Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has been fined $48,000 for not wearing a mask on the House floor, according to a letter from the House Sergeant at Arms, circulating among US press.
Greene has been fined 20 times for not wearing a mask. After receiving an initial warning in May, Greene was fined $500 for her first offense, and $2,500 for each subsequent offense, which is in line with House rules.
Greene has appealed at least one of her fines, but it was upheld. The fines come from Greene’s salary.
“You have been observed not wearing a mask on July 29, August 2, September 20, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, and October 1, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, and 27, and have been asked by a member of my staff to wear a mask while in the Hall of the House of Representatives on each occasion unless recognized to speak by the chair,” the letter read.
Democrats implemented the rule in July last year amid the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi instated the rule that members had to wear masks on the floor, many Republicans have evaded the rules and been fined as a result.
Several GOP lawmakers continued to protest the mask rules long after the protocols were first instilled.
Greene isn’t the only House Republican who is racking up thousands of dollars’ worth of fines for refusing to wear a mask on the House floor.
Republican Rep. Andrew Scott Clyde of Georgia has been fined a total of at least four times, or $8,000, for not wearing a mask.