Many Republicans reject latest CDC mask guidance

Republican lawmakers across the United States are speaking out in opposition to Tuesday's recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that fully vaccinated people wear face masks in areas with high COVID transmission rates.

Why it matters: The Delta variant is driving up case rates across the country, with roughly 46% of counties across the U.S. currently classified as areas with high transmission rates.

The White House announced Tuesday it would reimpose its requirement for staff members to wear masks indoors.

Congress followed suit, mandating lawmakers and their staffers to resume wearing masks "for meetings in an enclosed" space.

Driving the news: Multiple GOP governors and lawmakers are characterizing the latest health guidance as a step backward amid a flailing drive to vaccinate Americans. Some have said their states would not return to the mask orders.