A group of GOP lawmakers led by Sen. Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate Harris makes highly anticipated trip to border Pentagon punches back against GOP culture wars MORE (R-Texas) on Friday introduced a resolution formally calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lift its mask mandate for fully vaccinated individuals on public transportation.
Cruz, along with Republican Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsSenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden helps negotiate bipartisan infrastructure deal 5 things the US should be doing — in addition to COVID-19 vaccination MORE (Maine), Jerry MoranGerald (Jerry) MoranSenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate Overnight Finance: Republicans warn Biden over infrastructure deal | White House pushes back on criticism | Biden phones Sinema | Consumer spending flat in May, personal incomes drop GOP senators warn they could pull support for Biden deal MORE (Kan.), Roger WickerRoger Frederick WickerSenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate Lobbying world Sen. Manchin paves way for a telehealth revolution MORE (Miss.), Cynthia LummisCynthia Marie LummisSenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate The rule allowing predatory loans from fake lenders must go now Rick Scott introduces bill banning ‘vaccine passports’ for domestic flights MORE (Wyo.) and Marsha BlackburnMarsha BlackburnSenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate GOP senator introduces constitutional amendment to ban flag burning Fauci on Blackburn video: ‘No idea what she is talking about’ MORE (Tenn.), argued that the CDC’s guidance that fully vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks in most settings should also apply when traveling on commercial planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transit.
President BidenJoe BidenSenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate AOC said she doubts Biden’s win would have been certified if GOP controlled the House Overnight Defense: Intel releases highly anticipated UFO report | Biden meets with Afghan president | Conservatives lash out at Milley MORE on his first full day in office signed an executive order directing federal agencies to “immediately take action” to require masks on public transportation.
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While the federal mask mandate was initially set to expire May 11, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has since extended it to Sept. 13.
However, Cruz and his colleagues said in their resolution Friday that “science shows that individuals fully vaccinated against COVID–19 are protected against asymptomatic infection, and thus very unlikely to spread the disease,” adding that Americans “have sacrificed immensely” throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
In a press release announcing the resolution, Cruz said, “It’s long past time for President Biden and the CDC to follow the science and end this mask mandate for fully vaccinated individuals.
“Americans should be able to travel to celebrate Independence Day with their friends and loved ones without having to follow an outdated and unnecessary mandate,” he added.
Collins in a statement included in the release said she had spoken with flight attendants who had expressed fears on enforcing the federal mask mandate amid multiple viral incidents showing passengers attacking or threatening workers over the safety restrictions.
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“It makes no sense that someone can go to a restaurant without wearing a mask, but they cannot fly on an airplane without one even though it has a far better ventilation system,” Collins argued.
The resolution comes just days after Democrats blocked a bill from Senate Republicans that would have revoked Biden’s mask requirement on public transit.
GOP Sens. Rick Scott (Fla.) and Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeSenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden announces bipartisan infrastructure deal | DOJ backs Trump-era approval of Line 3 permit | Biden hits China on solar panels Bipartisan agriculture climate bill clears Senate MORE (Utah), who had introduced the bill, cited the nation’s vaccination rates in arguing against the need for a face mask requirement.
However, Sen. Patty MurrayPatricia (Patty) Lynn MurraySenate Republicans urge CDC to lift public transportation mask mandate Democrats introduce equal pay legislation for US national team athletes Democrats hear calls to nix recess MORE (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said when blocking the bill, “This virus is still spreading, it is still mutating, it is still costing lives, and it is still leaving survivors with long-haul symptoms.”
“We cannot pretend this pandemic is over,” she added.