WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, both R-Wyo., joined U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) in introducing legislation to prevent the government from imposing new federal mask mandates for domestic air travel, public transit systems, and in schools.

The Freedom to Breathe Act would also prevent air carriers, public transit authorities, and all educational institutions from refusing service to those who choose not to wear face masks.

On Thursday, Senate Democrats blocked the legislation from being passed unanimously on the Senate floor.

“The Freedom to Breathe Act is a commonsense step in protecting individual liberties and preserving states’ rights,” said Senator Barrasso. “It is not the role of the federal government to mandate masks on airlines, transit authorities, or in schools. This important legislation ensures people in Wyoming and across the country aren’t forced to follow an impractical, unreasonable mask mandate. The rights of every American must be protected from one-size-fits-all Washington mandates.”

“If this administration is uninterested in defending the American people’s individual liberties and states’ rights from misguided and ineffective federal mask mandates, then it is up to Congress to preserve these sacred rights,” said Senator Lummis. “I’m proud to cosponsor this commonsense legislation which shields the people of Wyoming from unfounded mandates handed down from out-of-touch D.C. bureaucrats.”

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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