Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) on Monday proposed longshot bills aimed at banning mask and vaccine mandates – the national component of a GOP push in statehouses across the country to block the return of pandemic-era restrictions despite a renewed surge of coronavirus cases.
One bill would repeal an executive order signed by President Joe Biden on his first day in office that requires adherence with the Centers for Disease Control’s guidance on mask-wearing on federal property, as well as the CDC’s mask mandate for public transit.
The bill would also restrict the use of federal funds to “develop, implement or otherwise enforce” federal mask mandates, effectively ensuring that no new mask mandates can be implemented.
The other bill would prohibit mandating any vaccine that was originally authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration – even if it later received full approval – which applies to all three coronavirus vaccines authorized in the U.S.
That bill would also require parents to sign off before vaccines can be administered to anyone under 18 years old, curbing the ability of schools to mandate vaccines.
Both bills face long odds in a Congress led by Democrats, but even some Republicans may oppose them – like Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who said Sunday he opposes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ mask mandate ban, arguing “local officials should have control.”
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
