Congressman Cohen Asks Experts About Failures to Enforce Mask Mandate in Air Travel

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today participated in a hearing on "Protecting Transportation Workers and Passengers from COVID-19," describing failures he witnessed in enforcing mask mandates at airport terminals and in flight following the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. His questions elicited testimony indicating airports and airlines were not prepared for the belligerence and non-compliance of some passengers.

Congressman Cohen also asked hearing witnesses whether the middle seat in commercial aircraft should remain open to prevent spread of the coronavirus.

In his remarks, Congressman Cohen said that people he witnessed at the Washington Regan National Airport (DCA) were not wearing masks and were not required to do so by airport personnel. In an exchange with witness Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants – CWA, the committee heard testimony that the days before and immediately after the January 6 insurrection "were some of the most scary times we've experienced in aviation." Nelson added that, "What we saw in the airports was we were not really prepared to deal with this."

See Congressman Cohen's exchange with witnesses here.