Bill > HR3236

This bill, known as the "Undoing and Nullifying Mandates so our Armed Services Keep Succeeding Act" or the "UNMASK Act," aims to prohibit the federal government from requiring members of the Armed Forces to wear face masks while in uniform, except when directly related to their specific duties. The bill cites the World Health Organization's declaration of the end of the COVID-19 global Public Health Emergency in May 2023 and argues that with widespread vaccine availability and reduced COVID-19 severity, mask mandates are no longer necessary. The legislation specifically prevents federal officers or employees from establishing, implementing, or enforcing face mask requirements for active-duty military personnel, with a narrow exception that allows the Secretary of Defense to mandate masks for members performing duties that traditionally involve personal protective equipment or safety-related face coverings. The bill's proponents contend that continued mask requirements could potentially undermine military professionalism, negatively impact servicemember morale, and detract from the Armed Forces' primary mission of national defense.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3236/all-info