S. 172 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 172 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 31, 2023Mr. Cruz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To terminate any existing mask mandates imposed by the Federal Government, to prevent the implementation of new mask mandates, to preserve individual liberty, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the No Mask Mandates Act of 2023. 2. Termination of face mask orders (a) Termination Effective on the date of enactment of this Act, the following shall be void and have no force or effect: (1) Executive Order 13991 (86 Fed. Reg. 7045), issued on January 20, 2021. (2) The order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on January 29, 2021, pursuant to section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264), requiring persons to wear masks while on conveyances and at transportation hubs. (b) No authority To issue subsequent orders Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no Federal agency or office may issue an order requiring persons to wear face masks in response to COVID–19. (c) No authority To issue mandates in response to a public health emergency Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 264) is amended by adding at the end the following: (f) Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary to require persons to wear face masks in response to a public health emergency declared under section 319. . 3. Restrictions on the use of previously appropriated funds Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds previously appropriated by Congress may be used by any executive agency or department of the United States to develop, implement, or otherwise enforce any Federal rule, regulation, or order requiring persons to wear masks in response to COVID–19.