Bill Overview
Title: To prohibit the appeal of the decision issued by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida determining that the mask mandate is unlawful, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill prohibits federal funds from being used by the Department of Justice or any other federal agency to appeal the April 18, 2022, decision in Health Freedom Defense Fund, Inc., et al. v. Biden, et al . This decision struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask mandate for public transportation.
Sponsors: Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]
Target Audience
Population: People who use public transportation
Estimated Size: 270000000
- The bill affects the CDC's mask mandate for public transportation, indicating an impact on anyone who uses such transportation both within and potentially outside the U.S.
- Globally, public transportation systems are used by billions of people, however, the direct impact is primarily on U.S. public transportation systems.
- The mask mandate was a response to COVID-19, which affected global public health, but the legislation concerns a decision made by a U.S. court.
- Individuals who use public transportation, such as buses, trains, and airports, would be directly impacted.
- It implicitly influences the health guidelines for travelers, particularly relating to health safety measures against COVID-19.
Reasoning
- The target population includes users of public transportation in the U.S., a large and diverse group with varying dependence on different transportation means.
- The hypothetical $1 million budget limits the degree of direct interventions or communications that can be funded, as legal or informational campaigns are relatively expensive and resource-intensive.
- Varying levels of impact are anticipated: frequent public transport users in densely populated urban areas might feel more significantly impacted compared to those who use it occasionally, or those in rural areas with minimal public transport reliance.
- Some public transportation users may experience changes in perceived safety and convenience depending on their personal stance on masks and COVID-19 safety measures.
- Wellbeing scores might show minimal direct influence in the short term given the indirect effect of the policy on individuals; however, prolonged effects might arise from changes in public health safety perceptions and behavioral adjustments.
Simulated Interviews
office manager (New York City, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe we should still have flexibility in maintaining safety measures on public transport, so I think the policy limits some federal capabilities.
- The presence of a federal decision can bolster public confidence during health crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mask mandates are essential in high-density areas like trains, but since I don't use it daily, I hadn't been very worried.
- I'm glad for personal freedom but still concerned about those with high exposure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
nurse (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone on the frontlines, continuous support for health measures is crucial.
- Feeling less secure without CDC backing for public health guidelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
truck driver (Dallas, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My work doesn’t depend on public transport, so it doesn’t worry me as much.
- I support flexibility and personal choice restrictions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m uncomfortable with the removal of a safety net for older people like me.
- The CDC should be able to guide, but I'm also cautious of long bus trips.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 4 |
student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- University life means exposure to many people; mask flexibility is worrying but manageable.
- I value institutions making informed decisions for everyone's safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
software engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m not heavily reliant on transportation protocols but understand the need for ongoing public health measures.
- I prefer environment flexibility from authorities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
rideshare driver (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There’s a balance between fair livelihood and health security during rides.
- If proven unsafe, mandates should be adjustable without federal hurdles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 4 |
small business owner (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Masks have been beneficial in keeping patrons and team members healthy.
- I’m pro-choice but under careful health monitoring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
architect (Boston, MA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My engagement with transportation systems is limited, so direct impact is perceived to be low.
- However, global health crises shape responses we need to consider equally at all times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill prevents federal funds from being used to appeal a court ruling, limiting any ongoing legal expenditures.
- Indirect public health and safety impacts due to the potential change in mask usage in public transportation.
- Potential variability in public transit ridership if safety perceptions are affected.