Rand Paul introducing measure to repeal public transportation mask mandates

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Wednesday introduced legislation to repeal the federal mask mandate for public transportation.

The Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2021 would prohibit the federal government from imposing a mask mandate when using any “conveyance” or “transportation hub.”

Paul said in a statement that he is introducing the mask mandate to “put a stop to this nanny state mandate of requiring masks on public transportation.”

“In a free county people will evaluate their personal risk factors and are smart enough to ultimately make medical decisions like wearing a mask themselves,” Paul said.

The Kentucky Republican said last week that he would introduce the legislation amid GOP frustration with President Biden’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden signed an executive order on his first day in office directing federal agencies to take “immediate action” to mandate masks on public transpiration.

The federal mask was supposed to expire May 11, but the Transportation Security Administration extended it to Sept. 13.

Paul was joined by GOP Sens. Mike Braun (Ind.), Tom Cotton (Ark.), Roger Marshall (Kan.) and Roger Wicker (Miss.).

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) is expected to introduce companion legislation later this week.

Late last month, a separate group of GOP senators led by Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) introduced a resolution calling for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to lift the public transportation mask mandate.