Democrats Block GOP Bill That Would Ban Federal Mask Mandates

Democrats have blocked a Republican bill that would have blocked federal COVID-19 mask mandates.

Then candidate for the U.S. Senate JD Vance speaks to supporters at a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, on September 17, 2022. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Republican efforts to ban mask mandates amid a revival of what some call COVID-19 hysteria were dealt a blow in the Senate on Thursday as Democrats blocked a request by Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) for floor consideration of a bill that would have prohibited federal masking requirements.

Called the Freedom to Breathe Act (pdf), the bill introduced by Mr. Vance would stop any federal official, including the U.S. President, from implementing mask mandates through the end of next year.