BILL: Should We End Mask Mandates? - No Mask Mandates Act of 2023 - S.172
Tell your reps to support or oppose this bill
The Bill
S.172 - No Mask Mandates Act of 2023
Bill Details
- Sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Jan. 31, 2023
- Senate - Health, Education, Labors, and Pensions
- House: Not yet voted
- Senate: Not yet voted
- President: Not yet signed
Bill Overview
- Nullifies existing federal mask mandates and prohibits future actions to require individuals to wear face masks to respond to COVID-19 and other public health emergencies.
- Prohibits federal agencies or offices from issuing any future orders that mandate face masks or using previously appropriated federal funds to implement or enforce masking requirements to respond to COVID-19.
What's in the Bill
Terminates existing mask mandates
- Ends the mask mandate for all Americans, regardless of vaccination status.
- Ends the executive order issued on Jan. 20, 2021, that mandates the use of face masks in federal buildings and on federal lands.
- Overturns the Jan. 29, 2021, mandate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that requires masks on public transit systems, airplanes, and other transportation.
Prevents future mask mandates
- Prohibits implementation of similar federal mandates in the future.
Prevents taxpayer funds from being used to support mask mandates
- Ensures that taxpayer funds are not used for enforcement purposes.
What Supporters Are Saying
- According to the sponsors, the bill preserves individual liberty.
- Sen. Cruz said:
"Thanks to vaccinations and the natural immunity of Americans who have recovered from COVID-19, America is reopening. America is recovering, our kids are going back to school, and small businesses are returning as our nation's economic heartbeat. At the same time, President Biden is imposing unscientific and burdensome mandates to control Americans' lives."
"When it comes to handling COVID-19, Americans are self-governed people who have more than enough information available to them on how to talk to their doctor and figure out what is best for themselves and their families. Efforts by the Biden Administration and its allies to bully or force people to comply with mask and vaccine mandates - even though their guidance has been inconsistent and haphazard throughout the pandemic - will only succeed at infringing upon the rights of the American people."
What Opponents Are Saying
- The bill is unlikely to advance in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
- A meta-analysis of 172 studies published in The Lancet found that mask-wearing reduces the risk of viral transmission. The co-author of the study, Holger Schünemann, said:
"What this evidence supports is that, if there is a policy around using face masks in place, it does actually come with a fairly large effect."
- Jeffrey Shaman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, said:
"I personally think that face masks are a key component of the non-pharmaceutical arsenal we have to combat COVID-19."
“Masks remain a symbol of a divided society – between those who feel we have restricted too much and those who feel we have not intervened enough during the pandemic."
Tell your reps to support or oppose this bill
—Emma Kansiz
(Photo Credit: Canva)
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I don't think you should have to wear masks outside. I keep a mask on me . So if I go to a store or other business, if they have the mask on .I put mine on.
Newsflash Cruz: Our government is responsible for protecting the American public. During a pandemic that spreads through the air, masks do that reliably.
Next time there is an Ebola outbreak, we can send you as our representative from the USA! You won't need that mask or any protective garments will you?
Ahhhchooo!
This should be left to the states. People should not be traveling to other states to be mask free. We should be able to sue those who helped other people go to other states to be mask free. Talking points from pro birthers and using it for anti maskers.
Please do not tell me it is your body. It is my decision to have a child or not. If pregnancy impacts my health that is a conversation I will have with my doctor.
Also, I disagree with the Senator who said people know how to discuss health concerns with there doctor. No, they do not. I have to educate people on obtaining information form doctors or specialists so they can make inform consent for themselves or love ones.
I opposse TED CRUZ!
OK.
WTF is wrong with these politicians?
Has anyone with medical knowledge even suggested reinstituting mask mandates?
THIS IS POLITICAL PANDERING!
Brought to us by the same guy who brought us machine gun bacon. Another great idea😂
SENATORS,
DO NOT SUPPORT SENATOR CRUZ'S RIDICULOUS ANTI-MASKING MANDATE!
Given his record, and his words I'm inclined to say 1) Do the opposite of what he wants, and 2) He's playing to the Anti-Reason, Anti-Science Q-Anon & MAGA Crowd.
I see "mandates" as being on a spectrum:
Red: Actively Enforced by Arrests, with Summary Judgements, and Incarceration
Orange: Citizens Report non-compliance to law enforcement & on social media. The community avoids such places of business, employees do not have to show up
Yellow: A Warning that is effectively A Strong Recommendation
Black: A Warning meant primarily to protect others and oneself, particularly those who are immuno-compromised.
Until Trump gained prominence, it never occurred to me to seriously question, on a daily basis, the intelligence of my fellow citizens. The normal curve of intelligence was just an abstract notion apparent to few outside the field of education.
While COVID-19 may have moved out of pandemic status, passing a law that prevents future federal mask mandates doesn't make any sense. Science shows that masking reduces infection rates. If scientists in the future deem masking as necessary for preventing the spread of infection, the government should be able to mandate their use.
I actually don't have a very strong opinion regarding ending the current mask mandates. At this point, if you're going to insist people mask up for Covid, might as well insist they mask up for the flu. (Yes, I know that Covid cases are rising.)
However, that does NOT mean we should prohibit implementation of similar federal mandates in the future. What a stupid idea.
On a related note, I'd love to get Cruz's take on what he thinks the endgame is here for the Democrats. "At the same time, President Biden is imposing unscientific and burdensome mandates to control Americans' lives." ........... Control their lives. "Next, the President is going to use unscientific mandates to make every Friday 'Hawaiian Shirt Day'."
No, but I'm sure mandates will be ended as everyone seems to be in denial that the virus is still with us and is now on the rise, but hey, what difference does it make it a few thousand (>25,000) people die or 10% of those contract the disease develope Long COVID? It's only people and it will help decrease the surplus population-right?
Protect the vulnerable. Let everyone else get on with their lives. No more federal mask mandates..
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/commentary-what-can-masks-do-part-1-science-behind-covid-19-protection