During a recent House floor debate concerning vaccine mandates within the REINS Act, Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY) ignited controversy by asserting that 2-year-olds should have been mandated to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. He went so far as to label parents who opposed such a measure as engaging in "child abuse." Nadler's argument centered on the protective benefits of vaccines and their role in preventing disease transmission, extending his reasoning to advocate for mandatory vaccination policies during pandemics. He specifically highlighted healthcare workers as a group that should be subject to such requirements.
Nadler contended that in the absence of a vaccine for toddlers during the COVID-19 pandemic, masking was the sole means of safeguarding them from the virus. He emphasized that these mandates are designed to protect public health and safety.
Representative Chip Roy (R-TX), who introduced the amendment under discussion, sharply criticized Nadler's remarks. Roy's amendment sought to broaden the definition of "major rule" to encompass any regulation likely to result in increased mandatory vaccinations, thereby requiring Congressional approval for such rules enacted by the executive branch. Roy characterized Nadler's comments as effectively supporting his own argument against excessive government overreach in public health matters. He underscored the gravity of Nadler's position by highlighting his prominent role as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.
The debate also drew attention from the 2024 presidential campaign of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, which criticized Democrats on social media for their stance on child masking during the pandemic. The campaign suggested that Democrats would repeat similar policies if given the opportunity. The amendment proposed by Roy received overwhelming support from Republicans, with only five dissenting votes.
