Push Is Officially On To End Federal Mask Requirement On Public Transportation

Florida Senator Rick Scott says enough is enough. He's tired of the federal government telling people they have to wear masks on public transportation, and he's prepared to do something about it in the form of a bill that would prohibit Washington from requiring masks. Scott told Fox News that the Stop Mandating Additional Requirements for Travel (SMART) Act would rein in what he believes are COVID rules that aren't supported by science.

"Just like the federal government should not be in the business of requiring Americans to turn over their vaccination records, it should not be mandating that people wear masks on public transportation," Sen. Scott told Fox.

The Centers for Disease Control said in May that fully vaccinated people are no longer required to wear masks indoors, but it has not yet addressed masks on public transportation. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City announced this week that masks are no longer required for those people standing on outdoor platforms and at bus stops. MTA is still requiring masks to be worn on trains, buses, rail and at indoor stations though.

MTA officials claim mask usage is at 90% within the transportation system, but it's unclear how they can determine such a number.

As for Scott's bill, while it would stop the federal government from issuing mask requirements, it wouldn't prevent companies like the airlines from issuing their own mask rules.

"The science just doesn’t support keeping this policy in place. We have to listen to the science and work together to move America forward," Scott said about his bill. "I know Americans will do the right things to stay safe, and I hope my colleagues join me in passing this important bill.”