In the afternoon, as word spread that supporters of President Donald Trump had breached security perimeters and entered the U.S. Capitol, the New Hampshire House passed a hastily drafted resolution condemning the violence.
But after House Speaker Dick Hinch, R-Merrimack, died of COVID-19 a week after being sworn in during the Dec. 2 outdoor gathering, Republican House leaders scheduled a drive-in movie style session to elect his replacement and adopt rules for the next two years.
The 24-member Senate also convened Wednesday, but in a fully remote session that wrapped up before the House even got going.
House Democrats had pushed for the same, but Packard, R-Londonderry, said that wasn’t possible because the House hadn’t adopted rules to allow remote sessions.
Several GOP House members tested positive for the virus after attending an indoor caucus meeting Nov. 20 where many attendees weren’t wearing masks.