Republican lawmakers questioned the timing of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s decision to ease indoor mask requirements on Thursday as the Biden administration contends with crises on several fronts. Biden personally addressed the decision in a speech from the Rose Garden, saying it marked a "great day" for America. "I welcome the relaxed CDC guidance, but presidents need to walk and chew gum at the same time," said Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va., also a member of the Freedom Caucus. The eased mask requirements marked a win for the Biden administration, which has presented the ongoing vaccination campaign and response to the coronavirus pandemic as its core initiative. Face coverings have proven divisive, with lawmakers in red states arguing that federal guidance trailed behind the science.

Source: Fox News May 14, 2021 06:00 UTC