinated people to remove their masks indoors.

What she's saying: “No,” Pelosi told CNN when asked if the rule would change. "Are they all vaccinated?”

Pelosi's spokesperson cited the lack of clarity about which House members and their staffs are fully vaccinated, per Bloomberg.

The big picture: According to the CDC guidance issued Thursday, fully vaccinated people can participate in indoor and outdoor activities without masks or physically distancing, regardless of crowd size.

The White House emailed staff later Thursday saying that fully vaccinated staffers can remove their masks while on the White House grounds.
Some House Republicans called on Pelosi and the Capitol's attending physician to lift the mask rule, per Bloomberg.

Of note: Earlier this week Pelosi loosened the House's mask rules, allowing members to remove their masks when recognized to address the chamber.

Pelosi introduced the mask requirement in July 2020 after several Republican members refused to wear them.

Pelosi's office did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

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Pelosi says masks will still be required on House floor, despite CDC guidance

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