North Columbus News

Senator JD Vance from Ohio has proposed an amendment to the Senate minibus appropriations bill that would prohibit the Department of Transportation from enforcing mask mandates on public transit using federal funds. The ban would cover passenger airlines, commuter rail, rapid transit buses, and any other transportation program funded through the current fiscal year.

Senator Vance expressed his rationale for the amendment, stating, "Democrats insist mask mandates are never coming back. Well, I've got an amendment that will prohibit the Department of Transportation from enforcing mask mandates on public transit. If what Democrats say is true, they should have no problem voting for it." The Vance amendment was first reported by Punchbowl News.

This is not the first time Senator Vance has taken a stance against federal mask mandates. In September, he introduced the Freedom to Breathe Act, which aimed to prevent the reimplementation of such mandates in the United States. Speaking about the legislation, Senator Vance emphasized the failure of mask mandates in controlling the spread of respiratory viruses, the violation of basic bodily freedom, and the division it caused among citizens. He stated, "This legislation will ensure that no federal bureaucracy, no commercial airline, and no public school can impose the misguided policies of the past. Democrats say they're not going to bring back mask mandates – we're going to hold them to their word."

To further his cause, Senator Vance held a joint press conference with Senators John Thune, John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, Ted Budd, and Eric Schmitt. The aim of the conference was to garner support for the ban on federal mask mandates. Additionally, the U.S. Air Marshal Association endorsed Senator Vance's bill.

The Vance amendment seeks to address concerns regarding the enforcement of mask mandates on public transit systems funded by the federal government. It is now up to the Senate to decide whether to adopt this amendment and prohibit federal mask mandates in public transportation for the current fiscal year.

The ongoing debate surrounding mask mandates and their efficacy in preventing the spread of COVID-19 has led to a divergence of opinions. While some argue for the importance of mask mandates in ensuring public safety, others, like Senator Vance, believe that such mandates infringe upon personal freedoms and have proven ineffective in the past.

As the Vance amendment moves through the legislative process, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will respond and whether federal mask mandates on public transit will be prohibited for the current fiscal year.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.vance.senate.gov/press-releases/vance-amendment-would-ban-federal-mask-mandates-on-public-transit