Ohio senator J.D. Vance introduces legislation to ban federal mask mandates
Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance is introducing new legislation to prevent future mask mandates in the United States.
On Tuesday, Vance introduced the "Freedom to Breathe Act," which aims to prevent federal agencies from requiring masks on commercial airlines, public transit and in public schools.
The bill would also prevent those same industries from refusing service to people who choose not to wear a mask.
"We tried mask mandates once in this country. They failed to control the spread of respiratory viruses, violated basic bodily freedom, and set our fellow citizens against one another," Vance said. "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."
The Freedom to Breathe Air Act would apply through the end of 2024.