TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Tuesday that Moody will be leading 20 other states in taking legal action against the Biden administration over the federal mask mandate on public transportation.
DeSantis criticized the mandate, arguing that it’s not reasonable or fair to the public that people can spend the majority of a flight snacking on peanuts, therefore not being required to wear a mask, but someone who chooses to read a magazine would be forced to have their mask on.
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The governor and attorney general also argued that the law interferes with state law, such as that in Florida, which bans forced masking.
“President Biden’s shortsighted, heavy-handed and unlawful travel policies are frustrating travelers and causing chaos on public transportation,” Moody said. “It’s long past time to alleviate some of the pressure on travelers and those working in the travel industry by immediately ending Biden’s unlawful public transportation mandates. I’m proud to stand with Governor DeSantis and to lead my fellow Attorneys General in this multistate action to end the forced masking of travelers in the United States.”
DeSantis and Moody also argued that the federal mask mandate on public transportation remains in place despite COVID-19 restrictions regarding indoor mask mandates being largely lifted across the nation.
“Florida has led the nation in standing up to misguided federal government policies and fighting back against heavy-handed mandates that have no scientific backing,” the governor said. “If politicians and celebrities can attend the Super Bowl unmasked, every U.S. citizen should have the right to fly unmasked. It is well past time to get rid of this unnecessary mandate and get back to normal life.”
The lawsuit is seeking the end of the mask mandate and a permanent injunction against enforcement.
The full complaint can be read by clicking here.