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Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Introduced The Wear Your Mask Act (H.R. 7524)

July 13, 2020

Media Contact: Robert Julien (DC): Email: Robert.julien@mail.house.gov; Cell: 202-227-0330

HOUSTON, TX – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) introduced the Wear Your Mask Act, H.R. 7524, which would require individuals in any federally owned, leased or operated facilities or buildings to wear a face mask. All facilities in this category would have to supply face masks at all public entrances to those who do not have one. This Act will be in effect until the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases determines that this requirement is no longer needed to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has shown that we can significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a face mask. As we continue to see unprecedented numbers of new coronavirus cases across the country each day, we need to utilize what we already have in our toolkit to slow the spread and this Act will help with these efforts.

"In the Houston region and across the country, we are observing significant spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases and one of the few tools we have at our disposal to protect ourselves against the spread of this virus is wearing a face mask," said Congresswoman Garcia. "As Congress continues to work on additional COVID-19 relief efforts, it is incumbent upon us to take simple common-sense actions that will prioritize the safety and well-being of federal workers and the general public that visit federal government buildings."

Congresswoman Garcia added, "As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to keep people safe and we know based on CDC guidelines that wearing a face mask could make the difference between life and death during this pandemic. This is why we must include H.R. 7524, the Wear Your Mask Act, in our next COVID-19 relief package."

The full bill text can be found here.

In addition to Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), the following Members of the House of Representatives are original co-sponsors of the Wear Your Mask Act: Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (Washington, DC at-large district), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and André Carson (IN-07).

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees.