Reschenthaler, LaMalfa Urge TSA to End Airplane Mask Mandate
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) led a group of 90 Republican Members of Congress in urging the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to allow its mask mandate for air travel to expire. The mandate currently runs through March 18, 2022.
“It is past time that the Biden Administration follows the science and allows Americans to return to normalcy. Given the substantial decline in Covid-19 cases and the incredible effectiveness of airplane filtration systems, the risk of COVID exposure on an airplane is extremely low. TSA should let its mask mandate expire and permit passengers to decide whether to wear a mask,” said Rep. Reschenthaler.
“If you can go maskless for hours in an indoor crowded space like a sports arena, a concert, or in a restaurant, you can go maskless on an airplane. Airplanes are outfitted with particulate air filters, making it as safe – if not safer – to be maskless in an airplane than any other crowded indoor area. Passengers should decide for themselves whether they want to wear a mask or not,” said Rep. LaMalfa.
The letter was also signed by: Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Republican Whip Steve Scalise (LA-05), Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Rep. Jay Obernolte, Rep. French Hill (AR-02), Rep. Mike Johnson (LA-04), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Rep. Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04), Rep. Matt Rosendale (MT-00), Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06), Rep. Maria Salazar (FL-27), Rep. John Rose (TN-06), Rep. Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Rep. Daniel Webster (FL-11), Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Rep. John Carter (TX-31), Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-07), Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-02), Rep. Kelly Armstrong (ND-00), Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36). Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-50), Rep. Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Rep. Fred Keller (PA-12), Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22), Rep. Bob Good (VA-05), Rep. Bill Posey (FL-08), Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Rep. Roger Williams (TX-25), Rep. Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-06), Rep. Lisa McClain (MI-10), Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-04), Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03), Rep. John Moolenaar (MI-02), Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-01), Rep. Jake Ellzey (TX-02), Rep. David Valadao (CA-21), Rep. William Timmons (SC-04), Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01), Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05), Rep. Kevin Hern (OK-01), Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13), Rep. Steven Palazzo (MS-04), Rep. John Rutherford (FL-04), Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02), Rep. Michael Cloud (TX-27), Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09), Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15), Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-08), Rep. Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Rep. David Mckinley (WV-01), Rep. Chris Jacobs (NY-27), Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2), Rep. Ken Calvert (CA-42), Rep. Ben Cline (VA-6), Rep. Ted Budd (NC-13), Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-1), Rep. Michael Guest (MS-3), Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-4), Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12), Rep. Vicky Hartzler (MO-4), Rep. Tim Burchett (TN-2), Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-3), Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-2), Rep. Jack Bergman (MI-1), Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Rep. Austin Scott (GA-9), Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16), Rep. Tom Emmer (MN-06), Rep. Brian Mast (FL-18), Rep. Mike Garcia (CA-25), Rep. Blake Moore (UT-01), Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), Rep. Ralph Norman (SC-05), Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-15), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Rep. Pete Sessions (TX-17), Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01), and Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-09).
The full text of the letter can be read below:
Dear Administrator Pekoske:
We write today regarding the upcoming March 18, 2022 expiration of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) mask mandate. Given strong declines in COVID-19 cases and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest guidance eliminating indoor mask requirements for much of the population, we believe TSA’s mask mandate should be allowed to expire later this month.
In comparison to August 20, 2021, when your agency most recently extended its mask mandate, the rolling average of new COVID-19 cases has declined by nearly two-thirds. Further, on February 25, the CDC issued new guidance advising that more than 90% of Americans can stop wearing masks and social distancing or avoiding crowded indoor spaces. Coupled with the fact that all U.S. passenger aircraft are outfitted with high efficiency particulate air filters, it would seem the risk of COVID-19 exposure on planes is low, and that passengers should have the ability to determine for themselves whether to wear a mask.
Further, as of February 28, 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made 474 unruly passenger reports related to facemasks, which represents 67% of all unruly passenger reports. No airline employee should have to deal with unruly passengers, and we support the FAA continuing to take a hard stance against these passengers. We believe that eliminating the mask mandate will provide a safer travel experience for everyone involved.
It is past time that we follow the science and allow Americans to return to normalcy. Therefore, we request you provide us with an update on TSA’s review of its mask mandate, and whether you intend to extend it in the coming days.
###