Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is pushing for no mask or vaccine mandates amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a Fox News interview on Monday, Cruz explained how he is fighting back against mandates. He told host Sean Hannity, “There should be no mandates, zero, concerning Covid. That means no mask mandates, regardless of your vaccination status. That means no vaccine mandates.”
He added, “That means no vaccine passports, and I’ve introduced legislation, a bill to ban vaccine passports. This week, I’m introducing a bill to ban vaccine mandates, and this week, I’m introducing a bill to end mask mandates.”
Watch part of his interview below:
"There should be no mandates — zero — concerning Covid'' — Ted Cruz pic.twitter.com/oY0wpmTQCi
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 10, 2021
Cruz introduced the No Mask Mandates Act and No Vaccine Mandates Act with Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) on Monday.
“Thanks to vaccinations and the natural immunity of Americans who have recovered from COVID-19, America is reopening. America is recovering, our kids are going back to school, and small businesses are returning as our nation’s economic heartbeat. At the same time, President Biden is imposing unscientific and burdensome mandates to control Americans’ lives,” Cruz said in a statement.
The senator also explained he got the vaccine “because it was the right choice for me,” adding, “But I also believe in individual freedom. No one should force anyone to take the vaccine-including the federal government or an employer. Americans should have the choice to make their own medical decisions in consultation with their doctor.”
Expanding on his legislation, Cruz continued, “My legislation also provides civil rights protections for employees from their employers, to stop discrimination based on vaccination status. The American people must have the freedom to exercise personal choice when it comes to protecting their health and the health of their families.”
Cruz’s comments came just hours after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) announced new measures to respond to the spread of the virus.
Today I announced new measures to respond to the spread of COVID-19:
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 9, 2021
* bring in additional medical personnel to staff hospitals
* expand Antibody Infusion Centers to prevent hospitalization of those with COVID
* make it easier to get a vaccination
https://t.co/P3J7pxs90C
“Bring in additional medical personnel to staff hospitals. Expand Antibody Infusion Centers to prevent hospitalization of those with COVID. Make it easier to get a vaccination,” Abbott wrote on Twitter.