House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has ordered her committee chairs to see that members wear face coverings while participating in meetings and gave them the power to bar those who don't.
Pelosi made the directive Tuesday upon the recommendation of the Capitol physician with the goal of stemming the tide of the coronavirus, CNN reported.
The speaker acted upon learning some Republican members didn't wear face coverings even when advised to do so.
"At this time, this requirement is only for sustained committee activity," a senior Democratic aide said in an email to CNN.
"This requirement will be enforced by the Sergeant at Arms and non-compliant members will be denied entry."