America Reopens Act

Bill: 117-hr-7423
Sponsor: Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-26]
Introduced: 2022-04-06 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Canada
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Higher education
Immigration status and procedures
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Latin America
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mexico
Motor carriers
Public transit
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: 

America Reopens Act

 
This bill restricts the implementation and enforcement of various COVID-19 response measures in transportation, education, and other areas.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits any federal agency or federally funded entity from requiring that U.S. citizens or permanent residents wear face coverings or show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or testing when using public conveyances (e.g., planes or trains) or transportation hubs when traveling domestically or returning from foreign countries. Further, Canadian and Mexican nationals may enter the United States for business through land ports of entry without regard to their COVID-19 vaccination status.
 
The bill also restricts federal funding of public institutions of higher education unless the institution (1) makes in-person instruction available to all students; and (2) allows students to opt out of COVID-19 requirements concerning vaccination, testing, and face covering. This restriction does not apply to distance education programs offered for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 or certain health-related educational programs. Additionally, the Department of Education must provide grants to parents for certain educational expenses, such as tuition at a private school, if their child lacks access to in-person instruction at a public elementary or secondary school due to COVID-19.
 
The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement or enforce a system or plan for verifying an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status, such as vaccine passports.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2022-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2022-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2022-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2022-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2022-04-06
text: Introduced in House