To authorize a study on the efficacy and potential negative impacts of masks to human health, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-hr-1342
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1]
Introduced: 2021-02-25
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Allergies

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Congressional oversight

Constitution and constitutional amendments

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Government studies and investigations

Health promotion and preventive care

Health technology, devices, supplies

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Medical research

Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Latest action: action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-25
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study the efficacy and adverse impacts of wearing masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).</p> <p>This study must specifically address</p> <ul> <li>the effectiveness of masks in preventing COVID-19 compared to less restrictive measures;</li> <li>safety concerns with the types of masks commonly worn, including N-95 and medical masks; and</li> <li>the potential negative health impacts of wearing masks.</li> </ul>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1342 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 25, 2021 Mr. Gohmert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , and in addition to the Committee on 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 A BILL To authorize a study on the efficacy and potential negative impacts of masks to human health, and for other purposes.

1. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the Constitution does not permit a mask mandate through use of exclusively Executive power; (2) Congress has not enacted any such law for the President to enforce; (3) masks do not fall within any of the Executive authorities, according to article II, section 2 of the United States Constitution; (4) even Congress has no authority under the United States Constitution to impose widespread mask mandates on the States and people; (5) the Constitution reserves police power , for the protection of health, safety, and morals, to the States; (6) even though a State has police power, strict scrutiny is still applied when laws infringe on fundamental liberties, and in such instance, government action is only constitutional when it both achieves a compelling goal and is narrowly tailored or the least restrictive alternative to achieve that goal; (7) in our constitutional republic, the Federal Government cannot do as it pleases, but must exercise power only in keeping with the strict limits as enumerated in the Constitution; (8) while the Constitution ensures that the Federal Government cannot mandate that all Americans wear masks, any government should not take such an action unless the potential for causing countless Americans to have adverse health impacts is fully considered and studied, and there is no other less restrictive measures that could adequately be taken; and (9) although Americans are fully equipped to adjust their activities and lifestyles to account for the risk of SARS–CoV–2, including wearing a mask at all times if one should choose to, it is unjust to require all Americans to take an action if that action could mean deteriorated health and even death of some and no exceptions are permitted. 2. GAO study on efficacy and potential negative impacts of masks to human health (a) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the efficacy and potential negative impacts of masks to human health. (b) Topics The study under subsection (a) shall address each of the following: (1) Evidence that various mask options (including N–95 masks, basic medical masks, and cloth masks) actually prevent the spread of SARS–CoV–2, and to what extent such masks are successful compared to no mask or a less restrictive methodology. (2) Evidence regarding any safety concerns with the common types of masks worn (including N–95 masks, basic medical masks, and cloth masks). (3) Any adverse side effects of mask wearing. (4) Any potential for permanent adverse effects including deaths resulting from mask wearing. (5) Any evidence that mask wearing is particularly dangerous if an individual has underlying conditions, to include allergies, asthma, respiratory difficulty, or any other bodily condition that can impact breathing or lung capacity and functioning.