Democrat Senators Want National Mask-Wearing Mandate in Next Virus Relief Bill

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) makes a statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the fourth day of Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Oct. 15, 2020. Samuel Corum/Getty Images

Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) have called for a nationwide mask-wearing mandate to be included in the next pandemic relief bill.

Speaking at a joint press conference on Friday, the two senators drew attention to their proposed legislation, dubbed the Encouraging Masks for All Act, which would require states to implement mask mandates.