By inserting language repealing the requirement for American troops to receive the coronavirus vaccine in the yearly military policy bill, congressional Democrats are prepared to throw President Biden and the White House a setback on Tuesday.
According to information obtained by Fox News, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) will contain a clause eliminating the requirement that service members receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The House is anticipated to vote on the bill later this week when it is released on Wednesday.
The law would end the need that American troops receive certain vaccinations, but it won’t allow service personnel who were discharged or had their compensation reduced because they declined the coronavirus vaccine to be reinstated.
The NDAA will eventually contain language allowing the Department of Defense to evaluate the status of service personnel affected by the mandate, according to lawmakers on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. Another clause in the law requires the Pentagon to look into ways to recompense service personnel who received punishment for refusing vaccinations.
One day after the White House reiterated its support for maintaining the vaccine mandate, Congress made their decision.
“Secretary Austin’s been very clear that he opposes the repeal of that vaccine mandate, and the president actually concurs with the secretary that we need to continue to believe that all Americans, including those in the armed forces, should be vaccinated and boosted for COVID 19,”said John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the White House National Security Council.
