Andy Ogles: “My amendment prohibits the funds appropriated by this act from being used to enforce any COVID-19 mask mandates. I was…”

“My amendment prohibits the funds appropriated by this act from being used to enforce any COVID-19 mask mandates. I was fortunate enough to introduce this amendment during the Energy- Water appropriations, and I am happy to do so again here. Policy involving mandatory mask implementation is not about safety nor about science. It is about control. Let's be clear: Mask mandates are about control. Tom Jefferson, a leading epidemiologist who coauthored what The New York Times Opinion section called ``the most rigorous and comprehensive analysis of scientific studies conducted on the efficacy of masks for reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19,'' found that there was no evidence that masks made any difference. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time. {time} 2200”