A Texas Democrat said Monday the runaways will need $1.5 million to stay in D.C. until August 7 - while another member admitted it was a mistake to go maskless on private jets after five contracted COVID. Fundraising efforts ensued last week to help pay for the trip as the group insists no taxpayer money is being used for their stunt. State Representative Armando Walle told NBC News in a report published Monday that the cost of keeping the group of around 60 lawmakers in the nation's capital for the remainder of the special session would reach around $1.5 million.