U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch of Idaho are joining with their Republican Senate colleagues to secure a provision in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act to protect servicemembers from the Biden Administration’s COVID vaccine mandate. One big problem though… the provision does not address the penalties and discharges previously incurred… so the Idaho Senators sent a letter directly to Biden requesting that reparations be made. They say that at a time when our military is facing its greatest recruitment challenges in decades, bringing thousands of troops back into duty is not only the right thing to do, but it is necessary. Many servicemembers have faced challenges in complying with the onerous COVID-19 vaccine mandate, including servicemembers who made the personal decision not to receive the vaccine. In addition to those who have been discharged, many were grounded, issued letters of reprimand, had clearances rescinded, and have been removed from training opportunities… all due to sincerely-held beliefs.
