Republicans on the Iowa House Administration and Rules Committee rejected a proposal from Democrats for a mask mandate at the state Capitol this week, shortly after the first positive COVID-19 case was identified at the Capitol during the current legislative session.

This was among other proposals from Democrats that were rejected as the house rules committee moved to advance a bill establishing the chamber rules for the current session. District 42 State Senator Jeff Reichman (R) comments on whether he’s concerned that the legislature meeting in person could cause a superspreader event, “I’m not a person that’s concerned about it, there are others that are concerned about it and there is enough space and those people who are concerned are taking extra precautions. So I think that Governor Reynolds has done an excellent job of looking out for Iowans but also keeping in mind our civil liberties. So I’m not concerned about it as I said there are others that are and are taking extra precautions.”

Other Democrat proposals for the chamber rules would have allowed members of the public to speak at subcommittee meetings virtually and allow legislators to vote remotely during committee meetings. Republicans’ rejection of a mask mandate comes as the Iowa Public Health Association sent an open letter to lawmakers last week expressing concern about the lack of a mandate and requesting them to “lead by example” by always wearing a mask during their work at the Capitol.