This week, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., introduced a proposal to “establish protections for members of the Armed Forces, or cadets or midshipmen at a federal service academy, who did not elect to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. “
Steube explained why he brought out the “Safeguarding the U.S. Armed Forces and Service Academies Act” on Wednesday.
“Today I introduced legislation to shore up our military readiness and protect our troops in the aftermath of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The men and women who raised their right hand to serve our country have been treated as if they are dispensable by President Biden and his administration,” said Steube. “Our country has great investment in individuals who serve and particularly, those who have trained and served for years. President Biden’s COVID-19 mandate on our troops was wrong. This legislation ensures our troops receive backpay, are reinstated if they desire to be, and are protected against any new COVID-19 vaccine mandates.”
The bill “ restores U.S. military readiness by addressing shortages due to COVID-19 mandate; requires the U.S. Armed Forces to reinstate anyone who was discharged due to refusal to take COVID-19 vaccine; requires the Federal service academies to reinstate cadets or midshipmen who was dismissed, denied graduation or commissions because they did not follow the COVID-19 vaccine mandate due to religious exemptions; allows for members of the U.S. Armed Forces who refused the COVID-19 vaccine to receive back pay or be honorably discharged; prohibits adverse action for members of the U.S. Armed Forces or cadets or midshipmen at Federal service academies for refusal to receive COVID-19 vaccine; rescinds the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and cadets or midshipmen at federal service academies;” and “prevents issuing new mandates or orders regarding COVID-19 vaccines.”
Steube’s bill was sent to the U.S. House Armed Services and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate and no co-sponsors in the U.S. House.
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