'Shut Your Mouth': Maxine Waters Snaps At Jim Jordan as COVID Hearing With Fauci Gets Heated
The exchange of tense words by Representative Jim Jordan with infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci created tension on Thursday's congressional hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic. But the argument was ended by Representative Maxine Waters by telling Jordan to shut his mouth.
In the hearing held by the House Coronavirus Crisis Subcommittee, Jim Jordan questioned the chief medical advisor on COVID-19 for the president, Fauci, on when the federal government can start to eliminate precautionary measures against COVID-19. These measures include social distancing and the wearing of masks as part of safety precautions.
The Representative of Ohio asked Fauci if what happened to 15 days that the federal government previously mentioned in slowing down the spread of the virus as it already turned into a year of losing liberty.
Jim Jordan also asked what measures the federal government needs to take before the American people could get more freedoms.
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'Freedom' Amid Pandemic
According to USA Today, Fauci, who is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director, said that his priority is to get as many individuals vaccinated as quickly as possible. The said measure, as per Fauci, will make coronavirus no longer a threat.
Fauci added that if Jordan indicates that preventive measures are about liberty and freedom, for him, it is a public health measure that prevents the public from dying and going to the hospital.
Jim Jordan interrupted Fauci when he was explaining the scenarios that could end the implementation of preventive measures, such as when the level of infection was low enough to prevent another surge of the virus. He insisted that these measures were an assault on the American people's liberty.
Jim Jordan said many of the public's rights are being violated, such as the right to go to church, assemble, and petition your government. He added that even the freedom of the press and speech were assaulted.
Fauci responded to Jordan that he thinks the Ohio representative was making the debate a personal issue and emphasized that it should not be. But Jordan replied that it is not a personal thing.
Jim Jordan noted that he wanted to have a clearer timeframe as to when the COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted because for him, Fauci's recommendations carry a lot of weight, The New York Times reported.
Jordan then mentioned that the Financial Services Committee chair told Fauci that she loves him and he is the greatest thing in the world.
Jordan was referring to Representative Maxine Waters, who is the chair of the Financial Services Committee. Waters told Fauci that "I love you" after she thanked the medical experts present at the hearing, Forbes reported.
During the hearing, Waters shared that her sister was one of the coronavirus victims and died from COVID-19. She said she would like to thank Fauci for saving millions of lives who listened to his advice during the Trump administration.
But even after Committee Chairman Jim Clyburn announced that Jordan's time had expired, the back and forth argument between Jordan and Fauci continued. Waters then told Jim Jordan from across the room, "to respect the chair and shut your mouth."
Meanwhile, Fauci clarified during the hearing that his recommendations were in line with guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).
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WATCH: Rep. Jordan Clashes With Dr. Fauci On Covid Restrictions: When Do Americans Get Their Freedom Back? - From NBC News