U.S. Senate votes to repeal the transit mask mandate, and Biden promises to veto it.
WASHINGTON– On Tuesday, the Senate voted 57 to 40 to repeal a 13-month-old public health directive requiring masks on planes and other kinds of public transportation, prompting President Joe Biden to threaten a veto.
Last week, the White House announced that the current COVID-19 mask requirements at airports, train stations, ride-sharing cars, and other means of public transportation would be extended until April 18.
But that a new evaluation would be conducted. On Friday, the order was slated to expire.
Republicans have voiced their opposition to the proposal, pointing out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently stated that 98 percent of Americans live in areas where wearing interior masks is no longer necessary.
The decision “send a message to unelected government bureaucrats to stop the anti-science, nanny state demand of travel mask regulations,” said Republican Senator Rand Paul, who led the repeal push.
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According to the CDC order, wearing a mask could help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in crowded transportation environments.
The repeal vote fell short of the required two-thirds majority to override Biden’s veto. “Research, not politics should drive the circumstances under which masks should be required in these settings,” the White House stated Tuesday.
Eight Democrats joined all Republicans in voting against the regulation, except Senator Mitt Romney.
Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat, said the vote was risky because it would block the current CDC order and prevent the agency from enforcing future mask regulations.
He mentioned the COVID outbreaks in China and portions of Europe. He wondered what would happen if the U.S. was confronted with a new form.
“Wouldn’t we want the CDC to have the authority to enforce a mask requirement on transportation immediately if COVID spreads across the country?” Kaine inquired.
Airlines and travel organizations have urged for the law to be repealed.
On American planes, the mask rules have caused major conflict. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 6,800 disorderly passenger events registered since January 2021, with 70% of them involving masking laws.
The CDC transit order has been in effect since Biden’s inauguration in January 2021. It was rejected by his predecessor, Donald Trump.
LAST MONTH, the CDC announced that masks would no longer be required on public or private school buses or vans.
In addition, travelers can remove their masks for a small period to eat or drink.
Eric is a professional news editor, writer, and blogger for the last 10 years. He is working with NewsGater as an off-beat news editor cum writer.