Texas schools can ignore Abbott's mask mandate ban for now, all-GOP Texas Supreme Court says

Houston public school
(Image credit: Francois Picard/AFP/Getty Images)

Texas school districts can disregard Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) emergency order forbidding any government entity to require masks, at least for now, after the Texas Supreme Court on Thursday declined to overturn a lower court's ruling and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) said it will suspend enforcement of Abbott's order during ongoing litigation.

Among the various legal challenges from Texas cities, counties, and school districts, a disabilities rights group sued in federal court to overrun the ban and President Biden instructed Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on Wednesday to "protect our children" from COVID-19 "using all of his oversight authorities and legal action if appropriate against governors who are trying to block and intimidate local schools officials and educators."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.