U.S. SENATE – Today Senator Steve Daines’ effort to strike down President Biden’s overreaching vaccine and mask mandates for Montana Head Start staff, volunteers and children passed the United States Senate. It would also nullify the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate for all children two years of age and older to wear a mask, including when they are playing outside.
“While Biden is still gung-ho on masking toddlers and forcing Montana teachers and workers out of a job because of his arbitrary mandates, I’m working to help get Montanans’ lives back to normal,” Daines said. “It’s past time we end all of Biden’s overreaching vaccine mandates, including those that are threating Montana families and children who depend on Head Start for childcare.”
In February, Daines introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to strike down mask and COVID-19 vaccine mandates for Montana head start volunteers, students and staff.
A CRA is a process for Congress to eliminate an executive branch rule that must be brought up for a vote by the full Senate and cannot be blocked by Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer. To pass, a CRA only needs a simple majority among senators voting.
In December 2021, Daines sent a letter urging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for Montana Head Start employees and volunteers that could force them out of their jobs and threaten access to childcare for families in need.
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Contact: Rachel Dumke, Katie Schoettler