Crenshaw Introduces Anti-Lockdown Legislation

End Lockdowns Now Act requires states, localities to submit reopening plans to qualify for recovery aid

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) today introduced new legislation to end disastrous economic lockdowns that were imposed unilaterally largely by local Democrat leaders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The End Lockdowns Now Act would require states and localities to submit economic reopening plans in order to qualify for COVID recovery aid. Crenshaw's legislation also ensures that the president cannot impose national lockdowns or bans on interstate travel. 

"Unscientific, unconstitutional economic lockdowns have destroyed millions of lives and countless small businesses. They have zero benefit to public health, but massive costs to local economies and livelihoods. That’s why we need to end lockdowns for good," said Crenshaw. "My bill requires that states and localities - with the input of small businesses and communities - submit reopening plans in order to qualify for recovery fund assistance. My bill also clarifies federal law to deny the President authority to issue a nationwide lockdown or impose blanket bans on interstate travel. The American people have suffered long enough under authoritarian lockdowns. We must end them now and work to ensure they never happen again. That’s exactly what my bill does."

BACKGROUND

Crenshaw has been an outspoken critic of economic lockdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have repeatedly shown that lockdowns have little if any benefit in combating pandemic.

Crenshaw's bill aims to put pressure on states and localities to reopen by requiring that they submit a reopening plan that includes input from their community and small businesses as a condition for recovery fund assistance.

The bill also requires that the Treasury Department Inspector General take steps to recover funds if the disclosure requirements are not met.

Finally, the bill clarifies federal law to ensure that the president lacks authority to issue a nationwide lockdown or to impose a blanket ban on interstate travel.

The bill doesn’t interfere with targeted steps taken to protect the public under the Public Health Services Act, and allows governors the authority to limit travel to their state in the event of an disaster declaration.