Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Issues Statement on Statewide Mask Mandate

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) released the following statement on Governor Kathy Hochul's statewide mask mandate that goes into effect today. 

"Governor Kathy Hochul’s statewide indoor mask mandate is a knee-jerk reaction that failed to take the experiences or input of Upstate communities into account before being implemented. The overreaching requirement places a tremendous burden on our small businesses and local governments, who are now responsible for enforcement. I am urging our local officials to hold their ground and reject this mandate.

"Bureaucrats in Albany and Washington continue to move the goalposts. They cite science when it suits them and disregard it when it doesn’t. Studies indicate that the vaccine prevents serious illness and is an important tool against COVID-19. I received my vaccine and support voluntary vaccination efforts along with expanded access to vital therapeutic treatments.

"While those who want a vaccine can receive it, no New Yorker should ever be coerced into doing so. No American ever should be fired for failing to comply with the ever-changing edicts from Washington or Albany. And no small business should be fined or worse for failing to follow whatever the Governor’s latest draconian rule may be."

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