Carlos Gimenez’s bill would terminate COVID mask requirements on planes and trains
Florida Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez introduced legislation Thursday that would prevent the Transportation Safety Administration from requiring passengers on airplanes to wear masks in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Gimenez’s “America Reopens Act” would prevent any federal agency or entity that receives federal funding from requiring vaccination, testing or masking for travelers if they are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The legislation would effectively strike down the TSA policy that requires masking on airplanes, trains and subways.
The TSA directive, adopted early in the pandemic, was extended in March to last through April 18. Another extension is possible amid concerns of a new wave.
Gimenez introduced his legislation the same week several members of Congress, including Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, announced that they had tested positive for COVID-19 this week. It also comes as Congress is locked in negotiations over the next round of COVID relief funding.
The Florida Republican’s legislation stands little chance of advancing in the Democratic-controlled House.
In addition to travel requirements, Gimenez’s bill also takes aim at colleges’ COVID-19 mitigation requirements. The bill would block federal funds from going to universities unless they allow students to opt out of masking, testing and vaccination requirements.
Gimenez, a first-term Republican, served as Miami-Dade County mayor in 2020 at the start of the pandemic when local governments across the nation were on the front lines of responding to the pandemic. He enacted emergency measures during that time, including the closure of restaurants and a countywide curfew.
During his time as mayor, Gimenez signed an emergency order in April 2020 requiring mask wearing in public. He continued enforcing emergency mask orders in the fall of that year, as Gov. Ron DeSantis issued his own order blocking local governments from collecting fines on mask citations. Gimenez instructed police to continue issuing $100 citations for mask violations, even if Miami-Dade couldn’t collect fines.
“We have to continue to wear masks in public places — indoors and out,” Gimenez told reporters in September 2020. “The enforcement will continue countywide.”
His bill announced Tuesday represents a broader push by Republicans to end the last remaining emergency mitigation measures and government mandates two years later. The bill focuses solely on federal policy and does not prohibit local governments from enacting their own measures.
“America has made remarkable progress combating COVID-19. Millions of Americans have resumed their everyday lives — yet far too many refuse to abide by the science and have remained persistent on keeping outdated COVID-19 mandates in place. It’s time for America to reopen,” Gimenez said in a statement.
The bill’s co-sponsors include Florida Republican Reps. María Elvira Salazar, Byron Donalds and Kat Cammack.
The Herald’s Doug Hanks contributed to this report.
This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 10:22 AM.
