On Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., is championing the “America Reopens Act.”
The bill, which Gimenez introduced last week, “ends all federal-level mandates of COVID-19 restrictions, including ending the federal mask mandate on systems of transportation such as U.S. airlines.”
“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resumed their everyday lives—yet far too many refuse to abide by the science and have remained persistent on keeping outdated COVID-19 mandates in place.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.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody threw her support behind the proposal.
“President Biden’s unfounded and unlawful mandates have frustrated employees, employers, travelers, and parents alike. As attorney general, I’ve taken this administration to court and won several times. I’m proud to stand with Congressman Carlos Gimenez in supporting the America Reopens Act. The Biden administration does not have this kind of authority, and this legislation would make that even more clear,” Moody said.
Florida Republican U.S. Reps. Kat Cammack, Bryon Donalds and Maria Elvira Salazar are co-sponsoring the bill.
With Democrats controlling both chambers of Capitol Hill, the bill will have a tough time passing. Gimenez’s bill was sent to the U.S. House Education and Labor, the Transportation and Infrastructure, the Energy and Commerce and the Judiciary Committees last week. So far, there is no companion measure in the U.S. Senate.