House republicans and even some dems walk out of virus briefing after dem rep attacks WH

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Several House Republicans walked out of a closed-door coronavirus briefing Friday with Trump health officials in protest after a senior Democrat blasted the Trump administration’s handling of the response effort.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) kicked off the briefing sharply criticizing the administration as disorganized and lacking urgency in combating the coronavirus, lawmakers said. Her speech frustrated Republicans and some Democrats assembled to hear from the slate of officials from the CDC, NIH and State Department.

"If I wanted to hear the politics of it, I'd read POLITICO or something, let's be serious," said Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-Mich.), who was among the walkouts. A handful of Republicans began booing almost immediately after DeLauro raised concerns with the administration’s efforts, according to two people in the room.


But at least one Democrat was also irritated by DeLauro's remarks. Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.), who led the health department under President Bill Clinton, said it wasn't the appropriate setting for the criticism.

“No one wanted to hear that, either the Democrats or Republican. We just wanted to hear the substance,” she said.

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