HR 81119th CongressIn Committee

Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2025

Introduced: Jan 3, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Travel Mask Mandate Repeal Act of 2025 is a bill introduced in the House that would bar federal agencies from imposing any COVID-19 related mask requirements on public transportation and related facilities. It would also nullify the existing federal mask order put in place by the CDC in January 2021 and any related TSA orders or emergency amendments. In effect, the bill seeks to end federally mandated masking on airplanes, trains, buses, and transportation hubs and to prevent future federal mask mandates in these settings. The measure does not address mask requirements that could be imposed by state or local governments or private entities.

Key Points

1Prohibition on federal mandates: No federal agency may impose any COVID-19 related mask requirement for individuals using any conveyance or transportation hub.
2Repeal of the CDC order: The January 29, 2021 CDC mask order (and any related orders) would have no force or effect once the Act becomes law.
3TSA-related provisions: The bill explicitly states that related TSA orders and emergency amendments (listed by designation) are vacated as of enactment.
4Broad statutory language: The language uses “Notwithstanding any other provision of law,” ensuring the prohibition supersedes conflicting federal rules.
5Scope of “conveyance”: The term includes items defined as conveyances by 42 CFR 70.1 or its successors, covering common modes of federal transportation.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Federal travelers and workers in public transportation settings (airlines, trains, buses, and transportation hubs) who would no longer be subject to federal mask mandates.Secondary group/area affected: Operators and employees of federally regulated transportation systems (e.g., airlines, TSA personnel, airport and transit staff) who would be operating without masking requirements dictated by federal policy.Additional impacts: Potential shifts in public health risk perception and protections for medically vulnerable travelers; policy alignment with state or local mandates and private-sector airline/railway policies; possible increased regulatory ambiguity for states that have their own health requirements or emergency orders related to masking. The bill does not address enforcement mechanisms or penalties, nor does it alter state or private sector mask policies.

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