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MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) – The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate on Tuesday voted to repeal Governor Tony Evers’ statewide mask tenure, despite warnings from virtually every sector of the healthcare community that it would hamper efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Both legislative chambers must pass the resolution to overturn the mask requirement. The Assembly, controlled 58-30 by the Republicans, scheduled it for a vote on Thursday.
The Assembly on Tuesday passed an expanded COVID-19 response bill that could face a veto from the Democratic governor. The bill would ban the closure of churches during the pandemic and ban employers from requiring workers to be vaccinated against the disease. The Senate previously removed these provisions from a more limited COVID-19 bill it passed and which the governor supports.
Evers’ spokesperson did not immediately respond to a message asking for comment on whether or not she approved the Assembly changes.
The enlarged assembly bill passed 58-34, with all Republicans in favor and Democrats against. It now returns to the Senate, which could vote on it later on Tuesday.
The Senate passed the resolution to repeal the mask mandate on an 18-13 vote, with all Democrats and Republican Senses Dale Kooyenga, of Brookfield, and Robert Cowles, of Allouez, against.
Senate Democrats have argued that removing the mandate would put lives at risk. Republicans, meanwhile, said Evers overstepped his authority by repeatedly issuing emergency health orders instead of going through the Legislature.
“I’m afraid we’ve done everything very badly” when it comes to fighting the virus, said Democratic Senator Tim Carpenter of Milwaukee.
Most Republican senators did not wear masks during the debate, unlike Democrats and several Democratic lawmakers participated remotely from their desks.
Senator LaTonya Johnson, of Milwaukee, said Republicans fighting for people’s rights not to wear masks were putting lives at risk.
“We have to understand that your right to choose must not prevent my ability to live, to prosper, to be here to take care of my children, to see my grandchildren,” Johnson said. “We all need to do our part to make sure we are all protected.”
Republicans argued that Evers overstepped his authority by issuing several declarations of emergency during the pandemic, which allowed him to extend the mask’s tenure beyond the 60 days allowed by law without obtaining the approval of the legislature. Republicans say Evers had to seek such approval for any order to last longer than 60 days. Evers argues that the changing nature of the pandemic and the ongoing response warranted further declarations of emergency.
“It is not a question of whether the masks are good or bad,” said resolution’s author, Republican Senator Steve Nass, during the debate. “It’s about issuing emergency orders repeatedly, contrary to what the law allows. It is about the rule of law. “
The Evers Mask mandate is also being challenged in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which heard arguments in November and could render a decision at any time.
The Wisconsin mask’s tenure, which went into effect in August, is expected to last until March 20. If the ordered state is repealed, local orders in place in many of the state’s most populous areas, including Milwaukee and Madison, would remain in effect.
Twenty-three groups have expressed opposition to the resolution, including those representing frontline health workers, first responders, doctors, nurses, hospitals, public health officials and others. Among them are the Wisconsin Medical Society and the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
“The governor’s mask tenure saves lives,” the Wisconsin Council of Churches said in a statement opposing the repeal. “Ending this will cost lives.” No group had signed up for the resolution until the Senate debated the bill.
The COVID-19 response bill passed by the Assembly includes everything the Senate has previously approved and which Evers has announced it will sign. This included limited liability for COVID-19 claims against businesses, schools, governments, and healthcare providers. It would also extend the waiver of a one-week waiting period to receive unemployment benefits until March 14. It would also ensure that Medicaid would cover testing and vaccinations for COVID-19 and ensure that SeniorCare, the state’s prescription drug rebate program for senior citizens, would cover vaccinations.
The assembly added several provisions that Democrats opposed that could put in place the Evers veto bill. These included banning employers from requiring vaccines and banning the closure of churches in health emergencies. The Assembly also added a provision giving the Legislature control over how federal money is spent to fight the virus.
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