Generally, Democrats wear masks inside the Ohio Statehouse but Republicans are split on the matter.
Unmasked state lawmakers shouted and close-talked for hours inside the House and Senate chambers this week. Some of them took their masks off to take a break, talk with a colleague or make a floor speech.
When asked about requiring senators to wear masks, similar to how they’re required to wear dress clothes, Senate President Larry Obhof, R-Medina, said, “I haven’t required it but I’ve strongly encouraged it.”
House Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, noted that lawmakers are independently elected and they are encouraged to wear a mask. But, he said, a majority of House members wouldn’t support adding masks to the dress code.
On Thursday, 58 House members voted to reject a resolution offered by state Rep. Kristin Boggs, D-Columbus, that would have mandated mask wearing.
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