Paul: ‘No reason’ anyone should have to wear a mask while flying

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Tuesday there’s “no science” behind mask mandates, adding he’s trying to force a vote on his legislation to end mask mandates on airplanes.

In an appearance on Newsmax’s “Spicer and Co.”, Paul called the federal regulations for air travel a “joke” and “theater.” 

President Biden signed an executive order on his first day in office that requires face coverings on all public transportation, including airports and airplanes. 8

The restriction, which has largely been enforced by flight attendants in the air, has been at the center of disturbances during flights as some passengers have refused to remain masked. Some of the altercations between passengers and flight staff have become unruly and even violent. 

Paul said that “we are just punishing ourselves. And I, for one, I’m tired of paying the airlines to be treated like crap when I get on the plane.”

Paul said that he wants airlines to treat him “like a paying customer.”

“So I’m tired of it. Then they hide behind this federal law, say, ‘Oh the federal law makes us do this,'” he added.

“And I want them to bring me at least a glass of water and peanuts and I don’t want somebody jammering at me to put my mask on in between peanuts,” he said. 

This is not the first time the Kentucky senator has spoken out against mask mandates on planes.

In July last year, Paul introduced legislation to halt mask mandates on public transportation to “put a stop to this nanny state mandate,” saying “we’ve already reached herd immunity.” 

Paul’s statement comes as governors on both sides of the aisle are rolling back mask and vaccine mandates and COVID-19–related restrictions in their states.

The state of Texas also filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Biden administration seeking to block the federal mask mandate for airplanes, trains, buses and associated facilities. 

The Texas lawsuit came nearly a month after the Supreme Court rejected a request to block the transportation mask requirement.