Iowa's Speaker of the House, Republican Pat Grassley, created a controversy when, on February 2, he chose to enforce the chamber's dress code by barring a Democrat, Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, from speaking because she was wearing jeans.
Though many would consider this rule ludicrous regardless of the context, it was even more outrageous considering the multiple Republican lawmakers who refuse to wear masks and face no consequences.
Speaker Grassley just enforced the Iowa House no-jeans dress code by barring Rep. Wessel-Kroeschell from speaking o… https://t.co/YEeGwtmgax— Chuck Isenhart (@Chuck Isenhart) 1612309873.0
Iowa House Speaker @PatGrassley has said he can't require lawmakers to wear masks on the House floor, so Democratic… https://t.co/uV6kJoSd6M— Stephen Gruber-Miller (@Stephen Gruber-Miller) 1612315698.0
Grassley drew harsh criticism from all sides for his blatant hypocrisy, saying a mask mandate was "unenforceable" while easily enforcing what pants lawmakers wear.
@ChuckIsenhart .@PatGrassley is teaching a master level class on how not to be leader, but what do we expect when t… https://t.co/If7cGfwLkE— Marion IA Gma 😷😷😷 (@Marion IA Gma 😷😷😷) 1612315479.0
@sgrubermiller @PatGrassley How is that we allow those who represent us to go maskless and infect others but yet cl… https://t.co/elHCTFMGUE— Elizabeth Shorey (@Elizabeth Shorey) 1612375225.0
@ChuckIsenhart She made the point.— Wear a Mask and care for others (@Wear a Mask and care for others) 1612311341.0
Many pointed out by refusing to wear masks, the Republicans in Iowa's Statehouse were putting the lives of everyone present at risk.
@sgrubermiller @PatGrassley Pat’s actions are typical republican. He’s so worried about the look. Jeans don’t look… https://t.co/s9eCyKj7Kv— Not THAT Frank Gruber (@Not THAT Frank Gruber) 1612321415.0
@ChuckIsenhart It’s just a mask. It reduces the spread and we can be done with his pandemic faster if everyone woul… https://t.co/pfXcwDyJN8— Jay 🇺🇸⚓️🇨🇦 (@Jay 🇺🇸⚓️🇨🇦) 1612315840.0
@sgrubermiller @PatGrassley Would have preferred dress sweatpants.— Nate Willems (@Nate Willems) 1612320115.0
Apparently the rules apply only to Grassley's Democratic colleagues.
@sgrubermiller @PatGrassley Wait, he can't require masks to keep people alive, but he can enforce a dress code? These people.— Foglandia (@Foglandia) 1612323099.0
@ChuckIsenhart It’s obvious that Republicans believe they are above the law, any and all laws. From simple dress co… https://t.co/gEGIk7jkO1— Rhonda Taylor (@Rhonda Taylor) 1612329332.0
@ChuckIsenhart Not talking about masks (I agree with you). But, they’re way too worried about what people are wearing.— Laurence Holmes (@Laurence Holmes) 1612321122.0
Grassley's reputation took a sizeable beating on Twitter.
@ChuckIsenhart Gop are not leaders. 😒— karrr (@karrr) 1612315621.0
@ChuckIsenhart https://t.co/NM0TMJHrCD— UNI GRAD - We're back! 🇺🇸 (@UNI GRAD - We're back! 🇺🇸) 1612329699.0
@ChuckIsenhart Then we wonder why politicians get a bad rap- I am appalled by the level of stupidity.— Tammi Mueller (@Tammi Mueller) 1612321248.0
It seems Republicans like Grassley have much higher priorities than the safety of those around them.
@sgrubermiller @PatGrassley A mask mandate, which I believe should have happened earlier in the year, only works if… https://t.co/CQo7Oslrgf— C.E. (@C.E.) 1612384213.0
Republican opposition to masks has continued throughout the pandemic despite unified statements by medical health officials describing their necessity.