H.R. 3236, called the UNMASK Act, would prohibit the federal government from requiring active-duty military members to wear face masks while in uniform, except when masks are necessary for specific job duties or safety reasons. The bill applies to all branches of the Armed Forces and would prevent any federal agency from establishing or enforcing mask mandates on uniformed service members. The legislation is based on Congress's findings that the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended, vaccines are widely available, and mask mandates are no longer medically justified for military personnel. The bill includes an exception allowing the Secretary of Defense to still require masks for military duties that traditionally involve protective equipment, such as certain medical or chemical operations. There is no specific funding or implementation timeline included in the legislation; it would take effect upon passage.
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