State Rep. David Clark, a Republican from Buford, returned to the state Capitol on Thursday, just two days after House Speaker David Ralston had Clark removed from the House floor for not taking a COVID-19 test. 

A maskless Clark was booted from the chamber Tuesday after he ignored the testing rules that lawmakers had agreed to for the return of the General Assembly.

Clark initially claimed he was being discriminated against and stuck by his stance. But he returned Thursday wearing a face mask, telling reporters he had taken a private test and a test at the Capitol.

Clark made it in time to vote for the Amended Fiscal Year 2021 budget, which passed the House 149-20.

Speaking after the budget vote, Ralston had more harsh words for Clark.

"I don't have any patience for people who live in an alternate reality," Ralston told reporters. "I think the best thing that could happen is his family needs to seek out some help for him and they need to intervene."

Clark has not regained access to this office space in the legislative building across the street from Capitol. Ralston's office says that is still pending, based on Clark's future actions.

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