On the recordSeptember 27, 2023
I am glad that the gentlewoman from Minnesota brought up the bill, the actual bill. ``None of the funds made available by this act may be used to enforce any COVID-19 mask mandates.'' Again, let me reiterate: Highly contagious diseases or folks that are immune deficient have nothing to do with the COVID-19 mandate. Here is the other thing. If someone is concerned or chooses to virtue signal by wearing a mask, they are free to do so. They are absolutely free to do so. If they have an immune deficiency and want to wear a mask, they are free to do so, but do not impose the mandates on us freedom-loving individuals who don't want to walk around covering our faces up just to let someone else feel a little better about things. We have problems right now with recruitment. The numbers are down as much as 35 percent. We are missing goals dramatically. Approving arbitrary mandates that don't help the military mission to be the most effective fighting force on Earth is not the way that we are going to get those numbers up. Mr. Chair, this is a good amendment. It is going to help us with recruiting efforts. It is going to help us make sure that our team works together better, and I ask everyone in here to support it. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rosendale). The amendment was agreed to.
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