Democrats consider boycotting inauguration over no masking
MADISON - Assembly Democrats may boycott the inauguration of state lawmakers next week because Republicans who control the chamber aren’t requiring masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I think there’s real apprehension about being in a room for a sustained period of time with people that aren’t willing to wear masks. We’ll have to see, but I think there are a lot of people that are planning on not going,” said Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz of Oshkosh.
Hintz said he doesn’t want to go to the inauguration and feared he could endanger his community if he visited the Capitol because of the way Republicans plan to hold it. Having all Assembly Democrats skip the event is “a real possibility,” he said.
All Assembly Republicans have already been sworn in under a process that lawyers have determined passes legal muster, Hintz said.
In a statement, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos of Rochester said legislators and their aides would be asked to wear masks for the legislative session that begins Monday. He did not say the masks would be required.
“People all across Wisconsin safely go to work every day and members of the Assembly are capable of doing so as well,” Vos said in his statement.
“The Assembly will convene safely as other legislatures across the country have done during the pandemic. Members and staff are being asked to follow (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines, practice social distancing, wear a mask and wash their hands frequently.”
Vos recently cut an ad with Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan of rural Dane County to try to show there is bipartisan support for wearing masks.
“Always wear a mask, Wisconsin,” Vos said in the spot. “Wash your hands and practice social distancing.”
But for lawmakers, Vos and other Republican leaders are making a request, not a demand. In an email last week, Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Tyler August, a Republican from Lake Geneva, told lawmakers masks were encouraged — not required — during the inauguration.
Rep. Jimmy Anderson, a Democrat from Fitchburg, railed against the lack of rules.
“It’s beyond irresponsible,” Anderson said. “They’re essentially gambling with my life.”
Anderson said he has 20% to 30% breathing capacity because he is paralyzed from the chest down and unable to fully open his lungs. A COVID-19 infection could be deadly, he said.
“Any type of respiratory diseases are incredibly deadly to me,” he said.
Hintz and other Democrats sent Vos a letter on Tuesday asking him to change course, but Vos offered no sign that he would do so.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate does not apply to the Legislature because it is a separate branch of government.