Hoeven introduces legislation against federal mask mandate for public transportation

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - The Senate voted Tuesday to repeal the federal travel mask mandate.

Eight Democrats crossed the aisle to support the measure, while Republican Senator Mitt Romney sided with the Democrats in a 57 to 40 vote.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul used something called the Congressional Review Act to force the vote.

That rule allows senators to overturn federal agency regulations with a simple majority vote.

The action comes after the Biden administration announced it would extend the mask mandate on public transportation through April 18th.

Many states and cities have been lifting their mask mandates as new COVID cases continue to trend downward.

North Dakota Senator John Hoeven is among those saying it’s time for Americans to make their own decisions.

“Now, look, if somebody wants to wear a mask, if for any reason they feel for their own health reasons, or advised by a physician or anything else, they can do it. They have that choice. But isn’t that what America is all about, is having that freedom of choice treating people as responsible to make their own decisions? That’s what we’re talking about,” said Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND).

The Democratic-led House is not likely to approve it, and if it did, Biden would probably veto the resolution.

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